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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
At 90, Tom Barnwell has left a lasting legacy on Hilton Head Island
Thomas C. Barnwell Jr. was born on an incoming tide on Hilton Head Island 90 years ago, and he's been riding a flood of change ever since. When Barnwell was inducted into the Hilton Head Island Hall of Fame in 2013, he was called 'an outspoken community leader, bringing an energetic voice — as well as affordable health care, public water systems and economic and educational opportunities — to the powerless.' Add affordable housing to the list. Between 1978 and 2000, he and his family have developed 100 units in five different projects on Hilton Head. And add environmental protection, from the days the Hilton Head Fishing Cooperative he and others founded joined the fight against a petrochemical plant coming to Bluffton. But as he and I talked ahead of his birthday on Monday, June 2, the dominant theme turned out to be family. Barnwell lives on Katie Miller Drive, named for his grandmother, his home in a rural setting amid the island's hubbub. We looked at a snapshot showing generations five through eight of his family on the island. It began when Caesar and Mariah Jones paddled over from Bluffton — seeking freedom during the Civil War, and presumably setting up home in the freedmen village of Mitchelville. Barnwell — a born entrepreneur who sold candy to his elementary school classmates and could always get the teacher off topic — has hair of gray and white now. He was wearing a starched oxford shirt, blue jeans and suspenders when he mentioned his ongoing second battle with prostate cancer. He and Susan Carter Barnwell will celebrate 52 years of marriage in September. Two of his children — Thomas 'Curtis' Barnwell III and Paulette Barnwell Ervin – live on the island. A third, Jason S. Barnwell, who has an engineering degree from MIT and a law degree from the University of Southern California — works for Microsoft in Seattle. He wants them to remember where they came from. Barnwell was born in the Squire Pope area of an island with no bridge, electricity, paved roads, hospital or telephones. As a child, he saw trees, sand and more trees. But his grandfather, Benjamin Walter White, 'used to say to us, 'Hold onto your land because Hilton Head Island one day will be the Garden of Eden place of the South.' That has remained one of Barnwell's mantras. 'I was just a little boy when I heard that,' he said. 'I said, 'This old man has got to be crazy.' I said that to myself. I wouldn't dare say that to him. I would have been told to go out there and get a switch and he would have whipped me.' That grandfather was a farmer who purchased a lot of land. 'He'd put us in a wagon when it was time to grind the cane and show us where his property lines used to be,' Barnwell said. Barnwell said he is saddened to see how much land has left Gullah hands 'for many reasons.' He said families should treat land as a business. His family leases the sandy soil on which a large, blue-roofed timeshare project rises on Skull Creek today. The family still owns the place where Paulette recalls as a child getting chased up a tree by a big bull named Jupiter. Barnwell's parents were bright lights guiding both him and the Gullah community. Tom Sr. was a farmer, ferryman and doorman — educated at the Penn School on St. Helena Island, as was Tom Jr. Island Packet co-founder and columnist Jonathan Daniels wrote that Tom Sr. was a 'shrewdly humorous, impeccably polite man' who served both the Gullah and the newcomers as a 'quiet and perceptive counselor.' But Barnwell said it was his mother, Hannah White Barnwell, who set him onto perhaps his most important life's work. She was educated at The Mather School in Beaufort, and at a nursing school for Black people in Columbia, and she was a force for both health care and child care on her isolated island. Barnwell recalled: 'She, as an adult, called me and said, 'There's this doctor in Bluffton named Dr. Donald Gatch. He is a very good friend of (public health nurse) Ann Pitts. You need to meet him. You need to spend some time with him. You need to understand what he has discovered as a problem in our area. And you need to spend some time working with him on that problem.' That was in 1968. The problem was children infested with intestinal parasites, and the associated poverty. Barnwell holds up the transcript of testimony about Lowcountry conditions he and others made before the U.S. Senate Select Subcommittee on Nutrition and Human Needs in February 1969. It became a national story. Gatch was known as 'The Hunger Doctor.' Among the outcroppings of that public reckoning was the creation of the Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services Inc., offering medical care to the indigent and organizing public water systems in rural areas. Barnwell was its director for a decade, and its administrative building in Okatie is named for him. Ninety years of rapid advances in the Lowcountry may have left one important thing behind. That is family. Commuting a couple of hours both to and from work on Hilton Head each day, 'disrupts the opportunity for families being able to blend and grow together as a unit,' Barnwell said. 'The jobs are important. They keep people financially afloat. But the family is more and more deteriorating.' Technology also plays a part, with every child holding a cellphone. 'Those things don't capture the kind of things we used to get from the older people, sitting next to the fireplace.' And that leaves a society not knowing — or appreciating — the dignity, sacrifice and work that brought today's opportunities. 'You'll find it in these books,' Barnwell said, tapping his stacks of documents. 'I hope maybe one of these days my grandchildren or great-grandchildren or great-great-grandchildren will look at these books and see that I, along with a lot of other people, have been helpful.' David Lauderdale may be reached at lauderdalecolumn@ .
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Best Resorts On Hilton Head Island 2025
The best resorts on Hilton Head Island make it easy to enjoy the destination's peaceful coastline and pristine golf courses. The area offers a variety of activities for both first-time travelers and repeat vacationers. 'It's a prime location for golf, tennis, pickleball, biking and walking, year-round,' says Caroline Bernthal, a travel advisor at Fora. Our top overall recommendation is Montage Palmetto Bluff, which offers high-end amenities, an adults-only pool and elegant bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Families will appreciate the kids' activity center at Ocean Oak Resort, A Hilton Grand Vacations Club, while those seeking a private home with a pool should consider 11 Grey Widgeon. Ahead, the best resorts on Hilton Head Island in 2025. Cottage suite interior at Montage Palmetto Bluff. Guests seeking a five-star stay will be enchanted by this luxurious resort situated along the May River on a 20,000–acre community in South Carolina's Lowcountry. With 20 miles of biking and walking trails, guests can enjoy the well-manicured, tree-lined grounds; the 200 guest rooms, suites, and cottages feature hardwood floors, high ceilings, walk-in closets and sumptuous marble bathrooms. Beyond strolling the lush property, guests can play a round of golf at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, take a private guided Duffy Boat EcoTour through the Lowcountry, embark on a family fishing expedition or book a private 1-hour tasting and tour with the head sommelier. There are seemingly unlimited activities available on-site, and the four distinctive restaurants offer a variety of dining options as well. The Sea Pines Resort's beach club places guests of the Inn and Club at Harbour Town within steps of the sand. This boutique resort, recommended by Bernthal, features elegant yet comfortable furnishings and a vast array of activities and dining options, making it a great choice for any type of traveler. 'It's a charming property located within Sea Pines, which has over 500 acres of land with forest, beaches, golf, biking and so much more,' says Bernthal. There are 60 well-appointed rooms decorated in a soft color palette and a clean, airy aesthetic. Frette Italian linens adorn the beds, and large windows provide a view of the golf course or expansive resort. While the main attraction at this property is undoubtedly the three championship golf courses, there are also bicycle rentals, horseback riding, beach yoga, sailing lessons, numerous walking trails and a 120-foot pool—including a kiddie pool for the little ones. Exterior of Ocean Oak By Hilton Grand Vacations This family-friendly beachfront property is an ideal destination for families traveling with children. The spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites can fit up to six guests and offer modern bathrooms with walk-in showers and double vanities. The separate living and dining areas also allow families to spread out and prepare meals and snacks in their rooms. There's plenty of activities to keep travelers of all ages occupied, including two pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a kids' activity center and outdoor dining. At the end of the day, kick back and relax with a glass of wine by the outdoor fireplace, taking in the calming sounds of the nearby beach. Exterior of Old Town Bluffton Inn Traveling on your honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary? The Old Town Bluffton Inn has an intimate atmosphere that will appeal to couples seeking to escape and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Bluffton's historic Old Town district. The 14 rooms and furnishings throughout the inn instantly make you feel at ease, from the plush beds to the gilded mirrors to the hand-sewn draperies and matching bed skirts. After exploring the nearby restaurants and shops, don't miss out on the plethora of outdoor excursions, which range from paddleboarding to a luxury yacht charter. Enjoy complimentary parking, freshly baked goods, a full pantry of snacks, an exclusive guest bar and a traditional Southern breakfast during your stay. The views from the Omni's adult pool are most beautiful at dusk. With multi-bed studio suites, larger one-bedroom suites and guaranteed connecting rooms, the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort is a great option for groups traveling together. Guests can enjoy three pools, including a shallow pool ideal for children, as well as access to 11 miles of lagoon trails that can be explored on foot or by bike. There are also tennis and pickleball courts, private beach access (where guests can rent beach chairs and umbrellas), a fitness center and a wellness area offering massages and body treatments. A major advantage of staying here is the access to the property's three championship golf courses; novice players can also join in the fun by taking advantage of lessons by professional instructors. This Lowcountry oasis is located less than 50 steps to the beach. If you're traveling with a large group and want a more private refuge, consider 11 Grey Widgeon, an Airbnb nestled in the gated Sea Pines Resort community. The property features five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms, providing ample space for large family dinners, game nights and other gatherings. There are also two living rooms, with the upstairs one featuring beautiful cathedral ceilings. The kitchen is outfitted with modern appliances that will appeal to even the most discerning home chef, and there's plenty of seating when it's time to enjoy a home-cooked meal. The expansive deck is a wonderful spot for sipping coffee or a glass of wine at the end of the day while the kiddos splash around in the pool. Take note that pets are not permitted at this Airbnb. The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. We selected the top contenders based on personal experience and extensive research. I am a commerce editor for Forbes Vetted covering topics in beauty, fashion, travel and home. Prior to joining Forbes, I held positions at BuzzFeed and Dotdash Meredith, where I was responsible for curating lifestyle content and testing products for real-world insights. My work has appeared in Women's Health, Men's Health, BuzzFeed, Brit + Co, Everyday Health and more. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in English/Creative Writing from Marist College and currently reside in Brooklyn, New York.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
USA Today says this beach bar is top 3 in the US. And it's just 1 hour from Savannah
Looking for the best beach bar experience near Savannah? Well, you won't have to go far. USA Today has released its Readers' Choice Awards 2025 for the 10 best beach bars in the country, and one standout just a short drive away has made an appearance. This bar, located at the Beach House resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has been ranked the No. 3 beach bar in the entire U.S. According to USA Today, the best beach bar just 40 miles from Savannah, is Tiki Hut. Besides its prime oceanfront location, it's the only live-music venue directly on the beach. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tiki Hut offers everything from laid-back beach vibes to lively evenings with dancing, food, drinks, and unforgettable views. For more about this bar, visit Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar (Daytona Beach, Florida) Flora-Bama (Pensacola, Florida) Tiki Hut at Beach House (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) Reunion Kitchen + Drink (Santa Barbara, California) Copper Bar at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Waimea, Hawaii) Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian (Honolulu, Hawaii) Sloppy Joe's on the Beach at Bilmar Beach Resort (Treasure Island, Florida) The Crow's Nest (Santa Cruz, California) House Without A Key at Halekulani Hotel (Honolulu, Hawaii) Edge of Waikiki at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort (Honolulu, Hawaii) Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Best beach near Savannah. USA Today names this one Top 3 in America
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SC Highway Patrol: Three injured in fatal Bluffton car crash, investigation ongoing
The South Carolina Highway Patrol revealed key details Monday night about the car crash that claimed the life of a driver and hospitalized three others Monday afternoon in Bluffton. The crash, which occurred around 12:30 p.m. Monday at the intersection of U.S. 278 and White Oak Circle, involved six vehicles, according to Trooper Nick Pye, who described the moments leading to the crash. Three of the vehicles, including a 2019 Ford pickup truck, a 2015 Lexus sedan and a 2017 Toyota pickup truck, were heading west toward Bluffton at the time of the accident. The other three vehicles involved, a 2019 Nissan sedan, a 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck and a 2024 Toyota van were traveling east toward Hilton Head Island. The Ford pickup struck the other two westbound vehicles and then traveled left of center, merging into oncoming traffic, where it struck the eastbound Nissan and Chevrolet. The Toyota van then struck the Ford pickup. In all, there were ten occupants in the cars. Three occupants were transported to a local hospital, including the driver and a passenger in the Ford pickup truck and the driver of the Nissan sedan. The driver and sole occupant of the Chevrolet truck sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, said Pye.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman in wetsuit found unresponsive on Hilton Head Island. Investigation underway
A 50-year old woman was found unresponsive on Hilton Head Island early Sunday morning, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies responded to Collier Beach Road — near Coco's on The Beach — just before 1 a.m. to find a woman in the surf, still wearing a wetsuit with a boogie board attached to her ankle. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said. The death 'does not appear to be suspicious' at this time, according to a press release. The Beaufort County Coroner's Office will conduct an autopsy on the woman to determine the cause of death. Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 843-524-2777
