The Hilton Head Sun • May 8, 2024

The Hilton Head Sun

Beaufort County School District

Honors HS Senior Standouts at Senior Scholars Celebration

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Contributor

Celebrating their outstanding academic achievements, 110 high school seniors were honored by The Beaufort County School District at the recently held annual Senior Scholars celebration.

Senior Scholars are students from the district’s six high schools who have been enrolled for a minimum of three consecutive semesters by the second semester of the senior year, and who have maintained a cumulative 3.5 gradepoint average or higher, are ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating classes, and earned the equivalent of an 85 percent grade or higher in college prep courses, an 80 percent grade or higher in honors courses, and a 75 percent grade or higher in advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or dual enrollment courses in all quarters of their high school career.

“We’re exceptionally proud of what these outstanding seniors have accomplished during their high school years, and we’re confident their successes will continue into the future,” said Superintendent

Frank Rodriguez, who was on hand at the event to hand each student a special certificate for their achievements. Each student also received a chord to wear at graduation.

“Being a senior scholar means to me that all of my hard work has paid off,” said Ellis Adelman, a senior at Hilton Head Island High. “I’ve worked really hard through high school to get the grades that I have, so I’m really honored to get this award.”

For Eric Jenkins Jr., a senior at May River High School this honor meant, “staying determined. In order to have a successful future, you need to be able to know that no matter what, you have to work hard in anything that you are doing because one day that opportunity will come, and you will do something great.”

Rodriquez noted that the evening was a great chance to “celebrate our students and recognize them for their hard work. Being senior scholar is an incredible accomplishment.”

Each senior was also given a customized yard sign to display in their yard at home, showcasing their accomplish-

Beaufort County school officials handed out awards and chords to the top performing seniors in the district’s high schools at the Senior Scholars Celebration.

ment as they prepare to begin a new chapter of their lives after high school graduation. At this year’s banquet, Whale Branch Early College graduate Quintilian Fields Jr., a 2022 Senior Scholar, was the special speaker. Fields is currently an honors student at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) where he serves as a student ambassador and Resident Assistant (RA). A member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and a dedicated Family Worship

Center youth leader, Fields represented USCB at Carolina Day at the State House and was honored as the 2023 USCB Student of the Year.

This year’s Senior Scholar banquet honorees include:

T’erre Nicole Elaine Adderley

Ellis Adelman

Andry Janluca Aguero

Anthony David Angelino

Joshua Fabian Angulo

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VIEWPOINT

Celebrating Our Mothers: Lives, Lessons, Love

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Editor

Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March or May.

To me, Mother’s Day has always been a time to stop and give thanks to the many things that go unnoticed, unappreciated and forgotten that our mom’s do for us— or us for our children.

But let’s face it, no thanks could ever be enough for what mothers provide for their children and families as a whole. Moms tend to be the glue that holds it all

together, and they play many roles in our lives—caregiver, supporter, cheerleader, teacher, therapist…. the list goes on.

Mothers teach us the first lessons of love, kindness, and respect. They are the first to read to us, to teach us about the wonders of the world, and to guide us through the challenges of growing up. These lessons are not confined to the walls of a home; they resonate throughout the community as well.

I have learned that in our small part of the world, we have many strong women who help make this community a great place. In our March issue we highlighted many of these great local women with families and careers, contributing immensely to the economic and social fabric of our town. Many hold critical positions in local businesses, schools, healthcare, and government. Their influence is profound and pivotal in shaping the local culture and economy. Whether it’s running a family-owned business, organizing com-

munity events, or volunteering at local schools, mothers multitask with remarkable efficiency and profound commitment. Their emotional labor, often unnoticed, helps to sustain community ties during both prosperous and challenging times. In moments of crisis, mothers are often at the forefront, offering support, rallying communal spirit, and providing care to those in need.

Honoring these women by spending time with them is ususally all they want. It all started back in the Middle Ages when a custom developed of allowing those who had moved away to visit their home parishes and their mothers on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. This became Mothering Sunday in Britain, where it continued into modern times, although it has largely been replaced by Mother’s Day.

Much later in America, Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women’s groups to promote friend-

ship and health, held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia on May 12, 1907. Within five years virtually every state was observing the day, and in 1914 U.S. Pres. Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday.

As a daughter, and mother myself, my hope this Mother’s Day is to reminisce with my mother and daughters, spending time together and making new memories. And I hope the same for all the mothers in our community.

This Mother’s Day, let’s acknowledge and celebrate the myriad contributions of mothers in our community. Let us recognize that their impact goes far beyond what is often visible.

To all mothers in our community: thank you. Your strength, love, and dedication are truly the heart of our town. I will end by sharing my favorite quote: “Strong women: may we be them, may we know them, may we raise them.”

Shannon Copcutt

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EDITORIAL

Remembering Mayor Tom Peeples: Island Legend, Consensus Builder, Friend

BY MAYOR ALAN PERRY Contributor

Channing Heiss

Kenneth Horup

Justin Jarrett

Courtney McDermott

Dr. Oswald Mikell

Alan Perry

Dan Prud’homme

Anita Stephens

Larry Stoller

Mark Winn

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

Last month, we bid farewell to a true Hilton Head Island icon, Mayor Thomas D. Peeples. His legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of our island, shaping it into the paradise we know and love today. A native of the Lowcountry, Mayor Peeples was a trailblazer, becoming the first from the region to hold the mayoral office. His dedication to enhancing his hometown knew no bounds.

Growing up nearby in Ridgeland, Mayor Peeples later settled in Hilton Head Island and contributed to its growth by building homes during a pivotal period of development. His wife, Mary Ann,

often pitched in to help. Constructing homes marked his initial impact on our shores.

Mayor Peeples’ commitment extended beyond his professional duties, as evidenced by his involvement in numerous volunteer roles. However, it was during his tenure in local government that he left an indelible mark. Elected to Town Council in 1989, he served as Mayor for an unprecedented 15 years, a record that still stands today. His leadership was marked by transformative projects and policies, setting a new standard for public service. He stepped down in 2010, leaving an unmatched legacy.

During his tenure, he introduced initiatives like the Island’s Capital Improvement Program and led the establishment of the real estate transfer fee, a move that has generated an average of $4.2 million each year for the Town’s Land Acquisition Program. Mayor Peeples’ advoca-

cy for the Tax Increment Financing District brought $150 million in substantial upgrades to the island’s drainage, parks, pathways, fire stations, and secondary roads. He was also instrumental in creating a Hilton Head Island parks and open space master plan, which protected and preserved the Honey Horn and the Coastal Discovery Museum sites. In recognition of his generous efforts and those of his wife, the museum named it Discovery Lab for Mayor Peeples and its pavilion after Mary Ann.

His passion for consensus-building on challenging issues the Town Council grappled with and preserving our natural heritage was unwavering, and his initiatives continue to shape our community today. In 2011, for all his life work and his spirit of leadership, Mayor Peeples was presented with South Carolina’s highest civilian honor—the Order of the Palmetto.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

There’s a Failure of Leadership! Around a million dollars of our tax dollars are going to the $429,000 being paid to the Consultant for the Town’s Independent Corridor Study and the salaries and perks of the

Town Administrator, various Assistant Town Administrators, Staff and Town Council. Then why are citizens having to draw maps of alternatives on their home floors? Why are citizens having to go tax maps and national wetlands databases to gather honest data?

Why are a new group of citizens saying that someone’s fingers are on the scale? For the million dollars we are paying, we expected an impeccable, quantitative, honest, and transparent review of all our options, including having our questions answered. Mayor

Mayor Peeples’ influence extended far beyond government; he was a cherished friend and mentor to many, including me. His wisdom, guidance, and infectious spirit have shaped my role as Mayor and my personal journey. His absence leaves a void in our hearts, yet his legacy remains ever-present, immortalized in the countless footprints he left upon our sands and in the enduring impact of his work. As we continue to traverse the paths Mayor Peeples paved, let us honor his memory by preserving and cherishing the island he held dear. His legacy as a local leader and one of Hilton Head Island’s finest mayors will forever endure, and all who had the privilege of knowing him will deeply feel his absence. In closing, I ask that we collectively keep Mayor Peeples’ wife Mary Ann, his son Josh, and the entire Peeples family in our thoughts during their time of loss.

Perry can show historic leadership to get this done (as he once promised) or go down in history as another detested bureaucrat like ex-County Councilman Rodman, who turned off the proper analysis in 2020.

Steve Baer

Alan Perry

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New Legislation Aims to Avoid Energy Crisis in the Face of SC Expansion

BY JEFF BRADLEY Contributor

Most South Carolinians know that our state’s population is surging and our overall economy is booming. What they don’t know, however, is South Carolina has suddenly become at risk of running out of energy to meet its new demands.

Obviously, threats to reliable electricity are unacceptable. And, unfortunately, the state’s failure in 2021 to complete the massive V.C. Summer nuclear expansion project in Fairfield County, near Charlotte, NC has left us in a difficult situation.

Electricity demand is soaring because of our rapid population growth and expanding industry. Therefore, a special House of Representatives committee began more than a year ago to focus specifically on creating a sweeping energy reform bill that will enable utilities across the state to speed up projects in order to avoid a looming energy crisis.

Sponsored by House Speaker Murrell Smith, the 10-year Energy Transformation Act aims to have our state’s energy generation incorporate an “all hands on deck” approach that includes wind, solar and nuclear energy alongside more traditional sources like natural gas.

The bill (H.5118), would loosen regulations on SC’s utility industries and would permit them to expedite projects that historically would have been mired in years of environmental review and litigation. The bill proposes an immediate emphasis on natural gas essential to meet the state’s emergent energy needs while creating a robust, multi-faceted, self-sufficient energy grid.

On March 28 the House passed the

South Carolina Energy Security Act with an 83-21 vote. Then, two weeks ago, The Senate fast-tracked the bill to allow Dominion Energy and our state-owned utility provider Santee Cooper to join together to develop a gas-fired power plant at a former coal-fired plant in Colleton County north of Walterboro near Interstate I-95 which was decommissioned several years ago.

The proposed legislation also gives companies significant leeway to build new gas pipelines to support the overall plan and minimizes any red tape involved in breaking ground on projects that have already received approvals by the Public Service Commission -- which is the regulatory oversight body.

Our General Assembly has moved quickly because it realizes that building and strengthening our electrical power will take time, so we must act now and move quickly.

It is our belief that this South Carolina Energy Security Act will transform our energy potential over the next decade by modernizing South Carolina’s entire energy infrastructure. That in turn will promote economic growth and ensure a reliable and sustainable energy supply for our growing population while prioritizing environmental considerations and energy efficiency.

Among the act’s key objectives is expanding energy efficiency programs, demand-side management and clean energy access. It plans to encourage utilities to invest in energy efficiency initiatives and innovative programs to leverage its resources to benefit customers and the grid.

Another is to enable special rates for specific economic development projects and expand options for clean energy investments to attract and retain business.

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

Jeff Bradley

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HHCA Breaks Ground On Campus Expansion To Accommodate Enrollment Growth

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Editor

Last week Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) broke ground on a campus expansion that will add a new high school facility to accommodate the school’s exploding growth. The construction comes just three years after HHCA moved its campus from Hilton Head Island to Bluffton, having since experienced historic and continued gains in attendance.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new high school facility was held on April 30, at 10 a.m., where leaders from Choate Construction company, the project general manager, Court Atkins Group Commercial, project architect, Head of School Doug Langhals, and Director of Development Haley Sulka made brief remarks to commemorate the event.

“We announced our move to Bluffton during the 2017-2018 school year and opened our campus in January of 2021. Since that time, we’ve grown more than 75% percent to our current enrollment of 630 students,”

noted Langhals. “With God’s continued faithfulness, applications for enrollment have grown as well and interest continues to soar higher than ever. Many of our families have students who attend from kindergarten through high school graduation— continued retention rates around 95% speak volumes on the value families place on their HHCA experience.”

The new expansion will allow HHCA to enroll between 700 and 750 students, up from the 630 they currently have. “Our campus was designed from the start to accommodate about 800 students, which is our ultimate goal. This would allow us to continue providing a smaller-school atmosphere where students are known, safe, and mentored while delivering excellent academics, athletics and fine arts program,” Langhals explained.

Just last month, HHCA unveiled plans for the new, state-of-the-art facility that will primarily serve high school students, allowing the school to meet high demand in all grades.

It was part of the school’s original master plan for its 27-acre campus.

The 16,500-square-foot building will provide collaborative learning spaces, the school’s third art studio, a new science lab, a student commons area, and a second campus cafe.

The $7.8 million project is funded by the ongoing Created to Soar capital campaign.

“It also offers student commons spaces, a

A new high school facility is being built at Hilton Head Christian Academy. Above: a rendering of the new addition expected to be completed in one year.

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Ace Hardware of Hilton Head Celebrates 50 years

Ace Hardware has been serving Hilton Head Island for the past 50 years and will be celebrating their achievement in their newly renovated and expanded store on Saturday, May 11 with specials, prizes, and food samplings. Ron Burke, co-owner said “This celebration is a thank you to the thousands of loyal customers that have supported us over the years.” Brad Huffman, co-owner, continued, “Without our loyal customers we would have not been able to expand and renovate our store.”

Founded in 1974 in the former Pine-

land Station the company relocated in 2003 to their current location at 3 Northridge Boulevard. After 21 years at that space the owners realized that they desperately needed an expansion to house all the new lines of merchandise they have added over the years. The newly expanded store contains over 40% more retail space, an expanded garden center, a new line of outdoor furniture and much more. Parking has been expanded, a new warehouse constructed as well as, offices and rest rooms.

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Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT): Non-Surgical Skin Cancer Treatment

BY MATHEW T. EPPS MD Contributor

Scheduled for MOHs surgery?

There may be a non-surgical alternative equally effective treatment called Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) -- an emerging and compelling treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancers, particularly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma on the face, nose, and lips. This technology offers a significant advantage for patients, especially those seeking less invasive treatments without the drawbacks of traditional surgery.

SRT utilizes low-energy x-rays that penetrate only the outer layers of the skin, targeting and destroying cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. This precision minimizes the common side effects associated with deeper penetrating radiation therapies and avoids the extensive tissue damage that can occur with surgical procedures.

One of the most significant benefits of SRT is the lack of surgical scarring. Unlike Mohs surgery and other excisional surgeries that physically remove cancerous tissues and often require complex reconstructive procedures to repair the surgical wound, SRT leaves the skin surface intact. This aspect is particularly beneficial for cancers located on cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face, neck, and hands, where scars can be more noticeable and potentially disfiguring. Moreover, the avoidance of com-

plex reconstruction is another crucial advantage. Surgical treatments may necessitate grafting or flap reconstructions, which involve transferring tissue from one part of the body to another. These procedures can significantly extend recovery time, increase the risk of complications, and require multiple surgeries. Some MOHs practitioners have even advocated recently for leaving the excision wound open to heal over time, thus leaving unsightly scars.

In contrast, patients undergoing SRT typically experience minimal downtime. The treatment sessions are quick, painless, and performed outpatient, allowing patients to maintain their daily activities with little interruption. Recent advancements in SRT technology, such as the integration of high-frequency ultrasound imaging, have further enhanced its precision and efficacy. Image-guided SRT allows dermatologists to visualize the exact size and depth of the tumor, ensuring targeted delivery of the optimal radiation dose while sparing healthy tissue. SRT stands out as a highly effective treatment for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, offering a non-invasive alternative that eliminates the need for surgical scarring and complex reconstructive procedures; however, it is essential to consult with a qualified dermatologist in the region for recommendations if SRT is an option for you.

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Beaufort Memorial Celebrates 80 Years of Caring with a Vision for the Future

BY COURTNEY MCDERMOTT Contributor

When Beaufort County Memorial Hospital (BMH) opened its doors on May 1, 1944, no one could have envisioned then the robust, independent, multispecialty, community-focused hospital and provider network it would become.

Today, however, it’s all about envisioning and planning for the current and future health care needs of an ever-expanding community of patients.

“The history of Beaufort Memorial and its responsiveness to the needs of its patients is remarkable,” says BMH President and CEO Russell Baxley. “It has been our job to not only keep pace with the rapid growth in our region and, whenever possible, anticipate the future needs of our patients and providers.”

A VISION FOR HEALTHCARE

The idea for a community hospital was conceived more than 90 years ago by the hospital’s earliest visionary and philanthropist Kate Gleason who, upon her death in 1933, bequeathed the land

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CARING CONT. ON PAGE 22A

Inset photo: Beaufort Memorial circa 1944 Today’s hospital campus in Beaufort (photo by Paul Nurnberg), Okatie Medical Pavilion, Beaufort Memorial’s single largest facility outside of the main hospital campus.

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Strategies for Home Buyers When Making an Offer

BY CHIP COLLINS Contributor

In the fast-paced Lowcountry real estate market, securing your dream home requires more than just luck—it demands a strategic approach. Whether you’re a seasoned buyer or a first-time home seeker, understanding the intricacies of making a successful offer can make all the difference. Here, we delve into three key strategies that can elevate your chances of clinching that coveted deal.

Preparation is key! Before diving into the competitive realm of home buying, thorough preparation is essential to your future success. Talk to a local lender to assess your financial standing and determine your pre-qualification status. Obtaining a pre-qualification letter not only demonstrates your credibility as a buyer but also streamlines the offer process.

Opting for a local lender holds significant advantages. Sellers are often more at ease when dealing with buyers who secure financing through familiar, reputable sources. A proactive step is to request your lender to contact the listing agent directly, reinforcing your financial stability and commitment.

Strategize your pricing. Deciphering the optimal offer price requires careful consideration of various factors. Analyze the property’s time on the market and any price fluctuations to gauge the seller’s flexibility. A property lingering on the market may indicate room for negotiation, while price adjustments convey the seller’s readiness to strike a deal.

Conduct thorough market research to identify comparable properties and assess the level of competition. In seg-

ments with abundant inventory, buyers may have more leverage to negotiate, whereas in high-demand areas, offering closer to the asking price may be prudent.

However, price isn’t always the sole determining factor. Your real estate agent should proactively inquire about what is most important to the seller. Understanding whether they prioritize price, terms, or closing timelines enables you to tailor your offer to align with their needs effectively.

Craft irresistible terms. Beyond the monetary aspect, the terms of your offer can significantly influence a seller’s decision. Try to present a clean offer with minimal contingencies, instilling confidence in the seller’s mind. Expedite processes such as inspections and financing approvals to expedite the transaction.

Flexibility regarding the closing timeline can also be a game-changer. Offering the seller the gift of time by allowing them to remain in the property post-closing can set your offer apart, especially for sellers seeking temporary accommodation to ease their transition. Emphasize clarity and transparency in your communication, indicating your commitment and reliability as a buyer. By addressing the seller’s concerns and accommodating their preferences, you enhance the appeal of your offer.

Navigating the intricacies of making a successful offer on a home demands a blend of preparation, strategy, and empathy. By meticulously preparing, strategically pricing your offer, and crafting enticing terms, you position yourself as a formidable contender in the competitive real estate landscape. So, as you embark on your home buying journey, may these insights empower you to secure the home of your dreams with confidence and success.

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EXPANSION

FROM PAGE 8A

porch pavilion and an additional courtyard area. Collaboration areas for faculty and staff and places where smaller groups can meet and study together are also planned,” explained Langhals. “Like the rest of our campus, it was designed from the ground up to accommodate our unique, inquiry and project-based learning model.”

According to school officials, the projected construction timeline is 12 months. “We are currently on track to have it completed by spring 2025 and fully utilized for learning when we return to school in August 2025,” noted Langhals.

So what does all of this mean for HHCA families and students? It means that the school can serve more families in its unique Christian based education model.

“Today’s generation of students need a solid foundation of truth that leads them to form a coherent worldview so they can understand their identity and purpose and experience hope. We strive to send them into the world having discovered and developed God given talents, equipped to impact those

around them for eternity. Partnering with families that want this for their children has helped advance our vision To Know Christ and Make Him Known since HHCA was founded 45 years ago,” said Langhals.

Fund raising for the $7.8 million addition, which is being funded by the Created to Soar capital campaign is nearly complete, according to school officials. HHCA has already raised $6.3 million, and will continue fundraising over the course of construction.

This addition won’t likely be the last. The HHCA campus has the space to accommodate enrollment of up to 800 students, and plans to continue to enhance and add facilities, noted Langhals.

Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) is an independent Christian school for students in kindergarten through 12th grade offering comprehensive academics, athletics and fine arts programs. Founded in 1979 on Hilton Head Island, HHCA, now located in Bluffton, SC, has remained steadfast in its vision To Know Christ and Make Him Known.

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along the Beaufort River where Beaufort Memorial Hospital now stands.

The hospital opened on May 1, 1944 and, over the years, expanded to meet the growing needs of the population, which was also surging.

Major expansions in the early 1960s included a surgical unit and a second story to accommodate more patient beds, followed by projects in the ‘80s and ‘90s focused on imaging services, the birthing center, a modern emergency room and, most notably, the five-story patient “tower,” which opened in 1992.

BEYOND THE FOUR WALLS

By the early 2000s the hospital’s leadership began considering facilities beyond Beaufort to provide access to care in other parts of the community. The first of these was Bluffton Medical Services in Westbury Park, which opened in June 2006.

Bluffton Medical Services expanded in 2009 to include Bluffton Primary Care and access to orthopedists, cardiologists, obstetricians and gynecologists, general and vascular surgeons, and outpatient services, including pediatric and adult physical, occupational and speech therapy.

“The move into the Bluffton community opened the floodgates in terms of recognizing the need for more access to care,” said Baxley, who has led some of the system’s biggest and most ambitious expansion projects since taking the helm in 2016.

ACCELERATING ACCESS

In 2019, the hospital launched the region’s first telemedicine service, BMH Care Anywhere; broke ground on a 70,000-square-foot medical office building in Okatie and opened the May River Medical Pavilion on Burnt Church Road in Bluffton, which included a same-day express care clinic and a new primary care practice.

In 2020, the hospital opened the Okatie Medical Pavilion, the single largest facility outside of the main hospital campus. In addition to primary and specialty provider access, the complex included a second, full-service cancer center in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). As these practices grew and flourished, Baxley and his leadership team have continued looking toward the future, acquiring an outpatient imaging center on Hilton Head Island, renovating the cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab), recruiting new surgical specialists, expanding surgical services at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, and pursuing plans to build a micro-hospital in Bluffton.

“I am so proud to work for an organization with a deep history of support by and for the community,” Baxley said. “And I am equally proud of the future of Beaufort Memorial and the truly innovative plans we have undertaken to ensure that our providers, employee partners, services, and facilities are well-positioned to meet the needs of our growing communities.”

Lowcountry Snakes: What You Need to Know

BY GLENDA HARRIS Contributor

Around here, snakes are more active from March to October and therefore more likely to be seen. So now is a good time to talk about these slithering reptiles and educate ourselves just a bit in case of an encounter.

Many folks are fearful of snakes, but they are an integral part of the Lowcountry’s ecosystem. Identifying the “bad” snakes is important and this knowledge should be shared.

Wayne Harris, Wildlife Biologist at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, explained that there are six harmful snakes in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. They are as follows: copperhead, cottonmouth (also called water moccasin in some areas), eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber (or canebrake) rattlesnake and coral snake. Added more recently is the pygmy rattlesnake.

While the coral snake is rarely seen, it’s the copperhead that is the most common-

venomous snake in the Lowcountry. The cottonmouth is one that is most often found in or near the water, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnakes prefer scrublands, coastal forests, barrier islands and pine flatwoods. Timber rattlesnakes live in a variety of habitats, including mountainous or hilly forests, pine forests, swamps and river floodplains, and

agricultural fields. Coral snakes, named for their color, prefer to live in wooded, sandy and marshy areas.

To learn how to identify snakes, simply Google “venomous snakes in the Lowcountry of South Carolina,” to see photographs. It’s best to do this before you run into one, so you are aware of what you are dealing with if you do happen upon one.

Harris warned, “never pick up or kill snakes as they generally do us much more good than harm. Almost all people bitten by venomous snakes in our area were not innocent victims, but were attempting to capture or kill the snake.” Harmless snakes are abundant, espe-

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The Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) SNAKES

TCL Breaks Ground on Workforce Training Center

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Editor

Groups & Events

• 17 treatment rooms

• 4 VIP nail rooms

• 2 couples duet rooms

• Private event

Amenities

• Complimentary wine or champagne

Infared sauna

Meditation salt room

Resort inspired locker room

Easy parking

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Groups & Events

• 17 treatment rooms

• 4 VIP nail rooms

• 2 couples duet rooms

• Private event space

• Retail boutique with wine & gifts

Amenities

• Complimentary wine or champagne

• Infrared sauna

• Meditation salt room

• Resort inspired locker room

• Easy parking

Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) broke ground on Friday, April 26 on its new Arthur E. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center. The new 50,000 square-foot, training facility to be built on TCL’s New River Campus in Bluffton, will promote workforce training and business retention, expansion, and new business development by offering programs of study that will include manufacturing, automated systems, logistics, business, computer technology and more.

Named for retired U.S. Army Gen. Arthur E. Brown Jr. of Hilton Head Island for his substantial contributions to the college, the $26 million addition will have the capacity for up to 850 students when it is complete, which is anticipated to be in the next three to four years.

“We are here today at the beginning of a new academic and workforce center, which will bring new beginnings to so many men and women of the Lowcountry,” said Gen. Brown, who became involved with TCL in 1992 when he joined the TCL Foundation Board of Directors.

In 2023, the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) was awarded a $10 million appropriation in the State of South Carolina’s budget for the construction of the facility. Funding for the remaining $16 million is expected to come from local government and private resources/ fundraising efforts through TCL’s Foundation.

Perfectly situated in one of the region’s major commerce and industry corridors: just off S.C. 278, east of I-95 and north of the Port of Savannah.

Gen. Arthur E. Brown’s work for TCL has been foundational to the success of the college. Gen. Brown became involved with TCL in 1992 when he joined the TCL Foundation Board of Directors. He went on to serve as chairman of TCL Foundation for more than 10 years. In 1997, he was appointed to the TCL Area Commission. After 23 years on the Commission –15 years as chairman – Gen. Brown resigned on July 1, 2020. Guided by his leadership, TCL opened the New River Campus in Bluffton in 2006 and the Culinary Institute of the South, also in Bluffton, in 2021.

More online at: www.tcl.edu/rwtc.

Technical College of the Lowcountry broke ground on its new workforce training center in late April. In attendence were friends and family of Gen. Brown and TCL faculty and staff.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SAFE HARBOUR

Presents COMMUNITY SENIOR CARE FAIR

Join us for a Free Event to learn about Products and Services for Seniors

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

1 - 3 pm

All Saints Episcopal Church, 3001 Meeting Street, Hilton Head

This interactive experience will include the following businesses:

Assistance Plus

Beltone Hearing Aid Center

Bloom at Belfair

Brightstar Care

Canterfield of Bluffton

Encompass Health

Rehabilitation Hospital

HHI Rec Center

HHI Safe Harbour

HHI Senior Center

Hilton Head Elder Law

Hilton Head Fire Rescue

In My Home Assistance & Accessibility

Independent Again

Integrity Home Care

Keith Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Lowcountry Legal Volunteers

Meals on Wheels

Ochsner 65 Plus

Right at Home

Synergy Home Care

The Island Funeral Home & Crematory

The Seabrook of HHI

Village Cove Assisted Living

Keep Beach Trips Fun by Following Safety Tips

BY CINDA SEAMON Contributor

Beach season is here so make sure you play it safe at the beach.

First of all - learn to swim! Take lessons if necessary and keep in mind that ocean swimming is very different from swimming in a pool.

Never swim alone and always swim in a lifeguarded area. Check the lifeguard station for weather and water conditions.

When packing that beach bag, be sure to have sunscreen, plenty of water (it’s important to stay hydrated in the heat), sunglasses, a hat is helpful as well, an umbrella so you can take a break from the sun, snacks and beach games or toys for the kids.

It’s important that someone has an eye on the kids at all times. Let us know if you need a “water watcher” bracelet and we will provide you with one. The bracelet is worn by the adult assigned to watch kids for a certain period of time. Maybe it’s 20 or 30 minutes. At the end of that time, pass the bracelet on to the next person and they take over the job. That way you know that the kids always have someone watching out for them.

Keep an eye out for hazards – here are some you may encounter.

Jellyfish stings can be pretty uncomfortable but usually not life-threaten-

ing. Seek out a lifeguard if you have been stung. You can drive jellyfish away by shuffling your feet in shallow waters. Wear shoes when walking the beach in case you encounter a stray jellyfish.

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore that can pull swimmers out to sea. Check with the lifeguard regarding rip currents. If you get caught in a rip current, don’t fight it! Swim parallel to the shore until you feel you are out of the current and then swim back to shore.

Too much heat can ruin a day at the beach. Sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke can require you to call 911 if things escalate. Stay hydrated and don’t get overheated. Lightning is another outside hazard. There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. When thunder roars, go indoors! The safest places during lightning activity are substantial buildings and hard-topped vehicles. Rain shelters, small sheds, and open vehicles are not really safe. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder crack before returning to the beach. Have a great summer and remember when you leave the beach, leave only your footprints!

Cinda Seamon, Fire & Life Safety Educator, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue.

As we prepare for fun at the beach, we should also prepare for safety.

Mother-Daughter Team Thrives at Brightstar Care

BY JOE TURINO Contributor

A mother’s inherent instincts for nurturing and caring for her family and children aptly capture the key ingredients behind the success of the Brightstar Care local franchise in Bluffton, led by the dynamic mother-daughter team of Susan Whittesley and Jill Larson. They offer a wide array of professional in-home care services, including trained in-home caregivers, skilled nursing, memory care, and medical staffing.

Whittesley recalls that it all began in 2006 when her husband Arnold, a retired US Marine Corps Colonel, was in the process of recovering from major surgery from a chronic illness in Atlanta where she said he received “fantastic” care. This inspired her husband to move their home base from Atlanta to Hilton Head. Whittesley, who cared for her husband during his illness and recovery, had a strong background in Fortune 50 companies. After exploring her options, she chose to open a Brightstar

Care franchise in a one-room office at Bluffton’s Plantation Park. She felt the franchise was a great second career, “new and exciting,” aligning with her desire of “wanting to help people.” Whittesley praises the Brightstar Care franchise, noting her company was the 14th franchise that now includes 380 franchisees. “We couldn’t have done it without them,” she added.

Larson, a Tulane graduate in medical studies, then moved from New Orleans back to Atlanta, deciding to go into teaching which led her to working as a teacher for Teach for America in Atlanta. The position provided her the opportunity to fuel her desire to “help” others teaching special education in first through fifth grades. But in 2006, she made a career change to the family business at her mother’s urging so her father could enjoy golf to the fullest on Hilton Head Island.

Starting from the bottom, Larson now manages operations, human resources, and technology, described as “strong operational skills” by her mother. Whittesley manages strategic planning, sales, and financial

Since 1981, everyone here at Epperson Service Experts has kept one thing top of mind: providing the residents of the Epperson community peace of mind by keeping them comfortable in their own homes. For more than 40 years, we’ve remained as locally minded as ever—through good times and not-so-good times.

To deliver the service you deserve, our Experts are ACE certified (like a master’s degree for HVAC technicians) and have passed comprehensive screenings and background checks. Our work is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, and in addition to 24/7 service, we offer membership programs to cover your every HVAC need. Just give us a call to enroll or learn more.

management. Together, they are committed and enthusiastic about their roles, united by a shared desire to aid others.

The company uniquely provides 24-hour staffed phone support to provide a dependable staffing source for its clients who may have new or immediate needs. Whittesley says their private pay services are remarkably diverse from private in-home health care, skilled in-home care, to companionship, all designed to help seniors to stay at

home. Additionally, the company takes considerable pride in serving veterans. Larson states the company has a total staff of about ninety, including professionally trained in-home caregivers, nurses, CNAs, and physical therapists. She describes them as the “heart of our business,” adding, “We couldn’t do it without them.”

Now settled in Hilton Head and married, Larson is a proud mother of two young girls, aged three and five, who are cherished by herself, her husband, and their grandmother, who also happens to be her mother and business partner.

As Mother’s Day approaches, Whittesley reflected on the instincts and skills built into her personality learning so much from her father, also an entrepreneur, and her mother who passed when she was only 10 years old. But she heartily remembers her mother and her stepmother who had “a very kind heart. She was always there helping me. I had lots of events and demands I put on her,” adding, “They were always there; it was wonderful.”

Susan Whittesley and Jill Larson

Is Your Favorite Spring Refresher Making You Wince?

BY ANNETTE CALLEJO, DDS Contributor

Whether your favorite spring refresher is sweet or unsweet tea or an “Arnold Palmer”, if you have tooth sensitivity, indulging in this cold delight may come with a dreaded consequence: short, sharp pain or discomfort on contact. Do not despair! It is treatable. I will explain the relationship between tooth sensitivity and the cold beverages we love and offer some tips for enjoying your favorite cold drinks without discomfort this spring.

A common dental issue affecting millions of people, tooth sensitivity occurs when our protective surface

enamel breaks down, exposing the softer tissue layer below, called dentin. This enables nerve signals to pass from the tooth root to the brain with

that dreaded zing! Iced cold beverages, especially ones with sugary content, can be a trigger because they cause the enamel to rapidly contract and expand. The sugar can contribute to tooth decay that further exacerbates the issue.

Here are some things you can do to avoid and even eliminate the sensitivity altogether:

1. Sip slowly. This allows your teeth to adjust gradually to the change in temperature.

2. Use a straw. This bypasses the liquid’s direct contact with your teeth.

3. Avoid ice cubes or let them melt a bit.

4. Rinse or swish your mouth with water. This helps normalize the temperature after consuming the icy beverage.

5. Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth like Sensodyne™. They contain ingredients like potassium ni-

trate or strontium chloride that can help block nerve signals and reduce sensitivity over time.

6. Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day helps strengthen the enamel and reduce sensitivity.

7. Visit your dentist! Regular dental checkups address underlying issues that can be contributing to the sensitivity.

8. Ask your dentist about de-sensitizing treatment such as fluoride varnish.

So, while tooth sensitivity can dampen your enjoyment of your favorite cold beverages, it doesn’t mean you need to give them up entirely! Follow my tips and be mindful of your oral health and you can still indulge with minimal-to-no discomfort.

Annette Callejo, DDS is a dentist at ROC Dental Group in Hilton Head.

Dr. Annette Callejo

Hilton Head Island Seeing Robust Seller’s Market Despite Evolving Dynamics

BY DAN PRUD’HOMME Contributor

Hilton Head Island continues to exhibit the characteristics of a robust seller’s market, despite evolving dynamics in the real estate sector. As we delve into the latest market conditions, it’s clear that while some numbers have shifted, the fundamentals remain strong. Currently, the island’s real estate market still operates under the pressure of historically low inventory levels, although these have seen an increase from the record lows of 2021 and 2022. This modest rise in inventory comes in conjunction with a softening demand over the past 18 months, primarily due to the sharp rise in interest rates. Yet, despite

these changes, Hilton Head Island homes are still fetching near their asking prices, with the majority selling for just under 97% of their list price.

In terms of market activity, the days on market for properties have been inching upwards, indicating a slight cooling. Additionally, while the number of new listings has decreased recently, the total available inventory is significantly different from the pre-pandemic era. Comparing year over year, available inventory has increased by 27%, from 565 properties last year to 719 now. However, this number has slightly declined from 726 just last month, highlighting the fluctuations within the market. With 719 properties currently for sale and an average of 182 homes closing each month, Hilton Head Island is operating under a roughly four-month supply of homes. This supply level confirms that the market still favors sellers.

Despite expectations, the anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts seem less likely now. Some are even suggesting that rate hikes may be on the horizon. Given the election just around the corner, I would be surprised to see the Federal Reserve raise rates.

Reflecting on prices, the median sale price for homes on Hilton Head Island has climbed 7.5% over the past year, rising from $960,000 in 2023 to $1,032,250 currently. This increase underscores the enduring appeal and value of real estate in the area.

As we approach the mid-year in this election cycle, historical trends suggest a potential slowdown as buyers and sellers adopt a wait-and-see approach. However, the current market activity suggests that this year might defy traditional expectations. Additionally, last month’s mention of a possible settlement with the lawsuit involving the National Association of Realtors has yet to impact the market but it remains a situation I’ll be monitor-

ing closely.

In conclusion, while the Hilton Head Island real estate market has seen some shifts, it remains fundamentally a seller’s market, buoyed by low inventory and sustained interest from buyers. As always, potential buyers and sellers should keep informed and stay agile in this dynamic market environment.

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

Dan Prud’homme

Most Common Plastic Surgery Enhancements For Men

BY DR. FINGER Contributor

The following are the most common problems seen by plastic surgeons:

1. Hair Transplant--the Neograft is a common procedure for men, for women and people of any ethnicity as well. It’s under local anesthesia, and the grafted hair should grow for a lifetime. There are no scars to be seen, it’s virtually painless, and when performed properly, the results look completely natural. Downtime is a few days.

2. “Turkey Gobbler” surgery—excess skin and/or fat in the neck. This can often be treated with liposuction and Renuvion. Facelifts usually include the neck, but many men prefer something simpler and more direct, such as a direct excision of skin and/or liposuction. This is uniformly successful. There is a faint vertical scar in front of the neck, but the more obvious Turkey-gobbler is gone.

3. Liposuction of the hated “love handles” and/or the lower abdomen. Local anesthesia can be used, and recovery time is minimal. For loose skin treatment non-surgically, radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion is the latest technology. If the skin is too excessive, surgery may be necessary.

4. Upper and/or lower Eyelid Surgery--often done under local anesthesia. Great care must be taken to avoid the appearance of feminine eyes. Sutures are usually removed in five days, and there is some bruising and swelling following surgery. A lower eyelid lift usually involves

removing the “bags” and can be done with the upper lid surgery or alone. Alternatively, non-surgical eyelid bags can be removed, and skin tightened with VirtueRF, which is very popular.

5. Gynecomastia--large breasts on a male. This occurs during puberty, weight gain, and/or at an older age when testosterone diminishes, and estrogen levels increase. This is very common and often embarrassing. The treatment involves liposuction and/or removing breast tissue through a small incision just below the areola generally performed under local anesthesia if desired. Men having had this procedure are elated with the result.

6. Fillers (volumizers)--to fill lost volume and the depressions of the face that occur with aging. Typical fillers are: Juvederm products, Restylane products, and others. They are very effective in turning back the clock for males and females. Men may prefer a stronger jawline and chin which can be accomplished with fillers. Other than the possibility of bruising and minor swelling, one can go back to work that day or the next. Improvements can be dramatic if performed with skill.

7. The newest alternative minimal or non-surgery procedures mentioned above, are the Renuvion to tighten skin virtually anywhere. Next Microneedling VirtueRF, both are radiofrequency devices which emit heat to tighten collagen and elastin. They are often used simultaneously with a laser, such as the Helix CO2 laser. Combination therapy appears to be the future for effective non-surgical age reduction with minimal recovery.

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

Dr. Ronald Finger

SNAKES

FROM PAGE 24A

cially in warmer weather. Their diet consists of rats, mice, moles, and other snakes, mostly the venomous variety. So, if you see a harmless king snake, rat snake, black racer or corn snake around your yard, leave them alone. They are not interested in humans, and we need them in the ecosystem.

You may be surprised to learn that the incidence of snake bites in the entire U.S. is 7,000 to 8,000 annually, with only six resulting in death. Bites from a nonvenomous snake will sting but no more than a rose bush thorn and there are no residual effects.

In general, snakes are attracted to wood piles, abandoned structures, deadfall branches or logs and ground cover like leaves, mulch, straw. Try to keep those

items a good distance from your home and use a rake or hoe when disturbing the ground. If disturbed, most snakes or lizards will move away faster than you, but why take a chance?

If you live in a rural area especially, (but this is important anywhere), research and find the medical facility closest to you that has antivenom availability and put the phone number in your phone. Although snake bites are pretty rare, it’s

smart to be prepared. The antivenom is extremely expensive and since you will require antivenom specific to the type snake you encountered, it is always best to try to get a quick photo from a safe distance. The antivenom is lifesaving and fortunately, covered by most commercial insurance and Medicare/Medicaid.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

Canebrake / Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Angiomas: A Breakdown on These Skin Growths

BY OSWALD LIGHTSEY MIKELL, MD Contributor

CHERRY ANGIOMAS

Q: What are angiomas?

A: Angiomas are benign growths made up of small blood vessels. They can appear anywhere on the body. The three most common types are cherry angiomas, spider angiomas, and angiokeratomas.

Cherry angiomas are red or purplish in color and don’t usually grow larger than 1/4-inch in diameter. They can appear alone or in clusters. Spider angiomas are red spots caused by a collection of small blood vessel on the surface of the skin.

They often have a red center and thin, reddish lines that spread out like “spider’s legs”. Angiokeratoma is a benign lesion of capillaries, resulting in small marks of red to blue color and characterized by hyperkeratosis (a thickening of the outer layer of skin).

Q: What causes angiomas?

A: No one knows what causes angiomas, but there may be a genetic factor that makes certain people more likely to get them. They’ve also been linked to pregnancy, exposure to chemicals, and climate. There also appears to be a link between cherry angiomas and age. They often begin to appear when individuals reach age 30 and seem to increase in size and number with age.

Q: What is the treatment for angiomas?

A: Occasionally angiomas may become irritated (such as from rubbing against clothing) and need to be removed to avoid

further problems. However, since most angiomas are harmless, most people have them treated for cosmetic reasons.

Angiomas can be removed by:

• Electrodessication uses an electric needle to destroy the blood vessels in the growth.

• Laser treatment uses a beam of intense, focused light to remove the growth.

Q: What are Campbell de Morgan spots?

A: Actually, that’s another name for cherry angiomas.

Q: Are angiomas very common?

A: Yes, these skin growths that can grow on most areas of your body are quite common particularly on people age 30 and older.

Q: How do I know if I have a cherry angiomas?

A: A cherry angioma is bright red, of a circular or oval shape, and small — rang-

ing in size from a pinpoint to one-fourth of an inch in diameter. Some cherry angiomas appear smooth and even with your skin, while others are slightly raised. They most often grow on the torso, arms, and shoulders.

If you notice any changes in the way an angioma looks, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. It is important to have any type of lesion or growth looked at when its appearance changes so that your doctor can rule out serious conditions, such as skin cancer.

Call Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry (843) 689-5259 on Hilton Head Island or (843)-705-0840 in Bluffton/Okatie. Our experienced staff will be able to provide proper treatment.

Dr. Oswald Mikell, MD • Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry American Board of Dermatology | American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

Oswald Mikell

Leave Assets ‘in Trust’ to Avoid Later Problems

BY MARK WINN Contributor

The best way to leave assets to loved ones who are married is “in trust”. This can guarantee the assets will not be lost if they get divorced, and it can guarantee the remainder will stay in your blood family, and not go to your in-law.

Since about 50% of marriages end in divorce, it is smart to leave assets to loved ones in trust which can shield the assets from loss in a divorce, and most other creditors.

So, let’s say Abraham (a widow) has a son, Spencer, who is married to Francesca. Spencer and Francesca have a son named Herman. Without legal advice,

Abraham might put Spencer on his accounts as a joint owner. This can be considered a gift, exposes the assets to creditor’s claims that Spencer may have against him, and will leave the assets owned jointly with Spencer unprotected from lawsuits and divorce. That’s a steep price to pay for convenience. So, when Abraham passes, the jointly owned assets may go to Spencer, but if Spencer later becomes divorced or gets sued, he can lose those assets and Herman may never see a penny.

The better plan would be for Abraham to create a revocable living trust and re-title his accounts and house into his trust. Spencer can be the successor trustee. Abraham’s trust will direct that his assets in trust will go to Spencer “in trust” for Spencer’s benefit with a remainder to Herman. Furthermore, it can state that if Herman inherits when he is under (pick

an age, usually, 21, 25, or 30) that his share will be held “in trust” for his health, education etc. This way, Herman will not squander inherited resources in a foolish manner when he is not experienced enough to manage it prudently. Leaving assets “in trust” is one of the most powerful things one can do to keep their property in their family. So, in Abraham’s case, let’s assume the assets are $1,000,000, and they all go to Spencer

“free of trust” because Abraham didn’t get legal advice and plan ahead to protect his assets. What could happen?

Spencer could get divorced, and Francesca could get half of what Abraham left to Spencer. Marriages end in divorce about 50% of the time. Thus, if you leave assets to a loved one who is married, they could become divorced 50% of the time. This exposes your assets to loss. That’s a steep price to pay for failing to plan ahead.

A small amount of planning can do wonders to give you peace of mind in knowing your assets will stay in your family, perhaps for generations…and will not be lost to divorcing in-laws, or other lawsuits, and they can be made to stay in your family, and not go to your in-law. Contributed by Mark F. Winn, J.D., LL.M. is a local tax, asset protection and estate planning attorney.

Mark Winn

Scheffler Adds Heritage Tartan to Augusta Green

BY JUSTIN JARRETT Contributor

Most of the crowds that stalked his every shot for four days with the glow of triumph at Augusta National still emanating had long since left Harbour Town Golf Links when Scottie Scheffler finally trudged to the 18th green after hammering a 3-wood into the wind on his approach to ensure he went anywhere but short or left. The party that was unfolding alongside Scheffler’s march toward a fourth PGA Tour win in five starts was doused by buckets of rain as thunderstorms blew in Sunday afternoon, sending the raucous galleries scrambling and leav-

ing Scheffler among the nine players left on the course when darkness fell.

After running in a knee-knocking par save in fading twilight on the par-5 15th, Scheffler went to the house with a five-shot lead with three holes to play, and the biggest drama when the stragglers returned to their places at 8 a.m. Monday was who would finish second. That turned out to be Sahith Theegala, who broke out of a five-way logjam at 15 under with a birdie at 16 to move a shot ahead of Wyndham Clark and Patrick Cantlay.

Scheffler was sitting at 20 under when play was suspended, which matched Brian Gay’s record score for a

traditional April tournament and was two birdies shy of matching Webb Simpson’s overall Heritage record set in June 2020.

But with three holes between him and a tartan jacket to add to the two green ones and a chartered flight home to Dallas to rejoin his wife, Meredith, and the child they are expecting any day now, Scheffler was not in the mood to gamble. He made routine two-putt pars at 16 and 17, then played it safe heading toward the lighthouse, hitting a conservative chip and settling for a two-putt and a three-shot win.

“I’m counting 18 as a par, by the way, too,” Scheffler said, drawing a chorus

of laughs. “That’s not a bogey. I hit driver, 3-wood in there, and I wasn’t about to try and chip it close to the pin and chip it over the green in the water, so I just chipped it out there about 20 feet and then lagged it up there.”

It was technically his first bogey since a double on the par-4 third in Thursday’s opening round, but it came well after the outcome seemed inevitable.

Challengers tried to emerge Sunday, mostly before Scheffler took the tee before a crowd packed several deep along the first fairway to steal a glimpse of

Most FAQs Related to Selling, Buying a Home in 2024 REAL ESTATE

BY LARRY STOLLER Contributor

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a $418 million settlement in a landmark class-action lawsuit that may change the way Americans buy and sell homes.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about that anti-trust lawsuit in which a federal jury found that NAR and several large real estate brokerages had conspired to inflate agent commission on the sale and purchase of real estate.

When is the compensation to real estate agents (both listing agent and buyer agent)

determined?

When listing a property for sale, the home seller(s) and the listing agent negotiate what the agent compensation will be.

How are commissions that are paid to real estate agents displayed?

The NAR’s multiple listing service and the local multiple listing service (MLS) include the total listing fee in the listing agreement and display the buyer agent compensation in the MLS listing.

So, what’s the big problem with this arrangement and why was there a lawsuit and a settlement?

The buyer agent’s compensation was displayed in the MLS and if a seller was unaware that they could negotiate commission, then they were locked into paying the total listed brokerage fee which included the buyer agent’s commission.

What does this mean from a legalese perspective?

“The proposed settlement would have the commission offer completely removed from the NAR’s system and home sellers will no longer be responsible for paying or offering commission for both the buyer and seller agents,” said real estate attorney Claudia Cobreiro, the founder of Cobreiro Law in Coral Gables, Florida.

Will sellers ever be paying a 5%, 6%, or 7% commission again in the future?

Maybe yes or maybe no. Commissions have been and always will be negotiable, so the seller will decide what commission they want to pay and to whom they want to pay that commission.

As a seller, what if I want to pay the listing agent a 2% commission and offer the buyer agent 2% as well. Can I do that?

Yes, you can negotiate the commission with the listing agent (and the commission split) in any way that you want to.

What if no agents want to show my home to their buyers because they feel they are not getting paid enough?

In the same way that sellers decide what commissions they want to pay, buyer agents can decide what homes they want to show. However, if a buyer finds a home that they want to see, I am sure that they will find an agent who will show them that home (or maybe they will contact the listing agent). If you have any questions or just want to chat about any of the above, please feel free to contact me.

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

Ahoy: Jump Aboard the Yacht Hop 2024

BY ANITA STEPHENS Contributor

Ahoy! It’s time to board ship at the 18th Annual “Yacht Hop,” the elegant, floating annual fundraiser for Hospice Care of the Lowcountry. Event ticketholders are invited to Wexford’s Inland Harbour, Hilton Head Island, on Saturday, May 18 from 5:00 until 9 p.m. to embark upon 25 lavish yachts, anchored and docked for the evening. The nautical crew will consist of talented local chefs, mix-masters and waitstaff who will provide gourmet bites, delicious drinks and pamper those on board. Guests can mingle around the unique multi-level venue while enjoying the views from the beautiful Inland Harbor. White attire, in the spirit of the nautical soiree, is suggested. There will also be a Yacht Hop Photo Booth to capture memories of the elegant evening.

Above deck, the Yacht Hop is a lavish affair that commandeers the evening. But, below deck, lies the important reason for the opulent affair. James Dismond, Chief Execu-

tive Officer explains, “As Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s largest fundraiser, Yacht Hop isn’t just a glamorous event in the harbour; it’s a beacon of compassionate care. While attendees sip champagne and enjoy the sea breeze, they’re also supporting a cause that transcends luxury—the vital work of Hospice Care of the Lowcountry. In this celebration lies silent heroism, where every toast and every laugh contribute to a brighter, more dignified journey for those facing life’s most challenging moments.”

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s mission is to honor life by providing compassionate care and guidance for those in the communi-

ty who are experiencing serious illness, endof-life and grief. “As our community continues to grow in population, the need for our services also increases,” said Ryan Pye, Development and Fundraising Coordinator.

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry has served the community for more than 40 years delivering emotional and spiritual support, education and counseling, along with outreach and engagement for individuals throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties. “In this past year alone, we have seen remarkable growth in our impact on the community,” said Ryan. “Our staff delivered support to over 3,200 residents and more than 800 patients benefitted from our specialized care. With the use of donations received, our reach and services have grown to meet the community’s evolving needs. We have been able to introduce counseling in our serious illness service line, add a new Medical Director and launch the region’s first Community-Based Palliative Care Program.” Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s highly trained compassionate, professionals

conducted over 20,000 visits in the last year. Over $300,000 of charity care and support was provided to patients who lacked financial means or medical insurance coverage. One hundred percent of ticket sales from the Yacht Hop will go toward Hospice Care of the Lowcountry. “We are grateful for the support of our donors, volunteers, and partners. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing some of life’s most tumultuous times. Our core value makes for a powerful statement. It’s not about dying - it’s about living,” Ryan emphasized.

Yacht Hop 2024 is presented by Healy & Foreit, LLC, Revolutionary Financial Group, Marine Max, and SC House Calls. Yacht Hop is a 21 and over event. For ticket information go to: https://hospicecarelc.org/yacht-hop/. Charitable donations are also gladly and graciously accepted year-round.

Larry Stoller

NATURE’S WAY

An Old-Timer’s Tips for Finding, Hiding Best Fishing Spots

BY COLLINS DOUGHTIE Contributor

I don’t know about you but more and more I have found that when I layout a game plan for a day of fishing, it doesn’t always go the way I planned.

For example, just last week I had my whole day mapped out. At low tide I was going to go to this spot and as the tide began to rise, I would go to another spot and so on.

The problem with this way of fishing is that so often, you get to your first spot and there sits another boat. With more and more boats fishing these waters, this frustrating start to the day has been happening to me more and more and every year it just gets worse.

Quite honestly, I try my best to hide fish from other anglers that might be riding past me as I am hooked up. Two of my favorite ways of doing this is to either put my reel in free spool and let the fish swim around until the other boat is out of sight or secondly, to ease the fish in the boat over the side farthest away from the prying eyes of anglers on the passing boat. These old tricks aren’t working like they used to – so what now?

I don’t do it all the time but more and more I have gone to exploring new areas. All you have to do is look at a nautical chart of the area and you will instantly realize there are large and small estuaries absolutely everywhere. Even after living here for so long, I’ll bet I haven’t explored 80% of these tributaries and – in my mind

at least – there just have to be fish in most all of them.

They might not be there at low tide nor mid tide, but if you put the time in, chances are the fish will be there at some time during the tide cycle. All it takes is patience and a logbook, where you record what time in the tide the fish show up in that particular place.

I think about exploring new areas more than I actually do it, but lately I have noticed that the majority of boats that I see out there regularly are almost always at a handful of spots, and these spots are hit hard day after day. And because there always seems to be a boat at this handful of places, newcomers to our waters figure if that boat is always at that spot then there must be something there.

Before long it becomes a battle of who can get up the earliest or get their bait in first, and camp out on the spot. Then they tell a friend, and that friend tells another friend and before you know it, it’s like winning the Mega Millions Jackpot when you get there first.

Sadly though, after a while these productive spots are fished out and the whole process starts over in another place.

It does take skill to read our waters and narrow down the places where fish might be, but if you fish enough, the searching becomes easier.

Just like largemouth bass fishing in fresh-water ponds, reading salt water is no different. Bass fishermen look for old trees that have fallen in the water, little coves, points that jut out, and structure, because they know that their chances of

hooking into a big largemouth are greater in these places.

Saltwater fishing, especially around here, is no different. The best time to go looking is low tide when you can see live oyster mounds, eddies, points with old trees that have fallen in the water and any other types of structure. I make notes in my journal or make a waypoint on my GPS. I pinpoint these places because as you know, once the tide comes in and covers up these jewels, it is nearly impossible to locate the exact spot you saw that structure because everything now looks totally different.

If I had to give you one piece of advice when looking for new honey holes, it would be start looking at low tide and fish the incoming tide. It’s not that I have anything against falling tides but thinking back, I have caught way more fish on rising tides than I have ever caught on falling tides.

If I had to guess why the rising tide is

better, it would probably have to do with water clarity. On a rising tide, clear water is pushed in as the tide rises while on falling tides, more mud and silt is washed out from the creeks, making it harder for fish to locate your bait – whether it is a live shrimp or artificial. If I do fish the outgoing tide, I prefer lighter color baits that stand out in the dirty water.

Lastly, I will tell you this about exploring and finding a new spot. Unlike anchoring at a place where you saw another boat fishing, when you find a new spot and start catching fish there is a sense of accomplishment and pride that will make that day even more special.

But for God’s sake, don’t go telling your friends where that place is no matter how excited you are about this new discovery. It took me years to learn that lesson. I don’t care how great a friend they might be, because most all fishermen are the same. They will swear up and down they’ll never go there unless you are with them, but from experience, they will be there the first chance they get. In the world of angling there is simply no honor among thieves.

With that said, I doubt you’ll see me out there on my boat, the Marsh Monkey, anytime soon since the sinking of my faithful fishmobile Ol’ Red. Don’t ask me how it happened – unless you want to hear a grown man cry.

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

HEALTH

it ‘Just Part of Getting Old’ or Nerve Damage?

BY DR. KENNETH HORUP Contributor

It is estimated that over 20 million people in the United States have neuropathy. The true number is significantly higher because many people are unaware their symptoms correlate with neuropathy; they think “it’s just part of getting old”, at least that’s what they tell me. Being specialized in neuropathy, I see patients every day that are shocked they have nerve damage. They had no idea, nor would they because many symptoms are subtle until the disease is severe. The farther along the disease has progressed, the harder it is to treat and reverse. So, let’s discuss early signs of nerve damage.

Nerve damage often develops from lack of

blood flow to an area. It is a very slow progression at first, many people do not notice anything other than their feet are cold. Strong blood flow results in warmer temperature. As the feet and hands are farthest from the heart, they get the weakest blood flow. The result is often cold limbs. This does not mean you have a cardiac condition, and your nerves may not be suffering yet. However, it is common to be the first symptom.

There are approximately 45 miles of nerves in the human adult body. As those nerves begin to suffer, they each react differently. Motor nerve damage may result in cramping, muscle twitching, and weakness. Autonomic nerve damage may result in light headedness, gastrointestinal issues, and problems regulating blood pressure. However, the most common sensations I see in my office include electric shocks, cramping in the feet or legs, pins and needles, achiness, burning, tingling, and hypersensitivity. Despite these being the most common symptoms, it is important to emphasize that just be-

cause you do not have any pain, does not mean there is not a problem. There are people with neuropathy who feel no pain at all. They are simply unable to feel as much as they used to and possibly have started having balance issues.

I believe that the most dangerous sensory symptom is numbness. For example, if your hand is on a hot stove, and you are unable to feel the heat, your hand will stay there until you have a significant burn and register what is happening. That is far more dangerous than tingling or cramping. When there is a numbness sensation within your nerves, that is due to nerves dying. The inability to feel the gas petal properly, or the ground when you walk causes you to be at high-risk of injury when walking and driving.

As a result of numbness, the very last symptom to arise is a lack of balance. When the brain can no longer determine where you are in space due to nerve damage, you will begin to lose your balance. A quick way to tell is by balancing on each individual leg, near a stable sup-

port in case you fall. The majority of healthy adults should be able to balance for more than 10 seconds. Patients with nerve damage begin to lose that ability and may even start to see their toes curling trying to grip the floor when they walk or stand. Balance issues should be taken seriously as falls are the leading cause of injury related death for folks over 65 years.

Cold feet, cramping, tingling, achy feet, numbness, and lack of balance are quickly written off as “part of getting old”. Most people accept it as normal and part of their destiny, but it does not have to be and can be helped if you catch it in early stages. If you are suspicious of nerve damage, consult with a doctor you trust to see what they can do for you so you can continue to live a life where your most used quote can shift from “it is part of getting old” to “age is just a number”.

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

Dr. Ken Horup

Give Yourself the Gift of Feeling Grief to Heal

BY REV. THERESE DONLAN LEE Contributor

If you are living and breathing and reading this today, you most likely have experienced one or more changes and/or losses in your life. I wonder, how do you use your faith to deal with your feelings after a change or loss?

The feelings may range from sadness to disbelief and bewilderment, exhaustion and dismay. Do you realize these feelings are feelings of grief? They are. Each and every one of them. Breathe with me. Now, exhale. This is where I call forth my faith to help me to deal with the memories and feelings about the people in my life who have physical-

ly died or who are no longer present in my life by my choice or their own. You may ask, “Does the loss create the change or does the change create the feelings of loss?” It does not matter, ever. What I have come to learn and understand is that grief is the normal and natural response to change or loss of any kind. As loss and change happen, as we are honest with ourselves and we feel our feelings as they arise, we are acknowledging our grief. Our feelings and fears are not illogical or irrational. They represent a normal and healthy range of emotions about the painful loss or change and our limited ability to talk openly and honestly about grief that gets imposed upon us, up until now. Faith allows us to get real with what our heart is summoning from within us, to move from our heads to our hearts, feel the feelings and give them a voice. It is important to know that God is present

8:30am Outdoor Worship 10:30am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

in the tears and through the many emotions. We don’t have to understand the why of it – be it divorce, estrangement, job loss, moving, doctor diagnosis, or death. Faith allows us to ask ourselves,

“What now is mine to do?” Faith for me means spiritual assurance, a deeper knowing within that I am not alone -that because God is, all is well, regardless and always. You are invited to get still, to listen, and be willing. We get to go within and receive God’s guidance on how to accept, acknowledge and allow. We accept life will be different now. We acknowledge we may be uncomfortable. We allow the feelings and emotions to come as they may. I invite you to give yourself the gift of listening to your heart and staying true to you. To the best of your ability, seek out places and people that allow your true emotions, and avoid those people and places that ask you to pretend otherwise. Be gentle with yourself. Spend time with God. Listen to your heart. Many Blessings. Rev. Therese Donlan Lee is senior minister at Unity Spiritual Center Hilton Head.

Rev. Therese Donlan Lee

Get Your Daughter into the Game of Golf

BY DR. JEAN HARRIS Contributor

Recently the popularity of women’s sports has reached an all time high. Women’s College Basketball Final Four had more viewers than the men. The Augusta National Women’s Amateur golf tournament had great viewership as well as the Drive, Chip, and Putt for the kids. LPGA professional, Nellie Korda, won five tournaments in a row and golfers are now watching more women’s golf. This is a perfect time to introduce your daughter/ granddaughter to the great game of golf. Why golf? I was fortunate enough to be introduced to golf at age 11 and learning the game at that age taught me a lot about life. Learning golf takes time, both physically and mentally. However, the challenge is well worth it. Golf is a social game. What other games can you carry on a conversation between shots and get to know your playing partners? Golf

teaches you to be respectful, courteous, as well as learning etiquette and how to follow the rules.

So, what is the best way to get your child into golf? I suggest finding a group league or lessons with other girls. There are several good programs in our area. LPGA Girls Golf, PGA Junior League and the First Tee are established programs. Make sure that the program emphasizes fun and proper rules and etiquette. It is important that you get your child into the proper equipment. US Kids clubs are great because they are fit to your child’s height. Don’t cut down adult clubs because they are too heavy, and the grips are too big. Take your child out to practice and play games on the putting green and range. Make sure they are having fun. Finally, watch golf on TV and have your child find a role model.

I recently interviewed Kathryn Thorne who joined our LPGA Girls Golf group at age 8 over 15 years ago. I asked her why

she enjoyed Girls Golf. “I enjoyed the skills challenge days and the rainy days when we learned golf terms and rules. I loved being with the other girls, having fun and the instruction we got from you and Krista Dunton.” Thorne played College Golf, on scholarship, for four years at Charleston Southern University and received her master’s degree in communication. Thorne stated that “golf taught me

how to focus and how to balance studying and playing on the golf team. Golf taught me commitment.” I also wanted to know how did the discipline she learned playing golf relate to her job as a communication’s specialist for the City of Hilton Head? “Golf made me not afraid to do public speaking. I learned how to change things quickly during a round of golf when things got rough. I leaned that I must be on time and prepared for the day. In my work today I must be very time oriented and prepared to send out press releases, set up cameras for events and do whatever is needed.”

Thorne is just one of many girls that have been in organized golf in the Lowcountry who later played on college teams.

Get your daughter involved this year in the greatest game of all.

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

(843) 473-8003

Kathryn Thorne, age 11, swinging a club.

Optimistic, Adoptable One-Eyed Dog Melts Hearts

BY AMY CAMPANINI, Palmetto Animal League President

Imagine for a moment losing the only home you’ve ever known and finding yourself at an unfamiliar shelter surrounded by strangers. This frightening situation became reality for a dog named Flint just two days after Christmas. He lost his home because his owners of 6 years, most of Flint’s life, could not take him when they moved.

“When Flint came to Palmetto Animal League, I noticed he had just one eye,” says volunteer dog walker, Ron Roth. “Despite this disability, he walks with confidence, joy, and the dignity of a great soul.”

Flint has been largely overlooked at our adoption center because of his missing eye. But, if you take a moment to look past what Flint has lost, you can clearly see what some lucky adopter stands to gain! At 7 years old, Flint is the perfect

Flint poses for the camera hoping someone will open their heart and home to him.

age for someone looking for a laid-back dog. No high energy here! Just peaceful,

daily walks.

“At times he will stop, sit on his hind legs, and look upward as if reflecting, expressing without words a feeling of peace, contentment, and sometimes sadness,” says Roth. “But most of all, when he looks up at me, I get the feeling he thinks I’m the most wonderful friend he could have.”

Flint is an easy-going guy who walks great on a leash. He loves affection and gets along with most dogs.

“When I take Flint for a walk and he’s sniffing for scents, he enjoys every minute of it,” says Roth. “As the poet Mary Oliver described, it’s as if, ‘He were pleased with every part of the world.’”

Flint represents millions of dogs who are losing their homes, in part, due to the high cost of living. Across the country, adoptions are down, animal shelters are full, and the number of people abandoning their pets has increased rapidly.

“What can I do to help?” you may ask.

Coming into a shelter environment can be a huge shock for an animal like Flint, and a loving foster home is a saving grace for those that are too young, too weak, or too anxious to be adopted right away. Foster families give these precious creatures the time they need to overcome past circumstances, preparing them for a lifetime of love.

“I hope someone adopts Flint soon,” says Roth. “He needs and deserves a home where he can give and receive love, day after day.”

If you’d like to learn more about fostering for PAL, please visit PalmettoAnimalLeague.org/foster. You can meet Flint at the PAL Adoption Center, located at 56 Riverwalk Blvd in Okatie, Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. He would love to take you for a walk! Amy Campanini is president of Palmetto Animal League.

PALMETTO ANIMAL LEAGUE

Painful Pet Loss Triggers Changes in Daily Life

BY ABBY BIRD AKA ALPHADOG Contributor

All of us will lose our pets to euthanasia or to a natural death or possibly due to accident or the unknown. It is never easy to handle emotionally but the age and condition of the pet and the conditions of their death do matter in how we deal with it.

Why is this so heart wrenching to us as pet parents? There are many ways to explain, essentially centered around the bond humans have with their pets. But there is something even more significant that we should think about. I have personal comments to make that not everyone will agree with, but I hope that thoughtful people will consider. In our lifetime we may experience many losses of loved ones. Some are to be expected and natural while others are the worst imaginable. Losing a parent is sad but certainly due to age is not unexpected. It is the natural order of things for us to lose them. Losing a child on the other hand is unnatural and I believe the worst thing a person could ever experience. Losing a spouse before old age is also incredibly difficult. Losing friends, siblings, and others is also very hard.

But what sets losing a pet apart from these difficult losses? Other than losing a child or spouse, in most cases as we age, we are no longer seeing others every day. We are not living with them. A pet, if you are lucky, you will see every day for many years, sometimes 12 to 20 years. Every single day they are part of your life. They are also like a baby, completely dependent on you for everything. Their food, water, Vet care, play, walks, love. This dependency and

living with these companions every day, in many cases puts them higher in your sense of loss than even humans. Some will disagree with this strong statement, but I do believe it.

What else affects your emotional sense of loss? The type of death. If we get really lucky our pet will die of old age or illness. However, it is rare. To me that is what I wish for, waking up in the morning to find that my old dog has passed away quietly and on their terms. This death is sad, but it is not tragic. But in fact, that rarely happens. Often, we must make the difficult decision for the pet and euthanize. We should never allow a pet to suffer for our benefit, our neediness, to keep them alive. Most pets will tell us in many ways that they are ready to go. We need to put our needs aside and acknowledge their desire as a being to do the right thing. If we have a choice, I prefer in home euthanasia where a pet is comfortable in their surroundings and even possibly for the benefit of the other pets to smell death rather than disappearance.

Losing a pet prematurely due to an unexpected illness or a tragic accident or a disappearance can be the most crushing of emotions. This takes the longest to deal with and one hopes that owners have family and friends who understand.

If we are blessed with longevity in a pet, our daily routine changes dramatically. This saying goodbye often brings on unexpected tears and even depression as we remove their everyday possessions and adjust our lives. Be patient with us. R.I.P Georgia, adopted Newfoundland, 12 years old, therapy dog and beloved companion. You are missed every day.

SCHEFFLER

greatness. Clark posted a scorching 7-under 29 on the front nine right around the moment Scheffler took the wind out of everyone’s sails.

A chip-in eagle from behind the green at the par-5 second hole vaulted Scheffler to 18 under, and he added a birdie at the par-5 fifth just as Clark moved to 8 under for the day with a birdie at 11, maintaining a two-shot cushion.

With the pressure mounting to go even lower if he wanted to win, Clark blocked his tee shot at the 12th to the right and clipped a tree trying to punch out. The ball caromed out of bounds, leading to a double-bogey 6.

The coronation was underway when the rain moved in. The delay and the drastically different course conditions provided a narrow window, but Scheffler slammed

it shut with a dart to 6 feet for a birdie at No. 13, then flirted with disaster on his last two holes of the day but walked away with a pair of pars, setting himself up for a stress-free finish Monday morning.

And saving himself from any irritating dialogue when he gets home.

“If I came into yesterday with the lead and I wasn’t able to win, when you get home, people would be saying, ‘Hey, congrats, man,’ and then, ‘Sorry about last week.’ That would be pretty annoying. Just really for lack of a better — there’s no better way to say it than that would be annoying.”

All good vibes as he reports home to Dallas for extended daddy duty. The rest of the PGA Tour can breathe a little more easily for a few weeks, but you can guarantee

Scheffler will be back.

“Golf is a game that drives people nuts and then all of a sudden you hit this great shot and it feels wonderful and flies right up there by the pin and it just gives everybody hope,” he said. “Sometimes that’s how I feel out there. I love the feeling of a well-struck golf shot. I love this game. I love going out and practicing by myself. I love playing golf, gambling at home with people, just messing around. The game of golf has been a huge part of my life now for a long time, and Lord-willing it’ll be part of my life for a long time going forward, as well.”

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

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HOME SELLING, PREP & STAGING WORKSHOP

TICKET that's

Beautiful Harbor Boats

Photograph by Linda O’Rourke, Photography Exhibit at Coastal Discovery Museum 10B

Arts & Entertainment Calendar

THROUGH MAY 26

Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalThe Arts Center of Coastal Carolina presents the Tony and Grammy Award-winning production that takes audiences through the life and career of one of America’s most beloved and prolific songwriters. The story follows Carole from her humble beginnings to her ultimate fame, establishing her place in popular music history and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. For info: www.artshhi.com

MAY 3- 19

“Lost in Yonkers” Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama/comedy captures the humor, conflict and heartbreak of a Jewish family living in Yonkers in 1942. Presented by the Sea Glass Stage Company at the Coligny Theater, Hilton Head Island.

For more info: www.sgstage.org

MAY 10

Sunset Palooza – Bluffton Sunset Party #2 at Oyster Factory Park from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Live Music featuring - Big B & The Stingers with Special Guest Daddy’s Beemer, food court, beer garden and wine bar. Tickets $12 at: https://www. eventbrite.com/o/bear-foot-sports.

MAY 12

Salute to Gladys Knight with The Divas of the Lowcountry at Kind of Blue, 19 Dunnagans Alley, Hilton Head Island. Leading local blues singing ladies, including Gwen Yvette, Shuvette Colvin, and Laiken Williams, will take the stage on Mother’s Day for a soul-stirring show, based on the music of Gladys Knight, “the Empress of Soul.” Two shows at 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available online: https://www.

eventbrite.com/e/salute-to-gladysknight-with-the-divas-of-the-lowcountrytickets-876990130087.

MAY 17

Bluffton Town Movie Night featuring “Trolls Band Together” with games and bounce house at 5 p.m. Movie starts at 6 p.m. Free to the public.

MAY 18

All Saint’s Garden Tour featuring six lovely gardens in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, optional lunch, silent auction, bake sale and an artisan’s market. Tour hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online: https://allsaintsgardentour.wordpress. com/

MAY 18

Yacht Hop – Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s annual fundraiser from 5:00

p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Wexford’s Inner Harbour on Hilton Head Island. For tickets and information: https://hospicecarelc. org/yacht-hop/.

MAY 19

Palmetto Bluff Flow Fest from 2:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Village Green featuring live music by Deas Guyz, food and beverage by local vendors, kid’s activities, art auction and artisan market. A portion of ticket proceeds and artisan sales will support a student in the Beaufort, Jasper, or Chatham county school system through The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff’s new scholarship program: Inspiring the Arts Scholarship. Ticket prices are $30 for adults, $15 for children 6-12 years and under 5 are free. Online tickets: https:// palmettobluff.ticketbud.com/flowfest-2024

Coligny Beach Helps

Celebrate Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day at Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island offers two relaxing options for celebrating with your mom. Start the day by grabbing goodies at Sweet Al’s Bakery and then taking your mother on a relaxing beach walk. Sweet Al’s Bakery entices with its freshly baked treats, from delectable pastries to beautifully decorated donuts, creating a perfect beginning for a day of leisure and bonding by the ocean.

Alternatively, you can make reservations at Skillets Cafe for Mother’s Day Brunch, ensuring a special dining experience with a wide range of delicious breakfast and brunch options. Skillets, known for its southern dishes and welcoming ambiance, is a great choice for indulging in a memorable meal with Mom. With a menu featuring crepes, benedicts, and more, Skillets offers a feast that celebrates Mom’s special day

in style.

Whichever option you choose, the day couldn’t be complete without a visit to Island Girl for some thoughtful shopping. Browse through their beach-inspired collection of clothing, accessories, Hobo Bags, and gifts to find the perfect token of appreciation for your mother. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry or a luxurious spa gift set, Island Girl has something special to make Mom feel loved and cherished on Mother’s Day.

Spending Mother’s Day at Coligny Beach with these experiences—enjoying goodies from Sweet Al’s Bakery and a beach walk, or indulging in Skillets’ brunch followed by shopping at Island Girl—creates lasting memories and shows Mom just how much she means to you. See you at Coligny, Hilton Head’s Downtown since 1955!

May 14–June 14

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

Opening Reception: Wed, May 15 • 5-7pm Enjoy refreshments and meet the artist • Free and open to the public

Gallery Walk: Thursday, May 30 11am-12pm Join the artist on a walk through her work

Now

– May 26

A Hit-Filled Ride Through the Life of the Legendary Songwriter Carole King

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

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

HENRY CHO

JULY 15

4:00 & 7:30PM

ARTS CENTER-AUDIENCE FAVORITE! This hilarious, wonderful comedian is back with even more stories to share and more laughs to spread. Cho’s TV credits include appearances on NBC’s The Tonight Show, CBS’s The Late, Late, Show, and NBC’s Young Comedians Special. In addition to appearances on Comedy Central and Netflix, Cho can also be heard daily on SiriusXM and Pandora. Some of Cho’s film credits include McHale’s Navy; Say It Isn’t So; and Material Girls.

open daily at 5pm sunday brunch 11-2 call for reservations 843-802-4744

The 44th Annual Mayfest Set To Kick Off Summer 2024

BY ANITA STEPHENS Contributor

It’s May, with flowers abloomin’, birds in the sky, and Bluffton has people with facefuls of pie (and an ugly dog contest, too.) What does that mean exactly? It’s the Rotary Club of Bluffton’s 44th Annual Mayfest happening in Old Town Bluffton on May 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event is a highly anticipated tradition held each year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day and has been a signature summer kick-off event for over four decades. The first Mayfest was held in 1978 as a small arts and crafts festival to celebrate the arrival of spring. Over the years, the festival has grown in size

and popularity, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the region. Although changes have come through the years, Mayfest’s signature characteristic and underlying persona remain true to be one of the best street festivals around, with a laid-back atmosphere, hometown ambiance, and strong sense of underlying community spirit. This gives Mayfest a broad appeal that keeps the crowds coming back year after year. Mayfest encompasses the length of Calhoun Street and portions of Bridge and May River Roads. But it’s the entertainment and activities that create much of the anticipation. Attendees

CELEBRATION

Wildlife Artist Jo Dye To Present Collage Works

BY ANITA STEPHENS Contributor

Well-known wildlife artist, Jo Dye, will display a collection of wildlife collages in her upcoming show, “Now & Then . . . Early and Current Works by Jo Dye,” on exhibit at the Art League of Hilton Head. The show will run May 14 through June 14. Dye’s depictions of wildlife using cut and torn paper, alive with bright colors and surprising detail, entices the viewer to move in for a closer look to see the detail of each masterful creation. Her collages are often mistaken for traditional paintings. “This collection reflects my recent interest in color and texture and the freedom that collage represents,” she explained. Over the years, Dye has experimented in many media, including oils, acrylics,

pastels, printmaking, scratchboard, and pen and ink. “My art is not stagnant but always in transition. Each ‘stroke’ of my collage is created from pieces of cut and torn paper; some were found, and some were specifically created to fill the need. I carefully choose each addition based on its color and value. Each tiny addition works to build the creation and bring it to life.”

An opening reception will be held Wednesday, May 15, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Dye will also host a Gallery Walk on Thursday, May 30, 11 a.m. -12 p.m., where she will discuss her work, influences, and process. The exhibit, reception, and gallery walk are free and open to the public. For more information, go to: https://www.artleaguehhi.org/

Pie-Eating Contest 11:30am

Pie-Eating Contest 11:30am

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm

Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm Heyward House Pie Eating Contest 11:30am Dubois Park Pavillion Pie-Eating Contest 11:30am

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm

Pie-Eating Contest 11:30am

Pie-Eating Contest 11:30am

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm HEYWARD HOUSE atured Artist - Nancy Patrick Carney & over 130 Artists Fe and Food Vendors

Pie Eating Contest

11:30am Dubois Park Pavillion Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm Heyward House Featured Artist Nancy Patrick Carney & Over 130 Artist and food Vendors Free Admission ● Free Parking ● Free Shuttle Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm Heyward House Pie Eating Contest 11:30am Dubois Park Pavillion Pie-Eating Contest 11:30am

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm HEYWARD HOUSE

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm HEYWARD HOUSE

Pie-Eating Contest

Pie-Eating Contest

Pie-Eating Contest 11:30am

atured Artist - Nancy Patrick Carney & over 130 Artists Fe and Food Vendors

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest :00pm HEYWARD HOUSE

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest HEYWARD HOUSE

Ugly Dog Contest 1:00pm Heyward House Pie Eating Contest 11:30am Dubois Park Pavillion

DUBOIS PARK PAVILION Ugly Dog Contest HEYWARD HOUSE

atured Artist - Nancy Patrick Carney & over 130 Artists and Food Vendors

HERITAGE LIBRARY SPRING TOURS

ZION CEMETERY & BAYNARD MAUSOLEUM COSTUMED CEMETERY TOUR

TUESDAYS AT 10:30AM

Visit the gravesites of four Revolutionary War heroes and find out about the bloody skirmish that was fought just steps away. Site on the SC Liberty Trail.

Corner of Hwy. 278 & Mathews Dr.

$10/LIBRARY MEMBERS • $12/NON-MEMBERS • CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE Registration required. HeritageLib.org/Tours

HISTORIC FORT MITCHEL TOUR

THURSDAYS AT 10:30AM

Fort Mitchel contains the remains of a coastal defense battery erected in 1862 to protect the Port Royal Sound by way of Skull Creek from incursions by Confederate gunboats.

65 Skull Creek Dr., Hilton Head Plantation

$10/LIBRARY MEMBERS • $12/NON-MEMBERS • CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE Registration required. HeritageLib.org/Tours

Natural, Historic Photography on Exhibit at Coastal Discovery Museum

Breathtaking natural and historic photographs taken throughout the region by the Camera Club of Hilton Head Island will be on display at The Coastal Discovery Museum at historic Honey Horn, in the main gallery, from May 13 to July 7. An opening reception will celebrate the exhibit on May 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., which is free and open to the public.

The theme, “Field Trip,” showcases images of natural beauty throughout the region including animals, insects, landscapes, waterways and more. A highlight of the exhibit will be photographs by student winners of the Kurtzberg Memorial Awards. Named after Dr. Larry Kurtzberg, a champion of youth photography and the club’s founder and first president, these awards recognize exceptional students enrolled in Hilton Head Island High School’s visual arts photography courses.

As part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to support local arts groups, the museum is also hosting four gallery talks by the Camera Club, at 2 p.m. on May 16, May 29, June 12, and June 22. The talks are free and open to the public.

The Camera Club of Hilton Head Island (CCHHI), founded in 1987, brings together individuals who are passionate about photography. The 100-member club offers activities for all skill levels to develop their photography knowledge and skills. These include field trips, classes and monthly meetings featuring guest speakers. CCHHI also engages in community outreach, exemplified by the Kurtzberg Memorial Awards. For more information, visit: https://www.new-cchhi.net/.

The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is an educational and cultural organization whose mission is to provide experiences that inspire people to care for the Lowcountry. Founded in 1985, and located on Hilton Head’s historic Honey Horn grounds, the Museum offers exhibitions, programs, lectures, hands-on workshops and events, covering Lowcountry history, culture, art and the environment. For more information, visit www.coastaldiscovery.org.

Costumes supported by Bargain Box

Linda O’Rourke

Trish Cosentino

Joan Eckhardt

William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance Announces Strategic Acquisition of Carson Realty

William Raveis has acquired Carson Realty, a leading luxury brokerage in Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC. From L to R: WR SVP/General Managers Southern Region Molly Lane and Matt Lane, Carson Realty’s Matt Rowe and WR Strategic Growth & Sales Manager Tal Crandell

Shelton, CT - William Raveis, the Inman-awarded Top Brokerage in the U.S. and the number one privately held real estate company in the Northeast, Florida, and South Carolina is pleased to announce the strategic acquisition of Carson Realty, a family-owned real estate company serving the greater Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Lake Keowee areas since 2006.

Following three successful company acquisitions last fall, William Raveis is connecting the dots in key luxury markets up and down the East Coast. “We look forward to our partnership with Carson Realty (CR). It’s always exciting to join forces with another family-owned firm that shares our deep commitment to our agents and our communities,” says William “Bill” Raveis, CEO and founder who launched the luxury real estate brand fifty years ago. Raveis’ continues, “Our business model is unique. As operating partners, we help agents succeed with our world-class coaching, marketing, and innovations like Raveis365, a one-of-a-kind communication and technology platform developed exclusively for us by Microsoft.”

According to Matt Lane, SVP/General Manager Southern Region for William Raveis, “We have highly successful agents joining our luxury network of more than 4,500 sales associates in 140 well-connected offices from Maine to Florida. The addition of Carson’s tight-knit local culture and service-focused sales associates strengthen our position locally as well as across the Southern region.” The Carson Realty acquisition gives William Raveis a significant market share increase in the Hilton Head and Bluffton areas of Beaufort County.

Specialty mortgage and insurance programs also give clients access to over 40 national lender options as well as competitive insurance products like homeowners, flood, boaters, renters, umbrella, and more. Matt Rowe, one of the principals of Carson Realty, and the Broker-in-Charge, sheds light on the benefit of these value-added offerings, “It’s a win-win to have William Raveis’ in-house mortgage bankers to help prequalify our buyers and sellers and insurance experts to help them navigate a complex insurance market with affordable options.”

William Raveis is a leading family-owned real estate company across CT, FL, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, SC, and VT, and a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, the largest global network of 140,000 real estate professionals and 550 brokerages in over 70 countries. Making connections throughout the world for agents and clients alike.

Please visit raveis.com for town listings and information, or stop by the William Raveis offices located at: 2 Greenwood Drive, Building B, Hilton Head Island, SC 2 Hampton Hall Boulevard, Bluffton, SC

ABOUT WILLIAM RAVEIS REAL ESTATE, MORTGAGE, AND INSURANCE

William Raveis is the number one privately held real estate brokerage in South Carolina, Florida, and the Northeast providing integrated real estate services to millions of customers and clients for 50 years. Selected as the Top Brokerage 2023 in the United States by Inman, the voice of REALTORS® and industry news, the company ranks among the nation’s top independent and publicly traded brokerages for sales volume and units sold by RealTrends (2023). In addition to its specialized Residential, Relocation, and Luxury Properties divisions, William Raveis has top-tier, full-service Mortgage and Insurance Companies. To learn more, please visit raveis.com.

ABOUT CARSON REALTY

Specializing in Bluffton, Hilton Head, Lake Keowee and Upstate Real Estate, The Carson Realty team has a broad spectrum of real estate specialists, which enables them to provide a high quality of service to meet every client requirement. We take our time, listen to the client’s needs and desires, ultimately helping them find the home that fits best for their family or selling their home for the highest price that the real estate market will allow. We care more about our community than just home sales; yet our organization believes in ensuring that the community at large gets to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Many members of our team spend their spare time working alongside community charities, helping ensure that no member of our Metropolitan area goes without.

The #1 Independent Family-Owned Real Estate Company in South Carolina, Florida & the Northeast

BJVIM Hosts Bourbon and Bubbly Gala

Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine (BJVIM) will host its major fundraiser, the Bourbon & Bubbly Gala, on Thursday, May 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. The public is cordially invited to join this Lowcountry dinner party under the beautiful oaks that includes bourbon and champagne tastings at Hewitt Oaks, 205 Stillwell Road.

The evening will begin with appetizers and a silent auction including golf packages, special dinners, trips, art and jewelry pieces. Live music will be provided by David Masteller and Friends. The Master of Ceremony will once again be Tom Crawford from Charleston. A delicious Lowcountry dinner, paired with bourbon, wine and champagne will be served along with a fabulous dessert finale.

New this year, in addition to the silent auction at cocktail hour and live auction with dinner, BJVIM is also hosting an online auction. Some exciting online items include tickets to a NASCAR race, SEC Championship football tickets and a weekend at the Biltmore. These special online auction items will not be available at the silent auction. For rules and information, visit www.bjvim. org/2024-bourbon-bubbly-gala.

“This event is always a special evening for our organization,” says Pam Toney, Executive Director of BJVIM. “Bringing together our loyal supporters and friends of BJVIM helps make this event both a success and also a whole lot of fun!”

Tickets for Bourbon & Bubbly are $165 each; a table for 8 can be reserved for $1,320. Proceeds from the event, including the online, silent and live auctions will help to expand the Ridgeland Clinic and supply medical care for the underinsured community of Bluffton and Jasper County. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor for Bourbon & Bubbly – Reed Commercial, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare and Hewitt Oaks and the 2024 Title Sponsor - Charter One Real Estate.

For more information on tickets and auction items, visit www.bjvim.org or contact Andrew Kriner at andrewbjvim@gmail.com or 843.706.7090, ext. 110.

The Bluffton Jasper Volunteers in Medicine (BJVIM) was opened in 2011 in response to the growing issue of access to healthcare in Bluffton and Jasper County for our most vulnerable citizens. Both clinics are staffed by local physicians and nurses who donate their time and expertise. Last year, BJVIM saw over 1,300 patients and provided 7,167 medical visits to our neighbors in need.

BJVIM is one of over 400 independent free clinics under the guidance of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. The clinics offer free medical exams, counseling and nutritional services, as well as preventative disease education to the uninsured and financially qualified members of our community. For more about BJVIM, visit www. BJVIM.org.

Captain Jax Offers Fun, Food for All Ages

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Editor

At first glance, some may think that Captain Jax is just a comic bookstore, but it is so much more. The large shop located on Hilton Head Island recently opened its doors March 17 for comic book enthusiasts and their friends and family alike.

Have a loved one that likes comics, but you are not as enthusiastic? That’s okay. Captain Jax has plenty for the rest of the family to do while your comic enthusiast browses. The retail space is more like a Disney experience than a comic shop, featuring comics, yes, but also toys, branded clothes, books, ice cream, mini pancakes, waffles, coffee and more.

Owned by Robert and Laura Cecil, the store is a “dream that has turned into a reality, with the goal of sharing all things fun with kids and adults alike,” said Robert a long-time comic enthusiast and collector/trader.

Robert’s journey started when he would go to Shelter Cove community market on Saturdays with a tent with mini pancakes and fruit, when he thought “what else can I offer.” He combined it with his passion for comics and Captain Jax was born.

“We are for kids of all ages, locals, and tourists too. We buy, sell, and trade comics (even on consignment). We have graded books, back issues, and new stuff and, also trade Pokémon cards as well,” explained Robert. Since opening, enthusiasts have come in with comics, memorabilia, and more to share.

The store itself is an experience. Every inch of the store has something fun to look at or explore, such as large murals with superheroes, memorabilia from comics, movies and more, as well

as TVs playing Marvel and Star Wars movies. Costumes and branded clothing with the store’s mascot-- —the couple’s chihuahua as a dog pirate—are offered as well as books by local authors.

When it came to treats the couple wanted “unique food offerings.” As a result, there is an eclectic mix of treats that will satisfy nearly anyone’s palate. Robert used the mini pancakes as a jumping off point, and expanded the menu to include stick waffles, bubble waffles, boba tea, paninis, smoothies, milkshakes, loaded teas and Blue Bell ice cream.

As the shop gets ramped up there’s plans for a grand opening and community members are encouraged to come and see the shop, have a sweet treat, and partake in activities for kids and adults alike. “Come dressed as your favorite character,” noted Robert. “Costumes are encouraged.”

With a dining area inside a well as an outdoor space with picnic tables, Captain Jax plans to also offer customizable birthday parties on site complete with food and character appearances such as Spiderman, Pirates, Elsa and more. Games nights are also being offered so families can spend some fun time together. And in the summer months, the store will host local authors who can read and sign their books for kids.

“The goal is to find like-minded people in the community and inspire them to come have fun,” said Robert. “No child will leave empty handed as we have free comic books and even a treasure chest with prizes for them to choose from.”

Captain Jax is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located at 24 Palmetto Bay Road, Suite G, Hilton Head. For more information visit their website at: CaptainJax.com.

Live Theater On Tap This Month

The Lean Ensemble Theater presents “Proof,” winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The show revolves around Catherine, a troubled young woman on the eve of her 25th birthday, who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable, famous mathematician father. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, her father’s former student who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness—or genius—will she inherit? There will be talkbacks with the director, cast and special guests from the production’s community partner, the Lowcountry chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) following performances on May 10, 12, 17 and 19. The show runs May 9 through May 19 at the HHPS Main

Street Theatre at 3000 Main Street, Hilton Head. For ticket info: https://www. leanensemble.org/20232024-season

If you have not seen it yet, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is still running at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina this month. Shows will run through May 26 for this Tony and Grammy Award-winning production that takes audiences on a deliciously musical ride through the life and career of one of America’s most beloved and prolific songwriters. Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this crowd-pleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember—and the story you’ll never forget.

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is located at 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Tickets may be purchased online by going to: https://www.artshhi.com/ or .by calling the box office (843)842-2787.

Local Author Visits Bluffton Book Store

Elizabeth Lynn, a local children’s author from Charleston has announced that her latest book, “Dancing Ants & Other Silly Poems for Kids,” is now available. The book includes 15 hilarious poems, cute illustrations, interesting facts, and writing prompts that will keep your little ones entertained. On Saturday, May 11th, Lynn will be at The Beaufort Bookstore from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the Storybook Shoppe in Bluffton from 2 to 4 p.m. Lynn will hold special readings of her book, sharing a few of the poems, fun facts, and will allow for group participation using the writing prompts.

MAYFEST

FROM PAGE 6B

will delight at the sight of their friends, neighbors, and even a few local “celebrities” covered ear to ear with pie filling at the annual pie eating contest. The ugly dog contest is considered one of the original and oldest contests of its type in the nation and is guaranteed to bring lots of smiles. Two stages will be set up with live music throughout the day.

Art enthusiasts will be pleased as well with lots of art to peruse. This year’s featured artist is Nancy Patrick Carney of the Pluff Mudd Gallery whose painting, “Beach Babes” will be available in poster format and on a limited number of t-shirts.

With so much fun and exhilaration swirling in the air, it is easy to overlook the thousands of man-hours that have been spent in organization, coordination, and volunteerism by the Rotary Club of Bluffton in preparation for the event. The Rotary Club is a vital, local chapter organization involved in several events throughout the year in support of the

community. A superstar among service-oriented organizations, the local Rotary Club’s sole mission is to support the Bluffton community, its people and quality of life. Established in 1988 and part of a global network of clubs whose dedicated members share the ideals of service, friendship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.

Mary O’Neil, Bluffton Rotary Club’s president, sums up the core ideals of the organization. “The Rotary Club of Bluffton is an extremely ‘hands-on-club.’ We are a working club in which members give of their time and talents to make our community a better place for all its residents. Wherever and whatever is needed, our members quickly rise to the occasion and get the job done.”

With so many deserving recipients residing within the perimeter stakes of Bluffton, club members take on the challenge and energetically put forth their personal time, talent, and effort to make an impactful improvement. “Observing

our club in action, the sincere care extended by each and every member, it becomes very clear to see the genuine intentions of the work that has been extended. The best part is, we all have fun while doing it. Bluffton’s Rotary Club members embody Rotary International’s motto, ‘Service Above Self,’ lending a hand wherever opportunities arise to serve and give,” said Mary. “Proceeds from Mayfest, a one-day community event, adds approximately $25,000 to the Rotary Club of Bluffton’s charitable applications during the upcoming Rotary fiscal year.” The club’s longstanding mission is to educate neighbors and friends about Rotary and the opportunities available for prospective and non-members to join in on the invaluable work which encompasses community events, service projects, socials, and fundraising.

All said, in reinforcement of the Bluffton Rotary Club’s efforts of sponsoring another fantastic Mayfest (tra-la,) come to Old Town Bluffton on May 11th, to celebrate the lovely month of May. Join in the festivities and participate in the con-

tinual goal of supporting our community whilst in the midst of having a gloriously good time.

THE ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULES

ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Main Stage (Martin Family Park) 10:00 – 10:40 a.m.

“Bluffton School of Dance”

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. “Horan Brothers Band”

2:00 – 4:30 p.m. “Swamptooth”

Second Stage (Bridge Street)

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. “Peach Patrol” 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. “Lynn Avenue” Contest Line-up

11:30 a.m. “Pie Eating” at Dubois Park Pavilion

1:00 – 1:30 p.m. “Ugly Dog” at Heyward House Rain or shine - admission to the festival is free. Street closures will be in effect during the festival, but parking is free along with free shuttle service from Red Cedar Elementary School. For more information, go to: https://blufftonrotary.org/page/mayfest.

Swing Dance: Popular, Social, Big Band Energy

SANDRO VIRAG

Contributor

Swing dance in its basic form is one of those dances that will be around forever and so many people know it, or a version of it. How many times when you have heard swing do you think of jitterbug or rock and roll or lindy hop? Although they all belong to the same music group, they are all different dances. Swing is a group of dances that developed with the style of jazz music in the 1920s-1950s where the music was primarily the big band orchestras.

Of all the dances we just listed, swing was the easiest to learn and became the most popular. There is a triple step Swing that is used when the music is slower and a single step Swing when the music is much faster. Both consist of a side-to-side action with a rock step away from the partner. The only difference is the added triple step with the faster music. In many areas outside the United States, swing is not as popular as in the

U.S. – it is really an American big band dance style.

Eventually swing developed and extended to include the West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Jive, The Lindy Hop and Modern Jive.

Hop continued into the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s and is featured in many big Hollywood movies.

East Coast Swing is a simpler variation of the Lindy Hop that evolved with swingband music and the work of Arthur Mur-

ray from the 1940s.

West Coast Swing is danced more in a line rather than side to side and was developed in the 1940s, as a variation on Lindy Hop. It is danced to a wide variety of music including: blues, rock and roll, country western, smooth and cool jazz. It is popular throughout the United States and Canada.

Jive is a dance of International Style Ballroom dancing. It is mostly used in competition and not in the social dance world.

The rhythm of swing fits so many songs which is why it is so popular. It works for everything from pop style songs to big band. Today Swing is still the most recognized dance and danced the most socially. It is a fun, easy and fast-moving dance that most people pick up quickly. I recommend everyone learn basic swing and then you can take off from there!

Sandro Virag owns Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio Hilton Head Island Bluffton. www.hiltonheadballroom.com.

Lindy

Ideas Worth Spreading at Upcoming TEDxSavannah with 12 Speakers

TEDxSavannah, an independently organized, half-day celebration of ideas worth spreading, is set to host the 13th annual TEDxSavannah event on Thursday, May 16 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus, located at 11935 Abercorn St. Doors will open at noon.

The TEDxSavannah theme for 2024 is Convergence. Twelve speakers will address the theme from a range of perspectives in thoughtful, professionally coached talks designed to resonate deeply with the Savannah community. In addition, TEDxSavannah 2024 will feature live entertainment as well as a speaker meet-and-greet immediately following the main event.

“We can’t wait for our speakers to share ideas worth spreading with audience members from across the greater Savannah area,” said TEDxSavannah organizing committee member and speaker coach Karla Jennings, who delivered a TEDxSavannah

‘Only

BY GLENDA HARRIS Contributor

talk in 2018. “TEDxSavannah 2024 speakers will explore a wide range of topics and offer creative solutions to community challenges.”

2024 TEDxSavannah speakers include:

• Elizabeth Adams, Affiliate Fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

• Bruce Feiler, Best-selling author, speaker and TV host

• Lillian Grant-Baptiste, Gullah-Geechee storyteller and founder of Baobab Speaks Consulting Group

• Dr. Deidre Grim, Executive Director, Forsyth Farmers’ Market

• Steve Hein, Founder and Executive Director, Georgia Southern University Wildlife Center

• Mike Kentz, English teacher, Benedictine Military School

• Suzanne Kirk, President and Executive Human Resources Consultant, Employee Development Strategies, Inc,.

• Jessica Leigh Lebos, Award-winning Writer

• Briana Paxton, Chief Executive Officer, Hestia Community Partners LLC

• Bonzo Reddick, M.D., M.P.H., District Health Director, Georgia Department of Public Health

• Nina Samuels, Sculptor working with clay and sustainable materials

• Christian Shellman, Community Development Manager, Housing Savannah, Inc.

Full bios for the TEDxSavannah speakers, along with photos, are available at tedxsavannah.com.

TEDxSavannah received more than 150 speaker applications for the 2024 event. Each selected speaker will deliver a thought-provoking talk, influenced by the event’s theme, and related to topics affecting the Savannah community. Live talks will be filmed and posted on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel following the event.

Guided by a mission to share ideas

worth spreading, TEDxSavannah welcomes the public to enjoy live presentations from area residents, TED Talk videos designed to spark deep discussion and live performances.

General admission tickets are currently on sale for $50, which include seating, onsite parking, snacks, coffee, and admission to the speaker meet-and-greet event on-site immediately following TEDxSavannah 2024. Discounted tickets are available for educators, students, first responders, active-duty military, and nonprofits for $40. VIP tickets are also available for $75, which include priority seating and a special VIP badge.

Groups of more than six attendees can receive a 10% discount on the price of their tickets by contacting Allison Hersh at allison@capricorncomm.com.

To purchase tickets or to learn more about TEDxSavannah, please visit tedxsavannah.com.

Woman in the Room’ Follows Hedy Lamarr

The story of Hedy Lamaar in “The Only Woman in the Room” and her divergence from a career as a glamorous movie star in the 1940s and 1950s is a fascinating read. Of note, this review highlights Hedy Lamarr’s work after her Hollywood career. Read the book to learn interesting

and relevant aspects of her younger days and early career, her movies, her family and the steps she “climbed” on the way to becoming “The Only Woman In The Room.”

She was known as great beauty and glamorous movie star during the Golden Age, the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s in America. No one “saw” or maybe did not acknowledge her brilliant mind at that time.

She would become a trail-blazing woman of note in a man’s world. In addition to her oeuvre as an actress, she left a legacy discoveries and inventions that now, 80 years later, have become necessity.

As a scientist, she is credited with discovering “frequency-hopping technology” that later made possible wireless communications like wi-fi, GPS and Bluetooth.

Her relentless quest for knowledge and tenacious drive to find answers was a great service to her country in a time of war and served as a launching point for other technological gains since.

It wasn’t until late in her life that she was recognized as the genius she was. She was formally honored for her contribution to the Allied victory in WWII. She died in January of 2000.

The 2024 Hilton Head Island “Ride of Silence”

To highlight the importance of bike rider safety on public roads, on Wednesday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m., the annual Ride of Silence (ROS) will begin in North America and roll around the globe. It is the 22nd anniversary of the ROS.

In 2003, the first ROS took place in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed. The Dallas ride drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only 10 days. In 2023, there were 229 such rides (6,433 riders) in 32 states, 20 countries, 7 continents and “0” words spoken. Last year we had 51 riders lead by BCSO patrol cars and a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace” at the start of the ride.

are unsafe and illegal. Bicyclists are considered drivers of a vehicle and therefore have the same responsibilities and rights to the roads as motorists.

For those wishing to participate in the Hilton Head ROS organized by KABC to honor those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways, please pre-register on the KABC events page at this link: https://www.kickinasphalt.org/kabcevents prior to the ride.

The ROS is a free ride that hopes to raise cycling awareness during the month of May (National Bike Month) to motorists, the public, police, traffic engineers, insurance companies, and city officials. The ROS promotes a share the road message and works to educate the public on the right of both cyclists and motorists to legally use the roads in a safe manner, to both concerned. Many cyclists are scared or threatened daily due to motorists passing too closely, honking, or yelling at cyclists to get off the road. These behaviors

For those participating, on May 15, arrive at the Street Meet Parking Lot (Port Royal Plaza, 95 Mathews Drive, Hilton Head Island) by 6:30 p.m.with your bicycle, helmet (mandatory), and lights (highly recommended). There will be a checkin, safety briefing and ceremony between 6:30 and 7:00. The 9-mile police escorted ride will roll out promptly at 7:00 p.m. while a bagpiper plays “Amazing Grace”. The ride will leave the parking lot and head South on 278 (at a speed of 10-12 mph) to the stop light at Queens Way and back to Street Meet for fellowship - food and beverage are at your own expense.

“Our message is SHARE the Road for everyone’s safety,” said John Marcinowski, member KABC, League Cycling Instructor and 2024 ROS Coordinator.

The SCIIJ supports the development and production of independent and nonprofit news in S.C. to promote democratic ideals.

• ALL NEW luxury pontoon boat rentals

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• 9 ft Sunbrella for fun in the shade

SOBA’s May Artist Meckley Highlights

Lowcountry Marshes

BY SHANNON COPCUTT Editor

The SOBA featured artist for May is John Meckley, with his “LowCountry Backyard” show running from May 6 to June 2, and an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. May 10.

John Meckley’s May art exhibit at The Society of Bluffton Artists’ gallery in Old Town Bluffton will reflect the South Carolina Lowcountry’s beautiful marshes and majestic egrets.

“What inspires my brushstrokes to a canvas here in the Lowcountry are the images of soft, warm breezes floating on top of the many coloring changing marsh grasses,” Meckley said. “Also inspiring is how the white Egrets seem to glide effortlessly in slow motion across the backdrop of the majestic skies, making the long journey back to

their tree top nests.”

Meckley traces his artistic roots back to the age of 13. His inherent love for art blossomed through selftaught techniques, drawing inspiration from the timeless masterpieces of Rembrandt and the esteemed Wyeth family artists. Meckley’s unique style intertwines elements of these revered artists with his own signature of soft, smooth, and warm brush strokes, complemented by a carefully curated palette of warm, earthy tones. His subjects emanate a profound sense of serenity and tranquility, inviting viewers into a world of contemplation and peace.

Meckley’s artistic journey took a significant turn at the age of 17 when he clinched his first Juried art show award in Pennsylvania. Since then, his talent has garnered

widespread acclaim, earning him numerous accolades in juried exhibitions across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, and South Carolina. Notably, his exceptional craftsmanship has been recognized on an international scale, with one of his masterpieces proudly adorning the walls of the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

However, it was a pivotal moment two years ago that marked a profound shift in Meckley’s artistic focus. Relocating to the picturesque surroundings of Bluffton, South Carolina, he found himself enraptured by the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. A transformative experience unfolded as he drove across a bridge, with the gentle patter of rain and the radiant glow of the sun casting a surreal ambiance. A vibrant rainbow arched across

the sky, while a mesmerizing flock of Egrets danced gracefully across the marshes. In that transcendent moment, Meckley felt an undeniable connection to nature, interpreting it as a divine sign guiding his artistic path.

SOBA is in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SOBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more.

The gallery is located at 6 Church Street and is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays. Please visit www.sobagallery.com for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843-7576586.

Shanna Comes to Malphrus

Shanna in a Dress brings her “quirky folk pop from a clever millennial who sucks at dating” to the Music on Malphrus Concert Series at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Low Country (110 Malphrus Rd.), Saturday May 18 at 8:00 pm. Now residing in Nashville, the concert marks Shanna’s first appearance in the Lowcountry.

Shanna in a Dress says what everyone is thinking but no one else will say and you will get an uncensored journey of clever humor and heartbreak with a hefty sense of entertainment at her shows. This witty wordsmith is known for making audiences laugh and cry, sometimes in the same song. Think Jason Mraz mixed in with Ingrid Michaelson with a twist of Phoebe Buffay from Friends all wrapped up in a sweet voice accented by guitar, piano, and ukulele.

Shanna started her career at the University of Virginia, biked across the

country and fell in love with Colorado where she resided for eight years and she now keeps the music flowing out of Nashville unless she is touring the US or Europe. You can’t get the same Shanna in a Dress show twice with her spontaneous banter and playful stage presence. She manages to teeter the line masterfully of taking on complex subject matters with smart accessible lyrics. Her songs are laden with clever wordplay and delight audiences of all ages.

Shanna’s full-length debut album Robot was recorded at Cinder Sound Studio in Longmont, Colorado and produced by acclaimed CO musician Megan Burtt, Robot features nine Shanna originals ranging from how men doing chores is sexy (Mmm, That’s Hot) to the heartbreakingly vulnerable Daddy’s Little Girl. Shanna recently successfully crowdfunded for her second album which will be recorded later this year.

Palmetto Bluff Sets Dates For Farmer’s Market

The Palmetto Bluff Farmer’s Market is open on select Wednesdays — starting in May. Here’s the info: The Palmetto Bluff Farmers Market is starting back up this May!

Go to The Farm, 228 Old Moreland Road in Palmetto Bluff, for a wonderful showcase of local growers and makers on Wednesday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market is free & open to the public.

Lowcountry Made is honored to curate the lineup for the Palmetto Bluff Farmers Market. All area farmers, producers, home bakers, food related makers, food trucks, and artisans are encouraged to apply for future market dates. The Palmetto Bluff Farmers Market is held on select Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Future market dates include:

• June 5

• June 19

• October 9

• October 23

• November 6

• November 20

• *Sunday December 8

Further details will be provided to vendors upon acceptance.

Lowcountry Made partners with local small businesses and helps them grow through popup markets and events around the Lowcountry. We are proud to partner with host businesses who provide amazing distinctly Lowcountry venues.

Vendor applications are open at the link below: https://lcmade.com/palmetto-bluff-farmers-market-vendor-application/

Friends with Benets by Murray Sease

Mary Burrell

Sue Grilli