Top 5 Events of 2021
Spring Gala – March 2021
On March 31st, March 31, Brightwater celebrated the community reopening with a wonderful evening filled with food, fun, music, and a few surprises. Over 80 Independent Members and several soon-to-be Members joined together for this great event. The evening began with Champagne, Wine & Beer in the Clubhouse lobby where attendees could ‘meet and greet’ their friends. The evening was all about reminiscing about 2020 and how different things were – then moving on to our new theme for 2021 – “Making New Memories”.
Members began their “tour” through the Brightwater Clubhouse as a trip down memory lane. In several rooms, different departments set up displays and appetizers. Team members were available to talk about how everything was reinvented during 2020. It began with Live Long Well Care talking about their role in 2020 and how in 2021 they will be able to help Members with their various needs from cleaning closets to running their errands! The tour moved to the Sandcastle Room where Tracy showed off a variety of art projects that Members worked on in 2020. The display included clay pieces, jewelry, watercolors, acrylic paint by number, card making, and several other art items. Many of these had to be one on one classes or packaged for execution in their villas and cottages due to Covid restrictions. Next, attendees walked memory lane with the Brightwater Wellness team. Many of their classes were canceled during 2020, but of the ones they were able to recreate were practicing social distancing. Wellness Associate Cheryl put together a wonderful display to show photos of these activities. Afterward, the tour moved to the Palmetto Room where we had an amazing video depicting Members at various activities throughout 2020. The Private Dining Room was the last stop on the tour and it was set up by our Maitre D for his specialty – Wine and Dine events! These dinners became popular during 2020 Six friends would gather in the Private Dining Room maintaining social distancing for a private meal created by the Chef and each course paired with wine for tasting. These were so popular that we are continuing to offer them twice a month going forward – to ‘create new memories’.
Finally, Members entered the dining room for an elegant meal – another of Chef Mark’s creations. Dining against a backdrop of black and white, guests enjoyed an Asparagus and Crab Salad with roasted Piquillo Peppers and shaved Bermuda Onions drizzled with Meyer Lemon Oil. The main entrée was a tender Roasted Chateaubriand topped with Scampi Shrimp with Dauphinoise and Orange Glazed Baby Carrots. Dessert and coffee originally planned for outside under the tent moved inside due to weather concerns. The beautiful display of the Fresh Berry Tartlets-Pastry shells filled with pastry cream and topped with fresh berries and glazed with orange marmalade sauce looked stunning!
The evening continued with a concert outside under tents performed by the Saltwater Chamber Orchestra. This orchestra has played many times for Brightwater, so it was only fitting that their first time to play together publicly since March of 2020, was at Brightwater. Finally, under pending doom by the weatherman, the piece de la resistance, Brightwater had their first-ever fireworks display. There was a wonderful array of sparkles in the sky for about 15 minutes. Overall, it was an amazing way to celebrate the challenges everyone overcame in 2020 and set a precedent for creating some new and special memories in 2021
Salute to Tokyo
In July 2021, Brightwater hosted their ‘Salute to Tokyo’ Signature Experience with a variety of events honoring the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympic Games that bring together so many nations and cultures!
Wine Tasting: Brightwater’s Sommelier, Jim Ginley, chose wines from across the world (Spain, New Zealand, France & Italy) for our Members to taste. Jim’s knowledge, tips & tidbits always delight his audience and we’re grateful he visits us in between writing the wine column for Grand Strand Magazine! The wines never disappoint and the tasting is a Member favorite event!
Salute to the Opening Ceremonies / Brightwater Olympic Games: Members carried the torch and participated in Archery, Shot Put, Golf, and Table Tennis – Brightwater Style! Afterward, participants were rewarded with medals!
Evening salute to Tokyo: Participants celebrated with Japanese cuisine with the help of our incredible Dining Department! They started with Japanese-style appetizers and refreshments in the café before dinner. Chef and his team prepared edamame, potstickers and then added fresh sushi. To complement the food, guests sampled sake, Japanese beers, and plum wines.
The dining room was transformed with Japanese décor and table settings for a delicious meal. The first course of the evening was an Asian House Salad Spring Mix topped with shaved radishes, red onions, baby corn, mandarin oranges drizzled with a rice wine ginger dressing. Then members had their choice of Japanese-inspired entrees; Sesame Salmon, Pan Seared and topped with a sesame glaze and served with steamed rice and stir-fried hibachi vegetables, or Chicken Teriyaki Grilled and topped with a rich teriyaki sauce served with steamed rice and stir-fried hibachi vegetables. Desert was a Fried Japanese Donut sprinkled with powdered sugar, honey, and sesame seeds. Arigato!
After dinner at dusk, attendees moved outside to launch Japanese wishing lanterns! The evening weather cooperated with just enough wind to set them free!
Wednesday’s at La Belle Amie
Each month during the summer Members visited La Belle Amie Vineyard. The vineyard and winery have an indoor tasting space and shaded outdoor patio and pavilions. On Wednesday’s they host ‘Winery Wednesdays’ with music, dancing, tours, and tastings! Our Brightwater group arrives at lunch and enjoys snacking, sipping wine, listening to the music, and dancing! Their “Twisted Sister” brand of wine is a hit and Members enjoy their varieties of wine throughout the year at Brightwater.
Monthly Wine & Dine Events
At Brightwater, the holidays are a time of friendship, decorations, food, families, and all of your favorite events! From cookie making and singing Christmas carols to religious services and holiday dining, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year at Brightwater!
Wednesday’s at La Belle Amie
Each month during the summer Members visited La Belle Amie Vineyard. The vineyard and winery have an indoor tasting space and shaded outdoor patio and pavilions. On Wednesday’s they host ‘Winery Wednesdays’ with music, dancing, tours, and tastings! Our Brightwater group arrives at lunch and enjoys snacking, sipping wine, listening to the music, and dancing! Their “Twisted Sister” brand of wine is a hit and Members enjoy their varieties of wine throughout the year at Brightwater.
Christmas at Brightwater
At Brightwater, the holidays are a time of friendship, decorations, food, families, and all of your favorite events! From cookie making and singing Christmas carols to religious services and holiday dining, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year at Brightwater!
