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.
Thanksgiving is an invitation to be grateful for this beautiful place we call home. It’s easy to do when the humidity is low and the weather is just about perfect, which is why many of the Lowcountry’s biggest annual events take place in November. From festivals and galas to national cycling event Pedal Hilton Head, in this issue we’ve got you covered when it comes to fun things to do.
Many of these events are fundraisers for local nonprofit groups. We invite you to reflect on how you, too, can best use your abilities and talents to make the world — and the Lowcountry — a better place. On page 148, read about veterans who are saving threatened coral reefs by using skills they learned for combat. And on page 86, you’ll see how Volunteers in Medicine helped one of our area’s best loved musicians get back on his feet (literally).
This issue also focuses on local history. Many of Hilton Head’s early institutions are coming up on big milestones — including Sea Pines Montessori Academy, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Generations of islanders have fond memories of happy times shared and lessons learned at this school, and it played a huge role in our (Marc and Anuska Frey) decision to permanently move from Switzerland to Hilton Head Island. We loved the island from our visits, but it wasn’t until we visited Sea Pines Montessori with our sons that we knew we could make Hilton Head our family’s home. And now we’re writing about many of the school’s graduates who have grown into successful adults.
It’s incredible how Bluffton and the island have changed since then; the growth in population means that we’re now fortunate to have access high-quality professionals like the dentists we profile on page 88, the home experts featured on page 108, and the professionals who help put together this labor of love each month. See page 16 for a list of folks who assisted on our fall fashion shoot, featuring local boutiques with the hottest new looks for the season. And above, the team in this photo is the heart and soul of Monthly — our fantastic production department, who make us shine every month.
Anuska Frey – publisher
anuska@hiltonheadmontly.com
Carol Weir – editor
carol@hiltonheadmonthly.com
