The Bluffton Sun • April 2, 2024

The Bluffton Sun

Bluffton, HHI Explore Options to Resolve Workforce Housing Shortfalls

BY SHANNON COPCUTT AND TERESA FITZGIBBONS

As Bluffton’s growth ex-gle-family homes here have also skyrocketed. And this does not bode well for the area’s workforce, who have not experienced increases in wages to coincide with the higher costs of living in our area. In fact, as this wave of gentrification continues to spread, it has forced some long-time residents and low-income families to seek residence elsewhere, creating an even worse strain on our workforce.

proximately 2,204 single-family homes that were sold in the Town of Bluffton in 2019, at a median sale price of $316,583, with an average of 78 days on the market. However, in 2023, there were 1,820 homes sold in the Town of Bluffton, at a median sale price of $540,000, with an average of just 50 days on the market.

And the area continues to get more cost prohibitive every day.

According to Chip Collins, owner of Collins Group Realty, there are currently 398 homes for sale in the Town of Bluffton. That said, excluding homes listed for sale over $500,000, and excluding homes that are in age-restricted communities such as Sun City, “there are just 85 homes currently available for sale in Bluffton,” he explained.

In response to the increasing number of residents and businesses, the town is exploring

WORKFORCE CONT. ON PAGE 19A

More Orthopedi c Care

BEAUFORT MEMORIAL EXPANDS

ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS

OKATIE OFFICE –

To better serve the growing demand for orthopedic care in southern Beaufort County, Beaufort Memorial is doubling the number of providers seeing patients in the Okatie Orthopaedic Specialists office.

EDWARD R. BLOCKER, MD

Board-certified in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Blocker has been a member of the Beaufort Memorial medical staff since 1998 and currently serves as chief of the hospital’s orthopedic department. Dr. Blocker specializes in total replacement of the hip and knee. He is proficient in the use of state-of-the-art surgical techniques and technology, including the MAKO robotic joint replacement system, which aids precision fitting of joint implants and implant longevity.

O KATIE 122

BEAUFORTMEMORIAL.ORG

Close to Home

Dr. Edward Blocker and physician assistants

Sarah Blau and Paul Schaefer are now seeing patients at the Okatie Medical Pavilion.

SARAH BLAU, PA-C

An experienced board-certified physician assistant and part of the Beaufort Memorial medical staff since 2020, Sarah Blau treats disorders of and injuries to bones and joints. She worked at the Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health clinics prior to joining the orthopedic practice in early 2022. She holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Marietta College in Ohio.

PORT ROYAL 1680 RIBAUT ROAD (843) 524-3015

PAUL SCHAEFER, PA-C

A graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, boardcertified physician assistant Paul Schaefer treats knee and hip osteoarthritis, as well as hand/wrist pain and other concerns affecting bones and joints. Before joining Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists in 2016, he had been a physician assistant in primary care. The South Carolina native earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences at Clemson University.

Dr. Edward Blocker and physician assistants Sarah Blau and Paul Schaefer join Drs. Vandit Sardana and Kevin Jones, and nurse practitioner William Schreffler in the Okatie office.

We Belong to a Community of Givers

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Editor

I have realized in my time here, that the invisible backbone of this community is all of the “givers.” The many non-profit organizations and those who run them are a large part of what supports the town’s essential needs (many together with the town). And even those who aren’t on the board of a non-profit or foundation give their time, effort, and money in some way whenever possible.

These nonprofit groups, ranging from food banks and homeless shelters to educational programs and environmental conservation initiatives, work tirelessly to fill the gaps that governmental and private sectors cannot address alone. They draw their lifeblood from an array of revenue sources, each essential to sustaining their missions. At the forefront are donations from individuals who, moved by their caus-

es, contribute what they can to support their efforts. These personal donations, big and small, reflect our commitment to the community’s wellbeing and future.

Grants from foundations and government entities are an other crucial lifeline. Just in this issue alone, we have stories about the var ious ways in which this community gives– the His toric Preservation Grant, the Heritage Classic Foundation, Palmetto Animal League, Commu nity Foundation, the Foundation for Educational Excellence and more. These funds, often awarded after an arduous application process, support specific projects, family needs and students’ futures, often changing the lives of locals. Corporate sponsorships also play a significant role, as businesses seek to give back to their communities and align them-

selves with positive social values. These partnerships can provide nonprofits with financial support, in-kind donations, or expertise, all while helping companies fulfill their corporate social responsibility goals.

Fundraising events, from charity galas to community runs, not only raise money but also increase awareness of the nonprofits’ work. Of late we have seen several special occasions that have recognized these individuals and companies including the Golden Oyster Awards by the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Ball by the Hilton Head/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. And coming up, of course is the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament, which raises a formidable sum of money through various charities that is doled out locally, benefitting our area. All these events

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strengthen community bonds and encourage ongoing support.

This multifaceted approach to funding ensures that nonprofits can continue to serve as our community’s safety net, innovators, and advocates. Their importance cannot be overstated; they not only address immediate needs but also work towards long-term solutions for societal challenges. We are lucky to live in a community where giving is a part of our story. I have lived in several towns that said they were on board with helping those in need, but never followed through with such gusto and commitment as this community.

Through their efforts, nonprofits remind us that progress is possible when a community comes together to support its most vulnerable members. Their story is a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring spirit of giving. Their story is one of resilience, innovation, and profound impact.

Diana McDougall Lowcountry Regional President

Eric Lowman Beaufort Market President

Beth Birdwell Business

Kenneth Maguire

General Manager

Melissa McCullough melissa@blufftonsun.com

Graphic Designers

Wendy Price

Janelle Medeiros

Page Designer

Cary Howard cary@blufftonsun.com

Advertising

Mary Ann Kent, Sales & Marketing Manager 843-575-4151

BJ Frazier, 843-422-2321

Claudia Chapman, 814-434-3665

Mary Pat Gifford, 912-414-7122

Contributors

Abby Bird

Amy Coyne Bredeson

Lisa Hostetler-Brown

Collins Doughtie

Dr. Mathew T. Epps

Dr. Ronald Finger

Dave Ferguson

Luke Gawronski

Glenda Harris

Dr. Jean Harris

Channing Heiss

Dr. Ken Horup

Justin Jarrett

Matthew Mastrorocco

Dr. Oswald Mikell

Lindsay Perry

Dan Prud’homme

Katherine Rice

Larry Stoller

Anita Stephens

Larry Stoller

Rev. Chris Thompson

Larry Toomer

Joseph Turino

Mark Winn

The Don Ryan Center is a Small Business Success Story

BY LARRY TOOMER Contributor

always better if someone else tells your story. When that happens, you know you have made an impact on others. The Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce recently selected the Don Ryan Center for Innovation (DRCI) as the Chamber’s Member of the Year award.

This was a great honor. Just 12 years ago, the Town of Bluffton had an idea, took a risk, and established the Don Ryan Center as a business incubator and support system to diversify Bluffton’s (and the region’s) economy. At that time, town leaders didn’t have a clue about how a public-funded incubator would be received. We just knew the 2007-2008 recession was a wake-

Dear Editor,

As a fairly new resident of Bluffton, I have quickly come to hold dear our hometown newspaper.

In an age dominated by fastpaced digital news, the Bluffton Sun has become, for me, a steadfast symbol of authenticity and genuine storytelling. Your commitment to capturing the uniqueness of Bluffton life is evi-

up call.

Bluffton no longer had the luxury of piggybacking on the region’s economy. The leaders at the time wanted to steer the discussions about how to attract and retain non-manufacturing companies to the town’s economic portfolio. Some people scoffed at the idea. Some people joined our cause. If the Chamber’s award is any indicator, this risk was well worth it. Town leaders know what it’s like to have an idea and not know if it will succeed or not.

DRCI is the Town’s economic development department. The Center is named in honor of Don Ryan, who was the first person who relocated its company headquarters to Bluffton. Ryan was the owner of CareCorp National LLC, a medical benefits management company.

The Center has a lofty mission of supporting small business community, fostering innovation, and creating jobs while also being the foot soldiers and helping individual businesses with the minutia of how to get

that company to the next level of growth.

The Chamber judges chose DRCI as the member of the year due to it being “a community innovator and advocate for business since its inception.” Located in Buckwalter Place, it has provided support to more than 80 small businesses through its two programs geared for startup companies and another program for companies in growth stages. DRCI also has a “HEROES” program, providing startup business service to retired military and first responders who are starting a company.

In the fall, DRCI will introduce a “TRADEUP” program, for people skilled in trades who want to start their own businesses.

DRCI is also the lead in helping business owners with the recently adopted Town of Bluffton Economic Development Incentive Program to attract professional service companies, such as doctors, dentists, childcare providers and so forth to locate or relocate west of Buckwalter

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

dent in every page, creating a collage of shared experiences that binds us together as a community.

What I personally look forward to each week, and find so uniquely special about the Bluffton Sun, is its commitment to celebrating the local heroes in our midst. Whether it’s profiling local businesses, highlighting community interactions, or

showcasing the achievements of our local residents, The Bluffton Sun truly reflects the heartbeat of Bluffton and its people. I believe that this newspaper serves as a unifying force, reminding us that, despite our differences, we are all integral threads in the vibrant tapestry of Bluffton. It gives its residents a sense of community, belonging and hope.

The Bluffton Sun newspaper

Parkway. This area is the fastest growing area of Bluffton however, most professional services are located east of Buckwalter Parkway. This incentive program is geared to attract more businesses to service the influx of new residents. A dentist from Michigan was the first grantee of this program and Dr. Jeffrey Solomon broke ground on his new $10,800,000 facility at the end of March. The Town is seeking other applicants to this program which can assist with permitting and other fees.

Lastly, DRCI provides educational opportunities, such as a new program to explore “Artificial Intelligence for Business.” For more information about that program or any of the DRCI’s services, please go to its website, www.donryancenter.com or contact them directly. The Town is proud of the success of the DRCI and each business it has assisted, since we know personally, what it is like to take a risk on an idea.

Larry Toomer is the Mayor of the Town of Bluffton.

gives our town a reliable source of not just information, but inspiration, connecting us in ways that go beyond headlines.

Thank you for being the storytellers of our community, sharing narratives that resonate in our hearts long after we read them.

Sincerely,

Jennifer McKuhen

Larry Toomer

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COMMUNITY First Grader Sworn in as Police Chief for a Day

Mila Wenzel, from St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, was sworn in by Bluffton Police Chief Joe Babkiewicz on March 25 as “Police Chief for the Day” due to her parents winning bid at a fundraiser for the school. Her brother Hudson was made assistant chief.

Officers picked up Mila and Hudson at their house and were given a police escort to Bluffton Police Department, where the swearing in ceremony was officiated by Mayor Larry Toomer. Police escorted them back to school, and officers joined Chief Mila Wenzel for lunch at St. Gregory the Great Catholic School.

After school, Chief Mila Wenzel hosted meetings with school resource officers and toured the BPD, meeting K-9 officers, and acquainting herself with BPD operations. Mayor Larry Toomer swears in Mila and Hudson Wenzel from St. Gregory the Great Catholic School. Mila was police chief for a day.

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New Director of Parks Named for Beaufort County

Eric Brown has been hired as Director of Parks and Recreation for Beaufort County. His first day was Monday, March 11.

“I believe that competent professionals must consistently endeavor to perform to the best of their abilities, have integrity, create a streamlined approach to issue resolution, and deliver exceptional customer service,” Brown stated of his new position.

Brown comes to Beaufort County from South Florida, where he worked for over 35 years in Parks & Recreation at the City of Hollywood and the City of Dania Beach. He is highly motivated and implements creative ideas and new programs. He brings a wealth of knowledge with him and he comes equipped with excel-

lent organizational abilities. He looks forward to expanding Beaufort County’s Parks & Recreation offerings and programs, with an emphasis on building community engagement.

Brown is a native of Hollywood, FL and has been happily married to his wife, Shari Brown, for 30 years. He is the father of two adult daughters, Precious and Erica.

Interim County Administrator John Robinson said of Brown, “When we were tasked with filling this crucial vacancy, I asked the hiring team to bring me a leader. I believe they have done that, and we look forward to the increased vitality that will come with Mr. Brown’s arrival to our Parks and Recreation Department.”

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New Historic Preservation Grant Helps ‘Card House’ Complete Upgrades

BY AMY COYNE BREDESON Contributor

When Albert and Marjorie Scardino were considering making repairs to their nearly 200-year-old Bluffton home, they were thrilled to learn about the Town of Bluffton’s Historic Preservation Grant.

In March, the Scardinos were awarded a $29,548 grant to help cover the cost of adding a foundation to their home.

The Scardinos’ home, located at 34 Bridge St., is one of the oldest in Old Town Bluffton.

The Town’s historic preservationist, Glen Umberger, said the home was built

as a summer cottage around 1825-1830, although the exact year can’t be confirmed because the Town’s records don’t go back that far.

Umberger said the home is known as the “Card House,” most likely because of a particular game of poker that was played there in the 1840s.

“It’s remarkably intact,” Umberger said. “It’s been lovingly cared for … and it has survived coming up on 200 years.”

The home survived not only the burning of Bluffton in 1863 but also several

PHOTOS BY GLEN UMBERGER/TOWN OF BLUFFTON The nearly 200-year-old home at 34 Bridge St., known as the “Card House,” recently got a new foundation, thanks to the Town of Bluffton’s Historic Preservation Grant.

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18 New Teachers Receive Grants to Aid With Classroom ‘Toolkits’

The Foundation for Educational Excellence recently awarded 18 grants to first- and second-year teachers across Beaufort County. These funds are intended to help ease needs (beyond regular school materials) in the classroom for new teachers in the Beaufort County School District (BCSD).

The initiative was first launched in late 2021, entitled “Helping Build a Teacher’s Toolkit.” It was spurred by interest and discussions with Foundation board members, many of whom are retired educators, that are aware of the struggles new teachers often experience in the classroom. Last year, Beaufort County had over 250 new teachers in the district. To assist these teachers, the Foundation is committed to annually awarding $500 grants to first- and second-year teachers in the BCSD for valuable teaching tools in their classrooms.

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This grant cycle, the Wexford Foundation, the Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island (WAHHI) and Foundation Board Member, Deborah Colella generously supported the initiative by providing funding for the 2024 grant awards.

To gain a grant, the teachers were invited to fill out an application stating the supplies they would purchase and obtain letters of recommendation from their principal or mentor teacher. The Foundation’s Board then selected 18 of the applicants to receive the $500 grants.

“The Foundation is thrilled to again reach out and show support to new teachers across the district through these grants,” says Linda Navorska, Foundation Board member and Chair for the initiative. “We appreciate all that they do to guide and educate our future generations and we want them

to know that we are in their corner to cheer them along.”

The materials requested ranged from hygiene kits supplies for health classes to maps for middle school geography. Many of the elementary teachers wanted to purchase more educational games, puzzles, and art materials for their students. The best part is that the materials will be used for many more school years - increasing the number of students impacted by these grant funds.

“Starting out as a teacher can be tough,” explained Lisa Carroll, Foundation Board Chair. “Our hope is that through these grants the process of ‘building their toolkit’ is made easier for these teachers to help pursue their dedicated teaching career for decades to come.”

TOOLKITS CONT. ON PAGE 27A

Left to right - Foundation Board Member, Connie Johnson with Samantha Roberts

Left to rightFoundation Board Member, Jamie Pinckney, Caroline Shriver and Principal, Michelle Brockway

Left to rightFoundation Board Member, Jamie Pinckney, Ithaca Kurtinitis and Acting Principal, Brooke Rowe with Ms. Kurtinitis’ students.

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HHI’s Sea Turtle Nesting Season About To Begin

BY CHANNING HEISS Contributor

Members of the Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol, along with many marine wildlife enthusiasts, are counting the days until the popular amphibians arrive at their second home for the 2024 sea turtle nesting season which runs from May to October. They will host a kickoff celebration on May 11 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Celebration Park on Hilton Head to usher in the season and to celebrate Mother’s Day. The theme for this year is “The Next Generation.”

Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol was founded to protect the sea turtles and educate the public about the species. The first-ever conservation effort was initiated on the island in 1981 by Nancy Polk Weckhorst. The Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol is the only permitted turtle conservation organization on the island and is not affiliated with Turtle Trackers, another area organization focused on the sea turtles.

According to Amber Kuehn, lead manager of the nonprofit organization and its

stewardship effort, they are expecting a season of about 300 nests with the hope of up to 400.

“We’re expecting (hatching success) around 70 percent,” Kuehn said. “It’s gotten better after we saw a low year in 2021.”

The collection of eggs laid by a sea turtle is called a clutch and they can lay many clutches in a season. They take a break of a couple of years between their nesting seasons.

Kuehn, her colleagues, and many volunteers have spent season after season checking and protecting nests, counting nests and eggs, and occasionally even helping the turtles in the nesting process. Beach etiquette rules championed by Kuehn are designed to maximize the safety of the already risky natural process of turtles finding their way to the beach past marine predators such as sharks, moving up the beach to nest amid land predators hunting for the eggs, and their hatchlings

Sea turtle hatchlings race towards the sea.

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Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is proud to partner with the Heritage Classic Foundation (HCF) on the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Every year, HCF awards scholarships to 11 deserving high school seniors from Beaufort or Jasper County.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is proud to partner with the Heritage Classic Foundation (HCF) on the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Since the program began in 1993, HCF has distributed $5.4 million in scholarships to 386 students.

REACH NEW HEIGHTS

The scholarship endowment fund’s purpose is to increase needs based scholarships available to local students, while ensuring HCF Scholar Program’s growth and longevity. You can make an impact on local students by supporting the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Every year, HCF awards scholarships to 11 deserving high school seniors from Beaufort or Jasper County. Since the program began in 1993, HCF has distributed $5.4 million in scholarships to 386 students.

843.681.9100

• cf-lowcountry.org

The scholarship endowment fund’s purpose is to increase needs based scholarships available to local students, while ensuring HCF Scholar Program’s growth and longevity. You can make an impact on local students by supporting the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is proud partner with the Heritage Classic Foundation (HCF) on the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is proud partner with the Heritage Classic Foundation on the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund. year, HCF awards scholarships to 11 deserving school seniors from Beaufort or Jasper County. the program began in 1993, HCF has distributed million in scholarships to 386 students. scholarship endowment fund’s purpose is to increase needs based scholarships available to local students, while ensuring HCF Scholar Program’s growth and longevity. You can make an impact local students by supporting Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Town Hosts ‘Movie Nights’ at Town Parks April to July

The Town of Bluffton is hosting four movie nights to bring Bluffton families, friends, and neighbors together in town parks throughout the remainder of 2024.

As the sun dips below the horizon, bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy some fun under the open sky. Residents

who come early, at 5 p.m., will be able to enjoy games and bounce houses before the film begins. The movie will start promptly at 6 p.m.

These events will take place as listed and will only be canceled due to unsafe weather conditions.

THE SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

• Elemental

Martin Family Park , Friday, April 5

• Trolls Band Together

Buckwalter Place Park, Friday, May 17

• Migration

Oscar Frazier Park, Friday, June 7

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Buckwalter Place Park, Friday, July 19

Every year, HCF awards scholarships to 11 deserving school seniors from Beaufort or Jasper County. Since the program began in 1993, HCF has distributed million in scholarships to 386 students. scholarship endowment fund’s purpose is to increase needs based scholarships available to local students, while ensuring HCF Scholar Program’s growth and longevity. You can make an impact local students by supporting Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is proud to partner with the Heritage Classic Foundation (HCF) on the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Every year, HCF awards scholarships to 11 deserving high school seniors from Beaufort or Jasper County.

Since the program began in 1993, HCF has distributed $5.4 million in scholarships to 386 students.

The scholarship endowment fund’s purpose is to increase needs based scholarships available to local students, while ensuring HCF Scholar Program’s growth and longevity. You can make an impact on local students by supporting the Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund.

843.681.9100

843.681.9100

• cf-lowcountry.org

• cf-lowcountry.org

843.681.9100

• cf-lowcountry.org

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Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming RBC Heritage

BY DR. JEAN HARRIS Contributor

The RBC Heritage Golf Tournament is the most highly anticipated week on Hilton Head Island, and has been for the last 56 years, when professional golfers play the Harbour Town Golf Links in The Sea Pines Resort. This year’s event is being held April 15 – 21, and thousands of people are expected to descend upon our area to watch the popular sporting competition unfold. Last year, the event was attended by 116,00 people.

The RBC Heritage is one of only eight Signature Events happening this year. In the past the field had 132 players with a cut after 36 holes so, you may not have seen your favorite player on the weekend. The field is approximately 76 of the top players with no cut after 36 holes. You will see the best players at this

event including, Rory, Scottie, Jordan, Ricky and more. Matt Fitzpatrick is the defending champion. The total purse is $20 million with the winner taking home $3.6 million.

However, the limited field also limits sponsor exemptions. Therefore, several of the RBC ambassadors and past champions may not be in the field.

Angela McSwain, director of marketing and

communications of the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament told me everything you need to know about going to the tournament. This year’s event is sold out of Friday and Saturday tickets. I asked her how you decide how many tickets you can sell? “The Harbour Town Golf Links is one of the smallest golf courses played on the PGA TOUR. We want everyone to be able to get up close to the ropes to see

their favorite golfers. We don’t want them to have to wait in long lines for buses, concessions, or restrooms. We want our sponsors and spectators to have a great time,” she explained.

Complementary parking is available at Honey Horn and free shuttles are also available from Coligny Beach Parking lot. There is no spectator parking inside Sea Pines. Special assistance golf carts are available from Harbour Town to locations across the golf course. Bicycle parking is available inside Sea Pines at the tennis courts. Ride share and taxies have a drop-off location at the shops at Sea Pines Center.

All tickets are digital, and it is recommended that spectators save their tickets in their mobile phone’s wallet. You will show your

RBC HERITAGE CONT. ON PAGE 17A

The RBC Heritage Golf Tournament is one of the most highly anticipated weeks of the year in our area. This year it will be held April 15-21 at Harbour Town Golf Links in The Sea Pines Resort.

RBC Heritage Winner Clad in No Ordinary Plaid

Much like the winner of the Master’s Golf Tournament who is ceremoniously cloaked with the coveted green jacket upon victory, the RBC Heritage Golf Classic rewards its winner with a custom tartan plaid jacket. The winning jacket is as iconic as the red and white Harbour Town lighthouse which has also been seen to be draped in plaid during tournament days to celebrate the event. The unique thing about the plaid used in creating the RBC Tournament winner’s jacket is that it is a registered, customized and one-of-a-kind design. This is no ordinary plaid.

More than 7,000 Scottish plaids are registered and on official record in The National Archives of Scotland. Within those archives, resides a registry of plaid patterns known as “tartan” along with their associated clans or groups held by The Scottish Register of Tartans. The

registry serves to preserve history as well as to register new designs. Each tartan plaid contains characteristics and a special weave which separates it from others. Every design has an association and is representative of a group of individuals, whether ancient or current. The RBC Heritage Tournament’s plaid is officially registered as “Tartan of the Heritage.” Each year the fabric used to make the champion and trustee jackets is imported from Kinlich, Scotland.

Although the official plaid fabric is not available for purchase by the general public because of its exclusivity, spectators are encouraged to celebrate the event by wearing red plaid while attending the tournament. The tournament’s website, www.rbcheritage.com also offers plenty of official “plaid swag” to outfit the Plaid Nation of revelers. RBC HERITAGE FROM PAGE 16A

phone at the gate, and they will scan your phone and give you a paper ticket to wear at all times on the course. Safety and well-being are a priority, and all individuals are subject to security screening. A list of prohibited items is on rbcheritage.com.

Please note that your phone must be always on silent so as not to disturb the game. You can use your phone for video and photos. Texting is permitted and phone calls are allowed only in designated areas.

Autographs of your favorite golfers can be obtained in designated areas, not during play on the golf course. Most players will give autographs after they finish their rounds.

A merchandise pavilion is located between the 1st tee and 9th fairway. There

are concessions available in eight areas on the course. The Heritage Lawn, located just past the 16th green and along the 18th fairway is a great place to be. There are merchandise tents, restaurants, sponsors booths, games for the kids and more.

For great entertainment and awesome golf, the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament is the place to be. If you can’t get a ticket, the tournament is available to watch on TV on The Golf Channel and CBS and across 200+ countries and territories in 27 languages.

For more information, you can go to the RBC Heritage Tournament website at www. rbcheritage.com.

Dr. Jean Harris, LPGA Master Professional, Teaches at Pinecrest Golf Course Jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com

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RBC Heritage Brings Deluge of Charitable Donations To Area

BY ANITA STEPHENS Contributor

While many love the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament for its sport, pomp and plaid, there is one more very important reason to love the tournament. It is perhaps the most overlooked and best part of The RBC Heritage for the local area. It is in fact the astounding amount of charitable donations the Heritage Classic Foundation, the tournament’s host, so generously returns to those in need within the Lowcountry community.

These donations make the event a champion in its own right. Last year’s tournament proceeds enabled $2.914 million to be distributed to organizations, medical institutions and school scholarships. Since 1987, nearly $52.9 million has been distributed throughout South Carolina and Georgia to various causes, according to the RBC Heritage.

One of the outstanding contributions the HCF makes to our area is its high school

and college scholarships, which it directly funds, to graduating seniors throughout Beaufort County. The scholarships were recently awarded to 11 outstanding Beaufort and Jasper County seniors, who were named Heritage Classic Foundation scholars for the 2023-2024 school year. The students come from five different high schools (including for the first time a student from a Jasper County Public School).

“Our signature, Tartan Plaid, continues to be a sustaining fabric that has been woven into the lives of so many people in our community. The Foundation’s outreach cloaks the Lowcountry in a wide range of philanthropic measures and aids many charitable causes,” said Angela McSwain, RBC Heritage marketing and communications director. “Other golf tourna-

ments may choose to focus on a single charitable recipient. The RBC Heritage Tournament’s depth of giving outpaces any other event on the roster.”

Six of the newly named scholars will receive a $16,000 scholarship over the next four years. Four additional awards carry a $20,000 opportunity.

Two of the latter scholarships honor Scholar Committee chairmen who have passed, John Zimmerman and Mike Malanick. One honors the late Scholar Committee member Charlie Brown, and the Tartan Club Award recognizes the donations made by the Tartan Club. Created by the Heritage Classic Foundation, the Tartan Club is a group made up of individuals throughout the community who share a desire to help others through the awarding of scholar grants

for area students.

The Kirby Scholarship, a one-year $4,000 scholar award, was created in memoriam of past Scholar Committee chairman Ward Kirby and will be granted every year moving forward.

Next fall, a total of 43 Beaufort and Jasper County collegians will be attending school and will have received Foundation grants at an expenditure of $200,000. A total of $5.4M will have been awarded to 386 students after the 2024 distribution.

In addition to 11 scholarships, the Foundation is funding four $2,500 annual scholarships to the University of South Carolina Beaufort and two $1,500 annual scholarships to the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

THE FOLLOWING GRADUATING SENIORS WERE SELECTED:

Battery Creek: Zoe Way

CHARITABLE CONT. ON PAGE 20A

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WORKFORCE

FROM PAGE 1A

ways to attract and keep workers in the area and has its eye on providing quality affordable housing.

In 2022 the Town of Bluffton entered a public-private partnership with Workforce State of Mind, LLC to use the parcel at 1095 May River Road as the site of future workforce housing. This project, which will be comprised of up to a dozen homes, is currently in the development planning stage, with plans to move on to the next phase soon.

“We are getting through our final checklist items now,” noted Kevin Icard, director of growth management for the Town of Bluffton regarding the 1095 project. “We have gotten our town permits and are now waiting on an encroachment permit for road access,” he said.

As far as efforts in the Bluffton area, Icard explained that the 1095 project is just one part of a multi-pronged approach the town is taking, which also includes educating groups to help with problems in the private sector, education on state

tax credits to assist where possible, and a Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) for income qualified individuals to help keep people in their housing by offering assistance on minor home repairs.

NAP, created in 2016, initially aimed to help generational residents in the Simmonsville/Buckhead Island area, but has since helped many low-income residents from all over the Town of Bluffton stay in their homes.

Anyone within the town who meets income qualifications can apply for NAP, which has its own budget. The budget for the fiscal year 2024 was approved at $250,000, which was submitted by town staff and approved by the town council as part of the Town’s budget. A few adjustments were made and so the fiscal year budget ended up being $304,000. So far, this fiscal year (since June 2023) the town has assisted 39 residents with various home projects aimed at keeping them in their homes long term. Projects include but are not limited to things such as hazard cleanup, tree removal, septic cleanout and more.

“We are happy to be able to assist income qualifying families within the town

of Bluffton,” said Victoria Smalls, workforce and affordable housing manager for Town of Bluffton. Currently, the NAP has a balance of $16,461 to continue to help residents until the end of the fiscal year, when a new budget will be approved.

Hilton Head faces an even tougher dilemma. On Hilton Head Island, the period between 2020-2023 saw the median single family home price double on the island to over a million dollars, according to Missy Luick, Director of Planning for the Town of Hilton Head Island. And with an average rent for a one-bedroom apartment over $2,000 a month, workers of moderate to lower-moderate incomes have essentially been priced out of the market, creating a crisis for affordable housing for our workforce.

HUD defines affordable housing as that in which an occupant pays no more than 30% of their gross income for housing-including utilities. Wages and salaries can’t keep pace with the housing market here leaving the island’s essential workers in education, healthcare, hospitality, and emergency response either housing cost burdened, facing long commutes, or relocating out of the area as affordable work-

force housing moves farther away.

All these factors present an imminent threat to the quality of life on the island and its ability to maintain a sustainable workforce. Local businesses are understaffed, and residents and visitors alike face longer wait times and inconveniences. The hospitality and leisure industry, the island’s lifeblood, has been especially hard hit.

“The future sustainability of business on Hilton Head Island depends on the availability of a diverse workforce and long-term affordable housing is the critical component to support that workforce,” said Alan Wolf, President of SERG Restaurant Group.

Hilton Head faces some unique challenges when addressing workforce housing. An estimated 7,000 of the town’s 34,000 housing units are short-term rentals, a number that is likely to increase as more and more investors convert existing housing units into short-term rentals or higher end housing. The size of the area’s second home market, seasonal population flows, the limited amount of land

WORKFORCE

FROM PAGE 19A

for new development, and daily traffic delays on the bridge, combined with low inventory and economic shutdowns and supply chain issues following COVID continue to drive prices upward.

“There’s a shortfall in the range of pricing,” said Luick. “We need housing to be available at all price points to accommodate our workforce. We have a resort-based economy, and we rely on the service sector to provide for our 3.1 million visitors a year.”

In 2022, the Town of Hilton Head Island adopted its Workforce Housing Framework, a comprehensive approach aimed at equipping municipal leaders with effective strategies and tactics to meet the growing demand for workforce housing.

Since then, the Town has established a Workforce Housing Action Committee, hired Quincy White as its first Chief Housing Officer, created a Displacement Mitigation Support Program, and has partnered with a private developer to build workforce housing units on town owned land with half of the units reserved for those making less than 80% of the area’s median income. The Town also recently approved MOUs (Motions of Understanding) with two local non-profits –Habitat for Humanity and the Coastal Community Development Corporation (CCDC), paving the way for potential funding and access to town staff. If fund-

CHARITABLE

FROM PAGE 18A

Bluffton High School: Aiden Harvey

Beaufort High School: Noah Henry, Annabelle Nelson, Nathan Tran, James Guerin Willis

Hilton Head Island High School: Jhasly Berra, Anthony Bynum, Susana Mogil, Evelyn Prokes

Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence: Lamika Walker

At the heart of the Heritage Classic Foundation is a history of philanthropic giving that goes far beyond golf. Mil-

ing is made available, it will be derived from the state’s accommodations tax levied on overnight visitors.

“Home ownership brings stability to communities,” said Brenda Dooley, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry. “Habitat has traditionally served lower income families, but we are now seeing lower-middle and even middle-income families facing the same housing challenges.” The organization completed 34 homes on land donated by the Town in 2022 and is seeking $500,000 in funding.

The CCDC seeks to preserve local workforce housing by purchasing existing homes in the region and renting them to local workers with rental rates determined by household income. They focus on workers across the spectrum earning between 50%-150% of the area’s median income. Deed restrictions protect the property as affordable for 99 years and renters who are vested for three years may have the opportunity to purchase these units.

“This is a possible antidote to the problem of investors flipping workforce housing into short-term rentals or high-end homes,” said Alan Wolf, Board Chairman of the CCDC.

Both Bluffton and Hilton Head Island continue to explore new ways to keep lower income families here to help with the workforce problem currently facing our area.

lions in donations have been distributed to educational and charitable initiatives that lift lives in South Carolina. For more information, call 843671-2448, visit heritageclassicfoundation.com, or find us on Facebook (Heritage Classic Foundation) and Twitter (@HCFGolf).

The Heritage Classic Foundation accepts registration from verified 503 (c) organizations who apply to its charity roster. An approved organization receives an additional 20% added to donated funds from contributions initiated through the Foundation.

Russo’s Oyster Roast Raises $1,500 for Palmetto Animal League

Russo’s Fresh Seafood Bluffton’s allyou-can-eat oyster roast was more than just a delicious success, it was a community-driven event with heart. Hundreds of seafood lovers gathered, filling the air with the aroma of fresh oysters and the sound of laughter, all while raising

REPAIRS

FROM PAGE 8A

hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

The Scardinos have lived there for 24 years. Albert said the house had no foundation; it was built on pine blocks that were standing on the soil. He said over the years, he and his wife rebuilt the front porch, added a wing and an extension on the back of the house. They added foundations for the additions, but the original parts of the house had no foundation until recently.

“It was sinking,” Albert said. “I think it’s happening all along coastal South Carolina. The ground is subsiding because of withdrawal of so much water.”

Thanks to the Town’s grant, the Scardinos were able to give their historic home the foundation it needs to stand another 200 years.

The Scardinos’ grant was the eighth Historic Preservation Grant awarded since the program’s inception in January 2022, Umberger said. Over that time, the Town has awarded more than $196,000 in grants, he said.

“It really shows that the Town of

$1,500 for Palmetto Animal League (PAL). This generous donation will directly support PAL’s mission of rescuing animals in need, giving them a second chance at finding loving forever homes.

“We were overwhelmed by the incredible turnout at our oyster roast, with over 200 guests attending,” said Charles J. Russo III, owner of Russo’s Fresh Seafood Bluffton and a third-generation fishmonger. “Giving back to the community is ingrained in our family values. We encourage everyone to continue supporting PAL’s vital work.”

PAL brought adoptable dogs to the event, hoping to find them loving forever homes.

The money raised will directly benefit PAL, providing essential resources like food, shelter and medical care for the animals in their care.

Bluffton takes historic preservation seriously,” Umberger said. “They’re willing to put their money where their mouth is, and make sure that these properties are properly preserved for the next generation to enjoy them.”

The grant is available to owners of qualifying structures in the Old Town Bluffton Historic District to help with the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of those structures.

“One of the things that makes Bluffton special is its historic buildings,” Umberger said. “And if we lose those historic buildings, we’re actually losing a piece of what makes Bluffton a special place to be.”

Owners of qualifying structures in the Old Town Bluffton Historic District can apply for grants up to $30,000 for residential structures and for up to $20,000 for non-residential/commercial structures.

For more information about the Town of Bluffton’s Historic Preservation Grant Program, contact Glen Umberger at gumberger@townofbluffton.com.

Community Foundation’s Inspiring Annual Community Meeting Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary

The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL) held its Annual Community Meeting on March 20 at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island. The event celebrated CFL’s 30 Year Anniversary with a “Past, Present, and Future” theme and the guest speakers provided an informative and emotional program. The Annual Community Meeting culminated with the presentation of the Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award to a charitable volunteer who has made a positive difference in CFL’s four-county service area of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper County.

Master of Ceremonies Andrew Davis kicked off the program, followed by an enlightening CFL update from Board of Directors Chair Jackie Rosswurm and a program overview by CFL President and CEO Scott Wierman.

Hampton County native and nonprofit/

business leader Paula Harper Bethea delivered a memorable keynote speech that focused on the “Blessings of Generosity” and the important role CFL has played over the past 30 years. The “Past, Present, and Future” guest speakers David Ames, Peaches Peterson, and Bernard Sanders managed to reinforce the theme with a perfect blend of historical and personal recollections.

Ames, who served on the CFL Board of Directors from 1998-2004 (Chair in 2003), delivered a speech that focused on the growth of the island in relation to the creation and expansion of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. Peterson, who served on the CFL Board from 2017-23 (Grants Committee Chair from 2021-23), focused on CFL’s grantmaking process and examples of local organizations that have benefitted from CFL grants. Sanders, Principal of Fennell Elementary Magnet School in Hampton

County, referred to the impact CFL has played in his life during his uplifting speech, first as a recipient of the TidePointe Community Educational Scholarship (administered by CFL) and then as a teacher and principal.

Jackie Rosswurm and the Websters closed out the evening with the presentation of Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award to Bob Elliott, co-founder of the South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative (SCNRI), an organization tackling the local nursing shortage by providing post-graduation financial awards to nurses in return for a commitment to practice their profession in Beaufort or Jasper County. Elliott was incredibly gracious during his acceptance speech and announced that three organizations would receive a portion of the $10,000 award grant: SCNRI, Memory Matters, and the Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary.

AirportExperience

ONLY ONE STEP AWAY

(From left) Joan and Wade Webster with Jackie Rosswurm present the Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award to Bob Elliott.

Seek Skill, Experience When Considering Hair Loss Replacement

BY DR. RONALD FINGER Contributor

1. What causes hair loss? The most common cause is genetics. Other causes are hormonal, such as thyroid imbalances, stress, or excess testosterone causing an increase in DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Many men taking steroids have increases in DHT which can cause permanent hair loss. In men genetic hair loss is called Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) and in women Female Pattern Baldness (FPB). Common causes in women are braids or tight hair pulled back causing Traction Alopecia or harsh chemical treatments.

2. Non-surgical treatments are minoxidil 5% (Rogaine) foam or solution, and in men Finasteride, a prescription medication that prevents increases in DHT. Often both are used together to reduce hair loss. Another excellent product is Spectral-DNC spray, which reduces DHT topically. We are now using Exosome scalp injections which contain many more growth factors than PRP. With PRP, blood must be drawn from the patient and processed to isolate the platelets which contain growth factors and then injected into the scalp. Injections are generally done annually. Often Exosome or PRP injections are used with hair transplants to prevent further hair-loss in the balding areas.

3. For women, hormones should be checked. If normal, they can try minoxidil 5% and/or Spectral sprays. For men and

women hair transplants are often the best choice.

4. Hair transplants: Hair grafts are removed from the back of the scalp where they are not destined to fall out and micro-grafted to the balding areas. These grafts usually grow hair for many decades.

5. What are the current hair transplant techniques? FUE (follicular unit extraction) involves removing 1-millimeter micro-grafts containing from 1 to 4 hair follicles (thus hairs) with a “punch.” FUE grafts require no sutures and leave no visible scars in the back of the scalp. FUT (follicular unit transplant) removes the grafts by removing a hair-bearing strip of scalp, closing the defect with sutures, and dividing the strip into the same 1mm grafts as with the FUE. FUT is faster and only a strip of scalp needs to be shaved, but it does leave a minimal scar hidden by

hair. With the “strip” more grafts can be taken and all from the densest area of the scalp. Hair is not cut in the recipient site.

6. What is NeoGraft? Automated FUE technique allowing a greater number of grafts than manual FUE.

The most important factors? The skill and experience of those performing the grafts. The hairline must be designed naturally, placed in the proper direction, and the grafts must be single hair follicle grafts for a totally natural hairline. Behind the hairline, grafts with two to four follicles are used for more density.

Expectations? Grafted hair starts growing at three months. Full density is 1 1/2 years. Generally, it is permanent.

E. Ronald Finger, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon with offices in Savannah and Bluffton. fingerandassociates.com, www.

Dr. Ronald Finger

William Raveis Celebrates Milestone 50 Years in Business

William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage, and Insurance commemorated its 50th anniversary at the company’s annual convention last week. Three generations of the Raveis family, distinguished guests, and more than a thousand William Raveis’ sales associates, managers, and employees from Maine to Florida joined the 50th awards celebration.

The journey to success started in 1974, when 27-year-old William “Bill” Raveis, Jr. opened the first real estate office above a grocery store in his hometown of Fairfield, CT. William Raveis is now the number one privately-held real estate company in the Northeast, Florida, and South Carolina. CT Governor Ned Lamont recently honored the company founded in Connecticut, for their contributions to the communities they serve proclaiming, “I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut – in tribute to the impact of William Raveis, our nation, and in celebration of the many opportunities this company has given to the Connecticut residents and our greater communities – on this day of Wednesday, March 27, 2024, I proclaim it to be William Raveis Day in the State of Connecticut.”

Regarding the statement Bill Raveis said, “The Governor’s Proclamation is a testament to all the dedicated sales associates, managers, and employees at William Raveis. It is extremely rewarding to have helped millions of homeowners for 50 years.” He added, “Giving back to our communities and contributing to the economy is the right thing to do.” William Raveis is well known for supporting local and national non-profit organi-

zations like Damon Runyon and Dana-Farber and through the William Raveis Charitable Fund, they have raised over $4 million for cancer research.

William Raveis, with Bill as the Chairman, and sons, Chris, and Ryan Raveis as co-Presidents, has grown and expanded even when others have pulled back. The trio shares a commitment to growth, innovation, and expansion for the future. Additionally, each member of the William Raveis leadership team is a nationally certified Strategic Growth Coach and Mentor; thereby helping agents achieve the highest levels of career success. The groundbreaking business model serves as the foundation of their family-oriented company. The company has experienced global recognition, including winning Top Brokerage 2023 by Inman; Top 100 in the World by Luxury Lifestyle Awards; Overall Winner 2022 HGTVs Ultimate House Hunt, and voted #1 Broker in the World by Luxury Portfolio International®. For a half century, William Raveis has steadily grown to over 4,500 agents, and 140 offices in nine states (CT-FLMA-ME-NH-NY-RI-SC-VT). William Raveis is a family-owned company offering clients comprehensive real estate, mortgages, and insurance under one roof.

William Raveis celebrates 50 years of luxury service and William Raveis Day at its 50th annual convention. William Raveis leadership team, l-r: Chris Raveis, President of Residential Sales, Bill Raveis Founder & Chairman, and Ryan Raveis, President of William Raveis Mortgage.

SEA TURTLES

FROM PAGE 12A

emerging and making their way out to sea. Propelled by the leadership of these conservationists, the Town of Hilton Head has developed rules governing lighting and other issues in sea turtle nesting areas. These regulations were further strengthened in 2019 and 2021. Sea Turtle Patrol has now become a town-affiliated organization. In addition to her sea turtle conservation work, Kuehn also works for the Town on beach cleanliness and upkeep. She explained that the rules instituted are essential because once the natural routine of the nesting sea turtles is disrupted, it can lead to the loss of a nesting opportunity for every sea turtle who is physically blocked in its journey or becomes disoriented. “Often, they don’t try again. They turn back and can end up laying their eggs in the ocean.”

She added, however, that the public is learning and compliance with the rules has been getting better over time. Beach residents are learning to be careful about using their lights during nesting season, picking up trash and other potential obstacles, filling holes in the sand and knocking down sand sculptures before leaving the beach. Kuehn and her fellow marine biologists also study the effect of ocean temperatures and even dune structure on sea turtles. She is looking forward to seeing the benefits of future beach renourishment and explains the importance of monitoring ocean temperatures as they can

influence reproduction and even the gender of sea turtle offspring.

Risk mitigation, education, and community engagement work are all efforts taken on by Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol. Sea Turtle Patrol hosts activities to educate the public on the sea turtle etiquette rules that spawn appreciation and passion for wildlife. They have also invested in education by purchasing two “travel trunks” from Inwater Research Group in Florida. The kits, purchased with money obtained through local grants, contain a variety of hands-on marine biology education materials. To engage the public, the group provides opportunities to dedicate a nest to someone. The group also publishes on their website a list of hotels that have been certified “sea turtle friendly.” Kuehn continues to educate through her business, Spartina Marine Education Charters, based in her native Bluffton on the May River where her passion for marine life was born. When asked if she recalls a particularly transformative moment during her teachings to others, she replied “it happens every time.”

One of her biggest goals related to the sea turtle conservation effort is to open a research center and museum dedicated to studying these unique creatures, equipped with an internal navigational system. Kuehn noted, “They have this ancient way about them. It’s ingrained.” When people wonder how this journey happens, she is quick to point out that the sea turtle voyagers have 80 million years of experience and adaptation behind them.

Are You Behind On Your Financial Goals?

For more information on the sea turtle preservation effort and the May 11 celebration, visit the Hilton Head Sea Turtle Patrol website at seaturtlepatrolhhi.org

Tap Into Expertise to Understand Your Money Mindset and Reach Financial Goals

BY LUKE GAWRONSKI Contributor

April is Financial Literacy Month and having a good money mindset to reach goals is probably more important than ever. The most important, yet most overlooked, component of financial literacy is learning to understand your underlying beliefs, or your mindset, around money. Becoming educated in any subject is not a final destination but a continuous journey. Your finances and how you handle them are very personal, and the subject matter is subjective. Mindset can shape how successful you are in making the right financial de-

cisions for yourself and your family. Develop a positive money mindset.

Beliefs are your thoughts, usually stemming from a feeling. When you think about money, how do you feel? Excited about opportunities to earn and save more, or tense and anxious because decisions are so difficult, and you will never be comfortable financially.

Everyone has a relationship with money, no matter if you acknowledge the relationship or not. You either nurture the relationship or you neglect it. Pay close attention to your mindset around matters concerning your money. If negative thoughts and feelings arise when it is time to talk or take some financial action, it is time to make a change. Consider where the fixed beliefs are coming from, acknowledge that they are limitations, and work to change them into something

more positive and growth- focused.

Educate Yourself

Now that you are in a growth mindset about money, you need to seek as much information as possible to make the right decisions for you, your family, and/or your business.

Use the Internet.

Find a few credible websites or contributors to help you understand the components of money that you are unclear about. Follow the writing of those who resonate with you and track them on social media. You can learn a ton from Instagram stories, or from a simple Twitter post.

Take classes.

Virtually or in person, the amount of financial education that is available is plentiful, and it is usually free. These classes should be taught by a licensed financial

advisor or qualified academic. Learning from an advisor also gives you access to a professional who understands the technical aspects of money and investing, but who can also share real-world experience from working with clients.

Work with an advisor.

Working with a financial advisor is like working with a trainer at the gym, or a tutor in school or a consultant for your business. The professional advisor acts as a resource to help you get to where you want to go.

Securities offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. (www.sipc. org) 6 Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT 06484. (203) 513-6000. CRN202204-262500

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Luke Gawronski

TOOLKITS

FROM PAGE 10A

THE EDUCATORS RECEIVING GRANTS INCLUDED:

Emmanuel Adedze

Lady’s Island Middle School Science

Trey Austin

Bluffton Middle School 7th grade/Geography

McKenzie Bitz

Lady’s Island Middle School 7th grade/Social Studies

Taytem Coleman

Lady’s Island Elementary Kindergarten

Arianna Craig

Bluffton Middle School Art

Amanda Harrell

Roberts Smalls Leadership Academy Special Education

Ithaca Kurtinitis

Pritchardville Elementary School Kindergarten

Marina Lailar

Whale Branch Middle School Science

Kayla Legato

Mossy Oaks Elementary School 1st grade

Deystinee Lightner

Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Health

Olegario Melendez Battery Creek High School ESOL

Jim Morton

Hilton Head Island Middle School 8th grade/Science

Destiney Nicol

Robert Smalls Leadership Academy 5th grade

Samantha Roberts Bluffton Elementary School

1st grade

Eric Sayers

Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence Culinary Arts

Angela Schmitt Battery Creek High School Health

Caroline Shriver Hilton Head Island Elementary School 3rd grade

Tyler Skidmore Bluffton High School U.S. History

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

The Foundation for Educational Excellence raises funds to support the mission and goals of the Beaufort County School District by furthering student instructional activities and projects through Innovative Teacher Grants, Innovative School Resource Grants and Student Enrichment Grants. Established in 2007, the Foundation awarded its first grants in 2009 and has awarded over $350,000 in grants to the teachers and students in the public school system since its inception benefitting thousands of students across the county each year.

Grants are applied for and awarded once a year. Projects are chosen on their merit by board members of the Foundation. Innovative Teacher Grants are for learning experiences above and beyond the normal classroom like science projects, arts performances, and robotic materials and provide unique learning opportunities that are not funded through traditional budgets. Innovative School Resource Grants are for innovative instructional school-wide projects. These grants help spark the imaginations of students to create a life-long interest in learning. Often these grant awards provide multi-year learning impact.

The Foundation is a fund of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry and a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law and can be made at https://www.foundationedexcellence.com/donate.

Grade Retinol Creams Enhance Results

BY DR. MATHEW T. EPPS Contributor

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a popular ingredient in skin care products due to its ability to stimulate collagen production, repair photoaging, alleviate acne, and unclog pores. Medical grade retinol skin creams have been shown to be highly effective in improving the appearance of the skin.

One of the key benefits of medical grade retinol creams is that they contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than over-the-counter products. For example, while an over-the-counter retinol cream may contain 0.6% retinol, medical grade products such as SkinCeuticals and ZO Skin Health offer options with 1% retinol. This higher concentration allows for more dramatic results in a shorter period of time.

Another advantage of medical grade retinol creams is that they are backed by clinical research studies. In order to be classified as medical grade, a skin care product must have FDA oversight and be supported by clinical research studies demonstrating its efficacy. This ensures that medical grade retinol creams are not only effective, but also safe for use. While there’s no specific age to start using retinol, it’s generally introduced into skincare routines around the age of 30 for its anti-aging benefits. However, retinol can be beneficial for younger individuals, especially for acne treatment. The decision to use retinol should be based on individual skin concerns rather than age alone. Those with sensitive skin may experience irritation, redness, or peeling when using retinol products. It is recommended to start with a lower concentration and gradually increase usage as tolerated. Additionally, retinol should not be used by women who are pregnant

or breastfeeding.

When comparing retinol to tretinoin, it is important to note that tretinoin is a prescription-strength retinoid that is typically used to treat acne and fine lines. Tretinoin is stronger than retinol and may be more effective in treating these conditions, but it can also be more irritating to the skin. Retinol, on the other hand, is available over the counter and is generally better tolerated by the skin.

Medical grade retinol creams offer several benefits for those looking to improve the appearance of their skin. With higher concentrations of active ingredients and clinical research backing their efficacy, medical grade retinol creams can be highly effective in stimulating collagen production, repairing photoaging, alleviating acne, and unclogging pores.

Mathew T. Epps MD, MS, DABS is Triple Fellowship Trained Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon Specializing in Facial, Eyelid, and Breast Surgery. Visit Matheweppsmd. com, call (843) 707-7060 or email info@ dreppsmd.com

Using retinol can help repair photoaging, alleviate acne and unclog pores. It also helps stimulate collagen production.

Dr. Mathew T. Epps

Nonprofits Are Making a Big Difference in Lowcountry

BY CHANNING HEISS Contributor

Bluffton Self-Help has equipped locals for years to become self-sufficient and successful. The Zonta Club of Hilton Head continues to champion and spotlight strong women. The Boys and Girls Club and the Children’s Center are building the community of the future. Osprey Village is working toward maximizing the ability and inclusion of adults with developmental disabilities. Volunteers in Medicine continues to strengthen the community through wellness. For years, nonprofits have been helping other nonprofits here through grants and other collaborative efforts. Today, there are over 1,300 nonprofit organizations in and around Hilton Head and Bluffton.

This collaboration and grassroots advocacy put our area at the leading edge of what nonprofit experts see as among the key trends for 2024, as expressed re-

cently by members of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, a group of industry leaders. The group came up with over a dozen predictions for the future of non-

The Lifelong Golfer: Tips for Sustained Enjoyment on the Green Into the Golden Years

BY DR. KEN HORUP Contributor

Golf is a timeless sport that offers physical, mental, and social benefits. For many players, the dream is not to play in their prime and retire, but to keep swinging those clubs well into their golden years. In my practice, I see 10+ golfers daily who want to keep their bodies going so they don’t lose that piece of their life. Let’s explore some strategies that can help you keep playing golf as long as your heart desires. One of the most crucial aspects of sus-

taining golf abilities is taking care of your body, specifically through injury prevention. With age comes a greater risk of muscle and joint injuries. It is essential to incorporate regular stretching and strengthening exercises into your routine. Concentrate on your hips, shoulders, back, and knees. These areas are particularly important because the twist in a smooth golf swing requires flexibility and range of motion in these parts of the body. Just as running water does not freeze, keeping your joints “running” as best they can support longevity and decrease the risk of injuries. Whether you do this by yourself, consult with a physical therapist or a personal trainer, it is important to listen to your body’s weaknesses and develop a tailored fitness plan. Secondly, if those injuries arise, it is

important to listen to your body. It is easy to focus on your golf game and ignore signals that your body is trying to send you. The most common golf injuries I see are knee pain, lumbar pain, and balance issues. The problem I find with nearly everyone is that people wait until the pain is too severe to tolerate to seek help. When someone pushes through pain, ignores the warning signs, and then decides to seek my help when the pain is too much to bear, it takes more time and effort to heal and correct. Respecting the body and its limits is crucial in prolonging golf activity. By consulting with a doctor as soon as there is a warning sign of pain, fixing your swing alignment, and maintaining fitness plans, you will shorten your recovery time and keep yourself in the game longer. Pain is not a yellow light, it’s a red

light. If you experience pain or discomfort while playing, please don’t ignore it. As I like to say in my practice, “if it hurts, don’t do it!”

Lastly, golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. You may find your physical abilities declining with age, but your mental strength can continue to grow. Resilience, patience, and a positive attitude on the course will carry you far, even if you occasionally need to physically take a step back to let your body heal. I encourage you to work on accepting that not every shot will be perfect, but you can bounce back from both bogeys and injuries, with the right mental perspective. Low scores are great, but the true satisfaction should be just being out on the

Dr. Ken Horup

Hilton Head Teen Named Lowcountry Youth of the Year

BY KAT RICE Contributor

Julianna Vega moved with her family to Hilton Head in 2014 and quickly realized how hard it was for a shy 10-year-old to make friends. Hoping to find an easier way to meet other kids, she became a member at Hilton Head Boys and Girls Club (BGC). Little did she know then that, 10 years later, she would be nominated by Club staff as Youth of the Year.

The annual Youth of the Year competition is a BGC initiative that seeks out individuals who represent the institution’s mission. Ryan Wise, Assistant Unit Director of the Hilton Head BGC says they never want to miss an opportunity to recognize their members. As for Julianna, “she’s a perfect candidate for the award because she shows leadership qualities in her everyday life.”

In the local competition, Julianna placed first among six members of the Hilton Head club, then went on to compete with the other area clubs. She was selected as the winner of the entire Low-

country, based on her personal essays, public speeches, and answers to live interview questions.

Julianna says she felt surprised and excited to be selected to represent the area and feels like it’s an opportunity to work through her weaknesses. Self-aware and humble, Julianna credits her level head to growing up in a family that focuses on community and leading with positivity. She says her Hispanic heritage has been at the forefront of shaping who she is as a person.

“In Hispanic culture, empathy is a really big thing,” she says. “Seeing how my family has been able to be there for others has been a factor in showing me how to build relationships on my own.”

With the influence of her family and the staff at BGC, Julianna says she’s learned to respect elders, relate to younger students, and be there for her peers. She credits the club for helping her to build the confidence she didn’t have when she first moved to the Island. “Mr. Ryan, Mr. Bernard, and Ms. Pat have helped me to see I’m important and I have a purpose

in my life.”

Julianna’s Youth of the Year campaign has focused on mental health awareness, specifically in low-income communities. After struggling with her own mental health in 2020, Julianna was inspired by Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit that advocates for student athletes and their mental health. She recently was accepted as a student ambassa dor for the pro gram in hopes of helping teenage athletes under stand that aca demics and sports are im portant, but they “don’t de fine who you are.”

The state

competition for Student of the Year is on April 19th and 20th, and Julianna says it’s most important for her that she gets the platform to share her story. She hopes to inspire the community to support students and to continue spreading unmental and physical

As for the message she plans to take to the state competition, she says, “I want people to know that people being there for me has made a difference in my life and, if we continue to do kids, they will be successful.”

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NONPROFIT FROM PAGE 29A

profits. Our local nonprofits are already doing some of them. These predictions ranged from the high-tech introduction of AI into fundraising, to the increased importance of soft skills and empowering narratives in the non-virtual world.

Together SC, the only organization in South Carolina focused exclusively on the nonprofit sector, cited several eye-opening pieces of data from a study on the impact of nonprofits in our state. Over 170,000 South Carolinians are employed by the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits make up the fifth largest industry sector in South Carolina, paying $6.5 billion in wages here. Together SC also reports unfilled staff positions are a concerning reality for many nonprofits in the state. While a lack of affordable and conveniently located workforce housing is a frequently cited factor in this, data also indicates that a lack of funds in many of these organizations makes it difficult to pay competitive salaries and can cause the nonprofit to lose workers to for-profit businesses. In February, Together SC hosted the annual Nonprofit Summit in Charleston featuring speakers and small group sessions addressing various aspects of the nonprofit field. The summit was attended by representatives of several Beaufort County nonprofits. Jeb Bush, development director of Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry, attended last year and said it was helpful.

“There were specific topics that were related to development. They had seminars on fundraising and marketing, and they also talked about affordable housing,” he said. “That’s a huge topic right now.”

Challenging economic conditions

GOLFER FROM PAGE 30A

green.

With Heritage season right around the corner, the spirit of golf is all over the community. Golf is one of the most social aspects of the Hilton Head/Bluffton area, and we want to keep you a part

add to the already high priority of fundraising for nonprofits and to the importance of these businesses keeping up with emerging practices and trends. Predictions such as those presented by the Forbes council give nonprofit managers an idea as to where to put the emphasis in their future fundraising endeavors.

Bush does not feel a sense of competition with the other local nonprofits and says there are enough resources for everyone to get what they need. He also respects what the others do.

“I understand that PEP and Bluffton Self-Help are vital parts of the community,” said Bush. He added that he is happy with the level of donations, though he said they obviously can always use more.

Two Habitat offices just merged into Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry and Bush is optimistic about it. He explained that the new cooperation gives them more flexibility and he looks forward to the teamwork that will be a result. He added that they do need more volunteers for jobs such as home repairs and community events.

Bush said they plan to keep building as long as there is land and as long as there is a need. With every aspect of the job, he exudes hope.

“This is a generous community,” he explained.

There seems to be a consensus among nonprofit stakeholders that respect, collaboration, and empathy are good places to start when it comes to making the most of the nonprofit sector.

If the number of fundraisers scheduled for the spring is any indication, the nonprofit sector in Beaufort County is as determined as ever.

of it. So, take preventative actions, listen to your body, consult with a doctor when you experience pain, and keep a positive attitude to savor every moment you have of your lifelong golf journey.

Dr. Ken Horup, DC, is a Chiropractic Physician at Discover Specific Chiropractic.

HEALTH Dental Implants

Offer Ideal Solution for Missing Teeth

BY MATTHEW MASTROROCCO, DMD Contributor

DMD

I placed my first dental implant 17 years ago and have always found it to be an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth because of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason. Implants are stronger than actual teeth, can last a lifetime, and appear incredibly natural.

Consisting of a metal post that acts as artificial tooth roots, an implant is surgically positioned into the jaw. It bonds with the natural bone and, when it has had time to heal, it creates a strong base for artificial teeth, called crowns, to be attached to the post. It doesn’t require full sedation and is a very common in-office procedure. Most people experience very minimal discomfort.

An implant is such an efficient alter-

native to a bridge when a tooth cannot be saved because they do not depend on neighboring teeth for support. While they cost a bit more, implants last longer and offer a single tooth solution to a single tooth problem, rather than having to drill down into adjacent teeth to make a bridge. Bridges break down over time due to the stress on adjacent teeth.

Dental implants are also the only dental restoration that preserves natural bone and stimulates bone growth to prevent future bone damage.

People who are healthy enough to undergo other dental procedures like tooth extraction and have healthy gums and adequate bone to support dental implants are good candidates. You must also be committed to excellent oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly as these are critical to their long-term success. Treatment typically takes three-toeight months, and the result can last a lifetime if sourced from high quality materials.

Matthew Mastrorocco, DMD is the owner and founder of ROC Dental Group.

Matthew Mastrorocco,

Local Young Astronauts Club Visits NASA

BY AMY COYNE BREDESON Contributor

A group of young astronauts from River Ridge Academy just returned from a mission to Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL.

This was River Ridge STEM teacher Marlayna Tracy’s 19th field trip with the Young Astronauts Club to NASA’s main launch site. This year, she took 130 students, teachers, and chaperones to the center, where they spent two days learning all about space and NASA.

The group got to tour the facility, experience space simulators, work on several STEM-based projects, meet an astronaut and sleep under the Saturn V rocket.

“One of the coolest things is that the kids don’t even realize just how impactful it is or what they’ve done, what they’re seeing until later on,” Tracy said.

Years later, Tracy’s students come back to visit and talk about how cool the NASA trip was. She said her former students have gone on to become engineers, pilots,

and STEM teachers.

Tracy teaches Lego Lab STEM to students in kindergarten through fourth grade at River Ridge and runs the school’s Young Astronauts Club.

The club is open to fifth-grade students who maintain As and Bs and have no referrals or violations. The club starts meeting during the second quarter of each school year and culminates with a trip to the space center at the end of February or beginning of March.

The students meet before school once a week and learn a different principle of flight each week. They learn about the solar system, the history of aeronautics, the history of NASA and space exploration, and why astronauts are needed.

Club members complete various science and engineering projects and participate in fun events like the annual Egg Drop and a Water Bottle Rocket Launch.

When Tracy first began teaching, a Young Astronauts Club at the school where she worked in Charleston piqued

A group of 130 students, teachers and chaperones recently visited the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

her interest and inspired her to eventually start the club at other schools.

Tracy started the program at Okatie Elementary School, where she taught for 10 years before moving over to River Ridge.

Now in her eighth year of teaching at River Ridge, the Young Astronauts Club is still going strong at both schools, and Tracy’s involvement has had a ripple effect on local schools.

Teachers who Tracy worked with in the past have started clubs at their current schools. Now students at Bridges Preparatory School, Cross Schools and Hilton Head Christian Academy get the chance to learn about space and take a field trip to the space center.

Tracy hopes her students will always take the time to look around and see what’s going on around them. She encourages them to go outside at night to watch launches from Cape Canaveral, which can be seen from Bluffton on a clear night. She lets them know when they can see the international space station, or when there will be an eclipse or something else interesting to see in the sky.

“The biggest thing that I love is that I get to introduce children to something that they probably would not have known anything about before,” Tracy said. “And for many of them, I sparked their interest to just even explore, to think about something bigger and greater.”

SUBMITTED BY TRACY MARLAYNA

Use Skin Sense: It Protects Your Body, Determines Your Appearance

BY OSWALD LIGHTSEY MIKELL Contributor

The skin is the largest organ of the body and plays a very important role in protecting your body as it interfaces with the environment. Skin also determines your appearance. Taking proper care of your skin can keep it radiant for years to come and help defend against skin cancer and other conditions. Just as everyone has a family doctor, similarly, everyone should have their own dermatologist. And quite frankly, who knows your skin better than a dermatologist? From skin checks to product recommendation, dermatologists are in the forefront of technology, providing total skin care.

Q: What is a dermatologist?

A: A dermatologist is a qualified medical specialist who, through additional training, has obtained postgraduate qualifications to specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of skin disease (Hair, skin, and nails) and skin cancers. Dermatologists treat patients of all ages, from babies and children to adolescents and adults.

Bluffton Post Office Job Fair

Beaufort/Burton Post Office Job Fair

Hilton Head Post Office Job Fair

Hardeeville Post Office Job Fair

Q: Does insurance cover treatment I may receive at a dermatologist’s office?

A: Insurance coverage varies with each treatment or medication you may receive from your dermatologist, but most insurance groups cover general dermatological procedures and medications.

Q: How do I know if my child needs to see a dermatologist?

A: A physician should examine any rash that accompanies an illness. Furthermore, any rash that steadily worsens or spreads should also receive medical attention.

Q: What should I know about my teen’s acne?

A: Acne affects most teens, but it is not a life-threatening condition though the lesions associated with the condition are upsetting and can be disfiguring. It is important to seek treatment for your teen as there are many options available to reduce the embarrassment and scarring associated with acne.

Q: What causes warts, and can a dermatologist treat them?

Ridgeland Post Office Job Fair

Tuesday, April 23rd 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Q: What do dermatologists specialize in?

A: Dermatologists treat all disorders of the skin, hair, and nails. These include problems such as skin cancer, acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, dry/oily skin, dandruff, warts, dermatitis, moles, rashes, sun damage, wrinkles, pigmentation problems, hair loss, skin infections, and several other conditions.

Q: When should I visit a dermatologist?

A: If you are having any type of skin, hair, or nail problem, you should consult a dermatologist. Dermatologists are specially trained to treat these conditions.

A: Warts are a viral condition, usually skin-colored and feel rough to the touch. Warts can grow anywhere on the skin, but most often occur on the hands. Treatment may include freezing or removing the wart, topical medications, or injection.

Beau

Almost everyone’s skin can be improved –dermatologists are experts at treating pigmentation, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, blocked pores, and most importantly pre-cancerous lesions.

Online assessments can now be completed from your electronic devices.

• Must have a valid SC Driver’s License

• Must be at least 18 years of age

Hilton Head Post Office Job Fair

• May be required to use your personal owned vehicle ($0.97 cents per mile)

Hardeeville Post Office Job Fair

Call Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry today and schedule a consult today (843) 689-5259 or 843-705-0840

Ridgeland Post Office Job Fair

Dr. Oswald Mikell, MD certified by the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, is the owner of Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry.

• PAY: $20.38 per hour paid Bi-Weekly; There is NEVER a charge for background checks, to apply or test. If you are ‘charged’ you have been re-directed to a third-party site. Visit usps.com/careers to apply for a career with the US Postal Service.

Tuesday December 13th, 2022

Oswald Mikell

Bluffton RE Market: Navigating from a Seller’s Market to New Equilibrium in 2024

BY DAN PRUD’HOMME

Contributor

As we step into the early days of April 2024, the real estate market in Bluffton continues to captivate both locals and prospective newcomers.

Nestled in the heart of the Lowcountry, Bluffton’s charm and community spirit serve as a gentle prelude to the dynamic forces shaping its real estate landscape.

The current climate of the Bluffton real estate market still favors sellers, underpinned by the fundamental dynamics of low inventory and robust demand. However, the landscape is gradually evolving, marked by a subtle yet significant shift. Since last fall, the number of properties

listed for sale has been on an upward trajectory, showcasing a 39.7% increase compared to the same period last year. This trend signifies a refreshing wave of new opportunities for prospective buyers navigating the market.

As a result of the influx of listings, Bluffton properties are experiencing a longer journey to the closing table, with the average time on the market up by 28% from last year. Currently, there are 520 properties awaiting new owners, a notable rise from the 395 listings recorded a year ago. Yet, the silver lining remains bright, as sales activity has surged by an impressive 41.7% year-over-year, indicating a vibrant market teeming with transactions.

Interestingly, the specter of interest rates, which loomed large over buyer and seller decisions in 2023, has receded into the backdrop. This year, the market seems to be less perturbed by interest rate increases, suggesting a collective adaptation

to the economic environment of 2024. This resilience is further reflected in the median sale price in Bluffton, which has appreciated by 3.5% since last year, reaching $543,608 from a previous $525,000. Such incremental growth points to the Federal Reserve’s successful navigation towards a “soft landing” for the economy, paving the way for a market that is gradually balancing itself.

The evolution from a seller’s stronghold to a more equitable marketplace hints at a future where neither buyers nor sellers wield disproportionate influence. I anticipate that this emerging equilibrium could foster mid-single digit appreciation rates, emblematic of a healthy and sustainable real estate environment.

With 2024 being an election year, conventional wisdom might suggest a cautious “wait and see” approach among market participants. However, the current vibrancy and activity levels in Bluffton’s

real estate scene could well defy these expectations. Moreover, the recent settlement in the lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors is poised to introduce changes, possibly influencing the local market as stakeholders adjust to new norms.

In summary, Bluffton’s real estate market is a fascinating study in transition, marked by robust activity, a slow shift towards market equilibrium, and a community poised to navigate the changes with characteristic resilience and optimism. As we watch this space, the unfolding year promises to be an intriguing chapter in Bluffton’s real estate story.

Dan Prud’homme is the Visionary & Success Coach of The Prud’homme Team at William Raveis Real Estate. dan@ danprudhomme.com theprudhommeteam.com

Dan Prud’homme

County Educates Voters

The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is hosting five community forums to educate and inform the public of the upcoming election season.

THE FORUM SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

• Wednesday, April 3 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way

• Wednesday, April 10 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Frissell Hall, Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Cir West

• Wednesday, April 17 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Port Royal Town Hall, 700 Paris Ave

• Thursday, April 25 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Hilton Head Branch Library, 11

Beach City Rd

• Tuesday, May 7 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 367

Keans Neck Rd

The forums are free and open to the public. No rsvp is required.

Topics will include what’s on the ballot, voter registration--how to register, confirming voting status, deadlines to register, polling locations including new voting sites, and how to become a poll worker.

Hopeful Horizons to Raise Awareness for Abuse Victims

The Hopeful Horizon’s annual fundraising gala, An Evening with Hopeful Horizons, is set to take place on April 12, helping to raise funds and awareness for abuse victims in the Lowcountry.

An Evening with Hopeful Horizons will be held at Hampton Hall Clubhouse with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy an evening of hope and inspiration, featuring a powerful presentation from survivors, Voices of Courage. The event will also include gourmet food, an open bar, and both silent and live auctions.

This special night highlights the need for programs and services provided by Hopeful Horizons. Funds raised at the event will help support Hopeful Horizons’ mission to protect, treat and prevent, and help to ensure that assistance is available for local survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault free of charge.

“Without the support of our amazing community, Hopeful Horizons would not be able to provide the critical, life-saving

services that survivors desperately need,” said Kristin Dubrowski, CEO of Hopeful Horizons. “Attending An Evening with Hopeful Horizons is an enjoyable and impactful opportunity to help support survivors.”

Tickets are $75 per person. To register or for more information, please visit www. hopefulhorizons.org/gala2024. The deadline to register is April 5.

Hopeful Horizons is a children’s advocacy, domestic violence and sexual assault victim service organization that works to create safer communities by changing the culture of violence and offering a path to healing. The organization provides safety, hope and healing to survivors through evidence-based practices, outreach, prevention, and education. Hopeful Horizons serves Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, and Allendale counties. For more information, visit www.hopefulhorizons.org.

SPORTS Local Resident Heads to Pickleball Championships

BY JUSTIN JARRETT Contributor

By now, you probably know that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and if you live in the Lowcountry, you’ve probably gotten swept up in the craze.

But when most people play the fast-paced game with the funny name, they’re in it for a bit of exercise, along with some friendly competition and camaraderie.

There will be a lot more at stake when Hilton Head Island’s Sarah Mitten competes in the 2024 Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships powered by Margaritaville.

Mitten will be among the more than 3,000 players from all 50 states and nearly 30 different countries, to descend on Naples, Florida, from April 13-20 to compete for a $150,000 pro prize purse.

Mitten will compete for the national senior professional title in mixed doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and the pro split age division, in which one doubles

player must be under 50 and their partner 50 or older. And she will do it in an electric atmosphere fueled by an estimated 40,000 spectators at East Naples Community Park — the largest permanent pickleball facility in the world.

“The stadium court is fun,” said Mitten, who has competed in the event tabbed the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World since 2017 and won gold in singles and women’s doubles and silver in mixed doubles at the 4.5 level before turning pro. “I’m very introverted, but I enjoy playing in front of crowds,” she noted.

While the pros are volleying for big bucks, amateurs from all over the world will pack the park to compete in divisions based on age and skill rating ranging from 19-and-under to 85-and-over and from novices to professionals.

Like many avid pickleball players, Mitten came to the sport through tennis, having played collegiately at Mississippi State and

spending years as a coach before transitioning. After coaching at a private club in the area, Mitten recently took on a role as head of pickleball coordination and programming at the Hilton Head Island Rec Center, where she oversees the continued spread of the sport to all age groups and demographics due to its accessible nature, affordable equipment, and fast-paced action.

“It’s almost like the NASCAR of tennis,” Mitten said. “Anything goes. It accepts all

kinds of people.”

The pickleball craze doesn’t seem to be fading. In fact, a study conducted by YouGov for the Association of Pickleball Professionals annual participation report indicated more than 36.5 million Americans played pickleball at least once from August 2021 to August 2022 with nearly a quarter of them playing eight times or more.

For many in the Lowcountry, especially active retirees, it is more of a daily habit, sometimes bordering on fanaticism. But Mitten said the fervor comes from a healthy place.

“It just gives a lot of people a venue to still be athletic and gives them an environment to go compete,” Mitten said. “I think for a lot of people who might have been lonely or dealt with a loss in their life, they’ve found a place where they can call home and a place that accepts them.”

Justin Jarrett, LowcoSports.com

The East Naples Community Park, the largest permanent pickleball facility in the world, will host the 2024 Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships.

LEGAL

Think Twice Before Disinheriting a Loved One

BY MARK WINN Contributor

It’s a mistake to disinherit a child just because (1) you cannot stand their spouse (your in-law), (2) they are having financial difficulty, (3) they are incapable of managing finances, or (4) they are being supported by a governmental program. Think twice before disinheriting a loved one.

For instance, let us assume hypothetically, Francine (a widow) has five children: Sue, Marsha, Terry, Greg, and Max.

Sue is married to Jack who Francine has never liked. Should Francine disinherit Sue because she does not like Jack?

She could. She could also leave Sue’s share in a trust to be used for her benefit. If that trust were drawn properly, Francine could make sure that Jack will not directly benefit, and that Sue would not easily squander the money. Francine could also make sure that if Jack and Sue got divorced, Jack would not get any of Francine’s money. In addition, Francine could direct that when Sue passes, what funds remain in Sue’s trust shall be given to her son, in trust, for his education.

Marsha is about to file for bankruptcy, and she owes $250,000 to creditors. Should Francine disinherit Marsha because she has creditors? She could. She could also leave Marsha’s share in a trust for Marsha’s benefit. Could Marsha’s creditors take the money? Not if the trust were drawn properly.

Terry can’t handle money. She is a

spendthrift. Should Francine disinherit Terry because she spends unwisely? She could. She could also direct her share to be held in a trust for Terry’s benefit. Francine could create incentives so if Terry was gainfully employed, Francine could direct funds be disbursed to match her income. Or, better yet, Francine could direct that if Terry was gainfully employed and was maximizing her retirement contributions, then the trust would disburse funds equal to Terry’s pay. The possibilities are endless.

Greg and Max have disabilities and are currently benefitting from government programs. Should Francine disinherit Greg and Max to make sure they will not lose their government benefits? She could. She could also leave their share in a supplemental needs trust. If the trust were drawn properly, it could provide

funds for Greg and Max to supplement the benefits they are receiving. In other words, if assets are left “in trust” (a special needs trust or supplemental needs trust) this can prevent your loved one from becoming ineligible for the benefits they get from the government. At the same time, you do not need to disinherit them.

It is difficult enough to think about these things, but we all know they are important. In all events, you should seek professional guidance in matters relative to your family property. Using trusts to shape beneficial interests and control use of funds and remainder interests can provide tremendous benefits for your family.

Mark F. Winn, J.D., Master of Laws, LL.M. in Estate Planning, is a local tax, asset protection and estate planning attorney.

Mark Winn

Bluffton Kiwanis Club To Host Benefit Concert

BY JOE TURINO Contributor

The Bluffton Kiwanis Club is dedicated to improving the community, one child at a time. As such, the group is hosting a free Kiwanis Club of Bluffton benefit concert presented by the Sequins Ballroom of Bluffton, featuring the Evolution Big Band and “God Bless the Child” with Penney Lynn Smith. The concert will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, at the Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton. Attendees will have the opportunity to make a goodwill offering, aiding the club in funding its charitable activities in Bluffton.

True to the Kiwanis International motto of “Serving the Children of the World,” the Bluffton chapter dedicates itself to serving the local community. The Bluffton Kiwanis Club, with its 36

members, is part of a global organization of volunteers. They are committed to “bettering the lives of children” which is at the core of their efforts, according to Bill Rickett, the president of the local chapter.

Founded in 2016 with 15 members, the club has since expanded to 36. Rickett, its inaugural president, has resumed the role for the October 2023 through September 2024 term. He noted that the average Kiwanis Club boasts 25 to 30 members across 80 nations worldwide. In Oc-

tober, Wendy Barrett will assume the presidency, guiding the chapter forward. The club congregates at Jim N Nick’s on the first and third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m., openly inviting new members to join their cause.

Through various local events, the club raises funds to support children in Bluffton. Beneficiaries of their efforts include the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club, Bluffton Self Help, Red Cedar Elementary School, Bluffton High School, Port Royal Sound Maritime Center, and the Bluff-

ton Police Department, .

Rickett emphasized that the club is “always looking for ways to help kids.” It offers tutoring at Red Cedar Elementary School in various subjects, including reading. Additionally, the club aids parents in learning “English as a Second Language,” enabling them to communicate in English with their children. This year, the club will award five $2,500 college scholarships to deserving local high school seniors.

A standout initiative is the sponsorship of a waiting room for the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in the child victim area. The club has furnished this space with comfortable amenities for children, including a television, an aquarium, carpeting, and toys. Club members also volunteer with Meals on Wheels and assist Bluffton Self Help by sorting clothing and stocking shelves.

Will or Trust: Important Facts to Know if You’re Considering These Legal Documents

BY LISA HOSTETLER BROWN Contributor

Concern: I already have a will, but my friends have told me I should have a trust. How do I know what is best for me?

Advice: First, you need to understand what a will is and what a trust is to decide whether you need a trust to accomplish your goals.

A will is a legal document that is filed with the probate court when you die. This document tells the court who you would like to have manage and distribute your assets when you die (your “personal representative”), and it tells the court

who should get all your things (your “beneficiaries”). The court will mandate the publication of notice of your death in the newspaper calling for anyone who may have a claim against you to file it. All the paperwork that your Personal Representative files with the Probate Court will become part of the public record and can be researched by anyone who is interested in learning about your family, your assets, what your will said, and how distributions are made from your estate. Anything that passes through a will, does not avoid the probate process.

A trust is a legal document which creates a legal entity that can own things and provides the trustee of the trust with a series of rules to guide what should happen with the things the trust owns. Using the example of a revocable trust, this kind of

trust is created by you, and you would be the initial trustee as well as initial beneficiary. You will still have control over the assets you put into your trust, and, when you die, your successor trustee will simply step in as trustee and immediately distribute the trust assets to your beneficiaries. If you become sick or incapacitated, your Successor Trustee can step in and easily manage your affairs and pay for things you need. The trust does not need to be filed anywhere, and a trust is a private document.

Anything owned by a trust at the time of your death will avoid the probate process. If you want the process of your beneficiaries receiving their inheritance from you to be as easy as possible, then using a trust is an excellent option to accomplish those goals. But one thing is true for ev-

eryone, having a plan (and a trust) in place before you need it can make a world of difference.

Lisa Hostetler Brown is the managing attorney for Elder Law and Estate Planning Center- A Division of LawyerLisa, LLC in Bluffton. Hiltonheadelderlaw.com

Lisa Hostetler Brown

PETS

Is A Community Dog Park Right For You?

BY ABBY BIRD AKA ALPHADOG Contributor

If you have a dog social dog and are looking for a way to socialize your dog there are choices. However, there are differences to consider depending on the temperament of your specific dog and if you have multiple dogs. Other things to consider are your access to parks and how they are designed and the cost and rules for doggie daycare.

When considering dog parks rather than daycare their design and rules may determine whether it is right for you. All dog parks should be off leash. Dog parks that have separate areas for different size dogs are best. While play style is more critical than size, an owner cannot determine this in someone else’s dogs. Therefore, dividing by size can help to deter physical accidents due to size. If you have multiple size dogs separating them but

being in a central area to watch them is important.

A major factor in dog parks is owner supervision. Are the owners socializing with each other or watching their dogs? Being aware of potential unsafe dog behaviors is the first step in averting them. Mostly dogs get along well at a park if you follow rules.

What are the things to know to promote a successful social experience for your dog? Firstly, is your dog generally sociable and not particular about who they play with. Do they like both male and female dogs? Are they in play mode there or dominant? Do they know how to back off when a dog signals they don’t want to play? If they are a humping dog and cant be corrected quickly then a dog park is not appropriate. If your dog is timid, are they fearful when the pack gets in their face? They may be overwhelmed there. If your dog is toy possessive, then a park

may not be appropriate if they are allowed. Some parks do not allow toys and that is good. Short visits are better and a good walk to tire a dog out prior to the park can help to reduce excitement and stress. You cannot always know whether others’ dogs are properly vaccinated and might pose a health risk. Overstimulated dogs do not do well at a park. And a major biggie, if your dog is protective of you around other dogs then dog parks are not for you. If you bring multiple dogs and they pack up then they should not go together or should be separated when there. If others

have dogs that don’t behave well, rather than being confrontational, just leave. If you do see aggressive behavior that needs to be reported as it makes parks unsafe for all.

Advantages to a dog park are pretty clear. They are free, you can go at many different hours on weekdays and weekends and even holidays. You can even arrange to meet your dogs friends there! They learn social skills from multiple dogs. You can watch your dog and learn even more about what they need to have fun. Take advantage of your community dog park IF it is right for you and your dog.

BY LINDSAY PERRY Contributor

Sweet Dog Longs for Adoption After 1,250 Days at Local Shelter

Spring is a time for new beginnings and, more than anything, that’s what we want for a dog named Harley. She has lived at the Palmetto Animal League Adoption Center for over four years, and while our staff and volunteers give her all the love and care she needs, Harley knows that a shelter is not a real home.

“Harley has lived at PAL for a long time, but we make her a priority,” said PAL President Amy Campanini.

“She has a crew of committed caretakers who make sure she gets one-on-one attention, daily walks, and playtime with her favorite toys. Her life at the adoption center is comfortable even though it might not be entirely fulfilling.”

PAL rescued Harley from a shelter that euthanizes for space. After more than 1,250 days at our adoption center, she has

watched as many other dogs have come and gone. And as she comes up on her seventh birthday, Harley longs to find her perfect place in this world.

“Harley’s perfect home will make her a priority, and her people will be happy to have only one pet in their life,” explained Campanini.

Harley is smart, confident, and athletic, and she knows it! She is also the most loyal and sensitive dog you’ll ever meet. She will make an excellent walking or hiking buddy. She is a wonderful leash walker! You will enjoy every minute of your outdoor time with her.

“You can take Harley on all sorts of adventures,” said Campanini. “She has a wonderful personality, and she absolutely loves her humans. Harley is just looking for someone to make her their one and only.”

While she’s been known to tear up a

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plush toy or two, once you win her heart, Harley is a real softy. Once she learns she can trust you, Harley will be the most loyal, loving friend you’ve ever had. She isn’t the right dog for everyone, but she’s the perfect dog for someone.

If you can’t adopt, you can still make a difference for pets like Harley. PAL is a private, non-profit, no kill animal rescue organization that receives no government funding. We rely fully on donations and the kindness of our supporters. Please consider making a heartfelt gift online at PalmettoAnimalLeague.org. Your support helps each precious dog and cat find their perfect place in this world.

Still thinking about Harley? Call PAL at 843-645-1725 to schedule a meet and greet at our comfortable, upbeat adoption center located in Okatie’s Riverwalk Business Park. Harley will be the happy girl with strikingly gorgeous eyes waiting to walk,

play, and share time with you.

Lindsay Perry is the Palmetto Animal League Marketing Coordinator.

Harley poses for a spring photo shoot at PAL.

Through an Eternal Law you are burdened with an irrevocable obligation to make atonement, which you can never cast upon others. What you burden yourselves with through your thoughts, words or deeds can be redeemed by no one but yourselves! Consider, were it otherwise Divine Justice would be but an empty sound, in which case everything else would also crumble into ruins.

– Abd-ru-shin

FAITH Chabad Greater Hilton Head Welcomes All to Passover Holiday

Chabad Greater Hilton Head plans to distribute hundreds of packages of handmade Shmurah Matzah and Passover Haggadahs this year to assist the Lowcountry Jews to participate in the upcoming Passover holiday. The Matzahs will be distributed, and they can be requested at www.jewishhiltonhead.org/matzah

Passover, celebrated this year from Monday evening, April 22 until after nightfall on Tuesday, April 30, commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt in 1313 B.C. Directed by God to leave Egypt hastily, the people of Israel could not wait for their dough to rise, and thus ate unleavened crackers called “Matzah.”

Round, kneaded and shaped by hand, present day “Shmurah” Matzahs (literally watched Matzahs) are like those eaten by the Jews when leaving Egypt over 3,000 years ago. From the moment the wheat is harvested, the ingredients are carefully watched to ensure that they do not become leavened, which would be prohibited on Passover.

Few Jewish holidays evoke the same warm sentiments as Passover. Memories of family and friends gathered as the four cups of wine are poured, the four questions asked, and the Matzah served, all contribute to Passover’s popularity in the Jewish community. Bringing the warmth and tradition of this festival to the Lowcountry community, Chabad Greater Hilton Head is inviting all Jewish residents to participate in community seders to be held on Monday night, April 22, and again on Tuesday night, April 23.

Jews are now choosing instead to celebrate their identity this Passover with more confidence and resolve.

The Seders take participants through the wondrous liberation of Jewish ancestors from Egyptian bondage, while sharing the relevance and beauty of the age-old festival in our modern lives. Included in the Seder will be a delicious Passover dinner, and a meaningful experience.

“Passover is not simply a celebration of the historic liberation of an ancient people,” said Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Greater Hilton Head “Passover is about our own personal liberation – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Passover inspires us to break free from the shackles restraining us from reaching new heights - in our lives, relationships, and connection with God.”

Chabad’s community seder is part of a global Passover campaign that began in 1954, when the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, considered the most influential rabbi in modern history, launched the Shmurah Matzah initiative as part of an effort to create awareness and promote observance of the holiday. An estimated four million hand-baked Shmurah Matzahs will be distributed by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement this year.

All Jews are welcome to join the community seder, regardless of Jewish affiliation or background. Reservations can be made online at www.jewishhiltonhead.org/seder

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FAITH

Sometimes We Need to Ask: What Now?

BY REV. CHRISTOPHER L. THOMPSON Contributor

Now that we have fasted and celebrated the death and rise of Christ, what do we do now? For many of us the past month/40 days was nothing more than a yearly “fad” diet. We gave up something to say that we participated in the religious tradition. We did not take the time to truly consider what those 40 days meant.

When we look at the Gospel of Luke, the 24th chapter, verses 13-35 of the (NIV) we find two “followers” having a discussion, regarding the past days’ events, as they walk to the village of Emmaus. Luke tells us the as they are having this discussion, Jesus comes and walks along with them and begins to question what they are talking about. The two seem surprised and we hear them reply by saying: 19 “… “About Jesus of Nazareth,” … “He was a prophet, powerful in word and

deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

These two “followers” were heartbroken because the one they believed would fix everything, make everything right and just for the people died on a cross, just like every other criminal. They had put all their eggs in Jesus’ basket hoping that they would be set free of the rulers of their land. To their surprise, he died. As they were walking to Emmaus, they were probably thinking “What Now?”

What Now is the question.

For those who just went through the motions to say that they participated, What Now?

For those who truly fasted and prayed,

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trying to draw closer to GOD, What Now? For both of us, those who went through the motions and those who truly did what was required, our external situations are still same. We are still going through them. The difference is on the inside. Even though the world around us is chaotic, there should be a newfound or stronger peace within. By giving up and turning to GOD, you should be at peace in knowing that you are no longer in this alone.

As the two “followers” walked that road to Emmaus, they had lost hope because they did not fully understand. If you truly believe what transpired during Holy week and afterward, you know that when things arise, God has you and you don’t have to ask the question What Now.

Rev. Dr. Christopher L. Thompson is pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Okatie, SC.

22nd Annual May River Cleanup Seeks Volunteers

The Town of Bluffton leaders and staff are asking residents to help clean up the May River, her shores, nearby streets and parks of the Bluffton Historic District, Saturday, May 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“The May River has and is still the centerpiece of Bluffton.” Mayor Larry Toomer said. “As a commercial fisherman I know intimately what the May brings to Bluffton’s culture, industry and lifestyle –the May River Cleanup is an opportunity for all of us to take care of her.”

Volunteers will meet at Oyster Factory Park located at the end of Wharf Street. The Town is hoping to complete construction of the pavilion side of the park by early May, but crews may still be present. If the area is not yet available, the event will be held across the street on the Garvin Garvey House side of the park.

According to the Town, boats and kayaks are needed to assist with cleanup efforts.

Anyone willing to help is asked to please arrive at 8:30 a.m. to allow time for setup. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided by Corner Perk.

All supplies including gloves, bags, vests, and water will be provided by the Town of Bluffton, American Rivers, Palmetto Pride, Keep Beaufort County Beautiful and Beaufort County Solid Waste & Recycling. In addition, personal supplies such as sunscreen, bug spray and water

will be provided. Snacks and lunch will also be provided by the Town of Bluffton.

Toomer said each year this event grows in the number of participants and organizational partners.

“It is very rewarding to see students, scout groups, civic organizations, businesses and nearly a dozen official partners join the Town to make a positive impact on the May River, the streets and areas which surround her,” Toomer said. “This is truly a collective community effort.”

Education and outreach play an important role in improving water quality in our local watersheds, including the May River Watershed. As volunteers return from cleaning up our community, educational booths provided by Lowcountry Stormwater Partners, The Dolphin Project, Port Royal Sound Foundation, and Bluffton Paddle Club will be available for them to visit. This is an important compo-

nent due to the fact that Beaufort County’s large expanses of salt marsh, tidal rivers and deep channels provide for a high level of biodiversity, allowing wildlife such as oysters, dolphins, and cobia, to flourish. This also means that the ecosystem is sensitive to the environmental pollutants found in the stormwater that drains into rivers and streams, carrying pollutants with it.

The Town of Bluffton is also partnering with M.C. Riley Elementary School to host the Annual School Participation Challenge. This will be the 9th time the school and the Town have partnered for this event. Students and their families will have the opportunity to take part in the Cleanup and waste reduction efforts provided by i2 Recycle. Coastal Kingdom will be partnering to assist the Town with the School Participation Challenge and

Spring Concert of Musical Theater Selections with Award Winning Classically trained and Operatic Musicians & Singers!

All are invited on April 12th @ 7:30 pm

Event is Free - A love offering will be taken

At 6:30pm Join us for Mocktails & Chocolate Fountain!! Church

NATURE’S WAY

It’s Not All About Catching, but Rather the Moments In Between

BY COLLINS DOUGHTIE Contributor

Tired of reading about fishing only? If so, I think this time around I’m going to switch gears a bit because when fishing, many of my best memories have nothing to do at all about catching, but rather things I have seen while fishing that made that day way more memorable than how many fish I caught or didn’t catch. I hope this makes you understand why my love for the ocean and nature in general runs so deep in my veins.

Cheddar Is Better

Thankfully I have never struggled with sea sickness other than on my first offshore trip when I was six years old. Having fished on so many different boats with people I barely knew, I have seen my share of first timers hit with the sea sickness bug and Lord knows I feel for each one of them. On this particular outing I was fishing with an old friend that never ever got seasick but like a common cold it can strike anyone. It was blowing hard; the seas were by no means calm but for the most part all was well. His favorite snack on every trip were those six-pack bright orange cheese crackers and this trip was no different. With the brisk wind in his face, I watched him wolf down an entire pack of his cheese crackers when it happened. No sooner had that last crack-

er gone down the hatch when all six crackers came up. Due to the wind, he was covered from head to toe in bright orange goo. It was sad but inside I was dying laughing, the visual was worthy of any photo contest. So, what did I do? In the blink of an eye, I grabbed the wash down hose and gave him a high-pressure wash down. All I can say is he took it like a champ!

Tangled Up In Blue

Anchored up and fishing in Bull Creek in my skiff the Marsh Monkey, I really didn’t care if I caught a fish or not. It was one of those bluebird days, little wind at all and I was just grooving on nature. Laying back in my seat I heard this extremely loud screeching and ruckus above me. Sitting up I looked up and right over my head were two majestic bald eagles going at each other. I have seen bald eagles chasing ospreys numerous times trying to steal fish from the osprey, but this was different. Talk about an aerial

ballet, these two were twisting and turning with impossible moves and this went on for a good five minutes or so. Mesmerized at this battle royale, the two were way up there when they latched onto each other in a tight ball and began tumbling toward the ground. It was incredible to see these huge birds throwing caution to the wind and it wasn’t until they touched the marsh grass that they broke apart. Catching that was better than catching the biggest fish that swims!

What a Splash

Fishing the Gulf Stream aboard my fishing buddy’s 45’ sportfishing boat we were trolling for wahoo, mahi or any other pelagic that fancied any one of our eight lines we had out. The coolest part of fishing this giant warm water river in the sea is if you keep your eyes peeled the things you might encounter will blow your mind. Huge leatherback turtles weighing a ton, sunfish or mola-mola basking on the surface and one of my favorites, giant manta rays. I have seen hundreds of mantas over the years but on this day, I saw the largest I have ever seen. I think one of our lures must have skipped over his back and not 15 feet behind the boat went completely airborne. With its wings straight out, it had to have been 30 feet across or more and came down doing a massive belly flop. I was standing on the back deck, and it hit the

water so hard it lifted me off the deck a foot or so and the entire boat shuddered as if it had hit something. Now there’s a sight that will stick with me forever!

Boo

Turkey hunting in a swampy bottom with nothing but cypress trees dotting the landscape, it began to rain. I had traveled an hour to get there and instead of leaving I decided to wait it out. Sitting at the base of a cypress my glasses were all fogged up and I was miserable. Just as I decided enough was enough, I see movement at the far end of the bottom and though I could barely see I thought it might be a big gobbler. It wasn’t. Walking slowly towards me was a big buck and because the wind was in my face I guess he didn’t wind me but from his posture he knew something wasn’t quite right. He would stop, snort but for some reason kept walking right at me. Wanting to see just how close he would come it took a good 10 minutes before he stopped not four feet from me. Wanting to laugh instead I yelled, “Boo!” and that buck gave a loud snort, went straight up in the air with terror in his eyes and thank God, he didn’t gore me on the way down. Hopefully these snippets will encourage you to get out and maybe you too will experience hook, line, and sinker the very best nature has to offer.

Put Stakes In Place To Support Your Growth

BY DAVE FERGUSON Contributor

Growth is a necessary part of life. It has been said that if you are not growing, you are dying. We grow food. We invest money so it will grow. And we want our children to grow into driven, responsible, and successful adults. Growth is a good thing. Unless it is not.

Weeds also grow. Debt and deficits grow. And there are all kinds of bad health habits that result in growth as well. Like anything in life, growth can be good or bad.

Now the good news is, you can usually determine the direction of growth by the actions you take. Often as adults, we forget that we should still be growing and

training ourselves in the way we should go. What stakes do you have in place to support your growth?

Here are some stakes that will help you continue to grow in the right direction.

Stake #1: Values

Values anchor you. When you must make a decision or are faced with a situation, solid values will keep you from becoming uprooted. Furthermore, they will give you a basis for how you design each day. Ask yourself at the end of each day, “Have I lived according to my values?” For example, if good health is a value, what are you doing to promote that value... TODAY? If a profitable business is a value, what call or visit are you going to make today? If family is a value, look at your calendar. Is your family on the calendar today?

Stake #2: Habits

If an unsupported tree is battered daily from a strong northwest wind, the tree will be permanently bent. It will grow, but

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in the wrong direction.

This is why the stake of constant habits is important. This stake provides daily reinforcement against the winds of life. Good habits create a good life. Bad habits can destroy it. Make your habits good ones and apply them daily.

Stake #3: Goals

Instead of New Year resolutions, perhaps the question to ask is, “How can I grow this year?” Consider each area of life: physical, mental, spiritual, vocational, relational, and financial. How can you grow in each area?

Setting these goals and aspirations gives life and work great purpose. How will you grow? How will your relationships grow? How will your business grow?

How will your financial assets grow? These are targeted questions great leaders ask themselves and others frequently.

The key with goals is to make them specific and measurable. For example, if you say, “I will lose ten pounds this month,

and here is how I am going to do it and why it is important to me,” your chances of reaching that goal are quite high.

Stake #4: Accountability Leaders who grow value accountability. They know that being highly accountable to themselves and others increases the likelihood of them forming good habits, reaching goals, and living according to their values.

Do you have a solid framework of accountability in your life? Do you have established boundaries that help you know when to say, “Yes,” and when to say, “No?” Do you have a planning system and a way to stay accountable to it? You will grow. The question is, “Will you choose to drive these four stakes deep enough to help you grow in the right direction?”

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. For more info call 704-907-0171 or email Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

Dave Ferguson

Changes To Electoral Process May Ease Tensions

BY CROSSCURRENTS GROUP

U.S. elections have become flash points of controversy, particularly at the presidential level involving the Electoral College (EC). There seem to be several shortcomings in our election processes, however, we feel the concerns about the College are significant and deserve action.

Crosscurrents is a small group of liberals and conservatives who meet to discuss public policy issues to demonstrate that citizens can agree on a problem and reach consensus on a solution. With these goals in mind, we recently chose to address the Electoral College issue.

The U.S. Constitution assigns states and the District of Columbia one seat in the EC for each Senator and House Member from that state, with a minimum of three seats for less populous states. Each state selects their electors who pledge to support the winner of the state popular vote. This “winner take all” method of allocating electoral votes enables a discrepancy to occur

between the winner of the EC vote and winner of the national popular vote (NPV), as happened in 2000 and again in 2016.

Reasons for improving the way we elect Presidents:

A person elected President with a majority of electoral votes but without a majority of the NPV is at odds with democracy understood as governance by the will of the people. It is contrary to the process for choosing all other elected U.S. officials. It can cause the President to be perceived as invalid.

The EC gives disproportionate influence to smaller states because each state and District of Columbia are guaranteed a minimum of three electoral votes. In effect, a single vote in a small state has more influence than in a more populous state.

In a winner takes all electoral system, the individual votes for the losing party in a particular state are counted but have no influence since the winning party receives all a state’s electoral votes. Nationwide direct

popular election would count all votes in the final national tally. Crosscurrents believes this change would increase participation and democratic debate in elections. It would lead parties to create platforms aimed at the political center to appeal to more voters.

Because Americans live in predictably blue and red states, candidates focus their campaigns on only a handful of “swing states” with unpredictable election outcomes. These decisive voters represent a small fraction of voters in “swing states” and are an attractive target for disinformation campaigns, fraud, or interference by foreign or domestic bad actors threatening our national security.

The EC system is complex and can be difficult for Americans to understand. A more direct method of choosing election winners would enhance voter understanding and strengthen voter support for fair and equitable democratic practices.

Proposals relying on action to reform

how state electors are chosen have been floated. After consideration, Crosscurrents concluded that state action could not occur swiftly and without legal challenge.

Crosscurrents believes the best way to change the election method is through a constitutional amendment to replace the Electoral College that would take into consideration the concerns and reasons given above. Amending our constitution is difficult but would assure change is accepted by courts and the public.

Crosscurrents encourages implementation of the desired changes and a lessening of our divisive politics.

Readers interested in learning more are encouraged to contact rogbernier@gmail. com

Members of Crosscurrents are Starr Barnum, Roger Bernier, Greg Blackburn, Haim Bober, Marnie Brophy, Bruce Bunevich, George Clare, Gerry Cyr, Raymond Dominick, Steven Feldman, Mark Koenig, Laura McFadden, and Suzanne Yuskiw.

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Early Days of Palmetto Beach Fish Camp Forever Changed Bluffton

BY MICHAEL REYNOLDS Contributor

What might have started as just a very clever marketing strategy to sell residential lots in the Palmetto Beach area forever changed Bluffton, especially the Alljoy Beach region. The result still exists today, 123 years later. Let’s talk about what happened and how. Unless otherwise noted, the information discussed in this article comes from articles found in the State newspaper from 1921 until 1927.

Property deed research found that in June 1920 Lilla Kirk Martin sold a tract of land known as Palmetto Beach to the Bluffton Real Estate Company. This tract of land essentially started at the Bluffton town limit (where the current Bluffton town hall is) and extended down Alljoy Road to where the Estill Beach community is today. It is noted on early plats as the

Palmetto Beach subdivision. But what was the Bluffton Real Estate Company? According to a May 13, 1920, Columbia Record newspaper article, The Bluffton Real Estate Company was chartered and managed by president T. S. Heyward (likely Thomas S. Heyward), vice-president C. E. Murray of Columbia, secretary H.N. Snyder and treasurer C. E. Ulmer of Bluffton. We know that C. E. Ulmer owned quite a bit of land in the Alljoy Beach area of Bluffton around that time and that the Heyward and Snyder families were established longtime Bluffton families. We have no idea how a Columbia man (Snyder) became involved. Nonetheless, these four men apparently owned the Bluffton Real Estate Company that bought the Palmetto Beach property. In 1918, just two years prior, Thomas O. Lawton, of Estill, bought the land where Alljoy Beach is today from C.

E. Ulmer, which plays into this story. That land was surveyed and platted into lots in 1926 and soon were available for purchase. Several of the houses that remain in the Alljoy area were built in the late 1920’s.

In June 1920 the Bluffton Real Estate Company was selling lots at Palmetto Beach for $300 to $500 each. The company’s plan to develop Palmetto Beach was limited though, so to draw potential buyers to the area it appears they established the Palmetto Beach Fish Camp. The fish camp was located on the May River to the right just before the Myrtle Island causeway on a piece of land designated and shown on plats then as a public park. (The public park is still there today but there is no access to it by land so it’s only accessible by water). The hope was for visitors to spend time at the camp and fall in love with the May River and the restful lifestyle of Bluff-

ton. It was ironic that 100 years after Bluffton was first discovered as a resort for wealthy planters around 1820, the Bluffton Real Estate Company hoped it to become a summer resort again, this time for more ordinary folks. Some of the visitors ended up buying land and building summer cottages. Many of those were from the Allendale, Estill, and Fairfax areas of South Carolina, which are all small towns about 65 miles northwest of Bluffton. Today, many of their family descendants still own the land and cottages in the Alljoy Beach and Estill Beach neighborhoods of modern-day Bluffton where most live full time now but while growing up spent only their summers there.

The Palmetto Beach Fish Camp was quite a place by all descriptions. It had large 16 X 16-foot tents with cots, a cafeteria that served fresh local seafood, and a

pavilion built out over the May River where dances were held. Fishing boats, bait and tackle were also available that kept many visitors busy during the day. A favorite pastime for kids were the regular marshmallow roasts over an open fire in the evenings. It has been reported that locals would join with the visitors for dances at the pavilion.

It was interesting to read the early newspaper articles telling people how to get to Bluffton because the town was hardly on the map then and certainly wasn’t a place many people would have even heard of. In 1920 a newspaper ad for an upcoming land auction at Palmetto Beach gave these instructions. Attendees were encouraged to take the train to either Hardeeville or the Pritchard (Pritchardville) train station where an automobile would pick them up and transport them to the auction on “good roads.”

I found records that show that Bluffton had been a popular place for church groups, the Boy Scouts and local 4-H school groups to camp going back as far as 1910. Once the fish camp was built it became the go-to place for this activity. In 1921, “114 Columbia area Boy Scouts were camping at a place called Palmetto Beach, two miles from Bluffton.” Some even rode bicycles all the way from Columbia to Bluffton on what then would have been a maze of rural dirt roads. It appears that the group camping was done prior to the tourist season.

In 1921 the Palmetto Beach Fish Camp opened for the season on June 8, 1921. It

with four adjacent cottages owned by families from mostly the Estill area.

Business was so good that services expanded. In 1925 a newspaper ad for the Palmetto Beach Hunting Club noted “Deer, turkey, ducks, quail are plentiful on these lands. Contact Palmetto Beach Fish Camp for additional information.” No additional ads for the hunting club were found so it’s not clear how successful that was but it was clearly an attempt to encourage even more visitors to come to and fall in love with Bluffton.

again in July 1929 there were newspaper articles about Boy Scouts and 4-H club campers from Jasper and Hampton Counties coming to Bluffton but there was no reference to the fish camp. It’s not clear at what point it just seemed to not operate anymore and simply fade away into history. Perhaps by the late 1920’s all the lots had been sold and the original purpose of the fish camp was satisfied so it was no longer needed. We will likely never know.

was described as, “A tented city built under live oaks and pines on the high bluff over-looking the ‘Riviera de Mai’ (May River) where the flying fishes play.” Rates were $12.50 for the week for adults and $8 for children under 14 per week. Train travel seemed to be required to get to it and all trains were met with automobile transfer to the camp.

In May 1924 a University of South Carolina zoology class of 24 students spent several days at the Palmetto Beach Fish Camp for marine science studies prior to the camp opening for the year.

The fish camp was very successful, and newspaper social columns show that people from all over South Carolina would vacation at the fish camp and stay for a week or two at the time. The fishing was said to be the best in the state and there were reports of hundreds of fish being caught each day in the May River. The fish camp prospered and in 1925 there were even plans for a hotel and golf course at Palmetto Beach, which were never built. It was thriving while properties in the area were being sold at lightning speed not only in the Palmetto Beach sub-division but also in the Alljoy Beach area that was being developed by Thomas Lawton. A 1925 Barnwell People-Sentinel newspaper article states that Mrs. Harry W. All of Allendale had built and was operating the All-Joy Hotel at what today is known as Alljoy Beach. The hotel thrived and was frequented by visitors in addition to those who stayed at the Palmetto Beach Fish Camp. The hotel burned down on November 19, 1934, along

In 1927 the Palmetto Beach Fish Camp was scheduled to open on June 1st. An ad mentions that the camp then had “cozy cabins, electric lights, good cooks and plenty of seafood.” It’s not clear what the source of the electric lights was as Bluffton did not have electricity available at the time and wouldn’t for years to come. The ad also said there was a tennis court, which had not been previously reported. It seems like the camp was still thriving in 1927.

After 1927 ads and mentions of the Palmetto Beach Fish Camp diminished. It appears that no additional marketing or promotions were happening. In May and

Based on the research done for this article it seems that long before Charles Frasier developed Hilton Head, long before Del Webb developed Sun City and long before Palmetto Bluff was annexed into the town of Bluffton and developed, it was the Palmetto Beach Fish Camp that drew people to Bluffton in the 1920s. Descendants of many of those who came then call Bluffton home today.

Michael Reynolds has called Bluffton home for nearly 60 years. He is the founder of the “You Know You’re from Bluffton When” Bluffton history Facebook page and can be contacted via email with history story suggestions or comments at blufftonsc@yahoo.com.

Palmetto Beach Fish Camp, 1922 Columbia Record Newspaper

CLEANUP FROM PAGE 48A

MC Riley Elementary participants will be given a reward at the end of the school year.

The Town of Bluffton has also partnered with all jurisdictions across Beaufort County and Clemson Extension’s Carolina Clear to establish an environmental educational project called Lowcountry Stormwater Partners. This project is now providing stormwater education countywide. Its mission is to educate and motivate residents to protect and maintain our local waterways with environmentally mindful activities and projects. For more information, please visit the Lowcountry Stormwater Partners website, https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear/regional-consortiums/lsp/index.html and its Facebook page (Lowcountry Stormwater Partners).

In the last 20 years, volunteers, community partners and Town staff members have removed over 60,000 pounds of litter, debris, discarded appliances and abandoned boats from the May River and Bluffton Historic District.

In 2015, the Town established a partnership with i2 Recycle, that provides the opportunity to process and recycle suitable materials collected by event volunteers. This has resulted in a portion of the collected waste being diverted from the local landfill.

Waste Management has partnered with the Town again to provide disposal services for all materials that cannot be recycled.

Outside Brands Appoints

New Captains, Guides

Outside Brands has appointed nine new captains and guides to the Outside brands team for the 2024 season: Capt. Bayard Huggins, Capt. Dean Hagler, Capt. Adam Jenson, Capt. Tim Johnson, Phillip Duncan, Dylan McAffery, Tim Hartford, Steven Pytlak, and Aly Presley.

These exceptional individuals have graduated from Outside’s prestigious guide training program about working in this unique environment of the Lowcountry.

“The key to having successful guided tours is having knowledgeable and personable captains and guides, which is why we have such a thorough training program, so our guides feel they have the tools and resources to host successful experiences,” said company CEO, Mike Overton. “Our people, especially our captains and tour guides, are our greatest resource and we foster the personal and professional growth of each member of our team through an investment in the highest quality training and ongoing development for everybody at Outside Brands. We are thrilled to welcome abord these new captains and guides to the Outside Brands team.”

The guide training program for Outside Brands has

been curated and developed over the past 45 years. A faculty of naturalists, historians, and professional guides teach potential captains and guides the basics of interpretive naturalism, kayaking skills, safety skills, ecology, history and environmental awareness, and the overall values and ethos of the company. This is comprehensive training for the full range of Outside’s programs – kayaking, boat, and land-based tours. The program has an esteemed faculty and has received national recognition.

The award-winning adventure team of Outside Brands™ offers uniquely crafted guided experiences in Hilton Head and Palmetto Bluff, SC; Savannah, GA, and beyond. From humble beginnings as a windsurfing school in 1979, Outside Brands has grown into a dynamic four-division business with operations in South Carolina and Georgia. Driven by a mission to enrich lives by connecting people to exceptional places, products and experiences, Outside offers fully customized group travel services, team building programs, activities and specialty retail. For more information about the mission or the Outside Brands, visit www.outsidebrands.com

The Restorative Gifts of Nature Help Our Brain

BY GLENDA HARRIS Contributor

Research in the field of brain science has revealed fascinating details about how our brains are connected to, and interact with, nature. The studies focus on how we process information, the strength of our attentiveness and tendency to be distracted, the amount of stress we have and exactly how the natural environment of the outdoors influences our brains. With findings that apply to teens, adults and seniors, brain scientists are proving what has been believed likely to be true-- it is healthy for our brains to spend time outdoors.

According to David Strayer, professor of psychology at the University of Utah, there’s an idea called biophilia that basically says that “our evolution over hundreds of thousands of years has given us more of a connection or a love of natural living things. And our modern urban environment has become this dense urban jungle with cell phones and cars and computers and traffic, just the opposite of

that kind of restorative environment.”

Dr. Strayer is also the Director of the Applied Cognition Laboratory and the Center for Prevention of Distracted Driving at Utah University. He has long been at the forefront of research into the effect of nature on our brains and the effects of distracted driving.

Strayer’s hypothesis said that being in nature allows the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s command center, to dial down and rest, like an overused muscle. As it turns out, his hypothesis was right.

In fact, Dr. Strayer findings successfully demonstrated the connection between our brain and the effects of nature, via EEG and EKG testing of college-age participants. This involved a 3-day hiking/camping trip without cell phones or any electronic devices. They spent their time hiking and exploring, absorbing the sights and sounds of nature.

Strayer suggests “If you can have the experience of being in the moment for two or three days, it seems to produce a difference in qualitative thinking.” He

CUSTOM LIVE EDGE TABLES- SPECIALTY ARTWORK FIREPLACE MANTELS - SHELVES

THE PERFECT GIFT!

calls this “the 3-day effect.”

Another special interest of Dr. Strayer’s is attentiveness, especially involving driving or learning new skills, etc. His research showed that using a cell phone while driving “impairs most drivers as much as drinking.” That comparison is applicable to adult drivers from age 25-70.

Dr. Strayer will be conducting research on older adults and seniors in the future, he noted. When asked about nature studies on older participants, he said thus far, “They’ve been done on people up to age 54.” Regarding seniors, he was brief and to the point, saying “To be healthy into older age, the key is to exercise.” We all

know that, of course, but is there a difference between exercising outside and exercising in our home or a gym setting? Researchers hope to find the answer with more studies. Future research is also planned to compare people living in or near green spaces or parks and those living in tall buildings surrounded by concrete.

What can we do with this information?

Adults and seniors can make small changes to their busy schedule by including daily walks around their neighborhood, pocketing their phones for emergency use only. We can all endeavor to be less distracted and remember to look up and enjoy the view. Most state parks, national parks and community parks have hiking trails, and there are many nearby places for outdoor activities such as fishing or cycling. Practice being still. Then, close out your day around a campfire, where the best conversations take place.

Make outdoor experiences a routine part of your lifestyle and you can be helping your brain.

Kid-Sized Groundbreaking Celebrated at Beaufort Memorial For Childcare Center

Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) marked the beginning of sitework for the relocation of its employer sponsored childcare center last month with a childsized groundbreaking ceremony. Hospital administration celebrated the upcoming transition with the current class of fouryear-olds, their BMH-employed parents, teachers, and school administrators in the area that will become the children’s playground.

“We understand how important it is for employees to know that while they are at work, their children are in a safe and secure learning environment,” said Russell Baxley, Beaufort Memorial president and CEO. “That is why we continue to pursue ways to expand the number of children who can be cared for in the program. It ultimately enables our team members to thrive both personally and professionally.”

What started as a response to COVID-driven school closures and virtual learning schedules, The Learning Center has evolved to help meet the ongoing need employees have for childcare. Beaufort Memorial partnered with Hobbit Hill Learning Center in summer 2020 to create the state-licensed center following South

Carolina early learning standards. In September that same year, the center opened in an existing Celedon Square facility on Lady’s Island with plans to eventually expand in a location closer to the hospital campus.

“We are so appreciative of the Hobbit Hill team, who agreed to help us establish

Wa program so that our staff could continue to serve the community during the pandemic,” said Baxley. “And we are excited to see the program continue to evolve and expand to meet our employees’ needs.”

The program is expected to move over the summer into the new Beaufort Memorial Child Development Center at 5 Verdier Bluff on the Beaufort hospital campus. It will continue to care for infants and children from six months to five years of age and operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“It’s a common struggle to find reliable, high-quality and affordable childcare, especially for infants,” said center director Tammi Wilson. “Our caring staff is happy to alleviate the stress and challenges that working parents face by offering a safe, nurturing, and convenient childcare option.”

REAL ESTATE

Say Goodbye to $30 Billion in Real Estate Commissions for Sellers

BY LARRY STOLLER Contributor

On March 6, 2024, an article appeared in Fortune that was titled, “Roughly $30 billion could be slashed from real estate commissions; Fed economists pose solution to the ‘anomaly’ in the American housing market.”

Here are some key takeaways from that article:

• Americans pay about $100 billion in real estate commissions annually.

• The U.S. model for real estate commissions is puzzling compared to other sys-

tems abroad.

• On average, home sellers abroad pay less than 2% compared to 5.5% in the U.S.

• In many countries, home buyers purchase properties without representation.

• In the U.S. 87% of home buyers use an agent when purchasing a property.

• The above is a huge percentage when many buyers find their new homes online on their own.

• The current compensation model in the U.S. contributes to elevated home prices.

• Some economists believe that an “a la carte” model would reduce commissions by $30 billion.

• An a la carte model would require home buyers to pay their agents separately.

• Home buyers would pay for each task (or task package) that their buyer agent

provides for them.

• Tasks include searching for homes, preparing offers, negotiating assistance, showing homes, etc.

• Under such a system, sellers would not have to pay commissions to buyer agents as they do now.

• Currently when a seller pays a 6% commission, it is usually split between listing and buyer agent.

The Fortune article also stated that “the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several national brokerage firms are facing multiple lawsuits alleging collusion to inflate real estate commissions.”

The article further stated that “a jury in Kansas City sided against NAR last fall in a similar case, leaving the organization with $1.8 billion judgment (which it plans to appeal).”

As relates to the real estate industry, these lawsuits and revelations could (and probably will) revolutionize the way buyer agent commissions and compensation will be paid in the future.

What’s my take on the above?

Commissions are negotiable, always have been, always will be, and sellers should decide how much they want to pay to sell their homes.

If you would like to read the entire article, search the title, and check it out online. If you have any questions or want to chat about any of the above, please feel free to contact me.

Larry Stoller is a local Broker and Realtor with Real Estate FIVE of the Low Country. He sells homes throughout the Bluffton and Hilton Head area. Larry@ RealEstateFive.com, www.RealEstateFive. com.

Larry Stoller

COMMUNITY Residents Got Their Green on For St. Pats Celebrations

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Editor

Hilton Head and Bluffton residents (and visitors) participated in a vibrant expression of Irish culture during the recently held IrishFest, a two-day family oriented, community-based celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

The weekend of March 16-17 was brimmed with excitement as

approximately 25,000 attendees descended on the town of Hilton Head donned in their choice of green attire and festive garb—even some furry friends—to share in the fun.

This year the ever-popular Budweiser Clydesdales returned to the Lowcountry for the 39th Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the highlight of weekend on the island. The parade, which also included the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, local marching bands, floats and more, stepped off at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, on Pope Avenue near Lowcountry Celebration Park, 94 Pope Ave., and ended at Office Park Road. This year’s parade grand marshal was radio host Monty Jett.

Approximately 100 registered participants walked the

route, interacting with attendees as they enjoyed lively tunes and friendly faces reveling in their Irish (or Irish for a day) heritage. The parade has become a hallmark of the island’s vibrant culture, drawing attendees from all walks of life to celebrate the occasion.

“When it comes to the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Hilton Head Island, I can only think of one word to describe them - fantastic! Saturday’s Irishfest is quickly becoming a must-see music event for visitors and locals alike. Year by year, the parade grows larger and more impressive. Thousands now flock to Hilton Head Island in March just to get in on all the Irish fun. Kudos to the parade committee for orchestrating yet another safe and successful event. I’m already looking forward to embracing the green once again in 2025!” said Mayor Alan Perry.

Founded in 1983 by local business icon Tom Reilley and a few friends and family, the Hilton Head Island St. Pat rick’s Day Parade has grown to become one of Hilton Head Island’s most beloved and popular annual events and is one of South Carolina’s oldest parades. The Irish fest celebration, remains the islanders’ welcome to spring and a favorite event in the area.

Eligible Children Can Now Register for Full Day 4K

Potentially 21,000 eligible children in SC are not participating in the Child

Early Reading and Development Education Program (CERDEP) funded through the state of South Carolina, based on a recent study published by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC).

CERDEP is the umbrella term for state-funded, full day 4K in South Carolina. It includes First Steps 4K – held in private, non-public school centers, and CERDEP 4K – held in public schools.

CERDEP is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year for eligible students who must meet the following criteria: be four years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024, a South Carolina resident, eligible for Medicaid, free/reduced lunch or a SNAP/TANF recipient; homeless or transient, or in foster

care. Children who show delays in developmental readiness are also eligible.

“State-funded 4K is beneficial for kindergarten readiness for pupils in poverty, which is the target population of students identified as at-risk pursuant to Section 59-156-110 of the SC Code of Laws” the EOC’s annual CERDEP evaluation and report states.

Pupils in poverty who participate in CERDEP are more likely to demonstrate readiness on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) than those pupils in poverty who did not participate, according to the report. South Carolina’s investment in state-funded, full-day 4K continues to grow. $106,698,962 was spent on 4K for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, which was the largest investment to date.

Delta Dental’s Education Program Teaches Students Healthy Habits

Delta Dental of South Carolina’s popular, award-winning Land of Smiles® dental education program is on the road, taking the crusade for healthy teeth to more than 9,400 youngsters at 38 schools across the state. The cast of dynamic superhero characters made their most recent stop in Bluffton for a performance at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School, teaching good dental health habits to 150 students in kindergarten through third grade.

The Land of Smiles® experience follows superhero Captain Super Grin®, as he defeats his nemesis, Caz Cavity, with help from his sidekicks Terri Tooth Fairy and Toothpick. Students learn the importance of brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, using mouthwash, eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist regularly. The program includes an oral health curriculum that adheres to National Health Education Standards, as well as standards for South Carolina. It contains engaging, age-appropriate materials to make learning about dental health entertaining for kids and in-

REAL ESTATE Collins Group Introduces Two Dynamic Teams

Collins Group Realty announced the formation of two powerhouse teams within their esteemed organization, bringing together seasoned real estate professionals to better serve their clients in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and surrounding areas.

The Cohen Team, spearheaded by Howard Cohen and Lori Cohen, brings a combined wealth of experience and a dedication to excellence that promises unparalleled service. With a reputation for integrity the Cohen Team is poised to meet the diverse needs of clients throughout Hilton Head Island and beyond.

In addition, the Wynne Team comprised of real estate specialists Jeff Wynne and Melanie Wynne are focused on delivering exceptional results and committed to providing superior service

to clients seeking properties in the Lowcountry.

“We are excited to introduce these two exceptional teams to our valued clients,” said Chip Collins, Owner and Broker-inCharge of Collins Group Realty. “Both the Cohen Team and the Wynne Team embody our core values of dependability, service, and excellence, and I am confident they will exceed the expectations of our clients.”

For those seeking unparalleled service and expertise in the Hilton Head Island real estate market, Collins Group Realty remains the top choice. To learn more about the Cohen Team, the Wynne Team, and the full range of services offered by Collins Group Realty, please visit CollinsGroupRealty.com/agents.

cludes activity sheets. Delta Dental of South Carolina also offers free “smile bags” to schools for students who participate in the program. Each bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss to help students practice the good oral health habits they learn. A newly created short video, which recaps important oral health tips the program teaches children in schools, is available as well. Since its inception in the fall of 2014, the Delta Dental of South Carolina’s Land of Smiles® program has taught more than 325,000 kids how to take care of their growing smiles through more than 1,200 onsite and virtual performances at schools in 45 South Carolina counties. The Land of Smiles® experience is provided free of charge to schools, courtesy of Delta Dental of South Carolina.

Local teachers, school nurses and principals are invited to email Schools@ NationalTheatre.com to request an in-person, live show for this school year, or visit www.landofsmilesprogram.org to gain access to the online programs.

SAFETY

Reduce Your Chances Of Being A Victim Of Arson

BY CINDA SEAMON Contributor

What is arson? According to the U.S. Fire Administration it is the deliberate and malicious setting of fire. The U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident reporting system states that these fires result in deaths, injuries and millions of dollars in property loss each year. Arson can be for revenge, vandalism, crime concealment or profit. Arson for profit or economic arson, is when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce financial loss, recoup initial investments, or dispose of depreciated assets, usually for a payout from insurance companies.

When property is damaged in an arson for profit scheme, we all pay even if we are not directly affected. Higher insurance premiums is one

way. Insurance companies often have to pass on the costs of false claims and fighting fraud.

Arson destroys millions in insured property, kills civilians and also contributes to firefighter injuries on a fire scene. Arson fires can spread quickly and to nearby properties as well.

Some tips on how to reduce the chance of becoming a victim of arson are:

*External and internal security such as locks, alarms and monitoring equipment.

*Secure and monitor unoccupied buildings.

*Remove trash, debris and other combustible materials from the front and back of your business or home.

*Lock your doors and windows.

*Report suspicious people and activity to law enforcement.

*Provide light for the exterior of buildings and entrances.

*Keep dumpsters at least 10 feet from buildings and roof overhangs.

*Keep garbage cans in secure areas.

*Lock and secure your vehicle.

*Trim or remove shrubs that may block the view of your house from the street.

Arson for profit affects everyone through loss of life, increased insurance premiums, destroyed property and related expenses for fire and law enforcement officials. Arson is one of the easiest crimes to commit but one of the hardest to prove. However, arson fires can often leave clues that send arsonists to jail for years.

Cinda Seamon is a Fire & Life Safety Educator at Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue

LawyerLisa, LLC announced that the Elder Law & Estate Planning Center is now a division of LawyerLisa, LLC serving the Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Beaufort area.

The Elder Law & Estate Planning Center has a rich history serving the local community with quality estate and trust planning and elder law advice. The merger will support area clients with more robust options for their long-term care planning. LawyerLisa is known statewide as a comprehensive planning firm offering Life Care Planning to clients.

The firm will now be known as the Elder Law & Estate Planning Center- A Division of LawyerLisa, LLC under the leadership of firm founder, Lisa Hostetler Brown. Lisa is a Certified Elder Law Attorney, one of only five attorneys in the state of South Carolina with this specialized designation in elder law. Lisa and the LawyerLisa team join Brian Treacy, founder of the Elder Law & Estate Planning Center and Jada Gaines, an estate planning attorney with the firm in continuing the tradition of delivering personalized and caring elder-centered services to clients in Bluffton

NOTEWORTHY

and statewide. For more information, please visit www.LawyerLisa.com. Managing Attorney: Lisa Hostetler Brown 10 Pinckney Colony Rd, Ste 400 Bluffton SC 29909.

Bluffton Branch Library will be hosting the following special adult programs in April: Author Talk, with Jason Ryan, author of Swamp King: The Murdaugh Family of South Carolina and a Century of Backwoods on Apr. 6 at 11 a.m.; Eclipse Viewing Parting on Apr. 8 at 2:30 p.m.; Making Sense of Money: Learn the Basics of Being Money Smart on Apr. 9 at 11 a.m.; Unusual Libraries Around the World! on Apr. 11 at 10 a.m.; Gardening in the Lowcountry: Home & Garden Composting on Apr. 13 at 11 a.m.; Bluffton Poets Live! on Apr. 13 at 3 p.m.; and, Overcoming the Gear & Fears: Kayaking at Any Age! on Apr. 20 at 11 a.m. For more information, please call 843-255-6503.

The second annual Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Cornhole for Charity Tournament hosted by Lincoln & South

Brewing Company, will take place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Lincoln & South at 138 Island Drive on Hilton Head Island. This year’s tournament will benefit SOAR Special Recreation of the Lowcountry. Cornhole teams will compete for cash prize donations to the local youth cause of their choice. Sign up to compete and sponsor the event by visiting: https://hhikiwanisorders.weebly. com/

The ‘monthly’ Palm Trees & Pistons Car Show will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. April 13 at Sea Turtle Marketplace on Hilton Head Island, in the parking lot of the former Stein Mart store. The show will feature vintage, antique, exotic, muscle and unique cars owned by area locals. Any car owners who would like to display their vehicle(s) are welcome to bring them for show and tell, and to meet others of like mind. Not a car owner? Come by and see some cool cars. The show is held the second Saturday of each month and is free and open to the public. Weather dependent.

The Maye River Quilters will meet at 10 a.m. on April 6 at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way in Hardeeville. To attend as a guest, please email RSVP to mayeriverquilters@gmail. com. For more information and membership forms to join the group, call 978-4640585.

The Beaufort County Library is pleased to continue the long-standing tradition of hosting free tax preparation assistance to Beaufort County citizens provided by Lowcountry Area VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

In collaboration with the Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, United Way of the Lowcountry, Inc., the Lowcountry Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to persons generally earning $63,398 annually or less, differently-abled persons, persons 60 and older, and limited English-speaking persons

SCORE Offers Workshops To Help Grow Businesses

One of SCORE’s many free services are workshops. SCORE’s workshops range from business plans, marketing, finance, and even how to write a grant for a nonprofit company. SCORE SC Lowcountry continues their first workshops series of 2024, Simple Steps for Growing Your Business. This annual series is sponsored by TD Charitable Foundation. There are seven workshops to help the small business owner grow their business. The workshops simplify the steps necessary for the small business owner to expand their business. While several workshops have already taken place, four additional workshops are yet to be held and are still open for registration. SCORE’s fourth workshop is on April 2 called Building & Managing a Successful Website. Susana Nikravesh, founder of YStrategize Inc, demonstrates how to build and manage a successful website while your business enters the growth stage to help you reach your business goals. Susana exhibits creating a content plan and tips on how to make your website visually appealing. She discusses picking the right domain name and describes the different host platforms available for all budgets and plans. Attendees discover the importance of regular content and securi-

ty updates as well as maintenance requirements.

The fifth workshop will take place on April 9 and is titled Customer Retention. SCORE Certified Business Mentors Laurie Brown and Ellen Maloney will speak about customer retention.

The sixth workshop will be held on April 23 and will be titled Applying for Financing. This seminar will feature TD Bank’s Small Business specialist Nicholas Ganas, and Patty Kitchen, assistant Vice President/ Store Manager.

The final workshop in this series will be Basic Understanding of Financial Statements held on April 30. The program will feature SCORE Certified Business Mentors Karen Casey and Keisha Pinckney.

To register for these workshops and more information on how to find a business mentor, please visit SCORE SC Lowcountry’s website at https://www.score. org/sclowcountry. For more information or questions on these workshops and other educational offerings, please email Ellen Maloney, SCORE SC Lowcountry Education Chair, at ellen.maloney@scorevolunteer.org.

Miss Lowcountry’s Teen Seeks Partnerships To Advance In Competition

Ely Carroll, a high school student in Summerville, SC earned the title of Miss Lowcountry’s Teen in September of 2023. The Miss Lowcountry title is part of the Miss South Carolina Teen scholarship opportunity, under the umbrella of the Miss America Organization. Since winning, Ely has been busy advocating for and spreading awareness about her community service initiative: What’s Your Jam?

What’s Your Jam? encourages children, youth and beyond to find their creative outlet so that they can express their feelings in a healthy way, connect with others with similar interests and serve their community.

Ely feels so strongly about the arts and their benefits on mental health & community, that she has visited over 60 classrooms, speaking to more than 1,000 students.

As she prepares for the Miss South Carolina Scholarship competition in June, she has been seeking partnerships with local businesses where in exchange for advertising opportunities they can contribute financially to her efforts. Every contribution helps strengthen her presence at the state pageant and furthers her community service initiative. For more information, visit her website at bit. ly/misslowcountrysteen

PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL: Zapped by Diane, Licensed Electrologist for over 20 years. Safe, sterile, permanent hair removal. Sheridan Park in Bluffton; close to Hilton Head, Okatie, Savannah, & Beaufort. Hours are M-F, 10 AM to 5:15 PM. Call 203-241-0553 for an appointment.

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Arts & Entertainment Calendar

APR. 2

Symphony Under The Stars: DeasGuyz Go Symphonic!

“The Great American Soul Book – An Evening of Motown.’ Free outdoor pops concert Deas-Guyz; John Morris Russell, conductor; Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Free lawn seating – bring a blanket or chair, a picnic, and enjoy the concert al fresco. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Celebration Park at Coligny Plaza, Hilton Head.

APR. 4

“Symphony Under the Stars: Free Outdoor Pops Concert. Morris Russell, Conductor, Michelle Meece and Matthew Meece, vocalists. Before the season ends, enjoy the HHSO outdoors one more time at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny—an evening of Broadway’s greatest hits featuring selections from Die Fledermaus, Annie Get Your Gun,

The New Moon, Oklahoma, Girl Crazy, The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables, Jersey Boys, and Mamma Mia. Free lawn seating— bring a blanket or chair, a picnic and enjoy the HHSO al fresco. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

APR. 5

Flow Gallery at Palmetto Bluff presents “Spring into the Arts!” The Artists of the Bluff - a group of professional painters, photographers, potters, and jewelers - will be putting their works on display for the biannual art show. Opening reception 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The public is welcomed.

APR. 7 & 8

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, with John Morris conducter, featuring Grammy nominated American violinist, Tessa Lark, performing Piazzolla’s Four

Season’s of Buenos Aires. Concerts are Sunday, April 7 at 4:00 p.m. and Monday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Hilton Head Presbyterian Church. Ticket info: www. hhso.org

APR. 9

Bluegrass & Barbeque – Grammy nominated classical violinist, Tess Lark, crosses genres and brings a foot stompin’ Kentucky fiddler performance of Appalachian and Bluegrass music to concert at SoundWaves dinner theater, 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. located at 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head Island. Ticket info: www.hhso.org

APR. 12

HHI Choral Society Concert “Inspired by Art” at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island. Spring concert to highlight emotions and art in music. For ticket info: www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.

APR. 12

Silent Movie accompanied by Ken Double, organist at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Free to the public. Starts at 5:00 p.m., St. Gregory the Great Church, Bluffton.

APR. 13

American Guild of Organists initiative to introduce children in grades 4-12 to the “King of Instruments. Highlights of the day include the STEAM organ building project “Oregelkids.” The event is free from 9:00 a.m. until 12 p.m. but registration is required by contacting Dr. Kane at pkane@sg.g.cc at St. Gregory the Great Church, Bluffton.

APR. 15-21

The RBC Heritage Golf Tournament will be held April 15-21 at Harbour Town Golf Links in The Sea Pines Resort.

John Crum works on his gently surreal, dreamlike paintings, which will be on display this month at Pluff Mudd Gallery.

APR 15 & 16

He's the grandson of Conway Twitty; she's the granddaughter of Loretta Lynn. Back by popular demand, this talented duo honors their grandparents in an intimate evening of incredible music and heartwarming storytelling.

The Pluff Mudd Gallery in Bluffton is celebrating the art of John Crum as their April Artist of the Month. Crum’s art can be best described as “gently surreal,” offering a dreamlike quality that invites viewers to explore and interpret each piece in their own unique way. It’s art that makes you smile.

With a background in whimsical illustration, Crum’s work is infused with curiosity and fantasy, creating narrative landscapes that spark imagination and evoke emotion. Through layers of vibrant color and imaginative scenes, John’s paintings aim to break from reality and ignite thought, memories, and ideas.

Each painting is a journey, filled with happy accidents and unexpected discoveries, leaving viewers with a sense of wonder and a smile. John’s technique of starting with loose sketches and building up layers of color creates a depth that draws viewers in and encourages them to delve deeper into the hidden images, messages and meanings within each piece.

Art That Makes You Smile From John Crum At Pluff Mudd Gallery

Ultimately, Crum’s goal is to create art that resonates with the viewer, offering a break from the ordinary and a glimpse into a world where imagination is limitless.

His art will be on display at Pluff Mudd Gallery at 27 Calhoun Street in beautiful and historic old town Bluffton. The gallery is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Friday April 26, we will be joining the other shops and galleries in the village for Spring Fling, staying open until 7 p.m. with refreshments. Crum will be on hand that evening to show you his work and answer questions. Enter a drawing to win his hand-embellished, one-of-a-kind giclee print, “A Tree of Life.”

A HIT-FILLED RIDE THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE LEGENDARY SONGWRITER CAROLE KING

For more information, please visit our website at www.pluffmuddart.com or call the gallery at 843-757-5590, www.JohnCrumArt.com, #johncrumart, www.pluffmuddart.com , https://www.facebook. com/pluffmuddart, www.shopoldtownbluffton.com

Before she was uber-successful Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.

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Explore Gardens, Get Inspired At All Saints Annual Garden Tour

The 35th Annual All Saints Garden Tour is set to take place on Saturday, May 18, offering plant and garden lovers an exclusive look at some amazingly curated gardens.

A self-guided tour, the program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and includes six distinctive gardens, all of which are new to the tour this year. Five are private homes and the sixth is a local retirement community. All are located on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. Tickets are $45 each and include the tour and the Artisans Market. Luncheon at The Seabrook is an added option.

The tour has a diverse assortment of gardens - some at small cottages and others are large properties. In one garden, stroll along boardwalks and enjoy an array of ferns, Magnolias, and a butterfly garden. Two gardens are owned by artists who have incorporated their art into their gardens. A tabby cottage with birds nesting and fox squirrels evokes a tranquil setting. Another garden incorporates flowers into their stunning vegetable gardens and with structures to deter the deer.

Plein Air Artists will be in some gardens. And a master gardener answering garden related questions will be located in one of the gardens as well.

All net proceeds are given to smaller, local 501©3 charities in Beaufort and Jasper Counties that focus on hunger, homelessness, literacy and/or aging.

Over the years, more than $500,000 has

been given to local charities from this annual event bringing validation to our logo “Through the Beauty of a Garden …... A Gift to the Community”. For tickets and updated information please visit our website www.allsaintsgardentour.com or call (843)681-8333. The event is popular-- in 2019 and 2022 the tickets sold out, so get yours early.

The Artisans Market will being going on at All Saints Church, 3001 Main Street, so tour guests can vistit before or after their adventure and enjoy their varied works of art. Almost 30 Lowcountry artists from HHI, Beaufort, and Bluffton will show off their creative talents including paintings in various media, handmade jewelry, metal, wood, shells, pottery, wreaths, home decor from pillows to centerpieces, books from Pat Conroy Literary Center, holistic gift items, botanically dyed scarves, and of course, the annual bake sale goodies. You do not need to buy tickets to the garden tour in order to attend the market.

For those interested in a lunch break, tickets for lunch at The Seabrook between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. are available.

Creating Community Through the Arts, at Palmetto Bluff

BY MORGAN STEWART Contributor

The arts are central to Palmetto Bluff, and the Lowcountry community has long been a magnet for creatives. Launched in 2022, The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff is a sweeping program conceived to inspire and enrich lives through art, in all its forms. Showcasing a diverse curation of artists, craftsmen, musicians, and makers, this vibrant collaboration, and Artist in Residence (AIR) program fosters creativity, while striving to forge a broader Lowcountry coalition united by extraordinary artistry and the exchange of ideas. Through hands-on educational experiences for residents and guests of Palmetto Bluff –and neighbors from Bluffton, Hilton Head, Savannah, and the surrounding environs – the year-round programming engages and challenges diverse audiences through shared dialogues and the beauty of the Bluff itself.

The Arts Initiative’s anticipated third season welcomes an exciting mix of Southern masters of their craft who will address varied themes that tie to the val-

ues of the community as they immerse themselves in the local culture and lead workshops. The 2024 calendar started off to an incredible start with a completely sold-out appearance by custom cake illusionist Julie McAllister, who has also joined the Season 3 cast of Netflix’s Is It Cake? which premiered March 29th.

April will feature the community’s home talent with the Artists of the Bluff Spring Art Show and ink and acrylic painter, Kurtis Schumm, will lead guests in capturing integral parts of the Lowcountry ecosystem. Oil painter Chris Groves will hold landscape and still life workshops in May that draw inspiration from Palmetto Bluff’s stunning natural surroundings. The third annual FLOW FEST – the community’s beloved music and arts festival – will return to Wilson Village Green on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

The Arts Initiative’s first Artist in Residence phase will finish in June with Katie White, who will invite guests on

FLOW Gallery + Workshop located in Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Village.

CALAMARI NONNA ROSA $16

CLAMS $16

MUSSELS $15

CALAMARI FRITTI $14

ANTIPASTO $18

BRUSCHETTA $10

EGGPLANT ROLLATINI $12

MOZZARELLA FRITTI $11

GLUTEN FREE FOCACCIA $7

ZUPPA DI FAGIOLI

Our house made soup with white beans, spinach and cherry tomatoes $7

CREAMY POMODORO

Basil Soup $8

GARDEN $5

CAESAR (anchovies available upon request, add $1.50) / $7

CAPRESE $12

PEAR AND GORGONZOLA $14

PROSCIUTTO & MOZZARELLA $16

ADDITIONS

Chicken $8 Shrimp $10

SPAGHETTI VONGOLE $24

SPAGHETTI COZZE $22

PASTA POMODORO $15

SPAGHETTI POLPETTE $17

RIGATONI

SAUSAGE & PEPPERS $21

CARBONARA $20

PAPPARDOLLE ALFREDO $20

LA PUTTANESCA $20

AMATRICIANA $22

GNOCCHI SORRENTINA $20

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE $22

RIGATONI ALA VODKA $23

LASAGNA $20

MANICOTTI

$20

Come to the Cabaret At May River Theatre

BY ANITA STEPHENS Contributor

POLLO PARMIGIANA $23

POLLO MARSALA $23

POLLO LIMONE $23

POLLO FIORENTINA $23

VEAL PICATTA $26

VEAL MARSALA $26

VEAL SALTIMBOCCA $26

VEAL PARMIGIANA $26

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA $23

SIDES

POLLO $8 SHRIMP $10

VEGETABLE OF THE DAY $7

SPINACH $7

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS $7

POLPETTA $6

TO OUR PATRONS: AFTER A LONG RECOVERY, CHEF PEPPE IS BACK IN THE KITCHEN COOKING UP YOUR FAVORITE DISHES! TO

“What good is sitting alone in your room?” Bluffton’s May River Theatre has the answer to the rhetorical question. With its uber-talented cast under the direction of David McLaughlin and in its final stages of preparation, Cabaret is set to be staged for the enjoyment of Lowcountry audiences. The May River Theatre, located in the Ulmer Auditorium on 20 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton, was brimming with excitement and preparation during a recent rehearsal. The Tony Award winning musical written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, is the legendary story of romance between British nightclub singer, Sally Bowles, and American writer Cliff Bradshaw. The story takes place within the bodacious Kit Kat Club, a paradigm of jazz night club culture prewar, 1929 Berlin, Germany. The play first debuted on Broadway in 1966. May River Theatre’s 90-minute presentation, filled with Cabaret’s original melodies, will transport audiences back to the twilight of the Jazz Era.

During rehearsal, Elizabeth Schlieger, President of the May River Theatre’s Board of Directors, was fielding questions and scurrying to lend a hand to ac-

tors who were trying on their costumes, recently delivered to set.

“This production is really going to be unique as the play will use the entire 182 seat Ulmer Theatre as the set,” she said. Cast members will be fully costumed and in character while mingling with the audience 30 minutes before curtain time in the theater’s lobby. As show time nears and guests enter the theater, the entire auditorium will transform into “the Kit Kat Club.” Café tables and chairs will be set up on stage and in the apron along the front of the stage with a working bar on the main floor.

“Audience members will be made to feel as though they are a paying patron, in the club, having come to see the show. It will be very different from our usual productions,” explained Elizabeth.

David McLauglin is directing the musical and is brimming with enthusiasm and accolades for the cast. “Our show is a compilation of multiple versions of past stage and movie productions. Our goal is to achieve a totally immersive experience for those who attend, using the entire theater space to create the scenario and produce the mood. We are going to make it sexy, sassy and classy,” he

A Peek at Paint and Pencil Artist Mary Burrell

BY MURRAY SEASE

Contributor

Winding through the sprawling suburban neighborhoods at New Riverside between Bluffton and Pritchardville, lies a pretty cream-colored home that contains a creative surprise. It houses the well-organized art studio belonging to Mary Burrell, a very talented paint and pencil virtuoso.

When I went to visit her on a recent spring-like day, she met me at her bright blue front door which gives a clue to her cheerful personality and artistic disposition. Immediately I was greeted by Stanley, a sweet black lab who rules the household with his big smile and wagging tail. Mary lives here with her husband Mark, Stanley, and Mia the studio cat who sat comfortably in her window during my visit.

Burrell came to Bluffton from New City, NY with Mark, who is in the golf course business, seven years ago and became thoroughly immersed in the local art scene. She comes from a big family with an artistic mother and sister, and has been drawing and painting since she was a small child. Her family owned and ran health food stores. Burrell managed wholesale greenhouses and a garden center in New York where she obtained retail experience and a background in nutrition and gardening. She is a certified Master Gardener – and the botanical inspiration is clear in many of her drawings and paintings.

Primarily self-taught, Burrell is always looking for new venues to explore. Her favorite medium is pencil, with which she has developed her own technique by working in many layers. She also enjoys working with watercolor pencil, watercolor paints, and acrylic. As well as plants and flowers her favorite subjects are animals. She has a rare talent of capturing the essence of the animal through her incredible detailed rendering of the eyes, fur, feathers, and scales. Not limited to living creatures, she captures the nostalgia of an old pickup truck, and the magnificence of a marble sculpture in

pencil with complete precision. In her words, “I have built a collection of work that is known for its distinctive texture and shading with attention to detail. Drawing is a form of meditation for me, and oddly enough, the more intense the drawing the more enjoyable,” explained Burrell.

In addition to blessing the local scene with her drawings and paintings, Burrell is a skilled instructor, especially adept at leading children into a love of art. She now leads the childrens’ program at the Society of Bluffton Artists and no doubt will have generations of homeschoolers, after school, and summer camp kids that will remember her fondly for instilling in them an appreciation of art. In fact, in her studio are bins, drawers and shelves all devoted to children’s art supplies.

As for her own supplies – they are as neat as a pin. Pencils and paints are organized perfectly, matts and papers are stacked and filed by color and size. Her favorite pencils are worn to nubs from hours of detailed use. The studio is peaceful and quiet, Stanley and Mia always close by in comfortable silence.

Mary Burrell is one of six artist/owners of the cooperative La Petite Gallerie in Old Town Bluffton. She generally works there on Sundays when she welcomes visitors, both human and canine, with a smile and comprehensive knowledge of art. Please visit soon to see Burrell’s excellent work!

Murray Sease is a fellow artist at La Petite Gallerie

56 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, SC 29910 lapetitegallerie.com

TRY SOMETHING NEW BRIDGE

HILTON HEAD BRIDGE CLUB, SPRING 2024 LESSONS

INTRODUCTORY LESSONS TO THE 2 OVER 1 BRIDGE BIDDING SYSTEM

Lessons will be on Tuesday mornings from 10:00am - 12:00pm.

One of the most popular Bridge bidding systems in North America, the 2 over 1 system can help you elevate your game to the next level. Based on the American Standard system of bidding, 2 over 1 will help you find game contracts that may otherwise be difficult to bid.

April 16th: Two Over One Concept

Major Suit Fit

April 23rd: Two Over One Concept

Major Suit Without Fit

April 30th: Two Over One Concept

Minor Suit Opener

May 7th: One No Trump Forcing

May 14th: Recap

Taught by Beth Dresher. Each lesson is $15. Register: bethdresher@gmail.com or 770-331-0557

CONTINUE BEGINNER BRIDGE LESSONS

Join us this Spring for a series of 7 classes. Starting April 10th, these classes are designed to help beginning bridge players advance their game. Each class is held Wednesday morning at The Hilton Head Island Bridge Club from 10:00am- 12:00pm.

Taught by Kristi Menees. Each class is $15. Contact Kristi with questions at: kristimenees@mac.com. 551-795-6329

ADVANCED BEGINNER BIDDING AND PLAY ANALYSIS CLASSES

These six spring classes build on the competitive bidding topics covered in the winter session for advanced beginners. Classes will be held on six Saturday mornings from 10:00am - 12:00pm at the Hilton Head Island Bridge Center.

Taught by Joe and Bev Meyers. Each lesson is $15. Register at: jmeyers247@aol.com. 917-836-3459.

Check Hilton Head Bridge Club Web site, www.bridge webs.com/hiltonheadisland/ for a complete list of lesson topics for the Beginner and Advanced Beginner classes.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND BRIDGE CLUB, ACBL Sanctioned

See our website www.bridgewebs.com/hiltonheadisland for a schedule of our Face to Face duplicate games. Located at : 95 Mathews Dr., Port Royal Shopping Center. For more info: 843-342-7529. Also see us on Facebook: Hilton Head Bridge Club

BLUE & BBQ Benefit Set for April 6

The 2024 Blue & BBQ benefit for Historic Mitchelville is raring to go, with plans including delicious food, refreshing drinks, and live music for an allaround great afternoon event on April 6 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Mitchelville’s Freedom Park on Hilton Head Island. Award winning barbecue prepared by chef Chris Williams promises to be a culinary adventure with an array of mouth-watering BBQ dishes. A selection of refreshing drinks has been chosen to complement the rich and savory BBQ offerings and is included in the ticket price. Live blues music will fill the air with good vibrations for all. This

year’s event organizers invite attendees to wear their favorite cowboy boots and hats in celebration of culture, music, fellowship and fashion. Event Parking is designated to be at the Cherry Hill School (intersection of Dillon and Beach City Roads) where BBQ patrons will be transported via shuttle to the park. Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, located at 40 Harriet Tubman Way, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of African Americans who paved the way for freedom and equality. Ticket price per person is $125 and can be purchased by going to: www.exploremithcelville.org.

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We won the Top Brokerage in the United States because we offer our Sales Associates the most innovative technology to market and accelerate your successful home sale!

Experience the William Raveis advantage with RAVAI:

• Local Housing Data, backed by real-time data and advanced analytics

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Dive Into the Swing & Groove at Coligny During the RBC Heritage

Get ready to tee off the fun at Coligny during the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Hilton Head Island isn’t just hosting a golf tournament; it’s throwing the party of the season, and you’re invited.

Kicking off on April 18th, jump on the tournament shuttle from Coligny and let the good times roll straight to the greensyou can catch a FREE ride to the tournament from the Coligny Beach Parking Lot. But hey, the fun doesn’t stop with the last putt of the day. At 6 p.m. on Thursday the 18th, “Cranford and Friends” are hitting the stage at FISH, ready to serenade you with tunes that’ll have your feet tapping and your soul singing.

But we’re just getting warmed up! Fast forward to April 20, Saturday night, when

the air at FISH will thicken with anticipation for national recording artist, “Algorhythm” at 6 p.m. Picture this: a superband featuring legends from SOJA, Stick Figure, and Three Legged Fox, with the fantastic Kyle Wareham thrown into the mix. This is not your typical concert – it’s a reggae revolution, a gathering of giants, and it promises beats from the national scene, right in the heart of Hilton Head’s downtown.

So, whether you’re here for the birdies or the beats (or both!), the RBC Heritage is about to serve up a spectacle you won’t forget. Grab your friends, pack your dancing shoes along with your golf claps, and get ready for an experience that rocks as much as it rolls - right at Coligny.

NY Contemporary Folk Duo

The Levins Make Their Return to Music on Malphrus

The Levins are making their return to Music on Malphrus in Bluffton Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m. The Levins will present an evening of uplifting original harmony-driven music from their forthcoming album, along with a travelogue highlighting the best of their five prior releases.

The Levins offer lyrically rich acoustic music that is warm and uplifting without skating over life’s complexities. From harmony in voice to harmony for humanity, husband and wife duo Ira and Julia uplift and unite with feel-good folkpop, infectious musicality, sharp songwriting skills, and a unique approach to vocal harmonies that is both soulful and unexpected.

They have garnered prime accolades and acclaim for boldly uncompromising and heartfelt music. Select highlights include ranking on Folk and Roots DJ

charts, nabbing Top 10 positions and landing on multiple DJ yearly Top 10 song and album lists. Their songs bridge genres and communities, offering them opportunities to perform at The Parliament of World Religions and co-produce an original full-scale musical theater/Euro-Circus production in San Francisco, based on their album, “My Friend Hafiz.”

They recently performed as “Most Wanted” Artists at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and are currently in the studio recording new songs for their forthcoming release.

Music on Malphrus is located at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Low Country at 110 Malphrus Rd, Bluffton. Tickets are $25 for general admission and can be purchased online at www.uulowcountry.org. Doors at 6:15 p.m.

New Joelle Restaurant Promises

BY SHANNON COPCUTT

Inspired by the couple’s Italian American background, Joelle plans to deliver top-notch hospitality, Italian fare featuring locally sourced food and extensive wine options, as well as charming design for a fresh dining experience in Old Town Bluffton.

The family-owned and operated restaurant is the love child of the duo, who moved from New York with a strong back-

ground in food and beverage as well as hospitality.

“I’ve always had the ambition of owning my own restaurant,” said Robert. “After serving as the food and beverage director for a boutique hotel in Charleston, I knew I could do it,” he explained.

Joelle, named after the couple’s daughter, reflects the DeLeos’ experiences in the industry. Robert grew up in New York, surrounded by a collection of delis owned by his father that paved the way for his entry into the hospitality industry. From serving and managing in South Florida, to being responsible for food & beverage operations at some of the most beloved properties in Charleston, S.C., Robert brings a

Life of Carol King Celebrated in ‘Beautiful’ Musical

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical , will be presented at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina April 24May 26. The musical is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning production that takes audiences on a deliciously musical ride through the life and career of one of America’s most beloved and prolific songwriters. The story follows Carole from her humble beginnings trying to make it as a songwriter in Brooklyn, all the way to Los Angeles, where she navigates her newfound fame and cements herself as an icon in popular music history in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. From the string of pop classics Carole King wrote for the

biggest acts in music, to her own life-changing, chart-busting success with “Tapestry,” Beautifultakes you back to where it all began—and on the journey of a lifetime.

Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this crowd-pleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remembrer—and a story you will never forget.

For more information or to get tickets visit www.artshhi.com.

Hey, Louisiana Woman and Mississippi Man –Welcome Back

Tre Twitty and Tayla Lynn, the stars of “Twitty and Lynn,” a tribute to the music of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn are about to arrive for a two-show appearance, April 15 and 16, at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island. Back by popular demand, the two performers are said to have an inexplainable onstage magnetism that entrances audiences with their harmony and duet performances. Some of their charisma may be explained by the fact that they are direct descendants, the grandchildren, of the country music superstars. But genetics cannot account for all of the power and pull Tre and Tayla create while together

onstage, as each artist has respectively earned accolades on their own accord in their musical careers before teaming up together to create the show.

The show promises to bring many well-known songs recorded by Conrad and Loretta such as “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man,” “After the Fire is Gone,” and “Feelin.” Together the country icons charted 12 duet singles in the top ten of the Billboard Country Singles chart, including five number one hits. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. both days. For ticket information go www.artshhi.com or by calling the box office (843)-842-2787.

ARTS FROM PAGE 5B

an artistic escape via her meditative watercolor classes. Summer 2024 will host the inaugural “Artist in Residence Summer Sweetgrass Series,” consisting of acclaimed basket artisans Michael Smalls and Dino Badger in July and Jery Taylor in August, modern day practitioners of the venerated Gullah-Geechee tradition. Tickets for March through August Artist in Residence are now available, PBArtsInitiative.com.

The second half of the 2024 schedule will include more vibrant and exciting artists and events. Southern expressionist painter Anna Vaughn will be September’s AIR, and Clay Ross of celebrated Gullah folk band Ranky Tanky will be October’s featured Singer-Songwriter. November will host another showcase of Palmetto Bluff’s resident creatives in the Artists of the Bluff Fall Art Show, and hand-crafted cast iron kitchen and barware company, Blanc Creatives, will be the month’s AIR. December will feature Karin Olah, the Charleston-based artist who combines

hand-dyed fabric and paint to create her signature multi-layered paintings.

Wilson Village’s, FLOW Gallery + Workshop, features a rotating series of exhibitions, workshops, and events. It showcases work from the visiting Artists in Residence and a curated collection of prominent and emerging Southern artists, while welcoming members and guests to foster immersive, hands-on interactions.

April 2024 AIR Kurtis Schumm

Mary Green Chorale Performs

The Mary Green Chorale Presents Music of the Theatre on Friday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton.

The Chorale, under the direction of conductor and artistic director Mary Woodmansee Green, will present music from opera, operetta and Broadway. The Chorale will sing selections for mixed, men’s and women’s chorus with soloists and small ensembles along with engaging commentary throughout the evening. The Chorale will be accompanied by pianist Jerry Anderson and joined by guest artists violinist David Katz and David Kimbell playing cello and bass. The first half of the program opens

with operatic classics from Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s La Traviata and Wagner’s Lohengrin, followed by the party scene from Johann Stauss Junior’s Die Fledermaus. The second half will feature hits from the Broadway musicals: Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde, On the Town and Showboat.

Tickets for the Music of the Theatre concert are $25 (open seating), and are available in Hilton Head at Burke’s Main Street Pharmacy, at Gifted in Wexford Village, and in Bluffton at Markel’s Card & Gift Shop. Tickets may also be purchased at the door by cash or check to “MGC”. More information can be found at Marygreenchorale.org

CABARET FROM PAGE 6B

said. “There will be interactions with the audience throughout the performance as our actors will be free to roam the venue. Some of our musical numbers will give a nod to the iconic actors who have previously played leading roles on Broadway and film versions, such as Liza Minelli and Joel Grey, but we will also bring a fresh and contemporary element to infuse the show with today’s sounds.”

Although the show promises to enlighten with its youthful, updated interpretation, McLaughlin is determined to clearly emphasize the underlying societal statement integral to the original script from nearly 60 years ago. “This story is applicable in terms of politici-

zation and current events that fill our headlines and influence our modern, daily lives. It is a part of why this show has such long standing appeal.”

Classic tunes, laughter, music, entertainment, dancing, introspection, and a revisit to a classic musical production that has endured though the decades… what more could one ask for? “Come to the Cabaret.”

“What good is sitting alone in your room?

Come hear the music play.

Life is a Cabaret, old chum, Come to the Cabaret.”

The show runs April 19 through April 28. Tickets are available online. Go to: www.mayrivertheatre.com

Pastel Artwork Featured at Art League Gallery

Beginning April 10, Art League of Hilton Head will host “Rice, Ghana, Charleston, the World,” an exhibit of soft pastels by Lowcountry artist Alvin B. Glen. The collection, depictions of men, women, and children farming and processing rice, highlights the hard labor of slaves that made Charleston one of the richest cities in the world. “Their cultivation of Carolina Gold rice forever changed the Lowcountry and added significant cultural influences felt nationwide,” said Glen.

Glen, a retired art teacher from Dorchester, SC, began creating historically based works full of social commentary when he taught high school art classes in the late 80s and early 90s. “The students had difficulty seeing a positive image of themselves in history and society. I began creating drawings based on the concerns raised by my students.”

Glen has exhibited widely throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. He was awarded Best in Show at

Charleston’s Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit and was the featured artist at the Moja Arts Festival in Charleston and Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration.

The show runs April 9 through May 10. An opening reception will be held Wednesday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Glen will also host a Gallery Walk on Friday, April 11, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., discussing his work, influences, and process. The exhibit, reception, and gallery walk are free to attend and open to the public.

Art League Gallery is open every day: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. and 90 minutes before every Arts Center performance.

Art League Gallery is located mid-island inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, 843.681.5060.

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.

JOELLE FROM PAGE 14B

wealth of knowledge to Joelle. Robert and Breana met while both working at The Restoration Hotel in Charleston and always dreamt of owning their own restaurant and bringing excellent, modern Italian to the Lowcountry.

“We wanted something that was ‘new age Italian’ and that also focused more on wine and pairing the two,” said Robert. “We love wine, and hope that people who visit our restaurant will feel that and fall in love with it.”

Joelle will feature creations by Executive Chef Brandon Torre, who will curate a seasonally rotating list of familiar Italian fare including fresh, house made pasta, wood-fired pizza, and coastal modern favorites. Before joining the Joelle team, Chef Torre held positions at renowned hospitality establishments including The Ritz-Carlton, The Omni Hotel, The Westin Hotel and most recently, Colleton River Club in Bluffton.

“We will definitely be mindful about bringing our guests the freshest ingredients, being local and having seasonal items on the menu,” noted Robert.

A modern, relaxing vibe was created by Breana, who designed Joelle in earthy tones, simplistic modern interiors, and a fresh welcoming atmosphere. The indoor-outdoor dining area boasts views of the custom woodfired pizza oven, along with a 12-seat bar.

“We hope it will feel like a refreshing, comforting place, where people will want to come back to,” said Breana. “We’re so inspired by the burgeoning food scene in the area and look forward to bringing premium ingredients and traditions to the local dining scene.”

So grab a friend, or a special someone and share a meal or some drinks at Joelle. For more information and updates, visit joellebluffton.com or follow @joellebluffton on Instagram.

Pets of the week

SHAMROCK

Shamrock is a fun, energetic, loving, 3-month-old puppy. He will be a large dog when full grown and has a heart just as big as his paws. He loves people and other dogs, and at least for now, he loves being held.

PAL Hosts Reception, Brings Out Adoptable Pets

PAL recently hosted a reception to thank the many donors who have helped the no-kill animal shelter and homelike adoption center save hundreds of lives each year. A presentation by Amy Campanini, president of PAL discussed the many services the shelter provides, and shared stories of pets who have found their “fur”ever homes.

In attendance were also a few adoptable pets, who were on their best behavior.

FLOWER

Flower is a beautiful, 3-year-old girl who loves attention. She appreciates the benefits of a good meal followed by a long nap. Flower is a favorite among the PAL Vet Clinic staff where she has claimed one particular desk as her own.