Local Life Magazine January 2024 by LocalLife

H I LT O N H E A D • B L U F F T O N • B E AU F O RT

Jan 2024

a new dawn

T H E Y E A R A H E A D + P I O N E E R I N G P ROJ E CTS + T R E N D S F O R 2 0 2 4

Happy Happy New New Year! Year!

Celebrating over 4040 years lives connecting people Celebrating Celebrating over over 40 years years ofofenriching ofenriching enriching lives lives bybyby connecting connecting people people places, products and experiences. totoexceptional toexceptional exceptional places, places, products products and and experiences. experiences. OUTSIDE HILTON HEAD OUTSIDE OUTSIDE HILTON HILTON HEAD HEAD OUTSIDE PALMETTO BLUFF OUTSIDE OUTSIDE PALMETTO PALMETTO BLUFF BLUFF OUTSIDE SAVANNAH OUTSIDE OUTSIDE SAVANNAH SAVANNAH SHOP OUTSIDE SHOP SHOP OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE DMC OUTSIDE OUTSIDE DMC DMC

The first duty of an education is to stir up life but leave it free to develop. —Dr. Maria Montessori

Generously sponsored by of theThe Donaldson Realty Group, Donaldson, Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s This ad donated courtesy Donaldson Group with Catherine Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty. International Realty, www.thedonaldsongrp.com

Life happens beyond walls. So does the most meaningful learning and child development. Set alongside the idyllic May River in Old Town Bluffton,

• Extended outdoor free play is scientifically proven

May River Montessori is a community of compassionate

to improve social and academic development.

educators dedicated to nurturing each child’s unique love

• Learning avenues that increase in complexity as skills

of learning and development through both indoor and

are mastered allow students to self-direct their learning.

outdoor experiential learning.

• Unique, hands-on Montessori materials cultivate lifelong learning.

We believe joy is crucial—for a child’s development, for

• An emphasis on peace and harmony is the soul of

learning and academic growth, and for life as a whole. It is

Montessori curriculum.

our mission to help each student carry a flame of curiosity

• Students grow and harvest an edible school garden.

and a genuine passion for learning that will continue

• Creativity flourishes with music, drama and art opportunities that inspire curiosity and sensory

to burn brightly throughout their lives.

exploration. • Multi-age classrooms foster leadership, self-esteem and empathy in older children and increased and more rapid learning in

Proudly serving Bluffton and HIlton Head children for over 35 years.

younger children.

You’re in vited

Visits are strongly encouraged. Contact the office to schedule a visit. (843) 757-2312 www.mayrivermontessori.com

OPEN HOUS E Janu ary 5-7pm 25

ACC E S S O R I E S • C LOT H I N G HANDBAGS • JE W ELRY RESORT & TR AVEL • GIF TS

Photographed at Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah, Georgia

Visit us in store: Hilton Head | SHELTER COVE TOWNE CENTRE, HILTON HEAD SC Old Town Bluf fton | 32 CALHOUN STREET, BLUFFTON SC

HILTON HEAD ISLAND | BLUFFTON 843.341.5660

843.702.7756 hhifurniture.com

The Fabric of Family

Not all furniture is created equal. Sally O’Connor, Larry Setola Jr, Julie Setola & Pawlie

Some may buy furniture with the hope that it will last a few years. Hilton Head Furniture Company provides their clients with an experience and furniture that will last generations. Every upholstery item purchased comes backed with a lifetime guarantee on the frame, springs, and construction. As a trusted local source, your furniture ll e ta lore to t you your style and your lifestyle. If you are planning to furnish or refresh your space, be sure to visit their showroom and Design Center to take advantage of the vast array of options and complimentary design team which is focused on creating the perfect layout for your home all while delivering top tier customer service and extensive knowledge.

SHOWROOM AND DESIGN CENTER 45 New Orleans Road | Hilton Head Island, SC

Located in lovely Sea Pines Center

the team

WHAT EVENT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2024? PUBLISHER Lori Goodridge-Cribb (Local since 1986) lori.goodridge@wearelocallife.com

“More precious time with my grandbabies.” - LORI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lance Hanlin (Local since 2007) lance.hanlin@wearelocallife.com

BACKDOORHILTONHEAD

“November in the mountains of western North Carolina.” - LANCE

ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER Jeremy Swartz (Local since 2003) jeremy.swartz@wearelocallife.com

“Friends trip to Cabo!” - JEREMY

DESIGNER Charles Grace (Local since 1997) charles.grace@wearelocallife.com

“The New York International Ephemera and Book Fair in New York City in April.” - CHARLES

AUDIENCE & CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Ashlan Saeger (Local since 2016) ashlan.saeger@wearelocallife.com

“A few family weekend getaways, exploring new places.” - ASHLAN

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Bailey Gilliam (Local since 2020) bailey.gilliam@wearelocallife.com

“Halloween at Disney!” - BAILEY

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sheila Paz (Local since 2021) sheila.paz@wearelocallife.com

“My birthday, of course — it's January 8. LOCAL Life readers, feel free to send me presents at 800 Main Street.” - SHEILA “My 10-year wedding anniversary!”

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Rebecca Kerns (Local since 1999) rebecca.kerns@wearelocallife.com

“All the trips I have yet to plan. Where are we going?”

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Lauren Alston (Local since 2019) lauren.alston@wearelocallife.com

- REBECCA

- LAUREN

PHOTO EDITOR Lisa Staff (Local since 2003) lisa@lisastaffphoto.com

“Getting married. Is it still OK to wear white?” - LISA

SUBSCRIPTIONS & FINANCE Leah Ortega (Local in spirit) leah.ortega@wearelocallife.com

“Becoming new grandparents in April!” - LEAH

DISTRIBUTION & LIST STRATEGIST Bruce Wolff (Local since 2002) info@wearelocallife.com

“TransCanada rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver in the spring.” - BRUCE

800 Main Street Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926 843-802-2258 + LocalLifeSC.com

VOL. 8, NO. 1

The Shops at Sea Pines Center 71 Lighthouse Road #215 843.671.3677 10

Hilton Head’s foremost and most fun fashion boutique. LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

LOCAL Life is published monthly by Momentum Media Group, Inc. All contents are copyrighted by Momentum Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or advertising information, call 843-802-2258. Publisher is not responsible for claims and contents of advertisements. Product submissions should be mailed. LOCAL Life is not required to use your submission in any manner, and whether anything from your submission is included in our magazine is in our sole discretion.

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Luxury Defined. BOOK NOW, CHILL LATER.

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Real Estate . 843.785.7111 HiltonHeadProperties.biz

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features

Jan

The Year Ahead In this visionary edition, we dive into the groundbreaking projects and influential trends shaping the Lowcountry landscape in 2024. Uncover the pivotal initiatives unfolding in Beaufort County, accompanied by the newest developments in health and wellness. Gain insights through detailed profiles of forwardthinking town managers leading these changes. This issue also highlights the cutting-edge of style and design for 2024, presenting the year's top color palettes, innovative home decor ideas and the latest fashion trends. Join us on this transformative journey.

Color of the Year 2024

©KIRA YAN

Peach Fuzz

PRETTY AS A PEACH Pantone, the renowned design and color authority, has selected an elegant soft, pinkish-orange hue named Peach Fuzz as its 2024 Color of the Year. Officially designated as Pantone 13-1023, Peach Fuzz exudes a velvety, gentle and subtly sensual aura. Discover additional hues anticipated to dominate 2024 on page 82.

Coming soon

Transformative local projects coming to fruition in 2024

Literary resolutions

Bookmark-worthy new releases to kick off the new year

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Wellness forecast

Tips and trending technologies from local health professionals

Talk of the Town

Hilton Head's mayor shares his vision for 2024 and beyond

Palettes of possibility

Hues that major paint companies are predicting will rule 2024

2024 home trends

Local experts unveil the future of Lowcountry home design

100

Interior design tips

How to elevate your space with style and functionality in 2024

106

DIY project

Create a unique desk calendar in six easy steps

Ben Ham Gallery

Inspired by Nature Captured on Film

Ben Ham Galleries 210 Bluffton Road Old Town Bluffton, SC

416 King Street Charleston, SC

843.815.6200

843.410.1495

WWW.BENHAMIMAGES.COM

Jan 16

Publisher

contents

Contributors

Meet the locals behind this issue

A little bit of soul This Palmetto Bluff home is a testament to just how powerful and complimentary "lovely bones" can be.

Links

Special content you can find online at locallifesc.com

116

Blend

Faces

134

116

Outdoors

120

129

Shopping

154

134

Eats

January's hot list of what to watch, read and listen to

Town managers share big projects on the horizon

Eastern box turtle are nature's gentle guardians

Blue decor from local shops sure to freshen up any space

Elevate your veggie game in 2024 with rutabagas

120

130

154

Business

Living

Culture

History

Happenings

New ventures ready to make their marks in the year ahead

Discover the magic of a well-organized kitchen

Crafting beauty in wallpaper with Lynne Fensterer

Looking ahead with a view to the past

The top performances and events planned for January

108

124

132

168

Wellness

Embrace the future of health and wellness with expert tips

Pets

Find out if pet insurance is right for you

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Style

Local stores and boutiques share what to wear in 2024

Libations

It’s high time to try hemp-infused spirits

Parting shot

Photographer Rebecca Bass captures a beautiful sunset

Celebrating Over 50 Years of Fine Art in the Lowcountry.

West Fraser River Bluff (Detail) Oil 30" x 25"

WEST FRASER

40 Calhoun Street • Suite 201 Old Town Bluﬀton 843.842.4433 • 843.247.2049 redpianoartgallery.com

publisher

Horizons of change

Unveiling the Lowcountry's groundbreaking projects and emerging trends in 2024. CRUISING INTO 2024 As we usher in a new year, the team at LOCAL Life is filled with excitement and anticipation for the 12 months ahead. Bottom row from left are team members Lance Hanlin, Jeremy Swartz, Rebecca Kerns, Lori GoodridgeCribb, Lauren Alston and Charles Grace. Top: Bailey Gilliam and Sheila Paz. Here's to an extraordinary year brimming with growth, exploration and the delight of uncovering the remarkable in the everyday. Together, let's make 2024 an unforgettable year.

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” - RALPH WALDO EMERSON

SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE Don’t miss an issue of LOCAL Life. Scan this QR code to subscribe to the upscale lifestyle magazine of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and beyond.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Welcome to "The Year Ahead," our exclusive edition focusing on the pioneering projects and trends shaping the Lowcountry in 2024. Packed with essential insights and precise forecasts, this issue is meticulously designed to enlighten and inspire. Within these pages we highlight Beaufort County's major initiatives revolutionizing infrastructure and community dynamics in the coming year. Our wellness section delivers perspectives from local authorities on 2024's health trends. Additionally, we present comprehensive profiles of our town and city managers, showcasing their innovative strategies and dedication to progress. Furthermore, we explore the domains of style and design, revealing 2024's colors of the year and the latest developments in home decor, fashion and more. Join us in celebrating this year of innovation and advancement. We value your readership as we embark on this transformative journey. LORI GOODRIDGE-CRIBB PUBLISHER lori.goodridge@wearelocallife.com

FAMILY STYLE Have you seen the LOCAL Life Jeep around town? This month we rolled up next to Sean Nolan of Family Focus Financial Group. Visit his Bluffton office to build a financial strategy that fits your lifestyle.

contributors MEET LOCAL CREATIVES BEHIND THE SCENES Christine Crawford Artist OTHER CREDS: Born-again Christian, wife, mother of four, grandmother of seven. Retired CMA/Health Sciences administrator and educator. Solo art exhibit (2017) at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center Healing Arts Gallery in Morristown, N.J. Current exhibiting member of Art League of Hilton Head. Former exhibiting member of Society of Bluffton Artists and The New Jersey Art Association. FOR THIS ISSUE: Local art, “Village on a Hill — Lakeside,” just one of many of my Village on a Hill-themed works, all of which have variations so that none are exactly the same. The original Village on a Hill has more of an abstract/cubist composition and was featured in an award-winning indie video game. HOMETOWN: Bergenfield, N.J. CURRENT HOME: Bluffton WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? I listen to Fernando Ortega while I create my artwork. WHAT ARE YOU READING? I read the Bible daily and am also reading Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. 2024 GOALS: Looking forward to creating more “Village” compositions as well as branching out with other themes, using the style that I’ve become familiar with. BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN: Don’t get any formal color-theory training, as it may impede your natural ability to use color in your art pieces. Don’t compare yourself to other artists, and don’t be afraid to create your own style of art. Never let any of your art creations out of your studio unless you love them!

Rebecca W. Bass Photographer OTHER CREDS: Founder and Broker-inCharge, SeaBass Properties Real Estate; retired international corporate executive and attorney. FOR THIS ISSUE: Parting Shot HOMETOWN: Too many to list CURRENT HOME: Beaufort LOCAL SINCE: 2003 HOBBIES: Gourmet cooking; therapy dog visits to MUSC Hospital, Hilton Head Hospital, Parris Island and Friends of Caroline Hospice with my two dobermans; travel. WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? Young Sheldon WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? Broadway musicals WHAT ARE YOU READING? All the Light You Cannot See 2024 GOALS: Continue to learn new things, travel with my husband and enjoy life. WHAT EVENT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? Teaching a” Cooking for Two" class at TCL's Culinary Institute of the South as a guest chef this month. BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN: Shoot for the moon, and you might hit a star.

Arthur Turfa Poet OTHER CREDS: Retired teacher, retired but still active Lutheran pastor, also licensed as a supply priest in Episcopal Upper Diocese of SC, Top Ten of the Pangolin Review 2019, Retired Army Reservist with Veteran Status, a doctorate from Drew University, met Frank Zappa (framed the autograph), bi-lingual with German. FOR THIS ISSUE: Poem, “One Morning You Will Decide” HOMETOWN: Monongahela, Penn. CURRENT HOME: Lexington HOBBIES: Travel, going to the gym, walking our dog and Wordle in several languages. WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? Six Feet Under, FBI shows, Steelers and Penn State football, anything with Emma Thompson. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? Beatles, Springsteen, Waylon Jennings, Wagner, Baroque WHAT ARE YOU READING? Atlantic Magazine, reviewing for the Tupelo Press, Rilke, Jenna Lé, Kelli Russell Agodon, short stories 2024 GOALS: Read more Wallace Stevens, start on the sequel to my novel, plan another poetry book WHAT EVENT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO? A seventh Steelers Super Bowl victory BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN: Always have a Plan B.

Others who guided our vision toward 2024 ... PHOTOGRAPHERS Butch Hirsch + Frank McKenna + Wayne Moore + Mike Ritterbeck Lisa Staff + Mary Alice Tartler + Brie Williams WRITERS Daisy Dow + Becca Edwards + Denise Friday + Carrie Hirsch + Barry Kaufman + Michelle Maldonado Carolyn Males + Brianna McCadden + Margaret Pearman + Gregory P. Thomas + Richard Thomas CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Castillo + Marcia Cornell Megan Goheen + Jean Meaney Wheatly

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Experience Matters.

Corryne Jackson, Beth Drake, and Lauren Dooley 33 Normandy Avenue Hampton Hall, Bluﬀton, SC $1,339,000 Custom built in 2020, this luxury residence showcases quality features and craftsmanship throughout. The open ﬂoor plan seamlessly connects the living spaces. High ceilings, marble details, and beautiful moldings are just a few of the notable details. Enjoy indoor/outdoor living with the double sliding doors that open to the large screened lanai overlooking the 18th fairway of the Pete Dye golf course. With over 3,600 feet of living space, 4 bedrooms and a 3 car garage, this home is move-in ready and like new.

Put our expertise to work for you. Call or visit

843.422.7500 | BethDrake.com

Modern Investors Expect Modern Portfolio Managers!

links

LOCALLIFESC.COM + DIGITAL OFFERINGS

Sponsored By Carolina Vet Critical Care

Adopt this Pet: Lionel

THIS TERRIER MIX WILL LOVE YOU ALL NIGHT LONG Introducing Lionel, a brindlecoated terrier mix with a heart as big as his smile. Although he's not a famous singer, Lionel's soulful eyes and joyful spirit are sure to serenade your heart. His journey to the shelter began with an owner surrender, but when your past calls, don’t answer; it has nothing new to say. This happy-go-lucky lover is a total mush. No one can deny the love he has inside, and he’ll give it to you endless love. He loves butt scratches and fullbody cuddles; he will lean against you for any amount of time you want to cuddle. Lionel is also great on a leash. You might say he’s easy like Sunday morning.

Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Team 2023

MORE ABOUT LIONEL Colors: Brindle-coated Age: 2.7 years Weight: 71 pounds Likes: “Swipe right for cuddles!" — Lionel Dislikes: "Humans who start an order with, “Can I get a…?" — Diamond Adopt: Say “Hello” to Lionel from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Hilton Head Humane, where the cool pets hang. Call 843-681-8686 or check out his profile on hhhumane.org.

www.bezillakinneyphiferwmg.com Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a rating. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. CAR 0123-03672 28

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

COOL CAT: Alyssa Meet Alyssa, a stunning 2 1/2-year-old domestic shorthair weighing 10 pounds. This female dilute tortoiseshell beauty radiates tranquility and grace. Alyssa's soft, muted tortie fur invites endless gentle strokes, creating a serene bonding experience. She's not just a pretty face; her affectionate and sensitive nature shines through her calm demeanor. Alyssa cherishes peaceful environments and relishes quiet, loving cuddles. A former stray, Alyssa longs for the warmth and safety of a forever home where she can share her gentle love and bask in the comfort she so deserves. Embrace the chance to make Alyssa's acquaintance – she's ready to capture hearts with her inner and outer beauty.

Official Mensa®Challenge Answers are available on LocalLifeSC.com/Mensa

GET MOVING!

Start your the new year off on the right foot! Solve this Mensa quiz? 1. The following substitution cryptogram will give you some good advice. (The slashes are in place to indicate spaces between words.) 18 7 / 23 12 22 8 13 7 / 14 26 7 7 22 9 18 21 / 2 12 6 / 4 18 13 / 12 9 / 15 12 8 22 26 8 / 15 12 13 20 / 26 8 / 2 12 6 / 4 18 13 2. The following sentence is written in rather large, obscure words, but when translated, it is a well-known saying. What is it? Members of the genus homo sapiens who maintain an abode within a permanent or semi-permanent structure composed at least partially or wholly of vitreous, transparent material would find it sagacious to refrain from hurling projectiles of natural material. 3. The addition example on the right uses all of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and once only. Four of them have been filled in for you. Fill in the rest.

2x5 +x4x x1x

4. The play you saw last night was really dreadful. In fact, you could call it an absolute disaster. The following cryptogram tells you an appropriate name for the director who managed to produce this absolute horror. YJR SNP, OMSN; R DJPE,SM PG VPITDR 5. The Great Detective, imprisoned in the Great Criminal's cellar, finally escaped. He was weak and weary and had to stop frequently at local taverns to refresh himself. What with putting on and taking off his various disguises, he wasn’t able to travel quickly, and it took him 4 days to reach home. The first day, he covered one-sixth of the total distance. On the second day, he covered a quarter of what was left, on the third day, he found himself even slower than usual, and he covered only one-half of what was left. On the fourth day, he covered one-half of the distance remaining, and then a friend in a car spotted him 3 3/4 miles from home. How far was it from his home to the Great Criminal's cellar?

Leading the Way. We’re always on the lookout for better. That’s why we’re the pioneers in ultra-comfortable, exceptionally accurate laser cataract surgery. We were the first in the region to offer the technology a decade ago and have engaged with industry leaders to further perfect the technique ever since. In fact, we facilitated FDA approval of the latest CATALYS laser software and were the first in the country to implement it. We continually look over the horizon for what’s next so you can see the horizon more clearly.

Let’s talk about your eyes.

ANSWER KEY 1. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU WIN OR LOSE AS LONG AS YOU WIN. Code: A = 26, Z = 1, etc. 2. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. 3. 275 643 918 4. THE ABOMINABLE SHOWMAN OF COURSE. (Move 1 letter to the left on a standard keyboard.) 5. The total distance was 24 miles.

ARE YOU READY FOR MENSA?

American Mensa is where brilliance belongs – it’s where friendships are forged for life, business connections and opportunities are made, and where brilliant minds find the chance to engage with others in an intellectually stimulating environment. Just for LocalLife readers: Take the Mensa Practice Test for just $5! Visit americanmensa. org/mht and use offer code: Local21. Quiz © 2018 Dr. Abbie F. Salny Mensa provides official tests and answers to LOCAL Life as part of an exclusive license agreement. Answers are available on LocalLifeSC.com/Mensa

The Leading Center for Cataract Surgery H ilto n Hea d • B l uf f ton N ew Rive r/Sun C i ty 8 4 3 -6 8 9 -3 9 3 7 • B i s hopEye . c om JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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The hot list What to watch, read and listen to in December.

STREAMING

PEACOCK TED (comedy) This comedic TV series, a brainchild of Seth MacFarlane, marks the third entry in the acclaimed Ted franchise, acting as a prequel to the earlier films. MacFarlane returns to lend his voice to Ted, the central character. Set in 1993, following the initial events in the 2012 movie, the series chronicles the formative years of Ted, a sentient teddy bear. Release date: Jan. 11 NETFLIX THE BROTHERS SUN (action) Charles Sun (Sam Song Li) leads an action-packed life on the streets of Taipei, and nothing can slow him down. That is, until his father becomes collateral of his gangster ways. Charles crosses the Pacific to care for his mother and younger brother in Los Angeles in the fallout of his father’s shooting. Release date: Jan. 4 DISNEY + A REAL BUG’S LIFE (documentary) We all remember the Pixar classic “A Bug’s Life” where the routines of ants and caterpillars were blown up on the big screen. In the over 20 years since the animated story drew in crowds worldwide, National Geographic is harnessing the latest technology in macro lens and remotely operated cameras to get visuals inside a real bug’s life. Over the course of nine episodes, documentary filmmakers will get up close and personal with the tiny critters playing an integral role in ecosystems around the world. Release date: Jan. 24

MOVIE THEATERS

PRIME VIDEO EXPATS (drama) Based on Janice Y. K. Lee’s best-selling novel, The Expatriates, Expats follows the lives of three American women living in Hong Kong. While their legal immigration status in Hong Kong is identical, elements about who they are and what they look like affect how they are perceived in the city in 2014. None of the three bear any relation to each other at the start, but as each of their lives is engulfed in chaos, their paths cross, and the differences between them outshine their common nationality. Release date: Jan. 26

MEAN GIRLS (musical) Based on Rosalind Wiseman's book Queen Bees and Wannabes which then became the Tina Fey classic Mean Girls, which was adapted into a musical of the same name, 2024’s Mean Girls is breathing new life into the well-known story of Cady Heron and Regina George. Following the nostalgia trend capitalized on by recent movies like Barbie, Jurassic Park and Top Gun: Maverick, Mean Girls brings the timeless story of a young girl’s coming of age and finding her identity into a new light. Release date: Jan. 12 DISTANT (science fiction) Andy (Anthony Ramos) is an asteroid miner who finds himself alone after crash landing on a strange planet. With his oxygen levels depleting with every wasted breath, Andy must traverse the alien planet and fend off mysterious creatures in order to save himself. Eventually, he comes across a fellow passenger from his vessel. All the while being pestered by his AI space suit, Andy embarks on an all-or-nothing mission to stay alive. Release date: Jan. 19 THE UNDERDOGGS (comedy) Jaycen Jenning (Snoop Dogg) once led a superstar career in the NFL. After a fall from grace, 2Js, as he’s known, had a run in with the law. To dodge prison time, 2Js begrudgingly agrees to coach a youth football team as a volunteer. To call it a bumpy road to begin with is an understatement as 2Js navigates working with kids, and they learn to listen to him. Release date: January 26

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

BOOKS

THE FURY By Alex Michaelides (thriller) World-renowned former movie star Lana Farrar has gathered her close friends to spend the Easter holiday on her private island in Greece, as she does every year. But this time some pent-up resentments and animosities boil over. Everyone had gathered, expecting some rest and relaxation in the sun; but come the next morning, a murder left a dark cloud looming over all. Release date: Jan. 16 FILTERWORLD: HOW ALGORITHMS FLATTENED CULTURE By Kyle Chayka (nonfiction) Ever noticed that all Airbnbs feel identical? Or that once you are sucked into the algorithms of Instagram or Tik Tok or YouTube, everything starts to look the same? Investigative reporter Kyle Chayka explores how mathematical computer systems boost the same ideas in similar content over and over again – seemingly dumbing down culture as a whole. Chayka’s book is as much a probe into the systems at play in our media as it is a critique of the physical institutions it seems to have whitewashed. Release date: Jan. 16 THE SYNDICATE SPY By Brittany Butler (local) Written by an ex-CIA operative, The Syndicate Spy tells the story of the recent future when a syndication of intelligence agencies around the world struggle to maintain peace. Terrorist organizations and power-hungry individuals are engaged in an energy war after humans deplete all of Earth’s oil reserves. Intelligence operative Juliet Arroway must fight through personal tragedy and overcome the ultimate betrayal to find the answer to the world's energy crisis and shut down warring parties. Release date: Out now

ALBUMS

INSANO By Kid Cudi (hip hop) Release date: Jan. 24

MY STUPID LIFE By Brittney Spencer (country) Release date: Jan. 19

BALLAD OF A BYSTANDER By The Reytons (rock) Release date: Jan. 19

COAT OF MANY COLORS By Brandon Lake (singer-songwriter) Release date: Out now

PODCASTS

MAGNIFICENT JERK Subject: Society and culture

UNREFORMED Subject: History

Guarding Your Legacy WILLS • TRUSTS • ESTATE ADMINISTRATION • IRA & RETIREMENT PLANNING

GHOST STORY Subject: True crime

THE SOUTHERN FORK Subject: Southern arts

Making an estate plan is a big and important step; a step that no one should take without being fully informed. Our mission and our passion is to make a difference, one family at a time.

TRAVEL

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND High of 34 degrees, low of 20 degrees Take in the sights of the Matterhorn in the snow.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA High of 82 degrees, low of 63 degrees Watch the Great Migration of wildebeest.

W. A. Hunter Montgomery, Esq. Guarding the legacy and wealth of over 1,000 SC families since 2002.

10 Pinckney Colony Road | Suite 402 | Bluffton, SC

843.815.8580 montgomeryestateplanning.com

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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Charity Spotlight

Coastal Community Development Corporation MISSION

The Coastal Community Development Corporation is committed to transforming the availability of housing in our region. By preserving, redeveloping and creating new residential properties, CCDC addresses the critical need for homes accessible to the local and regional workforce. Its goal is not just to construct houses but to cultivate communities where working residents can thrive.

HISTORY CCDC originated from a deep-seated conviction: affordable housing is essential for the well-being of coastal communities. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it is driven by a mission to reshape Beaufort County's housing landscape. Their volunteer board, comprised of experts in various fields, unites under the common cause of housing accessibility. Board members include Alan Wolf, Kim Likins, Ken Campbell, Geoff Block, Tony Alfieri and David Wetmore. They recognize that housing challenges impact diverse sectors – from healthcare to education, hospitality to trade – and are dedicated to serving them all. CCDC stands as a pillar of hope, committed to making affordable housing a reality for everyone.

HOW TO HELP CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Properties the Coastal Community Development Corporation own are strategically located throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties, creating a network that responds to housing needs for the residents of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie, Beaufort, Hardeeville and the surrounding Lowcountry.

WHOM IT HELPS CCDC's initiatives predominantly support the local and regional workforce and their families. They strive to turn houses into homes, ensuring that those who work in the Lowcountry can also afford to live here. Their approach includes acquiring properties like condos, with a 99-year covenant to keep rents reasonable. These efforts are already making a difference, as evidenced by the three condominiums acquired on Hilton Head Island, significantly easing the daily commute for local workers.

The rising rental costs in the Lowcountry, coupled with stagnant wages, have intensified the need for affordable housing. CCDC believes in a communal approach to this issue, encouraging partnerships across various sectors. Your engagement with CCDC – be it through partnerships, donations, or other forms of support – directly contributes to building a more inclusive and accessible community. Your investment is more than financial; it's a commitment to the future of the Lowcountry and its residents. LL

LEARN MORE For further details about the Coastal Community Development Corporation and how you can contribute to their cause, visit ccdc-sc.org, call 843-715-4209 or email info@ccdc-sc.org. If you are interested in renting with CCDC, the first step is to fill out an application (ccdc-sc.org). Monthly rents are set to serve households with incomes between 50 percent to 150 percent of area median income. 32

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

blend

local What makes them

As an active member of the local League of Women Voters chapter, Ashby Mims champions democracy and voter participation, reflecting her dedication to Hilton Head Island's future and its rich natural heritage.

adjective. lo·cal | lō-kəl

1: characterized by or relating to position in space: having a definite spatial form or location 2: of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place: not general or widespread: of, relating to, or applicable to part of a whole 3: primarily serving the needs of a particular limited district of a public conveyance: making all the stops on a route

Ashby Mims’s push to expand voting rights

BEACH LIFE Ashby Mims and her husband, John, enjoy a picturesque day at the beach, accompanied by their lovely children: John Henry, Roland and Meriwether. This happy family has called Hilton Head Island their home since 1980.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

BY BECCA EDWARDS

Ashby Mims, a Hilton Head resident since 1980, remains deeply committed to the island's future and has chosen to raise her three children in this vibrant community. "My daughter currently attends the same dance school under the guidance of the same artistic directors I did. My boys have discovered the same surfing and fishing spots that were excellent back then and continue to be the best today." In an interview with LOCAL Life, Mims shares insights on how individuals can contribute to the area's prosperity by acquainting themselves with both local and national policies and participating in the electoral process. Mims is active in the local League of Women’s Voters chapter. [Q] What was your childhood experience like on Hilton Head Island? [A] Many of us had a truly special upbringing here. At that time much of Hilton Head remained undeveloped, and we spent a substantial amount of time outdoors. One of my earliest teachers was Todd Ballentine, the naturalist, who educated us about the Lowcountry's flora, fauna and natural cycles. I believe exposure to nature deeply instills a sense of connection to a place. [Q] What inspired your involvement with the League of Women Voters? [A] The year 2020 brought numerous new and complex

concerns, and I wanted to actively participate in the process of making democracy function effectively. The League offers opportunities to effect change at the local, state and even national levels, while also keeping me informed about developments in local, county, state and national politics. [Q] Why do you believe voting is crucial? [A] One of my closest friends has a saying, 'I vote so I can complain,' because her grandmother always told her, 'You can't complain if you don't vote.' Voting is your voice in the world. [Q] In your view, what are the significant issues facing the Lowcountry in this election year? [A] I believe it's crucial for voters to consider important issues such as the environment, education, childcare, healthcare, insurance and workforce housing. As the 2024 election draws nearer, voters can verify their voter registration status and learn more about the specific items on their ballots by visiting vote411.org. [Q] What do you consider your most significant achievement? [A] My three wonderful kids, without a doubt. [Q] What motto do you live by? [A] Do the next right thing. [Q] Can you share a fun fact about yourself that nobody else knows? [A] I can still outmuscle both of my teenage boys in arm wrestling! LL

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” – Mother Teresa

Have the smile you’ve always wanted! Dr. Rothwell is an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and offers you the skill, compassion and dedication to help you have the smile you’ve always wanted.

Bonnie J. Rothwell, DMD, AAACD 11 Hospital Center Common, Suite 200 Hilton Head Island, SC

843.342.6900

hiltonheadcosmeticdentist.com smilesyoulove.com Bonnie J. Rothwell, DMD, AAACD

Call for your complimentary cosmetic consultation.

business

Local business buzz

NEW VENTURES READY TO MAKE THEIR MARKS ON THE LOWCOUNTRY The Lowcountry always has been a treasure trove of culture, beauty and charm. But there's a new wave of businesses that is adding a modern, fun twist to our beloved region. Here's a quick introduction to these shining new stars.

Now Open Local treasures

Building excellence

Coastal chic

302 Mead Road, Hardeeville

535 State Road S-27-104, Hardeeville

Online at 843clothingco.com

Low Country Mercantile is a haven for local artists and talent. This 2,000-squarefoot shopping gallery hosts 17 vendors offering a diverse range of art, jewelry and collectibles. It's your go-to destination for a unique shopping experience where you can support and appreciate the creativity of local artisans.

CurryCrete is set to redefine construction standards in the vibrant Lowcountry. Specializing in a diverse array of ready-mix products for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, CurryCrete is committed to delivering top-notch products and fostering a collective pursuit of perfection. Experience transformation and unparalleled excellence with every project.

Low Country Mercantile

CurryCrete

843 Clothing Co is where your love for stylish clothing and the Lowcountry lifestyle intersect. Their meticulously selected, super-soft garments are perfect for your days by the water, whether you're at the beach, on a boat, by the pool or at a sandbar. Immerse yourself in a slower, saltier and distinctly Southern way of living.

Airborne artistry

Scent-sory magic

59C Sheridan Park Circle, Bluffton

71 Lighthouse Road #612, Hilton Head Island

Adorable Balloons Design & Decor Are you in search of one-of-a-kind decorations to elevate your upcoming event? Look no further than Captivating Balloon Creations & Decor. They specialize in crafting bespoke balloon designs, including arches, columns, wall backdrops, centerpieces and sculptures. Let them turn your vision into a stunning reality.

Sea Love Hilton Head

Sea Love Hilton Head offers a fun and interactive experience where you can create your own signature candles. With over 100 fragrances to choose from, you'll embark on a scent-sory journey like no other. Explore their boutique filled with coastal-inspired gifts and lifestyle products, making it a perfect experience for all ages.

Style meets purpose

Decor delights

1406 Paris Avenue, Port Royal

69 Calhoun Street, Bluffton

Blue Rye

Blue Rye invites you to explore a world of unique treasures with style and purpose. Their thoughtfully curated collection includes unique pottery, luxurious bath products and handstitched quilts, all selected to make a positive impact on the world. When you shop at Blue Rye, you not only prioritize style but also contribute to a brighter and more sustainable future.

843 Clothing Co

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Fiddle + Shine House Market Fiddle + Shine House Market is your premier destination for elevating your home decor and finding treasures that spark joy. Their welcoming team is dedicated to helping you discover new ways to beautify your living space. Whether you're looking for unique house decor, vibrant plants or delightful treasures, Fiddle + Shine House Market is the place to be.

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Don’t Hesitate...Ken and Clay Are Just A Call Or Click Away! OLIVER TEAM HONORS • Dunes Real Estate’s Top Producing Team for 2023 • Ranked #15 Team in the State of SC by Volume • Dunes Real Estate’s Top Listing and/or Selling Agent 36 out of 45 Years • Have Assisted Thousands of Buyers and Sellers • Island Residents since 1977 & 1994 843.816.0167 Ken’s cell . 843.422.8432 Clay’s cell Ken-Oliver.com . Ken@Ken-Oliver.com . Clay@Ken-Oliver.com

WWW.FRAUMCENTER.COM / 843-258-4317 / 29926 SC HHI, / VILLAGE STREET MAIN 1403

A NEW ERA OF PROACTIVE HEALTH THE FRAUM CENTER’S TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY

s we welcome the new year, it’s a time for reflection and renewed commitment towards personal health accountability. The Fraum Center for Restorative Health, under the new ownership of Heather Hinshelwood, MD, and her partner, Henry Criss, stands at the forefront of this transformative journey. The center’s transition into an integrated medical facility is more than just a change in leadership; it’s a shift towards offering proactive health solutions. Tony Robbins once said, “A healthy person has a thousand wishes, a sick person just one.” This poignant statement underscores the center’s new philosophy: prevention is better than cure, and proactive care is key to maintaining a vibrant, healthy life. Our comprehensive team, led by Dr. Hinshelwood, is dedicated to working together for your health needs. At the heart of our practice is the belief that personalized care is paramount. Our approach combines the expertise of our chiropractic specialists, Brian McGinnis, DC, and Jessica Myers, DC, with cutting-edge restorative medicine, including stem cell technologies.

In an era where healthcare is often fragmented, we bring a holistic view. Our personalized concierge-style primary care ensures that each patient’s journey is tailored to their specific needs, offering a continuum of attention that extends beyond traditional medical practices. The introduction of this concierge model is a testament to our commitment to patient-centered care, ensuring accessibility, and a deep understanding of individual health goals. Our portfolio of advanced medical solutions is diverse and robust, designed to address a wide range of health concerns. From chiropractic care, renowned for its effectiveness in treating pain and improving overall well-being, to the innovative applications of stem cell technologies in restorative medicine, our services are at the cutting edge of healthcare. As we step into 2024, the Fraum Center for Restorative Health is not just a healthcare provider; it is a health partner. In aligning with the new year’s spirit of this renewal and improvement, we invite our community to join us. Together, we can make health a priority and ensure that our future is as healthy and fulfilling as possible.

A paid advertorial by the Fraum Center for Restorative Health

A CASE FOR JEFF From Pain to Empowerment In 2020, Jeff, burdened with severe knee pain and back discomfort, sought help at the Fraum Center for Restorative Health. Under Dr. Hinshelwood’s guidance, he underwent restorative medicine (RM) therapy for his knees, which responded remarkably well. However, it became evident that Jeff’s weight was a major factor contributing to his pain. Engaging in honest discussions with Dr. Hinshelwood, Jeff confronted his morbid obesity and inactive lifestyle. Embracing a rigorous regimen that included DRX therapy and weight loss medication, Jeff embarked on a transformative journey. He committed to a sustainable lifestyle overhaul, involving healthier eating habits, regular workouts, and reduced alcohol intake. This holistic approach, coupled with Dr. Hinshelwood’s innovative solutions, led to significant weight loss and the elimination of his knee and back pain. Today, Jeff’s life is dramatically different. He actively participates in home remodeling projects, enjoys traveling with his wife, and looks forward to retirement with newfound hope and excitement, free from the constraints of pain and impairment.

MEET THE EXPERT Heather Hinshelwood, MD Heather Hinshelwood, MD, esteemed owner and medical director of the Fraum Center for Restorative Health, exemplifies a paradigm shift in healthcare. Holding a BS in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University and an MD from the University of Florida College of Medicine, Dr. Hinshelwood transitioned from her intense role in emergency medicine to a focus on preventive, integrative care. Her leadership at the center is marked by a dedication to uncovering the underlying causes of health issues, favoring a holistic approach over symptomatic treatments. As a Navy reservist, her discipline and expertise are instrumental in steering the center towards innovative, patient-focused healthcare solutions. Additionally, Dr. Hinshelwood is pursuing a fellowship in anti-aging, metabolic, and functional medicine, broadening her expertise in pioneering health practices.

wellness

2024 wellness forecast EMBRACE THE FUTURE OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS WITH EXPERT TIPS AND TRENDING TECHNOLOGIES.

STORY BY BRIANNA MCCADDEN

As we step into 2024, the world of health and wellness is evolving at an unprecedented pace. With an ever-growing emphasis on holistic wellbeing and advances in science and technology, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest trends and innovations that are shaping the landscape of our physical and mental health. To shed light on what lies ahead, we've reached out to a panel of local health and wellness professionals.

Heather Hinshelwood Q: What health care trends do you see coming in 2024? A: For 2024 we expect to see an increase in personalized healthcare through our private health client program. As the American healthcare system becomes increasingly strained, the demand for private health services is becoming more prevalent. This is more than a passing trend; it represents the future of proactive and effective healthcare, which we are proud to deliver. Q: Are there any new treatments you are excited about? A: It’s very exciting to see more widespread awareness and embracing of restorative medicine. Restorative medicine involves using Human Cellular Tissue Products (HCTPs) to help your body to heal itself. These treatments are becoming increasingly recognized not just as alternatives to traditional surgical methods but as proactive measures for a healthier, longer life. Heather Hinshelwood is owner of Fraum Center for Restorative Health and is the medial director.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Here’s to a Happy & Healthy New Year! Matthew Mastrorocco Q: What dental trends do you see coming in 2024? A: In 2023 we started using the real-time AI platform Pearl, whose software identifies areas of concern on a patient's X-rays. For instance, it highlights and circles cracks, failing restorations and possible decay and bone loss that would indicate periodontal disease. We use it as a second set of eyes. It draws our attention to areas of concern and enables us to better educate our patients. It also saves time because it clearly and quickly shows patients what is going on in their mouths. I foresee the increase in AI software use by dentists as they realize how efficient it is at helping us provide greater patient care. Q: Are there any additional trends you are excited about? A: Spa dentistry is becoming more popular. This is dental care that has expanded to include Botox, derma fillers and laser skin treatments. Because dentists are so familiar with facial anatomy and our patients' expressions during their time in our practice, it makes sense for us to consider the appearance of the entire face when we perform restorative or cosmetic dental improvements. For example, while Botox is safe and effective at relaxing facial muscles to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, we also use it as medical therapy for patients who suffer from TMJ disorders or who grind or clench their teeth, which can lead to gum recession, headaches and tooth pain or sensitivity.

A LWAYS H E R E W H E N YOU N E E D US Main Street Medical is a premier urgent care and family practice serving individuals and families in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Led by Joel Johnson III, MD, the team aims to treat all their patients with dignity and compassion by providing comprehensive medical care services that promote a healthy community. A physician-owned practice, Main Street Medical has a large team of health care professionals able to provide a wide variety of services that include both primary and urgent care. In addition to adult and pediatric care, the team also provides women’s care, x-rays, laboratory services, medication assistance, and employment physicals.

Dr. Matthew Mastrorocco, DMD, is a dentistry practitioner at ROC Dental Group on Hilton Head Island. (from left) Franics Imbarrato, MD, Carlos Cordero, MD, Joel Johnson III, MD, Van Gauby, MD, Nicole Clegg, MSN, APRN, FNP-C,

843.681.3777 • hiltonheadurgentcare.org 93 North Main Street, Hilton Head, SC

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

wellness Patrick Wiita Q: What trends do you see coming in 2024? A: I’ve noticed that a lot of my patients have emerged from the Covid slump to make big moves in their career or social lives, and I expect that to continue through 2024. For kids, social lives have moved away from the screen and back onto campus and the neighborhood. I expect a resurgence in enriched opportunities for extracurricular activities in 2024. Kids and families are focused more than ever on school performance, so I expect optimization of treatment for conditions such as ADHD and anxiety to remain the highest priority for most of my families. Q: Are there any new technologies you are excited about? A: I’m hoping 2024 will be the year all the hype surrounding artificial intelligence, wearables and digital therapeutics materializes into tangible products that I can get into the hands of my patients. There’s an exciting new “biofeedback” device that is coming on the market soon, intended to be affordable, portable and easy to use. Initial results have been impressive for a medicine-free treatment with noticeable reductions in anxiety and improved sleep among study participants. Once I see the final product, I’m hoping I’ll be able to recommend it to my patients. Patrick Wiita, MD, is a child, adolescent, adult and forensic psychiatrist based on Hilton Head Island.

Stephen Thies

Billy Simmons

Q: What surgery trends do you see coming in 2024?

Q: What eyewear trends do you see coming in 2024?

A: Healthcare systems will continue to embrace a gradual move toward outpatient or shorter hospital stays for procedures that have traditionally required longer stays in the hospital. New, multidisciplinary programs designed to optimize outcomes after surgical procedures have become widely embraced: as a benefit, hospital stays are often greatly shortened. These programs are known as ERAS — Early Recovery After Surgery — and involve all members of the care team. Efforts begin prior to the hospital visit and extend through discharge. Many procedures have been transitioned to be more minimally invasive, which can simplify and shorten the postoperative course.

A: 2024 marks the return of two favorite eyewear shapes from the 1970s – hexagonal shapes and ovals. Oversized eyewear is the key to this trend, and metal materials will be the most popular. Combine that with translucent or gradient coloring, and you will have the perfect style in sunwear or prescription eyewear for a bolder statement. Think of iconic images of Audrey Hepburn and Michael Caine. They are famous for their eyewear and often photographed in these two shapes over the years.

Q: Are there any new procedures you are excited about? A: The increasing adoption of robotic surgery for general surgery procedures has further accelerated the trend toward shorter, simpler hospital stays. The da Vinci robotic surgery platforms expand our capacity to perform very complex operations with a minimally invasive approach. Many of these operations have historically required large incisions and longer stays in the hospital. Robotic surgery offers patients less post-operative discomfort while maintaining excellent outcomes and a quicker return to daily activities. Candidacy for such operations requires careful selection by surgeons with expertise in both the open, large-incision approaches and the minimally invasive and robotic approaches. Stephen Thies, MD, FACS, is a surgeon at Southern Surgery Specialists, an affiliate of Hilton Head Regional Physician Network

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Q: Are there any new treatments you are excited about? A: As our lives evolve to more online activities such as Zoom meetings, Facetime with families or simple selfies, anti-reflective (AR) coatings become even more important. All anti-reflective (also called anti-glare) treatments should do the same thing medically to reduce glare your eye encounters. They also remove reflections from your lens when people are looking at you. Sapphire HR is the newest advancement in the Crizal family of AR coatings. It eliminates reflections on angles from zero to 45 degrees on every surface of the lens, front and back. This means significantly reduced reflections on your personal digital image during online activities. This treatment is combined with 10 times more scratch resistance, making it the clearest and most durable AR treatment available. Billy Simmons, DLO, ABOC, is a practicing optician at Eyeland Optique on Hilton Head Island.

wellness Bonnie Rothwell Q: What trends do you see coming in 2024? A: More and more offices are going digital not only with their X-ray techniques but for oral impressions as well. And with some specialized software, 3D printing of things like temporary crowns and bridges and many other things can be done in the office. The most popular cosmetic dental procedures are a mix of porcelain veneers, which continue to be very popular and usually conservative, and cosmetic composite bonding. Sometimes just some well-placed composite bonding can significantly enhance a smile. Q: Are there any new technologies you are excited about? A: It’s an exciting time in dentistry right now. Technology is advancing quickly. More and more materials are being FDA-approved to use with the 3D-printing process, which is constantly expanding what we can offer to patients, improving comfort, precision and quality. Dr. Bonnie Rothwell is a cosmetic dentist for Rothwell Cosmetic Dentistry.

Paul Bell Q: What trend or trends do you see coming in 2024? A: I believe that 2024 is going to continue the trend of personalized care. The last few years have shown us that each patient’s unique situation has immense effects on their outcomes and quality of life. One solution is never the best for every patient. The best outcomes are achieved by working with the patient as a team and giving them a voice in their care. We are dedicated to meeting each patient’s need in every situation. This could mean personalized cataract surgery, glaucoma care, comprehensive eye care and dry-eye treatments, which include the newest therapeutics, techniques and modalities. Q: Are there any new treatments you are excited about? A: One treatment that I am most excited about is personalized LASIK. Starting in 2024, we will be offering cutting-edge refractive surgery to include LASIK. Every surgery will be performed with the most advanced laser technology, including the iDesign Refractive Studio by Johnson & Johnson. This will allow us to offer each patient a unique solution that is designed specifically for their eyes. We have built a reputation on personalized cataract and glaucoma care and are excited to offer personalized corneal refractive surgical care in order to meet the needs of each and every patient. Paul Bell, MD, is a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Bishop Eye Center.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

OrthopedicCare. Better Together.

Michael K.

Hardeeville, SC resident | Knee Replacement

Dr. Jason Norcross Orthopedic Surgeon

When Michael’s knee pain kept him from enjoying an active life, he turned to Dr. Jason Norcross at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare. Together, they pursued the robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery. When compared to a traditional knee replacement, this minimally invasive surgical option resulted in less pain and a quick recovery for Michael.

Find your partner in orthopedic care at HiltonHeadRegional.com/Ortho

wellness

Gary Thomas Q: What trends do you see coming in 2024? A: There are both troubling and encouraging trends that will affect cancer care in 2024. We are seeing more colorectal cancer in younger people — patients in their late 20s, 30, and 40s. We don’t know the exact cause of this yet, but the trend is having such an impact that the recommendation for colon cancer screening has been lowered from age 50 to age 45 for people of average risk. We also are seeing a rise in people developing lung cancer even though they have never smoked. The good news is that people are generally living longer. I’ve seen this in my own practice. Retired people who are eating right, staying active, drinking moderately and enjoying a social life are staying sharp and healthy. In fact, I have recently seen patients in their 90s who could join the ranks of cancer survivors. That’s something I would have never dreamt of when I started practicing a few decades ago. Q: Are there any new treatments you are excited about? A: I’m really excited about ctDNA, which stands for circulating tumor DNA. This is tumor-derived DNA in the bloodstream that has come from a cancer site, which we can look for through a blood test. For example, after an 80-year-old patient with colon cancer has the tumor removed, we can use ctDNA to determine if we need adjuvant, or post-surgical, therapy such as chemotherapy. Some elderly patients cannot tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy, including increased risk of infection, bruising, nausea, fatigue and memory loss. If their ctDNA test is negative, we can follow and watch that patient. If it becomes positive, we can do a reassessment and plan accordingly. The ctDNA also can help detect cancer recurrence and give us a chance to intervene earlier. The ctDNA test is being refined continuously and is used primarily in colon cancer, but I think we will be using it for all types of cancer in the near future. Dr. Gary Thomas, MD, specializes in oncology at St. Joseph’s/Candler and SC Cancer Specialists.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Kevin Campbell Q: What trend do you see coming in 2024?

Actual Patient

A: The 2024 trend is something that has extended since COVID. It is the continual increase in electronic device use, whether that is for work or social activities. Many patients moving to our area are moving down to the beautiful Lowcountry to work remotely. This new “environment” of near work will force our visual system to work harder to maintain a clear image while looking at screens close to the eyes. Q: Are there any new technologies you are excited about? A: I am very excited about the new technologies that can be offered for patients suffering from dry-eye disease. Whether the disease is caused by hormonal imbalances, excess inflammation, systemic problems or increased screen time, there are new devices and procedures to resolve most of these problems. Intense Pulsated Light (IPL) is a device that can significantly reduce the inflammation problem of dry-eye disease. If you pair this treatment with Radio Frequency (RF), you also can improve the production and function of your tears. These new treatments also give patients an amazing aesthetic benefit, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, redness from Rosacea and sun/aging spots. The aesthetic benefits are the cherry on top when patients finally have relief from their dry-eye symptoms. Dr. Kevin Campbell, OD, is an optometrist at Optical Solutions.

Cathy MacKinnon Q: What trends do you see coming in 2024? A: In 2024 we’ll see an acceleration of the holistic health movement to take back control of one’s own health and wellness. Our immunity, our health, our energy, our strength and balancing our blood sugar levels all begin with proper hydration and nutrition. Our vitamin therapy provides 100 percent bioavailable nutrients to accomplish those health goals. Additionally, and importantly, we are USP 797 compliant, ensuring the sterility and the efficacy of our nutrients. People feel the difference and instinctively know they’ve just “done their body good" walking out our door. Q: Are there any new treatments you are excited about? A: We’re really excited about peptides, glutathione and NAD+ treatments. We see these treatments becoming prolific as people look to jump-start their weight loss and health programs. Peptides have enormous potential for good, fast, effective results, but one needs to be monitored by our licensed professional nurses as there can be side effects. Glutathione is the master anti-oxidant assisting in cell growth and repair, liver health and insulin sensitivity. NAD+ has benefits on a cellular level with brain regeneration, addiction recovery and anti-aging. Expanding one’s health span is no longer in the foreseeable distance: it is here. Lowering one’s BMI via peptides and turning back the clock on a cellular level through glutathione and NAD+ are by far the most exciting movements in health and wellness today. Cathy MacKinnon is the owner of Prime IV Hydration in Bluffton.

Greet 2024 with a Brighter Smile Our Winter Whitening special is back! Our professional whitening treatments are more potent than store-bought kits, have faster results, and our consultation ensures your safety. Schedule your Winter Whitening appointment by Jan. 15, 2024 and receive 20% off any whitening treatment. (New patients must complete a New Patient Comprehensive Exam to be eligible.)

BLUFFTON SELF HELP is OUR ROC Star Charity OF THE MONTH. FIND OUT WHY WE THINK THEY ROC AT BLUFFTONSELFHELP.ORG! LL0124

A d v a n c i n g We l l n e s s S i n c e 2 0 0 0

ROCDENTALGROUP.COM THE PLAZA AT BELFAIR, BLUFFTON | 843-706-3800 JANUARY + LocalLifeSC.com 47 MAIN STREET, HILTON HEAD2024 | 843-682-4601

wellness

FEEL BRAND NEW INSIDE OUR WEIGHT LOSS DRIP: The Skinny Drip is here to activate your weight loss! With a high dose of B-complex vitamins, B-12 minerals and fat burning amino acids it helps with increased energy and lean muscle mass.

INSIDE OUR FATIGUE FIGHTING DRIP: The Revitalizer can help get you back on your feet especially as the busy holiday and travel season ramp up! Combining B-Complex, Double dose of B-12, Double dose of Taurine, and Amino Acid Blend this powerful drip will revitalize you in less than an hour to be on your way.

Nicole Clegg Q: What trends do you see coming in 2024? A: I think we will see a rise in more wearable technology. We have already seen a big improvement when it comes to wearable technology like completing sleep studies from the comfort of our own homes, EKG monitors, smart glasses and continuous vital-sign tracking through smart devices like watches and rings. There is also wearable technology developing that can help track patients' movements and exercise routines from a distance. Not only can this help therapists ensure proper compliance from a patient by making it more convenient for them, it also can help us understand their strengths and weaknesses so we can adjust therapy as needed. Q: Are there any new technologies you are excited about? A: Due to shortages in the medical field, I am excited about using AI technology and seeing firsthand how it progresses. In the future I believe this can help us better treat and manage diseases, obtain easier and faster access to more up-to-date data, decrease medication errors and assist with freeing up time spent on a computer to allow more one-on-one time with our patients. Nicole Clegg, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a family nurse practitioner at Main Street Medical on Hilton Head Island.

Edward Blocker Q: What trends do you see coming in 2024? A: As the active Baby Boomer generation has aged, total joint replacement, particularly knee and hip replacement, continues to be among the most common elective procedures in the U.S. with approximately 800,000 knee replacements and another 450,000 hip replacements performed each year – that number has grown significantly over the past few years and should continue to grow. Joint replacements are used to treat osteoarthritis, the most prevalent joint disease and a leading source of chronic pain and disability among adults. A major trend I have been seeing is shorter hospital stays for patients after joint replacement surgery. Until recently, patients undergoing total joint replacements often stayed in the hospital for two to four days following surgery. But that has changed, and today our patients often go from the operating room to their living room in one day – or less. While moving from an inpatient to an outpatient surgery isn’t for everyone (currently about a third of our patients at Beaufort Memorial go home the same day with the majority spending just one night) patients who are healthy and who have family and other support measures in place have the same outcomes as patients who stay in the hospital. Q: Are there any new technologies you are excited about?

Come visit us at 97B Towne Drive in Belfair Towne Village

843.894.2411 PrimeIVHydration.com 48 LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

A: In recent years many hospitals have begun to use robot-assisted technology for knee and hip replacement, allowing surgeons to replace joints with pinpoint precision. This trend will most likely continue, as clinical studies have shown the robotic surgery system improves outcomes by allowing the surgeon to customize the placement and alignment of the implant components to the patient’s unique anatomy, providing more natural movement of the joint and increasing its longevity. For instance, our surgeons use both the Mako SmartRobotics™ and VELYS™ robotic-assisted joint replacement systems. The state-of-the-art technology allows us to replace a joint with much better precision, impacting far fewer internal structures. This results in less post-operative pain and a faster return to normal activities. Dr. Edward Blocker is a board-certified orthopedic specialist and chair of orthopedic surgery at Beaufort Memorial. He sees patients in Okatie, Port Royal and Varnville.

EVER VIGILANT WOUND & HYPERBARICS Some wounds don’t heal quickly. That’s why our physician-driven, multidisciplinary healthcare team at St. Joseph’s/Candler specializes in the advanced treatment of acute and non-healing wounds. Smart care that focuses on a wholebody approach to wound healing, including state-of-the-art hyperbaric chambers that utilize pure oxygen to speed up the process, with no physician referral required. Expect the very best when it comes to healing complex wounds. All conveniently located in the heart of our community. At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we keep the healing close to home.

WE LOOK AFTER THE LOWCOUNTRY.

1-843-837-9000 | WWW.SJCHS.ORG/LOWCOUNTRY 19 MOSS CREEK VILLAGE, SUITE B-4, BLUFFTON, SC 29926

faces

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Marc Orlando, HHI

Stephen Steese, Bluffton

Van Willis, Port Royal

Scott Marshall, Beaufort

LL Find additional images from these photo shoots online at LocalLifeSC.com

Faces of progress

What lies in store for 2024? We asked the town and city managers of the Lowcountry for the big projects on the horizon.

STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF

Any future worth pursuing starts with a vision. It’s not enough to simply plan for better days or prepare for setbacks; you must have a clear goal in mind. But goals and visions are little more than daydreams without someone there to make things happen. Someone has to blaze that trail in the here and now, providing a pathway to the future that exists in that vision. In the loftiest terms, this is the job of a town or city manager. They are the liaison between a local government’s ambition and its capabilities. When a plan seems out of reach, they are the ones who figure out a way to stretch that extra mile. They share in the vision set by their councils, mayors and citizens, but it is their determination and talent that get everyone there. As we celebrate a new year, we sat down with town and city managers from around the Lowcountry to get a glimpse of where we’re headed.

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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Marc Orlando

Hilton Head’s town manager expects a breakthrough year for the island in 2024.

Marc Orlando’s journey to the role of Hilton Head town manager wasn’t always a straight line. Starting out as an intern with the Town all the way back in 1997, he worked his way up to senior planner before the siren song of the private sector began to ring in his ears. At least for a while. “I found myself just always wanting to do more. I’d focused on more entrepreneurial work – software start-up, finance, real estate development, asset management… then the economy turned,” he said. “It was at that time that I went and worked with the Town of Bluffton and found my calling. I also realized where I can make a really important difference.” As deputy town manager and then town manager for Bluffton, he arrived at a time of immense change for the once one-square-mile town. Beyond the pressures of a booming population and the challenge that brings in keeping the May River clean, Bluffton also made it a point to expand its economic base. Orlando’s steadfast guidance delivered on all fronts, managing the growth, master-planning Old Town and advancing Buckwalter Commerce Park while establishing assets like the Don Ryan Center for Innovation and working with the private sector. For his efforts he was recognized by the state legislature for his visionary leadership in 2012. In returning to Hilton Head as town manager, he’s brought that visionary leadership home.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

“We've been really clear to put together a strategic plan that is aligned with our future, our comprehensive plan and our goals,” he said. “For me, I’m looking at 2024 as a breakthrough year.” First on the agenda is workforce housing, perhaps the hottest of hot-button issues in the region. Through a public-private partnership, the Town will launch Northpoint, sustainable workforce housing on 12 acres between Jarvis Creek and the north end post office. Along with an overhaul of the Land Management Ordinance, which has been nearly a decade in the making, Orlando is targeting this year to establish a resilience plan. “We have several of those plans in place, but nothing collective, nothing comprehensive, where it's policy and project-based,” he said. “We have a robust resilience program already in place, but the planning and implementation are piecemeal. Our resilience plan will examine the island's ability to be resilient in times of real storm.”

CREATING COMMUNITY The Northpoint initiative is a public-private partnership strategy to develop sustainable workforce housing on more than 12 acres of town-owned property between Jarvis Creek and the north end post office on Hilton Head Island. The initiative will help address the island's need for more housing for its workforce and at the same time, create a vibrant, well-constructed and livable neighborhood.

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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SUN, SAND AND STRATEGY Marc Orlando has been the town manager of Hilton Head Island since February 2021. He directs the administration of Town departments, implements policies and projects and oversees 300 employees. He lives on the island with his wife, Jaclyn, and their two children, Emmy and Ben.

This coming year also will see the kick-off to a massive project aimed at reinvesting in the island’s parks, whether that means expanding parking at Chaplin Park (thus ending the soccer players versus beachgoers feud that has been slowly simmering for years) or creating spaces for families. “It’s time for a renaissance of our public spaces, roads and beach facilities,” he said. “We're working on a lot of those details to bring our parks to current-day, modern-day standard. And, of course, we have to tackle the William Hilton gateway bridge.” One of the stickier situations involving the bridge stems from the communities that would be forever altered in order to ease traffic, something Orlando is very aware of. “There are residents and businesses on the side of that street coming onto and off of our island that have been there for generations. And this roadway will definitely impact their quality of life,” he said. “So the question becomes, what are those impacts? And how are we — Beaufort County and the S.C. Department of Transportation — addressing those matters?”

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Stephen Steese

Bluffton’s town manager is charting a course for a bright future.

It’s amazing how sometimes one encounter can change someone’s entire life. For Stephen Steese that fateful encounter came during his senior year at Clemson, where he was majoring in political science and history. Sitting down with Clemson’s thencity manager (and current Sun City resident) Rick Cotton opened his eyes to the possibilities in the public sector. “My goal with my career was to do something where I could have an impact on the local community,” he said. His meeting with Cotton showed him the way to get there. It just took longer than expected. “I took what might be considered the long route to get here. I got my masters, then started out in planning and procurement and worked my way up.” He had successful tenures as a city administrator in Easley, South Carolina, and city manager for Roxboro, North Carolina. A member of the International City County Management Association and the South Carolina City County Management Association, he jumped at the chance to come to Bluffton when the position of town manager opened up. “I was excited about the growth taking place. One of the things I enjoy is getting projects done, and with what was going on — the number of capital projects, keeping up with growth — I knew there were a lot of things I was going to get to work on and complete,” he said. “I really enjoy being able to see that direct impact.”

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

He jumped in with both feet, carrying forward projects that included affordable housing projects built through public-private partnerships, the transformation of the New Riverside barn into a public space and restoration of the historic Squire Pope Carriage House. It was this last project that let him establish great partnerships throughout the region, including an agreement with SCAD that brought students in to help turn the abandoned home into a welcome center and historical site. “You haven’t arrived in Bluffton until you get to the May River,” he said. “The plan is to get them there, then show them all the places they can learn about in the community.” With those projects under his belt, Steese is ready to tackle the next slate of projects. Among improvements and enhancements he’s eyeing for 2024 are improvements to the New River Linear Trail, construction of a splash pad at Oscar Frazier Park and expansion of the town’s economic development efforts.

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LIVING HISTORY The Town of Bluffton is engaged in restoring and revitalizing the Squire Pope Carriage House, a historic gem nestled within Wright Family Park. This architectural marvel, constructed in 1850, is one of only 10 surviving structures in Bluffton of that era. When completed, the house will be used as a welcome center.

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE Stephen Steese has been the town manager of Bluffton since 2021. As chief executive officer for the town, he is responsible for hiring and supervising town employees, implementing policies approved by Town Council and maintaining effective and positive relationships with public and private agencies and organizations that affect the town’s interest.

“We just passed an ordinance to spur development within the town. We have gaps in the west side where all this growth has taken place,” he said. A new agreement at Buckwalter Commons will allow for the expansion of the Don Ryan Center, while giving new businesses in Bluffton a much-needed boost. “It’s going to be a landing pad for businesses starting out, with flexible office space,” he said. “Land and space have gotten so expensive, it’s one of the big struggles a business faces. If we can help them during start-up, we can give them a better chance for long-term success.” He also points to further development on the affordable housing front, with three pieces of Town-owned property just waiting for permits to help build what Steese refers to as “The Workforce State of Mind.”

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Van Willis

Port Royal’s town manager says big things are coming to the waterfront.

With so much growth surrounding it, the tiny coastal town of Port Royal has too often been considered the little sibling to Beaufort’s sprawling footprint. Despite this perception of the town as an accessory to a larger town, it has proven itself as a town of careful and considered design, billed as one of “America’s leaders in small-town New Urbanism.” And for the last 22 years, Van Willis has been there guiding that development with the seasoned hand of someone who has seen local government from nearly every angle. “I never expected to be here this long, but it was an opportunity for me to grow with the town,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes from then to now.” Growing up in Charleston, Willis found his passion for the public sector during a day spent shadowing Mayor Joe Riley for student government. “I had an opportunity to get an inside look and found it fascinating and enlightening,” he said. Still, it wasn’t until an internship during graduate school at a “catchall” department in Charleston County government that he truly gained an appreciation for what public service entailed. “I worked on the legal side, but we also did business licenses, environmental work; we did everything. I saw all of Charleston County from tip to toe.” Following that internship, he applied for a position as an administrator for Seabrook Island solely for the interview experience. “They hired me, and that was a little terrifying because I had no experience,” he said. “Luckily, I worked for some incredibly fascinating people there. That was probably one of the more important experiences of my life. The array of experience was overwhelming but enlightening.” That experience served him well when he finally arrived in Port Royal, which had only then reached some measure of a cease-fire

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

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in the annexation wars between it and Beaufort. A three-way chess match that saw both towns drawing and redrawing borders against the county, the wars had nonetheless resulted in a productive regional plan that allowed Port Royal to begin steady growth. “We never really had explosive growth, but it has been incremental enough to necessitate adding additional staff,” said Willis. And while the end of the wars saw better relations between Beaufort and Port Royal, it’s long been clear which town gets the glory. “We were the poor stepsister in Beaufort County. People give me a hard time, saying I have a chip on my shoulder that Port Royal doesn’t get the recognition. We love our sister city, but sometimes we’d love to get the recognition we’re supposed to.” In a town hailed as “cool, coastal and far from ordinary,” where homes are snapped up after mere days on the market, it’s clear big things are on the horizon. Or, strictly speaking, on the waterfront. “Obviously the big thing we have coming up is redevelopment of the port,” said Willis. The Port of Port Royal’s property is 53 acres of developable highland (325 acres total including the marsh). Plans call for hundreds of new housing units along with 150,000 square feet of retail space plus, a hotel and marina. “We’re nearing issuance of a permit

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for the marina, which will be huge… Between the public spaces, the Promenade and The Bluff neighborhood, it’s going to be one of the premier residential sections.” This is a particular point of pride for Willis, as one of his first actions as town manager was to urge then-Gov. Mark Sanford to help redeploy the underutilized port. “And now, so many years later, we’re working with Safe Harbor, and we know the redevelopment of that property will absolutely transform Port Royal.” Another big development coming up concerns Naval Hospital Beaufort, which occupies 120 acres on deep water. Once serving the medical needs of Marines stationed on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, the hospital has since reduced its beds, as medical services moved onto the bases. “We have been asked to participate in a regional effort to contemplate its reuse,” Willis said. He hopes the entire region can work together to find a use for that land which could help move the Lowcountry forward. And speaking of moving… “What we’re really focused on is improving our infrastructure,” said Willis. “Resurfacing the downtown roads, upgrades to Parris Avenue, burying utilities, and we’re very involved in Reimagining Ribaut.”

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Scott Marshall

Beaufort’s city manager continues a lifetime of service.

For 23 years Scott Marshall served in the U.S. Air Force, first as an enlisted man, then as an officer. That alone would have been service enough, but that was merely prologue to the service that Marshall has shown to towns on both sides of the Broad River. His journey in local government started when he retired from the Air Force in 2009. “I didn’t do it very well,” he said of his attempt at retirement. Moving to the Lowcountry from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, he saw too many opportunities to continue his service. “My first job down here was as the executive director of the Beaufort County Board of Elections & Voter Registration. Then in 2013 (former county administrator) Gary Kubic asked a couple of times if I would be the director of Beaufort County Parks & Leisure Services. I finally broke down and took the job.” But then fortune brought Marshall to Bluffton, where a position for a deputy town manager would truly begin his next chapter. “I was able to work with Marc Orlando for five-and-a-half years. I learned a lot from him, and he was very supportive,” said Marshall. “Watching him, seeing that sense of vision, the way he organized staff and worked with council, was very helpful. That prepared me for this job more than anything else.” What it prepared him for was the role of city manager for Beaufort, a job he began in January 2023. “Beaufort is my home,” he said. “I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else in my adult life, and it’s truly the bestcase scenario when you can apply things you’ve learned over the course of your career to help your own community.” Of course, as anyone will tell you, Beaufort and Bluffton are very different animals. “I will say if I compare the two, this job is more difficult. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it’s

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

AT YOUR SERVICE Scott Marshall became city manager of Beaufort in January 2023. Prior to joining Beaufort's senior management team, he was director of human resources for Beaufort County and worked for the Town of Bluffton as deputy town manager and then interim town manager. His previous experience includes positions as executive director of the Beaufort County Board of Elections & Voter Registration and director of the Beaufort County Parks & Leisure Services.

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just more complex,” he said. “Population and budget-wise, we’re smaller than Bluffton. But we have a much larger historic district and a lot of special requirements when making decisions in regards to development… But both have a great council. Every council member in Bluffton had a heart for Bluffton, and I can say the same thing for Beaufort.” That support and his experience are helping him tackle some of the complex issues that will face Beaufort in the coming year. “We have transportation issues we need to address, but we have strong partners in the county, the Department of Transportation and our state legislative delegation,” he said. “Being able to keep up with transportation needs in relation to growth is an expensive proposition.” He points to traffic mitigation efforts on Boundary Street, the Reimagining Ribaut Road project and the Lady’s Island corridor as some that will get most of his attention in the coming years. Beyond traffic, his more immediate goals are to increase transparency in town operations, and empowering citizens to get involved. He cited the City’s recent acquisition of technology capabilities such as the new SeeClickFix program. “It’s a program we implemented in Bluffton so that when you see a traffic light out, a signpost down, or anything like that, you take out your phone, open the app, and send the problem right to the city,” he said. “The person who reports the problem gets immediate feedback and is also notified when the problem is resolved.” LL

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Talk of the Town

HILTON HEAD ISLAND MAYOR ALAN PERRY SHARES HIS VISION FOR 2024 AND BEYOND.

©TOWN OF HILTON HEAD

For many residents of Hilton Head Island, life is already exceptional, but 2024 promises to make it even better. The Town is working on a host of improvements, from new parks to enhanced beach access, as well as addressing more complex issues such as workforce housing, wildlife and nature conservation and preservation of the unique Gullah-Geechee culture. Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry (local since 1972) has a front-row seat to these changes. He offered insight into what the upcoming year holds.

NEW AND IMPROVED The Folly Field Beach Park boardwalk has been entirely replaced with premium IPE decking and marine-grade lumber.

LEADING WITH LOCAL ROOTS Hilton Head Island mayor Alan Perry is shown with his wife, Kathleen, at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Alan moved to Hilton Head with his family in 1972. He attended Sea Pines Academy from second grade until his high-school graduation. Ironically, he was voted "Most Likely to Be Mayor" by his senior class in 1984.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

[LOCAL Life] What do you love most about Hilton Head Island? [Alan Perry] There are so many things to love about this island that I have called home for five decades. I would say if I had to pick one, it’s the people. Their giving spirit, their friendly nature and the caring they show every day, not just for the people who live here but the tourists that come here. Call it “Southern Hospitality” if you want. I just call it being a Hilton Head Islander. [LL] As mayor, what are your major goals and priorities for 2024? [AP] I hope to continue to improve life for everyone on the island while also keeping the environmental beauty we love intact and thriving. That includes protecting the wildlife and natural areas we have throughout Hilton Head Island through improving parks and green space. But we cannot forget the need for more workforce housing on the island as well. Expanding those possibilities for people who want to live here and work here is a vital need for our community to continue our goal of responsible growth. [LL] Are there any specific projects or initiatives that the Town will be focusing on in 2024? [AP] Workforce housing will be vital to the future of our island. That will start with the Northpoint development, a $40 million project, a public-private partnership of 150-170 units to help the nurses, teachers and food-service industry workers all find affordable places to live near where they work. Combine that with the growing number of local businesses and corporations that are stepping up to help their own workers find housing, and we are tracking toward improved housing alternatives for all local workers. “Finding Home” is not just a slogan for Hilton Head; it’s a plan, a commitment to preserve and expand the workforce housing options so we don’t lose this valuable community, the people who help make this the No. 1 island in America.

©TOWN OF HILTON HEAD

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LEGACY LEADER Thomas Boxley has been named the first executive director of the Gullah-Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation. He will work with local Gullah-Geechee descendants, residents and the Town in the preservation and sustainable development of Hilton Head's historic neighborhoods.

[LL] What steps are being taken to improve the quality of life for residents in 2024? [AP] The Town is focusing on improving the beaches which everyone, tourist and local alike, enjoy every day. Already there’s been an overhaul of the Folly Field Beach Boardwalk, including brand new boards, railings and bathrooms. The Driessen Beach boardwalk also will look brand new by spring. The Town will be working on even more ways to make local beaches clean and accessible for all, both humans and the sea turtles that are a natural wonder for our area. Connecting with the Gullah community is paramount, and the establishment of the Gullah-Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation, the Board of Directors, and the recent appointment of Thomas Boxley as the executive director is a testament to our priority and dedication to preserving Gullah-Geechee culture, fostering economic opportunities and improving the quality of life in historic neighborhoods. [LL] Are there any new policies or regulations that may be implemented in the near future? If so, how they will impact the community? [AP] There will be decisions made in 2024 about the William Hilton Parkway Gateway Corridor project, a decision that will shape the future of our island. We recognize the importance of balancing traffic improvements onto and off our island, including accommodating a large commuting workforce and visitor base, with the preservation and sustenance of our Gullah-Geechee people and neighborhoods and with the natural beauty that defines Hilton Head Island. It is a hot topic in the county and region, and we are taking this seriously. This decision will have impacts for several decades. Answers to a few remaining questions will provide the information needed to make a decision that is right for the community with confidence. This includes making sure of the right corridor alignment, understanding details on physical impacts and mitigation opportunities, demanding the right design solutions for the parkway and intersections and confirming the needs and performance benefits of alternatives. Any decision made will not be an emotional one but based on the information gathered by all parties involved.

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faces [LL] Are there any environmental sustainability initiatives or green projects planned for 2024? [AP] In the past year, the Town has made significant strategic investments to acquire land to manage growth in sensitive areas and to preserve the island's natural environment, spending close to $20 million on "legacy parcels" like the equestrian barn and paddocks on Jonesville Road, Wild Wing Café and land along William Hilton Parkway on the edge of Broad Creek. Hilton Head Island is committed to providing memorable and high-quality park and recreational spaces for our residents and visitors. We recently constructed six pickleball courts, have installed a significantly expanded pathway and art trail along Broad Creek and completed the Folly Field Beach Park boardwalk, bathroom renovation and access improvements. We will further expand our parks and open spaces to offer enhanced facilities for soccer, baseball, roller hockey, football, tennis and yes, and most definitely, pickleball, contributing to the renaissance of our public realm on Hilton Head Island. We are well underway to advance our newest parks — Patterson Park and Taylor Family Park in our historic neighborhoods, and we will re-imagine Islanders Beach Park, Chaplin Park, Crossings Park and will expand and complete Shelter Cove Park.

[LL] What role does technology and innovation play in the Town's plans? [AP] The Town’s goal is to stay up to date on the needs of its citizens when it comes to technology. That includes exploring improvements on the internet and wireless capabilities throughout the island. Enhancements are already being seen in the way technology affects the daily commute. While it started late in 2023, the adaptive traffic signals project along William Hilton Parkway is designed to move traffic smoothly through the 25 traffic

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT In response to the community's need for workforce housing, the Town of Hilton Head Island has implemented public policy incentives to encourage construction of quality, attractive workforce housing in the Town.

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signals at 25 Town-owned intersections. The system will learn and acclimate itself to live traffic and begin to make real-time adjustments to the system to reduce delays and make traffic flow freely for the hundreds of thousands of drivers who pass through each day. [LL] Are there any exciting events or milestones that residents can look forward to in the coming year? [AP] The Hilton Head Island Jam singer/songwriter music festival we held for the first time last year was such a hit that BMI wants to bring it back in 2024. We are working with them on a plan to do just that. From all the side venues that allowed local and nationally known artists to show off their skills at the big concert at Lowcountry Celebration Park, the company believes this could become an annual event. [LL] What are your personal hopes and aspirations for the town in the year ahead, and what message would you like to convey to the community? [AP] I believe we are on the right track as a community. The focus of myself, Town Council and Town staff is not just on what can be done to continue to bring tourists to Hilton Head Island but about residents who live here full time. We want to make sure the growing number of families, especially those with children, have the facilities and opportunities they have wanted to call Hilton Head “home” for a long time. This past year I saw large groups of residents from across the island, thousands of people, come together at the 360/40 Celebration and most recently at the Christmas-tree lighting at Celebration Park. The camaraderie, the smiles on their faces and the happiness shown in those days could be felt far beyond Lowcountry Celebration Park, across the island as a whole. If people are patient, they will quickly understand that the hours of work everyone with the Town is putting in is paying dividends this year and beyond and proving again why this has been the No.1 island for years. LL

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DESIGNING WITH LIGHT AND TEXTURE In this sunlit living room in Palmetto Bluff, tall windows welcome natural light, highlighting elegant nickel gap accents around the fireplace and a stunning light fixture. The space is anchored by a Turkish rug and leather-finished nightstands with faux stone tops. Contrasting chairs add an earthy touch, creating a harmonious environment.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

HOME SHOWCASE

A little bit of soul

This Palmetto Bluff home is a testament to just how powerful and complimentary "lovely bones" can be.

STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIE WILLIAMS We’re so used to hearing that a house has “lovely bones” as a pejorative that we tend to forget what a compliment it is. This home might be a perfect example of how great a compliment lovely bones can be. Built just a few years ago in Palmetto Bluff, this home already embodied the singular beauty of the community’s homes — light, airy and open, with an atmosphere that balances formality and comfort. Sharon Cleland with J. Banks Design Group helped make it even more perfect for its new owners. “This house had really nice bones and light fixtures, so basically we just wanted to inject the soul of the new owners,” she said. “The clients were moving from another home in the area, and their furniture was a lot more traditional. It was a different aesthetic, and we wanted to incorporate those pieces as much as possible.” And while Cleland’s efforts realigned the home into a space of comfort and tranquility for its new owners, it was far more than cosmetic, with an entire wall between dining room and kitchen coming out to accommodate this new look and feel. “Because the client entertains a lot, they felt the existing kitchen was a little cramped,” she said. “They felt this would create a more airy, open space more conducive to entertaining… It’s all about creating a resort within your home.” Come join the party as we see how Cleland made this house a home.

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living Natural light and textured layers Among the lovely bones that Cleland had to work with was this sun-kissed living room, where tall windows invite natural light into a room with eye-catching nickel gap accents around a fireplace and an appropriately grand light fixture. Tailoring this space to the new clients was simply a matter of applying Cleland’s talent for layering textures. “You have the Turkish rug, which grounds the space, set against the leather finished nightstands with a faux stone top,” she said. “Bringing in the contrasting chairs (foreground) brought in an earthly quality that was conducive to the environment.” From there it was a matter of creating layers through ingeniously placed accessories and art selections to create intrigue. “When you meld together all these layers and textures, you get a nice, elevated living space.”

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Classic meets contemporary The mirrored nightstands that flank the plush bed in the owners’ suite came from the previous home, giving Cleland the first hints at what this space’s design would ultimately look like. “Originally I thought they might be a little formal for this space, but the more the design evolved, the more I realized I could pair them with the clean lines of the bed,” she said. “Grounding it with the Turkish Oushak rug, the lamps, the artwork and the custom bedding brought it all together beautifully.” This delicate balancing act allowed Cleland to preserve the room’s existing millwork and light fixtures, blending classic and contemporary to create blissful comfort.

BEFORE

From openness to efficiency The upstairs great room afforded Cleland a fantastic opportunity to create a study space, ideal for the new owner’s work-from-home lifestyle. To one end of the great room, trim carpenters installed a magnificent set of built-in bookcases. From there, Cleland added extra artwork for a more masculine touch, then a desk set with custom built-ins to store printers and other electronics. “The room just needed more soul, so I decided to furnish it with all the books and artwork layered over it to add interest,” she said. This space contrasts beautifully with the rest of the great room, which embodies the openness of the rest of the home. “It’s a media room, but it also functions well as a workspace,” she said. “We wanted a comfortable TV area, so we had the table custom-made with pull-out stools for when family or guests arrive.”

A space all its own One of the more ambitious aspects of this home’s transformation was the wholesale creation of a carriage house in a previously unused space above the garage. Built to serve as a complete in-law suite with kitchen, dining room and bedroom, this space gave Cleland a chance to carry the home’s design into a bespoke space. “We continued the nickel gap in this space, which gave us carte blanche to introduce a few more pieces from the previous home,” she said. Carrying the reclaimed wood flooring from the interior as well as lighting and color schemes unified the carriage house with the main home, while choices in artwork and accessories gave it a style all its own. “It’s a little more whimsical.” The chance to be a little more creative resulted in some eye-catching choices, like the floating desk, which incorporated the owners’ artwork and gave purpose to an otherwise architecturally odd nook, and the encaustic tile in the bathroom which carried the color scheme in dazzling new directions. LL

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TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Elevated porch paradise This second-story outdoor sanctuary offers serenity in the treetops. STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN + PHOTO BY BRIE WILLIAMS This dreamily comfortable elevated porch enjoys a design that is equally elevated, with Sharon Cleland of J. Banks Design Group’s signature knack for laying color and textures to create pure outdoor bliss. Extending off of the upstairs great room, itself a study in beautiful contrasting colors, this space gave Cleland an opportunity to add an exclamation point to the transformation she’d created inside.

A palette of contrasts

Lush vistas

Chic accessories

As an extension of the upstairs great room, the porch carried that same beautiful distinction of light and dark. “I particularly like the contrast,” she said. “I like black against all the green and blue of the scenery, so that’s why we opted for black outdoor furnishings with the contrast of the pillows and throws.”

Enjoying vistas through the treetops from the second story, this space capitalizes on the dramatic views. “Because it’s on the second level, we wanted a comfortable outdoor space to take advantage of the surroundings,” she said.

The pure white coffee table and end table (ingeniously designed to mimic a tree stump) not only serve as a contrast against the dark furniture, they speak to the layering that Cleland adds to create visual interest. “It’s all very comfortable and easy to maintain, with the outdoor rug and tables adding those layers.”

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

807 William Hilton Parkway, Unit 1400 Hilton Head 843.342.4955

WWW.KPMFLOORING.COM

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LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Upgrade Your Home In The New Year

ROOM OF THE MONTH

Harmony in heights

Check out this masterful blend of design and engineering in Berkeley Hall.

PHOTOS BY WAYNE MOORE, BACK RIVER PHOTOGRAPHY In the world of residential design, creating a space that is both visually stunning and functionally sound requires a delicate balance of artistry and engineering. Builder Ron Boshaw of Boshaw Residential recently shared insights into the creation of a room in Berkeley Hall that perfectly exemplifies this balance.

Embracing height with elegance The room's tall ceilings presented both a challenge and an opportunity for the design team. Boshaw's solution was the incorporation of truss-style stained beams. These beams not only draw the eye upward, adding a sense of grandeur to the room, but also soften the overwhelming sense of space. This architectural choice creates a visual journey for the occupants, guiding their gaze through the room's vertical expanse.

Balancing scale with detail To counterbalance the room's lofty ceilings, stained floating shelves were strategically added. These shelves serve a dual purpose: they echo the materials and colors of the beams, creating a cohesive aesthetic, and they introduce a lower linear element. This design choice effectively lessens the room's expansive volume, ensuring that the space feels both open and inviting. As a result, visitors experience a comprehensive view of the room, appreciating both its grand scale and intricate details.

Softening structures with angles The room's tall fireplace, a potentially imposing feature, was skillfully softened by adding angles. This design choice transforms the fireplace into a source of visual interest rather than overwhelming mass. The angled structure not only complements the room's overall design but also enhances the cozy ambiance that is essential in a living space.

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Illuminating with purpose A standout feature of the room is its unique light fixture. Boshaw notes that selecting this piece involved extensive research and product reviews. Positioned approximately 14 feet from the mirror-image beam near the fireplace, the light fixture had to harmonize with the room's other elements, particularly the irregular live edge dining table desired by the homeowner. The meticulous selection process ensured that the lighting not only serves its functional purpose but also acts as a complementary artistic piece, tying the room’s various elements together seamlessly. The interior designer on the project was Sara Boyles of Kelly Caron Designs.

843.277.0771

11 Sheridan Park Circle, Suite 2, Bluffton

budgetblinds.com/hiltonheadisland Free In-Home Consultations

© 2023 Budget Blinds, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC + LocalLifeSC.com 77 and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. EachJANUARY franchise2024 independently owned and operated.

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EXPERT ADVICE

A recipe for order DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF A WELL-ORGANIZED KITCHEN In the heart of every home lies the kitchen, a magical place where families gather, meals are prepared, and memories are made. However, the joy of cooking and socializing in the kitchen can sometimes feel like navigating a culinary obstacle course, with pots, pans and mysterious Tupperware avalanches lurking in every corner. To shed light on our culinary quest for order in 2024, we summoned Cassandra Schultz, the woman behind Cassandra's Kitchen Store in Bluffton. From her sanctuary of Ina Garten-inspired kitchenware and home goods, she dispenses wisdom not only about the perfect tools for every dish but also on how to maintain a kitchen that's as organized as it is welcoming.

1. SORTED SERVEWARE Store similar serving pieces together — cake plates with cake plates. White dishes with white dishes and so on. This will help when looking for a piece in a hurry and when unloading the dishwasher. Everyone knows where each item goes and won't leave you with an unorganized kitchen.

2. RECIPE SAFEKEEPING Use a recipe file with plastic sleeves to store printedoff recipes. We all know the kitchen can get a little messy — especially when cooking for holidays. The personal recipe file not only helps to organize your mostcherished recipes — it also helps keep them clean and out of harm's way.

3. TRANSPARENT TIDINESS Use clear plastic containers to store absolutely anything in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry. You're able to easily see what's in them — they're easy to stack and can be used over and over again. A lot of people use them for dry goods in the pantry (think lentils and other dry goods), in the freezer (that gumbo you made recently or leftover chicken stock), and the refrigerator (for those leftovers you're eating tomorrow). These have replaced all other containers for us. 4. LABEL AND LOCATE Use a label maker to label your containers to help keep them organized. I have a family of five, so our label maker ensures that we know exactly where something is right when we need it — instead of digging through our pantry, making a mess. They're also great for linen closets to organize sheets and bedding. 5. COUNTERTOP CADDY No one likes to dig for their utensils when they're in a hurry. Use a crock to keep kitchen tools at reach. You can even divide by material (wood vs. metal) to keep things extra organized. If you grab the right crock, it also looks gorgeous displayed on your counter top. Opt for a neutral crock if you don't like colorful kitchens — otherwise have fun with it.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

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More than just the perfect gift… Pyramids for your home: lamps, tabletop, rugs, accent furniture, art, mirrors, accessories and more. Group3 designers are just steps away and available for design assistance and special orders.

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FROM SHELL TO SWELL

FIND INSPIRATION IN THE 2024 LOCAL LIFE IDEA HOUSE EDITOR’S NOTE: Dive into the diverse rooms of the 2024 LOCAL Life Idea House, our exclusive peek into The Charles, the newest waterfront condominium at Hilton Head Plantation. Throughout the year we'll showcase transformative room makeovers, offering practical decorating tips and ideas. Each feature aims to inspire your next home refresh, adding a personal flair to your living spaces. For more information about The Charles, email sales@thecharleshhi.com

The art of arrival

INFUSING NATURAL BEAUTY INTO YOUR ENTRYWAY STORY BY SHEILA PAZ + PHOTOS BY MIKE RITTERBECK Creating a lasting first impression is a delicate endeavor, and the foyer plays a pivotal role in the initial encounter within a home, setting the stage for what the rest of the house will look like. To create an inviting, natural atmosphere, the owner collaborated with J. Banks Designs to curate an organic welcome. Here are three practical tips to help you recreate this welcoming ambiance for yourself.

1. Lay the foundation Like any great home, start with laying the foundation or, in this case, a jute rug made from natural fibers. This choice creates a base for embracing the desired natural vibe. Staying with the natural look, the Harrison-striped onyx mirror was introduced, crafted from material that brings balance, thereby adding an artistic touch to the space.

2. Light it up Remember to add a little light to the room by using a creative light fixture such as this one, made from locally sourced oyster shells. It ties into the room's vibe while shedding light on the entranceway. To finish the space, consider adding a dresser or a “drop zone” table that coordinates with the theme. J. Banks Designs picked out a dresser with a linen-like finish to provide a texture that complements the natural tones in the room.

3. Add some fun And, of course, don’t forget to add a bit of fun to the grand entrance. The homeowner stumbled upon this whimsical giraffe lamp that unifies the various components of the natural decor. Whether you envision a similar aesthetic for your space or need inspiration, use these tips as a guide to achieve a welcoming and inviting foyer. LL

Pro tip Hide cords in a dresser drawer, providing a hidden charging station. No need for messy wires; simply thread an extension cord into the designated charging drawer, fusing coastal chic with savvy functionality.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

A Smart Remote for your Smart Home

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Review the possibilities with one of our experts.

Call. Click. Or Come In. 843.815.5130 www.custom-audio-video.com 48 Pennington Dr., Suite B | Bluffton, SC

CAV INTEGRATED HOME

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Palettes of possibility

HUES THAT MAJOR PAINT COMPANIES ARE PREDICTING WILL RULE 2024 STORY BY AMANDA CASTILLO

In the ever-evolving world of design, colors play a pivotal role in shaping trends and reflecting the spirit of each passing year. Just as we bid farewell to the colors that defined 2023, we eagerly embrace a fresh palette for 2024. These new colors reflect the essence of the year ahead, encompassing a diverse range of shades, with a pronounced emphasis on various hues of blue. As we journey through this collection of colors, you'll find them imbued with a sense of serenity and versatility, poised to ignite your creativity and invigorate your living spaces.

Oceanic expression Bay Blue by Minwax Inspired by the ocean's hues, Bay Blue in wood-stain form allows you to express your unique identity and create a space that is truly yours. It reflects the calming and invigorating qualities of the sea.

Warmth and welcoming atmosphere Hope and tranquility Thermal by C2 A refreshing sky blue, Thermal exudes both tranquility and allure. It serves as a beacon of hope for new beginnings, instilling trust and confidence while inviting you to embrace exciting adventures on the horizon.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Viridis by Graham & Brown Muted yet inviting, Viridis' soft green tones create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for entertaining. It transforms your space into a peaceful haven, perfect for gathering with loved ones.

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living Positive energy and creativity Upward by Sherwin-Williams With soothing blue undertones, Upward promotes positivity and sparks creative thinking. It's a color that encourages the flow of constructive energy in your surroundings, fostering inspiration and innovation.

Versatility and boundless creativity Limitless by Glidden This warm yellow is a versatile addition to your palette, complementing both warm and cool tones effortlessly. Limitless opens up a world of creative possibilities, promising a space that knows no bounds.

Freshness and vibrancy Bluebird by Krylon A modern twist on pastel blue, Bluebird adds a bold accent to any environment, infusing it with vibrancy and freshness. It's the perfect choice for rejuvenating and revitalizing your living spaces.

Sophistication and depth Ironside by Dutch Boy A multifaceted and refined choice, Ironside serves as a backdrop that enhances the prominence of your room's features. Its understated sophistication adds depth and character to your interior design.

Meditation and serenity

Subtle elegance Cracked Pepper by Behr Awaken your space with the soft versatility of Cracked Pepper, a sophisticated black shade. It accentuates without overwhelming, allowing your room's features to shine with subtle elegance.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Skipping Stones by Dunn-Edwards With its fusion of steely blue, green and grey, Skipping Stones creates a serene and meditative atmosphere, ideal for moments of personal introspection. This color encourages you to find solace within your space.

| SavannahSurfaces.com

living Adventure and discovery Blue Nova by Benjamin Moore Inspired by the spirit of exploration, Blue Nova seamlessly blends shades of blue and violet, evoking feelings of adventure and discovery. It promises to infuse your surroundings with a sense of curiosity and wonder.

Warmth and zest Persimmon by HGTV Home Expressive and inviting, Persimmon combines tangerine and terracotta undertones. Its warmth and brightness make it the perfect companion for neutral colors, uplifting your space with a touch of zest.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Peace and renewal Renew Blue by Valspar In the fast-paced world we live in, Renew Blue offers a serene oasis. Infused with cool blue and hints of green, it provides a haven for inner peace and renewal amidst the daily grind. LL

Experience the beauty of light Experience the beauty of light

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living

2024 home trends

UNVEILING THE FUTURE OF LOWCOUNTRY HOME DESIGN STORY BY BRIANNA MCCADDEN

Illuminate your home with LED elegance "The lighting industry is undergoing a transformation led by experts in home automation and integration. Their expertise and unwavering commitment to quality empower them to craft lighting solutions that feature adjustable color temperature and the magic of zero percent warm dimming light. These features not only accentuate your home's beauty but also create adaptable, mood-enhancing and practical environments. Investing in a top-tier solution promises homeowners a myriad of advantages:

Discover the home trends that are here to stay in 2024. From innovative fireplace alternatives to sustainable living, vibrant color palettes and personalized dressing spaces, the world of home design is brimming with inspiration. Listen to the voices of local industry experts, and find the perfect idea to elevate your home in the year ahead.

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

• Tailored LED lighting: Customdesigned to perfectly suit your home's unique layout, eschewing the one-size-fits-all approach. • Effortless control: Manage your lighting via wall keypads, bidding farewell to the clutter of multiple switch-plates. • Precise dimming: Overcoming historical dimming issues, achieving ultra-precise dimming levels as low as on percent or less. • Warm dimming magic: Experience an automatic shift to warmer color temperatures, casting an inviting ambiance. • Simplified accent lighting: Low-voltage lighting solutions, both indoors and outdoors, simplify the installation of accent lighting." – Jason Clarke, Custom Audio Video

EASY ISLAND LIVING

Life in Perfect Balance On Hilton Head Island

Welcome mud rooms “While most of us want to invite nature into our homes, we still want to keep the dirt out. Mud rooms have become a popular home design trend; a room or area with plenty of storage for shoes, coats, backpacks and even cleaning supplies. Mudrooms can add value to your home, as it’s not only storage space but will keep the interior living area clean and tidy.” – Bart Strong, Closets by Design

Now Leasing Studio, One, Two, and Three Bedroom Residences

The value of restoration “There has been a movement toward restoration. Homeowners are increasingly seeing the value in restoring their existing paver hardscapes instead of replacing them. A newly restored driveway not only looks beautiful but also increases the home's value.” – Dominic Biangone, Seacoast Driveways

55 Gardner Drive Hilton Head Island • SC 29926

@aquaterahhi AquateraHHI.com JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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Add vibrance with colorful appliances “The trend of adding a vibrant splash of color to kitchens through brightly-hued appliances is becoming increasingly popular. These colorful appliances not only serve their functional purpose but also act as decorative focal points, transforming the kitchen into a more lively and personalized space.” – Brantley King, Billy Wood Appliance

Maximizing functionality “We all want personalized, innovative spaces with built-in features that maximize storage. We need options for various tasks, a guest room and home office or a multi-use family entertainment room. Space planning prior to a project can maximize square footage. Start with the biggest wall, or work around any architectural pieces like a fireplace. Use the vertical space by adding cabinetry or floating shelves to keep things neat and organized. Try a wall bed in a home office or dual-purpose, furniture-like beds with drawer storage. Take laundry rooms to a whole new level with double duty as office spaces, potting areas, wrapping or storage spaces or even beverage centers.” – Nancy Schmitz, Signature Closets

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

The return of beige “In interior design we are seeing a welcome change. Gray had its moment, and beige is back. You can’t go wrong with pairing beige with bold patterns, texture and all colors in your wine glass from rosé to cabernet.” – Heidi Schultz, Coastal Home

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Greener living and smart automation “There are a couple of items that we have seen increase significantly within the last couple of years, especially with people being at home more and focusing more on health and the environment. Homeowners are implementing lighting control both indoors and outdoor for a variety of reasons (sense of security, ease of use, control when away from home, elimination of banks of light switches, convenience, etc). Homeowners also are implementing some sort of home automation system to control various items in their homes. These smart systems allow a homeowner to control multiple devices (televisions, speakers/music, HVAC, pool, door locks, security cameras, lighting, pool, etc.) all from one location, as well as monitor usage to assist with being environmentally friendly and lowering expenses. Today's world is hectic, and clients want user-friendly solutions to make their lives easier and more enjoyable.” – Curt Hubner, Advanced Integrated Controls

Custom murals for personality “Homeowners and homebuyers are saying goodbye to bland, in favor of personality-packed homes. We have used custom murals and wall coverings on a number of homes. Each one tends to present a unique point of view and is often highly personal to our clients. It is an impact statement, so it takes a certain sense of commitment on their behalf.” – William Court, Court Atkins Group

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Modern pool designs and outdoor renovations “We are witnessing continued growth in modern pool designs characterized by clean, geometric shapes and simple elegance. Outdoor renovations are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners seek to enhance the value of their properties, as opposed to buying new homes. Additionally, the demand for smaller plunge pools and innovative hot tub/pool combinations is on the rise as people look to add more functionality to smaller spaces.” – Jonathon Dunford, West Bay Pools

Smart Home, Smart Shades: Smart Home, Smart Shades: Elevate Your Living Elevate Your Living

Step into the future of home design with Seaglass Step into the future of home design with Seaglass Windowscapes' curated selection of smart shades. As the Windowscapes' curated selection of smart shades. As the new year unfolds, embrace the convenience of automation new year unfolds, embrace the convenience of automation at your fingertips. Our range of intelligent window at your fingertips. Our range of intelligent window treatments, featuring brands like Hunter Douglas and Alta, treatments, featuring brands like Hunter Douglas and Alta, seamlessly integrates integrates with with your your lifestyle, lifestyle, offering offering seamlessly unparalleled convenience and sophistication. unparalleled convenience and sophistication. ConvenienceRedefined Redefined Convenience Control your your awnings awnings with withaasimple simpletap tapononyour yourremote, remote, Control transformingyour yourliving livingspace spacewith witheffortless effortlessease. ease.Seaglass Seaglass transforming Windowscapes brings brings you you the the latest latest inin smart smart shade shade Windowscapes technology,ensuring ensuringthat thatyour yourhome homeadapts adaptstotoyour your needs. technology, needs. EnergyEfficiency Efficiencyat atIts ItsCore Core Energy Experience aa greener, greener, more moresustainable sustainablelifestyle lifestylewith withour our Experience energy-efficient smart smart shades. shades. Responding Responding totochanging changing energy-efficient sunlight, these these shades shades optimize optimize natural natural light, light,reducing reducing sunlight, energy consumption consumption and and enhancing enhancingyour yourcommitment commitmenttoto energy eco-friendly eco-friendlyliving. living. Exterior ExteriorMotorized MotorizedScreens Screens Extend the Extend the elegance eleganceand conveniencebeyond beyondyour yourinterior interior andconvenience with Exterior Motorized Screens. Enjoy outdoor with Exterior Motorized Screens. Enjoy outdoorliving livingwith with the the touch touch of of aa button, button, providing providing shade, shade, privacy, privacy,and and protection protection against againstthe theelements. elements.Seamlessly Seamlesslyintegrate integrateyour your exterior exterior and and interior interior spaces spacesfor foraacohesive cohesiveand andluxurious luxurious living experience. living experience.

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Sustainable and smart window treatments “In the world of luxury window treatments, 2024 promises to usher in a blend of timeless elegance and cutting-edge innovation. Sustainability is set to play a pivotal role, with eco-conscious materials and energy-efficient solutions taking center stage, reflecting a growing commitment to both style and environmental responsibility. Expect to see a fusion of classic aesthetics and smarthome integration, as clients embrace the convenience of automated window treatments that elevate the ambiance of any room.” – Nikki Petitt, Seaglass Windowscapes

435 William Hilton Parkway • Suite K Hilton Head Island, SC 843.785.2425 A few doors down from Home Goods!

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

A splash of style and sustainability “Many trending textures, materials, shapes and colors have been introduced over the past several months and appear to be moving into 2024. These trends are pivotal for pool owners, considering that a pool is often the second most significant investment made in your property. It is important to choose wisely. Many of these choices will have to age well with popular or trend change over many years. Even a larger part of your decision-making will be in the area of sustainable energy. Products (and chemicals) will be focused on energy efficiency more so in the future. Items like variable-speed pool pump motors, improved LED lighting, improved robotic pool cleaners and automated control systems will be at the forefront of new product offerings.” – Step Cornet, Clearwater Pool Service

Tailored dressing rooms and functional spaces “One trend I see in architectural home designs on the drawing board is customized dressing rooms with cabinetry designed to the level of kitchens regarding both aesthetic style and function. Cabinetry in general is getting more sophisticated with specifically designed storage space for everything, especially base cabinets in open kitchens with little upper storage. The growth of open kitchens is also fueling the expansions of back kitchens and pantries. Also with more people working from home, we are designing small built-in private and functional office spaces in homes — different from large studies for retired homeowners.” – Mike Ruegamer, Group 3

Earth tones and monochrome “Some interior trends we are seeing are warm, earth-toned colors, displayed through upholstery, wall coverings and paint. Also, entire rooms are being painted monochromatic, floor to ceiling, including all trim work in one color. We are getting away from vast, open floor plans, transitioning to cozy, more defined spaces. Stained cabinetry is also gaining popularity.” – Taylor Stone, Group 3/Pyramids

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living Resort-like pool features “The trends we are starting to see are really the new technology for pool equipment; the lighting and the ability to not only add heat to your pool but cool it as well. There are lots of new water features as well that give your pool more of a resort feel right in your own backyard.” – Frank Ziebell, ACR Pools

Embracing timeless elegance “For exteriors we see white continuing on trend into 2024. Our new coral white porcelain and our designer favorite, oyster white, are leading the way into 2024. We are also seeing more people coming in for dark colors. Pennsylvania bluestone is still a classic selection, and now we have porcelain versions as well as some selections in charcoal/black – cleft collection glacier, coral nero and vintage slab. Landscape architects are having fun creating interesting patterns with contrasting colors.” – Lisa Bakke, Savannah Surfaces

Elevate comfort in living spaces “More comfortable dining, including banquettes and swivel dining chairs.” – Joni Burden, J Banks Designs

The era of fireplace balls “I see a lot of fireplace balls replacing the standard gas logs.” – Ron Boshaw, Boshaw Residential

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

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Natural tones trending for flooring Convenience with motorized roller shades “Motorized roller shades make it so easy to raise and lower the shades in your entire home with just a smart remote or app, or on a programmed schedule based on your lifestyle. They are really helpful for privacy and UV/heat protection. It’s becoming more and more popular with how busy our lifestyles are getting – motorized shades give you one less thing to think about.” – Bob and Kate Engler, Budget Blinds

“In our regional market, flooring colors will continue toward the light and natural tones, continuing a beachy or coastal feel to match our casual lifestyles. Many buyers will purchase flooring that is consistent throughout the home. Homeowners are moving away from multi-flooring throughout the home. In all, flooring trends for 2024 will change only slightly. Large-format tiles will remain trendy on shower walls and on bath floors with sizes up to 48 x 48 or even 36 x 72. Tiles with patterns and movements such as triangles and waves will remain popular. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) will be the industry leader due to the durability and ease of care. LVPs now have sound-reducing padding that will continue to be a big seller in the future, along with wider and longer planks that give a more robust and luxury feel, much like real wood.” – David Cribb, Dodgson Flooring

Bold patterns, saunas and wet rooms “We have seen a lot of bold-patterned wallpapers in finished homes this year. We expect more of this in 2024 as our clients and their interior designers explore color and pattern for large architectural surfaces. We have seen a number of infrared saunas in homes this past year. There’s been an increase in wet rooms as well.” – Evan Goodwin, Pearce Scott Architects

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Lighting, edging and quartzite “Trends we see include multiple sinks on the island, customized island- and stove-area lighting and elegant custom edgings like mitered edges and waterfalls. Light-colored quartzite is also very popular. It has been an ongoing trend for a little while.” – Andrea McGilton, Distinctive Granite & Marble

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2024 Interior Design Trends

ELEVATE YOUR SPACE WITH STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY STORY BY GREGORY P. THOMAS

As we usher in 2024, the world of interior design is abuzz with exciting trends that promise to elevate your living spaces into havens of style, comfort and functionality. Whether you're considering a complete home transformation or simply looking to refresh a room or two, embracing these trends can breathe new life into your home, creating spaces that not only showcase the latest in interior design but also resonate with your unique personality and lifestyle.

Biophilic bliss Nature takes center stage in 2024 as biophilic design gains prominence. Picture lush indoor greenery, natural wood furnishings and earthy color palettes. The goal? To forge a harmonious connection with the outdoors, infusing your home with serenity and vitality.

Sustainability meets style In an era of heightened environmental awareness, sustainable and eco-friendly materials are in high demand. Seek out furniture and decor crafted from reclaimed wood, recycled metals and eco-conscious textiles. Not only do these choices reduce your carbon footprint, but they also imbue your spaces with unique character.

Maximalism's majestic return Breaking away from the minimalist trend, maximalism is staging a dazzling comeback. Embrace bold patterns, vibrant colors and an eclectic mix of decor items. This trend encourages you to express your personality and share your story through your interior design choices.

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Adaptable spaces for modern living In our ever-versatile homes, multi-functional design is on the rise. Look for furniture that effortlessly adapts to different uses, and consider flexible room layouts to maximize your space's potential.

Texture takes the spotlight Jewel-toned elegance While blue reigns supreme in 2024's color palette, jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue and amethyst purple take center stage as accent colors. These opulent hues bring a touch of luxury and sophistication to any room.

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2024 celebrates texture as a design focal point. From textured wallpapers to tactile fabrics and textured paint finishes, adding depth and dimension to your walls and decor creates a rich and inviting ambiance.

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living The vintage revival Nostalgia abounds with the enduring charm of vintage and retro styles. Blend antique or vintage furniture and accessories into your design for a touch of the past. The juxtaposition of old and new elements creates a balanced and timeless look.

Tech-enhanced living As smart home technology advances, seamless tech integration into your design is a must-watch trend. From smart lighting and thermostats to hidden charging stations and voice-controlled appliances, technology enhances both convenience and aesthetics.

Personalized perfection Customization is the name of the game in 2024. Infuse your personality into your home with personalized decor, be it through custom-made furniture or bespoke artwork. Your home becomes a canvas for your individual style and preferences.

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pets

Sick as a dog FIND OUT IF PET INSURANCE IS RIGHT FOR YOU

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Every six seconds a pet owner grapples with the daunting prospect of a vet bill exceeding $1,000 or more. Our beloved pets, cherished members of our families, are vulnerable to illness and injury just like any human family member. However, unlike our human loved ones, they lack the means to cover their own medical expenses. Fortunately, a variety of pet insurance options are available to safeguard both you and your furry companions from the burdensome costs associated with unexpected emergencies. Standard pet insurance plans not only address acute emergencies but also extend coverage to common issues such as allergies, digestive ailments and ear infections. Some insurance options go above and beyond by encompassing routine vet visits, prescribed medications and even boarding expenses. Despite its growing popularity, it's essential to note that pet insurance is still relatively nascent in the market. In fact, the first pet to be insured in the United States was the iconic TV collie, Lassie, in 1982. Fast forward to 2023, and we find that two-thirds of American households now include a beloved pet — a remarkable 56 percent increase since 1986. Today the United States boasts a staggering population of over five million insured pets. While the concept of pet insurance is gaining considerable traction, it's not uncommon for pet parents to grapple with unanswered questions. To shed light on this topic, we had the opportunity to interview Carla Genther, the office manager and veterinary assistant at Coastal Veterinarian Critical Care, who shared invaluable insights about pet insurance and its true worth.

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These vibrant and energetic birds are attracted to a variety of small insects and spiders, which form a significant part of their diet.

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To entice them to your feeder, offer a diverse menu that includes live or dried mealworms, suet, and highquality birdseed mixes containing small seeds like millet and nyjer. Opt for feeders with small perches, as these birds are agile and prefer smaller spaces. Additionally, provide a water source nearby for drinking and bathing.

[LOCAL Life] How does pet insurance work? [Carla Genther] Pet insurance works just like regular insurance as far as monthly payments are concerned. The main difference is going to be when it comes time for you to use it. Veterinary medicine, unlike human medicine, collects payment up front to cover costs of products, doctor and technician time as well as hospital equipment expenses such as oxygen if your pet is in need of surgery. Once your pet is discharged from the hospital and a claim is made by the owner with the insurance company, the insurance company will then reach out to the clinic with a request for records, lab work and any other diagnostics performed. It is at this point they will then communicate directly with the owner about reimbursement for the procedure, hospitalization, wellness visit, etc. depending on the insurance and the plan.

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[LL] Do pets really need insurance? [CG] Having pet insurance is never a bad idea and can be extremely helpful later in life if your pet has an emergency or is prone to certain breed-related diseases. Certain companies provide assistance/reimbursement for wellness visits and vaccines, while others can be comparable to catastrophic insurance for people and cover those unexpected emergency visits. Is it needed? Not necessarily, if you are prepared to financially cover expenses you could otherwise possibly be reimbursed for. Can it be helpful? Absolutely. [LL] How do people know if their pet insurance will be accepted? [CG] One misconception we have seen in ER when people actually need their pet insurance to work is that there is no accepting or denying insurance. The insurance company, based on their inquiry after your pet's visit, will review the records from the visit and decide on whether or not the visit will be covered. Owners are still responsible for payment up front but will potentially get reimbursed from their insurance company after filing a claim. No clinic or hospital will ever deny your pet treatment based on who your pet insurance is through.

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[LL] Do you think this is a worthwhile investment? Has pet insurance been around long enough to get all the kinks out? [CG] Investing in your pet's health is always a solid investment. Keep in mind, it is still an insurance company you are working with, and their main goal is to be sure there is no fraud in the claim being made. That is to say, no preexisting condition (before your pet had insurance) is potentially why they are in the hospital receiving treatment. If you have a certain breed of dog or an active dog, such as a lab, a boxer or even a Yorkie, it will more than likely end up being the best investment you made. [LL] What insurance companies would you recommend? [CG] Some really great companies that we have seen at the ER have been Lemonade and Embrace Insurance. [LL] Are there any local pet insurance companies? [CG] No local companies. [LL] What is typically covered by most pet insurance? [CG] Some pet insurances, like Lemonade, cover diagnostics, hospitalization, surgery and emergency visits as well as routine care and prescription medications. Others, such as Embrace, can cover behavioral therapy as well as rehabilitation which is sometimes needed post orthopedic surgeries. Then there are companies like CarePlus by Chewy, which provides wellness coverage, as in preventative care including but not limited to routine vet visits, heart worm/flea/tick medications and yearly vaccinations. [LL] How often do you see patients with pet insurance? [CG] We see about 50/50 of patients with and without insurance. It’s really a toss-up.

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[LL] Do you find that it often saves pet owners a significant amount of money? [CG] When it comes to saving owners money, at the end of the day it really depends on the plan, the timeline in which the plan was obtained and what is currently going on with the pet. There is a waiting period for all insurances, and if something occurs during this waiting period or is noted in a pet’s exam, it could be considered a preexisting condition and therefore negate any future coverage for that problem. [LL] Is there anything you’d like to add? [CG] While it may seem like one more bill, insurance helps you invest in your pet’s wellbeing. From preventative care to emergencies, pet insurance can help you feel confident you are looking out for your pet. Owning a pet is a privilege, not a right, and things do happen. Whether they go for a walk on the beach and step on an oyster shell or eat something they shouldn’t have, insurance can help you get repaid for those unexpected expenses. LL

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TREE TALK WITH MICHAEL MURPHY

Crape murder or just a case of crape mayhem? STORY BY CAROLYN MALES

If pruning back every crape myrtle, come winter, is an offense against nature, then my neighborhood dotted with these naked topless sticks is a crime scene. Yet by late spring, these “victims” of “crape murder” are festooned with flowers. What’s more, a few streets over a friend’s front yard is graced by a tall crape myrtle that reaches skyward. It clearly has not been topped off in years, if at all, and come May, it too sports blooms. I had to wonder: is the much-ballyhooed subject of crape murder really a thing?

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So, as always, I turn to master arborist Michael Murphy to get the lowdown. But before investigating further, I gather a few facts: The deciduous Lagerstroemia indica or crape myrtle, prized for its delicate papery blossoms and variegated peeling bark, originated in India. Older varieties were tall, but today’s crape myrtles, developed over the past few decades, come in a variety of pinks, reds, purples, lavenders and whites, with sizes ranging from 1-foot dwarfs to 25-foot or more giants. Here in the Lowcountry this sun-loving plant flowers from May or June through fall.

But to prune or not to prune? That is the question, or at least it was one of many, I posed to Murphy as we met once again, this time at the cross-section of two residential streets in Beaufort. To our backs, massive old crape myrtles stood along the rim of a pumping station site, hiding it from view. And that’s not a bad thing. But Murphy tells me, this same variety of crape myrtles once lined the sidewalk in front of the houses across the way where they persistently threatened to pull down overhead power lines. In response, the power company would chop away at them, only to have the recalcitrant and unruly reprobates sprout back up. Then in 2017, with a grant from Palmetto Pride, an organization dedicated to beautifying South Carolina, a cooperative effort of residents along with city and other local entities, undertook a replanting project, replacing these obstinate offenders with a lower-growing variety. The result? A lovely pink line of blooms along the street in warmer months and sculptural silhouettes of exfoliating bark in winter. And no more worry about power outages or pruning.

LET IT BE The myth that crape myrtles require pruning to flower has been debunked. Numerous crape myrtles in the Lowcountry have never undergone pruning and yet consistently produce beautiful flowers. In many cases the reason people cut them back is because a big tree was planted in a space that was wrong for it.

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2024 Tackle & Tactics Fishing Seminar Saturday, February 10, 2024 8 am - 3 pm ----------------------------------------

Port Royal Sound Foundation Weezie Educational Pavilion 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC

Tips & Tricks from the Pros Local Fishing Captains to Educate on Regional Fisheries Join Captain Jim Clark, Captain Fuzzy Davis, and other renowned captains from the area for a comprehensive seminar on our local fisheries. This day-long event will cover a variety of species, including redfish, trout, sheepshead, tarpon, mackerel, & many more offshore fish.

Tickets: T ickets: $ 65 e ach $65 each

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[LOCAL Life] Crape myrtles are a popular landscaping element here. What makes them a good choice for the Lowcountry? [Michael Murphy] People like the beauty of their flowers and the ease of growth and that they don’t have to pay attention to them. Crape myrtles are very durable. They’re super drought tolerant so after a tree is established, you don’t have to water it anymore. And unlike live oaks, they’re saltwater tolerant. Plus they never die back from winter cold here.

TREE OF KNOWLEDGE Master arborist Micheal Murphy is shown in front of the historic Berean Church crape myrtle in Beaufort.

[LL] What about problems like aphids and powdery mildew? [MM] Back in the late '70s and '80s, the National Arboretum developed new varieties. The ones that have Native American names, like Catawba, Hopi and Manhattan were developed to be resistant to powdery mildew that forms white crust on leaves. Aphids, on the other hand, suck sap from plants, and their sticky excrement creates a sooty mold. Aphids can be sprayed for, but powdery mildew (in non-resistant varieties) is a problem because you can’t spray to get rid of a fungus, only to prevent it. [LL] You’ve said that the crape myrtle is one of the most misunderstood trees. So is Crape murder, cutting these trees back each year, a criminal offense? [MM] Crape murder is not real. That’s because they’re durable and don’t have the response that most trees have when you do improper pruning. For example, if you cut back any other trees, there will be a lot of decay. Crape myrtles, on the other hand, can push out new growth with very little decay in the branches. So cutting it back doesn’t really kill the tree. The new growth comes, and you get flowers. So all unnecessary pruning is really more like crape mayhem. [LL] Crape mayhem? [MM] It’s more a visual. Nobody wants to see that happen to a tree. And it’s unnecessary. In many cases the reason people cut them back is because a big tree was planted in a space that was wrong for it. Years ago we didn’t have choices. The right species was put there, but it was the wrong size tree. [LL] So if it’s a tree that’s the right size for its space, why do people automatically keep cutting them back each winter? Is that where the mayhem comes in? [MM] Some landscapers thought that if you didn’t cut crape myrtles back, they wouldn’t

flower, so they started putting heavy pruning into their winter maintenance program. But that’s just not true. We have crape myrtles in our community that were never pruned and always flower. They have grown out to their size and are never going to get any taller. They were chosen properly for their site.

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[LL] So crape mayhem is a copycat thing? [MM] Yes, there’s always someone on the block that people look to and that you think knows more than you. Sometimes people see landscapers doing it, so they think it’s the thing to do. [LL] So you espouse a “right tree, right place” philosophy. [MM] Yes, crape myrtles are a perfect tree for this because they are propagated to grow into five different sizes: very dwarf (1-3 feet tall), dwarf (3-6 feet tall), semi-dwarf (5-13 feet), small tree (10 to 20 feet) and regular tree (20 feet and taller.) The first four are good choices because they would fit into most landscaping designs. The largest growing tree, in most cases, can be too large for many sites. Unfortunately, many homeowners and landscapers choose them because they’re more readily available, and they don’t realize how tall they’ll get. Remember: all the trees might look the same size at the nursery when they are small. So the best practice is to research before you buy, and note at what size the variety you’re considering will mature to. [LL] Let’s say you have a crape myrtle that you love but that’s too tall for a particular spot. How easy is it to transplant it somewhere else? [MM] Their roots are very fibrous and dense, so it’s easy to pick it up and move it as long as you get the proper root ball size. And the roots are not invasive, so they won’t lift concrete if you’re planting it near a driveway or sidewalk. But because their roots are dense and thirsty, the one thing you can’t do is plant underneath crape myrtles. [LL] I see there are single and multiple trunk varieties. [MM] At my house I chose single-trunk Natchez crape myrtles for their trunk effect. This particular type of plant has a cinnamon bark that peels off or exfoliates every year. It looks like a palomino pony. I have a lot of trees on my property, so there’s a lot of shade, and I don’t really see the flowers until they fall on the ground. The National Arboretum developed most of their species for their bark features so that when they lose their leaves, they have this beautiful winter silhouette. LL

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WILDLIFE WONDER

Eastern box turtle NATURE'S GENTLE GUARDIANS STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

Living on an island brimming with turtle enthusiasts, it's easy to get caught up in the allure of sea turtles. But amidst the sea turtle frenzy, there exists an equally remarkable turtle species deserving of our attention and protection – the Eastern box turtle. These unassuming creatures, part of the common box turtle family, are a common sight in the Lowcountry and embody a unique charm worth exploring. Eastern box turtles are easily distinguishable by their highdomed, rounded and hard upper shells, or carapaces. With vivid ridges and furrows that mature with age, coupled with striking orange and yellow markings on their dark brown shells, these turtles blend seamlessly into the forest floor's fallen leaves and debris. Sporting slightly webbed toes and four toes on their hind legs, these turtles come in various colorations, from brown shells to olive-brown with yellow accents. It's a testament to nature's diversity, reminding us that uniqueness is something to celebrate. But beyond their appealing appearances, Eastern box turtles possess endearing qualities. They are peaceful creatures with a penchant for food, relishing berries, insects, roots and flowers. Younger turtles display a more carnivorous inclination, hunting in ponds and streams, while adults predominantly forage on land. In their social circles these turtles get along famously, often found coexisting without conflict. However, males occasionally engage in sparring matches, nipping at each other's shells to assert dominance – typical male behavior, indeed. Though their pace is leisurely, Eastern box turtles are intelligent beings equipped with effective defense mechanisms. When threatened, they retreat all their limbs into their shells, creating a near-impenetrable shield. This defense mechanism renders them daunting adversaries for predators. Humans pose their greatest threat. The Eastern box turtle, classified as vulnerable, faces habitat fragmentation, destruction and illegal collection for the pet trade. Tragically, many fall victim to vehicular accidents and agricultural machinery. Our fellow earthlings need our help, and the simplest gesture is to let them be or assist them in the direction they're headed – an act of good neighborliness.

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Where to find them Eastern box turtles prefer terrestrial habitats, including shrubby grasslands, marshy meadows, open woodlands and forest edges. You'll often find them near streams, ponds or areas that have seen recent heavy rainfall. They thrive in warm weather but seek shelter from excessive heat. In the daytime they may hide under logs, leaves or cool off with a dip in a pond. In milder temperatures they explore for food or bask in the sun. As the colder seasons approach, they migrate deeper into the woods, where they dig underground chambers to hibernate.

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• Safeguard the turtle by containing it in a dry box or any enclosed space available. The goal is to prevent further harm or escape. Use gloves or sanitize your hands after handling. If you can, document the injuries with photos before placing the turtle in the box.

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• If you come across an injured turtle or one you suspect has passed away, take it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Err on the side of caution, as even experts can find it challenging to determine if a gravely injured turtle is alive. In the spring and early summer, turtles may carry eggs that can be saved, even if the mother cannot. Injured turtles released into the wild without medical attention face grim odds, including infection, dehydration and predator attacks.

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• If you have a box turtle as a pet, never release it into the wild if you no longer wish to care for it. Instead, seek assistance from a local shelter, veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator or animal control center for responsible rehoming.

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• If you encounter a box turtle, refrain from relocating it. These creatures have a home range of about 750 feet, where they spend their entire lives. If you must move one, do so gently in the direction it was already heading, avoiding picking it up by the tail, which can harm its vertebrae.

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• Nest temperature determines hatchlings' gender, with warmer nests yielding females and cooler ones producing males. Eastern box turtles reach maturity between 10 and 20 years. While their average lifespan is 25-35 years, some Eastern box turtles have defied the odds, living beyond a century.

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• Mating takes place from April to October, with nesting happening between May and July. A female usually produces one clutch per year, each containing two to eight eggs, which she buries underground.

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• Typically measuring around five to six inches in length, males are generally larger with shorter, thicker tails, while females have longer, straighter and thinner hind claws.

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• These turtles are the official reptiles of Tennessee and North Carolina and were almost the state reptile of Pennsylvania.

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• After successful mating, a female Eastern box turtle may lay fertile eggs for up to four years.

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• Note the location or address where you found the turtle. • Seek out a licensed rehabilitator locally. If you can't reach anyone by phone, visit turtlerescueleague.org for assistance. • Keep the turtle in a dry, dark and quiet place until it can be relocated to a rehabilitation facility.

Local rehabilitators Tiffany VanBlaricum: 843-422-2654 Erik Billings: 843-871-6606 Holly Sellers: 843-858-9334 Meg Francoeur: 818-402-6065 For more information on wildlife rehabilitators in South Carolina, visit dnr.sc.gov. Let's do our part to ensure Eastern box turtles continue to thrive and grace our natural landscapes for generations to come.

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FREQUENT FLYER

Ruby-crowned kinglet THE LITTLE BIRD WITH A BIG SECRET STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM + PHOTOS BY MARY ALICE TARTLER

The female kinglets join the chorus with their own vocal contributions, producing a harsh, rapid two-parted scold or a protracted series of chattering notes. These sounds serve multiple purposes, from expressing alarm to participating in the courtship song. For such diminutive creatures, their nesting habits remain shrouded in mystery. Nesting at heights of up to 100 feet in trees, the females select protected locations concealed by overhanging foliage. In a remarkable display of maternal tenacity, they lay sizable clutches of eggs, sometimes up to a dozen, a remarkable feat given their minuscule size. After the chicks fledge, the pair goes their separate ways, a testament to the empowered nature of the female in this avian drama. LL

Fun facts LISTEN UP! Scan this QR code to hear the call of the rubycrowned kinglet.

Ruby-crowned kinglets, those diminutive feathered wonders, hold a captivating secret beneath their unassuming exterior. Smaller than warblers and chickadees, these birds are perpetually brimming with nervous energy, fluttering through life's branches with an air of enigmatic grace. The male, adorned with a splendid ruby crown, keeps this gem hidden from sight, unveiling it only during rare moments of excitement. As they fervently forage amid the lower shrubs and trees, their constant wing-flicks and twitches provide distinctive markers for identification. Their green-gray plumage, complemented by white eye rings and wing bars, boasts an understated elegance, save for the occasional crimson flash from the male's crown — an exquisite sight typically reserved for spring and summer displays of dominance and courtship. Despite their modest stature, ruby-crowned kinglets possess an astonishing vocal prowess. Males unleash a five-second song that culminates in a resounding crescendo. Beginning with soft, high notes that cascade into a melodious twittering, it abruptly transitions into a series of thunderous two- or three-parted notes. This symphony serves as a territorial declaration, an energy-efficient alternative to confrontation.

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• The oldest recorded ruby-crowned kinglet, a female, was recaptured in Texas in 2017 at the age of at least eight years and eight months. She had originally been banded in the same state in 2008. • Their diet is diverse, encompassing spiders, pseudoscorpions, various insects (aphids, wasps, ants, bark beetles), as well as seeds and fruit. • They rank among North America's smallest songbirds. • Interestingly, the ruby-crowned kinglet belongs to its own genus, Corthylio, setting it apart from other kinglets.

Where to find them

• During the summer ruby-crowned kinglets inhabit spruce-fir forests in the northwestern United States and Canada. They also thrive in mixed woods, meadowdwelling isolated trees, coniferous and deciduous forests, mountain-shrub habitats and floodplain forests of oak, pine, spruce or aspen. While their nesting height may limit visibility, they become more common in woods and thickets across the continent during migration and winter. • Most of these birds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico for winter, while some western mountain populations merely descend to lower elevations. • In their wintering grounds they favor shrubby areas alongside deciduous and coniferous trees, creating opportunities to spot them.

Essentials

Discover everything you need for your backyard birding adventures at Wild Birds Unlimited, located at the Festival Centre at Indigo Park on Hilton Head Island. FOOD & ACCESSORIES • Mealworms • Peanut hearts • Suet • Hulled sunflower seeds • Bark butter • Suet cage • Platform feeder • Bark butter feeder

Home Is Where The Heart Is.

Discover tranquility in this home nestled in a park-like setting with panoramic views of the 13th Fairway of Bear Creek. The outdoor living space is an entertainer’s dream, featuring a large covered porch with tiled floors. Boasting over 3,100 sq. ft., this residence offers three bedrooms plus a spacious bonus room. The updated kitchen seamlessly opens to a large breakfast/family room. The elegant master suite with a sitting area, a split-bedroom plan, and a clear display of pride of ownership make this home a standout in both beauty and functionality.

27 Parkwood Drive | HHP | $1,049,000

Richard MacDonald Richard@RMacDonald.com 843.384.8797

Joey Doyle

JoeyDoyle@CharterOneRealty.com 843.290.5055

Sanders MacDonald

Sanders@CharterOneRealty.com 843.816.4800

www.rmacdonald.com

culture

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS

From ladders to a fluffy cloud

CRAFTING BEAUTY IN WALLPAPER AND MURALS WITH LYNNE FENSTERER STORY BY CAROLYN MALES

I climb the stairs and work my way through a warren of studios at Atelier Off Bay Gallery back to Lynne Fensterer’s workspace. Her studio, overlooking Bay Street in Beaufort, is unlike any other in this artists’ cooperative. Instead of canvases, Fensterer’s walls hold wallpaper or murals-in-progress. Last time I’d stopped by, she was finishing up tall panels of a sepia-toned Lowcountry scene of live oaks and pheasants, perfect for a historic house or country club. Today a ladder stands in front of her latest, a ceiling-high threepanel immersion into a lily pond with koi. But it’s the slightly furled coral-red sheets of wallpaper thumbtacked in the corner of a wall that capture my heart. It’s these fragments, alive with tropical birds and butterflies flitting among bamboo trees, that have brought me back to her studio again and again. Apparently, I’m not alone in this fixation. Many have asked to buy them. “Not for sale,” she tells us all, “They’re samples I made for a Palm Beach home to make sure the colorway was correct.” Early in her career, you’d find Fensterer up on scaffolding, painting murals on walls and ceilings for the rich and famous out in the Hamptons, New York City and pricy enclaves along the Florida coast. She gladly gave up that aerial act back in 2005 when she discovered a 54-inch paper that could be painted and even removed and relocated to another space if desired. Better yet, she didn’t have to climb ladders to install it. A wallpaper hanger would do that instead. Today a wide roller of that paper sits at the head of a double worktable mid-studio. After sweeping sketches off a chair and offering me a seat, she perches atop that same table. Pushing aside an errant wisp of blonde hair, she fills me in on her artistic journey and how, during a difficult time five years ago, she landed in Beaufort, “My fluffy cloud,” as she calls it.

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CALL FOR ENTRIES

w o h S d e g d u J

Society of Bluffton Artists' 30th Annual

EXHIBIT: March 4-31 [LOCAL Life] Your bulletin board, chock-a-block with sketches of ideas, renderings, photos of installations and press clippings speaks to a long successful design career. What were the roots of your creativity? [Lynne Fensterer] I come from a family of five kids. I was extremely quiet, and I spent much of my childhood up in the attic of our big old Victorian farmhouse in Islip, Long Island. I was architecting and creating dollhouse rooms from shoeboxes. I crafted furniture and rugs out of paper, did stenciling on the walls and made little paintings. Summers when I went to my grandparents’ house in Pennsylvania, I’d go up and dig in their attic. All their old stuff was like a mystery to me, an adventure. I like old things with character that have been around forever. I’ve stripped and refinished furniture, I’ve restored houses, cut tile, laid brick, did trim work, spackled, painted. [LL] How do you go about designing a wallpaper or mural for a client? [LF] I have a natural instinct. It just comes like a flash, and I know exactly how to go with a particular project. I don’t even need to go into rooms anymore. But I need to see their color palette and their taste, so they send me photos. I look at their fabrics and paint. Everyone has a thermostat or color threshold in decorating that they will never go beyond. I mix paint instinctively. I know when a color isn’t reading right. When you paint something for a house on the water in Florida, for example, you don’t use yellow because it will turn green. Water reflects into your room. And you can’t use Florida colors in New England. They’ll look garish. Instead, you use grayed-down colors. Everything is environmental.

RECEPTION + AWARDS: 4-6pm • March 6

BEST IN SHOW: 29th Annual Judged Show Murray Sease, oil, “Abandoned”

non-SOBA members are invited to enter

Deadline for Entry: Feb. 23

6 CHURCH STREET SOBAGALLERY.COM

January 3–26, 2024

Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm and 90 minutes before every Arts Center performance

Artists’ Reception:

Wednesday, January 10 • 5-7pm Enjoy refreshments and meet the artists Free and open to the public Vote for the 3 People’s Choice Awardss

Presented by Art League of Hilton Head Inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina 14 Shelter Cove Lane, HHI www.ArtLeagueHHI.org 843.681.5060 JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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Best Gifts Ever!

Gorgeous Free Giftwrap Always!

VOTED BEST GIFT SHOP 12 YEARS IN A ROW!

culture [LL] I’m looking at your new lily pad and koi wallpaper and thinking about the design repeats and how the panels interconnect when they’re hung. There have got to be a lot of mathematics involved. [LF] I get the flat floor plan –– and that has to show the room exactly from moldings to doorways to everything. I measure the room and then I start calculating how those 54-inch panels will break around the room. I take into account sconces, doorways, light switches –– I don’t want little pieces and I don’t want to cut off a bird’s head. It’s a little bit of mathematics. I’m good at it, and I love that kind of thing. I call it Lynne-gineering because nobody does it the way I do. Then I roll the finished wallpaper up and send it off to the client. [LL] You’ve said you ended up in Beaufort, thanks to a holy nudge. [LF] The holy nudge was just a voice in my head. I had to get out of Florida. My husband, Jack, was a fisherman and a boat captain, but then he got sick. I love history and once I started looking at Beaufort, I was hooked by stories of folks like Robert Smalls. Then I started looking at neighborhoods online and found houses that needed work, and I thought 'this is my world.' Other places — they would have torn them down and built multimillion-dollar homes.

I have a natural instinct. It just comes like a flash, and I know exactly how to go with a particular project.

THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING LOCAL!

Outstanding gifts at unbelievable prices!

SUITE J2, VILLAGE AT WEXFORD MON.-SAT. 10AM-5PM | 843.842.8787

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We had renovated several houses in the past. (Our home in Stuart, Florida, was an old cracker house which had once been part of a pineapple plantation.) So we bought a fixer-upper here, but when Jack died, I had to learn how to do crown molding, tiling, flooring, all on my own. Then two years ago I went looking for a new house and found one that had been built by freedmen after the Civil War that I’m in the middle of restoring. [LL] About that fluffy cloud… [LF] I cried when I got here. Beaufort reminds me of Sag Harbor. Everything — the architecture, the water, the marshes, and the people reach my soul. Even though I lost my husband, I still feel supported, and the friends I’ve made have been here for me. I’m grateful. I wake up every day and say, “Thank you for this never-before-lived day.” LL

One Morning You Will Decide One morning you will decide that this is the day to escape. Time to load the car, leave the madness and mayhem. Soon we will drive along mesas, snow-capped mountains along the Natchez Trace and the Appalachian chain. Maybe we will leave the car at the airport and fly to that city on a cliff in Spain you saw online, or Vienna where I will lure you to Sopron* and show you the family homestead. Tell me when, my love, and I will get the bags from upstairs. * Sho-prone

Coastal Color. Vintage Style.

Original Art & Photography Home Décor • Unique Gifts Reimagined Antiques Handcrafted Stationery

Featuring art and products created by artist Holly Pobis

Monday-Friday 10 am until 4 pm 1507 Main Street, Hilton Head Island

marshandlight.com

— Arthur Turfa This poem first appeared in Saluda Reflections (Finishing Line Press).

LOCAL ART & POETRY

A GA L L ERY OF HA ND C R A F TE D G IF TS Monday thru Friday 10-6 . Saturday 10-5 . Sunday 11-3 84 3 . 7 5 7 . 7 3 0 0 1127 Fording island Road . Suite 103 . Bluffton Near Hobby Lobby . Made in America

Village on a Hill - Lakeside by Christine Crawford

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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fashion

style

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF STYLED BY BAILEY GILLIAM

STREET STYLE Ann McBrien THE CHILDREN’S CENTER VOLUNTEER What are you wearing? Palmetto Running Company (just named the Best Running Store of 2023 at The Running Event in Austin, Texas). How would you describe your style? Casual and easygoing Available at Palmetto Running Company

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Dress for success

Start the new year off right with these menswear combinations.

Available at Outside Hilton Head

Available at Palmettoes

Available at Island Child

STYLIST

Available at Southern Tide

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style

STREET STYLE Russel Whiteford BOYS & GIRLS CLUB VOLUNTEER What are you wearing? John Bayley Clothier. I love high-end, quality clothing. How would you describe your style? Comfort and color. Whether it’s on a bike or just a casual walk, comfort and color are so important to me. Available at John Bayley Clothier

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FASHION NEWS #SHOPPING Future’s so bright

You’ve got to wear these shades.

Palmetto Running Company named ‘Best Running Store’

No need to wait for summer at The Back Door

Palmetto Running Company was named one of 62 Best Running Stores of 2023 by The Running Event (TRE) in Austin, Texas. The annual award honors leading run specialty retailers in the U.S. The Running Event received more than 12,500 individual nominations from stores’ employees, customers and communities, with 500 unique storefronts nominated in total. After completing an in-depth evaluation process and undergoing a secret shop, the 2023 Best Running Stores were selected.

Holed up inside all dark, cold winter long? Your mind constantly wandering to wonderful days by the water? You close your eyes, and you’re back sipping sangria in the sand? Don’t worry, you’ll be back. And there’s plenty of time to prepare – as long as you know what’s good for you – as long as you stop by The Back Door. Their line of warm weather clothing ensures an endless summer. Available at Eyeland Optique

New collection: Calm Waters Spartina 449’s latest collection, inspired by the serenity of the Lowcountry’s beautiful tidal marshlands, is called “Calm Waters.” Warm and cool patterns work in harmony to bring a collection of handbags, apparel and jewelry, all made to wear together for easy dressing.

New collections at Maggie & Me 2024 brings new collections at Maggie & Me, including a new collection by Just Darviny and a new hat collection. For a new, Southern, coastal and Lowcountry vibe, you can’t go wrong with these pieces.

Available at Optical Solutions

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style

#TRENDING

What to wear in 2024

Staff members of local stores and boutiques share their thoughts on what will be in style this year. “This season, our capsule collections offer a complete look of trending styles. We pair the hues of spring with lightweight, midilength dresses and skirts complemented by natural woven handbags and layered gold jewelry, such as our tarnish-free Splash collection.” – Kay Stanley, Spartina 449

“I’m looking forward to the soft neutrals, linens, cotton, gauzes, beautiful soft palettes, sprinkles of color and the beauty of spring and summer.” – Rebecca Mancini, Maggie & Me

“In 2024, the battlecry in retail, especially for outdoor outfitters, is sustainability. Categorically, businesses are recognizing the grave importance of ensuring they're operating in a way that causes minimum impact on the environment.” – Jessie Madden, Outside Hilton Head

“Whenever someone asks me what fashion trends are in next season, I tell them without fail, that no doubt, confidence will be in vogue. Originality seldom goes out of style.” – Joni Rosser, The Back Door “What’s trending for 2024 are women’s maxi dresses.” – Sherie Rushing, Southern Tide

“Looking forward to a brighter year with more color and versatility. As our closet revolves every so often, we’re looking for more of a refined look.” – Chuck Hall, Palmettoes “It’s the year of the sparkle.” – Senny Powell, Island Child

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“I don’t see a huge shift in 2024 from recent trends toward more casual, evidenced by the quarter-zip sweater becoming an acceptable replacement for the sport coat. Performance and stretch fabrics will continue to be prevalent.” – Jeff Kurtz, John Bayley Clothier

Local Love

shopping FEELING BLUE? Inspired by the predicted colors of the year, this collection of blue decor is sure to freshen up any space.

CELLAR JAR HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

This cellar jar with a handpainted rim and botanical transfers is the perfect decorative piece to add to any room in your home.

The outside of this globe uses images from NASA to create a realistic depiction of the Earth's surface. Magnets are then used in the base to raise the globe and keep it suspended in the air.

Available at Marsh & Light

Available at Pyramids

LET'S TWIST

I'M A BIG FAN

These Jack n' Pulpit Candlesticks are made by Hudson Glass from Kentucky and make a popular wedding or anniversary present. They can be set apart or kept together in a twisted shape.

Perfect for brightening your space, this blue accent pillow features a stunning pattern of watercolor palm fans. Available at Lowcountry Mercantile

Available at The Spirited Hand

ON THE HALF-SHELL

THROWING SHADE

The interior of this bowl features a painted image of oyster shells. Perfect for holding small items and for adding a bit of Lowcountry charm to your home.

A beautiful navy blue seagrass lampshade with a scalloped edge that will help to add a touch of color to your home. Available at Marsh on the May

Available at Gifted

PERFECT PLANTERS This MacKenzie-Childs herb garden set is ideal for planting rosemary, thyme and basil right in your kitchen. Available at Forsythe Jewelers

FLOWER POWER Inspired by the hibiscus flower, this pretty glass vase will add a fresh and vibrant touch to your space. Available at Cassandra's Kitchen Store

SEPTEMBER 2023 + LocalLifeSC.com

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history

5-MINUTE HISTORY

Looking ahead with a view to the past

HILTON HEAD HAS BEEN QUICK TO REBOUND FROM ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES. STORY BY RICHARD THOMAS Richard Thomas is an owner and guide for Hilton Head History Tours and is the author of Backwater Frontier: Beaufort Country, SC, at the Forefront of American History.

FACES OF CHILD LABOR In this compelling 1913 photograph captured by Lewis Wickes Hine, we see a 7-year-old girl diligently shucking oysters, accompanied by her 6-year-old brother and an 11-year-old boy, all working at the Lowdon Canning Co. in Bluffton. This poignant image serves as a stark reminder of the unfortunate presence of child labor in the Lowcountry during that era.

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In 2024 we will enter the fifth year of the 2020s, a decade marked by historical significance. Throughout recorded history, the fifth year of each decade has typically been filled with noteworthy events. As we approach the fifth year of the third decade of the 21st century, 2024 may follow this pattern of significance. Hilton Head Island and its residents have consistently demonstrated resilience during these mid-decade periods. Despite recently celebrating the island's 360th anniversary, it's important to note that nonNative American inhabitants have occupied its shores for only 293 years. The first fifth year of Hilton Head's recorded history with European settlers was 1724, exactly 300 years ago. During that time the island was a lawless frontier, and its few residents were still recovering from the Yemassee War. It was a period when Spanish, French, Dutch pirates and Spaniard-instigated Yemassee war parties raided the area with impunity. Beaufort had suffered significant destruction in 1720, and the livestock and farming fields had been ravaged by nearly a decade of war. Fifty years later, in 1774, Hilton Head Island boasted 23 plantations and was home to European settlers and hundreds of enslaved Africans. The labor and skills of these enslaved individuals, primarily involved in cultivating and processing the cash crop of indigo, had transformed Hilton Head into one of the wealthiest communities in the American Colonies. However, revolutionary sympathies were emerging, threatening the economic stability achieved in the indigo markets after the Indian wars. With the conclusion of the American Revolution in 1783, the landscape was once again devastated, and Hilton Head Island became a lawless frontier for nearly a decade. By 1794 Hilton Head planter William Elliott had successfully produced the first commercially viable harvest of Sea Island cotton in South Carolina, a new staple crop that thrived in the Sea Islands' soil, leading to unprecedented prosperity for nearly 70 years until the outbreak of the Civil War. By 1864, following the Federal troops' occupation of Hilton Head Island, Port Royal and the sea islands from south of Charleston to Jacksonville, Hilton Head Island became the headquarters of the Union Department of the South and the largest city in South Carolina, with a population exceeding 45,000 at times. With the departure of Union forces, the island transformed into a thriving farming and fishing community of Freedmen and their descendants. Thirty years later, in 1894, Hilton Head Island was left in ruins and just beginning to recover from the devastating hurricanes of 1893, which claimed the lives of

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LOSING WEIGHT. DOCTOR PRESCRIBED COMPOUNDED SEMAGLUTIDE AND TIRZEPATIDE MEDICATIONS

over 2,000 people in the Port Royal Sound area alone, equivalent to about 15 percent of the total population at the time. This recovery process extended into the end of the century, when the U.S. military once again arrived on the island to construct defenses against a possible Spanish attack. In the first 50 years of the 20th century, Hilton Head Island remained an isolated enclave primarily inhabited by Gullah descendants of the Civil War Freedmen, with occasional external influences briefly disturbing the tranquility of their pastoral existence. In 1924 the island experienced the zenith of an oyster and shrimp canning industry, leading to a modest increase in population for the first time since the departure of Federal troops sixty years earlier. Occasional hunting club trips brought outsiders to the island for short periods. In 1954 the widespread introduction of electricity on the island marked the advent of the modern era. That year also witnessed intensive timber harvesting by the Hilton Head Company. The following year, the concept of Sea Pines Plantation was introduced for the first time, along with the early signs of future land sales by the Sea Pines Company. Fast forward twenty years to 1974, a period when the notion of resort-retirement communities was gaining traction. However, soaring inflation and abrupt Federal monetary policy changes dealt a blow to the expansion of the Sea Pines model and the local construction and real estate industry. Fifty years later, in 2024, we find ourselves grappling with similar inflationary pressures and the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, both of which have had a noticeable impact on our local economy, particularly the tourism industry. Throughout its history Hilton Head Island has tended to lag in reflecting national trends and has been quick to rebound from adverse circumstances. The exact manner in which the people of Hilton Head Island will address the challenges before them remains uncertain. Nevertheless, one thing seems certain — the resilience of Hilton Head Island and its people will once again prevail. LL

90 Main Street, Suite C, Hilton Head Island, SC

843.386.5331 liveoakweightloss.com

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libations

We are a Vermont-inspired brewery rooted in the Hilton Head Island community. Our team of local craft beer enthusiasts stays engaged in producing the best beer possible. We take great pride in creating a comfortable culture for all within the brewery.

SUNNY DAYS & CLOUDY BEERS

PILSNERS & ALES PORTERS & STOUTS SOURS & SELTZERS NEW ENGLAND STYLE IPAS

GREAT BEER PAIRS WITH GREAT FOOD Serving our best from our onsite food truck 7 days a week

YO U G O T TA T RY ALES FOR ALS Ales for ALS is our charity beer, we donate $1.00 for every beer we sell to the ALS foundation. Our standard base Lincoln & South New England Double IPA recipe hopped exclusively with the luxurious seven hop blend from Yakima Chief.

138 Island Drive, Hilton Head Island

843.715.3030 LINCOLNANDSOUTH.COM 132

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WWMD

What would Margaret drink? Margaret Pearman is a certified sommelier under the Court of Master Sommeliers and is responsible for curating the award-winning wine list at Charlie’s Coastal Bistro. Here are her sipping suggestions for January:

It’s high time to drink

Are you committing to Dry January, or do you experience severe headaches after drinking alcohol? Generation Z is spearheading the "sober curious" movement, reevaluating alcohol's effects and its use. In South Carolina hemp legalization has spurred a booming CBD product market. With growing acceptance, drinkable options have become more popular. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which induces a high, CBD doesn't have this effect. THC is the most extensively researched cannabis compound, among others like Delta-8 and CBG. Since the FDA hasn't approved CBD, it can't be marketed for health benefits. Nevertheless, a Charleston couple launched High Rise Seltzer to promote CBD's healing properties. The wife, suffering from ulcerative colitis, found relief through CBD. Many users report reduced pain, anxiety and blood pressure. High Rise Seltzers, available in the Lowcountry, vary in formulas and effects. For example, the Pineapple D-9, combining 5 mg of Delta 9 and 10 mg of CBD, is a delightful drink served in a wine glass with fresh fruit. Effects usually begin 30-60 minutes after drinking, so consume cautiously like alcohol. Another Charleston-based company, Levity, is transforming the cannabis beverage industry. Levity Cannabis Spirit mimics traditional spirits like tequila, gin and bourbon, with a proprietary blend containing 2 mg of THC per serving for quicker absorption. The Agave High Water, similar to a margarita, is a standout product. Bottom line, hemp-derived products are here to stay. You may soon see all your favorite traditional cocktails offered with a hemp-infused alternative.

Warm cocktails for cold hands

As the cold weather sets in, there's nothing quite like the warmth of a well-crafted hot toddy to keep you toasty all month long. These recipes from Hilton Head Distillery, Burnt Church Distillery and Tito's Handmade Vodka showcase a delightful array of flavors, making them the perfect companions for chilly evenings.

HILTON HEAD DISTILLERY

Lavender Hot Toddy Experience a delightful twist on a timeless classic with Hilton Head Distillery's Lavender Hot Toddy, featuring their Atlantic Bourbon and lavender-infused honey. INGREDIENTS 2 ounces HHD Atlantic Bourbon 1 ounce lavender-infused honey 1/2 ounce lemon juice Hot water DIRECTIONS Combine the ingredients in a mug and stir. Squeeze lemon juice over the top for that extra zing.

Our approach is simple Great drinks should be shared with great people. Join us to embark on a craft spirits journey at the island’s only distillery. Guided Tastings & Distillery Tours Seasonal Craft cocktails Cocktail Classes and Events

TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA

Hot Pecan Toddy

Book Your Adventure Today!

Warm up your spirits with Tito's Hot Pecan Toddy, a perfect companion for chilly months and rainy days. Made with toasted pecan-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka, it's a treat that's sure to keep you snug. INGREDIENTS 2 ounces toasted pecan-infused Tito’s Handmade Vodka 3 ounces hot water 1/2 teaspoon honey 1 lemon slice Cloves and a cinnamon stick for garnish DIRECTIONS Add pecan-infused vodka to a heat-resistant glass. Pour in the hot water, and squeeze the lemon slice. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of honey for sweetness. Garnish with cloves and a cinnamon stick for a fragrant finish.

BURNT CHURCH DISTILLERY

Burnt Church Hot Toddy Soothe your soul with the comforting blend of honey, lemon and cinnamon in Burnt Church Distillery's Burnt Church Hot Toddy. It's a remedy for cold weather and an excuse to indulge even when you're feeling under the weather.

Cocktails

INGREDIENTS 6 ounces hot water 1 1/2 ounces Bluffton Whiskey 1/2 ounce honey simple syrup 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice DIRECTIONS Stir all the ingredients in a mug. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cinnamon stick for that extra touch of warmth.

Tours & Tastings

Themed Cocktail Classes

Authentic Spirits. Adventurous Tastes. JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com 133 14 Cardinal Rd, HHI, SC 29926 | Hiltonheaddistillery.com

eats

WHAT’S FRESH IN JANUARY?

Unearth the rutabaga

ELEVATE YOUR VEGGIE GAME IN 2024 WITH THIS UNDERRATED ROOT STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

4 INGREDIENT, 4 STEP RECIPE

Easy mashed rutabaga INGREDIENTS 2-3 pounds of rutabagas, peeled and cut into chunks 2 teaspoons salt, divided 1/3 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Fun fact Rutabagas ripen best in cool autumn weather, and their flavor is enhanced after the first frost.

Rutabagas, also known as Swedes, are the unsung heroes of root vegetables, often overshadowed by the likes of potatoes and carrots. Many people have never had the pleasure of trying one, and some may not have even heard of them. Despite their somewhat unassuming appearance, with a purple top and beige bottom, rutabagas have a lot more to offer than meets the eye. Beneath their rustic exterior lies a buttery-yellow flesh that's sweet and earthy, making them a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire. They are not only delicious but also versatile, healthy and deserving of our attention. The origin story of rutabagas, once believed to be the

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DIRECTIONS [1] Place the rutabagas in a large saucepan and cover with water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. [2] Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until tender. [3] Drain and let the rutabagas dry. [4] Mash the rutabagas with butter, the remaining salt and black pepper.

result of promiscuous turnips crossing with wild cabbages in the 1600s, has been challenged by recent scientific research, pointing to a different path of evolution for this round taproot. What we do know for certain is that they were first utilized in Swedish cuisine, hence their alternate name "Swede," derived from "Swedish turnip," and have since spread across the globe. Rutabagas are readily available, and not only their roots but also their greens are edible. As a root vegetable, they make a fantastic substitute for carrots, potatoes or turnips, with lower sugar content, higher fiber and less starch, making them a superior choice for mashed "potatoes."

Health benefits Rutabagas are a nutritional powerhouse, boasting high fiber content and an array of health benefits. A single rutabaga provides more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement, crucial for a robust immune system and a healthy nervous system. Moreover, they are low in calories, containing half the calories of a potato. Swapping potatoes for rutabagas can aid in weight management and reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular issues. These root vegetables are rich in potassium, promoting proper nervous system and muscle function, maintaining blood pressure, guarding against strokes and preventing kidney stones. Rutabagas also pack a punch with antioxidants that combat oxidative damage to cells, warding off chronic health problems and fortifying the immune system and organs against free radicals.

Growing rutabagas with ease If you're keen to grow your own rutabagas, it's a straightforward process. Plant rutabaga seeds in the fall, burying them about half an inch deep in well-draining soil in a sunny spot. Ensure they receive at least one inch of water per week. Once your plants reach a height of 3-4 inches, thin them out to provide ample space for growth (you can even enjoy the greens if you leave enough for the roots). Rutabagas are ready for harvest when they reach a diameter of 3-5 inches, but keep in mind that the larger they grow, the tougher they become, so choose your harvest time accordingly.

nu ers New Me n in D e in W ts os New Even m e D rs a in m Healthy Se

TRY IT. LOVE IT.

93 Arrow Road, Hilton Head Island, SC Monday thru Friday 8am-6pm Saturday 8am-2pm

843.715.2649 | sproutmomma.com

NEW HOURS

THURSDAYS

NOON – 4PM LIVE MUSIC & SEATING AT THE HEYWARD HOUSE

68 Boundary Street at Martin Family Park in Old Town Bluffton FARMERSMARKETBLUFFTON.ORG 843.415.2447

Farm, fresh local produce, flowers, meats, dairy, seafood, honey, baked goods, pastas, sweets, specialty foods, & prepared food to enjoy at the market or take home. Educational lectures, community outreach, kids activities, yoga, & more! Fun for the whole family!

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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FIND YOUR WAY TO FLAVOR!®

eats

We offer a wide selection of

Exotic Teas!

Rutabaga soup

Taste and cooking tips

INGREDIENTS 2 cups roasted rutabaga (see above) 2 carrots, diced 1 onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 cups vegetable stock (or water)

Raw rutabagas offer an earthy, slightly peppery flavor. When cooked, they transform into a buttery, savory and mildly sweet delight. Their texture is reminiscent of turnips, with a satisfying crunch akin to carrots. When preparing rutabaga, keep in mind its dense nature and longer cooking time. To expedite the cooking process, cut it into relatively small pieces. Here are various ways to enjoy this delectable root:

DIRECTIONS [1] Heat 1 tablespoon of olive or canola oil in a pot and sauté the onion until it's soft and translucent. [2] Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. [3] Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until the vegetables are soft. [4] Turn off the heat and blend until the soup is smooth, using a hand blender. Top with preferred herbs and spices.

Selecting the best Choosing the right rutabaga is essential for a satisfying culinary experience. Look for creamy yellow rutabagas that are firm, smooth and oval or round in shape. They should feel heavy for their size. Avoid rutabagas with punctures, deep cuts, cracks or signs of decay. Small nicks are generally acceptable. Note that most rutabagas you encounter are covered in a protective wax coating that will need to be removed with hot water.

Keep them fresh The Spice & Tea Exchange ® of Hilton Head Island 1 North Forest Beach Drive #A7 Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head, SC 29928 843.715.3770

spiceandtea.com/hiltonhead 136 LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Rutabagas can be stored similarly to potatoes. Keep them whole and uncut in a dry, cool place for 1-2 months. A paper bag allows them to breathe without spoiling while keeping them in the dark, as light can lead to sprouting, which affects taste. Once peeled or prepared, store rutabagas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-7 days, or freeze them for up to six months.

Bake: Dice rutabaga, coat with oil and seasoning, then bake on a cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until tender. Boil: Dice rutabaga and add it to water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for 25 minutes until fork-tender. Mash: Drain boiled rutabaga and mash it with oil or melted butter. Spiralize: Run rutabaga through a spiralizer and enjoy it raw, bake it into a noodle casserole or prepare it like any noodle dish. Au gratin: Thinly slice rutabaga, layer it in a buttered cast iron pan, pour hot cream on top, sprinkle with Gruyere, and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Salad: Shave or grate rutabaga, toss with vinegar and oil, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Air fry: Air fry rutabaga at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Deep fry: Heat oil to 325 degrees and fry rutabaga for 5-6 minutes. LL

French fl air, Lowcountry style.

Half Of f WineAYs MOND NIGHTS

Lunch Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Dinner & Bar Monday – Saturday 5:00 p.m. – until…

Reserve a table online or call: 843.785.9277 CharliesGreenStar.com

Cooking classes starting this Fall. Visit our web site for more events.

8 NEW ORLEANS ROAD • HILTON HEAD, SC

#EATLOCAL

@CharliesOfHiltonHead

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Local flavor

DISCOVER THE SECRETS TO COOKING WELL STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

Welcoming the new year often brings a renewed sense of purpose and the ideal opportunity to set ambitious goals. In 2024 why not channel that energy into your culinary journey? Across the upcoming pages, we've gathered an array of culinary wisdom directly from the heart of local kitchens. Esteemed chefs and renowned restaurants unveil their secrets, offer up inventive and delectable recipes, introduce you to lesser-known yet transformative ingredients, and provide step-by-step guides to refine your cooking techniques. Prepare to elevate your kitchen prowess in the new year with insights that will change the way you cook and savor food. Make 2024 the year you take your culinary skills to new, delicious heights.

PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT

Grape salad Raise your culinary repertoire with this simple yet scrumptious grape salad, a creation of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Chef Patrick Blankenship. This dish, blending the freshness of grapes with creamy textures, is a delightful addition to any meal. INGREDIENTS 1 8-ounce package cream cheese 1 cup sour cream 1/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 pounds seedless red grapes 2 pounds seedless green grapes 3 tablespoons brown sugar 3 tablespoons chopped pecans DIRECTIONS [1] In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until blended. Add grapes and toss to coat. [2] Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving.

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19-25 FEB 2024

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

At the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival, we have crafted an exhilarating culinary adventure committed to preserving our distinct, South-inspired delectable

culture.

seafood

With

specialties,

world-renowned

chefs

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for

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crafting

sustainable

consumption, wine tastings and expert mixologists – there’s something unique for everyone to enjoy! Discover an unforgettable memory that delivers exceptional culinary delights and leisurely activities all on one gorgeous southern island. HILTONHEADSEAFOODFESTIVAL.COM

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CHEF'S FAVORITE THINGS We asked local chefs their favorite shoes to work in all day:

THE GOLF CLUB AT INDIGO RUN: “Birkenstocks are my favorite. I’ve found myself wearing Crocs (the proline they carry with Doctor Scholls inserts) because I wait to get the buy-2get-1-free sale, so I wear the Birkenstock for show and wear the Crocs for the daily grind and replace once the bottom treads are worn out.” – Chef Josh O’Neill

FRANKIE BONES “I love my Birkenstock clogs with orthopedic insoles for support. I have been wearing Birkenstocks in the kitchen for almost 15 years. For the past few years, I have been using the Dr. Scholls Work Insoles.” – Chef Luke Lyons

HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS “I wear camo Crocs to work because we are surrounded by water, and sometimes water shoes are necessary, especially when we have big tides.” – Andrew Carmines NUNZIO RESTAURANT + BAR “My favorite work shoes are Sven and Klogs. I alternate wearing them. They are very good at alleviating the pressure on the spine.” – Chef Nunzio Patruno

POSEIDON “Birkenstocks are definitely my go-to.” – Chef Alan Ford

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place to celebrate in the Lowcountry

River House at Montage Palmetto Bluff River House is a celebration of Lowcountry culture and cuisine—an instant favorite. This intimate connection between land and sea intertwines seasonal harvests, thoughtfully sourced meats, fresh catch, cocktails and wines, curating an experience as unforgettable as the Lowcountry itself. Call for reservations.

RIVERHOUSESC.COM

PALBLU-16522_Palmetto Bluff_River House Ads_Local Life_Table_9x10.875_F.indd 1

(843) 706-6542

12/13/23 8:37 AM

ELA's January local life '24.qxp_Layout 1 12/6/23 11:25 PM Page 1

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BEST DINING &WATERVIEWS ON THE ISLAND!

SECRET INGREDIENT

Tamarind

In the realm of interior design, the concept of a "color of the year" trend is widely recognized. Similarly, the food industry also experiences its own set of trend predictions. A notable example is McCormick & Company, a leading manufacturer of seasonings and spices, which has declared tamarind as its Flavor of the Year for 2024. Since 2000 McCormick has annually published a report highlighting spices and seasonings that are gaining popularity, potentially shaping restaurant menus, cookbook recipes and possibly becoming as iconic as pumpkin spice. This year tamarind takes center stage. Originating from trees found in Africa, Mexico, Asia, and India, tamarind is known for its pods that offer an acidic, tangy-sweet flavor. This versatile ingredient enhances a variety of foods, ranging from potato chips and ice cream to coffee. Tamarind's assets extend beyond its taste; it's a nutritional powerhouse, rich in calcium, Unripe green fresh fruit: Extremely magnesium, potassium, thiamin tart and sour, used unseeded in pickles and chutneys. and iron. It's also a potent source Brown-ripened fruit or pulp: Sold of vitamin B and antioxidants. In as whole pods or blocks, particularly Eastern practices and medicine, in Asian stores. Ideal as a marinade tamarind is revered for its healing for meats and seafood and a staple properties. in diverse chutneys. Paste, concentrate or extract: The choice of tamarind as User-friendly versions of the ripe the flavor of the year aligns with fruit, available commercially or three key food trends identified homemade by soaking the pulp in for 2024: the rise of tangy and hot water, removing fibers and seeds, sour foods, the modernization and extracting a dark, smooth paste. This form is a versatile souring agent of regional dishes and the in curries and acts as a natural body creation of "new-stalgic" foods coolant, with a long shelf life when — innovative twists on childhood refrigerated. favorites. Tamarind embodies Powder: This dehydrated form these trends in a singular spice adds a delightful zest to candies, beverages and snacks. form.

Tamarind is available in various forms:

CALL 843-785-3030 FOR RESERVATIONS DINNER DAILY @ 5 SUNDAY BRUNCH 11-2 ONE SHELTER COVE LANE HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 843.785.3030 | WWW.ELASGRILLE.COM

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ASK THE CHEF Question: Dear chef, I’ve been trying to be more health-conscious in the kitchen and have been trying to make fries in the oven but keep failing miserably. What can I do?

Answer: “Try yucca fries for a healthy and delicious alternative. They do a lot better in the oven than regular fries because you can achieve great crispiness without making them overdone. Simply cut your fries from the yucca and rinse under water to wash the starch off. Blanch in boiling water for 90 seconds, submerge in an ice bath to stop the cooking process, and strain. Lightly spray avocado oil over the fries, and season lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder and fresh herbs. Bake for 16-18 minutes at 425 degrees." — Chef Alan Ford, Poseidon

ASK ABOUT UPCOMING WINE DINNERS SCAN TO RESERVE A TABLE

Open 7 nights a week Dinner 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. • Early Dining 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. Reservations recommended, call 844.627.1665 after noon daily or visit: AlexandersRestaurant.com Located in Palmetto Dunes 76 Queens Folly Rd • Hilton Head Island

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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GUIDE

Extra virgin olive oil

Have you ever pondered the distinctions between extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and regular olive oil? We certainly have. To enlighten ourselves, we consulted Rachel Lively at Hilton Head Oils and Balsamics, an expert in the field. Her specialty oilery exclusively offers EVOO, and we were intrigued to discover what sets it apart. “Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) comes from the first pressing of the olives (cold-pressed) and contains no more than 0.8 percent acidity,” Lively explained. “No chemicals are ever added to extra virgin olive oil. Contrarily, refined olive oil has been chemically treated to neutralize strong tastes and to neutralize the high acid content at a consumable level. That is why it is less expensive. Typically our EVOOs have an acidity level below 0.2 percent, which is four times lower than the required threshold to be deemed extra virgin. Basically, we have curated the best of the best for our customers.” When shopping for olive oil, prioritize finding “extra virgin” on the label. The key to the best quality lies in choosing the lowest possible acidity. Remember, not all olive oil brands are created equal. Next time you're at the store, take a moment to scrutinize the labels a bit more closely.

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HOW-TO

Mocktails

Embark on a refreshing journey with these three tantalizing mocktail recipes from Hilton Head Distillery, ideal for anyone partaking in Dry January or simply seeking a delightful twist in their beverage routine. The charm of these mocktails lies in their simplicity and accessibility: they are crafted with common pantry staples, eliminating the need for expensive liquors. Unleash your inner mixologist, and experiment with different ingredients and proportions to concoct a signature mocktail that resonates with your taste. Begin your adventure with these three easy-to-make mocktails that are so delectable, they might just convince you to embrace a non-alcoholic lifestyle permanently.

HILTON HEAD DISTILLERY

Cranberry Thyme Shrub Spritz INGREDIENTS 12 ounces fresh cranberries 1 ounce apple cider vinegar 1 cup Turbinado sugar 1 cup honey 2-3 springs of fresh thyme 1/4 cup apple cider DIRECTIONS [1] Add cranberries, honey and apple cider to a pot, and simmer until the cranberries burst. Allow to cool. [2] Once cooled, muddle cranberries, thyme and sugar together, and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours. [3] After 2 hours add in apple cider vinegar and mix well. Transfer to a quart mason jar and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. [4] After 24 hours shake well and strain and discard the skins. [5] Add to club soda and enjoy.

HILTON HEAD DISTILLERY

Mango Mule INGREDIENTS 4-5 slices of cucumber 1 ounce honey 1 1/2 ounces mango puree 1 1/2 ounces lime juice 1 1/2 ounces ginger beer DIRECTIONS [1] Muddle cucumbers and honey into a cocktail shaker. [2] Add mango puree and lime juice, and shake them together with ice. [3] Stain into a copper mug and top with ginger beer. LL

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Southern comfort with a nutritional twist

SEASONED CHEF, AUTHOR AND NUTRITION COACH JENNIE CASSELMAN SHARES HER CULINARY INSPIRATIONS LEADING UP TO HER SEAFOOD FESTIVAL APPEARANCE. STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

Chef Jennie Casselman, born and raised in North Carolina, grew up enjoying many traditional Southern dishes. Sweet tea, loads of butter, pork and fried foods were a large part of her diet. After a health scare in her late 20s, she put all of her efforts into learning about food and nutrition. She attended culinary school, where she pursued her passion for nutrition and wellness and learned the technical skills to apply her knowledge to help others. Casselman focuses her culinary efforts on taking classic Southern favorites and making them with "better for you" ingredients. In February Casselman will showcase her culinary prowess at the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival. As she prepares to journey slightly further south, she invites locals to explore her culinary aspirations and offers a tantalizing preview of the delectable creations she'll be unveiling at this year’s festival.

Cooking for future generations

Casselman boasts an impressive professional background as a certified nutrition health coach and a trained chef, amassing over a decade of invaluable experience. Her expertise centers on women's health, crafting allergy-friendly recipes and nurturing the wellbeing of children. "My deepest aspiration is to educate and empower people from all walks of life, emphasizing that their health and overall well-being should be a top priority," she said. "Instilling in the next generation the significance of nutrition and how to care for their bodies is a value I hold dear, one that I aim to pass on to my own children and others."

MUST-SEE TV Chef Jennie Casselman, shown with her twins Wyatt and Everly, is a contestant on Season 3 of Gordon Ramsay’s reality TV show “Next Level Chef.” Watch the season premiere on January 28 on FOX.

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Join Chef Jennie Casselman for the Zero Forks Given cooking demonstration from 6-9 p.m., Feb. 22, at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. Embark on a culinary adventure featuring seafood creations made with globally influenced flavors, and enjoy a dining experience on the surf. Guests are invited into the oceanside courtyard where each course is expertly prepared by renowned chefs and mixologists. The event is part of the 2024 Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival. Learn more information and purchase tickets online at hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com

Fat Baby says: Speaking of the younger generation, Casselman is a devoted mother to 6-yearold twins, Wyatt and Everly, who frequently accompany her on her culinary adventures. "My children often join me in the kitchen, and I intend to include them in the upcoming cooking demonstration (Feb. 22). It's an opportunity to showcase that kids can enjoy seafood and contribute to meal preparation," she explained. "I believe it's crucial to involve them early on, helping them learn about nutrition and what truly constitutes healthy choices." When it comes to her culinary creations, Casselman's imagination knows no bounds. However, for the time being, she has her sights set on putting her unique spin on a classic Southern succotash. Naturally, her children will be her trusted sous chefs, adding a delightful family touch to the culinary experience.

Inspiration comes in all sizes When asked about her culinary inspiration, it begins with a foundation in nutrition but ultimately circles back to her children. "For me the core of my inspiration lies in creating nutritionally balanced meals. Ensuring that I have all the essential components, such as a healthy lean protein, vegetables and good fats, is a fundamental aspect of my approach. Although that may not sound particularly inspiring," she chuckled, "my true inspiration is centered around the pursuit of health. I constantly ask myself whether what I'm creating and serving is genuinely beneficial. My kids play a significant role in this, as they have food allergies, requiring us to follow a gluten-free and dairy-free diet. So my inspiration primarily revolves around crafting dietary-friendly recipes that my children can relish." The turning point in her culinary journey came when she discovered that her son had a staggering 19 different food allergies. "When we learned about his allergies, it was a wake-up call that propelled us to completely overhaul our pantry and revolutionize the way I prepared food. It was a pivotal moment for us," she reflected.

Relax. Don't sweat it.

Resolution revolution! You're fine just the way you are. Happy Hour Drinks Mon-Sat 4-6pm Happy Hour Food Mon-Sat 3-6pm 1034 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island 843.842.4200 Order online at fatbabyspizza.com

“One of the Best Breakfasts on Hilton Head” SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE

CLOSED

INDOOR & OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE

January 1st until January 16th REOPENING Wednesday 17th

Woman on a mission Challenging the prevailing stereotypes surrounding Southern cuisine is a battle that Casselman firmly believes she can conquer. "My life's purpose revolves around presenting the South in a healthier light," she said. "I have a deep love for Southern food, but I recognize that there are numerous unhealthy interpretations out there.

6am-2pm Wednesday Thru Sunday • Palmetto Bay Marina

843.686.3232 • v

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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eats “I'm an East Coast Southern girl, and part of my lifestyle has always been going to the beaches in the summertime with my family. Being a part of the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival is not only to emphasize that seafood is yummy but it's also good for you. I love seafood and enjoy cooking it.”

From specialty coffees to specialty cakes l. – we specialize in specia

Gourmet Goodies Gluten Free Specialities

So, my aim is to infuse a health-conscious, modern twist into traditional Southern dishes." One of her groundbreaking creations is vegan collard greens, a concept that might initially bewilder die-hard Southern food enthusiasts. Casselman acknowledged this resistance, saying, "If you mention making delicious collard greens without ham hock, fatback or any pork whatsoever, people might doubt it. But I always tell them, 'You haven't tasted it yet!'" What fuels her confidence in reshaping perceptions about Southern cuisine is her own upbringing on the classic, albeit unhealthy, Southern fare. "My parents used to include fatback in our green beans when I was growing up," she reminisced. "My mom still has that 1970s brown mug with bacon grease in it, and no one knows how old the grease at the very bottom is, but it sits in the back of the refrigerator to this day." While her dietary habits weren't always healthy, her current approach is markedly different, and she possesses the culinary expertise to replicate those beloved dishes using “better-for-you ingredients." "I'm a traditional Southern girl who grew up relishing all those classic Southern dishes," she said. "But now, as a mother, I prioritize health consciousness. We opt for healthier ingredients, and with our kids' dietary restrictions — gluten-free and dairy-free — I aim to make those choices accessible to others as well. I've authored four cookbooks encapsulating the concept that wholesome food can be both delicious and convenient. It's my mission." LL

SAVE THE DATES

2024 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL EVENTS

Breakfast? Lunch? or Dessert?… Why choose, we’ve got them all! 1511 Main Street • Suite 1511 • Hilton Head Island, SC 148

843.802.4411 • thegfreespot.com

LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

Feb. 21: Callawassie Island Home Tour, 2-6 p.m., Callawassie Island Club Feb. 21: Holy, Mole + Olea, 6-9 p.m., Holy Tequila Feb. 22: Homegrown Supper, 6-9 p.m., Alexander’s Restaurant + Wine Bar Feb. 22: Zero Forks Given, 6-9 p.m., The Omni Oceanfront Resort Feb. 23: Pig Pickin’ & Oyster Roast, 6-8:30 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum Feb. 24: Saturday Seafood Festival, 1-4:30 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum Find more details and purchase tickets at hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com.

Chef Jennie Casselman: Light Southern Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice Chef Jennie Casselman's innovative take on the classic Southern favorite, shrimp and grits, will tantalize your taste buds while keeping your meal light and wholesome.

Did you know? The MARKET CAFE is OPEN for LUNCH!

INGREDIENTS (SHRIMP) 2 pounds fresh or frozen Carolina shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound turkey bacon 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic Zest and juice of 2 lemons 2 tablespoons seafood spice blend Avocado oil cooking spray 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced

INGREDIENTS (CAULIFLOWER RICE) 2 cauliflower heads, cut into florets 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup of low-sodium vegetable broth 1 cup of dairy-free milk 2 tablespoons vegan butter INGREDIENTS (GARNISH) 1/4 cup chopped green onion Fresh chopped parsley

INGREDIENTS (SEAFOOD SPICE BLEND) 1/2 tablespoon sea salt 1/2 tablespoon celery seed powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1/2 tablespoon onion powder 1/2 tablespoon dried dill 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS [1] Marinate the shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, thaw them in a colander under running water and drain. In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest (reserving some for garnish) and the seafood spice blend. Mix thoroughly, then add the shrimp to the bowl, tossing to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. [2] Prepare the cauliflower rice: In a large pot, bring water to a boil, then add the cauliflower florets. Boil on high until tender (about 20 minutes), then drain and allow to cool. Puree the cauliflower using a food processor or immersion blender until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a potato masher for a thicker consistency. [3] Create the cauliflower grits: Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the vegetable broth, dairy-free milk, butter, sea salt and black pepper. Bring it to a boil and slowly add in the cooked cauliflower. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. [4] Cook the shrimp and bacon: In a cast iron skillet or large pan, spray with avocado oil and add the turkey bacon. Cook until crispy, then remove and set aside. In the same pan, add the marinated shrimp. Sauté the shrimp in batches over medium heat until they turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. After cooking the last batch of shrimp, squeeze the juice of one lemon into the pan to release any cooked-on seasonings, and scrape with a wooden spoon. Add the sliced peppers and onions and sauté for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they become tender. [5] Assemble the dish: Spoon the pureed cauliflower into a bowl and top it with the sautéed peppers and shrimp. Garnish with chopped parsley, green onion and the remaining lemon zest.

SALADS SANDWICHES PAS TA & PI ZZA MEAT & SEAFOOD

www.MICHAEL-ANTHONYS.com

Orleans Plaza . 37 New Orleans Road Hilton Head Island . SC 843 . 785 6272 JANUARY.2024 + LocalLifeSC.com 149

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news&notes RESTAURANT

FRESH FOOD + NOW OPEN + HOT PRODUCTS

Coming soon: Eggs Up Grill A new breakfast and brunch restaurant, Eggs Up Grill (EUG), will open in Bluffton at New Riverside Village. The owners, George and Lori Hutson, grew up in Bluffton and look forward to welcoming neighbors, family and friends to their new restaurant. Check their Facebook page for updates.

Now open: Locals Only Taproom After the Side Hustle Brewing Co. relocation, locals missed that particular spot on Arrow Road to enjoy a locally made brew. Locals Only Taproom answered the call and opened at the end of last year. This taproom serves local draft beers from Lincoln & South, Lot 9, Hilton Head Brewery, Shellring Aleworks and more, along with food from various local food trucks. It is pet-friendly and open Thursdays and Fridays from 2-8 p.m., Saturdays from noon-8 p.m., and Sundays from noon-6 p.m. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date with what’s on tap.

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Michael Anthony’s raises funds for Safe Harbour On December 7 Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana sponsored a four-course charity wine dinner, “A Tour of Tuscany,” benefiting Safe Harbour, a local nonprofit. Michael Anthony’s was pleased to present Safe Harbour with the proceeds from the dinner for $3,500. Safe Harbour was founded by and for Hilton Head Islanders who wish to stay in their own homes as they age, with the confidence of knowing that assistance is only a phone call away. Safe Harbour provides support, services and resources that help seniors live healthy and meaningful lives in their own homes in a neighborhood they know and love. hhisafeharbour.org

Coming soon: Ralphie’s Pizza & Eatery There’s a new pizzeria coming to Ridgeland. Ralphie’s Pizza & Eatery will be off U.S. 170 in Riverwalk in the building next to Livinggoods. With a combined 50 years of pizzaiolo and cooking experience, its chefs are ready to bring the flavors of New York and Italy to your table. eatralphiespizza.com

Waterman Oyster Knives in stores The Waterman Oyster Knives, a collaboration between Andrew Carmines, the owner of Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, and Devlin Forsythe, the cofounder of Wolfe Cutlery and Waterman Wares, are available online as well as in stores. Visit watermanwares.com, Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, Outside Hilton Head Shelter Cove or J. Banks Designs on Main Street to purchase your handcrafted knife. All proceeds from the knives go directly to The David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation. hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com/waterman

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Olive & Fig expansion Olive & Fig Mediterranean Kitchen is opening a new location at New Riverside in Bluffton. It shared photos showing the progress of the building at 321 Hope Pond Way. olivefig.net

New brew: Coosaw Farms in a bottle SCAN TO LEARN MORE

Shellring Ale Works released its latest Solera Series batch called “Coosaw Blackberry” Foeder-aged Mixed Culture. Crafted with Coosaw Farms blackberries, this beer starts with a sour base and is aged in Foeder Crafters American Oak foeder and then transferred onto hundreds of pounds of blackberries. The beer then re-ferments on the blackberries for over a year before packaging. Get your 500mL bottles and limited draft before they run out. shellringaleworks.com

SIMPLE, CLASSIC, TIMELESS KITCHEN AND HOME COLLECTION BAMBOO PLACEMATS BY CHILEWICH COMBINE INNOVATIVE PRACTICALITY WITH A SERENE SENSIBILITY. REFRESH YOUR TABLE LINENS IN THE NEW YEAR.

14 Promenade, Bluffton Follow along on Facebook & Instagram Sign up for emails for more information. 152 LocalLifeSC.com + |JANUARY 2024 cassandraskitchen.com 843.707.1901

New booze: Ghost Pirates-inspired rum

New booze: Sea Pines bourbon

Hilton Head Distillery released a rum that is the official rum of the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Gold Rum is full-bodied and finishes smooth. Drop the gloves; fortune favors the dead. hiltonheaddistillery.com

The Sea Pines Resort announced the release of Woodford Reserve Sea Pines Resort Batch 8. You can now taste the specially crafted straight Kentucky bourbon in the Ocean Lounge and at Coast. Try it while supplies last. seapines.com

Coming soon: Al’s Aloha Kitchen in Bluffton

Pour Richards wins Best Butts in Show

Washington Square in Bluffton has another delicious addition. Al’s Aloha Kitchen will open its second location next to Palmetto Running Co. and Birdie James. alsalohakitchen.com

Pour Richard’s won “Best Butts In Show” at the Old Town Dispensary’s Smoke Show 2023. Mulberry Street won best ribs. pourrichards843.com

Quick

Bites

Michael Anthony’s presented the Make-A-Wish Foundation with the proceeds from its November wine dinner in the amount of $2,500. The SERG Restaurant Group’s South Island BOGO 1/2 Off Passport is happening now-Feb. 28. Cactus Street Cantina donated $1,005 to Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry from November sales. In December, 10% of bowl sales will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. San Miguel’s Mexican Cafe is closed for January for a post-holiday break. Alvin Ord’s of Bluffton is now available on GrubHub. Palmetto Kettle Corn is closed until Jan. 14 for a holiday break. Jarvis Creek General Store now has gift cards. Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen has new operating hours this month: Weekdays from 4-9 p.m., closed Wednesdays and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Burnt Church Distillery donated 5% of its December revenue from memberships, community events and cocktail of the month to United Way of the Lowcountry Serving Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Wine Time raised $1,418 for OPFOB through its November "Buck-a-Battle, Buck-a-Bottle" program. December’s recipients was Epworth Children’s Home. Sprout Momma Breads has new winter hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Reilley’s Grill & Bar celebrated 41 years last month. The Salty Dog released an animated version of the legend of Jake The Salty Dog. Kenny B’s French Quarter Cafe is now open in its new location just off the island in the Bridge Center Shopping Center across from Moss Creek. The Country Club of Hilton Head is announcing a new chef and food and beverage director. Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana turns 22 this month.

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happenings January

Arts & Culture

JAN 3-26

Anything Goes! When: Times vary, Jan. 3-26 Where: Art League of Hilton Head Details: See the work of multiple artists at this month’s members-only show during gallery hours and 90 minutes before every Arts Center performance. artleaguehhi.org

JAN 2-28

Action Painting When: Times vary, Jan. 2-28 Where: The SOBA Gallery Details: Missy Gentile's abstract art will be the featured art exhibit this month at The Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery. Don’t miss the opening reception from 5-7 p.m., Jan. 11. sobagallery.com

Around the World in 80 Days When: Times vary, Jan. 11-21 Where: Lean Ensemble Theatre Details: Lean Ensemble presents Around the World in 80 Days, by Mark Brown, a whirlwind of a show with five actors portraying 39 characters traversing seven continents in one of the most incredible adventures ever. leanensemble.org

JAN 1-MARCH 24

JAN 26

When: Times vary, now-March 24 Where: Coastal Discovery Museum – Main Gallery Details: This exhibit features work from seven contemporary artists who are deeply concerned with the health of the coral reefs; their work explores the environmental pressures facing our oceans. coastaldiscovery.org

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., now-Jan. 26 Where: Sea Pines Community Center Details: Double Vision is a unique presentation of member photographs and a painterly interpretation of that photograph. Photographs and paintings are displayed with subjects ranging from flowers and fauna of the Lowcountry to vintage cars and cityscapes. culturehhi.org

Intricate Oceans: Coral in Contemporary Art

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Double Vision

Inspiring, enriching and uniting the Lowcountry

John Mastroianni provided by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra has been the centerpiece of the Lowcountry’s vibrant musical scene for over four decades.

Join us and our virtuoso musicians who gather each month for Espressivo – music of passion and joy as we share in the exhilaration of great music-making together. You’ll find the intimate, engaging and informal environment in which we perform unique – making every concert a journey of shared discovery. GRIEG AND BRAHMS January 21 & 22, 2024 BACH, MOZART, AND BRANDON LEONARD February 4 & 5, 2024

Intimate cabaret style dinner and performances

BravoPiano! MUSIC FESTIVAL February 29 - March 4, 2024

JOHN WILLIAMS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION February 18 & 19, 2024

Most critically acclaimed composer who has won 25 Grammy’s and 5 Oscars for composing numerous movie soundtracks

S O M E T H I N G

F O R

E V E R YO N E

For more information and tickets, please visit hhso.org or call (843) 842-2055.

happenings

Charity & Community JAN 31

Every Child Will Have A Home

JAN 27

Hilton Head MLK Dine & Dance 2024

When: 6 p.m., Jan. 31 Where: Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church Details: Family Promise of Beaufort County presents an evening of entertainment by Evolution Big Band and soloist Penney Lynn Smith, delicious desserts and drinks and the chance to make a difference. familypromisebeaufortcounty.org

When: 5-10 p.m., Jan. 27 Where: USCB Hilton Head Details: The Hilton Head MLK Committee for Justice invites you to a night of fun and fundraising as they wrap up its annual month of events. hiltonheadmlk.com

JAN 27

Snow Day

JAN 11

When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 27 Where: Shelter Cove Community Park Details: This annual family snow day will have inflatable rides, a snowfield and other entertainment. events. islandreccenter.org

Night of Unity When: 5:30 p.m., Jan. 11 Where: Buckwalter Place Park Details: The Bluffton Police Department presents a free event where neighbors can gather for live music, food and fellowship. townofbluffton.sc.gov

JAN 11

The Helianthus Project’s 2nd Annual Benefit Dinner When: 6-9 p.m., Jan. 11 Where: Beaufort Inn Details: Support the victims of human trafficking at this benefit. Enjoy a delicious dinner, drink bar and guest speakers. thehelianthusproject.org

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JAN 20

CharliFest at Coligny 2024 When: Noon, Jan. 20 Where: Coligny Plaza Details: Honor the life of Charlie Bobinchuck and enjoy performances by local artists and food provided by Coligny restaurants. colignyplaza.com

BEAUFORT MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

Valentine Ball February 10, 2024

9 p.m. - 12 a.m. • Tabby Place CO-CHAIRS

Mr. Christopher & Mrs. Caitlin Ketchie Dr. Patrick & Mrs. Meghan Meehan Pre-Ball Dinner Party Silent Auction Open Bar • Live Music • Black Tie

RSVP for a Pre-Ball Dinner Party by Friday, January 12

happenings

Food & Drink

JAN 15-20

Michael Anthony’s 22nd Anniversary When: Times vary, Jan. 15-20 Where: Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana Details: To celebrate 22 years of serving delicious Italian cuisine, Michael Anthony’s will feature a special menu of its most-requested entrees at special prices during its anniversary week. michael-anthonys.com

JANUARY

The Sea Pines Resort culinary adventures Don’t miss this month’s exciting events at The Sea Pines Resort. Check its website for details and a complete list. seapines.com UPCOMING EVENTS Rabbit Hole Bourbon Dinner: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 17, Ocean Lounge at Sea Pines Beach Club Iron Chef Cook-Off Featuring Master Sommelier Larry O’Brien: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 19, The Atlantic Room at the Sea Pines Beach Club Game Days at Fraser’s Tavern: 1-4 p.m., Sundays, Fraser’s Tavern Oyster Roasts at Coast, Oceanfront Dining: 1-4 p.m., Saturdays at Coast, Oceanfront Dining Tap Takeover at Fraser’s Tavern: 1-4 p.m., Saturdays, Fraser’s Tavern

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JAN 20

Paul Hobbs Dinner When: 6 p.m., Jan. 20 Where: River House at Montage Palmetto Bluff Details: Enjoy a five-course dinner with wine pairing from Paul Hobbs Winery by PJ Myers and Carlo Riggio. palmettobluff.com

JAN 18

Island Time Cocktail Class When: 7:30-9:30 p.m., Jan. 18 Where: Hilton Head Distillery Details: Take your cocktail game up a notch with a mixology class that inspires you to shake up delicious and creative sips like never before. hiltonheaddistillery.com

JAN 12

Cooking for Two When: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 12 Where: Culinary Institute of the South Details: In this class, designed for smaller households, accomplished home cook Rebecca W. Bass will teach the art of cooking for two. tcl.edu

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happenings

Food & Drink JAN 27

Indian Cuisine at Home Book Moor for yourself today: www.moorspahiltonhead.com or (843) 681-6060 Located at 4 Dunmore Court, Suite 300, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

When: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 27 Where: Culinary Institute of the South Details: In this class, participants will learn some basic techniques of cooking Indian food while learning how to prepare several classic Indian dishes. tcl.edu

JAN 26

Cocktails and Camellias When: 5-8 p.m., Jan. 26 Where: Coastal Discovery Museum Details: Enjoy a special evening among the camellias with custom cocktails, plentiful hors d’oeuvres and live music in the pavilion. All proceeds benefit the museum. coastaldiscovery.org

JAN 26

Tasty Tuesday Wine Tastings When: 5-7 p.m., Tuesdays Where: Rollers Wine & Spirits Details: Enjoy a wine tasting led by Rollers’ certified sommeliers, featuring 4-6 new wines and some familiar favorites, live music on the garden patio and cheese plates and other small bites available to order. Call 843-842-1200 to reserve your spot.

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VILLAGE AT WEXFORD 843.686.KIDS

Markets & Shopping

JANUARY

Farmers and Art Markets Enjoy the local flavors of the Lowcountry with some of these regular farmers' and art markets: UPCOMING MARKETS Bluffton Farmers Market: Noon-5 p.m., Thursdays, 68 Boundary St. Hilton Head Island Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesdays, Coastal Discovery Museum Port Royal Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, Naval Heritage Park Forsythe Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, Savannah The Root and Bloom Market: 3-7 p.m., Wednesdays, Martin Family Park in Bluffton Beaufort First Friday: 5-8 p.m., first Friday of each month, Downtown Beaufort Hilton Head Community Market: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturdays, Shelter Cove Community Park Farmers & Makers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesdays, The Shops at Sea Pines Center

NEW PROGRAMS • NEW EXHIBITS

A NEW YEAR 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie SC

843.645.7774

With lots of NEW ways to support the Port Royal Sound Foundation. Find out more at PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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Swim by Spring.

happenings

Lectures & Classes

JANUARY

Art League Hilton Head Island classes Learn a new skill and unleash your creativity with one of these art classes at the Art League Academy on Cordillo Parkway. For a complete list of classes, visit artleaguehhi.org. UPCOMING CLASSES Mosaic Pendants: 9 a.m., Jan. 12 Oil Pastels: Surrealistic Landscapes: 3:30 p.m., Jan. 23 Framing and Matting Basics: 10 a.m., Jan. 27

JANUARY

SOBA Gallery classes

Whether you’re looking to build a budget-friendly play pool or an extravagant custom pool build, we can have you swimming by Spring. Our four-step process lays out a clear budget and timeline so there are no surprises.

Book your no-obligation consultation to learn more.

Learn a new skill and unleash your creativity with one of these adult art classes at the Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery. For a complete list of classes, visit sobagallery.com. UPCOMING CLASSES Abstract Painting Your Way: 9 a.m.-noon, Jan. 6, 13 & 20 Cold Wax and Oil: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 9 Advanced Pointillism: 1-3:30 p.m., Jan. 27

JAN 9, 16, 23 & 30

Restorative Medicine Seminars LUXURY POOLS | RELAXING SPAS | OUTDOOR RETREATS

CALL NOW TO START LIVING THE DREAM. 843.259.2776 WESTBAYPOOLS.COM/BLUFFTON-SC 162 LocalLifeSC.com + JANUARY 2024

When: Noon-1 p.m., Jan. 9, 16, 23 & 30 Where: Frame Center for Restorative Health Details: Join the Fraum team for a free education event on restorative medicine. fraum.com

JAN 20

Gemulicious Workshop When: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Jan. 20 Where: Beaufort County Clemson Extension Details: Featuring the gorgeous gem collection created by textile artist MJ Kinman, learn an innovative method for paper piecing using freezer paper, not foundation paper piecing. seaislandquilters.com

JANUARY

Beaufort County Library events Learn a new skill or read a new book with one of this month’s happenings at your local library. Here’s a list of some of our favorites. beaufortcountylibrary.org UPCOMING EVENTS Tax Time Tips: 11 a.m.-noon, Jan. 9, Bluffton Branch Read to a Dog: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Jan. 13, Bluffton Branch Adult Crafts: Beginner Origami: 3-4 p.m., Jan. 18, Hilton Head Branch Author Talk with Pam Webber: 11 a.m.-noon, Jan. 25, Hilton Head Branch

REVITALIZE YOUR SPIRIT New Year Renewal Specials for January.

• New patients get 20 free units of Botox with a minimum of 50 units included in purchase. • $100 Off a syringe of fillers • 10% Off all services • Special Pricing on Skin Ceuticals Medical Grade skin care products.

JANUARY

Coastal Discovery Museum events The Coastal Discovery Museum presents a wide variety of classes for any interest. Here are some of our favorites this month. coastaldiscovery.org UPCOMING CLASSES Camelia Garden Talk & Tour: 1-2:30 p.m., Mondays Reptiles of the Lowcountry: 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays & Thursdays Sweetgrass Basket Class: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturdays

• Buy 5 Hydrafacials Get 1 Free

Look forward to microblading services as part of OneCareSpa’s beauty and grooming offerings.

JAN 13

Pitch Practice at The Grind When: 3:30-5 p.m., Jan. 13 Where: Grind Coffee Roasters Details: Take your chance to polish your new business pitch with sought-after feedback and indulge in the finest coffee. thegrindroasters.com

81 N Main Street | Suite 202 | Hilton Head, SC Call or email to RSVP.

Onecarespa@gmail.com

843.342.3202 ONECARESPA.COM JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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SERVICE ABOVE SELF

happenings

Music & Entertainment

If connecting and giving back to your local community is on your list of things to do in 2024, please consider learning more about Rotary.

Regular live music venues Life is better with music, so why not enjoy live music every day of the week? These are some of our favorite local spots with regular live music this month. Check their websites and Facebook pages for details.

Rotary has several ways to be involved and give back, depending on your personal passion and time. Special Programs include Youth Scholarships and Exchange Students SERVICE PROJECTS INCLUDE: Memory Matters • Volunteers in Medicine Boys and Girls Club • The Children’s Center Deep Well Project • Salvation Army Globally dedicated to eradicating Polio globally

Check Us Out | Get Involved | Come to a Meeting | Participate Meetings are held on Thursday at 12:30 pm. at USCB Campus 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island

843.686.4100 164 LocalLifeSC.com HILTONHEADROTARY.ORG + JANUARY 2024

DAILY LIVE MUSIC VENUES Brother Shucker’s Coast, Oceanfront Dining FISH Casual Coastal Seafood Frosty Frog Harbourside Kind of Blue Quarterdeck Ruby Lee’s Scott’s Fish Market Skull Creek Boathouse The Boardroom The Jazz Corner The Salty Dog Cafe The Sandbar Beach Eats OTHER MUSIC VENUES A Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant (weekdays) Big Bamboo Cafe (Mondays-Saturdays) Black Marlin Bayside Grill & Hurricane Bar (Wednesdays-Saturdays) Burnt Church Distillery (Thursdays-Saturdays) Captain Woody’s Bluffton (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays) Captain Woody’s Hilton Head (Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays) Carolina Crab Company (Sundays) Celeste (Fridays & Saturdays) Cheap Seats Tavern 2 (Fridays) Chophouse 119 (Tuesdays & Fridays) Deano’s Wood-Fired Grille (Fridays-Saturdays) Hilton Head Tavern (Mondays & Tuesdays) Jarvis Creek General Store (Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays) Local Pie (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen (Fridays) Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar (Fridays & Sundays) Nectar Farm Kitchen in Old Town Bluffton (Fridays-Sundays) Old Town Dispensary (Wednesdays-Sundays) Red Fish (Tuesdays-Saturdays) Reilley’s Grill & Bar (Wednesdays-Fridays) The Rooftop Bar at Poseidon (Wednesdays & Thursdays) Tio’s Latin American Kitchen Bluffton (Fridays & Sundays) UnCorked Wine, Bar, Food, and Music (Tuesdays-Saturdays)

JAN 22

HHSO: Grieg and Brahms When: 4 p.m., Jan. 21 & 7:30 p.m., Jan. 22 Where: First Presbyterian Church Details: The HHSO welcomes back Zhonghua Wei, winner of the 2023 HHIPC, to perform the Grieg piano concerto, one of the most popular in the entire genre. hhso.org

JAN 27

HHSO Youth Concerto Competition When: 1 p.m., Jan. 27 Where: SoundWaves at Coligny Details: The HHSO presents this competition as an encouragement to the next generation to pursue their musical aspirations. hhso.org

JAN 19

Deas Guyz at The Rooftop When: 8 p.m., Jan. 19 Where: The Rooftop Bar Details: Don’t miss this Deas Guyz performance featuring old Motown, jazz standards, rhythm and blues, country, pop, rock, reggae and dance beats. therooftophhi.com

JANUARY

2024 Notes Festival of Music Attend these three Notes Festival of Music events and benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Beaufort County. notesmusicfest.com UPCOMING EVENTS Gullah Soul at ShellRing: 1-5 p.m., Jan. 7, ShellRing Ale Works Notes of Art Exhibition: 3-6 p.m., Jan. 12, Tabby Place Country Music Showcase at Tabby Place: 7 p.m., Jan. 13, Tabby Place

WEDNESDAYS

Open mic nights When: 6-9 p.m., Wednesdays Where: Jarvis Creek General Store Details: Discover local talent and get the chance to perform at Jarvis Creek General Store every Wednesday at its open mic nights. Enjoy craft beer, wine and food trucks. Check its Facebook page for more details.

✔

✔ Schedule your Zerona experience.

1.843.353.0006 843.785.7822 fountainspahhi.com Located at Fountain Center 55 New Orleans Road, Suite 202, HHI

JANUARY 2024 + LocalLifeSC.com

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W E ’ R E

N O T

happenings

K I T T E N !

NEW YEAR!

Sports & Outdoors

NEW STUFF!

JANUARY

Palmetto Bluff Conservancy events

All proceeds go to improve the lives of animals. Help meowt!

Scan for our eBay Store!

With a vast outdoor classroom at their fingertips, the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy team members are ambassadors to each resident and guest, introducing them to this landscape in ways large and small, structured and informal. Tours, classes and workshops, programs, research and field trips are all available to facilitate this environmental learning process. Check the website for a complete list of events. palmettobluff.com/conservation UPCOMING EVENTS PBC Birding: Theus Point: 1-3 p.m., Jan. 10 Explore PBC: Duck Pond: 9-11:30 a.m., Jan. 12 Brown Bag Lunch: Right Whales – Our Coastal Visitors: Noon-1 p.m., Jan. 24 Field Trip: Savannah National Wildlife Refuge: 9 a.m.-noon, Jan. 30

JAN 13

Dressage at the Bluff When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 13 Where: Longfield Stables at Palmetto Bluff Details: Show off your hard work and finetune your dressage tests under the eye of a USDF judge in Palmetto Bluff’s beautiful covered arena. palmettobluff.com

JANUARY

January races Sign up for one of these races to start the new year. UPCOMING RACES Daufuskie Island Marathon: 8:30 a.m., Jan. 13, Daufuskie Island Frosty 5K: 9 a.m., Jan. 20, Bluffton Oyster Factory

JAN 13

46 Old Wild Horse Road | 843.842.6369 Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm

www.hhhumane.org Meow we’re talkin’ 166

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New Year’s 2024 Paddle Meetup When: 9-10 a.m., Jan. 13 Where: Bluffton Oyster Factory Dock Details: Kick off the new year with outdoor paddle boarding through Lowcountry waterways with Stand and Paddle. standandpaddle.com

LEAN ENSEMBLE THEATER 39 characters, 11 countries, 5 actors,

Jim Gaffigan

1 hilarious new whirlwind adventure.

Adapted by Mark Brown Directed by Libby Ricardo

Around

THE

WORLD

IN 80 DAYS $45 evenings & matinees

7:30 PM | Thursday- Saturday 2:00 PM | Sunday

group and discount tickets available

HHPS MAIN STREET THEATRE | 3000 MAIN ST, HILTON HEAD ISLAND

SAVANNAH EVENTS Jan. 16: State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine at Johnny Mercer Theatre Jan. 15: ECHL All-Star Classic at Enmarket Arena Jan. 20: Russo’s Oyster Roast at Russo’s Fresh Seafood Jan. 20: Classical Mystery Tour presented by Savannah Philharmonic at Lucas Theatre for the Arts Jan. 20: Savannah Animazing Con at the Savannah Convention Center Jan. 25: Glenn Miller Orchestra at Johnny Mercer Theatre

GET TICKETS NOW Feb. 10: Beaufort Memorial Foundation Valentine Ball at Tabby Place Feb. 24: Riley Green at Enmarket Arena March 1: Savannah Blues Festival at Johnny Mercer Theatre March 1: Gabriel Iglesias at Enmarket Arena March 3: Page Island Oyster Roast March 8: ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd at Enmarket Arena March 15: Jim Gaffigan at Enmarket Arena April 23: John Mellencamp at Johnny Mercer Theatre

SAVE THE DATE Feb. 1: HBF Winter Lecture Series at USCB Center for the Arts Feb. 2: Fred Astaire Hilton Head Grand Opening and Fundraiser at Fred Astaire Dance School Hilton Head Feb. 3: Daddy-Daughter Dance at Poseidon Rooftop Bar

843.715.6676 LEANENSEMBLE.ORG

FREE GIFT

with Subscription.

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GO ONLINE For more things to do visit locallifesc.com/ things-to-do-hilton-head

L O C A L L I F E S C . C O M

EAT

L O C A L.

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#partingshot

Sail into serenity

Battery Creek, Port Royal

“This breathtaking sunset over Battery Creek caught my attention on a beautiful evening. I love how the clouds and the reflection are pointing directly to the sailboat. To me, this scene is the quintessential vision of life in the Lowcountry.” — REBECCA BASS, BEAUFORT

HIT US WITH YOUR BEST SHOT Have you taken a great local photo? Send your high-res image to info@wearelocallife.com or upload it at locallifesc.com/partingshot. 168

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MOSAIC & VENETIAN PRINCESS

The Shops at Sea Pines Center 71 Lighthouse Road | Hilton Head Island | 843.671.7070