BY CHANNING HEISS
Contributor
The Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority is asking residential and commercial customers to reduce the amount of water they use for irrigation in order to increase the efficiency and safety of a system that can become overwhelmed during usage peaks in the hot weather. calls for vol untary re duction in the water ing of plants and lawns. Under this usage reduc tion plan, BJWSA is re questing that cus tomers at even numbered
addresses limit their irrigation to Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 12 a.m. –3 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Customers at odd numbered addresses are asked to water only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. All customers are asked not to water on Monday or on any day between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. This plan follows the guidelines of the Clemson Extension Service. The BJWSA is particularly concerned about morning usage peaks that could cause serious problems with the system.
Spikes in water consumption can cause shutdowns and necessitate water boiling advisories to respond to bacterial contamination. Excessive demand causes a drop in water pressure allowing harmful bacteria to seep into the pipes delivering water to customers and potentially making them sick unless the water is boiled before use. Low water pressure can also be dangerous when it causes problems for firefighters who depend on water pressure to do their job.
Officials with the BJWSA are working
to expand capacity, but they say having the community’s help with reducing consumption is also a key factor in overcoming the current challenges.
“The authority is working hard to increase the amount of water we can treat and expand storage capacity to meet ever increasing demand,” said Verna Arnette, general manager of the Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority. “If residents simply adjust their lawn watering schedule, it will reduce early morning demand, buying us time to complete the expansion of our water treatment plant expected to come online next summer,” Arnette said.
In addition to doubling the capacity in its Purrysburg plant to 30 million gallons per day, the authority will also be installing a new storage 1.5-million-gallon water tower in Bluffton. Both projects are scheduled to be completed in 2025. These improvements are ultimately paid for by consumers through the rates they pay for service. The rates funding these two projects were approved in June and took effect on July 1. The Purrysburg upgrade is
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Contributors
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Weston Newton
Paul Tollefson
Chris Blanton, DDS
Edwina Hoyle
Mathew T. Epps, MD
Lisa Hostetler Brown
Joseph Gancio
Mark Winn
Kat Rice
Anne Feldman
Glenda Harris
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Danie Connolly
Jennifer C. Wolfe
Dr. Jean Harris
Zach Deloach
Collins Doughtie
Rhoda Gordon
Rev. Shannon Bullion
Wendy Kushel
Joy Ross
Abby Bird
Larry Stoller
Joe Turino
Andrea Horner
Chris Roosa
Gary Smythe
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BY WESTON NEWTON Contributor
The General Assembly returned to Columbia the last week of June in what is likely the final session until January 2025.
In addition to passing the state’s budget, we also passed numerous bills negotiated in conference committees to iron out differences in the versions passed by the House and Senate. Judicial reform was at the top of that list.
As discussed in detail in this column last month, I have been an advocate for reforming the way in which we screen and elect our judges in South Carolina to bolster public confidence in the state judiciary, reduce potential conflicts of interests and eliminate the opportunity for cronyism. While the House was in session on June 25, I met with members of the conference committee all day to debate and negotiate the versions of the judicial reform bill. I was disappointed that some of the measures advanced by the House did not survive the conference process, but I am pleased that late in the day just before session ended, we reached a final agreement.
Our work resulted in a unanimous vote by the House and Senate, and the Governor has already signed the measure into law. The law restructures the screening commission to consist of 12 members, with House, Senate and, for the first time, executive branch/Governor appointments. Key provisions of the reform include term limits for commission members, prohibiting appointments of recent campaign contributors, mandating-live streamed public hearings and increasing the number of judicial candidates submit-
ted to the General Assembly from three to six; which allows lawmakers more choices and doesn’t leave qualified candidates out as when the cap was three.
The legislature also passed a conference committee report that doubles the individual income tax subsistence allowance deduction for law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS personnel. This bill also increases the maximum deduction for various volunteer emergency service members. An additional amendment allows counties to exempt unprepared food items from local transportation sales tax under certain conditions.
The General Assembly, in keeping with the House GOP’s focus on public safety, also approved a conference report that would expand the existing definition of sex trafficking to include the sexual exploitation of minors as well as promoting or participating in the prostitution of a minor. Under the law we passed, sex trafficking survivors would be given the right
to raise duress and coercion as affirmative defenses to nonviolent offenses they committed as a direct result of their being trafficked. They also could not be convicted of any nonviolent offenses when investigators show these offenses were committed as a direct result, or incident to, these children being trafficked. Additionally, trafficking survivors could file for expungements, and not be subjected to delinquency adjudications, if they show their conduct was a direct result of their being trafficked. The adopted conference committee report added a new statutory criminal offense of adults luring, enticing, or attempting to lure or entice, children with an intent to harm these children, or for doing so for any other unlawful purpose. Offenders would face fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Finally, the General Assembly also passed conference reports to address the declining blue crab and wild turkey populations in S.C. and to establish the Uniform Money Services Act, revising S.C.’s anti-money laundering provisions to protect the public, standardizing the types of activities that are subject to licensing and modernizing safety and soundness requirements to ensure funds are protected in an environment that supports innovative and competitive business practices.
Next month I will focus on this year’s approved $14.45 billion General Fund spending plan which accelerates tax cuts, invests in education, improves infrastructure and supports public safety. It is an honor and privilege to represent the citizens of District 120 in the SC House of Representatives. If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Weston Newton is the representative for District 120 in the State House of Representatives. WestonNewton@schouse.gov
expected to cost $59 million and the Bluffton water tower $25 million.
Jeff LaRue, Chief Communications Officer for the BJWSA, emphasizes the importance of practicing responsible resource management.
“The investments required to meet demand are huge. Managing morning demand helps relieve stress on the whole system. “
Jeff says they have had mixed responses to the voluntary initiative, but many private and commercial customers are proving to be willing to help once they understand the problem.
“We do get some defiant people who just won’t do it, but we’ve also seen plenty of people who genuinely want to do the right thing. We have also come across some people who had no idea they were using so much water or even may have had a malfunctioning system. Once people understand there’s a problem, they’ve cooperated,” LaRue said. The BJWSA sends
out reminder letters and provides stickers for residents and landscapers to encourage them to adhere to the requested watering schedule.
In terms of the impact of resort areas on water consumption, he says they have seen many cases where even the managers of those areas with large expanses of green space needing large amounts of irrigation have been willing to do their part. “They really want to be good stewards,” LaRue said. He knows people wonder about the impact of golf courses as well, but he points out that most of them have private sources of irrigation water such as ponds, and thus, do not impact on the consumption of treated public water.
According to BJWSA data, the amount of water used for irrigation during the recent stretch of hot and dry weather has approached half of the total water usage. While it has not been unusual in recent years for conditions to warrant requesting summer cutbacks, this season has been a particularly difficult one so far in terms of water usage management. Among the contributing factors accounting for that, most of South Carolina had rainfall amounts last month that were 75 percent less than average. Recent daily water usage has been about 10 million gallons higher than last year.
LaRue explains that the issue is not a matter of water availability from natural
resources such as the Savannah River, which provides most of the water piped to consumers, or annual rainfall amounts, but is ultimately a matter of treatment capacity.
“There’s raw water and there’s treated water that can be used by customers. The limiting factor in the system is not the amount of raw water available but the capacity to treat it and how quickly treated water can get to everyone.” He adds that, even though they are taking positive steps to address rising consumer demand by expanding capacity, it is beneficial to everyone to take a long-term view.
“We need to decide if we want to build a system designed to meet demand for a couple of weeks a year or a sustainable year-round system. With conscientious water management, we can have a system that works for everyone every day.”
Channing Heiss is a freelance writer and a member of the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition.
WEDNESDAY
BY PAUL TOLLEFSON Contributor
When getting the idea to research a bit more about the oyster factories and canneries of Bluffton’s past, it sent me down a few different rabbit holes of history in which one lead turned out to be quite an interesting find. A finding that led to the name “The May River Club and Improvement Company” and a new insight into the end of Wharf Street.
In April of 1891, a committee was appointed, and plans were submitted to build a “clubhouse” at the end of Wharf Street. It was to be built under the super-
vision of Col. John Lawton, the president of the club. The building was to be erected at 40-feet long and 25-feet wide at the end of a pier which was to overhang the May River. This new clubhouse was to be built for members and their guests to be able to enjoy the pleasant quarters and serene views. Bluffton had always been a favorite resort of the wealthy planters of the coast as well as people of Savannah, and after the Civil War, it was starting to reestablish itself.
On Thursday, August 1, 1891, The May River Club House opened its doors with a grand celebration. The rooms were beautifully decorated by lady friends from the club, and the entertainment started at 9 p.m. That gave invited guests and stockholders time to come from Savannah on the steamer “Alpha.” A most enjoyable evening was had with drinking and danc-
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ing into the early hours of the morning. It had been many years since the old town of Bluffton had so much life brought to it once again!
Among a few of the names present were many members of the Heyward family, the Verdiers, the Stoney’s, the Guerard’s and Mrs. Huger along with many
other prominent names of Bluffton, Savannah and Augusta.
Unfortunately, in late 1894, the club fell into hard times and was to be sold at public auction. The building and furnishings, which cost close to $1500, still had a
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debt of $448 that had not been paid. The May River Club was to close and never to reopen under that name.
In the early 1900s, Clarence “Buster” Martin obtained the old club house and fitted it as an Oyster House. He ran the house until around 1930 when “Junior” Graves returned from college and started an oyster business there. The club was in very poor shape, and it was said that you could see the water through the floors and the chilling winter breezes of the Lowcountry whistled through the cracks in the walls. Junior made the necessary improvements until his factory was a model operation. In 1933 a tornado severely damaged the factory, and although it was repaired, Mr. Graves built a new oyster house on the land adjacent to the old house in 1948.
Although there is not much else known about the old May River Club, a phone call to Mr. Bud Martin, son of “Buster” Martin, now in his 90s, revealed that this was in fact a true story as he vividly re-
members stories being handed down to him about the club.
Today, the Bluffton Oyster factory sits in the same location it did in the late 1940s. Although it has changed hands and names over the years, the bustling market and boat ramp invites a steady stream of boats, cars and trucks down the thin
Wharf Street landing. The oystermen of today slide in and out silently doing their days work while the “Daddys Girls” shrimp boat softly rocks in the May River ripples.
Paul Tollefson is the Director of Tennis at Hampton Hall Club. He is a 20+ year resident of Hilton Head and Bluffton and
enjoys researching and writing about the people, places, and things that have made the area what it is today. Paul is the co-creator of the Facebook page Bluffton Then and Now. He enjoys giving Bluffton history presentations to communities and in local schools and is on the board of the Historic Bluffton Foundation.
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BY EDWINA HOYLE
Contributor
Amy Flanagan has been a tenacious advocate for her son, Carson, for 19 years. Originally from Waco, Texas, the Flanagan family now lives in Okatie. Carson has Marfan Syndrome, a rare condition that affects about 1 in 5,000 people. The Flanagan’s medical journey has taken them to hospitals in Texas, South Caroli-
na, North Carolina, Virginia and Ohio.
Amy Flanagan said getting an accurate diagnosis is a challenge, but finding medical professionals who specialize in treating Marfan was extremely difficult. According to the Marfan Foundation, about 75% of people with Marfan syn-
To enhance breast-cancer-prevention services for Lowcountry women, Beaufort Memorial has added boardcertified nurse practitioner Susanne Remynse, FNP-BC, to its Breast Cancer Genetics & High-Risk Program.
Remynse works with the hospital’s board-certified and fellowship-trained breast surgeon Tara Grahovac, M.D., to assess patients at above-average risk for breast cancer and counsel them on screening, surveillance and treatment options.
The Michigan native earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in Addison, Ill., with a family nurse practitioner concentration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
Prior to joining Beaufort Memorial, Remynse was a nurse practitioner at Fairfield Memorial Hospital Urology Clinic in Fairfield, Ill., working with physicians to manage cancer care, assisting with surgeries and acting as a patient advocate. Earlier, she served as a registered nurse at medical centers in Illinois, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
The Beaufort Memorial Breast Cancer Genetics & High-Risk Program focuses on both the physical and the emotional aspects of breast disease. The program, which aims to ensure an optimal outcome for every patient, offers genetic counseling as well as surveillance and treatment as needed for those at above-average risk of developing breast cancer based on their personal or family history.
drome inherit the genetic mutation from a parent. Some people with Marfan Syndrome are the first in their family to have it, like Carson. When this happens, it is called a spontaneous mutation. Neither Carson’s parents, Amy and Mark, nor his younger brother have Marfan.
“I had to go with my gut to advocate for my child, and it’s critical to do your own research. People need to know about Marfan because if they don’t know about it, it could kill you,” she said. “Marfan is diverse, it’s not black and white.” Carson is now 19 years old and a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, where he is majoring in sports management and works in the athletic department.
Connective tissue is found throughout the body, so Marfan syndrome can affect many different parts of the body. Features of the disorder are most often found in the heart, blood vessels, bones, joints and eyes. No one has every feature and people have different combinations of features. These include long arms, legs and
fingers; tall and thin body type; curved spine; chest sinks in or sticks out; flat feet; and crowded teeth.
Harder-to-detect signs of Marfan syndrome include heart problems, especially those related to the aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. Other signs can include sudden lung collapse and eye problems including severe nearsightedness, dislocated lens, detached retina, early glaucoma and early cataracts.
“Carson was always the tallest in his class. His first symptom at age three was a sunken chest. At five years of age a routine eye exam indicated that Carson was nearly blind,” Flanagan said. His pediatrician in Waco, Texas was sure it wasn’t Marfan, so Flanagan found a specialist at Dallas Children’s Hospital who correctly diagnosed Carson and enrolled him in a clinical trial. He was placed on two beta blockers to slow progression of the Marfan.
When Carson was in seventh grade, he
had eye surgery to repair his displaced lenses. Carson has a mild dilation of the aorta, and he must have annual cardiac workups because his condition can change without warning. When Carson reached puberty, Flanagan said his chest really sunk and his heart shifted in his chest to accommodate the sternum. “It was a short window to have surgery before the bone calcified. The space between the sternum and his spine was only the size of a quarter. At this time Carson was a freshman and would be changing schools, it was during Covid, and it was a lot for him because his surgery is the most painful pediatric surgery. They would have to lift the sternum and slide titanium bars into the rib cage to hold it out. It is a six-month recovery, and the bars would have to be in place for three years.”
Flanagan said she wasn’t confident in the surgeon who would have done the surgery, so she did research and more advocacy and found a specialist at Cleveland Clinic. “If you don’t have a doctor who’s done this surgery many times, a lot can go wrong. This specialist also used
cryoablation, a real game changer to reduce pain. We were so lucky,” she said. “We had so many God winks along the way.”
Six months later, Carson could swing a golf club, and because his chest was opened up, he could breathe much better. The titanium bars in his chest were in place for almost four years.
This spring, he and his parents flew to New York to attend the Heartworks Gala for the Marfan Foundation. They were honored as recipients of the Voice for Victory Award for their advocacy in helping other families and for raising awareness. The next day, on May 24, they flew to Cleveland where Carson had surgery to remove the bars in his chest.
On July 3, Carson received a package in the mail from his surgeon – it contained the three titanium bars that the surgeon had removed – a reminder that this part of his journey was a success.
Edwina Hoyle is a freelance writer in Bluffton.
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BY MATHEW T. EPPS, MD Contributor
Dermal fillers offer a wonderful, safe and often immediate improvement in facial aesthetics. Refreshing the jawline with dermal fillers can greatly improve signs of facial aging.
Juvéderm and Restylane are both popular hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers used for facial rejuvenation, but they differ significantly in their composition and behavior, particularly when it comes to dissolution. This difference stems primarily from the cross-linking technology used in their production, which has important implications for both practitioners and patients.
Juvéderm fillers, manufactured by Allergan, utilize a proprietary cross-linking technology called VYCROSS. This technology creates a highly cohesive gel with a tightly linked HA network. The result is a filler that is more resistant to degradation and can provide longer-lasting results. However, this enhanced durability comes with a significant drawback: Juvéderm fillers are notoriously difficult to dissolve if complications arise or results are unsatisfactory.
In contrast, Restylane fillers, produced by Galderma, use a different cross-linking method that results in a less tightly bound HA network. This makes Restylane fillers generally easier to dissolve using hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. The easier dissolution of Restylane can be advantageous in cases where adjustments or complete removal of the filler is necessary.
The difficulty in dissolving Juvéderm fillers becomes particularly concerning with products like Juvéderm Volux XC, which is specifically designed for jawline definition. Its robust formulation, while excellent for achieving desired aesthetic results, can be problematic if complica-
tions occur or if the patient is dissatisfied with the outcome.
Given these considerations, the expertise of the practitioner administering dermal fillers becomes paramount. A skilled and experienced injector should be able to possess and articulate:
1. A thorough understanding of facial anatomy and the properties of different fillers.
2. Select the most appropriate filler for each patient and treatment area.
3. Possess the technical skill to inject the filler correctly, minimizing the risk of complications.
4. Be prepared to manage any adverse events promptly and effectively.
5. The ability to recognize when dissolution might be necessary and how to approach it based on the specific filler used.
Advanced injectors should explain the long-lasting nature of these fillers and the potential difficulties in reversing the treatment. The difficulty in reversing these treatments underscores the critical importance of seeking out highly qualified and experienced aesthetic providers for any advanced dermal filler procedure.
Mathew T. Epps MD, MS, DABS is a triple-fellowship trained aesthetic plastic surgeon specializing in facial, eyelid and breast surgery. Visit mathewepps.com or contact info@dreppsmd.com
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BY LISA HOSTETLER BROWN Contributor
If you signed a “simple will,” read on to see why there may be a better way.
People are often surprised when I tell them that their will is a ticket to court. The common misconception is that a will is all you need.
If you own, say, a house, car, bank account, some jewelry and guns, and you are planning for your will to control their disposition, you may be unintentionally creating more work, more expense and more drama for your loved ones.
Assets that aren’t owned jointly with another person and don’t have a beneficiary designation become probate assets when the owner dies. In South Carolina, when someone passes away, if they don’t have a will, their probate assets go through the court process (which normally takes about a year) and are distributed to their heirs. Your heirs are who the state of South Carolina says they are. Right now, and very simplistically, the law says it’s your spouse and kids. If none, then your parents.
So why does this matter? If you don’t want the state to decide by default who is in charge and who gets your stuff, then a will gives you some ability to state your wishes. The problem is there are a plethora of ways in which your intentions can be thwarted. Even a quick reading of the general provision that probate assets pass according to a person’s will should be enough to make anyone skeptical. The person named as the Executor, now called a Personal Representative, must be appointed by the court, qualify and be issued letters. Potential creditors of the decedent are given ample opportunity to present claims against the estate. Heirs who are
supposed to receive nothing are nonetheless given notice of the will and an opportunity to get involved.
This is why a “will” isn’t good enough. Contrast jumping through all the probate hoops with quick, efficient and thoughtful administration under a trust. Assets that are properly titled in a trust prior to a person’s passing will completely avoid probate. Trusts can have creditor protection. Trusts can protect assets for people with special needs. Trusts can hold and use assets for minors. Trusts can be used to avoid probate in multiple counties or states. Trusts can significantly shorten the administration timeline. And the list goes on and on.
So, what’s the catch? A well-crafted estate plan centers around the “plan”. Trusts are just a tool to make things easier and more efficient, but the pieces of legal paper mean very little if there isn’t a comprehensive plan making it all work.
For educational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Lisa Hostetler Brown is a Certified Elder Law Attorney certified by the National Elder Law Foundation. 10 Pinckney Colony Rd, Ste 400, Bluffton, SC 29909 | 843-757-5294 | HiltonHeadElderLaw.com
BY JOSEPH GANCIO Contributor
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, South Carolina ranks first in the fastest population growth rate in the country, leading with 1.7% growth in 2023. The Bluffton population dramatically spiked, up 120% from 20102020, to 27,716 people, and in the past four short years, has increased to 37,544 people who have made the active decision to call the Lowcountry home. With our small community growing at such a rapid pace, along with that comes our new neighbor’s expectations for their new local spots. Every person, no matter where you come from, has grown up having a list of their favorite go-to’s. From pizza to Chinese food to barbershops to dry cleaners to nail salons, when you live in a town long enough, you have your favorite go-to’s. The hardest thing about moving isn’t finding a new home, it’s finding your new favorite pizza place to order pizza from every Friday night, or your new barbershop who’s going to remember you get a #2 on the sides and just a little off the top. The hardest part is finding replacements for all of your favorite places that
made your town your home.
As a business owner, your new customers are going to come in with the expectation that your business may or may not meet the level of their favorite one from back home, and they’ll be critiquing you from start to finish, purely by comparing what you have to offer to what they’ve known. The key to setting your business apart is to not be something you’re not. You don’t need to market your business as “the best slice in New York” because you’re not in New York, you’re in Bluffton. You’ll be setting your business up for failure if you try to market your business as anything other than what it is. Be the best at what you do, where you are.
Everyone who has moved to the Lowcountry has moved here looking for something different than what they had. Whether it’s to get out of the rat race of New York City in search of a slower paced life or someone who visited the area and fell in love with the Southern charm that Bluffton has to offer, for whatever the reason may be, they are here, a part of our community, and now is our time to shine and become their new favorite local spots.
Joseph Gancio is the owner and the Master Barber of Joe’s Classic Cuts in Bluffton and Okatie, www.joesclassiccuts.com
BY MARK WINN Contributor
Real estate is precious, unique and poses important planning issues.
First, consider whether or not you might need Medicaid. If you do not have long term care insurance, and your net worth is less than 1 million, the answer is probably yes. If your home is paid off, then you can take steps now to make sure the state will not be able to get your house when it seeks “estate recovery.” How? You can keep the full legal right to use and enjoy your home during your life or joint lives (for husbands and wives) and give away the rest to your children or to trusts for your children. If this
is done sufficiently in advance, then the state will not be able to recover your home and the home will not be lost.
Second, it must be determined “how” real estate is owned. This is important because the manner of ownership dictates who it passes to and whether it goes through probate or not. A perfectly good plan can be derailed if real estate is not owned properly. For example, assume (1) “Brad’s” will says all his assets are to be given to his children (“Liz and Becky”) in equal shares, and (2) the real estate Brad owns is owned by Brad and Liz as “joint tenants with the right of survivorship.”
Becky is not on the title. When Brad dies, who gets his real estate? The answer is Liz gets it. Becky was disinherited, as to the real estate, by mistake.
Third, it must be determined what the real estate’s value may be (now and in the future), what it cost, and whether there will be unnecessary administrative bur-
den if it is kept in one person’s individual name. For purposes of the federal estate tax, the value of real estate is important for determining who, within a couple, should own the real estate. Transfers can be made between U.S. citizen spouses (or
their trusts) with no adverse tax consequences with deeds. Certain steps need to be taken to ensure homestead exemption is not lost and special assessments are not lost. The cost of real estate is important for determining how best to utilize the current law which steps up basis of assets to date of death value. If Mom and Dad paid $200,000 for a house and it was worth $500,000 when survivor died, then the kids get the house with an income tax basis of $500,000. This translates into little or no capital gains tax being due when the kids sell the house. Also, if one owns real estate in more than one state, one should consider creating a revocable trust that will own that real estate, so it avoids probate in another state.
Mark F. Winn, J.D., Master of Laws (LL.M.) in estate planning, is a local asset protection, estate and elder law planning attorney. mwinnesq.com
Maye River Gallery is excited to host guest artist Joanna Chalson along with her collection of intriguing mixed media art work during a month-long exhibit entitled, “Puzzles From My Mind.” The gallery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is located at 16 Church Street, Old Town Bluffton. For more information go to: www.mayerivergallery.com.
Keep the Broad River Clean Festival – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Lane. Enjoy our family-friendly event featuring crafts, activities and eco-exhibits. Get ready for the Keep the Broad Creek Clean Festival, an evening of family-friendly excitement and discovery organized by The Outside Foundation. Join them for an evening filled with exciting activities and interactive exhibits focused on promoting environmen-
tal awareness and preserving our island’s natural resources.
The Palmetto Quilt Guild’s next membership meeting is Thursday, July 18. The program will be a virtual presentation from Marcia Degroot of Creative Grids. She will describe and illustrate how to use various Creative Grids rulers to make the cutting process more accurate and enjoyable. Meeting location is Island Lutheran Church on Main Street, Hilton Head Island; doors open at 11:15, meeting starts at 11:30. Then, on Friday, July 19, there will be a Christmas in July workshop to make a Santa Door Panel. Please see the Palmetto Quilt Guild website at palmettoquiltguild.org for more details and to register for the workshop.
Adventures in Virtual Reality (Registration Required) Friday, July 19. Adults
(25+) can enjoy video gaming and/or tours from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and teens and young adults (13-24) from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and the Environmental Photography Exhibit Opening Reception on Saturday from 1 - 2 p.m. Celebrate the works of participants of the Artist in Residence program led by Pete Schramm. For more information about this and other events/programs at the Bluffton Library, call 843-255-6503.
JULY 23 THROUGH JULY 30
Halfway Home – Art League of Hilton Head - A special sea turtle art exhibit benefiting Sea Turtle Patrol HHI, daily July 23 – July 30 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free and open to the public. Located at 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head, 843-382-5738.
THURSDAYS THROUGH AUGUST 15
Sea Pines Dolphin Dash 5K - Join us at the Sea Pines Beach Club for the Sea Pines
Dolphin Dash five-kilometer run/walk taking place along our beautiful hard flat beach - the perfect running experience on Hilton Head Island! Registration is online only and cut-off for registration is race day at 7:30 a.m. $30/adult, $20/child (ages 12 and under).
Mixology Class at Burnt Church Distillery where you will create two Burnt Church cocktails and one Amethyst NA Spirt cocktail under the direction of one of their amazing mixologists. Enjoy the cocktails with light appetizers from their kitchen. Afterwards, stick around for dinner. Participants must be 21+ . 6:00 PM at 120 Bluffton Road. Visit https://burntchurchdistillery.com/tours/ to book your spot!
BY KAT RICE Contributor
Sprout Momma just celebrated its oneyear anniversary in the Arrow Road location on Hilton Head Island, but the bakery has been feeding locals for over 16 years now.
When Kim Tavino had the idea to start the business, she was a fitness trainer who made baked goods for clients during the holidays. After experimenting with bread for a while, she began researching healthier alternatives and learned that sprouted grains make a plant-based bread rather than a grain-based bread. Her son Ryan, who trained as a chef, got involved and introduced a fermentation process, which added even more flavor and richness to the bread.
Between the fermentation and the fresh ingredients, Sprout Momma created a product that: 1) provided nutrients like B vitamins and protein, 2) allowed more people to eat bread who couldn’t normally tolerate it, and 3) was delicious.
Kim says, “people think they have to give up bread to be healthy, but that’s not true. We use organic, no pesticide flour, and we get rid of all the glyphosate so, suddenly, people are able to digest it normally.”
For a while Sprout Momma’s focus was on wholesale clients, providing bread for local restaurants. But when COVID hit, restaurants closed and the bakery’s wholesale accounts plummeted, so they had to figure out a way to get by. In a 1000-square-foot space, they began making sandwiches and family style dinners and grew their following until, eventually, they needed more space. That’s how, a year ago, they ended up in
their new location where we know them for their huge cinnamon rolls, fresh sourdough and delicious house Ruben.
And it’s all managed by Kim and her family. Everyone has their department, which has helped the business to evolve and grow consistently. Ryan writes menus, runs the kitchen and manages catering. Kim’s daughter, Abby, manages the bar and front of house. And Caitlin, an “adopted part of the family,” runs the bakery.
The team works together to create a special place for locals. They host live music every Wednesday and dinner specials that locals call the “supper club.” They also have a wine dinner that sells out each month with a culinary theme, a wine pairing and multiple courses. And their catering projects continue to grow under the firm belief that every party should have its own menu. After talking with each client, they build a menu organically, and never make the same food twice.
With all the exciting things happening for the business, Kim says their goal remains the same: “I want my place to be a place for locals. It’s off the beaten track a
Chicago is the one musical with everything that makes theatre shimmy-shake! This satirical tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz has one showstopping song after another. The slick and sexy show is permeated with the genius of Bob Fosse and his signature dance style.
See why Chicago has been celebrated with 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and thousands of standing ovations.
BY ANNE FELDMAN
Contributor
A quiet time for a morning paint session, easel and brush facing the marsh as golden sunlight graces our local waters. Lowcountry artist Leli Holmes contemplates the Callawassie scene, with brushstrokes that bring us in for a closer look.
To capture the views that surround her, a commissioned piece that now has its place in its home, as lush leaves and embrace of live oak branches frame the ever-changing hues of the marsh estuaries out to deeper waters.
Such moments that transcend the light and form her palette. “It’s very inspiring to me, there are so many natural patterns in my work,” shares Leli.” “Coming from the Pacific Northwest, and then Colorado, I felt the need to be by water. When we moved here, all the colors, all the wildlife, the setting is breathtaking, a natural palette for an artist!”
Drawn to the outdoors, that’s most often where you’ll find her. “When people
ask to see my studio, I tell them to meet me in my backyard because it’s generally where I paint. My children and a Golden Doodle puppy are my studio companions,
along with my husband, Matt.”
After majoring in Fine Arts, Leli began her career as a graphic designer, winning several Addy awards along the way. These days, commissions keep her at the easel, and she credits her design background as a major influence in her painting style. “I love to work outdoors in nature and find unique, natural motifs that I can highlight. Patterns, fine details and vibrant colors are staples in my paintings and textiles.”
“The concept of bringing forth someone’s vision is a natural continuation of years of graphic design experience,” she adds. “I think that’s why I love creating custom pieces. For so many years I’d take a vision and shape it into a defined look or logo, so I’m used to listening to people and translating that onto the canvas.”
Most recently, she found herself outside her client’s Callawassie home, immersed in nature. Now the canvas brings the breathtaking view inside, an interior complement to its tranquil Lowcountry set-
ting. “It’s such a dream to bring pieces like this to life, taking someone’s vision and creating a piece they treasure,” says Leli.
“I also really enjoy artist markets, seeing and meeting people, and I’m inspired by so many of the artists here. Some people dream of being an artist and it can be hard to know where to start,” she adds. “I love to help other artists get started if anyone ever wants to reach out.”
You can find Leli at the Arts and Seafood Festival and Palmetto Bluff Farmer’s Market in the fall, and in the spring at Honey Horn, Bluffton’s Mayfest and the Nash Gallery markets in Shelter Cove.
Leli’s collection of home textiles are a gorgeous expression of her love of nature. Coastal patterns in watercolor hues grace her lines of art cards, prints, tea towels, candles, totes, pillows and most recently, wallpaper. You can view and shop art at lelihomes.com. Follow Leli on Instagram @leliholmes.
help
BY GLENDA HARRIS Contributor
One of the Lowcountry’s most popular festivals is happening right now. The Beaufort Water Festival runs from July 12 to July 21, so you have six more days to drive on up to Beaufort and enjoy the festivities.
This year’s Commodore is Josh Schott, who was born and raised in Beaufort and where he continues to reside with his family. Describing the festival as “…a rich tradition of providing top-notch entertainment, sporting events, arts and crafts, and fun for all ages on land and sea – all at a reasonable price,” now is the perfect time for a fun summer getaway that’s not far away.
The center of the celebration is Beaufort’s Waterfront Park with its gorgeous view of the Beaufort River where several of the events take place.
On July 16, in addition to the Arts & Crafts Market is “Island Time.” First Responders and active duty-military get in free with ID.
Other highlights include a talent show on July 17 at Waterfront Park, the Lowcountry Supper on July 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the Bed Race on July 19. This is truly a festival for everyone! In the air on Friday, July 20 is the Air Show sponsored by Executive Flight Training. From 1 to 4 p.m., onlookers will
thrill to the sight of planes having fun “playing” up in the sky. Also, on July 20 along the streets of downtown Beaufort, enjoy the Water Festival Grand Parade organized by The Beaufort Lions Club.
On the final day, July 21, is the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats which will take place in front of the Waterfront Park Seawall. The festival ends at 3 p.m.
This “Summer to Remember” themed event should be fabulous and if you missed anything, look ahead to next year’s lineup.
For all the details on every event during the course of this 10-day festival, go to https://www.bftwaterfestival.com/.
For anyone interested in volunteering to help the Beaufort Water Festival continue to be the premiere outdoor event in the Lowcountry, go to info@bftwaterfestival.com.
Glenda Harris is a freelance writer and editor, nature lover and aspiring novelist.
BY KEVIN FITZPATRICK
Contributor
I remember my maternal grandparents using this phrase when I was very young. They were both Italian, though from the opposite ends of the boot, my grandmother was Sicilian, my grandfather from the far north in Trieste (a town that varied between Italy, Austria and what became Yugoslavia, but was in Italy when he was born and raised).
trying to find Rada in Chianti (who knew how many towns named Rada there were in that area of Italy), we were met by friends who had arrived and by the owners of the villa we had booked, presented with a large glass of wine and told to sit back and simply enjoy the quiet of the property.
When we arrived in Bluffton back in August of 2021, we noticed a local phrase, “Bluffton is a State of Mind,” so we decided we’d try to merge that state of mind with the sweetness of doing nothing.
TUESDAYS AT 10:30AM
Visit the gravesites of four Revolutionary War heroes and find out about the bloody skirmish that was fought just steps away. Site on the SC Liberty Trail. Corner of Hwy. 278 & Mathews Dr.
$10/LIBRARY MEMBERS • $12/NON-MEMBERS • CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE Registration required. HeritageLib.org/Tours
When we were teaching, we made it a point to take time at the end of every day prior to dinner, open a bottle of wine and share the events of the day with each other. We especially enjoyed the times of the year in CT where we could do it outside, and near the water when possible, so, given that we now live in a place where we can spend much of the time outside, one of the things we looked for is a great place to do that. It didn’t take much research or exploration to settle on the town dock at sunset. Kevin Fitzpatrick
I fully embraced it as a young man spending summers on the beach in Far Rockaway, NY where my love for the ocean was developed and cultivated. I made it a point to find summer employment where I could work the midnight to 8 a.m. shift so that I could get back to the beach, put up my lounge and get my morning rest listening to the symphony of the ocean.
Sue and I also experienced this on a trip we took with friends to Tuscany a few years back, after the frenetic drive
THURSDAYS AT 10:30AM
Fort Mitchel contains the remains of a coastal defense battery erected in 1862 to protect the Port Royal Sound by way of Skull Creek from incursions by Confederate gunboats. 65 Skull Creek Dr., Hilton Head Plantation
$10/LIBRARY MEMBERS • $12/NON-MEMBERS • CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE Registration required. HeritageLib.org/Tours
FROM PAGE 25A
sit back and simply enjoy the setting sun over the May River. We are not alone, but it never is crowded. People always seem to be in that “state of mind.” We share many smiles, some greetings. Sometimes people want to converse, sometimes not. More often than not, there are family photos being taken, sometimes engagement or wedding photos. That’s how beautiful the setting is. Frequently, when the sun has slipped out of sight, there is a smattering of applause.
The Hilton Head Choral Society is seeking new members to join for its 2024-2025 season. Those interested are invited to sit in for one of the Sunday rehearsals which will begin Sunday, July 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.
ers, and, of course, our legendary holiday concert packed with joy of the season. For most concerts, the Choral Society is accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra.
We would drive to the end of Calhoun Street, bring our chairs, a beverage (no glass containers), some crackers and cheese, wander down to the end of the dock set up and just take a couple of deep cleansing breaths. While taking in the surroundings and waiting for Mother Nature to paint her evening masterpiece, we will occasionally see dolphins swimming and playing around. After the appropriate clinking of the stainless-steel drinking vessels, we then
A few minutes later, we pack up, head back to the car and take the very short drive home, always relaxed and refreshed regardless of any stress that day might have caused. If you have some time while here, either visiting or having relocated, or being a long-standing veteran of the town, take your time in doing nothing. If you see us on your journey, smile and wave hello!
Kevin Fitzpatrick is a retired teacher who, along with his wife Sue (also a retired teacher) is enjoying exploring life in the Lowcountry and all it has to offer.
Singers 18 and older and all voice parts are invited to join. The only requirement is a love of singing and ability to match pitch. While no audition is needed, the ability to read music and previous choral singing experience will increase the enjoyment of the weekly rehearsals and four concert performances each year. The HHCS is an inclusive, inviting group that would love to welcome fellow singers who have a desire to share the joy of song with the community.
The repertoire for HHCS’s four annual concerts is highly diversified from Pops, Broadway, the American Song Book, Light Classical and Patriotic melodies of American Compos-
Interested singers may go to the website www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org and click “JOIN US” for more information about the organization and the upcoming concert schedule. You may also contact Kathy Burmeister at ksbworthy@aol.com or (843)415-5443.
ABOUT THE HILTON HEAD CHORAL SOCIETY. Hilton Head Choral Society is open to people who love to sing, can match pitch and who enjoy good fellowship. The Choral Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Dues are charged to partially cover musical expenses. The primary source of financial support comes from ticket sales, donors, program advertisers, concert sponsors and grants. The Hilton Head Choral Society is a member of Chorus America, a national organization promoting the art of choral singing.
Nicholas Di Mona, acclaimed for his distinctive wood sculptures crafted from deceased and fallen trees, announces his upcoming exhibition, “The Beauty of Wood: Creations by Nicholas Di Mona,” hosted at the Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) gallery from August 5 to August 31.
The exhibition’s opening reception will take place on Tuesday, August 6, from 5-7 p.m. at SOBA gallery, providing art enthusiasts an opportunity to meet the artist and engage with his works firsthand.
Di Mona’s work celebrates the natural intricacies of wood, transforming imperfections such as knots, inclusions and grain into singular pieces of art. Each creation, born from a reverence for nature and a spontaneous artistic process, exemplifies his lifelong dedication to wood carving and turning.
“I see myself as a conduit in the creative process, where the wood’s inherent beauty guides the final form,” Di Mona remarked. “It’s a journey of discovery with each piece.”
Originally from New Jersey and now residing in Bluffton, Di Mona’s artistic journey began at the age of 10, in-
spired by his grandfather’s wine grape boxes. Over the years, he honed his skills, specializing in realistic depictions of birds, animals and wood spirits. His leadership roles in the Nature Coast Carving Club and the Hands on
WoodTurners Club underscore his commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering artistic talent.
About the Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA): Located in Bluffton’s historic district, SOBA is a vibrant arts organization offering a wide range of art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions and community events. For details on upcoming events and membership opportunities, visit www.sobagallery.com.
Grab and Go! Delicious offerings made daily
Specialty cheeses, olives, peppers, meats & more for the finest charcuterie Homemade pasta and sauces
Speciality Italian foods not found anywhere else
Huge selection of Italian wines.
BY DANIE CONNOLLY Contributor
When Shakespeare Calls…The Art Posse Answers!
There was a damsel in distress, and she called the Art Posse headquarters requesting a simple favor. If we weren’t too busy, could we create an 8 x 9 castle? How hard could it be, or as Shakespeare would say, it was Much Ado About Nothing, I uttered. To Be or Not to Be was the question that was asked of me, and I answered “hell yeah” in the best Elizabethan voice I could muster!
I love William Shakespeare as much as the next thespian does, so I wasn’t going to let them down. Besides, I had a few years of making theatrical backdrops, so I relished the thought of creating a sweet little cardboard castle for some of his prose.
A couple of hours later, the castle had faux stones for its towers, faux wooden door and metal hinges, and faux torches
to light the night. Best of all, besides no sign of dragons, it folded and collapsed into one unit ready to be the backdrop for all of Shakespeare’s witty lines about to be spoken.
With enough sleep for a decent Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, I awoke and packed the 8 x 9-foot castle neatly in a Nissan Rogue and drove to the designated spot where the castle transportation people arranged to meet me.
Fortunately, they loved it and after I packed a few containers of leftover paint, a staple gun and miles of duct tape, they sped off into the morning sunrise equipped with enough of the bard’s verses to put a smile on the audience as they watched their mini thespians charge into the imagination of life’s most infamous writer.
After all, The World Is a Stage…or to put it in South Carolina’s words … The World Was Her Oyster!
BY JENNIFER C. WOLFE Contributor
Incorporating meditation and mindfulness into your wellness routine can profoundly enhance your overall well-being. These practices, rooted in ancient traditions, have gained widespread popularity for their mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. Here’s a guide on how to seamlessly integrate them into your daily life.
Meditation is a practice where an individual uses techniques such as focusing the mind on a particular object, thought or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Mindfulness, a form of meditation, involves being fully present and engaged in the current moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment.
Numerous studies have shown that regular meditation can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It enhances concentration, improves sleep quality and promotes emotional health. Mindfulness, specifically, helps in managing stress, improving focus and increasing self-awareness.
1. Create a Quiet Space
Find a quiet, comfortable space in your home where you won’t be disturbed. This could be a corner of a room, a comfortable chair or a dedicated meditation area. Ensure it’s free from distractions and conducive to relaxation.
2. Set a Schedule
Consistency is key. Start with just 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increase the duration as you become more com-
Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists has added boardcertified physician assistant Bailey Stewart Toulson, PA-C, to its clinical team, enhancing surgical care for area residents.
A Georgia native, Toulson earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Georgia Southern University. She holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant from South University.
At the practice, Toulson will assist board-certified general surgeons in both the clinic and operating room where she’ll perform pre- and post-operative procedures such as prepping patients for surgery, closing incisions and applying wound dressings. Additionally, she will evaluate patients pre- and post-surgery and provide consultations to emergency room and hospital patients.
fortable. Early mornings or evenings are ideal times for meditation as they set the tone for the day or help unwind before bed.
3. Choose a Technique
There are various meditation techniques to choose from:
• Focused Attention: Concentrate on a single object, such as your breath.
• Body Scan: Progressively focus on different parts of your body, releasing tension.
• Loving-Kindness: Cultivate an attitude of love and kindness towards yourself and others.
• Guided Meditation: Use apps or recordings where a guide leads you through the process.
Incorporating mindfulness into daily activities can be transformative. Here are some tips.
1. Mindful Breathing
Take a few moments throughout the day to focus on your breath. Notice the sensation of air entering and leaving your lungs. This simple practice can help center your thoughts and reduce stress.
2. Mindful Eating
Pay attention to the taste, texture and aroma of your food. Eat slowly and savor each bite, which can improve digestion and help you enjoy your meals more.
3. Mindful Walking
As you walk, notice the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the movement of your body and the sights and sounds around you. This can turn a mundane activity into a meditative practice.
4. Mindful Listening
When talking to someone, give them your full attention. Listen without planning your response. This improves communication and deepens relationships. Integrating meditation and mindfulness
into your wellness routine can bring about significant positive changes in your life. By dedicating a small part of your day to these practices, you can cultivate a sense of inner peace, improve your mental clarity and enhance your overall well-being. Start small, be consistent and gradually deepen your practice to reap the long-term benefits.
Jennifer C. Wolfe is the Owner and Creative Director of Whisper Creek Luxury Day Spa in Bluffton. She ran an intellectual property law firm for more than 20 years in Cincinnati, Ohio, before relocating permanently to Hilton Head. She can be reached at jwolfe@consultwolfe.com or jen. wolfe@whispercreekspa.com
In July 2020 when state and national officials were monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks and hospitalization rates, Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) Naturalist and Science Program Manager Chris Kehrer was certified in the first trainer class in a new program to monitor tidal saltwater, a critical Lowcountry resource that dominates the Port Royal Sound.
An extension of the South Carolina’s Adopt-A-Stream program created in 2017, the program was developed by the Clemson Extension for Watershed Excellence and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) to monitor water quality for the state’s water resources.
Once trained, Kehrer set about recruiting and training volunteers to collect water samples monthly and report on five key ‘health’ indicators: dissolved oxygen; pH; water and air temperatures; transparency, and salinity.
“We were met with overwhelming enthusiasm to participate,” Kehrer says. “This area is primed with energetic volunteers, and when you throw in a resource that everyone cherishes, you get an activated group that continues to carry that enthusiasm four years later.”
Volunteers from around the Lowcountry underwent a six-hour training course to learn about the importance of water
quality, approved sampling techniques and how to enter results into a shared, open-source database.
“Volunteers create the sampling site based on what is most convenient for them, whether that is from their private dock or at the closest public access area,” Kehrer says.
PRSF is working to create complete coverage of the watershed by using Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) to determine areas of need. With this method, volunteers can survey smaller watersheds that may not be monitored currently and pinpoint tributaries that may be problematic or areas of conservation concern.
To date more than 150 volunteers have been trained and roughly 40 percent of them are active today. Citizen Scientists take water samples at public boat landings, private docks and in private communities, including Sun City, Callawassie Island, Colleton River, Moss Creek and Habersham. As the monitoring program has grown, so has the need for more volunteers.
“This program is not possible without the dedication of our volunteers. As we look to protect our natural resources for generations to come creating baseline environmental data is critical,” Kehrer says. “Every waterway should be monitored equally, which is no small endeavor. The
need for more volunteers cannot be understated as this must be a community-wide effort.”
Karen Anderson is among the first and most active volunteers in the program. She and a group of nine friends, dubbed the “CR Stream Sisters,” monitor two sites in Colleton River Club, two of 30 or so HUCs that are actively monitored today
“We love taking a break from our daily activities to commune with nature,” Anderson says. “Sampling the water, observing surrounding habitats and listing wildlife sightings are always highlights of our meetings.”
The CR Stream Sisters follow their bi-monthly gatherings with lunch on the community dock of the Colleton River, where they frequently encounter curious residents, providing opportunities to educate their neighbors.
“We often share our activities and findings with neighbors as they stop on the dock to ask questions,” Anderson says, adding that the group also keep the neighborhood at large up to date on their efforts through the Colleton River Club’s quarterly conservancy newsletter, “It’s in Our Nature.”
PRSF is already looking to make the next big step in water quality monitoring through a partnership with University of South Carolina-Beaufort (USCB) to pro-
vide volunteers with new tools to aid in their efforts.
“We want to offer volunteers the option to do more in their roles,” Kehrer says. “Currently, sampling is done once a month through titration methods which are subject to human error and, at times, can be quite time-consuming. We are looking to streamline sampling and broaden our understanding by implementing handheld meters, taking water samples and incorporating an app for data collection. By doing so we can create a larger understanding both biologically and chemically of how our waterways behave and create higher-resolution data by sampling more frequently.”
“Water monitoring is a great way to connect with the sound and to appreciate everything it provides,” Kehrer says. “You don’t have to be a scientist to get involved. You just need a desire to help and a little bit of training.”
To learn more about the Lowcountry Citizen Science Program or to become a trained volunteer visit https://scdhec.gov/ environment/your-water-coast/adoptstream, www.PortRoyalSoundFoundation. com/volunteer or email Chris Kehrer at ckehrer@portroyalsoundfoundation.org
BY PAUL TOLLEFSON Contributor
Sometimes, as humans, we get caught up in the daily routine, the day in and day out of life...the drive to work, the rushing to get kids to and from school, uniforms washed, shuffle to practice. We sometimes don’t even notice the history that still stands. Of an era long ago, perhaps a simpler time, perhaps a harder time. If you have lived in Bluffton long enough, you will have driven by this building that lies just on the outskirts of Bluffton, in Pritchardville, on SC 46. It used to be hard to miss, the yellow building just in front of this that once held the general store that is now only a memory. A place that your parents would send you as a child to pick up simple necessities. A place that thrived with penny candy and bubble gum. The store may not have bigger than a studio apartment.
The “cannery” sits just off the road, almost all of its windows are shattered, door wide open. After much research I learned that this was the second building, as the first was a large wooden building that served as a school in the early 1900s. The building was eventually torn down and replaced with this block building. In the 1940s, the cannery was run by a man named Mr. Hilderbrandt, who also was the original principal at MC Riley on Goethe Road.
The cannery was a bustling place, where nearby residents would come to wash their vegetables and can them to preserve for the many months to come. Residents would also bring in cuts of
pork and beef to be labeled and stored in a rented freezer locker. There was also a smoker of sorts, where cuts of meat could be salted and cured.
Before the modern luxury of having a freezer in your house, having a locker that you rented was a primary source of saving your food. As I envision this freezer locker, the thought of many rows from ceiling to pavement similar to a morgue comes into my head.
Now, a Dollar General sits directly across the street, the local fire station catty corner. A Parkers and a Wendy’s is only a short distance away.
The days of old are gone, but sometimes, you can still find some of the coolest stuff if we can just slow down and look around at what a beautiful place we live in, rich with Southern history.
Paul Tollefson is the Director of Tennis at Hampton Hall Club. He is a 20+ year resident of Hilton Head and Bluffton and enjoys researching and writing about the people, places and things that have made the area what it is today. Paul is the co-creator of the Facebook page Bluffton Then and Now. He enjoys giving Bluffton history presentations to communities and in local schools and is on the board of the Historic Bluffton Foundation.
BY EDWINA HOYLE Contributor
From over 20,000 Right at Home caregivers in the nation, Delvon Denson has been recognized as the 2024 Southeast Regional Employee of the Year for Right at Home, an in-home care provider for seniors and the disabled in Bluffton, Hilton Head and Savannah. Denson was nominated and chosen because of the positive impact he makes every day, his kindness and compassion and for being a positive role model.
Associate director Nancy Rosen of Right at Home said, “We are quite lucky to have 306 fantastic caregivers, and at times, some shine brighter than others. But Denson is different, his star is a hot ball of glowing plasma held together by gravity, and he shines brightly all the time.”
Denson was hired as a caregiver nearly 11 years ago. Rosen explained that it was hard for him at first because most of their clients were women who needed personal care, and they didn’t want a male caregiver.
a.m.–10 p.m.) three or four times a week and commutes an hour each way.
Denson said, “To be successful with my clients I have, to understand what inspires them, what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are, and I have to learn everything I can about their disease issues. All of this explains my course of action. This man trusts me because I know him. I just talk to him. You have to know him to understand him, and the family trusts me, too. A regiment is needed, then you can go from nothing to something. That’s progress.”
“I’m just a regular guy. In life I don’t do anything for recognition. It’s effort I put in every day – like being a parent –you’re not always going to hear that you’re doing well. If it’s just a job, don’t do it. You must want to do it. Be passionate.” Denson said he never sets invisible ceilings or limits. He’s always wanted to help people by providing hands-on care. Edwina Hoyle is a freelance writer in Bluffton.
• Electrodiagnostics EMG/NCV
• Epidural Steroid Injections
• Nerve Blocks
• Radiofrequency Ablation
• Spinal Cord Stimulator
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulator
• MILD Procedure
Neurosurgery & Spine of McLeod
“In Savannah we had a difficult case, a younger man who had a devastating worker’s comp injury that resulted in brain injury. He was a large man and difficult for our female caregivers to manage. There was also a big problem in the home. The client’s wife had dementia and she assumed that the female caregivers were in the home to attract her husband. She wouldn’t allow them to assist with his care. On a whim, I asked Denson if he could simply go for one shift to give the man a much-needed shower or bed bath. He agreed. Never did I think that he would accept the case permanently. Denson lives in Beaufort, almost 50 miles away from this client in Savannah.”
Rosen said that 2 1/2 years is the national average that caregivers last in their jobs due to burnout, but Denson has 11 years working with this challenging client. He works 14-hour shifts (8
BY DR. JEAN HARRIS Contributor
I spend a lot of time watching golfers practice on the range without teaching aids. However, when you watch the golf professionals practicing, they always have a teaching aid or two with them.
I am a real advocate for using teaching aids in your practice. They can be visual, auditory or kinesthetic “feel related,” and they don’t have to cost you a lot of money. I have listed several teaching aids that I use in my lessons that you already have at home or can buy for less than $3. They fit in your golf bag, and you can bring them to the practice range or putting green.
• Comb - putting a small comb in the glove of your target hand, facing the target, is a great way to work on your chip-
ping stroke. It will keep the back of your target wrist flat and take your wrists out of the shot.
• Door Stop – using a door stop on the outside of your back foot will help you to stop swaying. You need to shift your weight to the inside of the back foot on the backswing, and the door stop will help you do this. You need to keep your back knee flexed. I also like my students to “push-off” the doorstop at impact to get the proper weight shift to the target.
• Rods (driveway reflectors) - you can buy them at Lowes or Home Depot for $3. They are a must to have on the ground for proper aim and alignment during your practice. You can also use them as railroad tracks to work on your path.
• Baby Powder – put down a vertical line of baby powder on the grass and hit golf balls off the line. You want your divots to be in front of the line. It will also show you the path of your divots. I use
this in all my lessons to teach my students how to hit the grass in front of the ball not behind the ball with their irons and hybrids.
• Empty water bottle – use the bottle on the ground and put in a place in your
swing path you want to hit to. For example, if your path is too outside-in on the forward swing, put the water bottle outside the ball and swing toward the bottle.
• Yardstick – place a ball at the center of the 18” yardstick and practice your putting stroke, keeping the ball on the yardstick to the end. This will show you if you are returning the putter face square at impact.
• Metronome – free app on your phone. Start around 76 bpm. Use this to practice your tempo on the putting green with chipping and putting.
Remember that practice needs to help you “feel and see” the correct movements. Using teaching aids will help you have quality practice so you can take the correct movements to the golf course.
Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional at Pinecrest Golf Club. Jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com
BY ZACH DELOACH Contributor
We have made our way into July and hope that everyone had a great July 4 weekend to kick off the month. We experienced a very hot and dry June this year and are now being greeted with some afternoon showers. The rain has been much needed in the area as many lawns have experienced some drought pressure and water bills have been higher than normal trying to keep up with the demand. This month, we wanted to go a little more in depth on watering along with the do’s and don’ts when it comes to home irrigation. When it comes to irrigation, it tends to be a complex topic, as there is no one-sizefits-all plan. A variety of factors come into play and all need to be assessed when
setting the sprinklers. Some of these factors include shade, drainage, runoff, surface coverage, the number of heads, water pressure and implemented restrictions. It is important to analyze your personal property zone by zone and make your settings accordingly.
When assessing the zones, here are a few things that you should be looking for. 1.) Making sure that all areas of the turf are receiving coverage. 2.) Checking for breaks and leaks to minimize pressure loss. 3.) Looking for areas where water pools to avoid oversaturation 4.) Looking for areas with heavy runoff and 5.) Testing how long the zone will need to run for. Once the system has been assessed, we would recommend setting your times. Ideally you want to make sure you are water-
ing deep and not every day. Some lawns need more frequent irrigation than others depending on how established the root system is. But this time of year, 2-3 times per week is recommended. A deep soak may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more, meaning it’s important to test your coverage to determine what’s right for you. Coverage can be tested by placing out a pie pan in your areas of concern and measuring the time it takes to
produce one inch of water in the pan. After times and days are set you can now visually assess the changes in the lawn. When dehydration is occurring, you will notice the blades developing a hazy color, shrinking in size, becoming crunchy to walk across and eventually dying out. If this is visible in any areas, reassess coverage for that zone. We recommend keeping a rain gauge out to track rainfall and skipping irrigation when we receive an inch or more. If you notice areas remaining oversaturated due to pooling or shade, please reduce the time in these areas to avoid root rot or fungus. Alternatively, a core aeration can be performed to help with the flow of water. Zach Deloach is the owner of Lawn Doctor of Beaufort County.
BY COLLINS DOUGHTIE Contributor
I don’t know about you, but for me, these last few weeks seem way hotter than I can ever remember. I realize it is mid-July, but as my dad would say, “it’s so hot the trees are chasing the dogs.” As much as I would prefer hanging in the air conditioning, that was not to be since my daughter Camden, her husband Andrew and my two grandchildren, Ben, now 8, and his older sister Alice, 10, moved here from Virginia about three years ago. Why should that change my daily routine you might ask? They didn’t just buy a home; they bought the home right next door to my abode. The kids nicknamed me “Pappy,” and as delightful as it is having them so close, my previous routine of taking a one-hour siesta in the afternoon is nothing more than wishful thinking. Between school, going to plays, soccer, baseball and basketball games those kiddos never stop moving. Then when I do try to sneak a catnap, it doesnt’t take more than five minutes before one of my two grands is jumping up and down on my chest like I am a trampoline. Having raised two of my own, I’ll be darned if I had forgotten just how hard it can be. In all honestly, it is worth it though because I have an absolute blast.
Before they moved in next door, it had been at least two or three years since I had stepped on the beach. Is that strange or what? It did take a bit of coaxing by my daughter to get me to take a beach day or two because I didn’t even own a swimsuit. But after a quick trip to Speedo Land, I
got me a new suit, and no, it wasn’t a Speedo, and off we go to one of Hilton Head’s beaches. Growing up on the island when you could count on one hand the number of beach goers, I wasn’t at all prepared with the number of people on the beach these days. It wasn’t until I got in the water that I totally forgot about them and let the ocean do its magic on my body. It was wonderful. It took the pressure off my bad back and spurred me on to go again and again and again. When it as hot as it has been, the water is definitely the place to be if air conditioning isn’t in the cards.
On that note, my fishing routine during this blistering hot period is to get up and out on the water early so by around noon I can be back in the cool confines of my home. Then around 4:30 p.m., I stick my head outside, and if my glasses don’t fog up, I figure it’s safe to get back outside. On one such morning, I loaded up my daughter and her minions on my boat and headed to Daufuskie Island. Along the way I pulled into a creek, shut down the engines, threw out a bumper on a long rope and we all jumped in the water. Yep, the water is definitely the ticket because even by 10 a.m. it’s so hot the birds have to pick up worms with a potholder. Personally, I like swimming in the river more than the beach. The water is cooler, more refreshing and you don’t have to pick sand out of your crack. Once we made it to Daufuskie for a bite to eat, it was absolutely stifling hot. With only one large fan in the joint, I pitied the folks trying to eat their deviled crab because I was one ripe
individual hogging the fan. Yum, yum. Back on the water, I decided to hand the navigation over to my grandson, Ben, just to see if any of my rather questionable genetics were there. At 8 years old his intensity blew my mind. After a bit of instruction, he took the wheel without hesitation, glancing at the GPS and bottom machine like any well-seasoned skipper would. Ben just has it, and I can’t wait to add another marsh monkey to my long line of ocean dwellers.
Can you believe the water temperature is 86 degrees now? That in itself is another reason to get going early especially if you are fishing. Thus far, this has been one of the best trout years in a long time
and man-oh-man are there some lunkers. Better yet, I have been getting them on top water plugs like a chartreuse Zara Spook. It is so cool watching that lure disappear in an explosion of water. You might not catch numbers of trout, but the ones you do catch are absolute pigs. Once the sun gets cooking, you might as well forget it. I guess trout don’t cotton to the heat either as they move to deeper water to cool off or simply sulk in the depths until the sun goes down.
Thus far, this has been a weird year for me when it comes to fishing. Usually by this time, I would have been offshore a dozen times, but I have yet to see blue water once. Instead, I have found a new love taking kids fishing. Of course, I take my grandchildren who both seem to love catching redfish bigger than they are, but for whatever reason, I have been asked to take kids fishing more than I ever have. Many are from points way north of here, and the biggest fish they have ever caught would fit in my hand. But the look in their eyes after battling, and landing, a huge redfish, flounder or black drum is priceless. Kids require a lot more patience but the reward for both the kid and myself is incredible. I love it! After just one outing when I invite them for a repeat session, they will gladly leave their phones and tablets at home and groove on nature at its best. Best of all, it brings out the kid in me!
Collins Doughtie is a 60-year resident of the Lowcountry, is a sportsman, graphic artist and lover of nature. collinsdoughtie@icloud.com
BY RHODA GORDON Contributor
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your photo clutter, you’re not alone. Millions of people have boxes and bags of print photos, negatives, slides and other media in various places around the house.
Photo chaos can be incredibly stressful. We want to savor and share our memories with our family and friends, but often don’t know where to start to organize them. The guilt of seeing our photos languishing in attics, garages or storage facilities, fading with each passing day, can be overwhelming. Moreover, these irreplaceable memories are at risk of being lost to natural disasters like fires, tornadoes or hurricanes.
Imagine how peaceful it would be to know your photos are organized and backed up, and how wonderful to easily and quickly find the perfect memory to share or use for a special project?
This problem is common, and the solution is now right at your fingertips. It’s time to tackle photo clutter and ensure our memories are preserved and cherished for years to come.
1. Gather Your Photos
This step is about gathering your photo collection in one place so you can assess and begin organizing. If you are doing a short organizing session, determine how many photos to gather. You may decide to limit your photo organizing to items from one room, one box or a stack of photo albums. If you are organizing your entire collection, you will have to go on a scavenger hunt, room by room, to collect all
your photos. Do not forget to look in drawers for those loose photos! Once you are done gathering your photos move onto the next step.
2. Simple Sort
This step is all about decision-making, and it should be a quick, “beat the clock” exercise. Take a stack of photos and sort them, trusting your instincts. Use these sorting rules to place the photos into the following piles:
• Best: photos that mean the most to you, they belong displayed or easily accessible
• Good: important photos that should be saved and stored in archival quality boxes
• Story: these photos may not be a great picture, but they clearly tell a story that should be recorded for future generations
• Trash: photos that you no longer need and can be thrown away By sorting quickly and decisively, you can streamline the process and reduce the overwhelming nature of organizing your
photo collection.
One of the best tools to support your photo organizing is a family timeline. This timeline will be invaluable in the next step, helping you categorize and date your photos. I suggest creating the timeline with family milestones on a long piece of butchers’ paper rolled out on a table. First create a horizontal line and place vertical notches across to depict decades. Then add your dates in the correct space, with the leftmost as the earliest date. Creating this as a group can be a fun and creative activity for the whole family to enjoy together.
The final portion of organizing your photos is to sort by category. The timeline is your tool. Sorting chronologically is, by far, the most popular way to organize. Start with your “Best” pile and when that is complete, move onto the “Good” pile.
August 9th and 10th 08:00AM - 02:00PM
Date: August 9th and 10th
Time: 08:00AM - 02:00PM
Discover hidden treasures, delicious baked goods, and homemade casseroles. All proceeds support our missions. Don’t miss this fun community event!
FROM PAGE 38A
Store the categorized photos separated by labeled index cards in an archival safe photo box. Consider having the organized photos digitized to provide a backup and to preserve for generations to come.
Now that you know the steps to organizing your print photos, get those photos out of the dark, organize them, relive the memories and share your story with your family and friends.
Rhoda Gordon is a local certified photo manager, owner of Sunflower Photo Solutions and creator of DIG YOUR PHOTOS!, the only complete photo organizing kit on the market. Rhoda has been helping families and businesses organize and back up their print and digital collection for almost a decade.
Gramoy
21 A Low Country Realty
Folly Field, HHI, 29928 (843) 384-1525 or email dkgramoy@aol.com www.c21lowcountry.com
As a native of Bluffton and longtime patient at Palmetto Dental Arts, Dr. Davis is excited for the opportunity to join the practice where his passion for dentistry began and to serve the community where he was raised.
Dr. Davis became a patient at Palmetto Dental Arts at age 7 and went on to intern summers at the practice. He is a graduate of Bluffton High School, Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Upon graduation he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy and received orders to MCRD Parris Island. In his first year as a Navy dentist, Dr. Davis built his clinical skills by rotating through different specialties within dentistry, including endodontics and oral surgery.
He spent his last years on Parris Island co-leading the CAD/CAM department and training other dentists to learn the pro-
cess of single-visit restorations.
“Seeing a local young man who discovered his love for dentistry right here in our office, spent his summers interning with us, and is now back as a fellow dentist, feels like welcoming family. This journey reflects the strong bonds we build and the nurturing environment we’ve created over the years. It’s truly special to see our homegrown talent come back to serve the community that his family has been an integral part of for generations.”
- Dr. Brian Smith, Founding Dentist, Palmetto Dental Arts
Palmetto Dental Arts is locally owned and operated and has been proudly serving the Low country for 25 years. Our state-ofthe-art facility and caring team provide compassionate and comprehensive dental care tailored to each individual patient and their needs.
BY REV. SHANNON BULLION Contributor
I am not sure there are enough beatific visions this side of heaven. Recently, however, I came upon one. As I have reflected on it more and more, I realize that it felt beautifully divine –holy even.
It was a simple enough outing. I had taken my daughter to the beach… If I stopped there, that wouldn’t give you the full scope of the day or enough details about my daughter. My daughter is a 22-yearold who has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and an intellectual disorder. Her IQ is in the 50’s,
and when it is combined with social skills, it is in the 20’s.
She was invited to the beach along with
8:30am Outdoor Worship 10:30am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary Both Services live-streamed at ProvidenceHHI.org
Located on the south end of the Island on Cordillo Parkway (halfway between Pope Avenue and the Sea Pines Ocean Gate) 171 Cordillo Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843-842-5673
PPC@ProvidenceHHI.org
friends from a local non-profit organization called Pockets Full of Sunshine. It was hosted by a swanky hotel. There was a DJ playing music that only young people love. There were animated mermaids, sharks, etc. There were surfboard instructors, food for days, arts, crafts, face painting – even dancing. The whole scene looked similar to a Panama City Beach Spring Break were it inclusive – where daughters like mine to be included in the fun.
To be sure, I have no desire for a literal Panama City Beach Spring Break rendezvous for my daughter. However, I do love the scandal of the Gospel and Cross enough to hope that all people are included anywhere. I believe that grace is God’s penultimate plan of action that only free will can push aside.
Part of the beatific vision that we can manifest here on earth is to know that inclusion is divine. I know this because I know that grief
and despair are the mainstay of the excluded. There are not many curated Facebook moments for the excluded. No reels of prom highlights with peers. There will not be a college acceptance or graduation, and it is all okay. Really. I have accepted all this. It’s the exclusion that I cannot accept and especially when it comes from the faith community. Miroslav Volf once said that “exclusion is an act of violence.” I so believe that to be true with every ounce of my being. I can also say however, that inclusion is part of God’s beatific vision on earth.
May we therefore live in beauty.
For further reflection read James 2:1-10 (1113), 14-17.
Rev. Shannon Bullion is the pastor of Church of the Palms United Methodist Church in Okatie.
DEAR EDITOR:
This and future generations of Beaufort County residents will benefit from the extraordinary vision of Councilman Tom Reitz, who worked closely with Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriquez to create the soon to be implemented Beaufort County Internship Program. The internship program is designed to both educate high school and college students about how local government works and prepare them for future employment with Beaufort County.
lition Action Network of St. Helena Island (CCAN) at its headquarters on May 18.
Although the internship program won’t officially kick off until the beginning of the 2024-2025 Academic Year in August, applications for the program can be picked up at CCAN on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, and on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. CCAN is located at 808 Sea Island Parkway on SHI. Applications are also available online.
Over 15 weeks, the interns will earn $15 an hour for up to 15 hours per week of onsite learning, special projects and immersion in county government operations, including shadowing county employees. Applicants are generally expected to be at least 16 years. Human Resources Director Katherine Mead recommended approval of the internship program during the Finance, Administration & Economic Development Committee Meeting on June 17.
I’m extremely proud that Gullah students on St. Helena Island were among the first to be informed about the upcoming internship program by Reitz himself, during the Youth Enrichment Fair held by the Community Coa-
I urge local high school and college students to take advantage of this unique educational/workforce training opportunity.
The Community Coalition Action Network of St. Helena Island is a dedicated group of citizens, businesses and partner organizations focused on positive change in our beloved community. Our organization, CCAN of St. Helena Island, is passionately committed to uplifting the voices of the vibrant community of St. Helena Island and fostering a spirit of unity, empowerment, and growth.
The Senior Industry Professionals of the Lowcountry (“SIP”) provides a forum for member professionals and organizations to meet regularly to network, build relationships, communicate information about member businesses, promote events, businesses and activities, and learn about and/or stay current with services, organizations and resources that affect our aging adult population.
Annual memberships are currently $100 and can include up to 3 organization members.
We look forward to
seeing you at our member meetings on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and at our numerous networking events throughout the area. More information may be found at https://app.joinit. com/o/sipofthelowcountry or call Susan Basile at 843-304-7122.
BY WENDY KUSHEL Contributor
Sugar scrub - what is it? What’s it for? What’s in it? When and where is it best to use and not use?
What is it?
Sugar scrub is a skincare product. The name can be misleading - it is not a floor cleaner, a dishwashing product or something you wear around the house so you can play doctor.
Sugar scrubs are exfoliating moisturizers. The sugar is the exfoliator which rubs off dead skin cells and the smorgasbord of free radicals. Free radicals are not
to be confused with the literature Barbra Streisand was distributing in The Way We Were. They are tiny, harmful molecules that can damage skin cells, making skin look older and less healthy. They come from things like pollution, sunlight and unhealthy foods. The other components (oils, butters, waxes) are the moisturizers.
How to use
Sugar scrubs can be used in the shower from neck to toes.
Hands and feet get a lot of wear and tear, so a nice mushy-mush washy-wash can make the skin feel delicious. The best scrubs for hands and feet should contain a balance of oils and butters.
When to use a Sugar Scrub
Hand scrubs can be used more often. A teaspoon or even less is enough. A good foot scrub should contain a crunchier sugar (raw sugar). This is the kind of scrub that has work to do and gets it done, so once a week is plenty. As for the body, depending on the grain of the sugar, once or twice a week in the shower. Some chickees like to exfoliate with a sugar scrub before they shave. Great idea. It definitely softens up the skin before Mr. Razor goes to town.
When not to use a Sugar Scrub
Facial sugar scrubs can be okay as long as they are used sparingly and made from extremely fine sugars. Otherwise, they may be too abrasive for the face.
Please do not scrub the body with anything abrasive after a day in the sun. Yikes! Think about it. I’d like to rub some sandpaper on my sunburned skin, said no one ever. When the skin is stressed, it wants soft TLC, like some aloe, lotion or
even shea butter. Not a sugar scrub. A sugar scrub works best when the skin is relaxed, happy and healthy.
Some sugar scrubs contain small amounts of essential oils or fragrances, and these may not be ideal for those people who have skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
Wendy Kushel is the owner of Wendala’s LowCountry Sugar Scrub, LLC based in Bluffton, SC. Drawn to the Beauty & Personal Care Industry Wendy founded her company in 2020. Her background includes stand-up comedy, film, TV and a lot of sales and marketing. For more information about Wendala’s® LowCountry Sugar Scrub visit www.lowcountrysugarscrub. com or call/text 843-949-8933.
BY JOY ROSS
Contributor
It’s safe to say we are in the midst of the steamy, sticky, icky days of summer. There’s pretty much nothing redeeming at all at this time of year. It’s a great time to go to the beach or Antarctica!
No matter what we do with our hair, it’s probably not going to stay without a halo of fuzz. I concede, ponytails are allowed. There are some things to be mindful of all the time but especially now.
Please note that dry shampoo is great to make your hair look clean; however, it isn’t really clean. It absorbs the dampness and oils making it appear clean. The reality is that bacteria and dirt are also captured in that dry shampoo and on the scalp making it an unhealthy environment. Your hair needs a great, vigorous real shampoo to rid your scalp of buildup and any unwanted residue from the moisture in the air combined with oils and dirt. This can cause clogged hair follicles and irritation if you let it go too long. You shouldn’t shampoo your hair every day or
even every few days, but rinsing it regularly in between will help with any hair loss possibilities and unhealthy conditions.
Using fewer styling products at this
place.
Remember not to brush or sleep with damp or wet hair. Brushing your hair when it’s wet will stretch it, and it has more potential to snap. Sleeping with wet hair also causes more damage, especially if it’s chemically treated. Try to dry it before bed and pull it back loosely in a scrunchie. This will help to keep it from getting knotted and tangled while sleeping. Silk pillowcases are great as well.
time of year is also beneficial. Try spraying a little bit of hairspray on your hands after your hair is completely dry and running your hands through the top layer of your hair to keep the flyaway hairs in
Trimming your hair when it’s been abused in the humidity and sun helps prevent breakage. Even if you are letting it grow, have less than the usual 1/2” of new growth that is gained each month trimmed off to keep it healthy and happy. Hopefully all of these little things will help keep your hair healthier in our intense heat and humidity. Time is flying, so it will be over soon. Christmas is around the corner!
Joy Ross is the owner of Style It Salon, styleitsalon.com
BY ABBY BIRD AKA ALPHADOG Contributor
What is the Elephant in the Room? It is all the information, both positive and negative, about why shelters and rescues nationwide continue to overflow with certain types of dogs; Pit Bulls and Pit Bull type dogs and mixes.
Overwhelmingly, these are the dogs that find themselves given up by owners, found as strays or are removed from their previous environment for a variety of reasons.
Addressing the overcrowding of rescue and shelters with Pit Bull type dogs is difficult to digest but not to understand. Hence the title of the article. Why is it so difficult to discuss without getting everyone’s hackles up or causing denial? The known facts and the myths surrounding this issue is why.
Pit Bull type breeds have been desired family pets for decades. Mostly, you will
find them loyal and loving in their family situations. Overall, they some of the best dogs as family pets you will ever find. But statistically, there are other aspects that have made them less attractive. Depending on the information you read, over 40% of the dogs in shelters are these type of dogs; most euthanized dogs in shelters estimated at 1 million; number one banned dogs by communities; often disallowed by home insurance companies; number one statistically that have bite records for people and other dogs (this statistic is skewed because of the sheer numbers of these dogs in the population, i.e. more dogs in number more bites, as chihuahuas bite almost as much.); most used for dog fighting rings; most overbred dogs by people seeking money or status or nefarious uses for these dogs.
What can we all do to help the situation? Beside encouraging spay/neuter, we can discourage the uncontrolled breeding
of these breeds. If you know anyone who breeds, please discourage them or report them. Don’t buy these dogs, adopt! There are hundreds of thousands in shelters. If you see unneutered or unspayed dogs in the community, contact Animal Control and they will get them fixed, which is the law in Beaufort County.
If you are interested in adopting a wonderful larger breed family pet, consider these dogs. If there is any temperament concern, get them temperament tested by a behaviorist. You will rarely find a more affectionate mix of dog breed. Check with your insurance company to find out if your dog can be covered if they are temperament tested or has passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. While lovers of these breeds and mixes can also be in denial as to the statistics, the rest of us shouldn’t perpetuate the negatives when the positive personalities of these breeds far outweigh the bad. The numbers are
against these dogs. We go to shelters and all we see are kennel after kennel of Pitties and similar. Change is up to us. Rather than community banning of these dogs,
Kamari is a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll! This 4-year-old girl likes to play hard followed by some good old-fashioned down time. She absolutely loves the water and gets along with other dogs. If you’re looking for a sweet, fun loving, easy going dog to bring home, meet Kamari at Palmetto Animal League. She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations and microchipped. For more info, call PAL at 843-645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.
Nesbitt has been at the Palmetto Animal League Adoption Center since February, and he’s been largely overlooked due to his shy nature. Nesbitt is a nice boy who gets along with other cats. He just needs a kindred spirit to give him the courage to come out of his shell and live life to the fullest. He is neutered, up to date on vaccinations and microchipped. For more info, call PAL at 843645-1725 or email Info@PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.
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.
SELF DEFENSE: Have you purchased a gun for self-defense? Can you safely & effectively use it? Training at your level for what you want to accomplish. One-on-one, couples, and especially novice women. Certified instructor. Jack@wavebusters.com.
First Presbyterian Church seeks a part-time sexton to perform janitorial services, room set-up/break down and minor repairs of the facilities and grounds; up to 20 hours/week; flexible schedule based on church needs. Inquiries to shelms@fpchhi.org; 843-422-7928.
