Seabrook Island Summer Activities

During the summer, in the hot, hot sun... Seabrook activities sizzle! Each week offers activities and fun for the whole family.  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, the Beach Club pool is hopping with Pool Games for everyone! Team up for the event led by the Beach club pool staff.  Monday evenings you'll find the family at the Beach Club bonfire eating S'Mores. Thursday at the Beach Club the entire family can make their very own "Beach Club Tie Dye."  Customize your very own club logo tie dye shirt. In the evening, children ages 4-11 gather at the lake house for Kids' Movie Night to participate in arts and crafts, games, a pizza buffet and movie of the week. On Friday evenings the electronic games begin. Fun for all ages, win prizes at the weekly Seabrook Island Nintendo Wii championship. Sunday evenings everyone can join for yummy fun of the Seabrook Ice cream Social. Pick your flavor and topping to stay cool. And don't forget Camp Seabrook, for ages 4-11, held half-day during summer season. 

Kiawah Island Open Houses

Kiawah Island Open Houses
August 2, 2011

On these hot summer days… escape the heat and come inside to see some fabulous homes on Kiawah Island. From 3:30-5:00 PM our PHE agents will be opening doors to some of the best Kiawah homes for sale. Compare the different locations, views and building styles and see what’s going on in today’s real estate market.

Originally built in 1987, 16 Bufflehead Drive, has a newly updated gourmet kitchen, oak flooring throughout, cement-plank siding and soaring windows overlooking canvasback pond. Five bedrooms and five baths make this the ultimate family retreat. Nearby, and with expansive lagoon views, 735 Virginia Rail Road is privately situated on a peaceful cul-de-sac only a quick bike ride to the beach. Bright and open, this 3,800 square foot, meticulously maintained home may be offered furnished for an easy move-in transition!

Another  newer home relatively close to the beach and short bike ride to the property owner’s pool is 395 Green Winged Teal Road. This spacious 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath custom home with elevator offers attention to detail with architectural columns, arched doorways, custom crown and baseboard molding throughout. If you prefer overlooking the manicured golf fairway, 29 Berkshire Hall, has a bright and open floor plan on the 8th Fairway of Turtle Point. Built in 1992, with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, this home is set amidst mature natural landscape. There is also a bonus room over the garage that is finished, plumbed and ready to complete.

For more information of if you would like to view these or any other properties, before the Open House, give Pam Harrington Exclusives a call at (843) 768-3635 or (800) 845-6966. Or visit us on the web at www.pamharringtonexclusives.com.

When in Rome, Eat Like the Locals

The hand-painted signs catch your eye as you drive down Maybank Highway and River Road, “Fresh Eggs,” “Farm stand Produce,” “You Pick Farm.” The idea of stopping to grab some fresh fruits and veggies is as appealing as catching fireflies in a mason jar and watching them dance.
But where do you stop?
What do you buy?
How do you cook it?
Charleston is known world-wide for its innovative chefs and traditional Lowcountry cuisine. Where else in the world can you find restaurants that serve heirloom tomato BLTs on herbed focaccia; crab hushpuppies with garlic tartar sauce; peach smothered grilled pork chops; southern cream corn casserole with butter cracker topping; finished off with gingersnap double crusted blackberry pie?
Well, not only can you find the restaurants here that cook these fresh items, but you can even sign up for classes to learn to cook them.
Thanks to Maverick Southern Kitchens and their culinary shop Charleston Cooks, locals and visitors alike enjoy cooking classes and demonstrations which offer everything from Taste of the Lowcountry classes to Sushi workshops and evening wine tastings.
Depending on your interest, you can either watch a demonstration from one of Maverick Kitchens talented chefs or take a class and learn to harness the culinary skills you need to whip up some dishes for your friends and family.
Demonstration classes usually last about 1 and 1/2 hours and Participation classes run approximately 2 hours. All you need to do is bring an empty stomach and a desire to learn because you’ll be tasting a lot and learning even more.
Don’t be worried about whatever your culinary skills are. These instructors are prepared to teach every level of interest and skill. There are even children’s culinary camps (if you’re lucky enough to book them before they get booked up.) Every week there are plenty of offerings from which to choose. It’s as easy as visiting their website at:
http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/charlestoncooks/classes/
Oooh, and be sure to bring back some of that wonderful food to the island for us, will ya? We sure do get hungry in here answering these phones.

picture courtesy of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau

A Whole Week of Nothing To Do. How do you schedule it all?

Sigh. It's July 5th. You've come to Seabrook to escape to the beach, hang out at the pool, play a round of golf and now....now what?
Don't sigh. You're on vacation. There's plenty of nothing to do on quiet Seabrook Island, and we mean that in a good way. So, let's get started.
Have you tried exploring the island on bike? The trails are wonderful, the shaded streets are a relief from the mid-day heat and there's bicycle parking right by the clubhouse pool. One of our favorite trails is the Kiawah Island Parkway Bike Path. It takes you right to Freshfields Village and gives you an opportunity to take in an early morning bike ride, do some shopping, grab a cup of coffee, maybe even take in a lunch at Vincent's Soda Fountain. Check out J.McLaughlin while you're there. This seaside boutique features clothing for both men and women. Best of all, if you tell them Seabrook Exclusives sent you, you'll get a special treat!
Want to get out of the kitchen? We understand. You are on vacation, after all. There are plenty of good eats on Johns Island and we have tons of recommendations. Want to take in a movie and dinner? Head to the Terrace Theater and go to Zia Taqueria, right next door, at 1956 Maybank Hwy. The fish tacos are so fresh, you'll swear they have a line out on Wappoo Cut to pull them in just for you.
The Wild Olive has the most wonderful Italian food and a terrific variety of wines that you'll swear you had stumbled into a Tuscan hillside trattoria. Don't have reservations? Don't worry. The community table is perfect for meeting great people, sharing stories and enjoying the freshest food.
We even have the number to one of the best chefs in the country, if you want a personal chef to come into your home and cook for you, your friends or family. His name is Chef Brett McGee and he can cook an intimate meal for two starting with melt in your mouth Fois gras or make a large family-style meal including buttermilk fried chicken for a crowd. His services are constantly up for auction with local charities, so you're in for a real treat when you schedule with Chef Brett. His prices and services vary, so we’ll be happy to provide you with his number for you to work out your meal and menu plan.
How about doing something you've never tried before, like waterskiing? Trophy Lakes on Johns Island was just featured in Southern Living Magazine as one of the South's Greatest Lakes. It's the perfect spot to learn to waterski without fear of embarrassment. For $55, you will receive a private lesson and equipment is be provided. Want your kids entertained while you walk through Charleston antiquing? Then send them out for a kids camp for $90 a day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Best of all, lunch is provided and they can meet and makes some other friends. Visit carolinawatersports.com/traphylakes/rates to see more details.
Want to tell your friends about the one that got away? Then give Sonny Boy Charters a call at 843.708.1486 to let Capt. Brad Rumph take you fishing around the islands. Trips include all of your ice, bait, tackle and fishing licenses on a comfortable 18-foot Hewes Redfisher or 25-foot Seacraft. Bring your camera to spot those bottlenose dophins and brown pelicans at play.
Like we said, there are plenty of opportunities to do nothing on your vacation. Seabrook Exclsuives is more than happy to provide you with the information and resources to help you make the most out of your do-nothing vacation.

Facebooking the Fourth of July

The more things change, the more we need them to stay the same. That's especially true when it comes to celebrating our country's founding this weekend.
I often wonder if CNN, MSNBC, FOX news and the others had been around in 1776, or even before then, if the world would've been glued to their seats watching a bunch of rabble rousers stand up to the biggest ruler in the Western World. Better yet, it would've been all over the social media websites.
I can see it now...Paul Revere on Twitter, "The British are coming! The British are coming!!!" (It would've been the perfect length to post.) Or, can you imagine George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton's LinkedIn account? "John Adams would like to add you to his LinkedIn account. Do you accept?"
Martha Washington and Betsy Ross could've communicated with their IPhones on Facebook: "Love the "Design your own flag" app., Betsy. I'll show it to George and see what he says. Whadaya think. Should we have stars and stripes or just stripes? Mwuhhh <3"
It's all a bit funny thinking about it now, but in reality, it was a very tough time for our founders. The idea of breaking away from England, going to war and fighting against richest, most well-armed and militarily experienced country in the world, you have to know the founders were all a little more than desperate for freedom.
Today, it seems we're all a little more than desperate for time with our family and friends. We take it for granted that we can wake up without having to worry about government troops in our cities and homes pointing their guns at us everytime we take a picture and post it on the internet. The idea of wearing what you want (though some should exercise good judgement) while hanging out at beach or at a neighborhood bar - without getting beaten- isn't out of the realm of possibilities . Reading the news on Facebook or on a blog is as easy as picking up a non-state run newspaper.
This country is an amazing work in progress. The freedoms that we have enable us to constantly improve our lives as well as the freedom and lives of others around the world.
So, when you look up at those beautiful fireworks this weekend, remember that, though it's cliche, we still live in the greatest country on Earth. And though we all have our differences, politically, geographically or even spiritually, we should all be grateful to the men and women who continue to uphold the laws that our founding fathers (and mothers) fought so desperately for.
Have a fantastic Fourth of July, everyone. See you at the beach!