September 2018
This & That: September 2018 Edition
A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items. You know…this and that! If you would like to submit something for this special section, please email m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.…
New Name, Same People: What’s new (and what isn’t) at McGriff Insurance Services
Their Bluffton and Hilton Head Island offices remain the same, save for a fresh banner stretched across the stucco out front bearing the name McGriff Insurance Services. The insurance experts inside offer the same knowledge and experience that clients have come to know and trust.…
Alliance Dance Academy
Rochelle Clarkson retired from teaching dance—twice. She was ready to change course and enjoy sailing more with her husband. But a funny thing happened on their way to the ocean. While having coffee with a friend, who is a noted life coach, the discussion turned…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Josie Gregory
Josie Gregory Age: 24 Occupation: Marketing & Closing Coordinator, Hilton Head Exterminators Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee First thing you do every morning? I wake up every morning at 5:55am. Why 5:55am you may ask? I wake up five minutes early just to wake up and snuggle with my Pit mix, Nash.…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Vanessa Stewart
Vanessa Stewart Age: 35 Occupation: Dental Hygienist Hometown: Clinton, Michigan First thing you do every morning? Shut my alarm off, cuddle my dog, and brush my teeth. What is something unusual about you? I have to match all my clothing, including socks, etc. My kids may hate me one day. Who in your…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Nina Zorch
Nina Zorch Age: 27 Occupation: 2nd Grade Teacher Hometown: Hilton Head by way of Ligonier, PA First thing you do every morning? Press snooze on my alarm What is something unusual about you? My first flight was out of the country when I was 16 Who in your life do you trust the…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Melissa Ann Harrison
Melissa Ann Harrison Age: 32 Occupation: Director of Marketing Home Town: Greenville, SC First thing you do every morning? Drink a bottle of water, stretch, walk Ryder, read something inspiration over coffee and then start the day. What is something unusual about you? I was accepted to the Fine Arts Center in…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Meghan Klunk
Meghan Klunk Age: 32 Occupation: Physical Therapist & Pilates Instructor Home Town: Hanover, PA First thing you do every morning? Roll over, snuggle with my puppy and talk myself into dragging my behind to workout. What is something unusual about you? I performed ballet in Eastern Europe when I was 8…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Mandy Matney
Mandy Matney Age: 28 Occupation: Breaking News Editor at the Island Packet & Beaufort Gazette Hometown: Shawnee, Kansas First thing you do every morning? Scroll through the news and make sure I didn’t miss anything big from the night before. Then order Starbucks, usually. What is something unusual about you? I wrote…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Kristen Waters
Kristen Waters Age: 23 Occupation: Full time Fitness Trainer, Entrapeneur, Nutrition Masters Student Home town: Oakland, NJ First thing you do every morning? First thing every morning I drink a big glass of water and meditate. I used to hate meditating, but once I made this my routine it tremendously…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Kelley McKenna
Kelley McKenna Age: 24 Occupation: Elementary Teacher Home Town: Bluffton First thing you do every morning? This may sound clique but count my blessings. What is something unusual about you? I’m part elf and was born with one pointy ear. I can even wiggle it without touching it. Who in your…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Katie Pronko
Katie Pronko Age: 31 Occupation: Kennel Attendant/ Student Hometown: Maynard, Mass. First thing you do every morning? Check my email and local weather, What is something unusual about you? Not sure Who in your life do you trust the most? My grandmother. What are you afraid of? Frogs! They are gross. What motivates you? My will to help…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Jessica Clemens
Jessica Clemens Age: 26 Occupation: Paramedic Hometown: Xenia, Ohio First thing you do every morning? Check my emails and texts. What is something unusual about you? I can wiggle my nose like a rabbit. I do it to make my mom laugh. Who in your life do you trust the most? My mom and…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Darlene Schuetz
Darlene Schuetz Occupation: Director of Community Relations Home Town: Ridgefield, CT First thing you do every morning? Snuggle with my boy and twirl his years (I love floppy ears). Did i mention that “my boy” is a Great Dane named Cosgrove? What is something unusual about you? I lived for almost…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Brittani Anderson
Brittani Anderson Age: 25 Occupation: Interior Designer Hometown: Suffolk, VA First thing you do every morning? I pour a cup of coffee and add some cream and sugar to start my day on a sweet note. What is something unusual about you? I like to ride dirtbikes with my twin brother. …
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Brianna Caldwell
Brianna Caldwell Age: 23 Occupation: Medical Assistant Hometown: Warwick, New York/ Bluffton, SC Born in New York but call Bluffton home First thing you do every morning? Such a bad habit, but check my phone. I usually check the weather and then move on to check social media accounts. What is something…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Annamaria Gould
Annamaria Gould Age: 28 Occupation: Full Time-Graphic Designer, Part Time- Painting Instructor, Front Desk at Pure Barre Hometown: Boise, Idaho First thing you do every morning? I go workout first thing every morning, helps me get my day started. I either go to CycleBar or I go to Powerhouse Gym. What…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Andrea Romine
Andrea Romine Age: 62 Occupation: Registered Nurse Hometown: Pensacola, FL First thing you do every morning? Feed my dog and cat. What is something unusual about you? I go to Moss Creek every weekend to ride my horse. Who in your life do you trust the most? Amanda McCall- Friend What are you afraid of? Heights What…
The Many Faces of Food and Beverage 2018
Branco and Flora Raiac Flora’s Italian Café Years in F&B: Forever Describe your earliest food memory. As a child in Romania, using the corn we grew to make Polenta for breakfast! What would your autobiography by called? A Romanian Coming to America, the Right Way! Restaurant I’d love to visit: Anywhere in…
Get Your Finances in Order
WestView Investment Advisors WestView Investment Advisors was founded in 1998 by Roy Sokolowski. After 12 years in the brokerage business, Roy knew there had to be a better way to serve clients. This led him to form his own company—an independent, fee-only Registered Investment Advisory firm. The…
eggs ’n’ tricities
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (well, only for south-end Hilton Head Islanders), there was a place with falling down fences so thick with vines and overgrowth that birds could nest and eat berries with autonomy, houses didn’t feel ashamed to…
Birdie James
A long-time retail professional and Pennsylvania transplant to the Lowcountry, Tracy Moss brings her keen eye for fashion and uniquely big-hearted brand of customer care to Birdie James, the chic women’s boutique in the Shelter Cove Towne Centre on Hilton Head Island. Humble and personable,…
A Fresh Twist on History: There’s something new at Old Fort Pub
Tradition can be a double-edged sword, particularly for a restaurant. On the one hand, a restaurant like Old Fort Pub thrives on its long tradition. Words like “venerable,” “iconic” and “institution” just seem to flow off the tongue naturally when describing a place that has…
Octagon Porch
You do not need to drive a Honda Odyssey to know that date night is important. My husband Lee and I, who by the way do not drive a Honda Odyssey (cue Seinfeld’s, “Not that’s there’s anything wrong with that”), recently ventured out to Palmetto…
Strawless Summer
There’s no shortage of evidence that single-use plastics have a way of finding their way into our waterways, where they harm marine life, but some people seem reluctant to recognize the problem unless they see it for themselves. Well, Michelle Meissen has. Meissen is an avid scuba…
Football Served Southern Style:Watch your team and party with the locals
For many Southerners, college football is not a game but a religion. You’ve likely heard that quote from Julia Sugarbaker, (Dixie Carter, Designing Women). Some fans say there are four seasons: winter, spring summer, and football. With that old September feeling of summer over, vacations…
Southern Bred and Southern Fed: The evolution of Southern cooking
On a recent ramble through what’s left of my cookbook collection, I ran across a long-forgotten treasure: an original hardbound copy of Southern Cooking, by Mrs. S.R. Dull, published in 1928, that was handed down to me from my maternal grandmother, “Mama Whit,” who could…
Musicians in Bathrooms: J X Rose
A Note From Our Mayors
A Note from David Bennett Let the Festivals Begin! Fall means kick-off on Hilton Head Island, and not just for football. The island’s robust festival season begins, and our multi-faceted arts, culture and heritage offerings take the stage. There is something to satisfy everyone’s tastes as we…
Line in the Sand: Are people just not smart?
Opinion 1: Barry Kaufman Over the years, Courtney and I have tackled a litany of topics, from the tragic (school shootings) to the asinine (should we kill all of the cats?). We don’t always agree—and if I’m being honest, we don’t always disagree either, but a…
Be Italian at Heart: Ninth Annual Italian Heritage Festival, September 15
Every September, just when you think the summer fun is over, the Italians throw a bang-up festival at the end of the season! So, don’t wind down just yet, because from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, the ninth annual Italian Heritage…
20/20 Vision: Hindsight Home Inspection takes a fresh look at your home
If. Only. They are two of the most brutally powerful words in the English language. Together, they signify something you should have done differently, something you should have seen coming, if only you’d thought to look. As a phrase, they speak to endless regret. In the case…
How to Give Yourself a Financial Checkup
Once per year, you go to your primary care physician for a physical exam, right? The point of this annual doctor visit is to check your body temperature, weight, blood pressure, and other vital signs to be sure there are no otherwise undetected problems with…
Fall Festivals for Foodies
Ahhh, fall in the Lowcountry. The tourists are (mostly) gone, the heat is merely slightly oppressive, and the locals are allowed to come out and play. Or eat. Fall is well-known as festival season in these parts, with a different community event planned just about every…
Editor's Note: September 2018
I love restaurants. Maybe it’s because my Italian grandfather owned one when I was growing up. Maybe it’s because I hate doing dishes. Who can say? The point is, I genuinely love hanging out at restaurants and look forward to my time spent chatting with…
The Dad Life: ‘Kid-munication’
A number of personal qualities are key to being a successful parent. A strong stomach that can handle all the blow-outs and throw-ups; a long fuse to endure the incessant annoyances; and a sense of humor to turn potential crying jags into belly laughs. Like…
The Cost of Financial Advice
How much should a financial advisor or planner cost and what is the best way to compare firms? Is my financial advisor a fiduciary and looking out for my best interests? It can be difficult to find the answer to these questions, because not all…
Financial Planning: It’s about more than money
Today, we live in a 30-second sound bite world. Good communication is so very important to everyone. This is the very foundation of making sound decisions for your families, and yourself. Take, for example, 1) asset management, 2) investment planning, and 3) financial planning.…
Bags We Love
Back to the Future: Planning for College
Back to school means back to the future. By future, I mean your little, or not-so-little, one’s collegiate future. No matter what grade your child is in, back to school reminds us of the end result. How am I going to pay for college? Are my…
A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items. You know…this and that! If you would like to submit something for this special section, please email m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.…
New Name, Same People: What’s new (and what isn’t) at McGriff Insurance Services
Their Bluffton and Hilton Head Island offices remain the same, save for a fresh banner stretched across the stucco out front bearing the name McGriff Insurance Services. The insurance experts inside offer the same knowledge and experience that clients have come to know and trust.…
Alliance Dance Academy
Rochelle Clarkson retired from teaching dance—twice. She was ready to change course and enjoy sailing more with her husband. But a funny thing happened on their way to the ocean. While having coffee with a friend, who is a noted life coach, the discussion turned…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Josie Gregory
Josie Gregory Age: 24 Occupation: Marketing & Closing Coordinator, Hilton Head Exterminators Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee First thing you do every morning? I wake up every morning at 5:55am. Why 5:55am you may ask? I wake up five minutes early just to wake up and snuggle with my Pit mix, Nash.…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Vanessa Stewart
Vanessa Stewart Age: 35 Occupation: Dental Hygienist Hometown: Clinton, Michigan First thing you do every morning? Shut my alarm off, cuddle my dog, and brush my teeth. What is something unusual about you? I have to match all my clothing, including socks, etc. My kids may hate me one day. Who in your…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Nina Zorch
Nina Zorch Age: 27 Occupation: 2nd Grade Teacher Hometown: Hilton Head by way of Ligonier, PA First thing you do every morning? Press snooze on my alarm What is something unusual about you? My first flight was out of the country when I was 16 Who in your life do you trust the…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Melissa Ann Harrison
Melissa Ann Harrison Age: 32 Occupation: Director of Marketing Home Town: Greenville, SC First thing you do every morning? Drink a bottle of water, stretch, walk Ryder, read something inspiration over coffee and then start the day. What is something unusual about you? I was accepted to the Fine Arts Center in…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Meghan Klunk
Meghan Klunk Age: 32 Occupation: Physical Therapist & Pilates Instructor Home Town: Hanover, PA First thing you do every morning? Roll over, snuggle with my puppy and talk myself into dragging my behind to workout. What is something unusual about you? I performed ballet in Eastern Europe when I was 8…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Mandy Matney
Mandy Matney Age: 28 Occupation: Breaking News Editor at the Island Packet & Beaufort Gazette Hometown: Shawnee, Kansas First thing you do every morning? Scroll through the news and make sure I didn’t miss anything big from the night before. Then order Starbucks, usually. What is something unusual about you? I wrote…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Kristen Waters
Kristen Waters Age: 23 Occupation: Full time Fitness Trainer, Entrapeneur, Nutrition Masters Student Home town: Oakland, NJ First thing you do every morning? First thing every morning I drink a big glass of water and meditate. I used to hate meditating, but once I made this my routine it tremendously…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Kelley McKenna
Kelley McKenna Age: 24 Occupation: Elementary Teacher Home Town: Bluffton First thing you do every morning? This may sound clique but count my blessings. What is something unusual about you? I’m part elf and was born with one pointy ear. I can even wiggle it without touching it. Who in your…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Katie Pronko
Katie Pronko Age: 31 Occupation: Kennel Attendant/ Student Hometown: Maynard, Mass. First thing you do every morning? Check my email and local weather, What is something unusual about you? Not sure Who in your life do you trust the most? My grandmother. What are you afraid of? Frogs! They are gross. What motivates you? My will to help…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Jessica Clemens
Jessica Clemens Age: 26 Occupation: Paramedic Hometown: Xenia, Ohio First thing you do every morning? Check my emails and texts. What is something unusual about you? I can wiggle my nose like a rabbit. I do it to make my mom laugh. Who in your life do you trust the most? My mom and…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Darlene Schuetz
Darlene Schuetz Occupation: Director of Community Relations Home Town: Ridgefield, CT First thing you do every morning? Snuggle with my boy and twirl his years (I love floppy ears). Did i mention that “my boy” is a Great Dane named Cosgrove? What is something unusual about you? I lived for almost…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Brittani Anderson
Brittani Anderson Age: 25 Occupation: Interior Designer Hometown: Suffolk, VA First thing you do every morning? I pour a cup of coffee and add some cream and sugar to start my day on a sweet note. What is something unusual about you? I like to ride dirtbikes with my twin brother. …
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Brianna Caldwell
Brianna Caldwell Age: 23 Occupation: Medical Assistant Hometown: Warwick, New York/ Bluffton, SC Born in New York but call Bluffton home First thing you do every morning? Such a bad habit, but check my phone. I usually check the weather and then move on to check social media accounts. What is something…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Annamaria Gould
Annamaria Gould Age: 28 Occupation: Full Time-Graphic Designer, Part Time- Painting Instructor, Front Desk at Pure Barre Hometown: Boise, Idaho First thing you do every morning? I go workout first thing every morning, helps me get my day started. I either go to CycleBar or I go to Powerhouse Gym. What…
Bachelorette of the Year 2018 Nominee, Andrea Romine
Andrea Romine Age: 62 Occupation: Registered Nurse Hometown: Pensacola, FL First thing you do every morning? Feed my dog and cat. What is something unusual about you? I go to Moss Creek every weekend to ride my horse. Who in your life do you trust the most? Amanda McCall- Friend What are you afraid of? Heights What…
The Many Faces of Food and Beverage 2018
Branco and Flora Raiac Flora’s Italian Café Years in F&B: Forever Describe your earliest food memory. As a child in Romania, using the corn we grew to make Polenta for breakfast! What would your autobiography by called? A Romanian Coming to America, the Right Way! Restaurant I’d love to visit: Anywhere in…
Get Your Finances in Order
WestView Investment Advisors WestView Investment Advisors was founded in 1998 by Roy Sokolowski. After 12 years in the brokerage business, Roy knew there had to be a better way to serve clients. This led him to form his own company—an independent, fee-only Registered Investment Advisory firm. The…
eggs ’n’ tricities
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (well, only for south-end Hilton Head Islanders), there was a place with falling down fences so thick with vines and overgrowth that birds could nest and eat berries with autonomy, houses didn’t feel ashamed to…
Birdie James
A long-time retail professional and Pennsylvania transplant to the Lowcountry, Tracy Moss brings her keen eye for fashion and uniquely big-hearted brand of customer care to Birdie James, the chic women’s boutique in the Shelter Cove Towne Centre on Hilton Head Island. Humble and personable,…
A Fresh Twist on History: There’s something new at Old Fort Pub
Tradition can be a double-edged sword, particularly for a restaurant. On the one hand, a restaurant like Old Fort Pub thrives on its long tradition. Words like “venerable,” “iconic” and “institution” just seem to flow off the tongue naturally when describing a place that has…
Octagon Porch
You do not need to drive a Honda Odyssey to know that date night is important. My husband Lee and I, who by the way do not drive a Honda Odyssey (cue Seinfeld’s, “Not that’s there’s anything wrong with that”), recently ventured out to Palmetto…
Strawless Summer
There’s no shortage of evidence that single-use plastics have a way of finding their way into our waterways, where they harm marine life, but some people seem reluctant to recognize the problem unless they see it for themselves. Well, Michelle Meissen has. Meissen is an avid scuba…
Football Served Southern Style:Watch your team and party with the locals
For many Southerners, college football is not a game but a religion. You’ve likely heard that quote from Julia Sugarbaker, (Dixie Carter, Designing Women). Some fans say there are four seasons: winter, spring summer, and football. With that old September feeling of summer over, vacations…
Southern Bred and Southern Fed: The evolution of Southern cooking
On a recent ramble through what’s left of my cookbook collection, I ran across a long-forgotten treasure: an original hardbound copy of Southern Cooking, by Mrs. S.R. Dull, published in 1928, that was handed down to me from my maternal grandmother, “Mama Whit,” who could…
Musicians in Bathrooms: J X Rose
Special thanks to Amanda O’Nan for hosting our photoshoot at the Hilton Head High School in the middle of summer vacation.
A Note From Our Mayors
A Note from David Bennett Let the Festivals Begin! Fall means kick-off on Hilton Head Island, and not just for football. The island’s robust festival season begins, and our multi-faceted arts, culture and heritage offerings take the stage. There is something to satisfy everyone’s tastes as we…
Line in the Sand: Are people just not smart?
Opinion 1: Barry Kaufman Over the years, Courtney and I have tackled a litany of topics, from the tragic (school shootings) to the asinine (should we kill all of the cats?). We don’t always agree—and if I’m being honest, we don’t always disagree either, but a…
Be Italian at Heart: Ninth Annual Italian Heritage Festival, September 15
Every September, just when you think the summer fun is over, the Italians throw a bang-up festival at the end of the season! So, don’t wind down just yet, because from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, the ninth annual Italian Heritage…
20/20 Vision: Hindsight Home Inspection takes a fresh look at your home
If. Only. They are two of the most brutally powerful words in the English language. Together, they signify something you should have done differently, something you should have seen coming, if only you’d thought to look. As a phrase, they speak to endless regret. In the case…
How to Give Yourself a Financial Checkup
Once per year, you go to your primary care physician for a physical exam, right? The point of this annual doctor visit is to check your body temperature, weight, blood pressure, and other vital signs to be sure there are no otherwise undetected problems with…
Fall Festivals for Foodies
Ahhh, fall in the Lowcountry. The tourists are (mostly) gone, the heat is merely slightly oppressive, and the locals are allowed to come out and play. Or eat. Fall is well-known as festival season in these parts, with a different community event planned just about every…
Editor's Note: September 2018
I love restaurants. Maybe it’s because my Italian grandfather owned one when I was growing up. Maybe it’s because I hate doing dishes. Who can say? The point is, I genuinely love hanging out at restaurants and look forward to my time spent chatting with…
The Dad Life: ‘Kid-munication’
A number of personal qualities are key to being a successful parent. A strong stomach that can handle all the blow-outs and throw-ups; a long fuse to endure the incessant annoyances; and a sense of humor to turn potential crying jags into belly laughs. Like…
The Cost of Financial Advice
How much should a financial advisor or planner cost and what is the best way to compare firms? Is my financial advisor a fiduciary and looking out for my best interests? It can be difficult to find the answer to these questions, because not all…
Financial Planning: It’s about more than money
Today, we live in a 30-second sound bite world. Good communication is so very important to everyone. This is the very foundation of making sound decisions for your families, and yourself. Take, for example, 1) asset management, 2) investment planning, and 3) financial planning.…
Bags We Love
Kaila Manthei is the newest member of the CH2/CB2 team and a self-proclaimed fashionista. When she isn’t selling ads, you can find her running the beach, soaking up a sunset or making jewelry (check out her jewelry line at Radiance Boutique in Harbour Town).
Back to the Future: Planning for College
Back to school means back to the future. By future, I mean your little, or not-so-little, one’s collegiate future. No matter what grade your child is in, back to school reminds us of the end result. How am I going to pay for college? Are my…
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