Monthly Columnists

Good leaders see needs and concerns and bring people together to fix them.  My wife would say I have been blessed with this gift, I’d say this is something I love to do. I seek to serve.

Marcia and I adore living on Hilton Head Island, this beautiful place we have called home for 18 years. Both in Maryland, where I spent most of my career as a corporate planner, and here in the Lowcountry during our retirement, I’ve been involved in numerous efforts to improve our community and have developed a strong ability to bring people together to get things done. This requires a lot of listening and developing a high level of trust.

“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.”

While reading about love and thinking about Valentine’s Day, we stumbled upon this quote by late African-American author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. Even for those who proclaim themselves cynical about the holiday, her words are uplifting: Love makes you brave enough to come out of hiding and reveal yourself. But it’s also complex. Hurston’s use of the verb “crawl” shows how difficult love is — we sometimes enter it reluctantly, slowly, almost against our will.

JARRETT NIXON HELPS PROFESSIONALS WORK FROM ANYWHERE

Jarrett Nixon has had enough of excuses like, “I’ll have the time and money to travel and see the world when I retire.” That’s why he works for Remote Year, a company that helps people work remotely from anywhere in the world.

The company’s mission aligns with Nixon’s “carpe diem” philosophy: “We’re not guaranteed tomorrow,” he said. “You have to live life to the fullest and get out there and make some stories.”

THE LOWCOUNTRY COULD BENEFIT FROM RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 PER HOUR

The Town of Hilton Head Island and the town of Bluffton should raise compensation to a living wage — and Beaufort County businesses should follow suit. 

I know some of you cringe hearing me say that, but hear me out.

At Hilton Head Monthly, we believe in the power of positive thinking. We’re sure that 2019 will be a great year to live in the Lowcountry.

Since January is here once again, it’s time for our annual “Intriguing People” issue featuring some of our area’s most fascinating men and women. This year, we celebrate local innovators and inventors. According to the dictionary, while invention is the “creation of a product or introduction of a process for the first time,” innovation happens when someone “improves on or makes a significant contribution” to something that has already been invented. To put it another way, Thomas Edison was an inventor and Steve Jobs was an innovator. We’re grateful to the Don Ryan Center for Innovation for connecting us with the creative, forward-thinking folks we feature this month. 

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of year for many Lowcountry families, and we appreciate you sharing yours with us by reading this issue. The great American writer Washington Irving once said: “’Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." We couldn’t agree more.

Every month, the tagline “Your Voice” is an integral part of the cover  design for Hilton Head Monthly and Bluffton Monthly. This is more than just a catchy slogan. We strive to be the heart and soul of the Lowcountry’s identity and culture, and to accurately reflect what’s going on around town. By celebrating local life in all its facets and showcasing the community’s vibrant diversity, we bring people, places and causes together. 

MY S.C. DISTRICT HADN’T VOTED FOR A DEMOCRAT IN 40 YEARS. WHAT HAPPENED?

In sports, the team that loses is the team that studies the game-day tapes the hardest. In the military, it’s called an after-action review. But somehow in politics, it’s different. Too often, political figures simply blame the other side — or at least someone besides themselves.

On Nov. 6, voters will head to the polls to cast their ballots in midterm elections. The most important regional item is a referendum on a 1 percent tax to fund road, bridge and bike path improvements, which we need.

Chris Ervin doesn’t forget where he came from. At 27, he’s moved to Rock Hill and taken his first steps down his chosen career path, but he still remembers and follows the advice of his grandfather, Hilton Head Island resident Tom Barnwell — known as a champion of the island’s Gullah culture, and for his efforts to improve health care, affordable housing, education and economic development on the island.

THANKSGIVING IS AN INVITATION TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE WE CALL HOME.

The season of gratitude is upon us, and with it comes the chance to be our best selves. In this issue we explore the themes of Thanksgiving, flight, luxury and sacrifice for our country, and we invite you to delve into them with us.

To live in a democracy is a luxury that many in the world don’t have. Just ask any immigrant who worked hard to gain U.S. citizenship — you will get a new perspective on what a privilege it is to exercise your right to vote. Regardless of your political persuasion, we hope you get out there and make your voice heard at the polls this month.

At noon Sept. 10, as Hurricane Florence swirled in the Atlantic, South Caroline Gov. Henry McMaster called for a mandatory evacuation for all of Beaufort and Jasper counties. Lane reversals and supervised barricades would restrict traffic coming into Beaufort County and onto Hilton Head Island starting at noon the next day.