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Two Hilton Head Island tennis icons earned the sport’s highest honor, coronavirus vaccinations expanded, and a Lowcountry school celebrated winning a state basketball championship. Here’s what made news during the previous month:
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ORIGINAL 9
HILTON HEAD LEGENDS HEADED TO INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME
Tennis icons and Hilton Head residents Dennis Van der Meer and Kerry Melville Reid will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Known as the “teacher of teachers,” Van der Meer founded the Van der Meer Tennis Center on Hilton Head and Professional Tennis Registry. He was named Olympic Developmental Coach of the Year in 1997. Van der Meer, who died in 2019 at 86 years old, will be inducted posthumously. Reid, who lives on the island, will be inducted as part of the Original 9, which was a group of women in 1970 who signed $1 contracts to compete in a new women’s tournament, paving the way for the WTA Tour. The induction ceremony is set for July.
COVID-19 VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY EXPANDS
More people are eligible for coronavirus vaccinations. The S.C. Department of Health in March moved to Phase 1b, which includes all people age 55 and older. It also includes people 16-64 with “high-risk” medical conditions, frontline workers with occupational risk, and school staff. The state expects to further expand eligibility around April 12 by implementing Phase 1c, which will include those age 45 and up. Phase 2 is set to begin around May 3, in which people 16 and older will be eligible. Online appointments can be made at scdhec.gov/ vaxlocator or by calling 1-866-365-8110.
BLUFFTON BRANCH LIBRARY UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS
The Beaufort County Library Bluffton Branch is beginning renovations that are estimated to last several months. The library will be open with the same hours, but the main portion of the library will be closed. The library’s entryway and large meeting room will serve as a “miniature pop-up” library for the coming months as the renovation project begins. Updates will be posted on the library system’s Bluffton Renovation page and Facebook page. For more information, call 843-255-6497.
BLUFFTON BRANCH LIBRARY
THE BREEZE TROLLEY SERVICE BEGINS APRIL 10
The Breeze trolleys serving Hilton Head Island will begin service starting Saturday, April 10. The free service includes a second route serving mid-island residents and guests. The trolley service is expected to operate every day through Labor Day. The South Island Route will follow the same service hours, routing, and stops as last year using two trolleys each day. The new MidIsland Route will use one trolley and will serve portions of William Hilton Parkway, Folly Field Road, and Shelter Cove Lane. The service will run 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 1 p.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit breezetrolley.com.
BLUFFTON MAYFEST CANCELED
The Rotary Club of Bluffton canceled 2021 Mayfest due to the COVID-19 concerns. This would have been the event’s 43rd year. “We look forward to better days ahead and to hosting Mayfest in 2022,” a news release said.
