Jan 18

Sanctuary reopens after annual top-to-bottom refurbishment

Posted by Mike Vegis on January 18, 2013. No Comments

Early every January, the resort closes The Sanctuary for a top-to-bottom cleaning & polishing making the hotel virtually brand new.  The lobby is totally cleared of all furniture and rugs and floors refinished and furniture and drapes cleaned.  Here are some of the things that were done January 3-7, 2013:

  • Total square feet in wooden floors refinished: 38,455
  • Pieces of furniture cleaned: 201
  • Total square feet of tile cleaned: 14,534
  • Square feet of the 22 area rugs cleaned & repadded: 113,216
  • Repaired the Ocean Room bar wood that was warped and installed a moisture barrier behind the bar
  • Cleaned 10 set of drapes in the lobby as well as all of the Jasmine Porch drapes
  • Installed tile in Jasmine Porch to help the floors in the server area
  • Cleaned all hoods in the kitchens
  • Installed a salon door and work station in The Spa
  • Refinished The Spa front desk and locker desks
  • Refinished Spa chairs in the treatment rooms
  • Totally cleaned and refurbished Spa whirlpools

In addition:

  • The Fire system was recertified – 1,149 initiating devices were inspected and tested
  • Our annual fire drill was conducted in 3 minutes with 60 participants
  • Seven security agents were recertified in criminal law, civil law, handcuffing, medical & trauma assessment, report writing, accident investigation, officer safety, building and area checks, burglar & fire alarms, radio operations, emergency shut-off locations
  • Locks reinstalled on all meeting room doors
Jan 18

Gifts from the Heart

Posted by Kiawah Island Recreation on January 18, 2013. No Comments

The Turtles’ Nest Art Studio loves Valentine’s Day!  Show someone that you love them by taking the time to create a unique and heartwarming handmade gift! No matter who it’s for (siblings, parents, or grandparents), it’s always possible to make a great gift from the heart in the Turtles’ Nest Art Studio. Whether it’s due to your artistic details, the kiln cycle, or both, homemade presents can take a little bit of extra time, so when making your gift in the Turtles’ Nest Art Studio it’s a great idea to plan ahead.

If you aren’t planning on coming to Kiawah before Valentine’s Day, here are a few favorite Valentine’s Day crafts for kids you can do at home:

  • Frame Decorating: Painting a frame is a simple and easy craft that can be spiced up so many ways! The frame can match the theme of the picture, the colors of room or nothing at all! It doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s a creative way to capture a special moment!
  • Hand print painting: This is my favorite type of heartwarming craft! The possibilities are endless! I love flower handprints for Grandmothers and spring! I also love when the handprints come together to form a heart, you could write “Be Mine” inside the heart too!
  • Seal it with a kiss! You can use non-toxic paint on the lips of an older child to add cute little lips to any masterpiece!! It’s guaranteed to be a hit! A fun bonding experience to make, and definitely a talking piece!
  • Q-tip painting: This is a fun twist on ordinary painting that kids will love. You can start by drawing an outline and let the Q-tipper go from there!
  • Bowls and Boxes: Create a unique way to store knick-knacks on a desk or dresser. They are fun to make out of glass, but there are many that you can buy and paint and decorate!
  • Learn a new skill such as knitting or crochet! This involves some planning ahead since it can take time to learn and create something such as a scarf, but the gift receiver will definitely appreciate your time and effort!

Here are a few tips from the Turtles’ Nest Art Studio for creating your Valentine’s Day Masterpiece:

  • Have fun! Let it be messy! Just be prepared: Cover the work surface, use paints that are washable, wear a smock and roll up your sleeves, have wet wipes handy, and try to do it somewhere that the floor can be cleaned easily (just in case!).
  • Think of who you are giving the gift to: what are his or her favorite colors? What is something he or she could use?
  • Take the time to make a little card to go with your present!

With these ideas and tips in mind, we wish you the best of luck at creating a beautiful project, or two, for those you and/or your kids care about!  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Jan 3

HGTV® Dream Home 2013

Posted by Mike Vegis on January 3, 2013. 2 Comments

HGTV has been here for a few months shooting video to accompany the ”HGTV Dream Home” which has been built here on Kiawah Island (in a new neighborhood just past the “V” gate before crossing the bridge to Rhett’s Bluff and across from the entrance to The River Course).  Check them out:

http://www.hgtv.com/video/kiawah-coastal-odyssey-video/index.html

http://www.hgtv.com/video/kiawah-beachfront-properties-video/index.html

http://www.hgtv.com/video/fun-things-to-do-on-kiawah-video/index.html

Enter for your chance to win so you can become a neighbor!

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-dream-home-2013-giveaway-enter/package/index.html

 

No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the U.S., age 21 or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends at 5 p.m. ET on 2/15/13. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.  For full official rules, visit hgtv.com or send a self addressed stamped envelope to: “HGTV Dream Home Giveaway” – RR, P.O. Box 51412, Knoxville, TN 37950. Main Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC d/b/a Home & Garden Television. HGTV and HGTV Dream Home and their associated logos are trademarks of Scripps Networks, LLC.  Photos © 2012 Scripps Networks, LLC.  Used with permission; all rights reserved.

 

Dec 20

Kiawah blind marathoner, Charlie Plaskon, speak to students at St. John’s High School

Posted by Kiawah Island Recreation on December 20, 2012. No Comments

Charlie Plaskon recently ran in the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon.  While in the Charleston area, this blind athlete/motovational speaker, visited the St. John’s High School to speak to the students.  It was called by the facalty “one of the best assembiles they’ve received.  Above is a video of his appearance.

Mr. Plaskon was born in 1943 and is the grandfather of four. In the first grade he was diagnosed with a degenerative macular disease called Stargardt’s. At that time he had no central vision and limited peripheral vision. His peripheral vision has now also deteriorated to the extent that doctors rate his vision at 20:950. He has been legally blind all of his life. Charlie never let his lack of sight stop him. With the support of family, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Newark State College in New Jersey, his first Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, and his second Master’s Degree from Hofstra University on Long Island. He married, raised three children, and after 32 successful years in the classroom at Copiague Middle School on Long Island, he retired to Florida in 1999. Several months into retirement, Charlie picked up a new challenge – running. In a short time he was running half marathons, quickly followed by full marathons. After three years of success at this sport, including completing three marathons in three weeks in Europe, he turned to a new endeavor – triathlons – adding swimming and biking to the challenge. Since 2003, he has completed numerous half Ironman and full Ironman events, including the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in October, 2007. He has several Olympic distance triathlons to his credit including the ITU World Championship representing the United States as part of Team USA in Laussane, Switzerland in 2006. He has been featured in two Ironman documentaries carried nationally on NBC and the Outdoor Life Network. His life story is also featured in the documentary, Victory Over Darkness, which was shown at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis and the Sedona Film Festival. He continues with his vigorous training and racing schedule, but again has added another major focus which is to motivate the visually impaired and blind as well as the sighted to a wealth of possibilities.

Dec 20

Sanctuary Culinary Team Treats Tricounty Family Ministries for “Feed the Need”

Posted by Nicole Leaf on December 20, 2012. No Comments

It’s the morning of Wednesday, December 19th and Chef Kyle Bowling has just entered the kitchen and fired up the ovens. Today, the Food & Beverage Team at The Sanctuary take to the road as we travel to North Charleston’s TricountyFamily Ministries to Feed the Need. Over 400 portions of your normal dietary needs; protein, vegetables, starch and of course dessert are being packaged and ready to hit the road for service.

When asked why The Sanctuary picked this time of the year to ‘Feed the Need’ VipinMenon, Director of Food & Beverage at The Sanctuary exclaimed, “To keep the spirit of the season alive we as a community should dedicate our time and resources to help those who need it the most. Christmas is a time for giving and sharing, good will and reflection and what better way to do it but to come together and spread some cheer.”

Service began at 11am with kind words to the community by Chef Lawrence Brubaker, Executive Pastry Chef. Once the food line opened up before we knew it, it was already 1pm and over 430 individuals had a good, hearty meal… for some, the only meal they’ll have today.

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Dec 14

Bid Farewell to 2012

Posted by Nicole Leaf on December 14, 2012. No Comments

We hope you’ve got your dancing shoes! As the sunsets over beautiful Kiawah Island on Monday, December 31st islanders, guests and visitors alike are invited for a culinary experience and celebratory evening you’ll never forget. Whether you join us at The Ocean Room or Jasmine Porch in The Sanctuary or venture to Turtle Point Clubhouse for Tomasso’s New Year’s Eve Celebration you’ll want to make sure to visit The Lobby Lounge at The Sanctuary and take a spin on our new dance floor!

Enjoy specialty cocktails and live music as this year’s band helping to bring in the New Year right is The Boomers, who’ll be featured from 8pm to 1am. The Boomers consist of singer Vaughan Penn, 2007 “Breakthrough Artist of the Year (New Music Awards), with Mallory Penland on guitars and vocals, Rick Murray on drums and vocals, and David Rhyne on bass, keyboards and vocals. Dance the night away on our new black and white dance floor and toast the New Year with a glass of Champagne under the stars of the Grand Lawn. Stunning firework display at midnight will be seen just off of The Sanctuary’s beach. This is an event of the year you won’t want to miss!

 

 

Dec 9

2012 Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon

Posted by Kiawah Island Recreation on December 9, 2012. No Comments

Kiawah Island; a barrier island that is 10 miles long and 1 mile from beach to river…so how is it possible to find 26.2 miles of road for a marathon? Well, we’re not quite sure, but it works!

Race Day 2012: Set the alarm for a brisk 3:30am. Knowingly, this year is a little different than last year…new courses, more runners, warmer temperatures, etc. Waking up for this event is easy; in fact, you can barely sleep the night before. You’re excited, your coworkers are excited, and the runners are excited. The best part is knowing that along with the runners, we are accomplishing something as well. It’s one huge hurdle we have to jump, both runners and employees, and once the sun comes up it’s evident we can both reach it.

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Dec 3

GOURMET AND GRAPES 2013 BRINGING TOP ITALIAN, AMERICAN AND NEW ZEALAND WINERIES TO FEBRUARY CULINARY AND WINE EVENT BENEFITTING THE HOLLINGS CANCER CENTER

Posted by Nicole Leaf on December 3, 2012. No Comments

Tuscan Vintner Lionello Marchesi Bringing Italian Wines to February 8th-10th event

 For lovers of food and wine, February is shaping up to be a month unlike any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Top chefs and wineries are coming to The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort to participate in the Fifth Annual Gourmet & Grapes culinary and wine event benefitting the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina.

The weekend-long culinary celebration, scheduled for February 8th-10th, is the only fundraiser in the Lowcountry that brings together renowned chefs and winemakers to raise money for cancer research.

“This year we are very excited to have Mr. Lionello Marchesi from Tuscany, Italy coming to the Gourmet and Grapes,” said Hal Jones, sales executive with Southern Wine & Spirits and longtime supporter of Gourmet & Grapes.

“Mr. Marchesi is a legendary inventor and entrepreneur who has fulfilled a lifelong dream and passion for wine. He is a pioneer in sophisticated techniques that lead to high quality artisanal wines that fully express the spirit of Tuscany.”

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Nov 30

3rd Annual Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island | An Update from Earl Klugh

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Mike Vegis
Earl Klugh3

This gallery contains 15 photos.

I had such a great time, as always, at my Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island!  This year the weather wasn’t ideal for an outdoor show, so we moved to a tent ‘Under the Big Top’ and made the very … Read More

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Nov 30

Garth Herr — The Sanctuary’s main “Wine Guy”

Posted by Nicole Leaf on November 30, 2012. No Comments

Garth Herr knows his wine.  He better…  He’s Sommelier at The Sanctuary’s premier restaurant, The Ocean Room.  Garth began his Beverage Specialist career in Richmond, VA in the early 90’s and wrote his first wine list for TJ’s at The Jefferson Hotel in 2000. Garth received his certification as Sommelier and Specialist of Wine in 2006. He is a passionate wine lover and especially interested in the history and culture that surrounds the production and consumption of wine. He is continuing his studies to include beer and spirits certifications.

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