Opinion

14

must reads

28

14 Sports Fanatics

Meet locals who share a love of the game.

28 An Island Mainstay

Signe’s celebrates 50 years on Hilton Head.

50 Pet Contest Winners

See who was recognized as the Lowcountry’s most adorable pets.

50

62 Lowcountry Realtors

Learn about the top agents who help you buy or sell.

128 Art Enrichment

Palmetto Bluff fosters community creativity.

142 Culinary Lessons

Cooking school offers tips to make delicious dishes.

ABOUT THE COVERS:

Monthly celebrates the Lowcountry’s pets.

contents

22

COMMUNITY

22 : Big-Hearted Helpers

These shelters look out for our area’s animals.

BUSINESS

30 : Higher Education Help

Tips to find college tuition assistance.

NEWS

40 : Passion for Precision

South Carolina Yacht Club celebrates more than 30 years in the community.

+ IN THIS ISSUE

8 : At The Helm 10 : Opinion 20 : Photo of the Month

42

PETS

42 : Protecting the Pets

Cheryl’s Place offers a sanctuary for furry friends.

46 : Giving an Assist

Business owner visits Ukraine to help rescue animals.

HEALTH

74 : Comfort Care

Making the right decision for your loved one.

78 : Senior Savings

Don’t overlook these discounts and benefits.

HOME

83 : Be Safe at Home

Technology to keep your property secure.

26 : Community Connection 34 : On the Move 36 : News Briefs 89 : Real Estate News

148

PARENTING

104 : Activities for Kids Fun sports for the fall season.

BACK TO SCHOOL

106 : Esports Emerge

Video gaming connects students.

112 : School Profiles

A primer on the area’s finest educational institutions.

TRAVEL

132 : Deserted Destination

Shackleford Banks offers a glimpse of a barrier island.

DINING

148 : Music Magic

Top spots for live tunes in the Lowcountry.

112 : School Briefs 140 : Where to Worship 152 : Calendar 160 : Last Call

dear reader,

SASHA SWEENEY

MEREDITH DIMUZIO

We love putting together each issue of Monthly, but we especially enjoy August when we publish the results of our annual Cutest Pets contest. This year we had more than 300 entries, including a variety of dogs and cats, guinea pigs and a couple of horses. The voting was close, and we had so much fun looking at all the entries. Once the more than 3,000 votes were tallied, we had three winners, each of whom received their own professional photoshoot. Pets enrich our lives in so many ways, and one way we can return the favor is by making sure they stay safe and healthy. Read about a local dog-grooming business owner who was inspired to help animals in war-torn Ukraine, and learn about an animal rescue that is a sanctuary for horses and wildlife. We honor the passion of sports with stories about an ultimate superfan, a longtime dedicated official and a high school volleyball star. Their stories are true examples of having a love of the game. August means it’s time to head back to school. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton offer different options for education, and we profile many of those in this issue. Learn about the newest principals who will lead the area’s students this school year. Many of us are part of the so called “sandwich generation,” adults who care for their own children and help aging parents navigate their care needs. We break down some of the options for senior assistance, from in-home to memory care. It seems the real estate market is always hot. In this issue we introduce our readers to some of the area’s top real estate agents. The summer is a great time to go out and enjoy the nightlife.

Listening to live music is a fantastic way to enjoy an evening of entertainment. We offer a guide to some of the top spots to listen to fun tunes in the Lowcountry.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

SASHA SWEENEY MEREDITH DIMUZIO Publishers

CUTEST PETS Winners

PAGE 50

l etter

NEW SCHOOL YEAR, NEW SCHOOL LEADERS

BY FRANK RODRIGUEZ

I am excited to share some information about the district’s new principals who will lead schools in this publication’s readership areas:

Michelle Brockway, an assistant principal at Hilton Head Island Elementary School since 2014, will replace outgoing HHIES principal Sarah Owen, a veteran educator with more than 25 years of experience, who decided to return to her love of teaching at the secondary and collegiate level. Brockway began her educational career at Hilton Head Island Elementary School, having held various positions there and at the Hilton Head Island School for Creative Arts for the past 22 years.

Tracy Lanese, an assistant principal at Okatie Elementary School since 2021, replaces longtime principal Jamie Pinckney, who retired. Lanese has been with BCSD for 23 years as an elementary teacher, interventionist, and assistant principal at our South of the Broad schools.

Clinton Austin, an assistant principal at May River High School since 2017, will take the helm at Hilton Head Island Middle School. He has served Beaufort County School District for a decade, having held educational positions at Bluffton Middle School and May River High School, in addition to coaching athletics at Bluffton Middle and High schools.

School security

I know a top priority for many families is school safety. BCSD has a strong relationship with our local law enforcement partners. In fact, the morning after the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas unfolded, our district held a joint press conference with law enforcement agencies from across the county, reinforcing our solidarity and partnership in support of school safety.

Additionally, we have School Resource Officers (SROs) at all our middle and high schools. As the state continues to fund two SROs per year, we plan on adding them to elementary schools. In the meantime, we have armed security guards at our elementary schools.

Combatting the national teacher shortage

As many are aware, there is currently a teacher shortage across the nation. Every day we are competing with districts throughout the country and state to recruit and retain educators. This proves especially difficult, given the high cost of living in Beaufort County. But, I am excited to share that this summer Beaufort County Council approved the district’s submitted budget proposal for the 2022-2023 school year. This budget was also unanimously approved by our board of education with the intention of attracting and maintaining superior educators and staff, supporting the District’s commitment to increased student outcomes.

The salary for BCSD starting teachers is now $45,566 in comparison to $37,928. Coupled with additional supplements, the total compensation package for starting teachers in the 2022-2023 school year is now $50,066. (And, this pay bump is not just for new teachers.)

BCSD is now one of the top-paying districts for educators in the state of South Carolina.

Fulltime classified staff, to include bus drivers, will also see salary increases.

Beaufort County has amazing educators and support staff whom I appreciate. I am also grateful to our Board of Education and County Council for supporting these salary increases that will help us recruit the best and the brightest teachers and support staff in the state to serve our students.

By focusing on compensating our staff, we are really focusing on our students, directly benefiting the future of our region.

GIVING THANKS

Monthly was excited to assist Evelyn & Arthur Hilton Head, which partnered with Giuseppi’s Pizza & Pasta last month to show their appreciation for some of Hilton Head Island’s first responders by throwing a pizza party.

Brittany Smart of Evelyn & Arthur said that during the past year there has been an increased presence of first responders in the area and after personally witnessing a few events, it was obvious how much the community relies on first responders.

“I wanted to do something special to show appreciation for all their hard work,” she said. “They are true superheroes.”

Smart decided to throw a pizza party for the island’s fire departments. With the support of company CEO Adrianne Weissman and their customers, Smart raised enough money to feed the fire departments.

Evelyn & Arthur teamed with Giuseppi’s, which helped with the delivery and logistics.

“I couldn’t have done it without them or the support of our community,” she said.

The deliveries covered seven stations a day for three consecutive days. Forty-eight pizzas were delivered.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

SUMMER FUN AT HOME

Summer is heating up in the Lowcountry. If you’re looking for some at-home ideas to keep the family busy, we’ve rounded up some unique ideas.

HOLD A COOKING OR BAKING COMPETITION: Search for a family-friendly dinner or dessert recipe online (try to find one with a lot of steps.) Print the recipe out, set up cooking stations for each member of your family, then set a timer and see who wins. For younger children, be sure to pick easier or no-bake recipes like trail mix or Rice Krispie treats.

TAKE A FAMILY BIKE RIDE: We are so blessed to live in an area with beautiful biking trails and winding beaches. Spend a morning or afternoon on a bike ride as a family. Stop along the trails and make a list of any interesting wildlife you encounter. When you get home, Google what you found as a family and learn more about different native species.

HOST A SPA DAY: Every vacation calls for a bit of relaxation. Start with fresh fruit smoothies for breakfast. Make a pitcher of lemon and cucumber water to sip on throughout the day. Find a yoga class on YouTube and practice together in the backyard. Spend the rest of the day meditating, reading, and listening to soothing music.

DIGITAL DETOX: No matter the at-home adventure, stepping away from constant technology is a great opportunity to get away from the allure of our devices. When enjoying family time, put away all phones or tablets and focus on each other. With fewer distractions, the family will be more engaged.

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