large sharks on the line –and now I know what it feels like to reel in a 100-pound fish. Exhilarating!
For those of you looking for a land-based excursion, I suggest Biking & Beachfront Bar Hopping (page 58). This tour is slightly more athletic than shark fishing and can be just as fun if you don’t overdo it. A word to the wise: You are probably not in college anymore, so proceed with caution. Sample the wares. Don’t guzzle them too quickly. And check the tides before you head out or you could be wading instead of riding.
Photography by Brooke Peck
We’ve put out 239 issues of CH2 magazine to date, and this ranks right up there with some of my favorites. Of course, we are celebrating America this month – just like every July – but, since it’s a big birthday, we tried to get red, white, and blue on as many pages as possible. From drinks and dresses to baubles and advertisements, our team splashed this issue with patriotic flair.
It’s no secret that July on Hilton Head Island is the busiest of the year, and our locals really roll out the red carpet for the hundreds of thousands of visitors headed this way. In Faces of Lowcountry Hospitality (page 48), we interview a few residents who put on a good show for our guests. From boat captains and bartenders to lifeguards and chefs, we celebrate those on the front lines of Southern hospitality. Stay tuned for part two of this feature, coming in August!
In the spring, contributor Brooke Peck and I curated a list of activities we thought our visitors might enjoy, and this issue continues that summer fun series with two action-packed adventures. In Shark Week Never Ends on Hilton Head (page 38), the CH2 crew heads out with local shark wrangler Chip Michalove with Outcast Sportfishing. I’ve known Chip for years, but I’ve never actually gone on the hunt with him. Within a few hours, we had several
Our fashion feature took us back to Daufuskie to enjoy the (mostly) untouched beauty of this quirky island. If you haven’t already picked out your fit for the Fourth, head to page 66 for some ideas. This issue also includes great reads about additional summer fun like Carolina Baseball (page 90), the easiest Lowcountry boil you’ll ever not make (Sweetwater Steamer, page 44), and HarbourFest’s return to Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina (page 84).
If you are a visitor, WELCOME!
We love having you and hope you make memories you’ll cherish for years on our special island. If you’re a local, put on your patience and get out there and make some memories of your own … October is just around the corner. ;-)
Happy Birthday, America!
MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief
1Lynne was bitten by the theatre bug in high school, thanks to her drama teacher, Mr. Thigpen. Her first acting experience on Hilton Head Island was in “A Streetcar Named Desire” in 1985 at Hilton Head Community Playhouse (shout out to her director, Dallas Dunnagan!). Later, she appeared in shows with Main Street Youth Theatre (now Main Stage Community Theatre) and May River Theatre. In 2023, when friends asked her to join the board of the new theatre they started, she eagerly accepted. Sea Glass Stage Company, based at Coligny Theatre, opened in January 2024. Lynne has been onstage in three shows, most recently “Steel Magnolias,” and also has stage managed, foraged for props, moved set pieces, worked the ticket counter, made popcorn, and cleaned bathrooms.
5 REASONS TO CELEBRATE LYNNE HUMMELL
Lynne is a former newspaper editor, current CH2/CB2 copy editor, actor, volunteer, mom to two grown boys, wife of artist Amos Hummell, and an island resident since 1984.
Photography by Maggie Washo
3
As a journalism student at the University of South Carolina, Lynne discovered there was a name – and a real-life job description – for what she had been doing naturally every time she read a newspaper, magazine, or menu. In addition to being a writer, she was also an editor, meaning she was compelled to correct errors that jumped off the page. After retiring as a newspaper editor in 2023, she still felt the itch to write and edit and was thrilled that Maggie gave her that opportunity at CH2/CB2.
2
Lynne loves a bargain and is a frequent thrifter. (This top and funky necklace were both thrift store finds.) She also enjoys donating usable things her household no longer needs to the nonprofit stores that help fund missions that she supports. She has a symbiotic relationship with several stores: She takes good, saleable items (like these toys) to donate at their back door, then goes around to their front door to shop! Her favorites are Osprey Village Thrift, St. Luke’s Church Mouse, Bargain Box, and Litter Box.
4
Volunteering one’s time and talent for good causes is something Lynne learned from her mother, who showed her as a child what helping others looks like. Lynne has volunteered for many local nonprofits over the years, from Memory Matters to the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade, from Island School Council for the Arts to Celebrity Golf, from ushering at the Arts Center to helping organize the first AIDS Walk on the island to being a spotter (riding in a Rolls Royce convertible!) for the first HHI Triathlon.
5
With two busy schedules (even though they are both retired), Lynne and Amos don’t take many vacations. When they do travel, their favorite destination is the mountains of North Carolina, specifically Brevard. They enjoy finding and watching the resident white squirrels, seeking out waterfalls, and just relaxing in the mountain air.
INVESTING IN HILTON HEAD ISLAND’S FUTURE THROUGH OUR BUDGET
As we begin our new fiscal year on July 1, I’m proud to announce that the Town of Hilton Head Island is moving forward with a $233 million budget, approved by town council with no increase to the millage rate. This balanced budget is more than just numbers on a page: It is a roadmap that reflects our priorities laid out in our 2026-2028 Strategic Action Plan and 2020 Comprehensive Plan. It builds on our commitment to keep Hilton Head Island vibrant, resilient, and welcoming for all.
This year, we’re focusing on protecting the island’s unique character, managing growth, enhancing our corridors, investing in stormwater infrastructure, supporting public safety, and advancing economic development. We’re also championing workforce housing, celebrating Gullah Geechee culture, and protecting our natural environment.
The FY 2027 consolidated budget totals $233,284,719 and covers all projected revenues and planned expenses. Our funding comes from a diverse mix of sources, including hospitality and accommodations taxes, beach preservation fees, business licenses, stormwater and real estate transfer fees, and property taxes.
Highlights include more than $55 million for capital improvements such as upgrades to Islanders Beach Park, Crossings Park (pickleball, skate park and pump track), and Patterson Family Park; Jonesville stables renovation, road and safety improvements; new fire rescue ladder trucks; and planning for future land acquisition. We’re continuing to invest in stormwater resilience, with $7.5 million to accelerate critical infrastructure projects and complete our Stormwater Master Plan.
We’re also supporting our Gullah Geechee neighborhoods with nearly $1.7 million for preservation and economic development, and more than $3.2 million to advance workforce housing and neighborhood stabilization. The budget includes more than $86 million in special revenues to support capital projects, housing, and operations, along with $11.5 million to maintain our strong credit and reduce debt.
Beyond infrastructure, we’re investing $2.4 million in people and experiences – funding community events, enhancing public safety, and supporting nonprofit partners including the Island Recreation Association, Coastal Discovery Museum, Mitchelville Preservation Project, the Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority (Palmetto Breeze), the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, Sea Turtle Patrol HHI, and the Outside Foundation.
Our budget, our vision for the island, the enhancements we have planned, and our relationship with various nonprofits wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our town staff. So, I want to thank Town Manager Marc Orlando and his team for their diligent stewardship in preparing our budget to meet the needs of our community.
I encourage everyone to explore our budget in detail at hiltonheadislandsc.gov to learn about the many enhancements that will be invested into our community over the next 12 months. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a thriving and sustainable Hilton Head Island.
A Note from Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry
Lisa Staff Photography
BUDGET SEASON: TURNING PLANS INTO PROGRESS
One of the questions I hear most often from residents is, “What exactly does the town budget mean for me?”
The answer is simple: The budget is our community’s work plan for the coming year.
As the saying goes, “Plan your work, work your plan.” In local government, the budget is where planning becomes action. Every project, program, and service that residents see throughout the year begins with a thoughtful budget process.
The town’s new fiscal year begins July 1. Before that date arrives, town council and staff spend months reviewing priorities, evaluating needs, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are invested wisely. This year’s Fiscal Year 2027 consolidated budget totals approximately $113.9 million and continues our commitment to responsible financial stewardship while investing in Bluffton’s future.
When people hear the word “budget,” they often think of spreadsheets, charts, and financial reports. While those are certainly part of the process, a municipal budget is really about people and quality of life.
It’s about maintaining parks where families gather, improving roads and sidewalks that help residents travel safely, protecting our waterways and wetlands, supporting affordable housing initiatives, and preserving the historic character that makes Bluffton special. It is also about providing essential services that residents depend on every day.
The budget does not stand alone. It works hand-in-hand with two other important documents: the town’s Strategic Plan and the Strategic Plan Action Agenda.
Think of these three documents as pieces of a puzzle.
The Strategic Plan identifies where we want to go as a community. The Action Agenda outlines the steps needed to get there. The budget provides the resources necessary to make those goals a reality.
Together, these three documents guide the town’s work throughout the year.
One of the advantages of this approach is that town staff knows exactly what lies ahead. Whether it is a road project, a park improvement, affordable housing initiative, historic preservation effort, or land conservation opportunity, our team enters the fiscal year with a clear understanding of priorities and expectations.
This year’s budget continues investments in infrastructure, affordable housing, historic preservation, watershed protection, public sewer improvements, parks, and land conservation. It also supports projects such as the Boundary Street Streetscape, Pritchard Street Drainage Improvements, Buck Island Road Park, New Riverside Park improvements, and the rehabilitation of the Sarah Riley Hooks Cottage.
Just as important, the budget maintains the town’s property tax millage rate at its current level. Bluffton property taxes have remained steady since 2014, with town council reducing the millage rate in both 2019 and 2023.
Transparency remains a core value of our organization. Residents should know that the town’s budget, Strategic Plan, and Action Agenda are available on the town website for anyone who wants to learn more. If you’ve ever wondered how your tax dollars are being invested, the information is there for you to review.
At the end of the day, the budget is more than a financial document. It reflects our community’s priorities and our shared vision for Bluffton’s future. By planning our work and working our plan, we continue making investments that protect what residents love most about Bluffton while preparing responsibly for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Residents should know that the town’s budget, Strategic Plan, and Action Agenda are available on the town website for anyone who wants to learn more.
A Note from Bluffton Mayor Larry Toomer
HHH's 50th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff at the
event participant meeting adoptable
Okatie Campus
Volunteer Jada Saba enjoying puppy love at the 2025 Valentine's Event in Shelter Cove
Group photo of the participants at the 2026 Dog Walk on the Beach (Coligny Beach, HHI)
Construction of the New Side Yard Kennel in 2007 at the Hilton Head campus
An
dog,Tammy, at the 2026 Valentine's Event at Shelter Cove Towne Centre.
Article by Cheryl Ricer
STAYING POWER:
50 Years of Compassion at Hilton Head Humane
For half a century, Hilton Head Humane Association has quietly and faithfully done the kind of work most people never fully see. The wagging tails finding forever homes. A frightened stray finally learning trust. The abandoned litter rescued just in time. An emergency transport before a hurricane. The grieving family helped through the loss of a beloved pet. The exhausted staff member bottle-feeding kittens before sunrise and returning after hours to comfort an aging dog.
It is work rooted in compassion rather than recognition.
Founded in 1976, Hilton Head Humane celebrated its 50th anniversary in June – a remarkable milestone for an organization that began with a small group of people simply trying to help cats in need.
Today, the organization has grown into one of the region’s most impactful animal welfare agencies, operating multiple campuses, a thriving thrift store, a high-volume spay and neuter clinic, extensive transport partnerships, and a volunteer network that stretches across Beaufort County and beyond.
According to Executive Director Franny Gerthoffer, the heart of the mission has remained remarkably unchanged.
“Our mission is ‘to improve the lives of homeless dogs and cats while also working to substantially lower the number of animals reproduced or relinquished,’” Gerthoffer said. “That’s a pretty powerful mission. It incorporates everything that we’re about.”
The origins of Hilton Head Humane are far more modest than the organization that locals know today.
The shelter was founded by Eleanor and Adkins Lowell, animal lovers who initially focused on the island’s growing cat population. At the time, feral and abandoned cats were multiplying rapidly, and resources for helping them were scarce.
“I just know that they were trying to figure out the problem,” Gerthoffer said. “The multiple cats, the reproduction of cats, the care of cats – somebody had to do something about it.”
The organization’s earliest home was in South Beach in Sea Pines before eventually relocating to what is now its headquarters at 10 Humane Way on Hilton Head Island.
Over the years, the shelter expanded significantly, eventually adding its Okatie campus on Pritcher Point Road and later developing The Litter Box thrift store, which would become one of the organization’s defining success stories. Those expansions did not happen overnight. Like many nonprofits, Hilton Head Humane experienced years of uncertainty and financial struggle.
Gerthoffer first became involved as a volunteer shortly after moving to the Lowcountry in the early 1990s. At that time, sustainability itself felt like an accomplishment. “I would say the big milestones were just being able to be selfsufficient and able to meet payroll,” she said. “The organization was surviving year after year, but it didn’t allow for us to expand or do more.”
Volunteer Doug Lamm bringing adoptable dog, Sassafras, to the 2026 Valentine's Event in Shelter Cove Towne Centre.
The work ahead required vision, stability, and long-term leadership. “We had to redefine who we were, what our mission was and how we were going to take the next steps forward year after year,” Gerthoffer said.
Building Something Sustainable
One of the organization’s most important turning points came through the development of a strong volunteer base and the creation of leadership continuity.
Gerthoffer noted that prior to her tenure, executive directors often stayed only a short time.
“We tried to figure out the problems with not keeping an executive director more than two years,” she said. “How do we get longevity out of an executive director?”
That consistency eventually allowed the organization to think beyond daily survival and begin building lasting infrastructure.
Another major milestone came when Hilton Head Humane hired its own veterinarian rather than relying entirely on outside veterinary offices.
“We still absolutely rely on the graciousness of vets in the area,” Gerthoffer said. “They’re very much part of our family. But going from relying on outside veterinary support to having our own veterinarian was huge.”
Today, the organization works with three veterinarians – a dramatic evolution from its earlier years.
Perhaps the most transformative advancement of all was the development of its spay and neuter clinic.
“That was a big milestone,” Gerthoffer said. “Being able to provide spay and neuter has made the difference not only on Hilton Head and in Bluffton, but really throughout Beaufort County.”
The clinic itself has an interesting history. Originally founded by former Hilton Head Humane board members
Humane Locations:
Hilton Head campus: 10 Humane Way Okatie campus: 10 Pritcher Point Road
The Litter Box thrift store: 46 Old Wild Horse Rd.
in the Ridgeland area, the operation was eventually absorbed into the organization and relocated to the Okatie campus, where it continues serving thousands of animals every year.
The impact cannot be overstated. In 2025 alone, the clinic performed 6,443 surgeries and serviced 2,182 feral cats. In just the first four months of 2026, the clinic had already completed more than 2,100 surgeries.
For Gerthoffer and her team, those numbers represent far more than statistics. “That’s what saves animals’ lives,” she said. “Being able to control the population through spay and neuter.”
The Litter Box: A Community Treasure
While many residents know Hilton Head Humane for its adoption services, others know it for a very different reason: treasure hunting. The Litter Box thrift store has become one of the organization’s most beloved and successful fundraising ventures.
“The Litter Box is actually our biggest fundraiser,” Gerthoffer said. “That’s what really enables us to provide the programming that we do provide.”
Inside the store, shoppers can find nearly everything imaginable – furniture, clothing, electronics, home décor, holiday decorations, collectibles, and more. The operation has grown so large that it even includes an eBay store.
Its beginnings were incredibly humble. “It started in my good friend’s garage,” Gerthoffer said.
From there, the store moved into vacant storefronts around the area, occupying spaces temporarily until landlords found permanent tenants. Eventually, the operation became substantial enough to justify leasing a dedicated location of its own on Wild Horse Road.
Today, The Litter Box does far more than raise money. It has become a community hub – a place where residents
Group of dog walker volunteers at an adoption event at the present-day Tin & Tallow (formerly Jarvis Creek General Store)
Franny Gerthoffer, Frank Grady, Steve Riley, Chuck Laine and Tom Peeples celebrate the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the newly-expanded Watts Building and Adoption Center at the HHI Campus in 2007.
In 2025 alone, the clinic performed 6,443 surgeries and serviced 2,182 feral cats. In just the first four months of 2026, the clinic had already completed more than 2,100 surgeries.
donate generously, volunteers connect, and bargain hunters know every purchase directly supports animal welfare.
The Volunteers Behind the Mission
If The Litter Box helps fund the mission, volunteers help carry it. “The volunteers are the heartbeat of the organization,” Gerthoffer said. “We wouldn’t be able to do anything that we do right now without them.”
Hilton Head Humane currently employs approximately 32 paid staff members but relies on more than 100 volunteers throughout the organization.
Those volunteers assist in nearly every area. They sort donations and work cash registers at The Litter Box. They help clean kennels and feed animals. They assist with exercise, enrichment, adoptions, medical care, fundraising events, transportation, and daily shelter operations.
“We don’t have enough paid employees to sustain what we do,” Gerthoffer said. “We can only sustain with the help of volunteers.”
For board member Sandy Leath, the dedication of both staff and volunteers is one of the organization’s defining strengths. “If we didn’t have the dedication of the staff that we have, we would not be able to do this,” she said.
Leath noted that animal welfare work requires a very particular kind of person. “It takes a special kind of staff member to work at a shelter,” Leath said.
Gerthoffer agrees wholeheartedly. “This is definitely not a 9-to-5 job,” she said. “The people who are here are here because they want to make a difference for the well-being of the animals.”
Whether for the shelter or the thrift store, the organization looks for people motivated by compassion rather than compensation. “We need people here that are going to work well beyond what they’re worth,” Gerthoffer said. “And we’ve found those people.”
More Than a Shelter
Although Hilton Head Humane is widely recognized as an adoption organization, the shelter’s role in the community extends far beyond housing animals.
“We’re so busy doing the work that’s necessary, that sometimes people don’t realize everything we can offer,” Gerthoffer said. Those services often emerge quietly during moments of crisis.
Gerthoffer recalled one family recently separated from their beloved dog following a death in the family. Relatives in Kentucky were willing to take the pet but unable to travel to South Carolina.
“So, we arranged for a transporter to take the family dog to Kentucky,” Gerthoffer said. “They were in mourning. They couldn’t figure out how to get the pet there, so we figured it out for them.”
Another call came from vacationers traveling from Tennessee whose elderly Great Dane died unexpectedly during the trip. “They didn’t know anyone here,” Gerthoffer said. “They didn’t know what to do.” Hilton Head Humane
The new Animal Campus in Okatie, which opened in 2019, housing a second HHH Adoption Center, HHH's Spay/Neuter Clinic, and Beaufort County Animal Services
The X-Ray room at the Hilton Head campus, which was constructed in 2011.
A volunteer reports for dog walking duty.
stepped in, helping arrange humane cremation services for the family during an incredibly emotional moment.
The organization also assists families facing veterinary emergencies beyond their financial means. “It’s not like we have an open checkbook,” Gerthoffer said, “but there are certain emergencies where we can work really hard to collect funds on behalf of animals that are in need.”
The organization’s reach extends beyond Beaufort County as well. During natural disasters in other states, Hilton Head Humane has sent supplies, gift cards, and fundraising support while also taking in displaced animals from affected areas.
Those partnerships have become especially important during hurricane season.
Operating in the Lowcountry means hurricanes are always a possibility, and Hilton Head Humane has developed an extensive evacuation strategy over the years.
When major storms threaten the region, the organization begins moving animals well before evacuation orders are issued. “We don’t wait until the last minute,” Gerthoffer said.
Animals are first transferred from the Hilton Head campus to the Okatie facility, which was built to withstand a Category 3 hurricane. From there, transport partners across multiple states help relocate animals farther inland if necessary.
The shelter maintains relationships with organizations in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and surrounding states specifically to ensure safe evacuation options are available.
“We start about two weeks out before an evacuation is called,” Gerthoffer said. “We’re constantly transporting animals ahead of time.” If the storm changes course, the animals simply return. “It becomes a little bit of a travel nightmare, but we don’t wait until the last minute,” she said.
Those partnerships also help increase adoption opportunities year-round through transport programs that move animals into regions with higher demand for adoptable pets.
Finding Forever Homes
At its core, Hilton Head Humane remains focused on helping animals find permanent, loving homes. The organization prioritizes abandoned, abused, and stray dogs and cats throughout Beaufort County while also working to help owners rehome pets whenever possible.
“We try really diligently not to bring pets into the shelter if we can help it,” Gerthoffer said. “We try to work more toward rehoming than intake whenever possible.”
Animals entering the shelter are carefully assessed medically and behaviorally before being placed in appropriate areas within the facility. Some recover in medical wards. Others await surgery or evaluation. Those ready for adoption move into public adoption spaces where they can meet prospective families.
One aspect that sets Hilton Head Humane apart is its commitment to lifetime responsibility.
“If an adoption doesn’t work out, they’re welcome back here,” Gerthoffer said. “And that’s for the life of the pet.”
The organization works aggressively to place adoptable animals within the first three to six months, using social media, business partnerships, community events, veterinarians, groomers, boarding facilities, and adoption showcases throughout the region.
Their Facebook page has become especially effective. “You see the face of a little kitty you can’t resist, and then you’re on our porch the next day,” Gerthoffer said with a laugh.
Attendees of the Four-Legged Frolic at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa
The strategy is working. In 2025, Hilton Head Humane placed 1,701 animals into homes while taking in 1,653 animals. In the first four months of 2026, the organization had already placed 594 animals. “We really do work hard at trying to move them,” Gerthoffer said. “We don’t want them to live here.”
Events That Bring the Community Together
Community support remains critical to Hilton Head Humane’s success, and the organization has built a calendar of beloved annual events that residents eagerly anticipate each year.
The season typically begins with the Valentine fundraiser sponsored by Heritage Fine Jewelry, followed by partnerships with local businesses such as The SERG Group, which sells branded T-shirts to benefit the shelter.
One of the organization’s most popular traditions is the Dog Walk on the Beach at Coligny. Now approaching its 29th year, the event draws animal lovers from across the Lowcountry for a joyful celebration of pets and community. “That’s actually my favorite,” Gerthoffer said.
In the fall, supporters gather for the Four-Legged Frolic gala, a formal fundraising event that has become another community favorite.
The organization also benefits from partnerships with the Heritage Classic Foundation through programs such as Birdies for Charity and Champions Fore Charity.
Still, even with multiple successful events throughout the year, Gerthoffer said The Litter Box remains the organization’s single largest source of funding.
The Secret to Staying Power
As Hilton Head Humane celebrates 50 years of longevity, the question naturally arises: What gives an organization that kind of staying power?
For Gerthoffer, the answer comes down to authenticity. “I attribute it to the fact that we actually do what we say we’re going to do,” she said. “And we have the results.”
Supporters can see those results – the rescued animals, the successful adoptions, the medical care, the community outreach, the lives changed. “I think donors and volunteers see the work and the authenticity firsthand,” Gerthoffer said. “They’re comfortable supporting us with both their time and financially because the work is being done.”
Leath believes the people behind the mission deserve much of the credit as well. “The dedication of the staff is what makes this work,” she said.
For 50 years, Hilton Head Humane has weathered economic uncertainty, changing leadership, growing demand, and natural disasters while continuing to evolve alongside the community it serves. Yet through all the growth and expansion, the organization’s purpose remains beautifully simple: helping animals and the people who love them.
As Gerthoffer said, everything still goes back to the mission. “It’s all about the animals, and their better lives.”
An aerial view of the new Animal Campus in Okatie
The CH2 crew watches with Chip Michalove as Jevon Daly attempts to reel in a 200-pound lemon shark.
Article by Brooke Peck . Photography by Maggie Washo
SHARK WEEK NEVER ENDS ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND
Hilton Head Island is home to sharks – lots of them. It’s also home to Chip Michalove, a fishing charter captain, who has made a career out of wrangling massive sharks in our area and gained a national following in the process.
“The interest in sharks is just on a different level than anything else,” he said. “There is no King Mackerel Week on Discovery Channel. When it comes to sharks, there is a lot more interest than there used to be.”
Shark Week officially kicks off July 26 and runs through August 1 this year, but for Michalove, Shark Week is every week. As owner of Outcast Sport Fishing Charters, he’s spent the past 27 years in pursuit of sharks – and the bigger, the better. “Since I was little, I was obsessed with them,” he said. “Even before school, me and my buddy, Brian, used to go to South Beach and try to catch sharks off the beach. We just got better and better, and then we started fishing Port Royal (Sound) and just always were obsessed with sharks.”
Even with high school graduation on the horizon, he knew his career trajectory was going to be on Lowcountry waterways. “There’s no way you're dragging me out of here,” he said. “I’m going to be a charter fisherman. If these guys are doing it, I can do it. I can make a living doing this. I’m obsessed with it.”
Michalove’s first few years as a new business owner were rough but a bold marketing move helped him build a committed clientele. “I did this monster shark guarantee where I guaranteed an 8-footer (shark) on every trip, or the charter was free,” he said. “I did that for three years and never had to refund anybody’s money, but I had so many close calls that it was miserable. I was so stressed out every day I was doing it. After three years of having a pretty good clientele, I quit doing it.”
Over time, his charter business grew. “I would say 95% of my business now is repeat (customers),” he said. “Ten years ago, it was probably 50%, and now through the years, it’s just built up. Ever since I started catching these great whites, probably about 11 to 12 years ago, I was able to pull all my advertising.”
The combination of a thriving charter business and a plethora of online social media followers helped Michalove reach an even larger audience. He was featured on the
Discovery Channel during Shark Week in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, he was also featured in National Geographic
Michalove said sharks are migratory and different species can be fished along the Lowcountry waterways year-round. “In the wintertime, we do the great white stuff,” he said. “The great whites show up in December and they’ll stay all the way until about mid-April. Once they leave, then our summer sharks show up, which are black tips, lemons, bulls, tigers, hammerheads, sharp nosed, sand tigers, and sandbars. We’ve got a lot of shark species here in the summertime.”
OUR SHARK FISHING TRIP
In May, a CH2 crew of Maggie Washo, Jevon Daly, Trevor Harden, and myself set off on a day-long adventure with Michalove. We were all eager (and slightly terrified) to find out what sharks were in store for our fishing excursion.
As we boarded Michalove’s 35-foot Freeman, we were all impressed with its layout, design, and cleanliness. Many
Baitfish.
Brooke Peck reels hard to see what took the bait on the second bite of the day.
boats have a traditional deep V hull, but Michalove’s had a double hull, also known as a catamaran. We quickly learned that its design made for a smooth ride, even at higher speeds. “It cuts right through the waves really well,” he said.
The boat is outfitted with four live wells and enormous fish boxes. It was designed and built by Billy Freeman, a Charleston fisherman. “It’s a dream,” Michalove said. “I want to be buried in this thing. I love it.”
After departing the dock, Michalove shared his experience with tagging great white sharks during the winter months. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Cape Cod reached out to him a few years ago after seeing photos of the great white sharks he had caught. They wanted to do more research on great whites in the Southeast. Michalove was recruited to participate in a process known as “tagging,” which attaches a GPS monitor to the dorsal fin of a great white shark to track their migration habits for research purposes.
“You want to see what happens after you release the fish,” he said. “With this type of technology on these charts, you can see exactly where they are, how they recovered, and if they stayed in the area. We’ve had a few going into the Gulf and then a lot of them go up to Canada in the summertime. Working with them has really opened a lot of doors and also made me a better fisherman.”
Once we arrived in Port Royal Sound and got the anchor secure, Michalove baited the hook with a fish head. Within a few minutes of putting the line in the water, we heard the magical sound of the line spinning off the reel. Daly stepped up to secure our first fish of the day. After an easy fight, Michalove helped guide a 3-foot blacktip into the boat for quick photos. “We are with the baddest shark dude in the country,” Daly said.
The next line was baited and it was my turn at the helm. I was excited and scared about what might bite and how to muscle it to the boat. I have fished a good bit in my life
Chip Michalove, owner of Outcast Sport Fishing Charters.
Michalove gets the second catch of the day off the hook.
Rows of pretty white teeth on a blacktip shark.
but this was by far the largest species I had ever targeted.
A shark hit the line and we let it run for a bit before Michalove prepped me on what to do once the drag was tightened up. The pull of the shark was fierce and it took all I had to fight the fish. Time slowed down as I forcefully pulled up on the rod while desperately reeling as it went down. Slowly, the fish got closer to the boat. As soon as Michalove laid eyes on it, he saw it was another blacktip –thankfully, a much larger one than Daly’s, not that we are competitive or anything.
As the fish arrived at the boat, I worked hard to keep it away from the boat engines while also staying on my feet. Michalove grabbed the line and swiftly lifted the fish into
a giant hammerhead shark from a previous trip.
the boat’s bow with all of us safely positioned several feet away. It was just shy of six feet in length and an estimated 80 pounds.
The shark had an unusual attachment on its back and we realized it was a tagged shark. After our expedition, Michalove contacted NOAA with its tag number and found out that the shark was initially tagged on 4-30-21 in the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, Florida. We all were fascinated to catch a tagged fish for ourselves after Michalove had shared so much about them earlier in the trip.
We also noticed another small fish in the boat with us. Michalove explained that big fish, like sharks, often attract smaller fish, like remoras, to attach to them as a mutualistic
Michalove poses with
Washo smiles after her second big catch of the day. Michalove hurries to get the large shark back into the water.
Remoras latch onto sharks for free rides and food scraps from their hosts.
A quick snap with a large blacktip Shark.
A giant tiger shark is hooked with former clients of Outcast Sportfishing.
relationship. The small remora was latched onto my shark as it came into the boat. He quickly picked it up and attached it to Daly’s arm, because that's what friends do.
Needless to say, I was thrilled that I caught that big fish even though my forearms continued to shake for another hour after the fish was safely back in the water. It took about that long for my heart rate to calm down too.
Next up, it was Washo’s turn on the rod. She had a solid battle against another blacktip similar in size that we released at the boat. We were less than an hour into our trip and had already caught three sharks.
At Daly’s second time on the rod, he successfully hooked another, larger blacktip. “I get it, fishing is fun,” he said. “This is why people do this.” Shark number four had a brief photo shoot at the side of the boat then headed back out to sea.
After a morning of much wrangling, it was time for pub subs and a beer before our fishing finale. Michalove cut the head off an amberjack, a much larger bait fish, and secured it to the line. The goal was to catch the biggest shark of the day and a few minutes later, that goal was achieved as our crew hooked an 8-foot lemon shark.
Daly was back on the rod, with me as his assistant. Together, we struggled to lift the rod up so Daly could reel as it came down. The shark was relentless. We laid eyes on it several times as it rose to the water’s surface then took off again, deep into the waters.
Daly was getting his butt kicked in a very honorable way by this massive shark. He fought the fish for about 15 minutes before something unfortunate happened. The shark came off the hook.
As the line and hook returned to the boat, we realized that the fish had come dislodged due to it getting hooked on a discarded leader line with another massive hook. Long story short, our shark got off when we hooked a larger hook. Statistically, that’s nearly impossible to have happen again.
We were all in for trying to catch our sixth shark and Michalove got the line rigged up. Washo was back in control as the angler and was arguably the best fisherperson of the day. Her ability to pull the rod up with both hands then reel as it came down was rhythmic and impressive. She quickly brought the biggest blacktip of the day to our boat.
“I’ve known Chip for years but have never actually fished with him,” Washo said. “I was amazed at how quickly he got so many sharks on the line for us. Fighting a 100-pound shark is quite the workout – and I can’t wait to do it again!”
Check out CH2’s social media this month for exciting videos and drone footage from Harden capturing our day shark fishing.
Visit outcastfishing.com for more information about Michalove and Outcast Sport Fishing.
Michalove pulls a small shark into the boat.
Freshly steamed Lowcountry Boil from Sweetwater Steamer.
Article by Barry Kaufman
TRADITION IN THE TASTING
Sweetwater Steamer didn’t invent Lowcountry boil – they perfected it
It is perhaps the simplest and most iconic shorthand for the inimitable lifestyle we all enjoy here in the Lowcountry. Picture a group of hungry friends waiting patiently around a table covered in newspapers, the first alluring scent of spices on the wind priming their taste buds to the utmost anticipation. And then, the crescendo, as the chef of the party overturns a bucket onto the paper, issuing forth a cascading bounty of sweet corn, savory sausage, hearty potatoes, and tantalizing shrimp.
It’s more than just a meal. It’s more than a gathering. It is, perhaps, the most sacred tradition of the Lowcountry. Sitting at the intersection of our famed hospitality, our culinary renown, and our natural bounty of delicious ingredients, Lowcountry boil is as emblematic of our coast as salt air and sunshine.
Patrick Coughlin understands more than most how our traditions tend to create experiences. As owner of Lowcountry Watersports and Pirates of Hilton Head along with his wife, Monika, he’s seen how families return year after year to board the same vessel and relive their happiest memories with every voyage.
When Coughlin saw businesses in other parts of the world offering a “take and bake” option for their own local cuisine, he saw immediate opportunity.
Photography by Maggie Washo
“I knew something like that would be perfect for us, because Lowcountry boil is such a staple here,” Coughlin said. “It’s really part of the culture. With Pirates of Hilton Head and Lowcountry Watersports, Monika and I are all about creating an experience. That’s what we wanted this to be.”
And while he didn’t necessarily have the culinary background to see this idea done correctly, he happened to
What you get at Sweetwater Steamer is a bucket containing everything you need to easily make Lowcountry boil for a crowd – fresh ingredients and custom seasoning blends all ready to go.
have some friends who are among the area’s foremost experts.
“Sally and Lynden Zuniga were members of the Carefree Boat Club which we owned at the time,” Coughlin said. “We knew they would be the right people to partner with because they have that knowledge and we share the same values.”
The Zunigas were already serial restaurateurs when they met the Coughlins. The owners of Tio’s Latin American Kitchen, with popular locations on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, they had at that time recently taken over ownership of the famed Fiddler’s Seafood Market and Restaurant. The time was right to join forces.
The Coughlins had the vision, the Zunigas had the know-how, and in their partnership, they created something amazing. Sweetwater Steamer was an immediate hit, with the business essentially tripling in volume during its first two years in business.
“We really thought it was going to be all visitors, but it turns out we have a good percentage of locals,” Coughlin said. “I thought it would become a new tradition, but it’s taken hold much quicker than we thought. We’re seeing people come in for a bucket every month.”
The premise is, on its face, deceptively simple. What you get at Sweetwater Steamer is a bucket containing everything you need to easily make Lowcountry boil for a crowd – fresh ingredients and custom seasoning blends all ready to go. You just add two cups of liquid (water if you want, beer or wine if you’re feeling really festive). They also offer homemade butters, sides, cornbread, and desserts so there’s no extra trip to the store.
“We like to keep it simple but offer the best produce and ingredients,” Coughlin said “We’ve really dialed it in with our vendors so they know the high standards we’re looking for. We don’t have a wide array of offerings, so we need to do this one thing perfectly. We use local sausage, domestic shrimp, and we have our own custom blend of spices. We also do custom spicy and garlic butters, and sometimes people come in just to buy that.”
The whole underlying philosophy is to give people an experience, one that lets them connect with a time-honored Lowcountry tradition. And if you’re not the type of person who likes the tradition without the work, you can even call ahead and have your bucket steamed and ready to go when you show up.
Sweetwater Steamer offers the option of calling ahead to have your bucket steamed and ready to go when you show up.
The Coughlins had the vision, the Zunigas had the know-how, and in their partnership, they created something amazing.
“We make it simple to order in advance online, but you can come to us with a request to feed a party of 25 and we’ll have something ready for you in half an hour,” Coughlin said.
How else can you feed the entire group, create an unforgettable experience, and take part in a timeless Lowcountry tradition all in one bucket?
Order your next celebration at the store, 37 New Orleans Road on Hilton Head Island, online at sweetwatersteamer.com, or by calling 843-715-3110.
Lowcountry Boil is always a crowd-pleaser, and a great way to feed a crowd!
Orders are picked up at Sweetwater Steamer location at 37 New Orleans Road on Hilton Head Island.
Photography by Maggie Washo Introduction by Barry Kaufman
PETE SAVARESE
THE ICE CREAM CONE & FROSTY’S ICE CREAM, OWNER
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I have lived here my entire life and have been blessed to have both my sons born on Hilton Head as well. What I love about it is this small, tight community. You hear people say that a lot, but it really is my favorite thing. Every single day, I run into somebody that my family knows or I’ve had a connection with over the years and it has been a blessing to know so many wonderful people.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
The olden days on Hilton Head were fun to experience growing up. The off-season was certainly a true off-season and a lot quieter. Even in just my time on the island, it has become way more year-round. Trips to Bluffton were considered a big deal. Now we laugh because most people my age live in Bluffton, so we are there a lot more often. I do miss the super quiet off seasons, but it’s also nice to see the island develop at the same time.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
The island has certainly become much more developed but I’ve enjoyed seeing the new parks built. All the new restaurants that have come in have been fantastic and the increase in tourism has certainly helped my business grow. We are in three stores now! Though the island has developed and grown, it has not lost that small community feeling for people who live here year-round.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
Besides the normal questions about what’s the best place to eat and where can I get local fish, most of my customers see the shark teeth collection that my brother and I have displayed on the wall at the ice cream shop and ask us the best place to find shark teeth. Of course, we don’t tell them our spots – but we try to send them to Folly Beach and to some other places we know. It’s always nice
when they come back in later in the week with a few shark teeth and big smiles on their faces.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your opinion?
I think Ohio still reigns as No. 1! And I absolutely love it. They are loyal customers, and I hope they continue to come to Hilton Head for years to come!
If you had to recommend one item to your guests on the Ice Cream Cone’s menu, what would it be?
We have two new flavors at the Ice Cream Cone this year. Cool Mint Cookie and Dubai Chocolate. They have been selling like crazy and are some of my favorite ice creams! The Cool Mint Cookie has fudge and Girl Scout cookies mixed into a mint ice cream. Dubai Chocolate is the ice cream version of a Dubai chocolate bar and it’s to die for!
Favorite annual event or festival?
We have really enjoyed going to the Lantern Parade near Coligny Beach in the fall and the Hilton Head Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina (location of Frosty’s Ice Cream) in the spring. We look at it as the Lantern Parade closing down the busy season and it’s our way to enjoy the end of the year. And we see the Art Festival as kickstart to the busy season. Both have become my family’s favorite parts of those seasons.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
Honestly, my brother’s business, the H2O Alligator Boat, is a mustdo highlight for every visitor. It’s a great nature tour that takes you around the lake systems in Sea Pines. You can see tons of wildlife and obviously the highlight is giant alligators. It’s a really cool tour and I recommend everybody does it.
CLARENCE MAJORS
THE BREEZE, DRIVER ON THE HILTON HEAD TROLLEY
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I’ve been in Sun City for 14 years now. I enjoy the weather – no more winters for me! I also enjoy the arts and the food here. And there is great proximity to other cities, like Savannah and Charleston.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
I wasn’t here in the olden days of the island, but I’ve heard stories. I remember a man riding with me on my trolley from Shelter Cove to the Westin. He said his grandfather had been a Rough Rider who served under Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War. When he returned home, a man offered him all of Hilton Head Island for $25 but he didn’t accept the offer. He said it was all sand and water and, as a farmer, he didn’t have any use for it. I bet he wishes he could do that over again.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island? It’s amazing to see the
Lowcountry’s recent growth spurt, but it’s also great to see infrastructure being improved to support this growth.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
My passengers offer often ask where the best restaurants are. I tell them that there are many great restaurants here – as a matter of fact, it’s hard to find a bad one, because the competition is such that, if you are not great, you won’t last very long.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your opinion?
Most of the trolley riders, and my survey of license plates, shows that most of our visitors are coming from Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Favorite annual event or festival?
One of my favorite festivals is Shelter Cove Marina’s HarbourFest, which happens all summer long
on Tuesday evenings. I also enjoy the Hilton Head Art Festival, the Concours d’Elegance, and the Hilton Head Gullah Festival.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
A trip to the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, a ferry ride to Daufuskie Island, or a trip to Sea Pines to enjoy the Quarterdeck restaurant.
One of my favorite festivals is Shelter Cove Marina’s HarbourFest, which happens all summer long on Tuesday evenings. I also enjoy the Hilton Head Art Festival, the Concours d’Elegance, and the Hilton Head Gullah Festival.
LUKE WILLIS LIFEGUARD, SHORE BEACH SERVICES
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I lived here for around three and a half months last summer and I’m back for another season this year. I like the weather and the overall vibe of the place.
What’s your favorite part about being a lifeguard on Hilton Head Island?
The people – whether the public on the beach or the other lifeguards who create a great environment at Shore Beach and Hilton Head as a whole.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
“Where is that accent from?” Scotland
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience? Ohio, by far
Favorite annual event or festival?
Fourth of July. I never experienced anything like it back home, but it’s an amazing day.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
Go jet skiing.
When not working, we can find you where, and doing what?
Probably the gym or by the beach chilling in the sun.
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I have lived in Ridgeland since 1977, originally raised in Miami. What I like most is the Southern charm our little island brings to people.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
Watching all the native islanders clam, shrimp, crab, etc. right off the banks on the island and bring it in in their little boats. Also harvesting their own vegetables along Hwy. 278.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
The renovations of the local parks and working towards preserving our historical landmarks to make them well known around the island.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
“Do you see alligators in these waters?” The answer is “Yes, we have a local one, his name is Charlie! He visits weekly.”
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your opinion? Ohio.
If you had to recommend one item to your guests on the Hudson’s menu, what would it be? Crab cakes.
Favorite annual event or festival? Seafood Festival.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
Watch the sunset.
ROB BENDER
DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL, MARINE & LEISURE OPERATIONS, THE SEA PINES RESORT
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I lived on Hilton Head Island for 30 years and have most recently lived in downtown Savannah for the past four years. Since joining The Sea Pines Resort in 1993, I’ve grown more and more fond of the Lowcountry every year. There’s something truly special about the water, the wildlife, and the scenery that surrounds us. Of course, it’s the people here that make this area so memorable and unique – it’s a community that feels like family.
What is your favorite memory of Hilton Head Island?
My favorite memories of Hilton Head Island are deeply personal. This is where I met my wife, where we raised our daughter, and where our family has gathered time and again to celebrate life’s special
moments. From holidays and milestones to simple days spent together by the water, this island has been the backdrop for some of the most meaningful chapters of my life. Hilton Head Island isn’t just a place I’ve lived – it’s where my family’s story has been written, and that makes it incredibly special to me.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
The addition of more parks and pathways has been fantastic. It really makes the island feel more inviting for everyone – residents and guests alike. It’s great to see people out and about, enjoying the natural beauty and exploring the island. Plus, I love that there are more fun activities, events, and unique experiences popping up for the community and visitors.
The island just feels so lively and connected.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
The question I hear most often is, “Where’s the lighthouse?” Since I’m usually right in Harbour Town, I just smile and say, “Look straight ahead – and up.” That’s when they spot it, and the grin that follows is always the best part.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience?
Most people say Ohio, and that’s definitely true, especially since I’m originally from there too. We see a huge number of visitors from the Buckeye State. But I’d add that Georgia makes a strong showing as well, and we welcome a large share of guests from there.
Favorite Annual Event or Festival?
I might be a little biased since I am involved with the event, but my favorite annual celebration is the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Harbour Town. With two drops - one at 7 p.m. and another at midnight – there’s truly something for everyone, no matter your bedtime. The 7 p.m. drop is wonderfully family-friendly and always draws a big crowd, while the midnight drop has that classic, high-energy party feel. Being in Harbour Town to welcome in the New Year is something that feels special to me every single time.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
If I could recommend just one thing to every visitor (and resident), it would be to get out on the water. We’re an island, after all, surrounded by some of the most beautiful waterways you’ll ever see. Whether it’s a dolphin cruise, a fishing charter, a sight-seeing cruise, a Waverunner ride, or a peaceful kayak trip, experiencing Hilton Head from the water is unforgettable. There’s no better way to truly appreciate the island.
AMIE BAIMA OWNER, SKILLETS CAFÉ & GRILL
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
My family moved here in 1977. This is my home. I love the beauty that surrounds the island.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
The quaintness that the island provided. It really was and, in the winter, can still be, a small town.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
The island is more family friendly for the kids that grow up here and visitors. When I was growing up here, we had one movie theater and the waterpark. Of course, the was the beach, golf, tennis, and horses.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
Having a business in Coligny, the question is “Can I park here and go to the beach?” Or “Where is the beach?” I know everyone knows the answer already.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience?
Ohio
Menu item for breakfast?
Stuffed French Toast. Since I used to have a bakery, we still bake the bread, let it get stale, and then make it into French toast.
Favorite annual event or festival?
Lantern Parade
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
Explore! The island is so much more than beach, golf, and tennis. Our island has so much wildlife and is rich in history.
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I’ve lived here for five years, and one of the things I love most is the beautiful weather year-round.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
I miss the Bluffton Dispensary that was in Old Town Bluffton.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
I love that there are always new places popping up around the island (like Local Legend Brewery) that bring fresh energy and excitement to the community.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
People often ask me where to eat on the island, and I always recommend Hudson’s and Smokehouse.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience? Easy answer – Ohio!
Favorite annual event or festival?
My favorite annual event is the Italian Festival at Honey Horn, which my kids absolutely love. And you can’t beat the HarbourFest fireworks at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina!
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
I would definitely recommend visiting the Harbour Town Lighthouse, but the dolphin tours at Shelter Cove Marina are also a great experience and one of the best ways to enjoy the water and local wildlife.
KEVIN STEAD
STARTER RANGER, ROBERT TRENT JONES
OCEANFRONT COURSE, PALMETTO DUNES
OCEANFRONT RESORT
ANTHONY R. SAVARESE
H2O ALLIGATOR BOAT , CAPTAIN, EDUCATOR
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
41 years. I like living close to my family, seeing the ocean every day, and experiencing the Lowcountry through artifact diving, hunting, fishing, and spear fishing with my father and brother.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
I do miss a more prominent Gullah community on the island. I am very close with several members of the Gullah community and I was fortunate enough to learn about their culture from a young age. They have a remarkable history. I have always loved and respected their culture and community and my prayer is that they will continue to be recognized as an integral part of Hilton Head Island’s culture for generations to come.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
I love that Hilton Head is cognizant about development in correlation with respect for nature. I have been fortunate enough to have seen a
bobcat in the woods on the north end in the mid ’90s. I would love for Hilton Head to adopt the bobcat conservation program that is active on Kiawah Island, near Charleston. This program encourages the mutual existence of humans and bobcats living together in harmony, sharing the resources of the island.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
I get asked all the time about the dangers of the snakes, sharks, and alligators that coexist in our environment. I always emphasize respect, careful distance, and education to whomever is inquiring about these things. We have an opportunity to live and coexist with these beautiful animals and that responsibility should not be taken lightly.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your opinion?
Most of my visitors come from Ohio and I embrace them as my guests. I consider the opportunity to share my
passion for my home a privilege and I appreciate people from Ohio who could choose to go anywhere in the world but consistently come here.
What’s your go-to restaurant and why?
I cannot specify my favorite restaurant as I truly believe that Hilton Head offers some of the finest dining in the world. However, I do love Charlie’s, Cranes Tavern, and Il Carpaccio. I could also eat an Amigos BBQ chicken salad with extra ranch every day.
Favorite annual event or festival?
My favorite annual event is the RBC Heritage. Sea Pines does a wonderful job of showcasing the best of our home and I enjoy the pride that all the local people take in such a fun event. To me, there are few things more beautiful than the 18th green of Harbour Town Golf Links, with my favorite PGA player and former Heritage champion Jordan Speith about to tee off. I look forward to it every year.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
I would recommend taking the H2O alligator tour. Louise and I are passionate about what we do and I am blessed to have worked with her over the years. We truly want to provide an educational experience for our guests and help develop a love for Hilton Head in every person that embarks on our trip. I would also recommend taking the Gullah tour by the Campbell family. This is a truly unique experience. The Gullah tour gives you an inside look into the rich culture of a very special and important people. I would also recommend going to The Ice Cream Cone in Coligny. I am biased, and I am very proud of my brother Peter’s accomplishments with the store.
LYDIA FOREHAND
BARTENDER, SEA SALTS BEVERAGE COMPANY AT MARRIOTT’S SURFWATCH
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I moved to Hilton Head about 11 years ago. I definitely love the nature. The water, the trees, the different species of birds and, of course, all of our incredible sea creatures. I also really appreciate the strong sense of community we have here.
What’s one thing you miss about
Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
I miss when Mitchelville beach was a bit more undiscovered, because it felt like a “locals only” kind of spot. And maybe I’m just getting older, but I miss the old night life –the Silicone Sister shows, the later
nights, and when a couple of my spots still had arcade machines with Galaga, where I could try and beat a high score while drinking a PBR. ... The good old days.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
Well, I’m a bit of a hippie and not big on change, but if it involves preservation and protecting our natural environment, I’m all for it! I do like to support new local spots though; my new go-to is Pour & Proper!
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
I moved to Hilton Head about 11 years ago. I definitely love the nature. The water, the trees, the different species of birds and, of course, all of our incredible sea creatures. I also really appreciate the strong sense of community we have here.
I’m constantly asked where I like to go for dinner and where I go out for night life. I may be a bit biased since the chef is also my boyfriend, but I send them to Michael Anthony’s. Then Cool Cat's Lounge, since that’s my second gig and who doesn’t love a local dive bar where you can tape dollar bills all over the wall?
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience?
I would be interested in any answer that isn’t Ohio. I mean, this island is the reason I’ve even been there, since I met my best friend working here and that’s where she’s from.
Favorite annual event or festival?
That’s tough. Mayfest and the RBC Heritage are both such a good time and kind of the kickstart to our busy season for me. I also love the Jazz Corner Christmas party whenever I’m lucky enough to snag a ticket.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
Don’t just admire it from the shore all week, get on the water! Whether it’s a kayak or dolphin tour, the sunset hibachi cruise, or a trip to Daufuskie, make sure you take the time to appreciate the beauty of this island from the water that surrounds it.
CRAIG DE VILLIERS
CULINARY DIRECTOR OF WISEGUYS AND FRANKIE BONES
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I’ve lived here a little over three and a half years now, and there’s just a certain vibe to the area that makes you feel lucky to be here. The energy is different – people are on vacation, enjoying themselves. It’s more shirts than suits, and that laid-back atmosphere really grows on you.
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
I can’t really say. Being a newer transplant, I never got to experience the “good old days.”
But honestly, I think change can be a good thing. There’s constant growth in the area, and I think it’s making this place more accessible for people to enjoy what we get to experience every day.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island? There’s a new brewery in town and I get a discount! You got to try out Local Legend. The food and beer are great!
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
I can’t really say. Being a newer transplant, I never got to experience the “good old days.” But honestly, I think change can be a good thing. There’s constant growth in the area, and I think it’s making this place more accessible for people to enjoy what we get to experience every day.
Where’s the best place to park at the beach. It’s a secret.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience?
Ohio no doubt, but I see a lot of Kentucky too.
If you had to recommend one item to your guests on the WiseGuys menu, what would it be?
Ribeye with Cowboy Butter is my favorite, but if I had to recommend something to someone who hasn’t been here before, it would have to be the Fried Stuffed Olives and Rotisserie Prime Rib.
Favorite annual event or festival? Lantern Parade, because it’s beautiful and it’s my favorite time of year.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
Dolphin tour. I’m a sucker for anything wildlife related, even though I get to see them almost every day I still get excited about it!
CINDY RODRIGUEZ
SHELTER COVE MARINA CHARTER COORDINATOR, PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT
How long have you lived here and what do you like most about it?
I’ve lived on Hilton Head Island for 47 years, and what I like most is its down-to-earth Lowcountry feel. From the natural beauty and coastal charm, there’s no place like Hilton Head Island (home)!
What’s one thing you miss about Hilton Head Island’s olden days?
I miss being able to go to the beach anywhere.
What’s one thing you love about recent changes to the island?
One of the things I love most about Hilton Head Island is all the new parks and outdoor spaces. They’ve added so much to the community by creating beautiful places for people to relax, stay active, and enjoy the island’s natural beauty.
What question do you get asked most often by our visitors? And what is your answer?
Many guests ask where they should go to eat and I always recommend Hudson’s for great seafood.
Unofficial Poll: Where do most of our visitors hail from, in your experience?
Ohio is, of course, top of the list, although I’ve seen many guests over the last year or so from the Midwest.
Favorite annual event or festival?
HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina is my favorite festival on Hilton Head Island. It consistently captures the fun, family-friendly atmosphere and is one of those events that brings both locals and visitors together to showcase the beauty and energy of Hilton Head.
If you had to recommend a visitor to Hilton Head Island do ONE thing before they leave town, what would it be?
I would definitely say “get out on the water.” Whether it’s boating, fishing, or taking a sunset cruise, being on the water is one of the best ways to experience the island’s natural beauty and relaxed Lowcountry lifestyle.
Ryan and Beck create frozen drinks and happy customers at Pool Bar Jim’s.
Article by Brooke Peck
by Maggie Washo
Biking & Beachfront Bar Hopping on Hilton Head Island
On our latest installment on summer fun activities, Maggie Washo, Jevon Daly, and I took on the challenge of visiting 10 beachfront bars on Hilton Head Island in a single afternoon. We opted to do this beach bar crawl by bike, leading to six sandy miles.
Since I am more of a sipper than a chugger, my husband tagged along to be my official designated drinker. What ensued was about 20 cocktails over eight hours. Reminder: Not all heroes wear capes.
We planned this day drinking excursion for early May with great hopes of mild weather and minimal crowds. Because we are so lucky, we were wrong on both counts – and we failed to check the tide charts. Thankfully, we all survived, but learn from our mistake: Low tide is your best friend for this heroic effort.
Photography
Daniel Peck is all smiles in his new Pool Bar Jim's Hawaiian shirt
Maggie Washo, Brooke Peck, Daniel Peck and Jevon Daly sample the drinks at Pool Bar Jim's, an iconic Hilton Head establishment located on the beach near Coligny.
This story (a.k.a. hot mess) left us all happily exhausted, but just know that hitting 10 beach bars in eight hours with a group of folks on bikes is a rather unrealistic goal. But, because we offer first class reporting at CH2, we took one for the team and are proud to share our beach bar bike crawl day with you.
Sea Pines Beach Club, Beach Marker 38
Surprisingly, we were the first customers in line at 11:30 on a Monday morning at the Sea Pines Beach Club bar. Bartender Liz convinced us to try out the Cucumber Ocean margarita and Cucumber Cooler mojito, both drinks that she created and that are not on the regular menu. They were bright in color and flavor and a great way to kick off a pre-lunch bar crawl. After sipping them down quickly, we grabbed our bikes and headed off with lots of enthusiasm for our day ahead.
Loggerhead Landing, Beach Marker 52A
Since it was just after low tide, the ride to Loggerhead Landing was super easy with hard packed sand and plenty of real estate to navigate around sunbathers. Located at the Alder Lane beach access at Marriott’s Grande Ocean, Loggerhead Landing opens at noon and we arrived just after that.
The bartenders recommended the Pain Killer, as it’s one of their most ordered drinks. It was concocted with Pusser’s rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, orange juice, and a dash of nutmeg – so basically a late breakfast smoothie. To be honest, it was fan-damn-tastic and easily my favorite drink of the day. WARNING! It goes down very easily.
“The Pain Killer reminds me of the Goombay Smash that I enjoyed at Harbour Island over a decade ago,” Washo said. That one quote went on to follow us the rest of the day.
Tiki Hut at the Beach House Resort, Beach Marker 59
The ride through South Forest Beach to the Tiki Hut was also smooth sailing. Arguably one of the most visited beach bars at Hilton Head, this spot was already in full swing by 12:30 p.m. There, we encountered our first live music of the day with Korbar and Daubert on stage.
Our crew ordered a Miami Vice (Blue Chair Bay white rum, pina colada, and strawberry puree), a Spicy Margarita with Los Sundays Jalapeno Tequila, and a Guinness beer, because, why not? We met some folks visiting the island and were reminded that whether you’re a local or a tourist, visiting the Tiki Hut is a great spot to feel like you’re on vacation.
Cucumber Ocean Margarita and Cucumber Cooler
Mojito available at Sea Pines Beach Club
Daly is all smiles as the group departs Loggerhead Landing.
Washo and Peck unanimously agree the Pain Killer at Loggerhead Landing was one of the best drinks of the day.
Official Pool Bar Jim's merch
Pool Bar Jim’s, Beach Marker 60A
This iconic beach bar is located behind the Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort and crafts their own fruity syrups from scratch. Pool Bar Jim’s has been open in this location since 2016 and spent the prior 22 years at the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort. Even though Jim passed in 2024, his relaxed vibe and delicious drinks continue to live on each day.
We sampled the Lava Flow, their bestseller, which features banana, pina colada and strawberry puree. We also took down a Mudslide with whipped cream. Each of their frozen drinks comes with an additional smaller cup as a “side car,” which made sharing cocktails for our group of four very easy.
After enjoying our drinks, it was time for the first outfit changes of the day. We headed to the gift shop. Peck and Daly definitely needed their own Pool Bar Jim’s embroidered Hawaiian shirts, which are not only made in Hawaii, but also have perfectly aligned pockets.
Buoy Bar at OMNI Hilton Head Beachfront Resort, Beach Marker 78
Holy quads and glutes, the bike ride got much more challenging for this ride. The tide was now much higher and all of the hard, compact sand was now under water, leaving us with only freshly renourished sand. Needless to say, it was a challenge and we hadn’t even made it to half the bars yet.
We all gritted our teeth and pushed on to our next stop, the Buoy Bar at the Omni. It was nearly 2 p.m. and we hadn’t eaten lunch yet so we stayed motivated. When we arrived, we ordered drinks and food and Washo decided it was time to see if she could buy a bathing suit or something cooler to wear other than her sleeveless lobster sweater. Turns out this happened to be the first of the 90 degree days of the season.
Thankfully, the wonderful staff and delicious food at the Omni helped reset us. We dined on a giant platter of tuna nachos, mahi-mahi street tacos, and crispy dry rubbed wings. Decades ago, Washo had worked here and shared some of those fun memories with everyone.
Ocean Blu at the Hilton Beachfront Resort, Beach Marker 82
The journey to the Hilton was arduous and involved lots of walking with our bikes – except for
Mike Hays, a popular Tiki Hut barkeep, smiles for the camera.
Peel & Eat Shrimp at the Dunes House.
Tiki Hut patrons enjoy the live music along with the frosty beverages.
Daly, who pedaled the whole time because he was the real bike MVP of the day. My hubby could have probably hung with him too but he opted to be a gentleman as my emotional support bike buddy.
The Hilton is the easiest building to spot on the beach because it’s the tallest. Ocean Blu serves as the Hilton’s pool bar and is right next to the sand.
There, we met Mary Ann, who remembered Daly from his Silicone Sister days. She made us our first pina colada of the day, with coconut tequila, which added an extra punch to the colada. We were thrilled to learn that she makes a mean Goombay Smash, too. After Washo mentioned it earlier in the day, we were excited to try one. It was crafted with coconut Myers rum, banana rum, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Let me assure you, it put a smile on our faces.
The Dunes House, Beach Marker 83
Unless you are a guest of Palmetto Dunes, the beach is the only way to access this bar. They are known for their fish tacos, friendly waitstaff, and nightly tunes by some
of the island’s most popular performers. On Mondays and Thursdays, you can catch the Zach Stevens Band – and that’s exactly what we did. Per the recommendation of our server, we tried the fish tacos, peel and eat shrimp, and the Frozen Dirty Mermaid. This deck offers a great view of the ocean and a squadron of pelicans that fly overhead multiple times while you enjoy your frosty beverages and dinner choices.
Coco’s On the Beach, Beach Marker 94A
Getting to our next stop, Coco’s on the Beach, was another grind and we were all dreaming about low tide again. Personally, I think Coco’s is one of the best-kept secrets on Hilton Head because it is limited to folks coming from the beach or through the Hilton Head Resort. I love all the colorful tables, chairs, its sand volleyball pit, and huge roof giving lots of shade to sun-soaked customers.
At the bar, we were thrilled to run into some of the cast from Hairspray, who were enjoying a day off together at the beach. Our great bartender, Garrett, suggested we try out the Category 5 cocktail with “only” five types of rum in
The cheerful team at the Buoy Bar, located at the Omni Resort in Palmetto Dunes.
Chargrilled MahiMahi Street Tacos from the Buoy Bar.
Zach Stevens, Maggie Washo, Jevon Daly and Charlie Simpson at the Dunes House.
Fun photo opps on this tour include a few giant Adirondack chairs, like this at one Ocean Blu in the Hilton Beachfront Resort.
Daniel Peck sips on a tequila pina colada at Ocean Blu.
The Cat 5 packs a punch at Coco’s on the Beach
“You
Sea Salts Beverage Company at Marriott’s Surf Watch Ocean Dunes, Beach Marker 100
Because of the folly between Singleton Beach and Burke’s Beach, we had to hop off the beach for a bit and hit the roads to navigate to our next stop, Sea Salts. Our crew was happy for pavement and a shady break.
As we bellied up to the bar, I realized it was time for not only a drink, but another snack as well. Being a Lowcountry seafood lover, I usually stick to blue crabs or stone crab claws but for some reason the snow crab legs were calling my name from the happy hour menu. Thankfully, I answered and they were some of the best snow crab legs I have ever had.
One of our stunning C2 models, Gioia, took great care of our crew from behind the bar and pointed us in the right direction for drink selections. We ordered a frozen Painkiller to help with the bike sorrows and the Mango Mojito also was calling our names. Both drinks were delicious and, coupled with a breezy view, live music from Dean St. Hillaire made for an excellent stop on our journey.
Jamaica Joe’z at Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort, Beach Marker 104
It was time to get back on loose sand to pound out our final miles. By this point, I had a bad blister from my sandals so I was pedaling barefoot and we were barely keeping it together – physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Jamaica Joe’z welcomed us at 6:15 p.m. with no line and only 15 minutes until closing time. It was time for another Mudslide and some shade under their covered patio. As soon as we sat down, it started raining. Thankfully, it didn’t last long and it was time to head to the finish line.
View 32 at the Westin Hotel, Beach Marker 111
The final mile was bittersweet. Our fun day was coming to an end but we were all worn slap out from the adventure. Duke welcomed us to View 32 with a big smile and glasses of cold water.
We ordered a TigerPaw, Spicy Margarita, and hummus platter, because you know, everything in moderation. The
was served frozen with peach
and strawberry
perfect for a
It was a great way to wrap up a fun day together, making new memories, and exploring the beach bars that make Hilton Head a great place to live and visit. If you plan on trying this beach bar biking adventure, we recommend checking the tides in advance and being in fairly good physical condition... it's quite the workout!
it. Fine, twist our arm. In the words of Luke Combs,
hit me like a hurricane.”
TigerPaw
Smirnoff vodka, peach,
puree
tropical twist.
A picture-perfect Painkiller at Sea Salts Beverage Company.
View 32 at the Westin overlooks the pool and has stunning ocean views from the top deck.
A sign at Jamaica Joe'z makes for another funny photo opportunity on the second to last stop of the trip.
Bicycles were rented from Sea Pines Resort Bike Shop, which made for a quick ride to the Sea Pines Beach Club.
Red, White, & Blue
We traveled back to Daufuskie Island to use this Hilton Head adjacent island as a beautiful backdrop to our red, white, blue and YOU fashion this month.
Special thanks to Laura Leigh Miles and Haig Point for hosting our Day on Daufuskie
Styled by Kandace Cunningham · Photography by Maggie Washo · Videography by Jevon Daly
Modeled by Gioia DiBartolomeo and Julia Rockett
Gioia models an ensemble from Gigi's Boutique at the Haig Point Beach Club Pool.
Accessible only by boat, Daufuskie Island is a gorgeous island just a short jaunt by water taxi from Hilton Head. Residents and visitors get around mostly by golf cart on unpaved roads. Must-do attractions include the Old Daufuskie Crab Company, the Bloody Point Lighthouse and Museum, Iron Fish Art Gallery and the Daufuskie Island Distillery. Visit islandheadhhi. com or outsidehiltonhead.com for more information on a Daufuskie Day Trip.
Gioia is photographed at the Daufuskie Island Distillery in an ensemble from Maggie + Me.
Find Julia's ensemble at Jean-Pierre Klifa
Find Julia's ensemble at Collage in the Village at Wexford.
The Haig Point community offers three different Discovery Weekend options for those who want to explore the island as a guest and/ or a future resident. If you are overnighting on a Discover Visit, your accommodations may be at the Strachan Mansion or the 1873 Lighthouse, two historic properties that showcase the beauty and elegance of the South.
Every trip to Daufuskie Island should include a stop at School Grounds Coffee, located in the historic Mary Fields School House. Owners Brian and Pam Cobb offer a variety of coffee drinks with fresh baked goods like cookies, muffins, and scones.
Post caffeine fix, head next door to Daufuskie Blues where you can watch the art of using indigo to hand dye luxury scarves and clothing. Take a beautiful blue bit of Daufuskie home with you from this cute women-owned shop.
Find Gioia's ensemble at Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center
Find
If you're lucky, you may get to meet Chase Allen while on a visit to Daufuskie Island. This worldrenowned artist is known for his coastal sculptures featuring mermaids, crabs, lobsters, and more. Visit ironfishart.com for more information.
Julia's ensemble at Evelyn + Arthur
A curious fox squirrel enjoys watching the fountain at Haig Point on a warm June day. Fox squirrels are abundant on Daufuskie Island, and are about twice the size of a common gray squirrel.
Find Julia's ensemble at Coastal Bliss
Find Gioia's ensemble at Pink Pineapple
The Haig Point Ferries shuttle residents of Haig Point and their guests from Daufuskie to Hilton Head Island every hour from 6:30 a.m.– 11:30 p.m.
Find Julia's ensemble at Southern Tide
Find Gioia's ensemble at The Haven in the Promenade in Old Town Bluffton
Delicious Shrimp Tacos from the Daufuskie Island Crab Company.
Gioia poses for the camera at the Photo Booth near the Daufuskie Island Crab Company. Ensemble available at Currents in the Village at Wexford.
1. Lagos Ultramarine Ceramic Caviar Diamond Hoop Earrings; 2. David Yurman 18K Yellow Gold Micro Cablespira® Flex Bracelet with Rubies or Pearls, plus DY Micro Cable Flex® Bracelet Sterling Silver with 14K Yellow Gold and Blue Sapphires; 3. David Yurman Petite Starburst Ring; 4. Gabriel & Co Stackable Ring 14K White Gold Diamond and Blue Sapphire or Ruby Baguette and Diamond Stackable Ring; 5. Marco Bicego Yellow Gold Blue Topaz Chandelier Earrings; 6. Gabriel & Co 14K Yellow Gold Diamond and Lapis Bujukan Bangle; 7. Lagos Ultramarine Ceramic Station Caviar Bracelet; 8. David Yurman Starburst Drop Earrings; 9. Marco Bicego Paradise 18K Yellow Gold Blue Topaz Necklace; 10. Roberto Coin Venetian Princess Carnival Mother of Pearl Flower Station Necklace
What's more American than a hot dog eating contest on the Fourth of July? Join Rusty and Uncle Sam for all you can eat hot dogs and red, white and blue frozen beverages at the Frosty Frog in Coligny. The festivities begin at 11.a.m. with a mens and womens hot dog eating contest, followed by a children's frozen t-shirt contest on July 4. Email frosty.frog@hotmail.com to sign up.
Camp Hilton Head is your headquarters for everything USA; from hats and tees to sweatshirts, keychains and coffee mugs.
From fried chicken and baked beans to slow-roasted brisket with a side of macaroni and cheese and cole slaw, Slowcountry BBQ has all of your favorite Southern food for a delicious July 4th weekend.
Don't forget dessert! Be sure to try this Apple Pie Ice Cream in a waffle cone at The Frozen Moo.
Red, White & Blue Dress Fresh Produce $122
American Flag sweaters never go out of style! Island Girl $145 each
Grab your sunhat for a July 4th Beach Day at Island Girl in Coligny.
Show your patriotic spirit with a funny American tee from Nine Line.
Dog + Fireworks tee $30
Enjoy a patriotic frosty treat from Rita's Italian Ice!
Fireworks light up the night every Tuesday through Aug 18 (plus July 4th) for HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.
Shannon Tanner entertains the crowd on a busy night in June.
Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by Maggie Washo
SHELTER COVE
HARBOUR & MARINA HARBOURFEST LIGHTS THE FUSE ON ITS 37TH YEAR
This year, it seems like every celebration is dialed up just a little bit bigger.
As the United States of America prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom and independence, every party across this great nation will be just a little bit more impressive this year. The backyard barbecues will be more epic, the fireworks will be brighter, the music will be louder, and the red, white, and blue patriotic fervor will be off the charts.
Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina’s famous summer-long HarbourFest is no different, even if it seems hard to believe that a party like this
could possibly get any bigger. Now entering its 37th year, this beloved event has come to define over-the-top entertainment on Hilton Head Island for decades, from live music to its carnival-like atmosphere to the weekly fireworks. And in those decades, generations of families from all over the world have flocked to the waterside promenade with its iconic shops and restaurants for a street party and celebration that somehow always finds new ways to amaze.
So how do you crank “over-the-top” one notch higher for our nation’s semiquincentennial celebration?
Cappy the Clown has been a staple on Hilton Head Island for 40 years now. CH2's Jevon Daly first met her when he was 11 years old!
Two island visitors pose for their parents near Shelter Cove
&
Harbour
Marina's iconic statue of King Neptune.
The Donovan family from Pennsylvania has been coming to Hilton Head Island and enjoying HarbourFest since the 90s.
Karen Kozemchak, director of marketing for Palmetto Dunes, hands HarbourFest fans to guests enjoying Shannon Tanner's show. Local artist Amiri Farris was commissioned for the design.
A cute red train makes its way around the harbour to the delight of onlookers.
“That has always been the mandate with HarbourFest – finding new ways to top ourselves. Even after 37 years, we keep finding opportunities to raise the bar. And of course, this year carries even higher expectations,” said Brad Marra, COO of Palmetto Dunes Resort and Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. “With the 250th birthday of our country, we’ve visually expanded the vibe around the shops, restaurants, and the marina with custom banner graphics around the property.”
That extra helping of American bombast will wind its way into every aspect of HarbourFest that has made it such a treasured family tradition on Hilton Head Island. Family-friendly troubadour Shannon Tanner will naturally be filling the air with his singalong blend of kids songs and standards, with shows running throughout the week at the central pavilion. Delighting kids of all ages with her face painting, balloon animals, and sand art, Cappy the Clown will laugh and smile her way through the crowd five days a week. Adding to the festival atmosphere, bouncy houses will resonate with the excited squeals of happy children while train rides take passengers up and down the scenic harbour.
Naturally, the Tuesday night fireworks will be even more spectacular than ever this year, with a special Fourth of July show that will be one for the record books.
To commemorate the added excitement that comes from this year’s HarbourFest, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina commissioned local artist Amiri Farris to capture the energy through his art. A celebrated interdisciplinary creator whose works have been featured at museums and galleries around the world, his vibrant pieces have come to serve as a visual shorthand for the flair, culture, and beauty of the Lowcountry.
“I was inspired to create this artwork after visiting HarbourFest during the many summers and experiencing the energy of families, music, fireworks, and community gathering along the waterfront,” Farris said. “As America celebrates
Jonathan of Treasure Island poses with his lightsabers before darkness falls and they light up the night.
Nigel Jeffers' steel drums filling the air with Caribbean-inspired beats and good vibes.
its 250th anniversary, I wanted to capture the joy, freedom, and shared traditions that bring people together while highlighting the unique coastal spirit of Hilton Head Island and the Sea Islands.”
For a party that has become synonymous with big moments that stay with visitors for life, HarbourFest has given itself a tall challenge in creating something even bigger for our 250th birthday. But as crowds have already discovered during the early installments of HarbourFest fireworks in June, they have met that challenge with a bang.
HarbourFest fireworks run every Tuesday through August 18 along with a special July Fourth show. See the full schedule, including entertainment, at ShelterCoveHarbourFest.com.
A visitor gets her hair braided during the event by Salon Shelter Cove.
Article by Cheryl Ricer
BUIlDING BallPlaYErS – aND YOUNG MEN
CAROLINA PRIME IS SHAPING CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND A CULTURE OF BELIEF
For Carolina Prime Baseball director and coach Patrick Boulware, baseball has never just been about wins and losses. It has always been about belief: Belief in kids. Belief in hard work. Belief in resilience. And, perhaps most importantly, belief in what sports can do for a young person long after the final inning is over.
“We’re trying to help kids become the best version of themselves,” Boulware said. “That’s why I do this.”
That philosophy has helped transform Carolina Prime Baseball from a fledgling travel baseball organization with just two teams into one of the Lowcountry’s most respected and competitive youth baseball programs. Serving players from age groups 7U through 16U, Carolina Prime has become synonymous with player development, discipline, camaraderie, and opportunity.
But for Boulware, the heart behind the organization is deeply personal.
Born and raised in Beaufort County, Boulware grew up immersed in sports. Yet unlike some naturally gifted athletes who dominate from the start, he remembers what it felt like to be overlooked. “I was never necessarily the kid picked last, but I was never picked first,” he said.
As a smaller athlete growing up, Boulware often had to work harder to prove himself. Wrestling helped build confidence during his high school years, and eventually that confidence carried onto the baseball field at Bluffton High School, where he developed into a standout player.
His talent earned him a college baseball scholarship in Philadelphia, a major leap from the small-town Lowcountry life he had always known.
“I wanted to get as far away as possible so I could kind of become my own person,” he said. “I wanted to experience a different culture, see snow, all of that.”
Boulware played five years of college baseball while pursuing dreams of playing professionally. Along the way, he drew interest from Major League organizations but repeatedly encountered the same criticism: He was considered too small for the professional game.
At the time, the ideal catcher was towering and physically imposing. Boulware, listed around 6 feet and 180 pounds, did not fit the mold.
Still, he refused to quit.
He returned home, trained relentlessly, added strength, and eventually earned a shot with the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball organization. But during spring training, disaster struck. “My second week in spring training, I blew my elbow out,” he said. “That kind of ended my baseball career.”
For many athletes, that would have been the end of the story. For Boulware, it became the beginning of another.
A COACH WHO UNDERSTANDS
Today, Boulware channels every triumph, disappointment, lesson, and setback into coaching the next generation. “I had some really great coaches and mentors that believed in me,” he said. “That was always the biggest thing I needed – somebody to believe in me. That’s what I try to give every one of my kids.”
That sense of perspective has become one of his greatest strengths as a coach. He understands that youth sports involves far more than batting averages and tournament brackets. Young athletes carry insecurities, pressures, emotions, and growing pains onto the field with them every day.
Boulware believes great coaching requires understanding all of it. “I can usually tell when a kid is struggling,” he said. “I can tell when something’s bothering them. And I try to relate to whatever they’re going through because I’ve probably been through something similar myself.”
His coaching style adapts to the age and maturity of his players. Younger athletes often need encouragement and patience. Older players sometimes need accountability and tougher conversations. “The 10U kids don’t need somebody screaming at them all the time,” he said. “But my 13-year-olds? They think they’ve got everything figured out. Sometimes they need somebody to get on them a little bit.”
That balance between compassion and discipline is something Boulware learned firsthand from his own mentors. “I had one coach that was soft and nurturing, and I had another that was tough as nails,” he said. “I got the best of both worlds.”
BUILDING CAROLINA PRIME
Carolina Prime Baseball was founded by former Major League player Shane Monahan, who relocated to the Lowcountry from Atlanta around 2018-19. After watching local travel baseball, Monahan believed there was room for a more competitive and organized developmental program.
Boulware was introduced to Monahan through family connections after previously coaching Monahan’s nephews. The partnership proved to be a natural fit. Monahan brought high-level baseball experience and recruiting connections developed through years of running travel organizations in places like Atlanta and Arizona. Boulware brought deep local roots, organizational leadership skills, and a passion for mentoring young athletes.
When Carolina Prime first launched, the organization had only two teams.
Today, it fields teams from 7U through high school ages and travels throughout the Southeast, competing against elite competition in cities including Savannah, Charleston, Columbia, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Charlotte. “The better your team gets, the more you travel,” Boulware said.
The organization operates through tryouts and invitations, particularly at the older age levels where college recruitment becomes more serious. As director of the younger division, Boulware oversees athletes from 7U through 13U, while Monahan focuses primarily on the older showcase-level teams. Together, they have helped create one of the strongest baseball development systems in the region.
MORE THAN JUST BASEBALL
While Carolina Prime’s success on the field continues to grow, Boulware insists that character development matters even more.
One of the lessons he shares frequently with players stems from one of the most painful moments of his own career. During a difficult college game, frustration got the better of him after a fourth strikeout. He slammed his helmet in the dugout, shattering it in anger. What he did not realize
was that a scout from the Boston Red Sox was watching from the stands. “That attitude marked me off their list,” he said. Now he uses that experience to teach his players about composure, accountability, and the reality that someone is always watching. “In this game, there are thousands of people trying to get one opportunity,” Boulware said. “You never know who’s watching.”
It is one example of how he turns personal setbacks into teaching moments. “I tell them, ‘This is why we don’t do this,’” he said. “And because it happened to me, they understand it better.”
Beyond Carolina Prime, Boulware remains deeply invested in youth athletics across the Lowcountry. He trains players from many organizations through private hitting and catching lessons, volunteers within local recreation programs, and believes strongly in giving back to the same community that shaped him.
“There are kids I train who don’t even play for my organization,” he said proudly. “I still want them to succeed.” That willingness to pour into all young athletes – not just those wearing Carolina Prime uniforms – speaks volumes about his broader mission. “It’s about showing up for kids,” he said. “Being somebody they can call after a good game because they’re excited to tell you about it.”
Boulware also previously served as head wrestling coach at Hilton Head High School, where he launched a women’s wrestling program that earned national attention. His leadership background includes serving as director of women’s wrestling for the state of South Carolina for three years.
Those experiences strengthened his ability to manage large groups of athletes while balancing the emotions, expectations, and realities that come with youth sports. “My responsibility is for all 86 kids under my umbrella,” he said. “Parents naturally focus on their one child, but my job is to look at the bigger picture.”
THE RISE OF TRAVEL BASEBALL
Travel baseball continues to grow rapidly throughout the Lowcountry, and Boulware believes the region is becoming one of the Southeast’s strongest baseball communities. “We’re one of the top areas for baseball,” he said. “Not just our organization – there are several good local programs.”
Still, he believes Carolina Prime helped elevate the competitive standard. “When we came in and started doing this, everybody else had to step up and get better too,” he said.
At its best, Boulware believes travel sports creates opportunities that extend far beyond athletics. Players learn teamwork, perseverance, leadership, confidence, and how to compete constructively – skills that serve them throughout life. “Sports bring friendship, camaraderie, and the desire to improve,” he said. “That’s a huge key to success in life.”
And while tournament trophies and championship rings are exciting, the true victories often happen quietly – in the growth of a once-shy child, the confidence of a struggling athlete, or the bond formed between teammates chasing a common goal.
For Boulware, that is the legacy worth building. “I wasn’t fortunate enough to make it all the way to the next level,” he said. “But maybe the reason was because I was supposed to come back and help teach these kids.”
In the dugout, on the practice field, and throughout the Lowcountry community, that mission continues one player at a time.
For more information, visit CarolinaPrimeBaseball.org.
Article and Photography by Lynne Cope Hummell
The Toxic Avenger: The Musical
Jersey Attitude Hits the Lowcountry
There might be very little about the upcoming rock musical at Sea Glass Stage Company that is typical fare for the Lowcountry. And therein lies the wonderful opportunity for patrons to sit back and enjoy the onstage antics of a nerdy guy who is trying to save the world from climate change, falls in love, gets bullied, then mutates into a green monster trapped in a toxic dump site at Exit 13B off the New Jersey Turnpike, still trying to save
The cast of The Toxic Avenger includes, clockwise from left, Dan Franke as a Dude, Mark Erickson as Melvin Ferd the Third, Meagan Berger as Sarah, Kyle Price as a Dude, and Lily Beck as Mayor Babs Belgoody.
the world and impress a girl – and all the while, everyone is poking fun at the Garden State.
Of course, the story is deeper than the vats of green gloop representing toxic waste. After all, it’s a love story. This is The Toxic Avenger
Alex Clark, director of this summer spectacle, understands why some folks might think the show choice was a bit far-fetched, but she had good reasons. “I chose this show because I felt it was so similar to The Great American Trailer Park Musical (produced by Sea Glass Stage in the summer of 2024 and very well received), in the style of music and the style of humor, and the fact that it's kind of raunchy but fun,” she said. “The reason people loved Trailer Park was because it was about Southern people in Florida, and that was relatable to our audiences. I think our audience members, many of whom are from New Jersey and New York, will relate to the way the characters poke fun at their states. I think they will identify with the show in the way that people who are from here were able to identify with Trailer Park.”
This musical is based on Lloyd Kaufman’s 1984 cult classic movie –and subsequent movies and a comic book – with the same title. It was written in 2008 by Joe DiPietro, with music by David Bryan, a founding member of rock band Bon Jovi. The pair co-wrote the lyrics. DiPietro, who is a native of New Jersey, by the way, also wrote I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, which Sea Glass produced earlier this year.
The Toxic Avenger is described as a comical take on several unrelated themes, such as politics, superheroes, and pollution. The musical made its off-Broadway debut in 2009 and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. It has since been performed around the world.
Melvin Ferd the Third is an earth scientist determined to clean up his hometown of Tromaville, New Jersey, and its toxic dump site. But the corrupt mayor sends her cronies to stop him. Her goons drop Melvin into a barrel of the green waste and leave him to die. However, he emerges from the glop transformed into a hideous mutant, The Toxic Avenger, and is more driven than ever to rid the town of the mess.
Somewhere along the way, the freakish monster falls in love, escapes repeated attempts on his life, goes a bit crazy, and finally regains his confidence to help make his world better.
Clark said the cast is loving the music, because it’s “super rocky with an ’80s flair” and includes some funky tunes as well. Bob Adams, who has served as music director for several previous Sea Glass productions, returns to lead the cast in learning and polishing the music for this show.
“Bob, as usual, is great to work with,” Clark said. “He is very detailed in making sure the music sounds good.”
There is also a fair amount of dancing, which has been choreographed by Jodi Layman, a well-known and muchloved director and choreographer in local community theatre circles.
“I am super excited to have her because I thought her direction and choreography of Newsies was spectacular,” Clark said. “She has brought a lot of life and vision to this show.”
This is Layman’s first show with Sea Glass Stage.
“The cast members are all returnees, which is fun because they must be enjoying something here if they keep coming back,” Clark said. “I’ve worked with all five of them before, so everyone kind of feels like family, and we all have chemistry with each other.”
Melvin Ferd the Third, who is transformed into the Toxic Avenger, is played by Mark Erickson, a Sea Glass Stage veteran. He appeared most recently in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – in which he played numerous characters. For this show, he plays “a character and a half,” Clark said. “Mark’s voice is really getting to shine with these ballads.”
Meagan Berger plays just one character – Sarah, the blind
Mayor Babs Belgoody (Lily Beck) hires goons to do her dirty work.
Melvin Ferd the Third (Mark Erickson) is an earth scientist determined to rid his town of toxic waste.
Mayor Babs Belgoody (Lily Beck) hires goons to do her dirty work.
librarian who befriends Melvin. “Her voice is so perfect for this role,” Clark said. Berger performed in the Sea Glass productions of The Great American Trailer Park Musical and The Great Gatsby.
Lily Beck takes on the dual roles of Mayor Babs Belgoody and Ma Ferd, Melvin’s mother. The dichotomy of good and evil is obvious, and Beck plays both well. She also makes a cameo appearance as a nun. “I’ve never seen Lily in such a comedic role, but she is absolutely hilarious,” Clark said. Beck made her Sea Glass debut in Next to Normal in 2025.
Dan Franke and Kyle Price round out the cast, playing a total of 27 characters plus a voice over. “These roles are perfect for them because they’re both so versatile. They really can morph into whatever character they need to be,” Clark said. “The height difference is hysterical and they're both bald, which makes it perfect for all the wig changes.”
Franke has performed in four Sea Glass productions: Next to Normal, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Great Gatsby, and Christmas Belles He directed I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change earlier this year.
Price previously appeared in The 39 Steps, Spelling Bee, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, in which he played multiple roles. In The 39 Steps, he was the only actor in the cast who played a single role.
The Toxic Avenger will run the company’s typical summer show schedule July 9-26, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets may be purchased at sgstage.org.
Sea Glass Stage at Coligny Theatre is located at 1 N. Forest Beach Drive, Unit I-5, across the breezeway from Life Is Good.
Sarah (Meagan Berger) calls a friend to talk about her new boyfriend as Shinequa (Dan Franke) listens in.
Building Lowcountry Resort Style Luxury Pools
A-1 Pool Service Inc. has mastered the art of luxury pool construction. The journey to develop the purpose, design and spatial limitations begins in their Hilton Head Island showroom. This process is the culmination of many different construction disciplines:
• Handling of all ARB and town requirements in-house, making it easy for the customer.
• Hydrodynamic design of all pool equipment to ensure peak efficiency.
• Material knowledge and structural engineering of a shotcrete shell that will resist cracking or settlement issues.
• Delivery of a code compliant product that is safe and easy to use.
• The artistry of a pool’s layout, crafting it in harmony with the property and landscaping for a beautiful masterpiece.
• Goals of use and the finance budget.
Mastering all of these disciplines is no small accomplishment. But if you ask Paul Bullock, A-1 Pool Service owner and president, nothing could be simpler.
“We’re taking ordinary back yards and we’re turning them into resorts,” Bullock said. “It all comes down to simplicity of design. Whether it’s a complicated elevated pool or an inground pool, we have the capacity to do all of it.” The construction division of A-1 Pools has become their main focus and serves as the culmination of a long-term vision that Bullock has pursued from the earliest days.
“We used to be primarily service, but I’d always wanted to move in the direction of construction, renovation, service and
repair. It was always a dream of mine to have a full-service construction firm,” he said. “But I wanted to make sure that what we were building was the right quality, whether that’s material, engineering, layout, design, form, function, or ease of use. Because what we’re really building is a relationship with homeowners. I want them to be able to look at their pool 25 years from now and be just as satisfied.”
You can see many more beautiful backyard retreats like the one pictured here at the company’s website, a-1poolservice.com.
CAPITAL BUSINESS PARK
25 Chastain Court - Hilton Head Island (843) 842-7400 a-1poolservice.com
Summit Services HVAC, Electrical, and Pools
Summit Services was created and founded on the idea of being a different home services company, a company that would serve at the top among others while never compromising on customer service, and always treating their customers as they would want to be treated. This is something easily said, but they challenge themselves every day to do just that.
“I started in the heating and air business in 2007 after working for a national homebuilder when I graduated from the University of Georgia,” said owner Kevin Thompson. “I worked in the HVAC business for many years until wanting more for homeowners, meaning that I wanted to serve them at a higher level.”
Essentially, he believed Summit could make a change in the way they provide service being offered for the people who want the best customer experience and service on every call and installation.
“I started Summit with an idea and passion to be the best. I knew it would be a lot of work, especially starting a company from scratch,” Thompson said. “But I knew with hard work – doing what we say we are going to do, delivering on our word, setting standards that others might not have, constant training, dedication, appreciating every single customer we serve – we will be a top local service company for our community.”
Summit has now been in business for nine years and recently moved from Hilton Head Island to Bluffton, where they are in the process of building a showroom and
education center focusing on educating their community and employees. This center will allow homeowners to design their own HVAC installations while learning about the different types of equipment and accessories that make their homes more comfortable, and will be a space to ask questions about their current HVAC systems, as well as see the newest technology the industry has to offer.
“At Summit, we are growing each day, not only in heating and air, as we have recently opened a pool division,” Thompson said. “And no, the friendly heating and air technicians that you are accustomed to seeing are not the same people working on or cleaning your pool every week. We have a completely different crew of Summit employees that are better suited to maintain all your pool and spa needs.”
Summit is currently offering weekly cleaning, servicing, all pool repairs, and complete pool remodels.
BLUFFTON
4454 Bluffton Park Crescent #301 (843) 836-2653
callsummitservices.com
Camp Pool Builders
At 8 years old, very few of us know what we’ll be when we grow up. Fewer still get to have first-hand, on-the-job experience. Kevin Camp is one of those rare individuals who was born into his line of work.
“My father built pools. He had a company in Florida and Alabama, so since the third grade, I’d be out on jobs with him,” Camp said. “That continued through high school and college, so I’ve really been around it forever.”
Arriving in the Lowcountry in 2003, he continued his lifelong pursuit of the perfect pool, working for a local pool builder before transitioning to Nix Construction.
“I wanted to learn that end of the business,” Camp said. “And I learned so much working there about how to run a business and how to treat clients.”
The culmination of all that preparation came when he went into business for himself, founding Camp Pool Builders in 2013. Since then, the company has completed projects throughout Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the surrounding Lowcountry, earning a reputation for quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and attentive customer service.
With years of experience and an eye for design, Camp built his company around creating pools that feel like a natural extension of each home and property. Whether creating a custom shotcrete pool or installing one of their Latham fiberglass models, he takes pride in bringing each client’s vision to life.
“It really lets me get creative. I visualize what I’d like to see if it were my house – what kind of surroundings I’d want when I’m having my morning coffee,” he said. “I’ve been doing this so long that I’m really able to build a visual based on what I see and what the client has in mind.”
Aiding him in this venture is superintendent Rob Clark, who handles much of the day-to-day project oversight, allowing Camp to focus on design and planning.
“People love Rob. He’s been with me four years and gets along great with every client,” Camp said. “I’m heavily involved throughout the project, but typically he’s the main point of contact, so he is super communicative.”
The goal is to make the entire process as seamless as possible for homeowners. Camp emphasizes transparency from the very beginning, providing detailed proposals and reviewing any potential costs that could arise along the way so clients have a clear understanding of the project from start to finish.
Ultimately, the philosophy behind Camp Pool Builders is the same one that has guided Camp throughout his career: Do things the right way, communicate clearly, and create the pool each homeowner has always envisioned for their backyard.
Hardwick Pools of Hilton Head
While he was building his career in investment banking, living in New York and San Francisco, Charlie Hardwick never forgot the simple pleasure he found in his family swimming pool growing up in Alabama. When he finally made his way to Hilton Head Island, he was given the opportunity to recreate those memories in a pool of his own.
“My wife would say I nerded out about it,” Hardwick said. “But to me, the whole process of designing it and the way I was able to create every detail of our saltwater pool was extremely satisfying.”
In talking with friends on the island, he realized there was a need for someone who could bring that level of passion to pool service and design. For a guy who had already proven himself in the financial realm, it was the perfect challenge.
“I had a long career of financing and investing in companies, but I’d never been an actual owner of a company, and I wanted to build one locally,” Hardwick said. “I’ve really enjoyed building a great team.”
That team is composed of CPO-certified technicians, something Hardwick demanded to ensure the best service for his clients.
“I wanted to find the best people, and people who really enjoy our line of work. Our techs know our customers and love working with them,” he said. “We keep growing, and we have a great partnership with a group on the construction side that enables us to handle every aspect of our customers’ needs from pool service and repairs to renovations and new builds.”
Coastal Pools and Fountains
(843) 422-9189
coastalpoolsandfountains@gmail.com
coastalpoolshhi.com
Founded in 1990 by Daniel Geoffroy Sr., Coastal Pools & Fountains is a locally owned, family-operated company specializing in building custom swimming pools and spas throughout Hilton Head Island and the surrounding areas. As a born-and-raised Hilton Head Islander, Daniel Geoffroy Jr. grew up in the business, developing a lifelong passion for building exceptional outdoor spaces.
Today, Daniel Jr. is involved in every aspect of the pool building process – from initial consultations and custom design drawings, to permitting and construction. Working side-by-side with his father, he remains personally involved in every project, ensuring each pool and spa is thoughtfully designed to reflect the homeowner’s vision, lifestyle, and needs.
Coastal Pools & Fountains completes all work with superior quality, communication, and attention to detail throughout every project. Known for their hands-on approach, craftsmanship, and dedication to customer satisfaction, the Geoffroy family has spent more than three decades transforming backyards into stunning custom pool retreats, typically in just 8 to 12 weeks.
Article by Barry Kaufman
MOVING HEAVEN AND EARTH
Earthworks partners with Family Promise of the Lowcountry for home makeover
In the general run of things, Earthworks is a company that delivers luxury experiences. More than just a backyard, their intentional design and craftsmanship elevate outdoor spaces to something that sets higher end homes apart.
But sometimes, luxury can mean something very different.
When you’re a parent on the brink of homelessness, a helping hand and a roof over your head can be the greatest luxury of all. That’s the sort of luxury that Family Promise of the Lowcountry was designed for, throwing a lifeline to families at their most harrowing moments with temporary living spaces to help weather life’s storms.
It was only natural that at some point they would join forces.
“At Earthworks, we knew the time had come to give back to the community that has given so much to us. After thoughtful research and countless conversations about the many incredible nonprofits serving the Lowcountry, one organization stood out – Family Promise of the Lowcountry,” said Bryan Barrs, owner and president of Earthworks. “We wanted to invest in something transformational, something that truly changes lives.”
That transformation will soon add a wealth of opportunities for residents of Family Promise of the Lowcountry’s Freedom House. Families staying there temporarily will finally have a place where their children can play outdoors, enjoying pickleball, tennis, or basketball on a new multi-purpose playing court, kicking a ball around in a soccer field, or getting out and hitting a few balls on the putting green. And for the parents, a wide grilling patio and raised garden beds they can tend help regain a sense of normalcy amid all the upheaval.
“We talk a lot about giving families a fresh start, and Earthworks has shown us that a thoughtfully designed outdoor space is part of that. The backyard they’re creating at Freedom House turns an ordinary shelter yard into something genuinely beautiful and usable, a place for our kids to run and play, and for parents to find a quiet moment,” said John Trinh, executive director of Family Promise of the Lowcountry. “But this project is really just the beginning.”
The partnership between Earthworks and Family Promise of the Lowcountry will extend far beyond completion of the outdoor spaces, the progress of which you can follow on Instagram.
“This wasn’t about supporting a one-time celebration or event. We wanted our contribution to create lasting impact,” said Elizabeth Turner, Earthworks director of sales and marketing. “Every child deserves to feel safe. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, to belong, and to dream about who they want to become. Family Promise of the Lowcountry doesn’t just provide temporary assistance; it restores independence, keeps families together, and builds futures. And that is the kind of impact we are proud to stand behind.”
You can watch the project build to completion, transforming the lives of families in Beaufort and Jasper counties one shovel of dirt at a time, on Earthwork’s Instagram, @earthworkssc. To learn more about Family Promise of the Lowcountry, visit fp-lc.org.
Volunteers from St. Gregory the Great support Family Promise of the Lowcountry by providing meals for families staying in our shelter throughout the week.
The landscape design Earthworks created to show the proposed backyard enhancements for the families.
The existing backyard at the Freedom House as it is today.
The existing backyard at the Freedom House as it is today.
Photography by M.Kat
A LINE IN THE SAND
COURTNEY’S THOUGHTS
I’m a Yankee. Doodle. Dandy. Which, I learned today, is essentially an exceptionally proud American.
British soldiers originally sang “Yankee Doodle” to mock American colonists. “Yankee” was a nickname for Americans (and now northerners). “Doodle” meant a fool or simpleton. The lyrics of the song joked that colonists were unsophisticated country bumpkins who thought sticking a feather in their cap made them fashionable. The Americans responded in classic American fashion. We adopted the song and sang it ourselves.
After the American victory in the Revolutionary War, the tune became a patriotic anthem instead of an insult. By the early 1900s, a “Yankee Doodle Dandy” had come to mean a true patriot, someone proudly American, a person with energy, confidence, and spirit.
Check. Check. Check.
Given my Jersey roots and my willingness to hop on a plane to New York just for dinner, there’s definitely a healthy share of Yankee Doodle Dandy in me.
America is not perfect. (I have definitely apologized when visiting other countries for some of the decisions being made in these parts.)
But the best part about being an American is that we are allowed to believe tomorrow can be different from today. That’s woven into our national DNA.
America has never been a place defined by a single ethnicity, religion, language, or centuries-old bloodline or
BARRY'S THOUGHTS
crown. Instead, we’ve been united by an idea: that where you start doesn’t have to determine where you finish.
For 250 years, people have come here – or have been born here – and decided to reinvent themselves. Farmers became business owners. Factory workers sent children to college. Immigrants arrived with little more than hope and built lives they could scarcely imagine. Communities faced hardship, disaster, and division, then rolled up their sleeves and started again.
Is the American story perfect? Not even close.
But it is a story of perpetual optimism. We are a nation that believes problems can be solved, neighborhoods can be rebuilt, opportunities can be created, and the next generation can do better than the one before.
You see it every day in the work of nonprofits, schools, churches, first responders, small businesses, and volunteers. You see it in the adult learner studying for a GED after a 10-hour shift. You see it in the entrepreneur taking a chance on a new idea. You see it in neighbors helping neighbors after a storm.
The best part about being an American isn’t that we’ve figured everything out.
It’s that we never stop believing there’s more work to do – and that together, we’re capable of doing it.
Maybe that’s why I’ve always loved this country. Americans are builders. We build businesses, nonprofits, schools, communities, and second chances. We see a need and start a committee. We see a problem and organize a response. We meet a stranger and somehow end up calling them a friend.
But 250 years in, it’s still a pretty remarkable experiment.
If you ask me (and you didn’t) the most important phrase in the United States Constitution comes in the preamble. When James Madison and the boys sat down to draft the rulebook for Democracy 2.0, they described their goals in simple terms – “to create a more perfect union.” Setting aside what an awesome band name James Madison and The Boys would be, this seems particularly quaint in 2026.
Today, we have come to expect a little more bombast and hyperbole from our statesmen. Everything is either “the biggest ever,” “the greatest in history,” or “terrible – the likes of which have never been seen.” Viewed through that lens, the phrase “more perfect” seems almost mealy mouthed.
Maybe that compromise of a phrase is something we’ve forgotten. We never set out to be a perfect union, because we knew from the beginning that wasn’t possible. This whole thing is too big, loud, and messy to ever be perfect. It can be pretty damn good, maybe even close to perfect. But the thing about close to perfect is that you can always get closer.
One of my favorite authors recently shared a bunch of tweets he’d come across from Europeans experiencing America for the first time during the
World Cup and, folks, they are in awe. Some Swedish lady tried ranch dressing for the first time, and it was like she saw God. A German live-tweeted his trip through Buc-ees like he’d entered Narnia, then later had his mind blown by the atmosphere at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare stadium.
It’s been a refreshing reminder of how great this country really is (as a Big Ten guy, even I have to admit that SEC stadiums are on another level). Because what we do is always over the top. We’re the country where professional wrestling as we know it was born. We’re the country that put seven layers on a gordita. We’re the country that celebrates its birthday every year by seeing how many hot dogs Joey Chestnut can eat.
What we do is beyond big, on a scale that baffles European tourists. But what we’re trying to create is allowed to be a little more nuanced. We’re trying to create a more perfect union. We can acknowledge that this country has flaws, as long as we’re willing to try and sand them down. We can love what we’re building while actively working to supplant it with something better.
We’re the country of freedom and slavery. Opportunity and oppression. Optimism and skepticism. We can proudly serve you a brisket sandwich at 1 in the morning in a backwater town that used to be Choctaw land. We can rattle your fillings blasting music from stadium speakers of a school that didn’t admit black kids until 1964. Hell, we have bigger St. Patrick’s Day parades than Ireland, and you don’t even want to know what we put those poor people through.
Because of how much we’ve screwed it up along the way, we can be better. We’re getting there, and so far, we’ve created something incredible. Something that even Jimmy Madison and the Boys would be impressed by. But there’s always a way to become a more perfect union. Thankfully, we have plenty of ranch dressing for the journey.
Cheryl Ricer is photographed with her new book, She Believed, in her home.
Photography by M.Kat
She Believed
A Writer’s Journey from Wandering to Redemption
By the time Cheryl Anthony Ricer held the proof copy of She Believed: The Women Who Changed the Story in her hands, the moment felt far bigger than publishing her first book. It felt like the closing of a circle God had been drawing her entire life.
For years, Ricer had told other people’s stories.
She had written professionally since 2003, first through work with a publishing company and later as a magazine features writer whose byline became familiar to readers in both South Carolina and Texas. In the Lowcountry, readers of CH2 magazine came to know her thoughtful storytelling voice through features that celebrated business owners, artists, nonprofits, community leaders, and stories of resilience. In Texas, she contributed to publications through Chansen Media, writing profiles and cover stories that highlighted leadership, faith, perseverance, and transformation.
But while Ricer had spent decades helping others tell their stories, She Believed became something more personal.
It became her own.
“I think this book was born out of redemption,” Ricer said. “Not perfection. Redemption.”
That distinction matters deeply to her because she never intended the women of scripture to appear polished, unreachable, or idealized. Instead, she wanted readers to encounter them honestly, as women who struggled, doubted, grieved, persevered, obeyed, failed, trusted, and continued forward in faith.
In many ways, Ricer saw pieces of herself in all of them.
Her own story of faith began early. Ricer came to Christ as a 5-year-old child and was baptized by her father, a Baptist minister. Faith shaped the rhythms of her childhood, and the gospel message was woven into her life from the beginning. She grew up surrounded by prayer, scripture, and the steady example of parents whose love reflected the grace they believed so deeply.
“My parents prayed for me every day of my life while they were alive,” Ricer said. “They loved me unconditionally, and through their example they showed me that every day is a new day in Christ.”
That message would eventually become one of the deepest themes in She Believed. Because although Ricer’s foundation of faith was strong, her journey was not without wandering.
Like many believers, she experienced seasons of drifting, moments where the distance between herself and God quietly widened. Yet even in those years, she now sees that grace never stopped pursuing her.
“I think a lot of women quietly carry shame from the places where they wandered,” she said. “But one of the most beautiful truths of scripture is that God continues to use imperfect people. That’s the entire story of the Bible.”
That realization transformed not only Ricer’s own spiritual life, but also the way she approached the women of scripture.
As she immersed herself in their stories, she found herself drawn not simply to their triumphs,
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cheryl Anthony Ricer has been a professional writer since 2003, contributing feature stories, cover articles, and profiles for publications in South Carolina and Texas. She is passionate about sharing stories of faith, redemption, and hope. Ricer lives on Hilton Head Island with her husband, Frederick, and their three beloved teacup Yorkies.
but to their humanity. Eve’s failure. Rahab’s past. Tamar’s grief. Bathsheba’s silence. Martha’s striving. The Samaritan woman’s shame. Mary Magdalene’s deliverance. Again and again, Ricer found women whose stories were marked not by flawless faith, but by the relentless grace of God.
“The thread of redemption is everywhere,” she said. “That became the heartbeat of the entire book.”
That phrase – the thread of redemption – eventually became both a theological anchor and a visual motif throughout the project. The book’s imagery, artwork, and symbolic collages all point toward the idea that God has been weaving redemption through history from the very beginning.
And remarkably, the project evolved into far more than a devotional manuscript.
Working collaboratively with AI-assisted creative tools, Ricer helped conceptualize and direct dozens of original
illustrations portraying the women of scripture. Each image was carefully crafted to reflect not only biblical context, but emotional and spiritual nuance. Miriam peering through the reeds. Deborah and Jael standing in shared courage. Esther poised between fear and obedience. Lydia opening the door of her home. The Samaritan woman transformed at the well.
Every detail mattered.
“I wanted the women to feel human and sacred at the same time,” Ricer said. “Not like stained-glass figures, but women whose faith cost them something.”
The visual storytelling became an unexpected creative joy for Ricer, blending her lifelong love of writing with artistic direction and theological reflection.
Still, the process of completing a book proved far different from magazine writing.
Magazine deadlines had trained Ricer to work within precise word counts and editorial structure. But a book required something deeper: vulnerability, patience, and perseverance over time. There were moments of exhaustion, technical frustrations with formatting and publishing platforms, endless revisions, and emotional weight that accompanied revisiting difficult biblical themes.
Yet throughout the process, Ricer kept returning to the same truth her parents had instilled in her long ago: God redeems.
That conviction shaped the dedication page of the book, where Ricer honors her parents for leading her to Christ, praying faithfully for her, and teaching her that “hope is real, second chances are real, and God’s love and forgiveness is real.”
Ricer signs a book for friends at her recent book signing, held at Coastal Bliss. She will hold another event on July 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jiva Yoga Center.
Their influence remains woven through every page.
Today, Ricer lives on Hilton Head Island with her husband, Frederick L. Ricer, Jr. Together, they attend First Baptist Church and remain active in their community. In addition to writing, Ricer teaches fitness classes and continues contributing to magazines while managing what she laughingly describes as “a household ruled by three tiny teacup Yorkies” named Violet Valentina, Spartina Noel, and Coco Lili.
Despite her years of professional writing experience, She Believed marks a deeply significant first.
“This is my first book,” Ricer said. “And I think that’s part of why it feels so emotional. Magazine stories are beautiful, but books stay with people differently. They become companions.”
Already, readers are responding not only to the biblical insight within the devotional, but to the honesty beneath it. Ricer never approaches the women of scripture as distant heroes. Instead, she presents them as living testimonies to the ways God works through fragile faith, imperfect lives, and surrendered hearts.
Readers will have an opportunity to meet Ricer and celebrate the launch of She Believed: The Women Who Changed the Story during a special book signing event July 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jiva Yoga Center, 1032 William Hilton Parkway on Hilton Head Island. Guests are invited to purchase a copy of the book at the event or bring a previously purchased copy to be signed. Light bites and tea will be served as attendees gather to meet the author and hear firsthand the inspiration behind the book.
At its core, She Believed is not merely a book about biblical women. It is a book about grace.
It is about the God who continues calling people back to Himself. The God who uses unlikely individuals. The God who brings redemption from broken places and purpose from wandering seasons.
And perhaps most importantly, it is about the invitation still extended to every reader who turns its pages.
“She believed God’s promises,” Ricer said, echoing the phrase now closely tied to the book’s message. “And so can you.”
HealtH and Wellness professionals
HeatHer HinsHelwood, Md
FRAUM HEALTH
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I am a board-certified physician with a passion for restorative and integrative medicine, helping people stay active, independent, and engaged in the activities they love. Throughout my career, I recognized that many patients wanted more than temporary symptom relief. They wanted solutions that would help them maintain their quality of life for years to come.
In 2023, my partner and I purchased Fraum Health because we shared a vision for a different kind of healthcare experience, one that combines advanced restorative medicine with highly personalized care. Today, our mission is to help patients optimize movement, support healthy aging, and explore non-surgical solutions that allow them to continue living life on their terms.
I enjoy building meaningful relationships with patients and creating personalized care plans that align with their goals, whether that means staying active on the golf course, traveling comfortably, playing pickleball, or simply keeping up with family and friends. What sets Fraum Health apart from other health care providers?
At Fraum Health, we believe exceptional health care begins with listening. We take the time to understand each patient’s goals, lifestyle, and concerns before recommending a course of treatment. Every care plan is personalized because every patient is unique.
Our restorative medicine approach focuses on helping patients maintain function, mobility, and vitality as they age. Rather than simply reacting to problems, we help patients proactively protect the quality of life they value most.
Our team takes the time to understand each patient’s unique goals, lifestyle, and health history before developing a treatment strategy. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, we work to identify the factors that might be contributing to pain, mobility limitations, nerve-related concerns, or declines in physical function.
This comprehensive approach may include restorative medicine, regenerative therapies, chiropractic care, spinal decompression, Class IV laser therapy, rehabilitation, and other non-surgical solutions designed to support long-term health and performance.
Most importantly, we focus on helping people preserve
the active lifestyles they value most. We are not simply treating conditions – we are helping patients protect their ability to continue doing the things they love.
Who is the ideal patient for Fraum Health?
Our ideal patient is someone who values an active lifestyle and wants to remain healthy, mobile, and independent for as long as possible. They may enjoy golf, pickleball, tennis, boating, fitness, travel, or simply spending time with family and friends without being limited by pain or physical decline.
Many come to us because they are looking for alternatives to surgery or long-term medication use. Others want a proactive strategy for maintaining their health and performance as they age.
They may be experiencing joint pain, neuropathy symptoms, stiffness, reduced mobility, or lingering injuries that are beginning to impact activities like golf, pickleball, tennis, boating, fitness, travel, or everyday movement. Others simply want a proactive evaluation to better understand their health and develop a strategy for aging well. What inspires you most about your work?
The most rewarding part of what we do is seeing patients regain confidence in their bodies and continue participating in the activities that bring them joy.
Whether it’s helping someone return to the golf course, stay active with their grandchildren, travel more comfortably, or avoid unnecessary procedures, those moments are incredibly meaningful.
We live in a community where people value an active, vibrant lifestyle, and it is a privilege to help support that. Every day, I have the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team that shares a common goal: helping people stay active for the life they love.
At Fraum Health, we believe that health care should not simply add years to life – it should help add life to those years. That philosophy continues to drive everything we do.
Caleb Campbell, Randy Rose, and steve KRehbiel
ROSE HEARING HEALTHCARE CENTERS
Why did you decide to pursue a career in hearing?
Randy Rose: My grandparents were hearing impaired. I saw how much it affected them. After leaving the Marine Corps, I was in college and they offered courses on audiology. So, I entered into a career that I truly love. We help people have better lives through better hearing.
Caleb Campbell: I’ve always had a passion for helping people. I have a background in emergency medicine, but an opportunity arose to pursue a career in the hearing health care industry and I haven’t looked back.
Steve Krehbiel: Out of college, I landed a job with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), doing hearing testing for factory employees. I found many young people suffering from noise exposure, which led me into a hearing health care career.
When someone comes to you with a hearing issue, what does a typical first visit look like?
Rose: Generally, most people come to us with problems understanding speech, TV, groups, and spouses. Most patients have sensorineural and central hearing loss. Hearing aids are truly amazing today and are the only options for these problems.
Campbell: We always begin with a comprehensive hearing evaluation that includes educating the individual on their hearing loss and the importance of establishing a plan to improve their overall quality of life.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND
1505 Main Street (843) 547-5832
BLUFFTON
108 Buckwalter Pkwy, Ste. 2G (843) 594-1787
rosehearinghealthcarecenters.com
Krehbiel: The first thing is always an ear canal inspection. We explain all the parts of the auditory process. Then we continue with a complementary hearing evaluation and I explain our findings and what needs to be done.
How do you stay informed about advancements in your field?
Rose: We generally attend continuing education every year. It is a requirement to maintain our license to practice. The technology today for custom hearing systems is amazing.
Campbell: I enjoy participating in continuing education lectures both online and in person that discuss the latest technology from manufacturers. I also rely on material provided from hearing review journals and education portals from the International Hearing Society.
Krehbiel: I attend the North and South Carolina International Hearing Society conference where there are public speakers who update us on all changes in the industry and new technology.
What are some of the biggest challenges health care workers are facing right now?
Rose: I am not sure we are facing any big challenges currently. The industry has never been better. Our technology and knowledge has expanded beyond what I thought would be possible 45 years ago, coming into this field.
Campbell: As good a resource as the internet is, I believe that one of the biggest challenges in our industry is the inundation of online services that push individuals into self-care instead of seeking professional help.
Krehbiel: Misinformation about OTC hearing products.
When you are not assisting our community with their hearing needs, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Rose: I enjoy working around the house, going for walks, and working out. We travel as much as possible, and I love spending time with the grandkids.
Campbell: Since having children, we don’t seem to have much spare time. But any extra time we do have, I enjoy outdoor activities with my wife and kids. I’m also very involved with my church and my faith.
Krehbiel: Fishing, running, and spending time with my family.
Paul Slota, M.D., FaCC, FSCaI
BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HEART SPECIALISTS
What is your specialty?
I specialize in cardiology and interventional cardiology. Cardiology involves preventing and treating many heart and vascular problems, including heart attacks, congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Interventional cardiology involves performing procedures on the heart and blood vessels, including angioplasty and stent procedures to open blocked arteries, placing pacemakers to treat slow heart rhythms, and defibrillator placement to treat dangerous fast heart rhythms. What is your training?
After earning my medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, I completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowship training in both cardiology and interventional cardiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, while participating in the initial coronary stent trials there. I then practiced in Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Savannah until 2007. Almost twenty years ago, I relocated to Rock Hill to establish a cardiology practice, and it was an absolute privilege to care for that community’s patients ever since.
I’m delighted to have recently returned to the Lowcountry and joined the medical staff at Beaufort Memorial. What one aspect of the job is particularly rewarding?
Cardiac catheterization procedures, including angioplasty and coronary stent placement to open blocked arteries in the heart, are both challenging and gratifying.
Readying the cardiac catheterization team to emergently treat patients with a heart attack when critically ill, opening their blocked artery and then seeing the patient walk out of the hospital a day or two later with their family is especially rewarding. I also enjoy seeing them back in the office to plan their continued recovery.
Are there any challenges in the profession? What are they and how to overcome them?
A challenge in cardiology, like any other field of medicine, is the time constraints with maintaining a busy practice. I try to offset this by giving patients the time they need. I like to hear about their interests and families. Getting to know my patients personally helps me to provide for their cardiology needs most efficiently – and gives me the personal enjoyment of establishing friendships. What are your hobbies and interests outside medicine?
I like being outdoors, maintaining physical fitness, and spending time with my wife, Geralyn. We enjoy hiking, taking long walks with our Yorkie, Mugsy, and playing pickleball together. I always look forward to planning family trips with our four adult children, and spending time together as a family.
I also enjoy rowing and will often row my single scull on the Colleton River, sometimes at sunrise while dolphins swim alongside me!
What skill or craft would you like to master outside of your profession?
I would like to master precision automobile mechanics, engine building and car restoration. I enjoy driving on the open road, and I own 1970 and 1971 Mopar muscle cars –which I’m in the process of bringing back to life. I love the look of classic American cars and trucks from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and would like to have my own garage and the skills to do the work on all the cars myself!
Scan for more on Paul Slota, M.D., FACC, FSCAI
REFINE AESTHETICS
WBLUFFTON
132 Bluffton Road, #102 (843) 256-6078
refineaestheticsbluffton.com
ith a clinical background in plastic surgery and a well-earned reputation for advanced medical aesthetic treatments, Morgan Curry arrived in the Lowcountry two years ago to fill the need for an experienced, results-driven approach. Known for her signature style of natural, refined results, she has built a devoted following who trust her careful eye and precise technique.
Now celebrating 10 years in the industry, she has seen her practice, Refine Aesthetics, set a new standard in the Lowcountry. Her passion for elevating the field extends beyond her own clientele, as she is dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of injectors.
“What I’m really known for is very natural results and my credentials. I hold a CANS (Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist) certification, and I’m just one of three in the entire state of South Carolina who can say that,” Curry said.
That’s just one of the many, many feathers in her cap. International aesthetics firms, including pharmaceutical firm MERZ and medical aesthetic technology giant InMode, call on her as a key opinion leader. Because of that, she is able to speak and train on a national and international level.
Curry has also launched a training and mentorship program for fellow aesthetic professionals, helping others navigate everything from advanced techniques to difficult anatomy and complications. Her goal is simple: to provide guidance and support she wishes every injector had while building their craft.
As if running a successful practice, sharing her expertise with medical professionals around the world, and raising a family weren’t enough, she is currently pursuing her master’s degree as a nurse practitioner. And yet, what motivates Curry isn’t the letters behind her name or the certifications on her wall. It’s what that knowledge allows her to bring to her patients – beautiful, subtle aesthetics integrated with functional medicine to create beauty both in and out.
oPtiCal SolutionS teaM
Optical Solutions has always been about seeing beyond the possibilities. The professionals there will care for your eyes, of course, but they will also look deeper to assess any other underlying health conditions that may be presenting themselves with your eyes.
They opened their first office on Hilton Head 35 years ago, but they knew serving the Lowcountry meant going beyond the bridge, making their way to Bluffton in 2014.
The leadership at Optical Solutions has always been keen on providing the best options for their customers, always seeking new ways to serve them. With their latest move to a larger Persimmon Street location, they have expanded their offerings.
HOSPITAL CENTER COMMONS
10 Hospital Center Commons, St. 100 (843) 681-6682
SHELTER COVE
50 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite G (843) 785-8008
BLUFFTON
109 Persimmon Street (843) 706-0607
dr.michaelcampbell.com
“We have 10,000 square feet now, which has given us the ability to bring in more technology with the goal of offering more services to patients, plus we can now better accommodate the growth we’ve seen in the number of people we serve,” said Dr. Kevin Campbell, the second generation of the family to carry on the business. “We’ve also doubled our optical side, giving us the ability to bring in more selection and frame lines.”
This move is the culmination of plans that Optical Solution has been pursuing since Bluffton’s population boom began in 2020. Making their way from the Promenade to Persimmon Street, just off the Parkway, the Campbell family is carrying on a tradition of looking ahead with clear vision that has been their hallmark for 35 years.
GeorGe Sutherland, Md
ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIST
For years, our Bluffton clinic been a truly comprehensive orthopedic practice (outside of cancer), with the most fellowship trained specialists in the Southeast – neck to toe. In my practice, I work on mostly sports-related injuries, but shoulders are my focus because of the complexity and how fundamental these joints are to our daily lives.
Shoulder replacements have a reputation for being painful and hard in recovery. It’s still a significant surgery, but the advancements in implant materials and techniques have changed the playing field. Pain management has greatly advanced and recovery times are shorter, while also achieving better results in range of motion.
Reverse shoulder replacements, for example, are one such game changer. Rotator cuff repairs and arthritis repairs have a solution, thanks to the advancements in reverse total shoulder procedures. The “reverse” part swaps the ball and joint, making for a much longer-lasting procedure. By doing this, the deltoid muscle takes the main control of the rotator cuff based on the new alignment.
Robotic-assisted surgeries have also made a huge difference in matching the implants to the unique structures of an individual’s bone. It has been a game changer in patient outcomes. The robotic arm is a surgical extension that allows surgeons to be even more accurate when plotting implant or partial implant geometry. You can think of it as a tool, much like a ruler is compared to a set of machined calipers.
CT scans and MRI imaging map out your unique bone structure, which allows me to plot the precise geometry of the optimal implant contour to sub-millimeter accuracy. Stryker Blueprint is a fantastic tool for this. It’s a 3D planning software that translates the CT scans into an exact replica of your shoulder, where I plan every angle and implant orientation. We can even 3D print a bespoke implant based on patient-specific anatomy. This results in better fit, function, and shorter recovery times, and preserves more existing healthy tissue. During the procedure, we can make real-time adjustments if the tissue landscape has changed since the original imaging.
When considering shoulder intervention, the biggest factors for any patient are pain and function. If one of those two factors are debilitating or limiting your daily life, then it’s probably time to consider your options. Otherwise, I’d prefer to find non-surgical solutions to optimize your range of motion and comfort.
Many times, my patients and I find non-surgical treatments that give back much of their original mobility and comfort. Typically, steroidal and PRP injections provide relief that can last up to several months and even regenerate tissue.
Many times, physical therapy regimens are the best treatment plan. It just means the patient is on the hook to keep up with the exercises. Other than that, activity modification is an option, but that usually entails a larger trade-off with your daily life paying the toll.
BLUFFTON 8201 Pinellas Drive (843) 705-9401
OptimOrthopedics.com
Christopher Wixon, MD
NOVANT HEALTH HEART & VASCULAR
BLUFFTON
111 Persimmon Street (854) 235-2810 . novanthealth.org
Board certified in vascular surgery, Christopher Wixon, MD, has served the Lowcountry for 25 years as a dedicated vascular surgeon. Dr. Wixon views this longevity as a profound privilege, fueled by a deep respect for the trust his patients place in him and a desire to make a lasting, positive impact on their quality of life.
After receiving his doctor of medicine degree from Pennsylvania State University Hospital, a residency at East Carolina University Health Medical Center, and a fellowship at University of Arizona Medical Center, Dr. Wixon chose vascular surgery because he thrives on the specialty’s intricate, demanding nature. The unique opportunity it provides to partner with a patient throughout their entire health journey matches his commitment at every step, from sophisticated diagnosis and treatment to crucial long-term prevention and follow-up.
He brings a broad, refined health care perspective to his practice, seamlessly integrating insights gained from working in diverse settings across the United States and Europe into the personalized care he delivers right here in the community.
His health care philosophy is simple: Always prioritize the patient’s best interests. For Dr. Wixon, this means truly listening – understanding the person as a whole, not just reviewing a test result – to build the foundational trust required for excellent, compassionate care.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND
8 Hospital Center Blvd #150 (854) 235-2730 . novanthealth.org
Mark Liwanag, DO, chose electrophysiology (the advanced treatment of cardiac arrhythmias) because it lets him help people in a special and focused way. His medical career began with medical school at Nova Southeastern University, followed by a residency and fellowship at Michigan State University – McLaren Macomb, as well as a fellowship at Case Western Reserve University – MetroHealth.
Now, board certified in cardiovascular disease, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, he works with patients on their care strategy, with a focus on patient safety. Dr. Liwanag uses current and future-leaning approaches to arrive at the best outcomes for each patient.
His areas of focus represent the cutting edge of the electrophysiological field, including zero fluoroscopy atrial fibrillation ablation, pulsed field ablation, simple and complex ablation, pacemaker implantation, conduction system pacing, leadless pacemaker implantation, implantation of internal cardioverted defibrillator (ICD) and subcutaneous ICD, as well as implantation of the minimally invasive Watchman implant.
Dr. Liwanag is excited to bring electrophysiology to Hilton Head Island and the surrounding community, helping patients live healthier, safer lives.
Mark LiWanag, Do, Mph, FaCC, Fhrs
Rendering of LiveWell Terrace, Beaufort County’s first healthcare workforce housing project, scheduled for completion in early 2027.
Article by E.J. Goodwin
Housing Healthcare
BEAUFORT MEMORIAL WORKFORCE HOUSING WILL SUPPORT HEALTHCARE WORKERS AS REGION, FINANCIAL BARRIERS GROW
Beaufort County is beautiful – it’s the home of picturesque palmettos, idyllic beaches, and miles of marsh glittering in the warm sun. Who wouldn’t want to live and work here?
As the Lowcountry region continues to grow, so does the need for healthcare services. With more people moving into the community, the healthcare workforce needs to grow as well to keep up with that demand.
There’s one problem: Many healthcare workers, such as nurses, technicians, clerical specialists, and medical assistants, can’t afford to live here. For an area growing (and aging) as rapidly as this one, that is a large, looming issue.
Beaufort Memorial, the largest private employer in the county with more than 1,800 employees, is developing a playbook for workforce housing in the Lowcountry. With one workforce housing project currently underway in Bluffton, the organization is investing in its employees, understanding that a strong and sustainable workforce can directly impact the long-term health of the community.
Cost of Living: The Beaufort County Dilemma
The cost of living in Beaufort County poses one of the biggest challenges – if not the biggest – to the recruitment of nurses and medical professionals.
“The lack of affordable housing here directly affects our ability to recruit and retain the staff that provide this community with critical healthcare services,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “At this point, the issue has reached a crisis level for the Lowcountry’s healthcare workforce.”
The median home price in Bluffton grew almost 2.5% from 2023 to 2024 and grew more than 5% in Beaufort during the same period.
Nurses are among the professionals that make up the Lowcountry’s “missing middle” – the population of costburdened professionals who often pay more than 30% (and sometimes 50% to 60%) of their income on their rent alone.
“This affordable housing crisis is a huge issue,” Baxley said. “How can this growing and aging community’s critical
and evolving healthcare needs be met when, with the combination of increased rent and high childcare costs, the majority of healthcare workers can’t afford to live here?”
The issue goes beyond healthcare worker wages; the solution is not so simple.
“Most people don’t realize that nurses in communities like ours are making more than double the area median income (AMI) and are still unable to afford the cost of living,” said Tina Jackson, Beaufort Memorial Chief People Officer.
Consistent annual cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, paired with 20% healthcare supply cost increases since the COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted in a complicated and strained landscape for employers and employees alike.
Medicare cuts have resulted in payments to hospitals and healthcare systems dropping almost 10% since 2020 –adjusting for inflation, that’s between a 20% to 25% decrease in 2026.
“Even with reimbursement decreases, Beaufort Memorial has still increased salaries for its workforce by almost 10% in the past three years,” Baxley said.
The 14% to 15% increase in home prices during the same period, however, has had a significant impact, as have rising childcare costs, limited childcare availability, and an 11% increase in the cost of groceries.
“As these housing market challenges started to ramp up several years ago, we knew that we needed to do something to support our staff,” Baxley said.
Pioneering Workforce Housing in Bluffton
On June 11, Beaufort Memorial broke ground on a housing project driven by cross-sector collaboration between the community health system and workforce housing developer Woda Cooper Companies.
This milestone marks a huge step forward in expanding housing opportunities for Beaufort Memorial staff and other professionals in the “missing middle.”
“Cost of living isn’t just a housing issue, but a workforce issue, an economic issue, and a quality-of-life issue,” said Victoria Smalls, affordable housing director for the Town of
Bluffton. “When teachers, nurses, first responders, hospitality workers, and young professionals cannot afford to live near where they work, the entire region feels that impact.”
The project, LiveWell Terrace, is a partnership not only between Beaufort Memorial and Woda Cooper, but the Town of Bluffton and Beaufort County as well.
LiveWell Terrace is a 120-unit rental apartment development, featuring 30 one-bedroom units, 60 twobedroom units and 30 three-bedroom units, as well as medical office space dedicated to further expanding primary care access in the southern end of the county.
The development is located along Buckwalter Parkway, less than a mile from where the new Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital is being built. The new hospital will see its first patients in early 2027.
Once completed, units will be open for anyone to rent, based on income qualifications.
Bluffton town council member and Mayor ProTempore Fred Hamilton highlighted that Bluffton has long championed the idea of “smart growth” – a priority they share with the community health system.
“We can’t have smart growth without the ability for our professionals to live, work and play here,” Hamilton said, echoing the Town of Bluffton’s motto. “For many years, housing has become a challenge throughout our region. But today, affordable and attainable housing is becoming a reality.”
Despite broad, community-wide recognition that the cost of living and lack of affordable housing affect the economy and labor landscape of the entire Lowcountry region, workforce housing projects like LiveWell Terrace commonly face resistance within the community.
“It’s important to challenge this resistance by supporting this community’s professionals and continuing to move toward sustainable solutions,” Baxley said. “We need to back policies that expand opportunities for workforce housing in our communities. When the ‘not in my neighborhood’ crowd stands up, help us advocate for these solutions. We
Representatives of Beaufort Memorial, Woda Cooper Companies, Beaufort County and the Town of Bluffton gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking last month.
(Photo: Kate Morrison)
Housing Healthcare
need community support for the policies and leaders working to strengthen this much-needed infrastructure.”
A Strong Workforce Supports a Healthy Community
The healthcare footprint of Beaufort Memorial continues to expand. Along with the new Bluffton hospital, the organization is opening a combination emergency room and urgent care facility on Hilton Head Island in early 2027.
As this footprint expands, so does the organization’s investment in its team members as Beaufort Memorial works to break down barriers to recruiting and keeping skilled healthcare professionals.
While the cost of living and the lack of workforce housing options are major obstacles for “missing middle” professionals such as healthcare workers, affordable and accessible childcare is another hurdle.
In late 2024, Beaufort Memorial cut the ribbon on the oncampus location of the Beaufort Memorial Learning Center, an employer-subsidized childcare center that developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to support working parents at the hospital. With the new hospital opening in six months, this model for on-campus childcare services will expand to Bluffton, allowing parents who work at the southern Beaufort County facility to have an option for childcare, too.
“The high cost of living and childcare availability and affordability are a challenge here, but Beaufort Memorial is working to bridge these gaps for its employees,” Baxley said. “A strong, sustainable healthcare workforce is critical to building a healthy community.”
Building a ‘Playbook’ Through Partnerships
As with many challenges faced by the healthcare industry, the COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for the merging of the housing and healthcare sectors for Beaufort Memorial.
“No one who worked in health care at that point, except possibly large healthcare centers in major metropolitan areas, would have told you that they were considering stepping into the housing sphere,” Baxley said. “And especially not community hospitals and health systems like Beaufort Memorial.”
Since then, Beaufort Memorial has deepened its commitment to workforce housing. Along with the development of LiveWell Terrace in Bluffton, these efforts include the purchase of Canal Apartments in Beaufort. Together, these initiatives demonstrate innovative approaches to addressing workforce housing challenges and, according to Baxley, could serve as a “playbook” for other organizations looking to support and retain their employees. “It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “And as these projects move forward, we hope to build a model for affordable workforce housing in the Lowcountry that others can follow.”
Critical to tackling the overarching challenge of Beaufort County’s cost of living are the partnerships that make possible these projects, as well as others that can help employees overcome community barriers.
“It’s crucial to have solid, forward-looking partnerships as we look for answers to these community-wide issues,” Baxley said. “These partnerships, such as our collaboration with Woda Cooper Companies, have provided unique opportunities to help us navigate these challenges for our current and future employees.”
Beaufort Memorial Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Hildreth, President & CEO Russell Baxley, and Chief Nursing Officer Marissa Jamarik tour the Bluffton Community Hospital site as
Article by E.J. Goodwin · Photos by Charlotte Berkeley
The Leaders of Legacy
Beaufort Memorial leadership shaping growth in a changing community
In the current July heat, the Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital is still taking shape, looking more like a hospital and less like a construction site every day.
The sounds of welding, heavy equipment, and construction crews echo through the walled structure as workers put the finishing touches on what will become Bluffton’s first hospital in early 2027.
Outside the facility’s walls, Bluffton is bustling with new development – proof of a thriving community.
“You can just feel the energy,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley as he put on a hard hat during a recent walk-through of the nearly complete building. “This organization has come so far, and it’s exciting to see Beaufort Memorial so close to reaching this milestone, expanding into a multi-hospital health system.”
The Bluffton hospital has been in the making for years, as Beaufort Memorial leaders have been working to expand access to care, address workforce challenges, and prepare for the needs of a rapidly growing region.
A New Generation of Leaders
Beaufort Memorial’s transition from a small community hospital into a health system composed of two hospitals, nearly 30 outpatient practices, and more than 150 providers has been a purposeful evolution, driven and shaped by leaders who have spent years listening to the needs of their neighbors in the community they serve.
And as Beaufort Memorial evolves, so does the leadership that supports and drives it, which has resulted in the addition
of several new roles in 2026 – inaugural executive positions that reflect the priorities of a changing health system.
Together, they represent a new generation of leadership at Beaufort Memorial and bring into sharper focus a distinctive feature of Beaufort Memorial’s leadership team: Women now serve in a majority of the executive roles helping define the organization’s next chapter, guiding clinical, operational, and strategic decisions during a time of rapid growth and change.
One of these women is Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Hildreth, MSN, RN, CEN, SANE. A longtime nursing leader, Hildreth has grown with Beaufort Memorial, beginning as a graduate nurse in the emergency room and eventually guiding the hospital as corporate director of quality and patient safety officer.
“As the organization has grown, I’ve grown,” Hildreth said. “It’s exciting; every time the community has a need, Beaufort Memorial fills that gap and figures it out, and I’m pleased to continue to be a part of that impact as ACNO.”
Hildreth joins Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services Marissa Jamarik, DNP, RN, NEABC, in maintaining clinical excellence at the organization. Once the new hospital in Bluffton is completed, Hildreth will lead the nursing staff at the facility and oversee clinical operations there. Alongside Vice President of Quality, Risk and Patient Safety Shawna Doran, MSN, RN, these women will continue ensuring that excellence in care is reflected across the entire organization.
construction continues toward its 2027 opening.
Keeping an expanding health system’s facilities, operations, and services running smoothly is a big job – which is why another new position was created: Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer Courtney Smith’s role hinges on flexibility and prioritizes efficiency.
“A health system is truly a coordinated effort of dedicated teams working together to deliver exceptional care,” Smith said.
Kim Yawn, the organization’s inaugural vice president of marketing and development (and the Beaufort Memorial Foundation chief development officer), now guides the Foundation’s critical mission while also overseeing strategic communication across the organization.
Keeping the Culture of Community
Beaufort Memorial looks very different than it did during its humble beginnings as a small community hospital in 1944. What hasn’t changed, however, is the belief and mission that healthcare should remain deeply connected to the community it serves.
For example, Jamarik and Hildreth played a pivotal role in supporting nursing leadership during National Nurses Week 2026, using the week’s theme, The Power of Nurses, to emphasize the importance of being advocates in the community and within the organization itself through professional governance and continuing education.
Yawn, who has grown through various leadership positions in the organization, connects Beaufort Memorial to the generosity and support of the community through the Foundation. Foundation funding is critical to the implementation of community health initiatives, such as free transportation services for patients to and from Beaufort
Memorial facilities, the Beaufort Memorial Sickle Cell Clinic, and support for addiction medicine and pharmaceutical assistance in the community.
Doran has been a leader at the organization since 2017 and, while she ensures that patient care is consistently safe, effective, and centered on best practices, she’s also an executive sponsor for the Patient and Family Advisory Council, which amplifies community voices and integrates them into decision-making at the organization.
“When patients and families are engaged as partners, they provide unique insights into care processes,” she said. “This strengthens safety initiatives by grounding them in real-world experiences, ultimately leading to more effective, sustainable improvements.”
Beyond executive leadership, the “community” culture of a health system like Beaufort Memorial is rooted in its people. As Beaufort Memorial grows, recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals has become one of the organization’s most critical priorities.
Chief People Officer Tina Jackson is committed to keeping the culture of community at the center of this initiative. Since joining Beaufort Memorial in August 2025, Jackson has helped reshape HR around workforce development, recruitment, retention, and career education partnerships.
On the financial side, Beaufort Memorial Chief Financial Officer Christine Markowitz, CPA is helping keep the organization financially strong amid pressure on charity care, uncompensated care, and expansion costs.
“Healthcare is constantly changing, and our responsibility is making sure that Beaufort Memorial is
Representing a new generation of leadership at Beaufort Memorial, these women are helping guide the organization’s growth and shape its future. Front row, from left: Ashley Hildreth, Courtney Smith, Tina Jackson, Kim Yawn. Back row, from left: Christine Markowitz, Marissa Jamarik, Allison Coppage, Shawna Doran.
ready for what’s next,” Markowitz said. “That means finding creative ways to invest in our people, continue expanding access, and build a strong foundation for the future.”
With Beaufort Memorial as the largest private employer in the county, Allison Coppage, JD, CHC, associate vice president of corporate compliance, privacy and contracting, has helped advance key initiatives to find solutions for the pressing workforce challenges of affordable housing and reliable onsite childcare for employees.
She played a pivotal role in transitioning the Beaufort Memorial Learning Center – an employer-subsidized childcare facility previously located on Lady’s Island – to the hospital’s main campus in 2024.
“It’s no secret that childcare and housing are huge challenges for a workforce like ours,” Coppage said. “For Beaufort Memorial leaders, the focus is to help our employees overcome those barriers as our health system evolves.”
Collaboration is Key
At the same time, Beaufort Memorial’s leadership strength is rooted in collaboration across the entire executive team, including key leaders whose expertise continues to shape the organization’s growth.
President and CEO Russell Baxley has led major expansion across the region, while Vice President of Physician Services Chris Ketchie is driving provider recruitment to meet rising demand across the Lowcountry.
And at the helm of the medical staff is Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kurt Gambla, who served the community for nearly two decades as an internist before stepping into an executive role. His steady and knowledgeable guidance has provided a bridge between medical staff and the health system leaders – he’s a key liaison and a necessary piece of the culture at Beaufort Memorial with his consistent leadership.
That leadership composition is no accident. Under Baxley, Beaufort Memorial has intentionally built an innovative, forward-looking executive team – one that blends experience, emerging leadership and diverse perspectives to meet the evolving needs of the community.
A Vision in Action
While “innovation” is one of the organization’s core values, it’s a part of Baxley’s personal ethos as a healthcare leader. “Healthcare challenges today are complex, and we need to be willing to adapt and collaborate in order to reach sustainable solutions,” he said. “‘Innovation’ isn’t just about technology or new facilities, but also about approaching practical solutions to make our care more accessible to those we serve.”
Take workforce challenges, for example. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when shortages peaked, Baxley led the development of the PATH program (People Achieving Their Highest), which allowed nonclinical employees to transition into patient care roles. Since its first cohort in 2022, the program has seen more than 100 graduates.
“Investing in our employees is essential not only to Beaufort Memorial’s growth, but also to the personal and professional development of our workforce,” Baxley said. “The PATH program shows how innovation and forward thinking can strengthen an organization like ours.”
Over the past decade, Baxley has been driving major growth across the health system, including new cancer centers, urgent care clinics, the renovated Collins Birthing Center, the Surgical Pavilion renovation, the Okatie medical office building, and continued expansion in Bluffton, Hilton
“Healthcare challenges today are complex, and we need to be willing to adapt and collaborate in order to reach sustainable solutions. ‘Innovation’ isn’t just about technology or new facilities, but also about approaching practical solutions to make our care more accessible to those we serve.”
- Russell Baxley
Head Island, and southern Beaufort and Jasper counties.
“Beaufort Memorial has been growing in Bluffton since 2006, and we’re continuing to expand our footprint there, now establishing the first Bluffton hospital,” Baxley said. “We want to be able to serve our Bluffton patients in the area where they live, providing them the care they need closer to home.”
Building for the Future
When patients begin walking through its doors in early 2027, the Bluffton Community Hospital will be bustling with new staff, specializing in nursing, hospitality, support services and everything in between, with the facility creating 250 jobs in its first year alone.
Beaufort Memorial is also driving the growth of outpatient practices, recruiting physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants). The need for primary care services has exploded in the Lowcountry, and while Beaufort Memorial has the largest primary care network in Beaufort County, recruitment for new providers isn’t slowing down. As the region grows, so does the demand for specialists in areas like oncology, cardiology, and urology.
“Specialty care can be hard to come by here, and primary care is one of the Lowcountry’s largest healthcare needs,” said Vice President of Physician Services Chris Ketchie. “Our health system is working hard to keep up with its growing needs.”
Legacy’s New Chapter
For the rest of 2026, the momentum of the Bluffton Community Hospital will be focused on its opening next year.
The sounds of construction will soon be replaced by patients, volunteers, and staff, all beginning a new chapter in the Beaufort Memorial legacy. The structure itself is a visible sign of growth of both the nonprofit healthcare organization and the community itself.
Less visible, yet still critical to the legacy, are the years of planning, problem-solving, and leadership that made it possible.
As the region continues to grow, the leaders at Beaufort Memorial are focused on a mission beyond solely the opening of a new hospital: building a health system capable of serving its neighbors for generations to come.
With women now serving in many of the organization’s most influential roles, that leadership reflects both Beaufort Memorial’s legacy and its evolution, helping shape the future of healthcare in the communities it serves.
Article by Heather Hinshelwood, MD
Protect Your Mobility and Stay Active This Summer
As a physician, one of the first questions I often ask patients isn’t about pain. It’s about what they want to continue doing.
Do they want to keep golfing three times a week? Travel comfortably? Stay competitive on the pickleball court? Walk the beach with their spouse? Keep up with grandchildren who never seem to slow down?
The answer tells me far more than where something hurts. It helps me understand what is truly at stake: their ability to maintain the lifestyle they value most.
Summer in the Lowcountry has a way of highlighting just how important mobility is. The calendar fills with golf outings, pickleball matches, family vacations, boating trips, and outdoor activities. For many people, these experiences are among the reasons they chose to live here in the first place.
Most of us don’t think much about mobility when we have it. We simply move through life without giving it much consideration. It is often only when something begins to change that we start paying attention.
Perhaps a knee feels less stable than it once did. A shoulder begins limiting a golf swing. Recovery takes longer after physical activity. Balance feels less certain on uneven ground. Walking long distances while traveling becomes more difficult than it used to be.
Rarely do these changes happen overnight. More often, they occur gradually. Small adjustments become routine.
Activities are modified. Certain movements are avoided. Over time, many people begin organizing their lives around limitations they never intended to accept.
One of the most common phrases I hear in my office is, “I figured it was just part of getting older.”
While aging is inevitable, declining mobility should never be automatically dismissed without understanding why it is happening.
Why Mobility Matters
Mobility is about much more than movement. It influences independence, confidence, balance, strength, and overall quality of life.
One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is that most people don’t come to me because they simply want less pain. They come because pain or physical limitations are interfering with something important to them.
They want to continue traveling. They want to play golf without worrying about how they’ll feel the next day. They want to stay active with family and friends. They want to remain independent and capable for as long as possible.
Research consistently shows that maintaining physical function is one of the most important factors in healthy aging. When mobility begins to decline, people often become less active. Over time, that reduction in activity can affect strength, endurance, balance, and overall health, creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to reverse.
This is why I encourage patients to think differently about mobility. Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this pain?” I encourage them to ask a different question: “What do I want my body to be capable of five, 10, or 20 years from now?”
That shift in perspective changes everything.
Three Signs It’s Time to Pay Attention
Many people assume they will know when a mobility problem becomes serious. In reality, the earliest warning signs are often subtle. Some of the most common indicators include:
• You have started modifying or avoiding activities you once enjoyed.
• Recovery after golf, pickleball, exercise, or travel takes noticeably longer than it used to.
• Balance, strength, or endurance are gradually declining, even if you are not experiencing significant pain.
Recognizing these changes early often creates more opportunities to address underlying issues before they begin affecting your lifestyle in a more significant way.
Protecting Progress During an Active Summer
Summer is often when people become more active, not less. Golf rounds become more frequent. Pickleball schedules fill up. Travel plans take shape. Families spend more time outdoors together.
While increased activity is one of the best things we can do for our long-term health, it can also reveal areas where the body is no longer functioning as efficiently as it once did.
Old injuries may become more noticeable. Joint degeneration may begin affecting performance. Nerverelated symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or balance changes may become harder to ignore. Areas of weakness or instability that have been quietly developing over time often become more apparent during periods of increased activity.
Recently, I worked with a patient who had gradually stopped walking all 18 holes during golf rounds because knee discomfort made the experience less enjoyable. What started as occasional soreness had slowly changed how he participated in one of his favorite activities.
By identifying the underlying factors contributing to his symptoms and creating a personalized treatment plan, he was able to return to regular play with greater confidence and comfort.
Unfortunately, many people adopt a wait-and-see approach. They push through discomfort. They rely on temporary solutions. They tell themselves they will address the problem after vacation or once life slows down.
The challenge is that waiting often allows small problems to become larger ones. One thing I have learned throughout my career is that protecting mobility is almost always easier than trying to restore it after significant decline has occurred.
Looking Beyond Pills, Injections, and Surgery
Many patients come to us believing their options are limited. They assume the path forward consists of medication, injections, and eventually surgery. While each of those treatments has an important role in health care, they are not always the only options worth exploring.
Many mobility-related concerns begin long before surgery becomes necessary. Joint discomfort may involve muscle weakness, instability, inflammation, or movement patterns that place excess stress on the body. Nerverelated symptoms may stem from spinal issues, circulation concerns, or other underlying factors. Loss of mobility is often influenced by multiple systems working together – or not working together as efficiently as they should.
As a physician, I believe patients deserve a comprehensive understanding of what may be contributing to their symptoms before making major treatment decisions.
That is why our evaluations focus on identifying underlying factors rather than simply chasing symptoms. When we better understand the cause of a problem, we are often able to explore treatment strategies that focus on improving function, supporting recovery, and preserving long-term mobility.
A Personalized Approach to Healthy Aging
No two patients have the same goals, which means no two care plans should be exactly alike. For one person, success may mean continuing to play competitive pickleball several times a week. For another, it may mean traveling internationally without limitations, walking 18 holes comfortably, or staying active with grandchildren.
Understanding those goals is one of the most important parts of the care process.
One of the advantages of our multidisciplinary model at Fraum Health is that physicians, chiropractors, and other members of our care team collaborate to evaluate the full picture rather than viewing mobility challenges through a single specialty lens.
At Fraum Health, we take a personalized approach that may incorporate restorative medicine, regenerative therapies, chiropractic care, spinal decompression, Class IV laser therapy, and other non-surgical treatment options depending on the individual’s needs.
The objective is not simply to help patients feel better today. Whether the goal is staying active on the golf course, remaining competitive on the pickleball court, traveling comfortably, or maintaining independence, every recommendation is guided by what matters most to the individual patient.
It is to help them maintain the strength, mobility, and confidence to continue doing the things they love for years to come.
The Lifestyle You’ve Worked Hard to Build
Many of the people I care for have spent decades building the life they enjoy today. They have raised families, built careers, created meaningful relationships, and earned the opportunity to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Mobility is what allows them to continue enjoying those experiences. It allows them to travel, golf, play pickleball, spend time on the water, explore new places, and fully participate in life’s most meaningful moments.
If you have noticed changes in your mobility, balance, strength, endurance, or overall physical performance, I encourage you to take the time to understand why – not because you need to slow down, but because you want to keep going.
If you’ve started avoiding activities you once enjoyed, taking longer to recover after exercise, or noticing changes in balance, strength, or endurance, now might be the right time to understand what is driving those changes.
The sooner mobility concerns are evaluated, the more opportunities often exist to preserve the active lifestyle you’ve worked hard to build.
The goal is not simply to feel better this summer. The goal is to stay active for many summers to come.
Special to C2
NOVANT HEALTH EXPANDS LOWCOUNTRY HEART AND VASCULAR CARE
Novant Health continues to advance heart care in the Lowcountry with the addition of its first full-time electrophysiologist in its South Carolina region.
Mark Liwanag, DO, is now seeing patients at Novant Health Heart & Vascular – Physicians Plaza, located at 8 Hospital Center Blvd., Suite 150 on Hilton Head Island. His arrival expands services at the existing heart and vascular clinic and strengthens Novant Health’s growing cardiovascular program in the region.
The addition of electrophysiology services brings specialized heart rhythm care closer to home for patients across Hilton Head and surrounding coastal communities.
Electrophysiology is a subspecialty of cardiology focused on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias. These conditions, including atrial fibrillation (AFib), bradycardia and other irregular heartbeats, become increasingly common with age. Electrophysiologists receive advanced training to perform specialized procedures such as catheter ablation and the implantation of cardiac devices, including pacemakers and defibrillators, to restore normal heart rhythm and improve quality of life.
People with AFib are five times more likely to experience a stroke than those without it, making early diagnosis and specialized treatment critical.
“For our Beaufort and Jasper County communities, where many residents are retired or nearing retirement, access to advanced heart rhythm care is essential,” said Joel Taylor, president of the Hilton Head area for Novant Health.
“Dr. Liwanag’s addition marks an important milestone in the continued growth of our heart and vascular program and brings the first full-time electrophysiologist to our Lowcountry community. We are committed to building a comprehensive cardiovascular program that allows patients to receive high-quality care close to home.”
“Heart rhythm disorders can be frightening and disruptive, but they are highly treatable with the right expertise,” Liwanag said. “I’m excited to join Novant Health and expand access to advanced electrophysiology services in the Hilton Head community. My goal is to work closely with patients to create individualized treatment plans that improve both longevity and quality of life.”
Liwanag is also introducing advanced technology to the region with the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System, a recently approved device in the U.S. for the treatment of AFib that has been used internationally. The technology is designed to improve procedural precision while reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissue.
Liwanag is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology. He attended Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has experience diagnosing and treating complex arrhythmias. His clinical expertise includes catheter ablation, cardiac device implantation, and long-term heart rhythm monitoring.
The growth of Novant Health Heart & Vascular reflects a broader commitment to strengthening heart and vascular services across the Lowcountry, including the recent addition of vascular surgeon Christopher Wixon, MD in Bluffton. By expanding advanced services locally, Novant Health aims to reduce the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialized heart care.
For more information or to schedule an appointment visit Novant Health Heart & Vascular online or call (854) 235-2730.
Mark Liwanag, DO, is now seeing patients at Novant Health Heart & Vascular – Physicians Plaza.
How Hardeeville Became a Destination for Robotic Surgery
When most people think about advanced robotic surgery, they imagine traveling to a major academic medical center in a large city. But today, some of the nation’s most sophisticated surgical care is available right here in the Lowcountry.
Novant Health Coastal Carolina Medical Center has become the first hospital in South Carolina to earn designation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an internationally recognized organization that evaluates hospitals for surgical quality, patient safety and clinical outcomes.
While the distinction was awarded in 2025, it reflects more than a decade of innovation and experience. The hospital launched its robotic surgery program more than 11 years ago and has since performed more than 5,000 robotic-assisted procedures, helping establish Coastal Carolina Medical Center as a regional leader in advanced surgical care.
While the designation is a significant achievement for the hospital, its greatest impact is on the patients and families who call the Lowcountry home.
“This designation reinforces what many patients throughout the Lowcountry already know – that they can receive exceptional surgical care right here in
Dr. Steven Thies is one of several skilled robotic surgeons at Coastal Carolina Medical Center.
Robotic-assisted surgery has transformed the way many procedures are performed. Using advanced technology, surgeons can operate with enhanced precision through smaller incisions, often resulting in less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries.
their own community,” said Matthew Conrad, president of Novant Health Coastal Carolina Medical Center. “As our region continues to grow, we’re committed to investing in advanced technology, talented clinical teams, and innovative care that gives patients access to nationally recognized treatment without leaving the Lowcountry.”
Robotic-assisted surgery has transformed the way many procedures are performed. Using advanced technology, surgeons can operate with enhanced precision through smaller incisions, often resulting in less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries. For many patients, those benefits can make a meaningful difference in their overall healthcare experience. While every patient’s experience is unique, the goal remains the same: delivering safe, effective care with the best possible outcomes.
At Coastal Carolina Medical Center, robotic technology is used across multiple specialties, including general surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, and urology. The hospital’s surgical program features leading-edge robotic platforms, including da Vinci, Mako, and Aquablation technologies.
For physicians like Dr. Eric Gwynn, a robotic surgeon and urologist, the recognition validates years of commitment from an entire team dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care.
“Robotic surgery isn’t just about technology,” Gwynn said. “It’s about the people behind it. From the operating room staff to recovery nurses and care teams throughout the hospital, everyone plays a role in helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes.”
The designation follows a rigorous multi-year review process evaluating details from surgical volumes and patient outcomes to safety protocols, education, and quality improvement initiatives. Not every hospital that pursues accreditation earns it.
For patients, however, the meaning is simple: Confidence.
“This recognition tells patients that they’re receiving care from a team committed to the highest standards,” said Dr. Carlos Montenegro, robotic and general surgeon. “It’s reassurance that they’re in capable hands and receiving care that meets some of the most respected benchmarks in surgery.”
The designation also highlights the growing role health care plays in supporting one of South Carolina’s fastestgrowing regions. As more families, retirees, and working professionals choose to call the Lowcountry home, access to
Coastal Carolina Medical Center surgical team proudly stands with new Center of Excellence award in Robotic Surgery.
Urologist Dr. Eric Gwynn is a leader in robotic surgery at Coastal Carolina Medical Center.
advanced medical services has become increasingly important. Hospital leaders say investments in robotic surgery and other specialized services help ensure residents can receive high-quality care locally, while also attracting skilled physicians and healthcare professionals to the region.
“Health care is evolving rapidly,” said Dr. Steven Thies, robotic and general surgeon. “Our goal is to continue bringing leading-edge care to this community so patients can benefit from the latest advancements while staying close to home.”
For Lowcountry residents facing surgery, that’s welcome news: worldclass care is no longer something you have to travel to find. It’s already here. About Novant Health
Novant Health is helping redefine health care across the Carolinas through a connected network of nearly 900 care locations, including 19 hospitals, hundreds of physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, imaging services, and pharmacies. With a focus on making care more accessible, coordinated and personalized, Novant Health serves communities throughout North Carolina and South Carolina with a commitment to quality, innovation and compassion.
Backed by more than 41,000 team members and 8,600 independent and employed clinicians, Novant Health continues to advance healthcare through leading-edge research, clinical trials, virtual care options, and new models of care designed to meet patients where they are. In 2024 alone, the organization invested more than $1.6 billion in community benefit programs, financial assistance, and services that support healthier communities.
To learn more information, please visit NovantHealth.org.
Novant Health is helping redefine health care across the Carolinas through a connected network of nearly 900 care locations, including 19 hospitals, hundreds of physician clinics and urgent care centers, outpatient facilities, imaging services, and pharmacies.
Article by Barry Kaufman
The More You Give
Since the beginning, First Tee – The Lowcountry has been something that we as a community have built. Our neighborhoods came together to support its efforts; our friends and neighbors pitched in with either their financial help or their own time and talent to be an active part of First Tee’s mission. It has been an allhands-on-deck mission to help our young people flourish through life skills lessons and instruction in the game of golf.
As a volunteer, Tom LeBlanc is one of many. But what he has brought to the First Tee, the journey that brought him here, is emblematic of our community’s full embrace of this vital institution.
“Tom is truly an inspirational guy. His speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the improvements at the Pleasant Point practice facility had everyone in the room ready to go out and accomplish something!” said Pat Zuk, executive director. “His lifetime of experience and giving back is really remarkable.”
Growing up in a blue-collar family of eight siblings, LeBlanc learned at a young age that achievements must be earned through hard work and perseverance. That ethos shined brightest on the athletic field, where he established himself as a multi-sport standout in football, basketball, and baseball.
As a Little League All-Star, he earned the the Lester LaRoche Award as the league’s most sportsmanlike player. As a junior in high school, he was named First Team All-County on both offense and defense after riding a bench for three years. While earning two master’s degrees at Springfield College, he was also starting defensive cornerback on the football team. His career in education with the Department of Defense took him across Europe, where earned the title Coach of the Year from Stars & Stripes
Yet he’s quick to credit all of these achievements to the people who were there to guide him. “I became a success story because of all the people who helped me, inspired me, and believed in me,” LeBlanc said. “It continues to be my turn.”
As LeBlanc’s college football coach, Ted “Tiger” Dunn, was fond of saying, “The more you give, the more you keep. The more you save, the more you lose.”
That mindset of selfless giving is what drove LeBlanc, like so many of us in the Lowcountry, to pitch in and help First Tee – The Lowcountry enrich our children and change lives.
Tom LeBlanc
Article by Jesse Blanco
Healthy Habit Is Back, Brighter Than Ever
There are restaurants that evolve, and then there are restaurants that completely shed their skin and come out on the other side looking like they always knew exactly what they wanted to be. Healthy Habit just did the latter.
Andrea and Nick Bergelt have been building this thing for nine years on Hilton Head Island, and what just happened to their space at Park Plaza is the clearest sign yet of where it’s all headed. Fresh paint, new furniture, more greenery, better lighting – the whole place feels like it finally caught up to the vision they’ve had in their heads all along.
The renovation story alone is worth telling, because it didn’t happen the way you might expect. There was no weeks-long closure, no construction crews taking over the parking lot. Most of it happened over a single weekend, and it did not go exactly according to plan.
“It was supposed to be a six-man job plus our team of chefs and everything,” Andrea Bergelt recalled. “But yeah, so we had the chefs and three guys.”
Half the crew, same amount of work. And no shortcuts, either. When it came to the multiple coats of painting, they did it the old-fashioned way. “We did not use sprayers,” Bergelt said. “No, no, no, no, because that goes everywhere. ... All of us had rollers.”
The result was a restaurant that reopened Monday morning smelling like nothing at all – not a trace of paint – and looking completely transformed. Whites and blues replacing what was there before. The pinks still make an appearance, but subtly now. New chairs throughout. A lush wall of vegetation that stops you when you walk in. New lamps. A brightness that hits you before you even order anything.
“It was intense,” Bergelt said. “It was fun.”
That combination – intense and fun – might be the best two-word summary of how Healthy Habit operates in general.
This renovation isn’t just about aesthetics, either. Bergelt was pretty clear about the bigger picture here. “This is our next revelation,” she said, describing this as the brand’s third evolution. “This is always what we envisioned it to be.” And more than that, this space is meant to serve as the prototype. If Healthy Habit ever expands beyond Hilton Head Island, this is what it’s going to look like.
Along with the new look comes a tweaked menu. More gluten-free options are in the mix, including gluten-free wraps. Bread is now being made in-house. You’ll find organic focaccia sandwiches and toasts that weren’t there before.
The foundation of what makes Healthy Habit work – the pressed juices, the smoothies, the superfood bowls – is all still there, just with a few more thoughtful additions layered in. Full details are on their website and worth a browse.
And then there’s the ice cream situation, which deserves its own moment.
Healthy Habit now offers what might be the only healthy soft serve on Hilton Head Island, and if you haven’t tried the mango, turmeric, and coconut flavor yet, that needs to be corrected immediately. It is legitimately delicious –the kind of thing that makes you wonder why you’ve been eating regular ice cream at all. It’s bright, it’s tropical, and the turmeric gives it something you can’t quite put your finger on but absolutely want more of. Check their website for the full breakdown of what goes into it, because it’s worth knowing. Yes, including the activated charcoal. Trust me.
Finally – and this is the news a lot of people have been waiting for – Healthy Habit is now open on Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with brunch-style options. This addition offers a healthier way to ease into the week after whatever Saturday threw at you.
“Everyone always asked us to,” Bergelt said. “People want it.”
She’s right. Sunday in a beach town calls for something fresh and clean, and now there’s a place on the island that answers that call. Go check it out. The new look alone is worth the trip – and whatever you order, add a cup of that mango soft serve. You can thank us later.
Andrea Bergelt. owner of Healthy Habit.
The new menu items at Healthy Habit
Long Cove Club has announced the retirement of Director of Golf
Bob Patton, who concludes an extraordinary 42-year career at one of the nation’s most respected private clubs. Patton will continue serving the club through October, marking the culmination of a legacy defined by excellence, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the game of golf.
Since joining Long Cove Club, Patton has been instrumental in building a premier golf operation that is widely recognized across the industry. Under his leadership, the club’s Pete Dye-designed course has earned national acclaim, consistently ranking among the top courses in South Carolina and the United States. His dedication to delivering an exceptional member experience has helped position Long Cove Club as a model for private club golf operations.
“Bob Patton’s impact on Long Cove Club is immeasurable,” said Mario Campuzano, general manager and COO. “For more than four decades, he has set the standard for professionalism, service, and excellence. His influence can be seen in every aspect of our golf program and in the culture he helped create.”
Throughout his tenure, Long Cove Club has hosted some of the game’s most respected championships, including two USGA Championships, the Carolinas Amateur, the South Carolina Amateur, and multiple American Junior Golf Association national championships. Patton also played an instrumental role in the founding and development of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, now widely regarded as one of the premier events in women’s collegiate golf.
Throughout his career, Patton has worked alongside and hosted many of the game’s top professionals and rising stars, further elevating Long Cove Club’s reputation on the national stage.
Over the years, Patton has earned the respect of peers throughout the golf industry, becoming known not only for operational excellence but also for his integrity, humility, and passion for the game. His career serves as a benchmark for aspiring golf professionals and a source of pride for the Long Cove community.
As he enters retirement, Patton leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape Long Cove Club for years to come.
“While we will certainly miss Bob’s daily presence, his influence will remain embedded in everything we do,” Campuzano said. “We are deeply grateful for his 42 years of dedication and wish him the very best in this next chapter.”
“Halfway Home,” a special sea turtle-themed art exhibit, returns to Art League Academy July 21-31 in partnership with Sea Turtle Patrol HHI. The exhibit showcases creative works from local artists celebrating the beauty and vulnerability of Hilton Head Island’s beloved sea turtles.
The exhibit title was chosen because July marks the midpoint of sea turtle nesting season.
Visitors are invited to browse the exhibit weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and attend the closing reception from 5 to 7 p.m. July 31, where they can meet the artists, mingle with the sea turtle patrol, and enjoy light refreshments. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
As part of the week’s programming, Art League Academy will offer sea turtle-themed classes throughout the fundraiser, including a free Turtle Talk hosted by a Sea Turtle Patrol volunteer on July 24 at 2 p.m. The educational presentation is open to the public and will provide insight into Hilton Head Island’s sea turtle population, nesting season, and conservation efforts.
Class registration is available at artleaguehhi.org.
Art League Academy is located at 106 Cordillo Parkway. For more information, visit artleaguehhi.org or call (843) 842-5738.
Sallie Ann Robinson, a sixth-generation Gullah native of Daufuskie Island, was inducted into the James Beard Book Awards Hall of Fame in a ceremony June 13 at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The foundation awards America’s best chefs and culinary writers annually. Robinson was honored for her four books of Gullah recipes and stories of her life on the isolated sea island of Daufuskie. She was a student of the beloved Lowcountry writer Pat Conroy, in his first year as a teacher on the island, and appeared in his book “The Water Is Wide” as Ethel.
Robinson has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the recipes and history of her upbringing and has welcomed generations to learn alongside her.
In addition to her books, Robinson also shares stories of Gullah life through her Daufuskie Island Tours, offering a firsthand perspective of the island.
1. Coming Up for Air Acrylic by Alexandra DiFrancesco
2. Almost There Oil by Dennis Lake
3. House of the Turtle Pine Needle Basket by Karen McCarthy
Novant Health continues to grow its presence in South Carolina with the addition of Novant Health Gastroenterology – Coastal Carolina. Dr. Madeline Russell and Mandy de Bruin, nurse practitioner, are now part of Novant Health and began seeing patients in June.
They continue to provide leading-edge gastroenterological care in Hardeeville and the surrounding communities, now supported by the Novant Health network and the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies. The clinic specialists manage and treat abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, gallbladder concerns, and liver concerns, among other issues.
Dr. Russell is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine and has been caring for patients for more than 14 years. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Carson Newman University and medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Memorial Health University Medical Center/Mercer School of Medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology at Atrium Health Carolina Medical Center.
De Bruin is a certified adult and gerontological acute care nurse practitioner with more than a decade of experience in treating patients for various gastroenterological conditions. She is an active member of the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Indiana University and Purdue University and a master’s degree in nursing from Walden University.
Novant Health Gastroenterology –Coastal Carolina is located at 1010 Medical Center Drive, Suite 100 in Hardeeville.
For more information please, visit NovantHealth.org/GastroCoastalCarolina or call (843) 591-1390.
Dr. Madeline Russell
Mandy de Bruin, nurse practitioner
Hilton Head Preparatory School is pleased to announce the appointment of Hiram Rodriguez as the new head coach of the varsity baseball program, following the retirement of longtime coach Chris Wells.
A familiar and respected figure within the Prep community, Rodriguez brings more than eight years of coaching experience working with youth and high school athletes throughout the Lowcountry. His coaching career has spanned local recreational leagues, competitive travel baseball, and player development programs, where he has earned a reputation for emphasizing strong fundamentals, discipline, character, and personal growth.
Rodriguez has also played a significant role in expanding baseball opportunities within the community. He helped establish a baseball academy within the local baseball association, creating pathways for athletes to develop their skills while fostering a deeper connection to the game and the community.
For the past six years, Rodriguez has served as an assistant coach for Prep’s baseball program, contributing to one of the most successful periods in school history, including the Dolphins’ 2025 SCISA State Championship season. He has also worked extensively with the Prep Baseball Academy, helping prepare and develop studentathletes through structured training, mentorship, and individualized instruction.
In addition to coaching, Rodriguez previously served Hilton Head Prep as the school’s director of security during the 20222023 academic year, further strengthening his connection to the school community.
Known for his mentorship and player development, Rodriguez is passionate about helping young athletes build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong work ethic that extends beyond baseball.
Rodriguez expressed his enthusiasm for leading the program he has helped build over the past several years. “I’m honored to step into the role of head baseball coach at Hilton Head Preparatory School,” he said. “Having been part of the Hilton Head baseball community for many years, this opportunity is especially meaningful to me. I look forward to continuing to develop our student-athletes, building on the program’s success, and helping our players grow, both on and off the field.”
July 2026 Calendar
MONDAYS
TURTLE TALKS BY AMBER KUEHN
7:30 p.m. activities, 8 p.m. talk Celebration Park
