The Gleasons love living at Palmetto Dunes! Back in 2001, when it was time to retire, Marty Gleason knew that he wanted to live steps from the beach, so immediately he and his wife Lenore began looking on Hilton Head Island. “We used to come down here every year for a two week vacation with the kids” he says.
As soon as Marty saw his house on Night Harbour, he was sold. “It’s a beautiful place here…It was the only place to go [for us]. We never even came up the road.” Sure enough, eight years ago, the Gleasons built their dream home just a few houses down from that first home in Palmetto Dunes. Now, not only do the Gleasons live steps from the beach, they live steps from their daughters as well! Both of their daughters own businesses in the area and live in Hilton Head Plantation.
More than just the stunning beach view Marty gets to wake up to every morning, the amenities and lifestyle of Palmetto Dunes are what has kept him and his family here for the past 17 years.
Every morning, around 8:30 a.m., Marty heads down to the General Store, or as he likes to call it, “Frank’s Place,” and chats with the store’s manager, Frank. “I see the same faces every morning, and that’s really nice,” Marty tells us.
There was a time when Marty would be down at the Tennis Center nearly 10 times per week. These days, he enjoys friendly round robins two to three times a week with a group of buddies. The community is one of the things the Gleasons love about living at Palmetto Dunes. “There are at least 50 clubs here” he says, “You can belong to whatever club you want to.” Marty himself has been very involved over the years, chairing local charity boards and the Palmetto Dunes Property Owner’s Association (PDPOA). He’s been instrumental in revitalizing the board of the PDPOA and has helped to raise over $10 million to improve the resort for everyone who enjoys Palmetto Dunes.
Of course, Marty and his family aren’t the only ones who love Palmetto Dunes! Over the years they’ve had plenty of friends and family members come to stay. As he says, “If you invite people [to New Jersey] they’ll come once. Invite them to Hilton Head Island and they’ll keep coming back.”
We asked Marty what his favorite thing is about his beachfront view. “That solid blue sky,” he sighed. “I wouldn’t trade this for any trip.” As for Palmetto Dunes? “It’s a beautiful, happy place with a lot of people who go out of their way to help you.” Well said, Marty! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Have you made Palmetto Dunes your home? Perhaps it’s your favorite home away from home. Join us in celebrating 50 years of Palmetto Dunes—share your memories with us!