The Scout Guide Beaufort & Bluffton, Volume 1

BEAUFORT & BLUFFTON

SOUTH CAROLINA

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The story begins in the print guide and continues online. Follow Lynn for an insider’s view of where to go , what to do , and what not to miss in Beaufort & Bluffton.

THESCOUTGUIDE.COM / BEAUFORT - BLUFFTON @TSGbeaufortbluffton The Scout Guide Beaufort & Bluffton

BEAUFORT & BLUFFTON vol. 1

LYNN BUTLER Editor Owner

BEAUFORT BIPLANE

BLUFFTON SELF HELP

CH PHOTOGRAPHY

CITY LOFT HOTEL

DPP TRAVEL

EBRY’TING GULLAH

GREG CROSBY

GREYBIRD MEDIA

GULLAH N GEECHIE MAHN TOURS

GUNNAR-HUDSON FINE HOMES

HAWKE AND HIVE

KAMINER HAISLIP

KELLY CARON CURATED

KELLY CARON DESIGNS

KENDRICK CONSTRUCTION

LAURA MCALHANEY

LAUREN ELISE REEVES

LESLIE TRENTA DESIGNS

LOWCOUNTRY MARINE

MAMMAL NETWORK

LOWCOUNTRY PAPER CO.

LOWCOUNTRY VOICE STUDIO

MADS STUDIO & COMPANY

MAISON BEAUFORT

MARSH ON THE MAY

PALOMETA PRINT COMPANY

RENT-A-CHEF BY SHERRI LLC

RIVER AND MARSH

ROLLENS RAW GRAINS

STUDIO ORZI LLC

THE PARLOUR

THE RHETT HOUSE INN

To learn more about featuring your business in The Scout Guide® Beaufort & Blu ton, please visit scoutguide.com/beaufort-blu ton

"BLUE CRAB"

From the series “A Year in the Lowcountry” Jayne Parker

Kate Skinner, owner of River and Marsh in Habersham, carefully selects artists, like Jayne Parker and has an eclectic edit of unique apparel, accessories, and home products. To read the full story, visit thescoutguide.com/beaufort-blu ton

i@riverandmarsh · riverandmarsh.com

i@jayneparkerphoto

Veteran Michael Rainey spent twenty years and one day in the Marines. Throughout his career, he served in Italy, Hawaii, Texas, and South Carolina, attended Top Gun, and following Desert Storm, he retired in Beaufort in 1992. Michael was the first pilot to rent a hanger at Beaufort Executive Airport, where he keeps his 1943 Meyers OTW (“Out To Win”) with a green shamrock on the side representing his call-sign, “Irish,” along with a vast collection of aviation memorabilia, from uniforms to wooden propellers. There were 101 made, and only about twenty are in tact-Michael owning number eighty nine. The Meyers

OTW was originally designed as an aerobatic sport plane in the 1930s but with the onset of war it became a primary trainer with a reputation of reliability and safety. Michael o ers a unique open-air tour experience in his vintage plane, flying over the beautiful marshes and towns of the Lowcountry. Read the full story thescoutguide.com/ beaufort-bluffton

beaufortbiplanetours.com

i @ beaufortbiplanetours 904.910.6369

BEAUFORT BIPLANE TOURS

“You smell woodsmoke in the winter and marsh grass in the summer.”

-Michael Rainey

SCOUTING THE BEST OF LOCAL COAST TO COAST. THE SCOUT GUIDE IS A RESOURCE FOR BOTH LOCALS AND TRAVELERS ALIKE.

BUSINESSES WORTH SUPPORTING.

PEOPLE WORTH MEETING.

STORIES WORTH HEARING.

Coffee

WE ASKED LOCALS WHERE THEY GO TO GET THEIR COFFEE…

“I walk from my studio on Bay Street to City Java & News for my mid-morning co ee and to stretch my legs. I like the people there, and I like their co ee.”

Louis Bruce, Local Artist

“While there are so many places I enjoy supporting, I usually split my morning and a ernoon co ee between Corner Perk in Blu ton and The Grind Co ee Shop.”

Mark Nixon, Director of Membership, Greater Blu ton Chamber of Commerce

“I actually just run over to Corner Perk for co ee if I need it, but I generally have an IV connected to my co ee pot at home.”

Cassandra Schultz, Owner, Cassandra’s Kitchen

“Lucky me—my morning cup of Joe is made by my husband, Joe!”

Lisa Costigan, Co-Founder, Maison Beaufort

“My favorite jump start to my day is an Iced Buzz Latte from Buzz!”

Madeline Cox, Experiential Marketing Manager at Palmetto Blu

“I love going to City Java & News for my morning co ee. I meet someone new each time I stop by and owner, Laura McAlhaney has the best selection of imported small batch, locally roasted co ee beans.”

Lynn Butler, Editor/Owner, The Scout Guide Beaufort & Blu ton

Matt McAlhaney Owner

KAMINER HAISLIP Designer + Silversmith

Corresponding to an echo as it travels Coffeepot III

Kaminer Haislip is a contemporary silversmith based in South Carolina. She designs and handcrafts all of her metalwork, including functional home objects, jewelry, and custom commission pieces, in sterling silver and gold. Shop her collections in her website store at kaminerhaislip.com

i @kaminerhaislip

f Kaminer.Haislip.Silversmithing

Hammered Hoop Earrings

In the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the Gullah Geechee people survived the Middle Passage to America as enslaved Africans who were captured from rice producing regions of West Africa. Due to isolation from the mainland in the early years, the community has maintained its cultural roots and connection to the continent of Africa, with their own Gullah language (an English-based creole vernacular), cuisine and arts, thanks in part to the continuing work and businesses of Kitty and Clarence Green’s family.

GULLAH N GEECHIE MAHN TOURS

gullahngeechietours.com

i@geechie_gals

EBRY’TING GULLAH

843.694.4027 everythinggullah@gmail.com

RENT-A-CHEF by SHERRI

(and her SUPERSONIC TONIC) sherrisupersonictonic.com

i@chefsherri25

As part of the Gullah Geechee community, Kitty Green started GullahN-Geechie Mahn Tours in 1992 a er she and her husband sponsored their daughter, Sherri, in a restaurant named “The Gullah House” that specialized in Gullah style cooking. Kitty found herself shuttling visitors around the area from all over the country that were interested in knowing more about the Gullah culture than just the culinary arts. Kitty then traveled and researched further, gathering stories from elders on Saint Helena Island and traveling abroad to dive deeper into their roots. Together with her daughter, Seretha Tuttle, they are dedicated to the preservation and sharing of the Sea Island Gullah culture and run the tour company together.

Kitty’s daughter, Sherri Whitmire, currently is a personal chef and caterer, together with her own daughter, Tara McCrea, under the name Rent-A-Chef by Sherri. She infuses Gullah recipes throughout her signature dishes such as her gumbo and her newly released Supersonic Fire Cider.

Seretha’s daughter, Dominique Tuttle, is the owner of Ebry’Ting Gullah, an eclectic art gallery and creative space that is dedicated to teaching and spreading Gullah culture by sharing various expressions of art from Indigenous and Native peoples in the Lowcountry. As a family, they are each in their own way keeping the Gullah Geechee community alive for their children and future generations.

Location: The Private Home Tombee Plantation

Kitty Green

Seretha Tuttle

Sherri Whitmire

Tara McCrea

Special thanks to:

Dr. & Mrs. Steven Madden, Tombee Plantation

Dominique Tuttle

Jene’lle Tuttle

Trinity McCrea

Tuesdays, 9am - 1pm

Hilton Head Island Farmers Market at The Coastal Discovery Museum i@hhifarmersmarket

Wednesdays, 3pm - 6pm Root & Bloom Market 25 Buckwalter Place Boulevard, Bluffton i@rootandbloommarket

Wednesdays, 9am - 1pm (select dates May-December)

Palmetto Bluff Farmers Market

Palmetto Bluff Farm, 228 Old Moreland Road, Blu ton i@palmettobluff

Thursdays, September-May, 12 - 5pm

June-August, 10am - 2pm

Farmers Market of Bluffton

Martin Family Park, Historic Bluffton i@farmersmarketbluffton

Saturdays, 9am - 12pm Port Royal Farmers Market

Naval Heritage Park, Port Royal f Port Royal Farmers Market

Saturdays, February-December, 9:30am - 12:30pm

Hilton Head Community Market

Shelter Cove Community Park i@hhicommunitymarket

Pop-Up Markets & Events

Lowcountry Made i@lowcountry_made

*Times and dates may vary or change due to seasonal weather conditions and holidays

Nestled in the heart of Beaufort, this historic inn owned by the Harrison family not only o ers guests a charming stay in a plantation-style house, but it is also open to locals to enjoy breakfast by Chef Beverly in either the dining room or large front porch situated under old Live Oaks draped with Spanish moss. Additionally, every other week, they o er a Sunday brunch by Chef Scott, with live music. It is the quintessential Southern experience to sit and relax on the porch and then stroll the gardens in the morning. There is open seating during the week, but reservations are required for Sunday Brunch.

843.524.9030

therhetthouseinn.com

i@therhetthouseinn

CAROLINA GOLD RICE GROWN HERE, SOLD HERE

Marion “Rollen” Chalmers’s passion for farming inspired him to perfect the skill of growing heritage rice and crops in his hometown of Hardeeville and also on Daufuskie Island, bringing back a process that’s over 100 years old. Together with his wife, Frances, he recently opened a store in April 2023, selling his grains, fresh produce, and health food products, located at 3333 South Okatie Highway, Hardeeville, SC. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the shop, because you can order grains online or look out for the Chalmers's family at the local farmer’s markets in Beaufort County throughout the week.

rollensrawgrains.com · i@rollensgrawgrain

Carolina Gold Rice

Carolina Gold Rice Grits

Sea Island Red Peas

Josh’s singing career has taken him to eighty-five countries over the span of twenty years, and he discovered along the way that he loves teaching. Private lessons are in his Beaufort home studio, your home or online. “I have the opportunity to be more still in my life and share my gi with other people which has become my true passion.”

EMBRACE THE EXTRAORDINARY : UNLOCK A WORLD OF LUXURIOUS ADVENTURES WITH CUSTOMIZED JOURNEYS

THE TIDES OF

BY MARCI - ANNE LEYSEN

What is it about the Lowcountry charm of the Beaufort area that touches the heartstrings and imaginations of all who come here? For some, it is the majestic spread of live oaks cloaked in Spanish moss. For others it is the brilliant green of spartina grass blanketing an expanse of salt

marsh

etched with dark ribbons of tidal creeks filled with water the same color as our sweet tea. Yet others feel the emotional pull stemming from our preserved and sometimes hidden history. From our renowned collection of antebellum homes wrapped in porches and hospitality, the mysterious prehistoric shell rings from unknown ancient civilizations, or the rich and resilient Gullah Geechee culture honoring those who survived the darkest periods of our fertile planting era; the past whispers in the ear of the willing listener everywhere one turns.

But what is the source of all the allure and wonder that makes our area unique to anywhere else in the world? The secret lies in our

tides,

those steady and constant companions that stretches far and wide to shape all that we see and all that we are. Our incredible tidal waters are the root that connects us to the sixty-eight sea islands that make up Beaufort County. It is from our tides that much of our natural ecosystems find their homes, transport, breeding and birthing grounds, and food sources. Teaming with an almost unparalleled abundance and diversity of both plant and animal species, our environmentally fragile stretch of Atlantic coastline is a naturalist’s paradise. Ancient mariners were drawn to our

deep natural harbors

that allowed them shelter and opportunities for discovery and commerce before propelling them back into the Gulf Stream and across the Atlantic. These tides have written our nation's history upon our shores.

The Beaufort County landscape comprising the communities of Blu ton, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, and Port Royal is encircled by its most dominant coastal feature, the Port Royal Sound. As the second deepest natural harbor along the eastern seaboard of the United States, the Port Royal Sound stretches nearly thirteen miles inland with branches of its tidal creeks and rivers reaching even further, thus creating our area's first transportation network. While area residents and visitors are familiar with our local rivers such as the Broad and Beaufort Rivers, many do not realize that unlike most rivers and streams along the coast, ours are not fed from a highland watershed source pushing fresh water and sediment downstream from inland areas. Our region is an embayment, meaning our waterways are almost wholly fed by the rush and flow of

saltwater

directly from the ocean pushing inland with each rise of the tide. This consistent intrusion of forceful incoming tides helps the Port Royal Sound remain a vastly deep harbor relatively free of sediment deposits that can build up, requiring regular dredging e orts, as is the case in our neighboring areas of Charleston and Savannah. As the inward surge of tidal waters is allowed to flow freely inland, it collects in protective expanses of

mudflats

and blooms into nearly a half-million acres of richly biodiverse salt marsh areas. The tides are the root life-source pumping into its veins, and any deviation to this ancient and steady flow has a direct and profound e ect on the life and health of its ecosystem. The life cycle of our salt marshes is a fascinating, multifaceted subject deserving of its own discussion, and the important role they play in providing a breeding ground and food source that our oceans depend upon cannot be overstated.

Port Royal Sound also experiences the second

highest tides

along our U.S. eastern seaboard. In comparison, while Florida experiences an average of four feet for its highest tidal mark, Beaufort area waterways can o en see a rise of ten feet or more. The reason for this remarkable di erence is a combination of our geographic location on the earth’s surface and our position as the westernmost point along the South Atlantic Bight (the visible land curvature or indentation along the Atlantic coastline from North Carolina to Florida). The bottleneck e ect of the incoming tides narrowing into the South Atlantic Bight is compounded as it is further restricted and forced upward into the Port Royal Sound. Receiving the full impact of this tidal convergence twice daily is the vital heartbeat that created our area over time and sustains us today. The highest tides occur during full or new moon cycles when the gravitational pull on the oceans creating our tides is the strongest. King Tides, a term used for when tides are even higher than usual, occur due to the earth’s seasonal proximity to the moon and sun or from o shore storms or high winds. These occurrences can result in regional flooding as tides can crest up to nearly thirteen feet in some areas.

While it is di cult to put one’s finger precisely on what makes our “Beautiful Beaufort by The Sea” region so original and unique, one cannot ignore the source of our tides and the role they play in our daily lives. Silently rising and falling, shaping and shi ing, creating and erasing along our shores, the tides are the beginning and the end of our story as they leave us their precious gi s to fill our own pages with along the way.

Down the bumpy dirt roads, behind the doors of homes without full kitchens or working plumbing, in the bedrooms shared by a family of five, is a neighbor that can’t see past tomorrow because there will not be enough in this month’s budget to buy groceries. In Beaufort and Jasper Counties, 50,000 households struggle to earn a livable wage. Our community is in crisis.

Bluffton Self Help offers basic needs support and education programs to empower our neighbors, the hard-working families who are simply trying to make ends meet.

The Market at Bluffton Self Help distributes 10,000 pounds of food each week to 350 households so that our neighbors do not have to skip meals to pay for other essentials like medicine, gas, childcare, and the unpredictable flat tire.

Bluffton Self Help’s education team supports 122 volunteer tutors to help teach language skills, citizenship, financial literacy, digital literacy, and GED preparation to more than 300 adult learners so that our neighbors can chase their dreams and become financially secure.

Our intake and client advocate team meets our neighbors where they are, listens to their stories, and empowers them to set goals and achieve them. Then we walk that path to success with our neighbors, every step of the way. Sometimes that means taking a step back, and sometimes that means walking the path for years until they finally get ahead. Bluffton Self Help’s staff and volunteers are committed to doing what it takes to help those 50,000 households reach their full potential and thrive in our community.

We cannot do this work alone. Creating change takes a community. As the most challenging part of the year nears, I invite you to learn more about our work. Together we can create long-term, impactful change.

COURTNEY HAMPSON Chief Executive Officer

“Our intake and client advocate team meets our neighbors where they are, listens to their stories, and empowers them to set goals and achieve them.”

1. Hunting Island Lighthouse and State Park

2. Penn Center

3. The Beaufort Depot, c. 1901 along the Spanish Moss Trail

4. Sands Beach, Port Royal Observation Tower

5. Parris Island, Marine Corps Recruit Depot

6. The Church of the Cross c. 1857 in Historic Blu ton

7. The May River Chapel at Montage Palmetto Blu

8. Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse

9. Coastal Discovery Museum

Beaufort & Bluffton

Leslie Trenta Owner

THE TIDAL PHENOMENON

BY MADISON ELROD

Bluffton, South Carolina holds a special place in my story—a place where my fiancé and my journey began. It all started when I embarked on a journey from Alabama for my first visit. I will never forget the first time I crossed the bridge onto the island and saw the sun setting over the marsh. The breathtaking view etched itself into my memory, marking the beginning of a remarkable chapter in our lives.

During one of my visits, my fiancé introduced me to the captivating world of flood tide fly fishing—an activity he cherishes deeply. The rising waters and the exhilarating experience forever shaped my connection to this coastal paradise. Bluffton, with its unique geography nestled along the Intracoastal Waterway and adjacent to the vast Atlantic Ocean, offered unrivaled flood tide fly fishing

opportunities, particularly for redfish. As the larger-than-normal tides inundate the marshes, transforming the shallow spartina flats into submerged grounds, a thrilling opportunity arises to catch tailing redfish. The fish, with their noses buried in the mud while foraging for food, create a mesmerizing sight as their tails emerge above the water’s surface, adorned in iridescent shades of blue.

The flood tides become a time of abundance for the redfish, drawing them into the short flooded spartina grass in search of their prey—fiddler crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. Redfish hold a significant place in Bluffton’s history and culture as they are deeply ingrained in its fishing traditions and Southern coastal roots. Their presence in the estuarine environment plays a vital ecological role, maintaining the

delicate balance of the ecosystem by controlling the populations of small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Bluffton’s commitment to conservation efforts includes strict catch-limits, size restrictions, and sustainable fishing practices to ensure the thriving population of redfish. The efforts made in safeguarding these magnificent creatures amplify their allure and strengthen the sense of pride and connection among anglers and the local community.

Engaging in flood tide fly fishing for redfish in Bluffton, South Carolina, is a treasured experience for both anglers and the community. The rising waters during fl ood tides offer a remarkable opportunity to witness the redfishes feeding behavior up close and put the skills of fly anglers to the test. The blend of cultural heritage, conservation success, sporting challenge, and ecological importance creates a unique and cherished status for redfish in the area. Being engrossed in the pursuit of flood tide fly fishing, I not only marvel at the beauty and resilience of these magnificent fish but also develop a deep appreciation for the delicate coastal ecosystem they inhabit.

Bluffton’s rich cultural heritage and unwavering commitment to conservation had a profound impact on me. The redfish ceased to be just game fish; they became the embodiment of the town’s soul and the fragile balance of its marine ecosystem. With each visit to Bluffton, my connection to this way of life deepened. Witnessing the town’s dedication to preserving the redfish population through sustainable fishing practices and strict regulations instilled a sense of awe within me.

Bluffton wasn’t just a destination; it became an integral part of our story and our way of life.

MADS Studio & Co. is a stationery and gift company featuring fun color palettes, hand-painted designs, and lovely paper. Every product is hand-assembled, USAmade, and features Madison’s original artwork and designs. We offer everything from candles to tea towels to note cards.

STAY IN THE KNOW

Lauren Elise Reeves

Although Pickleball might seem like a new sport, it was back in 1965 that three dads (Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum) on Bainbridge Island, Washington came up with a game for their bored kids over the summer, using a short paddle and plastic ball with holes on a badminton court. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong with its own unique rules, making it a game for all ages and skill levels. Pickleball is not a miniature version of tennis; some say it’s a faster and more approachable sport that kids and adults can enjoy together with fun terms for shots and bounces like volley llama or flapjack. Most recently, The Sports & Fitness Industry Association named Pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year in a row.

Artwork courtesy of :

How did Pickleball get its name?

There are two stories, one about a dog, and one about a boat. One story is that the game was named a er the Pritchard family dog, Pickles. The Pritchard family insisted the dog didn’t come along until a few years later and was named a er the sport. They claimed the game was named by the wife of Joel, Joan Pritchard, a er local pickle boats, which were a boat of rowers from di erent teams that made up an extra “pickle” boat in crew races. Members from the original families seem to have di erent recollections of which story is true. It’s said that some people thought the dog version was cuter and it would make a better story so it continued to be told to reporters. If anything it’s a great court-side conversation.

For history, rules, court size, equipment, places to play, and videos with the original creators, visit usapickleball.org.

For local instruction contact coach Greg Crosby 843.263.6582 or gcrosby88@gmail.com. Greg is USPTA & PPR certified.

Grey Shealy Owner

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WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PROTECT OUR LOCAL MARINE MAMMALS.

THE DOLPHIN COUNT APP

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Sponsored by : The Scout Guide ® Beaufort & Bluffton

Mr. & Mrs. Goenen

May 6, 2023

Jessica DuBose and Patrick Goenen were married at The Baptist Church of Beaufort in an early evening ceremony. Following the ceremony, a bagpiper and drummer led the way to a cocktail and dinner reception for family and friends.

Clockwise: Jessica’s mother, Libby, buttons her daughter's wedding dress. A blue and plaid color palette tastefully threads through the wedding, including a flower girl’s sash and the groomsmen in kilts. The couple’s beloved dogs, Ellie Mae and Waylan Gene, joined in the festivities. Read the full story online at thescoutguide.com/beaufort-blu ton

Photos Courtesy of: Chrizzia Hernandez Photography | i@chphotography_97

Photo

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The Scout Guide is a locally owned national brand dedicated to supporting small businesses in cities from coast to coast.

LYNN BUTLER | Editor . Owner

KRIS TOWNS | Senior Lifestyle Editor

LYNN BUTLER | Editor Owner

MARCI - ANNE LEYSEN | Contributing Naturalist

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HAYDEN DOBBINS Photographers

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