Hilton Head Living

For a lot of people, turkey hunting means surreptitiously slipping through the frozen-foods section at Publix to cut off the other shoppers.

But real turkey hunting — the kind that involves waiting in the woods, making funny sounds and avoiding snakebites — is one of the oldest pastimes in the Palmetto State, one that has grown in the past two decades as the turkey population has rebounded. So what makes South Carolina’s turkey population such a gravy train for hunters?

We asked Charles Ruth, turkey project supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources.

It’s much more of a joy to share it.’

‘Our time and talent was never meant to be used selfishly.

Each year, the United Way of the Lowcountry embarks on a fundraising campaign to support its work in Beaufort and Jasper Counties — efforts that support 39 local charities and programs. But support at this level requires a lot of money — this year’s goal is $2.6 million — and the success of the campaign is predicated on the work of talented, dedicated and passionate teams.

To steer the campaign, the United Way has looked to co-chairs Kaye and Dr. Joseph W. Black, a dynamic duo of tireless energy, dedication, compassion and knowledge. The couple’s Lowcountry roots were set in 1978, when Kaye opened Curry Printing, the company where she remains president and owner. Joe is a pathologist who is retired from his post at Hilton Head Regional Hospital, but who remains active in the local medical community. Given the schedules of a small business owner and physician, it would be understandable if the Blacks wanted to take some time off and get a little rest, but they see things differently.

Though everyone may define their exact retirement goals a bit differently, one aim seems universal; to live independently — and comfortably — for as long as possible.

Yet achieving that goal takes more than just sound financial planning — it also involves asking some rather difficult questions about your health, interests, and what form of care and assistance you may require as you age. A continuing care retirement community may be the right solution.

Assisted living facilities, which are designed for those already in need of care, and nursing homes, designed for patients requiring round-the-clock care, are available for individuals who cannot currently live on their own. But what if you aren’t there yet? While many retirement communities cater to people seeking a social, independent lifestyle, not all offer the ability to age in place.

So you’re in town from Ohio, quietly enjoying your week on the beach and devouring page after page of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” when you glance up to see a GIANT GATOR emerging from the ocean. This, most likely, was not in the brochure. Luckily, Clemson associate professor Richard Blob can help.

Alligator sightings are hardly a rarity around here, but the emergence of a 9-foot-long minidinosaur on a busy day at Coligny Beach this summer caused quite the stir among beachgoers; pictures of a wrangler removing the beast even went viral online. To find out more about unusual places that alligators have come out of, we spoke to Richard Blob, an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Clemson who studies gators — specifically, how their bodies handle movements:

As far back as I can remember, a big bowl of Halloween candy has always come with a side of fear.

When I was a kid, it was the perceived terror of a madman pushing pins into candy bars to hand out to unsuspecting boys and ghouls. I’m told there was a time when Halloween trick-or-treating was an evening of innocent fun, but that ideal is as much a myth to me as the “razor in a candy apple” may be.

What compels six mild-mannered local professionals to occasionally transform themselves into a Rolling Stones tribute band?

For most people, being a Rolling Stones fan means kicking back with the radio. For the guys in White Liquor, it means clocking out of work, changing into rock ‘n’ roll clothes and giving a performance that, for many people, will be as close as they’ll ever get to the Glimmer Twins.

Over its 15 years, White Liquor has played tons of oyster roasts, barbecues and late-night bars, but it’s not like they’re spending a lot of down-time preening and fine-tuning their moves: They’re big enough Stones fans that it all comes naturally. Though they only perform 10 or 12 shows a year these days, its members say they barely practice.  “We just kind of show up and whatever happens, happens,” said lead singer Rick Saba. “Sometimes it sounds good, sometimes it doesn’t sound good.”

The Hilton Head Island native spends his summer on the road, crossing rivers with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff.

Trevor Hall had himself a pretty great summer: He spent it on the road opening for reggae godfather Jimmy Cliff, the man behind such sun-splashed classics as “The Harder They Come,” “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Sitting in Limbo.” The opportunity allowed Hall to bring his own brand of reggae-rock to huge venues like Central Park’s SummerStage, and he’s trying to maintain that momentum with his own national headlining tour this fall.

The singer and part-time local on the end of rock 'n' roll, the meaning of Daufuskie time, and why he recorded his brittle, stark new album on a pulpit in Savannah.

A few weeks ago, John Mellencamp wandered through a large and shiny mall in Indianapolis in a futile, climate-controlled and probably Cinnabon-smelling hunt for the record store.

This was, of course, a terrible idea, in part because you can imagine what happens when John Mellencamp wanders unannounced through a mall in Indianapolis, but also because he’d have had about as much luck finding a reliable VCR repairman or some MySpace gear; who knows the last time the mall had a record store. So he abandoned the search and did the only logical thing he could — went over to the Apple store. “The place was packed,” Mellencamp said. “Packed. People swarming in line, the way the record store was when we were kids.”

Enjoyable waterfront activities span a large spectrum, from thrilling sports such as surfing and riding personal watercrafts to leisurely afternoons sunbathing on the beach. For those who prefer relaxing by the water but still seek engagement, a perfect answer for you or a group is crabbing.

Crabbing is easy, simple, and fun for the individual or the whole family. With minimal equipment, crabbing can be an inexpensive, but satisfying outing.

Around Hilton Head Island, the easiest places to crab are at the numerous public piers or near harbors, according to Carly Mourer, captain of Crabber J II, a local crabbing charter boat.