Archive for June, 2008

A Reflective Gaze.  Rodel Gonzales, original oil 26 x 30

The Hilton Head Endangered Arts Gallery

Endangered Arts is my favorite art gallery on Hilton Head Island. Julie and Clay Rogers own and run the gallery that they started in 1994. It’s called Endangered Arts because everything they sell is signed and numbered, a limited edition or an original. When the art sells out, it’s gone!   They sell magnificent art from about 25 different artists that includes paintings, glass and sculptures. James Coleman, Rodel Gonzales and Steve Barton were featured at their Spring Show on June 20 and 21, 2008. Barton paints colorful Caribbean scenes on ‘wavy’ canvasses.  Rodel Gonzales and James Coleman paint the lowcountry.  At the show, I had the pleasure to talk with them about their lowcountry art.  

Rodel Gonzales Captures the ‘Mood’ of Hilton Head

Rodel Gonzales has captured ‘the mood’ of Hilton Head so well that his paintings have been featured on the covers of many HiltonHead Island magazines. 

Rodel Gonzales at the Endangered Arts Gallery

“The mood of Hilton Head” he says, “is unique. It’s different altogether from that of Big Sur, Malibu or Hawaii. That’s why my lowcountry wildlife and nature scenes are very different from the tropical pieces that I mostly painted before I discovered Hilton Head’s natural beauty and began painting it. Hilton Head Island has its own character and beauty with the marshes, the blue herons, the egrets – even the color of the water.  The colors are different from the ones in Hawaii – different shades of green. It’s a challenge for me to create a Hilton Head palate or mood. I love to discover the possibilities”. 

 

Stillness of the Night.  Rodel Gonzales, original oil

As Time Goes By.  Rodel Gonzales, original oil 18 x 24

His start in painting could be called painterly. He learned to paint from his father and he grew up in a family of talented painters. “When I was growing up, I loved to go to my father’s studio after school every day and watch him paint. It was the highlight of my day. Me and my cousins – my relatives – everybody painted! It’s a good thing that there were no video games back then. Things might have turned out differently.” 

James Coleman Imagines and Inspires

Lowcountry Light.  James Coleman, limited edition giclee, 18 x 24

 “As beautiful as Hilton Head is, what excites me with my art is to inspire people by taking reality, changing it a little bit and sometimes, making it a little bit better. I ask myself what would I want to see if I was standing in the best place I could imagine at a pond or a garden.”  

In his lowcountry paintings, Coleman imagines natural sanctuaries of massive oak trees that surround fragile lily ponds that 

James Coleman at the Endangered Arts Gallery

we can only visit in his artwork.   Light shines through dark tree branches to serene water and colorful lily pads. We linger and absorb this peaceful world.       

Oak in the Wetlands.  James Coleman, limited edition giclee 18 x 24

Coleman paints the words John: 8-12 in the bottom corner of some of his paintings. He says, “Oh, that’s “I am the light of the world; he who follows me never walks in the shadow but shall have the light of life.” I feel that that describes what my paintings are about. No matter where my paintings are, hopefully they inspire and give people another look at life. When you have a piece of artwork that you like, it comes to you from a place of light and inspiration. I put the John verse there because people ask me how I do what I do. I tell them I don’t know. I’m not the one who is really doing it. It’s a gift.”  

“I could never have believed that I would have this kind of success”, he says. “I love it and my career is beyond my wildest dreams. I am very fortunate. I love trying to get more feeling and more inspiration in each piece and I want people to feel those same things.” 

Note: All images are protected by copyrights.  All rights are reserved by the artists. 

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

 

Hampton Pointe is a private, gated golf community in Hardeeville, S.C.

 A New Hilton Head Golf Community

Hampton Pointe is the Hilton Head’s newest private golf community with a big difference: a low membership fee of only $298 per month and no initiation fee.  $298 per month is the cost for both your club membership and the community maintenance and services!  The fees of other private golf club communities are much more: an approximate combination of 

One of the Estate homes, The Waterbury

a $12,000 or more initiation fee, $750 per month membership fee and $10,000 a year or more POA fee.  Hampton Pointe’s low fee together with the high quality of this private golf and residential community makes this one of the best sales stories that I have heard in years.  Hampton Pointe should be considered by anyone looking for a private, gated, country club-style golf community for their retirement, relocation or second home in the Hilton Head area today.     

One of the popular Carolina Homes from 2,000 SF

Developer Toll Brothers expects the $298 per month fee to increase gradually over time but not suddenly.   They have planned for future maintenace and capital improvements by charging reasonable fees on new home purchases and resales, as other established gated communities do today.    

Hampton Pointe is a good place for people who want the lowcountry lifestyle but without the tourism.  Hampton Pointe is 12 miles from the bridge to Hilton Head in Hardeeville, South Carolina and just 6 miles from Rt 95.  Hampton Pointe is close to Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, Charleston and Savannah, Georgia.     

The Hampton Pointe Clubhouse Will Be Luxurious

The Jack Nicklaus Hampton Pointe course nears completion.  This is the 1st hole, a par 4.

The 22,000 square foot luxury clubhouse will be the social center of the community.  It will be the location of the golf pro shop, the spacious men’s and  women’s  locker facilities, the health and fitness club, private dining room and informal grille room.  Construction on the clubhouse is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2009 with completion expected one year later.  The architectural firm   will be the same one that designed the clubhouses at Belfair and Berkeley Hall, two of the area’s best private golf communities. 

Hampton Pointe Has Resort-Style Amenities

 An outdoor swimming pool and tennis club with six courts will complete the resort-style amenities of Hampton Hall, 

Villa homes from 2,000 SF and $340,000.

together with the Jack Nicklaus Design golf course.  The par 72 course is nearing completion and several of the holes are already playable.  It will have red, white, gold and black tees with lengths of 5,113 to 7,322 yards.  Insiders say  that Hampton Pointe will be one of the area’s best and even among the country’s top 100 courses.  Hampton Pointe has a 24-hour manned security gated entrance and is a private, members-only residential community.   Membership is mandatory and the cost is only $298 per month.

Hampton Pointe Offers Homes, Lots and Villas

The 850-acre private community has a variety of homes, home sites and villas for sale today:

• 300  Hampton Pointe ’Carolina’ homes are available as home and lot packages with several floor plans and exterior designs.  Sizes range from 2,000-2,500 SF with 2-car garages and prices from about $345,000.**
• 236  Hampton Pointe ‘Carriage’ homes, your choice if you do not want to take care of exterior maintenance.*  Sizes range from 2,200-3,100 SF with prices from about $315,000.
• 236  Hampton Pointe ‘Villa’ homes are attached and range from 2,000-2,600 square feet have prices from about $340,000 and no exterior maintenance.*
• 237 Hampton Pointe  ’Estate’ home sites are full sized lots with no restriction to your choice of builder or when you build.  Sizes vary from 1/3-1/2 acre with prices from about $150,000.  The Developer, Toll Brothers also offers a variety of model homes for you to consider. 
• 172  Hampton Pointe ‘Estate’ homes have a minimum of 2,600 square feet, priced from the mid $500,000s.   

* Carriage and Villa homes that require no exterior maintenance have a mandatory maintenance fee so that a company takes care of the exterior maintenance for the owners. **Stated prices are approximate and will change over time.   

A Carriage House	Carriage House stairway	Carriage House kitchen

 Your Preferred Buyer’s Agency for Hampton Pointe is Go Gated Realty. ® 

The Gated Communities Specialist ® is your best choice of Buyer’s Agent at Hampton Pointe and any community in the Hilton Head Island area.  You want the best property at the best price and terms but remember that developers’ salesmen do not represent you.  They represent the developer.  My participation in your purchase process will help your success and contribute to your peace of mind in many ways.  You pay nothing more to have my assistance because my fee is already included in the price of every property and is paid at closing.   Please contact me today with any question and to find the best home and community for you.    

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

Gene Sullivan addresses the 15th Annual Memorial Day Observance of the Navy League of the United States, Hilton Head Council at the Shelter Cove Veterans’ Park.

 Hilton Head Islanders Remember

On May 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m., The Navy League of the United States held the 15th Memorial Day observance at Veterans’ Memorial at Shelter Cove Park on Hilton Head Island.   Flags of the United States, the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and MIAs flew under cloudy skies.  The park was filled and overflowing with hundreds of people in attendance including many Town, County and State government officials that were recognized by Master of Ceremonies Gene Sullivan, President of the Hilton Head Island Council of the Navy League.  Mr. Sullivan noted that former Hilton Head Mayor Jerry Barkie, a World War Two Veteran was recuperating from a broken hip and was not in attendance for the first time in fifteen years.  He said that everyone wished the former Mayor a speedy recovery.       

"Memorial Day is a day or remembrance, giving thanks to all brave men and women who gave their lives for our country", Mr. Sullivan said.  "While the province of the Navy League is the sea services: the Navy, the Marine Corp, the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines; We equally honor all all fallen of the Army and the Air Force."   

Hilton Head’s World War II  Veterans are Honored

Before the formal service began, Mr. Sullivan said that he wanted to honor all veterans of World War Two who were in attendance.  He said, "It was over 65 years ago that this nation entered into World War Two.  During that conflict, sixteen million men and women served in our armed forces and Merchant Marines.  Of that number, 400,000 were never to return to their families or loved ones.  They made the ultimate sacrifice.  They gave their all for this great nation."  He asked the World War Two Veterans to stand so that everyone could thank them for their services.  

Mr. Sullivan recalled 15 years earlier when initiating Council President Hamp Burnett organized the first Memorial Day Service in a parking lot in Sea Pines by the Lighthouse.  "It rained that morning very, very heavily but it stopped just before the ceremony.  One of our Members, quietly and with dignity described the sinking of the Cruiser USS Northampton which was lost during the battle of GuadalCanal.  He related his personal saga of survival.  Today we continue that tradition that Dr. Burnett started some fifteen years ago."  

Patriotic Organizations and Officials are Recognized

Then Mr. Sullivan recognized several patriotic organizations and their officials:  Al Wattay, Commander of Post 185  

Jets from the Beaufort Marine Air Corps Station  fly  over the Hilton Head Memorial Day Observance.

of the American Legion; Mary Ann Comper, Regent, William Hilton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Al Wieland, Navigator, 4th Degree, Knights of Columbus; Warren Wilson, Flotilla Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; Commander Don Shea, Palmetto Chapter of the Korean War Veterans; Gordon Kiddoo, President, George Moss Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution;  Paul Grier, State President, Sons of the American Revolution: Major Jim Todd, Lowcountry Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol;  Mary DuVall, President, Hilton Head Chapter Colonial Dames of the    17th Century; Andy Davison, President of Hilton Head Island Elks Lodge 2773; Robert Anderson, President of the Military Officers Association of America; Libby Galloway-Dextrase, President of the Children of the American Revolution". 

The Invocation was given by Dr. Martin Lifer, Senior Pastor of the Providence Presbyterian Church.  Bugler William Howe played the Call to Attention and the Presentation of the Colors was made by the Color Guard and Detachment of the NJROTC of Hilton  Head High School.  Gene Sullivan lead the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mayor Tom Peeples Reads a Memorial Day Proclamation

Mayor Tom Peeples read a Proclamation on behalf of the Town of Hilton Head Island.  He said, "Whereas in 1863 the women of Columbus Mississippi went to the community cemetery to decorate the grave sites of their Confederate war dead, noted the nearby bare and unattended graves of the northern war dead that had fallen on the same field of battle, and returned with flowers to place on the barren graves a gesture that offered to promise reconciliation for a deeply divided nation.  And whereas in 1873, Decoration Day so named because of the custom of decorating the graves of servicemen with flowers became a legal holiday.   And whereas in 1882 the holiday was made more inclusive and renamed Memorial Day and today it recognizes the heroes from all of America’s wars.  And whereas the Hilton Head Council of the Navy League of the United States has elected to formalize the Hilton Head Island annual commemoration of Memorial Day to insure its observance, and whereas the Hilton Head Island Council of the Navy League of the United States has invited and encouraged our citizens and other service oriented groups and our visitors to participate; and whereas it is important to remember the significance of this unique day, to cherish the precious freedoms that all generations enjoy, freedom of thought  with the blood and the lives of our fallen servicemen and women in every branch of service.  These gifts must never be forgotten.  Now, therefore, I Thomas D. Peeples, Mayor of the Town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina do hereby proclaim that May 26, 2008 shall be recognized on Hilton Head Island as Memorial Day and as the Mayor, I call on all citizens and visitors to observe this Memorial Day and the memories of those who are honored with the spirit of gratitude and reverence".                              

The Hilton Head Choral Society

The Hilton Head Island Choral Society and the audience sang the National Anthem.  Four jets from the Beaufort Marine Air Corps Station flew over the ceremony and this was followed by a medley of service songs performed by the Hilton Head Choral Society to which veterans of each military branch stood to applause as their song was sung.   

Guest Speaker Commander Geoffrey S. Gage

Mr. Sullivan introduced the guest speaker who would give the Hilton Head Memorial Day Address, Top Gun Pilot Commander Geoffrey S.  Gage, United States Navy and Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 86-  the Sidewinders.  Commander Gage said, " It’s a great day to be an American fighting man or woman.  We’re here of course to honor those who died in defense of our nation through solemn remembrance.  I can’t think of a better place to be this morning than with such an incredibly dedicated group of my fellow countrymen."  At this time four jets flew over the ceremony a second time.  Commander Gage said, "Obviously the fly over speaks for itself.  I love the Marines -no kill like overkill!"  He continued, "To the Hilton Head Choral Society: Tremendous job. Thank you very much.  That was tear inspiring.  To the Hilton Head High School Navy Junior ROTC: Well done.  Stand up and receive applause." 

Commander Geoffrey S. Gage gives the Memorial Day Address on Hilton Head Island.

Another Great Generation

"Mayor, Councilmen, other elected Representatives of this great nation, flag officers and fellow officers and the greatest generation.   I don’t don’t dispute that you are the greatest generation, but I would wager based on my experience of the last fifteen years leading sailors and marines who are much younger than I and you that we’ve got another pretty great generation in our midst.  You left a great legacy, and my kind of sailors, I believe, are cut from the same cloth."  

The Lowcountry Is Our Nation’s Military Crossroads

"We gather today at one of our nation’s great military crossroads.  The lowcountry and southern Georgia are home to key elements of every Service.  I’m honored to have the opportunity to represent all American service men and women, Merchantmen, Coast Guardsmen, Airman, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors.  I won’t presume to speak for them because this day is as much about individual remembrance as our nation’s collective one of respect to our fallen defenders.  I’ll be brief while addressing two subjects related to Memorial Day.  The first, this day’s purpose and second, who I remember this day.  With respect of Memorial Day in general, it’s obviously something about which all of you know something if not much more than I,  as evidenced by your presence on a day many of our fellow citizens reserve simply for bargain hunting and sun tanning."

Memorial Day Was Born of the Civil War 

"Born of the Civil War, first through individual and local acts of remembrance, then later through nationwide proclamation and eventual law, this Memorial Day has come to recognize the ultimate individual sacrifices of our fellow citizens, men and women who died to defend our collective and individual liberties.  I think it’s right to include the first defenders, our Revolutionary War ancestors who started this unprecedented experiment in democracy well over two centuries ago.  Tested once again in the war of 1812 then supremely tested during our own Civil War when cause and technology conspired to produce, as then, unimaginable losses.  This grand experiment emerged in tact to lead the world in the coming centuries.  Though the incidents of war grew more deadly in the twentieth century, our passion for democracy and freedom did not fade when threatened with a breached Maginot Line or blitzkrieg or kama kazi.  Americans, many of whose brothers and sisters join us today answered the call during the two world wars.  We remember them.  During the ironically named Cold War, we defended distant lands against the onslaught of totalitary communism in places like Korea and Viet Nam.  Many of you today also knew those that served and fell.  You remember them.  And while the Cold War waned and the world grew more connected and interdependent economically, we fought in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.  We fight there today.  A relatively smaller number of our fellow citizens served and died there and the losses are fewer, but no less significant.  Both our nation and to those brave men and women’s families: You remember them. And throughout all of our nation’s history we have lost servicemen not just in direct action with the enemy but from time to time in  training and in preparation for combat and from time to time, from friendly fire during combat.  Their loss, often decried as meaningless or needless, is far from it.  Those great Americans died in service to our country.  We learned from those mistakes.  We get better and ultimately more lethal to our foes.  And we remember those that fell on and off the battlefield.   Each of you by your presence today likely carries the personal memory of one or more great Americans who laid down their life for others and perhaps in some cases for you, off the battlefield."

Three Inspirational Men 

"Today I think of three men in particular, all Navy fliers.  One of them I knew as a best friend. Lieutenant Commander Scott Speicher was lost in combat, January 1991 in the opening hours of Desert Storm, the so-called ‘First’ Gulf War.  He was a Hornet Pilot flying off USS Saratoga at night.  He has never been found but we’ve never stopped looking.  I didn’t know him personally but from day one of my career as a fighter pilot, his story influenced every single hour of my training and preparation for combat.  His fate, ultimately unknown to all but God taught all of us that this business is unforgiving but that America is also unforgetting.  On the opening days of the current war in 2003, Scott Speicher was one of the first priorities  for our forces and we have not stopped looking.  

Lieutenant Nathan White was shot down by our own forces in a highly contested desert in southern Iraq in 2003.  He was flying a close air support mission in support of Marines and soldiers on the ground fighting their way to Baghdad.  His loss, while yielding many lessons learned, was not in vain.  He served his country bravely and answered the call without hesitation.  It was with Nathan in my thoughts and heart that I led my young Navy wing men in two subsequent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We are a better force today because of him. 

Lieutenant Kevin Colling, my best friend, died in 1998 in Valdosta, Georgia during a training accident as the newest Member of the Navy’s Blue Angels.  He and I trained together from the start and he was the best that I ever saw.  He would have been leading a young nugget pilot into harm’s way in Iraq or Afghanistan today.  He would have been a squadron commander today and he would have led the Navy the nation to victory but he died doing what he loved and he left the legacy of friends and brothers in arms to carry on, not in spite of Kevin but because of him.  If I was in our nation’s capitol today, I’d visit section 66, site 6665 section of the Arlington National Cemetery  and say these words to Kevin: Thank you."

They Shall Never Be Forgotten 

"I’ll conclude with a plea and thanks.   First, I would ask all of you to continue to demand that our warriors be provided the best leadership, manpower and technology with which to fight our nation’s wars; To do this as citizens in the collective political process and as groups through the works as such organizations like the Navy League.  We will never eliminate the risk and reality of death in defense of freedom.  Those that threaten to do so out of their own mortal fear but we must continually do more to reduce it.  Help us to win by surviving and when necessary, make the other guy die for his country first.  Second and last, thank you for your service and commitment to us, whether as fellow veterans, members of the Navy League, or simply a great American citizen.   As I join you today in the solemn remembrance of those who gave their last full measure, I reinforce my personal belief that they shall never be forgotten and the cause for which they died, whether on the beaches of Normandy, in the jungles of Viet Nam or the rocky deserts of Iraq or Afghanistan, that cause will never be lost.  Thank you."   Commander Gage received long and sustained applause.   

Placing the Memorial Wreath

A memorial wreath was placed in front of the Memorial  in memory of our United States service men and service women and merchant mariners who died in defense of their country.  Mr. Sullivan asked representatives of each of our armed forces to come forward and stand beside the Memorial Wreath    The Hilton Head Choral Society sang the Navy Hymn as Mr. Sullivan called the names of Bill Baker, U.S. Navy; Robert O’Neil, U.S. Marine Corp; Bob Warden,  U.S. Merchant Marine; Mary-Michaele Beltz, U.S. Army; Charles Cherrix, U.S. Coast Guard and Andy Leach, U.S. Air Force to come forward.  

Dr. Martin Lifer, Senior Pastor of the Providence Presbyterian Church gave the Benediction.  Buglers William Howe and Danny Dennison played taps.  Mr. Sullivan read the Gettysburg Address which was as relevant today as it was when first spoken by President Abraham Lincoln.   

The Hilton Head Navy League

Mr. Sullivan said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Hilton Head Island Council of the Navy League of the United States is honored by your presence here today.  We hope that you appreciate our intent in causing these Memorial Day commemorations to take place.  It is an organization dedicated to support the sea services and a strong national defense.  Our local Navy League Council has made Memorial Day a significant part of our annual calendar.  We hope you will too.   Thanks for all your participation in this most important Memorial Day and thank you for coming.  Now will you please stand and remain standing during the Retiring the Colors which signals the conclusion of this Memorial Day ceremony. "

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

Hilton Head Real Estate Buyers are Finding Bargains Every Day

Prices have come way down, interest rates are low and there is a large inventory of properties offering an outstanding selection to thequalified buyer.  Active buyers know that the future of Hilton Head real estate is bright and now is the time to buy.  They have been watching the market, making offers and finding bargains every day.     

Hilton Head real estate prices have fallen below levels that many of us expected.  This is the time to find bargains.

 We Will Not See Lower Interest Rates 

To wait for lower interest rates does not make sense any more.  The Federal Reserve has finished cutting interest rates and they will probably be higher in the future.  The cost of real estate will effectivly be higher as the cost of money increases even if prices remain the same or go a bit lower.  Anyone who expects lower prices should find a well-priced property as soon as possible and  then negotiate a lower purchase price.  The help of a good Buyer’s Agent is key.  Please call me, the Gated Communities Specialist  ® to find the property you want and for service you can trust.      

Hilton Head Real Estate is At or Near the Bottom     

Many economists have been quoted by the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal as saying that we are at or near the bottom.  Popular finance columnist Suzy Orman said in her column on April 21: "This could be the time to buy a house.  While today’s market is not without risk, it offers a sweet spot of opportunity.”   On April 14, 2008 The Associated Press reported that 59% of the people they interviewed said that this is a good time to buy real estate and 40% believe that home prices will rise soon.  

South Carolina has been among the best states for home appreciation in the country and among the lowest foreclsoure rates. Foreclosures do not come close to characterizing our market but the few that we have are listed by banks with agents of the Multiple Listing Service.  They may or may not be your best buy.   The way to get a bargain is to work with your Agent who can help you find and purchase one. 

Now is The Time of Maximum Opportunity     

Prices reached their higest level in mid-2005 which was the time of maximum risk for buyers.  Prices have fallen to where they are today which is the time of maximum opportunity for buyers.  You won’t find fast profits in today’s real estate market, but if you intend to own property for at least a few years, this is an excellent time to buy. There are bargains in all segments of the market on Hilton Head Island at this time.  Please call or write to discuss your interests today!