Meet Dennis Christy and his wife, Aline. Dennis is originally from Ohio and then lived in Northern Virginia and before retiring and heading south, he was a professional Arborist. Aline is originally from New Jersey and moved to Bluffton in 2013. They love the little town of Bluffton, the history, the people, the southern charm, and the many the outdoor activities.
Q: What inspired you or led your career or to Bluffton?
Dennis: I’ve always liked the outdoors. I volunteer my time and skills now helping out the Bluffton Historical Society and The Heyward House with their grounds.
Aline: I find everybody here, either native or those that have moved here, are madly in love with Bluffton. It’s infectious. It’s wonderful to be around happy people. There’s always seems to be an occasion or event happening in Bluffton to get together which is fantastic. It’s wonderful to be able to have the opportunity to just go with friends and see wonderful activities that are family-oriented; from the very old people to the younger children and from the transplanted to original folks that live here, everybody gets to enjoy so much.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Bluffton, and what do you love there?
Dennis: May River Grill.
Aline: When you come from the North and then come down South, you notice immediately that the culture is so socially motivated and you have so many wonderful things that take place outside. From the wonderful Oyster roasts to going out on the boat to catch crabs. Dennis is very modest, he picks and cooks all the crabs and we enjoy sharing them with friends. People are just a lot friendlier, it’s not hard to socialize with most people but being in the South and in a small town, everybody knows each other. It is wonderful, you go for a walk and everybody say Hello.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Bluffton?
Dennis: JoeFraser, he’s Charles Fraser’s son and he lives here on Myrtle Island Merle. He’s a great lowcountry guy and just been here for a long time.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
Dennis: An Alaskan cruise trip.
Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
Dennis: I remember our first movie and our first date was Funny Girl with Barbara Streisand but my very favorite movie is Doctor Zhivago.
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
Dennis: Disburse!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Dennis: Build a custom car, probably some kind of custom sports car with a bigger motor. The last car I restored was a 1931 MGB.
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
Dennis: For sure I’d like to see Peter Karp again. Just a great singer/songwriter
Aline: We saw him play live in the Roasting Room Lounge.
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Bluffton?
Aline: The first restaurant we went to in Bluffton was the Squat N’ Gobble. The ladies there are wonderful, they all remember you by name and they always remember Dennis’s favorite pancake. They call it dessert.
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch? Why and where would you have lunch?
Dennis: Eric Clapton, I just want to find out more about him, history of his life, and the history of his music. And if I could have a choice of a lunch, we’d just chat while enjoying a good sandwich.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Bluffton?
Dennis: The water, the marsh, and the tidal estuaries are truly the most beautiful and unique things about the area.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: Here in Bluffton!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Dennis: Probably the length of time I have with some friends going as first back as first grade.
Q: What is your favorite mode of transportation around town?
Dennis: Escorting my wife in HER golf cart. We really enjoy decorating up our cart for all the different festivals.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Dennis: Quiet and comfortable.
