Hilton Head Monthly Connecting the Lowcountry 
LOCAL VETERINARIAN DR. TRACY DUFFNER SPECIALIZES IN TREATING EXOTIC ANIMALS. HERE, SHE SHARES SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT THEM
“Husbandry is the most important part of owning an exotic pet — 90% of what I have to do with exotic pets has to do with improper environment or care conditions.”
“If you are thinking about getting an exotic pet, make sure to reach out to an exotic pet vet first to learn about the care needs and commitment the animal will require.”
ESCAPE THE HEAT WITH INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Ah, the great outdoors, where humidity renders eyeglasses completely opaque, the no-see-ums attack us, and the summer sun wants nothing less than to roast our skin to an angry red.
Sure, it’s not all bad. But the fact is there are times where the great outdoors can be a little bit too much. There comes a time when a little air-conditioned comfort is called for, when we yearn for some kind of indoor diversion while we recharge for our next outdoor foray.
PAMPERING PETS IS STUART AND BRECKEN CAMPAGNA’S PASSION
A flat-screen TV, classical music, freshly fluffed pillows topped with a mint: The amenities would have even the most discerning hotel guests drooling.
Of course, drooling is second nature to the four-legged visitors at Southpaw Pet Resort on Hilton Head Island’s north end — especially when there are treats involved.
AIR TRAVEL OPENS NEW DOOR FOR SHELTER DOGS HELPED BY PALMETTO ANIMAL LEAGUE
Palmetto Animal League has spent years working on strategies to get homeless animals adopted: An extensive foster care network, a spay/neuter program, an easy-to-access adoption center.
But it’s the nonprofit group’s latest strategy that’s really taking off. PAL’s transport program turns to “freedom flights” to send at-risk shelter animals in Beaufort, Jasper and nearby counties to no-kill shelters in the north that are less crowded.
THE DISCOVERY MAKES MARINE EDUCATION FUN
Some of the Lowcountry’s future marine biologists will have discovered their vocation on the Discovery, which takes kids out on the water to do real science.
Educational excursions aboard the 45-foot catamaran have offered students from May River High School, Hilton Head Christian Academy, Hilton Head Preparatory School and other area public and private schools what environmental educators call “placebased” lessons — their focus is the natural environment where the kids live.
“Ebenezer Has a Word for Everything”
WRITTEN BY CHELSEA ROWE / ILLUSTRATED BY FRANK DORMER
Chelsea Rowe always wanted to be a writer. She had written for newspapers and magazines in the past, but whe she began home-schooling her four kids, she realized she wanted to write a children’s book.
“I was reading a lot of stuff that frankly, I didn’t love,” Rowe said about the books she read to her children. “I felt like you could combine education with fun and humor, and it would be enjoyable for a child to read.”
This season is all about color, patterns and texture. From pale peach to saturated corals and periwinkle, there is a look for every mood.
TRAVEL MAGAZINES BOOST HILTON HEAD’S BRAND
In a time when so-called influencers can boost or burst reputations with one or two keystrokes, Hilton Head Island has drawn award-winning acclaim in national travel publications.
The island continues to receive accolades from readers — and probably their families and friends, too — in some of the country’s most well-known travel magazines. For example, over the past several years Hilton Head has been labeled the “No. 1 Island in the Continental U.S.” by Travel + Leisure, the “Best Island in the U.S.” by Conde Nast Traveler, and the “South’s Best Beach Town” by Southern Living.
The arrival of July has ushered in an all-out invasion of visitors to the island. And while this annual onslaught does wonders for the local economy, it takes a well-regulated militia of workers to prepare for the tourists who choose to vacation here. To see how things were going on the front lines, Monthly checked in with some of the island's fearless foot soldiers.
Adding a pool this summer? Here are a few trends to keep in mind:
DARK INTERIORS
Dark interior finishes will continue to be a big trend in 2019. Historically, dark interiors have been reserved for high-end hotels and spas, but there has been a recent increase in homeowner demand. The dark interiors are often made of tile and styled with natural features like rocks or waterfalls to create the essence of a relaxing lagoon. These darker finishes also have functional qualities, as they attract and retain heat more effectively as well as mask any dirt or debris.
