VOICE
GRATITUDE & PASTA
PADDLING
EBENEZER SWAMP
25 TOP
GOLF COURSE
COMMUNITIES
THE CHANGING TIMES OF
COVID-19
6 FT.
YEARS
APRIL 2020
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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 MANAGING EDITOR Anthony Garzilli anthony@hiltonheadmonthly.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Allyson Venrick DIRECTOR OF SALES Mary Ann Kent maryann@hiltonheadmonthly.com 843-384-9390 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 PHOTOGRAPHERS: Guido Flueck, Barry Kaufman, Rob Kaufman, Scott Lengel, Lloyd Wainscott WRITERS: Clay Bonnyman Evans, Amy Bredeson, David Chacon, Suzanne Eisinger, Jessica Farthing, Marco Frey, Ellis Harman, Carrie Hirsch, Justin Jarrett, Barry Kaufman, Dean Rowland, Dave Seanor, Nichole Schultz, Denise Spencer
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››
April’s
Must Reads
76
128
48 30 Spartina 449
120 Ebenezer Creek
48 Life Under Quarantine
128
Driving Miss Norma
134
Celebrate Earth Day
The brand is expanding its offerings to include new apparel collections — all reflecting the carefree, natural way of life on the coast.
What started out as the trip of a lifetime became one of the most intense experiences of the author’s life thanks to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
76 Fashion
Showcasing inspiring spring styles.
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This beautiful and majestic swamp is populated by cypress and tupelo trees making exploring this fascinating eco system a yearround opportunity.
It’s not every day a 90-year-old woman impacts the lives of more than half a million followers.
The 50th anniversary of the holiday will be celebrated online with Digital Earth Day.
››In this Issue 46
54
26 NEWS
COVID-19
RECIPES
18 Feeding the Kids Serving up food and comfort. 26 Charleston Coast Guard
50 Eat Your Greens
135 Marc’s Bolognese
It’s safe to put produce on your plate.
Monthly’s CEO shares his go-to pasta recipe.
Naval Shipyard becoming ‘superbase.’
Talking to kids during coronavirus.
BUSINESS 30 Success is in the Bag Spartina 449 expands its offerings in clothing collections.
34 Working from home Etiquette for remote workers.
LEGAL 36 Accident Do’s & Don’ts What to do after a crash.
38 Trusts for Minors Smart estate planning tips.
PEOPLE 40 Felipe Mendoza HH Prep student will go far.
44 Jim Hooker He embraces a life of philanthrophy.
LOCAL AUTHOR 46 Chris Schembra Hilton Head native pens first book. 8 hiltonheadmonthly.com
52 Calming Their Fears 54 Mental Health Tips Suggestions to manage stress.
56 Advice from Health Professionals
Make smart decisions.
58 Social Distancing 101 Ways to live life inside.
GOLF 60 Top Golf Communities The Lowcountry and Coastal Georgia’s best places to live.
62 Profile: Pete Dye
Remembering iconic course designer.
HOME 84 Spring Landscaping Take care of your lawn and garden.
RELIGION 132 Church of the Palms Offering a spiritual home.
10 At The Helm 12 Opinion 14 Behind the Scenes 16 News 20 Social Spotlight 22 Where in the World? 24 Community Connection 28 On the Move 93 Real Estate News 136 Restaurant Listings 144 Last Call
››At the Helm
We are here for you Anuska Frey – publisher anuska@hiltonheadmonthly.com Carol Weir – editor carol@hiltonheadmonthly.com
the outpouring of support we’ve seen during the pandemic has only strengthened our resolve to continue to keep the community connected. 10 hiltonheadmonthly.com
T
he pandemic has upset our country’s norms, disrupted our daily lives. But it also brings great faith: We know this, too, shall pass, and it’s been a reminder that if we have our health and our loved ones — friends, family and community — then life is good. And if we are sick or in need, these same people are there to comfort and care for us. The outpouring of support we’ve seen during the pandemic has only strengthened our resolve to continue to keep the community connected. In this issue, we’re doing what we always do: providing you with feel-good stories about great people and programs — and timely, useful information. We are working hard to keep you informed, connected and, a bit entertained. We have you covered with tips to help manage life during the outbreak. Check out our stories on how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus — and a reminder to make sure to find ways to have fun — and the proper etiquette if you are working from home. Hint: It’s OK to have a sense of humor during video conferencing calls but save the snacks for later. We also remind you that the Lowcountry’s beauty is still there, waiting for you when we all get back outside. Feast your eyes on Ebenezer Creek, a beautiful and majestic swap off the Savannah River. We are always uplifted by our community’s youth, and we are excited to share the story of Felipe Mendoza: The Hilton Head Prep student athlete plays basketball and soccer, is a Boy Scout and plays the cello. If you’re working at home as we are, you might be tempted to wear PJs all day. However, Sarah Eliasoph of Lowcountry NAMI—who we interviewed for this issue—says this isn’t great for mental health. So let the styles of our spring fashion serve as inspiration. And we hope this time of social isolation helps you get reacquainted with life’s simple pleasures, like curling up with a good book. Let us offer a suggestion: “Driving Miss Norma.” We won’t give the story away, but just know it’s about enjoying life to the fullest. We believe it’s a great read for this time.
We will come throught this together!
››Opinion
Letters to the Editor: THE POWER OF A SMILE In our world, not only are people in a rush, but there seems to be an unusual amount of negativity. Pause and think about what a smile is worth. While passing strangers in the grocery store, I’ve noticed how many people return a smile with a blank, dismissive look of indifference. Smiles are a universal love language. Even tiny babies respond to smiles with grins or coos. What does it cost us to share a smile? All it takes is a kind heart and one second of engaging with a stranger. We don’t know what people we pass are experiencing in their lives, but it’s safe to say that many people are uplifted by a smile. Smiles are a form of outreach and inclusiveness. They may seem free, but they are priceless. Don’t most of us love being around people who laugh and smile? Be that person for others — you don’t know whom you may touch. How are you using your smile? Do you withhold it from strangers? Do you share it only with those you know and love? In a world where people often wave their fists and yell if they have to wait an extra minute in traffic, how pleasant it is when a stranger shares a passing smile! – Margaret Richardson Editor’s Note: This letter was sent to us prior to the unfortunate events that have unfolded due to the spread of the Coronavirus across the World. This just goes to show, no matter the condition, we can always use a reminder of good in us all.
We Asked, You Answered: If you’re working from home and have kids, please tell us what your kids are doing — but replace the words “my kids” with “my coworkers”: My coworker is reading while sitting inside a cardboard box. — Meghan Danyi Kaufman Today, my coworker pulled down his pants and started dancing around the office. — Jessica Garzilli My coworkers are running around pinching each other for not wearing green. — Alexis Perry
My coworker just licked a spoon and put it back in the drawer. — Angela Marks My coworker just told me his work was none of my business. — Carol Weir
My coworker doesn’t want to wear clothes. When I asked him to get dressed, he shrugged his shoulders and nonchalantly and rhetorically asked, “Why????” He then started dancing in his green underwear. — Heather Bragg
My youngest coworker is asleep in my ex-wife’s bed. — Patrick Pietras
My coworker just screamed on the floor for 30 minutes because she’s logged out of her tablet and her other coworker isn’t. Apparently, that’s unfair. — Jessica Flathmann Sandler
My coworker squirted me with a hose. She thought it was hilarious. — Candy Koss Oesch
My coworker just passed an obnoxious amount of gas then blamed another coworker. — Ed Meyerink
My coworkers are responsible for cleaning all the ceiling fans this week. — Beverly Rish Parrish
My coworkers did cartwheels on the back lawn today. — Jackie Sherman
Let us know what you think. Email editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com 12 hiltonheadmonthly.com
››Behind the Scenes
ONLINE
MEET OUR WRITER: JESSICA FARTHING
EXCLUSIVE
CHECK IT OUT AT: HILTONHEADMONTHLY.COM
MUSIC MAN Jessica Farthing is a nationally published freelance writer focusing on food, hospitality, health and wellness. She recently started working on a healthy eating cookbook and served as a judge for the American Society of Journalists and Authors Culinary Writing Competition. She has a master’s degree in writing from SCAD. A longtime resident of Savannah, Farthing has enjoyed watching Hilton Head Island and Bluffton develop and feels lucky to meet the interesting people she has profiled for Hilton Head Monthly and Bluffton Monthly. She has three children and is an avid ocean-lover. You can usually find her enjoying the beach or boating, if she’s not riding her horse, Henry. Her favorite place to ride is on the beach at Hunting Island or through the wooded trails of Palmetto Bluff.
Singer, songwriter, philanthropist and Charleston native Darius Rucker loves his home state. It’s clear South Carolina loves him right back: As part of a partnership with the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, he has been named the official 2020 Ambassador for South Carolina Tourism and will promote the Palmetto State with appearances at numerous events, including the state’s national Discover SC advertising campaign. One of the areas he’ll be touting: Hilton Head Island, which he visits every year for the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, held at Long Cove Club and open to the nation’s top women’s college golf teams. For an exclusive interview with Rucker, go to hiltonheadmonthly.com.
MONTHLY CONTRIBUTORS CORRECTION: On page 59 in our February issue, the photos under @thelowcountryedit were taken by Adrienne LeBlanc.
DENISE SPENCER Writer
NICOLE SCHULTZ Writer
ROB KAUFMAN Photographer
Locally and nationally known as a writer, speaker, trainer, consultant, facilitator and coach, Denise Spencer has experience in grant writing, communications, public relations and fund development. She is the principal and founder of PhilanTOPICS, LLC, a nonprofit consultancy.
Nicole Schultz grew up on Hilton Head Island and has been a freelance writer for six years. She attended the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia and lives in Mount Pleasant with her boyfriend, Willie, and their daughter, Ava Kate.
Rob Kaufman gave up the frosty winters of Michigan and moved to Hilton Head in 1992, where he has been shooting commercial, editorial and personal photography in area ever since.
14 hiltonheadmonthly.com
@thelowcountryedit Adrienne LeBlanc of Bluffton is a career professional and small business owner with a star-spangled heart, a deep love for living on the coast, self-deprecating humor and WWII history as well as leading a healthy, active lifestyle. If she’s not at the beach, she’s drinking Around the World at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.
News Briefs HOW TO HELP DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce suggests the following ways to help the Lowcountry: • Support organizations like Bluffton Self Help, The Deep Well Project and Sandalwood Community Food Pantry. • Participate in the Takeout Blitz to help support local restaurants. • SERG Restaurant Group is selling Community Strong VIP packages to directly help their employees, as well as Bluffton Self Help and Deep Well. • Donate to the Restaurant Worker Relief fund, organized by Downtown Catering Company and the Lowcountry Strong Foundation to provide dinners and other food items to restaurant workers who are out of work or have lost wages due to the pandemic. • Donate to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which will help supply resources to community-based nonprofit organizations in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties. For more information, go to cflowcountry.civicore.com/covid. • Hilton Head Community Church is collecting gift cards to donate to Sandalwood Community Food Pantry. Drop them off at the church’s community center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. MondayThursday. • Tie a blue ribbon outside your business or home to support health care workers and first responders.
BLUFFTON MAYOR SHARES NEWS AND UPDATES
Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka has been sending out daily bulletins of useful information to keep the town informed about the coronavirus. Subscribe to the mailing list at townofbluffton.sc.gov. The town also has produced a map of nonprofit agencies that may be able to help local families who are experiencing financial/food challenges. If you know an organization that may be able to help but isn’t listed, please email Ryan Coleman at rcoleman@townofbluffton.com. 16 hiltonheadmonthly.com
HILTON HEAD RESPONDS TO CORONAVIRUS
On March 21, Hilton Head Island Mayor John McCann closed all public access to Hilton Head beaches for 60 days to prevent people from gathering. Parking lots and restrooms at public beaches also are closed. His order does not affect properties with private beach access. Town Hall also is closed until further notice to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Town staff will be available by phone or email. The public is also encouraged to access some services online through the town’s website, hiltonheadislandsc.gov, or to “follow” the town on social media.
UTILITIES OFFER SUPPORT, GUIDANCE
Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority reminds residents that only toilet paper should be flushed; wipes — including those labeled flushable — and other products will clog the sewers. And though local utilities will not disconnect service during the Covid-19 quarantine, officials say meters will be checked and bills still will be sent out. Residents are asked to pay what they can to prevent a large overdue bill or disconnection once this emergency has passed.
S.C. TAX DEADLINE DELAYED
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has extended the state’s tax deadline to match the federal deadline, which has been moved to July 15. However, other state taxes are still due June 1.
LOANS AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESSES
The Small Business Administration is offering loans to South Carolina businesses that are adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For information, go to sba.gov.
HILTON HEAD CHOIR EARNS FOLK HERITAGE AWARD
The Voices of El Shaddai, a Hilton Head Island-based choir, was named one of five recipients of the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award for 2020. The award is presented by the S.C. General Assembly to recognize those who practice traditional art forms and are committed to keeping those traditions alive. Led by founder and director Gail Ragland, the group’s music includes traditional spirituals and contemporary gospel influenced by Gullah-Geechee culture.
››News
Feeding the Kids
SCHOOL DISTRICT SERVING UP FOOD AND COMFORT TO STUDENTS DURING PANDEMIC
BY CAROL WEIR
A
t Red Cedar Elementary School one recent morning, families who came to pick up free breakfasts and lunches being offered by Beaufort County School District got more than just food. The students who received the meals were the focus of loving attention and a reminder about the importance of academics from teachers and staff who volunteered their time. Wearing gloves and smiles, the volunteers asked each parent how many children were in the car. The driver then pulled forward and the adult picked up the correct number of meals off the table. The breakfast bags contained cinnamon toast cereal, graham crackers and apple juice. The lunch bags had a turkey and cheese sandwich, carrots and an apple. “I miss you!” pre-kindergarten teacher Stacy Grey told one of her students strapped into a car seat in the back of an SUV. “I’ll see you soon.”
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The next car approached and Donna Petty, who teaches science at Bluffton Middle School, greeted the family inside from a safe distance. “Remember to read!” she reminded the boy in the car as the family pulled away. Anissa Ellison, Red Cedar’s cafeteria manager, starts packing the meals at 6 a.m. weekday mornings. Ellison is employed by Sodexo, the school district’s food service contractor. Meals are prepared and transported to 12 sites across the county: Battery Creek High School, Beaufort High School, Beaufort Middle School, Bluffton High School, Hilton Head Island High School, James J. Davis Early Childhood Center, Okatie Elementary School, Red Cedar Elementary School, St. Helena Elementary School, Whale Branch Early College High School, Whale Branch Middle School and the Port Royal YMCA. The first week of school closures saw
more than 17,000 free student meals distributed county-wide, including distribution points at schools and stops on school bus routes. The buses drive through neighborhoods where students live and stop at designated locations, where they wait 20 minutes for students to come pick up meals before moving on to the next stop. Procedures at the distribution sites are designed to maintain safe physical distances between parents, students, food service workers and bus drivers. No food is consumed on-site. The free meals program is available to any child under age 18 in Beaufort County. The meals program is only one of several outreach initiatives by the school district in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that forced school closures throughout the state. To make sure students are able to complete their work from home, teachers prepared packets for students in lower grades and in some cases drove them to their homes. Older students are doing their schoolwork and interacting with their teachers on devices provided by the school district. To make sure that all students have access to the internet, the school district has partnered with Hargray, which is offering 60 days of free internet service to households with students that don’t already have Hargray service. Beaufort County Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez discussed the idea with Hargray executives, who quickly put the plan together and launched it. The company is also offering discounts on bandwidth upgrades. Hours of free-meals distribution are 9 a.m. to noon. The distribution school buses are traveling to neighborhood stops during the same timeframe. For a complete list of meal pickup locations and school bus stops, go to beaufortschools.net. For more information about free internet service for families with students, go to hargray.com/freeinternet.
April 2020 19
›› Social Spotlight
››News
Kathy Cramer won the Peggy May Inspiration Award award at Foundation Education for Excellence’s Jeans & Jewels fundraiser.
The 9th annual Pockets Full Of Sunshine Sporting Clays Shoot Fundaraiser was lots of fun.
Mona Huff, Hilton Head Island Piano Competition director, stands with the 2020 HHIPC finalists Kasey Shao, age 16, USA; Ryunosuke Kishimoto, age 17, Japan; Pytor Akulov, age 13, Russia; Tyler Kim, age 17, USA; and Kevin Chen, age 15, Canada.
Mark Boedges judged SOBA’s 26th Annual Judged Show.
Melissa Markey attended St. Francis Catholic School’s annual gala.
To submit a photo of your event for Social Spotlight, email editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com
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The No. 7 Wake Forest Demon Deacons took the top honors at the ninth annual Darius Rucker Intercollegiate at Long Cove Golf Club.
››Where in the World?
Editor’s Note: The coronavirus won’t last forever and travel will resume. While we wait for life to get back to normal, enjoy these shots of locals enjoying far-flung places.
South Africa Arnie and Mary Lee Gannon von Waldow took Monthly on safari in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve near Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Los Angeles George and Linda Kolb and Monthly attended the 92nd Oscars awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
France Argentina From left, Hilton Head Island residents Ron Miller, Darlene Miller, Lynn Pellegrino, Dottie Byers and Sue and Doug Kampfer read Monthly in Puerto Madryn, Argentina.
We love to see where Monthly travels! Submit your photos to editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com for this section. Space is limited.
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Susana Cook and her daughter Isabella escorted Monthly around Paris in June.
››Community Connection
Clark
FOUNDATION LAUNCHES CORONAVIRUS FUND
To help Lowcountry residents with hardships and consequences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has created the Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund. The fund will rapidly deploy resources to community-based, frontline nonprofit organizations addressing the pandemic in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties, helping to ease the burden on employees of small businesses, the food and beverage industry, and others impacted by job losses and reduced wages due to the virus. The foundation will match up to $100,000 given to the fund, which will be doled out in phases. The first phase will support health and human services nonprofit groups working with residents who lack access to health care or who are food or housing insecure. To donate or for more information, go to cf-lowcountry.org or call 843-681-9100.
SOBA NAMES WINNERS OF JUDGED SHOW
Nearly 100 artists entered the Society of Bluffton Artists’ 26th annual Judged Show. Joanne Talbot received Best in Show for her watercolor painting “At the Table.” First-place winners included Talbot in watercolor, Ron Selby in photography, John Meckley in oil,Sheila Garbasky in acrylic, Audrey Alkind in mixed media and Mary Burrell in the “other” category.
››
Homan
ARTS CENTER FUNDRAISER GOES ONLINE
The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina has canceled its March 21 fundraising event because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but the arts center can still be supported through its Bourbon & Bubbles online auction. Auction items include Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15-Year Bourbon, seats in a luxury suite at FedEx Field for a 2020 Washington Redskins football game, and a private flight to Charleston for lunch — plus a Visa gift card to spend during an afternoon downtown. Bidding closes at 5 p.m. April 10. The online auction will help the arts center continue to produce performances and provide education programs. For more information, go to artshhi. com/spring-gala.
PET SCANS AVAILABLE IN BLUFFTON
Hilton Head Regional Healthcare now offers positron emission tomography services at its Bluffton medical campus. Previously, PET services were not offered in the Bluffton, Hardeeville or Hilton Head Island area. The Bluffton medical campus is open Monday through Friday.
BLUFFTON HIGH COUNSELOR RECEIVES RECOGNITION
Bluffton High School counselor Kelly Homan was named the Beaufort County School District’s Counselor of the Year for 2020. A three-person panel of district administrators evaluated this
year’s candidates. Homan is credited with developing a number of innovative counseling programs, serves as a liaison with the U.S. military and works with community groups on counseling initiatives.
ALLSAINTS GARDEN TOUR NAMES POSTER WINNER
Artist Neil Clark’s painting “Along the Path” has been named the winner of this year’s All Saints Garden Tour poster competition. The work will appear on the garden tour’s poster and booklet cover. Other finalists include Patricia Diemand, Steven Edelstein, LeAnn Kalita and Murray Sease. This year, 38 artists submitted artwork in the competition. The art was judged by professional artists and was on display at Hilton Head Regional Medical Center. The winner of the People’s Choice competition was Rick Locke’s “Tama Peacock Twins.”
ROTARY CLUB SPONSORS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME
The Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island started work on a new Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity home in February. The Rotary Club raised $70,000 to pay for the house and provided volunteer hours to finish the project. This is the second home the club has built in The Glen, a Habitat for Humanity community on Hilton Head Island. As part of the Habitat program, the homebuyer participated in workshops on home maintenance, budgeting, insurance, disaster preparedness and more to help prepare for successful homeownership.
Generosity is one of the best things about the Lowcountry. Has your business or organization given back to the community? Submit your photos to editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com for this section. Space is limited.
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RBC Heritage presented by Boeing
A YEAR WITHOUT TRADITION. THE LOWCOUNTRY WILL MISS THE RBC HERITAGE. This year’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing was canceled to protect the public from the COVID-19 pandemic. And while canceling the event is good news for public health, it could also affect the Lowcountry’s economy — the thousands of patrons who annually flock to Harbour Town Golf Links to watch some of the world’s top golfers pump millions of dollars into Hilton Head Island’s shops, restaurants and hotels. But how big an impact will canceling the tournament have? Last year, the Heritage Classic Foundation hired Clemson University, in partnership with University of South Carolina Beaufort, to conduct a study to determine the economic impacts of the event. The following is an abbreviated look at the study: • I n 2019, 135,000 people attended the event, bringing $102 million to the state’s economy. The event supported 1,131 jobs and generated $6.72 million in state and local taxes. •O f the more than 2,220 people surveyed, more than 90% said they’d likely return to Hilton Head during another time of year. •V isitors stayed on Hilton Head or in other areas of Beaufort County an average of five nights, spending an average of $672.70 per person. An estimated $38 million was spent by visitors on lodging and dining. •S ince 1987, the RBC Heritage has also contributed $44.6 million to those in need in South Carolina and Georgia, including $3.2 million through the Heritage Classic Foundation in 2019. Source: Clemson University and University of South Carolina Beaufort April 2020 25
››News
Power Port U.S. COAST GUARD CREATING A ‘SUPERBASE’ IN CHARLESTON BY CLAY BONNYMAN EVANS PHOTO SUPPLIED
N
early a quarter-century after it was abandoned by the U.S. Navy, the 2,801-acre Charleston Naval Shipyard on the Cooper River is being resurrected to become a “superbase” for the U.S. Coast Guard, thanks to a dredging project that will make the Port of Charleston the deepest harbor on the East Coast by 2021. “Here we will homeport the most capable surface assets in our fleet, including five national security cutters and a complement of yet to be built offshore patrol cutters,” said Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the Coast Guard, in his 2020 State of the Coast Guard address Feb. 20 in Charleston. Schultz said the Coast Guard would move existing local facilities — Coast Guard Sector Charleston, Coast Guard Station Charleston and the Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy — over the next five years “to consolidate our campus along one waterfront. This gives Charleston the potential to grow into the largest concentration of assets and people in the Coast Guard.” The new facility could double the population of Coast Guard personnel in the Lowcountry to 2,000, turning Charleston into a Coast Guard version of Navy “superbases” at San Diego and Norfolk, Virginia. Three cutters — the cutters USCGC James and USCGC Hamilton, and buoy tender USCGC Willow — are already stationed in Charleston. “A community like Charleston understands just how important our defense contributions are to the nation. And for generations, the people of this great port city have also appreciated the importance of maritime commerce to our nation,” Schultz said.
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Established in 1790 by an act of Congress, the Coast Guard is tasked with homeland security missions including immigration control, the prevention of drug trafficking and the security of ports and waterways, as well as non-security tasks such as ice operations, fisheries enforcement, environmental protection, navigation and search and rescue. With a 2020 budget of $11.3 billion, the Coast Guard currently has about 41,000 activeduty personnel, 7,000 reservists and more than 8,500 full-time civilian employees on its payroll. The Charleston Harbor dredging project will deepen the main channel to 52
feet from 45 feet, and the entrance channel from 47 feet to 54 feet when completed in 2021, according to South Carolina Ports. The South Carolina General Assembly earmarked $300 million and the federal government has provided $246 million for the project, which then-President Barack Obama placed on a list of “We Can’t Wait” initiatives in 2012. Work began in February 2018. “Charleston is a strategic port. It is why the U.S. Navy commissioned the Charleston Navy Shipyard in 1901, operating the yard until 1996,” Forbes magazine national-security correspondent Craig Hooper wrote in February. “The Navy’s
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843.781.6672 2 4 S H E LT E R COV E L A N E SUITE 50 HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC departure left a large strategic gap in America’s maritime readiness, but the Coast Guard — which has long recognized the strategic importance of being where the Navy is not — is moving in, advancing Charleston’s outsized contribution to the national security of the United States.” According to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impact assessment, the dredging project will allow salt water to encroach further up the freshwater Ashley and Cooper rivers, but will have only minor impacts on the ecosystem. “For wetlands in the tidal freshwater area of impacts, minor salinity changes would only cause extremely
minor changes in vegetation composition or structure,” according to the report, resulting in the replacement of some freshwater plants with salt-tolerant species such as spartina, also known as cord grass. However, the assessment also found that rising sea levels due to climate change are likely to have much more impact over time, converting some coastal wetlands into shallow, open-water habitat. Under the high sea level rise scenario in 2071, only 5% of the salinity impacts are predicted to be attributable to the (dredging) project,” according to the assessment.
LUX, LLC is owned by Carmen A. Traywick, M.D. of May River Dermatology and Frederick G. Weniger, M.D., F.A.C.S. of Weniger Plastic Surgery. April 2020 27
››On the Move
DeVoe
Vinci
Anderson
Santorum
Hoekstra
Goodman
HELP AVAILABLE FOR CORONAVIRUS-RELATED JOB LOSSES State officials ordered all bars and restaurant dining rooms closed as of March 18, leaving many in the service industry without jobs. Companies that have to shut down temporarily or lay off workers because of the effects of the virus can apply to get those employees short-term unemployment benefits. The benefits will cover six weeks of pay, but only if employers apply for it. For more information, go to dew.sc.gov.
HAMPTON HALL CLUBHOUSE WELCOMES DEVOE
Christina DeVoe is the new social and events director at Hampton Hall Club. She has spent her career building sustainable programs and high-quality events for municipalities in Alabama and Florida. Previously, DeVoe served as the recreation program planner for the city of Largo, Florida.
28 hiltonheadmonthly.com
TWO MEDICAL GROUPS COMMIT TO BLUFFTON CENTRE
SOUTHERN TIDE TO OPEN SIGNATURE STORE
Bishop Eye Center and Beaufort Orthopedic Sports & Spine have secured two of the five available sites within the new Bluffton Centre. Both buildings are scheduled to open later this year. Dr. Kamal Patel, a local medical practitioner, is developing Bluffton Centre to offer increased access to reputable service providers so Bluffton residents don’t have to travel to Savannah or Hilton Head Island.
Southern Tide announced plans to open a signature store on Hilton Head Island. The new store will be located in Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Southern Tide will offer an assortment of apparel for men, women and kids, plus footwear and accessories.
HOPEFUL HORIZONS WELCOMES ONE
Park Lane Hotel & Suites joined the Palmera brand in February, changing its name to Palmera Inn & Suites in February. The quality of the rooms will be updated and improved during a hotel-wide renovation.
Melissa Arnold has joined Hopeful Horizons as the organization’s staff attorney. Previously, she was a staff attorney for the South Carolina Department of Corrections and she is the former executive director for Lowcountry Legal Volunteers. Arnold has a law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego.
PARK LANE HOTEL CHANGES NAME, JOINS THE PALMERA BRAND
DESTINATIONS DMC HIRES ONE
Tris Vinci has joined the team at Destinations DMC as group sales coordinator. She has a background in corporate communications, business ownership and the software industry.
LED LOWCOUNTRY ADDS ONE
Steve Anderson has joined the staff at LED Lowcountry as the head of its marketing and communications department. Anderson will work with property managers and gated community management to reduce costs through LED lighting conversion. He has more than 25 years of experience in commercial and residential property management.
TWO EARN PTR HONORS
Dan Santorum has been named a Professional Tennis Registry International Master Professional. The designation recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to PTR and the game of tennis throughout their careers. Santorum has been guiding the growth of PTR for 33 years. Nancy Hoekstra was named PTR Member of the Year for the state of South Carolina. This award is presented to a member who has shown dedication and diligence in promoting and supporting tennis and PTR. Hoekstra helped to develop the PTR Adaptive Tennis Certification Workshop to instruct tennis professionals in the skills needed to work with athletes with special needs.
ARTIST MICHAEL B. KARAS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
Artist Michael B. Karas has launched a new website for his fine art collection. The nationally recognized marine and landscape artist is represented by Red Piano II Art Gallery in Bluffton. His new website is michaelbkaras. com.
CHRIS HERVOCHON’S CPA FIRM WELCOMES ONE
Josh Goodman has joined the team at Chris Hervochon’s CPA firm as a staff accountant. He will be responsible for providing outsourced accounting and tax preparation for small businesses and individuals. Previously, Goodman was an assistant golf professional. He moved to South Carolina in 2010.
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PHOTO BY LISA STAFF
››Business
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Success is in the Bag SPARTINA 449 EXPANDS ITS OFFERINGS TO CLOTHING COLLECTIONS BY JESSICA FARTHING
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hen Kay Stanley decided to get into the accessories business in 2009, she took her cues from her surroundings: the laid-back Lowcountry lifestyle of Daufuskie Island, where she had recently come —supposedly—to slow down in early retirement. Spartina 449 is named for the lush sea grass that grows along the South Carolina coast. Stanley’s brand of upscale designer handbags, accessories and now clothes flourished, quickly becoming popular in the Lowcountry and beyond. Her plan for a life of leisure evaporated as quickly as a puddle on a Lowcountry summer day. After years working at a big advertising agency in Kansas City and with success as the owner of an internationally recognized, award-winning scrapbook and crafts company, Stanley is now spreading her style and artistic vision around the world. Well-dressed women and celebrities love the brand’s casual but polished look, making Spartina 449 one of the
Lowcountry’s greatest business stories. The company quickly outgrew its original Hilton Head Island business headquarters, moving to the former Island Packet pressroom in Bluffton where it now houses its distribution and administration offices in the same space. Stanley’s husband, Curt Seymour, designed much of Spartina 449’s logistics. Today, Spartina items can be found in 1,500 stores across the United States, and the brand has 13 standalone boutiques of its own, including on Calhoun Street in Bluffton and in Shelter Cove on Hilton Head Island. The 14th Spartina 449 store is opening soon in Savannah’s City Market, joining a sister store downtown on Broughton Street. And now, the brand is expanding its offerings to include new apparel collections — all reflecting the carefree, natural way of life on the coast. “All of our collections are called ‘capsule collections,’ ” said Stanley. “We are approaching our design philosophy a
April 2020 31
››Business
little different than we have in the past, doing more apparel this season than ever before. We are launching new items, from silk blouses to pull-on stretch pants, lots of linen clothing and our Peruvian cotton that was really successful last year. We really expanded that into capsules that are launching every month.” Each capsule’s clothing mixes and matches with curated handbags and accessories, allowing for easy coordination. For example, the Moreland collection’s bright pinks, oranges and turquoise are reflected in its embroidered dresses, tassel earrings and beach tote. Shorts, pants, skirts and tops mix patterns and solids to create a variety of wardrobe choices, all coordinating down to the beach towel and keychain. All the lines reflect current trends in the fashion industry. One trend: Stanley said her customers want to see real fabrics and textures.
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“One of the things we are focusing on are more natural fibers and materials across the board in our apparel,” she said. “It feels better on the skin and is better for the environment.” These natural fibers can be found in Spartina’s wicker handbag handles and straw totes. Half-zip dresses are made of Peruvian cotton, while a woven natural cotton eyeglass case is accented with two-tone fringe. A light jacket is perfect for the spring weather thanks to breathable linen, and the Dune ring completes the look with its semi-precious stones and mother-of-pearl. Spartina is continuing to release new capsules and has announced a partnership with shoe brand Jack Rogers; so far, two shoes are in the works. Spartina also is working with Hat Attack on a line of hats. Lowcountry customers couldn’t wait to get a look at the new styles. The brand’s Shelter Cove store hosted a fashion show March 18 with 10% of all sales donated to local charities. That’s in addition to the portion of its everyday sales that Spartina donates to the Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation to help preserve the island where it got its start. The show included previews of soon-to-bereleased collections. “We put on a pretty big show with lots of models,” Stanley said. “It was a lot of fun.” And yes, the popular Spartina warehouse sale will be back this year. It’s June 26-28 at Hilton Head Island High School, where shoppers can save up to 60% on merchandise. Tickets for the event are expected to go on sale in early June.
››Business
Hold That Thought BUSINESS ETIQUETTE FOR REMOTE WORKERS BY CAROL WEIR
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any of us find ourselves working at home thanks to the novel coronavirus, and more than a few find it challenging. The current situation is already stressful enough without sitting through a conference call where one coworker is chewing ice and another has a terrible connection. This does not make for a productive work environment. While the etiquette called for in today’s remote workplace doesn’t include handshakes and hand-written thank-you notes, the classic rules of business manners still matter. Because they aren’t across the hall from their bosses, telecommuters feel pressure to make their presence and productivity known to their coworkers and managers. And if your job includes customer service or public relations, you’ll need to work hard to manage your personal brand and professional reputation from afar. Here are five rules of remote business so you’re never the “unproductive teleworker nowhere to be found”:
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DON’T STOP COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOSS The missing remote worker is an employer’s worst nightmare. If your boss doesn’t know what you’re doing, they’ll assume what you’re doing (like cleaning, cooking, or binge-watching Netflix) whether you’re really MIA or actively at work. Use emails, conference calls, and online meetings to tell them what you’ve done, discuss problems, offer solutions, present ideas, and fill them in on the state of projects. KEEP COMMUNICATING WITH COLLEAGUES To really be a team player, your team needs to see and hear from you. Whether you’re instant messaging or video conferencing, take the time to learn about them, recognize their efforts, and thank them to establish good working relationships. Consistent feedback in real time is especially important if you’re working on projects together. BE PROFESSIONAL IN ONLINE MEETINGS Pay attention, be on time, don’t multitask, engage with questions, and get to know the attendees on the line. Dress professionally and save the snacks for later.
SSSHH … KEEP THE NOISE DOWN Learn to master your mute button. Crying kids and playful dogs will ruin calls and meetings for everyone. RESPECT GEOGRAPHICAL DIFFERENCES Before you schedule a meeting or send an urgent email, check the time zones of the recipients. No one wants to check their inbox in the evening or attend a 6 a.m. meeting. Communication and collaboration are now critical for companies that value time management and teamwork — and hey, keeping the dialogue going helps you beat the isolation of telecommuting. Remember, many of your coworkers — and possibly yourself — are being asked to use technology in new ways with little to no training. And everyone’s stressed. Dialing into conference calls, email issues, video conferencing and social media can be challenging for people who don’t use them regularly. Be patient, friendly and have a sense of humor. Soon you and your coworkers will be able to return to working together in the office, where everything always goes smoothly — right?
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››Legal Advice
Car Trouble BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT? THESE TIPS CAN MAKE IT LESS STRESSFUL BY ANTHONY GARZILLI
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e’re all spending most of our time at home as we practice social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s likely we’ll need to leave the house at some point — to run to the grocery story, the doctor or other necessary errands. And though there might be fewer cars on the streets right now, accidents can still happen. And when they do, it’s an unsettling experience. Whether it’s a fender-bender or a head-on collision, the event instantly disrupts your day. But it’s important to take a deep breath and remember: Everything will be OK, as long as you’re prepared. Here a few tips to help make the situation a little less stressful. WHAT TO DO • Move to a safe area and stop your vehicle: If you are not seriously injured, move your car to a safe spot such as the road’s shoulder. If you can’t move the car, put your hazard lights on. Make sure the car is in park and turn off the engine. Take a second to compose yourself. Make sure it is safe to get out of the car before opening the door.
• Check on others: Make sure no one is hurt and call 911 if someone is injured. Even injuries that appear to be minor — dizziness, for example — should be checked out by a health care professional. • Call the police: A police accident report is important even in minor accidents. Cooperate with police, but do not admit fault at the scene. Let law enforcement determine if anybody is at fault. You can file an accident report through the DMV if police do not respond to the scene.
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• Get information, document the scene, file an insurance claim: Make sure you get the names of the other driver and any passengers, as well as the other car’s license plate number, insurance information, the location of the accident, the name and badge number of responding police officers and the contact information for any witnesses. If you have a smartphone, take pictures of the scene. After gathering the information, call your insurance company. Check your ID card for contact info. WHAT NOT TO DO • Don’t admit fault: Often in the case of an accident, drivers only see their side of the story, and they could admit fault without realizing it. An admission of fault could result in a traffic ticket and affect your insurance claim. And resist the urge to apologize to the other driver, which can be interpreted as an admission that the accident was your fault. • Don’t minimize injuries: Insurance settlements are largely based on injuries sustained in an accident. Some injuries don’t show up immediately, but instead surface days or weeks later. Seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear. Don’t discuss any injuries on social media to avoid any conflict with your medical records. • Don’t settle with your insurance quickly: If you are not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company likely will want to settle the claim fast. It’s often best to not immediately accept the company’s initial offer — you might have additional medical expenses after the accident, for example. Consider speaking to a lawyer about a fair settlement. • Don’t suggest you don’t have an attorney: You might not have decided to work with an attorney, but if an insurance company asks about your legal representation, give the name of your attorney or law firm. If you don’t have a lawyer, tell the insurance company you are considering your options. Most attorneys offer a free consultation before taking a case. Sources: Esurance.com. Clearfieldinjurylawyer.com
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››Legal Advice
In Trust ESTATE PLANNING OFFERS PARENTS A CHANCE TO PLAN AHEAD BY SUZANNE EISINGER
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o a parent, the world can be a scary place. Handing the car keys over to a new driver, catching the toddler before they touch the hot stove, dropping your teen off at college for the first time — the list of worries is endless. But there’s another that many parents may not consider until it is too late: What happens if you aren’t able to be there for your kids anymore? For children, the death or serious illness of a parent can represent one of the biggest threats to their well-being and security. And while parents can’t always stop bad things from happening, they can help their families cope with the changes that life may bring — but only if they plan ahead. Estate planning gives parents the chance to do just that, allowing them to decide how their assets and responsibilities should be handled in the event that they die or become incapacitated. With the help of an attorney, parents can pursue the best protective course of action by drawing up a will or trust, developing advance medical directives and naming financial and medical powers of attorney, to name a few options. Estate planning allows parents to protect their children both during life and after death — a priceless gift to those you love. “Obviously, a trust cannot replace the parent,” said John Jolley, an estate planning attorney with Jolley Law Group on Hilton Head Island. “But (it) can provide the mechanism to protect young beneficiaries. Clients with young children should create a contingent trust for children — that is, a trust to be funded only if something happened to the parents. The terms of the trust would detail who would manage the assets and how the assets would ultimately be distributed to the children.” A trust is a set of instructions that become effective immediately upon execution of the document and continue on beyond your death. And trusts aren’t limited to parents. Anyone — grandparents, aunts or uncles, close family friends — can establish trusts for children. According to Elizabeth Mayo, an estate planning attorney with Novit & Scarminach on Hilton Head, these
instructions are even more important when dealing with children with special needs. “If a disabled child has assets in his or her own name, (they) may not be eligible for governmental and other benefits to which they would be otherwise entitled,” she said. “A carefully drafted special-needs trust can hold assets for a disabled child without affecting benefit eligibility.” Another advantage to trusts is that their value lives on long after parents do, which can help children who run into unexpected problems. “If a child has an addiction problem, a trust can arrange and pay for treatment and assist with finances,” Mayo said. “If a child is a spendthrift, a trust can manage that also. A trust can also provide that the children receive their inheritance in increments, rather than in a lump sum.” Jolley agrees, adding that trusts are “a good way to protect beneficiaries from certain creditors and even from the beneficiary’s bad decisions.” Many attorneys who specialize in
While parents can’t always stop bad things from happening, they can help their families cope with the changes that life may bring.
estate planning offer a free initial consultation to discuss specific goals. Afterward, a written quote for the work is provided, and if the client opts to proceed, the estate plans should be reviewed every four or five years — or sooner if conditions have changed, like sudden wealth, a move to another state, or the death of a spouse or child. While Jolley said online tools for setting up wills and trusts might work for some families, those formulaic options
can really only be counted on when life goes according to plan. But when it doesn’t, “a qualified professional is key in navigating complicated options,” he said. Mayo said that professionally crafted trusts are simply more versatile: “I can make the documents say anything they want,” she said. “I am not sure that standard online documents would contain the flexibility that can be written into a trust.”
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››People
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Against the
Odds FELIPE MENDOZA EARNS HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP DESPITE HURDLES BY CAROL WEIR PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
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en high school seniors from Beaufort and Jasper counties are named Heritage Scholars each January, and all have outstanding academic records, volunteer in the community and are leaders among their peers. One of this year’s recipients is Felipe Mendoza of Bluffton, who was awarded a total of $16,000 from the Heritage Classic Foundation and will attend the University of Chicago in the fall — which at one time seemed like an impossible dream. Felipe, 17, is a senior at Hilton Head Preparatory School — and the opportunity to attend this elite school was the beginning of his good fortune. His mom, Norma, has a small cleaning company. One of her clients, Sheri Nixon, had three children attending Prep and encouraged Norma to apply for scholarships for Felipe, and his older brother and younger sister. Prep recognized their
potential and Felipe started attending Prep in the first grade. “My brother and I are kind of introverted. We like to focus on school,” he said. “My sister is much more social.” At Prep, Felipe kept mostly to himself until middle school, when he started playing basketball and soccer for the school’s teams. He made friends and became less shy. The staff at Prep —including basketball coach Daniel Godson, SAT/ACT tutor Dr. Sherri Lawless and many teachers — took an interest in him and built relationships that help him succeed. Godson is supervising Felipe’s Eagle Scout project, a fitness course for middle schoolers at the Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head Island. Felipe also learned at Prep to play the cello and is now an accomplished musician, and he ran for the cross-country team. “Prep gave me many opportunities
April 2020 41
››People
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I wouldn’t have had, but it was up to me to take advantage of them,” he said. The Mendoza family is tight knit, despite the fact that his dad left for Mexico when Felipe was in 10th grade. After his efforts to gain legal residency failed, Jesus Mendoza chose voluntary departure rather than being deported. “After my dad left, I could have taken it either way. I could have gone downhill. I decided to use this as motivation,” Felipe said. He doubled down on his studies and focused on the values his parents had instilled in him and his siblings. “My dad was a carpenter when he was here. I’ve seen how my parents work. They’re tired; they don’t have it easy,” Felipe said. “They always said, ‘Work hard in school so you can work with your mind, not your body.’”
I could have gone downhill. I decided to use this as motivation. Felipe, who was born in the U.S., has visited his father in Mexico four times. Unemployment is high in the small town where he lives and Norma, who is from Honduras, sends money to help him make ends meet. “I have told my mom so many times that I wanted to get a job,” Felipe said. “But she wouldn’t let me. She said, ‘Focus on your studies.’” When Felipe applied for the Heritage Scholars award, he knew the competition would be fierce. The Lowcountry’s top students were vying for the award. Felipe already had a full scholarship to the University of Chicago through a program called Questbridge, which identifies high-achieving, low-income high school students. But he needed the Heritage scholarship to pay for travel to and from college, books and supplies. His nerves mounted as he waited for the winners to be announced. His family knows he is inclined to be hard on himself — but in this case, he shouldn’t have worried. “If don’t do well, I struggle with that,” he said. “I remember my mom said, ‘No matter what happens, you’re a winner to me.’”
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››People
Living with a Purpose FROM BUSINESS TO PHILANTHROPY IN THE LOWCOUNTRY AND ABROAD BY DENISE SPENCER PHOTO BY LLOYD WAINSCOTT
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t only takes a few minutes of conversation with Jim Hooker to find yourself at ease — his voice is, as the saying goes, as smooth as Tennessee whiskey. It was his voice that led him to Valparaiso University; by his junior year, he was the college radio station’s general manager and his career in commercial broadcasting was born. But the decades of success that followed came from more than just smooth talking. Hooker said it took hard work, incredible mentors and a willingness to take risks to reach his full potential as the owner of a company that commanded 10 popular radio stations. In 2000, his wife, Susan — an expert in scenario development — began to predict changes in radio broadcasting were imminent, and suggested it might be time to consider a change. After attending a conference about a new form of media on the horizon, internet radio, Hooker agreed with his wife’s assessment and sold his company and all his radio stations. Retirement followed, along with a move to the Lowcountry, where the couple “did all the things that retired people do” in the Hilton Head Island area: build a house, buy a boat, play golf. “By all measures, one would think I should be a pretty happy guy,” Hooker said. “And I was. But… .” He became restless. He wanted to use his skills to do something meaningful. As he described it to a Chicago friend of 35 years: “I’m really bored.” His friend, the Rev. Dr. Rafael Malpica Padilla, had no problem finding a project that utilized many of Hooker’s skills: marketing and sales management, motivation,
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Spring 2020 Arrivals
I can’t imagine a life without a greater purpose.
organizational development, and his interest in political science — his undergraduate major: “As executive director of the Global Mission Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, I turned to Jim and Susan over a decade ago to lead the efforts to raise funds for the building of affordable housing for Palestinians … in the Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem,” Padilla said. The Hookers went overseas and raised more than $1 million, which led to gifts of an additional $7 million — enough money to complete the project. Along the way, Hooker met a number of fascinating people and learned a lot about the challenges facing Palestinians. One of these people was the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, president of Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture, who enlisted Hooker’s help on the board of Bright Stars of Bethlehem. “I came to know Jim as a dear friend who is politically aware and interested to know what is happening in the world at large,” Raheb said. “He doesn’t think of himself as a spectator, but wants to make a difference in the world. He wants to give back, promoting peace with justice, and giving young people a chance to reach their potentials. To achieve this, he is willing to invest his time, energy, knowledge and assets.” Hooker is now the board chairman of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, a U.S.-based organization. It raises funds to support the educational work of Dar al-Kalima University College, offering advanced training in the arts, tourism and Palestinian cultural heritage. “I can’t imagine a life without doing this,” Hooker said. “I can’t imagine a life without a greater purpose.”
c l o th i n g • s h o e s ac c e s s or ie s 843.815.4450 • 40 Calhoun Street • Old Town Bluffton Mon - Sat 10-6 • FOLLOW US! M @Gigis.Bluffton P @GigisofBluffton
SECOND ACT Those who define retirement as “withdrawal from one’s position or occupation or from active working life” have never experienced retirement in the Lowcountry. Here, many people’s “Second Acts” are just as purposeful as their first — boosting the economy, supporting area nonprofit groups, generating creativity and enhancing quality of life for the community. This column captures their stories.
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››Local Author
‘Gratitude and Pasta’ HILTON HEAD NATIVE CHRIS SCHEMBRA EXPLORES LIFE AND FOOD IN NEW BOOK BY MARCO FREY | PHOTOS SUPPLIED
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ew New Yorkers have the audacity to host 184 people in a studio apartment. But Chris Schembra did so every week for a year, donning an apron and a smile while putting guests to work before sharing in the centerpiece of the night: a simple bowl of pasta. I am lucky to count myself as one of over 800 people Schembra brought together that year for what became known informally as the 7:47 Club — for the time the pasta is dropped in the pot. The networking events soon became Schembra’s full-time pursuit as the waitlist grew and he flexed his chops as a former theater producer, expanding his dinner model for business owners and their clients across the country. Four years and over 300 dinners later, Schembra, a Hilton Head Island native, has captured his experiences in his first book, “Gratitude and Pasta,” to be released this month. It’s already been featured in Forbes’ “8 Books That Will Help You Spark Human
Connection in 2020” list for the way it details Schembra’s struggle to find meaning in his life and how he formed relationships through the remarkable power of a bowl of pasta. Part inspiration, part instruction, the book breaks down what seems like a daunting endeavor — hosting a gathering — into a structured, repeatable and enjoyable experience, easily managed by socially starved stay-at-home parents or entrepreneurs looking to expand their networks. Of course, “Gratitude and Pasta” rarely mentions networking. But there’s still plenty of business potential in the dinners. The events cost guests nothing but a bottle of wine, which draws on the Ben Franklin Effect — a psychological phenomenon whereby asking someone a favor primes them for generosity. Then each guest is put to work in some fashion, whether setting the table, making amaretto, or pouring a glass of wine for a new acquaintance. This tangible work
Four years and over 300 dinners later, Schembra, a Hilton Head Island native, has captured his experiences in his first book.
is a natural icebreaker, as introductions unfold organically. And, Schembra stresses, it’s surprisingly relaxing for high-stress leaders and managers to be told what to do. With little cost to the host besides the space, the ingredients, and their time, hosting one of Schembra’s dinners is a worthy investment. While the immediate benefits of playing host may not be evident with just one dinner, the compounding effects of genuine connection will bear fruit in the long term — and in the shortterm, well, if you’re not having a good time, you’re probably doing it wrong. What’s more valuable than connecting with all your guests individually? Becoming the lynchpin that connects others. If you’re responsible for connecting two people, not only are you then connected to both of them, their new connection will remind them of you. Coined as a buzzword in recent years, “superconnectors”’ will see their networks expand tenfold.
When life gets back to normal and we no longer find ourselves having to practice social distancing, “Gratitude and Pasta” is sure to empower readers to structure and enhance their own dinners into memorable experiences for their guests. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, run a professional services business, or are an empty nester craving more human connection, this book is for you. Speaking of gratitude, it would make a lovely gift, too. For more information, go to gratitudeandpasta.com.
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››Covid 19
Life Under Quarantine FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OF COVID-19 IN ITALY SHOWS LIFE GOES ON BY DAVID CHACON
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’m an 18-year-old junior at Bluffton High School. But since September, I’ve been living and studying in Sicily, Italy, as part of a Rotary Club exchange program. What started out as the trip of a lifetime became one of the most intense experiences of my life thanks to the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here is my firsthand look at how Italy — one of the countries hardest hit
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by the COVID-19 virus — responded to pandemic, and what it could mean for America. The first six months of my experience were optimal: I attended school, learned the language, made friends and bonded with my host family. When the pandemic hit, the government responded promptly, originally instituting a quarantine in the affected northern areas, and
later expanding the quarantine to include the entire country. That meant travel restrictions that forbade us from leaving the house except to buy food or medicine, enforced by a 200 euro fine — so most people followed the orders. To pass the time indoors, my host family and I turned to some of the most basic forms of entertainment: reading and actually engaging each other in conversation. This gave me a chance to really get to know my host parents, Loredana and Vito, as well as my host sister, Olga, who was studying at university in Rome but came home when the quarantine order was issued. Other things that helped me avoid going completely stir crazy were video games, exercise and attempting to absorb as much culinary knowledge as possible from Loredana. During this time, I also decided to keep a journal to document the experience and have included a few entries here: MARCH 10 Today is the first day of quarantine, and also the first day of online classes for my school. While it took my teachers a little while to get their video cameras and microphones in working order, we eventually were able to engage in some sort of conversation that could be generously described as a “lesson.” After my morning classes, I helped my host mother make a tiramisu, a traditional Italian coffee cake. This consisted mainly of her cooking and me writing down the recipe to use upon my return to the U.S. Between lunch and dinner, I spent my time reading and exercising in our basement gym. For dinner, we had an amazing homemade pizza followed by the tiramisu that my host mother had prepared earlier that day as I watched attentively. MARCH 13 Today is my host father’s birthday. Sadly, I started the day with more video lessons
and was not able to help my host mother bake the cake. For lunch, we had salmon, and the scraps were fed to the pregnant cat that visits us daily in the hopes of a delicious snack. I like to think the cat and I have formed a bond, but deep down I know I am being manipulated for food. I spent the rest of the day reading until our celebratory dinner in honor of host dad’s birthday.
What started out as the trip of a lifetime became one of the most intense experiences of my life. MARCH 22 Because today was Sunday, I was allowed the luxury of sleeping in. I woke up just in time for lunch, which was a traditional Italian dish: pasta al forno. After lunch, I spent the early afternoon playing the video game Just Dance with my host sister. This was extremely exhausting, so I decided to skip my usual exercise in favor of accompanying my host dad to the grocery store. At the grocery store, the employees and the few customers in the store were equipped with masks and gloves in true zombie apocalypse fashion. We were able to find the majority of the items on our shopping list; however, some items were out of stock as they had sold out during the panic of the first days of the quarantine. This is all I have for now, as I have been very busy with online school. I hope this has served to give you an idea of what life is like in quarantine in a country strongly affected by COVID-19.
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››Covid 19
Eat
Your Greens DON’T FEAR FRUITS AND VEGGIES AS VIRUS FEARS GRIP THE NATION BY PURDUE NEWS SERVICE
to reduce contamination risk — such as washing your hands and washing fruits and vegetables before eating them — should reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.” In fact, the agricultural practices that many farmers follow already help reduce the risk of contamination by a human pathogen, according to Scott Monroe. “While viruses may be transmitted from surfaces, most growers take steps to prevent contamination,” said Monroe, a Purdue Extension food safety educator. “At this point, fear of COVID-19 should not be a reason to stop purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.”
To further reduce the risk of contracting the virus, Deering and Monroe offer the following tips: • Wash your hands frequently. After a trip to the supermarket, wash your hands — especially if you handled tongs or other shared utensils. • Try not to manipulate produce. While shoppers often squeeze or thump melons, for example, or otherwise touch produce in search of the best or ripest pieces, doing so can increase the chance germs are passed to or from the produce. • Immunocompromised people should consider purchasing pre-packaged fruits and vegetables, or only eat cooked fruits and vegetables. • Always wash your produce before you eat it.
S
upermarkets, with their open displays of fruits and vegetables, are a reminder that the U.S. has one of the safest and most abundant food supplies in the world. However, in the face of the global COVID-19 viral outbreak, many worry whether fresh produce is safe to eat. According to Amanda Deering with Purdue University’s department of food science, current research indicates that the virus is not foodborne or food-transmitted. “The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to be transmitted just like other viruses,” Deering said. “This is very positive, in that the same practices that we normally use
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Eating fresh fruits and vegetables has been shown to improve overall health, including the immune system. And staying healthy increases your body’s ability to fight infections. By taking a few common-sense precautions — like frequent hand-washing and washing your produce — you can continue to enjoy the health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables without worrying too much about COVID-19.
››Covid 19
Calming Their Fears IT’S IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO PUT KIDS AT EASE WHEN IT COMES TO CORONAVIRUS BY ANTHONY GARZILLI
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he best way for parents to combat this anxious time is to enjoy some silly time. “Playing with your kid is one of the best things you can do right now — for them and for you,” said Melanie Trimble, a Columbia-based drama therapist and former trauma specialist. The novel coronavirus outbreak has closed schools, postponed festive events and limited large gatherings. With families spending more time inside their homes, Trimble said a great way to relieve the COVID-19 anxiety — and have good conversations about the virus — is to make sure to have fun with your children. Get on the floor, she said. Be silly. Laugh. Talk in silly voices. Make puppets act goofy. Put away your phone. All the action will help relieve the tension and help children and parents calm down. Play time will likely put children at ease and allow them to have honest
TIPS FOR TALKING TO KIDS
dialogue because play is their natural way of conversing, Trimble said. “Your playfulness will reassure them, and they will bond with you and their anxiety will settle down,” she said. Dr. Maria Malcolm, a psychologist on Hilton Head Island, said it is important to maintain a normal schedule while the family is cooped up in the house. Malcolm recommends that everyone gets up, gets dressed and eats meals at
regular times each day, and that schoolwork gets done as if it was a regular school day. Setting aside time for activities is also important: exercise, board games, cooking together or FaceTime with elderly family members to keep their spirits up. “It is meaningful for kids, teens and adults to feel they are helping others during this trying time,” she said. Malcolm said a starting point when
Remain calm and reassuring: Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others. Make yourself available to listen and to talk: Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions. Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online: Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety. Provide information that is honest and accurate: Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child. Explain to children that some stories on COVID-19 on social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information. Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
52 hiltonheadmonthly.com
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talking to children about the coronavirus is to assure them that they are loved and will be protected by their family. “We can let our children know that we have lived through challenging times before in the Lowcountry, such as Hurricane Matthew, and have come out on the other side,” Malcolm said. “It will be important to strike a balance between taking this situation seriously and letting them know that we have measures to follow that will keep our community healthy.” Malcolm said parents can use this time to teach, in an age-appropriate manner, how viruses are spread, how proper hand washing kills viruses, and how far away is a safe distance to prevent infection. Parents should remind their children
to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbows, and then throw the tissue into the trash, the CDC said. Trimble said if your child is anxious, it is OK to acknowledge their fear, but parents should assure them that “the grownups are working together to make sure we know what to do and that we’re changing how we are living right now to be as safe as we can be.” Malcolm said even though the outbreak might be disruptive, there is a potential bright side. “The silver lining of this experience is the time we will be spending with our loved ones, much more than we ever would have predicted,” Malcolm said. “In a sea of worry and unpredictability, that family time is something to cherish.”
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April 2020 53
››Covid 19
Take Care of Your Mental Health BY CAROL WEIR
We can’t control the national news, but we can manage how we react to the constant barrage of scary headlines. In times of crisis — like the global COVID-19 pandemic — it is critical to manage your stress and mental health. Here, Sarah Eliasoph, executive director of NAMI Lowcountry, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Health, offers some practical suggestions:
1.
Try to stick to your usual daily routines: Get up at the same time each day, shower, get dressed and have breakfast. It will make you feel better and ready to take on the day.
2. 3. Focus on what you can
Don’t spend too much time watching the news or on social media and stick to reputable news sources.
do, not what you can’t. “You can wash the dishes, and you’ll feel better when they’re washed.”
54 hiltonheadmonthly.com
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Get outside for some fresh air, even if it’s just a walk around your yard. Keep busy doing things you enjoy — and things that need to be done. Even if you don’t enjoy these chores, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when they’re done. Create relaxing experiences like taking baths, listening to music you enjoy, and lighting aromatherapy candles. If you are feeling anxious or despondent, call someone you trust. Many local therapists are now doing tele-sessions. Or text 741741 to connect to the free national mental health crisis line. These experts are here to help.
April 2020 55
››Covid 19
Care in the time of
COVID-19 FEELING SICK? CALL AHEAD FIRST, CONSIDER VIRTUAL VISITS
BY ANTHONY GARZILLI
S
taying safe during the novel coronavirus outbreak involves making some smart decisions before seeking health care. Symptoms of the coronavirus — formally known as COVIID-19 — include fever, cough and shortness of breath, but many health care providers are urging patients to call ahead before making a trip to the doctor if they’re feeling ill. Beaufort Memorial Hospital asks those with COVID-19-related symptoms to call their doctor’s office or clinic before arriving in person. Hospital officials said the doctor’s office will ask a few questions and give patients appropriate instructions, which could include going to their office for care or reporting to another site to receive rapid influenza and strep tests. In some cases, hospital officials said, patients may be asked to wait in their cars while a medical provider administers and processes the tests. Patients reporting to Beaufort Memorial’s emergency room with mild fever and respiratory symptoms might be directed to the COVID-19 triage and screening tents in the parking lot, the hospital said. The site includes two climate-controlled tents. The hospital will continue to operate its mobile testing site at the Beaufort Memorial Medical and Administrative Center. Patients reporting to this site must have a physician’s order and related paperwork on file before arriving.
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“Our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our patients and staff,” Beaufort Memorial president and CEO Russell Baxley said. “Given the rapidly evolving nature of this pandemic, we ask for patience and cooperation as we work to provide the best care possible to our patients.” Baxley said Beaufort Memorial does not have COVID-19 test kits and cannot
Our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our patients and staff – RUSSELL BAXLEY BEAUFORT MEMORIAL PRESIDENT AND CEO
process the tests at the hospital, but it can collect specimens and send them to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control state lab. Hilton Head Regional Healthcare — which manages Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina hospitals, Bluffton/ Okatie Outpatient Center and Tidewatch Emergency Department — routinely treats infectious diseases at Coastal Carolina and Hilton Head hospitals and said its top priority is making sure its patients, visitors, staff and community are safe.
“We follow CDC guidelines for identification and treatment of patients with suspected or confirmed cases of the coronavirus,” said Daisy Burroughs, spokesperson for Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital. At Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina hospitals, access is limited to only the emergency department. Burroughs said a tent has been erected outside the entrance of the emergency department at Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina hospitals for an extra waiting room. Elective surgical and diagnostic procedures are postponed. If a patient visits Hilton Head Regional Healthcare hospitals and meets CDC criteria for testing, Burroughs said the hospital works with DHEC and if appropriate, gathers a sample and provides it to a CDC-appointed laboratory. CARE FROM ANYWHERE For those who have COVID-19–related symptoms but can’t leave their homes, Beaufort Memorial offers a free telemedicine option: BMH Care Anywhere. The virtual option allows patients to connect with a physician using video via a smartphone, tablet or computer. The patient will see a board-certified provider who will review the patient’s symptoms and discuss treatment options. If COVID-19 is suspected, patients will be directed to a Beaufort Memorial Express Care location for screening to determine if
they meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing. Patients will need a credit or debit card to begin their visit and will see an authorization hold of $59 placed on their account. The provider will waive the fee for patients with respiratory symptoms and the authorization hold will be lifted, according to a Beaufort Memorial news release. The health insurer for patients with respiratory symptoms may be billed, according to Beaufort Memorial. The hospital also suggests using BMH Care Anywhere for common ailments, such as colds, ear infections, sore throat, sinus infections, headaches and migraines to avoid having to go to the doctor’s office. For illnesses unrelated to COVID-19, the fee for telemedicine visits is $59. Additionally, one of Beaufort Memorial’s technology partners launched a coronavirus chat platform to answer questions and keep the public informed. Go to healthgrades.com to get local notifications from the CDC, answers to common questions and prevention tips. VISITOR RESTRICTIONS In an effort to keep patients and staff safe, Beaufort Memorial has implemented visitor restrictions. Effective March 21, visitors were not allowed in the hospital except for the labor and delivery and pediatric units. Patients in those units are allowed one visitor. Patients who require assistance or end-of-life care will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, according to the hospital. Beginning March 23, the hospital and outpatient clinic waiting rooms were closed to visitors. Visitors will be asked to wait in their cars and will be notified when the patient is ready to leave. Visitor temperatures will be screened at all Beaufort Memorial locations, the hospital said. As an additional safety precaution, Beaufort Memorial has canceled all elective surgeries at its main hospital and outpatient surgery center. However, surgeries will be performed in urgent and emergency situations. Visitor hours at the hospital end at 5 p.m., and online check-in for the emergency center has been suspended. Patients who need emergency care are asked to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Visitor hours at Coastal Carolina and Hilton Head hospitals were suspended until further notice as of late March. Possible exceptions include patients who are in grave condition, having a baby, at the end of life, and private duty care takers, according to the Hilton Head Regional Healthcare website. Only one visitor or companion per patient is allowed for a patient undergoing surgery or a patient requiring an outpatient test or a procedure. When visitors enter either hospital through the emergency department, hospital staff will screen for recent travel and coronavirus symptoms, the website said. Virtual visits via Skype or Facetime are encouraged. For the more information at Beaufort Memorial, go to bmhsc. org. For updates at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, go to hiltonheadregional.com.
April 2020 57
››Covid 19
Social
DISTANCING 101
HOW TO KEEP WELL-FED AND HEALTHY DURING CORONAVIRUS ISOLATION BY BARRY KAUFMAN
R
ight now, we’re staying home as much as we can to protect our health. But there are still plenty of ways to stay connected to the outside world — and get medical advice, shop for supplies and stay active without leaving your house. Here, we share a few apps, websites and other solutions.
DINNER AT YOUR DOOR For food you didn’t have to cook yourself, try Uber Eats and Grubhub. Both apps let you order anything off the menu from a participating restaurant, bringing the meal to your door. As restaurants close their dining rooms, many local eateries now offer curbside pickup and delivery options.
GROCERIES TO GO If you find your cupboard is bare, never fear: Instacart lets you shop from stores like Publix, Kroger, Sam’s Club, CVS and Petco, among others, and even offer alcohol delivery where available. There’s a $5.99 fee for two-hour turnaround time. Shipt is a similar app, but its offerings include Target. Shipt charges a monthly $14 fee, plus a $7 fee for orders under $35. And, of course, you can order directly from many grocery stores and pick up your items without ever having to go inside the store. Shop at local Harris
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Teeters and Krogers via the store’s app or website, select a pickup time and then simply pull up to the designated curbside pickup spot. A store clerk will load the bags in your car and you’re on your way. Keep in mind, though, that fees for this service vary by store, and some stores are limiting their curbside pickup hours to manage the demand. Don’t forget Amazon, too: The massive online retailer offers everything from clothing to video games to home goods and groceries. If you subscribe to Amazon Prime, which has an annual fee of $119,
PETS Chewy.com lets you order pet supplies, including medications, to be delivered right to your door. Many local vets are also offering curbside vaccinations and checkups, or delivering prescription food and medication to you car. Call your vet to determine how to best care for your fourlegged friend during this time.
you can get free two-day shipping on nearly everything, from toilet paper and cereal to socks and laundry detergent. You also get access to Amazon’s streaming service, which offers thousands of movies and TV shows. It’s even possible to shop Whole Foods Market through Amazon, since the online retailer bought the grocery chain a few years ago. Order through Amazon, and your Whole Foods order will be delivered to your door — though again, thanks to increased demand, you’ll want to check availability first.
HOME HEALTH Even though we’re spending most of our time in isolation, it’s still possible to come down with sinus infections, colds and other maladies. Check your insurance to see if it covers Teladoc Health, a national servicewhich connects you with a physician via phone or video call. Your primary care physician or local urgent care clinic may offer a similar service, or may be able to diagnose your issues over the phone and, if needed, send prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choosing — and many pharmacies, like CVS, are starting to offer delivery for certain prescriptions. To encourage people to stay home and to free up medical resources, the federal government is expanding telehealth benefits under Medicare, making it easier for Medicare patients to get the care they need right over the phone or internet.
FOCUS ON FITNESS There are many digital options to help you turn your living room or garage into a temporary gym. Many trainers and gyms are using the Zoom video calling app to hold training sessions and group exercise classes. Planet Fitness has turned to Facebook, hosting “Home Work-Ins” on its page. Streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix also offer workout videos you can try. If group classes aren’t your thing, you can always challenge the kids to a session of “Just Dance,” a video game series available for multiple platforms.
SOCIAL, BUT DISTANT It’s important not take care of your mental health in a stressful time like this. Apps like Headspace and Calm also offer guided meditation sessions to help you reduce stress and anxiety. And, of course, people are social creatures. It’s important to keep spirits high by connecting with loved ones and family members — from a safe distance. Try hosting a virtual happy hour using Zoom or an app like Google Hangouts. It will give you a chance to see some familiar faces. You’ll find spending time “together” is good for both body and soul.
April 2020 59
››Golf Profile
Pete Dye Remembered DESIGNER OF HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS DIED IN JANUARY AT 94 BY DAVE SEANOR
E
veryone who has ever played a Pete Dye-designed course or worked with the colorful architect has a story — players, caddies, tournament administrators, volunteers. Dye left a legacy as a paradigm-shifting golf course architect and salt-of-the-earth character when he died at the age of 94 on Jan. 9 after a suffering from dementia for many years. The sharing of Dye anecdotes will be especially poignant this month even though the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing is canceled. Harbour Town Golf Links was the springboard of his career, and Hilton Head owes the popularity of its PGA Tour event to his genius. Dye was an accomplished golfer and successful insurance salesman in 1955
60 hiltonheadmonthly.com
when he turned his attention to golf course architecture. His early efforts mimicked the post-World War II template of long, straight tee boxes; flat, straight fairways; and large, sloping greens flanked by huge bunkers. That changed in 1963, when he and his wife, Alice — an exceptional golfer who won the Indiana Women’s Amateur Championship nine times — took an extended trip to Scotland, where the couple toured its classic courses and Pete played in the British Amateur Championship at St. Andrews. In his autobiography, “Bury Me in a Pot Bunker,” Dye characterized the trip as a design epiphany: “My (newfound) knowledge of the use of small greens, wide fairways, the impression that
Harbour Town in 1969 with (left to right) Jack Nicklaus, Donald O’Quinn, Charles Fraser and Pete Dye.
ground-level greens were elevated, contrasting grass mixes, severe undulations in the fairways, pot bunkers, railroad ties, blind holes, and inclusion of gorselike vegetation to frame holes would affect all our future designs.” Four years later, a recommendation by a fellow Ohioan would validate Dye’s resurrection of those classic design features. By age 27, Jack Nicklaus already had won 20 PGA Tour events, including six major championships. He was intrigued by golf course architecture but had no
Dye was hired, contingent upon Nicklaus lending his notoriety and input as design consultant. The result was Harbour Town Golf Links. experience with it. When The Sea Pines Resort founder Charles Fraser approached Nicklaus about designing a course, he demurred, but suggested that Fraser consider Pete Dye. “Never heard of him,” Fraser said. “You will,” Nicklaus replied. Dye was hired, contingent upon Nicklaus lending his notoriety and input as design consultant. The result was Harbour Town Golf Links, a “shot-makers’ course” created to reward brains over brawn. In 1969, it played host to the inaugural Heritage Classic, won by Arnold Palmer, who praised the course’s retro architecture. Before long, demand for Dye’s artistry skyrocketed, and he delivered masterpieces such as The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island; The Players Stadium Course at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic; and Whistling Straits. “It was Pete who inspired me to start designing courses more than 50 years ago, and so in many ways I owe my second career to him,” said Nicklaus in a series of tweets following Dye’s death, calling him “the most innovative course designer in my lifetime.” John Farrell has been on the Harbour Town staff since 1991, today serving as PGA director of golf. He spent countless hours with the Dyes discussing golf course matters, but his favorite memory is Pete and Alice’s dedication to each other. “I got to be in meetings with them and got to see how his mind worked, and his reverence for Alice,” Farrell said. “He would always defer to her, and she to him. It was a love affair, a beautiful relationship.” Out in the field, when pondering some aspect of a golf hole, Pete would invariably look at his wife and ask, “What do you think, Allie?” The result of one such query was No. 13 at Harbour Town: The small, heart-shaped green fronted by a horseshoe bunker with cypress plank bulkhead is entirely Alice’s handiwork. (She died in February 2019, a year after attending the opening of the must-visit Pete Dye Room in the Harbour Town clubhouse.) Pete Dye didn’t spend time poring over drawings on a design table. He was famous for getting down on his hands and knees, literally sketching holes in the dirt. His legacy lives on at Harbour Town Golf Links and in the minds of those who knew and loved him.
April 2020 61
25
C
COMMUNITIES IN THE LOWCOUNTRY & C OA STA L G EO R G I A BY JUSTIN JARRETT AND DEAN ROWLAND
Belfair Bluffton, SC
843-757-0715 | belfair1811.com East Course Par 71 | Yardage 6936 | Private West Course Par 72 | Yardage 7111 | Private
Berkeley Hall Bluffton, SC
843-815-8444 | berkeleyhallclub.com North Course Par 72 | Yardage 7148 | Private South Course Par 72 | Yardage 7254 | Private
Callawassie Island Okatie, SC 843-987-2125 callawassieisland.com
Dogwood Course Par 36 | Yardage 3501 | Private Magnolia Course Par 36 | Yardage 3564 | Private
Crescent Pointe Bluffton, SC
843-706-2600 | crescentpointegolf.com Par 71 | Yardage 6773 | Public
Dataw Island Club
Northern Beaufort County, SC 843-838-3838 | dataw.com
Palmetto Course Par 36 | Yardage 3443 | Private
Cotton Dike Course Par 72 | Yardage 6787 | Private
Chechessee Creek Club Okatie, SC
Morgan River Course Par 72 | Yardage 6657 | Private
843-987-7000 chechesseecreekclub.com
Par 70 | Yardage 6641 | Private
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oastal South Carolina and coastal Georgia are home to many of the country’s top 100 private residential golf communities, as rated by Links magazine. From Sea Pines to Savannah Harbor, the area is ripe with lush greens just waiting for hackers. Two of the most iconic and most visited historic towns in the U.S., Savannah and Charleston, draw millions of tourists, and Hilton Head Island does pretty well, too. Many play golf while visiting, and some decide they want to retire to the Lowcountry. The mild climate, dramatic marsh vistas, live oaks, palm trees and the availability of vast tracts of affordable land all favored development of high-end residential communities centered around golf. On Hilton Head Island, Sea Pines was one of the first and, at that time, most innovative planned golf communities on the East Coast. Visionary developer Charles Fraser worked with talented planners, architects, landscapers and builders who eventually branched out on their own. They continued to apply the knowledge they acquired during these pioneer years, and the results can be seen today in upscale golf communities throughout the island, in Bluffton and in Northern Beaufort County.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Colleton River Bluffton, SC
843-836-4400 | colletonriverclub.com Dye Course – Par 72 | Yardage 7403 | Private Nicklaus Course – Par 72 | Yardage 7085 | Private
Fripp Island: Northern Beaufort County, SC 843-838-1558 | frippislandresort.com
Indigo Run Hilton Head, SC
843-689-7300 | indigoruncoa.com
Ocean Creek Course Par 71 | Yardage 6586 | Private
The Golf Club Par 72 | Yardage 7110 | Private
Ocean Point Course Par 72 | Yardage 6556 | Private
Golden Bear Par 72 | Yardage 7014 | Semi-Private
Haig Point Daufuskie Island, SC
Long Cove Club Hilton Head, SC
843-341-8155 | haigpoint.com
843-686-1070 | longcoveclub.com
Par 72 | Yardage 7380 | Private
Par 71 | Yardage 7094 | Private
Hampton Hall Bluffton, SC
Moss Creek Hilton Head, SC
843-815-8720 | hamptonhallsc.com Par 72 | Yardage 7503 | Private
Hilton Head Lakes Bluffton, SC
843-784-5253 | hiltonheadlakes.com Par 72 | Yardage 7300 | Public
843-837-2229 | mosscreek-hiltonhead.com Devil’s Elbow North Par 72 | Yardage 6510 | Private Devil’s Elbow South Par 72 | Yardage 6878 | Private
Hilton Head Plantation Hilton Head, SC 843-681-8800 hiltonheadplantation.com
Dolphin Head Golf Club Par 72 | Yardage 6606 | Semi-Private Bear Creek Golf Club Par 72 | Yardage 6804 | Semi-Private Oyster Reef Golf Club Par 72 | Yardage 7014 | Semi-Private Country Club of Hilton Head Par 72 | Yardage 6919 | Private SP EC I AL ADVE RTI SI N G SECTI ON
April 2020 63
25 Communities
Oldfield Okatie, SC
843-645-4624 | oldfield1732.com Par 72 | Yardage 7142 | Private
Palmetto Bluff Bluffton, SC
843-706-6580 | palmettobluffresort.com Par 72 | Yardage 7171 | Public
Palmetto Dunes Hilton Head, SC 843-785-1136 | palmettodunes.com Arthur Hills Par 72 | Yardage 6918 | Public George Fazio Par 70 | Yardage 6873 | Public Robert Trent Jones Par 72 | Yardage 7005 | Public
Palmetto Hall Hilton Head, SC
843-342-2582 | palmettohallcc.com Arthur Hills Course Par 72 | Yardage 6918 | Semi-Private Robert Cupp Course Par 72 | Yardage 7079 | Semi-Private
Spring Island Okatie, SC
843-987-2200 | springisland.com
Sea Pines Resort Hilton Head, SC
Par 72 | Yardage 7135 | Private
843-842-8484 | seapines.com
Harbour Town Golf Links Par 71 | Yardage 7099 | Semi-Private
Heron Point Par 72 | Yardage 7035 | Semi-Private
Atlantic Dunes Par 72 | Yardage 7010 | Semi-Private
Sea Pines Country Club Par 72 | Yardage 6383 | Private
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Wexford Plantation Hilton Head, SC 843-686-8810 | wexfordplantation.com Par 72 | Yardage: 6913 | Private
GEORGIA
The Ford Plantation Richmond Hill, Georgia 912-756-2742 | fordplantation.com Par 72 | Yardage 7409 | Private
The Landings Club Savannah, Georgia 912-598-8050 | landingsclub.com
Marshwood Course – Par 72 | Yardage 6904 | Private Magnolia Course – Par 72 | Yardage 6891 | Private Plantation Course – Par 72 | Yardage 6837 | Private Palmetto Course – Par 72 | Yardage 6941 | Private Oakridge Course – Par 72 | Yardage 6603 | Private Deer Creek Course – Par 72 | Yardage 7094 | Private
Savannah Quarters Pooler, Georgia 912-450-2700 | savannahquarters.com Par 72 | Yardage 7066 | Private April 2020 65
25 Communities
Berkeley Hall T
his is where you want to be.
When you’re traveling and heading towards the coast, the scenery changes before you. The palmetto and Live oak trees stand guard on either side of the winding road, while Spanish moss waves in the wind as the unofficial flag of Lowcountry, South Carolina. This is a place where time slows in order for you to appreciate your surroundings. Friendly is the default greeting, and that is also an apt description of the private Lowcountry golf community of Berkeley Hall. Resting on the banks of the Okatie River, Berkeley Hall offers warm, relaxing Lowcountry living with the grandeur and amenities similar to a luxury resort. Not only is Berkeley Hall one of the premiere South Carolina golf communities, it is one of the only residential communities with two Fazio-designed core golf courses, not to mention what might be the best golf learning center in the Southeast. Each of the two Fazio courses are patterned after the classic designs of the 1920s, where the “core routing” is uninterrupted by any interior homes or roads, encouraging golfers to walk the course and soak
40 hiltonheadmonthly.com
‘‘
BERKELEY HALL
REPRESENTS PURE
GOLF AT ITS FINEST, A CELEBRATION OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GREAT ABOUT THE GAME. EVERY ROUND FEELS LIKE A WALK IN THE PARK.” -TOM FAZIO
366 Good Hope Road, Bluffton, SC 29909 843.815.8423 | Golf 843.815.8444 berkeleyhallclub.com
AM EN I TI ES Two Championship "Core Golf" Courses by Tom Fazio 33-Acre State-of-the-Art Golf Practice Facility & Learning Center Fitness Center & Spa Exceptional Culinary Experiences Racquet Sports Tennis & Pickleball The River Park Greenway Trails
ACCOLADES Five Star Platinum Club Distinguished Club Elite Designation Best Residential Courses: North & South Course - Golfweek Top 100 Golf Communities: Travel + Leisure Top 100 Premiere Properties: Links Magazine Site of 2020 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
up every minute. Homesites have been positioned on the perimeters, with generous setbacks so that each layout meanders through an open coastal landscape framed by seaside grasses. Dramatic elevation changes, beautiful water features, and bold strategic bunkering showcase the designer’s artistry. The North Course is a scenic marvel with tranquil lakes, rolling fairways and bunkers that strategically frame heavily contoured greens. In contrast, the South Course offers a classic parkland golf experience, featuring majestic live oaks, loblolly pines, azaleas, and crepe myrtles, which accentuate the course routings against a backdrop of golden marshes along the pristine Okatie River. Golf (and life) in its purest form awaits you at Berkeley Hall. This is where you want to be.
April 2018 41
25 Communities
Hampton Hall A
mid the live oaks and the Spanish moss of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, there is a private golf community in the heart of Bluffton, where like-minded souls come together to live, laugh, celebrate, and play. Hampton Hall is a private community and club conveniently located just minutes from Hilton Head Island, Savannah and Beaufort. The club experience is focused on bringing people together – friends, family, members and guests – and it’s designed to evolve and adapt to the members’ wants and needs. Each amenity (championship golf, state-of-the-art health & fitness center, resort-style pool, tennis, pickleball and bocce) blends seamlessly with the others to create the total experience. One that can be shared with the whole family and is the source of cherished memories again and again. At the heart of Hampton Hall, and perhaps its most celebrated feature, is the spectacular Pete Dye Signature Golf Course. Designed by the legendary golf architect himself, it offers a brilliantly open design with beautiful, panoramic vistas sure to inspire your best game. Built with precision and artistry, it features six
sets of tees with yardages stretching from a comfortable 4,454 to 7,503 yards from the tips. "This course is very playable for all skill levels,” says Hampton Hall's Head Golf Professional, Brent Carlson. “The multiple tee boxes ensure that players at every level have a great time. It’s nice to have a Pete Dye design that's playable for all. You can see his fingerprint all over the course.” Hampton Hall's golf members have a wide range of favorite holes, with one notable exception. The finishing hole leaves a lasting impression. The lengthy par-4 18th hole shows off Dye's design skills, as golfers first must keep their drive within a narrowing fairway before attacking a long approach shot over a fronting creek and wetland. "Everything feels very spacious for most of the round. And then you get to 18, and it's just a very, very difficult hole," Carlson says. "It's a hard way to finish.
170 Hampton Hall Blvd., Bluffton, SC 29910 843.815.8730 hamptonhallclubsc.com
AM E N I T I E S Pete Dye Signature Golf Course Health & Fitness Center Indoor Lap Pool & Hot Tub Spa Services Lakeside Pool and Splash Pad Tennis Pickleball Bocce Basketball Court Playground Golf Clubhouse Community Clubhouse Casual and Fine Dining Venues Library Billiards Room 20+ member clubs Audubon International Certified
Many a good round have come to die at 18." After a good round – hopefully after conquering No. 18 – golfers can brag about their shot of the day while enjoying a drink and burger with friends at Pete's Grill in the Golf Clubhouse. "This is one of the nicer golf clubhouses in the area, and it’s made even better with a bunch of happy people in here, all laughing and enjoying themselves," Carlson says. "I think that's what makes this building very welcoming to the membership. They feel at home here." Hampton Hall’s full-service golf shop is stocked with the latest apparel and equipment, and four professionals on staff are available for lessons and clinics. A comprehensive practice facility, including an expansive driving range, putting green, chipping green with bunker, and second short game and instructional area, is also available for members to improve their game. "Our range is awesome," Carlson says. "I just love how much space they dedicated to the range. It's a great practice area." Hampton Hall offers golf membership options for both residents and nonproperty owners. For more information on memberships, please contact Kristy Stewart at (843) 815-9343 or kstewart@ hamptonhallsc.com.
April 2018 41
25 Communities
Haig Point H
aig Point is a charming sea island community only one mile across the sound from the southern tip of Hilton Head Island. There is no bridge to Daufuskie Island. Residents and guests drive electric carts to the eclectic points of interest in and around the Island. The private ferry system and water taxis ensure connectivity to the abundance of dining, shopping and cultural arts options nearby. Blessed with natural beauty, Haig Point is naturally protected, unpretentious and safe. The Island itself has a soul that is both calming and stimulating. From the coastal views, shady maritime forests and tabby ruins to the simple Gullah houses that are original to the Island, character is in no short supply. The Strachan Mansion is one of the first destinations to greet you from the dock at Haig Point. Moved from St. Simons Island in 1986, the historic mansion serves as a charming guesthouse with an intimate bar, restaurant and billiards room. Wind along a path under centuryold trees toward the Lighthouse. Built in 1873, today it serves as a guesthouse as well as a venue for weddings, receptions and special events.
‘‘
BLESSED WITH
NATURAL BEAUTY, HAIG POINT IS NATURALLY
PROTECTED, UNPRETENTIOUS
AND SAFE.
10 Haig Point Cir., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843.341.8148 haigpoint.com
AM E N I T I E S Private ferry with 18 round trips daily Private hourly water taxi service 18-Hole Rees Jones Signature Course 9-Hole Rees Jones Osprey Course Antebellum-style Clubhouse Waterfront Fine Dining Restaurant Stately Mansion with Guest Rooms 1873 Haig Point Lighthouse Oceanfront Beach Club and Bar Several swimming pools USTA-gold rated tennis facility Fitness Center Community Center Equestrian Center
ACCOL A DE S Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” and “Best in State” Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 in the World”
The award-winning Rees Jones Signature Course is a special golf venue. Featuring 20 holes, the course was meticulously designed to maximize the beauty of the Island’s natural setting. With ten holes running perpendicular to the shoreline, players enjoy scenic views. The 9-hole Osprey Course was also designed by Jones. The antebellum-style Clubhouse complements Haig Point’s relaxed social scene. There are several dining rooms, a library and meeting services. With breathtaking views of the Sound and Intracoastal Waterway, the Calibogue Club is a hub of socialization and activity. It houses the pool complex, featuring sunning decks and a kids’ pool as well as the bar & grill. Haig Point’s Equestrian Center offers programs for all ages and abilities, including lessons and horseback riding on the beach. Words and photos cannot fully describe the allure of Haig Point. It’s a connection you get from the moment you arrive. Discover the attraction on an allinclusive multiday Stay and Play Package.
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25 Communities
Dataw Island O
utperform your dreams. Perfectly situated between Hilton Head, Savannah and Charleston, you’ll find Dataw Island, one of South Carolina’s hidden gems. Off the beaten path and surrounded by nature, yet close to the beach, shopping, history, and fine and performing arts. Dataw Island is a gated golf, tennis and boating community where members are very active in social and sporting activity, as well as in philanthropic ventures. A true island, you’ll find breathtaking vistas at every turn – on the courses, from the Club, the pool, and especially... from your back porch. Homes are deliberately situated to feature water or golf views or both—plus close ties to a rich history, dating back 6000+ years to the island’s early Native American residents on through to the Plantation Era, ruins from which can still be toured onsite today. Members of Dataw Island enjoy scenic golf courses by Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills challenging enough for the avid golfer, yet accessible for those just learning. This private club neighborhood also features world-class tennis facilities; impeccably-maintained croquet lawns; 24-hour security; a full service marina; docks for crabbing, launching kayaks, and catching a
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‘‘
DATAW ISLAND CLUB IN SOUTH CAROLINA
IS ONE OF THE FIRST, AND REMAINS ONE
OF THE FINEST, MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES IN THE
SOUTHEAST. —Tom Fazio
121 Dataw Drive, Beaufort, SC 29920 843-838-3838 datawmarketing@islc.net dataw.com
A M EN IT I ES 36 Holes of Golf, by Tom Fazio (Cotton Dike course) and Arthur Hills (Morgan River course) 8 Har-tru Tennis Courts, named a USTA “Outstanding Tennis Facility” Marina 2 Croquet Lawns 2 Bocce Courts Pickleball Club 3 Community Docks (one with kayak launch and storage) Indoor Pool Resort-Style Pool (Saline; Heated and Cooled) Fitness Center 24-Hour Manned Security Gate with Concierge-Style Service Yoga Studio Art Studio Full-Service Boat Yard
sunset or sunrise; Fitness Center; yoga and art studios; and, indoor and outdoor swimming pools (don’t miss the resort-style pool overlooking the water! With a zero-entry design, saltwater, and heating and cooling, it’s a relaxing destination year-round.) In the northern part of Beaufort County, Dataw is just outside the historic city of Beaufort – home to the University of South Carolina Center for the Arts and full of historic allure, excellent dining, festivals and markets, and a year-round climate in which to enjoy it all. Beaufort has rightly earned its mark as Southern Living’s “Best Small Town”; Coastal Living Magazine's “Happiest Seaside Town”; and Field & Stream’s “Top 20 Fishing Town.” Dataw itself has been recognized as a “Top 100 Private Golf Community” by Travel+Leisure; the Beaufort Gazette awarded Dataw the “Best Golf Course,”“Best Golf Pro,” and “Best Tennis Instructor”; and, the island has been recognized for fantastic water views, health & wellness, kayaking, and golf by ideal-Living Magazine, as well as numerous other awards and honors. If you feel lured by the Lowcountry, you’d be well-advised to “short list” Dataw Island as an option for living the life you've dreamed of. Dataw Island: created by nature, and reserved for you!
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Cocoon 6 Promenade St. Bluffton, SC 29910 cocoonbluffton.com
fashion
SPRING
Photography: Guido Flueck Stylist: Brittany Smart | Hair & Makeup: Johanna DeAngelo Models: Ryan Leal | Myranda McAfee | Gigi Bailey Special thanks to Moss Creek for letting us shoot at their beautiful location
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S.M. Bradford | 1000 William Hilton Pkwy #2B | Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 | smbradfordco.com April 2020 77
fashion
left: Quiet Storm | 1 N Forest Beach Dr, Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head Island | quietstorm.com right: Cocoon | 6 Promenade St, Bluffton, SC 29910 | cocoonbluffton.com 78 hiltonheadmonthly.com
Gigi’s Boutique | 40 Calhoun St., Bluffton, SC 29910 | gigisbluffton.com April 2020 79
fashion
left, right: Player’s World of Sports | 38 Shelter Cove Ln Suite 130, Hilton Head Island | players-world-of-sports.business.site middle: Moss Creek Pro Shop | 1523 Fording Island Rd, Hilton Head Island | mosscreek-hiltonhead.com 80 hiltonheadmonthly.com
left: Radiance Hilton Head | 49 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island | radiancehiltonhead.com right: 32° North | 49 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island | 32degreesnorthhhi.com April 2020 81
fashion
Player’s World of Sports | 38 Shelter Cove Ln Suite 130, Hilton Head Island | players-world-of-sports.business.site 82 hiltonheadmonthly.com
left: Quiet Storm | 1 N Forest Beach Dr, Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head Island | quietstorm.com right: Spartina 449 | 32 Calhoun St, Bluffton | 28 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island | spartina449.com April 2020 83
››Gardening
Trim & Prune 84 hiltonheadmonthly.com
’TIS THE SEASON FOR THE GREENING OF LOWCOUNTRY LAWNS AND GARDENS BY DEAN ROWLAND
S
pring is the season of new beginnings for Lowcountry lawns and gardens. Though our low-nutrient sandy soil, wildlife intrusion, and hot and humid summers make lush lawns and gardens challenging, spring is a time when hope sprouts eternal. It helps that many native trees, shrubs and plants have adapted over time to these less-than-ideal conditions. “We live on a sandbar; there’s not a lot about our soil that’s very elegant,” said Tim Drake, business development and landscape enhancement designer at The Greenery on Hilton Head. “If you’re planting the right plants that tolerate the poor soils we have, or if your garden generally looks good, you don’t really need to worry about the soil.” Regardless of your lawn’s current health, now is the time to focus on cleaning up your property. “First and foremost, survey your garden and make sure you get all of the winter weeds out and get rid of debris,” said Mary Ann Bruno, who owns Bruno Landscape and Nursery on Hilton Head with her husband, Gary. That includes removing dead or damaged branches and dead leaves, last year’s dried-out mulch and other debris, and cleaning out the flower beds.
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››Gardening
PLANT PRUNING
Pruning Lowcountry plants and shrubs can be an art form, but there are tips that will help you succeed: • Seasonal or “selective” pruning removes dead or diseased branches and those that touch or cross one another. Try to cut in areas screened by leaves so that your cuts aren’t visible. Make sure to leave some growth or leaf nodes behind the cut. This encourages new growth, produces a fuller plant and allows light to reach inside the shrub. • Renewal planting refers to drastically cutting back unwieldly, overgrown plants. Broadleaf shrubs like azaleas and camellias respond well to this approach. Cut shrubs down to within 6 to 12 inches of ground level. • Narrow-leaf evergreens like boxwoods do not like to be pruned, so transplanting them is a better option. • Prune flowering shrubs after they bloom; prune non-flowering shrubs when they are dormant. • Pruning stimulates growth and often yields an abundance of flowers, fruit and foliage. New shoots result in large, beautiful flowers, while old shoots support the plant’s structure.
“It’s kind of a housecleaning primp for the big jump in the spring,” said Mark Woodruff, owner of Carolyn’s Landscaping and whose Windmill Harbour home was featured in last year’s All Saints Garden Tour. “You have that transition from cleanout, spruce up, prune up, organics. It’s kind of a basic approach at this time of year. … If you haven’t done it yet, it’s not too late.” Be sure to prune plants and shrubs by removing dead or diseased branches and then trim the plants to the desired size, shape and form for your overall landscaping scheme. Seasonal pruning
of pampas grass and crepe myrtles and renewal pruning of overgrown woody shrubs also are advised, Drake said. “You can selectively prune bigger tree forms to see if they’re growing the way you want them to grow,” said Bruno, whose company is celebrating its 30th year in business. Next up, turn over the garden soil to enhance its oxygen intake and add organic material to the top layer, Woodruff said. Fertilize shrubs and perennials around the base of the dripline, not in the neck. Then apply mulch for moisture retention and to boost the soil’s overall health. But don’t touch the turf until it starts spring greening, or you’ll risk stimulating fungal organisms. “Early spring is when you fertilize” for better growth and the blooming of plants and to reduce the intrusion of diseases and insects, Bruno said. Once the soil warms and the lawn grass starts to show its spring color, fertilize. “You want your lawn to transition on its own,” Bruno said. Look at your garden with a discerning eye before making any decisions about new plantings. Is everything in the right place since last year, or are changes needed? “Tackle your big stuff first and then start your layering effect,” Bruno said. But what should you plant? “Anything zoned for this zone, which is 8B semi-tropical,” Woodruff said. “Anything for zones 8B or 9 would work. The most important thing is the right plant for the right environment.” That means some plants just won’t thrive in the Lowcountry. “You can’t grow everything here,” Drake said. “You can’t grow lilacs, you can’t grow pansies, you can’t grow rhododendrons; stick with what’s what tried and true here like … some types of azaleas.” Other favorites for spring planting: magnolias, redbuds, Chinese dogwoods, salvias,
Regardless of your lawn’s current health, now is the time to focus on cleaning up your property.
geraniums, marigolds, begonias, bush daisies, butterfly bushes and foxtail ferns. Of course, you’ll want to consider where you’ll be planting — whether it’s a sunny spot or a shady one, what the drainage is like and if there is room for roots to spread out, for example. Bruno’s mantra for a healthy lawn and garden is simple: “Plants are like people. If you take care of them and give them nutrients they’re missing, you’re going to produce better.”
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››Real Estate News Damato
Newton
Razmetova
Swenson
Feight
Kirschmann
A MESSAGE FROM REALTORS
Many Lowcountry real estate companies are reaching out to their clients to reassure them that listings, showings and closings of property continue. The companies are making use of virtual technologies that minimize or eliminate the need for proximity. These techniques aren’t new, Realtors say: they’ve been used with outof-state and international buyers for years.
WEICHERT REALTORS WELCOMES NEW AGENTS
Weichert Realtors Coastal Properties recently added four new agents to its team of real estate professionals: Pat Damato has joined the team as a real estate professional. Previously, she owned a business that helped the elderly and mentally and physically challenged people in nursing homes and adult day cares and who are homebound. She moved to the Lowcountry 10 years ago from Connecticut. Lisa G. Newton has joined the team as a real estate professional. Previously, she had a career in culinary arts. She moved to Hilton Head Island in 1998 from Buffalo, New York. Saida Razmetova has joined the team as a real estate professional. Previously, she worked in hospitality management. Razmetova moved to the Lowcountry from central Florida in 2014.
Zealy
Franseen
Lowell
Randall
Wiedenmann
Latitude
She is bilingual; Russian is her native language. William Zealy has joined the team as a real estate professional. In addition to selling real estate, Zealy is a team leader with the South Carolina National Guard and a student at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Previously, he served four years of active duty in the Army.
CHARTER ONE REALTY AGENTS EARN REALTOR SERVICE AWARD
Several Charter One Realty sales professionals were recognized by the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors with the Realtor Service Award. Each year, the association honors local Realtors with this distinguished award for outstanding service. Charter One’s award recipients were Alison Melton, Becky Herman, Charles Sampson, Jacque Johnson and Lonnie Goulet.
WEICHERT REALTORS NAMED TOP PERFORMING AFFILIATE
Weichert Realtors Coastal Properties has been named as a Premier Client Group for 2020 by Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. The South Carolina-based affiliate is one of 30 out of over 250 affiliates to be named to this elite group. Weichert Coastal Properties has offices on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, Beaufort and Okatie.
DUNES REAL ESTATE WELCOMES TWO
Alex Franseen and Jim Lowell have joined the team at Dunes Real Estate as sales professionals. Lowell has worked in sales and marketing for the past 30 years.
LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE TOWN CENTER NOW COMPLETE
Omega Construction recently completed the work on Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head’s Town Center, which includes the Fins Up Fitness Center with indoor pool, the Bar and Chill restaurant and outdoor lounge, a 500,000-gallon zero-entry pool with a tiki-themed bridge and shade structures, a promenade entertainment area and various sport courts. The center is now open to residents of Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.
KELLER WILLIAMS ADDS FIVE AGENTS
Keller Williams recently welcomed five new agents to its team of real estate professionals: Chuck Swenson, Megan Feight, Ken Kirschmann, Lisa Randall and Jeannette Wiedenmann. The five agents will work in the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island Keller Williams real estate offices.
April 2020 93
››Adventure
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Sentinels of the Swamp April 2020 121
››Adventure
CYPRESS AND TUPELO GIANTS STAND GUARD AT EBENEZER CREEK BY CAROL WEIR PHOTOS BY GUIDO FLUECK AND SCOTT LENGEL
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kayak and canoe trail winds through the tupelo-cypress swamp at Ebenezer Creek. Locals know that paddling is the best way to experience this unique habitat. “This is a wild and scenic waterway,” said Brian Cohen of Backwater Expeditions, an adventure outfitter helping people explore this protected wetland. “It’s fed by several artesian springs.” Ebenezer Creek is a tributary of the Savannah River in Effingham County, about 20 miles north of Savannah. This beautiful and majestic swamp is populated by cypress and tupelo trees. Its unique seasons and varying water levels, make exploring this fascinating eco system a year-round opportunity. It’s best visited from March to October when the swamp
is leafy green, but makes for a comfortable exploration in winter when the temperatures are cooler and the branches are bare. This pristine and historic area is a blackwater creek — tannins released by the decay of the leaves and needles of the trees turn the water dark. Luckily, the water is acidic enough so that mosquito eggs can’t hatch. Very few of the biting insects are found here. Specialized roots allow cypress trees to live in consistently inundated environments, and their swollen bases and tapered long trunks extend out to “cypress knees.” It all provides stability in heavy winds and floods. A distinct “knee” — roots that protrude from the surface of the water — allows the tree to access oxygen during flooding.
The majestic swamp of Ebenezer Creek and its unique seasons make for fun exploration.
Cypress trees lose their flat, long needles in the winter, and the tupelo loses it leaves. The name “tupelo” literally means “swamp tree” in the language of the Muscogee Nation. A natural trail opens up among the trees. Most people are surprised to learn that paddling backwater is no harder than paddling in a lake. “There’s no real current, so paddling upstream is just as easy as paddling downstream,” said Cohen, an Effingham Historical Society board member. The variety of cypress found here is “balding cypress,” which thrives in a place that most trees cannot; some are 150 feet tall and represent centuries of growth. The “balding cypress” is hollow and thus is not used for lumber. It
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››Adventure
The variety of cypress found here is “balding cypress,” which thrives in a place that most trees cannot; some are 150 feet tall and represent centuries of growth. 124 hiltonheadmonthly.com
April 2020 125
››Adventure
is still used for cypress mulch, a landscaping product. While exploring Ebenezer Creek by canoe or kayak, it’s possible to imagine what life was like before the Civil War. Those familiar with the area’s history also know tragedy happened here. On Dec. 9, 1864, an incident at the creek during the Civil War resulted in
the drowning of many people newly freed from enslavement. Union General Jefferson Davis crossed Ebenezer Creek with his 14th Army Corps, headed toward Savannah from Atlanta during General Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” Thousands of people newly freed from slavery attached themselves to the Union Army’s infantry. As the campaign
This beautiful and majestic swamp, populated by cypress and tupelo trees, is important for flood mitigation and water filtration. 126 hiltonheadmonthly.com
advanced, they came to be seen as “a growing encumbrance” as the Army approached Savannah. After crossing with his men, Davis hastily ordered removal of the pontoon bridges over the creek, and many slaves drowned trying to swim the swollen waters and to escape the pursuing Confederates. A historical marker erected by the Georgia Historical Society in 2010 marks this tragic event and commemorates those who perished. Nowadays, local families own weekend cabins in the swamp and people like to fish there, but mostly Ebenezer Creek is left to the animals. The swamp supports an abundance of wildlife including gar, catfish, bass and brim. Predators like the barred owl, the marsh hawk and red-tailed hawk swoop among the trees. The calls of warblers, woodpeckers, and wrens pierce the silence. Mammals, especially nutria, make their home there and, like other swamps throughout the Southeastern United States, Ebenezer Creek is home to frogs and alligators.
Cohen says he rarely sees snakes and when he does, they’re usually harmless king snakes. “I’ve only seen a couple water moccasins,” he said. While it’s possible to canoe or kayak in the swamp without a guide, it’s also easy to get lost when the swamp is flooded. And knowing the conditions is essential: the water level in Ebenezer Creek is controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which regulates the amount of water released from dams on the Savannah River near Augusta. Cohen, who lives “a country mile” from the Tommy Long Boat Landing where the trips depart, is proud of his company, which has been in business since 1997. “This is a local business. It’s not a commercial ‘how-many-can-we-herddown-the-river’ type operation,” he said.
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››Senior Living
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“Driving Miss Norma” LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST IS WHAT MATTERED MOST BY CARRIE HIRSCH PHOTO BY LLOYD WAINSCOTT
I
t’s not every day a 90-year-old woman impacts the lives of more than half a million followers. The nonagenarian never meant to be an influencer, but it turned out that Norma Bauerschmidt’s epic journey across the U.S. and her focus on seizing the day resonated with many. Norma decided to forego lifesaving cancer treatment and travel instead, a decision that would also change the life of her son and daughter-in-law, who hit the road with Norma and their dog, Ringo, chronicling the journey in “Driving Miss Norma” (Harper Collins, 2017), a book about what really matters at the end of life. “You don’t want to admit that your loved one is going to die — it’s the elephant in the room,” Tim Bauerschmidt said. But for Norma, living well until the end was more important than possibly extending her life. Her husband, Leo, had died, and she had been diagnosed with cancer shortly afterward. A World War II veteran who served her country at the San Diego Naval Hospital in the WAVES, Norma and Leo had been married just shy of 70 years, and when doctors recommended a hysterectomy followed by radiation and chemotherapy, Norma told them she had other plans: “I’m 91 years old. I’m hitting the road.” Tim and his wife, Ramie Liddle, invited Norma to join them on their motorhome travels, offering to “take her anywhere she wanted to go” — a journey that eventually included stops on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. The three agreed to travel together for a year. Tim and Ramie upgraded their
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››Senior Living
When Mom was still alive, we were getting powerful messages from around the world about how the book changed their entire lives. It gave them permission to actively live.
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motorhome to a Fleetwood Southwind 36D RV and a Jeep Wrangler to make sure there was room for everyone, and off they went. Their first stop? Norma wanted to see Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. “Tim and I had zig-zagged across the country many times,” Ramie said. “We were going to have a chance to see it through a different lens this time. A few lenses, really: The motorhome’s huge windshield and the eyes of a 90-year-old woman who had the strength to say ‘yes’ to adventure.” Ramie started a Facebook page about their travels, never dreaming their posts would get so much attention. “When Mom was still alive, we were getting powerful messages from around the world about how the book changed their entire lives. It gave them permission to actively live. They found courage from my mom saying no to cancer treatment,” Tim said. Many of the messages examined society’s reluctance to honestly examine the experience of aging and dying and what matters most to people in the end. The group started in Michigan, heading southwest and then east through New Orleans to Florida before advancing up the East Coast through Hilton Head, Bluffton and Charleston. They then turned westward again, finishing in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington. Along the way, they shared their adventures on social media: “We have driven the RV nearly 13,000 miles and slept in over 75 different locations in 32 states. We helped celebrate our National Park Service’s 100th anniversary by visiting a couple dozen national parks, monuments and recreation areas from coast to coast and north to south,” one post reads. About six months into the trip, the story went viral, which Tim and Ramie said they found terrifying — “We’re introverts,” Tim said. They made appearances on the “Today Show” and “CBS Evening News,” met thousands of admirers and fulfilled Norma’s longtime dream of a hot air balloon ride. It was as they were heading up the East Coast that the invitation came in from Hilton Head: The Hilton Head IslandBluffton Chamber of Commerce’s Charlie Clarke invited Norma to join the 33rd
annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2016 as an honorary parade committee member. “Do you think Ringo can go, too?” Norma asked. On the day of the island’s famed parade, Ringo rode in the kelly-green Ford Mustang convertible right alongside
Norma and Tim. Bluffton officials couldn’t let the travelers leave the Lowcountry without a visit, where they befriended newspaper editor Lynne Hummell and Mayor Lisa Sulka, who invited Norma to plant a tree in Leo’s memory — a fitting tribute given that Bluffton is a designated Tree City USA.
“To be honored by a community is incredible and that’s why we keep coming back here,” Tim said, visibly moved. Since Norma’s death on Sept. 30, 2016, in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, Tim and Ramie have spent many months in the Lowcountry — including this winter, when the self-described nomadic couple briefly lived aboard the “Miss Norma,” a Ranger Tug that they anchored in Shelter Cove Marina. “Tim drove every single mile of our trip with Norma. I started feeling like I was a passenger in my own life,” Ramie said with a smile. “So I’m the captain of the boat.” The couple has volunteered at Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, where board members and staff handed out copies of “Driving Miss Norma” to numerous groups, organizations, and friends. Ringo, certified as a hospice therapy dog, has visited residents of local memory care facilities. But though Norma is gone, their journey with her isn’t over: “Driving Miss Norma” has been translated into 10 languages, and a screenplay is in the works.
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››Where to Worship Pastor Pete Bernston (below) and his congregation at Church of Palms partners with local organizations to meet the needs of the community.
Church Family CHURCH OF THE PALMS TRIES TO OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE BY AMY COYNE BREDESON | PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LUPI
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s part of the United Methodist Church, Church of the Palms strives to provide help, hope and a spiritual home. “Knowing we are called to especially care for the least, the last, and the alone, we focus on providing help through application of our resources, including time and skills,” said the church’s pastor, Pete Berntson. To help meet the needs of the local community, Church of the Palms partners with several different organizations — for example, church members donate money and time to help Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity build homes. And, four times a year, the church converts its classrooms to bedrooms, its gathering space to a play area and its fellowship hall to a living room for a week so guests with Family Promise of Beaufort County can have a safe, comfortable place to stay while they work toward permanent housing. Church members also volunteer at Mercy Ministries in Hardeeville and provide the group with donations of food every week. The church also provides a scholarship for a business student studying at Africa University in Zimbabwe.
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When it comes to providing hope, the church strives to fulfill the intangible needs of people through its chapter of Stephen Ministries — a nonprofit Christian education organization that trains church members to provide one-on-one Christian care and guidance to those experiencing an acute crisis. Church of the Palms also participates in Carrefour Friends, an outreach program that provides companionship to people in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. The church’s Grandparent Program gives University of South Carolina Beaufort students the opportunity to “adopt a grandparent.” Students can sign up online to be matched with a surrogate grandparent who will give the students a little extra love and support while they are away from their families. Church of the Palms regularly opens its doors as a meeting place for several groups, including the Boy Scouts, the Lowcountry Youth Wind Symphony, the Lowcountry Jazz Band and Alcoholics Anonymous. Thanks to its location on S.C. 170, Church of the Palms is conveniently located for most of the Lowcountry, from
Bluffton to Hardeeville and Beaufort. It takes advantage of its prime positioning by hosting family-friendly events — like its annual pumpkin patch, a local favorite, as well as trunk-or-treat, Okatie’s Got Talent Show and a yard sale known as “Grandma’s Attic.” This year’s yard sale is planned for May 2. “We like to have fun,” Berntson said. “Most people who come here don’t have family here, so we have to be each other’s family.”
WORSHIP AT HOME Worship services will be halted until at least May 1. Streaming capabilities are being used to share worship experiences. The Gathering service held each Saturday at 5:30 p.m.. and the Sunday 11 a.m. service will be live streamed on the Church of the Palms YouTube channel palmsumc. org/YouTube. The church also has social media channels and a daily newsletter. For more information, call 843-379-1888 or go to palmsumc.org.
Where toWorship Grace Coastal Church Come. Experience Grace.
Saturday night “Come As You Are” Service at 6:30 PM Followed by a Fellowship Meal Sunday Morning Worship Services 8:45 and 11 AM Education, Coffee, & Fellowship 10 AM 15 WILLIAMS DRIVE OKATIE SC 29909
843-379-5520 GCCOFFICE16@GMAIL.COM
Easter at St. Andrew By–The–Sea UMC Hilton Head
7am Sunrise Service Coligny Beach 20 Pope Avenue 9:00 & 11:15am Choir & brass
Bluffton Worship 7am Sunrise Service Oyster Factory Park
39 Persimmon #203 9:00 & 10:30am Non-traditional
Holy Week Events & Services – www.hhiumc.com
Lowcountry Presbyterian Church Surrounded by God’s grace, we are a family of faith joined together through Christ, offering meaning and hope to all by the way we worship, serve and live.
Sunday Worship Services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Childcare available at 10:30 a.m. service 10 SIMMONSVILLE ROAD BLUFFTON, SC 29910 (INTERSECTION OF HWY 278)
843-815-6570 LPCOFFICE1@HARGRAY.COM LOWCOUNTRYPRES.ORG
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
We at Lord of Life Lutheran Church seek to serve in the name of Christ.
Sundays 8:30am and 10:30am 351 BUCKWALTER PARKWAY BLUFFTON, SC 29910
LORDOFLIFE-BLUFFTON.ORG 843-757-4774
UU Congregation of the Lowcountry An open-minded, open-hearted spiritual community
Sunday Schedule Meditation 9:15 a.m.
Service 10 a.m.
Childcare available 110 MALPHRUS ROAD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910 UULOWCOUNTRY.ORG
››Calendar
Earth Day
Calendar
APRIL 22 BY ANTHONY GARZILLI
J
ust because you can’t gather with a group of like-minded people doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Earth Day on April 22. This year’s event — the 50th anniversary of the holiday — will be celebrated online with Digital Earth Day, according to the Earth Day Network. “Amid the recent outbreak, that means using our voices to drive action online rather than in person,” said Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network. The Washington, D.C,.-based organization encourages participants to share the ecofriendly actions they are taking on Earth Day by using the hashtags #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE. According to the Earth Day Network’s website, April 22 will include global conversations and educational videos. “Musicians, artists, scientists and thought leaders will use digital ‘teach-ins’ to share their experience, expertise and lessons to a global audience,” Earth Day Network said. The Earth Day Network said it hopes the initiative to clean up beaches, neighborhoods and other areas will resume later this year. The first Earth Day celebration was held April 22, 1970, when 20 million Americans demonstrated for a healthier environment. In 1990, the event went global with 200 million people in 141 countries demonstrating in support of environmental concerns. For more information go to earthday.org.
TIPS TO GO ‘GREEN’ • Use a reusable water bottle: The U.S. uses 50 billion plastic water bottles each year, with most ending up in a landfill. Making plastic bottles uses 17 million barrels of gasoline, enough to power 1.3 million cars for a year.
• Try composting: Composting biodegradable food and materials is a way to feed organisms in the soil and plant life while reducing waste. Try composting kitchen scraps to use in your garden or yard.
• Recycle: Reduce your garbage by 10% and your carbon footprint by 1,200 pounds a year by recycling paper, plastic and glass.
• Plant a garden: Plant flowers for a fragrant garden, or plant vegetables to grow your own produce. You can plant from food scraps, such as lettuce, celery and onions.
• Save electricity: Turn off and unplug any electrics that are not in use. Turn off your computer at night, and turn off lights when you leave a room. 134 hiltonheadmonthly.com
A note from our editor: Most community events this month are cancelled but some have been reinvented in a virtual format. Check out our calendar online at hiltonheadmonthly. com, which we update frequently. If your group has a modification, cancelation or postponement, email it to: editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com.
››Recipe
Marc’s Bolognese MONTHLY’S CEO SHARES HIS GO-TO PASTA RECIPE
There are few dishes that are more satisfying and comforting than a good bowl of pasta Bolognese. It also happens to be a very easy, flexible and forgiving recipe to prepare. Italian cuisine is very regionalized, and Bologna is in the center where beef and parmesan are staples. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated on the stove the next day. (Do not microwave). Bon appetitto!
Ingredients: 1 pack of pasta (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti) 1 lb. of ground beef (Can substitute with hamburger patties) 1 onion (chopped) 1-2 cloves of garlic (minced) Red pepper flakes (Can substitute hot sauce or black pepper) 1 jar of tomato sauce (Marc likes Rao’s Basil & Tomato, but use your favorite) Grated parmesan, pecorino cheese (Substitute with any kind of cheese) Preparation time: ~20 minutes
Start a large pasta pot of slightly salted water over high heat. Step 1: Prepare your base. In a medium sauce pot over low heat: Add a bit of olive oil (or cooking oil), add onion, garlic and red pepper flakes and let simmer on low heat for a few minutes until onion is softened. Turn the heat up to medium. Step 2: A dd ground beef to the pan, breaking into pieces with a wooden spoon and let brown. Stir frequently. (Drain any excess fat if needed. Leave a bit in for flavor) Step 3: A dd tomato sauce to the mixture and stir to incorporate. Let sauce simmer on low heat. Step 4: When the pasta water has come to a boil, cook pasta according to instructions. Step 5: Once pasta is done, reserve some of the pasta water to add later if needed, then drain pasta. Step 6: R eturn the drained pasta to the pasta pot and add the sauce. Heat on medium and toss to coat pasta with the sauce. Use reserved pasta water to thin if sauce is too thick. Step 7: S erve in deep dishes, add cheese and optional parsley or arugula for a touch of freshness. Creative variations: Add bits of bacon or sausage for extra flavor. If you want a milder version you can mix in a bit of cream at the end (kids like it, but it is not part of any original recipe.) If you have access to fresh or dried herbs (oregano, rosemary, etc.) add it to Step 1. You may also add finely chopped carrots and celery to Step 1.
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We Can't Wait to Eat Out Again The following are our partners in Monthly and Fork & Fun. Local restaurants have taken a hard hit in the current pandemic. Some transitioned to offering takeout only; others closed completely. This situation is changing daily, so it’s smart to call ahead. Check out Hilton Head Monthly and Fork & Fun’s Facebook pages to find out who’s open offering takeout and delivery. It’s important to show our support and solidarity with local restaurants when they reopen by dining out.
Hilton Head – North End
ELA’S Blu Water Grille
1 Shelter Cove Ln. (Shelter Cove) 843.785.3030 | elasgrille.com
CocoNutz Sportz Bar
40 Folly Field Road HHI Beach & Tennis Resort 843.842.0043 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. If you get hungry, try the “Island’s Best Wings,” 1st place at Wingfest 2017, craft burgers and brews, prime rib.
Crazy Crab Jarvis Creek Hwy. 278 (near Mile Marker 1) 843.681.5021 | thecrazycrab.com
A Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years, enjoy genuine service and fresh seafood. Menu feature crab clusters, local oysters, seafood “your way,” fresh local shrimp.
Il Carpaccio
200A Museum St. (Across from Walmart) 843.342.9949 Serving a wide variety of authentic Italian cuisine, ranging from cuisine of Northern Italy to genuine crispy, thin-crust, Italian-style pizza. Casual, attractive restaurant, with large, attractive bar and a genuine brick oven (imported from Italy) for baking pizza.
33 Office Park Road Suite 227 843.686.5600 | healthyhabithhi.com A Quick service style restaurant with a focus on chopped salads and other plant based items utilizing the freshest ingredients possible with hand crafted dressings.
Old Fort Pub
65 Skull Creek Drive 843.681.2386 | OldFortPub.com Dine indoors or on the patio, enjoy beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The only AAA Four Diamond Restaurant on Hilton Head. (Won 11 times!) Reservations Recommended.
Fishcamp’s menu consists of seafood and American cuisine, including steak and lobster. They have an outdoor bar and open patio. Family friendly.
Have breakfast or lunch inside or outdoors in this bakery/ café. Enjoy crepes, omelets, breads, baguette & panini sandwiches, salads, soups, quiches & pastries. Traditional French recipes.
Street Meet: The American Tavern Port Royal Plaza 843.842.2570 | streetmeethhi.com
Street Meet specializes in homemade versions of regional American bar food. Best Wings, Fish & Chips, Homemade Soups, Salads, Vegetarian Menu, Seafood.
Jamaica Joe’z Beach Bar
40 Folly Field Rd. (Mid-island) 843.842.0043 | hhibeachandtennis.com Open 7 days. 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,cold beer or a soft drink.
Hilton Head – Mid-Island Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar 76 Queens Folly Rd. (Palmetto Dunes) 843.785.4999 | alexandersrestaurant.com
Menu uses seasonal ingredients with a strong emphasis on seafood while paying homage to Alexander’s original favorites. Dinner from 5–10pm daily.
Reilley’s North End Pub
Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza
95 Mathews Dr. (Port Royal Plaza) 843.681.4153 | reilleysnorth.com
7 Trent Jones Ln. (Palmetto Dunes) 855.878.1966 | palmettodunes.com/big-jims
An island institution, Reilley’s has been serving up steaks, seafood, pasta & sandwiches for more than 35 years. Kids eat free Tuesdays with an adult entrée.
Big Jim’s offers signature Southern dishes, gourmet burgers, pizzas, soups, salads, seafood, steaks and ribs. Open daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
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11 Simmons Road (Adjacent to Broad Creek Marina) 843.842.2267 | fishcamphhi.com
28 Shelter Cove Ln. 843.342.5420 | frenchbakeryhiltonhead.com
40 Folly Field Road HHI Beach & Tennis Resort 843.842.0043
Healthy Habit
Fishcamp on Broad Creek
The French Bakery & Courtyard Café
Gator’z Pizza
Be sure to stop by Gator’z Pizza and order the “Bigly” MEGA Pizza. It’s 400 square inches of pizza perfection! These delicious pizzas are available for both dine in and take out.
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. Reservations recommended.
Island Bagel & Deli
S. Island Square 843.686.3353 | islandbagelanddeli.com The island's only New York style boiled bagels made daily. Choose from 16 flavors of bagels, 12 home-made cream cheeses. For lunch: specialty hoagies, classic sandwiches & salads.
Jane Bistro & Bar
28 Shelter Cove Lane (Shelter Cove Towne Centre) 843.686.5696 | janehhi.com Classic bistro fare with Lowcountry influences. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, pecan cranberry chicken salad, crispy flounder and petit filet mignon with pommes frites. Open daily.
Old Oyster Factory
101 Marshland Rd. 843.681.6040 | OldOysterFactory.com Panoramic marsh and water views. Specializing in fresh seafood and some of the best steaks on Hilton Head. featured in The Wall Street Journal's “Off the Beaten Track.” Wine Spectator magazine’s “Award of Excellence.”
San Miguel’s
9 Harbourside Ln. (Shelter Cove Harbour) 843.842.4555 | sanmiguels.com Located directly on the harbour at Shelter Cove and provides good food and fun. Extensive California/Mexican menu. Try San Miguel’s Fish Tacos, fajitas and chimichangas. Lunch and dinner served daily.
Santa Fe Cafe
807 William Hilton Parkway (Plantation Center by Palmetto Dunes) 843.785.3838 | santafecafeofhiltonhead.com Casually elegant dining that captures the spirit of New Mexico. Signature items include Parmesan Chipotle Grouper, 24-ounce bone-in ribeye steaks, fajitas , & Painted Desert Soup.
Sea Grass Grille
807 William Hilton Parkway (Plantation Center by Palmetto Dunes)
843.785.9990 | seagrassgrille.com American and Lowcountry Continental cuisine. Chef Chad brings 38 years of hands-on culinary expertise. More than 50 wines by the glass. Winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
Up the Creek Pub & Grill
18 Simmons Rd. (Broad Creek Marina) 843.681.3625 | upthecreekpubandgrill.com Located on Broad Creek with great marina and water views. Known for smoked wings, hush puppies, buffalo chicken dip, beer selection and the best burgers. Kids menu available. Dogs are welcome.
Hilton Head – South End Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Café 69 Pope Avenue 843.785.7700 | auntchiladashhi.com
Excellent Tex-Mex and American fare. Enjoy the crab legs, sizzling fajitas, & margaritas. Reservations & large parties welcome. Private dining/event area. Live entertainment (seasonally) on the covered patio.
Big Bamboo
1 N. Forest Beach Dr. (Coligny Plaza) 843.686.3443 | bigbamboocafe.com Where the South Pacific meets the Carolina Coast just steps from the beach. A casual hangout with a local vibe serving burgers, seafood and festive libations. Come for the food, stay for the live entertainment! April 2020 137
››Dining | Favorites
Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte
British Open Pub
8 New Orleans Road 843.785.9277 | charliesgreenstar.com
Village at Wexford 843.686.6736 | thebritishopenpub.com
Open since 1982, Charlie’s, an island favorite among locals and tourists alike, writes its menu daily based on the freshest seafood available. Dinner menu offers an array of 14 fresh fish, rack of lamb, filet mignon and more. An extensive wine list.
Family friendly pub style restaurant with authentic English food with American favorites and certified Angus beef. Try the signature fish and chips or their shepherd’s pie, steak & mushroom pie, lobster pot pie and bangers & mash.
Carolina Crab Company
Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse
Boasting water views, enjoy fresh seafood at an affordable price in a family-friendly atmosphere. Offering an array of seafood; peel-n-eat shrimp, giant Po Boys, burgers, Maine lobster, & crab legs. Pet-friendly outside bar & patio.
A unique, all-you-can eat “Churrascaria.” Enjoy a 30 item salad bar, 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.
Catch 22
140 Lighthouse Rd. 843.671.2779 | CQsRestaurant.com
1000 William Hilton Parkway, B-6 843.715.3565 | cowboybraziliansteakhouse.com
86 Helmsman Way 843.842.2016 | carolinacrabco.com
CQ’s Restaurant
37 New Orleans Rd. (Orleans Plaza near Sea Pines Circle) 843.785.6261 | catch22hhi.com Catch 22 is locally owned. Dinner is served nightly from 5 p.m. Early Dining Menu from 5:00– 6:00 p.m. All of our beef is aged 28 days, U.S.D.A prime, hand selected and cut in house.
ChowDaddy’s
14b Executive Park Rd. (off of Pope Ave.) 843.757.CHOW(2469) | chowdaddys.com Offering a wide variety of menu items focusing on buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations. Serving lunch & dinner daily.
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Captain Woody’s
6 Target Rd. (off of Palmetto Bay Rd.) 843.785.2400 Enjoy “Fresh Seafood, Cold Beer & Great Happy Hour & Still A Locals Favorite For Over 30 Years!” Dine inside or outside on the patio. Serving a variety of fresh seafood, sandwiches, award winning soups and salads all at affordable prices.
Fine dining, an intimate atmosphere and a bit of Hilton Head history. Signature dishes include fresh seafood, beef & game.“Bistro” menu offers smaller portions.
Crane’s Tavern Steakhouse & Seafood 26 New Orleans Rd. 843.341.2333 | cranestavern.com
Perfect for steak and seafood lovers, serving cuts of only USDA Prime grade beef, their Famous Prime Rib. Excellent selection of fresh fish, seafood & pasta dishes.
Crazy Crab Harbour Town
Dough Boys Pizza
Healthy Habit
Genuine service and fresh seafood; a Hilton Head tradition for over 30 years! Menus feature crab clusters, local oysters, seafood “your way,” local shrimp and more. Dine in the heart of Sea Pines at Harbour Town.
House-made crusts: traditional hand tossed, thin crust and thick Sicilian. Create-Your-Own-Chopped Salad from 40 different item choices. Specialty subs are served on Amoroso rolls.
Quick service style restaurant with a focus on chopped salads, superfood bowls, fresh bottled juices, smoothies, breakfast and organic coffee & teas and other plant based items utilizing the freshest ingredients possible.
Sea Pines at Harbour Town 843.363.2722 | thecrazycrab.com
1 New Orleans Rd. 843.686.2697 | DoughBoysHHI.com
Flatbread Grill & Bar
33 Office Park Rd., suite 227 843-686-5600 | healthyhabithhi.com
2 N. Forest Beach Dr. (Beach Market Center) 843.341.2225 | flatbreadgrillhhi.com Upscale, casual dining. Enjoy Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta, gourmet salads, burgers, wraps, flatbread sandwiches and more. Dough & sauces are freshly made.
Frosty Frog Cafe & Pizza Coligny Plaza 843.686.FROG | frostyfrog.com
Delisheeyo
32 Palmetto Bay Road 843.785.3633 | delisheeeyo.com 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.
Dine inside or out on the large patio w/retractable roof. Enjoy daiquiris, wine, beer & a full liquor bar; menu includes burgers, crabcakes, salads, wraps, pizza, calzones, crab legs, shrimp, extensive gluten-free options & a kids menu.
Gusto Ristorante
890 William Hilton Parkway (Fresh Market Plaza) GustoHiltonHead.com Voted Hilton Head's Best New Restaurant. Executive chef/ owner Giancarlo Balestra and his wife Nancy bring the flavors of his hometown of Rome Italy to Hilton Head. Closed Monday.
Nunzio Restaurant + Bar 18 New Orleans Road 843.715.2172 | nunziohhi.com
Popular New Jersey chef Nunzio Patruno has brought his acclaimed cooking style to Hilton Head Island. Nunzio Restaurant + Bar specializes in fresh seafood and homemade pasta. Enjoy a delicious meal in the beautifully renovated 1,300-square-foot restaurant equipped with a large bar area and two outdoor seating areas.
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Want to Eat? Don’t want to wait in line?
››Dining | Favorites Hilton Head Diner
Hwy. 278 at Yacht Cove Dr. 843.686.2400 | hiltonheaddiner.com One of the island’s only 24-hour restaurants. Modern diner boasting one of Hilton Head’s most extensive menus. All baking is done on the premises. Beer, wine & mixed drinks available. breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill 70 Pope Avenue 843.686.5959 | hincheys.com
Your Favorite Restaurant Meals
Delivered!
HiltonHeadDelivers.com
843-785-7155
Hinchey’s has much in common with a sports bar, but is very much 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.
Hinoki Restaurant & Sushi Bar 37 New Orleans Rd. (Orleans Plaza) 843.785.9800 | hinokihhi.com
Serving traditional Japanese dishes including grilled fish, chicken and steak, sukiyaki, noodle dishes, tempura, and daily specials, plus sushi and sashimi. More than 20 entrées. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
the Island’s best po’ boys and fried seafood. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch.
Michael Anthony’s
37 New Orleans Rd. (Orleans Plaza) 843.785.6272 | michael-anthonys.com Family owned and operated since 2002, offering upscale classic Italian fine dining featuring innovative preparations and farm fresh ingredients. Open Table rates them as one of the country's Top 50 Italian Restaurants. Dinner is served Monday Saturday. Reservations suggested.
MidiCi Italian Kitchen
7C Greenwood Dr. (Reilley’s Plaza) 843.842.7999 MidiCi Italian Kitchen brings Italy’s original Neapolitan wood-fired pizza and authentic pasta to Reilley’s Plaza on Hilton Head Island. Taste the freshness of quality ingredients – pizza made with Italian flour in authentic wood-fired ovens. Enjoy signature appetizers, salads, and desserts made with fresh, natural and mostly non-GMO ingredients.
Ombra Cucina Italiana
1000 William Hilton Parkway (Village at Wexford) | 843.842.5505 | ombrahhi.com Chef Michael Cirafesi promotes the foods & wines of Italy. He prepares all pastas, homemade gnocchi, desserts and breads daily. An extensive wine list from every region in Italy. A European-style bar & lounge with a vast selection of Italian cocktails. Peanut-free. Gluten-free pasta available. Open 7 days a week from 4:30. Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome.
It’s Greek To Me
Nick’s Steak & Seafood
Genuine Greek cuisine, from gyros to fried calamari to souvlaki to baklava for dessert. Food is prepared with authentic Greek recipes and they have the only gyro machines on the island. Greek beer and ouzo. Reservations accepted.
Nick’s Steak & Seafood emphasizes steaks, seafood and barbecue and offers sandwiches, salads, appetizers, soups, burgers, pasta and a children’s menu. Reservations accepted. Large parties welcome.
11 Lagoon Rd. 843.842.4033 | itsgreektomehhi.com
Kenny B’s Cajun/ Creole Seafood 70-A Pope Ave. 843.785.3315
“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 140 hiltonheadmonthly.com
9 Park Lane 843.686.2920 | nickssteakandseafood.com
Palmetto Bay Sun Rise Café
Palmetto Bay Marina 843.686.3232 | palmettobaysunrisecafe.com Breakfast fare starting before the sun rises, from 6 a.m. Breakfast and lunch items are available continuously. The cafe offers to-go lunches for charter boats, the beach or any other occasion. Open seven days a week.
Phillys Cafe & Deli
55 New Orleans Rd. 843.785.9966 | phillyscafe.com Locally owned and operated for more than 25 years, 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.
Red Fish
Sea Shack
8 Archer Rd. (a half mile from Sea Pines Circle) 843-686-3388 | redfishofhiltonhead.com
6 Executive Park Rd. (off Pope Ave.) 843.785.2464 | seashackhhi.com
Red Fish specializes in beautifully prepared seafood and steaks. Diners may choose from a 1,000-plus bottle selection of wines from around the world. Private dining room for large parties. Multi-course early dining specials from 5-5:45 p.m. feature soup or salad; choice of seven entrées; and complimentary glass of chef’s choice of wine.
Serving up one of the island’s most extensive menus of seafood & more. Voted one of "South Carolina’s best seafood spots" by Coastal Living and Southern Living. Open Mon.Sat. for lunch & dinner.
Reilley’s Grill & Bar
7D Greenwood Dr. (Reilley’s Plaza) 843.842.4414 | reilleyshiltonhead.com Reilley’s has been serving up steaks, seafood, pasta & sandwiches for more than 35 years. Lunch & dinner daily, & Sunday brunch. The bar is open late. Enjoy Mon.Night Lobster and Fri. & Sat. Prime Rib (reservations required).
Rockfish Seafood & Steaks at Bomboras 5 Lagoon Road 843.689.2662 | rockfishhhi.com
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. Kids menu. Lunches to Go for the beach.
Stack’s Pancakes & More
2 Regency Pkwy. & Hwy. 278 843.341.3347
Family owned & operated, serving breakfast & lunch, 7 days. Enjoy pancakes, waffles, house-made fruit sauces, crepes, Crème Brûlée French Toast, shrimp & grits, crab benedict, shrimp omelet topped with lobster cream sauce. Gluten free items.
Salty Dog Cafe
South Beach Marina Village, Sea Pines, 843.671.7327 | saltydog.com 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.
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››Dining | Favorites Slapfish
1024 William Hilton Pwy (near Sea Pines Circle)
843.521.5830 | Slapfishrestaurant.com Slapfish, the nation’s fastest growing seafood restaurant has opened at 1024 William Hilton Parkway near Sea Pines Circle. Slapfish on Hilton Head is locally owned and operated by the Lomasney family serving honest flippin’ seafood infused with lots of flavor!
Stellini
15 Executive Park Rd. (near Sea Pines Circle) 843.785.7006 | stellinihhi.com Family owned & operated since 1989! Popular Italian appetizers and entrees from NY & Northern NJ. Delicious pasta, poultry, veal, seafood, beef and lamb all expertly prepared. Gluten Free & Children’s Menu.
The Studio
20 Executive Park Road 843.785.6000 | studiodining.com Dine while enjoying watching artists paint in the elegant studio. The menu is inspired by American and global cuisines and uses the finest regional, natural & organic ingredients. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan menu offerings.
Truffles
Sea Pines Center 843.671.6136 | trufflescafe.com Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups, sandwiches, and garden salads. Specialties include glazed grouper, mango salmon, crab cakes, chipotle chicken, meatloaf and fried shrimp. Daily from 11am.
Twisted Cork
11 Palmetto Bay Road, #102 (next to Staples) 843.802.0510 Open Monday through Saturday, 5-11 p.m. A local cocktail and wine bar. You can find it in Festival Center Plaza, near the Sea Pines Circle.
Vine
1 N Forest Beach Drive (Coligny Plaza Shopping Center)
843.686.3900 From marinated octopus to field greens from nearby St. George, the offerings at this intimate bistro are a treat for all. Mediterranean cuisine with a hint of Asian fusion. Reservations. Dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. 142 hiltonheadmonthly.com
BLUFFTON
Amigos, Bluffton 133 Belfair Town Village 843.815.8226
Authentic Mexican taqueria, serving delicious food “inspired by Mexican cuisine from Baja, Mexico, to Santa Barbara, California.” Owner Andrew Farbman created Amigos’ famous BBQ Chicken Salad. Amigos uses the finest ingredients.
British Open Pub
Sheridan Park 843.815.6736 | britishopenpub.net Pub-style restaurant featuring authentic English food. Excellent signature fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, steak and mushroom pie, and bangers and mash. Also wide selection of American appetizers and entrées. Lunch & dinner daily.
Captain Woody’s
17 State of Mind St. (Calhoun Street Promenade)
843.757.6222 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. A big outdoor deck bar featurs beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Captain Woody’s serves fresh seafood, great signature sandwiches, award winning soups and salads all at affordable prices.
Calhoun Street Tavern
9 Promenade St. 843.757.4334 | calhounstreettavern.co A place where fine spirits are drunk, laughs are had, and stories are told. Cold beer, classic cocktails, and familiar faces paired with a chef driven menu of southern plates and comforting lowcountry classic food.
ChowDaddy’s
15 Towne Dr. (Belfair Towne Village) 843.757.CHOW(2469) | chowdaddys.com Focusing on buns, bowls, and tacos and great libations. Enjoy salads, sliders, a house ground rib eye burger, or their famous smoked fried chicken. Serving lunch & dinner daily.
Cinco Mexican Grill
102 Buckwalter Parkway, Suite 3D (Berkeley Place)
843.815.2233 | cincomexgrill.com Authentic Mexican cuisine made from scratch using both traditional and modern recipes. Popular dishes are the Cinco Bowl, Piña Fajitas, Carnitas, Enchiladas, Chimichangas, Flautas and flan.
Corner Perk
843.816.5674 | cornerperk.com A coffeehouse/brunch restaurant where city meets South. Corner Perk offers the most amazing locally roasted Coffees, Teas, Espresso drinks, Cold Brew, Frappes as well as Skillets, Omelettes, Wraps, Sandwiches, and Salads.
inside or take advantage of the drive-thru.
Jack Frost
25 William Pope Center | 843.705.5669 | jackfrosticecream@gmail.com Fresh, frozen treats from scratch. Try flavors like cake batter and cookie dough, or their sorbets made with seasonal fruits. Stop by the parlor, where you can sit outside and perhaps sight Jack the alligator. Planning an event or party? They'll bring all the sweet stuff to you! Open Mon - Sun, 1pm - 9pm.
Nonna Lucia
5 Godfrey Place | 843.707.4281 blufftonnonnalucia.com Bluffton's only BYOB! Nonna Lucia is a casual award winning Italian Restaurant, Family owned and operated and located conveniently near downtown Bluffton. Early dining daily, live music every Friday and Saturday evening. Opens 4pm. Closed Mondays.
Island Bagel & Deli
17 Sherington Dr. 843.815.5300 | islandbagelanddeli.com The island's only New York style boiled bagels made from scratch daily. Choose from 16 flavors of bagels, 12 home-made cream cheeses, pastries & breakfast sandwiches. For lunch: specialty hoagies, classic sandwiches & salads.
Gourmet on Wheels/Grab and Go
61 Riverwalk Blvd., Unit E | 843.970.3030 | gourmetonwheels.org Gourmet on Wheels Delivery provides individually prepared healthy meals and delivers to your door weekly. Go online and choose your entrees with sides each week. Also, check out their Gourmet Grab and Go store with fresh made salads, meals, smoothies and more.
Grind Coffee Roasters
1 Sherington Drive, Suite J | 843.368.3348 grindroasters.com Grab a cup of Grind’s specialty coffee made with beans from Columbia, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya and more. Other options include infused coffee barrelaged in bourbon and whiskey barrels, and coffee infused with essential oils. Come
Olive & Fig
1533 Fording Island Road, Suite 326 (Moss Creek Village) | 843.707.1934
Olive & Fig provides guests with a unique opportunity to experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The menu features Lebanese and Greek dishes alongside traditional Mediterranean fare, and gluten free and vegetarian options. Open Mon-Sat Closed Sundays.
Truffles
Belfair Towne Village 843.815.5551 | trufflescafe.com Casual cafe featuring the “freshest and finest of everything!” Fresh local seafood, Black Angus steaks, baby back ribs, homemade soups and garden salads. Covered patio. Lunch, dinner daily. Full cocktail bar. Happy hour from 4-6.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE RITTERBECK
››My Perspective
Marc Frey – media entrepreneur mfrey@freymedia.com
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COVID-19 will change everything – or will it?
W
ithin a few weeks, the world came to a screeching halt. You would not know it if you were a farmer in India, untethered from the internet, but for most of the world the coronavirus is overshadowing the news and everybody’s daily life. The virus is not just attacking our lower respiratory system but our psyche, our values and our bank accounts. The world was spinning out of control thanks to greed, putting short-term gain over sustainability and ego before the common good. So maybe this is God’s way to put a halt on everything and give us a chance to re-group and reconsider our ways. In the short term, we are focused on putting a halt to the spread of the disease, mitigate the anxiety and keeping civic order. The bigger question remains if will we learn from it or hurry back to our old ways: Exploiting natural resources, polluting our environment, abusing the helpless, justifying corporate greed, accepting unmoral behavior, and spreading false information, to name a few – or is this the historic moment of epic proportions that will lead us to craft a more sustainable, better world for all? For sure, we will have accepted that for as much as we are separated, we are all connected and no wall, border or security system will change that. We will have learned that only a worldwide response will limit the damage to the current crisis. Plagues are nothing new and a much better global response system could have been put in place a long time ago. Scientists, writers and Hollywood have long warned about the danger. The movie “Contagion,” released in 2011, is based on fiction that now eerily resembles the exact scenario we are living through. The reason that the current outbreak has become a “panic-pandemic” lies in the fact that we were ill prepared, and we don’t have a clear plan of how to resolve it. For this shortcoming we will be paying a ginormous price that at the time of publication cannot be assessed and will leave deep emotional, physical and financial scars that will test our resolves to the limit. As soon as we have COVID-19 under control, we will be faced with an even bigger threat to our society: surviving the climate crisis. The only chance we have to come out on top of this challenge is to collaborate on a global scale and rethink our linear economic system that is based on taking but not replenishing, which nature teaches us is simply not sustainable. In the meantime, let’s hope and work toward: “þetta reddast,” Icelandic for “everything will work out at the end.”