Episodes

July 22, 2022

Post Civil War Hilton Head

Rich Thomas shares what was happening on Hilton Head during the post civil war era through the founding of the Hilton Head company and the creation of Sea Pines by Charles Fraser. Rich explains how logging, phosphate, turpentine and agriculture...

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June 17, 2022

Mitchelville

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. General Gordon Granger informed the enslaved that the Civil War had ended and they were free. What many …

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Sept. 14, 2021

A conversation with author Annell St. Charles

Author Annell St. Charles is a long time property owner and lover of Hilton Head. In this episode we find out how she discovered Hilton Head, why she used Hilton Head as a setting for two of her novels and …

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Sept. 3, 2021

The founding of Palmetto Dunes with E.G. Robinson

E.G. Robinson was a founding partner of Palmetto Dunes. In this episode E.G. shares with us the beginning of the resort community, the challenges they faced with the property and his relationship with Charles Fraser. E.G. also tells us about …

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Aug. 21, 2021

Lowcountry Agriculture with Rich Thomas

Rich Thomas joins me to discuss lowcountry agriculture and the impact Rice, Indigo and Sea Island Cotton had on the growth of South Carolina.

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Aug. 6, 2021

Lowcountry Art: Charlene Gardner and Four Corners Gallery

Charlene Gardner is the owner of Four Corners Gallery in Bluffton. In this episode we talk about art and artists in the lowcountry, the galleries offerings and why supporting the local arts is important for a community.

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July 29, 2021

Meet Charlie Ryan, author of "My life with Charles Fraser"

Charlie Ryan is the author of "My life with Charles Fraser". In this episode we talk with Charlie about the book, how it came together and his conversations with those who shared stories about their relationship with Charles Fraser.

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July 1, 2021

Albert the Gator, Charles Fraser & JFK: Meet David Pearson

If there is one person who had the biggest impact in putting Hilton Head on the map besides Charles Fraser it would be David Pearson. In this episode David shares with us the story behind two photos that went worldwide …

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June 30, 2021

Bonus Music Episode for 4th of July

Welcome back Brian Eichenberger from the podcast "Rock and Roll Bedtime Stories". One of the artists Brian and I discuss once owned property in Sea Pines back in the 1990's. That is the only connection to HHI in this show. …

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June 24, 2021

A Night at the Movies: Park Plaza Cinema with Lucie Mann

Park Plaza Cinema is the long time movie theater at the south end of the island and located near the Greenwood gate to Sea Pines. In this episode we talk with Lucie Mann about the theater they have owned since …

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June 23, 2021

Bonus Episode: June 23, 2021 Sea Turtle Update

Amber Kuehn from the Sea Turtle Patrol provides an update on the Sea Turtle Nesting Season. Find out how it is going on HHI!

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June 17, 2021

Golf and sports on Hilton Head: A conversation with Mark King

Mark King is a long term resident of Hilton Head. He has been involved in the golf and sports industry during his career on the island. In this episode Mark starts with the different ownership groups involved on Hilton Head …

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June 10, 2021

Reflections on Sea Pines and Charles Fraser with Jim Light

Jim Light worked in Sea Pines with Charles Fraser in the late 60's and 70's. He guided Sea Pines through some very rough financial times when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates significanlty. Jim shares stories about working with Charles,...

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June 3, 2021

Pirates with Rich Thomas

Pirates were common in the waters around Hilton Head Island. Rich Thomas joins us in this episode to share stories and the history of Blackbeard, Calico Jack and a couple of lady pirates that raided and pillaged cargo ships headed …

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May 28, 2021

Let's talk about HHI and 80's summer beach music

I am joined by Brian Eichenberger from the podcast "Rock and Roll Bedtime Stories" as we discuss Hilton Head and some classic 80's summer beach songs. Brian is an expert researcher and musicphile and reveals some behind the scenes stories …

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May 27, 2021

The sweetest job on the island. Welcome to the Chocolate Canopy

The Chocolate Canopy is a Hilton Head tradition. Started in 1982 it is currently owned by Chris and Nancy Paris. In this episode Nancy shares the story of how they ended up on the island and then owning not just …

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May 20, 2021

You have what in your backyard? A conversation with Chip Collins

Chip Collins is a 28 year resident of Hilton Head and owner/broker of Collins Group Realty. In this episode we talk about visiting Sea Pines as kids, current growth challenges in the area and how the vision of Charles Fraser …

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May 13, 2021

Hilton Head Island - What's in a name?

Hilton Head Island has had lots of names over the years. Rich Thomas shares with us the history of the names of HHI and the history of some of the more well known and obscure street and location names on …

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May 6, 2021

Reflections on Sea Pines and Charles Fraser with Jim Chaffin

Jim Chaffin of Chaffin/Light talks about the early days of his career working in Sea Pines. Jim reflects on working with Charles Fraser and dealing with some of the challenges of the development. Jim also talks about Harbour Town, the …

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April 29, 2021

Santa Elena - The first true settlement in America

Santa Elena, built on what is now Parris Island, was the first long standing settlement in what would become the Colonies. Rich Thomas, a local historian, takes us through the story of Spanish and French battles for the area, the …

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April 22, 2021

The Master Planning of Sea Pines with Stu Dawson

Stu Dawson is a principle founder of Sasaki, a planning and design firm in Massachusetts. In this episode Stu shares with us his introduction to Charles Fraser, developing the master plan for Sea Pines in the 1950's and designing Harbour …

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April 17, 2021

Burnt Church Road - Unraveling the story behind the name

Melanie Beal Marks is a preservationist and historical researcher. She worked on the Garvin Garvey House preservation project in Bluffton and recently researched the history of Burnt Church Road. Join us as she discusses both projects. We talk about...

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April 10, 2021

Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Patrol

Amber Kuehn is the head of the Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol. Amber shares with us what the patrol does and the challenges for the turtles during nesting season . She also give advise and tips for how everyone can …

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April 3, 2021

Hilton Head Heroes

The Hilton Head Heroes Foundation was founded by Gregg and Lindy Russell. They provide free one week, all expenses paid, trips to children who have serious medical conditions and their families. The heroes house has been open for 20 years …

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