NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENT APPOINTMENTS.

HALO Primary Care is a new primary care office in Bluffton, SC. Here at HALO, we believe you should be in charge of your health. We understand that each patient is different; therefore, we strive to work with you to develop a plan of care that is obtainable and reasonable.

• House calls are offered to homebound patients living in the 29909 and 29910 zip codes.

• Telehealth visits are also offered for established patients.

40 Okatie Center Blvd., Suite 215 Bluffton, SC 29909

(843) 603-4800 • www.halo-primarycare.com and Lauren Bazemore opening up the wine bar and charcuterie bar on March 10. WTB has introduced their general manager, Kevin, who has more than 25 years of experience in the food and wine industry – including a number of master level certifications from the Wine Scholar Guild and a diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust in London.

Beyond the retail offerings and the bar, officials promise a place to come and learn about different wines, and a commitment to give back monthly to local non-profits.

Budding restaurant owner Brian Behnke hopes to be the next one on the grand opening list. His team is prepping the modern raw bar Crudo in the former Corks location at 14 Promenade St.

“We are getting close, we’re very excited to welcome the public in. We just need to get the permits and all the details to open the doors,” said Behnke, who is hoping to open by mid-March. The Minnesota native has lived in the Lowcountry for 23 years and previously ran restaurants in Minne- apolis before his work as a wine and spirits distributor rep.

For the less informed, crudo is a dish of raw fish or seafood, typically dressed with oil, juice and seasonings. Behnke offered 167 Raw as a comparison for what diners can expect. The menu will be 80% to 90% seafood with seating for 42 diners and 15 at the bar. A collection of craft beers will be available, with more focus on craft cocktails and the wine selection. Crudo has a wine preservation system that works with carbon dioxide pumped into the bar area. Once bottles are opened, the CO2 is pumped in the bottle, keeping the wine and champagne fresh for 28 days.

The dress code will be business casual with no hats, tanktops or gymwear allowed. Behnke said Crudo will offer a Sunday four-course supper and Monday night wine specials. Lunch will be served Thursday through Sunday. For more information, visit crudobluffton.com.

Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. timwood@blufftonsun.com.

The Trusted Choice

At our hospital, we create rehabilitation programs that are specifically designed for each patient’s needs, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. It’s why so many people and their caregivers choose us. And why we are the trusted choice of a growing number of medical professionals.

• Michele Morton, a Lowcountry entrepreneur who has built and grown six businesses over the past 27 years, has joined Pay Proudly, the Bluffton-based credit card processing company.

Morton will lead strategic business and people development. In this role, she will contribute to Pay Proudly’s organizational, sales and people development to expand the reach and depth of their credit card processing solutions, support and culture.

Morton, who has held a number of key business leadership roles throughout the Lowcountry, has most recently served as a strategic growth consultant at Trevally Group, and has worked for midsize wireless tech organizations for more than 15 years.

Prior roles include director of people for Growth Tools in Nashville, Tennessee, and founder of Market Street Inn in Charleston.

Pay Proudly is a Bluffton-based credit card processing company that provides its merchants with local support and an opportunity to give back to the community.

For more information, visit payproudly. com.

• Joseph Nowicki has been hired by Savannah Surfaces as the logistics/warehouse manager at their headquarters in Hardeeville, South Carolina.

Nowicki brings several years of operations and logistics experience. Previously he managed logistics operations for Macy’s, Lowe’s and Home Depot. He earned his BBA in International Business from the University of North Florida.

As the logistics/warehouse manager, Nowicki will oversee the company’s interior tile and exterior hardscapes warehouse and stone yard operations. He will also manage all driver personnel to better receive, load and deliver quality products to our customers.

Savannah Surfaces is a provider of quality surfacing across the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire.

• Two new staff members have joined Memory Matters.

Michelle Frink is the new program director. She has nine years of experience working with families in need of medical and memory assistance.

Most recently Frink worked at NHC Health in Bluffton as the director of social services.

She will be working with families who are interested in enrolling in the Memory Matters Day program or need assistance with resources outside of the organization’s purview.

She will also be leading the Day Program team to ensure our participants are receiving engaging activities and care while their caregivers receive much needed respite. Diashay Brown is the new activities coordinator for the Day Program. She will be leading daily exercises, activities and social interaction with participants. Brown comes to Memory Matters with an extensive background in memory care. Most recently she worked at Thrive Senior Living in the Memory Care Unit on Skidaway Island, Savannah.

Memory Matters is located at 117 William Hilton Pkwy. on Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit mymemorymatters. org.

• Marc Saurborn, CFA has assumed the role of Chief Investment Officer at Dividend Assets Capital, an independent wealth and asset manager. He will also become a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Saurborn joined DAC in 2022 as director of research and investment strategy with more than 25 years of experience in investment research and portfolio management.

Prior to DAC, he was the chief investment officer of the Legacy Foundation, where he managed investment and retirement portfolios for employees at the University of Virginia. He was a co-founding partner of Patrumin Investors, an independent investment advisory firm that specialized in dividend growth investing.

Troy Shaver, DAC’s chief executive officer and current chief investment officer, will pass the duties and responsibilities of the CIO role to Marc. He will remain CEO, continue to serve on the Investment Committee and focus on his portfolio manage-

Business Briefs

ment activities.

• Yuri Kennedy has been promoted to sales manager of the Bluffton Office of Moul Realtors, located at 1132 May River Road.

Kennedy joined the brokerage in 2021. As the No. 1 sales agent for the past two years at the brokerage, he has mastered his craft of real estate sales and demonstrated his dedication to his clients by recently obtaining his South Carolina brokers license, the highest level of education available to a real estate agent.

• StoneWorks was recently awarded a prestigious national Pinnacle Award by the National Stone Institute (NSI) for a project the company completed at a Palmetto Bluff home. They were recognized in the Kitchen/Bath category.

Competing against natural stone professionals from around the country, “this highly coveted award is given to projects whose beauty, creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship exemplify professional mastery in the use of natural stone in commercial and residential applications,” according to the NSI website.

One unique feature of the project was the full height quartzite backsplash. The Mont Blanc Quartzite was also installed on the kitchen island with a waterfall edge. The stone’s cool white background, accented with charcoal veining.

The project required an intricately measured and cut fit for the full height backsplash around the range hood all the way up to the ceiling. Two book-matched slabs were required with a precise layout, in order to match the veins on the center seam, as well as the waterfall mitered panels in the kitchen.

The Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 countries.