Luckily, this issue has plenty to dig into. First, we are proud to present, for the first time, a comprehensive Hilton Head Monthly medical directory. It’s got just about everyone we could find in the Lowcountry, and it’s been independently stitched, so it can be easily pulled out and used on a regular basis. And we’ve found that aside from being a comprehensive resource, it also illustrates the tremendous amount of medical resources available to the residents of the Lowcountry. That’s a comforting feeling.

May also kicks off the annual Bravo festival and a full month of celebrating the arts. There are so many art-related events this month we figured we should just pull them all together; get your calendar out and start making plans for “Hairspray,” “Chicago” and the second annual “Shakespeare in the Park” production. There’s also the HHSO’s annual “Picnic and Pops” concert, as well as the Bluffton Village Festival across the bridge. And if you’re in the mood to travel, this month sees the Spoleto festival in Charleston and SCAD’s annual fashion show, one of the premier student fashion shows in the country.

Finally, I have to point you toward our cover model, Hilton Head Island’s own Ironwoman, Elaine Dowden. I can’t tell you how much I admire this lady; like many other islanders, I enjoy working out, but Elaine is taking it to a whole new level. As a proud grandmother, her story shows each of us that when it comes to staying fit, age doesn’t count.

Also in this issue, catch up with local singer Luke Mitchell, whose debut CD will come out this summer, and read our special Mother’s Day story about how, even in a world filled with technology and noise, Mother still knows best.

Because in addition to being about the arts, May is also the time to celebrate Mom. Make sure to give yours a hug or a call to remind her how special she is. Which reminds me: Happy Mother’s day, Mom!

Of course, this year the Heritage is unfolding under a cloud of uncertainty. We still don’t know what the future holds, but we do know that it’s more important than ever to support the tournament any way we can.

This issue of Monthly covers the Heritage from a variety of perspectives. James McMahon interviews 2010 champion Jim Furyk, who shares his thoughts not only on the course and his victory, but what PGA pros think about a schedule without a Heritage. Mark Kreuzwieser profiles a number of local businesses and activists who are beating the streets looking for locals who can help support the tournament going forward. Robyn Passante profiles Matt Mason, the “star marshal of the 14th hole” and an amazing man with an incredible story. Rob Kaufman asked local bartenders to whip up Heritage-flavored creations. And for those who love the tournament but aren’t glued to every swing of the club, check out Karen Cerrati’s suggestions on 10 ways you can enjoy the Heritage without watching a minute of golf.

Not that the Heritage is the only thing going on around here. This month’s issue looks at the expansion of the Island Rec Center, the future of the Hilton Head Island High School international baccalaureate program, the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island and Phyllis Mauney, an ex-Marine who plays a mean harp.

Finally, we here at Monthly have always supported the Heritage and realize how important this event is to all of us. For better or worse, I’m an eternal optimist, so I’ll close by saying enjoy this year’s Heritage, and we’ll see you again next year.

Still, the signs of spring are definitely here. In years past our March issue has celebrated the onset of this glorious season, but in 2010 we introduced our first “Green Issue,” which was such a hit that we brought the idea back and included even more green stuff.

If you feel like you’re behind the times, or looking for more ways you can be more green, this is the issue for you. I’ve already started making small changes at home and here at Monthly, but there’s much more that I — and all of us — can do to protect our environment.

Our green features this month cover everything: a look at how local golf courses, marinas and hotels are adjusting to a sustainable way of life; an update on the island’s recycling program; a feature on Hilton Head’s new farmers market and a look inside the new Tanger Outlets in Blu ton to see how it’s become the first LEED-certified shopping center in Beaufort County. Plus, this month’s Home Discovery shows o one of the area’s greenest homes; it’s amazing how such an energy-efficient home can be so gorgeous at the same time.

But there’s plenty more, too: If you’re a music buff, you’ve probably already seen the strong lineup for this year’s Savannah Music Festival. On page 121, go backstage and catch up with some of the fest’s headliners, including iconic New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint, renowned banjo man Bela Fleck, R&B revivalist Sharon Jones and North Carolina’s Avett Brothers, who are breaking big this year. There’s music happening locally; too: On page 54, catch up with New Orleans institution the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who will perform at the Arts Center in March.

Speaking of music, last year the HHSO began its worldwide search for a new conductor, and this month they’re ready to announce a major coup. Find out who’ll be taking over on page 32 — and read up on his incredible resume.

A wedding carries so many memories throughout the years that it’s important to feel comfortable with those who you’ve selected to be part of your day. And we were once again amazed at the number of local vendors ready to help create the perfect wedding: Our 32-page Bridal Guide is a collection of features that cover just about every aspect of getting married in the Lowcountry, from the latest in fusion albums to avoiding sand traps in beach weddings to how your phone can help you through the organizing process. If you are planning a wedding — or know someone planning a wedding — this is a mustread!

We’re also proud to announce our Bridal showcase will be held this year Feb. 20 at Hampton Hall. What a perfect way to meet a variety of vendors in one beautiful setting and sample everything: photography, cakes, wedding planners, hair dressers, musicians, venues and more. We’ll have live music, a fashion show, great food, fabulous gifts and prizes from each vendor.

And we’ll also have our annual highlight: a contest for engaged couples to win a two-page spread in Hilton Head Monthly showcasing their wedding. If you’re interested, bring an engagement photo to enroll; all photos will be put online where friends and family are encouraged to vote.

Of course, if you’re not getting married there’s plenty to check out this month: Go on-site at the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build that took place last month in Beaufort on page 42, take a ride on Disney’s latest cruise ship on page 77, find out what some of your friends and neighbors would do on the perfect Valentine’s Day on page 81 and meet an ex-CIA man now living a much quieter life on Hilton Head on page 126. Even if you don’t have a wedding on the horizon, there’s plenty of love this month!

Chris was a lucky find: He actually worked on the tutu worn by Brooke Bishop on our November “Nutcracker” cover. This month’s cover was shot by Bo Milbourn at 33 Park Photography, a friend of the family who posed the couple just outside his studio on a chilly Sunday in December.

The balance of our Intriguing People came from all over the place: friends, staffers, people who knew people and, of course, you: Readers, via Facebook and email, submitted a number of suggestions that found their way in. We’ve got the overnight-celebrity high school football coach from Bluffton, a newly inducted member of the Candy Hall of Fame, a man on a mission to uncover the location of Ithaca for “The Iliad,” the theater whiz at Hilton Head Prep, a local Mark Twain impersonator, a South Africanborn doctor with a vintage motorcycle collection and new island mayor Drew Laughlin, just to name a few.

There’s plenty more going on, of course. We couldn’t imagine beginning a new year without a financial checkup. Ours begins on page 28 and includes not only a list of practical suggestions you can put into place right now, but also offers great advice for families of all ages. Plus, we’ve also got a feature on New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep, which at this time of year is no small feat.

Finally, it is with great pleasure we welcome Teresa Wade as a regular contributor. As we start the new year of opportunity, Teresa’s new Read Green feature will share information and insight on what’s going green means for your home and workplace.

Enjoy this intriguing new Monthly!

“The Nutcracker” traditionally ushers in the holiday season on the island, but so does Taste of the Season, which returns for its 21st year in December (page 46). A tasty way to experience the cuisine of more than 35 in one convenient venue, this is one event that I never miss. To stay in a festive mood, check our huge Holiday Home Section (page 67). It’s early in the season, of course, but that means there’s plenty of time to get your home ready — inside and out — for your holiday guests.

But there’s more than holidays on our minds this month: Check out Tim Donnelly’s great interview with Darius Rucker, ex-Hootie frontman turned country singer, about his Palmetto-themed sophomore record, “Charleston, SC, 1966” (page 44). Catch up with Dr. Joe and Kaye Black, this month’s MVPs, who are spearheading the 2010 United Way drive (page 126). Find out how a Bluffton vintage boutique is bringing “Mad Men” fashion fever to the Lowcountry (page 35). And get an update on the local economic situation from Coastal States Bank president Jim MacLeod (page 35). Finally, before the Nov. 2 elections, see what the mayoral candidates have to say about the Mayor’s Vision Task Force report (page 28).

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Finally, I want to say thanks to everyone who voted in our 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards. We’ve handed out these awards for awhile now, but I’m always amazed at the enthusiastic response we get every year. We’ll be announcing the winners in the December issue of Monthly, and we’ll be handing out the gold at our Reader’s Choice Awards party, to be held Dec. 9 at the Country Club of Hilton Head. It will definitely be a festive event — and give you a chance to meet and greet all our winners and 2010 MVPs.

Enjoy the November Monthly — and do not forget to get out and vote!

First up is our overview of the November mayoral race beginning on page 26. I had the pleasure of going on the cover photo shoot with the candidates. My only regret is that I didn’t take a video recorder to all the conversations.

Over the past few months we’ve asked the candidates to respond to Q&As focusing on the most pressing issues facing our island. That was a lot of information to process, so this month we’re recapping the whole thing, presenting  condensed versions in what’s hopefully an easy-to-process visual form on page 28. For the full Q&As with all the candidates, we encourage you to find a quiet spot, budget some time and go to hiltonheadmonthly.com.  And remember to vote!

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October also marks the kickoff of one of the island’s premier cultural events, the Concours d’Elegance. Monthly has been covering this event for years, and it’s been amazing to see how it’s grown. But this year they’re doing something new, and have asked local restaurants and bars to create Concours-specific “cartinis” based around an automotive theme. Photographer Rob Kaufman took five of the beverages to Bluffton Automotive for a highly cool photo spread that begins on page 56. (And we’ve reprinted the recipes so you can make them at home.)

This month we’re also bringing back a favorite department from Monthly’s history, because who doesn’t like taking a peek inside the most spectacular homes in the Lowcountry?

Home Discovery returns this month spotlighting a gorgeous home in Tidewater Landing owned by Todd and Tracy Hawk; it’s won loads of awards, and if you see the opening photograph on Page 88, you’ll see why. (If you know of a great local home that would qualify for a HD feature, drop us a note at editor@hiltonheadmonthly.com).

Finally, we are currently collecting your votes for our Readers Choice Awards. This year, for the first time, our voting will be online only, so please take the time to reward your favorite chef, florist, or bank. It’s a great way to get some much-deserved attention to your favorite businesses.

Jeff has some history with Monthly: About 10 years ago he worked here as a graphic designer, but he also had a gift for writing, which is a unique combination. Jeff moved back north and spent five years in Chicago, but decided to return with his family to the sunshine and warmth of the Lowcountry, and we’re excited to have him back.

Jeremy, meanwhile, has been a great and unflappable designer with us for more than three years; we’re thrilled to have him on as art director.

You’ll notice the new guys have made a few changes already, and we expect more to come from this talented team.

Now, on to September: This month’s issue has something for everybody. If you’re a music fan, check out Jeff’s interview with part-time Daufuskie resident John Mellencamp, who talks  about his love of the island and why he recorded parts of his new album in Savannah on page 22. We’ve also got a chat with Trevor Hall, who spent his summer on the road with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff and who returns to the Big Bamboo later this month, on page 100. And on page 102, meet Rolling Stones tribute band White Liquor, who, incidentally, are playing our upcoming Pets on the Promenade event (see below).

Elsewhere, second homeowners — or those considering buying a second home for the rental market — should check out our annual Property Management section to find out why it’s so important to make sure your investment is in good hands on page 28.

And anyone planning a fall wedding should page through our Fall Bridal special section starting on page 81, in which four real brides tell us their real stories about their experiences planning their diverse ceremonies on Hilton Head.

It’s been an amazing summer — now let’s look forward to a great fall!

We had Addi, our Golden Retriever, and Brock (a former pound dog), and thought a kitty would be a nice addition. My husband, David, was not a cat fan but agreed it would be okay. Ashley, my oldest daughter and a huge animal lover,  was so excited, we left early that morning on our quest for the perfect little kitty.

The cat room at HHHA is a narrow room filled with adoptable cats of all ages. On this particular day, there were two precious kittens playing in a cage. As I bent over to get a closer look, I felt a paw poking my back from the cage behind me. Try as I might to stay focused on the tiny kittens, every time we went near the cages, this particular cat would nudge me as if to say, “What about me?”

The sweet volunteer introduced me to Screech (seven months old) and asked if I would like to hold him. Although we wanted a small kitten, when this Entering our house for the first time, he took a look around, stretched and gave a purr of approval, as if to say, “Yep, I’ll live here.” Screech quickly bonded with the entire family, curling around my younger daughter, Brittany’s neck and begging for David’s attention (screeching!).

We knew we had to change that name, hoping he would stop. It was New Year’s Eve, and as we poured a nice glass of Pinot Grigio, I said, “How about calling him Mr. Grigio? Today, David calls him KB, short for Kitty Boy.

Our lives changed with this adopted cat. He adds so much love to our family! I would definitely recommend a trip to the Hilton Head Humane Association. Even if you do not want to be adopted, you could always offer a furry friend a little love.

August is traditionally our Pet and Kids issue, and this year is no exception. Make sure you check out the photos you submitted for our readers to enjoy, starting on page 98. If by chance we ran out of space before your photos were published, we put all entries online at hiltonheadmonthly.com

Enjoy this very special issue of Hilton Head Monthly.

Where is the time going? I told my daughters that I have a theory that the world is turning faster, thus the days, nights, weeks and months are much shorter. Although they agree that time does fly, they don’t buy into my theory. It truly does seem that as we grow older, we just blink and the season is gone.

Remember when we were kids and the summers seemed endless? We played our days away. We went swimming, we caught fireflies and staying in the house was the worst punishment. Time does go fast, but I’m going to make a promise to myself to enjoy each day of this summer. I think my husband and I need to go fishing. I definitely could use a few good shopping days. And relaxing on the back porch with our friends and neighbors really sounds like the perfect summer night.

Our July issue is definitely a tribute to the summer months and is full of ideas to help make this a great summer. Be sure you check out our Summer Fun section, beginning with our “coolest” map ever! You’ll find great places to places to eat, fish, shop or even buy a house!

It’s definitely a keeper.

On another note, we also profile several local business people who took their ideas and dreams and made them real. We love to spotlight these folks because buying local is a great way to support our community and its economy. You’ll be amazed at the treasures we were able to find.

I only have one final recommendation, and that’s to try to get out of the house and “play” this summer. Enjoy this wonderful season, because time truly does fly.