hilton head celebration

Town Will Mark 360th And 40th Milestone Island Anniversaries

By Anthem Media Group

Hilton Head is honoring its history.

The Town of Hilton Head is recognizing two milestones this year: the 360th anniversary of the sighting of the headlands of the island by Captain William Hilton and the 40th anniversary of the island’s incorporation as a municipality.

To spotlight these watershed moments, the Town of Hilton Head Island has planned a series of events that will celebrate the island’s history, ecology, culture, and people.

“We want to unite the community to celebrate what is important to us. Each of us has a story about how this place has inspired, nurtured, or sustained us,” said Mayor Alan Perry in a news release.

The celebrations will include two free “anchor” events: a community picnic on Saturday, Aug. 26, and a concert in the park on Sept. 16. Between those dates will be a series of unique experiences designed to honor the island’s rich natural, cultural, and historic resources.

To stay updated with all the happenings, a website (hiltonheadisland360-40.org) has been launched to provide details about celebration events and chronicle the island’s history and accomplishments. The site allows community members to share memories, milestones, and photos.

In addition to the community picnic, tours, concerts, and music happenings, there are opportunities for the public to be involved with the celebration:

Volunteer for 360/40 Celebration Events: The 360/40 Celebration Committee seeks volunteers to help with the community picnic, community concert, and various celebration events from Aug. 26-Sept. 16. Sign up at the 360/40 event website.

Submit a Hilton Head Island Milestone: Share memorable moments or photos about Hilton Head Island’s unique history and culture. Submit online at the 360/40 event website.

Submit a 360/40 Celebration Event: Submissions welcomed from nonprofits, businesses, and the cultural community. Submit your event information by Aug. 1 for the second round of promotions. Go to the 360/40 website.

To learn more, visit hiltonheadisland360-40.org. For questions,

Community Picnic

WHEN: 4-8 p.m. Aug. 26

WHERE: Lowcountry Celebration Park.

94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy complimentary traditional picnic fare (hamburgers, hot dogs, non-alcoholic beverages), fun and games (face painting, animal balloons, bounce houses, rock climbing, and more) for all ages. Local musicians. Recognition of community members and organizations. Free.

Community Concert

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sept. 16

WHERE: Lowcountry Celebration Park.

94 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head

DESCRIPTION: Finale of the 360/40 celebration and

BLUFFTON GOLFER WINS WOMEN’S AMATEUR TITLE

Sophia Burnett, of Colleton River Club, won her second Women’s South Carolina Association Golf Association Amateur championship. Burnett, from Bluffton, who starred at Hilton Head Prep, shot a 74 in the event’s final round at Fripp Island Club to finish with a 218 over three days. She attends the University of South Carolina.

Historic Bluffton Foundation Earns Preservation Grant

The Town of Bluffton awarded a Historic Preservation Grant to the Historic Bluffton Foundation for exterior renovations to the enslaved cabin on the grounds of the Heyward House Museum and visitors center. The $12,075 grant will help cover the cost of the project.

The Town’s Historic Preservation Grant Program, established in January 2022, is available to owners of “Contributing Resources” to the Old Town Bluffton Historic District to financially assist in the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of these structures so, collectively, these will continue to represent the history of Bluffton. To date, more than $60,000 has been awarded under the Program.

“The Town’s historic preservation grants help ensure these meaningful components of Bluffton’s history won’t be lost to time,” Mayor Lisa Sulka said.

Second Helpings Appeals For Funds

Second Helpings, the nonprofit food rescue organization, seeks the public’s help to replace its No. 6 truck, which has been in use for 12 years and has more than 150,000 miles. Replacing refrigerated trucks is costly. Donate online at secondhelpingslc.org/7206# or send a check to Second Helpings, PO Box 23621, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925

Uscb Professor Wins National Endowment

USCB English Professor Dr. Mollie Barnes, who specializes in 19th century U.S. literature, won a summer stipend grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for the research and writing of her book, “Paper Heroines: How Women Reformers

Wrote One Another’s Lives in the Sea Islands, 1838-1902.” The focus of her book is on how women reformers in the Sea Islands of South Carolina historicized their peers in journals, diaries, biographies, and other forms of life writing. The book is under advance contract with University of South Carolina Press, forthcoming in spring 2025.

Suspect Charged In 2021 Shooting Of Bluffton Teen

A Jasper County resident was charged in connection with a 2021 shooting on Bluffton Parkway that killed D.J. Fields, a popular Bluffton High School football player, and left two others injured, the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office said. The defendant was a minor at the time of the incident and has not yet been publicly identified. Solicitor Duffie Stone said in early July that he intends to petition to have the person waived up to general sessions court to be tried as an adult. The defendant is the fifth person charged in connection with the shooting.

Fatal Alligator Attack

A 69-year-old Spanish Wells resident died after an alligator attack near a lagoon bordering the golf course, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office. The resident, identified as Holly Jenkins, was found at the edge of the lagoon and appeared to be unresponsive, the county’s Sheriff’s Office said. Rescue efforts were made, but an alligator appeared and was “guarding” the woman, interrupting emergency efforts, the BCSO said. The gator was safely removed from the area and the woman’s body was recovered. Deputies learned that the woman was walking her dog earlier that morning when the attack occurred. On Aug. 15, 2022, an 88-year-old Sun City woman was killed by an alligator at a lagoon near her home.

HILTON HEAD ALL-STARS REACH FINALS OF STATE TOURNEY

The Hilton Head Baseball Assocation’s 8-under all-star team advanced to the Dixie Youth Baseball state Division 1 AA coach pitch finals in Dillon. The team lost to Lancaster but won the tournament sportsmanship award.

To advance to state, the team went undefeated in the District 8 tournament (4-0 record) and outscored their opponents 45-2.

Hilton Head Community Temporarily Bans Fishing

Shipyard banned fishing days after an incident involving an alligator. According to a post on the Hilton Head–based community’s website, Shipyard said even though nobody was hurt, it was a “close call” when an alligator followed a man who was fishing near the golf club. After consulting with K&K Wildlife – and the removal of another alligator –The Shipyard Executive Committee banned fishing through Labor Day weekend. The decision will be revisited when the committee meets in the fall.