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

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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.