WINTER 2016
LOWCOUNTRY
16 Lowcountry Must Dos In 2016
Mepkin Abbey A Silent Retreat Lowcountry History Part 1
Meet Author
JERRY JENKINS Our Community At Its Best! WINTER 2016
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contents
12
26 32 features 12 ACTIVITIES
26 EXTRA
44 ARCHITECTURE
Mepkin Abbey A Silent Retreat
16 Lowcountry Must Dos In 2016
Architectural Q&A
18 LOCATION
32 PEOPLE
The Lowcountry BEFORE History, SERIES Part 1
Meet Jerry B. Jenkins
46 EVENT A Wine Festival With A Mission
38 HEALTH What’s New In Dentistry
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contents
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44
departments 4,5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
8
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
10
CONTRIBUTORS
24
25
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: UNISOURCE MORTGAGE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: COASTAL SIGNATURE HOMES
31
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: DUKE’S BBQ
48
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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WINTER 2016
PUBLISHER Premier Lowcountry Magazine, LLC Mylene Owens
EDITOR Tamela Maxim
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jeff Gerber Annelore Harrell Tamela Maxim Glen McCaskey Dr. Adam Squicquero
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Tamela Maxim Glen McCaskey
SALES Mylene Owens
GRAPHIC DESIGN Barbara Bricker of Small Miracles
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Premier Lowcountry Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 3480 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Phone: (843) 415-5143 www.premierlowcountry.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Premier Lowcountry Magazine, LLC is not responsible for any statements, services and products made by advertisers.
Printed by NewPoint Media Group, USA 6
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about the publisher
Mylene Renee Owens is the owner of Premier Lowcountry magazine. There are four things that are on the top of this young woman’s priority list – God, family, dogs and other people – dogs being pretty much people to this serious canine lover. Mylene is a jack-of-all-trades kind of modern working woman. A dash of seriousness, heaping spoonfuls of vivaciousness and hot, smoky beakers full of industriousoptimistic-give-it-all-you’ve-gotness. Don’t tell her she can’t do something, because she will. She was born on Hilton Head in 1984, lived in Savannah between the ages of 9-12, moved to Clearwater, Florida for 7th, 8th, 9th and half of 10th grade, and then back to Hilton Head for the rest of high school. In 2007, when daughter Caitlyn was 4, they moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she worked as an optician. She was so meticulous in her optical work that customers insisted that she make their lenses. Oh, did I forget to tell you what a perfectionist she is? Don’t be fooled by her breezy, cheerful manner into thinking that she misses the details. This southern girl has eyes on ALL sides of her head and although like the rest of us, she might forget some little unimportant things, she has probably memorized just about everything you’ve ever told her – mostly because she cares so much about you and if you are in business with her, she considers it an honor to help you succeed. She moved back to Hilton Head and met Ron Owens two days before Valentine’s Day in 2013. They were married a little more than a year later, on March 22nd and her daughter officially became Caitlyn Owens another year later on March 2, 2015. It’s not surprising that Mylene has almost always worked in some sort of sales position. She 8
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started out working for the magazine in sales, was promoted quickly to Director of Marketing and Sales and then when the opportunity came to become the owner, she jumped right in. Premier Lowcountry magazine was everything she’d ever hoped for in a dream job. She would be her own boss, her daughter and husband were loyal and dedicated helpers and she would devote herself to making sure that her advertisers became the talk of the Lowcountry. She knows that people still like to read a good magazine full of interesting stories, supported by businesses discovered by those same readers whose loyalty they wish to earn. Mylene and her daughter Caitlyn are both high-energy and Ron is the strong, quieter one who balances out the pair. They all pitch in when it’s time to take care of the magazine. Ron helps with planning and strategy, distribution, heavy lifting and anything else that is needed. Twelve year-old Caitlyn is already making plans to join the business and has decided to focus on English classes so she can be one of the contributing writers. Excitement spills all
over dinner conversations. They talk about meeting deadlines, supporting advertisers and boxes of magazines to deliver. And, when the magazine is ready – as they say in the print business, they “put their baby to bed.” How does Mylene’s background contribute to running a magazine? She’s always been a “look-at-me!look-at-me!” kind of girl. And, since 2nd place is the same as losing, she applies her no-holds-barred winning attitude to every aspect of the business. Her super powers are determination, guts and southern manners. Besides God, dogs and people, she loves dance and roller skating. She won a Black History choreography competition put on by the State of South Carolina in her junior year and her favorite activity in high school was participating in the Color Guard in Florida, where her team was the state’s Marching Band champion. She volunteers often at the Jasper Animal Rescue Mission and for the Lowcountry Bully Breed Rescue in Ridgeland. They have six dogs and foster other dogs when they can. For Mylene, it’s all about giving and being creative. Taking care of her family, helping dogs find loving homes and contributing to other people’s success in business, those are the priorities of Premier Lowcountry magazine’s owner, Mylene Owens. And, her life verse? Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” She doesn’t have many stories to tell of velvet-cushion-silverspoon-ease, but she’s got fire in her belly, sparkles in her eyes and caution to keep her sensible. Put on your shades, and hop on for an exciting ride! The future looks mighty bright.
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contributors
ANNELORE HARRELL
GLEN McCASKEY
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Annelore Harrell,
TAMELA MAXIM
DR. ADAM SQUICQUERO
Glen McCaskey has been
Tamela Maxim is the
Dr. Squicquero
deeply involved in the
author and illustrator
grew up in a family
nee Stelljes, spent summers
evolution of Hilton Head
of Nellie Jelly and the
with medicine at
at her parents’ cottage on
since he and wife Ginny
Jelly Well, a book for
its core. He follows
Myrtle Island. She married
moved to the island
children. She was born in
three generations
in 1970. He was vice
Savannah, Georgia and as
of doctors and
regular Army JAG officer in
president of Sea Pines for
an Army brat spent her
dentists. Originally
1953, had five children and
the years the company
growing up years living in
from Canfield, Ohio,
traveled from post to post
became internationally
Georgia, North Carolina,
he completed his
for the next thirty years. A
acclaimed for its ventures
Virginia, Hawaii and 10
undergrad at John
real estate broker by trade,
in the Caribbean and
years in Germany, where
Carroll University
active in several civic and
Southeast USA. Today he
she attended both the
in Cleveland. He
community organizations,
owns Community Visions,
University of Maryland in
acquired an M.B.A.
she is a graduate of
LLC and has consulted
Munich and the University
in Finance before
Leadership, Bluffton,
throughout this country
of Stuttgart. She returned
attending dental
Hilton Head and South
and in Mexico, Eastern
to the United States in
school at The Ohio
Carolina. She has appeared
Europe and Southern
1976, living in Bluffton
in numerous theatrical
Africa. He and Ginny have
and attending Armstrong
productions, hosted a weekly
been married 42-years
in Savannah, where she
cable television program and
and have been blessed
received her Bachelor
currently writes a column
with two children and two
of Science degree in
SOMETIMES for Bluffton
grandchildren.
Elementary Education
George William Harrell, Jr., a
Today. Living in a river house,
with a double minor in
she proclaims is ‘Not old
German and Art. She lives
enough to be historic and not
on Myrtle Island with her
new enough to be energy
husband Nicholas and
efficient,’ is just exactly
their german shepherd.
where she wants to be.
State University. Dentistry is an art and as a dentist, he can provide more than just oral health to his patients. He is a member of the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics, the American Academy of General Dentistry, and The American Dental Association. He enjoys doing anything outdoors, including hiking, hunting and fishing.
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activities TAMELA MAXIM
Mepkin Abbey A Silent Retreat Venit hospes, venit Christus When a guest comes, Christ comes. —St. Benedict 12 PREMIER WINTER 2016
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MEPKIN ABBEY ARTICLE
Mepkin Abbey is set on 3,100 lush acres on the banks of the Cooper River in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The town’s name is not a variation of the word monk, but coincidentally was named in 1728 after one of its
former landowners, Mr. Thomas Monck. The address, 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road, however, is not accidental, but was chosen because of the significance of the year 1098 - the year when the Abbey of Citeaux was founded in south-
ern France by monks who wanted to return to the original observance of the Rule of St. Benedict, which led to what we now call Trappists. Mepkin was founded in 1949 when Henry and Clare Booth WINTER 2016
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Luce donated the property for the relocation of twenty-nine monks from the over-crowded monastery in Gethsemani, Kentucky. The first abbot, Rt. Rev. Don M. Anthony Chassagne (1949-1974), when interviewed for the December 6, 1964 Columbia, SC newspaper described the life of the 45 monks, ages early 20s to late 70s: “They arise from hard cots in cell-like cubicles at 2:15 a.m., for a day that begins with prayer and finds them working at manual labor by 6:15 a.m. They retire at 7:15 p.m. without even the brief period of conversation allowed in most monastic orders. They sustain
themselves by selling eggs, camellias, azaleas and lumber.” Many of the original Mepkin monks from Kentucky joined the order after experiencing the horrors of World War II and Korea, but young hearts were healed through the peacefulness of cloistered living, even to the point of humor. As the reporter from Columbia followed the abbot around the grounds of Mepkin, Father Anthony dispelled the myth of the serious, solemn life when he joked, “And, those are our lay sisters,” he said, pointing to some of the 20,000 white leghorn hens which supplied the eggs for
commercial sale.” Father Christian, was Mepkin’s second abbot from 1974-1989 and lived to be 100 years old. He died last year on June 9, 2015. He established the monastic guest program, provided spiritual direction to retreatants, led daily tours to the church, assisted the guestmaster, helped every day in the kitchen and worked as a consultant on matters pertaining to canon law. He was both a civil and church canon lawyer. Before entering Mepkin, he had been a Franciscan for 31 years, 24 as a priest, had earned two doctorates, taught dogma and canon law and also served as editor of
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Homiletic and Pastoral Review during the Second Vatican Council. Abbot Francis Kline served from 1990-2006. He was only 57 when he died after a four year struggle with leukemia. Kline was an accomplished organist who performed in Lincoln Center twice – playing Bach from memory. During his last year at Juilliard, when he was only 21, he performed the complete organ works of Bach in 14 recitals in various Manhattan venues, resulting in a rave feature article about him
phia, Pennsylvania and entered Mepkin Abbey at age 17, professing his solemn vows in 1980. He studied philosophy, theology and spirituality at Gethsemani Abbey from 1962-1965 and was ordained to the ministerial priesthood in 2003. Father Stan was instrumental in continuing some of the modern business practices that began under Abbot Kline’s leadership and led the monks on a calm path through the storm of the PETA challenge to their successful and popular, but doomed egg business.
if you would like to experience a silent retreat, you have the option of wearing a blue lanyard so that everyone will know not to engage you in conversation. Lanyards are available in the Retreat Center Commons, a building designed for reading and quiet conversation in comfy chairs with a wide selection of books that can be borrowed, and a snack area with an ever brewing pot of coffee and makings for cups of tea. The metal roof in the new (August 2013) retreat center will keep your cell phone and laptop from working
in the New York Times. He joined the Trappists in Gethsemani a year later and became the abbot of Mepkin in 1990. His organ playing was described in the American Guild of Organists newsletter (Atlanta, Georgia chapter): “Not very often does an audience hear such music-making; a perfect interpretation, the spiritual intent of Bach finely articulated, a performance that lifted the screen between the music and the listeners.” Abbot Stanislaus “Stan” Gumula is the current and fourth elected spiritual father (since 2007) of Mepkin Abbey. Father Stan was born in 1941 in Philadel-
Mepkin is open to the public for day visits and also offers the opportunity for retreats to anyone who is interested, whether you are of a particular religion or no religion – it does not matter. Retreats are usually three to four nights, either Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday with some opportunities for week-long retreats from Monday to Monday or Friday to Friday. There are few rules other than the requirement that you stay at Mepkin and keep silence during meals. Using the Retreat Center as a hotel while you play tourist in Charleston is not okay. Conversations are expected to be brief and quiet and
(those clever monks think of everything) so if it can’t wait or you need to call home, Father Guerric will suggest you try the parking lot. Retreatants are invited to participate in the monastic schedule and may attend prayer services and sit in the designated section in the monastic choir. One of the monks is always there to assist with the order of service. Some retreatants choose to spend their time at Mepkin on their own, but there are also opportunities for more directed, guided and thematic retreats. The schedule is available online at www.mepkinabbey.org and the vacancies WINTER 2016
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fill quickly. When I recently made a reservation for May, 2016, I noticed that February, March and April were already booked. The St. Francis Retreat Center can accommodate about 20 men and women in simple Zen-like rooms, each with bath, bed, Bible, a desk and 2 chairs – a wooden one and a comfy gray upholstered one next to the floor to ceiling windows. Couples are accommodated in adjoining suites. Vegetarian meals are served in the guest re-
fectory, next to where the monks eat on the other side of large glass windows. I decided to organize a women’s retreat at Mepkin in 2009. Peggy joined us from Texas, Karen from upstate South Carolina and the rest of us were from Hilton Head & Bluffton. All of us had a similar desire to exchange our world of chatter, computers and conversation for some calm, church and clarity. We met for lunch at noon and then drove down twisty country roads to Mepkin where we were welcomed by the grand avenue of ancient moss-draped oaks. None of us had ever been there before. We didn’t know what to expect,
but were all eager to soak up the richness of time spent away from the noise and nuisance of everyday modern life. We drove to the Mepkin Store and after an orientation with Brother Paul, found our way to our rooms. We were assigned four women to a cottage, where we each had our own bedroom, but shared a bath and living room. We were given a bright yellow card with the daily monastic schedule, which we carried with us everywhere. Supper was at 5:00, followed by Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 6:00 and Compline (Final Prayer of the Day) at 7:35. The Grand Silence began every evening at 8:00 and lasted until the next morning. Wake up time for monks is at 3:00 am and by the time some of us had located our flashlights and were walking to the dining hall, the monks had already completed Vigils at 3:20, then a half hour of meditation, followed by Sacred reading or private prayer. After breakfast, we were too late for Lauds (6:30-7:00), but we made it in time for Eucharist, followed by a fifteen minute thanksgiving service, which marks the end of the Grand Silence, followed by another service called
Terce, which precipitates the monk’s morning work schedule. We attended the ten minute midday prayer service (Sext) and walked to the dining hall. The monks walked to the right, along their private sidewalk and retreatants went left around by the library. Dinner is the main meal of the day and the only time when monks and retreatants mingle as everyone goes through the same food line on the monks’ side of the dining hall before separating again into our distinctive dining rooms.. During lunch a book is always read aloud for everyone to enjoy. After lunch, some of us went down to the river and explored the gardens and the cemeteries. We needed time for quiet; for rest; for prayer; for peace. After dark, Peggy and I got in the car and drove down to the river. We could really see the stars. The crickets, cicadas and frogs were hard at work with their thrum, thrum, thrumming. We took it
all in, breathed a little deeper. I know we were supposed to be quiet, but we were way out of earshot of the monks and other retreatants. A beautiful Christian song played on the radio. I’ve forgotten what it was, but we sang our hearts out and then went back to our rooms to sleep. Mepkin medicine.
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location GLEN McCASKEY
Indian Shell Ring construction is a mysterious prehistoric phenomenon that appears only on the Sea Islands and appears to have started after the ocean reached current levels around 8,000 B.C. This is the Green Shell Enclosure on Hilton Head Island.
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The Lowcountry
BEFORE History SERIES Part 1 of 4
The first installment, of what is to be a series on the fascinating history of the South Carolina Lowcountry, will focus on something many historians do not really consider very important. It is the time before history happened, referred to as being pre-history or “prehistoric.” It is about the times, events and people in the Lowcountry which somehow had the misfortune to happen before real history happened, “History” being
defined as “recorded history,” what happened when events were recorded by some sort of chronicler, and which became printed. The reason we are starting here is that the Lowcountry of South Carolina has much more history to tell than that which the relatively narrow historic window defines. The stories of this pre-history era do not have conventional, attributable, eyewitness-written accounts reproduced in books, but they
have the exemplary work of archaeologists, anthropologists, linguists and experts in many other fields whose combined efforts often have recorded and told the historic story more accurately than many “historic” accounts, which too often are spun one way or another for reasons of vanity, politics, greed or national agenda. So, this series on the history of the Lowcountry will start with glimpses of the sometimes under-appreciated, under-
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reported majority of the history of this special region, the intriguing times before History. Starting 12,000 Years Ago Our first prehistoric archaeological records of the activities of mankind in the Lowcountry go far enough back that today’s island shores weren’t even shores. Twelve millennia ago, 10,000 B.C., just a couple thousand years after the famous ice bridge crossing and the immigration influx in Alaska, these future shores were woodlands and fresh water wetlands, not at all the award-winning islands with wide beaches and beautiful marshes they are today. In that day, the beaches and marshes were located where the Gulf Stream flows today, somewhere between 45 to 90 miles east of the Sea Islands, we’ll say 75-miles. And it was a time the first known immigrants, now called Paleo-Indians, began to populate the area, initially the interior with only occasional hunting forays to the then coast. The last Ice Age was into its retreat back then and ocean levels were starting to rise. The arrival of the seas at current levels would take 2,000 years, a time most academics use to mark the end of the Pleistocene
Age, which reportedly had a 1.6 million year run, up to the comparatively brief Archaic Period, 8,000 B.C. – 1,500 B.C. What this dawn of the Archaic Period means to us today is that we can get to the beach an hour
Port Royal Sound and Calibogue Sound are today. The high hills and rims above those valleys, where Paleo-Indians would lurk awaiting game passing below, would become the low islands our tribes live on today.
and a half quicker than if the ocean had stayed put. So today’s Lowcountry was not only not on the ocean, it was woodlands and featured deep valleys where St. Helena Sound,
Edisto Discovery In 1983, a related and significant piece of evidence turned up several islands to the north, on the beach at Edisto Island. It was an indication of what some of those Paleo-Indian hunting parties would have been tracking. A fossilized rib of an ancient elephant or mastodon washed up on the beach at Edisto Beach after a violent storm, the kind that quickly erodes coastal lands, often releasing ancient secrets. Such fossil finds are not that rare in the Lowcountry, but this rib bone had unmistakable incisions on it that could only have come from someone with butcher skills cutting the rib meat off this ancient animal. This discovery confirmed that the early Paleo-Indians were successfully hunting mammoths and mastodons in the Lowcountry, just as their relatives were doing back in Alaska and Montana. The westward march of the mighty Atlantic would fill those deep valleys with salt water and
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change everything else too. One of those “everythings” was the obvious loss of an unfathomable amount of land, roughly 15,000 square miles. That is a chunk of the entire South Carolina coast that measures out to around 200 miles by 75 miles. All of that was lost to the sea, but even more painful might have been losing the archaeological records of thousands of years of history. The records of the PaleoIndian hunting camps twenty-five miles east of the Hunting Island Lighthouse, the bones of long gone creatures, innumerable tools, arrow heads and cultural remains, which were all cradled in the soft sands and soils, lost, gone, unrecoverable! Fortunately some good evidence remains from the surviving interior region adjacent to what the Atlantic took. Today, that surviving rich depository begins with the existing coastline of the Lowcountry, The Evidence is in the Ground From what remains, archaeological discoveries indicate that the frequency of the interior native peoples visiting the Lowcountry increased as the ocean rose and the environment so radically changed. By the 5,000 B.C. to 1,500 B.C. part of the Archaic Period, the wealth of ceramics, points, shell tools and other kinds of left-behinds suggest that people from the same people groups, besides hunters, were spending a lot of time here. The discovery of ancient village sites and burial mounds showed that the people who had visited here for thousands of years were now
moving entire villages to the Lowcountry, at least for months at a time, probably during the summer. The large behemoths that had roamed the ancient freshwater wetlands were gone by then, but elk, bison, bear and deer were here in abundance and stayed that way for some time. Hilton Head itself was called Bear Island by the Indians when the first Europeans showed up and a
woodlands and wetlands to coastal sea islands with deep water sounds, rivers and marshes took around 2,000 years to reconfigure. And that signaled the end of the long Pleistocene Age New Culture in the Making Years of archaeological explorations have revealed how distinctive and vital the PaleoIndian culture was that existed well inland, even from today’s
sizeable brown bear population still exists in the large forests just across the Intracoastal Waterway from Myrtle Beach. Of course it was not just this wildlife that attracted a growing presence of our prehistoric predecessors. The rising sea brought with it an endless variety of tasty fish, mollusks, amphibians, giant turtles and sea birds of all sorts. The transformation from interior
coastline. It spread out over three of today’s states, from the Santee River (think Georgetown) in SC, down to the St. John’s River, that runs through Jacksonville, Florida. The oldest known projectile points in America have been found in this swath of habitation. This, not Ohio, is where the first Lowcountry tourists originated. The artifacts left by these visitors are still being found on beaches today, WINTER 2016
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and conform to those unearthed inland where these people lived. Of course, the first tourists were really hunting parties which would have paddled down the Savannah, Edisto and Santee Rivers, plus the St. John in Florida and others in Georgia, a fast and easy trip downstream. The upstream return home, with the proceeds of the hunt, would be harder but along the same route During the Archaic and subsequent Woodland Period (1,500 B.C. – 500 A.D.), sizeable amounts of informative materials were left in the Lowcountry and along the Georgia and north Florida coast, apparently from this same original group of PaleoIndians and perhaps hundreds of generations of descendents. Over time, the volume of lithics, ceramics, animal bones, imported food stuffs, ceremonial objects and even village sites with pole construction and burial mounds made it obvious that indeed, these people were coming in increasing numbers and spending more and more time on the islands, even moving whole villages there for the summer months. This back and forth between the two areas was a pattern that would continue for thousands of years, all the way into the beginning of the nearby times that begin to fall into the “historic” designation. The Mysterious Indian Shell Rings During the late Archaic Period and spilling down into the Woodland Period (1,500
B.C. - 500 A.D.) a phenomena appeared in the Lowcountry which has come to be called, the Indian Shell Rings. These large circular phenomena consisting mostly of discarded oyster shells, appear almost exclusively on the coastal Sea Islands and run pretty much parallel to the inland PaleoIndian culture dated back to 10,000 B.C., between the Santee and St. John Rivers,. The oyster shells that comprise most of the large volume of the rings are thought to have been ceremonially discarded, perhaps as part of special feasts. One of the most recent examples of this shell based structure is the Green Shell Enclosure on Hilton Head Island, thought to be only 600 years old and which actually served as a fortress around a small village. It was not quite a circle, the deep water of Skull Creek protecting it on one side. The white shell walls were said to be 14’ high, before they were all but leveled when cotton plantations on the island used them to pave roads. Reportedly, the Marines all but finished the job when they laid down the first pavement for the island’s main road during World War II. The rings ranged from three feet to the Hilton Head fortress’ fourteen feet, and were slowly created over hundreds and perhaps some, thousands of years. Some shell rings were concentric circles and there were even interlocking circles. Given the clear creation of some older circles by only occasional visitors, the question is naturally
raised about the missing 75-miles of the coastal region and whether these fascinating Shell Rings dotted those lands as well. One current theory about the increased use of the region by the inland Indians is that as the ocean came closer, the access became easier, and the
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When the first Native Americans came to the Lowcountry, it was a relative high country with deep, wet valleys that were excellent hunting. Today they are the sites of the large, deep sounds between many of the Sea Islands.
benefits of the abundance of the sea were greater than the hunting forays of their ancestors. It may be that at one time, the early hunting parties began the shell ring practice during their repeated outings, and that in time, each visiting village or even large extended families would
adopt the practice and have their own designated island locations with their own shell ring or rings, to which they would return for hundreds of generations. The same river highways available to their hunting ancestors were still available for the mass transport of that day,
facilitating the ease of taking those early Lowcountry clientele to their island destination of choice. And their obvious zeal is clear testimony that the oysters were never better!
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business
SPOTLIGHT:
Unisource Mortgage Services How long have you been in the Lowcountry area? It’s hard to believe, but we have maintained our headquarters in the Bluffton/Hilton Head Area for almost 20 years. Looking back, I can’t imagine any other place I’d rather be than right here. What is your favorite part of your job as a mortgage broker? I absolutely love what I do, so helping people turn their dream of owning a home into a reality doesn’t really seem like a “job” to me. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many folks from all walks of life, and the one thing that I never get tired of is seeing the smiles on their faces when that house becomes their HOME. I have many wonderful memories (and pictures!) from those moments over the last two decades and each one is special to me. It’s a reminder that we’re making a positive difference in people’s lives. Who is your ideal client? Anyone who wants to save money on their mortgage payment and closing costs is my ideal client. As a broker, we
“Bill Fletcher and Unisource Mortgage Services made our dream of purchasing a new home come true. The process to become pre-qualified was made quite easy and Bill does a great job of keeping you informed throughout the loan approval process. He does not promise the world; he gives you the true picture, tells you what you can afford, and works hard behind the scenes to make it happen. Bill also gave us great advice on how to clear up some issues with our credit when we had no clue how to resolve them on our own. Our next mortgage will definitely be with Unisource Mortgage Services and so should yours!” ~Brent and Cary Nelsen, Bluffton SC
have the resources to select rates and programs based on our clients’ specific needs, property, and credit criteria. There have been many times when I’ve sat down with individuals who never thought they’d be able to own their own home, and together we laid out a strategy to help them accomplish just that. Additionally, we have the flexibility to greatly reduce or completely eliminate closing costs so that our clients can keep more of their own money in their pocket. What changes can we expect to see happening in the mortgage industry in 2016? The biggest change I see on the horizon is that interest rates are expected to steadily increase throughout the year. The Federal Reserve Board has kept interest rates at an artificial low for the past several years as our economy continues its snail-pace recovery from the Great Recession. Anyone who is considering purchasing a home or refinancing their existing mortgage really needs to take a serious look at doing so sooner rather than later.
While others claim to be the best, YOU said we were! Thanks for naming us the Best Mortgage Company in Bluffton!
100% Financing Is STILL AVAILABLE
Contact Bill Fletcher Contact Fletcher at 843-815-9090 or at 843-815-9090 or BillFletcher@hargray.com BillFletcher@hargray.com (NMLS #103743) (NMLS #103743)
• We’ve been financing the Low Country since 1997! • Put our local knowledge and expertise to work for you! • Conventional, Government, and Jumbo financing available. • We specialize in financing all types of residential properties: primary residences, second/vacation homes, and investment properties. • Whether you are purchasing or refinancing a home, call today for great rates and superior service! 29 Plantation Park Drive, Building 100, Suite 113 • Bluffton, SC 29910
www.UniSourceMortgageServices.com Unisource Mortgage Services, Inc. (NMLS #103644) is a licensed mortgage broker in South Carolina (License #MB-0514306), Florida (License #MBR1249), and Tennessee (License #108769). Terms and Conditions apply. Not all applicants will qualify.
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SPOTLIGHT:
Coastal Signature Homes It’s no accident that “Our Roots Run Deep” is part of our branding at Coastal Signature Homes. Owners and managing partners David Renaker and Steve Tilton provide decades of experience and financial expertise in high-end custom homebuilding. Few homebuilders have the successful history of customer satisfaction that we offer. Steve Tilton began learning the construction business back in 1964 alongside his father. Back then, a man built a house with the expectation of living there and passing it on to his children, who would live in it and pass it on to their own children. That’s the philosophy we instill in every one of the 1500 homes the Tilton family has built in the Lowcountry. Intense attention to detail and high quality building materials are standard – we don’t cut corners. There are no “McMansions” here. Our homes exhibit a classic coastal look, with modern floorplans and the latest in money-saving technologies. We
are Earth Craft House and Energy Star certified, in addition to being recognized as a Certified Registered Green Building Professional. We recently won a Hilton Head Homebuilders Association “Lighthouse Award’ for home design and quality construction. In addition to being the consummate homebuilder, Steve has a notable history of service to the community in which he builds. He has served on local boards and committees, and is an active member
of the Rotary club. It’s another trait he learned from his father – give back to your community. In today’s post-recession economy, it takes more than quality craftsmanship to make your dream retirement home a reality. That’s why David Renaker’s financial expertise is so important to our customers. David worked more than twenty-five years in banking at senior executive levels. Throughout his banking career, he worked with builders, and now utilizes his vast knowledge and expertise for the benefit of Coastal Signature Homes’ customers. David is well respected throughout our community for his leadership roles, dedication and commitment to various programs and committees such as the Boys & Girls Club, United Way and as a current Building Committee member of his church, St. Andrew By the Sea United Methodist Church.
Extraordinary Lowcountry homes built with N O C O M P RO M I S E !
Signature HOMES
OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP
COASTAL
David Renaker and Steve Tilton
… a building family in the Lowcountry since 1964.
w w w . c oa s ta l s i g n at u r e h o m e s . c o m
10 PINCKNEY COLONY ROAD, SUITE 401 • Bluffton, South Carolina 29910 • 843.757.8889
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extra ANNELORE HARRELL
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Lowcountry MUST DOS In Whether you are a “Come Heah” or a “Been Heah,” visitor or resident, there are so many wonderful places to see, things to do, people to meet in the Lowcountry and I want to share a few of my favorites. Beg, borrow or buy a copy of Walter Edgar’s South Carolina, A History – University of South Carolina Press 1998. Edgar, a talented historian, was raised in Alabama, undergrad in North Carolina, with a Masters and Doctorate from the University of South Carolina. After a tour in Vietnam, he returned to USC where he remained for 40 years
as a professor. An easy read, this history gives a complete overview of not only the Lowcountry, but the entire state. Don’t miss the chance to pick daffodils at Calhoun Plantation in Pinckney Colony. They could begin to bloom any time in early spring, which in this part of the world can be the end of January. The Merrick family, Chuck, most particularly, is the caretaker of this Bluffton enterprise. This is one of the best photo opps ever. They do charge for the blossoms, but there can be no price put on the joy of seeing masses of happy daffy dillys dancing in the South Carolina sunshine. Even a short visit with Jacob Preston, Bluffton’s tallest
2016 potter can brighten your day. Just walking into Jacob’s shop and inhaling the atmosphere created by platters, vases, bowls, and trivets, all made from virtually nothing, only Jacob’s genius ability to create from clay objects to make one happy, is an experi-
ence not to be missed. I love a parade and in the Lowcountry, we have lots. Hilton Head has a St. Patrick’s Day parade which is delightful, but everyone should go at least one time to Savan-
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nah’s marathon celebration on March 17th. Love – love – love the Christmas parade in Bluffton, which began so small that we went around the course twice. Blufftonians tend to encourage the unusual, like the Drill Team who carry battery operated drills twirling streamers and a Rotary Club Pooper Scooper Squad that follows the Equestrian contingent with decorated shovels. Dee Dee’s is gold-plated. Go and take along your sense of humor. Try not to miss outdoor summer concerts at Palmetto Bluff. Open to the public with a minimal fee. The concerts are fundraisers for various local organizations. Whether
you bring your own cheese and crackers or buy nibbles from Buffalo’s to enjoy with a light libation, sitting on the Green as the sun sets over the Maye River, listening to a band play toe tapping music --- that’s special. Any day is a good day to go shopping, but Wednesdays and Saturdays are my choice to visit thrift shops and consignment shops that abound all over Beaufort County. Are there gift shops? Yes. Antique stores? Of course. Outlet malls? We have the best. Somehow, the chance to find a treasure is hard to resist. You might feel you are driving to the end of beyond, but a trip to Hunting Island State Park is worth
the ride. The Lighthouse is there to climb, picnic tables under the trees are next to an unspoiled beach. Not a highrise in sight. It’s Hilton Head as it used to be.
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The Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, a nonprofit, holds its annual Yacht Hop on the 1st Sunday in May at Harbor Town in Sea Pines Plantation. Love it. This is a chance to stroll around the Lighthouse, an iconic landmark, meet new friends and greet dear friends who support this worthy organization. Yacht owners act as hosts and local chefs offer delectable delicious delicacies. One boat has its crew transformed into pirates dressed in outrageous costumes, complete with swords and attitude. Second Friday at Noon concerts on Hilton Head are sponsored by the Lowcountry Chapter
of the American Guild of Organists. This dedicated group of musicians brings Bach and his colleagues to life at churches in Beaufort and Hilton Head. Best concert ever: Abbot Francis Kline. Fort Pulaski on Cockspur Island, near Tybee, is a place I never tire of. It was West Point graduate Lt. Robert E. Lee’s first assignment. On June 4, 1863, garrison troops were sent with units from Hilton Head to burn Bluffton. Whether you walk the ramparts in summer or visit in winter when re-enactors in military dress gather around the bonfires and hoopskirted ladies offer tea and cookies in candlelit quarters, this fine national park is well worth a trip. At least once a year, I play tourist and tour Savannah. At the foot of the
Talmadge Bridge, you can leave your car and hop on an Old Savannah Tours trolley for a 90 minute narrated swing around the historic district. It’s great fun to hear what the guide says about my hometown.
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Only a couple of hours north of us is the warm and welcoming city of Charleston. During the holiday season, I try not to miss Brad and Jennifer Moranz’s Christmas show at their theater on John Street. Both are accomplished performers with past Broadway credits and bring to their personal venue a lightness of spirit with a young talented cast in fresh imaginative costumes that delight the eye. Until the 1950s, the only way to reach South Carolina from Savannah was over the Houlihan Bridge on Hwy 17, the main road between New York and Miami. This now quiet highway stretches over former rice fields that today encompass a wildlife refuge. Beginning at Laurel Hill, there is a 5 mile oneway trail that wanders over canals and through wooded islets. Take your binoculars. Most Fridays at 0900 hours, America’s “Best” pass in revue on Parris Island’s Peatrose Parade Deck as full-fledged United States Marines. Sitting in the bleachers with the families and friends of these young men and women as they march past, stepping smartly as the band plays Sousa, makes me teary-eyed, but always proud to be an American. Don’t miss a visit to the Parris Island museum. Daufuski Island, a barrier island with no bridge access has managed to
retain the identity of Lowcountry life with tree-shaded dirt roads, moss-draped oaks, saw palmetto and piney woods. So much to see there, but this is one place I recommend you go with a professional guide, someone who knows all the Ws, the Who, What, Where, When and How to get there. My advice. Go with Outside Hilton Head. Book a tour, preferably with Charlie Thorn, or my son at Outside Palmetto Bluff, Captain Boo. Just a tad of nepotism there. If you have never been to Harold’s Country Club in Yemassee, you need to go. A bait and tackle shop from 7 in the morning, Harold’s transforms into a Lowcountry eatery beginning at 5:30 on Thursday nights when the chef serves up pot-luck. Friday nights feature hot wings and on Saturday with one seating at 6:30 and another at 8:00 pm for steaks. You can hardly keep up with the karaoke. Best to make reservations. 843.589.4360 And, they are smoke-free. So much to do. Go forth and enjoy this part of the world some call the Lowcountry and some of us know as home.
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SPOTLIGHT:
Duke’s Barbecue Dukes BBQ and South Carolina go together like iced tea and sugar. This familyowned BBQ empire of simple signature-style mustardbarbeque (although other sauces are available) began in Rowesville, South Carolina and now has sixteen familyowned restaurants within the state. Dukes BBQ opened in Walterboro, South Carolina in 1978. This location was opened “with the goal to provide quality barbecue with a true southern feel in a family atmosphere,” says original owner Michael Halter. The restaurant did so well in Walterboro, that in 1997 the owners decided to open a second location in Ridgeland. They loved the aspect of catering to the tastes and loyalty of the small country communities; of the fun of being able to call their true regulars by name - a southern BBQ form of that well-known television show “Cheers” minus the adult beverages. In June, 2015, owners Doc & Phyllis Carter and Michael Halter decided it was time to hand down the restaurant to their daughter, Tiffany Halter-Long, who had been working in the kitchen for the past nine years. “A good life for herself and to be able to pass it down to her son, so that we may continue the family tradition,” said Phyllis Carter when asked what her plans and hopes were for Tiffany when she took over. New owner, Tiffany HalterLong has taken the taste of
BBQ to a new level with lots of southern trimmings, adding to her already extensive buffet of macaroni and cheese, collard greens, turnips, cabbage, fried chicken, fried okra, rutabagas and mouth-watering delicious hand-ground pork hash, sweet potatoes, stewed tomatoes, white rice, spicy pepper rice, cole slaw, potato salad, ambrosia with little marshmallows, homemade potato chips and the best hush puppies – as in when’s the last time you had hush puppies so good you (as they say down south) “couldn’t hardly stand it.” I know the grammar is lousy, but I caint hep it – southern for “I’m sorry, but it’s hard to talk after a big meal at Dukes.” When you’ve eaten just about all you can manage (think Thanksgiving food coma) I suspect you will still muster enough energy and appetite to swing by the dessert bar to sample REAL banana pudding, fresh-baked peach cobbler and traditional sheet cake to bring this southern buffet experience full circle. Yes, you can come here while you are on a diet --one of those “see” food diets. When asked what her goals were as the new owner, HalterLong replied, “I want to see us grow; we are expanding the business with our catering. We are not just BBQ. In the past, my mom (Phyllis Carter) has set the example for us by “catering” to the requests of our customers, for example with prime rib, ham, turkey, Boston butts, baked and BBQ chicken along
with our more traditional pork BBQ and fried chicken. Evening specials include: Thursdays – fried shrimp and ribs, Fridays – fresh fish and grits, Saturdays – ribs, fried shrimp and creamy baked chicken. And, during the day on Friday they feature liver and gizzards. Styrofoam and plastic silverware, paper towel roll on each table, Eat-In (selfserve buffet) or Drive-Through convenience, loaves of Sunbeam bread on the tables. The allyou-can-eat buffet is only $10, including tea, lemonade or water (no sodas). Only five minutes off Highway I-95 if you don’t already live in Ridgeland. 10190 South Jacob Highway, Ridgeland, SC 29936 Phone: 843.726.6244 The unique twist with this family chain of southern restaurants is that each owner is able to put their own spin on the food, while still keeping with the basic traditional family recipes. “I hired Dukes BBQ to cater a large outdoor party at my home because of my aunt’s recommendation. It has been her favorite restaurant since it opened almost 20 yrs. ago. They provided a beautiful buffet at a reasonable price with flawless service.” C.T., Bluffton “A hometown place; very friendly. Wonderful assortment of food, great prices!” Facebook review Calories removed upon request. They aim to please.
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people TAMELA MAXIM
Meet Jerry B. Jenkins Q&A With Master Storyteller Jerry B. Jenkins
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Jerry B. Jenkins has authored over 185 books, including the 16 books of the Left Behind series. His books have sold over 70 million copies and Desecration (9th of the Left Behind books) was the international bestselling novel of 2001. Jenkins Entertainment, a filmmaking company that has produced five critically acclaimed feature films, is owned by Jerry and run by his son Dallas. He publishes The Christian Writer’s Market Guide and teaches writing to aspiring authors through blogs, webinars, self-study courses, and podcasts at www.JerryJenkins. com. He also offers a contest for previously unpublished authors: Operation First Novel. He is the former vice president for publishing at Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, currently a member of the board of trustees and also former editor of Moody Magazine. His writing has been published in dozens of periodicals,
including Time, Reader’s Digest, Parade, Guideposts, and Christianity Today and he was featured on the cover of Newsweek in 2004. Seven of his books debuted at #1 on the New York Times list. Q Did you have a childhood hero? A My late father was a man’s man, a former Marine and a career law enforcement officer (who went from walking a beat to becoming a police chief). He was a model of consistency and discipline, selflessness and chivalry. He was an outspoken Christian, a churchman, a romantic, a poet, unabashedly in love with my mother, whom he referred to as his “lifetime valentine,” and he was a convicting example of one who was never too macho to scrub a floor, change a diaper, or do the dishes.
He and Mom raised four sons, of whom I was the third, and not one of us rebelled. All of us became active churchgoing Christians, the first two career cops, I a writer, and the youngest a missionary. Q How did your growing up years influence your writing? A Besides Dad being a poet and crossword puzzle worker, Mom was a brilliant linguist and lover of words and word games like anagrams and Scrabble. She taught me to read before I went to kindergarten and I immediately began reading the sports pages every day. Q How do you prioritize writing with your other responsibilities? A God’s a given, naturally, and permeates everything. Then family is first. I’ve always considered myself mono-gifted. I don’t sing or dance or preach; writing is what I do. And writing is not my calling; fulltime Christian work is what I have been called to, so the point has never been sales or reviews or royalties. Success to me is defined as obedience to that call. The rest I have no control over anyway, and it has all been icing on the cake. Dianna and I established a policy even before we had children that once they came along I would do no work from the office and no writing from the time I got home from work till the time the kids went to bed. (Of course, sometimes we put them to bed at 4:30 p.m.! J) I maintained that policy religiously from the time our three sons were infants until they left home. I never wrote while they were at home and awake, so when I did write it was always without guilt, which I believe made me much more productive. It also proved to the boys that I meant it when I said they came first. Kids hear what
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you say, but they believe what you do. I refused to sacrifice my family on the altar of my work. Q You’ve written a lot of biographies of famous people, and you’ve been quoted, “I’ve written enough books about real celebrities, such as Walter Payton, Hank Aaron, and Billy Graham, to know that fame only looks good to those who don’t have it.” Tell us more about fame and what it means to be a celebrity. A I get recognized just enough to make it fun and not so much that it becomes a nuisance. But anyone who has ever felt invisible (read unpublished) knows the feeling of wondering what it would be like to be a household name or widely admired. I was exposed to it by working with truly famous people like those mentioned above, and many others. You recognize quickly that fame is a prison. Along with whatever gratification comes from feeling loved is the knowledge that your time and privacy will no longer ever again be your own. You can’t throw on a pair of sweats and a ball cap and run unshaven or un-showered to the grocer’s for a gallon of milk. Everyone will recognize you and want just a few seconds for a greeting, a smile, an acknowledgment, an autograph, or a selfie. And the last thing you
want is their being able to say, “He didn’t have 20 seconds for me,” or “He clearly hadn’t bathed,” or “He was unshaven,” or “He was dressed like a slob.” Q Tell us about your new book. A The Valley of the Dry Bones is set ten years from now in a dystopian California, devastated by the drought that has gone unabated and rendered the state uninhabitable. My main character is called of God to be a modern day prophet who ushers in the End Times. It is scheduled to release from Worthy Publishing May 31, 2016. Q Do you have another project ready to start after this one? A Always. My wife says she’s going to have engraved on my tombstone, Never An Unpublished Thought. Q Tell us about your family. A Our eldest son, Dallas, is a movie director married to Amanda— whom he met at Northwestern Bible College—since 1998. They have four kids, the youngest adopted from Thailand. Our second son, Chad, a graduate of Bethel College (Indiana), is a college sports information director, married since 2005 to Christa. They have four
kids, the last two adopted from inner city Kansas City. Our third son, Mike, is single and put himself through Colorado Christian University as a casino poker dealer, which remains his profession. Q Why do you write? Are there different reasons for different kinds of writing? A I turned to sportswritng when I was injured playing sports as a freshman in high school and realized immediately I had found my niche. I wasn’t good at it at first (I had a quarter million clichés to get out of my system), but I had a knack for it after having read the sports pages all my life. I talked my way into a job stringing for the local daily paper two years before I was old enough to drive (my parents had to cart me around), and I covered high school sports. So, I’ve been a professional writer for more than 50 years. I felt a call to fulltime Christian work a couple of years later and assumed I would have to give up the writing and train for the pastorate or missionary work. But a wise counselor told me that sometimes God equips a person before he calls them and that writing may be the vehicle I could use to answer the call. Q What do you read? How much WINTER 2016
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time do you have for reading? Favorite authors? A I read widely, fiction and nonfiction, at least an hour a day, believing that writers must be readers. I believe the greatest living writer in America is Rick Bragg whose masterpiece is his memoir, All Over but the Shoutin’. I’m currently reading his The Prince of Frogtown.
that if I ever succeeded as a writer, I would pay that forward. When I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, I was thrilled to be able to do that in spades. I’ve been doing that since 2001 when I bought the Christian Writers Guild. The current
A My writing cave is on 59 acres 85 miles west of our Colorado Springs home. It has 360-degree mountain views, a fireplace, and a custom-made horseshoe desk. I am without excuse if I can’t be productive there.
Q What makes you laugh? A Nearly everything. Q What makes you cry? A The unsearchable riches of Christ. Grace and mercy.
Q How often do you travel? Is it mostly for work?
Q Where do you travel for fun? A Dianna and I vacation on Kauai every other year, and this January we’re going to Iceland with our best friends. Q Do you have a dream cast for a film for any of your books? A I fantasized about Harrison Ford playing Rayford Steele in Left Behind, and while I didn’t think of it, I was thrilled to see Nicolas Cage get the role and thought he did a great job. Q Tell us about how you have helped (and continue to help) other writers. Where should writers go for more information? A An author I admired was kind to me as a teenager, and I vowed
Q I like the way you respond to criticism. Have you always been so calm and sensible? A I think I got that from my father, who said, “Remember who you are and who you’re not.” Also, Billy Graham said he had learned to respond to critics by not defending himself but merely thanking them for being forthright and asking them to pray for him.
Q Tell us about your home and your workspace.
A I travel about half the time, mostly for work, but also to visit the kids and grandkids.
Shooting action photos made other forms of photography easier, and I still enjoy taking pictures of the family.
Q Are there any topics you don’t like to discuss? iteration is the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild at www.JerryJenkins.com Q Have you ever been to the South Carolina Lowcountry and, if so, what do remember about it? A The closest I got was when I wrote Commitment to Love, the story of Deanna McClary who loved her husband, Clebe McClary, back to health when he returned after having been nearly blown to bits in Viet Nam. They live on Pawley’s Island, SC. My favorite novel is Pat Conroy’s The Prince of Tides, set in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Q Tell us about your photography. A I learned to shoot as a sportswriter and had thousands of photos published with my articles.
A No, I don’t think any subjects should be off limits to a writer. Q When you procrastinate about writing, does that mean you are still working on your story while you do other things? How does that work? A You must trust that your subconscious is working. http://www.jerryjenkins.com/ procrastination/ Q How does your faith of today compare with your faith walk as a young man? A More urgent, less strident. More compassionate, less opinionated. More inclusive and understanding, less rigid and judgmental. I quit drawing lines in the sand when I realized how few of us were left on the beach. But I do still believe in John 14:6.
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Curb Appeal Experts! Maintenance • Irrigation • Install and Repair Sod • Bush Hogging • Pine Straw and Mulch
PO Box 2497, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-247-7785 • www.sclandscapes.net
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health DR. ADAM SQUICQUERO
what’s new in Dentistry? As in all things, the practice of dentistry has exploded with new technologies in the past 10 to 20 years. Nearly two decades ago, dentistry experienced a revolution in the cosmetic realm with the advent of new ceramics. When used appropriately, this produced results that looked even better than natural teeth. At the same time that cosmetic dentists were expanding their prowess with these new materials, the surgeons were developing incredibly new and exciting methods for the replacement of missing teeth. In the past few years, the practice of dental implantology has exploded due to the tremendous research that was done in the 1970s and 1980s. Initially, implants were difficult to work with, required a great deal of surgery to place, and came with a lot of complications. Today, thanks to researchers all over the world, implants are more common and successful than ever before. One of the most exciting developments in the field of dentistry is the fairly recent ability that this technology has presented, allowing dentists to go from a single missing tooth to a replacement that truly looks like nothing ever happened. Even more astounding: It doesn’t have
to affect the other teeth at all. Under most circumstances, a dental implant can be placed without having any impact on the adjacent teeth. Additionally, while single-tooth implants are wonderful, what can be accomplished with multiple implants and new prostheses is nothing short of amazing. While most people are aware of the options opened to them by implant technology, many find it more than a little daunting. Traditionally, if you wanted to have a tooth replaced with an implant, the process began with extracting the tooth and waiting for healing to complete – usually a four to six month process. Then, the implant would be placed and allowed to heal before the tooth could be replaced. This would take another four months, and all while the tooth was still missing. To me, the most exciting thing about dentistry today is the rapid growth of new implant techniques that allow teeth to be placed on the same day that they are extracted. This is often called “tooth in a day,” and is the newest trend in implant dentistry. As with most things, this method is not right for every
patient, but remains a very exciting and extremely useful development. Utilizing the technique requires a great deal of expertise, but the results are worth the time and effort spent finding the right person for the job. And the best part of all? It can be customized to fit your needs, whether applied to a single tooth, or all of them. While the practice of implant placement has moved from being strictly within the specialists’ practice to the practice of general dentistry, it takes a special quantity and quality of skill to combine the cutting edges of restorative and implant dentistry to achieve a functional and beautiful outcome. While there are many who are able to provide either service, it is rare thing to find a practitioner who can offer both in the same place. To me, this is and will remain the most exciting continuing development in my field in the next decade. As technology advances, we will see the practice of combined implant and implant restoration in the same dental chair expand. As this amazing service becomes available to more and more patients, its practice will further expand, unearthing a veritable new world of opportunities.
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charity feature BRAD WELLS, PHILANTHROPY SPECIALIST
United Way of the Lowcountry United Way of the Lowcountry serves the residents of Beaufort & Jasper counties with a mission of mobilizing resources to solve human problems. When one contributes their money to our organization it not only helps to fund our partner agencies, but also supports our early grade reading program Read Indeed and our Helpline. Read Indeed works with over 450 students in Beaufort & Jasper County schools with volunteer tutors in an effort to ensure every child can read at grade level. 99% of students in Beaufort County improved MAP Reading test scores and students tutored in Jasper County saw an increase of 96%. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done and we are always seeking volunteer tutors.
Also on the education front we are piloting a program in which Kindergarten students leave the program with their own 22 book library to take home. Our Helpline received over 2,100 calls for help in 2014 and continues to help those in emergency situations. 843-757HELP Currently our organization funds 48 programs through 34 partner agencies. Many of our partner agencies are very familiar in the community such as Boys & Girls Club, Bluffton Self Help, Deep Well and Salvation Army As UWLC makes the transition to a Community Impact Organization it is vital that we hear from the community! Please join us and be part of the open forum, where we will be
This Charity Feature sponsored in part by Kremer Water Treatment Earl White, owner
(843) 681-7741
earlwhite@kremerwatertreatment.com Serving the Lowcountry for over 30 years
discussing what the community feels are the greatest needs that United Way should be focusing on as we move forward.
BEAUFORT—January 14th from 3:30—5:00pm at TCL Beaufort Campus, Building #23 (behind the Church-921 Ribaut Rd., Beaufort, SC) BLUFFTON/JASPER—January 20th from 3:30—5:00pm at Palmetto Electric Community Room (1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville) HILTON HEAD ISLAND— January 21st from 3:30— 5:00pm at Hilton Head Public Service District, Community Room (21 Oak Park Drive, HHI)
Want To See Your Favorite Charity Featured? If you’d like to sponsor your favorite charity in an upcoming issue of Premier Lowcountry, please email mylene@premierlowcountry.com with the name of your charity, contact information and a brief paragraph sharing why you feel the charity should be featured.
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architecture JOSEPH K. HALL
Architectural
Q&A
Premier Lowcountry is pleased to introduce our inhouse expert on all things related to architecture – Mr. Joseph K. Hall of JKH Architect, LLC. For our Spring issue: please submit your questions to DEAR JOE - either online at premierlowcountry.com or by mail to Premier Lowcountry, P O Box 3480, Hilton Head, SC 29928 PL: What qualifies you to answer questions about architecture? JH: Nothng. PL: Ha ha. Okay, What kind of architect are you? JH: I am an ordinary person with an extraordinary interest and dedication to the built environment with many creative and resourceful clients, who, over the years have trusted me to help them through the building process to create extraordinary results. PL: How did you end up on Hilton Head Island? JH: I came to Hilton Head on vacation and never left for several reasons: 1. a mild and temperate subtropical climate 2. an unspoiled natural landscape with its own sense of place; a beach of sugar sand with tall pines growing next to the primary dune 3. the “Great American Garden” – the golf courses artfully set in the primeval landscape 4. the subtle architecture of summer houses set “in” the land, not “on” the land 5. the people from everywhere who bought into this innovative community 6. the gated communities with restrictive covenants to protect the precious land. Perhaps this is not the right order, but you get the idea – the perfect place for a career in architecture. In the early 1970s, when I first got to the
Hilton Head we all know today, there was a limited interstate system. The best roads were secondary, at best. After crossing the sometimes open swing bridge to the island and riding on a single lane road past various communities of lackluster design, and approaching the Ocean Gate of Sea Pines Plantation, it was a new world. I was hooked. Before that house party weekend in July with friends from home was over, I knew I wanted to be a part of what was happening in this Camelot-like community. By October of that year, I had said goodbye to a previous career in architecture and here I am, forty-five something years later, through endless cycles of booms and busts, still finding this is still the exciting place to live, work and play that it was when I first made that reluctant date for a house party at the beach on Hilton Head Island. Who knew? PL: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career? JH: Putting all the pieces of a project together in an orderly way, achieving a positive response to the created space. If you walk into a place and say, “Oh, I could live/work/play here,” then the challenge has been met. Unlike the painter, a project is not a blank canvas. The architect has to cope with many givens. The land. The restrictions on the land. The climate. The demands of the climate. Hot and cold. Storms and floods. Earthquakes and mudslides. The Neighborhood. Appropriateness to the neighborhood. The function of the project. The budget – always the BUDGET. You get the idea. There are a lot of pieces to put together. Another challenge is to not get in the way of another person’s ideas, concepts and dreams. It is their house, their
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workspace, their play place, not mine. I guess it’s everybody’s challenge – keeping the ego at bay. PL: Please describe your signature architectural style. JH: The short answer is – none. Of course, that is not really right; I just want to sound like I don’t allow myself to get in the way of the work. Hmmm… Style – those identifiable elements that can be applied to a place, a thing or even a person. Complete books have been written about style. The Dear Joe column will continue this conversation about style – about style vs fashion and related design issues as we go along. As to my style – a friend once said to me, “Every time I see a house I like, you were the architect,” so perhaps we should ask my friend to describe my style. PL: What do you consider your best skill? JH: Listening. My role in helping create the built environment is to take someone else’s dreams and ideas and put them on paper so they can be built.
That requires a lot of listening and confirmation that I heard and understood correctly. Another skill required is the ability to revise. When something goes on paper it is not always perfect the first go. Revision. Revision. Revision. After a while, when it’s clearly what the client really wanted to say all along – then it is ready to build. PL: What is your favorite kind of project, and why? JH: My favorite project is always the one I am working on right now. When someone comes to me with their ideas and dreams and asks me to help them make it happen, that is immediately my favorite project. When everything is done, and they walk into the space and I hear them say, “that’s just what I wanted,” those are my favorite words to hear. I’m a very fortunate person to have had so many favorite projects. I hope that this first Q&A interview will encourage your readers to submit their questions for some assistance in making their built environment dreams come true!
the joy of the not so big house
JKH Architect LLC Joseph K. Hall, Architect
(843) 816-1159 joehall@jkhllc.com
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event
A
JEFF GERBER
WINE FESTIVAL WITH A
MISSION
How the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival Creates Local Scholarships
By: Jeff Gerber Director, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival
W
hen my friends and neighbors hear me discuss Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, they think of one thing: Wine. Why not. Celebrating our 31st birthday, this year we are presented by Publix ranked the eighth largest private company in America by Forbes. The festival is hosted at The Sea Pines, home to Golf’s RBC Heritage. We love our wine in the Lowcountry, and our celebration is one of the oldest on the East Coast. I’m here to tell you something. When I think of the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival, I think of students. Students receiving scholarships. Scholarships driving our local economy.
“When my neighbors hear me discuss Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, they think of one thing: Wine.” Here are five little known facts: 1. The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival is a nonprofit 2. HHIWFF has granted dozens of scholarships over the years 3. Last year HHIWFF helped five undergraduates with their tuition 4. A private judging kicks off the festival every year with nearly 700 entries 5. Over 30 hospitality students work with us to gain real-world experience We are volunteer-based. Approximately one hundred and fifty individuals made the event happen in 2015. I expect about two-hundred
volunteers in 2016 as the festival continues to grow. If it were a forprofit affair we would have a robust paid staff to work the merchandise tent, the VIP area, and the ticket booths. As a nonprofit, our goal is to find individuals who will donate their time - all for our Beaufort county undergrads. Over the past three years HHIWFF has provided $30,000 in scholarships. We are investing in the area’s future with the recipients attending the University of South Carolina - Beaufort and the Technical College of Lowcountry. Last year
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alone five different students received funding which paid for nearly all of their semester’s tuition. The consensus is grants to attend USCB and TCL allows us to do more. The wine festival becomes a vehicle for local economic growth through furthering the education and opportunities of Lowcountry students. Rather than pay 1/30th of a year at an Ivy League school, we are paying for an entire semester at a local institution. A 2015 recipient was recently hired full-time by The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, and a previous winner is the current General Manager at an Atlanta Marriott property. There’s a community that surrounds the wine festival - a community of giving. It begins with the wine judging that happens in February. Last year 689 wines were evaluated. Renowned judges select awards like Best in Show, Double Golds, Golds, and Silver medals. The brilliant minds and tastebuds that power this special event all but donate their time. For their contribution to the HHIWFF,
The staff has done it’s best to make our wines available to the public over the years. The Grand Tasting and Public Tasting are two venues where you will find dozens of award-winning wines. The proceeds of these events as well as smaller classes like Wine Maker for a Day, Wine and Cinema, and specialty seminars promote academics in the community. Now for the scholarship secret sauce. Vineyards and wine distributors supply the wine for the Hilton Head International Wine Judging. Two silent auctions, one at the Friday Grand Tasting and the other at Saturday’s Public Tasting,
in South Carolina or can be very hard to find. It’s my personal goal to double the amount of donations in 2016 generated through the auction by making everyone more aware that bidding goes directly to scholarships. Double the donations would translate into twice as much scholarship opportunity. The more highly qualified graduates we have entering the community the stronger our local workforce. Now I can sleep easier, knowing the word is starting to get out that the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival is about scholarships. Everyone can feel better about themselves while they sit back and enjoy a sip of Cyrus, the 2015 Best in Show from Alexander Valley Vineyards. For more information, and tickets, visit hiltonheadwineandfood.com.
“I’m here to tell you something. When I think of the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival, I think of students.” master sommeliers and other wine professionals travel from as far away as California, Colorado, Kentucky, and Tennessee. We also benefit from the generosity of talented sommeliers and certified wine educators from throughout our region. Each year a group of hospitality undergrads assist at the festival to support important HHIWFF programs like surveying visitors. The data provided impacts marketing dollars spent and strategic planning for the following year. Sand Sharks gain real world experience that can provide an immediate impact when they are employed by local hoteliers and nonprofits.
fuel the scholarships. Donors bid on bottles which were held in reserve from the judging. This enables as many undergraduate award recipients as possible based on the total contributions from the auctions. Ready for one more revelation? Not only do festival attendees have the opportunity to support local education, but you can do it while buying wine for a song. In 2015, there were about 90 auction lots at the Public Tasting, and 40 at the Grand Tasting. Lots consist of six or twelve wines - many with a gaggle of award winners. Even more interesting still, some of the bottles may not be available for regular sale A Wine Festival with a Mission
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Charleston: Jan. 9: Harlem Globetrotters at the Coliseum Jan. 16: Charleston Marathon for Youth Endowment for the Arts Jan. 31: Lowcountry Oyster Festival Jan. 13: Jackson Browne 2016 Solo Acoustic Tour Feb. 6: 8th Annual Chase After A Cure Gala Feb. 13: Ovation Concert Series - From Paris, With Love Feb. 15: Yanni at the PAC Feb. 18: Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic Feb. 19-21: 8th Annual Gourmet & Grapes Feb. 13: Cupid’s Undie Run March 1: Fall Out Boy “Wintour is Coming” Tour March 2-March 6: BB&T Charleston Wine & Food Festival March 15-March 19: Charleston Fashion Week March 16-April 24: Annual Festival of Houses & Gardens
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calendar of events JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
Beaufort: Jan. 16: USCB Center for the Arts - The Met: Live in HD - Bizet’s Les Pecheurs De Perles Jan. 29: Comedian Jon Reep Jan. 30: USCB Center for the Arts - The Met: Live in HD - Puccini’s Turandot Feb. 10-14: Beaufort International Film Festival Feb. 16: Beaufort Children’s Theatre “Through The Looking Glass” Auditions Feb. 25: Romantic Virtuosi Tamas Kocsis: Solist Paganine Concerto No. 1 in D Opus 6 Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 “Scottish” Mar. 5: USCB Center for the Arts - The Met: Live in HD - Puccini’s Manon Lescaut Mar. 11: Godspell presented by Beaufort Theatre Company
Hilton Head/ Bluffton:
Hardeeville/ Ridgeland:
Jan. 1: 9th Annual Bluffton New Year’s Day Polar Bear 5K Run, Health Walk, 1 Mile Children’s Fun Run & Dog Walk
Savannah, Ga:
Jan. 1-14: Les Bonnes Artistes” Fresh Strokes Exhibition Jan. 1-3: Dove Street Festival of Lights Jan. 30: Snow Day at Shelter Cove Community Park Feb. 1-28: Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration Feb. 3: Coastal Discovery Museum Presentation: The Uniqueness of Port Royal Sound
Apr. 17-18: SC/GA Barbecue Festival
Jan. 14: Jackson Browne at Savannah Civic Center Jan. 22: Paleface at The Wormhole Feb. 6: Diana Ross at Savannah Civic Center Feb. 11: Jerry Seinfeld at Johnny Mercer Theatre Mar. 10: Merle Haggard at Savannah Civic Center
Feb. 7: Captain Woody’s Oyster Roast Mar. 7-13: Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival March 16: The Mary Green Men’s Chorale Winter Concert Mar 18-19: Wingfest
Mar. 19: Historic Beaufort Foundation’s Annual Spring Architect’s Tour WINTER 2016
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