Premier Lowcountry Magazine 2012 by Premier Lowcountry Magazine

ON THE COVER

PUBLISHER Small Miracles Media, LLC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Bruce Oertel CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Peggy Beck Roger Clark Scottie Davis Frank Dunne, Jr. Jan Gourley Carolyn Grant Annelore Harrell Tamela Maxim Glen McCaskey Mark O’Neil Happy Petry Tom Reed Debbie Szpanka Edward Thomas Dr. Valerie Truesdale CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Glen McCaskey IWL Photography/Bill and Chris Littell Scottie Davis Tamela Maxim SALES Bill Bricker Judy Smolek PUBLICATION & ADVERTISING DESIGN Barbara Bricker of Small Miracles PREMIER LOWCOUNTRY Small Miracles Media, LLC P.O. Box 2870 Bluffton, SC 29910 Phone: (843) 706-9947 Fax: (888) 802-1627 www.premierlowcountry.com Printed by Martin Printing Co., USA

The painting on the cover of this issue of Premier Lowcountry, “Polo,” by David Randall was generously donated by the artist and the publisher to the Okatie Rotary Club’s Polo for Charity. All proceeds from the sale of the painting will benefit the charity. David Randall probably can’t remember a time when he wasn’t surrounded either with works of art or the people who create it. He grew up in a family of artists, attended art school and fully expected that he would have some kind of career as an artist. He attended both the National Academy (oldest art school in the U.S.) and the New York Studio School. He spent the late 60s and 70s right in the Village, the absolute heartbeat of everything cool, hip and creative. Over the years, David has never stopped growing as an artist, but he’s found his career in the world of custom framing. This is something he’s done for over 40 years, mostly in the northeast – in New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont. It is because of his wife, Sandy, that he fell in love with the Lowcountry and bought the Fast Frame franchise in 2004. While their son was stationed at Fort Stewart, Sandy came down to visit and told David, “It’s pretty down here.” A trade magazine had the framing store for sale and within weeks they sold their home, bought the business, packed and moved to Hilton Head. Since then they have more than doubled the inventory of frames, including quite a few exquisitely carved frames covered in 22 carat gold leaf. A Queen Anne 1700’s replica was $200/ft and another larger one was $300/ft, but he shared that he was surprised that there wasn’t more demand for the kind of old fashioned museum quality matting and framing that he has so much experience in. It’s not something he worries about, though and he told me that it is an incredibly pleasant business. “I’ve had people cry because they are so happy and you don’t get that in many businesses.” And, besides, this is a career that allows him the privilege of continuing as an artist. He said, “I finally decided to display some of my own work,” and there is a section of the wall devoted to his work. I saw oils, watercolor, an etching, multi-media, acrylic and pastels. I have a feeling he ended up with the best of both worlds. Helping others cry happy tears pays the bills, but creating new works of art is food for his soul.

A Heartfelt Thank You! To all of my precious friends and associates who have lent their writing, editing and proofreading skills and their photography to this project. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Small Miracles Media, LLC is not responsible for any statements, services and products made by advertisers.

PORT ROYAL PLAZA 95 Mathews Dr. #A5, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 342-7696 • Fax (843) 342-7697 www.fastframe.com

PHOTO BY MAXIM

2012 ISSUE

PHOTOS BY McCASKEY

18 10

CONTENTS

28 FEATURES 12

The Joy of Lowcountry Living

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EXPLORE TEN ASPECTS THAT MAKE THE LOWCOUNTRY A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE! 18 22 28 34 42 48 54

The Arts Business Location Health Education People Charity

62 68 76

Faith Activities Dining & Entertainment

EXTRAS 46 Hurricane Preparedness Information 66 Map & Directory of Advertisers 72 Shopping Guide 75 Calendar of Events 80 Lowcountry Recipes

Joy

The of Lowcountry Living

One of my family’s favorite stories is about my father trying to persuade my mother into moving to Hilton Head Island in 1960. Back then there was no hospital, good schools or comfortable housing. My mother, with four little children under the age of six, said very firmly, “No way!” And, then she looked around at the dirt roads and thick woods and proclaimed, “Nothing will ever come of a God-forsaken place like this!” That was a statement that would be repeated often over the years by my parents, especially after they retired here in 1988. When I moved to Beaufort County permanently in 1977, it was at a time when the area was really taking off. I was in a group of hotshot 20-year-old graphics folk who worked around the clock trying to keep up with the incredible amount of print production needed as Hilton Head and the surrounding area gained national attention and began to grow into the fascinating, vibrant community it is today. Seems like we lived on pizza and beer in our efforts to do our part to make sure the word got out about this special place. (I can still remember the phone number for the Pizza Hut nearest our office even though it was demolished years ago!) Premier Lowcountry magazine has been produced as a tribute to our special area in South Carolina. In this premier issue, our team has chosen to feature ten aspects of Lowcountry living that contribute significantly towards making this such a wonderful area of the world in which to live, work and play. Some of our feature topics are: the arts, activities, charities, education, healthcare, faith, dining and entertainment. We have also featured three people who we believe have contributed greatly towards the growth and success of Beaufort County, through their public and private roles as leaders in Bluffton, Beaufort and Hilton Head Island. We think you’ll enjoy as they share a look back at some of their first memories, tell us where they believe we are heading, and describe the roles they have played in shaping the future of their respective towns and our county. Throughout the publication we are pleased to feature several “premier” businesses that have come alongside us in this tribute to our community. We hope you will take the opportunity to support our sponsors, for without them, we would not be able to provide this glimpse into what makes the Lowcountry of South Carolina such a uniquely beautiful and exciting part of the world. It is my hope that by the time you’ve allowed us to share this annual snapshot of our Lowcountry’s past, present and future, that you’ll also share the joy of having selected this not-so “God-forsaken” (sorry Mom, but you were wrong) area to live, work, play, raise families, and visit. And, if you are a visitor, we invite you to consider living here - this truly is a wonderful place to be! —Barbara Bricker, publisher

PHOTOS BY GLEN McCASKEY

Bluffton...Priceless Past and Present! Our 1935 Chevrolet, two-door lacquered black with yellow spoke wheels, running boards and a roll down shade for the rear window, was named Lizzie. For years, she was our main link between our house on 52nd Street in Savannah and Bluffton. We were summer people in those hectic days of post WW II, excited that, at long last, supplies were available and Mr. Spillard was able to build a cottage for us on the Maye [sic] River. It would be two years before electricity came to our end of Myrtle Island and over thirty years before we had a telephone. No matter. We thought it was paradise. The cottage was one room, kitchen and bath, all of 480 square feet and few things were new. We scanned newspaper ads for used furniture and Mama became really good at bargaining. We needed everything, especially places to sleep and soon mismatched studio couches, usually bought for $15 cash, lined the walls. Daddy finally conceded there were a lot of things we couldn’t bring over in Lizzie and managed to get her a utility trailer to haul our kerosene stove, a dining room table and eight chairs he found at Hotel DeSoto’s renovation sale. Long about the end of April, first of May, it was time to be serious about getting ready for long weekends and our summer stay. Poor Lizzie was loaded with so much stuff it was a wonder she could climb the Bay Street viaduct, much less cross the Houlihan Bridge and head north on Highway 17. The speed limit was 45 mph and it took about an hour driving at full speed to get to Bluffton.

My brother, who is five years younger, would sometimes bring along a friend and so would I. We’d all sit together in the back of the car on top of linens wrapped in brown paper we had picked up at the laundry, bags of groceries, fresh bread from Gottlieb’s Bakery, bundles of dwarf azaleas from Silver’s Ten Cent Store, sprigs of centipede grass we had pulled from a neighbor’s yard, kindling for the cast iron water heater stove, paint for our bateau and somewhere, stuck into corners with our clothes were books. We’d sit high, our heads sometimes hitting the ceiling if Lizzie bounced too hard. We’d sing, the windows open wide. Once we crossed over the rumbling wooden bridge onto the island, down the oyster shell road to the cottage, we’d unpack Lizzie and begin to relax, enjoy and be thankful. Lizzie was 15 years old when Daddy sold her to a fireman for 50 dollars. She had gotten so we had to turn right at the corner or run her into a curb to get her to stop - poor brakes were worn out. I still miss Lizzie and remember those lovely times when she carried us to and from that sweet place on the Maye [sic].

PHOTO BY MAXIM

by ANNELORE HARRELL

Annelore Harrell, a priceless Bluffton treasure 13

A Conversation with Charles by TOM REED

PHOTOS BY LITTELL

It was in July 1991 that my wife and I moved to Hilton Head Island from Pennsylvania. We had vacationed here for years and fell in love with the Island and the vision of Charles Fraser. After living here just a few months, an article appeared in the local newspaper that Charles and his wife sold their home in Sea Pines and were relocating to North Carolina. I decided to write a letter to Charles thanking him for his impact on our lives and the positive vision he developed for the town we now called home. Two weeks later, to my surprise, Charles called and invited me to share breakfast with him and talk. I quickly accepted the invitation and on a sunny Saturday morning, twenty years ago, we sat in the Harbour Town Clubhouse four hours and just talked. Most of my questions were directed to understand his vision of Hilton Head and how he got started. He slowly told me a story about his battle to get funding. It seemed young Charles, then only 26 and fresh out of law school, was a man who had a local reputation, partly because his father was a renowned Savannah businessman, and was friends with all the right people. Since his father owned the land on the south end of Hilton Head, he agreed to let Charles try to develop building lots. But after a couple of years, he recognized he needed amenities to make his development unique. He told me of his plans to further develop Sea Pines by building a golf course and how one of his young aﬄuent friends promised that he would provide the $150,000 he needed to fund the development. So Charles went ahead with getting contracts with builders and land developers to bring Sea Pines to life. He said it took him months to get everything ready and then he showed up at his friend’s home in Rose Hill to collect the money. Now this was long before today’s Rose Hill. This was quintessential plantation life in the Lowcountry where his friend and wife lived in their beautiful historic home. As Charles was greeted at the door, he heard the voice of his friend’s wife loudly announce,

“I’m not giving him any of my money.” His friend sheepishly looked at him and shrugged. Charles’ heart sunk, but he knew who controlled the money in that family and if she said “No” it was pointless to argue. Charles was a man of determination. Not to be deterred from his dream, he quickly persevered and started down the list of other family friends as possible funding sources. He did not have to go far from Sea Pines to find the Self family who had an interest in a hunting club on the island. Charles, always the salesman, obtained the $150,000 he needed to get Sea Pines’ first golf course started. The Self family owned Greenwood Mills and this is why we have Greenwood Drive as the main street entering Sea Pines. I asked Charles what was the biggest surprise in the development of Sea Pines. He said that looking back over the past 35 years of his endless efforts, the most surprising thing was the fact that “it attracted money.” He explained he envisioned Sea Pines would become a middle-class vacation resort for families. He did not think it would end up being the resort of the rich and famous. I guess it proves, when done properly, everyone will come. Today, people talk about the vision of Steve Jobs and the computer empire he built. But it is also important we don’t forget those who came before us as visionaries, and Charles Fraser is a man who had a vision about how communities should be built in harmony with nature. He explained to me

that when you enter Sea Pines he wanted to have an aesthetic view in harmony with nature. There would be no long boulevards or street lights, and no straight streets so when looking ahead you would only see greenery. He also believed it was possible every home should have either a natural wooded view, lake, golf, or the ocean to enjoy. He went to a great deal of trouble to successfully think about how the senses would be impacted by the environment. Like you, we never needed to have it explained how Sea Pines is different, but the minute we drive through the gate, we know it feels like this is the way it should be. Every community on the island adhered to Charles Fraser’s philosophy of aesthetic development in harmony with nature and set the standard in this country as to how all development should be done. Thank you Charles.

Tom Reed

Freelance Writer Tom Reed has lived on Hilton Head since 1991 with his wife Cindy. He has been actively involved in the business community, is the founder/ owner of Morningstar Management, an M&A firm, and is the former CEO of Hargray Communications, where he serves on the Board of Directors. He is a weekly Bible teacher and his hobby is writing novels. He is hoping to have one of his books published one day.

Communications

Hargray – Local Cents Help Change Lowcountry Lives With Caring Coins Since 2003, Lowcountry Residents have been asked a simple question. What can you get for $0.50? Answers range from gumballs to fake tattoos. The luckiest can even find a vending machine still selling cans of soda now and then. However, for Hargray customers across the Lowcountry the answer is clear: $0.50 donated to the Caring Coins Foundation can change the lives of local residents in need. The Caring Coins Foundation was established by Hargray in 2003 with the express purpose of providing support to local nonprofit organizations in Bluffton, Hardeeville and Hilton Head. In 2008, the Foundation added Beaufort to its footprint. Participants in the program are Hargray customers who voluntarily round up their monthly bill. For an average of $6.00 each year – just $0.50 per month – participating customers are able to greatly impact the local community. The spare change collected monthly is disbursed quarterly by an independent Board of Directors and the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Thanks to the generosity of Hargray customers, the foundation has distributed over $1.5 million since its inception eight years ago, with contributions slated to surpass $2 million in 2012. Monthly contributions add up to approximately $211,000 annually. The Caring Coins board meets in April, August and December of each calendar year to determine award amounts to local charities. Eddie Andrews, Hargray’s Director of Marketing, credits former Marketing Director Donna Martin

with having the vision, energy and determination to create the program. “The disbursements by Caring Coins make an immediate difference in our community and in the lives of so many people in Beaufort and Jasper counties,” commented Andrews. “This is made possible by tens of thousands of our customers rounding up their bill – a simple act that makes a tremendous difference in the lives of people who need our help,” Andrews commented. Andrews continued on, noting that, “…Caring Coins is purely a pass-through organization. There are no administration fees, no accruals, no paid board members, and 100% of the funds donated by customers [participating in the program] are distributed three times a year by an independent board of directors. The Chairperson, Paula Harper-Bethea, takes her role very seriously and considers it both a privilege and a duty to head the board. There are clearly-defined processes regarding consideration for disbursement and the board strictly adheres to established by-laws. There are no Hargray employees on the board.” How much is $0.50 worth to you? For the local residents touched by organizations supported by the Caring Coins Foundation, $0.50 is priceless. If you are a Hargray customer and would like to participate in the Caring Coins program, please contact Hargray at 1.877.HARGRAY to begin donating your spare change. About Caring Coins The Caring Coins Foundation began in August 2003 with the express purpose of providing additional support for 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations. Caring Coins has an independent board of directors from the Bluffton, Hilton Head and Hardeeville areas. Participating customers of Hargray Communications contribute approximately $211,000* per year. For more information, please call 341-COIN (2646) or visit CaringCoins.org. About Hargray Hargray is a cable and telephone company providing a full suite of entertainment and communications services in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties in South Carolina and Chatham County, Georgia. The company also sells and publishes directories for several telephone companies and retirement communities across the Southeast. For more information, please visit www.hargray.com.

THE ARTS

Performing and Visual Arts add Beautiful Texture to Life in the Lowcountry By Edward Thomas

For a community with a year-round population of just under 38,000 Hilton Head Island has a surprisingly large, diverse and dynamic arts community. Nearby Beaufort, an incorporated city with 300 years of tradition but a population of just 12,000, also has made a name for itself as an arts community of significance. The biggest news on the performing arts scene in Hilton Head this past year is unquestionably the signing of Maestro John Morris Russell, one of North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier orchestral conductors, who also serves as principal conductor of the famed Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Russell recently signed a 2-year contract with options to renew as Music Director and Principal Conductor for the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (HHSO), and starting this fall he will balance his time between his Pops performances in Ohio and Hilton Head, where he

will focus on the classical music masterpieces. Known for his enthusiastic expressive style, John Morris Russell was principal guest conductor for the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra for the 2011-2012 season where he drew both accolades and capacity audiences of more than 1,000 per performance at the lovely First Presbyterian Church venue. The symphony orchestra is but one of several major performing arts organizations dedicated to providing residents and visitors of the entire Beaufort County region with first class presentations. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, HHSO has grown from a community group of musicians who loved playing together to the finest orchestral ensemble along the Carolina and Georgia coastline, including Savannah and Charleston. International Piano Competition In 1995 the symphony introduced a piano competition which has grown from a one-day event to an eight-day competition of four rounds. Today the Hilton Head International Piano Competiton (HHIPC), under the auspices of the HHSO, serves as a showcase for talented young pianists from around the world, and provides a beautiful gift for the community and vacationers. More than 4,000 visitors from 45 states and 12 countries congregate for the event.

Cast of Hairspray

The Arts & Cultural Council of Hilton Head This collection of performing and visual arts organizations, along with museums and cultural entities, serves Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and the southern Beaufort County region. Art League of Hilton Head 843.681.5060 gallery@artleaguehhi.org artleaguehhi.org Arts Center of Coastal Carolina 843.686.3945 info@artshhi.com artshhi.com South Carolina Repertory Company 843.342.2057 mail@hiltonheadtheatre.com hiltonheadtheatre.com Hilton Head Barbershoppers 843.681.6411 contact1@hhibarbershoppers.org hhibarbershoppers.org Hilton Head Choral Society 843.341.3818 info@hiltonheadchoralsociety.org hiltonheadchoralsociety.org

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Not to be outdone, the award-winning Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, located in the heart of Hilton Head, is the third largest arts organization in South Carolina and it routinely pulls in top talent from New York City to play Broadway favorites locally. In addition to a year-round theatre season, the Center hosts special event series – which offer entertaining productions for a variety of tastes from the visiting renowned Pittsburgh Ballet to vocalists and puppeteers as well as free outdoor festivals. The Arts Center features The Elizabeth Wallace Theatre as its main stage near the entrance to Shelter Cove Marina with twolevel seating for audiences of more than 350. The lovely theatre boasts a working stage, cyclorama, orchestra pit and trap door access for special stage effects. Nearly 20 community arts groups utilize the facility, ranging from barbershop quartets to the Hilton Head Dance Theatre. The visual arts also have a home in the Arts Center’s Walter Greer Gallery – an excellent exhibition space for the Art League of Hilton Head which was founded more than 40 years ago and is a non-profit organization dedicated to the visual arts through education, exhibits and scholarships. The Art League’s Gallery currently hosts more than 200 exhibiting artists. The public

is invited to attend monthly receptions that introduce each new show and provide participants a chance to view and purchase original artworks as well as meet many of the artists. Additionally, the Art League Academy on Cordillo Parkway near the Sea Pines Ocean Gate offers classes in painting, sculpting, jewelry making, photography and more. Probably the most noteworthy of the dozen or so private galleries on Hilton Head Island is the Morris-Whiteside Gallery located in the historic Red Piano Gallery which features several of America’s best living artists including celebrated hyper-realist watercolorist Stephen Scott Young and sculptor Glenna Goodacre – known best for her creation of the obverse of the Sacagawea dollar that began circulation as a U.S. coin in 2000. In neighboring Bluffton visual arts aficionados will thoroughly enjoy the Gallery Row District in historic Old-Town, and in particular, the SoBa (Society of Bluffton Artists) Gallery at the corner of Calhoun and Church Streets where approximately 100 original works of local art are displayed continuously with a new showing every six weeks. Performing Arts for Residents One of the most popular performing arts organizations in the Hilton Head/Bluffton area is the all-volunteer Hilton Head Choral Society

Hilton Head Dance Theatre 843.842.3262 hhdancetheatre@gmail.com hhdt.org Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra 843.842.2055 info@hhso.org hhso.org The Island School Council for the Arts 843.681.5381 info@promisingartists.org promisingartists.org Main Street Youth Theatre 843.689.MAIN (6246) info@msyt.com msyt.org The May River Theatre 843.837.7798 edupuis@hargray.com mayrivertheatre.com Society of Bluffton Artists (SoBA) 843.757.6586 slwenig@gmail.com sobagalleryonline.com USCB Festival Series Center For the Arts 843.208.8246 USCB.edu/FestivalSeries

continued...

which performs throughout the year and brings in top talent from around the world, including the Vienna Boys Choir this Spring. The chorale of more than 100 members presents four concerts on its own annually, with orchestral accompaniment and, on occasion, professional guest soloists. Concerts feature a diverse repertoire consisting of major classical works and contemporary and seasonal favorites, drawing from pops, gospel, Broadway, and cinematic influences. The society is headed by the multi-talented Tim Reynolds, now in his 12th year as the artistic director and conductor. For locals who wish to express themselves theatrically, there are a number of local community theatre groups, including South Carolina Repertory Company on Hilton Head Island, the May River Theatre in Bluffton and the Main Street Youth Theatre on Hilton Head. All three have active schedules and auditions open to the public. They are easy to find on the internet for both scheduled events and auditions. USCB’s Commitment to Downtown Beaufort Art Beaufort also embraces the arts community with its historic waterfront downtown area, which is full of art galleries. Indeed the city was recently named one of America’s “Top

25 Small City Art Destinations” by American Style Magazine. As perfect for artists as the scenic waterfront vistas, historic streets and unique architecture have always been over Beaufort’s 300-year history, this quaint little city has

Morris-Whiteside Gallery recently received a big boost from the University of South Carolina when it gave a green light for a new center for the arts at its Beaufort Campus. “This area is absolutely seductive for young visual artists,” said USCB’s artist in residence Phil Dunn. As a result, new studios for ceramics, print making, drawing and new media have opened. The USCB Center for the Arts also provides a 460-seat venue for

performing arts and hosts a Chamber Music Series each year beginning in November and continuing with five concerts through April. At last count there were nearly 20 visual arts galleries in the downtown Beaufort area. The Arts Council of Beaufort/Port Royal and Sea Islands nurtures the arts with its 12,000 sq. ft. community arts center, theatre and gallery, ARTworks on Boundary Street in the Beaufort Town Center. And don’t forget the 7th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival. Dates are February 13-17, 2013. All Screenings are at the University of South Carolina, Center for the Arts, Beaufort Campus. For additional information, visit www.beaufortfilmfestival.com. The Arts Council promotes arts with studios of working artists, original theatre productions, storytelling and poetry seminars plus performing arts productions. There are also classes for both adults and children. See the website: BeaufortCountyArts.com.

Edward Thomas Edward Thomas is a retired journalist living on Hilton Head Island.

JEWELERS

Forsythe Jewelers For over 30 years, Forsythe Jewelers, located in The Shops at Sea Pines Center, has brought the world’s best designer jewelry and gifts to Hilton Head. Carrying the most popular designer brands – including David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, Simon G, John Hardy and Lagos – this third-generation familyowned business provides an unhurried, small-town shopping experience to every customer who enters the store. Over the past three decades the store has established itself as an island landmark and its name is synonymous with shopping on Hilton Head. For many locals, Forsythe is their “neighborhood” jewelry store where they are warmly greeted by name. For first-time visitors, the shop is the perfect backdrop for choosing a gift to remember their

Hilton Head vacation. For returning visitors, shopping at Forsythe is as much a part of their vacation as an evening bike ride or walk on the beach. It’s an event they’ve been anticipating since their last trip to the island. Forsythe allows customers to slow down and shop at a pace that only a vacation can provide… no rushing or compromising; they’re now on “island” time. Store owner Debbie Berling keeps Forsythe on-trend by traveling to Europe, Africa and throughout the United States to meet personally with designers to see firsthand where the items she chooses for her showcases are made. On one recent trip to South Africa, Debbie traveled into a diamond mine to witness the complex job of harvesting this precious gem. The trip also provided Debbie with the opportunity to observe master craftsmen as they cut and shaped some of the most precious diamonds in the world. In addition to the designers mentioned above, Forsythe offers Ball Watch for “him” and Michele Watch for “her.” The store’s newest line – Gurhan – has exciting fashion-forward designs in 24K gold and hammered silver. For those seeking vintage items, Forsythe’s estate case is filled with “previously loved” pieces that are unique and carry a bit of history. Also, Forsythe Jewelers is the area’s only MacKenzie-Childs retailer and offers a large selection of the extremely popular brand. For additional information on Forsythe Jewelers call 843.671.7070, visit ForsytheJewelers.biz and follow facebook.com/ForsytheHHI. Forsythe Jewelers is located in the Shops at Sea Pines Center – 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 311. Open weekdays and Saturdays from 10-6, closed Sundays.

BUSINESS

Beaufort County Businesses

When you make the leap that changes your status from “Tourist” or “Second Home Owner” to “Permanent Resident” or “local” (note that you do not achieve Local with a capital “L” until you’ve been here for at least five years, sometimes more), you will probably discover rather quickly that the dynamics in the Hilton Head area’s local economy and business community differ substantially from your previous hometown, especially if you’re from a larger city or town (and who isn’t?). That’s largely because the tourist trade is the local economy’s largest sector. Consider this: Hilton Head Island’s permanent population comes in at just under 40,000, but we have an average of 2 million visitors per year generating about one and a half billion dollars in economic impact. That’s pretty significant, and it obviously means that a fairly sizable segment of the workforce and the business entities that employ them rely on seasonally fluctuating employment and revenue volume. This may suggest to the outsider looking in that beyond businesses directly or indirectly related to hospitality and tourism, there isn’t much else going on economically in the Lowcountry. Au contraire. Yes, tourism is still the biggest kid on the block, but Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort County at large have spent the past few decades transcending those destination resort roots and blossoming into one of the nation’s most desirable places to live. And that trend brings with it an economy – and a lot of great businesses – that exist and operate independently, by and large, of the tourist trade. The phenomenon is hardly unexpected. The Lowcountry is abundant with qualities that 99 out of 100 people find immensely desirable, the Atlantic Ocean and beaches, a

temperate climate, beautiful landscapes and seemingly limitless golf courses and other recreational opportunities to name a few. This makes Beaufort County a natural beneficiary of the recent boom of second-home buyers stampeding to the Southeast to buy or build in a great place to live with the intent to retire there in the future. In fact, according to the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, over 22 percent of secondhome owners plan to retire here within ten years. This is not to say, however, that the permanent population is all, or even mostly, retirees. 2010 census data shows that the median age on Hilton Head Island is 50.9 years. It also shows that 83 percent of the population is aged 18 and over, but only 29 percent of the population is aged 65 and over. For Beaufort County overall, 79 percent of the population is aged 18 and over, but only 20 percent is 65 or over. That means there are a lot of people living here who are still in their productive working years, and they’re not all working in the hospitality field. So, what are they doing? There are

actually a number of ways to answer that question. First, after the billiondollar tourist trade, the next most prevalent industries are real estate and construction. In fact, if you stay here long enough eventually you’ll find that at least half of your friends are connected, directly or indirectly, to one or the other of those sectors. You might also say that Lowcountry people do the same things people do anywhere. That is, if you’re in banking and finance, there are plenty of branch offices for national, regional and community banks and financial services firms in the area. If you’re in the medical field we’ve got hospitals. We could go on all day about that so let’s just sum it up by saying that all the basic necessities of life are covered. From that standpoint, the local economy is pretty much just like it is anywhere else. There is another angle, though…another point of view from a local economic sector that really reflects the character of this community in a way that the others don’t, and that’s because those businesses are true reflections of the people who make them work. That sector is small business; the entrepreneurs, the mom & pops and the freelancers who make their own way, and for whom business really is personal. How is that a reflection of the community’s character? Well, we’ve already discussed how tourism is the Lowcountry’s biggest economic driver, but beyond that there isn’t another core industry serving as a population magnet. We don’t have a big manufacturer like a Midwestern town, or entertainment and media like Los Angeles, or technology like Silicon Valley. What we do have is a small town, made up of a lot of folks who have made a lifestyle decision to live where they want to live and work the way they want to work. It’s a congregation of kindred spirits pursuing their dreams and setting their own courses, while building a community as friends and neigh-

Becoming “Local” bors, and as reciprocal customers of one another’s businesses. We all benefit from a mosaic of every kind of product or service from the basic necessities to luxuries, offered by people from all walks of life. Frank Ambrosic is one local business owner who made the leap about five years ago when he relocated his home audio/video and automation business, Ambrosic Home Theater Designs, from Chicago to Hilton Head. “We’d just had enough of the winters,” he said, “so we came here and started over.” It sounds risky, Ambrosic had a successful business in a much larger market, but he has found the local market to be very sustainable for his business. “My business has gotten better and better since moving it here.” Ambrosic is just one example of the Lowcountry business community’s entrepreneurial essence, ranging from the Philadelphia lawyer hanging a shingle on Hilton Head Island because he likes the warm weather, to a SoHo sculptor who finds inspiration in the laid back lifestyle opening a Bluffton gallery with some of her fellow artists, or a C-level insurance executive from Connecticut opening his own agency so he can play more golf. On and on it goes. Maybe it’s something in the air, but the Lowcountry tends to attract creativity. People with backgrounds in advertising, media and publishing seem to flock here to freelance as writers and graphic designers, to set up small marketing communications shops, or to launch new publications like the one you hold in your hands. We also have an abundance of techies who have set out on their own with web development and IT services firms. Of course, no discussion of local businesses would be complete without mentioning food & beverage and retail. The former is a fringe benefit that we enjoy as a result of the resort trade, which brings a lot of hospitality industry people, and a lot of great chefs, into the market. Several Hilton Head restaurants have been featured by

television’s Rachel Ray, and at least two local chefs have appeared on the Food Network. Naturally, seafood and Southern fare are popular choices and there’s plenty of both to be had, whether you feel like showing up in shorts and flip flops for some fresh shrimp right off the docks, or opt for something more elegantly plated at a fine dining establishment. What really gives the Lowcountry its culinary signature, though, are the creative imaginations of the many fine chefs who live and work here. Fusing fine haute cuisine with comfort food, or Continental with Southern home cooking, or just adding a little bit of personal flare to something familiar is the way they do things around here, and you can be pleasantly surprised almost every time you dine out. Another nice touch is that over time you’ll get to know the owners and staffs of your favorite places, which takes friendly service to another level. That same spirit of individuality is also well represented in the retail segment. Yes, you can find all the big brand names and bargains at the mass merchandisers and outlet malls, particularly in Bluffton, but it’s the eclectic collection of clothing boutiques, art galleries, jewelers and others that make shopping in this area an adventure for those so inclined. As with the other businesses referenced, many of these shops are unique expressions of the merchants who own them where you might discover that oneof-a-kind item found nowhere else. As one local clothier once put it, speaking about the uniqueness of his merchandise, “You’ll never see yourself coming or going.” David Burke is the owner of Burke’s Pharmacy, a family owned store that has been doing business on Hilton Head Island for 25 years. He described how the local small business community works together. “We feel that Hilton Head really does support the local business community because we all need each other,” he said. “My friend Bill (who owns a local auto service shop) and I talk about this all the time; how can we help

by FRANK DUNNE, JR.

each other? “For example, I use a local investment broker to manage our 401K program and I use a local CPA firm to do my accounting. These relationships are what has made us successful…and are what makes us all successful.”

Frank Dunne, Jr. Freelance Writer

Frank Dunne, Jr. has been a Local on Hilton Head Island for twelve years, and he’s been writing about myriad subjects for most of them. Dunne is probably most notable (or perhaps notorious) around town for a sometimes tongue-in-cheek/ sometimes acerbic monthly opinion column, and is collaborating on a screenplay that he expects to complete by year’s end. Besides writing, Dunne enjoys the beach, getting out on the water, occasional golf rounds, training for 5K races, and generally enjoying Island life.

LAW FIRM

Svalina Law Firm Svalina trial attorneys meticulously prepare for each case. Working as a team to represent clients at every level of the South Carolina state and federal court system, they give one hundred percent to achieve the best possible outcome for every client’s case, finding the most effective way to be successful at trial. Personal attention to each case coupled with honesty and compassion produce the results their clients are seeking. “We have in-depth legal knowledge in a broad range of complex and sensitive legal matters with a particular focus on personal injury, medical and hospital negligence, workers’ compensation, criminal defense and family law cases.” The trial lawyers of Svalina Law Firm protect the rights of individuals and families throughout South Carolina including, but not limited to Beaufort, Hampton, Allendale, Horry, and Richland counties. They have also tried cases in other states such as Florida, Georgia and Illinois. Established as a foundation of success in the Lowcountry, Svalina Law Firm defines trust in the legal arena. To set up an initial consultation to determine if and how they can help you, visit their website at www.svalinalawfirm.com.

WATER

Beaufort and Bluffton’s Trial Litigation Law Firm known as the “South Carolina trial lawyers who can win for you.” Since establishing a law firm in historic Beaufort, SC in 1988, and a second location in Bluffton, SC, founder Sam Svalina, his son Sammy Svalina and the professional staff of Svalina Law Firm use their skills and knowledge of the law to represent clients successfully. Known for their accomplishments in litigating personal injury, medical and hospital negligence, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law cases, Svalina Law Firm takes a personal interest in each case. “We believe the relationship between a lawyer and client is the most crucial component of any case.” For over 40 years, the trial lawyers at Svalina Law Firm have been dedicated to helping clients through difficult times that not only have a devastating impact on themselves, but also on their spouses and children. The Svalina team includes experienced attorneys, efficient support staff, and registered nurse, providing you with focused, friendly and discreet service from initial consultation onward. Injured victims, criminal defendants, and families in South Carolina turn to Svalina Law Firm, P.A. to protect their rights.

Project SAFE and Hilton Head Island need your help

Did you know that hundreds of families on Hilton Head Island are not connected to our public sewer system and instead still use septic tanks to treat their household wastewater? Septic systems frequently fail on Hilton Head due to our high groundwater table and numerous tree roots. These failures can pose a threat to public health and to the island’s environment and waterways. Hilton Head Public Service District (PSD) and the Town of Hilton Head Island have a shared goal of eliminating septic system usage on the island. Unfortunately, many of the homes that are without sewer connection are owned by low-income families that struggle to meet the cost of installing sewer. Project SAFE (Sewer Access for Everyone) is a charitable fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. The fund provides grants for low- and moderate-income homeowners to connect to the public sewer system. More than $280,000 has been donated to SAFE since 2001, which has helped over 110 families connect to sewer. You can help protect public health and the quality of life on Hilton Head Island by making a donation to Project SAFE today. Simply visit the Foundation at www.cf-lowcountry.org/give/donate-online and select “Project SAFE” from the “Choose Your Fund” drop-down menu. Or call the Foundation at (843) 681-9100 or Hilton Head PSD at (843) 681-5525 and say you’d like to make a donation to Project SAFE. About Hilton Head Public Service District Hilton Head Public Service District (PSD) is the public drinking water, wastewater treatment and reclaimed water utility serving more than 18,000 customers in the north- and mid-island areas of Hilton Head Island. Visit the PSD online at www.hhpsd.com.

LOCATION

CLEANING/ MOLD REMOVAL

Advanta Clean Eric Eckert worked for a Fortune 500 company for 21 years in North Carolina before transitioning as the AdvantaClean Regional Director for franchises in South Carolina. Falling in love with the South Carolina Lowcountry, he decided to open AdvantaClean of Beaufort County. Services include emergency water removal, air duct cleaning, mold remediation, dryer vent cleaning and odor elimination. He carefully chooses the best employees and supervises their work to make sure that customers are 100% satisfied. One of the requirements of owning an AdvantaClean franchise is not only to be fully insured, but also to have all of the necessary certifications, which explains why there is a string of letters after Eric’s name, signifying his expertise in water damage, mold and microbial remediation, and air system cleaning as in: Eric Eckert, WRT, CMI/CMRC,CRMR, ASCS. Water intrusion is a common problem in the Lowcountry and an immediate response is critical, especially since mold can occur in only 24

hours and if neglected can cause structural deterioration. AdvantaClean offers 24/7 emergency water removal and structural drying. 1 in 5 cases of allergies and asthma is linked to mold and moisture in the home with the respiratory system being the most vulnerable part of the body. Mold is a common occurrence in the Lowcountry and AdvantaClean has the ability to safely remediate any type of mold issue a property owner has. Other valuable services they provide are dryer vent and air duct cleaning and odor removal. Over 15,500 clothes dryer fires every year are caused by excessive lint buildup in the dryer vent. Air duct cleaning is crucial to improve the indoor air quality of a home or business and using Hydroxyl technology to safely remove odors is one of the ways AdvantaClean can keep your residence and business odor free. AdvantaClean started in 1994 in Orlando, FL and later moved to Huntersville, NC where its headquarters is a state-of-the-art facility with a management education center and a dedicated workshop for handson technical franchisee training. AdvantaClean has quickly grown to 100 locations because their technicians are highly trained, are readily available and they are expert in water removal and drying, dehumidification, sanitization, deodorization -- services that are always in high demand, especially in the hot, humid southeastern coastal states like South Carolina. AdvantaClean of Beaufort County for a healthy home and business! Contact them: 843.540.9829 or 877.800.2382. www.advantaclean.com

Quality Auto Service and Repair

Rodger Houseman

Owner 25 Years + ASE Certiﬁed Master Technician Mercedes Benz Factory Trained

36 Persimmon Street, #204 • Bluffton

843-757-2886 AutoTechs@hargray.com

Tim Good

Service Advisor

LOCATION

On Location by SCOTTIE DAVIS

There is no place finer than living on the coast of South Carolina for a million reasons –particularly, location, location, and location. The climate is temperate – which translates no snow. There are four distinct seasons; yet, most of the year, you can enjoy the outdoors playing golf, tennis, kayaking or biking. With mild winters, it is even possible to soak up some rays in December or run on the beach in shorts on New Year’s Day. Spring brings magnificent flowers to the area with azaleas everywhere; summers are great for lazy days on the beach or boating and fishing. Fall conjures up thoughts of polo matches, festivals, and oyster roasts. In addition to enjoying the temperate climate, one can travel two to five hours from here by car and experience many different worlds – either for the day or for several days. Nearby cities, small towns, plantations, islands and resorts abound. Each offers fascinating, yet very different, adventures. The city of Charleston, only a couple of hours away, is like a southern belle. The minute you think you know her, you learn something new – again and again. You can take a dozen day trips to Charleston and have new experiences every time. Carriage rides and walking tours are great ways to get to know the history and architecture of the city up close and personal. Festivals throughout the year introduce you to the vibrant lifestyle: the World’s Largest Oyster Roast in January, the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in February where art and nature meld; the Food and Wine Festival

in March. The biggie, however, is Spoleto. Beginning the end of May for 17 days internationally known performers take the stage with dance, drama, and musical events. At the same time, Piccolo Spoleto features regional performers at venues throughout the city. Well-appointed B&B’s and historic hotels are scattered throughout the historic district and excellent restaurants abound. Good walking shoes and a sense of adventure are a must in Charleston, a city you can visit dozens of times and do something different each time. (www.charlestoncvb.com) Charming small towns like Aiken, SC offer a look into a world completely different from the Lowcountry. Horses have been king in Aiken since the 1800’s when northern sportsmen came here to play polo and fox hunt, built “cottages” (mansions by today’s standards) and created a winter colony. Today, the “cottages” are beautifully maintained estates in Aiken’s historic district. They line dirt roads where horses clip-clop rhythmically without shoes and are surrounded by stables and tracks where horses are trained. Overnight accommodations range from a historic hotel to B&B’s and there are excellent boutiques and restaurants. In March and October, the Steeplechase dominates the social scene. These are dress rehearsals for many of the horses trained at Aiken before they debut on larger tracks, but are also social with a capital S. Prizes are given for the best tailgate and vintage car-

riage parades around the track between races. The Steeplechase is watched rail side. There are no stands or betting windows. Exploring the equestrian world where hitching posts and bridle paths are as commonplace as golf carts and bike paths are in the Lowcountry, makes for a delightful day or overnight getaway. (www.aikenis.com) Plantations and glorious gardens are synonymous with this part of the world and Middleton Place is the quintessential plantation. Located on the Ashley River near Charleston, it was the home of four generations of the Middleton family, beginning with Henry Middleton, president of the First Continental Congress. The museum house features many items that belonged to this prominent South Carolina family and the award-winning oldest gardens in America, with 100 different kinds of camellias, are designed in the style of the Gardens of Versailles. The plantation stableyard includes many breeds of animals that would have been there prior to the Civil War, including a water buffalo. There is a restaurant on the grounds and next door, a lovely inn if you choose to spend the night. (www.middletonplace.org) One of South Carolina’s best-kept secrets is Brookgreen Gardens at Murrells Inlet where the entrance

PHOTOS BY McCASKEY and DAVIS

is marked by a huge statue of two horses,”Fighting Stallions,” by Anna Hyatt Huntington, the renowned animal sculptor who created Brookgreen Gardens with her husband Archer Huntington. Nestled among a series of gardens landscaped with native plants, are 1,400 works by 325 19th and 20th century sculptors. Mythology buffs are drawn to the seven different statues of the goddess, Diana, and stare in awe at Bacchus in gold patina. Wordsmiths mull over the plaques containing thought-provoking poetry and whimsical verses placed throughout the gardens. There is always something in bloom in the sculpture gardens. The 9,100-acre property also includes a picnic area and pond, a zoo with native animals and birds, walking trails and creek excursions. Throughout the year, there are a myriad of special programs and events. (www.brookgreen.org) Heading south from the Lowcountry are the islands of Georgia. Each is distinct and unique in its own way. Time has stood still on Sapelo Island, an 11-mile island located off the coast near Darien, Georgia accessible only by water. Twenty-two residents live on Georgia’s fourth largest barrier island. The island is owned and maintained by the state of Georgia – except for the privately-owned 434 acre community of Hog Hammock where most of the residents live. Interacting with the residents and touring the island are the highlights when visiting Sapelo. Only residents, their guests, people staying at the

Reynolds Mansion and visitors who sign up for tours are permitted to board the ferry. No day-trippers, hikers, or sightseers are allowed. (www.sapelonerr.org) The Golden Isles: Jekyll, St. Simons, Sea Island and Little St. Simons, are accessed from Brunswick – the first three via bridges. Jekyll, owned by the state of Georgia, has a historic district where America’s millionaires once frolicked and built the Jekyll Island Club surrounded by their cottages. It has a rich history. On the ocean side, miles of bike paths, motels, golf courses and tennis courts and a water park are there for your entertainment. St. Simons, by contrast, is a charming town with moss-draped oaks, a 50s downtown and a world class golf course. It combines the best of small town island living with resorts tucked nicely into its fold. Boutique shops, galleries and good restaurants are prevalent. A short causeway leads to Sea Island, home of the five-star resort, The Cloisters. A short boat ride from the north end of St. Simons takes you to Little St. Simons, a privately-owned resort where up to 30 people can stay in rustically elegant cottages, explore the forest and beach with a resident naturalist, boat, and fish. (www.goldenisles.com) The emerald of the Georgia islands is Cumberland, a national seashore on the Georgia-Florida border, where horses run wild and the remnants of the Carnegie lifestyle are magnificently vivid. Great for day tripping via ferry from St Marys or overnighting at a campsite or inn. There are no stores

or places to buy anything on the island. (www.nps.gov/cuis) This is just a smattering of the cities, small towns, plantations, gardens and islands within two to five hours of the Lowcountry making it the perfect place from which to explore the many worlds around us. With a temperate climate and so many places to visit close by, one could never get bored living here.

Scottie Davis

Weekend Getaways on a Tank of Gas, owner Scottie Davis has been writing about the area around Hilton Head for over two decades. Her company, Weekend Get-Aways on a Tank of Gas, LLC, creates one day and overnight motor coach trips to explore these unique worlds two to five hours away and she has a travel feature by the same name on 93.5 FM and 1130 AM on Thursday mornings at 8:10 am. When Davis is not writing and traveling, you will find her running and biking on the beach. (www.scottiedavis.com)

PHOTOS BY McCASKEY

SPOTLIGHT

Long before famed writer Pat Conroy spun tales of the great south and the Lowcountry, Beaufort, South Carolina was forged in a steep history from plantation colonies to Civil War occupancy. Amid a marshy estuary, Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island south of Charleston, SC, surrounded by the Intracoastal Waterway and flowing rivers. Known for its southern charm, this Lowcountry haven is popular for romantic get-a-ways and fun family vacations. As the second oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston, Beaufort is a preferred destination for its scenic location, retention of its historical character and its military establishments. Both Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot and the Marine Corps Air Station call Beaufort home. There is so much to do in Beaufort! Let’s start with a stroll through the gorgeously maintained downtown. Impressive antebellum architecture overlooks the waterfront waiting for sightseers to view and imagine the days of Scarlett and Rhett. Some of the magnificent homes have been in wellknown movies such as The Big Chill and The Prince of Tides. These houses are located in the downtown district, and though privately owned, are able to be seen from the quaint roads that circle through downtown. Bay Street, in downtown Beaufort, is the heart of the Lowcountry in both simplistic charm and intimate retail offerings. Art galleries populate this classic street with the best selection of Lowcountry talent. Historically preserved buildings house unique shops that provide Lowcountry products ranging from sweet grass baskets and signed collectible books from local authors to fresh market offerings right from our plentiful waters and farms. Antiques and oddities are also sprinkled up and down the street and throughout Beaufort in stores with friendly, smiling employees that take the time to embrace your questions. Beaufort is the “Slow Country.” Relaxing at the Waterfront Park located overlooking the Beaufort River in downtown Beaufort is a must do. Watch the traditional turn bridge open and close while the coastal sea breezes caress the palmetto trees. Moored boats

Beaufort by the Bay by HAPPY PETRY

moving gently with the tide at the Downtown Marina will lull you into relaxation and contentment. Visitors can take a tour of the waterways from the marina or on a horse-drawn carriage through downtown. Both include guided historical details of Beaufort and the Sea Islands. And both are entertaining and fun. Beaufort loves the arts! Noted as one of America’s best art towns, Beaufort supports a variety of offerings through performing arts, theater, film, literature and galleries. The International Film Festival plays host to independent films the first week of March offering tickets to a variety of screens and social events. For the last two years Gary Sinise has entertained with his Lt. Dan Band at the Beaufort Waterfront Park as a tribute to honor our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. The Arts Council of Beaufort nurtures the arts and artists at different events and venues and provides community art grants to continue the growth of talent in Beaufort. The saltwater marshes and rivers surrounding Beaufort are home to many varieties of wildlife and fishes. In 2008 Field and Stream magazine rated Beaufort as one of the top 20 fishing towns in the United States. Abundant quantities of shrimp are harvested and offered locally and nationally. Classic shrimp boats can be seen with their large nets skimming the saltwater and bulging with glorious shrimp. Happy seagulls follow close in hopes of castoffs. Throughout Beaufort there are restaurants famous for local cuisine. Supporting the local produce and fishing businesses is paramount. Many meals enjoyed in downtown or surrounding areas are prepared with fresh local fish and shrimp, and the salads, greens and starches may very well come from the outlying farms. An annual tribute to the local and traditional industry of shrimping is held each

With more than 100,000 visitors attending annually, the festival celebrates the Lowcountry through water-oriented activities and many recreational and entertaining events. Surrounding Beaufort are the Sea Islands, home to beautiful beaches, salt marshes, massive oaks and Spanish moss. Hunting Island State Park is just minutes away from downtown Beaufort. Its natural setting and warm Atlantic Ocean make it a perfect day trip. The Hunting Island historic lighthouse is the only lighthouse open to the public in South Carolina. Hiking to the top you will get a breathtaking view of the ocean, beach and the marshlands. This is the Lowcountry at its best. Whether you visit Beaufort for a day, a week or for a lifetime, the Lowcountry will seep into your soul and give you the calm of the Sea Islands and comfort of the slow life. This is Beaufort . This is your destination.

Happy Petry

Freelance Writer

October. The Shrimp Festival encompasses all aspects of “shrimp” – think Forrest Gump. When in doubt about the best time to visit Beaufort, consider the Water Festival – a two-week extravaganza held in the middle of July. It is the best of Beaufort – featured and enjoyed.

From the day we moved to the Lowcountry my family has enjoyed every aspect of the “Slow Country” life. I am an avid fisherman and beach comber and in the 22 years I have been a resident of Beaufort County I have found that it just gets better and better. Doing freelance writing gives me the opportunity to explore the richness harbored in our historic area. Yes, I am truly blessed to call the Lowcountry my home.

FURNITURE

Furniture Direct When Furniture Direct was founded in 1991, many customers asked what Furniture Direct meant. Our name came from our basic mission which is to buy directly from manufacturers – cutting out all middle distribution levels – and pass on direct cost savings to our customers every day while offering reliable and superior customer service. Whether you are a designer searching for that perfect accent chair, a property manager assisting one of your property owners in furnishing needs, or a homeowner looking to furnish your new

second home, Furniture Direct is the only name you need to know in home furnishings. Furniture Direct is a full-service furniture /design firm that offers discounted factory direct pricing to our customers at an every-day LOW PRICE. Our volume of purchasing power allows us to buy at the absolute lowest price and pass the savings on to our customers. Our showroom and warehouse are packed with new quality brand name furniture ready to deliver. In addition, our catalog and fabric center has literally hundreds of choices that can be special ordered with amazing turnaround time. Our professional and trained staff is always ready to assist you in making selections. We offer in-home delivery and setup. We offer a full range of home and villa design services that include every single item necessary to live comfortably or rent your home or villa. Many of our customers are from outside the area, so our goal is to make the process as complete and simple as possible. Check our web page to view videos and see photographs of completed homes and to read testimonials from our amazing customers. In the past 20 years Furniture Direct has furnished over 600 homes and villas in the Lowcountry…and still counting! Call 843-785-4400 or visit our showroom at 12 Archer Road, Hilton Head or our website www.fdhhi.com.

MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

Port Royal Merchants Association The Port Royal Merchant’s Association is the administrative entity responsible for the smooth operation of the businesses at Port Royal Plaza Shopping Center on Hilton Head, with the exception of Sam’s Club and Bi-Lo. David Randall, of Fast Frame (custom framing/ art gallery), is the man behind the scenes who makes sure that everything runs well, including marketing strategies and other management duties. As you might imagine, it’s not easy to bring all of the owners and managers together when it’s time to make important decisions. They trust David to find creative ways of bringing positive attention and customer traffic to their shops. One of the great advantages of this midisland location, besides the large number

of wonderful shops, restaurants and service businesses, is its well-lit, spacious parking lot, which sometimes accommodates over 100 cars when bridge is in “session” at The Hilton Head Bridge Club. Port Royal is a local’s shopping center, but there are restaurants, retail shops and service businesses that also attract tourists. The anchor stores, Sam’s and Bi-Lo, help to support the small to medium-size businesses by providing a steady stream of potential customers. At Port Royal Plaza you can choose from eight locations for dining, have your nails and hair done, pick up your groceries, dry cleaning, party supplies, see your orthopedic doctor, physical therapist and financial planner, choose a new cell phone, improve your bridge game, plan a vacation, have your artwork matted and framed, buy jewelry, clothing and electronic gadgets, before picking up your favorite alcoholic beverage on the way home. Port Royal Plaza has over two dozen shops with dedicated merchants hoping to keep your business or to attract you as a new customer: Rollers, Radio Shack, Fast Frame, Bridge Club, Cricket, Great American Cleaners, Island Travel, Hilton Head Orthopaedics, Drayer Physical Therapy, Island Party, Edward Jones, Classic Cuts, Lew’s, Lovely Nails, Gem & Jewel, Restaurants: Tapas, Asia Roma, Street Meet, Bella Italia, Reilley’s North End Pub, Plantation Café, Dragon Express and Fiesta Fresh www.portroyalplazahhi.com

HEALTH

Meeting the growing needs by MARK T. O’NEIL, JR.

With the rapid growth of Beaufort and Jasper Counties during the past four decades, the healthcare needs of our expanding community mushroomed as well. This growth presented new challenges and opportunities for Hilton Head Hospital, which opened nearly 40 years ago. In March 1974, when Hilton Head Hospital founders Dr. Peter LaMotte and attorney Bill Bethea tossed the first shovel of dirt into the air marking the start of the hospital’s construction, it was a moment that would transform the landscape of healthcare in the Lowcountry. Concurrently, we’ve transitioned from a small, rural community

to suburban neighborhoods of families and residents who value the island’s natural beauty, residential charm and unhurried pace. Scores of retirees, professionals, and families have joined native residents in calling Hilton Head home. We stand ready to serve our resident populations and the millions of visitors when they need access to high quality healthcare. As we meet with physicians and other

clinical staff who are considering relocating to the area, I am very pleased to see how delighted they are when they learn about the comprehensive healthcare services we offer for our community. We are committed to introducing innovative procedures, advanced technologies, and expanded program and services to better meet the needs of the communities we serve, right here at home. Just as many of us may find it difficult to keep up with the myriad of new neighborhoods, shops, restaurants and schools that have emerged throughout our area, you may not realize the full menu of services now available at Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital, and Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center. On Hilton Head Island alone there are more than 30 specialties and sub-specialties offered at the Hilton Head Hospital campus from the Women’s Center and 12-bed intensive care unit that opened within the last 10 years to the six new surgical suites and the cancer care affiliation with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center. We are proud to make available a dedicated spine center to our community. Our fellowship-trained spine surgeons apply a seamless approach using sophisticated surgical techniques and advanced treatments to ensure the

SPOTLIGHT

Dr. G. Neil Love by TAMELA MAXIM

most effective care. Most recently, our Breast Health Center received national accreditation, a remarkable feat that speaks well of our skilled breast surgeon and breast health team, and the advanced care we provide to patients dealing with breast cancer. Every minute counts when it comes to cardiac care. That’s why we are proud to offer advanced and comprehensive heart and vascular services. Hilton Head Hospital, a designated STEMI Receiving Center, has been deemed particularly qualified to treat STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) heart attacks, a particular kind of attack, considered to be the most severe and caused by a clot in one or more of the coronary arteries. The hospital has received the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2011 – one of only 167 hospitals nationwide to do so. The award recognizes Hilton Head Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients, and signifies that Hilton Head Hospital has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and

Dr. G. Neil Love, MD arrived here in 1976, just one year after Hilton Head Hospital opened. After graduating from University of NC Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine he moved to Long Beach, California. It would be his disdain for dirty air and love for golf that would bring him to Hilton Head. One day during a smog alert he decided to make a phone call to see if Hilton Head Hospital had a gynecologist on staff. The person he contacted just happened to be someone he’d gone to medical school with named Ernie Collins, who persuaded Neil to come see the new hospital. Ernie told him that it was going to be the next Mayo Clinic. Needing a respite from smog and play time on the golf course was enough to get him here, but when Ernie took him to dinner at the Old Fort Pub at Skull Creek, it was a done deal – the Lowcountry “had” him. “There’s just something about this place.” Of course, his California children thought that he had ruined their lives – that their lives were simply over, but they love the Lowcountry now. Hilton Head needed a good hospital to attract and sustain the dreams of developers. Without Peter Lamotte’s vision and the hard work and determination of a very carefully chosen staff, it would have been nearly impossible to attract large numbers of people to the area. When the hospital opened with

40 beds and 11 full-time doctors, there were only 6,500 permanent residents. Dr. Love worked as a gynecologist until the OB unit opened in the 80s. He remembered how diﬃcult it was to communicate in those early days when there were no cell phones. If he received a page on the golf course, he’d have to knock on the first door and ask to use the phone. He said that if they liked you and it was an emergency, they’d drive you to the hospital. It’s been a long time since that fateful phone call and Dr. Love has been the hospital’s medical director for the last decade and he has recently combined his Hilton Head Regional OB/GYN Partners with Women’s Healthcare Associates, P.A. but he sees no point in retiring. He told me that about two years ago he went through a bout with multiple myeloma and that the 6 months of not working just about drove him crazy. Not only does he love his work, but he also gets a kick out of seeing some of “his babies” as they graduate, grow up and take their turn at being world changers. After all, he’s already delivered 3,000 – 4,000 babies, that’s about 10 every month for almost 40 years. I just read that pediatric doctor Leila Denmark died at the age of 114, the fourth oldest living person at her death. Known for asking, “Who is the next little angel?” she couldn’t imagine retiring and she worked until she was 103. So, the way I see it, Dr. Love is just getting started and my only question is, “I wonder who will be Dr. Love’s next little angel?”

recommendations. This cardiac initiative is a multidisciplinary effort that brings together the expertise of our area paramedics, the hospital Emergency Department and the Cardiology Department . Our healthcare system expands beyond what is offered at Hilton Head Hospital. Four years ago, Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, SC, became our sister facility. continued...

Less than 10 years old, Coastal Carolina Hospital, located at the intersection of I-95 and U.S. Highway 278, is still a fairly new facility but is committed to quality care and meeting the needs of communities along its corridor. As a testament to the quality and leadership of its CEO Bill Masterton and his team of doctors, nurses, technicians, other staff members and volunteers, Coastal Carolina Hospital was named to 2012 Circle of Excellence, an award our parent

For a physician referral or more information about our services, visit our websites: www.HiltonHeadRegional.com and www.coastalhospital.com. company - Tenet Healthcare Corporation annually presents to its hospitals that have achieved the highest levels of quality, service and operational performance. Coastal has received other accolades in the last year that recognize the hospital and staff for its commitment to quality. In October 2011, it earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in diseasespecific care. This certification is a reflection of the significant investment Coastal has made in quality and in continually improving the care it provides. With the incidences of stroke in our

communities, Coastal Carolina Hospital launched a stroke program two years ago. It became part of MUSC’s telemedicine network, which provides 24/7 access to MUSC’s neurosurgeons who can help evaluate any patients with stroke symptoms – thereby saving time and lives. Since the launch of this service, Coastal has been certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. In addition, in March 2011, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control designated Coastal as the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines Distinguished Hospital of the Year. In addition to treatment for COPD, stroke and heart failure, Coastal offers treatment for wounds through its Center for Hyperbarics and Wound Healing, primary care services, and emergency care to name a few. The hospital continues to make strides in caring for patients, achieving high quality standards and implementing need services. While patients and their families will find a range of services at our system hospitals, they can find access to other convenient care at our Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center, near the Sun City Hilton Head community. Services there include adult and pediatric rehabilitation, primary care and surgical services. The growth of system and the extraordinary care we provide would not be possible without the support of hundreds of volunteers who give a tremendous amount of time to help at each of our sites, and our dedicated physicians and staff.

Because we believe in providing quality care, in providing access and cost-efficient services, and attracting qualified physicians, we take time to listen to our patrons and plan strategically to meet community healthcare needs. In 2011, the hospitals invested a combined $1.36 million in capital and equipment to offer some of the latest technology, and expand programs and services to meet the growing needs of our community. Plus, as part of an investorowned hospital system, we pay more than nearly $3 million in local taxes that go toward the improvement of local infrastructure and community programs. Another one of our overarching goals is to help create a system of access to quality healthcare. Some of our residents may have significant barriers to treatment, including lack of health insurance. We take the complex issues facing the uninsured very seriously. As such, both Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina hospitals have adopted Tenet’s Compact With Uninsured Patients policy, which allows us to offer discount rates to all uninsured patients who receive treatment at our hospitals, regardless of their income level. For us, it’s an exciting time to be involved in healthcare here in the Lowcountry. We take pride in helping so many citizens who not that long ago had to travel elsewhere for many of these healthcare services. We are excited to be a part of this new era and are always ready to answer your questions.

Mark T. O’Neil, Jr. Hilton Head Hospital President and CEO

Mark O’Neil, president of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare is responsible for all strategic, operational and clinical activities for Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital and the Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center. Prior to moving to Hilton Head Island, Mark was the Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Health East in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. As COO, he coordinated operations for more than 100 health care facilities in 11 states with an annual operating budget of $4.6 billion.

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MEDICAL

Hilton Head Regional Healthcare

Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital take pride in being the hospital of choice in the respective communities they each serve. The mission of Hilton Head Hospital is to “provide to its patients quality healthcare in a safe, caring and kind environment which will be cost effective and meets the needs of the populations served.” As its mission, Coastal Carolina Hospital aims “to provide excellent healthcare to our community and those we serve. We promise to be caring people with a unique passion for improving quality of life that begins with service above self.” Throughout the lowcountry, these hospitals concentrate on providing extraordinary care. Each hospital relies on leadership groups to help it achieve its mission. Locally, they each receive input and unique perspectives from their boards of governors, medical executive committees and other community and hospital leaders. They work closely together to initiate ideas and offer suggestions for improving services. Members of the 2012 Board of Governors for Hilton Head Hospital are: Donna E. Williams, Chairman; Ray Warco, immediate past Chairman; Don Creamer, Vice Chairman; Eric Esquivel, Secretary; Robert Burnaugh, M.D., Scott Cummings, M.D., Randy Dingus, M.D., J. Simon Fraser, Ann Gorman, M.D, Charlene Robinowich, and Vincent Ruede. Ex-officio members include Dotty Gottdenker, President of the Hospital Auxiliary, G. Neil Love, M.D., Richard Hussong, M.D. and Mark O’Neil, Jr., President of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare. Members of the 2012 Board of Governors for Coastal Carolina Hospital are: Stephen Tilton, Chairman; Rev. Thomas McClary, Vice Chairman; Martin Sauls, immediate past Chairman; Susan Kieny, Secretary; Jimmy Baker, Vic Bubas, Tricia Etheridge, M.D., Louis Grant, Warren Johnson, Jane Upshaw, Ph.D., Olivia Young, Paul Zorch, M.D., Ex-officio members include Scott Condie, M.D. and Bill Masterton, CEO of Coastal Carolina Hospital.

AUDIO/VIDEO

Ambrosic Home Theater Designs, LLC

“I previously had a theatre system and whole house audio installed and was very dissatisﬁed. It was unreliable and not user friendly. We had Frank Ambrosic, of Ambrosic Home Theatre Designs, redesign and install a new system. Not only is it the neatest installation I have ever seen, but very easy to use and works every time.” Richard Snyder Do you like to entertain? Or do you simply like to relax and listen to music or watch your favorite movies in the comfort of your own home? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to dim the lights and turn on the sound with the touch of one button? Or maybe you just need someone to install a flat panel TV over your fireplace. Nothing makes the “experience” more enjoyable than a quality system installed by a quality, reliable company. Imagine, a company that gives you one-on-one attention to your personal desires and budget? Frank Ambrosic started Ambrosic Home Theater Designs, LLC in 2000 as a company that offers the best in design, installation and service for audio/video, lighting and home automation for your home or business. But more importantly, his company is committed to you! The personal attention from their experienced and expert staff provides the design plan you’ve been dreaming of. Ambrosic Home Theater Designs offers free initial in-home consultations. Frank will prepare a master plan, based on your personal preferences, for both your current and future wish-list, custom made for your budget. The options are endless and fun to explore especially when dealing with a high quality company that respects you and your goals. Ambrosic Home Theater Design’s expertise includes: Custom Home Theaters, Flat Panel TV Installation, Multi-Room and Multi-Zone Audio/ Video Systems, Home Automation, Lighting Control and Video Calibration. But don’t let this confuse you. Frank will make sure you understand all options available and what is best for your individual needs. If you are constructing your new home, he will work closely with your chosen professionals (architects, interior designers, builders) to insure a troublefree installation. Ambrosic Home Theater Designs is Creston and ISF certified, and a long-standing member of CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association). Frank attends annual trainings to stay current on the latest innovations in the electronics industry. Your design will be tailored to meet your needs and expectations using technology that best fits your lifestyle and transforms your home into an exciting, functional environment designed for ease of use. Insuring your peace of mind is the ultimate goal of Ambrosic Home Theater Designs. Frank prides himself on the installation of the best performing hardware possible. Frank will personally meet with you and your family to provide step-by-step instructions on how to use the newly installed equipment. “Our commitment to you does not stop once your system is installed. You can be assured that our team will be available for support 24 hours a day. We will be there for those important events when your audio/video experience must be perfect. I believe in what we do, that is why I put my name on it…” “We are so pleased to have found Ambrosic Home Theater Designs and will continue to recommend his service to others. Hilton Head Island is fortunate to have this company for the honesty, workmanship and integrity of its owner – Thank you so much!!” Isam and Kristen S. The personal attention to detail coupled with quality workmanship makes Ambrosic Home Theater Designs the Lowcountry at its best! Frank can be reached by calling (843) 338-5084 or at frank@ahtdesigns.com. The company website is www.ahtdesigns.com.

EDUCATION

Beaufort County’s schools work to ensure that successful trends continue By VALERIE TRUESDALE Superintendent, Beaufort County School District

Jane Upshaw, Chancellor of Valerie USCB Truesdale Beaufort County Superintendent of Education Valerie Truesdale has served as superintendent of Beaufort County Schools for five years. She has previously served as a district superintendent, district instructional services officer, senior assistant at the S.C. Department of Education, high school principal, assistant principal, personnel administrator and as a teacher at the high school and college levels. Dr. Truesdale served as president for ASCD, an association of instructional leaders with 170,000 members worldwide. She was named Superintendent of the Year by the S.C. Association of School Administrators in 2009 and earned the first national Women in School Leadership award from the American Association of School Administrators in 2011.

Beaufort County’s public schools continue to experience success stories reflecting improved student achievement and an intense community commitment to school improvement. District schools posted higher ratings on 2011 School Report Cards released by the South Carolina Department of Education. Ratings were boosted by higher elementary and middle school scores on Palmetto Achievement of State Standards (PASS) exams and by improved scores on high school exit and end-of-course exams. In addition, on-time high school graduation rates improved at all district high schools in 2011. In 2007, 50 percent of Beaufort County Schools earned ratings of Average, Good or Excellent on state report cards. In 2011, 93 percent of schools were rated Average, Good or Excellent. For the first time since 2004, Beaufort has no schools with an At-Risk rating. Data show that extending learning time by providing 20 additional days of instruction for students who lag behind their peers improved academic achievement for those students over the past three years. In reading, for example, students in all 3-8 grades reduced the achievement gap and experienced greater growth in reading than the students not attending extra days. In its first year, Whale Branch Early College High School dramatically increased the number of students who qualified

for college-level classes while still in high school through the Technical College of the Lowcountry. In the fall of 2010, 13 WBECHS students qualified for college classes. In the fall of 2011, 76 students qualified and took two or more college classes. Over half of the school’s 123 seniors are on track to attend college after graduation in 2012. Two students will graduate from Whale Branch with their Associate’s Degree from TCL and their high school diplomas at the same time. Four schools contended last year for the state’s highest award – Palmetto’s Finest – and one school, Beaufort Middle, made it to the final round. This year, Beaufort Middle and Hilton Head Island High are both finalists for this prestigious award. Beaufort County Schools were recognized by the South Carolina Association for Educational Technology with awards for the district’s Virtual Summer School, a program that extends reading and math lessons on line to lessen summer loss. Animation programs in the district’s elementary schools also won awards and are being featured in national press. Twelve more Beaufort County teachers earned the prestigious National Board certification. These additional dozen National Board Certified teachers – the ninth-highest district total in South Carolina for 2011 – brought the district’s overall total to 139 National Board Certified teachers, or 9 percent of the district’s teaching force.

Ashiki Lewis, a long-term substitute teacher at M.C. Riley Elementary School in Bluffton receives joyful hugs from Lowcountry students. This single mom of two always wanted to be a teacher. It took her 17 years (with 8 of those years serving in the Marine Corps) to earn her Early Childhood Degree, but she did in December of last year. Many times during those years, Ms. Lewis wondered how she would be able to afford the next semester; but somehow it all came together. She has been greatly helped by being the recipient of the Morgan C. Haynes Scholarship, named for a young woman who was killed in a car accident in 1999 just before beginning studies at the University, and has become friends with the Haynes family, some of whom attended and shared in the joy of Lewis’ graduation.

First Lady Michelle Obama greeted a delegation of Beaufort educators and other national winners in the Healthier U.S. School Challenge ceremony at the White House. All eligible schools in Beaufort (29) were named national winners for providing healthy meals that include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain foods, and fat-free or low-fat milk. Beaufort also has a “farm-to-classroom”

grant that supports local vegetable growers. The district scored a financial victory with a $28.77 million school district bond refinancing that will save taxpayers an estimated $2.4 million due to an interest rate of less than 1 percent. The sale of Series 2011D bonds to J.P Morgan Securities includes new financing as well as lower-interest refinancing from previous bond sales. The funding is part of

the multi-year building maintenance plan. One of the year’s most exciting events occurred when Beaufort County won national recognition from America’s Promise Alliance as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People.” The county’s application was submitted by the school district on behalf of “Together for Beaufort continued...

SPOTLIGHT

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Located in the heart of the Carolina Sea Islands, the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) is a senior institution of the University of South Carolina system serving the southeast coast of Georgia and South Carolina. USCB has been the fastest growing baccalaureate institution in the USC system since becoming a four year university in 2004. The University has two campuses which serve a diverse student body of 1874 students pursing baccalaureate degrees in 15 majors. Student research opportunities abound across all disciplines. The Hilton Head Gateway campus in Bluff-

County,” a group of over 100 human service organizations and non-profits formed in 2006 to better coordinate services for children and families. The resulting website, www. beaufort4kids.com, serves to match families in need with appropriate services. The Beaufort County School District also is seeking dedicated individuals who can lend their time, treasures and talents to public school children. We can help keep the momentum of improved achievement going by engaging all the resourceful folks in our county. There are many ways to help. Individuals, businesses and civic clubs can put their energy and creativity to work in many positive ways. School supporters can: •

Get involved – Every school offers opportunities for parents to take broader and more active roles. Join a Parent Teacher Organization or Serve on a School

ton, S.C., offers cutting-edge Computational Science and Nursing laboratories, apartment style living accommodations, and is the home to Sand Shark athletics (Baseball, Softball, Golf, Track, Cross Country, and Women’s Soccer). The Historic Beaufort campus, located on Beaufort’s downtown waterfront, houses an innovative baccalaureate studio art program in close proximity to Beaufort’s many art galleries. The USCB Center for the Arts also resides in Beaufort where it has been the cultural hub for over thirty years, showcasing the Beaufort Orchestra, USCB Festival Series, Beaufort Theatre Company, Met Opera Live in HD, Emerging Cinema, and

Improvement Council. Volunteer as an event chaperone. •

Be a mentor – All schools have mentoring programs in which volunteers work with at-risk students, offering one-onone guidance to encourage students to overcome personal challenges and realize their potential. Volunteer mentors receive training and work closely with school guidance staff.

•

Be a Community/Business Partner – Many businesses and professional organizations have built strong relationships with individual schools in their communities. On the district website (www.beaufort.k12.sc.us) under the “Our Schools” tab, locate a school in your area. Click on that school and under its “Families and Communities” tab, you will find ways that you, your company or your organization can become a partner.

countless performances of internationally acclaimed performing artists. For adults desiring to keep intellectually active, USCB houses one of the largest Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI). Over 1,400 members typically register for more than 13,500 hours of class time in subjects such as philosophy, history, art, music, current events, political issues, religion, science, literature, and languages. USCB offers students an exceptional place to learn and live in an environment focused on growth, preservation and opportunity.

•

Share your talents – Schools welcome community members who share their professional knowledge and life experiences with kids. We speak often about the power of authentic voices. Learning authentically from military veterans, survivors of WWII concentration camps, business leaders, and career professionals such as scientists, doctors and engineers is invaluable for children.

If you can help, please consider contacting the principal of a school near you, or call the school district’s Community Services office at 843-322-2306. Each school needs volunteers and can match your talents with students’ needs. Your interest and support are valued and appreciated. Thanks to community engagement, Learning Leads the Way in Beaufort County.

hurricane are dangerous killers. Even though hurricanes weaken rapidly as they move inland, the remnants of the storm can bring 6 to 12 inches of rainfall to the area it crosses. The resulting floods have caused great damage and loss of life.

EXTRA

Hurricane Preparedness

WINDS

The winds of a hurricane (74 miles per hour or more) can be very dangerous. For some structures, wind force is sufficient to cause destruction. Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to hurricane winds that can spawn tornadoes, which contribute to incredible destruction. The greatest threat from hurricane winds is their cargo of debris-- a deadly barrage of flying missiles such as lawn furniture, signs, roofing, trees, siding, etc.

Create an Emergency Plan

• Meet with family members to create your hurricane plan. • Discuss what items will be needed in case of evacuation. • Decide where you will travel to and plan out your route. • Keep family records in a water and fireproof container. • Plan ahead to take care of your pets.

Prepare a Supplies Kit

Hurricane Information Courtesy of Beaufort County Emergency Management Hurricane Categories

Wind Damage The extent of wind damage is based upon the hurricane’s strength or wind speed. The National Hurricane Center uses the Saffir Simpson Scale to classify hurricanes by their wind speeds into five categories. Category 1--Winds 74 to 95 mph. • Minimal structural damage • Mobile homes at risk • Power lines, signs and tree branches blown down • Storm surge--4 to 5 feet Category 2--Winds 96 to 110 mph. • Moderate structural damage to walls, roofs and windows • Mobile homes at greater risk • Large signs and tree branches blown down • Storm surge--6 to 8 feet Category 3--Winds 111 to 130 mph. • Extensive structural damage to walls, roofs and windows • Trees blown down • Storm surge--9 to 12 feet Category 4--Winds 131 to 155 mph. • Extreme damage to structures and roofs • Trees uprooted • Storm surge--13 to 18 feet Category 5--Winds in excess of 155 mph. • Catastrophic damage • Structures destroyed • Storm surge--18 feet or higher Flying debris or projectiles such as signs, trees, glass, roof shingles, lawn furniture and toys can cause severe property damage as well as major injuries or even death.

When is hurricane season? June 1 – November 30

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which generally forms in the tropics and is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds (in the Atlantic Ocean). Tropical cyclones are classified as follows: • Tropical Depression: An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less. • Tropical Storm: An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph. • Hurricane: An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.

What are the hurricane hazards?

• Storm Surge - Storm surge is water pushed toward the shore by

the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the mean water level 15 feet or more. • Inland Flooding - In the last 30 years, inland flooding has been responsible for more than half the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States. • High Winds - Hurricane force winds can destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs, roofing material, and small items left outside become flying missiles in hurricanes. • Tornadoes - Hurricanes can produce tornadoes that add to the storms’ destructive power. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right front quadrant of the hurricane.

What should I do when a watch or warning is issued?

• When a HURRICANE WATCH is issued for your part of the coast, this indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger your family’s disaster plan, and proactive measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc. • When a HURRICANE WARNING is issued for your part of the coast, this indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing proactive actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

What actions should you take to be prepared?

• Have a family disaster plan and disaster supply kit. • Purchase or use a NOAA Weather Radio in your home with a tone alert feature. This will allow you to receive warnings issued by your local National Weather Service office. • Stay tuned to local media.

TAKE COVER

Remain indoors during the hurricane. Blowing debris can injure and kill. Travel is extremely dangerous. Be especially aware of the “eye” of the hurricane. If the storm center passes directly overhead, there will be a lull in the wind lasting for a few minutes to a half an hour or more. At the other side of the “eye,” the winds will increase rapidly to hurricane force and will come from the opposite direction.

STORM SURGE

Storm surge is a great dome of water often 50 miles wide, that sweeps across the coastline near where the eye of the hurricane makes landfall. The surge, aided by the hammering effect of breaking waves, is like a giant bulldozer sweeping everything in its path. The stronger the hurricane, the higher the storm surge. This is unquestionably the most dangerous part of the hurricane. Nine out of ten hurricane fatalities are caused by the storm surge.

FLOODS

The floods and flash floods brought by the torrential rains of a

• Store supplies in an easy-to-carry container. • Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members. • A list of family physicians. • Credit cards and cash. • Clothing – shoes. • Water supply in 1-gallon containers. Enough for at LEAST 3 days. • Sanitation supplies. • Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. • Non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener. • Personal items including books, toys, and snacks. • Blankets or sleeping bags. • A first aid kit. • Prescription medicine. • A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries. • Glasses and/or contacts. • Tire repair kit and pump.

If You Need to Evacuate

• Take your Supplies Kit! • Lock your house. • Fill car with gas. • Use travel routes specified by officials. • Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes. • Listen to battery powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. • Follow instructions of local officials. • Let family and friends know where you are going. • If told to do so, shut off water, electricity and gas. • Secure chairs, tables, tools and other loose objects around the yard. • Board windows if you desire. This may prevent tree limbs or debris from breaking windows. (Taping windows will not prevent them from breaking). • Close and lock all windows and doors.

Find Out Now!

• Learn how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed, during an evacuation. • Learn how to carry out the emergency plans of your workplace, your children’s school or daycare center. • Take care of your animals. Shelters will not allow animals due to health regulations. • Check your insurance coverage now! Some homeowner’s policies don’t cover flood or wind damage.

Terms

NOAA Weather Radio is the best means to receive warnings from the National Weather Service. The NWS continuously broadcasts updated hurricane advisories that can be received by NOAA Weather Radios sold in many stores. The average range is 40 miles, depending on topography. Your National Weather Service recommends purchasing a radio that has both a battery backup and a tone-alert feature which automatically alerts you when a watch or warning is issued. Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical Storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours. Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours. Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours. During the Hurricane Watch, prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a Hurricane Warning is issued. Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if directed by local officials.

PEOPLE

Investing In Their Communities

PHOTOS BY LITTELL

The South Carolina Lowcountry towns of Bluffton, Beaufort and Hilton Head Island have faced many critical crossroads over the years and not without debate and disagreement. Citizens and leaders have both fought about and worked agreeably on finding ways to grow into the future. With Beaufort on one side of the Broad River and Bluffton and Hilton Head on the other, the “North and South of the Broad” leaders are rivals for funding and they argue about what constitutes “good” development, but they find ways to cooperate and get along peacefully. Two former mayors of Bluffton and Hilton Head (Emmett McCracken and Tom Peeples) and Billy Keyserling, the current mayor of Beaufort know the history and heart of the Lowcountry better than most because their roots here run deep. Tom Peeples’ father bought a home on North Forest Beach in 1952 and even though they were from Ridgeland, Tom has said he spent so much time on Hilton Head from his birth until now that he feels more like a native. Billy Keyserling was born in and grew up in Beaufort and Emmett McCracken was raised from birth in Bluffton after being born in Savannah. Both Billy and Emmett moved away after high school. They maintained close ties to their hometowns with family visits whenever possible and they returned permanently the same year – in 1989. These three men have agreed to allow us a glimpse into their view of the Lowcountry’s past, present and future.

Tamela Maxim is the author and illustrator of Nellie Jelly and the Jelly Well, a book for children. She was born in Savannah, Georgia and as an Army brat spent her growing up years living in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Hawaii and 10 years in Germany, where she attended both the University of Maryland in Munich and the University of Stuttgart. She lives on Myrtle Island with her husband Nicholas and their two german shepherds.

Tamela Maxim Freelance Writer

emmett by Tamela Maxim

Emmett with his mother and father Key West Barracks circa 1943

I asked Emmett McCracken to reminisce about his childhood, his college years, his military life and about what drew him back to Bluffton upon his retirement as an Army Colonel. One of his early memories is of a bad storm, probably the hurricane of 1940, when he was five years old. His family evacuated to the schoolhouse and the river rose several blocks from the boat landing at Alljoy. People didn’t have sophisticated warning systems back then so by the time the storm hit it was too late to do anything but hunker down and ride it out. For a five year old, I suppose a hurricane would be mostly about the excitement of no electricity and burning candles. After being in Ms. Niver’s 1st grade in Bluffton, the family moved to Florida, where his father was stationed and Emmett attended 2nd to 5th grade. Living on an Army post in Key West he woke up to Reveille and heard the melancholy Taps at the end of each day. The cannon would be fired, the flag would be raised or lowered and everyone would salute or place a reverential hand over heart and face the flag. No surprise that Emmett would end up as a career Army officer. They moved back to Bluffton, where Emmett went from 6th grade to graduation from Bluffton High School in a class of six in 1953. “Childhood in Bluffton was mostly quiet and slow-paced. Excitement meant a forest fire or a cow out of the pasture.” There were after school routines involving cows, hogs, oats, soybeans and a truck ride in the afternoon to Pritchardville, where his father rented farmland and shared a hay baler with the Johnsons. Depending on the farm season, the truck usually didn’t return to Bluffton until nightfall. Emmett’s lifelong inspiration for a strong work ethic came from watching

and sometimes helping Murk Johnson in his tireless farm labor, usually from sun-up until sun-down. Bluffton in the 40s and 50s was the kind of town where everybody knows everybody, children had few choices for entertainment if they didn’t like swimming, fishing, crabbing or reading, families still sat together for supper every night and lessons and manners were taught the old fashioned way, with no room for discussion. When your father’s the school principal, nobody has to remind you to do your homework and playing hooky from school was out of the question, but Cecil Reynolds tried every year. Cecil had started a tradition of disappearing from school on April Fool’s Day and would ask, “Aren’t you going with us this year? You really need to go,” but Emmett told me, “I never did take him up on it.” I found out that it was also Cecil who taught Emmett how to make chinquapin necklaces and bracelets for cute girls and school teachers and that high school reunions, held every five or six years for students going all the way back to 1928 were organized by Cecil. Now that Cecil is sadly no longer with us, perhaps Emmett should put together the next gathering and I think I’ll show up with pen and paper to record some of their stories like the one that I heard about the Bluffton Future Farmers of America summer camp. Most of the boys who came from upstate South Carolina had never even seen saltwater. When they asked about the land (Spanish Wells) across from Alljoy Landing, the naughty boys of Bluffton told them, “That’s Portugal!” After high school, Emmett spent two years at Clemson and received an appointment to West Point from Senator Strom Thurmond in 1955. In 1958, as a senior, he met his future wife, Miss Theodora Albritton of North Carolina on a blind date. By the next year he would be married and posted to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. In 1989, after 20 moves in 30 years, many of them in Korea and Northeast Asia, the McCrackens moved back to Bluffton. I asked Emmett to tell me about his blind date with Teddy in New York City, where she was a beautiful and sophisticated young woman in the advertising business. He told me that he went to her apartment and rang the bell. He pushed it once. Nothing. Twice. Nothing. Three times. Still nothing! Well, he did hear a buzzer, but being a small town boy, he had no idea that he was expected to push the door open when she “buzzed” him in. She finally came downstairs and let him in. He says he’s surprised he ever got a second date, but Teddy might not have gotten another date

either if she hadn’t liked antiques. While they were on 2nd Avenue waiting for a taxi, he asked her if she liked antiques and she said she did. A good thing, since she and Emmett “retired” to running Stock Farm Antiques, a business that his mother, Naomi started in her home and which was relocated to May River Road in Bluffton. When Emmett returned to Bluffton it didn’t take long before he found ways to use his strong leadership skills and demonstrate his love of Bluffton and Beaufort County. He has served tirelessly on boards and commissions and in political office almost since he returned. His first run for County Council failed, but he ran again two years later in 1992 and won. He served on Council every year and was made Chairman in 1998. His next big step would be as Mayor of Bluffton. His greatgrandfather, George Sewell Guilford, a Yankee from Maine, was elected Bluffton’s first Mayor only forty years after the Civil

Emmett with his mother, Naomi, and wife, Teddy, 2000.

War, otherwise known as “The Great Unpleasantness.” With Emmett’s slow southern drawl and impeccable manners, you might not guess his northeastern roots. Says something about Bluffton, doesn’t it? We really are eccentric and we don’t care where you came from, but mind your manners, don’t tell us how you did it back home and show us that you really care.

My Beaufort, South Carolina by Billy Keyserling William Keyserling (my late grandfather, after whom I was named) arrived in Beaufort as a teenager escaping Tsarist Russia in 1888. Little did he know when he set foot in this community that he would become a successful farmer and business and community leader, that his son Leon would become Chairman of President Truman’s Council of Economic Advisors or that my dad Herbert would be a tireless advocate for those who could not afford health care? And I am sure he would be surprised and pleased to know that my mother, Harriet, a transplanted New Yorker, would be the first woman to serve on Beaufort County Council and the first woman elected to represent Beaufort in the S.C. House of Representatives. Over the past 20 or so years, since I returned to Beaufort, I have followed my family tradition by serving as a State Legislator, a Member of City Council and leader in civic and business organizations. I can think of no higher honor than to be the Mayor of my hometown. I was fortunate to grow up in this wonderful community and being Mayor gives me the opportunity to give back to the City I care so deeply about, using the many skills I acquired and contacts and friendships made throughout my varied career inside and outside of public service.

billy

Beaufort: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow BEAUFORT YESTERDAY My understanding of the Beaufort I grew up in – and longed to return to after college and a career elsewhere – is more than a nostalgic childhood memory. It is a story of a compact, friendly, livable, sustainable and neighborly community. I grew up on Ribaut Road,

rode my bicycle to Beaufort Elementary on Carteret Street, to Battery Creek Elementary on Burroughs Avenue and then to Beaufort Junior High on Bay Street. On days I chose to “walk,” adults on their way to work always stopped to offer a ride. They knew me and I knew them, so there was no concern about safety. On Saturdays, I rode my bike downtown to the movies on Bay Street. On the way to and from the movies I saw three pharmacies, three grocery stores, five clothing stores, two five-and-dime stores and three hardware stores. There were, of course, barber and beauty shops and a shoe-repair shop. There were four service stations, a few “local” restaurants and small businesses on Charles, Bay, Scott, Port Republic, West, Carteret and Boundary streets. Also on the weekends and most summer days, many of my friends, from the time we were seven or eight years old, were seen out of the River on our Sailfish and Sunfish with rainbow colored striped sails. No adult supervision per se, but we always knew the eyes of Beaufort were looking over us and that if we got into trouble, someone would find help. At that time there was no sailing club, so we stored our boats on the west end of the marina parking lot which meant we could again ride our bikes to launch our boats. Nothing was more than a few minutes away. Downtown Beaufort bustled on Saturdays with families coming in from around the county, sometimes in car pools or on small busses, to shop and visit with friends they met along the way. Everything one needed could be bought downtown. Let me not forget there was The Community Club on Carteret Street where the public could gather for events and a USO for the military. All in downtown Beaufort. Other than working bagging groceries at a supermarket or working at one of several tomato packing sheds, there were few summer jobs. Furthermore, there were few if any jobs to return to in Beaufort after College so many of us went elsewhere to establish careers. Fortunately, day by day as they reach retirement, many of my childhood friends are returning. BEAUFORT TODAY Beaufort is more beautiful and quaint than most places. Thanks to former Mayor Henry C. Chambers, the Waterfront Park was created as the anchor for reviving downtown and attracting tourists. Bill Cochrane, the Alcoa developer at Dataw Island, knew that to market his new project successfully, Beaufort needed a stronger sense of community and a vibrant downtown. His tireless efforts, along with Bay Street property owners, the City Council and the newly formed Main Street Beaufort, USA brought back downtown. We have yet to fulfill a principal mission

which is better jobs closer to home, but that issue is currently on the front burner. BEAUFORT TOMORROW For the City to thrive, we must build on the framework of a downtown that once worked and was surrounded by neighborhoods whose residents work and shop in Beaufort. We must recognize the historic boundaries of downtown, restore old and build appropriate new homes, spread our commercial out within the core to Bladen, Charles, Carteret and Boundary streets. We also must reach parts of West and Scott streets that could be better utilized for retail and office, neighborhood groceries, professional services and other commercial venues. For those who want a feel for what form-based code might bring, I suggest a leisurely stroll through downtown. Note that, we have street grids in which roadways end with city owned and maintained public space overlooking the Beaufort River. We have sidewalks, a few remaining service alleys and beautiful, tree-lined streets. We have houses built a little closer together, with large private yards replaced by refurbished or new public parks. Now imagine all of the vacant spaces filled with businesses run by people who live downtown and are patronized by people who work, dine and shop downtown. You would see a vibrant downtown again bordered by the Beaufort River on three sides and Battery Creek on the fourth side, not just Bay Street. Corner markets, bike shops, beauty parlors, small and large stores, a larger variety of restaurants – they all would be part of this vision. This is what I think the New Urbanists are talking about, and it sounds pretty good to me. Remember - It’s All About Our Home Town.

like to relax on their front porch, ride bikes and take boat trips to Cooter Island, their own private 10 acre retreat. Their first grandchild, Eloise, lives in California, so getting to the west coast has also become a priority. Their son, Josh moved to California after college in 1999, married Jacquelynn, entered her family’s wine business and is now vintner at Châteaux Boswell, a small, but highly acclaimed winery near St. Helena. Mary Ann and Tom grew up in Ridgeland together and were friends long before they fell in love. Mary Ann dated one of Tom’s best friends – also named Tom. When the other Tom went off to college, saw all the other “fish in the sea,” he broke up with Mary Ann, but that turned out to be her good fortune. Even though Tom (Peeples)’s long friendship with Mary Ann blurred his vision at first and he only saw her as one of the “guys,” it didn’t take him long to fall in love after their first date. Two weeks later they were engaged, but there was only one problem. Back then, in South Carolina, the age of consent for men was 21 and 18 for women. He was 20 and she was 17, but their parents signed the necessary

by Tamela Maxim

permission forms and they waited six months, as requested by Mary Ann’s mother. Tom’s mother-in-law also suggested that Mary Ann wait until she was at least 20 before having any children, and the dutiful daughter gave birth to Joshua just one month after her 20th birthday. Tom Peeples thought he might grow up to be a teacher or a football coach. Instead he married his best friend, raised a fine son and surprised himself by speaking up at a public meeting in the early days of Hilton Head Island, which led to thunderous applause, a standing ovation and his first real taste of politics. He spoke against the TSA ”Traffic Safety Amendment,” which would have had the power to freeze development on Hilton Head Island once road traffic reached a level of waiting 2 or more light changes at an intersection. Tom spoke bravely at that meeting. “We need employment. We need

jobs for families. We didn’t come here to retire.” Encouraged by cheers at that meeting and certain that he could make a difference, he entered politics, serving first on town council and then as mayor from 1995 through 2010. He has always been a strong advocate for the rights of homeowners and when there were clashes in opinion, he was a good liaison person, especially between the hard-line “burn-the-bridger” locals and retirees and the working people. He led the way for the land buying program, pushed for public parks and worked for protection of our natural resources, including the law that disallows the removal of any live creatures from local beaches. Tom is also very proud of his wife’s community involvement, especially her leading of the monumental $4 million fundraising for the Coastal Discovery Museum’s location at Honey Horn, the last significant parcel of open space remaining on the island. The Mary Ann Peeples Pavillion stands there in her honor. Tom has had his share of mountain top experiences, but he’s also had some challenges along the way. When nasty rumors started flying in 2007 about his alleged reasons for questioning the airport runway expansion’s impact – that he wanted to put 600 condos on the property, his wife Mary Ann’s protective temper flared. Although Tom allowed anyone to talk to the council, that didn’t mean anyone could come to a town meeting and give the whole audience a “talking to,” but that’s exactly what Mary Ann started to do. Tom said it was rare for Mary Ann to attend meetings, much less speak at them, but she was on fire to defend him and showed up at the standing room only meeting and started addressing the room. Tom had to gavel her down, “Mrs. Peeples, you must speak to the Town Council only.” Up until that point, the tension in the room was thick, but when the Mayor firmly and officially called for his wife to stop rabblerousing on his behalf, the room burst into laughter, the tension broke, and like him, love him, or hate him – he’s been raised right – even if you’re trying to help him, you still can’t bend the rules. Tom Peeples – a good name for a man who truly cares about people.

tom

I asked Tom what it was like growing up in Ridgeland, South Carolina. He said that it was really great to grow up in a small southern town, that he had 3 brothers and a sister and parents who made sure that the Ridgeland Baptist Church played a very important role in their lives. He spent summers on Hilton Head Island Island, where he broadened his worldview, meeting people from all over the world. His parents bought a lot on North Forest Beach in 1952 and built a home there. While his buddies played in the Chechessie or Callawassie rivers, Tom explored the driftwood laden beaches and surf of Hilton Head Island. But, it wasn’t all about having fun. He was only 8 when the entrepreneurial bug bit and he started a lawn-mowing service. By age 12 he had a job in his father’s downtown store (the Bargain Center) and by age 14 his godfather gave him landscaping work on Hilton Head Island. He honed his construction skills under his father’s D.I.Y. wings, learning firsthand through home additions and fix-it projects and was a master carpenter by age 22. When his family first came to the island, it was only accessible by ferry. The first bridge didn’t open until 1956. Tom’s father, Tommie Peeples, kept a Model A Ford on Hilton Head Island for door-to-door sales for the Rawleigh Company. Tommie, known affectionately as “the Rawleigh Boy” sold old-fashioned health products like liniments, salves, spices and ointments, mostly to the local African American community and the company, founded in 1889 is still in business, see: www.rawleigh.net. Tom, like his father, has a wonderful relationship with the local African Americans. Tom was a senior at Ridgeland High when school integration meant an abrupt transformation from 90% white to 85% African American. I can relate. I had a similar experience when the Army/Air Force brats at Fort Bragg/Pope AFB, NC were integrated into Fayetteville’s E. E. Smith High School with the same 85/15 racial mix. We military brats didn’t really mind; we’d grown up with integration, but it was interesting that none of the white civilian kids were sent to “Smith.” From 1971, when he was president of his newly integrated high school to 2011, when he received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest honor, Tom’s legacy has been etched into Lowcountry history. He served four terms as mayor, owns an award-winning construction company and has a long list of achievements that were instrumental in the careful development of Hilton Head Island. He is known as funloving, but serious when necessary; for his ability to get along with folks from all walks of life; for his almost over-the-top work ethic and for his visionary leadership skills. He still works hard at his construction company, but he and Mary Ann try to slow down. They

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY

Dataw Island Dataw Island is a unique community and club located in Beaufort South Carolina. Although Dataw Island has two golf courses, a tennis center, marina and community center with indoor pool and exercise facilities, Dataw Island has much more … a true sense of community. The tagline for Dataw Island is “a community of friends.” At Dataw Island they take this tagline very seriously. Perhaps no other community of the Lowcountry has such a sociable attitude and friendly lifestyle. In a place where golf is revered as highly as southern hospitality amateurs and pros alike

appreciate teeing off on a coastal showplace. Following the lay of the land, Dataw’s two world-class courses are challenging by nature’s own design. A series of dikes – originally created to generate more planting ground for cotton fields – guides Tom Fazio’s Cotton Dike layout. The marsh waters of Jenkins Creek mosey nearly halfway around the course’s 18 holes, creating a visual distraction that’s akin to a hazard. Narrower than the Cotton Dike the Arthur Hills’ Morgan River Signature Course demands precision at every bend, while a combination of land and water challenges inspire strokes of genius. Although both courses are named for golf legends, the most important name at Dataw is yours. Within the gated 870 acres, you will find a wide selection of real estate options, from lavish custom homes to comfortable villas. Despite the diversity of residences, social spaces and recreational amenities ensure neighbors stay connected. The hub of activity is a 16,000 square foot community center and favored gathering place to mix and mingle. Truly the center of the Dataw Island community, however, is the impressive clubhouse where members can dine on casual fare or more formal offerings in the main dining room. Dataw Island stands alone among resort communities in this unique combination of amenities and activities coupled with a friendly neighborly atmosphere that truly embodies the charm of this incredible island.

honest CARING Compassionate CREATIVE knowledgeable

willingness to go the extra mile. qualities you look for in a friend, husband, father attributes you’ll find in this REALTOR

Marvin HALL Successfully selling real estate RIGHT HERE for the past 30 years! WEBSITE: E-MAIL: CELL: Toll Free:

www.marvinhall.com marvin@charteronerealty.com 843-384-7632 1-800-831-0359

11 Park Lane • Hilton Head Island 53

CHARITY

Giving Back Means So Much by JAN GOURLEY

The old saying, you give back to whatever your passion may be, rings very true in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. With so many well-deserving organizations and causes located right here in our own backyard, it’s often hard to decide

where to donate our valued time, talent and treasures. Many organizations are struggling to make ends meet (like so many people affected by the economy in our community). Non-profit organizations that rely on individual donor dollars really feel the pinch in an economic down-turn. So how do we decide where to give and

who to help? It’s often those causes that pull at our heartstrings the most, that receive the lion’s share of our gifts – fortunately, there are many ways we can give back to the many that need and deserve help. The Lowcountry has always been a very giving and generous area in which to live. It’s comforting to know there are individuals and corporations within our community that are still making considerable gifts and making a difference in the lives of so many. Hargray is one example of a corporation committed to giving back to the Lowcountry. Hargray has been a great philanthropic partner in our community for 60 years – supporting local organizations and sponsoring many events throughout our community. Participants in the Caring Coins program are Hargray Communications customers who voluntarily round up their monthly bill. The spare “change” collected is disbursed quarterly by an independent Board of Directors and the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. The customers of Hargray who participate in this program should feel very proud that their small monthly contributions add up to approximately $275,000 annually. And, for each individual participating, this averages $5.78 a year. According to Patti DiSilvestre in Marketing/Communications with Hargray and the Hargray Caring Coins Foundation, “In 2012 The Caring Coins Foundation will have given $2 million to organizations throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties. The spare change that people round-up on their Hargray bill may only amount to a little over $5 per year, but those dollars touch the lives of so many, some of which may be our own neighbors. It’s an easy way to give back and you certainly don’t even miss that $5 per year.” Our community is extremely fortunate to have so many passionate donors, volunteers and corporate philanthropists in our midst. Many former CEOs and captains of industry have now made the Lowcountry their home – or second home and actively demonstrate

the philanthropic spirit of giving. We are very lucky to have the United Way of the Lowcountry here to help coordinate the many full and part-time residents that are annual donors and volunteers for its member service organizations. The United Way of the Lowcountry focuses all of its energies on the three building blocks for a good quality of life: education, health and income. Specifically, the first focus is on education and by 2018 to reduce the dropout rate in Beaufort and Jasper County schools by 50 percent. Elementary school students are the first target and the United Way is committed to ensure that 80% of Beaufort and Jasper students are reading on grade level when they enter the fourth grade. United Way’s job in reaching these goals is to recruit the people and organizations from all across the community who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. They are committed to recruiting 600 new volunteer mentors, tutors and readers to help get the education part of the job done in the Lowcountry. Sandra Chavez, 2012 Chairman of the Board for the United Way of the Lowcountry says, “The United Way of the Lowcountry is the leader in our community in mobilizing resources, time, skills, knowledge and expertise in making our community and non-profit members stronger. We help contribute to our non-profit members’ financial success and help create the opportunity for them to give back and provide the needed services to the people of the Lowcountry. But we cannot do it without the help of our donors and volunteers – we engage the entire community for the better of the community. We are being much more proactive about casting a wider net to include more resources at solving the root causes of some of the bigger problems and initiatives facing our entire community.” Many ways to give…time, treasures and talents People with kind hearts always feel

SPOTLIGHT

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry An organization that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with and volunteer for is the Boys & Girls of the Lowcountry. Like me initially, there are many people that don’t really know or understand what Boys & Girls Clubs provide the children of our community. Chris Protz, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls of the Lowcountry said, “We are looking for positive and measurable outcomes in our members by offering after-school and summer programs that help provide: academic success, good character, leadership skills and healthy lifestyles. There is no better way for a potential donor or volunteer to understand the impact a club can have on a member than to witness it first-hand. All someone needs to do is tour one of our clubs and see the kids in action in one of our programs – or hear a Youth of the Year story.” The organization is a United Way of the Lowcountry member organization and also a member of the Boys & Girls Club of America. Whether it’s north or south of the Broad, across bridges or county lines – the members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry are children in our community that all have very similar needs. Most want a sense of belonging in a safe, positive environment with caring

restless wondering whether they’re doing enough to give back. Material possessions only make you feel good for a temporary amount of time before you move on to wanting something else. The acts of kindness you can do for other people never expire and there is no limit to how much you can help people. A life well lived is a life that has touched others. You can give back to your community in many ways. Volunteer You don’t have to wait until you’ve won the lottery before you start giving back to your community. Each of our Lowcountry towns has organizations for people who need assistance. You can start with a list from the United Way of the Lowcountry or you can find one on your own or through your place of worship. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, a Boys and Girls Club, a hospital, a homeless shelter or a shelter for battered women. Your time and effort is a great thing to give to those who need your help. Depending on what you do, you may be a unique asset to your community in terms of charity work and philanthropy. If you’re a lawyer, you can do cases pro bono. As a doctor, you can volunteer to work at a free clinic certain hours of the week. No matter what

adult staff and mentors that can help guide and navigate them – from 6 or 18 years old, this same basic need transcends all age ranges. The five clubs of the Lowcountry are located in Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Jasper County and Sheldon. Luckily, there are very committed donors and volunteers to many of the Boys & Girls Clubs of

kind of professional you are, you can volunteer to speak at Career Day at a local school. You can also sponsor a sports team for children, a fine arts program for a high school or become active in the chamber of commerce. If you have children, you should look into becoming an active member of your local PTA. Random Acts of Kindness Not every way of giving back needs to involve money or earn you recognition. If you want to be a good person just for the sake of helping others, start doing little acts of kindness. People don’t even need to know you are the person responsible for them, but just knowing that you’re making a little difference will go a long way in paying it forward. You can help an elderly neighbor around the house, visit the local nursing home with your pet or kids, plant flowers in a local park or help with litter clean-up. Donations Of course, cash is king to so many nonprofit organizations. You can either write a check for charities that friends and families are involved in, or you can become a more hands-on donor, having an ongoing relationship with an organization. Many long-time donors often decide to make planned gifts or

the Lowcountry. When long-time volunteer, and recent Lowcountry board member, Dick Farmer was asked why he continues to give he said, “It’s now become my sense of duty and responsibility to stay committed and give back to this organization. I believe in the mission.” Similarly, Lowcountry and Hilton Head Island board member, John Preston said, “I have made an investment in these kids that I want to see grow, just like any other investment I make. I’m a teacher at heart and looking for a return on my investment by helping educate these kids properly and grow them up right.” The board members and volunteers of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry help raise money for its clubs through various campaigns and fundraisers – from galas and golf tournaments to many special events that provide much needed income. Many thanks to all of the wonderful people in our community like John Preston who continue to invest and watch their investments grow through the youth of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry.

bequests to the charities, in which they have given so much of themselves through the years – so they can keep giving in perpetuity. In-kind donations are very important to non-profits. Speak to a local teacher or school administration about which school supplies they need most and donate them. Go through your closet and donate the clothes and shoes that you no longer wear, but are in good shape, to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Help organize a benefit or fundraiser for a local charity. You can also organize a canned-food drive for a local soup kitchen or shelter. Investing in your community is a great way to give back to those who have helped support you or your business. Volunteer groups and non-profit organizations do so much to help the communities that all of us are a part of, but they can’t do it alone. As successful members of the community, we have a responsibility to help those that are less fortunate and contribute to the common good. And giving back makes us all feel so good. Thankfully so many of us do make a difference by giving back in our own way, making the world a little better place to live – especially in our little Lowcountry corner of the world!

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Charities and Churches TWO HUNDRED CLUB OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE The principal objective of the Two Hundred Club of the Coastal Empire is to provide immediate financial assistance to the surviving spouse and children of local law enforcement officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty while protecting their communities. “We are there today, tomorrow and always”

PO Box 1922, Savannah, GA 31402 • 912-238-1200 ext 111 www.twohundredclub.org

This ad sponsored by Sunshine Hardscape, Landscape and Nursery (see ad pages 4, 5)

THE CHILDREN’S RELIEF FUND Children’s Relief Fund (CRF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 by Rose and Frank Fotia. Their son Gregory had multiple disabilities and was the inspiration behind CRF. The group consists of volunteers who raise money to help fund therapy, equipment, summer programs and other group activities for disabled children in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area. Children’s Relief Fund · P.0. Box 22574 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29925 info@thechildrensrelieffund.org • www.thechildrensrelieffund.org This ad sponsored by Sunshine Hardscape, Landscape and Nursery (see ad pages 4, 5)

HILTON HEAD HUMANE ASSOCIATION The Hilton Head Humane Association‘s Mission is to improve the lives of homeless dogs and cats of Hilton Head, Bluffton and Daufuskie, while also working to substantially lower the numbers of animals reproduced or relinquished. They spay/neuter and release feral cats and provide food, shelter, medical, and loving care for the domesticated cats and dogs until adoptive homes are found. 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 681-8686 THE SHELTER: Open from 11 am until 4 pm. www.hhhumane.org This ad sponsored by Gifted Hilton Head (see ad page 31)

CARING COINS Spare change? Make change. Join Caring Coins in helping local charities build a better Lowcountry by rounding up your Hargray bill to the nearest dollar. Sign up call 1.877.HARGRAY website - Caringcoincs.org

This ad sponsored by Hargray (see ad pages 2, 3)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Charities and Churches HILTON HEAD REGIONAL HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

CROSS SCHOOLS Small classes, faithbased learning and academic excellence provide an essential education for students 18 months through 8th grade. Please call for a tour.

Visit one of their Habitat ReStores. All items are donated and the income from sales helps provide additional funding in our quest to build simple, decent housing for hardworking people in our community. They’ll gratefully accept your tax-deductible donations of building materials, appliances, furniture and household goods.

A Hand Up…Not a Hand Out

2 store locations: Highway 46 and Dr. Mellichamp Drive, 184 Bluffton Road, Bluffton 11332, Unit A, Hwy. 17 N. Jacob Smart Blvd., (West Main Street) in Ridgeland.

Cross Schools 495 Buckwalter Parkway Bluffton, SC 29910 843.706.2000 www.crossschools.org

This ad sponsored by State Farm Insurance - Kevin M. Sevier, agent (see ad page 32)

FIRST PRESYBTERIAN CHURCH First Presbyterian Church members are committed to changing lives and making disciples and living our vision of every member in ministry. Come join us! 540 William Hilton Pkwy Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 681-3696 www.fpchhi.org

Phone 843-757-5864 • For free pickups: 757-9995 www.habitathhi.org

This ad sponsored by AdvantaClean (see ad page 27)

This ad sponsored by Forsythe Jewelers (see ad page 7)

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that helps communities across the globe celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. • Overnight relay-style event • Teams of people camp out around a track • Members of each team take turns walking around the track for the duration of the event • Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities • Family-friendly environment for the entire community This ad sponsored by Svalina Law Firm (see ad page back page)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Charities and Churches OFF ISLAND THRIFT & THE CANCER AWARENESS FOUNDATION 3 store locations: Off Island Thrift & The Cancer Awareness Founda4375 Bluffton Parkway, 843-815-7283 tion support 40 Cancer Patients each month who are (call for donation and free pick up) suffering and in need. They are the only thrift shop 4377 Bluffton Parkway, 843-815-7770 that “directly” supports cancer patients. Voted “Best of 18 Plantation Park Dr. 843-815-7747 Bluffton” for the past 3 years. They invite the community to donate furniture, cars, trucks, boats and rvs to help cancer patients of the Lowcountry. This ad sponsored by Furniture Direct (see ad page 6)

THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry offers after-school and summer programs that help provide: academic success, good character, leadership skills and healthy lifestyles. The organization is a United Way of the Lowcountry member organization and also a member of the Boys & Girls Club of America. PO Box 21909, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29925-1909 (843) 379-5430 • Fax (843) 379-5431 www.bgclowcountry.org

THE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY One of the first service organizations on the island, The Auxiliary began as a service to Hilton Head Hospital in 1974, one year before the hospital opened. Men, women and young adults have contributed thousands of hours to various departments and community programs. Today, all aspects of the Auxiliary focus on meeting the needs of our hospitals: Hilton Head Hospital, Coastal Carolina Hospital and the Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center and the community. The Auxiliary renders assistance and comfort to the hospitals’ patients, its affiliates and to their families and friends through an in-service volunteer program, and to enrich the quality of life, health and education of the residents of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and surrounding areas. The Hospital Auxiliary is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

This ad sponsored by Smith Stearns Tennis Academy (see ad page 71)

ROTARY CLUB OF OKATIE POLO FOR CHARITY SAVE THE DATE for our next polo match: October 14, 2012. Reserve your preferred tent location and spot in our program now. We are also accepting sponsorships. Polo is the Okatie Rotary’s once a year major fundraising event for charity. Okatie Rotary meets every Tuesday at 12 noon at Siglers in Sheridan Park.

25 Hospital Center Blvd., Hilton Head, SC 29926 (843) 689-8246 • Fax (843) 689-6257 TheAux74@aol.com

For info on the Club: email grampmatt@aol.com or visit rotaryclubofokatie.com For info on polo call 568-1244 or email rotarypolo@hotmail.com

This ad sponsored by Hilton Head Regional Healthcare (see ad page 37)

This ad sponsored by Port Royal Merchants Association (see ad page 47)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Charities and Churches MISSION VISION RESURRECTION CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH Resurrection Christian Community Church is a come-as-youare community of believers on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Our worship service features contemporary praise and worship music in a loving and God glorifying environment. We will never compromise the Word of God in our preaching and believe the following… No Religion… Just JESUS. 296 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. (843) 689-3625 www.resurrectionccc.com

Founded in 2008 by Hilton Head Christian Academy student David Warren, Jr., Mission Vision Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit corporation devoted to providing reading glasses to people in developing countries throughout the world free of charge.

This ad sponsored by Ambrosic Home Theater Designs, LLC (see ad page 41)

MissionVision.com (843) 681-3080 DavidTWarren@gmail.com This ad sponsored by Dataw Island (see ad page 17)

MT. NEBO CHURCH Pastor Joseph Williams Jr. 22 Jamesville Avenue Yemassee, SC 29945 843-844-2510 Sunday School - 10:00 - 11:00 Worship Service - 11:00 - 2:00 This ad sponsored by Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep (see ad page 83)

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH Bible-based, evangelical non-denominational Christian church. 10am Sunday Worship Service, Wednesday night Bible studies, Awana classes for children. Matthew Palmer, Senior Pastor

450 Spanish Wells Road Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 681-6698 • www.gracehhi.org This ad sponsored by ArkBuilt (see ad page 52)

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Charities and Churches ALS Association MDA is working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA maintains 240 clinics nationwide, including clinics at Candler Hospital in Savannah, Ga., and Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Lowcountry Muscular Dystrophy Association

The ALS Association is a nonprofit organization fighting Lou Gehrigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Disease on every front. Through global research, providing assistance for people with ALS from a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. This ad sponsored by Stone Horse Fireplace Shop (see ad page 11)

29 Leinbach Dr.,Ste. B-4 Charleston, SC 29407 (843) 556-3654 www.mdausa.org This ad sponsored by Stone Horse Imports (see ad page 9)

HILTON HEAD HEROES Our mission is to bring families with a child between the ages of four and eighteen who have a life-threatening illness to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina for a resort vacation. These children are referred to our program by doctors, healthcare providers, social workers and chaplains. The families are housed in the Hilton Head Hero House located in the Sea Pines Resort. They are given gift certificates to local restaurants and a grocery store, as well as other island amenities. P.O. Box 6689 Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 843-671-4939 www.hhheroes.com This ad sponsored by Porch Outfitters (see ad page 65)

Special Olympics is a year round program offering Olympic type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities where they enjoy the opportunity to be treated as people, not just as disabled. Through sports our athletes gain self confidence, social competency, and other enhanced skills, both social and physical. Special Olympics changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 15,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in South Carolina, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. For more information, visit lowcountryspecialolympics.org This ad sponsored by Marvin Hall, Charter I Realtor (see ad page 53)

FAITH

probably the adjacent town of Port Royal, came when Scottish Presbyterians moved in and established Stuart Towne in 1684. As with the French more than a century earlier, the Spanish had a direct and violent hand in terminating the interests of the Scottish adventurers in 1686. Jesuit missionaries continued to visit Indians on Parris Island for decades after the relocation of the capitol of La Florida to St. Augustine in 1587. Scots were to return to the area a few years after being driven out of Stuart Towne, as Indian traders who slowly reopened the Lowcountry and Sea Islands to European activity. Beaufort became the second chartered city in South Carolina in 1711, following Charleston by 41-years. With settlement came people of faith, many of them seeking relief from persecutions and related wars across the sea. Most of the settler communities were located at key junctures along local watercourses, as were their churches. The Church of the Cross in old Bluffton, for example, built before the Civil War, was situated immediately adjacent to the front door to old Bluffton, the dock at the end of Calhoun Street on the May River. This location made the beautiful old Gothicstyled Church boat-accessible in a matter of minutes to 19th Century congregants from the numerous plantations on Palmetto Bluff, Daufuskie, Bull Island and other islands. Many water-adjacent churches here scheduled their services around the tides, as many of their flock came to church via canoe and low tide departures and arrivals would have been muddy affairs at locations without the luxury of deep water docks. “How firm a foundation is the strength of the Lord,” go the lyrics to a great church hymn that has been validated for centuries among these storied Sea Islands and in the Lowcountry. The foundation that can come only from faith remains alive and well here beneath stately live oaks and Spanish Moss. The history of the faith community in the Lowcountry provides contemporary believers a remarkably rich heritage. This area was significantly Anglican in the early settlement days of the 17th Century and the geographical designations then were by Parishes of the Church, not the counties of today. But a century before the English tide moved into the Carolinas, there were official Spanish, Scottish and French settlers here, all of whom were competing for

present day Parris Island, primarily to serve as a base from which to control the shipping trade that crossed the Atlantic from the New World back to Europe just off the shores of Beaufort County. The Faiths of Parris Island in the 1500s Three and a half centuries before Parris Island became home to the US Marines, it was Charlesfort to the French Huguenots who settled there in 1562. Then it became Santa Elena to the Spanish and capitol of La Florida from 1566 to 1587. Three hundred men, women and children lived there. Spanish Franciscans and Jesuits may have had a missionary presence there, off and on, as far back as the 1520s. The last European settlement of Parris Island, and

The Jewish Heritage In addition to the Christian flocks in the Lowcountry, there has been a rich Jewish heritage that often goes unrecognized. Some of the grand old names in both early Savannah and Charleston were Jewish, representing some of the first merchants who were attracted to those seaports during the American Colonial era. From those first settlements, sons and daughters spread out to the newer settlements in places like Beaufort and Bluffton and brought their heritage of faith with them. Savannah’s Mickve Israel, 1733, goes back to the founding year of Georgia. Today the congregation prides themselves on “Southern Jewish Hospitality,” their website even leading with ,“Shalom Y’all!” Beaufort’s

article and photography by GLEN McCASKEY

Faith in the Lowcountry Congregation Beth Israel was founded a century later, 1831, and has supplied several mayors to Beaufort. The flock there still worships in a rare wooden synagogue. Hilton Head Island has Congregation Beth Yam (House by the Sea - 1985) and serves island and off-island populations such as

SPOTLIGHT by CAROLYN GRANT

that in Bluffton, which has its own historical Jewish merchant heritage. The Unwilling Immigrants Not everybody who found their way to the New World came to find freedom of religion. In fact, a veritable multitude came as

a direct result of bondage. The slave trade that had been prospering in Africa for centuries found a major new outlet for enterprise in the North and South American colonies created by the Europeans, starting in the Caribbean islands. Perhaps the only positive outcome of that odious chapter

Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church

In April, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church celebrated 98 years of service to the community. One of Hilton Head Island’s African American churches steeped in history, the church was founded by a group of native islanders seeking to expand the island’s spiritual offerings. As time has evolved, the church - located on Squire Pope Road, across from Hilton Head’s famed Hudson Seafood House on the Dock at Skull Creek - has emerged from it meager beginnings to one known for its powerful, vibrant worship services and its community spirit and support. The church was founded on March 14, 1914 with seven men who had accepted responsibility as deacons: Matthew Jones, Joseph Green, Solomon Joiner, Thomas Milton, William Jones, J.W. Grant and Stephen Bryant. They along with the church’s Charity Sisters selected the spot on which to construct the first church building. It remains there today. The original church building was destroyed by a storm in 1940, but that didn’t deter worshippers. They built another church on the very same spot. Since then the building has undergone numerous renovations and the church membership has seen numerous changes, said Rev. Benjamin Williams, who became its full-time pastor in 1975, after serving nearly a year as its assistant pastor. Williams, whose earlier desire in ministry was to serve as an evangelical preacher that would travel from city to city to deliver messages about God, came to Mt. Calvary at a time when it was still following many traditions of the local African American churches. His wife, Elizabeth Patterson Williams (deceased), was a native of Hilton Head Island, so he had some familiarity with the island. Services at Mt. Calvary were infrequent, literally held once or twice a month. Membership programs were limited to Sunday School, usher and choir groups and church auxiliaries in which members participated. Baptisms were held and still are held to this day on the shores of Skull Creek, near Hudson’s Seafood continued... House on the Dock restaurant. After pro-

claiming a belief in Jesus Christ, new church members don white baptismal robes and are escorted to Skull Creek where they are baptized before other witnessing members, friends and family. As a new young church leader in the mid-1970s, Williams saw great potential in what he felt God called him to do: to build a church membership by fulfilling spiritual need. With the blessings of church leaders, he encouraged the church to have service every Sunday. Its Sunday School and Bible study ministries expanded, and new ones were started to accommodate member interest and participation in church activities. A youth fellowship was born to serve the needs of youngsters that attended the church. Membership began to grow. In the last 25 years, the church became more involved in meeting community needs. “As the island grew, there were many members both in the church and in the community who needed help with food, clothing, shelter, childcare, and even jobs. As a church, we always helped people with their spiritual need and other kinds of assistance,” Williams said. “But there comes a time when circumstances change whether it’s personal or brought on by something in our environment. I preach always that our doors are open, and we truly mean what we say.” One of the church’s more prominent programs was start of its Achievement School, an idea Williams thought of after working for the Beaufort County School District. “I saw so many young children coming to school, not so well prepared academically and spiritually. I felt as a church we needed to help our children and our parents,” he said. He tapped Sandra Bass, a church member and public school teacher, to be the school’s pro-

gram director. She readily gave up her position at a local public school and took charge of church school, running it year-round until her death in August 2011. “It’s so important to give children a solid start in school. At the Achievement School, we give both a spiritual foundation and academics,” Williams said. Along with the school, the church distributes food individuals in need and provides other kinds of social service assistance to people, whether or not they are members. Church programs include fellowship groups for men and women; a youth ministry that offers spiritual guidance, theater, dance, presentation skills, and volunteer opportunities; numerous choirs, deacon board, missionary society, usher groups, and even a kitchen ministry that prepares hot meals after most every church service. Williams states, “We are not just a church that serves members in the church. We serve the community. That’s our Godly calling.”

Carolyn Grant

Communications, Public Relations, Writing A native of Hilton Head Island, Carolyn Grant enjoys writing about local history, people, and other topics. Her experience includes writing for local newspapers and magazines, grant writing and copy writing. She currently works in healthcare communication. She resides on Hilton Head Island with her family.

in history was the subsequent embrace of the Christian faith by many of those victims of the slave trade. Many of the survivors of horrendous Atlantic crossings ended up in the Lowcountry and Sea Islands in the hands of owners whose main focus was on an agricultural economy and the use of

The Chapel of Ease on St. Helena Island was built of tabby by indigo planters around the time of the American Revolution. The church was used as an outpost by various freedman’s groups during and after the Civil War. Surviving the wars in the region, the church was burned during a forest fire in 1886 and was never repaired. Still a favorite site by islanders, the church ruins are used for weddings to this day.

slave labor as its underpinning. As hard as it is to grasp today, a number of those slave owners were people of faith who actually reached out with compassion to the unwilling immigrants. As a result, many came to faith in Jesus and leaned heavily on Him during their incredibly difficult lives of servitude. This led to some remarkably rich traditions in local black history that survive today. The “Negro Spirituals” are one of the most treasured musical heritages in American history, there being much in contemporary music that can be traced back to these roots. Another product of this strain of faith among slaves was the “Praise House.” These were tiny cabin-sized structures which cropped up on many plantations and were the forerunner to a multitude of primarily black churches that rose up after Emancipation, and even before. Most of the little Praise Houses are gone today but many of their succeeding congregations are still thriving. On St. Helena, after the 1861 fall of Hilton Head Island and the Beaufort Islands to Northern troops, 1,000 liberated slaves took over a fine brick church the slaves had built for their former owners in 1855. Previously restricted to standing in the “slave gallery,” they occupied the pews built for the families of their owners. In Beaufort, Tabernacle Church was bought from the Baptist Church of Beaufort by 500 of its 3,300 slave members. The church had around 200 white members but 16 times that in slave membership. Three black churches spun off from the Praise Houses on Hilton Head, one congregation of which still exists, the St. James Baptist Church. And it should be noted that although South Carolina was primarily a Protestant

Tabernacle Church in Beaufort was formed by African-American members of Beaufort Baptist Church after Federal Occupation of the town in 1861. The bust is of member Robert Smalls, a slave raised in Beaufort who was a pilot for The Planter, a cotton ship in Charleston recruited to deliver armaments during the Civil War. Smalls brazenly commandeered the ship while white officers were ashore, ran it past Fort Sumter and three other forts and surrendered it to the Union blockade off the coast. He went on to captain a Union Monitor and become a U.S. Congressman from Beaufort. He is buried in the churchyard.

colony, there was also an early Roman Catholic presence. Many think it just started with the rise of Hilton Head and Sun City, but St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Beaufort was built in 1846 on land donated by an Irish Catholic who moved to the area in the 1820s. More Peaceful Times The role of faith in the Lowcountry and Sea Islands today is far less tumultuous than history might suggest. In fact, there are a host of firm foundations to be found throughout the area, from tiny houses of worship in sparsely populated island communities, to the large established centers of worship in Beaufort, St. Helena, Hilton Head, Bluffton and Okatie. Some mainline denominations, such as the Episcopal and Presbyterian, have multiplied thanks to the spin-offs from congregations at variance over their roots. Others denominational groups have simply grown. Also, a coterie of non-denominational Bible or Community churches have sprung up throughout the Lowcountry and provided new energy in the faith community. The Community Church of Beaufort has established WAGP,

Ginny and Glen McCaskey Community Visions, LLC owner

an excellent Christian radio station. The Community Church of the Lowcountry in Okatie has shown an exemplary Biblical commitment to serving its neighbors in the area, and Hilton Head’s Grace Community Church is known for its strong commitment to missions and its baptisms in the ocean at Folly Beach, including those on cold winter days. Other mainstays of their communities, such as the First Baptist churches in Bluffton, Beaufort, St. Helena and Hilton Head and the First Presbyterian churches are alive and well, as are those equivalents of numerous other denominations and faiths. This Lowcountry and its Sea Islands are a great place for finding and maintaining those all-important firm foundations of faith!

Glen McCaskey has been deeply involved in the evolution of Hilton Head since he and wife Ginny moved to the island in 1970. He was vice president of Sea Pines for the years the company became internationally acclaimed for its ventures in the Caribbean and Southeast USA. Today he owns Community Visions, LLC and has consulted throughout this country and in Mexico, Eastern Europe and Southern Africa. He and Ginny have been married 42-years and have been blessed with two children and two grandchildren.

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ACTIVITIES

PHOTOS BY McCASKEY

What a playground What a playground. Without overstating it, naturally, one of the best places to play in the world. What a joy to relax with any and every warm weather endeavor one could desire. Nestled amongst the live oaks and Spanish moss of the southern coast of South Carolina, amidst a beautiful and relaxing backdrop, every natural “winding down” pursuit is just down the shaded bike path or just behind a majestic live oak. Before you even get to the first tee of what the Lowcountry is best known for – golf – you can spend a lifetime of enjoyment. Deep sea fishing, power boating, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, dolphin watching, and more. Add two world-class tennis facilities, headed by U.S. Open champion Stan Smith; and world-class instructor Dennis Van Der Meer, and you have a recreation buffet that stretches as far as the eye can see. If your interest is more passive and focused in and around nature, try a walk on the beach, biking or horseback riding;

explore a wildlife or nature preserve, or take a sunset dinner cruise. There are plenty of loftier pursuits within an hour’s drive. You can check out historic Beaufort and its antebellum homes, tour the unspoiled beauty of Daufuskie Island, or take in all the charms of Savannah, Georgia. The Lowcountry has entertainment pursuits, as well. Festivals of all types highlight the Lowcountry calendar. The Water Festival underscores the southern charm of Beaufort, or for a Southern culinary experience, take a bite out of Bluffton’s Seafood Festival. Two other favorites are the island’s Wine Fest and the Concours d’Elegance classic car show. And there’s culture as well. Take in a Broadway play or a concert. Stroll through art galleries with offerings that capture the natural beauty of the area. Year after year, many families enjoy Harbourfest, a lively tradition that attracts hundreds every Tuesday evening to Hilton Head Island’s idyllic Shelter Cove Harbour. Attendees enjoy food, riveting fireworks

and kid-friendly entertainment courtesy of popular troubadour Shannon Tanner. Gather around, for fun in Harbour Town and enjoy family-friendly entertainment under the famed Liberty Oak. Enjoy guitar strumming and rib-tickling audience interaction for all ages. If you’re not exhausted from all the recreation, there’s shopping – start at the beach with Coligny Plaza and their 60 shops, restaurants and varied family entertainment. All those fun adventures are just a prelude to the major attraction, golf. As owner of the Hilton Head Company, Charles Fraser was the iconic figure and founding father of Hilton Head’s environmentallysensitive growth. (He was the famous gentleman in the island’s first advertising campaign, strutting along in a straw hat, being escorted by a rather large alligator seen on page 14). And golf was his cornerstone for exposing the island’s alluring features. Courses on Hilton Head Island boast beautiful scenery as well as big name designers.

by ROGER CLARK

Preeminent architects, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Greg Norman George and Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, George Cobb, and Willard Byrd have all created golf course art from the Lowcountry’s palette of scenic landscapes. From the crown jewel of area courses, Pete Dye’s Harbour Town, the golfing playground extends to every corner of the Lowcountry. There’s virtually a golf hole, even though not in sight, not more than a driver and a four-iron, in one direction or another. Among the highlights are private clubs like Colleton River, Belfair, Berkeley Hall, and Palmetto Bluff. Colleton River has arguably the two best courses (Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye) of any private club in the country. The Nicklaus course wends through tall pines and finishes on the picturesque Colleton River, while the Dye course has a distinctive

Scottish links feel. The resort courses at Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes wend their way to the ocean for wind blown challenges for visitor and local alike. The Ocean Course at Sea Pines was the first on the island. And the Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes is a must, if only for the elevated ocean view from the 10th green. (Don’t get distracted, this is an easy three putt.) And by the way, almost always plays into the wind. A vast majority of the courses have spectacular vistas of marsh, ocean, lakes, lagoons, or the Intracoastal Waterway. Oyster Reef’s view of Port Royal Sound from the par 3, sixth or a similar view from Dolphin Head’s short par 4 14th or a panoramic view from the fairway of the Country Club of Hilton Head’s par 5 12th hole – to name a few. On the mainland, the views don’t stop. Old South, Belfair, Berkeley Hall, all make use

of nature’s work. If you’re up for some adventure, one last view. The Legends golf course at the Parris Island Marine training center, has some wonderful views, spiced with recruit conditioning drills, and “live fire” training in the distance on Tuesdays. You can even combine nature, sightseeing, and golf all in one trip. Take the ferry to Daufuskie Island and play Haig Point. It’s a Rees Jones course with every amenity of a Lowcountry course. Small undulating greens, yes. Spectacular vistas of the Harbour Town lighthouse across the Calibogue Sound, yes. Tight, tree-lined fairways, yes. Every short game challenge you can imagine, yes. Forget every care you have for the time you’re on Haig Point, yes. Many visiting golfers find the wind, sea level elevation, and wiry Bermuda grass

continued...

Roger Clark

Sports Writer/Radio Commentator Roger Clark is an avid golfer, and golf writer. He’s written articles for various regional and national golf magazines. He’s won six Associated Press broadcast awards for his oncourse radio commentary from the RBC Heritage PGA tour event. He’s won several, local amateur tournaments. He’s also written and produced a golf television show about the golf courses of the Lowcountry. He holds a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Missouri, and has resided in the Lowcountry for more than 20 years.

SPOTLIGHT

Swedish born PGA TOUR golfer, Carl Pettersson had just sunk his putt on the 18th hole in front of a crowd of fans to win the 44th annual RBC Heritage, when one of the Heritage Classic Foundation board members cleverly announced “How Swede it is!” It surely was sweet for Pettersson who earned his fifth win on the PGA TOUR and $1,026,000, but it was even sweeter for everyone on Hilton Head Island and South Carolina. As Pettersson hoisted the Sir William Innes trophy during Closing Ceremonies, the “plaid clad” Foundation members standing behind him were proud and relieved that the future of South Carolina’s only PGA TOUR event was secure. It was a much different story in 2011, when the tournament was without a title sponsor and in jeopardy of losing its spot on

rough, provides challenges that they must adapt to quickly. Mix in the trickiness of putting on Bermuda grass greens and every course is a challenge. Several PGA and LPGA touring professionals call the area home. Recognized as one of the country’s top golf schools, Hilton Head’s Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy offers weekly and multi-week instructional programs. And world class PGA instructors abound.

the PGA TOUR’s calendar. Just two months later, title sponsor RBC and presenting sponsor Boeing stepped up to the tee box and firmly committed to the event until 2016.

The RBC Heritage is more than just a golf tournament to the residents of Hilton Head Island and

The Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, for example, allows golfers 10 and younger to play for free during the afternoon when an adult paying the regular rate accompanies those golfers. Sea Pines Resort, home to the historic RBC Heritage, also hosts a number of kidfriendly opportunities, such as the “Future Stars” junior golf program, which is led by one of the resort’s friendly and highly-skilled professionals.

South Carolina. It is a major economic engine, bringing $80 million into the state each year and funds that are raised through the annual tournament are distributed to those in need throughout the area. Since 1987, more than $22 million has been donated to hundreds of organizations. Now a U.S. citizen and a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina, Carl Pettersson joins a long list of Heritage champions that includes golf legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman, as well as today’s top golfers from around the globe like Jim Furyk, Davis Love III and Stewart Cink. The 45th RBC Heritage will take place April 15-21, 2013 at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island. Make plans now to “Get Your Plaid On!”

For those who enjoy a less formal outing, Hilton Head Island also offers several miniature golf facilities, such as Pirates Island, Legendary Golf and Adventure Cove Family Fun Center. More than 50 Lowcountry courses, all of them at varying degrees of difficulty, will satisfy even the most insatiable golf appetite. Add to that all the other relaxing pursuits and you have an idyllic place to call home for a few days, or for a lifetime.

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HILTON HEAD ISLAND Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm 785-7929 • 88 Arrow Road

BLUFFTON Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm 815-7924 • Hwy. 46

the legacy that Mary Kay Ash left. I’m proud to share in her commitment of caring and connecting in communities – just like ours – to help make a difference. Judy Smolek

Independent Beauty Consultant www.marykay.com/jsmolek 843-422-2591

Beaufort Bluffton Hilton Head

Calendar of Events

january

PHOTOS BY McCASKEY

Annual Events for Beaufort County

may

Shaggin’ with a Taste Gullah Festival Bluffton Village Festival Bluffton Arts and Crafts Festival Buckwalter Place Farmers Market begins Tuesdays thru December 4th Kiwanis Club Rib Burnoff and Barbecue Fest Annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival All Saints Episcopal Church Garden Tour Taste of Summer Craft Beer Festival Windmill Harbour Boat Show Hurricane Information Courtesy of Beaufort County Emergency Management Annual Yacht Hop

Chamber Restaurant Week

february

EXTRA

june

september Land’s End Woodland River Festival Annual Devin Dash Memorial 5K Italian Heritage Festival Beaufort Symphony Open Season

october

Irish Festival

Garden-A-Day

Burgers & Brews Fall Festival

Gullah Celebration

Farmers Market

Ghost Tours

International Fim Festival

Beaufort River Swim

Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens Fall Art Walk

march

july

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Water Festival

Paddlefest

Habersham Twilight Run & Oyster Roast

4th of July Celebrations

Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival

november

WingFest

Look for Santa at Coligny

RiverQuest

Oyster Festival Oyster Roast

april

Farmers Market at historic Honey Horn begins - Fridays thru December 8th Easter Bunny Visits Coligny Blue Angels Air Show RBC Heritage Golf Tournament

august Coastal Crabbing and Fishing Day Camp with Coastal Discovery Museum

december Senior Citizens Tea Christmas Parade South Beach Christmas Village Winter Wonderland Festival at Shelter Cove

For a complete list of events in the Lowcountry and surrounding areas, visit www.lowcountryevents.com

DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT

Eat, drink and be merry... Lowcountry style Lowcountry living offers nightly specials of meals and memorable moments peppered with the community’s culture and cuisine. A sun-drenched social life includes lots of entertainment choices served with pride in a relaxed yet, invigorating style as you replenish yourself with fare, family and friends. However you find fun, the Lowcountry has countless options for each mood and celebration. The after-hour menu for coastal living is as vast as the ocean including toe-tapping live music, outdoor festivals, laidback oyster roasts, finger-licking barbecues and black-tie gala events. Among the things Lowcountry residents do very well is eat, drink and be merry. A region centered around the waters which feed its daily life, it’s no wonder local flavor, mixed with the salt air, are infused into the area’s cuisine and music. The Lowcountry rolls out the welcome mat to more than 4 million visitors each year, offering each person a long list of dining and entertainment options. Whether the Lowcountry is home or a place to relax part time, the area’s restaurants, live entertainment, events and festivals will fill your calendar and your hearts throughout the year. PHOTOS BY McCASKEY

Lowcountry Cuisine “Fresh” and “local” are proud reminders of how the region is honored to serve Lowcountry shrimp, oysters, red fish, flounder, crab and other seafood. Caught in the waters in which you may have just boated, jet-skied or just gazed at from your balcony, there’s something special about the community’s natural resources coming together to feed our souls and stomachs. Seafood is often the starring cast member of local menus. Whether you’re in a laid-back mood to get your hands dirty and peel and eat shrimp, or settle in for the evening with wine and candlelight – fresh-off-the-boat

seafood is ready when and how you want it. If you haven’t already, take time to attend an oyster roast or a Lowcountry boil to capture the authentic flavor of the historic Sea Islands. In the Lowcountry you will find this universal truth: Local seafood is held in high esteem. And each town, city or sea island has its own personality, favored dishes and subtle sub-cultures, separated only by creeks and tides. Whether you’re on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton, visiting Beaufort or points in between, the area’s restaurants are here to offer you variety for any occasion and taste Hilton Head Island’s personality forged forward in the 1970s when the island successfully was marketed as a marriage between natural beauty and a world-class resort. Hilton Head leads the way with more than 250 restaurants on the 12- by 5-mile wide island. From fine continental to homestyle Southern cooking, the island also offers countless ethnic choices such as French, German, Italian, Caribbean, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Greek and others. Bluffton, a river town that neighbors Hilton Head Island, is home to one of the last

by DEBBIE SZPANKA

operating oyster factories on the East Coast. Blufftonians take their oysters seriously and are known to host oyster roasts during the state’s oystering season between September and mid-May. Bluffton has a laid-back style and fits its motto: “A Bluffton State of Mind.” If a town could have an official shoe, like a state bird, Bluffton’s would be the flip-flop. Don’t be fooled though. Bluffton offers high quality and restaurants, wine bars, martini bars and entertainment options, each having its own unique flare. With almost 75 restaurants available, you eat at restaurants which just harvested its oysters or those that create nightly specials from May River’s bounty. Whether it’s a celebration where you want to eat unique creations or a night out with the family for a quick meal, this historical, quirky and quaint town has something to satisfy your tastes. In northern Beaufort County, where quieter neighborhoods are spaced between the roaring jets of the Marine Corps Air Station and unrelenting standards of the Marine Corps’ boot camp on Parris Island, there is also a selection of eateries to please a hungry recruit, retired CEO and everyone in between. In the urban-chic section of Beaufort’s historic district, many restaurants have vowed to use local meats and produce as a part of South Carolina’s “Fresh on the Menu” pro-

gram. Chefs agree to prepare their menus using at least a quarter of their ingredients from South Carolina-grown produce and products. Wine bars and shops are popping up between the Spanish moss-draped oak trees, historic buildings and beautiful waterfront. Don’t forget to check out the cozy, port town of Port Royal where its eateries are as fresh and fun as the walk down by the boardwalk or its walking trails. The Town has been recognized as a leader in the nation for small town New Urbanism and while small, gives a large welcome to all who live in or stroll through it. Throughout the Lowcountry, you can find specialty dishes dating back hundreds of years and have deep ties to the Gullah culture. The Gullah are a unique group of African-Americans whose ancestors were West African slaves and settled along the South Carolina and Georgia Sea Islands after emancipation. Due to the isolation of the Sea Islands, the culture, language and heritage was preserved and passed down from generation to generation. The Gullah cooking style is heavy on grilling and roasting and its ingredients are what could be found in the ocean, the rivers or on or around one’s backyard. The Gullah culture and cuisine reminds us to look around and create comforting, soul-nourishing food from what God created within your reach. Beyond the mouth watering crab rice, macaroni and cheese, roasted

Festivals to Honor Fun and Favorite Foods As bountiful as the seas, so are the region’s outdoor festivals which celebrate everything from water to wine. Starting in February, the Gullah Celebration honors the rich history of the Sea Islands’ first residents. In March, foodies and wine connoisseurs converge on the Island to taste and judge the world’s best wines. April brings the tourist season with Easter, The RBC Heritage PGA Tour Golf Tournament, the Hilton Head Seafood Festival and the annual explosion of azalea blooms. BRAVO Arts and Cultural Festival hits in May and throughout the summer is Harbourfest. September brings the Seafood, Jazz & Brew Festivals and the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival comes in October. In northern Beaufort County, July’s Water Festival is a week-long party celebrating Beaufort’s waterways with raft races, boating, ski shows, concerts, a community dinner and so much more. Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal also host the Shrimp Festival, the Soft Shell Crab Fest and A Taste of Beaufort.

Debbie Szpanka Freelance Writer

turkey wings, crab soup, barbecued coon and shrimp gumbo – there are fresh vegetables and fruit dishes grown in the same gardens cultivated by freed slaves. If you are lucky to meet someone who is still honoring his or her rich past, they may even invite you over for some homemade blackberry wine. Many national cooking shows such as the Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods have featured Gullah ancestors and their good creations.

Debbie Szpanka has lived in the Lowcountry since she left Washington, D.C. after The Blizzard of 1996. She was reading Pat Conroy’s “Beach Music,” at the time and credits the famous author’s poetic descriptions of the marshes and coastal landscape as the reason she is here. She has worked as a television reporter, a spokeswoman for a government agency and several non-profits.

EXTRA

Dining Out SEAFOOD

Hudson’s Seafood on the Docks

With hundreds of restaurants in Beaufort County, it was impossible for Premier Lowcountry to honor our advertising exclusivity policy by selecting one “premier” restaurant. We have decided to share with you some of our area favorites...

Sigler’s Rotisserie

Fresh Seafood • Extraordinary Views 1 Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island 681-2772 • hudsonsonthedocks.com

Fine food in a relaxed atmosphere. Open Kitchen • World-Class Rotisserie 12 Sheridan Park Circle • Bluffton 815-5030 • siglersrotisserieofhiltonhead.com

BARBECUE

MEXICAN

Bluffton BBQ

GLOBAL

FINE DINING

Amigos

The finest nibbles and nectars to ever tickle a tastebud. 11 State of Mind Street • Bluffton 757-7427 • blufftonbbq.com

Delicious food inspired by Gulf Coast of Baja, Mexico and Santa Barbara, CA 133 Belfair Town Village • Bluffton 815-8226 • amigosbelfair.com

GREEK

SOUTHERN

Plums

Casual, creative and all around good food. 904 Bay Street • Beaufort • 526-1946 15 Towne Drive, Belfair Plaza • Bluffton • 706-3647 • plumsrestaurant.com

COFFEE

The Corner Perk

A local coffeehouse with organic fair-trade freshy brewed coffees, breakfast and lunch. Burnt Church and Bruin Roads • Bluffton 816-5674 • cornerperk.com

THAI

Authentic Greek dishes prepared and served with a smile by chef/owner Angelo and wife, Laura. 80 Baylor Drive • Bluffton • 757-9283

Café, Bakery & Tea Room Old World Charm, Warm Southern Hospitality 38 Calhoun Street • Bluffton 757-0508 • thecottagebluffton.com

The Cottage

Suwan Thai Cuisine

ITALIAN

BAKERY

FAST FOOD

The Greek Table

Mangiamo’s

Specializing in pizza, pasta, wings. Dine In, Take Out & Delivery 2000 Main Street • Hilton Head 682-2444 • hhipizza.com

The French Bakery

Fresh baked breads, croissants, pastries, cakes, quiches, crepes & verrines 430 William Hilton Pkwy. 201C • Hilton Head 342-5420 • frenchbakeryhiltonhead.com

LOCATED BEACHSIDE AT MARRIOTT’S GRANDE OCEAN RESORT • SOUTH FOREST BEACH DRIVE, HILTON HEAD

Great, FRESH Thai Cuisine 1638 Paris Avenue • Port Royal 379-8383

Chick Fil-A

Chicken, Chicken, Chicken Sandwiches, Nuggets, Salad 9 Malphrus Road • Bluffton 837-8140 • chick-fil-a.com

EXTRA

A Lowcountry Meal All Recipes Developed by and Courtesy of

Peggy Beck of The Joyful Palate

Grilled Snapper * with Lemon Dill Sauce 2 1 pound fillets 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 8-12 slices center cut bacon 4 sprigs savory 2 stalks celery sliced into 4 pieces each stalk 2 stalks of lemon grass split 1 lemon sliced thin 1 lime sliced thin In a small dish blend garlic and olive oil, allow to stand for at least an hour. Cut 2 pieces of heavy duty aluminum long enough to fit each of your fillets separately, plus an equal amount to turn the fish over onto it. Lightly brush fillet with olive oil and garlic mixture. Place 4-6 pieces of bacon on foil place a fillet skin side down on bacon. On the flesh side of the fish lightly brush with garlic oil, place savory, celery, lemon grass, alternate slices of lemon and lime slices onto the fish and wrap the fish with the bacon. Light the grill on a med-high heat. Place the fish on the grill so the fish is to the front and the excess foil is to the back, lower lid and grill 7 minutes, loosely fold the foil over the fillet and with a spatula turn fish over. Gently peel back foil, being careful not to rip the bacon from the fish. Grill for an additional 5 minutes, turn the fish back over, gently peel the foil back. The fish should flake and have an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Remove the fish carefully from the foil and serve the fish on a platter, drizzle the lemon dill sauce over fish or serve the sauce in a ramekin. ** Other fish to use... trigger, sea trout, salmon or mahi-mahi. Cooking times will vary on the type of fish you use. Lemon Dill Sauce 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 3/4 cup half & half 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth 1 lemon juiced 2 teaspoon capers 2 tablespoon corn starch dash of white pepper to taste 3 tablespoons fresh dill chopped 1/2 pound claw crabmeat Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add pepper, garlic powder, dill, half-and-half and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. In a small dish dissolve cornstarch with lemon juice stir until smooth add to skillet. Reduce heat to low. Stir 2 minutes or until thickened add crab meat. Remove from heat.

PHOTO BY LITTELL

Fried Green Tomatoes with Bacon Dipping Sauce 8 pieces bacon chopped 3 medium tomatoes sliced 1/3 inch thick 2 large eggs 3/4 cup buttermilk 1 tsp chopped fresh dill 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/4 cup cornmeal 1/4 shredded Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper vegetable oil for frying tomatoes In a large bowl whisk together eggs, buttermilk and dill. Add tomatoes and let sit 10 minutes. In a 4 qt pot render bacon until crispy remove bacon. Add oil to bacon drippings to about an inch. Heat oil. In a medium bowl combine flour, cornmeal, parmesan cheese, sea salt and pepper. Dredge tomatoes into flour mixture, add to grease and fry until golden brown. On a plate lined with paper towels allow fried tomatoes to drain excess oil. For presentation stack tomatoes unevenly serve with a portion of bacon dipping sauce. Bacon Dipping Sauce use bacon from the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe 8 oz softened cream chesse 8 oz crumbled bleu cheese 1/4 cup half & half 1/4 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise 3 tablespoons Frank’s Red Hot Sauce 1 teaspoon worchestershire sauce 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 2 green onions Add all ingredients into a food processor until well blended. Serve dip on the side of the tomatoes. If you prefer to have the dip thinner add 1 tablespoon of half and half until you reach the desired consistency.

Luscious Lemonious Squares Crust 2 cups all purpose flour 3/4 cup confectioners sugar 1 cup softened unsalted butter Filling 6 large eggs 2 3/4 cups granulated sugar 1 cup fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons lemon zest (optional) 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup all purpose flour Garnish blueberry sauce, recipe to follow Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine flour, butter and confectioner’s sugar, mix until the crust is the size of small peas. Gently press the mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake until golden brown about 20 minutes. Filling: Using a mixer add eggs and granulated sugar beat on medium speed until smooth, add lemon juice, zest, baking powder and flour. Pour the filling onto the crust. Bake an additional 25 minutes or until lightly brown. If the filling doesn’t set in 25 minutes reduce the oven temperature to 325 checking every 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, cut into 4 inch squares, top with blueberry sauce at serving. Blueberry Sauce 2 cups fruity red wine of choice 1/2 cup granulated white sugar 1 cup water 1/4 cup seedless blackberry jam 1/2 pint blueberries In a medium sauce pan add wine, water and sugar, reduce to half, add jam and blueberries. Remove from heat pour into a heat proof bowl. The sauce will thicken as it cools. The sauce is better made a day or two ahead. This sauce is not to be very sweet, if you do desire a sweeter sauce use additional jam not sugar.

CAR DEALERSHIP

Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep

My name is Charles Manigo and I am a Sales Professional with Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep. I began my career in the car industry back in July 2007 as a porter. It did not take long for me to want to sell the beautiful vehicles I saw every day. In December, I was trained by the most seasoned, driven sales professionals to fulfill my desire to sell vehicles. I wanted to learn it all; leave nothing to question. My #1 goal is to always know the needs of my customers and address each customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific needs. I give credit to my parents for teaching me to always give 120% in everything I do and also to the Good Lord above for keeping my passion alive. There is no better

feeling than seeing the smile on a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face when I hand over the keys to their new car. At Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep, we strive to provide you with the best customer service you will receive in the Lowcountry. Mr. Charles Manigo is a prime example of the devotion our sales personnel give to each and every customer that contacts our dealership. You will not find better service or better prices anywhere else in the Lowcountry! Contact us today and let one of our friendly sales professionals put you in the vehicle of your dreams!