Local Life Magazine December 2025

MAY RIVER ESTATE

Catherine Donaldson has represented the Sotheby’s International Realty brand for over 17 years. Her commitment to the brand is FIERCE. Call her today to discover why.

A rare Lowcountry treasure, this exceptional 13 acre estate spans sweeping marsh and May River frontage and features one of the largest residential docks on the river, at an impressive 150 linear feet. Recently reimagined with a remarkable transformation, this grand property offers a level of scale, privacy, and craftsmanship that truly must be experienced in person. Inside, the main level hosts five spacious bedrooms and four redesigned bathrooms, all thoughtfully designed for effortless single level living.

Everywhere you turn, the landscape steals the show. With its unmatched acreage, expansive waterfront, and extraordinary dock, the potential to shape a legacy property for generations to come is unmistakable. This is Lowcountry living at its most timeless, gracious, and unforgettable.

THANK YOU TO OUR EMPLOYEES, GUESTS, VENDORS, AND OWNERS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN 2026.

145+ OFFICES | 14+ COUNTRIES | 1 CONNECTED COMMUNITY

We believe service is simple. We take care of our agents; they take care of you. We give time back to our agents by handling the details so they can focus on what they do best: advising their clients’ and selling real estate.

Everyone gets the red carpet treatment.

CREATIVITY & CONFIDENCE

the team

Which family tradition brings you comfort?

“While reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, we each pass a gift every time we hear ‘and.’ Whoever has it at the end keeps it.” - LORI

“A trip each November to the Western North Carolina Nature Center.”

- LANCE

“Our annual Christmas Eve gathering at Grammy & Papa's. Gifts, games and craft beer tastings!” - JEREMY

“Watching movies and eating what we want.”

- CHARLES

“Family time decorating the house, watching movies and making cookies.”

- ASHLAN

“I've never missed any major holidays with my parents; Christmas, Thanksgiving, even Easter.”

- BAILEY

“Watching movies together, all piled up on the couch — three dogs included.”

- ALEA

“Family movie night is the best!” - REBECCA

“A cozy Christmas Eve tradition: new pajamas, cookies for Santa, a movie, light displays and one special gift before bed.” - KRISTIN

“Being surrounded by my kids and realizing that these adults are way cooler and more fun than me.” - LISA

“Family game time.”

- LEAH

“Annual family holiday get-together.”

- BRUCE

PUBLISHER

Lori Goodridge-Cribb (Local since 1986) lori.goodridge@wearelocallife.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lance Hanlin (Local since 2007) lance.hanlin@wearelocallife.com

ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER

Jeremy Swartz (Local since 2003) jeremy.swartz@wearelocallife.com

DESIGNER

Charles Grace (Local since 1997) charles.grace@wearelocallife.com

AUDIENCE & CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

Ashlan Saeger (Local since 2016) ashlan.saeger@wearelocallife.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Bailey Gilliam (Local since 2020) bailey.gilliam@wearelocallife.com

WRITER / CONTENT CREATOR

Alea Wilkins (Local since 2024) alea.wilkins@wearelocallife.com

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Rebecca Kerns (Local since 1999) rebecca.kerns@wearelocallife.com

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Kristin Ammons (Local since 2025) kristin.ammons@wearelocallife.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Lisa Staff (Local since 2003) lisa@lisastaffphoto.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS & FINANCE

Leah Ortega (Local in spirit) leah.ortega@wearelocallife.com

DISTRIBUTION & LIST STRATEGIST

Bruce Wolff (Local since 2002) info@wearelocallife.com

+ LocalLifeSC.com

On the Eve of Forty Years

The Cozy Issue

This issue celebrates the warmth and wonder of the season, when twinkling lights glow softly, kitchens fill with comforting aromas, and life slows enough to savor it all. Inside, discover cozy spaces, heartwarming traditions and recipes that feel like home. It’s the holidays in the Lowcountry, the perfect time to curl up by the fire and enjoy life’s simple comforts.

Five-star escapes

Five luxurious winter getaways for cozy, world-class escapes

Soak

Local

Meet

Local families prove board games never go out of style Soup season

Local chefs share cozy soups and stews that warm the soul

Discover wines perfect for cozy nights and festive gatherings

’Twas the night before deadline, and the LOCAL Life crew was hard at work bringing this issue to life, fueled by coffee, chaos and a questionable number of Christmas cookies.

A full renovation reoriented this Spring Island home around what matters most: unhurried time together.

SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE

Don’t miss an issue of LOCAL Life. Scan this QR code to subscribe to the upscale lifestyle magazine of

'Twas the Night Before Deadline

’Twas the night before print day, the Lowcountry still, The marshes lay quiet beneath the crescent moon’s chill. The issue unfinished, the deadline in sight, The digital flipbook must publish tonight.

Lori checked the pagecast with focus and flair, Making sure every advertiser was in there. With Charles beside her, their “magic show” flow, They placed every ad 'til the pages would glow.

Jeremy worked late on the final few spreads, Perfecting each layout and clearing his threads.

He wrapped up Happenings with one final wink, Then leaned back and sighed, “Now I need a drink.”

Lance read the stories with editor’s pride, Adjusting each line as the hours went by. He grinned at the clock, his humor still bright, “Deadline or bust. We’ll make it tonight.”

Bailey brought Harley to brighten the night, He begged for a biscuit, tail wagging with might. She wrote about food, fashion, wildlife and more, Filling many pages with stories to adore.

Alea, our newest, wrote homes with such grace, Each story reflecting a warm, lovely space.

She filled in for Ashlan, who’s home with her crew, And kept every digital detail on cue.

Rebecca and Kristin wrapped up the year, Sharing each advertiser’s message with cheer. They worked with our partners with patience and pride, Helping their stories reach far and wide.

Laurie wore many hats behind the scenes, Balancing budgets and leading routines. Her Smartsheet reminders, that cheerful ring, Kept the team on track like a well-tuned machine.

Working remote from Arizona, Leah stayed true, Managing subscriptions and finances too. And Bruce, our strategist, clever and brisk, Created yet another perfect mailing list.

At last, every layout and detail was right, The flipbook was sent, and we called it a night. By noon the next day, with minutes to spare, This issue was shipped with teamwork and care.

We thank our readers, our partners, our team, For helping us live this publishing dream. It’s our joy each month to share something new, A magazine made by locals, for locals like you.

contributors

MEET LOCAL CREATIVES BEHIND THE SCENES

Brooke Peck Writer

FOR THIS ISSUE: Game night revival

HOMETOWN: Augusta, Georgia

CURRENT HOME: Hilton Head Island LOCAL SINCE: 2021 HOBBIES: Pilates, fishing, shrimping, gardening, bike rides and photography WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? Sunsets overlooking Skull Creek WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? Local bands Groove Town Assault and Feel Good, Inc. WHAT ARE YOU READING? Tide charts to plan out my fishing calendar. WHAT ARE YOU DRINKING? Chilled champagne WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY? The brininess of local oysters, sunny days in January and being on a boat surrounded by beautiful marsh. WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR HOMETOWN? Pontoon boat rides on the Savannah River. FAVORITE LOCAL PLACES: Hickory Forest Beach, Hudson’s, Al’s Aloha Kitchen, Mitchelville Park and Healthy Habit. WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL COZY? Every few years I visit NYC during December. I love bundling up and soaking up the holiday magic, including the light show at Saks, the tree at Rockefeller Center and creative window displays along Fifth Avenue. Experiencing Christmas in the city makes me warm and happy.

Alysia Brazin Artist

FOR THIS ISSUE: Local art, Dogwood Days HOMETOWN: Massapequa, New York CURRENT HOME: Hilton Head Island LOCAL SINCE: 2014 HOBBIES: Pottery, reading, bicycling and walking our dog on the beach. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

Show tunes, especially Phantom of the Opera WHAT ARE YOU READING? The Story

She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY? The people are so friendly, and the nature is so amazingly beautiful. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR ART? The architecture and nature in Boston and on HHI. Watching the birds in my backyard and walking the beach to look for driftwood to use in my work are both inspiring and spark creative juices. FAVORITE LOCAL PLACES: The Art League and Maye River galleries, both places where my work is on display, the beach at Shipyard, and I also love to visit Savannah. WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL COZY? Curling up with our mini Bernadoodle and reading a book for my two book groups. FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION: Spending time with my children, grandchildren and sisters.

OTHER CREDS: James Strazza is a musician, visual artist and poet whose career shifted after developing severe ME/CFS. Formerly an active composer in New Jersey with songs featured in the Burt Reynolds film Apple of My Eye, he began dictating poetry after becoming bedridden in 2019. Learn more and hear his music at galenwarden.com. FOR THIS ISSUE: Local poetry, American Chai HOMETOWN: Montclair, New Jersey

CURRENT HOME: Beaufort LOCAL SINCE: 2019 WHAT INSPIRES YOUR POETRY? James had to find an outlet for his creativity when he lost the ability to make music. Poetry was a perfect fit. In his two books — Lyrical (2020) and Unsung (2025) — James recalls all that made life beautiful, seen through new eyes of loss, and shares his philosophy, hard-won through suffering. FAVORITE LINE YOU’VE WRITTEN: “To live is to move, and I am but a sculpture of a warrior.” From Sculpture in Unsung HOW HAS LIVING WITH ME/CFS SHAPED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE? “No one deserves anything — the concept of deserving is just privilege.” Life is unpredictable because no matter how hard we work or what we believe, we cannot control it.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY MEMORY: When we got older, I’d love doing something coordinated with my five siblings.

Others who kept it cozy this issue ...

PHOTOGRAPHERS Anna Routh Barzin + Alan Biggs + Becca Bond + Kelli Boyd + Janet Briggs + Anne Caufmann

Charles Harris + Lisa Jacobson + Chris Klonowski + Rick Leipold + John McManus + Wayne Moore Sarah Nelson

Caitlin Piette + Gustavo Rattia + Molly Rose + Eddie Tucker + Elizabeth Turner + Laura Williams + Kristin Yoder

WRITERS Suzanne Barton + Daisy Dow + Becca Edwards + Sassa Enscoe + Audrey Geib + Denise Friday + Barry Kaufman

Mackenzie Lionberger + Carolyn Males + Chrissy Mozeleski + Sheila Paz + Margaret Pearman + Richard Thomas

CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Castillo + Marcia Cornell + Jean Meaney Wheatly

Focus on the Season of Growth.

There’s a lot to do in life. Through comprehensive wealth management, our team helps people focus on what matters most. We are a fiduciary partner, whose sole focus is your financial well-being — and the peace of mind that comes with it.

Buy. Hold. Sell.

Lowcountry Wedding: Planning a local wedding? Our guide has everything you need. Explore the digital issue, browse top local vendors, or request a complimentary copy at weddings.locallifesc.com

1

Five top places to stargaze on Hilton Head Island

2 Ways to shield plants from cold snaps and bring them back

3

Flavor fix: Easy ways to upgrade your holiday stuffing

Tech that lets the view shine

Scan this QR code to learn how a local couple created their forever home on Dataw Island with help from CAV Integrated Home. From marsh views to smart-home features, their space blends Lowcountry beauty with technology that works.

About the cover

Jackson, a 2-year-old Bernerdoodle from Hilton Head Plantation, is the perfect face for The Cozy Issue. His rare merle coat makes him truly one of a kind, and his poodle-bright personality keeps him playful and curious, with enough Bernese in him to shed like a seasoned pro. He usually shares the spotlight with his bigger brother, @SparkyTheBadDog, but this month he gets the warm seat by the fire. Wrapped in a blanket and looking ready for his own holiday card, Jackson brings the comfort, cheer and easy Lowcountry spirit we hope this issue brings to you.

Experience matters when selling a home. As a RealTrends Top 3 Ranked Team, the rake eal state eam offers a personalized approach, deep knowledge of the

—ensuring your selling experience is a positive one.

local blend

WORD ON THE STREET + COMMUNITY TIDBITS + FAST FACTS + LOCAL LANDMARKS

The five-star life

Indulge in cozy comfort and quiet luxury at these top-rated winter retreats

eSTORY BY LANCE HANLIN

Each year Forbes and AAA honor the world’s most exceptional hotels, spas and restaurants, recognizing the select few that earn five stars or five diamonds. Fortunately for Lowcountry residents, several of these world-class destinations are just a scenic drive away, and December is the perfect time to visit. The pace slows, the crowds fade, and even the most elegant resorts take on a cozier, more personal feel. Offseason rates make the experience even sweeter. Whether you’re craving a quiet spa weekend, a romantic escape or a few nights of guilt-free pampering, these five luxurious retreats make it easy to trade daily routines for soft robes, warm fires and peaceful views.

Seaside sanctuary

THE SANCTUARY AT KIAWAH ISLAND GOLF RESORT

Location: Kiawah Island, SC Drive time: 2 hours, 15 minutes (114 miles)

This five-star resort pairs Lowcountry elegance with oceanfront tranquility. Guest rooms ($340-$640) overlook the sea or gardens, while the 3,000-square-foot Presidential Suite (about $3,200) offers a fireplace, custom furnishings and a private balcony. The Spa at The Sanctuary rejuvenates with ocean-inspired treatments ($230-$600), and guests can explore 30 miles of bike trails or the resort’s 10-mile private beach. After golf on the Ocean Course, dine at The Ocean Room, a five-star steakhouse famed for its 21-day, wet-aged ribeye, then relax by the fire pits on the Grand Lawn as dolphins surface beyond the dunes.

A Lowcountry refuge

MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF

Location: Bluffton

Drive time: 35 minutes (19 miles)

This five-star retreat blends Lowcountry charm with effortless sophistication. Guest rooms and suites ($536-$1,760) pair refined design with coastal warmth, while cottages with fireplaces and screened porches ($1,319) offer extra cozy comfort. Spa Montage features treatments inspired by the landscape, using river mud, sea salt and warm stones ($195-$750). Guests can kayak the May River, shoot sporting clays or play the May River Golf Course before dining at River House, where sweeping views and candlelit ambiance set the mood. Afterward, slip into Hush, a hidden speakeasy that captures the art of quiet indulgence.

Refined by nature

THE UMSTEAD HOTEL AND SPA

Location: Cary, NC

Drive time: 5 hours (323 miles)

North Carolina’s only five-star hotel, The Umstead pairs natural beauty with quiet sophistication. Overlooking a private lake beside Umstead State Park, it offers elegant rooms and suites ($709-$1,259) and a 1,725-square-foot Presidential Suite ($2,959) with custom furnishings and a sweeping balcony view. The 16,000-square-foot spa spans two stories, offering nature-inspired treatments ($75-$345), while the heated pool and sculpture garden invite relaxation. Dine at Herons, the hotel’s five-star restaurant, where artful, locally sourced dishes showcase ingredients from its own farm.

Golden Isles grandeur

THE CLOISTER AT SEA ISLAND

Location: Sea Island, Georgia

Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (118 miles) This five-star Mediterranean-style retreat captures the grace of Southern hospitality with lush courtyards, elegant rooms ($626-$1,256) and five miles of beach. The 2,200-square-foot Black Banks Suite (about $2,900) adds sweeping marsh views from a wraparound balcony. Fill your days with golf, sailing, biking or horseback rides along the shore, then unwind at the Spa at Sea Island with a $55 access pass or a signature treatment ($110-$490). Dinner in the main dining room showcases Georgia grass-fed beef and prime cuts from Chicago’s Linz Meats, a fitting finale to a day steeped in coastal luxury.

Elevated escape

OLD EDWARDS INN AND SPA

Location: Highlands, NC

Drive time: 5 hours, 30 minutes (323 miles)

Tucked in a storybook mountain village, this European-inspired retreat offers cozy luxury and relaxed charm. Guest rooms and suites ($292-$1,925) blend comfort and character, while the Church Street Cottages ($555-$740) add fireplaces and screened balconies. The spa’s warm stone treatments ($70$450), fireside lounges and crisp mountain air create a perfect mix of rest and rejuvenation. After a day of mountain hikes or chasing waterfalls, enjoy an elegant dinner at Madison’s, where locally sourced dishes pair beautifully with fine wines. Then settle into the Highlands rhythm: slow, scenic and effortlessly stylish.

Hand hug

Toasty Touch thin heated gloves

Cold hands, warm heart? Not anymore. These rechargeable heated gloves make every outdoor outing more enjoyable, from morning walks to evening errands. Toasty fingers, happy life. Toastytouch.com, $145

hot tech

Stay warm and a little spoiled with these cozy winter upgrades

SELECTIONS BY MACKENZIE LIONBERGER

Sound of silence

Hatch Restore 2

Warm & ready

The Claypot Multicooker Soups, stews and chili just got easier. This multi-cooker handles the heavy lifting, so dinner’s waiting when you’re done with your day. Comfort food without the effort? That’s a win. Cookmagnifique.com, $180

Hearth at home

Heat Storm Phoenix Infrared Space Heater

A sleek little heater that you can mount on the wall or set on the floor, then manage the warmth right from your phone. Its infrared technology fills the room with even heat, creating that fireside feeling without the flames. heatstorm.com, $129

Beauty sleep

Therabody Sleep Mask

Part sound machine, part sunrise alarm, part bedtime coach. Wind down to gentle rain or ocean waves, then wake up to light that mimics dawn. Sleep science meets spa vibes in one handsome bedside gadget. hatch.co, $199

Give tired eyes a little luxury. This massaging eye mask eases tension, blocks out light and turns downtime into a mini spa session. It’s the upgrade your bedtime routine didn’t know it needed. Therabody.com, $110

Mug life

Ember Smart Mug

Meet the mug that refuses to let your cocoa or coffee go cold. Ember’s app lets you set your perfect temperature and keeps it steady for up to 80 minutes. It’s the difference between sipping bliss and microwaving regret. ember.com, $129

Brew genius

Spinn Coffee Maker

For those who take their coffee seriously, this WiFi-enabled brewer grinds, spins and brews to perfection. Customize every cup from your phone, and impress even your most caffeinated guests. spinn.com, $799

Scent

and sentinel

Pura 4 Smart Fragrance Diffuser Candles are lovely, but this gadget makes home fragrance smarter. Schedule your favorite scents, adjust intensity, and let the app match aromas to your mood. From vanilla chai to coastal pine, cozy never smelled so good. pura.com, $50

Fireside chats

Jodi Electric Fireplace

Create instant ambiance without logs or ash. This electric fireplace adds warmth, light and a touch of drama to any room. Cozy gatherings are officially on the calendar. Potterybarn.com, $1,899

Blanket statement

Beautyrest Microplush Heated Blanket

Take the chill out of winter nights with this WiFi-connected heated blanket. Control warmth from your phone or with your voice, heat the bed before you crawl in and drift off without a worry, thanks to its automatic shutoff. The ultimate lazy-night luxury. beautyrest.com, $249

Sleigh bells and suspense

Cozy crimes and feel-good tales to keep you turning pages all through the holidays

Denise Friday, a social worker at Hilton Head Island Elementary and mother of twins, finds both joy and reflection in a good book. For the Cozy Issue, she shares her top reading picks to lift spirits and spark comfort this winter.

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR BY ALLY

CARTER

Maggie Chase writes cozy mysteries. Ethan Wyatt writes thrillers. He can never remember her name, and she finds him insufferable. Yet both are invited to a mysterious Christmas party at an English estate hosted by famous horror writer Eleanor Ashley. When the weather turns and the guests become snowbound, their host suddenly vanishes from a locked room. Ethan becomes the only person Maggie can trust, and she needs him to help save Eleanor, and themselves, from an unknown danger.

THE PAGE TURNER BY VIOLA SHIPMAN

Emma Page, fresh out of college, joins her parents at their small publishing house, The Mighty Pages, while searching for a full-time job. Her sister, Jess, is an influencer who also works for the family business. Still grieving the loss of her grandmother and struggling with strained family dynamics, Emma faces a new challenge when her parents partner with a successful but sleazy author. Convinced his motives will destroy their parents’ legacy, Emma must persuade Jess to help her stop him. The sisters must work together to save the publishing house before it’s too late.

MURDER AT HOLLY HOUSE BY DENZIL MEYRICK

In 1952 policeman Frank Grasby is “exiled” to the wilds of a Yorkshire village, expecting to handle little more than petty break-ins. When a body is discovered in a chimney, and another death soon follows, he finds himself unraveling the dark secrets of a close-knit community. What begins as a quiet postwar posting turns into a dangerous investigation, filled with eccentric locals, unexpected twists and dry English humor. It’s a clever and atmospheric start to the Frank Grasby series.

THE BOOK CLUB HOTEL BY SARAH MORGAN

Three lifelong friends, Erica, Claudia and Anna, travel to the picturesque Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont for their annual week-long book-club retreat. Each woman is grappling with her own challenges, and time together is exactly what they need. The inn’s owner, Hattie, is carrying on the dream of her late husband while raising their young daughter. At just 26, she’s overwhelmed, fully booked and short on staff. Over the course of the week, the four women’s lives intertwine in ways none of them expected. This is a heartwarming, tear-worthy story about friendship, love and starting over.

CHRISTMAS CUPCAKE MURDER BY JOANNE FLUKE

Fluke once again delivers a sweet, cozy caper filled with mystery, charm and plenty of sugar. This time, baker-sleuth Hannah Swensen of The Cookie Jar finds herself juggling three things at once: figuring out who tried to kill a homeless man who wandered into her bakery, baking up batches of festive cupcakes and preventing another attack. Although there is no actual murder, the suspense is delicious, and so are the recipes sprinkled throughout this comforting holiday read.

Chapter chat

LOCAL Life’s Rebecca Kerns, an avid reader, shares her take on The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods in “Rebecca’s Reading Room Chat,” a new video book review series. Watch it now on LOCAL Life’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/@locallifesc

Curl up and press play

Underrated cinematic gems that feel like a blanket for your soul

STORY BY LANCE HANLIN

wWhen the temperature drops and the nights stretch longer, comfort finds its way to the screen. These aren’t your bigbudget holiday spectacles or predictable rom-com reruns. They’re quiet fires: stories that glow with humanity, kindness and a little melancholy heat. Each one suits a different kind of cozyseeker. Find your match, pour something warm, and let the flicker of the TV do what the hearth once did.

For the comfort seeker with taste

About Time (2013)

Personality: You appreciate a good cry that doesn’t leave you hopeless.

Why you’ll love it: Richard Curtis’s time-travel romance is really about savoring life’s small, ordinary moments like family dinners, seaside walks and quiet goodbyes. It’s love and loss, with a wool blanket draped over it.

COZY SCALE

Warmth factor: Soft as candlelight, deep as nostalgia

Visual comfort: English rain and warm interiors

Perfect setting: A slow Sunday night before the week begins Stream it: Prime Video

For the sentimental soul

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Personality: You dream big but keep your feet on the ground. Why you’ll love it: Ben Stiller’s globe-trotting adventure reminds us that comfort sometimes means courage, stepping into the unknown to rediscover joy. Icelandic landscapes, a tender soundtrack and quiet humor make it a feel-good classic that still sneaks under most radars.

COZY SCALE

Warmth factor: Heart-thawing, like mittens on cold hands

Visual comfort: Snowy vistas and glowing café lights

Perfect setting: Rainy afternoon with a soft blanket and a snack mix

Stream it: Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video

For the introspective dreamer

Julie & Julia (2009)

Personality: You cook to connect, you feed to feel. Why you’ll love it: Meryl Streep’s Julia Child and Amy Adams’s Julie Powell remind us that even a small kitchen can hold big dreams. It’s warm, witty and full of buttery joy. Every scene celebrates persistence, creativity and the comfort of cooking something from the heart.

COZY SCALE

Warmth factor: Melts stress faster than butter on a hot skillet

Visual comfort: Candlelit kitchens and checkered aprons

Perfect setting: A night when takeout feels too impersonal Stream it: Prime Video

For the literary introvert

Finding Forrester (2000)

Personality: You believe wisdom should be shared, preferably over tea and typewriter keys.

Why you’ll love it: Sean Connery and Rob Brown create a touching mentorship set in a wood-paneled New York apartment that practically smells of dusty books. Quiet, steady and full of humanity.

COZY SCALE

Warmth factor: A slow burn that lingers

Visual comfort: Golden lamplight and late-night writing sessions

Perfect setting: Wrapped in a throw, journal in hand Stream it: Hulu, Disney+

A RECIPE FOR COMFORT

In Julie & Julia (2009), Meryl Streep brings warmth and humor to the kitchen as Julia Child. It’s a reminder that sometimes the coziest stories begin with a little butter and a lot of heart.

For the cottagecore romantic

Brooklyn (2015)

Personality: You love hand-knit sweaters, handwritten letters and happy tears.

Why you’ll love it: Saoirse Ronan’s quiet immigrant story is a masterclass in warmth. The homesickness, the tenderness, the resolve all wrapped in 1950s knitwear and soft Irish light.

COZY SCALE

Warmth factor: Gentle, glowing and full of heart

Visual comfort: Candlelight dinners and cozy boarding houses

Perfect setting: Alone with tea, biscuits and a tissue box

Stream it: Prime Video

For the nostalgic heart

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

Personality: You find comfort in family, food and a little friendly competition.

Why you’ll love it: A young chef and a proud restaurateur turn rivalry into respect across a rural French road. Helen Mirren leads this fragrant, colorful story about cultural bridges and second chances.

COZY SCALE

Warmth factor: Aromatic, layered and deeply satisfying

Visual comfort: Rustic kitchens, flickering candles and saffron light

Perfect setting: Dinner simmering, phone on silent Stream it: Prime Video

Seated front row: Brian Neumann NMLS# 174105, David Crowell NMLS# 12620, Aaron Benton NMLS# 1717095. Standing back row: Tricia Lowman NMLS# 2440257, Sara Marx, Libby Knapp, Alan Perry NMLS# 866734, Kim Capin NMLS# 158295, Adam Crowell NMLS# 165047, Clara Good NMLS# 2169516, Tanner Ware NMLS# 278238, and Gina Cavano NMLS# 1182146. Not pictured: Susan Smith NMLS# 278903

Our Team provides a multi-generational approach to wealth management to high-net-worth families. We have served client families for decades to help ensure short-term, long-term, and legacy needs are planned for and adjusted as needed.

We are honored to be recognized as one of the 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams

2025 Award Recipient

843.681.1400

www.bezillakinneyphiferwmg.com

2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Selfcompleted survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 11,674 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 5,331 (45.66% of candidates) were named 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank a liate of Wells Fargo & Company. PM-01142027-8181694.1.1

Local IQ

ACROSS

1. Danish word for cozy contentment

5. Pink bunny pajama wearer in A Christmas Story

7. December’s ocean-blue birthstone

8. Warm drink best topped with marshmallows

11. Sweet, spicy dough that becomes a house or a man

13. Hung high for holiday smooches

16. Jack’s last name in The Nightmare Before Christmas

17. Glowing coals that keep a fire alive

18. Old-fashioned word for the Christmas season of cheer

DOWN

2. Holiday hater who lives atop Mount Crumpit

3. RV-driving cousin in Christmas Vacation

4. Zodiac sign for those born Dec. 22-Jan. 19

6. Hung by the chimney and stuffed with surprises

8. Spice that makes cider sing

9. Zodiac sign for those born Nov. 22-Dec. 21

10. Evergreen plant with red berries, a holiday favorite

12. Elf who loves syrup on spaghetti

14. Miser who needed three ghosts to change his ways

15. Creamy drink that divides households every December

16. Warm winter wear, sometimes festively ugly

Official Mensa®Challenge

Answers are available on LocalLifeSC.com/Mensa

HOLIDAY HEAD SCRATCHER

Yule need to use your noggin' to solve this Mensa quiz!

1. What three letters can be placed in the blanks below to make five different words?

______ TAKE ______ CHIEF ______ LAY ______ PLACE ______ SING

2. Jake is one-fourth of Molly's age. Two years ago, he was oneseventh her age. How old are they now?

3. A well-known statement has been put into a fancy language below. Can you put it back into everyday English?

An overabundance of individuals engaged in culinary activities related to the preparation of liquid nourishment may produce a totally unsatisfactory result.

4. The names of three cities are hidden in the sentences below. Can you find them? (The letters are in consecutive order.)

Children on holiday may forget to stamp and mail postcards home.

The bear had his den very well hidden.

5. Our local toy store prices its merchandise according to the owner's whim. A doll costs 70¢, a train costs 80¢, a drum costs 70¢ and a dollhouse costs $1.40. According to this system, how much will a jumping jack cost?

ANSWER KEY

1. MIS (MISTAKE, MISCHIEF, MISLAY, MISPLACE, MISSING) 2. Jake is 4; Molly is 16. 3. Too many cooks spoil the broth. 4. Reno, Tampa, Denver 5. $1.90 (Vowels are worth 10¢, consonants are worth 20¢.)

ARE YOU READY FOR MENSA?

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Mensa provides official tests and answers to LOCAL Life as part of an exclusive license agreement. Answers are available on LocalLifeSC.com/Mensa

When it comes to the very latest cutting-edge technologies and unparalleled patient outcomes, eye care experts around the world look to the Lowcountry and the passionate eye care pioneers at Bishop Eye Center. The best of the best in superior compassionate eye care are right here in Hilton Head, Sun City, and Bluffton. You

STREAMING

MOVIE THEATERS

100 Nights of Hero (romance)

The hot list

What to watch, read and listen to in December

SELECTIONS BY DAISY DOW

APPLE TV+ The Hunt (thriller)

For Franck (Benoît Magimel) and his buddies, a weekend hunting trip is supposed to be a way to kick back and relax. When they run into another group of hunters who turn their guns on them as prey, things take an extreme turn. Even when they make it back to the safety of their hometown, they aren’t out of the woods yet. Release date: Dec. 3

NETFLIX Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (mystery)

With a packed church as witness, a man gives a sermon and walks into a room through its only door. Minutes later he’s found dead, and a room full of people begins questioning who’s to blame. This seemingly impossible mystery lands in the lap of detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) in the latest installment of the Knives Out franchise. Release date: Dec. 12

DISNEY+ Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour – The End of an Era (documentary)

A behind-the-scenes look at the record-breaking tour by the pop icon, featuring exclusive footage and guest appearances. For fans of music and spectacle, this is a front-row seat to one of pop’s biggest live experiences in recent memory. Release date: Dec. 12

PEACOCK The Copenhagen Test (spy)

Imagine realizing that everything you see, hear and feel is public knowledge. When Alexander (Simu Liu) discovers his brain has been hacked, he feels compromised not only as a spy but also as a person. Every move he makes must be calculated as he sets out to find his hacker without jeopardizing his mission. Release date: Dec. 27

Cherry (Maika Monroe) struggles with her marriage to her husband (Amir El-Masry), unaware that he has set her up to test her loyalty. While he’s away on business, he hires Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine) to stay in their home and tempt her. Rejecting advance after advance, Cherry confides in her maid Hero (Emma Corrin), and an unexpected relationship blossoms. Release date: Dec. 5

This Ordinary Thing (documentary)

Retrospectives on the Holocaust often linger on the atrocities committed by the Nazis across Europe. This documentary features famous actors reading interviews and letters from everyday heroes who helped others evade capture. A true homage to the notion of “neighbors helping neighbors,” it reflects on the humanity that prevailed during one of history’s darkest chapters. Release date: Dec. 5

The Housemaid (thriller)

Millie (Sydney Sweeney) needs a straightforward job as a housemaid. When she meets Mrs. Winchester (Amanda Seyfried) for an interview, she quickly realizes she’s in for more than she bargained for. The position requires living full time in a house filled with secrets. As Millie discovers odd things around the home and begins to fall for Mr. Winchester (Brandon Sklenar), she starts to question her employment—and her safety. Release date: Dec. 19

BOOKS & NOVELS

House of Day, House of Night By Olga Tokarczuk (fiction) A woman who relocates to a small Polish village at first struggles to find her way in the new town. She soon learns that the key to belonging lies in connecting with her neighbors. Considered a “constellation novel” that pieces together many individuals’ histories, this compilation of short stories brings a community to life through multiple perspectives. Release date: Dec. 2

Friends and Liars By Kit Frick (fiction)

Four estranged friends reunite at a lavish Italian villa for what’s meant to be a glamorous getaway. But as secrets resurface and loyalties crumble, the group becomes entangled in a dangerous game where trust is a luxury no one can afford. A sharp exploration of privilege, deceit and the dark side of old friendships, this twist-filled novel keeps readers guessing until the final page. Release date: Dec. 2

The Sea Captain’s Wife By Tilar J. Mazzeo (nonfiction) Mary Ann Patten and her husband, Joshua, were raised on the sea. The experienced sailors were en route from New York to California via the Drake Passage when Joshua fell ill, and the crew threatened mutiny. Mary Ann took the helm and commandeered the ship through one of the world’s most treacherous oceans. This true story tells the tale of the first woman to command a merchant vessel as captain. Release date: Dec. 9

Unsung heroes

A heart for service

FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD TO THE COMMUNITY, CINDY DRANKOSKI HAS HAD QUITE THE IMPACT

The Lowcountry thrives, thanks to countless volunteers whose efforts often go unnoticed. These unsung heroes are the driving force behind local nonprofits, making a difference in the lives of many. Each month we’ll feature one of these inspiring individuals to highlight their contributions and raise awareness for the organizations they support. Know someone deserving of recognition? Email info@wearelocallife.com, and help us honor the heroes among us.

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STORY BY SHEILA PAZ

For Cindy Drankoski, retirement isn’t about slowing down. It’s about giving back.

After moving from Highland Park, New Jersey, to the Lowcountry three years ago, Cindy and her husband, Rick, started with a simple act of service: tending a plot at Heritage Farm and donating fresh produce to the Deep Well Project food pantry. What began as a way to share their harvest soon grew.

Cindy joined Deep Well as an office volunteer in 2023, greeting clients, listening to their stories and helping connect them with the right resources. Her patience and genuine warmth make everyone who walks through the door feel seen and supported. It didn’t take long before she was taking extra shifts, jumping in wherever needed and updating the organization’s “Red Bible,” a vital reference for volunteers.

Her impact runs deeper still. As an ally in Deep Well’s Circles program, Cindy helps people build pathways out of poverty through mentorship and practical support.

FROM CORPORATE TO COMMUNITY Before retiring, Cindy (left) worked in corporate America as a senior human resources leader. Her expertise now fuels her work with Deep Well’s Circles program, where she leads workshops on resumebuilding and interview skills.

Drawing on her long career as a senior human resources leader, she co-developed a six-part job search series that teaches participants how to create stronger resumes, sharpen their interview skills and boost confidence in the job market.

Cindy’s dedication has made her a quiet force for good in the community; someone who doesn’t just talk about service but lives it. And she’s not doing it alone. Rick often volunteers by her side, the two of them making a dynamic pair whose compassion radiates through every project they take on.

DOUBLE THE IMPACT Cindy and her husband, Rick, share a generous spirit. Together they make a dynamic duo, lending their time and energy wherever it’s needed.

The Deep Well Project: Reaching deep for neighbors in need

The Deep Well Project began in 1973 when a retired public health nurse on Hilton Head Island discovered local families were suffering from illnesses caused by contaminated shallow wells. She launched an effort to dig deeper, cleaner wells, and an organization was born. Today Deep Well provides food, housing assistance, rent and utility support, children’s programs, including Santa Shop, where parents choose gifts for their children during the holidays. If you’re bilingual or have time and heart to spare, Deep Well could use your help. Contact volunteer coordinator Lori Alexander at volunteer@deepwellproject. org to learn more about opportunities to serve.

A CHARITABLE SPIRIT

Known for her warmth and reliability, Cindy often steps in to cover shifts for other volunteers and helps clients leave the office in better spirits than when they arrived.

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What makes them local

adjective. lo·cal | lō-kəl

DANCING KING

Jamal Edwards played the Snow King in Hilton Head Dance

recent production of The

1: characterized by or relating to position in space: having a definite spatial form or location 2: of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place: not general or widespread: of, relating to, or applicable to part of a whole 3: primarily serving the needs of a particular limited district of a public conveyance: making all the stops on a route

Making spirits bright

For professional dancer Jamal Edwards, every step is a celebration of family, faith and festive spirit

STORY BY BECCA EDWARDS + PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF

t’Tis the season for traditions, and as a sixth-generation Gullah Native Islander, Jamal Edwards knows all about legacy. As a professional dancer, he also knows how to interweave tradition and the arts. In celebration of the Hilton Head Dance Theatre’s 40th anniversary season of The Nutcracker, LOCAL Life went behind the scenes with Edwards to learn more about his dance career and how he has shared it with the Lowcountry for decades.

Q: How did you get into dance? A: Through theater. The choreographer of a musical I was in thought I should take dance classes, so I did — and I fell in love with it. I was 13. Dance has carried me through so many different places and phases in my life. It is, and always will be, a part of me.

Q: Tell us about your first Nutcracker performance and the roles you’ve played since. A: My very first year I was 13 and I actually played the Nutcracker. I still remember how exciting it was and how I felt a part of something big. I’ve been the Mouse King a few times and had a great time doing that, too. Can you believe we’ve been bringing this production to the island for 40 years?

Q: What is it about The Nutcracker that makes it so iconic and festive? A: It takes

place on Christmas Eve, so that in itself makes the story festive. I think people love the joy, magic and nostalgia that The Nutcracker brings. It just seems to get people in the holiday spirit, and it’s the kickoff to the holidays here locally.

Q: What other projects are you working on? A: I was an artist-in-residence with Savannah Arts Academy this past fall, and I’m choreographing the musical Bright Star for Hilton Head Christian Academy this spring.

Q: How can our community best support the dance arts in our area? A: By attending shows, spreading the word and giving when possible. Performing is the ultimate prize for dancers. We work hard in classes and rehearsals to bring our best to audiences.

Q: You teach dance and are such a great instructor. Why do you love sharing various dance forms with students? A: I like to give back and also give exposure. We may not always perform a style I teach, but I think it’s important to have a little bit of it all under your belt. Versatility is so important in the dance world today.

Q: What is your motto in life? A: “What’s for you will not pass you by,” meaning what’s meant for you in life will always find its way to you. LL

Local business buzz

What’s new, what’s next and what’s making waves across the Lowcountry

STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

The Lowcountry never sits still, and neither do its businesses. Each month brings fresh reasons to shop local, discover new favorites and cheer on the people shaping our community. Here’s the scoop on what’s buzzing now and what’s about to make waves.

Local jewels create new line Clover and Palm

NOW OPEN

Pediatric care without the wait

Free Range Pediatrics Bluffton Road, Bluffton

Dr. Amanda Janke’s new practice gives Bluffton parents a direct line to their child’s doctor by text, call or video, even after hours. With same-day appointments and inhome visits, Free Range Pediatrics makes quality care personal, convenient and refreshingly stress-free.

Designers Kelly Caron of Kelly Caron Designs and Lissy Rawl of Little Fish Boateak have teamed up to create Clover and Palm, a new jewelry line shaped by their shared Lowcountry sensibilities. With support from the community, the duo now brings their easy, resort-inspired style online (cloverandpalm.com) and to local boutiques, offering a personal collaboration that feels right at home in the Lowcountry.

Head over heels for self-care

Reason to smile

Marshpoint Dentistry Terrace Drive, Okatie

Marshpoint Dentistry blends cutting-edge care with a gentle touch. Tufts-trained Dr. Kezia Jacob and her husband, Dr. Adam, are creating a welcoming space where comfort meets technology. It will be a friendly local practice that makes keeping your teeth healthy feel easy.

The Lavender Lounge Head Spa Oak Forest Road, Bluffton

Soon-to-open Lavender Lounge brings Japan’s head spa trend to Bluffton. Picture plush chairs, soothing scalp massages, tea service and aromatherapy, all designed to help you relax from the top down. You’ll leave with healthier hair, a calmer mind and a small gift to keep the glow going.

FUTURE PROJECTS

Homegrown and growing

Spartina 449 headquarters

Buck Island Road, Bluffton

Local brand Spartina 449 is breaking ground on a 14,100-square-foot headquarters in Bluffton that will unite its creative and business teams. The expansion adds local jobs and proves that great design often begins right here at home.

Pocket-sized paradise

Coligny Circle Pocket Park

Near Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head Island

Construction is underway on a pocket park between the northeast quadrant of Coligny Circle and the Coligny Plaza shopping center, adding shaded seating, improved lighting and a wider multi-use path by 2026. It will be the perfect spot to relax, people-watch and enjoy island life between the beach and the plaza.

Digging into history

Archaeological Research Facility & Auditorium

Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park

Mitchelville Freedom Park is building a research facility and auditorium to honor the nation’s first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people. Once completed, it will welcome visitors, students and scholars to explore the stories that shaped both the Lowcountry and the nation.

Soak it all in

CREATE YOUR OWN CALMING BATH BLENDS FOR THE ULTIMATE NIGHT OF SELF-CARE

STORY BY MACKENZIE LIONBERGER

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Mood-boosting add-ins

Take your soak up a notch with additional ingredients from your pantry or garden.

Coconut oil: Adds hydration and a light tropical scent.

Citrus slices: Orange or lemon brightens your mood and your bath.

Rose petals: For a romantic touch (fresh or dried).

Green tea bags: Antioxidant-rich and soothing for skin.

Sea salt: Detoxifying and naturally exfoliating.

As the days get shorter and the evenings turn cooler, few things feel more comforting than sinking into a warm bath. The heat wraps around you like a hug, your heartbeat slows, and the stress of the day seems to slip right down the drain. Everyone deserves a little selfcare, and with a few simple ingredients you can create your own bath soaks at home.

“Even a simple soak can reset you, and it doesn’t have to be fancy. Just give yourself some time,” said Deb Durrant, owner and licensed massage therapist at Moor Spa Hilton Head.

When it comes to at-home care, Durrant says the secret to a perfect soak is in the details. She believes everyone should have at least one moment each week that’s purely about caring for themselves. Baths, she says, are just as much for the mind as they are for the body. The following are some of her favorite DIY recipes to transform your tub into a personal spa retreat.

DIY SOAKS

CLASSIC COMFORT Himalayan salt and essential oils

For a simple soak that doesn’t take long to prepare, salt baths are an easy way to unwind after a busy day. Himalayan salt contains more than 80 minerals that help smooth skin and ease tight muscles.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Himalayan salt

3-10 drops of your favorite essential oil

DIRECTIONS Add ingredients directly to warm bath water, and stir gently with your hand.

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SILKY SOAK

Homemade mineral milk bath

For soft, glowing skin, add a dose of calcium to your soak. The combination of salt and milk helps hydrate, exfoliate and enhance your skin’s natural radiance.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Himalayan salt

1/2 cup dried milk powder

DIRECTIONS Mix ingredients together in a small bowl. Add the blend to your warm bath, and swirl until dissolved. Soak for 20 minutes, then rinse lightly to reveal smoother, softer skin.

Cozy tips

To turn a regular bath into a restorative ritual, Durrant says the setup matters just as much as the soak. “It’s all about creating an environment that lets you relax,” she said. “That means no phones, soft lighting and zero interruptions.”

Keep it warm: The sweet spot for bath temperature is around 98 degrees; warm enough to relax muscles but gentle on your skin.

Dim the lights: Lower the lighting, or use candles to help your mind unwind. Leave your phone outside the room so nothing pulls you out of your calm.

Wrap up in a robe: Afterward, stay warm and let your skin absorb the moisture. End your evening with a cup of herbal tea or a few deep breaths before bed.

A luxury spa treatment doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. Sometimes all it takes is a handful of salt, a splash of oil and a quiet half hour to yourself. With a few pantry staples, your bath can become a weekly ritual that restores both body and mind.

“You deserve to treat yourself,” Durrant said. “Make it beautiful.”

JUST ADD WATER

A soothing bath soak relaxes tired muscles, eases tension and restores balance to both body and mind, turning an ordinary bath into a moment of pure rejuvenation.

Essential oils to try

A few drops go a long way toward setting the mood and boosting the benefits of your soak. Mix, match, and experiment to find the scent that speaks to your mood or the season. Just keep the total under 10 drops per bath.

Lavender: Calms the mind and helps you unwind before bed. A goto for stress relief and better sleep.

Eucalyptus: Clears sinuses and refreshes tired muscles. Perfect after a long walk on the beach or a cool winter morning.

Lemon: Adds a clean, energizing scent that brightens your mood. It’s like sunshine in a bottle.

Chamomile: Soothes the senses and softens skin. Ideal for winding down on chilly nights.

Peppermint: Cools the body and perks up circulation. Try it when you’re feeling sluggish or sore.

Rose: A touch of romance and luxury. Its floral aroma can lift your spirits and promote relaxation.

Tea Tree: Known for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, this one’s great for post-workout soaks or a mini detox.

Bergamot: A citrus scent with a hint of spice. It helps ease anxiety and boosts positivity.

Ylang Ylang: Sweet and exotic, it promotes a sense of calm while adding a soft, floral note to your bath.

Frankincense: Earthy and grounding, this ancient oil helps clear the mind and deepen relaxation; a perfect choice for mindful soaking. LL

A SOLUTION TO DRY SKIN Oatmeal, lavender and chamomile

Winter’s dry air can be tough on skin, but this soothing mix brings quick relief. Oats soften and protect the skin, while lavender and chamomile add a calming, spa-worthy scent.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup oats

1/4 cup dried lavender

1/4 cup dried chamomile

DIRECTIONS Cut an old pair of pantyhose in half. Fill one leg with the mixture, tie off the end, and let it steep in your bath like a tea bag.

Where cozy meets cool

TURN DOWN THE THERMOSTAT, AND TURN UP YOUR QUALITY OF SLEEP

STORY BY AUDREY GEIB

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Getting a good night’s sleep is about more than the right mattress or soft lighting. It’s written in the air. More specifically, in the temperature of the air.

Debi Lynes, a Hilton Head-based sleep specialist with a Ph.D. in the psychology of spaces and places, explains that the key to feeling and looking your best in the new year starts with sleep.

“Sleep is a really, really important topic,” Lynes said. “And I think it’s becoming more and more of an important topic as we realize that it really is a natural fountain of youth.”

Temperature plays a surprisingly big role in our ability to rest well, Lynes explains, but it’s just one piece of the larger puzzle of healthy sleep.

“Getting a good night’s sleep is probably the single most important thing you can do for yourself when it comes to activities of daily living,” she said. “People who get a good night’s sleep have lower blood pressure. They don’t gain weight as quickly. They have less cognitive decline. They are also able to manage and maintain a positive mindset.”

FIND YOUR SWEET SPOT

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to feel their best. Too little can affect mood, memory and metabolism, while too much may leave you groggy instead of refreshed. Ideally, it should take about 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. Nodding off instantly could mean you’re overtired, while taking longer might signal stress or too much screen time before bed.

Lynes has spent the past decade practicing cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia, using nonmedical therapeutic interventions that address anxiety, worry and poor sleep hygiene.

Sleep hygiene

If you’ve never heard the term “sleep hygiene,” think of it as your nighttime ritual.

“Sleep hygiene includes tools and techniques you can use before you go to bed for an enhanced quality of sleep,” Lynes said. “Doing the same things in the same order each night cues your brain that it’s time for rest.”

The secret ingredient is consistency. Small habits matter, such as taking a warm shower, following a skincare routine or sipping a cup of chamomile tea.

UNWIND OFFLINE Aim for about an hour of screen-free, wind-down time before bed. The blue light from phones and tablets can suppress melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. Instead of scrolling, try reading, gentle stretching or a warm shower to signal your body it’s time to rest.

SCENTS SOOTHE Lavender and chamomile essential oils can help calm the mind and promote deeper, more restful sleep. Other relaxing choices include bergamot for easing anxiety, cedarwood for grounding and sandalwood for quieting the mind.

The science of sleep temperature

If you love cranking up the thermostat on chilly nights, this might be hard to hear. Even in the coziest winter months, Lynes says a cooler environment is key.

In other words, cozy doesn’t mean toasty. It means cool and calm.

“Lower the temperature of your thermostat to 67 or 68 degrees,” Lynes said. “We have to lower our body temperature by one to three degrees in order to get a good night’s sleep.”

Finding your rhythm

Humans are creatures of rhythm, specifically circadian rhythm, the body’s built-in clock that tells us when to feel sleepy and when to perk up.

“When you tell your body predictably, ‘Hey, most nights I’m going to go to sleep at 11, and I’m going to get ready for bed at 10,’ then your body begins to predict that’s your sleep cycle,” Lynes said. “It creates a habit, and that habit gets imprinted, which is called neuroplasticity. You begin to form a new neural circuit around good sleep hygiene and a good sleep habit.”

You don’t have to hit the pillow at exactly 10:05. As long as you go to bed around the same time each night, even if some nights are later than others, it will improve your quality of sleep.

When counting sheep doesn’t cut it

Whether you’re a morning lark or a late-night owl, your sleep style is perfectly normal. However, even the best routines can crumble when the mind won’t shut off.

“Probably the biggest deterrent to sleep is worry,” Lynes said. If you find yourself tossing and turning, she suggests getting out of bed.

“If you lie in bed for 20 minutes and you’re constantly turning, get out of bed,” she said. “Find an activity to do until you get tired again. Usually, that’s about 15 to 20 minutes. Read a magazine or a book, preferably not on a tablet or social media, because you don’t want to rev your brain up again.”

When planning your sleep routine, Lynes says it’s important to aim for at least one long stretch of uninterrupted rest each night.

“Everyone needs four and a half hours of consolidated sleep every day, all the time, to be cognitively and physically restored,” she said. “If you have that, then your brain gets scrubbed clean, and you come back physically stronger and cognitively more aware.” LL

SLEEP STARTER KIT

Local sleep expert Debi Lynes shares her simple recipe for sweeter dreams: Keep it clean: Cozy sheets, no electronic screens and a calm space make for the perfect sleep setup.

Set your rhythm: Try to head to bed and wake up around the same time each day. Your body loves predictability.

Know your window: Work backward from your wakeup time to find your perfect bedtime sweet spot.

•

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Comfort keepers

Meet a few locals who bring warmth, welcome and a little extra coziness to the Lowcountry

fSTORY BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF

Few words in the English language are as quietly and individually evocative as the word cozy. It means something different to everyone — a cottage at the edge of a peaceful dirt road, a private room filled with treasured books, a mountain of pillows with a piping cup of tea waiting on a bedside — and yet it represents the same thing to all of us. It represents comfort. It represents safety. It represents a place where the world can shrink to your immediate surroundings, letting you focus on yourself and leave everything else behind. As temperatures plummet into winter and life seems to get bigger and more complex every day, it represents something we could all use.

When you’re ready to get cozy, here are a few locals who can help you create that perfect space, whatever it looks like to you.

FromourfamilyatCorrellInsuranceGroupofHilton Headtoyours,wewishyouahappyHolidaySeason.

Thistimeoftheyearisperfecttoreflectonthemany blessingswehavereceived,aswellaslookforwardto opportunitiesthatlieahead.Ourblessingsbeginwith you…ourcommunity.

Wecouldnotsucceedwithoutyourcontinuedsupport. Itistrulyourpleasuretoservetheinsuranceneedsof theLowcountry.

Werealizethatinthecomingyear,theinsurance marketconditions willbringdifficultchallenges,but restassured,wewillbehereforyou,tohelpyoumake informeddecisionsforyourbusinessesandfamilies.

EnjoytheHolidaySeasonwithyourfamilyandfriends sharingthegoodtimesasyoulookforwardtoaneven brighterfuture.

Melissa Monge and Sarah Brown

These lifelong friends turned a shared spark into a cozy, scented getaway

cCozy is more than a state of mind. It’s a state of sensation, a culmination of stimuli that evokes deep, full-body comfort: the crackle of a fire, autumn raindrops streaking the windows, the warmth of wool socks and the flavor of hot tea.

The thing is, these experiences aren’t just sights or sounds. They’re scents. The gentle woodsmoke drifting from the fireplace, the petrichor of rain, the florals rising from the tea. Only when these scents swirl through the air can we truly consider ourselves cozy.

That subtle science of scent and sensibility is what drove Melissa Monge and Sarah Brown to launch Sea Love Hilton Head. The boutique and candle bar lets guests create their own scented candles, blending more than 100 fragrances by instinct or with guidance from a scent stylist.

“It’s been amazing. Now that we’ve been through our second full year, we’re seeing a lot of families who come back every summer because this has become a part of their vacation,” said Brown.

“We’re not just here to make candles,” Monge added. “We’re here to be a gathering place for different celebrations.”

The idea of opening Sea Love here began when Monge and her husband, Jeremy Modzelewski, visited a Sea Love location in New Hampshire. Monge immediately saw the need for a boutique on Hilton Head Island — and she knew exactly who to call.

“Sarah and I know each other through family. My cousin Maddison is her best friend,” Monge said. “She happened to be visiting the island and was looking for a change.”

Brown, who grew up in Cape May, New Jersey, with Monge, found herself in the right place at the right time.

“When she came home from that trip, she was telling me about Sea Love. How it’s more than an activity; it’s an experience. I thought it was such a great, creative, fun, enticing idea,” said Brown. “I thought it was the greatest idea ever.”

The two Jersey girls joined forces, with Monge as owner and Brown as owner/operating partner, assembling a team of certified scent stylists and honing a craft that blends natural soybased ingredients into aromas that capture and create memories.

In the end, the perfect candle is more than a scent. It’s a memory you blend yourself, whether it recalls a sunny beach day or something warm for quiet nights at home. Strike the match, and the glow brings your version of cozy to life.

Main Street Medical is a premier urgent care and family practice serving individuals and families in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Led by Joel Johnson III, MD, the team aims to treat all their patients with dignity and compassion by providing comprehensive medical care services that promote a healthy community.

A physician-owned practice, Main Street Medical has a large team of health care professionals able to provide a wide variety of services that include both primary and urgent care. In addition to adult and pediatric care, the team also provides women’s care, x-rays, laboratory services, medication assistance, and employment physicals.

being fully informed.

Our mission and our passion is to make a difference, one

faces

Smells like coziness

tThere are both an art and a science to creating the perfect cozy space. Once you’ve feathered your nest, the final touch is a scent that’s uniquely yours. We asked Monge and Brown to suggest blends that evoke olfactory bliss.

For a classic book nook:

“I always go with my favorite, which would be honeysuckle,” said Monge. “It depends on how sweet you want it. Lemon Verbena is another favorite that gives you that clean smell. Then you can add in Champagne, which is very dreamy.”

For that window seat where you watch the colors change:

“I would say apple, chai tea and cinnamon. It gives off really nice fall vibes,” Brown said. “I have that in my house right now.”

For a no-judgment man cave:

“For a lot of men, they’ll go with something like sandalwood,” Monge said. “Then you can throw in something like old books for that library scent that pulls the natural tones out of the sandalwood. It’s a very creamy wood smell that’s also soft and earthy.”

faces

Michele Kay Greene

This needlework shop owner offers a cozy refuge for quiet minds and open hearts

sSometimes cozy is a solitary pursuit. Other times, it’s built through community. When she purchased Needlepoint Junction in the Village at Wexford, Michele Kay Greene didn’t just invest in a business nearly 40 years strong. She inherited a community of needlepoint enthusiasts who immediately welcomed her into the fold.

“I fell in love with the artform of needlepoint. It took a while because I didn’t stitch, but I knew color and design. But the community that was here really embraced me,” she said. The feeling was mutual. “It’s been great having this community that’s surrounded me and taken care of me in my times of need, like when my dad passed, or in good times, like when my husband and I got married. You don’t get that everywhere.”

Needlepoint, Greene says, is far more than following a pattern. It’s “yoga of the mind.”

“Your basic needlepoint stitches are very calming. Once you get into it, it can be very methodical ... it gives you the ability to just slow down with no distractions,” she said. “Even though you might bring something into that space, maybe you’re dealing with a sick family member or something, it’s a place everyone can come in and say, ‘This is what’s going on in my life’ without being judged.”

Within those shared moments, a tapestry of community is woven. While the art on the canvas may look intricate, the real artistry lies in the connections formed.

“I write a Sunday newsletter that’s very guttural... it’s just about letting people know they belong,” Greene said. “And every week people will call, email or text to share their own stories. That’s the beauty of this community. It’s cozying up to like-minded people. We all have our own life stories.

STITCHED WITH HEART For nearly 40 years Needlepoint Junction has been a creative hub for knitters, crocheters and stitchers. When Michele Kay Greene moved here from Boston in 2014, she bought the shop on a leap of faith, learned to stitch and soon expanded into a larger space at The Village at Wexford. Today it’s a bright, colorful gathering place that fosters a tight-knit community of crafters, young and old.

faces

Crafting a cozy spot

wWhile she’s now immersed in needlepoint, Greene didn’t arrive there in a straight line.

“My parents were living down here, and the opportunity came to buy a store I knew nothing about. But I jumped at it. I had said I never wanted to go back into retail after spending a lovely amount of time being laid off in the tech industry,” she said with a laugh. “I sort of fell into this thing I knew nothing about, and it’s become a saving grace. It’s been so healing.”

It took years to find her voice as an artist, but she was guided by the community now woven into her life.

“You belong. It’s welcoming people of every background. I just care about what’s in your heart, and you’re welcome into my heart,” she said. “What brings us together is the stitching. There are needlepoint police, but I’m not them. How you feel about it is different than how I feel about it.”

From knowing next to nothing about needlepoint to becoming the center of a thriving creative community, Greene welcomes anyone willing to pick up a needle.

William C. “Bill” Fuge, II, of Kinghorn Insurance Agency was named the Hayne P. Glover, Jr. Agent of the Year in recognition for outstanding community service and contributing to the betterment of the insurance industry by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of SC (IIABSC) during their 127th Annual Convention held earlier this month at the Westin Resort & Spa on Hilton Head Island, SC.

Bill truly embodies the values of dedication, service, and community connection that define excellence in our industry.

His deep roots in the Lowcountry have shaped not only his professional path but also his unwavering commitment to the people and businesses he serves.

Whether advising clients, mentoring colleagues, or volunteering in the community, Bill approaches every endeavor with integrity and purpose. His passion for helping others is matched by the genuine relationships he builds. Clients trust him not only for his knowledge, but for his honesty, accessibility, and personal investment in their wellbeing.

IIABSC, with statewide membership of approximately 350 insurance agenciesandbrancho ces,isthestate’soldestandlargestassociation of independent

agents. Their members are small business owners who represent more than one insurance company and sell all types of insurance. As a result, they can o er clients a wider, trusted choice of auto, home, business, life and health insurance products.

faces

Blake and Jimmy Schmid

This couple helps keep island celebrations warm, cozy and well-stocked

tThis time of year, cozy often comes in a glass. It might be toasting small victories with friends or lingering over a bottle in a space that feels both elegant and familiar. At Rollers Wine & Spirits, those moments are part of the experience.

For more than 65 years, Hilton Head locals have turned to Rollers for everything from holiday toasts to everyday celebrations. Today, under the ownership of Blake and Jimmy Schmid, the island’s iconic wine and spirits destination feels more inviting than ever. The couple has carried forward the legacy of one of Hilton Head’s first family-owned businesses while adding fresh energy and a true sense of place.

“I’ve always enjoyed spirits and learning the ins and outs of business. Working alongside John (Kelsey, former owner of Rollers) for so long allowed me to feel like I could take it on,” said Jimmy. “I’ve worked very hard to be in this position, and it is humbling to be next in line."

Jimmy joined Rollers in 2011 and grew alongside the business. Blake built her own following through her boutique, Coastal Bliss. Together they have created deep ties to the community, and those roots now extend to their own children.

Step inside their Palmetto Bay Road location and the appeal is instant. Picture Gatsby-esque charm with Lowcountry warmth. Guests can rent a private booth for an intimate night, take a seat at the stylish wine bar or settle into the garden patio.

“We’re an on-prem where you can shop and drink, and every day of the week we have people here enjoying wine and cheese,” Blake said.

Rollers is known for its curated selection, from hard-to-find wines and craft beer to distinctive barrel picks. Jimmy has grown this program into one of the shop’s biggest strengths.

“We started that a few years back, but we’re really blowing it out now,” Jimmy said. “This year alone, we’ve combined forces with partners to complete more than 80 barrel picks. It’s been huge for us.”

With Blake now fully focused on Rollers and Jimmy elevating the spirits program, the experience continues to evolve. The atmosphere is warm, relaxed and rooted in community.

Whether it is a glass of whiskey that feels like a hug or an espresso martini that kicks off your evening, Rollers offers a cozy escape that invites you to slow down and savor the season.

Blake and Jimmy Schmid are honored to deliver that comfort one glass at a time.

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Ar tisan Custom Homes blends timeless Souther n design with meticulous craftsmanship. Ever y home is tailored to your lifestyle - built with quality materials and thoughtful design. From open f loor plans to wide front porches, we bring your vision to life with Lowcountr y char m and precision.

tA local twist on the midnight toast

The season naturally ends with a countdown, a cheer and the familiar pop of a champagne cork. If you want your New Year’s Eve toast to feel a little more Lowcountry, Rollers Wine and Spirits has just the thing: Lowcountry Bubbles.

“We had it bottled through our local distributor, but it’s real brut from France,” said co-owner Blake Schmid. “Local sommelier and artist Margaret Pearman designed the label for us.”

That label is a celebration on its own, featuring Bluffton Mayor Larry Toomer’s well-known shrimp boat, Daddy’s Girls. Inside the bottle is brut from the Limoux region of France, where monks crafted the world’s first sparkling wines in the 15th century. The result is vibrant, floral and refreshing.

Fall and winter also bring peak oyster season to the Lowcountry, and these bubbles make an ideal pairing. Limoux predates Champagne as a sparkling-wine region, giving this bottle a little history to go with its holiday cheer.

Whatever your preference, whether wine, beer or spirits, the right pour adds comfort to a chilly night. Whether you’re toasting at midnight or enjoying a quiet sip by the fire, it’s an easy way to make the holidays feel a little cozier.

TRULY LASTS GIVETHEGIFTTHAT

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Fromoutdoorfireplacestoprivatepoolsideputting greens,Earthworkscreatestimelessspacesthatbring craftsmanship,comfort,andentertainment-notjustfor theholidays,butforeveryseasontocome.

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Asaspecial holidaygift fromourteamtoyou,weare pleasedtooffera 15%discountonyournextprojectwith Earthworks.Pleasecallustodayfordetailsandtoschedule youronsiteconsultation.

BRASS LININGS

Contrasting the kitchen’s cooltoned surfaces, brass accents glint with warmth on the counter stool arms, wall-art frames and statement pendants hanging overhead. Designer Sarah Kowalski says mixing materials throughout a room, even in small details like a brass cocktail shaker, creates unity in otherwise mismatched spaces.

Go for bold

A DARING MIX OF MATERIALS TAKES THIS 'MODERN MOUNTAIN' SHOWROOM TO NEW HEIGHTS

STORY BY ALEA WILKINS + PHOTOS BY BECCA BOND

A room this complex doesn’t come together by chance. To layer striking patterns, textures, vintages and color palettes in an orderly fashion requires precise planning. Intentionality is the name of the game, and Sarah Kowalski, lead designer at J. Banks Design Group, is a pro. For a mountainside showhouse in Cashiers, North Carolina, she transformed the foyer, living room and kitchen into a modern cabinet of curiosities, an exciting blend of rustic materials, safari prints and teal, teal, teal.

“In the case of a designer showhouse, you can go a little more unexpected, a little more bold,” she says. Every corner has a surprise in store: olive cowhide counter stools, reversible throw pillows and copper-hued pottery from a Hilton Head artist all find their place. Bringing together so many distinct elements risks gaudiness, but when thoughtfully curated, the effect is sophisticated and arresting.

“It’s a fine line of finding things that will go together, but I didn’t want the room to be one note. I wanted to find a way to bring in different elements,” she says.

Kowalski’s project exemplifies maximalism at its most refined, not simply a collage of styles but the creation of a new one altogether.

living

Wow factor

In every corner where convention might call for restraint, Kowalski chooses boldness. The space reads like an elaborate “I Spy” spread. Below sits a poured-glass coffee table; above hang beehive-shaped lanterns crafted from coconut shells. Through careful design, every distinct feature comes into perfect harmony. From the start, Kowalski’s natural inclination toward texture guided her.

“It allows you more freedom and flexibility to pair it with other things because you’re not locked into one tone or material,” she says. The home’s architecture also played a role. Its marble and dark wood finishes inspired her to go modern, though she insists, “I don’t believe modern has to be cold.”

Instead, Kowalski paired rustic pottery with abstract tables and layered cozy rugs beneath sleek ottomans. Like a home that evolves over time, her mix of contrasting pieces reflects a lived-in feel, a more organic arrival to the present rather than a showroom snapshot. “I don’t love things that are perfectly matched,” she says. “I want it to feel collected, not like someone designed and purchased it all at once.”

The result feels alive. The lily pad coffee tables, named for their rounded tiers, suggest gatherings such as game nights, where every drink needs a spot, or family reunions where generations mingle and disperse. On the backs of the counter stools, Kowalski tied small teal tassels as her stylistic signature. It’s a subtle touch, but to her, it completes the story.

“It’s down to the fine details,” she says. “They may seem subtle at first, but people appreciate that next level.”

Here every piece is purposeful. Deliberate decision-making brings chaos into cohesion, and there’s a method to maximalism. When done strategically, design doesn’t follow rules. It makes them. LL

ROOM OF THE MONTH

Fresh start

A

transformational full renovation reoriented

this

home

REFINED FUNCTION

Warm wood cabinetry, veined marble and brass hardware strike a balance between elegance and ease in this reimagined kitchen. Once cramped and closed off, it now flows effortlessly into the living space.

around what matters most: unhurried time together

STORY BY ALEA WILKINS + PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE

wWhen a fixer-upper needs more than a little love, sometimes it’s best to start over. In the case of this Spring Island home, damaged window seals, narrow corridors and structural missteps called for a serious refresh. The team at Bellwether Design + Build was up for the challenge, transforming the living space and kitchen from nearly unusable to a favorite gathering place. Surrounded by the serene Colleton River, the renovated home feels not just redone but reborn.

Inside, a neutral coastal palette lets the view do the talking. Crisp white walls provide the perfect backdrop for sunsets viewed from the living room’s plush seating, while wicker accents and palm arrangements bring the outdoors in. At its center, a rug in warm blues, greens and creams grounds the cozy atmosphere, and wooden beams overhead complete the look. Together the elements create a space that feels pristine and inviting, refreshed and ready to be filled with new memories.

To revive the kitchen, Bellwether had to break down walls. What was once a narrow space isolated from the living room now opens into a light, breathable and fully functional cooking haven. Lightly stained wood cabinetry mirrors the living room’s bright palette, while a stormy marble backsplash adds subtle contrast.

Overhead a dropped wood ceiling conceals the steel beams needed to support the structure. Its white planks lend a beachy, boardwalk vibe, and large windows let the sunshine pour in. Before, the kitchen could hardly accommodate dinner for one. Now, it’s an entertaining hub of its own. More than a cleanup or cosmetic update, this renovation was a total reset and a new beginning built to last.

STYLISH STORAGE

Weaving functionality with fashion, this wicker hamper adds style to the laundry station. Traditional African art inspired its dynamic, durable structure, and when topped with a matching lid, even dirty socks can’t distract from the space’s spotless design.

THIS WAY AND THAT

Out or in? This Dutch door, painted in Farrow and Ball's Drawing Room Blue, lets you have both. Demonstrated by Maisey Mae, the halves make the perfect window to the backyard when wall space is tight. Open the top to let in a cool breeze, or pull back the bottom like it’s the ultimate doggy door.

Against the herringbone brick floor, this vintage rug builds tonal and textural contrast. Streaks of light yellow, orange and blue enhance the industrial Savannah Gray brick, and the wool is soft enough to make laundry day a little more enjoyable.

Stop and stare

STYLISH ACCENTS TAKE THIS MUDROOM FROM A PASSING POINT TO A SPACE WORTH LINGERING IN

STORY BY ALEA WILKINS + PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTIN YODER

Who says a mudroom can’t make a grand entrance? When Leslie Trenta, interior designer and owner of Marsh on the May, curated the laundry room and back entrance of her home in Old Town Bluffton, she chose pieces that are both practical and playful. Herringbone brick floors lay a durable foundation, while vibrant patterns and paints, along with her companion and model, Maisey Mae, add plenty of personality. It’s an invitation not just to the home but to all the life inside it.

WOMAN’S BEST FRIEND

Leslie’s biggest piece of style advice is to display meaningful things that make you happy. This needlepoint wall art does exactly that. A handmade gift from a friend, this nod to her love for dogs works surprisingly well against the wallpaper’s busy backdrop, adding a pop of color and a reason to smile when walking out the door.

CAROLINA GOLD

Where an ordinary coat hook would do, Trenta chose one with flair. The gold hook sparkles against the colorful wallpaper, and when balanced with the door’s hardware, it serves as a tasteful finishing touch.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER Plumage always adds a bit of pizazz, and this flamboyant wallpaper comes squawking with its own attitude from the UK. Depicting rows of pheasants perched atop sloping leaves, the pattern creates a lush, exotic scene that somehow feels right at home in the Lowcountry.

Outdoor living, redefined

Transform an ordinary backyard into an entertainment haven in three easy steps

STORY BY ALEA WILKINS + PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH TURNER

For all its gorgeous views and open-air splendor, an empty Lowcountry backyard can feel as daunting as a blank page. Unlike the physical walls and borders inside the home, outdoor design options are limitless. Where will people gather? What’s the ideal spot for a grill? Should there be a pool? To ease the stress of planning the perfect back yard, local experts Bryan Barrs and Elizabeth Turner of Earthworks break it down into three simple steps.

GLOWING REVIEWS

A chimney is a surefire way to enchant guests all night long. The climbing brick tower serves as the focal point of this Habersham backyard, its warm glow inviting visitors to gather around. Cozy enough for winter oyster roasts and summer soirées alike, this elegant fire feature lights up Lowcountry living.

2 . Work from the ground up

A strong foundation can make or break your back yard. When laying the groundwork, a little investment goes a long way. “Choosing quality materials, from pavers and natural stone to custom-built kitchens, set the tone for luxury and longevity,” Barrs says. First, ensure your space will withstand years of wear and tear. Then the decorating can begin. If design isn’t your forte, an easy style hack is to work with what you already have. “Carry similar materials, colors and textures outdoors so your space feels like a natural extension of your interior,” Turner suggests. Like this distinctive Dylan’s Point patio, home exteriors should reflect the homeowner’s unique personality and taste. Built on a steady foundation, it can continue to delight for years to come.

1 . Start with a vision

When designing your ideal outdoor space, the best place to start is at the end by envisioning your dream back yard. Ask yourself how you will use it. “Every great outdoor space begins with intention,” Turner says. “Think beyond plants, and consider how you’ll live outdoors.” For the homeowners and avid golfers of this Okatie River retreat, a poolside putting green is right on par. If quiet mornings call your name, prioritize a cozy spot to take in the view. Beyond imagining what you’d use the back yard for, also consider when you’d use it. As the seasons change, think about how to enjoy the space in all types of weather, prioritizing features that make it inviting year-round.

3 . Look ahead

Even before the first shovel hits the ground, it’s smart to plan for the future. Outdoor spaces require consistent maintenance to preserve their beauty and functionality, so homeowners should consider how much care they can realistically manage before diving in. “Regular maintenance, from turf health to seasonal color and fertilization, protects your investment and keeps your landscape performing at its best,” Barrs says. If the idea of tending lush gardens or balancing spa chemicals sounds like too much hassle, it’s better to understand those demands before construction begins. This Palmetto Bluff back yard packs a bocce court, fire pit and pizza oven into an easily mowable lawn, minimizing upkeep while maximizing fun. Every outdoor space needs some consistent care, but a dream back yard should help you unwind, not stress you out. By following these first few steps, your outdoor paradise is within reach.

Golden light, restful nights

CHEERFUL COLOR AND CLEVER DESIGN MAKE THE 2025 HGTV DREAM HOME TWIN GUEST ROOM A COZY RETREAT FOR GUESTS OF ANY AGE

tSTORY BY LANCE HANLIN + PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY HGTV

The final stop on our yearlong tour of the 2025 HGTV Dream Home at Berkeley Hall proves that color and creativity can transform even a small space into something special. Designed by Court Atkins Group, built by Shoreline Construction and styled by HGTV’s Brian Patrick Flynn, this upstairs retreat blends comfort, craftsmanship and just the right amount of whimsy.

Storage with style

Flynn proves that smart design doesn’t have to be costly. Inside the reachin closet, he swapped traditional built-ins for a pair of rattan and mahogany console tables, placed neatly beneath the hanging rod. The result is flexible, beautiful storage that anyone can replicate. Double-paneled doors make it easy to access the entire space at once, offering a clear view of everything inside.

GET THE LOOK

Paint: Sherwin-Williams

Convivial Yellow (SW 6393), Sherwin-Williams Stucco (SW 7569)

Celine 2 Drawer Nightstand ($605)

Philo Solid Wood Accent Stool ($499)

Sleep Number Smart Twin Bed ($1,298)

Sleep Number Integrated Base ($399)

Trinsic Pull Down Bathroom Faucet ($436)

Delta Trinsic Tub Shower Trim ($327)

It begins with a design trick called color drenching, where the walls and pitched ceiling share the same buttery hue of Sherwin-Williams Convivial Yellow. The effect is soft and seamless, wrapping the room in warmth so your eye settles on the feeling rather than the corners. Add a gallery wall, a few clever storage touches and a crisp, modern bath, and you have a guest room that feels both sunny and serene.

Perfectly paired

Two Sleep Number smart twin beds anchor the room, each framed by mango-wood and rattan headboards that bring coastal texture. Navy-checked bedding balances the yellow walls, while reversible duvets and sunny accent pillows make it easy to switch up the look. Between the beds a Celine two-drawer nightstand with a textured white finish offers polish and practicality. Three windows and a pair of solarpowered skylights flood the room with light. The skylights feature impact glass for protection and built-in shades that turn day into night with the touch of a button. Woven Roman shades soften the daylight and add a natural layer of texture, while plush neutral carpet keeps things quiet and cozy.

A bath that flows

The attached bathroom continues the home’s signature palette with a washed-blue vanity topped in white cultured marble. A wavy-framed mirror introduces sculptural contrast, while blueand-white shower tiles echo the bedroom’s cheerful tones. The matte-black Trinsic faucet and shower trim pair striking looks with practical performance, providing strong water pressure and consistent temperature. Touches of gold and art elevate the space, including a graphic print by Robert Kamnatnik that brings pattern and personality to the neutral walls. A modern tub and ADA-height toilet complete a bath that’s as accessible as it is elegant.

Natural harmony

Cozy up your holiday décor with a neutral palette that’s equal parts calm and classic

STORY BY LANCE HANLIN

sSome rooms shine without a single strand of tinsel. This soft, sophisticated holiday setting proves that subtle shades can still sparkle. Walls painted in Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige create a warm, welcoming backdrop that feels relaxed and natural. Trim and mantel in Benjamin Moore White Dove add just enough contrast to keep the look fresh. Together the two neutrals form a simple foundation that lets texture, greenery and golden accents take center stage. The pairing feels comfortable and collected, perfect for festive gatherings or quiet evenings at home with the tree aglow.

Get the look ...

You don’t need bold colors to make a room feel festive. Focus on texture and craftsmanship instead. Layer soft neutrals with burlap, lace and linen, then add warmth through thoughtful details. A pair of lace-covered chairs brings vintage charm and comfort, creating a perfect spot for conversation or cocoa.

Dress a hearth-style mantel with garlands made of wheat or dried grasses, and add cone-shaped trees wrapped in fringe or jute for dimension. On the mantel, group candles of varying heights and patterns to create a gentle, flickering glow. A wreath of preserved leaves and berries ties it all together with a touch of nature.

At the base, brown paper packages tied with string and trimmed with lace lend handmade charm. A few nostalgic pieces like a teddy bear or a Santa figurine add heart and personality. Neutral curtains frame the space and draw the eye toward the soft glow of the walls.

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS ACCESSIBLE BEIGE (SW 7036)

Soft and grounded, this greige tone bridges warm and cool, making it a perfect choice throughout the year. In daylight it gives off a subtle glow. At night it deepens into a cozy neutral that flatters candlelight and greenery. Choose an eggshell finish for a soft, washable sheen that suits living spaces beautifully.

TRIM AND MANTEL

MOORE WHITE DOVE (OC-17)

This creamy white pairs effortlessly with Accessible Beige without feeling stark. It highlights molding and mantel details while reflecting just the right amount of light. A satin finish will help those architectural elements stand out and make post-holiday cleanup simple.

Keep the tree simple and natural with ivory ornaments, wooden stars and hints of gold that shimmer softly in the light. A plush rug and pale wood flooring echo the sandy tones of the shoreline, grounding the space in natural beauty.

The finished look feels welcoming and effortless, a quiet celebration of the season’s charm. It’s a space that invites you to slow down, sip something warm and enjoy the kind of easy, coastal comfort that feels right at home in the Lowcountry.

Our Residential Storm Shutters provide year-round protection and timeless style, because safety should always look this good.

The art of cozy

LOCAL DESIGNERS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE WAYS TO MAKE SPACES FEEL WARM, INVITING AND LIVED-IN

STORY BY AUDREY GEIB + PHOTO BY MOLLY ROSE

a

As cooler weather rolls in and gatherings move indoors, comfort becomes the ultimate luxury. We asked local interior designers how they bring a sense of warmth into every corner, from the glow of good lighting to the softness of a well-placed throw. Their answers prove that cozy is more than a style; it’s a feeling.

Build warmth from the ground up

For interior designer Deborah Van Plew of Court Atkins Group, coziness begins beneath your feet and grows upward through thoughtful layers.

“Try pairing a natural woven rug with a patterned one for texture and warmth underfoot. It’s an easy way to bring depth and character to any room,” she said. “Add throw blankets and plush pillows to seating areas for instant coziness.”

Her approach centers on comfort through balance and connection. “Nothing says cozy like a room that invites conversation,” she said. “Matching lamps, mirrors or end tables on either side of a fireplace or sofa create balance, a quiet kind of order that feels instantly peaceful.”

Design for comfort and connection

For interior designer Taylor Stone of Group 3 Designs, coziness is as much about how people interact as how a room looks. “I believe that coziness is deeply rooted in connection, which can be challenging in large open-concept living spaces that have been popular,” she says. “By creating distinct, smaller seating zones, often multiple within one room, you can create warmth and intimacy within any space. This approach also maintains flexibility to open up the area for larger gatherings as needed.”

Stone’s designs prove that creating togetherness doesn’t mean sacrificing style. By carving out small, intentional spaces within larger rooms, she ensures that comfort always has a seat at the table.

COLLECTED COMFORT Designer

Layer texture where people touch

For Leah England, owner and lead designer of Bellweather Design + Build, coziness lives in the tactile and the tangible. “Layer texture where people touch: a chunky knit throw, a wool rug, a leather log basket. Mixing nubby, smooth and natural keeps the room feeling lived-in instead of staged,” she said.

England views the fireplace as the soul of the home. “A great fireplace doesn’t just heat the room. It pulls people in and makes them stay,” she says.

“Arrange seating within about eight to 10 feet of the fire: a sofa facing the fireplace and two chairs angled in. Everyone gets warmth, everyone sees the flames.”

For her, comfort also comes through materials and tone. “Firelight is soft and low, and everything around it should support that,” England explains.

“Choose matte, textured materials such as plaster, smoothed concrete, brick, or visible-grain wood, and use warm, earthy tones like cream, camel or olive.”

Let lighting lead the mood

Joni Burden, senior designer of J. Banks Design, believes that lighting is one of the easiest ways to transform a room’s atmosphere. “Add lamps and smaller lighting throughout your home,” she said. “Use a softer bulb or even an amber bulb for a warmer light, and it’s friendlier for your circadian rhythm.”

She also focuses on comfort through thoughtful details. “Add coasters and smaller side tables to reading nooks and other areas so that you can set a nice cup of coffee anywhere in the house,” she says. “There is nothing better than a big, fluffy rug in a living room. As designers, we love to think about the feel and use of what we place.”

Even without a fireplace, Burden says there are simple ways to bring in that signature glow. “Use a few candles in various areas to create that signature cozy glow,” she says. “Candlesticks on dining tables or mantles, and scented candles that add to both the light and the ambiance.”

Bringing it all together

Across the board, these designers agree that creating a cozy home is about appealing to the senses and the soul. Comfort is about how a space feels, not just how it looks. Cozy, they remind us, is built intentionally. One rug, one chair, one soft glow at a time.

New comfort NOSTALGIA MEETS COASTAL CHARM

Often dubbed “granny style” or “grandma core,” this wave of nostalgic design celebrates comfort, character and the charm of well-loved things. In the Lowcountry it’s finding a natural home, where coastal ease meets collected, story-filled interiors.

Designer Hannah Fulton of J. Banks Design says the appeal lies in how the look brings a personal, memory-filled touch to modern spaces.

“Granny style can really be reminiscent of nostalgia in any way and is applicable to the coastal design aesthetic,” Fulton explained.

“Whether it’s an heirloom antique or more kitschy pattern play, we know grandmas have good taste! And that’s why so many trends are coming back today. In coastal design it’s more about a sense of place than a certain look or obtuse accessories like a bowl of shells. There’s modern coastal, traditional coastal and everything in between.”

its wallpapered ceiling,

by Group 3 Designs captures the heart of the “grandma-core” aesthetic in a modern way.

That sense of place shines through in layered interiors: patterned wallpaper, ruffled textiles and heirloom accents balanced by clean lines and airy palettes.

At Group 3, interior designer Taylor Stone has noticed clients embracing similar ideas, using sentimental pieces in fresh, expressive ways.

“I find this general look showing up in the Lowcountry in several ways,” she said. “Clients are often re-covering their antique or inherited furnishings with bold/colorful ornamental patterns to work within their more modern homes. Also, the use of chinoiserie as accents is popular, as shown in this client's home, where we displayed their fine china as art on the wall in a breakfast nook.”

The result is a look that feels both nostalgic and new, proof that comfort never goes out of fashion. LL

Love in every stitch

QUILTERS, KNITTERS AND CROCHETERS CRAFT COMFORT IN THE LOWCOUNTRY

STORY BY AUDREY GEIB

t

There’s a friendly rivalry stitched through the Lowcountry this season. Quilters, knitters and crocheters all claim their craft is the coziest. One side hums to the rhythm of a sewing machine, another clicks along to the sound of needles, and the third loops away with a single trusty hook. But no matter the method, the result is the same: warmth, beauty and a whole lot of love.

The quilter’s touch

Across the Lowcountry quilters gather with bright fabrics, stories and smiles. Many say quilting found them at the perfect time. It often came after children were grown, during life transitions or at moments when a new rhythm was needed.

“When life is in pieces, make a quilt,” said Claudia Buckingham, a member of the Palmetto Quilt Guild, whose stitches helped her heal after loss.

Doo Weidman joined the guild in 1996 and stays for the friendship she’s found there.

“It’s the camaraderie,” Weidman said. “We’re here together, working and just chatting.”

At guild meetings quilters show off recent creations and trade stories about their latest projects. It might be a baby blanket for a new grandchild, a patriotic design for the country’s anniversary or a bright throw stitched from heirloom fabric to hold loved ones close.

Pat Thompson, president of the Palmetto Quilt Guild, said quilting’s appeal lies not just in creativity, but in comfort.

“You can make quilts that are heavyweight or lightweight,” Thompson said. “In the winter they’re nice to wrap up in and snuggle with, but even in the summer, when the air conditioning is on and you suddenly realize you’re kind of cold, you can have a lighter-weight quilt on the sofa.”

For Donna Simmons quilting began as a family project that became a lifelong passion. She now quilts with her husband, who runs the long-arm quilting machine in their home studio. Together they’ve turned it into a small side business.

STITCHED TO

ASK ME WHY.

Simmons’ latest piece, a quilt titled Test Pattern, is both a tribute to her late father, who once sold and repaired televisions, and a cherished memory.

At Island Quilters, Hilton Head’s only quilt shop, owner Beth Ridder and her colleague Patsy Mason welcome both beginners and seasoned makers.

“Even if you’re not a quilter, you can come in here and make an apron, a pillow or a tote bag,” Mason said.

She remembers being hesitant to try quilting herself until a friend gave her advice she still shares nearly a decade later.

“If you can sew a straight line, you can quilt,” Mason laughed. “So I made the first one, and that was it. I took off from there, and now I’ve made hundreds of quilts.”

APRON ARTISTRY

Palmetto Quilt Guild member

Claudia Buckingham poses with one of her recent creations, a reversible quilted apron.

At Play Custom Home Technology and Coastal Lighting Studio, our work goes beyond the beauty of the home. It’s driven by something deeper — service. To our clients. To our community. And to a legacy that matters. Our entire team is unified by a higher purpose: To serve those who serve others.

That purpose now lives even stronger in honor of Jillian Angner, a loving mother, daughter, and light in every room she entered— whose life was taken too soon by a senseless act of violence.

Through her foundation, we carry forward her spirit of compassion, empowerment, and protection for others.

A handmade quilt is more than fabric and thread. It’s art you can cozy up with.

“Quilts are like hugs,” Ridder said with a smile.

“There’s a coziness to them that you can’t replicate.”

That coziness comes from the love and care put into every stitch.

“Every stitch is conscious, and if you’re making it for someone, you’re thinking of them with every stitch,” said Lisa Jacobson, a Palmetto Quilt Guild member and Lowcountry local.

The tie that binds

As for which craft wins the “coziest” crown, no one group prevails. A handmade quilt draped over a couch, a knit sweater wrapped tight against the chill or a crocheted baby blanket tucked around a newborn all carry the same message. Love lives in these stitches.

This season, whether you reach for a needle, a hook or a stack of fabric squares, you are joining a long Lowcountry tradition of crafting comfort. In the end cozy isn’t just something you feel. It’s something you make, one thoughtful stitch at a time.

The knitter’s and crocheter’s rhythm

While quilters fill studios with fabric, knitters and crocheters make their magic almost anywhere. They can be found curled up on the couch, sitting on front porches or working during family movie nights. Their crafts fit easily into everyday life, quiet enough for conversation but focused enough to calm the mind.

Following patterns, counting stitches and learning new techniques offer both mindfulness and mental exercise. Studies show knitting and crocheting can boost brain health, sharpen memory and help prevent dementia by keeping the mind active and engaged.

Yet for most, the greatest benefit isn’t scientific; it’s emotional.

“It’s cheaper than therapy,” said Janet Briggs, laughing. “It is truly therapeutic. When you are sad and depressed, it is so helpful. Your brain is solving one problem while working on another.”

Caitlin Piette said she loves the coziness of knitting and the ability to multitask.

“I have other things I like to do, whether that’s reading or sewing, but with knitting I can still be with my family and engaging,” Piette said.

And just like quilters, knitters and crocheters gather in small circles across the Lowcountry, swapping stories as they work diligently on their next creations. Some make hats for grandkids; others, a cute new sweater for apple picking or, in Piette’s case, a collection of tiny sweaters for a friend’s chickens.

As Tracy Winslow, owner of Lowcountry Shrimp and Knit, explained, everyone picks up the craft for different reasons. Over time that simple habit becomes something deeper.

“You learn that you have to knit for yourself, because most people don’t appreciate what you make anyway,” Winslow said. “When you make it, you have to do it for yourself. Do it for the satisfaction, because if you tried to sell it for the hours you spent making it, you’d actually be paying people. You have to forgive family members because they just don’t get it, and they think handmade means cheap, that you’ve cheaped out, when sometimes it’s far more expensive just for the yarn than you would normally spend on somebody. But you know, you put your love in every stitch.” LL

From Our Family to Yours

115 Mount Pelia Road, Palmetto Bluff

5 Beds | 5 Full Baths | 2 Half Baths | 8,036 Sqft MLS# 501106 | Offered for $12,985,000

A Riverfront Masterpiece Blending Timeless Architecture with Unrivaled Lowcountry Luxury

Welcome to 115 Mount Pelia, an award-winning luxury retreat on the May River. A winding drive leads to a private courtyard with a koi pond, setting the tone for stunning architecture and floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic water views. The chef’s kitchen boasts a Wolf range, SubZero appliances, and a full back kitchen with pizza oven and grill. Enjoy riverfront dining, a screened porch with fireplace, and a spa-like primary suite. Entertain in style with a wine cellar, gym, sauna, media room, and pool. With guest suites, a carriage house, and a separate cottage, this Palmetto Bluff masterpiece defines Lowcountry luxury.

Experience the Charter One Legacy of Excellence in Coastal Lowcountry Real Estate: Generations of Expertise. A Future of Trusted Guidance.

tLet me stand next to your fire

ACROSS THE LOWCOUNTRY, DESIGNERS AND BUILDERS ARE GIVING COZY

NEW MEANING WITH INSPIRED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FIREPLACES

STORY BY AUDREY GEIB

There’s nothing quite like gathering around a fire: the soft crackle, the steady warmth, the easy conversation that follows. Across the Lowcountry builders and designers are giving this age-old tradition a fresh spark. Whether it’s a stately indoor hearth or an openair showpiece, today’s fireplaces blend craftsmanship, comfort and a touch of modern magic. Each one invites connection, reflection and a slower pace, reminding us that life’s best moments often happen by the fire.

A hearth for the holidays

In this Palmetto Bluff home designed by Court Atkins Group, craftsmanship meets coastal ease. The great room’s fireplace anchors the shingle-style estate, surrounded by detailed millwork and soft, layered textures that glow in the soft light. Designed to mix legacy pieces with Lowcountry airiness, the space strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. It’s the kind of room made for gathering, celebrating and lingering, long after the fire fades.

European grace

Group 3 Designs brought refined European flair to this Hilton Head Plantation family room. A mantel carved from solid block marble imported from Europe adds sculptural beauty and weight to the space. The result feels both elegant and welcoming, a focal point that proves craftsmanship and warmth can share the same flame.

Crafted with character

Bellwether Design + Build crafted this fireplace with a mix of texture and tradition. Savannah Grey brick pairs with a hand-applied tabby-shell finish, nodding to classic Lowcountry materials. A reclaimed heart pine mantel adds depth and history, turning this fireplace into a warm, storied centerpiece that feels as if it’s always belonged.

Modern marvel

Front Light Building Co. created a true showpiece for modern living in Palmetto Bluff. Rising 32 feet to the rafters, this sleek statement wall is clad in six book-matched MSI quartz slabs. The marble surround adds natural luxury, while a 72-inch linear firebox casts a warm, elegant glow. It’s as striking as it is inviting, equally at home as the backdrop to family movie night or a quiet evening with a glass of wine.

architecture, interiors, and construction work as one. With Dillard-Jones Builders, each detail is intentional and every transition seamless.

Fireside gatherings

Earthworks completed this Bluffton retreat overlooking the Okatie River in June. The wood-burning fireplace anchors the outdoor living space, casting a welcoming glow over a pool terrace. It’s a spot made for gathering on cool spring mornings and long summer nights where every spark feels like a small celebration.

Brick

beauty

Pearce Scott Architects gave this Gascoigne Bluff renovation its defining feature: a grand brick fireplace that connects the open kitchen, dining and living spaces. Its rustic texture wraps the home in warmth, while the foyer on the reverse side greets guests with bold architectural presence. More than just a feature, it’s the heart of the home, built to last and to gather around.

Screened serenity

RCH Construction brought the warmth of Pennsylvania winters to a Sea Pines retreat. This screened porch blends nostalgia with coastal beauty, featuring deep charcoal and chocolate porcelain tile that complements the brickwork around a dual wood- or gas-burning fireplace. Reclaimed wood from the homeowner’s family property in western Pennsylvania adds lore to the cabinetry and granite countertops. The space feels grounded, personal and ready for a quiet evening by the flames.

Kindled by nature

Savannah Surfaces designed this Colleton River Club fireplace to make the most of its marsh backdrop. A custom stone and tile surround frames a decorative metal centerpiece, while plush seating invites guests to stay for one more sunset. It’s a place where craftsmanship meets comfort and nature takes center stage.

Hearth and harmony

Blending comfort and craftsmanship, this luxurious Colleton River screened porch by Southern Coastal Homes invites effortless year-round living. A 42-inch, vent-free fireplace anchors the space, clad in stacked and herringbone Savannah Gray brick supplied by Acme Brick. The mix of patterns adds texture and depth, while the soft, natural tones echo the surrounding landscape. It’s a refined, yet welcoming retreat, perfect for quiet mornings or cozy evenings by the fire.

Game night revival

Pizza & playtime

The Davis family is a young household of four on Hilton Head who stays busy with full-time jobs, school, sports and community activities. Mom, Leah, treasures the connection that comes from game nights, saying, “For us, it’s like putting the screens away — iPads and phones — and connecting on a more personal, present level.” Leah’s mom, Linda Barcellona, frequently joins the friendly competition, and Leah affectionately calls her “the queen of games.”

Reconnect, unplug, and rediscover the joy of a little friendly competition around the table

STORY BY BROOKE PECK

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Whether your family cozies up around the coffee table, with a fireplace glowing nearby, or gathers around the kitchen table with hot cocoa, game nights are an easy way to make holiday memories. With extended family in town or kids home from college, extra players are plentiful, which often leads to laughter, competition and quality time together. Meet some local families who make game nights part of their gatherings year-round and might inspire you to start a few traditions of your own this festive season.

Vienna, age 9, loves to play What Do You Meme?, where a photo is displayed, and players choose captions to match. It always leads to plenty of laughs. Game nights often coincide with pizza night, which makes dinner easy and cleanup minimal, leaving more time for fun.

Five-year-old Jackson’s favorite is Jumanji He loves how the players must act out different challenges. Recently his parents found themselves walking toward each other with blankets over their heads, trying to touch hands.

The family also shares fond memories from Christmas Eve celebrations hosted by Barcellona. Last year she created a game using strings attached to cups that hid valuable surprises inside. The activities followed a traditional Italian feast of lasagna and salad for the whole family.

Game on, rain or shine

Diane and Bruce Carter of Bluffton enjoy relaxing on their back porch while playing a round of Azul. The newer board game requires players to select tiles and strategically create a colorful quilt pattern. “When it’s just the two of us playing, there’s something very zen about that game,” Diane says. However, the couple can get quite competitive when playing Dune: Imperium with their son, Harrison, and daughter-in-law, Victoria. During a recent vacation, the family played for several hours on an outdoor patio. When heavy rain began to blow in, they simply shifted farther from the edge and kept playing. “We weren’t going to let the rain stop the game,” Bruce says. Snacking is an essential part of their game-night ritual. Cheese and crackers, lemonade, sandwiches and grapes are Diane’s go-to favorites. When Bruce handles the food, creativity takes center stage. He recently crafted a dragon-inspired charcuterie board for a game night with friends.

players to arrange colorful tiles into patterned

creating both calm and

during their

nights.

Please welcome Renee Ricci, DO, MPH. Obstetrics and gynecology

Bringing remarkable care for women to the Lowcountry

Renee Ricci, DO, MPH, joins Novant Health as we continue to expand comprehensive women’s health services. Dr. Ricci brings compassionate, patient-centered care to support women through every stage of life. Her expertise and dedication will strengthen our commitment to providing high-quality care across the Lowcountry.

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Preventive care and wellness

• Reproductive health

• Prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum care

• Menstrual and hormonal health

• Gynecological care

To schedule an appointment, call 843-540-5857

Novant Health Riverside Women’s Care

75 Baylor Drive, Suite 200, Bluffton, SC 29910

843-540-5857 | Fax: 843-524-5655

Cards & cracks

Laugh lines & doodles

On Hilton Head the Campbell family loves to play Pictionary together because it guarantees laughter and friendly competition.

“Even though not all of us are the most talented artists, that’s what makes the game so fun,” says DeAnna Campbell. “The silly doodles, wild guesses and inside jokes make it unforgettable.”

DeAnna often hosts these intergenerational game nights, which bring together different perspectives, ideas and plenty of creativity. Guests are encouraged to bring new games which are quickly added to the lineup of favorites like Taboo and Uno. At a recent gathering a family member introduced a fast-paced cup game. “The night ended in a sibling showdown, with everyone cheering, laughing and already plotting the next rematch,” DeAnna says.

In the competitive Campbell household, victories are never forgotten. “Winning earns you bragging rights that last until the next game night,” she says.

The Tompkins family of Hilton Head includes mom and dad, Rebecca and Jonathan, and teenagers Mary Elizabeth and Edward. They love playing Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition because it keeps everyone laughing and works well for groups of all sizes. With different maturity levels in the mix, the jokes hit on many levels. During the holiday season they also enjoy Christmas Categories, a game that challenges players to come up with holiday-themed words starting with specific letters.

Sometimes it takes a little encouragement to get everyone on board. “Like most teens, they tend to groan when we say we’re sitting down to play a family game,” Rebecca says. “And then, once we get going, they have a great time, as do we.”

Their dining table, which has been in Rebecca’s family for generations, hosts each game night. The table belonged to her great-great-grandmother, and the chairs once belonged to her grandmother. Playing at that table reminds Rebecca of childhood nights spent gaming with her parents and sisters and connects her to generations past.

Recently Edward laughed so hard during a round of Cards Against Humanity that he leaned back and accidentally broke his great-grandmother’s chair. The family laughed it off and was relieved to learn it could be repaired. “I hope my children remember how our game nights made them feel when they have their own families,” Rebecca says.

CRACKING UP Edward, Rebecca, Jonathan and Mary Elizabeth Tompkins share laughs over a round of Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition at their Hilton Head home. The fill-in-the-blank word game sparks plenty of giggles as players compete to craft the funniest phrases, sometimes with laughter strong enough to break a chair.

WeAreInvested

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How to host a winning game night

wFIVE SIMPLE TIPS FOR FUN, LAUGHTER AND LESS STRESS

Whether your guests are kids, cousins or co-workers, the right setup can turn an ordinary evening into a highlight of the holidays. Here’s how to make your next game night one for the books.

1. Set the stage. Create a cozy, well-lit space where everyone can see, hear and move comfortably. A big table works best for board games, while a sofa setup makes party games feel relaxed. Turn off the TV, or use it to set the mood, such as a crackling fireplace loop or a silent tour of Italy streaming on YouTube. Keep background music soft and distractions like phones out of reach.

2. Match the mood. Pick games that fit your group’s energy and attention span. Start with something quick and easy to get everyone laughing, such as Catch Phrase or 5 Second Rule. Once everyone’s warmed up, move into longer or more strategic games like Carcassonne or Splendor. For big group fun, try Wits & Wagers or Blank Slate. Both are perfect for mixing generations and keeping the laughter going.

3. Feed the fun. Snacks are just as important as the score. Keep it simple with easy, messfree bites like popcorn, pretzels, cheese cubes or a themed charcuterie board. Add a few crowd-pleasers such as mini sliders, veggie cups, fruit skewers or flatbreads cut into small squares. Sweet treats like brownie bites or chocolate-covered pretzels are always a hit.

4. Keep it light. Game night is about connection, not competition. Celebrate the funny moments, cheer big wins, and skip the scoreboard if it takes away from the fun. Encourage teamwork by pairing up players of different ages or mixing up the teams each round. Choose cooperative games like Just One, Forbidden Island or Mysterium if your group prefers to work together instead of going head-to-head.

5. End on a high note. Wrap up while everyone is still smiling. Leave one favorite game unplayed so your guests will be eager to come back for round two. Finish the evening with something lighthearted and quick, such as Apples to Apples, Sushi Go! or Pictionary Air. If your group prefers a team challenge, try a short round of Trivial Pursuit Party or a cooperative escape-room card game. LL

Gamer tip: Keep the scoreboard optional. The real win is the laughter that lasts long after the game ends.

Game plan

MORE GREAT GAMES FOR EVERY AGE GROUP

Looking to level up your own game night? Whether you’re playing with little ones, teens or a crowd of adults, here are a few tried-and-true favorites that guarantee laughter, strategy and a little friendly rivalry.

FOR YOUNG KIDS (AGES 4-8)

The Floor Is Lava: Turns any living room into an obstacle course of imagination.

Candy Land: A colorful classic that’s perfect for early players learning how to take turns.

Guess Who?: Players use deduction to figure out the mystery character first.

Connect 4: Easy to learn and surprisingly strategic for both kids and adults.

Zingo!: Like Bingo, but with picture tiles that keep younger players engaged and moving fast.

FOR TWEENS AND TEENS (AGES 9-16)

Exploding Kittens: A hilarious mix of strategy and luck featuring cats, chaos and suspense. Codenames: Teams compete to find secret agents using clever word clues.

Throw Throw Burrito: Combines dodgeball and card play for energy-packed fun.

Ticket to Ride: Build train routes across the country while planning your next move.

Telestrations: A drawing and guessing game that always ends in laughter.

FOR ADULTS AND ALL-AGES GATHERINGS

Wingspan: A beautifully designed strategy game for nature and bird lovers.

Catan: Settle new lands, trade resources and test your negotiation skills.

Sequence: Combines cards and chips for a fast, easy-to-learn group favorite.

Trivial Pursuit:Family Edition: A mix of questions for every generation.

Jackbox Party Pack: Digital party games you can play together using phones or tablets.

Please welcome Carrie Alexander, MD.

Board-certified in internal medicine

Bringing remarkable primary care to the Lowcountry

We are pleased to welcome Carrie Alexander, MD, back to the Lowcountry. Dr. Alexander views patient care as a partnership that results in a care plan to promote health and focus on preventing issues before they start. After 25 years of practice, she understands that every patient has different goals and needs. Her most enjoyable days at work are when she can congratulate patients on achieving any health goal they agreed upon. She is married with two grown children who were her motivation to return to the Lowcountry. We are so happy to have Dr. Alexander join our care team and look forward to the positive impact she will have in our community.

To schedule an appointment, call 854-235-2830

Novant Health Westbury Park Primary Care

29 Plantation Park Drive, Suite 203, Bluffton, SC 29910

854-235-2830 | Fax: 854-235-2835

Farmhouse winter wreaths

CREATE A WARM WELCOME THAT SMELLS AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS

Chrissy Mozeleski is the owner of Helena Hills Farm, a U-pick flower farm in Hardeeville offering seasonal blooms and hands-on floral workshops. Each issue she shares creative, seasonal DIYs inspired by the beauty of the Lowcountry. This month she walks readers through how to make a classic farmhouse wreath using locally foraged greenery and natural accents.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT

Gather friends or little ones for a fun, hands-on wreath-making evening. You’ll fill your home with the scent of evergreens and citrus, share a few laughs and end the night with a keepsake to enjoy all season long.

SLICE OF THE SEASON

Dried citrus adds warmth, color and a bright scent to this farmhouse wreath. The golden slices pair perfectly with greenery and lavender. They’re just as lovely on garlands, gift wrapping or in holiday cocktails.

bBring a little Lowcountry to your home this season with a handmade farmhouse wreath that’s as beautiful as it is fragrant. This design combines magnolia leaves, eucalyptus, dried lavender and dried citrus for a look that feels rustic, elegant and refreshingly natural. For an added touch of texture, you can tuck in a few pine cones, which are abundant across the Lowcountry this time of year. Their earthy tones and varied shapes blend beautifully with the greenery and add a subtle woodland accent. The result is a wreath that celebrates the textures and scents of winter, while adding a cozy, personal touch to your home.

STEP 1: Forage and gather greenery

Start by heading outdoors to collect fresh foliage from around your yard or neighborhood. In the Lowcountry a mix of textures creates a lush, layered look: Magnolia leaves: Their glossy green tops and copper backs add Southern richness. Eucalyptus: Silvery leaves provide contrast and a refreshing scent. Cedar, pine or cypress: Optional, but great for adding fullness and fragrance. Cut stems about 6 to 8 inches long, and place them in water until you’re ready to build.

STEP 2: Collect and prep accents

Add character and texture with dried lavender, pine cones or both. Lavender brings a soft, calming fragrance and beautiful purple tones. If you’re using pine cones, clean them by baking on a foil-lined tray at 200 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes to remove sap and bugs. Once cooled, they can stay natural or be lightly brushed with white paint for a frosted touch.

STEP 3: Dry citrus slices

Dried citrus adds color and brightness to your wreath. Slice oranges, lemons or blood oranges about a quarter-inch thick, and bake at 200 degrees for 2 to 3 hours, flipping halfway through. The slices should be dry but still slightly translucent when done.

STEP 4: Assemble your wreath

Use a grapevine wreath base as your foundation. Bundle greenery together with floral wire, and layer in one direction until the form looks full and balanced. Tuck in lavender sprigs and citrus slices, securing them with hot glue or wire ties. Adjust spacing as needed so the colors and textures feel natural and even.

STEP 5: Add the finishing touch

Tie a soft velvet ribbon at the bottom for a graceful finish. Try these:

Deep green for a classic farmhouse feel Ivory or gold for understated elegance

Burgundy or rust for warmth

Deep plum or navy for a modern twist.

Hang your finished wreath on your front door, porch or barn. The mix of magnolia, lavender and citrus will fill the air with a clean, festive scent and welcome the season the Lowcountry way; naturally and beautifully.

From Italy, with love

A VISIT FROM VIETRI’S GIANLUCA FABBRO BRIDGES ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP TO LOWCOUNTRY CHARM

STORY + PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUDREY GEIB

i

In a world of mass production, where design so often begins on a screen, Gianluca Fabbro designs with his hands.

“I’m a producer of hand-painted ceramics,” he said. “I work for Vietri, in Italy, and I’m an artisan who mostly produces hand-painted pieces with a special technique that we have self-invented.”

That invented technique is unlike anything else in the world of ceramics.

“It is made with sponges, but in a different way,” Fabbro explained. “We engrave the sponges, we paint with all the layers of colors on the sponge, and then we transport the decoration at one time on the piece.”

Tradition that travels

After being inspired by the beauty of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Susan Gravely, her mother, Lee Gravely, and sister, Frances, founded Vietri in 1983. Vietri has become one of the world’s most beloved names in Italian ceramics.

Every plate, platter and bowl is handmade and hand-painted by artisans across Italy, blending centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary design.

To host one of Vietri’s master artists, especially one as integral as Gianluca Fabbro, is a rare honor. He’s behind many of the brand’s most recognizable collections, and his recent visit to Le Cookery on Hilton Head marked the first of five stops on a select North American tour.

Please welcome Alexis Almeida, MD.

Family medicine physician

Bringing remarkable primary care to the Lowcountry

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Alexis Almeida back to Bluffton, the town where she grew up. She is proud to return and care for her neighbors. Raised in a big family and surrounded by role models in medicine, she was inspired early on by the impact of compassionate, connected care. She chose family medicine because it allows her to build lasting relationships with patients of all ages — often caring for multiple generations.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Almeida enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and reconnecting with her hometown community. We’re excited she’s back in the Lowcountry — doing what she loves, close to home.

To schedule an appointment, call 843-706-2523

Novant Health Arley Way Primary Care 11 Arley Way, Suite 201, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-706-2523 | Fax: 843-706-2527

Painting in reverse

The pressure on the sponge transfers the image composed of built-up colors, creating the design in one motion.

“It’s very simple, but at the same time, beautiful,” he said. “We put all the colors in reverse. The last color that you see is the first that we have put over. So we have to think about the colors in reverse. Every time we have to restart from zero because the color is completely gone.”

That devotion to originality is what drew Vietri to Fabbro more than a decade ago. “We started the cooperation with Vietri 10 or 11 years ago,” he said. “In the past we used brushes to paint, but the result was very classic; this is a modern and different style.”

Each piece begins as raw clay and ends after passing through fire several times. “We start with the clay, we produce the shape, then we cook for the first time,” he explained. “Then the piece is ready to be painted. We paint with the sponges, then we dip in the glaze, and then we cook again for the second time. After that, there is the process of quality control. If there is a little hole, something that is not perfect, we re-cook it again.”

The result is a work of art that feels alive. It’s this authenticity that caught the eye of Rachel Lively and her husband, Michael, owners of Le Cookery, who have filled their shelves with Fabbro’s designs.

“I think that his work is just very beautiful,” Rachel Lively said. “It’s all hand-painted. He has a very personal touch. Vietri is very elegant, but it’s also very down to earth.”

Among Vietri's most popular designs are those that connect naturally with coastal life. “Especially the sea turtles,” Lively said. “With the love of the sea turtles on the island, that’s a big draw.”

The Tartuga collection, with its soft blues and gentle curves, feels at home among Hilton Head’s tides and palms.

Offering Custom Made Clothing and Tuxedo Rentals

For Lively, the beauty lies not just in how Vietri’s pieces look, but in what they represent.

“It is all handmade,” she said. “It’s not perfect; it’s never going to be two identical pieces, because they all are hand-fired, the glass is mouth-blown, and it is all hand-painted by people like Gianluca. So that makes it unique and a really heirloom item.”

She hopes that seeing the artist at work helps people understand that each piece is more than tableware; it’s time, touch and tradition made visible.

“I want people to see him working and appreciate the thoughtfulness and everything that goes into his designs,” she said. “Watching him paint shows this isn’t made in a factory somewhere, it is truly hand-done by him.”

In the end, that’s what makes his work special: centuries of Italian artistry finding new life in Lowcountry homes, each piece a reflection of patience, tradition and love.

Watch the video

Experience Gianluca Fabbro’s artistry in motion. Our online video captures his creative process and the special event at Le Cookery that brought centuries of Italian craftsmanship to the Lowcountry. Watch now on our YouTube channel, @LocalLifeSC.

monday-friday 10am-5:30pm saturday 10am-4pm village at wexford, suite j4b hilton head island 843-715-0713

Oh, Sw t Canada!

Sponsored By Carolina Vet Critical Care

White-throated

Adopt this Pet: Cyrus

TENNIS BALL KING, TREAT CONNOISSEUR, SENIOR SNUGGLE PRO

Cyrus is an 11-year-old shepherd mix with a smile as big as his heart. He has spent much of his life in and out of the shelter but has never lost his spark or his love for the people who care for him. These days he’s thriving at Hilton Head Humane, where soft beds, sunny spots and steady affection have become his daily comforts.

Don’t let the gray muzzle fool you. Cyrus still has plenty of pep in his step. He loves long walks, a good game of fetch and any excuse to show off his signature grin. When playtime is over, he’s all about cozy cuddles and, of course, snacks. He’s not a fan of rowdy pups or cats, but he more than makes up for it with loyalty, charm and a lifetime’s worth of love to give.

MORE ABOUT CYRUS

Breed: Shepherd mix Colors: Black and white Age: 11 1/2 Weight: 56 pounds

Likes: Soft beds, long walks, sunbathing, cuddling, tennis balls and treats Dislikes: Rambunctious youngsters and cats (he’s a gentleman who prefers peace and quiet) Adopt: Meet Cyrus at Hilton Head Humane between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 843-681-8686 or view his profile at hhhumane.org

COOL CAT: Dawg

Meet Dawg, the orange tabby with a name that keeps everyone guessing. At just 6 months old, this curious kitten is equal parts mischief and mush, with a swirling red-orange coat and golden eyes that shine with personality. Whether he’s chasing toys, scaling cat trees or serenading the room with his playful “songs,” Dawg fills every space with joy. When he’s done adventuring, he turns into a total lovebug, purring like an idling engine while he settles in for cuddles. Confident, adaptable and endlessly endearing, Dawg is the kind of cat who reminds you that every day is better with a little curiosity and a lot of heart.

Please welcome Pete Parramore, MD.

Board-certified in urology

Bringing remarkable urological care to the Lowcountry

We’re pleased to welcome Pete Parramore, MD, to the Novant Health team as we continue expanding access to safe, effective and comprehensive urological care. Dr. Parramore specializes in urology and has 30 years of experience taking care of patients. His addition provides further access to high-quality urological care close to home. The Lowcountry is now home for Dr. Parramore, and we are excited he is bringing his remarkable expertise to the Bluffton community.

To schedule an appointment, call 843-706-2255

Novant Health New River Urology

75 Baylor Drive, Suite 205, Bluffton, SC 29910

843-706-2255 | Fax: 843-706-2257

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• Kidney cancer

• Kidney stones

• Prostate cancer

• Bladder cancer

White-throated sparrow FREQUENT FLYER

THE WINTER BIRD THAT SHOWS ITS TRUE STRIPES

STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM + PHOTOS BY ALAN BIGGS

LISTEN UP

Scan this QR code to hear the call of the whitethroated sparrow.

twhistled song and bold black-and-white stripes, accented by a touch of yellow, make it one of the season’s most recognizable visitors.

The white-throated sparrow might not steal the show like a bright red cardinal or a flashy bluebird, but this winter visitor makes an impression all its own. You’ll hear it before you see it, with a clear, sweet whistle drifting through the pines, and then spot its crisp, bold markings that make it one of the season’s easiest birds to recognize.

Think of its face as a perfectly composed piece of music: a black eyestripe, a bright white crown and eyebrow and a golden splash between the eye and bill that gleams like sunlight through the trees. Add its namesake, white throat patch, outlined neatly in black, and you’ve got a look that’s as distinctive as it is elegant.

though stripe type doesn’t seem to sway the hierarchy.

And then there’s that unmistakable song, a lilting whistle often described as “Oh, sweet Canada.” It’s a sound that signals winter has arrived and that these little travelers have made their way south. Both males and white-striped females sing, while tan-striped females tend to let others take the lead.

So the next time you hear that soft, whistled tune on a chilly morning, look a little closer. Behind the song you’ll find one of the Lowcountry’s most charming guests, a bird that proves beauty, personality and a good set of stripes never go out of season.

Where to find them

“I usually find them on the ground near brushy edges of wooded areas. They’ll come to feeders sometimes and scratch for seeds on the ground.”

– Alan Biggs, local birder

“White-throated sparrows love millet, sunflower seeds and cracked corn. Since they are ground foragers, scatter the millet or seed mix directly on the ground around the base of bushes and leaf litter close to covered protection. White-throated sparrows are wary of predators and will not venture out far in the open. These sparrows need clean, fresh water for drinking and bathing. Place a shallow bird bath on a low pedestal near the ground, and they will soon be taking baths in your back yard. By providing a reliable source of their preferred seeds on the ground and a generous source of clean water, you can turn your back yard into a welcome center for these charming and entertaining birds.”

– Mary Alice Tartler, master birder

Here’s where it gets interesting. White-throated sparrows come in two color forms: white-striped and tan-striped, and the differences go deeper than feathers. These patterns actually influence their personalities and love lives. White-striped birds tend to be bolder and more assertive, while tan-striped ones are more relaxed. In a bit of natural matchmaking, opposites usually attract: white-striped sparrows often pair with tan-striped mates, keeping the species in balance.

When spring rolls around, white-striped males defend their turf with gusto. But once winter returns, so do their social graces. They gather in friendly flocks, foraging through leaf litter and pine needles together. Males typically rank higher in the pecking order,

Essentials

FORAGING

WITH FLAIR

White-throated sparrows hop when they’re on the ground, rather than walking or running. They forage in leaf litter, often using both feet at once to scratch backwards, then pounce forward at anything they’ve uncovered.

Get everything you need for backyard birding at Wild Birds Unlimited in the Festival Centre at Indigo Park on Hilton Head Island.

FOOD & ACCESSORIES

• Millet, oil sunflower, sunflower chips, cracked corn or peanut pieces

• No-mess blend seed

• Bark butter bits or bark butter

• Covered ground tray, classic bird feeder or tray feeder

Guiding You Home with Expertise and Integrity.

Our team truly believes that there’s no place like home…and our hundreds of satisfied clients believe that there’s no team like Charter One Realty / Richard MacDonald & Associates.

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Richard MacDonald (843) 384-8797 | richard@rmacdonald.com

Joey Doyle (843) 290-5055 | joeydoyle@charteronerealty.com

Sanders MacDonald (843) 816-4800 | sanders@charteronerealty.com

A COZY GUIDE TO THE LOWCOUNTRY’S QUIET SEASON

STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

Night & day

The days shrink quickly now, with earlier sunsets made even sharper by the time change on Nov. 2.

Sunrise: 7:05 a.m.-7:40 a.m. (later each day)

Sunset: 5:17 p.m.-6:32 p.m. (earlier each day)

dFOR THE BIRDS Each December volunteers join the Hilton Head Audubon Christmas Bird Count, spending the day tallying every bird seen or heard in designated “count circles.” Last year’s highlight was 10 sightings of the Wilson’s plover, a state-threatened shorebird not recorded since 2008. This year’s count is Monday, Dec. 15. To get involved, attend the planning meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at First Presbyterian Church.

December feels like a deep breath after a busy year. The crowds are gone, the air is crisp but mild, and the Lowcountry’s beauty takes on a softer glow. Pine trees and live oaks sparkle with holiday lights, while locals trade swimsuits for sweaters and fill their days with beach walks, oyster roasts and festive gatherings. It’s a season for slowing down and soaking up the peace that defines winter in the Deep South. With insights from the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac and Grow Great Vegetables South Carolina, this guide will help you make the most of December.

Weather predictions

This month’s forecast calls for an extra blanket, a warm drink and a front-row seat to the beauty of winter in the Lowcountry. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it’s expected to be slightly cooler and drier than usual this year, with the rare chance of snow adding a touch of wonder to the season.

Average temperature: 47 degrees (2 degrees below average)

Rainfall: 2 inches (2 inches below average)

FORECAST BY WEEK

Dec. 1-3: Rainy and warm

Dec. 4-19: Sunny; mild, then turning cold

Dec. 20-21: Cold. Snowstorms possible!

Dec. 22-27: Sunny and milder

Dec. 28-31: Sunny, then showers; chilly

Astronomical events

Bundle up, head outside, and let the stillness of a Lowcountry night wash over you.

Dec. 4: The full Cold Moon, or Long Night Moon, rises around 4:45 p.m. and glows through the night, signaling winter’s arrival.

Dec. 13-14: The Geminid meteor shower peaks, offering up to 120 meteors per hour under dark skies.

Dec. 19-20: A new moon brings ideal dark skies for stargazing and spotting faint constellations.

Dec. 21: The winter solstice arrives at 4:03 a.m., marking the year’s shortest day and the slow return of light.

Dec. 21-22: The Ursid meteor shower peaks, producing about 10 meteors per hour from Ursa Minor in the pre-dawn hours.

Tides & currents

Stay in tune with the coast’s natural rhythm. Scan this QR code for up-to-date tide and current predictions from NOAA.

In the garden

December is a time to pause, take stock of what thrived and what didn’t, and give both yourself and your garden a little rest before the next growing season.

PREP Make notes about this year’s successes and challenges so you’re ready, come spring. Finish your garden cleanup, tidy and oil tools, check that row covers are secure, and pull any lingering weeds before winter sets in.

PLANT While much of the garden is resting, there are still chances to keep things growing. Even in the quiet of winter, the garden still gives, just at a gentler pace. Plant potatoes and onions, or sow short-day bulbing and bunching onions in a cold frame or hoop house. You also can plant carrots, beets and hardy greens under cover to keep fresh produce coming through the colder weeks.

HARVEST This month’s harvest may surprise you. Fresh picks include arugula, beets, bok choi, cabbage, carrots, celery, Chinese cabbage, cilantro, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, parsnips, radishes, rosemary, rutabaga, spinach, thyme and turnips.

Best days

Looking for the right moment to get things done?

The moon’s phases offer gentle guidance on timing everything from fishing trips to festive fun:

Go fishing: Dec. 1-4, 19-31

Color hair: Dec. 2-3, 29-30

Bake: Dec. 6-7

Spread cheer: Dec. 24

Count your blessings: Dec. 25

Make a resolution: Dec. 31

TROWEL TALK

Festive floral fundamentals

HOW TO CARE FOR AND DISPLAY YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY BLOOMS

STORY BY ALEA WILKINS AND SUZANNE BARTON

t

’Tis the season for winter’s brightest blooms. Poinsettias, cyclamen and amaryllis make their annual return in striking fashion, enlivening homes with vibrant hues and a burst of holiday cheer. To keep your plants looking merry and bright, Suzanne Barton, manager of The Green Thumb, shares care tips, debunks a common myth and suggests a great gift for gardeners, both seasoned and new. Follow her advice, and your festive florals will thrive well into the new year.

[LOCAL Life] Where is the best place for my poinsettias? [Suzanne Barton] Poinsettias are very fragile plants. Their branches are brittle, and they damage easily when exposed to rain or wind. If you’re having a holiday party on a nice, sunny day, they could be brought outside, but most of the time I recommend they stay indoors. Even there, they can be sensitive to cold drafts or heat blowing directly on them. Put them in indirect sunlight, and be careful not to over water. The top inch of soil should feel dry before thoroughly watering. Your poinsettias could last between four and eight weeks.

[LL] Are poinsettias toxic for pets? [SB] This is a common fear, but it’s kind of a myth. Poinsettias have latex in their sap that can irritate your pet’s throat and stomach, but they’d have to eat a whole bunch before it would make them really sick. As for any house plant, pay attention if your pet is interested in eating it. If necessary, move it out of reach.

[LL] What plants can I use to decorate outdoors? [SB] Cyclamen bloom in winter, so now is the perfect time to enjoy them in your garden. They prefer cool and shady spots with bright, indirect sunlight, and they go dormant as the soil starts to warm. Pansies, too, are cold-hardy and can last through the winter with light watering.

[LL] What are the best holiday flowers to give as gifts? [SB] Amaryllis are by far the holiday plant with the easiest care regimen. You can buy them as a bulb sealed with wax, and they’ll grow anywhere — no water or soil required. I gave one to my stepmom last year, and she was nervous to look after it at first. Once she saw it grow, she got so excited. Better yet, you can plant the bulbs in the spring, and they will last year after year. It’s really a gift that keeps on giving.

GIFTS THAT GROW

Bright white cyclamen and amaryllis add an elegant touch to the season and make beautiful, long-lasting gifts. Their graceful blooms symbolize hope, beauty and the promise of new beginnings.

Plant & protect

Smart seasonal tips from Lowcountry Gardening, a guide written and produced by the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association

KEEP FROST CLOTH CLOSE When a surprise cold snap hits the Lowcountry, frost cloth can be your garden’s best defense. Unlike plastic, it allows air and moisture to circulate while trapping just enough heat to protect tender plants. Keep a few sheets handy to drape over garden beds or wrap around young trees.

sSouth Carolina’s Arbor Day is Dec. 5. This is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs. Dormant plants may not look promising, but the absence of leaves lets them concentrate on developing strong root systems. It is also a good time to transplant trees and shrubs. When frost threatens, be prepared to move vulnerable container plants indoors. Cover others with sheets, lightweight blankets or frost cloth. Soaking the bare soil a few days before a cold event can help keep heat in the soil.

Protect the graft union on citrus trees that are left outside by covering with burlap, blankets, pipe insulation or even pool noodles. If cold kills the tree above the union, the rootstock may take over, resulting in sour, inedible fruit. Covering young trees with blankets, sheets or frost cloth can conserve enough heat to keep trees alive.

Excerpted from Lowcountry Gardening, written and published by the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association. Grab a copy of this handy guide to all things Lowcountry gardening for $5 at The Greenery, Bruno Landscape & Nursery, The Green Thumb or the Master Gardener booth at the Bluffton and Port Royal farmers markets. For more information, head over to LowcountryMGA.org

Shop Local. Shop Small.

APPAREL / JEWELRY / GIFTS

• A Coastal Christmas

• Neptune’s Niche

• Pure Salt Studios

• Ship’s Store

• Southern Tide

• Tradewinds

• Treasure Island

FINE ART

• Nash Gallery

DINING / TREATS

• Bistro 17

• Daily Café & Market

• ELA’S On The Water

• Frosty’s Ice Cream

• Hilton Head Social Bakery • San Miguel’s Restaurant • Scott’s Fish Market • Top Dawg Tavern & Pizzeria

STROLL AROUND THE MARINA & ENJOY THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS & MUSIC

SERVICES

• Memory Lane Portraits

• Pure Salt Studios

• Salon Shelter Cove

BOATS / MARINE

• Harbourside Yacht Sales

• Ship’s Store / Marina Office

FISHING / TOURS / CRUISES

• Marina Charters & Water Sports Kiosk

• Outside Hilton Head

REAL ESTATE / VILLA RENTALS

• Dunes Real Estate

• Trident Villa Rentals

Hilton Head’s coolest tradition

THE ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE TURNS A CHILLY DIP INTO A WARM CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY AND FRESH STARTS

STORY BY MACKENZIE LIONBERGER

tThe brisk air of January 1 rides on a gentle breeze of new beginnings. Cold sand sweeps across your feet as you face the lapping waves. Your heartbeat skips along to the rhythm of the countdown, beating with anticipation.

Three, two, one: you sprint into the ocean without hesitation. The sound of cheers and laughter carries as the sea embraces its guests. This is how Hilton Head Island welcomes the new year.

As 2025 comes to an end, many have made resolutions and are ready to

embrace change in the year ahead. But few traditions capture the excitement of the season like Hilton Head Island’s annual Polar Plunge.

This year’s event takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Coligny Beach.

“There’s nothing like turning and seeing 700 people charging into the ocean at once. It’s just awesome,” said Fith Fithian, the event organizer and founder. Fithian dedicated much of his life to volunteering locally for good causes. He started the plunge more than a decade ago as a fun

New Year’s tradition to unite the island community.

“This is your first chance to start the year with your island family,” Fithian said.

It’s free to participate, but donations will be accepted to benefit Charli’s Critters, a charity that honors Charli Bobinchuk, who was killed in a 2018 crosswalk accident. The nonprofit focuses on animal conservation and education. Every donation made to the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s Charli's Critters Naturalist Education Fund helps

keep Bobinchuk’s spirit alive in the heart of the island. Fithian's connection to Bobinchuk’s family inspired the event’s mission to continue her legacy.

“It’s about keeping Charli’s memory alive and supporting what she stood for, her love for creatures on the island,” Fithian said.

Many people and organizations, including The CRAB Group, The Jazz Corner and Chez Georges and people like Brian Burke and others come together to sponsor the Polar Plunge. Today the event has grown to more than 1,400 attendees, becoming a tradition for locals and visitors alike. The festival-like gathering features raffles, auctions and, this year, a 5K. It blends New Year goals, health and tradition while making an impact in the community.

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Plunge into the benefits

While the plunge is a great way to support a meaningful cause, the icy thrill also provides an invigorating boost of energy for the year ahead. The cold salt water jump-starts your system, boosts dopamine and reduces inflammation. It’s the perfect way to reset after a season of comfort food and cocktails.

“The salt water, the magnesium are better than any epsom salt bath. You feel so good. Plus you can enjoy the sunrise, the birds, the waves. And we love to support a good community event,” said Laura Fromdahl, a member of the Hilton Head Island Swim Club.

The club welcomes swimmers of all ages and skill levels, and every year members join the plunge. For many, the Polar Plunge is the best way to enter the new year with purpose.

“You’re up early doing something hard, something fun, getting your priorities straight, not just for yourself but for Charli and the charity,” Fromdahl said.

A tradition that travels

Locals aren’t the only ones marking their calendars. People from across the country make the trip each year, some driving more than 12 hours, like Jennifer Eden and Bret Hardtle. While the drive may sound daunting, the destination is always worth it.

“I’ve been coming to Hilton Head for so long, it really feels like one love, Bob Marley-style,” Jennifer said. “No judgment: everyone is together to celebrate Charli, support her parents and raise money for Charli’s Critters.”

Before they were married, they each traveled to the island for the plunge, Jennifer from Ohio for seven years and Bret from Florida for three. Now living together in Ohio, they’ve continued the tradition.

As time went on, Jennifer and Bret began bringing friends from Ohio to join the fun. Many participants add their own flair by dressing up in costumes, from prom dresses and tuxedos to animal suits. Over time the event has become an essential part of many visitors’ trips to Hilton Head.

“We call it our Polar Plunge Trip,” Bret said. “We play volleyball, bike, kayak, hang out and enjoy Hilton Head. It’s not just about the plunge, but that’s definitely the centerpiece.”

A HEART FOR HILTON HEAD’S WILD SIDE

Charli’s Critters keeps one young islander’s spirit alive by helping protect the creatures she adored

cCharli’s Critters was founded in memory of Charli Bobinchuk, whose love for animals and the island inspired everyone around her. Growing up surrounded by Hilton Head’s beaches and wildlife, Bobinchuk developed a deep appreciation for all creatures. From reptiles to raccoons, she was passionate about educating others on the beauty of the island’s animals. She died at age 11 in 2018 when she was struck by a car while crossing U.S. 278 in a crosswalk. To keep her spirit alive, her parents, Bryan and Daisy, turned that passion into a nonprofit dedicated to animal education and conservation.

Through annual community events like the Polar Plunge, locals and visitors help keep Charli’s memory alive while supporting a cause she cared deeply about.

“Even when it’s cold, you feel warm,” Bryan said. “The vibe is so alive, and everyone’s cheering, smiling and just celebrating together.”

The Polar Plunge stands each year as a reminder of the strength and love found on our island. Charli’s Critters reflects that same spirit, a community united by purpose. Donations can be made through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s Charli's Critters Naturalist Education Fund.

“There’s something magical about the rush of the cold water,” Daisy said. “It fills me with energy and a feeling of healing.” LL

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HOLIDAY STYLE

Home for the holidays

fPHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA STAFF

STYLED

BY

BAILEY GILLIAM

For a few short months each year, the Lowcountry slips into its version of winter: cool enough for fuzzy socks and soft sweaters, yet mild enough for evening walks along the water. December through February, locals finally get to reach for jackets, pants and long sleeves without breaking a sweat. It’s the perfect time to pull out those favorite layers, such as cozy cardigans, sport coats, button-downs, fleece pullovers and tailored coats that feel just right on crisp nights by the fire.

Season’s sparkle

Dressed for a festive night out on the town, Gary and Bridget Colbert showcase effortless Lowcountry holiday style inside their beautifully remodeled condo at The Charles in Hilton Head Plantation. Bridget shines in a rich blue sweater from Jean-Pierre Kliffa, its soft shimmer catching the light and adding a touch of seasonal sparkle. She pairs it with sleek gray pants, silver jewelry and patterned flats that give her look a polished yet playful finish. Gary keeps things classic in a tan shacket from John Bayley Clothier, layered over a plaid button-down woven with blue and orange hues. Tailored brown pants, a braided belt and suede loafers complete his refined, easygoing look. Together, they capture the perfect blend of warmth, comfort and understated elegance, proving that holiday style can be both relaxed and refined.

STYLIST

A

season to shine

Holiday style in the Lowcountry is all about warmth, sparkle and easy charm. These three looks from local boutiques capture that spirit, offering inspiration for everything from cozy nights by the fire to festive evenings out. Whether you’re toasting at a holiday party, hosting family at home or watching the little ones unwrap presents, these outfits bring comfort, personality and just the right touch of seasonal magic. 2

Silver lining

For a look that shines as bright as the season, this silver ensemble from Palmettoes strikes a perfect balance between shimmer and sophistication. The dress catches the light with every step, fitted through the skirt and relaxed at the top for a flattering, comfortable silhouette. Long sleeves, a high neckline and a small cutout at the back add polish and a hint of allure. Paired with sleek black boots and a matching clutch, it’s a modern take on holiday glam that feels confident, chic and ready for a cocktail party or New Year’s Eve celebration.

Warm welcome

This laid-back yet refined look from Outside Hilton Head proves that cozy can still be chic. A soft cream sweater pairs beautifully with deep green pants for a palette that feels festive but not overdone. Gold layered necklaces bring just the right amount of shine, while brown leather shoes and a matching purse add warmth and texture. It’s a look that feels perfectly at home at an afternoon gathering and polished enough for an evening toast.

Little sparkle

The magic of the holidays comes to life in this sweet and spirited look from Island Child. A bright red sequin dress shimmers with every twirl, paired with a matching bow that adds a dash of festive fun. Gold sequin Mary Janes and a tiny gold purse complete the outfit, creating a picture-perfect look for holiday parties, family photos or Christmas morning excitement. It’s equal parts sparkle and charm, a joyful reminder that holiday style isn’t just for grown-ups.

HOLIDAY STYLE

Cozy sophistication

Hilton Head Island’s Bridget Colbert shines in this cozy, all-black look from Currents

Her soft, fuzzy sweater with a delicate jeweled-bow detail adds a hint of sparkle, perfect for the season’s festivities. Paired with slim black pants woven with a subtle metallic pattern, the look catches the light in all the right ways. Simple black flats with jeweled accents pull the outfit together, striking a balance between comfort and sophistication. It’s an easy, polished choice for relaxing by the fire, enjoying a holiday toast or greeting guests with style and confidence.

FASHION FINDS

Wrapped in style

Celebrate the season with a little local sparkle. From glittering jewelry and statement sweaters to cozy hats and gleaming handbags, these handpicked pieces from Lowcountry boutiques make dressing for the holidays feel easy and fun. Whether you’re heading to a party, wrapping presents by the fire or simply adding a touch of shine to your day, these festive finds prove that a little local style goes a long way. 3 6 2 4 5

1. BOW TO THE SEASON

Add a cheerful twist to your holiday look with Gifted’s festive earrings. Handmade from lightweight acrylic, each pair features a bold bow design that glitters with multicolored sparkle. They’re playful, eye-catching and light enough to wear all night while spreading plenty of holiday cheer.

2. CLASSIC TWIST

This bright red cable-knit sweater from Maggie & Me is a holiday wardrobe staple. Raglan sleeves and a cable pattern that radiates from the neckline give it a touch of personality, while ribbed edges keep the fit sharp. Soft, warm and effortlessly stylish, it’s ideal for festive gatherings or a stroll through Old Town on a cool afternoon.

3. WINTER SPARKLE

Heritage Fine Jewelry’s 18K white gold snowflake pendant captures the beauty of a winter morning. With 2.35 carats of glittering diamonds set in a delicate design, it’s the kind of piece that makes any outfit feel special. Whether it’s worn with a little black dress or a cashmere sweater, it adds a touch of magic to the season.

4. FESTIVE GEMS

Forsythe Jewelers offers two JB Star rings that bring color and brilliance to the holiday season. One features three emeralds alternating with four round diamonds in 18K yellow gold, a stunning nod to classic green-and-gold elegance. The other showcases five oval rubies and four round diamonds, adding a bold red sparkle that feels both festive and refined. Worn solo or stacked together, these pieces shine long after the season ends.

5. COZY CHARACTER

Outside Hilton Head’s Patagonia beanie delivers warmth with personality. In deep green with playful fish motifs and a pop of orange on the pom-pom, it’s equal parts fun and functional. Perfect for cool morning walks or casual outdoor get-togethers, it keeps him cozy while showing off a hint of personality.

6. GOLDEN TOUCH

Gold leather handbags from Spartina 449 bring instant polish to any outfit. The soft metallic sheen feels festive without being flashy, and the practical size makes it easy to carry your holiday essentials in style. It’s the perfect mix of function and flair for holiday gatherings or everyday errands.

style GET THE LOOK

Polished for the party

For Hilton Head Island’s Gary Colbert, holiday style is all about easy confidence. His look combines classic tailoring with thoughtful details, showing that men’s fashion can be both relaxed and refined. The result feels natural and not overdone, with just the right mix of comfort and sophistication. Whether you’re hosting friends at home or stepping out for a night of celebration, this polished ensemble proves that looking sharp doesn’t mean sacrificing ease.

Finishing flair

The multicolored glasses from Eyeland Optique tie everything together with personality. Swirls of blue and brown echo the tones in his outfit, adding a touch of fun while keeping things sophisticated.

Velvet refined

Gary’s dark gray-blue velvet sport coat from Palmettoes adds instant elegance. The soft texture feels luxurious, while the understated paisley pattern brings depth and character without being flashy. It’s a statement piece that works just as well at a dinner party as it does for a quiet toast by the fire.

Tailored touch

The tailored gray pants from John Bayley Clothier ground the look with structure and comfort. They offer a sleek silhouette that balances the rich texture of the jacket and transitions effortlessly from day to night.

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shopping Love Local

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE

These delicate Vermont Bubble Evergreen trees are individually crafted, giving each a unique design.

Available at Cassandra's Kitchen

OH, DEER

This handwoven stag has a hidden glass inset to display all of your holiday flowers and arrangements.

Available at J. Banks Design

PEARL OF WISDOM

Add an elegant and sparkly touch to your Christmas decor with these beautiful and festive pearl trees. Available at Gifted

SILENT NIGHT

Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with this sparkly Nativity scene. Available at Pyramids

MERRY AND BRIGHT

Embrace the holiday season with these festive accessories from local shops.

LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

This wooden nativity scene is hand-carved in Bethlehem, using Bethlehem olive wood.

Available at Hilton Head Oils and Balsamics

TRIM UP THE TREE

Add personality to your tree with these hand-painted ornaments by a local artist.

Available at Marsh on the May

ROCKIN' AROUND

Add seasonal charm to your kitchen with ETU’s scalloped tree board, handcrafted in Europe from reclaimed acacia wood.

Available at Le Cookery

SURFING SANTA

This Mai Tai candle blends pomegranate, cashmere and warm woods for a cheerful scent.

Available at Hilton Head Soap Co.

NAUGHTY OR NICE?

Add a touch of vintage charm to your mantel with this adorable acrylic block by Lauren Dunn. Available at Forsythe Jewelers

5-MINUTE HISTORY

The Battle of Sullivan’s Island

How a palmetto-log fort turned back the British and helped spark independence

STORY BY RICHARD THOMAS

Richard Thomas is an owner and guide for Hilton Head History Tours and is the author of Backwater Frontier: Beaufort Country, SC, at the Forefront of American History.

a

At the outbreak of hostilities in the American Revolution, Charles Town was the wealthiest city and commercial center in Great Britain’s most valuable American colony. The alarming developments in the Northeastern colonies beginning in 1770 galvanized South Carolinians, who recognized the growing threat to their way of life posed by continued British presence.

The 1773 tariffs and the 1774 imposition of what became known as the Intolerable Acts spurred open acts of resistance among citizens of Charles Town and South Carolina for the first time. The first Tea Party in the American colonies took place in Charles Town in December 1773, 10 days before the more famous Boston Tea Party. British naval patrols soon increased their presence offshore.

A break-in and theft of munitions at the Charles Town armory and the seizure of the British supply ship HMS Philippa at the mouth of the Savannah River in July 1775 marked the beginning of armed conflict between Patriots and British forces, shortly before British governors were forced to leave those two cities. British forces in the north were heavily engaged with Continental and Patriot armies and their supply needs in a hostile environment increased exponentially.

The Siege of Boston during the winter of 1775-76 brought the supply shortage to a crisis point, and British ships were dispatched south to seize food crops for the army. In late January 1776 a heavily armed British fleet appeared off Charleston Harbor. Patriot militia and Continental Army units quickly gathered to defend against the imminent attack. Many men of the Beaufort District Militia, including a number of Hilton Head Island residents, were part of that force.

A REVOLUTIONARY ROAD TRIP Fort Sullivan was renamed Fort Moultrie soon after the 1776 Battle of Sullivan’s Island to honor Col. William Moultrie’s heroic defense of the fort and Charles Town. Today visitors can explore the site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 1214 Middle St. on Sullivan’s Island. The landmark is about a 2 1/2-hour drive (107 miles) from Hilton Head Island. While there, also visit the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, stroll the quiet beach, or explore nearby Battery Gadsden for more coastal history.

Lowcountry Patriots join the fight

John Leaycraft, 17 at the time, and James Doharty, 19, participated. Leaycraft would later lead the Hilton Head Island Bloody Legion, the militia unit on the island. Doharty led the Beaufort District Southward Regiment of Foot, which consisted of all infantry troops south of the Broad River. Thomas Talbird and his brother, John, who would later earn a field commission to first lieutenant in the Continental Army from Gen. Nathanael Greene, also were involved. John Talbird later owned a plantation along Skull Creek that was targeted and burned by a British raiding party in 1781. William Hamilton, also of Hilton Head, was a lieutenant in the district militia and fought under Gen. William Moultrie. William Harden, who would go on to lead a highly effective ranger unit, joined several Beaufort-area men in a ranger company under Col. William Thomson. They fought alongside a Catawba Indian Rover unit defending the northern perimeter of Fort Sullivan in what became the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.

In early June 1776, the British demanded the fort’s surrender. When it was refused, they landed roughly 2,000 regulars on Long Island (now Isle of Palms) north of the fort across a narrow and shallow channel. A land assault was planned to follow a bombardment by the 270 guns on the 11 warships anchored offshore, intended to destroy the fort’s 31 cannons and three shore batteries. Fort Sullivan was commanded by Col. William Moultrie and his 2nd South Carolina Regiment of 435 men, but more than 6,000 Continental soldiers and militiamen from along the coast and the backcountry gathered in the days preceding the battle under

the command of Gen. Charles Lee. The Patriots prepared by entrenching along the northern shore of Sullivan’s Island, manning the position with 750 men and three small cannons. Several rounds of harassing fire struck the fort and trenches in the days before the attack but caused little damage. The morning of June 28, the British attempted crossing the channel on longboats, protected by two man o' war ships, but Gen. Clinton abandoned the plan after a withering barrage of small-arms and grapeshot fire from Col. Thomson’s defenses.

The battle and its consequences

According to British accounts, the firing from the Patriot guns was slow, orderly, accurate and highly effective, while the British cannonballs buried themselves harmlessly in the soft sand or bounced off the palmetto log walls of the fort. The exchange continued until about 9 p.m. when darkness and fatigue ended the fighting. The British pulled their ships out of range. They suffered 271 casualties and lost five ships, while Patriot casualties totaled only 37. No further attack followed, and the remaining British fleet and troops soon sailed north after scuttling their damaged vessels.

The Battle of Sullivan’s Island was the first Patriot victory against British forces in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. The triumph bolstered rebel morale and preceded the signing of the Declaration of Independence by one week. The anniversary of this battle has been celebrated as Carolina Day across the state every year since 1777. LL

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Making wildest dreams of cakes come

true

INSIDE THE SWEET WORLD OF BLUFFTON CAKE ARTIST CARRIE CASTANO

STORY BY CAROLYN MALES

EDIBLE WORKS OF ART Bluffton pastry artist Carrie Castano, of Custom Confections by Carrie Castano, transforms imagination into edible masterpieces. A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and former pastry artist at Buddy Valastro’s famed Carlo’s Bake Shop of Cake Boss fame, Castano now channels her big-city training into whimsical Lowcountry creations that are as stunning as they are delicious.

A red, white and blue prop plane flies above the clouds, with a banner proclaiming “Going to the Chapel.” A googly-eyed Cookie Monster opens his mouth in anticipation of chomping down a chocolate chip cookie. A carpenter’s toolbox brims with hammer, wrench and screwdriver. A Georgia Bulldog sits poised for action. And delicate flowers or seashells garland tiers of wedding cakes, although occasionally one of these nuptial confections might sport a golf course if the happy couple is so inclined… All 3-D. And edible!

“Wild” and “fun” are the adjectives Carrie Castano, the creator of these celebratory masterpieces, uses to describe the dreams she translates into batter and fondant for her Custom Confections customers. And let’s toss the word “art” into the mixture, for these are not pastries the casual cook whips up in the family kitchen. These are themed cakes that require not only attention to flavor, texture and taste but also to painstaking detail, structure and color — all seasoned with imagination and spiced with whimsy.

I meet Castano in Bluffton at the communal kitchen owned by The Farm restaurant and shared by several independent chefs and bakers. We sit at a long wooden table in the anteroom where dry supplies are kept. This morning, a few steps away, the shared kitchen with its industrial mixer, oven, walk-in refrigerator is quiet, but I can see there’s ample working space along the stainless-steel counters. Meanwhile, Castano offers me a sampling of cookies and minicupcakes. In the interest of research, I pick up the Nutella and oatmeal cookie and bite in.

culture

[LOCAL Life] One of the perks of an in-person interview is getting to sample your marvelous baking! How did you get your start?

[Carrie Castano] My heritage is German-Italian, and when I was growing up in New Jersey, I loved being in the kitchen with my mother. I was always reading cookbooks, looking for recipes to try out. In high school, I decided I wanted to make the perfect apple pie, so I would try out a bunch of recipes. Then I’d bring my pies to the cafeteria at lunchtime and ask my friends to sample and rate them. Did they need more cinnamon? Were there enough apples? Was the crust buttery?

Meanwhile, I looked into going to The Culinary Institute of America. But it was a four-year program, and I just wanted to do pastry. My dad said, "go to college first, get your degree, and then I’ll pay for culinary school." So, I got my business and entrepreneurship degree from the University of Miami and then went to the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. It was six months of intensive pastry and so much fun!

[LL] You worked for Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss himself?

[CC] Yes, I was living in Hoboken and went to work for Carlo’s Bake Shop in 2009. They had just finished their first season of Cake Boss on TLC, and they knew they were going to be super busy, so they were hiring young pastry artists. I did everything there – cannoli, cookies, pies – and then graduated to crazy, ridiculous cakes. One time we made a lifesized horse cake for the Prince of Bahrain as a birthday present for his wife. They flew five of us over there, and we created the cake, from the baking to the sculpting for a week in a palace kitchen.

[LL] What brought you to the Lowcountry?

[CC] I grew up vacationing on Hilton Head in the ‘90s. My parents had retired on the island, and my husband, Stefano, and I moved here in 2016 when our son, Oliver, was a baby and I began the business. Now we have our daughter, Stella, and I’ve been doing this for nine years.

[LL] I would think one of the biggest challenges would be coming up with whimsical confections that are not only original but also tell the story that each customer wants to convey.

[CC] First I ask them if they have any inspirations to share with me. A lot come in with a bunch of ideas. I’ve even had customers put their ideas into ChatGPT, and out pops a cake vision. I also show them what I’ve done in the past. We work off of all that. With weddings, traditionally, the wedding cake is lighter textured buttercream, while the groom’s cake might be wild. For instance, we did one with a cheese hat atop a Raven for a Baltimore fan who also likes Wisconsin. But then we’ve also done a wedding cake where the heads of the couple’s pet dogs peek out of the bottom tier.

[LL] And for other milestone celebrations?

[CC] I do a lot of sports-themed cakes: football helmets, golf courses and now pickleball. For kids, cartoon characters, Star Wars, Pokémon, Barbie, Taylor Swift songs, a cake topped with veggies for a gardener, beaches, boats, guitars, Ferraris, a box of cigars….

[LL] What are some of the zanier cakes you’ve made?

[CC] I did one where the groom was into Chipotle, so I did a base that looked like a tablecloth and put a rolled cake on top of it, shaped like a burrito, with a side of chips made from fondant with buttercream guacamole. Another groom was into Firehouse Subs, so I made a sub sandwich and chicken wings out of cake, fondant and krispy treats. Oh, and then there was one that was “a can” of Bush’s beans… Silly and fun!

[LL] Many of your creations, like the one where real Skittles “stream down” from a Skittles bag onto a cake, must require sculpting and maybe even a bit of architecture. And then there are the cakes you cut into which reveal checkerboard or rainbow patterns…

[CC] I like sculpting. And I feel like in a second lifetime I’d be an architect. I grew up playing with Legos – and loved taking a bucket of random Legos and making whatever. And now I love doing them with my kids. With baking sometimes you need to add non-edible elements for structure, such as a cake board for a guitar’s bridge and a rod as a base for that stream of Skittles.

[LL] If someone could make a cake celebrating you, what would it look like?

[CC] It would be the type of cake that is an illusion, something that tricks your eye. The cake would be pumpkin cake with a cream cheese icing. It could be in the shape of a volleyball, my KitchenAid mixer — or Legos! LL

COASTAL

Glenn Close and the art of the character

Black dress with red and black fur from 102 Dalmations, 2000

Anthony Powell (1935-2020), costume designer

tSTORY BY CAROLYN MALES

There’s a theory called Enclothed Cognition that talks about the effect of wearing of a particular type of clothing — a doctor’s white coat, for example –– has on the wearer. But as we all know, it’s not only how one feels moving through the world in a particular garment, it’s also the impact that doing so has on others.

Glenn Close understands just how important costuming is for creating a living, breathing character on screen and stage. She knows that slipping into a particular piece of clothing may bring forth emotions, expectations and bodily reactions, not only from the actor portraying a character but from those sharing a scene — and, in the end, on those watching in the audience.

Close began collecting her costumes shortly after playing nurse Jenny Fields, the resolute feminist mother of Garp (Robin Williams), in The World According to Garp in 1982. She had been thinking about all the hours she spent in fittings, collaborating with costume designers, followed by the days and weeks artisans spent crafting these garments and accessories. But then once a film was completed, the studios would discard or sell the costumes. A whole history of costume design was being lost, along with opportunities for others to learn from what these talented artists had created. So in 2017 she donated her 800-piece collection of costumes to the Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection in the School of Art, Architecture + Design at Indiana University. Three years later the public got its first look when the University’s Eskenazi Museum of Art presented a selection of her archive.

Now we too can get a behind-the-scenes view at the role costuming played in 12 of her movies at The Art of the Character: Highlights from the Glenn Close Costume Collection, which runs through Feb. 15 at the Jepson Center in Savannah. Here in the museum’s spacious galleries, we can examine the detail and workmanship that goes into each piece up close and learn about the collaborative process that inspired these brilliant designs.

DANGEROUS LIAISONS

The sumptuous gowns Close wears as the Marquise de Merteuil appear as calculated as her scheming and as structured as her strategy to manipulate the targets of her desires and vengeance in 18th-century France, a society where women wielded little power. That voluminous icy blue silk gown, with its big bows and serpentine trails of pink roses, dazzles much as the real-life Madame de Pompadour must have when she glided through the mirrored halls of Versailles. The caged and laced muslin panniers Close’s Marquise laces herself into beneath her skirts suggest both societal strictures and her own self-control and untouchability. James Acheson won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Liaison’s character-revealing wardrobes.

STEPFORD WIVES

For her turn as Claire Wellington, a woman determined to embody the perfect mate, Close dons designer Ann Roth’s hyper-feminine “armor” of pastels, flowery full skirts trimmed with rickrack or lace and gingham capris. There’s so much “sugar” here that one comes away with one’s teeth hurting … which is just the point.

THE LION IN WINTER

When Close as Eleanor of Aquitaine girds herself in designer Consolata Boyle’s sleek armor, we see a bit of “stage magic.” Crafted with shiny plastic sequins to suggest metal, the costume projects the queen’s inner strength. Yet noting that band of beaded flowers below her waist, we can’t help but feel she’s protecting her vulnerability as she faces off with husband Henry II over his imprisonment of their three sons.

FATAL ATTRACTION

Who wouldn’t be intimidated by seeing homewrecker Alex Forrest in her big black leather coat (in a wardrobe by designer Ellen Mirojnick) as she gleefully plots to upend her lover’s marriage by pouring acid on his car and swooping up his daughter, for a “fun” day at the amusement park? Think of all the space she takes up in with those wide shoulders, vaguely reminiscent of a motorcycle gang babe. No wonder errant husband Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) is scared.

See the exhibit

What: The Art of the Character: Highlights from the Glenn Close Costume Collection

When: Through Feb. 15

Where: Jepson Center, Savannah

Details: Telfair.org, 912-790-8800

THE MET GALA GOWN

Being a Hollywood star can entail fantasies of a different sort. Before leaving, step into the back gallery where flashbulbs from paparazzi greet you (albeit on a video) just as if you’d stepped onto the red carpet. Here you’ll see the billowing blue gown with a sweeping train and hand-embroidered crystal swag necklace that Close wore for the 2025 Met Gala. Erdem’s Karl Lagerfeld-inspired creation may not be for a screen role, but one could say it is a “costume” fitting for an actor who has garnered eight Academy Award nominations, three Tonys, three Emmys, three Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award. (It should be noted here, lest someone consider emulating the recent Louvre robbery, that all these jewels in the collection are faux. Faux but fabulous.)

101 DALMATIANS AND 102 DALMATIANS

Oh, was there ever a more fashionobsessed meanie than Cruella de Vil? To convey this operatic villainess with her manic obsession for animal fur, designer Anthony Powell created a collection of outfits and accessories that illustrate her transition from fashion designer (straight lines, leather and “fur”) to madwoman, then on to her reformation and enlightenment (softer lines and recycled plastic details in place of fur), back to evil. The “killer heels” on display in a side case says it all, with their metal spikes and encircling wires.

Art of the Character film series

When: Dec. 27, Feb. 13

Where: Jepson Center, Savannah

101 Dalmatians (1996): 2 p.m., Dec. 27

Fatal Attraction (1987): 6 p.m., Feb. 13

Tickets: Adults $10; Children $5, members free. Telfair.org, 912-790–8800.

Holiday Bliss Ritual

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American Chai

People would drive miles to stop by, say Hi, watch me make my world-famous chai. No caffeine for me. I used red tea, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, pepper, ginger – always fresh, ground into a family of intoxicating aromas. But it wasn’t just ingredients. It was about instinct, improvisation, art, the desire to give the people you love comfort, a way to the heart. No measurements, all feel, not just for chai, but for every meal.

— James Strazza

ABOUT THE POET James Strazza is a musician, visual artist and poet whose creative journey was transformed by severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/ CFS). Once an active composer and performer in New Jersey, he became bedridden in 2019, living in near silence and darkness. When music and art were no longer possible, he turned to poetry, dictating lines on his phone to give voice to his experience. His debut collection, Lyrical: Poems That Will Blow You a Kiss or Punch You in the Stomach (2020), and his follow-up, Unsung: Poems Written in the Dark (2025), capture love, loss, illness and resilience with stark honesty. Through his work, Strazza continues to advocate for awareness of severe ME/CFS and the creative spirit that endures even in isolation. Find more of his work online at jamesstrazza.com.

ABOUT THE ARTIST For more than 40 years, Alysia Brazin has shaped clay into works of art that balance beauty and function. A lifelong ceramicist, she studied in the Boston area and was fortunate to take part in Harvard University’s renowned ceramics program. Now based on Hilton Head, Brazin draws daily inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds her. She finds deep satisfaction in knowing her pottery becomes part of someone’s everyday rituals; a favorite mug, a serving bowl, a piece that feels both useful and meaningful. See more of her work online at hiltonheadpottery.com.

WHAT’S FRESH IN DECEMBER?

Savoy cabbage

TURN OVER A NEW LEAF WITH THIS CRINKLY GREEN CABBAGE VARIETY

STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

A storied leaf

wWith its crinkled, ruffled leaves and mild, slightly sweet flavor, savoy cabbage deserves a little more attention at the winter table. Often overlooked for sturdier green or red varieties, this pretty, versatile cabbage adds texture, color and gentle sweetness to soups, stews, salads and stir-fries. Hardy enough to handle the chill but delicate enough to feel special, savoy cabbage brings both substance and style to cold-weather cooking.

SWEET AND SAVOY

Savoy cabbage stands out from its cabbage cousins with its ruffled, lacy leaves and mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s round like a traditional green cabbage but softer in texture and gentler in taste, perfect for dishes where you want tenderness without losing structure.

Savoy cabbage carries a touch of European intrigue. First grown in the chilly fields of medieval Europe and recorded around the 16th century, it’s believed to take its name either from the Italian House of Savoy or the Savoy region of France in the Western Alps. Since that region was once ruled by the same royal family, the truth is probably a bit of both. Savoy rose to prominence in medieval Germany, a cabbage-growing stronghold where its frost-friendly leaves brought color and comfort to long winters.

TASTE OF EUROPE

Hungarian savoy cabbage and potato stew

This comforting dish, known as Kelkáposzta főzelék, comes from Chef Timea Szanto, owner of Taste of Europe. A beloved staple in Hungarian home cooking, this hearty vegetable stew comes together in just over half an hour, perfect for cozy weeknights. Főzelék, a uniquely Hungarian dish without a true English equivalent, is a thick, flavorful vegetable stew served as a main course or alongside fried eggs, meatloaf or sausage. With tender savoy cabbage, creamy potatoes and the warm flavors of paprika, caraway and garlic, this dish captures the comforting soul of Hungarian cuisine.

INGREDIENTS

1 small head of savoy cabbage (about 1 pound), thinly sliced 1 pound of potatoes, diced in medium-sized cubes

1 medium Spanish onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced

1/3 teaspoon ground caraway seeds

1/3 teaspoon sweet Hungarian red paprika powder

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

3-4 tablespoons all purpose flour Salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS [1] In a medium pot, sauté the onions and the minced garlic in vegetable oil over low heat, stirring frequently, until translucent. Salt lightly to help tenderize them. Add the washed and thinly sliced savoy cabbage, pour over 4 cups of water, salt to taste and cook for about 10 minutes.

[2] Meanwhile, peel and cube the potatoes and add them to the pot. Add the ground caraway seeds, and keep cooking until tender. [3] Prepare the roux (to thicken the stew). In a saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of oil, add 3-4 tablespoons of flour, and stir constantly over low heat. (You need just enough oil to make the consistency of your roux not too thick and not too thin. It should spread out in your pan and bubble a little.) After 2-3 minutes of searing, when it starts to brown, take it off the heat and allow to cool. [4] Add the sweet red paprika powder. Add some cold water to the roux to thin it. (It makes it easier to pour this mixture into the pot.) Pour the roux back into the pot, bring it back to a boil, and simmer for 1-2 minutes. [5] Serve with fried eggs, meat, sausage or beef/pork stew.

Health benefits

Savoy cabbage is as nourishing as it is pretty. Every ruffled leaf is packed with vitamins A, B, C and K to support immunity, energy and healthy skin while promoting strong bones and quicker healing. It’s also rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron; minerals that keep blood, bones and fluid levels balanced. High in fiber but low in calories, it’s kind to both your gut and your waistline. Antioxidants and glucosinolates add bonus benefits, helping reduce inflammation, protect the heart and even guard against certain cancers.

Cabbage patch kid

In the Lowcountry savoy cabbage thrives during the mild days of early spring and fall, preferring temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees. According to the Clemson Cooperative Extension, transplants should go in the ground between Feb. 1 and March 31 for a spring crop, or between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30 for fall. Be cautious of long cool spells: if temperatures hover between 35 and 50 degrees for more than 10 days, plants may bolt and lose quality. Savoy prefers well-drained, sandy loam soil rich in organic matter. Water in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall, soaking the soil to about six inches deep, and mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Heads are ready to harvest 60 to 80 days after transplanting, once they’re firm and full.

“You treat it just like regular cabbage — it attracts the same pests — and it grows really well here,” said Joan LaBoiteaux, president of the Hilton Head Plantation Farmers Club.

Heads above the rest

When shopping, look for heads that feel heavy for their size, with crisp, unblemished leaves in a bright, natural green. The outer leaves should look fresh and full, not wilted or brown. Peak season runs from November through April, though here in the Lowcountry you’ll find them at farmers markets in both spring and fall. Local markets tend to offer the freshest flavor, but most grocery stores carry them too. A firm feel and lively color are your best signs that this coolweather crop is in its prime.

Keep a good head on

Savoy cabbage is more delicate than its sturdier cousins, so storage matters. Whole, unwashed heads will keep for up to two weeks when loosely wrapped in paper towels or plastic and stored in the fridge’s crisper drawer. Leave the outer leaves on; they protect the tender inner ones, and wait to wash until right before using. Once cut or cooked, wrap the cabbage tightly, or store in a sealed container. Use within two to three days for the best flavor and texture.

More than rabbit food

The outer leaves are delicate enough for cooked dishes, while the inner ones are crisp and sweet, perfect for salads or slaws. Its tender yet sturdy texture stands up to roasting, braising, stir-frying and even fermenting into sauerkraut or kimchi. The flavor is mild, nutty and lightly earthy, pairing beautifully with meats, poultry, seafood or bold seasonings. Roast it with olive oil, simmer it with root vegetables, roll it into spring rolls, or toss it into a soup. Savoy cabbage plays well in almost any kitchen. LL

LOCAL LIFE TEST KITCHEN

Savory cabbage rolls

These hearty cabbage rolls bring comfort to the table with a savory filling of meat, rice and vegetables, wrapped in tender leaves and simmered in tomato sauce. They’re satisfying enough for a main course yet simple enough for a cozy weeknight dinner.

INGREDIENTS

1 medium head of savoy cabbage

1 pound ground beef or pork (or a mix)

1 cup cooked white rice

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, grated

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup crushed tomatoes (plus extra for sauce)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

Garnish: Parsley

DIRECTIONS [1] Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently remove about 12 large cabbage leaves, and blanch them for 2-3 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside to cool. [2] In a large bowl, combine ground meat, cooked rice, onion, carrot, garlic, tomato paste, beaten egg, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix until evenly blended. [3] Place a spoonful of filling near the base of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over and roll tightly, tucking the ends underneath. [4] Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Arrange rolls seam side down, and brown lightly on all sides. Pour in crushed tomatoes and broth, covering the rolls halfway. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 45-60 minutes until tender. [5] Spoon with tomato sauce from the pan, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Local flavor: Comfort edition

tCozy recipes, chef favorites and the details

that make food feel like home

STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

There’s a reason we crave certain dishes when the air turns crisp and the holidays draw near. Maybe it’s a bowl of soup that warms from the inside, mashed potatoes that melt on the tongue or a bubbling dish of mac and cheese that feels like a family gathering in every bite. Comfort food goes beyond flavor. It’s memory, connection and the joy of slowing down around the table with the people who make life sweet. In this edition of Local Flavor we’re celebrating the dishes that feed more than hunger. Local chefs and restaurants share their favorite takes on the classics, along with the stories and small secrets that make them shine.

RUBY LEE’S

Mac & cheese

Sometimes, comfort comes in a big, cheesy pot. Tim Singleton, owner of Ruby Lee’s, knows exactly how to deliver it. His celebrated mac & cheese is creamy, rich and designed to feed a crowd — or a very hungry family. With a luscious blend of cheeses, a hint of spice from pepper jack and a golden, bubbling top, this dish is the ultimate in indulgent, feel-good cooking. Perfect for gatherings, weeknight dinners or whenever you need a little extra comfort, it’s a recipe that proves some classics are worth every bite.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds elbow macaroni (or enough to fill a large pot) 6-8 large eggs

1/2 gallon half-and-half

1/2 gallon whole milk

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color and flavor) 4-5 cups shredded cheese blend (about a 1-inch-thick layer). Suggested mix: Colby, American or cheddar, and a bit of pepper jack for kick

Additional shredded cheese for topping before baking

DIRECTIONS [1] Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the elbow noodles until just al dente. Drain and set aside. [2] In the same large pot (or a mixing bowl), whisk together the eggs, half-and-half and whole milk. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and paprika. [3] Return noodles to the pot. Add the cheese (approximately a 1-inch-thick layer), and stir well to combine everything evenly. [4] Over medium heat, cook while stirring gently until the mixture starts to thicken and the cheese melts throughout. Do not boil. [5] Transfer to a large greased baking dish. Top with another generous layer of shredded cheese. [6] Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, until golden and bubbling. [7] Let rest for at least 1 hour before serving if you'd like firm, sliceable portions (perfect for 4 to 6-ounce servings).

MAC YOUR WAY

Mac & cheese might be the definition of comfort, but that doesn’t mean it has to be basic. The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability. It's creamy enough to carry bold flavors, yet familiar enough to handle a twist. Whether you like yours crunchy on top, loaded with smoky add-ins or finished with something unexpected, a few small touches can transform a humble bowl of cheesy noodles into something extraordinary.

CRUNCHY TOPPINGS

Garlic butter breadcrumbs: Mix panko with melted butter, garlic powder and parsley.

Crushed potato chips: Adds a salty crunch, or try kettle chips or jalapeño flavor for a kick.

Toasted pecans or walnuts: A surprising nutty texture for grown-up mac.

SAVORY MIX-INS

Pulled pork or BBQ chicken: Turn it into a complete meal.

Caramelized onions: Add depth and a touch of sweetness.

Roasted jalapeños or hatch chiles: For spice lovers.

Lobster or crab: Instant luxury.

GREEN & FRESH

Sautéed spinach or kale: Sneak in some greens without losing the comfort factor. Chives or scallions: Add color and brightness right before serving.

Truffle oil or hot honey drizzle: The finishing touch for serious flavor.

CHEF'S FAVORITE THINGS

We asked local chefs their favorite comfort food

RED FISH

“Probably bread and butter. It just makes me happy.”

— Chef Melissa Coocran

PALMETTO BAY SUNRISE CAFE

“Probably cottage pie. It’s filling and warm — it fills a void when you’re in need of comfort. It makes you feel safe.”

— Leslie Stewart

HAMPTON HALL CLUB

“Tomato soup and grilled cheese are so nostalgic. It’s my childhood all wrapped up.”

— Benjamin Huffenberger

THE SEA PINES RESORT

“Fried chicken. Cooking fried chicken with grandma is one of my favorite culinary memories.”

— Chef Benjamin Harris

TRUFFLES

“A good burger. It’s just really satisfying — you know, the bun’s got to be just right.”

— Price Beall

HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE ON THE DOCKS

“Any type of Asian food. Growing up, a Taiwanese woman named Connie, who worked with my family, often took care of my brother and me and cooked amazing, authentic Chinese and Szechuan meals.

I’ve been hooked on Chinese food ever since.”

— Andrew Carmines

OKAN BLUFFTON

“Ramen. It’s versatile, and you can do anything with it.”

— Chef Bernard Bennett

HOLY TEQUILA

“Sushi. Grocery store sushi. It’s convenient, delicious and hits the spot every time.”

— Chef Michael Peeler

Question:

Dear Chef,

Everywhere I look, chefs are “elevating” comfort food, turning casseroles into canapés and topping mac and cheese with truffle oil. Is there really a right way to fancy up the classics, or should comfort food stay simple?

— Craving Comfort in Coligny

ASK THE CHEF

LAYERS OF COMFORT Few dishes feel as comforting as a bubbling pan of lasagna. In Italy it’s the ultimate family meal, layered with rich ragù, creamy béchamel and tender pasta sheets that soak up every flavor. Each region adds its own twist, but the heart of the dish is always the same: food meant to be shared.

Answer:

Dear Craving,

Some dishes are best left just the way they are. Chef Nunzio Patruno of Nunzio Restaurant + Bar says it best: “Comfort food should be preserved as comfort food. It does not need to be elevated. That is why people choose time and time again that dish — that recipe that always hits the sweet spot.” The beauty of comfort food is in its familiarity. It’s not about fancy ingredients or clever plating. It’s about the memory it stirs and the satisfaction it brings, one bite at a time.

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Turn any food into comfort food

SIMPLE TECHNIQUES TO TURN EVERYDAY DISHES INTO SOUL-SOOTHING FAVORITES

cComfort food isn’t just about what you cook; it’s about how you cook it. That extra bit of richness, warmth or nostalgia can transform even the simplest dish into something that soothes the soul. Whether you’re working with vegetables, pasta or dessert, these small touches can turn any meal into a cozy classic.

1 . Start with the senses

Comfort food should evoke a sense of nostalgia before you even take a bite. Think aromas that fill the kitchen: browning butter, roasting garlic and simmering sauce. Don’t rush it. Slow cooking or roasting at lower temperatures helps deepen flavor and create that “home-cooked” feel.

2 . Build richness and texture

According to Ean Gardner of The G-Free Spot, “Make sure you use full-fat ingredients that will elevate the flavors — whole milk, heavy cream and butter add richness and creaminess to any dish. For example, if you’re making quiche, use heavy cream and whole milk to make a thickness and fluffiness to the eggs.” In other words, don’t be afraid of fat. The silky mouth-feel of real butter or cream can turn a meal from plain to luxurious in seconds.

3 . Layer your flavors

Comfort comes from depth, and it's all about layers, just like getting dressed for a cold day. Start with aromatics like onions, garlic or leeks, then build with herbs and spices that add warmth, like thyme, rosemary, nutmeg or smoked paprika. A splash of wine, a spoonful of mustard or a touch of acidity can round out the richness.

5

. Add a finishing touch

A dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of cheese or a drizzle of something rich (like truffle oil or honey) makes a dish feel special. Presentation matters too. A cozy bowl or vintage baking dish can make the experience complete.

4 . Lean into nostalgia

Sometimes comfort is more emotional than culinary. Maybe it’s the tomato soup your mom made with grilled cheese or the casserole your grandfather brought to every potluck. Recreate those flavors (even imperfectly) and they’ll bring instant comfort.

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w Create a cozy winter pantry

When the temperatures drop and evenings get longer, a well-stocked pantry becomes more than convenient; it becomes the heart of your kitchen. Winter is all about comfort and creativity, and having your shelves thoughtfully organized means you can whip up something cozy at a moment’s notice. Carrie Hirsch of The Culinary Institute of the South shares her expert tips for creating a winter pantry that’s both practical and inspiring.

Start with structure

Before stocking up, it’s all about organization. “It’s best to keep the spices in alphabetical order,” says Hirsch. “This makes them much easier to find when cooking and baking.” It might sound simple, but when you’re in the middle of simmering soup or mixing batter, that easy access makes all the difference.

Hirsch recommends grouping ingredients by category to keep your shelves tidy and your cooking stress-free:

• Canned goods

• Baking items: flour, sugar, baking soda, chocolate, preserves, dried fruits

• Coffees & teas

• Pastas, rices, grains, noodles

• Oils, vinegars, sauces, ketchups

• Sodas & bottled waters

• Crackers, chips, nuts, popcorn, granola bars

• Candy bars, fruit leather and other sweets

Stock up for the season

Once everything is organized, it’s time to fill those shelves with warmth. “To stock up the pantry for the winter, soups of all kinds are fun,” Hirsch says. “Try some new flavors you’ve never tried, and buy organic when on sale.” From lentil and bean soups to creamy chowders and hearty chilis, soup is the ultimate winter comfort.

She also recommends keeping pantry staples on hand for homemade soups and stews: “Be sure to include ingredients to make your own soups and stews – lentils, beans, peas and tiny pastas are perfect, along with chicken, beef and vegetable bone broths and good-quality tomato sauces to use when making chilis.”

Make it your cozy corner

A winter pantry isn’t just about storage, it’s about inspiration. A few thoughtful touches, such as a basket for snacks or a shelf dedicated to teas and cocoa, can transform your pantry into a space that invites creativity. With the right ingredients you’ll always be just a few steps away from your next bowl of comfort.

This culinary journey showcases soulfully prepared local ingredients and their evolution from West Africa to the Caribbean, through South America, to the Lowcountry. Ultimately an elevated pairing of cultures to be celebrated through taste. Collectively Ọkàn deeply impacts community through engaging local farmers, empowering employees, and compelling guests.

A pinch of comfort

NUTMEG TURNS ORDINARY DISHES INTO COZY CLASSICS

SECRET INGREDIENT

sSome ingredients don’t need to shout to be heard. Nutmeg is one of those quiet essentials that can completely change a dish with just a pinch. Known for its subtle sweetness and unmistakable warmth, it’s often thought of as a holiday spice or something reserved for eggnog or pumpkin pie. But in the right hands, nutmeg can just as easily belong in savory dishes, where it adds depth and dimension without overpowering the flavors.

“When adding a small amount of nutmeg to a dish, it elevates the savory flavors and provides warmth and depth to the dish,” says Cassandra Schultz, owner of Cassandra’s Kitchen Store. “I use Ina Garten’s recipe for meatballs, and she puts nutmeg in them. It makes such a difference.” That’s the beauty of nutmeg. It’s a supporting actor that makes everyone else taste better. A dash of nutmeg in a creamy béchamel sauce brings richness to mac and cheese. A sprinkle in mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables adds unexpected complexity. And in soups, from butternut squash to chicken and wild rice, it lends a comforting aroma that evokes the feel of winter in a bowl. Nutmeg pairs exceptionally well with dairy, which is why it appears in many classic comfort dishes, from creamed spinach to Alfredo sauce and custards.

Nutmeg comes from the seed of the evergreen Myristica fragrans tree, native to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. Inside its hard shell lies the small, aromatic seed we grate for that distinctive flavor: warm, slightly sweet and faintly nutty. For centuries nutmeg has been prized not just for its taste but for its fragrance and versatility, finding its way into both savory dishes and sweets around the world. For the best flavor, always grate it fresh, rather than reaching for the pre-ground jar; the difference in aroma and intensity is immediate. Ultimately, nutmeg is about balance. It’s that tiny, thoughtful addition that doesn’t draw attention to itself, yet somehow makes every bite feel warmer, cozier and just a little more like home.

Ina Garten’s Spaghetti & Meatballs

If you're already a Barefoot Contessa fan, then you know that Ina Garten has a way of making the most basic ingredients taste like a million bucks. Her meatballs are no exception. They're so good and so easy to make, you'll be serving them up all the time. And that secret ingredient? While you may not see the nutmeg, the taste will have you coming back for more.

INGREDIENTS (meatballs)

1/2 pound ground veal

1/2 pound ground pork

1 pound ground beef

1 cup fresh white bread crumbs (4 slices, crusts removed)

1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 extra-large egg, beaten

Vegetable oil

Olive Santo Olive Oil

INGREDIENTS (sauce)

1 tablespoon Olio Santo olive oil

1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/2 cup good red wine, such as Chianti

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS [1] Place the ground meats, both bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands or a stainless scooper, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs. [2] Pour equal amounts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large (12-inch) skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch. Heat the oil. Very carefully, in batches, place the meatballs in the oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully with a spatula or a fork. This should take about 10 minutes for each batch. Don't crowd the meatballs. Remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels. Discard the oil but don't clean the pan. [3] For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the same pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper. [4] Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.

©2002, BAREFOOT CONTESSA FAMILY STYLE BY INA GARTEN, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Soup season

SAVOR THE COZINESS OF WINTER WITH THESE EASY LOCAL RECIPES

cSTORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

Cold evenings call for something warm, hearty and homemade, a dish that wraps you in comfort with every spoonful. For this Cozy Issue we’ve gathered favorite soups and stews from local chefs, from Lowcountry classics to personal family recipes and inventive seasonal creations. Each bowl tells a story: the aromas that evoke childhood memories, the secret techniques passed down through generations and the small touches that make a recipe truly special. Pull up a chair, grab a spoon, and savor the warmth of the Lowcountry, one bowl at a time.

CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE

She crab soup

At Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte, owner Margaret Pearman keeps one of the Lowcountry’s most beloved traditions alive with a recipe that’s stood the test of time. “It’s one of those recipes you never rush,” Pearman says. “The secret is in building the base slowly, letting the butter, vegetables and thyme come together before adding the cream.” Each batch is finished with a splash of sherry and a generous handful of crab meat, creating a soup that feels both indulgent and comforting. “There’s something about the aroma of crab and sherry that immediately makes people smile,” she says. “It’s elegant but still has that down-home feel.”

INGREDIENTS

1/2 pound unsalted butter

2 carrots, diced

1 yellow onion, diced

1/2 stalk of celery, diced

2 quarts of heavy cream

2 bay leaves

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon dry thyme

2 cups lobster stock

2 cups chicken stock

3 shakes Tabasco

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon white pepper

2 teaspoons Kosher salt

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup cooking sherry

1/2 pound crab meat (claw meat works well)

DIRECTIONS [1] Heat the butter over medium heat in a large pot. Once the butter has melted, add the diced celery and onion. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender and translucent, stirring often. Add carrots and thyme; cook for another 8 minutes. [2] Next, sprinkle in the flour, coating everything evenly. Continue to stir constantly to create a roux. Then add the stocks and heavy cream. Bring up to a simmer for 5 minutes. [3] Using an immersion blender, combine all the ingredients in the pot until smooth and well-blended. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, white pepper and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to bloom. [4] Stir together the cornstarch and the sherry to make a slurry. Pour the slurry into the soup while stirring. Bring the soup back to a boil to thicken to the desired consistency. Finish by adding the crab meat. [5] Cool and store for up to a week.

PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

Roasted butternut squash bisque

For executive chef Beth Cosgrove of the Palmetto Bluff Club, the beauty of a dish begins with what’s in season. Her roasted butternut squash bisque is a fall favorite, rich and velvety, finished with toasted pumpkin seeds, buttered croutons and a drizzle of herb oil. “We have squash and an abundance of other winter vegetables currently being harvested from Palmetto Bluff’s on-property farm,” she says. “We love featuring dishes that highlight this incredible fresh produce, and this one came on the menu just in time for the cold weather. It’s simple, seasonal and satisfying: the kind of soup that makes you pause, savor each spoonful and appreciate the beauty of fresh ingredients.”

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds whole butternut squash

Extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt, to taste

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large leek, white and light green parts only, diced 1 quart (4 cups) low-sodium chicken broth

2 cups heavy cream

Toasted pumpkin seeds

Buttered croutons

DIRECTIONS [1] Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Trim the ends of the squash so that it can stand flat on your cutting board, and carefully slice lengthwise in half. Scoop out and discard the seeds and membranes. Brush the cut sides with extra virgin olive oil, season with salt, and place cut-side down on a half sheet pan. Roast for 45 to 55 minutes, or until very tender and caramelized. Let cool slightly, then scoop out the flesh (discarding the skin). Set aside for later. [2] Meanwhile, combine the butter and olive oil in a large soup pot, and place it over low heat. Once lightly bubbling, add the leeks and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are very soft, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add a splash of water if necessary so that the leeks do not gain color. [3] Add the reserved roasted butternut squash, chicken broth and cream and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the flavors have melded together. Remove from the heat. [4] Transfer the soup to a high-powered blender, and blend until it is very smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. [5] Serve and garnish with extra-virgin olive oil, croutons and toasted pumpkin seeds.

THAI SMILE CUISINE

Tom Kha (Thai coconut chicken soup)

For Chef Kanlaya Ouychaisawad of Thai Smile Cuisine, Tom Kha isn’t just a recipe, it’s a memory brought to life. “Growing up in Thailand, this was the dish my mother made whenever someone in the family was tired, sick or simply needed comfort,” she recalls. The gentle scent of galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves still takes her back to those moments of care and connection. Now on Hilton Head, she prepares Tom Kha with the same devotion, slowly simmering fresh herbs before stirring in rich coconut milk. “The secret is patience,” she says. “Never rush the coconut milk, or it will separate.” For her, this soup bridges two worlds: her Thai roots and her life on the Carolina coast, reminding her that true comfort “doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to come from the heart.”

INGREDIENTS

1 2/3 cups coconut milk

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 pound sliced chicken breast (or any preferred protein)

1/2 cup sliced galangal (or fresh ginger if unavailable)

2 stalks lemongrass, cut into 2-inch pieces and smashed

3 shallots, peeled and smashed (or sliced red onion)

3 kaffir lime leaves, torn

4 to 5 mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

2 Thai red chilies, sliced (if you enjoy spice)

3 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons lime juice

DIRECTIONS [1] In a pot, bring chicken broth, galangal, lemongrass, shallot and lime leaves to a gentle boil. Simmer for 7 minutes to release the aroma. [2] Add the chicken, and cook until done. [3] Season with fish sauce, sugar and chili. Add mushrooms and tomatoes, and bring to a boil. [4] Stir in coconut milk and heat gently, being careful not to boil so the coconut’s natural sweetness is preserved. [5] Turn off the heat, stir in lime juice, and add cilantro. [6] Garnish with cilantro and serve warm.

CASSANDRA’S KITCHEN STORE

Roasted tomato basil soup

For Cassandra Schultz, owner of Cassandra’s Kitchen Store, tomatoes are a yearround passion. When winter rolls in, she turns to a warm, comforting favorite: Ina Garten’s roasted tomato basil soup. “In the summer, it’s a no-brainer,” she says. “You can just slice them, drizzle olive oil and eat them right up. But in the colder months this soup is the perfect way to enjoy tomatoes when they’re out of season.” She first shared the soup with her book club, which she calls more of a “let’s eat good food” club than a reading group. “It’s warm, familiar and delicious,” she recalls. “It brings back those cozy childhood memories of tomato soup on a cold, damp day.”

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil (Olio Santo)

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 (28-ounce) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice

4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 quart chicken stock or water

DIRECTIONS [1] Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in one layer on a baking sheet, and roast for 45 minutes. [2] In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, sauté the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. [3] Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold.

COPYRIGHT 1999, THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA COOKBOOK, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Bread, meet bowl

Perfect pairings for dipping and dunking

Butternut bisque + rosemary focaccia

She crab soup + buttery brioche roll

Corn chowder + jalapeño cornbread

Tomato basil + grilled cheese fingers

Thai coconut soup + crispy wonton chips

SPROUT MOMMA

Choose Your Main Course:

First Choice

Rare Roasted Beef Tenderloin - Red Wine Demi Glaze, Whole Roasted Wild Mushroom

Second Choice

Citrus Herb Butter Roasted Whole Side of Salmon

Tomato, Corn & Scallion Relish, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis

Third Choice

Glazed Christmas Ham Apricot Honey Mustard Glaze & Smokey Ham Jus

ALL DISHES INCLUDE:

Classic Caesar Salad

Crisp Romaine, Shaved Parmesan, Focaccia Crouton & Chef’s Homemade Dressing

Chef’s Potatoes Au Gratin

Sliced Potatoes, Onions, Fresh Thyme, White

Cheddar, Gouda & Boursin Cheese in a Creamy French Custard, Baked Until Golden

Grilled Asparagus with Tomato Confit

DESSERTS TO-G0 MENU

Cheesecakes 9 inches

Peppermint • Bailey's

Christmas Minis

Morning Pastries by the Dozen Cinnamon Rolls • Chocolate Plain Croissants • Ham

Peppermint Holiday Barks

Gingerbread Loaves

Brioche Rolls (dozen)

Cream of celery and potato soup

For Paul “Stew” Stewart, co-owner of Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe, comfort begins with simplicity. His cream of celery and potato soup is proof that a few good ingredients — potatoes, celery, onion and a touch of cream — can create something deeply satisfying. “It’s one of those soups that feels like home,” Stewart says. “It’s smooth, cozy and just rich enough to make you slow down and enjoy it.” Finished with a golden Parmesan crisp that adds a whisper of salt and texture, the dish strikes the perfect balance between rustic and refined. “We serve it on cool mornings when people come in looking for something warm and familiar,” he adds. “It’s a little bit of comfort in a cup.”

INGREDIENTS

4 large russet potatoes, peeled, diced and rinsed 1 celery stalk, washed and chopped

RUSSO’S FRESH SEAFOOD Lowcountry chowder

From the docks to the dinner table, few know the flavors of the Lowcountry better than Charles Russo, owner of Russo’s Fresh Seafood. His Lowcountry chowder captures everything that makes coastal cooking so comforting: fresh shrimp, smoky andouille, sweet corn and a touch of Old Bay for that signature Southern kick. Simmered slowly in a rich shrimp stock and finished with a creamy base, it’s a hearty, briny bowl that feels like home by the sea. Serve it with a squeeze of lemon and a slice of crusty bread for the perfect taste of local comfort.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup onion, diced

1 cup andouille, diced

1 tablespoon garlic

1 tablespoon Old Bay

3 cups potatoes, diced

1 1/2 cups cut corn

1 quart shrimp stock

1 can cream of celery

1 pound shrimp, cooked and diced

1 lemon

Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS [1] Sauté onions, andouille, garlic and Old Bay. Add shrimp stock and potatoes. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. [2] Add cream of celery and turn heat down so as not to scorch the soup. [3] Add corn and cooked shrimp.

Decorated Sugar Cookies (dozen)

DON'T FORGET HOLIDAY CATERING!

1 small yellow onion, diced

6 cups cold water

1 teaspoon salt

Pinch of pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

8-ounce block Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS [1] Add vegetables to a stockpot with 6 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Let cool slightly. [2] Purée vegetables and liquid in a blender. Strain back into the stockpot, and cook on low heat. Add heavy cream and stir. Adjust seasoning. [3] Grate Parmesan cheese, using the large holes of a box grater. Sprinkle a pinch into a nonstick skillet until bubbling, then remove with a spatula to paper towels. Cool and garnish the soup.

THE JAZZ CORNER

Southwestern chicken corn chowder

For executive chef Wade Haase of The Jazz Corner, food is both comfort and expression, and his Southwestern chicken corn chowder hits both notes perfectly. “I love this chowder because it’s comforting, yet full of life,” he says. “It’s hearty, colorful and just the right amount of spicy. It reminds me of my time in Arizona and my love for Southwestern flavors.” Roasted corn, smoky peppers, tender chicken and a creamy base come together in a soup that’s as vibrant as it is satisfying. “Every spoonful tells a story,” Haase adds. “I’m lucky to work with a talented, passionate team where we create art every night through flavor, teamwork and a touch of jazz.”

INGREDIENTS

1 pound chicken breasts, cooked and diced

2 cups fresh corn

2 cups peeled Yukon Gold potatoes, diced

1 Vidalia sweet onion, chopped

2 poblano peppers, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 jalapeno pepper, diced

1-2 tablespoons butter or olive oil

1 can black beans, drained

2 quarts heavy cream

1 tablespoon corn starch

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon sea salt, more or less to taste

1/2 teaspoon pepper more or less to taste

DIRECTIONS [1] In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until browned on all sides. [2] Cook the onions and peppers until they are soft and fragrant. Add corn, add potatoes and cook until al dente. [3] Stir in cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes. [4] Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the flavors have melded together. [5] If you prefer a thicker chowder, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water, and stir it into the soup. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. [5] Garnish with tortilla strips and serve hot.

New Year’s Eve Dinner

FROM SCRATCH

Gingerbread martini or toffee, anyone?

THESE TWO EASIER-THAN-THEY-LOOK TREATS WILL GET EVERYONE IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

tSTORY + PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEA WILKINS

This holiday season, LOCAL Life publisher Lori Goodridge-Cribb comes bearing gifts: two recipes that are sweet, simple and sure to delight even the grouchiest Scrooges. Homemade toffee, rich with deep caramel flavor and ready in under 30 minutes, makes the perfect sharable treat or holiday handout if you’re willing to give it up. For the of-age elves, Lori adds a spirited twist to the season with her gingerbread martini, a creamy, boozy blend that tastes like dessert in a glass and delivers just the right amount of holiday cheer.

using an offset spatula instead of a knife. It’s easier to maneuver over a hot tray, creating smooth, thin layers that make any home cook look like a pro.

Toffee

Watch & learn

Watch Lori prepare these holiday treats “From Scratch” on LOCAL Life’s YouTube Channel

The sweet and salty combination of this homemade toffee is irresistible, and customizing it with festive toppings like sprinkles, sliced almonds or crushed candy canes lets everyone join in the fun.

INGREDIENTS

1 sleeve of saltine crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Optional toppings: Sprinkles, sliced almonds, crushed candy canes, M&Ms, flaky salt, pretzels, marshmallows

DIRECTIONS [1] Heat oven to 400 degrees. [2] Coat a sheet of parchment paper with a neutral oil. Add to a baking sheet, and line it with a single layer of saltine crackers. [3] In a saucepan, combine sugar and butter and bring to a gentle boil. Boil for three minutes, then immediately pour over saltines, spreading evenly. [4] Bake for 5 to 6 minutes. Once removed, top with chocolate chips before it cools. Let sit for 5 minutes. [5] Spread melted chocolate chips. Sprinkle with toppings, and let cool completely (about 20-30 minutes). [6] Break into pieces and serve.

Gingerbread martini

For adults, Lori mixes up a boozy twist on a holiday classic. Her gingerbread martini shakes together three spirits, ice cream and a handmade syrup for a cocktail that’s both naughty and nice. Whether hosting parties or cozying up on the couch, cheers to a holiday season filled with love, joy and extra room for dessert.

INGREDIENTS

4 oz vodka

4 oz Irish cream liqueur (such as Baileys)

2 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua)

2 oz gingerbread syrup (store-bought or homemade)

2 scoops vanilla ice cream, softened

Optional garnishes: Whipped cream, crushed gingerbread cookies

DIRECTIONS[1] Combine vodka, Irish cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, gingerbread syrup and ice cream in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. [2] Pour into martini glasses, and top with whipped cream and crushed cookies.

The place to celebrate in the Lowcountry

River House is a celebration of Lowcountry culture and cuisine—an instant favorite. This intimate connection between land and sea intertwines seasonal harvests, thoughtfully sourced meats, fresh catch, cocktails and wines, curating an experience as unforgettable as the Lowcountry itself. Call for reservations.

RIVERHOUSESC.COM (843) 706-6542

RESTAURANT

news&notes

FRESH CONCEPTS, UPDATED KITCHENS AND CHEF-DRIVEN IDEAS ARE GIVING LOCAL DINERS PLENTY TO SAVOR

BY BAILEY GILLIAM

Hot spots for a cool month

The Lowcountry’s dining scene is closing out the year with plenty of buzz. December brings new openings, bold chef-driven ideas and refreshed spaces ready to welcome hungry locals and curious visitors. It’s a season of reinvention, where longtime favorites unveil new looks and menus, and brand-new concepts find their place at the table. Whether it’s a remodeled dining room, a shift in culinary direction or a restaurant opening its doors for the first time, there’s no shortage of flavorful news to share.

NOW OPEN

Well House Juicery

Boundary Street, Beaufort

Well House Juicery has opened its first brick-andmortar shop after three years of popping up at markets and local events. Known for raw, cold-pressed juices, house-made mylks and wellness waters, the new Beaufort space stays true to its roots with clean flavors and a focus on community. Guests can sip signature blends, try new additions and meet the makers behind the brand in a light, welcoming setting. A grand opening celebration is planned for early in 2026.

Grounded Cafecito

Coffee cart, Beaufort

Lolo’s Sourdough Bread Co.

Beaufort

Lolo’s Sourdough Bread Co. is serving fresh, handcrafted loaves across the Lowcountry without a storefront. Founded by a military spouse, mom of two and registered nurse, Lolo brings precision and a genuine love of baking to every batch. From classic tangy sourdough to seasonal flavors, each loaf is made with care. You can find Lolo’s bread at local markets, pop-ups and through special orders, making it easy to enjoy artisan sourdough straight from the source.

Grounded Cafecito, a Latina-owned coffee cart rooted in Puerto Rican heritage, is officially rolling through Beaufort. The mobile café serves Latin-inspired specialty drinks alongside everyday classics, blending strong flavor with plenty of personality. Look for the cart at pop-ups around Beaufort and the Sea Islands or book it for private events. Wherever it parks, Grounded Cafecito brings a warm dose of cafecito culture and community.

Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club

Terrapin is now welcoming guests at Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club, adding a fresh mix of Southern flavor and modern comfort to the island’s dining scene. The restaurant draws inspiration from the resilient terrapin turtle and Hilton Head’s easy coastal pace. Diners can settle into the relaxed dining room or enjoy a drink on the patio after a round of golf. A thoughtful menu, friendly service and a solid wine and cocktail list make Terrapin an inviting new stop for locals and visitors.

COMING SOON Russell Stover Chocolates

Tanger Outlets II, Bluffton

A sweet addition is headed to Tanger Outlets II. Russell Stover Chocolates will open soon in Suite A130, offering classic assortments, seasonal treats, sugarfree options and gift boxes. Whether you’re picking up a holiday present or treating yourself, the new shop will bring a familiar favorite to Bluffton shoppers.

NEWS & NOTES

Colleton River Club welcomes new chef

There’s new life in the kitchens at Colleton River Club with the arrival of Executive Chef Josh O’Neill, who recently joined the team from The Golf Club at Indigo Run. He now oversees the Nicklaus and Dye Clubhouses, along with the Palms Café and Halfway Café, and has already made his mark. His fresh approach and well-balanced menus are earning praise from members who appreciate the way he blends inventive dishes with the classic favorites they count on. His mix of creativity and tradition is quickly making him a welcome addition to the club.

Giving back, Hudson’s style

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation and Andrew Carmines have turned great seafood and strong community spirit into another year of meaningful support. After the 2025 Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival, the team distributed $125,000 to more than a dozen local nonprofits. The festival continues to highlight the region’s culinary talent while strengthening the causes that serve the Lowcountry. The next Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival returns Feb. 23 through March 1, 2026.

Taste the rainbow

Lot 9 Brewing Co. is stirring up something sweet after its annual Halloween candy beer poll. This year’s winner, Skittles, edged out the competition and will now star in a limited-edition brew. The Bluffton brewery is asking the community to help make it happen by dropping off Skittles at the taproom. Each donation adds to the batch, and the top three contributors will earn a golden ticket for a Brew Day with brewer Walter Trifari. It’s a fun way to turn leftover candy into a colorful pint.

Hot off the press

The Hilton Head Island Chili Cookoff served up big flavors and plenty of hometown pride. Lincoln & South Brewing Company took first place in the Professional Judges’ Vote with Chef Craig Ryan’s chili featuring Sedona, Calif., ancho, Pequot and New Mexican chilis, plus Brewer John’s smoked kidney beans. British Open Pub held on to its title in the Professional Popular Vote with its Prime Rib Chili. Among amateurs, the Hilton Head Firefighters’ Association topped the Judges’ Vote with a hearty chili and FF Emily Gustin’s sourdough cornbread. The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island won the Amateur Popular Vote with its White Chicken Chili. The event proved once again that the Lowcountry knows its way around a bowl.

’Tis the season

Burnt Church Distillery is celebrating the holidays with a new seasonal release: Bourbon Cream Peppermint Bark Liqueur. The spirit blends the distillery’s signature Bourbon Cream with peppermint and a hint of white chocolate for a smooth, festive pour. It’s an easy choice for holiday gatherings or a gift that’s guaranteed to please. Bottles are available now, but this limited release won’t last long.

Mac attack

The Smokehouse claimed top honors at the first Hilton Head Island Mac & Cheese Festival, taking home the title of Best Mac and Cheese. Chef Victor wowed judges and festivalgoers with his Poblano Pepper Pork Belly Mac and Cheese, a smoky, slightly spicy twist on the classic dish. The crowd favorite has now earned a permanent spot on The Smokehouse menu, giving fans a year-round chance to dig in.

Dough boys to men

After 13 years on Hilton Head, the Gregory Family is passing the spatula at their Dough Boys location on the island. With their children now in college, they’re grateful for the loyalty, memories and community support they’ve received. The Marchiano Family will take over operations and plans to carry forward the same commitment to quality and hospitality that made Dough Boys a go-to local stop. The Gregorys will continue running the Bluffton location with the help of their longtime general manager.

A feel-good flavor

Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana is partnering with The Deep Well Project’s Circles Program, which connects volunteers with local families working toward financial stability. The groups meet weekly to share ideas, set goals and build stronger futures. Each month Michael Anthony’s provides a complimentary meal for more than 50 participants, helping create fellowship and community around the table. It’s another example of the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to supporting its neighbors.

Celebrating the life of Robert Gay

The Lowcountry is remembering Robert Gay, coowner of Gay Fish Co. on St. Helena Island. A lifelong shrimper, U.S. Army veteran and local surfing pioneer, he was known for his kind heart and deep love of the water. His family’s business, founded in 1948 by his parents, John “Buster” and Hilda Gay, remains a fixture for fresh, wild-caught seafood. Gay passed away surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a legacy that will be felt both on the docks and in the community he served.

We are the champions

There’s a new star on the menu at Fraser’s Tavern. The DL III Burger, created by fivetime RBC Heritage champion Davis Love III, is a stacked, Southern-style standout. Built with Tillamook pimento cheese, caramelized Vidalia onions and black pepper bacon on a toasted brioche bun, it’s bold, hearty and worthy of its name. The burger is now available at Fraser’s Tavern.

Local comforts

Hearty, warm and full of flavor, these comforting dishes from local restaurants are ready to cozy up your season.

BOWL OF LOVE

Annie O’s Kitchen ladles out true Lowcountry comfort with its Southern Chicken and Dumplings. Tender chicken, soft dumplings and rich broth come together in a bowl that rivals Grandma’s. That is a serious compliment.

CLASSIC COMFORT

Skillets Cafe and Grill serves meatloaf that tastes like home. Ground beef, peppers and onions come topped with warm brown gravy for a hearty, nostalgic plate that delivers all the flavor without the dishes.

BROTH THERAPY

Viet Kitchen’s Shrimp Pho delivers soothing comfort with every sip. Savory broth, fresh shrimp and tender noodles create a fragrant, warming bowl that feels perfect for chilly evenings or moments when you need a little reset.

COASTAL WARMTH

Albergotti Grill’s Frogmore Stew is coastal comfort at its best. Shrimp, corn, potatoes and sausage simmer together in a hearty and flavorful dish that brings the Lowcountry’s signature warmth to the table.

CHILI UPGRADE

Locals Raw Bar’s Short Rib Chili brings comfort to the next level. Slow-cooked short ribs, Austrian green peas and aji dulce, finished with crème fraîch, create a rich and layered bowl that works beautifully on crisp days or any time you want something indulgent.

HEARTY BAVARIAN BITE

Alfred’s Restaurant serves a German Mix Platter that feels like a feast. Bratwurst, Sauerbraten, Wienerschnitzel, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and caramelized onions make for a rich and satisfying plate that fills both stomach and spirit.

MORNING HUG

Nectar Farm Kitchen starts the day with a plate that feels like a hug. The Country Fried Steak Breakfast features Black Hawk Farms Wagyu beef, sawmill gravy and farm-fresh eggs, plus your choice of grits or hash browns and a biscuit. It is hearty, homey and worth waking up early for.

GOLDEN COMFORT

Truffles Café’s Chicken Pot Pie is classic comfort done right. Tender chicken, fresh vegetables and a white wine cream sauce are tucked beneath a flaky, golden puff pastry that steams the moment you crack into it. It warms you before you take the first bite.

CRISPY AND COZY

Breakwater Restaurant and Bar leans into comfort with its Buttermilk Fried Chicken. It is golden, crispy and covered in gravy. This is the kind of dish you crave on rainy days, cool nights or anytime you need something warm and grounding.

SOUP ER COMBO

Squat and Gobble’s Chili and Grilled Cheese pairs slow simmered, award winning chili with a melty grilled cheese that is crisp on the outside and gooey inside. It is simple, nostalgic and pure Southern comfort in one bowl.

QUICK BITES

NUGGETS FROM THE LOCAL FOOD & BEVERAGE SCENE

Sister Sister Deli is officially open, giving locals one more reason to grab lunch out instead of packing it.

The Purple Cow has revealed its new spot at The Courtyard Building, 32 Office Park Road, across from Harris Teeter on the south end. If all goes as planned, the doors will open within the month. Get your sweet tooth ready.

Lulu Kitchen is headed for the spotlight with a feature on America’s Best Restaurants. Consider this your cue to visit before the rest of the country catches on.

Cupcakes 2 Cakes in Bluffton has closed its brick-and-mortar shop, but fans are hoping the cupcakes live on in some form.

Quarterdeck at The Sea Pines Resort just scored a major honor, landing at No. 18 on Tripadvisor’s 2025 list of Top 25 Casual Dining Restaurants in the United States. Not bad for a place with sunset views that already feel like a win.

Harbourside on Hilton Head, Raspado Xpress in Bluffton and Frye’s Corner on Daufuskie have closed for the season. See you when the warm weather rolls back in.

Bluffton Pizza Company is now serving breakfast, because sometimes you really do want pizza energy first thing in the morning.

What would Margaret

drink?

Margaret Pearman, a certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, curates the acclaimed wine list at Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte. She offers her December selections to keep your glass and your spirits perfectly cozy.

Comfort in a glass

When the temperature drops, these seasonal selections warm hearts and enhance meals

a

As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, there’s something special about uncorking a bottle of wine that complements the comforting atmosphere of fall and winter. Cozy wines aren’t just about what’s in your glass; they’re about setting a mood, enhancing the warmth of a meal and bringing people together around the table. Here are my top selections to help you feel snug and content during the cooler months.

GLOW AND BEHOLD Studies show that ambient lighting, especially warmer hues like the flicker of a fireplace, can influence how wine is perceived. It can make the wine taste smoother or richer because the brain associates warm light with comfort and relaxation.

A white that warms the soul

When you think of cool-weather white wines, gewürztraminer from France’s Alsace region deserves a top spot. This aromatic varietal is known for its expressive bouquet of lychee, rose petals and baking spices, making it a full sensory experience. With a round, slightly off-dry palate, gewürztraminer pairs beautifully with spicy dishes, roasted poultry and savory autumn sides. The wine’s rich texture and warming spice notes provide a comforting counterpoint to chilly evenings, perfect for sipping by the fireplace or serving with a holiday meal. Bottle worth cozying up to: Dopff & Irion Gewürztraminer, Alsace (around $18)

Red for the season

Grenache-based blends are the perfect reds for fall and winter’s vibe. France’s Côtes du Rhône reds are typically blends dominated by grenache, syrah and mourvèdre, offering flavors of ripe red berries, pepper and dried herbs. With a medium to full body and a supple, food-friendly structure, Côtes du Rhône reds shine alongside classic holiday fare such as roasted meats, stuffing and winter vegetables. Their approachable style makes them ideal for both wine enthusiasts and casual sippers at your next gathering. Bottle worth cozying up to: Aimé Arnoux Côtes du Rhône Rouge (around $20)

A California take on comfort

For a richer option, try Rhône-style blends from California or Spain. Grenache brings juicy red fruit, subtle spice and a soft, easy-drinking character to these wines, making them adaptable to a variety of foods. Pair them with charcuterie, braised dishes, or simply enjoy a glass on its own while curled up with a good book. Their versatility and inviting nature make grenache blends a staple for cozy nights in. Bottle worth cozying up to: Beckmen Le Bec Red, Santa Barbara (around $25)

Spirits of the season

Two easy cocktails to keep your holidays cozy and bright

STORY BY BAILEY GILLIAM

As the holidays settle over the Lowcountry, twinkling lights glow against crisp evening air, and gatherings move a little closer to the fire. The crew at Roller’s Wine & Spirits mixed up two festive favorites that capture the spirit of the season. Whether you’re toasting with friends or winding down at home, these seasonal sips deliver just the right splash of holiday cheer.

Spiced Pear Martini

This merry martini strikes just the right balance of warmth and brightness. Smooth Bullrush Gin mingles with the rich, aromatic flavor of St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur to create a drink that’s equal parts elegant and inviting. Topped with a star of anise and a bright twist of orange, it’s a holiday sip that feels as festive as it tastes.

INGREDIENTS

2 oz Bulrush Gin

1 oz St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur

Garnish: Star anise, orange twist

DIRECTIONS

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with fresh ice and stir. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a star anise and an orange twist.

Sweater Weather

This cozy cocktail blends rich Baileys Chocolate Liqueur with the spicy kick of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, all balanced with freshly brewed hot coffee. Topped with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick and a dusting of nutmeg and candy, this mug of warmth delivers pure holiday magic in every sip.

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces Baileys Chocolate Liqueur

2 ounces Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire

1-2 ounces freshly brewed hot coffee

Garnish: Cinnamon stick, candy cane, red and green M&Ms

DIRECTIONS Combine the Baileys and Jack Daniel’s in a sturdy mug, and stir to blend. Pour in the hot coffee, and give it another quick stir. Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream, then garnish with a cinnamon stick, mini candy cane and a few red and green M&Ms. Finish with a light dusting of nutmeg and cloves for extra holiday flair.

DECEMBER

happenings

Arts & Culture

Coastal Discovery Museum exhibits

There’s always something new to discover at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Check out one of these current exhibits. coastaldiscovery.org

CURRENT EXHIBITS

Four Sketchbooks a Year: 25 Years of Beaufort County Graduates of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities: Times vary, now-Jan. 4

It’s Thursday! Artists of the Round Table: Times vary, now-March 23

SOBA Holiday Market

When: Times vary, now-Dec. 28

Where: SOBA Gallery

Details: Shop gifts galore and more at The Society of Bluffton Artists’ annual holiday market. sobagallery.com

Frozen

When: Times vary, now-Dec. 28

Where: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Details: Inspired by the Academy Award-winning film, “Frozen," the production brings to life the tale of Arendelle's royal sisters, Anna and Elsa. artshhi.com

Between the Stillness and Disappearance

When: Times vary, now-Dec. 19

Where: USCB Center for the Arts

Details: Charleston-based abstract artist Deborah Sisco presents a deeply personal and emotionally resonant exhibition exploring the terrain of Alzheimer’s. uscbcenterforthearts.com

December Palmetto Bluff Artist in Residence

When: Times vary, Dec. 3-6

Where: FLOW Gallery + Workshop

Details: Pam White is this month’s featured artist. Purchase her work or attend a workshop. palmettobluff.com

Pictures from Home

When: Times vary, Dec. 12-21

Where: HHPS Main Street Theater

Details: Lean Ensemble presents “Pictures from Home” by Sharr White, a deeply intimate and comic portrait of a mother, father and son as they explore who gets to depict the family story. leanensemble.org

Art League of Hilton Head Gallery of Gifts

When: Times vary, now-Jan. 3

Where: Art League of Hilton Head Gallery

Details: Peruse an array of local artistic creations, including paintings, photography, pottery and mixed media pieces, as well as artistic stocking stuffers, jewelry, ornaments and holiday decorations. artleaguehhi.org

OTHER EVENTS

Annual Mini Pet Family Photography Sessions: 10 a.m., Dec. 6

Arts & Culture

For the Birds

When: Times vary, now-Jan. 2026 Where: Sea Pines Community Center

Details: The Artists of Sea Pines’ new show features over 60 original paintings and photographs, each inspired by birds, local wildlife and the scenic beauty of our community. theshopsatseapinescenter.com

Christmas Belles

When: Times vary, Dec. 4-14

Where: Coligny Theatre

Details: Sea Glass Stage Company presents a Texas-sized holiday comedy full of family feuds, festive chaos and outrageous laughs. sgstage.org

Best of Beaufort Art

When: Times vary, now-Dec. 27 Where: Beaufort Art Association Gallery

Details: Explore fine jewelry at this all-member show with featured jewelry artists. beaufortartassociation.com

Lower School Christmas Concerts & Art Walk

When: 5 p.m., Dec. 17

Where: Hilton Head Christian Academy

Performing Arts Center

Details: HHCA Fine arts presents two Lower School Christmas concerts with an accompanying art walk throughout the Lower School hallways. hhca.org

HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

2025-2026 | 44TH SEASON

Music for Everyone — and Every Moment.

The 2025–2026 Orchestra Series has started o with a bang! As we step into the new year, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra invites you to experience the power and joy of live music with unforgettable programs featuring Rachmanino , Beethoven & Mozart, Ellis Island — a moving tribute to generations of immigrants — An Evening at Hogwarts, and Brahms.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO JOIN THE SEASON! CHOOSE A SIX- OR THREE-CONCERT SUBSCRIPTION AND BE PART OF THE MUSIC THAT CONNECTS US ALL.

JOHN MORRIS RUSSELL, MUSIC DIRECTOR For more information regarding tickets or subscriptions, please call 843.842.2055 or visit hhso.org

SANTA AT THE VILLAGE!

Charity & Community

Hilton Head Humane events

Don’t miss these opportunities to support our four-legged friends across the Lowcountry. hhhumane.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wine Down Wednesday: 5-7 p.m., Dec. 3, Village at Wexford

Christmas Pet Pictures: noon-4 p.m., Dec. 7, HHH’s Hilton Head Campus

Santa Meet & Greet: 6-8 p.m., Dec. 13, Top Dawg Tavern

Pups on the Patio: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Dec. 16, Starbucks, Shelter Cove

Santa Pictures!: 1-3 p.m., Dec. 20, Shelter Cove Town Centre

PAL Holiday Open House

When: 1-3 p.m., Dec. 13

Where: Palmetto Animal League

Details: Drop by the animal shelter for cookies, hot cocoa, coffee, good cheer and adoptable pets. Donations are appreciated and loving homes even more. palmettoanimalleague.org

Festival of the Trees

When: Times vary, now-Dec. 6

Where: Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa

Details: Hilton Head

Preparatory School’s annual event transforms the lobby of the Hilton into a winter wonderland of creativity and holiday spirit. hhprep.org

Holiday Lights Display at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

When: Now-Dec. 31

Where: Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

Details: Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina transforms into a colorful winter wonderland each holiday season. Drive by and enjoy the lights. sheltercovehiltonhead.com

Light up the Night 2025 Holiday Boat Parade

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m., Dec. 6

Where: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park (on the Beaufort River)

Details: Join the City of Beaufort for this year’s boat parade sponsored by the America’s Boating Club of Beaufort. cityofbeaufort.org

happenings

Charity & Community

Holiday Nights and Lights

When: 6-8 p.m., Dec. 6-8 Where: Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park

Details: Holiday Nights & Lights returns for its fifth year, bringing twinkling lights and fun holiday displays. exploremitchelville.org

Sparkles & Spirits

When: 6-9 p.m., Dec. 12

Where: Quarterdeck

Details: Join the Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Chamber of Commerce for a celebration featuring chef-crafted bites, signature cocktails and the chance to discover treasures in a silent auction. hiltonheadchamber.org

Annual Christmas Parade

When: 3 p.m., Dec. 7

Where: Carteret Street, Beaufort

Details: Bring the whole family to celebrate the season with marching bands spreading holiday cheer, festively decorated floats and vehicles and a special visit from Santa Claus. mainstreetbeaufort.org

Santa Visits Shelter Cove Town Centre

Don't forget to capture those special Santa photo-op moments with your loved ones, including the furry ones. sheltercovetowncentre.com

SANTA VISITS

Winter Wonder Fest in the Park: 5-7 p.m., Dec. 6

Pet Visits with Santa: 1-3 p.m., Dec. 20

Santa in the Park: 1-3 p.m., Dec. 24

Taste fantastic palate expanding lineups each week from our team of sommeliers with live music from 5-7pm!

*Located at Rollers 9 Palmetto Bay Road, Call 843-842-1200 for reservations and more information

Come mix with holiday red, white, and bubbles, mingle over holiday eats, and jingle in your best holiday attire! Enjoy a selection of six holiday reds, whites, and bubbles perfectly paired with a spread of gourmet bites. Commemorate your evening with a photo alongside our special guest, Santa, or get a special gift for a loved one at our Woodford Reserve bottle engraving! Join Us for Our Weekly Wine Tastings! Tasty Tuesday & Thirsty Thursday

Mix, Mingle, & Jingle!

December 18

December 18th with Santa

5 - 8pm | $55 per person

Mommy & Me Holiday Tea

December 7 11am - 1pm | $50 one adult & one child

Start the holiday season in the sweetest way imaginable! Create cherished memories with your little ones while you indulge in an array of savory and sweet holiday treats paired with beautiful holiday teas.

For more information & tickets visit: rollerswineandspirits.com/events

Call (843)-842-1200 to pre-order your charcuterie board today and share a beautiful spread, handcrafted from our kitchen to your table.

happenings

ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA’S production of

Charity & Community

Winter Wonderland

When: 3-6 p.m., Dec. 6

Where: Shelter Cove Community Park

Town of Bluffton Holiday events

Join the Town of Bluffton for some holiday merriment. From the tree lighting to the Christmas parade, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. townofbluffton.sc.gov

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tree Lighting Ceremony: 5:30 p.m., Dec. 5, Martin Family Park

Arthur Saves Christmas: 6:30 p.m., Martin Family Park

54th Annual Christmas Parade: 10 a.m., Dec. 6, Bluffton’s Historic District Hanukkah Celebration of Lights: 5:30 p.m., Dec. 21, Martin Family Park

Details: Get in the Christmas spirit at this family-friendly event. Enjoy bounce houses, a DJ, holiday activities and a visit from Santa. islandreccenter.org

Christmas Golf Cart Parade in Port Royal

Tom Papa is on the road with an all-new show, the “Grateful Bread Tour,” hitting FEB 16 | 4:00 & 7:30 PM FEB 26 | 7:30PM &FEB 27 | 4:00 & 7:30PM of Coastal Carolina: artshhi.com, or call the box office at (843)842-2787.

Visit Santa

Downtown Beaufort

When: noon-4 p.m., Dec. 6,13 & 20

Where: Outside the Beaufort Candy Shoppe

Details: Bring your family, friends, and holiday spirit to meet Santa, snap a few festive photos and enjoy the charm of downtown Beaufort this holiday season. bfthospitality.com

When: 6-7 p.m., Dec. 13

Where: Old Village in Port Royal

Details: A holiday classic with a Port Royal twist: residents deck out their golf carts in dazzling lights, tinsel and festive décor, parading through the Old Village with music and cheer. portroyalova.com

HELPING NEIGHBORS

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL) is proud to announce the creation of the Helping Neighbors Fund, a new fund addressing broadening food insecurity in our service area of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Due to increased financial strain, more Lowcountry families are struggling with food insecurity than ever before.

Food & Drink

For more than 30 years, CFL has led responses to crises across the Lowcountry, including recovery work after Hurricane Matthew and providing emergency assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christmas Pop Up Bar

When: 4-8 p.m., now-Christmas Where: Carolina Coffee & Crumbs Details: Indulge in a holiday drink menu and festive decor this month at Carolina Coffee & Crumbs in Coligny Plaza. colignyplaza.com

Rollers events

Rollers Wine & Spirits is the perfect place to try new wines. Sample and purchase new wines at these tasting events each week. rollerswineandspirits.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mommy & Me Holiday Tea: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 7 Mix, Mingle & Jingle: 5-8 p.m., Dec. 18

Tasty Tuesday Wine Tasting: 5-7 p.m., Tuesdays

Thirsty Thursday Wine Tasting: 5-7 p.m., Thursdays

To support CFL’s Helping Neighbors Fund, please scan the QR code or call 843-681-9100.

Cassandra’s Kitchen Store demos

Join local chefs and artisans as they show you how to prepare decadent foods in one of these classes. cassandraskitchen.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 8: Knife Sharpening at Cassandra’s Kitchen Dec. 10: An Evening with Le Clarisse EVOO & Chef Antonio Albano

Salad dressing classes

Learn how to make the perfect salad dressing at one of these culinary classes at Hilton Head Olive Oils & Balsamics. hiltonheadoils.com

UPCOMING CLASSES

Olive Oil & The Mediterranean Diet: 1 p.m., Dec. 10 Salad Dressing 101: 3:30 p.m., Dec. 11

Culinary events at The Sea Pines Resort

Enjoy one of these wine dinners, tap takeovers and more this month at one of the restaurants in The Sea Pines Resort. seapines.com/events

UPCOMING EVENTS

Whistlepig Whiskey Dinner: 6:30 p.m., Dec. 5, Sea Pines Beach Club

“The Godfather Part II” Wine Dinner: 6:30 p.m., Dec. 12, Harbour Town Clubhouse

Tap Takeover: 5-8 p.m., Dec. 16, Fraser’s Tavern Pint Night: 5-9 p.m., Thursdays, Fraser’s Tavern Oyster Roasts: 1-4 p.m., Saturdays, Coast, Oceanfront Dining

Lowcountry Boil Dinner Cruise

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursdays

Where: Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina

Details: Outside Hilton Head and Sprout Momma present a twohour sunset cruise complete with a chef-prepared Lowcountry boil, southern desserts and a full bar. outsidehiltonhead.com

Holiday events at Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar

Head to Palmetto Dunes this month for some delicious holiday feasts. Reserve your spot at alexandersrestaurant.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Brunch with Santa: 10:15 a.m. & noon, Dec. 21

Alexander’s New Year’s Eve Dinner: 5-9 p.m., Dec. 31

Hibachi Dinner Cruise

When: 6-8 p.m., Fridays

Where: Outside Palmetto Bluff

Details: Set sail on a two-hour Sunset

Hibachi Dinner Cruise in Palmetto Bluff, featuring hibachi cooking, stunning May River views and a full dinner aboard a luxury catamaran. outsidehiltonhead.com

Rotary’s Impact Near and Far

This holiday season, Hilton Head Rotarians, their families, and friends are volunteering to ring the Salvation Army bells to support local Beaufort County residents in need. Together, we aim to raise approximately $20,000 through the generosity of our community. Join us in spreading joy and making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

Operation Footprint

Rotary Club of Hilton Head in conjunction with Operation Footprint recently participated in a pediatric surgical mission to El Salvador. Children were treated and surgeries performed at the Benjamin Bloom Children’s Hospital in San Salvador. Rotarian Bruce Pitkin was able to see the impact and contribution of Rotary helping Operation Footprint make a difference in the lives of children with congenital deformities

Check Us Out | Get Involved | Come to a Meeting | Participate Meetings are held on Thursday at 12:30 pm. Palmera Inn & Suites on 12 Park Lane, Hilton Head Island.

Food & Drink

Hors d’Oeuvres Class

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 6 Where: Culinary Institute of the South Details: Join Chef Damon Dickerson for a hands-on class on techniques for preparing bite-sized treats. tcl.edu

Wine Time Bluffton events

Check out one of these weekly events to experience new sips and bites inspired by delicious wine. winetimebluffton.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Battles & Bread: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Tuesdays

Pasta Night: 5-9 p.m., Wednesdays

Featured Wine Tasting: 3-5 p.m., Thursdays

Annual NYE PJ Party

When: Dec. 28

Where: Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe Details: Don’t miss the last blowout of the year at Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe. Celebrate the upcoming new year and get your fix of delicious treats before they go on a break until Jan. 15. palmettobaysunrisecafe.com

South Beach Christmas at The Salty Dog

When: 3-7 p.m., Saturdays in December Where: The Salty Dog

Details: Have a Merry Christmas with The Salty Dog, featuring one of the largest solar-lit tree in the area, and some beautiful lighting and merriment for the holiday season, including holiday events for families and kids. saltydog.com

Brunch with Santa

When: 9 & 11:30 a.m., Dec. 14

Where: Hewitt Oaks

Details: Enjoy a Christmas brunch and festive decor at Hewitt Oaks, plus adorable photo ops with Santa. hewittoaks.com

5 th Annual White Truffle Wine Dinner

When: 6 p.m., Dec. 13

Where: Lulu Kitchen

Details: Lulu Kitchen’s annual wine dinner highlights Santa Margherita Vineyards paired with five delectable courses. lulu-kitchenhhi.com

Mixology Class

When: 6 p.m., Dec. 3 & 17 Where: Burnt Church Distillery

Details: Create two Burnt Church cocktails and one Amethyst NA Spirit cocktail under the direction of a mixologist. burntchurchdistillery.com

Happenings at Okàn

Embark on a culinary journey through West Africa, across the Caribbean and up to the South Carolina Coast at one of these events at Okàn. For a complete list, visit okanbluffton.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jazz on the Patio: 7 p.m., Thursdays

100 Okàn: 10 p.m., Saturdays

Food & Drink

Santa’s Holiday Breakfast

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 14 Where: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa

Details: Enjoy festive crafts, complimentary photos, and a cheerful start to the season filled with holiday magic. marriott.com

Tuesday Wine Tasting

When: 4-6 p.m., Tuesdays

Where: Blacksheep X Sabbatical

Details: Join Blacksheep for wine tastings every Tuesday and try four wines for only $20. blacksheeponboundary.com

Making Spirits Bright Cocktail Class

When: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4 & 11

Where: Hilton Head Distillery

Details: Over the course of two merry hours, you’ll shake, stir and sip your way through Christmas-inspired cocktails that celebrate the magic of the season with a touch of Hilton Head sunshine. hiltonheaddistillery.com

New Year’s Eve Dinner

When: 5-9 p.m., Dec. 31

Where: Chef Frank’s Bistro

Details: Ring in the New Year with a chefinspired menu along with champagne specials. cheffranksbistro.com

North by Northwest Wine Dinner

When: 6-8 p.m., Dec. 10

Where: Alfred’s Restaurant

Details: Don’t miss a dinner hosted by Tabith Arsenault, featuring wines from Washington and Oregon and perfectly paired bites. alfredshhi.com/events

Nunzio Holiday Bling & Wine Tasting Party

When: 4-6 p.m., Dec. 6

Where: Nunzio Restaurant + Bar

Details: Selina King brings her fine jewelry collection for an afternoon of shopping, wine tastings, Christmas cocktails and more. nunziohhi.com

Windhorse Gallery & Marketplace events

For delicious tastings, classes and more in Port Royal, head to Windhorse Gallery & Marketplace this month. windhorsegalleryandmarketplace.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

2nd Saturday Shop & Stroll: 10 a.m., Dec. 13

Monthly Wine Club Social & Pick-Up Party: 5:30 p.m., Dec. 16

A Merry Mixology Experience

When: 4-6 p.m., Dec. 18 Where: Ma Daisy’s Porch

Details: Festive cocktails, seasonal bites, music and holiday cheer—learn to craft holiday drinks and enjoy a fun, spirited night at the bar. madaisysporch.com

High Tea with Santa

When: 4 p.m., Dec. 6

Where: Magnolia Cafe Beaufort

Details: Enjoy tea with Santa, featuring chef-curated treats, house-made soup and a sweets tower. magnoliabeaufort.com

INSURING WHAT MATTERS MOST INSURING WHAT MATTERS MOST