CH2 Magazine: November 2022

THANKFUL TRENDSETTER

asked our

Modeled by Alexandra Wiegel

BLUFF’S

VILLAGE

GENIUSES AT

Maggie

Carolyn Hunter Kostylo

Master

Marion

Kim

Master

“Just Kandace”

Lead

Crouch

Morgan Ambler

Talent

Kaila Jeffcoat

Mascot

Buoy Conrad Crouch Pritchard

Greta Von

Vincent Von

Catherine

Jesse Blanco

Becca Edwards

Courtney Hampson

Linda S. Hopkins

Barry Kaufman

John McCann

Cheryl Ricer

Lisa Sulka

Krisztian Lonyai

Editor's Note

THANKFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCES

This magazine has always been a gateway to new experiences for me. Every month as we embark on filling 132 blank pages, I learn things about what is happening in our neighborhoods and towns. While our team comes up with most of the article ideas, we are always open to suggestions from our friends and readers. This month we had three such suggestions that led to articles in our November issue.

Erin Lentz messaged me on Instagram last month, alerting me to how great a story on Whippoorwill Farms and Marissa Paykos would be. Less than 10 days later, Hunter and I were standing in Ridgeland, watching over 200 hungry pigs run towards us from the woods, feeling the earth shaking as they approached. Now that was an experience I will not soon forget.

Right before Marissa threw down the corn, she warned us not to scream … or fall over. As always, be sure to follow us on social media for some behind-thescenes videos of our day on the farm; check out the story on page 52.

Local jewelry designer Selina King Daly has this thing she does called the Empowerment Project. She

chooses women who are doing nice things for others and surprise gifts them with some of her beautiful jewelry. It was this project that led Daly to send me a message about Pockets Full of Sunshine and how this organization is helping adults with developmental disabilities lead more fulfilling lives. A few weeks later, I was snapping photos of local Realtor David Carroll leading “the Rays,” in a singalong, and Mollie Kinard teaching the members of this organization about sea snails on the beach at Fish Haul Park. Writer Linda Hopkins did a beautiful deep dive on this organization on page 73. Be sure to check it out!

Lastly, one of our advertisers, Cedric Gray (Stretch Zone) mentioned to me that it might be cool to do a feature on local veterans who had become successful business owners after their service to our country. We couldn’t think of a more appropriate thing to do in celebration of Veteran’s Day, so head over to page 66 for that story.

Do you have an idea for a story? Please let us know – by messaging us on Facebook, Instagram, or just a good oldfashioned email to maggie@ ch2cb2magazine.com.

I’m thankful we can share inspiring stories and educate new members of our community about the area through this monthly publication.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Step INTO THE Pickle dome

It’s

funny how the same thing can seem wildly different to different people. To some, cilantro adds a flourish of herbaceousness to Mexican street food. To others, it tastes like soap. It’s much the same with pickleball.

To the uninitiated, it’s a game with a goofy name played by people who can’t decide whether they want to play ping pong or tennis. But to fans, which is anyone who plays the game even once, it’s a way of life. It’s a way to stretch those competitive muscles without blowing out those less-than-competitive knees. It’s a chance to get together with friends who don’t mind throwing around silly terms like “opa” and “his foot was in the kitchen.”

There’s a reason it’s become the fastest-growing sport on the planet; to play it once is to love it forever. If you need some pointers on getting out there and swatting the pickleball around, we’ve gathered up some of the biggest local names in the sport. Read on, and then we’ll see you out on the court.

Tony Gottlieb

PALMETTO BLUFF

How long have you been playing pickleball, and who got you hooked? I started playing pickleball about four years ago when I was a tennis pro. Like many of us, it started as a kind of social ambiguous game. I was hooked when sweat was splashing out of my shoes during practice. To me, it was a game + a sport. Thanks, Corrine Carr, Sarah Ansboury, Sarah Mitten, and Adam Stone. “Extra shoes mandatory.”

One piece of advice that will make anyone a better player instantly: Pickleball is not tennis on a small court. Honor the game by learning how to use the non-volley zone, aka kitchen. Invest a little early by taking a scaffolding approach to the game, and it will pay off big time. What is your pre-tournament routine? I teach quite a bit, so I try to look for short drill sessions in between lessons, minimum two days a week. Match day, you have to warm

up and play games before you warm up and play games or you could be in the back draw in 30 minutes.

Favorite player to play against and favorite court to play on? My favorite players to play against are not far from home. We have a pretty big group of pros that meet in Hilton Head or Bluffton, so we can play for hours. My 2022 US OPEN semifinal court loss was my favorite court this year. Unfortunately, only the finals get on the stadium court. Number 2 is Palmetto Bluff, court six, next to RT’s Market. Besides pickleball, what other sports/activities are you fond of? I love watching soccer. I have one son who plays professionally and one not far behind. It’s a cool team game and different from the sports my wife and I played.

Off court, I love riding my pedal assist bike with my wife Amy. At 25 mph, it’s cooler! I also enjoy hanging out with our two pet Vizslas.

How long have you been playing pickleball, and who got you hooked? I have been playing pickleball consistently for about eight months. Kathy Kavanaugh from Long Valley, N.J. had a private pickleball court at her house about two years ago; she got me hooked. One piece of advice that will make anyone a better player instantly: Play, play, play, and play some more.

If you have a tennis background, you’ll have a head start. In tennis, you learn how to play with lots of practice before you get a chance to play. Pickleball is different; you can play right from the beginning, so you play and learn at the same time. However, practice and proper instruction is very important in

preventing injuries and getting your game up to the next level quickly.

What is your pre-tournament routine? Good breakfast, Tylenol (sometimes), hot shower, and stretching. Light warmup hitting balls. Favorite player to play against and favorite court to play on? My favorite player to play against is Percy— amazingly quick hands at the net! My favorite court is Belfair, of course!

Besides pickleball, what other sports/activities are you fond of? I have played tennis for over 40 years—love coaching it and watching it. I also enjoy biking, hiking, and watching my New York Yankees baseball team.

How long have you been playing pickleball, and who got you hooked? Since 2018. As a longtime tennis professional, it was great to learn to play and bring my skills and enthusiasm for the sport to our Berkeley Hall membership. One piece of advice that will make anyone a better player instantly: Learn to have great control of your paddle.

What is your pre-tournament routine? Advice to any tournament player: Do a 15-minute warmup with your partner. Favorite player to play against? Anyone who plays with great joy and loves to have fun! Besides pickleball, what other sports/activities are you fond of? Tennis and snowboarding.

WEXFORD

How long have you been playing pickleball, and who got you hooked? Ten years. Other pickleball pros on the island got me hooked.

One piece of advice that will make anyone a better player instantly: Relax the grip pressure.

What is your pre-tournament routine? Dynamic stretching, dink warmup, volley-volley warmup, backcourt warmup and serves, and overhead warmup. Favorite player to play against? Paul Rankin. Besides pickleball, what other sports/activities are you fond of? Tennis.

Sarah Ansboury

How long have you been playing pickleball and who got you hooked? I fell into pickleball in 2014. The man who ran the local pickleball club, Mike Wolfe, convinced me to try it. One piece of advice that will make anyone a better player instantly: Take a lesson from someone who understands pickleball. The sooner you can get the idea of what the strategy and technique is, you will feel so much more comfortable on the court. What is your pre-tournament routine? The most important thing before tournament play is a full warmup

and practice games prior to your first match. Favorite player to play against and favorite court to play on? I love playing on my home courts at Palmetto Dunes. I have tons of players I love to play against, but it’s always fun playing with my local players Sarah Mitten, Lew Halski, Noa Geyne, and Reggie Sanders. Besides pickleball, what other sports/activities are you fond of? I love going out on the water around Hilton Head and spending time with my family and dogs.

Mick Ray

SEA PINES RESORT

How long have you been playing pickleball, and who got you hooked? Four years—since fall of 2018. I won my first singles and doubles tournament in summer of 2019. My dad, Mike Ray, introduced me to pickleball, and I have not put the paddle down since discovering the game. One piece of advice that will make anyone a better player instantly: Keep your eye on the ball. It’s easy to forget, so remind yourself often during the match. And slow down. You have more time than you think. Faster does not mean better.What is your pre-tournament routine? I go to bed early because it’s usually an 8 a.m. tournament start time. I drink tons of water and electrolytes, stretch, and take deep breaths. Favorite player to play against? My favorite player to play against is my partner Lew Halski. We’ve played countless matches, helping one another improve our games.. Besides pickleball, what other sports/activities are you fond of? I enjoy playing golf with my friends and tossing frisbee on the beach. I’m also a huge fan of live music.

How long have you been playing pickleball, and who got you hooked? I have been involved in pickleball since 2018. I would like to thank some of the local legends in the Beaufort County area, including Mark Anders, Andy Sklarin, and Reggie Sanderson, for getting me involved in pickleball.

What is your pre-tournament routine? The first thing I do before any tournament is make sure I have a great partner to play with! Leading up to an event, just making sure all skills are fine-tuned by practicing. To accomplish this, I will play skinny singles to hit more shots.

Favorite player to play against and favorite court to play on? I enjoy playing against our head racquets professional here at Long Cove Club, Thomas Richter. While he can

beat me on the tennis court, he has never beaten me on the pickleball court. Playing with my wife Katie Ruth and my daughter Charlotte is also at the top of my list. (Both of them have beaten me.) I have a strong bias for the courts at Long Cove Club that are in a beautiful setting with plenty of shade during those hot summer months. One piece of advice that will make anyone a better player instantly: Patience, patience, patience. Does that count as three pieces of advice? Be patient and wait for the opportunities to present themselves before you speed up the ball and attack. Besides pickleball, what other sports/activities are you fond of? As a resident of this area, I enjoy playing tennis, golf, and pickleball. Are there any other sports?

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With Halloween “boo”-hind us and Thanksgiving just a few weeks and grocery store runs away, the holiday season is upon us. In addition to a time of cooler weather and happy get togethers, it’s time for Hilton Head Preparatory School’s annual Festival of Trees.

“Hilton Head Preparatory School’s Festival of Trees has been an island favorite for more than 30 years,” said Leslie Hart, director of the Prep Pride Fund and Alumni Relations. “I know many people who like to come and enjoy the festival after a big Thanksgiving celebration with their families. It is one of the island’s largest holiday-themed festivals.”

Every year, the festival is held in a public location so that guests to the island and locals alike can attend and get in the holiday spirit. This year the Festival will be held at the Marriott Hilton Head Resort and Spa in Palmetto Dunes.

Mame Bowser and her husband have been attending the festival for several years. “We’ve gone with family, friends and just ourselves. The event is always fun. We typically get a cocktail, walk around, enjoy the trees, and bump into people we know,” Bowser said. “It’s a nice start to the Christmas season, and the amount of effort, time and talent that goes into decorating is quite impressive. In fact, I’m the proud owner of a tabletop wine tree. My tree is decorated with fake grapes, wine glasses, corkscrews, corks and other winerelated paraphernalia.”

Each year the festival offers around 170 trees, wreaths, and other holiday decor items that are made by local businesses, organizations, artists and of course each grade level at Hilton Head Preparatory School. “I would say if you want to buy a tree, you will want to go to the first night,” Bowser said. “The good ones get scooped up quickly. The creativity and originality really is very impressive. Our community has some very talented people.”

Some people also enjoy the event remotely, Hart explained. “Because of COVID, we had to start thinking of ways that people could enjoy the festival virtually. I sat down, and with zero knowledge on how to build a website, I built the Festival of Trees website and online store. The past couple of years, we have also started broadcasting our events live so that those who may not be local are still able to participate and view the various events that take place during the twoweek period.”

According to Hart, it’s both the community’s involvement (from the trees, wreaths or holiday decor items people create and contribute to the festival, to the people who attend the event) and the festival’s volunteers that make it so special. “We would not be able to successfully execute this event

EVENT SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17: Festival opens to the public

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22: St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church Children’ s Choir, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27: Lessons & Carols, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1: Holiday Music presented by Hilton Head Prep’s String Orchestra and Band, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2-3: Photos with Santa, time TBD

without our dedicated volunteers. Everything from the setup and layout of the event to the volunteers who work twohour shifts at the information desk, they are all crucial to the success of Festival of Trees,” she said.

“We also would not be able to have such an amazing event without our sponsors: Coastal States Bank, Dollenberg Properties, TidePointe - A Vi Community, Coastal Home & Villa, Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage, Libby O. Marketing, First Baptist Church HHI, HH Monthly, and the Chocolate Canopy,” Hart added. 

Family Traditions

Seemingly festive, soulful and uplifting, the word “holiday” comes from the Old English words “hälig” meaning holy and “dæg” meaning day.

But for a great many of us, the word holiday means an obligation to tradition. For some of us, that obligation is associated with positive feelings. For others, negative. And for me and maybe you, too, it is a mixed gift bag of positive and negative. (For example: We love Aunt Edna, but we hate her oyster pie we are forced to eat every Christmas Eve.)

This is due in part to the fact that, despite the “good tidings we bring,” many of us have some misgivings about accommodating our extended family when we feel we need to concentrate on our nuclear family. This age-old conflict has only been enhanced by our current state of affairs. Over the past several years, we as a nation (and even globally) have been served a heaping Thanksgiving Day portion of polarizing politics, COVID concerns (from the loss of loved ones, to travel restrictions, to varying views on immunization and protocol), higher gas prices, anxiety and economic

Ideas for Celebrating Holidays with Extended Family

“I’ve known families that celebrated Thanksgiving on the weekend after so that all the family members could be there!”

“All of us are living our own lives. We each have work, play and family, and it looks different for all of us when coming together. As an extended family, it can be enjoyable to allow each family to shine their own nuclear family rituals and traditions. For example, each night one family is in charge of the meal and activities. This could mean high tea for one family and a Lowcountry boil for another.”

“Since I have to ship gifts now, I try to be creative. Last year I found a company that sends all the parts to mix fancy holiday cocktails or fancy hot chocolate bar supplies for families with young ones.”

“I love the idea of secret Santa, and we did it in our extended family. Also, I think more virtual experiences are on the horizon.”

uncertainty—just to name a few “turd in the punch bowl” contributors.

But, as humans, we are essentially pack animals, and we biologically gravitate toward tradition. This is especially true during the holidays when we feel compelled to adhere to customary practices and honor our relatives.

“Ritual offers a sense of safety, security and predictability,” Dr. Debi Lynes said. “Also, from an evolutionary standpoint, ritual (or tradition) offers a way we can continue our legacy and our culture. It is also a form of oral storytelling. Handing down memories from one generation to the

next is the oldest form of communication, entertainment, and the development of family culture.

“Equally as important as family traditions and rituals is a family’s psychological flexibility, or the ability to shift, pivot, and change when unforeseen circumstances interfere with a family tradition,” Lynes continued.

Because of the number of people moving to the Hilton Head IslandBluffton area, new residents here have the added challenge of proximity to extended family members during the holidays. “When we moved here in 2016, we had no choice but to start new traditions because I was firm that we would not be traveling on the holidays,” Kelly Luckasevic said. “I want our family to wake up in our home on Christmas morning and not crazy from the chaos of holiday travel.”

When they lived in Pittsburgh, their nuclear family hosted 99 percent of the holiday meals for their extended family. So, their new tradition is to have a calm and quiet “just the four of us” kind of day, Luckasevic explained. “Christmas morning breakfast is always Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. That was a carry-over. I was busy prepping Christmas dinner on Christmas morning for a large group, so the easy Pillsbury cinnamon roll breakfast was what happened so that the kids could eat in the middle of giftopening chaos and so it did not take me much effort and I wouldn’t miss out on the happy Christmas morning moments. Our first Christmas here, I asked what they wanted for breakfast on Christmas morning, and my oldest daughter replied, ‘Well, it is always cinnamon rolls.’”

Blended families also must be responsive to shifting dynamics. When Steve and Julie Tilton married, they suddenly had five adult children. “I think we are respectful of each other’s traditions. Julie knows how important the holidays are for me. I’m a holiday geek. Especially Christmas and Christmas Eve. I’m honored the Edwards kids have bought into the Tilton traditions,” Steve said.

“We all do our best to honor everyone’s schedules while holding true to our traditions,” Julie added. “Steve and I created a couple’s vision statement early in our relationship. One aspect was creating a home where our grown children feel welcomed, wanted, and loved. I feel we’re accomplishing that.”

The key to enjoying the “holi-yays” is all about setting boundaries. Whether we are setting boundaries with our relatives and/or our adulting children, it is important we are clear and direct about how best to truly celebrate the season with loved ones.

Family Traditions

The key to enjoying the “holi-yays” is all about setting boundaries. Whether we are setting boundaries with our relatives and/or our adulting children, it is important we are clear and direct about how best to truly celebrate the season with loved ones.

Family means the people you want to spend time with and are there for all the ‘stuff.’ And you are more than happy to put up with all their ‘stuff,’” Luckasevic aptly pointed out.

“Oftentimes it can be even more gratifying to find creative ways to connect with family members. With the availability of social media, FaceTime and other technology options, gathering with your family can look many different ways,” Lynes said. “The big take away is, as a family, we can embrace ways we are alike and ways we are different. We can embrace, grow, and learn from different family members. The key here is not forced family fun but festive family fun.” 

Becca Edwards is a freelance writer and owner of Female IQ (femaleIQ.com).

Where There’s a Whippoorwill, There’s a Way

HOW MARISSA PAYKOS AND JAMES YOUNG TURNED A FEW ACRES INTO A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT FARMING.

Afarmer, by definition, grows things. They put a seed in the ground and monitor its rainfall, its nutrition, the composition of the soil around it, its sunlight and its overall health to ensure a good yield. It’s part faith, part science.

It’s hoping that the clouds overhead will nourish the fields without washing away the topsoil, that the temperature doesn’t shift too much for your harvest, that the creatures of the forest don’t decide to make your crops their snack. But it’s also knowing what to do to give your farm its best chance at bounty, the

generational knowledge of what plants work best in what soil, what pH level will foster the hardiest plants, when to sow and when to reap.

A farm grows things, but that growth isn’t always limited to just seeds in the ground. For Whippoorwill Farms, that growth started on a couple of acres and grew to a new way of looking at how we farm, how we feed our communities, and how we care for the earth.

FROM HUMBLE SEEDS

The origins of Whippoorwill Farms can be found in just a 15-minute drive from their vast 50 acres with a twoacre spot that Marissa Paykos and James Young were determined to turn into a farm.

“When we started, we just wanted to know where our food comes from, and we wanted to raise our daughter Ellie to be more of a producer than a consumer,” Paykos said.

That Whippoorwill Farms showed how creative the couple could be in their approach to farming. They not only raised chickens, pigs and crops in a more environmentally friendly way, they sold it in ways that most hadn’t thought of. There were subscription boxes as well as the opportunity for churches and other organizations to purchase produce for the less fortunate.

And with their “Pay What You Can” policy, they showed a true flair for seeing the mission of a farm as being so much more than just growing food. “It’s not just inspiring people to eat better but teaching folks who generationally have been kept out of the loop to eat better and providing them access to better food,” Paykos said.

It was an inspiring story of what two people could do to make a better world when they put their mind to it. It was also just the start of what would become a massive

farm that would rewrite the rule book when it came to agriculture.

“We started our farm to provide people with good food, but at that size, we couldn’t make an impact environmentally,” Paykos said. “Our chickens weren’t rotated, and pigs were moved from space to space, but it wasn’t like they were living as part of a forest system…. When we bought this new land, it was perfect.”

THE NEXT STEP

This new land was located not far from Whippoorwill Farms, but at first it was hardly the ideal spot to grow crops, much less pursue a radical new approach to farming.

“It had been clear cut for timber 30 years ago and never replanted, so it came back willy nilly, with no land management and nothing functioning on the forest floor,” Paykos said. “There were animals, but there was nothing thriving.”

Creating a new farm out of this neglected land would give Paykos the opportunity to explore a concept in farming she’d been researching, one that works with the earth’s natural systems to develop land into the ideal spot for farming. Called regenerative farming, it’s now one of the biggest trends sweeping small farms across the country, even if it wasn’t as well-known when she started her research.

“On our first farm, I’d be able to watch the livestock and how pigs would clear one section out, and you’d just see it come back to life. As I did more research, I spent so much time going down different rabbit holes and reading studies,” she said. “By watching, learning researching and doing, I realized there was a greater purpose than raising food for ourselves and our community. And I told James, ‘I want to bring this forest system back to life.’”

They started just a few acres at a time, unleashing hundreds of pigs on the densely overgrown land and letting them thin out the forest naturally. “They almost work like a controlled burn, clearing out saplings and fostering new growth,” Paykos said. “You could go in with big forestry equipment, but you would ruin so much of what is there in the process. That’s not what we wanted.”

A GREEN THUMB

Using porcine power rather than diesel to clear out the land not only spared the earth the carbon blast of so many engines straining to clear the forest, it was also gentler on the soil and on the native animal population. And this approach is a huge part of what sets regenerative farming apart.

“We’ll rotate through chickens and cattle, letting sections rest when you’re not planting, and it allows all the deer, squirrels and even predators to return and coexist with the livestock as the land comes back to life,” Paykos said. “We focus a lot on soil health, permaculture practices, and leaving the environment in a better state than we found it.”

This gentle approach allows more carbon to remain in the soil rather than being emitted into the atmosphere. It calls for a more deliberate approach to planting, bringing in deciduous trees to help with transpiration, live oaks for squirrel-ready acorns, and maple trees to feed pollinators. “At the end of the day, Mother Nature is always going to win,” Paykos said. “This is about taking what we have on these 50 acres and making sure Mother Nature is the engineer here. We’re replicating her methods as much as possible by not impeding on our land’s ability to recover, sustain, and house native animals and plants.”

It’s a brilliant, simple way to ensure a farm is sustainable and does more good to the environment than harm. But yes, it can be a little tough on the back.

“It’s super labor intensive. We don’t bring a tractor in; we don’t bring in any tillers, because when these machines break the soil, they change the microorganisms in the soil that feed on things like carbon,” Paykos explained. “Instead, we do everything by hand.”

Turning all the soil by hand will work up an appetite, unless of course it’s on a day when Whippoorwill Farms is spreading the fish carcasses they get weekly from Sea Eagle Seafood. The errant bones and scales pack a punch of calcium and nutrients into the soil, creating tastier tomatoes,

The pigs are rotated between various parts of the farm to clear the land and then allow new growth. On the section to the right, you can see the pigs have had their run of the earth. Soon, they will be rotated into the field on the left. Marissa and her GSD rescue Johnny keep an eye on the pigs at feeding time.

cucumbers, zucchini, squash and okra, but there are better things to smell on a hot day than 300 gallons of dead fish.

“It was a disgusting job, but we liked it because we were taking this byproduct from the fishing industry and, instead of dumping it into the ocean to use as chum, we were creating something else with it,” Paykos said. “It was rewarding using methods that Native Americans used and getting back to the earth.”

And those methods are just part of a radical approach to farming on display at Whippoorwill Farms, one that is feeding the people of the Lowcountry even as it restores 50 acres of the Lowcountry to its rustic beauty.

“That’s what permaculture is all about,” Paykos said. “It’s the care of the earth, the community and the soil. We’re all connected. That’s the stuff that gets me excited.” 

To learn more, visit whippoorwillfarmssc.com.

THE GREATEST GENERATION

Part One

In 2009, shortly after my Aunt Madeline died, my Uncle Al Pohlig wrote a letter to his (then) nine great grandchildren, which was then shared with his many nieces and nephews as well. It was a brief (he considered 17 pages brief) history of their lives, a gift as we grew older, so that, in his words, we would “know something about us and what shaped our lives and made us the way we are.”

Uncle Al passed this summer at age 97. His goal of being the last living World War II veteran wasn’t realized, but he has left a lasting impression and a story for the ages.

This is his story, told in his voice, interpreted by me, his great-niece who grew up lucky to be surrounded by “Uncle Al,” his humor, his quirks (only buy American), and his stories.

We are not aliens, but we came from a different world than the one you know. Nor were we space travelers, but we were from a different period of time. One that you know nothing about.

Five main things shaped my life: my family and where I lived, the Great Depression, joining the Army, getting married, and our son Steven’s crippling by polio and his early death.

I do not know where to begin, so I may as well start at the beginning. For me, the beginning was October 22, 1924, and for your great grandmother, it was September 9,1927. We were both born in Newark, New Jersey.

“I lived at 111 11th Avenue with my Mother (Mom) and my father (Pop) and had two brothers and three sisters. (My sister Virginia died of polio when I was an infant, so I never knew her.)

We lived third floor right; the Ryans lived third floor left. Mrs. Ryan had six or seven kids and was a widow. Second floor left was the Gashlands, also a widow with five kids and her mother; and the Eidels lived second floor right and had nine kids. The people in the bottom two apartments were always being evicted for not paying their rent, so

there were dozens of families always moving in and out over the years.

“Everyone was on government relief except our family (the Pohligs) as my father had a job. Those on relief got a monthly check from the government and canned food marked “not for sale.”

“One-eleven 11th Avenue was a tenement with six apartments and many kids to play with. Our apartment was called a railroad flat because all the rooms ran in a straight line from the kitchen to the living room. We all shared one bathroom. My sisters shared a bedroom, as did my parents, but the living room was also the boys’ bedroom, we slept on a pullout couch. We were the only family that did not use our dining room as a bedroom. We had a coal stove in the living room and one in the kitchen that we also cooked on in the winter. We had a gas range but only used that when the coal stove was not being used. There were two more tenements on our block, with more kids to play with.

“We had an icebox in the kitchen, but my father would move it out onto the back porch so we did not have to buy ice in the winter. No

one in our building owned a refrigerator, as they were too expensive. We also had two large laundry tubs with lids on them that served as our countertops. No one in our building had a washing machine or clothes dryer; they were too expensive. My mother and the rest of the women had to wash all the clothes by hand and used a wringer to get most of the water out before hanging the clothes on the line to dry.

“When I was about 10 years old, my Grandpa Gee gave my mother some money to buy a washing machine. The “Easy Washing Machine” was the first electric washing machine at 111, so all the women in the building came up to see how it worked, as they were sick and tired of having to use a scrub board. After the water emptied, you still had to run the clothes through a wringer, but this one was electric. It had a warning device on it to hit a bar on top if the clothes got caught in the wringer, but some of the women were afraid they would catch their boobs in it and were a little scared of it. [Here is our first hint at Uncle Al’s sense of humor.]

“Our bathroom had no heat in it except that which came from the kitchen stove, so we all only took a bath once a week, on Saturday nights. No one had a shower, just the tub. I took my first shower when I joined the Army at 18 years of age. Since heating water cost so much money, we three boys had to use the same water, then my two sisters got clean water for their bath, and my parents each got their own clean water. Speaking of the bathroom, to save money, my mother saved the tissue paper that oranges came wrapped in, and since oranges were cheap in season, we always had orange tissue paper for wiping. And believe me, tissue paper is not the same as toilet paper.

“We did not have it too bad until my father went on three days a week of work at three days’ pay. In those days, most places were closed on Sundays; they were called the blue laws, so the stores were not open except the Jewish delicatessens that were closed on Saturdays, as that was their Sabbath. My

father only made $22-$25 a week, and a work week was five and a half days.

“We had meat on Sundays and what was left over we had on Mondays. My mother made beans, baked macaroni, fish cakes, or sometime hamburgers. Three days a week we had soup and always lots of bread with apple butter. All our vegetables and fruit were bought fresh from pushcarts or horse and wagons that came around every day in the summer and fall. In the winter, we ate canned vegetables.

“Every family in our house was on ‘The Book’ at Levy’s. When we ran out of money before the relief or pay checks came in, we went to Levy’s and ordered whatever our mothers needed and would say, ‘Put it on the book.’

“There was a deli on our street, and two chain stores a few blocks over, but you needed cash to buy from them. There were no supermarkets then. When my father was paid and the others got their relief checks, we paid Levy’s. No one in our house had a phone, so if our relatives wanted to reach us, they would call Levy’s and Bernie came to tell us.

“Everybody was like family in our neighborhood, even our landlady, Mrs. Abrahson. She used to cry on my mother’s shoulder when she had to evict someone. When Mr. Eidel could not pay their rent, she had him paint the hallways or apartments so that she didn’t have to evict them; that was his trade, but no work was available.

“The rent was $16 a month, but we only had to pay $12 because we cleaned the hallways; and when a first floor apartment was empty, my mother would show it to people and screen them so no bums moved in. Mrs. Abrahson would give my mother $10 for renting it. The two of them were always gabbing and drinking tea out of glasses.

“Only one man owned a car on our block so we could always play in the street. We played stoopball, corner ball, kick the can, hide and seek, and marbles. The girls played jump rope, double Dutch, and hopscotch. When it rained hard, we played board games on the porch. Eleventh Avenue was on a hill that ran from 10th Street, so in the winter, we could sled from 10th Street to 12th Street, but we always had someone on 11th Street to warn us if a car was coming. A trolley line further complicated 12th Street, so you had to make sure you stopped before the tracks. We boys made skate boxboards by putting a half of a skate on the front and back of a 2x4 and a box with a broom handle to steer with and go everywhere since no one had a bike. We had no televisions in those days, only a radio, and there were no good programs on until nights, so we were always outside playing.

“We kids had to take turns washing and drying the dishes. Since I was the oldest, I had to go down to the cellar to get the coal. Our cellar had no lights in it, so I had to use a candle, and it would always seem to blow out. It was spooky down there, especially at night.

“On Saturdays, we boys had to go around the back of stores looking for wooden boxes or ask people who had trees in their backyards if we could pick up the dead limbs. You need wood or charcoal to start a coal fire. The Eidels always bought their coal in 25-pound bags at Levy’s. We all had two bins down in the cellar, one for storage and one for coal. Coal cost $12-$16 a ton delivered, so we always had coal, but the Eidels could not always afford it. Billy Eidel told me his father made him crawl over the top of our coal bin and take some of our coal at times. When I told my

My family had moved during the war, so I used to go back to my old neighborhood on 11th Avenue after work to be with all my old friends who were still alive. A group of us used to crash weddings and Bar Mitzvahs to meet girls and get free drinks. That is how I met your great grandmother.

Madeleine (left) before she met Al, who crashed her sister Betty’s wedding (and the rest is history). Harry and Betty are the writer’s maternal grandparents.

parents, they said they knew but did not want the Eidels to freeze to death, and I was never to tell anyone else. By the same token, when my father was only working three days a week, the Eidels gave us some of their ‘not for sale’ food.

“Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Gashland were widows on relief, so the relief agency paid to have coal delivered, but the Eidels had a man in the house, so they did not get free coal.

“When supermarkets started when I was about 10 or 11 years of age, all the boys made wagons using old carriage wheels. Then we’d hang out with dozens of other kids asking people if we could take their orders home for them, as most people did not have car.

“Whenever it snowed, we would shovel sidewalks for 10 or 15

cents, but we would go over to Grandmother Pohlig’s house first, as their landlady always gave us 25 cents.

“I never knew any kid that got an allowance from their parents; we only knew about it from the movies. If you wanted money, you had to work for it. We collected newspapers and sold them to the ragmen. We would always look in garbage cans for deposit bottles over in the nicer sections of town—two cents for Pepsi or Coca Cola, three

cents for milk bottles. That is how we got money for the movies or comic books.

“We boys were supposed to empty the pan of water under the icebox. If we forgot, my father would walk out in the morning in his bare feet into the water, and it would run down to the Eidel’s kitchen, and we got in trouble with my parents. I also had to go down to the ice dock on 6th Street to buy 10-cent pieces of ice, as the icemen charged 25 cents for a 10-cent piece delivered. My parents had no checking account, so I had to walk downtown to pay our gas and electric bill, which was about three miles away. If it was raining, my mother would give me 10 cents to take the trolley, but I would run both ways and keep the dime. [Oh, Uncle Al was thrifty.]

“Most times, the mothers would get together when they needed bread and they had money, and Billy Eidel and I would have to go over to the day-old store and buy six loaves for us, 15 for the Eidels, six or seven for the Ryans and Gashlands. The day-old store was about one and half miles away from our house, but they also had five-cent packages of Drakes Cakes and would give us each two for buying that much bread.

“One day, Billy and I saw an ad for chopped meat for 15 cents a pound at a new butcher store that opened on Orange Street. Our butcher charged 25 cents a pound for chopped meat. We talked our mothers into make hamburgers that night and then ran to Orange Street. That butcher put their chopped meat in little trays, but we dumped the meat into the paper and threw the trays away. I made 20 cents and Billy made 50 cents, but when our mothers cooked them, they shrunk to the size of a half dollar, because they were half fat. Our mothers said they would tell our butcher about it, but the poor guy did not know what they were talking about; he would never sell anything like that. We never did that again.

“My sisters, brothers and I went to South 8th Street School from kindergarten through eighth grade. My father and Aunt Florence went there as children and so did my Grandmother Pohlig as a little girl. After the war, my brother Edward still lived there, and their oldest girl, Barbara, went to South 8th Street School. I think the school is still there and is over 125 years old.

“Speaking of old, one day Mrs. Gashland’s mother heard us kids arguing about who was the greatest president, Washington or Lincoln. She told us that when she was a little girl, her parents took her to the train station where she lived because the train taking Lincoln’s body back to Illinois to be buried was going by and hundreds of thousands of people lined the tracks to view his casket. We kids could not get over that we knew someone who had seen Lincoln’s casket.

“I quit school when I was 17 and got a job at the A&P Supermarket—by changing my birth certificate, because you had to be 18 to work full time. I was paid $21 a week but had to give my father $15 board. That was all right with me, as I still had $6 plus tips to live on.

“Then the war broke out in 1941, and the young men went to enlist, and the stores started to hire women to work there. The women couldn’t unload the trucks, so it made it harder for the men who were left.

“Of all the guys I hung out with, the 18 year olds joined the Army and the 17 year olds joined the Navy. Because of my bad eyesight, the Navy rejected me, so I had to wait until I was 18 to enlist in the Army. I was afraid to use my changed birth certificate.

“On October 22, 1942, I enlisted in the Army, and two days later, I was in Ft. Dix, New Jersey, a soldier. I had never prayed for anything so hard, as being able to join the Army. Since I had enlisted and was not drafted, I was “regular Army,” meaning I could choose my branch of service, and I chose The Armed Forces. I was sent to Camp Campbell, Kentucky to the 12th Armored Division. We were the first troops in Camp Campbell, and I ended up in the 92nd Cavalry Reconnaissance. After basic training, we lived in the field for about two months and then were sent to Camp Barkley in Texas.

“Now the job of the reconnaissance units is to go ahead of the tanks, and when they get shot at, they radio back, ‘We found them,’ (if they are still alive, that is). About that time in Africa, they discovered that the enemy would let the tanks pass them, then the Infantry would jump out of their foxholes, hit the tanks in the rear, and knock them out. So, they needed Infantry to protect the tanks from the rear. They asked for volunteers for the Infantry who knew tank operations, and I volunteered.

“I was sent to Mississippi, but I had to take Infantry Basic Training, which was just like the Armed Forces Basic training except we walked everywhere. It started

with 10-mile marches, then 20-mile forced marches with full field packs. I was assigned to the weapons platoon as first gunner of a 60 mm mortar gun.

“Me and my second gunner took turns carrying the gun on forced marches, and since the two ammunitions bearers did not have to carry any ammo, the four of us took turns carrying the mortar.

“That changed big time when we went overseas. Since the ammo bearers could only carry nine rounds at a time, they made the second gunner an ammo bearer too, and I had to carry the gun all the time by myself. I didn’t know then how much the 60 mm mortar weighed, but decades later, my grandson’s father-in-law sent me the specifications of the gun and it weighed 42.5 lbs. I also had to carry all my regular equipment and daily rations, which probably weighed 50 or 60 lbs. more. At the time, I only weighed about 130 lbs., and I was carrying 100 lbs. It was hard to do, but we hardly ever went more than five or 10 miles a day.

“There were only two times I came very close to having my ticket punched. One was in New Market, Germany in an Eberhard Faber pencil factory, and before that in France.

“We had been brought back to a rest area and were well behind the lines in an open field. We were running around trying to dry our socks and towels when we noticed three American fighters trying to shoot down a German fighter, but he kept dodging them. We stopped and were watching the action

when all of a sudden the field we were in became the resting place of all the 50 caliber bullets they were firing at the German. I never saw the ground around us get so shot up, like it all suddenly became alive, but we all ran for the woods, and no one got hurt. We had to live in the open in our foxholes or pup tents at night when we were in France because the French were our allies. But once we crossed the border in Germany, we had to chase the Germans out of their houses at night so we had a dry place to sleep.

“As the Infantry has to carry everything on their backs, the only extra clothing we carried was an extra pair of socks. We wore one pair and the other pair we carried under our shirts to dry out for the next day. Whenever we could, we would wash our hands and face and brush our teeth, but we had to put our wet towels back into our packs or gas mask; it never got a chance to dry. After four or five days, a wet towel stinks. We could only bathe when they took us back to a rest area every few weeks and set up showers in tents, so everyone did smell of odor in the summer.

“In the winter, the Russians discovered if you massaged feet at night, you would not get trench foot, which develops when the feet are wet and cold all the time. So, we were supposed to massage each other’s feet. Well, my second gunner did not want to massage my feet, and I definitely did not want to touch his dirty feet, so we each did our own. When our sergeant came around to check to see if were doing it, we lied, like everyone else.

“Another big problem for Infantry was toilet paper. We only got three sheets in each ration or nine a day. Because we did not live under sanitary conditions, we had dysentery most of the time; we called it the “G.I.s.” So, toilet paper was always a big problem. When we were pulled back to a rest area, we had to dig a slit trench for a toilet and the supply sergeant would put three or four rolls of toilet paper under #10 cans. Everyone would rush to wrap up big bunches of it because we were always short. We had to carry our paper in our helmet liners to stay dry and be able to get it in a hurry. [More Uncle Al humor.]

“Our helmets came in two pieces, the plastic liner and the steel helmet. It was very heavy, but we also used it as a washbasin, a scoop for digging, and as a stool to sit on, as the ground was

always wet. If anyone in our platoon ran out of toilet paper, you had to share yours. If you said you had none, later when you had to go and they saw you going, it would make you look bad.

“The war ended for me when we reached the other side of the Danube River near Linz, Austria. We were kept in our divisions to be sent to fight the Japanese, but the war ended just as we were being sent to the ships to take us to the Pacific. Thank God.

“President Truman used the atomic bomb and saved hundreds of thousands of American soldiers’ lives, probably mine included. Nowadays, they are condemning him for doing it. Do not listen to them. I do not know if I could have lived through another war, and none of you children would have been born.

“I was discharged on March 3, 1946 and went back to high school to finish my fourth year. I was 23 years old when I graduated from high school, but I was not alone. There were three other ex-G.I. in my graduating class. After I graduated, I got a job in the accounting department of a paint plant and started going to night school in New York for traffic management.

“My family had moved during the war, so I used to go back to my old neighborhood on 11th Avenue after work to be with all my old friends who were still alive. A group of us used to crash weddings and Bar Mitzvahs to meet girls and get free drinks. That is how I met your great grandmother. [It does not surprise me that Uncle Al is the original wedding crasher.]

“I knew my future brother-in-law Harry [my grandfather] because we hung out together. I had a car, he did not, and he knew that Jackie Eidel and I were going with two girls that lived past where his girl, Betty,

lived. [Betty was my grandmother.] When we heard Harry was getting married, we decided to crash his wedding reception.

“We never went to any wedding, just the reception, but this one was being held in a backyard. We usually waited until the meal was over and the dancing and drinking started, so we planned to crash pretending we had come to congratulate him. Madeleine and other girls were there. There was no dancing, just food and drinking, so we stayed. After it was breaking up, Madeleine and two other girls were going to the Polish Hall to dance, so we tagged along. As the evening progressed, so did our drinking, and I made a date with your great grandmother to take her to the movies on Monday night. Before I went to pick her up on Monday, I asked my friends if they remembered her name; they didn’t, and I could not remember it either. I went anyway.

“Her mother answered the door, and I said I was there to take her daughter to the movies. Her mother called, ‘Nunni, the fellow from the wedding is here to see you.’ I almost fainted. Nunni … Nunni, that’s not the name of the girl I came to see, but your great grandmother came to the door, and I was so relieved. She had just washed her hair and had a towel wrapped around it and she said she did not think I would remember making a date because I was a little tipsy at the time. But she said she would still go to the movies with me.

“I still didn’t know her real name, and when we got into the car, I asked her why her mother called her Nunni. She said that was her family’s nickname for her.

“Her name was Madeleine, and I never forgot her name again.”

To be continued. 

ARTICLE BY CHERYL ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY BY 2LIGHTS, 1STAND

LOWCOUNTRY VETREPRENUERS

FIVE VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS SHARE THEIR SECRETS TO TRANSLATING MILITARY TRAINING INTO BUSINESS SUCCESS

Before venturing out into entrepreneurship, many tried and true methods of preparation are available on the road to owning a business. You can gain experience as an employee or gain an MBA. But one path to becoming the boss flies stealthily under the radar: the United States military.

While veterans represent 7.6 percent of the country’s population, they make up a larger percentage of business owners at 9.1 percent, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). These veteran-owned companies contribute about $1 trillion to the economy and employ more than 5 million people, the SBA reports. All over the U.S. “vetrepreneurs” (a new word in business) are using the skills they learned in the service and the strong, lasting relationships they built there to build successful businesses in the civilian world. And there’s a reason these businesses are having an impact. Five Lowcountry veteran entrepreneurs share their secrets to translating military training into business success.

Doug Stewart: President, Lowcountry Payment Processing; Co-owner, Stretch Zone (Pooler/ Savannah); Founder, The Future Stars Sponsorship Program; Marine Corps Corporal

Doug Stewart joined the Marine Corp as soon he could. In fact, he graduated from high school early, and after his eleventh grade year, at the ripe old age of 17 years, he attended graduation wearing his dress blues. After boot camp, he attended Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune where he became a Humvee (HMMWV) technician. Because he was also an MOS honor graduate, he earned the option to gain a secondary MOS rather than go out into the fleet, so he also became an Oshkosh technician.

“At the time, the Oshkosh trucks were new combat vehicles, and I was the youngest tech to service those vehicles,” Stewart said. “I went through six months of additional training, and afterward I was stationed in Japan for two-and-a-half years.”

Stewart credits his military service for broadening his horizons and enabling him to see the world. “The fact that I was able to travel to countries like Guam, the Philippines, and Thailand is one of the things I’m most appreciative of about my years in the service,” he said. “I gained insight about the world and was exposed to cultural experiences that I may not otherwise have had.”

Stewart also believes the leadership training he received as a Marine honed his character and developed not only his confidence but his entrepreneurship skills—so much so that he owns not only one company but three. In 2015, he started his first company, Lowcountry Payment Processing (LPP), a

merchant service provider that handles credit card processing across the U.S. He also eventually opened two Stretch Zone franchises (in Pooler and Savannah) with his wife, and most recently started a new venture he’s very excited about called The Future Stars Sponsorship Program. “I created Future Stars to empower young athletes so they can pursue their dreams by changing the way they acquire sponsorships,” Stewart said.

Among his other accomplishments, Stewart was a professional Formula race car driver from 2015-2021 and ultimately had to retire for lack of funding. The cost to compete on the professional level in his sport was upwards of $100,000 annually, and finding and maintaining sponsors was a daunting task. Stewart developed The Future Stars Sponsorship Program in partnership with LPP so that Future Stars athletes can approach sponsors confidently and maintain these important relationships over the course of their careers.

“Rather than ask sponsors for money, LPP takes on the sponsor’s credit card processing account and any profits go directly to the athletes,” Stewart said. “In turn, the sponsor’s name and brand are on the athlete’s gear and equipment, and they get publicity through the athletes’ social media accounts, yet it doesn’t cost the sponsors a dime. We guarantee that we will match or beat the sponsors’ current processing rate, so they will pay less than before, and at same time sponsor the athlete they are supporting.”

To sponsor a Future Star or for more information, visit futurestarssponsorship.com.

Earl White: Owner/Operator, Kremer Water Treatment; Marine Corp Gunnery Sergeant, Retired/Aviation Hydraulic Mechanic

After retiring from the United States Marine Corps in 2005, following 20 years of dedicated service, Earl White started a handyman service unsure of what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. One project he was hired to do included the removal of a portion of a patio along with cutting holes in a

wall to prepare for the installation of a water softener. When Ken Kremer, the owner of Kremer Water Treatment, came to install the softener, White offered to assist him. As a result of his Marine Corps background in aviation hydraulics, White found he had a natural aptitude for working with water purification equipment and became immediately interested in the many facets of water treatment.

“Over the course of the following year, Ken was kind enough to answer many of my questions,” White said. “During one of our conversations, I jokingly commented, ‘If you keep telling me all this stuff, you’re going to have to sell me your business, which he eventually did.”

The resourcefulness and confidence White demonstrated with Kremer during that first meeting are leadership traits he naturally possesses and believes were honed and refined by his military training.

“In the Marines, I had to be where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be there and do what I was supposed to do,” White said. “In my business now, that translates to accountability and dependability with my time and my interaction with customers. I’m almost amazed that people are so grateful that I return their calls and that I show up early or on time.”

Integrity and initiative are other traits that were ingrained during his two decades in the Marine Corps. White shared that people frequently give him the keys to their homes or their garage codes. They trust him. Additionally, he’s taken the initiative to learn how to drill through kitchen countertops to install point-of-use drinking water systems. This alleviates the additional expense and time the customer would spend waiting on another company to accommodate the install.

Aside from the satisfaction he receives from providing great customer service, White said the most rewarding aspect of water treatment has been the opportunity to solve customers’ water quality issues. Both the challenge of a new problem and the satisfaction of providing businesses and homeowners with viable water purification solutions make water treatment an occupation that combines an essential need with reward.

White reports that the main problems for Lowcountry residents and businesses who use municipal water are hardness, high total dissolved solids (TDS), and taste. For those with wells, hydrogen sulfide and iron are the primary concerns. To improve efficacy and prolong the life of appliances, customers frequently request softeners as well as carbon filters.

“Clean water is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity,” White said. “It’s for that reason I plan to continue to provide the Lowcountry with the best customer service and water treatment I can. After all, nothing quite compares to a refreshing glass of clean, crisp water.”

Forbetterwaterormoreinformation,visitkremerwatertreatment. com or email earlwhite@kremerwatertreatment.com.

Ron Kirby made up his mind to become a U.S. Marine in the third grade, and he enlisted right out of high school in the early 1970s. From bootcamp, he went to ITS and then to Vietnam.

Returning from Vietnam, his platoon sergeant continually asked him leadership questions he couldn’t answer; there wasn’t a lot of time to hone his knowledge under bootcamp and combat conditions. Kirby admits he felt like he was being picked on, so after the encounters, he would study until he found the correct answers just to prove his Sergeant wrong, anxiously awaiting Sgt. Allen to ask him the question he had previously asked. But he always asked him something new.

Then, one day, a light came on for Kirby. During a Company Commander’s inspection, his C.O. remarked that he thought Kirby was the most knowledgeable corporal in the Corps. He then realized his sergeant was mentoring him not only to be a great Marine, but to succeed in whatever life brought his way.

“I went to Sgt. Allen and asked how I could repay him,” Kirby said. “He said, ‘You’ll figure it out someday.’ And I did.”

Now Kirby does for others what Sgt. Allen did for him. In fact, he’s built his career on it. His first job after retirement was with his older brother who owned a communications company.

“They didn’t have a proud, developed team,” Kirby said, “so using the skills I learned in the military—discipline, responsibility, structure, pride, accountability, passion, and teamwork—I helped that company go from a $4 million organization to a $22 million organization in two years.”

Following that success, Kirby went to work as a manager at Best Buy and put together a similar program for the young employees there, where 33 percent of them were promoted to managers or supervisors during the two years he was their manager. Kirby eventually moved to Bluffton, and one day he received a letter from a company he’d never heard of called Business Networking International, or BNI. He attended a meeting and

admitted that initially he thought it was a scam that he wanted no part of.

“I left that meeting and researched BNI,” Kirby said. “I realized the mission and goals were in complete alignment with my passion, so in May 2009 I became a member. In June 2009, I was selected to be the director, serving in this capacity until December 2017 when we bought the SC Lowcountry franchise.”

Since then, Kirby and his wife of 22 years, Cristina, have grown chapters in the franchise with 14 chapters that span the Lowcountry—seven of which are in Bluffton and four on Hilton Head Island.

“That’s how powerful we are,” Kirby said. “By focusing on the wealth of talent in the Bluffton community and the Givers Gain® philosophy of the franchise (give a referral/gain a referral), we took our

new franchise from rank 179 of 184 in the U.S. to the second in the nation the very first year of ownership.”

Kirby also reports that the Lowcountry BNI members didn’t just survive the pandemic, they thrived. While many businesses closed their doors, BNI members maintained strong connections and grew their referral networks and revenue. “In 2020, our members closed $32 million dollars collectively; in 2021, that number was $50 million; and this year, we are on track to exceed that amount,” he said.

Kirby credits his Marine Corps training with giving him the leadership skills that have enabled his success. He asserts that Lowcountry BNI hones those same skills. “It’s a formula that works, whether military or civilian,” he said. “Leaders must learn how to get maximum performance out of their team, and they must set an example. When you surround yourself with quality people, you’ll succeed.”

To grow your business through BNI or for more information, visit bni-sclowcountry.com.

Cedric Gray: Owner/President, Magnolia Capital Real Estate; President/Co-owner Stretch Zone (Bluffton and Hilton Head); Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3, Retired

Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Cedric Gray graduated from high school and immediately joined the Marine Corps with one goal in mind: to travel. Reporting to bootcamp on Parris Island in June 1994, he joined as an infantryman, “MOS 0311.”

Gray spent his first few years in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, in places such as the Mediterranean, Bosnia, Italy, Israel, Egypt, South America and South Africa on NATO and Goodwill missions. At the end of his first four years. Gray was faced with tough decision: to continue serving in the Marine Corp or begin life as a civilian.

Gray was uncertain what his path could look like returning to civilian life. With no formal higher education, he felt his only option

was within the field of law enforcement. Uncomfortable with that constraint, he decided to reenlist and pursue his education while remaining active. He switched his field of study to engineering and moved to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort where he worked 10-hour days active duty and five-hour nights attending college to obtain a degree in information systems management.

While at MCAS Beaufort, he served as an airfield specialist, responsible for maintaining all elements on the airfield from lighting, navigational aids, arresting gear, and optical landing systems. He was appointed to the rank of Warrant Officer and assigned a six-year tour in Japan as the MCAS Iwakuni Officer in Charge and 1st Marine Air Wing Expeditionary Airfields Officer.

When Gray returned to MCAS Beaufort, he began practicing and working part-time in real estate while on active duty. As a Marine, he learned at a very young age the importance of ownership, accountability, and responsibility—traits of any successful entrepreneur. So, after completing 20 years of honorable and faithful service to the Marine Corps, he retired and started a new chapter in life as an entrepreneur. In 2014, he became a full-time Realtor, and four years later opened his own brokerage, Magnolia Capital Real Estate.

“I credit the Marines with developing the leadership skills that help me succeed in business,” Gray said. “They taught me to be a leader who thinks outside the box and focus on the mission at hand without losing focus. I learned teamwork, resourcefulness, and willingness to succeed, regardless of the obstacles and challenges at hand. We had to work together using the tools and assets at our disposal to get the mission accomplished—with no excuses.”

That’s exactly how he runs his business: no excuses. Taking risks, building relationships, and networking have introduced Gray to many like-minded people as well as a group of investors, which has also launched him into his most recent venture: private equity. Around 2022, Gray expanded his business portfolio and became co-owner of two locations of Stretch Zone, a fitness franchise that specializes in practitioner-assisted stretching, in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island. He’s also a limited partner in East Chop Capital (private equity group), participating in two vacation rental acquisition funds, and several SPV (special purpose vehicles) across different industries and brands like Uncle Nearest, AirBnB pre IPO, and Instacart. The key to Gray’s success is regimented action and organization—what he learned as a Marine. He gets up pre-dawn to work out before splitting time between his offices and working with the right people.

“A Marine creed is ‘Semper Fidelis’ (Always Faithful),” Gray said. “That goes a long way in success, and that’s how all of this works.”

To learn more, visit magnoliacapitalrealestate.com or stretchzone. com/locations/bluffton and stretchzone.com/locations/hiltonhead.

Marcia Mitchell is a competitive ballroom dancer and teacher who owns Revolution Ballroom in Beaufort. Somewhat surprisingly, she is also a retired Marine helicopter pilot. Mitchell was commissioned as a Marine Corps Officer in 2000. As a pilot, she saw combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan; she conducted humanitarian rescue missions from Lebanon while deployed in the Mediterranean; and she conducted rescue operations in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In 2008, she left active duty to pursue her passion for ballroom dance full time and served as a fixed wing pilot in the Marines Corps reserves while building and growing her ballroom

business. She retired in 2019 as a Major.

Ballroom dancing was always a hobby for Mitchell. As a matter of fact, she learned to dance while she was learning to fly and has always been amazed at the similarities between formation flying and ballroom dancing. The principles are the same: in flight formation, there is a flight lead and a wingman, whereas in dance, there is a leader and a follower.

“In flying, the flight lead is responsible for navigation, ensuring the flight arrives safely to their destination,” Mitchell explained, “and in dancing, the leader is responsible for navigating the couple safely around the dance floor. In flying, the leader is a stable platform and communicates clearly to their wingman. In dancing, it is the same. In flying, the wingman is primarily responsible for maintaining their position relative to their flight lead. In dancing, it is the same.”

Mitchell believes that the Marines gave her skills for success in business, one of which was establishing systems. As a military officer, changing jobs every couple of years and taking on work where she had no previous experience was required. Because Marines operate in a combat environment, they must be sure that others can quickly and easily take over their duties in the event of casualties without a single point of failure.

“Giving a good turnover is crucial,” Mitchell said. “As soon as I took over a new job, I was already updating the procedures so the next person to take over had an easier time.”

In her business, she experiences staff turnover, yet she can easily duplicate success because of the detailed systems that are in place to train the next employee.

As a Marine, she also learned the importance of communication. In combat, the “fog of war” can cause confusion, and Marines must be empowered to make real time decisions based on a quickly changing battlefield. “We do this by sharing our commander’s intent with our Marines,” Mitchell explained. “As a former military officer, I understand the importance of communicating the ‘why’ of what we’re doing so my staff can use their initiative to be proactive, solve problems, and accomplish the mission. Our team can see the big picture and work together to succeed.”

Also, in the military, Mitchell learned to “trust but verify.” When she issued orders, she expected them to be followed but had to verify that they were carried out. In business, too, she doesn’t assume; she follows up and asks questions to ensure her staff has received and understands the information.

Mitchell’s Marine Corps career as a pilot also required debriefing the mission to identify what went well, what mistakes were made, and how to improve. At Revolution Ballroom, this habit has served her well. Her experience as a pilot also taught her how to structure a syllabus for new students learning to dance.

“I see a lot of dance teachers just wing it with their students with no clear plan,” she said. “A clear and structured progression ensures consistent results and makes learning easier for everyone.” 

To learn to dance or for more information, visit RevolutionBallroom.com, call (843) 338-2870, or email dance@RevolutionBallroom.com.

LOCAL ORGANIZATION, ‘POCKETS FULL OF SUNSHINE,’ ADDS PURPOSE, PRIDE, AND MEANING TO THE LIVES OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

You may have awakened today and wished you didn’t have to “adult.” Afterall, going to work, paying bills, preparing meals, cleaning house, grocery shopping, and running errands can be a drag.

But what if you woke up every day with no place to go and nothing to do? This is reality for many adults with disabilities who long for a compelling reason to fling off the covers and dash out the door.

According to Carol Bartholomew, the parent of an adult daughter with a developmental disability, the problem intensifies after high school graduation. “That’s when adults with special needs find that they have fallen off the ‘disability cliff’ and are now without the safety net that school provided,” she explained. “They face a steep decline in services, opportunities and exposure, and many find themselves isolated—sitting home in front of a television with nothing to do.”

Seeking a better quality of life for her daughter, Bartholomew was determined to find a way to make a difference, not only for her family, but for others facing the same challenges.

Pockets Full of Sunshine, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 2015 when speech pathologist Laurin Rivers and special education teacher Dayna

Dehlinger teamed up with Bartholomew and her husband RJ to tackle the issue. The goal was and is to provide exceptional adults (“Rays,” as program participants are affectionately known) with inclusive opportunities to connect with one another and with the community at large—to help them discover their strengths and focus on how they can meaningfully contribute.

ALONG CAME COVID

While the pandemic narrowed everyone’s social circle, it was even more dire for an already isolated sector. Surprisingly, though, Covid was a catalyst for this organization’s growth.

“We are creating this with the Rays and our families to meet a need. Our goal is to deisolate and connect and give them purpose, pride, and meaning in their daily lives,” Rivers said.

THE SUNSHINE FAMILY

The Rays at a beach outing with Mollie Kinard

Back Row: Dayna, Joey, Stephen, Jack, Alex, Scott, Nick, Cris, Ericha, Mollie

Front Row: Sally, Eric, Jane-O, Rachel, Jim, Jason, Brian, Devin, Roddey

During the pandemic, after a brief shutdown, the organization’s leaders found ways to continue to be together in their space (a warehouse on Hilton Head Island Island’s north end where they currently meet for crafting and other activities). “It was up to the families. Those who were comfortable were welcome to come here, but there were options for those who were not. We put together packages where they could craft at home, but we thought it was critical to continue connecting,” Rivers explained. “For a lot of our adults, everything they had in place was gone for that two-year period. Several other organizations serving special adults are just now getting started again. But since we kept going, we’ve experienced a lot of growth.”

INTRODUCING THE SUNSHINE SHOP

In keeping with their mission to provide inclusion with social and vocational opportunities for special needs adults, Pockets Full of Sunshine is proud to launch their online store featuring items handmade by the Rays. Whether you’re looking for a holiday gift, local souvenir, or just a fun T-shirt or cute gift card, be sure to check out the selection at The Sunshine Shop: pocketsfullofsun.org/the-sunshineshop. All proceeds from the sales of these products go directly back into funding Pockets Full of Sunshine.

THE NEED TO BE INCLUDED

Now that the world is turning again, the Rays are seeking more ways to contribute, and PFS is constantly on the lookout for inclusive activities so that they remain relevant and productive while taking an active part in the community.

“It is not enough that these adults simply have a place to go during the day. One of our core values is inclusion rather than traditional service models where special adults are set apart from their peers and the rest of society,” Bartholomew said. “We strive to provide them with an abundance of varied opportunities that are age appropriate, fun and fulfilling.”

“Inclusion is always a priority, and we’d like to get to the place where that comes naturally. When people are planning an event, they will think of us and say, “How can we include Pockets?’” Rivers added.

MEET THE RAYS

If you have attended local markets or special events over the past several years (minus the Covid break) chances are you’ve seen the Rays in action, spreading their special joy and light. Perhaps you’ve encountered their handmade items for sale under a sunny yellow tent or have seen someone sporting a T-shirt or hat boasting their distinctive sunshine logo.

The PFS logo was inspired by yellow plastic cut-outs that look like tiny suns—byproducts from a manufacturing plant that produces warning labels for brake fluid caps. Today, the Rays are upcycling them into keychains, magnets, and gift tags—just one example of a purposeful activity that is creative, social, and vocational.

Another ongoing project is their screen printing microbusiness, which allows the Rays to create and produce saleable items such as T-shirts, hats, dishtowels, stationery, and more that they can take to the local markets to generate funds that help support their activities.

“It’s a big deal to them to help at the markets and community events. It really gives them pride. And then they get to be there, out in the community and part of the experience,” Rivers said. “Every time we go to one of the markets, we make connections. Something good comes out of everything we do.”

Another core value of PFS is being good stewards of our community. The Rays partner with area businesses, schools, and civic groups to help in various capacities. For example, every year, the Rays fill 20,000 Easter eggs for the Island Rec Center’s free event. “Our goal is usually 10,000 by December. We fill them, count them, sort them, and then we volunteer at the event. It’s a perfect example of what we like our projects to be,” Dehlinger said.

In 2019, the Rays participated in and won a cookie contest sponsored by RBC Heritage, subsequently collaborating with USCB to bake and package thousands of their Peanut Butter Putters, now the official cookie of Plaid Nation, for the tournament concession stands. They got to attend the tournament, mingle

Jennifer Rulli and Marti the Great Pyrenees come to hang out with the Rays at least once a month.

David Carroll sings the songs he wrote and recorded with the Rays, and Stephen breaks into a smile while Hunter gets Behind-the-Scenes video for CH2’s social media pages.

Sally dances and sings along as Carroll sings “Pocket Full of Sunshine.”

with the crowd, and were even joined by PGA TOUR golfer Jim Furyk to bake a few batches. Be sure to look for the cookies at this year’s event.

You might also mosey down to the Ice Cream Cone in Coligny Plaza on January 6, when the Rays have an annual ice cream social, scooping up free frozen treats for passersby at the end of the busy tourist season. Not only are the Rays included in the

event, but the employees throw all their tip coins for the day into a bin and give it to PFS. Afterward, the Rays get to count the money, roll the coins and go to the bank.

In addition to their daily activities, which include crafting, art projects, vocational sessions, lunches, and various field trips, PFS hosts two main events each year: an annual Clay Shoot, their primary fundraiser—a wildly popular event that helps bring in much-needed financial support (coming March 10, 2023); and Fun in the Sun, a free community event, beachfront at Marriott’s Surfwatch, that brings awareness to the cause and is open to people of all ages and abilities (coming June 2023).

PFS is thankful to all their sponsors, donors, and volunteers, and they are especially grateful for the many opportunities that come their way through local organizations and businesses.

“There have been challenges, but I’m proud of where we’ve gotten, and it’s been with the help of this great community,” Rivers said. “We just keep doing the next right thing, and it always leads to the next open door.”

PFS is currently serving 65 adults with a waitlist of people who would like to be more involved. Their most immediate need is community help in procuring more space and developing a “Sunshine House,” a vision of Pockets since its conception, to create a store, clubhouse and community hub where people will gather, socialize, and mingle—“a massive undertaking, yet certainly doable,” RJ Bartholomew said. “Volunteerism and fundraising have become a necessary competency of our organization, and thus far, the community response has been nothing short of amazing.” 

For more information regarding services or to find out how you can help, visit pocketsfullofsun.org, email spreadthesun@gmail.org, or call (423) 760-2103.

The Sandbox:

MORE TO DIG INTO

SPECIAL EVENTS AND THEME NIGHTS GIVE FAMILIES EVEN MORE REASONS TO VISIT THE LOWCOUNTRY’S FAVORITE FAMILY FUN SPOT.

Your kids don’t really need to be given a reason to go to The Sandbox. The sheer wealth of activities, the boundless opportunity to stretch their imagination, and the joy of exploring something new are their own rewards.

For kids on the island, a visit to The Sandbox means a chance to scale and slide the two-story sandcastle, launch their own aircraft in the flight lab, explore biomes at the 3D interactive sand table, or design in the STEM lab. For mainland kids, the Tanger location also provides these experiences as well as an opportunity to weave on the weaving wall or spend time putting together a puzzle in the puzzle room.

You probably don’t need much convincing either. After all, at The Sandbox you’re not just watching them feed money into an arcade machine or gorge themselves on junk food, you’re fostering in them a life-long curiosity about the world around them and giving them the tools to explore it fully. You’re scoring some serious parenting points, and you can breathe easy knowing that you’re not going to hear them tell you they’re bored. Far from it. If anything, you’re going to have to drag them out at closing time.

For kids on the island, a visit to The Sandbox means a chance to scale and slide the two-story sandcastle, launch their own aircraft in the flight lab, explore biomes at the 3D interactive sand table, or design in the STEM lab.

The point being, a trip to The Sandbox shouldn’t be one of those things you really need a reason for. That said, you should plan your next trip around one of the fantastic special events and incredible programs that The Sandbox has rolled out.

“We’re really grateful to the grants and the community partners who have allowed us to fund these programs for children in the community who might not have otherwise had this access,” said Sandbox Executive Director Nancy Fish.

These special events are legion. Running throughout the school year, a monthly Family Fun Night sponsored by a grant from The Bargain Box lets the whole gang enjoy a night of free play at the museum. These monthly open houses are held on the first

The Sandbox’s Tanger location has a weekly bi-lingual story time and STEM activity time.

Friday of the month on the island and the second Saturday at Tanger. The Breedlove Foundation helped reduced fees for a special “sensory friendly time” one Saturday a month on Hilton Head aimed at accommodating children who might need a quieter environment to learn. And the Tanger location has a weekly bi-lingual story time and STEM activity time.

That’s to say nothing of the pop-up events that bring out some of the community’s best. “We’ll do theme nights with our community partners on Hilton Head that are just wonderful,” Fish said. “This month, the Outside Foundation came through to show off some of our local creatures. And we’ve had the Coastal Discovery Museum come out; the Lions Club did vision screenings; and in November we’ll be running a lantern workshop for the lantern parade.”

And just as the community has shown its largesse by helping The Sandbox create such wonderfully enriching programming, the museum has made sure to pay it forward by giving local kids the opportunity to grow. Through generous grants and donations from their community partners, The Sandbox was able to provide scholarships for local kids to attend summer camp.

Said one family, “The museum is a blessing for

The Sandbox:

MORE TO DIG INTO

my children and myself. I believe they learned more and were able to understand the lessons better ... and they can’t wait to attend the summer camp each year.”

That’s not the only way The Sandbox gives back. At both locations, the Discover, Imagine, Grow (D.I.G.) program is a great way for a child who hasn’t attended preschool to get that introduction to a learning setting.

Meeting once a week and geared towards pre-schoolaged children, the D.I.G. program takes a child through the language, math and science concepts they’ll need to excel in school. “It’s always hands-on learning, teaching these children the basis of education and using exhibits and materials in museum to reinforce those skills,” Fish said.

And parents, as you can imagine, love the head start it gives their kids. “This helps my child prepare for what school is like,” one parent said. “This program has given him more confidence in being able to be with other kids his age. I love this program and am so grateful.”

If you can’t make it to The Sandbox, don’t worry. They might just bring it to you. “This is festival season, so we’ll be out with our tent at all sorts of events,” Fish said. “We like to bring the activities out so the kids have something to look forward to.”

To learn more, visit thesandbox.org.

Cindy creamer

Dunes Real Estate 6 Queens Folly Road Hilton Head Island, SC (843) 298-2356 cindy@cindycreamer.com

Earning a place among the Lowcountry’s highly respected real estate professionals, Cindy Creamer offers extensive knowledge

of the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area communities. Cindy specializes in the purchase and sale of primary and second homes as well as vacation and investment property. She has a reputation for her professionalism, understanding her clients needs and providing outstanding service. Cindy coordinates and provides attention to detail in every step of the real estate transaction. A dedicated and market savvy professional who is committed to helping you buy or sell your home with the

highest level of expertise and the latest market trends.

Cindy is the current President for the South Carolina Realtors, and was the 2020 Treasurer. She is currently a 2022 RPAC Participation Council Member, President’s Circle Member and serves on the Hospice Care of the Lowcountry Board. She served two terms on the South Carolina Realtors Association Executive Board as the Regional Vice President for 2016 and 2017, and was also President of the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors in 2018 and 2015. She was elected in 2010 to serve on the Realtor Association Board of Directors. She was a recipient of the President’s Service Award for 2014. From 2016-2019 she was appointed to the Hilton Head Town Venue Committee as the chairman. She has also been a recipient of the Realtor Service award since 2010. Cindy is consistently ranked within her company’s top agents each year since starting her real estate career.

”I have lived on the island for over 40 years. My husband Mark and I live in Wexford, with four children between us, two grandsons and one granddaughter! Hilton Head is a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

“It’s amazing here, and I’m always happy just to chat with potential clients about the area, the market, or life in the Lowcountry.”

Jeff Hunt

Dunes Real Estate

6 Queens Folly Road

Hilton Head Island, SC (843) 842-0896

What is your favorite room in the house?

I would have to say of all the rooms in a house, any room with a view. Living in the Lowcountry is wonderful, and being able to look out a window and see all that nature has to offer is pretty amazing.

How long did it take for you to sell your first listing?

That was sometime back. It took about 120 days. Back then, that was pretty good. I worked hard calling other Realtors to see if they had a client, reaching out to everyone I could think of. These days, things are moving much faster because people have realized this is a great place to be.

What advice would you have for Realtors who are just getting started?

When you enter real estate, you have to rethink how you view your entry into this profession.

You are not being hired to do a job; you are starting a business. By reframing this, it will put you in a mindset that will help you understand that your success is not based on what someone tells you to do but on what you do every day. Too many people just sell real estate.

But the key is to focus on building a business that helps people meet their goals. Each client has different needs, and by focusing on what they are looking for, you become a true advisor. This mindset will build a great career and help others succeed as well.

What motivates you?

I guess I get most motivated when I hear people say something cannot be done. I often think why not? In sales, people are always saying there is no way you can sell a certain amount or there is no way you can do so many transactions. If we think our ceiling of success is what the last person did, we have never progressed through life. I think breaking bearers

of limiting beliefs is a big motivator. Most of us are told what we can and cannot do, and we often have a tendency to believe the person telling us this. I try hard to always ask why. By doing this, I often find an answer and realize I can.

How do you know when you make a great sale?

This is an easy one. I take a lot of pride in listening to my clients and trying to match a property with their goals. Some goals are financial, some are emotional, and others are social. By homing in on their needs, I know when we find that property of their dreams we have a great sale! Another component of a great sale is working with other agents who are resolution oriented and work hard to accomplish a fair and equitable exchange of cash and property. If you can partner with your clients and work hard in their best interest, you will have many great sales!

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry’s residential real estate market?

I get this question a lot. Most people will say it is colors or décor or open floor plans. The thing I see as one of the biggest trends is the paradigm shift in how people view their life and the world. Covid really helped us to refocus on what is important. I used to hear people talking about investing in the stock market or real estate and building their portfolio. Now, people are investing in their happiness. They can work from anywhere and enjoy life and family and friends. This shift has stabilized the entire market. People are less concerned about making a few dollars and more in tune with spending time enjoying life, which is by far the most important trend in Lowcountry real estate.

Are there any trends that have become a bit passé in recent months?

This answer ties in with the previous question. It is always nice to make a few extra dollars and do well financially. I have noticed that more people are less impressed with the person who made a little more money and more interested in how someone was able to cut back and only work three of four days a week. The shift of selffulfillment is strong and likely to continue. This does not mean that people are not savvy with their money; it simply means they are realizing the value of time and enjoyment

Top request from clients?

A lot of times this is somewhat of a silent request. They almost always want true and accurate information, good or bad. By accommodating this request, you are much more likely to create a strong bond with your client. They just want honest answers so they can make a good decision for their family.

What is the most used app on your phone?

Hands down my Supra eKey app. I use it all day to look up listing, open lockboxes, get phone numbers, and so much more. Thank goodness the days of the old MLS books are gone!

What is your favorite local restaurant?

This is one of the hardest questions for sure, depending on what I am in the mood for. The Bluffton Room has great service and extraordinary food. I love their strip steak! For Italian, I have several. Michael Anthony’s and Pomodori are both very good and, of course, Nunzio and Ombra! I am not going to be able to answer this question. I am suddenly feeling hungry…

Dave Thornton

3 Executive Park Rd.

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 384-1606 dave@carolinarealtygroup davethorntonrealestate.com

It is rare to find a Realtor on Hilton Head Island with a more dedicated and near lifelong devotion to Lowcountry living, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Dave Thornton. Born in Versailles, Kentucky and raised on Hilton Head Island, Dave graduated from Clemson University and then promptly made his way back home to the island. He took his love for the ocean and passion for the people of Hilton Head and applied that to a career working on the water and in the service industry.

After several prosperous years managing multiple successful restaurants, Dave decided to bring his excitement for this beautiful island to the real estate industry and The Prud’homme Team at Carolina Realty Group. In a few short, yet successful years, Dave has become a leading area Realtor. He has applied his local market knowledge, integrity, and passionate devotion to clients near and far to help them effectively buy and sell property in the Lowcountry.

What is your favorite room in a house?

I love half baths and powder rooms; they can be the most fun and often the most unique rooms in the home, which tells so much about the owners.

How long did it take you to sell your first listing?

I was lucky. I answered a customer callin, we talked, I picked a few properties to show, and we went under contract a couple of days later. It was fun; they are great clients!

Who is a Realtor you look up to?

Both Dan and Gerry Prud’homme. I’ve received a lot of great advice from both over the years about real estate, but most of their advice has had nothing to do with real estate.

What is your favorite app on your phone?

DocuSign, of course!

What neighborhood do you sell the most in?

Thankfully, the one I live in: the Point Comfort area. I’ve fortunately listed and sold quite a few properties in here; I’ve also successfully represented quite a few buyers as well.

Favorite local restaurant: San Miguel’s and Mellow Mushroom.

What is your favorite room in a house?

Taylor: The kitchen. It’s where we spend the most time. I love cooking and eating. Kitchens and primary bedrooms/bathrooms sell a house!

What advice would you have for Realtors who are just getting started?

Taylor: Get a mentor! Go with a brokerage that has training options and is willing to

help guide you. We require brand-new agents to join our mentee program and have four to five sales before they can graduate to 100 percent commission.

Glenn: Be patient; be persistent; be friendly.

What motivates you?

Taylor: I’m motivated by my drive to be successful. I want to help my children, my agents and my community. That’s what success looks like to me.

Glenn: Helping people navigate making one of the most important decisions of their life and creating a legacy.

How do you know when you have made a great sale?

A great sale, to us, is evident when our clients are happy.

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry’s residential real estate market?

Tik Toks, Reels, Open Houses (again). Realtors are participating in charity events and giving back more than ever; we love that. In terms of houses: wallpaper, color, textured/wooded statement walls, ceiling shiplap, and gold hardware.

Are there any home trends that have become a bit passé in recent months?

Taylor: Home trends we see losing traction are barn doors, all white and grays, and matching furniture sets.

Glenn: No inspection, no appraisals, no finance contingencies.

What motivates you?

Having our clients trust that my team and I are consistently giving them the best service, offering them our best market knowledge, and helping guide them to make the decisions that will enable them to accomplish their home buying/selling goals is at the core of what motivates me every day to get up and do my best. On the seller side, that means making sure their homes are priced appropriately as the market changes as well as helping them have their home show ready and putting their best face forward with great photos for the public websites/MLS. For our buyers, we are always trying to uncover not-yet-on-the-market properties since inventory is still low as well as advising them how to structure an offer that will be received well by a seller. Most importantly, encouraging buyers not to settle until we find the perfect property for their needs.

How do you know when you have made a great sale?

When both buyer and seller walk away feeling like it was a win-win, even if compromises are necessary along the way.

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry’s residential real estate market?

The Coastal Living Team

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

271-4254

What is your favorite room in a house?

My favorite room in a home is where you feel the warmth of the home—lots of natural light, high ceilings, and a cozy feature like a fireplace.

How long did it take to sell your first listing?

It took longer than I would have liked, ha ha. It was a little cabin in the woods in Pennsylvania. I took the listing as the first snow started falling, and finally, once the snow started to thaw in the spring, the property sold. It was a long winter!

What advice would you have for Realtors who are just getting started?

I would tell anyone coming into this business to make sure you have enough money saved to cover at least six months of your personal expenses. I would recommend researching the area brokerages that have great training programs and then finding a team who shares your values. I think the best way to learn is to have the book knowledge from the brokerage side and then the firsthand experience that being a junior agent/ showing agent or assistant will give you by working in a team structure.

I think buyers are a little weary of the highly competitive market and are a little pickier about what they will invest in. Properties that are in very nice condition and/or are in a great location and are priced well, even if a bit aggressive, will still sell quickly—often with multiple offers and over the asking price, with terms that are more favorable for the sellers. Conversely, buyers are becoming more cautious about jumping in quickly on homes that have not been updated/ maintained well, and especially if they are priced as they could have been earlier this year in the frenzied market. These homes tend to sit a bit longer on the market and may experience price reductions because buyers want homes that are truly move-in ready in today’s market. On the financing side, products such as 5- or 7-year ARMs are making a comeback.

Are there any home trends that have become a bit passé in recent months?

Aggressively pricing homes that need a lot of updating; multiple offers within hours of listing; no inspections; and buyer’s waiving financing contingencies are all starting to slow down with a more cautious buyer.

Top request from clients?

Communication and market knowledge.

What is your favorite local restaurant? Michael Anthony’s.

What is your favorite HGTV show? Love It or List It.

Heather A. Baker

Realtor, ERA Evergreen Real Estate Company

14 Church Street, Suite 102 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 441-2787

Sugarbaker09@gmail.com

HeatherBakerRealtor.com

Heather A. Baker also known as Sugarbaker, is a Broker Associate with ERA Evergreen Real Estate Company. Sugarbaker has assisted families with finding their little slice of paradise in the S.C. Lowcountry for 19 years. She is also very involved in serving our community in many capacities. She has recently accepted the nomination to run for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Visionary of the Year 2023 in honor of one of her mentors, Vicki Austin.

As the longest living bone marrow transplant survivor in the world, Vicki was a warrior. She was an inspiration to many including those in the medical field. She saved many lives after her experimental procedure in her teenage years. She showed Sugarbaker perseverance, determination and to treat others with kindness.

Sugarbaker phoned Vicki right after accepting the nomination and, as always, her cheerleader started sending her folks to contact for donations. The good Lord called Vicki home on August

24, 2022. Sugarbaker knows Vicki would want us to be warriors for LLS.

Over the last five years, LLS helped advance 75 percent of the almost 100 FDA approved blood cancer treatment options. In fiscal year 2022, LLS was able to assist more than 4,500 patients with over $21 million in the Georgia/ South Carolina region. Every dollar raised goes to supporting blood cancer patients, families and caregivers.

LLS is revolutionizing acute myeloid leukemia treatment through the first collaborative precision medicine clinical trial in blood cancer. They are taking a new aim at myeloma through dedicated research investment and multifaceted education and outreach efforts.

Our LLS 2023 Girl of the Year is three-year old Lilly from Bluffton. Our LLS 2023 Boy of the Year is Carson from Savannah. Both children have been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Sugarbaker is moving towards a better world for Carson, Lilly and many more by leading the charge with her Team Kindness Matters Campaign. Please reach out to her at (843) 4412787 if you would like to join Team Kindness Matters or if your business would like to donate to help make the impossible possible for LLS.

Let’s cancel blood cancer together!

Lonnie Goulet

Charter One Realty 200 Merchant St. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

(843) 338-0094

lonniegoulet@gmail.com

What is your favorite room in the house?

It is actually outside. It’s my front porch. I sit out there every morning with my coffee and watch the world wake up.

What advice would you have for Realtors who are just getting started?

Patience and persistence. It takes years to really get started in this business, so just find your niche and stick with it.

How do you know when you make a great sale?

I know I have made a great sale when my clients are over-themoon happy. Whether they are selling or buying, the outcome is total joy.

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry’s residential real estate market?

Great outdoor areas. We want our backyards to become an extension of our home so that is where everyone is focusing. Outdoor kitchens/living space are very popular right now.

Top request from clients? Find me a deal!

What is the most used app on your phone?

Without a doubt, the MLS app.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

There are so many, but we tend to frequent any restaurant where we can sit outside. We love San Miguel’s, Hudson’s, and Skull Creek Boathouse.

Dennis puckey

Charter One

charteronerealty.com/agent/dennis-puckey

What is your favorite room in the house?

The kitchen is the heart of our home, which makes it my favorite space in the house.

It provides our sustenance through food, but it’s also where special connections are made. Whether I’m hosting family during the holidays, special occasions, or entertaining friends, we all gather in the kitchen. It fuels the bodies, minds, and souls of friends and families.

How long did it take to sell your first listing?

I sold my first listing in less than three weeks. The sellers were from my hometown

in Michigan, but we didn’t meet until they called to list the property here on Hilton Head Island. Thirty years later, we’re still great friends.

What advice would you give Realtors who are just getting started?

You don’t achieve success in real estate overnight. A career takes time to build and especially one that is built on relationships. People like to deal with people who can genuinely show that they care about them. I would say, “Forget about the sale and start caring about people.” When you do, you create loyal clients who are an excellent source of referrals.

What motivates you?

My two boys are my biggest motivators. Whether in my work or personal life, I strive to be a great role model for them. As a single parent, I understand that our job never ends, and I’m proud to see how my sons have grown into fine, successful young men.

How do you know when you have made a great sale?

For starters, it’s when I’ve found the property that checks all the boxes for my buyers. But in the end, I know I’ve made a great sale if I have happy clients who have become close friends and entrust me to help their friends and family with their real estate needs.

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry real estate market?

Outdoor living spaces have always been a trend in the Lowcountry, but since the pandemic, they have been one of the most requested spaces from potential buyers. The change I’ve seen is that the outdoor spaces have become larger and include living areas, dining areas, kitchens, fire pits, and more. Screened or not, outdoor living spaces are a must in our area.

If you could summarize life in the Lowcountry in five words, what would you say?

Alive, eclectic, relaxation, water, and peaceful.

Are there any home trends that have become a bit passé in the past months?

Neutrals like white, beige, and gray have all been popular colors throughout the home. But gray, in particular, seems to be phasing out the quickest. We are starting to see bold and more dramatic colors.

Top request from clients:

Buyers want the best deal. I am a bargain shopper with Champagne taste. If I don’t see the value in a property, I do not hesitate to let my buyers know. When it comes to sellers, they always want top dollar, and I strive to get them the highest dollar in the shortest amount of time.

What is your most used app on your phone?

I rarely sit in front of a desktop computer, so the MLS app is the most used on my phone. Second in line would be Snapchat or text. A phone call is always best, but many clients prefer to communicate via text or another social platform.

What relentless mindset do you carry in your business and everyday life?

Life is short. Make sure you let people know they matter; do your best to build people up; and try to stay away from negative people.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

I would have to say Charlie’s because their food and staff are impeccable. The other thing I love about Charlie’s is that they are a second-generation restaurant with Margaret and Palmer at the helm. Three other fabulous restaurants that second-generation islanders own are The Smokehouse with James Leonard, Reilley’s with Erin Reilley-Booth, and Hudson’s with Andrew Carmines. I frequent all four with great regularity.

Kimberly McElman

Weichert Realtors® – Coastal Properties

1038 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 683-9098

kim-mcelman.weichertcoastal.com kimmcelman@weichertcp.com

What is your favorite room in a house?

The perfect Carolina room with crazy views, tall windows and light everywhere, the most comfortable cuddle chairs—like a Shabby Chic treehouse built of windows!

How long did it take you to sell your first listing?

Six months—then $75 million in three years.

What advice would you have for Realtors who are just getting started?

Stick with it; what you put in is what you get out; say “yes” to every opportunity.

What motivates you?

Every morning, I wake up and know I truly love what I do.

How do you know when you have made a great sale?

It is such a wonderful feeling when your clients walk into a property for the first time, and they just know they are home! It’s something they “feel,” and it is important to search until they have that experience. You might be searching through houses, but you are looking for a home.

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry’s residential real estate market?

Trending towards a healthier balance of power between buyer and seller.

If you could summarize “life in the Lowcountry” up in five words, what would you say?

Magic, beauty, warmth, delicious, authentic.

Are there any home trends that have become a bit passé in recent months? I think gray painted walls are waning.

Top request from clients: After finding their home, it’s really about providing information for all the services that can help them make it their own.

What is your most used app on your phone?

Goggle Maps

What relentless mindset do you carry in your business and your everyday life?

Love what you do! Be kind. Educate

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Charlie’s

kelly ruhlin

Ranked #3 Nationally for Weichert Realtors

Weichert Realtors® - Coastal Properties 1038 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 301-5919 Cell (843) 341-3700 Office kellyr@weichertcp.com

What is your favorite room in a house? The kitchen; it’s the heart of the home!

How long did it take you to sell your first listing?

It took only three weeks. It was a brick ranch style home on one-acre of land in Hardeeville and when I went in to preview it, the whole house had been gutted of EVERYTHING! I was concerned that I would never sell it but found the positives in the home. Brick house, mature trees and a great piece of land so it was a little bit of a unique situation.

What advice would you have for Realtors who are just getting started?

Learn from every experience and always pack boots in your car as you never know when you have to go out in the field. I learned the hard way by stepping in an overflowing septic tank!

What motivates you?

I want to be the best of me that God created.

How do you know when you have made a great sale?

When they tell me, “I want to sell real estate; you make it look so easy.”

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry’s residential real estate market?

Modern Elements with LowCountry Vibe.

If you could summarize “life in the Lowcountry” in five words, what would you say?

Simple living at its finest!

Are there any home trends that have become a bit passé in recent months?

Gray is a classic great color but has been overused. I am seeing more vibrant colors

Top request from clients: Sell my home!

What is your most used app on your phone?

The Compass App. Great tool to use to find where the sunrises and where the sunsets.

What relentless mindset do you carry in your business and your everyday life?

Have God in the center of my life every day!

What is your favorite local restaurant? It’s Greek to Me; it’s so good!

I know what it is like to be at the bottom, and I’ve worked hard to stay motivated to never return there.

How do you know when you have made a great sale?

A great sale, to me, is one where you work hard for your clients, help them understand along the way, and get an awesome review at closing. Reviews are very important to me and my business.

What are some of the latest trends in the Lowcountry’s residential real estate market?

The market is changing. For the last two years, I didn’t even need to host an open house. During the pandemic, I used 360 Virtual Tours to help sell the properties I was listing—a sort of virtual open house available anytime online. They are still a great way to showcase a home and allow potential buyers to do a walkthrough from their homes. I think it’s still a wonderful tool for my sellers.

Are there any home trends that have become a bit passé in recent months?

Believe it or not, I am hearing rumors that gray walls are now OUT. More vibrant colors like Sea Salt are coming back.

Top request from clients:

Sellers: Sell my home for top dollar in the least amount of time. Buyers: Can we get one of those cool paintings you give of our home when we close?

Robert Moul

Moul, REALTORS®

1132 May River Rd. Bluffton, SC 29910

(843) 321-9036

What is your favorite room in a house?

Definitely the kitchen—one that opens up to the living space for entertaining. I am a grazer and love to hang out there looking for my next snack.

How long did it take you to sell your first listing?

My first listing was 1602 Old Shell in Port Royal. It didn’t have a kitchen, sold in three days on market to an investor. Got my first real estate check after six months in the business for $655.50.

What advice would you have for Realtors who are just getting started?

Success is different for everyone. Find out what you want to achieve. Real estate is a wonderful career. You can work as hard or as little as you’d like; there is no limit. Every day is a new day to find your success.

What motivates you?

People tell me I must never sleep. My motivation is to stay busy. And not just unproductive busy, but the type of busy where you feel accomplished every day.

What is your most used app on your phone?

Facebook. I am always online, if not with clients, trying to help answer questions other people have in the many groups. Social media presence is very important today.

Favorite local restaurant?

The Bluffton Room. Love the atmosphere, and the owners/staff are incredible. But they need to bring back the tableside Caesar salad!

What is your favorite HGTV show? Flip or Flop. Back in the day. Loved the transformations!

PALMETTO BLUFF’S WILSON VILLAGE

Palmetto Bluff is among the most exceptional and inimitable of any Lowcountry community. A radiant residential and recreational preserve, its allure is enriched by its perpetuation of Lowcountry culture and Southern architecture, its commitment to the sporting life, and its promotion of community and connection.

All of this … and its higher purpose: to grant residents the experience of 20,000 magical acres and 32 expansive miles of riverfront in its ultimate form. Set amid three historic rivers and thousands of towering oaks, Palmetto Bluff’s seclusion affords a pristine, unspoiled beauty that is respected by those who build and those who live there.

“Palmetto Bluff is a place, not a project,” said W. Bryan Byrne, broker-in-charge, Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company. “It’s been that way since day one—a real place—a village rather than a clubhouse community—with the discipline not to develop everything.”

Wilson Village is the first of three villages at Palmetto Bluff. (The other two are Moreland, which opened five years ago, and Anson, which is set for pre-sale within the next 18 months.) Wilson Village is the result of years of study and research into the small coastal towns of the South and their distinctive characteristics.

The 7.5-mile Inland Waterway meanders through Palmetto Bluff, from Wilson Village to Moreland Village and eventually, Anson. When completed, the waterway will be an estimated 12 miles.

Home to popular spots like Buffalo’s, FLOW Gallery, and the Village Green, Wilson Village is a hub of activity among both residents and visitors.

When he talks to people about life in Palmetto Bluff, Byrne says there are elements driving them to make this place home. The first is the sense of place. It feels familiar and comfortable and offers a wide range of experiences, river access and activities, a gourmet market, signature shops, and restaurants within easy walking distance of the Village Green.

Bob and Mary-Jane Neubert, a retired Lowcountry gentleman and his wife, have lived in Palmetto Bluff for 14 years. They moved in June 2009 from Rhode Island and

New York banker, RT Wilson, purchased Palmetto Bluff in 1902. Several years later, the grand home that he built for his family tragically burned to the ground. The ruins of the home remain in Wilson Village today.

decided on Wilson Village after touring several communities.

“The beauty we encounter as we drive the four-and-a-half miles down Old Palmetto Bluff Rd. from May River Road never gets old,” Bob said. “The canopy live oaks are iconic. Then when we turn into Wilson Village, we are transported to a classic, timeless setting where we immediately feel at home.”

“Sometimes we don’t leave the property for a week,” Mary-Jane said. “We can walk anywhere we want to go, whether to RT’s, the specialty grocery, where we can even get hostess gifts for dinners at friends’ homes, or the May

River, where sometimes we just go sit on the dock to watch the dolphins and the sun rise or set. It’s beautiful and quaint.”

William and Sharon Clinton first visited Palmetto Bluff in 2006 when they stayed in a home in Wilson Village. They were taken by the traditional layout of village, and while they explored other Lowcountry communities, like the Neuberts, nothing captured what they loved about Wilson Village. They immediately bought a lot on that first trip, which they kept until 2010 when the developers presented them with an opportunity to build a home on “Wilson’s Row.”

“That was a smart move for us,” William said. “We were able to have input on the design, still have the architectural

FLOW Gallery + Workshop is a physical showcase of the Artist in Residence program and a curated collection of southern artists situated in a fun and engaging gallery setting in the heart of Wilson Village.

Comforting and elegant, The River House showcases a curated assembly of seasonal ingredients and vegetables served alongside thoughtfully sourced meats and seafood.

layout set, and our home was finished in under a year. We believe so much in the neighborhood that we just built a very nice guest house with an art studio.”

The Clinton’s call the ease of navigating the Village the “Rule of Ten,” meaning they can walk anywhere they need to go in 10 minutes (or bike there in only two minutes).

“What we especially like about Wilson Village are the bike trails,” Sharon added. “We can ride anywhere. We don’t even have a golf cart, like many residents here do. We rarely

even get into our car because we can bike wherever we want to go.”

The second element that drives folks to move to Wilson Village is the interplay between the built and unbuilt. The unbuilt environment is as critical to Wilson Village’s appeal as the architecture that everyone loves—a step back in time to a Lowcountry, understated elegance.

“If you go back a generation to real places, the waterfront is a place for everyone to enjoy,” Byrne said. “One of the best views is not from a window, but in a park on a high bluff overlooking May River—something everyone who lives here can enjoy.”

Ida George, a resident of Wilson Village since 2008, agrees. “Living here is phenomenal and offers just what the Lowcountry is noted for: marshes, big rivers, and oak trees beyond compare,” she said. “They are God’s gift to us. The developers did a wonderful job of laying out the Village so that the trees are emphasized. They bring an unparalleled grandeur to the place that’s humbling. I feel so blessed to call this home.”

The planners were also careful to scale the village architecture. There are maximum sizes but there is no real minimum. If a property meets the architectural standards, it’s at home here, and residents love that not everything is a “McMansion.” From the intimate cottages found in Wilson Village proper to the vast, waterfront estates of May River Forest, there’s a neighborhood for every taste.

“True Lowcountry-inspired designs have an ebb and flow of scale,” Byrne said. “When you go to a traditional town, there is a movement of scale that looks organic and evolved, while also being relaxed, authentically detailed, regionally responsive and blended in with the natural landscape. You cannot get a better example of what Lowcountry architecture should be than in Wilson Village.”

The third appeal of Palmetto Bluff, according to Byrne, is that it has redefined the “sporting life” with offerings beyond the typical. “While there is the expected fitness center, pools, exceptional golf, tennis, racquetball, and pickleball courts, ours are above and beyond,” he said. “Our residents can enjoy shooting sports, boating, fishing, equestrian experiences, and miles of nature trails, all within a pedestrian scale community. Our club and community offerings are extraordinary. The passion and knowledge of our guides, club staff, and instructors are contagious. There is no better place to have fun.”

The Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, a community nonprofit, was founded in 2003 and conducts upwards of 300 programs a year. Its mission is to protect the ecological and environmental integrity of the lands at the confluence of the May, Cooper, and New Rivers, ensuring that the property is almost exactly as William Hilton saw it 400 years ago. The Conservancy and its archeological staff are the keepers of the nature and history of Palmetto Bluff, and they are responsible for educating everyone involved in the development of a new piece of property.

With an undercurrent of lifelong learning, Palmetto Bluff guests + residents also have access to an unparalleled food and wine program, amazing concerts, and cooking classes, along with world-class dining opportunities, whether their mood be upscale or casual. River House, the beloved dining venue overlooking the May River, has undergone a $4.5 million update. Floorto-ceiling windows provide endless river views, and

Neighborhood Stroll:

PALMETTO BLUFF’S WILSON VILLAGE

sweeping oak trees surround the elegant restaurant, which includes a trim 13-seat bar, leather banquettes and chairs, an al fresco lounge within a screened-in porch to enjoy cocktails, and a bourbon wall which serves as both a functional and focal piece of art within the space.

The menu, overseen by Chef de Cuisine Daniel Vesey, focuses on flavor, fine ingredients, and presentation. Signature dishes include oysters from both coasts, a fresh spin on Crab Louie, prime dry aged steaks, black truffle creamed corn, and a stunning seafood tower. The signature dessert, S’mores Baked Alaska, is a must have.

Alongside the stunning new restaurant which is open to both guests and residents, two new concepts round out guests’ overall experience from morning to night: Buzz coffee shop and Hush speakeasy. Buzz is where both guests

and residents of Palmetto Bluff might begin their days, with fresh-brewed King Bean coffee and decadent pastries, while Hush is where they might end their evening. A cocktail-forward scene all its own, the venue is intentionally mysterious with a cocktail program that pays tribute to the Prohibition era. Hush also features an impressive $1M wine collection in its cellar, with choice finds from regions old and new, as well as spirits including Louis XIII cognac by Remy Martin and many high- end bourbons such as Pappy van Winkle.

The Canoe Club, a popular restaurant for Palmetto Bluff Club members, is situated on Boat House Row, with panoramic views of both the May River and the Palmetto Bluff inland waterway. Canoe Club restaurant offers “river-to-table” dining, with Lowcountry-inspired dishes that celebrate local seafood, drawing ingredients and inspiration from the May River. Partnering with the Palmetto Bluff Farm and other local

farms, Canoe Club can source fresh vegetables, harvested on property, and local beef and poultry to create dishes that honor the bounty of South Carolina Lowcountry.

Palmetto Bluff Club Executive Chef, Rhy Waddington’s philosophy of using only the best products available driven by quality, locality and seasonality ensures Palmetto Bluff dining is of the highest quality in South Carolina. May River Grill and Buffalo’s (re-opening late 2022) offer elevated comfort food while staying true to Chef Rhy’s farm-to-table attitude.

In addition, an amazing arts program will inspire your creative side. As part of The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff—the sweeping new program conceived to inspire and enrich lives through art at the famed Lowcountry community—FLOW Gallery + Workshop has opened in the heart of the property’s picturesque Wilson Village, overlooking the May River.

While Palmetto Bluff has a long history of sporting life and outdoor pursuits, we noticed that the creative resident base was looking for more cultural opportunities,” said Maggie Hackett, director of marketing for Palmetto Bluff. “The Arts Initiative was conceived to fill in that gap.”

A physical showcase of the initiative’s Artist in Residence program, the gallery features a collection of its acclaimed artists as well as other compelling Southern makers such as Blakely Little, Blown Studios, CHI Designs, Teresa Roche Art & Textiles, Paige Hathaway Thorn, and Shannon Whitworth. Work from this diverse lineup of talent includes a rotating series of exhibitions, workshops, and events featuring blue chip and emerging artists, craftsmen, musicians, makers, and chefs.

FLOW welcomes residents and guests to foster immersive hands-on interactions and a deeper appreciation for the artists whose work represent the elements that comprise Palmetto Bluff—water, earth, fire, and air—which are present everywhere in their natural state, sustaining the surrounding environment and those who inhabit it.

“The FLOW gallery was successful from its inception as a curated experience for our residents and a place where guests can find meaningful mementos,” Hackett said. “The Artist in Residence program simply added another great layer. Each month, an artist will come in for an opening reception, then host a three-day workshop where, so far, our owners and guests have experienced hands-on painting, glass blowing, leather working, and jewelry making. We even had a famed milliner bring hats to which participants added custom elements.”

Sitting at the heart and social center of Wilson Village, FLOW Gallery + Workshop is the newest addition to the community’s fantastic slate of shops including Paris Market (a chic boutique inspired by the open-air markets of France) and Melt (a beloved ice cream destination with the best of Southern-produced ice cream, candy, and much more.

“Layering all these things gives people opportunities to both learn about where they live and get connected,” Byrne said. “The people who live here are cerebral people, and we give them plenty of ways to be stimulated.”

Ida George sums it up: “I draw sustenance and strength from this place. I love living here. I wake up every morning, and my first thought is, wow! Just look at this!”

To learn more, visit palmettobluff.com/village 

On Point in Palmetto Bluff

For more than a century, the “Bluff” has been known as one of the most natural and beautiful places in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Its riches attract people from everywhere who enjoy mingling nature within the context of their everyday experiences. Those who are lucky enough to make themselves at home here desire the diversity of the landscape and the wildlife as a backdrop to the places where they reside, work, and play. Within Palmetto Bluff, a premier and famed Lowcountry development, residents of The Point at Wilson Village enjoy a highly desirable neighborhood and live within walking distance of a quaint main village interspersed with one-of-a-kind shops, unique and remarkable restaurants, a full-service marina, the Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club, and the acclaimed May River Golf Club. As well, The Point owners have access to their own private dock on the May River.

Residents of The Point at Wilson Village enjoy a highly desirable neighborhood and live within walking distance of a quaint main village.

In 2016, Boston residents Susan and Robin Monleon began to consider places where they might want to retire. Initially, they were drawn to Florida where many of their friends had vacation homes and retirement plans. Though they loved visiting their friends in Florida, they weren’t sold on the location as a place for themselves. Then Robin had an opportunity for a three-day business trip to the Montage at Palmetto Bluff. Initially doubtful about a trip to the Carolinas, Susan accompanied him.

“The moment we entered the front gates, Robin was smitten,” Susan said. “At first, I thought it too good to be true, but over the weekend everything fell into place as our alternative to Florida. Palmetto Bluff had what we wanted:

The reclaimed brick can be found in the great room around the fireplace and above the bookcases and down the hallway.

The interiors—furnishings, artwork, and accessories—were designed to create a Lowcountry aesthetic with a nod to modern.

Neutral tones throughout the home are underscored with pops of iron ore and rich, light gray hues to create a soothing and cozy palette.

a community, culture, nature, trees, water, wildlife, and active lifestyle—not just sun all the time.”

Over the next couple of years, the Monleons visited Palmetto Bluff with friends and fell in love with the active lifestyle, the five-star star amenities, the ease of navigating the neighborhood, and meeting new friends. In 2018, they decided to buy a home and met the team at H2 Builders who had just completed an “Idea House” at The Point in Wilson Village. They walked into perfection—a beautiful turnkey home that checked all their boxes.

“We designed and built this 3,513-square-foot custom home to be an Idea Home for our company so that we could share with potential clients interested in building a home

The interior design and finishes were very forwardthinking and a splendid example of the creativeness of the H2 design team.

in Palmetto Bluff or our area,” said Gus Hetzel, H2 Builders executive vice president of sales. The interior design and finishes were very forward-thinking and a splendid example of the creativeness of our team. This home was designed with entertainment in mind and to showcase all that life in Palmetto Bluff has to offer.”

The home is on a unique lot, kind of a postage stamp,” said William Court, founding principal of Court Atkins Group. “The challenge was to create a wonderful, inviting, casual, flowing home within a tight-knit space.”

The parameters were a lot 60 feet wide and a footprint that gets smaller with the setbacks. Also, the lot is south facing, which means the natural light was coming from

the front of the home rather than the back, which is where people tend to live. The solution was to flip the script and create an abode that has an inviting, welcoming and livable front porch so that the day-to-day living could occur at the front of the house and open onto the front porch.

“We pushed the front entrance off to the side and used this orientation to create spaces that are individual for everyday dining, casual gathering, and an open kitchen with a service bar,” Court explained. Each of these unique spaces is defined by custom mahogany French doors that open to the front porch, which is equipped with electronic phantom screens, connecting the indoors and front yard of the home to its charming and completely Southern neighborhood.”

The second floor is a family/friends retreat that includes guest bedrooms and bathrooms, a bunkroom that sleeps six.

As with any current home suitable for entertaining, a private side is also as important. Though limited in space, this masterpiece includes a study/office/tv space and primary suite on the first floor, and a detached garage. There is also an outdoor courtyard in the back where a brick wall and fireplace feature provide privacy.

“The family has this front of house that is their entertainment zone and the back that is completely private,” Court said.

The second floor is a family/friends retreat that includes guest bedrooms and bathrooms, a bunkroom that sleeps six, and a breakfast bar, all of which can be closed off when no one is visiting. To give easier access to all that is upstairs, the home includes an elevator.

“We upgraded it into a feature elevator like no one else had ever seen, using reclaimed brick from an old cotton mill, and people still talk about it to this day,” Hetzel said. “We have since recreated multiple versions of it in other custom homes for our clients.”

That same reclaimed brick can be found in the great room around the fireplace and above the bookcases and down the hallway. Other distinctions include the classic exterior architecture with beautiful custom mahogany entry door units with transoms across the front of the home. The retractable screens at the entry porch create a screened-in porch for when it gets a little “buggy” in the late afternoons and evenings and then can be retracted to enjoy the natural light during the daytime.

The home also has captivating casual details. While it is extremely Southern in terms of proportions and elegance, it is simultaneously clean-lined, modern, functional, and smart, too (the home is fully integrated with smart home technologies).

“We used overscale doors and transoms to bring in maximum light,” Court explained. “The home is now getting light up to 10 feet high because there is glass almost to the ceiling. The interior transoms and trim tie also work to tie the architectural elements together.”

The interiors—furnishings, artwork, and accessories—were designed to create a Lowcountry aesthetic with a nod to modern. The transitional style successfully mixes old materials with new. Neutral tones throughout the home are underscored with pops of iron ore and rich, light gray hues to create a soothing and cozy palette.

“This is our dream home,” Susan said. “I love everything about it, especially the neighborhood and our proximity to all the great amenities. I especially love our kitchen; the open floor plan is perfect for our family. The cabinetry is exquisite and the striking metal hood over the cooktop makes a great statement.”

Notably, the home’s kitchen was voted the top large, luxury kitchen in the nation at the 2019 NKBA Awards.

“I enjoy gathering with our friends out on the porch,” Robin said. “We light the lanterns and our cigars, turn on some music, and sip on some bourbon and enjoy watching

the dusk, and then we move inside to the great room. I can’t think of anything more timeless and Lowcountry Southern.”

The couple agrees that finding this home finished and ready to move in was the best part of the deal. “The day we closed on the house, we literally took the keys from the lock box,” Susan said. “We showed up and put down our bags. Then I put on my tennis gear, Robin grabbed his golf clubs, and we were out and about enjoying our favorite activities. It was that turnkey, and we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

The Bannons Have Crossed a Line

BLUFFTON’S FAVORITE HUSBAND-AND-WIFE LEGAL EAGLES, JIM AND MEREDITH BANNON, ARE TAKING THEIR SHOW ON THE ROAD.

At this point, if you’ve consumed any mass media before lunch, you’ve seen the ads. The Hostess City of Savannah, for whatever reason, is home to possibly the world’s richest selection of wacky televised attorneys, all clamoring for your attention before you’ve even had a cup of coffee.

Between segments on The Today Show or Good Morning America, we’re treated to a carnival of lawyers promising big money if you’re hurt in a car wreck, a quick release from jail for whatever it is you (allegedly) did, and a life-changing structured settlement. They make these promises, it should be noted, through jokes, skits and the occasional rap song that can be a little much to handle.

It’s a bit of a circus. But two of Bluffton’s favorite attorneys have a plan for Savannah. And despite the outsized personalities that have made Jim and Meredith Bannon of Bannon Law Group fixtures of the Lowcountry, they don’t plan on entering The Gong Show of wacky televised litigation that defines Savannah.

“That’s not really our business model,” Meredith said with a laugh.

Instead, they plan on entering the Savannah market by— get this—being tremendously capable and talented lawyers.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the unique business model of Bannon Law Group, it’s one that shouldn’t

work but does. As an area of focus, Jim is the criminal defense side of the business. His job is to pursue justice, clearing his clients’ good names and securing their liberty through his extensive experience on both sides of the defense/ prosecution divide. Meredith works in real estate law, securing and executing painless closings in a market that, let’s face it, hasn’t exactly been quiet lately.

Real estate and criminal defense, two areas of law that generally wouldn’t even share an office, much less a name, have been brought together at Bannon Law Group through the holy bonds of matrimony. And now the Bannons are taking that blend of experience south of the state border with a new office in Savannah. Having already been admitted to the bar in Georgia last October, the expansion just made sense.

“For us, there has always been a lot of crossover with business on both sides of the river,” Meredith said. “We felt like, with the breadth of what we practice, it would make sense to serve Savannah.”

For Meredith’s side of the business, it made perfect sense with the explosive growth in new construction peppering the areas beyond Savannah’s historic district. And as for Jim’s side of the business, you need only need turn on the TV to see that there’s a strong need for quality criminal defense. (And if that defense can be mounted by someone who is local, rather than based out of Florida somewhere, all the better).

“It’s been a challenge entering a new market,” Jim said. “But it’s also allowed us to do a lot of reverse networking. We’ve talked to Savannah lawyers who have clients in South Carolina but aren’t members of the bar here. So, we’ve been able to help more people here.”

Of course, when you have a real estate attorney as one half of your shingle, you’re going to see the sense of renewal in Savannah as an opportunity. Beyond simply expanding the practice into Savannah, Bannon Law Group has invested in its own building in the heart of the historic district.

“But that doesn’t mean we’re losing our presence in South Carolina,” Meredith said. “We’re all in on Bluffton. We still support local organizations like Hopeful Horizons, and we’re up to 11 staff members. They’re keeping us busy, and we really appreciate them.”

So don’t fret, Bluffton. Your favorite law firm will still be here to guide you through stress-free real estate closings and provide exceptional criminal defense. They’re just also going to be across the river, helping residents of a city that would otherwise have to turn to the out-of-state TV lawyers. 

For more information, visit bannonlawgroup.com.

Real estate and criminal defense, two areas of law that generally wouldn’t even share an office, much less a name, have been brought together at Bannon Law Group through the holy bonds of matrimony. And now the Bannons are taking that blend of experience south of the state border with a new office in Savannah.

THE FUTUrE IS PrEDICTaBlE

AS BEAUFORT COUNTY TREASURER, MARIA WALLS ISN’T JUST TRANSFORMING THE WAY YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHE’S CREATING THE FUTURE.

Even if they didn’t realize it at the time, in 2015 the voters of Beaufort County took a massive step in redefining how their local government is run. Back then, they were just standing in a booth with a ballot in support of a candidate for treasurer with some impressive qualifications: a proven track record as a CPA; a successful four-year tenure as deputy treasurer; and a unique approach to government, one that dared ask how things could be better.

When those ballots were counted, Maria Walls had gained the public’s support as our next treasurer. Right away, the impact of her innovative approach was felt not just around the county, but around the country. She and her team have earned the 2020 National Achievement Award, County Executive of the Year, and SCGOP Local Government Award. Walls herself was awarded Thomson Reuters’ Office Holder of the Year twice, the only person to do so.

Widely known for her drive to always be improving, Walls has not just made things better, she is solving tomorrow’s problems today.

“If you’re not leading, you’re following. And if you’re following, you have to ask yourself who you are following,” she said. “I’d much rather be a leader than a

follower. If this world isn’t creating certainties, you create them yourself.”

This approach has helped Walls and her team radically transform the treasurer’s office, streamlining and modernizing at a crucial period in our county’s history. In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a little bit more work to do around here than when Walls was first elected.

“We’re growing so fast. You drive around and you see it, but when you look at the numbers behind it, it’s mind-blowing,” she said. “And knowing that we’re growing, we have to ask what that means as a customerfacing department. As a fiscal conservative, I look at the function of treasurer as people paying taxes to benefit the community through things like roads, police, and health services. The more we grow, the more costly it’s going to become.”

To meet this tidal wave of growth, Walls has remade the treasurer’s office in an image that prizes three things above all else: its work culture, the quality of services it can provide, and the innovation it can pursue.

As part of building the work culture that has made her team such an undeniable force for positive change, Walls recently took her leadership team through an “intense” National Association of Counties course that laid out how

local governments could evolve and innovate using businesses as inspiration.

“It broke down where we are in the varying stages of digital transformation, not just how to navigate it successfully but how to manage change,” she said. “In business, that meant how to thrive or fail. You look at how Domino’s digitized ordering pizza to stay ahead, while companies like Kodak pioneered digital photography but ultimately failed.”

She and her team internalized the lessons learned, furthering their long-standing ethos of treating the business of government like a business. “It was interesting to get that perspective from this course, that if you were looking for the right indicators and are open to proactively making changes, the future is predictable… We don’t want to sit around and wait for the next problem.”

Not that waiting for problems has ever been a part of Walls’ and her team’s job description. Their passion for delivering better on services has already allowed for remarkable change in the department she oversees. An overhaul of mybeaufortcounty. com created an easier interface and instant access for county taxpayers to manage their own tax bill. Mitigating the threat posed by the pandemic led to the installation of self-service kiosks. And implementing Zendesk, a customer service management software, has completely changed the taxpayer experience.

“We launched that last year; it lets customers search for information, talk to a bot or reach out to us through chat, so there is a ton of interaction,” she said. “And on the back end, it means when someone contacts us, they don’t have to reiterate their whole story. We bring up their help ticket and can see everything they’ve already provided.”

Instead of meeting the typical, low expectations of citizens engagement with government, this is just one example of the third pillar in Walls’ radical approach: her thirst for innovation.

“A lot of what was covered in that class was about leveraging what you have. So many organizations have the technology, they have the data, but are they using it well? We realized there were some areas where we could be doing more to make forward-facing decisions.”

To that end, Walls will look to extend Zendesk’s technology to the treasurer office’s phone system in the future, giving her team a wealth of tools to get ahead of taxpayer problems. She’ll look to invest more in technology than in bringing on additional staff, automating processes to create a leaner operation and keep money in the county’s coffers, and future proofing the department against the surge of new residents and the complexity they’ll bring.

“Looking at things from a digital technology standpoint allows us to equip ourselves to handle this growth while minimizing the associated costs,” Walls said. “Government should be doing better than other organizations. We should be serving better than the private sector, because our customers don’t really have a choice.”

That private sector savvy, applied to the public sector, has been a hallmark of Walls’ seven years as treasurer. Through this philosophy, she has not only revolutionized the department; she is mending fences between the public and the public sector. “I don’t know when it happened that people obtained such a low expectation of government,” she said. “But I think we need to adjust those expectations, or nothing is going to get better.”

And as she has proved, government can get better. It can operate smarter. And it can deliver innovation and better service. In Beaufort County, it already is. 

RetuRn of the King

AS THE LOWCOUNTRY’S TECHNOLOGY KING, TYLER DYKES FIGHTS TO KEEP HIS KINGDOM SAFE FROM THE SCOURGE OF RANSOMWARE, SPYWARE AND HACKERS.

hen Tyler Dykes first launched his business, Technology King of the Lowcountry, the aim was simple: provide the utmost in IT services to the Lowcountry. Setting up networks, troubleshooting technical problems, installing smart home infrastructure to automate people’s lives, improving access to the Internet—these were his main missions.

But then, trouble arrived in his kingdom. “We’ve developed a great relationship with a local bank, and they called us because one of their clients had been hacked and lost $80,000. It was one of the most indepth scam and hack combinations that I’ve seen hit this area,” Dykes said.

The client in question had been sucked into a scam by a sinister blend of innocuous emails, fake phone numbers and remorseless conmen. It began with what’s called a “phishing” email, designed to look like it came from an official source but a trick concealing a link to ransomware. Once the poor soul clicked the link, the ransomware flooded their computer and locked them out of all their files. A notification that popped up following the attack convinced them to call a fake phone number for “Microsoft,” beginning the second phase of the scam.

“The scammer spent two days on the phone with them making it look they were fixing things. They showed them all these credentials, so they looked legitimate, and warned them that one of their bank accounts may have been compromised,” Dykes said. The scam artist convinced their mark to transfer money out of their account into a separate account from the same bank. As soon as the

transfer went through, the money was wired overseas and lost forever.

“But it all initially happened because they mistakenly clicked this link and didn’t have the proper cybersecurity,” Dykes said. “There are probably 20 different steps we could have taken that could have prevented this. It was one of the things that really shocked us and pushed us toward preventative cybersecurity.”

Seeing that there were needs for his technical wizardry beyond setting up home networks, Dykes began reinventing his business, putting a greater emphasis on cybersecurity. “We’re building a castle here—not just the technical infrastructure of a home or a business, but the defenses of it as well,” he said. “We’re building an entire system to keep people safe.”

It could not have come at a better time. “There has been a massive increase in cyberattacks over the last few years. During

the pandemic, it rose 5.7 times, and it’s gone up a similar amount since the war in Ukraine,” Dykes said. “Both of these global events dramatically increased the amount of crime, especially directed toward affluent homeowners.”

Until the scam artists started targeting individuals, their big fish had been mostly businesses, creating an atmosphere in which cybercrime racked up damages totaling $6 trillion globally in 2021. That’s according to Cyber Security Ventures, who note that if cybercrime were measured as a country, it would have the third largest economy in the world. And just because these criminals have now begun actively targeting private citizens, small-to-medium businesses are not off the hook.

“The professional industries in the area are probably the most at risk,” Dykes said. “Law firms, insurance companies, medical service providers … most of them are small and most don’t have the right safeguards set up in advance.”

To help fight this scourge of spyware, malware and ransomware, Technology King leans on a full suite of 25 different high-tech tools to bolster security up front, minimize damage in the case of infection, and prevent an attack at every step. It’s not just about having the right software in the machine. It’s about having the right training at the front of your mind when that first phishing email hits your inbox.

“Having both of those elements in place is huge,” Dykes said. “The software that would have prevented the popup in the first place is just the beginning. User education would have stopped it before it started.”

He points back in this case to that tragic $80,000 ransomware attack. With the proper training, that person would have known the number for Microsoft was fake and never would have been sucked into the scam’s endgame.

Beyond just a sense of seasoned savviness when it comes to computer fraud, Dykes shows clients how to prevent attacks by setting up two-factor authentication, so any attempted log in to any service must go through your trusted phone number or email. He also recommends never saving your passwords to Chrome, something that many of us are very guilty of.

“A lot of it is software, but a lot of it is that combination of security and education,” he said. “If someone calls us that they’re worried they’ve been suckered in by ransomware, the first thing we do is a full cybersecurity risk assessment: what ports are open, what data is still protected, and what’s already been compromised.”

From there, it’s a matter of shutting down the attack in progress by rooting out the infected files, then preventing the next attack through daily computer backups to the cloud and preventative measures that flag anything suspicious and report it.

It’s been a transformative period for Technology King of the Lowcountry, pivoting from the world of IT infrastructure to fighting attacks from the worst criminals in the world. But for Tyler Dykes, building the kingdom was just step one. Step two is safeguarding the realm.

“Our goal is to protect the entire Lowcountry,” he said. “We’re not just your IT guys; that’s not what the world of IT is anymore. Our main focus is on protection.”

To bolster your defenses against the global threat of cybercrime, reach out to Technology King of the Lowcountry at lowcountrytechnologyking.com. 

TOWN EXPANDS COMMUNITY CODE ENFORCEMENT TEAM

Everyone wants to feel safe in the community where they live—not just from a law enforcement standpoint. We also want to experience safety from a quality-of-life perspective and through measures the Town Council puts in place to protect property, people, and the environment. Our community code enforcement program is key to helping us achieve a high level of public safety.

When we approved our 2023 fiscal year budget in June, we approved funding for a director of public safety and four more community code enforcement officers. The director of public safety position was assumed by Bob Bromage, who was a major with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and served as its public information officer and lead cold case investigator. Bob was no stranger to Town Hall as he was one of the sheriff's deputies assigned to be present at Town Hall meetings. He is now overseeing our new public safety office, including our community code enforcement program.

Prior to this year, the town had two code enforcement officers: Wendy Conant, who joined the town staff in 2017, and Todd McNeil, who joined the staff in 2019. Last

month, the town expanded its community code enforcement program with the addition of two new code enforcement officers: Mack Brown and Morgan Thompson. In the next year, we plan to add another two officers to the team. Together, this team of six will help the town sustain our community through education and compliance. Not only will they help uphold community public safety standards, but they will serve as ambassadors for our community.

CHRISTMAS PARADE APPLICATIONS, HOLIDAY EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

It’s the season to apply to be in the Bluffton’s fifty-first Christmas parade. The parade application is live on the town’s website, townofbluffton.sc.gov, and applications will be accepted until Friday, November 11. Entries are first come, first served; please note there is a limit of 125 entries for the 2022 parade. Submit your application as soon as possible!

The town is asking parade entrants to give a donation to the Bluffton Lutzie 43 Charitable Fund, in lieu of an entry fee. Your donation will help fund scholarships for Bluffton’s students as well as support the town’s safe driving campaign, to reduce/eliminate vehicle causalities and fatalities in Bluffton.

Donating in lieu of an entry fee is an effort to streamline the application process and use the spirit of the Christmas Parade to help our neighbors remain safe year-round. Please donate in an amount of your choice via: cflowcountry.civicore.com/BlufftonLutzie43. The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, a non-profit organization, manages these funds, and donations are tax-deductible.

Our code enforcement officers are responsible for enforcing the town’s Municipal Code and Land Management Ordinance relating to environmental, public safety, health, sanitation, and other general regulations. They respond to citizen complaints and reports from other agencies and departments on alleged violations of town zoning. They also inspect and patrol public and private properties to ensure compliance with town Municipal Code and the Land Management Ordinance, conduct field investigations, patrol our beaches, and answer questions and interpret town codes for citizens, staff, and outside agencies. They work along with Shore Beach Patrol, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department, and other partners to respond to concerns. Our expanded team of officers will play an important role as we implement our strategic action initiatives such as our short-term rental initiative and a parking master plan.

With a larger team, we will be in a position to better respond to our residents and visitors and protect our community. To contact our Code Enforcement Office, call the town at (843) 341-4600.

The Christmas parade has always been one of the town’s most attended and cherished events and marks the official kickoff to the holiday season. It is a way to express our eclectic energy and create memories for every family here.

As with every year, this parade will happen, rain or shine, the first weekend of December. The event will only be canceled if the Town of Bluffton deems weather conditions as unsafe, so mark your calendars for December 3, beginning at 10 a.m.

Bluffton’s Tree Lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m., Friday, December 2, at Martin Family Park, followed by Santa’s Workshop at DuBois Park’s Pavilion. The movie, The Grinch, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Martin Family Park. Please bring blankets and/or chairs. Martin Family Park and DuBois Park are adjacent to each other on Boundary Street in the Historic District.

On behalf of Town Council and our staff, we look forward to decorating the parks, creating a holiday wonderland, and hosting the tree lighting and parade. These are the town’s gifts to you, our residents.

Board-certified, fellowship-trained spine specialist B. Andrew Castro, M.D., has joined BOSS Orthopaedics (formerly known as Beaufort Orthopaedic, Sports & Spine), with offices on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton and in Beaufort. Dr. Castro is a member of the medical staff and performs surgery at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

Robert L. Smith, M.D., FAAFP, has joined Beaufort Memorial Palmetto Medical Group in Bluffton. Boardcertified in family medicine, Dr. Smith comes to the Lowcountry from Finger Lakes Family Care in Canandaigua, N.Y., a practice which he founded in 2006.

Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine will host “Under the Legacy Oaks – Dinner on the Wild Side,” sponsored by Parker Law Firm from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 4. The event will be held at Legacy Oaks Park, 328 Lakeview Drive, Ridgeland. All proceeds will go toward the expansion of the Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine - Ridgeland Clinic. Tickets can be purchased online at bjvim.org/events.

America’s Boating Club® Hilton Head (ABCHH) announces “Deck the Hulls” — A Christmas Boat Parade, to be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening will feature an established fleet of local watercraft, in all shapes and sizes, “decked out” in dramatic light displays, costumed crews, special effects, and other creative holiday decorations. Participating boats will compete for prizes and dazzle spectators as they cruise along Skull Creek.

The parade route will begin at Port Royal Sound, proceed along Skull Creek to Hilton Head Harbor Marina, and return to Safe Harbor-Skull Creek Marina. Parade-goers can enjoy the parade from many ideal viewing locations including Skull Creek waterfront restaurants and marinas, The Rowing and Sailing Center at Squire Pope Community Park, Dolphin Head, and Fort Mitchel. It’s also anticipated that residents along Skull Creek will be hosting private viewing parties to experience the evening with friends and family.

This new event is presented by America’s Boating Club® Hilton Head (ABCHH), a not-for-profit organization that promotes safe boating through a wide range of educational seminars and courses, on-the-water activities, and community outreach projects such as this parade. The goal of “Deck the Hulls” — A Christmas Boat Parade is to bring neighbors and local businesses together to celebrate the holiday season.

To learn more, visit the event website at abchh.org/deckthehulls.

The Hospital Auxiliary awarded Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) nursing students Chelsea Selner and Dean Smith $2,000 each, funded through Power:Ed. The Power:Ed grant given to local nonprofits to help South Carolina students succeed is a philanthropy of South Carolina Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC). Both Selner and Smith are working at the Hilton Head Hospital while attending TCL’s nursing program. Marge Sieban, the Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship chair awarded the scholarships.

Please join Coastal Skin Studio for a “sip and see” grand opening Saturday, November 5 from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. including specials, raffles and giveaways. Located at 1 Marianna Way, Suite 103 in downtown Bluffton.

Long Cove Club announces that the Long Cove Fund has awarded $290,300 in grants to 46 area nonprofit organizations. The mission of the Long Cove Fund, as administered through the Long Cove Fund Charitable Advisory Committee, is to encourage and support charitable giving by the members of Long Cove Club and to provide grants to nonprofits in support of current needs in the areas of health, housing, hunger and education in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, with particular focus on projects and programs serving the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Communities. Since 2003, $1,850,541 in grants has been awarded to local nonprofits. A Grants Awards Presentation was held at Long Cove Club on September 28.

Known for her striking coastal landscape and still life paintings, South Carolina artist Suzanne Aulds’ passion for capturing the world around her has expanded into children’s books. Inspired by her beloved pet poodle Hannah, Aulds presents a charming children’s book, Hannah Banana’s Perfect Day, to highlight the enjoyment of owning a dog. The book is available for purchase online at Amazon.com.

The Bay Point Island Foundation (TBPIF)’s second annual Art Auction will be held on December 3 at the Driftwood Eatery and Gallery, 5 Waterway Lane, Hilton Head Island. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the auction starting at 7 p.m. This annual event supports Foundation projects, resources, and research that conserve and protect the flora and fauna of Bay Point Island.

Bay Point Island is a 1,400-acre island on the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina and home to a variety of habitats including beach, dunes, pine forests, salt marshes and wetlands that support a diversity of flora and fauna including shorebirds, nesting sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, and dolphins.

Artist call: Artists are invited to submit their work for auction, including paintings, sculptures, weavings, and jewelry. A Foundation representative will pick up submissions before November 23. Artwork, inclusive of frames should be 12” x 12” (minimum) and 36” x 48” (maximum). Larger pieces will be considered with consultation. Those interested should visit thebaypointislandfoundation.org/events for more information.

The event: The auction is open to all members of the local community. Admission is $25 per person and includes drinks, light hors d’oeuvres, and music. Auctioned artwork will donate 50 percent of the sale to TBPIF as part of this fundraising campaign.

Founded in 2019, TBPIF is a nonprofit organization that exists to foster conservation, conduct field research, promote ecoeducation, and advance best practices in environmentally responsible tourism resulting in the preservation of Bay Point Island.