CH2 MAGAZINE APRIL 2026

GENIUSES AT WORK

Vibe Manager

Maggie Marie Washo

Master of Coin

Marion Elizabeth Bowser

Chief Chatter

Kim Conrad Crouch

Head Unicorn Wrangler

“Just Kandace” Cunningham

Collector of Business Cards

Morgan Ambler

Director of Social Media

Jevon Daly

Mascot in Training

Buoy Conrad Crouch Pritchard

The Gatekeepers

Greta Von Bowser

Vincent Von Bowser

Kerning Queen

Catherine Davies

Punctuation Prodigy

Lynne Cope Hummell

Innovation Sherpas

Jesse Blanco

Courtney Hampson

Lynne Cope Hummell

Barry Kaufman

Brad Payne

Brooke Peck

Alan Perry

Cheryl Ricer

Larry Toomer

Sheila Tucker

Lighting Experts

Photography by M.Kat

Photography by Lisa Staff

Photography by Eddie Tucker

Kristin Yoder Photography

Find Us Here

PO Box 22949

Hilton Head Island, SC 29925

843.816.6247

maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com

Iwould argue that March is one of the busiest months of the year around these parts. During the course of putting the April issue together, the CH2 crew made it a point to get coverage of the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day parade, Island Rec Center’s WingFest, the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, Dancing with the Local Stars at Hilton Head Ballroom, the Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting and the Arts Center’s 30th Anniversary Spring Benefit featuring Sutton Foster.

And we didn’t even make it to everything! If you’re not already following us on Facebook and Instagram, head over and do so because that’s where a lot of our timely content happens.

A few months ago, Caitlin Lee, after reading our story on Mahjong, send me a message saying, “Now you need to cover needlepoint!” I am friends with Caitlin on TikTok and often see her videos pop up where she’s showing her followers the latest canvas she’s working on. I often got a kick out of them because here is this young woman, completely obsessed with something most people would put in the category of “grandma activities.”

Well, boy, was I wrong. On Valentine’s Day, Jevon Daly and I headed over to Needlepoint Junction with cameras rolling to capture Nana’s and Needles, a monthly occurrence where more experienced

needlepoint aficionados assist those just learning the craft with their projects. I was shocked to find so many young people there – and equally impressed with the community of people at that store, just talking, telling stories and laughing (a lot of laughing) as they worked on their projects at large community tables. See our story on page 122 and definitely don’t miss the video of our day, which will be landing on Facebook sometime this month.

This issue also had Barry Kaufman and I playing a game of disc golf on a Sunday morning with two local enthusiasts, Brandon Beat and Roby Bregar. There is also quite a community here, and we enjoyed the small talk and learning the finer arts of trying to throw a flying disc through trees, around ponds, and into what looks like a garbage can with chains on it to achieve par. See that story on page 114.

Our travels this month also took us back (we covered this home in 2022) to the biggest estate on Hilton Head Island, located in Wexford. Bill Anderson with Sotheby’s International Realty invited us to use this stunning property as a backdrop to our spring fashion spread. If you need a home with a movie theatre, five unique bars for entertaining, a bowling alley, and water views, this could be the place. See the spread on page 50.

Last, but certainly not least, Cheryl Ricer continues our Staying Power series with the Heritage Classic Foundation – because of course! See 36 for the story, and if you read just one story in this issue, make sure it’s that one. The story of the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing is one that most definitely put Hilton Head Island on the map – and indirectly may be the reason a lot of us are here.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the tournament this month!  Editors Note April 2026

MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

1Back in the ’80s, Jevon played saxophone in the Hilton Head High School marching band. His first real gig was in 1985, playing in a band (The Daly Planet) with his parents at the Hilton Head Inn. That interest in music spawned a 40-year musical career in the Lowcountry. Some highlights include opening for Paul Reiser at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, creating his own successful children’s show at Coligny at the behest of Lee Lucier (now in its eighth season), and teaching the younger generation how to play various instruments at John’s Music for more than two decades.

5 REASONS TO CELEBRATE JEVON DALY,

Director of Social Media · Photography by Maggie Washo

2

In 2019, Michelle Meissen (a familiar face at the French Bakery) challenged Jevon to write a positive song about sharks. The resulting song is one of Jevon’s most popular melodies and has become the mostrequested tune at his Kids Show in Coligny Plaza. It has also taken social media by storm, being used all over the world, in almost 500 Instagram reels.

3

Before he was a model for CH2 and CB2, Jevon cut his teeth as a skater boy, repping clothing in local ads for Ship Oar Shore, a beach shop in Port Royal Plaza in the ’80s. A lot of his personal style is influenced by skateboard culture – his family had a 13-foot half-pipe in their backyard when he was growing up. Jevon still enjoys skateboarding to this day, and you can find a video of him doing so recently with former Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka on CH2’s Facebook page.

4Jevon wishes he could celebrate his hair, but he doesn’t have much left, so he started making funny hats to wear. Interestingly, the lids became so popular, he makes them for everyone now. His Pelican Bomb Squad shirts, inspired by another of his original songs, are also quite popular.

5

Six years ago, in what little downtime he had, Jevon began lending his talents to CH2. What started as primarily a social media collaboration with Editor-in-Chief Maggie Washo, during a time when everyone was glued to their phones (COVID-era), has evolved into a bigger role of creative direction, videography and editing.

Article by Cheryl Ricer Photography courtesy of The Heritage Classic Foundation

STAYING POWER:

The Heritage Classic Foundation

Championing Charities, Lifting Lives, Defining Hilton Head Island

Every April, as spring settles gently over the Lowcountry and azaleas bloom along the fairways of Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island steps onto a national stage. The tartan jackets emerge. The iconic red and white striped lighthouse frames the 18th green. And the world once again turns its eyes toward a place that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing is more than a PGA TOUR event. It is a tradition, a community gathering, and a living testament to the staying power of a tournament that has shaped Hilton Head Island for more than five decades.

Behind the iconic scenes and storied finishes stands the Heritage Classic Foundation, the nonprofit organization that has quietly stewarded the tournament since 1987. Founded during a moment of crisis and sustained through decades of growth, change, and renewed purpose, the foundation’s mission has remained remarkably consistent: to host a world-class golf tournament in order to give back – generously, thoughtfully, and locally.

“We conduct the tournament so we can give back to the community,” said Angela McSwain, marketing and communications director for the foundation. “That’s why we do what we do. Everything else flows from that.”

The story of the Heritage begins long before the foundation itself. The first Heritage Classic was played in 1969, when Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser, along with legendary course designers Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus, introduced Harbour Town Golf Links to the world. At the time, Hilton Head was still a quiet coastal destination, accessible by a single bridge and home to just a few thousand residents.

Hosting a PGA TOUR event on a remote barrier island was considered a gamble. But Fraser believed deeply in authenticity, community, and place. He envisioned Harbour Town not simply as a golf course, but as a gathering place – keeping development in harmony with nature while creating a destination that felt welcoming rather than exclusive.

That vision paid off almost immediately. Arnold Palmer won the inaugural tournament, and national media attention followed. Golf fans and travelers alike began asking a simple question: Where is this place?

residents around a common purpose. Real estate followed. Tourism followed. And a once-sleepy island began its transformation into a world-recognized destination.

But success was never guaranteed – and the tournament’s future would soon face its greatest test.

A Tournament Worth Saving

By the mid-1980s, the Sea Pines Company, which had been managing the tournament, encountered financial difficulties. In 1987, PGA TOUR Commissioner Deane Beman delivered a firm requirement: To continue hosting the tournament, the host sponsor would need to post a $1 million letter of credit, guaranteeing the purse and funding immediate repairs and improvements to Harbour Town Golf Links.

“The PGA TOUR said they would not allow the Sea Pines Company, which was in bankruptcy, to sponsor the tournament,” recalled Simon Fraser, chairman of the Heritage Classic Foundation and nephew of tournament founder Charles Fraser. “If Hilton Head wanted to keep the tournament, several things had to happen.”

A new nonprofit had to be formed. And the money had to be secured – quickly.

Ten local businesses and individuals stepped forward, each contributing a $100,000 letter of credit. Together, they formed the Heritage Classic Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created for one reason: to save the tournament.

“The PGA TOUR could have taken the event elsewhere,” Fraser said. “But the community stepped up. That moment defined everything that followed avoiding loss; it was about protecting what the tournament meant to Hilton Head.”

From that point forward, the Heritage Classic Foundation became what the PGA TOUR calls the host organization, a role it has held continuously since 1987.

Today, the foundation serves as the connective force behind the tournament – what McSwain affectionately calls “the little glue that sticks all the pieces together.”

“We run the event year-round,” McSwain said. “But we also ensure that the impact of the tournament extends far beyond tournament week.”

Governed by a board of trustees and supported by a professional staff, the foundation operates with the rigor of a major nonprofit and the heart of a community organization. Trustees serve on committees overseeing governance, finance, scholarships, marketing, and charitable initiatives, ensuring the foundation remains mission-focused, transparent, and responsive to community needs.

“That structure is part of why we’ve endured,” Fraser said. “This isn’t a once-a-year effort. It’s ongoing stewardship.”

A Philosophy of Broad Giving

That stewardship is most visible through the foundation’s approach to charitable giving. What sets the Heritage Classic Foundation apart on the PGA TOUR is not only the scale of its giving, but the philosophy behind it.

“We’re somewhat unique in that we don’t just wrap our arms around one charity,” said Steve Wilmot, president and tournament director of the Heritage Classic Foundation. “We wrap our arms around as many as possible.”

Among the foundation’s signature initiatives is Birdies for Charity, launched in 1993. The program allows donors to pledge an amount for every birdie made during the tournament, directing their contribution to a charity of choice. The foundation then provides a 20% match, amplifying the impact for participating nonprofits.

That same year, the foundation introduced its Heritage Scholar Program, awarding four-year college scholarships to high-achieving students from Beaufort and Jasper counties. Nearly 400 students have benefited to date, many of whom remain connected to the foundation long after graduation.

“One of our favorite stories is about a woman who was a Heritage Scholar in the early days and is now a Tartan Club member,” McSwain said. “She’s giving back to the same program that helped her.”

Additional initiatives, including Champions for Charity and the Tartan Club, further expand the foundation’s reach. Civic organizations also benefit directly by working concession stands during tournament week, continuing a grassroots tradition that dates back to the earliest years of the event.

“If we’re successful, then the charities are successful too,” Wilmot said. “It’s a ripple effect – and it works.”

Moments That Matter

For all its structure and scale, the Heritage has never lost its heart. Some of its most powerful moments have been unscripted.

In 1988, just the foundation’s second year, Greg Norman befriended a 17-year-old leukemia patient named Jamie Hutton, who had come to the tournament through a program called Thursday’s Child. When Norman won, he invited Jamie, wearing a borrowed tartan jacket, to share the spotlight during the trophy presentation.

“That story still means so much to us,” McSwain said. “It showed, early on, what this tournament was really about.”

Wilmot recalls a similarly personal moment when Davis Love III, a five-time Heritage champion, pulled a young boy into the champion’s interview after a win.

“Everyone thought it was Davis’s son,” Wilmot said with a chuckle. “But it was actually my son. He just grabbed him and said, ‘Come on, Charlie.’ That was almost 20 years ago, and I’ll never forget it.”

The physical transformation of the tournament mirrors its philanthropic growth. Fraser remembers a time before skyboxes, premium hospitality venues, and Signature Event status.

“When we first ran the tournament, the purse was about $450,000,” he said. “Now it’s $20 million. There were no skyboxes back then.”

Today, the RBC Heritage is a PGA TOUR Signature Event, one of the most prestigious stops on the schedule. Television ratings rival all but the major championships, and players consistently cite Hilton Head Island as one of their favorite destinations.

But the journey hasn’t been without challenges.

“In 2011, we didn’t have a title sponsor,” Fraser said. “That was a low point. But what it did was galvanize the community.”

Local and state leaders rallied behind the tournament, reinforcing its importance not only as a sporting event but as a cultural and economic anchor. That renewed support paved the way for the arrival of RBC and Boeing, ushering in a new era of stability and growth.

“We haven’t looked back since,” Fraser said.

Tradition Without Stagnation

One of the Heritage’s greatest achievements is its ability to evolve without losing its soul. While many long-running sporting events struggle to balance tradition with modern expectations, the RBC Heritage has managed to do both, intentionally and thoughtfully.

“The goal has never been change for the sake of change,” Wilmot said. “It’s about improving the experience while respecting what makes this tournament special.”

That philosophy shows up in countless ways. Infrastructure upgrades have enhanced comfort and accessibility without overwhelming the course’s intimate design. Hospitality venues

have expanded, yet still preserve Harbour Town’s walkable, fan-friendly atmosphere. Even as the tournament earned Signature Event status, organizers remained committed to keeping general admission accessible and engaging.

Fraser believes that balance is essential. “Harbour Town was never meant to feel oversized,” he said. “The charm is in its scale. We’ve always been careful not to lose that.”

The same mindset guides decisions behind the scenes. Sponsorship relationships are treated as partnerships rather than transactions, ensuring alignment with the foundation’s charitable mission and community values. Long-term planning takes precedence over short-term gain, allowing the tournament to grow responsibly.

That approach has earned loyalty from players, sponsors, and fans alike. Many PGA TOUR professionals return year after year, drawn not only by the course’s strategic challenge, but by the atmosphere surrounding it. Families plan vacations around the tournament. Sponsors reinvest because they see tangible impact.

“Once people experience it, they understand why it’s different,” Wilmot said.

Perhaps most importantly, the foundation has resisted the temptation to let prestige overshadow purpose. Despite national visibility and financial growth, charitable giving remains the driving force behind every decision.

“It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, rankings, and television ratings,” McSwain said. “But for us, success is still measured by what we’re able to give back.”

That clarity of purpose has allowed the Heritage to grow stronger with time – not just bigger.

An Economic Engine with a Human Face

Beyond its charitable mission, the Heritage delivers measurable economic impact. A Clemson University study commissioned by the foundation estimates that the 2024 RBC Heritage generated $134.9 million in total economic output, supported 1,161 jobs, and produced approximately $8 million in state and local tax revenue.

More than 70% of attendees reported that the tournament was the primary purpose of their visit, with the majority staying on Hilton Head Island for nearly a week.

“That economic impact shows up everywhere,” Wilmot said. “Hotels, restaurants, retailers, seasonal workers – it touches every corner of the community.”

But the value extends beyond numbers.

“The exposure we get is priceless,” Fraser added. “There’s no way our community could buy that kind of national visibility.”

Perhaps the most defining feature of the Heritage is its people.

More than 1,700 registered volunteers – and well over 2,000 total contributors – support the tournament each year, from marshals and hospitality teams to students, civic groups, and families who return year after year.

“There’s a waitlist for volunteers,” Fraser said. “People want to be part of this.”

“That’s because this is not just our event,” Wilmot said. “It’s Hilton Head Island’s event.”

That sense of ownership has sustained the tournament through decades of change, and ensures it remains deeply rooted in place.

A Tournament That Teaches Stewardship

Another often-overlooked dimension of the Heritage’s staying power is its role as a teacher, quietly shaping how an entire community understands stewardship, partnership, and shared responsibility. For generations of residents, volunteers, and local leaders, involvement with the tournament has served as an introduction to civic engagement on a large scale.

“You learn very quickly that this isn’t something one person or one organization can do alone,” Wilmot said. “It takes coordination, trust, and a lot of people pulling in the same direction.”

Many volunteers return year after year, passing roles down through families. Parents work marshaling shifts alongside children who later volunteer as students. Civic organizations build their annual budgets around concession participation. Young professionals serve on committees and eventually step into leadership roles, carrying forward the foundation’s values.

Fraser sees that continuity as one of the tournament’s most meaningful legacies. “The Heritage has helped teach this community how to work together,” he said. “Not just during tournament week, but throughout the year. That mindset stays with people.”

That culture of stewardship extends beyond Hilton Head Island as well. Through its scholarship program, charitable partnerships, and economic ripple effects, the foundation has helped nurture future leaders – many of whom return to the region to live, work, and give back.

“It’s not just about what happens inside the ropes,” McSwain said. “It’s about what continues long after the last putt drops.”

Looking Ahead

With multi-year sponsorship agreements in place and a deeply engaged community, the future of the Heritage looks bright.

“We’re fortunate,” Wilmot said. “I don’t have to do this – I get to do this. And I feel blessed every day.”

As tartan jackets are once again pressed and the fairways readied for April, the Heritage Classic Foundation continues to do what it has always done best – bring people together, celebrate place, and lift lives through generosity and shared purpose.

More than 50 years after its debut, and nearly four decades after it was saved by a community unwilling to let it go, the Heritage remains exactly what it was always meant to be: a tournament with heart, and a legacy built to last. 

During the RBC Heritage, boats docked at Harbour

host guests all day and night.

Article by Brooke Peck

Harbourside Social Scene at the RBC Heritage

Hilton Head Island is a dazzling place yearround but RBC Heritage week gives it an extra shine. Played yearly at Harbour Town Golf Links since 1969, the PGA TOUR Signature Event brings out some of the biggest names in men’s golf vying for its $20 million purse.

Oak trees draped in Spanish moss, sunbathing gators, and picturesque marsh views provide a unique background throughout the course, but the 18th hole is the star of the show. Running parallel to Calibogue Sound, this final stretch saddles up next to the Harbour Town Yacht Basin and its iconic lighthouse.

“I think it adds a level of fun and excitement to our tournament,” said Angela McSwain, the tournament’s marketing and communications director. “It’s fun to see all the boats in the yacht basin hosting parties on the water. It’s a festival atmosphere that we are able to achieve here that is super special on the PGA TOUR.”

During RBC Heritage week, most of Harbour Town’s slips are reserved by individuals or businesses seeking a convenient and special hospitality opportunity. The marina is packed with all types of vessels ranging from

sport fishing boats to yachts and the vibe is a classy tailgating (or “sterning”) experience. Attendees enjoy the tournament, warm weather, competing music, cold beverages, and time with others.

“It’s a pretty special situation,” said Rob Bender, director of commercial, marine, and leisure operations at The Sea Pines Resort. “The Harbour Town lighthouse makes the area even more special. Its iconic design is instantly recognizable and adds to the charm that everyone connects with.”

As one might expect, Harbour Town Yacht Basin is bustling during the tournament and only boats with pre-arranged slip assignments are able to access the marina. “The Harbour is so busy with everything going on, we unfortunately just don’t have the ability to provide access to every boat to come in and drop off people,” Bender said. “It’s a very busy week and it would create safety issues and operational challenges.”

As a result, daily boaters wanting to make a Heritage water arrival must anchor their vessels in Calibogue Sound along the 18th fairway. H20 Sports offers a ferry service from the anchored area to the

Tom Curry's boat, El Sea Paver, hosts business associates and friends each year during RBC Heritage

harbour. As an added bonus, the anchored boats help frame the tournament's waterfront background, both in person and on television.

Tom Curry, owner of Lowcountry Paver, contributes to the harbour’s social scene with his boat, El Sea Paver. “Heritage is about relationships, seeing old friends, and having fun,” he said. The Lowcountry Paver team hosts hundreds of clients, contractors, and engineers from all over the Southeast throughout the week.

The vessel functions as a hospitality hub for the company’s employees and guests during the day and hosts happy hour each evening. “Often, a lot of our guests choose to stay on the boat in the harbour until wee hours in the morning instead of heading out on the town,” he said. Once his guests leave for the night, he and his wife stay overnight in the harbour and love waking up in such a quiet, picturesque environment before another busy day kicks off.

On a personal level, Curry loves the annual, allocated time to spend with family and friends each spring. “We see people we haven’t seen in years because being in the harbour is the perfect location for visibility,” he said. “All day, every day, old and new friends and local people we’ve never met, but know from Facebook or from business, always see the boat and stop in.”

Hilton Head residents Patty and Mike Spears also dock their boat, Magnolia, at the harbour for Heritage. “We enjoy the fun, family-friendly environment hosting our family and friends on our boat, and, of course, having access to witness some of the best golf and golfers competing on the island,” Patty said.

The 2022 RBC Heritage was their first year reserving a marina slip and they continue to keep the tradition. As parents of three adult sons, the Spearses find Heritage is a great week for them to visit – and they often bring their friends along too. Together, the family loads up the boat early in the week with food and drinks before Magnolia makes her way from Wexford to Harbour Town for a busy long weekend. “We have a lot of friends coming and going and the boat always seems full of people,” Patty said. “It is so much fun having everyone together!”

Other friends of the couple also dock their boats in the harbour for the tournament. In the evenings, the group flows from one vessel to another for dinner and drinks. Patty’s favorite part of the week is being surrounded by friends on Magnolia’s stern. “Everyone is so happy and friendly, music is playing, drinks are pouring, and food is being served,” she said.

Harbour Town Yacht Basin is open to the public throughout Heritage week. “You do not need a Heritage ticket to ride the bus to come to Harbour Town,” Bender said. Free parking and shuttles are available at Honey Horn for transport to and from the marina. Note that dock access is limited to boat owners and their guests.

“After play has ended, it is the place to be,” said Bender. “Lots of fun and entertainment, music, dining, shopping, people watching, climbing the Harbour

LIBERTY OAK STAGE MUSIC LINEUP

4/13, 14, 15: Gregg Russell, 7:30‑9 p.m.

4/16: Groove Town Assault, 4‑7 p.m.

4/17: Andrew Beam, 4‑7 p.m.

4/18: CornBred, 4‑ 7 p.m.

4/19: Liquid Velvet, 4‑7 p.m.

Town lighthouse, walking out on the pier, watching the sunset — it’s the center of action after play ends.”

All of the harbour’s festivities take place under the watchful eye of the Harbour Town lighthouse. Each spring, Kennickell Printing uses a cherry picker to install two RBC logo shields on the exterior of the lighthouse, with one facing the harbour and one facing the 18th hole. They each measure 8 feet, 7 inches wide by 12 feet tall and are prominently featured on one of the most photographed backdrops during Heritage each year.

When the 58th RBC Heritage tournament tees off April 13, attendees can expect a few changes. “We love introducing new features that make the course more enjoyable,” McSwain said. “This year, the South Carolina Education Lottery is supporting a new concession deck between 17 and 18 near the Heritage Lawn. It’ll be a great place to relax, have lunch, and people‑watch.”

Additional spectator seating is also in the works. “We’re expanding our tournament seating options in a big way this year,” McSwain said. “For the first time, we’ll have bleachers on every single hole. We’ve always been among the PGA TOUR events offering the most public bleachers, but this year we’re truly taking it to the next level.”

There is no general spectator parking inside Sea Pines. However, complimentary Heritage parking is available at Honey Horn (70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island) with motor coach service to and from Harbour Town Yacht Basin (approximately a 20 minute ride) from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Visit rbcheritage.com to learn more about parking, admittance, schedule, and other tournament information. 

Article by Barry Kaufman

Diamonds in the Rough

Forsythe Jewelers makes its return to the RBC Heritage, with pieces from a celebrated designer sparkling in an outdoor shopping experience.

The RBC Heritage is nothing if not unique. You can feel it in the way that the world’s best golfers approach the tournament. It’s competitive, to be sure, but it’s also a way for them to relax and enjoy the game a little bit after the taxing play and lofty expectations of The Masters.

You can see it in the way our community rallies around it, viewing this one week out of the year as the pinnacle of reasons why we live here. This has been our tournament since its inception, with community members banding together to help run refreshment stands, carry signs, and keep everything moving.

Hailee Tripke, Jimi Lemon, Barb Panciera, Rebecca Lovette and Julie Owens.

Sir Willie takes a break from roaming the course and strikes a pose in the Forsythe Jewelers tent.

If you need any evidence of the one-of-a-kind nature of the Heritage, you need only swing through the 1 & 9 Village, where Forsythe Jewelers will once again hoist their tent at the center of everything.

“It’s surprising for a lot of people to find us there. I don’t know of any other PGA tournament that has a jewelry shop in the middle of it,” said Forsythe Jewelers owner Andrea Bragg. “But it really adds something. While the men watch the golf, the ladies come shop with us, and more often than not they both come in to browse together! We have some clients who just shop at our tent every year, seeing what kind of souvenir they can bring back.”

Forsythe Jewelers has been a part of the Heritage going back nearly 16 years, but it wasn’t until 9 years ago that they moved inside the ropes, making their sparkling selections the centerpiece of the small village of merchants at the center of the tournament.

“My team is always so excited for this. As much work as it is to set up, they can’t wait. They get to see the golfers, but also see their clients in a completely different environment,” she said. “There’s this energy there that we love being a part of.”

They’re not just a part of it, they’re contributing to the tournament’s appeal with a huge range of offerings from the tent’s sponsor, celebrated Italian designer Roberto Coin.

“We are very fortunate that our top designer, Roberto Coin, sponsors our tent for Heritage. We just celebrated 25 years of carrying his jewelry,” Bragg said. “We’re going to have a mix of everything Roberto Coin this year – some of the new collections, some statement pieces, but mostly the everyday pieces that he is known for.”

Resting at the crossroads of the tournament, Forsythe Jewelers’ tent has come to be one of the can’t-miss destinations for the thousands of visitors who come to Hilton Head for the Heritage. And it has helped contribute to a tournament unlike any other.

“The Heritage is so important to our community. I don’t think most people realize how much money is raised for the community, or the value of putting us in the spotlight,” said Bragg. “To be a small business on Hilton Head Island that gets to be part of a nationally broadcast PGA event is something we’re really proud of.”

Stop by the Forsythe Jewelers tent in the 1 & 9 Village from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday during the RBC Heritage to see for yourself how bright our community shines. 

Estate listed for sale with Bill Anderson and Daniel Ravenel

Sotheby's International Realty

Styled by Kandace Cunningham

Photography by Maggie Washo & Edge of Reality Productions

Article by Cheryl Ricer

Special thanks to our models

Caroline Molloy, Julia Rockett, and Emmett Hartman

A World onApartthe Water

Global inspiration, extraordinary craftsmanship, and grand-scale living converge in a remarkable estate

On a quiet stretch of deep-water frontage inside Hilton Head Island’s exclusive Wexford community, a home stands that defies easy comparison. Rising from two waterfront lots and encompassing more than 18,000 square feet, the estate at 80 Bridgetown Lane is not simply large – it is immersive, theatrical, and deeply personal in its design.

For listing agent Bill Anderson of Sotheby’s International Realty, who has represented some of the island’s most

Find

significant luxury properties, the residence occupies a category of its own.

“The house is spectacular,” Anderson said. “There’s nothing else like it. I challenge anyone to find another house even close to its grandeur, not only on Hilton Head or in Beaufort County, but anywhere nearby. The millwork alone is something I’ve never seen before.”

Anderson has handled several of the island’s highestvalue transactions over the years. Yet even among Hilton Head’s grand estates, this property stands apart.

“I’ve had the opportunity to represent some incredible homes,” he said. “But the attention to detail in this one is extraordinary. Every part of the house reflects the vision of the builder and the owner.”

Find Julia's ensemble at Currents.

A Home Inspired by the World

Part of what makes the residence so distinctive is the story behind its design. Built over the course of more than two years, the home was envisioned by its original owners as a reflection of their travels across Europe and beyond.

Rather than adhering to a single architectural style, the estate draws inspiration from cultures and design traditions collected during those journeys.

“It’s really influenced by locales all over the world,” Anderson said. “The owners traveled extensively through

places like France, Spain, and Italy, and they incorporated elements from those experiences into the home.”

Those global influences appear everywhere, from architectural details to decorative elements carefully selected abroad.

“The fountain out front actually came from Italy,” Anderson said. “The owner negotiated with the mayor of a small town there to purchase it and ship it back here. That gives you a sense of how the house came together – pieces from all over the world.”

For Trisha Lynch, the property manager who has spent years overseeing the estate, that international story is woven

into nearly every room.

“As the owners were building the house, they were traveling extensively abroad,” she said. “Anywhere they went, they would find things they loved – stained glass, antique tiles, light fixtures, furniture – and they would purchase them and ship them back here.”

Those treasures were then incorporated directly into the architecture of the home.

“The architect and interior designer would find ways to build those items into the house,” she said. “So, when you walk through, a lot of what you see isn’t just decoration. It’s built into the home itself.”

Many of those items remain permanent fixtures, embedded into the home’s design.

Built-in stained glass from Europe filters sunlight into hallways. Antique tilework appears throughout outdoor and indoor spaces. In the main office, an antique leather map panel – discovered during one of the owners’ travels – has been integrated into the design behind the desk.

“There are details everywhere,” Lynch said. “You can walk through the house a hundred times and still notice something new that you didn’t see before.”

One of the home’s most unusual historical artifacts hangs above the elevator in a hallway of the main residence.

“There’s a piece of the actual Berlin Wall in the house,” she said. “The original owner bought it from an artist off the street when the wall came down. The artist had painted part of it, and they brought it back and encased it in concrete. It’s now part of the house.”

Throughout the estate, decorative elements tell similar stories of discovery.

“There was just so much that went into building it,” Lynch said. “The owners were incredibly involved in the process, choosing furniture, fixtures, ironwork, and antiques. They spent a lot of time working with designers and visiting markets like High Point to find the right pieces.”

Character Over Convention

Unlike many modern luxury homes designed around contemporary trends, this estate was created with a deeply personal vision.

“The house doesn’t have the blue island with white quartz countertops that we see everywhere today,” Anderson said. “But that wouldn’t fit with this house. The character of this house is exactly what’s there – extremely unique.”

Instead of following popular design formulas, the home reflects a layered aesthetic shaped by travel, craftsmanship, and time.

“Its character was set from the beginning,” Anderson said. “Everything was done intentionally.”

Architectural details reinforce that sense of individuality. Custom painted ceilings rise above elaborate moldings and carved millwork.

Visitors often notice the ironwork as well, particularly along the grand staircase. “All of that wrought iron came from antiques that once belonged to the Billy Smart Circus in London,” Lynch said. “When the circus closed, those pieces became available, and the owners acquired them.”

The result is a residence where architectural elements feel collected rather than manufactured.

While craftsmanship defines the home’s personality, its layout was clearly designed with entertaining in mind. “This is the ultimate entertaining house,” Anderson said.

The estate includes eight bedrooms, more than a dozen bathrooms, and a layout designed to accommodate gatherings both intimate and grand.

“You have five bars throughout the house,” Anderson said. “There’s the main kitchen on the first floor, another full kitchen in the guesthouse, additional kitchenettes, and even a bar on the second floor that’s arguably larger than many commercial bars.”

Entertainment spaces extend far beyond traditional living areas.

“There’s an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a spa, and a

sauna,” Anderson said. “You don’t have to leave the house to have fun.”

The amenities continue with two billiards rooms, a private bowling alley, a fitness area, and multiple gathering spaces designed for celebrations or quiet evenings with family.

“It really is designed so that everything you need for entertainment is right there,” Anderson said.

A separate guesthouse adds flexibility to the estate while maintaining privacy from the main residence. Within that space, several rooms reflect the playful creativity of the home’s original owners. “One room was designed as a safari-themed bedroom,” Anderson said. “Another is a Star Wars room. They built those specifically around their

children’s interests.”

Those personal touches reinforce the sense that the home was designed as a lived-in family retreat rather than simply a showpiece. “They built it exactly how they wanted it,” Anderson said. “It reflects what they loved.”

A Carefully Maintained Estate

Maintaining a property of this scale requires consistent care.

Two longtime caretakers have been involved with the home since its construction more than two decades ago. “They’ve been part of the property since the beginning,” Anderson said. “One handles the operational side of the house, coordinating service companies and logistics, while the other manages hands-on maintenance.”

Lynch, who oversees many of those operations, said preserving the home’s intricate details requires constant attention. “It’s a very special house,” she said. “There’s so much craftsmanship and so many unique elements that you really have to care for it thoughtfully.”

That stewardship has helped keep the property in exceptional condition.

The Wexford estate offers deepwater access and sweeping views of the Lowcountry landscape. From terraces and poolside lounges to waterfront vistas, the property blends architectural grandeur with the relaxed beauty of coastal living.

Yet what truly distinguishes the home is its individuality. “There are big houses everywhere,” Anderson said. “But to have a house with this kind of character, this level of craftsmanship, and the history behind it. that’s rare.”

For Anderson, representing the property has reinforced just how unique it is. “You could talk about this house for an entire day,” he said. “There’s just so much to it.”

And while photographs capture its scale and elegance, they reveal only part of the story. “You really have to experience it in person,” Anderson said. “Once you walk through the doors, you realize there’s nothing else like it.”

At 80 Bridgetown Lane, that realization arrives quickly and lingers long after the visit ends. If you are interested in learning more about this incredible property, contact Bill Anderson with Sotheby's International Realty at (843) 301. 0404. 

Article by Brad Payne

YOUR GUIDE TO BUYING A CONDO ON HILTON HEAD

Hilton Head Island remains one of the most desirable places in the Southeast to live, vacation, and invest. With its coastal lifestyle, golf culture, beaches, and strong year-round demand, it is no surprise that condos on the island continue to attract buyers from all over the country.

That said, buying and financing a condo on Hilton Head is not the same as purchasing a single-family home. The rules are different, the documentation is heavier, and the property itself plays a much larger role in whether financing is available.

Buying a condo on Hilton Head is more than just a purchase. It is a lifestyle decision. Whether you are looking

for beach weekends, rental income, or a long-term home, understanding how condo financing works puts you in a much stronger position. With proper planning, the right local guidance, and a clear lending strategy, buying a Hilton Head condo can be a smooth and rewarding experience.

Whether you are considering a condo as a second home, investment property, or primary residence, here are a few key things you should understand before moving forward.

1. Know your purpose before you apply

How you plan to use the condo drives almost every part of the financing process. Your intended use determines loan type, down payment, interest rate, tax treatment, and even which condo projects are eligible.

If the condo will be used primarily for personal enjoyment and is located a reasonable distance from your primary residence, it might qualify as a second home. Second home financing typically offers better rates than investment property loans, but lenders generally expect a down payment of at least 10%. The property must truly be for personal use and not operated as a full-time rental.

If you plan to rent the condo, whether short term or long term, it will be considered an investment property. These loans usually require at least 15% down, but pricing improves significantly with 25% or more. In most cases, lenders will not allow projected short-term rental income on an existing property to help qualify.

If you are relocating to Hilton Head or living in the condo full time, it might qualify as a primary residence. Primary residence loans typically offer the most favorable terms, but you must occupy the property year-round. These properties also qualify for the 4% resident tax rate, which can save you thousands of dollars annually.

Your lender must document how the property will be used, and the condo itself must meet guidelines specific to that occupancy type.

2. Understand how condo financing works

Condos come with a separate set of lending rules, and one of the most common terms buyers hear is warrantable versus non-warrantable.

A warrantable condo meets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines and can be financed using conventional loans.

A non-warrantable condo does not meet those guidelines, often due to HOA issues, pending litigation, low reserves, or high investor concentration. These properties can still be financed, but typically through non-QM loan

options that can require larger down payments and higher interest rates.

However, non-QM should not be a scary term and might offer even better options than a conventional mortgage, depending on your unique financial circumstances.

Some of the most common factors lenders review include how much of the HOA budget is allocated to reserves, whether the association is involved in litigation, the percentage of owner-occupied units versus rentals, whether a single entity owns more than 10% of the units, and whether the property functions like a hotel with on-site check-in or management.

Brad Payne, NMLS #2366717, is a licensed mortgage broker serving the Lowcountry.

Because these factors vary by condo project, working with a lender who understands Hilton Head properties is critical. Many non-warrantable condos can still be purchased with competitive rates using the right strategy, but those options need to be explored early.

3. Understand what the HOA covers and why it matters

One of the biggest differences between owning a condo and owning a house is the homeowners association. HOA dues on Hilton Head vary widely depending on location, amenities, and what is included.

Some condo associations cover only exterior maintenance, while others include flood insurance, cable, internet, trash service, pest control, and additional amenities such as pools or golf privileges.

HOA dues matter for two main reasons. First, they directly affect your debt-to-income ratio. Higher dues reduce the loan amount you can qualify for more than many buyers expect. Second, lenders must review the HOA budget and questionnaire as part of loan approval. Low reserves, deferred maintenance, or special assessments can impact eligibility.

Always review what the dues include and ask whether any special assessments are planned or anticipated.

4. Buying near the water brings insurance considerations

Many Hilton Head condos are located near or on the water, which brings additional insurance requirements.

Flood insurance is required for properties in designated flood zones. In many condo projects, flood coverage is held through the HOA master policy, but lenders may still require confirmation or supplemental coverage.

Buyers are also responsible for an HO-6 policy, often referred to as walls-in coverage. This insures the interior of the unit, including flooring, cabinets, appliances, and personal property. Because it is only covering walls-in, you can expect significant cost savings over a traditional home policy. It is also important to understand exactly what the HOA master policy covers versus what you must insure personally.

Insurance costs can materially impact your monthly payment, so these figures should be included in your loan estimate early.

5. Work with local professionals

Hilton Head condo financing has nuances that are often missed by out-of-area lenders or agents. A local team can help avoid issues before they become problems.

Local loan officers are familiar with which condo projects tend to be warrantable and which require alternative financing. Experienced real estate agents can guide buyers toward communities that align with their goals. Real estate attorneys can review HOA documents and identify red flags such as litigation or recent assessment increases. 

CH2 / CB2 MAGAZINE

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SPOTLIGHT

HOST & HOME

DWELL VACATION RENTALS

PALMETTO DUNES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

COASTAL VACATION RENTALS

ISLAND GETAWAY RENTALS

COASTAL LONG-TERM RENTAL COMPANY

FORESHORE HOMEWATCH

ISLAND TIME

BEACH BUM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Host & Home

2 Greenwood Drive, Building A Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928 (843) 929-1538

info@hosthhi.com . HostHHI.com

For decades, property management followed a familiar script: oversee the home, secure bookings, leave behind a welcome packet, and collect the revenue. It was a model that worked – until the expectations of both homeowners and travelers began to shift.

As the vacation rental market evolved, so did the definition of “hospitality.” Today’s guests expect more than a place to stay, and today’s homeowners expect more than basic oversight. Recognizing that shift, Steven Wood set out to build something different.

With Host & Home, Wood created a company designed not only to meet the demands of the modern vacation rental landscape, but to evolve alongside it.

“We came into the market believing there was a better way,” Wood said. “There are a lot of established companies with strong reputations, but many weren’t evolving. They weren’t embracing better systems or a higher level of service.”

From the outset, Host & Home invested in the infrastructure needed to support that vision. The company operates with a sevenfigure marketing budget, in-house web development, and a digital strategy focused on reaching travelers with genuine booking intent. Its proprietary travel guide and search strategy bring thousands of potential guests to the website each month, supported by deep analytics and targeted advertising. The result is a demand engine designed not just to attract attention, but to convert it.

Yet for all the emphasis on data and technology, the company’s approach remains rooted in something more personal.

“Everyone talks about dynamic pricing, but too often it’s treated like a buzzword instead of a true strategy,” Wood said. “We evaluate macroeconomic trends, travel patterns, and local demand drivers to make smarter decisions. But at the end of the day, technology does not replace hospitality or human judgment.”

That balance – between precision and personal connection – defines the Host & Home experience.

Wood describes the philosophy simply: start from a place of “yes.”

“We never want hospitality to feel transactional,” he said. “Starting from a place of ‘yes’ means looking for ways to make the experience better. Often, it’s the smallest thoughtful details that leave the most lasting impression.”

That same mindset extends beyond the guest experience to the homeowners themselves. Rather than limiting the relationship to traditional property management, Host & Home works closely with owners on a broader investment and operational strategy, helping them align each property with long-term financial and lifestyle goals.

This perspective has positioned Host & Home as a trusted partner within the real estate community. For agents working with investor and second-home clients, the ability to quickly deliver clear, data-informed revenue projections has become an invaluable tool in a competitive market.

Equally important is the company’s commitment to partnership. Host & Home is intentionally structured to support Realtors, not compete with them – offering formal referral protection agreements and working alongside agents from initial conversations through long-term strategy.

In a crowded market, that combination of high-touch hospitality and strategic, data-informed management continues to distinguish Host & Home. For guests, it elevates the experience. For homeowners, it creates a more thoughtful and aligned partnership. And for referral partners, it provides a level of trust that extends well beyond the transaction.

DWELL VACATION RENTALS

21 Executive Park Rd

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

843-368-2171

www.dwellvacationrentals.com

High-Performance Property Management

The Lowcountry has a character all its own—coastal beauty, laid-back charm, and a pace of life people return to year after year. Hilton Head Island continues to grow as one of the Southeast’s premier destinations, attracting visitors who expect both quality and consistency. Dwell Vacation Rentals is focused on delivering a seamless, transparent approach that maximizes results for homeowners while creating exceptional guest experiences.

Locally Led. Nationally Backed.

Under new local ownership, Dwell is the largest vacation rental management company on Hilton Head, leveraging its scale to drive performance, elevate service, and deliver meaningful results for homeowners. Backed by a leadership team with deep operational experience, we combine a national platform with hands-on local expertise.

Revenue Strategy & Market Reach

• Dedicated in-house revenue management team focused on maximizing performance

• Advanced pricing technology that dynamically adjusts rates based on real-time market conditions

• Global distribution across major travel platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and more)

• Clear, real-time reporting that gives owners full insight into performance and financials

Performance-Driven Operations

• Innovative tech stack powering marketing, accounting, and operations—enhancing efficiency, visibility, and overall performance

• High-touch owner communication with 24/7 guest support to quickly resolve issues and protect reviews.

• Proactive oversight of property condition—anticipating needs, preserving quality, and keeping owners informed on local and market trends

The Guest Experience Matters

Exceptional stays lead to stronger reviews—and stronger reviews drive performance.

Our attention to detail throughout the guest journey has earned us top ratings and Super host status across major platforms, delivering a seamless experience that guests return to again and again.

A New Chapter – built on higher standards

With 700+ homes under management, we’re combining local expertise and national reach to deliver the performance, transparency, and service homeowners deserve.

Palmetto Dunes Property Management

5 Trent Jones Lane Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Call us at (844) 887-3566 palmettodunes.com/property-management PalmettoDunesLuxuryRentals.com

The vacation homes and villas at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort make it easy to accommodate your entire group. Whether you’re planning a family gathering or a golf getaway, choose from spacious multi-bedroom homes featuring private pools, spas, gas grills and gourmet kitchens. Select from unique three -to six-bedroom homes available for weekly rentals, or enjoy more flexible stays in our villas with one to four bedrooms. All Palmetto Dunes–managed vacation rentals offer the comforts of home along with exclusive resort perks.

Palmetto Dunes Resort extends the best offers on dining, bike and kayak rentals, golf, and more, plus complimentary tennis or pickleball court time based on availability for property owners and guests booking directly through Palmetto Dunes.

Coastal Vacation Rentals

1038 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 341-3330

CoastalVacationsHHI.com

It’s one thing to operate at a high level with consistency – ensuring every detail remains absolutely perfect and every expectation is met and exceeded beyond measure. It’s quite another thing to operate at that high level for 15 years. And yet somehow, family-owned vacation rental management company Coastal Vacation Rentals has done exactly that.

“From the beginning, our focus has been on helping homeowners maximize the return on their property while also creating a five-star vacation experience for every guest who visits the island,” said owner Karen Ryan. “Over the years, our company has continued to grow, but our core mission has remained the same: Provide professional management that allows homeowners to benefit financially from their investment while ensuring guests enjoy a seamless and memorable stay.”

They’ve grown intelligently due to numerous factors, but one primary factor has been their commitment to investing in the areas that make the biggest difference for their homeowners. Marketing, technology platforms, and strategic booking distribution have been some of the smartest investments that Coastal Vacation Rentals has made in keeping properties booked.

“In today’s competitive vacation rental market, visibility is critical. Travelers have countless options when searching for accommodations, so making sure a property stands out online is incredibly important,” said Darcee Jacobs, marketing director. “Through a combination of advanced marketing strategies, datadriven pricing, high-quality photography and content, and a robust distribution network across both direct and third-party booking channels, we position each property to capture attention, drive engagement, and ultimately maximize booking potential.”

But you don’t get to 15 years on high-tech investments and savvy marketing alone. Coastal Vacation Rentals complements these investments with a focus on hands-on local management. Their team lives and works on Hilton Head Island, allowing for in-themoment response that remotely operated companies can’t match.

For a service-driven business, that quick response is critical. Perhaps just as importantly, that local team lets Coastal Vacation Rentals put boots on the ground at each property, ensuring that properties are consistently maintained, monitored, and cared for so that guests arrive to a home that meets the highest standards.

“At the end of the day, the mission of Coastal Vacation Rentals is simple: To make vacation rental ownership easy and profitable for homeowners while ensuring that every guest enjoys an incredible stay on Hilton Head Island,” said Kelly Ryan Wiechert, vice president of marketing. “When those two things happen consistently, it creates a successful experience for everyone involved. Homeowners see strong returns on their investment, guests create lasting vacation memories, and our team continues to build a reputation for excellence within the community.”

If you want to know how well they’ve accomplished that mission, you need only look to the hundreds of Google reviews naming them one of the highest-rated vacation rental companies in the Lowcountry. Or simply ask a local. Odds are, they’ll point you toward the firm that has been doing it better than anyone else for 15 years and counting.

“As our company has grown, that growth has been very intentional. We have focused on building the right systems, investing in marketing and technology, and assembling a strong local team that understands the unique needs of the Hilton Head market,” Ryan said. “By taking a strategic approach to expansion, we have been able to maintain the high level of service that both homeowners and guests expect from us.”

Island Getaway Rentals

A Legacy of Hospitality on Hilton Head Island

28 New Orleans Road

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928

Call: (843) 781-6556 . Text: (843) 791-2843

IslandGetaway.com

On an island known for its timeless coastal beauty, world-class beaches, and generations of returning visitors, success in the vacation rental market is built on more than just properties. Success is built on trust, consistency, and local knowledge that can’t be replicated overnight.

For Island Getaway Rentals, that foundation runs deep.

As a third-generation, family-owned company based on Hilton Head Island, Island Getaway has quietly built a reputation for delivering high-quality vacation experiences while maintaining a deeply personal approach to both homeowners and guests.

At the center of it all are Todd and Sarah Brooks, whose lives and business have been shaped by the rhythms of island life. For them, Hilton Head isn’t just a market – it’s home. Having raised their three children on the island, the Brooks family has spent decades immersed in the local community, schools, and coastal lifestyle that draw so many visitors here each year. That lived experience has translated directly into how they operate Island Getaway: with a focus on relationships, attention to detail, and a long-term perspective.

Three Generations, One Vision

With the addition of their son, Archer Brooks, in 2021, the company entered its third generation, blending experience with a fresh perspective while preserving core values.

The company is supported by a highly experienced staff with an average tenure of more than 20 years, with several key team members having more than 25 years of experience. This continuity creates consistency and trust for both homeowners and guests.

Island Getaway focuses on long-term relationships with both property owners and guests, creating trust and repeat experiences year after year.

Todd serves on the board of the Hilton Head Island Boys & Girls Club, reflecting a commitment to supporting local youth and the broader community.

With the next generation now involved, Island Getaway continues to grow while remaining rooted in family values and long-term commitment to Hilton Head Island.

Coastal Long-Term Rental Company

Laura Wuller, Owner and Broker-In-Charge Offices in Hilton Head and Bluffton (843) 706-7368, Laura@CoastalLTR.com Visit our Website! CoastalLTR.com A Rental Partnership You Can Trust!

Putting a home on the long-term rental market is one of the smartest ways to generate steady passive income. But turning that potential into real profit requires expertise and constant attention. The workload can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s where Coastal Long-Term Rental comes in — the Lowcountry’s trusted partner for maximizing rental income without the stress.

“We take on every challenge of owning and renting a long-term property,” said owner Laura Wuller. “Marketing, showings, tenant applications, deposits, lease paperwork, inspections, rent collection, maintenance coordination — we handle it all. The value is right there.” With decades of combined experience, Coastal provides expert guidance, giving owners the confidence and peace of mind that their investment is in the best hands.

Coastal’s tenant-vetting process is thorough and professional: credit and background checks, landlord references, and income verification ensure top-quality renters. Their marketing strategy is equally powerful — your property is showcased on 30 plus high-traffic websites, boosted on social media, and featured in e-newsletters for maximum exposure and faster leasing.

Unlike many management companies, Coastal is fully transparent. They are proactive about maintenance and never mark up vendor invoices. With a simple, straightforward fee structure, owners appreciate knowing that every dollar is working for them—not being chipped away by hidden charges.

Coastal also stands out for its strong partnership with the local real estate community. “We don’t sell real estate. We want to support Realtors, not compete with them,” Wuller explained. They ensure a referred client who is ready to buy or sell, goes back to the referring agent.

If you’re ready to turn your property into a powerful income-producing asset — without the headaches — Coastal Long-Term Rental is the partner you can trust.

Second homeowners and absentee homeowners of the Lowcountry know all too well that things go wrong when they’re not here. Storms damage roofs, cold snaps freeze spigots, and Murphy’s Law dictates that their next visit will reveal some problem that should have been caught much sooner.

These homeowners, whether they rent out their homes or not, need someone who’s on the ground at a moment’s notice and on a regular basis to protect their investment. A new division of ForeShore Rentals, called ForeShore HomeWatch, is doing exactly that.

“It’s something we’ve been doing over the years for existing clients when they’re done renting a property out and are getting ready to move in, but now we’ve established an entirely new division just to extend that service,” said owner Brian Tierney.

Their comprehensive approach gives true peace of mind, with drone inspections of roofs, a complete visual inspection, and even small-but-vital tasks like caring for plants and starting cars regularly. Beyond keeping an eye on the property, they offer keyholder services to allow vendors in for repairs and maintenance, as well as concierge services like pre-arrival grocery orders.

210 Goethe Road Bluffton, South Carolina 29910 (843) 815-2838

ForeShoreRentals.com

ForeShore Rentals Extends Services with HomeWatch

“I’m one of the few accredited members of the National Homewatch Association in our area,” Tierney said.

As ForeShore enters its 17th year in May, it is expanding its scope through ForeShore HomeWatch, extending the immaculate care that their rental clients have come to expect to second homeowners and absentee homeowners.

Tierney added, “We’ve been able to grow the rental side of things to 425 properties, both commercial and long-term residential, thanks to two things: referrals and standing behind our work every time.”

Creating an Experience

Island Time

White-glove service at luxurious properties

1 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Suite B Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 785-3456 IslandTimeHHI.com

Any property management company can rent you a house.

But Island Time looks a little bit more closely at hospitality.

To them, it’s about where that property takes you, the memories you create, and the emotional voyage you take during your stay. It’s about every little detail, managed perfectly, coming together in a symphony of hospitality.

Island Time isn’t just a property management company. They’re in the experience business.

“It’s far more than just a stay,” said Eric Moret, co-founder of Island Time. “What we operate on is creating an experience. We want to focus on outcomes, how a guest’s expectations are elevated and what we can do to make their time here more memorable.”

Elevating that experience is everything, encapsulated by their luxury concierge services. From the first phone call, guests have a dedicated concierge focused solely on making every moment perfect – preparing in-home amenities and gear for enjoying the island, like beach gear and bikes, making recommendations, planning excursions based on their wealth of local knowledge, and letting guests in on all the island secrets they might otherwise miss. The goal is simple – to create something individually personalized to each guest to have them fall in love with the island.

It’s an entirely different level of service, but one that complements Island Time’s upscale collection of luxury properties. Their Gatherings Collection puts a premium on space, with large-scale properties for large groups and family vacations. Their Fairway Collection puts guests right at the edge of some of the beautiful stretches of golf views on Hilton Head. Their Icône Collection is a painstakingly curated selection of homes that create experiences on a grander scale – professionally renovated villas and exquisite homes that reflect the sophistication of island living.

“We offer them more than anyone else, because we want their stay to be something that really stays with them. We want those treasured memories that they come back to again and again,” said Jen Moret, director of marketing. “Because that’s what draws them back for a repeat stay. We have so many former guests who join the Voyager Club, our guest loyalty program, to return year after year, trying different experiences at different properties.”

Lest you think that Island Time’s fierce dedication to creating unforgettable experiences extends only to guests, you should know that homeowners receive exactly the same white-glove luxury treatment.

“Relationships are a huge part of the focus, because it’s important to homeowners that they feel like they are part of the team. We want them to not only see how we can drive revenue higher for them and keep a constant schedule of bookings, but how we can manage their property with the utmost care and respect for their investment.”

For guests who receive the highest level of care and homeowners who enjoy true dedication, the Island Time difference comes down to one simple word: Experience.

Beach Bum Property Management

4 Roma Court Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928 (843) 247-4814

BeachBum-Rentals.com

Discover the personalized touch of Beach Bum Property Management, your trusted partner in short-term rentals and absentee owner services on stunning Hilton Head Island. As a family-run business led by the dynamic father-daughter team of Jim Brown and Mackenzie Brown, we bring more than 19 years of dedicated service to property owners and guests, along with two decades of Hilton Head Island residence.

As a small company, we pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled personal service to both property owners and guests. When you choose Beach Bum, you’re not just another client – you’re part of our extended family. Communication is direct. Property owners and guests will always connect with an owner, ensuring a personal touch that sets us apart.

Our fees are budget-friendly, providing a cost-effective alternative to larger rental agencies. Beyond the basics, Beach Bum pays meticulous attention to details, ensuring your property not only meets but exceeds expectations as an excellent revenue producer. Moreover, our commitment goes beyond the clock, with 24/7 availability to address your needs promptly.

What truly sets us apart is our dedication to tailoring our services to the unique needs of each property owner.

Experience the Beach Bum difference – where personalized service meets professional excellence. Choose us for a customized, worry-free property management experience that aligns seamlessly with your individual requirements.

Fond Farewell to Discount Furniture as it rebrands into

“Lowcountry Living by MJ”

It is with grace, love and gratitude that I bid Discount Furniture farewell after 37 years. And say a heartfelt thank you to my husband and my children who have helped every step of the way! And to all of my customers/ friends who have been coming in worried that I was retiring! You’ve been so lovely and heartwarming. I guess it wasn’t my time to jump off the mountain. :-)

But it was time for a change! And I had heard for years, designers who didn’t want to bring their clients into a store named Discount Furniture, customers who didn’t come into our store, because they thought it was cheap furniture, and so on, all due to the one word… DISCOUNT.

Sooooo, we hope you love our new look! From the new name, updates, new signs and new presentation of merchandise, with rooms actually put together into

vignettes in the showroom, with stock in the back… which means quick delivery. Plus availability to order whatever you want from many manufacturers, with someone to help you find that special item. Or come out to your home or condo for free decorator service!

Our goal is and always has been to have happy satisfied customers that return year after year and recommend us to all their friends. That is exactly what happened, plus making new friends!!

Thank you to everyone who has already come in, and been positive, warm and kind... with all of your memories over the years. You make me smile. :-)

With warmest thoughts and gratitude,

FROM SPACE COAST TO OPEN SEA

The Flavor-Filled Life of Abby Cheshire

Article by Cheryl Ricer

When Abby Cheshire steps into a yacht’s galley, she carries more than knives, produce, and carefully labeled containers. She brings with her generations of Italian tradition, the precision of Disney training, the curiosity of a global food explorer, and the heart of a teacher who believes cooking should never feel intimidating.

“I’m a chef, content creator, and teacher with a passion for bringing people together through food,” Cheshire said. “Whether I’m at sea, in the classroom, or in front of the camera, my goal is the same: to make cooking approachable, inspiring, and fun.”

That mission has taken her from Florida’s Space Coast to Walt Disney World kitchens, from high school culinary classrooms to private yachts in the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands – and now into homes everywhere through her debut cookbook, Passport to Flavor.

Cheshire was born in Gainesville, Florida, while her father attended dental school, and raised along Florida’s Space Coast. Her family valued creativity and passion –and in the kitchen, it was all heart.

Her grandparents, “straight off the boat from Italy,” shaped her earliest food memories.

“They would never measure anything,” Cheshire said. “It was always, ‘Throw in a little bit of this, a little bit of that.’ That’s how I learned to cook.”

Those early lessons planted something deeper than technique – they taught instinct.

Cheshire’s family fell in love with Hilton Head Island during family vacations, drawn by its natural beauty and beach biking. In retirement, her parents made it home. Now Cheshire visits frequently when she’s not working on the water, strengthening her connection to the Lowcountry and planning upcoming book events there.

Hilton Head, in many ways, has become her landbased harbor.

From Pre-Med to Chef’s Galley

Originally, Cheshire planned to follow her father into medicine. “I was going to school for pre-med,” she said. “I loved the idea of being a doctor and following in my father’s footsteps, but my real passion was in food.”

She pivoted, enrolling at the University of Central Florida to study food service management. UCF’s

hospitality campus is just minutes from Walt Disney World, and she quickly stepped into the industry, working at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort.

There, she learned scale, timing, and discipline. “You understand consistency at a different level,” Cheshire said. “When you’re cooking for that many guests, every detail matters.”

But even while working at Disney, she was building something of her own. On weekends, she launched a catering business along Florida’s east coast. During the school week, she returned to her alma mater to teach culinary arts – a position she still holds 10 years later. “I’ve been teaching alongside everything else I’m doing the whole time,” she said. “And I love it.”

For Cheshire, teaching isn’t separate from cooking – it’s an extension of it. “I want my students to feel confident,” she said. “A lot of them come in scared to even hold a knife properly. By the end of the year, they’re executing full dishes. That confidence carries into other areas of their lives.”

Though she grew up on Italian food, Cheshire’s culinary curiosity expanded in college. “I was constantly in the library reading cookbooks,” she said. “Cuisine, culture, spices – I just loved learning about it.”

She developed a particular fascination with Thai and Vietnamese food. Instead of creating trendy fusion dishes, she chose to study regional authenticity. She frequented Asian grocery stores, asked shop owners questions, tasted, experimented, and refined. Over time, Thai and Vietnamese dishes became staples in her repertoire.

“Everything I do comes from learning,” Cheshire said. “From cookbooks, restaurants, conversations. It’s pulling pieces together.”

Her approach mirrors travel itself – respectful, curious, immersive.

Summers at Sea

When the school year ends, Cheshire trades her classroom apron for yacht whites. She works for the same private family each summer, though rarely on the same boat. “The patriarch likes to get a bigger and better boat every year, so it’s always a new galley adventure for me,” she said.

Unlike charter yachts that rotate guests weekly,

Cheshire serves the same family and their invited friends for extended summer voyages. Last year included a two-month trip through the British Virgin Islands.

“The family is super down to earth,” she said. “That makes all the difference.” Still, yacht cooking requires precision planning. Provisioning for remote islands is one of her biggest challenges.

“For our two-month trip, I spent about $18,000 on food out of Miami,” Cheshire said. “We broke down half of a cow and brought it onboard. I have eight freezers for proteins.”

Because produce shipments to island destinations can be inconsistent – sometimes arriving wilted or partially spoiled – Cheshire builds menus around proteins first, adjusting vegetables and garnishes based on availability. “You learn to be flexible,” she said. “You can’t panic if the spinach isn’t perfect.”

Cooking during rough seas presents its own obstacles. Knives, pans, and plating must all account for movement. “If we’re underway and I need to serve a meal, I prep everything before we leave,” she said. “Trying to chop during rough seas isn’t ideal.”

On those days, Cheshire leans into simplicity – poke bowls, composed salads, and other dishes that require only final assembly rather than active cooking. “It’s about strategy,” she said. “Planning ahead.”

Writing Passport to Flavor

The cookbook was born from repeated requests online. “People kept saying, ‘That looks amazing. I want the recipe,’” Cheshire said. “So, I started measuring everything and taking notes.”

What began as recipe documentation evolved into a two-and-a-halfyear creative project. Her mother, Janice, stepped in as ghostwriter and editor – her “momager,” Cheshire jokes – helping transform the recipes into a travel narrative.

“It’s like you’re traveling with me,” Cheshire said. “You board the yacht. We go to different port cities. You learn about the culture, the spices, the food.”

Each chapter unfolds like a day onboard: Breakfast, lunch, cocktail and appetizer, and a three-course dinner.

The photography was nothing short of intense. With support from HMY Yachts in Miami, Cheshire secured a yacht for three days.

“We shot 70 recipes in three days,” she said. “It was insane.”

Passport to Flavor is available on Amazon or anywhere one typically buys cookbooks. If you’d like to shop local, you can visit BookShop.org, which supports local bookstores in your area.

Her car arrived packed with prepped ingredients. The team cooked nearly nonstop. Her father, Gregory, served as official taste tester, financial advisor, and emotional anchor.

“He’s my finance dude and moral support,” Cheshire said. “He tasted everything.”

Beyond the Galley

“My work includes brand collaborations, cooking classes, private chef experiences, and the cookbook,” Cheshire said.

Her content spans Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, where longer-form videos capture the process from provisioning in Miami to chaotic cookbook shoot days.

Through @abbyinthegalley, she shares life behind the scenes – from yacht galleys and event kitchens to filming cooking adventures.

“Food has always been my passport to connection,” Cheshire said. “A recipe tells the story of a place, a culture, or a memory.”

She favors fresh, seasonal ingredients, classic dishes with thoughtful updates, and playful touches that make meals memorable without being complicated. “I see chefs make food look so intimidating,” she said. “But cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Just keep it simple and make it taste good.”

On social media, Cheshire affectionately calls her followers “little chefs.”

“I call everyone my little chef,” she said. “Young or old.” The nickname stuck. “People love it. It makes them feel like they can do it.”

That sense of empowerment mirrors her classroom. Students who begin hesitant often finish the year capable and confident. “Cooking builds independence,” Cheshire said. “It builds creativity. It builds pride.”

Coming Home to Hilton Head

Whether she’s plating Thai curry on a moving yacht, mentoring students in a high school kitchen, filming behindthe-scenes moments for her followers, or dreaming up her next culinary venture, Cheshire's philosophy remains rooted in her grandparents’ kitchen wisdom: Throw in a little of this, a little of that. Cook with heart.

Passport to Flavor is available on Amazon or anywhere one typically buys cookbooks. If you’d like to shop local, you can visit BookShop.org, which supports local bookstores in your area. And, of course, you can check out more at AbbyInTheGalley.com.

Additionally, Cheshire has a Hilton Head book signing scheduled for Saturday, April 11, from 10-11:30 a.m. at Barnes and Noble; and another, in Savannah, on Sunday, April 12, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Coastal Table and Tales.

For her, it feels full circle – returning to the island that has become her home away from home, now carrying a story shaped by sea voyages, classrooms, and kitchens around the world. From Space Coast beginnings to international waters, Cheshire’s journey has been guided by curiosity, courage, and connection.

Whether she’s plating Thai curry on a moving yacht, mentoring students in a high school kitchen, filming behindthe-scenes moments for her followers, or dreaming up her next culinary venture, her philosophy remains rooted in her grandparents’ kitchen wisdom: Throw in a little of this, a little of that. Cook with heart.

And to every aspiring cook watching from shore or scrolling from home, she offers the same invitation: “You can do it, little chef.”

For more information, visit AbbyInTheGalley.com. 

Book by Abby Cheshire · AbbyInTheGalley.com

BOOK SIGNINGS:

Hilton Head Island: April 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 20 Hatton Place

Savannah: April 12, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Coastal Table and Tales, 408A Bull Street

(Limited engagement for book signing, cooking demonstration, brunch; register at CoastalTableAndTalesSavannah.com/collections/ book-signings.)

Article by Cheryl Ricer

Photography by Maggie Washo

Focused PRecision

Christy Kinard’s Heron Takes Flight at Hilton Head Island Airport

When travelers step into the new terminal at Hilton Head Island Airport this spring, they will be greeted not by signage or screens, but by something far more evocative – a sweeping, luminous image of a great blue heron in flight, gliding over the marsh toward the Harbour Town Lighthouse.

The 16-by-28-foot installation, titled Focused Precision, spans 16 glass panels separating the security checkpoint from the departure gates. It is an unavoidable focal point in the hightraffic terminal. Designed to serve as a welcoming experience for visitors and to reflect the unique character of Hilton Head Island, the piece offers something immediate and emotional before a single word is spoken.

The piece is the work of Charleston-based mixed media artist Christy Kinard – and for her, this commission is more than a professional milestone. It is a homecoming.

As plans for the airport expansion moved forward, Beaufort County leaders envisioned something bold for the new terminal’s expansive glass wall – a visually compelling signature image that would immediately communicate “Hilton Head Island.”

Natalie Harvey, director of cultural affairs for the Town of Hilton Head Island, was brought into early discussions with the airport director to help guide the public art component.

“The idea was to create a ‘wow’ image – something that would feel distinctly Hilton Head Island, something that spoke to our natural beauty, our culture, our community,” Harvey said.

An open call to artists followed. The guidelines were intentionally broad. Submissions could be abstract or representational, photography or painting. The only requirement: The work needed to depict aspects of Hilton Head Island’s character, natural beauty, culture, or community, and it had to translate successfully to monumental scale.

The response was substantial. More than 200 entries were submitted by more than 100 artists, each allowed up to three works. A nine-member selection committee – including representatives from town council, county council, the arts

council, Art League of Hilton Head, an interior designer, the airport architect, and a member of the Beaufort County Airport board – reviewed the submissions through a blind jury process.

That blind review mattered. Names were removed. Reputations were irrelevant. The committee evaluated only the strength of the image itself. Entries were scored on artistic excellence, creativity, representation of Hilton Head Island, and the ability to be enlarged for a visually compelling installation both from a distance and up close. Not every work could withstand a 16-foot enlargement without losing clarity or impact.

After narrowing the field to 20 finalists, the group returned to deliberate again, studying how each image would interact with light, glass, architecture, and movement within the terminal space. The final decision was not sentimental. It was intentional.

Kinard’s heron rose to the top.

An Artist Formed by the Lowcountry

Kinard’s artistic journey began decades ago in Dalton, Georgia, where she grew up surrounded by textiles, pattern, and European decorative influence. Her talent was evident early. She earned a place in Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program in high school, leading to scholarship recognition at Savannah College of Art and Design.

“I’ve been an artist my entire life,” Kinard said. “This path really chose me.”

Over the past 30 years, she has mounted more than 75 exhibitions and has been featured in numerous publications. Her mixed media works – known for vibrant color, layered textures, and expressive mark-making – have

been collected by corporations and private patrons alike.

Yet it is Hilton Head Island that has most deeply shaped her creative vocabulary.

Her family owned a home in Sea Pines, and she spent summers climbing the lighthouse, biking through Harbour Town, and watching the marshlands shift in light and tide. Years later, during a serious health challenge, she returned to the island seeking rest and healing.

“It was a place of restoration for me,” Kinard said. “A place where I could breathe.”

In that season of vulnerability, the rhythms of tide and sky became more than inspiration – they became refuge. The quiet expansiveness of the marsh offered perspective. The lighthouse she climbed as a child stood as a symbol of steadiness. Those impressions stayed with her.

Now, they anchor Focused Precision

The Heron in Flight

Kinard has long been fascinated by great blue herons.

“When I lived in Sea Pines, I would watch them from the porch,” she said. “They’re so precise. They wait. They focus. And then they move from point A to point B with incredible intention.”

That precision became metaphor.

For the airport installation, she envisioned the heron not only as a native Lowcountry symbol, but as a parallel to flight itself, an elegant traveler moving purposefully toward destination.

In the mural, the bird soars over layered marsh grasses toward a softly rendered Harbour Town Lighthouse. The lighthouse is present but not dominant, almost a whisper in the distance.

Harvey recalls that subtlety resonating with the selection committee. “It’s an image we’re well known for, but it’s not front and center,” she said. “It’s one part of a larger story. That was really appealing.”

Early design conversations had considered photography for the wall. Harvey is grateful the final selection is interpretive rather than literal. “Some great photographs were submitted for consideration, but this piece really captured the selection committee’s attention,” she said. “This feels artistic. It feels layered. It feels like a welcome.”

A Gateway Defined by Art

Airports are modern gateways. They shape first impressions. They signal identity before a visitor ever steps outside at their destination.

Choosing a piece of fine art, rather than branding, signage, or promotional imagery, sends a message about what Hilton Head Island values. This public art piece communicates that this is a place defined by beauty, by landscape, by intentional preservation of character.

The selected artwork will be reproduced on vinyl and installed permanently across the glass panels. The artist

Each travelor will encounter the painting during a moment of transition- arrival, departure, reunion, anticipation.

receives a $1,500 stipend for use of the work in the public space – though for Kinard, compensation was never the driving force. “People ask me why I’m an artist,” she said. “It’s not about money. It’s about what I can give to people.”

For an artist whose work typically lives in private homes and galleries, the scale of this installation represents a different kind of reach. “I’m usually in people’s homes,” she said. “To share my vision with thousands of people every day – that’s the reward.”

The new terminal serves roughly 3,000 passengers daily. Each traveler will encounter Focused Precision during a moment of transition – arrival, departure, reunion, anticipation. Some will pause. Some will simply absorb it in passing. All will experience it.

“This piece is going to be a really beautiful welcome,” Harvey said. “It incorporates our marshes, our birds, our sense of place. It feels appropriate.”

And scale mattered. The committee carefully considered which works could sustain visual integrity at monumental size. Kinard’s layered textures and bold composition allow the image to expand without losing its vibrancy or clarity.

“It’s going to look amazing at that size,” Harvey said. “I think it will be very striking.”

A Dream Still Unfolding

Though Kinard now lives and works in Charleston, her long-term dream brings her back to the island once more. She hopes one day to move back to Hilton Head and open a gallery – a space where locals and visitors alike can experience her work immersed in the landscape that inspires it.

For an artist whose creative language is shaped by marsh grasses, coastal skies, and lighthouse silhouettes, the vision feels both personal and inevitable. A gallery in Harbour Town would not simply be a business venture. It would be a return.

As the new terminal prepares for unveiling, Focused Precision stands as more than decorative enhancement. It reflects collaboration between Beaufort County and the Town of Hilton Head Island, a thoughtful jury process, and a shared desire to create something lasting.

But beyond logistics and selection criteria lies something quieter: the power of arrival.

Hilton Head Island is known for beaches and bike paths, but it is equally defined by light – that reflective glow across marsh and water at dusk. Kinard has captured that feeling not through literal replication, but through layered interpretation.

Travelers arriving for vacation will see it first. Locals returning home will pass it often. Children may point to the heron. Adults may pause at the lighthouse in the distance. Perhaps, without fully realizing it, they will feel what Kinard once felt as a child climbing the lighthouse steps – that sense of anticipation, promise, and belonging.

The heron moves forward with focus and grace.

So does the artist who created it. 

You Said ‘No.’ You Feel Guilty. Now What?

Article by Sheila Tucker . Photography by M.Kat

You notice a dart of their eyes. A catch in their breath. A slight stammer when they begin to speak.

Uh-oh. What have I done?

This one simple question opens the floodgates. More thoughts rush in. Have I made them mad? Will I be outcast? How do I fix this? I don’t want them mad at me.

Your brain drafts the “Actually, yes, I can make it work." response.

Then – plot twist – you stay silent. Eventually, you say “no.”

In those crucial few minutes after saying “no,” and you don’t take it back, that’s when the real shift happens. Staying silent is the practice, even while your nervous system protests.

What you’ve done is disrupted a long-standing pattern. And it’s likely going to cause a flood of feelings – the kind that usually result in you changing your answer to “yes.”

If you’re used to being the reliable one, the flexible one, or the one who smooths things over, your system reads your “no” as a threat to connection.

Belonging has always mattered. It still does. But there’s often a story that confuses belonging with selfabandonment. When you don’t reverse your decision, something subtle but profound begins to unfold.

But first, your anxiety spikes.

That’s normal. You’re trying something new. You’re also tolerating the possibility, real or imagined, that someone might be disappointed. And they might be. If you learned early on to manage, or thought you could control, others’ emotions, that tolerance is brand new territory.

Then, you begin to realize that the world (your world) does not collapse when you say “no.” Somehow, your relationship does not evaporate, and the other person adjusts.

Or maybe they don’t. Maybe they bristle. Maybe they push.

When you stay with your “no,” you gather data. You learn who can tolerate your limits and boundaries. You begin to see where your compliance was quietly propping up a dynamic.

When you stay with your “no,” you gather data. You learn who can tolerate your limits and boundaries. You begin to see where your compliance was quietly propping up a dynamic.

Every time you resist the urge to override yourself, you send a message inward: I will not abandon you. I love you. You are important, too.

Every time you resist the urge to override yourself, you send a message inward: I will not abandon you. I love you. You are important, too.

That message matters. Especially if you have a history of abandoning your own feelings for someone else’s.

I’m sorry to say the discomfort doesn’t disappear overnight. However, with each repetition, it begins to soften. Every opportunity to say “no” widens your capacity to hold disappointment (yours and others’) without scrambling to fix it.

Over time, “no” stops feeling like rejection. Instead, it starts feeling true to your time and energy constraints because you’ve thought it through.

Side note: I’m talking about a genuine, heartfelt “no” – one that’s born of awareness of your values and the time and energy you have to give, not one that shows up to “teach” the other person a lesson or to make a point.

When you’re ready to flex your “no” muscle, here are a few steps you can take in moments after saying “no.”

1. Name what’s happening.

Instead of assuming guilt means you did something wrong, try naming it accurately: “This is uncomfortable. This is my nervous system reacting to trying something new.” When you label the experience, you create space from it. Oftentimes, this translates into the guilt or discomfort not feeling as intense.

2. Notice the urge to manage their feelings. This is often harder than uttering the word “no.” I’m suggesting you tolerate someone else’s reaction. More than likely, the impulse shows up quickly: You start rehearsing explanations. You add qualifiers. You offer alternatives you don’t really want to give. You try to cushion their disappointment.

Yes, definitely communicate respectfully and be clear. However, it’s not your job to eliminate someone else’s frustration, disappointment, or inconvenience. Let them have their feelings. They’re allowed, and so are you.

3. Check for values.

Ask yourself one clarifying question: Did I violate my values, or did I violate someone’s expectations? True guilt signals misalignment with your integrity. Conditioned guilt signals misalignment with a role you’ve been playing. Those are not the same thing. If your “no” was honest and aligned, let the discomfort be evidence of growth, not wrongdoing.

4. Resist the immediate repair.

Although you might be compelled, you don’t have to over-explain your answer. Discomfort might feel like an emergency. It’s not. The urgency to reverse your decision is an attempt to calm your nervous system. So, calm it directly instead of renegotiating your boundary. Step outside. Notice five things you see. Put your feet on the ground. Move your body. Remind yourself you are safe.

5. Pay attention to the response.

If you disappoint someone in a healthy relationship, they might not like it, but they will understand. If someone withdraws, shames, or pressures you, it doesn’t mean you were wrong. It does, however, say something about the other person.

Every time you stay with your answer, even while your mind begs you to reconsider, you build evidence that you can survive someone else’s disappointment. Even more importantly, you begin to recognize that your needs matter, too. And you don’t need to self-abandon to be accepted.

The conditioned guilt? Well, it may continue to hang around a bit. But it will become more manageable and might even fade away.

The next time you say “no” and your nervous system loudly protests, get curious and check in. Believe it or not, these feelings and sensations aren’t necessarily a sign to change your answer to “yes.” Instead, it might simply be a reminder that you’re trying something new and stretching yourself to make decisions that are aligned with your time and energy. 

Article by Cheryl Ricer . Kristin Yoder Photography

Refined Care, Refined Confidence

Thriving Aesthetic Practice Built on Expertise and Determination

With advanced credentials, a passion for natural results, and a determination shaped by perseverance, Morgan Curry is redefining aesthetic care in Bluffton through her practice, Refine Aesthetics. After arriving in the Lowcountry in 2024, Curry quickly established herself as a trusted provider, combining years of medical experience with a philosophy rooted in education, safety, and subtle, natural-looking outcomes.

Curry brings a deep clinical background to her work. She began her career in a cardiac intensive care unit at a Level I trauma hospital before moving into private practice plastic surgery and advanced medical aesthetics.

Today, she holds the prestigious CANS certification, an advanced board credential in aesthetic nursing held by only a small number of providers nationwide. “That credential really reflects the level of training and experience behind what I do,” Curry said. “It shows patients that aesthetics is a true medical specialty and that their care is grounded in expertise.”

Charting a New Course

When Curry relocated to Bluffton with her husband and two young sons, she initially stepped into a leadership role in helping build a local aesthetics practice from the ground up. But after overcoming unexpected professional challenges, she chose to chart her own course. What followed was a leap of faith that ultimately became Refine Aesthetics.

Starting a business while raising a family and pursuing nurse practitioner school was no small undertaking, but Curry’s patients rallied around her from the beginning. “I had people calling and texting asking when they could see me again,” Curry said. “That support reminded me why I love what I do.”

With an investment of personal savings and the encouragement of loyal patients and colleagues, Curry launched Refine Aesthetics and quickly built momentum. Within months she secured and designed a new luxury practice space in Bluffton, creating an environment that reflects her elevated yet approachable philosophy of care.

Today Refine Aesthetics is built on three integrated pillars: advanced injectables, skin rejuvenation, and functional medicine. Together these services address both the visible and underlying aspects of aging and wellness.

“My goal is never to change the way someone looks,” Curry sais. “I’m known for very natural, undetectable results. I want people to look like the best version of themselves.”

Curry also integrates functional medicine into her practice, exploring factors such as hormones, nutrition, sleep, and cellular health to support overall wellbeing. If the inside of your body isn’t functioning optimally, your skin treatments and injectables won’t perform at their highest potential.

Morgan Curry, CANS, founder of Refine Aesthetics, is redefining aesthetic care in the Lowcountry by combining advanced expertise with patient-centered care and a philosophy of natural outcomes in aesthetic medicine.

Equally important to Curry is fostering a culture of collaboration within the aesthetics community. “I believe in community over competition,” she said. “I’m always willing to help other providers, share knowledge, or train injectors who want to elevate their skills.”

Building on Natural Beauty

For Curry, Refine Aesthetics represents more than a successful business. It is the result of resilience, faith, and a commitment to creating a place where patients feel confident, supported, and beautifully themselves.

At just 33, Curry has already built a reputation for precision, artistry, and integrity in medical aesthetics. Patients appreciate her thoughtful consultations and her commitment to subtle enhancements that respect each person’s natural features.

“Aging is inevitable, but how we support our bodies and skin along the way matters enormously,” Curry said. “When people leave my chair, I want them to feel refreshed, confident, and still completely themselves.”

As Refine Aesthetics continues to grow, Curry remains focused on education, innovation, and compassionate care for the Bluffton community she now proudly calls home. Her journey proves that perseverance, vision, and patient trust can transform adversity into opportunity and build something truly meaningful for both clients and community alike every single day.

To learn more or book an appointment please visit RefineAestheticsBluffton.com. 

Article by Barry Kaufman

Team at Palmetto Dunes Serves Up Fresh Tastes of Sophistication

There are so many ways to define Palmetto Dunes, and indeed all of Hilton Head Island. You can define it as a place golfers flock to for an experience on the links that no place else on earth can deliver – challenging, inspiring, and surrounded by views of shimmering water and lush maritime forests. You can define it as a beachfront paradise, with sparkling white sands stretching away to the horizon below sunny skies, accompanied by a perfect breeze.

But what ultimately defines this place is hospitality. Palmetto Dunes is a destination where people come together, drawn here by the natural beauty of an island paradise, and held together by a devotion to making everyone feel most welcome. This is a place

Captions listed left to right, top to bottom: Dinner is served at Alexander's Restaurant; Flowers at a wedding ceremony at Arthur Hills Golf Course; Just one of many options of passed hors d'oeuvres available with Palmetto Dunes Catering; Alexander's plays host to multiple special events per month, from bridal showers to rehearsal dinners; A spread of snacks is set up for an event at the Toptracer Range at the Robert Trent Jones course; the table is set for the bride and groom in the event space overlooking Arthur Hills Golf Course; A boat of fresh seafood greets wedding guests after the ceremony; The stage is set for nuptials at Centre Court Pavilion

of celebration. It’s a place of gathering, a place where the world seems to stop spinning, if only for an evening, so that every detail of a get-together can meld in perfect harmony.

Everything else spins off from this dedication to hospitality. And that is why so many weddings and private parties are choosing Palmetto Dunes as the hosts for their evening to remember.

“We have been catering a tremendous number of events lately, whether that’s at the Veranda at Arthur Hills or inside Alexander’s,” said Palmetto Dunes Executive Chef Charles Pejeau. “Both spaces are just perfect for events, and what we’re able to serve them is fantastic.”

While Pejeau and his team sweat every detail of the menu, no matter how small, a party is more than just its menu. At their two most popular venues,

Palmetto Dunes can create events that stand out, graceful and elegant, but above all enjoyable.

“At Alexander’s, we’ve been doing a lot of smaller dinners, whether it’s a smaller corporate event on the porch, in the back room, or bar area, or a full buy-out of the restaurant,” Pejeau said. “During full buyouts, we set up an amazing cocktail party with meat and cheese stations, a raw bar, and even a carving station if they want something heavier.”

It’s not just corporate events, either. Alexander’s intimate surroundings make it an ideal spot for the kickoff to a wedding weekend.

“We’ll do rehearsal dinners for 40-50 people, and we can also set up a special post-wedding morning brunch,” Pejeau said.

One of the island’s most celebrated restaurants, Alexander’s has long been the standard bearer for hospitality in Palmetto Dunes. A little over a year ago, its lasting appeal was augmented by a fresh option for the resort, when massive renovations were completed on the Arthur Hills Clubhouse, adding an expansive new space known as The Veranda.

“That space is simply awesome. All of the outdoor spaces overlook the driving range, and you can go down six steps to the putting green,” Pejeau said. “We’ve set up a bar down there more than a few times, and have done glow-in-the-dark putt putt for wedding parties. We provide putters and golf balls for people to putt around during the reception, which has been incredibly popular.”

The addition of the massive 2,642-square-foot event space not only gave Palmetto Dunes another option for the hospitality they’re known for. It also created an entirely new dynamic in what they can offer to parties big and small.

“The versatility we now have between the Veranda at Arthur Hills and Alexander’s has been so much greater than I’d anticipated,” Pejeau said. “I saw its potential for doing weddings, but what it’s allowed us to do for corporate events has been incredible. We just did a large corporate buyout, and the attendees already want to come back. Having that dedicated space for events has been tremendous.”

As much as the venues add an air of pure Lowcountry hospitality to an event, it’s a golden rule of party planning that every good gathering comes down to the food. Pejeau’s team leaves nothing on the table when it comes to preparing a menu.

“One of the most popular events has been a ceremony on the beach at Dunes House followed by a shuttle to the Veranda, where we set up satellite bars outside on the putting green and then either a buffet setup or plated dinner inside,” he said. “We have some really popular packages in the Lowcountry Buffet or Lowcountry Boil, but we also do a great round of passed hors d’oeuvres, raw bars, and carving stations.”

The passed hors d’oeuvres can run the gamut from bacon-wrapped shrimp bruschetta skewers to smoked salmon crostini, with the raw bars serving up tasty treats from tuna poke and local oysters to shrimp. And of course, the carving stations delight carnivores with offerings from pork tenderloin to New York strip.

“It’s a very large menu, and we’re able to offer it at different tiers with different drink packages and dessert packages that have been really successful,” Pejeau said.

Palmetto Dunes has always been many things to many people. But when people bring friends and family here, drawing them together for a family celebration, corporate retreat or an unforgettable wedding, they get to see what truly lies at the heart of this resort. It’s hospitality, and Palmetto Dunes is bringing that tradition into the future – one amazing party at a time. 

Article by Cheryl Ricer . Photography by Eddie Tucker

Hair & SO On Extension Expertise in the

Heart of Old Town

Combining an elevated salon experience with a strong focus on advanced hair extension techniques, Hair & So On has become a standout destination for hair services in Old Town Bluffton. Located in the Stock Farm area just off May River Road, the salon recently moved into a custom designed building that reflects both its growth and its commitment to high quality service.

Salon manager Catie Nash said the new space represents an exciting chapter for the established business, which has served clients for nearly a decade. “The salon’s been fairly established for about nine years but building our own place here in Old Town has been really special,” Nash said. “It’s such a beautiful space and we love being part of this community.”

Hair & So On operates as a hybrid salon model, bringing together independent stylists and commissioned team members under one roof. Some stylists manage their own client books, while others work directly as salon employees. This approach allows flexibility for professionals while maintaining a shared standard of training and technique for guests.

One area where that standard is particularly evident is in the salon’s specialty: hair extensions. Nash explains that Hair & So On is committed to advanced certification in Invisible Bead Extensions, often known as IBE. “By the time we’re done, eight of our 11 stylists will be IBE certified,” Nash said. “It’s a major investment in education, but it ensures our clients receive safe, consistent installations.”

The technique focuses on strategically placed beads that create a secure foundation for sewing extension wefts into the natural hair. Because the beads are hidden between layers of hair, the finished look is seamless and natural. The careful placement also helps prevent tension on the scalp, protecting the integrity of a client’s natural hair.

Beyond installation expertise, Hair & So On also offers its own brand of ethically sourced hair extensions. The salon maintains an in house “hair wall” stocked with a wide range

of colors and textures, allowing many clients to find a match immediately. “A lot of salons have to special order hair from overseas,” Nash said. “Because we work with a supplier in the United States, we can get custom orders quickly or often match clients the same day.”

Not only do they offer extensions, they also sell the hair to other stylists and salons with shipping or same day pickup options (based on availability).

While extensions are a defining strength, the salon remains fully committed to comprehensive hair services. Guests regularly visit for precision cuts, dimensional color, balayage, and detailed foiling work. These services often complement extension transformations, helping stylists create seamless blends that look completely natural.

The team has also introduced relaxing head spa treatments as an add-on experience. The service includes deep cleansing, scalp exfoliation, massage, steam, and soothing eye masks designed to stimulate circulation and promote a healthier scalp.

Guiding the salon’s continued growth are owners Megan Evegan and Caitlin Hatch, whose vision emphasizes education, collaboration, and consistently elevated results. Together with Nash and their talented team of stylists, they have created a salon environment where technique and client care go hand in hand.

“For us, the goal is simple,” Nash said. “We want every guest who sits in our chair to know they’re getting quality hair, a safe method, and stylists who truly care about their results.”

That commitment to education and consistency has helped Hair & So On build a loyal following throughout the Lowcountry. With its striking new location and a growing team of certified specialists, the salon continues to raise the bar for modern hair artistry in Bluffton. Clients leave not only looking refreshed and confident, but also knowing their hair is in expert hands every time they visit.

To learn more or book an appointment, visit HairAndSoOnCompany.com. 

Empanadas, flautas, tacos, paella and colorful salads are just a few of the offerings on Tio's extensive menu.

Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by Maggie Washo

Want your next party to sizzle with the celebrated Latin American flair that made Tio’s famous? Now’s your chance.

Some restaurants give you a meal. What has always set Tio’s Latin American Kitchen apart from being “some restaurant” is the meal is just part of an entire sensory celebration.

The way the hodgepodge of mismatched stools around the live edge bar at the Hilton Head Island location all drink in spectacular waterfront views. The way the vibrant mural depicting the color and kineticism

of Latin American culture saturates the room like a kaleidoscope. The way both locations put the kitchen right out there for all to see, letting you see the dynamic team of chefs in action as each dish is assembled with the utmost artistry and flair.

And swirling around you in the air, lending subtle authenticity to each and every bite, the sounds of Latin American, swaying from samba to reggaeton in

intercontinental rhythm. It’s no wonder that every meal at Tio’s is served in atmosphere that buzzes with excitement coming from every table around you.

And yet, as much of an overall experience as these two sister locations provide, each knows one inescapable truth: The real star of the show is the food.

“We pride ourselves on having all the Mexican favorites that people know and love, but branching out across different styles of Latin American cuisine,” said owner Sally Zuniga. “And all of it is as authentic as you can get, and as fresh as humanly possible. We go through cases and cases of limes just because of the fresh-squeezed juice in the margaritas alone.”

That dedication to freshness and quality has kept Tio’s atop every locals’ list of favorite lunch and dinner spots since they opened their doors, with the secret quickly getting out among visitors. It would be tempting, then, to take an approach of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But the staff at Tio’s has never been one to rest on their laurels.

“We’re in the middle of doing a huge menu update right now,” said Zuniga. “We’re changing things like the tacos up just a little bit, but the big thing is we’re bringing back some original favorites that have come off the menu over time. For example, our burgers which were incredibly popular.”

It’s a menu that benefits tremendously from the vivacious atmosphere in which it is served, but one that is more than capable of serving as its own solo attraction. Which might explain why Tio’s catering has exploded in popularity recently, with taco bars and fajita bars popping up at some of the biggest can’t-miss parties in the Lowcountry.

“Getting into spring and summer, we’re really getting into doing a lot of catering,” added Zuniga. “A lot of times people will come in to visit and order a Tio’s night in at their rental property, and we do a lot of orders for locals who just want to bring our party back to their house.”

So yes, it is possible to capture just a little bit of that magical Tio’s atmosphere and bring it your own celebration.

But then, you’ll definitely want to come back and enjoy some of the real thing – especially during Happy Hour which runs from 4-6 every single day.

“A lot of places don’t offer happy hour on the weekends, but we do,” said Zuniga.

But then, any hour spent amid the sights, sounds and sabor of Latin America is, by default, going to be happy hour. Visit tioshhi.com to learn more. 

Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by Maggie Washo

Breger makes a tee

Disc Golf

COULD THIS BE THE NEXT BIG SPORT ON HILTON

HEAD ISLAND?

This April will see some of Hilton Head Island’s storied golf links greeting competitors from around the world in a tournament that blends explosive matchups of skilled athletes with a carnival atmosphere of laid-back fun. From the opening drive to the final putt, this will be a tourney like few others, one that the players look forward to all year long.

It all culminates when the Union Cemetery second annual Disc Golf Open tees off April 25.

Wait, what tournament did you think we were talking about?

This is disc golf, golf’s cool younger cousin.

“Back in 2020 during COVID, that’s when disc golf itself had a big boom, because it was a sport where people could still distance themselves and get outside. It was one of the few sports that flourished while team sports fell off,” said Brandon Beat, founder of Broad Creek Disc Golf Club.

Heading out into the rustic fairways of the Union Cemetary course, known affectionately as The Graveyard, it’s easy to see the appeal. If pickleball was able to carve out a niche among tennis players who were looking for something a little less physically taxing, it also laid out a blueprint that disc golf could follow. The joy of golf is there – getting out into beautiful scenery, balancing the strategy of an approach shot with the raw power of a drive, spending time with friends.

But with disc golf, all the things that keep some people away from golf simply aren’t there.

For one, it’s a lot easier on the back. While more advanced players will tee off with a gymnastic display of whip-cracking limbs designed to add that little extra oomph to their throw, you can hold your own on the course simply tossing the disc as you would to a dog. Second, it’s a lot cheaper. The guys who come to The Graveyard every Sunday show up strapped with hundreds of dollars’ worth of different discs for different shots, but new players can get away with simply dropping $30 or so on a driver, wedge, and putter disc.

Perhaps most importantly, the culture around disc golf is entirely more inviting than around golf.

Anyone who’s been in a competitive foursome knows that smack talk is as much a part of the game as putting. In disc golf, that simply disappears. The protocol on the links here is cooperation – urging each other on, presenting pointers as helpful suggestions rather than criticism, and pitching in when, for example, someone launches their disc into a lagoon.

That’s evident in their traditions.

“Something disc golfers have always done, going back to the ’70s, is before the round starts and before you play the last hole you do a little fist bump and share a ‘Nice round,’” Beat said.

Beat found himself missing that camaraderie after moving to the Lowcountry in 2016. An avid disc golfer for years, he was drawn back into the sport when a few locals let him join their trip out to Tom Triplett Park Disc Golf Course in Pooler, Georgia.

“The bug just got me again,” he said. “I started thinking we need to get something going on Hilton Head.”

Father and son, Branden and Emory Denham, enjoy bonding over a game of disc golf a few times a month.

Joining him on that trip was Roby Breger, an old friend who had been resisting for years Beat’s attempts to get him out on the course.

“I had just quit drinking and was sitting on the couch at my dad’s house thinking, ‘Gee, I really wish somebody would call me to do something other than go out and drink,” Breger said. “No kidding, Brandon called me five minutes later.”

Breger was hooked immediately. Not only did he and Beat begin feeling out other disc golfers to form a club, Breger played on the amateur circuit, playing in 46 tournaments in 2022 alone on his way to being named state champion for the state of South Carolina. He would soon be joined by dozens of others, who meet every week at The Graveyard for a round they call Sunday Funday.

“I had free time and knew Brandon Beat, so I just started coming out,” said Julie Miles, the sole female disc golfer on a recent Sunday. “Everyone’s so nice, and it really is like a big family. I usually play the shorter tees, but [sometimes] I play from the longer tees because it’s a little more challenging for me.”

The club has also crossed generations, bringing the father-and-son duo of Branden and Emory Denham out to test each other on the links.

“We were trying to find something to bond over. Well, he was,” said Branden, with a laugh at his dad. “And we never stopped. It’s always competitive. He’s rated 901 and I’m rated 905 so it’s pretty evenly matched.”

The club began their weekly rounds at Hover Links, the

course behind First Presbyterian Church. Having found the course in rough shape, first from Hurricane Matthew debris and then years of neglect, Beat personally helped bring it back to life, removing debris and even cutting down trees that had grown through the chains of the holes. It was a

"When a ball dreams, it dreams it is a frisbee."

good spot until post-COVID attendance at the church began to grow, squeezing the disc golfers out of the parking lot.

The group quickly realized they needed their own home links and saw opportunity in the mid-island tract. The former site of Planter’s Row Golf Course before it was bought by

the town and turned into a park, it provided the perfect place for the club to call home.

“When I brought disc golf to (the Town), they were looking at the property across the street at Ashton Tract,” said Beat. “We showed you don’t need to cut down trees and

do all that work when you have a beautiful property like this.”

The town agreed, and the club got another powerful ally when the Island Rec Center got involved.

“This started when Nathan Skager was in charge,” said Katherine Vicars, who replaced Skager as director of outdoor recreation for Island Rec. “We had access to the mid-island tract, where we were doing archery lessons and things out there, so we bought some baskets and set up 6 to 8 holes for camps or after school.”

The Rec Center and Broad Creek Disc Golf Club worked hand in hand to carve out the beautiful eighteen-hole course that winds throughout the tract, maintained by the members – like Keith Jackson, who can often be found zipping around the course on his golf cart. Like the sport itself, the entire course runs on a friendly sense of camaraderie.

Now, what started as a few hobbyists getting together has grown into a tight-knit crew who all share in the love of the game, and in the excitement of seeing it flourish on an island long dominated by that other kind of golf.

Want in? Check out Broad Creek Disc Golf on Facebook. 

Local

some quality time at First Tee — The Lowcountry with their daughters on a Wednesday afternoon.

Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by M.Kat

The Secret is Out

Better get out to the First Tee –The Lowcountry campus while you can. The word is out on the best value in island golf.

As welcoming as we locals have historically been to visitors, there are a handful of secrets that we like to keep to themselves. We know which fishing spots to send visitors to, and we know which ones will remain a closely guarded secret. We know which restaurants to recommend, and which ones already have long enough lines just feeding locals.

As for our favorite spot to sneak in a quick round of golf on the cheap, well, we may as well let them know about it. Because it seems like the secret is already out on First Tee – The Lowcountry’s Gumtree Road campus.

“It’s become more and more popular. Last year was a record year for us, and we’re already 20% ahead of that this year,” said Pat Zuk.

In case you are one of the few locals who isn’t already intimately aware of the quick-and-easy golf experience at First Tee, let us be the ones to spill the beans. Just off

Gumtree Road on the north end, the facility at First Tee gives you access to a whole golf experience for just a $10 donation. That incredibly modest fee gives you access to the whole facility – a 325-yard driving range, putting range, chipping green, and a six-hole par three course that you can play as many times as you’d like. With each hole ranging from 53 to 114 yards through forest, fairway, and lakes, it’s a breezy layout that challenges while giving you the perfect spot for a quick mid-day round.

So how is it that one of the best spots for locals to sneak in a quick round became a haven for visitors?

“It’s a very inviting and affordable environment. A family of four can come out and play the par three for just $40,” said Zuk. “We positioned it well in our marketing, but the biggest thing in my experience has been word of mouth. When we check people in for the first time and ask how they heard of us, it’s amazing how many people tell us that half of their friends told them about us.”

While we locals generally guard our secret spots with the fiercest vigilance, First Tee – The Lowcountry’s gorgeous facility might just be the one we’re willing to share. Because with each donation made, visitors are helping in First Tee’s mission to build strength and character in local youth through a comprehensive curriculum that pairs instruction in the game of golf with life skills lesson that enrich a child’s inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience.

“Spring classes have stared right now and summer camps are going on soon, but we keep that up to date on our website,” Zuk said. “But in between, we love letting the public bring in the whole family. Even if you’re not great golfers, we have equipment for you and people to show you around. And the secret is definitely out about us.”

Check firstteelowcountry.org for course hours and class schedules. 

Maggie Ornduff works on a canvas that will become a pillow for her granddaughter.

Article by Cheryl Ricer . Photography by Maggie Washo

Common Threads

Needlepoint’s Modern Revival

On any given Wednesday afternoon inside Needlepoint Junction on Hilton Head Island, a large communal table hums with quiet energy. Silk threads shimmer under soft light. Metallic fibers catch the sun. Someone laughs. Someone else leans in to ask about a stitch. It feels less like a store and more like a living room – one where generations gather, stories unfold, and something beautiful slowly takes shape.

Needlepoint, once dismissed as a pastime reserved for grandmothers and formal sitting rooms, is experiencing a vibrant resurgence. Across the country – and here in the Lowcountry – younger women, working professionals, creatives, and longtime stitchers alike are rediscovering the craft. At the center of the local revival is Michele Kay-Greene, owner of Needlepoint Junction since 2014.

“When I bought the store, I did not needlepoint,” Kay-Greene said. “I started a few years later, quietly, because I didn’t know what I was doing.”

The shop had already been a fixture on the island for more than 35 years. Kay-Greene inherited a loyal clientele – one that was understandably cautious. “They were very committed and very skeptical of me in the beginning,” she said. But while she didn’t yet stitch, she understood color and design. That instinct would become her bridge into the art form.

Her breakthrough came when she discovered decorative stitches. “It was like the lights went on,” she said. Decorative stitching goes beyond traditional basketweave or continental stitches. “When you step into decorative stitching, you’re really stepping into needle art.”

With silk, wool, and metallic fibers – sometimes separated into delicate plies and layered for dimension – a painted canvas transforms into something textured and alive. “You can create perspective,” KayGreene said. “You can make it look three-dimensional. You bring the canvas to life.”

Kay-Greene’s projects now range from florals and portraits to ornaments, pillows, ribbon-work boxes, and even a magnetic Advent calendar with interchangeable pieces. She doesn’t sell her work. “It’s too much of a labor of love,” she said. “It’s an heirloom in the making.”

The word “heirloom” carries weight. Unlike fast fashion or disposable décor, needlepoint requires intention. It demands hours, sometimes months. It becomes something stitched not just with fiber, but with memory. A finished stocking might hang on a mantle every year for decades. A framed piece might move from one generation to the next. The time invested becomes part of the value.

Yet for Kay-Greene, the stitching itself is only part of the story.

“For me, it’s all about inclusivity,” she said. “We weave the canvas with thread, but what binds us is the stories that we tell at the table.”

Those stories might involve a Christmas stocking stitched to announce a new baby, a wedding gift in progress, or a canvas chosen because it reflects a grandchild’s favorite sport. The table becomes a place where milestones are shared organically. Engagements are celebrated. Grief is quietly supported. Laughter softens hard seasons.

“It’s not just the stitching,” Kay-Greene said. “It’s what the stitching can bring. It’s the community that it builds.”

Twice a week, Sit and Stitch gatherings welcome anyone who wants to pull up a chair. Larger retreats offer immersive weekends of creativity. Private groups reserve space to stitch together for birthdays, bridal weekends, or simply friendship. What might appear to outsiders as a solitary hobby becomes deeply communal inside the shop’s walls.

A Modern Creative Outlet

Ashley Wilson, the shop’s manager, embodies that blend of artistry and accessibility. A former textile designer who studied at Savannah College of Art and Design, Wilson once worked with a 52-inch floor loom before discovering needlepoint as a portable alternative.

“I loved the look of needlepoint belts,” Wilson said. “I got my first kit, and I’ve not put it down since.”

Wilson explains the craft in a way that demystifies it for beginners. “Needlepoint is like paint-by-number with threads,” she said. Unlike cross-stitch, where stitchers count spaces on blank fabric, needlepoint canvases are handpainted. The stitcher interprets the design, selecting fibers and stitches to enhance it. “Each one of the canvases is hand-painted,” she said. Designers create the artwork; stitchers bring it to life.

Her own projects reflect needlepoint’s modern versatility. She recently completed what she calls a “spooky collage” canvas – 16 tiny Halloween-inspired squares – destined to become a pillow. She has also stitched a piece onto the back of a jean jacket for a friend. “That’s kind of fun too,” she said.

Needlepoint today isn’t confined to framed samplers. It appears on belts, handbags, hat bands, ornaments, pillows, even jackets. It bridges heritage with contemporary style.

The shop’s events further reflect this new energy. Popups and trunk shows bring in designers whose collections

fill the store for a month at a time. Sometimes the artists themselves visit, helping customers select threads for their own creations. “The designers are very hands-on,” Wilson said.

One of the most beloved initiatives is Nanas and Needles, designed to bridge generations. New stitchers can “adopt a nana” for a day, sitting beside experienced needleworkers to ask questions without pressure.

“It’s so incredible,” Wilson said, especially for those who move to the area without family nearby. “It really is a lifetime hobby. We have people that want to begin from ages 20 to 90.”

In a culture that often separates age groups, needlepoint gently unites them. A 30-year-old professional might sit beside an 80-year-old retiree, both working on different canvases yet connected by shared technique and conversation. Knowledge flows both ways – design ideas from one, lived wisdom from the other.

A Pandemic Pivot

Caitlin Lee represents that younger wave of stitchers fueling the revival. In her 30s, Lee is a third-generation needleworker. Her grandmother stitched. Her mother stitched. And during the pandemic, Lee rediscovered the craft in a new way.

“I work on the computer all day long,” she said. “I was moving from the big screen to the little screen and doom scrolling, and I wasn’t finding any joy in that.”

In 2020, she purchased projects from Needlepoint Junction during limited hours. By 2023, something clicked. “It started helping regulate my nervous system so much,” Lee said. As she launched her own business and navigated

life transitions, needlepoint became a grounding ritual.

“The workday is done. Give your eyes and brain a break,” she said. “What are you going to do with your time?”

For Lee, needlepoint also connects past and present. She has a cross-stitch sampler begun by her grandmother, later worked on by her mother, and eventually finished and framed for her home. It hangs as both artwork and inheritance.

Unlike Kay-Greene, who treasures heirlooms, Lee gravitates toward “durable goods” – keychains, hat bands, pieces she can use daily. She founded an after-hours stitch group called the “Martini Threads Stitching Society,” organizing beach gatherings and happy-hour meetups for working women who can’t attend daytime sessions.

“All through time, women have been getting together and collectively working on a similar project and sharing ideas,” she said. “This is just this generation’s moment.”

Back at Needlepoint Junction, the rhythm of stitching continues. A beginner concentrates on her first canvas. A seasoned stitcher offers advice. Someone debates silk versus wool. Laughter ripples across the table.

Needlepoint’s revival isn’t loud or flashy. It’s steady. Intentional. Human.

In a world of instant downloads and overnight shipping, needlepoint insists on time. It asks for presence. It invites stillness. And in return, it offers something lasting – not just a finished piece, but a finished thought, a shared story, a calmer mind.

“Somebody may not move beyond a basic stitch and that’s okay,” Kay-Greene said. “It’s not our journey. It’s theirs.”

Thread by thread, story by story, the canvas grows. And in a fast-moving digital age, that simple act of slowing down, of gathering around a table and making something by hand, may be the most revolutionary stitch of all. 

Photography by M.Kat

A LINE IN THE SAND

Should we panic now?

MCOURTNEY’S THOUGHTS

arch 13, 2020, was the last day we woke up to a life we considered “normal.” By the end of that day, a national emergency was declared and everything changed. Unprecedented times, “they” said. Yet the times have never quite rebounded to precedented. Have they?

Barry asked if we should be panicking given the current state of the world. And to be honest, I was shocked that –despite our two-decade friendship – he has somehow failed to recognize the fact that I worry about everything. Every. Single. Thing. All. Day. Long.

My therapist tells me that I always expect the worst. I remind her that it is because some of the worst has happened to me. So, I like to be prepared for all bad scenarios – mostly those that end in total disaster – so that on the off-chance things go my way, I can be pleasantly surprised.

Pilots ring the flight attendant mid-flight. We’re going to crash.

Headlights shine in my driveway in the middle of the night. It’s the fire department telling me something has happened to my husband.

Dog sneezes. He has cancer.

Maybe it is age. Maybe it is the state of the world. But things are different once you hit 50.

I’m not a boss, I’m THE boss. I’m running the show now.

I’m responsible for the people, the culture, the vision, the budget, the buildings, the vehicles, the security, the IT.

Most people like me. A few hate me. And, even worse, there’s one who just doesn’t get me. I’ll never get through to that one no matter how hard I try.

I’ve buried a parent. Managed an estate. Juggled grief with the business of death and the business is still winning.

I’m aggressively saving for and simultaneously counting down to retirement but would also like to see the world.

I can’t remember if I took my daily medicine, even though I am still standing in the very spot at the bathroom counter where I take that medicine each morning.

The microwave died. So, we might as well just renovate the kitchen. We’ve replaced the roof and the HVAC. The house needs to be painted. Maybe it’s time to downsize.

I’m talking about hot flashes, hormones, and my risk of breast cancer. And pushing my husband to schedule his annual post-cancer check.

A LINE IN THE SAND

Should we panic now?

Our cat has been dead for four years, but I still hear her cat door swinging in the laundry room. Sometimes I call my husband by our dog’s name.

All I want to do on the weekend is walk our dog and sit in the yard and read. But then our neighbors inevitably decide that is the perfect time to run their blower.

I also want to climb mountains, float in salty seas, eat great food, and see new things. “They” don’t tell you how hard life will be. Nor how short it is. How fun. How surprising. And sometimes downright enchanting.

But right now, yeah, we’re in a shit storm.

On the “Handsome” podcast this week (if you don’t listen, you must!), Jane Fonda asked the hosts: “How do you stay hopeful in these times?”

Um, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president when Jane Fonda was born, so she has been through a lot. The Great Depression, multiple wars, the space age, the civil rights movement, Beatlemania, Studio 54, Area 51, Jazzercise, Cabbage Patch Kids, the digital age, the internet, September 11, a few more wars, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, iPhones, and The Bachelor.

So, if Jane is asking now – in this moment – about hope, maybe Barry is right.

We should panic.

But don’t worry, I already am. I always do. 

IBARRY'S THOUGHTS

f it seems like there are plenty of reasons to panic right now, it’s because there probably are. But as a person who was born in 1980, my response to that notion would be, “Yeah? What else is new?”

Because for people my age, there have been wire-towire reasons to panic since we were in diapers.

Baby Boomers love to talk about how they grew up with the threat of nuclear Armageddon hanging over their heads, as if that ever stopped being the case for kids in this country. We ’80s kids were hiding under our desks as well, you know. It was even more pointless for us, though, because if a desk couldn’t stop a 1950’s-era nuke, it sure as shooting wasn’t going to stop the planet killers we were pumping out in the Reagan years.

And in between nuclear attack drills, every once in a while, we would have a special day where we got to watch some monumental event happen live on TV. In our case, it was the Challenger explosion. That taught us at a young age that the grim specter of disaster can even invade something as joyous as the teacher wheeling in the TV cart.

Fast forward a few years, and we’re entering college just as the burgeoning internet was opening up an entirely new frontier in American prosperity. Now fast forward a few months, and all the CompSci students are reeling as the Dot Com bubble bursts, sending their entire futures into a

tailspin. The rest of us thought we’d be OK, until a group of maniacs flew some planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, igniting both a global depression and a war that started our senior year and would continue long into our adulthood.

But first, graduation. Even in a job market that was kneecapped by wars and economic instability, we could at least scrape together a down payment on our first home after a few years of saving, right? Not if the one-two punch of the Great Recession and the Housing Bubble had anything to say about it. Did we panic then? No, because at that point we were holding down three jobs to cover the mortgage on a house we couldn’t sell because we were six figures underwater in it. There simply wasn’t time to panic.

But thanks to our steadfast resolve, we were able to make it through and finally have kids of our own. Kids who would learn very quickly how to fake their way through a Zoom class when the COVID pandemic pulled them out of classes and reduced one more aspect of their life to an interaction on a screen. Kids who would have their attention spans actively monetized by social media algorithms. Yet, still we didn’t panic (although we did try to limit screen time).

I’ll admit, things look pretty grim right now. Whether you want to call it a “war,” a “strategic military operation,” or “a distraction from the Epstein files,” the strikes against Iran and inevitable continuing retaliation are causing all sorts of chaos here and abroad. You can panic about it if you’d like, I suppose. I wouldn’t blame you. But those of us who grew up in the chaos will simply do what we’ve always done: Keep our heads down, push our panic aside, and prepare for the next giant disaster. 

Bright colors and cool fabrics are in for spring at Jean-Pierre Klifa

Shop the look at two convenient locations - in Coligny Plaza on Hilton Head Island and in the Promenade in Old Town Bluffton.

M SIU CIANS in bathrooms NOT

BAND: JOJO SQUIRRELL AND THE HOME PICKLES

What’s your sign?

Mike Kavanaugh: Gemini

Chip Larkby: Libra

Andy Pitts: Virgo

Most underrated song that, in your opinion, should be a classic?

MK: “Hide In Your Shell”

CL: “It’s Christmastime in Bluffton”

AP: “Steppin’ Out” by Joe Jackson

Biggest compliment you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

MK: “You’re pretty (f’ing) funny, Kavanaugh.”

(Chris Farley said it at Tiki Hut)

CL: “That didn’t suck!”

AP: “My friend plays guitar too, but you’re much better than him.”

Favorite piece to perform?

MK: “Wichita Lineman”

CL: “Hot For Teacher”

AP: “Dee” by Randy Rhoads

What do you sing in the shower?

MK: Vocal scales

CL: Sing? I can barely drum.

AP: “Ebb Tide” or anything by the Righteous Brothers.

Favorite cereal?

MK: Golden Grahams

CL: Life

AP: Cap’n Crunch Crunch Berries for the win. Saved my life once.

At what venue do you most like to perform?

Chippy likes it!

MK: No way I’m answering this question! I love all the venues I’m playing.

CL: The former Tiki Hut.

AP: Anywhere people are very close to me/us.

Most requested song at shows?

MK: Hmmmm, probably still “Wagon Wheel.”

CL: “Pink Pony Club”

AP: “Wandering Angel”

First concert you attended?

MK: Rich Stadium. Concert line-up: Pablo Cruise, Bob Welsh, Foreigner, Fleetwood Mac.

CL: Motley Crue Theater of Pain

AP: Count Basie Orchestra at The Old Post Office

Favorite artist?

MK: Beatles

CL: Alex Van Halen

AP: Marge Parker (Painter)

Place you go to get away from it all?

MK: Asheville, North Carolina

CL: There is no escape.

AP: Behind a chainsaw.

Do you tweet, gram, book, or Tok? What’s your handle?

MK: Facebook

CL: I’m 56. I can barely Facebook.

AP: I gram and book – Andy.Pitts.

Who would star as you in the epic retelling of your life on film?

MK: Rick from “Pawn Stars”

CL: Somebody short and insecure.

AP: Jason Statham (PLZ)

First instrument you learned to play?

MK: Guitar (still learning)

CL: I’m still learning an instrument, plus the drums.

AP: Santa brought me drums.

Song you were thrilled to finally master?

MK: “The Rain Song”

CL: “Hot For Teacher”

AP: “I’m the One” by Van Halen. I didn’t master it but had some good tries at it in real-time gigs.

What do you wish you knew more about?

MK: Fixing cars

CL: Music

AP: Apparently anything on Jeopardy!

What animal do you most identify with?

MK: Dog

CL: Cats. But I’m not one to turn away an occasional goat or chicken (RIP).

AP: Marbles the Cat

If you got super famous and had to change your name, what would your new name be?

MK: JoJo Squirrell

CL: Musicians in Bathrooms is as famous as I’m gonna be, so, whatever name you use for me is what we’re gonna go with.

AP: Billy C.

What famous musician would you love to sing a duet with?

MK: Nat King Cole

CL: Jevon

AP: Dolly Parton

RBC HERITAGE: TIME TO GET OUR PLAID ON

Red. Black. Blue. White. Yellow. It’s Heritage tartan season and the 58th year of the world’s best golf tournament. It’s time to don our plaid apparel.

And yes, I said “world’s best.” Just hear me out.

The 2026 RBC Heritage Golf Tournament, a PGA TOUR Signature Event, represents so much more than an event showcasing the world’s best golf athletes. This week-long celebration is woven into the fabric of our island, from the increasing positive economic impact for our local businesses and nonprofit charitable organizations, to the traditions, fellowship, and fun generated through the event’s Plaid Nation theme.

Hilton Head Island is the Heritage, and the Heritage is Hilton Head Island.

This year’s event takes place the week of April 13-19 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort, with tournament play commencing on Thursday, April 16. The RBC Heritage, which made its debut in 1969, ranks annually among the most attended professional sporting events in the Carolinas. The Heritage Classic Foundation is the host organization of the RBC Heritage and donates tournament proceeds to charitable organizations in the Lowcountry.

New this year, the Town’s Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation, with the mission to enable the economic development and sustainability of the Native Islander community, has been welcomed into the Foundation’s philanthropic fold as a charitable giving option for the 2026 RBC Heritage Birdies for Charity Program.

In December 2025, the RBC Heritage and Hilton Head Island community were recognized by the PGA TOUR in two significant ways: with a PGA TOUR 2025 “Best Of” award for the Most Fan First Event; and local nonprofit The Deep Well Project was named the 2025 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year.

According to the PGA TOUR, the RBC Heritage won the Most Fan First Event award because “the event sets the standard for a fan-forward event by providing a world-class experience for every attendee, regardless of ticket type.” The recognition also noted the ability for all fans to enjoy premier amenities, seamless logistics, engaging activities, and exceptional viewing opportunities throughout the tournament. The Plaid Nation experience, made up of the event’s loyal local and worldwide fanbase, sets the standard for a week-long celebration rooted in the island’s well-known hospitality.

The tournament’s influence is far-reaching in the local community, South Carolina, and beyond, and it’s for this

A

Note from Bluffton Mayor Larry Toomer

MAYOR

CYBERCRIMINALS ARE SOPHISTICATED: PAUSE, VERIFY ANY ‘OFFICIAL’ EMAIL

Welcome to “late-stage technology,” in which our dependency on everything digital has unwelcome realities of crowded inboxes, constant notifications, and sophisticated cybercriminals.

Scammers are taking advantage of our distractions and dependence on digital communication by sending “official” emails, texts, and QR codes that appear legitimate and demand quick action – often using fearbased threats to trick people into sending money. Recently, cybercriminals targeted people doing business with the town by using fake logos and documents.

Our technology-filled world is moving faster than our ability to carefully verify every message. Town leaders and staff are asking residents and applicants to pause and verify any digital communications that appears to come from the town or another government agency.

In one recent case, town staff learned of a phishing scam targeting applicants involved in town meetings. A fraudulent email and invoice were sent, requesting payment to keep an item on a meeting agenda. The invoice appeared legitimate, even using the town’s name and address, but it was false.

Unfortunately, this type of scam is becoming more common. Bad actors are increasingly skilled at copying official seals, formatting, and language so their emails appear to be legitimate government correspondence. These scams often rely on urgency or fear – suggesting a permit fee is overdue, a traffic ticket has not been paid, or that someone must report immediately for jury duty.

Because many of our inboxes are crowded, it can be easy to overlook small warning signs. Cybercriminals understand this and take advantage of our dependence on technology and the speed at which we process information.

reason as well as many others that the Town again provided a $400,000 sponsorship to aid in its success. An economic impact study conducted by Clemson University in 2024 confirmed that the RBC Heritage contributes more than $134 million to the state’s economy and is broadcast in 28 languages to more than 200 countries.

The generosity of the Heritage Classic Foundation, the charitable foundation for the tournament, makes a positive impact on more than 90 charities, organizations, and citizens across the region, providing funding for education, health care, and other needs. Since 1987, the foundation has donated $59.5 million to charities in South Carolina and Georgia.

To be sure, it’s the ongoing dedication to excellence that Heritage Classic Foundation President and Tournament Director Steve Wilmot, Chairman Simon Fraser, and the entire Foundation board of trustees that makes this annual event such a highlight of the Spring season.

The outstanding employees of the Sea Pines Resort and an incredible team of volunteers from far and wide, including our own town staff, deserve a special thank you for the tremendous amount of professionalism and personality they bring to the event as well.

With so many people working together to ensure that this economic and quality of life driver remains a crown jewel event of our island, I believe the results speak for themselves: Not only is this the “world’s best” golf tournament, but it’s also the annual worldwide showcase of the natural beauty and spirit of our community. 

That is why it is important to pause and verify before responding to any unexpected request for money or personal information.

Residents should remember a few simple rules:

First, government agencies do not deliver official legal notices by text message. If you receive a text demanding payment or threatening legal action, treat it as suspicious.

Second, be cautious of any message requesting immediate payment, particularly through wire transfers or unusual payment methods. The town does not conduct regular business through wire transfers.

Third, verify the sender’s email address carefully. All official Town of Bluffton emails end with the domain @townofbluffton. com. Even a small variation could signal a fraudulent message.

Fourth, if something seems unusual, trust your instincts. Call the staff member directly or contact town hall using the publicly listed phone number. Do not rely on phone numbers included in the suspicious message itself, as scammers often include fraudulent contact information to make their messages appear legitimate.

Finally, be cautious with links and QR codes. Just like malicious email links, QR codes can direct users to dangerous websites designed to steal personal information.

Cybercriminals are constantly adapting their tactics. The best defense is awareness and caution.

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the town or another government agency, first confirm its legitimacy before taking any action. If you send money and later realize the message was a scam, please report it to the police and notify the town so we can help protect others.

Bluffton has always been a community where neighbors look out for one another, and that same spirit applies today when it comes to helping others recognize and avoid digital scams. 

The Bottomless Bag

TOTES WE LOVE AT COLIGNY PLAZA

Summer is right around the corner and we Southern gals need a bag to carry everything we could possibly need in a day - from sunscreen and chapstick to a hat and possibly a bathing suit. Here’s a few carryalls we love from the shops at Coligny Plaza.

Article by Jesse Blanco . Photography by M.Kat

INSIDER INFO: RBC HERITAGE FOOD EXPERIENCES

For those who frequent the golf links at Harbour Town every year for the RBC Heritage, you likely know your way around the track out there like the back of your hand. If you’ve been attending for decades, you probably know where to find the coldest beverages, cleanest rest rooms, and most underrated shade trees when Mother Nature is attempting to unleash summer on us. It happens.

But what you likely don’t know is how much work goes into the logistics that make it all work.

Ropes, tents, signage, walkways, tickets, merchandise, and the rest of it are a massive undertaking – and we aren’t going to dive into that. My department is the food, of course – from the curated to the grub and everything pretty much in between.

Last month, I spent a few minutes chatting with Matt Roher, who is not only an old friend, but also the food and beverage director at Sea Pines Resort. He shares a little about what we already know. Feeding the masses for a week is a year-round job – and, oh yeah, then there’s a multi-milliondollar corporate event dropped in the middle of it.

Jesse Blanco: As we have this chat, we could say 30 days ahead of Heritage, but the arrivals begin about the end of the Masters weekend. As guys start getting cut, they start showing up here the weekend before what is considered Heritage week, correct?

Matt Roher: That’s 100% correct. We feel pretty fortunate that the PGA Tour players love us, because they have this pressure cooker up in Augusta, and a lot of times they’ll come out of that, they have to get on planes and go fly somewhere else. And you’re absolutely right, as the cuts start, they start arriving. So it happens, it’s real.

JB: The champion and maybe the last group are hanging around for TV and the whole thing up in Augusta, but everybody else has pretty much skipped town and they’re rolling onto Hilton Head.

MR: That’s exactly right.

JB: I’m sure it’s a year-round thing, but how far back can we look at the calendar and say, OK, what are we going to be offering food-wise for Heritage? When does that kick off?

"Well, so as far as the actual food concessions out there on the course, SERG Group, our local Hilton Head restaurant group, runs a lot of that. We run all of Harbour Town, so we have the Quarterdeck, we have Harborside –with all the steamed seafood and all that fun stuff. "

MR: We start very early. We have about at least a dozen, if not more, of the hospitality engagements on the course. We have all the major sponsors – Boeing, RBC, and Coca-Cola and all these big dogs out there. And then we have a couple of concessions; we run all the bars. We feed upwards of 15,000 people a day, easily. For a lot of that, we partner with our suppliers –US Foods, beverage suppliers, beer, wine, liquor suppliers. Basically, at the turn of the calendar year, we’re prepping, we’re planning, and we’re getting the logistics under control. So right now, we feel like we’re on the doorstep of this thing,

JB: You say you handle all the corporate tenting and all that, for RBC and Coca-Cola and other corporate sponsors. Do they have input on what the food is going to be? Do you have to have meetings with them and their people? It sounds like a lot of work.

MR: Yes, absolutely. There’s a lot of back and forth. Most of them have their own internal event planners and hospitality leads. So, our people – my corporate chef lead, our catering sales director – work on the menus, and we try to have them in place months before we start the process of collaboration with other entities. As you can imagine, we’re trying to overlap and have redundancy as much as possible. The last thing you want to have is 200 unique items out there. In an ideal world, you have one shot, one kill, and one menu for everybody. That’s not ever been the case, but we’re getting better at it. Right now, I would say we probably have maybe 60 or 70 unique

items that will go out over the course, just to the hospitality boxes. Of course, the restaurants here at Sea Pines are a whole ’nother animal.

JB: I would think the most requested thing is seafood, but does it drill down even more, and everybody wants shrimp?

MR: Yes, tons and tons of shrimp. And we are a domestic East Coast exclusive environment here – that’s something that we started years and years ago. This tournament has really been taxing on our local guys, so it’s tough for them to supply, but everything’s coming out of at least the region. But you’re absolutely right, in the traditional shrimp sense, like Forrest Gump, I could go on and on about the many ways we’re cooking it. But it’s also wings, like the casual, kind of “in the hand” food. Sliders are big. In certain locations, we’re doing our Defending Champion Burger, which is a cool concept that we came up with. People are looking for healthy stuff too, so we have to provide that as well, especially on the breakfast side. And the players – we handle all the players, the players’ families, all their support teams, and we have very specific, tour-mandated programming that has to go along with that.

JB: That’s … – I’m almost speechless! We’ve just scratched the surface of all the things that you guys have to juggle to feed everybody. We haven’t even talked about my “average Joe” experience –walking up and wanting to get some food. So, give us a number: How many pounds of shrimp would you say you do for that week?

MR: If we’re doing anything less than a thousand, I’d be shocked, honestly. But, really, I don’t want to overstate it.

JB: Let’s talk about the Defending Champion Burger.

MR: So, Justin Thomas won last year, right? So, he had the opportunity to design the burger. It’s a little bit of a California twist that he’s got on it –smashed avocado, fried egg, pepper jack cheese – which is pretty cool. It’s great.

JB: Very good. Anything new for the average consumer who’s going to be attending and looking for something different?

MR: One of our concessions that’s open to the public is the Fraser’s Tavern Pavilion. If you’re familiar with the clubhouse, it’s right in between 9 green and 10 tee, and it’s a really cool program. We’ve got the smoker down there, kind of a Southern barbecue experience, and that’s also where we serve the Defending Champion Burger.

JB: Anything else that stands out,

that you guys just really crush – that someone should get their hands on?

MR: Well, so as far as the actual food concessions out there on the course, SERG Group, our local Hilton Head restaurant group, runs a lot of that. We run all of Harbour Town, so we have the Quarterdeck, we have Harborside – with all the steamed seafood and all that fun stuff.

JB: It’s obviously all hands on deck that week. Your management team is working how many hours that week?

MR: All of them.

JB: So, if you’re not sleeping, you’re working, right? Do you have any extra help that comes in?

MR: Our network has grown over the years, and we have a great relationship with the chef team up at Augusta National. The executive chef for Berckmans Place and Augusta National is Roberto Bustillo, an incredibly talented guy, legendary chef in the industry, and dear friend. He’s kind of the opening act for us. We have worked it out with him where a lot of his team and a lot of his talent that he brings in basically just kind of keeps on going. The come here and we put them up. It’s like getting the band back together every year now. It’s pretty neat.

JB: That’s pretty cool. Well, I’m looking forward to coming to hang out a little bit and eating some of the food. I think I’m going to be paying a visit to, what is it, the Calibogue Club up there at 16?

MR: Yes.

JB: I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a good time. I won’t stop you if you’re running through because everybody’s hair on fire.

MR: We always make time for you, Jesse.

JB: I appreciate that. Anything else that I might be forgetting that people should know about food, and what you can get? There’s healthy options, I know, there’s a little bit of something for everybody, isn’t there?

MR: You mentioned Calibogue Club – very eclectic, and that’s a ticketed hospitality, with an elevated experience in there. Also, you have the Lighthouse Club, over on the 18th green. At the end of the day on Saturday and particularly Sunday, as the winners are coming down 18 there, it’s electric. That’s also an elevated ticket experience there, but it’s lots of incredible food all in and around that 18 area, especially 17 green, 18 tee, and then as it extends out, you’ve got a lot of different really cool concession options there. 

1.

CORRECTION

In our March issue, in our story about “Dancing With the Local Stars,” on pages 118 and 120, Dr. Mary Olodun’s name was misspelled in captions. We apologize for the error.

Aseneta with Dr. Mary Olodun.

Art League Gallery features Debi West: Layers of Life

Local artist and longtime art educator Debi West brings Layers of Life to the Art League Gallery in April. Showcasing more than 40 years of creative exploration, the exhibition revisits and transforms works from her personal archive, turning past canvases, photographs, and surfaces into renewed expressions. Emphasizing curiosity, reflection, and the evolving nature of art, Layers of Life encourages viewers to engage with each piece as part of a living process where meaning grows and shifts over time.

“Layers of Life is a conversation between who I was, who I am, and who I am still becoming. It is both a personal archive and a shared experience,” West said. “Rather than leaving earlier pieces behind, I return to them – recycling, reworking, and reimagining them – so that nothing is erased and each layer carries traces of what came before, reflecting how meaning accumulates through experience, reflection, and time.”

West has built a career shaped by both studio practice and art education. She spent 25 years teaching in Gwinnett County, Georgia, before transitioning into educational consulting and graduate instruction, where she continues to mentor educators through her writing and teaching.

A nationally recognized artist and retired art educator, West has exhibited her work nationwide. She was named National Elementary Art Educator, National Southeastern Secondary Art Educator, and Distinguished Fellow of the National Art Education Association, and has authored more than 200 articles and several books.

With Layers of Life, West invites visitors to engage directly with the work. “As an art educator, I have always believed that art is most powerful when it invites participation,” she said. “Visitors are invited to contribute images, marks, and ideas, collectively building a piece that will shift and metamorphosize throughout the course of the exhibition.”

The exhibit runs April 14 through May 15, with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. April 15. An artist demonstration will be offered earlier that day, at 1 p.m. The exhibit, reception, and demo are free and open to the public.

West will offer art classes April 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. and April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Art League Gallery is located at 14 Shelter Cove Lane, inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. For more information, visit artleaguehhi.org or call (843) 681-5060

Wellness meets the waves on Sunday, April 26, as Hilton Head Island hosts the uplifting Mindful Triathlon at Coligny Beach Park. Designed for participants of all ages and fitness levels, this unique event blends movement, mindfulness, and community into a refreshing beachside experience.

The morning begins at 9 a.m. with a fun 5K run or walk, inviting participants to move at their own pace along the shoreline. The goal is simple: Reach the finish line and enjoy the journey. Next, participants roll out their mats for a 45-minute oceanside yoga session, flowing through gentle movements with the Atlantic as a breathtaking backdrop. The experience concludes with a 15-minute guided meditation and gong relaxation, helping clear the mind and restore the body.

Participants will receive an event T-shirt, and proceeds benefit the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Patrol.

The family-friendly event is open to all, with free registration for ages 12 and under. Register at hiltonheadrunningcompany.com.

April 2026 Calendar

TUESDAYS

FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET

10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Shops at Sea Pines Center

THURSDAYS

BLUFFTON FARMER’S MARKET 12-4 p.m.

68 Boundry Street

Local artists, makers, farmers Farmersmarketbluffton.org

JEVON DALY KIDS’ SHOW

6:30 p.m. Sun-W-F

Coligny Center Stage

1-3

Wednesday - Friday

“SECRET GARDENS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY”

Exhibit by Judy Blahut Art League of Hilton Head

FIRST

1-10

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

GREGG RUSSELL SPRING CONCERTS

7:30 p.m.

Liberty Oak in Harbour Town

APRIL 1 & 15

Wednesday

TURTLE TROT 5K

Packets 7 a.m.; Race 8 a.m. Palmetto Dunes TurtleTrot5K.com

APRIL

2, 9, 16, 23, & 30

Thursdays

MUSIC & TASTE ON THE HARBOUR

6-9 p.m.

Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina Free, donation of canned goods accepted Bring your chair!

4

Saturday

BUNNY TRAIL & PHOTOS WITH EASTER BUNNY 2-4 p.m.

Photos and crafts at Island Child Village at Wexford

5 Sunday

EASTER BRUNCH Alexander’s alexandersresaurant.com/Easter

10-12

Friday - Sunday

SPRING FLING ART CELEBRATION Old Town Bluffton shopoldtownbluffton.org

11 Saturday

“PASSPORT TO FLAVOR” Book signing by Abby Cheshire 10-11:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble HHI

11

Saturday

PALM TREES & PISTONS

9-11 a.m.

Nala’s Beach Bar & Grill

14 Folly Field Road Free Car Show

APRIL 13-19

Monday - Sunday

58TH RBC HERITAGE GOLF TOURNAMENT RBCHERITAGE.COM

APRIL 13-15

Monday - Wednesdays

GREGG RUSSELL HERITAGE CONCERTS

7:30-9 p.m.

Liberty Oak in Harbour Town

18 Saturday

PAWS & PINTS

RASKEL’S RESCUE FUNDRAISER & PET ADOPTION 1-4 p.m. Side Hustle Brewing Co. bit.ly/pawsforraskels

25 Saturday

DOG WALK ON THE BEACH 8:30 a.m. Coligny Beach Register at hhhumane.org

COMING UP!

WEEKENDS, MAY 1-17

April 2

4-7 p.m.; Shops at Sea Pines Center

“STEEL MAGNOLIAS” Sea Glass Stage at Coligny sgstage.org/tickets