Hilton Head Sun • January 8, 2025

The Hilton Head Sun

Embracing active aging: redefining life after 55

BY MATT UPPENBRINK, MS

Contributor

In the evolving landscape of aging, the narrative surrounding life after 55 has undergone a remarkable transformation. Gone are the days when retirement meant withdrawal and disengagement. Today’s vibrant 55+ generation is rewriting the script, challenging outdated stereotypes and embracing a lifestyle characterized by continuous growth, exploration and purpose.

THE NEW PARADIGM OF AGING

Recent research from the Stanford Center on Longevity highlights a profound shift in how we conceptualize aging. A longitudinal study published in The Gerontologist (2022) reveals that individuals over 55 are increasingly viewing this life stage as an opportunity for personal reinvention rather than a period of decline [1]. The traditional model of aging as a time of diminishment is rapidly giving way to a more dynamic, empowered perspective.

Dr. Laura Carstensen, director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, argues that “aging is not a problem to be solved, but an opportunity to be embraced” [2]. This sentiment is backed by compelling research demonstrating that individuals who maintain an active, engaged approach to life experience significant benefits in both physical and mental well-being.

CHALLENGING STEREOTYPES THROUGH ACTION

The concept of active aging goes far be-

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ABOUT DR. HARRINGTON:

AGING

yond physical fitness—though that remains crucial. It encompasses intellectual stimulation, social engagement, personal growth and continued contribution to society. A comprehensive study published in Aging & Mental Health found that individuals who pursue new learning experiences and maintain social connections show remarkable cognitive resilience [3]. Consider the emerging trend of “encore careers” and continued education. The Kauffman Foundation reports that entrepreneurship among individuals 55-64 has been steadily increasing, with this age group launching more businesses than any other demographic [4]. This statistic challenges the notion that innovation and ambition have age limits.

HOLISTIC WELLNESS: BEYOND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Active aging is fundamentally about holistic wellness. The World Health Organization defines active aging as “the process

of optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security to enhance quality of life as people age” [5]. This encompasses:

- Continuous physical activity

- Lifelong learning

- Social engagement

- Emotional well-being

- Purposeful contribution to community

A landmark study in the Journal of Aging and Health demonstrated that individuals who maintain high levels of social and intellectual engagement experience a 30% lower risk of cognitive decline compared to less active peers [6].

PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT AND MINDSET

The key to embracing active aging lies in mindset. Psychological research increasingly emphasizes the role of attitude in determining health outcomes. A study published in Psychological Science found that positive beliefs about aging can actually extend life expectancy by up to 7.5 years [7].

This isn’t about denying the challenges that come with aging, but about approaching those challenges with resilience, creativity and optimism. It’s about recognizing that age is not a limitation, but a unique vantage point from which to view and interact with the world.

PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARDS ACTIVE AGING

For those looking to embrace this new paradigm, experts recommend:

- Pursuing lifelong learning through classes, workshops or online courses

- Maintaining regular physical activity tailored to individual capabilities

- Cultivating meaningful social connections

- Exploring new hobbies and interests

- Staying mentally stimulated through puzzles, reading, and challenging activities

- Considering volunteer opportunities or part-time work that provides purpose The narrative of aging is being rewritten, one empowered individual at a time.

Life after 55 is not about slowing down, but about discovering new rhythms, exploring uncharted territories and continuing to grow, learn and contribute.

References

[1] The Gerontologist, 2022 Longitudinal Aging Study

[2] Stanford Center on Longevity Annual Report

[3] Aging & Mental Health, Cognitive Resilience Research

[4] Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurship Report

[5] World Health Organization Active Aging Framework

[6] Journal of Aging and Health, Engagement and Cognitive Decline Study

[7] Psychological Science, Aging Attitudes Longevity Research

Matt Uppenbrink, MS, is the Executive Director of The Seabrook of Hilton Head. Interested in learning more about The Seabrook of Hilton Head or if you would like to schedule a tour: https://www.theseabrook.com/ or call 843-842-3747.

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Contributors

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Mayor Alan Perry

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Rep. Jeff Bradley

Thomas Dowling

Dr. Jean Harris

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Cinda Seamon

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EDITORIAL

2025: The Year of Servant Leader Hearts, Data-Driven Minds

BY MAYOR ALAN PERRY Contributor

Tracy Winslow Justin Jarrett Dr. Horup

Lisa Hostetler Brown

Collins Doughtie Dr. Mastrorocco

Dr. Finger

Mark Winn

Dan Prud’homme

Kingston Rhodes Rev. Therese Donlan

Lee

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Contact us

Melissa McCullough PO Box 2056, Bluffton, SC 29910

843-757-9507, 843-757-9506 (fax)

Physical address: 181 Bluffton Rd., Ste F103-2 Bluffton, SC 29910 BlufftonSun.com

Like many of you, my thoughts at the outset of a New Year tend toward making resolutions. Some are personal, some are professional, and many of them relate to the kind of servant leadership we aspire to in our town government.

As your Mayor, I take the concept of servant leadership very seriously; defined in the 1970s by Robert Greenleaf, this leadership philosophy prioritizes the growth, well-being and development of individuals and communities so that everyone’s full potential can be reached, and organizations can achieve success. Fortunately, our town council and town staff rosters are full of individuals who subscribe to this idea, too, and it’s what is fueling our momentum as we enter 2025.

I often say that when trying to find solutions that actually solve problems, without data, you’re just another person with an opinion. We’re going to take our data-driven mindset to the next level during our upcoming town council strategic planning sessions with town staff this February, and I’ve resolved for my focus in those discussions to target these top five priorities for 2025:

1. Land Management Ordinance (LMO) – This overhaul of town codes, decisions about island characteristics that carry us into the future and improvements in how we develop and build on the island to preserve and protect our natural environment is one of, if not the most, impactful work we will do this year. We will tackle a comprehensive review of all chapters, overall code organization, user-friendliness of the code, and will incorporate amendments to further align the LMO with the community’s stated strate-

gic intentions and a right-sized growth framework.

2. Parks and Recreation – We’ve got a lot of shovels poised to hit the ground this year with projects related to building, renovating or improving most of our existing parks and beaches. The differences will be notable and easily seen, from new pickleball courts and groundbreakings on long-awaited new family parks to increased efforts to protect the flora and fauna around us.

3. Economic Impact – Anecdotally and through the generation of hospitality and tourism related tax revenues, we know that Hilton Head Island generates more than just local economic impact. What we need to understand better is where we fit into the larger discussion of regional and statewide economic impact. We have an opportunity now to get a better seat at the table as critical decisions are being made related to statewide growth and development, and to explore more fully how we can attract business growth that is high tech, high income and low physical and environmental impact.

4. 278 William Hilton Parkway Corridor – We’ve come a long way as a community in discussions related to this criti-

cal infrastructure and quality of life improvement. It’s no secret that the collective “we” face funding challenges in relation to a replacement bridge, and we must find solutions that encourage a positive fate for our local, regional and statewide economies and simultaneously champion roadway safety.

5. Beach Renourishment – Part of our bread and butter has always been the pristine, unique and restorative elements of our island’s beaches. Protecting and preserving it is as natural to us as the tide itself, and we plan to get started in late spring / early summer, followed by at least three phases of renourishment that will take place through 2026.

Please don’t misread me, I don’t intend to make it sound like the new year is going to consist of a simple to-do list where we check the boxes, celebrate some wins, and move on. It’s going to take due diligence, respect, thoughtfulness and our servant leadership hearts and data-driven minds; but with that said, I’ve never been more hopeful and enthusiastic about the future of Hilton Head Island.

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

Alan Perry

Beaufort Memorial partners with IntuitiveHealth, MUSC Health to improve patient access, care with hybrid ER & urgent care on Hilton Head Island

Beaufort Memorial is continuing to expand access to care in southern Beaufort County, announcing today a key partnership with Intuitive Health and MUSC Health to establish a hybrid emergency room and urgent care facility on the south end of Hilton Head Island.

Beaufort Memorial Emergency & Urgent Care, one of the first hybrid facilities of its kind in the state, is a crucial step for Beaufort Memorial in its ongoing commitment to meeting the need for care on Hilton Head Island.

Beaufort Memorial recognizes the growing need and lack of access on the island for both urgent care and emergency care services. This facility will bring that urgently needed care to residents closer to home.

“We are excited to announce that Beaufort Memorial is continuing to uphold its

promise to expand care in southern Beaufort County,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley.

“This is a groundbreaking model and huge step forward in innovative health care, improving both overall patient experience and access to both emergency and urgent care services for patients in Hilton Head.”

The hospital closed on the property at 1016 William Hilton Parkway in Fall 2024.

Construction is expected to begin this spring, with the doors scheduled to open next winter.

When a patient arrives at the facility, they will be examined and triaged to the appropriate level of care, removing the burden for patients who may not know where to go. The facility will be staffed with emergency-trained, board-certified physicians and nurses, and ful-

ly-equipped like a traditional hospital emergency room. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can bring patients directly to the hybrid facility, which will accommodate ambulances onsite.

“We are pleased to be able to provide enhanced access to emergency and urgent care services to the residents and visitors of the Hilton Head Island community,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., CEO, MUSC Health and vice president for Health Affairs, University. “When a patient experiences a sudden health concern, they want the best quality care as quickly as possible. A facility with both a freestanding emergency room and urgent care services ensures that patients get access to the care they need in a timely manner.”

Intuitive Health is a Texas-based medical group that partners with health sys-

tems like Beaufort Memorial to develop a two-prong emergency and urgent care model, making for a more streamlined process for patient care. They’re working with MUSC Health on several other similar facilities across the state.

“We’re excited to bring our unique ER and urgent care model to South Carolina,” said Intuitive Health CEO Thom Herrmann. “We aim to continue to set a new standard for accessible value-based care with this new partnership.”

This facility will combine the capabilities of an emergency room and convenience of an urgent care with the pricing based on the level of care necessary. Every patient will be seen by a physician trained in emergency medicine, and if it’s determined that the patient doesn’t PARTNER CONT. ON PAGE 8A

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Mondays:

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• Evening @ Jazz Corner

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Fridays:

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Scan with your phone to visit our website!

PARTNER

FROM PAGE 6A

need emergency-level care, they then are treated with urgent care services and walk out with a bill to match.

Open 24/7, the facility will also be equipped with onsite lab equipment and an imaging suite with an X-ray and multi-slice CT scanners. Patients can expect walk-in convenience and shorter wait times compared to a traditional emergency room visit, saving time, money and peace of mind.

“This hybrid facility is an example of Beaufort Memorial’s commitment to smart, innovative expansion,” Baxley said. “We plan to continue improving access to high-quality health care in the growing Lowcountry, and this facility will bring that care to the residents of the Island.”

ABOUT BEAUFORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL:

Opened on May 1, 1944, and licensed for 201 beds (169 acute, 14 rehabilitation, and 18 mental health), BMH serves as an acute-care hospital, a regional referral center and the largest medical facility between Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, Beaufort Memorial boasts a dedicated, high-quality medical staff of nearly 230 board-certified or board-eligible providers, covering dozens of specialties to meet the community’s diverse health needs.

With 1,900 employees, Beaufort Memorial is one of the largest employers in Beaufort County and has been recognized by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Beaufort Economic Development Corporation for contributing directly and significantly to the economic security, prosperity and quality of life of the entire region. The high level of quality care provided by Beaufort Memorial has been recognized by the Leapfrog Group as a Top Hospital for patient safety, the American Heart Association’s Elite Stroke Plus designation for stroke care, and the Joint Commission’s advanced knee and hip replacement disease-specific designation for its Joint Replacement Center. For more information, services, locations and designations visit BeaufortMemorial.org.

ABOUT INTUITIVE HEALTH

Founded in 2008, Intuitive Health pioneered the combined emergency room and urgent care model. Intuitive Health partners with established health systems nationwide to build, operate and launch retail healthcare facilities that provide urgent care and emergency room services under one roof. Intuitive Health partners with leading health systems nationwide, including Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Intuitive’s patient-centric approach to immediate care has saved payors and patients hundreds of millions in unnecessary emergency care spending. In addition, the Intuitive Health model increases market share for partnered healthcare systems by expanding their footprint with conveniently located centers. For more information, please visit IHERUC.com.

ABOUT MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

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Mathew Epps MD, MS, DABS

Jane Epps RN, BSN

Christmas clean-up

BY CINDA SEAMON Contributor

All those holiday decorations are really great, but taking them down can be an even bigger task. Start with small goals for clean-up and tackle one item at a time. Start with ornaments, and keep only those that are in good shape for next year. It might be helpful to store them in clear bags sorted by color or style in the same container. When you take down your lights, this is the time to check for broken bulbs or frayed cords. Don’t keep anything that has cracked or frayed cords. This will be a fire hazard next time you go to use them. The same goes for extension cords. When putting your lights away, don’t just throw them in a heap. Organize them and label the box or wrap them in masking tape, and mark the tape. You can also wrap them around cardboard, and they will be less likely to tangle. Be sure to label whether they are indoor or outdoor lights. Remember, if you are storing your lights in the attic, summer temperatures can get very hot, and plastic lights can melt. If you store in the attic, check your lights thoroughly when you get

them out for the next Christmas.

If you store your artificial tree in the garage, consider shrink wrapping it. This will keep it clean and protected. If you used a real tree this year, you will want to recycle that tree and help the environment. Please remember to remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, etc.

As you put away gifts you have received, throw away the old version. New pajamas? Maybe it’s time to throw the old ones out. Remember, the more cluttered your home gets, the greater your fuel load becomes for a fire.

Since your stove and oven most likely had lots of use over the holidays, this is a good time to really get your oven clean. It will make a difference for future cooking.

Make sure your fireplace is kept in good working condition. If you will be using it over the holidays and throughout the winter season, be sure to have it inspected for cracking or deterioration, and make any necessary repairs.

Cinda Seamon is the Fire and Life Safety Educator for Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue.

Refresh your look for the New Year

BY MATHEW T. EPPS, MD Contributor

With the New Year ahead, many of us are setting goals for ourselves. If one of your goals is to achieve a refreshed, and glowing look start with the following treatments.

Seek a well-qualified injector to conservatively re-volumize the midface with an HA dermal filler…focusing on the common trouble spots – the cheeks and temples. The family of Restylane products are excellent. This line of filler material in skilled hands is highly predictable, soft, and very safe.

Next, use a neurotoxin (Xeomin, Daxxify, Dysport) to elevate the brows and soften the crow’s feet. These products are similar to traditional Botox yet begin to work much faster in as little as 24hrs to

seven days, and also at a better pricepoint than Botox. It is a win-win in the hands of an artistic injector for rapid results.

Then, rejuvenate fine lines around the

mouth and creepy under eye skin with a medium depth chemical peel immediately after filler and neurotoxin placement. If your weekends are light, do the peel on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon and

you’ll be wrapped up peeling by Monday or Tuesday depending upon the number of peel passes and the amount of damaged skin to be removed. If your weekends are busy, set the peel on Monday and you’ll be set by the weekend.

Schedule a Hydrafacial MD treatment. The Hydrafacial MD treatment for lack of a better description is akin to a fancy deep wash cycle for skin. It will remove residue oils or skin residue to leave your skin glowing! And, with all that flaky skin gone your medical grade skincare regiment will be absorbed 30-40% more for better results.

When it comes to aesthetic treatments, always do your research. It is especially important to find an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon you trust.

Happy New Year!

Mathew T. Epps, MD, MS, DABS is a plastic surgeon, triple-fellowship trained in facial, eyelid, and breast surgery. matheweppsmd.com or info@dreppsmd. com.

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State legislature organized for upcoming 2025 session

BY REP. JEFF BRADLEY Contributor

Last month, our South Carolina House leadership met in Columbia to organize for the upcoming session, which begins this week.

In that organizational meeting, I was very grateful to be re-elected to again serve as chairman of the House Regulations Committee, that now has been combined with the special AI, Cybersecurity & Cybercrime Committee, which I also chaired in the last session following its formation. Our new committee is one of 13 “standing committees” in the House and has a long name: Regulations, Admin Procedures, AI and CyberSecurity.

Additionally, Bluffton’s representative in the House, Weston Newton, was re-elected as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, while Bill Herbkersman of Bluffton chairs the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, and Shannon Erickson of Beaufort chairs the Education and Public Works Committee.

This means that with four members of Beaufort County chairing these premier committees, the strength of our county delegation is currently unmatched in the Statehouse.

Regulations and AI

Personally, I am very excited about what this means for my Regulations Committee where we have the potential with AI algorithms to comb through the enormous volume of words and see duplication that human effort would find impossible to look across and see.

Also, by linking artificial intelligence activities directly with our Regulations Committee, I believe South Carolina will become nationally recognized for leading the way in effectively decluttering redundant, outdated and incongruous regula-

tions. These regulations have been clogging for decades our 10-million word “SC Code of Regulations,” which touches on every aspect of our state from agriculture to Medicare, law enforcement, education, housing, restaurants – and the list goes on.

In explaining this re-organization to the media, our Speaker of the House, Murrell Smith was quoted last month in news reports that our new committee will be partnering with Google to “declutter outdated South Carolina regulations and thereby setting an example for the nation.”

I have been intimately involved with this initiative. We have customized a version of Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence tool to identify the outdated and redundant regulations that have historically hampered efficiency. In fact, our efforts are following along the same lines as President Trump’s new push for government efficiency.

This past summer, I got the idea that Google could help us immensely with our goal of trimming our regulations when I met with Chris Hein (Google’s head of engineering for the public sector) at a conference we both attended in Chicago. I explained what we were trying to accomplish and asked if Google could help. He said yes.

We have already done a small test of the concept with the Gemini product AI algorithm to sift through and show the myriad regulations that deal with our state’s regulations governing school absences and how they could be streamlined.

As it was pointed out to me, the goal of this regulatory cleanup is like decluttering a 200-year-old house. We are not removing safeguards. We are making things better by making sense of the complexity that now exists.

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

Jeff Bradley

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How to outsmart financial fraudsters

BY THOMAS M. DOWLING Contributor

Financial fraudsters are more active and successful than ever, targeting affluent individuals with increasing sophistication. While you may be savvy with money, you’re not immune to these schemes. Recognizing their tactics and implementing strategies to protect yourself is essential.

UNDERSTANDING THE THREAT

Research highlights that affluent individuals are 43% more likely to experience identity theft. Criminals often use tactics like phishing, ransomware, wire transfer fraud and account takeovers to access your wealth. For instance, phishing involves sending emails or texts disguised as legitimate communications, prompting victims to share sensitive information. Similarly, ransomware locks your files until you pay to unlock them.

Even public figures like “Shark Tank” judge Barbara Corcoran have been victims, losing nearly $400,000 to wire transfer fraud. Account takeovers are another significant threat, where scammers steal credentials using fake Wi-Fi networks or other methods.

STEPS TO STAY SAFE

Armed with an understanding of these threats, you can take proactive measures to safeguard your assets. Here are some actionable steps:

1. Secure the Basics

Protect your home network by using strong, unique passwords, enabling multifactor authentication and installing reliable anti-malware software. These foundational measures create a solid defense.

2. Slow Down and Verify

Scammers often create urgency to pressure victims into acting impulsively. Resist this tactic by taking time to evaluate requests carefully. Communicate this approach to your financial advisors and insist on double-checking urgent transaction requests.

3. Independently Verify Requests

If you receive an unexpected message from a financial institution or service provider, don’t use provided links or numbers. Instead, contact the organization directly to confirm its legitimacy.

4. Monitor Your Online Presence

Fraudsters frequently create fake social media accounts to gather information. Stay vigilant, report impostors, and be cautious about accepting friend requests or engaging with strangers online.

5. Separate Business and Personal Communications

Entrepreneurs should use distinct email addresses for personal and business purposes. This separation reduces the risk of a breach in one area impacting the other.

6. Regularly Check Financial Statements

Review your bank and credit card statements, credit reports and other financial documents for unauthorized activity. Early detection can help you mitigate the damage.

7. Seek Help When Needed

Don’t let fear of embarrassment prevent you from asking for help. If you suspect fraud, consult trusted advisors or authorities to evaluate the situation and determine the next steps.

8. Hire Experts

Professional fraud prevention services can offer tailored strategies, monitor your social media for scams and provide additional layers of security.

EMPOWERING YOURSELF AGAINST SCAMS

While technology plays a crucial role in fraud prevention, your personal behavior and vigilance are equally important. Taking time to verify, monitor your finances, and lean on experts when needed can make a substantial difference in securing your wealth. You can outsmart even the most persistent fraudsters by combining practical habits with modern tools.

Thomas M. Dowling, CFA, CFP®, CIMA® is the Head of Wealth Management at Alliance Global Partners of the Lowcountry on Hilton Head. He can be reached at infohh@allianceg.com or (843) 420-1993.

Thomas Dowling

Golf SMART in 2025

BY DR. JEAN HARRIS Contributor

I am sitting at my computer in late December thinking about my golf goals for 2025. Last year was a difficult time for me physically with wrist fusion surgery on my right wrist. I was unable to swing a golf club for seven months. Therefore, I didn’t reach my golf goals last year.

This year, I am going to be more realistic in goal setting since I have lost a lot of distance, and I am still hesitant to hit down at the golf ball. I am also in my 70s and need to realize that I have to put more emphasis on my short game since I am not as strong and flexible as I once was. Therefore, I plan on working more in the fitness area, 60 yards in, and putting.

SMART goals are:

• Specif ic

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Realistic

• Time based Specific – I will go to the fitness center four days a week. I will work on strength, flexibility and endurance. I will keep track of my progress on certain machines, time on the treadmill and changes in free weights. I will play golf at least two times a week with friends and practice twice a week. I will work on being

more positive and focused during my round of golf.

Measurable – Make sure you write down your goals. I will keep track of all my rounds of golf. I will write down scoring goals for the day. I will keep track of fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts. Keeping track of my game will help me know what to practice. Setting scoring goals will help me stay more competitive.

Achievable – My goals must be something that can be reached with the proper amount of practice. If I don’t think I can achieve the goal, I won’t. I want my goals something that makes me happy and better in my golf game.

Realistic – My goals have to be believable to me. Hitting my driver 200 yards will not be something I can do, so why put that pressure on me. Setting shortterm goals help you be more realistic. Time based – Set dates that you want to assess the goals. I will increase my flexibility, strength and cardiovascular endurance by July 1. I will lower my handicap by three strokes by September 1. Don’t be afraid to get help with your golf goals. Contacting a fitness trainer or golf professional will help you with goal setting.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional at Pinecrest Golf Club. Jean. golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com

THE GOOD LIFE WON’T WAIT

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"My husband told me that he has never, in 41 years, seen me truly smile like I do now!"

-Judy,

actual patient

Maximizing ROI on your home: expert tips for smart investments

BY CHIP COLLINS Contributor

Stop waiting. Start smiling!

We see it every day. Healthy, beautiful smiles improve our patients' self-esteem and overall health. Make 2025 the year you attain the smile you always wanted. Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our amazing dentists so we can achieve your smile goals!

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Bluffton | 843.706.3800 Hilton Head | 843.682.4601

SINCE 2000

As a real estate professional, one of the most common questions I get from homeowners is, “Where should I spend my money to get the best return on investment?” It’s a great question because every dollar spent on your home should either enhance your living experience or pay off when it’s time to sell. Recently, I had an in-depth conversation with a longtime client, and we covered several key upgrades and maintenance tips that can make a big difference. The conversation brought to mind some smart home maintenance areas and updates to be considered.

Spray Foam Insulation: Energy Efficiency Meets Comfort

One of the first topics we tackled was insulation, and specifically, whether spray foam insulation is a must-have upgrade. Spray foam is a fantastic way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. In older homes, like my client’s 1970s property, spray foam can make a noticeable difference by maintaining consistent temperatures and reducing energy costs.

While it’s not yet a “deal-breaker” for buyers, spray foam is highly appreciated in the market. It’s seen as a forward-thinking investment that enhances the home’s overall appeal. Plus, it’s not just about energy savings. Spray foam can clean up attic spaces, making them more usable for storage while eliminating pesky fibers found in traditional insulation. If your budget allows, it’s a worthy consideration that buyers will recognize as added value.

Bathroom Ventilation: An Overlooked

ROI Opportunity

Bathroom ventilation fans rarely get the attention they deserve. However, they play a crucial role in maintaining your home’s air quality and preventing issues like mildew and rust. A recent experience in my own home highlighted this. After years of neglect, my fans were so clogged with dust that they no longer functioned effectively, leading to condensation and mildew buildup.

Replacing these fans was eye-opening, not only for their efficiency, but also for how affordable the upgrade was. For just a couple of hundred dollars per unit, you can swap out old fans for newer models that work more effectively and quietly. It’s a small investment with a big impact. HVAC Systems: Off-Season Upgrades Pay Off

HVAC systems are a major component of your home, and their condition can significantly influence a buyer’s perception of value. If your system is aging and an upgrade is inevitable, the off-season is the best time to act. Contractors are typically less busy, pricing is more competitive, and you have the time to gather multiple estimates.

When upgrading, focus on efficiency and reliability rather than splurging on the most expensive system. From a resale perspective, a new and functional HVAC system checks the box for buyers, regardless of whether it’s a $10,000 or $20,000 unit. If you have a maintenance program with you HVAC company, they may offer a discount on a new system.

Water Heaters: Proactive Replacement Saves Headaches

A water heater failure can be disastrous, especially if it’s located in your attic. Signs of rust or age (10+ years) are your cue to replace it before it becomes a

Chip Collins

INVESTMENTS

problem. Many utility companies offer payment programs to help spread out the cost of a new unit, making it a manageable upgrade.

Being proactive not only prevents costly damage but also improves your home’s insurance profile. Notify your insurance company of the replacement. They often view this as a responsible upgrade that may benefit your policy.

Tree Maintenance: Insurance Companies Are Watching

Speaking of insurance, did you know that overhanging tree limbs can raise red flags with insurers? A client of ours recently learned this the hard way when their insurance company required tree limbs to be trimmed back before finalizing their policy. This isn’t just about insurance; it’s about protecting your property from potential damage.

I recommend scheduling annual tree maintenance to avoid surprises. It’s a cost-effective way to keep your proper-

FROM PAGE 20A

ty safe, enhance curb appeal, and stay ahead of potential insurance issues.

Good Decisions Now Pay Off Later

Every home improvement should be viewed through the lens of both immediate enjoyment and long-term resale value. Whether it’s spray foam insulation, upgraded bathroom fans, or replacing an aging HVAC system, these updates can add significant value to your home. And remember, proactive maintenance, like trimming trees and replacing water heaters, can save you from costly repairs down the road.

If you’re ever unsure about where to spend your money, reach out. We’re always happy to help homeowners make informed decisions about their real estate investments. Making smart choices today ensures your home remains a great investment tomorrow.

Chip Collins is the Broker-Owner of Collins Group Realty founded in 2002. Find Chip at chip@collinsgrouprealty. com or collinsgrouprealty.com

“Get Your Ducks in a Row: Preventative

“Get Your Ducks in a Row: Preventative Planning for Health and Happiness” Planning for Health and Happiness” Learn medical, legal, and financial strategies to Learn medical, legal, and financial strategies to safeguard your independence and make safeguard your independence and make informed decisions for the future. informed decisions for the future.

January 22nd: January 22nd: 5:30-6:30 pm 5:30-6:30 pm LawyerLisa Office- 2 Hampton Hall Blvd, LawyerLisa Office- 2 Hampton Hall Blvd, Bluffton, SC 29910 Bluffton, SC 29910 or join us Virtually via Zoom or join us Virtually via Zoom

January 23rd: January 23rd: 1:30-3:30pm 1:30-3:30pm Sun City- Residents Only Sun City- Residents Only Lakehouse, Bayside Rm Lakehouse, Bayside Rm

DONNA VARNER

Arts & Entertainment Calendar

JANUARY 8

Taste of the Lowcountry Bourbon Dinner - Wednesday, January 8, 6:30pm, Sea Pines Beach Club. Ring in 2025 with our Taste of the Lowcountry Bourbon Dinner! Join us for a night of bourbon tastings and a delicious multi-course dinner at the Sea Pines Beach Club on January 8, 2025! This dinner will feature an exquisite portfolio of distilleries including Hollow Creek Distillery, Six & Twenty Distillery, Tabby Road Distillery and Burnt Church Distillery! Savor the smooth flavors and notes of these exceptional spirits that will each be served in a cocktail or straight and paired with a four-course dinner expertly crafted by Chefs Jeff Flores, Danny Flinchum, and their culinary team. Finally, we’ll finish the evening with dessert crafted by our Resort Executive Pastry Chef, Iain Jones! Whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur or just curious to explore local distilleries, this event promises an unforgettable evening of flavor and fun. Please note any food allergies to the chef when purchasing tickets. Accommodations for allergies noted less than 24 hours before the event cannot be guaranteed.

JANUARY 11

CharliFest 2025: A Vibrant Celebration of Community and Remembrance at Coligny - On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, from noon to 4 PM, Coligny on Hilton Head Island will host CharliFest, an event celebrating the life of Charli Bobinchuck and bringing the community together in joy and reflection. Benefiting Charli’s Critters Fund at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, the event promises a lively lineup of music, delicious food, and local art.

The festival kicks off with Corey Tate

at 12:00 PM, followed by a stellar lineup, including the energetic sounds of 4 Piece and a Biscuit, the dynamic La Bodega Band, and a heartfelt speech by Daisy and Bryan Bobinchuck. For families, Jevon Daly’s Kids Show offers fun at 1:55 PM. As the day continues, enjoy the soulful grooves of Pretty Groove, led by Kyle Wareham, Derrick Ludaway, Sara Burns, and Q Smalls, followed by the Zach Stevens Band, Adam Martin, and Heavy Equipment to close the event at 4:00 PM. Adding to the festivities, Coligny’s restaurants will serve up delicious sliders, making this celebration a feast for all the senses. With food served from noon to 2:30 PM, guests can savor local flavors while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. CharliFest 2025 is more than a music festival—it’s a heartfelt celebration of life, love, and community. Join us in honoring Charli and supporting the causes she held dear. For more information, visit ColignyPlaza.com/Events.

JANUARY 11

Palm Trees & Pistons - car show will be held from 9am-11am. January 11th in the parking lot of Lucky Beach Restaurant on Hilton Head. The show will feature vintage, antique, exotic, muscle and unique cars owned by area locals. Come by and see some cool cars. It’s all FREE! Lucky Beach will also have a takeout window open so you can grab a drink and pastry as you check out the cars in the lot. Weather depending.

JANUARY 15

Sea pines Community Center – presents a Medley of Mediums, a new painting exhibition by the Artists of Sea Pines (AoSP) which opens to the public with a free reception January 15, 2025, 4:30-

6:30pm at the Sea Pines Community Center in Sea Pines. The reception is free and open to the public with music provided by the Sharp Five. The exhibition will mark the third year that AoSP has invited and collaborated with the Artists of Hilton Head Plantation. Over 70 new works in various mediums, oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, photography and mixed media will be on display at the Community Center, 71 Lighthouse Road in Sea Pines (next to the Fitness Center). The show runs thru May 3, 2025. “It Takes a Village” is the theme of Spotlight Artist and AoSP member Donna Barnako featured in the show. Iconic Tuscan and Provençal villages, urban cityscapes and quaint sea villages vie for space in the display of over a dozen large paintings by Donna. Members of the public are invited to participate in a drawing for one of Donna’s paintings, “Road Rally “which features an actual vintage car on the canvas. The Artists of Sea Pines hosts three new shows each year at the Community Center and contributes 10% of member sales to worthy Hilton Head causes including Volunteers in Medicine, Sea Turtle HHI and the Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

JANUARY 16 & 17

The Palmetto Quilt Guild’s next membership meeting is Thursday, January 16. The program will be a virtual presentation from Lori Dickman on Speedy Solutions to Cut and Organize your Scrap Stash. 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, January 17, Lori will lead us in one of her passions of turning scraps into quilts. You won’t want to

miss her method of turning your stash into a lovely 42” x 42” wall quilt. It features negative space that makes your scraps POP. Please see the Palmetto Quilt Guild website at palmettoquiltguild.org for more details and to register for the workshop.

JANUARY 25 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1

2025 Chamber Restaurant Week – hosted by the Hilton Head Island – Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. The 17th annual Chamber Restaurant Week is back January 25-February 1, and it’s the best way to try the area’s newest and hottest spots. With over 80 of Bluffton and Hilton Head Island restaurants participating, there will be something for everyone. Restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus starring new entrees, signature dishes, and fan favorites. Visit https:// www.hiltonheadisland.org/chamber-restaurant-week to see the list of participants.

JANUARY 28

Gullah Geechee Cultural Series – presents General Harriet Tubman on Tuesday, January 28th at Soundwaves at Coligny, 7 Lagoon Rd. Suite 100. Doors open at 6:00PM; dinner at 6:30 PM; concert at 7:30PM. Brought to you by: The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, and Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association. Reserved seating expected to sell out quickly. Get your tickets now! To order tickets, go to https://hhso.my. salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/ a0FPb000007IZwAMAW or call the HHSO at (843) 842-2055.

Local memory care provider achieves prestigious age-friendly certification

Memory Matters, a leading nonprofit organization serving Beaufort and Jasper counties, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving the prestigious 4M certification, marking a new chapter in dementia care for the Lowcountry region. The 4M certification represents excellence in four critical areas of care: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. This evidence-based framework ensures that healthcare providers deliver reliable, comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s needs. The organization, which has been serving the community through various programs and services, will now enhance our ability to support those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

For families in Beaufort and Jasper counties, this certification means access to more sophisticated, research-backed care programs. Memory Matters already offers early-intervention memory enhancement programs and mild to moderate memory care services, which will now be further strengthened by the 4M framework’s comprehensive approach.

The certification specifically emphasizes the importance of preventing, identifying, and managing dementia, depression, and delirium across all care settings. This includes regular screenings, appropriate treatment options, and connecting families with vital resources.

Local families will benefit from Memory Matters’ enhanced services, including:

• Personalized care plans aligned with individual needs and preferences

• Recording of medications impacting individualized care

• Comprehensive cognitive health monitoring

• Mobility support and assessment

• Free memory screenings and consultations

The organization continues to provide both in-person and virtual support groups, ensuring that caregivers and families have access to essential resources regardless of their location within the counties.

For more information about Memory Matters’ services and programs, families can contact the organization at 843-842-6688 or visit their website at www.mymemorymatters.org.

A SEXY SIDE-SPLITTING

DIRECTED BY BLAKE WHITE

JAN 29 – FEB 23

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

January 7–31, 2025

Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm and 90 minutes before every Arts Center performance

Artists’ Reception: Wednesday, January 15 • 5-7pm Enjoy refreshments and meet the artists Free and open to the public Vote for the 3 People’s Choice Awards

A DELICIOUSLY FUNNY ROMANTIC COMEDY

Fresh off a successful Broadway run in 2023 starring Laura Bell Bundy and Eric McCormack, The Cottage is a brand-new, sidesplitting romp! Written by Sandy Rustin (Clue), this ridiculously funny romantic comedy calls into question fate and faith, identity and infidelity, and love and marriage as a surprising and riotous web of secrets unravels. The Cottage is hilarious from start to finish, with a few scandalous – and even murderous - plot twists!

Native island heritage gets the star treatment at this celebration of all things Gullah. Enjoy Lowcountry cuisine, gospel music performed by Voices of El Shaddai, storytelling, De Aarts ob We People, hands-on crafts, and more! Get ready for an unforgettable culinary experience that’s as rich in history as it is in taste!

IN

WITH NIBCAA AND THE GULLAH CELEBRATION

HERITAGE LIBRARY WINTER CLASSES

Classes are held at the USCB Hilton Head Island Campus, Room 115 unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025

1:30pm - Joe Grondalski

Beneath Your Feet – Hilton Head’s Forgotten History Through Historic Maps

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025

10:30am - Amanda Hughes

Intro to Genealogy

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025

1:30pm - Amanda Hughes

African American Genealogical Research Tips and Techniques

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

6-PART WRITING SERIES

Writing the Stories of Your Life - Ruth McCully

$120 for the 6-part series (6 seat limit)

Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 | 10:30am

PART 1: Writing the Stories of Your Life

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025 | 10:30am

PART 2: Writing the Stories of Your Life

Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025 | 10:30am

PART 3: Writing the Stories of Your Life

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | 10:30am

PART 4: Writing the Stories of Your Life

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 10:30am

PART 5: Writing the Stories of Your Life

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 10:30am

PART 6: Writing the Stories of Your Life

Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025

1:30pm - Lee Wilwerding

Paul Revere’s Ride

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025

1:30pm - Luana Graves Sellars

Going Home

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025

1:30pm - Jane Thiessen

Family Search - The Free Genealogy Resource You Didn’t Know You Needed

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025

1:30pm - Lee Wilwerding

O’ Canada

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2025

1:30pm - Rich Thomas

Land Battles of the American Revolution in Beaufort District

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025

10:30am - Ron Roth

The Indispensable Man:

Robert Smalls and Reconstruction in the South Carolina Lowcountry

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025

1:30pm - Rich Thomas

Naval Actions of the American Revolution in Beaufort District

$10 Members | $12 Non-members

Scan to view our full Winter class list (Jan-Mar) with descriptions and register at HeritageLib.org

Get ready for creativity without limits at Art League Gallery’s “Anything Goes!” exhibit

BY MELISSA MCCULLOUGH

Prepare to be amazed! The Art League Gallery is kicking off the new year with its wildly popular annual exhibit, “Anything Goes!”, a celebration of the incredible talent and creativity of its exhibiting members. This one-of-a-kind showcase runs from January 7 to January 31, 2025, and promises to be an inspiring start to the year for art lovers and collectors alike.

ANYTHING CAN—AND DOES—GO!

This exhibit lives up to its name, featuring an eclectic mix of art forms, sizes, and styles. From breathtaking 2D works in painting, pencils, and photography to dazzling 3D creations in jewelry, glass, wood, and more, there’s something for everyone to marvel at.

“Our annual ‘Anything Goes!’ exhibit is a chance for our member artists to create new pieces that showcase their best ideas and latest techniques,” says Lyndsi Caulder, Gallery Manager. “Because we showcase multiple artists, the community can see just how talented and varied our artists are.”

Whether you’re drawn to bold abstracts, intricate designs, or thought-provoking photography, this exhibit delivers a vibrant mix of media and subject matter that’s as unique as the artists themselves.

BE PART OF THE ACTION AT THE ARTIST’S RECEPTION

Don’t miss the highlight of the exhibit: the Artist’s Reception on January 15, from 5-7 PM. This fun, interactive event invites attendees to vote for their favorite artwork. Your vote could help an artist win a coveted People’s Choice Award, with winners announced during the reception at 6 PM. Plus, there will be exciting door prizes up for grabs!

ART THAT’S YOURS FOR THE TAKING

The best part? All the artworks on display are available for purchase. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or looking for the perfect piece to elevate your home, this is a fantastic opportunity to support local artists and take home something truly special.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

• Exhibit Dates: January 7–31, 2025

• Artist’s Reception: January 15, 5–7 PM

• Location: Art League Gallery

Discover the boundless creativity of the Art League’s talented members at “Anything Goes!” It’s more than an exhibit—it’s an experience that will leave you inspired, delighted, and maybe even walking away with a new favorite piece of art. Don’t miss it!

JERALD SCHMELZER

Egrets Embrace Pathway to Port Royal

“The ability to have our Mortgage and Insurance companies under the same umbrella is so helpful.”

- Angela Rizzi, Naples, FL

“What we love about the Luxury Properties Division is the additional marketing. It’s a very powerful tool.”

- The Broadhurst Group, Bluffton, SC

The Best Agents in Real Estate

“I really like the beauty of the office and how professional it looks because when you bring a customer into the office it validates you.”

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- Collin Sullivan, Boston, MA

Pinckney

Do Look Up!

BY ROSEMARY STAPLES Contributor

January 5 was National Bird Day, celebrated annually to promote appreciation for our high-flying friends. With our focus now on the New Year, what better bird to spotlight than our national symbol, the Bald Eagle? The story of its decline and comeback is one of the most successful conservation tales of all time.

Historical records estimate the U.S. had 100,000 nesting eagle pairs in the 1800s. By 1963, hunting, habitat loss and pesticides had reduced their numbers to a record-low 417 pairs. Then, Rachel Carson’s book, “Silent Spring,” highlighted the dangers of the chemical DDT and kickstarted the environmental movement. Ten years later, the U.S. banned DDT, passed the Endangered Species Act, and eagle numbers soundly rebounded. By 2020, the Fish and Wild-

HILTON HEAD BRIDGE CLUB, WINTER 2025 LESSONS

Bridge is a game you can enjoy for a lifetime! This Winter the Bridge Center is offering a wide variety of classes for both beginners and those who want to take their game to the next level.

CONTINUED BEGINNER BRIDGE LESSONS - JOIN US AND LEARN WEDNESDAY MORNINGS FROM 10 - 12 AT THE BRIDGE CENTER

This winter we will be learning about Preemptive Bidding, Overcalls, Takeout Doubles, the Stayman Convention, and Jacoby Transfers. You can attend classes as they fit your schedule.

January 15: Preemptive Opening Bids

January 22: Weak Two Opening Bids

January 29: Overcalls and Advances

February 5: Take Out Doubles

February 12: Practicing Overcalls and Take Out Doubles

life Service reported 71,400 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states. At this rate, a return to the 100,000 nesting pairs is definitely doable.

Closer to home, the Nature Conservancy reported 475 active eagles’ nests in South Carolina, up from only thirty in the 1970s. Almost 200 of those nests are in the ACE Basin between Charleston and Beaufort, tucked along rivers and impoundments. Nests on Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island and Bluffton may number in the double digits, although that’s only a guesstimate. Their cone-shaped nests, or “eyries,” are tucked in the tallest pines near open water.

Sometimes nests are in neighborhood trees, hiding in plain sight while humans wander below, oblivious to the avian world above.

The first active Bald Eagle nest in Bluffton was discovered in 1998 on the May River by residents Shelly and Branden Waring. Being avid birders, they notified the SCDNR and watched

February 19: The Stayman Convention

March 5: Jacoby Transfers

March 12: Review of Responses to 1NT Opening Bids

March 19th: Practice Duplicate Game

Taught by Kristi Menees, kristimenees@mac.com. 551-795-6329. We will be using Audrey Grant’s Bridge Basics 2 and 3. Each class will be $20.

SUCCESSFUL SLAM BIDDING - 3 TUESDAY MORNINGS IN FEBRUARY FROM 10 - 12 AT THE BRIDGE CENTER

We will work on 3 fundamental requirements of successful slam bidding: Combined Strength, Trump or Notrump Agreement, and Controls. Come alone or bring a partner!

February 4: Fundamentals of slam bidding, bidding notrump slams, Gerber convention, and when is 4NT not Blackwood

February 11: Bidding suit slams, Jacoby 2NT, Blackwood convention

February 18: Control showing cue bidding and putting it all together

Each class will begin with a 20-minute presentation of the day’s topic. Hands will be presented and discussed, followed by students bidding and playing 8 practice hands. An analysis of each hand will include the auction, final contract, opening lead and the play of the hand. Students will receive handouts.

Taught by Helen Pawlowski. For more details, contact Helen at: hvpawlowski53@gmail.com. Each class will be $20.

SUPERVISED PLAY - THURSDAY MORNINGS FROM 10-12 AT THE BRIDGE CENTER

Supervised play is a program designed to help you hone your bridge game. It’s a fun, relaxed program that starts with a 15 minute mini-lesson. After the lesson, each table plays at their own pace, asking questions at any time.

Contact Kristi Menees with any questions at kristimenees@mac.com or 551-795-6329. The cost is $15

Check Hilton Head Bridge Club Web site, www.bridge webs.com/hiltonheadisland/ for a complete list of lesson topics for the Beginner and Advanced Beginner classes. HILTON HEAD ISLAND BRIDGE CLUB, ACBL Sanctioned

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

MARY ALICE TARTLER

Rosemary Staples

Starts Here!January Fun

Imagination Hour

FROM PAGE 33A

the entire seven-month breeding season from their kayak. The eagles grew accustomed to the Warings’ presence, who kept a respectful distance, but they saw it all — nesting, courting, mating, incubating, hatching, hunting, feeding, and finally, the eaglet’s first flight. As the juvenile grew in strength, they saw less and less of the clan and were gone by the end of spring.

By January, most eagle eggs have been laid or have already hatched, while adults hunt for fish, mammals, even carrion, to feed their brood, so do look up. You might spot an eagle steal an osprey’s catch or scoop a mink out of the May River. Most mornings, an eagle is posted on a Skull Creek tower as you leave Hilton Head. A rare possibility is to witness a pair entwined in a daring mating ritual known as the “death spiral,” where eagles soar upwards, lock their talons together, then spiral down to the earth and release their claws seconds before crashing to the ground!

Bald Eagles mate for life and return to the same nest each year. Both birds supply the materials necessary for the

upgrade, in a sort of “foreplay” that stimulates hormones and bonding while the two redo their eyrie. Observers note that when the female is satisfied with the job, she lifts her tail to signal copulation and the male hops on top, over in five seconds.

Once a clutch is laid, usually 1-3 eggs, the female takes charge of most of the incubation, while the male hunts double-duty for the next 35 days. They alter roles occasionally as even the most dedicated parent needs a break from routine. After the chicks’ hatch, they will require 10-12 additional weeks of care, protection and feeding before strong enough to fledge. Sometimes, they need a little parental push, as pictured here.

Eagles mate any time of year as Kay Grinnell, president of Hilton Head Audubon, can attest. “We were having a cocktail party on my back deck, late in the spring, when a pair of eagles swooped onto a branch, copulated for us, then flew off.” It was well past mating season, so perhaps the two were empty-nesters.

Rosemary Staples is a member of Hilton Head Audubon, long time Lowcountry resident, writer, speaker, storyteller and Master Naturalist.

BY KEVIN FITZPATRICK Contributor

I guess when you get to a certain age and realize that you have a whole lot more yesterdays than you do promised tomorrows, the tendency is to spend some time looking back. The move to Bluffton around three and a half years back, almost a thousand miles away from family and friends, certainly adds to taking time to reflect, maybe more than in the past. For many years it would be a matter of sitting together, sipping, sharing meals and “talking story” about what has gone on during the last 12 months. While we still do that via phone, FaceTime and Zoom (yes, we do still use that with those folks who do not have the requisite iPhone to do FaceTime), I thought I’d take the time to put my thoughts in writing as well so indulge me for a few lines if you will.

First off, one of the highlights of 2024 for me was being given the opportunity to contribute an ongoing piece to The Bluffton Sun. I spent over four and a half decades professionally teaching mathematics at all levels from middle school through college, and if that taught me anything, it was how valuable it was being able to take the droll rote of mathematical procedures that were (and still are) part of algebra, geometry, trig, calculus et al, and make them come alive by turning them into stories. My goal at every level was to connect the facts and processes to events both past and present, and to constantly look to prevent the question being asked “why do we need to learn this?” by providing that very rationale as part of the exposition. Moving to keep it alive during both the rising and falling actions, and then hoping that the students find that “A HA” moment during the denouement, and always trying to leave the class with the promise of something more to come the next time. Sometimes this took days,

Keep the New Year Cozy…Without Breaking the Bank!

Kevin Fitzpatrick

sometimes entire semesters, sometimes the connections were not fully relevant until two or three courses later. The better I was able to do that, the more interest there was in moving the “endpoint” of the required courses to where it became desirable to take more higher-level electives. More often than not, I succeeded. Sometime, there was dramatic failure. Each year at the end of the class, from the beginning of my time in the classroom and something I “borrowed” from someone I learned a lot from, I asked each student to write me a confidential essay being as pointed and direct as possible. The essay reflected what they wish they had known before taking the class, what was good, what they wish had been different and what was flat out terrible. I stressed that I would not read them until school was out and that they were helping shape what I would do in subsequent classes, not just in the course they had taken but throughout what I was doing. For all those years, the overwhelming majority of the essays were heartfelt,

thoughtful and incredibly formative for me. I think it was there that I really learned to appreciate that a personal connection, coupled with honesty, compassion, and yes, a good handle on the subject being taught made for a year whereas much was learned from my side of the desk as was

learned on the other side. I hope some of these lessons learned from teenagers and young adults continue to shape the pieces I submit that remain a joyful experience for me.

The luxury of being retired and freed from attachment to a schedule and calendar has also created some of the best of 2024 for us. January saw us take an epic trip to New Orleans, a place I had been, but Sue had not. We were met there by some friends from “back home” and really got to experience all the city had to offer during a relative lull in the crowds. We did take multiple trips to Conn. for a variety of reasons, all good, and spent time with the family and friends (really a second “chosen family”). We ended our travel season with a trip to Vero Beach (hosting more of our chosen family) and spent Thanksgiving in Colorado, where we gathered along with Sue’s family, many of whom I met for the very first time, and many of whom Sue had not seen in 40 or 50 years.

Every one of those trips saw us smiling to come to our new home, to fly out of and into one of the best airports with a very short trip to and from. Another of the best

of 2024, that was also high on the list of the best of 2022 and 2023, is our house sitter/ pet sitter. The fact that we are able to take a trip of any kind, whether it is an overnight in Charleston or at Disney’s Hilton Head so as not to have to drive home after a wine dinner, or a one or two week trip and know that your home and Abbey THE dog is being treated as if you were not gone at all is a wonderful feeling. I am selfishly not including her name as, for obvious reasons, her schedule fills up quickly enough that I don’t want to further jeopardize the opportunity to book her.

Finally, what really counts as the Best of 2024 is to be married to an amazing partner, be healthy enough to enjoy the sunshine, the beach, the ability to swim laps, to continue to explore, even after three and a half years, this area that always has something new to discover. There is one addition. My hope is that the best is still yet to come!

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.

Ringing in 2025, the first baby born at Beaufort Memorial in the new year was Robert Medina, born at 1:53 a.m. on New Year’s Day, weighing 8 pounds. His parents are Angela Licona and Roberto Medina of Hilton Head Island.

Baby Robert’s New Year’s hat and sash were crocheted by Merick Murdaugh and Christy Sterling, both Beaufort Memorial surgical technicians.

PHOTOS BY CHARLOTTE BERKELEY

Ballroom dancing: a fun and transformative path to social connection and confidence

BY SANDRO VIRAG

Contributor

Ballroom dancing is a great way to meet people and interact socially. Sometimes socializing isn’t easy, but the structured format of ballroom dancing provides a familiar framework that can help to ease anxiety. It’s predictable, and this can allow people engage with others more easily. Dancing encourages interaction and new friendships.

When people regularly attend classes, they may find it easy to build a rapport with other dancers. This shared experience of learning and striving toward a common goal, whether it’s mastering a dance or preparing for a performance, promotes teamwork and strengthens relationships. The very act of dancing serves as a natural icebreaker, initiating conversations and connections that might not occur in more traditional social settings.

Because ballroom dance involves close physical contact, this can help deepen connections between partners. The emotional expression can also help to create

strong bonds.

When people gain confidence on the dance floor, this can often carry over into other social situations, which can en-

hance overall social skills. The combination of physical activity and social engagement makes ballroom dancing a unique way to connect with others.

All these social skills can apply to adults and kids. I was very shy as a kid and dancing at an early age helped me develop a better social life. My confidence really grew.

For elderly people it helps them to maintain a healthy lifestyle as well as an active social life.

Dancing is also a great way to spend time with friends and relatives. Consider going to classes as a group and you will find this is another way to spend time together with a fun social activity while strengthening your relationships.

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

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BY TRACY WINSLOW Contributor

Nobody likes a quitter anyway

New Year’s Resolutions: People make them. And most people break them within three weeks into January. I am no exception.

In years past I have: declared war on my weight, attempted to have my sweet tooth removed by the dentist, and curb my love of a well-placed F-bomb. And I have FAILED EVERY TIME. But this year is going to be different. This is the year I am making the change in myself that I wish to see in others: I will not judge you. Because I admit it. I am judging you. Yup, judging so hard. Not about your need to tell everyone about the mole on your neck that looks like Richard Gere, or why you think it’s a good idea to give your child a name that will make them the butt of jokes until they die. Nope. I am judging your grammar and spelling. I can’t help it; it’s how I’m wired.

I teach grammar to high school and college students. I watch videos on diacritical marks for fun. I drone on and on about weak vowels and how they drop off into a schwa. Apparently, I have what some unnamed people, whose initials are my children and my husband, think is an unhealthy obsession with language rules. They have asked me “Where’d you get your obsession from?” To which I clearly responded “Don’t end your sentence with a preposition. Have I taught you nothing?” It’s weird they think I’m the one with the problem.

Listen, I don’t mean to point out every misspelled item on the menu, but my eyes are just drawn to the horror show unfolding in black and white. They taunt me with a cruelness that is restraining order-worthy. Or how about the fact that people have no idea how to properly whip out an apostrophe? I mean, for the love of all that is holy, you can’t just haphazardly slap them onto a word and make a conjunction.

And don’t get me started about…wait. This is not the time for another soap box rant about punctuation. I should reflect

about improvement on the only person’s* behavior I can control; mine. (*Proper use of a possessive apostrophe, in case anyone is taking notes.)

So, I’m resolving to be more tolerant of stupid people. Ok, that’s not very tolerant. Start again: In 2025 I will be less judgmental of people’s grammatical foibles. See? So much kinder with lovelier language. And, so far on this January 1, 2025, morning I have kept this resolution. I watched the news without getting fired up about the terrible injustice committed against the written language on the screen. Spelling error after spelling error assaulted my eyes, like a grotesque bikini runway show modeled by ogres. But not once did I yell “Why can’t you spell? That’s not even a word! Did you pass third grade? Where is your editor!!!” Which, 2024 Tracy said every time the news was on. But this is more tolerant 2025 Tracy and she does not partake in this judgmental behavior.

Suddenly my phone dings, alerting me to a YouTube video sent by a friend. Apparently her 2025 resolution is to rob me of my will to live, because it’s a clip from Wheel of Fortune. The answer was obviously “Give yourself a round of applause.” However, the person guessing the puzzle answered, “Treat yourself a round of sausage”. A round of SAUSAGE? What even is that??? Almost every letter was right on the giant screen in front of you. Ok, breathe, Tracy. Not everyone is a giant nerd like you are. Phew! That would have been a new record for resolution breakage.

Crisis averted - or so I thought - until the spell check girl who lives in my phone decides to slap me across the face with memories of spelling errors passed. Ones where fashion designers are apparently so fast that they skip letters!

Perhaps it is because I refer to her as

Gina, the drunk spellcheck girl from the Jersey Shore, who auto corrects words that were not spelled wrong the moment after I hit send - to words that aren’t even close to what I wrote in the first place?

But I am strong, and I will not yell at the pretend person living in my phone who makes me look bad one text message at a time. Or in the general vicinity of anyone who may call for a wellness check on me.

I bite my tongue until it bleeds and taints the deliciousness of my skinny vanilla latte; a vice that I failed to kick at the commencement of 2017. My restraint is beginning to show signs of weakness, much like a Victoria’s Secret thong being worn by a sumo wrestler.

I need a distraction, so I jump into the car to sing songs written with such blatant disregard for the conventions of grammar that they should have been outlawed by the Geneva Convention. It don’t bother me none, ain’t it?

the internet. I begin shouting to nobody in particular about stupid people and how they should not procreate.

Do you know the difference between their, there and they’re? (Loud Air Horn Sounds) Ooh, so sorry. I just read your last social media post and clearly you do not. Nope, no children for you. Here’s a goldfish. You both have about the same IQ.

The Subaru next to me quickly changes lanes to get away from the crazy lady whose only passengers are a pile of broken resolutions and a need for a session or two of anger management.

Welp, that was not fun while it lasted. New Year’s resolution for 2026: be more vocal about stupid people because the world is full of them. Trying to ignore all of their idiocy will only push you into a room where you eat a lot of pudding and a rock a tight-fitting hug/jacket. God help us and save us all.

Until the DJ disturbs my little studio session with a discussion about how ESPN made a huge spelling gaffe during the Fresno State bowl game. They added one little consonant to the Bulldogs name turning an innocent mascot into something that could be sold at the Ecstasy Emporium.

That’s when my resolution shattered faster than Kim Kardashian’s butt broke

Tracy Winslow is the owner of Low Country Shrimp and Knits - the best yarn store in the Low Country. She earns her grammar stripes calling college students out on their cheating, like when they use pluperfect subjunctive in her kindergarten level Spanish 102 classes. Hopefully their 2025 New Year’s Resolutions are to use less AI when writing their essays. Happy and Judgmental Free New Year to you!

Tracy Winslow

JPII girls, Bobcat boys conquer Classic

BY JUSTIN JARRETT Contributor

The brackets didn’t include every team in the area, but there were enough heavy hitters to declare last week’s Bobcat Classic a de facto Lowco championship, and the John Paul II girls and Bluffton boys wore the crowns Saturday night.

JPII’s girls rallied to survive a first-round threat from May River before easing away from Bluffton in the semifinals and outlasting Courtney Campbell and Hilton Head Prep in a 63-51 victory in the championship game, while the host Bobcat boys blew out a pair of Savannah foes in Bethesda Academy and Islands High before earning a hard-fought 59-47 win over Hilton Head Prep for the title.

The Golden Warriors (10-1) looked like the favorite to win the tournament going in, but they lost guard Dominique Jones to a knee injury late in the first half of their first-round game against May River and found themselves down by four going to the fourth quarter before rallying for a 32-29 win behind 15 points from Lily Termini. JPII raced out to a quick lead against Bluffton and held the Bobcats at bay, as Ellie Heathcott put up 13 points and tournament MVP Lauren Majorkiewicz added

10 in a relatively stress-free semifinal. The championship game was a different story, as Campbell poured in 37 points — including 28 in the first half — and had the Dolphins on top for much of the first half. The Golden Warriors rallied for a 34-32 halftime lead and pulled away after the break, with five JPII players scoring in double digits led by 14 each from Heathcott and Savannah Washington, while Washington and Savannah Trott each collected double-doubles.

Bluffton’s boys put on a show for the home crowd with some high-flying dunks while blowing by Bethesda and Islands to earn a rematch with Hilton Head Prep. The Dolphins handed the Bobcats their only loss of the season thus far — a 12-point defeat in Sea Pines on Dec. 7 — and Saturday’s matchup was deadlocked at 23 at halftime until tournament MVP Harry Skinner took over.

Skinner scored nine of his 15 points in the third quarter, and the Bobcats’ defense pounced on a Prep team showing signs of tired legs. The Dolphins were playing their sixth game in nine days and down big man Jake Sheahan, and Bluffton took advantage, especially late. Isaiah Gadson feasted in the post down the stretch, and

John Paul II’s Ellie Heathcott rises up to take a shot over Hilton Head Prep’s Courtney Campbell during the second half of the Golden Warriors’ 63-51 win in the championship game of the Bobcat Classic on Saturday.

CLASSIC FROM PAGE 42A

Carnell Warren and Jamari Stewart-Manning hit big shots to help the Bobcats (9-1) pull away for a 12-point win.

Brendan Moore kept the Dolphins in it with 21 points, and Ty Harpring added 14 after putting up 24 against Hampton County and 22 against May River.

Area teams begin region play the first week in January, and both Bobcat Classic champs — and a few of the contenders — appear poised to make a playoff push.

Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and is the founder of Lowco Sports. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable sense of humor.

Bluffton’s Carnell Warren goes up for a dunk during the first half of the Bobcats’ win over Islands High School in the semifinals of the Bobcat Classic on Friday. Bluffton pulled away from Hilton Head Prep in the second half of Saturday’s championship game to take the title.

Bluffton Bobcat Classic

GIRLS

Thursday’s Games

Hilton Head Prep 53, Hampton Co. 39

John Paul II 32, May River 29

Friday’s Games

5th place game

May River 44, Hampton Co. 41 Semifinals

Hilton Head Prep 49, Battery Creek 22

John Paul II 44, Bluffton 31

Saturday’s Games 3rd place game

Bluffton 50, Battery Creek 25

Championship game

John Paul II 63, Hilton Head Prep 51

BOYS

Thursday’s Games

Islands 63, Bridges Prep 49

Hilton Head Prep 47, Hampton Co. 32

May River 62, Battery Creek 41

Bluffton 84, Bethesda Academy 46

Friday’s Games

Consolation Bracket

Bridges Prep 44, Bethesda Academy 38

Hampton Co. 44, Battery Creek 33 Semifinals

Hilton Head Prep 48, May River 40

Bluffton 68, Islands 42

Saturday’s Games

7th place game

Battery Creek 68, Bethesda Academy 53

5th place game

Hampton Co. 42, Bridges Prep 34

3rd place game

May River 62, Islands 57

Championship Game

Bluffton 59, Hilton Head Prep 47

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BY DR. KENNETH HORUP Contributor

A new year for New Year’s resolutions

2025, can you believe it? We all know what that means: New Year’s resolutions. If you think about the most common New Year’s resolutions, you’ll probably think of going to the gym, losing weight, limiting sugar intake or cutting out alcohol, to name a few. What do all these have in common? Your health. As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I’m all for the

trend. Improving your health and taking better care of your body is a goal each of us should have daily. So, let’s talk about ways to improve your health that are simple and easy. The goal being to change your lifestyle, not just one month’s “style.”

First, I encourage you to take awareness of your spinal posture. Due to today’s technology, many people are developing computer-desk hunches or texting-neck. Just think about how many people we see in public looking down at their phone. We all do it! The downfall is that our body is developing a habit. For longevity purposes, it is important to keep your back as straight as possible as

good posture is the “brace” for your spine. An easy way to start developing that habit, since we always have our cell phones nearby, is to set a timer for 30 minutes. When the timer goes off, it will be your reminder to straighten up; reach your head to the sky and your chest forward. Another easy way to improve your muscle memory is a posture brace. They are great at pulling back your shoulders to give you extra support during the day. Second, daily movement is important to keep the joints going. “Running water doesn’t freeze” is a phrase that applies to the joints as well. Whether you want to keep in motion, or if walking has become more challenging, it is important to stand

up and move your body once an hour. If walking is difficult due to balance or an injury, I recommend using a cane, walker or even walking sticks for extra support. You want to develop this as a habit, and you can start very small. In January, stand up once an hour. In February, increase that to walking down the hallway and back. In March, maybe you walk for five minutes once an hour. If you are at work, maybe try walking for 10 minutes every couple of hours. By the end of the year, I encourage you to reach at least an hour of movement a day. Once your body

RESOLUTIONS

Dr. Ken Horup

is used to it, you will enjoy doing it because your body will thank you for it. This leads me to my third recommendation, to seek advice from professionals. If you have a pain, or you feel like something is wrong, that is your body’s warning signal. Seeking advice catered to your needs is a great way to diagnose the problem and be active on the solution. Wheth-

er it’s pain signals or balance issues, I have heard time and time again, “I just kept putting it off.” It’s a natural response, but not one I encourage. For those of you who resonate with this, you can take it one step at a time, and it starts with finding a doctor / professional you trust and making that first appointment. My last encouragement for you sounds

simple but may be the most challenging of them all; do not be too hard on yourself. To make a resolution part of a lifestyle, you need to forgive yourself if you slip up on your challenge. It is not a reason to give up. All it means is that the next day, you go back to it. We are all our own worst enemies, as the expression goes, and could use a little more kindness, starting with being kind to ourselves. No matter your New Year’s resolution, I’m proud of you for making it. Just like

anything, our health journey is one step at a time. My personal New Year’s resolution is to be more conscious about what ingredients are in the food I am eating, and as a Nutella-fan, this may not be too easy for me. So, remember, if you need assistance, find a professional, and if you need accountability, ask a friend. We are all in this together!

Dr. Kenneth Horup, DC is a Chiropractic Physician at Discover Specific Chiropractic, Board Certified in Neuropathy.

Daniel Guerrini, CFP® Wealth Manager

Thomas M. Dowling, CFA, CFP®, CIMA® Head of Wealth Management Amy Allen, Client Relationship Coordinator

Daniel Guerrini, CFP® Wealth Manager

Thomas M. Dowling, CFA, CFP®, CIMA® Head of Wealth Management Amy Allen,

BY LISA HOSTETLER BROWN Contributor

Expert Answer:

Scammers often take advantage of unsuspecting individuals, especially seniors, creating opportunities for financial exploitation.

As we age, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and take steps to protect ourselves.

The FBI reports that in 2023, financial scams and exploitation cost people over 60 a staggering $3.4 billion, with an average victim losing a devastating $33,915.1

WHY ARE SENIORS VULNERABLE?

Several factors make seniors more vulnerable and prime targets for predators, including increased dependence due to ill-

ness or cognitive decline, and the savings they’ve accumulated over a lifetime.

THE POWER OF LEGAL PLANNING

The good news is there are layers of protection seniors can put in place to help shield themselves from financial exploitation. While transparency and open communication are essential, legal planning with an elder law attorney adds an extra layer of protection.

HERE’S HOW AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY CAN HELP:

• Secure Finances: An attorney can guide you through simplifying your finances, making them easier to monitor. This can involve consolidating accounts and cards and designating a trusted family member or friend to keep an eye out for unusual activity.

• Empowerment Through Power of Attorney: An attorney can assist you in cre-

ating a financial Power of Attorney (POA), allowing you to designate a trusted person to help you manage your finances. This can be crucial in preventing financial exploitation.

• Planning for the Future with a Revocable Trust: An elder law attorney can help establish a revocable trust, a legal tool that holds assets and outlines their distribution after death. This can minimize probate delays and expenses, and it can also provide a successor trustee to manage assets if needed, especially during times of disability.

• Communication is Key, But Legal Guidance is Crucial: Regular communication with loved ones is vital, but don’t underestimate the power of legal guidance. An experienced elder law attorney can provide invaluable advice on navigating various scams, selecting trustworthy agents for POAs, and ensuring all legal documents accurately reflect your wishes.

By working proactively with an elder law attorney, you can gain peace of mind knowing you have helped shield yourself from financial exploitation. Don’t let your guard down. Take the steps necessary to safeguard your financial security and well-being.

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. 2 Hampton Hall, Bluffton, SC 29910 | 843757-5294 | LawyerLisa.com/Bluffton

Fed’l Bureau of Investigation, Elder Fraud in Focus, FBI.gov (Oct. 26, 2023), https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/elderfraud-in-focus.

Lisa Hostetler Brown

BY COLLINS DOUGHTIE Contributor

Nature’s Way Starting 2025 out the right way

Have you ever seen something that irks you to no end, and when you voice your displeasure to someone, all they can say is, “Come on, just let it go.” Maybe to a fault, I am the type of person that has a very hard time letting something go, especially when it affects everybody. I think this tendency stems from my folks, who for my entire life stressed being proactive about issues I feel passionate about. If you read my column with any regularity, you how passionate I am when it comes to nature and the environment. And when I do see a blatant disregard for nature, I get revved up like nobody’s business. Issues such as litter, billboards, abandoned man-made objects, or plastics in particular, floating on our waters gets me so fired up that sometimes I feel like I’m going to blow. But if I had to pick one area that blows my mind most, it’s when that abuse is so obvious that people can’t help but notice the infraction, yet they do nothing is done to rectify the problem. What set me off on this quest for justice? It was a combination of things. The first thing, which is near and dear to my heart, was the recent dismal report regarding the status of the May River. Fecal matter, storm water runoff, and with all the construction going on, it can only get worse. Since I live a block away from May, almost without exception, every house within spitting distance of the river is on

septic tanks. With that said, I am a guilty party to the decline of the May, but not by choice. The cost to connect to the county water treatment system is cost prohibitive. Isn’t it time to make connecting to this system affordable for everyone with septic tanks? The way I see it, in the long run, Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer would make out like bandits, and at the same time, give the May River a chance to recover before it is too late.

When I was thinking about this a few days ago as a possible subject for my column, I began seeing crimes against the environment everywhere. It was like the first time you see a word that you have never seen before, and almost like magic, it starts appearing everywhere you look. I guess the human brain needs to be jump-started before it really goes into action.

For me, that jump-start came when I decided to do some exploring in the Savannah River. I hauled my boat to the new Hullahan Bridge just before you get to Port Wentworth, Ga. My plan was to head down river and see if I could find a few some spots for striped bass, a fish I rarely target except during cold winter days.

Anyone that has driven through this industrial area has been rewarded with a smell that is hard to miss. Akin to rotten eggs, I have wondered for years how the folks in Port Wentworth can stand that smell. Ask old-schoolers in Savannah about the odor and their answer is,

“That’s just the smell of money!” Now, I have never gotten down and smelled a dollar bill, but I seriously doubt it smells like that. My question is this: How do these companies get away with spewing that stuff into our air day after day? Doesn’t anyone care that chemicals are being poured into the atmosphere? I guarantee if I were to develop a machine that could duplicate that smell and set it up in my backyard, it wouldn’t take long before I was told to shut it down or else.

As I headed down river, the amount of abandoned equipment lying in the water was staggering. Old sunken barges, oily discharges from pipes pouring into the river, plus thousands upon thousands of pieces of steel, plastic and old tires. You name it, and it was there. Doesn’t anybody care? Closer to home, the same disregard for the environment is going on, and sadly, the majority of us pass right by without thinking twice about what the long-term effects it is having on this once

pristine area. Trash both on land and in the water is everywhere. Doesn’t anybody care?

Junker cars, old appliances and all manner of trash can be found even in the most remote areas, not to mention the “pure” water sold in plastic bottles that will take those bottles centuries or more to disintegrate. What on earth are we thinking? The answer is, we’re not. Today’s society is most definitely the “throw away” culture. For the sake of convenience and the almighty dollar, we are willing to forsake the planet on which we live. The next time you go get a burger, fries and a Coke, look at the volume of trash that comes with that one meal. Unless we all open our eyes very soon, we are going to eat ourselves right out of house and home.

Collins Doughtie is a 60-year resident of the Lowcountry, is a sportsman, graphic artist and lover of nature. collinsdoughtie@icloud.com

BY MATTHEW MASTROROCCO, DMD Contributor

Dental implants vs dentures: what

When you need to replace missing teeth, dental implants and dentures are the most common choices. Though very different, they have something in common: they can both restore your smile and confidence.

WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Dental implants are artificial teeth that are surgically implanted to replace lost or extracted teeth. Consisting of a metal post that acts as artificial tooth roots, an implant is surgically positioned into the jaw. It bonds with the natural bone and, with

time to heal, creates a strong base for artificial teeth, called crowns, to be attached to the post. It doesn’t require full sedation and is a very common in-office procedure with minimal discomfort. Implants closely resemble natural teeth in appearance and function and can replace one or more missing teeth.

BENEFIT OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

• Of fer a permanent solution to missing teeth. Implants can last decades or a lifetime with proper care.

• Can replace any number of teeth.

• Natural look and feel.

• Preserves natural bone and stimulates bone growth. It is the only dental restoration that prevents future bone damage.

• No risk of slipping. They will never slip out of place, allowing you to

talk, laugh and eat normally.

• Easy maintenance. Brush and floss twice daily, just as you would your natural teeth.

DISADVANTAGES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

• Requires minimally invasive surgery in your dentist’s office.

• Longer healing time. Treatment typically takes three-to-eight months, including healing time.

• Higher upfront cost.

• Not everyone is a candidate. They require a sufficient amount and density of jawbone material to attach the posts upon which the crowns will be mounted.

WHAT ARE DENTURES?

Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth fitted to your mouth. They are sup-

ported by the gums, sometimes with the aid of a dental adhesive, and are typically made of acrylic. Making a set of dentures usually starts with taking an impression of the gums to ensure a snug fit.

Dentures are often thought of as replacing an entire row of teeth — either upper, lower or both. Partial dentures are also an option for patients who still have some of their natural teeth intact; they are often attached to a framework that is supported by the existing teeth.

BENEFITS OF DENTURES

• Non-invasive. The process of getting dentures is quicker, easier and involves less discomfort than getting dental implants. Surgery is not required, though some patients may need to have some

IMPLANTS CONT. ON PAGE 49A

Matthew Mastrorocco, DMD

IMPLANTS

FROM PAGE 48A

lead to jawbone loss over time.

• Removable. This makes dentures easy to clean.

• Comfortable fit. Modern dentures are custom-made and fitted to be snug and comfortable. They are molded to your gums, and in most cases do not require an additional adhesive.

• Inexpensive. Dentures cost significantly less than dental implants, making them an affordable alternative.

DISADVANTAGES OF DENTURES

• Less secure than implants. Dentures may slip out of place while talking or eating, though this is less common with well-fitted, high-quality dentures.

• Likely to require replacement. Typical dentures need to be replaced every five to seven years due to aging and changing gum shape.

• Must be removed at night.

• Less natural feel.

• May lead to bone loss. Because the root structures of the teeth are not replaced, wearing dentures can sometimes

WHICH IS BETTER: DENTAL IMPLANTS OR DENTURES?

I placed my first dental implant 17 years ago and have always found it to be an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth because of injury, periodontal disease or any other reason. The consensus among dental pro fessionals is that they are superior. The function and feel of are simply closer to that of one’s natural teeth. But it is a per sonal decision and there are many factors to consider.

Most patients prefer dental implants because of their long lifespan compared to dentures. A patient in their 40s or 50s, with attentive care and maintenance, may never need to replace an implant. Older patients sometimes want to avoid the recovery time associated with dental implants. Some patients prefer dentures that they replace every few years to avoid minor oral surgery. They are also a budget-conscious choice, especially for those who need all or most of their teeth

Plastic surgeon’s “first look” assessment

BY DR. RONALD FINGER Contributor

Many plastic surgeons, including myself, try to determine what best fills a patient’s needs when he or she first sees the patient. When it involves the head and neck area, what feature ages the patient the most?

Most commonly it’s the eye lids or the jowl and/or neck, but everyone is different, and it can by any feature from the bottom of the neck up including the hair. After my “first look” at the patient when entering the room, the patient is asked the reason for their consultation. I may agree or ask if they want my opinion.

For the eye area, the problem may be upper or lower eyelids or both. With upper eyelids, typically there is excess skin, which can be so excessive that the skin

rests on the lashes. However, surgery may be indicated in even less severe cases. These require a procedure called an upper lid blepharoplasty, a minor procedure usually done under local anesthesia. Basically, the skin to be excised (removed) is marked with ink and local anesthetic is injected into the skin very slowly to minimize discomfort. Excess skin is removed, and the skin edges are approximated with fine sutures. Sutures are typically removed on the fifth day after surgery. The results are usually a dramatic improvement.

If the problem is lower eyelids, it is usually “bags,” which are pseudo-hernias of orbital fat resulting in shadows under them, causing a tired and older appearance. There can also be excess skin causing wrinkles. When the “bags” are the only problem, an incision to remove the fat is made inside the lower eyelid. If there is also excess skin, the incision may be in the skin just under the eyelashes, or the skin can be tightened with a laser or proper chemical peel done with local or general

anesthesia, according to the patient’s preference.

There are a variety of procedures for aging necks. There may be excess fat and/ or skin, or in those with excess sun damage, fine wrinkles. The treatments vary according to the problem. In patients in their twenties to forties, liposuction may be all that is needed to remove excess fat. If skin is saggy, tightening skin is accomplished with probes that emit intense heat, e.g., Renuvion. The intense heat tightens the skin usually with one treatment, which can be done with liposuction. For severe face and neck sagging, a facelift may still be indicated or a direct excision of the hanging skin with local anesthesia, which

has a very short recovery time and is very successful at removing excess skin. For fine wrinkles leaving sun damaged skin, proper lasers may also be indicated.

In younger patients who are concerned with sagging of the jowl area, fillers to the cheek area and/or PDO threads may result in a refreshed look without having to undergo surgery. The VirtueRF microneedling device will both melt the excess fat and tighten the skin.

In conclusion, there are many options for addressing signs of aging without major surgery including fast-recovery laser treatments, fillers, Renuvion for skin tightening, and PDO threads to name a few. A patient must be properly assessed, and options explained in detail to determine their best option.

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

How should assets be titled and beneficiaries designated?

BY MARK WINN Contributor

When you decide to plan your estate, if you use a revocable trust as a vehicle for transferring your assets to avoid probate, as opposed to a will alone (which ensures probate in almost all cases), then what are the general objectives people wish to accomplish?

OBJECTIVE 1: Avoid unnecessary fees and costs at probate court.

OBJECTIVE 2: Maximize the amount that may go to a spouse or loved one “in trust” (pursuant to the terms of a trust) so it avoids estate taxes, protects the assets from most lawsuits (including divorce) and making sure the assets will re-

main in your family.

In order to accomplish both objectives, the client needs to be informed and advised as to the title or designation on each asset they have. For example, assume Jerry created a revocable trust and his trust directs all his assets go into a trust for the benefit of his daughter, Mary, and her two children, Liz and Bob (his grandchildren). The trust directs Mary can get all the income and the principal for her needs. It also ensures that if the daughter gets sued or divorced, those assets in trust will not be exposed. This is great planning.

However, it will not be carried out unless Jerry re-titles his non-retirement accounts into his trust and properly designates the beneficiary on his annuities, retirement accounts, etc. When an IRA is payable to a trust, so it is protected and will stay in the family, the trust can pro-

vide necessary language so the IRS will permit 10 years of tax deferral on the IRA (effectively, a non-spousal rollover). Let’s say Jerry just had Mary as beneficiary on everything, and that she was joint owner on his assets, too. If that were the case, probate may be avoided, but none of the assets would legally be directed to go to the trust for Mary’s benefit. This frustrates Jerry’s planning goals in OBJECTIVE 2. Fast forward 15 years and Mary has inherited $500,000 free of trust, and then Mary gets sued for divorce. Do you think she could lose

$250,000, or half of her inheritance, in the divorce? Yes, she could, especially if the assets became commingled with her spouse. Would that money be included in her taxable estate for estate tax purposes? Yes, it would. Would there be any guarantee the funds will stay in the family? No.

If Jerry had made all his assets payable to his trust or owned in his trust, then the money Mary inherited would be protected from loss in divorce, not subject to estate tax in her estate and guaranteed to go down to Jerry’s grandkids, Liz and Bob. The moral of this story is that proper titling of assets and coordinated beneficiary designations is crucial to the success of any estate plan.

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

Dr. Ronald Finger

Before and after liposuction of the neck.

Mark Winn

BY DAN PRUD’HOMME

Contributor

Hilton Head Island Real Estate Market Update – January 2025

The Hilton Head Island real estate market wrapped up 2024 with some interesting trends, and as we step into the new year, there’s plenty to talk about. Whether you’re a buyer, seller or just keeping an eye on the market, understanding where things stand right now is key. Let’s dive into the numbers and what they mean for you. First off, average days on the market (DOM) increased to 66 this past month, up from 45 days at the same time last year. While that might seem like a big jump, let’s keep some perspective. Back in 2019, the average DOM was 128 days, and in

2020, it was 119 days. So, while properties are taking a bit longer to sell compared to last year, we’re still in a much better spot than we were just a few years ago.

Sales prices have dipped slightly. Right now, properties are selling for about 95.6% of their original asking price, compared to 97.3% last year. While that’s a bit of a drop, it’s worth noting that in 2019, the average was 94.5%. This tells us that while the market has cooled off a bit from the frenzied activity of recent years, it’s still performing better than it did pre-pandemic.

Inventory is where things get interesting. We’re currently at 731 active listings, which is up 6.6% from 686 this time last year but slightly down from the 737 we saw in November. For some perspective, five years ago, there were 1,289 properties on the market, nearly double what we have today. Inventory typically shrinks in

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the late fall and winter, and this year is no exception.

Closed sales came in at 116 for December, down 7.2% from 125 a year ago. With the current inventory levels and sales pace, we’re sitting at just under six months of supply. It’s still a seller’s market, but just barely. Buyers have more breathing room now.

One of the bright spots continues to be sales prices. The median year-to-date sale price has climbed 4.35% from $1,035,000 in 2023 to $1,080,000 today. That’s a testament to the ongoing demand for Hilton Head Island properties, especially from second-home buyers and investors who see the long-term value of owning a piece of paradise.

Looking ahead, all eyes are on interest rates. If rates drop below 5%, we’re likely in for a fantastic year. And if they get closer to 4%, buckle up. It could be one for

the record books. Hilton Head’s real estate market often moves a little differently than the national trends because of our high concentration of second-home and investment property sales.

So, what’s the bottom line? The Hilton Head Island market held strong despite some serious headwinds in 2024, and 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year. Whether you’re buying, selling or just curious about what’s happening, now’s a great time to get involved. Stay tuned for more updates as 2025 unfolds. Happy New Year!

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

Dan Prud’homme

BY KINGSTON RHODES Contributor

New faces, new roles on Hilton Head Town Council

Hilton Head Island Town Council welcomed two new members at its Swearing-In Ceremony this past month and elected a new Mayor Pro Tem.

New faces Melinda Tunner from Ward 6 and Steve DeSimone from Ward 3 on the Island township council joined Alex Brown of Ward 1, who was re-elected and also voted by fellow members as its new Mayor Pro Tem.

There are six members representing geographical wards on Hilton Head Island’s governing council plus a mayor, who is elected at-large. Three of the wards are elected every two years. Each council representative serves for four years.

Political newcomer Tunner bested two challengers to win the Ward 6 seat with 55% of the total vote.

DeSimone actually returns to the council after a 22year absence. He previously served from 1995 to 2002 before returning to his business career as owner of a construction engineering firm and inventor of products associated with the automotive industry. He earned 58% of the voter over Amy Fee.

Brown easily won a second term to represent Ward 1 with 68% of the vote over newcomer Daniel Anthony. During council business following the Swearing-In Ceremony, Brown was elected Mayor Pro Tem in a 4-3 vote. He takes the place in that role from David Ames, who has retired.

Tunner has been an island property owner for more than 10 years and a full-time resident for eight. She lives in the Palmetto Hall community adjacent to Hilton Head Island Airport. She has served as president and treasurer of Palmetto Hall’s Property Owner Association and

has volunteered as a Beaufort County Board of Registration poll manager.

Prior to moving to Hilton Head Island, Tunner was an insurance executive for more than 30 years with Allstate Insurance, the largest publicly held personal lines insurance company in America, with roles as Controller and Vice President Protection Finance.

In DeSimone’s previous tenure on the Town Council with Hilton Head mayor Tom Peeples, he championed major drainage projects across the island and renewed nourishment programs for the town’s beachfront. That initiative, along with his advocacy for the Cross Island Parkway, reflected his commitment to the overall quality of life for Hilton Head residents by balancing the island’s economic growth with environmental protection.

Brown is a fifth-generation native islander and has served on the board of the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation and the Northpoint Public-Private Partnership Housing Advisory Committee. Most recently, on the town council, he chaired the finance committee and was the liaison between the Island Recreation Center and the town.

Desimone Tunner Brown

Let Go. Let God. Welcome 2025.

BY REV. THERESE DONLAN LEE Contributor

Happy New Year. Happy New You. In Unity, as New Thought Truth students, we call ourselves metaphysicians. We look beyond the physical to underlying truths as we go within, where each of us meets the God of our own understanding. Going within allows for clarity and focus that can lead to ease and grace. January is the time for reflecting on the past, assessing the present and setting intentions for the next 12 months. This recurring process is founded in the metaphysical belief that time is not linear, but rather, time is a series of cycles and opportunities for release and renewal. The metaphysical meaning of New Year’s embraces the concept of rebirth and transformation, of letting go and letting God, of

starting anew.

Each of us is invited to get centered and allow a wave of anticipation and reflection to wash over us. We get to see this now moment as more than just a change in the calendar – to see it as a sacred passage from the old to the new. “Are you willing?” is my favorite question. The act of setting intentions is an important aspect of welcoming 2025. Are you ready to grow, yet again? To go within and allow ourselves to be Spirit-led, to transcend mere words of good cheer and make profound declarations of denials and affirmations.

Combining denials and affirmations is a powerful daily practice. Used together, they are tools for transforming our thinking. Denials help us let go of negative thoughts, followed by affirmations to help us engage in positive beliefs and behaviors. Unity teachings draw on the belief that our thoughts and intentions have the power to shape our reality.

Our third principle is, “Thoughts held in mind, produce after their kind.” I have

learned through personal experience that I can change my life each time I question and change my thinking. We set intentions by asking, “Who have I come here to be?” “What is uniquely mine to do?” Spirit-led (rather than ego driven) thoughts resonate with the principles of manifestation, known in Unity as the law of mind action. Our declared intentions are about manifesting our desires and aligning our

actions with our higher purpose. We, you and I, get to shape our reality by what we put out into the universe through our thoughts, words and actions. Are you willing?

Now is the time to clear out the old energy, release what no longer serves our highest and best, and invite in new possibilities. We get to accept change, acknowledge loss and allow for healing as we authentically navigate our daily lives. Each time we integrate gratitude and mindfulness, we deepen our metaphysical resonance and align ourselves with the vibrations of peace, love and abundance.

Be gentle with yourself. You are not alone. Embrace your power as a mighty co-creator of your life. Be mindful. Honor the awesome truth of yourself as a unique, unrepeatable expression of God. Welcome 2025.

Rev. Therese Donlan Lee is the senior minister of Unity Spiritual Center on Hilton Head Island. revthereseunityhiltonhead@gmail.com

Therese Donlan Lee

SThis story is from a collection of interviews from long time locals who have generously shared their lowcountry memories with me to be saved for historical purposes and future generations

pillin’ the Tea... Tales from the Lowcountry Troop 241 and Buddy Wilson

BY PAUL TOLLEFSON Contributor

The year was 1992 and Troop 241 was enjoying a pleasant May evening on a camping trip at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Bubba Crosby on the banks of the New River in Pritchardville. Buddy Wilson, troop leader, had set up his camp site far enough away from the boys that they were able to feel independent and on their own. Each of the boys had helped set up their tents and were winding down for the night.

“One of the boys comes running up to me and excitedly tells me that they found a big timber rattler and Darell keeps poking it with a stick!”

“You tell Darell to leave that snake alone, this is his territory, and we are just guests,” said troop leader Buddy.

As the boy runs off, Buddy continues to get set up for the night at his camp site, hopeful that his talk with the boy will be the end of the snake stories. Not 10 minutes later, the boy comes running back again.

“Mr. Buddy, Mr. Buddy, Darrell keeps messing with it, and it keeps striking at him and the stick he has!”

“You tell Darell to leave that snake alone! You tell him that If I must come down there and take care of it, everyone will be eating that snake!”

The boy runs off once again, and Buddy continues his camp set-up duties, trying

to make it as comfortable as possible for the evening.

“Mr. Buddy, Mr. Buddy, Darell will not stop, I told him he’s going to get everyone in trouble, and he just keeps messing with it! This time the snake almost nabbed his leg!”

As Buddy follows the boy down to the others, he can see everyone standing around, obviously enthralled by the rattling creature.

“I told y’all to leave that snake alone, boys,” Buddy frustratedly told them. “I told you guys I’m going to make each one of you eat some of this snake if I had to come kill it.”

“The boys learned a few lessons that day. Listen to adults when they tell you not to do something. But they also learned that if you cut up rattlesnake and mix it in with the evening’s campfire burgers, you can’t really tell you’re eating a snake,” laughed Buddy as he told me this story. “I made everyone of those boys clean, skin and eat that thing!”

Lannie “Buddy” Wilson loved his time as a troop leader, and he played that role for over 25 years. He taught many of the youth, boys and girls, of the area a wealth of life skills.

“I helped them I feel in a lot of different ways, but I think one of the biggest was how to depend on yourself when there was not anyone else around. Learning how to be creative, learning how to use what the earth can give you, learning simple things like how to start a fire with flint. At that time in the 1980s through the early 2000s, there was not a whole lot for the kids to do around here, and I think that I showed them about what a wonder-

ful place that they live and how to use the land to the best of its ability.”

“There were so many wonderful people in the area at that time that helped me as much as they could. Some would give cash donations to help the troop purchase new equipment, but some would help teach life skills as well. As an example, James Bradford, who owns the Bike Doctor, would help to teach the kids how to fix their bikes if they broke. George Scott was always willing to give us groceries at cost for the troop. Jim Flood, Murray Boughman, Kenny Himes, The Ulmer family, the list goes on and on of folks that would help out and help the kids or donate what they could.”

Not only did the kids learn basic life skills, but they also learned many other valuable lessons. They learned how to fundraise. They learned how to help the Marine Rescue Squadron when someone in the river came up missing. But most of all, they learned how to be leaders. They

learned how to be creative and lead by example.

“Some of these kids didn’t have the best home life or a father figure. Being able to teach these kids, and have fun with these kids, I wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything. I hope I made a difference in some kids lives, cause I enjoyed every minute of it!”

Paul Tollefson is the Director of Tennis at the Hampton Hall Club in Bluffton. He found his love for the Lowcountry in early 2002 after graduating high school and unsure of what career path he was destined toward. After moving from Hilton Head to Bluffton, he became enthralled with the history of the town and the people and cultures that called it home for many generations. He has found a passion in writing and enjoys being able to share the stories and pictures of long-time locals. He is the co-creator of the Facebook page “Bluffton Then and Now.”

Paul Tollefson

The Seahawk Times

A Hilton Head Island High School Student Newspaper

Girls Golf and State Championship

By: Daisy Lopez Jimenez

At Hilton Head Island High School, one of the sports teams that the school offers is a girls’ golf team, which accepts girls in grades 7-12th. Cece Kersey (11) describes herself to be lucky to be on such an amazing team. Cece has been playing golf since her freshman year of high school. She joined the team as she had lots of interest in the sport; her coaches, Coach Tanner and Coach Grant, welcomed her to the team in 2022, which marked the beginning of a new chapter of her high school experience. Although Cece was somewhat nervous to join the golf team, she was also looking forward to the 2022-2023 school year.

The girls’ golf team at Hilton Head Island High School is a very good team in general. “We’re actually that team that everyone is scared to compete against which is so cool to even think about.” The team usually always makes it to state finals and competes in big tournaments. This year, there was only 11 people on the girls’ team, which consisted of both the middle school and high school athletes. The girls have gone so far as to compete in big tournaments such as the one hosted in Myrtle Beach. This year, the team was state runner up in the state championships.

Cece shares the experience she has had with the team since joining. “Because we are such a small team, it makes it easier to know each other and learn about one another way easier.” Cece shares that she loves the fact that when they travel, they don’t travel in busses (which all the other sports team do). They travel by renting cars. She has overall been given the opportunity to meet new people who also share the same interests as her which makes it so much more fun to be on the team and compete.

Seahawk Football Reaches Playoffs

By: Ethan Collins

The Hilton Head Island High School football team has done fantastic this season! After a very successful regular season, the Seahawks moved into the playoffs and won their first playoff game at home. They performed fantastically on the field, and won the game to advance through the playoffs.

This victory set a huge milestone for the Hilton Head Island High School football team as they had not made it this far in many years. The way the team handled the plays given and took care of the other teams defense and offense was a sight to see.

The Seahawks advanced to the second round to play south Florence in round two. The Seahawks traveled on Friday, November 22nd, to South Florence. They held on for the first half of the game but ultimately fell to South Florence in the second half. This was the first time in a long time that the Seahawk football team made it this far in playoffs.

Photo by: M. Hickey

Photo by: MB Lyons

Photo by:

Mrs. Schoelkopf-lewis

Photo by:

Mrs. Schoelkopf-lewis

Photo by: MB Lyons

First Time HHIHS Attends Youth in Government Conference By:

KB Bolchoz

Hilton Head Island’s inaugural Youth in Government competition team had a great first run at the state-level conference c in Columbia, SC. Despite there being only two first-time members, the HHI team made various statements and arguments regarding possible bills and did extremely well.

The Youth in Government conference is an annual event where students from various schools in the state take up roles as state officials, from Governor to Representative to judges and lawyers and witnesses. The students work and debate on their own ideas for bills and laws. More experience in the program, made for kids in grades 6-12, leads to more important and higher-up roles. There is also a mock trial and appellate court simulations on top of first year state legislation and veteran state legislation simulations.

Ms. Spisz, the YIG coordinator for HHIHS, encourages students to join the program, noting its resemblances to Model UN and Debate Club. “We’re trying to get into the Mock Trial aspect,” she says. YIG conventions have multiple scheduled events based on South Carolina governmental proceedings, including simulated civil and criminal court cases.

After their success at the annual conference the team’s two members, Ruby and Michael, are taking a break for a couple of months before they begin preparing for next year. They hope to come back even stronger next November!

National French Week At HHIHS

The week of November 6-12, students across the country celebrated National French Week, a fun way to promote the French language and culture. Classes participated in cooking, films, and games that are all about the French world. Students at HHIHS we had a fun fact of the day every morning. At the end of the day, the dismissal bell played famous French songs. Students in French classes dove more into the culture on top of what they were already learning.

National French Week highlights the importance of learning a second language, which is something HHIHS values as an IB school. French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide and can boost career opportunities in various fields like business or travel.

“Learning French connects students to the global community,” said a teacher at HHIHS.

By: Payton Kaufer

As French week came to an end, students had learned new aspects of the French community and were excited to continue learning French and exploring the culture.

“I have taken French for two years now, and I love learning about it. This week has made me want to travel to France in the future,” said a student at HHIHS.

National French Week is organized by the American Association of Teachers of French to encourage students to study French and promote its culture to schools across the U.S.

Photo by: Ms. Spisz

HHIHS YIG students present their bill at the Youth in Government Conference in Columbia, SC.

Senior Class Grad Bash Returning This Spring By:

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everyone’s world. Staying inside became normal and socialization was feared. Because of these circumstances, the concept of a senior trip was ripped away overnight. For years, the idea was hardly broached by many schools; after all, there were far bigger priorities to tackle first. However, given the half a decade of time since the initial lockdowns, senior trips are finally back on the table, and for HHIHS, it’s back in full force. One of the trip’s major coordinators, Mr. Willard, spoke about the details and challenges surrounding it.

Willard explained, “Getting it off the ground certainly wasn’t easy, and that's putting it lightly. Regardless of how much time has passed since COVID, people are weary about group travel. Once approved by the school board, we then had to mount enough interest to get the funding.”

He states, “Every student going has to put down a series of deposits to secure their spot and also make sure the hotel is paid for. It’s about $500 per trip. Considering everything we’re doing though, I’d call that a steal.”

Expanding on the trip’s itinerary, Willard said, “We leave April 4th, pretty early. We have a lot to accomplish. The drive is about four hours and that's in a normal car, so there’s no telling how long a bus will take. Once we arrive in Orlando we’re heading to Volcano Bay, the Universal Resort’s water park. We’ll be there for most of the morning and afternoon, with a little time afterwards to go to the rooms and freshen up before the main event: Grad Bash. Starting at 7pm and lasting until 2am, Universal Orlando shuts down, and the students take over. The park is completely closed for outsiders and only high schoolers will be there. It’s a perfect time for the students to let loose and socialize. The following day we have a short breakfast at the hotel, and then we head back.”

HHIHS Hosts A

Nick Korneluk

Building upon that, “It’s definitely a tight schedule. We’re not sure how long we intend to remain at Universal that night; we don’t want to diminish the student’s fun with a curfew but 2am is definitely not early, ” he joked.

When asked about student’s wanting to go after the first deadline for deposits, he explained “There’s a waitlist for students now. The first deposit was due November 15th; however, there was an overflow of students, so now we need about 19 more until we can get a second bus, so students signing up now can reserve a spot on that bus.”

To finish, Willard stated, “Overall, Grad Bash is one of the best opportunities this school has ever had for a senior trip. I can’t wait to see how much fun everyone has and the memories it’ll create.”

Thanksgiving Food Drive By: Payton Kaufer

HHIHS ROTC ran a Thanksgiving food drive during the month of November. The food was donated to the Deep Well Project. TROTC collected canned goods in the brown brick area at HHIHS.

The goal of the Thanksgiving food drive was to gather enough food to provide Thanksgiving meals for families that can't afford it. This year at HHIHS, the students and staff exceeded expectations, gathering pounds of food. Students were allowed to wear pajamas on two different days for donating two cans or boxes of food.

“Thanksgiving is giving, and it’s amazing to see so many students helping,” said one of the students who helped put together the food drive.

There were several other drives and charity events at HHIHS during the holiday season including a toy drive which ran from mid-November through December 6th.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive is a reminder of the strength of the school and the importance of helping each other, making sure that everyone has something to be thankful for this year.

Lights, Camera, Homecoming 2024 By: The Fall Journalism Class of 2024

The week of October 21, 2024, was the high school’s Homecoming celebration, culminating this year in a football game against the Colleton County Cougars. During the week, students were encouraged to dress up based on the theme for the day.

This year, the Homecoming theme was “Lights, Camera, Homecoming,” a broad theme inspired by the movies. Students worked together to come up with fun and unique themes for each school day, finally voting on all their favorites.

Monday, October 21, was “Dreaming Up a Win in the Land of Oz,” inspired by the classic book-to-film The Wizard of Oz. Students were allowed to wear pajamas to school, arriving in a rainbow of pajama pants– as well as the occasional onesie. Tuesday the 22nd was “Dynamic Duos Day,”where students paired up with one friend or a few and dressed up as some iconic film heroes, from the Mystery Gang from Scooby Doo, to Rarity and Fluttershy to My Little Pony, to even just a couple of friends in comical sunglasses and sparkly tutus. The next day’s theme was, “Don’t Be Despicable– Be a Minion for the Win!” This theme comes from the beloved Despicable Me film franchise, inspired by the lovable yellow creatures in overalls. Many students arrived in yellow shirts and jeans or overalls, with even a couple students dressing up as Gru. On Thursday, the student body was inspired by the hit Adam Sandler film Grownups, as well as his many other great films, and their very own Coach Payne. For “Coach Payne and Adam Sandler” day, students sported baggy shirts and shorts, baseball caps, and snazzy gym shoes. Coach Payne wasn’t exactly thrilled. The final Homecoming spirit day before the game was based on the iconic 80s movie Back to the Future, and each grade was assigned their own decades to emulate. Freshmen were given the 80s, and several sported bold patterns and big clothes. Sophomores were told to dress up as “the future,” a vague category that several students put a clever spin on, from what they said they’d wear tomorrow to even the Grim Reaper. Juniors were assigned the 90s, and many took the time to wear all types of denim. As for the senior class, students got to wear 2000s-style outfits, with accessorization to the maximum. Teachers and staff were given the 60s and 70s, with plenty of flared pants, big necklaces, and huge wigs to go around.

One of the Homecoming traditions at HHIHS is door decorating. The door-decorating contest made the hallways vibrant and exciting, showing off school spirit. The competition began on Tuesday when the students and staff showcased their creativity by decorating their classroom's door. Some classes decided to follow the homecoming theme: “Lights, Camera, Hoco,” but others went with their own creative vision, normally going along with Halloween.

Each door tells a different story and is mainly based on what subject the teacher teaches. But what door is the best? Everyone’s door is very different and unique, but there can only be one winner.

The winner was decided on Friday at the pep rally, and before then, it's a very competitive race to see who can have the best Homecoming door of 2024. The winner of the 2024 Homecoming door decorating contest was Mrs. Eastham, who won a $100 gift card. In second place was Ms. Frauhiger, who won an Amazon gift card. In third place was Ms. Guinn. An honorable mention went to Ms. Harrington.

The Hilton Head Island High School powder puff also concluded on the Thursday of Homecoming week. Round 1 ended with the juniors crushing the freshman and the seniors taking a narrow victory against the sophomores on Wednesday night. This just left the juniors vs the seniors for the final, which was played as a buy-out activity in front of the student body on Thursday. The game started off with a quick senior lead when they scored on kickoff making it 6-0. This was followed up by the juniors returning that energy and making the game 67 after scoring on the next play. The seniors made another quick comeback turning the tides and setting the score to 13-7 in the second half. The seniors continued their domination scoring another goal taking the score to 19-7. The juniors fought hard to put up another goal bringing the game to 19-14, but in the end, they couldn’t take home the victory and lost. Both teams struggled hard and put in a ton of work to try and win this game, and both teams really did amazing.

The Seahawks also had a pep rally to celebrate Homecoming where fall athletes, the homecoming court, and the emperor and empress were honored. There were performances by the cheer and dance teams and SGA hosted a game.

Accompanying the usual activities (spirit week, haunted house, football games) was the announcement of this year's homecoming court. It’s never easy to pick a group of people to represent the best of an entire group of students, especially when the number is in the hundreds, but the court this year was picked with accuracy. Every student chosen for the court is a perfect choice to show the best attributes of the class.

Building upon that thought, “When it comes to choosing a king or queen, I think everyone here has a strong argument for the title. Each person on the court is already super accomplished, so finding an even brighter diamond among us would be a challenge,” nominee Jason Braymiller remarked. The Homecoming King and Queen were crowned at halftime on Friday night. The 2024 Homecoming King is Tristan Simmons and the 2024 Homecoming Queen is Piper Basciano.

Photo by: Kelly Bolchoz

At HHIHS there is also a staff homecoming court where staff members are nominated by the student body and called emperor and empress. This year the emperor that was crowned is Mr. Day. Mr. Day’s election as emperor came as a big surprise to him. When asked how he felt when he won, he said, “I was extremely surprised; I didn’t think I was going to win!” One of the best parts of being emperor for Mr. Day was the chance to make people laugh. “Although I am not a very great dancer, it was nice to see my students laughing at me and having a good time as I attempted to dance!” he said. He enjoyed the fun atmosphere and the connection he made with his students, even if he wasn’t perfect at dancing. The empress for 2024 was Ms. Stroud.

On Friday October 25, 2024 the Seahawks played the Colleton Cougars at The Nest. The Seahawks dominated the entire game and beat the Cougars 65-6. The student section theme for the Homecoming football game was neon.

To end Homecoming week, the Seahawks also had a Homecoming dance in the Aux gym on Saturday October 26th from 7-10pm. Tickets were $10 and students were able to bring a guest that did not attend HHIHS as long as a permission form was filled out and submitted at the start of Homecoming week. This year it was one of the largest homecoming dances in recent years as over 500 students attended the dance.

Photo by: MB Lyons

Photo by: K. Sobocinski

Photo by: K. Sobocinski

Top: students dress up for minion day. Bottom: King Tristan and Queen Piper

Students dress up as Scooby Doo characters for Dynamic Duo Day

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