Make Hilton Head Your Home - BLOG

Our first Christmas party with the Carolina Realty Group

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:01:01 GMT

We made the move to the Carolina Realty Group last February, so this is our first holiday season here and yesterday was our first Christmas party! It could not have been more perfect- start to finish...
Being that is was nearly 80 degrees outside (yep, mid-December) and we were on our way to a party at the Wexford Country Club (Cha, cha, cha), we found it only fitting that we drove the convertible with the top down (aaaaahh). Ok, I will stop rubbing it in, and get on with my blog...
I must say that the Wexford Country Club is always beautiful, but it's especially lovely this time of year! If you ever get the chance to go there, do it. Even if it doesn't feel like winter, the atmosphere there really set the mood for the holiday. Including the brokers, agents, assistants and other staff, there was a total of 19 (17 women, 2 men) of us there. As I stood there, i realized I couldn't imagine working any where else on this entire island. I couldn't imagine being packed into a conference room at a cheep hotel, with hundreds of co-workers (from the cubical office hell) that don't even know eachother, eating catered soggy Subway sandwiches, all while trying to figure out just who our boss (the broker-in-charge is). Rather, I was surrounded with some of the most amazing, influential, respectible & brilliant people I have ever met and it is such an honor to work beside them and call them my friends. Lottie Woodward (our broker-in charge) gave a very touching speech before our meal. She has to be one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. After dinner, we played a game and had a gift exchange. It was a really great time. I am so greatful to have such a rewarding job, it's not just the people we work with, but the new people we meet everyday as well. It hasn't even been one year here, and I already look forward to the many great years being a part of the Carolina Realty Group to come!

A Really Funny Way To Get You To VOTE!

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:31:00 GMT

Voting is hard and makes you very muddy

By PETER FROST - Island Packet

Voting is stupid.

It’s too much work. It’s too much work to wait in line, which you can only do after you find which line you’re supposed to be standing in (where exactly is this mysterious and so-called “Precinct 3A” anyway?) Last time I tried to vote, I got stuck on some muddy road in a downpour. Can’t this crazy “government” please pay $5 to put up a sign or two?

On top of that, it’s too confusing once you actually get inside. OK, first you make me stand in line with a bunch of surly seniors with pointy elbows who want to get back to their crossword puzzles and comics. Then, you make me try to figure out one of those wacky electronic voting machines? That’s adding insult to injury. Why can’t I just tell my TV who I want to vote for? Based on our bursting waistlines and intimate knowledge of “American Idol,” that would seem the best way to get us to vote. Haven’t they invented that technology yet? Slackers.

With all of these long lines and deliberate government-induced confusion, it all sounds a bit like Communism to me. That, or cruel and unusual punishment. And I believe that’s prohibited by the Eighth Amendment, my friends. Look it up.

Oh yeah — don’t forget about the germs. Just how many sickos touched that nasty screen before me? Ever heard of SARS? TB? Bird flu?

Forget it. I’m not taking my chances.

Voting sucks.

It’s not like you were even thinking about heading to the polls anyway. Well, unless you live in Sun City Hilton Head. And, if that’s the case, you probably aren’t reading this. Only one in eight of us in this Senate district actually turned out for the primary.

Crowded schools? Uncontrolled growth? Clogged roads? Immigration? Those are the apparent “issues” the candidates are talking about. If the people we “elected” in the first place would have done their jobs, we wouldn’t have these problems, would we?

I guess we’ve got no one to blame but ourselves. If we’re not smart enough to elect the right people, then we shouldn’t vote. That should eliminate about 7 out of 10 of us.

That brings me to another point: Why can’t we be like the rest of the civilized world and have kings, queens and the like, who just appoint people for us? That seems to make sense. Those rogue African and Middle Eastern countries sure know what they’re doing.

Regardless, when the results are in, it’s not like any of it really matters. Whomever we send up to Columbia is going to do the same thing: take long lunches, hang out at the cash bar with lobbyists and play with the pigs that Gov. Sanford brings to the Petting Zoo.

And, really, that’s about it. Have you seen next year’s budget?

Peter Frost, who’s obviously kidding and wants you to vote, is a Packet reporter.

Great Articles of The Island Packet

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:53:00 GMT

Member of the bar? In court, tipsy defendant tells all, gets night in jail

By DANIEL BROWNSTEIN

An island man showed up to the Town of Hilton Head Island Municipal Court ready to plead his case in slurred, excited speech, with beer on his breath, authorities said.

The 22-year-old man spoke loudly when he entered the courtroom, which at 2 p.m. Wednesday was filled with people settling traffic violations with deputies. The judge had called in sick, so no formal proceedings were taking place.

"It was obvious something was wrong with him," said Capt. Toby McSwain of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. "He appeared to be grossly intoxicated, so they locked him up."

When a deputy checked on him a couple hours later, the man said he had driven to his court date, a report stated. Apparently he didn't realize the docket clearly showed why he was at the courtroom in the first place: driving without a license.

He was charged with public disorderly conduct and a second count of driving without a license, before spending a night in the county jail.

Surprisingly, people stumbling to their day in court isn't that uncommon, said local officials.

Fuzzy logic and incoherent arguments aside, it's not the brightest idea, with a high concentration of law enforcement personnel inside most courtrooms.

"It's probably not a very good place to show up drunk," chuckled McSwain.

A clerk at Hilton Head's municipal court said she's only seen it once -- seven years ago at another job.

"It's not a daily occurrence," said Denise Brinson, who's worked as a clerk at the Bluffton Magistrate Court for two years. "We've had it happen once or twice."

Traffic courts also report that many people drive to their court date with suspended licenses or none at all. Most don't readily admit it to officers, though.

When caught, they're charged -- again. And court workers have a good laugh, and story.

FREE SEA TURTLE TOUR.....

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:03:00 GMT

I have a certificate for a Sea Turtle Tour for up to 10 people. If anyone of you would like to have it, I'd be happy to part with it.

The tours are put on by the Coastal Discovery Museum. They are held all summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No children under 4 years are allowed. It starts at 8 pm. It is an evening lecture and beach walk to educate participants about the endangered loggerhead turtle. You will examine the nesting habitats and nests. This tour is usually $20 for adults and $15 for children.

How to Nagivate the Sea Pines Circle

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:21:00 GMT

Here are the two basic rules for entering the Sea Pines traffic circle......

(Not) Just Another Day At The Office...

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:47:00 GMT

Greetings to our clients, friends and those of you that are new to our site!

This is my first blog entry on our new site. I wanted to share with you my morning ...that I so appropriately titled, "(Not) Just Another Day At The Office". I think I should begin by saying that being an assistant to Shirley Bentrup is always an adventure! It is so rewarding to have a job that offers something different and new opportunities/experiences every day!

This morning, as I entered the office, I was greeting by Shirley saying "Ooooh, I need you to babysit again." I could not have been happier (ok, could have used my morning coffee first).

Shirley has some wonderful clients in town right now from the Chicago area and they wanted to take a look at a few properties. They have three BEAUTIFUL children that I had the opportunity to watch last week while Shirley showed them property, and they wanted to see some more today. I had such a wonderful time with them last week, as I did again today. They have two daughters (ages 5 & 3, I believe) that are so sweet, smart and incredibly funny. They also have an adorable 13 week old son that I can't even think of the words to describe how perfect he is. No matter the chaos the girls and I were stirring up, he just sat in my arms and was content as could be! He even assisted me as I made jelly sandwiches with no crust for the girls (ya, ya...that's what they wanted). By our third puzzle, I think we wore him out, because he fell asleep right in my arms...so precious!

Like I said earlier, being an assistant to Shirley is very rewarding and always and adventure. We get to make a difference in so many new/different people's lives everyday...today it happened to be three great kids! But, they did the same in return for me. I learned that there is ALWAYS one piece missing from every puzzle. I learned how to make a jelly sandwich with no crust, although they did mention that their mom does a better job. I learned how to sing Opera music at the top of my lungs. I learned that little girls love to wear high heels. I re-learned that you have to FAST when changing a baby boy's diaper! :)

It was such a great time, and before I knew it, Shirley was back! I look forward to the next time I get to watch them again. We never got to finish out last puzzle and I need to practice my cookin' skills. So, that was my morning as an assistant to Shirley Bentrup... (Not) just another day at the office!

My Very First BLOG!

Mon, 07 May 2007 17:51:00 GMT

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited about my new website! I hope that you will find it fun and informative. Please let me know if you have any suggestions on how I can improve it.

I want to thank Dave and Myrna Bennett, of Colorado Springs, Co for taking Monty and me up in their beautiful airplane last week. It was the first time that I got to see the Island from a “bird’s eye view”. We flew 150 feet above the beach in Palmetto Dunes and got to fly by our home in Windmill Harbour! Fun!!

We also had a nice (and cold) cocktail cruise on Friday with Steve and Kathy Odak, of Red Hook, NY. It was great to see them!

Have fun with the website….I have to go show property now!

No Mosquitos...for now

Fri, 04 May 2007 20:16:00 GMT

It's been refreshingly pleasant the past few weeks on the back decks and patios of Beaufort County.

The weather has been nice, there's been little rain, and perhaps most important, very few mosquitoes have been buzzing around. Enjoy it.

'Things are pretty quiet right now,' said Gregg Hunt, the county's mosquito control director. 'Give us another month, and it's going to be crazy.'

The area's lack of rain and moderate temperatures have kept mosquito populations low during the first part of spring, giving Mosquito Control time to catch up on maintaining equipment and filling two vacant positions.

Hunt and his crew have not yet started aerial spraying missions, but several gated communities began spraying during the last two weeks.

'Add another 10 degrees to daily temperatures and a little bit of rain, and we're going to see a mass emergence of eggs,' Hunt said. 'We'll be ready to go on a moment's notice.'

Hilton Head Goes Smoke Free

Fri, 04 May 2007 20:06:00 GMT

Smoking Ban goes into effect May 1, 2007

The Town of Hilton Head Island Smoking Ban will go into effect 12:01 a.m. on May 01, 2007.

The key points in the Smoking Ban Ordinance are:

1. Prohibits smoking in the workplace and requires employers to provide a smoke free environment for their employees in the work place.

2. Exceptions to the smoking ban are:

a. Private residences;

b. Up to 25 % of designated rooms in Hotels, Motels, Time Share Units, and Bed and Breakfast Homes;

c. Retail Tobacco Stores;

d. Smoking by performers in theatrical events;

e. Religious ceremonies where smoking is part of the ritual; and

f. Businesses comprised of only one individual that are not collocated in a structure with other business.

a. Businesses must post a “No Smoking” sign at the main entrance to the business.

b. Smoking is not permitted within a reasonable distance outside the entrance of the business.

c. The smoking ban will be enforced beginning at 12:01 on May 01, 2007 and violators may be subject to a penalty of up to $500.00 plus court costs.

Several questions have been raised in regards to the requirement for the posting of signs. Regarding the signs which are required as a result of this Ordinance, it is important for business owners to be aware that:

1. The sign must be purchased by the business owner and must be conspicuously posted at the main entrance, either on the door or on the building adjacent to the door.

2. The sign must be visible from the outside of the building.

3. The sign must comply with the Land Management Ordinance (LMO) Section 16-3-902.I. which prohibits fluorescent colors or commercial copy or graphics on the sign. Commercial copy in this context is considered to be any mention of the name of the business on the sign.