People Profiles

Even at the age of 93, Walter Graver has no time for things such as relaxing, kicking back or reflecting on a life well lived.

Instead, the long-time Hilton Head Island resident, activist and philanthropist continues to be fueled by his love of the arts, passion for helping area youth and his commitment to enhancing the future of an island that has been his adopted home for nearly three decades.

Come chill with Kaylie Abney, the Lowcountry’s resident Elsa

Almost every little girl dreams of growing up to be a princess. And if you’re a little girl of Disney age right now, the princess you want to grow up to be is Elsa, the velvety-voiced protagonist/antagonist of the box office juggernaut “Frozen.” And if you’re a little girl of Disney age right now and you live in the Lowcountry, you’re in luck. Because we happen to have our very own Elsa.

MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE ICONIC ROBERTO COIN BRAND

Working as a young servant at a posh Swiss hotel, Venetian-born Roberto Coin was constantly surrounded by affluent people. Determined to become one of them, he climbed the hospitality industry's ranks, eventually purchasing a 4-star luxury inn and restaurant. At the age of 33, he sold his successful businesses to pursue his true passion — jewelry design. He started his company in 1977 in Vicenza, Italy, the gold and jewelry center of Europe. He began producing collections on behalf of some of the most prestigious brands of international fine jewelry.

After years of dreaming of his own brand, he made it a reality in 1996. Eighteen years later, the Roberto Coin brand ranks at the very top of the fine jewelry world. His collections are celebrated around the world and are synonymous with luxury, style and elegance. From unique $1 million pieces to more practical jewelry in the $300 range, Coin strives to make his collections accessible to every woman.

Imagine your car suddenly breaks down and you’ve got to spend $800 on repairs so you can get back on the road. Or you’re sidelined by a medical emergency, such as cancer or a heart attack, and you can’t work for months.

“People are surprised when they open their eyes. They’re surprised that there’s poverty on Hilton Head.”

Deep Well Project staff members are (from left) Betsy Doughtie, Rita Jones, Chris Wilcox and Sherry Pritchard.

Hilton Head Island resident Raz Reid has made a second career out of fly fishing

No matter how often the question arises, Raz Reid has a tough time answering.
Why fly fishing?
Reid always enjoyed fishing, but it wasn't until he first held a fly rod on a trout safari in Australia in the late 1970s that it became a passion. Even after years of landing world-record catches on fly, Reid had difficulty describing what drew him to that particular niche.

Hilton Head Island outdoorsman makes the most of life in the Lowcountry

From his youth on the lakes and streams of Tennessee to his adulthood navigating the waters of the South Carolina Lowcountry, Michael Perry has always been a man of the outdoors. It’s a passion that’s delivered the longtime islander a career he loves, and the opportunity to share that passion with thousands of others during his many years on Hilton Head Island.

Former homebuilder Paul McCue of Bluffton finds a second career as a gunsmith

In his heyday as a homebuilder, Paul McCue made skeet and trap shooting his hobby, going to competitions all over the Southeast.
“I was into sporting clays, skeet, trap. I was doing heavy competition and I built my own gun stocks. I had always worked on my own guns.”
McCue became interested in shooting sports while growing up near Pittsburgh.

Craig Everetts talks turkey and the hunting heritage of the Lowcountry

Long before there was Sun City Hilton Head, there was the Bill John Hunting Club.
To see the rows and rows of retirement homes now, it’s hard to believe that at one time, the 10,000 acres off of U.S. 278 were the hunting mecca of the Lowcountry.
Craig Everetts remembers it well. It’s where the veteran guide fell in love with turkey hunting.

It’s almost impossible to imagine Hilton Head Island as fertile hunting grounds. When modern developments compete with crisply manicured golf courses, and various overlapping POA rules and town ordinances compete to keep noise down and discharging of firearms to a mimimum, the island hardly seems like the place to head out and scare up some dove.