H I LT O N H E A D • B L U F F T O N • B E AU F O RT
Sept 2020
shoot to thrill
TH E P H OTOG R A PH Y I S S UE + D ECAD ENT D ESSERTS + TON E YO U R GLU T E S
LOWCOUNTRY LOWCOUNTRYBOIL BOIL PADDLE PADDLEBATTLE BATTLE PRESENTED PRESENTEDBYBYOLUKAI OLUKAI JoinJoin us for us for instruction, instruction, races races andand more. more. Friday, Friday, September September 11th:11th: Special Special FridayFriday ClinicClinic by thebyworld’s the world’s #1 paddler, #1 paddler, Seychelle Seychelle SUP SUP Saturday, Saturday, September September 12th:12th: Lowcountry Lowcountry Boil Paddle Boil Paddle BattleBattle To learn To learn more,more, visit www.outsidehiltonhead.com visit www.outsidehiltonhead.com
www.shopoutside.com www.shopoutside.com
olu20-447R-paddlebattle-c2.indd olu20-447R-paddlebattle-c2.indd All Pages All Pages
8/14/20 11:25 8/14/20 AM 11:25 AM
NATUR ALLY INSPIR ATIONAL Spend any time on Spring Island and you can’t help but be inspired by its scenic beauty. The river. The marshes. The old growth trees and signature Lowcountry Spanish moss. The setting is incredible. And each homesite is a natural canvas on which to create architectural artwork that complements its landscape rather than competes with it. Tour our available homes and homesites and let the inspiration take hold of you.
101 SPRING ISLAND DRIVE - $1,695,000 Bedrooms: 6 · Baths: 6 / Half Baths: 1 This unique estate, designed by Historical Concepts, is comprised of three buildings on 2.79 acres. The main house is based on the Federal style homes found in nearby Beaufort. Simple symmetry. Perfect harmony.
7 OLD BOATHOUSE LANE - $1,385,000 Bedrooms: 4 · Baths: 4 / Half Baths: 1 This distinctive home and guest cottage were designed by the renowned Lowcountry architect, Jim Thomas, who carefully crafted this imaginative residence on Betsy’s Pond with character, charm, and a touch of whimsy.
S P R I NG I S L A N D.C O M |
843.987.2200
RIVERFRONT GEM 16 Kirk Bluff Road | Bluffton $1 ,50 0,0 0 0 Unbelievably solid construction atop one of the highest points along the May River. Offering property along Nanny Creek Cove as well, 16 Kirk’s Bluff is idyllic in location, just a short golf cart ride away from Old Town Bluffton. The home, while designed currently as a two bedroom river cottage, contains ample space for additional bedrooms and/or living space within the existing footprint. The updated kitchen looks out directly to the riverside, with only a perfectly sized screened porch separating the two. The deepwater dock and ramp are commercial-grade construction and offer deepwater at all tides. There are over 25,000,000* million reasons to call Catherine Donaldson. She has been an agent with Celia Dunn Sotheby’s for over a decade and her commitment to the brand is FIERCE. Call her today to discover why. * total single-side transaction volume that Catherine Donaldson sold/contracted for 2020
CATHERINE DONALDSON Catherine.Donaldson@SothebysRealty.com
celiadunnsir.com
843.338.2069
49 Boundary Street Bluffton, SC 29910
844-836-3900
Each office is independently owned and operated
Build your dreams at Berkeley Hall On the banks of the Okatie River is where you’ll find the private golf community of Berkeley Hall. With a full complement of amenities that includes two Tom Fazio golf courses, a Jeffersonian-style Clubhouse, water sports, spa, and more, Berkeley Hall is the Lowcountry destination you’ve been searching for. Choose from our exceptional inventory of new homes, or select a homesite on which to envision the custom home of your dreams. With custom luxury home builds such as the Monceau by Premier Builders AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg, it’s easy to see yourself here!
Schedule a personal tour and discover what is possible at Berkeley Hall. 8 4 3 - 8 15 - 8 4 2 3
·
BER K EL EY H A L LCLU B.COM
·
BLUFFTON, SC
ART
THAT
ELEVATES
Fine Art Gallery Custom Picture Framing “May River Swim Club”
Featured Artist | Louanne LaRoche
CamelliaArt.com
1 Office Way (At the corner of Pope Avenue and Office Way) | 843 785 3535 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 45 Calhoun Street | 843 757 3530 | Bluffton | South Carolina 35 North Main Street (Inside JBanks Design Retail Showroom) | 843 290 7700 | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina
Local Life Full No Bleed Master.indd 1
8/6/20 5:11 PM
Located in lovely Sea Pines Center
the team
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER? PUBLISHER Lori Goodridge-Cribb (Local since 1986) lori.goodridge@wearelocallife.com
“Anne Geddes, an Australian who now lives in New York. Her newborn pictures made her world famous. She is self-taught.” - LORI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lance Hanlin (Local since 2007) lance.hanlin@wearelocallife.com
“David Yarrow. He coats his remote-controlled camera equipment with scents to lure dangerous animals close to his lens.” - LANCE “Platon Antoniou, a British photographer. His portrait photography captures the soul of a person.” - JEREMY
ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER Jeremy Swartz (Local since 2003) jeremy.swartz@wearelocallife.com
“Anyone still using emulsion-based photography. We all carry darkrooms in our pockets.”
DESIGNER Charles Grace (Local since 1997) charles.grace@wearelocallife.com
- CHARLES
AUDIENCE & CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Ashlan Saeger (Local since 2016) ashlan.saeger@wearelocallife.com
BACKDOORHILTONHEAD
“I can’t say I have a favorite photographer, but underwater photography is definitely my favorite type.” - ASHLAN
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Melissa Page (Local since 2015) melissa.page@wearelocallife.com
“Slim Aarons. He perfected the environmental portrait. 'I don't do fashion, I take photos of people in their own clothes and that becomes fashion!'” - MELISSA
PHOTO EDITOR Lisa Staff (Local since 2003) lisa@lisastaffphoto.com
“Anyone taking a pic of me! Or Annie Leibovitz. Or even better, her taking a picture of me!” - LISA
DISTRIBUTION & LIST STRATEGIST Bruce Wolff (Local since 2002) info@wearelocallife.com
“Helmut Newton for his provocative black-and-white images; Ansel Adams for his dramatic landscapes.” - BRUCE
SUBSCRIPTIONS & FINANCE Leah Ortega (Local in spirit) leah.ortega@wearelocallife.com
“David Fine with Fine Imaging — beautiful, unique mountain and desert landscapes.” - LEAH
PHOTOGRAPHERS Marge Agin + Robert Berner + Whitney Boring + Andrew Branning Bailey Davidson + Arno Dimmling + Jim Erickson + Ben Ham + Eric Horan + Michael Hrizuk Chandler Hummell + Jeff Keefer + John McManus + Renee Pritchard + Mike Ritterbeck Julie Rogers + Kim Smith + Lisa Staff + Maddie Terry + Lloyd Wainscott WRITERS Lisa Allen + Tom Anderson + Terry Cermak + Denise Friday + Eddy Hoyle + Barry Kaufman Andrea Antunes McGilton + Michele Roldán-Shaw + Michaela Satterfield CONTRIBUTORS Roxanne Gilleland + Megan Goheen + Kevin Horton + Jean Meaney Wheatly 800 Main Street Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926 843-802-2258 + LocalLifeSC.com
VOL. 4, NO. 9
The Shops at Sea Pines Center 71 Lighthouse Road #215
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.
843.671.3677 Hilton Head’s foremost and most fun fashion boutique.
8
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
omentum MEDIA GROUP
PROUD MEMBERS OF THE CITY AND REGIONAL MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION
Practice the art of living well.
It’s worth spending time to make sure that life is lived to its fullest, in the right balance. Practice makes perfect, and at Colleton River our high standards reflect a rich history and a dynamic future. Our private community is a gem that can’t be matched in the Lowcountry. Still, we change and grow every day to enhance our fine dining, fitness, golf and other adventures. Colleton River is so beautiful it will take your breath away, but we will also help you exhale. We live well here.
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
843.836.4466 | info@colletonriverclub.com | colletonriverclub.com
features
Sept
The Photography Issue
ŠMARGE AGIN
With endless marshes, rivers, tidal creeks and coastal maritime forests, the Lowcountry is a bucket-list destination for many photographers and photo enthusiasts. This issue celebrates our many photogenic locations, stunning local images and the talented photographers behind the camera. WATCHDOG Fine-art photographer Marge Agin took this image on a local dock. "I have a dog that loves to catch tennis balls, so this image was a natural for me. It caught my eye immediately." Agin's unique work combines photographic talent, artistic imagination and post-production techniques. Find more of her art at margeagin.com.
20
Snappy local spots
Where to go to take pictures worth thousands of words
68
Home tech
Creative ways to display your family photos
10
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
120
#NoFilter
How to take the best photos with your phone
124
Polaroid pro tips
Instant cameras are making a comeback
126
Up in the air
Everything you need to know about drone photography
128
Think outside
Take outdoor photos, outside of the box
132
Professional secrets Take your photography skills beyond auto mode
136
Lovely landscapes
Ben Ham transforms environments into fine art
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
Sept
contents
14
Publisher
We take pictures of things we love the most and of memories and feelings we don’t want to forget. So what does your camera roll say about you?
60
16
A story written in color
Contributors
Meet the locals behind this issue
Ready to break out of the neutral tones of modern Lowcountry? Discover how colorful your world can be in this beautiful Sea Pines home.
18
Links
Special content you can find online at locallifesc.com 56
50
24
Blend
54
Business
88
80
Style
112
110
Libations
116
146
Culture
Find inspiration to join, create or enhance your own book club
Five tips from a successful businessman
Popcorn-friendly September fashion at Park Plaza Cinema
Mix a local cocktail inspired by the Daufuskie Ferry
Creating happy fish with Signore Coastal Art
27
56
86
112
150
Mensa Quiz
Wellness
Shopping
Outdoors
Happenings
Challenge your brain with a new set of questions
Four exercises for toned glutes
Items we love available at local businesses
Discover a secret spot off the beaten path
See what's happening this month around the Lowcountry
50
74
88
116
160
Celebrity
A few bookish questions with author Elin Hilderbrand
12
Living
Explore the impact of color in local architecture
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Eats
A new French bistro puts a local spin on Old World fare
Sports
A chat with first-round draft pick Carmen Mlodzinski
Parting shot
HHI's Suzi Huisman shares a stunning photo
Billie Monroe - Effingham, GA
Lower back pain kept Billie from enjoying his shrimping hobby. He was having trouble sleeping and his leg was frequently going numb. Billie scheduled an appointment with Dr. Randolph Bishop to help diagnose and treat the issue.
WE TAKE ACTION TO GET YOU BACK IN ACTION. Dr. Bishop performed a highly advanced, but minimally invasive surgery with the St. Joseph’s/Candler neurosurgical team to repair the spinal compression in his L1, L3 and L4 vertebrae. Billie was able to walk pain-free immediately after the procedure and only needed one follow-up visit. He was back to shrimping in just a few weeks. “I don’t think I could have had better treatment from anyone. Now I can get out and do a lot more with no more pain, which is great.”
THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER Randolph Bishop, M.D. - Neurosurgeon
SJCHS.ORG
publisher
a
What’s most important in your life? Photography preserves the people, places and memories we cherish most.
“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” - ANDY WARHOL
A wise person once said, “If you want to know what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph.” It’s such a powerful quote because it’s so true — just look at your camera roll for verification. We take pictures of things we love the most and of memories and feelings we don’t want to forget. So what does your camera roll say about you? I’m a new grandma, so my phone is quickly filling up with adorable baby photos. Now that both of my babies are having babies of their own, we love looking at old pictures to find similarities. It brings back memories of my childhood when many hours were spent examining the photos of our growing family that lined a wall to our bedrooms. THREE OF A KIND LOCAL Life Photography is a cornerstone of life here in publisher Lori Goodridge-Cribb the Lowcountry. Visitors come from all over took this picture as a self portrait the world to snap pictures of themselves in for a photography class in 1991. our environment and next to our landmarks. Ashley, 36, now lives in Greenville It is also an integral part of our magazine. while Brittney, 33, is in Charlotte. When we created LOCAL Life (hard to believe that was three years ago), paper quality was of the utmost importance. Since the beginning, we have aimed to reflect the beauty of our neighbors, landscapes and nature through stunning photography that captures our local essence in a way that educates, entertains and engages. This issue celebrates all faces of local photography — amazing photos, photographers, equipment, locations, tips, advice and more. Learn how to take memorable photos with your phone, a drone or even a Polaroid camera. We keep the theme rolling with ways to create a picture-perfect garden or a marvelous media room. We share creative ways to display your photos at home, and pay homage to motion pictures with a stylish fashion shoot at Park Plaza Cinemas (Cosmopolitan considers it the "Coolest Movie Theater in South Carolina”). It’s been an interesting summer, to say the least. Now that fall is upon us and cooler weather is just around the corner, it’s a great time to get outside and soak up all of the beauty that surrounds us. Just don’t forget your camera! FAST BREAK LORI GOODRIDGE-CRIBB PUBLISHER lori.goodridge@wearelocallife.com
14
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Have you seen the LOCAL Life Jeep around town? This month, we rolled up next to David Randall at FastFrame. See him in the Port Royal Plaza shopping center for all of your custom-framing needs.
Top sunset spots Who doesn’t love a good sunset? We are lucky to have many great sunset watching locations scattered across the Lowcountry. My personal favorite is my back deck. Here are a few other great local spots. South of the Broad River • The Beach • ELA’S On the Water • Freeport Marina • Harbour Town • May River Bluff • Old Oyster Factory • Shelter Cove Community Park • Skull Creek Dockside • South Beach • Sunset Grille North of the Broad River • Broad River Fishing Pier • Burkmeyer Beach • Fishcamp on 11th Street • Harbor River Bridge • Hunting Island pier • The Sands • Station Creek Landing • Stephen Elliott Park • Waterfront Park • Whale Branch
Make your world beautiful.
contributors
MEET OUR WRITERS + PHOTOGRAPHERS + PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES Renee Pritchard Surrender to the Sea
Randy Akers Visual artist FOR THIS ISSUE: Created the local art, “Turpentine Farm.” HOMETOWN: Hillsboro, Oregon CURRENT HOME: Savannah LOCAL SINCE: 1997 WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER? Humor and perseverance LABOR DAY PLANS: Stay safe WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT SEPTEMBER? Weather starts getting cooler.
FOR THIS ISSUE: Took the “Parting Shot” of Hunting Island HOMETOWN: Ridgeland CURRENT HOME: Beaufort LOCAL SINCE: 1989 HOBBIES: Beachcombing, shark-tooth hunting and fishing. Basically, anything involving the ocean. FAVORITE PHOTO OF ALL TIME: This is a hard one. There are so many, but this picture of my husband's hook-to-the-face I expertly placed always makes me cringe and laugh at the same time. FAVORITE PHOTO BACKROP: Hunting Island, of course. Every trip reveals something new with the shifting sand and tides. WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER? I joke that it is my on-point sarcasm. But actually, my superpower is that I am a nurse. A dang good nurse. LABOR DAY PLANS: I am surely working. I can't even think that far ahead these days. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT SEPTEMBER? My beautiful daughter, Brianna, was born in September. She is definitely the best thing about that month and always will be.
Meryl Larsen Newell
My favorite titles are Mom, Meme, Ems and Sweetie
The Village at Wexford, Hilton Head Island
843.341.5116
www.prettypapershhi.com 16
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
FOR THIS ISSUE: Wrote the poem “Internment,” which she wrote after seeing photos of the Japanese Internment camps during WWII. HOMETOWN: Huntington, New York CURRENT HOME: Bluffton LOCAL SINCE: Moved from Atlanta in 2015 HOBBIES: Writing, reading, Bible study, discovering and collecting art and traveling, especially to museums, churches and art galleries. FAVORITE PHOTO OF ALL TIME: A photo of our golden-doodle Piper is a favorite of mine. WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER? Organization LABOR DAY PLANS: A trip to Atlanta and spending time with family. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT SEPTEMBER? The first hint of fall in the evening breeze.
STEPHEN SCOTT YOUNG Celebrating 50 Years of Fine Art in the Lowcountry.
40 Calhoun Street • Suite 201 Old Town Bluffton 843.842.4433 • 843.247.2049 redpianoartgallery.com
Stephen Scott Young
Lace And Light
50" x 32½" Drybrush
links
EXPERIENCE MATTERS. WE GET RESULTS.
LOCALLIFESC.COM + BONUS CONTENT + DIGITAL OFFERINGS Carmen A. Traywick, MD . Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS
Last month's top performers
As your premier medical spa in the Lowcountry, we make it possible to have and maintain a more youthful appearance with the use of clinical procedures and spa treatments.
BOTOX / DYSPORT DERMAL FILLERS COOLSCULPTING LASER TREATMENTS SKIN CARE
Online Shopping NOW AVAILABLE!
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
Zoom backgrounds MOST LIKED There are many life lessons these majestic creatures can teach us.
Want to get your favorite skin care products from the comfort and safety of your own home? Shop on store.luxhhi.com and get them delivered right to your door! You can purchase skin care products, treatments, and gift cards with our amazing new shopping experience!
Come see us in Shelter Cove Towne Centre!
Join the Birthday Club
MOST POPULAR When Barbra Streisand moved to Beaufort.
MOST PINNED Add some personality to your garden with a DIY turtle planter.
350 FORDING ISLAND ROAD SUITE 101 | BLUFFTON, SC
Want more LOCAL Life? Have our three newsletters delivered to your inbox each month. • The Nest Home trends and tips • The Dish Best local bites for the weekend • The Buzz LOCAL Life’s latest must-reads
About the Cover
18
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2019
Sign up for the LOCAL Life Birthday Club on our website to receive a sweet treat on your special day from The Chocolate Canopy!
Sign up for LOCAL Life newsletters
24 SHELTER COVE LANE SUITE 50 | HHI, SC 843.781.6672 | LUXHHI.COM
LUX, LLC is owned by Carmen A. Traywick, MD of May River Dermatology and Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS of Weniger Plastic Surgery.
Be the envy of your next company Zoom meeting by downloading a picture-perfect virtual background at LocalLifeSC.com.
After considering hundreds of incredible images from the Lowcountry’s top photographers for the cover, we determined this Leica M (Typ 240) camera shot from Bluffton/Charlotte photographer Michael Hrizuk best captured the essence of our photography issue. Leica cameras are made by hand in Portugal and Germany, and their cameras, lenses, accessories and sales literature are highly collectible. In addition to LOCAL Life, Hrizuk’s client list includes National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Food Network and SC Tourism. Find more of his work at hrizukcreative.com. To make this cover picture perfect, a reticular finish and spot varnish were added to enhance the camera. We hope you enjoy it.
WATERFRONT PERFECTION Waterfront perfection in this fully furnished 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 5.062 square foot home in the private
community of Broad Pointe! Outdoor oasis includes fireplace overlooking the pool & deep water views. Ultimate in Lowcountry Living!
46 Wilers Creek Way, Hilton Head Island, SC | $1,425,000
KAREN RYAN Broker / Owner
Weichert, Realtors® - Coastal Properties karen@weichertcp.com • 843-422-1101 www.karenryanrealtor.com Current Board Member | HHI/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Past Realtor® of the Year & Past President | Hilton Head Association of Realtors®
local blend
WORD ON THE STREET + COMMUNITY TIDBITS + FAST FACTS + LOCAL LANDMARKS
The adventure photo
MARSH BOARDWALK, HUNTING ISLAND This photo requires some sort of inspiring caption about traveling or exploring, so be thinking about that as you look for breathtaking views. Located in the middle of an untamed state park full of tropical greenery, there will be plenty. You won’t be disappointed if you head straight for the boardwalk. Once you find the perfect spot, we recommend showing something like a backpack or pair of binoculars in the photo. As you know, an adventure requires some danger to be a true adventure, so look for alligators off the boardwalk. Bring a long-focus lens and you won’t have to get too close if you find one. An alligator wrestling story would make a great caption, wouldn’t it? We won’t tell anyone you were safe on the boardwalk and didn’t actually wrestle it.
s
TAKE A PICTURE The wooden boardwalk on Hunting Island is great for observing life in the salt marsh. The dock on the end provides an area for viewing magnificent sunsets.
Snappy local photo spots
Sometimes, you stumble upon the perfect photo op without even trying. You can’t believe your luck. Other times, it takes some real searching to find a photo-worthy spot. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best locations in the Lowcountry to visit with your camera in tow. You can get all the classic shots or come up with something entirely original. Feel free to say "cheese" because there’s nothing cheesy about these locations. For photos worth thousands of words, here is where to go:
20
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
The history buff photo
CHURCH OF THE CROSS, BLUFFTON Challenge yourself to get a photo in front of as many historical landmarks as you can. Kick it off in Bluffton, where you’ll find the Church of the Cross. It's been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. The church was designed by architect E.B. White, not to be confused with the author of Charlotte’s Web, and built in 1854. Architecture enthusiasts will recognize its Gothic Revival style. After weathering a hurricane and the Civil War, the church is still standing strong. Located in the Old Town historic district next to scenic May River, you’ll be able to find multiple photo ops nearby if you do a little exploring. Let’s make history buff photos the next big thing.
Funny stuff
©ARNO DIMMLING
We all could use a good laugh every now and then, especially these days. Here are a few creative photos to help put a smile on your face.
The nature landscape photo
SEA PINES FOREST PRESERVE, HILTON HEAD ISLAND You know those desktop wallpapers that look so good you wonder if they’re fake? This is where to go for the best chance of taking your own. It's a wild preserve which means not only are there plenty of breathtaking forest scenes, but wildlife sightings lurk at every corner. The 4,000-year-old Sea Pines Shell Ring is a historical landmark worth checking out. Be on the lookout for marshes, fishing docks and even a vanishing swamp. Everyone will be jealous when you tell them you took that desktop wallpaper photo yourself.
The profile photo
COFFIN POINT, ST. HELENA ISLAND Your social media profile photo is what everyone sees first, so it has to be impressive. A photo in front of the half-mile-long Avenue of Oaks fits the bill. As a bonus, it will have a story behind it. The avenue leads to a historic house with a tabby foundation which was supposedly inhabited by a witch doctor at one point. Wander beneath the giant oak trees and keep it candid or strike a pose. Let the stunning backdrop do the work and get ready to rack up the "likes."
The family photo
BURKES BEACH, HILTON HEAD ISLAND You know the one. The uniform is comprised of white and khaki. One or all of the kids might be crying in between takes, but no one will see that once the photographer works some magic. No matter what, it’s going to look great on your Christmas card – especially if you choose Burkes Beach as the setting. The beach is always a classic choice and you won’t have to worry too much about big crowds at this one. If you want something less traditional, look for the small bridge on the path from the public parking lots to the beach. There’s a hidden marsh view that will take your breath away. Wait for a sunset over the sweeping grass lined with tall pines and you’ll be golden, whether you break the white and khaki uniform code or not.
Say "cheese!" PHOTO BY ALEXANDER SVIRIDOV
Bird on stilts
PHOTO BY KT
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. PHOTO BY PETE BROYLES
Ask the acorn gallery PHOTO BY KÜLLI KITTUS
The wildlife photo The couple photo
SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA, HILTON HEAD ISLAND It's the photo that elicits either collective sighs or eyerolls – no in-between. Regardless, it’s a classic. A background of sailboats and a sunset create the perfect romantic atmosphere to snap this photo. Head to the marina right after dinner to catch it at the golden hour. As a bonus, you’ll already be dressed up. Better yet, take a fireworks cruise that leaves from the marina to get some photos under the dreamy night sky. We won’t complain if you use a cliché pose. Just spare us the mushy caption, please.
PINCKNEY ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, PINCKNEY ISLAND We know everyone obsesses over dog and cat photos. Sometimes, that can get a bit redundant. Break the mold and get everyone talking about your wildlife photo. This whole island is a wildlife refuge, so it will give you plenty of opportunities to do so. You could see birds and deer and gators, oh my! Be ready to do some sneaking around to get the best shots – you don’t want to scare off the stars of your photos. Wildlife photography can be the most challenging, so only attempt it if you’re ready to be patient. Otherwise, you may have to stick to dog and cat photos, but no one will complain about that.
Downtime on the Death Star
PHOTO BY DANIEL CHEUNG
You can’t make a horse drink, but one might sing. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KRISTENSON
CSI: Giant Insects Unit PHOTO BY THOMAS STEPHAN SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
21
blend
hot tech
Cool products and accessories to help enhance your local life.
Put it in print
Make memories
LOMO’INSTANT WIDE CENTRAL PARK CAMERA It may look old fashioned, but this instant camera has plenty of modern features. It comes with three different lenses and you can use the lens cap to take photos remotely. shop.lomography.com. $200.
CANON SELPHY COMPACT PHOTO PRINTER Print your photos on the go with this mini printer. Connect your phone or laptop wirelessly to get printouts in no time. shop.usa.canon.com. $110.
Flying high
DJI MAVIC MINI DRONE CAMERA Start filming from a whole new perspective. This lightweight and affordable drone camera is a great choice for beginners. store.dji.com. $400.
A mixed bag
THINK TANK RETROSPECTIVE CAMERA BAG Store your camera in this stylish yet functional shoulder bag. It has a zippered opening underneath the flap for additional security. thinktankphoto.com. $150.
Easy as one-two-three
PEAK DESIGN TRAVEL TRIPOD This tripod looks just like any other when expanded, but when you get ready to pack it up, it condenses to the size of a water bottle. Steady your photos without the bulk. peakdesign.com. $350.
The right frame of mind
SKYLIGHT DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME Skip the printing. Simply email your photos to this digital photo frame to display them in seconds. skylightframe.com. $160.
Play it safe
PORTABLE SMARTPHONE PHOTO VAULT Plug this into your smartphone to easily back up your photos and videos. Free up space on your phone and make sure your photos are never accidentally deleted. sharperimage.com. $100.
Go steady
Clever camera
Slip ‘n slide
PEAK DESIGN SLIDE CAMERA STRAP This camera strap is easy to put on, as it glides smoothly over clothing. It triples as a sling, neck or shoulder strap that is easily adjustable. peakdesign.com. $65.
22
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
GOPRO HERO8 CAMERA This is the perfect camera to capture all your adventures, whether you’re hiking in the mountains or snorkeling in the sea. It’s built to withstand the wildest of circumstances and can even go underwater. You can use the camera with voice commands when your hands are tied. gopro.com. $300.
DJI OSMO MOBILE 3 GIMBAL Blurry and lopsided photos are a thing of the past. Attach your phone to this gimbal and all your photos will be nice and clear. store.dji.com. $120.
Stay Social with the fastest Internet in town.
Hargray Internet starting at
50
$
Discover what faster Internet can do for you - up to 1000 Mbps available - the fastest in town. Perfect for today’s most-advanced TVs, tablets and gaming systems.
per month for 1 year
Call 843.686.5262 | hargray.com Limited time offer. Promotion is for new residential customers only, adding Hargray services for the first time. Promotion of Internet plans starting at $50 per month is good for the first year. Additional Hargray services are allowed for additional monthly cost per service. Promotional offer cannot be combined with any other promotional offers or Hargray Rewards. Advertised price does not include equipment fees, taxes, surcharges or any other regulatory or governmental charges. “Fastest Internet” claim is based on the download and upload speeds of Hargray’s 1000 Mbps tier compared to the download and upload speeds of the fastest Internet tier offered by competitors as of August 3, 2020. 1000 Mbps download speeds are typically between 945 Mbps and 950 Mbps due to overhead capacity reserved to deliver the data. Upload speeds are typically between 50 and 54 Mbps. Broadband speeds may not be available in all areas, are not guaranteed, are subject to a number of factors and are measured via direct connection (not via Wi-Fi). ©2020, Hargray Communications Group, Inc.; logos are registered trademarks and as such, protected property of their respective companies; all rights reserved.
HARGRAY_September_Local Life, 9”w x 10.875”h finished, 4C
blend
Books about book clubs
READ ON TO FIND INSPIRATION TO JOIN, CREATE OR ENHANCE YOUR OWN BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS BY DENISE FRIDAY THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB | BY WILL SCHWALBE The author has written a moving and humbling memoir about his last two years with his mother after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mary Ann Schwalbe was a remarkable woman who dedicated her time to bringing libraries and books to Afghanistan to increase literacy among children. She did so many interesting things, including advocating for refugees and even helping some of them go to college. Her work on behalf of refugees brought her to 27 countries, often during wartime. She was a woman of action for others, but when she got sick, her passion was reading. Will would sit with his mom at Sloan-Kettering while she received her treatments and they would discuss, suggest and trade books. A two-person book club. Like all good book clubs, it also provided the time to discuss family, career, art, and focus on what his mother wanted to accomplish with the time she had left. A sad subject, yet an uplifting and inspiring story of gratitude for the life she was able to live and contribute to others.
THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB | BY LISI HARRISON Spoiler: This is not a “dirty’ book! But it is for adults, unlike the previous YA novels Harrison has had great success with. It is a light and funny read about a woman, M.J., who leaves her life in New York for California. When her elderly neighbor suddenly moves to Paris with her three friends, she leaves M.J. an invitation to join a secret book club, one that only reads erotic books. She gives it a try with the three other invitees, all strangers to each other, but all selected by the original members. The four women are very different from each other, but begin to bond, first over the racy books they are reading, then over sharing with each other their own stories. Their friendships are what each of them need in their life, just like the original members of The Dirty Book Club.
THE LOWCOUNTRY BOOK CLUB | BY SUSAN M. BOYER This is book No. 5 in the Liz Talbot mystery series. You can read these as standalone or in order. Set in Charleston, Liz and her husband are a private Investigator team hired to find out who pushed Shelby Poinsett to her death from her bedroom balcony while her husband was the only person in the house. She belonged to a 100-year-old book club that had strict protocol on membership and how many could join. There is a long waiting list to join, but would someone kill to get in? So many potential suspects for the death of a woman who seemed to be loved by all and volunteered everywhere. Oh, and there is a ghost. For a special treat, listen to it on audio with narrator Loretta Rawlins for the sugary sweet Southern accent that is spot on for this story.
THE TONI MORRISON BOOK CLUB | BY JUDA BENNETT, WINIFRED BROWN-GLAUDE, CASSANDRA JACKSON AND PIPER KENDRIX WILLIAMS Four professors, all friends, came together to write a startling group memoir. It contains personal stories about themselves as they may relate to a select few of Toni Morrison’s books, mainly, Beloved, The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and A Mercy. Each author picks a book and writes two essays each. The books by Morrison serve as a sounding board for the essays. These professors, three black, one white, discuss parts of Morrison’s stories and then write of their own experiences that may relate. Their accounts are honest, raw and insightful as they speak to racism, mental illness, parenthood, police brutality, beauty, love and immigration. Morrison’s books, the first published 50 years ago, are still relevant to the racial tensions we see today in the U.S.
24
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES BY GRADY HENDRIX “We’re a book club,” Maryellen said. “What are we supposed to do? Read him to death? Use strong language?” Set in the early ‘90s in Mt. Pleasant, Patricia and four other housewives form a book club where they read mainly true-crime novels. They live in a close-knit community and rely on each other in sickness and health. When an elderly neighbor dies, her handsome nephew moves in and ingrains himself in their lives. He befriends their children and becomes business partners with their husbands. Across the tracks, children start to disappear. Patricia suspects their new friend is involved but has a hard time convincing anyone else, including the husbands who are profiting from their new business investor. Hendrix portrays a community based on patriarchy, racism and greed that is ripe for a 200-year-old monster to come in and take what he wants. Not for the squeamish, but a triumphant win for selfless moms everywhere.
Local book club spotlight
Interested in joining a local book club? This month’s featured club has 13 members (all female) but not an official name. They just completed “The Book of Lost Friends” by Lisa Wingate and are reading “This Tender Land” by William Kent Kreuger in September. Learn more at LocalLifeSC.com.
Something wonderful is right around the corner. REAL ESTATE RENTALS RENOVATIONS
5 Office Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 80 Madison Avenue, New York, NY
843.341.3600
www.BeverlySerral.com
L An Elevated Experience in Vacationing Inquiries
BESTNESTluxe@beverlyserral.com
www.BookaBestNest.com
blend
SPONSORED BY TITO'S VODKA
Front Row: Gary T. Bezilla, Alan D. Kinney Back Row: Elizabeth S. Cutshall, Jim C. Cuppia, Joan M. Hayes, Katie C. Phifer
Depth & Experience
is what we believe distinguishes us from other financial advisors. Our Credentials, Accolades, Planning Based Approach and Fiduciary Responsibility are what makes us an exceptional choice for those interested in responsible investment planning. Contact us for a comprehensive second opinion review of your retirement and investment strategy. www.bezillakinneywmg.com
WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP of Wells Fargo Advisors
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC.
SAVANNAH 912.921.3422
HILTON HEAD ISLAND 843.681.1400
BEAUFORT 843.982.1506
INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED
NO BANK GUARANTEE
MAY LOSE VALUE
The Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisors ranking algorithm is based on 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 ranking. Investment performance is not a criterion. CAR-0719-01448
26
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Adopt this Pet:
April
i
THE CAMERA JUST LOVES THIS CUTE LITTLE DOG. YOU WILL, TOO.
MORE ABOUT APRIL Color: Dirty blonde Age: 10 (about 56 in human years) Weight: Less than a gallon of milk Likes: When people ask the internet for photoshop help. Dislikes: The duck face. “Duck, duck, gag! How do people still believe this looks attractive? Go with a less pouty look, unless your love interest is turned on by Aflac commercials.” — April Adopt her: Due to COVID, all Hilton Head Humane Association adoptions are by appointment only. Call 843-681-8686 or visit hhhumane.org.
If you’re in the market for a fun and well-behaved furry friend, focus your lens on this cute Yorkie mix named April. She is 10 years young and hasn’t met a camera she didn’t like. Her small stature makes her easy to carry around, walk on a leash, hold in your lap and travel with. Just about any size of living space is large enough, even studio apartments. Minimal shedding is another benefit. She would be perfect for seniors, individuals with disabilities or those with limited mobility. They say pictures have the magic to make moments last forever. Hopefully this photogenic little sweetie will be adopted soon. Capture the moment by scheduling a visit today.
Official Mensa Challenge ®
Answers are available on LocalLifeSC.com/Mensa
1. Margot likes knights but not battlers; she likes writing but not typing; she likes to listen but not to sing. Does she like an unknown or a famous author? 2. Each of the following words contains the letters JAN in order. They may contain another J or A or N, which does not appear in the lines shown. Using the definitions, fill in the words. A variety of semiprecious stone, a color either blue or orangy: J A _ _ N _ _ A type of soldier: J A N _ _ _ _ _ _ Pertaining, now, to the Democratic party of the U.S., but originally with a slightly different meaning. Adjectival form of politician’s name: J _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A N 3. One letter can replace the first letter of each word pair shown below so that two new English words are formed. Place the letter you have used for both words on the line between the words. (Example: RAIN ___ DARK = MAIN M MARK). When you have finished, the new letters will spell out a new English word. MAIL ___ PINK
CART ___ SAID
GRID ___ RIMLESS
LINK ___ BOUND
SOWED ___ RIPPLE
4. A local bottling company gives a rebate on empty. The company can make 1 bottle from every 7 that are returned. If Jack brings back 49 bottles and gets 5¢ for every new bottle that can be made from them, how much does he collect? 5. Find a six-digit number in which the first digit is one less than the second, the fourth digit is three more than the third, the fifth digit is one less than the fourth and the last digit is one less than the fifth. The sum of the first and third digits equals the last, the sum of the second and last digits equals the fourth and the sum of all the digits is 21. [LAST MONTH'S ANSWERS] 1. Are a slim chance and a fat chance identical? 2. 30 miles. 20 hours up and 15 hours down 3. NUPTIALS 4. Her great nephew. (Her mother-in-law’s only daughter’s only daughter is Pat’s niece. The niece’s husband’s son is Pat’s great nephew.) 5. 183 + 276 = 459, 186 + 273 = 459, 173 + 286 = 459
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: Local20. 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
Best Technology. Best Price. You won’t find better technology — or a better price — in the Lowcountry for cataract surgery than what we offer at Bishop Eye Center. We have the leading expertise to match our advanced technology methods to your individual eye care needs — all framed in an experience you’ll be comfortable with. Before you proceed with cataract surgery, please call Danielle, our cataract care advisor, at 843-689-0300 to review your cataract options and pricing.
The Leading Center for Cataract Surgery H i l t o n H ea d • O kat ie • 843-689-0300 • B is hopEye.c om/ Cat aract
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
27
blend
Nonprofit Spotlight
Hopeful Horizons MISSION
Hopeful Horizons is a children's advocacy, domestic violence and rape crisis center that works to create safer communities by changing the culture of violence and offering a path to healing. The organization provides safety, hope and healing to survivors through evidence-based practices, outreach, prevention and education. Hopeful Horizons serves Beaufort, Allendale, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.
ALWAYS HOPE Kristin Dubrowski, CEO of Hopeful Horizons, is shown at Take Back the Night in Beaufort in 2019 – an annual event that raises awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence. Center: These purple bracelets are used to bring awareness to domestic violence during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Right: Adobe and Huxley. Adobe is licensed to work with survivors during therapy and in court.
HISTORY In January 2017, Hope Haven and CODA (Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse) merged to create Hopeful Horizons. As one organization, it continues to enhance and expand services, to grow and to learn and to re-affirm its commitment to its core values – compassion, collaboration and a commitment to excellence. With a combined history of almost 70 years between the two founding organizations, Hopeful Horizons is able to empower victims, educate the public and provide a one-stop shop for victims of violence and abuse. The center believes in the importance of advocating for victims and educating the public on the connection between child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. Hopeful Horizons believes in putting victims’ needs first and sending a powerful message that we all have a part to play in ending the cycle of violence and abuse.
LIFE SUPPORT A survivor speaks at Take Back the Night in Beaufort in 2019.
WHOM IT HELPS Hopeful Horizons helps victims/survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault through its emergency domestic violence housing program, transitional housing, therapeutic services, support groups, forensic interviews/medical exams and hospital accompaniment for sexual-assault victims.
HOW TO HELP Visit Hopeful Horizons’ website to explore volunteer opportunities and ways to give. LL
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOPEFUL HORIZONS If you have experienced abuse and need services, call Hopeful Horizons’ 24/7 Support Line at 843-770-1070. For additional information, visit hopefulhorizons.org. 28
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
c
blend
COVID has changed everything. Real estate is no exception, which left us wondering what the market looks like at the moment. To answer all our questions, we hosted a webinar with experts on the issue. The market is rapidly changing, so get caught up on everything going on. Here is what you need to know.
The market is heating up Jean Beck, CEO of Hilton Head Area Realtors, said real estate is recovering from the impact of COVID faster than other sectors in the economy. Under quarantine, people had time to make decisions about where they want to go next. Since everything has opened up again, they’re acting on those decisions – and the numbers show it. Last June, 500 properties in the Hilton Head area were under contract. This June, a whopping 903 properties were under contract. Top Realtor Catherine Donaldson said properties are selling before they even hit the market. Sellers are receiving multiple offers, so buyers should be prepared to pay more than the list price.
People want to get out of the city
Lowcountry Real Estate
WITH ALL THE RECENT CHANGES IN THE WORLD, IS THE LOWCOUNTRY REAL ESTATE MARKET UP, DOWN OR SIDEWAYS? STORY BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
30
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
©CHANDLER HUMMELL
itk
While urban properties were more popular last year, this year’s buyers are showing an increased preference for suburban and rural areas. The impacts of COVID and protests are amplified in big cities, Donaldson said, so people who are in a financial position to do so are trying to get away. Another result of the pandemic is early retirement for some, which often leads to a move. “The Lowcountry region is in a really good position,” Beck said. “It’s what people are searching for.” Monica Davis, a realtor with Charter One Realty, said many people are coming to the area from the Northeast. Donaldson said Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago are cities lots of people are leaving in favor of the Hilton Head area.
… and head to the island It’s no surprise people are flocking to the area. “Hilton Head is a beautiful place,” Davis said. While real estate is booming in all communities in the area, Davis mentioned Long Cove, Sea Pines and Indigo Run as particular hot spots. Donaldson added in Palmetto Bluff and downtown Bluffton. She recommended working with an agent who is familiar with both Hilton Head and Bluffton communities. There’s something notable about the current market – it's the luxury
T:9" S:8"
YOU 'LL FEEL at HOME FROM the DAY YOU MOV E IN.
S:9.875"
700 TidePointe Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 888.984.8142 • TidePointe.ViLiving.com
HHLLM2020
Floor plan and renderings are subject to change.
At TidePointe, a Vi Community, togetherness is at our core. Members enjoy the spacious floor plans, gracious neighbors and a staff that goes above and beyond to put their well-being first, including the measures we’ve taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call a sales counselor today, and discover senior living with a true sense of connection.
CAPE HATTERAS VILLA • $159,000 – $319,000 • 1,253 sq. ft. • 2 bedroom/2 bath • Covered parking; climate-controlled walkways connect villas and clubhouse
Community Residential Care Facility #CRC 1036. Skilled Nursing Facility # NCF 0753. Leslie D. Wilmot, Broker-in-Charge.
T:10.875"
ON THE ISLAND. BEYOND EXPECTATIONS.
blend properties that are moving the most. Beck said properties priced at $650,000 and above don’t typically move quickly, but that trend changed this May. Lots of people are purchasing investment properties, as well – both short-term and long-term rentals.
Selling looks different these days Realtors have to keep in mind COVID precautions, such as wearing masks, sanitizing hands and removing shoes. Donaldson said she tells owners to leave all the lights on and open every door for showings, so the front door is the only thing that has to be touched. She even uses a wipe to open the door. Davis said clients would ride in the car with her to look at properties pre-COVID, but now follow her in their own cars. “It can be safe as long as everybody is going to play by the rules,” she said. These precautions mean the whole process will take longer, so Donaldson said to be patient with Realtors and sellers. Showing and selling properties through video calls is another change brought about by COVID. Donaldson said tours over video calls are more thorough, as the agent is aware of the liability in selling a house virtually. “Every kitchen drawer gets opened,” she said. Ric Spiehs, CEO of Coastal States Bank, said there are accommodations in place to make appraisals easier and decrease faceto-face contact at closings.
If you want to sell, there’s no time like the present Demand is greater than supply right now, Davis said. Formerly, she would have said spring is when the market is at its height. That wasn't the case this year. “We are in an incredibly hot market,” she said. As the inventory of available properties
32
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
“There’s something notable about the current market – it's the luxury properties that are moving the most.” continues getting lower, buyers need to act now. Spiehs warned against procrastination. He said to take advantage of the current situation, because we don’t know what's next. “I didn’t see a pandemic in the beginning of the year,” Beck said, “so I’m not sure what the end of the year is going to look like.”
It’s cheaper to own than rent Spiehs said mortgage rates are at historically low levels. This means properties cost less on a monthly basis. It’s also easier to qualify for a loan. “That’s a really big deal,” he said. He also reported those looking for jumbo mortgages may have to shop a little bit more, but they are still available.
You’ll need an expert to help you navigate If you’re considering financing a home, Spiehs recommended sitting down with a mortgage professional. They can go through the fees so you know exactly what you will see at closing, as well as tell you what you’ll have to pay monthly, going forward. A professional also can tailor their advice to your personal situation. He said working with a real person, rather than an online mortgage lender, is best. A real person will be able to communicate and act with your best interests in mind. “Find people you trust,” he said, “and let them work for you.” Beck emphasized the importance of working with local experts, as they will know all the nuances of the particular community you want to buy in. “Home is where the heart is,” Beck said. “Home is where you make memories, but it’s also a financial investment.” LL
Michael Reibel Fine Art
Morning at Fripp...Beach Access #12 30 x 40, Oil
Available at Atelier Off Bay, Beaufort
Getting Away From It All 36 x 36, Oil
Available at Wells Gallery, Kiawah Island
Shadows of the Fallen...Hunting Island 30 x 40, Oil
Available at Atelier Off Bay, Beaufort
Palm Tree Illumination 36 x 36, Oil
Available at Wells Gallery, Kiawah Island
Atelier Off Bay | Studio #15 | 203 West Street | Historic Beaufort Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or By Appointment atelieroffbay.com
mreibelpaintings.com
mreibelpaintings
blend
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
LOCAL Life asked Andrea Antunes McGilton to share her thoughts on what it means to be local. LOCAL Life welcomes letters to the editor and comments to our website. Write to info@wearelocallife.com.
local What makes it adjective. lo·cal | lō-kəl
t
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
Being local comes from the heart STORY BY ANDREA ANTUNES MCGILTON
©CARRIE FRIESEN
To me, being local has little to do with geography and everything to do with the heart. It has everything to do with falling in love with a place and with the people. It’s feeling that huge sense of belonging that creates peace and happiness. Although I was born in New York, since moving here at the age of 7, I’ve considered Hilton Head Island my forever home. I belong here. My parents are here as is my brother John and his family. My husband Randell and I are raising our
LOCAL SINCE 1994 Andrea Antunes McGilton is shown with her husband, Randell, and their son, Jack. The couple met at Hilton Head Island High School when Andrea was 17 and have been soulmates ever since.
34
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
son Jack here. And now, I have assumed the responsibility of steering my family’s business, Distinctive Granite and Marble, toward a future that will mirror the island’s success. It all started for me in 1994, when my parents – my Portuguese dad John and New Yorker mom Alice – came to Hilton Head Island to visit cousins Carol and Phil Schembra. They were so taken with the beauty and opportunities on Hilton Head that my mother went back to New York with us kids to pack up the family home while my dad stayed to open a Hilton Head location for his stone business. Maybe it was the soft beauty of the Lowcountry that captured my family. Or, the friendliness of the people and their open acceptance of anyone who chooses to join them on the island, no matter where they were from. It was all of those things, plus the opportunity to live surrounded by nature and encouragement while pursing personal goals and ambitions. I remember early on eating pizza on the floor of the Distinctive showroom on Hunter Road, and answering the phones every summer from the time I was 11. I literally grew up in that warehouse full of huge slabs of stone. I consider myself fortunate to have known at an early age what my life’s work would be and where I would make my forever home. I met my husband, Randell, at Hilton Head High School when I was 17. We were soulmates
from the beginning. Randell has joined our family in so many ways. He shares my dad’s love of cars, and when they aren’t tinkering, they are driving to shows and races. Now, Randell has joined me in operating Distinctive Granite and Marble. Our son, Jack, is already playing and eating pizza in our showrooms. Sounds pretty local to me. Hilton Head has been so good to our family. Our businesses are thriving, and my brother John Jr. now heads up AGM Imports. The Antunes “family” has grown over the years in other ways as well. We have always considered our employees to be part of our family, and we work hard to provide jobs, security and a future for them. Many have been working with my dad for years. They have come to our weddings and we have gone to theirs. We take pride in these opportunities we have created and cherish our friendships and responsibilities. My parents have always believed that being local requires giving back. We are longtime supporters of the Children’s Relief Fund, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and we are generous donors to dozens of charitable organizations. Our new generation shares that commitment to give back, support and take care of our neighbors however we can. It’s what it means to be local – and it comes from our hearts. 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.
faces
36
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
LL Find additional images from these photo shoots online at LocalLifeSC.com
Faces of photography THIS MONTH WE PUT THE FOCUS ON A FEW OF THE AREA’S FINEST PHOTOGRAPHERS.
t
STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF
The ancient art of hunting consists of two things. First, finding the right prey. Second, getting the best shot. It’s as true today as it has always been. Although armed with a camera rather than a gun, the photographer also must follow these dual tenets. Getting the best shot is crucial and reflective of both natural talent and hard-earned skill. But finding the right prey is infinitely harder for the photographer, as their target is the always elusive and often subjective bounty that is beauty. A deer may be drawn by a few stray apples, but beauty cannot be baited. It can only be discovered through patience. Thankfully, when your prey is beauty, the Lowcountry represents a singularly target-rich environment. As such, it has attracted some of the world’s most talented photographers as they attempt to capture its beauty one millisecond at a time.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
37
faces
f
Eric Horan
DEFINING THE VISUAL RECORD OF OUR REGION
For Eric Horan, it began with the call of the wild. Since 1981 his nature photos have documented some of the Lowcountry’s most stunning scenes. The spray of salt water from a dolphin’s fin capturing the kinetic movement of strand feeding. The sunset’s gentle glow reflected on the under wing of a heron alighting on a branch. From his vantage point aboard his famed 21-foot Carolina skiff, he has defined the visual record of our region. Capturing these outdoor images started with a lifetime spent outside. “I was raised outdoors ranching, fishing and hunting and recreating one way or another,” Horan said. One of six kids growing up on small ranches in Arizona, Colorado and Montana, Horan’s upbringing was one of endless starry nights and days out in the field. After earning a degree in commercial art and photography at Colorado Mountain College, he found work as an intern for ailing wildlife photographer Don Dominick at the Colorado Fish, Game & Parks Department. He found himself as the de facto official photographer. “I was 21 and had Don’s expense account,” Horan remembers. “I was expected to continue his work for as long as it took him to recover from a heart condition.” This included flying in helicopters recording big-horn sheep and mountaingoat movements and joining department biologists for two-week-long horseback camping trips designed to count the elk herds. “This job left me with an appetite for photographing the natural world. I was left with figuring out how to do it,” he said with a laugh.
38
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
LOCAL SINCE 1981 When Eric is not image-making, he enjoys biking, hiking, tennis and working with his hands. Find more of his incredible images online at horanphoto.com.
Because college taught nuts and bolts photography and how to express yourself with a camera but not how to make a living, when Horan arrived on Hilton Head Island in 1981, he was working part time at editorial magazine assignments and also for a construction company from Aspen. Some of the magazines he did work for included Fortune, Smithsonian, Outside, Business Week, Cruising World, New York Times Sunday Travel, Orion, Sail, Southern Living and Tennis & Time. The editor at Smithsonian magazine called Eric and asked if they could use his image of a bottlenose dolphin surfing in the stern wake of the trawler he and a friend were on. “By all means, yes!,” Horan said. In 1990 Horan sold his interest in the construction business and moved to New York to assist some of the nation’s top commercial advertising photographers. He spent a year in the city working for 16 different professionals before heeding the advice of a close confidant and highly respected photographer, David Langley, who said, “It’s time for you to go home and build your own commercial photography business.” From 1991 to 2009, Horan and his wife, Jan, established Eric Horan Photography — first on Hilton Head and, since 1996, in Beaufort. “Jan is a great writer and business manager, so we collaborated on editorial magazine and commercial advertising assignments mostly in the resort marketing field,” Eric said. In 2009 he scaled back the commercial work and began a new venture: Lowcountry Photo Safaris. Eric leads wildlife tours throughout the region in his skiff. In addition to his photo teaching and nature-guide work, he and Jan operate a photo gallery of Eric’s work. It’s open to the public by appointment at their home in Beaufort, and customers can purchase his prints or photo product copies of his latest coffee table book “Beholding Nature,” published by Starbooks. These days, he’s supposed to be semiretired, but he’s busier now than ever. But then, when your office is the great outdoors, do you ever really want to retire?
Things do change.
Does your financial plan need a second look? Sometimes unforeseen change impacts our financial lives. We help you stay on track and anticipate potential problems.
Call today! ortovisitsetcalendly.com/emilyjohnson up your free consultation. Change is on our horizon. Stay connected. 23B Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 401 Hilton Head, South Carolina 29928 ph 843.686.2425 fx 843.686.2476
ONLINE :
RITHOLTZWEALTH.COM
Emily A. Johnson, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CDFA Founder/Managing Director
Ritholtz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Ritholtz Wealth Management and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Ritholtz Wealth Management unless a client service agreement is in place.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
39
faces ERIC HORAN'S FAVORITE SHOTS
Escape.
Unwind. Dolphin Cathedral: Because of my frequent tours in the Port Royal Sound, I grew increasingly aware of the wildlife activity around the Broad River Bridge and decided to come back another morning with my tripod and coffee mug to see if I could capture some of the dolphin activity. This was one of those photo missions that worked!.
Discover. It has been an honor to be a part of the Hilton Head Island community these past 25 years! Offering full service property management with a personalized touch. Call Paula Bennett today to set up a confidential analysis of your island retreat!
Premier Vacation Rentals 1-855-666-6283 40 LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020 www.beach-property.com
The Odd Couple: Actually it is not odd at all to see Cattle Egret hanging close to grazing cattle in the field. The birds thrive on the grubs and worms exposed with every step and every bite the cattle takes.
Rutting Buck: On an early fall morning walk in the Savannah Wildlife Refuge, meeting this deer around a bend on one of the dikes caused mutual surprise!
BUSINESS INSURANCE TEAM THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Angele Bryant
Ernie Hess
Harrison Dolyniuk
Jim Hudson
THE CORRELL WAY Our Culture is what sets us apart. Four words make a difference. We are…
Egret on White: It was the camera angle, looking down slightly on this backlit Great Egret that allowed me to isolate the bird against the water in the background.
Independent As a “Trusted Choice” independent agent we represent over 300 insurance companies. This allows us to provide innovative options for our clients. Local Our sales and service teams live in the community with you and are committed to building relationships while serving our local community in a way that matters. Educated Being an insurance professional requires a commitment to lifelong learning. We don’t just say it; we prove it by having more CISR Elite designations than any other insurance agency in the country. Connected Our financial resources stay in your local community. We do not send them to a home office. This allows us to contribute to our community in many ways that affect you and your family.
International Reputation . National Support . Locally Delivered
Now with two convenient locations to serve you:
15 Bow Circle, Suite 101 Hilton Head Island SC 29928
8 Arley Way, Suite 101 Bluffton SC 29910
1.888.668.8082 www.correllhhi.com “Insuring the Carolinas since 1931”
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
41
faces
Andrew Branning
t
EXPLORING THE LOWCOUNTRY IN BLACK AND WHITE
The photography was already in full swing when Andrew Branning strode out onto an oyster bed that fateful day six years ago. More than a hobby but less than a calling, his craft was simply missing that one key ingredient. The son of celebrated “Shrimp Collards and Grits” author Pat Branning, Andrew had been shooting food and lifestyle photography to accompany his mother’s work, working with a $300 Best Buy camera, but it wasn’t yet an art for him. And then on that oyster bed, he found Vince. “Vince embodied something so special. All he did was work, and he had no idea what he represented – something we’re losing in this culture,” he said. “In all of my experiences the thing I’ve had joy in is putting the spotlight on him.” Andrew took a few photos of Vince hard at work pulling oysters from the earth, and somewhere in that session the photographic muses found him. “From there I started taking pictures of the working South: shrimp boats — anything that had a lot of patina or told a story.” These striking images, captured in bold monochrome and rich with the textures of the Carolina coast, informed a body of work that launched Andrew from semi-pro to a true artist in every sense of the word. “I wanted to make fine-art pieces that had a different look. I chose black and white because I embody this quote from Clyde Butcher, ‘Black and white is an interpretation, color is duplication,’” said Andrew. “I want my images to evoke a sense of feeling.” With his pieces gaining a huge following among locals, the time was right to open his own gallery. Located in Habersham, Branning Fine Art doubles as a workspace where Andrew crafts his photos using a unique method that “hacks” traditional photo processing for more
42
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
LIFETIME LOCAL When he’s not shooting pictures, Andrew Branning enjoys competitive shooting sports, primarily sporting clays. See more of his stunning work at branningfineart.com.
white images that can be scaled to massive size and still take your breath away. “I feel like I’m just getting started,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to tell stories with my work and to make these large impactful pieces. My goal is to honor our white boot heroes, those of the working South who are largely invisible to passersby, in order to help preserve our seafood industry for the generations that come after us. We are facing huge competition from foreign markets and unless we continue to educate newcomers on the importance of buying local, our shrimpers, oystermen and crabbers could become part of the vanishing South. Even as this story is being written, our fleet of shrimp boats is diminishing. We now have a mere fraction of the number of boats we used to have. My images of the large wooden shrimp boats are an effort to preserve their memory because it will not be long before they all will be replaced with more modern vessels.” His next venture will see his burgeoning career tip back into the culinary world in which it was born, providing large-format photography of area seafood industry workers for TCL’s Foodseum. “They want to show people the cultivation aspect of (local food),” said Andrew. That means sharing some of his majestic photos of people like Vince, and the story they tell of how that oyster finds its way to your plate. With Vince’s death in 2017, it represents a chance for Andrew to continue telling Vince’s story. “My goal is that when people see image of him, they stop and think, ‘Where does my seafood come from and what family made that possible?’”
Our Vineyard team is excited to serve you and your family! At Vineyard, we don’t just care for you, we care about you. Which is why we personalize our programming to each resident’s passions and pursuits that nurture the mind, body and soul. With fresh, chef-prepared meals that are as delicious as they are nutritious, ours is a community where you or your loved one can thrive.
“At Vineyard, we grow purposeful communities that make a positive impact on both people and our planet. This translates into a continuum of personalized care, thoughtful programming, and customized amenities that aim to engage, inspire and elevate life at every stage.” -Kaylynn Evans, MSM-HC, LTCA, CADDCT Executive Director
Call to schedule your visit today. 843-547-9989
+ LocalLifeSC.com 43 vineyardbluffton.com SEPTEMBER 2020
faces ANDREW BRANNING’S FAVORITE SHOTS
Crab Life: A longtime crabber watching over soft-shell tanks.
Lone Oysterman: Gullah oysterman gathering oysters on the Broad River.
44
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Stairway to Heaven: Amidst a historic time in our country’s history, I had the privilege to visit a beautiful private plantation in the Ace Basin. Standing on the ground of past congressmen and the elites of the world, I came across this incredible oak. Looking at it from all angles, I felt the huge responsibility of capturing its majesty in one single image. After waiting for the afternoon light to fade, I approached an angle that turned each limb of the oak into a rung of what appeared as a staircase. In honor of those that we have lost due to COVID-19, I named this image Stairway to Heaven, hoping they will climb each rung of the ladder into the arms of God. As lives come and go, this mighty oak with its roots deep will remain to tell our story.
stone
o
tile
o
area rugs
o
wood
o
carpet
35 main street, suite 110 o hilton head, sc 29926 o (843) 342–4955 w w w. k p m f l o o r i n g . c o m
faces
Arno Dimmling
f
TAKING GREAT PHOTOS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY
For some, photography is a passion. For others, it’s an obsession. For Arno Dimmling, it’s a bit of both, but it’s mostly an opportunity to give back. “Everything that I do in terms of photography, whether it’s for a corporate group or for magazines, any proceeds that I make go to nonprofits that I’m passionate about,” he said. You read that right. Over the last few years Dimmling has become a fixture on the Lowcountry event scene, ever-present with camera in hand, working tirelessly to document some of the grandest galas and swinging soirees the island has seen. And in all that time, he hasn’t taken so much as a dime for himself. Instead, the money he makes as a hired shooter or by selling prints of his works goes right back into the community, donated to numerous nonprofits including The Boys & Girls Club and Hospice Care of the Lowcountry. He’ll often just cut out the middleman and have his earnings sent right to a charity. “I don’t want it to be a job. I want it to be a passion and something to give me a different purpose,” he said. It makes sense that Dimmling wouldn’t want a job. After all, he is technically retired. For 35 years, he worked as an internationally known leader in the ocean transport industry, culminating his career in the executive offices of Sea-Land Services and CSX World Terminals, where he served as chief operating officer. During his career, photography served as a hobby. “Mostly it was on and off. When you’re young you kind of play with photography,” he said. “I traveled a great deal with my job, and I always had at least a little pocket camera with me.”
46
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
With retirement came the opportunity to travel and develop his skills as a wildlife photographer. Then a chance encounter with LOCAL Life publisher Lori Goodridge-Cribb led to some magazine work, which led to corporate headshots and ultimately saw him shooting a different kind of wildlife — the island’s biggest party, the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. As his hobby became a de facto full-time job, it not only amplified his ability to give back, but it allowed him to indulge in one of his favorite vices. “I suffer from GAS (gear acquisition syndrome),” he said with a laugh. “I have a ton of equipment, probably more than I need. But that’s the fun part of what I do.” LL
HILTON HEAD ISLAND 843.802.2180 Marriott.com/HHHCY
LOCAL SINCE 2005 When not out with his camera, Arno Dimmling enjoys boating, fishing, cycling, hiking and traveling, both domestically and abroad.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
47
faces ARNO DIMMLING'S FAVORITE SHOTS “ My favorite photos are not always those that are the most technically superior, but are those that elicit emotion in me.” — ARNO DIMMLING Baby Grebe: A resting baby Grebe reminds me of my grandbabies.
GBH at Sunset: My favorite shorebird just before sundown.
Peaceful Assembly: Remembering the peaceful quiet moment observing wading birds.
Sisters: My daughters who are now both successful women with families are captured the same as when they were together in high school.
48
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Prudence Light: "Prudence Light" whose keeper was once my best friend's great-grandfather.
WIDEST SELECTION, EXPERT CRAFTSMANSHIP & EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE. DISTINCTIVE GRANITE AND MARBLE IS NOW OFFERING 10% OFF YOUR TOTAL STONE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30. *Some exclusions and restrictions may apply. Speak with a Distinctive Sales Associate for more information.
RIVERWALK 843.379.3237
HILTON HEAD ISLAND 843.689.3237
BEAUFORT 843.379.5012
www.distinctivegraniteandmarble.com
POOLER 912.450.3400
celebrity
Q+A
CELEBRITY CONNECTION
Queen of the Beach Read
e
A FEW BOOKISH QUESTIONS WITH AUTHOR ELIN HILDERBRAND LEADING UP TO HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED OCTOBER RELEASE. STORY BY DENISE FRIDAY
Elin Hilderbrand, dubbed “Queen of the Beach Read” by New York magazine and the author of more than 25 novels, spoke with LOCAL Life about her passions, her South Carolina connections and the possibility of a book tour stop on Hilton Head Island. Hilderbrand references the island in her best seller, "Summer of '69,” so we were curious to learn more about what inspires a fellow Islander (she lives on Nantucket). Hilderbrand’s two most recent summer releases, “Summer of ’69” and “28 Summers,” both debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list in 2019 and 2020. She is from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Johns Hopkins University. She and her then husband moved to Nantucket in 1993 where they raised three children. In 2001, she added a winter series, and has since churned out two books a year, a blistering pace for a single mother of three teens. Her four-book “Winter Street” series is set on Nantucket, as are most of her books. Elin’s latest book will release in October. “Troubles in Paradise” is the third in the Paradise trilogy behind “Winter in Paradise” and “What Happens in Paradise,” set in the US Virgin Islands on St. John.
50
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Investing is not a PUZZLE, if your Advisor knows how to FIT the pieces together. CAROLINA CONNECTION Elin's oldest son, Maxx, is a student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She cries every time she reads the USC dropoff scene in "28 Summers."
[LOCAL Life] When I first started reading your books (about 12 years ago - “The Love Season,” you don’t forget your first Hilderbrand!) three subtle traits emerged for me. You were a foodie, you had a fondness for twins, and you enjoyed fashion. Are these accurate attributes? [Elin Hilderbrand] Yes! I’m a foodie. I always say we have three chances at happiness each day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. I cook at home and I love to eat out. When I started writing my novel, “The Blue Bistro,” I did a ton of restaurant research, so much that I had enough for two books (cue, “The Love Season”). I’m a fraternal twin. I have a twin brother, Eric. Twins often appear in my novels and are featured in my novel “The Identicals,” which is a reimagining of “The Parent Trap.” I enjoy fashion. Love it! I’m unhealthily obsessed with my closet. In 2017, I started posting photos of my outfits in hopes that a designer label might pick me up. Still waiting for that to happen.
©NINA SUBIN
[LL] “28 Summers” is your 25th book. Did you think you would hit this milestone in 2000 when “The Beach Club” was first published? [EH] I had no sense of where my career might go when I started. I’m trying to decide if that’s good or bad. Let’s say it’s good. I think one of the reasons I’ve been successful is because the number one thing I’m concerned with at any given time is the book I’m presently working on. So, for example, now, even though “28 Summers” is doing so well, all things “28 Summers” take a backseat to the time and energy I’m putting into next summer’s book. ISLAND ROMANCE For many beach-loving locals, no good day on the sand is complete without time spent reading the latest offering from novelist Elin Hilderbrand. The final book of her Paradise trilogy will be released in October.
Fiduciaries
Independent Trusted
Bruce Brenner Wood, Managing Partner Robert Schaff, Financial Advisor/Operations Director Thomas Fox, Consultant/Investment Strategy Research WaterStreet Research Partners
A Registered Investment Advisory Firm
Hilton Head Island, SC • Charlotte, NC 7 Lafayette Place, Suite B, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
843.790.7573 hiltonheadcapitalpartners.com
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
51
celebrity
[LL] Your oldest child, Maxx, is your student at USC. Has this opened your world to South Carolina? What has surprised you most about the area? [EH] My experiences in South Carolina have always been magical. The first time I visited as an adult was in 2011 when I did an event with Litchfield Books. I had dinner at Wahoo's Fish House in Murrells Inlet, met some awesome locals and had a blast! I have visited Charleston on 3-4 separate occasions and what’s not to love about Charleston? The first time I went to Columbia was in the fall of 2017 when I took Maxx to look at USC (and Clemson). I was thrilled when Maxx chose USC (and USC chose Maxx), and I have been back to Cola numerous times to visit him. I’m a big fan of Pearlz Oyster Bar and running the trail along the river. There’s a scene in my novel “28 Summers” where my main character drops her son off at USC, and I cry every time I read it. (This made the book a big hit with the moms on the USC Parent Facebook page!) [LL] You dedicated “28 Summers” to the late, great Dorothea Benton Frank. Her death in 2019 was a tragic loss to the Lowcountry literary world and her readers. Could you talk about how her death affected you and what your friendship was like? [EH] Writing by its nature is a solitary activity and it took me a long time to become friends with other writers. I met Dottie at the Post & Courier’s annual spring luncheon in Charleston and it was love 52
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
©NINA SUBIN
[LL] You have such a devoted fan base not just in New England but across the country. How do you choose where you will go on your book tours? Do you think the Hilton Head area may be in a future visit? [EH] I have built my fan base year by year, summer by summer, book by book. Had I known (see above) that I was going to write so many books, I might have been more strategic with how I toured. Honestly, I didn’t figure out touring until 2019! I had little kids through a lot of my career, so going away for two weeks wasn’t viable. (My sons played Little League, travel baseball, etc.). Now that everyone is a little older, I can do a two-week, cross-country tour – and now, I have an audience. I am trying to hit different places each time I head out. As some people probably know, my eldest son is a rising junior at the University of South Carolina, so I am spending more and more time in South Carolina – I would hope Hilton Head will be in my near future. I’ve never been! COAST WRITER Elin Hilderbrand referenced Hilton Head Island in her best seller, "Summer of '69." She has never been to the island but hopes to visit soon. She lives on Nantucket.
at first sight. I mean, I adored her. She would come up to Nantucket periodically, and I would drop everything to meet her and hang out. Her death was swift and sudden and unexpected, and I was completely blindsided. It was a profound loss for me, and I’m just doing what I can to keep her light shining. [LL] This past June marked your 6-year anniversary of your double mastectomy from breast cancer. Do you have advice for women who are facing this difficult obstacle in their life right now? [EH] I used to think that cancer takes something away – and it does. But what I came to realize is that cancer also gives something back: a community. The grace and strength I witnessed in women far sicker than I gave me great comfort and inspiration. I never once felt I was fighting alone. My advice is to embrace the community, listen to your doctors, and take your antibiotics (very important!) I’m also fond of saying that gratitude is the miracle drug. [LL] I love that "gratitude" is the miracle drug. Your fans are also interested in books that move and inspire you. Could you list a few books that you have read in the past year that you think are just amazing?
[EH] I fancy myself a bit of an amateur book influencer. I almost always read women novelists, and I’ve been trying this year to add more women writers of color. My number one recommendation this year so far is “Luster” by Raven Leilani. Oh, how I loved this book. It’s about a 20-something Black woman who enters an online relationship with a white dude in the suburbs who is in an open marriage. It starts here and becomes something very deep and rich, a journey of self-discovery. It reminded me of “The Catcher in the Rye,” if that book were written by a young Black woman. That book came out August 4. My favorite book from last summer was called “The Most Fun We Ever Had” by Claire Lombardo. It’s about a long-married couple with four grown daughters who should be enjoying a peaceful period in their life, but everything gets turned upside down when one of the daughters introduces the family to the son she gave up for adoption 15 years earlier. It’s brilliant in its sentences and in its narrative drive. I love a book where you’re swept along in the plot but stop to admire the intelligence of the writing. My Instagram account (@elinhilderbrand) is filled with other book suggestions. It’s organic – I only post about books I’ve read and loved myself.” LL
Erin Hilderbrand’s Paradise Series WINTER IN PARADISE Irene Steele's life is idyllic until it is rocked by a late-night phone call that brings news of her husband's sudden death. Even in the midst of her crippling grief, Irene cannot get one question out of her head: why was his body found on St. John, a tropical Caribbean paradise far removed from their suburban life? WHAT HAPPENS IN PARADISE Irene and her sons are back on St. John, determined to learn the truth about the mysterious life — and death — of a man they thought they knew. Along the way, they're about to learn some surprising truths about their own lives, and their futures. TROUBLES IN PARADISE As a storm gathers strength in the Atlantic, surprises are in store for the Steeles. At last all will be revealed about the secrets and lies that brought Irene and her sons to St. John — and the truth that transformed them all.
You’re in the prime of your life and enjoying it to the fullest, so why allow painful degenerative conditions hold you back? Whether you suffer from arthritis, back, joint, hip, shoulder or knee pain, the Fraum Center for Restorative Health can provide you with the regenerative therapies to keep you youthful on the inside, and now with our aesthetic solutions you can look your best on the outside! We offer natural, non-invasive alternatives to live your best life now. Register for one of our free presentations, presented by Dr. Brad Fraum, DC and Dr. Heather Hinshelwood, MD, FACEP. Call 843.681.7777 or learn more at www.fraum.com.
TUESDAY
SEPT 8TH
12:00 PM
MONDAY
SEPT 14TH
6:00 PM
TUESDAY
SEPT 22ND
12:00 PM
MONDAY
SEPT 28TH
6:00 PM
*ALL PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH OR DINNER
1403 MAIN STREET VILLAGE
/
HHI, SC 29926
/
843.681.7777
/
INFO@FRAUM.COM
/
WWW.FRAUM.COM
business
Four tips
from a leader in recruitment, diversity and inclusion COLEMAN PETERSON SHARES SOME GOOD BUSINESS ADVICE STORY BY EDDY HOYLE
c
Coleman Peterson is the president and CEO of Hollis Enterprises, a human resource consulting firm founded in 2004 after his retirement from Walmart. He served as executive vice president of people at Walmart and was the chief human resource officer of the world’s largest private workforce, numbering over 2 million associates worldwide. During Walmart’s global expansion, Peterson helped to diversify its workforce, creating America’s No. 1 employer of AfricanAmericans and Hispanics. Today, through Hollis Enterprises, Peterson specializes in executive coaching, succession planning and board governance. In 2012 he authored a book, “How To Get There From Here – The Ten Lessons That Have Served Me Well.” Peterson said that today, in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement, companies are reaching out to him for guidance on diversity and inclusion. Peterson also is involved with Sigma Pi Phi, one of three fraternities he belongs to. Its goal is to improve the representation of African Americans on corporate boards. Peterson is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and grew up in Chicago, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Loyola University. He and his wife, Shirley (aka Peaches), first traveled to Hilton Head 40-plus years ago when they bought a timeshare. They returned every year for their anniversary and built a permanent home in Sea Pines in 2009. Peterson recently joined the board of directors of Volunteers in Medicine and will sit on the new board of the University of South Carolina Beaufort Foundation. He and Peaches love to spend time “with family, family and more family.” They have two children and two grandsons. They enjoy traveling, entertaining, dancing, theater, community activities, golf and giving back to their community. Here are his tips for success.
Keys to Success
1. Have a goal. Success is not necessarily equated with only those in business careers. “How do you define success? To be the richest or to be the best at what you do? If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably never get there,” Peterson said. “Pick your long-term goal and the short-term measures to get there. Define specific benchmarks. But first, understand what it is that you want to become and what success looks like for you.” 2. Work hard, and no shortcuts. “At the end of the day, it’s the good, old American work ethic that makes you successful,” Peterson said. “Rule No. 1 is to show up and give 110 percent. There are no shortcuts to the finish line. Put a stake in the ground – your goal – and wake up every day and work toward it.” 3. Develop people skills. “Having the capacity to get things done through other people is often underestimated. Learn how to motivate, listen, have empathy and be supportive. Recognize all talent, not just talent that looks like you." Peterson explained that recruiting with goals of diversity and inclusion helps to increase your pool of talent in order to get the very best people. LOCAL SINCE 2009 Coleman Peterson is the president and CEO of Hollis Enterprises. He is shown with his wife, Peaches, in a camel caravan in Dubai; vacationing in Cabo San Lucas; visiting Catherine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia; in the boardroom; and preparing to land by air on a USS aircraft carrier.
54
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
4. Be thankful and help somebody. Peterson believes that it’s important to give back. Recognize that if you’re fortunate to be successful, you didn’t get there by yourself. Your success wasn’t a result of you alone. Others supported and mentored you along the way. So be thankful and help people – return God's blessings to your community. LL
C A R O LY N A D A M S CallCarolyn.com | 843.384.3636
BV
wellness
Four exercises for toned glutes
g
SCULPT A STRONGER BACKSIDE WITH THESE EASY & EFFECTIVE MOVES STORY BY TOM ANDERSON + PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE RITTERBECK
Glutes are one of the top areas people want to tone, but the muscle can be difficult to firm up. Longer treadmill workouts won't help you get a tight booty. The best approach is to tone the muscle, because it reduces fat and gives the booty the lift you're looking for without adding width. Here are four exercises that tone glutes and burn fat, as demonstrated by local sisters Sophia and Camila Burnett. Special thanks to the team at Colleton River Club, especially Director of Fitness Mike Grunder, for making all of this possible.
TRY THIS
WALKING LUNGES Walking lunges tone glutes to add definition. Step forward with one foot, then lower your legs into a lunge position. Lift up the back foot, step forward, then lunge. If this is too easy, try the exercise while holding dumbbells. ON LOCATION With its state-of-the-art equipment and equally impressive river views, Colleton River Club Fitness Center was the perfect location for this fitness shoot with sisters Sophia and Camila Burnett. 56
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Female led
LOCATIONS IN BLUFFTON & BEAUFORT Call to schedule your consult today!
TRY THIS
KICK-BACK SQUAT Squats may be the most popular glute workout, and the kick-back variation improves upon the original. To do this variation, sit in a squat and kick one leg out behind you. Put your arms forward to balance. Return to the squat, then kick the other leg behind you and move your arms forward again for balance. Keep your weight in your heels and square the hips; avoid twisting from side to side.
Dr. Audrey Klenke, MD, FACS Board Certified
Dr. Sarah Cazorla, MD Board Eligible
843.815.6699 | PinnaclePlasticSurgery.com SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
57
wellness TRY THIS
HIP LIFTS If you have a tight lower back, this exercise will relieve pressure and work your butt. To do a hip lift, lie on a towel on your back. Bend your knees with your feet on the floor and your arms at your side. Lift the hips towards the ceiling, hold the pose for a count of one, then lower the hips to the floor. Do you as many reps as you can in 60 seconds. Make this exercise progressively harder by holding the hip lift for longer (say, a count of five).
Meet Camila Burnett. Camila is a rising junior at Hilton Head Prep, where she has been part of three state championship golf teams and loves studying science. Recently, she won the SCJGA’s Jimmy Self Invitational at Palmetto Dunes. This year, Camila has been working hard in the fitness center to build core and lower body strength with the goal of increasing her swing speed.
58
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
MOHS SURGERY & DERMATOLOGY
Advanced Fellowship Training Specializing in Skin Cancer A. Thomas Bundy,
MD, FAAD, FACMS Board Certified Dermatology Board Certified Mohs Surgery
Emily Murphy, MSN, FNP-C Board Certified
• Mohs Micrographic Surgery • Acne,
Rashes & Psoriasis • IPL Photorejuvenation & Facials • Fraxis & RF Micro-needling • Laser Hair & Wrinkle Reduction • Tattoo & Vein Removal • Noninvasive Body Contouring • Botox® & Fillers
NOTICE
In an effort to keep our community safe and continue to provide quality care for our patients Meghan M. Campbell, MS, PA-C Board Certified
Meet Sophia Burnett. Sophia recently graduated from Hilton Head Prep and will be attending Furman University this fall. While pursuing her educational goals, she will join the storied women’s golf program at Furman. A huge part of her training program includes regular strength and conditioning workouts to maintain flexibility and improve strength for speed and endurance.
TRY THIS
Hilton Head Dermatology is utilizing Telehealth for our existing patients, and using Hepa Air Filters for urgent office visits. Call our office and we can set up a virtual appointment so you won’t need to leave your home.
Lisa Redmond,
Licensed Esthetician Board Certified
EXPLOSIVE LUNGES Explosive lunges combine cardio and bodyweight exercise, so you will tone those glutes while also burning calories. To do an explosive lunge, get into a lunge position, then jump and reverse the legs in midair. Land in a lunge with the other leg in front. Keep going for 60 seconds, moving as fast as you can without sacrificing form. These four exercises are perfect to tone the glutes. Once you learn proper form from a trainer, you can do them at home or on the go. Regular repetition is the key to definition, so do these exercises at least three times a week to build the lifted booty you crave. LL
Amy Myers,
Licensed Esthetician Board Certified
843.689.9200
www.hiltonheaddermatology.com
MEDICARE CERTIFIED • STATE LICENSED • AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
59
living
A story written in color STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN + PHOTOS BY BAILEY DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY
READY TO BREAK OUT OF THE NEUTRAL TONES OF MODERN LOWCOUNTRY? DISCOVER HOW COLORFUL YOUR WORLD CAN BE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL SEA PINES HOME.
w
“Violet, seaglass hues, and punches of spartina green are a theme throughout.”
When Dean Huntley of Plantation Interiors talks about working on the Sea Pines home of Paul and Linda Groen, she talks about it in terms of stories. Not the typical stories one associates with a home, but the stories that are told in its many colors. The way the periwinkle blue of the custom hood and LaCornue range was carried out into the fabric of the dining space is a story. The way the rich peridot greens of the Bruce Riley original in the office complement a rug just as well as they contrast against the aubergine grasscloth wallpaper is another story.
60
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
“That was the excitement of working on this house – it was a colorful story,” said Huntley. “They didn’t want pale and plain.” While neutral tones may dominate the Lowcountry trendscape right now, conceding a throw pillow or a rug here and there for a “pop” of color, this home stands apart for its bold strokes and sophisticated materials. “I think Hilton Head is a lively, family-type of place, so I think some color is called for,” said Linda Groen. “We’ve owned 11 different places, and I’ve always used a lot of color in all of them. It feels more youthful, and it’s interesting.”
MIX & MATCH In a home defined by color, the great room is a decidedly more subdued affair to contrast against the more vibrant rooms like the office, pictured opposite.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
61
living
BLUE HEAVEN The kitchen and dining room perfectly illustrate the flow of color throughout the home, with the periwinkle blue of the range hood carrying over to the dining room chairs.
FLOAT AN IDEA Much of the décor sprang from items that Linda already owned, like the feathers along this wall. “I wanted the wall to look like they were floating in the sky,” she said.
62
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Inspired by the surroundings of sea, sky and lush foliage, Linda had already picked out some of her palette before Huntley came on board. However, it was when their creative visions came together that the true vibrance of the home began to shine. “I think that’s when you really need a designer to pull things together,” said Linda. “I had these ideas and I knew what I was doing, but I needed someone with that background who really knows how to make everything cohesive.” And thus the colorful stories that abound throughout this house began to take shape. Violet, seaglass hues, and punches of spartina green are a theme throughout. From the unexpected aqua of the rocking chairs to the lux layers of iris blue pillows on the Lowcountry porch swing, you are greeted with color at every turn. The guest bedroom dazzles with feathery gold accents against an indigo blue accent wall. The story continues with the powder room, told in flowery wallpaper hand selected to match the butterfly mirror. The master bedroom revels in a deep Prussian blue accent wall, streaked by painted boughs of magnolia branches. “The magnolias are so indicative of Hilton Head and Savannah...I knew I would use them," said Linda. This is a home defined by its colors, but the appeal of it goes well beyond the palette. Even without those vibrant hues, you’re still left with a marvelous Lowcountry home, one filled with the craftsmanship and luxury that entails. You’ll see it in the Savannah brick that lines the sweeping front porch, the reclaimed flooring that runs
HUG THE COAST The master bedroom’s accent wall dazzles with magnolia patterns designed to evoke the Lowcountry, a coastal vibe that carries through the house.
throughout, the richly veined quartz around the fireplace and the meticulously crafted millwork that frames each space. And, of course, what would a Lowcountry home be without an exquisite outdoor living space? “We’re out there all the time,” said Linda of the sprawling rear deck. To one end, a screenedin great room indulges with an outdoor fireplace, TV and stunning views of the setting sun and of the transition from fourth green to fifth tee at Atlantic Dunes. With the flip of a switch, vinyl panels
descend, allowing for year-round comfort. And then there’s the pool, raised to the height of the home to allow for exquisite golf views over the infinity edge. Fire pots around the pool add to the ambience. This home’s story is written in those views, in the evenings spent enjoying outdoor living and in the artistic inspiration behind each colorful room. And Linda Groen knows it’s a story she didn’t write alone. “It’s so important to have people you can trust and share that vision with,” she said. LL
INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP An interior design firm serving Hilton Head Island for more than 40 years has transitioned to new ownership and gained a new name in the process. Plantation Interiors is now under the banner of LaSource Living, and is committed to keeping the legacy of client-focused, high-quality service with an expansive complex located at 10 Target Road featuring an interior design studio, furniture, art and lighting showroom, an Inspired Closets showroom, a Farrow & Ball paint shop and a wallpaper shop. LaSource Living offers a beautifully curated retail experience as well as full-service interior design services, paint consultation and organizing solutions for every room from Inspired Closets. The new owners have another business, La Source Home, a kitchen and bath store offering high-level products, remodeling and design services, through this location, Bluffton and Savannah. The businesses are future focused, with a greater offering of products and services for their clients and great ideas on the horizon. Follow them on Instagram (@PI_homehhi) or call 843-785-5261 for more information.
THE HOME TEAM Architect: Neil Gordon Architect, PA Interior designer: Dean Huntley, Plantation Interiors Builder: Larry Page Custom Homes Cabinetry: Advanced Kitchen Designs and LaSource Lighting: Visual Comfort available through Plantation Interiors Appliances: LaSource Furnishings & accessories: Plantation Interiors
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
63
living
Five ideas for your home MINOR ENHANCEMENTS & UPGRADES THAT MAKE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE.
Secrets to steal from our featured home:
1
2
3
1. TAKE IT OUTSIDE Outdoor rugs add texture, softness to hard exterior surfaces, and color to outdoor living areas. Use them to anchor seating groups. Performance fabrics are available for both indoor and outdoor use. Exclusive sources like Manual Canovas have designed patterns in both indoor and outdoor materials that give the consumer opportunities to have both high style and easy maintenance. 2. DARE TO BE BOLD “We chose a striking periwinkle blue LaCornue range and custom hood by LaSource to set the tone in the kitchen,” said Huntley. Follow up that bold stoke by repeating the color in adjoining areas as Huntley did in painting the back-kitchen cabinets the same color. Repeating the color in counterstool fabric and on pillows on the custom seating area in the dining room tie the space together. 3. FIND THE TREASURE AND LIGHT IT UP! In the library a slab of green onyx was back lit and framed by LaSource to provide drama at the wet bar. The artwork was the inspiration to use peridot leather chairs and rich purple grasscloth on the walls to make the room a dramatic space. 4. MAKE IT SPECIAL Unique light fixtures are eye-catching and make a huge statement on their own. It’s also important to layer lighting. In this home there is soft ambient lighting behind the bar, in the library, powder room and master bath. Fire pots at the pool add their own special effects. 5. PULL IT TOGETHER Ensure collections have the appropriate spaces to maximize the visual impact. Instead of traditional linear bookshelves, design special spaces to highlight art and decorative accessories. Don’t forget to include proper lighting!
64
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
4
5
living
Crown jewel
THIS GUEST POWDER ROOM PROJECT IN SEA PINES WAS INSPIRED BY A JEWELRY BOX. The owner of this Atlantic Pointe home in Sea Pines wanted to transform the guest powder room into something unique, something with many “wow” factors. A jewelry box was the inspiration. To realize this vision, the owner brought in a team of local experts (Group3 Designs, Pyramids, Paragon Construction) to find the perfect wall covering, trim design and luxurious accessories. Group3 shares a few of the materials that they used to create the effortlessly elegant space. LET THIS SINK IN This Spindle Sink Chest from the Ambella Home Collection is made of Mindi wood solids and veneers with a beautiful weathered grey finish. It is accented with solid brass, nickel finish spindles and medallions. Available from Group3 Designs. $6,750
BRIGHT IDEA Say “I do” to this engagement sconce from Regina Andrews. Its versatile form and finish are complemented by a crisp white tapered linen shade, perfectly suited for a bathroom or hallway. Available through Group3 Designs. $263 IT’S A MIRROR-CLE! If you’re looking to put a mirror on your wall, this Sabino Round Mirror might be the fairest of them all. The frame features individual antiqued mirrors with a scalloped design and subtle beveled edges. Available at Pyramids. $473 HIT A WALL Make your walls something to talk about with a roll of Skyler wallcovering by Thibaut. The pattern’s contemporary design creates mood and atmosphere. Available through Group3 Designs. $250 HI YO SILVER Add regal flair to your bath with Nile Silver Bath Accessories from Kassatex New York. Crafted from brass with electroplating, each vibrant piece is fashioned into curved shapes to create an eye-catching design. Available at Pyramids. $40
©JOHN MCMANUS
66
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
CAST A SHADOW This Iva Shadow Box by Revelation achieves a coastal bohemian feel with its framed mother-of-pearl and shell tribal-inspired design. It is set under glass in an antique silver leaf shadow box frame against a light beige canvas. Available at Pyramids.
HARDWOOD | TILE | VINYL | CARPET OKATIE, SC
•
NIXFLOORING.COM
•
843.645.1649
living
HOME TECH
Creative ways to display your family photos
n
Nothing can personalize a room more than a special photograph, and while a tried and true old-school frame is a nice touch in any room, we got creative with some other ways you can display your photos.
Fantastic frame Devices become decor Amazon’s Echo Show, and other home devices, have come a long way from a bland cylinder. You can customize the screensaver with a photograph from your library. When you are using the device, you can see your recipe, videos, TV show or even a video call. BONUS: When connected to your doorbell, you ask Alexa to show you who is at the door.
Photo focal point The television has long been a focal point of the family room, and fortunately, screens have become thinner and less intrusive. A custom frame like this Edge System from Custom Audio Video, helps to turn the television screen into a canvas. Many smart TVs let you personalize the screensaver so you can choose photos or artwork to display or upload your own. Depending on your TV brand and operating system (Apple, Google, etc.), how to customize your screen varies. Simply Google “how do I customize my TV screensaver” to find the resource right for your situation. PRO TIP: Regardless of the brand of your TV or devices, save the photos you want to display in a folder called “TV Slideshow.” This way you can easily find them to connect.
PHOTOGRAPHY APPS WE LOVE Since the advent of Instagram, even the most amateur photographer can shoot like a pro and have fun doing it. Of course the quality of your phone does make a difference, but we didn’t want to give you a new reason to rush out for the latest iPhone. We have compiled apps that work with any iPhone and most Android phones. Shoot like a pro with these suggestions from iPhone Photography School:
68
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
PHOTO EDITING: Snapseed Finally, a free app that is really good, as in really, really good. Snapseed is available for iPhone and Android and is great for photo editing including color, cropping and exposure.
There are many great digital photo frames, but it was the Aura that Oprah chose for her 2018 Favorite Things list. The features we love are: • Remote sharing – that’s right, you can upload and share photos from miles away. • Perfect exposure – the frame senses the light in the room and adjusts your photo to the room. • Easy App – with the touch of an app you can change the photos so there is no downloading, uploading or hunting for a USB. PRO TIP: Don’t forget the grandparents. This is a great way to send them photos from wherever you are.
PHOTO RETOUCHING: TouchRetouch Retouching is not just a Kardashian selfie trick – it is handy to remove unwanted objects and blemishes from photos.
Next best thing to being there
Enjoy sports and movies from the comfort and safety of your own home. Custom Audio Video has audio video and home automation equipment that will make you feel like you’re in the action. For a FREE review of our audio video and home automation options,
Call. Click. Or Come In. 843.815. 5130 www.custom-audio-video.com
48 Pennington Dr., Suite B Bluffton, SC
living
MARVELOUS MEDIA ROOMS
What’s your dream? STORY BY EDDY HOYLE
Screen time
i
Is the ultimate media room with a huge “wow factor” something you dream about? There are so many options in technology and automation today that nearly any realistic budget can be accommodated. Optimum experience depends upon what your personal goal is in designing your media room. Are you a gaming guru or a movie buff? Will the room be used as a family play space or an elegant theater for entertaining? Are you a sports nut who would love multiple screens?
If money were no object, what would the ultimate media room include? Sean Stewart of Custom Audio Video recommends, “A large screen that can convert to various applications depending on the media being displayed. Great sound, probably seven speakers around the room, four more in the ceiling and two to four subwoofers. Great amplification, and not all power amplifiers are the same. Lighting control, media control, room control all brought into one. And comfortable seating where every seat has a great line of sight.” He offers this tip as well, “Talk to an expert and know that a media room is like most things in life. Price and quality cover a large range, but they are correlated for a reason.”
Get smart
Home automation at its finest goes a long way in creating the ultimate media room. A smart room can bring it all together. A universal remote or a smart device can lower lights, close window shades, lower the thermostat, Curt Hubner of Advanced Integrated Controls said, “Today turn on the projector or everybody wants the best electronics, but nobody wants to see them. Creativity allows us to hide TVs by using motorized art lifts, TV and the sound system all simultaneously. “We can make a home theater that is intuitive and easy to use with and mirror TVs. We can use radiant (invisible) speakers, in-ceiling our ELAN home systems integration," said Erika Krieger of Advanced mounted screens and projectors and in-wall subwoofers. Combined with unique woodworking and faux panels, the room doesn’t Integrated Controls (AIC). "We know it is important to get the right ambiance and light; that's why we offer Paladiom by Lutron. Lutron has have to be a dedicated media room. It will look like a beautiful been known for its lighting control systems for decades.” room, but with the touch of a button it becomes a media room.”
Hidden assets
70
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
living Sound investment
The “where” is also a decision. Consider the location carefully because how much sound-proofing you’ll need is a consideration. Sound treatment isn’t the same as soundproofing. It is a big endeavor because it’s installed within walls, but sound treatment does help absorb excess sound to create a crisp sounding room. Sound treatment absorbs sound in the room with panels installed on the walls. You might also consider carpeting with thick padding to cut down on vibration and noise. Lighting is a key design element, and lots of windows may cause glare. Square footage is another big factor since it will determine how large your TV or screen will be as well as how many seats will fit in the room.
ROLL DOWN STORM SHUTTERS
STORM-RATED COLONIAL SHUTTERS
Three Cs
Most of us think of a large-screen TV as the cornerstone of a media room. Stewart explained that today’s screens are not just a white square like the vinyl ones we remember from school. “A good screen catches the light and reflects it back to the eyes. Screens range in price from $1,000-$15,000 and must be paired with a projector. A good projector can go up to 120” and is cheaper than an 85” TV. Projectors start at $3,000 and go up to $60,000. When considering a projector, it’s about the three Cs: contrast, clarity and color that will enhance the full-color spectrum.”
Hot seats
Ask the experts RETRACTABLE SCREENS
Providing the Finest Storm Protection, Exterior Shutters and Custom Retractable Screens to the Lowcountry Since 1996
armorbuildingsolutions.com (843) 717-1746 72 LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
One of the biggest costs is retro-fitting a room with wiring, sound-proof tiles in the walls and speakers. The best advice is to consult an audio/ visual pro and an architect to accomplish your goals and complete your wish list. It’s good advice no matter what size your budget might be. There is a significant price difference between designing it from scratch and retro-fitting a room. “The main difference is that retro-fitting a room usually requires more labor and more invasive labor,” Stewart explained. “It’s a lot easier to design from scratch and run wires through walls early on. Retro-fitting goes one of two ways: labor is more in depth and costs more if walls and ceilings have to be opened up, etc., or alternative solutions are found usually at the expense of quality. Don’t sacrifice quality for convenience.”
There are a lot of options in designing your media room, which means a lot of choices in terms of products. For example, seating sounds like a simple decision, but with today’s technology and designs, it may not be. Your options go from beanbag chairs for the kids to elegant chaise lounges or high-quality recliners – some are even available with butt rockers that vibrate with the action in a movie. If you love to entertain, you will probably include a bar and small tables at your guests’ seats or cupholders.
Explore your options
Stewart’s favorite project was one that Custom Audio Video designed with four TVs in the wall behind the screen so that the client could choose between one big, beautiful image or having multiple shows or sporting events on at once. LL
D E S I G N
T H E
|
P H I L O S O P H Y
A R T
|
O F
C O N S T R U C T I O N
W A T E R
A unique approach to creating an extraordinary outdoor environment.
Estate Pools
by A-1
artofwater.com | 843.290.6405
living
With flying colors EXPLORE THE IMPACT OF COLOR ON INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE.
©MEGAN GOHEEN
STORY + PHOTOS BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
t
True to color, the man-made structures of Hilton Head are designed to enhance its natural beauty. Strict codes are in place to keep everything organized and consistent. Color is one design detail that requires specific guidelines. The global pursuit of harnessing the wild world of color requires careful organization. Bringing the colors of vast sunsets, expansive seas and rich forests to our homes is no small undertaking. While you’ll find the neighborhoods of Hilton Head lined primarily with houses adorning earthy, neutral colors, pops of bright color are used here and there – tastefully. Color is an important characteristic which requires skill when used in interior design and architecture. Don’t risk being off-color; keep this information in mind when designing your home.
74
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Color committees As it turns out, there is a method to the madness. Color committees all over the country are the ones in charge of containing the chaos of this world of color we live in. Imagine people sitting around a table in a white room, each with a colorful object of inspiration. At the table, the color committee assigns names to colors and predicts which color of shirt and wall paint you will want to buy next year. Sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, right? No fiction here. Pantone is a company with one such color committee, started in 1963. One of its roles is forecasting color trends, but its main purpose is setting color standards. This means assigning names and numbers to colors, then creating swatches and memos of the color. Since one man’s turquoise is another man’s teal, this helps companies communicate with their suppliers to achieve certain colors. The main goal is consistent colors across industries and companies – everything from interior design to graphic design to fashion is impacted by color standards. Why are committees necessary to rein in color? Color is powerful.
Your lifestyle, perfectly tailored.
Winner of the Home Builder’s Association Lighthouse Award for “Best Interior Design”
5778 Guilford Place Bluffton, SC 843.815.4737
KellyCaronDesigns.com
living The psychology of color Color has the power to create psychological changes. When brands use consistent colors, people view them as more dependable. Brands can even trademark colors, which means other companies within the same industry can’t use those colors in their branding. For example, phone carriers each have their own distinct color, and most people could identify the carriers by color alone. While color’s impact is subjective, general observations usually ring true. Warm colors, such as red, orange and yellow, typically invoke feelings of energy and excitement. They can even raise blood pressure. Cool colors, such as green, blue and purple, invoke feelings of security and calmness. Just look to nature – the warm colors of the rising sun help wake us up, while the cool colors of the evening sky as it fades to darkness help us drift to sleep. Cool-colored rooms typically require a higher temperature on the thermostat than warm-colored rooms for occupants to feel comfortable. Spaces designed with light colors give the illusion the room is bigger. Spaces designed with dark colors give the illusion the room is smaller. One caveat of this is the perception of colors varies across cultures. For example, black represents mourning in the United States. In other countries, however, white and purple are colors used to represent mourning. Cultures provide their own contexts to interpret color. Perceptions also vary among people with different personalities and ages. The perception of color is an important tool of design.
Color theory Color theory is used to further organize color, specifically within art and design. The color wheel is one method of organization. It arranges primary, secondary and tertiary colors in a circle. The primary colors are red, yellow and blue. Secondary colors are green, orange and purple. Tertiary colors are combinations of primary colors and secondary colors. Color harmony is another concept used to organize color. This is about finding the balance between colors with too much unity or colors with too much complexity. One extreme can make something appear boring, while the other can make something appear overwhelming. The color wheel can be used to determine which colors will have harmony. Colors next to each other or across from each other on the wheel typically have harmony. Color context is another color theory. It explores the way colors appear when placed next to other colors. Use these theories to decide on a color scheme for your home.
Crack the code
POPS OF COLOR While many Hilton Head homes are painted with neutral colors, several houses in Singleton Beach, Windmill Harbour, Bermuda Pointe and Folly Field feature vibrant colors, similar to Charleston's Rainbow Row.
76
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
When it comes to exterior design, Hilton Head has its own rules in place to organize color throughout the island. The goal is to make sure buildings on the island blend in with nature. Design guidelines give the island a consistent character. In general, this means neutral colors, or earth tones, should be the dominant choices for exteriors. In most cases, bright colors are to be avoided, unless used sparingly to accent something. A few neighborhoods have been allowed to create a Rainbow Row-like look with homes painted pink, yellow, red and baby blue. LL
Constructing Elements of Inspiration.
Comfort. Serenity. Bliss. THE ELEMENTS OF HOME.
E L E M E N T C P. C O M | 8 4 3 . 8 3 7 . 9 3 0 0 29 PLANTATION PARK DR, SUITE 404 | BLUFFTON, SC 29910
living
THE ACCIDENTAL GARDENER
Create a picture-perfect garden ADVICE FOR DETERMINING YOUR LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND FINDING THE RIGHT GROWING CONDITIONS
h
Sunshine Ligustrum
Have you ever seen photos of beautiful gardens or been lucky enough to take the All-Saints Garden Tour and thought, “how can I create a picture-perfect garden?” Well, fret not. Creating a beautiful garden is much easier than it seems if you follow a few basic steps. First and foremost, you must ask yourself, “how much time do I want to spend in the garden?” If the answer is “none at all,” you can still create a beautiful setting by using evergreen, low maintenance plants such as Foxtail Ferns and Sunshine Ligustrum for sunny settings and Cast Iron plants and Split Leaf Philodendrons for shady areas. If you reply “every waking minute” as I would, then the world is your oyster, as almost anything will grow wonderfully here in the Lowcountry with very few exceptions, such as Lily of The Valley, peonies and Lilacs, although I purchased a heat-tolerant lilac this year and so far it is thriving. (I also purchased an awfully expensive heat-tolerant peony and it died within weeks.) You will be rewarded with year-round flowers of every color imaginable. If you actually have a life and want to spend limited time in your garden, you still have a bevy of options available to you – preferably plants that do not require dead-heading, which can become a full-time job if you’re a plant hoarder such as myself. Next, you need to determine what your growing conditions are, such as full sun, full shade, sun in the morning only, sun in the afternoon only, wet or dry and importantly, whether your garden will have irrigation.
78
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Lilacs
Fun in the sun
Some plants are drought tolerant as I was tolerant of my in-laws — only in small doses. Only plastic or silk plants require no water ever. Full-sun, drought-tolerant plants include Oleander Trees, Fig Trees, Asparagus Ferns, Lantana, Daylilies, Society Garlic and Vinca Flowers. Full-sun, wet-tolerant plants include Swamp Irises and Cana Lilies.
Made in the shade
Full-shade, drought-tolerant plants include Cyclamens, Cast Iron Plants and Variegated Liriope and Vinca Vines. Full-shade, wet-tolerant plants include Japanese forest grass, Hostas, and most ferns including Tasmanian or Australian tree ferns. Almost any plant will do well with morning sun with very few exceptions. Afternoon sun in the Lowcountry generally rules out shade-loving plants.
Set the stage
Once you have determined your level of commitment and find the right growing conditions, it’s a simple matter of combining colors and textures – it’s like decorating your home. Select your colors – vivid or monochromatic. Select plants with various heights and widths, taking care to consider your space and their mature size (you wouldn’t want to buy furniture that was too large for your
space). Consider what textures you prefer and mix them up – just as you would fabric and flooring. Be sure to leave space around your plants – they need air circulation in our high humidity – even when you’re mass planting a single type of plant. And remember, we live in a jungle climate, so plant with care. What you spend three years planting means spending 10 years pruning, thinning and ripping out. I speak from experience. Last but not least, add a little bling to your garden; gazing balls, solar fountains, iron art – the list goes on and it reflects your personal style much like diamonds or pearls. Happy gardening! LL
Ask & Answer Dear Accidental Gardener,
8 4 3 . 3 0 8 .12 8 2 | a r l e n e w i l l i a m s k i t c h e n d e s i g n .c o m
6 5 AR R OW R OA D | HI LT ON HE AD I SL AN D SC 29928
This started as a tiny succulent ... grew 2 feet tall! I’m trying to root. What is it? — Perplexed in Palmetto Hall
Dear Perplexed, It appears you have a Bryophyllum daigremontianum, commonly called an alligator plant. These succulent plants can grow up to 3 feet tall and are native to Madagascar. These plants require fertilizing once in the spring and once in the summer using a liquid fertilizer that’s been diluted to half-strength. Skip fertilizing in fall or winter. All you need to propagate this plant are its plantlets. Seed is not a viable method, and according to the web, while cuttings are possible, the plantlets are far easier. As the plant goes dormant towards the winter months, it will drop some plantlets. You also can use a light touch to see if any are ready to come free from the leaf on their own. Don’t apply much pressure, just a light touch, and if it’s ready, it’ll come right off. Moisten some potting soil and lay your plantlets on top. Keep the soil damp by misting it occasionally with water or covering it with clear plastic wrap until you see roots. The baby plantlets will stretch out their roots and dig in on their own!
Got a question for the Accidental Gardener? Email info@wearelocallife.com
PICTURE PERFECT POOLS! E • RENOVATIONS • RE-PLASTERING • RE TENANC PAIRS MAIN
CLEARWATERPOOLHHI.COM • 843.682.8228 SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
79
style
styl e Available at Cocoon + Island Child
80
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Available at S.M. Bradford
Available at Palmettoes
n
Movie night magic
Available at Knickers
Nothing quite compares to getting dressed up for a night at the movies. And when it comes to theaters, few compare to Park Plaza Cinema on Hilton Head Island. Dubbed the “Coolest Movie Theater in South Carolina” by Cosmopolitan magazine, the independently owned theater plays mainstream new releases, has luxury-reclining seats and serves beer, wine, coffee, ice cream and more from its fully stocked café. Owners Lucie and Larry Mann were instrumental in having COVID-19 cinema restrictions lifted in South Carolina and have taken several steps to ensure the safety of their guests. LOCAL Life stylist Roxanne Gilleland conceived these stylish outfits, guaranteed to keep you comfortable from the previews through the final credits. SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
81
style
Available at The Back Door + Outside Hilton Head
82
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
83
style
Available at SHOP!
Credits
PHOTOGRAPHY Lisa Staff + STYLIST Roxanne Gilleland MODELS Cameron Kriscunas, Cade Kriscunas, Megan Goheen, Angie Brewster Benson, the kids (Walker, Emerson, Lucy Nelle, Shepard) MAKEUP Samantha Curran, Makeup Madame + LOCATION Park Plaza Cinema, Hilton Head Island
84
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Behind the masks of the cast & crew CAMERON KRISCUNAS Local since: Born here, 1998 Hobbies: Travel, fitness, shopping, school Fun fact: Played college tennis at Ole Miss Favorite movie: The Proposal Best local place to take pictures: Sea Pines Beach Club, because it has such beautiful views. CADE KRISCUNAS Local since: Born here, 2006 Hobbies: Golf, car racing Fun fact: Voiced an audiobook for children coping with cancer Favorite movie: James Bond Best local place to take pictures: On the water or golf course MEGAN GOHEEN Local since: 2020, been visiting the island since 1998 Hails from: Kettering, Ohio Hobbies: Painting, photography, horseback riding, traveling Fun fact: Made a small business at school by designing, painting, and selling sheet signs (decorative photo backdrops) for sororities, fraternities and other clubs. Favorite movie: Dead Poets Society Best local place to take pictures: Mitchelville Beach is a great spot to shoot landscape photos. The trees inch up close to the water, and the marsh grass looks beautiful at dawn and dusk. ANGIE BREWSTER BENSON Local since: 2017 Hails from: Dallas, Texas (then Boston, New York City, North Dakota, Chicago and Washington DC) Hobbies: Travel, basketball and searching for the best iced latte (when I’m not chasing kids) Fun fact: One of my first freelance film production gigs was doing set design for Freedom Williams of C&C Music Factory. Favorite movie: The Natural Best local place to take pictures: Our front steps. As a military family, our kids had known so many houses that being able to stay here and make this home is really special for us. THE KIDS (WALKER, EMERSON, LUCY NELLE, SHEPARD) Locals since: 2017 Hail from: We're military kids, so we were born all over. Walker (8) just outside New York City, Emerson (5) Chicago, Lucy Nelle (5) Chicago, Shepard (4) Washington D.C. Hobbies: Walker (basketball, writing stories, traveling to new places), Emerson (dancing, making art projects, acting out princess stories), Lucy Nelle (basketball, dancing, telling jokes) Shepard (climbing too high, running too fast, learning about sea creatures, laughing) Fun Fact: Walker (his name appears in the credits of Fox's movie "Epic," and he regularly hung out at the movie studio as a baby), Emerson (she was named after Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose first-edition book is one of her parents' prized possessions), Lucy Nelle (she has been able to shoot a basketball since she was a year old), Shepard (he can tell you a dozen different shark species from their pictures). Special thanks to Lucie and Larry Mann of Park Plaza Cinema for hosting this blockbuster of a photo shoot. The popular theater has adjusted to social-distancing requirements by staggering showtimes, cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectant between screenings and limiting the number of seats available. They have also installed ultraviolet lights in their ventilation system to help prevent viruses from circulating and are requiring patrons to wear facemasks. Find showtimes at mannsparkplazacinema.com.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
85
shopping
Local Love Summer Clearance is in Full Swing
Celebrate the end of this hot and challenging summer with one of these cool items at local businesses.
THE COLOR PURPLE Lavender essential oil brings warmth, health, relaxation and so much more. Available at Island Lavender Market. NUMBER PLEASE Reach out and touch someone with these exclusive 843 rocks glasses. Available at Scout Southern Market.
THE EYES HAVE IT Offering removable side shields for maximum protection, Vuarnet Sunglasses are perfect for the mountains, the sea and even the most intense of conditions. Face any environment with style. Available at Eyeland Optique
LIGHT AS HEIRLOOM OLD FLAME Hand cast and filled with 100% soy wax with zero additives. Concrete with exposed oyster shells. Classic scents that are reminiscent of the aroma of Charleston in the Spring. Available at Gifted.
86
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Handcrafted glass made of mouth-blown glass. Hand-painted with gold luster embellishment by MacKenzie-Childs. Available at Forsythe Jewelers.
GLOBETROTTER Elegant globe lights made of durable Tyvek material to provide a subtle romantic ambiance. Available at Coastal Treasures.
HOT NUMBER
PUPPY POWER Warmies lavender and rice-filled stuffed animals can be heated in the microwave for 30 seconds to release a calming lavender fragrance, perfect for your child or baby.
The simplicity of this new rounded tapered candle lends itself to both modern and traditional settings. Beautiful unscented, clean-burning candles with a unique crackle finish.
O ut s t a nd i ng gi f t s a t u n b e l i e va b l e p r i c e s ! P l u s a w i d e va r i e t y o f m a s k s i n c l u d i n g s o m e t h a t a re S P F 5 0 a n d a l l m a d e i n A me r i c a !
Available at The Spirited Hand.
Available at Pyramids. IN THE CLUTCH From HOBO − perfect for your cell phone, credit cards and just a bit of made money. Available at Pretty Papers.
PLEASE SHOP LOCAL! THANK YOU! TABLE FOR ONE Custom-made table. Ambrosia maple live-edge top with Asian-inspired painted base.
Voted Best Gift Shop 9 Years in a Row!
Available at Coastline Cabinetry.
SUITE J2, VILLAGE AT WEXFORD MON.-SAT. 10AM-5PM | 843.842.8787 SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com 87
eats
The South of France CHEZ GEORGES PUTS A LOWCOUNTRY SPIN ON THE FARE THAT MADE THE OLD WORLD FAMOUS. STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN + PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF
e
There is a saying in French: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
Essentially, it means that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Chez Georges, the latest culinary jewel in the island’s crown, exemplifies the beauty in this saying. First let’s talk about the more things change. For many of us, the initial shock of walking into Chez Georges comes from how little it resembles Casey’s Sports Bar, the spot’s previous tenant. Seeing crisp, clean modern furnishings and designs embellished with fleur de lis patterns, all informed by a continental sense of sophistication, where once had been neon-drenched athletic memorabilia bearing just the thinnest patina of grime, could not be more night and day. It’s a remarkable transformation from a hole-in-the-wall sports bar to an urbane, almost metropolitan French bistro. But the more things change, the more they stay the
88
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
FRENCH CONNECTION George Casalicchio (top left) and Burns Sullivan (above) are serving classic French cuisine with a Lowcountry accent at Chez Georges Bistro & Bar on Hilton Head Island.
“ It’s a remarkable transformation from a hole-in-the-wall sports bar to an urbane, almost metropolitan French bistro.”
Creating Spaces where Family & Friends
Make Memor ies
s e c a p S r oo d Out with Meaning same. For all its decided lack of sophistication, Casey’s was at its heart a community gathering spot. Its legion of regulars never drank alone, joined by nearly everyone on the island at some point or another, whether popping in for a game or popping in just because. It was where the locals drank. And that sense of community is still fully intact at Chez Georges. “If you want a burger and a beer, you’re in. If you want a bowl of mussels and a glass of wine, that’s an easy dinner. If you come in for an anniversary, you can do that, too,” said owner George Casalicchio. “That’s a bistro, to us. It’s a place that’s part of the community.”
OLD WORLD MEETS LOWCOUNTRY Chez Georges offers a comforting take on the refined French classic Bouillabaisse, using many ingredients found in a Lowcountry boil. Chef Burns Sullivan builds a deep and rich fumé with local red snapper and simmers it with shrimp, clams, blue crab, potatoes and corn. Cornbread (pain de maïs), sofrito and Sullivan’s house blend of spices (in the spirit of Old Bay) create a mouthwatering and bountiful house specialty.
Swimming Pool Coping Boat Countertops Outdoor Grill Areas & More
28 Hunter Road • Hilton Head Island
843.689.6980 • hiltonheadstone.com
POOL COPING PROJECT — SEA PINES 2.5“ thick Indiana Limestone – intricate pattern with large radius and tight inside corners. SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
89
F U R N I T U R E & A R T C O A S T A L
eats À votre santé
Coastal art and rustic furniture handcrafted in Bluffton from materials sourced in the Lowcountry. Browse our current inventory online or visit our gallery.
Let us create something special just for you!
One of the most noticeable changes to the physical structure sits at the very heart at Chez Georges. What had once been a wall between the bar and dining areas has been opened up into a refrigerated wine cellar, a testament to the vital role a good wine list plays in French cuisine. “I devised this initial list, but it will be a living, breathing thing,” said Casalicchio. The wine list skews unabashedly French, with nearly 80 percent of the total selections hailing from France. For the other 20 percent, Casalicchio has placed an emphasis on wines that, in his words, drink French. “European wines are much more earthy and terroir-driven,” he said. Finding these wines means taking a discerning eye to American offerings, skewing away from the typically oak- or fruit-forward varietals we produce. Even then, approachability is key. “The mission of this list is that you can come in and drink a glass of wine for $8, or you can find something new. There’s a white bottle for $280 and a bunch for $35,” he said. The cocktail list is similarly poised between sophistication and approachability, balancing between familiar favorites and unique new pours. At the heart of the cocktail list, however, is an approach that puts food front and center. “All of these are meant to be a part of your meal,” said Casalicchio. “There’s culinary intention.”
Bon appetit, y’all
14 Promenade Street, #304 Bluffton, SC
843.310.1690 Located in Old Town Bluffton in the Promenade
signorecoastalart.com 90 LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Creating a sense of community from a culinary perspective means taking an approach that will please everyone. Obviously, this is easier said than done, particularly when your culinary approach begins with French cuisine. By design, French food tends to be exclusive, geared toward the sophisticated palate that can truly appreciate the nuances behind its epicurean artistry. So how do you make French cuisine approachable? By marrying it to the most crowd-pleasing culinary milieu on the planet – good old-fashioned Southern cooking. “Our dishes are rooted in France,” said Casalicchio. It’s where they grow from those roots that things get truly exciting. Growing up on his great-grandparents’ farm and honing his craft in Michelin-starred kitchens around the South, chef Burns Sullivan gained an appreciation for the ingredients that inform the region’s cooking,
LIME YOURS The Le Cabaret is a Chez Georges twist on the classic vodkda gimlet. Other creative cocktails include the d’Arc and Avec Leal.
“It’s official. The Bay is back!” Palmetto Bay is a special place; a destination tucked away with many stories to tell. Visitors and locals are greeted with an exceptional lineup of popular watersports, shopping, and waterside dining; not to mention one of Hilton Head’s oldest working marinas, still in operation today.
Dock Reservations
SOPHISTICATED FLAVOR Early reviewers are raving about this Tarte Aux Oignons — a buttery onion tart filled with caramelized onions and topped with fried white anchovies, tomatoes, sherry and greens. The sweet onions and salty anchovies are a winning combination. “Truly one of the best things I have ever had,” one patron remarked. “Everything we ate was delicious but the onion tart was extraordinary,” another said.
and he brings that to bear with every dish. “I’m not from the Lowcountry, but I’m speaking to the Lowcountry,” said Sullivan. “You look at something like the bouillabaisse – it doesn’t get much more traditional French than that. But we’re making it in a way that’s almost Lowcountry boil-esque.” It comes down to the ingredients – locally sourced seafood in the bouillabaisse, or oxtail in the French onion soup. “Oxtail harkens back to the Caribbean food which Southern food has its roots in,” he said, “taking these off-cuts and cooking it low and slow to develop flavor.” Ultimately, despite the veneer of exclusivity that surrounds it, French cuisine shares much of its deepest-held tenets with Southern food. Driving toward that connection is what informs the menu at Chez Georges. “That’s how French cooking is, and it’s how Southern cooking is. It’s using what you have. You cook with your heart and with what the land gives you,” said Casalicchio. “The South has food that’s uniquely theirs, and France is very similar.” LL
843.785.5000 pbmarinahhi.com
Waterside Dining, Activities, & Marina DOCK
Activities & Boat Slips Palmetto Bay Yacht Center
PLAY
Pirates HHI • OneHHI Freedom Boat Club Lowcountry Watersports Carefree Boat Club
EAT
The Black Marlin Carolina Crab Company The Hurricane Bar Sunrise Cafe
SHOP
Ship Store Bay Breeze
843.785.5000 | pbmarinahhi.com | #thebayisback SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com 91
eats
The sweet life with Chef David Young
f
THE LONG-STANDING AMBASSADOR FOR ISLANDER CUISINE TURNS HIS SIGHTS ON THE LOWCOUNTRY’S SWEET TOOTH. STORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN + PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF
For the majority of his culinary career, cooking has been just part of what Belfair banquet chef David Young represents. Part of a family with ties to the island stretching back 200 years, he has served as a de facto ambassador for Native Islander foodways, helping tell the story of a culture that lived off the land. Sharing DNA with creole and Southern soul food, Gullah cuisine generally rests on the pillars of seafood, vegetables and rice. As a people who lived off the land, these were the bounties they received, and their cuisine reflects their singular skill in transforming these elements into something truly unique. For many, that is the story told by Young, and it is a story that skews decidedly savory. But don’t think for a second that living off the land meant skipping dessert. “I remember being a kid, my cousin Emory Campbell used to take us up to St. Helena Island, and on the way we’d pull off the road to buy these big softball-sized peaches,” Young recalled. “You’d bite into one, and the juice would just be running down your arms. That’s the flavor I envision.” That vision informs his famed peach cobbler, one of the many ways Young is bringing Native Islander influence to the dessert table at Belfair.
From the earth
LIFETIME LOCAL Chef David Young has established himself in kitchens across the Lowcountry. He is now the banquet chef at Belfair. For desserts, he sources his family's fruit stands at the foot of the bridge and on Spanish Wells Road.
92
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
At the heart of Native Islander cooking is the ingredients. This vibrant culture lived largely untouched by the modern world until the resort era brought it screeching to the shores of Hilton Head Island, but for centuries prior to that, this culture lived off the
A gathering place for friends, family, and neighbors serving classic French bistro cuisine with a Lowcountry accent with fresh, local ingredients and a reverence for tradition.
CREATIVE CONFECTIONS To make this cheesecake, Young swirls a traditional cheesecake base with cobbler batter, resulting a decadently soft and delicious dessert.
land. Thankfully, the island’s sandy soil is remarkably bountiful, which has helped Young’s family continue to thrive in the world of local produce. No doubt you’ve seen the wide gazebo-like fruit stand that awaits hungry travelers just past the bridge onto the mainland. Young’s family runs that stand, along with the stand at Spanish Wells Road, and he still turns to family first when sourcing for his desserts. “The peaches make the cobbler,” he said. “If you don’t have a good, ripe peach, it’s just not the same.”
“ T he peaches make the cobbler,” he said. “If you don’t have a good, ripe peach, it’s just not the same.”
Join us for dinner nightly. Reservations recommended. 37 New Orleans Road • Suite J Hilton Head Island, SC 843.785.3200
chezgeorgeshhi.com
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
93
eats Beyond peaches, Young has helped turn local pecans into a delicacy, serving them up candied where they take center stage on their own or lend a delicate crunch to housemade ice cream. He’s also brought one of his grandmother’s recipes out of the kitchen and into the dining halls at Belfair. “My grandma used to make blackberry dumplings,” he said. “And blackberries grew all over. We’d go out and fill up a five-gallon bucket when she’d make dumplings.” Grandma’s influence can be felt in nearly all of Young’s desserts, a link in a chain that goes back centuries. “She’d take potatoes shredded with eggs, add some cinnamon and raisins and bake that – it was heavenly,” he said. “There are so many different things that so many people don’t know about.”
Into the future
BELFAIR
Peach cobbler
INGREDIENTS 1/2 stick of butter, melted 4 cups fresh peaches, sliced 1 cup sugar 1 cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Pinch salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup half and half 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract DIRECTIONS [1] Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x9 pan generously with butter. Place peaches in a bowl. Toss with 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside. [2] For batter, combine sugar, flour, baking powder. 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Stir to combine. Add butter, half and half and vanilla. Mix well. Add batter to baking pan. [3] Pour peaches into the center of the batter. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Insert toothpick. If it comes out clean and the crust is golden brown, it’s done. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (or both).
94
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Through his culinary education in Wisconsin, Young expanded his horizons beyond the recipes and ingredients that had informed his cooking growing up. Studying baking and pastry, with an emphasis on experimental baking, gave him the tools to craft local ingredients into dishes that would bring them into the future. An excellent example can be found in his cheesecake, which swirls a traditional cheesecake base in with a cobbler enjoying deep local roots. “Growing up, one of my good friend's mom made the best peach cobbler on the entire planet. I tried to get mine to taste as good as hers, and I think I’ve got it,” he said. Blending that cobbler batter with a traditional cheesecake results in something decadently soft and delicious. A lot of the inspiration behind that came from his experimental baking classes. “When you’re doing a recipe, you have to follow the formulation. If you take one ingredient out, it stops the process of two other ingredients from acting on each other,” he said. “But you can always marry things together to get something different.” Long an ambassador for Native Island cuisine, perhaps that ultimately should be Chef David’s claim to fame. Marrying two things together – native Gullah influence and extensive culinary training – to create something different. LL
Living Our Best Life
in the heart of the Lowcountry
At Belfair, we believe there’s no better time than now to create your fullest, most balanced life – and there’s no shortage of opportunities to lead you there. With our Reinvented Sports & Lifestyle Campus, there’s an abundance of activities the whole family can enjoy. From the social halls and bistro to connect with your neighbors, fitness classes and court sports to keep you active, friends that make it fun to reach your personal fitness goals and various wellness solutions for your mind and body, Belfair is the place to find your peak levels of health, connections, and happiness.
BELFAIR WILL REINVEST $20 MILLION DOLLARS INTO THE COMMUNITY OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
Discovery Package
Includes a two night stay in one of our cottages, two rounds of golf on either of our Championship golf courses, dining at the 1811 Grille, access to our world-class Golf Learning C enter and our Sports & Lifestyle Campus. * *Package subject to availability
Bluffton, SC • 843.757.0700 • Discover@B elfair1811.com www.L ifeAtB elfair.com
eats
news RESTAURANT
©W PHOTOGRAPHY
FRESH FOOD + NOW OPEN + HOT PRODUCTS
Order a Cobb salad for Essie
©ROB KAUFMAN
To honor a lifetime of service in the kitchen, Charlie's L'etoile Verte is raising money for the retirement of Doretha “Essie” Jenkins — the woman behind the restaurant’s beloved Cobb salad. Through Labor Day, the restaurant will be setting aside half of all Cobb salad and sweet tomato vinaigrette sales for the Doretha Jenkins’ Retirement Fund, organized by Margaret Golson Pearman at gofundme.com. Order online (charliesgreenstar.com) or call 843-785-9277.
Private hands-on cooking classes available at Michael Anthony’s While the public hands-on cooking classes at Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana are on hold for now due to social distancing requirements, private classes are still available. If you have a group of friends or family, the restaurant’s posh demonstration kitchen can accommodate private classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. You will need a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 guests to schedule a private class. For more information, call 843-785-6272.
TripAdvisor awards Big Jim’s Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza — a restaurant located at the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes — was named a “2020 Travelers Choice Award” winner by TripAdvisor. The travel site combs through reviews, ratings and saves from travelers each year and awards the top performers. Big Jim’s recently announced several additions to its menu, including Fried Chicken Sliders, White Veggie Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Cheeseburger Pizza and a Portabella Mushroom Burger.
96
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Rediscover Porter & Pig If you haven’t been to Porter & Pig in a while, you won’t believe your eyes … or tastebuds. The hidden gem in The Village at Wexford has undergone an impressive renovation to create a charming and relaxed atmosphere for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A different menu is offered every night. Look for their amazing wagyu burger or their prized pig Cuban sandwich.
HOLE #18 - PETE DYE SIGNATURE GOLF COURSE
“… And Then We Came to Hampton Hall” That’s what so many of our members throughout Bluffton and beyond have said time and time again. They searched all over the Lowcountry for a private golf club that was prominent and also engaging, robust, and a lot of fun. And then they came to Hampton Hall, and their search was over. Hampton Hall currently offers a limited number of non-resident golf memberships that provide full access to our Pete Dye Signature Golf Course, our comprehensive practice facility, and dining at our beautifullyappointed community clubhouse and at Pete’s Grill in our golf clubhouse. We invite you to learn more through our 60-day trial membership and discover why your search will end at Hampton Hall.
(843) 815-9343 | hamptonhallclubsc.com
eats
BOOZE NEWS Schulz repeats at Sommelier Smackdown
TRY THIS
A socially distanced, full house was on hand Aug. 7 at Sea Pines Country Club for its popular Sommelier Smackdown. Three-time champion Stacy Schulz of Republic National Distributing Company was up against Jack Larkin, owner of Pacific Southern Wine Company. The format was an oenophile’s dream-come-true: two appetizers and four courses paired with one wine selected by each sommelier to complement the dishes. Attendees voted on which wine paired best with each dish — as opposed to the wine they simply enjoyed more. The sommelier titans were neck-and-neck throughout the evening. But Schulz won on the strength of her skillful dessert wine selection in the final round. Participants enjoyed Sea Pines Country Club Executive Chef Brian Coseo’s menu as much as they enjoyed the feisty competition for the vaunted “Smackdown Trophy.” Featured pairings included butter-poached lobster with sherry cream and chervil served with Chardonnay, and Trails and Trotter pork tenderloin in rose sauce garnished with opal basil served with Pinot Noir. In the fourth and final course, Schulz paired Merryvale Antigua dessert wine with baked pear crème brulee wrapped in almond biscotti-crusted phyllo with raspberry.
The Usual If you’re the type of person who doesn’t discriminate when it comes to good food, consider ordering the “The Usual” from Bad Biscuit on Hilton Head Island. Simply call 843785-2323 and say, “Give me the usual!” The special changes each day, but it’s always awesome, like this hash-brown bowl with chopped sausage, sautéed wild mushroom and homemade hollandaise sauce. Learn more at bad-biscuit.com.
The Salty Dog and Salty Dog T-Shirt have both been around since 1987. From iconic shirts and tasty hushpuppies to a stroll around the shops homemade ice cream in hand - to an evening filled with picture-perfect views from the decks of our Happy Hour Cruise, the Salty Dog is an island experience like no other.
98
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Bulrush Gin now available online Local craft gin brand Bulrush Gin is now available online via Curiada (curiada.com), an online distributor for small, independent spirit brands. Through the partnership, Bulrush will be accessible to consumers in 28 states. The spirit is highly regarded in the gin world, earning an “exceptional” rating and a gold medal from the Beverage Tasting Institute.
Tuesday Toast to Women Driving America Join the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival for an exclusive cocktail recipe at 4 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. This month’s toast is with Diane Parker at 4 p.m. Sept. 15. Surrounded by gear heads from a young age, Parker developed a love and appreciation for vehicles. Serving as vice president of the Historic Vehicle Association, she combines her love of vehicles with her expertise in operations management and oversees the HVA mission and strategies; including the efforts related to the National Historic Vehicle Register, and the annual Cars at the Capital exhibition on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Register at hhiconcours.com.
HOT PRODUCT
Veal
For whatever reason, quality veal can be hard to find here in the Lowcountry. Purchase the best chops and shanks, vacuum sealed in packages of two and flash frozen, at The Market Cafe at Michael Anthony’s. The tender meat is amazing roasted with mushrooms, cooked as a pot roast or pan-fried as cutlets. Make tonight’s supper spectacular by making veal Milanese with sliced lemon and a fresh vegetable salad.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
99
eats
WHAT’S FRESH IN SEPTEMBER?
The apples of our eyes
a
STORY BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
APPLE SEASON IS IN FULL SWING IN THE COOLER PARTS OF THE CAROLINAS. FIND OUT WHERE TO GET THEM.
Apples are the poster fruit of the fall. Nothing will get you in the mood for late September better than crisp, juicy apples in rich golden or burgundy shades. Pick them yourself or let someone else do the work. Make pies or even pancakes with them. Slice them up and eat them fresh with a tasty dip. Or just pick one up and take a bite. It’s as simple as that.
CUTIE PIE A really good apple pie can be (and should be) easy to make. Warm, spiced apples in a crisp and buttery crust. Don’t overthink it. Great accompaniments include ice cream or fresh whipped cream. For a taste of New England, serve a slice of Vermont sharp cheddar on top (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it). LOCAL LIFE TEST KITCHEN
Old-fashioned apple pie
INGREDIENTS 2 (9-inch) unbaked pie crusts 7 cups peeled, cored and sliced apples 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter
SMART APPLES Apple pie can be made with many different sorts of apples. Popular cooking apples include Braeburn, Gala, Cortland, Bramley, Empire, Northern Spy, Granny Smith and McIntosh.
100
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
DIRECTIONS [1] Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. [2] Line a 9-inch pie plate with one unbaked pie crust. Brush with butter and fill with apple mixture. Place top pie crust, poking holes to vent. Brush with butter. [3] Bake for 10 minutes. Turn temperature down to 300 degrees, then bake for an additional 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender. Cool and serve.
Easy as apple pie Apple season begins in late July and runs through October. September, in the heart of the season, is a great time to get them. The heat and humidity of the Lowcountry mean growing apples here is no small feat. Those who produce them around here have to know what they’re doing. Support the hard work local farmers put in by buying locally. Red Delicious, Jonagold, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are all apple varieties you can find at local markets this month. If you’re having trouble finding them, a road trip to North Carolina might be necessary. The Asheville and Hendersonville areas are home to many fantastic orchards, filled with any variety you can think of.
Closet Therapy De-stress While You Dress.
Call for a free in-home design consultation and estimate. Custom Closets
How do you like them apples? Carolina apples are on another level than grocery store apples. They taste better and have more health benefits. Apples found in the store can be up to a year old. They’re stored in a sealed room where the temperature is kept just above freezing, and oxygen, nitrogen and carbon levels are closely monitored to keep them in a hibernation state. Once the room is opened, they immediately start the aging process again. They’re washed and sprayed with wax before landing on grocery store shelves. Buying fresh Carolina apples is a lot less complicated. Not to mention, the fresher an apple is, the more nutritional benefits it will have. Apples lose antioxidants after just three months of storage.
Pantries
Laundry Rooms
Home Offices
Garages
Wa l l B e d s
plus EXTRA 15% and 40% off Free Installation *
Ask your designer how to save even more! *40% off any order of $1000 or more; 30% off order of $700-1000. Free installation on order of $600 or more. Extra 15% off valid through 9/30/20.
Closets byDesign Personalized solutions for any budget.
closetsbydesign.com 843-225-6725 LL SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
101
FRESH LOCAL Seafood & Fish
Fishing Bait & Tackle Crabbing Supplies Market Sundries
18 Executive Park Road, 7A Hilton Head
843.540.1109
GRAND OPENING Featuring daily specials during the entire month of September.
102
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
eats Go apple picking Pick apples straight from the trees at one of the many wonderful orchards near Asheville or Hendersonville, N.C. Prime picking season is late September and October. Sky Top Orchard near Flat Rock offers a long list of apple varieties with panoramic mountain views. The kids will enjoy a barnyard area with animals and a bamboo forest to explore. Sky Top’s apple cider doughnuts alone justify a weekend road trip. The weather there this time of year is just perfect — a fresh breath of cool, crisp air with beautiful fall colors.
CHIP SHOT If you like those expensive bags of dehydrated apples at the grocery store, you are sure to love this easy method for making tasty homemade apple chips with a dehydrator. They’re good enough to make you forget about all those sugar-packed snacks in the vending machine. LOCAL LIFE TEST KITCHEN
An apple a day That age-old adage has some truth to it. Apples are excellent sources of vitamin C and fiber. Fiber can lessen the effects of acid reflux. Apples also have antioxidants, which can slow the growth of cancer cells. They can boost your immune system, too – something we’re all thinking about these days. Most of the nutritional benefits are found in the skin, so you won’t want to peel them if you want all the benefits.
Apple chips
INGREDIENTS Fresh apples Dehydrator Cinnamon and sugar mixture DIRECTIONS [1] Slice apples into thin rounds, about 1/8 of an inch thick, leaving on the peels. Use a mandolin slicer to ensure they are the same size. [2] Toss slices in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. [3] Place slices in a single layer in your dehydrator. Dehydrate for around 8 hours at 135 degrees or to your preferred level of crispness.
N EGA
ŠM
N
HEE
GO
BUTTER IT UP If a trip to a Carolina orchard or a local market has left you up to your ears in fresh apples, consider this recipe for delicious apple butter. Spread it on toast, stir it into oatmeal or use it to top waffles or pancakes. You also can brush it on chicken or pork during the last few minutes of cooking, slather it on warm biscuits (our favorite) or simply set it out in a bowl with a cheese plate. LOCAL LIFE TEST KITCHEN
Lowcountry apple butter
N-cider information If you are a fan of Bold Rock Hard Cider, consider visiting its cidery when this whole pandemic mess is over. It sources 100 percent of its apples from local orchards within 35 miles of the cidery, about 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. In Bluffton, get your fix at Bee Town Mead & Cider (featured in our 2019 Crafted in the Lowcountry Guide). Visit their operation on May River Road in Bluffton for tastings, pours and bottles to go. They also rent our their chic tasting room for special events. LL
INGREDIENTS 6 1/2 pounds sweet apples 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vanilla extract DIRECTIONS [1] Peel, core and slice apples. Place in slow cooker. [2] Add sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and vanilla to cooker. Stir. [3] Cook for 10 hours on low setting, stirring every two hours. [4] Allow to cool, then puree in a blender until smooth. Cover and refrigerate. Freeze in small containers if desired.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
103
eats
Celebrate Oktoberfest, many miles from Munich
t
Thanks to the global pandemic, the biggest and most beautiful beer festival in the world has been canceled. In the spirit of the glorious gathering, we offer these Oktoberfest-worthy recipes, perfect for making Sept. 19 through Oct. 4. Check with your property owners association ahead of time if you’re going all-out with lederhosen, tents and a brass band.
104
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Follow me to
THE GREEN STAR!
or family-to yor tabl o Fwe are here to serve yo! e,
Now Offering...
ORDER TO-GO
#EAT LO C A L
for curbside pick-up or contact-free delivery:
Individual and family-style meals Fresh daily market provisions
MEAT YOUR MATCH The team of chefs at Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana shared this hearty recipe for cassoeula, a braised pork and cabbage dish from Northern Italy, influenced by Austrian and German cuisine. It has a strong, decisive flavor — the perfect accompaniment to an Oktoberfest-style brewski.
843.785.9277 or order online at
CharliesGreenStar.com
MICHAEL ANTHONY’S CUCINA ITALIANA
INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup grapeseed oil 1 rack of spare ribs 1 pound mild Italian sausage, cut into 2-inch lengths 1 small mild soppressata (dry salami), sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds 1 cup dry white wine 1 cup onion, medium diced 1/2 cup carrot, medium diced 1/2 cup celery, medium diced 1 teaspoon minced garlic Ingredients (beef stock) 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 savoy cabbage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces 1 teaspoon lemon zest 12 sage leaves, torn into pieces 1 sprig rosemary Salt and pepper DIRECTIONS [1] Heat 1/4 cup grapeseed oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Add spare ribs, seasoning with salt and pepper. Brown on all sides. Remove ribs and place in a large Dutch oven. [2] In the sauté pan, add Italian sausage and season with salt and pepper and brown on all sides. Deglaze pan with 1/2 cup white wine. Add sausage, pan drippings and wine to Dutch oven. [3] In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, heat 1/4 cup grapeseed oil. Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic and sauté until translucent, then add to Dutch oven along with the soppressata. [4] Add the rosemary, sage, lemon zest and tomato paste. Place cabbage into Dutch oven, covering meat. Add 1/2 cup white wine and enough beef stock to almost cover the cabbage on top. Season again with salt and pepper. [5] Cover and place in 375 degree oven and bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, occasionally skimming any grease that comes from the pork. Serve with creamy polenta or slices of hard bread.
Plus! Margaret’s weekly
YOUR SAFETYIT Y R IS OUR PRIO fied
ity Certi Palmetto Prior sma Sytems) Pla al GPS (Glob ensuring its un C A/ all in ors clean air indo
$15 WINE PICKS and Sommelier Services*
*Offer applies only to to-go orders.
8 NEW ORLEANS ROAD HILTON HEAD, SC
feed your soul!
A N
E X P E R I E N C E
T O
S A V O R
Tempting soul food with full bar service, premium sports, and musical entertainment featuring local and regional artists.
MUSIC
Cassoeula
Tuesday: Whitley Deputy Wednesday & Thursdays: Target the Band Fridays: Gwen Yvette and TC Soul Band Saturday: Whitley Deputy Band
DINNER SERVED 5PM UNTIL 10PM S
O
U
T
H
19 Dunnagans Alley Hilton Head 843.785.7825 rubyleessouth.com
N O R T H 46 Old Wild Horse Road Hilton Head 843.681.7829 rubylees.com
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
105
eats GET THE SCOOP Elevate your dipping game beyond basic beer cheese or mustard sauce with this tasty recipe for Obatzda — a Bavarian cheese delicacy perfect for soft pretzels or as a spread on warm bread.
LOVE IS ALL YOU KNEAD Nothing says Oktoberfest quite like soft pretzels (aka brezen) covered in salt. These soft and chewy delights are easy to make and are a fun (albeit very messy) activity for the younger set. LOCAL LIFE TEST KITCHEN
Soft pretzels
INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups warm water 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast 4 1/2 cups flour 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted Vegetable oil, for pan 10 cups water 2/3 cup baking soda 1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water Pretzel salt DIRECTIONS [1] Combine warm water, sugar and kosher salt in bowl. Sprinkle active dry yeast on top. When the mixture begins to foam (about 5 minutes), add the butter, flour and mix until well combined. [2] Knead the dough with a stand mixer until it pulls away from the side of the bowl (about 5 minutes). [3] Remove dough from the bowl. Clean the bowl, dry, then oil it with vegetable oil. Put the dough back into the bowl, cover it with plastic and set in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size (about 50 minutes). [4] Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil. Set aside. [5] Bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in a saucepan. While the water is heating up, divide the dough into eight equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope. Holding the ends, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place on the parchment-lined sheet pan. [6] Place pretzels into the boiling water, one by one, for 30 seconds. Remove from water using a spatula. Return to the sheet pan. Brush the top of each pretzel with the egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown (about 14 minutes). Cool at least five minutes before serving.
106
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
LOCAL LIFE TEST KITCHEN
Obatzda
INGREDIENTS 4 ounces cream cheese 4 ounces Camembert cheese (Romadur or a similar cheese may be substituted) 1 1/4 ounces butter 8 spoonfuls dark German beer (dunkel) 1 large red onion 1 teaspoon paprika Salt and pepper, to taste 1 radish, sliced (for garnish) 1 flat parsley leaf (for garnish) DIRECTIONS [1] Peel onion and cut in half. Chop one half into small cubes and the other half into rings. [2] Mash Camembert cheese with a fork. Mix with cream cheese, cubed onions, butter, beer and paprika. [3] Garnish with radish, onion rings, parsley leaf, salt and pepper.
FAN THE FLAMES Chef Pascal Vignau of Vineyard shared this hot recipe for flammekueche, also known as tarte flambée. The “flame cake” is a speciality of the historic regions of Alsace, Saarland, Baden and Pfalz at the French-German border region. VINEYARD BLUFFTON
Flammekueche
INGREDIENTS 1 (5 ounce) ball prepared pizza dough 5 ounces smoky bacon, thick cut 1-inch wide 1/2 medium size red onion, cut pole to pole and slice the same way 2 ounces cream cheese 2 ounces sour cream 1 pinch ground nutmeg 1 pinch ground black pepper
Coastline Cabinetry offers multiple pre-manufactured cabinetry lines to meet any budget with in house design services. We also have an inhouse fine woodworking facility to create any custom designed cabinetry or furniture piece.
Coastline Cabinetry specializes in residential and commercial cabinetry, custom designed for you.
HOURS
Mon – Fri . 8am – 5pm Saturday by appointment only
374 Spanish Wells Road, Suite E, Hilton Head Island, SC
843.342.9002 | hiltonheadcoastlinecabinets.com
Breakfast, Lunch & Dessert for the entire family.
DIRECTIONS [1] In a large cast iron skillet at medium heat, cook the cut bacon until almost crisp. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel to dry. [2] Add onion to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook until soft. Remove and mix with the bacon in a bowl. Dry the skillet with paper towel, leaving a nice coating of bacon fat. [3] Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Mix the cream cheese and the sour cream. Add the nutmeg and pepper. [4] Roll the dough very thin. Place in the cast iron, rolling the edge if necessary. Spread the cheese and sour cream mixture carefully over the dough with the bottom of a spoon, making sure not to tear it. Sprinkle the bacon and onion over the top and place in the oven for 7 to 10 minutes. If not crisp enough, turn the oven to broil and finish to the desired doneness. Remove and serve.
HELP US HELP OUR NEIGHBORS Eat and drink like a local with LOCAL Flavor, a LOCAL Life cookbook filled with recipes from local chefs and restaurants. Buy a cookbook for $15 and we will give $10 to the Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund. Purchase a copy online at LocalLifeSC.com.
Now Open in Main Street Village! 1511 Main Street • Suite 1511 Hilton Head Island, SC
Gourmet Goodies Gluten Free Specialities
843.802.4411 • thegfreespot.com
Whatever your special occasion, we’re here for you! SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
107
libations
1
2
3
4
5
6
The ultimate Oktoberfest 6-pack
Beer lovers will soon notice local shelves stocked with many Oktoberfest styles. Here are six great options you can often find in the “mix a six” section at local grocery stores and beer shops. Some are also on tap at local bars. Most are only available until the middle of October, so drink them while you can. Prost! 1. SPATEN OKTOBERFEST UR-MÄRZEN The world’s first Oktoberfest beer is still among the world’s best. 2. HACKER-PSCHORR ORIGINAL OKTOBERFEST This beer is slow roasted with Bavarian barley and uses pure spring water from the Alps. 3. HOFBRÄU OKTOBERFESTBIER A full-bodied, bottom-fermented beer with a fine hoppy aroma. The Hofbräu tent at Oktoberfest is known for its lively atmosphere.
HILTON HEAD
F reshest The
4. PAULANER OKTOBERFEST MÄRZEN This full-bodied beer has a masterful hop balance with a rich malt flavor, dark toffee notes and underlying fruit flavors. 5. WEIHENSTEPHANER FESTBIER The oldest continuously operating brewery in the world offers this mild, crisp beer with slightly more hop bite than your average Märzen. 6. AYINGER OKTOBER FEST-MÄRZEN The soft dryness of this light and sweet beer comes from long maturation. It offers a malty nose balanced with floral hops.
LOCAL FLAVOR Here are a few strong Oktoberfest offerings from South Carolina and Savannah breweries.
AND
THE ISLAND’S
BEST WINE SELECTION! (OVER
1300 wines)
843-686-3388 REDFISHOFHILTONHEAD.COM
8 ARCHER RD, HILTON HEAD ISLAND
108
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Thrift store find In September, nothing beats sipping an ice cold Oktoberfest beer from an authentic stein. This rare Kaliningrad stone mug was found behind the glass at St. Francis Thrift Shop for just $20. Stein lids became popular during the Black Plague to help prevent diseased flies from getting into the beer.
Bierkeller Columbia Festbier (Columbia) Birds Fly South Ale Project Flocktoberfest (Greenville) Carolina Bauernhaus Oktoberfest (Anderson) Charles Towne Fermentory Festbier (Charleston) COAST Oktoberfest (North Charleston) Columbia Craft Festbier (Columbia) Edmund’s Oast House Oktoberfest (Charleston) Holy City Oktoberfest (North Charleston) Revelry Oktoberfest (Charleston) River Dog Oktoberfest (Ridgeland) Service Brewing Oktoberfest (Savannah) Southbound Oktoberfest (Savannah) Two Tides Festbier (Savannah) Westbrook Märzenbier (Mount Pleasant)
T H E
F I N E S T
I TA L I A N
C U I S I N E
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 L’Etoile Verte. Here is her sipping suggestion for September:
Time Place Wine Co. Before I had even started my career in wine or much less graduated from college, I met Jamey Whetstone in his early years of winemaking sitting in on a tasting with my father. Jamey’s energy for life and passion for adventure are contagious. I remember thinking, if this is what a winemaker is like … I want to be in that world. Jamey grew up in South Carolina around the Murrells Inlet area. He spent years working in the hospitality industry of Charleston. In the late 90s he moved to California to manage Mustards Grill. Not long after, he found himself making wine at the famed Turley Wine Cellars. So when I later started selling wine for one of Jamey’s best friends, it made all the sense in the world for me to take a trip out to California and shadow him. Waking up at 3 a.m. and loading in to his beat-up Chevy to drive the “death highway” out to Lodi to meet the picking crew is a memory I will never forget. Jamey’s winemaking approach is centered on vineyard-specific bottlings. His latest project called Time Place Wine Co. focuses on single varietals from carefully sourced vineyards. The belief is that wine is a reflection of time and place: climate and season; site and study; right down to the moment of sharing the bottle with friends and family. All the wines under the Time Place Wine Co. label exude vibrancy and freshness, while being made sustainably under the Lodi Rules certification. This month I have chosen Time Place Wine Co.’s “El Jamon” Grenache from Bokisch Vineyards (the same one that I picked half asleep in 2008). Markus Bokisch is the epitome of a true farmer who knows his family’s land and vineyards like the back of his hand. The Grenache makes for a great summer red perfect for grilled meats and pizza. It’s spicy and flavorful without a super heavy weight; as the name infers it possesses meatiness not unlike a delicious piece of cured Spanish ham. The purple, pink, and yellow sunset on the label features the Stono River.
LOCAL SCENES Each label showcases the photography of Charleston artist John Duckworth. He is well known for his imagery of the Southeast coast that “transcends the line between realism and abstraction.” Just like looking at a painting, one can imagine their experience through the photo. Not only is the photo on each bottle dated and time stamped, but it also displays the GPS location. An empty bottle is the perfect single-stem vase for any Lowcountry home.
I N T R O D U C I N G THE MARKET AT MICHAEL ANTHONY’S The new Market Cafe is an active Italian market combined with a cafe atmosphere. From 11:30am – 2:00pm, we offer a menu of sandwiches and pizza. At 5:00pm, the Cafe transforms into a cozy trattoria with a small plate menu featuring artisan pizza, pasta, salads and snacks in a casual atmosphere. We feature a selection of Italian wines by the glass and a full bar. Please call for reservations.
18 YEARS
RESTAURANT
CO OKING SCHO OL
Acknowledged by food and wine enthusiasts and critics alike, the restaurant presents a fine-dining experience combining an awardwinning wine list, exquisite food, and attentive service.
Classes are held several days each week in our Tuscan inspired state-ofthe-art culinary center designed to provide the environment for learning skills and techniques for both novice cooks and culinary enthusiasts.
Orleans Plaza | 37 New Orleans Road | Suite L | Hilton Head Island 843.785.6272 | michael-anthonys.com SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
109
libations
Local Cocktail
i
LOCAL COCKTAIL
The Daufuskie Ferry
INGREDIENTS 2 ounces Hilton Head Distillery Jocasse Gin 1 ounce Daufuskie Blueberry Lavender Vodka 1/2 ounce Aperol 1/2 ounce strained fresh lemon juice DIRECTIONS Add all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange spike and an herb sprig.
©LLOYD WAINSCOTT
Inspired by the enterprising big-city bartenders that created iconic New York-centric cocktails (like the classic Manhattan), spirits specialist and writerat-large Terry Cermak of Rollers Wine & Spirits created a series of local cocktails to celebrate Hilton Head landmarks, events and founding fathers for LOCAL Life and Rollers Wine & Spirits. This month’s inspiration comes from the Daufuskie Ferry. “Many a Rollers customer has had to make a mad rush to grab some bottles before catching the ferry,” Cermak said. “This twisted martini variation might help them relax after getting home.” LL
110
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Nice and easy
Tito’s Handmade Vodka IS THE
SPEND LESS TIME MIXING AND MORE TIME SIPPING THESE COCKTAILS WITH A CITRUS TWIST!
w
We all know that drinking a cocktail is pretty easy to do, but sometimes making that cocktail can be a different story. So, when you’re looking to mix up something light and refreshing without taking a mixology lesson, try these simple citrus sippers from the team at Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Bettering the lives of pets and their families far and wide
Tito’s Classic If you want to keep it clean and simple but mellow it out and lighten it up a bit, this is how Tito prefers to drink his vodka. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 ounces Tito’s Handmade Vodka 4 ounces water 1 lemon slice, garnish DIRECTIONS Just add Tito’s Handmade Vodka and water to a glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon slice.
100%
10,000+
OF MERCH NET PROCEEDS BENEFIT NONPROFITS
ANNUAL NONPROFIT EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS SINCE 2013
tag your pets on
@vodkafordogpeople VODKAFORDOGPEOPLE.COM
Tito’s All-Time Favorite This classic twist on the "vodka soda" is simple, fresh, and easy to make. Top with a slice of orange and a slice of lime, and you’ve got a zesty spin on a fan-favorite. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 ounces Tito's Handmade Vodka 4 ounces sparkling mineral water 1 orange slice 1 lime slice DIRECTIONS Just add Tito's Handmade Vodka and sparkling mineral water to a rocks glass with ice. Stir and garnish with an orange and lime slice.
*Net proceeds constitute an average margin of at least 25% of the retail price of products, excluding the cost of shipping and tax on the purchase.
All-Time Favorite 1 ½ oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka 4 oz sparkling mineral water Rim a rocks glass with salt. Just add ice, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and fresh grapefruit to the glass. Stir and garnish with a rosemary sprig.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
111
outdoors
Fields Point
SECRET SPOT OFF THE BEATEN PATH STORY + PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELE ROLDÁN-SHAW
i
I took a notion one day — a lazy Sunday spent mostly on the couch — to do a little Google Maps reconnaissance in search of new adventure spots. Scanning satellite images of the ACE Basin, zooming in here and there on interesting-looking roads and creeks, I detected what I surmised to be an extremely out-of-the-way boat landing. A dirt road could just be discerned under tree cover and it appeared to go all the way to the water at a place called Fields Point. Clearly, a ground mission was in order. One sweaty day in September I turned off Highway 17 at the “Chehaw River Access” sign and rode the entire length of a rural highway to nowhere. It was so hot, the clouds of lovebugs got baked onto my windshield; I had to scour them off later at great pains with dish soap and a green scrubby. My plan had been to launch a kayak from the landing — if indeed it existed — but the trip ended up being more of a time-travel mission than anything, a scenic drive into bygone days of the Lowcountry. The first leg ran through plantations, relics of old rice country. Next came a lot of little cottages and fish camps. They all looked more or
112
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
LOCAL HISTORY In 1863, Fields Point was the site for the Raid on Combahee Ferry. Harriet Tubman led an expedition of 150 African-American soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The Union ships transported more than 750 slaves freed by the raid, many of whom joined the Union Army.
How to get there Location: Colleton County Mode of transportation: Car Directions: From Highway 17 North towards Charleston, turn right onto State Rd S-15-162/Wiggins Rd. Follow your nose till you reach the end. If you go: Bring a camera for old-time Lowcountry photo-ops.
HELPING YOU MAKE “ T he trip ended up being more of a time-travel mission than anything, a scenic drive into bygone days of the Lowcountry.” less abandoned, but at least some must have been cherished retreats. My favorite was the banana-yellow cabin with the screened porch and red naked lady flowers blooming in the yard. At the turnoff to a public boat ramp on the Chehaw, a couple in a beat-up truck was trailering a skiff back out to the paved road with river water still dripping off crab traps. He stopped to check the tow connection, hopping out shirtless and barefooted with a cigarette dangling from his lip. The road went on and on. Soon it was just a dirt track through pine plantings and fields of late summer wildflowers, part of the historic Cheeha-Combahee Plantation. Then it came to a junction at Wiggins, which on paper is a town, but in real life appeared to contain only a little old-timey white outbuilding with “WIGGINS, S.C.” painted on it. Unsure whether I was still on the public road, I followed my gut, bearing right as the dirt track continued under a beautiful forest canopy, getting more primitive as it went, until at last …
Fields Point!
TAKE A BACK ROAD The journey to Fields Point is as enjoyable as the destination. A dirt track leads you through a beautiful and primitive forest canopy.
A charming high bluff over the Combahee River, open and grassy, with big live oaks and Spanish moss swinging in the wind, it had once been the site of a plantation and had seen both Revolutionary and Civil War action. Now it was as silent as the ghosts of the fallen. Yet sure enough, there was a surprisingly wellbuilt concrete boat ramp, despite being many a country-mile from anywhere; I wondered who even used it. Situated on a wide horseshoe bend of the Combahee before it dumps into St. Helena Sound, it did not invite me to kayak; the currents looked gnarly with the tide kicking up a cross-chop, plus it was the middle of the day and hot. “Forget that,” I thought, sitting in my truck, sucking the rest of a cold smoothie through a straw. “I’ll just write about the scenic drive.” LL
Smart Financial Choices We help you simplify your financial planning process and act in your best interest to help you work toward your financial goals.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING RISK STRATEGIES We help build a personalized plan to help you build wealth, protect your family, preserve your assets, and any other goals you have.
We are Marc Stuckart, CPFA and Creighton Stuckart, CFP® a father and son team who founded Atlantic Investment Advisory Group to provide a straightforward financial planning solution to coastal South Carolina families.
Clear Guidance to Help Grow and Protect Your Wealth
. SUITE 203 . HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 2 PARK LANE ATLANTICADVISORSHHI.COM 843.341.3300 ATLANTICINVESTORSHHI.COM
Financial Advisor offering securities through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Summit Financial Group, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Summit and Cetera are affiliated and under separate ownership from any other named entity. SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com 113
outdoors
beach day SEPTEMBER
BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
Close out the summer season with a short road trip to a refreshing beach day destination. Amelia Island is only about 160 miles from Hilton Head and worth every mile of the drive. Accessible beaches are one of its trademarks, so pack your beach bag and hit the road. Summer isn’t over just yet. Here is your guide for September:
Accessibility
Amelia Island has rules in place to keep its beach pristine. All personal items must be removed from the beach by 8 p.m. Items not picked up may be discarded. Alcohol is prohibited on the beach. You’ll be breaking a state law if you pick sea oats or walk on dunes, so just enjoy them from afar.
WED, SEPT 2 L 03:24 AM H 09:39 AM L 03:33 PM H 10:07 PM
THURS, SEPT 17 L 02:53 AM H 09:18 AM L 03:15 PM H 09:43 PM
THURS, SEPT 3 L 04:02 AM H 10:21 AM L 04:14 PM H 10:45 PM
FRI, SEPT 18 L 03:40 AM H 10:10 AM L 04:06 PM H 10:33 PM
FRI, SEPT 4 L 04:38 AM H 11:00 AM L 04:53 PM H 11:21 PM
SAT, SEPT 19 L 04:26 AM H 11:02 AM L 04:58 PM H 11:24 PM
SAT, SEPT 5 L 05:12 AM H 11:38 AM L 05:32 PM H 11:57 PM
SUN, SEPT 20 L 05:14 AM H 11:55 AM L 05:51 PM
MON, SEPT 7 H 12:35 AM L 06:23 AM H 12:56 PM L 06:56 PM
TUES, SEPT 22 H 01:07 AM L 06:58 AM H 01:45 PM L 07:48 PM
TUES, SEPT 8 H 01:14 AM L 07:03 AM H 01:38 PM L 07:45 PM
WED, SEPT 23 H 02:02 AM L 07:56 AM H 02:43 PM L 08:51 PM
Hilton Head Island to Amelia Island 160 miles: 2 hours, 29 minutes
WED, SEPT 9 H 01:56 AM L 07:49 AM H 02:24 PM L 08:39 PM
THURS, SEPT 24 H 02:59 AM L 08:58 AM H 03:45 PM L 09:54 PM
BEACH DESTINATION
THURS, SEPT 10 H 02:43 AM L 08:42 AM H 03:15 PM L 09:36 PM
FRI, SEPT 25 H 04:00 AM L 10:01 AM H 04:49 PM L 10:54 PM
FRI, SEPT 11 H 03:36 AM L 09:38 AM H 04:14 PM L 10:33 PM
SAT, SEPT 26 H 05:04 AM L 11:02 AM H 05:50 PM L 11:50 PM
SAT, SEPT 12 H 04:35 AM L 10:36 AM H 05:15 PM L 11:28 PM
SUN, SEPT 27 H 06:04 AM L 12:00 PM H 06:45 PM
Road Trip
Amelia Island Located off the coast of Florida, this island is an ideal spot for your beach day. It has 13 miles of beaches. The best part? There are over 40 public access points, so you won’t have to worry about navigating red tape or exclusive clubs. Everyone seems to love it on the island, as it has been under eight different flags throughout its history. Sea turtles are also big fans – the island is home to four species.
What to bring.
Pets
Aside from the state parks, the beaches are pet-friendly as long as you keep them on a leash. You’ll even find a dispenser for doggie trash bags on Main Beach. There are plenty of pet-friendly restaurants and hotels on the island, as well. Check out Amelia Island’s website for the complete list.
Hat: Roxy Straw Sun Hat, $36 (Roxy) Leash: Beach Biscuit Alligator Prep Leash, $25 (All About Pets HHI) Shoes: Chaco Women’s Z/2 Classic, $105 (Outside Hilton Head) Bag: Gemma Straw Tote, $155 (Outside Hilton Head) Book: “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab, $25 (Amazon) Camera: Instax mini 70 Instant Camera, $73 (Amazon) Beach towel: Spartina Sea Islands Beach Towel, $44 (Spartina) LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
WED, SEPT 16 L 02:05 AM H 08:25 AM L 02:22 PM H 08:54 PM
MON, SEPT 21 H 12:15 AM L 06:04 AM H 12:49 PM L 06:47 PM
TYPICAL DAYS
114
TUES, SEPT 1 L 02:42 AM H 08:56 AM L 02:50 PM H 09:27 PM
SUN, SEPT 6 L 05:47 AM H 12:16 AM L 06:12 PM
HOT
We’ll head into fall this month, which means a decrease in rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures. The beginning of the month will start out hotter as summer comes to an end, but cooler temperatures are right around the corner. Average highs will be in the mid 80s and average lows in the lower 70s.
Local Tides
SUN, SEPT 13 H 05:37 AM L 11:34 AM H 06:15 PM
MON, SEPT 28 L 12:42 AM H 06:59 AM L 12:54 PM H 07:33 PM
MON, SEPT 14 L 12:23 AM H 06:36 AM L 12:32 PM H 07:11 PM
TUES, SEPT 29 L 01:30 AM H 07:47 AM L 01:44 PM H 08:17 PM
TUES, SEPT 15 L 01:15 AM H 07:32 AM L 01:28 PM H 08:03 PM
WED, SEPT 30 L 02:13 AM H 08:31 AM L 02:30 PM H 08:57 PM
Amelia Island must-dos “One of the Best Breakfasts on Hilton Head” SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE
SKYDIVING See the beach from a whole new view. This activity is for the daredevils at heart, but you’ll be attached to an experienced instructor so anyone can safely enjoy parachuting through the sky.
INDOOR & OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE
OPEN! Wed-Sun 6am-2pm
6am-2pm Wednesday Thru Sunday • Palmetto Bay Marina
843.686.3232 • PalmettoBaySunRiseCafe.com
HORSEBACK RIDING If you prefer to enjoy the beach safe on land, try horseback riding. Galloping down the shores is an experience some only dream about. The island offers many opportunities to do so.
SHARK-TOOTH HUNTING The beaches on Amelia Island are known for shark teeth. Take a guided tour with an expert for a chance to learn all about them and even find your own.
Island Lavender Market 707 Bay Street Downtown
BIKING Rent a bike on the island and get exploring. There are several bike paths, including smooth ones along the coast and rugged ones through trees.
“We hand make wonderful lavender specialties …delectable edibles, beauty delights and home pleasures.”
www.islandlavender.com 920-737-1531 Island_Lavender_Ad_LowCountryNews_4.75x4.75.indd 1
1/5/19 1:29 PM
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
115
sports
Happy Pirate
PITTSBURGH RECONNECTED LOCAL BASEBALL STAR CARMEN MLODZINSKI TO HIS PENNSYLVANIA ROOTS BY DRAFTING HIM IN THE FIRST ROUND. STORY BY DEAN ROWLAND
FIRST CLASS Carmen Mlodzinski (pronounced ma-GIN-ski) is shown with his parents, Holly and Thomas, when he played for Hilton Head Island High School. He was drafted in the first round by the Pirates.
116
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
w
©ALLEN SHARPE/USC ATHLETICS
When you’re a 21-year-old pitcher who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 230 pounds, you might have a future in the game of baseball. Hilton Head Islander Carmen Mlodzinski thinks so. The Pittsburgh Pirates think so, too. They drafted him in the first round as its 31st pick in this year’s major league draft in June. He signed for a reported $2.05 million. “Once I got the call, we were all very excited,” he said. “I couldn’t be any happier where I landed. I took a deep breath and was very excited. My family was excited. It’s a milestone I’ve been working for my whole career.”
When he visited the team’s organization after the draft to sign his contract, they told him they wanted him to be a starter on the mound as soon as possible. “I fell in love with the city” when he went to Pennsylvania three months ago. For Mlodzinski, it was a homecoming of sorts. He was born in Pennsylvania, moved to Hilton Head as a youngster, but still holds the Philadelphia Phillies near and dear to his baseball heart. He still has lots of family in the Keystone State. “It’s very close to home, which is pretty nice,” he said. The young ace graduated from Hilton Head High School in 2017 and earned a plethora of honors, including being ranked the top prep player in the Palmetto State and first team by USA Today. Not bad for an athletic shortstop who only became a pitcher in his senior year. After graduation, he rode a scholarship to the University of South Carolina with high expectations. His record and performance there were spotty, compounded by a broken foot in his sophomore year. (In the classroom, he excelled, landing on the SEC academic honor roll for three consecutive years.)
BAND OF BROTHERS Carmen Mlodzinski (far left) attended and graduated from Hilton Head Island High School. In 2017, his senior season, he was named the South Carolina Class 4A Player of the Year.
We L I V E for
the perfect match.
We live for the action-packed, active lifestyle shared with friends and complemented by our
award-winning tennis facility at the very heart of Moss Creek. We love the perfect match of living at
the epicenter of burgeoning Bluffton, SC and the pristine beaches of Hilton Head Island. We love the option of a day trip to our choice
of Savannah or Charleston. Join us at the perfect marriage of location and lifestyle.
WE LIVE HERE.
1523 Fording Island Road, Hilton Head, SC 843-837-2229
The best value in private club living is at MossCreek-HiltonHead.com SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
117
©ALLEN SHARPE/USC ATHLETICS
sports
LATE BLOOMER Mlodzinski grew up playing shortstop, and while he always had impressive arm strength, he didn't begin pitching until his junior season at Hilton Head Island High School in 2016. He was named USC's Opening Day starter as a sophomore in 2019.
“You have to think you’re the most confident person on that field,” he said. “And if you’re not, you’re not going to be successful.” LL Read about what happens when a young pitcher returns to his home plate on the island at LocalLifeSC.com
118
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
“It was a great experience going there, but it sucked because a couple of my seasons were cut short,” he said. “But I learned a lot.” Fast forward, he was masterful on the mound last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he compiled a 3-0 record with a 1.83 ERA. He struck out 43, allowed only 20 hits and walked five in 34 innings. When the Gamecocks' season shut down in March, he returned home to the island and has been working out ever since. Adjustments to his new normal were made. He still has one more semester to complete his sports-management and entertainment degree. In between, he works out five to six days a week, often with personal fitness trainer Marwin Kline at Lava Fitness on the island, and throws the ball every other day. Ever since he was a kid, Mlodzinski always envisioned being in the big leagues. “Always,” he said. “I always enjoyed watching baseball growing up,” he said. “I loved the game growing up so much. There’s baseball in my family’s blood.”
L
C
J a c
His dad, Thomas, inspired him and coached him early on, then his friends’ dads took over when he was in his pre-teens. “I still talk to those guys (friends) all the time,” he said. Self-confidence is his guiding force. “You have to think you’re the most confident person on that field,” he said. “And if you’re not, you’re not going to be successful.” The righty certainly has confidence in his right arm, thanks to a mid-90s fastball, upper-80s slider, low-80s curveball, mid-80s changeup and a sinker from which to choose in his repertoire of pitches. He considers himself to be a finesse-and-power hurler. He kind of reminds baseball fans of hall of famer Greg Maddux. LL
HOME-GROWN PLAYERS WITH MAJOR LEAGUE ABILITY Here are three pros who have lived here full- or part-time through the years. Find the complete list online at LocalLifeSC.com
Asher Wojciechowski
Wojciechowski, a Beaufort High graduate, is a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. He also played in the majors for the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds. He was selected in the first round of the 2010 draft by the Blue Jays and made his Major League debut for the Astros in 2015. His repertoire includes a fastball around 94 miles per hour, a slider in the low to mid 80s and an occasional changeup and curveball.
Dan Driessen
Driessen, a native islander and Hardeeville High School graduate, was a key member of the world champion “Big Red Machine” in Cincinnati in the 1970s. He played 15 seasons in the big leagues. The 69-yearold owns Driessen Excavating Services on the island and helps coach the Hilton Head High baseball team.
Brian Harrison
Harrison played at Hilton Head Christian Academy, Hilton Head High and Furman University before being drafted by the Pirates in the 29th round of the 2007 draft. He was later signed by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2010 draft. The first and third baseman spent four seasons in the minors.
Helping buyers & sellers for over 35 years
LOOKING FOR JUST THE RIGHT PLACE
CALL JEFF HALL Jeff has been a local since 1974 and has dominated the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton real estate markets since 1984, helping to develop the finest communities and to aid home buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals.
843-384-7941 livehiltonhead.com SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com 119 jammerhhi@gmail.com
culture
b
#NoFilter: How to take the best photos with your phone BY HANNAH MASSEN + PHOTOS BY LUCY ROSEN Lucy is a iPhone 11Pro owner (primarily for its photo capability)
Before the age of smartphones, taking a decent photo was a labor-intensive process. You needed expensive camera equipment and fancy editing software, which could take months – if not years – to learn. You also were limited by the kinds of shots you could take. Spur of the moment photos? Not without a camera on-hand.
120
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Group shots taken with a camera timer? You’d need that dreaded shutter release cord. Selfies? Nearly impossible. Thanks to our smartphones and the editing apps that come with them (and that you can buy from 99 cents to $29 for pre-set bundles), we now have everything we need to take top-quality photos
on the thing that is either in your hand or handbag (or back pocket) all day long. But there’s more to taking a great photo with your smartphone than simply pointing and shooting. The basic rules of photography still apply, and there are a few phone-specific tricks that make capturing a moment much easier.
Put your h me in good hands.
Tip to capture people The sun should be behind you. It makes it hard for the subject, but makes for a much better photo. Anything that is spontaneous and fun always makes for a good photo. Photos where the person isn’t looking directly into the camera (grip and grin) are always better. Use portrait mode for a softer background. Again, get down to their level. If your subject is sitting, you need to be, too. 57 Dune Lane North Forest Beach
Since 1988, we’ve been providing first-class customer service to homeowners looking to rent their properties easily and efficiently. We try to understand all your wants and needs so we can create the best experience possible. Share your home with us and we’ll work hard for you.
843.686.6100 | VacationCompany.com info@vacationcompany.com 42 New Orleans Road, Suite 102 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
121
G L O R I O U S D E TA I L
culture
Use these 11 tips to take better photos with your smartphone. 1. Remember the rule of thirds. This classic principle of photography suggests that your photo should be broken down into thirds – both vertically and horizontally – so you have nine parts total. If the points of interest in your photo run along these lines, you’ll have a visually appealing shot. Try enabling the grid feature on your camera app so you can see these lines while positioning your phone.
JEWELRY, FINE GIFTS, TREASURES F
E
A
T
U
R
I
N
G
Mariposa • Caspari • Le Cadeaux John Medeiros • Crislu • Meghan Browne
2. Choose your shooting mode wisely. The iPhone camera app comes with a variety of shooting modes, including photo, panorama, and square. Shooting in the mode you plan to publish for will save you a lot of editing time after the fact. For example, if you plan to publish the photo on Instagram, it may make sense to shoot in square. 3. Avoid zooming in. It’s always better to get as close to the subject of your photo as you can without zooming in. Otherwise, your photo may come out blurry, grainy, or pixilated. This also will allow you to capture delicate details that keep the photo interesting. 4. Lighting is everything. The flash from your phone is created by a small LED light which is located less than an inch away from the lens, making for blurry, strangely lit subjects, and red “devil eyes.” And whereas iPhone filters were cool five years ago, they’re now considered gimmicky. Take photos using natural light whenever possible, and try your hand at editing the photos yourself. You can download professional editing apps like Snapseed and VSCO for free.
HARBOUR TOWN | 149 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD
843.671.3643
122
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
5. Set your camera app’s exposure manually. Tapping the screen when your phone’s camera is in use doesn’t just allow you to refocus the lens on a new subject, it automatically adjusts how much light the camera lens lets in. Your phone will do this automatically, but if you want that #nofilter look, it’s best to adjust the exposure by hand. When you tap the screen and see the lens refocus, you’ll also see a small sun icon and vertical scale. Drag your finger up and down this scale to adjust the light level. Pretty cool, right?
Now Accepting: Beach Homes & Villas for Rental
6. Turn your phone on its side. The web is a horizontal medium, meaning that most digital platforms lend themselves to landscape-style photos. Turning your phone on its side will allow you to take photos that fill up your entire screen, not just a sliver of it. 7. Use the volume button. Now that you’ve flipped your phone 90 degrees, you can use the “volume up” button to control your shutter. Reaching for the standard shutter button may throw off your perfectly balanced photo.
MS
Free Beach Gear Credit through VayK Gear
MS
843.785.2242 www.HiltonHeadPropertiesRandR.com
8. Taking photos of things smaller than you? Whether it’s kids, flowers, or birds at the beach, get down with it – literally. Lie down or kneel down. It makes a difference. 9. Work the angles. One benefit of taking photos on such a small, light device is that it gives you a huge range of mobility and, therefore, more freedom in terms of positioning. Whether you get low to the ground, stand on a chair, or turn the camera to the side, creative angles are one of the best ways to put a creative twist on otherwise expected shots. 10. Embrace the negative space. Negative space is defined by the areas between and around the subjects of your photos. But don’t be tempted to fill the void, because your subject will stand out and evoke a stronger reaction from viewers. 11. Clean your phone’s lens. Before and after taking photos, gently wipe off your phone’s lens with a technology-safe wipe or tissue. That way, your next photos will come out crystal clear. LL SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
LL
123
culture
Shake it like a Polaroid picture ... ACTUALLY, DON’T. READ ON FOR THIS INSTANT CAMERA SECRET AND MORE SO YOU CAN BE A POLAROID PRO IN NO TIME.
p
BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
Polaroid cameras are making a comeback. In today’s Instagram world, we’re so busy trying to capture every moment to relive them later, we often forget to live them the first time. Our filtered and photoshopped images designed to rack up the likes can take us out of the present. These old-school cameras are here to bring us back. Instant cameras mean you get one shot. Sometimes, one shot is all it takes. Capture the moment and get right back to living in it. Get the picture?
The development of the Polaroid The lightbulb first went off in Edwin Land’s brain when his threeyear-old daughter asked why she had to wait to see the photo he had just taken. It was a valid question, so Land created the instant camera in order to bypass the time it took to develop photos. His invention of the polarizer, an optical filter first used in goggles for World War II pilots and now used in polarized sunglasses, made the technology possible. The Polaroid Land camera hit department store shelves in 1948, making $5 million in sales the first year alone. The birth of the smartphone in the early 2000s threatened to make the instant camera obsolete. After the company struggled financially for years, Polaroids are back and better than ever. Their “cool retro” image and whiteframed prints are icons modern technology could never replace.
In an instant How do instant cameras work? They copy the darkroom process. The bottom strip on the prints isn’t just for labeling them. It’s filled with chemicals needed to develop the photos. When you press the button to take a photo, two rollers in the camera squeeze the chemicals out and roll them onto the photo right before it prints out. Once the chemicals dry, you’re good to go. LL 124
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Our top three Polaroid camera picks:
1. Polaroid OneStep 2 i-Type Instant Camera: This analog instant camera has a super cool retro design and comes in several different colors. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery and uses i-Type film or 600 film. When this camera came out in 1977, it was labeled “the world’s simplest camera.” $89.99. us.polaroid.com
Snapshot secrets Instant cameras are designed to be easy to use but keep these POLAROID PHOTOGRAPHY tips in your back pocket. After all, you only get one shot. 1. You don’t have to shake it. We know this isn’t easy to hear since the song “Hey Ya!” by OutKast probably got stuck in your head as soon as you read the title of this article. As it turns out, older Polaroid prints required shaking to dry the wet chemicals used to develop them. These days, the chemicals are trapped behind a clear plastic window on the film. Shaking has no effect, unless you get a little too excited and damage the photo. 2. Once you insert the film, the first photo you take will be blank. Don’t worry, it’s all part of the process. Get this out of the way right after you insert the film so you don’t accidentally miss an award-winning shot.
2. Polaroid OneStep+ i-Type Instant Camera: This camera is like the OneStep 2, only better. It uses the same type of film but can connect to an app on your phone via Bluetooth that unlocks photography settings like you would find on a digital camera. $139.99. us.polaroid.com
3. Once it’s in, don’t take the film out. Taking out the film cartridge before you use it up will expose one photo and waste it. Trust us, we learned the hard way. 4. Natural light is ideal. Make sure the sun is behind you when you take the photo, or the subject will be dark. If you’re inside, use the flash. 5. Framing requires trial and error. Take a few practice shots to get the hang of it so you’re good to go when the perfect photo op comes up. 6. Shield the print from light as it develops. Ideally, you don’t want light to hit the photo until all the chemicals are spread out.
3. Fujifilm instax mini 70: These instant cameras produce smaller prints and use cheaper film simply called instax mini color film. They come in many different colors and feature a selfie mirror on the front to help frame selfies. $69.97. amazon.com
7. For a snappy Instagram photo, hold the Polaroid print in front of the thing you just took the photo of. We’re not sure why, but this seems to be the trendy thing to do.
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
125
PHOTO BY CHANDLER HUMMELL
culture
Up in the air
t
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY, SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO WING IT. BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
To gain an edge over other photographers, take to the sky. Drone photography and videography allows us to see the world from a bird’s eye view without ever leaving the ground. Photograph landscapes, cities and wildlife from a breathtaking angle that inspires others to reach for the stars. Camera drones open a world of possibility, allowing you to keep your head in the clouds while your feet remain firmly planted on the ground. Local drone photographer and videographer Chandler Hummell said it best: “They’re really just a spectacular piece of technology,” he said. Get ready for takeoff.
Let’s clear the air A drone is essentially a flying robot. Attach a camera to it, send it into the sky using a remote, and you’ll be flying high with photos and videos from a whole new perspective. This is the idea behind drone photography and videography. Robert Berner, a photographer from Dayton, Ohio, and visitor of Hilton Head Island, said most camera drones connect to your phone using an app so you can see what you’re photographing. Drones are aware of their surroundings, thanks to GPS technology. To hover steadily, they can lock into a specific GPS position to return to if they drift. LL
126
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
PHOTO BY ROBERT BERNER
LL
EASY ON THE EYES The perfect amount of light for your space.
Find additional images online at LocalLifeSC.com
Insider information MAVIC AIR 2 The best bang for your buck. $799
Set the scene The BEST PLACES to fly your camera drone: 1. Open grass fields: These are ideal for beginners, Hummell said. You won’t have to worry about navigating trees or any of the challenges that come with flying over water. 2. Open water: Berner said this is one of his favorite places to fly, but it poses the risk of losing connection with your drone which could cause it to fall in the water. Hummell likes flying over the water as well and said it’s not as risky as it may seem. Since water reflects, you can actually get a better radio signal over the water. Just watch out for pelicans and ducks, he warned. 3. Through trees: Navigating trees can be tricky, to say the least. Berner said there are goggles you can buy that allow you to see what you are recording as if you were flying through the trees yourself, which can eliminate some of the issues. Hummell said you risk getting stuck in the trees, but tree shots are some of the best. 4. Oyster beds: Located between Bluffton and Pinckney Island, oyster beds are Hummell's all-time favorite place to visit. “I regularly fly over those,” he said. “It’s just so other-worldly. You can’t really tell where it is.” 5. Mountains: Lower air density and plenty of obstacles mean flying through the mountains would be no small task, but Berner said he has always wanted to tackle it.
Here are all the TIPS AND TRICKS you’ll need to get in the air. 1. You can fly high, but not too high. The height limit is 400 feet in the air. 2. Get licensed to fly. If your camera drone weighs more than 55 pounds, you’ll have to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration. As long as the drone weighs less than 55 pounds, you can use the automated registration system online at faa.gov. 3. In order to protect wildlife, it’s illegal to fly in wildlife refuges or national parks. Stick to public and state parks, where drone photography is typically allowed. It can vary by park district, so check first, just in case. 4. To protect privacy, it’s illegal to fly a drone on beaches within the town of Hilton Head. 5. Auto mode, which Hummell said is impressive, is a great place to start. Once you master that, you can switch to manual mode to control shutter speed and other settings like you would find on a normal camera. 6. Hummell’s best advice? “Don’t be afraid,” he said. The fear of losing your drone shouldn’t get in the way of sending it out and getting great shots. Hummell said it’s always worth the risk – advice coming from someone who has lost three drones.
843-949-8444 | SeaglassWindowscapes.com
CUSTOM BLINDS • DRAPES • SHADES SEPTEMBER• 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com 127 AWNINGS • SHUTTERS STORM PROTECTION
FALL!
culture
Think Outside
a
GRAB YOUR CAMERA AND HEAD FOR THE OUTDOORS TO GET SOME SHOTS OUTSIDE THE BOX. STORY BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
Adventure is out there. See it all for yourself, then capture it with your camera so everyone else can see it, too. Underwater, night sky, wildlife and landscape photography are all excuses to get out and explore the world. These types of photography require some skill, but the payoff is worth it. Here are some tips and tricks to get started.
Under the sea Professional Lawn Care & Landscape Turf Maintenance & Sod Installation Shrub and Tree Planting & Pruning Irrigation & Lighting Systems Fertilization & Weed Control Hardscapes & Pathways
Family owned and operated since 1981
Greenscape Services TURF & SHRUB CARE 843. 304. 4397
GreenscapeHHI@gmail.com 128 LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
UNDERWATER WORLDS Hot spots for underwater photography include Kona, Hawaii; Monterey Bay, Calif.; Vava’u Islands, Tonga; Bimini, Bahamas; West Bay, Cayman Islands; Lembeh, Indonesia; Tulum, Mexico; Lanzarote, Spain; Bligh Water, Fiji; and Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea.
Underwater photography can be breathtaking – in more ways than one. Needless to say, photos this stunning take some work. The first step is learning how to navigate the water beneath the waves. It’s possible to shoot while snorkeling or freediving, but scuba diving is your best bet. Scuba diving gives you more control over your motion so you have time to get great shots. To do this, you’ll probably need training to learn how to manage the equipment. Another challenge is lighting. While other outdoor shots are taken in natural light, it’s going to get darker as you go deeper underwater. Ideally, you’ll want to use an external strobe light. Particles in the water, called backscatter, present an additional challenge. You can typically fix lighting and color post-production, but not backscatter. Using a strobe light can help, as well as getting as close as you can to the subject. A key of underwater photography is familiarity with the subject. Make sure you don’t disturb the wildlife or environment you are shooting. If you’re
shooting just for fun, an underwater point-and-shoot camera, such as a GoPro, is a good option. Pros, however, will need to get what is referred to as “housing” for their camera. This is often a plastic case that protects the camera while still allowing access to the buttons. Shot ideas: The over-under shot, in which half of the photo is above the water and the other half is below, is always a classic. Scenic shots capture a large portion of a coral reef or shipwreck to make the viewer feel as if they are really there. There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife shots underneath the water, too.
Make memories on the water. Not on the boat ramp
Carefree Boat Club strives to provide our customers with an affordable boating experience that is fun, easy and safe. We do this through professional boat safety training, quality maintenance, excellent customer service, and unsurpassed industry knowledge. STAR ATTRACTIONS Astrophotography hots spots include Arches National Park, Utah; Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah; Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan; Atacama Desert, Chile; and Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Aim for the stars Night sky photography requires some planning. Before you go to take the photo, check the moon phase. You won’t be able to see the stars if the moon is outshining them. The night of the New Moon is perfect, but the weeks before or after the New Moon are close seconds. Next, check the weather. You want as little cloud cover as possible. Finally, the darker the sky, the better. Light pollution will prevent you from seeing the stars, so this may require traveling to a remote spot. Once you find the perfect spot, scout out the Milky Way. There are apps to help you find it in case you have trouble. If you can’t see it well in person, it probably won’t show up on your camera either. Grab a camera with manual mode and a tripod. The tripod is necessary because you’ll be using long exposure, meaning the shutter will stay open for an extended amount of time. Shooting with shaky hands isn't going to work. You want the shutter to stay open for a long time, but not too long – otherwise, the stars could look blurry. A trick is to divide 500 by the focal length you will be shooting at. This will give you the longest exposure time possible, likely somewhere between 10 and 40 seconds. The widest aperture possible is recommended because you want to let as much light in as possible. You could even use a wide-angle lens. The recommended ISO is somewhere between 2500 and 6400. Play around with focusing the camera, starting by focusing it at infinity. You may want to find the focus point during the day to make it easier. Shot ideas: The Milky Way speaks for itself. For some variety, try taking a photo with mountains in the background or wildflowers in the foreground. A shot of the stars over water is another idea.
Whether you are interested in Fishing, Watersports, or just cruising the calm waters — we have the right boat for you.
Affordability Unlimited Usage Large Variety of Boats Great Availability Location Options On The Water Instruction
The best alternative to owning or renting a boat.
86 Helmsman Way | Hilton Head Island, SC
843.802.3009 carefreeboats.com/locations/hilton-head-sc SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
129
culture
Into the wild
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Full of natural wonders, stunning landscapes and captivating wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is a photographer's dreamland.
130
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Wildlife photography is for those who enjoy the adventure of finding great shots as much as they enjoy taking them. It’ll keep you on your toes as you hunt for your subjects and, once you find them, have to adapt your photography as they stay on the move in their natural habitat. Lugging camera equipment around in the wild can be a challenge. A telephoto lens is recommended, but these can get bulky. You may want to use a teleconverter to adapt a shorter lens instead. If you want to shoot small creatures, such as birds or insects, opt for a macro lens. Your camera may be exposed to the elements, so a weather-sealed camera is a good idea. Once again, you’re going to need a camera that can shoot in manual mode. A fast shutter speed is necessary to keep up with animals on the move. Focusing the camera can be a challenge, so you may want to use autofocus as it tracks movements and adjusts accordingly. You’ll probably need a tripod, but you might find something to use in your surroundings instead. A tree or rock may be able to offer all the support you need. Lastly, you’ll need lots of patience and stealth like a ninja. While you wait quietly for your chosen subject to get camera ready, pay attention. Learning about the subject and its habitat will lead to better photos. Shot ideas: Wildlife photo opportunities look different from one day to the next. Challenge yourself to capture a bird or other fast-moving creature. Tight shots can capture personality, while wide shots can show habitat.
BLUE HEAVEN Soaring mountains, picturesque forests and stunning waterfalls make the Blue Ridge Mountains a perfect destination for landscape photography.
A sweeping view Landscape photography may be one of the easier forms of nature photography to master. However, a common problem is that the photo just doesn’t do the scene justice. Bringing a nature landscape to life through photography requires knowing the settings on your camera and which effects they produce. Aperture, shutter speed and ISO are all important settings to check. A key factor is lighting, which requires shooting at the right time. Blue hour and golden hour, called the “magic hours,” are the most popular times to take photos. They occur when the sun is rising and setting. In the morning, blue hour kicks it off, followed by golden hour. In the evening, golden hour is first, then blue hour. Golden hour gives landscapes a warm hue, while blue hour gives them a cool hue. Both solve the problem of harsh lighting and strong shadows, meaning your landscape photos will be at their very best without any extra effort on your part. Another factor to consider is composition – how the subjects are arranged within the rectangle that will be the photo. For example, the “rule of thirds” is a popular composition technique, in which the photographer imagines the photo is split into thirds horizontally and vertically. Often, photos look best when the main subject is placed in the third on the far right or left, rather than the third in the middle. However, it’s not a hard-and-fast rule – use your own creativity. After all, you’re the one who gets to see the landscape in real life. Shot ideas: Mountain, ocean, and forest landscapes are all stunning. Deserts, wildflower fields, sunrises and sunsets are other possibilities. The options are limitless. LL
BO ART GALLERY & MAKERS’ SPACE Rent your creative space for just $125 to $400 per month!
Get in Touch
Facebook: @BoArtHHI Phone: 843-290-4592
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
131
©MICHAEL HRIZUK
culture
OPEN EVERY DAY The Island’s Lilly Headquarters Celebrating 38 Years
Harbour Town 843.671.9191 The Village at Wexford 132 LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020 843.686.6161
Take it from the pros
m
PHOTOGRAPHY SECRETS FROM THE INSIDERS TO TAKE YOUR SKILLS BEYOND AUTO MODE. BY MICHAELA SATTERFIELD
Most know you can switch your camera to auto mode and get a decent shot without a second thought. It’s a one-step photography tactic. The problem? All those shots start to look the same. No matter how advanced technology gets, auto mode can’t compete with the expertise of a pro. “If you’re shooting on auto,” photographer Michael Hrizuk said, “you’re missing the craft of making a picture versus simply taking one.” If you want to break the mold of those cookie-cutter, auto-mode photos, look to the photography pros. They know all the secrets to take your photos to the next level. You can leave auto mode to the amateurs.
Limited edition prints printed on heavy fine art photo paper to assure quality. Customized for the individual.
Four Corners Art Gallery, 1263B May River Road, Bluffton, 843.757.8185 & Gallery at Spa Montage at Montage Palmetto Bluff
©MIKE RITTERBECK
Other Southern Impressions at MargeAginPhotography.com
Get your priorities right Photographer Mike Ritterbeck’s advice is simple. “In order of importance: the lighting, the background, the subject,” he said. “If you nail those three things, all the rest will fall into place.” If photography seems complicated, never fear. It’s not rocket science.
Make it your own “Auto can get you something,” Hrizuk said, “but it won’t be distinctive.” Developing your own photography style is one of the keys to getting great shots others will have trouble replicating. How do you do that? Hrizuk explained it starts with knowing what you have in your toolbox. To start, get to know your camera and experiment. One of those essential tools is exposure. Exposure consists of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. “For me, shutter speed and aperture are what define my style as a photographer,” Hrizuk said. “In combination with my post-production, my style is achieved with lighting, composition and subject matter, but my camera settings are what make my work look like my work.”
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
133
culture Know what you’re working with
Time it right
Understanding the components of exposure is essential. Aperture refers to the size of the opening that lets light into the lens. This determines the photo’s depth of field – which aspects of the photo will be in focus, such as the subject, the background or both. Aperture is measured in f-stops. A larger aperture will have a lower f-stop and will bring the subjects into focus while blurring the background. A smaller aperture will have a higher f-stop and will keep the entire photo in focus. Shutter speed determines how long the shutter on the camera will stay open to let light in. Slow shutter speeds let in a lot of light, while fast shutter speeds don’t let in as much light. The shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second. ISO determines the way the sensor responds to the light let in by the aperture and shutter. Brighter photos have a high ISO, while darker photos have a low ISO. Increasing ISO increases the noise of a photo, so it’s best practice to keep the ISO as low as you can. Keep in mind all three settings work together, so changing one may mean you have to change another.
Knowing when to take a photo is as important as knowing how to take it, according to photographer Kim Smith. “Wait until the sun goes down a bit,” she said. Mid-day sun is not your friend for portraits, as it creates harsh shadows on the face. “As the sun gets lower, it lights the face and figure itself rather than the top of the head and shoulder,” Smith said. “There will be a little sparkle in the eyes. The color also shifts to a warmer hue, which is more flattering on skin tones.”
Chase the sunset
©PHOTOS MICHAEL HRIZUK
While you’re out getting portraits at golden hour, you’ll probably decide the sunset is worthy of some photos on its own. Photographer Whitney Boring said the moment right before the sun disappears behind the horizon is when you’ll want to be camera-ready if you want to distinctly see the sun in your photo. However, the best sunset photos will be in the moments that linger after the sun has set. “The sky continues to change to beautiful, saturated colors for a good 20 to 30 minutes after the sun has actually disappeared below the horizon,” Boring said. “Those photos are my personal favorites.” LL
Signature Closets & Cabinetry Of The Low Country 843.415.6069
SignatureClosetsAndCabinetry.com
Practical Storage Solutions & Unmatched Quality
134
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Locally owned and crafted
Internment
Local Art
WHEN THEY COME KNOCKING Leave the backyard wooden swing Its seat worn smooth from children Pumping against the summer wind Its rope twisted and frayed Where it rubbed the brown bark. Leave your chipped pie plate Given to your grandmother and Then to your mother, gone the hours Of kneading and rolling and filling; There will be no cherry pies in camp. Leave your violin and bow The years of practice worth nothing now The angle of your chin on warm wood Soon a distant memory The music silenced and left behind. Do not take the rows of corn Growing straight and sweet inside the fence Leave them for the glossy black crows Who will grow plump and happy On the back of your labor. When they come knocking
Turpentine Farm by Randy Akers
Take their fears and their suspicions Take their narrow minds and clay hearts Take their laws, which are not yours, but Do not take your freedom Leave it when you close the door. — Meryl Newell
Author’s note: I wrote this poem after attending a lifelong learning class based on four of the worst decisions of the U.S. Supreme court. The case was passing the law to build Japanese internment camps during World War II. The instructor had actual photos of the camps and the people and I was so moved by what it must have felt like to be forced to leave the life you knew.
ry
al e s& hed y
y and d
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
135
culture
Ben Ham: Transforming landscapes into fine art
SUMMER MORNING ON A CREEK
I do this crazy thing. I come up with an idea for a photograph and then try to get out and find it. This was just the case. I wanted to use a tree to frame a view onto the marsh. As the name implies, it was the middle of July, when the mornings are hot and humid.
136
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
b
Ben Ham is a world-renowned, fine-art nature photographer. His stunning black and white landscapes, captured on film with a folding wooden camera, hang in private, corporate and government collections from Australia to Dubai, Canada to South America and all points in between. He is a self-taught photographer, inspired as a teenager by the work of Ansel Adams. His only training came from Ansel’s three books: The Camera, The Negative and The Print. He is a traditional photographer working on film in the same style as Adams, using an 8x10 wooden camera, dark cloth and hand-held light meter to determine his exposures. Born in Georgia, his family moved to South Carolina when he was a young child. It’s where he has lived since.
John Chiacchiero & Michelle Myhre, CFP®
You aren’t like everyone else. Neither are we.
843.757.9339 www.OakAdvisors.net
At Oak Advisors, we believe that protecting the financial interests of our clients is our greatest responsibility as wealth managers.
Post Office Box 7318 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
Our fiduciary duty means that our sole focus is helping you meet your financial goals.
Oak Advisors, LLC is a federally registered investment advisor.
At an early age, a love for the great outdoors drove him to explore the mountains of the South Carolina Upstate and the marshes of the Lowcountry. He is predominately known for his arresting and peaceful images of the Lowcountry, but through his extensive travels he has also built collections of the Rockies, the Southwest, the Pacific Coast and Italy. Photographing only for personal pleasure, he never dreamed of making it a career, but through the urging of friends he entered the fine-art market around 2000. His wonderful compositions and unique style quickly brought about a large demand for his work with over $5 million of his art having been sold. His art is available only framed and exclusively at his own galleries. He opened his first gallery in 2011 on Hilton Head Island followed by his second gallery on King Street in Charleston in 2013. In 2017 he opened his third gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Ham’s work continues to be sent over the world, but the Lowcountry has always remained home. LL
We are your home away from home, providing personal attention to every fur guest in our state-of-the-art facility. We tailor each dog’s stay to fit their own personality and needs, while providing them with a safe and healthy environment to promote relaxation. As thanks to all current and future clients, we would like to extend a 10% discount on any boarding stay of three or more nights. Thanks for the love and support. Offer valid September 2020
Premium Boarding • Doggie-Daycare Grooming • Onsite Veterinary Hospital
105 Dillon Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 843.681.8354 EvergreenPetLodgeHHI.com SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
137
culture
Collector highlights •H GTV purchased one of Ham’s large pieces for one of its Home Giveaway shows and featured it prominently in the broadcast. •S ilver Oak Winery of Napa Valley purchased Ham’s Napa collection for the offices and conference room at its new winery. •T he U.S. government purchased 13 pieces, in two separate waves, to grace the walls of the Center for the Families of the Fallen located at Dover Air Force Base. The base commander and the director of mortuary affairs also purchased pieces. •T he Michael Mondavi Family hosted Ham for a two-month, one-man show at its vineyard in Napa Valley.
IN SEARCH OF A GREAT SPOT
We usually only have these great clouds in May. But as I worked hard through the early summer building the displays that would go in the Charleston gallery, they hung around for days, taunting me. I could stand it no longer. I hooked up the boat and off I went. I shot over a couple of days as these beautiful clouds rolled across the warm summer sky, the air thick with humidity and the smell of the marsh.
GorGeouS KItcHen
let us create your new dream kitchen in less than a week.
without the high-priced headache!
• superior quality amisH-CraftED Doors • 1/4” solid wood FaCiNG • MaNy styles, FiNishes • ModiFy & CustoMize: ChaNGe, eXteNd or add • roll-out storaGe • CouNtertops & More!
AmericA’S FiNeST cABiNeT reFAciNg
See us on
W
OFFERIN
FREE
NS
I U LTAT
M e nt io n Ad c o d e l l 200 9 for a $ 500 d i s c ou nt o f fer. Pl e a s e c a l l for d et a i l s . 138
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
O
woodreface .com
O
NS
AL V I RT U
LiFetiMe Warranty
l ow c o u n t ry
Est.1979
11 YEars sErving Hilton HEaD
G
NO
©2020 AWR
C
©2020 American Wood Reface. All rights reserved.
& cUSTOm cABiNeTrY
free in-home consultation
843.815.6700
BLUFFTON ShOwrOOm
11:30 am - 4:30 pm Mon-Fri 40-C Pennington Dr. inside Entry Point
©2 tra
VINO NOBILE
I came across a small wine office and tasting room as I strolled the side streets of a small Tuscan town. After a wonderful lunch, I was sure I had enjoyed this wine before — at my good friend Mike's house. The proprietor spoke perfect English as he told me of their wines. “I know your wines,” I replied, and told him about Mike. He was surprised and responded, "I have 60 bottles of '04 Reserve left. I'll open a bottle, and we will taste the portfolio. While it breathes, let me show you the cellar." How could I resist? We descended the many steps and popped out into this amazing scene.
Call now for your FREE in-home consultation! ©2019 Budget Blinds, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated.
Budget Blinds of Hilton Head Island 880 Fording Island Rd #8, Bluffton, SC Locally owned & operated
843.837.4060 • BudgetBlinds.com
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
139
culture
The helicopter pilot took this photo. It’s one of the only pictures of myself that I like. It made me so happy to be in the middle of the ocean on an iceberg petting a baby harp seal.
g
Shot from a 7-foot kayak in Alaska, the humpback whale was about 50 feet long and its tail was 15 feet across. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
Julie Rogers: A good eye for photography
Growing up in the Lowcountry made it easy for Julie Rogers to develop a passion for the ocean and its inhabitants. Going off to college to earn a degree in business and marketing interrupted her years near the sea but spawned another creative interest — photography. This interest later would become more than just a hobby. A chance meeting in 1992 during a trip to Hawaii gave her the break she needed. Wyland, the world's leading marine life artist, was about to embark on a tour of the East Coast, during which he would paint 17 of his massive “Whaling Wall” murals. It was after volunteering to work at one of these walls that the artist took notice of Julie's “good eye” for photography. Since then, she has traveled the world as Wyland's tour photographer, documenting the journey as he works to complete 100 of these marine masterpieces. Over the years, this experience has served her well during her own worldwide expeditions. Whether swimming with a 90,000-pound humpback whale off the Dominican coast or petting baby harp seals
140
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
on a Canadian glacier, she always seems to capture her subjects without being considered an intruder. "I'm in their world and I always respect that," she says. “The goal of my photography is to allow people to view animals in their natural environment and thereby instill the need for protection of these areas.” No matter where she travels, Julie is always eager to return to her home on Hilton Head Island. Living near the ocean provides a constant source of material and inspiration. The dolphins, turtles, and other wildlife of her island sanctuary are always willing subjects when she shows up with camera in hand. “There is still so much I want to see and photograph — polar bears, lions, orcas, pandas,” she said. “I can hardly wait for the next adventure!” LOCAL Life asked Julie to share details with some of her favorite shots. See more of her stunning images on display at Endangered Arts gallery on Hilton Head Island, a gallery she has owned and operated for the past 26 years. LL
Homer, Alaska, probably has more eagles than residents. It was very cold and windy on the beach during this shoot. I had no tripod but managed to get one good image out of the hundreds I shot.
A G AL L ERY O F H AN D C R AFT ED G IFT S Monday thru Friday 10-6 . Saturday 10-5 . Sunday 11-3 843. 757. 7300 • C ur bs i de & Shi ppi ng Av ai l abl e • 1127 Fording Island Road . Suite 103 . Bluffton Near Hobby Lobby . Made in America
Photographing lions in South Africa was one of my favorite adventures. He and his brother had just eaten, so I felt pretty safe.
Wallpaper, Fabrics & Furniture Designs © Thibaut Inc.
843.681.9044 LibertyWindowBlinds.com
2 Cardinal Road, Hilton Head Island
Churchill, Canada, is a great place to photograph polar bears. You sleep out on the tundra so you can observe their activities.
Intelligent shades, smart savings. SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
141
culture
Snapshots of a friendship WORKING WITH JIM ERICKSON
O
STORY BY TOMMY BAYSDEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM ERICKSON
One night, this charismatic guy with a dome bald head and a top-of-the-line Stetson covering it up walked into the Walker House. And into my life. I was staying on Spring Island by myself while the Chaffins were in Colorado, and we had made a deal with an ad agency that a hotshot photographer could shoot the Tabby Ruins for a billboard in exchange for taking two beauty shots of the golf course. (We were making all the deals we could.) I didn’t know what to expect. Jim Erickson showed up mid-evening with a crew of three, and no sooner had I offered them a beer, when up drove a truck carrying the most gorgeous red Saab convertible that Sweden has ever sent out. Jim said they were self-sufficient but would have to be at the Ruins well before sunrise, and would I please ask security not to shoot them. My curiosity got the best of me, so I was down there before dawn myself. I watched in rapt fascination as they took and studied about 25 Polaroid shots as soon as it was light enough to see, then jacked up the rear wheels of the Saab and inserted beneath them two sheets of a slippery matting pegged to the ground. One of the crew got in the car and floored it, making the rear end weave back and forth. This happened at about the same time as the sun started to peek across the marsh and through the ruins. (I don’t know how he planned that!) The following week, when i saw the golf course shots, my jaw dropped open.
142
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Years later, when we were getting Palmetto Bluff off the ground, I was in a quandary. As the marketing guy, I had to figure out how to showcase the property. Its natural beauty was other-worldly of course, but so was a lot of the Lowcountry, and everybody trafficked in that. We decided to experiment with some moody, almost abstract lifestyle photography, and Jim immediately sprang to mind. When I saw his estimate for a week-long shoot on location, my jaw dropped open for a second time. But we couldn’t afford to come out of the chute with anything but the best, so I showed some of Erickson’s work to Jim Mozley, and he was in with both feet. “It’s exquisite,” I remember him saying. “This is art.” Thus began an adventure and a friendship that has lasted twenty years and is still going strong. He has worked for Disney, American Express, Kodak, Audi and IBM, to name just a few. The giant photos you always saw behind Steve Jobs in his famous new product unveilings were Jim’s. He shot at Palmetto Bluff several times, even bought a home there. He was nothing short of wonderful to work with. Unflappable, patient and conciliatory, with a great sense of humor, he made each setup a pleasure. In the years since, we have fished together, have drunk together, ridden beach buggies at his oceanfront home in Northern California — all stemming from a chance meeting in the dark at the ruins on Spring Island. He continues to shoot all over the world. And we still stay in touch. LL
MON THRU FRI 10–6 SAT 10–5 • CLOSED SUN
VILLAGE AT WEXFORD 843.686.KIDS
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
143
culture
Hot shots!
©LLOYD WAINSCOTT
We asked a few of our favorite local photographers to share a photo they love. Find more of their work online at kaufmanphotography.com, kimsmithphoto.com, lloydwainscottphotography.com and photographybyanne.com.
PICTURE SHOW Top: Welcome to our beach. Taken at Sea Pines Beach Club. Bottom: The “super” moon rising out of the ocean at the Sea Pines Beach Club.
Jeffrey Keefer: Taking pictures with a purpose
j
Jeff Keefer’s photographic passion developed from a fascination with color, a love of travel, learning about other cultures and Parkinson’s disease. Before 2007, when he was diagnosed, he had never taken photographs. But with the diagnosis came a new awakening, a heightened sense of creativity and a desire to be more spontaneous (he also started creating videos and writing poetry). The Ohio native had a 35-year career with DuPont, retiring in 2010 as executive vice president and CFO. It was not the disease or medical necessity that triggered him to make the decision, but a sense of time. He and his wife, Anne, now live full time in Sea Pines and operate VIVID Gallery in the Shops at Sea Pines Center. The gallery is full of Keefer’s beautiful photographs, printed on canvas. All proceeds from the sale of his photos are donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the leader in funding cutting-edge research to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Many of his shots are of Hilton Head Island and the surrounding Lowcountry. The idea is to remind visitors of the good time they had on the island when they purchase the art and also know they have made a difference by making that purchase. Here are a few of his favorite local shots. Find more of his work at vividgalleryhhi.com.
144
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
"I really dove into my work for this impromptu Trash the Dress session!" – ROB KAUFMAN
"It’s simple and rich with personality showing an insight into each person’s individuality. No busy backgrounds or props. Taking away the color actually adds to the image." – LLOYD WAINSCOTT
YOU KNOW THE VALUE OF A PEACEFUL HOME. Decrease stress and enjoy more access to your kitchen with custom pull-out shelves for your existing cabinets.
50% OFF INSTALL!*
Schedule your complimentary design consultation!
(843) 428-1829 | shelfgenie.com ®
*Limit one offer per household. Must purchase 5+ Classic/Designer Shelves. EXP 10/31/20.
"I love photos that make the brain work a little. It takes effort to understand what’s going on here." – KIM SMITH PHOTO
"I love that we set out to find a colorful location for Kim’s bridal portraits, and with a little research, found the wild flower fields in the Sea Pines Nature Preserve. The gorgeous setting along the stunning back lighting made this shot one of my all time favorites!" – PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
145
culture
Happy Fish
A TRENDING BLUFFTON ART GALLERY AND A REVIVED HILTON HEAD SEAFOOD RESTAURANT ARE CONNECTED IN TYPICAL LOWCOUNTRY FASHION.
i
BY LISA ALLEN + PHOTOS BY LISA STAFF In retrospect, how could it NOT have happened that the revival of Steamer restaurant and Signore Coastal Art came together? First, you have Dale Augenstein of Hilton Head taking a friend out for her birthday at the original Steamer restaurant on Lady’s Island near Beaufort in the 1990s. That night, he falls in love with Steamer’s food and ambiance and later talks the owners into opening a second restaurant on Hilton Head. Within a year, he buys it from them. Now you have Dale as owner of Steamer because of a chance dinner on Lady’s Island.
146
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
WORKS OF ART Chis and Kadie Signore create chic, colorful fish using reclaimed wood and other materials.
Now, Chris and Kadie Signore. Chris was a graduate of the culinary program at Rhode Island School of Design. That’s a big deal. Then, he meets Kadie, who spent countless family vacations on Hilton Head. That puts the two of them together, a sprinkling of creativity and their desire for a new destination.
Stick with me.
In 2016 Dale’s Coligny Plaza lease is up at the restaurant that he’s now owned for 25 years. He has his eye on a new location at Shelter Cove. Then Hurricane Matthew comes along, damaging the intended location. Steamer goes dark. Hurricane Matthew also wrecks countless docks all over Hilton Head, creating a nearly endless supply of lumber that an enterprising couple could use for art — happy, coastal art that would be the foundation for a new life in the Lowcountry. Enter the Signores. Three years later, Dale happens to see an ad for Signore Gallery in, well, LOCAL Life. He was putting plans together for reopening Steamer and thought the art would be perfect for the restaurant. A short time later, he heads to Old Town Bluffton for lunch. He finds a parking spot, gets out and looks up at the sign above him. Signore Coastal Art.
843.815.3315 COCOONBLUFFTON.COM BACK IN BUSINESS Dale Augenstein has reopened his popular Steamer restaurant on Hilton Head Island.
6 PROMENADE STREET, UNIT 1008 PROMENADE | DOWNTOWN BLUFFTON
FINE APPAREL, SHOES & GIFTS147 LocalLifeSC.com SEPTEMBER 2020 +
culture
SOUTHERN TIDE SIGNATURE STORE SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA
“I loved that they make their art from reclaimed materials found after Hurricane Matthew,” Dale said. “After all, it was Hurricane Matthew that closed my restaurant. I considered it a sign. Their artwork was a natural. It’s so full of character and color. It helps tell the story of the Lowcountry.” The Signores chose the colors for the restaurant, used reclaimed wood as accent walls and filled the restaurant with art. (Another odd coincidence: Dale decided to reopen the Hilton Head Steamer just as the original Steamer closed on Lady’s Island. That restaurant just won’t die.) The Signores say the gallery gives them the joy they were looking for. “We wanted a meaningful life that gives happiness to others,” Chris said. “This is it.” “I remember a chef saying ‘food as an artistic medium that is enjoyed in the moment and remembered for a lifetime.’ I want our art to be enjoyed and remembered for a lifetime,” Chris said. Their art and furniture creations started as home décor for themselves, then grew from there. Fish, turtles, coastal birds and sailboats adorn the gallery, most of them made from reclaimed wood and other materials. “We started with dock that washed up after Hurricane Matthew. Now people come in the store and offer all kinds of material,” Chris said. “I would love to have my own sawmill so I can cut my own wood.”
(ADJACENT TO NEPTUNE STATUE)
MON–SAT | I0AM–8PM SUNDAY | I2PM–6PM 17 HARBOURSIDE LANE HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 29928 SOUTHERNTIDEHILTONHEAD.COM 148
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
L
Steamer restaurant
Two nine-foot tuna are made from old windsurfer boards. A table is made of a World War II era boat-hatch cover. “We don’t have a specific product list,” Chris said. “Our art is spontaneous.” And Steamer? It reopened in May, pandemic be damned. “We closed in a hurricane and opened in a pandemic,” Dale ruminates. “That’s just how it goes. Life is an adventure.” “Many of our customers are return customers from either the Hilton Head location or the Lady’s Island location. We still have those original tables with the signature hole in the middle with a bucket,” Dale said. For the uninitiated, the bucket collects the carnage from cracking through mounds of delicious crabs and lobsters. So there you have it. Tons of coincidences, a bit of island history, a pile of hurricane debris and some pandemic-inspired creativity come together to revive an island mainstay and provide a happy reset for a creative couple and a determined restaurateur. You just never know where happy fish might lead you. LL
Where the Locals drop anchor.
The first Steamer restaurant opened on Lady’s Island in the 1980s and become a must-stop for locals and families headed to Hunting Island State Park. A second location opened on Hilton Head in the early 1990s. That location was soon under the ownership of Dale Augenstein and was an island favorite until it closed because of Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Augenstein reopened it at a new location, 8 Executive Park Road, this spring.
Signore Coastal Art
The gallery at 14 Promenade, #304, Old Town Bluffton is owned by Kadie and Chris Signore and features their sculptures, photos, paintings, wall art and furniture. Each is unique, inspired by the reclaimed material used to create it. The gallery opened in 2018.
From Food, to Fashion, to Function and Everything in between. 95 Mathews Drive | HHI, SC
portroyalplaza.com SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
149
happenings September
Images of the Lowcountry Photo Contest Calling all photographers. LOCAL Life is collecting images from both amateur and professional photographers for our Images of the Lowcountry Photo Contest.
s
PRESENTED BY
Simply upload your favorite local image through the contest portal at LocalLifeSC.com for a chance to win $250 of store credit to Outside Hilton Head and a feature in LOCAL Life magazine. The contest is sponsored by Outside Hilton Head. The credit can be used for any Outside excursion including kayak tours, paddle board trips, boat tours, history and culture tours, ski trips, and custom family adventures OR at any Outside specialty retail outlet.
R CALL FOS! E I ENTR E IN DEADL 0 3 . T P SE
ABOUT THE CONTEST
• Entries accepted Sept. 1-30 • Submit one image in the amateur or professional category (not both) at LocalLifeSC.com • Photos will be reviewed by our judges, Lisa Staff and Marge Agin. The top amateur photo wins $250 of store credit to Outside Hilton Head and will be featured in the November 2020 issue of LOCAL Life. The top professional photo earns a significant profile in the magazine and on social media channels. • Readers will vote Oct. 1-9. The two public winners will also be featured in the November 2020 issue of LOCAL Life. • Find the official rules and upload your photo at LocalLifeSC.com
150
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
N OT S U R E W H A T TO D O W I T H YO UR A N N UAL I RA DI S TRI BUTIO N? Did you know that if you’re age 72 or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 annually from your IRA to a qualified charity, tax free? Yes, tax free. If you’re charitably-minded, give us a call. We’re happy to talk with you about how your IRA charitable rollover can be used at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to set up a charitable fund in your name or for other causes you care about. Contact Emmy Rooney at 843.681.9100.
USE YOUR IRA DISTRIBUTION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
843.681.9100 • cf-lowcountry.org
news
Meetings & gatherings WACHH Summer Forum
Immigration. A big topic that touches us all. George Kanuck, cochair of the Low Country Immigration Coalition, will be discussing both legal and undocumented aspects of immigration and its impact on Beaufort County, what we should understand about DACA, and what current comprehensive legislation is trying to solve. WACHH SUMMER FORUM When: 10-11 a.m., Sept. 16. Summer Forum programs are free and open to the public. Details: Wachh.org or 843-384-6758
WACHH Friday Speaker Series: Return of Great Power Rivalries
The World Affairs Council of Hilton Head has released dates for its popular Friday Speaker Series. The theme of the series is “Return of Great Power Rivalries.” The 2018 National Defense Strategy acknowledges an increasingly complex global security environment and the re-emergence of long-term, strategic competition between nations. This environment potentially presents a challenge to U.S. prosperity and security by revisionist powers. China, Russia and other economic and military powers want to shape a world consistent with their own. This upcoming 2020/21 speaker series will feature diplomats, military leaders, senior policy makers and scholars discussing this return of great power rivalries. Each featured speaker will address the audience for approximately 50 minutes, followed by a Q&A session. The programs start at 10 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. For an up-to-date listing of speakers and their biographies, go to wachh.org. Call 843-384-6758 for more information. Join WACHH online at wachh.org. HOW THE WEST LOST ITS WAY When: Oct. 2 Who: Doug Lute, former United States Permanent Representative to NATO Details: Through his military-diplomatic career, he received numerous honors and awards, including three awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award, the Grand Officer of the Order of Merit for the Italian Republic, and the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit for the Federal Republic of Germany. General Lute holds degrees from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and United States Military Academy at West Point, which named him a Distinguished Graduate in 2018. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, charter member of the Senior Military Advisory Group of the United States Institute of Peace, and a member of the board of the Atlantic Council of the United States. RUSSIA AND CHINA: BENIGN FRIENDSHIP OR MALIGNANT GAME-CHANGER? When: Oct. 23 Who: Mathew Burrows, Director, Foresight, Strategy and Risk Initiative at the Atlantic Council Details: Burrows authored reports on global risks, including deep dives on demographic change, emerging technologies and geopolitics. He has published a joint report with the Moscow-based Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) on the “Global System on the Brink: Pathways Toward a New Normal.” Burrows’ book is entitled The Future Declassified: Megatrends that Will Undo the World Unless We Take Action (Palgrave/Macmillan 2014).
152
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
NATIVE PLANT SALE AT COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Browse a variety of native plants to cover diverse landscaping needs, from vines to blooming bushes to butterfly-friendly landscaping. You will learn from the experts which native plants to choose for your landscape, requiring little or no care at all. Native plants are also used by local wildlife in a number of ways and are great to attract local pollinators. Museum volunteers and master gardeners will be on hand to explain the value of the different species available at the sale. Among those the museum will have are native Lowcountry butterfly host-plants which are used by native butterflies to lay their eggs and raise their larvae, and without which they cannot survive. NATIVE PLANT SALE When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sept. 14 Notes: Cash or check only, masks requested
Growing your business without stress in uncertain times
The Don Ryan Center for Innovation will be hosting a timely Zoom webinar for professionals throughout all industries, offering strategies, tips, and practical, easy-to-implement advice about growing businesses in today’s challenging times. The free webinar, led by Global Consultant and Coach Caprice Thorsen, will address some of the specific challenges facing businesses today – and provide ways for professionals to reach their full potential without stress, anxiety or self-doubt. ZOOM BUSINESS WEBINAR When: 8-9 a.m., Sept. 16 Details: donryancenter.com
World Affairs Council of Hilton Head
October 23, 2020 Mathew Burrows, Director, Foresight, Strategy and Risk Initiative at the Atlantic Council Title: Russia and China: Benign Friendship or Malignant Game-Changer?
Return of Great Power Rivalries
2020-2021 FRIDAY SPEAKER SERIES
GLOBAL SPEAKER PROGRAM November 20, 2020 Richard MacGregor, Senior Fellow for east Asia at the Lowy Institute Title: Australia and China: The West’s Tipping Point
December 4, 2020 Alexandra Bell, Senior Policy Director at the Center for Arms Control & Non-Proliferation Title: Nuclear Weapons Policy in the Next Administration
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES!
The 2018 National Defense Strategy acknowledges an increasingly complex global security environment and the re-emergence of long-term, strategic competition between nations. This environment potentially presents a challenge to U.S. prosperity and security by revisionist powers. China, Russia, and other economic and military powers want to shape a world consistent with their own. This upcoming 2020/21 speaker series will feature diplomats, military leaders, senior policymakers, and scholars that will help us make sense of this return of great power rivalries.
For a complete listing of speakers and their biographies, go to www.wachh.org/page-18154 KEYNOTE SPEAKER October 2, 2020 Doug Lute, former United States Permanent Representative to NATO Title: How the West Lost its Way
Be a part of a vibrant group of learners, leaders and thinkers!
JOIN NOW
• 14 Speaker Presentations • Member only discussion groups • Daily Chatter & Weekly World News • And so much more for only $125!
We encourage you to become a member for the July 2020-June 2021 program year. For more information contact the WACHH Office at 843-384-6758 or wachhi@gmail.com.
World Affairs Council of Hilton Head P.O. Box 22523, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.384.6758 www.wachh.org
A regional hub for international exchange, dialogue and learning.
Insurance at the highest standards A PICTURE IS WORTH... As we continue into the hurricane season, we of course need to be prepared. Try to figure out where you can go should an evacuation happen. Decide now what you want to take with you – family heirlooms, financial records, and precious things that cannot be easily replaced such as photographs.
news
Festivals & fun First Thursdays Art Market at The Shops at Sea Pines Center
Speaking of photographs: you can streamline your claim process if you take photos of your house and possessions that you will not be able to carry with you!
Claims-Tested Experience You Can Depend On BLUFFTON: 843.837.3911
HILTON HEAD: 843.686.3911
www.KinghornAgency.com
A new monthly series of art events begins Sept. 3 at The Shops at Sea Pines Center on Hilton Head Island. First Thursdays Art Market will showcase the works of the Artists of Sea Pines, an alliance of over 40 artists who live and work in Sea Pines. Ten of these artists will personally present their art for show and sale throughout the plaza of The Shops at Sea Pines Center from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. In addition, musical performances and art demonstrations will be part of the event, as well as in-store events hosted by several of the center’s merchants. FIRST THURSDAYS ART MARKET When: 4-6:30 p.m., Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 Where: The Shops at Sea Pines Center Details: Call Pam White (864-247-1194) or visit ArtistsOfSeaPines.com
Academic Program for School Opening
u
HYBRID LEARNING PROGRAM v Parents have the option to select u In-School Instruction u Online Live Feed Instruction
u
IN-SCHOOL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM v JK-6th grade will be in school daily v 7th-12th grade will be in school on A/B alternating days u When students are learning from home, they will tune in live to the classroom
u
ONLINE LIVE FEED INSTRUCTION PROGRAM v Students learning from home will have access to live instruction directly from the classroom
Hilton Head Preparatory School Inspiring Students to Be Exceptional
Go to www.hhprep.org for more information 8 Fox Grape Road | Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Mrs. Bobbie Somerville, Director of Admissions bsomerville@hhprep.org | 843-671-2286 154
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
CUSTOM DESIGN EVENT AT FORSYTHE JEWELERS
Repurpose your beloved jewelry and create something new during the Custom Design Event at Forsythe Jewelers. Work directly with trusted professional jewelry designer Paula Dawkins to select a new setting or stones to reimagine a new custom-designed piece. CUSTOM DESIGN EVENT When: Sept. 23-25 Where: Forsythe Jewelers, The Shops at Sea Pines Center Details: forsythejewelers.biz or 843-671-7070 SETHI COUTURE COLLECTION DEBUT PARTY When: 3-6 p.m., Oct. 1 Where: Forsythe Jewelers, The Shops at Sea Pines Center Details: forsythejewelers.biz or 843-671-7070
Fundraising events Patriot Golf Day at Old Tabby Links
2020 Wheels Sweepstakes
To fund their local youth programs and scholarships during the pandemic, The Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island is conducting a sweepstakes event with $33,400 in prizes. Only 750 sweepstakes tickets will be sold. The top prize is a 2020 BMW X2 S series 3-year lease. Second place is a VIP package to the 2021 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival, which includes a four-day, three-night stay at Sonesta Resort. Third place is seven days at Spinnaker Resort in Branson, Mo.; Daytona, Fla., or on Hilton Head Island. Tickets are $100 or six for $500. Each ticket purchase qualifies the purchaser for a 50 percent discount off the Fast & Curious Road Rally, set for Oct. 30-31.
2020 WHEELS SWEEPSTAKES When: Tickets on sale through Nov. 12, drawing Nov. 14 Where: Hilton Head Town Hall, Facebook live (Rotary Club of Hilton Head) Details: hiltonheadrotary.com
MEMORY MATTERS HOSTING VIRTUAL TRIATHLON Complete a triathlon challenge on your own or as part of a relay team (think team building opportunity!) to support Memory Matters, win incentives, and benefit your brain. Just want to support a center of excellence that provides proactive brain wellness, education, and instills hopeful futures? Donate without physically participating. TRIATHLON FITNESS CHALLENGE When: 9 a.m.- 12 p.m., Sept 12 Details: mymemorymatters.org
This Labor Day weekend, the PGA and Folds of Honor Foundation will host fundraisers to support scholarship programs for the families of service members killed or disabled while serving their country. Since 2009 this program has paid out 20,000 scholarships totaling over $640,000. This year, due to COVID-19, applicants have been turned away. Consider contributing to those who have given so much. Old Tabby Links head golf professional Billy Sampson is excited to participate in his 11th golf marathon at Old Tabby Links on Sept. 6. If you are interested in supporting this effort, you can sponsor him on a per-hole basis or make a donation in a lump sum. For more information, call 843-987-2013 or email otlgolfshop@springisland.com. Last year, Spring Island donated over $90,000 in support of the Folds of Honor. Since 2009 they have raised over $640,000 for 128 scholarships. PATRIOT GOLF DAY When: Sept. 6 Where: Old Tabby Links, Spring Island Details: foldsofhonor.org/patriotgolfday
THERE ’S MORE TO
OU R STO RY
One of the benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Hospice Care of the Lowcountry is fortunate to have had Kathy Tortorella as a Patient Family volunteer for almost 23 years. In addition to being there for the patient, Kathy provides support to the caregiver who is often overwhelmed and feeling alone. This is just one of the reasons Kathy was named HCL Volunteer of the Year for 2019.
To learn more about how important our volunteers are to our mission, visit hospicecarelc.org/volunteering-at-hcl
To support us, call 843-706-2296 7 Plantation Park Dr, Unit 4, Bluffton, SC | www.hospicecarelc.org Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, Inc. is a registered 501-C(3) nonprofit organization. Serving Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties since 1982.
★ THIS AD WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS DONATION OF ARNO AND LIZ DIMMLING ★ SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
155
news
Doing good in our neighborhood Local resident raises over $100K in seven days for COVID-19 relief New resident Erik Sedransk made a difference for frontline hospital workers in New York City, creating a charity golf auction that ended up 202 percent to goal. The auction was in partnership with Project Frontline and featured rounds at top courses around the world. The effort raised over $100,000, which equates to over 10,000 meals for essential personnel. Details: go.rallyup.com/memberforaday
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND, PHASE 2 With generous donations, critical needs are being met as many of our neighbors remain jobless, food or housing insecure, or are struggling with basic needs. Phase 2 of the Lowcountry Community Response Fund provides additional support for education, helping to bridge gaps and keep students in school. Details: cf-lowcountry.org
All Saints Garden Tour pulls through for charities
PANTHER GOES HOME
In spite of canceling the May 2020 Garden Tour, contributions to six local charities were made possible thanks to the generosity of the ASGT advertisers, early ticket purchasers and donations from All Saints parishioners and friends. Details: allsaintsgardentour.wordpress.com
E V E R Y DAY
we provide safe haven for the abandoned cats and dogs of the Lowcountry.
E V E R Y DAY
a wonderful and healthy animal is ready to enrich your life as a beautiful new family member.
Come see who’s waiting for you.
10 Humane Way Hilton Head Island, SC | 843.681.8686 10 Pritcher Point Road Okatie, SC | 843.645.8400
www.hhhumane.org 156
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Vintage well built at Gullah Museum As a demonstration of the traditional way to get water on the island, Hilton Head Public Service District has built a vintage castiron well at the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island. The Gullah Museum was founded in 2003 to give children of all ages, locals, and tourists the experience of what life was like on Hilton Head Island before the bridge to the mainland was built in 1956. The museum is currently closed due to COVID-19. Details: gullahmuseumhhi.org
Hugaroo awarded Long Cove Club grant Long Cove Club Community Charitable Advisory Committee has awarded the charitable organization Hugaroo a grant that will allow it to continue expanding in South Carolina. Hugaroo gives stuffed animals to children facing significant life challenges. Details: hugaroo.org
LL
More Online
Find more September happenings online at LocalLifeSC.com
marketplace REAL ESTATE
Million-dollar dream homes
Looking to live in luxury? LOCAL Life is offering readers an exclusive passport to the most exquisite and unique real-estate listings available in the Lowcountry. Here are a few homes you are sure to love. We feel these luxury properties — located in Spanish Wells, Palmetto Bluff, Port Royal, Sea Pines, Bradley Circle and on Daufuskie Island — are the epitome of opulence. We’re calling this section the Real Estate Marketplace. If you are looking to purchase an amazing Lowcountry home, these properties should be at the top of your list.
23 Belted Kingfisher, Sea Pines Oceanfront Charter One Realty | Herman and Davis Properties Becky Herman, Agent Monica Davis, Agent 843.384.4473 $7,999,000
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
157
Facetime Walkthrough
Virtual Tour
Social Distanced
Real Estate Marketplace
51 Tabby Circle, Daufuskie Island
Award-winning Kermit Huggins architectural-designed home. Sunset views on the Intracoastal Waterway and sunrise views on Broad Creek. Deep water dock. A peninsula paradise in Spanish Wells. Spacious living & dining room with volume coffered ceilings, kitchen/breakfast/family room with hardwood floors. Private master suite. Game-room loft with teak & stainless-steel railing. 2 ensuite guest bedrooms & study. Guest house: 2 br 2 ba + living & kitchenette. Mature landscaping, free-form pool & spa. $3,499,000
Tammy Susan Nelson Taylor 302.528.4855 843.846.2678
Richard TammyMacDonald Nelson 843.846.2678 843.384.8797
www.charteronerealty.com/agent/susan-taylor HorizonRealty.com
8 Irene Street, Palmetto Bluff
www.tourfactory.com/2700494 HorizonRealty.com
4 Heyward Place, Port Royal
Young 4-bed, 4.5-bath home on a corner location in South Wilson, private enclave of Wilson Village. Flanked by the May River and the Fresh Water Trail, gas lanterns illuminate the brick sidewalks for a quick stroll to the Village Green, restaurants, and shops of Palmetto Bluff. Gathering areas and bedrooms include heart pine floors with brick floors accenting the dining room. Spacious screened porches for gatherings overlooking lush landscape and gardens accented by brick columned wall. $1,650,000
Lowcountry and urban architecture masterfully blended in creating this young custom-built, 3rd row beachside home with high elevation. Four bed, five and onehalf baths with bonus room ideal for en suite or media room. Built to today's high standards with upper-tier materials and craftsmanship. Open flow seamlessly joins multiple outdoor entertaining areas, including bocce court. A must see and only steps to the most private Hilton Head beach! $1,850,000
Angela Barbic 843.227.2526
Angela Barbic 843.227.2526
AngelaBarbic@gmail.com
158
80 Brams Point Road, Spanish Wells
Built specifically to look out at the Calibogue Sound from the main floor with no railings to obscure your view, this Charleston-inspired colonial is designed and built with the finest materials and attention to detail. A master retreat to rival no others, the master offers a Carolina sleeping porch, fireplace and spectacular bathroom. WORK FROM HOME. You will love the 1 Gig service. Ask for the list of details, they won't fit here. 24/7 water transportation completes this perfect island home! $1,125,000
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
AngelaBarbic@gmail.com
Real Estate Marketplace
22 Bradley Circle, Hilton Head Island
Facetime Walkthrough
Virtual Tour
Social Distanced
23 Belted Kingfisher, Sea Pines
Almost new, Rock Solid Construction in 2018, Superior Finishes, custom handcrafted furniture imported from Europe. Sweeping views of the Atlantic, serene tidal marsh views. 10 bedrooms, all ensuite, multiple master suites. Elevator to all floors. Private Endless-Edge pool. Outdoor environments on all floors. Penthouse features a woodbeamed cathedral ceiling, crowning a huge gathering room/media room/party room/ game room/second dining room w/kitchen...capturing stunning views. $3,500,000
Sophisticated Sea Pines Oceanfront Estate. Every detail of this luxurious 5-bedroom 5.3-bath home is impressive from the steel beam construction to the concrete tile roof. This home offers 2 Master Suites, multiple living/dining areas, incredible trim detail, elevator and a beautifully designed outdoor area with Arbor side gates, pool/spa, lush pathways,outdoor kitchen, and incredible ocean views. Perfect home to live life and create memories. $7,999,000
Tammy David Carroll Nelson 843.384.8111 843.846.2678
Becky Herman 843.301.3355 Monica Davis 843.384.4473
www.HiltonHeadHomeSource.com HorizonRealty.com
44 Lands End, Sea Pines Plantation
www.HermanAndDavisProperties.com
21 Oyster Landing Road, Sea Pines
Don't miss the stunning Sound, Cove and Marsh views from the huge screened-in porch and outdoor deck with the Harbour Town Lighthouse in the distance. There are 4 bedrooms, each with its own bath plus a room on the third floor perfect for a study/ den or a small sleeping area. Great floor plan for vacationers to enjoy the on-site pool, the beach and all the amenities of South Beach Marina. Extra large adjacent open space provides additional privacy in this very special location. Furnished. $1,285,000
Situated on a private and quiet residential street lined with majestic Live Oaks, this 3200 sq. ft. Sea Pines home rests in the middle of a large lot; marsh and sound across the street and a tidal creek defining the back boundaries. At high tide, kayak from your backyard to the Calibogue Sound. The bright open-floor plan opens to the pool and large backyard. First- and second-floor master suites. This home maintains a balance with the natural beauty of the Lowcountry $1,045,000
Barbara Thompson 843.384.7449
Joan E. Diamond 843.295.0131
www.BarbaraHiltonHeadSeaPinesRealEstate.com
www.JoanEDiamond.com
SEPTEMBER 2020 + LocalLifeSC.com
159
#partingshot
Days gone by
South End, Hunting Island
“My love for Hunting Island goes generations back. I have photos of my late grandmother enjoying the island back in the 1950s. It continued to be a special place for her until she could no longer go. I got this picture from the vanishing distal end, near Fripp Inlet. I love how the fallen trees look magical but also sad as they turn into driftwood.” - RENEE PRITCHARD, BEAUFORT
HIT US WITH YOUR BEST SHOT Are you an amateur photographer with a great local photo? Send your high-res image to info@wearelocallife.com or upload it at locallifesc.com/partingshot. 160
LocalLifeSC.com + SEPTEMBER 2020
Your Local Hearing Experts No Coupons. No Gimmicks. Just Sound Value.
RoseHearingHealthCareCenters.com
Sethi Couture Debut Party The Shops at Sea Pines Center 71 Lighthouse Lane | Hilton Head Island 843.671.7070 | ForsytheHHI.com
Thursday, October 1, 3 - 6 pm Enjoy Hazel Dean’s Wine & Cheese Tasting RSVP to 843.671.7070 or Andrea@ForsytheJewelers.biz