Hilton Head Monthly March 2019

LEADING LADIES OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

{your voice}

Green Home GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY IS A BIG, FAT, CHALLENGE

Top Pianists

Zen Healing HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES

Guarded MEET THE PEOPLE WORKING THE GATES

COME TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND

L LOCA R O AUTHTH HAS I STAN SM OOK OUT. A N E W B P EO P L E S O M E A S H O E. M T H I N K I’

MARCH 2019

monthly

TM

address 14 Westbury Park Way, Suite 200, Bluffton 29910 offices 843-842-6988 web hiltonheadmonthly.com

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MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR

Marc Frey marc@hiltonheadmonthly.com PUBLISHER Anuska Frey anuska@hiltonheadmonthly.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Carol Weir carol@hiltonheadmonthly.com SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sasha Sweeney sasha@hiltonheadmonthly.com ART & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Michael Lupi mike@hiltonheadmonthly.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Christine Cannon Allyson Venrick ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Rebecca V. Kerns rebecca@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-816-2732 Cathy Flory cathy@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-1538 Majka Mochnac majka@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-290-9372 Mary Ann Kent maryann@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-9390 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Guido Flueck, Matt Garbade, Rob Kaufman, Ruthe Ritterbeck, Lloyd Wainscott CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark Anderson, Queenie Bontuyan, Becca Edwards, Clay Bonnyman Evans, R.L. Hamilton, Carrie Hirsch, Justin Jarrett, Kim Kachmann, Barry Kaufman, James Mallory, Jed Sapio, Nicole Schultz, Nichole Tate

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››

March's

Must Reads

28

34

72

126

58

134

28 Security Guards

72 Going Electric

34 Stan Smith

126 CJ Cummings

58 Leading Ladies of the Lowcountry

134 50 Years of Clean Water

They're tough and they keep us safe.

HHI's tennis and fashion icon turns author.

Female business leaders shine.

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Cars powered by electricity are the future.

Local wrestler is an Olympic hopeful.

Hilton Head PSD is ready for the future.

››In this Issue +

40 LOCAL VIBE

130 HOME

24 John McCann

80 Home Maintenance

New HHI Mayor explains his plans.

Check these areas of your home.

PEOPLE

84 Home & Garden Show

38 Charles Sampson

HBAHH annual show in Bluffton.

40 Mona Huff

Zero energy house is in Bluffton.

Real estate is only one of his passions.

She drives the HH Piano Competition.

86 Green Home

REAL ESTATE

44 Sandro Virag & Armando Aseneta 96 Luxury Homes Ballroom dance has two local champs.

These beautiful homes can be yours.

EALTH H 50 Alternative Medcine

120 Asheville

Healing therapies are available here.

56 Sugar Scrubs This sweet therapy is good for skin.

TRAVEL Retreat to the mountains.

SPORTS

LEADING LADIES

130 Special Olympics

60 The Cypress Team 61 Lorri Lewis & Wendy Corbitt 62 Jenny Price 63 Olivetti, McCray & Withrow, LLC 64 Michelle Myhre & Heidi Yoshida 65 Jordan Young 66 Lynne Anderson 67 Stoneworks 68 Stacy Floyd 69 Loni Lueke

RELIGION

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Athletes compete all year.

141 St. Andrews Church

Easter services go outside.

AFTER DARK 156 The Jazz Corner

Celebrating 20 years.

DINING 158 Outdoor Dining

Here's where to eat outside.

160 Stacks

Enjoy pancakes and more.

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 At The Helm 12 Opinion 14 Behind the Scenes 16 Where in the World?

18 Social Spotlight 20 News

26 Community Connections 32 On the Move 99 Real Estate News 144 Calendar 164 Restaurant Listings 176 Last Call

PHOTOGRAPHY BY IVS PHOTOGRAPHY

››At the Helm

Members of the Monthly team were all smiles at the Hilton Head Bridal Show. From left: Mary Ann Kent, Carol Weir, Cathy Flory, Anuska Frey, Meredith DiMuzio and Katie Hatfield.

Dear Reader,

S

pring is here and it’s time to open our windows and our hearts. It’s a season of rebirth and reawakening, and at Monthly we are springing into it, full of enthusiasm and ready for new adventures.

As flowers bloom and trees show off new leaves, we’re reminded of the power of nature. In this issue, we also celebrate some of the powerful, kind and diverse people who make Hilton Head Island and Bluffton great places to live. John McCann, the new mayor of Hilton Head, shares his plans and priorities. Female business leaders and others answer questions about their lives and careers in our Leading Ladies special section. And fashion and tennis icon Stan Smith reveals his new book about his life and the shoe that the whole world loves.

We look at the power of alternative medicine and at innovation in some of the powerful electric cars gaining in popularity right here in the Lowcountry.

In our story about Bluffton architect Elaine Gallagher Adams’ “green” home, a few energy-saving ideas add up to powerful benefits for the environment.

We also celebrate some happy local milestones: the legendary, awardwinning jazz club and restaurant The Jazz Corner turns 20 years old, and Hilton Head Public Service District has brought us pure drinking water and sanitation for a half-century.

On Hilton Head and in Bluffton, spring is always full of festivals and community events. St. Patrick’s Day is a don’t-miss annual party for locals and visitors alike, and we bring you what’s new with the Hilton Head parade.

Also in this issue, you’ll get the inside scoop on the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival. Among all these opportunities for fun, Monthly reminds you to set aside time for needed spring maintenance and home improvement tasks and recommends local professionals who can help.

Finally, we can’t resist showing off photos of our Bridal Show last month at Belfair. Soon-to-be brides and grooms and their friends and parents mingled with local vendors like wedding planners, photographers and florists.

Between the mimosas and the live music, a great time was had by all. Please join us next year if you missed it this time.

Enjoy your Lowcountry spring, and never underestimate the power of good people working together.

Anuska Frey – publisher anuska@hiltonheadmonthly.com

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Carol Weir – editor carol@hiltonheadmonthly.com

››We Asked, You Answered If we don’t come up with some concrete solutions to our rising sea-level problems, life as we know it in and around Beaufort County will be … underwater. I remain optimistic about innovative solutions, however.

— Jayne Sadlon Violette

I wouldn’t be surprised if the number of storms and their intensity increase. — Jennifer Ruth Ross

I’ll be 47 years old in 2050. I’ll probably be a dad by then.

— Ross Ingles

I don’t even know what I’m cooking for dinner tonight.

Predicting the future is out of my league. — Lauren Radcliff

In 32 years, I’ll be retired.

I don’t know what everyone else thinks will happen, but I’m planning long walks on the beach with my dog and lots of road trips with my sister.

— Carlie Hendricks

Nerds will save the world. — Suzanne Frisch

Our cellphones will be able to read our minds. — Troy Teague

WHAT DO YOU THINK LIFE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY WILL BE LIKE IN THE YEAR 2050?

By then we will have had at least one female president. Hopefully more.

— D’Shai Johnson

All plastic will biodegrade within a week of disposal. Not recycling will be illegal.

— Hector Alvarez

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Following the great robot uprising of the 2030s, I will have established myself as a key member of the human resistance’s spy ring. And that’s when I turn on you all.

— Barry Kaufman

The world may shift and twirl, but people don’t change unless circumstances require it. — Dean Rowland

Where’s that crystal ball when you need it? — Terry Eldridge

Very “Jetsons”like! — Dave Ferguson

Heaven! — Judi Clifford

What, and give away my plans to survive the zombie apocalypse? I don’t think so. — Ellis Harman

It will be cold, dark and malodorous because I will be 6 feet under. Or maybe not if I’m cremated. — Fitz McAden

››Behind the Scenes

ONLINE

EXCLUSIVE CHECK IT OUT AT: HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM

Nicolas Luka Born January 24th 7.15 lb | 19.5 in Proud Parents Majka & Rastislav Mochnac

Honoring the Gullah Women

By Carrie Hirsch

Top: Meet Monthly’s newest team member, Nicolas! Our account executive, Majka and her husband Rastislav are thrilled with their son.

Bottom left: Anuska Frey, meredith DiMuzio and Jennifer Burns enjoyed themselves at the Hilton Head Bridal Show.

Bottom right: A group of homeschooled students and their moms visited Monthly to check out future job opportunities.

MONTHLY CONTRIBUTORS

MATT GARBADE Photographer

NICHOLE TATE Writer

KIM KACHMANN Writer

From wedding photography to underwater videography and drone imagery, Matt Garbade is up for anything. His company, Edge of Reality Productions, is based in Ridgeland. Contact him at @ edgeofrealityproductions.

Hilton Head Island born and Arizona raised, Nichole Tate and her husband chose Bluffton to settle and raise their two children – Camden, 3, and Teagan, 1. She’s a higher education professional and a former arts and entertainment reporter that enjoys sarcasm, wine and finding humor in the chaos.

The author of three health books, Kim Kachmann is also a writing mentor at SCAD. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, DAME magazine and PBS “Second Opinion” among other publications.. She is an environmentalist and the mother to Coulson, Samantha and Jessica.

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Gullah women are the guideposts for their families, preserving the native islanders’ language, food, traditions and way of life — all while overcoming challenges of everyday life.

On Jan. 19, the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island recognized 20 Gullah women ages 85 to 100 for their accomplishments and contributions to their community.

The following women were honored: • Ruth Aiken • Geneva Burke • Madeline Chisolm • Cornelia Cohen • Blanche Cue • Phoebe Driessen • Rosa L. Driessen • Alberta “Essie” Ford • Ruth E. Germany • Wilhemena Green • Ruby Jones • Ethel Rivers • Rosa Simmons • Dorothy Singleton • Ida M. Stewart • Margaret Stewart • Esther Williams • Mary Young Pauline Holmes and Viola Jones received posthumous honors.

Read the rest of the story online at hiltonheadmonthly.com

in the World ››Where is Monthly?

We love to see where Monthly travels! Submit your photos to editor@ hiltonheadmonthly.com for this section. Space is limited.

Switzerland

Antartica

Aruba

Fabio and Marco Frey took Monthly along to Zurich, Switzerland.

Joe, Tobbie, Maddie and Fitz Wells shared Monthly with penguins in Antarctica over Christmas break.

Monthly enjoyed an Aruba sunset with Hilton Head Island friends Jean and Mike Joyce, Nancy and Dave Butts, and Linda and Frank Evans.

Canada

Ireland

Nepal

Monthly travelled to Parry Sound, Canada, with Peter Vukelic, Bryce Elliott, Lindsey Powell, Eric Kuhn, Michelle Elliott and Tierra Schaffer.

Sal Dominguez, Alice Schulte, Cindy Gambon and Dennis Gambon posed with Monthly in front of the Spanish Arch in Galway, Ireland built in 1584.

Judy and Stew Brown and Eloise and Bob Mason showed off Monthly in front of tallest Hindu temple in Nepal.

Philadelphia

Slovakia

Victoria Falls

Monthly visited the Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art with Patty Blackmon, Cindy Green and Lauren Sacks.

Sue and Rick Smith, Kay and Tom Morton, Kisha and Chuck Pfaff, and Nancy and Dave Butts took Monthly on a Slovakia river cruise.

Lauri and Barry Davis visited Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with Monthly as part of a trip that also included stops in Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique

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March 2019 17

››Social Spotlight

To submit a photo of your event for Social Spotlight, email editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com

Film fans gathered at Coligny Theater for Mountainfilm, one of America’s longestrunning film festivals.

Volunteers at the SouperBowl of Caring, held outside FISH Casual Coastal Seafood, used America’s favorite weekend as an opportunity to feed those in need.

River Dog Heroes Brew Fest, hosted by River Dog Brewery, was a heartfelt way to support the Lowcountry Foundation for Wounded Military Heroes and a fun time for attendees.

Football fans and their pets gathered at Peacock Subaru’s Puppy Bowl Watch Party to enjoy the show and meet adoptable animals from Palmetto Animal League.

The 4th and 5th grade girls’ robotics team from Hilton Head Island IB won second place in the “Storm The Citadel” competition.

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Heart Ball attendees bid in support of the American Heart Association.

››2019 Bridal Show

More than 300 attendees and vendors attended the Hilton Head Bridal Show at Belfair.

Photos on this page taken by Ian Santiago of IVS Photography.

March 2019 19

MAR

hit

list

ISLAND COUNCIL NAMES U.S. 278 COMMITTEE Hilton Head Island Town Council recently named 13 local residents to serve on the new Hilton Head Island U.S. 278 Gateway Corridor Committee. The committee will work with the South Carolina Department of Transportation as it plans improvements along U.S. 278 from the intersection of Moss Creek Drive to the intersection of Spanish Wells Road.

The new advisory panel chairman is David C. Johnson Jr. The rest of the panel includes vice chairman, Frank Babel, Alexander Brown Jr., Tom Crews, Jerry Cutrer, Craig Forest, Marc Grant, Hannah Horne, David Lunka, Thomas Peeples, Brendan Reilley, John Taylor and Kyle Theodore.

DISNEY’S MULAN, JR. MARCH 2-10 This action-packed adaptation for the stage is at Main Street Youth Theater. 843-689-6246 or myst.org JUST JEVON MARCH 1 Jevon Daly plays his first acoustic show on Hilton Head at Coligny Theater. ColignyPlaza.com/events.

JEWELS & JEANS MARCH 2 Dance, dine and drink to benefit the Beaufort County Foundation for Educational Excellence. Country Club of Hilton Head. 843-415-2331.

INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION MARCH 11-18 Some of the world’s best pianists ages 18-30 will compete on Hilton Head Island for big prizes. hhipc.org

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE MARCH 17 It’s on St. Patrick’s Day this year!

Irished themed floats, marching bands, giveaways and more starting at 3 p.m. at Coligny Circle.

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ALLEGIANT ADDS FLIGHTS FROM SAV Low-cost Allegiant announced early Tuesday that it plans to add nonstop flights from Savannah to two more cities starting June 6. The seasonal flights will connect Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport to Albany, New York, and Providence, Rhode Island. Introductory fares will be as low as $49 each way, according to a news release from Allegiant.

BLUFFTON BUYS 44 ACRES IN NEW RIVERSIDE The town of Bluffton closed on the purchase of a 37-acre parcel located at 200 New Riverside Road in December. This property, commonly known as the New Riverside barn property, includes the iconic 2,700-squarefoot barn visible from the highway. The sales agreement also included the donation of a 7-acre parcel located at the southeastern intersection of S.C. 46 and S.C. 170, made possible as a result of a successful strategic partnership with Palmetto Bluff. These properties are expected to be used as civic space.

The parcel was purchased for $200,000.

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY AND GEORGIA The widening of Interstate 95 from Yemassee to Georgia will include six additional driving lanes to alleviate road congestion. State transportation officials approved the project, which will cost more than $1 billion, with work expected to begin in 2023 at the earliest. Additionally, more than $25 million in funds will be allocated to fixing 30 roads in Beaufort and Jasper counties. The 10-year SCDOT plan will be funded by a 2017 statewide gas tax increase.

››Vibe

Pets OF THE MONTH

ORANGE ALLIGATORS NOT A CAUSE FOR CONCERN After two orange alligators were spotted in Bluffton last month, local residents worried that the alligators’ carrot color were a sign of pollution. But experts at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources said the unusual hue was probably due to alligators hibernating somewhere near rust, like by an old drainage pipe. Alligators typically emerge from hibernation in February. Once they spend some time away from the source of the rust, their coloration will fade back to normal.

THE RATE TO UNDERGO RESTORATION One of Bluffton’s original grocery stores, The Rate at 45 Bridge St., will undergo restoration to its former condition. New owner Debbie Wunder bought the property last year and plans to restore the now-dilapidated building to honor the town’s history, architecture and preservation efforts. Bluffton’s Developmental Review Committee is currently reviewing her plans.

LIGHTS OUT FOR EARTH HOUR Turn off your lights at 8:30 p.m. March 30 for an hour to express solidarity with environmental conservation efforts around the world. Earth Hour was started as a lightsoff event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Since then, it has grown to include events in more than 180 countries and territories worldwide.

People who participate often host candlelit dinners, go stargazing, throw Earth Hour parties or simply switch off their lights for an hour. Learn more by following the hashtag #Connect2Earth.

Meet Allen

Age: About 1 year Breed(s): Boxer/lab mix.

Gender: Male Weight: 45 lbs.

Temperament: Sweet boy with a lot of energy.

Recent graduate of “Operation New Hope,” a partnership between the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and local rescue organizations.

MAYOR SULKA INDUCTED INTO BLUFFTON’S WALL OF HONOR Town Council members inducted Mayor Lisa Sulka into the town of Bluffton’s Wall of Honor in February. Sulka, the town’s first female mayor, was nominated because she epitomizes the town’s slogan, “Heart of the Lowcountry.” She led the town’s economic development charge as she partnered with Clemson University in 2012 to create the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, the first business incubation center in a non-metropolitan area of South Carolina. Sulka is also a strong advocate for Bluffton’s youth. She says she hopes her actions, whether it is writing recommendations to colleges for students or helping them with their applications or just reminding them that Bluffton’s adults are rooting for them, have made an impact on their lives. The Wall of Honor is located adjacent to the Charles E. Ulmer Auditorium in Town Hall.

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Meet Trixie

Age: About 1 year.

Gender: Shepherd mix.

Breeds:Female.

Weight: 35-40 lbs.

Temperament: She gets along with most dogs but can be a bit shy when first meeting people.

Adopt them at: Rogue Rescue in Bluffton.

Visit rogueresuce.org or call 843-816-0097.

Hours are by appointment only.

March 2019 23

››Vibe

Meet McCann

HILTON HEAD’S NEW MAYOR WANTS TO BE OUT AMONG THE PEOPLE

BY JAMES A. MALLORY | PHOTO SPECIAL TO MONTHLY

H

ilton Head Island residents shouldn’t spend too much time our needs,” he said. “So when you look at it, the No. 1 driver is looking for new Mayor John McCann at Town Hall. His sparse transportation.” office, dominated by a meeting table and the emblem of his Workers from Hardeeville and Ridgeland need transportation beloved New York Yankees emblazoned on the wall, signals that that is fast, comfortable and flexible enough so that people can the mayor does not plan to spend much go home during the day and not be locked into specific time such as “6 in the morntime there. ing and 6 in the evening,” he said.

“I’ve only used this office twice in two months,” McCann, 78, said recently. “I Also on McCann’s agenda is a master plan for town parks. Some are at least 25 want to be out there as much as I can.”

And being out among the people years old, and maintenance, which is done during his campaign is where McCann said by the county, isn’t where it should be, he said. A newly formed committee is tasked he heard what town residents wanted, THIS ISLAND, IT IS NOT listing workforce housing and transportawith assessing the parks and looking at tion, health care, and parks as key issues their best use, now and into the future.

THE BEACHES OR THE to be addressed over the next four years.

Health care was not originally on his TENNIS COURTS, IT “The visioning plan, as well done as list of priorities, McCann said. But during it was, didn’t address certain issues,” meet-and-greets he kept hearing conIS THE PEOPLE THAT McCann said about the town’s “Our cerns about the subject.

LIVE HERE. Future Vision and Strategic Action Plan” “I think we have to explore the health released last May. “It didn’t address health care here and see what we have now and care; it didn’t dig far enough into workwhat the needs are and where we are going force housing. We have to correct that.” to go in the future,” he said. ‘Part of that is telecommunications. We need 5G (mobile McCann would like to see vacant commercial real estate — about 44 percent of the island’s commercial broadband).” space is empty — repurposed for workforce housing. But he has a One of the biggest projects that will consume McCann’s time caveat: Housing and transportation are inseparable. as mayor are the upcoming improvements to U.S. 278 and the “You can never build enough housing here to satisfy all of bridges to Hilton Head, made possible in November when voters

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approved a temporary 1 percent sales tax increase. The project’s goal is to ease traffic congestion between the mainland and Hilton Head. Bridges to the island will be replaced or repaired, and lanes on U.S. 278 will be expanded from Moss Creek Drive in Bluffton to Squire Pope Road on the island.

An 11-member corridor committee has been formed to look out for the town’s interests in this project. The main goal, according to McCann, is to discuss options with the people who live along the corridor. Those residents, many of them native islanders, have expressed concerns about losing more land to development.

“What I’m trying to do, and what the town is trying to do over the next year or two, is try to have this all worked out,” he said. “This should all be done in the next 12 to 14 months, before they put a shovel in the ground.”

Other issues touched on by the mayor included traffic safety and environmental sustainability. Several high-profile traffic fatalities on U.S. 278 on Hilton Head have left residents concerned about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists along the busy road. McCann said traffic lights have been approved at the intersection of U.S. 278 and Yacht Cove, where 11-year-old Charli Bobinchuck was struck and killed by a car last summer. If the Yacht Cove lighting proves successful, he said, other dangerous crosswalks could see changes. He also said that the town is experimenting with narrowing the lanes on Pope Avenue to help force drivers to slow down.

Environmental sustainability was listed as a top value in the town’s vision plan.

McCann said the town would continue adding sewers on the island’s north end and work with the county on recycling.

“Environment stretches to water quality, beaches … you don’t want to talk about 1,000 projects,” he cautioned. “You want to talk about one or two that you can touch.”

And McCann, who has lived on the island since 2003, said he wants to continue hearing from residents. Council meetings are being held at various places around the island, and McCann is continuing to hold meet-and-greets — 12 a year, he said.

“This island, it is not the beaches or the tennis courts,” he said. “It is the people that live here.”

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››Community Connections

One of the best thing about where we live is how giving our community is. Has your business or organization given back to the community? Submit your photos to editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com for this section. Space is limited.

TCL to host Open Houses Technical College of the Lowcountry will host open houses for the public.

Health Sciences is from 5- 7 p.m. on March 14 at the New River campus in Bluffton. Come and explore TCL’s programs in massage therapy, medical assisting, nursing, physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology and surgical technology. Meet faculty and staff and learn about the application process. Business & Industrial Technologies and Public & Human Services Open House is from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 4 at the Beaufort Campus.

Discover TCL’s professional and technical career programs including building and industrial technologies; business administration; computers and electronics; education; criminal justice; paralegal and more. Latino families are invited to learn about TCL’s college and career opportunities, admission processes and financial aid from 4-7 p.m. on April 25 at the New River Campus. For details go to tcl.edu or tcl.edu/latino.

Sun City to host volunteer fair Sun City Hilton Head Community Association will hold the Sun City Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 23 at Pinckney Hall. The event will feature area nonprofit organizations showcasing volunteer opportunities, helping them connect with Sun City residents looking to get involved.

Junior Service League to hold Prom Boutique The Junior Service League of Beaufort is hosting its eighth annual Prom Boutique on March 9. The Prom Boutique has helped more than 75 girls choose from a wide variety of new and gently used formal dresses, accessories and jewelry at no cost. This event is offered to juniors and seniors in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. The event will take place at the Academy of Career Excellence.

Plaid About Reading program expands to Charleston Now in its ninth year, the Heritage Classic Foundation’s annual Plaid About Reading program, presented by Future Scholar, has hit a record number of entries. Twenty-one elementary schools from Hilton Head Island to Charleston participated in the Plaid About Reading program Feb. 4-15 for a chance to win Heritage tickets and money for their schools and to meet PGA Tour golfers. The lighthearted scholastic competition gives area elementary school students in grades kindergarten through fifth a chance to win $500 for their school, $150 for their class, tickets to the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing and the chance to meet a professional golfer at Coca-Cola Youth Day, held the Tuesday of tournament week.

Junior Jazz Foundation donates keyboard lab

DAR names middle school essay contest winners

Every student at St. Helena Elementary School will have the opportunity to learn to read and play music thanks to the donation of a keyboard laboratory by The Junior Jazz Foundation this fall. The school had sought support from the foundation to help introduce all students to the language of music, and working with music teacher Jenna Fisher, The Junior Jazz Foundation purchased a state-of-the-art Yamaha Keyboard Laboratory and installed the lab in a dedicated music classroom. The Junior Jazz Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that works to preserve the art of jazz by educating young musicians and holding live performances.

The Emily Geiger Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced winners from two local schools for its American History Essay Contest: Fifth-grader Kevin Bomia and seventh-grader Imisioluwa Banigbe, both from Cross Schools; and sixth-grader Addison Powell and eighth-grader Ahmari Cannickof H. E. McCracken Middle School. DAR chapter regent Debi Bacon and American history chairwoman Ann Piercy presented the awards at February’s chapter meeting at Bluffton United Methodist Church. The essay title for this year’s competition was “The Women’s Suffrage Campaign.”

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Heritage seeking student volunteers International Junior Golf Academy is seeking middle- and high school-aged students interested in volunteering to be standard-bearers during the RBC Heritage Presented

by Boeing, to be held April 17-21 at Harbour Town Golf Links. Volunteers should be able to walk 18 holes of golf, carry a standard and keep score. A two-day commit is requested and includes a morning or afternoon shift Wednesday to Sunday. Golf knowledge and etiquette is recommended but not required. For more information, call Skylar Jewell at IJGA at 240-252-9450.

Seahawks support students The Seahawk Support Circle wishes to thank the community, parents and

teachers who donated, volunteered and supported the group’s holiday bag project in 2018. Thanks to the monetary donations, gift cards and other donated items, the group sent home with students in need more than 120 large bags filled with holiday gifts. Special thanks to Island Lutheran Church, May River Dermatology, James Wedgeworth/Charter One Realty.

The Seahawk Support Circle provides assistance to students of Hilton Head High School who are struggling due to homelessness, loss of parent or guardian, illness, financial and other crisis issues.

Long Cove Committee accepting grant applications from local non-profits The Long Cove Club Charitable Advisory Committee is accepting applications until March 31 for grants that go to nonprofit organizations in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. To be considered, organizations should have plans for a project to improve health, housing, hunger or educational issues.For more information contact Jordan Potter at jpotter@longcoveclub.com, call 843- 686-1070 or go to www.longcoveclub.com.

March 2019 27

››Business

Lou Orlando greets visitors at the entrance to Palmetto Bluff, where the public is able to visit commercial areas of the resort.

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Always on Guard THE FAMILIAR FACE GREETING YOU AT THE GATE MIGHT JUST BE YOUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

BY BARRY KAUFMAN | PHOTOS BY LLOYD WAINSCOTT

M

any Lowcountry residents pass through security gates every a reason they have to be trained for anything, as Green found out when a resident called in a report of an alligator in a carport. day, giving the security officer inside the guardhouse a wave as the gate opens and they roll into one of the island’s many “I got there and found an 8- or 9-foot gator,” she said. “At that gated communities or plantations. point, you are animal control.”

For others, the security guards aren’t Fortunately, she was able to coax the as welcome a sight — especially for those trespassing reptile to a nearby pond using who arrive to visit a friend but discover another piece of standard equipment for that a promised pass has not been called Lowcountry security guards: a lasso stick. in. The island’s gatekeepers are firm but As a former New York City police offipolite: Only those who have the proper cer, Lou Orlando knows a thing or two credentials may enter. about staying alert. In adapting to his role Whether standing guard at a commuwith Palmetto Bluff security, Orlando created what he calls a “fair and firm” nity’s gate or cruising the streets of the AT A CERTAIN POINT plantation, these trained professionals approach, one that blends his authority as WHEN YOU’VE BEEN make residents’ security their top priority. keeper of the peace with his role as ambas“We’re not just flashlight security,” sador to a globally recognized destination.

HERE, YOU BUILD A said Lt. Vanessa Green with Hilton Head “We want to be welcoming at that Plantation’s security team. “We actufront gate,” he said. “We’re here to not BOND OUTSIDE OF JUST ally arrest people, we write state tickets, only sell this property but have people as PROVIDING SECURITY we go to court prosecuting your court return visitors.” cases … we’re representing the state.

Behind his friendly smile is a duti– Willie Joe Rice You’re a sworn-in officer, just in a gated ful approach to keeping the thousands of community.” acres of Palmetto Bluff secure, executed through an intricate system of decals, patrols Certified by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and subjected to exhaustive background and coordination. Adding to that workload is the relatively open checks and drug tests, security guards typically have the same nature of Palmetto Bluff. powers as police officers, up to and including carrying a gun.

“I’m lucky that community director Charles Huggins gives Whether patrolling for trespassers or responding to calls about us every tool we need to succeed,” Orlando said. “If everyone coming in that gate actually went to Buffalo’s who says they’re suspicious people, they are the first line of defense. And there’s

March 2019 29

››Business

Lt. Vanessa Green provides security at Hilton Head Plantation.

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going to Buffalo’s, they’d have a line around the corner. People know it’s open to the public and we want them to come and enjoy it, just respect our residents. And our residents are so kind to us up at the main gate.”

Those residents are a huge part of what makes these security professionals tick. In his 33 years as head of security for Long Cove, Willie Joe Rice has befriended many of the members inside the gates.

“At a certain point when you’ve been here, you build a bond outside of just providing security,” Rice said. “I’ve had invitation to Ohio State games, I get invited to dinner. …

The hardest part would be losing a member, whether they move or they pass on.”

Rice has seen the job of security evolve and change over the years. When he started, his co-workers were typically retired military members looking to translate their skills into an enjoyable semi-retirement. Today, he sees a much younger workforce filling security roles at Long Cove. And even as he has risen in seniority, Rice enjoys being in the trenches alongside his fellow officers.

“It’s always challenging. It’s always different. After 33 years it still has a heartbeat,” he said. “I work on the line with my guys.

I’m out in the patrol car. I’m in the office. I do whatever my guys do.”

It’s that rapport with his community that defines the job for Rice — especially every Friday, when one thoughtful member drops off doughnuts. And for all these security professionals, that love of where they are and who they work for reminds them daily why they do what they do.

“Every day is different,” Green said.

“I would say being able to bring a smile to someone’s face I’ve done my job for the day.”

Orlando agreed.

“Sometimes you get caught up in the minutiae of work,” Orlando said. “But every once in a while, you have to walk to the end of the dock and enjoy a sunrise.”

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››On the Move CHAMBER HONORS McCRACKEN Over 400 people gathered at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa for the Hilton Head IslandBluffton Chamber of Commerce’s annual ball, where Emmett McCracken of Bluffton was honored with the Alice Glenn Doughtie good citizenship award.

TWO JOIN HILTON HEAD INSURANCE & BROKERAGE

Brandon Brown and Travers Davis have joined the team at Hilton Head Insurance and Brokerage as new agents.

Brown moved to Hilton Head Island with his wife, Christine, in 2018. He is originally from Birmingham and graduated from the University of Alabama in 2010. Previously, he worked for State Farm in Georgia and Protective Life Insurance in Alabama. He is a member of the Bluffton Chamber of Young Professionals Leadership team, as well as an ambassador for the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association.

Davis is a native of the Lowcountry. He graduated from Hilton Head Christian Academy and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of Charleston. Previously, he served as an insurance provider for the outdoor recreation business. He was also a vital part of his family’s local outdoor recreation retail store for many years.

HILTON HEAD PREP HIRES DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING Susan Bolinger has been hired by Hilton Head Preparatory School as its new director of college counseling. Bolinger has 18 years of experience in the education field. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in education from Vanderbilt University and an education specialist degree in school counseling from the University of Tennessee.

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STONEWORKS PROMOTES SALES MANAGER

PURE BARRE HILTON HEAD HAS NEW OWNER

StoneWorks recently announced that Brian Baltzegar has been promoted to sales manager.

Baltzegar has worked with StoneWorks for 18 years in design, sales and fabrication.

He is from North Augusta, South Carolina, and previously served in the Navy.

Jenna Irvin is the new owner of Pure Barre Hilton Head in Shelter Cove. She graduated from High Point University with a degree in sports management and purchased the studio after moving to Hilton Head Island after graduation. She previously was the owner of a Pure Barre studio in Frederick, Maryland.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NAMES NEW PRESIDENT Christopher F. Kerrigan has been named as Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s next president and CEO. Kerrigan succeeds Denise Spencer, who is retiring later this spring. Kerrigan has 30 years of experience in not-for-profit fundraising, administration, marketing and service delivery. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Trident United Way in the Charleston area. Kerrigan and his wife, Beth, have three children. He will begin work in early April.

NEW TANGER STORES COMING THIS SPRING Tanger Outlets Hilton Head has announced new store openings slated for this spring. Tanger Center One will welcome Vera Bradley and Southern Shades. Vera Bradley will be located next to Cole Haan in Suite 250, offering women’s handbags, travel items, fashion accessories and gifts. Southern Shades will feature sunglass brands including Costa, Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, Suncloud and more. The store will be opening in Suite 160, next to Famous Footwear.

In Tanger Two, My Secret Closet, a boutique offering clothing and accessories, opened next to Johnston & Murphy in January. Aerie, a sister brand of American Eagle, will offer intimates, apparel, activewear and swim. Aerie will be opening in Suite F100 next to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.

H.O.P.E. LIFE CELEBRATES STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS Amy B. Szymanski has joined the team at H.O.P.E. Life Lymphedema and Rehabilitation on Hilton Head Island, bringing 10 years of experience in physical therapy and two years of specialization in oncology and lymphedema. Staff member Catherine Melnick of is now a certified lymphedema therapist through Casley-Smith International and Lori Anderson is now board-certified through the Lymphology Association of North America.

Dennis Ittenbach, owner of H.O.P.E. Life, recently received SCORE of the LowCountry’s Small Business Client of The Year award. H.O.P.E. Life offers physical, nutritional, social, and wellness programs for individuals and their families who are fighting or have fought cancer.

››People

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If the Shoe Fits STAN SMITH IS CELEBRATED IN A NEW BOOK

BY JUSTIN JARRETT | PHOTOS BY LLOYD WAINSCOTT

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n the tennis world, Stan Smith is a household name because of The title is a playful nod to a conversation the tennis titan once his accomplishments as a former world champion. had with his son Trevor. When Trevor was about 8, he asked if his father was named after the shoe, or the shoe after him.

In the Lowcountry, he is known for his charitable work with various organizations, most notably “I wanted to document the shoe and kind of its history before everythe Heritage Classic Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry. body who’s been involved is no longer But around the globe, Smith’s name is around,” Smith said. known for another reason: The shoe.

But the project is so much more.

A collaboration with New York CityThe classic trainer that Smith and based advertising agency Johannes Adidas introduced to the masses during Leonardo and publisher Rizzoli, the his run as one of the world’s greatest tennis players remains a worldwide book is billed as “an absolute collector’s MADONNA CAME IN phenomenon that has been embraced item for readers interested in sneaker AND WANTED ME TO by fashion impresarios, rock stars, rap culture, sports, street style, design, and moguls, and hipsters in just about every pop culture.” It has been reviewed by SIGN HER SHOE, AND culture around the globe.

The New York Times, Vogue and many other global publications.

How this Hilton Head Island resident SHE WAS VERY NIMBLE became an international fashion sensaThere was plenty of material to work IN GETTING HER RIGHT tion is documented in the new book “Stan with at Smith’s Spanish Wells home, which is a veritable treasure trove of Smith: Some People Think I’m a Shoe.”

FOOT UP TO THIS DESK photos, clippings, and memorabilia Chapters include recollections from THAT WE WERE ON. I Smith along with anecdotes from style from his tennis career — not to mention influencers, designers, sports legends and several dozen pairs of the shoe.

SAID, ‘WELL, THAT’S A fervent sneaker fans. The book features In the book, there is a shot of Yoko original imagery, historical photos, an Ono and John Lennon perched on a love GOOD EFFORT, BUT IT’S exclusive portrait series by artist Juergen seat, the latter wearing black Smiths THE WRONG SHOE Teller, and contributions from style arbiwith cuffed jeans. Smith has been told ters like Raf Simons, plus interviews he is name-checked in somewhere and anecdotes from the man behind the between 200 and 300 songs— he’s sneaker. most proud of hearing it roll off Jay-Z’s tongue — and variations of his iconic shoe’s clean, minimal lines The 336-page coffee-table tome released in September outlines Smith’s tennis career and the history of the shoe, followed by have served as the footwear for everyone from The Beastie Boys an appendix of photos and anecdotes that rehash a variety of ways to David Bowie and Harrison Ford. in which the two have intertwined over “nearly five decades.”

The book’s foreword is written by music and fashion icon

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Pharrell Williams, a fellow Adidas representative with whom the 72-year-old Smith has come to share a friendship.

“We’ve gotten together three or four times,” Smith said.

“He calls me ‘Big Bro.’ He is a terrific young guy. I have a tremendous respect for him and how he’s gone about his career. I think he wants to have a positive impact on people and not just do things to drive his own world.”

The same can be said for Smith and his wife, Margie. Margie is a tutor at the Boys & Girls Club, which helps her stay busy

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while her husband travels the globe providing corporate hospitality services through Stan Smith Events, doing promotional appearances for Adidas, or promoting the book.

Last fall, Smith and Stella McCartney held a shoe signing at McCartney’s shop in London to celebrate the launch of McCartney’s twist on Smith’s eponymous shoe. On her version, her photo appears on the right foot and Smith’s appears on the left.

“Madonna came in and wanted me to sign her shoe, and she

was very nimble in getting her right foot up to this desk that we were on,” Smith recalled. “I said, ‘Well, that’s a good effort, but it’s the wrong shoe.’”

It was moments like that, Smith said, that really made him realize he needed to share his shoe story with the world.

In a handwritten letter on the book’s final page, he encourages fans to share their own stories about how — and where — they’ve worn the Stan Smith shoe using the hashtag #StanSmithForever.

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Island Time REALTOR CHARLES SAMPSON HAS SEEN THE UPS AND DOWNS OF ISLAND REAL ESTATE

BY CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS PHOTO BY GUIDO FLUECK

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harles Sampson first visited Hilton Head Island as a boy in 1958, when his family drove three hours from his native Aiken to spend a day at the beach.

“Back then, you drove your car right out on the beach. You’d run back into the bushes to put your bathing suit on,” says Sampson, owner, agent and founding partner of Charter One Realty-North. “If you came to Hilton Head for a vacation, you’d better like the ocean, because that was pretty much it.”

He’s seen a lot of change on the island since then. He’s also experienced the rollercoaster of the local real estate market, from slumps in the mid-1970s and late ’80s to booms and busts due to hurricanes or even Midwest blizzards. The market took five years to recover from the 2008 economic collapse, but since then, each year has been better than the last, Sampson says.

Almost.

“Except for 2016,” he says. “That’s because we had only 11 months due to Hurricane Matthew. We sold three houses in October that year.”

But weather sometimes tips the other side of the scale, too — weather elsewhere, that is. For example, 2018 was one of the best years in the past two decades for Charter One-North.

“Why was ’18 so good?” Sampson says.

“Well, about Jan. 2 or 3, our phones started ringing: ‘I live in Chicago and it’s minus 50 degrees!’”

Sampson never had to endure that kind of winter in Aiken, where he grew up, but like those shivering in Chicago, he was eager to make the island his home.

So much so that he moved here with his wife and baby daughter in 1972, with one semester — actually, just one paper — still standing between him and graduation from Erskine College.

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Sampson finished that paper and took a job teaching seventh- and eighth-grade history in Bluffton, while his wife, Frances, started working for Sea Pines. He also was moonlighting at Palmetto Bay Marina on the weekends, ending his teaching career after he was offered the dockmaster’s job. He later worked for Hargray Communications for a decade. Then in 1985, a friend recruited him to sell houses in the Melrose Properties development on Daufuskie Island.

“I jumped at that chance and got my licensing,” Sampson says. “I loved the fact that if I was going to meet clients, I had to get on the boat to Daufuskie.”

After a brief stint working in sales for a Melrose community in Austin, Texas, he began selling properties in Hilton Head Plantation, which had been acquired by Melrose. In 1994, he and two colleagues, Ann Ellis and the late Mike Williams, created Charter One-North. Since then, Sampson has been named Realtor of the Year three times and placed on the Distinguished Honor Roll by the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors.

But his life hasn’t been solely about real estate. He and Frances will celebrate their 50th anniversary this summer with their three daughters: Elizabeth Moore, who owns and operates High Tide Carpet Cleaning with her husband; Angela Mullis, who played basketball at the College of Charleston and is now an agent with Charter One-North; and Lauren Ciccarelli, an obstetrics nurse at Hilton Head Hospital.

Sampson has long been deeply involved in the community. He currently serves as a board member for Volunteers in Medicine, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and the Technical College of the Lowcountry. His resume also includes volunteer leadership roles for Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity and time as an elder at First Presbyterian Church, a board member at the Coastal Discovery Museum and chairman of the Beaufort County Consortium of Affordable Housing.

He’s also well-known for hosting “pig pulls” to raise money for local organizations and famously deep-fries turkeys for clients and friends during the holidays.

“Cooking is fun for me,” he says.

Sampson has no plans to walk away from real estate any time soon and believes the community is doing the right things to ensure a bright future for Hilton Head.

“The culinary institute (at TCL) is going to be a big plus for the restaurants,” he says. “And the new hospitality (management) program housed at the new Hilton Head campus of the University of South Carolina Beaufort is also going to be a really big asset.”

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Hitting the Right Notes MONA HUFF ORCHESTRATES THE HILTON HEAD PIANO COMPETITION

BY CARRIE HIRSCH | PHOTOS BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

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ona Huff, director of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition for the past nine years, describes the young pianists who compete in the annual event as “drop-dead amazing.”

“I don’t play my piano for weeks after they leave, because I can’t bear the thought that I’m trying to play what they so effortlessly do,” she said recently.

Huff is moving at top speed this month, when 20 pianists from around the world — selected from a pool of 227 applicants from 31 countries — will arrive on Hilton Head Island to compete in the 23rd Hilton Head International Piano Competition, sponsored by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Ages 18 to 30, they represent some of the best musicians in the world.

“There is a lot at stake,” she said.

The level of talent and dedication among the musicians convinced Huff, who moved to the Lowcountry in 2006 from New York, to devote herself to the event. Now one of the most highly regarded competitions in the United States, it’s the only international piano competition in the Southeast operating at this level of prestige.

Huff describes herself as “your typical person who took piano lessons as a kid.” So how did the former high school math teacher and director of educational technology get involved in the competition?

Her neighbor asked her if she would volunteer, and Huff agreed to help. Her energetic nature and love of music led her to become deeply involved with the competition. Three years later, she became its director.

“It is amazing, and when you think that when we started in 1996, we had 16 competitors, one judge, and one day of competition,” she said.

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Before coming to the Lowcountry, Huff sang in the prestigious Cecilia Chorus of New York, formerly known as the St. Cecilia Chorus. The nonprofit choir of about 175 singers specializes in masterworks and new classical pieces by up-and-coming composers.

When Huff and her husband, Joe, moved to the Lowcountry, she wasn’t sure she would find a musical outlet. The couple immediately loved their new home in Bluffton’s Rose Hill neighborhood, but Huff was clear with her husband: “If I can’t find somewhere to sing, we’re not staying.” Luckily, she did.

Huff now sings with the Hilton Head Symphony Chorus and the Hilton Head Chorale Society and is past-president of that group.

“Singing is my mental health. When I was growing up, there was always music in my household,” she said. “My mother studied at the Manhattan School of Music and my dad had a natural ear. We would always play games like ‘guess the composer.’”

In addition to her musical endeavors, Huff also spends time volunteering. She helps her husband with Meals on Wheels when she can, and also cooks and entertains for charitable causes.

“I don’t know how to say no,” Huff said. “My friends say, ‘Please sit on your hands when you go to meetings.’”

Huff says the hard work she puts in at the piano competition is worth it: “I just feel so very grateful that I have this job. I stay in touch with the competitors for years. Our focus is twofold: We want to provide opportunities for young pianists to perform and we want to give to the community the joy of this magnificent piano music.”

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The Hilton Head International Piano Competition 2019 COMPETITORS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: HANNAH BYUN, Age 24 The New England Conservatory, Canada

JOCELYN LAI, Age 28 City of New York Graduate Center, Canada

JUNHUI CHEN, Age 24 Curtis Institute of Music, China

HOYEL LEE, Age 29 Musikhochschule Münster, South Korea

YI-YANG CHEN, Age 28 Eastman School of Music, China JONATHAN FERRUCCI, Age 25 Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Italy/Australia

PRISCILA NAVARRO, Age 24 University of Miami, Peru ARISA ONODA, Age 23 Royal Academy of Music, Japan

ANNA HAN, Age 23 The Julliard School, United States

CHAEYOUNG PARK, Age 21 The Julliard School, South Korea

YUN CHIH HSU, Age 21 The Julliard School, Taiwan

WENTING SHI, Age 26 Yale School of Music, China

TZU-HUANG, Age 29 Univeristy of Michigan, Taiwan

ALEXEY SYCHEV, Age 30 University of Münster, Russia

DO-HYUN KIM, Age 24 The Julliard School, South Korea

ZITONG WANG, Age 20 Curtis Institute of Music, China

DARIA KISELEVA, Age 29 TCU The School of Music, Russia,

YUCHONG WU, Age 23 The Julliard School, China

JAKUB KUSZLIK, Age 22 Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, Poland

SUAH YE, Age 18 University of Music, Drama & Media Hanover, South Korea

HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION CALENDAR For tickets and details, please call 843-842-2055 or visit www.hhipc.org ROUND I: Monday, March 11 & Tuesday, March 12 at Central Church 1:30-4:35 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:05 p.m.

ROUND II: Wednesday, March 13 & Thursday, March 14 at Central Church 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

ROUND III –SEMI-FINALS: Saturday, March 16 at First Presbyterian Church 1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. and 7:30 – 9:15 p.m.

Master Classes & Lecture/Recital Monday, March 18 at All Saints Episcopal Church 9:35 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. and 2:20p.m. – 4:00p.m.

ROUND IV - FINALS Monday, March 18 at First Presbyterian Church 7:00 p.m.

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From Foxtrot to Tango BALLROOM DANCE HAS A THRIVING HOME IN BLUFFTON

BY NICHOLE TATE | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

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eaquins Ballroom declares itself the “happiest place in Bluffton.” The studio, on Fording Island Road, is home to Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio, formerly Fred Astaire Dance Studio. And it’s the product of friendships built upon a love for dance.

Sandro Virag, a five-time Hungarian Latin dance champion, came to the United States with $200 and two suitcases. Armando Aseneta, a former enlisted Marine, moved to North Carolina and fell into an unexpected career as a dance instructor.

After teaching together for five years, the two decided to partner as owners of a Fred Astaire Dance Studio franchise, bringing their love of dance to the Lowcountry.

Virag and Aseneta spent weekends sleeping on air mattresses in their unfinished Hilton Head Island studio and taking showers at Coligny Beach Park while they laid tile and painted their first studio space. Then they’d make the fivehour drive back to North Carolina, where they continued to work as dance instructors during the week.

After four months of commuting, they opened the doors at their Hilton Head Fred Astaire Dance Studio in 2003. Virag and Aseneta recall their first client: “She was in her 80s when she signed up for her first lesson. We were all so excited that we

OF COURSE WE WANT TO GROW AND CREATE MORE DANCERS.

forgot to charge her. She called us later to pay and we still have that first dollar bill,” Virag said.

In 2005, Paul and Sondra Ammeen were retired and enjoying time on Lowcountry golf courses when Sondra Ammeen won dance lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio during a charity auction. After two months, the Ammeens were competing across the country, traveling with their dance teachers and building a friendship that would lead to two successful businesses.

While traveling to a competition, Virag and Paul Ammeen were discussing ways to grow the studio. Sondra Ammeen said they needed a bigger space and volunteered to research local real estate.

“The rents people wanted … I still can't breathe when I think about what they were charging,” she said. That’s when the Ammeens came up with an idea: They’d build a venue.

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Sandro Virag (previous page) and Armando Aseneta are the owners of Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio.

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A class rehearses at Seaquins Ballroom in Bluffton, a studio and events venue that Paul and Sondra Ammeen built specifically for the dance school.

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OUR STUDENTS WERE TELLING US, ‘WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND NOT FOR FRED ASTAIRE.’ – SANDRO VIRAG

While driving down Fording Island Road, Sondra Ammeen spotted a for sale sign outside of a vacant building. She crept through overgrown shrubs to peek inside. “This sounds crazy, but I could already see this,” she said, referring to the ballroom at the site today.

The Ammeens transformed the run-down space into a glitzy venue boasting crystal chandeliers imported from Spain, more than 4,000 square feet of wood floors, and glamorous bathrooms with leather vanities, sculpted brass fixtures, a mirrored disco ball and art. The name, Seaquins Ballroom, is a nod to both its coastal location and its glittering décor.

In 2010, with a rental contract written on a paper napkin and signed with a handshake, Seaquins Ballroom became home to Virag and Aseneta’s dance studio. It’s a match made in business heaven.

“We’ve created an enormous social place and so many friendships among our students,” Virag said. “The studio brought so many people together. They travel, they go out to eat, they golf together.”

In July, Virag and Aseneta decided to take their business a step further, parting with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio name in order to open their own dance business.

“Our students were telling us, ‘We are here for you and not for Fred Astaire.’ We established such a strong name here … I think we follow the high standard of Fred Astaire and maintain that,” Virag said.

Virag and Aseneta, now independent owners of Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio, spend their Sundays choreographing routines instead of filing reports for the franchise. Without the restrictions of being a franchisee, Virag says they have big plans for 2019.

“Of course we want to grow and create more dancers. We’re trying to host more events … have functions with live bands at the studio,” Virag said. “Our goal is to serve everyone. We want to serve the kids, the competitors, the social groups, special needs. We want to help out the community.”

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››Nature

Hive Mind

LOWCOUNTRY BEEKEEPERS BUZZING WITH JOY

BY MARY HALL PHOTO BY CAROL WEIR

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andscape architect David Arnal has been keeping bees since 1988, when he was given five hives while at Clemson University.

“I loved it,” he said. “You don’t just become a beekeeper; the bees pick you.”

Today, his five hives have grown to 40, and he is the president of the BeaufortJasper Beekeepers Association. He also is the beekeeper for hives at community gardens in Hilton Head Plantation and Port Royal Plantation, as well as at the Coastal Discovery Museum and St. Francis Catholic School.

The beekeepers club also sponsors a program at Ridgeland Correctional Institution, where three hives are managed by club member Bob Collins.

Most people don’t realize how much of an impact that bees have on our daily lives, Arnal said. Foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts rely on pollination by honeybees, and bees also pollinate alfalfa

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and other crops that are used to feed cows and other animals that provide dairy products and meat.

And unfortunately, bee populations are declining worldwide. There are a variety of reasons, Arnal said: the use of pesticides containing neonicotinoids, or insecticides; the use of weed killers like Roundup; the destruction of bees’ habitats; and a parasite that carries a virus that can infect bees.

“Another big problem in Beaufort County is mosquito control,” Arnal said, noting that the chemicals used to spray for mosquitos can wipe out bee colonies.

“But the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control works well with the club during spraying season so we can cover our hives.”

When faced with threatening conditions, bees often will simply abandon their hive, known as colony collapse disorder, Arnal said.

But researchers are looking for ways to protect bees from viruses and diseases — for example, scientists in Finland are developing an experimental vaccine that will be administered to the queen bee via a sugar solution. Once she’s ingested it, she’ll pass along immunity to the microbial diseases as she lays eggs.

Other Lowcountry beekeepers say they would hate to see bee populations diminished — they say there’s a lot we can learn from the insects.

David McAllister, a local landscape architect, first became interested in beekeeping when he met someone in Bluffton who tended to hives. McAllister was fascinated by the complexity of bees and their connection to nature and plants.

“I’ve been keeping bees for five years and have three hives now,” McAllister said. “There’s so much going on outside the hive and so much to learn.”

And so much to savor — as the

MANY PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THIS, BUT HONEYBEES ARE GENTLE AND AREN’T NATIVE TO THE U.S. THE MAJORITY WERE INTRODUCED FROM ITALY.

temperatures begin to rise, he looks forward to spring honey, a favorite due to its diversity and variations.

Jackie Currie has been a beekeeper for four years. She is a journeyman beekeeper, certified through the S.C. State Beekeepers Association. The next level is master beekeeper. She keeps several hives in Bluffton, and once captured a swarm from The Church of the Cross that she dubbed her “Resurrection Hive.”

“I wanted to learn more about them; I’ve always loved gardening and the environment,” she said of her interest in bees. “Many people don’t know this, but honeybees are gentle and aren’t native to the U.S. The majority were introduced from Italy.”

And the adage about bees being busy workers is true, she said: She has several hives in Bluffton, and each produces an average of about 35 pounds of honey — though sometimes as much as 50 pounds.

So what can you do with that much honey? Mike and Juliana Tripka have found a good use for it. As the owners of Bee-Town Mead & Cider in Bluffton, they

ferment honey with water and then add various fruits, spices, grains or hops to produce mead, which is dry to off-dry in flavor — the honey doesn’t make it sweet.

They source their honey from commercial beekeepers around the Southeast, and also offer hard cider, bee products, tastings and event space.

The Savannah Bee Company also offers a variety of bee-related products.

Founded in 1999 by Ted Dennard, the shop is known for its tupelo honey and other speciality honeys, as well as its philanthropy. Dennard founded the Bee Cause Project, sponsoring observation hives in 330 schools in 50 states and four foreign countries — a way to encourage future generations to be good stewards of the environment, he said.

Even though it’s sweet, most beekeepers would tell you they get more enjoyment out of their hives than just the sticky syrup.

“Bees are just remarkable,” Currie said. “I’m trying to help the environment a little bit, and honey is the sweet reward.

It’s a miracle.”

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Zen Healing ANCIENT MEDICINE FOR A MODERN ERA

BY R.L. HAMILTON

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any so-called “alternative” treatments have their roots in some of the world’s oldest cultures; in places like China and India, practices such as acupuncture have been perfected over thousands of years.

Today, these alternative medicines or holistic approaches have become more mainstream, a mix of modern technological advances and traditional therapies.

For many, treatments like reiki, tai chi, aromatherapy and reflexology are used to complement modern medicine to help prevent disease and reach optimal health.

But understanding the different treatments available and the benefits they offer can be confusing. If you’re considering adding an alternative treatment to your health care regime, here are a few you might want to consider.

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TRADITIONAL SPAS Hot springs long have been rumored to have mythical healing powers. Unfortunately, you aren’t likely to find the Fountain of Youth bubbling up in your back yard. Luckily, traditional spas can help you experience the healing benefits of mineral water or unwind with a massage.

“Spas are places devoted to overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit,” according to the International SPA Association. Today, there are more than 21,000 traditional spas in the U.S. Spa services often include massages for muscle relaxation and relief from tension; facial and body treatments for contouring, detoxifying, toning and exfoliating; manicures and pedicures; and hair services. Pools, steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools and relaxing lounges provide total sensory wellness and calm in a soothing environment.

Therapists and estheticians also offer a variety of specialty services from skin care to care for the whole body.

Ageless Acupuncture agelessacupuncture.com 843.505.0321 Ageless Acupuncture will celebrate 13 years in the Lowcountry in 2019. Cheryl McCarthy has won Best Acupuncturist from every publication, most recently Hilton Head Monthly in December 2018. Cheryl is known as “the gentle acupuncturist” and practices gentle acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, moxabustion, cupping, gua sha, cold laser, tuina and Traditional Chinese Herbal therapy. In her two-hour intake she will thoroughly collect your medical history and give you a treatment. Patients have been successfully treated for all kinds of pain: migraines, spinal pain, joint pain (she loves to treat shoulders, hips and knees), tennis elbow, plantar fasciitiis, sciatica and more.

Acupuncture also treats digestion, post-stroke, women's health, sports injuries, fibromyalgia and many conditions that your doctor might have given up on.

FACES DaySpa FACESdayspa.com 843.785.3075 MEDICAL SPAS Medical spas can go beyond the treatments offered at traditional spas and perform non-invasive aesthetic procedures like laser skin treatments. Aging baby boomers — the majority of them women — are lining up for laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, skin rejuvenation, Botox injections, dermal fillers, body contouring, facials, waxing and other anti-aging treatments.

Most medical spas have a physician on-site, although state regulations vary.

ACUPUNCTURE For thousands of years, the Chinese have used acupuncture to unblock the flow of energy in the body, inserting thin, sterilized needles into the skin at specific points around the body. During a typical session, five to 20 needles are inserted at targeted distress points and left in place for 10 to 20 minutes. While it might sound scary, acupuncture is virtually painless and might help alleviate pain and tension, as well as stimulate connective tissue, nerves and muscles and increase blood flow to release the body’s natural pain relievers.

Practitioners say common ailments like allergies, insomnia, headaches, nerve injuries, chronic fatigue, stress, anxiety, inflammation and arthritis can be improved with acupuncture. All acupuncturists must be licensed by the state of South Carolina.

When you experience stress, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, and your muscles tighten. Your body’s immunity is significantly decreased, especially if the stress is chronic. If the stress is prolonged, it can have detrimental effects on your body and mind. Getting a massage can help you to significantly reduce your overall stress. When your body is in a fully relaxed state, your mind is able to relax as well.

HERBAL MEDICINE Herbs like basil aren’t just at home in the kitchen. Herbal medicine utilizes the power of plants to prevent and treat illnesses, offering natural remedies or everything from the common cold to back pain.

The use of herbs — or any plant consumed for its therapeutic value — has been on the upswing for years in the West, but modern synthetic, singlechemical medications have long been the go-to source for curative powers and health maintenance among alternative healers. Specific herbs and ingredients treat different complaints, and healers say herbal treatments rarely are accompanied by the side effects of modern pharmaceuticals.

Turmeric, cinnamon, rosemary, ginger, basil, garlic and St. John’s wort are among the most popular and therapeutic herbs.

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››Health Integrative Pain Relief Beth Schoon, LAc, LMT hiltonheadislandacupuncture.com 843.422.2592 Why chose Integrative Pain Relief for your pain treatments? Acupuncture has been used successfully for thousands of years as a safe treatment for pain relief with no side effects. What acupuncture cannot do is change structure. Myofascial release therapy helps the body to heal itself by creating a more balanced structure. Combining acupuncture with myofascial techniques is extremely effective for pain.

CHIROPRACTIC The cracks and pops that accompany a chiropractor’s adjustment might sound painful, but they usually have the opposite effects — many patients report feeling less pain after a session.

The sound is caused by the stretching of spinal joint tissue as the chiropractor readjusts the musculoskeletal system to restore it to its proper state and release pressure on the joints.

Spinal manipulation can help increase joint movement and muscle relaxation and can be done by hand or with the help of a device. Controlled force on the affected joint can be gentle or strong, slow or fast. Heat, electrical stimulation or ultrasound might be used prior to hands-on treatment. Back and neck pain are the most common reasons people seek out chiropractors, but headaches and arm or leg pain also might benefit from treatment.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY The experience of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an easy one — all you have to do is breathe deeply. Patients enter a total body chamber in which atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled so that they are breathing 100 percent pure oxygen.

Oxygen therapy can help enhance the body’s natural healing process by stimulating damaged tissue. Increased oxygen in the blood also can help boost the body’s ability to fight bacteria. Oxygen therapy can help treat conditions like severe anemia, blood pressure problems, burns, decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, vision loss, diabetic foot ulcers, skin or bone infections and skin grafts.

PHYSICAL THERAPY Physiotherapy doesn’t have to come in the aftermath of a serious injury — you can make an appointment any time to improve your range of movement or relieve aches and pains. The treatment will help the body heal and restore normal movement, whether you’re recovering from a minor injury or joint surgery.

A physical therapist will examine and diagnose your physical symptoms of pain, explore your lifestyle and daily activities, and determine a game plan for treatment. The end goal is to restore and enhance flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination and balance.

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BRAIN FITNESS It’s common knowledge that exerHyperbaric oxygen cise is one of the best things you can therapy is used do to sustain your body’s health, to treat serious but people often neglect to work out infections and their most important muscle: the wounds that won't brain. Cognitive training can benefit heal properly. the brain in the same way that exercise benefits the body, working to maintain or improve brain function. Exercising your brain is specially for reducing the risk of age-advanced dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

For those who have been diagnosed with memory impairments, social interaction and cognitive stimulation can boost spatial, memory, language and visual skills. Art and music therapies, games, storytelling and physical exercise can assist in promoting better brain health — as can restful sleep, good nutrition and social interaction.

Brain plasticity, or the brain’s ability to change both physically and chemically at any age, can positively affect the brain as we age. Targeted exercises that are repetitious and challenging can help retrain and reinvigorate the brain’s functionality.

YOGA AND PILATES Indian yoga postures date back to 3,000 B.C., and were intended to unify the mind, body and spirit through deep breathing exercises, fluid movement and mindful meditation. Yoga is relatively new in the U.S., having been brought here in the 1800s, but the popularity of yoga exploded in the 1960s and has only increased since then.

Yoga incorporates a progression of holistic seated and standing poses to stimulate blood flow to all the organs, glands and tissues for proper body alignment. Pilates, meanwhile, focuses on strengthening the core muscles, which in turn strikes a balance between muscle groups and forms a stronger, more flexible physique.

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››Health

Scrub It Off

SUGAR TREATMENTS ARE A SWEET SKIN CARE OPTION

BY BECCA EDWARDS

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hen it comes to our waistlines, we know that just a little bit of sugar is best — but what about when it comes to our skin? It turns out that sugar is a natural exfoliant and a sweet alternative to more aggressive and abrasive skin care products. Sugar scrubs, even inexpensive homemade ones, can remove dry, flaky skin cells and promote a smooth, radiant glow.

“I love sugar scrubs,” said Shannon Ford, owner of BellaDae Spa on Hilton Head Island. “Exfoliating is one of the most important things we can do for our skin. Hydrating is second. As we age, we do not shed (dead skin cells) as fast or as much. Cells build up and give us dull, crepey skin. A sugar scrub removes dead skin cells, allows our skin to look plumper, and helps us better accept hydration because it enables oils and lotions to penetrate better.”

Sugar scrubs can be used from head to toe, Ford said, adding that this is one beauty treatment that doesn’t have to be expensive. When making sugar scrubs at home, she said, coconut oil helps create a thick and rich scrub, while oils like jojoba and almond are lighter. She recommends a 2:1 sugar-to-oil ratio for scrubs.

“Sugar scrubs were mainly created for the body, namely our feet, arms and legs, but can also be lovely on the face,” Ford said. “Homemade is just as good as store-bought and can be customized to specifically address your needs and preferences.”

Homemade sugar scrubs require five basic supplies, all readily available at area grocery stores or online: • Coconut, jojoba or almond oil.

• Granulated sugar (white or brown).

• High-quality essential oils (I like doTERRA).

• Mason jars or other air-tight storage options.

• Small wooden spoons or scoops.

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BECCA EDWARDS IS A WELLNESS PROFESSIONAL, FREELANCE WRITER, AND OWNER OF B.E.WELL+B.E.CREATIVE (BEWELLBECREATIVE.COM).

See Ya Cellulite Sugar Scrub Note: This recipe is great for the back of the legs.

1 cup ground coffee 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup almond oil 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil 10 drops wild orange essential oil Combine ingredients in a jar. To use, wet the skin. Use a small wooden spoon to scoop out scrub and apply to targeted area. Rub in small circles, spending 30 seconds to a minute on each area. Rinse.

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go Sugar Scrub Note: I like to apply this recipe like a lymphatic massage after my morning workout.

1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup jojoba oil Zest of 1 lemon 10 drops peppermint essential oil Combine ingredients in a jar. To apply, wet the skin and scoop out the scrub. Apply to arms and chest and use a dry wash cloth to scrub toward your heart. Wet wash cloth and repeat, rinsing off the scrub.

Night-Night Sugar Scrub

Note: I treat myself to this scrub every night. It helps with relaxing before bed and preventing dry, cracked feet.

1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup coconut oil 2 teabags of chamomile tea (dry) 10 drops lavender essential oil Combine all ingredients in a jar. To use, wet feet in a foot bath. Scoop out the scrub and apply to feet and ankles, rubbing it between the toes and focusing on specific problem areas like bunions or dry heels. Soak feet for a few minutes in foot bath and then towel dry.

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Leading Ladies of the

Lowcountry

BY BARRY KAUFMAN | PHOTOS BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

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his month, Monthly invited local women in business, education, sports and the arts to discuss their work and how they define success. In their profiles, these Lowcountry influencers share advice and connect across a diverse range of expertise and industries. They discuss their obstacles, accomplishments, backgrounds, motivation and the people who have inspired them. From the owners of small family businesses to the team that leads Hilton Head Island High School, these local women have made a positive impact in the community. They are the leading ladies of the Lowcountry — women in charge who make Hilton Head and Bluffton better places to live.

Becky Davis & Team The Cypress

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Lorri Lewis & Wendy Corbitt Sea Pines Real Estate Beach Club

Jenny Price First Light Homecare

Olivetti, McCray & Withrow Team Olivetti, McCray and Withrow, LLC

Michelle Myhre & Heidi Yoshida Oak Advisors, LLC

Jordan Young Coastal Rentals

Lynne Riggs Anderson Sea Pines Real Estate Beach Club

StoneWorks Team StoneWorks

Stacy Floyd Palmettos of Bluffton

Loni Lueke Sea Pines Real Estate Beach Club March 2019 59

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Q A&

What makes Oak Advisors different from most financial advisors?

We are a fee-only, registered investment advisory firm. As such, we’re regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission which holds us to a fiduciary standard. Our fiduciary duty means our advice is in the best interests of our clients and free of conflicts of interest.

Michelle Myhre, CFP® and Heidi Yoshida, CFP® GIVING BACK AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

BY BARRY KAUFMAN

Post Office Box 7318 Hilton Head Island

p: 843-757-9339 OakAdvisors.net

Q. What do you view as the most important part of your job?

A. We really try to help people look at their life and make sure they’re living it as they wish. We talk to them about what they want to do and what dreams they want to fulfill. We had a client who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and wasn’t given long to live. When you get told something like that, it’s devastating. We worked together closely, revisiting her intentions and her goals. When she went into hospice, we basically went right to the end with her. We take it personally and that’s become the most fulfilling part of this job for us. Anyone can manage your money, but really working with someone through all of life’s stages and right up to the end is very fulfilling.

Q. In 2008, you formed the Oak Advisors Scholarship of Excellence. Michelle, having received a similar scholarship when you were younger, how important is it to you to help pay it forward?

A. (Michelle Myhre) The scholarship I received helped me to pay for my education. I was very thankful and have never forgotten it. I vowed that if one day I was able, I would return the favor. In 2008, my partner, John Chiacchiero, and I established the Oak Advisors Scholarship of Excellence through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Since then, we have awarded 14 local students funds to help pay for college.

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Jordan Young MEET THE LEADING LADY OF COASTAL RENTALS

BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTO BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

Q. When did you get started with Coastal Rentals and what drew you to them?

A. I started working with Coastal Rentals in 2011 as an assistant property manager, and then worked my way up to director of operations. We manage properties on Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Okatie offering everything from long-term rentals to tenant placement services and absentee owner services. We’re full service. We do what we say we do, and our service is top notch. I’m proud to be a part of that.

Q. What are some of the things you wish you’d known when you started?

A. You have to be prepared for anything. You hope for the best, and you prepare for the worst. You’re going to be challenged on a daily basis. You have to have a good head on your shoulders and stand firm in what you believe in. And never leave home without a tape measure, Clorox wipes, and business cards.

Q. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

A. Honesty is the best policy. I’m maybe too blunt, but everybody always knows where I stand and I think I’ve gained a lot of respect for that. I’m fair, but I’ve learned that the more open and honest you are with people, the better relationship you will have with them.

Q. When we checked on you last year, you’d just had a baby. How are the toddler years going?

A. Our 18-month-old always keeps me on my toes. But he’s also helped me separate work and personal life. After a tough day, seeing him running to me for a hug and kiss makes all the stress disappear.

2 Rose Hill Way, Bluffton 843.815.7368 Coastalrentalshhi.com

Q A&

Who have been some of your mentors along the way?

I came into this with just a real estate marketing background and no property management experience. The women who started Coastal Rentals in 2009 really paved the way for me. They both took me under their wings and taught me everything I know. From something as simple as showing a property, to negotiating contracts or standing firm in what I believed in, they were instrumental in helping me become successful.

They helped me understand the good, the bad and ugly this industry throws at you.

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Lynne Anderson REALTOR HELPS MAKE ISLAND LIFE A REALITY FOR OTHERS

BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTO BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

Q. What is the most significant accomplishment of your career thus far?

A. Never giving up. I’ve experienced some serious adversity in my business and personal life. Hasn’t everyone?

Complacency was not an option. What could have been a scary time became an amazing opportunity. I feel like I take that energy, enthusiasm and work ethic to my clients. And I hope I’ve taught that to my four children.

Q. What has your work taught you about leadership?

A. One of my main jobs is to share this amazing island with interesting people from all around the world. I so dig that!

When someone new from somewhere else decides to invest hundreds of thousands — and often millions — of dollars on an island they know very little about, all based on your leadership and recommendations, you’d better be good at what you do. They need an honest, confident, energetic resource. A Realtor who shares their vision and can deliver their dream. That’s me.

Q. How did you get where you are today, and who/what helped you along the way?

A. I learn something new from almost everyone I meet, every day. My high school guidance counselor gave me a job at 15 and helped me with an academic scholarship. My father was a brilliant, fun-loving hard-ass who wouldn’t accept a B. My bad bosses and memorable clients over the years in real estate, resort marketing and advertising communications all offered invaluable lessons, with the right perspective. Importantly, my Sea Pines Real Estate at the Beach Club partners welcomed me to their highly respected and experienced team with great faith. So for me, the question should be, who hasn’t helped me along the way?

32 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island 843.384.5426 ImagineHiltonHead.com

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MEET LEADING LADY STACY FLOYD

BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTO BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

Q. Tell us a little bit about The Palmettos and what makes it different?

A. The Palmettos is a unique community offering assisted living and memory care. Our commitment to offering person-centered care and our smaller size allow partners to get to know each resident better, learn their preferences, and build a rapport with them and the family members that allows us to offer more personalized service. Our residents have created a true community — they have developed friendships, created new activities based on similar interests, and continue to encourage and motivate each other as neighbors and friends. Together, our residents and partners have made this house a home.

Q. What has your work taught you about leadership?

A. My work has taught me leadership is challenging, rewarding and ever-evolving. Mistakes will happen, but how you respond to them makes the difference. I learn and grow from each one, try not to make the same one twice and remind myself often that everything is a process. I believe in not giving up and keeping on trying until you achieve a successful outcome. I feel leadership is also service. I am here to serve our team and work hard to support them each day in our endeavors to create quality services for our residents.

Q A&

What is the most significant accomplishment of your career?

I believe my most significant accomplishment professionally is to have found a career serving seniors for 20 years that I truly enjoy. Being able to make a difference in people’s lives each day brings me joy and purpose.

Q. How did you get where you are today, and who/what helped you along the way?

A. Actually, a hurricane evacuation introduced me to my love for serving seniors. My mom and I evacuated to Augusta and ended up staying in an assisted-living home because all the hotels were full. We spent the weekend helping out and having a great time with the residents. My parents, family and friends have encouraged me throughout my life to not give up and to put my heart into everything I do. Now I am trying to instill those values in my daughter.

As my dad always says, “Each day is a new day to excel.”

3035 Okatie Highway, Bluffton 843.707.9400 thepalmettosbluffton.com

Loni Lueke “THE GERMAN REALTOR®” IS IN THE HAUS

BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTO BY RUTHE RITTERBECK

Q. How long have you been in real estate?

A. I have always loved Real Estate and started working in a Real Estate office in Germany when I was in my twenties. Later in my life my ex-husband and I started buying, remodeling and selling high-end properties in Germany and Portugal. I started as a Real Estate agent down here in 2016.

I love the fact that a buyer’s agent works with no cost for the buyer and get paid by the seller. That ´ s very different than in Germany.

Q. What brought you to the Lowcountry?

A. My daughter moved here and I would come to visit her. I remember flying back to Berlin in February, which is freezing, after spending time in this paradise and thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’ So I came back in March and decided to stay. The reasons I love it here so much are: I love the beach, golf, the weather and I love the history of Hilton Head Island and in particular Sea Pines. I am so impressed by what Charles Fraser did.

Q. You mentioned that in addition to real estate, you were a communications coach in Germany. How has that helped you?

A. In Germany, I used to help CEOs and politicians building better relationships through communication. I couldn’t do it here because of the language, so I started offering face reading seminars for Realtors. Face reading is special part of non-verbal communications and I thought it was perfect for this group. Selling Real Estate is building relationships based on trust. If you can read someone’s emotions in the face and see if they’re happy, excited, angry or if they’re secretly impressed, makes it easier to figure out what they really want. This and my love for Real Estate comes together now and I feel grateful every day.

32 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island 843.505.1193 lonigerman.com

Q A&

How does being known as “The German REALTOR®” help you stand out?

That happened accidentally. I was sitting at a restaurant and a guy came up to me and said, ‘Hey you’re the German realtor. I forgot your name but you’re the German realtor.’ I was like, ‘Thank you, that’s it!’

@parenthoodiq

parenthood_iq

Parenthood IQ

Smart Parenting in the Lowcountry .com How does your family have fun in the Lowcountry?

Show us how by posting a photo of you and your family having a great time. Be sure to use the hashtag, #lowcountryfamilyfun for a chance to be featured on Parenthood IQ’s instagram!

››e Power

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PHOTO COURTESY OF PEACOCK AUTO MALL

“T

hey all look like dinosaurs,” Hilton Head Island resident and Tesla automobile owner Edmond Hopper said as he watched conventional, gasoline-powered cars drive down U.S. 278. “I like technology, and I like saving the environment.”

The day his effervescent other half, Rheney, celebrated a milestone birthday, Edmond sat her down at his laptop and told her to select the final finishes of her new Tesla Model 3. Stunned, she leaned in to point and click, and with a deposit of $2,500 the car was hers.

Because Tesla doesn’t do dealerships, you can’t buy a Tesla and pick it up today.

Or next year. And maybe not even the next; the Hoppers had to wait three years before their Model 3 was delivered to a service center in Jacksonville.

But like many who have made the switch to electric cars, the Hilton Head Island couple says it was worth the wait.

Automakers, betting that more drivers like the Hoppers will choose electric for their next cars, are launching dozens of electric cars over the next three years. At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, Hyundai, Kia, Mini, Nissan and Audi displayed electric models due in the United States this year.

Ford is spending $11 billion to develop 16 battery-powered vehicles and 24 other types of electric cars in the next five years.

General Motors is making a similar push, increasing production of the electric Chevrolet Volt and making electric cars a key part of Cadillac’s lineup. This year, BMW is producing an all-electric Mini.

But they’ll have to appeal to consumers’ changing tastes. The Model 3, the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf are all small cars, a type of vehicle that fewer Americans are buying. Ford,

The future is now ELECTRIC CARS GAIN POPULARITY

BY KIM KACHMANN

March 2019 73

PHOTO BY MICHAEL LUPI

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Nissan and others are working on roomier, S.U.V.-like electric models that they hope will have wider appeal.

Auto industry experts say electric car makers have a few challenges: They must expand battery capacity for longer-range travel and improve customer service.

Their biggest hurdle? Convincing customers that they need or want an electric car.

Mainstream consumers may be harder to win over than the wealthy luxury car buyers, hard-core environmentalists and early adopters who delivered Tesla’s rapid sales growth.

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Bob Carr, a former U.S. congressman from Michigan and chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation who now owns a Tesla 3, blames innate resistance to change.

“Smartphones are making higher velocity changes more comfortable to the consumer, especially those who are younger and more adaptable,” he said.

“But adoption may not be fast enough to create the demand necessary for production rates that would make EVs more affordable. They are all linked.”

Manufacturers are betting on China and Europe, where government subsidies and aggressive environmental laws are spurring sales of zero-emission vehicles, to drive profits. Sales are less certain in the United States, in part because gasoline remains cheap and the Trump administration has pulled back on emissions regulations and federal subsidies for electric vehicles.

Officials say 2018 was the best year for U.S. electric car sales; 361,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles were sold, making up 2 percent of car purchases.

That’s up 81 percent over 2017, according to InsideEVs.com. Tesla, which has struggled with production and delivery

More than 2,500 South Carolina residents drive electric cars, including Edmond and Rheney Hopper (above) of Hilton Head Island.

problems, accounted for half of those sales. Currently, South Carolina drivers own more than 2,400 electric cars.

CHARGED UP Automakers say improvements in battery technology and declining battery prices will enable them to produce electric cars with greater range, but the base model Tesla 3, for example, goes about 220 miles on a single charge. And while more public charging stations are popping up, there are still only about 20,000 in the U.S., compared to more than 150,000 gas stations. Homeowners can install charging units in their garages, but those who live in rental homes and in apartments don’t have that option. “EVs are best-suited for people who own a home and have a home charger. Again, this nudges the affordability issue,� Carr said.

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The 394-horsepower electric Jaguar I-Pace goes 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAGUAR USA

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Charging time is another issue. Even Tesla’s Superchargers require 40 minutes to provide an 80 percent charge. Charging at home is generally an overnight job.

STICKER SHOCK? EVs are still pricey for the average consumer, even considering the lower operating cost. The initial outlay is higher than most people with average incomes can afford.

The current base price for the Tesla Model 3 is $45,000 — though that might seem like a deal to many people. The target base price for 2019 is $35,000, but you’ll have to forgo Autopilot, Tesla’s driver-assist technology. However, Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that electric cars will become cheaper than conventional cars with comparable options between 2025 and 2030.

Part of the price reflects advances in technology. The Honda Clarity Electric comes with multiple safety and driverassistive programs to assist and protect drivers and passengers. In the Tesla 3, the climate control system can be programmed to keep the car cool while parked. No need to worry about passersby reporting you if you leave your dog inside the car: Your large digital

onscreen will broadcast 72°F beside a robotic puppy wagging its tail. The interior of the Model 3 is dominated by a large touch screen and many of the controls are voice-activated.

Advocates say that electric vehicles aren’t any pricier than many ultra-luxury gas-powered cars. For example, the 2019 Tesla Model X SUV starts at $82,000, and the new Porsche Taycan will start at about $90,000 — although the top version could be as much as $230,000.

The cost becomes more competitive when you factor in fuel savings and government incentives. The electricity to charge an electric car works out about a third less than what the gas would run the same car similar miles. Maintenance costs are also significantly reduced.

Congress last year approved federal tax credits that reduce the cost of electric vehicles, but how much you receive is determined by the number of vehicles like yours that have already been sold, the battery capacity of the car and your tax situation.

“The legislation was to incentivize the manufacturer, not particularly the auto buyer. The idea was to help create a market that incentivizes the manufacturers to invest the dollars in EV design, development and sales,” Carr said.

State taxes and rebates vary by location.

“South Carolina does not have a tax incentive for EV’s at the moment,” State Rep. Jeff Bradley said. The state also doesn’t have specific EV charging rates.

Consumer protection advocates recommend talking with an accountant or tax professional if you’re considering buying an electric vehicle. And don’t forget: “Insurance rates tend to be higher.

While they may be safer and have fewer accidents, when damage occurs, it is more expensive to fix,” Carr said.

But at least you can count on performance: Electric cars are quiet, and their pickup is legendary. The all-electric Jaguar I-Pace packs a whopping 394 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque.

It goes 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Tesla Model 3 takes 5.1 seconds. A typical gas car can get there in about 6 seconds.

Being able to feel good about your car is an added benefit.

“I just feel good owning an electric vehicle. I feel like I’m driving the future,” Carr said.

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Pride of ownership

After major award, congratulations are in order for The Greenery’s hundreds of owners.

By Barry Kaufman

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t’s just two words, right there in The Greenery’s logo, but it’s easy to overlook: Employee-owned. To most people, those two words might not mean much. But for 11 years, it’s meant unprecedented growth for the iconic landscaping firm, extending its reach far beyond Hilton Head Island, where it started in 1973.

PA RTN E R P R O M OTI O N

Photo by Rob Kaufman

“For a company like ours that’s so labor intensive and people oriented, it’s helpful to give employees some skin in the game,” said Lee Edwards, The Greenery’s president and CEO. “When you have 600 employees, to get them rolling in the same direction it’s good to have that commonality there, and the knowledge that all are going to get a piece of the pie.”

Under The Greenery’s employee stock ownership program, every eligible employee is able to earn stock in the company in the January or July following a one-year waiting period. From the crew members in the field to the executives, each takes pride in their work because every one of them is a co-owner, with a stock certificate to prove it.

“When you walk in any branch of The Greenery there’s a placard that shows our current stock price,” Edwards said. “Every year when we get the new price, it’s a huge celebration. … But when they get really excited is when that stock certificate is handed to them and they realize, ‘Oh

man, I’ve benefited in a big way.’”

The ESOP has been a huge point of pride for The Greenery and its hundreds of owners — pride that shone even brighter after The Greenery was named the 2018 Employee Owned Company of the Year by the Carolinas Chapter of the national Employee Stock Ownership Plan Association.

“It’s nice to be recognized, and it has relevance to us because it’s a group of our peers,” Edwards said. “We just did what we were doing here to enhance our theme of ownership mentality. To figure out that we’re doing it as good or better as all these other companies was exciting.”

The Greenery earned its award based on its extensive communication with employees on the ways the ESOP benefits them, from training videos to written materials and a monthly newsletter. “It was really a company-wide effort,” said CFO Scott Slawson, who oversees the internal committee responsible for communications about the ESOP. The award put The Greenery at the

top of a group of nearly 100 ESOPs in the Carolinas Chapter, part of a national organization that comprises over 6,600 companies, including Publix and New Belgium Brewery, and more than 10 million employee owners. And when you look at what being an ESOP means for The Greenery, you have to wonder why more companies don’t choose this route for ownership succession.

“The ESOP is huge for our company.

That ownership mentality defines our culture,” Slawson said. “When you give shares of stock to people who are mowing, trimming, edging and blowing, who would normally never be able to own shares of stock in their employer, you’re really making a difference in their life.”

So the next time you see one of The Greenery’s employees — and they’re rather hard to miss — congratulate them not only their award but on the success of their company. After all, odds are good you’re congratulating one of the company’s owners.

››Home

HOME AGAIN

A FEW TIPS TO MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS READY FOR WARMER WEATHER

BY KAREN LEE

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ome springtime, most of us are eager to throw open the windows, spruce up our homes and lawns and clean out the closets. It’s a good time to give your house, inside and out, a good once-over.

As the weather begins to turn warmer, take the time to visually inspect your property, taking in the natural scapes to hardscapes. Think spring planting, outdoor entertaining and casual outdoor living.

Here are some important spring maintenance chores, as well as some other tips for the new season.

EXTERIOR Walk around the outside of the house: Are there cracks in the concrete? Is the driveway in good condition? Check the roof for signs of loose or broken shingles. Look for wear and tear on your deck; check your outdoor lighting; examine your walkways and driveway for raised or uneven surfaces; clean your outdoor kitchen and outdoor furniture; and inspect the greenery.

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LAWN Rake up leaves that survived the winter and put down mulch in your flowerbeds and around shrubs. A thin layer of mulch will protect plants from drought and keep weeds at bay. If you plan to hire a lawn care service to maintain your property and mow your lawn, now is the time to renew your annual contract.

Have your trees inspected by a certified arborist, who can check for signs of illness or any dead branches and catch problems before they escalate. Look closely at your shrubs and trees for broken or bent branches that could be caused by hurricane damage or winter cold and remove them to allow for new plant growth. Make sure the branch is cut cleanly, not torn, to allow the plant to heal from its seasonal dormancy and to ensure its natural shape. Plant your perennials, and give them plenty of water.

Pull out the lawnmower and give it a checkup before the grass gets too long.

GUTTERS Given the option, few of us would volunteer to spend a Sunday on a ladder pulling leaves out of a gutter, but it’s an important task. If you clean your gutters yourself, be careful on the ladder, as more than 630,000 Americans needed medical treatment in 2015 for ladder-related injuries, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. You can also hire a professional gutter cleaner,

Mosquito Joe Hiltonhead.mosquitojoe.com 843.405.0842 Take these steps to eliminate mosquitos •After rain, empty bird baths, fountains, pots, buckets, barrels and tarps •Clean out gutters to avoid standing water •Drill holes in tire swings and trash cans so water drains.

•A professional service is the best way to eliminate mosquitoes. We provide ongoing defense and our technicians can find potential breeding areas.

NiteLites Outdoor Lighting nitelites.com 843.593.9672

POOL If you own a pool, you’ll want to get it ready for the summer days that will soon be here. Treat the water, check and change valves and filters, and inspect all the equipment before you’ll actually want to swim in the pool. Consider hiring a professional pool service.

Enhance your outdoor lighting Choose a reliable outdoor lighting contractor. NiteLites, an industry leader in professional outdoor lighting, suggests retrofitting existing systems to energy-efficient LEDs and maintaining your outdoor lighting system regularly. With free outdoor lighting consultations and great maintenance programs available, NiteLites makes it easy to illuminate your home, landscape or commercial property to help provide curb appeal, safety and security.

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OUTDOOR FURNITURE Elements like sun, rain, wind, heat, cold and tanning oils can affect woods, metals, iron, plastic, wicker and bamboo. Tables, chairs, umbrellas, hammocks and cushions are all susceptible to damage.

Sweep the material to lightly clean, rinse and then wipe down with a sponge with a gentle cleanser. Scrub to remove mold, and regularly clean wicker to limit mildew buildup. Clean wood surfaces and paint if needed, and then seal with a preservative. Sand metal furniture lightly if there’s evidence of mold or rust, and then touch up with paint and apply a liquid wax for protection; a silicone spray will lubricate moving parts.

Fabrics should be cleaned regularly; use a fabric protector to ensure water repellency.

Carolina Energy Conservation CECMonthly.com 844.912.2255

Hilton Head Exterminators Hiltonheadexterminators.com 843.681.2590 or 843.706.9933 Tips for termite control We live in the most termite-infested part of the US. Some common sense will go a long way in helping to control termites.

Eliminating moisture coming from leaking pipes or faucets around or under the home is crucial. Also store firewood or wood scraps away from the foundation of your home. Regular inspection by a trained termite control professional as well as a termite warranty are vital for protecting you from huge financial losses.

Save money with solar A great way to avoid high energy bills each month is by using renewable energy. Not only will solar energy help save you money on your electric bill, it qualifies for a 55 percent tax credit. Many utility companies will also pay you back for the energy that you produce with your solar system. Interested in going solar. Give Carolina Energy Conservation a call today.

Budget Blinds of Hilton Head Island BudgetBlinds.com/HiltonHeadIsland 843.837.4060 Window treatments add style The use of highly efficient window treatments by Budget Blinds can be effective for saving energy at home. We offer different solutions, from cellular shades to home automation, to help your home stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Call us for a free inhome consultation to see how we can help you save on energy bills.

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HVAC Call your HVAC technician to schedule the system’s biannual checkup and servicing. If you know your HVAC system is nearing the end of its natural life, start collecting estimates for a new system. You don’t want be left without air conditioning on a blistering summer day.

SMOKE ALARM Check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors. Many home fire deaths occurred in homes without working smoke detectors, the National Fire Protection Association warns. The batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be changed once a year.

American Wood Reface woodreface.com/hilton-head-sc/ 843-815-6700 Give your cabinets a new look Considering a kitchen remodel but dread the weeks of mess and disruption? Cabinet refacing can save time and money, taking as little as a week to install and saving as much as 50 percent over cabinet replacement. A good refacing contractor will use solid wood facing (not veneer) and new Amish-crafted doors, with many color and style choices. Look for a company whose installers have years of experience and who offer advanced modifications. Extras can include new countertops, sinks, fixtures, lighting, and storage solutions.

INTERIOR Spring is the season of rejuvenation, and your house will glow with the season if you switch your winter accessories such as throw pillows for lighter, brighter spring hues. Evaluate your drapes, blinds and bedding, checking for damage and wear and tear. Also, changing the lighting is much easier than one might think and can make a big impact.

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››Home

Home Improvement 2019 LOWCOUNTRY HOME & GARDEN SHOW OFFERS A WEALTH OF IDEAS

BY CAROL WEIR

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ooking to upgrade up your home or complete some lingering projects?

Attend the Lowcountry Home & Garden Show on March 29-31 and meet area experts in home design and renovation, discover the latest developments in green home products and get inspired by locally sourced, creative ideas.

This annual spring event showcases hundreds of products and services for your home and garden, as well as cooking demos, workshops and more. Sponsored by the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association, the show will feature local home and garden experts who can help attendees renovate, decorate and landscape their homes and lawns. As a special event, the Farmers Market of Bluffton will be held March 31 at the home show.

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Children’s activities will be offered March 30-31 and lunch will be available for purchase.

Local business owners at the show will answer questions and offer products and services like home security systems, gutters, HVAC systems, furniture, cabinetry, pools, awnings, tree services, remodeling, flooring, blinds, plumbing, pet containment systems, pest control, solar panels, screened porches, lighting, roofing, painting and more.

Professionals in wireless communications, real estate, insurance, mortgage lending, financial services and other industries will also be on hand to provide information.

And as always, vendors and industry professionals will be giving away

IF YOU GO What: Lowcountry Home & Garden Show and Parade of Homes Tour When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 29-30 and noon-4 p.m. March 31 Where: Buckwalter Recreation Center, 905 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton Details: lowcountryhomeandgardenshow.com and paradeofhomestour.com

Exhibit Space Guide SEMINAR STAGE AREA

March 29-31, 2019 Buckwalter Regional Park, Bluffton

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INDOOR KEY: 5X10 SPACE 9X10 CORNER SPACE 9X10 SPACE 10X10 SPACE 10X15 SPACE

OUTDOOR KEY: 20X20 SPACE

thousands of dollars in prizes at their booths.

Home show seminars will include presentations by Taylor’s Quality Landscape Supply of Bluffton and the Lowcountry Master Gardeners Association on plants, flowers and landscaping. Attendees can also learn about the status of the Lowcountry real estate market.

For a complete list of seminars and their start times, go to lowcountryhomeandgardenshow.com.

In conjunction with the home and garden show, the annual Parade of Homes will offer an inside look at the design, amenities and craftsmanship of many of the Lowcountry’s top custom builders and communities. Some of the area’s finest homes and neighborhoods will open their doors to visitors, who can learn about local builders and subcontractors, getting to know their styles and picking up a few new ideas for their own homes.

Parade of Homes tour guides and passes can be purchased at the home show or bought online or through the new Parade of Homes app. Passes are $5, with proceeds going to local charities. Passes are required to tour all homes.

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››Home

‘Green’ Ambition LOCAL ARCHITECT PUTS ENVIRONMENT FIRST

BY CAROL WEIR | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

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hen Elaine Gallagher Adams designed her home in Bluffton two years ago, the award-winning architect and sustainability expert set out to “walk my talk.” She wanted to incorporate as many eco-friendly features as possible in her 1,721-square-foot home in Old Town Bluffton.

“My house generates more energy than it uses,” she said. “Global sustainability is a big, fat, hairy challenge and there are a lot of us working on this problem — including myself.”

Adams, who is a professor at Savannah College of Art and Design and sustainability director for architectural firm LS3P Associates, has had plenty of experience incorporating environmental best practices in commercial projects like “green” campuses, buildings and communities.

But she was disturbed by her personal carbon footprint, which she calculated to be 16 metric tons of carbon per year — despite “recycling like a fiend and having super-efficient everything.”

“That’s the equivalent of four-anda-half planets of resources if everybody lived the way I did,” she said. “That’s nuts, and it’s not sustainable.”

Deeply concerned about climate change and sea level rise, she chose Bluffton because she fell in love with the town and “there’s no way in hell I’m going to buy a house on a barrier island.”

She selected a lot with southern exposure because this orientation is optimal for solar energy.

Her design and construction process resulted in a home that’s beautiful,

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››Home

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Vendor list Architect Elaine Gallagher Adams Solar panels Carolina Energy Conservation Energy/pressure test Elm Energy Electric heat pump water heater GE Geospring HVAC Carrier Greenspeed SEER 20.5 and Aprilaire Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) Paint Sherwin Williams low VOC Cabinets IKEA Rainwater cistern Texas Metal Tanks High-performance fiberglass-clad wood casement windows Marvin Integrity

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››Home highly livable and extremely energy efficient. In addition to being her home, it serves as a demonstration project for residential sustainability. Adams teaches architecture, historic preservation, sustainability and urban design at SCAD, which may explain why she’s willing to open her house for tours upon request.

Design that’s mindful of the environment isn’t always apparent to the casual observer. Adams’ three-bedroom, twobathroom house looks much like the other homes on her street in the Tabby Walk neighborhood — until you look closer and notice the solar panels on the roof, the 1,000-gallon rainwater cistern in the backyard and the charging station in her garage (for her Tesla).

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Left: A 1,000-gallon cistern collects rainwater in the back yard. Top: Elaine Gallagher relaxes at home. Bottom: Organic vegetables grow in raised beds.

Many hidden features allow the home to use little electricity. Adams’ electric bill is just $13 per month — she pays just the connection fee that her utility company charges each customer who is hooked to the grid. Built over an unvented, conditioned crawl space, the house is virtually air-tight. It’s “super-insulated” and has high-performance windows.

“Solar panels generate 102 percent of my home’s energy, but only because I significantly reduced my overall energy consumption,” she said. “Solar panels are expensive, so reduce the load first.”

She has a metal roof and energyefficient appliances, like a magnetic induction stove. These features, plus three independent cooling zones, allow her air conditioner to not work very hard.

As one would expect, the house has smart controls that Adams manages via cellphone. Once, even though she was hundreds of miles from home, she was able to wake up her daughter by turning on and off the lights in her bedroom.

When Adams walks into a room, ceiling fans turn on; when she walks out, they turn off.

Many of the home’s “green” features are designed to reduce water consumption. Adams collects rainwater and uses it to irrigate her organic vegetable garden; the native plants that serve as her landscaping don’t need irrigating. Inside the home are dual-flush toilets and lowflow fixtures. Her water bill is about $30 per month — much less than average for homes of this size.

Building a super-“green” home hasn’t been without its challenges. In particular, Adams said, the appraisal industry is “way behind — they don’t know how to appraise energy-efficient homes.”

Her advice to others who plan to build custom homes and want to “go green” was surprising to many who heard her speak at the TEDxWomen conference in January on Hilton Head Island: “If you build to code, you are building the worst possible building allowed by law,” she said. “Please do better than code.”

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››Real Estate News CENTURY 21 DIAMOND REALTY OPENS NEW OFFICE The Sun City and Okatie branch of Century 21 Diamond Realty celebrated a grand opening in January. The new location features closed-circuit televisions, a conference room, coffee bar, large training center, private cubicles and a welcoming reception area. The new branch will also include offices for Washburn Law and Southern Trust Mortgage to help clients seeking legal advice or mortgage information. The branch will be open seven days a week.

CENTURY 21 DIAMOND REALTY ADDS FOUR BELFAIR COMPLETES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Belfair recently completed construction of an indoor pool as part of its $8.75 million capital improvement project for 2018-19, the community’s largest project in several years. The new pool, which cost $1.2 million to build, is 20 meters long and features an accessibility ramp for people with disabilities and a large whirlpool sauna. This summer, Belfair plans to complete construction of a new sports and lifestyle campus that will include an enlarged strength and fitness space, group exercise studios, meeting rooms and a bistro. The area will also include an expanded outdoor entertainment area complete with splash pad, new playground and pickleball, bocce and shuffleboard courts.

WEICHERT REALTY WELCOMES FIVE

Missy Axe

Noel Turner

Roger Daly

Missy Axe, Graeme Cleland, Roger Daly, Karen Meyer and Noel Turner have joined the team at Weichert Coastal Properties as real estate sales professionals.

Axe has a background in sales and marketing. She will work out of the Okatie/Sun City office.

Cleland was born in Northern Ireland and moved to Hilton Head Island in 2010. Previously, he worked in real estate for both the government and commercial sectors.

Daly is a native of Hilton Head and a graduate of the College of Charleston. Previously, he worked in the service industry. He will be based in the Hilton Head Weichert office.

Meyer moved to Bluffton two years ago. She will work out of the Okatie/Sun City office.

Turner is originally from Virginia and moved to Bluffton in 2018. She is a licensed real estate agent in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Turner will work out of the company’s Bluffton office.

Melissa Grissom, Jim Kaim, Kathy Michatek and Darren Yost have joined the team at Century 21 Diamond Realty as sales professionals.

Grissom is originally from northwest Indiana and has been in real estate since 2003. She moved to the Lowcountry in 2014 and specializes in properties throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties.

Kaim recently joined the Michatek team and has more than 30 years of experience as a real estate professional. Previously, he was a dentist and dental educator in New York. He has lived in Sun City for 10 years.

Michatek has over 30 years of real estate experience and moved to Bluffton in 2003. Previously, she worked in retail and interior design.

Yost moved from Cincinnati to Bluffton. He has an undergraduate degree from Miami of Ohio and a master’s degree from Xavier University.

DATAW, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP Dataw Island recently announced a partnership with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Bay Street Realty Group. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services will be joining the joint marketing agreement as an equal partner, along with ERA Evergreen, beginning this month. The two teams will work cooperatively to promote Dataw Island, a private lifestyle community in northern Beaufort County.

WEXFORD FOUNDATION PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHARLI BOBINCHUCK At the seventh annual Grants Luncheon in February, the Wexford Plantation Charitable Foundation presented grants totaling $210,000 to 32 local charities.

The February luncheon was dedicated to Charli Bobinchuck, the 11-year-old girl killed in a crosswalk accident in June. In 2016, Charli donated her annual savings to the Wexford Foundation. A small statue that will be placed in Yacht Cove, where Charli lived, was presented by Foundation chairwoman Sue MacCormack to Charli’s mother, Daisy, during the luncheon.

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BY DEAN ROWLAND | PHOTOS BY EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM

GETTING AWAY TO THE BEAUTY OF THE BLUE RIDGE

MOUNTAIN ES CA PE

››Travel

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here’s a lot to love about Asheville, North Carolina, in the spring: Delightful weather, the Blue Ridge Mountains backdrop, the crisp, clean air.

The mountain town also offers a bounty of outdoor adventures — hiking, climbing, fishing, camping, boating, biking, birding, rafting and off-roading. If you’re looking for something a little less active, there’s unique shopping, dining and art displays.

What began as a small mountain outpost in the late 1700s has become a hip, artsy mecca for both outdoors enthusiasts and foodies — just a six-hour drive from the Lowcountry.

WHERE TO STAY The Foundry Hotel, which opened in December, is just minutes from the heart of downtown Ashville; an irresistible whiff of nostalgia floats through the South Market Street space. Built in 1885 as the Asheville Supply & Foundry Co., it provided building materials for many of the town’s oldest buildings, including the art deco-style city hall.

Thanks to a $30 million renovation by developer David Tart, the hotel’s three contiguous buildings feature original brick, exposed steel and wood beams, and lifts and pulleys for an elevator.

Larry Crosby, director of guest services, described the hotel as “industrial chic with history.”

“It’s our story that we try to tie into every guest experience,” he said.

The 87 rooms boast original wood floors, industrial oversized windows, comfortable Waldorf bedding, mini bars and fridges, marble bathrooms, stylish luxury appointments and waterfall showers.

Guests can gather for a drink around the two-sided fireplace in the cozy 3,500-square-foot Workshop lounge or enjoy authentic Appalachian soul food at Bennes on Eagle, owned by renowned local chef John Fleer of Rhubarb, another favorite Asheville eatery.

The Foundry is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Crosby says the staff of 55 practices the “art of performing excellent service,” which includes escorting guests in the hotel’s Tesla X courtesy car.

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WHERE TO EAT Top-rated Curate, with its array of Spanish tapas overseen by Beard-nominated chef Katie Buttons, whose husband and business partner is Spanish, offers delicious, locally sourced food presented in a lively environment. The bite-sized octopus with potato puree, hot peppers stuffed with goat cheese, and toasted tomato-based bread are musts.

It’s always busy, so be sure to book a reservation.

Chestnut on Biltmore Avenue is thoroughly American. Lobster bisque, trout and halibut are go-to choices. The interior is spacious and well-appointed, the wine list is extensive, and the bar serves craft cocktails.

For true Southern food, head to Tupelo Honey, where complimentary homemade

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biscuits with jam and honey begin your culinary odyssey.

Made-from-scratch Southern originals include pecan pie French toast, a pimento and fried pickle burger, and honey-dusted fried chicken.

Expect a wait.

Bouchon serves locally sourced French comfort food in a cozy setting. Start with a glass or two of French wine and a charcuterie board. Highly recommended entrees are the boeuf bourguignon and sautéed Carolina trout encrusted with almonds.

And don’t forget the breweries; Asheville has become a craft beer hotspot. Not sure where to start? The Foundry offers a beer walk that will take you to some of the 17 microbrew gastropubs and tasting rooms within a half-mile of the hotel.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FOUNDRY HOTEL

››Travel

WHERE TO GO The River Arts District, with studio after studio on the city’s west side, is housed in 22 formerly vacated commercial buildings along the French Broad River. Visit more than 200 working artists including glass blowers, ceramic artists, sculptors, print makers, photographers, furnishings craftsman, and basketry and jewelry makers.

The new, 70,000-squarefoot Asheville Art Museum will open late this spring with an exhibition titled “Appalachia Now,” featuring 50 selected artists telling the contemporary story of the region. The project also preserved the 1926 Pack Library and renovated the old museum.

Asheville native Thomas Wolfe wrote “Look Homeward, Angel” in 1929 and famously proclaimed, “You can’t go home again.”

His boyhood residence, his mother’s boardinghouse on North Market Street, is part of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and open for tours.

George W. Vanderbilt invited his first guests to Biltmore, his Chateauesquestyle mansion, in 1895. Still America’s largest privately owned home, the mansion sits on 8,000 acres and has 250 rooms and 65 fireplaces. After touring the mansion, explore the historic gardens, winery, bicycle trails and shopping.

For an afternoon of pure pampering bliss, book a treatment at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Located at the historic Grove Park Inn, opened in 1913, the subterranean spa offers a variety of massage, body and skin care treatments plus stunning mineral-based pools set among cavernous rock walls, arches and tunnels.

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WHAT BEGAN AS A SMALL MOUNTAIN OUTPOST IN THE LATE 1700S HAS BECOME A HIP, ARTSY MECCA FOR BOTH OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS AND FOODIES.

GET OUTDOORS For a bird’s-eye view, head to Navitat Canopy Adventures just north of Asheville. Zip line courses will have you soaring 350 feet above the treetops.

There’s also nearby Grandfather Mountain, the highest and oldest peak in the area. Your hike to the top — roughly a mile above sea level — will be rewarded with a trip across the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, the country’s highest suspension footbridge.

Of course, you can enjoy the scenery without the strenuous activity. Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at lookout spots for breath-taking views. Or grab a picnic basket at The Rhu — a café, bakery and pantry on South Lexington Avenue. Choose salad, sandwich, meats, cheeses, vegetables, beverages and bread from one of the five tasty lunch/brunch selections, let the staff pack it up and head for the hills for a leisurely afternoon.

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››Sports | Olympic power

BEAUFORT WEIGHTLIFTER EYES THE OLYMPICS

BY JUSTIN JARRETT

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J Cummings calls it his double life.

Walking around campus at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, it’s easy to mistake him for any other freshman — though his muscular build might lead his professors or peers to suspect he’s on the Sand Sharks’ baseball or track team.

In between classes, when he’s home in Beaufort, Cummings is an ordinary 18-year-old who likes to hang out with his friends and play video games.

But then there’s that other life — the one Cummings has been building for the past eight years and in which he’s an international phenomenon and the face of American weightlifting.

Cummings has worn the next-big-thing tag for years, since he broke a 12-year-old American senior record for clean and jerk in the 62-kilogram weight class — at age 14.

In the weightlifting world, he is a celebrity. But at home, he’s just CJ. “The CJ at home, he’s just a regular kid who goes to school, hangs out with friends,” he said. “But CJ when he’s training is like a whole different person. He’s wellknown all over the place, and I guess you could say somewhat of a little celebrity at competitions and stuff like that.”

Cummings is noticeably uncomfortable talking about his world-class status — far more so than he appears when pressing two and a half times his body weight over his head — belying a humility that is rare for anyone as accomplished as he is, especially at such a young age.

His talent was apparent from the moment he attended coach Ray Jones's weightlifting clinic at Beaufort Middle School at age 10. About a year later, he lifted double his bodyweight in the clean and jerk, marking the first of many jaw-dropping milestones.

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PHOTO COURTESY MVA SPORTS

››Sports | Olympic power

PHOTO COURTESY MVA SPORTS

PHOTO COURTESY LIFT LIFE

As his technique continued to improve and match his raw power and fearlessness, the records began to pile up. After improving on two of his junior world records and setting another at the USA Weightlifting National Junior Championships in Chicago in February, Cummings now holds 29 American records and five world records.

His remarkable career has led many around the sport to believe Cummings could become the first American man to win an Olympic medal in weightlifting since 1984 — when the Soviet Union boycotted the Los Angeles Games.

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Those expectations might crush an ordinary person, but Cummings seems unaffected, able to balance a rare combination of the intrinsic motivation necessary to ascend to the highest level of sport and the ability to shrug off the pressure.

“There’s no pressure to me. When I go to competitions, I just go out and have fun, so it’s no big deal to me,” Cummings says.

“Over the years, I’ve grown to love the sport. I know personally I’m not going to always have the best competitions, but I’ve learned how to bounce back from the bad ones and keep going.”

One of his rare disappointments came in the run-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, when Cummings failed to make the finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Less than two months later, he broke three world records and swept gold at the International Weightlifting Foundation’s Junior World Championships.

Cummings has a full complement of sponsors — and his own custom Reebok shoe — including several companies that keep him stocked with healthy meals and supplements that help him avoid the temptation of fast-food favorites like Chick-fil-A and Zaxby’s.

BY THE NUMBERS

5

29

Number of world weightlifting records held by Beaufort’s CJ Cummings, including all three junior world records in his current weight class of 73 kilograms.

Number of American weightlifting records the 18-year-old Cummings holds, including four senior men’s records.

149

set at USA Weightlifting’s National Junior Championships in Chicago in February.

189

Weight in kilograms (416 pounds) of Cummings’ personal-best mark in the clean and jerk, also set at the National Junior Championships, which surpassed his previous junior world record.

Weight in kilograms (328 pounds) of CJ Cummings’ personal-best mark in the snatch,

He believes he “absolutely” will qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo — a goal his entire 2019 schedule is built around.

Well, his competition schedule, anyway. When he’s home, Cummings has tweaked his training schedule a bit to accommodate the other side of his double life: He has to make time for Spanish class.

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››Sports | Special Olympics

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‘Let Me Win’

SPECIAL OLYMPIANS ENJOY THE CHALLENGES OF ATHLETIC COMPETITION

BY MARK ANDERSON

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s they lace up their sneakers, grab their bowling balls and step out onto the tennis court, local Special Olympics competitors all have the same mantra: “Let me win. If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

It’s a message they learned from Kathy Cramer and Cherie Taylor, co-directors of Special Olympics South Carolina Area 8, which was established 27 years ago and includes Beaufort and Jasper counties. It started as a single track and field event but today includes multiple sports and year-round training and competitions.

Cramer in particular won special praise for her efforts to encourage special-needs athletes. In April, David Bennett, then mayor of Hilton Head Island, recognized her with one of seven Honored Island Awards. “I thank Kathy Cramer for being a fierce advocate in improving the lives of special education athletes in Beaufort and Jasper counties, giving them a chance to engage in a healthy, active lifestyle,” Bennett said during the ceremony.

More than 5 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in Special Olympics events around the world each year. Founded in 1968, the organization helps participants to become physically fit and achieve their goals. The free program is open to those ages 6 and older, and Special Olympians compete at regional, state, national and international levels — often paired with an able-bodied athlete as part of a unified team. The Lowcountry’s Area 8 has sent four athletes to the past two Special Olympics World Games, and all four earned medals.

There are about 480 children and adults in the Lowcountry who compete in Special Olympics events alongside volunteers from area organizations like Beaufort County Public Schools, the Beaufort County Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, and Programs for Exceptional People.

South Carolina Area 8 Special Olympics sports include: • Basketball: With practices beginning each January at the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Bluffton campus, basketball participants prepare for state games held in Columbia in February. The number of players in Area 8 has recently averaged around 30 each year.

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››Sports | Special Olympic

UPCOMING EVENTS: Twelve local athletes and their partners will compete in the National Adult Unified bowling tournament March 6-7 in Las Vegas. Unified sports are when a Special Olympic athlete is paired with a typical person and they compete together.

Track and Field competition will take place at 10 a.m. April 5 at May River High School in Bluffton. About 300 athletes will compete.

For more information, donate or volunteer: Call Kathy Cramer at 843 -422-5747 or Cherie Taylor 843-384-0079.

• Cheerleading: Called the “Islanders Dream Team,” Area 8 cheerleaders participate in allstar cheerleading competitions against other all-star teams around the state and at the National Special Olympics games in Atlanta.

• Equestrian: The Heroes on Horseback program provides Special Olympics training and competition for about 200 athletes. Six coaches lead a three-part training program each week: horseback riding, horsemanship and arts and crafts related to horseback riding. Beaufort and Jasper county schools transport participants to the training location in Pritchardville.

• Golf: Two unified golf teams, each composed of two Special Olympians and two unified golfers, tee up for practices on Saturdays. They go to the state competition in October in Myrtle Beach. Two years ago, they went to Seattle for the national golf competition.

• Kayaking: Kayaking training starts in May and ends in August, with a final competition in Charleston.

• Swimming: Swimmers attend practices year-round at the YMCA in Port Royal. This past year, five teams from around the state — including one from Area 8 — met in April in Charleston for the regional Special Olympics swim meet and traveled to Columbia in May for the state competition. “I get excited about coaching our team because our swimmers get so excited, which really fuels my enthusiasm,” coach Debra Marshall said. “When they go to Columbia for the state competition, they are jumping for joy; it feels like Christmas in summer to them.”

Golf, tennis and track and field are just a few of the sports that Special Olympians play.

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• Tennis: More than 100 players are enrolled in Beaufort County’s Special Olympics tennis programs, coordinated

by Michael Chambers of Public Tennis Inc. Each fall, Hilton Head Island hosts the National Special Olympics tennis tournament. Royce Silvan, a tennis pro who coaches the Hilton Head Island Special Olympics team, says it’s been nothing but a great experience for him. “Hands down, the two hours that I hold practices for these athletes are the best of all the hours in my week,” he said. “I love coaching them — it really pumps me up.”

››Environment

Waste water treated by Hilton Head Public Service District is used to irrigate golf courses on the island.

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50 Years of Clean Water HILTON HEAD PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT SAYS FUTURE IS SECURE

BY CAROL WEIR PHOTOS BY MATT GARBADE

W

ater is life, so it’s refreshing to learn that the intrusion of salt water into public utility wells on Hilton Head Island is not a crisis. Thanks to abundant supplies and a half-century of careful planning by the Hilton Head Public Service District and other utilities, officials are confident that local consumers will enjoy high-quality drinking water and waste water treatment for years to come.

“We are losing wells to salt water,” said Hilton Head PSD general manager Pete Nardi. “But we have plenty of capacity for the future.”

As the utility celebrates its 50th anniversary this spring, officials are focused on moving forward. Topping their list of priorities: dealing with salt water intrusion, bringing sewer service to underserved areas, emergency preparedness and protecting water service during bridge construction.

Traditionally, the public service district’s water supply came from wells tapping the Upper Floridan aquifer, about 150 feet underground. Over-pumping of this shared aquifer in Savannah meant salt water from Port Royal Sound began to intrude into Hilton Head’s wells in the 1990s. The PSD has lost six wells since 2000, and research shows all Upper Floridan wells on the island will eventually be lost to the intrusion.

To prepare for that loss, the PSD — which serves 18,000 people in neighborhoods from Shelter Cove to Windmill Harbour — is diversifying its water sources, collaborating with other utilities and investing in advanced technology.

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Hilton Head PSD's 18,000 customers consume about 7 million gallons of water per day.

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››Environment

Careful planning by Hilton Head PSD means that the waste water treatment plant is currently operating below capacity.

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In 2009, the PSD opened a reverse osmosis water treatment plant on Jenkins Island across from Windmill Harbour. There, water is pumped from the deeper, brackish Middle Floridan aquifer and passed through spinning nylon membranes in large PVC pipes. The membranes filter the water and separate out minerals and other contaminants, producing high-quality water.

“Membranes are the future, no question about it,” Nardi said.

Much of this water is stored in what Nardi describes as “a giant bubble” in the aquifer. In 2011, the PSD built the island’s first underground water storage facility to store water the district purchases during the winter at a less expensive rate. This water is release during peak demand periods in the summer.

The reverse osmosis plant provides about 4 million gallons a day, about 50 percent of the utility’s supply. The rest of the north end of the island’s tap water comes from wells or is purchased from the mainland. Protecting the large pipe that brings that water to the island is one of the PSD’s focuses as planning for improvements to the bridges to Hilton Head advances.

About half of the PSD’s treated tap water is used for drinking and household use, while the other half is used for residential irrigation. Nardi said the utility promotes landscaping practices described in the “Carolina Yards & Neighborhoods” program developed by Clemson University. If more homeowners would use native plants, follow the university’s guidelines and respect the little-known Town of Hilton Head Island ordinance that limits residential irrigation to two days a week, the

demand for expensive, high-quality tap water would drop, Nardi said.

“I really hope future generations will change,” he said.

The district also pays careful attention to waste water treatment. One billion gallons of wastewater per year is recycled — but not into drinking water; instead, it’s used to irrigate 12 golf courses and nourish wetlands in Palmetto Hall and Hilton Head Plantation.

“The waste water we discharge is cleaner than the tap water in many countries,” Nardi said.

Thanks to the PSD’s careful planning and the town’s aggressive land acquisition program to preserve open space, the waste water treatment facility is operating below capacity. But no amount of preparedness can prevent a loss of water and sewer service in a natural disaster.

“Please, if you are asked to leave the island, do so,” Nardi said.

“If an evacuation order is in place, people should not assume they will have functioning public services.”

As the island’s population continues to grow, new sewer connections on the north end of the island will be needed. The PSD started a sewer master plan for underserved areas in 2004 and has partnered with the town and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to install sewer lines and help families with failing septic systems connect to these mains. Eventually, about 440 families will gain access to sewer service through this jointly funded partnership.

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Where toWorship

Come T See How We’re Living It ST. ANDREW BY-THE-SEA UMC SERVING HILTON HEAD, BLUFFTON & THE WORLD

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he day is about to dawn, and hundreds make their Easter Sunrise Service way at 7 a.m. to Coligny at Coligny Beach and Bluffton Worship where Beach to see the sunrise on Easter a new service is starting morning and to hear Good News in March. from the pastors at St. Andrew By-The-Sea. For over 40 years, the church has provided the community with a place to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection as the sun appears across the ocean’s horizon. This year, at 7 a.m., St. Andrew will hold a new sunrise service at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park by the May River where the church also hosts Christmas Eve under the Stars.

These services are ways St. Andrew By-The-Sea UMC is “serving Hilton Head, Bluffton and the world.”

“It’s in our DNA to go out into the community and be part of the lives of people,” said Sr. Pastor Neil M. Yongue Jr. About five years ago, knowing the extraordinary symbiotic relationship between Hilton Head and Bluffton, church leadership sought to connect the dots and opened a second location on the mainland. The Bluffton campus, housed in

IT’S IN OUR DNA TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND BE PART OF THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.

PHOTO BY BABS NEUMANN

– SR. PASTOR NEIL M. YONGUE JR.

what was a sketchy bar at 39 Persimmon Street- Building 200, offers a non-traditional style of worship.

“We transformed the bar into a welcoming place to worship, learn and serve,” explained Bluffton Campus Pastor Daniel Burbage. “Our alternate style of worship here at 10:30 a.m. has made people of all ages feel so comfortable that we need to expand. We are launching another service at 9 a.m. beginning March 17.”

On any given day, you will find St. Andrew members seeking to live a life of purpose based on their faith. They feed the hungry at the Friday soup kitchen and make prayer quilts on Mondays. You can see their faith in action as they serve the church’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner, provide a Christmas Shoppe for needy families and coach more than 200 kids on Saturdays at Upward Basketball. They repair substandard housing in the state and have built schools in other countries while raising funds to support missions through the annual Fall Festival.

“Our hearts, our minds and our doors are open,” said Yongue. “We invite guests to either campus or to our outdoor services to hear words of hope, and to come see how we’re living It.”

HILTON HEAD CAMPUS WORSHIP: SUNDAYS 9 & 11:15 AM BLUFFTON CAMPUS WORSHIP: SUNDAYS 10:30 AM AND A NEW SERVICE AT 9 AM BEGINNING MARCH 17

A strong faith community starts with a powerful message.

LET US HELP YOU REACH NEW MEMBERS. Contact Katie Hatfield at 843-707-2098 or email katie@freymedia.com

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Mar. 17 PARADE DAY ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION HEADING TO HILTON HEAD STREETS

Through March 2 “ARTS OB WE PEOPLE” WINTER EXHIBITION AND SALE: A display of original work by emerging and leading artists that represents the life of Gullah people in the Lowcountry. Artists will be available at various times throughout the exhibit. Private group tours are available by request. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Art League of Hilton Head Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. gullahcelebration.com.

Through March 3 “BLITHE SPIRIT”: This comedy

by Noel Coward combines farce, emotion and clever wit when writer Charles Condomine holds a séance at his house and the ghost of his first wife comes back to cause all kinds of mischief. $49 for adults; $36 for children ages 5-15. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-3945, ext. 206.

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Through June 9

JAUME PLENSA’S “TALKING CONTINENTS” EXHIBITION AT TELFAIR MUSEUMS: Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center presents a solo exhibition by artist Jaume Plensa titled “Talking Continents.” $20. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center, 207 W York Street, Savannah. telfair.org.

March 1 “JUST JEVON”: Jevon Daly’s first ever solo acoustic show on Hilton Head Island. $15. 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Coligny Theatre, 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island.

ColignyPlaza.com/events.

March 2

PEDRO MENÉNDEZ DE AVILÉS’ 500TH BIRTHDAY BASH: A Special Commemoration at Santa Elena History Center. In honor of Pedro Menéndez, born in 1519. $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 7-17. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Santa Elena History Center, 1501 Bay St., Beaufort. 843-379-1550.

JEWELS & JEANS: This year’s Jewels & Jeans fundraiser, held by

the Beaufort County Foundation for Educational Excellence, will honor Dr. Jane Upshaw for her many decades of dedication to education in the Lowcountry. Proceeds benefit Beaufort County students by providing grants to exceptional teachers for innovative projects.

Enjoy a live and silent auction, food and dancing to music by Deas Guyz. $65. 6-9:30 p.m., Country Club of Hilton Head, 70 Skull Creek Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-415-2331.

MUSIC ON MALPHRUS: David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach.

Jacobs-Strain plays slide guitar and is known for his virtuosity and spirit of emotional abandon. Beach’s career has spanned more than 45 years and is rooted in blues, rock ‘n’ roll and folk music. The pair have been performing together since 2010. $20. 7 p.m., The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton. 843-837-3330 or uulowcountry.org.

March 2-10

“DISNEY’S MULAN JR.”: The Oscar-nominated film is coming to life in an action-packed adaptation for the stage. There will be 10 performances total. $19 for adults; $12 for students. 7 p.m. & 2 p.m.

March 2, 4, 9 and 10. 3000 Main Street, 1300 Fording Island Road, Bluffton. 843-689-6246 or MSYT.org.

March 2-April 30

fundraiser to benefit the Southern Foodways Alliance. $100. 4-7 p.m.

FARM Bluffton, 1301 May River Road, Bluffton. 843-707-2041 or farmbluffton.com.

ARTIST TALK FEATURING KATHERINE SANDOZ: Join Savannah artist Katherine Sandoz for a discussion of her site-specific installations at the Jepson Center, including “katniss,” a 500-pound acrylic mobile hanging from the atrium’s ceiling. Free with museum admission of $20. 3 p.m., Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center, 207 W York St., Savannah. 912-790-8800.

March 3-10

”WHERE NATURE MEETS ART” EXHIBIT BY THE ARTISTS OF SPRING ISLAND: The Coastal Discovery Museum hosts a temporary exhibition of the work by the Artists of Spring Island, offering a glimpse into the beauty of one of Hilton Head’s neighboring islands. An opening reception will be from 4:30-7 p.m. March 2. Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. coastaldiscovery.org.

March 3 FARM FUNDRAISING OYSTER ROAST: Join FARM Bluffton for an afternoon of oysters, Southern sides, and cocktails along the bank of the May River. Some of the South’s favorite chefs will join chef Brandon Carter of FARM for this

EMOTIONAL & BINGE EATING WORKSHOP WITH ERIN RISUS AND LISETTE CIFALDI: If you use food to cope with stress, struggle with nighttime overeating, or have feelings about food addiction, you’re not alone. We invite you to join us for an intimate and powerful group experience focused on helping you better understand the root of your eating patterns. Hilton Head Health, 14 Valencia Road, Hilton Head Island. 866-368-1857.

March 5 “SEA PINES 1950-1983”: The modern era of Hilton Head Island’s history began when Charles Fraser began developing Sea Pines from timber land owned by his family.

Learn about how our island’s destiny was shaped by Fraser’s vision from those early days up to the incorporation of the Town of Hilton Head in 1983. $20. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Heritage Library, 2 Corpus Christi, Hilton Head Island.

843-686-6560.

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March 5-31 SOBA’S 25TH ANNUAL JUDGED SHOW: Lowcountry artists are invited to submit their works of art for the Society of Bluffton Artists’ 25th annual judged show. To be eligible for an award, a minimum of seven pieces must be displayed in any one of the following categories: acrylic, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, watercolor or 3-D. Pre-registration is required by stopping by the gallery. The deadline for entries is 9-11 a.m. March 4.

Exhibit runs from March 5-31.

Registration cost is $25 for SoBA members; $45 for non-members.

Society of Bluffton Artists, 6 Church St., Bluffton. 843-757-6586 or sobagallery.com.

March 6-April 10 MID-WEEK LENTEN SERVICES: Presbyterian, United Methodist, and A.M.E. churches in the greater Bluffton and Okatie areas will gather together in the season of Lent for worship and fellowship. A guest pastor will share the message during the 30-minute service.

Offerings received as part of the service will support missions and ministries selected by the host church. Following the worship service, a light luncheon will be served. Noon. Church of the Palms UMS, 1425 Okatie Highway, Okatie.

843-379-1888.

March 7 MATTEO CORREGGIA WINE TASTING: With special guest wine maker Giovanni Correggia of the Piedmont region of Italy. Join us for conversation, wine tasting and cheese pairings. $15. 5-7 p.m., Rollers Wine & Spirits, 9 Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island.

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March 9 LIVING HISTORY ENCAMPMENT: Beaufort History Museum will present its fourth annual Civil War living history encampment. This year, the museum is partnering with the National Park Service. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Arsenal Courtyard, 713 Craven St., Beaufort.

Free. 843-379-3079 or beauforthistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/event-3205232.

“LOWCOUNTRY SNAKES”: Tony Mills, the education director for the LowCountry Institute, will cover the natural history of many snakes commonly found in the Lowcountry.

This is an up-close and personal session with these fascinating coldblooded animals. Live snakes will be shown. $7. 3-4p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext 223.

March 7-9 SAVANNAH STOPOVER MUSIC FESTIVAL: More than 75 bands across more than 10 venues in Savannah’s beautiful historic district. See some of your favorite bands alongside all the hot up and comers. $39-$169. 5 p.m., Savannah Historic District. savannahstopover.com.

March 8 8TH ANNUAL PFS SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT: Hilton Head residents Fuzzy Davis and Carol

Bartholomew have teamed up to create this unique fundraiser supporting the special needs community. Proceeds support Pockets Full of Sunshine, a local nonprofit that provides social and recreational opportunities for Lowcountry adults with disabilities.

New this year is a raffle for a Caesar Guerini “Magnus Sporting” shotgun. Forest City Gun Club, 9203 Ferguson Ave., Savannah.

843-384-1315.

TGIF ST. PATTY’S DAY BEER & CHEESE TASTING: Beer is one of the oldest drinks around, and the Irish have been brewing it for about 5,000 years. And their dairy farms produce some of the finest cheeses in the world. $15. 5-6 p.m., Rollers Wine & Spirits, 9 Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island.

ST. BALDRICK’S FUNDRAISER: Have a drink, shave your head and fight kids’ cancer. Joe DiNovo of Joe’s Barbershop will again lead the team of barbers shaving the heads of Hilton Head area men, women and children. Donations support childhood cancer research. The event will feature a silent auction and live music by Cranford Hollow.

6-9 p.m., Rooftop Bar at Poseidon, 38 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-298-2775 or henrys1ups@gmail.com.

LOW COUNTRY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS: A concert of organ and flute music. Free. Noon. St. Helena Parish, 507 Newcastle St., Beaufort.

March 8-10 DARIUS RUCKER INTERCOLLEGIATE GOLF TOURNAMENT: Long Cove Club, in partnership with Darius Rucker and the University of South Carolina, is hosting the 8th annual tournament at Long Cove Club’s nationally acclaimed golf course. Top women’s teams from around the country compete for the title. Kicking off the event will be a private Darius Rucker concert at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina for players, coaches, sponsors and Long Cove Club residents. Spectators are welcome during play. Tee times begin at 8:30 a.m. on March 8-9 and 8 a.m. March 10. longcoveclub.com or 843-686-1074.

March 9 BO ART PRESENTS: “ART NOIR BLACK TIE GALA”: This event will showcase the new Bo Art shared artists’ studio space and participating artists during a fun-filled evening featuring aerial performance artists, music by The Marquee Club, food from Trattoria Divina, Italian wines and an open

bar. Meet and mix with some of Hilton Head’s best emerging artists, who will inspire you to get involved with the island’s growing art community. $133-$165. 5:30-11:30 p.m., Bo Art, 19 Dunnigan’s Alley, Hilton Head Island.

843-842-5299.

YOUTH ARTSFEST: Celebrate National Youth Arts month. Students and their families can enjoy arts and crafts projects, dance and drama workshops. $5. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-3945, ext. 206.

March 11 A TRIBUTE TO NEW ORLEANS COOKING CLASS: Chef Jeff Condon will demonstrate his excellent cooking skills as you sip on Ste. Michelle sparkling wine and other amazing wines. $65. 12:30-2 p.m., The Bluffton Room, 15 Promenade St., Bluffton. hiltonheadwineandfood.com/events/.

2019 WILLIAM P. STEVENS, JR. PROAM CLINIC CLASSIC: By participating in the golf tournament, you will be supporting Volunteers in Medicine’s mission to provide free medical, dental and mental healthcare to under-served individuals in the community. $250. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Berkeley Hall Golf Club, 366 Good Hope Road, Bluffton. vimclinic.org.

March 11-18 HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION: One of the leading international piano competitions in the United U.S, this competition draws top musicians ages 18-30 from around the world. Round 1: 1:30-4:35 p.m. and 7-9:05 p.m. March 11-12 at Central Church, HHI. Round II: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. March 13-14 at Central Church, HHI. Semifinals: 1-4:40 p.m. and 7:30-9:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, HHI. Finals: 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, HHI. $10-$65. 843-842-2055 or hhipc.org.

March 12 LOWCOUNTRY COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND: The Lowcountry Community Concert Band under the direction of David Carbone will perform in concert. The theme of this concert is “Music of the European Masters.” Free. 7:30 p.m., May River High School auditorium, 601 New Riverside Road, Bluffton. 267-884-6805.

CEMETERIES OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND: Every cemetery tells a story, and the 16 known cemeteries on Hilton Head Island each provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who once called the island home. During this educational PowerPoint presentation, you’ll learn their history and where they are located so you can explore on your own. $20. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Heritage Library, 2 Corpus Christi, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-6560.

March 13 ISLAND HOUSE/MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA GOLF TOURNAMENT: In this inaugural charitable golf outing for Mental Health America/Island House, the field will be limited to 100 players. Teams can be men, women or mixed. The top four of the 25 teams will receive prizes. $200 per person; $800 per foursome. 9 a.m., Colleton River Club, 60 Colleton River Drive, Bluffton. eventcaddy.com.

March 12-April 6 “THE APPEARANCE OF TRUTH” BY MICKEY BOISVERT: Artist Mickey Boisvert will showcase her exhibit “The Appearance of Truth” at the Art League Gallery. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.

March 13 - June 30 “REMBRANDT AND THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE” EXHIBITION AT TELFAIR MUSEUMS: This exhibition contains 21 etchings by Rembrandt and one drawing

by Rembrandt’s teacher, Pieter Lastman.

These works highlight the artist’s nuanced relationship with Amsterdam’s citizens of the Jewish faith and the keen insights Rembrandt brought to interpretations of Old Testament Bible stories. $20. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center, 207 W York St., Savannah. 912-790-8800.

March 14 “PROGRAMS AT SAVANNAH NATURAL WILDLIFE REFUGE”: Russ Webb will discuss “Programs at the Savannah Natural Wildlife Refuge.” Free. 3-4:15 p.m., Palmetto Electric Cooperative’s Community Room, 111 Mathews Drive, Hilton Head Island.

Non-Audubon members are welcome, but seating is limited. 843-592-7968 or hiltonheadaudubon.org.

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››Calendar Mar. 15

SIP AND STROLL: Grab your glass and stroll through the variety of shops that line the Harbour Town Yacht Basin. Treat yourself to a great selection of wines while enjoying discounts at participating shops, all while taking in the beautiful atmosphere. $49. 1-4 p.m., Harbour Town, 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. hiltonheadwineandfood. com/events/.

FOR THE KIDS WINE DINNER FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT SPECIALNEEDS PROGRAMS

E

njoy “An Evening in Italy” without leaving the Lowcountry at a March 15 wine dinner fundraiser for the Children’s Relief Fund, to benefit local special-needs children and their families.

The event will feature a multicourse dinner prepared by chef Ryan McCarthy, as well as wine pairings, live music and a limited live auction.

All proceeds will benefit programs like Heroes on Horseback; Special Olympics South Carolina’s Area 8, which includes Beaufort and Jasper counties; Fishing with Friends; Pockets Full of Sunshine; and the Island Recreation Center.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 15 at Venue 1223 on May River Road in Bluffton. Tickets are $250 per person.

To purchase tickets or for more information, email Rose Fotia at rfotia333@yahoo.com or go to thechildrensrelieffund.org.

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STAY GOLD: A Lowcountry Wine, Food and Music Experience: Join us for the inaugural Stay Gold: A Lowcountry Wine, Music and Food experience. Stay Gold will take place at sunset along the beautiful marina in Harbourtown at Sea Pines. It will feature Double Gold wines from our international Judging competition and delicious Lowcountry foods. Guests will be entertained with live music by Mike Kavanaugh. $75.

6:30-8:30 p.m., Harbour Town, 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. hiltonheadwineandfood.com/events/.

ROMBAUER WINE DINNER WITH GUEST CHEF CLAYTON ROLLISON: Join us for this iconic wine dinner featuring Jeff Papa and Rombauer Wines, along with Clayton Rollison, executive chef and owner of Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar. $150. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Rollers Wine & Spirits Palmetto Bay Road, 9 Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island.

March 14-15 CELTIC NIGHTS: Irish dancing and singing at its best. Celtic Nights includes World Championship dancers and All-Ireland winning musicians showcasing some of Ireland’s “sean nos” (old style) Irish dance and the famous Brush Dance. $63 per person, $59 for groups. 8 p.m. March 14-15 and 4:30 p.m. March 15. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-3945, ext. 206.

March 15 AN EVENING IN ITALY WINE DINNER: The evening will include dining, wine pairings, live music and a limited live auction. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Relief Fund, now in its 27th year, which benefit the Lowcountry’s specialneeds children and their families. $250.

Venue 1223, May River Road, Bluffton. thechildrensrelieffund.org.

March 15-June 30 TELFAIR MUSEUMS BRINGS REMBRANDT TO SAVANNAH: This spring, an exhibition of etchings by Dutch 17thcentury master Rembrandt van Rijn will be on view at Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Jepson Center, 207 W. York St., Savannah. 912-790-8800 or telfair.org.

March 16 “A PLACE TO BECOME…” GALA FOR THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND BOYS & GIRLS CLUB: This annual black tie fundraising event includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and live auction, followed by dancing.

6 p.m. Tickets are $200 each. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. For more information and to purchase tickets go to bgclowcountry.org.

PUBLIC WINE TASTING: Join us for the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival’s largest event as we celebrate our 34th anniversary at the Harbour Town Yacht Basin. There will be more than 250 wines available for tasting from all over the world. In addition, see chefs in action at the Sysco Outdoor Gourmet Challenge, enjoy live entertainment and watch the fun and excitement of the waiter’s race.

Also, do not forget to bid on award-winning wines at the Silent Auction, where the proceeds support the John & Valerie Curry Scholarship Fund. $65. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Harbour Town, 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island. hiltonheadwineandfood.com/events/.

24TH ANNUAL HILTON HEAD SHAMROCK RUN: “Get Your Irish On” and run in green. The Hilton Head Shamrock 5K is a fun and healthy St. Patrick’s Day family tradition. A percentage of proceeds from the event will go to benefit local Hilton Head charities. $30 for pre-registration until March 12; $35 for late and race-day registration.

8 a.m., Heritage Plaza, 81 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island. 843-757-8520.

March 16-17 2019 HILTON HEAD JUNIOR OPEN: Registration is now open for the Hilton Head Junior Open. $229 for members; $304 for non-members. Country Club of Hilton Head, 70 Skull Creek Drive, Hilton Head Island.

843-681-2582.

March 17 BEACHSIDE BRUNCH AND BUBBLES: In addition to a worldclass brunch, you will enjoy ocean views, Deep Eddy bloody marys, Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wine and mimosas from the deck. $42.95 plus tax and gratuity. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sea Pines Beach Club, 87 N. Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-1888.

LOWCOUNTRY COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND: The Lowcountry Community Concert Band under the direction of David Carbone will perform in concert. The theme of this concert is “Music of the European Masters.” Free. 6:30 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 351 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton.

843-540-7605.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: It must be the luck of the Irish: the 36th annual HHI St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on actual St. Patrick’s Day this year. The parade will start at 3 p.m. at the beach parking lot near Coligny Circle and head down Pope Avenue before making a left onto Office Park Road and ending at Park Plaza. David Lauderdale, senior editor and columnist for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette, is the grand marshal. All parade vehicles and floats have an Irish theme, and prizes will be awarded in five categories. Cost to participate in the parade are $400 for businesses; $200 for nonprofit organizations. For information about participating call Bill Harper at 843-616-3604.

ST PATRICK’S DAY AT COLIGNY WITH MATT BRANTLEY BAND: Come see the the Matt Brantley Band. noon-3 p.m., Coligny Plaza, 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-842-6050.

March 20 “TURNING THE TIDE” BOOK SIGNING AND PRESENTATION:

The Coastal Discovery Museum will host Sally R. Murphy for this presentation and book signing.

Cost is $35 including book and presentation or $10 for presentation only. 1 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767.

March 20-24 “IF YOU FORGET ME”: Lean Ensemble Theater presents “If You Forget Me” by Nora Leahy. $40 for adults; $15 for students and activeduty military. Group rates available.

7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee March 24. Hilton Head Preparatory School’s Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head Island. 843715-6676 or leanensemble.org.

March 21 PALMETTO QUILT GUILD: The Palmetto Quilt Guild will meet with guest speaker Anna Faustino, who specializes in teaching art history and culture, painting, engineering drawing and textile art. $5. noon-3 p.m., Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort, 40 Folly Field Road, Hilton Head Island. palmettoquiltguild.org.

March 22 GALA-BRATION FOR THE BLUFFTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB: This memorable fundraiser has returned to the Montage Inn at Palmetto Bluff. Bud Mingledorff is the emcee and Sonny Huntley is the auctioneer at this fundraiser that includes a cocktail hour, auction, dinner and entertainment by members of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton. Tickets are $225. For more information and tickets go to: bgcbluffton.org/gala.

THE LITERACY CENTER HOSTS THE AMERICAN DREAM CELEBRATION: This special evening will raise funds for Beaufort County’s only adult literacy nonprofit group. The event will include a silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine

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THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF SAND: Explore the beauty and the complexity of sand. Not just for sand castles, this fascinating substance is the bedrock of our island. $7. 3 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223.

UN-‘FORGET’-ABLE

and beer. Hilton Head Island pianist Bill Peterson will perform. Monty Jett is master of ceremonies. $750 for a reserved table for 10; $65 for individuals. The Golf Club at Indigo Run, 101 Berwick Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-815-6616.

LEAN ENSEMBLE EXPLORES THE NATURE OF MEMORY

F

ollowing an accident, Kate’s fiancé is left with selective amnesia and does not remember her. Their engagement broken off, Kate returns to the comfort of her childhood home in the suburbs to pick up the pieces of her life. This dark comedy is an exploration of growing up, the nature of memory, and the process of letting go.

Written by Nora Leahy and directed by Sarah Newhouse, Lean Ensemble Theater’s production of “If You Forget Me” stars Diego Colon, Libby Ricardo, Tamara Todress and Jenny Zmarzly.

Tickets are $40 for regular admission and $15 for students and active-duty military. Group rates are available. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 20-23 and 2 p.m. March 24 at Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head Island.

For more information, call 843-7156676 or go to leanensemble.org.

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CAROLINA DREAMERS CAR CLUB CRUISE-IN: No costs, no reservations, awards, 50/50 raffle, open to all automotive enthusiasts. 5-8 p.m. Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. carolinadreamers.info.

SPRING SERENADE: Professional soloists and orchestra present the elegant Mass in G

by Viennese composer Franz Schubert and music from the award-winning Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical “Carousel.” $10-$40. 8 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

March 22-23 FORSYTHE JEWELERS: Wanderlust Event: noon-7 p.m. March 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 23. Kate Lagos of LAGOS will be in the store offering styling tips from noon-7 p.m. on March 22. The Shops at Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Road #300, Hilton Head Island.

843-671-7070 or forsythejewelers.biz.

March 23 BOURBON BALL: The Bourbon Ball gala to benefit the arts, outreach and education begins in outdoor tented venues with an open bar, bourbon tastings, Kentucky-inspired heavy hors d’oeuvres and an outdoor cigar lounge. Enjoy the bluegrass sounds of Lowcountry Boil. $175. 6 p.m., Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-3945, ext. 206.

MUSIC ON MALPHRUS: Kirsten Maxwell: Get ready to add Kirsten Maxwell to your list of favorite singer/songwriters. Maxwell has a dedicated hometown following and a growing presence in the national indie/folk scene. $20. 7 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton.

March 24 HARBOUR TOWN SPRING FEST: A sidewalk sale, with Harbour Town shops offering great deals and fabulous finds; local favorite Deas Guyz in concert; nautical activities, featuring a variety of watersports, nature tours and boat rides; great dining on the harbour all day; and children activities.

The Carolina Dreamers Car Club will have a selection of classic cars on display. 11a.m.-6 p.m. The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island.

843-842-1979.

March 26 TUESDAY TALK: Sea Turtles: Carlos Chacon, manager of natural history at the Coastal Discovery Museum, will discuss the history and biology of the sea turtles that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean. Come learn about the status of our sea turtles and the challenges

and threats they face. Reservations required. $5 per person, free for children younger than 16. 5:30-7 p.m., Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie. 843645-7774.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT OF HILTON HEAD: Follow the journey of the women who came first to Hilton Head Island. Their journeys tell about their strong commitments to this island and how they made life here stronger and better. $20.

10:30 a.m.-noon, Heritage Library, 2 Corpus Christi, Hilton Head Island.

843-686-6560.

March 28-30 GET THE LED OUT: Far and away the best Led Zeppelin tribute band out there, Get the Led Out is vouched for by Jimmy Page himself. $51. 8 p.m., Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-3945, ext. 206.

March 29-31 THE 16TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN WOMEN’S SHOW: The 16th annual Southern Women’s Show returns to Savannah with a full and robust lineup of local, regional and national vendors featuring one-of-a-kind products and exclusive shopping finds. Includes crowd favorite Firefighter Fashion Show, beauty makeovers, and the Eat It and Like It Cooking Stage with Jesse Blanco, creator of the two-time Emmy-nominated TV series. $9 in advance and $11 at the door for adults; $5 for children ages 6-12; $8 for groups; $25 for reserved Hot Seat Package or VIP package. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Drive, Savannah. 704-494-7558 or Southernwomensshow.com.

March 30 MITCHELVILLE BLUES AND BBQ DINNER AND DANCE: Mitchelville Preservation Project will host its annual Blues and BBQ Dinner and

Dance, with musical entertainment

by Stee and The Ear Candy Band and the Junior Jazz Foundation.

The event features a slow-cooked barbecue dinner, prepared with traditional Lowcountry recipes. $100. 6-10 p.m. University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Hilton Head Island Campus, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island.

843-255-7301.

March 31 CONCERT AT THE LOW COUNTRY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: The Sea Island Chamber Singers, sponsored by the Low Country Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, will present a concert at the Low Country Presbyterian Church. The concert, directed by First Presbyterian Church organist Charlie Frost, will feature “Symphony of Songs”

by John Leavitt. Free. 3 p.m., Low Country Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton.

SAVANNAH CHILDREN’S CHOIR: The Low Country Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is sponsoring a concert by the Savannah Children’s Choir. The premier choir went on tour to France last summer, performing at Notre Dame and Normandy. Free. 3 p.m., Low Country Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton.

ARUM SPA SPRING SOCIAL: Get your glow on at Arum Spa’s Spring Social. $20. 1-5 p.m. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, 130 Shipyard Drive, Hilton Head Island.

843-341-2786.

SAVE THE DATE April 6-7 HILTON HEAD DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS: “Terpsichore”: Hilton Head Dance Theatre’s annual performance of classical and contemporary dance will open with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” staged by Karena Brock-Carlyle to the music of Felix Mendelssohn.

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Joel Johnson will be featured in the “Flames of Paris,” a variation he performed when he competed in the Youth America Grand Prix. $35 for adults; $25 for children younger than 18. 7:30 p.m., Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.

April 27 2019 GOLDEN OYSTER AWARDS: The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce annually recognizes outstanding local businesses who have made substantial contributions to the success of the Greater Bluffton Community. This year, the award ceremony will be transformed into the first-ever Golden Oyster Awards. $95. 5-8 p.m.

Seaquins Ballroom, 1300 Fording Island Road, Bluffton. jessica@ blufftonchamberofcommerce.org

ONGOING COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM: The Coastal Discovery Museum offers nature and history tours, exhibits and talks. Some offerings are year-round; others change seasonally. Prices vary. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. 843-689-6767, ext. 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.

GARVIN-GARVEY HOUSE TOURS: Visit the newly restored Garvin-Garvey House for a guided tour. $5. By appointment from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St., Bluffton. townofbluffton. sc.gov/garvin-garvey.

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SPECIALTY WORKSHOPS AT HILTON HEAD HEALTH-WEIGHT LOSS RESORT AND HEALTH SPA: Discover Your Fitness Style with LynnAnn Covell: If you have tried working out and are having trouble enjoying it, you haven’t found the fitness style that best suits you.

LynnAnn has 26 years of experience as a residential weight loss center Fitness Director and L.I.F.E. Coach.

Through March 10. Emotional & Binge Eating Workshop with Erin Risus and Lisette Cifaldi: If you use food to cope with stress, struggle with nighttime overeating, or have feelings about food addiction, try this intimate and powerful group experience focused on helping you better understand the root of your eating patterns.March 3-10.

Diabetes Empowerment with Elizabeth Huggins. This unique retreat will take the confusion out of diabetes management and leave you feeling empowered with a variety of activities and lectures.

Elizabeth Huggins, H3’s Registered Dietitian, has been a Certified Diabetes Educator for over twenty years. March 10-17. At Hilton Head Health - Weight Loss Resort and Health Spa, 14 Valencia Rd, Hilton Head Island. For reservations, call 866-368-1857.

FARMERS MARKET OF BLUFFTON: Fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants and herbs abound at the Farmers Market of Bluffton, a weekly community event where locals and tourists gather not only to buy excellent produce but also to enjoy delicious food, listen to entertainment, and relax with friends. 2-6 p.m.

Thursdays, 40 Calhoun St., Bluffton.

843-415-2447.

April 13 TASTE OF BLUFFTON STREET FESTIVAL: A Southern celebration of food; those older than 21 must purchase admission ticket, which includes wristbands for entry and one beverage ticket.

Purchase samples of delicious food from various local restaurants and enjoy some shopping with local vendors. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 50 Calhoun St., Bluffton. tasteofbluffton.com.

HILTON HEAD FARMERS MARKET: Take home fresh produce, pasture raised chicken, free-range rabbit, pork, seafood, salsa, fresh sausage, cookies, breads, she-crab soup and much more. Shopping at the Hilton Head Farmers Market is about more than getting great food. It is also about meeting friends, strengthening community, and rebuilding the local food economy.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island.

843-689-6767, ext. 226 or coastaldiscovery.org.

bike. $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 10 and older. 10 a.m.

Wednesdays, leaving from 137 Squire Pope Road, Hilton Head Island. heritagelib.org.

HISTORIC TOURS BY BICYCLE: Take a ride along the waterfront corridor of Squire Pope Road and learn about Hilton Head Island’s unique and rich history, including its Native American history, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gullah community and more. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and is safe, casual and fun. Helmets are required; bug spray and water are suggested. Bring your own

ADULT PAINT AND PLAY: Paint and Play is an adult wine and paint night of fun entertainment for all skill levels — no experience needed.

Relax, unwind and let out your inner creativity as artist Kristin Griffis helps you create your own finished piece of artwork. Thursdays, Art League Academy, 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843842-5738 or artleaguehhi.org.

TEA TIME AT ROSE HILL MANSION: Experience afternoon tea at a beautiful plantation house in the Lowcountry. Selections include custom crafted teas, elegant finger sandwiches and heavenly desserts.

Small groups or large groups welcome; reservations are required. $40 per person. 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Rose Hill Mansion, 199 Rose Hill Way, Bluffton. 843-757-6046.

FISHING & CRABBING LESSONS: Ben Green with Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on Squire Pope Road will offer a free missionary program that teaches children fishing and crabbing skills.

4 p.m. Saturdays, Rowing & Sailing Center, 137 Squire Pope Road, Hilton Head Island. 843-816-0172.

GUIDED TOURS OF HEYWARD HOUSE MUSEUM AND WELCOME CENTER: The museum offers guided tours of the four-room Carolina farmhouse and two outbuildings, which are filled with interesting artifacts and furnishings from the late 1800s into the 1920s. Tours last approximately 45 minutes to an hour and are offered as visitors arrive unless previously scheduled. $10; reservations are not required except for groups of 10 or more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Heyward House Museum and Welcome Center, 70 Boundary St., Bluffton. heywardhouse.org.

DEAS GUYZ AT THE JAZZ CORNER: Deas Guyz features an entertaining mix of Motown, R&B, pop, rock, reggae and dance beats. $10. 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Sundays, The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

“FAT TUESDAYS — A SWINGIN’ CELEBRATION OF NEW ORLEANS & BEYOND”: The Jazz Corner Ensemble features pianist Eric Jones, bassist Dave Masteller and percussionist Chris Russell, with rotating special guests including saxophonist Dean St. Hillaire, trumpeter James Berry and more. $7. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Tuesdays, The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

“JAZZ IN THE KEY OF LIFE”: Pianist and vocalist Lavon Stevens is joined by drummer Jimmy Charles, bassist/vocalist Clarence Williams and rotating weekly special guests including vocalist Louise Spencer, saxophonist Stutz Wimmer, guitarist Jimmy Ward and more. $7. 7:3010:30 p.m. Thursdays, The Jazz

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HILTON HEAD DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS “TERPSICHORE”

H

ilton Head Dance Theatre will present classical and conte mpora ry da nce “Terpsichore,” named after the Greek muse of dance, at 7:30 p.m. April 6 and 2:30 p.m. April 7.

The program will open with “Concerto,” a high energy, neo-classical ballet choreographed by Karena Brock-Carlyle to Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The middle portion of the program features contemporary works beginning with a new ballet by Jamal Edwards, “Prism,” set to the music of Philip Glass. Former Broadway dance captain Kathleen Watkins will stage the iconic Fosse piece “Crunchy Granola Suite” from the Broadway show “Dancin’,” inspired by the hit single by Neil Diamond. The program will conclude with “Snow White,” a one-act ballet choreographed by Brock-Carlyle and John Carlyle. It was inspired by the classic fairy tale and is set to the music of Mark Knopfler.

Performances are at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for children 18 and younger. For more information or to buy tickets, call 843-842-2787 or go to artshhi.com.

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ONGOING GOLF CLINICS FOR ALL AGES: Group and individual golf programs for adults and juniors led by PGA professional Jeff Picus of Excel and Enjoy Golf Academy. Registration is required. Times vary, Country Club of Hilton Head, Hilton Head Island. 843-295-8888 or classapro@pga.com.

Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

Thursdays. Ocean Lounge, Sea Pines Beach Club, Hilton Head Island. 842-843-1888.

MONDAY NIGHT EXHIBITION: Join us for an exciting tennis demonstration with valuable tips, refreshments, prize drawings, and our traditional fishbowl sale. Sponsored

by Sea Pines Real Estate, Prince, Adidas and Wilson. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays until Aug. 26, Sea Pines Racquet Club, 5 Lighthouse Lane, Hilton Head Island. 843- 363-4495.

HISTORY CLASSES AT HERITAGE LIBRARY: $15 for Heritage Library members; $20 for non-members. 10:30 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Heritage Library, 2 Corpus Christi Suite 100, Hilton Head Island.

843-686-6560.

JAZZ BY THE SEA: Modern and classic jazz by the Mike Barbara Trio in one of Hilton Head’s most beautiful venues. Featuring pianist Bill Peterson. 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays and

ANCESTRY CLASSES AT HERITAGE LIBRARY: $15 for Heritage Library members; $20 for non-members. 12:30-2:30 p.m. The Heritage Library, 2 Corpus Christi Suite 100, Hilton Head Island. 843-686-6560.

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events

April 7, 2019 M 3:00 PM - 8:00 P

Bluffton Chamber Young Professionals

Meet-up

March 6, 2019 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

EST

To purchase Sta tion 300 tickets go to MyLowcountrytix.com 25 Innovation Dr.

››After Dark

The Beat Goes On for 20 Years JAZZ CORNER MARKS TWO DECADES OF WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES

BY NICOLE SCHULTZ | PHOTO BYLLOYD WAINSCOTT

F

or 20 years, some of the biggest names in jazz have flocked to Hilton Head Island to perform at The Jazz Corner, tucked away in The Village at Wexford. Since its opening in 1999, the restaurant has been a cornerstone of island entertainment, evidence of how one man’s vision can influence the community around him.

The Jazz Corner was the longtime dream of the late Bob Masteller, a jazz aficionado and businessman who moved to Hilton Head in 1973 with his wife, Lois, and their two children.

He worked with Charles Fraser as the vice president of human resources at the Sea Pines Co. for 12 years, but his heart played a different song.

“It was always Bob’s dream to own a club someday,” Lois said, and in 1999, he made that dream a reality.

Son David Masteller, now the vice president of The Jazz Corner, said the club’s beginning wasn’t easy: “People thought my dad was crazy. They would shake their heads and say it wouldn’t last six months.”

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Fast-forward 20 years, and it’s clear the nay-sayers were wrong. From industry legends to rising stars, The Jazz Corner has hosted renowned musicians from around the world: George Shearing; Freddy Cole; Mose Allison; The Vaché Brothers; Dean Martin’s daughter, Deana Martin; Christian Tamburr and many more. Others are lining up to take the stage; Lois and David recently returned from an international jazz cruise, where they say some of the biggest names in jazz asked about performing at The Jazz Corner.

“It’s incredible that one man’s dream — a room with great jazz music — would be talked about by people around the world,” David said. “We’ve been fortunate to work with a little bit of everyone, from older legends to the next generation of musicians.”

But the road to success was paved with unique challenges, Lois said.

“The first 10 years were not easy,” she said. “For starters, we were difficult to find, hidden in a corner of a shopping center.”

There was no Yelp or Facebook page to point tourists in the club’s

direction, and it’s not exactly the kind of location that garnered foot traffic. “There was no sign on the street and a dirt road behind Wexford, but Bob had a vision.”

Over time, the club expanded its menu and marketing strategies, booking big-band jazz performers that were both enjoyable and easy to understand. In 2004, the Mastellers took their love of jazz one step further, forming The Junior Jazz Foundation to help aspiring young musicians explore their passions— by buying instruments for schools, paying for music lessons, and hosting classes with professional musicians at the annual Hilton Head Island Jazz Camp. For ages 12-20, the camp regularly draws more than 100 students from many states.

Kelli Lesch, who has been with The Jazz Corner since day one, is the club’s longtime manager and has been a driving force in helping the club flourish. Her steady hand is behind the authentic big city nightclub atmosphere, where the room is low lit, intimate, elegant and sophisticated.

Bob Masteller passed away in 2015, but his family and the many

musicians and staff members who loved The Jazz Corner were determined that the club would continue his legacy.

“The Jazz Corner is a family establishment,” Lois said. “It has an intimate home feeling, all because of our wonderful and committed staff.”

Chef Wade Haase and his culinary team strive to ensure that guests’ dining experiences at The Jazz Corner are as outstanding as the music presented.

Author Martin McFie said it’s no surprise The Jazz Corner has become a haven for music lovers both near and far.

“Bob Masteller was a man of vision, always thinking ahead and an integral part of the development of the island for over 40 years,” said McFie, the author of “The Jazz Corner Story,” based on lecture notes, historical research and hours of conversations with the Mastellers. “When they began, the Mastellers drew up a seemingly impossible bucket list of the very best jazz musicians and slowly, one by one, they have featured everyone on the list.

Now a new list is being written.”

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››Dining

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DIRECTORY

Outdoor Dining LOOKING TO DINE ALFRESCO IN THE LOWCOUNTRY? HERE ARE SOME PLACES TO TRY OUT.

Patio

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Aunt Chilada’s 843-785-7700 British Open Pub - HHI 843-686-6736 Carolina Crab Company 843-842-2016 CharBar Co 843-785-2427 Chow Daddy’s 843-842-CHOW CQ’s 843-671-2779 Delisheeyo 843-785-3633 FISH Casual Coastal Seafood 843-342-3474 French Bakery 843-342-5420 Gusto Ristorante New! 843-802-2424 Hinchey’s 843-686-5959 Island Bagel & Deli 843-686-3353 It’s Greek to Me 843-842-4033 Jane Bistro & Bar 843-686-5696 Kenny B’s Seafood 843-785-3315 Munchies 843-785-3354 Nick’s Steak & Seafood 843-686-2920 Palmetto Bay Sun Rise Cafe 843-686-3232 Reilley’s North End Pub 843-681-4153 Reilley’s Grill & Bar 843-842-4414 Sea Shack 843-785-2464 Street Meet 843-842-2570 Subway - South 843-785-7800

BLUFFTON Agave Side Bar Amigos, Bluffton Bluffton Brauhaus British Open Pub Calhoun Street Tavern Captain Woody's Chow Daddy’s Cinco Mexican Grill FARM Bluffton The Pearl Kitchen & Bar Subway - Baylor Dr Subway - Buckwalter Truffles - Bluffton Twisted European Bakery Zeppelin’s at Station 300

843-757-9190 843-815-8226 843-757-3334 843-815-6736 843-757-4334 843-757-6222 843-757-CHOW 843-815-2233 843-707-2041 843-757-5511 843-706-5600 843-706-3031 843-815-5551 843-757-0033 843-815-2695

Waterview

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

CocoNutz Sportz Bar The Crazy Crab, Jarvis Creek ELA’s On the Water Fishcamp on Broad Creek Mediterranean Harbour Old Fort Pub Old Oyster Factory Salty Dog Café San Miguel’s Up the Creek Pub & Grill

843-842-0043 843-681-5021 843-785-3030 843-842-2267 843-842-9991 843-681-2386 843-681-6040 843-671-CAFE 843-842-4555 843-681-3625

Golf View

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Big Jim’s

855-878-1966

Rooftop

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Santa Fe Cafe

843-785-3838

Deck

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Alexander’s 843-785-4999 Captain Woody's 843-785-2400 Flatbread Grill & Bar 843-341-2225 Frosty Frog Cafe & Pizza 843-686-3764 Local Pie 843-842-7437 Red Fish 843-686-3388 Rockfish at Bomboras 843-689-2662 March 2019 159

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STACK'S of Hilton Head

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF FAMILY, FRIENDS & TRADITIONS

BY CARRIE HIRSCH | PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN

T

he motto of this family-owned business is “there are no strangers at Stack’s, only friends we haven’t met yet.” This welcoming philosophy continues as Randy and Debbie Harvey celebrate their 15th year this spring at Stack’s Pancakes and More.Their daughter Kimberli and her husband Michael joined the team five years ago. They continue to offer a warm and friendly atmosphere and menu items with high quality ingredients.

The restaurant retains a Southern influence and generous portions.

Three generations work at Stack’s, making it a true family restaurant.

Kimberli and Michael’s son Jacob is a manager and their daughter Leigh works during school breaks while attending Clemson University. Jacob shared: “I’m excited to continue the family tradition, to work alongside my parents and to have the opportunity to learn from my grandparents, who have worked so hard over the years.”

Randy is thrilled that his family shares his passion for good food and great customer service.

“Having the Martin family join the management team insures that the mission of Stack’s will continue well into the future,” he said. “This is more than Debbie and I could have imagined Stack’s ever becoming.”

Randy and Debbie are grateful for blessings over the past 14 years, including a loyal and supportive customer base and “the absolute BEST STAFF we have worked with in our 48-year restaurant career.”

“The restaurant’s customers and staff have become true friends,” Debbie said.

The words “thankful” and “grateful” keep coming up in conversations with the family.

“Our staff and guests are more than employees and customers, they are

‘‘

OUR STAFF AND GUESTS ARE MORE THAN EMPLOYEES AND

family... we are so very fortunate to have these wonderful people in our lives,” Kimberli said.

She has channeled her appreciation into innovative dishes that keep customers coming back to Stack’s. A trip to Stack’s has become a tradition shared by locals and visitors alike for breakfast items such as pancakes, waffles, omelets, fresh fruit crepes and eggs Benedict. Signature creations like the Crème Brûlée French Toast, their famous Shrimp & Grits, Catfish Grits & Greens, the South Carolina Omelet and the Southern Comfort are favorites on the menu. Lunch is also popular with burgers, huge salads, pimento cheese and fried green tomato sandwiches, wraps and baskets. Gluten free, dairy free, vegan and low carb options are available. Stack’s is also kid-friendly and offers a fun and entertaining Three generations of the Harvey and Martin children’s menu. families work at The Stack’s Stack's. team gives back

CUSTOMERS, THEY ARE FAMILY... WE ARE SO VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES.

– KIMBERLI

MARTIN

to the Lowcountry community by partnering with many local nonprofit organizations.

“It is very important to us as a business and a family to support our community and to give back to the area that has supported us over the years,” Kimberli said.

Stack’s co-sponsors an annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser, supports the local art community with the “Got Art?” event, donates to several fundraising silent auction events and contributes to holiday food and toy drives. That’s gratitude in action.

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Drink up

ANNUAL WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL OFFERS A WEEK OF TASTINGS

BY CARMEN MONEYHAN

M

ore than 3,500 people are expected to flock to the Lowcountry for the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, to be held March 11-17. The annual event offers a week of wine education classes, celebrity chef dinners, wine dinners and large-scale wine tastings, as well as the Sip and Stroll on March 14, Grand Tasting on March 15 and Public Tasting on March 16, where more than 25 wine tents will feature more than 250 wines, cooking demonstrations, a silent auction, delicious food and live music.

Wines featured at the festival come from all over the world, and food vendors and chefs will suggest pairings that will complement their dishes. The weeklong event is the perfect opportunity to explore a wide variety of wines — and if you discover one you love, bottles will be available to purchase.

The Public Tasting is the biggest event of the festival and is lauded as the largest outdoor public wine tasting on the East Coast.

Wine representatives from domestic and international vineyards will be on hand to share their expertise. Gates open at 11 a.m., with wine pouring beginning at noon and ending at 3 p.m. The Bartender’s Challenge, always a crowd-pleaser at the event, will start at 11 a.m.

There also will be food for purchase and mixology demonstrations. It's great fun, but a few words to the wise: choose a designated driver or take taxi or Uber, pace yourself and take advantage of the water stations. And all attendees must be 21 or older.

IF YOU GO The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival will be held March 11-17 in Harbour Town. For more information and tickets: hiltonheadwineandfood.com.

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››Dining news STARBUCKS AT SHELTER COVE

PHOTO BY JESSICA CARTER

Starbucks plans to open doors to their new storefront in Shelter Cove in March. The coffeeshop will be located near the Kroger Fuel Center.

The new Starbucks will feature a 2,500 squarefoot storefront and include a drive-thru.

FARM BLUFFTON PRESENTS OYSTER ROAST TO BENEFIT SOUTHERN FOODWAYS ALLIANCE Chef Brandon Carter and the team from FARM will host an afternoon of food, drinks, music and fundraising on March 3. To raise money for the Southern Food Alliance, an organization that documents, studies and explores the diverse food cultures of the changing American South. Guests will enjoy oysters from Bluffton Oyster Company, as well as a variety of original dishes by chef Carter and other local and regional chefs. The oyster roast will take place from 4-7 p.m and tickets are $100 per person plus tax. The event will be held at a private home on the May River. For more information and tickets: Farmbluffton.com.

TASTE OF BLUFFTON, RESTAURANT WEEK SET FOR APRIL Planning is underway for the seventh annual Taste of Bluffton, a festival celebrating the sights and flavors of the Lowcountry. This year’s event, to be held April 13, will include a cooking contest for people who aren’t professional chefs, a waiter’s race and a battle of the bands.

It’s a day of fun for the whole family in Bluffton Village, sponsored by the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 843-757-1010 or go to blufftonchamberofcommerce.org.

In addition, the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the town’s first-ever Restaurant Week from April 7-13, featuring six to eight local restaurants. The event will kick off April 7 at Hampton Lake, where local chefs will serve tapas-style dishes in five different locations throughout the community. Proceeds will support the chamber and Bluffton Self Help. For more information, go to tasteofbluffton.com.

HOOK & REEL COMING TO BLUFFTON

A new restaurant called Hook & Reel will open at the site of The Brick Chicken in Bluffton. A seafood restaurant with a Cajun twist, Hook & Reel will open in the shopping center near the intersection of S.C. 46 and U.S. 278 that also houses Best Buy and Five Guys. The franchised restaurant also has locations in New York, Massachusetts and Maryland, according to its website.

Highlights from the restaurant include snow crab legs, shrimp, clams, mussels, lobster and crawfish tossed in sauces such as original Cajun, garlic butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon pepper.

BLUFFTON’S JUICE HIVE WINS NATIONAL AWARD The Juice Hive won first place at the Good Food Awards for its Magic Memory Ball. Each year, the national Good Food Awards honors those throughout the country who make food that is delicious, respectful of the environment and connected to communities and cultural traditions. Juice Hive’s owner and chef, Leslie Rohland, describes the Memory Ball as a snack that is both tasty and that may enhance mental function and improve memory. It’s made with organic fruits and nuts, as well as a variety of herbal infusions.

NEW ITALIAN EATERY OPENS ON HILTON HEAD MidiCi’s Italian Kitchen has opened on Hilton Head Island. The new restaurant is located in the former Hilton Head Brewing Company location at Reilley’s Plaza. MidiCi’s features specialty non-GMO pizzas. The menu also includes calzones, salads, cheese boards and pasta. There are multiple MidiCi Italian Kitchens throughout the country.

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Restaurants Brought to you by Monthly, Fork & Fun and Vacation Guide

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Best Wings, Best Fish & Chips, Homemade Soups, Salads with Fresh Local Produce, Vegetarian Menu, Seafood. Port Royal Plaza, 843-842-2570, streetmeethhi.com

HILTON HEAD – NORTH END Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek nG Visit the Crazy Crab and enjoy genuine service and fresh seafood; a Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years! Menus feature crab clusters, local oysters, seafood “your way,” king crab, fresh local shrimp and more. Dine in the heart of Sea Pines at Harbour Town. Large parties welcome. Children’s menu available. Highway 278 (near Mile Marker 1), 843-681-5021, thecrazycrab.com Gator’z Pizza G Be sure to stop by Gator’z Pizza and order the “Bigly” MEGA Pizza. It’s 400 square inches of pizza perfection! These delicious square pizzas are available for both dine in and take out. Remember that you get more with a square pizza-just to do the math! Pie R Square! 40 Folly Field Road. HHI Beach & Tennis Resort, 843-842-0043 CocoNutz Sportz Bar Ga Open to the public. Imagine your favorite sporting events shown on dual 125” high-definition screens and 18 other TV’s tuned in to every sporting event imaginable. That’s what you will find at CocoNutz. $12 buckets of domestic beer, darts and pool. If you get hungry, we have the “Island’s Best Wings,” 1st place at Wingfest 2017, craft burgers and brews, prime rib. 40 Folly Field Road, HHI Beach & Tennis Resort, 843-842-0043

HILTON HEAD – MID-ISLAND Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar G

Il Carpaccio nG Il Carpaccio serves a wide variety of authentic Italian cuisine, ranging from the highly regarded cuisine of Northern Italy to genuine crispy, thincrust, Italian-style pizza. Casual, attractive restaurant, with large, attractive bar and a genuine brick oven (imported from Italy) for baking pizza. Attractive new additional dining room perfect for group functions. 200A Museum St. (Across from Walmart), 843-342-9949

Old Fort Pub G}

Dine indoors or outside on the patio, the Old Fort Pub offers beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway and is the only AAA Four Diamond Restaurant on Hilton Head. (Won 11 times!) Enjoy “new south” favorites with influences from around the globe. Try the “Pub and Patio” menu offering smaller portions of Old Fort Pub’s signature entrees.

Reservations Recommended. 65 Skull Creek Drive, 843-681-2386, OldFortPub.com

Reilley’s North End Pub nGa Munchies nG A true American deli and ice cream shop that only uses Boar's Head meats, cheeses and Nathan's famous all-beef hot dogs.

Menu items include paninis, wraps, salads, homemade quiche, soups and more. Satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade chocolate candy, fudge, baked goods and premium ice cream.

Gluten-free bread/wraps; vegan and vegetarian options. 1407 Main Street, Main Street Village, 843-785-3354

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Operated by the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort family. Chef de Cuisine Sean Carroll introduces an updated summer menu using seasonal ingredients with a strong emphasis on seafood while paying homage to Alexander’s original favorites. Dinner is available from 5–10pm seven days a week. 76 Queens Folly Rd. (Palmetto Dunes), 843-785-4999, alexandersrestaurant.com

A genuine island institution, Reilley’s has been serving up steaks, seafood, pasta & sandwiches for more than 35 years.

Specials include Monday Night Lobster and Friday and Saturday Prime Rib; reservations required. Kids eat free Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entrée. 95 Mathews Dr. (Port Royal Plaza), 843-681-4153, reilleysnorth.com

Street Meet: The American Tavern nGa “Sidewalk Sandwiches from America’s Favorite Street Corners™” Street Meet specializes in homemade versions of regional American bar food. Voted: People’s Choice Awards Best Bar 2015, Island’s Best Hot Dog.

Alfred’s Restaurant G Longtime island chef Alfred Kettering learned to prepare classical European cuisine at the Rhein School of Culinary Arts in Germany and some of the best hotels in Switzerland and Holland. His cuisine combines many appealing elements of classic Continental and authentic German cuisine. Tempting seafood and meat entrées, plus hot and cold appetizers, soups and salads. Casually elegant seating, plus a chef’s counter overlooking the open kitchen. Reservations recommended. Plantation Center (Hwy. 278, near Palmetto Dunes), 843-341-3117, www.alfredshiltonhead.com Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza nG

Located inside the Robert Trent Jones Clubhouse, Big Jim’s offers signature Southern dishes, gourmet burgers, grilled pizzas, homemade soups, salads, seafood, steaks and falloff-the-bone ribs. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Seasonal live entertainment. Big screen TVs and outdoor seating make Big Jim’s the perfect spot to watch sports.

Take-out and catering available. 7 Trent Jones Ln. (Palmetto Dunes), 855-878-1966, palmettodunes.com/big-jims

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ELA’S Blu Water Grille n G

Fresh catch seafood and prime cut steaks of the highest quality, artfully prepared by their team of culinary experts, compliment the extensive boutique wine selection. Overlooking Shelter Cove marina and Broad Creek, ELA’S offers the island’s best water views. A casual intimate interior, wrap around patio, and nightly entertainment provide the perfect dining experience or location to host events & private parties. Reservations recommended. 1 Shelter Cove Ln. (Shelter Cove), 843-785-3030, elasgrille.com

Bistro 17 nG

Excellent French bistro-style food. Indoors, the intimate restaurant boasts crisp white tablecloths, a huge wooden wine rack, and an overall cozy atmosphere. The spacious outdoor patio directly overlooks Shelter Cove Harbour. Fresh seafood is delivered six days a week. A children’s menu and reservations are available. Dog-friendly 17-D Harbourside Ln. (Shelter Cove Marina), 843-785-5517, bistro17hhi.com

Fishcamp on Broad Creek nGa

Fishcamp’s menu consists of mainly seafood and American cuisine, including steak and lobster. The main attraction is the outdoor bar and open patio. The restaurant is family friendly, and offers corn hole and a children’s menu. The history of the fish camp is legendary, and the venue embodies the rich Native Islander culture of Hilton Head Island. Pet-friendly outdoor pavilion.

11 Simmons Road (Adjacent to Broad Creek Marina), 843-842-2267, fishcamphhi.com

Flora’s Italian Cafe G Family-owned by a dynamic European couple and their son. The husband is a renowned chef, having cooked for several heads of state, while the wife is an excellent pastry chef. Wide selection of appetizers, tempting entrées include pastas, seafood, chops and veal, and wonderful homemade desserts. Selection of wines from California, Italy & Australia. Reservations recommended. 841 Wm Hilton Pkwy., 843-842-8200, florasitaliancafe.com The French Bakery & Courtyard Café gn Have breakfast or lunch inside or outdoors in this bakery/ café. Broad range of crepes, omelets, breads, baguette and grilled panini sandwiches, salads, soups, quiches and lots of wonderful pastries. The restaurant prides itself in the production of some of the finest bakery products in the region by using traditional French recipes, baking methods and imported French ingredients. 28 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 120, 843-342-5420, frenchbakeryhiltonhead.com Island Bagel & Delign

The only real New York style boiled bagels made from scratch daily on the island. Choose from 16 flavors of bagels, 12 flavors of home-made cream cheese and a variety of fresh baked pastries and breakfast sandwiches. For lunch try the specialty hoagies or your favorite deli classic sandwiches and salads. Catering available and call-ins welcome. Breakfast and lunch daily. South Island Square, 843-686-3353, islandbagelanddeli.com

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Jamaica Joe’z Beach Bar n G

San Miguel’s nG Located directly on the harbour at Shelter Cove and provides islanders and visitors with good food and fun. Extensive California/Mexican menu. Try San Miguel’s Fish Tacos. The staff is especially proud of the fajitas and chimichangas. The Especiales de la Casa are popular favorites. Lunch and dinner served 7 days a week. Casual dress. 9 Harbourside Ln. (Shelter Cove Harbour), 843-842-4555, sanmiguels.com

Open 7 days. Jamaica Joe’z is steps from the beach and a great place to kick back, snack on some pork nachos or a burger, and cool off with a frozen cocktail, ice cold beer or a soft drink. If you are not a guest at the Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort, simply pay $5 for a pass and you will be rewarded with $5 in Jamaica Joe’z bucks. Find them online at: www.hhibeachandtennis.com. or Like them on Facebook at: Facebook.com/JamaicaJoezBeachBar. 40 Folly Field Rd., Mid-island, 843-842-0043

Jane Bistro & Bar nG

The owners of Wren Bistro in Beaufort opened Jane Bistro & Bar, serving classic bistro fare with Lowcountry influences.

Favorites include the jumbo lump crab cakes, toasted pecan cranberry chicken salad, crispy flounder and petit filet mignon with pommes frites. There is spacious outdoor patio seating and a Kids Menu with healthful selections. Open 7 days a week. 28 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 109 (Shelter Cove Towne Centre), 843-686-5696, janehhi.com

Mediterranean Harbour Bar & Grill nGa

Simon Mikhael has brought Lebanese cuisine to Hilton Head. For those unfamiliar with Lebanese cuisine, most dishes are grilled or baked and use ingredients like lemon, garlic, parsley, olive oil and spices. Enjoy their indoor and outdoor seating with a full service bar. Open daily and serving lunch. Shelter Cove Harbour, 843-842-9991, mediterraneanharbour.com

Old Oyster Factory Ga Panoramic marsh and water views. Specializing in fresh seafood and some of the best steaks on Hilton Head. Recently recommended in “Off the Beaten Track” column of The Wall Street Journal. Recipient of Wine Spectator magazine’s “Award of Excellence” for the wine list and knowledge of wine. Children’s menu available. Casual dress. Reservations accepted.

101 Marshland Rd., 843-681-6040, OldOysterFactory.com Ruan Thai Cuisine nG

Bunruan Suphata (Ruan), a native of Thailand, cooks authentic Thai fare based upon the cuisine of central Thailand. It ranges from curries to seafood to duck. Everything is prepared from scratch. Portions are generous. Lunch (informal) is served Monday-Saturday, and dinner (complete with white tablecloths) seven days a week. A children’s menu, take-out and dinner reservations are available. 811 Wm. Hilton Pkwy., 843-785-8575, myruanthai.com

Santa Fe Cafe nG Enjoy casually elegant dining in a longtime (20-plus years) island favorite that captures the spirit of New Mexico. Signature items include Parmesan Chipotle Grouper (written up in Tennis magazine), 24-ounce bone-in ribeye steaks, fajitas made with filet mignon, and Painted Desert Soup.

Only authentic New Mexican chilies are used. 807 Wm. Hilton Pkwy. (Plantation Center, by Palmetto Dunes), 843-785-3838, santafecafeofhiltonhead.com

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Sea Grass Grille G American and Lowcountry Continental cuisine. Chef Chad, a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America of Hyde Park, New York, brings 38 years of hands-on culinary expertise. More than 50 wines by the glass. Winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence since 2012. Kids menu.

Reservations accepted. 807 Wm. Hilton Pkwy. (Plantation Center, by Palmetto Dunes), 843-785-9990, seagrassgrille.com Up the Creek Pub & Grill nGa Located on Broad Creek with a great view of the marina, boats & Broad Creek. This popular lowcountry hideaway offers casual waterfront dining on their decks. Known for smoked wings, hush puppies, house specialty buffalo chicken dip, beer selection and the best burgers on the Island. Kids menu available. Dogs are welcome. 18 Simmons Rd. (Broad Creek Marina), 843681-3625, upthecreekpubandgrill.com HILTON HEAD – SOUTH END Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Café nG

Excellent Tex-Mex and American fare is their specialty. Enjoy the all-you-can-eat crab legs, sizzling fajitas, & delicious margaritas. Kids menu available. Casual dress. Reservations & large parties welcome. Private dining/event area. Live entertainment (seasonally) on the covered patio; Delicious wings, fajitas and to-go party package menu available. 69 Pope Avenue, 843-785-7700, auntchiladashhi.com

Big Bamboo n G a Where the South Pacific meets the Carolina Coast just steps from the beach, escape to the Big Bamboo Cafe. A long-running, casual hangout with a local vibe and a menu of burgers, seafood and festive libations. Come for the food, stay for the live entertainment! 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Coligny Plaza, 843-686-3443, www.bigbamboocafe.com British Open Pub n G Family friendly pub style restaurants featuring authentic English food with additional American favorites and certified Angus beef. Try the signature fish and chips along with other British fare, including shepherd’s pie, steak and mushroom pie, lobster pot pie and bangers and mash. Casual dress. Village at Wexford, 843-686-6736, thebritishopenpub.com Carolina Crab Company nG

Boasting water views, C3 prides themselves on great, fresh seafood at an affordable price in a family-friendly atmosphere. The menu offers an array of seafood; from light & healthy peel-neat shrimp, to giant Po Boys, burgers, Maine lobster and crab legs. Pet-friendly outside bar and patio. 86 Helmsman Way, 843-842-2016, carolinacrabco.com

Catch 22 G Catch 22 opened in 2001 and is locally owned by Chef Bryan, Gary & Penny Duren and Daisy Bobinchuck. Dinner is served nightly from 5 pm. Early Dining Menu has a choice of 8 entrees with a salad choice & soft drink from 5:00– 6:00 pm. Happy hour at the Bar is from 5:006:30. All of our beef is aged 28 days, U.S.D.A prime, hand selected and cut in house. Take Out, Children’s Menu and Catering Available. Menu Items and Pricing Change Seasonally. 37 New Orleans Rd, Orleans Plaza near Sea Pines Circle, 843-785-6261. catch22hhi.com.

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Charbar Co. n G Voted Top 16 Burgers in the World at the World Burger Championship. Pick a bread, a protein, veggies, and toppings and Charbar will whip up a custom-built burger that will blow your mind. Voted Hilton Heads Best Burger in the Islands Readers Choice 2012-2018, Hilton Head Monthly 20132017. Find sandwiches, salads and drink specials daily. 33 Office Park Road, Suite 213 (Park Plaza), 843-785-CHAR (2427), charbar.co Captain Woody’s n G a Enjoy “Fresh Seafood, Cold Beer & Great Happy Hour & Still A Locals Favorite For Over 30 Years!” They have dining inside and outside on the patio, with friendly owners and staff which adds up to a great place to eat. Captain Woody’s serves a wide variety of fresh seafood, great signature sandwiches, award winning soups and salads all at affordable prices. Hilton Head: 6 Target Rd., (off of Palmetto Bay Rd.), 843-785-2400 ChowDaddy’s nG Chow Daddy’s offers a wide variety of unique menu items focusing on buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations. Enjoy avocado toast with a kale and quinoa salad or you can dive in to the pork sliders, a house ground rib eye burger, or their famous smoked fried chicken. Serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Call for Priority Seating Take out available. 14b Executive Park Rd., Hilton Head (off of Pope Ave.), 843-757CHOW(2469), chowdaddys.com

Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse G A unique, all-you-can eat “Churrascaria.” Enjoy a full salad bar with over 30 items, 6 Brazilian hot dishes and a “parade” of 16 USDA Prime cuts of beef, lamb, chicken and pork carved at your table by their gauchos. Featuring a full bar, an eclectic wine list and their famous Brazilian drink “caipirinha.” Beautifully decorated restaurant featuring Chihuly lighting. 1000 Wm. Hilton Parkway B-6, 843-715-3565, cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com

Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte G Don’t let the French name intimidate you; think of a fun, irreverent friend who happens to be a fabulous chef. Open since 1982, Charlie’s, an island favorite among locals and tourists alike, writes its menu daily based on the freshest seafood available. The dinner menu offers an array of 14 fresh fish, rack of lamb, filet mignon and more. An extensive wine list specializes in California cabs, Oregon pinot noir, Rhone Valley & Bordeaux. 8 New Orleans Road, 843-785-9277, charliesgreenstar.com CQ’s Restaurant nG SInce 1973 CQ’s combines fine dining, an intimate atmosphere and a touch of Hilton Head history. Signature dishes inspired by the abundant varieties of fresh seafood, beef and game. Craft your own unique menu at The Chef’s Table (by special arrangement). The “Bistro” menu offers smaller portions of CQ’s signature entrees. Children’s menus and take-out are available.

140 Lighthouse Rd., 843-671-2779, CQsRestaurant.com

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Crane’s Tavern Steakhouse & Seafood G A great destination for steak and seafood lovers, serving cuts of only USDA Prime grade beef, including their Famous Prime Rib. Excellent selection of fresh fish, seafood and pasta dishes.

Recipient of Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence. Everything, from dressings to dessert, that can be is homemade. Reservations appreciated. 26 New Orleans Rd. (near Sea Pines Circle), 843-341-2333, cranestavern.com Crazy Crab Harbour Town nG Visit either Crazy Crab location and enjoy genuine service and fresh seafood; a Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years! Menus feature crab clusters, local oysters, seafood “your way,” king crab, fresh local shrimp and more. Dine among beautiful, waterfront sunsets at Jarvis Creek, or in the heart of Sea Pines at Harbour Town. Large parties welcome. Children’s menu available.

Harbour Town: In the Sea Pines Resort, 843-363-2722, thecrazycrab.com Delisheeyo n G Vegetarian. Delisheeyo owner Blake Wearren set out to create a place for people to escape for lunch. The fruit and veggie smoothies are a quick meal by themselves.

Their Buddha Bowls, consisting of steamed grain and healthy toppings of your choice, is a favorite of the regulars. Delisheeyo’s mission is to provide meals that you can trust, that are real, and healthy. 32 Palmetto Bay Road, 843-785-3633, delisheeeyo.com

Dough Boys Pizza nG

Offering various house made crusts: traditional hand tossed, thin crust and thick Sicilian. The Create-Your-Own-Chopped Salad has over 40 different items to choose from. Specialty subs include a Philly cheesesteak that makes Pat & Geno jealous, a secret recipe meatball sub, all served on Amoroso rolls. Dine In, Takeout and Island Wide Delivery. 1 New Orleans Rd., 843686-2697, DoughBoysHHI.com

FISH Seafood & Raw Bar G FISH Seafood & Raw Bar places a premium on sourcing delicious seafood from local sources and lightly preparing it with a deep respect for regional foodways and Lowcountry culinary history. Their courteous and knowledgeable staff can guide you on a journey of inspired seafood dishes in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. Live entertainment at the FISH Bowl music venue. 1 N Forest Beach Dr. (Coligny Plaza), 843-342-3474, gofishhhi.com Flatbread Grill & Bar nG Upscale, casual dining. Enjoy Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta, gourmet salads, burgers, wraps, hardy flatbread sandwiches and a great selection of entrées. Dough and sauces are freshly made on the premises. Local produce is used as available. 2 North Forest Beach Dr. (Beach Market Center), 843-341-2225, flatbreadgrillhhi.com Frosty Frog Cafe & Pizza nGa

Dine inside or out on the large patio w/retractable roof & live acoustic music nightly. Enjoy daiquiris, wine, beer & a full liquor bar; an extensive menu includes burgers, crabcakes, salads, wraps, pizza, calzones, crab legs, shrimp, extensive gluten-free options & a kids menu. As Frosty says “Life may not be a party...but we sure act like it.” They offer – NTN TRIVIA. Coligny Plaza, 843-686-FROG (3764), frostyfrog.com

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Holy Tequila n G Voted Hilton Head’s Best Mexican and featured as the Top 6 Mexican Restaurants in South Carolina for 2016. Holy Tequila offers modern Mexican cuisine and features an open kitchen, indoor/outdoor open air seating, and a tequila tasting room. The menu features gourmet tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads and small plates. 33 Office Park Rd., Suite 228 (Park Plaza), 843-681-TACO (8226), holytequila.com

Gruby's gn Gruby's New York Deli, in Hilton Head Island, SC, is the area's leading restaurant serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and surrounding areas since 1986. We offer pastrami, roast beef, brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, corned beef, overstuffed sandwiches, dine in, carry out, delivery, catering and much more. For your next meal, visit Gruby's New York Deli in Hilton Head Island.

843-842-9111, grubysnydeli.com.

Gusto Ristorante G

Now open! Located in the Fresh Market Plaza, Gusto Ristorante brings new flavors from Rome to Hilton Head. 890 Wm. Hilton Parkway, Fresh Market Plaza, 843-802-2424, GustoHiltonHead.com

Hickory Tavern nGa

A Social Gathering Spot: a place where the neighborhood is drawn by a lively bar, great food and a passion for sports and entertainment. Hickory Tavern is the perfect place for a business lunch - or - lunch with the girls. After the kids' baseball game - or - date night with that special someone. Looking to celebrate the day's victories at Happy Hour then Hickory Tavern is right up your alley. 843- 802-0010, thehickorytavern.com.

Hilton Head Diner gnGa One of the island’s only 24-hour restaurants. Modern diner in the tradition of the Northeast, boasting one of Hilton Head’s most extensive menus. All the baking is done on the premises.

Beer, wine and mixed drinks are available. Hilton Head Diner serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Children’s menu and carry-out available. Hwy. 278 at Yacht Cove Dr., 843-686-2400, hiltonheaddiner.com Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill n Ga Hinchey’s has much in common with a sports bar, but is very much of a restaurant, too. It is casual, with beach-goers invited to stop by for lunch, or for drinks or dinner. Dine inside or out. Open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner. 70 Pope Avenue, 843-686-5959, hincheys.com Hinoki Restaurant & Sushi Bar nG

Hinoki serves traditional Japanese dishes such as grilled fish, chicken and steak, sukiyaki, a variety of noodle dishes, tempura, and many daily specials, plus sushi and sashimi. More than 20 entrées. Reservations are recommended for dinner. 37 New Orleans Rd. (Orleans Plaza), 843-785-9800, hinokihhi.com March 2019 171

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It’s Greek To Me n G a

Enjoy the unique taste of genuine Greek cuisine, from gyros to fried calamari to souvlaki to baklava for dessert in one of their cozy dining rooms or expanded patio. Food is prepared with authentic Greek recipes using only the best ingredients and equipment, including the only gyro machines on the island. Greek beer and ouzo. Reservations accepted. 11 Lagoon Rd., 843-842-4033, itsgreektomehhi.com

Nick’s Steak & Seafood G

The menu at Nick’s Steak & Seafood emphasizes steaks, seafood and barbecue and offers something for everyone including sandwiches, salads, appetizers, soups, burgers, pasta and a children’s menu. Prices are very reasonable.

Nick’s also offers dining specials every day and complete bar service. Take-out is available. Reservations accepted.

Large parties are welcome. 9 Park Lane, 843-686-2920, nickssteakandseafood.com

Kenny B’s Cajun/Creole Seafood gnG} “Creole cuisine with a Lowcountry influence.” Order New Orleans traditions such as jambalaya, red beans and rice, and authentic gumbos. Kenny B’s is home of the Island’s best po’ boys and fried seafood. Enjoy blackened shrimp, chicken and catch of the day. Kenny B’s offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch. 70-A Pope Ave., 843-785-3315 Local Pie n G Chefs Lee Lucier, Jack McNulty and partner JR Richardson are oven-fired pizza aficionados. The custom pizza ovens are designed to make pizzas with thin, crisp, crusts - Neapolitanstyle pizza using ‘double 00’ flour. Observe the open kitchen.

Their duck prosciutto, bacon, sausages, as well as freshwater mozzarella are all made in-house. Large screen TV’s, a sprawling 800-foot deck with a bar and bike parking.

Reservations accepted, walk-ins welcome. 55 New Orleans Rd., 843-842-PIES, localpie.com

Lucky Rooster Kitchen & Bar G

Ombra Cucina Italiana G Chef Michael Cirafesi proudly promotes the foods & wines of Italy. He prepares all pastas, homemade gnocchi, desserts and breads daily. An extensive wine list with wines from every region in Italy. There is a European-style bar & lounge with a large selection of Italian specialty cocktails. Peanut-free. Gluten-free pasta and other options also available. Open 7 days a week from 4:30 until 10 p.m. Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome. 1000 Wm. Hilton Pkwy, G-2 (Village at Wexford), 843-842-5505, ombrahhi.com

Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar is an American bistro with Southern soul. Striving to serve the freshest ingredients sourced from local and regional farms, purveyors, and our local waters. The menu is small and focused but offers a large variety of refined comfort foods (like shrimp and grits, braised beef short rib, and Southern fried chicken) and adventurous dishes (foie gras terrine, roasted octopus, and bone marrow).

843-681-3474, luckyroosterhhi.com.

Palmetto Bay Sun Rise Café gn

Michael Anthony’s G

Phillys Cafe & Deli n Locally owned and operated for more than 25 years, Phillys is a favorite lunchtime spot for locals and visitors. Phillys’ motto is “Best sandwiches on the island...Period!” Custom sandwiches with bread baked fresh daily. The pita wraps and salads are both imaginative and health-conscious.

Dine in or take out. 55 New Orleans Rd., 843-785-9966, phillyscafe.com

Family owned and operated since 2002, Michael Anthony’s offers upscale classic Italian fine dining featuring innovative preparations and farm fresh ingredients. Acknowledged

by Open Table as one of the Top 50 Italian Restaurants in the country. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 5:15pm. Reservations suggested. 37 New Orleans Rd. (Orleans Plaza), 843-785-6272, michael-anthonys.com

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Great breakfast fare starting before the sun rises, from 6 a.m.

Now expanded seating on veranda, with clear roll-down walls available in the event of cold or inclement weather. Both breakfast and lunch items are available continuously. The cafe specializes in to-go lunches for charter boats, the beach or any other occasion. Open seven days a week. Palmetto Bay Marina, 843-686-3232, palmettobaysunrisecafe.com

Reilley’s Grill & Bar nGa An island institution, Reilley’s has been serving up steaks, seafood, pasta & sandwiches for more than 35 years. Reilley’s serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week, and Sunday brunch. The bar remains open until 2a.m.

Specials include Monday Night Lobster and Friday and Saturday Prime Rib (reservations required). Kids eat free Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entrée. 7D Greenwood Dr. (Reilley’s Plaza), 843-842-4414, reilleyshiltonhead.com

Red Fish n G Red Fish specializes in beautifully prepared seafood and steaks. Diners choose from a 1,000-plus bottle selection of wines to enjoy with their meals or to take home. Private dining room for large parties. Serving lunch and dinner.

Specializing in beautifully prepared seafood and steaks. Private dining room. Ample parking available. 8 Archer Road, 843-686-3388, www.redfishofhiltonhead.com

Rockfish Seafood & Steaks at Bomboras

Ga Formerly, Bomboras, Rockfish Seafood and Steaks at Bomboras is a unique family seafood restaurant and bar that is located right near the beach. Offering fresh and local lowcounty ingredients paired with craft beers and wines. Rockfish offers a chill indoor/outdoor social dinning experience! Kids menu. Lunches to Go for the beach are a specialty. At the bar, beer is poured from the bottom up with chill disc built into the bar. 5 Lagoon Road, 843-689-2662, rockfishhhi.com

entrees from NY & Northern NJ. Delicious pasta, poultry, veal, seafood, beef and lamb all expertly prepared, as well as nightly Chef Specials. Daily selection of homemade desserts, extensive and reasonable wine list. Gluten Free & Children’s Menu available. Reservations suggested.

15 Executive Park Rd. (off Pope Avenue, near Sea Pines Circle), 843-785-7006, stellinihhi.com

The Studio G Dine while enjoying watching artists painting in the elegant studio. The menu is inspired by American and global cuisines and uses the finest regional, natural and organic ingredients. Chef Colella has expanded the gluten-free vegetarian and vegan menu offerings. Reservations are recommended and walk-ins are welcome. 20 Executive Park Road, 843-785-6000, studiodining.com

Truffles nG Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups, delicious sandwiches, and garden salads.

Specialties include glazed grouper, mango salmon, crab cakes, chipotle chicken, meatloaf and fried shrimp. Call for Priority Seating. Catering and carry-out available. Full cocktail bar.

7 days a week from 11am. Sea Pines Center, 843-671-6136, trufflescafe.com

The Ice Cream Cone Salty Dog Cafe nG One of Hilton Head’s favorite outdoor cafes for more than 20 years. Fresh seafood. Located at South Beach Marina, overlooking Braddock Cove.

Both indoor and outdoor seating are available. Live music and children’s entertainment nightly during the season. South Beach Marina Village, Sea Pines, 843-671-7327, saltydog.com

Serving the finest and best selection of ice creams, soft-serve yogurts, sorbets, shakes, malts, floats, oldfashioned sodas, sundaes, and so much more! Offered is a large variety of special sundae creations and desserts! 1 N. Forest Beach Dr., Hilton Head Island, 843-785-4440, colignyicecreamcone.com

Twisted Cork n G Open Monday through Saturday, 5-11 p.m. Open MondaySaturday, 5pm.A local cocktail and wine bar. You can find it in Festival Center Plaza, near the Sea Pines Circle. 11 Palmetto Bay Road # 102 (next to Staples), 843-802-0510

Sea Shack nG Sea Shack serves up one of the island’s most extensive menus of seafood served lots of ways, including grilled, blackened, fried, & more. Very reasonable prices.

Family friendly. Take-out, kids menu available. Separate checks are no problem. Sea Shack was voted one of "South Carolina’s best seafood spots" by both Coastal Living magazine and Southern Living. Open Mon.-Sat. for lunch & dinner. 6 Executive Park Rd. (off Pope Ave.), 843-785-2464, seashackhhi.com Stack’s Pancakes & More g n G

Family owned and operated, Stack’s serves a full breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week. Including: pancakes, waffles, house-made fruit sauces, eggs, homemade crepes, and Stacks Original Crème Brûlée French Toast, shrimp & grits, eggs benedict, crab benedict with lump crab, shrimp omelet topped with lobster cream sauce. Kid’s menu, Gluten free items and takeout orders. 2 Regency Pkwy. and Hwy. 278, 843-341-3347

Stellini G

Family owned and operated since 1989! Guests dine in either the main dining room or Carolina room. Stellini features many of the most popular Italian appetizers and March 2019 173

››Dining | Favorites g

BREAKFAST G DINNER a OPEN LATE

n LUNCH } SUNDAY BRUNCH

BLUFFTON

Agave Side Bar nG A fun laid-back Southwest Tex-Mex Patrón margarita and taco bar specializing in authentic tacos and smooth margaritas. Happy Hour daily 4-6pm, Taco Tuesdays. Indoor & Outdoor seating. 13 State of Mind St., 843-757-9190 Amigos, Bluffton nG

Authentic Mexican taqueria, serving delicious food “inspired

by Mexican cuisine from the Gulf Coast of Baja, Mexico, to the beautiful seaside community of Santa Barbara, California.” Owner, Andrew Farbman created Amigos’ famous BBQ Chicken Salad. Amigos uses the finest ingredients possible.

Amigos’ salsa bar features a variety of salsas from carefully selected fresh chilies. Amigos is open for lunch and dinner.

Full bar. Carry-out is available. Awarded Bluffton’s Favorite Burrito and Taco – Hilton Head Monthly’s Reader’s Choice Awards. 133 Belfair Town Village, 843-815-8226

Bluffton Brauhaus G

Brothers Alfred and Volker Kettering new restaurant is offering some German classics, like Wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, roasted duckling with spaetzle and red cabbage.

A “Bratwurst Experience” with Thüringer-, Nürnberger- and Müenchner-style sausages, as well as salads, vegetables and fish dishes. The beer selection will include 20 beers on tap and bottled beers. Serving dinner only, from 4 p.m. daily. 68 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton, 843-757-3334 174 hiltonheadmonthly.com

The Bluffton Room Ga Our well crafted cocktails, gracious service and table-side preparations evoke the feeling of a lively dinner party. Join us Tuesday through Saturday for dinner or cocktails in our intimate dining room or open-air bar and patio. On Fridays, we serve a special New Orleans style lunch from 11am to 2pm with a creole menu and specially priced martinis. The Bluffton Room is intended as an adult dining experience. 843-7573525, theblufftonroom.com.

British Open Pub nGa Attractive pub-style restaurant featuring authentic English food, lots of golf and British photos, art and memorabilia on the walls and elsewhere. Excellent signature fish and chips.

Lots of other British fare, including shepherd’s pie, steak and mushroom pie, and bangers and mash. Also wide selection of American appetizers and entrées. Serving only Licensed Certified Angus Beef. Serving lunch and dinner every day.

Sheridan Park, 843-815-6736, britishopenpub.net Calhoun Street Tavern nGa

A comfortable room where fine spirits are drank, laughs are had, and stories are told. A public house for travelers and locals alike. Cold beer, classic cocktails, and familiar faces are just the start of it. Paired with a chef driven menu of southern plates, thoughtful service and comforting lowcountry classic food. 9 Promenade St., Bluffton, 843-757-4334, calhounstreettavern.com

Captain Woody’s n G a Enjoy “Fresh Seafood, Cold Beer & Great Happy Hour & Still A Locals Favorite For Over 30 Years!” They have dining inside and outside on the patio, with friendly owners and staff which adds up to a great place to eat. A big outdoor deck bar featurs beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Captain Woody’s serves a wide variety of fresh seafood, great signature sandwiches, award winning soups and salads all at affordable prices.

17 State of Mind St. (in the Calhoun Street Promenade), 843-757-6222 ChowDaddy’s nG Chow Daddy’s offers a wide variety of unique menu items focusing on buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations. Enjoy

avocado toast with a kale and quinoa salad or you can dive in to the pork sliders, a house ground rib eye burger, or their famous smoked fried chicken. Serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Call for Priority Seating .Take out available as well. 15 Towne Dr., Belfair Towne Village, 843-757CHOW(2469), chowdaddys.com

Cinco Mexican Grill nG

The extensive lunch and dinner menus offer authentic Mexican cuisine made from scratch using both traditional and modern recipes very popular with families, couples and large groups. Among the most popular dishes are the Cinco Bowl, Piña Fajitas, Carnitas, Enchiladas, Chimichangas, Flautas and for dessert, flan and other desserts. The full bar offers mixed drinks, beer, wine-by –the-glass and a high end tequila list, including Mescal. 102 Buckwalter Parkway, Suite 3D (Berkeley Place), 843-815-2233, cincomexgrill.com

Corner Perk gn

Corner Perk is a coffeehouse / brunch restaurant where city meets South. Here, southern hospitality and comfort food is fused with the creativity of urban culture. Corner Perk offers the most amazing locally roasted Coffees, Teas, Espresso drinks, Cold Brew, Frappes as well as Skillets, Omelettes, Wraps, Sandwiches, and Salads. 843-816-5674, cornerperk.com.

FARM Bluffton n G Inspired by the seasonal bounty of Lowcountry produce, FARM bases the menu on locally sourced and homegrown veggies, thoughtfully raised meats, and “cultural traditions from around the world.” The menu changes at least weekly, depending on what’s in season, and they are able to accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets.

Reservations recommended. 1301 May River Road, 843-707-2041, farmbluffton.com Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill nGa Hinchey’s has much in common with a sports bar, but is verymuch of a restaurant, too. It is casual, with beach-goers invited to stop by for lunch, or for drinks or dinner. Dine inside or out. Open seven days a week. 104 Buckwalter Place, 843836-5959, hincheys.com

Island Bagel & Deli gn

Serving New York style boiled bagels made from scratch daily. Choose from 16 flavors of bagels, 12 flavors of home-made cream cheese and a variety of fresh baked pastries and breakfast sandwiches. For lunch try the specialty hoagies or your favorite deli classic sandwiches and salads. Catering available and call-ins welcome.

Breakfast and lunch daily. 17 Sherington Dr., Bluffton, 843-815-5300, islandbagelanddeli.com

Nonna Lucia nG}

Recently under new ownership. Family owned and operated by Chef Julio Licona, his wife Michelle, and their two children. Located near Hwy. 46 and Bluffton Parkway, Nonna Lucia offers an extensive wine list, happy hour, early dining and nightly specials. The new lunch menu offers authentic Italian dishes as well 1/2 lb grilled burgers, sandwiches and more. Live music with Cheryl Christine every Thursday and Friday. Open 7 days a week at Noon. 5 Godfrey Place, Bluffton, 843-837-4554

The Pearl Kitchen + Bar nG

A refreshing new approach to dining - focused on a complete sensory experience offering fresh, “clean-eating,” contemporary food preparations utilizing the best fresh catch seafood, certified steaks and local produce available. Outdoor dining available on the front patio - perfect for people watching. Open for sunday brunch, lunch and dinner. Private 2nd floor dining space available for parties and special events. Reservations highly recommended. 55 Calhoun Street, 843-757-5511

Stooges Café g n Eat gourmet specials, eggs, omelets and hot meals at unbeatable prices while watching classic episodes of The Three Stooges, The Little Rascals or I Love Lucy on one of the TVs. Some say Stooges has the best grits in the Lowcountry, if not all of South Carolina. Nine time winner of Best Breakfast in Best of Bluffton. 25 Sherington Drive, 843-706-6178 Truffles nG Casual cafe featuring the “freshest and finest of everything!” Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups and fresh garden salads. Truffles also has excellent desserts, and offers a full bar and fine wines by the glass or by the bottle to complement your dinner. Covered patio. Lunch, dinner seven days a week. Full cocktail bar.

Serving Lunch and Dinner daily from 11 a.m. Happy hour is everyday from 4-6. Belfair Towne Village, 843-815-5551, trufflescafe.com

Local Pie nG Chefs Lee Lucier, Jack McNulty and partner JR Richardson are oven-fired pizza aficionados. The custom pizza ovens are designed to make pizzas with thin, crisp, crusts - Neapolitan-style pizza using ‘double 00’ flour. Observe the art of hearth cooking with the open kitchen. Their duck prosciutto, bacon, sausages, as well as fresh-water mozzarella are all made in-house. Lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night.

Promanade, 843-837-PIES , www.localpie.com Olive & Fig nG

Olive & Fig provides guests with a unique opportunity to experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The menu will feature Lebanese and Greek dishes alongside traditional Mediterranean fare, while also offering many gluten free and vegetarian options. Serving imported Lebanese wine and beer. Olive & Fig interior features a Mediterranean aesthetic. Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm.

Closed Sundays. 1533 Fording Island Road, Suite 326, (Moss Creek Village) Hilton Head; 843-605-4093.

Zeppelin’s at Station 300 n G Located within Station 300, Zeppelin’s is now under new management. Mike Chapman, a Savannah native and Johnson & Wales Charleston graduate, has implemented a new exciting menu. Enjoy their signature grilled flat iron steak while watching the game on one of their seven large screen tvs or stop by and have a drink outside on the pet friendly patio. Open Mon.-Thur. 10am-11pm; Fri. & Sat. 10am-12pm; Sun. 10am-10pm. 25 Innovation Dr., Bluffton, 843-815-2695 ext. 7, station300.com March 2019 175

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE RITTERBECK

››Last Call

Marc Frey – media entrepreneur mfrey@freymedia.com

The island’s early developers were environmentally conscious. As we grew in population, the connections to the environment became less obvious. The island won’t be truly ‘sustainable’ unless leadership, residents and businesses see the value. I strongly believe we must.

– DAVID AMES, DEVELOPER AND MEMBER OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND TOWN COUNCIL.

Please join us in a local effort to fight climate change, go to OurEarthOurFuture.org

176 hiltonheadmonthly.com

How “green” is the Lowcountry?

F

ifty years ago, Charles Fraser was in tune with the environment long before words like “sustainability,” “organic” and “environmentally-friendly” entered the American mainstream. When he pioneered the modern development phase of the Lowcountry, the term “green” meant the color green. Sea Pines at the most southern tip of Hilton Head Island became one of the first developments to use covenants and deed restrictions to protect the environment. The homes were designed to blend in with the pine forests.

Fraser pondered many options about how to turn a piece of low-lying land on a barrier Island into a resort community. He was purposeful about opportunities, so he established a fundamental rule for Sea Pines that would eventually become the hallmark for most local developments that followed:

“Nature was here before us and we should blend into the environment.”

This simple mantra explains why we do not see high rise buildings on our shores, why exterior home colors are muted, and vegetation and spacing between buildings is generous compared to other towns.

Because the Lowcountry looks green, it is easy to be fooled into believing that we are on the forefront of what is ecologically possible in today’s world. If we really want to be stewards of the natural environment that attracted us to the area in the first place, we need to go beyond what we are doing now and get behind programs that might include some of the following: Rising sea levels: • Commission a study on the impact of water levels that could rise up to 3 feet and invest to ensure that emergency traffic access is possible, which will require extra drainage, elevating roads and bridges.

• Raise the minimum elevation level for new buildings to 16 feet.

• Push building boundaries further back from flood zones.

Water conservation: • Retrofit public restrooms with waterless urinals and toilets in homes and villas to water-saving models.

• Limit grassy areas, eliminate sprinkler systems and

replace lawns with native shrubbery and plants.

• Require all golf courses to follow Audubon standards (several have already made the switch).

Reducing carbon footprints: • Hold public and private buildings to a higher standard making heating and cooling more efficient.

• Eliminate all coal-based electricity in the county.

• Allow the installation of solar panels.

• Facilitate traffic within plantations via electric vehicles (bikes and golf carts).

• Finish bike paths (especially in Bluffton).

• Favor electric car parking and charging stations in all public

parking areas.

• Dedicate a lane for electric vehicles and restrict the speed limits on most public roads to 35 mph.

• Restrict commercial lighting in Bluffton and unincorporated areas.

Living spaces and image: • Eliminate billboards.

• Create more green space and recreational areas (parks and nature trails) in Bluffton.

• Bury electric cables and current power line easements for bike and walking lanes and low speed electric vehicles.

• Vote to implement a mandatory commercial and private recycle program.

Do we have the political will—and are we prepared as residents— to make the extra effort to become ecologically sustainable? I look forward to hearing your comments.