Heritage Classic Foundation Donates $300k to Local Charities

courtesy of www.islandpacket.com
By JOSH McCANN
jmccann@islandpacket.com
843-706-8145
Published Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Heritage Classic Foundation, which runs Hilton Head Island's PGA Tour event, dipped into its reserves to distribute some of the $300,000 it awarded to area charities Thursday.

David Ames, chairman of the Children's Center and chairman emeritus of Hope Haven, encouraged the charities at the luncheon at the Harbour Town Conference Center to discuss at upcoming board meetings how they can help the tournament. Verizon announced it will not continue its title sponsorship after 2010.

Such efforts would serve as a "thank you" to the foundation, which has provided the "lifeblood" of many nonprofits over the years, he said.

"I think the Heritage Classic Foundation deserves our thanks and that of our community," Ames said. "But it also deserves our help and support at this time in our island's circumstances."

Other charity leaders were invited to speak, too.

Some spoke of the benefits the tournament provides for their organizations. Others shared strategies on how to use the foundation's Birdies for Charity program, in which agencies collect pledges for each birdie players make during the tournament.

Vera Bailey, executive director of the Pregnancy Center & Clinic of the Low Country, wished foundation leaders the best as they search for a new title sponsor.

"I know it's our collective prayer they will find a sponsor (after) next year," Bailey said. "We need you," she told the tournament's organizers.

Including Thursday's grants, the foundation will give more than $1.3 million to charity this year, down from the nearly $1.8 million distributed in 2008. About $200,000 came from reserves, said Ed Dowaschinski, the foundation's vice president of finance and administration.

Tournament officials attributed the decline to the economic downturn, which hurt secondary sponsorships and ticket sales, they said.

Money is distributed in several ways besides grants and the birdies program, including scholarships and a concession program in which charities run booths during the tournament to raise money.

The foundation has distributed almost $20 million since it took over the tournament in 1987.

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Verizon Heritage Lodging Packages

A White Christmas in Hilton Head? Rare, but true!

Courtesy of www.islandpacket.com
Published Thursday, December 10, 2009

It started snowing Friday afternoon, Dec. 22, 1989. It didn't stop until the next day, after 3.5 inches coated Beaufort County.

Temperatures remained below freezing for several days, preserving the snow and providing an extremely rare white Christmas for Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.

As expected, there was some fallout.

Power failed for about 1,000 homes on Hilton Head because of blown fuses, Palmetto Electric reported at the time, and pleaded with people not to flip on heat pumps and space heaters as soon as power was restored to keep circuits from overloading again.

Airports along the coast, including Hilton Head and Savannah, closed for days. Little could be done to clearrunways, so crews had to wait for the snow to melt. Crews spread sand on local roads to keep them passable.

Snow fell in a band from Wilmington, N.C., to Florida, giving thousands a holiday to remember.

Tell us your memories of that storm and if you have photos, send them. We'll post the stories and photos online and publish a few in the newspaper.

Send them to Lisa Allen, city editor, P.O. Box 5727, Bluffton, SC 29938 or lallen@beaufortgazette.com.

ResortQuest General Manager Robert Stenhammer Nominated to Three-Year Term on the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping the business community and expanding the regional economy on Hilton Head Island and the nearby town of Bluffton, South Carolina. Hilton Head is one of the nation’s premier resort destinations and offers a variety of villas and private homes available for vacation rental.

November 16, 2009, Hilton Head Island, SC -- Robert Stenhammer, General Manager for ResortQuest Hilton Head Island has been nominated to serve a second term on the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, beginning in 2010. In his first term, Stenhammer has been instrumental in advancing the common interest of the professionally managed Home & Villa vacation rental industry on the Island by establishing VTRiP (the Vacation Travel Research Program) which monitors and projects the health of tourism on the Island. Additionally, Stenhammer has served as the Co-Chairman of the Home & Villa Committee and has worked to increase participation and support of bringing rental company leaders together to prioritize issues and seek a collective voice.

“I am extremely proud to again serve on the Board of this great Chamber”, Stenhammer says, “I will work to further promote tourism on the Island while balancing the quality of life our residents enjoy with the objective of increasing property values for homeowners. My family and I feel fortunate to live and work in this great place; and are extremely happy to call the Hilton Head Island community home.”

ResortQuest Hilton Head Island is Hilton Head Island’s largest vacation rental company, offering over 500 vacation rentals. The ResortQuest Hilton Head portfolio of rentals includes a large variety of villas, luxury private homes, beachfront properties and exclusive golf course locations. For more information on ResortQuest Hilton Head vacation rentals, visit www.resortquesthiltonhead.com or contact a reservations specialist at 800-875-8726.

About ResortQuest:
ResortQuest, one of the nation's leading hospitality and resort real estate companies, provides a one-stop resource in North America's premier resort destinations. ResortQuest is the largest marketer and management company of vacation condominiums and home rentals in the U.S., based on a portfolio of nearly 10,000 vacation rental properties. With the inclusion of Partner Affiliates in North America and Europe, ResortQuest now offers over 100,000 vacation rental choices in over 140 destinations world-wide. With over a billion in sales, ResortQuest Real Estate is one of the nation's leading real estate companies focusing exclusively on resort properties, offering superior brokerage services in the country's premier beach, ski and golf destinations.

Hilton Head Island: The Farmer's Market of Bluffton

If you're like me, nothing beats the taste of fruits and veggies straight from the garden. And, if your REALLY like me (and that means NO green thumb), that means that the best veggies are coming from someone elses garden!

Check out the weekly Farmer's Market of Bluffton for an awesome selection of seasonal fruits and veggies, honey, pasta and more. Not to mention the best local barbeque, gumbo, seafood, baked goods and icey goodness. And, not that I'm biased, but one thig I love is that the Bluffton market does not allow craft vendors, so it's just what you can eat - and that's what you WANT at a farmer's market, isn't it?

Plus, you get live music, a great place to take the kids and the charm of Old Town Bluffton. Now that's a combo that's hard to beat!

Here's the nitty gritty details:

April 23-November 19, 2009

On Thursdays; 2-6 pm

843-290-6831

blufftonmarket@aol.com


location:

40 Calhoun St, Carson Cottages

Old Town Bluffton, SC


Hilton Head Island

ResortQuest Recommends: Hilton Head Spas

Searching for the perfect way to relax while you're on vacation in Hilton Head? Well, if the sound of the crashing waves, the warm sun and the sand between your toes doesn't do it try any one of Hilton Head's premier spa and wellness centers and pamper yourself with a massage or facial while you're on vacation. ResortQuest Hilton Head Island guests receive discounts at Hilton Head's best local spas, which makes splurging on that body treatment all the more enticing.

Find out more about the ResortQuest Recommends discount program for guests, or view Hilton Head Spa Specials here....

Hilton Head Vaction Rentals

Best Discounts on Fall Golf Packages!

TEE OFF ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND WITH DISCOUNT GOLF AND LODGING PACKAGES FROM RESORTQUEST HILTON HEAD

ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offers over 500 vacation rentals, villas and private beach homes on the premier resort destination, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Hilton Head Island is a golf enthusiast’s dream with over 25 championship courses, including three treasured golf courses within Palmetto Dunes: Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio and Arthur Hills.

August 20, 2009 Hilton Head Island, SC – Hilton Head Island has established a reputation as a number one choice for elite travelers, with immediate access to the nation’s best golf, tennis, cultural festivals, watersports and pristine shoreline. With Hilton Head's sub-tropical climate, sunny skies and lush green fairways, the destination boasts a year-round golf season. Golf Digest has named Hilton Head Island #10 on their list of the world’s Best Golf destinations and with over 25 golf courses on the island, golf fanaticism in this picturesque resort stands above almost all else. The infamous courses at Palmetto Dunes: Fazio, Robert Trent Jones and Arthur Hills rank among the favorites. Just off island, Canongate Golf presents Eagle’s Point and Crescent Pointe Golf courses which represent exceptional quality and value for golfing enthusiasts.

Guests searching for the perfect golf vacation need look no further than ResortQuest Hilton Head Island. ResortQuest offers an amazing selection of lodging accommodations and Hilton Head vacation rentals, many with private and discounted access to these storied golf clubs. ResortQuest is now offering discount golf packages at the Palmetto Dunes and Canongate courses, starting from just $73 per round at Palmetto Dunes and from $186 per person/per night including golf and lodging at Canongate. To book, call 866-423-7869 and mention promo code INT-PGP for Palmetto Dunes discounts and code INT-CAN for Canongate discounts.

In addition, ResortQuest guests can enjoy immediate golf access at any number of other local courses including the Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Pointe and The Ocean Course at Sea Pines, home to the PGA Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament.

All ResortQuest Hilton Head guests enjoy free tennis, discounted golf, free DVD rentals and the exclusive ResortQuest Recommends program offering deals and discounts on over 160 restaurants, shops and activities. All vacation rentals offer fully-equipped kitchens and immediate access to beaches, tennis, golf and water sports. For more information on Hilton Head rentals, visit the ResortQuest Hilton Head website at resortquesthiltonhead.com.

About ResortQuest:
ResortQuest, one of the nation’s leading vacation rentals and hospitality and resort real estate companies, provides a one-stop resource for vacation bookings in North America’s premier resort destinations. ResortQuest is the largest marketer and management company of vacation condominiums and home rentals in the United States, based on a portfolio of over 10,000 vacation rental properties. With the inclusion of Partner Affiliates in North and South America, the Caribbean and Europe, ResortQuest now offers over 50,000 vacation rentals choices in over 100 destinations world-wide.

RESORTQUEST HILTON HEAD ISLAND PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2009 HILTON HEAD ISLAND WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

Each March, Hilton Head Island is home to one of the eastern seaboard’s foremost culinary events, the Hilton Head Food and Wine Festival. ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offers nearly 500 vacation rentals, condos and private beach homes in the premier resort destination, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and just moments from the tasty treats of this gastronomic spectacle.

February 17, 2009 Hilton Head Island, SC – ResortQuest Hilton Head Island, in conjunction with the Hilton Head Island Hospitality Association, presents the 2009 Hilton Head Food and Wine Festival. The festival will be held March 11 – 15 at the Sea Pines Country Club and Coastal Discovery at Honey Horn. This signature event features the exquisite culinary delights from the island’s nationally recognized chefs paired with over 1,500 wines from across the globe.

The medal winning wines have already been announced for the 2009 event and include:
Best of Show Bubbly Champagne: Pascal Doquet NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Best of Show Red: Alexander Valley Vineyards 2005 Cyrus Alexander Valley Estate and Best of Show White: Chasing Venus 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
View a full listing of 2009 award winners at ResortQuestHiltonHeadIsland.com.

The Festival kicks-off on March 11 with the Pol Roger Champagne Tasting and Welcome Dinner, to be held at The Studio on Hilton Head Island and is presented by the Hilton Head Island Chapter of the American Institute of Food and Wine. Dinner events and wine tastings continue at venues around the island, including Wine Times 4, WiseGuys bar and restaurant, Aqua Grille & Lounge, the Old Fort Pub, Red Fish restaurant and the XO Lounge. The Grand Wine Tasting event takes place on Friday, March 13 at the Sea Pines Country Club from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Cost for the Grand Tasting is $150 per person (plus $5 gate pass). Featured wines include La Crema Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2005, Cliff Lede Poetry 2005, Miner Oracle 2005 and the Rombauer Diamond Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.

The most popular event at the Wine & Food Festival is the public tasting, held this year at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, Saturday, March 14 from 12 noon – 4 pm. Cost is $40 per person, and includes entrance to all of the featured tasting events, such as the Tailgate Gourmet Challenge and the Grey Goose Best Bartender Challenge.

For more event details, tickets and a full schedule of events, visit the Hilton Head Area Hospitality Association website at hiltonheadhospitality.org.

ResortQuest Hilton Head is an official sponsor of the 2009 festival and is offering a full selection of discount Hilton Head Food & Wine Festival lodging packages including free tickets to the Public Tasting and vacation rental accommodations throughout Hilton Head during the event. Enjoy the comfort and privacy of resort accommodations, complete with kitchen, living and dining areas and scenic golf course and ocean settings.

Guests can experience 3 nights lodging in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condominium or villa, plus four adult tickets to the March 14 Public Tasting event from as low as $180 a per person* (restrictions apply). All ResortQuest Hilton Head guests enjoy free tennis, discounted golf, free DVD rentals and the exclusive ResortQuest Recommends program offering deals and discounts on over 160 restaurants, shops and activities. All vacation rentals offer fully-equipped kitchens and immediate access to beaches, tennis, golf and water sports. To claim this offer, visit the ResortQuest Hilton Head Island lodging website or contact a reservations specialist at 800.653.9638 and mention promotion code REF WFF.

Throughout March, ResortQuest Hilton Head is offering 30% off lodging as part of the ResortQuest “More For Your Money” promotion. To claim this offer, visit the ResortQuest Hilton Head Island lodging website or contact a reservations specialist at 800.653.9638 and mention promotion code REF MYM.

Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival

For more information on the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival, visit ResortQuestHiltonHead.com.

RESORTQUEST HILTON HEAD WELCOMES WORLD CLASS PIANISTS TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina welcomes the Hilton Head International Piano Contest, a special presentation by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. This event brings together talented musicians from across the globe to compete for over $33,000.000 in prizes. ResortQuest Hilton Head offers over 500 vacation rentals and condominiums on Hilton Head Island and is proud to support the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.

February 10, 2009 Hilton Head Island SC – This March, Hilton Head Island and the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra welcomes the talented musicians of the Hilton Head International Piano Contest. This world-class event takes place March 2 – 9, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island and is presented by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. It brings together international pianists and judges for a week of extraordinary performances by pianists ages 18 – 30. Participants compete for over $33,000 in prizes plus coveted concert placements.
For more information and tickets to the contest, contact the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra at 843-842-2055 or visit www.hhso.org.

The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra is entering its 27th year on Hilton Head Island and for over a quarter century has remained true to their goal of bringing an unparalleled orchestral experience to the visitors and residents of Hilton Head Island. The 2009 performance schedule focuses on the work of the Masters, with major pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Sibelius, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky in eight classically themed concerts.

ResortQuest Hilton Head Island is a strong supporter of the local arts and culture of Hilton Head Island. Guests visiting Hilton Head Island during the 2009 Symphony season receive special lodging rates through ResortQuest Hilton Head Island. ResortQuest's "More for your Money" March promotion gives guests 30% off any March stay. Guests must mention booking code INT MYM and book no later than March 1, 2009. The promotion is valid for any stay between March 1 and March 31, 2009. To book the “More for Your Money” March Hilton Head special, visit www.resortquesthiltonhead.com.

The Hilton Head Island condominiums and private vacation homes offered by ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offer the space, amenities and location ideally suited for any destination vacation. Guests enjoy free tennis, discounted golf, free DVD rentals and the exclusive ResortQuest Recommends program offering deals and discounts on over 160 restaurants, shops and activities. All vacation rentals offer fully-equipped kitchens for family meals and immediate access to beaches, tennis, golf and water sports.

Events Hilton Head

Alligator Stalking - Finding Hilton Head's Most Famous Residents

One of the most asked questions from Hilton Head Island tourist is; "where's the best place to see an alligator". Alligators and Dolphins are Hilton Heads most famous wildlife attractions, but for some reason, alligators seem to carry some aura of mystery or adventure about them, as well as awaken our sense of danger. Even mild adrenalin junkies realize a "death defying thrill" anytime they see a gator that is not separated from them by glass or fencing. There are several foot and bicycle bridges along Pope Avenue, which cross small lagoons and ponds, and its not unusual to see a dozen or more people crowded together peering over the rail of one of these bridges; mystified by the gator leisurely floating below. Often, people passing on the footpaths and sidewalks greet each other with, "there's a gator up by the second bridge", rather than, good morning or good afternoon.

Alligators are harder to find than Dolphins, but much easier to watch once you find them. Dolphins are usually seen in fleeting glimpses; a quick look at a fluke, or a dorsal fin, sometimes the whole animal (but just for a second) making a playful jump, or attempting to dislodge parasites. Gators, on the other hand, tend to stay in one place for long periods of time. Whether they're floating about or sunning themselves on the bank of a pond, they don't move much and they don't move fast; that is unless they spot prey or sense danger, be warned: Alligators can run faster than humans for a few feet!

The only problem with the gators preference to not move a lot is that it works both ways. It seems alligators spend a great deal of their time lying, out of sight, at the bottoms of ponds and lagoons. Don't think that you can just hang around and watch until they come up for air; gators can hold their breath longer than you could possibly imagine! They are creatures of habit though, and if you see one in a certain place, at a certain pond, you will probably spot him again at the same location; except during the summer mating season, when you might see one anywhere: including the highway!

If you'd rather go gator stalking the "easy way", an "Alligator Safari" operates a quiet (and canopied) electric boat in Sea Pines Resort; where you can sit and ride in comfort while the guide (who knows where to look) points out these prehistoric left-overs as you sip on a cold drink. If you're more ambitious, you might spot a gator in any pond you pass; Shipyard Plantation and Sea Pines Plantation have the largest populations of alligators on the island. Also, there is one pond in particular; just off the corner of Avocet Drive and Lagoon Road (behind Coligny at the entrance to Spinnaker Resort), which seems to always be teaming with gators. Good luck and be careful!

Article courtesy of HiltonHeadHotline.com