VOLUME 12, ISSUE 6 • JUNE 7, 2023

‘H’ is for hurricane season; are you prepared?

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

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 screened-in 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/Hurri-

cane-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

Please see HURRICANES on page 10A

Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which landed as a Category 2 storm, wreaked havoc in many Hilton Head Island neighborhoods. In Squiresgate, on the north end, this house suffered extreme damage from three large pine trees that fell on the roof, including one that came through the ceiling.

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If we pay close attention, we can learn a lot from babies

By Lynne Cope Hummell EDITOR

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.

Current Circulation Via USPS is 25,266

PUBLISHER

Kevin Aylmer, kevina@blufftonsun.com

EDITOR

Lynne Hummell, editor@blufftonsun.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Melanie Dodson

Wendy Price

OFFICE MANAGER

Melissa McCullough

CONTRIBUTORS

Jeff Bradley

Collins Doughtie

Tom Dunn

Mathew Epps

E. Ronald Finger

Channing Heiss

Ken Horup

Mayor’s message to graduates: Own your future

By Alan Perry CONTRIBUTOR

This month, I salute the graduates of our community as they close out their high school and college years and embark on new journeys. So, I am writing to them, and I hope you will help me share this message with the Class of 2023.

achieve them?

It doesn’t matter if it is family life, where you want to live, the job you pursue, or even the car you want to drive. What does your plan look like, and does it fit you to make your goal a reality? Are you willing to give it 100%, sacrifice, and go above and beyond? Because that is what it takes.

be obstacles you can’t overcome. Instead, let them be an opportunity to learn and grow. Failure happens only when you get knocked down and don’t get back up.

Learn from your weaknesses and strengths. They help us to rise higher and become better human beings.

Edwina Hoyle

Barry Kaufman

Alan Perry

Gwyneth J. Saunders

Michele Steif

Larry Stoller

Scott Weirman

ADVERTISING

B.J. Frazier, Sales Director, 843-422-2321

Claudia Chapman 814-434-3665

Mike Garza 804-928-2151

Mary Pat Gifford 912-414-7122

CONTACT

For information about The Hilton Head Sun, 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 copyright protected 20220. All submissions must include name, address and phone number. The Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any material, including advertisements. The Hilton Head 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. Member, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.

Heading off on the next journey is your choice and yours to make your own. It is about you – whether you head to college, university, grad school, gap year, or whatever else is in your plan.

I am sure you have often been asked what your future goals are. I bet you have many. The question I ask is, What is your plan? Having goals is great, but what is the plan to

A while back, a friend said to me there are two kinds of people in the world, those who see a mountain to climb and find the challenge to be too much for them to overcome, and those who see the mountain, take it head-on, and attack the challenge.

I believe there is a third kind: those who lead others to get over the mountain. Sometimes those around you need support to move forward. Sometimes that person might just be you. So don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Know your strengths and weaknesses.

You will face many challenges in your life. I certainly have. But do not let challenges

Letter to the Editor

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 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!

Earle Everett Moss Creek

You all have been given a wonderful gift of education! You have been taught to learn, think for yourself, and grow into your own uniqueness. Remember that as you move into the next phase of your life.

Lastly, expect obstacles, and do not be surprised when they come around. Let them define you in a way that would make your family and teachers proud! The future is yours to own – with hard work, diligence, and persistence.

Congratulations to the Class Of 2023!

Alan Perry is the mayor of the Town of Hilton Head Island. AlanP@hiltonheadislandsc.gov

Town seeks citizens for housing committee

Town of Hilton Head Island seeks to appoint a diverse group of citizens to serve on its newly formed Housing Action Committee.

Establishing the committee is a key strategy recommended in the Workforce Housing Framework adopted by Town Council last November. Primarily, committee members will advise the Town Manager and Town Council on strategies, ideas and recommendations that address issues on workforce housing affordability. It will also support implementing the Town’s goals and objectives outlined in the Workforce Housing Framework.

The committee will consist of up to 11 members who have knowledge and experience in various areas:

• General homebuilding

• Banking/finance

• Philanthropy

• Non-profit affordable workforce housing developer

• For-profit affordable workforce housing developer

• Community representative (concerned citizen)

• Affordable housing tenant or homeowner

• Employer representative

• Realtor and real estate professional

• Workforce housing or social service advocate

Individuals may apply online at hiltonheadislandsc. gov/boards.

Alan Perry

Celebrating last day of school with fun, food, frivolity

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?”

Lucia

went to the 102 River Bridge (in Missouri) and everybody would jump off – except me. I was terrified.”

Local Market Update – April 2023

Hilton Head Totals

Local Market Update – April 2023

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SALES RESULTS FOR APRIL, 2023 AND YEAR TO DATE

Hilton Head Totals

2507 THE

Hilton Head Totals

Detached Homes Only

($89,000)2 bedroom 2 bath condo with courtyard views the The Seabrook of Hilton Head retirement/independent living community. No Rentals Allowed. Membership required. Less than a mile to the ocean, parks, restaurants, shopping, drug stores, and banks. Membership fee includes fine dining, transportation, exercise class, heated pool, rec room, daily activities. Also garbage, pest control, water/sever, cable, internet, water/sewer, landscaping, home insurance. Inclusive Monthly fees for 2 Occ $2755. Membership application required. Must qualify with

Hilton Head Totals

Condos / Villas Only

Condos/Villas Only

April Year to Date

(1 P) to $3,910 (2 P)

Cassandra Kilfoy, St. Louis: “Celebrate with Mexican food, some queso – and a margarita.”

Sean Kilfoy, St. Louis: “I’d have to blast Alice Cooper’s ‘School’s Out.’”

Debi West, Hilton Head Island: “We’d pack all our ‘stuff’ and head to Riddly Park near Philly and party ’til the sun went down. Ya gotta love the ’80s!”

Shakti Kilfoy, St. Louis: “I would swim in the pool, because it’s summer and it’s warm!”

Chastain, Hilton Head Island: “We

Century 21 Office Location

Our Century 21 office has been serving the Hilton Head Area for 35 years. Our location at the Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort has 1000’s of visitors each week, many of whom see our listings and ask us about buying on Hilton Head Island.

location at the Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort has 1000’s of visitors each week, many of whom see our listings and ask us about buying on Hilton Head Island.

Century 21 Real Estate

Century 21 Real Estate Referral Network

Our

Our national & world wide brokerage franchise provides our local office with an ongoing Robust Referral of potential home buyers who want to live here or invest in the Hilton Head Island area.

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One of the finest remodeled ocean villas on the market. It’s light and bright with an open floor plan, incredible kitchen & bath & oh what a view! Smooth ceilings, pretty luxury vinyl floors & upscale coastal decor throughout. Enjoy a very comfortable living space with dbl recliner sofa. Kitchen has been completely redone, beautiful cabinetry, Quartz counters, pretty backsplash & extra storage, outstanding bath with custom tile walk in shower w/river stone flooring, new lighting & vanity. The bedroom is open and spacious & don’t miss the storage drawers built under the bed!. You’ll love the ocean view from the balcony! This is a perfect 10.

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Fabulous 2 BR in the front building. So many High end finishes and furnishings. Never rented. Free standing bar with Waterford crystal! Close to the beach with peek of the ocean.

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Incredible Coastal Chic with a nautical & farmhouse flair! So much to love about this villa!

Recent remodel & rental machine that grossed $52k last year! This has an open floor plan in the BR w/cool workspace, beautiful king bed & bunks too. Decorator touches throughout. Oh the shiplap w/exceptional crown molding, new fixtures. accents, doors, the list is endless. The kitchen has cool L shape, pretty SS appliances, stone counters & turquois backsplash accent with all white cabinets & added pantry too! Close to pool & amenities. You will not want to leave your balcony with the peaceful views of protected natural area. Over $26k still on books!

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& pantry, granite counters, SS appliances, smooth ceilings, canned lighting & electric fireplace in BR for ambiance! BR is open concept w/ king bed, desk area & bunks for kids! TV in the BR & Living area. Great attention to detail. Buy for investment or personal as this is turn key. Onsite restaurants, beach bar, tennis, pickleball, bike rentals, ocean front pool, what a great ocean front resort. This won’t last! Still over $26k on the books this year!

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Open air front door, easy accessibility, beautiful views. Upgrades include: tile floors throughout, gorgeous bathroom, built in storage bedroom cabinets, beautiful kitchen.

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$349,900 Beach villa located close to the elevator. Newer kitchen cabinets & Microwave and pretty countertops, newer tile for bath floor with updated vanity & bath lights too.

MLS

$629,000

So many extras and upgrades, you’ll be amazed! Wonderful family neighborhood with its own pool. As you first enter through the Charleston style porch, you’ll feel you’re home.

MLS #433388

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Freshly painted New flooring throughout, and a brand new Queen sleeper sofa. Lovely classic nautical theme throughout. This unit has an updated full size kitchen. 1st floor unit.

MLS #435822

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Full sized lot in this great community. Enjoy impressive views of the Broad River! Convenient to Beaufort and easy commute to Hilton Head and Bluffton.

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Beautifully remodeled beach villa. Close proximity to both the pool & ocean. Gorgeous new flooring throughout. This villa is ready to start earning money for you. Comes fully furnished!

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4th floor with beautiful ocean views! Great tile floors throughout and bright decor, this has been lovingly owned and rented for many years. Comfortable and spacious with a dbl balcony.

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Villa on the wing of the bldg. Natural light & ocean views. The kitchen has newer white cabinets, full stove, white subway tile backsplash, tile floors in all areas & laminate in BR.

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New school choice legislation will stimulate student success

By Jeff Bradley CONTRIBUTOR

Several weeks ago, soon after I submitted my column for the May issue of the Hilton Head Sun, I was elated to see “school choice” legislation pass in both the House and Senate – and then signed into law by Gov. McMaster.

As first vice chairman of the South Carolina House Education and Public Works Committee, I have been working strenuously with our committee chairman, Shannon Ericksen, to shepherd this legislation into law. It was among our highest priority objectives to achieve for this session.

Variations of school choice legislation have been debated at the state capitol for almost two decades. And now finally, many parents who currently cannot afford private school or other education opportunities will have greater options about how their children are educated.

The new bill creates a pilot program that establishes an Education Scholarship Trust Fund, which will finance Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). Parents who qualify can use the ESA vouchers to pay for a variety of educational options for their children that best fit the needs of their children.

These options include such things as private tutoring, private school tuition, online courses, technology, and specialized educational materials. Similar ESAs have already been assisting thousands of students across several other states including North Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire, Utah and Arizona.

Our pilot program will start in the fall of 2024. Medicaid-eligible parents and

guardians can receive up to $6,000 per year for tuition, transportation, supplies or technology at either private schools or public schools outside their district that currently charge a fee. As one of my colleagues, Larry Grooms, was aptly quoted by the Associated Press: “Quality education shouldn’t be divided up over who lives in the best ZIP code and who doesn’t.”

The pilot program will begin with 5,000 openings for students in the first year whose families earn up to $60,000 (Medicaid-eligible). Within three years the eligibility is to be capped at 15,000 students – or about 2% of South Carolina’s school-age population for families making approximately $120,000 or less.

For many years, opponents of school choice have irrationally criticized ESAs as potentially robbing public schools of money. But that criticism is not valid with our program. South Carolina’s school choice program will be similar to one in North Carolina. It will be funded with vouchers directly from the state budget, meaning that no money is being directly taken from the current K-12 education budget or existing public schools.

I firmly believe that vouchers are ultimately beneficial to public education because they promote market-like competition among schools and challenge all schools to work harder to improve.

I concur with our new state superintendent of schools, Ellen Weaver, that this new program will put us in step with states across our nation that have expanded education freedom with school choice initiatives and as a result have seen student achievement rise and public education flourish alongside. It’s a time-proven principle that competition makes everyone better.

Jeff Bradley is the representative for District 123 in the State House of Representatives.

Jeff Bradley

HURRICANES from page 1A

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 off-guard 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. Mat-

thew 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.

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

FILE PHOTO

ADVANCING THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE.

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

“THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE ST.

– Andrew Papoy, M.D. – Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Terry Reese - Baxley, GA

JOSEPH’S/CANDLER”

Impella 5.5® with SmartAssist®

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 888877-9151.

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 click-

ing 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.

Gwyneth J. Saunders is a veteran journalist and freelance writer living in Bluffton.

Residents in the Squiresgate neighborhood on Hilton Head Island returned from Hurricane Matthew evacuation in 2016 to find numerous trees uprooted or completely downed.

LYNNE COPE HUMMELL

Hurricane evacuation myths, realities and what to do

By Tom Dunn CONTRIBUTOR

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 ve-

Please see HURRICANES on page 16A

This truck was left unsheltered during Hurricane Matthew and suffered the consequences.

COURTESY TOWN OF BLUFFTON

GRILLING SAFETY

• Keep your grill clean

• Gas and charcoal grills should be used outside only and 10ft from structures

• Never leave a grill unattended

• Never add fluids after coals are lit

• Never attempt to move a hot grill – let it cool completely

Home Safety Inspection

Wonder if your home is safe? We can help. Call us and we will be happy to walk through your home with you and help make things safer. If you prefer to do it yourself, go to www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov and go to Public Safety, then Fire Rescue and on the lower right side of the page, you will find a Fire Safety Checklist so you can do your own walk through.

DIAL 911 FIRST!

• Calling other parties can delay response (security, front desk, property management)

• Our 911 call takers are trained in CPR, EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch), EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch), and the SCCJA (South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy).

• Location accuracy results in a more efficient response.

• RapidSOS is a location application that pinpoints a 911 callers’ location within feet working with many cell phone providers.

• Questions need to be answered by persons on scene of the emergency so that information, as it is happening, can be relayed to the responding crews.

• Language line available to assist non-English speaking callers.

BATTERY SAFETY

Only use the battery designed for the specific device. Put batteries in correctly and use the correct charging cord. Stop using a battery if you notice a change in color, odor, shape or it starts leaking.

AA batteries, AAA batteries & 9 volt batteries (all alkaline batteries) can be disposed of with your household garbage while lithium ion batteries should be recycled. Keep all batteries out of the hands of small children and check that battery compartments are secured shut.

PULSE POINT

Get the app – help save lives. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. The PulsePoint Respond app alerts bystanders – like you –who can help victims before professional help can arrive. PulsePoint Respond alerts you to nearby people in need. It’s like an amber alert for sudden cardiac arrest victims. It tells you where the event is happening and also where you can find the nearest AED. To download the app, search PulsePoint Respond and PulsePoint AED on the Apple App store or Google Play store. Visit www.pulsepoint.org for more information.

CPR AED CLASSES

American Heart Association CPR / AED classes are offered each month at no charge to those who live or work on Hilton Head Island. Get certified! We can also help you get certified in First Aid. Call 843-682-5141 to register.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS

Free blood pressure checks are always available at any fire station. You will be provided with a blood pressure check card to assist you in maintaining a record of your blood pressure readings and staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Learn more fire and life safety tips while visiting our fire stations by Geocaching! Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt game using GPS-enabled devices. To learn more, go to https://www.geocaching.com.

• Bike safety is at Station 1 –70 Cordillo Parkway

• Alligator safety is at Station 2 –65 Lighthouse Road

• Calling 911 is at Station 3 –534 William Hilton Parkway

• Boating Safety is at Station 4 -

400 Squire Pope Road

• Close before you doze is at Station 5 –

20 Whooping Crane Way

• Water safety is at Station 6 –

12 Dalmatian Lane

• Smoke alarms are at Station 7 –

1001 Marshland Road

• Fire Safety is at Fire Rescue Headquarters - 40 Summit Drive.

HURRICANES from page 14A

hicles moving away from the coastal areas, inland locations will be inundated with 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.

843.837.4000

American University

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Clemson University

Duke University

Flagler College

Appalachian State University

Boston University

Catholic University

Colgate University

HILTON HEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL

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

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New York University

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Villanova University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Skidmore College

University of Southern California

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Category Damage Type 74-95 mph 96-110 mph 111-129 mph 130-156 mph 157 mph or higher

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

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New labyrinth opens at Honey Horn, gifted by women’s group

By Edwina Hoyle CONTRIBUTOR

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 22A

Past presidents of the Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island explore the new labyrinth the organization gifted to the Coastal Discovery Museum. From left are Tamra Avril, Betty Hambledon, Jackie Cordray, Lois Schuhrke, Tracy Harris, Darah Latourelle, June McAuliffe and Debbie Gorski.

COURTESY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATON OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND

LABYRINTH from page 20A

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.

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.

“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.

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.”

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.”

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.

Edwina Hoyle is a freelance writer in Bluffton.

County-wide coalition seeks to share disability advocacy efforts

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 of efforts.

Green is the director of business de-

A group from Coastal Carolina posed for a photo on the State House steps during the annual Disability Advocacy Day in Columbia on March 1.

Pockets Full of Sunshine to host Fun in the Sun for Everyone

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 Marriot Surf Watch Resort.

This annual event gives all community members, no matter their age or ability, the opportunity to enjoy the beach in a safe and inclusive setting. Activities will include paddle boarding, boogie boarding, surfing, sand castle building content, music, relaxation and more.

“One of our favorite events with Pockets

Full of Sunshine is the Fun in the Sun beach party,” said parent Theresa Sorgente. “Nicholas has a great time surfing with the great people who volunteer. His favorite thing is when the mermaid comes to visit and take pictures with him and all his buddies at Pockets. It is wonderful to see all the volunteers that help organize this event.”

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.

Fun in the Sun for Everyone began in 2015 as Special Needs Surf Day, which was started by local high school surfer James Bartholomew, who wanted to provide a fun day of surfing for his sister and her classmates with special needs.

Registration is encouraged 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.

Since 2014, Pockets Full of Sunshine has been working to make the Lowcountry a “sunnier place” by providing social and vocational opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. PFS programs enhance the lives of exceptional adults (our Rays), by increasing exposure and interactions within our community, promoting independence, growth, a sense of belonging, and personal pride. Founded by Dayna Dehlinger and Laurin Rivers, partnering with Carol and R.J. Bartholomew, PFS has a goal of bridging the gap between general population and individuals with special needs. Funds raised support community-based activities and vocational opportunities, such as screen printing, for adults with special needs. Pockets Full of Sunshine is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Friends of all ages enjoy the many beach activities provided at the annual Fun in the Sun for Everyone.

The Seahawk Times

A Hilton Head Island High School Student Newspaper

Update From Architect Don Baus

Don Baus, architect from Little Diversified Architectural Firm, returned to HHIHS bringing the staff together once again in March to give them an update on the plans for the new HHIHS school building. Since the last staff meeting with the builders, there were over 1,000 responses to the initial surveys Many groups of people were involved, from students and teachers, to parents and community members who voiced what they thought would be the best for the future school building The incorporation of Gullah culture, clubs, history of the island, and art, as well as education, community, technology, athletics, safety, outdoor areas, and natural light within the new HHIHS, have all been heard. He came again on March 23rd for an end of year update. This update will be published at a later date

There is a lot of excitement about the new building. It is certain that a top priority is to have community spaces and lots of natural light. Other notable things such as a contemporary exterior design, outdoor seating with canopies, group/team learning spaces within classrooms and collaborative small group/flexible spaces h w polished school design was p

Key for drawings:

Yellow: phys. education and sports

Green: cafeteria

Grey: High-Bay CTE

Purple: Arts wing

Dark purple: media center

Red: ROTC

Peach/tan: Admin office

Deep Blue: SPED

Light Blue: new class wing

Bottom Right: Close up of the first floor of the new academic wing. The dotted outline will be the new courtyard.

wing, with a main hallway between new and old building wings. The cafeteria, CTE (Business classes), and culinary classrooms will be relocated to where the back of the school now lies, which is by the current bus loop The main entrance will be in between the current SCC and D-hall; the entrance would lead into a ‘hall of fame’ which celebrates everything that makes HHIHS unique.

By: Emily Bocialetti

Within the new building, there will be 75+ classrooms; classroom sizes will be 900 square feet, and 1,200-1,500 square feet for labs. Within each classroom, there will be built in storage. The media center will be the central part of the school, along with the elevators The media center will have a mezzanine and a second floor that will be in front of a new glass wall. The current cafeteria will be converted into a physical education space. Wrestling and dance will be separated The art wing will be gutted, classrooms will be resized, and outdoor access and larger spaces for band and dance will be added. There will also be collaborative spaces in the hallways throughout the building. Private testing rooms are planned but have not been placed within the design yet

The implementation of new class tracks, like health science, will be on the third floor and the new building has the potential of bringing automobile and marine tech programs to HHIHS There are plans that the culinary program will be able to support and provide food to the community since we have licenses and permits to cook for the community. The SCC and black box will be refreshed but will stay the same size, and the ROTC hall will stay where it currently is

At this point in time, it is planned that construction will begin in April 2024, that is if the referendum passes in November 2023 Phase one is said to take approximately 12-18 months, but overall, the entire building will take about five years to complete.

HHIHS Art Program Wins Awards By: Tristen S. Lizzie M, and Celia W.

Hilton Head Island High has a very successful art program that helps students expand their creativity and knowledge of art Every year in March, the nation celebrates Youth Art Month, a time to acknowledge and recognize the importance of art education for young people.

Youth Art Month provides an opportunity for schools, museums, and communities to come together to showcase the creativity and talent of student artists

The theme for this year's Youth Art Month is "Art Connects Us," highlighting the ways in which art brings people together.

Ms. Dobbelaere, an art teacher at HHIHS, helps to “recognize art education as an integral part of the school-wide curriculum ” To add, she helps show that art will “increase support for art education [with recognition] that art education teaches divergent and critical thinking ” The school expresses youth art through many accomplishments.

Student artwork was in the lobby and displayed throughout the school. Not to mention, student work was also displayed at USCB and SCAD for various art competitions The range of artwork was from painting and drawing to sculpture and digital media

This art allows students to express themselves and communicate their ideas in powerful ways.

Part of the Youth Art Month was the Low Country Art Exhibition, in which ten Hilton Head Island students had art on exhibition at the Public Works Art Center in Summerville, South Carolina

There were five students from photography class with Mrs Schoelkopf-Lewis who had pieces exhibited and five students from art class with Ms. Dobbelaere who had pieces exhibited. The art exhibit was open from March 14th to April 2nd. Youth Art Month and the Low Country Art Exhibition was a great opportunity for students to showcase their artist abilities

HHIHS students entered many art competitions this year and won many awards HHIHS is so proud of its award winning art program

At the SC State Fair, HHIHS took 1st and 2nd place in Photography and 1st place, Best in Show, and Honorable Mention for 2D Drawing.

For the SCAEA Low Country YAM Competition HHIHS had 10 total entries and senior Skylar Bruner won 1st place for Mixed Media Drawing.

At the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 100th Anniversary HHIHS had 32 Award winners total and 3 were judged at the national level There were three Gold Keys, 14 Silver Keys, and 15 Honorable Mentions

For the High School Regional Sponsored by the Coastal Discovery Museum & USCB, HHIHS had 27 entries accepted and won two Honorable Mentions.

At the Promising Picasso’s sponsored by ISCA competition, HHIHS had 16 total entries HHIHS took 2nd place in 3D/fashion, had an Honorable Mention for Mixed Media, 1 Star of Merit for colored pencil drawing, and 1 Star of Merit for Digital Art.

HHIHS took 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and had one Honorable Mention for the Kurtzberg Award Camera Club of HH Competition

HHIHS looks to take more awards next school year in more art competitions

Senior Skylar Bruner's Mixed Media Drawing took 1st place at YAM.

Photo by Ashlynn Fleming titled "Diamond in the Sky." won a Silver Key at Scholastics and was entered in three competitions this year.

The Seahawks Rocked and Rolled To 40 By: Celia Walter and Lizzy Markowitz

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hilton Head Island High School, the school hosted a rock concert on Saturday April 22, 2023, from seven to ten p.m. in the Seahawk Cultural Center which was open to the public.

The concert setlist included performances from several different bands consisting of alumni and community members

Local rapper and HHIHS alum Q. Smalls opened the show, followed by Emma Stanton, class of 2013; Andriana Urato, a former teacher; Sara Burns, class of 2010; who was followed by The Domino Theory which included former teacher Duncan Aspinwall-Winter and several community members After intermission Dr Bob Savarese performed followed by Annie Thompson and Chick O’Shea

The Beagles were the final act and concluded the show with several crowd-pleasing songs from The Beatles. The Alumni Band assisted multiple performers. Dakota Sabados played guitar and vocals, Dallas Ackerman played drums, George Sloan played bass and Alex Tye played guitar for the band

To the delight of everyone in the audience, the principal, Mr Schidrich, performed at the concert. He sang alongside Adriana Urato and the Alumni Band performing “Gimme Shelter” which was originally performed by the Rolling Stones.

Before the concert, band and orchestra students performed their own mini concert in the SCC lobby for community members to showcase what they had learned in their classes There were also several art displays throughout the Seahawk Cultural Center related to the school and music from the show which was available for community members to look at before and after the show, as well as during intermission. Mrs. Schoelkopf-Lewis, the photography teacher at Hilton Head Island High School, created a gallery of past yearbook photos as part of the art display Art students also painted pictures of rock bands on vinyl records

Proceeds from the concert went to the Foundation for Educational Excellence. The foundation distributes grants every fall to schools throughout Beaufort County for small projects that need outside funding

During intermission Mr Schidrich talked with community members who were interested in the plans for the referendum, which is the renovation of Hilton Head Island High School. The last 40 years have been exciting for Hilton Head Island High School and students have made lasting memories while learning, but the building is ready for a new renovation to create an environment where lasting memories can be made by students in the years to come

Mrs Sturgis, the coordinator for the rock concert, stated, “There have been some steady presences here that kind of helped it grow. But then we have a lot of new blood too that gives us new ideas.”

The concert had a great turnout and support by the local community. The entire show has been posted to the school YouTube channel With the support from the community, Hilton Head Island High School was able to celebrate the school and its accomplishments from the last 40 years while also raising money for charity.

HHIHS Announces TOY and SOY 2023

By: Journalism Class Spring 2023

On Friday March 5, 2023, which was the final day of Teacher Appreciation Week, HHIHS announced the 2023 Teacher of the Year and Staff Member of the year

Mr. Best, who teaches Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and runs the Robotics club won Teacher of the Year.

Mrs Burke who has been the school social worker for just over a year, is the Staff Member of the Year

HHIHS is lucky to have so may great staff members and the Seahawks appreciate all that they do for the school.

Local band The Beagles, which is a Beatles cover band, pictured with HHIHS alum Dakota Sabados playing “Twist & Shout.” The Beagles closed out the 40th Anniversary Rock Concert with 11 Beatles songs.

Photo by: Mrs. Schoelkopf-Lewis

Photos by: Ms. Andis

HHIHS Prom King: Ben Lewis and Prom Queen: Isabella Samaha

Prom Returns To The Nest! By: Carmine G, Ashton J, and Nick K

Prom is one of the highlights of the high school experience, and at Hilton Head Island High School, that is no different. Prom is a formal dance for high school students during their junior or senior year. Students can look forward to a very eventful evening that they will never forget Most of all students have fun!

The theme of this year’s prom was a night under the stars. This theme was well received by students. Students had an eventful evening filled with fun, all under the starry lights. Mr. Schidrich noted that students got to pick the theme, at the request of student government. Having multiple themes that students chose from improves the variety of experiences that students want Overall, this year's prom was a beautiful one.

The location of prom was one of the most important factors that created a great and memorable prom night for the students at HHIHS Prom took place on Saturday March 25th, from 8-11:30 PM at Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort.

Prom meetings are one of the things students need to do before going to prom. According to Mr. Schidrich, prom meetings are important, “Because of a number of things, but safety is number one, we want students to have fun and number two we want everyone to be safe."

Prom tickets were $50 if purchased early or $60 if purchased late. Students also had snacks and desserts at the venue. There was lots of dancing and students were pleased with the music and DJ. Teachers and staff members helped chaperone the prom

Prom is one of the quintessential high school experiences for students, especially following the last three years of isolation and COVID-19.

Mr Schidrich said “It’s a good way to bring all students together and have fun. A lot of the girls like to go out shopping for dresses and stuff. It's a big event for them as well as with guys. It's a little simpler for the guys.”

With music, food, and dancing, it is a great way to have fun with your friends!

Senior Isabella Samaha won Prom Queen and senior Ben Lewis won Prom King. Students enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to prom next year.

Photo by: Mrs. Schoelkopf-Lewis

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

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

Hosted by Chip Collins. Owner, broker-in-charge, Collins Group Realty

Juneteenth at Mitchelville to feature music, food … and birds

The annual Juneteenth Celebration at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17.

Juneteenth is a national holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, not all enslaved people were freed.

Over the next many months, Union soldiers spread the news across the south. Finally, on June 19, 1865, all remaining enslaved people were freed. That day became known as Juneteenth.

The local celebration attracts thousands of participants each year to celebrate freedom with historic commemorations, music, food and vendors.

This year, it will include a unique presentation by Hilton Head Audubon. The organization plans to unveil its results of research, supported by a grant from National Audubon, on the importance of birds and nature in the Gullah Geechee community at the time of the founding of Mitchelville.

Established in 1862 on Hilton Head Island, Mitchelville is the first place in the U.S. where Africans in America, just out of slavery and not yet citizens, governed themselves.

Hilton Head Audubon’s presence at the

celebration will include an information booth, where they will offer information about their bird research, as well as materials about the local organization, birding and conservation.

They will also feature a craft table near the back of the area, where they will engage children and spirited adults by creating pinecone feeders, owl eyesight vision paper towel binoculars, and origami swans.

Hilton Head Audubon will also lead bird walks from the craft table through the woods and on to Fish Haul Beach, a noted birding area where more than 230 bird species have been identified.

Helping Hilton Head Audubon to prepare their Gullah-related research is a collaboration with USC-Beaufort through their Student Connected program, which inspires students across all disciplines by offering opportunities for fieldwork, research, internships and service learning with local partners.

Students in Associate Professor Sarah Swofford’s professional writing class is helping to prepare the materials to be shared during the Juneteenth Celebration.

The Park is located at 40 Harriet Tubman Way (off Beach City Road) on Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit exploremitchelville.org.

This Yellow-crowned Night Heron was seen from the gazebo at Mitchelville in May.

PATRICIA KAPPMEYER

Dream Kitchen in less than one week!

Noteworthy

• 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.

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.

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with full kitchen reface.

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 Environment and to Us.”

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.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT NEWS

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.

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Special Section

Palmetto Electric Cooperative is trying to locate former members with unclaimed Capital Credits.

Please refer to the following listing to see if the Cooperative has unclamed Capital Credits for you. If your name is on the list, please call 1-800-922-5551 to find out how to claim your Capital Credits.

NAME ADDR1 ADDR3 ZIP

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CAPERS ALPHONSO (KLEINA) PO BOX 643 VARNVILLE SC 0299440643

CARBONELL MICHAEL (LOIS) 108 LIGHTHOUSE RD APT 2366 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC 0299284394

CAROLINA CHIRO/HOLISTIC CTR PO BOX 21475 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC 0299251475

CAROLINA CRYSTAL

SC 0299282939

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GLASS SARAH A (ROGER) 415 MAIN ST APT 106 GIRARD PA 0164170000

HEALY MICHAEL J (MARGRET M) 4 FLORENCIA CT HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC

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HEINTZ DONALD A (DORIS) 2495 KENSINGTON AVE AMHERST NY 0142264929

HENDERSON A GAIL (RICK) 423 WALKING LN LEXINGTON SC 0290730000

HENRY TERRI J 1318 LEGENDS CLUB DR MOUNT PLEASANT SC

HERBERT GEORGE R (LOIS) 46 BEVERLY DR DURHAM NC

LLC PO BOX 7634 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC

HERITAGE PARTNERS LLC PO BOX 21743 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC

HERNANDEZ ANASTACIA M 897 FORDING ISLAND RD APT 2811 BLUFFTON SC 0299108827

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HH CENTER FOR FAMILY MED 73 HUSSARS CAMP PL RIDGEFIELD CT 0068771430

HHO OF CAROLINA INC 9 PALMETTO BAY RD HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC

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HIGLEY ALBERT M (BEVERLY 16521 NOLL CT CHAGRIN FALLS OH 0440231157

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HILTON BOGIE PLAYERS LLC 3151 MADISON RD CINCINNATI OH 0452091356

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LLC 3480

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JOHNSON NORMAN J (BERNADETTE) PO BOX 305 WATKINSVILLE GA 0306770000

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JOINT EFFORT WELLNESS CENTER 8451 CHARLOTTE HWY FORT MILL SC 0297077587

JUDY & MAC’S DELI INC 11 MATHEWS DR STE 6 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC 0299263781

Our Commitment to Wellness Extends Far Beyond Our Dental Chairs

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.

Local owners for familiar tavern, lauded Asian eats, doggy dish

By Tim Wood CONTRIBUTOR

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.

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.

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.

And yes, for those of you who have become addicted to chef Bernard Ben-

nett’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.

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.

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 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,

2022 Bluffton Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Dr. Haire, Lead Assistant Erica Brown, Dr. Matt, Goose, AND Moose

Molly Spears stands outside her new shop, En Dentelle, at 54 Bridge St., Unit 100 at the Bridge at Calhoun.

Knee Pain Reduced

Hilton Head Island, SC -

If you have knee pain, can’t walk because of an old injury, or you just think it’s part of getting old, you might want to read this article.

Knee pain is something that disables a lot of people every single year, but most people don’t know what to do about it.

What Are Your Choices?

Some people immediately opt in for surgery, then some people watch TV and end up buying something the wrap their knee with-hoping it will help, and others just follow orders and take medication which simply block the pain signals while the underlying condition often progresses.

What Works Best?

All I’m saying is this. There are a lot of ways to TREAT your knee pain, but which one will really work?

If you’ve done your research, you know that there are not a lot of things that really work when it comes to actually helping align the knee, and taking nerve pressure off the knee, and reducing the pain and swelling.

What if there was a “real solution” that worked from DAY ONE?

Hi, I’m Dr. Ken Horup and I’m here to tell you about a new device called the K.P.R.

I stumbled onto this one-of-a-kind machine at a recent medical conference and tried it myself.

THE RESULTS: My knees have never felt so good, and that was after... Just one treatment.

It virtually reduced my knee stiffness by 95%, so am positive it’ll help your knee pain, help you walk better as soon as you get your first treatment, plus help you do some things you used to do without the help of a walker, cane, or someone else helping you.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not guaranteeing a miracle if you haven’t walked in many years...But this just may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Better late than never for sure. You should entertain this option... No matter what’s happened to you in the past!

We’re also known for our personalized care. We don’t promise the world, but we will do everything humanly possible to get the results you want.

“I’ve NEVER done this before!” I’m going to offer you a consultation, knee examination, X-Rays and TRIAL VISIT for only.

Let me be very clear; I’ m here to help you:

• Get out of pain

• Walk better

• Get up and down better

• Get out of chairs easier

• Finally you will be able to move without relying on someone or something else

“What if my knee(s) are BONE ON BONE?”

Here’s all I can tell you. IF you’re bone on bone, and surgery is not an option for you, or surgery didn’t work, this may be the exact treatment you’ve been needing. You’ll find out that K.P.R. is an amazing machine when teamed up with our Class IV laser therapy.

Will This Work for YOU?

Great question and here’s the answer: We have a reputation for getting great results, but if you’re like most of our patients you know that the knee problem isn’t going to just go away on its own.

We’ll know almost IMMEDIATELY if we can help and most importantly, YOU WILL TOO.

Take Action TODAY

We are already an extremely busy office. Pick up the phone and call the office now.

“I have been active all of my life either playing tennis or walking two to three miles a day. In my 60s I began having knee pain and was told I would probably end up needing replacement surgery. I began looking for an alternative solution and my chiropractor, Dr. Ken Horup, offered a new knee therapy! To my amazement after completing the six weeks program and following it to the tee I am pain free! I would highly recommend a consultation with Dr. Ken to see if you qualify for this type of therapy.”

~ Joan Weaver, Collins Group Realtors

“Chronic, Painful,

in Less Than 8 Minutes?”

If you’re tired of having knee pain and want to talk to a doctor that can virtually give you your life back call Dr. Ken Horup... who has this newly discovered knee pain reduction technology.

UPDATE from page 38A 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 ser-

vice. 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 entertainment hub. The endless array of TVs and centrally located circular bar make it

Leading the Way.

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.

Grand openings

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’re always on the lookout for better. That’s why we’re the pioneers in ultra-comfortable, exceptionally accurate laser cataract surgery. We were the first in the region to offer the technology a decade ago and have engaged with industry leaders to further perfect the technique ever since. In fact, we facilitated FDA approval of the latest CATALYS laser software and were the first in the country to implement it. We continually look over the horizon for what’s next so you can see the horizon more clearly.

Let’s talk about your eyes.

Hungry? Coligny offers many options to refuel while shopping

By Barry Kaufman CONTRIBUTOR

You never realize how much of an appetite you can work up simply by having the time of your life. Particularly at Coligny Plaza, where “the time of your life” is whenever you’re there.

Ducking in and out of the dozens of storefronts as part of a retail therapy regimen, tapping your toes to live music at the main stage, and soaking up the scenery of Hilton Head Island’s downtown … these things burn calories.

If you’re going to do Coligny right, you’re going to have to plan several refueling stops. Fortunately, Coligny offer a dizzying array of cuisine that does more than sustain a day of fun – it elevates the entire experience with flavors and textures that inspire the senses.

Start your day with one of the delightful breakfast dishes at Skillet’s. If you’re looking for a recommendation, we have three and a half words for you: Biscuits ’n’ Gravy ’n’ Eggs.

Fancy something a little more caliente?

Try the breakfast quesadilla over at Gringo’s Diner. Naturally, your morning isn’t complete without one of the inspired caffeinated creations from Carolina Coffee & Crumbs.

But don’t fill up on breakfast. Not when there are still so many dishes to sample around Coligny’s many restaurants. From the delectable flavors of local seafood at FISH to the elevated pub offerings at Earle of Sandwich, the Asian-fusion flair of Nood Good Mood Food, and the woodsmoked perfection of the recently opened Forrest Fire barbecue – everywhere you go you’ll find a signature dish that will make your day.

Then, of course, there are the spots that will quench your thirst and satisfy your sweet tooth. Swing through Frosty Frog for one of their famous frozen libations, or head up to Big Bamboo Café for signature cocktails with a side order of amazing live music.

And when the weather warms up, cool down with the trio of frozen confectioners that call Coligny home – Rita’s Italian Ice, Frozen Moo and The Ice Cream Cone. We’ve been through three meals, desserts and drinks, and we’ve only covered a small part of the full delicious menu on offer at Coligny Plaza.

Spend your summer discovering all the flavors of Hilton Head’s downtown and make this the most delicious summer ever. Lowcountry resident Barry Kaufman is a freelance writer.

Forrest Fire BBQ is the most recent stop on the expansive food trail at Coligny Plaza.

COURTEST FORREST FIRE BBQ

Tammy was facing the loss of her job due to the shoulder pain she was experiencing. She had lived with pain and depression for three years and was ready to get her life back! After attending a seminar, she made the easy decision to move forward with a restorative approach to her health. Tammy was pain free as soon as her first day of treatment with Fraum Center for Restorative Health, and has since continued to rebuild her active life.

Routine dental appointment involves more than just a cleaning

By Michele Steif CONTRIBUTOR

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 collected 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.

Michele Steif is a registered dental hygienist in the Hilton Head Island office of ROC Dental.

Michele Steifr

Bluffton physician assistant named BMH ‘Provider of the Year’

By Barry Kaufman CONTRIBUTOR

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 eventual ly 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

Nikki Newman, a physician assistant with Beaufort Memorial Hospital, was named Provider of the Year at the hospital’s recent 2023 Bemmy Awards ceremony.

COURTESY BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Beaufort Memorial awards recognize top employees

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.

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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 45A

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.”

Lowcountry resident Barry Kaufman is a freelance writer.

Help for people who feel happy when face indicates otherwise

By E. Ronald Finger CONTRIBUTOR

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

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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

E. Ronald Finger

Options for treatment, removal of unsightly, unwanted scars

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

Women in Philanthropy: Building on 20 years of giving

By Scott Wierman CONTRIBUTOR

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

Young Adults Through Age 21.”

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.

Fatherly cat watches after homeless kittens at shelter

By Lindsay Perry CONTRIBUTOR

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 Coordinator

Like cream, certain youthful memories always rise to the top

By Collins Doughtie CONTRIBUTOR

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

Collins and sister Grace with his prize-winning marlin at the Sea Pines Billfish Tournament, circa 1975.

Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates announce merger

Hilton 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 Hu-

manity 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.

What top real estate agents are doing today and tomorrow

By Larry Stoller CONTRIBUTOR

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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Exhibit at Art League of Hilton Head

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.

Classical still life paintings on exhibit at Art League Gallery

ARTS CENTER’S SUMMER SENSATION ...

JUNE 28 – AUGUST 20

THEY HAD A LOOK, AN ATTITUDE, AND A SOUND LIKE NO OTHER.

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.

NEW THINGS TOUR

JULY 17

4 & 7:30PM

LIVE FROM HILTON HEAD, IT’S MELISSA VILLASE Ñ OR!

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.

“Green Jug with Lemons” by Denise Liotta DeMarzo

‘Colors of the World’ photography exhibit at SOBA

“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 somewhere 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.

Untitled art by Savannah Kemper

Latina SNL comedienne to perform at Arts Center

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.

Opening Reception: Wed, June 21 • 5-7pm Enjoy refreshments and meet the artist • Free and open to the public

Artist Demo: Fri, June 23 11am-12pm

Learn more about the artist and her process

Presented by Art League of Hilton Head

Iconic ’90s NYC musical, ‘Rent,’ comes to MRT stage

“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.

The cast of “Rent,” onstage June 30-July 9 at May River Theatre.

Local author’s intriguing political thriller travels the globe

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 numerous 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.

Robert Lisle, a retired Beaufort Memorial Hospital physician and Vietnam veteran, at his desk. His first novel, “Fatally Flawed: Anatomy of an American President,” was recently published.

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By Sandro Virag

There are lots of different reasons why people want to learn to dance. Some come to learn social dancing, some for physical exercise, some to learn their wedding dance, some are working towards a competition, and some want to be in a dance show production.

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From an instructor’s perspective, everyone has the ability to learn to dance. Many say they don’t have rhythm or they can’t count or they have two left feet. But in reality, it is just a matter of an instructor being able to pull out what’s inside someone and use it to the fullest.

I believe most people secretly would like to know how to dance, but what’s keeping them from walking through the door of a dance studio? I decided to ask some of my own students.

Natasha Bayard had driven past the dance studio several times, always wondering what was offered, but she never made the move to stop in. Then a friend invited her to one of the Halloween parties and she ended up signing up for several classes. Natasha has been dancing for a little over two years now.

Rick Collins said he was worried about learning everything that was expected

from a male dancer – learning all the steps, leading the lady, and maintaining the timing of the music, which meant he really had to learn a lot and thought it would be difficult. Since his wife wanted dance lessons for Christmas, he made the push to go through the door. He has been dancing more than 17 years now.

Cinda Seamon was interested but still hesitant. When she was approached to do a “Dancing with the Local Stars” fundraiser in 2010, she had no choice but to walk through the door and has been dancing ever since.

Judi Kestenbaum did not want to go alone but when she got a coupon for a free halfhour lesson, she decided not to waste it. That coupon pushed her through the door. Judi not only still dances (more than 10 years now), but competes as well.

Toni Wald always had an interest but kept putting it off. Finally, she decided to start fulfilling her bucket list and walked through the door. She has been dancing for more than 15 years.

What’s holding you back? All you really have to do is walk through the door!

Sandro Virag is a partner and instructor at Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio of Hilton Head, located in Bluffton at Seaquins Ballroom. hiltonheadballroom.com

If you have an interest in learning how to dance, or how to become a better dancer, all you have to do is walk through the door.

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

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

SELECTED LUNCH OFFERINGS

HOUSE REUBEN 14

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

ZUPPA DI FAGIOLI

Our house made soup with white beans, spinach and cherry tomatoes $6

CREAMY POMODORO

Basil Soup $6

RIGATONI ALA VODKA $20

LASAGNA $20

MANICOTTI $20

KYRA SPRING SALAD 15

Mixed greens, apples, strawberries, candied walnuts, served with white balsamic (GF)

KYRA PEPPERONI FLATBREAD 14

Housemade marinara, mozzarella and pepperoni

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

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

All of our entrees come with a side of angel hair pasta, gluten free options

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