Hilton Head Business Expo After Hours Photo

This photo on the front page of the Island Packet today of Mark Halverson reacting to sinking a winning putt to win a free round of golf at the Dolphin Head Golf Club booth shows how much fun the Business Expo is on Hilton Head island.
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Hilton Head Vacation Rentals

Hiton Head Flat fact: In the Lowcountry, the country is, well, low

Courtesy of www.islandpacket.com

By JOSH McCANN
jmccann@islandpacket.com
843-706-8145

Published Friday, January 29, 2010

Lowcountry? Perhaps its low country.

Beaufort County and its surroundings are so overwhelmingly flat that most of the highest points are manmade.

County officials say a 2002 survey performed by an airplane using a laser showed mounds as high as 70 feet above sea level. But many of those were related to the building boom then under way.

"A lot of them are piles of dirt," said Dan Morgan, director of the county's Geographic Information Systems. "It's not natural."

The county's loftiest natural locations are probably about 40-feet high, he said.

Some of the lowest elevations recorded in 2002 were also created by humans -- the remains of old mining sites or the result of developers carving out bodies of water, Morgan said.

That's how Berkeley Hall in greater Bluffton manufactured what it claims is the highest point in the county near the 8th hole on its north course. Staff estimate the spot, atop a gully that separates tee from green, might be as high as 70 feet above the fairway's lowest point.

When Tom Fazio was designing the course, he piled up earth -- dug to form a lake -- to create a hill by the back tee, assistant golf professional Loren White said.

"They had to put it somewhere," White said. "There's actually quite a few hills on that golf course."

Fazio designed a rolling layout so the course would be different from others in the area, including its flatter, southern sister, White said. The undulating design provides a welcome change of pace for club members, many of whom moved here from the likes of Ohio or the Northeast.

"It's more like what you would see up there," White said. "It almost makes them feel like they're back home."

A similar story accounts for the highest point on Hilton Head Island, according to staff at the Country Club of Hilton Head.

Near the ladies tees of that club's signature 12th hole, a "silly little plaque" proclaims the highest point on the barrier island, towering 20-some feet above sea level and the nearby Skull Creek.

Tom Briley, a self-described "old retiree who works part-time" in the pro shop, said the claim of either local club doesn't impress him much. "Neither one of them were hills when the Indians were here," Briley said. "They pushed up a lot of dirt so they could brag about having the highest point."

He prefers our topography to that of central Pennsylvania, which he left about nine years ago.

The reason? No awkward uphill or downhill lies.

"It makes the golf courses easier than the ones most of us played up north," he said.

Not having significant hills for miles around impacts other types of athletes, too.

Dave Adams knows something about the problems the area's terrain poses for distance runners. He is athletic director at Bluffton High School, and his son, David, became a state record-holder in cross-country at Hilton Head Island High School.

Bluffton High's teams travel by bus about once a week to traverse area bridges to get the feel of hills, but it's still difficult for athletes here to practice ascending extended grades, Dave said.

As a result, few Lowcountry schools excel at distance running, he said.

Dave compared the challenge Lowcountry runners face to that football players would if they were prohibited from lifting weights. His son only became a rare exception to the rule by substituting work in the weight room and pool and on a stationary bike, Dave said.

"It was always a challenge," he said.

But it's one you can see coming a long way off.

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Hilton Head vacation rentals

ResortQuest Hilton Head Honors Lowcountry Culture with the Annual Gullah Celebration, February 1 – 28, 2010

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has a long history of culture rooted in the early settlement and colonization of the United States. The Gullah Celebration is a unique event that pays homage to the culture and language of the original “Gullah”, West African slaves who were brought to work the cotton plantations of the South. ResortQuest Hilton Head offers vacation rentals and condominiums on Hilton Head Island and is proud to support the Gullah Celebration, a Hilton Head cultural event.

January 23, 2010 Hilton Head Island SC – Although its origins are rooted in slave history of the South, the Gullah Celebration in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has become a tribute to West African language, crafts, culture and art. Described as “One of the cultural wonders of the world you must see,” by USA Today, the Gullah Celebration spans the month of February, and is hosted by the Native Island Business and Community Affairs Assocation, Inc (NIBAA).

The original “Gullah” were African slaves who were shipped across the Atlantic from West Africa to work the cotton plantations of the South. Out of this slavery was born a unique culture that is now known as Gullah. Although commonly associated with the language of these West African immigrants, the essence of Gullah encompasses the struggle, spirituality, perseverance and tradition of the people. The modern day Gullah subscribe to high religion and the celebration of spiritual redemption in leading their daily lives. The culture is a thriving mix of language, folktales and superstition that has shaped generations of families who live on Hilton Head Island and in the Lowcountry today.

Schedule of events for the month includes: De Aarts Ob We People XII Art Show & Sale, an Ol’ Fashioned Gullah Breakfast, National Freedom Day, A Gullah Film Fest Series, A Taste of Gullah – Food & Entertainment, The Arts, Crafts & Food Expo on Presidents Day Weekend, and The Youth Musical.

For additional information regarding event schedules, group ticket sales, or hotel and travel information, contact the Gullah Celebration Hotline: (877) 650-0676 or locally: (843) 689-9314, or visit www.gullahcelebration.com.

ResortQuest Hilton Head Island supports this celebration of local culture and community awareness. Guests searching to experience the Gullah Celebration this February can book vacation rentals and condominiums on Hilton Head Island through the ResortQuest Hilton Head Island vacation rentals website, www.resortquesthiltonhead.com. The Hilton Head Island vacation rentals offered by ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offer the space, amenities and location ideally suited for a family retreat. 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.

In addition to attending the annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration which gives visitors the opportunity to share in rich cultural traditions and crafts; while in town, guests can also visit Mitchelville - the first freed Negro township; Gullah Heritage Trail - Hilton Head Island; Ibile Indigo House - a working studio where visitors learn the tradition of West African indigo-dye processes and products; Zion Chapel of Ease - Hilton Head's oldest cemetery; Queen Chapel AME Church - established in 1860 as a "praise house" for Pope Plantation slaves.

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Hilton Head Vacation Rentals

History Park Considered for Hilton Head Island

Courtesy of www.islandpacket.com

By LAURA NAHMIAS
lnahmias@islandpacket.com
843-706-8169
Published Saturday, January 2, 2010

History park proposal considered for Hilton Head Island

A Revolutionary War-era cemetery and an early-1800s mausoleum on Hilton Head Island are the centerpieces of a proposed history park an area group says will bring history to life.

The cemetery and mausoleum, owned by the Heritage Library Foundation, stand at the headwaters of Broad Creek, near the intersection of Mathews Drive and William Hilton Parkway.

"This (site) was really the center of civilization for Hilton Head Island," said Jason Stevens, a foundation volunteer who helped develop the proposal along with foundation president Robert Smith.

Before the Civil War, the island had as many as 25 plantations, said Smith. Plantation owners attended church at Mt. Zion Chapel of Ease, a small wooden structure on the site. Their slaves worshipped in a separate prayer house. Both structures were dismantled by Union soldiers during the Civil War to build temporary housing for themselves.

But that wasn't the site's first brush with history.

In 1781, it was the location of the ambush of Revolutionary-era landowner and patriot Ambrose Davant, Stevens said.

Hilton Head Islanders supported the Revolutionary rebels and drew the ire of nearby Daufuskie Islanders, who supported the English Crown. Tories from Daufuskie rowed to Hilton Head and lay in wait for Davant in the woods near where the cemetery now stands.

They shot him dead.

Later, in 1795, the first body was buried in the cemetery, which now includes members of some of the island's leading families -- Baynards, Kirks and Stoneys.

The 2.3-acre site also included a muster house and Masonic lodge, according to a 1825 map.

The mausoleum and cemetery largely fell out of use by the end of the Civil War.

"People drive by this site every day and are completely unaware of its historical significance," Stevens said after he recounted the skirmishes and stories of the people who lived and died near the island's core.

The mausoleum and cemetery are inaccessible from the highway. Shrouded in moss and with only a few historical markers to highlight the area, most people pay little attention to the place that was once at the epicenter of Hilton Head social life in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Stevens said.

Foundation members want to place markers where the church and other buildings stood.

Another part of the plan is to grow crops similar to those planted at the plantations, including indigo and a local strain of cotton known as sea island cotton.

The foundation is asking the town to consider ways that it can promote the site as a tourist attraction by adding historical markers and information kiosks, as well as developing town-owned land near the site for parking and bike access.

The town's Public Facilities Committee will consider the proposal Tuesday.

The foundation's ideas are still flexible and funding hasn't been discussed, said Curtis Coltrane, assistant town manager. He said the site, so close to the parkway, might be difficult to develop but the town is open to suggestions.

Foundation president Smith believes the site would be a boon for the island.

"It will give the community and our visitors a wonderful place to learn about and celebrate the Island's fascinating history," he wrote in a foundation newsletter.

Hilton Head Island

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.

Blue-bottle trees -- A throwback to Gullah traditions

Article courtesy of www.theislandpacket.com
By JEFF KIDD
jkidd@beaufortgazette.com
843-706-8175
Published Friday, December 11, 2009

An authentic relic of African culture, or a modern-day fad with the historical relevance of a Snuggie?

Spirit-catcher, old-time bug zapper or mere decoration?

Shabby chic, or just plain tacky?

Blue-bottle trees adorn many a Lowcountry garden and roadside stand, and their cobalt ornamentation makes them undeniably eye-catching. They generally are believed to be derived from African-American folk art, but little is documented about their origins, according to Rosalyn Browne, Penn Center's director of history and culture.

And that only adds to their mystery.

So The Beaufort Gazette and The Island Packet pose seven questions to explain the history and appeal of the blue-bottle tree.

• So which is it -- do blue-bottle trees have roots in African-American culture, or are they simply a fad designed to tap the wallet of gullible tourists?: Browne says that despite scant documentation of their origins, blue-bottle trees are an authentic piece of southern and African-American culture. She points to a book by a professor at the State University of New York tracing their use to religous rituals in the Congo.

Mary Inabinett Mack, owner of the Red Piano Too Art Gallery on St. Helena Island, agrees blue-bottle trees are authentic.

In the interest of full disclosure, Mack's shop sells the yard and garden decorations (sans blue bottles.) But she also recalls her grandmother tying blue bottles to the branches of a magnolia tree in her yard, a memory dating at least to the 1940s.

"That goes back to a tradition in the African-American community when we used to sweep and decorate the yard," Mack said.

• What, exactly, is the significance of the blue-bottle tree?: According to several sources, the trees are used to keep evil spirits --"haints" or "wooly boogers," for example -- out of one's home. They even are effective on a particularly nasty goblin known as a "plat eye" -- in Gullah culture, the evil spirit of someone improperly buried, according to the Web site Moonlitroad.com.

The spirits come out at dusk and are beckoned inside by slanting light refracted through the sparkling blue bottles. Once inside, the spirits are trapped. Some say they are vaporized when the bottles are flooded with morning sun. Others say the spirits simply cannot escape the bottle and that you can hear them moaning in agony when the wind blows through the tree branches.

• Why the color blue?: Today, you can find the trees adorned with bottles of many colors, but blue is particularly popular and particularly true to the tree's origins. Browne says the color blue long has been believed to ward off evil spirits.

"In fact, the aspect of using colors and symbols -- related to good spirits and bad sprits -- came with the Africans themselves, as they came to the Americas from Africa or the Caribbean," Browne said.

That belief in the power of colors also explains blue doors and blue porch ceilings -- both are so painted to keep evil from crossing the threshold into a home. Blue-bottle trees prevent the spirits from even getting that close.

Some say the blue-bottle trees did a fair job of ridding homes of more terrestrial nuisances -- bugs.

According to the blogger The Lazy Gardener, the lime once used to make blue bottles also is an insect repellent that keeps skeeters and noseeums out of your house. This doesn't work anymore, though -- apparently, lime no longer is used to turn things blue.

• How are blue-bottle trees made?: Mack recalls her grandmother tying blue bottles to a magnolia. A crape myrtle mature and sturdy enough to support the weight of the bottles is another popular choice, with the branches simply inserted into the bottle necks.

Some artists now craft artificial trees made of wood or metal rods. Mack sells in her store trees made by a man in Aiken. A blue-bottle tree behind her store was constructed by a Hank Herring, a Beaufort resident, artist, retired Marine and former part-time employee of Red Piano Too.

• What is the most difficult part of assembling a blue-bottle tree?: Many say it is finding the blue bottles, particularly those in the distinctive cobalt shade usually associated with the trees. Milk of Magnesia, Vick's Salve or certain brands of bottled water are highly sought-after.

Mack has a tree in her yard that she has festooned with pint jars she found at a Dollar General store and bottles of the energy drink Bawls. Also used are wine bottles -- she once purchased a case of a particular vintage from a Rhode Island vineyard just to have the distinctive, blue bottles.

"If I see a blue bottle of wine, a lot of times I'll buy it whether I like the wine or not," she said.

• What's the second-most difficult part of assembling a blue-bottle tree?: Sometimes, getting permission, as Hilton Head Island couple Deborah Brooks and James Borton discovered in August 2008.

They erected a tree outside their home -- apropos, it seemed to them, since they lived in a neighborhood carved from land off Spanish Wells Road that long was used by African-American families.

"We moved into an area where our bottle tree could be considered a small part of what we've all taken from this area," Brooks told The Island Packet.

But the Oakview neighborhood has restrictive covenants, and the bottle tree fell among other no-nos islanders are familiar with: No clothes lines, fences, statuary or structures in the yard.

• Just how "Lowcountry" are blue-bottle trees?: They're strongly associated with the area because of their African-American/Gullah roots, but they hardly are unique to the Lowcountry.

One Web site devoted to bottle trees displays pictures of them from many southern states, Australia, France, the Netherlands and even exotic locales such as Oklahoma.

New unit videos on RQ Hilton Head website!

You may have noticed a couple recent upgrades to the RQ Hilton Head website. We've recently added unit videos of each individual unit, so you know exactly what you're getting when you book. All videos are also posted on YouTube, which makes them easily accessible at any time. Check out our YouTube Channel to view all of our units.

Or, look for the video at the unit level page on the www.resortquesthiltonhead.com website. Here's an example

In addition, ResortQuest has partnered with HiltonHead360.com to provide better mapping of all of our complexes. Sea Pines complex maps are added, with more coming soon! Check it out

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.

The Ultimate in Golf Luxury: Air-Conditioned Carts & Segways!

If you're nervous about the effects heat of a South Carolina summer could have on your golf game, fret no longer.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfrton Resort golf courses offers two unique, state-of-the-art amenities: entire fleets of air-conditioned golf carts and Segway Golf Transporters for use on the course.

The golf carts provide air-conditioned comfort with the Coolwell G2 Climate Control System, which enables players to enjoy a round of golf while shielding them from the heat and humidity associated with a South Carolina summer.

Segway Golf Transporters can travel at more than 12 m.p.h. and are easy to operate and maneuver. Palmetto Dunes has the distinction of being the only Hilton Head Island resort to offer Segways, which have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional golf carts for transportation on the green

In February 2008, the resort proudly unveiled the new Segway X2. This all-terrain vehicle with wider deeply treaded tires, scratch resistant fenders and higher ground clearance provide for a smoother ride than earlier models. This also allows for superior preservation of the golf course. All of this, and incorporating Segway's innovative LeanSteer technology, makes for an excellent golfing experience.

Looking for Golf Packages in Hilton Head?

Book your Palmetto Dunes golf tee times LIVE online now!

Hilton Head vacation rentals

SNOWBIRDS REJOICE! EXTEND YOUR WINTER VACATION WITH MONTHLY RENTALS ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offers over 500 vacation rentals, villas and private beach homes on the premier resort destination, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. With a year-round temperate climate, Hilton Head Island is the perfect winter escape for snowbirds looking for a warm getaway this winter. ResortQuest Hilton Head offers monthly villa and home rentals on Hilton Head Island, SC.


Hilton Head Island, SC (PRWEB) September 23, 2009 – Unlike many other beach destinations, the year-round temperate climate on Hilton Head Island keeps the island beaches and activities open any time of year. The balmy winter weather has kept Hilton Head Island one of the top destinations for snowbirds looking for a warm weather escape. With the island’s signature activities, golf and tennis, continuing in full force throughout the winter months, there’s no shortage of activities and entertainment during the fall and winter on Hilton Head.

ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offers deeply discounted monthly rentals from October through March, a perfect solution for an extended winter vacation. Choose from a selection of over 500 villas and private homes in premier locations, including Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines. All ResortQuest Hilton Head vacation rentals offer fully-equipped kitchens and all the amenities of home, ideal for an extended stay. They also include immediate access to beaches, tennis, golf and water sports. Hilton Head monthly rentals start as low as $1100 a month* and these discounted rates are available for stays over 28 days. (*Restrictions apply)

In addition to reduced rates for monthly rentals, ResortQuest Hilton Head offers winter travelers a host of other perks, including discounted golf rates, free tennis, free DVD rentals and discounted bike rentals. Palmetto Dunes extends ResortQuest Hilton Head monthly rental guests discounted monthly golf rates of $630 for 30 days of unlimited golf (including cart and green fee) for individuals, or $1050 for 30 days of golf for up to two family members.

Plus, all ResortQuest Hilton Head guests enjoy the benefits of the exclusive ResortQuest Recommends Program which offers deals and discounts on over 160 restaurants, shops and activities year-round. For more information on Hilton Head monthly rentals, visit the ResortQuest Hilton Head website at resortquesthiltonhead.com or call 800-875-8726.

Hilton Head Island: 09.09.09 Moment for Peace

I've been noticing lots of shirts around town with the 09.09.09 date on it, and I wasn't sure what it was for, but a little research turned up that it's a movement by the organization Imagine Peace, for a Worldwide Moment of PEACE.

From their website: www.imaginepeace.com...

"Worldwide Moment is a non-profit arts organization which encourages people around the world to celebrate peace and international collaboration by taking simultaneous photographs and sharing their stories. 2009’s Moment occurs when the time is Wednesday September 9, 2009 at 9:09AM in the +09GMT time zone, or 09.09.09+09GMT@09:09.

After the Moment occurs, upload your photo, location, and a short description of your Moment, to the Worldwide Moment website www.WorldwideMoment.org. The photo collection will then be available online, and will eventually premier in-person at a gallery, soon-to-be determined. If you are a gallery owner or representative interested in showing the photos please contact us.

Whether amateur or professional, film or digital, Polaroid or camera phone, young or old, this is for EVERYONE. All you have to do is take a photograph at the specified Moment. And for those who want to participate but don’t have a camera? WE WANT TO GIVE YOU ONE. Contact us.
To see Worldwide Moment’s 2008 exhibit of 270 photographs from 20 countries visit our Gallery.

Created by University of Southern California School of Cinema/TV graduate Brett Brownell in 2007, Worldwide Moment is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of Worldwide Moment may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law."

So - do with it what you will, but to me a cause for peace is a good cause.

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Hilton Head Rentals

Hilton Head Town Seeks to Honor Native Islanders

Article courtesy of Islandpacket.com - a complete news resource for Hilton Head Island.

Town seeks way to honor native islanders
Ferrymen Simmons, Frazier among first Councilman Ferguson would like to recognize

By DANIEL BROWNSTEIN
dbrownstein@islandpacket.com
843-706-8125
Published Monday, September 7, 2009
Well before the first bridge to Hilton Head Island was built in 1956, two native islanders helped connect the remote barrier island with the rest of the world.

Many in the native island community would like the Town of Hilton Head Island to memorialize Charlie Simmons Sr. and Arthur Frazier, two men who worked around the clock to ensure islanders had the supplies they needed to survive on an island far from the nearest department store or hospital.

Both ran ferries and filled countless other roles, such as merchant, banker, public works department and ambulance service before development brought those modern institutions to the island.

Bill Ferguson, who represents the native island communities on Hilton Head Town Council, wants to build a monument honoring the contributions of native islanders -- beginning with Simmons and Frazier -- at Mitchelville Beach Park.

Ferguson said the entire community owes a debt of gratitude to the two men, not just the dozens of native island families and affluent visitors who used their services.

"Without them, Sea Pines and Port Royal wouldn't be here as it is today," he said, "because (the developers) used these fellows as an instrument of transportation before the bridge was built."

Ferguson's idea involves renaming the park to something like "Mitchelville Memorial Park for Native Islanders." Last week, Mayor Tom Peeples asked for Ferguson's help to build consensus among the island's black community for a potential name.

"It's a sublime piece of property with a generic name on it," Ferguson said of the park.

The town built Compass Rose Park in 2008 as an homage to Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser and others instrumental in making Hilton Head a premier resort.

But some believe not enough is being done to highlight the history of native islanders, many of whom are the direct descendants of freed slaves, said Emory Campbell, former director of the Penn Center and owner of Gullah Tours.

"Despite what National Geographic says, this island does have a soul," Campbell said referring to the magazine's 2007 ranking of beach communities that slammed the island. "It goes back a long way to even the Indians. History is so important. Folks who are coming in now are looking for history and unfortunately don't know how important this island is to United States history."

Hilton Head was home to the South's first freed slaves, and Mitchelville, a fully-functioning village for those released from bondage, was the nation's early experiment at Reconstruction.

After the Civil War, the island was a close-knit agrarian community. Families were rich with land that produced crops and estuaries that provided a bounty of shellfish, but were cash poor and largely disconnected from the mainland.

Simmons, who worked on ferries as a young boy, began his own service in the 1920s using a sailboat to get between Hilton Head and Savannah. In 1927, he upgraded to the Lola, a 33-foot boat with a 15 horsepower engine.

He transported wealthy northerners to Honey Horn, then a hunting preserve, and helped islanders haul their produce, seafood and livestock to Savannah, where he sold the cargo at City Market and use the proceeds to fulfill families' shopping lists.

Simmons died in 2005 at the age of 99.

Frazier came along a bit after Simmons. In 1944, he began operating a boat service between Jenkins Island -- near where the J. Wilton Graves Bridge today connects to Hilton Head Island -- to Buckingham Landing, where the Sea Trawler restaurant recently opened. He also owned several trucks and a barge that could carry cars.

When he was drafted for World War II, residents successfully lobbied the government to give him a waiver because his services were so vital to their way of life.

In 1968, Frazier lost a leg in an automobile accident, and in 1985, he was shot in the face during the robbery of his convenience store along William Hilton Parkway. The cream- and rust-colored commercial buildings he owned still stand and are home to a produce market and a massage parlor. A wooden, homemade sign still marks Frazier's Holiness Temple.

He died in 2003 at the age of 89.

"I knew them both," Campbell said. "They were outstanding men."

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Hilton Head Vacation Rentals

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

Hilton Head Island: Tropical Storm Erika Update

September 2, 2009
Tropical Storm Erika Update

Dear ResortQuest Homeowner;

We are currently monitoring Tropical Storm Erika in the North Atlantic Ocean. As of Thursday September 2, Erika is located about 160 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and is traveling generally westward at 7 mph. Erika has maximized sustained winds of 45 mph and computer models indicated the Storm is expected to move west-northwest at a slightly faster speed over the next day or two.


At this time there is no expected threat to Hilton Head Island and while our Team here is on alert, there will be no modifications to our normal course of business. If you have any current concerns regarding your property, please call our ResortQuest Homeowner Hotline at 800-806-5697.

We will update this situation again if conditions warrant.

Thank You,

Robert

Robert E. Stenhammer
GM-ResortQuest Vacation Rentals
21 Pope Ave - Exec Pk Rd
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Office: 843-686-8120



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.

Town of Hilton Head to Use Twitter to Alert Residents to Emergencies

Courtesy of IslandPacket.com...

The Town of Hilton Head Island is using the social networking site Twitter to help get out information about natural disasters and other emergencies to residents.

Cities across the United States have begun using the free technology to broadcast short messages to people who follow Twitter through their personal computers and cell phones.
The town plans to use it primarily in the event of a hurricane to alert residents of evacuation orders, re-entry procedures and where residents can find bags of ice and other necessities, said emergency management coordinator Paul Rasch.

It is expected to be especially useful after a hurricane, when people will be scattered throughout the region and won't necessarily be near a computer with Internet access, but will still have their cell phones.

Rasch likened the town's Twitter account to a tap on the shoulder, alerting people -- often on their mobile devices -- that new information is available. "It serves the purpose of being an active notification device versus the town's Internet site and 800-number, which are passive," he said. "We can put all the information we'd like (on the Web site and hotline), but we have to wait for people to call or check in."

While the primary use will be during and after storms, the town's emergency management office also plans to use it for other emergencies, including chemical spills, tornadoes and other situations that warrant an update. Residents can follow the Twitter feed while they're away to stay abreast of any incidents that might damage their property.

Even though the town's Twitter site allows people to send messages, town officials stressed they won't be monitoring the comments, so it's important for people with questions or comments to contact town officials through traditional means: an e-mail or a phone call.

Follow ResortQuest Hilton Head Island on Twitter

Hilton Head Vacation Rentals

High Surf and Rip Tides in the Forecast

It appears hurricane season is upon us and as Hurricane Bill nears the Eastern shores, high surf and rip tides are in this week's forecast for Hilton Head Island.

According to the National Weather Service, influences from new moon and lunar patterns will produce high astronomical tides today across South coastal South Carolina and North coastal Georgia with the evening high tide.

Starting Thursday, South Carolina beaches could start seeing the effects of Hurricane's Ana and Bill in the form of powerful rip currents and big waves. Some moderate beach errosion may result.

More information on weather on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Vacation Rentals

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

Top Ten

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has been named one of the Top 10 Family Beaches by Sherman’s Travel and has a lasting reputation for safe, year-round family fun. ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offers nearly 500 vacation rentals, condos and private beach homes in this premier resort destination, ideal for any family vacation getaway.

January 21, 2009 Hilton Head Island, SC – After being named one of Sherman Travel’s Top 10 Family Beaches, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has retained a reputation for being a premier destination for families seeking a safe, fun and friendly environment for their vacation getaway. The abundance of kid’s activities, events and adventures both on and off the beach make Hilton Head Island the ideal destination for young and old alike.

ResortQuest Hilton Head Island is one of the island’s top Hilton Head Island vacation rental providers and as part of the “ResortQuest Recommends” guest information series, has named their “Top 10 Just For Kids” activities on Hilton Head Island:

Number 1: Just Beachin’ It Hilton Head Island was voted in the Top 10 Family Beaches by Sherman’s Travel in May 2007 and the fourteen miles of South Carolina beachfront on Hilton Head Island are child-friendly indeed. They offer mild, shallow waters, gentle waves and seashell-dotted sandy shores. Keep a careful eye and kids might spot a frolicking pod of dolphins just off the coast, or take part in any number of cruises and water sports offered in the nearby Harbour Town center.

Number 2: Coastal Discovery Museum The Coastal Discovery Museum offers programs, activities and exhibits year-round to make learning about the history, wildlife and heritage of Hilton Head Island a unique and enjoyable experience. Enjoy “Turtle Talks”, “Get to Know a Gator” and many more fun kid activities. For information visit coastaldiscovery.org.

Number 3: The Sea Pines “Fun for Kids!” Summer Day Camp Fun for Kids! is a supervised recreational program held a Hilton Head Island Sea Pines. A fun-filled day could include swimming, putt-putt golf, beach games, boat cruises, crabbing, hay rides, arts and crafts and more! Program is for ages 4 – 12, call for more information: 834.671.3590.

Number 4: The Sandbox This interactive children’s museum is filled with unique and entertaining, hands-on, educational play areas. Activities include the “No Fishing Allowed Aquarium”, the “International Bazaar” and little pilot’s plane, the “Builder’s of Tomorrow” construction zone and much more. General admission or annual memberships available, operating times vary per season, visit their website for more information: thesandbox.org

Number 5: Sky Pirate Parasail Get a little thrill with a trip on the Sky Pirate Parasail boat as you zoom over the Hilton Head Island coastline. Sky Pirate also offers boat rentals, cocktail cruises, interactive dolphin ecology trips, tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding.

Number 6: Adventure Cove Adventure Cove is sure to keep even the most active little ones on their toes, with everything from adventure golf and carnival games to the paradise lagoon and giant arcade. Great option for a birthday party or special family event.

Number 7: The Bear Mill The Bear Mill is a magical place where kids get the chance to build new friends and bring them to life before their very eyes.

Number 8: The Art Café The Art Café, a paint-your-own pottery studio has hundreds of items to choose from. It provides creative fun out of the sun or on a rainy day. Bring the kids, moms and dads or grandparents, the best part is – you don’t have to clean up after yourself!

Number 9: Palmetto Dunes Outfitters Palmetto Dunes Outfitters is your headquarters for outdoor adventure on Hilton Head Island, offering bike, canoe and kayak rentals. For more information on Palmetto Dunes visit resortquesthiltonhead.com.

Number 10: Art Ware Art Ware, located in the charming Main Street Village, is a pleasure to visit any time of year. Fun and cheerful, they feature local artists, multi-functional accessories and just about anything that will bring a smile to your face. Fun jewelry is their specialty, all at great prices. Shop online at artwaredesigns.com.

Guests searching for the perfect Hilton Head vacation rental to complete their dream family vacation need look no further than ResortQuest Hilton Head Island. The Hilton Head Island condominiums and private vacation homes offered by ResortQuest Hilton Head Island offer the space, amenities and location ideally suited for a family retreat. 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. To book your Hilton Head family vacation, visit resortquesthiltonhead.com or call 800.875.8726.