CH2: Celebrate Hilton Head - August 2011 by CH2/ CB2 : Celebrate Hilton Head / Celebrate Bluffton

AUGUST 2011

* VROOOM! VROOOM!

INCLUDING: Tips for extending the life of your car CONCOURS D' ELEGANCE 2011 THE $1000 BEACHSIDE TIRE & AUTO MAINTENANCE GIVEAWAY

MARK PELLIGRINO OPENS UP C2 EXCLUSIVE

WITH THE CLOSER ACTOR

The Search Begins for the 2012 Bachelor of the Year GUIDE *TOYOUR SIGNATURE

SPA TREATMENTS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY 1

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

FEAtuREs

CONtENts

August 2011

116 P49 FILL IN THE BLANK WITH... trader Luke

P50 MARK PELLEGRINo oPENS UP If you’re an avid couch potato for the last two decades or even the last two years, you might be racking your inner DVR brain for the answer to the question, “I know that guy from somewhere, but what the hell is his name?”

P70

P124

TAKE THE SPA HoME WITH yoU Next time you are in for a treatment at your favorite spa, pick up a few of your favorite products to pamper yourself at home.

AN oUNCE oF PREvENTIoN Auto maintenance made easy

P72

P66

THE SIGNATURE TREATMENT C2 contacted local spas to see what they were known for. We present a list of all local spas and their specialty treatments.

MAKE THE WoRLD Go AWAy today’s spas provide a healthy respite from the daily grind.

P102 PALMETToES – FRoM THE SHoWRooM To yoUR CLoSET C2 goes to market with Dennis and Chuck. Look out Atlanta!.

P112 TECHNoLoGy oN THE Go Mobile apps drive smart device market boom; local web design and marketing company at the forefront.

>>> oN oUR CovER

P116

AUGUST 2011

IN THE DRIvER’S SEAT the 2012 Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance

P122 

70 14

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

* VROOOM! VROOOM!

INCLUDING: TIps fOR exTeNDING The LIfe Of yOUR CaR CONCOURs D' eLeGaNCe 2011 The $1000 BeaChsIDe TIRe & aUTO MaINTeNaNCe GIVeaWay

MaRK peLLIGRINO OpeNs Up C2 exCLUsIVe

WITh THE CLOSER aCTOR

AWAy!

$1000 GIvE

THE BEACHSIDE TIRE $1000 GIvEAWAy! Enter today at www. celebratehiltonhead.com

The seaRCh BeGINs fOR The 2012 BaCheLOR Of The yeaR

yOUR GUIDe TO sIGNaTURe spa TReaTMeNTs IN The LOWCOUNTRy

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

August 2011

CONTENTS

EVERYtHINg ELsE

August

2011

>> BUSINESS PRoFILES

P56 PIANo PERFECT William Byrd Custom Homebuilders raises the bar on quality building

P62 GET MELLoW Mellow Mushroom serves up good food, good times in two locations

P78 CHIN DyNASTy Where Chinese cuisine meets fine dining

P82 A FLoRAL AFFAIR A garden menagerie for the senses

P86 THE PEoPLE oF HARGRAy the story of Hargray, from its humble beginnings in Ridgeland to an unusually dynamic communications entity

P94 A HEAD START IN LIFE Bluffton’s Kids College delivers quality learning with a loving touch

P98 NoTHING FANCy Corks Wine Co. serves up special experience in unpretentious atmosphere

>> EvERyTHING ELSE

P18

P42

EDIToR’S NoTE scandalous!

CELEBRATE AUGUST the dog days of summer

P21

P45

LETTERS To THE EDIToR Lots of letters.

P24 A SERIES oF FoRTUNATE EvENTS Your 15 minutes of fame.

C2 AFTER DARK Who’s playing where and when, along with trivia nights, and other reasons to stay up past 10 p.m.! But not after 2am. Nothing good happens after 2 a.m. Ask your mother.

P46

P26

HEALTH NoTE : vISIoN CARE Early eye exams crucial for children

oUR ToWN Curry Cup

P128

P28 CHARITy CoRNER Bluffton self Help

A WoRD FRoM THE MAyoRS Drew Laughlin and Lisa sulka update you on town happenings on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton.

P32

P130

A LINE IN THE SAND Philandering Politicians

P36 GoLF 101 Muscle Memory and golf: Fact or Fiction?

DISCoUNTS! Why in the world would you NOt show your CH2 card to get these fabulous discounts? If your issue doesn’t have one, e-mail us your mailing address and we’ll send you one! Card requests to m.washo@ celebratehiltonhead.com.

>>> oN oUR CovER 2 CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND

AUGUST 2011

* VroooM! VroooM!

inclUDing: TiPS for eXTenDing The life of YoUr car concoUrS D' elegance 2011 The $1000 BeachSiDe Tire & aUTo MainTenance giVeaWaY

MarK Pelligrino oPenS UP c2 eXclUSiVe

WiTh THE CLOSER acTor

The Search BeginS for The 2012 Bachelor of The Year

62 16

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

YoUr gUiDe To SignaTUre SPa TreaTMenTS in The loWcoUnTrY

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

August 2011

FROM tHE EDItOR

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief:

08.2011

2 MAggIE WAsHO Art Director: KELLY stROuD Art & Production CAtHERINE DAVIEs Advertising Sales: AsHtON KELLEY stAN WADE CHuCK BOuFFORD Executive Assistant LILY BARtELL Contributing Writers: PAuL DEVERE

PHOtOgRAPHY BY ANNE

FRANK DuNNE JR. DAVID gIgNILLIAt COuRtNEY HAMPsON LINDsEY HARRELL LINDsEY HAWKINs LINDA s. HOPKINs

The CH2 team (Ashton, Catherine, Kelly, Maggie) with 2011 Bachelor of the year, Ben Wolfe.

DREW LAugHLIN

SCANDALOUS!

PEtE POPOVICH LIsA suLKA JENNIFER sWItAK DAVID tOBIAs PEtER ZINK Contributing Photographers / Artist: PHOtOgRAPHY BY ANNE JOHN BRACKEtt PHOtOgRAPHY AttIC FIRE PHOtOgRAPHY KRIsZtIAN LONYAI KALI LYNN PHOtOgRAPHY Art Direction: tOM stAEBLER

P.O.Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

have been totally engrossed in the Rupert Murdoch News of the World scandal over the last few weeks. It first appeared on my radar a few months ago when I read a piece in Vanity Fair’s June issue entitled “the Dark Arts,” by sarah Ellison. the article exposed the cover-up of questionable behavior by News of the World journalists and private investigators. It seems everyone’s (well, not everyone – just the royal princes, celebrities and anyone else deemed newsworthy) phones were being hacked, and personal messages were being reprinted as big scoop for the rag. It’s taken seven years to come out, but even the boss himself can’t cover up this story anymore. Parts of Murdoch’s empire are under investigation, and he is currently in front of Parliament trying to explain how the heck this could have happened. Add in a pie-throwing crazy person,

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

police investigators “resigning” left and right and u.K’s former director of communications for the Prime Minister being hauled off to jail. It’s like a movie! A made-for-tV Lifetime movie. What really stands out to me though, is this: How on god’s green earth could News of the World afford to bribe police officers for stories and/or phone tapping? Clearly we are not charging enough for ad space. Effective immediately, our rates are going up 60 percent. If Netflix can get away with it, so can CH2. Who knows how many stories we could be missing out on because we aren’t bribing people! Just kidding. We are bribing people. to be more specific, single men. the winner of the 2012 Bachelor of the Year contest will receive $5,000 in cash and his face on the cover of our January issue. In addition, in honor of our fifth year anniversary, we

are giving cash prizes to the top nine contestants as well! so nominate your guy friends (or yourselves) now for a chance to win and a really great cause. go to www.celebratehiltonhead. com and look for this button on our homepage.

And to the married guy that entered last year...REALLY?! Did you really think your wife wouldn’t find out? What is the world coming to?

M. Washo Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief

August 2011

BBQ

Insalata Caprese salad

Letters

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4-inch thick 2 large vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick 1 cup fresh basil leaves Salt to taste Freshly-ground black pepper to taste 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Preparation: In a circular design around the side of a serving plate, alternate fresh mozzarella slices on a large platter (or on individual plates if you are doing individual portions) with sliced tomatoes, overlapping for effect. Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle liberally over the slices. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Sprinkle capers over the top. Just before serving, drizzle on some top-quality extra-virgin olive oil. We like it sprinkled with balsamic vinegar as well, even though at true insalata caprese is made without vinegar. Makes 4 servings.

To the Editor...

GeorGIa BlueBerry CrIsp wIth lemon masCarpone

Method: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl place blueberries, in a small bowl combine reserved lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, 4 Tablespoons flour and half teaspoon cinnamon. Mix together and pour over blueberries. Fold together. Pour mixture into a 13x9 inch baking dish. For lemon mascarpone: In a medium bowl combine oats, flour, sugar, butter, almonds, nutmeg and cinnamon. Combine ingredients until crumble forms. Top blueberries with mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or topping is golden and crisp. Serve warm Serves 8-10.

Maggie Washo: We really enjoy the CB2 magazine. But on page 70 in the July 4th recipes, the Georgia Blueberry Crisp seems to be missing directions, specifically on what to do with the mascarpone, 1/3 cup sugar and vanilla. Any way we can get the info? The recipe sounds wonderful. Craig Boehlke Sun City Hilton Head

rounded Tablespoon over top of Blueberry in baking dish. (about 7-10 drops) For the Topping: In a medium bowl combine oats, flour, sugar, butter, almonds, nutmeg and cinnamon. Combine ingredients until crumble forms. Top Blueberries with mixture. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until topping is golden brown and crisp. Serve Warm.

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief: MAGGIE WASHO

TOP FIVE WAYS TO GET KICKED OUT OF THE HERITAGE TOURNAMENT

Art & Production CATHERINE DAVIES

ASHTON KELLEY STAN WADE CHUCK BOUFFORD Executive Assistant LILY BARTELL Contributing Writers: FRANK DUNNE JR. DAVID GIGNILLIAT LANCE HANLIN

DREW LAUGHLIN PETE POPOVICH LISA SULKA

DAVID TOBIAS PETER ZINK

LEW WESSEL Contributing

Photographers / Artist: PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE

JOHN BRACKETT PHOTOGRAPHY

Art Direction: TOM STAEBLER

P.O.Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

had just picked up a few boxes of our June issue (coincidentally, our PET issue) and was heading back to the office when I found myself in the wrong lane. Was I texting while driving? Absolutely not. How then, did I end up in Belfair Village? I blame the ongoing construction on Buck Island Road. I was confused by the bright orange cones. So there I was in Belfair Village, just trying to make a U-turn to get me back onto Hwy. 278, and what do I see but four little black fur balls in the middle of the parking lot. Now let me stop for a minute. I know there are hundreds (thousands?) of feral cats in this area. We’ve all seen kittens scurry away into the bushes near our favorite restaurant while the momma cat stops to hiss at us. This time, though, there was no momma cat—just four abandoned kittens about three weeks old in the middle of a parking lot. What’s a girl to do? Of course Lucy and I (did I mention I had my giant Bernese mountain dog was in the car with me?) made a quick detour into the bank parking lot to rescue the kittens. Thankfully, I had several boxes of magazines to empty into my trunk. They would make great temporary “cathouses” on the way to the nearest rescue. I scooped up two with little trouble. I’m not going to lie. When they hissed at me, I thought, “Dear Lord. Please don’t let me to get rabies from these cats.” Thankfully they were so tiny that their teeth couldn’t actually puncture flesh yet. With two in the box, I

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE

thought our little morning detour was almost over. And then the other duo darted across the parking lot. After them I went in my four-inch heels. I grabbed the third one and placed him in the box. There was only one kitten remaining—my nemesis. He or she went back to where my car was parked and proceeded to hide underneath it. I am sure I was a sight on my hands and knees trying to coax a kitten not much bigger than a mouse out from under my vehicle—in 90-degree heat, no less. The little bugger finally made a move for my left wheel well and proceeded to climb underneath my car towards the engine. Panicked, I rushed over and turned off the car lest I have one dead kitty. So let’s recap: giant Bernese mountain dog baking in 90 degree heat, three kittens in a box, one in the engine, and one editor late for a meeting—all before 10 a.m. I needed to phone a friend. The conversation went a little like this: Me: “Kel. At Belfair Village. Gonna be late for a meeting. Three kittens in a box. Can’t turn on the car and the air conditioner because fourth kitten is in my engine. Lucy is dying in this heat. A guy on the lawnmower next to me thinks I am crazy and is trying to convince me that the kitten ran out from under my car

when I wasn’t looking; but I know he’s wrong, and if I try to start my car, I will have an even bigger problem. HELP!” Kelly: “I’m on my way. What are you doing in Bluffton? Call Brooke. She’ll know what to do.” Of course. Brooke Fisher from Brooke’s Bed & Biscuit. Why didn’t I think of that?! Long story short, Brooke came to pick up an overheated dog and the three kittens in a box. Kelly and Tom came to my rescue. After an hour of trying to coax the fourth kitten out with food and jacking up my car in a failed attempt to reach it, Tom finally handed me a nine iron out of his golf bag. In one last effort, I shoved the club underneath the car to try and push the kitten off the ledge where it was perched. It worked. When we brought this poor malnourished kitten to join its siblings at Brooke’s Haven and I watched Brooke feed it with an eye-dropper, I knew I was done for. Meet Ethel, the newest member of the family.

Good Morning! I just read your piece in CB2 regarding the kitten rescue. I really could picture you under the car trying to coax the kitten out! COURTNEY HAMPSON

MARK STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY

SO THERE I WAS, MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS..

Art Director: KELLY STROUD

Advertising Sales:

Editor’s Note: We goofed! This is what should have come after the Method Instructions. For the Lemon Mascarpone: In a medium bowl combine Mascarpone, 1/3 Cup of Sugar, 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla & Reserved Lemon Zest. Mix together until uniform and drop by

FROM THE EDITOR

07.2011

5 cups Georgia blueberries 1 large lemon, zest and juice reserved 1 cup sugar 4 tablespoons all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 8oz container of mascarpone 1/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 cup quick oats 1/3 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup light brown sugar 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed small and cold 1/3 cup sliced almonds 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 tablespoon cinnamon

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

I volunteer with Brooke’s Haven and have met Ethel’s siblings. They are precious and you did a wonderful thing by rescuing them. Hopefully, they will all find their way into safe and loving homes just like Ethel. It is my belief that God has given us pets to help us understand what unconditional love is really like. Cheers to you! Lynn Perazzelli Your magazine improves with each issue -- I now look forward to it’s arrival. But one thing in your July issue is so strange, almost offensive, I wanted to mention it to you. The profile on Reilley’s executive chef begins: “Born a Native American (Cherokee) in Oklahoma . . .” Think about it. I must also add that it was a pleasure to meet Ethel and hear her story. Regards, Nooley Reinheardt Hilton Head Island

M. Washo Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief

JULY 2011

August 2011

JULY 2011

CELEBRATE HILTON HEAD!

Tourist Trap! Attention Visitors: Do NOT turn to page 105 for advice from the locals.

HAPPY FOURTH

I love this month’s cover (and content)! Good work, sister. Oh, and I have an Ethel, too. Her name is Bitchy Kitty. Best, Becca

Paulie’s original coal Fired Pizza

Thisis is This Paulie Paulie



BuT he doesn’T own The Place...yeT.

Article by FrAnk Dunne, Jr. Article by FrAnk Dunne, Jr. PhotogrAPhy by John brAckett PhotogrAPhy by John brAckett

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

July 2011

Can’t wait for you to open on HHI. Love your pizza but going “over seas” is not an option for food (or anything else for that matter). See you soon! Erin

CH2’S

TOP

TO DO

LIST FOR TOURISTS PHOTOS BY JOHN BRACKETT

ou’ve made it. After 10 hours of planes, trains, and automobiles, you’ve finally checked into your timeshare villa, beachfront house or hotel room. You have done battle with all of the other island visitors at Piggly Wiggly, Publix or Harris Teeter, and have your morning necessities... coffee, tea, Red Bull. Now what? Let us help. We know it can be difficult sorting through all of the paraphernalia thrown at you from the moment you cross over the bridges. There is plenty to do here. The editorial staff at CH2 has come up with this list to help. Or at the very least, it may entertain you while you sit on the beach, wait for a table or go to the loo.

HANG OUT AT A REAL BEACH BAR.

As in one with a view of the water. Order a frozen concoction and feel the stress ooze out of your body. Watch the sunset in your bathing suit and listen to the chatter of other vacationers planning their tomorrows. To be honest, that is what the locals do every weekend. We like to hang out at these places (The Tiki Hut, Pool Bar Jim’s, Sea Pines Beach Club, to name a few) and pretend we are on vacation, too. There’s a reason this is first on our list. You need a drink after your travels to get you into the right frame of mind.

GET OUT ON THE WATER!

You’re on an island for Pete’s sake! Get out there and enjoy it. Our indigenous wildlife is a big draw, and some sort of dolphin-watching excursion is a must. If you enjoy exercise, a kayak tour is a good way to get up close and personal with these playful creatures. For those who have never operated a kayak, don’t fret. All local guides give a short tutorial before your trip, and it’s an extremely easy vessel to maneuver. If you would rather let someone else do the work, there are plenty of dolphin cruises of the motordriven variety as well. If you are up for a physical challenge along with your eco tour, try paddle boarding. It is becoming wildly popular in the Lowcountry as a way to become one with nature and get a good workout in the process. Again, it isn’t as hard as it looks. The worst that could happen is you fall off of your board and get a little wet. But in that 95 degree heat, you probably won’t mind. For a slightly different perspective, we suggest parasailing. A bird’s eye view of the island at around 800 feet in the air is a great way to get on the water without getting in it.

At least try the local seafood, even if it is just a few grilled shrimp on an appetizer and definitely check out the Gullah History around here. Talk to the folks at the museums and join us in the Marsh Monday Night. We will be enjoying 5 different fireworks displays from the deck of our boat. Old Oyster Factory, Skull Creek, Harbourtown and several other key locations have awesome fireworks watching spots and all the “Adult Beverages” and world class foodies you can stand. Michael Reed

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 21

Letters



a line in the sand

To the Editor...

in defense of marriage

article by Frank Dunne, Jr PhotograPhy By aNNE

Well, Well, Well! What a fine mess Courtney’s gotten herself into this time. merely tWo months after Celebrating her engagement to be married, she Will noW attempt—and fail—to prove the old Canard that the marriage institution is “outdated.” Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the Wall for that Conversation With her fianCée? Quite a piCkle indeed!

rchid



hink that’s kooky? Try this on. I’ve never been married, yet here I am arguing in defense of marriage. Well, my job is to shine the light of truth on Courtney’s disinformation campaigns, and I will, as always, come through for you. I do this at great personal risk, you know. Certain references to historical i n te l l i g e n ce re g a rd i n g t wo - p a re n t , single breadwinner households might be misinterpreted as me being critical of working women, particularly single moms. What, do you think I’m crazy? Single moms and women with careers pretty much define the pool of dating prospects for a guy like me, and they’re all superheroines! There’s more to the story, but I’ve got 600 words to make a point and be entertaining about a subject that needs a whole book. Okay, hopefully that worked. let’s get on with setting Courtney’s mind straight… again. Traditional marriage, the two-parent family unit (call it whatever name you like) was, is, and forever will be the foundation of a strong, civil, unified and enduring society. Attack that foundation, as antisocial counterculturalists do, and you get what we have today: a myriad of societal ills, including soaring crime rates, class warfare, and a generally eroding national moral compass. Apparently Courtney regards the latter as progress. It is a historically proven fact that children reared in traditional family environments, especially single breadwinner families, are less likely to get into trouble, flunk out or drop out of school, join a gang, use drugs, or wind up in prison. It is also a historically proven fact that problems with things like healthcare coverage, personal

bankruptcy, and mortgage defaults occur less frequently for married couples than for unmarried couples. I’m sure Courtney will attempt to distract you from such facts with a page full off platitudes and banalities, but as Winston Churchill said about the truth, “…in the end, there it is.” She’ll probably throw in the famous old canard that 50 percent of marriages will fail as well. Not true. It’s a misinterpretation of National Center for Health Statistics data showing that over the past decade there were roughly twice as many marriages as divorces in a given year. However, in a given year, there are already millions of existing marriages, and the knee-jerk 50 percent divorce rate conclusion erroneously assumes that every divorce in a given year is a result of a marriage that happened in the same year. I’m not saying that there isn’t a problem here. Too many marriages fail, but the problem isn’t the institution of marriage. Blaming the institution is like the guy who swings like a gorilla blaming his golf clubs for his atrocious game. It’s not the clubs. He just stinks at golf and needs to practice. Same thing here. Marriage isn’t the problem; we’re the problem. Somewhere along the line we as a society stopped practicing things like personal responsibility, good judgment, and understanding why we were put on this Earth. Marriage and family have always formed the anchor for those values. It’s not outdated. It’s necessary. Now, let’s congratulate Courtney for her impending connubial union and for actually getting something right for the first time since we launched this column. Of course, she had to disagree with herself to do it. 

in Bloom

e knew Orchid Paulmeier as just Orchid—like Sting, like Cher, like The Edge, yes, like Madonna—well before The Food Network discovered Orchid this year. Even before The Food Network promoted their seventh season with the phrase, “Do you have what it takes to be a single-name celebrity?”, we all knew and loved the bubbly, zippy-talking, constantly smiling Orchid and knew that if it’s a single name celebrity they want, this is a match made in heaven. Among those food celebrities we know just by their first names— Guy, Bobby, Giada, Paula, Rachel, Robert—Orchid is just perfect. Even she says she doesn’t know anybody who knows anybody who knows anybody who knows another Orchid. So, Orchid could very well be the next Food Network star, and in the weird, somehow wonderful—no, just weird—world of reality TV, maybe she already is. Let’s see, it’s June as we write, July as you read, next week when you watch The Next Food Network Star episode, and it won’t be until August 14 when we find out if Orchid has made it to the end. What’s even stranger is that by the time we find out, it will be just one week before she hosts her very own show—if she wins/has won. She could be in production right now and planning her book tour. The exclusive feature about her in Food Network Magazine may already be at press, and she may be on her way to what Bobby Flay calls “a once-in-alifetime chance to launch a culinary empire.” Confusing, huh?

Article by David Tobias // Photography By Anne Orchid Headpiece by a Floral Affair

Orchid is doing great. I wish she would mention on the show that her restaurant is in Hilton Head, it would be good advertising. I hope she wins. Steve Orchid is very talented and she’s full of humility. She deserves to win not just because of her talent but also for her perseverance to achieve her goals! Go Orchid, you make us proud to be Filipinos! Joni Whatcott

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

July 2011

Kudos to you Frank! Having been on both sides of that proverbial “line in the sand” (Marriedsingle, married again, soon to be single again), I have to totally agree with you. Even though I don’t have a perfect track record, I don’t feel that it was the institution of marriage that failed me nor the many who end up in divorce. I do believe that marriage can be a strong foundation on which many things can be built. In my opinion, the problem lies not in the institution of marriage itself, but rather that the two people involved do not enter that marriage prepared for what lies ahead. They each bring their unrealistic expectations of each other, and certainly

bring excess baggage, hoping that their significant other will totally fulfill them, and be all things to them. If people today who are engaged to be married, would spend more time discovering who they really are and not expecting their spouse to complete them and to be all things to them, maybe the ratio could be changed in a positive way. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up with the planning and preparations of the wedding, we fail to really prepare ourselves for the reality of what being in the commitment of marriage really means. I agree that personal responsibility, good judgment, understanding along with truth and honesty, are core pillars that when combined, help form a strong foundation that will stand the test of time.  Lolita

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 23

A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS

Island Tire New Owners – New Improvements at Island Tire & Automotive Services Left to right Berry and Ruthie Edwards, Julie and Berry Edwards

Robert Moul and Sandra Milena

James M. O’Malley, M.D.

Robert Charles Moul II of Kennett Square, PA and Sandra Milena Valencia of Manizales, Colombia together with their families are pleased to announce their engagement.

an Internist, has joined Bluffton-Okatie Primary Care in Okatie.

Clayton Colleran hads joined Energy One. Bringing successful marketing experience and a comprehensive understanding of the green construction industry, Clayton will be acting as sales representative and manager of operations.

Drew Toney recently moved from Columbia to Hilton Head and has joined the Mullen Wylie, LLC law firm as an associate concentrating his practice on Construction Litigation and related matters

Rob Mitchell former executive with the Walt Disney Company and president of Reynolds Plantation -- a nationallyrenowned 14,000 acre golf community in Georgia, has joined Reed Development, where he will serve as president of Hampton Lake and assist with strategic planning for the company’s future projects.

Bill “Mac” MacGillivray has beenpromoted to production manager at H&H Auto; he has been with H & H Auto Body for several years and has been involved in the auto industry for 40 years.

To be included in our next Series of Fortunate Events, please email Ashton Kelley a PHOTO and A SENTENCE (not a paragraph) at a.kelley@celebratehiltonhead.com. Photos will not be accepted without a sentence. Sentences will not be accepted without a photo. Paragraphs will be edited down to one sentence. Get it? Got it! Good. 24

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

oUR ToWN

the Curry Foundation 2nd Annual Curry Cup Charity Golf Event F r a n k D u n n e , J r.

> SCENES FRoM THE 2010 CURRy CUP.

> WINNERS oF THE 2010 CURRy CUP.

bout a year and a half ago, a friend recruited me to volunteer for the Curry Foundation, a local non-profit charity organization. I’ve never really been much into volunteerism, but he made a pretty convincing case. I liked the fact that the Curry Foundation is a small, local group helping local people. I’d know everybody involved, know where the money is going, and I’d actually get to meet the beneficiaries directly and see them get better. so far, so good. I’ve seen it twice since

then, most recently with a young woman named sherry Kahle. sherry’s an art teacher at Hilton Head Island Middle school and, by all accounts, extremely popular with the kids. she feels the same way about them. “I absolutely love my job,” she said. “I get to work in art and be with kids all day—two of my favorite things.” It was bad for both sides when sherry had to miss months of work because of cancer. that’s the way it works: one person gets sick, a bunch of people feel the effects.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

I first met sherry last fall, a few months after she’d been diagnosed with nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. she’d just undergone a chemotherapy treatment and, although she didn’t look sick to me, I could tell she was having a hard time getting through the interview. Not so when I reconnected with her in the spring. Having gone through six chemo treatments between August and December of 2010 and a series of tests to make sure it worked, sherry told me that scans taken in January came up completely clean. she’d also been back to work—back with the kids—for about six weeks. the Curry Foundation’s role in a case like sherry’s is to provide temporary financial assistance, allowing her to concentrate her energy

on getting well and getting her life back to normal without worrying so much about the dollars. “When you’re going through a situation like that where you’re fighting for your life and it catastrophically changes your entire life, to worry about finances can kind of make or break you,” she said. “It gave me the opportunity to focus on my health.” As a matter of fact, sherry’s feeling well enough that she’s planning to pick up her clubs and join the Curry Foundation at our 2nd Annual Curry Cup Charity golf Event. It’s saturday, september 17 at Country Club of Hilton Head. Last year’s event was a huge success and everybody had a blast, so why not join us as well? Play golf to help the Curry Foundation

help others as we’ve helped sherry. sounds like a pretty good deal, don’t you think? Visit curryfoundation.org to find out how to register to play in, or be a sponsor for, the 2nd Annual Curry Cup Charity golf Event. By the way, we’re always looking for volunteers and are actively searching for new beneficiaries. You can inquire about either online as well. 

August 2011

CHARITy CoRNER

BLUFFToN SELF HELP Article by Courtney Hampson

> Nancy Meyer, a volunteer at Bluffton Self Help, stands in front of the current building. Since 1996, the organization has operated from within a 1000-square-foot facility which was formerly the town jail.

Photography by John Brackett

ach week, a Bluffton man stands in the food line at Bluffton self Help. I’m told that he can only take already prepared foods because he doesn’t have a microwave to heat a meal. “Maybe someone could donate a microwave,” I suggested naively. “No, he doesn’t have electricity, and he’s not the only one,” I’m told. EvERyoNE HAS A SToRy. the calls come in daily. some have recently suffered from a health emergency or accident. there are clients who have lost their jobs and found another, yet their new job won’t start in time to pay the rent and utilities this month. there are working mothers seeking affordable child care. Others pay all their bills, leaving no money to feed their children. school is starting soon and there is no money for uniforms and basic supplies. these people live in Bluffton and they turn to Bluffton self Help for assistance. the organization began in 1987 when Mrs. Ida Martin, a long time Bluffton resident, recognized a need that was

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

not being met among working families, disabled residents, and senior citizens in the Bluffton area. A determined Mrs. Martin founded Bluffton self Help, working from her garage, with the mission to help working families and senior citizens when they suffered a financial crisis. In over 20 years of operations, Bluffton self Help (BsH) has grown along with the needs of the community, providing free food and clothing, assistance with rent and mortgages, emergency utility assistance, payments towards emergency lodging, home repairs, and help with medications. BsH’s Children’s Assistance Program works closely with the six social workers in the Bluffton schools

to help the children of poverty stricken families with school uniforms, school supplies, and vision and hearing exams. Around the holidays, self Help collects and provides thanksgiving dinners to families in need. And they look to the community at Christmas to help make the Christmas dreams of children in our community come true. to put things in perspective, in 2010, Bluffton self Help provided 62,000 items of food to 11,600 people and provided clothing to almost 9,000 people. Additionally, BsH provided approximately $128,000 to 513 families for shortterm emergency assistance. staggering numbers. THE NEED FoR A NEW HoME since 1996, Bluffton self Help has operated from within a 1,000-square-foot facility that was the former town jail. seriously, the storage closet still has bars on it. With a growing client base and community need, BsH has simply run out of room to adequately serve clients at the present facility. Food and clothing is stored in rental storage units at other locations. safety

issues abound on food days as the perfect storm of long lines, a small parking lot, and trucks delivering food creates an unsavory environment for the clients in line to get food. In the month of June alone, 1,077 people stood in that line that snakes out amid the dirt parking lot, fronting May River Road, as morning traffic ambled by. In the current small space, the staff struggles with lack of privacy for client interviews, an out-dated electrical system that often leads to refrigeration outages, and clients having to wait outside in the elements. things are about to change. Bluffton self Help has purchased a larger facility located at 39 sheridan Park Circle in Bluffton. the new building was purchased outright, with

 HoW yoU CAN HELP •Learn more about Bluffton self Help and the sustaining Hope Building Campaign by visiting www. blufftonselfhelp.org •Are you in the building biz? the building campaign wish list includes materials and service items that you, or someone you know, may be able to provide: plywood, wood trim, paint, dry wall, bathroom hardware, interior doors, shelving, carpet, etc. the list goes on and on. If you can assist, call (843) 7578000. •Write a big check. Yes, cash donations are also welcome. • spread the word.

August 2011

A Story of Hope Maribeth’s daughter was born with sickle cell anemia. After years of learning about and living with the disease, Maribeth thought her daughter’s condition and health care were manageable. Suddenly, at four years old, her daughter developed horrible and large open sores all over her torso and thighs. After several doctor’s visits, there was still not a clear diagnosis. After even more doctor’s visits, Maribeth lost her job due to excessive absences. With funds drying up and bills continuing to come in, finally a diagnosis was discovered. Maribeth’s small child had chronic sickle cell ulcerations and required several days in the hospital, intravenous antibiotics and extensive follow-up care. Maribeth handled it beautifully, but still there were no paychecks coming in, and the bills were piling up. There would simply not be enough money for upcoming rent. Maribeth came to BSH with pictures of her daughter’s ulcerated body and excessive doctor’s notes. BSH quickly learned that her daughter would make a full recovery. Maribeth was assisted with her rental payment and was referred to a local nonprofit employment service organization. She attended the employment workshops and, after one week, secured a fulltime position and arranged child care with a family friend. Three months later, both mom and daughter are doing well.

support from grants, foundations, corporations, and individuals who contributed to the building campaign. Renovations are already underway to make the 6,500-square-foot former tile showroom into an operationally adept space for Self Help. Nearly $300,000 remains to be raised. “With the closing of the new building, we are one giant step closer to bringing this very important community project to reality,” said Peter Bromley, president of the board. “Now, we officially launch phase two of our building campaign for renovation costs and for a 10-year utility endowment.” The new building offers not only the ability to be more operationally efficient, but new possibilities and program options for clients. The meeting room will no longer also serve as the interview room, the food pantry, and the clothing, Thanksgiving meal, and Christmas toy distribution space. A much larger pantry will enable BSH to have all food on site. Three interview areas will provide privacy for clients and allow BSH to introduce Benefit Bank, an online processing service to file for eligibility for state and local programs such as SNAP (food stamps), child care assistance, federal tax return filing, medical assistance for medication and equipment, educational grants, income assistance and voter registration. Loading docks with separate entrances will be ready and waiting for Second Helpings food deliveries and other delivery trucks. This larger area will also make it possible for BSH to participate with the local food bank, offering a considerable savings in providing food and supplies to our clients. Storage space abounds for off-season clothing and holiday toys, whereas in the past, BSH couldn’t begin the Christmas toy collection until after Thanksgiving. Of all of the plans, Bromley said, “These improvements are not ‘nice-to-have’ improvements but are ‘need to have’ necessities. At the current site, clients are lining up in the summer heat during food distribution days; food delivery trucks have limited space to drop off food, and there is cramped space for conducting day-to-day business. These are just a few of the challenges the current location poses.” Soon enough, Self Help will move into their new home— November 1 is the target date. Until then, it is business as usual, in the old jail, at 1264 May River Road. Come November, Bluffton Self Help will have a new home, but their mission will remain the same as they get down to the business of helping those who need it most.  30

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011



A Line in the Sand Philandering Politicians

Article by Frank Dunne, Jr Photography BY ANNE

Here’s Courtney’s big question of the month (paraphrased): “Well my argument is... do we really care what they do in their personal life? Does that affect their ability to lead? Probably not. Does that make them ineffective at their job?”

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

n this case “they” are philandering politicians like Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., the distinguished congressman who sent salacious (and from the accounts that I’ve read, rather unimpressive) photos of himself to women through his Twitter and Facebook accounts. One of them, a former porn star, is on record as saying that Weiner tried several times to engage her in sexual communication. Courtney, if that stuff doesn’t matter, why did Weiner react like…umm…a politician when the story went public? He lied, denied, pointed the finger of blame, postured for as long as he could until the jig was up, held a press conference, spewed righteous indignation while refusing to resign until he was forced out of office in total disgrace. Only then did he bother to feign contrition, mumbling something about healing the damage that he caused with his wife, who is pregnant with their first child by the way. Can you just feel the love? Ask yourself this question as we slog through the sordid details of the scandal: If you owned the company, would you hire this person? Weiner claimed first that the pictures weren’t of him. Then he blamed an imaginary hacker but told the FBI there was no need to investigate that particular federal offense. No need for the distraction in the House was the pious statesman’s rationale, knowing full well that an investigation would prove that there was no hacker and that Weiner was responsible for sending the pictures. So, what does this tell us about Weiner? He’s a liar. He’s a coward, willing to throw anybody under the bus (even his imaginary

friends!) to save his own scrawny butt. He’s arrogant beyond the pale, and contemptuous of the very people who put him in office to think that he’d get away with his ridiculous fairy tale of a cover story. He’s stupid. C’mon, man! Lewd pictures? The Internet? You’re member of Congress, you idiot! But it’s worse than that. Weiner used his social media accounts in attempts to lure these women—under the false pretense of “taking part in the national dialogue” or some such thing—into perverted online sexual relationships. Out here in the private sector, we have words for people like that: sexual predator, stalker and incarcerated are three good ones. Again, Courtney, if you owned the company…wait a minute! I almost forgot! You DO own the company! It’s your country and your government. Do you really not care that guys like Anthony Weiner sit on the board of directors? You see, Courtney, behavior is a reflection of character, and we can’t leave character at home when we head off to work. It comes with us. It’s that little angel on the right shoulder and that little devil on the left shoulder fighting for our attention. Nobody makes the right choice 100 percent of the time, but when the little devil wins the argument most of the time, it’s a sign of a serious defect in character. Do character defects affect a politician’s ability to lead? You bet they do. How do you lead when your constituents are jeering, booing, heckling and calling for your resignation as they did at Weiner’s press conference? Do character defects make politicians ineffective at their jobs? You bet they do. How can you do your job when you’re resigning in total disgrace? 

August 2011



A Line in the Sand Philandering Politicians

Article by Courtney Hampson Photography BY ANNE

Frank, I know you are not suggesting that I lack character or the ability to judge character. (Even though, per last month’s column, I do contribute to the eroding moral compass of the nation.) So, I’m going to give you a pass on that one and instead focus on that fact that your singular “Weiner” example is actually the perfect illustration of your one-track argument.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

nthony Weiner is the best you can come up with? I mean granted, Weiner is media gold. He’s out and about showing off his private parts and his last name just happens to also be the caption for his pictures. Jackpot! But, in truth, it’s not about Anthony Weiner, Bill Clinton, Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Arnold Schwarzenegger or Mark Sanford. Once again your narrow mind steers you down the wrong path as you suggest that this issue of philandering is 1) limited to politicians and 2) that the only ones doing it are the ones who get caught. Au contraire mon frère. You may remember my “open your eyes regarding marriage argument” from last month? Well, let me continue to enlighten you. Let’s talk numbers, including the staggering 8.5 million members on ashleymadison.com, a website dedicated to helping married philanderers find a “philanderee.” While infidelity statistics abound, I’m actually going to go conservative here and quote a 2007 MSNBC.com/iVillage Lust, Love & Loyalty survey, which concluded that, about one in five adults in monogamous relationships, or 22 percent, have cheated on their current partner. And nearly half of people admit to being unfaithful at some point in their lives. MSNBC also cited research expert Tom W. Smith, director of the General Social Survey for the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago who conducted the study “American Sexual Behavior,” a poll of 10,000 people over two decades. The study found that 22 percent of married men and 15 percent of married women have cheated at least once—similar to the results from the MSNBC.com survey. If these statistics are true, 20 percent of our nation is cheating on their partner.

So, for argument’s sake, let’s say that 20 percent of elected officials are cheating on their partners. However, unless they’ve been caught in a media firestorm, we don’t know about it. Is it really their cheating that makes them a bad politician, or is it the media circus that surrounds the “big reveal” that renders them unable to lead? I vote for the latter. Character is comprised of many things, and everyone defines character differently. If politically a politician stands for and works for everything that you believe in, do you really care what he does in his personal life? What if you find feet to be disgusting and your congressman has a foot fetish? What if he is having an affair (with a women with beautiful feet, mind you), because his wife hasn’t been interested in sex in 10 years? Better yet, what if his wife is cheating too? Or, what if they have an agreement to step outside their marriage? Why do we care? Are you not going to vote for him because his ideals don’t match up to yours in every column? If so, you’d never vote again. Look around right now. One in every five people you see is statistically a cheater. It could be your mailperson, the little league coach who lives next door, the bagger at your grocery store, your child’s teacher, your best buddy, your boss, the waiter at your favorite restaurant, the minister at your church (oh yeah, I’m going there). Is your mail still being delivered on time? Is team moral up? Are your freezer items separated from the cans? Is your kid getting A’s? Is your buddy still your favorite drinking partner? Is your boss still tolerable? Is your service still top-notch? Is Sunday’s sermon still inspiring? All I am saying is let’s not rush to judge. I’m sure you’ve made some mistakes along the way Frank, but heck, our editor still let’s you write. Right? 

August 2011

 Golf Tips From a Pro

Pete Popovich, Golf Performance Academy

Photography by Anne

Muscle Memory and Golf:

Fact or Fiction?

et me start by saying there is no such thing as muscle memory in the traditional sense. Now most of you reading this may be ready to throw the magazine down. However, in the traditional sense, people believe, or have been led to believe, that if they do something over and over again (such as hitting a golf ball), their muscles will “remember” how to perform the act. This simply is not true. If you would like to know why, continue reading. Recent research has shown that muscles have no memory in and o f t h e m s e l ve s . M u s c l e s a re s e n t instructions, or a blueprint, on how to move, by way of your neurological

system and the brain. What really transpires while learning a motor movement (any physical act or motion)

Recent research has shown that muscles have no memory in and of themselves. Muscles are sent instructions, or a blueprint, on how to move, by way of your neurological system and the brain. i s yo u r b ra i n d e te r m i n i n g w h i c h muscles to use, in what order to use them, how hard to use each muscle

and at what rate the muscle should contract/relax. All of this is deciphered in the brain where a neural pathway is being created each time you make a specific movement, e.g. hitting a drive, a pitch or a putt. Before I go on, let me explain what a neural pathway is. When we are born our brains have billions upon billions of neurons and hardly any are connected to one another. As we grow and begin using muscles, our neurons begin to develop connections between one another as messages are sent from one neuron to the next. These messages contain the blueprint for how our body moves as described above. During the course of development, we use some



engram When this pattern becomes second nature, it forms what is called an engram, or memory trace, which is a deeply ingrained learned movement.

neurons more than others. Those that are not used are pruned away as the body seeks to be as efficient as possible. This pruning typically happens around the age of three or four, again in the early teens, and once more in early adulthood, age 19-23. When fewer neurons are receiving signals, because those not used are being pruned, the brain/body becomes efficient at the movement patterns it has developed over time. Movements become more efficient, because bridges, i.e. neurotransmitters, have been built between each neuron. As these bridges become closer (or shorter), the pathway, or movement sequencing, becomes easier and more efficient until it gets to the point where it feels like second nature. When this

pattern becomes second nature, it forms what is called an engram, or memory trace, which is a deeply ingrained learned movement. Once a movement pattern is learned correctly, it does not have to be relearned. Don’t believe me? Have you ridden a bicycle after not riding for a number of years? Was it like starting over or was it easy? How does knowing this help your golf game? To make it simple, think of your brain/muscle relationship as the movement inside a clock. Outside the inner movement, the hands on a smoothly running clock (the way you would like your golf swing to be) move from 1 to 2 to 3 and so on. However, continuously altering your swing by lacking proper instruction or going from one instructor

to another creates numerous neural pathways and is the equivalent of a clock’s hands going from 12 to 4, back to 2 then to 7 and so on. Nothing consistent is ever achieved because the same path was never taken. The better instructor gets the student set on the proper swing path that evolves into the proper neural path that produces consistent golf shots. How many instructors have you heard or read that refer to this phenomenon? Another golf fiction is that “practice makes perfect.” Wiser men have said “Only perfect practice makes perfect.” Why? Because, just doing something the same way every time, ensuring the same neural path and same muscle use, does not necessarily mean you will realize your golfing potential or hit the ball the way you desire. It may even blueprint your errors instead of leading to improvement. No, you must first learn to perform the swing correctly in order to attain the proper neural sequencing. Then practicing the correct swing-manner will both deliver and maintain consistency by building correct neural paths. This is not achieved by reading golf magazines, by watching an instructor on TV offering one-sizefits-all tips or working with an instructor who lacks the understanding of how the brain/body works, how the club works, and how to put them together. This is achieved by finding an instructor who can recognize the causes of your swing faults as opposed to the effects. (Causes are almost always hidden; effects are obvious by how the ball flies!) Many factors play a part in whether a golfer is able to learn and maintain a consistent swing. If even one of these is amiss, it will cause you to manipulate something in the swing. And remember, you cannot learn to manipulate a golf club consistently.  If you would like to learn to swing a golf club correctly and develop the proper neural paths to better golf, call Golf Performance Academy-Hilton Head at (843) 338-6737 or visit on the Web at golfacademyhiltonhead.com or on Facebook at Golf Performance AcademyHilton Head.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

Photography By Mark Staff

Fill in the

blank with ...

Glenn A. L

ucas

Hi! Glenn A. Lucas

My name is call me me

but my friends

Luke - Trader Luke. You may have seen

around Palmetto Bay Marina or in Broad

Creek rowing to my sailboat or ice cream stand, or on one or the other.

I grew up in

the sleepy/ exciting little town of Waterford, CT. (Circle one)

my father, nothing has changed. He still is the

When I was five, my hero was but now

person I admire most.

It’s been

years since I first came to Hilton

Head Island, and to me, the has been

bestessss

change

more bicycle paths. Nice! I learned

how to catch shrimp in a cast net instead of buying it and building the Trading Post.

someone were to ask me for advice about sailing, I would tell them

jest start doing it!

My line of work is

shipwright and Hokey

Pokey man, Sailor, antique dealer, and merchant (hence Trader Luke). profession because come

I chose this

on - it’s a blast.

If I were mayor of HHI/ Bluffton, my first order of business would be get

(Circle one)

rid of that toll.

My favorite time of the year on HHI/Bluffton is

spring

(Circle one)

because

the smell of flowers and

blooms is fantastic on HHI. When you turn the page, I hope you remember

to be safe and not a stick in the mud.  * Note: Trader Luke’s dog Flint who can be friendly, is not allowed on the floating ice cream stand, this was for picture purposes only.

AUgUST

2011 SUNdAy

mONdAy

TUESdAy

WEdNESdAy

1 LoWCoUNTRy CRITTERS

August 1, 2011 Mondays 3pm - 4pm Learn about the area’s most intriguing residents and the habitats they call home. For More Info: 843-689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org

HoNEy HoRN HISToRy WALK Mondays in August 2:00pm - 3:30pm travel back in time with the stories of Honey Horn’s past 200 years. More Info: 843-689-6767 ext 223.

APPLE PIE PAINTERS AT ART LEAGUE GALLERy August 2nd 5:00pm - 7:00pm For More Info: 843-681-5060 or artleaguehhi.org

10:30am - 11:30am at the sandbox. Part of our “summer Fun series”! For More Info: 843-689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org

KAyAKING JARvIS CREEK

Aug. 9th 10am 11am. No children under 5. Minimum of 3 participants. Adult $32 Child $28 (ages 5-12 with adult). Prepaid reservtions required through the Coastal Discovery Museum at 843-6896767 ext 224.

Enjoy hand-made original arts and crafts from local vendors. For More Info: palmettodunes.com/hilton-head-

Fridays in August @ ARtworks. 6 - 8pm. For More Info: 843-379-2787, ArtWorksInBeaufort.org

Aug. 10th 10:30 - 11:30am. At the sandbox Children’s Museum. Part of our “summer Fun series”! Join us for some music fun and play some instruments provided by Dean st. Hillaire of Island Performing Arts and sports Center. First come, first serve based on space and supplies.More Info: 843-842-7645 or visit us at thesandbox.org

BLUFFToN FARMER’S MARKET Every thursday From 2 - 7 PM

24 August 24th 3:00pm - 4:00pm take a guided tour through the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure. Learn about the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle! Reservations are required please call 843-689-6767 ext 223. Adult $10 Child $5 More Info: 843-689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org

27 31

Aug. 6th 10pm 2am. For More Info visit: giuseppispizza. com

Every Friday From 8 - 1 PM

20 HILToN HEAD REC CENTER Fall Youth soccer Registration Ends saturday, August 20 More Info: sarah. calvert@islandreccenter.org

Every thursday Every From thursday 2 - 7 PM From 2 - 7 PM

RoCK SHoW KARAoKE AT GIUSEPPI’S BLUFFToN

August 18th 3pm - 3:45pm Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. Hilton Head Island was home to thousands of union soldiers during the Civil War. Prepaid reservations required through Coastal Discovery Museum at 843-689-6767 ext 223. Cost is $5 per person.

BLUFFToN BLUFFToN FARMER’S FARMER’S MARKET MARKET

HILToN HEAD FARMER’S MARKET

CIvIL WAR ERA

LAST SUMMER JAMS

SATURdAy

JAMBALAyA DEUx ART SHoW

Aug. 4th, 6 - 9:30pm

“MoRNING MUSIC PRoGRAM”

BUTTERFLy DISCovERy

FRIdAy

HARBoURFEST

harbour-fest.php

August 9, 2011 7:00pm - 10:00pm shelter Cove Community Park For More Info: (843) 681-7273 or islandreccenter.org

“TERRIFIC TUESDAyS”

THURSdAy

HILToN HEAD FARMER’S MARKET Every Friday From 8 - 1 PM

RECURRING EvENTS GREGG RUSSELL PERFoRMANCES Every Night Except saturday until Aug. 26th 8pm. the Liberty Oak tree in Harbour town.

SHANNoN TANNER Every Monday-Friday 6:30, 8pm at shelter Cove Marina

UPCoMING EvENT? LET US HELP yoU GET THE WoRD oUT! Email your Calendar items to m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

DoLPHIN AND NATURE CRUISE Every Wed. 3pm - 4:30pm. For More Information call 843-689-6767 ext 223 or visit us online at coastaldiscovery.org

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

8.2011

AFTER DARK

MONDAYS

 !

DRINK SPECIALS LADIES NIGHT LIVE MUSIC GAME NIGHT FOOD SPECIALS

TUESDAYS

Black Marlin Hurricane Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) Frankie Bones - $10 Off Any Bottle Of Wine (9PM) Hudson’s - Mike Korbar LIVE Kingfisher - Joseph the Magician ! Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7PM) Reilley’s - Lobster Night $12.95 / Happy Hour 4-7PM San Miguel’s - Chris Jones The Salty Dog Café - LIVE MUSIC (6 - 10PM) Tiki Hut - Chris Jones (AM) Tommy Simms (PM)

Antonio’s - 1/2 Off Drinks & Food (5:30-7PM) Black Marlin Hurricane Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) Frankie Bones - Ladies Night Kingfisher - The Steppin Stones / Fireworks Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7PM) Reilley’s - Kids Eat FREE Night / Happy Hour 4-7PM Remy’s - Jalapeno Brothers The Lodge - Pinch The Pint Night The Salty Dog Café - LIVE MUSIC San Miguel’s - Mike Korbar LIVE Tiki Hut - Jordan Ross ! Wild Wing Café - 2 Fer Tuesday / Team Trivia ! Wise Guys: Everything Is “Miami Nights” Themed

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

Black Marlin Hurricane Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) Coligny Plaza - Candace Woodson & The Domino Theory Band (6:30 - 8:30PM) Frankie Bones - $10 Off Any Bottle of Wine Kingfisher - Alexander Newton (Motown/R&B) The Lodge - Kick The Keg Night ! Mellow Mushroom - Trivia Night ! Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7PM) Reilley’s - Happy Hour 4-7PM Remy’s - Treble Jay San Miguel’s - Davis Marshall The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) Tiki Hut - Jalapeno Brothers Wild Wing Café - Rock Idol Karaoke Competition ! Wise Guys - Ladies Night

FRIDAYS

Antonio’s - Wine Fligts - ONLY $10 Bistro Mezzaluna - The Band Target LIVE Captain Woody’s (Bluffton) - Mike Korbar LIVE Frankie Bones - 1/2 Off Flatbread Pizzas (9 - 11PM) Kingfisher - Earl Williams’ Band Old Town Dispensary - J. Howard Duff LIVE (8 - 11PM) One Hot Mama’s - DJ and Dancing Reilley’s - Happy Hour 4-7PM Remy’s - Spare Parts Smokehouse - Chris & Christian The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) San Miguel’s - Bruce Crichton Tiki Hut - Eric Daubert Wild Wing Café - All Double Drinks Only $1 More Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM)

SUNDAYS

Black Marlin Hurricane Bar - Happy Hour (10PM - 2AM) Frankie Bones - All Night Happy Hour Kingfisher - Joseph the Magician ! Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5 - 7PM) Reilley’s - Happy Hour 4-7PM The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) San Miguel’s - Kirk O’Leary Tiki Hut - Mike Korbar Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM)

Antonio’s - 1/2 Off Drinks & Food (5:30-7PM) Frankie Bones - Flip Night ! Kingfisher - David Wingo The Lodge - Burgers & Beer Night (ONLY $5) Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7PM) Reilley’s - Happy Hour 4-7PM Remy’s - The Trio The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) San Miguel’s - Eric Daubert Tiki Hut - Mike Korbar Skull Creek Boathouse - Reggae Party (6 - 9PM) Wild Wing Café - Live Music / Drink Specials Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM) XO Lounge - Candace Woodson & the Domino Theory Band (9 - 12:30PM)

SATURDAYS

Frankie Bones - Flip Night ! Giuseppi’s Bluffton - Earl Williams LIVE Mellow Mushroom - Karaoke Night (10PM) ! One Hot Mama’s - DJ and Dancing Reilley’s - Happy Hour 4-7PM The Salty Dog Café - Live Music (6 - 10PM) San Miguel’s - Tommy Sims Smokehouse - Simpson Brothers Tiki Hut - Mike Korbar LIVE Wise Guys - Food & Bev. Happy Hour (10:30PM)

DID WE LEAVE YOUR SPOT OUT? E-MAIL US AND WE’LL INCLUDE YOUR SUPER COOL, AMAZINGLY PERFECT, ISLAND HOT SPOT! c.davies@celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 45

Article by Dr. Jennifer Switak

Health Note

Vision Care

Early eye exams crucial for children

One of the most important health exams a child can have is an eye exam. This is because many visual abilities are fully functioning by six months of age and continue developing to adult-like levels by the age of 12. To emphasize the importance of an eye check-up, here are two stories of two children who see the world very differently: Mary’s story Mary is five years old and her mom brings her to the eye doctor since Mary’s teacher says she has a hard time seeing the board at school. During the exam, Mary’s mom is shocked that her daughter is only seeing clearly out of one eye. The eye doctor mentions glasses, patching and vision therapy to help Mary’s “bad eye” see clearer, but she will probably never have perfect 20/20 vision in that eye. Mary’s mom feels terrible since she was unaware that Mary had any vision difficulties. Little Mary is confused as to why she has to wear glasses and patch one eye when she sees fine with both eyes open. Unfortunately, many eye doctors see a case like Mary’s almost every week in their offices. It saddens me that this can be prevented. What can we do as moms,

dads, educators, doctors, and communities? Promote children’s eye exams! According to the American Optometry Association, children need to visit the eye doctor for comprehensive eye exams by age one, and at three, age five, and every two years during school. Eighty-five percent of what children learn comes from what they see. That’s why it is essential to visit an eye doctor. You might be saying, “Did I read that correctly? An eye exam before the age of one?” Absolutely! I recommend that the child come in between 9-12 months of age. Believe it or not, it is easy and so rewarding to do an exam on children this young. The main difference in a child’s eye exam and an adult’s is how the doctor collects the information. We

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 47

Health Note

work quickly, but each test we perform is selected to give us the most information possible. We look at objective information during the exam to tell us how the child is seeing. We do not need a response from the patient, no matter how young they are, to evaluate vision and eye health. We can diagnose how the patient sees, detect if there is an eye turn or an eye tumor, and determine how the eyes function together as well as separately. A wonderful public health program that ensures that babies have healthy vision now and for their futures is InfantSee. Under this program, any child under the age of one can have a free comprehensive eye exam by an InfantSee provider. To find an InfantSee provider, visit infantsee.org and search for eye doctors in your area.

Some signs that your child may have a vision problem: • Squints or sits close to the TV or computer • Holds books too close to read • Unable to see the board at school clearly • Complains of headaches or blurry vision • Closes one eye to see better • One or both of the eyes turn in or out. (Despite what you hear, most eye turns do not go away.) Mikey’s story Little Mikey’s mom has amblyopia (aka “lazy eye” where one eye sees much better than the other). There is a strong family history of amblyopia on her side. Mikey’s mom is aware of this condition since her own father had it. Mikey’s mom is very proactive and took Mikey for his first eye exam at six months. Through comprehensive eye exams, family support and being committed to the treatment that was prescribed, he is a very active 10-year-old who loves playing baseball and, most importantly, has clear vision and depth perception to hit those homeruns! These are the cases that eye doctors love to hear! Being a new mom myself, while holding my baby boy in my arms, I notice his eyes. What joy to see your baby looking at your face, seeing him smile when you make a funny face, or watching him scoot across the floor to grab at a toy he sees. The eyes are constantly working and developing so much during that first year. Don’t you want to make sure that you child sees you as clearly as you can see him? Getting children’s eyes checked early is vital for their development and how they function. A child who is nearsighted—unable to see far away—can be shy or timid or have low self-worth since he or she cannot see to do well in school or to participate in sports. When that child has glasses or contacts on, he is fun and excited and performs well at school because he can finally see clearly. It is such a joy to see a child put on glasses for the first time and see the expression on his face when he can see the leaves on the trees! So, the most important exam and definitely one of the easiest for your young child is a thorough eye exam. More often than not, I tell parents after an exam that their child does have clear vision and healthy eyes, and I can see the happiness that this confirmation brings them. There still are the young patients who need glasses or patching to help their eyes function at their best. However, the parents are happy in this case, too, since they brought their child in very early to have an eye exam. The sooner we detect a problem, the sooner we can treat it!  Jennifer Switak, O.D., practices optometry in Bluffton. Her office is located at 104 Buckwalter Parkway. For more information or to make an appointment, call (843) 757-9588. 48

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISZTIAN LONYAI

C2 EXCLUSIVE

MARK E EGR N OPENS UP!

Article BY Lindsey Hawkins

If you’re an avid couch potato for the last two decades or even the last two years, you might be racking your inner DVR brain for the answer to the question, “I know that guy from somewhere, but what the hell is his name?” My guess is that you are a fan of this dark, sometimes sadistic, and quirky character who is so effortlessly dynamic in the near 100 television and film roles he’s played and that you may not even realize how many times you’ve been intrigued by his performance, not to mention his timeless face. Enter search engine. Do any of the following quench that thirst for that name dangling on the tip

of your lazy, couch ’tater tongue? How about calling him Bishop from Being Human, Jacob from Lost, Lucifer from Supernatural, Vaughn from The Mentalist, Paul from Dexter, Dick from Capote, or random guy from NYPD Blue, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, ER, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds and every other hit show from the last 10 years. This summer you can call him Gavin on TNT’s The Closer, the final season, but for now, let’s just call him by his real name, Mark Pellegrino. “I think the end of the world is coming,” Pellegrino laughed, mocking the crazy California

t weather outside of his home in Burbank. “Perhaps the Mayans had something right.” As CH2 sat down to get to know Pellegrino—the role he plays in life—it was immediately apparent that he is no average Hollywood celebrity or pseudo-intellectual. Pellegrino, now 46 years young, is a true student of the craft, who, while in his early 20s, studied under the great method actor and coach Sanford Meisner. But what is more interesting than any credit he gives others for his chance career is his insatiable desire to accumulate knowledge, understanding and reasoning for the world he lives in and the people here with him. “We’re floating away from reasoning and becoming more intuitive and emotion centered and losing the things that I think will help us to understand the world in a way that will help us live in it. Both reasoning and intuition are important together to understand the universal principles of why things happen,” Pellegrino so eloquently said while justifying his lack of interest in his short lived college career. “School became memorizing professors’ words and thoughts and didn’t really have what I thought it would. Only one class for me was learning, and it was a philosophy 160 class on social ethics. I thought it was interesting, and I got an “A” when almost everyone else failed. But when it ended, I had to take s*** classes before I could take something else interesting. So instead, I fell in love with this girl and decided to live this crazy vagabond life for like a year while working at a gas station and playing rock and roll music with friends,” he said. The way Pellegrino tells the story, he fell into acting because he was bored and decided to take a commercial workshop down the road from his quickie mart job because it was free. But one has to wonder if this guy’s brilliant but humbly public career was an act of shopping mall discovery by a commercial casting agent, or just a written act of destiny. Certainly there aren’t many 10-year-old children who are capable of making nine dollars in

t one summer by charging one cent per guest to come and see their first neighborhood performance repeatedly. “I think just as a kid you have a greater facility to be imaginative and live in imaginary circumstances. I remember when I was a little boy and I got all of our friends together and I made a haunted house and made every character up. I had the haunted house record that Disney used to put out. I had a flare for fixing the place up and putting makeup on everybody and making it scary, and I think back then something was really speaking to me that you can’t realize at that age,” he said. But chance as it might have been, Pellegrino ended up following the advice of his commercial agent and taking acting classes, again down the road from his quickie mart job because it was the closest and it was cheap. Just so happens he walked into Sanford Meisner’s acting studio. “I walked in there and I watched people working on stage and I was blown away for the first time in my life. I saw what acting could be, and his work was so inspired. He had learned and obtained all of the knowledge from people like Adler and his work would just sort of spill out and it inspired me. And that became my school, because I realized I didn’t want to do anything but this,” Pellegrino said. “I had no guidance from a father growing up, and my mom was more my friend than my mom, so I had no idea on some things at that age. I learned from this place and this group with Sandy Meisner, to have roots that I always looked for and that grounded me and made me feel responsible to the craft that I never really knew existed or took seriously until I started studying,” Pellegrino said. “So I have a whole lineage of great people that I had to behold it to and meet the expectations of these people who founded it.” And so began the intriguing career of Mark Pellegrino. If you’re starting to understand how Pellegrino seems different from the average glorified actor/ celebrity, it’s probably because

t you are relating to him as a real person. Ironically, his ability to study people and his method of acting by living truly under imaginary circumstances is what makes him so talented. Listening to Pellegrino interview is like listening to a person think aloud. When asked about the roles he’s chosen, which tend to be villainous in nature, he describes his characters as if he wants you to understand who they are, but more importantly why they are the way they are. Because that is what he tries to achieve with each new character he plays. “I like quirky roles. I like looking at guys who a lot of people think are bad guys and turning it around a little bit and putting it on its head. Like, a lot of people thought Paul in Dexter was a bad guy (a domestic abuser). I thought of him as a guy who just wanted to get his family back together and have him react as any man would react under the circumstances,” Pellegrino explained. “I let the audience judge the morality or immorality of the character, but for me everything I do as the character has to be right or justified. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do it. Even Lucifer [Pellegrino’s character portraying Satan on Supernatural], even that character was right,” he said. “Think about it,” Pellegrino pitched. “He has spent his life devoted to virtue to whom he emulates in the highest virtue, and at some point, that person whom he emulates says, you are to serve, let’s say, Charles Manson—someone who is barely human, despicable. And if I don’t, the punishment is to be forever banished, forever cut off. And so for siding with justice and not obeying, I am punished. So Lucifer is not the prince of darkness; he is the son betrayed by

t his father, which to me gives Lucifer an edge of sympathy.” Pellegrino hasn’t sold everyone on Lucifer’s case as being one of justice, but he tries to explain and believe the injustice that character thinks he is experiencing, to become the character, and in that is a true actor. Hence, Pellegrino should have no problem giving a believable performance as Kyra Sedgwick’s lawyer in the upcoming final season of the critically acclaimed television series The Closer, out this summer, although you could never ask him what he thinks about any of his performances. “I don’t watch TV. I never watched Lost, I never watched Dexter, I never watched Supernatural, I never watched The Closer, and I won’t watch myself in it. I let my wife do that. She tells me if she likes it, and if she does then I know it’s good. She’s more objective and has a bigger brain,” he said. For someone who is so good at role playing bad, you’d think he’d be a real piece of work in life. But refreshingly, when Pellegrino is not on set, you can find him being a dad and teaching at least once a week at Playhouse West in North Hollywood, helping aspiring actors find their voice and drive from within. “In this industry it’s not a sprint, it’s a long distance run,” Pellegrino said. “So above all, be patient with yourself; you are your own obstacle more than anyone else out there. Our careers are dependant to a degree on whether or not somebody else accepts us. But more than that, it’s us that we have to accept and to live with and work with and to love ourselves in the work and be patient. It’s cake, no matter how long you work, if you can do that.” 

Article by David Tobias // Photography By Attic Fire

Piano Perfect William Byrd Custom Homebuilders raises the bar on quality building

illiam Byrd has never built a piano, so it’s highly unlikely you’ll find his name hand carved on your baby grand. He does, however, invoke “piano perfect,” as his highest goal, striving for a kind of classic Steinway nearperfection as he builds artful, custom, and sustainable homes on Hilton Head Island. “When you build a piano, it’s almost perfection—the look and feel of it—it’s almost a piece of art,” Byrd said. It’s a little tougher to achieve piano perfect with homes, because they’re so massive, with hundreds of people touching them, making it a logistical problem to make home building as near-perfect as Byrd would like. Still, that’s his job, his goal and his passion. William Byrd Custom Homebuilders has had a presence on Hilton Head Island for more than 20 years. Byrd himself was something of a child prodigy in the construction business. Growing up in the Baltimore-Washington area, at age 16, when he lost his father, he suddenly found himself quite independent. He sold a boat he owned to come up with a down payment on a house, which he built by himself, sold at the age of 18, pocketed a lot of cash and realized quite quickly he rather liked the construction business.

He got into commercial construction then spent some time in land development before realizing he was helping to create an untenable place to live in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. A four-hour commute on the Beltway was not his idea of living the good life. Byrd had visited Hilton Head Island a time or two on vacation and decided in the late 1980s to sell his business in Baltimore, relocate permanently and start a construction company here. “It was the perfect time to start; it [the island] was booming,” Byrd said. “I remember thinking, ‘This place is beginning to take off.’ It was fabulous.” Although those days of building 20-25 custom homes a year are long gone, Byrd is bullish on Hilton Head Island, despite a current economy that seems stagnant at best. “I think Hilton Head and Bluffton are coming back a lot faster than the general economy,” he said. “I see a lot of growth in building, and if you talk to the building department here, they’ll tell you they can’t get to inspections fast enough. I think it’s a sign that things are changing.”

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

Although much of William Byrd’s construction is specialized, like this home currently under construction in Wexford, Byrd is quick to point out that is not all they do. “Somewhere along the line we got the reputation of only building highend homes. In reality, remodels and renovations make up a large part of our business as well,“ Byrd said. “It is extremely important that people know that no job is too small; we are open to discuss any project.”

Byrd himself and his company have had to change to accommodate a new home construction environment that has changed dramatically. He has steered his specialty to the high-end custom end of the spectrum, which he says has been less affected by tight money. Even talking with inspectors, virtually nothing is being built but big homes. “That tells you something,” Byrd said. “People who have money right now are building because it’s a good time to build.” William Byrd Custom Homebuilders currently has two oceanfront homes under construction and several

August 2011

others, including a remarkable green building project that is perfectly suited to Byrd’s love of creative challenge. This house in Wexford will be about 12,000 square feet—and very green—certifiably green, even without LEED-type certifications. Byrd says the homeowners believe there’s no need for that, because this house is going to be way beyond certified green—the kind of green that uses old fallen-down wormy chestnut barns the way they were in the old days: taking what’s still good and re-using it. This project is even repurposing old, rough-sawn walnut, chestnut and sunken cypress.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 59

Chestnut, like cypress, lasts nearly forever. Byrd says you just need to find it, then find a place and a purpose for these raw materials. This house is going to have plenty of purpose. It won’t be cheap (money, in this instance, is not really a consideration), but it will be a landmark, an icon and a testament to doing things right, with brilliant detail and innovative styling. It’s highly likely this house will be featured in Architectural Digest in a year or so. Byrd is finding it to be everything that he loves about homebuilding. “Everyone wants to build green, but when you start looking at price differences, sometimes it chokes people,” Byrd said. “So many people say that green is expensive. And then you have people who argue the point that it’s not. But in reality, green building is expensive; there’s just no way around that.”

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

In this instance, “green building” is going to be way over the top. Flooring, top to bottom will consist of warmboard technology, which runs water through the house to heat or cool, with geothermal energy driving the system. Detail work comes straight out of Greene & Greene architectural design, with metal and leather strapping, a cloud lift with beams crossing at artful angles, all cabinets pegged with end pieces, and even a “piano” edge at the bottom of the stairways. Throughout will be extremely large baseboards (the reclaimed walnut) with unusual basecaps—kind of a Byrd signature. Byrd estimates it will take about six months to complete the stairwell alone and two years for the entire house to be finished. Construction on the home is about six months along, and it’s all roughed in. The time intensive part will be all those details. But the details make Byrd happy. He’s childlike as he leads a tour of this remarkable project, pointing out a completely open kitchen, a pool space that will also be 100 percent geothermal, and unique front doors that will swivel on pivot points. Another William Byrd custom home under construction in North Forest Beach will resemble a ship. Not a boat, a ship. There’s a difference. To be precise, this house is designed following the lines of a mega-yacht, with lots of leathers and unusual curves. “If you’ve ever looked at yachting magazines, the stairways have this classic curve,” Byrd said. “So this house will be built like that—somewhat bigger and more elaborate; and it’s right on the beach—all glass, floor to ceiling. So, when you walk in, all you’ll see will be ocean, straight out.”

Projects Byrd has in the works employ an average of 150 workers. The company works with seven or eight architectural firms and has worked consistently with Bent Tree Woodworks, whose owners Byrd refers to by their first names, Mel and Jim, who can create anything architects can imagine. Byrd manages it all with help from his vice president, Chandler Brunson and a canine companion named Beau. “This is what I like best,” Byrd said. “I love doing interesting homes and the passion of building a house that will last forever with great finishes. It’s so rewarding to see it, because you sink your teeth into it. You love it. You love the idea of doing stuff like that.” It’s almost lyrical, the way he speaks of his craft, which makes sense considering his standard: piano perfect.  For more information, contact William Byrd Custom Homebuilders at (843) 686-4166 or visit wbyrd.com.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

Article by David Tobias // Kali Lynn Photography

Get Mellow Mellow Mushroom serves up good food, good times in two locations

im Boyce is so happy to be in a place that has “drippy mushrooms” hanging from the ceiling, a red and white PVCpipe lighthouse on the wall, and an entryway chandelier made of skimboards that gets all psychedelic-groovy at night. After years in the high-stress corporate world, you could say she’s feeling downright mellow. She and her husband John arrived at the restaurant ownership stage of their lives by way of the more staid, less fanciful world of technology and telecommunications, which might seem somewhat at odds with “happiness as expressed in pizza.” But nine years ago, they both traded their 40-hour-week jobs for 60-hours plus (plus pizza and beer) and opened Mellow Mushroom in the

Park Plaza shopping center on the south end of Hilton Head Island. Thanks to a major Harris Teeter expansion plan, they recently relocated, rebuilt and re-opened that original Mellow Mushroom in the front corner of Park Plaza, kicking off a fresh beginning for their well-established success and making room for the grocery chain’s newest 54,000-square foot megastore. When the new Harris Teeter is complete and the old Harris Teeter torn down, the logic of Mellow Mushroom’s move will be even more obvious. What the Boyces are especially excited about, however, is that this past Memorial Day weekend, they made Bluffton a bit more “Mellow,” opening a restaurant just around the corner from Jim and Nick’s, at the intersection of Highway 278 and Simmonsville Road.

Get Mellow

Leaving the corporate world to do pizza makes perfect sense once you know that Kim’s background is in marketing and John’s is in sales—both quite transferable skills—and the perfect match for an ownership duo who want to make smart business decisions and have a little fun while they’re at it. Both are now delighted to be selling pizza, beer, and T-shirts that say “Holy Shitake.” Neither Kim nor John had specific restaurant experience before taking on Mellow Mushroom as a new career, just a commitment to make it work. “You’re either in or you’re out. There’s no sitting on the line,” Kim said. “You learn

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

it quickly and it’s like any other business. It’s about customer service; it’s a good product with good placement; it has a good reputation and a good support network.” Kim’s strategic marketing background has come in handy. It was a careful analysis of Bluffton’s demographics—thousands of families means plenty of kids, means plenty of pizza sales—that led to opening the restaurant there. Even the location was strategic. According to Kim, the well-known Jim and Nick’s was not only a navigational landmark but also complementary draw for those who might eat ribs one night and come back for pizza, sandwiches and beer

another. Judging by the packed restaurant and hoppin’ bar on a typical Tuesday night, the strategy is working. For both Mellow Mushroom restaurants, atmosphere is a big part of the appeal. The focus is on the family crowd for food, and the bar draw is greatly enhanced by 40 beers on tap at the Hilton Head Island location (105 varieties overall) and 24 beers on tap in Bluffton, with plenty of room for expansion to another 12. Part of John’s job has been to work with the corporate creative team at Mellow Mushroom in Atlanta and with a dedicated design firm called Dreamscapes, charged with creating consistent, yet unique, Mellow Mushroom ambiance concepts to place elements within both stores that reflect what Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are all about. Those designs take the form of repurposing, re-tooling and recycling items like the PVC pipe lighthouse, getting all crazy with skimboards and bringing in wall wood from Amish barns in Ohio. Even old bicycle parts hung on a wall in the shape of a pizza add character. Kim calls the Hilton Head Island location “a little bit Las Vegas” and refers to the Bluffton location as “the lake house.”

August 2011

Photograph by John Brackett

Hilton Head (843) 686-2474 Bluffton (843) 706-0800

“Our inspiration in Bluffton was Calhoun Street,” Kim said. “In one of the doorways we mirrored the Church of the Cross. I’ve always collected folk art, so there’s a lot of folk art from local artisans, some of it my own, but a lot of it from Eggcentricities and some we commissioned just for that restaurant.” It takes a while to take in all the whimsy. If you look hard enough, the thatched roof tiki tables on the outdoor decks look like mushroom caps, and a Mellow Mushroom pizza tree occupies a corner of the restaurant in Bluffton. Even the “necessaries” are playful, referred to as “Flushrooms”—rhymes with mushrooms, get it? But for the best, you have to look

August 2011

up, where enormous Mason jars with wings hang from the ceiling. At night they light up, looking quite like giant fireflies in the sky. So why exactly did two successful technology and telemarketing professionals pull up corporate stakes and head to Hilton Head Island? Well, Hilton Head Island had been part of John’s upbringing (his parents had homes here) and frequent visits helped them to decide that this was where they wanted to live permanently and raise their two children, Caroline, 12 and Jack, 7. Being part of a smaller community also had its appeal, and their two children have thoroughly enjoyed growing up semifamous, as the son and daughter of pizza mavens.

When Mellow Mushroom is the family business, kids that age become “rock stars,” according to Kim. “Caroline and her friends like to come down here and hang out. She’s pushing us to allow her to work here, and all her friends want that, too. It’s kind of like a scene from Tom Sawyer,” she said. “I think they’d paint a fence if we had one. Caroline’s going to be our best recruiter. And this is where Jack likes to come to play games with his friends.” Kim says that while happy customers are clearly the key to business success, paying special attention to employees has been the most gratifying part of owning two restaurants. “We really, over the years, have become close to our employees. We take care of them and they take care of us,” Kim said. “After nine years, we still have employees who have been here since day one. We work hard and play hard, we like to go out to eat, travel, go to the beach, and we have fun. “We really love what we do, and our heart is in it. It’s the only way you can be successful.” That and giant Mason jar fireflies. 

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 65

Spa guide (Pictured above)

Article by Linda S. Hopkins // Photography by Anne

Make the World Go Away To d a y ’ s s p a s p r o v i d e a h e a l t h y r e s p i t e f r o m t h e d a i l y g r i n d

re you running on the hamster wheel of life? Trapped in a maze of responsibility? Up to your eyeballs in stress? Whether you are a corporate executive, busy mom or active retiree, the demands of daily living are undeniable. Even if you are here on vacation, sometimes that foreboding sense of obligation tags along. Fortunately, your escape route is shorter than you think. The Lowcountry is an oasis of relief, featuring large hotel-based spas, medical spas, salon spas and intimate day spas,

each offering an inviting menu of services to pamper the body, calm the mind and soothe the spirit. Just what the doctor ordered, right? RX for health Once considered a luxury, in recent years, spa visits have become less about indulgence and more about healthy lifestyles. Medical research suggests that relaxation (the cornerstone of the spa industry) is an important key to health. It is the antidote to stress, which is known to cause and/

FACES DaySpa Village at Wexford, Hilton Head Island 843.785.3075 Great Escape to Tahiti Sea Salt Scrub What it Does: Moisturizes and exfoliates to reveal your skin’s natural glow, also available in Escape to Greece and France. Great Escape Shea Butter Balm What it Does: Helps to soften and strengthen skin with anti-aging vitamin A and calcium. “Just Relax” Tank Top “Just Relax” Body Mist What it Does: All-over body spray used as a liquid moisturizer. Can also be sprayed on hair as a de-tangler. “Just Relax” Shea Butter Balm What it Does: Protects, heals, and soothes, as well as softens and strengthens skin. “Just Relax” Body Lotion With Aloe Vera What it Does: Soothes, smoothes, and softens skin while protecting it from the elements.

* All products above are exclusive to FACES Day Spa.

Spa guide 68

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

The Sanctuary Park Plaza, Hilton Head 843.842.5999 or www. sanctuaryeurospa.com RevitaLash Advanced What It is: A conditioner applied once daily to your eyelashes before bedtime. Created by a doctor whose wife had undergone chemotherapy and had fragile, sparse and thin lashes as a result. bareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen What it Does: Protects against sunburn with a light, non-greasy formula.

or exacerbate a number of physical illnesses, including heart disease, digestive disorders, skin conditions, sleep disturbances, autoimmune diseases, depression, obesity, and more. According to the Mayo Clinic, relaxation can reduce stress symptoms by slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, slowing the breathing rate, increasing blood flow to major muscles, reducing muscle tension and chronic pain, reducing anger and frustration, and boosting confidence. As a result, many people experience more energy, better sleep, enhanced immunity, increased concentration, better problem-solving abilities, greater

Make the World Go Away

efficiency, more balanced emotions, fewer headaches and less pain. The good news is you can get all these benefits at your local spaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;no prescription required! Spa use is increasingly recognized as a viable solution to stress-related health problems. In a study of more than 3,300 Japanese government workers, frequency of spa use was linked to better physical and mental health, including better quality sleep and fewer sick days. In a similar study conducted by researchers from Florida State University and George Mason University, spa therapy reduced both absenteeism from work and hospitalizations. In addition to the opportunity to take a deep breath and relax, most spa treatments involve being touched, another key element of both physical and emotional health. According to a report in Psychosomatic Medicine, touch (the non-sexual, supportive kind) lowers stress hormones and blood pressure while also enhancing oxytocin, a hormone thought to calm and counter stress. How do you spell relief? Whether you are looking for pain relief, wrinkle reduction, softer, smoother skin, a set of luxurious lashes or something as simple as a sassy new nail color, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a hop, skip and jump away from your day of bliss. Area spas provide a smorgasbord of services, from high tech to holistic, including a wide range (Continued on page 71)

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 69

Spa guide

Take Your Spa Experience Home Between spa visits, consider creating a spa-like environment in your own home—a private sanctuary where you can escape the pressures of the day. Before you begin, visit your favorite spa, and make note of the reasons you love being there. Is it the soothing colors of the walls? Soft lighting? Pleasant scents? Relaxing music? Cushy chairs and fluffy throw pillows? Notice how all of the elements work together to create a sense of harmony, and think how you might recreate the same atmosphere at home. The secret is to indulge your senses. If your immediate future does not include a major homeimprovement project, make the most of what you already have. Chances are you have a bathtub, and that’s a good start. There’s just something about a relaxing soak that can help melt your troubles away. Just say no to harsh florescence in your bathroom. To create a sense of calm and soothe your sense of sight, use natural light from the outdoors by adding windows or skylights. Install dimmers on all other lighting fixtures. If you like to read while you soak, consider adding a wall sconce light or a directed spotlight. Further enhance your spa ambiance with an array of candles, from tall pillars to tiny votives. Choose scented candles for a whiff of calm. Excite your sense of touch with a variety of textures, such as loofah, mesh body scrubbers, body brushes and pumice stones. Silken water and soften your skin with fragrant oils and bath salts.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Make your ears happy with relaxing spa music or whatever genre transports you to another world. Built in speakers with remote control access can be a godsend in the bathtub. For a simple fix, a portable CD player located safely away from the water can provide music or nature sounds. (Do not balance a radio on the side of the tub. If it falls in, you will be abruptly transported to a world beyond, never to return.) Delight your palate with a refreshing drink. (Purchase some pretty acrylic drinking glasses for safety’s sake.) If the side of your tub isn’t wide enough to accommodate your favorite libation, purchase a bathtub caddy. Many feature candle holders, wine glass holders, book stands and miscellaneous compartments for your spa products and tub toys. Of course, you want to stock your spa with the most indulgent skincare products available. Bath and body shops are good sources as are professional spas. When you are ready to emerge from your bath, give your senses the ultimate thrill by wrapping up in a luxurious Turkish towel. Keep your skin soft and hydrated with moisturizing body sprays and rich lotions and creams, scented or not. Then step into a silky gown, your favorite PJs or a soft, fluffy robe and comfy pair of slippers. Go ahead and escape. The world will still be here when you’re ready for re-entry, and you’ll be better equipped for the next trip around the sun. 

August 2011

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff 476 Mount Pelia Rd, Bluffton 843.706.6615 or www.palmettobluffresort.com Opal Sonic Infusion System with Anti-Aging Sea Serum What It Does: Instantly hydrates, smoothes, and brightens eyes. Results last for hours and benefits improve over time. Sumbody Milkbath What it Does: The be-all, end-all milk bath dream made with buttermilk, cream, coconut milk, and yogurt. Milk- it does a body good. High Cotton Southern Botanical Scented Soy Candle What it Does: A soy candle blended with tea olive spiked with lemon and lime, white grapefruit, and peach.

of traditional therapies with a surprising array of benefits. For example, massages stretch the muscles, aid joint mobility and improve circulation. Body scrubs, wraps and masks exfoliate, detoxify and hydrate the skin. Facials cleanse the skin, hydrate and stimulate the production of new cells. Most facials also include head and shoulder massage to relieve tension. Stones are utilized in many treatments to restore energy and vitality, relax muscles, ease tension and increase circulation. Reflexology is type of massage that can be performed on your hands or more commonly your feet that has healing effects throughout the body. Aromatherapy is used to invigorate, calm and relieve stress as well as stimulate the immune system, circulatory system and nervous system. In addition to the latest therapeutic and curative treatments, you’ll discover a variety of beauty treatments including bikini and brow waxing, luxurious pedicures, no-chip manicures and

August 2011

glamorous lash extensions. Many spas also have physicians and licensed technicians on hand to perform services such as facial fillers, injectables, laser treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and other anti-aging treatments. While services that involve hot wax or needles don’t necessarily qualify as “relaxing,” they are, nevertheless, an important part of a healthy self-care routine that enhances selfesteem and boosts confidence. Whatever service you choose, studies suggest that the real value lies not in the treatment itself, but in the feeling of being pampered that is universal to the spa experience. So, put your favorite spa on speed dial and blast off regularly to a place of serenity and calm. You may not be able to make the world go away, but you can certainly beam up long enough to relax and rejuvenate before duty calls you back down to earth. 

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 71

Spa guide

Signature Spa treatments The Art of Massage

14 New Orleans Rd, Ste 1 843.422.8378 Welcome to THE ART OF MASSAGE- A Green Wellness Spa!

Think of your time here like a canvas. It begins blank, and every treatment is another brush stroke. Different tools are used and we all have different tastes, but you will put the final signature on! We have simple, affordable treatments using natural and organic products that allow you to customize your experience here. Mix and match to create your one-of-a-kind master-“peace”!

Ahh Green Spa

843.715.2643 6 Lagoon Rd Ste 2A, Coligny Plaza www.ahhgreenspa.com

Sticks & Stones Massage – 90 min. $120

Combines the best of both worlds – warm bamboo sticks and warm river stones combine to give you soothing heat and a deep tissue massage.

All About Me

843.785.2558 32 Palmetto Bay Road www.allaboutmehhi.com/about2.html

All About Me Facial 60 min. $95

This deep cleansing treatment includes the enzyme peel and is the basic monthly maintenance necessary to keep skin looking and feeling its best! 90 min. sessions are also offered with more personalized services for $135.

Casa Blanca Spa

843.785.6245 124 Arrow Rd. Ste. #7 www.casablancaspa.biz

Queen for the Day $160

A customized signature massageto meet the individual needs of the client, including Kriya, relaxation, deep tissue and reflexology all included in the 1-hour treatment, followed by an anti aging facial using only pure organic products that will not harm the skin. Organic chamomile oil is used for the most sensitive skin. Goji Berry Mask, high in vitamin C and antioxidants to nourish the skin, reduces puffiness and dark circles around the eyes and tones, firms and imporves the treatment of the skin all in one treatment.

The European Spa

843.682.3915 5 Grasslawn Avenue www.european-spa.com

Pindakarma Massage 60 mins. $140

A luxurious therapeutic treatment which purifies and cleanses the entire body, using Himalayan salts to refresh the feet, warmed aromatic oils, and hot muslin bags of fragrant herbs to massage the body. This treatment will melt away tension, soften the skin, and induce deep rest.

Faces Day Spa

843.785.3075 1000 William Hilton Parkway www.facesdayspa.com

Don’t sweat it!

Beat the heat and look your best beach-self with our Beach Ready Babe Package. Get ready for fun in the sun, featuring our LusciousLash Extensions, No-Chip Manicure and Pedicure, Bikini Wax, and SunSational Spray Tan. Choose any 3 of the 5 services and receive 10% off of this exclusive package, brought to you by FACES DaySpa.

Heavenly Spa by Westin

843.681.1019 2 Grasslawn Avenue HiltonHeadHeavenlySpa.com

Rollerssage

Exclusive to the Heavenly Spas, this unique treatment puts a new spin on hot stone massage. Heated crystalline spheres are rolled over the body, melting away tension and relaxing tight muscles, while restoring balance.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

heavenly spa by Westin Two Grasslawn Avenue, Hilton Head 843.681.1019 or www.westinhiltonheadspa.com Malie Mango Nectar Soy Candle What It Does: Burns cleanly (no black soot), smelling like fresh mangoes from Hawaii. NuFace What it Does: This non-invasive toning device delivers low-level electrical micro current impulses to strategic locations on the face to improve facial tone for a more youthful appearance. For use with NuFace Derma Gel & NuFace Optimizing Mist. Heavenly Spa Robe What it Does: Envelopes you, fresh from a bath or shower.

Island Medical Spa

843.689.3322 4 Dunmore Ct # 300 www.islandmedicalspahhi.com

Titan Skin Tightening

Titan Laser Treatment is quickly becoming a popular choice for safely tightening loose or sagging skin. A face-lift without surgery – and no recovery time! – the Titan Laser shrinks collagen, and tightens and lifts the skin. Look years younger and experience the newest and safest way to achieve age defying skin-tight results on your jaw line, neck, under-chin and abdomen.

August 2011

Le Spa

843.363.6000 71 Lighthouse Rd # 613 www.lespahiltonhead.com/spa

and beverage adds to the enjoyment of this special package.

Le Spa “Day of Beauty” $325 (5 hrs)

Main Street Inn & Spa

Experience five hours of total relaxation and pampering, a full body massage, European facial, therapeutic pedicure, paraffin foot treatment, luxurious manicure with paraffin hand treatment, hair cleansing, conditioning and blow dry/styling. Finishing with a light make-up application. A spa lunch

843.681.3001 2200 Main Street www.mainstreetinn.com

Swedish Massage 60 mins $85

A traditional Swedish full-body massage performed amongst a tranquil background allowing for full relaxation.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 73

Spa guide

Zen Spa 16 Okatie Center Boulevard South #101, Bluffton 843.705.0811 or www.zenfusionspa.com UV Sun Sense What It Does: Changes color to reflect your level of exposure to the sun. Mirafit What it Does: Removes 81 calories of dietary fat per day. Pur Moist Hyaluronic Acid Cream What it Does: Ads moisture to skin as needed.

Massage Envy

1019 Fording Island Rd. Suite 102 G Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 837-3689 www.massageenvy.com

Massage Envy Spa’s new Murad Healthy Skin Facials Specially formulated products from world-renowned Murad, Inc. Founder and CEO Dr. Howard Murad has devoted his life to making beautiful, healthy skincare products. Founded in 1989, the Murad skincare line is based on science-driven The Cellular Water Principle®, which concludes that our cells lose the ability to retain water as we age. Murad products are designed to repair cell membranes while attracting water and nutrients to the cells. This unmatched Murad approach makes Massage Envy Spa’s Murad Healthy Skin Facials the most effective way to achieve balanced, more youthful-looking skin.

Ocean Tides Spa

843.341.8056 23 Ocean Lane www.hiltonoceanfrontresort.com

Coastal Cabana Massage 50 or 80 mins Enjoy nature’s gifts of sunshine, sea breezes, and the sound of waves during a massage in a private cabana overlooking the ocean. Enjoy this treatment alone or with a partner. Or - ParadiseGlow 80 mins Relax and enjoy as milk from the coconut is gently massaged into the skin for the preparation of a gentle sugar exfoliation, followed by 50 minutes of calming Swedish massage. To complete the treatment, pineapple infused exotic nut oils give the fresh skin ideal softness and elasticity.

Oasis Life Spa

843.342.3361 18 Executive Park Rd Ste 3 www.oasislifespa.biz

Oasis Signature Massage 30 min $40 - 60 min $80 - 90 min $120 Our licensed therapists create customized massage experiences just for you. Advanced training enables therapists to provide tonic for the soul by combining massage techniques with an intuitive approach to the therapy. Kriya massage, the “Chocolate Cake” of massage, is a full body intuitive massage that incorporates one continuous stroke in which the therapist’s hands never leave the body.

The Sanctuary

South End: 843.842.5999 217 Park Plaza, Office Park Road www.sanctuaryeurospa.com Our Signature Facial is an intense, corrective facial suitable for any skin type and age it incorporates the use of exfoliation, 2 different stimuli, oxygenation, extractions, a relaxing massage, warm mitt hand massage and customized mask. Unlike many therapeutic facials, skin looks immediately smoother, firmer and revitalized. Our Signature Massage boasts 80 wonderful minutes of hot stones, warm paraffin, aromatic oils and Swedish massage techniques, always adapted to each client’s needs it is pure heaven! Another highlighted treatment is Ionithermie, the most effective way to remove cellulite. Popular on board cruise ships and in Europe for over 25 years, this works! In addition we offer Infinity Tans, the spray tan most popular in Hollywood and known for its lack of odor and staining, in addition to looking natural and long lasting! 74

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

Spa Soleil

843.686.8420 1 Hotel Cir www.spasoleil.biz

Energy Therapy: Reiki & Chi Healing Energy work that flows to the areas in need. Soothing pain and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself. 30 minutes... $30 60 minutes... $55

Serendipity Medical Spa

843.342.2639 Ofc Suites, 102 Palmetto Parkway www.serendipitymedspa.com

The Liquid Facelift – A Fountain of

Youth One of the most popular non-surgical procedures right now is the “Liquid Facelift,” a synergistic combination of facial injectables (such as BOTOX, JUVEDERM, RADIESSE, and SCULPTRA) to lift areas of sagging, to correct hollowness, and to reduce the appearance of wrinkling. In essence, Liquid Facelift techniques can be used to restore a more youthful appearance, no scalpel involved! Further, patients love the fact that there is minimal downtime and everyday activities can be resumed almost immediately.

August 2011

Massage Envy 1019 Fording Island Road, Bluffton 843.837.3701 or www.massageenvy.com Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer What It Does: Significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while increasing firmness and improving clarity, leaving skin smooth and youthful-looking. Murad Eye Treatment Complex SPF 8 What it Does: Patented age-reversing treatment reveals a brighter, more youthful look. Humectants and lipids infuse essential moisture into the delicate eye area. Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser What it Does: Exfoliating cleanser revitalizes skin by polishing away dullness. Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser What it Does: Patented, scientifically-proven formula improves skin elasticity and skin texture overnight. Murad Perfecting Serum What it Does: Patented formula replenishes vital lipids and creates an invisible barrier to lock in moisture. Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture What it Does: Locks in optimal moisture levels for 8 hours and restores resilience as well as tone of skin.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 75

Spa guide Le Spa 71 Lighthouse Rd # 613 Hilton Head (843) 363-6000 or www.lespahiltonhead.com Pureology Serious Colour Care What It is: Hydrating shampoo for color-treated hair. SpaRitual Organic Sugar Scrub What it Does: Gently exfoliates while awakening skin. New Youth Acne Cleanser What it Does: Cleanses and removes excessive oil and bacteria from skin. New Youth Acne Toner What it Does: Helps remove any bacteria and oil residue after cleansing. New Youth Daily Moisturizer What it Does: Extracts calm the skin while providing needed moisture.

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff

843.706.6615 476 Mount Pelia Road www.palmettobluffresort.com

Wild Rice and Mulberry Scrub and Rub.

Experience the natural benefits and exfoliating properties of regional botanicals. Rinse off your silky smooth skin in one of our claw-footed porcelain tubs on your private outdoor veranda overlooking the maritime forests and lagoons of Palmetto Bluff. Emerge from the soak and onto the table for a 60 or 90 minute, full body, classic massage. 90 minutes $230 120 minutes $300

Zen Fusion Spa

16 Okatie Center Blvd. South suite 101, Okatie, SC, 29909 (843)-705-0811 www.zenfusionspa.com

HydraFacial $95

It has been featured in Allure Magazine’s “Best Of” issue, as well as twice on “The Doctors”, a CBS television show. The HydraFacial is a favorite among celebrities to get their skin “red carpet” ready! Safe for all skin types featuring hydrating exfoliation and painless extractions completed with a customized infusion mask. For maximum benefit a series of six is recommended. The most popular body treatment is the LipoLaser body contouring treatment. Featured on “Fox News”, it’s effective technology is a painless, non-invasive way to shape your body and/or reduce stubborn areas of fat. 

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

A r t i cl e

P e t e r Z i nk

P h o t o g r ap h y

A nn e

Chin

Dynasty

Where Chinese cuisine meets fine dining

he Chinese takeout establishment is a familiar and friendly site. You witness the busy, frenetic pace of cooks, shuffling quickly to replenish trays of food ordered from the front. Then there’s the buffet line of piping hot chicken and pork, where you smother your food in a sweet or sour sauce. And you can’t forget your complementary sidekick. Is it going to be a bed of fried or steamed rice? You grab your dish, sit down with family and friends at a small corner table where you gorge yourself on your tasty choices and call it a night. Or if you’re in a big hurry and have somewhere else you need to be, you take your food out in one of those signature cubic boxes with a folded origami lid and a thin wire on top for easy transport. You eat what you can for the night and throw the leftovers into the fridge for reheating later.

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 78

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

If that sounds like your typical Chinese restaurant routine, you’re in for a surprise with Chin Dynasty, because that’s not what they’re all about. Chin Dynasty does Chinese food like no other establishment in the Lowcountry: freshly made and served in a fine dining restaurant atmosphere without a high price tag. Located next to the Sea Turtle Cinema off of Buckwalter Highway, the difference is palpable the minute you walk in. Subdued lighting and elegant glass stemware greet you at each table, and the white leather chairs are spotless. The whole restaurant offers a quiet and intimate vibe that’s perfect for good conversation and drinks. Besides the main dining area, Chin Dynasty offers a full service bar along with a separate sushi bar addition. For the working lunch or large party crowd, there are two screened off private dining areas in the back that can seat 10-12 people.

Their focus on providing fresh produce makes it hard for customers to choose a favorite dish. Formerly the Kobe Sushi Bistro, Chin Dynasty opened its doors just over a year ago. Owner Jackie Zhao realized that while there were plenty of places in Bluffton to get fast Chinese food, nobody offered a great sit-in Chinese dining experience. So when Zhao reopened the space as Chin Dynasty, he wanted to make sure he got it right. He hired high-end chef Ken Wang from Washington D.C. to put his spin on some traditional Chinese favorites. Even the new restaurant’s name is epic in scope. Chin Dynasty refers to the famous first emperor of the Ch’in lineage dating back to 221 BC, Ch’in Shih Huang Ti. Before Ch’in there was no unified Chinese empire. It was Ch’in who ushered in a standardized alphabet, built famous landmarks like the first Great Wall of China and the city mausoleum, guarded by life-sized terra cotta soldiers. He left a legacy of imperial rule for the next two millennia and is considered the father of the unified China we know today. With a revered figure like Ch’in in the name, the restaurant carries a big vision and a message that they try to do Chinese food differently. To live up to their ambitious namesake, Zhao and Wang emphasize fresh, high-quality 80

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

ingredients in every dish they serve. Hardly anything is brought in pre-cooked. Nearly every dish is made from scratch from their most basic ingredients. Zhao and Wang are constantly searching for better tasting ingredients that don’t break the bank. “If there’s a higher quality ingredient, we use it. For example, we picked a beef that I think is one of the best out there. It’s incredibly popular with our customers because of that,” Zhao said. Their focus on providing fresh produce makes it hard for customers to choose a favorite dish. Some popular items include the chicken lettuce wrap, which has a nice flavor contrast between zesty spiced chicken and freshly cooled lettuce. Another is the Crazy Ocean, a wild assortment of shrimp, scallops, mussels, and squid mixed with bell peppers, snap peas, and spices sautéed in a Panang curry sauce. And if you’re looking for a fun spin on a traditional breakfast staple, the scallop pancakes are hard to beat. Don’t worry if you’re looking to venture beyond Chinese dishes either. South Asian classics such as Pad Thai and Singapore Street Noodles are also available. And of course if you don’t feel like sitting down for a long meal, Chin Dynasty can still accommodate you with their extensive sushi bar. It’s a perfect option when you’re looking to grab a quick bite before a movie but want to opt for a nicer setting than a fast food establishment. Perennial favorites like the California and spicy tuna roll are present on the menu, along with more creative options like the Angel Roll with its fried shrimp, avocado, and cream cheese interior, topped off with fried crab. Chin Dynasty also offers locally inspired variants like the Bluffton Roll with layers of white fish, spicy tuna, avocado and eel on top or the Beaufort Roll with its deep fried smoked salmon, crab, cream cheese, and avocado. With an array of delicious dishes, Zhao feels fortunate to be able to open a restaurant in the Lowcountry. “This area is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I get to meet people that come from all different types of places to retire here. Everyone is very nice,” he said with a smile. Just as he enjoys Bluffton’s beauty, the rest of us can enjoy a new addition to the region’s repertoire.  Chin Dynasty is located at 108 Buckwalter Parkway, next to the Sea Turtle Cinemas. They are open for lunch MondayFriday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. They are open for dinner from 4-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 4-10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call (843) 757-7998. For more information including both the main and sushi menus, visit chindynasty.biz. August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 81

A Floral Affair A garden menagerie for the senses

Stephen and dawn kiritsy with brewski & brady

Article by David Gignilliat // Photography by Anne

alk into A Floral Affair, one of Hilton Head Island’s top florists, and you’re in for a treat—a garden menagerie for the senses that you’ll not soon forget. Scores of colorful silk flower arrangements line the spacious displays and walls. A second-floor consultation area provides seclusion for prospective brides and grooms planning that special day. Walk over to the retail cooler, and you’re likely to find several creative freshly-designed arrangements in a variety of containers and styles. Look up, and you’d half-expect to find a Michelangelo fresco embellishing the showroom’s high, cathedral-like ceiling. Yet for all its visual splendor, the store’s stunning interior is still one of its best-kept secrets. “Yes, we do have a walk-in shop,” said owner Dawn Kiritsy.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize that. We do a great wedding business, but we also have a beautiful showroom. We’re finding now that people are starting to come to us because they see interesting stuff here and they know they’re going to get something different.” A Floral Affair offers everyday flowers, including roses, and tropical dish gardens (for both delivery and walk-in purchase) and also custom-designed corsages and boutonnieres for formal wear. Kiritsy uses a core group of trusted floral wholesalers, and is able to custom-order rare flowers from as far away as South America. Kiritsy first moved to Hilton Head Island 14 years ago from New Hampshire, arriving without formal floral training, but with a passion for art and design and an abiding desire to own her business. “We moved down here, and [my husband] said ‘Honey, let’s

WENDY PORTERFIELD

start a business,’ and he picked this [industry],” said Kiritsy, who also contemplated opening a bike shop or a small restaurant at the time. “So here we are.” The couple purchased an existing floral shop on Dillon Road, purchasing the Cardinal Road property (where their business now resides) in the summer of 2000. Taking the long view business-wise, Kiritsy and her husband waited until 2004 to custom-build their location. They own their facility, which is housed in a mostly light industrial corridor that’s home to offices and small warehouses. Kiritsy quickly took to the floral business, learning from some of her first employees and picking up professional tips from her flower wholesalers. Dawn Kiritsy is the only florist on Hilton Head Island that is a member of the American Institute

STEVE WILLIAMS

of Floral Designers (AIFD), a Baltimore, Md.-based non-profit organization that is the largest and oldest entity dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design as a professional career. According to the AIFD, in order to receive full accreditation and use the AIFD designation at their store, members must demonstrate design artistry by creating five arrangements that are judged based upon category interpretation, scale, balance, line, color and creativity, among other criteria. “We like to get real creative with our arrangements,” said Kiritsy, who is also a certified floral designer (CFD), as recognized by the AIFD. “We experiment all the time, even to this day, 14 years after we opened.” Kiritsy has carefully selected a talented staff of designers

A Floral Affair

A FLORAL AFFAIR’S SHOWROOM

and has tried to cultivate a team approach where all of her employees have input into the creative process. “It’s a real team of people here; we kind of fit like a glove. Everyone is on the same page,” Kiritsy said. “It almost feels like we’ve brought a bunch of artists into this place, and each one of us is a different part of the sprocket or wheel. When you have that good energy, everyone just flows together real well.” For clients considering flowers for a major event like a wedding or a special occasion, the staff at A Floral Affair is able to customize their approach to different tastes. Kiritsy and her staff often ask their clients how they decorate their home or

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

BRADY...OR BREWSKI?

CAROLE BEYMA

other spaces to get a sense of personal preferences. “I always tell people, ‘Even though you may not think you have a style, you do have a style,’ said Kiritsy. “And I really try to put that in the design that we are doing.” And in a somewhat austere economic environment, she takes pride in being able to work with a client’s financial constraints. “We like to work within whatever peoples’ budgets are. If [a client] lets us be more creative and lead them, they’re going to get what we do best,” Kiritsy added. Over the years, A Floral Affair has developed a positive reputation with the legion of facilities that island visitors and

August 2011

JUDE WILLIAMS

residents use for major events and weddings. The shop was also featured on a recent episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition that chronicled the renovation of a home in Beaufort County. “I think we work really well with a lot of venues, and we’re on many of their preferred vendor lists,” said Kiritsy. “We come in, we’re clean, we’re neat, we’re professional, we work together, and we’re very courteous.” According to designer Erin Taylor, who has worked 17 years in the floral industry, the staff at A Floral Affair reflects the owner’s positive example. “She’s incredible, and I tell her that to her face. Everybody loves her. There’s something about her that you’re

August 2011

ERIN TAYLOR

just drawn to. She has great energy, and she’s just really cool for a boss,” Taylor said. “She’s down here every day—she works with us, hangs with us—she’s just a good person. She’s amazing.”  A Floral Affair is located at 20-A Cardinal Road on Hilton Head Island. The retail location is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. To place an order or to schedule an event consultation, please contact A Floral Affair at (800) 898-0289 or (843) 681-8700. For more information, including hundreds of pictures of arrangements, please visit afloralaffairhhi.com or afloralaffairweddings.com.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 85

THINK 1981.

THE PEOPLE OF HARGRAY

“yES THERE WERE PAy PHoNES THEN, oWNED By HARGRAy. WHAT HARGRAy DIDN’T HAvE,” CooLER LAUGHED, “WAS CoMPUTERS. I TELL PEoPLE THAT AND THEy SAy, ‘WHAT?’”

YEARS Since 1981 DEBORA COOLER

ARTICLE By PAUL DEvERE // PHoToGRAPHy By ANNE

there was no “town of Hilton Head Island.” the island was still an unincorporated “suburb” of Beaufort County. It wouldn’t become a town until 1983. space shuttle Columbia shot into the Florida sky to begin an extraordinary, and sometimes tragic, program of manned space flight that ended in July of this year. the full-time population of Hilton Head Island was about 12,000. Bluffton was still a “state of Mind.” MtV made its debut. IBM first introduced the 5150, better known as the PC.

Construction Engineer Debora Cooler started to work for Hargray in 1981. she started out as an assignment clerk and worked her way well up the telecommunications ladder. “We do design work for all the cables and oversee the scheduling and oversee the contractors that bury our cables. We approve invoices; we apply for all the permits, such as DOt permits and private easements and coordinate with getting all the crews going on jobs. We also work jointly with the local power companies and we get on

the same track with them,” Cooler explained. she said that as she worked her way up in the engineering department, Hargray gave her the opportunity to be trained for the next assignment that awaited her. “Yes,” engineer Cooler proudly admitted with a smile, “I have my own hard hat and steel toe shoes.” And for years, Hargray employees had to make sure they had loose change in their pockets. If they wanted to call the main office when they were on a service call, they had the use

YEARS Since 1986 JACKIE WRIGHT • JACK ABERNATHY • PAMELA HAMILTON • GARY DELONG “I WAS BoRN oN HILToN HEAD ALMoST 50 yEARS AGo IN A HoUSE, [DELIvERED] By A MID-WIFE. I AM oNE oF THE FEW NATIvES LEFT. I WENT To SCHooL HERE ALL oF My LIFE.” JACKIE WRIGHT

“I LovE HELPING THE CUSToMERS. I LovE To ‘HEAR’ A SMILE oN THEIR FACE, WHEN I CAN GIvE THEM THE SCHEDULING DATE AND TIME THAT THEy WANT. WHEN I FIRST WENT To HARGRAy, I HAD No ExPERIENCE IN TELEPHoNE WoRK AT ALL. I MUST SAy THAT THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE To GET THE CUSToMER DIAL ToNE FRoM THE oFFICE JUST THRILLED ME.” PAMELA HAMILTON

THINK 1981.

THE PEOPLE OF HARGRAY

YEARS Since - 1991 DEBRA HILL • SARA CALDWELL • BAYLOR O’CAIN • MARY BUSBY • CHRISTI O’QUINN • JIMMY CLEMMENS • WINIFRED WHITSETT • DANIEL THOMPSON • PAMELA BAUMGARDNER • ALFRED WEITLEIN

“I WAS THE PAy PHoNE GUy,” REMEMBERED BAyLoR o’CAIN, WHo HAS WoRKED FoR HARGRAy FoR 20 yEARS, “BUT THEy’RE A THING oF THE PAST.”

“I WAS THE PERSoN THAT WoULD Go oUT AND TRAIN THE CUSToMER oN HoW To USE THEIR PHoNES, AND THEN By DEFAULT, WHEN IT CAME To RECoRDING THEIR PHoNE SySTEMS, THEIR MESSAGES, NoBoDy WANTED To SPEAK, So I BECAME THE ‘voICE oF HARGRAy’ So To SPEAK. I RECoRDED ALL THE voICE MESSAGES.” CHRISTy o’QUINN

CoNSTRUCTIoN LEADER AL WENTLEIN HAS BEEN WITH THE CoMPANy FoR TWo DECADES. HE SAID BEING A HARGRAy EMPLoyEE GIvES HIM A SENSE oF PRIDE AND INTEGRITy.

one of Hargray’s pay phones and use their own dimes. the Internet, and wireless everything, it seems astounding what “Yes there were pay phones then, owned by Hargray. What Hargray has done to keep up with the information age explosion. Hargray didn’t have,” Cooler laughed, “was computers. I tell O’Cain recalled how Jane Jude, now in the It department, people that and they say, ‘What?’” brought news of something called the Internet. “she’s really twenty years ago, Hargray had 450 sharp and says, ‘there’s this thing called the tWENtY YEARs AgO, pay phones on Hilton Head Island and Internet coming.’ And people were like ‘What’s HARgRAY HAD 450 PAY it only cost a dime to make a phone call. the Internet?” And Jane says, ‘We really need “I was the pay phone guy,” remembered PHONEs ON HILtON HEAD to get it, it’s really going to be big.’ And here Baylor O’Cain, who has worked for Hargray we are now,” O’Cain said, slightly shaking his IsLAND AND It ONLY COst for 20 years, “but they’re a thing of the head and smiling. A DIME tO MAKE A past.” He is now a network technician at the While Bluffton had telephone service by PHONE CALL. central office, making sure data, dial tones 1949, it wasn’t until 1960 that the small Hargray and television get to Hargray’s customers. telephone Company opened its first office on Back in 1958, the year Hargray brought telephone service Hilton Head Island. today, the company employs close to 400 to Hilton Head, that was it: telephone service, “land lines” as people in a service area that includes Hilton Head, Bluffton, they are called. But with IPtV (Internet Protocol television), Ridgeland, Beaufort, Estill and Pooler, georgia. the trucks (continued on page 90) 88

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

YEARS Since - 1996 JON STRICKLAND • SHIRLEY YOUMANS • AMY CONN • JAMES MASTERS

 CORPORAtE AND COMMuNItY INVEstMENt: In 2009, Hargray introduced a new training program, Hargray university, to help bring extensive training to front line employees. the program arose from a desire to focus on investing in the company’s employees and improving the customer experience. Hargray adopted a new mission in 2008: to Envision and Deliver Customer Delight. to achieve its mission, Hargray had to make sure its people were getting all the tools they needed to be successful and then use them in each and every customer interaction. “We needed to focus on becoming more consistent and thorough,” explains Andrea Imdacha, a member of Hargray’s marketing team and the one of the program’s founders. “We’ve always conducted training, but much of what we did was unstructured, relying on institutional knowledge and

August 2011

apprenticing. We needed to develop a program that provided consistent approaches to training for all customer-facing personnel.” Initially focusing on classroom-based training, today’s Hargray university is a broad program offering a variety of options for employees interested in growing professionally. “the program’s evolution has been amazing,” notes Imdacha. “We’ve got a fabulous online portal for training now, the Hargray university Learning Center, and we offer classes and other training opportunities for things like job knowledge, time management, and interpersonal skills. It’s not just about Hargray products anymore. Now, it’s about helping our employees to grow as people.” today, the training curriculum is expansive and includes certification programs, professional skills enhancement, college credit courses from technical College of the Lowcountry, interactive sales training and monthly product and promotions training.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 89

THINK 1981.

THE PEOPLE OF HARGRAY YEARS

Since - 2001 MARK PETERSON • PAULA PAIGE • GRAHAM SOMERALL • ROBERT PINCKNEY • JENELLE MORGAN • JESSE BAKER • SEAN RUSSELL • SUZANNE HICKS • LINZER J GRANT • GWYNNE LASTINGER

o’CAIN RECALLED HoW JANE JUDE, NoW IN THE IT DEPARTMENT, BRoUGHT NEWS oF SoMETHING CALLED THE INTERNET. “SHE’S REALLy SHARP AND SAyS, ‘THERE’S THIS THING CALLED THE INTERNET CoMING.’ AND PEoPLE WERE LIKE ‘WHAT’S THE INTERNET?” AND JANE SAyS, ‘WE REALLy NEED To GET IT, IT’S REALLy GoING To BE BIG.’ AND HERE WE ARE NoW,” o’CAIN SAID, SLIGHTLy SHAKING HIS HEAD AND SMILING.

bearing the large red “H” (a fleet of 450) are a very familiar sight for Hilton Head and Bluffton residents. While Hargray Communications built and maintains an outstanding example of a good corporate citizen in the communities it serves, being the only game in town for decades when it came to telephone services was sometimes problematic. Construction leader Al Wentlein has been with the company for two decades. He said being a Hargray employee gives him a sense of pride and integrity. He loves troubleshooting and feels he is at his best when faced with the impossible. “When I can walk out there and resolve the issue within a matter of hours, that’s what I enjoy. You have people who are so very satisfied and happy with everything you do. then you have that one customer who thinks you are the dog of the world.” turning a situation like that around is what Wentlein lives for. As telephones became telephone “systems” in the late 1980s and early ’90s, Hargray was in the business of selling

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

those systems. Christy O’Quinn, a 20-year employee and now a customer account manager in the business department, said she remembered when she first began working for the company. “I was the person that would go out and train the customer on how to use their phones, and then by default, when it came to recording their phone systems, their messages, nobody wanted to speak, so I became the ‘voice of Hargray’ so to speak. I recorded all the voice messages.” Founded in 1947 in Hardeeville, south Carolina, Hargray was a family-owned business until 2007, when it was sold to Quadrangle Capital Partners, a private equity firm. For decades, Hargray was known for its tremendous generosity to education and charities in the communities it served. Maybe one of the greatest testaments to the Hargray’s commitment to education is the Hargray building, the centerpiece of the south campus of usCB. the question many asked, both inside and outside the company, was: Would outside ownership change the character

August 2011

YEARS Since - 2006 LASHOND AIKEN • TOSHA SUGGS • RASHODD MAXWELL • JENNA SPEER • JEREMY GALLETTA • CHERYL METZ • MATTHEW GAJEWSKI • JAMILLAH HAMILTON • RYAN TRUITT • SARAH VANDERVORT • TROY YOUNG

“I LIKE THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL, I THINK, SMALL ENoUGH So THAT PRETTy MUCH EvERyBoDy KNoWS EvERyBoDy.” MATTHEW GAJEWSKI

of the company, not only in terms of community involvement, but the way Hargray took care of its own? According to construction engineer, gary DeLong, who has been with the company for 25 years, the answer would be “no.” that’s because, as he put it, it’s the people. “Yes, we went from a family atmosphere to a corporate atmosphere. Now we are in the corporate world, like the rest of the world is, but we are doing very well with it. It is still the same company. the people I work with are just phenomenal. I mean, we all work together, and we all come up with great answers to get the job done and to benefit the customer.” the front line of those “great answers” is Winifred Whitsett, who has been with Hargray for two decades. As call center supervisor, her staff handles all the questions—and complaints. It’s usually the latter. When the Internet goes down, when there’s an e-mail problem, when a land line doesn’t work, you either talk to Whitsett or one of her staff.

August 2011

R u

“We handle all areas,” she said. Hargray takes care of their employees and their customers. “One thing I like about my job is, if there is an issue, say for example like on the street, I ran into a customer that didn’t know I worked at Hargray until I say I work at Hargray, and they talk about something that happened and that we were able to resolve the issues right away versus having to call to another state. We are local they say. that response is a reward.” there’s an old joke about a lady in the produce section of a supermarket. It was a time in the 1970s when fresh food prices were exceptionally high. she exclaimed, “What do we need farmers for? Look at all this stuff!” Public utilities, especially companies like Hargray, are the brunt of the public’s ire when something doesn’t work. Hargray employees are somewhat invisible until something needs fixing. But that’s fine with 25-year veterans like Pamela Hamilton and Jackie Wright. Hamilton is a plant center supervisor. Wright is

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 91

 Investment in the Lowcountry community is also an integral part of Hargray’s approach.

“Hargray has always had a strong and proud heritage of being an active member of the community”, states Eddie Andrews, Director of Marketing. “We consider it a privilege to be affiliated with so many charities and organizations intent on helping those who may need a hand. For decades, our employees have taken great pride in playing an active role in volunteerism as well as helping with fund raising efforts and community relations. We provide financial resources, yes, but it’s about more than just money; it’s about the desire to want to make a difference - and our employees and executives absolutely want to be difference makers in our community.”

a plant coordinator who works for Hamilton. They both are the “unseen” people, just a few who make it all work: Internet, phone, television. They represent the “farmers” who fill the communication “basket.” Hamilton said, “If you call into the business office you will get a representative and she will ask you how she can help. You can say, ‘Well I need phone, cable TV and Internet at 20 Arrow Road.’ At that time, an order will be placed. They will assign the orders, and Jackie [Wright] makes sure it will get wired. Then it will come back to dispatch and we will make sure that the order is scheduled on time. All we do is call the customer, make sure that the order is written correctly and that the customer knows what date and time we will be there.” Hamilton and Wright are truly the front line for Hargray. While many of Hargray’s employees came to the company from a variety of different geographical areas with a variety of talents and for a variety of reasons, Wright started at home. She was born and reared on Hilton Head Island. “I was born on Hilton Head almost 50 years ago in a house, [delivered] by a mid-wife. I am one of the few natives left. I went to school here all of my life.” “My family has a lot of cemeteries here—our ancestors—and we would like to trace our roots all the way back. The one in Harbour Town is actually my family’s and it is still there… well, most of it is still there. This is where my great-great grandmother raised her children, which was my great grandmother. They were born where Harbour Town is now. Then they came from Harbour Town to Spanish Wells. The graves are still there [at Harbour Town],” Wright said. Hamilton and Wright recalled their first year with Hargray. “I love helping the customers. I love to ‘hear’ a smile on their face, when I can give them the scheduling date and time that they want. When I first went to Hargray, I had no experience in telephone work at all. I must say that the first time I was able to get the customer dial tone from the office just thrilled me,” Hamilton said. Wright smiled, remembering her first years. “We had this big board, like Green Acres, to pull in; we had cords. It would light up and you would have to say ‘hold on.’ That is the board I got trained on. It was the dinosaur,” Wright said, laughing. What may be the most extraordinary quality Hargray has exhibited over the years, in terms of staffing, whether it was family-owned or part of a corporation, is to promote within. While employees have said the culture of Hargray has changed somewhat since the Quadrangle purchase, the relatively new owners knew a good thing when they saw it. The staff appreciated that. Matt Gajewski, an operations analyst for Hargray, may have said it best. “I like the fact that we are still, I think, small enough so that pretty much everybody knows everybody. It feels like a small, working community, as opposed to like, for instance, Corning Ware (where Gajewski worked for several years). You could work there (Corning) for 10 years and still not come close to meeting everybody. It is still some corporate culture, but it is smaller. Everybody knows everybody from the top down.” Twenty-five-year veteran Jack Abernathy recalled his introduction to Hilton Head. “This vice president of the company I was working for came up to me and said, ‘I am going to Hilton Head tomorrow’. And I said, ‘Where the heck is Hilton Head?’ He said, ‘It’s down on the beach.’ I said, ‘Well, take me with you.’” Twenty-five years later, Abernathy has no regrets. The story of Hargray, from its humble beginnings in Ridgeland to an unusually dynamic communications entity that tries to combine the local culture and local sensitivity to a communications explosion never experienced before in the Lowcountry— or for that matter, lower Manhattan—the people of Hargray seem to make the impossible happen. Every day.  92

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

“Laughter is very important. You don’t put a sourpuss in front of children.”

—

Ronel Burger

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

A Head Start in Life Bluffton’s Kids College delivers quality learning with a loving touch

Article by Peter Zi nk // Photg raph y By Anne

Shanel Riddle will never forget that day. She sat in her car quietly, a million thoughts running through her head. And then she cried. Finding herself with few options, she dropped off her sixweek-old daughter Gabrielle at a daycare with which she wasn’t entirely comfortable. A few weeks later, her fears were confirmed, and she pulled Gabrielle out of daycare. That memory remained with her as she opened Kids College in Bluffton three years ago. “I always tell parents that’s the reason I started this school,” Riddle said. “It’s hard enough to leave your child for the first

time, but I think it makes a huge difference when you leave your children at a place where you know they’re being taken care of.” Education isn’t entirely foreign to Riddle. Born and reared near Johannesburg, South Africa, both of her parents are teachers. Her mother Ronel Burger managed 11 schools in South Africa, and Riddle turned to her for help in opening and starting Kids College. With a first class of just 15 children, the school exploded in growth and now stands at over 100 students. Burger credits the caring environment her daughter created for the

owner Shanel Riddle with her daughter Gabrielle

school’s success. “A lot of places just feed the kids, keep them clean and send them home. I think one thing she’s achieved here is that it’s a family environment with lots of love. You might get children in the first few days who are crying as they get used to the environment. But they settle in quickly, and I think it is literally because of the love and the care that they get.” The goal of love and care starts with the hiring process. Every teacher hired has the necessary credentials, including, at minimum, an early childhood diploma, FBI background check and fingerprints. But Riddle looks for something more—that extra spark of passion and humor that’s going to light up a child’s face. “Laughter is very important. You don’t put a sourpuss in front of children,” Burger said. With a solid staff supporting the children, Riddle incorporated a lot of the unique and effective ideas she saw in South Africa. Starting with the infants, every baby has his or her own exclusive crib, receiving daily massages to relax and exercise muscles. At the end of each day, parents receive an hourly printout showing their baby’s daily activity. “It’s a nice way to let parents know how their baby’s doing before they start talking,” Riddle said.

“I don’t know if it’s the group pressure or the fact that it looks good to them, but most of them eat it.” –Shanel Riddle on picky eaters Starting at age one, Kids College offers a separate curriculum and classroom for each age group, where the whole child development approach is taken. Even when it looks like they’re idly playing, children are constantly learning. “Everything has a cognitive exercise involved with it. There’s a reason behind everything,” Riddle explained. “Where a casual observer might think children are just playing with blocks, there’s always another element. Don’t be surprised to see them build letters of the alphabet with them or classify them by different colors.” Even the messy games have a point. Riddle describes the value of sensopathic play. “We’ll have them play in the sand one day, or have them place spaghetti in Jell-O.” Besides the chance to engage their senses at an early age, Riddle hopes these activities help kids walk away with a sense that learning is fun, which they carry over into kindergarten and later grades. 96

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

And don’t let the spaghetti and Jell-O fool you; beneath the messy veneer lies a highly structured day. The fundamentals of preschool are all there: circle time with the teacher is the same time every day; every child knows when to expect a snack or two; and nap time is either loved or loathed by every child after lunch. “We give them a lot of structure because that routine builds security in children. But then we give them a lot of free choice within that structure as well,” Riddle said. If the kids are really paying attention, they’ll even notice their months have structure. Each month features a different theme. For example, the May theme was summer, so children built sandcastles, splashed water, played with bubbles, and enjoyed a watermelon party—all with a decent serving of learning thrown in the mix.

Riddle considers her work far from finished. She’s just getting started toward where she wants to take the school in the future. Recently Kids College became one of the few schools in the area to gain a contract with the USDA’s Child and Adult Food Care Program. Taking over six months to acquire, the program brings a slew of strict dietary guidelines. Every child is offered at least three fresh fruits and vegetables a week, and vitamin levels are carefully monitored with each serving. Surprisingly, picky eaters seem to be on board. “I don’t know if it’s the group pressure or the fact that it looks good to them, but most of them eat it,” Riddle remarked. Kids College also recently received accreditation from Advocates for Better Care, a branch of the South Carolina Department of Social Services. “Basically they hold child care centers to a higher level of accountability regarding the child to teacher ratios, our interaction with the children and what materials we use to teach,” said Riddle. From a full-fledged summer camp that offers two field trips a week, or the occasional “Parent’s Night” Friday night daycare service, to the intimate way everyone knows each other on a first name basis, it’s easy to see how small touches add up to a school that sets children up for success. According to Burger, a child’s confidence is 90 percent of what a preschool is all about. “If you can have a little one walk out of here thinking he [or she] is King Kong, you’ve made it. In that kindergarten, you want them to walk in there and think they’re great. And that sets the tone for the rest of their school career.” Judging by the big smiles and enthusiastic waves of “Goodbye, Ms. Shanel!” from the children, confidence is something Kids College delivers on a daily basis.  To give your children a head start in life, enroll them at Kids College by calling (843) 757- 9150 or visiting kidscollegellc.com.

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 97

A rtic l e b y Davi d T o b ias

Photo g ra p h y b y John Brac k ett

Corks Wine Co. serves up special e x pe r i ence i n u n prete n t i o u s atmosphere

Nothing Fancy

he complexity of the wine experience is sometimes what makes it intimidating. How is one to know how and when to use terms like “velvety” or “luscious”? Or phrases, like “the body was brilliant, but I especially liked the clean, crisp finish.” Or maybe, “this wine’s earthiness got in the way of its vigorousness…” What’s wrong with “this sure is grapy” or “I like this one. It tastes like sticks”? Isn’t it nice when you can just go into a place, not worrying about checking the cork for whatever you’re supposed to check the cork for and just ask a server to please recommend a wine? Well, you can do that on-island or off these days at two delightfully unpretentious places, both called Corks. For Josh Luman and Gabby Ferrell, co-owners of Corks Wine Co., the plan all along has been to develop night spots with a friendly, casual, welcoming atmosphere that treat customers like family. Even their website, corkswinecompany.com, refers to both locations as “neighborhood wine bars.” Their venture began in Bluffton three and a half years ago, when they took the seemingly high risk of being the first business on the block in a space now known as the Promenade.

Nothing Fancy

Josh Luman and Gabby Ferrell, co-owners of Corks Wine Co.

Visit on a typical Friday night, and you would never suspect that during the buildout, Josh would head home wondering if anyone would show up once it was open. Others were wondering, too. “We were hearing a lot of people in Bluffton asking and questioning,” said Josh. “Does a wine bar belong in Old Town Bluffton, home of Bud Light and bourbon? “So, we sat down and had a discussion, and we decided that it would work, because the concept of Corks is not so much that it’s a wine bar, but that it’s a neighborhood bar. Wine happens to be our specialty and our focus, but we were more concerned with creating a place where everyone could come in from all over the neighborhood. Whether you’re in flip-flops or a suit and tie; whether you’re coming in for a bite to eat, after a movie, on a first date, birthdays—we just wanted it to be comfortable and casual.” It turns out Luman and Ferrell had no need to worry. Bluffton’s Old Town began to emerge quickly with the renaissance of Calhoun Street and the development of anchor restaurants like Captain Woody’s and Bluffton BBQ that surround the Promenade. The concept of a neighborhood wine bar fits right in among specialty shops and an overall laid back atmosphere in Bluffton. These days, almost any night, both Corks locations are hopping. Design elements that contribute to a homey feel were carefully chosen for both venues: concrete floors; exposed beam ceilings and reclaimed materials, like oak walls, rescued from an old barn in Georgia; local artist Pierce Giltner’s work, painted on old sheet metal; and a corrugated tin roof piece that fits quite nicely as a massive kick plate under the bar in the Hilton Head Corks. And then there are corks—thousands and thousands of corks, collected and

100

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

stored in bags out back until Luman and Ferrell can find display options for them. Giant vases hold them, glass pedestals are filled to the brim with them and someone has even glued several hundred together to spell the name CORKS. That one ended up behind the bar on Hilton Head Island. “We have customers who build crafts with them—even dollhouses,” Luman said. “It’s the Cork’s Crafts Movement.” It’s eclectic, but it all contributes to a general feeling of comfort and low key,

which also happens to describe the coowners to a tee. Luman and Ferrell are both from the southeastern Ohio river town of Marietta. They say they moved to the area for no rhyme or reason, seeking someplace warmer, mostly, wanting to be close to the beach but also close enough to visit parents once in a while or when needed. “You know it’s almost like throwing a dart at a map,” Luman said. “We had the car packed seven years ago. No money. No jobs. No connections. No friends.” Luman has worked in restaurants since he was 14. “I lied about my age to get a job in a restaurant that was just opening,” he said. “I think I lied to my parents about it. I got away with it for about a month and then got busted on all levels. But I was okay with it. You learn a lot of life skills even in that short a time. You learn a lot of tolerance and patience in this business.” Ferrell had family in the catering business back home in Ohio and was familiar with that aspect of the business. But both were basically coming to Hilton Head Island cold. They worked for a handful of restaurants on the island to get their feet on the ground, but they both had their sights set on owning a restaurant early on. “I think the one thing we both agree

Josh and Gabby describe their food as “extremely fresh, with as much local as we can, not frou-frou, and with something for everyone, from peaches to sushi.”

August 2011

on is that, at some point, we got tired of working for other people,” Luman said. “And this is an industry where you either plateau at a certain level—there’s only so far you can move up before you decide that you’re content with that and that’s how it’s gonna be—or you pull the trigger, move forward and do something on your own.” The success of the Bluffton Corks led to the opening of the Hilton Head Island Corks about a year and a half ago. Luman and Ferrell talk of very different clientele, and their reasons for starting restaurants on and off the island are also quite different. In Bluffton, Corks was one of very few specialty restaurants. On Hilton Head Island, it had to carve out a niche among a couple hundred.

“Whether you’re in flip-flops or a suit and tie; whether you’re coming in for a bite to eat, after a movie, on a first date, birthdays—we just wanted it to be comfortable and casual.” - Josh Luman

Its location is also very different, next to the south end Staples store, across the way from a Starbucks and just around the corner from a Publix grocery store in a strip mall just outside Sea Pines Center. If you don’t know it’s there, you may never find it. But Corks has dedicated regulars who have made it work and visitors who find out from friends who tell other friends. On Hilton Head Island, even among 200 or so restaurants, they feel they’ve found their place. Part of that is their emphasis in both locations on simple menu items on manageable-sized plates. They describe their food as “extremely fresh, with as much local as we can, not frou-frou, and with something for everyone, from peaches to sushi.” There’s wit in their menu, too, with wines categorized as “blondes” and “redheads.” Luman says they’re trying to keep things informal and not be pretentious. They also buy locally, supporting the Bluffton Farmers Market. Corks offers as many as 100 wine options, as well as beer and wine flights for those who like to taste test a variety before deciding on a bottle. Corks’ staff, which consists of nine bartenders and wait staff plus Luman and Ferrell, all of whom work in both locations in a pretty free-flowing rotation, are free to recommend wines, not based on Wine Spectator rankings or reviews by wine connoisseurs. Instead, they can quite simply recommend what they like personally. But how do staff members know what they like? Luman and Ferrell provide insight into their management style by describing a recent staff meeting called to review the new bar list. “We started to go through all this line by line,” Luman said, “and in the middle of it I stopped and said, ‘Instead of doing this, over the next two weeks, everyone needs to drink all the wine.’ I don’t think that’s unreasonable. To me,  that’s what makes for an extra special experience.” Corks Wine Co. is located at 11 Palmetto Bay Rd. on Hilton Head Island and at 1297 May River Rd. in Bluffton. For more information, visit corkswinecompany.com. Call (843) 671-7783 for Hilton Head or (843) 815-5168 for Bluffton.

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 101

“I

C2 Diary

f you take anything away from this weekend, it should be how important relationships are in business,” said Dennis as we walked out of The Mart in Atlanta. “Relationships with your clients, obviously, but also with your vendors.” “What I am taking away from this weekend is how much I want to be Dennis Jaworski,” I thought. Let me back up. Seven months ago, Dennis Jaworski and Chuck Hall, co-owners of Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center had an idea. Or rather, they passed on an idea from one of their favorite customers. Jerry Bowes wanted to read a story in a local magazine about the process of “going to market.” Going to market is a long weekend every eight weeks when shop owners travel to Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Charlotte and New York City to buy apparel for their stores. CH2 got to tag along on this particular trip to Atlanta in the beginning of June. Kelly Stroud and I packed up the car for a long weekend of shopping and dining in Atlanta, Georgia.

CH2 goes shopping with Dennis & Chuck from Palmettoes

To Market,

To 

Market A r t i c l e b y M a g g i e Wa s h o

P h o t o g r a p h y b y K e l l y S t r o u d & K r i s z t i a n L o n y a i // H a i r a n d M a k e - u p b y R o m a n

Hill

Find this stunning creation at Palmettoes this fall; just one of the many Suzi Chin dresses purchased on our trip to Atlanta.

From the Suzi Chin Holiday Collection.

To 

Market

An Italian Dinner at Baraonda After checking into our hotel, Kelly and I headed to Midtown to meet the guys at Baraonda. Over martinis, Chuck filled us in on what to expect. “Wear comfortable shoes. We are going to be on our feet all day. You will be completely overwhelmed by how much there is to look at and buy.” That was an understatement, but I’ll get to that later. Dennis explained that we would be spending most of the day in the Ambrosia Showroom, owned by Brad Johnson and his wife Lynda Ambrosia. “After several years in the business, you develop a sense for what your customers like, and most of the lines featured at Ambrosia are popular at Palmettoes,” Dennis said. Welcome to AmericasMart The next morning we heeded Chuck’s advice and dressed for comfort. As we walked through a maze of what I think was the Westin (but I am still not quite sure!), we got the lowdown on the four different markets Atlanta plays host to throughout the year: Apparel, Home, Area Rug and Gift. “This is just women’s apparel,” Dennis explained. “We go to Charlotte and Las Vegas for men’s clothing every February and August.” After getting signed in as official buyer guests, we proceeded to the elevator. I was in awe of the sheer size of this building and the amount of clothing, shoes, jewelry and bags it housed. The glass elevators gave you the first breathtaking view of 13 floors with thousands upon thousands of different clothing lines on display. From here on out, I’ll let the photos do the talking...

Lucy can’t wait for her spa weekend at Brooke’s Bed & Biscuit.

Packed and ready to go! August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 105

We did have a chance to visit the largest aquarium in the world while we were in town. Pretty cool shot, eh?

Thirteen floors full of every imaginable item for women. I think this might be what heaven looks like.

Christian Lynch displays the Anthracite line. All of the clothing (from each line) is brought out on display for the buyer in groups of about four to six pieces. The buyers make their â&#x20AC;&#x153;first round draft picksâ&#x20AC;?; those pieces are put to the side and the next round comes out. This is done in succession until the line has been completely shown. When finished, all selections are hung out in front of the buyer and they cull the group one last time.

Only the best for my car. El Cheapo. Classy.

Welcome to Atlanta!

Fashion shows are held on the runway below at different times throughout the weekend.

Striking a pose with Lynda Ambrosia, who owns the Ambrosia showroom with her husband Brad Johnson. The showroom opened in 1992.

And we think traffic is bad on the island. Dennis gets a big hug from Beth Teplitz, the sales executive for the Muse clothing line. Muse is one of the many lines under the Maggy London umbrella.

Cynthia Amaro shows of the Suzi Chin line. Suzi Chin is a sophisticated urban line, also in the Maggy London portfolio. See the dresses Dennis purchased for fall on the previous pages! Cynthia rush shipped them to us from NYC for our photo shoot.

Dennis and Chuck check us in at the front desk of the market.

Kelly has her official badge and we are ready to go!

We spent most of the day in the Ambrosia Showroom, which was showing 42 different lines on the day we were there.

Jeff thanks Dennis for the order from the Donna Morgan collection.

From the Suzi Chin Holiday Collection.

Brad Johnson, co-owner of the Ambrosia Showroom. He really didn’t want his photo taken, but I got him!

A quick break for a “photo op” above the city. Kelly and I look so official with those badges.

Dennis points out some of Atlanta’s landmarks. Because the guys are in Atlanta so often to buy for the store, they decided to buy an apartment in Midtown. Which makes them part-time residents and GREAT tour guides.

The sparkling holiday collection from Britt Ryan. One of the terms we kept hearing over and over was “Ten-Thirty Complete.” This is the date (October 30th) that the whole order is expected to be in your store. If it doesn’t arrive by then, the store owner can return the whole line with no financial obligations. Can you say DEADLINE? One day late and the sales person/ designer could lose the whole order! We scope out the fall line from Workers for Freedom. Sales executive Richard Co-

cheri, told us that the wide leg pant was coming back into the line in spring 2012, and it “scared him to death.” I was kind of glad to hear it, because I’ve always been too short to sport the skinny pants/ jeans that have been all the rage over the last few years.

Many of the samples that were displayed for purchase come in a variety of different colors, hence, the color swatch. Usually only one sample is made, and the sales person has to relay which other colors are also available.

To ď&#x201A;Ż

Market

I model a cape from The Workers for Freedom Collection for Dennis and Chuck. It got two thumbs down. I hope it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t my fault!

Chuck and Dennis check out the fabric on one of the Julia Jordan dresses. Sometimes they totally disagree on an item to be purchased for Palmettoes. So then what happens? Sometimes the salesperson is the tie-breaker with information about how well (or poorly) the item is selling at other shows. More often than not though, they have the task of talking each other into (or out of) the particular dress or jacket. And sometimes they just sneak it into the order when the other one isn't looking.

Sexy five- inch heels. Now we are talking.

To 

Market We had the best dinner at Chops. The smallest steak you can order looks like the one Fred Flintstone ordered at the drivethough.

As a rule, the guys at Palmettoes only order three of each item purchased. That way, you won’t see someone else on the island walk into the room with your dress on. Or as Chuck so perfectly put it, “We aren’t a museum. If you like it, you better buy it now, because it won’t be here long.” Yes.

Kelly wanted to take this one home with her. Unfortunately there were too many people watching for us to sneak it out. Just kidding.

And the long day comes to a finish—time for dinner and cocktails!

There may have been men’s shoes there as well, but honestly I didn’t remember until I saw this photograph.

The last showroom of the day with Levi. Chuck was in search of some white shirts for the rest of the summer.

After experiencing “going to market” with Chuck and Dennis, I decided I wanted to be a clothing store owner. Well, not exactly, because it is hard work, and long hours. What I do want is to go on shopping excursions with them every eight weeks. Kelly and I had such a wonderful weekend with the Palmettoes guys that we decided we are all going to St. Barths next month. For work, of course! 

P h o t o graph y B y J o hn B rackett

Technology on the go

Mobile apps drive smart device market boom; local web design and marketing company at the forefront

Phones, iPads, BlackBerrys, Droids. “Smart” devices. They’re everywhere, supporting increasingly varied personal and professional functions. Jared Jester, founder and president of Jester Communications (Jestercom), says that the fuel driving the smartphone boom is mobile applications, commonly known as “apps.” Headquartered on Hilton Head Island, Jestercom is a pioneering company in app development, design and web-based marketing solutions, and is at the forefront of this new emerging business. Typically based on ever-evolving iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and J2ME platforms, apps streamline communication channels to smart devices. Through apps, users invite companies into their virtual network. Jester points out that apps are not just for consumers. They are also becoming an important marketing tool for businesses as well. “Savvy businesses are recognizing the power of the mobile app for marketing, sales and customer service,” he said. “The swift jump in smartphone use is already eclipsing the introduction of the worldwide web. The increasing production and popularity of smart devices represents a significant evolution in the way users gain instantaneous access to information. With two-thirds of smartphone users focused on personal use and one-third geared for business use, the convenience factor of state-of-theart web-browsing capabilities makes the smartphone an essential tool for social networking, infotainment,

geo-location, trade and professional performance.” “It’s becoming pretty limitless what you can do with a smart device. Users can have many everyday conveniences in the palm of their hand, such as a mall, game center, bank, library, movie theater, etc. The booming growth of the mobile technology market is making it easier, and very cost-effective, for business to market to consumers

through their smart devices. Increasingly, businesses reach new customers and enhance relationships with existing customers through these downloadable apps,” Jester explained. “The average smart device has over 20 apps downloaded on it. It’s an attractive way for businesses to reach their consumers because, by downloading a company’s app, the owners of these smart devices are inviting businesses to promote their products and provide company information. They want companies to maintain contact with them.” Just as consumers expect companies to have a website, social media presence, advertising and branding, they are progressively looking for companies to offer an app as well. It has become increasingly advantageous, especially within the last three years, for businesses to utilize apps to target consumers. “Time spent

on apps each day has exceeded mobile web and desktop browsing. Studies show that the average user spends 9 percent more time using apps than traditional Internet,” said Jester. But developing an app is not as simple as one might think. “The process of developing an app is detailed and sophisticated. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes requirements from the operating system platforms,” said Jester. “Once a company has developed an app, there is a lengthy review process for legal requirements, structure, best practices and other standards. The app is becoming expected now. It’s an important tool in the marketing toolbox.”

Seated from left to right at the conference table. Adrian Corrbrey, Chris Wilhite, Jared Jester, Alan Perry, Travis Stephenson, Sterling Robinson

Technology on the go

Flurry, Inc., a mobile app marketing and analytics organization, reported that average users now spend over 81 minutes on mobile applications per day, a 91 percent increase over the last year. Their studies found that, “This growth has come primarily from more sessions per user, per day rather than a large growth in average session lengths. Time spent on the Internet has grown at a much slower rate, 16 percent over the last year, with users now spending 74 minutes on the Internet a day.” “These numbers are huge, and businesses can’t afford to ignore the trend,” said Jester. Jestercom has recently developed new apps for premier boatbuilders Jeanneau and Prestige Yachts, divisions of France-based Groupe Beneteau, one of the largest international boatbuilding companies in the world. The new apps for Jeanneau and Prestige boat dealers are based on the successful apps Jestercom previously developed for other divisions of Groupe Beneteau, Beneteau USA and Beneteau Powerboats America. “Business apps serve as a convenient, virtual extension of the sales team by turning popular mobile devices into powerful selling and marketing tools for companies in today’s challenging economy,” Jester said. “Jeanneau and Prestige saw the great success their sister companies are having, and asked

us to make apps specific to their brands, too. Dealers of these boat lines use the apps to showcase information to potential customers in the form of an interactive personalized marketing experience. Buyers can configure a boat with customization and upgrade selections, view pricing and financing options on an iPad right on the showroom floor or walking around a trade show. Then, the dealer sends the requested information to the potential buyer via a contact form and email, instantly through the app, which also automatically save the customer’s contact information in a lead database.” It is also important for companies to have full control over the content offered through their app. “Our apps include a robust content-management system (CMS), which allows the dealers to track and moderate all of the information distributed through the app. Following a content update, the dealer simply refreshes the app to apply the changes.” Jester believes the market for mobile apps is poised for explosive growth in the coming years. He noted that the smartphone market is booming, citing a recent research report that 302.6 million smartphones were shipped worldwide in 2010, a 74.4 percent increase from 2009. Within the U.S., research shows that 302.9 million cell phone subscriptions equates to nearly 97.5 percent of the current population. Worldwide, there are approximately 4.1 billion cell phone subscriptions. This represents nearly 60 percent of the planet’s human population of 6.9 billion. With these numbers in mind, the percentage of smartphone users in the U.S. is now nearly 50 percent of all domestic mobile subscriptions, while the global share is approximately a growing 28 percent. The implications are far-reaching. Jester pointed to an article from Attevo, Inc., a global business and technology consulting firm, which claims that the “barriers of distance, time and access have been virtually eliminated, regardless of one’s societal, economic or geographic profile. Smartphones have contributed to social, political and economic changes around the world and will have an even greater impact during the years to come.” 

Auto Section

In the

Driver’s Seat with the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance Article by Lindsey Harrell • Photography by Anne

Celebrating 10 Years—a “Not to Miss!” In celebrating this major milestone this fall, October 28-November 6, organizers and sponsors are excited to bring the festival to life with vehicles and exhibits yet to be seen at other Concours events. For more information, including a detailed schedule of events, tickets and literature on Driving Young America, the festival’s charitable arm, please visit the official website, hhiconcours.com.

W When started in 2002 as a fundraising effort for the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, those involved in building the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance began with the notion that quality was critical. Attracting influential exhibitors, sourcing noteworthy cars, recruiting top level sponsors and selecting a venue that exemplifies Hilton Head Island and the surrounding Lowcountry were all significant to building the reputation the event has now established. While they knew the show was good, those who started the event did not realize that the two-day event would grow into The Ultimate Motoring Festival, one of the premiere automotive events in the country. With its four signature events— the Savannah Speed Classic, the Car Club Jamboree, the Motoring Midway, and the foundation of the festival—the Concours d’Elegance, Hilton Head Island has set itself apart from the hundreds of other Concours events. With two venues separated by a state line, over 10 days of festival activities, more than 500 vehicles on exhibit from all over the world, 75 managers to oversee many of the details, over 300 volunteers to work on site during the event, 13 dedicated board members, a selection committee, two advisory committees and a staff of four, a full year of planning is necessary to present the best event each year to continue to place Hilton Head Island on the motoring map. Celebrating a milestone, 10 years of car show magic, this year, October 28-November 6, the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance has made its mark on the motoring world. You might ask yourself, “Who is the Motoring Festival’s Oz?” It’s time to pull back that curtain and unveil a few of those members of the large support team that drive the Motoring Festival, making sure that all of the moving parts come together to create the most memorable show each year for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors.

Auto Section

Phil Capossela: The Ring Master Born with motor oil running through his veins, Phil Capossela has had a love for automobiles from as early as he can remember. From the swooping lines and smooth design to the smell of the gas and the rubber to the roars of the engines and the screeching of the tires, he had an automatic attraction. Time spent in his grandfather’s service and repair station in New Rochelle, New York as a young boy only furthered his love and knowledge. And, like his grandfather, Capossela was fortunate, turning his passion into a 35-year career in the automotive industry. Unlike most who are involved, he actually got his start with the event on the other side of the drawing board. Working at BMW of North America, Capossela was instrumental in introducing one of only three charter sponsors to Hilton Head Island’s Motoring Festival. 118

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

When organizers got wind of Capossela’s move to the area, they quickly recruited him to bring his passion for automobiles and motorcycles to the Motoring Festival team. Now living on Hilton Head Island with his wife Suzie, 2011 will mark Capossela’s third year as chairman of the board for the event. Capossela is particularly excited to further showcase BMW as the 10th annual event’s Honored Marque. Selecting BMW will give attendees a rare glimpse at an unbelievable array of BMW vehicles. Challenging to obtain as there were so few made of each model (in comparison to its major competitors), the festival will have an exciting exhibit featuring everything from prewar cars to racecars and motorcycles to tuner cars. Capossela can’t wait to stand on the fields of Honey Horn in awe with the rest of the people on the grounds. August 2011

Bob Craig: The Man Pushing the Accelerator Since the move of the Savannah Speed Classic from Bloomingdale, Georgia’s Roebling Road to the spectacular Grand Prize of America road course situated on the river between Savannah’s famed River Street and Hutchinson Island, Bob Craig has been invaluable to the event’s success. Moving to Hilton Head Island after retiring from his role as the president of a Dutch multinational functional chemical company with operations in 54 countries, Craig’s extracurricular background in motorcycle and sports car racing lent itself perfectly to working on the Speed Classic. Craig’s need for speed, style and danger came early. At age eight, with his parents out of town, he recalls propping himself on cushions to drive his father’s 1946 Lincoln Continental V-12 while wearing his fedora. During his early August 2011

joyrides, Craig didn’t know that he would one day become a critical part in creating the “Monaco Motoring Week of North America,” a title he believes the Motoring Festival will one day assume. With a love for speed and competition, Craig is ecstatic to share two new features at this year’s Speed Classic: the appearance by the Vintage Indy Racing Group and the Inaugural Car Club Challenge, pitting BMW, Porsche, and Ferrari racers against one another. Craig has enjoyed surrounding himself with the other creative and successful people involved in developing the event, year in and year out, to bring the greatest show possible. The success of the Motoring Festival shows the wonderful quality of people in the community both on Hilton Head Island and in Savannah. www.celebratehiltonhead.com 119

Auto Section

Paul Doerring: The Man who Pulled a Rabbit Out of His Hat Growing up in Iowa, Paul Doerring, the event’s chairman emeritus, had an innate love for automobiles. He recalls his parents recounting times, even as young as three, that he could easily identify each automobile in a parked row. With that intrinsic infatuation, Doerring always knew that cars would be a part of his life; he just wasn’t sure exactly how it would all play out. With stops in Des Moines, St. Paul, Stanford (where he received his PhD in psychology) and Detroit, Doerring and his wife Gerry relocated to Hilton Head after they fell in love with the island’s charm during a visit one year for The Family Circle Cup tennis tournament. Once on the island, the Doerrings immersed themselves in the area’s diverse volunteer culture, starting the Jazz Society and the Island Tennis Association, and were critical in the staging of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Doerring reconnected with his love of automobiles when he started Cars at the Creek, a miniature Concours held in Moss Creek where the couple resided. It was this that led to his involvement with the Motoring Festival. With his knowledge of and enthusiasm for automobiles, he was approached by organizers to recruit vehicles for the inaugural show. Despite an already busy schedule consisting of other volunteer positions, his psychology practice and a teaching position in the psychology department at USCB, Doerring made the conscious decision to follow his passion. He took on the role with the event, and with no road map in place or instruction manual to guide him, worked tirelessly to get not just cars, but the best cars. It was with Doerring’s persistence, passion and dedication that the Motoring Festival has become what it is today. 120

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

Carolyn Vanagel: The Woman with the Magic Wand It’s a safe assumption that Carolyn Vanagel did not think her next move after leaving as a principal of Korn/Ferry, an international recruiting firm, would be to head up a car show on Hilton Head Island. Growing up in Indianapolis where racing and cars rule the city, Vanagel’s interests focused around natural horsepower, competing in national horse shows in the hunter/jumper division. After moving to Hilton Head Island 14 years ago and adjusting to her role as a new mom, Vanagel took on a part-time position with the event as advertising manager. Impressed with her passion and energy, organizers approached her soon thereafter about coming on board as the event’s first executive director. Seeing this opportunity as a challenge to establish the Motoring Festival as one of the top events of its kind while adding to the many attractions Hilton Head offers as a destination, Vanagel accepted and is now leading the force as the event’s president. Since joining eight years ago, the event has evolved beyond the typical one-day Concours formula into an overall Motoring Festival experience. The only event that can claim a similar approach is that of Pebble Beach. As a non-“gear head,” Vanagel enjoys building those exhibits that appeal to the vast majority of people. In 2010, the Ketel One “Cartini” Lounge was introduced, offering area restaurants the opportunity to create their signature Cartini recipes, the winning one to be sold on site in the lounge. In 2011, Vanagel’s equestrian background influenced the creation of the Life in the Whoa Lane exhibit to showcase horse drawn carriages. Vanagel is excited to share all of the surprises in store for this year’s 10year celebration with the projected 15,000 in attendance. 

August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 121

AUTo SECTIoN

BEaCHSIDE tIrE & aUto

$1,000

mAINTENANCE FOR A yEAR gIVEAWAy! Enter at www.celebratehiltonhead.com

tHIS GIVEawaY InCLUDES: 1 BG Transmission flush 1 BG Brake Flush 1 BG Coolant Flush 1 BG Power Steering Flush 1 BG Differential Flush (if applicable) 1 BG Transfer Case Flush (if applicable) 1 Serpentine Belt Replacement (if needed) 1 Throttle body clean, if needed 4 oil standard oil changes, synthetic oil extra, most cars

A Value of over $1000!

THE WINNER WILL BE CHoSEN AT RANDoM oN AUGUST 15TH AND ANNoUNCED (AND HAvE THEIR PHoTo!) IN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE!

Enter now at www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Before you turn the page , you should really enter this contest!

Auto Section

Article by David Gignilliat

An Ounce of Prevention Auto maintenance made easy

ummer in the Lowcountry is synonymous with golf, bikes, beach and lazy, sun-splashed afternoons with toes dipped in the sand and a cold beverage in hand. Unfortunately, summertime can also mean car trouble for many island visitors and residents. But it doesn’t have to be that way. C2 asked a pair of the Lowcountry’s most trusted service and repair shops, H & H Auto Service and Beachside Auto & Tire, for tips on keeping your car purring like a kitten during the dog days of summer.

H & H Auto Services H & H Auto Services is a family-owned business, specializing in honest and professional automotive repair and auto maintenance services. Owner Bill Head, a former Mercedes Benz technician, moved to Hilton Head Island from Kentucky in 1986 along with his wife, Vicki. He opened the business in 1993 as a one-man shop and has been providing quality auto care here ever since.

In 2004, H & H Auto Service was named Small Business of the Year by the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. And in 2005, the South Carolina Small Business Association (SBA) named Head South Carolina Business Person of the Year. H & H Auto is a certified Napa Auto Care Center, able to provide the benefits of an established national entity while maintaining the personal touch of a family owned business. Staff includes ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technicians who employ the latest automotive technology and are equipped to handle all major and minor repairs on foreign and domestic vehicles. In addition to H & H Auto Services, Head owns H & H Auto Body, LLC, voted number one auto repair in yearafter-year in reader polls from multiple local publications. According to Dave Adams, service manager at H & H Auto, there are a few things you should be doing to ensure your car’s best performance year round.

Auto Section

Following is Adams’ top ten list for maintenance:

1. Replace air filter 2. Check fluid levels 3. Check vehicle alignment 4. Rotate tires regularly 5. Exchange fluids 6. Inspect brakes 7. Change fuel filters 8. Service the fuel injection system 9. Change spark plugs 10. Change the oil H & H Auto is located at 35 Hunter Rd, Hilton Head. Hours of operation are Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. -6 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, visit handhautos.com or call (843) 6818384.

Beachside Tire and Auto Beachside Tire and Auto owner Bill Johnson has 45 years of industry experience, including 25 years on Hilton Head Island. So you can be sure that he knows what it takes to keep his customers satisfied. Opened in 2001, Beachside Tire and Auto is AAAapproved as well as Car Talk-approved. The business was recognized by AAA in 2005 as the number one repair facility on Hilton Head Island, meeting AAA’s stringent standards for technical competence and customer service. Johnson’s son, Sam, offers up some advice about car care in the Lowcountry: “With the extremes from the hot here to the cold [up north] in the wintertime, weather is definitely a factor. The biggest thing we notice is on the tires, but also your fluids when you go through a lot of temperature changes. We live in what you would consider a severe climate, so the maintenance needs to be done a little more often than, let’s say, if you lived in more of a moderate climate.” And it’s not just about oil changes. “Cars come in here, and they’ve just done oil changes, and they’re at 75,000 miles, and they wonder why their car’s breaking down,” Sam said. “We try to explain why you should do the services and when you should do them. We say that you should follow what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle. A lot of people don’t do that, and in the end, they have to spend a lot more money in repairs that they wouldn’t have to do if they had just followed the manual.” Tire maintenance is particularly important, Sam said. “When you get out on the highways in the summertime, your tires generate a substantial amount of heat, and that’s when you have separation problems. The maintenance goes back to keeping your tires inflated and rotated and doing visual inspections. That’s part of our standard service. We take care of you instead of just giving you an oil change and sending you out the door. “The most important services to perform are the timing belt and the transmission flush,” he added. “We determined this due to the fact that if not done, the result will be the most expensive repair when they do break.” Beachside Tire & Auto is located at 26-D Hunter Road, Hilton Head. Hours of operation are Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. For more information, visit beachsidetireandauto.com or call (843) 342-7876.  August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 127

M AY o r

Drew Laughlin H ilto n Hea d I sl and Photography By Anne

The Tide is Turning on Hilton Head Island

ver the last year or so, some said that the tide was on its way out on Hilton Head Island. We were losing the Heritage Golf Tournament; we were losing visitors; our residential and commercial structures were getting tired; and nothing was being done about any of it! Anyone who has experienced the awesome power of the tides knows that the force they create is difficult to navigate against. Residents of our island, town officials and town volunteers, the business community and active residents chose not to go with the tide, but to meet it head-on. Here’s how the tide is turning: The Heritage Classic Foundation Board, for example, led by Chairman Simon Fraser along with Tournament Director Steve Wilmot, worked tirelessly for two years with the PGA, local, state (Governor Haley), and federal officials to secure a title sponsor for the benefit of our island. The odds were stacked against the effort. The Hilton Head Island Town Council chose to make securing the Heritage a top priority and ultimately committed to a five-year funding plan as a third sponsor, if you will. For our commitment, advertising on CBS and the Golf Channel will promote the island and more. The number of people involved in trying to land sponsors was widespread, and it supports the notion that we all recognize the tournament’s importance to the community’s non-profits, students, and business community. The last Heritage was non-sponsored and had to rely on its last nickels and dimes along with town support. It can be said that the tournament faced a riptide, but thanks to the Heritage Foundation and community, it was one of the best tournaments ever. Navigating against the odds and tide for two years wasn’t easy, however, the job was done and the fortitude showed by all represented the will of this island like no issue in recent history. Advertising/marketing efforts are producing results, and we’re seeing higher occupancy and rental rates. From 2010-2011, we’ve seen a slight uptick in the number of business licenses issued by the town. We’re seeking ways to improve cell service island-wide. Additionally, the island has received numerous accolades published in national magazines. In order to foster greater flexibility and simplicity in our land management ordinance (LMO) to aid in revitalizing our community, Council created a citizen committee that will make recommendations to help chart our future. Council is seeking ways to make our island more attractive and encourage private investment. Changing the LMO in such a way that it balances protection of our natural resources and aesthetics with development and redevelopment may feel

Advertising/marketing efforts are producing results, and we’re seeing higher occupancy and rental rates. From 2010-2011, we’ve seen a slight uptick in the number of business licenses issued by the town. as though we are swimming against the tide, however, swim we will until the job gets done. Opportunities for major changes exist at the Coligny Circle area and perhaps the Mall at Shelter Cove. While we’ve faced and are facing challenging and hard issues, we’ve proven we can turn the tide, no matter the issue.  128

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

August 2011

M AY o r

Lisa Sulka B lu fft o n Photography By Anne

Town Government: Excellent Services, Financially Responsible

s in the past two issues of CB2, I am discussing each of our five goals that were updated in this year’s strategic planning retreat. Goals one and two are: Celebrate the May River and Livable, Sustainable Community. This month I will speak about goal number three, Town Government: Excellent Services, Financially Responsible. Objectives include balanced budgets providing resources to support defined services and service levels; town services delivered in the most cost effective, efficient manner; more diverse revenue sources for funding town services and infrastructure; improved customer service and satisfaction by town government; and to keep reserves consistent with town policies. Some accomplishments pertaining to this goal include: • Adopted a long term plan and focus • Achieved a balanced budget in tough economic times • Received our first municipal bond rating: AA— Standard and Poor’s • Refinanced our tax increment bonds, saving $644,000 in interest • Set high customer service standards • Funded our law enforcement center without a tax increase • Restructured growth management and engineering departments to increase effectiveness • Received the CAFRE award for the third year in a row—the highest award given to a government entity in the area of finance In addition, the town will be issuing its first popular annual financial report (PAFR) this October to inform citizens about the Town of Bluffton—its operations, services and programs, and its financial condition. The report will summarize the financial information presented in the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), and will be prepared in a userfriendly manner. This can be a tool to attract new residents and local businesses to what makes Bluffton a great place to live and work. Sections on local demographics as well as information on local schools, hospitals and transportation will be included. Also listed are sections on area parks and nature trails, listings of public interest spots, including art galleries, museums, and local festivals. The report will also highlight services provided by the Town of Bluffton and spotlight what has been happening here over the last year. Our report will be posted on the town’s website, townofbluffton.sc.gov, and will be available at Town Hall as well.  August 2011

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 129

tHE LoCALS INDEX yoUR TooL FoR FINDING THE BEST DISCoUNTS IN ToWN

EATS SWEETS & SPIRITS Antonio’s, p 76 Village At Wexford, 842-5505 see Ad For Details

Kingfisher, p. 96 shelter Cove Marina, 785-4442 10% Off Food

Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Cafe, p. 132 (Back Cover) 69 Pope Avenue, 785-7700 see Ad For Details

Market Street Café, p. 71 Coligny Plaza, 686-4976 10% Off Entire Check

Captain Woody’s, p. 70 Palmetto Bay Marina, 785-2400, 10% Off Food Chin Dynasty, p. 39 108 Buckwalter Parkway, 843-757-7998 see Ad For Details Chocolate Canopy, Ltd., p. 39 Palmetto Bay Rd, 842-4567 10% Off Non-sale Items (with minimum purchase) Corks, p. 101 HHI - southend Publix shopping Center Bluffton - Calhoun street Promenade see Ad For Details CQ’s Restaurant, p. 120 Harbour town, 671-2779 see Ad For Details Ela's Blu Water Grille, p. 74 1 shelter Cove, 843-785-3030 see Ad For Details Electric Piano, The, p. 45 Park Plaza, 785-5397 10% Off With CH2 Card Flatbread, p. 105 2 N. Forest Beach Drive, 843-341-2225 see Ad For Details

Mellow Mushroom Pizza, p. 58 Park Plaza, 686-2474 10% Off old Fort Pub, p. 109 Hilton Head Plantation, 681-2386 see Ad For Details Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe, p. 39 Palmetto Bay Marina, 686-3232 10% Off Monday-Friday Palmetto Bluff, p. 59, 61 & 97 www.palmettobluff.com, 843-706-6542 see Ad For Details Reilley’s Grill & Bar, p. 132 (Back Cover) Hilton Head Plaza, 842-4414, Port Royal Plaza, 681-4153 see Ad For Details Sake House, p. 60 1017 Fording Island, Rd, F-105, 843-706-9222 15% Off Entire Bill (see ad for details) Skillets Café, p. 68 Coligny Plaza, 785-3131 see Ad For Details Wild Wing Cafe, p. 5 Hilton Head - 843-785-9464 or Bluffton - 837-9453 see Ad For Details

Jump & Phil’s Bar and Grill, p. 70 Hilton Head Plaza, 785-9070 10% Off Food

SHoPS BOutIQuEs & MoRE Culinary Revival, p. 39 70 Pennington Drive, suite. 4,815-3050 see Ad For Details Fresh Produce, p. 85 Coligny Plaza, 843-3410 10% Off With CH2 Card Great Frame Up, p. 129 Belfair towne Village, 815-4661 see Ad For Details Luciana, p. 44 37 New Orleans Rd., suite C 686-5620, 10% Off Nash Gallery, p. 44 13 Harbourside Lane, 2H 843-785-6424 see Ad For Details

Palmettoes, p. 80 71 Lighthouse Road, suite., 414, 363-6800 see Ad For Details Porcupine, p. 38 the Village at Wexford, 785-2779 see Ad For Details Radiance, p. 68 Harbourtown, 363-5176 HugE sandal sale! Tail-Waggers, p. 129 Coligny Plaza, 686-3707 10% Off Purchase, Excluding Pet Food Worth Company Store, p. 84 tanger 1 Outlet Center, 837-1907 see Ad For Details

HEALTH FITNESS & BEAUTy Coolidge Plastic Surgery, p. 8 208-2808 see Ad For Details Corbett Physical Therapy, p. 49 4 Hampton Hall Blvd., 837-1930 see Ad For Details Core Pilates, p. 75 32 Office Park Road, suite 306, 681-4267 10% Off With CH2 Card Dermatology of the Lowcountry, p. 68 689-5259, Offices on Hilton Head, Bluffton/Okatie/Beaufort see Ad For Details Dr. Liz Shelly, Palmetto Dental Arts, p. 77 347 Red Cedar st., Building 400 843-837-5553 or 843-815-6580 www.PalmettoDental.com Free Consultation Faces Day Spa, p. 69 the Village at Wexford, 785-3075 see Ad For Details Heavenly Spa by Westin, p. 67 2 grasslawn Ave., Port Royal Plantation 681-1019, see Ad For Details Lava24, p. 43 811 William Hilton Parkway, 842-3225 August specials, see Ad For Details Massage Envy, p. 67 Hwy. 278 - Best Buy Center, 837-3689 1 Hr. Massage $49, 1 Hr. Facial $59 see Ad For Details Metabolic Medical Center, p. 72 7 simmonsville Rd., suite 200, 843-706-0814 get Your 6th Visit FREE NHC Healthcare., p. 30 3039 Okatie Highway, Bluffton, 843-705-8220 Rehabilitation, Long-term Care and Memory Care see Ad For Details Sanctuary, The - A European Day Spa, p. 67 Park Plaza, 843.842.5999 Free Peel With Facial Stephens Pharmacy, p. 49 2 Marshland Rd. in the HH Health & Wellness Building, 686-3735 see Ad For Details The village Spa, p. 73 14 Johnston Way, Bluffton Post Office Complex 815-4811, see Ad For Details Tracee Spencer, p. 67 843-368-1247 spencert1@hotmail.com Complimentary gloss treatment zen Spa, p. 67 www.lowcountryac.net, 705-0811 see Ad For Details

COmplETE CUSTOmER SATISFACTION IS NOT ONly OUR gOAl...IT'S

OUR BUSINESS!

Check out our ad on page 4 and SAVE bIg with our 10% OFF ANy SERVICE OR REplACEmENT COUpON! Call us today 843-706-5090 or visit us online at covertaire.com

SERvICES American Paving Designs, p. 22 843-706-PAVE (7283) $250 OFF Next Project / $100 Off

Epperson Heating & Air, p. 110 843-681-9297 see Ad For Details

Island Car Wash, p. 125 Hwy. 278, 785-9274, Kitties Crossings, 815-4666 - $5 Off gold Wash

American Wood Reface, p. 33 40 Pennington Drive, suite C, sherridan Park 843-815-6700 see Ad For Details

Foundation Reality, p. 10 & 11 www.HiltonHeadRealEstates.com, 686-4002 see Ad For Details

Kids College, p. 71 www.kidscollegellc.com, 757-9150 Free Registration

Healthy Environments, p. 65 Hilton Head: 363-6751, Bluffton: 757-5522 Ridgeland: 726-4729 Free Home Evaluation

Lowcountry Saddlery, p. 33 1541 Fording Island Rd., suite 3, 843-837-8700 10% Off Your Entire Purchase

Bruno Landscaping, p. 127 109 Dilon Road, 681-7022 or 682-2624 see Ad For Details Celebration Events Catering, p. 35, 75, 118 & 119 689-7526, Call For Details Covert Aire, p. 4 7 Estate Drive - Bluffton 706-5090, see Ad for Details

Hilton Head Exterminators, p. 12 Hilton Head - 843-681-2590 Bluffton - 843-706-9933 see Ad For Details Hilton Head Shell, p. 125 125 Mathews Drive, 681-2305 see Ad For Details

E.A.C., p. 81 681-3999, see Ad For Details

Hilton Head veterinary Clinics, p. 43 109 Matthews Dr., 681-2890 Okatie Village, 705-9959 see Ad For Details

Energyone, p. 115 815-9931, www.energyfoam.com see Ad For Details

Mattress Firm, p. 15 1172 Fording Island Road 837-FIRM (3476), see Ad For Details RCH Construction, p. 33 843.683.5811 - www.rchconco.com see Ad for Details village Park Homes, p. 17 Lawton station (Hwy. 170), 706-9550 Homes from the 150s - 300s, see Ad For Details

ACTIvITIES Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, p. 126 shelter Cove Plaza, 842-ARts see Ad For Details Batters Box Hilton Head, p. 35 2 southwood Park Dr., suite B 843-715-2737, see Ad For Details Bluffton Farmers Market, p. 42 Calhoun st., Old town Bluffton, 843-415-2447, Every thurs. 2-7PM Lowcountry Golf Cars, p. 39 649 N. Okatie Highway, 987-8272 see Ad For Details Moss Creek Equestrian Center, p. 33 843-837-6117 or 843-816-7830 www.mosscreekequestrianctr.com see Ad For Details Mulligans, p. 37 102 Buckwalter Parkway #3M 815-2621 20% Off Everything in the store North Ridge Cinema, p. 37 342-3800, see Ad For Details

USE THIS CARD To

Quality Golf Cars, p. 37 212 Okatie Village Drive, Bluffton, 705-6655 Huge Battery sale, see Ad For Details

SAvE oN LoCAL DEALS!

ExTREMELy IMPoRTANT DISCLAIMER! BECAusE tHERE Is NO ACCOuNtINg FOR HuMAN ERROR...ADVERtIsERs AND C2 ARE NOt HELD REsPONsIBLE FOR tHE DIsCOuNts AND INFORMAtION LIstED ON tHIs PAgE.

NEED A C2 CARD? CALL 843.342.9190 To START SAvING ToDAy.