• See the Palmetto Electric Capital Credits list inside 30A
• It’s Hurricane Season; see preparation information 10A
• New labyrinth opens at Coastal Discovery Museum 22A
• Seniors, stay alert about financial scams 28A
• County-wide Coalition seeks to share disability advocacy efforts 32A
By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
Nothing says “Bring your business, company or industry here” like having a locally trained workforce living in the community, ready to be hired.
That is why the Technical College of the Lowcountry’s recently announced endeavor stands to attract new employers as well as potential students and career-changers.
The Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center will be the second building on the New River campus that spans Beaufort and Jasper counties on US 278. The 50,000-square-foot, state-of-theart workforce training center will offer new and expanded programs in construction, computers, business and entrepreneurship, logistics and more.
“We know that our community is emphasizing the importance of diversifying our economy, and so we have to diversify our workforce training,” said Leigh Copeland, TCL’s assistant vice president of Marketing and Public Relations. “We work hand-inhand with economic development entities in the area. And they say it’s really import-
ant that they are able to promote a trained workforce.”
Named for a longtime TCL advocate and commissioner of Hilton Head Island, the center will increase TCL’s capacity by an estimated 850 students. There is an estimated three-to-four-year construction timeline and a price tag of around $26 million to cover construction and start-up operations, according to the college’s press release about the center.
“We are optimistic that both local and state dollars will fund this project,” said Vice President for Advancement Mary Lee Carns. “It’s really an investment that will pay for itself for generations to come.”
The center’s new programs also align with ongoing initiatives by local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations that are recruiting key sectors – aerospace and defense, light manufacturing and distribution, headquarters and back office, green and alternative energies, cybersecurity and more – to expand or locate here.
“These sectors have been strategically identified to fit well within the Lowcountry way of life while having the potential to offer higher wages and to create a more diversified
local economy,” said John O’Toole, executive director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation.
The educational options are numerous, with opportunities to earn college degrees, certificates and diplomas as well as fast-track certifications.
Many local military members and veterans engage in the industry credentialing program that helps them turn their aviation electronics and aircraft maintenance experience into future employment opportunities.
Please see WORKFORCE on page 8A
Beaufort Memorial, together with MUSC Health, is your connection to state-of-the-art cancer care.
At our Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort and New River Cancer Center in Okatie, our oncology team combines compassion and support with leading edge radiation oncology, chemotherapy and immunology services, targeted and hormone therapies, as well as surgical consultations—all delivered under one roof and close to the ones you love.
In addition, our Cancer Centers offer:
• A team of dedicated oncology nurse navigators who guide you through the journey—diagnosis through survivorship
• Core and ancillary services, like lab, imaging, and breast health, all in the same building
• Consultations with MUSC subspecialists experienced in treating treating rare or complex cancers
• Genetic counseling and high risk assessments
• Access to promising clinical trials
• A team approach to developing survivorship care plans
Last month, I joined my sister for a long drive to visit her first and only grandson shortly after his first birthday. We had quite a fun time with my grand-nephew, Henrik, and his parents and other family members.
Henrik’s parents are active in their small community, especially with local sports. Two of our activities were an adult volleyball game (in the sand pit outside the local pub) and a high school girls’ softball game.
On Friday, while the parents were at work, my sister and I had the pleasure of babysitting the cherub! Our primary goal was to have fun while making sure Henrik was safe, dry, fed and entertained.
The first part was easy: Guard dog
Dixie kept an eye on us. As mothers of formerly tiny tots, we managed to accomplish the remaining items.
Entertaining the babe was a series of constantly changing antics – his and ours. It was the first time in many years I had spent so much time on the floor, surrounded by colorful and noisy toys of every description. My knees ached the next day.
Saturday, we piled into the car for a trip to the next town over for an arts festival. On the way, Henrik fell asleep in his car seat. I just stared at him the way one tends to watch sleeping babies, quietly wishing I could fall asleep so easily without a care in the world. On this ride, it suddenly came to me that paying so much attention to a little guy came with many lessons. I concluded that we adults might be ignoring the simplest of guidance. I realized we can
learn a lot from a baby. Here are some things I learned:
• It’s good to spend lots of time playing. It’s great exercise, it can make you laugh, and it’s just plain fun!
• Don’t be afraid to try different kinds of foods. Steamed broccoli is actually tasty, even when you get a bite of blueberry with it.
• If you get upset and make a big fuss, people usually listen. Sometimes they’ll talk to you softly until you calm down.
• Toys are fun. But they’re more fun when they make noise – and when you have someone to play with you.
• You can’t play catch by yourself. Toss a ball or a stuffed animal to someone close by and they’ll probably toss it back. Repeat as many times as they throw it to you.
• Take naps when you’re tired. It doesn’t matter what time it is.
• When you smile at people, they usually smile back at you. This is especially true if you have dimples.
• Walking in circles is fun– if you aren’t prone to getting dizzy. This is a good way to learn that straight lines might get you someplace quicker.
• It’s OK to fall asleep at the table occasionally. Someone will probably pick you up and put you to bed.
• Always keep a sippy cup or bottle of water close by. You never know when you might feel thirsty.
• Grown-ups can make crazy funny faces. Just watch them for a few minutes, then smile. But remember, if they think you’re enjoying their antics, they might start being really goofy.
• Hugs are great. Bear hugs are even better.
• When you fall down, get back up and keep going.
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PUBLISHER
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Melissa McCullough
CONTRIBUTORS
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Mathew Epps
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Jada Gaines
Jean Harris
Channing Heiss
Ken Horup
Edwina Hoyle
Oswald Mikell
Ken Miller
The last real scare of a hurricane happened in 2016, when we experienced Hurricane Matthew in October. Since then, we have seen thousands of residents replaced with new ones. So, it is important to remind all of us that this is the time to prepare for the hurricane season.
• Make sure to have at least a twoweek supply of prescription medications.
• Make sure to have a spare pair of glasses, cane, crutches, or any other assistance device.
• Make sure to have flashlights, portable radios, and plenty of batteries.
• Make sure to have at least $200 in cash, in small bill denominations.
• Make sure to have all pet supplies and medications, along with any vaccination records.
• Make sure to have a first aid kit for minor injuries.
• Make sure to fill all your gas tanks and any gas cans.
In the case of an impending storm:
• Check reliable, local news sources. Evacuate if an order is given by the Governor.
• Both the County and the Town will coordinate on getting info out quickly. The Town will share updates on all social media and will also provide a Spanish translation.
After a storm:
• Do not rush to get back home. Wait until the area has been declared safe by first responders.
• Beware of detours, road closures, and flooding.
When you return home:
Lindsay Perry
John Riolo
Dean Rowland
Gwyneth J. Saunders
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Chris Thompson
Mark F. Winn
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For more information, contact: Kevin Aylmer PO Box 2056, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-757-9507, 843-757-9506 (fax)
Physical address: 14D Johnston Way Bluffton, SC 29910
All contents are copyrighted by Lowcountry Local Media Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. All submissions must include name, address and phone number. The Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any material, including advertisements. The Bluffton Sun does not verify for licenses, endorse nor warrant any advertised businesses or services. The opinions and views expressed in the editorials are not necessarily those of the Editor and Publisher. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Bluffton Merchants Society.
Hurricane season officially began June 1. The Town of Bluffton wants to remind everybody that preparation is the key to making it through any impending storm with the best possible outcome. Here are some tips to help.
Before the storm:
• Make sure all personal information, contact information, medical information, and important documents (insurance policies, bank accounts, Social Security cards, certificates of birth, death, and/or marriage, pet records, and wills) are up to date and in a secure location.
• Make sure to test your generator.
• Make sure to keep a paper copy of all important phone numbers.
• Make sure to take a home inventory of all valuables, either on paper or by taking a video while doing a walk-thru of your home.
• Make sure you have a place to stay when you evacuate and make sure you have a backup plan in case plans change due to the storm.
• Make sure when you evacuate, power is turned off to your house at the breaker, and gas and water lines are turned off at the main valve.
To the Editor:
“Positivity” is defined as a state of being positive while pessimistic is a tendency to expect the worse outcome.
The author of a recent Wall Street Journal opinion article on positivity admitted to being a pessimistic, sarcastic cynic, prone to negative prognostications and inaccuracies, inferring that this condition is permeating our society while challenging herself to impose an attempt to “manifest optimism in her daily life.”
How about you? Are you a doubting Thomas? Is your glass half empty? Positivity
research psychologist Michelle Gielan stated, “You can push your brain to see the world differently but you can’t will yourself to be happy.”
Here are a few suggestions for helping us enjoy a more positive, fruitful and happy experience in our lives:
• Write down three good things that happen today.
• Send a positive note or call someone.
• Use a “power lead,” meaning start conversations with something good rather than a gripe.
• In conversations, put a smile in your
• Assess the damage to your home and property.
• Check electric, gas and water connections to your home.
• Take pictures or video of any damage.
• Use generators outdoors only, and away from windows.
We always want to prepare for the worst but hope for the best, and we are prepared if we do see storms this season.
voice! Example: “I’m excited for …” or “I’m looking forward to …”
• Display trust and confidence in others, putting a positive spin on some common negative statements, such as, “The report could be better” rather than “The report is terrible.”
Lowcountry neighbors, in a world that permeates negativity, we owe it to ourselves and to our acquaintances to apply positivity to our lives. It’s contagious! Life is good!
With this feature, we seek to capture a glimpse of what you and your neighbors have to say about a variety of topics, issues, events –
and just plain fun questions. You might see us anywhere around town, with notepad and camera, randomly seeking out folks
who are willing to participate. If we find you, we hope you will want to respond.
At the Hilton Head Arts Festival
at Shelter Cove Harbour, we asked, “What’s the first thing you’d do – or did – after the last day of school?”
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Business and entrepreneurship are becoming popular pathways for veterans as well. One recent study showed that the number of veteran-owned businesses doubled in 2021, making up nearly 11% of new business owners in 2021, compared to 5.4% in 2019.
Students who are enrolled in public, private or approved home-school programs may take courses at TCL under the dual enrollment program if they meet the requirements.
There will be fast-track workforce certifications from forklift operations to HVAC training that can be earned in a few months or less. Students unable to study full-time in a particular program can take what is called “stackable” offerings. That helps break longer programs into smaller chunks, which has many advantages, according to the press release.
“It allows both career changers and incumbent workers to gain new skills as their schedules allow without them having to put a hard stop on their current income,” said Carns. “Plus, students are more likely to
finish shorter classes.”
“There is something for everyone. If someone is working in the industry, they can come back and get additional skills while they’re working or they can come learn a whole new career,” said Copeland. “Right now, we’re competing with a really hot job market and everyone is working, so we have to be really flexible in order for people to come back to school. There are tons of online options – again, both on the credit and noncredit side, and for the fast-track option. Many courses are also available online, and some students do both, depending on the subject.”
Financial aid is available from a variety of sources in including federal assistance, TCL scholarships and through the South Carolina Education Lottery.
“The lottery helps pay for tuition if a South Carolina resident takes two classes, and that cuts the cost in about half. There are other pockets of money, especially for many of these high-tech programs,” Copeland said.
“Lots of these programs, even over the next
few years after these facilities are open, will be funded by the state because the state realizes we need these highly skilled workers.”
TCL President Richard Gough feels the community at large will benefit from the addition of the training center’s potential.
“Enhancing the college’s technology and diversifying our offerings will certainly have a positive impact on the Lowcountry’s workforce and on the region’s overall economic health,” Gough said.
If you can’t wait for the new workforce training center, you can attend one of TCL’s free upcoming open house events to learn about other opportunities.
TCL offers certificates, diplomas and associate degree in pathways ranging from arts, building and industrial, business management and accounting, culinary arts and hospitality, health sciences, education and professional studies, law and criminal justice, and STEM. Information on financial aid and scholarships also will be available.
The New River Campus will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. June 8 at 100
Community College Drive in Bluffton. Learn about the more than 60 programs; meet faculty, staff and students; learn about fall enrollment and financial aid; and submit your application on the spot.
The Culinary Institute of the South will hold an open house for those interested in programs on culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and hospitality management programs from 10 a.m. to noon June 12 at the school on 1 Venture Drive at Buckwalter Place.
If you’re ready to take that next step, there is always Walk-In Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 21 at both the Bluffton and Beaufort (921 Ribaut Road) campuses.
Walk-in participants can complete an application, testing and planning for courses. Bring proof of residency or legal presence (if required) and official HS/GED transcripts and college transcripts (if applicable).
To RSVP for any of these events, visit tcl. edu/news/join-us-at-tcls-june-open-houses.
After chest pain and shortness of breath began making peanut farming difficult for Terry, he was diagnosed with ischemic cardiomyopathy. His heart was functioning at half capacity and was deemed too diseased for a bypass.
Terry was referred to Dr. Papoy, a cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Joseph’s/Candler. Specially trained to perform coronary endarterectomies, Dr. Papoy was able to remove the diseased part of the coronary artery and reconstruct it. A rapid recovery after the operation was made possible by the Impella 5.5 heart pump. Terry’s heart is now fully working. And to his delight, so is he.
“The St. Joseph’s/Candler team not only saved my life, they allowed me to get back to work and spend quality time traveling with my wife and being with my grandkids.” – Terry Reese
We are officially in hurricane season – that seasonal period when weather forecasters begin citing storm odds, stare across the Atlantic Ocean at the smallest wave to roll off the coast of West Africa, and call upon every international atmospheric model to try to predict exactly the when, where and size of the first storm.
They will be on close watch for the next six months. Hurricane season started June 1 and will last through Nov. 30.
While forecasters are rolling up their sleeves and producing colorful spaghetti graphs, what the general coastal population should be doing is preparing for rough weather, possible evacuation, and other challenges if a hurricane hits near Beaufort County.
If one should hit close to us, no matter what the category or storm level of the
cyclone, there will be damages. Hurricane Matthew, a Category 2 upon landing, still cost money nine months after racking up $34.5 million in clean-up costs. Dorian in 2019 raged across the Bahamas as a Category 5 but was a category 1 by the time it reached the East Coast. Damage locally was limited to downed trees, scattered branches, leaves and pine straw, and minor damages to structures like screenedin pools. Our neighbors up the coast in North Carolina were not so lucky since the storm – even as a Cat. 1 – sent a 4- to 7-foot storm surge across Ocracoke Island, sending residents scurrying to their attics. The eye clipped Cape Lookout, and there were reports of 5 to 10 inches of rain along the coast.
What are the predictions for 2023’s season? The National Weather Service – the federal forecasting folks – are predicting a
“near-normal” season, with 12-17 named storms, and five to nine hurricanes – one to four of which will be major events.
Though hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30, with the most active months for the Lowcountry historically August, September and October. That doesn’t mean a storm won’t come cruising across the Atlantic before then, so it’s best to be prepared long before you need to.
The South Carolina Hurricane Guide 2023 is available online in English and Spanish and can be downloaded at townofbluffton.sc.gov/656/Hurricane-Season.
A list of tips is included in this newspaper, but some of them can’t be repeated often enough.
The first recommendation is to get flood insurance. You have to have the policy at least 30 days before you can file a claim, and we don’t exactly live in the mountains. Most of the county is barely above sea level.
The second-best tip is to keep your gas tank full. You don’t want to be caught offguard coming out of work or leaving the hairdresser’s knowing you need to get gas –only to learn the governor just announced there would be a mandatory evacuation order within 24 hours. Those gas lines get long.
This leads to the third top tip: Leave before you have to leave. When the governor
advises that residents have X number of hours until evacuation is mandatory, you have all of that advance time to leave along the route of your choice.
It may be crowded initially, but the traffic flows. Everyone is just trying to get to safety where they have family, friends or a hotel reservation made in advance. And take your pets into account when you make those reservations.
One of the lessons learned following Hurricane Matthew in 2016 was confusion in communicating the message from all of the local municipal and emergency management agencies, particularly when it came to returning. Matthew hit the area so hard – particularly Hilton Head Island – that portions of the island were impassable and dangerous. That didn’t stop friends who hadn’t left from saying their area was clear. That told their neighbors that it should be OK to return home, right? Wrong.
Some residents managed to sneak into various developments. The bulk of those who sought to get back before officials ensured the area was safe spent 24-36 hours on US 278 and other arteries waiting for highway patrol and local law enforcement agencies to give them the all-clear.
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HURRICANES from page 12A
That is why it’s important to stay informed via social media. That’s not to say you should heed your friends’ social pages, but those outlets managed by the state, municipalities, and emergency management.
Check the Facebook pages for Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, the Bluffton Police Department and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, which has a storm center page that will be updated shortly. That is also the place to find out about the re-entry pass system based on tiers.
Keep checking with the county’s information at bcgov.net, Beaufortcountydisasterrecovery.net, and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at scemd.org.
Should evacuation be necessary, information on re-entry for Beaufort County can be found at 800-963-5023, and is updated as needed or at least hourly. SCDOT traffic info can be heard at 888-877-9151.
Along with solitaire, Instagram and ESPN, consider adding the following apps to your phone: Nixle provides local alerts for BCSO; Bluffton Police Department via MyPD; and local television channels that service Beaufort County.
Other online resources include the following websites: hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ ready; hiltonheadislandsc.gov/hurricane; and hurricane.sc – SCEMD’s hurricane
page.
Before you have to evacuate, check out the routes you might want to take at 511sc. org when you wisely leave before you are ordered. Select evacuation routes in Map Overlays. (The Map Overlay menu can be found by going to the five boxes on the right of the map, and clicking the one in the middle that looks like a stack of paper. Before doing that, fill in the box at the upper left that asks for starting place and destination. Check the box that says Evacuation Routes, and the map overlay will provide a number of choices heading in your chosen direction from anywhere along the coast.)
Not every storm will be horrible, and not every storm will be merely a rain shower and slight breeze. It’s always best to be prepared so panic does not set in when the reality of a Category 2 or more is looming out in the Atlantic.
When it’s time to go, go. When it’s time to come back, come back but understand that won’t be until local authorities give the “all clear.” Columbia is quite a distance from Bluffton and Hilton Head, and conditions will be very different. Stay informed through credible sources, and that doesn’t mean your helpful neighbor who hasn’t left the cul de sac.
American University
Arizona State University
Bob Jones University
Clemson University
Duke University
Flagler College
Appalachian State University
Boston University
Catholic University
Colgate University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
High Point University
IE University
Keiser University
Dartmouth College Dickinson College
Elon University
Emory University
Lees-McRae College
Middlebury College
Missouri Baptist University
New York University
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Florida
Fordham University
Furman University
University of Georgia
Southern Methodist University
St. Andrews University
Texas A & M University-Galveston
The Citadel
Trident Technical College
Tufts University
Lafayette College
Miami University
University of Miami
University of Michigan
United States Naval Academy
University of Alabama
University of California, Berkeley
University of Chicago
University of Mississippi
University of Notre Dame
University of North Carolina
Northeastern University
Purdue University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina Beaufort
University of South Carolina Upstate
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
University of the South-Sewanee
Villanova University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Skidmore College
University of Southern California
The most important thing residents need to understand about hurricane evacuations is to have a plan and leave early.
If you leave before the evacuation order, you can decide where you want to go and how you want to get there.
If you wait until the evacuation order, you are at the mercy of the official evacuation plan. You lose control of your route, and you will have to go with the flow of the evacuation routes.
If you can leave before the mandatory evacuation order, have a plan and put together an evacuation kit.
If you are unable to leave before the mandatory evacuation order, understand the evacuation routes and know where they are sending you.
No matter when you leave, be patient on
the road – you might be on it a long time.
Here are some myths about evacuation and the realities:
Myth: Barrier islands will evacuate first or will be the only areas evacuated.
Reality: Beaufort County is a single zone and all of Beaufort County will be evacuated together. There will be no phased or partial evacuations.
Myth: Local governments can call for a
hurricane evacuation.
Reality: Only the governor can order an evacuation.
Myth: The governor will issue a voluntary evacuation.
Reality: The term “voluntary evacuation” is no longer used. The governor will order only a mandatory evacuation.
Myth: I don’t need to develop a plan. I will be able to easily find a hotel, fuel and food.
Reality: With the large amount of people leaving the coast, including residents and visitors from Florida, Alabama and Georgia, hotels will fill up quickly. Also, fuel and food might be in limited supply or the lines may be significant.
With the large volume of people and vehicles moving away from the coastal areas, inland locations will be inundated with
Please see HURRICANES on page 20A
Decluttering – how and why to get rid of years of accumulated stuff
Staging and paint color tips to attract today’s buyers
Pre-inspection – whether or not it makes sense for you, which repairs, if any to address upfront, and when to sell “as-is”
Marketing – How to ATTRACT the right buyers to your home and help them envision living there
Pricing and Timing strategy to get maximum interest and top dollar
Bulletproofing the transaction so that you are in the driver’s seat throughout the contract-to-close period
Detailed analysis of our local market data broken out by price range to give you context to make informed decisions
1 2 3 4 5
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Power outages could last up to several days.
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads Near-total power loss is expected from days to weeks.
(MAJOR) Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof. Many trees snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks
(MAJOR) Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof and exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted, power poles downed. Power outages will last weeks to months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months
(MAJOR) Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to months, with most of the area uninhabitable for weeks or months.
HURRICANES from page 16A
evacuees. Areas that do not normally have massive increases in populations will not have the resources to manage and accommodate the multitudes of additional people, creating long lines and limited resources. Make a Plan
Having a plan is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your family. Your evacuation plan does not have to be complicated or cumbersome.
Here are a few basic things you can do to develop your evacuation plan:
• Decide where you’re going to go and have alternates. It is recommended that you pick three potential evacuation locations (cities/towns).
• Identify three places to stay in those locations (friends, family, hotels, etc.).
• Print out the contact information for the places you plan to stay.
• Print maps and directions to the locations.
• Know the locations of and directions to pharmacies, hospitals, urgent care centers, veterinarians, etc.
• Include your pets’ needs in your plan: shelter, food, water, medications, leash, collar with tags, potty pads, etc.
• If you are staying in a hotel, understand the facility: Is it pet friendly? Do you need a room with accessibility options? What is the cancellation policy?
Have an evacuation kit
An evacuation kit should include items that will meet the health, food and wellness needs of your family. You might not need the items in the kit while you are evacuating, but you might need them when you return home. Plan on enough supplies for three days.
For more detailed information, visit the websites of the Town of Hilton Head Island, the Town of Bluffton, and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Find the South Carolina Hurricane Guide for 2023 at scemd.org. You can also download their app to help create your own plan.
Tom Dunn is the emergency management coordinator for the Town of Hilton Head Island.
To do now:
• Keep your vehicles’ gas tanks filled during Hurricane Season. When the indicator gets to half a tank, fill it up.
• Create an evacuation plan and communicate with family members and friends living elsewhere to let them know where you will go.
• Check your flood insurance policy to make sure your home is covered; buy or enhance a policy as needed.
When a storm is impending:
• People and pets: Know who and what you are taking with you. Few shelters will take pets, so prepare in time to find those that will, or take the pet with you. Do not leave animals behind.
• Bring inside anything that can be picked up high winds – lawn furniture, plants, flags, bird feeders, bikes.
• Take photos of your home and belongings in case they’re needed later for insurance purposes.
• Board up windows with hurricane shutters or protective plywood.
Pack a “go kit”:
• Prescriptions: For people and pets, enough for two weeks or more; eyeglass/contact prescriptions, body braces, mobility items, etc.
• Important papers: Wills, deeds, insurance,
passports, etc.
• Personal needs: bottled water, non-perishable food, clothing for a week, blankets; pet food and bowls, cages/leashes/litter boxes, litter – comfort items.
• Priceless items: Wedding pictures, memorabilia, military treasures, photo albums, valuables. Just before your evacuation departure:
• Household: Turn off gas, electricity, water and propane at the valves or power box. Unplug small appliances.
• Communication: Take phone chargers that will adapt to your vehicle’s power source and keep phones charged.
• Directions. GPS is great, until your signal is too weak or a tower goes down. Print out maps if you need them.
• Carry enough cash to fill up along your planned evacuation route. Some gas stations might lose power and be unable to pump gas or may run out as those evacuating pass through. Gas trucks might not be able to reach the stations quickly.
• Make advance reservations if you will need a place to stay along your desired travel route. For a comprehensive guide to planning, see the 2023 Hurricane Guide from the S.C. Emergency Management Division. Find it at SCEMD.org or BCSO.net.
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Labyrinths act as a symbol for the journey of life and may serve as a place of meditation and contemplation, as well as a place to reflect on nature.
A new garden labyrinth officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony May 8 at the Coastal Discovery Museum. The garden labyrinth was a milestone gift from the Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island (WAHHI) to commemorate their 60th anniversary in 2021.
In addition, past presidents were recognized for their contributions over the years.
The idea for the labyrinth was presented by WAHHI member Jane Kendall. A total of 25 ideas were put to a vote, and it was a unanimous decision to fund the labyrinth. Tamra Avrit, WAHHI’s 60th anniversary year president,
said that due to the Covid pandemic their meetings in 2021 were on Zoom and some groups met outside wearing masks.
The leadership recognized that the labyrinth project was the perfect project. “It would give people a moment of respite and relief and would be a safe place for meditative reflection where we could count our blessings,” they said.
“This was a great idea,” said Rex Garniewicz, executive director of the Coastal Discovery Museum. “We lost all the trees in this spot during Hurricane Matthew. So it was open land that we couldn’t use because of pipes and irrigation in the ground. The labyrinth fit the bill. Everything just came into alignment.”
Although the $20,000 gift was given in 2021, the pandemic halted construction due to supply chain shortages, hefty
Please see LABYRINTH on page 24A
LABYRINTH from page 22A
price hikes, and inclement weather.
Finally, the project came to fruition this spring.
“I designed it myself,” said Garniewicz. “The design work would have cost $6,000 and the cost of the concrete work was $19,000. So, we used our own tractor to level the ground and the volunteers and staff did the planting.”
The labyrinth walkways are paved with tabby concrete and are handicapped accessible. Garniewicz said the hedges are Yaupon Holly because they wanted to use native plants that have some meaning and history. He said that Native Americans used this holly to make tea, and they will produce berries that birds and wildlife will enjoy.
Debbie Gorski, communications chair, joined WAHHI in 2021 after moving here from Dallas, and is involved in eight or nine interest groups. “You can really try anything. There are so many enriching things,” she said.
“I joined 23 years ago. I was new to the area and wanted to meet women and be engaged,” said Betty Hambleton, past president for 2021-2022. “Over the years, I became more involved in leadership and in improving our environment. There are so many facets of the organization, and the members all come from very different backgrounds.”
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Although the plantings are small now, they will grow into proper hedges. “Soon a learning panel will be added to invite people to use the labyrinth, to reflect on nature, and to learn a little history about labyrinths,” Garniewicz said.
Hambleton said that as her interests and abilities have changed, so did her activities. “The club has evolved as our demographics have evolved,” she said. “We have more younger women and working women, so we are creative and responsive with programs. New members bring new ideas, creative thinking and allow WAHHI to stay in tune with the changing nature of the island.”
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“WAHHI has been a longstanding supporter of the Coastal Discovery Museum,” he added. “Kids and families were out enjoying the labyrinth before it was even completed. It’s really heartwarming to see people enjoying it like that.”
“WAHHI has a rich legacy of fun and philanthropy,” Avrit said. The organization boasts more than 50 varied interest groups including card groups, pickleball, golf, cooking, garden club, genealogy, memoir writing, crafts, beach and water activities.
In addition, WAHHI has three philanthropic initiatives. First, they provide grants for nonprofit organizations for projects that support WAHHI’s mission – to facilitate communication among women, to encourage projects that benefit the community, and to promote the natural and cultural beauty of the Lowcountry.
Secondly, WAHHI provides three to five students each year with Youth Community Service Awards. Finally, the Difference Makers group provides service projects to local nonprofit organizations.
Avrit said that the club, now in its 62nd year, started when seven women were sitting on a front porch in 1961 with gardening plans to improve Coligny Circle. WAHHI now boasts 1,100 members that enjoy welcoming new women.
Membership is open to any woman living on the island, on Daufuskie Island or in Bluffton.
Cindy Gambon, who has been a member for six years, said, “For me, WAHHI is all about women taking care of women. You make really great friends and it’s fun and social.”
In addition to the garden labyrinth, WAHHI’s past milestone gifts have included brick pavers at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, a study room at the Hilton Head Library, the gabled front porch at the Coastal Discovery Museum, the Walter Palmer “Tales of Hilton Head” public art statue, and bike path kiosk maps.
For more information, visit WAHHI. org.
Normandy survivor Karl Olsen was honored on his 100th birthday May 27, starting with serenades from neighbors and the Sun City Harmonizers. Pictured at a family celebration later, Olsen was made an honorary member of the Sun City Veterans Association and presented with a certificate and a cap from Cmdr. Dave Davis, shown at left. Olsen was a private first class serving with the 134th Infantry, 35th Division when he landed in Normandy. He fought in the Battle of Saint-Lô, and survived the Battle of the Bulge.
The golden years for senior citizens can turn into the twilight zone if they don’t take precautions to protect their confidential information, including bank accounts and Social Security numbers.
Personal information can be compromised by phone, through the mail, on the internet, or person-to person. Sometimes, the victim might not even know it’s happening until it’s too late.
Seniors lose more than $3 billion to fraud each year, according to the FBI.
Some of the most common senior scams involve schemes about charities, funerals, investments, reverse mortgages, sweepstakes “winnings,” Medicare claims and more. In Beaufort County, residents have been scammed over a fake Corvette, blackmailed through a dating website, and cheated out of thousands of dollars for paying “taxes” on a false sweepstakes win.
“[Seniors] are the target audience,” said Lt. Eric Calendine, investigations and enforcement officer with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s easier to take their money than it is to rob a bank.”
If someone unknown to you contacts by phone or by email, Calendine suggests: “Question everything … don’t click on anything.”
The top scam in 2022, he said, was a Geek Squad-type scam telling the victim their account has been compromised.
Calendine said those scammers tell the victim, “We need to access your computer.”
Don’t do it, he warned.
Calendine told of one local woman who was contacted in 2022 by someone claiming to be with Amazon and asking about her recent purchases. When the woman denied making any purchases, the caller transferred the call to a purported “CIA agent.”
Eventually, the woman was coerced into withdrawing $130,000 in gift cards and cash and delivering them to another “agent” a
local Walmart parking lot.
Sometimes scammers play on the emotions of the victim.
“We’ve seen people in Sun City lose their homes,” because of romance scams, Calendine said.
Another tactic used is posting a red or blue screen alert on your computer screen. This means “The bad guys already have access to your computer,” Calendine said. “You need to have your computer wiped to remove the malware.”
A current scam is wire transfer frauds, which almost topped $1 million in the
county last year.
“These guys have so many tools in their playbook,” he said.
Calendine gives many presentations to senior communities and the public on scam prevention and encourages any group to contact him for assistance.
Here are some tips from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission about how seniors can protect themselves from scams:
• Do not accept calls from an unknown number.
• Never give your name or other personal information over the phone in response to a request that you didn’t expect.
• Do not fall under pressure to act immediately. If they are a legitimate organization, they will not pressure you to make a decision immediately.
• Do not make payments to someone insisting you pay them in wire transfers, using gift cards or with cryptocurrency.
Lowcountry resident Dean Rowland is a veteran senior editor and freelance writer.
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By Channing Heiss CONTRIBUTOR
Finding disability-related resources can be a journey not unlike trying to machete one’s way through a jungle, trudging through red tape, confusion, irrelevant web references, and dead ends.
Even with the availability of the internet and the existence of numerous public and private organizations, some of the best information on current resources can elude even the most dogged researcher.
A major issue has been that many organizations in this area have been
doing important work for years while often having little if any knowledge of one another’s activities. As a result, opportunities for collaboration, innovation and coordinated advocacy were lost.
In 2013, a group of local advocates sought to change all of that, and the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition (BCDC) was born. David Green approached colleagues on the Human Services Commission and proposed creating the coalition to share ideas, provide mutual support, strengthen advocacy power, and avoid duplication
ADVOCACY from page 32A of efforts.
Green is the director of business development at coalition member Osprey Village, a nonprofit whose major goal is to create an inclusive residential neighborhood accommodating adults with developmental disabilities.
In addition to its advocacy work, the disAbilities Coalition serves as a clearinghouse for information provided by its members and their networks on resources, events and innovations focused on empowering people with disabilities. Coalition chair Kimberly Thorn emphasizes the importance of collaboration to maximize community inclusion of people with disabilities.
“Our goal as the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition is to enhance the lives of persons with exceptionalities, not only in Beaufort County but across the Lowcountry region,” she said. “By working together to provide, improve and expand needed services, support, resources and opportunities for those with any disability, we will then produce a more inclusive and accessible environment for all ages and abilities in the Lowcountry.”
Thorn said the coalition “is one of many groups and organizations working together to make Beaufort County a great place to live, work, and relax for everyone in our community, including people with disabilities.”
Coalition members collaborate regularly in many ways and across many aspects of living with disabilities. They frequently get ideas and referrals from one another. One member might be asking about assistive technology and another about employment issues.
In 2021, in its continuing effort to make information more accessible and to promote cooperation among advocates, the disAbilities Coalition published the first edition of its resource directory. Funded by coalition members, the directory includes information on public and private sector resources focused on needs such as employment, housing and recreation, among many others. It is available in
digital and hard copy. An updated edition will likely be released by the fall.
The directory is part of an ongoing effort by the organization to better understand and respond to the concerns of people with disabilities.
In 2016, the BCDC worked with Dr. John Salazar of USCB to conduct a survey as a way of determining how many people needed disability-related resources, what was already being used, and what further resources were needed. Among the needs most frequently cited were transportation and inclusive, accessible housing.
Behind the necessary numbers and statistics that the coalition is working to bring to the attention of business and government leaders are real individuals who want the things everyone wants. Paul Green, a local advocate and service consumer with autism who has been involved with several coalition organizations, wants to be able to move out of his parents’ house and to gain more independence as a 40-year-old man.
“I want to go live somewhere else,” he said. “I’m looking forward to living with the guys at Osprey Village.” Green is the son of David Green.
Recent coalition events have included a trip to the State House in March to participate in the annual Disability Advocacy Day and a resource fair in April that gave people with disabilities and many of their families a chance to meet with service providers and representatives from some local businesses.
These events are part of an overall campaign to develop and expand relationships with business, government, and the wider community. The BCDC currently has 30 member organizations, and anyone with an interest in the empowerment of people with disabilities is welcome.
For more information on the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition, visit at disabilitiescoalition.org.
Channing Heiss is a freelance writer and a member of the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition.
Second graders at Okatie Elementary School display books donated to them by the Sisterhood of Temple Oseh Shalom, based in Bluffton. The books were given to the children to take home for summer reading. Second graders at Hardeeville, May River and Red Cedar elementary schools also received books from the Sisterhood.
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• The inaugural Community Pride 5K will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St. in Old Town Bluffton.
Following the race, families can enjoy food trucks, bounce houses, and the nearby shrimp boat park for picnics.
Prizes will be awarded for overall winners and top three in each age division along with Top Dog awards. First place overall will be awarded in the categories of man, woman and non-binary. Prizes will be given also for most colorful and most creative.
To register, visit runsignup.com and search Lowcountry Community Pride. Registration fee is $35.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Lowcountry Pride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Palmetto Quilt Guild is now meeting at Island Lutheran Church, 4400 Main St. on Hilton Head Island.
The next meeting is June 15, with social
hour at noon and the meeting at 1 p.m.
Rhonda Pierce of Schmitz Needles will be the speaker on the topic of needles – what size, which kind for what project, and when to change them.
For more information, email palmettoquiltguild@gmail.com
• The Bluffton Library continues to offer many opportunities for summer reading learning and fun.
A Family Sing-Along with the Sun City Ukulele Band will be held from 2 to 2:45 p.m. June 15. Then on June 16, from 2 to 2:45 p.m., Yasu Ishida will dazzle kids of all ages with a Japanese Magical Journey. Be prepared to be amazed by an exciting storytelling show that incorporates Japanese folktales with origami, Japanese music, and magic tricks!
On June 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., David Arnal, president of the Beaufort-Jasper Beekeepers Association, will present “BuzzWorthy! Why Bees are Important to the
From 10 a.m. to noon June 24, retired African-American Studies Professor Meldon Hollis Jr. will present “African Presence in Colonial Lowcountry,” a Beaufort District Collection/Bluffton Library Program. Register for this event at 843-255-6503.
The Bluffton Library is located at 120 Palmetto Way in Bluffton Village. For more information, visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.
• The second Black Food Truck Friday Festival will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. June 16 at Buckwalter Commerce Park, 25 Buckwalter Place Blvd. in Bluffton.
In addition to the food trucks, live music will be provided for the family fun night. Admission is free.
The event is hosted by the Bluffton MLK Observance Committee. For more information, email blufftonmlk@yahoo.com.
• The Town of Bluffton will host its Jump Into Summer fun day from 10 am to 1 p.m.
June 17 at Oscar Frazier Park. Among the fun activities are bounce houses, water slides, and video games on the Jumbotron TV. A DJ will be playing music, and concession stands will be open. The event is free and open to all ages.
• The eighth annual Juneteenth Festival will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. June 17 at Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road in Bluffton.
Festivities will include a drum circle, live entertainment by CJ the DJ, various food trucks and other vendors, as well as artisans and crafters.
Admission is free for all ages.
The Bluffton Sun welcomes news of community, club, church, school and organization events. If the event is open to the public, email info to editor@blufftonsun.com.
By Ken Miller CONTRIBUTOR
To assist patients with Medicaid health coverage who are now facing the process of requalifying for coverage for the first time since 2020, Beaufort Memorial has partnered with Resource Corporation of America (RCA) to provide help with the reapplication process and finding other coverage if no longer eligible.
RCA works with healthcare providers across the nation and is recognized as one of the largest and most experienced privately held eligibility vendors in the country. Its staff is thoroughly trained to provide the most up-to-date assistance with health coverage eligibility criteria and application processing.
Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS) paused its standard annual Medicaid coverage review process in March 2020 and removed members from its Healthy Connections Medicaid program only if they moved, requested to be removed, or passed away.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023, which was signed into law last December, directed all state Medicaid agencies to restart their standard annual eligibility review process by April 1, 2023.
It is estimated that in South Carolina, 15% to 20% of Medicaid members will lose their coverage based on an analysis of Medicaid enrollment reports by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
SC DHHS has begun to review groups of cases each month and will continue to do so over the next 12 months. Members will be contacted by mail when it is time for their review. Failure to return a com-
pleted annual review form may result in a member’s loss of benefits. It is extremely important that the state has up-to-date contact information for all Medicaid members so they will receive their notices.
If you currently have SC Medicaid, to ensure that you can be reached about any changes to your coverage, make sure that SC DHHS has your correct contact information. There are three ways to verify and correct your information:
• Use the “Healthy Connections QuickTools” at apply.scdhhs.gov
• Call 888-549-0820 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday
• Visit your local eligibility office. In Beaufort County, that office is at 1905 Duke St. in Beaufort. In Jasper County, go to 10908 North Jacob Smart Blvd. in Ridgeland.
Some members who complete an annual review form will no longer meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. In those instances, their Medicaid coverage will end on the date specified in their notification from SC DHHS.
These members will be able to shop for private medical insurance and enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Exchange. These members may also contact their current Medicaid managed care organization (e.g., Absolute Total Care, First Choice, Healthy Blue, Humana or Molina) about other coverage plans they may qualify for on the Health Insurance Marketplace or check with their current employer to see if they offer health coverage.
Community members who need help with requalifying for South Carolina Medicaid or finding other health coverage after being notified of no longer qualifying, should call RCA at 866-681-0858. There is no cost for this assistance.
For other resources, visit BeaufortMemorial.org/Medicaid.
• The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce will host its Business After Hours drop-in from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 13 at Accurate Litho, 43 Goethe Road in Bluffton.
The event is free for Chamber members and first-time potential members. To register, visit blufftonchamberofcommerce.org or email natalie@ blufftonchamberofcommerce.org.
• Ben Placilla and John Ragsdale have joined Park Plaza Cinemas as Operations Managers.
Placilla is a former Assistant Terminal Manager for Bulldog Highway Express in Savannah. In 2017, he moved to Bluffton, where he met his wife, Carolyn, in 2020. His goal is to provide the ultimate entertainment experience to all patrons.
Ragsdale will be managing the daily operations of the cinema and specializing in the operational processes, inventory management, and the technology systems of the operation. He previously held various senior management roles in the logistics, technology, manufacturing and in hospitality fields.
Ragsdale also served a tour with the 10th Mountain Division stationed in Watertown, N.Y. Ragsdale and his wife, Stacey, have three children.
Park Plaza Cinema is located at 33 Office Park Road on Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit mannsparkplazacinema.com.
• The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly Conversations and Cock-
tails networking event at 5:30 p.m. June 15 at Skillet’s Cafe & Grill, 1 North Forest Beach Drive on Hilton Head.
Registration fee is $10 for Chamber member, and $20 for a potential member. For more information and to register, visit hiltonheadchamber.org/ events.
• Joseph Hoefer, CFA, CMT has joined the team at Dividend Assets Capital LLC as portfolio manager, Institutional Asset Management Group. Hoefer joins the company with more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining DAC, he was a managing director at Barings, the institutional asset management subsidiary of MassMutual Insurance Company, where he created a market, macroeconomic and geopolitical research function that evolved into the Barings Investment Institute. He also held leadership roles on the strategic relationship management and global business development teams. Prior to Barings, Hoefer served as a senior investment strategist at Evergreen Investments and worked on the corporate and investment banking platform of Wachovia Capital Markets in fixed income analysis and risk management.
For more information, visit dacapitalsc.com or call 843-645-9700.
The Bluffton Sun welcomes news of new employees, promotions, awards and honors, as well as new businesses and relocations. Email info to editor@blufftonsun. com.
There is more exciting new business news than can possibly fit in print, but we’re going to give it a go to inform you of a busy month of entrepreneurial excitement.
Bluffton’s
Bluffton’s
A bevy of new biz at Bridge at Calhoun
A trio of new businesses hung their shingles just in time to get exposure ahead of this year’s Mayfest.
Bluffton’s Five Star Luxury Day Spa
And yes, for those of you who have become addicted to chef Bernard Bennett’s African-Caribbean food with the Okan food truck, the construction on their home at The Bridge is coming along. They will hold another preview event on June 19 with hopes for an early summer opening of the restaurant.
Bluffton’s Five Star Luxury Day Spa
Bluffton’s Five Star Luxury Day Spa
There is one new business that hung their shingle and is officially open for business, joining J. Parker in officially getting to the starting line. Molly Spears has opened En Dentelle, a high-end women’s undergarment and lingerie boutique at 54 Bridge St., Unit 100.
Bluffton’s Five
Fiddle + Shine House Market did a preview booth of what shoppers can expect when they open this summer. Bluffton Candles has a shop currently on Lawton Street, expanding on the reputation they built working with the Lowcountry Made outdoor markets. Now, they will be making the move to The Bridge this summer as well.
The Perfect Spa Day
• Complimentary wine or champagne
• Infared sauna
• Meditation salt room
• Easy
Bluffton’s
Spears conceived the idea during a day date at the beach with her husband in August 2021. She saw that there so few options for custom-fit, long-lasting resort wear and she went to work to fill the need.
The Perfect Spa Day
The Perfect Spa Day
“My husband and I had our first couples massage at Whisper Creek spa and the experience was a 5 Star.Truly, the best and most beautiful spa in the area!”
The Perfect Spa Day
The Perfect Spa Day
“My husband and I had our first couples massage at Whisper Creek spa and the experience was a 5 Star.Truly, the best and most beautiful spa in the area!”
“My husband and I had our first couples massage at Whisper Creek spa and the experience was a 5 Star.Truly, the best and most beautiful spa in the area!”
“My husband and I had our first couples massage at Whisper Creek spa and the experience was a 5 Star.Truly, the best and most beautiful spa in the area!”
The Perfect Spa Day
“My husband and I had our first couples massage at Whisper Creek spa and the experience was a 5 Star.Truly, the best and most beautiful spa in the area!”
Affordable indulgence for your health, wellness and beauty so you will feel fully refreshed.
Affordable indulgence for your health, wellness and beauty so you will feel fully refreshed.
Affordable indulgence for your health, wellness and beauty so you will feel fully refreshed.
Affordable indulgence for your health, wellness and beauty
Groups & Events
•17 treatment rooms
Affordable indulgence for your health, wellness and beauty so you will feel fully refreshed.
•4 VIP nail rooms
•2 couples duet rooms
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Amenities
• Complimentary wine or champagne
Amenities
• Complimentary wine or champagne
•Retail boutique with wine & gifts
•2
•Private event space
•Retail boutique with wine & gifts
For Reservations 843-960-0100
•Infared sauna
•Meditation salt room
• Complimentary wine or champagne
•Infared sauna
• Infared sauna
•Resort inspired locker room
•Meditation salt
• Meditation salt room
•Easy parking
•Resort
•Easy
• Resort inspired locker room
•
UPDATE from page 39A
The store got the OK to open the day before Mayfest and held a preview day at the festival before officially opening on May 23. For more information on En Dentelle, go to endentelle.com. For more information on The Bridge, go to thebridge-collective. com.
Welcome to the neighborhood
E-Tang Asian Bistro, 811 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, etangsc. com: They have won raves with their Oglethorpe Avenue location in Savannah. And now, foodies have sung their praises and admitted their instant addiction to the new Chinese eatery that has filled the spot that was formerly Ruan Thai (now at 15 Park Lane on the island). It’s a full compliment of traditional Chinese fare, but one fan says the buns and dumplings and spicy Sichuan dry pot chicken are “off the chain.”
Uncle B’s PAWSitive Pets, 706-2397916: There is no official shingle hung, but partners Brannon Harris and Joey Thomas have launched their doggy concierge business in Bluffton. Both have a passion for animals and met through a friend before both got jobs with a private pet care service. They started Uncle B’s to help further serve the overwhelming demand for pet pampering they see in the Lowcountry. The service offers pet sitting, dog walking, pet photo shoots, doggy field trips to the beach or dog park, concierge medication and supply pickups for your pet and baths. Harris hopes to have his grooming license by the end of the year to add that service to the menu. The pair also offer house cleaning services to eliminate all the pet hair after playtime. For more information on Uncle B’s, email harrisbrannon91@ gmail.com
Hilton Head Tavern, 44 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, 843-802-0010: You might recognize the address already. Yes, this is where the Hickory Tavern was, and Fuddruckers before that. The eatery was thriving but the Charlotte-based chain decided to consolidate their operations. So, the Tavern has been reborn as a locally owned and operated family eatery and en-
tertainment hub. The endless array of TVs and centrally located circular bar make it the ideal spot for seeing the big game. And speaking of games, they have added games to the back of the venue –from skeeball to pop-a-shot, pool tables and Golden Tee, with more games to come. The Tavern has added breakfast to their offerings and is hosting Big Show Trivia on Wednesdays with a $100 cash prize for the winners, as well as music bingo on Thursdays. The new owners hope to make the place a locals favorite and plan to offer discounts to all islanders who give them a try.
UnCorked Wine, Bar, Food and Music, 1533 Fording Island Road, Suite 296 in Moss Creek Village, 609-412-6508: It has been a long journey to get their new project to the start line, but the former and last owners of Corks in The Promenade are finally ready for their grand opening June 6. Bringing a regular diet of musical acts to Corks was always the core passion for Neil and Lorrie Ritter and that will be the focus at their new venue, cleverly named UnCorked. The stage will be filled with many of the regulars that became faves in Old Town along with Lowcountry stars and new local talent gracing the stage Tuesday through Saturday. There will be a music fee on Fridays and Saturdays (usually $10), largely to go toward band travel to the area and to help fund local school music programs. The kitchen will be open Tuesday through Thursday 4 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4 to 11:30 pm. The first month of acts is posted on their Facebook page, with Bill Gwynn’s 12-piece band, Tower of Funk & Choosy Mothers Horns, christening the new stage June 6 at 7 p.m.
Across the bridge, there is another opening the same week. Gemma, a new handmade accessory and jewelry store in Main Street Village opened June 5. We’ve mentioned this in coming attractions, but for more information, follow Main Street Village on Facebook or Instagram.
Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. timwood@blufftonsun.com.
We have heard time and time again that estate planning is one of the most procrastinated topics in society. Of course, failing to plan can leave your loved ones in shambles having to figure out “what happens next.”
However, have you ever taken into consideration how failing to properly plan for a loved one with special needs, or who receives government benefits, can negatively impact them in the future?
Proper planning for someone with special needs is critical to make sure, among other things, that the loved one is finan-
cially taken care of when you are no longer here.
In fact, you should know that leaving an inheritance outright (meaning the beneficiary receives their inherited share with no restrictions) to a person with special needs could result in:
1. The inheritance being viewed as the person’s financial assets and would be counted towards determining their eligibility for both federal and state assistance programs such as SSI, Medicaid, etc.;
2. Complete loss of government benefits for things such as medical treatment, including any caregivers, education, housing etc. and;
3. The individual being responsible for using their inheritance to cover costs of all living and medical expenses until they become eligible to receive government benefits again.
What’s the alternative? Well, some peo-
ple, who have not been properly informed of their options, decide to disinherit their child or loved one with special needs ¬ but that is not the answer! There is no reason to specifically disinherit someone from your estate plan just because they have special needs and may lose their benefits.
Of all of your intended beneficiaries, the one with the special needs is the one who likely needs the funds the most. The better option and most strategic way to handle this situation is to direct that their inheritance go into a “special needs trust” or “supplemental needs trust.”
This type of trust helps to provide individuals with financial support without resulting in them being disqualified for government benefits. This simply mean that it’s a way that your loved one with special needs will be able to still inherit from your estate without losing their benefits. Doesn’t that sound like a much better option than
just disinheriting the special needs person? It can’t be stressed enough that special needs strategies in estate planning is as important as it is to create a well-crafted estate plan. Keep in mind that though you may not currently have a loved one who fits into this category, situations change, accidents happen, and health conditions also change. Therefore, it could be that at the time of distribution of your estate, one of your intended beneficiaries may then be a special needs person. If you have failed to plan for that possibility, then that loved one could lose benefits that they could receive.
To ensure the best outcome for a special needs beneficiary, speak with an estate planning attorney who also focuses on special needs planning.
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With proper advance planning, you can protect your loved ones from their eventual inability, disability, predators (e.g., divorce claims, alimony claims) and creditors. When doing your estate planning, if you leave your assets in a “spendthrift trust” for your loved ones, instead of outright, you can protect them from:
1. Their inability to manage the assets,
2. Their eventual disability,
3. Predatory spouses in divorce proceedings who try to get 50% of their assets, and
4. Claims of their creditors.
This kind of planning can provide you with the peace of mind of knowing that what you leave your loved ones will not be carelessly squandered and will not go to predatory spouses or money hungry creditors. How does this work?
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Assume, for instance, Sam is not married and has one child named Florence who is married to George. Florence and George have Sam’s only grandchild, Frank.
Florence is a medical doctor with a busy practice. Sam does not like George (his son-in-law) and anticipates and hopes Florence and George may divorce someday. Sam wants to leave his estate to Florence, but he wants to make sure that George will not get his assets. He wants to make sure that if something later happens to Florence, that Sam will get the assets he left to Florence.
If Sam has a simple will that says
Florence is to get everything “outright,” Florence could easily lose Sam’s financial legacy and estate. How?
1. Poor money management, or
2. If Florence becomes disabled and George is appointed guardian by the court and he squanders the money, or
3. If Florence and George divorce and the court rules George is entitled to half Florence’s assets (including the family property Sam left to Florence), or
4. If Florence is sued for medical malpractice and the claimants recover some or all of Florence’s assets (including the family property Sam left to Florence).
If, however, Sam left his assets in a “spendthrift trust” for Florence’s benefit with Sam as a remainder beneficiary, these assets would be protected. An advisor or financial trustee could make the assets grow and protect them from poor management or poor judgment. If Florence became disabled, George would not be able to squander that money. If Florence and George divorced, George would not share in the assets Sam left to Florence. They would be protected because they were in trust.
Also, if Florence were sued for medical malpractice and found liable or decided to settle, the claimants would not share in the assets Sam left to Florence. As you can see, a little bit of planning can make very big difference for the family and can go a long way toward protecting your family property.
Our society is litigious, and statistics indicate about 50% of marriages end in divorce. Leaving assets “in trust” instead of “outright” can provide you with the peace of mind you deserve and protect your family and your family property.
Mark F. Winn, J.D., Master of Laws (LL.M.) in estate planning, is a local asset protection, estate and elder law planning attorney. mwinnesq.com
When Beaufort Memorial launched its inaugural edition of the Bemmy Awards last year, it was to recognize those employees who truly go above and beyond. It was a chance to shine a spotlight on the hard-working folks who help carry out the organization’s mission, vision and values through their selflessness and relentless work ethic.
As this year’s Provider of the Year, Nikki Newman, PA-C, exemplifies all of those qualities.
“Nikki is one of the most humble, selfless, hardworking and dedicated providers I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Beaufort Memorial Practice Operations Administrator Angie Barber, who oversees several of the hospital’s practices, and nominated her for the award. “We are incredibly lucky to have her on our team!”
It was a long road – both literally and figuratively – that led to Newman accept-
ing the award from hospital President and CEO Russell Baxley last month at a dinner celebration hosted by the hospital. It starts in Albany, Wisconsin, on a farm that her family has owned and worked for two generations.
“I was just a farm kid from the Midwest,” said the board-certified physician assistant who treats patients at Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health in Bluffton and Okatie. “I was raised to marry a farmer, have kids and stay home.”
But leaving the farm for college opened up an entirely new world for her. It was one that would take her through what she calls “many trials and errors” as she explored her options.
Newman worked as both a vet assistant and a dental assistant before eventually completing her Bachelor’s Degree in biology at the University of Akron. In her final year of college, she was introduced to husband Paul by her brother, who was dating Paul’s sister at the time.
It turned out to be a successful match
for both siblings. “We got married three months apart,” she said.
At that point, Newman decided to enter PA school at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. It was here, just minutes from the crystal-clear beaches of Fort Myers, that she discovered her love of the ocean.
“I always wanted to live close to the water,” she said. “There’s something about the water that soothes my soul.”
In search of the perfect place to settle down (near the water, of course), she and Paul discovered the South Carolina Lowcountry in 2014 and decided to make it their home. After working at another urgent care facility in the area, Newman joined the Beaufort Memorial Express Care team in 2021 – right in the middle of a global pandemic.
Simply making it through that gauntlet was challenge enough, but for Newman, it was also a year in which everything changed for her, as she and Paul also adopt-
Move over Emmys – Beaufort Memorial has the Bemmys!
To celebrate National Hospital Week 2023 and to honor its finest, hospital leadership recently presented its second annual Bemmy Awards for exemplary performance. The awards were designed to specifically recognize employees, providers and departments that go above and beyond their job duties to carry out the organization’s mission, vision and values.
“We want to show our employees how much we value them and their service to our patients, our hospital and our community,” said Russell Baxley, Beaufort Memorial president and CEO.
The winners were picked from “You Shine Through” employee award recipients, who were selected based on nominations from patients, patients’ families, and coworkers. In addition, staff members were invited to nominate their colleagues.
Among the Bluffton/Okatie winners were Bluffton Express Care, which took home a Patient Experience Champion award, and Express Care PA Nikki Newman, who was named Provider of the Year.
AWARD from page 43A
ed their then-8-year-old son Luke.
“For our 20th wedding anniversary, we became parents,” she said. “Best gift ever!”
Like many moms during COVID, Newman learned to bake.
“Luke’s a big cookie fan, and I was taking a baking class online with Christina Tosi of Milkbar. There was a class where you had to invent your own, and since he loves having fun with flavors, we made a lemon lime cookie,” she said. “We’ve taught our son to appreciate heavy metal, so we called it a ‘Lemmy Lime’ (in honor of Motorhead’s lead singer).”
As she was building happy memories with her family at home, professionally the COVID pandemic was a time that tested her resolve and demanded every ounce of effort Newman and her co-workers could muster. It was a trial, to be sure, but one
Other winners were:
• Vaux Clinical Employee of the Year: Bridget Blythe, central sterile processing specialist
• Non-Clinical Employee of the Year: Dean Adams, transportation specialist
• Department of the Year: Pharmacy
• Innovator of the Year: Joy Solomon, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, director, Education Department
• Leader of the Year: Lisa Kramer, revenue cycle director
• Rookie of the Year: Lauren Rauscher, BSN, RN, CNOR, RNFA, assistant director, Peri-Operative Department
• Community Champion: Lisa Terwilliger, BSN, RN, CMSRN, CNML, Medical/Surgical and Orthopedics Unit clinical coordinator.
• Zero Harm Patient Safety Champion: Abby Lynch, RD, clinical dietitian
• Patient Experience Champions (selected based on exceptional patient survey scores).
Inpatient: Medical/Surgical and Orthopedics Unit; Outpatient: Outpatient Lab and Registration, Beaufort Medical Plaza.
that demonstrated her commitment to medicine.
“We asked the urgent care providers to help the emergency room during that time,” recalled Baxley. “And you know who stepped up immediately? It was Nikki. And not only did she do that, she did it with the most positive attitude.”
And while she’s earned a lot of fans among her colleagues and patients during her time at Beaufort Memorial – and has now been honored as its top provider –Newman admits she could probably do without the spotlight.
“I like to fly below the radar,” she said with a laugh. “But it’s amazing that coworkers have thought this highly of me. It’s an honor.”
Perioral dermatitis is facial rash that causes bumps to develop around the mouth. In some cases, a similar rash may appear around the eyes, nose or forehead. While this condition can happen to anyone, it’s most often seen in women (90% of cases), but it can affect men as well.
Q: What are the symptoms of perioral dermatitis?
A: Perioral dermatitis results in bumps around the skin of the mouth, and a rash may appear around the eyes, nose, forehead or chin. These symptoms often resemble those of rosacea or acne, but it is not either of these conditions.
Often the skin just next to the lips is not affected, so it appears that the rash almost forms a ring around the mouth. The severity of the rash can vary from a few minor spots that are barely noticeable, to a definite and obvious lumpy rash that is around the mouth. The rash is not usually painful however, some people report a mild burning or itchy feeling. Others report that the affected skin feels tense. The rash is not serious and is not associated with any underlying disease. However, it can be unsightly.
Q: What causes this condition?
A: The exact cause of perioral dermatitis is not known. However, it may appear after topical steroid creams are applied to the face to treat other conditions.
Other causes may also come into play such as:
• Makeup, cleansers and cosmetics applied to the area affected on the face. It may be that certain ingredients of cosmetics may act as the trigger.
• Physical factors such as strong winds and ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Fluorinated toothpaste has been suggested as a possible trigger.
• Yeasts and germs (bacteria) that live on the skin and in hair follicles have been suggested as a possible trigger. (However, perioral dermatitis is not just a simple skin infection.)
• Hormone factors may play a part.
• Oral contraceptives may be a factor in some cases.
Q: I have a rash under my nose and on my chin. It seems to clear up, but then reappears. What is it?
A: It could be perioral dermatitis. You should consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Q: How do I know if I have perioral dermatitis?
A: You should consult a dermatologist who will likely make a diagnosis based on your skin’s appearance. No tests are usually done. In some cases, a culture for bacteria may be needed to eliminate the possibility of infection.
Q: How is perioral dermatitis treated?
A: To treat perioral dermatitis, discontinue the use of all topical steroid medications and facial creams.
Oral antibiotics, used as an anti-inflammatory drug may also be prescribed.
For over 20 years our locally owned, private practice has provided our community with the most advanced dental care in the country. And we have made it our mission to support local nonprofits that work to promote wellness in our community.
It would be our privilege to welcome you to our Bluffton or Hilton Head Island location and help you achieve your best oral and overall health.
Most patients’ perception of a routine dental cleaning appointment is taking X-rays and cleaning teeth. However, hygienists are doing so much more.
It is critical that we first review each patient’s current medical conditions and medications, as well as dental health. In my 30-plus years as a hygienist, I have often been asked, “What does that have to do with my teeth?” My response is “everything!”
We want to know what systemic conditions may be affecting your oral
health. Medical conditions help us assess the immune response to the bacteria present in the oral cavity. Certain medical conditions lower the immune response, even in dentally healthy patients.
Next, assessment of current X-rays is necessary to determine if the supporting hard tissues of the teeth have been compromised. We look to see if there is horizontal or vertical bone loss between the teeth, the degree of loss, and whether it involves the area between the roots.
Finally, we assess the soft tissue before we remove hard deposits above or below the gumline. We take measurements around the teeth at six sites per tooth to determine if there is any tissue breakdown and progressive bone loss. Then we make a visible assessment of tissue health and, from all of the col-
lected data, rate the tissue in one of four ways: healthy, gingivitis, periodontitis, or refractory periodontitis.
Healthy tissue does not bleed – ever. It is pink in color, firm in consistency, and tight around teeth. There is no bone loss.
Gingivitis is gum inflammation caused by bacterial plaque (now called periodontal microbiome.) If left untreated, this inflammation can spread to the supporting tissues of the teeth and lead to bone loss. Once this occurs, this new disease is called periodontitis.
The mechanism of tissue breakdown and progressive bone loss is immuno-inflammatory, meaning a patient’s medical history influences whether the disease progresses.
Refractory periodontitis refers to destructive periodontal disease in patients who, despite adequate treatment
and proper oral hygiene, demonstrate additional bone loss.
As you can see, a routine hygiene appointment is much more than taking annual X-rays, removing tartar, polishing, and flossing. Treatment should be individualized based on all these factors, resulting in therapeutic benefits of disease prevention and maintenance. As a dental hygienist, I know that the rewards of a professional dental cleaning go beyond a beautiful smile. I impact my patients by educating them about disease prevention, preventing serious issues with treatment at their routine visit, and recommending a plan to improve or maintain their oral health.
At our hospital, we create rehabilitation programs that are specifically designed for each patient’s needs, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. It’s why so many people and their caregivers choose us. And why we are the trusted choice of a growing number of medical professionals.
Everyone grieves. It’s the natural human response to loss of any kind. No matter your age, your gender, or your strength, grief is the natural human response especially if you lose someone you love.
Grief is change. It impacts us emotionally, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Depending on who died, grief changes our living environment, our daily routine, and our future. Grief changes us.
Grief is love. The depth of grief reflects the depth of our love for the one who died and what that person means in our lives. Even though our loved ones are physically absent, they are not gone. Our love remains and their meaning persists.
How we change depends on our resilience, our willingness to embrace the reality of loss, and our ability to move forward with our
grief. Sometimes we need help to adjust to the changes.
Grief support helps us understand the reality of the loss. It empowers us to cope with emotional and behavioral pain, overcome barriers to adjusting, and discover how to maintain a bond with the deceased while moving forward to reinvest in life.
Because our grief never changes, good grief support helps our lives grow and build
space to accommodate grief better.
Good grief support can be done individually with family, friends or professionals. It can be done in groups with other grievers and a trained facilitator. Groups provide mutual support, appropriate understanding of grief and its impact, effective coping skills, and paths to forward momentum.
Good grief support …
• understands the griever, what the death means to the griever, and what changes the griever faces.
• provides a safe environment to share feelings, thoughts, and challenges without being judged.
• guides grievers to accept what the loss
means, cope with the pain, adjust to changes, and move forward with grief.
Friends of Caroline Hospice provides good grief support for all ages. With 20-plus years of experience, we provide Student Grief Groups for students in grades K-12 in schools during the school day, Camp Caroline (a two-day experience in June), and with coaching for parents with grieving students.
FOCH also offers a support group for parents who have lost a child (miscarriages and deaths of minor or adult children); a group for adults who have lost a spouse or partner; a group for adults who have lost family or friends; and sessions for individual adults.
These services are free and open to all. If you or someone you know are looking for good grief, contact Steve Scudder at steve@ fochospice.org or 843-525-6257.
Steve Scudder is director of support services for Friends of Caroline, a local nonprofit hospice and palliative agency. fochospice.org
For many people, their outward appearance doesn’t seem to match their demeanor nor their feelings. Happy people sometimes look sad or angry because of natural lines and facial muscles.
A common complaint of patients is they can’t help projecting a sad or angry appearance, even when they are not feeling this way. It might be a matter of DNA.
Some people inherit stronger muscles, called the depressor angularis oris, which pull the corners of the mouth downward. One can reverse this expression by smiling
continuously, which isn’t practical and even inappropriate in the wrong situation.
Remember Jack Nicholson as the notorious Joker from “Batman”? So, while smiling is a wonderful thing, doing it all the time may look a little strange.
An effective non-surgical, but temporary treatment is Botox, Dysport, or Daxy (which lasts twice as long) injected into the muscle below the corner of the mouth, allowing the corner to move upward. Fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm can also help turn the corners of the mouth upward slightly.
Alternatively, PDO threads might do a better job of both lifting and stimulating your own elastin, improving skin elasticity. Threads can be inserted in a few minutes during an office visit.
Ultimately, some patients may need minor surgery to elevate the corners of the mouth. This involves removing a small
triangle of skin above the corners of the lips, elevating the area permanently but naturally.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and leaves a faint scar. The choice becomes whether you want to trade a “down in the mouth” look for a small inconspicuous scar above the outer part of the lip. An added benefit: This procedure can reduce the “marionette” lines between the corners of the mouth to the jawline.
Another feature that makes one look unhappy, angry or sad are the frown lines between the brows. This expression is due to the corrugator muscles, which become stronger as we grow older and is caused by frowning and squinting. We all have a reason to scowl at times, but too much frowning strengthens the muscle and deepens the frown lines – often called “the elevens.”
There’s a simple solution for treating frown lines – Botox, Dysport, or Daxy
injections. If you keep up with these products, the muscle becomes weaker, the lines become less pronounced, and you can inject them less frequently.
Using a filler is also an option to help elevate the wrinkles as well. A better, more permanent treatment is using PDO threads, which stimulate collagen and elastin production filling and smoothing the wrinkles. The threads last about six months, but the effects of PDO threads usually last 18 months to two years. PDO threads can also lift the face, brow and neck non-surgically. So, if your outward appearance doesn’t match your inside feelings, the solution might be easier than you think. And that’s something to smile about.
E. Ronald Finger, MD, FACS is a board certified plastic surgeon with offices in Savannah and Bluffton. fingerandassociates. com
By Ken Horup CONTRIBUTOR
Technological advancements have revolutionized healthcare and chiropractic is no exception. The development of tools and technologies transformed how chiropractors diagnose and treat patients. Just in my lifetime I have seen how treatment methods and diagnostic capabilities have progressed chiropractic care.
In the 1980s, chiropractic equipment and technologies were relatively basic. I remember my dad’s chiropractor back in Denmark relied on his hands to perform adjustments. Although my dad felt great after his treatment, I now realize he would have greatly benefitted from the new state-of-the-art equipment. It enhances precision and efficacy.
For example, we use equipment to
assist moving the vertebrae/bones back into alignment. An arthrostim machine might look like a mini jackhammer, but it is a gentler way to adjust patients by moving the vertebrae 12 times per second. A vibrocussor looks like a handheld massager but moves the vertebrae 20 times per second.
These devices offer a softer alternative to manual adjustments while still providing effective treatments.
In addition to the adjustment tools, chiropractors have implemented numerous new technologies through therapies. Take laser therapy as an example. It breaks up fixations in joints. Red-light therapy is also used, as it increases healing and reduces inflammation by bringing oxygen to the area. It can increase blood flow up to 500%.
Decompression tables are another great and commonly used chiropractic
tool. They increase disc space in compressed areas, and there are even decompression tables specifically for knees.
To help with treatment diagnosis, X-ray machines have also advanced over the years. Even in my early years of practice (starting in 1997) we were still manually developing our own X-rays with a five-part process using X-ray tanks, developing solutions and darkrooms.
Today’s X-ray machines are computer
based with digital radiology that provides a clearer image and lower radiation exposure. Digital radiology has helped chiropractors visualize spinal structures with greater detail, speed and accuracy which aids in precise diagnosis and facilitates targeted treatment plans and protocols.
These are just a few examples of advanced treatments and technological options available. These methods help reduce pain, promote tissue healing, and enhance overall recovery.
What a blessing it has been to personally see the improvements technology has enabled chiropractors over the past 25 years. I look forward to learning and growing more in the years to come.
Dr. Ken Horup is a chiropractic physician serving the Lowcountry for 25 years. specificchiropractic.com
Fun in the Sun for Everyone, an annual and accessible water-focused program of Pockets Full of Sunshine, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon June 9. Highlights will include beach activities for people with special needs, their families, and friends.
All ages and abilities are invited to join in the community fun to be held on the beach front of the Marriott Surf Watch Resort on Hilton Head Island.
Activities will include paddle boarding, boogie boarding, surfing, sand castle building content, music, relaxation and more. Lifeguards and volunteers will be included in the event to ensure a safe environment for all. Adult/caregiver supervision is required for all attendees. Shuttles from the parking lot to the beach will be provided. Beach access is wheelchair accessible.
Registration is encouraged in advance so participants can request a T-shirt size and sign the event waiver. Volunteers should also register in advance on the website. Visit pocketsfullofsun.org for more information and to register.
By Mathew Epps CONTRIBUTOR
An unpleasant scar often can be revised. As plastic surgeons, we are frequently asked to consult about unacceptable scars. Such scars might be the result of acne, trauma, or surgical interventions such as MOHs surgery, as well as direct excision of skin cancers on the face, neck or limbs.
In the modern plastic surgery era, patients should not have to feel that they must live with an unsightly scar, as modern advancements in surgical and non-surgical techniques can dramatically improve or disguise the scar.
Scar treatments require a strategy that, if tailored appropriately, can be quite effective to minimize its appearance. Surgical intervention relies on techniques that manipulate the shape, size, and/or orientation of a scar.
While no scar can ever be completely
gone, simply converting a scar from a straight line into geometric angles is effective to disguise the scar as a natural skin fold. Another technique called a z-plasty has been perfected to relieve scar webbing or bandings.
In addition to years of training centered around perfecting a layered, tension-free wound closure, plastic surgeons also gain knowledge on how to optimize a wound
care strategy for improved healing.
One method for optimizing the wound healing of a scar is through dermal microneedling. This technique has evolved dramatically and can begin as soon as six to seven weeks following a traumatic event or surgical procedure.
Modern microneedling devices, such as the SkinPen, penetrate skin with small needles into the dermis, creating micro-injuries
that stimulate remodeling and the production of wound-healing proteins. This stimulation of reinjury helps reform scar tissue to flatten and tighten the scars appearance.
Platelet rich plasma (PRP), rich in natural platelet-derived growth factors, can be applied during microneedling to – in a way – “super-charge” the scar healing process.
Silicone-based treatments, including silicone scar creams and bandages, further help to improve scar cosmesis. The silicone is thought to align maturing collagen fibers. For six to nine months, it is important to protect the scar from UV/sunlight exposure with mineral-based sunscreen of 30 SPF or more. The light interrupts the wound-healing process and leaves a disorganized scar that may be red and raised.
Mathew T. Epps, MD, MS, DABS is a plastic surgeon, triple-fellowship trained in facial, eyelid and breast surgery. mathewepps.com or info@dreppsmd.com
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s greatest strength is building relationships with those making a positive difference in the region – nonprofits, community organizations, donors and giving circles.
A giving circle is defined as “a form of participatory philanthropy by a group of individuals who form a voluntary association to donate their money or time. The group then decides how to allocate these resources to charitable organizations or community projects.”
In 2003, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry created a giving circle known as Women in Philanthropy (WIP). At that time, women’s giving circles were fairly new. The Community Foundation’s goal was to create a women-only group that would exercise the power of collective giving and be the
decision makers for the grants awarded. The seven original WIP members were selected as advisory board members and set the group on a course of making a difference in the Lowcountry. The first grants awarded by WIP took place in 2006, with a total of $6,000 awarded to two nonprofits.
Twenty years after its inception, Women in Philanthropy is thriving. In April, WIP held a festive, well-attended 20th Anniversary Celebration at Coastal Discovery Museum. At its 2023 Spring Luncheon in May, WIP awarded an all-time high of $124,375 to six grant recipients: Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA); Beaufort County School District; Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation; Bluffton/Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine (BJVIM); Lowcountry Autism Foundation; and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Lowcountry. The theme for this year’s grants was “Strengthening Mental Health Services for Children and
In addition to grantmaking, Women in Philanthropy members host social events, support the arts by attending plays and exhibitions, and participate in Grants-in-Action outings.
Women in Philanthropy has built an endowment of more than $1.3 million, and has the privilege to make grants from the Dr. Juliann Bluitt Foster Memorial Fund.
Dr. Foster, a WIP member for 12 years who passed away in 2019, left a generous bequest to support WIP’s future grantmaking efforts.
To date, WIP has awarded more than $920,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Beaufort County. In 2023, WIP reached a 100 total grants-awarded milestone and next year will reach the $1 million milestone in grant funds awarded.
To make all of this happen, WIP has a dedicated advisory board, several committees, and the support and encouragement provided by Community Foundation of the Lowcountry staff.
Women in Philanthropy has consistently grown year over year, and new members are always welcome. To learn more about this organization, visit cf-lowcountry.org/giving-circles/women-in-philanthropy-wip or contact Lisa Hodge at 843-681-9100.
Scott Wierman is the president and CEO of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.
You have been practicing and you feel like you have your golf game all together. However, when you go out to play, you just can’t score.
Below are some strategies you can incorporate that will help you get the results you want.
• Know all your distances with each of your clubs. These should be your average carry distance. Hit at least 10 balls on the range with each club and get an average. If you are fortunate to get on a launch monitor, that would be a great help.
• Know how various lies affect distance and direction. Uphill lies play longer and downhill lies play shorter. They also affect direction.
• Know how wind affects distance and direction. A 10 mph wind in your face
can take at least one extra club.
• Look at the pin placements before choosing your club. Think of a traffic light. Green: Go for the pin; yellow: go for the center of the green; red: play conservative away from the pin.
• On par 5’s, lay up to yardages that you prefer as opposed to hitting a shot maybe farther that is a distance that you don’t like. Sometimes 50-yard shots are more difficult than 100 yards.
• Know which holes are bogey holes for you and play them where you keep double bogey out of the equation. Sometimes a shorter club off the tee can keep you from getting in trouble.
• Play to your strengths. If a driver off the tee is a weakness, try hitting a fairway wood or hybrid. Hit more of the shots you are good at during your round.
• Commit to your decision. Don’t worry about the consequences and focus
on the shot you are hitting.
• Set realistic goals each time you play. This should be done by looking at the
score card and deciding which holes you should get strokes. Keep track of fairways hit, your greens in regulation – which is your goal minus two putts. Finally keep track of how many putts you take.
• Separate your round into three-hole segments. See how many over par you are for every three holes. You might start to see a trend where you start out poorly or get tired later in the round. It could be that certain holes ruin your round. Once you determine these trends you can use different strategies to play these holes.
• Finally accept that golf is a hard game. It is a game of good misses. Keep your misses in play.
Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com
Even the most innocuous places you take your dog in the summer can present safety issues.
Beach or river: The sand is very hot on a dog’s feet too, so booties or paw cream might be advisable. Also, as much as possible, make sure your dogs walk right next to the water. Their pads are tough but can still burn. They can also tear pads on sharp shells.
If dogs play in the shallows, watch out for stingrays and jelly fish. The sand reflects light very brightly so use Doggles to protect their eyes.
If your dogs are white or very lightskinned, then sunscreen may be in order. If you are at the river, don’t forget that pluff mud is as dangerous to them as to you, forming cement-like material
which can get them stuck.
Dogs panic easily, so watch the tides. Life jackets are essential when on a boat, since accidents do happen.
Insects and reptiles: Keep your dogs away from them or use a preventative to help. Fleas, ticks, bee stings and red ant bites, along with spiders, can cause infection and abscesses. Have some oral Benadryl on hand for treatment and a sting stick or bite stick to put on it.
Get to the veterinarian if you suspect something venomous has bitten your dog, such as a snake or spider. Some skinks, chameleons and frogs might also be harmful to your dog if they are eaten.
Pools: Dogs can drown – and do every summer in backyard pools. They cannot always find the way out or can’t climb out. Even dogs that swim well can drown if they panic and can’t find the
steps. Teach your dog to swim and find the steps even if they are not swimmers.
Heat stroke is a No. 1 summer hazard. Do not leave dogs in a car during the hot months – or ever, for that matter. The temperature is dangerously high inside a closed vehicle and it only takes a few minutes for a dog to succumb.
Dogs can suffer also in the heat outside if they have been active. Carry a water bottle and dish when on a walk. You can wet a bandana or use a cool wrap that you soak and freeze to put around your dog’s neck. Limit outside play and exercise during the heat of the day, with walking early or late.
If your dog does suffer a heat stroke or dehydrates, get them water to drink (Pedialyte too) and into a tub or under a hose for a cool down as soon as possible to lower their temperature. Symptoms may include disorientation, stumbling,
bumping into things, collapse, white gums, dilated eyes and more. Get him to your vet immediately.
Pesticides and insecticides: Don’t let your dogs walk on treated lawns or gardens within 48 hours and make sure they don’t eat any foliage you have sprayed. Dogs lick their paws or scratch themselves with paws that have walked on these poisons. If your dog has access to a golf course, know that they are treated with pesticides also. Clean your dog’s paws with a bucket of water and a cloth outside your house before you go in.
Lastly, make sure you have trained “Leave it” to keep them safe from random things they might pick up.
Abby Bird is owner of Alphadog Training Academy. AlphadogTrainingAcademy@gmail.com
This organization was founded in 2002 to help those who have lost a spouse move on with their lives, by forging new friendships with others while enjoying the group’s social, athletic, and cultural activities. Meetings are held bi-monthly at the Hilton Head Library on Beach City Road, at which time activities are planned for the following two months.
The communities of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton include many people who have moved here from other places leaving behind life-long friends and relatives, making it even more difficult to remain active after losing a spouse. W.O.W. aims to provide the support and fellowship needed to “pick up the pieces” and get on with a fulfilling life.
For more information please contact Steve Strandmark at 812-599-2025 or sstrandmark7@gmail.com or Anne Richter at 843-802-0228 or abr711@aol.com
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to one of our upcoming events!
Fathers have a great impact on the next generation. At Palmetto Animal League, our “cat dads” are no exception. Every now and then we rescue a big male cat whose calling while at our adoption center is to be a father figure for tiny kittens.
Roller is an extra large, extra sweet, extra chill kind of dad. When you walk into Cat Room 6 at PAL, it’s incredibly charming to see how fatherly he is with the kittens.
“This sweet boy has a tremendous capacity for love,” said PAL volunteer Lori Higgins. “His big, round eyes exude kindness as he takes in all the kitten antics happening around him.”
Roller came to PAL in March as an owner surrender, and since then he has become an amazing surrogate single dad to two litters of kittens.
“We found out that he really enjoys being with kittens more than adult cats,” said PAL Foster Coordinator Sally Dawkins. “He’s a patient and devoted father figure as he watches over the little ones and comforts them with snuggles.”
When it comes to people, there’s a sure
way to win Roller’s undying affection.
“He may take a little time to warm up at first,” said Higgins. “The key to his heart is a good and gentle brushing and a kiss or two on the head.”
Due to Roller’s ample physique, we encourage him to make a few daily laps around the adoption center to stay healthy.
“With a tail not proportional to his body, you can’t help but smile when he goes sashaying by,” said Higgins.
When he’s not working on his dad bod or watching over his adopted kittens, Roller is often found snoozing in his cat tower, waiting for his next meal.
“Roller’s fifth birthday was May 17, and he’d love to celebrate the next one with a family,” said Dawkins. “He would enjoy being an only cat or having just one other cat friend in the home.”
In honor of Roller, and in loving memory of her dad, a faithful PAL supporter is matching all donations through Father’s Day, June 18. Donate in honor of a special father in your life and every dollar will be doubled to rescue animals like Roller. Plus, PAL will send a Father’s Day eCard on your behalf. Visit PalmettoAnimalLeague.org and click on “Double the Love” to send a card. If you’d like to meet Roller and his adopted kittens, pay them a visit at the PAL Adoption Center, 56 Riverwalk Blvd. in Okatie, Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Lindsay Perry, Palmetto Animal League Marketing CoordinatorHilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity and Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity have announced the merger of the two affiliates, which will begin operating as Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry on July 1.
The boards of directors of both organizations voted in favor of the merger, and members of each will combine to form the initial governing body of Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry.
Brenda Dooley, executive director of Hilton Head Regional Habitat and Barbara Thomas, executive director of Lowcountry Habitat are enthusiastic about the merger.
“We are thrilled to merge our organizations, which will allow us to serve more families and have a much greater impact in Beaufort and Jasper counties,” said Dooley, who will become the CEO of the
new organization.
“The combined affiliate will be in a better position to take a leadership role in the affordable housing arena in Beaufort County, advocate in Columbia and apply for larger grant awards. Donors will retain the opportunity to designate funds to projects of their choice,” said Thomas. Both affiliates have served Beaufort and Jasper counties since 1990, building strength, stability and self-reliance for each family stabilized through affordable housing. Homeownership breaks cycles of poverty, low education, and income levels, and improves community-wide outcomes.
Beaufort and Jasper counties are home to more than 178 Habitat homes. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
In the book of 1 Peter (NIV), chapter 4, verses 12-14 and chapter 5 verses 6-11, we find these words: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing
firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
We have all experienced difficulties in our lifetime – the rich and the poor, the saint and the sinner. No one has been exempted. Within these verses we find the instructions given by Peter to the believers who were being persecuted. Peter understood what the believers were going through because he too had been beaten, threatened, punished, and jailed for preaching the Word of God.
Today our persecutions may take a different form. We may be shunned, talked about, or made fun of by family and
friends. We may have our entire life laid bare for the world to see via all forms of social media.
If you are going through right now, you may be asking yourself, “Why me?” or “What have I done to deserve this?” These and many other questions have been asked and will probably continue being asked when we experience difficulties in or life.
As you are going through your trials, I want you to follow these instructions and watch how God will use what is meant to keep you down as a tool to elevate you.
Peter starts out by telling us that when we are going through that we need to:
• Rejoice, because we are not going through it alone. Know that Christ is with us, and that God’s glory is being revealed in and through us.
• Humble ourselves, God will exalt us in due time.
• Cast our anxieties on him, because God
cares for us.
• Discipline ourselves and keep alert, because the devil is doing his job (stealing, killing and destroying).
• Resist the adversary, because you don’t want to lose your place in paradise/heaven. It can be hard not to fight back when things happen, but if we set our minds on God through rejoicing because things are happening, humbling ourselves that God is able to rise in us, casting our anxieties on His shoulders taking the stress off of us, discipling and keeping ourselves alert that we can see what the enemy is up to, and resisting the temptation to fall into the trap, God will raise us high above the situation and show your enemies that they cannot harm or bring down what God is bringing up.
Rev. Dr. Christopher L. Thompson is pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Okatie.
It’s that time of year again when alligators begin to mate; they become most aggressive during the mating and nesting season.
The human population of the Lowcountry seems to dramatically increase at this time each year. Retirees and families with children and pets move here and vacation here for all the reasons that make the Lowcountry a great place to live.
This means that people not acquainted with alligators must learn how to coexist with these native reptiles. Every year there are tragic cases of a pet or person being injured or even killed by an alligator. There are also calls by some who want something done about eliminating alligators in their area.
When I moved here 14 years ago, I
wondered if menacing alligators could be trapped and released elsewhere. It is understandable, when someone sees a 6-foot-plus alligator walk across the lawn or road near their house or where their children play, that they become concerned.
Size itself is not necessarily a good indicator of how dangerous an alligator might be. The average adult size for a female alligator is about 8 feet. Males average about 12 feet. If a female alligator is defending a nest of eggs or her babies, she can be quite aggressive if anyone approaches.
There are two major things we can all do to protect ourselves from an alligator incident. First, be aware that a pond of any reasonable size in our area can host alligators. Second, don’t be tempted to feed them as if they are wildlife who appreciate our offerings.
We need to use caution when walking
around the edge of ponds, especially if we are with small children or pets. Humans are not naturally on an alligator’s menu
but there’s no point in tempting them. Part of the problem is that when people throw food to alligators, the gator makes the connection in its limited brain that food and people go together. The person who provided the food may or may not be in the greatest danger. It is the people who come later without food who are at greater risk.
We can’t relocate a dangerous animal where it will be a danger to some other community. While we use nice euphemisms such as “put it down” or “put them sleep” when a “nuisance” gator is caught, the truth is that they must be killed by a licensed official of the county.
Let’s all remember the adage: “A fed alligator is a dead alligator.”
John Riolo lives in Moss Creek and is past president of the Nature Club of Moss Creek. john.a.riolo@gmail.com
My angling life began at a very early age, when my dad put a cane pole in my hand and a can of worms by my side. To this day, I can still close my eyes and remember watching that red and white plastic bobber just bobbing along, while the musky smell of worms mixed with the odor of a largemouth bass on my hands.
Without a doubt, my introduction to this wonderful sport changed my life that day. Those of us from the “old school” like to remember those years as being simpler. Sure, we were watching “Leave It to Beaver” and “Superman” in black and white, but if you really think about it, the world was in as much turmoil then as it is today.
If you are old enough, you no doubt remember sitting in school and hearing the wail of sirens that indicated the beginning of a nuclear attack drill. As you huddled under your desk during these civil defense drills, you have to admit that was some pretty spooky stuff especially if you were, like me, in elementary school.
These are the memories that are deeply buried alongside an ocean of great fishing adventures with my dad. When he decided that the Lowcountry was the best place to raise five kids in 1961, for me that meant live shrimp replaced worms and the smell of the pluff mud took the place of the smell of largemouth bass on my hands.
If my memory serves me correctly, our home was the eighth house built in Sea Pines. I can’t speak for my siblings, but for me personally, it was straight out of the “Swiss Family Robinson” book.
Hilton Head Island was mostly dirt roads back then, and to go to school you had to commute to either Bluffton or Savannah. But as soon as I got home from school, I would jump on my Western Flyer bike and go fishing. I was hopelessly hooked on fishing way moreso than book learning.
Always an early riser, mainly because I would have to get up before the sun to get to school in Savannah on time, along with a handful of kids in a “Sea Pines Green” Checker limousine. On weekends all that early rising paid off. All it took was one shake from my dad and I was up and ready to roll, because we were going fishing!
We would head to Palmetto Bay Marina, the island’s only marina, and hop aboard the “Buddy I,” the first charter boat to hit these parts. Its captain, Buddy Hester, pretty much pioneered offshore fishing here.
My memories of those days include the smell of diesel in the pre-dawn hours and watching my dad and his buds organize everything – just as I did with my own son, Logan, as he grew up.
Boats back then weren’t fast like they are now, so it was a good three- to four-hour run to the Gulf Stream. Even now I relive those days each time I watch the sun rise over the ocean. The sight of the sun coming up on the
horizon is the same. My youthful anticipation of monster fish might have mellowed with age, but each watery sunrise still brings back a flood of memories from my early years.
One such memory that comes back with great regularity is from a day of marlin fishing with my dad in the Gulf Stream. We are trolling in vivid blue water as I sit in the fighting chair, watching the baits skipping across the water. Using meticulously rigged Spanish mackerel on the outriggers and de-boned swimming mullet closer to the boat, I sit, watching the cobalt blue water while trying my best to will a fish to rise up and inhale one of these baits.
Transfixed on the right outrigger bait (always my lucky bait), I see the water behind the bait turn neon blue as a large blue marlin takes the mackerel in a swirl of water that looks very much like a massive toilet flushing. Then with a loud “snap!” of the line being yanked from the outrigger clip, I watch that huge fish double the rod over, peeling line
from the reel so fast it’s a blur.
Then suddenly, off to the side, this 400-pound marlin suddenly explodes from the water and greyhounds across the water with such pure energy that we are frozen in place. For a few moments at least, there is absolutely nothing anyone can do to slow it down, much less stop it.
We finally landed that fish after an hour and a half fight and I remember every second of the battle. I also remember a hundred more fishing experiences that are equally as vivid.
Throughout my lifetime of world events that began with the assassination of President Kennedy, the Vietnam War, 9-11 and others, memories of these fishing experiences always trump those terrifying events. Heck, I even had problems keeping high school sweethearts because they always thought that I put fishing first. (I can now admit, that was absolutely true.)
The point of all this reflection is that today’s kids are faced with their own civil defense drills and their own Vietnams, but if you take the time to get them into fishing, these troubling parts of their lives will be overshadowed by the memories you can help create. Just take the time and get them outside, whether it’s fishing, hunting or just exploring. Did I mention that this is prime season for blue marlin?
Collins Doughtie, a 60-year resident of the Lowcountry, is a sportsman, graphic artist, and lover of nature. collinsdoughtie@icloud.com
The Swingin’ Medallions, known as The Party Band of the South, will perform at 8 p.m. June 9 the Jasper County Farmers Market, 9935 South Jacob Smart Boulevard, Hwy. 17, on the south side of Ridgeland.
Celebrated for their signature hit song, “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love,” which Bruce Springsteen once called, “The greatest fraternity rock song of all time,” the Swingin’ Medallions, are South Carolina bred from Greenwood.
The band has been energizing crowds at colleges, festivals, reunions and beach venues almost continuously since 1962. They blend the sounds of yesterday and today and this is their 14th summer-opening concert in Ridgeland.
Gates at the Farmer’s Market will open at 7 p.m., with the concert starting at 8 p.m. Advance admission is $20.
Tickets purchased at the gate will be $30. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce at 843-726-8126.
Concert goers can expect to hear “Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love,” as well as the Medallions’ hit singles “Hey Hey Baby,” “She Drives Me out of My Mind” as well as favorites like “Wooly Bully” and “Barefootin’” and other hits from that era.
Food trucks will be on site. Drinking wristbands are available at $20 each for persons 21 and older. Special VIP tables for 10 can be purchased in advance for $300.
Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs. The event will be held rain or shine. Coolers are not permitted. For more information, visit jaspercountychamber.com.
Real estate top producers have many daily duties and responsibilities. These activities may be income-producing or administrative, but they are typical in the life of a successful real estate agent.
Administrative duties include:
• Expediting real estate documents and agreements
• Coordinating showings, appointments and open houses
• Preparing house flyers, advertisements and other promotional materials
• Initial and ongoing data entry of listing information and photos
Implementation, modification and reimplementation of marketing listings
• Managing and maintaining customer and client databases
• Analyzing active, pending and sold list-
ings to ensure optimal listing marketability
• Responding to telephone calls, emails and texts from current clients and potential customers
• Keeping all real estate and listing information updated in print media and online directories
• Providing consistent communication to all home selling and home buying clients
In that administrative duties consume so much time, many agents have an assistant to help them complete the day-to-day tasks. They are then able to do more income-producing activities and become more effective in getting homes sold.
Lead Generation (finding clients) is one of the most important jobs of real estate agents who are at the top of their game. Spheres of influence (SOI) is one strategy that generates leads based upon people that the agent knows (family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, business associates, and
social contacts).
As a matter of fact, every person an agent meets could be a potential client or a referrer of clients. That means that part of an agent’s day will be spent meeting and speaking with lots of people – giving out a lot of business cards – and following up with those contacts accordingly.
Face time (e.g., not the app, but keeping the agent’s name and face fresh in the mind of all potential clients) is very important and is best accomplished by effective and ongoing print advertising. Floor time (in the office, greeting walk-ins and taking telephone calls) is another way that agents connect with new prospects.
In today’s world, many leads also come from online inquiries from potential buyers (and sellers) who see listed properties for sale and then contact the respective agent to get more information or to set up a property showing.
It’s not easy for real estate professionals to balance their time and complete the many daily activities – but that’s what top producing agents do.
Larry Stoller is a broker and Realtor with Real Estate Five of the Lowcountry. Larry@ RealEstateFive.com, RealEstateFive.com
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Beautiful Jackson Model situated behind an “eyebrow” for privacy and wooded rear view that backs to the golf course. Features 3BRs, 2 full BAs, Office, Den, & Carolina Room w/ built-ins and FP. Expansive Kitchen w/ double ovens and breakfast bar. Fantastic 460 sq ft enclosed porch
1936 WERNER PLAYER PIANO, excellent condition. Pump action. $500. Many rolls included, plus bench. Schwinn Drifter Cruiser bike, ladies 26” pink/white. Excellent condition, $50. Call 440-667-5399.
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Family
See pg. 3B
“After Dinner” by Denise Liotta DeMarzo
June 10-16
Hilton Head Chamber Music Institute students in free concerts, various times and venues on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. Also faculty concert June 10 at SoundWaves, 7 p.m., tickets $25. Information at HHSO.org, calendar at bottom of home page.
Through June 17
“2023 Biennale” at Art League of Hilton Head, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. National juried art exhibit. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, 90 minutes before all Arts Center performances.
Through July 2
“Colors of the World,” photography exhibit by Savannah Kemper, featured at Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA), 6 Church St., Bluffton. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. June 7 at the gallery. Free and open to the public. sobagallery.com or 843-757-6586
June 10
Rod MacDonald at Music on Malphrus, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Familiar in NYC’s Greenwich Village in the 1980s, and touring artist since 1983. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., performance at 7 p.m. General admission $25 at the door. musiconmalphrus@ gmail.com or 843-837-3330
June 19-30
Broadway Bound Summer Camp, with Beaufort Children’s Theatre, at USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort. For ages 7-11, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. All aspects of musical theatre, building self-confidence, learning acting skills. Deadline to register is June 1. USCBCenterForTheArts.com
June 20-July 22
“Come to the Table: A Celebration of Food and Drink,” exhibit of artworks by Denise Liotta DeMarzo at Art League of Hilton Head gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. June 21. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, 90 minutes before all Arts Center performances.
June 22-25
“Boeing Boeing,” by Sun City Community Theatre at Magnolia Hall. Performances at 7 p.m. June 22-24, and 2:30 p.m. June 25. Tickets $26 general, $23 for SCCT members. Box office, 843645-2700 or suncitytheatre.org.
June 28-Aug. 20
“Jersey Boys,” Tony Award-winning story of Frankie Valli and The. Four Seasons, at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Tickets on sale now
at artshhi.org or 843-842-2787.
June 30-July 9
“Rent,” Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning, ground-breaking musical set in East Village of NYC, May River Theatre, in Ulmer Auditorium inside Bluffton Town Hall, 20 Bridge St. Tickets $25, available now at mayrivertheatre.com.
July 8
Grand Opening celebration of new Children’s Art Museum at Jepson Center, part of Telfair Museums, 207 W. York St. in Savannah. Engaging, inspiring exhibits and hands-on, interactive spaces for toddler ages and up.
Through July 9
“Binya: Faces ob de Gullah Geechee,” at Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. Features more than 50 portraits and related objects from the 1920s, telling stories of individuals across the Gullah Geechee corridor. Open during operating hours, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. 843-689-6767 or coastaldiscovery.org
July 24-28
Broadway Dance Camp, program of Main Stage Community Theatre at Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio, 1300 Fording Island Road, Bluffton. Daily 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., taught by Sandro Virag, five-time national dance champion and Broadway dancer. For ages 12 to 28, all levels of experience. Space limited; more information at info@msctheatre.org.
Jersey Boys is the Tony Award-winning musical sensation about the Four Seasons – the rise, the struggles, and personal clashes, and the ultimate triumph of a group of friends whose music became symbolic of a generation ... and beloved by generations to follow!
“Come to the Table: A Celebration of Food and Drink,” still life paintings by Denise Liotta DeMarzo, is the featured exhibit at Art League of Hilton Head, on display from June 20 through July 22.
An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. June 21 to meet the artist.
“Come to the Table” is an exhibit of more than 30 paintings by DeMarzo, a lifelong New Yorker who recently relocated to Hilton Head. DeMarzo was a critical care nurse and then an attorney before taking up her lifelong dream of painting.
The artwork depicts food and drink and represents her work in the still life genre.
The exhibit showcases representational still life paintings in the classical style. It features common objects – fruit, kettles, bottles, a tablecloth – and kitchen vignettes with pie ingredients, sumptuous foods with wine, fruit arrangements, and inviting cocktails. The pieces are timeless and are all painted from real set-ups, not photos.
“I strive for a calm mood and beautiful colors,” said DeMarzo, and “aim to leave room for the viewer’s emotion.”
DeMarzo studies with Jon deMartin, a classically trained artist and teacher, and Todd Casey, a still life painter and author, both renowned in the New York art world.
Her work has been exhibited both locally as well as Savannah and White Plains, New York. For more information about her, visit DeniseLiottaart.com.
An artist’s demonstration will be held from 11 a.m. to noon June 23 at the gallery. Visitors can learn more about the artist, her background and her process.
The exhibit, reception, and demo are all free and open to the public.
Art League Gallery is located inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and 90 minutes before every Arts Center performance.
Art League of Hilton Head is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts organization on Hilton Head Island with a synergistic art gallery and teaching Academy.
Art League Academy welcomes artists and students in all media at all skill levels, including true beginners. Taught by professional art educators, students can choose from many art classes and workshops that change monthly.
For more information, visit artleaguehhi. org or call 843-681-5060.
It’s the incredible journey of four guys bound by one dream – to make it to the top. Experience electrifying performances that led them to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes off You,” “My Eyes Adored You” and more.
4 & 7:30PM
Melissa Villaseñor broke barriers by becoming the first-ever Latina cast member of Saturday Night Live. A comedic impressions expert, she got her start as a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent. Some of Melissa’s most memorable impressions include Owen Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Dolly Parton.
“Colors of the World,” an exhibit of photographic art by Savannah Kemper, will be featured from June 5 through July 2 at the Society of Bluffton Artists gallery in Old Town Bluffton.
An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. June 7 at the gallery. These events are free and open to the public.
The exhibit captures the unique colors and textures from Kemper’s travels throughout the world. A self-described opportunistic photographer, Kemper said she does not seek out her subjects, but instead photographs scenes that stand out to her.
She credits her photography style to her family’s travels early in her life and their encouragement to see beauty in the world. Many of the photos from her exhibit reflect her unique take on nature scenes as well as interesting
architecture in bustling cities.
“Since my father grew up on a ranch in Texas, he was very in tune with nature and I think he definitely instilled that love and appreciation for the outdoors in me,” Kemper said. “I grew up being taught how significant the world outside our homes was, and that’s why I find my work more often reflecting my travels rather than where I live because whenever I travel some-
where I’m always trying to take in all the details.”
Kemper is in her final year at Clemson University, majoring in international business and Italian. A study abroad this spring will give her more opportunity for discovering treasured photos.
She has been exhibiting her photography at The SOBA gallery for three years and won first place in the photography category of SOBA’s 28th Annual Judged Show.
For more information, visit aproposllc.com or follow Kemper on Instagram at @apropos_photography.
SOBA gallery is located at 6 Church St. in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit sobagallery.com or call 843-757-6586.
The fifth annual Hilton Head Chamber Music Institute, an educational program of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, will be held June 7-17 at SoundWaves, 7 Lagoon Road on Hilton Head Island.
Sixteen high school string musicians from 11 states, selected via an audition process, will participate.
The Institute is led by artistic directors Carolyn Huebl and Felix Wang from Vanderbilt University and staffed by Shannon Thomas from Florida State University and Caroline Coade from University of Michigan and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As part of the program, the students will perform in the following concerts that are free and open to the public.
• Solo Recital Concert, 4 p.m. June 11, at Seabrook Retirement Community, 300 Woodhaven Drive, Hilton Head Island
• Solo Master Class, 6:30 p.m. June 12, at
Soundwaves, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head Island
• Quartet Master Class, 6:30 p.m. June 13, at Campbell Chapel AME Church, 26 Boundary St., Bluffton
• Quartet Master Class, 6:30 p.m. June 14, at Soundwaves, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head Island
• Quartet Concert, 7 p.m. June 16 11:30 a.m. June 18, at 11:30 a.m. at SoundWaves, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head Island
In addition, a Faculty Concert will be held at 7 p.m. June 10 at at SoundWaves. Tickets for this concert can be purchased for $25. There will also be community outreach concerts at Memory Matters, the Hilton Head Library, and at three retirement communities. For more information, contact Judy Gimbel at judy.chambermusic@gmail. com or 843-363-2718.
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Sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing on marbled rye
CALIFORNIA BURGER 15
Blend of certified angus beef, short rib, and brisket, applewood bacon, avocado, provolone cheese, and tomato on a toasted brioche bun
KYRA SPRING SALAD 15
Mixed greens, apples, strawberries, candied walnuts, served with white balsamic (GF)
KYRA PEPPERONI FLATBREAD 14
Housemade marinara, mozzarella and pepperoni
BLACK AND BLUE BURGER 15
Chargrilled with blackened seasoning topped with blue cheese crumbles, lettuce, tomato, and onion on brioche bun
EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA 14
Lightly egg battered eggplant layered with mozzarella cheese and marinara, served over spaghetti
BLT CHICKEN CLUB 12
Grilled chicken breast, melted provolone, applewood bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted brioche bun
VEGETABLE OMELETTE 12
Seasonal vegetables, eggs and toasted bread
LOBSTER TACOS 24
2 grilled flour tortillas stuffed with cajun lobster sensation and coleslaw, drizzled with homemade ranch, served with jasmine rice
GROUPER FRANCAISE 22
Lightly egg battered grouper, lemon and white wine sauce over spaghetti
SHRIMP & CLAM SPAGHETTI 16
Jumbo shrimp sauteed with clam white wine reduction and a touch of marinara
NEW YORK STRIP STEAK 26
12oz. char grilled New York strip steak served with baked potato
Are you a singer looking for a summer activity? If so, come join the Shore Notes women’s chorus on four Mondays: July 31, Aug. 7, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and discover the fun and camaraderie of a cappella singing.
On Aug. 28 at 7:30, the program finale
will be a Friends & Family night, where you can perform the two songs you learned with the chorus!
Rehearsals are held at Okatee Baptist Church, 5467 N. Okatie Hwy. Route 170, Ridgeland. For more information, call 843705-6852 or visit hiltonheadshorenotes.com.
NOW APPEARING IN THE DINING ROOM ON SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
OPEN 6 DAYS PER WEEK – TUESDAY THRU SUNDAYS – OPEN 4:00PM TO 10:PM
CALAMARI NONNA ROSA $14
CALAMARI FRITTI $12
ANTIPASTO $18
BRUSCHETTA $9
EGGPLANT ROLLATINI $11
MOZZARELLA FRITTI $9
GLUTEN FREE FOCACCIA $5
“Rent,” the groundbreaking rock musical that took New York by storm in the late 1990s, is coming to the stage of May River Theatre in Bluffton June 30.
“Rent” is set in the East Village of New York City, and is based loosely on Puccini’s “La Boheme,” which premiered a century before the musical. The story, written by playwright Billy Aronson and composer Jonathan Larson, follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side.
Characters Mark, Roger, Mimi, Tom, Angel, Maureen, Joanne and Benny quickly weave the audience into their stories of discovery, hope, loss and ultimately love.
Elizabeth Schlieger and David McLaughlin return to the MRT stage as a directorial team for the upcoming production.
Veteran and new-to-MRT performers are thrilled to be bringing to this stage the iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that shaped a generation of audiences. The cast includes Mark Erickson (Roger Davis), Aidan Tibbitt (Mark Cohen), Haley Spencer (Mimi Marquez), Blake Carter (Angel Dumott Schunard), Carlos Nieto (Tom Collins), Angela Chancay (Joanne Jefferson), Cait Schlieger (Maureen Johnson), and Jared Cotton (Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III). The rockstar ensemble includes Alex Clark,
Chris Hoffer, Seth Cole, Allison Manning, Kyle Price, Ellie Friedman, Annalee Hunter and Heather Bell.
For the first time since before the pandemic MRT will be having a live pit band to help bring this passionate story to life.
“After three rehearsals with this cast, I am amazed at their level of talent as well as their level of compassion for each other and this story of love that Jonathan Larson has given us,” said director Schlieger. “Each of these performers have given themselves fully, and it is a gift that I can be part of this journey.”
Performances are June 30, July 1, 6, 7 at 7:30 p.m. and July 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. at Ulmer Auditorium inside Bluffton Town Hall, 20 Bridge St.
Tickets are $25 and are available now at mayrivertheatre.com.
May River Theatre is a local theatre company started by the late Ed and Jodie Dupuis in 2002. MRT currently has nine volunteer board members that are committed to engaging the Bluffton community through a breadth of quality theatrical performances that facilitate growth in both the production and understanding of the entire theatrical experience. They are actively involved both in front of and behind the curtain. For more information on tickets, sponsorships, gift certificates and becoming part of the MRT family, visit mayrivertheatre.com.
ZUPPA DI FAGIOLI
Our house made soup with white beans, spinach and cherry tomatoes $6
CREAMY POMODORO
Basil Soup $6
SPAGHETTI VONGOLE $23
SPAGHETTI COZZE $21
PASTA POMODORO $15
SPAGHETTI POLPETTE $17
RIGATONI
SAUSAGE & PEPPERS $20
LA PUTTANESCA $20
MATRICIANA $20
GNOCCHI SORRENTINA $20
PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE $20
RIGATONI ALA VODKA $20
LASAGNA $20
MANICOTTI $20
All of our entrees come with a side of angel hair pasta, gluten free options available.
GARDEN $5
CAESAR (anchovies available upon request, add $1.50) / $6
CAPRESE $12
PEAR AND GORGONZOLA $14
PROSCIUTTO & MOZZARELLA $14
ADDITIONS
Chicken $7 Shrimp $8
$48
POLLO PARMIGIANA $21
POLLO MARSALA $23
POLLO LIMONE $21
POLLO FIORENTINA $23
VEAL PICATTA $25
VEAL MARSALA $25
VEAL SALTIMBOCCA $25
VEAL PARMIGIANA $24
EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA $21
SIDES
POLLO $7 SHRIMP $8
VEGETABLE OF THE DAY $5
SPINACH $5
SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS $7
POLPETTA $6
By Jan Fierick
Fasten your seatbelts! The cast and crew of “Boeing Boeing” are ready for takeoff and scheduled to land soon at the Sun City Community Theatre.
Directed by Bonnie DeSimone, produced by Linda Herrick, and performed by a talented Sun City cast, the comedy promises to delight, amuse and entertain.
Set in Paris in the 1960s, we follow the story of Bernard, played by Jim Brunner, an architect living in a lovely Parisian flat; his housekeeper, Berthe (Peg Marcotte); and three female flight attendants, Gabriela (Ruelaine Peters), Gretchen (Sally Spieth), and Gloria (Barbara Sweasy), all of whom often visit Bernard, each believing herself to be the fiancé of the handsome bachelor.
Due to his intense study and keen understanding of flight schedules, Bernard believes he has everything under control. He simply manages each of his fiancé’s visits by working around each of their flight sched-
ules – and interchanging their photos on his desk.
Actually, it is the extraordinary efficiency
of his grumbling housekeeper, Berthe, that keeps his three fiancés from having any idea that the others exist.
However, collision is in the cards. When the airlines decide to introduce a new turbo-charged Boeing jet to improve their service, Bernard’s well-managed visits quickly become complicated. These new improvements change the stewardess’ flight schedules and this affects Bernard’s control. Also on hand, to survey and sink into the resulting complications, is Bernard’s childhood friend, the naïve Robert, played by Rich Holman, who has recently arrived from Wisconsin, and is as green as a Granny Smith apple.
Performances will be June 22-24 at 7 p.m. and June 25 at 2:30 p.m. at Magnolia Hall Theatre, 118 Sun City Lane in Sun City. Tickets may be ordered online at suncitytheatre.org, by calling the Box Office at 843-645-2700, Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., or in person at the Box Office 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
General admission tickets are $26, and $23 for Sun City Community Theatre members.
Melissa Villaseñor broke barriers by becoming the first-ever Latina cast member of “Saturday Night Live.” Now, she is bringing her “New Things Tour” to the stage of the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina for two performances, at 4 and 7:30 p.m. July 17.
A comedic impressions expert, she got her start as a semifinalist on “America’s Got Talent.” Some of her most memorable impressions include Owen Wilson, Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton.
An accomplished voice actor, Villaseñor has been part of films such as “Toy Story 4” and “Wreck It Ralph 2,” among dozens of television shows.
She was a guest on Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” as well as “Hubie Halloween,” “Barry,” “Crashing,” and “Awkwafina is Nora From Queens.”
Though she sprinkles in some celebrity impressions in her stand-up, her “New
Things Tour” is more about herself, her family, and her zany point of view. There is also singing.
Villaseñor’s upbeat and hilarious sense of humor is showcased along with her impressive range of talent.
Tickets are $63 and available at artshhi. com. The Arts Center is located at 14 Shelter Cove Lane on Hilton Head Island.
Accurate Lithograph
Ace Roofing Services
American Wood Reface
Barbers of the Low Country
Belfair Fine Wines & Spirits
Benchmark Physical Therapy
Bishop Eye Associates
Boshaw Law Firm
British Open Pub
Captain Woody’s
Cheers Liquors
Club Car of Hilton Head
Edward Jones - Bill Sauter
Elite Physical Therapy
ENT & Allergy Partners
EXACT Flooring Experts
Food Lion
Four Seasons Sunrooms
Georgia Eye Institute
Golis Family Jewelers
Harbor Point Dentistry
Hargray
Hilton Head Lexus
Hilton Head Regional HC
Hughes Dental
Icon Superstore of SC
Jack Frost Vanilla Extract
Jersey Mike’s (Okatie)
Katie O’Donald’s Irish Pub
Kelca Counters, Inc.
Lang 72 Degrees
Lowcountry Presbyterian Church
Low Country Golf Cars
Low Country Periodontics
Mark Winn
McKENZIE Insurance Svs
MedicareQuick
Mi Tierrita
Moss Creek Village Furniture
Off-Island Chiropractic
Okatie Ale House
Optim Orthopedics
Palmetto Electric Coop
Quality Golf Cars
Raymond James
Salty Dog Bluffton
Sauls Funeral Home
State Farm-John Mallet
Stokes Toyota Hilton Head
Temple Oseh Shalom
The Alliance Group Realty
The Bedminster Group
The UPS Store
Vaux Marscher Berglind
We Care Family Dentistry
Wiechert Realtors
Wooster Dental Care
By Lynne Cope Hummell
The teaser on the back cover of “Fatally Flawed: Anatomy of An American President,” a new suspense novel by retired physician Robert Lisle of Beaufort, is enough to draw in readers of all sorts: “Something is wrong with the president of the United States. And nobody knows about it.”
But if that wasn’t enough to lure in the most hesitant of readers, the reviews noted in the front of the book were. “A literary thriller that delivers a knockout of an ending,” wrote Jonathan Haupt, executive director of the Pat Conroy Literary Center in Beaufort. Even for someone who is not typically drawn to political fiction, or mysteries, or international intrigue, “Fatally Flawed” proved to reach page-turner status for this reviewer.
In his first novel, Lisle pulls out all the stops in placing his characters around the world – from Washington, DC to Paris to Beirut to Oxford – following the action from one locale to another and back again to tell
an involved tale of ambition, espionage, unlikely lovers, clashing cultures and the crazy path to the highest office in the United States of America.
Lisle describes his story as “an international geo-political thriller, a convoluted love story, and a history lesson on the cultural origins of pre-911 terrorism.” He said it took five years just to get to the “publishing part,” as his original manuscript required much writing and rewriting, chopping out numer-
ous vignettes and characters that didn’t move the story along, he said.
Asked how a retired physician came to write a political thriller, Lisle said, “I guess the simple answer is if one is inclined to write, one writes about what one knows something about. Thus, ‘Fatally Flawed’ is a composite of medicine and human nature drawn from 50 years of medical practice, photography and its history, and some mysterious Middle Eastern travel.”
The story unwinds over 57 chapters. Not to worry, though, as many of the chapters are a mere four or five pages each. But oh, the stories that are told!
Perhaps because of the stringent editing, some readers might find minor lapses in continuity or timing. But those details don’t throw the reader off track, as the plot twists are sure to keep one engaged.
Anyone looking for a summer read that’s anything but fluffy will want to read this one.
“Fatally Flawed” is available at Barnes & Nobel, Amazon and other outlets.
