The Bluff Fall/Winter 2023

the bluff

Fall / Winter 2023

THE BEST DISCOVERIES ARE MADE CLOSE TO home

Nestled in the heart of the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff's 20,000 acres and 32 miles of coastline are yours to explore. Roam through centuries-old live oaks canopied over Mother Nature’s inspired creations and historical landmarks. Here, the land pulls you towards something familiar and inviting – the discovery that home isn’t just a place to live; it’s a place that makes you feel alive.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

THE JUNIPER CUP

September 28-30

PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

THE CANEBRAKE

October 11-14

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

SUSAN MAYFIELD, PASTEL PAINTER

October 18-21

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

BURLS AND STEEL, KNIFE MAKER

November 15-18

PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

SIP & SAVOUR

November 18

PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

THANKSGIVING OYSTER ROAST

November 24

LIGHTING OF THE VILLAGE

November 25

PALMETTO BLUFF CONSERVANCY BURN FEST

December 2

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

CACKY RIVERS, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER

December 6-9

PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

MEMBER HOLIDAY PARTY

December 9

PALMETTO BLUFF CONSERVANCY

2023 BUFFALO RUN

December 10

PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

December 31

A Guide to the History of Palmetto Bluff

Editor and Designer

Fall is our favorite time of year at Palmetto Bluff. It’s the season for boat rides, bonfires, and oyster roasts. It’s when the land shows its most brilliant colors. We hope you enjoy this issue. It is a celebration of this land and its vibrant community!

PATRICK, WILL, JORDAN, AND CHRIS SOUTHSTREET PARTNERS

YOUR LIFESTYLE. ELEVATED.

LAWSON BUILDER | PHOTOGRAPHER

CAMERON WILDER | PHOTOGRAPHER

LIZZY ROLLINS | PHOTOGRAPHER

ALEX MARVAR | WRITER The New York Times, National Geographic,Vanity Fair, The Bitter Southerner

SANDY LANG | WRITER

BARRY KAUFMAN | WRITER

As a family-owned and operated business for over two decades, our team at Dillard-Jones has grown to include some of the most talented architects, designers and building professionals in the Carolinas.

We hope you can sense the commitment and passion of our all-inclusive Design-BuildDwell-Maintain process and understand why it truly sets us apart from other builders.

Shayne and Jason Hollander

CLUB MEMBERS

DALLAS, TEXAS

How did you two meet?

house, and I looked at Jason and I could live here!

When did you make the move?

What is this place? It looks incredible!

If we could live anywhere in the world, where would we want to live?

What are your professions?

IN EARLY MAY, THE ARTS INITIATIVE HOSTED RENOWNED LOWCOUNTRY PAINTER WEST FRASER AS OUR ESTEEMED ARTIST IN RESIDENCE. THROUGHOUT HIS STAY, RESIDENTS WERE TREATED TO AN ARRAY OF EVENTS, INCLUDING A PAINTING DEMONSTRATION AT MORELAND CROSSROADS, A BOOK SIGNING AT FLOW GALLERY + WORKSHOP, A GUIDED ART WALK AT MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF, AND A RECEPTION AT THE FULL MOON RISING ON THE MAY RIVER EXHIBITION. AS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK, SIX FORTUNATE PARTICIPANTS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF JOINING FRASER

ON AN UNFORGETTABLE PAINTING EXCURSION THROUGH ANSON. IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY WEEK CELEBRATING THE FINEST IN LOWCOUNTRY ART.

STORY BY SANDY LANG PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAWSON BUILDER

LEFT: WEST FRASER SURVEYS THE SCENERY BELOW: DISCUSSING COLOR AND TECHNIQUE WITH WORKSHOP ATTENDEES

DAWN’S FIRST LIGHT BREAKS THROUGH LOW CLOUDS OVER A SANDY CAUSEWAY. ARTIST WEST FRASER SETS HIS EASEL ASKEW—A HINGED WOODEN BOX ATOP TELESCOPING LEGS, PLACED AT NEARLY A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE SALTWATER SCENERY.

painting

BE INSPIRED

View a video of West’s time at the Bluff as May 2023

Artist in Residence.

HE PAINTS QUICKLY IN THIN

BRUSH STROKES. TO AN OBSERVER, HE’S AN EFFICIENT, CONFIDENT PAINTER IN HIS ELEMENT.

to the remote destination—at one point slowing as a bobcat dashed across the dirt and sand roadway ahead.

Fraser nods knowingly about the morning excursion’s safari-like feel. The renowned American

roots in the Lowcountry. Born in Savannah in 1955— with a family lineage in South Carolina dating to the 17th century—he spent part of his youth at his family’s timberland on Hilton Head Island in the island evolved from forest to resort. It was his father, Joe Fraser, and his uncle, Charles Fraser, who led the Sea Pines Company and the vision and development of modern Hilton Head.

Fraser’s familiarity and love for the Lowcountry grew organically. “I was an environmentalist by age coastal subjects, from downtown Charleston scenery to undeveloped island vistas. His paintings seem to look at this. This is beautiful. This is important.

LEFT: HIGHEST HEIGHT, 2010 | OIL ON LINEN | 30 x 40 LOCATION 32.17555, -80.89235, THE MARSH SIDE OF CORLEY STREET IN MORELAND VILLAGE

HIS SUBJECTS ARE ACTUAL PLACES AND SCENERY THAT ARE SPECIFIC AND OFTEN FAMILIAR, SO IN MANY WAYS HE’S DOCUMENTING A SPECIFIC MOMENT IN TIME, SHARING THE BEAUTY AND IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL AND BUILT PLACES.

CONTINUALLY INSPIRED BY PALMETTO BLUFF, HE’D BEEN EAGER TO RETURN TO PAINT AGAIN IN THE WATERY LANDSCAPES.

LEFT: TODAY’S FEEDING TIDE, 2005 | OIL ON LINEN | 24 x 20 LOCATION 32.1797, -80.89254, THE MARSH NORTH OF OLD LANDING ROAD IN MORELAND VILLAGE

WEST FRASER’S PAINTINGS ARE IN PERMANENT MUSEUM COLLECTIONS IN THE MIDWEST, SOUTHEAST, AND CALIFORNIA, INCLUDING THE GIBBES MUSEUM OF ART IN CHARLESTON AND THE TELFAIR MUSEUMS’ JEPSON CENTER IN SAVANNAH. THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS HAS PUBLISHED TWO RETROSPECTIVE BOOKS ON HIS ART: PAINTING THE SOUTHERN COAST: THE ART OF WEST FRASER AND CHARLESTON IN MY TIME: THE PAINTINGS OF WEST FRASER. HE IS REPRESENTED BY HELENA FOX FINE ART AT 106A CHURCH STREET IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

BUILDING ON A LEGACY

Story by Hailey Wist

pops and snaps

Top Left:

Top Right:

Bottom:

Of course you can’t have docks—we have to protect the natural environment!

Designing with Nature

with Nature

Designing

: A promotional photo from the mid-2000s shows an appear as if they have always existed under the canopy of

DELICIOUS DELIGHTS

Explore Buffalos’ new menu and satisfy your palate.

EINVENTING

mainstay has reopened its doors in Wilson Village. Renowned for its corner location overlooking the enchanting May River, May River Chapel, and the

delightful fusion of Lowcountry cuisine in one of the South’s most beautiful settings.

The popular restaurant underwent a remarkable

rear patio. The newly added covered outdoor dining

warmth and elegance. The restaurant now boasts a new full bar with seating for ten, complete with a raw bar featuring the freshest seasonal bounty of the May River, including locally caught oysters, shrimp,

Under the visionary guidance of Chef Rhy

freshest ingredients sourced from local purveyors. The restaurant takes pride in incorporating produce from

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PATRICK O’BRIEN

In the late 1960s, Alfred Lee Loomis kept a small herd of American bison on nearby Bull

LED BY GENERAL MANAGER CLETA YAMAUCHI, BUFFALOS IS HOME TO A CREW OF TALENTED CHEFS. CHEF DE CUISINE ALEJANDRO GÓMEZ MORÁN, WHO HAILS FROM MEXICO CITY, BRINGS HIS WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION TO CURATE AN ELEVATED LOWCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE.

BEVERAGE DIRECTOR GENE CASTELLINO HAS INTRODUCED AN INVENTIVE WINE PROGRAM, AND LEAD BARTENDER SHELBY EHRENREICH HAS ARTFULLY REIMAGINED THE COCKTAIL OFFERINGS.

region. Notably, the Carolina Gold rice for the signature grits is sourced a mere ten miles away, cultivated by greens are sourced from the nearby town of Hardeeville. As the seasons change and the bounties of Palmetto delight the discerning palate.

culinary pleasures in the heart of Wilson Village. The reopening promises an enchanting feast for the senses, where cherished traditions meet the freshness of local ingredients, all set against the backdrop of the timeless beauty of the Lowcountry.

C mm n Clay

ON THE BLUFF’S 120-ACRE SPORTING CLAYS COURSE, FOUR FRIENDS FIND A WINNING COMBINATION OF FRESH AIR, CALM, CONFIDENCE, AND CAMARADERIE —BUT WHO’S KEEPING SCORE?

PHOTOGRAPHS by CAMERON WILDER

STORY by ALEX MARVAR

Bright blue and yellow northern parulas, sweetsinging Carolina wrens, chipper vireos, and

of the mossy oaks and loblolly pines, unphased by the occasional boom ringing out from the barrel of Cynthia Willett’s shotgun. She leans against the rail in the elevated stand, a wild burst of bird feathers pinned to her rolled-brim felt hat. With her gun in position, she calls: “Pull.”

Plink. Clack. An orange clay plate drops into place, and a metallic arm slings it across the grassy clearing. As it arcs toward the sky, Willett takes aim, tracking it with her gun barrel. In the split second that it seems

Pumpkin-colored clay shards scatter in the air. She kicks two spent Fiocchi 12-gauge shells and slips them into her vest pocket.

At the foot of the shooting stand stairs, Donna South, Nancy Thomas, and Michelle Solomon let out a cheer.

Shooting Club, a wonderland of clay, trap, and skeet stations laid out across 120 acres of secluded forest with plantation pine and a hardwood bottom ecosystem, just a few turns from each of these four friends’ Palmetto

gear: a smart camo vest with a bold pink blaze, ascots, mallard prints, handsome hunting satchels, and a diverse array of leather boots: from Chelsea, to riding, to studded cowgirl.

TAKE AIM

Discover how a passion for shooting clays led to new friendships.

WILLETT

Willett and Thomas have each been shooting for upwards of twenty years. South and Solomon are newcomers, with just a couple of years each under their belts.

“I love watching Cynthia because she goes out and touches the targets, almost,” says Solomon, whose family relocated from Michigan to become full-time

to use my body and follow through. That’s always something I admire about the way she shoots.”

“Well, don’t follow me,” Willett laughs. “I have some bad habits.” She breaks her shotgun and locks it into the stand in the back of their four-door Polaris Ranger

this morning, all situated along a dirt trail that splits from the main road and loops around like a lasso. A brand-new clubhouse opened its doors this past fall.

“Cynthia introduced me to shooting,” says South, don’t you try it—you’d have a lot of fun.’” Willett was

outdoors, she loved the challenge. When she plays tennis, she’s often playing with a partner. But on the

iteration of the clay course, an echo of the tradition of

for some two centuries. Thirteen stands were plotted across a heavily wooded tract chosen for its natural

to have as little impact as possible, with biodegradable targets and solar-powered punch-card scanners to activate each station.

Thanks to its popularity, the amenity has grown which includes the twenty stands the group will visit

Now one of South’s daughters, Lorri, also a Palmetto granddaughter will get involved one day.

“They’re all very nice and helpful,” she says of her shooting coterie. “They’re not judging you. So if I go she’s going to ruin our score.’”

Thomas, Willett, and Solomon erupt with laughter. “We don’t talk about the scoring much,” Thomas about fun for us.”

“I just compete against myself,” Solomon says. “I always try to beat my score from the last time—and I always try to make sure I beat my husband,” she laughs.

TAKES AIM, TRACKING IT WITH HER GUN BARREL. IN THE SPLIT SECOND THAT IT SEEMS FROZEN AT ITS APEX, SHE SEES HER LEAD AND TAKES HER SHOT.

THE GROUP IS DEEP IN CONCENTRATION. SOLOMON TRIGGERS THE CLAYS, DEMONSTRATING THEIR TRAJECTORIES AS THE WOMEN PREPARE TO SHOOT.

South shoots with her husband, too. “He’s competitive. So he goes home, a lot of times, very disgusted.”

Soon the tone shifts: The group is deep in concentration. Solomon triggers the clays, demonstrating their trajectories as the women prepare to shoot. It’s not always just about fun. Thomas and Willett have done some serious good with their clay shoot pursuits, together co-chairing several tournaments with their regional shooting group, the Lowcountry Annie various children’s causes, including Memorial Health’s Dwaine and Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital, Ronald America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, and

of shooting-focused events too, from recurring Clay Camp group shoots to Shells and Chardonnay (or, more accurately, Shells then Chardonnay), a galswith-guns safety and socializing event held every mingling with fellow shooters.

“It’s so funny how it brings together like-minded people from all over,” Thomas says.

Solomon is just two years into what she imagines will be quite a long career of clays, and she’s proud of her thirteen-year-old daughter, Zoe, who took up the

and now competes in monthly tournaments with other students.

“We grew up in the North, hunting,” Solomon says. “When we were touring the school here, we were in a hallway and saw a picture of a girl shooting the

it. I love the empowerment of [being] a woman with a gun—that I know how to use it and that I can be safe using it. And I love that it’s Southern. Coming from the North, I love everything about it: all the fashion, the beauty of the outdoors—all of it.”

Specializing in American Fine Art

BUILDING TO A HIGHER STANDARD

From The Ashes

Story and Photographs by Joel Caldwell

are down, and I’m listening to that peculiar Southern woodland bird, the chuck-will’swidow, chanting his name in the echoing dark. When I eventually pull up, Jay is sitting

morning,” we pile into his truck and head out to I-know-not-where to survey the woods.

As we drive, Jay gives me a brief local history lesson. In the late thirties, Palmetto

Union Camp Corporation, a pulp and paper company with its largest of four mills located trespasser who ends up being an eager early-morning birder. Without skipping a beat, he continues, “We’ve really never deviated from their original plan—because it’s worked so well. I’ve been implementing it ever since.”

than thirty years to the conservation of the property. While the focus has shifted away from timber harvesting, his steady hand and thoughtful management have maintained the abundance of wildlife enjoyed by homeowners and visitors to the property today.

and wildlife corridors. Before his time, the Union Camp biologists had proposed corridors running the entire length of the property—north to south, east to west—that allowed wildlife uninterrupted habitat through which to move. “In the early days we were harvesting timber.

LEARN MORE

role in the management of controlled burning curtails fuel buildup, mitigating the risk of the germination of native species by uncovering mineral layers, invigorating seedling growth, and breathing new life into the forest.

Improved wildlife habitats, controlled growth of competing vegetation, and enhanced shortterm grazing forage contribute to a healthier environment. Controlled burning leads to a remarkable surge in species variation and ground cover, transforming the landscape in just a few years.

of controlled burns stretches

Pre-agricultural societies used life. Native communities in North America and Australia ignited nutrients for plants, reducing competition, and preventing the

how the Conservancy works every day to maximize our natural resources.

fern, gallberry, and blueberry; these natives provide habitat and food for |

blueberry. “Look at this,” Jay instructs me. “All of these plants are going to throw blueberries. That’s feed for

And it’s right here in the travel corridor.”

Fire is the most important management tool in walk through blueberry and fern. Turkeys are known as an “umbrella species” because, due to their diverse habitat and food requirements, if the turkey is thriving, everything else in the ecosystem will likely be as well.

insects up to our big four-legged mammals.” And the land set aside for wildlife corridors makes up the most intensively managed land under the Conservancy’s stewardship. Whereas other parts of the property might only get burned every three years, these areas are burned annually.

I pause to photograph the landscape, admiring the longleaf and slash pine interspersed with cabbage palmetto and a few mature live oaks. The oaks’ graceful trunks and arching branches are wreathed in resurrection ferns—an epiphytic species that

after a good rain a few days earlier. As if reading my mind, Jay interjects: “These oaks will drop acorns in winter, an important source of protein during the colder months.” Pine mast—pine seed—is also an important food source for songbirds, who will help propagate the trees through seed dispersal. This

for turkeys, white-tailed deer, rabbits, quail, doves, and many more species.

Fire releases new growth, but it also prevents the forest and understory from becoming too dense

and, therefore, stagnant. The fact that Jay and I can easily walk among these trees is no accident, and it’s also the reason this particular forest ecosystem is so productive. “So the idea is to have an amazing diversity

round,” Jay reiterates as we hike back towards his truck. “We burned this area earlier this year, and now I see two kinds of blueberry, gallberry, sassafras, red bay, Southern red oaks coming up, and saw palmetto— and that’s just twenty feet from the truck.”

In recently burned areas with particularly good sunlight penetration, like the one we’re walking through, Jay and his crew will go a step further and bring in a tractor and disc the ground. “Discing helps release the dormant seedbed and allows forbs to grow,” Jay says. When pressed, Jay admits with a laugh that

these weeds have the distinction of being able to pull nutrients from the surrounding soil and stay nutritious the longest. They have also co-evolved with insects to other pollinator species.

We lean against the Conservancy truck and survey the Conservancy’s work. As if as a reward, a rosy red songbird, contrasting beautifully with its deep-green surrounds, descends from the treetops and pauses on summer tanager of the season.

Wilson Village, the original development on the property, is like the hub of a wheel with spokes leading

developed lots, which function as travel corridors. These spokes eventually connect to the managed forest. “But the only way that this all works,” Jay says, “is for all these corridors to connect to substantially large tracts of land that have been put into conservation in perpetuity. The wildlife needs a destination.”

DAY TRIPPING

Story by Barry Kaufman

Photographs by Lizzy Rollins

BOTANY BAY

90 miles

One of the most endearing roads for a classic Lowcountry road trip is Highway 17, the everexpanding serpentine of asphalt that winds through maritime forests north to Charleston. point your hood toward the rising sun, and history come together.

occupation and the fallout from Confederate

Today, their historical memory lives on through ruins and still-standing remains of an old ice house, centerpieces of four thousand

Time your visit right, and you can dine at Picnic Pond, a quiet spot at the edge of the water

Today, it is a serene hideaway

FREEPORT MARINA

15 miles (at least to the ferry)

operated on its own frequency, one tied to the tides that lull you in and dare you to escape its

many have when they discover the simplicity of an island where everyone is welcome except for the march of modernity.

and thrill of the ghost stories of the Bloody Point

the agricultural heritage of the Lowcountry. Or

and your journey will start at the closest thing to a downtown the island has—an open-air bar, live music venue, and restaurant

If you really want to get the most out of your day trip, visit Penn Center during November’s Heritage Days, when the cultures of various tribes and peoples from across West and

PENN CENTER

39 miles

prices to allow freed people the opportunity to pursue self-governance and self-determination

Conference met often at Penn Center, a haven

Penn Center is a testament to the compelling young children dared to defy cultural norms that today, we can all learn a thing or two. Plan ahead, and you can spend your day with one of the artists in residence, seeing how this experience is

Sit at the bar and soak in the ambiance of curated quirkiness, or take your ice-cold beverages to go, thanks to Savannah’s famously liberal open container laws. You’re just a few blocks away from Forsyth any sunny day to people-watch.

OVER YONDER MOODRIGHT’S

25 miles

It takes a lot for a concept to seem quirky in Savannah’s Starland District. This is, after all,

with tarot card psychics and street musicians. At the heart of this circus of the eccentric,

ST. HELENA CHURCH CEMETERY

32 miles

As one of the oldest continuously active churches in America, the

nowhere is that history more beautifully written than among the

told through names and dates. Close your eyes,

Right on the side of Highway 21, as

Island mainstay serves authentic Gullah cuisine the same way it’s

GULLAH GRUB

38 miles

history is the perseverance of the Gullah Geechee continued the traditions and heritage of their

While the language, culture, and customs delicious insight into how the Gullah Geechee people evolved to survive in the new world. Few jollof

the same techniques that oystermen used to feed

HUDSON’S SEAFOOD

20 miles

top islands in the country (according to Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and anyone from charm and natural solitude that made it a gem of those places that led so many to fall in love with

Head still lives.

mountain of oyster shells, a reminder of the old a place that perfectly treads the line of no-frills charm, hanging its reputation on the food. Time

A visit to Hunting Island makes for an enticing day trip, but you may want to explore further. Bring a tent, reserve one of the rustic camping spots (book early, as they go quickly), and discover how glorious this primordial jungle can be beneath a canopy of stars.

HUNTING ISLAND

50 miles

Dr. Mary S occi

Dr. Mary Socci

E XC AVAT E S EXCAVATES H I STO RY HISTORY

A Guide to the History of , a comprehensive reference chronicling the land and its people

entries provide intricate details on the land, people, and contemporary connections to the past. ownership of various tracts of land, while shedding light on the lives of those landscapes, shaping the foundations of the present-day community. Lastly, archives and historical sources to further enrich and expand the captivating

one of those ancient hunters is the oldest artifact that its rich and varied ecosystems attracted generations of present-day archaeologists.

added to the portfolios of properties that each already owned in and around Charleston. Neither man gave within a few years it was clear that neither would.

approximately one thousand acres each. They then sold

To exist and succeed, the plantations depended on the capture, importation, and enslavement of plantation owners, their families, and the enslaved people in captivity—children and adults—who were

years later, the white families living at what is now Hartstene, owner of Greenleaf and Chinquapin Hill

MEET DR. SOCCI

Dr. Socci holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a PhD in anthropology from Yale University. As the lead

since 2004, she has excavated numerous archaeological sites and produced technical reports for various agencies, including local, state, federal, and tribal authorities. Her research and

analysis have yielded a wealth of new insights into life in southern Beaufort County from the second millennium BCE to the 1930s. Passionate about sharing her knowledge, she frequently delivers talks on the calendar for upcoming programs

Top to Bottom: R.T. Wilson by C.S. Wiltschek, oil on canvas. Courtesy of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame | The Wilson Courtesy of Joe Brackin | George Hudson, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

Archaeologist and Historian

County when Federal troops captured Hilton Head plantations for the safety of larger cities or inland army and fought for their own freedom.

much-loved winter home and a place where they could mansion. When the four-story home was completed venue for splendid dinners and lavish parties. production, and cattle, for a little more than ten years, Paper Company.

taxes, while others were sold or rented. Freed people returned to the area, where some leased and others purchased acreage from the people who had enslaved them or their families.

as a corporate hunting retreat. separated from Crescent Communities (formerly

by Dr. Mary Socci can be purchased at FLOW Gallery + Workshop or by emailing info@pbconservancy.org

FARM PRIMER

LEARN MORE

Learn more about the Palmetto Bluff Farmers Market.

THE PALMETTO BLUFF

PHOTOGRAPHS BY HAILEY WIST

FALL PLANTING

BROCCOLI CABBAGE

COLLARD GREENS SPINACH KALE

SWISS CHARD TURNIPS

BEETS

CAULIFLOWER

IT’S ALL ABOUT TIMING until the end of the year; into the new year.

THE ORCHARD

BARTLETT PEAR

KIEFFER PEAR

TROPIC SNOW PEACH

BELLE OF GEORGIA PEACH

SANTA ROSA PLUM

CELESTE FIG

VALENCIA ORANGE

HAMLIN ORANGE

PERSIAN LIME

KAFFIR LIME

MEYER LEMON

DID YOU KNOW?

have a lovely citrusy taste and are a chef favorite and sauces.

THE VINEYARD

of scuppernong, a large variety of muscadine grape native to the

.

DID YOU KNOW?

SPRING PLANTING

TOMATOES

PEPPERS

WATERMELON

CANTALOUPE

OKRA

EGGPLANT

CUCUMBERS

SQUASH

ZUCCHINI

SWEET CORN

COSMOS

TICKSEED

ZINNIAS

SUNFLOWERS

tape and plastic sheeting to control weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature. The soil sample will reveal calcium, nitrogen, and PH levels. With period where it will heat up and hold

THE FLOCK

The Farm chickens were raised from two-day-old chicks in

RHODE ISLAND RED

BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK

WHITE LEGHORN

AYAM CEMANI

a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation, which and internal organs.

RED-BREASTED PHOENIX

WHITE CRESTED BLACK POLISH CHICKEN

of Hilton Head Honey.

DID YOU KNOW?

NEXT UP! goats. He also plans to install a more

COME VISIT

EVENTS AND TASTINGS

The Farm hosts a variety of dinners, tastings, and signature events for residents and guests. Be sure to visit on the following dates from

FORRESIDENTS planting and harvesting and always leave with

DIDYOUKNOW?

SHANE WITH FARM ASSISTANT WYATT ASHLEY

WELL LIVING

WITH MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF

STORY BY MEGHAN LAMB

A life well lived is a life full of connection and rich experiences. It is about embracing the present moment, exploring new horizons, and nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. One such lifestyle can be found at Montage

concept called Well Living, which seeks to balance and rejuvenate individuals through active, creative, and educational pursuits.

encompassing approach to wellness that embraces the celebration of the diversity of life and the people and connections that make our lives full. The resort curates a wide array of immersive experiences designed to deepen one’s connection with oneself, others, and the beautiful Lowcountry surroundings along with its rich history. Whether it is through culinary adventures, art activations, movement classes, or other transformative environment where guests can live life to the fullest.

dedication to a “Life Well Lived” to its associates as well. to participate in curated wellness programming facilitated being of both guests and associates fosters a harmonious and supportive environment that enriches everyone’s lives.

the Lowcountry, a region steeped in rich history and

LEFT: YOGA IN THE SOMERSET CHAPEL BELOW: EXTERIOR OF THE MAIN INN

theme that aligns with the cultural heritage of the area, such as Black Heritage, Women, and the Earth. This thematic approach creates a deeper connection to the surroundings and encourages guests to engage with the local community.

variety of notable experts, including artisans, culinarians, writers, and more, who have a deep connection to the region and the monthly theme. These visiting practitioners create

Los Cabos, to art exhibits in the library, to rejuvenating sound bowl and yoga sessions, and everything in between.

resident Naturalist, says, “Being an environmentalist is more than just my job, it is my passion and something that I share with others as often as I can.”

Jon McGaunn, the General Manager of Montage

Living program is well timed to feed the hunger that travelers have to transform themselves with enriching experiences that go beyond recreation and relaxation,” said McGaunn. “We are looking forward to embarking of our resort, and to invite our guests and associates to immerse themselves in the incredible culture and rich history of the Lowcountry.”

is a testament to the resort’s commitment to cultivating connection and community. It recognizes that wellness immersive and experiential activations. A getaway

with great memories and a renewed zest for life.

TOP: MONTAGE NATURALIST CASSIE BEATO

BOTTOM: OFFERING FROM THE MEZCAL POP-UP

Some places you discover the journey is the destination.

We bring rigor, imagination, and a commitment to designing with nature to every endeavor. From progressive architecture to intuitive service, we nurture the profound communion between people and place. Find your home — and transcend time — by reconnecting to nature, friends, and family in one of our celebrated luxury communities.

It’s time to revel in the now.

southstreetcollection.com

PALMETTO BLUFF

hosts dozens of soirees, outings, and workshops. It was a fantastic spring and summer!

SPRING AND SUMMER AT

SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND

PHOTOGRAPHS by JOE ARMENI and SAMME B. PHOTOGRAPHY

KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY

EASTER CARNIVAL

THANK

YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS

CITADEL SELF STORAGE

COURT ATKINS GROUP

CS THOMAS CONSTRUCTION

GENESIS CONSTRUCTION

KELLY CARON DESIGNS

LE CREUSET

PALMETTO BLUFF REAL ESTATE COMPANY

MHK ARCHITECTURE

SOUTHSTREET PARTNERS

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Renovations & Service

Exceptional renovations and service are at the heart of Dillard-Jones’ values. With an unparalleled commitment to excellence, we create environments that mirror our dedication to our craft. Our mission is to go above and beyond for our clients, delivering top-of-the-line solutions for all of their home renovation and service needs.

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LOCAL CHARACTER

Chris Apple

I’ve got a big personality, and I’m super extroverted. [laughs] I’ve never met a stranger and like to have fun, and that’s the club business! We want people to have fun. I want my team to have fun. I want our members and guests to have fun.

Where are you from and how did you get here?

I saw the job posting through a golf recruiting service at 6am one morning. [laughs] I applied for it and here we are.

My wife and I always said if we ever left Nashville, we’d move to the Lowcountry. We love living here. The scenery is amazing and seeing the water every day is pretty special.

I’m the life of the party at weddings—I never met a microphone I didn’t like. I don’t eat red meat. Also, before I wanted to be a golf pro, I wanted to be a news anchor. I was a radio DJ in a small town in eastern Kentucky. I joke that I was the number one live radio DJ in the market, but I was the only live radio DJ in the market!

My wife and I came on a whim! It was New Year’s Day of 2021. We booked the night before. We showed up and fell in love—I just felt immediate stress relief. We didn’t want to leave! Then we came back that same year for our anniversary in November. It made us fall in love with the Lowcountry. Experiencing the community as a guest was extraordinary.

Obviously, the May River Golf Course. But I’m still exploring the property! I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the sites of the future golf courses. I can’t wait to see those come to fruition.

We’re blessed with a great golf course. Of course we’re always looking at ways to improve the course, but the big thing we’re trying to do is create a great member and guest

Driving in is the best part. It allows me to relax, prepare for the day, and get my mind right. It’s a special drive. You don’t see a lot of homes, and the sun comes through the trees…it’s very peaceful. It’s a magical drive in. It takes you back in time.

so important to build relationships with the members, to know their families, so we really let our employee’s personalities shine. This should be an authentic experience. You can play a great golf course anywhere, but you can’t have a great experience anywhere.

DIRECTOR OF GOLF CLUB OPERATIONS PALMETTO BLUFF CLUB

Learn how a vacation to Palmetto Bluff changed everything for Chris Apple.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY HOLGER OBENAUS

The journey, elevated