Hilton Head Monthly February 2022

POOLS & PATIOS

NFL STAR KEN ANDERSON

HEART HEALTH

HILTON HEAD

OUR

Bridal ISSUE

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MOnthLY

VOICE of the LOWCOUNTRY

843-842-6988 | hiltonheadmonthly.com MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR

Marc Frey marc@hiltonheadmonthly.com

PRESIDENT

Anuska Frey anuska@hiltonheadmonthly.com

C0-PUBLISHERS

Sasha Sweeney sasha@hiltonheadmonthly.com Meredith DiMuzio meredith@hiltonheadmonthly.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Anthony Garzilli anthony@hiltonheadmonthly.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Rebecca Cashwell cashwell@hiltonheadmonthly.com

ART DIRECTOR

Madison Elrod madison@hiltonheadmonthly.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Allyson Venrick allyson@hiltonheadmonthly.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Majka Mochnac majka@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-290-9372 Mary Ann Kent maryann@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-9390 Markey McInerney markey@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-949-2591 Cathy Flory cathy@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-1538

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Heather Edge heather@yourlocalmarketingteam.com PHOTOGRAPHERS: Madison Elrod, Rob Kaufman, Ritterbeck Photography, Lloyd Wainscott WRITERS: Amy Coyne Bredeson, Becca Edwards, Jessica Farthing, Nina Greenplate, Justin Jarrett, Barry Kaufman, Tony Kukulich, Mark E. Lett, Vickie McIntyre, Dean Rowland, Tim Wood

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IIFEBRUARY ISSUEII

“must reads”

28

96

42 POOLS & PATIOS

NFL STAR KEN ANDERSON

HEART HEALTH

BLUFFTON HILTON HE A POOLS & PATIOS

23 H ISTORIC RECOGNITION Freedom Park Director Ahmad Ward earns prestigious award.

28 S IGNATURE EVENT

Hilton Head Seafood Festival set for 15th year.

42 B RIDAL GUIDE

Real weddings of lasting love.

NFL STAR KEN

ANDERSON

HEART HEALT

H

D

OUR

Bridal ISSUE

96 SUPER SHOWCASE

HHI’s Ken Anderson recounts playing in the Big Game.

Bridal OUR

ISSUE

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // $ 4. 9 5

FEBRUAR

ABOUT THE COVERS:

Y 2 0 2 2 // $ 4.

95

Photographer Gabriela Lopez captured a lovely wedding for our Bluffton cover and Philip Casey shot a stunning wedding for our Hilton Head cover.

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IIFEBRUARY 2022II

contents

32

58

118 HEALTH

NEWS

VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE

18 : Smart Spending Infrastructure funds can benefit Lowcountry.

38 : Love is in the Air Find the perfect present.

60 : Heart Health Here’s how to maintain a lively lifestyle.

BRIDAL

HOME

COMMUNITY

24 : Friendly Neighbors Second Helpings celebrates 30 years serving the community.

26 : Heritage Honored Gullah Celebration recognizes traditions of the culture.

BUSINESS

32 : Surfing Style Aloha K Designs turns surfboards into art.

+ IN

EVERY ISSUE

8 : At The Helm 10 : Opinion 12 : Contributor 14 : News

6 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

42 : Lifetime of Love Wedding celebrates a special bond.

67 : Enhanced Experience Prime ideas for poolside patios.

48 : Joyful Journey A love story 22 years in the making.

76 : Grow Small Go-to tips for container gardening.

54 : All About the Details Sentimental choices pull everything together.

DINING

58: Big Day Responsibilities Top tasks for the best man and maid of honor.

16 : Pets to Adopt 22 : Photos of the Month 30 : Community Connection 36 : On the Move

114 : Back Home Winemaker Josh Peeples returns to Lowcountry.

118 : Fire Up the Food Truck The Southern Peel warms Bluffton’s food scene.

82 : Real Estate News 108 : Calendar 122 : Dining briefs 124 : Restaurant Listings 128 : Last Call

IIAT THE HELMII

dear reader...

Meredith DiMuzio

Sasha Sweeney

Love is in the air this month. In recognition of this romantic time, we celebrate it with our annual bridal issue.

New love is highlighted in profiles of local couples who tied the knot after longstanding commitments to each other. We also offer insight into why each detail during a wedding makes a difference.

If you’re looking for a unique Valentine’s gift for your significant other, be sure to check out our local gift guide.

In our business section, we spotlight an artist who turns salvaged vintage surfboards into artwork. Learn about Kate Brown’s hand-painted designs.

We highlight Ahmad Ward, the executive director of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park who was honored with a prestigious award.

Read about his passion for Mitchelville.

February offers a monthlong celebration of Gullah culture. Learn about the 26th annual Gullah Celebration and the events that put the spotlight on the native islanders’ history.

For 15 years the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival has been a mainstay for food, music and goodwill.

This year’s weeklong event brings together top chefs, sommeliers, artisans and musicians. Read about the event and how the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation gives back to the community.

Staying healthy is a top priority. From exercise to the best eating habits, learn about the essential ways to ensure your heart is always at full strength.

The Super Bowl has become a national holiday, but what’s it like to play in the big game? Find out from Hilton Head resident and former NFL star Ken Anderson, who led the Bengals to the title match in 1982.

We’re proud of the hard work that went into this issue, and we wish you health and happiness this month and always.

MEREDITH DIMUZIO SASHA SWEENEY Co-Publishers

SEE OUR

Valentine’s GIFT GUIDE PAGE 38

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IIOPINIONII

“letter ” EAGER. EXPECTANT. ENERGIZED.

BY AMANDA BREWER DICKMAN The start of a new year is always a time for reflection, both on the achievements made in the past year and the exciting opportunities a new year brings. Looking back on 2021, the words “resilience,” “reimagine,” and “resourceful” come to mind as Beaufort County Library worked diligently to provide library services and programs to a grateful community.

Looking ahead to the possibilities 2022 may bring, I cannot help but feel eager, expectant and energized.

Like other organizations, the Beaufort County Library experienced no shortage of change and challenges in 2021. Throughout the year, our five locations and two bookmobiles remained committed to connecting the community to library resources and services.

We were thrilled to see more than 200,000 people returning to their local library to pick up a popular book or DVD, access free Wi-Fi or public computers, utilize meeting space, or receive assistance from our helpful staff. Our digital library also kept pace to make available nearly 2 million items available to library cardholders through Hoopla (ebooks, audiobooks, movies, TV, and music), cloudLibrary (ebooks and audiobooks), and Flipster (digital magazines).

Our success is also attributed to the valuable partnerships we have with community organizations, especially those who share with us a deep commitment to serving the needs of Beaufort County residents.

Last winter, VITA and AARP provided free tax preparation assistance to thousands of residents across the county.

As result of our collaboration with the Beaufort County School District and community sponsors, our joint summer reading Amanda Brewer Dickman is Director of the Beaufort County Library.

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program awarded 182 prizes to over 2,000 readers while our partnership with the USDA’s Summer Feeding program served 4,458 free lunches to children at our locations this summer.

Through a partnership with South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority this Fall, several library locations hosted representatives from SC Stay Plus who assisted over 815 residents apply for financial support for past due rent and utilities to renters financially impacted by COVID-19.

This year got off to an exciting start with the reopening of the remodeled Bluffton Branch Library, providing larger space for children’s collections and programs, additional community meeting rooms, and a redesigned book and magazine browsing section.

The start of the new year also marked the expansion of operating hours and the return of in-person library programming adapted to account for social distancing and COVID-19 guidelines. In the weeks and months ahead, Beaufort County Library locations will again host free tax assistance (February-April), an annual Summer Reading program in partnership with Beaufort County School District, and prepare for additional facilities upgrades at our locations.

One thing is certain, year upon year Beaufort County Library remains dedicated to making your experience using the library the best it can be.

This spring, we will invite you to provide your feedback by participating in our community survey to inform our next threeyear strategic plan.

Without you our library would be an empty warehouse. It is your presence that brings our libraries to life.

IIBEHIND THE SCENESII

Meet Our Featured Writer

CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

LOWCOUNTRY STARS STAND OUT IN ALL-STAR GAME

“Every place is intriguing, and every person has a story.”

Clay Bonnyman Evans was born at the foot of the Rockies and having lived all over the West, has always been a “mountain boy.”

He’s climbed to 18,000 feet hiking the Annapurna circuit in Nepal and has summited all but one of Colorado’s 54 14,000-foot peaks. He’s also “thru-hiked” the 2,292-mile Appalachian Trail, 2,653-mile Pacific Crest Trail and South Carolina’s gorgeous, 77-mile Foothills Trail, among others.

For the past six years, he’s lived near the beach with his wife and dogs, a good 100 miles away from a hill higher than a sand-trap berm — and he loves it. He runs on the beach, writes books and freelance articles and volunteers for Pinckney Island and Hospice Care of the Lowcountry.

His long career in journalism includes working at such papers as the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register. Evans is grateful to Monthly for giving him the opportunity to explore his adopted home and share a few of its fascinating people, places and stories with readers.

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The local football season provided another highlight at the Blitz Border Bowl at Savannah’s Memorial Stadium.

The contest between senior all-stars of the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire was a tightly contested game, with the Lowcountry prevailing 14-13.

The Lowcountry was paced by Wade Hampton’s Jamian Risher (MVP) who caught a 59-yard touchdown pass and threw the go-ahead 36-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Gilliam of Hilton Head High.

The winning score came on a reverse as Risher rolled left and fired to Gilliam.

The go-ahead extra point was booted by Hilton Head Prep’s Trevor Weldon.

The Lowcountry rallied from a 13-0 deficit.

Risher was recently named to the prestigious 2021 South Carolina Football Coaches Association Palmetto Champions Team with Alvin Wilson and coach Bryce Lybrand of Beaufort High.

CHECK IT OUT @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 13

IILOCAL NEWSII

“in the know ” The New Year began with a winter storm, Hilton Head’s eagles were given names, and a scholarship was named in honor of a Bluffton teen.

Here is what made news during the past month:

STORM

STORM LEAVES THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER The Lowcountry was welcomed to the New Year with a powerful overnight storm on Jan. 3 that left thousands without power. Severe storms and a cold front brought heavy rains and h e a v y w i n d . Pa l m e t t o E l e c t r i c Cooperative said as of late morning Jan. 3 there were 25 line outages that impacted nearly 1,500 member locations. Dominion Energy reported more than 400 outages in Beaufort County. Wind gusts reached 49 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

SCHOLARSHIP NAMED IN MEMORY OF BLUFFTON TEEN A scholarship has been started in memory of JonPaul Gonzalez, a Bluffton teenager. South Georgia Tormenta FC and the Ibis Foundation announced their JonPaul (JP) Gonzalez Scholarship, named for the former Tormenta FC Academy player. Gonzalez died in a car accident Dec. 4. He was a member of the Tormenta FC Academy for a 14 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

GONZALEZ

decade, a news release said. The Ibis Foundation will accept donations in memory of JP which will go toward funding one chosen TFC Academy player’s team and uniform fees each year, starting with TFC Academy’s 2022 season.

BLUFFTON RESIDENT RECOGNIZED AS WORLD SPIRITUAL LEADER Suzanne Giesemann of Moss Creek was included on Watkins’ Mind Body Spirit magazine’s 2022 list of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People. The list celebrates the positive influence of today’s teachers and leaders who nurture spiritual growth and make the world a better place, a news release said. Giesemann is the author of 13 books and hosts the radio show Messages of Hope on Unity Online Radio.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND LAND TRUST ANNOUNCES NAME FOR EAGLES Hilton Head Island Land Trust conducted a contest to name the pair of eagles that are the subject of its

GIESEMANN

newly launched “Eagle Cam.” After more than 400 submissions were received from across the country, the eagles’ names selected are Harriet and Mitch. The eagles are named after Underground Railroad crusader Harriet Tubman and General Ormsby M. Mitchel, who founded the Town of Mitchelville on Hilton Head Island.

Tubman spent time in the Beaufort County area as a nurse and a spy for the Union Army.

BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES EMPLOYEE BONUSES Beaufort County’s school board approved a one-time bonus of $1,000 to full-time classified, professional and administrative employees, a news release said.

These employees,who have been employed for a minimum of 45 days this academic year, were set to receive the payment in January. The bonuses total $1,140,455, to be paid from savings in the district’s current year General Fund operating budget.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 15

IILOCAL NEWSII

BEAUFORT MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO FATAL SHOOTING OF LOWCOUNTRY CHILD

“pets”

OF THE MONTH

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said Gregory Harris Scott, 20, of Beaufort faces murder charges in connection with the Dec. 28 shooting death of a 5-year-old Ridgeland boy. The suspect Scott was arrested Jan. 13 by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office in Macon, Ga., according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. The JCSO said during a drive-by shooting DeAndre Robinson was shot while he was jumping on the bed at his grandparents’ home in the Wagon Branch area.

SOUTH ATLANTIC LOGISTICS TERMINAL PLANNED FOR LOWCOUNTRY North Point Development announced the purchase of an 880-acre economic development site in Hardeeville that will accommodate up to 6 million square feet of warehouse and industrial space, a news release said. The project plans to bring more than 550 jobs at full buildout. The South Atlantic Logistics Terminal site is located along I-95 and I-17. The news release said North Point is finalizing plans for the site and expects to break ground on the first phase of development in the spring of 2022.

BLUFFTON BUILT GALA POSTPONED Because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton has postponed the 2022 Bluffton Built Gala originally scheduled for Feb. 4 at the Montage Palmetto Bluff.

“While we are disappointed to postpone this event, we are an organization committed to safety for our community. We look forward to rescheduling in early 2023,” event chair Nancy Aiken-DeLano, board member and club parent said. For more information, contact Kristen McGuire at 843-757-2831.

ODIN Age: 2 ½ years old Gender: Male Weight: 57 pounds Breed: Terrier Mix Temperament: Laid back, affectionate, a little independent, athletic.

CECIL Age: Less than 1 year old Gender: Male Weight: 10 pounds Breed: Domestic Short Hair Temperament: Extremely loving, outgoing, extroverted, playful.

RX INDUSTRIES EXPANDING OPERATIONS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY RX Industries, a precision, high-quality computer numerical control machine shop, announced plans to expand operations in Beaufort County, a news release said. The company’s $9.08 million investment will create 13 new jobs. RX Industries is purchasing a facility located at 16 Finch Street on Hilton Head Island.

The new facility will increase the company’s machining capacity to accommodate increased customer demand.

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Adopt them at: Hilton Head Humane 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head Island.

ADOPTION BY APPOINTMENT TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER WALK-INS

CALL 843-681-8686 OR WWW.HHHUMANE.ORG

ST.PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

CORONAVIRUS CASES SEE UPTICK COVID-19 continues to affect the area and the country. New coronavirus cases as of mid-January in South Carolina rose 43.8% as of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Beaufort County reported 3,325 cases (more than 33,900 total cases during the pandemic). The Beaufort County

School District said starting Jan. 18 it was accepting home rapid tests to allow students to return to school.

SAVANNAH’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE REMAINS ON SCHEDULE Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said as of mid-January the city plans to hold

its St. Patrick’s Day parade in March.

The parade had been canceled the last two years. He said the parade might have some modifications such as less participation or a different route.

The event, which draws thousands of revelers, was first held in 1824.

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 17

IILOCAL NEWSII

SEN. DAVIS HAS A LIST OF OBJECTIVES AT THE READY. CHIEF AMONG THOSE:

Widening and repaving I-95, with a long-term goal of adding third lanes from the GeorgiaSouth Carolina border to Walterboro

Extending a rail spur to better link Exit 3 off I-95 with warehouses and distribution centers in Jasper County and the Port of Savannah

Water and sewer upgrades in southern Jasper County

Preparations for an ocean terminal in Jasper County

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STRATEGIC $PENDING BILLIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS COULD BENEFIT LOWCOUNTRY

BY MARK E. LETT

Improvements to the terminal at Hilton Head Airport, where a $37.5-million terminal expansion is under way

Tom Davis has a top priority for state lawmakers preparing to divvy up billions of dollars in federal infrastructure money: Put Lowcountry concerns high on the To-Do List.

The Beaufort-based senator who represents District 46 is sharing his shopping list with fellow lawmakers, who are in the midst of the give-and-take to determine spending on projects for land, sea and air.

In the days and weeks ahead, the South Carolina General Assembly will decide how to spend the state’s share — $6.11 billion — of some $550 billion in infrastructure funds approved

by Congress in November.

The bottom line for Davis: spending “wisely” and “fairly” to meet the needs and goals for Beaufort and Jasper counties.

“We don’t want to duplicate, and we don’t want to complicate,” said Davis, a state senator since 2008, representing almost all of southern Beaufort County, much of northern Beaufort County and a much of Jasper County. “And we don’t want to leave federal money on the table, either.”

Strategic spending could improve the quality of life in the Lowcountry while fueling economic development, said Davis, who was a senior policy advisor and co-chief of staff during the administration of Gov. Mark Sanford.

A majority of South Carolina’s money is expected to be aimed at road and bridge repairs. The state has more than 1,700 bridges needing attention and some 7,300 highway miles with much-needed improvements, officials said. An existing state Department of Transportation plan will shape much of that spending.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 19

IILOCAL NEWSII

Davis said a spending plan to be developed by the General Assembly must work within guidelines covering federal dollars targeted for the Palmetto State. Those include:

•

$4.6 billion to maintain federal highways.

•

$274 million to repair and replace bridges.

•

$510 million to upgrade water infrastructure.

•

$161 million to upgrade airports.

•

$366 million to improve public transportation.

•

$70 million to expand an electric vehicle charging network.

•

$100 million to expand high-speed broadband infrastructure.

•

$16.3 million to protect against cyberattacks.

Davis said strategic spending of federal dollars could accelerate and solidify an expanding base of shipping, transportation, logistics and warehousing that embraces I-95, southern Jasper County and the Port of Savannah.

Included in the vision is a proposed port in Jasper County to serve the increasingly complex world of international shipping.

Supply-chain problems aggravated by the COVID pandemic have idled hundreds of container ships offshore, where they wait for choked ports to clear.

The backlog strained the Port of Savannah, which set record cargo volume records for 16 consecutive months.

Nonstop demand prompted port authorities to build additional dock space and a yard to serve giant container ships from around the world.

Davis is familiar and enthusiastic about the potential for a Jasper port and suggests fresh federal money could help move things along. While with the governor’s administration he led successful talks with the state of Georgia to co-develop a port on the Savannah River in Jasper.

Whatever the General Assembly decides (the legislative session began in January and adjourns May 12), Davis said infrastructure decisions should be balanced with programs to preserve the culture, lifestyle and environmental qualities of the Lowcountry.

“There is a flip side to economic growth,” he said.

“Open space and green space are important as well.

“We want to preserve the very things that brought so many of us down to this area in the first place. We can have both: economic growth and protection of our fragile ecosystem.”

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 21

IIMY PERSPECTIVEII

PHOTOS MONTH OF THE

1

2

1. David Remigio, 10, throws his cast net into the Saw Mill Creek looking for bait. Photographed by Sara Remigio.

2. Vicky Pomerance Neer photographed this beautiful sunset near Hudson’s.

H AV E A N I N C R E D I B LE P H OTO TO S H A R E? W E’D LOV E TO S E E IT. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS TO EDITOR @ HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM

22 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

making an

IMPACT

HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE FREEDOM PARK DIRECTOR AHMAD WARD EARNS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

BY TONY KUKULICH Ahmad Ward is a man of vision and planning. As the executive director of Hilton Head’s Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, Ward received the prestigious Southeast Museum Conference 2021 Museum Leadership Award. That recognition comes, in no small part, from his ability to envision the enormous potential of Mitchelville and develop a plan to realize that potential.

“It’s definitely an honor to be recognized by your peers,” Ward said. “Sometimes you don’t think people are seeing your work. Let me tell you, sometimes leadership can be a thankless job. But nonprofit leadership, oh man, sometimes it feels like nobody sees what you’re doing. It was really cool they acknowledged the work that we’re trying to do at Mitchelville and in the field in general.”

Given Ward’s vision, it’s especially ironic that his career path and his position at Mitchelville were due in large part to a couple of happy accidents.

A native of Elizabeth City, N.C., Ward earned an undergraduate degree in art from Elizabeth City State University, where he also earned a minor in business administration. After graduation he found himself less than thrilled with the prospect of teaching art.

He quips that he was “dangerously close” to becoming a professional photographer before an advisor suggested he look at Hampton University’s museum studies program. Intrigued, Ward took the one-hour drive north and soon enrolled in the program.

“I was maybe going to go to an art museum,” Ward said of his post-graduation plans. “I ended up in a history museum. I always liked history, but didn’t think I was going to spend my whole career so far in history museums. But that’s what happened.”

That history museum was the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute where he spent 18 years. For 15 of those years Ward ran the education department there and spent countless hours in the one place he once avoided – the classroom.

As Ward prepared to leave his position in Birmingham, he was considering a career change when fate once again intervened.

Ward’s mother-in-law, who is also in the museum field, passed along a job lead from an institution that had to that point escaped his notice, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park.

“I couldn’t believe that I had never heard of Mitchelville based on the work that I had been doing,” Ward said.

After more than four years as executive d i re ct or at M it chelv i l le, Wa rd wa s recog nized for his leadership of the institution by the SEMC. Strategic leadership and dedication to u p h old i n g t h e m i s sio n of H i s t o r ic Mitchelville were noted in Ward’s award nomination letter as key attributes that he brings to his role as executive director. His work developing and implementing the site’s master plan that will recreate the historic town as an interpretative site were noted as important factors in his nomination.

Support for his nomination for the SEMC award came from colleagues in the field.

In her letter nominating Ward, Natalie Hefter, vice president of collections and interpretation at the Coastal Discovery Museum, said Ward’s “expertise is invaluable to the community, and his achievements (past and future) at the Mitchelville Freedom Park will ensure that the Mitchelville story stays in our community for the future.”

At home Ward spends time with his wife and two teenage daughters.

He still draws occasionally, but is more likely to be cooking, watching sports, or pursuing another passion — fantasy football.

He’s been playing with friends for about 20 years.

“We don’t play for money, only bragging rights,” said Ward, who earned nine straight wins to get into the championship game for the first time in six years. Unfortunately, Ward’s streak of good luck came to an end, and he lost that title game.

For Ward and Mitchelville, the future is bright.

“I think we have some really good opportunities to do some really impactful things,” Ward said. “We want to continue to do programs for young people. I try to make sure that we are providing a resource for them so they learn about their history and make some connections to other things as well. We hope we are impactful. We hope that we can be a solid source of interest and history for the region.”

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 23

IICOMMUNITYII

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARCUS TANNER LEADS NONPROFIT INTO ITS 30TH YEAR

second helpings assists

NEIGHBORS IN NEED STORY BY AMY COYNE BREDESON | PHOTO BY MADISON ELROD

Second Helpings is a nonprofit organization that works to eliminate hunger and reduce food waste in the Lowcountry by partnering with food donors and agencies that distribute food to people in need.

A United Way Agency, Second Helpings is the only food rescue organization serving Beaufort, Jasper a nd H a m pt o n c ou nt ie s. T he organization is celebrating 30 years of service and recently welcomed a new executive director.

Former executive director Lili Coleman has retired, and Marcus Tan ner has stepped in to take her place.

Tanner retired in October 2021 after 27 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He held many roles in the Marine Corps, including: infantry platoon commander; company commander; recruiter; mission assurance program manager; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense officer; special projects/program director; operations officer/chief and public affairs chief. He has been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and various countries in Africa and the Mediterranean. He has been stationed all over the U.S., including at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort from 2017 to 2019.

Tanner is happy to be back in the Lowcountry. He and his wife, Stephanie, along with their two children, moved back in July. They loved the area so much when they were stationed in Beaufort that they had hoped to one day make the Lowcountry their permanent home.

When Tanner saw the job opportunity listed on Indeed, he knew he had to apply.

“I could not be more blessed to be a part of this organization,” he said. “From the very minute I saw something about Second Helpings, it was just a feeling that I had that it was an amazing organization.”

Tanner is enjoying his role as executive director, which allows him to witness firsthand the impact that the organization has on the community.

He said many people don’t realize the level of community support the organization gets. Most of the group’s 300 24 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

volunteers pick up food from donors, such as grocery stores, and deliver it to agency partners. Others organize food drives, pack food for Hilton Head Island workers traveling back and forth to work on Palmetto Breeze buses, serve on board committees, or help with office and administrative tasks.

The donors give away food that is close to its “sell by” date or that they have in excess. Second Helpings delivers that food to its 50 agency partners, including soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, senior centers, shelters for victims of domestic violence, and Boys and Girls Clubs. Thanks to the partnerships, Second Helpings can deliver 3 million pounds of food every year.

“The people in this community have really banded together to make this happen,” Tanner said.

He said Second Helpings can always use more volunteers. Individuals who would like to donate their time should visit the organization’s website, click on the “Get involved” tab, then select “Volunteer” to fill out a volunteer form.

The organization plans to expand some of its programs and reallocate resources to the areas of the Lowcountry with the greatest need. To do that, Second Helpings needs even more volunteers. Tanner is looking for volunteers to visit local agencies and food donors to find out how to make a bigger impact.

Tanner said he has two goals every day — to find joy in a world filled with tragedy and to be intentional in everything he does.

“If we do stop and take time to really see, hear and talk to our fellow neighbors, I think that will really make all the difference in the world,” he said.

For more infor mation or to get involved with Second Helpings, visit secondhelpingslc.org or call 843-689-3689.

IICOMMUNITY CELEBRATIONII

THE

CheRISh Legacy A N N U A L G U L L A H C E L E B R AT I O N H O N O R S N AT I V E I S L A N D E R S ’ H I S T O RY

BY HILTON HEAD MONTHLY | PHOTOS SUPPLIED

The Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration will present the 26th Annual Celebration on Hilton Head Island throughout the month.

The Feb. 1-27 event, which includes art and food, crafts and music and history, invites attendees to “Experience the Culture and Cherish the Legacy” of the Gullah Community on Hilton Head Island.

Amiri Geuka Farris is the featured artist. He has been featured in more than 50 solo and juried exhibitions internationally, including the National African American Museum of History and Culture. Farris received his MFA in painting and BFA in illustration from SCAD. “Amiri’s art captures the spirit of the Gullah people perfectly. This year’s featured image is everything we have hoped for. It captures the joy of our culture and the rich heritage that we’re happy to share with everyone who joins the festival,” says T. Curtis Barnwell III, Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration Committee Chair.

“Arts Ob We People” opens on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the Art League Gallery and runs through February. It is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration Opening Party is at the Art League Gallery 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

The celebration continues with a Freedom Walk in honor of National Freedom Day at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visitors will learn about the historical connection of Ft. Howell and Mitchelville through the stories passed down from generation to generation.

Speakers include the Rev. Dr. Robin Dease of St. Andrew by the Sea and Dr. John Newman of Volunteers in Medicine.

The celebration will include vaccines and surprise guests, screenings, and wellness information provided by Memory Matters, Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare Senior Center, and Hilton Head Island Fire, Life and Safety, a news release said.

On Saturday, Feb. 12, “A Taste of Gullah” returns to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina with food trucks offering traditional Gullah food, including conch stew, shrimp gumbo, fried chicken, fried fish and oxtail stew. The Gullah Market on Saturday, Feb. 19 will have an array of arts, crafts, food vendors, music, and cultural performances.

Gullah Culture will be on full display at the Coastal Discovery Museum.

A “Celebration of African American” authors is set for Saturday, Feb. 26, in Bluffton, which includes a Gullah food tasting.

For more information, visit gullahcelebration.com.

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GULLAH CELEBRATION EVENT CALENDAR THROUGH FEB. 27, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. “ARTS OB WE PEOPLE”: EXHIBIT AND SALE Art League Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island FEB. 5, 10 A.M. – 1 P.M. FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATION Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, 229 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island FEB. 9, 5 P.M. - 7 P.M. 26TH ANNUAL HILTON HEAD ISLAND GULLAH CELEBRATION OPENING PARTY Art League Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island FEB. 12, 12 P.M. – 3 P.M. A TASTE OF GULLAH Art Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island FEB. 19, 11 A.M. – 5 P.M. GULLAH MARKET: ARTS, CRAFTS, MUSIC AND FOOD Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Road, Hilton Head Island FEB. 26, 12 P.M. - 3 P.M. CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park, 11 Recreation Court, Bluffton

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IICOMMUNITY FESTIVALII

HILTON HEAD SEAFOOD FESTIVAL CELEBRATING ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

BY TIM WOOD | PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Andrew Carmines has never looked so forward to the signature event that honors the life of his brother, David. COVID sidelined the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival for a year, but that just means a bigger and better event this year.

“We’re going to donate our millionth dollar to local charities this year, so that just means the world,” said the Shell Ring Oyster Co. & Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks chef and founder of the Seafood Festival, which is Feb. 21-27. “There is so much to be excited about this year, plenty of evolution but the same core spirit of adventure in the outdoors that defined David so much.”

What began as a water festival in 2004 morphed into a seafood festival in 2007 at Shelter Cove Community Park.

Now in celebration of its 15th anniversary, the week-long event will culminate once again at the newly renovated waterfront at Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina.

“We’re so thankful to Honey Horn for all they’ve done for us through the years. When I first came back from the West Coast and we started this, we weren’t big enough for Shelter Cove,” Carmines said. “But now this event has a following, a spirit and we’re excited to be anchored by the water once again.”

Also new this year is a fireworks celebration to commemorate the anniversary and celebrate the impact the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation has made in the Lowcountry and beyond.

“We’ve been able to impact some incredible nonprofits to achieve wonderful feats for folks by funding their work,” Carmines said.

“Every penny of the proceeds here goes back to the charities.”

The week kicks off with a Daufuskie Island history and artisans tour offered by Outside Hilton Head and a two-hour introduction to shrimping, oystering, clamming and crabbing by Capt. Chris and Matthew Shoemaker of May River Excursions.

Early week events include a Feb. 23 Callawassie Island tour of homes and a Feb. 24 Salt Water Supper where a lineup of celebrity chefs will cook a multi-course dinner at the Omni Oceanfront Resort.

The culinary artists include John Cool, Bryan Noury, Andrea Reusing, Brother Luck, Hugo Ortega and Michael “Sully” Sullivan.

Friday, Feb. 25, begins with a series of master classes taught by the chefs and ends with the Pig Pickin’ and Oyster Roast from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Coastal Discovery Museum, filled with good eats, brews, wines and live music. Hosting the evening’s festivities is renowned foodie and actor Luis Guzman.

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The lineup of chefs and pit masters includes Tim Nelson of Whiskey Room, Robert Owens of Grand Champion BBQ, Orchid Paulmeier of One Hot Mama’s and the SERG Restaurant Group, CheFarmer Matthew Raiford, Clayton Rollison of Callawassie Island Club, John Tesar, Jake Wood of Lawrence BBQ in North Carolina, Philippe Feret, owner/baker Social Bakery, The Sea Pines Resort, Scott Bodkin of Fish, Lee Lucier of Local Pie and Carmines.

Carmines said the growth of regional and national chef participation in the event is rewarding to give such a spotlight to the efforts of local fishermen.

“They bring their families, go fishing, make a weekend of it. We show them our soft-shell shedding operation, how we shuck oysters,” Carmines said. “They’ll work with black sea bass that was swimming the day before. That’s exciting for us to showcase and for the chefs to be part of, seeing the best of what we do here on the island.”

It leads up to the Saturday event, featuring unlimited samplings from hundreds of varieties of wine, beer and spirits; family activities, and free children’s shows.

New this year is a RFID wristband that comes preloaded with $10 in culinary credit and allows for contactless payments and discounts to restaurants and retailers around Shelter Cove.

Many of the top local and regional restaurants will serve seafood and more.

Tickets for the early week events range from $49 to $200. The master classes are $89 to $149.

General admission to the Pig Pickin’ and Oyster Roast is $90 and the Saturday festival is $85 for adults and $12 for ages 21 and under.

An Above Board Weekend pass gets you a discounted ticket to the Friday dinner and the Saturday festival.

Tickets to the Festival include a souvenir wine glass and access to cooking demos and tasting sessions with the industry’s leading chefs and master sommeliers, mixologists, winemakers and brewmasters.

“I think this is the elixir we all need. Missing last year was a downer,” Carmines said. “But the idea of breaking the $1 million mark in the help we provide to The Children’s Center, The Coastal Discovery Museum and so many more champions of this community, it will make the wait so much more worth it.”

For more information on volunteering or buying tickets to the Festival, visit hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com.

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IIIN THE SPOTLIGHTII

“community connection ”

BURNT CHURCH DISTILLERY

13 NONPROFITS RECEIVE $338,825 IN FUNDING Thirteen local nonprofit organizations have been awarded $338,825 to help them continue addressing challenges created by COVID-19. The funding is part of a $5 million American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 grant the Town of Hilton Head Island received. Grant recipients in the first round include: Hilton Head Island Recreation Association, $6,250; Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, $22,125; Meals-on-Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head, $20,000; Memory Matters, $15,000; Mental Health America of Beaufort/Jasper, $24,000; Native Island Business & Community Affairs Association, $50,000; Programs for Exceptional People, $15,000; Sandalwood Community Food Pantry, $50,000; Second Helpings, $25,000; Society of St. Vincent de Paul Holy Family Conference, $20,000; The Children’s Center, $22,700; The Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project, $50,000; and The Hunger Coalition of the Lowcountry, $18,750.

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BURNT CHURCH DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES 2022 CHARITABLE PARTNERS Watterson Brands has announced the 2022 Burnt Church Distillery Charitable Partners: Meals-On-Wheels (January), Real Champions (February), SOAR Special Olympics (March), Hopeful Horizons (April), YoungLife (May), Lowcountry Legacy Fund (June), Vantage Point (July), Bluffton Self Help (August), Pockets Full of Sunshine (September), Empower (October), Humane Society (November) and Family Promise (December).

Fo r a s c h e d u l e o f e v e n t s , v i s i t burntchurchdistillery.com/events.

Since opening in 2021, Burnt Church Distillery has offered monthly giveback opportunities, in addition to charitable collaborations with Watterson Brands’ portfolio of venues and the ongoing initiative, Watterson Means Good, and the Lowcountry Legacy Fund. Through Help4Hope, Watterson Means Good distributed, among other

contributions, $186,550 to restaurants to reimburse them for serving 14,924 free meals to those affected by the pandemic in 2020.

The 2023 grant cycle applications will open Aug. 31.

NURSE RETENTION SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FIRST WINNERS The South Carolina Nurse Retention Scholarship, an initiative to attract and retain recent BSN graduate nurses who continue to work in Beaufort County, announced the first four scholarship winners: Lauren Londono of Beaufort, who works as a circulating nurse in the main operating room at Beaufort Memorial Hospital; Krystal Maldonado of Beaufort, who is a registered nurse at Hilton Head Dermatology; Maria Novoa, a Bluffton resident, is a registered nurse at Hilton Head Hospital; and Erika Thalacker, Beaufort, who works as a registered nurse for Beaufort-JasperHampton Comprehensive Health Service at

Chelsea Pediatric Clinic. The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry and several individuals provided initial funds to award these first four scholarships. For more information, visit SCNurseRetention.org.

ROTARY CLUB OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island is offering academic scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Scholarship awardees are eligible to receive scholarship funding of $4,000 per year for a maximum of four years.

Applicants must reside on Hilton Head Island and attend a Hilton Head Island school (public or private). Students planning to attend South Carolina colleges or universities will receive preferential consideration. For more information, visit hiltonheadrotary.org. The application with the requested documents must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m.

March 31.

RECORD DONATIONS RAISED AT 2022 POLAR PLUNGE About 500 Polar Plungers ran into the 71-degree Atlantic Ocean at Coligny Beach New Year’s Day to welcome 2022.

Participants raised a record $3,250 for Charli’s Critters, a non-profit housed at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry and founded in honor of Charli Bobinchuck. Charli’s Critters connects children on Hilton Head with their natural surroundings by supporting wildlife education, preservation, and conservation.

PALMETTO ELECTRIC, HARGRAY AWARD BLUFFTON $90,000 Palmetto Electric and Hargray gave $90,000 to the Town of Bluffton for an economic development project and a reflection garden for the Bluffton Police Department. Palmetto Electric awarded $55,000 in utility tax credits which the Town will use for environmental assessments and land surveys to prepare

10.5 acres of town-owned property for development, a news release said. Hargray granted the town $35,000 through its community engagement initiatives to be reserved for a reflection garden, in memory of Officer Jonathan Garcia, who died by suicide.

It will be “symbolic of the department’s commitment to mental health and wellness of its officer and civilian colleague.”

BLUFFTON SELF HELP ANNOUNCES NEXT PHASE Bluffton Self Help’s Path Forward initiative announced its next phase, which includes an emphasis on educational and training programming, workforce development and access to guided resources. Bluffton Self Help is taking a holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty in the Lowcountry. It has formed the Red Apron Alliance, which will pull from existing community resources to more efficiently serve the community. Visit blufftonselfhelp.org.

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ALOHA K DESIGNS TURNS SURFBOARDS INTO ART

BY VICKIE MCINTYRE PHOTOS BY RITTERBECK PHOTOGRAPHY

For newlyweds Kate and Dan Brown of Bluffton, the familiar adage: “Love what you do, do what you love” is more than aspiration — it’s the foundation of their partnership. Their relationship, as well as their free time and extra incomes, stem from a blissful obsession with surfing.

Kate, a high school academic and college advisor who hails from New Jersey, discovered her love of surfing at 10, when her family traveled to Hawaii.

Dan, an athletic trainer and part owner of Hilton Head Cabana & Beach Services, spent most of his youth skateboarding and snowboarding around Richmond.

Their worlds collided thanks to a dating app.

Both adventurous, they met at Coligny Plaza for their first date, where Kate donned pink roller skates and Dan glided beside her on his skateboard.

“We skated around by Al’s Aloha Kitchen and got Poke bowls,” Kate said. “Which is now where my boards are.”

The boards — ­ salvaged vintage surfboards, restored and primed by Dan — are her canvases. Each is handpainted with floral designs and sold through Aloha K Designs, her web and Instagram-based company.

“I’ve been a painter my whole life,” says Kate, pointing to various ocean-themed paintings hanging on the walls of their new home. “It brings me great joy.”

Painting surfboards began last May when Kate took a broken board and inscribed “forever & all waves” on it as ceremonial décor for their intimate wedding at a waterfront home on Folly Beach.

“We love Hawaiian culture and painting boards is very popular there,” says Kate, explaining where the idea came from.

Following their beach-hopping honeymoon on Puerto Rico, Kate wanted to paint more boards. Dan, who spent years perfecting the process of restoring surfboards for customers and businesses, suggested she use his home workspace, even donating three used boards he had purchased from sites like Craigslist to get her started.

It was like catching the perfect wave.

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PHOTO BY BY KATYE SCHRECENGOST

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Every evening they retreated to Dan’s workspace. While Dan cleaned, stripped, sanded, and primed boards with spray paint, Kate sketched and painted new designs.

In September, she posted her creations on Instagram and talked with Al’s Aloha Kitchen about displaying her work.

“That’s where it started,” she says. “The boards that are up right now are more about alerting people to the business. People look at them and think, ‘I have this old board in my garage or basement that I’m not using,’ and they decide they’d like a custom piece for their house.”

As requests for commission work ensued, Kate expanded her display outlets to places like Quiet Storm Surf Shop in Coligny Center, Coastal Exchange in Bluffton, and Frankie and June Surf Shop in Savannah.

“It’s been a community building experience and a really fun way to get back into painting,” she says.

It’s also inspired new ideas. By summer, Kate hopes to add a line of jewelry to her business that will fuse sleek metal designs with colorful sea glass that she collected while on her honeymoon. She also hopes to do mural work, possibly on shipping containers.

Whether it’s lending a hand or suggesting a surfing trip for inspiration, Dan will be by her side.

He grins, gives a thumbs up, and declares, “We’re all in on the beach life.”

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“on the move ” 1. SECOND HELPINGS VOLUNTEER JOINS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Amy Fee, a Hilton Head Island resident, was recently named to the board of directors of Second Helpings. Fee has extensive experience in sales and marketing. She retired in 2019 from Morgan Stanley as vice president and director of business development. Fee is involved with the North Forest Beach Association, Turtle Trackers, Beaufort County’s Senior Leadership Program, and is a steward with the Little Free Library.

Second Helpings also recently welcomed Leah Long as its new operations administrator. Long replaces Bruce Algar.

2. UNITED WAY OF THE LOWCOUNTRY NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS Jeanine Bostick and Carl Kilpatrick are the newest United Way of the Lowcountry board members. Bostick serves as the director of Jasper County Board of Elections & Voter Registration.

Prior to joining Jasper County, she worked with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control in Beaufort and South Carolina Department of Corrections in Ridgeland. She is a native of Jasper County. Kilpatrick is the market president for Northern Beaufort and Jasper County at South State Bank.

He has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry. He is a Jasper County native.

3. HILTON HEAD BUSINESSMAN LAUNCHES HISTORICAL DRAMA MOVIE Walter Czura, a Hilton Head businessman, recently premiered a feature length, independent film, Sherman’s March to the Sea, a historical drama. The movie debuted last month at the Poison Peach Film Festival in Augusta, Ga. Czura, who founded Marlin Outdoor Advertising, formed Fortress Films to produce the 92-minute movie.

Czura researched the script and plot development. Veteran filmmaker Christopher Forbes recruited the actors and handled post production.

4. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY NAMES CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jim Wentworth has been named chief executive officer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry. Wentworth grew up in Woburn, Mass., and spent his childhood as a Boys & Girls Club member.

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1. FEE

2. BOSTICK

5. RUMER

6. HAMPSON

Wentworth joined the pharmaceutical industry in 1997 and spent the next 24 years with Sanofi and Cipla and most recently was the vice president, head of sales and vice president, head of US Market Access. As Boys & Girls Club CEO, his responsibilities include leading the organization’s strategic direction, oversight of organizational operations, financials, programming, brand reputation, talent recruitment, resource development, and stakeholder relationships.

5. HOPEFUL HORIZONS ANNOUNCES 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hopeful Horizons has named its board of directors for 2022. The officers are Jim Rumer (chairperson), Sally McAlister (vice chairperson), Tom Faas (BDO USA, treasurer), and Jenn Moneagle (secretary).

The directors are Sandi Atkins, Meredith Bannon (Esq., The Bannon Group), Terri Brashears, Michelle Elliott (Charter One Realty), Renee Harley, (Food LionBeaufort), Andre Nougaret, Angela Simmons (USC Beaufort), Mark Solow and Pamela Steele (Hilton Head Island Elementary School).

“It is an honor to be named chairperson of the Board for Hopeful Horizons, an organization that provides critical services and support to families across the Lowcountry,” said Rumer.

6. BLUFFTON SELF HELP NAMES CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Courtney Hampson has been named chief operating officer of Bluffton Self Help. She will support the growth and development of basic needs, learning and literacy programs and oversee all facets of operations and strategic planning.

Hampson served on the board of directors several years ago and recently supported the mission through consulting work. A marketing and operations professional, she has more than two decades of experience in strategic communications, branding, community building, public relations, programming, and business development in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.

7. REBEKAH ANDERSON JOINS MAGINNIS ORTHODONTICS Rebekah Anderson, DMD, MSD has joined Maginnis Orthodontics. Dr. Anderson will see patients at Maginnis Orthodontics’ offices in Beaufort and Bluffton. Dr.

8. HOSPICE CARE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

Anderson received her Bachelor of Arts in chemistry at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her Master of Arts in medical sciences and her Doctor of Dental Medicine at Boston University.

She earned her Master of Science in dentistry at the Medical University of South Carolina.

8. HOSPICE CARE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY WELCOMES DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING TEAM James Dismond, Sharonica Gavin and Kacey Floyd have joined Hospice Care of the Lowcountry as its new Development and Marketing Team.

Dismond, director of business development, is responsible for developing and implementing plans to increase donor and business development. He has experience with nonprofits at the local, national and international level.

Gavin is the community engagement specialist.

She is responsible for establishing and maintaining community relations, developing beneficial partnership and providing oversight of outreach and engagement strategies. Gavin attended the University of South Carolina Beaufort where she majored in public health.

Floyd, communications and marketing manager, handles print marketing pieces, digital marketing efforts, social media management, and event marketing. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design with a focus in filmmaking and creative writing.

9. ROC DENTAL GROUP HIRES DENTAL ASSISTANT Andrea Land has joined ROC Dental Group as a dental assistant. A native of Auburn, Ala., Land has lived in the Lowcountry since 2010 and brings 13 years of experience to the practice.

10. BEAUFORT NAMES FINANCE DIRECTOR Alan Eisenman was named finance director for the city of Beaufort. He has worked for the city’s finance department as a senior accountant since January 2016. Eisenman graduated from Wofford College in 2005.

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8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 39

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Couple’s special bond celebrated with Bluffton wedding

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BY BECCA EDWARDS | PHOTOS BY GABRIELA LOPEZ

What makes a good love story? Dylan Rosser would argue Willie and Nicole Cram do.

Officiating their wedding on Oct. 16, 2021, Rosser spoke to the 175 friends and family members in attendance and recounted the kind of love story that makes for a good rom-com complete with a happy ending and a life take-away.

Rosser knows the couple well. He introduced Willie and Nicole nine years ago, is the godfather to their daughter, Ava Kate, and is Willie’s close childhood friend. He began telling their love story with an anecdote.

“When asked about the moment they first met, under the glow of those seductive Boardroom lights,” began Rosser, “Willie distinctly remembers not just how beautiful and smart but especially how interesting Nicole was to talk to, and that for once a woman seemed to genuinely laugh at his jokes.”

Reflecting on that moment, and noting the establishment

on Hilton Head, both Willie and Nicole joked, “I guess there have been quite a few love connections made at The Boardroom.”

That fateful night and the beginning of their special bond was nearly a decade ago, when both were in their early 20s.

In his speech Rosser continued, “Flash forward to the moment they both knew that they wanted to marry the other. Nicole mentions over and over again how easy life is with Willie, with his relentless positive attitude, good energy and refusal to ever let her throw a pity party. While Willie thinks back to when he would come down to Hilton Head from Charleston to visit Nicole on weekends and hoping that each weekend would never end.”

In August of 2020, Willie decided to ask Nicole to marry him. He went to his aunt, jewelry designer Zonnie Sheik, for the engagement ring and then consulted his mother, Leisa Cram, and sister-in-law, Gretchen Cram, on the wedding band.

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“All the women in the family were very helpful,” said Willie, who laughed about the comical number of times he attempted to propose to Nicole. “It kept getting canceled. One time it got rained out, one time I became violently ill.”

There was a near miss when Nicole was looking for something in the same drawer where he was hiding the engagement ring. “I can’t believe she didn’t find it,” Willie said.

Willie’s moment came in November 2020 when he asked Nicole if she wanted to take Ava Kate bike riding on the beach.

“Ava was just starting to learn to ride a bike. I knew it was the right time, but it was typical nerves –,” he said.

“The sun was setting, and he got down on one knee.

He was so excited that he jumped back up before I could even answer. It was really sweet and so special with Ava there,” Nicole said.

Help planning the wedding came from Leisa and Nicole’s friends (like Dylan’s mom, Joni), as well as her now sister-in-law Gretchen Cram who married Willie’s brother, Cooper, in 2017 on the Cram’s Bear Island property in Bluffton.

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“It was important for us, too, to get married here. The property is so special and really reflects us,” Nicole said.

After following a sandy, leaf-laden path lined by palms and lush brush and being served a glass of champagne, the guests entered the site of the ceremony, which overlooked a marsh and included an old oak tree with the ashes of Leisa’s parents nestled in a hollowed-out nook.

The wedding party flowed in with the now 7-year-old Ava Kate walking Nicole down the aisle. The “I Dos” began at 5 p.m., just in time to see the sun set over the water and the full moon emerge to welcome guests to an outdoor reception complete with Lowcountry fare and the Lowcountry Boil band. Due to COVID, planning was difficult, but it came together beautifully and truly represented their love for each other and the Lowcountry.

“Willie’s mom, Leisa always talked about the fact that relationships are not supposed to be hard,” said Nicole.

Echoing Nicole, Willie said, “We have to be relaxed in life and know things will be what they are going to be.”

To that end, Rosser concluded in his wedding speech, “Nicole and Willie are a couple destined for a lifetime of love and happiness… shaped and supported by the other, and ultimately made better as one.”

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Getting ready for the big day

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VENDORS: PHOTOGRAPHER: Gabriela Lopez // CATERING: Lori Holland, Lowcountry Kitchen // BOUQUETS: Elaine Savarese at Fresh Weddings & Events // DRESS: Made with Love Brands // HAIR AND MAKEUP: Bride’s Side Beauty // BAND: Lowcountry Boil // TABLE ARRANGEMENTS: Sally Peterson and Joni Rosser // BEER: Lincoln & South Brewing

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Justin Johnston & Beth Milbee’s wedding was a love story 22 years in the making STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

This past Halloween, while the island’s youngsters were going door to door in search of sugary delights, Justin Johnston and Beth Milbee were coming together in pursuit of something far sweeter than any candy.

Surrounded by family and friends and framed by the natural majesty of Mitchelville Beach House, they said their “I Dos.” And when they did, it marked the next chapter in a love story that began when two kids met at the Salty Dog Café.

It was a 22-year journey from the day they met at work to the day they were wed. But it’s clear from the last leg of their journey that the couple were eager to make things official.

“We’re both pretty last minute about stuff,” said Beth with a laugh. “We were engaged in May and married in October.”

“It was just fun. But it was chaos leading up to it,” said Justin.

Added his bride, “He only had about three mild heart attacks that last week.”

If you’re curious how a simple walk down the aisle took 22 years, you should know that there were a few detours along the way. After meeting as newly minted employees at the Salty Dog Café, the couple saw their lives headed in different directions.

“I ended up moving back to Indianapolis to go to nursing school, and we tried to do the long-distance thing,” said Beth. “We were pretty serious, but I was so young. It was just too early. That’s why the theme of our wedding was, ‘It was always you.’ The timing was just always wrong.”

In the interim, each built a life. Beth had two children, Louis and Grace, while working in nursing.

Justin stayed on Hilton Head, becoming a veteran of the F&B scene before launching the successful Bloody Point Mixing Co.

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Just a few years ago, they found each other again on Facebook.

“We started talking again at the end of 2018,” said Beth.

It didn’t take Justin long to pop the question after moving up to Indianapolis to be closer to Beth.

“I did it on my birthday, so I wouldn’t forget it,” he said, igniting another round of laughs from the happy couple.

“As a ruse, I said we have to go check out this distillery in Traverse City, Michigan. I didn’t think she’d see that coming.”

Despite it being May 4, the bitter Michigan cold was in full effect as Justin brought Beth out in front of the historic Mission Point Lighthouse and popped the question.

“It was gorgeous, but it was cold,” said Justin. “I didn’t get down on one knee because I didn’t think I’d be able to get back up.”

She said yes. And with just six months to plan the wedding, there were a lot of questions to answer. One, thankfully, was a no-brainer.

“Hilton Head Island has always had a spot in our hearts for both of us,” said Justin. “We wanted a destination wedding, and we know so many people in the industry.”

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When you’ve spent as much time as Justin has in Hilton Head’s tightly knit hospitality world, you meet a few people who know how to put on a wedding. And the F&B crowd was only too happy to help with the festivities.

“It was really special to have Dave Peck from A Lowcountry Backyard, since he hired me when I first got down here and his wife Raina hired Beth,” said Justin.

Those friendships made the days leading up to the ceremony unforgettable, whether it was Dave Kemmerly surprising the couple with a post-Booze Cruise rendition of Rod Stewart’s, “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” (Beth’s parents’ song) on the deck at Salty Dog, John Rybicki opening his Lincoln & South Brewery for the rehearsal dinner or close friend Dave Thorton officiating.

Beth brought in her own talent, enlisting her children as flower and ring bearers, and inviting her niece to play violin during the ceremony.

“We knew basically everybody doing the services for us,” said Beth.

And with the help of a few friends and family, these two said their “I Dos” after 22 years.

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Saying I Do

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VENDORS: EVENT PLANNER: Nikki Kolat, Carolina Weddings // CEREMONY/RECEPTION VENUE: Mitchelville Beach House // PHOTOGRAPHER: Rob Kaufman, Kaufman Photography // REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE: Lincoln and South Brewery // CATERING: Dave Peck, A Lowcountry Backyard // REHEARSAL DINNER CATERING: The Southern Peel // WEDDING PARTY HAPPY HOUR CRUISE: The Salty Dog

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BY VICKIE MCINTYRE | PHOTOS BY PHILIP CASEY

“I never grew up dreaming about my wedding,” said Beaufort native Caroline Kinard Roberts, “so I didn’t expect it to be perfect.”

Aiming for “beautiful but not stuffy,” her October 2021 nuptials to Al Roberts, of Anderson, S.C., resulted in a unique blend of formality and fun, which she calls a “highlow” celebration.

The dress code was black-tie optional, but the setting was her parents’ marsh-front backyard in Beaufort.

Her designer bridal gown, fashioned from raw silk with a thin row of buttons down the back and an optional lacey bolero jacket, came from White on Daniel Island, while her sturdy heeled shoes (hidden from sight) came from Target.

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And although the country-rock band, Tailgate Homeboys, pulsed with gaiety, the quiet prayers of the Reverend Dr. Janis J. Kent, Caroline’s co-worker and mentor, brought everyone to tears.

“Everything was such a juxtaposition,” laughs Caroline.

“It didn’t make much sense, but we had the most fun you could imagine, far exceeding my expectations.”

A quintessential wedding is full of planning and constantly reviewing a checklist, but it is often the sentimental choices that pull everything together.

Caroline and Al’s wedding is a prime example.

Every detail — from the lightest of blue bridesmaids’ dresses to the classic white and green ceremonial flowers that blended with the landscape, as well as elegant

bamboo folding chairs, table settings that featured plate linens embroidered with a Lowcountry crest by a family friend, and Al’s mother’s vintage farm truck filled with flowers and beer — reflected the couple’s goal of creating a relaxed, authentic ambiance.

Consulting tide charts, the couple chose the only Saturday in the fall when high tide was at 5 p.m., an ideal time to exchange vows with a sunset cocktail hour to follow. Shea Abramo, a painter, captured the iconic setting on canvas as the couple’s chocolate lab, Gumbo, strutted down the aisle with Al as the ceremony began.

“I’ll always remember the intense emotions of that moment, walking down the aisle with my dad,” says Caroline.

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Sentimental choices pull everything together

Embracing the feel of a family dinner party, Caroline also chose to use the blue-and-white pattern dishes she had grown up with and her great-grandmother’s cake stand.

Caroline’s aunt and grandmother adorned the cross stationed by the marsh with flowers, while her parents, owners of Jeweler’s Bench in downtown Beaufort, handcrafted Caroline’s pearl earrings as well as the wedding bands. Al, forgoing the usual knife to cut the cake, chose his Citadel sword.

Caroline raves about Amanda Rose Weddings, her dayof coordinator, and Melissa, from Farm City Flowers, who created an installation over the head table featuring sprawling

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greenery adorned with small glass globes containing candles.

Noel, from Lowcountry Produce, coordinated food stations serving everything from mounds of fancy seafood to downhome BBQ sliders, fries, and Grapefruit Gumbo, his signature cocktail for the event.

Caroline ended the evening wearing a short, white party dress. As the couple said their goodbyes, they spontaneously were hoisted into the air and carried on the shoulders of some of Al’s Army buddies.

When their feet touched ground again, they sped off in a large ATV, shocking the crowd waving sparklers.

“No one saw that coming,” quips Caroline, still smiling about her perfectly memorable day.

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What to know when honored as best man or maid of honor

BY NINA GREENPLATE

Standing up as one’s best man or maid of honor is both a sweet tribute and a time-honored position of responsibility.

Weddings are as unique as the happy couple themselves, yet much of the ‘to-do’ list comes standard.

The honor of the titles comes with some notable practices, both before and on the wedding day. Here’s to calm leadership, and a few reminders on how to help the bride and groom’s big day unfold effortlessly.

FOR THE GROOM. Prior to the wedding, the best man helps select the groomsmen’s attire and keeps the others

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on task with fittings and pick up. Organizing a bachelor party falls under his scope of duties.

Decide if the festivities will be close to home, a short drive, or an all-out trip away, including flight reservations. You’re the point person, so stay on top of all details. Remember to coordinate a gift from all the groomsmen unless everyone chooses to go out on their own.

Finally, prepare and practice the wedding toast. This is traditionally given by the best man but may be shared with the maid of honor.

FOR THE BRIDE. Prior to the wedding, have fun helping select the bridesmaid dresses and accessories. There will be countless varieties and styles to choose from.

The maid of honor will usually host or co-host a bridal shower, depending on, and working with, the bride’s mother on specifics. Planning a fabulous bachelorette party also falls under her responsibilities, and details should be discussed with the bride and other bridesmaids.

She can organize purchasing the bride’s gift from herself and the other bridesmaids, and consider helping to address wedding invitations as another kind gesture.

THE BIG DAY. On the wedding day, the best man and maid of honor should keep the happy couple, well, happy.

Assure them that all is going smoothly, and work to make that happen. No adorable ring-bearer? The rings can be held by the best man until the I Do’s are read.

During the ceremony the bride may need a hand with her veil, gown/train, and perhaps her bouquet after walking down the aisle and moving around. Her maid of honor should be alert for this assistance. The best man should also stay aware to keep the groom’s attire slick.

Both would also do well to have an emergency kit on-hand. Pack mints/gum, a small sewing kit, cologne/ perfume, Advil, Tide-to-go pen and deodorant.

THE PERFECT SPEECH. A memorable speech is a genuine sentiment from the heart. Here are a few tips.

DO: • Practice before the big day.

• Keep the toast between 3-5 minutes.

• Identify yourself and your connection to the couple.

• Thank your hosts.

• Consider including a small joke, advice, or a sweet anecdote in your opener.

• Tell how you feel about them now that they’re together.

• Be humorous.

• Give your blessing.

• Lift your glass and toast the happy couple.

DON’T • Bring up past relationships.

• Have too many inside jokes.

• Be long-winded.

• Be toasted during the toast.

There will be plenty of time to enjoy a few cocktails after the speech.

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BE GOOD TO YOUR HEART TIPS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

BY HILTON HEAD REGIONAL HEALTHCARE

Keeping your heart healthy is imperative to sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Going overboard at the dinner table may have long-term effects on your heart health, especially if you have a pre-existing heart condition or if you are suffering from symptoms that may lead to heart disease.

Here are some ways to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic health conditions:

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COOK FOR THE HEART

Filling your dining table with healthy foods, rather than foods that are high in sugar and cholesterol, can help you stay away from temptation. Some hearthealthy recipes you can try are healthy twists to a traditional green bean casserole, baked sweet potatoes, roasted turkey with squash and asparagus, etc.

KEEP MOVING

Don’t skip your workouts. Staying active can also keep your cardiovascular health in top shape.

Even walking to the nearest park would be a step in the right direction. Invite your family to stay active with you.

GRAB HEALTHY OPTIONS FIRST

When you load up on fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains first, you can help reduce hunger and cravings for less healthy alternatives. Try the 80/20 principle wherein 80% of your caloric intake will contain healthy food, while sweets, fatty food and the others may take up to 20% of

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EXER

your daily caloric intake only. This way, you can maintain a balance on the quality of the food you intake and prevent any damage that less healthy foods may cause.

AIM TO GET EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP PER NIGHT

Infection, fever, and viruses can put a strain on your heart. Be sure to get enough sleep to help strengthen your immune system.

ADD HEALTHY FATS AND OILS TO YOUR DIET

CISE

These include olive oil, canola oil, nuts, avocados, olives and foods that have natural oils over those made with hydrogenated fats.

LIMIT SODIUM INTAKE AND READ FOOD LABELS

The American Heart Association recommends lowering salt consumption to 1,500 milligrams a day. To put that in perspective, ¼ teaspoon of salt is equal to 575 milligrams of sodium and 1 teaspoon of salt equals 2,300 milligrams of sodium.

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DON’T SKIP YOUR MEDICINES

If you have a heart condition and you’re planning to travel somewhere, don’t forget to bring your medicines or supplements, and still follow the schedule of intake prescribed by your doctor.

EAT A HEALTHY SNACK BEFORE A LARGE MEAL

Munching on a healthy snack before mealtime can help you prevent overeating and can also give you a sense of

control. Some excellent pre-meal snacks include apples with peanut butter, banana, and a protein bar. Drinking a vegetable smoothie may also be a good option.

CUT OUT FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN SATURATED FATS Avoid full-fat whole milk and other dairy products, high-fat cuts of meat and tropical oils, and trans-fat that is typically found in margarine, baked goods, crackers and fried fast foods.

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Our roots are deep, our coverage wide and we connect the community like no other publication.

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OASIS

BY D E A N R O W L A N D | P H OTO S S U P P L I E D

GO-TO IDEAS FOR THE FINEST IN PATIOS AROUND THE POOL

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Comfort and luxury on the patio around the pool greet the eye of even the most casual observer of fine furnishings. They are marks of distinction and signature elements of Lowcountry style.

For color, look at your patio and picture the coastal surroundings and imagine nautical blues, sea oat and curly grass beige, beach grass greens, cordgrass browns in the fall, angel grass lavender and white pampas grass plumes.

As the rain swoons, the wind and hard breezes scuttle face-first, and the salt air clings to arm rests, lounge slats and tabletops. The durability of fine furnishings must withstand nature’s seasonal moods.

Steve Steele, owner of Coastal Home by Marco Polo in Bluffton, touts vinyl as a go-to patio material for its durability and versatility.

“The majority of companies now do vinyl,” Steele said. “It’s a high-grade vinyl and underneath is high-cut aluminum. It needs a powder coat aluminum free, or your frame will fall apart.”

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It’s resistant to corrosion, wear, chipping and is environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

From Brazil comes the warm, rich, hardwood ipe, which is stronger than teak and can be found in the furniture outside at the Coast restaurant in Sea Pines that Coastal furnished, Steele said.

Maintenance-free outdoor poly furniture provides high-end pieces that look like textured wood.

“Down here it’s a year-round event,” said Craig Bright, owner of Casual Living in Bluffton.

“There’s multiple different types of products… there’s aluminum, woven, teak…there’s lots of different styles.

“You can provide an environment with the technology available now in the furniture that frankly will last as long if not longer than indoor products,” he said. “It’s not just furniture; there’s artwork, outside heaters, accessories, dining, swings, grills. A lot of our products have 10- to20-year warranties. They don’t just go bad.”

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OTHER TRIED-AND-TRUE MATERIALS ARE: •W icker. Today’s wicker can be natural or synthetic or combined into benches, sofas, chairs, stools and tables.

• R attan. Unlike wicker, which is a process and style of weave, rattan is a wild plant material that is made into furniture, canes, woven mats and other handicrafts.

• T eak. This tropical hardwood contains a high oil and natural resin content, high tensile strength and tight grain. Its natural color is golden-honey brown and ages into patina gray if untreated.

• M etals. Popular cast aluminum, steel and iron-alloy wrought iron can be used with or without cushions.

• S ynthetic resin. This all-weather product typically is woven into a wicker-style for a classic look.

• U pholstry. Synthetic fibers like vinyl, polyester and acrylic make this comfortable and water resistant.

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There are nearly as many furnishing options as there are grains of sand for intimate conversations and party gatherings.

With an outdoor table and chairs, you can dine, work and relax on your patio with barely a fuss.

If shade is a concern, tables can provide a stateof-the-art built-in umbrella.

Once your 30-inch bistro table and chairs are set up, you can expand your outdoor living space with a daybed, one-, two-, or three-piece sectionals with a table and chairs or lounge chairs, a multi-use table and chairs, conversation sets, dining sets, sofas, love seats, end tables, cocktail or coffee tables, rugs, fire pits or fire tables, pavilions, and accessories.

The glistening water in the swimming pool often occupies center stage in outdoor living space. Enhance the refreshing experience

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with sling, strap and cushion chair sets, dining and chaise lounge sets. Add a daybed, some Adirondack chairs, and a bar or cabinet to complete the ensemble.

“Everybody thinks that patio furniture and outdoor living is restricted to around the pool,” said Bright, who purchased Casual Living in Bluffton in 2015.

It’s not.

“There are so many different places that the furniture goes down here because of the climate,” he said. “A good number of homeowners don’t have a pool.”

Spread out under a covered porch, sun deck and lanai to create outdoor living retreats.

Steele said the “biggest growing market right now is outdoors because residents want outdoor versions of what they have indoors.”

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONTAINER GARDENING

BY D E A N R O W L A N D | P H OTO S S U P P L I E D

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The greening of the Lowcountry in early spring invites dreaming about gardening and the bounty of fruits, vegetables and flowers the soil provides.

But there is an alternative to getting down and dirty and contending with insects, weeds, poor soil and the investment of time, risks and expense outside: container gardening.

“You can grow anything in a container, from blueberries to lemons to oranges,” said owner Ellen Heron of Potted Heron in Bluffton. “It just depends on how much space you have available.”

The other ingredients to healthy container gardening are “good soil, fertilization and regular watering,” Heron said. “The container is really important too.

Light is the biggest factor so plants can grow.”

AMONG SOME CONTAINER OPTIONS ARE: • Standard containers: The plastic garden boxes and pots at a garden store come in a variety of sizes and are built with drainage and room for plants to grow.

Keep in mind that dark-colored vegetable garden boxes absorb more heat and dry out soil quickly.

Clay pots are not an issue.

• Mason jars: These are a perfect choice for rooting most herbs from cuttings.

• Window boxes: These are adaptable to your vertical vegetable garden design ideas and can be modified to fit your space and needs.

• D eck rail planters: Herbs thrive in shallow containers that come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and styles. Some fit over a rail and others hang from the rail.

• Hanging baskets: When plants grow upward, they enhance the growing space and keep critters away.

• Fabric grow bags: This porous fabric produces dryer soil near the edges, allowing more contact with the air. Once the roots reach the dry soil,

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they stop growing.

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MASON JARS: THESE ARE A PERFECT CHOICE FOR ROOTING MOST HERBS FROM CUTTINGS

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Heron discourages using terra cotta containers because they absorb water.

Her go-to container is EarthBox, which features a built-in reservoir for water. She only has to water her herbs and tomatoes weekly, which is a bonus in the Carolina heat.

This container gardening system is low maintenance, sustainable, portable and controls soil conditions.

Roots grow downward instead of spreading out in search of water.

“Which means you can fit more in a smaller area,” she said. You can grow two tomatoes in one EarthBox. To eliminate waterlogged soil and wilting plants, make sure the container includes drainage holes.

Container gardening requires little or no garden space and can produce a variety of crops.

Soil should be tested before planting to determine the pH content for nutrients and fertilized regularly.

Heron recommends Espoma soil and organic fertilizer for gardening. The company was founded in 1929 and produces more than 70 organic products.

Happy Frog potting soil is designed for container gardening and its microbes improve root efficiency and nutrient uptake. It contains earthworm castings, bat guano and aged forest products.

In a container with several plants, it’s a good idea to select one as the focal point to add drama to the display.

The only tools needed for container gardening are a hand trowel for mixing soil, digging holes and transplanting seedlings. A pruner helps trim woody stems and small branches, and micro-tip scissors snip leaves and flowers.

The soil and weather conditions in the Lowcountry are conducive to growing fruits, vegetables and herbs.

“Down here we have a year-round crop season,” Heron said. “You can grow any leafy green all year long.”

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IIREAL ESTATE NEWSII

QUINN

BROWN

MARTIN

PEELER

WEICHERT REALTORS HIRES 3 AGENTS, RECRUITING/MARKETING COORDINATOR Debra Quinn, Donna Martin and Lakesha Brown have joined Weichert Realtors as real estate agents.

Quinn, who will work out of the Bluffton office, has worked in the spa industry since 2003. She has experience working in luxury spas including Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond, Leading Spas of the World, and Relais & Châteaux establishments. When she moved to the Lowcountry, she met a local Realtor who inspired her to pursue a career in real estate.

Martin, who will work out of the Sun City-Okatie office, has more than 20 years in the real estate business. She works closely with the owners of the area’s most prestigious homes.

Brown, who will work out of the Beaufort office, completed six years in the United States Air Force. After her

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time in the military, she obtained her real estate license in 2007. Brown graduated with a nursing degree in 2019.

Joy Peeler joins Weichert Realtors as its new Beaufort Administrator and Recruiting/Marketing Coordinator. She will work out of the Beaufort office.

Peeler, who is a native of Hilton Head Island, has spent many years working in hospitality in Beaufort County. She has worked for a timeshare company up to a Forbes 5-star luxury resort.

HILTON HEAD AREA SEES SLIGHT SALES BUMP According to the December Housing Supply Overview from the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors, from January 2021 to December 2021, pending sales in the Hilton Head region were up 1.2 percent. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $650, 001-and-above-range, which

increased 26.3 percent. The overall median sales price was up 11.7 percent to $410,000. The property type with the largest price gain was the condos/ villas segment, where prices increased 18.2 percent to $325,000. Market-wide, inventory levels were down 50.8 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the condo segment, which decreased 34.9 percent.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY WELCOMES AGENT Justin Keown has joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group as an agent. A South Carolina native, in Montgomery, Ala., he received the 2021 Top Producer of the Year Award. He’s a supporter of breast cancer awareness through The American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign and is involved with Amvets Post No. 70 in Port Royal.

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Rare Opportunity in

3 Heron Street | Hilton Head Island | $2,100,000

Rare opportunity for two income producing properties or elegant family compound. Short walk to the ocean and proximity to Coligny Plaza shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Each home has a heated private pool and hot tub and shared fire pit. Each home is elegantly furnished and appointed in identical fashion.

3 Heron Street and 5 Heron Street to be sold together with simultaneous closings. MLS numbers: 421175 and 421186 88 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

Each Home Features: 3,200 sq-ft 5 bedrooms 5 baths 2 half baths Balcony Pool Multi-car Garage

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North Forest Beach

5 Heron Street | Hilton Head Island | $2,100,000

Contact Joe Lucchesi Today – Realtor® 3 Harbour Passage Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926 Cell: (843) 384-6183 Email: ndlucchesi@aol.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2 // 89

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HHI RESIDENT

KEN ANDERSON RELIVES LEADING BENGALS TO THE BIG GAME

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SUPER EXPERIENCE

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTOS BY LLOYD WAINSCOTT

Every February the memories come rushing back to Ken Anderson, not that they ever fully fade.

Every young boy who picks up a football dreams at some point of playing quarterback in the NFL, and in the wildest of those dreams, he might become the league MVP or even play in a Super Bowl.

Anderson lived it, and he will relive it this month when Super Bowl LVI kicks off Feb. 13 in California.

He led the Cincinnati Bengals to the first Super Bowl in franchise history following the 1981 season, when he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.

Now retired to Hilton Head Island, Anderson remains a beloved figure in Cincinnati, where his nonprofit foundation, the Ken Anderson Alliance, provides opportunities for adults with disabilities — and where he was inducted into the Bengals Ring of Honor last October.

It was during Anderson’s 16-year career — all with Cincinnati — that Bengals fans began to morph into fanatics, as the once-unheralded quarterback from the small town of Batavia, Illinois, by way of

NCAA Division III Augustana College, led the fledgling franchise to division titles in 1973 and 1975.

During that magical 1981 season, when the Bengals went 12-4 and claimed the top seed in the AFC, Cincinnati went full-blown wild for its football team.

“That was kind of the first year they started wearing orange and black wigs and painting their faces, and the ‘Who Dey!’ chants started,” recalls Anderson, who turns 73 on Feb. 15. “Just the excitement in the city, you know, of going to a Super Bowl. So, I guess anytime you do something like that for the first time for a franchise, it’s really a big deal and a special deal.”

Anderson’s only Super Bowl appearance as a player left some psychic scars. The Bengals committed four turnovers, including three in the first half that helped Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers build a 20-0 halftime advantage and hold off Cincinnati’s furious rally for a 26-21 victory at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan.

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Cristy and Ken Anderson with their dog, Ande.

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Anderson rushed for a touchdown, threw for 300 yards and tossed a touchdown pass to lead the comeback, but he also threw two interceptions that still linger amid the precious memories.

“It’s devastating when you lose,” Anderson says. “But, you know, after that game I think I was the first athlete that carried his son off the field after the Super Bowl, so he was there in the locker room. I remember I was sitting there dejected, and I finally asked, ‘Well, what did you think?’

“He got a big smile on his face, and he says, ‘Dad, that was the best halftime show I’ve ever seen!’” Anderson continues with a laugh in reference to the Up with People performance.

“So I guess there was some benefit to it.”

After the game, he and his son passed by as San Francisco coach Bill Walsh was giving a postgame interview. The now legendary 49ers coach, who was Anderson’s mentor in the West Coast offense in his early years in Cincinnati, paused the conversation and slipped away for a sentimental moment with a former pupil. That memory lingers, too.

Even on Hilton Head, Anderson can’t escape the one that got away. Years ago, during the Hilton Head Island Charity Golf Tournament, Anderson bumped into Dwight Hicks, the beneficiary of one of Anderson’s ill-fated passes in Super Bowl XVI, a costly interception on the goal line that led to San Francisco’s first score. Hicks joked that he was surprised they were on speaking terms, then made a confession.

“I gotta tell you, I blew my coverage,” Hicks revealed. “I shouldn’t have been there.”

“So, I didn’t read it wrong,” Anderson says. A small consolation.

Anderson went back to the big game as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2008 regular season (which the Steelers won) and was struck by how much more of a spectacle the event had become since his showdown with Joe Montana in Super Bowl XVI, where the media coverage was minuscule compared to today’s climate.

“It’s just changed so much since then,” Anderson says. “I think back then the Super Bowl pregame show was a half an hour. It wasn’t all the hoopla before the championship game that there is now. I think the pregame show starts a week ahead of time these days.”

Ever the Bengals fan, Anderson has been known to let a “WHO DEY!” loose on his sparsely-used Twitter account, which consists mostly of Bengals-related content, including in-game tweets. He loves this young quarterback, Joe Burrow, who plays a little like he did.

“I tell you, they’re going to be good for a while,” Anderson says with excitement. “They’re a young team, and they’ve still got to address the offensive line. If that gets better, I think the sky is the limit.”

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LONG COVE CLUB

Story by Barry Kaufman | Photos by Rob Kaufman There are certain things that come to mind when one pictures Long Cove Club – elegant Lowcountry homes, picturesque waterfront scenery, and of course crisply manicured greens and meandering fairways on their world-famous Pete Dye course.

Since returning to the club as Director of Golf in 1987, Bob Patton has seen Long Cove Club’s profile grow to become one of the most celebrated courses in the country.

“When I started, we had less than 100 houses, and now we have close to 500. But what’s very important is how we’ve managed to maintain the course over the years true to how Pete Dye designed it,” he said. “We work hard to keep the golf course in the best possible condition and do our best to provide a great golf experience for our members. That part has not changed.”

Helping make that experience possible is the staff of professionals Long Cove Club has been able to attract.

“There’s nothing I do that’s more important than bringing on board a great staff,” said Patton. “You are only as good as the people you have working with you for the benefit of the members.”

Among the staff is Head Golf Professional Ben Chehval, who has been with the club for 20 years; assistant pros Joe Deegan and former All-American golfer Adam Lescalleet; and award-winning Director of Instruction Rob Stocke. They manage the experience on the course, and soon on the club’s state-of-the-art teaching facility.

“We anticipate breaking ground on the new facility soon.” said Patton. “It’s going to be amazing. We’re very excited about adding this new facility to enhance our instructional programs for our members.”

While Long Cove Club is world-famous for its golf, some of the fiercest competition to be found in Long Cove Club isn’t on the course. It’s on the court.

Here, within the leafy confines of what is jokingly called the “Secret Garden,” Long Cove Club’s Sports Center offers plenty to love with 8 Har-Tru courts, four pickleball courts and two bocce ball lanes.

“We added pickleball in 2018, and it has taken off like crazy,” said Tom Ruth, Sports Center Director for Long Cove Club. Hailing from Indianapolis, where he played tennis for St. Joseph’s College before embarking on a career as a club pro, Ruth has spent more than 20 years helping others hone their game. In May of last year, he brought his talents to Long Cove Club.

This fast-growing sport enjoys a few parallels with tennis, but is played with different paddles, balls and rules for a completely different experience that shares the same pulse-pounding excitement.

“I played tennis for 27 years, but really only picked up pickleball when we added the courts,” said Thomas Richter, Head Tennis and Pickleball Pro. A native of Germany, Richter played college tennis at Birmingham Southern and Indiana University before joining Long Cove Club in 2017. “They’re very similar in terms of the skills you need.”

In the end, what keeps these two driven to provide the best tennis and pickleball experience on the island is the people.

“I love interacting with everyone here,” said Richter. “They’re all here to learn and get better, but it’s just fun to be out on the court with members.”

399 LONG COVE DR. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 29928 (843) 686-1070 // LONGCOVECLUB.COM

IISPORTS PROFESSIONALSII

B.J. Stearns – Academy Director

Coaches:

Derek Porter, Julian Sullivan, Eric Turner, Stan Smith , B.J. Stearns, Marwin Kline, Diogo Lamy Nicolas Guillon, Alice Batson, Besmir Muskaj, Matt Cuccaro Not pictured: Alfredo Soliz , Mike Treschitta

SMITH-STEARNS TENNIS ACADEMY

B.J. STEARNS: GUIDING YOUNG ATHLETES TO GREATNESS Story by Barry Kaufman | Photos by Rittherbeck Photography Over the past 20 years, Smith Stearns Tennis Academy has been helping shape the next generation of the sport. The two gentlemen whose name can be found on the sign need no introduction, of course. The first is Stan Smith, perhaps equally famous for his legendary tennis career as he is for the iconic shoe that bears his name. Joining him is B.J. Stearns, well known as a premiere juniors coach with dozens of junior national champions under his training, who has grown along with the academy According to Stearns, the last few years have seen explosive growth at the academy, with this shift in thinking producing some of the court’s brightest stars. “Particularly in the last 5-7 years we’ve had students doing really well on the collegiate circuit,” said Stearns. “Right now we have two of the top 15 men’s players in college and former student Jessie Pegula reached a career high ranking of #18 on the Women’s Tennis Association tour. That’s been fun to watch.”

But just as the game of tennis has evolved over the past 20 years, so too have the methods by which they are taught.

“We’ve come to realize that teaching students the game and guiding them to greatness is just part of what we can do for these young people,” said B.J. “What we want to do is look at how we can improve the whole athlete.”

That has meant augmenting the academy’s renowned tennis instruction with teachers that focus on all aspects of the game, on and off the court. The professionals you see here represent the vanguard of this new way of teaching.

Students at Smith Stearns will still receive a world-class education of the game’s fundamentals and techniques courtesy of director of instruction Eric Turner, director of high performance Derek Porter and coaches Julian Sullivan, Nicolas Guillon, Diogo Lamy and Alfredo Soliz (not pictured).

But what sets Smith Stearns apart is the “whole athlete” approach they’ve taken to guiding students. Head athletic trainer Besmir Muskaj and director of sports performance Alice Batson oversee a team that breaks down every aspect of a student’s performance and conditioning. Beyond improving their game, the efforts of sports performance trainers Marwin Kline and Mike Treschitta (not pictured) along with mental conditioning coach Matt Cuccaro give students the tools they need to enjoy the game safely and with a strong focus on personal development.

“Tennis is a completely different game than it was in 2002, and keeping up with the competition means having the will to look at every aspect of the way we teach,” said B.J. “I’m proud of the coaches and professionals we’ve added, and the results speak for themselves in the way our students have responded and improved their game.”

And ultimately, the students are what it’s all about.

“At the end of the day, tennis isn’t just about hitting balls.

There’s far more to it on the mental and physical sides of things,” said Stearns. “I think it just makes them a more well-rounded player and gets them ready for the next level of competition.”

1 LIGHTHOUSE LN, HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 29928 (843) 363-4789 // SMITHSTEARNS.COM

IISPORTS PROFESSIONALSII

CAROLINA COLLECTIVE DANCE CENTRE Story by Barry Kaufman | Photos by Ritterbeck Photography

Dance is far more than just movement. It’s an artform, an expression of the soul as meaningful as any painting but crafted with the entire body. It’s also a science, an ever-evolving set of techniques and details that can and must be mastered for the true art to shine through.

Few understand this balance like Tess Luechtefeld, owner of Carolina Collective.

“Our biggest focus is on training,” she said.

To that end, she, her students, and her staff of 10 are fixtures at some of the industry’s top competitions and conventions. The training at all levels never stops.

“We want to expose them to what’s current in the industry, then bring it back here.”

The key difference with Carolina Collective is the sheer variety of methodologies; whether that means

dancing on Broadway, a professional ballet career, for competition or on the sidelines at a football game, Luechtefeld has assembled a team of supremely qualified instructors in nearly every discipline.

“All of our teachers have an extensive resume in their field, so we really get a melting pot of different training.”

That melting pot reaches through technique and into the hearts of students as well. As Carolina Collective strives for excellence, it does so as a family. They walk arm in arm under the sparkling chandeliers, they practice walking into their future greatness surrounded by those who’ve loved, cheered, and inspired them to be the very best versions of themselves.

“This is a journey,” she said. “Dance lessons are life lessons, and we are here to create an atmosphere they can develop their hearts and character.”

4371 BLUFFTON PARKWAY UNIT 104, BLUFFTON, SC 29910 (843) 290-3955 // CAROLINACOLLECTIVEDANCE.COM

IISPORTS PROFESSIONALSII

OLD SOUTH GOLF LINKS

Story by Barry Kaufman | Photos by Lloyd Wainscott

Every year, the beautiful yet challenging Clyde Johnstondesigned Old South Golf Links has reaped accolades as one of the Lowcountry’s favorite spots to golf. There’s just something different in the way each hole hugs the landscaping, immersing you in the Lowcountry’s natural majesty.

Guiding this unique experience are some of the most experienced golf professionals in the area.

Head pro Jim Uremovich has been with Old South for 16 years, but his golf career stretches back to 1988 when he was first named a pro.

For him, that natural beauty is one of his favorite aspects of this celebrated course.

“There are five holes along Mackay’s Creek, and there’s really only one hole that has houses on it,” he said. “You get out there and you’re really out in nature.”

Of the 18 holes, Assistant Golf Pro Ernie Hanewinckel counts the seventh as his favorite.

“It’s the scenery, number one. Number two, it’s not a hole you have to hit a long way,” he said.

The dogleg layout of number seven hits the sweet spot of challenges.

“I just love the setup of that hole. You can make everything from a birdie to a triple bogey.”

Like Uremovich, Hanewinckel began his golf career in the late 80s and enjoys the laid-back atmosphere at Old South Golf Links, where the focus is on improving the game, but ultimately elevating your enjoyment of golf.

“Jim runs a very relaxed, but great program here,” he said.

Some of the Lowcountry’s most mesmerizing holes, and some of its most seasoned pros to help your game. That’s what makes Old South different.

50 BUCKINGHAM PLANTATION DR, BLUFFTON, SC 29910 (843) 785-5353 // OLDSOUTHGOLF.COM

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FUN EVENTS FOR

FEB. 1-27 GULLAH CELEBRATION: GullahCelebration.com

EVERYONE!

CALENDAR

FEB. 1-27 GULLAH CELEBRATION AT ART LEAGUE GALLERY: Visit the “Arts Ob We People: Winter Exhibition and Sale” featuring original work by emerging artists that represent Gullah people on Hilton Head Island. There will be an artists’ reception Feb. 9 from 5-7 p.m. Art League Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-681-5060 or artleaguehhi.org.

FEB. 2-20 THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME: Based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel. Thought-provoking and moving, “Curious Incident” is at once an intimate family drama and a universal tale about belonging, trust and community.

Suitable for ages 12 and up. Cost is $51 for adults, $46 for children. Times vary. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.

843-686-3945 or artshhi.com.

FEB. 2 DINNER TO BENEFIT CHILDREN’S RELIEF FUND: An Evening of Love, a wine-pairing dinner, will celebrate Valentine’s Day and the Children’s Relief Fund. Chef Ryan McCarthy will create a multi-course dinner paired with fine wines. The evening will include dining, wine pairings, and a limited live auction. Venue 1223 on May River Road in Bluffton. Reservations for the wine dinner are $250 per person and can be made online at thechildrensrelieffund.org. Email seating requests to rfotia333@yahoo.com.

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FEB. 4 HOW DEMOCRACIES DIE: Join Harvard professor Daniel Ziblatt for a presentation about democracy in danger. Cost is $15 for guests, free for members.

10-11:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843384-6758 or wachh.org.

FEB. 4-5 JOE GRANSDEN AND KENNY BANKS AT THE JAZZ CORNER: $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

FEB. 5 AROUND THE WORLD SAMPLING SHOWCASE: Enjoy beers, wines and liquors from around the world for an international wine tasting with offerings to please every taste and palate. An experienced wine representative will be on hand to provide tasting notes and answer questions about the featured wines. Cost is $30. 1-4 p.m., Harbour Town Clubhouse, 11 Lighthouse Lane, Hilton Head Island.

843-785-3333 or seapines.com.

EXHIBIT OPENING: “A WAR ON TWO FRONTS”: This exhibit explores the stories, struggles and accomplishments of African soldiers during World War II. The event includes guided tours of the exhibition, light refreshments and music. Exhibit is on display through August 13. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.

FREEDOM WALK: In honor of National Freedom Day, participate in this walk featuring various speakers, surprise guests, wellness information and more. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, 229 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-255-7301 or exploremitchelville.org.

FEB. 6 BRUNCH IN PARIS: Chef Sean Carroll will prepare a decadent brunch, featuring an array of Parisian classics, including a crepe station. Prices vary. 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Links, An American Grill, 11 Lighthouse Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-8380 or linksamericangrill.com.

FEB. 6-7 JMR’S GREATEST HITS: To celebrate his 10th anniversary, onductor John Morris Russell has put together a program of orchestral showpieces immortalized in HHSO performances. Cost is $25-$65. 4 p.m., Sunday; 7:30 p.m., Monday. First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-2055 or hhso.org.

FEB. 7 HISTORIC MARKERS AND SITES ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND: Hilton Head Island is home to 22 significant historic sites. View the full range of Hilton Head’s history through these locations that mark the path of its evolution with instructor Dee Phillips. Cost is $15 for members, $12 for nonmembers. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., USCB Hilton Head, Room 214, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-6560 or heritagelib.org.

FEB. 7 MIXOLOGY MONDAY: Join this mixology class hosted by Burnt Church Distillery, featuring appetizer pairings. Cost is $30. 6-8 p.m., Sea Pines Beach Club, 87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island.

843-842-1888 or coastoceanfrontdining.com.

FEB. 7-13 HILTON HEAD REGIONAL BRIDGE TOURNAMENT: At the Marriott Hotel in Palmetto Dunes. All participants must show proof of vaccination. Masks will be required during play. Preregister at hhrvaxcheck@gmail.com. Tournament schedule is on the website www.acbl.org FEB. 8 JAZZ SUPPER CLUB: “SINATRA NIGHT”: Enjoy an evening Sinatra-style, featuring a multi-course gourmet dinner, classic Frank Sinatra music and more. Cost is $100, includes gratuity, taxes and fees.

6:30-8:30 p.m., Sea Pines Beach Club, 87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-1888 or coastoceanfrontdining.com.

FEB. 8-10 EVOLUTION KIDS TENNIS CONFERENCE: This online conference features speakers who will help develop your knowledge, skills and programs to make your facility the place to play for young players.

Space is limited. Cost is $99. evolutiontennis.net.

FEB. 9 A LANDSCAPE AFLAME: THE ART OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: Instructor Ron Roth will present recent scholarship that demonstrates how useful significant art can be to further our understanding of the War. Cost is $15 for members, $12 for nonmembers. 1-2:30 p.m., USCB Hilton Head, Room 214, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-6560 or heritagelib.org.

FEB. 10 LINCOLN & SOUTH TAP TAKEOVER: Enjoy various Lincoln & South Brewing Co. beers during this exclusive tap takeover event. Free entry. 4 p.m.12 a.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 72 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. 843-715-3030 or lincolnandsouth.com.

FEB. 11 MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR: Mountainfilm on Tour showcases a selection of culturally rich, adventurepacked and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the annual Mountainfilm festival held in Telluride, Colorado. There is a family-friendly matinee and an evening event option. Cost is $15 for matinee, $50 for evening. 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

Coligny Theatre, 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-6050 or colignyplaza.com.

FEB. 10-11 JUDE FRANCES TRUNK SHOW: View the new Spring Collection and pieces that will take you from day to evening. Jude Frances Jewelry offers classic elegance with on trend shapes and styles.

Enjoy a complimentary gift with your Jude Frances purchase. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Forsythe Jewelers, 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 311, Hilton Head Island.

843-671-7070 or forsythejewelers.biz.

JUDE FRANCES TRUNK SHOW

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I I F E B R U A R Y 2 0 // 2 2 E V E N T G U I D E I I FEB. 11-12 THE LOUIS HERIVEAUX QUINTET AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Featuring Karlea Lynne. $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

FEB. 12 BASKETBALL GAME WATCH EVENT: Join the University of Michigan Alumni Club of Hilton Head/ Beaufort County for a basketball game watch gathering. Free. 6 p.m., Mellow Mushroom, 33 Office Park Road, Hilton Head Island. goblueuofmhhi@gmail.com.

BILINGUAL TOURS AT MORRIS CENTER: Learn about the history, art and culture of the Lowcountry with tours offered in English and Spanish. Free. 10 a.m., 2 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-2849227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.

COLIGNY SOUPERBOWL OF CARING: This fundraiser to benefit Second Helpings features local restaurants serving up their favorite soups for participants to taste and enjoy, plus live music. Cost is $25. 1-4 p.m., Coligny Plaza, Between FISH Casual Coastal Seafood and Skillets, Hilton Head Island. 843842-6050 or colignyplaza.com.

DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE: Enjoy two opportunities to experience a daddy-daughter dance, including light refreshments. Cost is $25 per couple, $10 per additional child. 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., Poseidon Rooftop Bar, 38 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.

843-681-7273 or islandreccenter.org.

HILTON HEAD MARATHON: Join thousands of runners across three distances (marathon, half, and 5k) and experience this scenic race that’s one of the premier running events in the region. Celebrate after the race with cold beer, food, music and more. Cost is $109 for marathon, $79 for half marathon, $49 for 5K. 8 a.m., Jarvis Creek Park, 100 Jarvis Park Road, Hilton Head Island. hhmarathon.com.

MUTTS GONE NUTS: This “Comedy Canine Cabaret” show features dogs who were in shelters before becoming showstoppers. Suitable for all ages. Cost is $18 for students, $20 for seniors and military, $22 for adults. 2 p.m., 5 p.m., USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort. 843-521-4145 or uscbcenterforthearts.com.

TASTE OF GULLAH: February is Gullah celebration month. Join this celebration of the beautiful Gullah culture represented by arts, crafts, entertainment and Gullah specialities. Featuring delicious food with Gullah flair, an art exhibit, a book display and more. 12-3 p.m., Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-3945 or artshhi.com.

FEB. 14 VALENTINE DATE AND CREATE: Come get creative with your significant other or best friend. Attendees will enjoy a tasty dinner followed by a painting session led by Artist Camilla Pagliaroli. Cost is $120. 6-8 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.

HOPEFUL HORIZONS 5K: Tenth annual Hopeful Horizons’ Race4Love. Presented byStokes Toyota of Beaufort. Family-friendly 5K run/3K walk. Benefits survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Funds raised help Hopeful Horizons in its mission to end abuse and change lives. 9 a.m., Cat Island. Pre-registration encouraged at race4love.com.

Virtual options available.

VALENTINE’S CRUISE: Enjoy your own personal table and steward service aboard this Valentine’s Day cruise. Includes an upper-level candle-lit table setting, a full bar and more. Cost is $99.95 for adults, $60 for children. Times vary. Vagabond Cruise, 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-363-9026 or vagabondcruise.com.

FEB. 13 GALENTINE’S RUN AND WALK YOGA: Celebrate Galentine’s Day with your best girlfriends, featuring a Ladies-Only Run/Walk + Yoga session. Mimosas and local Galentine’s treats to follow. Free. 7 a.m., Palmetto Running Company, 28 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-815-1718 or palmettorunningcompany. com.

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FEB. 15 HEIR’S PROPERTY SEMINARS: The Town of Hilton Head Island’s Gullah Geechee Culture and Land Preservation Task Force and the Heritage Library Family Research Project will be hosting two workshops on Heirs’ Property. Free. 5-7 p.m., Queen Chapel AME Church, 114 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island. 843686-6560 or heritagelib.org.

FEB. 16 WINTER RAPTORS: Join instructor Aaron Palmieri, educator for the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, for a presentation on Lowcountry winter raptors. 2-3 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.

FEB. 17 COASTAL DEFENSES OF THE PORT ROYAL SOUND: Instructor Ted Panayotoff will present the many occasions on which fortifications have been prepared on the Port Royal Sound shores to ward off threats of conquest by various nations. Cost is $12 for members, $15 for nonmembers, USCB Hilton Head, Room 213, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-6866560 or heritagelib.org.

MARTINIS AT THE MANSION: The Mansion on Forsyth Park’s charity networking series will take place on the third Thursday of every month to benefit a different local nonprofit.

Admission is a suggested $5 donation.

5:30-7 p.m., Mansion on Forsyth Park, 700 Drayton Street, Savannah. 912238-5158 or kesslercollection.com.

FEB. 18-19 THE ALLAN VACHE QUARTET AT THE JAZZ CORNER: $10. 7:30-11 p.m., The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

843-842-8620 or thejazzcorner.com.

FEB. 19 ANTIQUES APPRAISAL AND ONLINE SILENT AUCTION: This annual event is a great opportunity to learn about your antiques while supporting local children in the community. Online silent auction runs through Feb. 20. Cost is $10 per item appraised, $25 for three items. 10 a.m.4 p.m., Sequins Ballroom, 1300 Fording Island Road, Bluffton. blufftonkiwanis. org/appraisal.

THROUGH FEB. 27 GULLAH CELEBRATION: The annual Gullah Market offers cultural demonstrations, authentic Gullah and African crafts and food for sale, as well as an offering of traditional storytelling, music entertainment and the Celebration of African American Authors. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12, free for children under 4. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. gullahcelebration.com.

THE ENTREPRENHER TOUR: Join other female business professionals in a space of collaboration, value and purpose. Free. 5-8 p.m., The Office, 32 Office Park Road, Hilton Head Island. eventbrite.com.

FEB. 20-21 BRAHM’S THIRD AND TESSA LARK: A Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra performance featuring the music of Mozart, Dvorak and Brahms. Cost is $25-$65. 4 p.m., Sunday; 7:30 p.m., Monday. First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-2055 or hhso.org.

FEB. 22 VIRTUALLY SPEAKING: “MY FATHER’S WAR”: Dr. Carolyn Johnston, historian and author of My Father’s War, speaks about the experience of her father leading black soldiers in WWII. Free. 5-6 p.m.

Register for Zoom link. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org FEB. 21-27 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: Now in its 15th year, this fun festival takes place over the course of seven days. Enjoy celebrity guest chef dinners, the best of southern pitmasters, local wildlife, cooking demos, wine tastings, mixologists, scholars and more. Ticket prices, times and locations vary. hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com.

FEB. 22-27 BEAUFORT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: This 16th annual film festival features six days of movie watching and star gazing, all with the beautiful backdrop of the Carolina Sea Islands. Tickets are $50-$325.

Times and locations vary. beaufortfilmfestival.com.

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I I F E B R U A R Y 2 0 // 2 2 E V E N T G U I D E I I FEB. 23-27 PERFORMANCE: “TUCK EVERLASTING”: Hilton Head Preparatory Schools will perform Tuck Everlasting, based on the popular bestselling novel by Natalie Babbitt.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students. Times vary. Hilton Head Preparatory School Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main Street, Hilton Head. 843-263-5346 or hhprep.org.

FEB. 26 CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS: As part of the Gullah Celebration, experience a celebration of African American authors. Cost is $10. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Custom Audio Video, 14 Pennington Drive, Suite B, Bluffton. gullahcelebration.com.

FELTING WORKSHOP: Fiber Artist Pat Shanley introduces participants to the basics of felting, the process of combining layers of wool or wool yarns into one piece of felt fabric. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Ridgeland. 843-284-9227 or morrisheritagecenter.org.

RED CEDAR FOXES TROT 5K: This 5K is hosted by Red Cedar Elementary and encourages a morning of health and fun for family and friends of the school. Registration is $10 for the 5K, free for the fun run or for Red Cedar students. 9-11 a.m., Red Cedar Elementary School, 10 Box Elder Street, Bluffton. 843-815-1718 or palmettorunningcompany.com.

SATURDAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: The Hilton Head Seafood Festival’s main event, featuring an afternoon of food and drinks, samplings from more than 100 vendors, live music, celebrity chef cooking demos, seminars, cookbook signings and more. Cost is $85 for adults, $12 for children. 1-4:30 p.m., Shelter Cove Harbour + Marina, 1 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com.

FEB. 27 WMNRUN RACE: WMNRUN races are designed with the female athlete at heart, including bonding experiences with other women athletes while celebrating fitness in a beautiful environment. Followed by partying with drinks, food, music and yoga. Cost is $45 for the virtual race or 5K, $65 for the quarter marathon, $85 for the half marathon. 8 a.m., Beach House Resort, 1 South Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island. wmnrun.com.

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FEB. 28 A NIGHT IN NEW ORLEANS: In celebration of Mardi Gras, Louisiana native Chef Joe Truex will create a special multi-course menu of iconic New Orleans dishes. Cost is $125 per guest, including tax and gratuity. 6:308:30 p.m., Sea Pines Beach Club, 87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head.

843-842-1888 or seapines.com.

FEB. 28-MARCH 2 DARIUS RUCKER INTERCOLLEGIATE: The University of South Carolina Women’s Golf Team will host this three-day tournament, where the 17 top teams from around the country will compete for the title. Kicking off the event will be a private Darius Rucker concert for players, coaches, sponsors and Long Cove residents. 843-686-1074 or longcoveclub.com.

THROUGH MARCH 6 ART BEYOND TRADITION: INTERPRETATIONS: This biennial exhibition focuses on how art’s formal elements can inform abstraction and allow line, color, form, texture, shape and value to drive their diverse production. Artist reception on Feb. 3 from 5-7 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS: May River Theatre was founded 20 years ago. In that original season Steel Magnolias was produced. The MRT Board could not think of a better way to honor those that have been part of those 20 years than to bring together a new group of amazing women to share this timeless story. Dates and times vary. Tickets are $25. Ulmer Auditorium, 20 Bridge Street, Bluffton. mayrivertheatre.com.

MARCH 4-6 LEGALLY BLONDE JR. THE MUSICAL: Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery pink storm in this fun and upbeat adaptation of the hit film and award-winning Broadway musical. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for students, $5 for children under 8. Times vary. Hilton Head Preparatory School Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main Street, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6246 or mainstagecommunitytheatre.org.

MARCH 21 VIM CLINIC PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT: Support the VIM Clinic as 128 amateur golfers team up with local golf pros for a fun-filled event. Includes a post-tournament reception with raffle drawing. Registration to play is $300 per individual player where a golf pro is assigned to you, $1,000 per player for a foursome where you can pick your golf pro. 10:30 a.m., Wexford Golf Club, 111 Wexford Club Drive, Hilton Head Island. vimclinic.org/golf.

MONDAYS INDIGO TIE DYE: Learn how indigo dye is made from a plant and use it to create a tie dye t-shirt to take home. All supplies are provided. Cost is $12 for adults, $7 for children. 3-4 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.

MONDAYS VIRTUAL KID’S STORY TIME: Listen to Rebecca read family favorites about the Lowcountry’s natural and cultural history on the Coastal Discovery Museum’s Facebook page. 10:30 a.m. Watch on Facebook Live at @ coastaldiscoverymuseum. 843- 689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS MEMORY MATTERS: “VIRTUAL COMPASS CLASSES”: An online program designed for adults experiencing mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Compass provides curriculum-based activities, physical exercise, relaxation techniques, life-long learning, small group discussions and socialization. Cost is $400 per month. 10 a.m., 1 p.m. 843-842-6688 or mymemorymatters.org.

TUESDAYS HILTON HEAD ISLAND FARMERS MARKET: Support our local farmers and producers and take home fresh produce, pasture-raised chicken, free range rabbit, pork, seafood, salsa, sausage, cookies, bread, she crab soup and more.

Entrance and parking are free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum. 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island. 843-473-5231 or hhifarmersmarket.com.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND FARMERS MARKET

TUESDAYS OPEN MIC NIGHT AT CORKS: Show up and show off your talent during this open mic night, every Tuesday night at Corks Bluffton. 7-10 p.m., Corks Wine Bar and Restaurant, 14 Promenade Street, Bluffton. 843-815-5168 or corkswinecobluffton.com.

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ISLAND NATIVE AND WINEMAKER JOSH PEEPLES RETURNS FOR SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

By Jessica Farthing

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IIWINEII

Josh Peeples is coming home, and he’s bringing the wine.

The native of Hilton Head Island and graduate of Hilton Head Preparatory School and the College of Charleston is returning from his home on the West Coast to participate in the 15th Anniversary Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival.

To Lowcountry residents' benefit, he’ll showcase his extensive collection of wines from his vineyards in the Napa Valley.

Peeples is always happy to return to his roots, “If I didn’t live here, I’d live there (Hilton Head),” he said.

Son of former mayor Tom Peeples and wife Mary Ann, he had the benefit of watching his parents give back to their community.

His mother sat on several charitable boards and earned the title of Volunteer of the Year from the Beaufort County school board. His father, who was Hilton Head’s longestserving mayor, expanded past politics to give to the island through the Rotary Club and youth sports. That inspired Peeples to model his company on a culture of giving.

The ability to share great wine factored into this effort.

Elyse Winery and wine brands Addax, Institution, and Standard Deviation make up Peeples’ impressive portfolio. The companies routinely host wine dinners to support charities of their choice. They focus on non-profits that give large portions of their raised funds to their cause.

It’s typical for the winery to get three or four solicitations from non-profits a day, but Peeples makes sure that the funds are headed in the proper place. They annually support Uncork for Hope, the High Museum Wine Auction, the American Heart Association’s Heart’s Delight, the Triangle Wine Experience, the Animal Rescue Fund, the Lynn Cohen Breast Cancer Foundation as well as around 50 other regional charities.

This is only the beginning of their involvement which keeps Peeples busy flying around the country, “It’s using the allure of wine to make sure we support great causes.”

Not only a fan of elegant dinners and wine pairings, Peeples is looking forward to the Pig Pickin’ and Oyster Roast held at the Coastal Discovery Museum (Feb. 25). His presence at the festival is not just about the culinary classes, local excursions, and incredible chefs.

It’s more about seeing the people still in the area that he remembers from his youth.

“It’s one of my favorite things to attend because it attracts a lot of my friends who are still on the island,” he said. “It’s great, almost like a high school reunion.”

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IIWINEII The Seafood Festival, set this year for Feb. 2127, is certainly different now than its beginnings, Peeples remembered, “I grew up with David Carmines. The festival was a legacy that has lasted through my entire life. Most people forget that the first seafood festival was in the parking lot at Hudson’s. They’ve done an amazing job to scale this.”

Peeples’ entrepreneurial mindset has grown with his business over the years. His catalogue of wines covers many price points and varietals which allows flexibility for different events and needs.

The newest initiatives are Napa Cider, offering wine-infused hard cider and a canned wine business called Fancy Can. Peeples’ wine-making team also uses his operation to assist local winegrowers who lack the facilities to produce their own grapes. He sees the logic in that effort: “We have more capacity at the winery as far as physical space and permits so we make wine for other people.”

He will use his products to provide whatever is needed for the 15th anniversary event. Peeples plans to participate during every bit of his trip home, “It’s one of those things. If I come home for four days, I’m going to participate for four days,” he said.

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STORY BY JESSICA FARTHING

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IIDINE OUTII

THE SOUTHERN PEEL'S CLASSIC TRUCK HEATS UP BLUFFTON'S FOOD SCENE

Vintage

BY JESSICA FARTHING | PHOTOS BY LLOYD WAINSCOTT

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Chloe Zmolek started her food business — The Southern Peel —during the COVID pandemic.

After working in catering in Charleston, she moved with her husband to the Bluffton area to follow his new job. Knowing that she wanted a business of her own, she developed a plan to jump into the event market in her new home despite the pandemic and restrictions on events.

“It was terrifying,” she said. “I’m still scared. I just think I believed in myself and thought I should give my best at something I really wanted to do.”

Her gamble has paid off. She’s booking events and bringing her pizza around downtown Bluffton.

She attributes some of her success during the pandemic to the outdoor aspect of her pizza food truck.

“People can see everything that we do. Everything is outside. I think they were just more comfortable,” she said.

Zmolek worked with a pizza food truck business in

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Charleston and wanted to do something similar in Bluffton.

She asked her old boss, a designer of food trucks, to rebuild a classic 1953 teal Chevy truck found on a South Carolina farm into a mobile brick oven. They stripped the truck down to its chassis, constructing it back with counter space, three beer taps, and a pizza oven imported from Italy.

Zmolek’s first event was at a friend’s house, her trial run for the new business. The second was a wedding, with the truck serving the guests gourmet pizza choices like her popular peach, prosciutto, goat cheese, hot honey and truffle oil pie.

For The Southern Peel’s menu, local ingredients are sourced as much as possible and there is a focus on environmentally conscious behavior. Zmolek offers compostable utensils, plates and napkins to mitigate her waste.

She designed the truck to be a one-stop catering

experience with a full menu of appetizers, salads, desserts, beer and wine to complement the pizza.

“The menu options are really endless, which is fun,” she said. “We can choose whatever we want. I ask them to give me the things that they like, and we narrow it down from there.”

The Southern Peel is available for a variety of events, including weddings, birthday and graduation parties, and backyard barbeques.

At a typical party, she sets out tables for guests and displays an array of pizza. She offers many choices to make the event as individualized for her customer as she can. From the menu to the setup, it is personalized with the customer in mind.

The value of the truck is not just the pizza, but the casual, vintage style it can bring to a party. Its age makes it mostly a Bluffton exclusive, Zmolek says.

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“The truck itself can drive around 25 miles from downtown Bluffton, but anything farther than that, I usually get it towed,” she said. “I don’t want to put those miles on it.”

That’s not to say she doesn’t travel.

She had dates in October to bring the truck to Asheville, N.C., and then back to Bluffton for a night at Lot 9 Brewing Co. Zmolek, who said her schedule was pretty busy the last few months of the year, is not afraid to take risks with business. Her future plans are to pay off the original investment and then expand.

“My goal is to pay off the truck. If I think past that, I’d want a small brick and mortar and then run the truck out of there as well,” she said. “Honestly, I feel like my options are almost limitless which is nice, but also a little scary.”

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restaurants OUR FAVORITE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY MONTHLY, FORK & FUN AND VACATION GUIDE

HILTON HEAD // NORTH END:

Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek

Hwy. 278 | 843.681.5021 thecrazycrab.com A Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years, enjoy genuine service and fresh seafood. Featuring crab, local oysters, seafood “your way,” fresh local shrimp.

Il Carpaccio

200A Museum St. 843.342.9949 ilcarpaccioofhiltonhead.com Authentic Italian cuisine, ranging from cuisine of Northern Italy to crispy, thin-crust, Italian-style pizza.

Street Meet: The American Tavern

Port Royal Plaza 843.842.2570 streetmeethhi.com Specializing in homemade versions of regional American bar food. Best Wings, Fish & Chips, Homemade Soups, Salads, Vegetarian Menu, Seafood.

HILTON HEAD // MID-ISLAND:

Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar

76 Queens Folly Rd. 843.785.4999 alexandersrestaurant.com Menu uses seasonal ingredients with a strong emphasis on seafood while paying homage to Alexander’s original favorites.

Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza

7 Trent Jones Ln. 855.878.1966 palmettodunes.com/big-jims Big Jim’s offers signature Southern dishes, gourmet burgers, pizzas, soups, salads, seafood, steaks and ribs.

Fishcamp on Broad Creek

11 Simmons Road | 843.842.2267 fishcamphhi.com Fishcamp’s menu consists of seafood and American cuisine, including steak and lobster. They have an outdoor bar and open patio. Family friendly.

The French Bakery & Courtyard Café

28 Shelter Cove Ln. 843.342.5420 frenchbakeryhiltonhead.com Breakfast or lunch inside or out in this bakery/café. Enjoy crepes, breads, baguette & paninis, salads, soups, quiches & pastries.

Giuseppi's Pizza & Pasta

50 Shelter Cove Lane 843.785.4144 giuseppispizza.com Serving excellent, award-winning pizza (since 1984), well-prepared pastas, sandwiches, wings, garden fresh salads and more.

Gruby's New York Deli

890 William Hilton Parkway 843.842.9111 grubysnydeli.com A New York-style deli offering authentic New York sandwichses, soups & offering breakfast & lunch.

Island Bagel & Deli

S. Island Square 843.686.3353 The island's only New York style boiled bagels made daily.

16 flavors of bagels and 12 home-made cream cheeses.

Specialty hoagies, sandwiches & salads.

Jane Bistro & Bar

28 Shelter Cove Lane 843.686.5696 | janehhi.com Bistro fare with Lowcountry influences. Enjoy jumbo lump crab cakes, pecan cranberry chicken salad, crispy flounder and petit filet mignon. Open daily.

Old Oyster Factory

101 Marshland Rd. 843.681.6040 OldOysterFactory.com Marsh & water views. Fresh seafood and steaks. Featured in The Wall Street Journal's “Off the Beaten Track.”

Santa Fe Cafe

807 Wllm Hilton Pkwy 843.785.3838 santafecafeofhiltonhead.com Casually elegant dining in the spirit of New Mexico. Seafood, bone-in ribeye steak, fajitas, & Painted Desert soup.

Sea Grass Grille

807 William Hilton Pkwy 843.785.9990 seagrassgrille.com American, Lowcountry and Continental cuisine. Winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

Up the Creek Pub & Grill

18 Simmons Road 843-681-3625 upthecreekpubandgrill.com Casual waterfront dining offering shrimp appetizers, burgers, crab cake sandwiches, seafood baskets and dessert.

SCAN QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE'S CAMERA TO VISIT EACH RESTAURANT'S WEBSITE. 124 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M

HILTON HEAD //SOUTH END:

Amigos Cafe y Cantina

Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte

Delisheeyo

Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Café

Chez Georges

Fish Casual Coastal Seafood

Big Bamboo

ChowDaddy’s

8 New Orleans Road 843.785.9277 charliesgreenstar.com Since 1982, New menu daily.

Dinner offers 14 fresh fish, rack of lamb, filet mignon and more.

Extensive wine list.

70 Pope Ave. 843-785-8226 amigoscafehhi.com Quick, Casual, Healthy. Authentic Mexican Food. Food is prepared fresh daily.

69 Pope Avenue 843.785.7700 auntchiladashhi.com Tex-Mex and American. Enjoy crab legs, sizzling fajitas, & margaritas. Reservations & large parties welcome.

1 N. Forest Beach Dr. 843.686.3443 bigbamboocafe.com The South Pacific meets the Carolina Coast in Coligny Plaza.

Serving burgers, seafood and festive libations.

37 New Orleans Rd 843.785.3200 chezgeorgeshhi.com Serving traditional bistro staples such as steak frites and mussels mariniere, incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

14b Executive Park Rd. 843.757.CHOW chowdaddys.com Offering a wide variety of menu items focusing on buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations.

Lunch & dinner daily.

32 Palmetto Bay Road 843.785.3633 delisheeeyo.com Vegetarian. Smoothies, Buddha Bowls and more. They provide meals that you can trust, that are real, and healthy.

1 N. Forest Beach Drive 843-342-3474 gofishhhi.com Seafood from local source.

Several different dining, bar and lounge areas. Local oysters offered from a raw bar.

Healthy Habit

33 Office Park Rd. 843-686-5600 healthyhabithhi.com Quick service restaurant serving chopped salads, superfood bowls, fresh bottled juices, smoothies, organic coffee & teas.

British Open Pub

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse

Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill

Captain Woody's

CQ’s Restaurant

Hinoki Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Carolina Crab Company

Crane’s Tavern Steakhouse & Seafood

It’s Greek To Me

Village at Wexford 843.686.6736 thebritishopenpub.com Family-friendly pub with authentic English food with American favorites. Try the signature fish & chips!

6 Target Rd | 843.785.2400 captainwoodys.com Grab a seat at the outside deck, inside, or just belly up to the bar. Full lunch and dinner menu, happy hour daily, live music seasonally, and Sunday brunch.

86 Helmsman Way 843.842.2016 carolinacrabco.com Enjoy water views and fresh seafood at an affordable price in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Pet-friendly outside bar & patio.

Catch 22

37 New Orleans Rd. 843.785.6261 | catch22hhi.com Locally owned. Dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Early Dining Menu.

All beef is aged 28 days, U.S.D.A prime, hand selected and cut in house.

1000 Wlm Hilton Pkwy 843.715.3565 cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com All-you-can eat “Churrascaria.”

30 item salad bar, 6 Brazilian hot dishes and a “parade” of meats carved tableside.

140 Lighthouse Rd. 843.671.2779 CQsRestaurant.com Fine dining, an intimate atmosphere. Dishes include fresh seafood, beef & game. “Bistro” menu offers smaller portions.

26 New Orleans Rd. 843.341.2333 cranestavern.com Perfect for steak and seafood lovers, serving cuts of only USDA Prime grade beef. Excellent selection seafood & pasta dishes.

Crazy Crab Harbour Town

Harbour Town 843.363.2722 thecrazycrab.com A Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years! Featuring crab clusters, local oysters, seafood “your way,” and local shrimp.

70 Pope Avenue 843.686.5959 | hincheys.com A sports bar and a casual restaurant famous for their grouper sandwich. Stop by for lunch, or for drinks or dinner. Dine inside or out.

37 New Orleans Rd. 843.785.9800 | hinokihhi.com Traditional Japanese dishes including grilled fish, chicken and steak, sukiyaki, noodle dishes, tempura, sushi & sashimi.

Reservations recommended.

11 Lagoon Rd. | 843.842.4033 itsgreektomehhi.com Genuine Greek cuisine, from gyros to fried calamari to souvlaki to baklava for dessert. Authentic Greek recipes. The Isand's only gyro machines.

Java Burrito

1000 William Hilton Parkway, Suite J-6 | 843-842-5282 javaburrito.com Burrito and coffee bars uses natural ingredients. Locally roasted & organic beans, milk & organic cane sugar syrups.

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Kenny B’s Cajun/Creole Seafood

Palmetto Bay Sun Rise Café

Slapfish

Local Pie

Phillys Cafe & Deli

Stack’s Pancakes & More

Michael Anthony’s

Red Fish

Stellini

Nick’s Steak & Seafood

Reilley’s Grill & Bar

TôRō

Nunzio Restaurant + Bar

Rockfish Seafood & Steaks at Bomboras

Truffles

70-A Pope Ave. | 843.785.3315 eatatkennybs.com New Orleans fare including jambalaya, red beans & rice, and gumbos. The Island’s best po’ boys & fried seafood. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch.

55 New Orleans Road, No. 106 843.842.7437 | localpie.com Offers true Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza with regionally sourced ingredients. House dough stuffed and oven-baked calzones.

Fresh-baked subs.

37 New Orleans Rd. 843.785.6272 michael-anthonys.com Upscale Italian fine dining featuring innovative preparations.

Open Table Top 50 Italian Restaurants in the country.

9 Park Lane | 843.686.2920 | nickssteakandseafood.com Offering steaks, seafood, BBQ, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, soups, burgers, pasta and a kids’s menu. Reservations accepted.

Large parties welcome.

18 New Orleans Road 843.715.2172 | nunziohhi.com Specializes in fresh seafood and homemade pasta. Beautiful 1,300-sq-ft restaurant with a large bar area and two outdoor seating areas.

Ombra Cucina Italiana

1000 William Hilton Pkwy 843.842.5505 | ombrahhi.com Chef Michael Cirafesi promotes the foods & wines of Italy. He prepares all pastas, homemade gnocchi, desserts and breads daily.

One Hot Mama's

Reilleys Plaza | 843.682.6262 onehotmamas.com Family-friendly. Meat & 3 combo platters, BBQ platters, hand-cut steaks, burgers, char-grilled chicken and “the world’s best” wings.

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Palmetto Bay Marina 843.686.3232 palmettobaysunrisecafe.com Breakfast and lunch items are available continuously. Cafe offers to-go lunches for boats, beach or office. Open 7 days.

55 New Orleans Rd. 843.785.9966 phillyscafe.com Phillys’ motto is “Best sandwiches on the island...

Period!” Custom sandwiches with bread baked fresh daily.

8 Archer Rd. | 843-686-3388 redfishofhiltonhead.com Red Fish specializes in beautifully prepared seafood and steaks.

Choose from a 1,000-plus bottle selection of wines.

7D Greenwood Dr. 843.842.4414 reilleyshiltonhead.com Serving up steaks, seafood, pasta & sandwiches 35+ years.

Lunch & dinner daily, & Sunday brunch. The bar is open late.

5 Lagoon Road 843.689.2662 | rockfishhhi.com A family seafood restaurant & bar near the beach. Fresh and local lowcounty ingredients and craft beers and wines. Kids menu. Lunches to Go.

Salty Dog Cafe

Sea Shack

South Beach Marina Village 843.671.7327 | saltydog.com One of Hilton Head’s favorite outdoor cafes 20+ years. Fresh seafood. Indoor and outdoor seating. Live music & children’s entertainment seasonally.

6 Executive Park Rd. 843.785.2464 | seashackhhi.com One of the island’s most extensive menus of seafood.

Voted one of "South Carolina’s best seafood spots" by Coastal Living and Southern Living.

1024 William Hilton Pwy 843.521.5830 Slapfishrestaurant.com Locally owned & operated by the Lomasney family. Serving honest flippin’ seafood infused with lots of flavor!

2 Regency Pkwy. & Hwy. 278 843.341.3347 | stackshh.com Pancakes, waffles, house-made fruit sauces, crepes, crème brûlée French toast, shrimp & grits, crab benedict, shrimp omelet & lobster cream sauce. Gluten free avail.

BLUFFTON:

15 Executive Park Rd. 843.785.7006 | stellinihhi.com Family owned & operated since 1989! Italian appetizers & entrees from NY & Northern NJ. Delicious pasta, poultry, veal, seafood, beef & lamb expertly prepared.

2 N Forest Beach Drive, Unit 107 843.931.8676 | torohhi.com Latin and Asian inspired fare delivering a blend of culinary creativity and culture to a vibrant, yet casual and innovative atmosphere.

Sea Pines Center 843.671.6136 trufflescafe.com Local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, soups, sandwiches, and salads. .

British Open Pub

Sheridan Park | 843.815.6736 britishopenpub.net Family-friendly pub with authentic English food with American favorites. Try the signature fish & chips, shepherd’s pie and certified Angus beef.

Captain Woody's

17 State Of Mind St 843.757.6222 captainwoodys.com Dine outside, inside, or belly up to the bar. Lunch and dinner menu, happy hour, live music seasonally, and Sunday brunch.

ChowDaddy’s

15 Towne Dr. 843.757.CHOW(2469) chowdaddys.com Buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations. Enjoy salads, sliders, a house ground rib eye burger, or smoked fried chicken.

Juice Hive

14 Johnston Way 843.757.2899 | thejuicehive.com Cold-pressed juices, smoothies and all-natural, mostly raw food. Salads, zoodles, ancient grains bowls, veggie burgers and wraps.

Cinco Mexican Grill

Local Pie

The Cottage Cafe

Lowcountry Fresh Market & Cafe

102 Buckwalter Pkwy 843.815.2233 cincomexgrill.com Authentic cuisine made from scratch using traditional & modern recipes. Dishes include Piña Fajitas, Carnitas, Flautas & flan.

38 Calhoun Street 843.757.0508 thecottagebluffton.com Scrumptious food with old-world Southern charm.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch. Specialty teas May River Coffee.

Corner Perk Brunch Cafe & Coffee Roasters

1297 May River Road 843.816.5674 | cornerperk.com Locally-owned Brunch Cafe and coffeehouse with house-roasted coffee, homemade syrups, breakfast wraps, sandwiches, lunch wraps, and salads.

Craft Kitchen

7 Johnston Way 843-815-7755 craftkitchen.online Craft beer and wine gastropub Lunch and dinner menu with bar snacks, small plates, sandwiches and sweet treats.

Giuseppi's Pizza & Pasta

25 Bluffton Rd | 843.815.9200 giuseppispizza.com Serving excellent, award-winning pizza (since 1984), plus a variety of well-prepared pastas, sandwiches, wings, garden fresh salads and more.

Island Bagel & Deli

17 Sherington Dr. 843.815.5300 New York style boiled bagels made from scratch daily. 16 flavors of bagels and 12 homemade cream cheeses. Hoagies, sandwiches and salads.

SCAN QR CODES TO VISIT RESTAURANT WEBSITES

15 State of Mind | 843.837.7437 localpie.com Offers true Neapolitan-style woodfired pizza with regionally sourced ingredients. House dough stuffed and oven-baked calzones. Freshbaked subs.

303 Bleecker Street 843.815.2780 lowcountryfresh.com Scratch bakery, house-smoked meats, cooking classes. Food market, butcher, local seafood, wine, beer. Eat-in, take-out cafe.

Mellow Mushroom

878 Fording Island Rd. 843.706.0800 mellowmushroom.com Stone-baked pizzas, calzone, salad, hoagies & burgers. Draft beers and handcrafted cocktails.

Gluten-free and vegan options

Truffles

Belfair Towne Village 843.815.5551 trufflescafe.com Cafe featuring the “freshest and finest of everything!” Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups.

SAVANNAH:

The Mansion on Forsyth Park

700 Drayton Street | 912.238.5158 kesslercollection.com/mansion Featuring 700 Drayton, which offers world-class cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.

Breakfast, brunch and dinner.

Plant Riverside District

400 West River Street | 912373-9100 | plantriverside.com A variety of restaurants, bars and lounges. Features an all-day café, a high-end chophouse, a pizza restaurant, a riverside bar and two rooftop bars.

Learn more about specific restaurants by scanning the QR code next to their listing to visit that restaurant's website.

IPHONE USERS:

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.

2. Point your iPhone at the QR code to scan it.

3. Tap the pop-up notification at the top of your screen to go to the website.

ANDROID USERS:

1. Press and hold the home button.

2. Then tap Lens.

3. Point your camera at the QR code.

4. Tap the magnifying glass icon to scan the QR code.

5. Tap the pop-up notification to go to the website.

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IIMY PERSPECTIVEII

MP YOUTHFUL OPTIMISM

A sense of hope was undeniable at an early morning youth futsal game.

Parents, gripping tall to-go coffee cups, made small talk outside the gym. A father and son tossed a football in the grass.

A young boy earnestly dribbled a basketball around his mother and uncle, losing possession then scurrying excitedly to retrieve the ball.

The atmosphere was relaxed. A community coming together on a sunny Sunday morning.

Suddenly the buzzer blared from inside, signaling our turn to enter — to watch the kids play.

I visited my sister and my 9-year-old niece and 7-yearold nephew recently in Mount Pleasant.

We played board games at the kitchen table and basketball in the driveway and baseball in the yard.

We talked about school and gifts from Santa Claus. We learned fun facts from a National Geographic book.

We drank hot chocolate.

Amid the constant adult stresses of our health, the economy and the well-being of our families, the kids provided a respite and a reason for optimism.

Their energy — my niece and nephew compete in several sports — and inquisitiveness (both love to read and do well in school) were reminders that life is still full of wonder and possibility.

The futsal game encapsulated that feeling of optimism.

The contest began with cheers and claps and smart phones held high for videos and photos.

The outcome wasn’t important.

The game was a learning experience: Defend the goal (Shouts of, “Get back, get back”).

Space the floor (“Go to the other side”). Pass the ball.

Support your teammates.

For 48 minutes we watched the teams run and attempt to score or kick the ball back the other way. A scoring opportunity that missed by inches was met with a delightful mix of groans and cheers, followed by shouts of encouragement.

The two squads competed against each other, but each person in the gym was on the same team.

We were there to watch nieces and daughters and granddaughters enjoy themselves and learn how to play as a unit.

There was a community connection in the gym, one familiar throughout our communities in the Lowcountry: a gathering of neighbors united in gleeful support of the next generation.

We cheered and laughed and watched them celebrate their efforts with an after-game doughnut snack.

That afternoon a birthday party for my niece’s teammate was enjoyed.

In a few days we would learn that consumer prices had jumped 7% in 2021, grocery costs were up 6.5%, and the coronavirus variant was continuing its surge.

Worthwhile causes for concern, for sure, but no need for despair.

I drove home from my visit confident there are plenty of reasons to be inspired.

There was hope in a collection of upbeat kids running up and down a hardwood floor, full of enthusiasm, and in the adults feeding off that energy, enjoying the company of others, knowing there’s a promising future ahead.

LIFE IS STILL FULL OF WONDER AND POSSIBILITY.

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