Daniel Island Families: Meet the Tinkels
This week we’re visiting with Janet and Scott Tinkel from New Hope, PA, who moved to Daniel Island just a few weeks ago. Janet is a pre-school teacher while Scott is a regional sales director for a national pharmaceutical company.
With both children in college (Madison is a rising senior at Coastal Carolina near Myrtle Beach and son, Spencer, is a rising sophomore at College of the Holy Cross in Worcestor, MA), the couple decided it was time to trade in their snow boots for flip-flops. They already had in mind the very place they wanted call home. Janet sat down with us in the couple’s temporary set-up in one of the island’s apartment communities to talk about how much she and Scott are already enjoying island life, even as they wait for the finishing touches to be put on their new home in Edgewater Park.
“Daniel Island,” points out Janet, “is the perfect place to retire. It’s got that relaxing, vacation feel - without all the tourists. And the people here are always so warm and friendly. We couldn’t be happier.”
Where are you from originally?
We’re both from Indiana. I grew up in Fort Wayne, and Scott is from Bluffton. We met as freshman at Ball State University (in Muncie, IN) and got married right out of college. Scott’s first job at Xerox took us to Louisville, KY, then to Indianapolis, IN., where our kids were born. After that, we returned to Ft. Wayne followed by a move St. Louis, MO, a place I really loved. After that, we settled in New Hope, PA where we lived for ten years before coming here.
How did you ultimately decide on the Charleston area - specifically Daniel Island - as a place to live?
Our daughter, Madison, wanted to go to college somewhere in the south and she was drawn to South Carolina. Ultimately, Madison chose Coastal Carolina, but she wanted to look at College of Charleston first. When Scott and I came down here with her to look at the college, we fell in love with the city - and just couldn’t stop thinking about it when we got home. Scott began researching different vacation spots like Kiawah and Sullivan’s Island. But when he came across Daniel Island, we knew this was it. There’s a wonderful mix of people here as well - older, retired residents as well as young families with small children. I also wanted to be in a place where there’d be trick-or treaters coming to my door on Halloween.
What are some of the features of your new house that were really important for you to have?
We wanted a real Charleston look - with a front porch and a screened in porch in the back. We also wanted a master bedroom and an office for Scott on the first floor. The second floor has two bedrooms - and even a media room - our kids and guests when they come to visit. Our yard is small, but with less maintenance that’s a big plus.
What are some of your favorite places to hang out, on and off Daniel Island?
We’re still figuring things out. Every day is a different adventure. We love to explore, especially walking on the trails and sidewalks on the island. It’s wonderful that the weather here allows you to be outside a lot. We also enjoy going to the Farmer’s Market downtown and to the beach on Isle of Palms.
But one of my favorite things to do is to just sit on the porch (here at the apartment complex) and listen to nature. The sounds are so different on Daniel Island. Really quite unique.
Do you have any favorite restaurants yet, on or off the island?
We love Vespa and Agave and just recently tried Orlando’s, which reminds me of New York pizza. On Sullivan’s Island, we really enjoy a restaurant called Home Team. There’s also 1886, a restaurant downtown with a lovely outdoor patio. And Nick’s BBQ, another favorite, on King Street.
Do you prefer to eat out - or stay home and cook?
Some of our fondest memories have occurred at our own dining room table. When the kids were younger, I was adamant that we eat together. Now that they are older, Scott and I tend to eat out more. Of course, when the kids come to visit, as they are this weekend, I will make some of their favorite dishes, like sausage, black beans and rice.
What are you reading right now?
I just finished Dorothea Benton Frank's "Lowcountry Summer" a book that a friend of mine in New Hope recommended. The story is full of old-style southern manners and etiquette - a different kind of place than what I see now in Charleston.
Do you have any special family traditions?
In the past, every Christmas Eve, we have thrown a huge party for those who were new to the New Hope area and couldn’t go home for the holiday. We hope to be able to do the same thing here on Daniel Island.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Stay true to yourself. Be who you are.
What are some values that are important to you?
I taught my children that it’s important to be considerate of others. It's nice when people tell me how smart or hard-working our kids are but I feel most proud when I hear that our kids are kind and respectful.
If you could describe life on Daniel Island in three words, what would they be?
Relaxing. Welcoming. Home.