VOLUME 24, ISSUE 23 • DECEMBER 7, 2021

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Final redistricting hearings held with few residents attending

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

Every 10 years, following the completion of the United States Census, states are required to take the results of changes in population and redraw district boundaries for state legislature, county councils and school boards.

The finished map should contain districts that are equal in population “as nearly as is practicable,” according to a case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1964.

According to the 2020 decennial census, Beaufort County’s population is 187,117 people, an increase from the 2010 population of 162,233. To follow

the guideline that the population be divided as equally as possible, each county council district should contain approximately 17,011 people.

That meant redrawing lines and “moving” portions of the population from some large districts into smaller districts in order to balance the numbers.

The state requires that the totals in each district fall within 10% deviation of the desired number.

At the beginning of the county’s process, the council made the decision to keep the deviation within 5% of the desired population total. The proposed population range in Alternate 2, for

Please see REDISTRICTING on page 10A

GWYNETH J. SAUNDERS

At the Nov. 30 public hearing on redistricting, held at the Bluffton Recreation Center on Ulmer Road, a Pritchardville resident examines the redistricting options laid out in the Alternate 2 map as Beaufort County Council Chairman John Passiment explains how some of the districts were realigned.

Bluffton woman on her way to 100th Miss America Competition

By Lynne Cope Hummell EDITOR

By the time you read this, Julia Herrin of Bluffton will be finishing up her preparation and packing for what might be the most exciting trip of her young life. Herrin is heading to Uncasville, Conn.

What’s so exciting in Uncasville, Conn.,

Family Fun

Saturdays! at the maritime center

you ask?

It’s the location for the 100th iteration of the Miss America Competition, which will be held Dec. 10-16, with the final broadcast Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. via Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.

But Herrin is not going just to watch the event.

When she arrives, she will be better DEC

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known as Miss South Carolina, and she will be competing with 50 other young women from across the nation for the crown and title of Miss America.

Herrin won the Miss South Carolina June 26 in Columbia, and has been traveling the state since then with her message of BOWTIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Please see MISS SC on page 8A

Page 2A

The Bluffton Sun

A NEW FOR

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Dec. 7, 2021

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 3A

SUNNY SIDE UP

‘Best’ gifts might be those that teach us to appreciate basics

By Lynne Cope Hummell EDITOR

My first car was a 1971 Chevy Vega that I shared with my former husband.

He paid $1,800 for it in 1975, as I recall, and was tickled to have it.

It had a manual transmission, so I had to learn how to drive a stick.

At some point, something went Lynne Hummell wrong under the hood, and we had to start the car with a screwdriver.

True story. Starting the car sometimes required one person in the driver’s seat to turn the key in the ignition, while the other got under the hood and touched the end of the screwdriver to one thingee (that’s a technical term) on the engine

block and the middle of the tool to something metal. (No wonder this car is now on the list of Chevy’s Worst Cars Ever Made.)

This was tricky when I was driving alone. I met lots of strangers in parking lots while we had that car.

I was grateful to get my own Datsun 310, also a manual, a couple of years later. I appreciated the fact that I had learned the art of driving with a clutch. I had learned about RPMs, how to smoothly accelerate from a stop at a red light heading up a hill, and how to change gears without jerking a passenger’s neck into head trauma.

These days, I appreciate my automatic V6 engine in my far more comfortable and stylish Chevy sedan.

My first camera was a hefty 35mm Canon I bought with college graduation money. It was manual and clunky as well – and required a roll of film, as this was long before digital cameras were

the norm. I learned about light meters, perspective, depth of field, and precise focus.

Now, when I consider how much work it took to produce a single black and white, sharply focused photograph, I appreciate the amazing photos that I’m able to capture in mere seconds with the camera built into my phone.

My son Chandler said the same was true for his first drone, which was small and difficult to maneuver. There was a steep learning curve, because using a drone for aerial photography was new to him. With experience he got used to the feel, and conquering the difficulties taught him the essentials of flying.

A year later, when he bought a larger, more expensive drone, his knowledge gained from navigating the smaller, trickier one gave him a much better experience. He knew how not to wreck it.

I thought about our early days of buying bicycles, skateboards, and all sorts of

tech gadgets for the boys for birthday and Christmas gifts. Being a sensible mom on a budget, I tried to select the “beginner” model of whatever they wanted.

After the boys learned how to operate whatever it was, they wanted a newer, shinier, bigger one – of course. And when they eventually got the nicer item (sometimes having to use their own money to purchase it!), their experience was better because they had knowledge, expertise and appreciation gained from using the original, smaller, lesser quality item.

My point this gift-giving season is that it’s not necessary for us to cave to our youngsters’ demands for the latest, greatest “Gift of the Year.” Even if the cost is not an issue, consider the lessons to be learned from practicing first with a basic model, whether it’s a drum set or electric bike or a mini kitchen or potter’s wheel.

After all, if one can master a manual ’71 Vega, think how easy it will be to someday control that Ferrari of one’s dreams.

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Page 4A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

EDITORIAL

Current Circulation Via USPS is 24,720 Finalist: Small Business of the Year, HHI-Bluffton Chamber.

Winner of the SAPA General Excellence Award; 1st place, Front Page Design; 2nd place, Most Improved Publication; and 3rd place, Self-Promotion Advertising.

IFPA-SAPA 3rd Place, Business Coverage

PUBLISHER

Kevin Aylmer, kevina@blufftonsun.com

EDITOR

Lynne Hummell, editor@blufftonsun.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kim Perry Bowen

OFFICE MANAGER Melissa McCullough

CONTRIBUTORS Abby Bird Leigh Copeland Collins Doughtie E. Ronald Finger Jerry Glenn Jean Harris Klaus Jensen Chris Lane Oswald Mikell Dave Miller Weston Newton

Lindsay Perry Gwyneth J. Saunders Cinda Seamon Larry Stoller Lisa Sulka Rebekah Thompson Carol Weir Scott Wierman Mark F. Winn Tim Wood

ADVERTISING

B.J. Frazier, Sales Director, 843-422-2321 Mike Garza 804-928-2151 Claudia Chapman 814-434-3665 Stan Wade 843-338-1900

VISIT:

BlufftonSun.com

Update on stormwater management plan

By Lisa Sulka CONTRIBUTOR

Stormwater runoff is water running over land during and immediately after a rainstorm.

Stormwater management involves controlling the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff to prevent flooding and impacts to water quality of our rivers, streams and Lisa Sulka even the ocean, that receive this runoff.

With our growing population, building results in tree clearing and construction of hard, or impervious, surfaces such as concrete, brick, asphalt, and rooftops. Thus, when it rains, water cannot seep back into the ground. Rather, it runs over these hard surfaces, picking up velocity and pollutants along the way – which can cause flooding, erosion and pollution of our waterways.

With booming development in our southern Lowcountry region, elected officials have been discussing how to find the balance between stormwater runoff improvements and a healthy

For more information, contact: Kevin Aylmer PO Box 2056, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-757-9507, 843-757-9506 (fax) Physical address: 14D Johnston Way Bluffton, SC 29910 All contents are copyrighted by Lowcountry Local Media Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. All submissions must include name, address and phone number. The Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any material, including advertisements. The Bluffton Sun does not verify for licenses, endorse nor warrant any advertised businesses or services.

The opinions and views expressed in the editorials are not necessarily those of the Editor and Publisher. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Bluffton Merchants Society.

THE BLUFFTON SUN Issue 23, December 7, 2021 is published twice monthly by Lowcountry Local Media, Inc., 14D Johnston Way, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Bluffton, SC and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE BLUFFTON SUN, PO Box 2056, Bluffton, SC 29910-2056.

economy for the region. Elected officials from the towns of Bluffton, Ridgeland and Hilton Head Island, City of Hardeeville, and Beaufort and Jasper counties re-established the Southern Lowcountry Regional Board (SoLoCo) on Aug. 29, 2017.

The mission of SoLoCo is “to create a regional think tank that will identify the problems and opportunities that face the entire southern Lowcountry, as defined by the members and regardless of municipal or county boundaries; to discuss the zoning, housing, employment, quality of life and social issues; and to propose action plans to the appropriate legislative bodies.”

SoLoCo prioritized the need for a uniform set of stormwater standards and design guidelines to meet the goal of protecting the region’s sensitive environment, residents’ quality of life, and future economic development opportunities. Seven jurisdictions (Town of Bluffton, Beaufort County, City of Hardeeville, Jasper County, City of Beaufort, Town of Port Royal, and Town of Yemassee) agreed to work with a consultant team of Center for Watershed Protection and McCormick Taylor to draft a regional model stormwater ordinance and design manual.

On Sept. 14 this year, the Bluffton Town Council approved a resolution to adopt the Southern Lowcountry Post Construction Stormwater Ordinance and Southern Lowcountry Stormwater Design Manual. The creation of the new ordinance and design manual was the result of much research throughout the entire country and other jurisdictions to establish the current “state of the art” knowledge for stormwater management principals, guidelines, practices and standards.

The adoption of both the ordinance and the design manual represents the Town’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the community – rapid growth, mass clearing/grading, tree canopy preservation, environmental/water quality concerns, natural resource preservation/protection – and taking action to reduce and minimize the impacts of development on the natural environment.

To date, the Town of Bluffton and Beaufort County have adopted the new ordinance and design manual requirements for review of development permits applications.

Lisa Sulka is the mayor of the Town of Bluffton. lsulka@townofbluffton.com

Letter to the Editor To the Editor: The American Legion Auxiliary would like to send out public apologies to all those people who have purchased personalized bricks that were promised to be installed at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in time for Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer, which is located in Wisconsin, has been unable to procure the material that is needed for the engraving of the brick. Apparently, it is the same material used for monuments.

Due to the demand the last year or so, plus the problem at the ports, it has become a dilemma. The bricks are available but the engraving cannot be done.

As soon as the personalization has been completed and the bricks are shipped to Bluffton, they will be installed immediately.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Kay Ranta Chaplain, American Legion Auxiliary

The Bluffton Sun welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be no longer than 250 words and must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Email letters to editor@ blufftonsun.com.

PARDON OUR ERROR In our Hot Spots article in the Nov. 16 issue of The Bluffton Sun, we gave an incorrect email address for orders to The Speckled Apron, a home-based bakery in Bluffton. The correct address is conniedudek@ yahoo.com.

Dec. 7, 2021

y

d

The Bluffton Sun

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The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

SUN ON THE STREET

Neighbors share their special, memorable holiday traditions With this feature, we seek to capture a glimpse of what you and your neighbors have to say about a variety of topics, issues, events – and just

Maddie Terry, Bluffton: “I like decorating the Christmas tree with my parents at their house, drinking hot chocolate and watching ‘Home Alone.’”

plain fun questions.

You might see us anywhere around town, with notepad and camera, randomly seeking out folks who are

James Brown, Bluffton: “The important thing for us is keeping my late father-in-law’s tradition of making shrimp and grits for breakfast on Christmas Day.”

willing to participate. If we find you, we hope you will want to respond.

At Bluffton Trading Post for some Saturday night music with the Young

Lee West, Bluffton: “The most special thing is that my husband took on my father’s tradition, to keep it going. He has big shoes to fill.”

and Restless duo, we asked: “What holiday tradition, current or past, is most special to you?”

Kym Mosher, Bluffton: “Going to Christmas Eve service at church with my dad.”

Mimi Terry, Bluffton: “On Christmas Eve, we’d have a big, big seafood dinner – it’s a traditional Italian celebration, the Feast of Seven Fishes.

Only we had 13 fishes, and we’d have 40 people for dinner.”

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Page 7A

INVENTORY ARRIVING DAILY, COME ON IN AND PICK OUT YOUR NEW LINCOLN. IF WE DON’T HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU’D LIKE, WE WILL GIVE YOU $1,000 TO ORDER ONE.

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Page 8A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

MISS SC from page 1A

This year, it’s time to get your Holiday Roast from a real Butcher!

LYNNE COPE HUMMELL

• Prime Ribeye

Miss South Carolina 2021 Julia Herrin, a resident of Bluffton, stands next to her father, Jeff, as she waves to fans, friends and supporters before boarding a boat at her send-off reception Nov. 21 at the South Carolina Yacht Club.

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empowerment for young people, #RealNotPerfect. Herrin uses the platform to encourage young people to use social media in a positive way, to build self-esteem, and be a catalyst for change.

Before she got too busy packing for her trip, Herrin attended a send-off party Nov. 21, hosted by the membership committee at the South Carolina Yacht Club in Windmill Harbour. The event was attended by fans, friends, and her family as well as officials with the Miss South Carolina organization.

Herrin gave a speech about her platform, played a piece on the grand piano set up on the balcony, and spoke with anyone who wanted to chat.

Herrin said she was emotional that entire day.

“It meant so much to me that all of those people there believed in me, and were there to support me,” Herrin said. “I have always dreamed of being Miss America, but it is people believing that I am capable that made that dream a possible reality.”

When asked what gives her butterflies about the whole Miss America experience, she said, “I get butterflies thinking about the fact that only 83 women before me have had the honor of representing South Carolina at Miss America! The most exciting part is knowing that the message of #RealNotPerfect will be broadcast to a national audience, and that hopefully someone who hears the message of #RealNotPerfect will be impacted.”

For the record, only two Miss South Carolina contestants have won the Miss America crown.

Being a part of a milestone for the Miss America Competition is “monumental,” Herrin said, “because we are able to recognize our past, and look forward to the next 100 years of Miss America! 100 years of tradition have preceded this moment, and to make my mark on the history of this organization this year is so humbling!”

Through all the excitement, Herrin said she keeps calm by remember her favorite Bible verse, Esther 4:14, which reads, “Perhaps you were made for such a time as this.”

“This verse reminds me that there is a plan and purpose for my life, and that I was made for this moment,” Herrin said.

Herrin said sharing her message of #RealNotPerfect via the national platform of the Miss America Competition is the most valuable part of the experience. Of course, the scholarship she could win would fund the rest of her college studies and launch her future career.

But what she really wants young people out there to remember is that even if she wins, she will still be the same person she is now.

“Becoming Miss America doesn’t change my worth. I am still the same Julia with or without the title and crown of Miss America,” she said. “I am still the same Julia without the title of Miss South Carolina.

This title simply awards me the opportunity to speak to an audience I wouldn’t have had before.”

To view the competition, download the free Peacock app for Apple and Android devices.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 9A

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Page 10A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

REDISTRICTING from page 1A instance, is from 16,728 in District 1, a deviation of -1.66%, to 17,383 in District 3, a deviation of 2.19%.

The new county council lines are supposed to protect against any racial redistricting plans that would deny minority voters an equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice, in accordance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and – as noted in the Beaufort County announcement of the county’s redistricting meeting schedule – create boundaries that “must also be as contiguous and compact as possible, and keep communities of interest in their entirety.”

“This will be one of the toughest redistricting efforts I have been a part of in the last 20 years,” said Dan Morgan, director of Mapping and Applications, in the county’s announcement. “The growth of population in the south, the growing Hispanic community, and the requirements mandated by law will not leave much room for many options in how we draw the district boundaries.”

Work on redrawing the district boundaries was delayed until county officials

received the newest census data, according to Beaufort County Council Chairman Joe Passiment.

He spoke at the public hearing for Districts 5, 6, 7, and 9 held Nov. 30 in the Bluffton Recreation Center on Ulmer Road. It was the second of three public hearings; the first was held in Beaufort at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort auditorium, and the third was held at the Hilton Head Island Recreational Center Dec. 1.

“The process started back in 2020, and what happened was it was shortened, so now we have what would normally take us nine months, as it did the last time, is now compressed into a four-month window,” Passiment said. “The county received the data from the census in October of this year. That set the clock ticking.”

Following the three public meetings, county staff members will take submitted public comments and see if any adjustments to the boundaries will need to be made from Dec. 2 to 5. On Dec. 5, the final two maps will be presented to the

executive committee to decide which map to recommend for approval by the county council. Motions to adopt the map will take place during readings held Dec. 13 and Jan. 10 with the final reading Jan. 24.

Once county council has approved the new map, it will be sent to the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office to review and then enact. The new districts must be completed before candidates can file to run for office March 16, 2022.

Whether it was the timing so close to Thanksgiving or lack of interest, the Bluffton hearing was poorly attended, with only four private citizens, three local media persons, and a host of county council and staff members. The latter had anticipated a much larger gathering of residents curious as to whether their districts had changed, and what kind of impact it would have on compacting diverse communities.

One private citizen was Allyn Mitchell, a lifelong Blufftonian who has seen a lot of changes in the town.

“I am here in order to see exactly the effects of the redrawing of the lines, and

to see who is going to be left out, especially how it will impact minority voting power, or even holding elected office,” Mitchell said. “I believe the people don’t realize that Bluffton is not a sleepy town anymore. Bluffton is growing. We have a city where we have a diverse community, and I believe that everyone needs to have representation based upon the diversity in the community. If we don’t have diversity, then I can see us maybe failing, coming up short. We could be short-changed by not being able to make a difference.

Redistricting plays a big part of that, especially in Beaufort County.”

In the last 30 years, Mitchell has seen “mega growth,” both commercial and residential.

“It seems like everybody is looking to move to Bluffton. The reason why is we are a friendly community, it’s very open.

People can walk, stroll. It’s just a beautiful place to live,” she said. “Based on that, we need to make sure that everyone gets a piece of the pie. We need to make sure

Please see REDISTRICTING on page 14A

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Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 11A

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Page 12A

The Bluffton Sun

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Page 13A

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The Bluffton Sun

Lighting Your Way This

Holiday Season

Dec. 7, 2021

Bluffton JROTC students raise money for charity

The Bluffton High School Army JROTC program recently fulfilled its service-learning curriculum requirement by supporting a local nonprofit with international reach.

The cadets, under the instruction of senior army instructor Col. Thomas Foster, raised money and collected toys for the Lowcountry Harvest of Love Ministry’s Haiti Christmas Toy event. They presented a check for $1,000 and a lot of brand new toys to organization chair Sammie Brown.

Brown’s wife, the late Rhonda Brown, founded LHLM in 2015 after returning from a trip to Haiti where she saw children unable to attend school. LHLM is an all-vol-

unteer organization that provides tuition assistance to 56 kindergarten through 12th-grade students, conducts vacation Bible school, Mother’s Day celebrations and school supply give-away events throughout the year.

A recently built mission house and headquarters allows for visiting mission groups to support the 501(c)(3) charity. The Haiti Christmas Toy program provides toys for about 200 children in communities outside of Port-au-Prince. Locally, LHLM provides fresh vegetable the elderly and widows in Jasper County as resources are available.

REDISTRICTING from page 10A

At Palmetto Electric Cooperative, we want our members to always know that we are here not only to bring light but to bring warmth, safety and dependable service to you and your loved ones now—and throughout the coming year.

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that we keep it cohesive and that no one is left out. That’s why I’m here – to learn more and be able to share.”

While the proposed maps fall well within the state guidelines, several concerns were raised by those who felt compacting communities together in order to meet a numbers goal resulted in undesirable splits or “cracking” in unique communities.

A statement from the Beaufort County Democratic Party noted that “the proposed map splits the Gullah communities of Hilton Head from one district into two – 10 and now 8 – minimizing their voice and power within our county. It also pairs native families in the Spanish Wells area into a voting district with wealthy gated communities in Bluffton. How can one representative adequately represent the competing needs of these two different communities of interest?”

A similar concern was raised for the Buck Island/Simmonsville corridor – home to many of the town’s oldest Gullah families – as well as the Hispanic/Latino

populations in the Avalon Shores and Westbury Park apartments, and residents in the Old Miller Road/Kim’s Way being added to newer gated communities.

“Cracking” is one of two methods of gerrymandering, which is a practice of establishing an unfair advantage for one party or group by manipulating boundaries of electoral groups. Cracking dilutes the voting power of the opposing party’s supporters across many districts.

The districts on the two alternate maps are currently defined by colors, unlike the last map which also included streets.

Passiment said they have not yet been able to download the roadways onto the proposed maps, but will have that completed soon.

Another challenge the county had with the maps was discovered by a resident who was color-blind and could not delineate the different districts. That challenge was fixed by labeling each district.

Gwyneth J. Saunders is a veteran journalist and freelance writer living in Bluffton.

Dec. 7, 2021

Custom integration for your home Over the past 10 years, the term “smart home technology” has become a catchphrase that includes a variety of different components designed to help people’s lives flow more smoothly. It generally refers to Apps that are used in and around the home in conjunction with the Internet of Things. But did you know there is a huge difference between “smart home technology” and integration?

Integration means that smart home devices can communicate with one another through a central control system and cause actions to happen automatically.

For example, when a goodnight button is pressed, all audio systems turn off, doors lock and motorized shades close; if an alarm system is triggered all the lights come on; or when your teen’s door unlock code is entered, you receive a text announcing their arrival no matter where you are.

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Having one control system streamlines all of your smart home functions making them easy to operate from your smart phone, tablet or a remote. Finally, you can replace multiple remotes with just one that controls your entire home, not just audio and video.

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The Bluffton Sun

Page 15A

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The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

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GWYNETH J. SAUNDERS

Martin Family Park hits a number of the top reasons people love Bluffton: history, culture, people, and the May River.

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

After several months of data gathering through online surveys, and Zoom meetings with the steering committee, key stakeholders and community members, Blueprint Bluffton – the town’s major rewrite of the comprehensive plan – is now at the “long, quiet phase of the planning process.”

Nearly 700 people provided their input as to how they see Bluffton now, and what ideas they have that would improve and enhance the town’s image 10 years from now.

“What came out were updates and information from the community that we’ll go forward with, on such concerns as the May River, affordable housing options, growth and traffic,” said Charlotte Moore, the town’s principal planner and the plan’s project manager. “There was nothing really startling in the results. The stage we are at is data gathering. We are looking at Beaufort County’s comprehensive plan, which they just adopted. This is the long quiet phase of the planning process.”

The comprehensive plan establishes a vision for the future. The document is required by the state, and must be revised every 10 years, with a re-evaluation every

five.

The steering committee, which oversees the planning and execution process, was created with the intention of representing Bluffton’s diverse demographics. Most of the 15 members have lived in Bluffton more than 20 years, and a couple were life-long residents. They provided the first data input to the process in March.

“The steering committee was requested by our consultant MKSK, Inc., to be approximately 15 people. They represent different sectors of Bluffton – either they are business people, they have particular knowledge on a subject, they were suggested by council and some were identified by staff as potential members,” Moore said. “Their purpose is to filter information from consultant and staff, and to provide direction about the process. Ultimately, it will be up to council to determine the final comprehensive plan, but basically the process will be filtered through the steering committee.”

When asked what their three favorite things were about Bluffton, the top answers were the May River, Old Town, and people – some of the same answers given by the 294 people who responded to the online survey two months later.

Please see BLUEPRINT on page 18A

Dec. 7, 2021

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The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

BLUEPRINT from page 16A The top three concerns, however, were different from the survey-takers. Whereas the May River, uncontrolled growth, and safety were the top three concerns for the steering committee, the respondents were more concerned about traffic, development, and building.

At the stakeholder roundtable discussions, more than 90 people were interviewed on 13 topics: affordable housing, transportation, workforce and economic development, jurisdictional cooperation, quality of life, environment, development cost and regulations, community concerns, Old Town, equity and legacy residents, history and culture, education, and regional concerns.

Some of their responses, as Moore said, were not really startling. The Blueprint Bluffton Community Engagement Summary Report No. 1, issued Nov. 4 and available on the town’s website, included the following statements submitted by those interviewed.

“The Lowcountry quality of life and State of Mind is what attracts people to Bluffton.”

GWYNETH J. SAUNDERS

The health of the May River remains a primary concern of Bluffton’s residents and other stakeholders.

“The May River is polluted, which is a health issue and an environmental justice concern for the Gullah-Geechee who depend on the river for their traditional foodways and way of life.”

“The community doesn’t want Bluffton

to look like everywhere else.”

“Port activity and expansion will drive more regional growth.”

Two community roundtables were held on Zoom at the end of May. The 52 participants were evenly divided between

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residents and non-residents. Most of the non-residents worked in Bluffton, while most of the residents owned property in town. Their priorities for the blueprint mirrored those already queried: concerns for the May River, traffic, development and designs, cultural resources and the Gullah-Geechee community, and conservation.

Some topics have more weight than others in the planning process, but the policies implemented are intended to work together. Moore said that some data – such as population – cannot be changed, and knowing that particular piece of information will determine the need for more schools or housing.

Moore said there will be a community meeting on a day to be determined in January.

The complete summary report can be found online at townofbluffton.sc.gov by typing “Blueprint Bluffton” in the search bar.

Gwyneth J. Saunders is a veteran journalist and freelance writer living in Bluffton.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 19A

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The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

Foundation awards 19 grants

Red Cedar Elementary School teachers Rebecca Himes, left, and Jacquelyn Visscher received a grant from the Foundation for Educational Excellence for their project “Throwin’ Clay in the Art Room.”

The Foundation for Educational Excellence awarded 13 Innovative Teacher Grants and 6 School Resource Grants in late November to teachers across Beaufort County from 14 different schools. The grants, totaling more than $26,000, were awarded to teachers and schools for innovative learning opportunities and projects that go beyond the regular school district budget.

“The grants will provide individual learning opportunities for almost 7,000 Beaufort County students this year with some projects providing multi-year experiences,” said Michel Claudio, innovative grants chair and Foundation board member. “Students impacted by these funds include elementary through high school across the district.”

This year’s innovative learning projects range from producing a musical to creating a South Carolina fence garden and from cooking classes for Special Education high school students to a composting program at an elementary school.

Red Cedar Elementary School teachers Rebecca Himes and Jacquelyn Visscher received a grant for their project “Throwin’ Clay in the Art Room.” This money will be used to purchase a pottery wheel for the school’s art room.

Through the grant, kindergarten through fifth grade students will have the opportunity to experience how a real pottery wheel works. They will witness the process of making a ceramic vessel, from a lump of clay to a fired and glazed final piece of art, gaining real life art gallery experience to display their artwork and share their newfound knowledge with others.

Other Bluffton teachers awarded grants are: Megan Hutto, Bluffton Middle, “Manipulating the World”; Heidi McAllister, Bluff-

ton Middle, “Carolina Fence Garden”; Jeffrey Stinson, McCracken Middle, “The Science Behind Tuning a Guitar”; Laura VanHorn, Bluffton Elementary and Early Childhood, “The Wildcat Compost Zone”; Bree Lauffer, Okatie Elementary, “Go Fish: Exploring the Impacts of Fish on a Hydroponic Lab”; Jennifer Calcorzi and Chelsey Bates, Beaufort Jasper Academy for Career Excellence (ACE), “Can You Hear Me Now?”; Marlayna Tracy and Eric Mohrman, River Ridge, “Learning STEAM Through LEGO Education”; Elizabeth M. Reber, Bluffton High, “Bobcat Bistro”; Dara Kappel, Bluffton Elementary, “Full STEAM Ahead”; Kristiana Valentine, Lindsay Binkley, Whitney Knopf and Sandra Viskovich, Red Cedar Elementary, “Sand, Sand, Everywhere! Phonics Fun.” “The Foundation is thrilled to help equip both teachers and students for an excellent return to classroom learning,” said Lisa Carroll, Foundation board chair. “These projects that exceed typical classroom budgets represent the passion and the dedication that our Beaufort County School District teachers have to provide their students with an educational experience that goes above and beyond.”

Established in 2007, the Foundation awarded its first grants in 2009 and has awarded over $300,000 in grants to the teachers and students in the public school system since its inception benefitting thousands of students across the county each year.

The nonprofit Foundation is a fund of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

For more information, visit foundationedexcellence.com, call 843-304-1922, or email FFEEinfo@email.com.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 21A

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The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

Lowcountry Pride Festival returns to Old Town Bluffton The second Lowcountry Pride Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11-12 at Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St. in Bluffton. The event is free and open to the public.

The festival will include food, artists, music, and vendors for merchandise, information and nonprofit resources.

The Pride Parade will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 11, originating and returning to the park. Participation is open to anyone, with families encouraged to walk together. Colorful attire and costumes are encouraged as well.

There is no charge to participate. Face

masks will be required.

The family friendly event will include free HIV testing Dec. 11 as well. A drag show with various performers will be held at 3 p.m. both days.

The inaugural event in 2019 included hundreds of participants in the first-ever Pride Parade in Bluffton. The festival at Oscar Frazier Park welcomed speakers, performances and musical entertainment.

The event was canceled for 2020 due to the pandemic.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit LowcountryPride.org or find it on Facebook.

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Page 24A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

Dolly Parton book program to mail books to county children Lowcountry Community Church (LCC) is teaming with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in a partnership that will send free books to the homes of Beaufort County children up to 5 years old.

“This is our Christmas gift to our community – and it’s the gift that keeps on giving,” said Jason Best, LCC executive pastor. “Our members have made it clear they have a heart for children and education. This seems like a win-win for all.”

At least one church parishioner is well aware of the program. “My oldest daughter received Imagination Library books for two years when we lived in Florida, and they are still today the most favorite books on our shelves,” said Holly Jackson, mother of four girls ages 2 to 9. “These are great stories that make you smile and think. I can’t wait for them to come our way again.”

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has gifted more than

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is coming to Beaufort County, thanks to a partnership with Lowcountry Community Church.

160 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland.

The Imagination Library mails more than 1.8 million high-quality, age-appropriate

books each month to registered children from birth to age 5. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring them to dream.

The impact of the program has been

widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Registration is open now and can be easily completed online at ImaginationLibrary. com. To register by mail, print the registration form from the website, or call the church at 843-836-1101 or email jbest@ lowcountrycc.org and request a form.

Once registered, families can expect their first book within 90 days.

The partnership was announced at LCC’s inaugural Light the Lowcountry kickoff event Dec. 5. Along with the announcement of the Imagination Library Partnership, attendees got the first walk through LCC’s Trail of Lights, which will be open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10-12, 17-19 and 23-25.

The church is located at 801 Buckwalter Parkway in Bluffton. For more information about the gift of books or the Trail of Lights, visit lowcountrycc.org.

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Volunteers in new program help protect water quality

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Dr. Tye Pettay, USCB assistant professor of Biological Oceanography, pours salt water into a turbidity tube held by Chris Kehrer, naturalist and operations coordinator at the Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF). The new Adopt-A-Stream citizen science program provides simple scientific instruments, including these tubes, to Lowcountry residents who collect water quality data.

By Carol Weir CONTRIBUTOR

Beaufort County residents have an opportunity to get involved in protecting local waterways as citizen scientists – no experience or special knowledge required.

In a program new to the county, residents are collecting samples, performing simple water quality tests, and providing their data to professional scientists.

Through South Carolina Adopt-aStream, a partnership of Clemson Extension, the Port Royal Foundation and University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB), more than 30 volunteers have been trained to collect saltwater, test it and record their results. Six small groups of volunteers are testing monthly at sites at Moss Creek, Sun City Hilton Head, Port Royal, Lady’s Island and Callawassie Island.

Additional volunteers are being sought.

“Volunteers can play an important

role in monitoring and tracking water quality over space and time, and they are entering information that we need into an online, public data base,” said Dr. Tye Pettay, an assistant professor of Biological Oceanography at USCB and one of the project’s leaders.

South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream promotes watershed stewardship, engagement, and education through involvement. In August, the Beaufort County volunteers attended in a daylong training session where Port Royal Foundation Director of Operations Chris Kehrer taught them to measure water clarity, temperature, salinity, Ph and dissolved oxygen, using equipment kits provided by Clemson Extension.

The volunteers also learned why the chemical and bacteria parameters they are testing for are important to aquatic life, the significance of different levels, and how these levels can be affected – for example, by increased freshwater runoff

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The Bluffton Sun

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Kehrer said that when he has enough new volunteers, he’ll conduct another training.

“You don’t need any special knowledge or experience to join this effort,” he said, adding that citizen outreach is part of Port Royal Sound Foundation’s mission.

“You just need to care and want to learn.”

The Adopt-a-Stream kits – red buckets filled with simple scientific instruments assembled by Clemson Extension – cost $500 to $600, and several local agencies have them to loan to volunteers.

Port Royal Foundation has two kits, USCB has one and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and S.C. Department of Natural Resources also have kits available for loan to certified SC AAS Volunteers.

Some groups of volunteers choose to purchase their own kits from the program’s website.

Soon, Pettay and Kehrer plan to take the program “a step further and start looking at nutrients including chlorophyll, species of phytoplankton and

suspended solids,” Pettay said. This is beyond what the Clemson equipment kits can do, so in January, the volunteers will begin submitting their samples to Pettay’s lab in USCB’s Marine Science Department, where students will run tests on them.

Pettay stressed that the work that the citizen scientists do doesn’t replace professional water quality testing by DHEC and SCDNR. “This is a huge area, waterwise. It’s massive,” he said. “Our efforts support what they do.”

Eventually, Kehrer and Pettay hope to have 40 to 50 volunteer groups testing at sites around the county on the New River, Chechessee River and other locations.

For more information about the Adopt a Stream Program or to volunteer, contact Kehrer at ckehrer@portroyalsoundfoundation.org.

Carol Weir is the senior director of communications for the University of South Carolina Beaufort in Bluffton.

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The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

Sun City holds second annual Lighting of the Menorah

Thank You for Making Us Your Partner on the Water!

GWYNETH J. SAUNDERS

Helene White checks out a latke, one of the traditional Hanukkah foods provided for the Sun City Hilton Head second annual Lighting of the Menorah ceremony Nov. 28.

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

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Sun City Hilton Head residents celebrated the second annual Lighting of the Menorah at a ceremony held in the community’s Town Square and Pavilion.

Presented by the Community Association’s Lifestyles Division, the event included a variety of music by The Bill Peterson Duo with violinist Vito Gutilla, plenty of the traditional Hanukkah treats of latkes, or potato pancakes, and jelly doughnuts, called “sufganiyot,” as well as hot coffee and apple cider.

Guests were also given dreidels – small spinning tops – which children often play with during the holiday. Song sheets were handed out prior to the start of the ceremony so the audience could sing along to familiar festive tunes including “Rock of Ages,” “Oh, Hanukkah,” and “I Have a Little Dreidel.”

The ceremony opened with Shalom Club co-chairs Hal Rappoport and Phil Wizwer thanking Lifestyles for its generous efforts for the celebration. Wizwer then explained to those both familiar with and new to the holiday that Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is not a major Jewish holiday but an observance that commemorates the rededication of the second temple of Jerusalem. After reclaiming the temple following a revolt in the second century B.C., the Jews found only a one-day supply of the pure olive oil needed to light the menorah, or lampstand. The Jews used the oil that was there, even though it might run out and

would take eight days to process more oil.

Unexpectedly, the oil lasted eight days, long enough for a new supply to be prepared.

In remembrance of that miracle, one candle is lit on the menorah the first night, and one more each night until all eight candles in the menorah are lit.

Prior to the lighting, Mike Riegel and Phyllis and Jerry Steinberg sang songs of blessing, and Riegel sang his original rendition of “Oh, Hanukkah.”

“It’s awesome to live in a community that provided all the music, food and space for this special, joyful Jewish celebration of miracles,” said Diamond Riegel, Mike’s wife. The couple have lived in Sun City for 25 years.

“A lot of work goes into that, and we’re very appreciative.”

Diamond said when they first moved to the community, “there were only maybe 10 Jewish people that lived here. Now there are so many more of us!”

Lifestyles Director Kayla O’Quinn Holmes was given the honor of lighting the first candle on the menorah, and the celebration of Hanukkah was officially begun.

“Lifestyles was very easy to work with, putting out the food and arranging for the entertainment,” said Wizwer. “The duo that played in the Pavilion were nice, and the food represented the two most prevalent foods enjoyed during the holiday because they were cooked in oil, and that has significance with using consecrated oil. It was all very well done.”

Gwyneth J. Saunders is a veteran journalist and freelance writer living in Bluffton.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 29A

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Page 30A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

Boys and Girls Club needs angels to enhance Santa’s Workshop

SUBMITTED

Staff helps pass out presents at last year’s Santa Workshop drive-through event at the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton.

By Tim Wood CONTRIBUTOR

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The need to put a smile on a kid’s face during the holiday season is greater than ever this year. As adults have struggled to stay above water during a worldwide pandemic, their children have absorbed a lot of that stress and anxiety and often need the pick-me-up all the more.

The Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton is there every day to provide that mentoring and the space to learn and have fun for so many young ones in the community. Now, for the 23rd consecutive year, they are once again setting out to make sure every Bluffton child has a Christmas to remember.

The celebration usually happens with a big party in the club’s gymnasium, the culmination of months of gathering donations from angels around the Lowcountry. Now, for the second straight year, the club will be passing out gifts to as many kids through their Santa’s Workshop drivethrough event on Dec. 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the club’s 100 H.E. McCracken Circle location.

“We’ve been doing this as long as the club has been in existence and we’ve just had to adjust and adapt a little bit for the kids,” said BGCB program director Jaala Miller. “We are just always amazed with the outpouring of the community, and we need y’all more than ever this year. One thing I can say, in all my years here, this town always comes through. We can never stop asking though, as long as there are kids in need.”

Also for the second straight year, the event will be open to everyone in the community, not just members of the club. Last year’s Workshop passed out close to 750 presents to kids ages 6-18 and the parents who drove them to the club.

“We’ve been blessed with the support of the community and we want to share this blessing with as many as we can,” said Kristen McGuire, club director of resource and development.

“Our club has gone through hard times, our staff has gone through hard times, but we find a way to persevere and make it all about celebrating our

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Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

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Dec. 7, 2021

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youth.”

The club has half the staff it did in 2019 and has been slowly building its membership numbers back up as families feel comfortable bringing their kids back into group environments.

McGuire and Miller said executive director “Miss Molly” Hornbeak and the team are gradually bringing more team members back to serve a wait list that has ballooned to 500 kids and families.

“It’s amazing to be part of this every day, to see our staff give so selflessness just out of love and admiration of these kids,” Miller said, a sentiment echoed by McGuire and social recreation director Gene King, another long-time booster of kids in the community in his time with the county recreation program and BGCB. “These kids, they’re amazing. This is just a labor of love. It’s pressure packed because we want to deliver for these kids, but it’s also the best time of the year for so many of us,” King said.

The needs are plentiful leading up to this year’s Santa’s Workshop. The club needs donations of logistical items such as artificial Christmas trees, Christmas-themed inflatables, tablecloths, storage bins and wreaths and bows. When it comes to gifts, all three staffers said that even though it’s not the sexiest present, a gift card is actually the best donation they receive.

“We know it’s fun to buy those toys for the younger kids, but we also have so many teenagers that are often left out of the giving because somehow we think Christmas isn’t for them,” Miller said. “The gift cards to WalMart or Target, that gives the families and the kids the chance to pick out their own gift or what they need in the moment.”

That said, any unopened toy gift is thoroughly appreciated. The staff said the best way to donate gift cards is by mailing them to P.O. Box 1908, Bluffton, SC 29910 or by dropping them off at the club. Toy donations can be dropped off at the club or at boxes at several Bluffton businesses: Southern Barrel Brewing Company, Palmetto State Bank, Tommy Hilfiger, Marshall’s, Tio’s of Bluffton, Tanger Outlet

Service Center, Corner Perk, Regions Bank Bluffton, CPM and Gap Outlet.

The Club is also in pursuit of angel donors to donate to entire families.

McGuire and Miller said that so far, close to 20 angels have signed up to buy specific wish list items for each member of a family.

“We’ll keep filling those needs right up until the last second, as long as we have angels stepping up. We have kids who have lost family to COVID, kids showing up with shoes more worn down than usual. We do this all anonymously, just trying to identify the families that need an extra special boost,” Miller said. “We know too many families are deciding whether to pay the light bill or provide Christmas for their kids, and we want to get rid of that impossible decision.”

The Club is trying to maintain programs and at the same time service an ever-growing community that has 9,000 kids entered in public and private schools. All that while having to turn away many volunteers during the COVID pandemic.

“We are slowly opening back up to volunteers. We had more than 300 amazing volunteers pre-COVID that are all itching to get back in the club and help out and we’re always looking for new folks looking to mentor our kids,” King said. The club is holding a Bluffton Built Gala at Palmetto Bluff in February to highlight the growing needs of BGCB and help build back their donor and volunteer base.

For King, the Santa’s Workshop is a yearly reliving of his childhood, as he watched his Dad dress up as Santa at the community center.

“I always wondered why he did it as a kid, but now, as an adult, I know and I’m so proud of him and proud to be part of this effort,” King said.

“It gives me chills just thinking of the looks of joy on all these kids’ faces.”

For more information on how or where to donate a gift for Santa’s Workshop, visit bgcbluffton.org or call the club at 843-757-2845.

Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. Contact him at timwood@ blufftonsun.com.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Scholarship encourages students to learn about environment

Page 33A

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Lois Lewis, representing Hilton Head Audubon Society, talks with fourth grade students from Cross Schools during their field trip at the Port Royal Sound Foundation’s Maritime Center.

By Lynne Cope Hummell EDITOR

A fourth-grade class from Cross Schools in Bluffton spent a crisp November morning exploring a maritime forest adjacent to Port Royal Sound and learning about the Lowcountry environment, thanks to the new Barry Lowes Scholarship from the Hilton Head Audubon Society.

Lois Lewis of Bluffton, co-chair of the education committee of the birding society, welcomed the children, their teacher and chaperones to a classroom space at Port Royal Sound Foundation’s Maritime Center.

“Hilton Head Audubon wants you to know about where you live,” Lewis told the group. She told them about the late Barry Lowes, a beloved member of the local Audubon organization, and about the new scholarship that was created in his memory. Lowes was in his 90s when he died in 2020.

“He taught me a lot,” said Lewis, a former middle school science teacher.

The scholarship was created to encourage teachers to take their students outside to learn in nature. “We want to connect you kids to the fabulous outdoors,” Lewis said. “We want you to learn how to take

care of our environment.”

Karen Penale, in her second year as the environmental learning teacher at Cross Schools, said this was a great opportunity for her students. She said the children participated in the Aubudon annual bird count last year as third graders. “The Audubon folks were impressed with them,” she said. The scholarship paid for this field trip.

Penale teaches students from grades 1 to 7, with a specific focus for each grade level. For example, “The third graders are my birders,” she said. In second grade, students learn about the shoreline, its inhabitants and plants. Her sixth and seventh graders are learning about native plants, their benefits and threats.

“I want them to be outside for everything,” she said of her classes. Class time can be spent working on nature journals in the woods behind the school as easily as classes could be inside.

Penale’s fourth graders were learning about the maritime forest on this trip, led

by Chris Kehrer and Jessica Kochman of the Maritime Center.

“Pay attention to where we are,” said Kehrer as the students paused on the trail through the forest. “This is a maritime

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Page 34A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

ENVIRONMENT from page 33A forest. You might see wildlife. Stay on the trail.”

Before proceeding, Kehrer pointed out a common native plant, a Yaupon Holly, alongside the trail. He told the students that its leaves were a source of caffeine for Native Americans who lived here long ago. They mixed it with other ingredients and made a tea. “And when they drank too much of it, they would vomit,” he said. “That’s how it got its name, Ilex vomitoria.”

At least one 10-year-old boy giggled, unlikely to forget about that wild shrub.

As excited as the students were at the prospect of seeing a deer or raccoon, they were just as eager to find fiddler crabs in the salt marsh.

Only once did Penale find it necessary to caution a student to slow down on the trail. “I keep telling them to ‘walk and see,’” she said. “You can’t see anything if you’re running.”

Penale said teaching students about the environment is her passion. “It’s nice to be able to teach what you think is relevant,” she said.

LYNNE COPE HUMMELL

Angelina Santibanez, left, and Maren Newcastle show the shells they found on their wetlands walk through the maritime forest near Port Royal Sound Foundation’s Maritime Center.

Hilton Head Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count is coming up Dec. 15, and Penale said she hopes this class will want to participate again.

The local bird count is part of an international effort to count bird populations, providing critical data on population trends in locations around the world.

The count began in 1900 and continues as the longest-running citizen science survey in the world.

For anyone interested in participating in the count, whether in a field team or as a feeder watcher at home, an information session will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway on Hilton Head Island.

For more information about the meeting or about joining the bird count, email HHICBC@gmail.com. For more information about the Audubon Society, visit hiltonheadaudubon.org.

For more information about the Port Royal Sound Foundation and its Maritime Center, visit portroyalsoundfoundatiobn.org.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 35A

ON THE PORCH WITH …

Bluffton woman uses Facebook page to help people find answers

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

Social media these days has become a source of both angst and advice, and a Bluffton resident has taken the latter path to help her neighbors and other users find answers.

Heather Nicole Price is well-known in the community as someone who, though she might not know the answers, certainly has a way of finding out who does.

The single mother and self-described empath is the creator of Bluffton/Hilton Head Ask and Answer (original), a private group Facebook page with more than 26,000 members. The page has become an information power source on a wide variety of topics from haircuts to traffic.

“I am very outspoken and passionate for the underdog. I feel like I am an empath.

Growing up I was always very aware of people. I don’t always love them, but I was aware of them and their feelings. I just kind of know how to make things right,” Price

Heather Price at her home in Bluffton, in front of her porch, recently decorated for Christmas.

said. “Part of that is being here so long, part is being aware, part is having been through things myself, so I know what it’s like to pull myself out. Part of it is from interacting with people – I have friends from all walks of life and have always had that. I have always been very curious and wanted to

know about people’s lives. I was reading my mother’s college psychiatry books at age 10.

I like knowing how, why, when, where.”

Some of the latest questions asked and answered by page followers included reports of stolen electric bikes (that were rentals to begin with), where to find rhubarb

now (Harris Teeter, apparently), what to do with a baby duckling brought in by a cat (a rescuer took it under her wing), and a query as to whether there was such a thing locally as a stay-at-home Dad’s group (not yet, but it sparked some conversation).

Lost pets have been found, unemployed folks have found work, and those in need have been showered with assistance.

Administering the popular page wasn’t something she expected to do. It took two incidents on another Facebook page and a conversation with her sister for Price to start the page in 2015.

“I had a baby and I was home with her all the time. I was on Facebook a lot, and I saw there was a huge local men’s buy/sell group.

A woman went on and asked a question that had nothing to do with men’s things, and they ripped her to shreds,” she said. “I thought that was awful, and I thought there should be a place to ask real local legit ques-

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The Bluffton Sun

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PORCH from page 35A tions. Then I got involved with something else.”

A few weeks later, another woman went on the same page and asked a question about spiders.

“They did the same thing,” said Price. “I again thought about starting a page myself but dismissed it. I thought nobody would come on a Facebook group.”

Price’s sister thought otherwise.

“She said, ‘So what? If no one uses it, delete it.’ And then people began asking where’s the best groceries, where’s the drycleaners. And then it grew,” Price said.

Most inquiries are not unusual but sometimes the lost-and-found posts get surprising results.

“I did have somebody post they left their flip-flops at the beach, and someone posted 30 minutes later ‘Hey, I’m going to the beach. I’ll look for them.’ And they found the flip-flops!” she said.

Some of the most satisfying results came from posts connecting people after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

“It was pretty intense, and very, very satisfying. There were a lot of needs for months and months after Matthew,” said Price. “One of the most interesting was when the linemen were here working after Matthew came through, and Laundry for Lineman was born. A reader suggested it, and we kind of developed it. The linemen would drop their laundry in front of their hotel with their names on it, and volunteers would pick it up, wash it, fold and return it, often with treats and little gifts.”

Price said she heard from several of the wives about how appreciative they were of how the community was taking care of their husbands, including cooking big meals for the first responders and the lineman.

When one wife reached out, worried about her husband’s health, Price found help for him. “I got a physician’s assistant I knew to go over (to Duafuskie) and take a look at him,” said Price. “He got the medicine prescribed, and then one of the pharmacies opened up and got him the medicine.”

When she’s not monitoring posts, responding to questions and reminding people to be kind, Price works for the 14th Circuit Court helping people.

Born in Grand Blanc, Mich., outside of Flint, Price said she grew up doing normal kid activities like riding her bike and read-

ing. Her family moved to Bluffton in 1988 when she was in the sixth grade.

“Michigan was dying, so we moved. My mom was a teacher in Beaufort County, and my dad is a builder and does remodeling,” said Price.

“I remember Bluffton in the 1980s. It was definitely a culture shock, and very different from Michigan,” she said. “The biggest differences were the slow pace and the Gullah culture and family names, and then the schools were different. We had state-of-theart in Michigan, and a different curriculum in general. It was an adjustment.”

Price went to the University of South Carolina-Beaufort for a degree in human services and also served as a paramedic in the county.

“I gravitated to the social service thing.

Going into human service has always been my heart. I’ve always known what it’s like to be the underdog. … I have the intrinsic ability to see things that aren’t working and know what the fix it is,” said Price. “I currently work for the 14th Circuit Court helping people. And I’ve lived here so long and I’ve been involved and immersed in the human service side of the community, so I usually have the answer or know who does, and connect people that way “ That also extends to her personal life.

“I’m also adopted, and have found my birth family, so when people ask about how to find their family on Ask/Answer, I usually can help with the do’s and don’t’s, especially the don’t’s,” she said.

Besides running a Facebook page and working in human services, Price also would like to own a small business and, while capital is a challenge, the business is needed.

“A laundromat. We need one so bad in Bluffton. I hear that all the time,” she said.

“So many people are asking for that, and we need a laundry service, especially so people can drop their laundry off and pick it up.”

In five years, she’d like to be heading for law school, too.

“I definitely will be getting more education, whether it’s a master’s or law school. I would like to do something helping people that really have multiple issues that inhibit their ability to get a job,” said Price. “I love what I do.”

Gwyneth J. Saunders is a veteran journalist and freelance writer living in Bluffton.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Business Briefs • S. Marcus Tanner has been appointed as the new executive director for Second Helpings. He succeeds Lili Coleman, who has retired after leading the organization for four years.

Second Helpings is a nonprofit food rescue organization striving to eliminate hunger in the South Carolina Marcus Tanner Lowcountry.

Tanner brings extensive leadership, operations management, project and program oversight, team development, and community relations experience to the executive director role.

A native of northwest Tennessee, Tanner began his Marine Corps career as an enlisted Marine in 1994 as an infantryman, and became an officer in 2009. Over his 27-year career, his roles have included numerous management and program director positions. He was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and various countries in Africa and the Mediterranean.

Tanner and his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Hudson, 14, and Kinsley, 8, live in Bluffton.

For more information visit secondhelpingslc.org or call 843-689-3689.

• Doug Langhals, head of school at Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) in Bluffton, was honored with South Carolina Independent School Association’s (SCISA) top leadership award at its annual Headmaster’s conference in November in Orangeburg.

The Dr. Charles S. Aimar Educational Doug Langhals Leadership Award is presented annually to a South Carolina head of school that exhibits outstanding leadership and personal dedication to their individual school community. It is the Association’s highest honor.

SCISA comprises more than 130 schools throughout South Carolina and Georgia.

Langhals was named HHCA Head of School in 2016 after serving for 12 years

as a bible mentor, campus pastor, and an integral part of the school’s administrative leadership team.

Notable accomplishments throughout his tenure include leading the school through the process of building and moving to its new 27-acre campus in Bluffton.

Under his leadership, faculty and staff have trained with international experts in the transition to a transformative educational model combining contemporary project-based learning practices with Christian principles.

Cindi Armacost

Sydney Egnor

• Two new employees have joined the design sales team at the new StoneWorks Bluffton showroom at 11 Sheridan Park, Suite 3.

Cindi Armacost is a professional interior designer with a degree in interior design and more than 30 years of experience.

The past 10 years, Armacost worked as a designer and an architectural and design account rep in the commercial sector as a commercial project specifier for a large tile distributor and a major East Coast flooring distributor.

In her new role at StoneWorks, she will be working with builders, designers, and architects and their customers on new construction projects and remodels. Armacost will assist customers in the selections of countertops, vanities, outdoor grill tops, fireplace surrounds and tile.

Sydney Egnor joins the team as a sales consultant and will work with new retail clients. Egnor has spent her entire life in the Lowcountry and her family has been a valued part of StoneWorks’ growth over the years, giving her the expertise to advise her customers in their stone and tile selections unique to Lowcountry living.

Previously, Egnor worked for 5 years as a new car ordering specialist for BMW.

Page 37A

Page 38A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

Entrepreneur earns an audience with ‘Shark Tank’ legend

By Tim Wood CONTRIBUTOR

Wendy Kushel was manning her popup sales booth at Lowcountry Fresh in early November, hawking a personal recipe sugar scrub that friends and family suggested she turn into a business. A good day of meeting new customers turned into a life-changing moment when her phone buzzed with a text from a podcast producer for original “Shark Tank” entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran.

“I listen to her show, Business Unusual, all the time, and she invites listeners to call in for advice or mentorship. So I called in to 888-ASK-BARBARA, but I never expected this,” said the inventor behind Wendala’s Lowcountry Sugar Scrub. “They asked me to share my story and be on the show. What an absolute dream. Barbara is one of my heroes. Just to land on her radar, what an incredible moment.”

Kushel connected with Corcoran via Zoom just before Thanksgiving for a

COURTESY WENDY KUSHEL

Wendala’s Lowcountry Scrubs are available in a variety of fragrances.

segment that will air in January. It is the latest chapter in a “live your dream” story that Kushel is authoring one baby step at a time.

She had never heard of a sugar scrub two years ago. She moved here from Maryland in 2018 to work for a national wine distributor but found herself in need

of a little skin TLC. The long-time actress and comedian got a callback for an audition, but had gotten too tan at the beach. A friend suggested trying a mixture of coconut oil and sugar, and much to Wendy’s surprise, the scrub concoction worked.

“Not only did it help my tan fade, but my goodness, it felt so good on my skin.

Just this little slice of heaven,” Kushel said. “I’m not a chemist, I have no experience with this, my career has been on stage and in wine and liquor sales. But I started to share it with family and friends, gave some away as gifts for Christmas and the response was amazing.”

In August 2020, Kushel decided to take the plunge and make a business out of her creation.

“It’s easy to talk yourself out of something like this. I mean, anyone can run a 5k or a marathon if you just put one foot in front of the other for a long time, but how many people actually do it?” Kushel

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Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 39A

Noteworthy • Heritage Library celebrates Historic Holidays with Living History Day, set for Dec. 11, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

A walking tour will begin and end at Mitchelville Freedom Park, and will visit Queen Chapel AME Church, Fort Howell, St. James Baptist Church, and Cherry Hill School. Visitors will learn about holiday traditions in one of Hilton Head Island’s historic neighborhoods.

Free for everyone to enjoy. Participants will be walking for 2 1/2 miles through local history, and should be prepared for making that journey – comfortable shoes and a bottle of water are recommended.

In addition, a Free Open House Day will also be held Dec. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can step back in time at Fort Mitchel, Fort Howell, Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, Coastal Discovery Museum, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park and Zion Chapel of Ease.

The free events are presented by The Heritage Library and their partners,

Culture HHI, The Coastal Discovery Museum, The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, Hilton Head Island Land Trust, Mitchelville Freedom Park, Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Town of Hilton Head Island.

For more information, visit heritagelib.org.

• A training session for potential election poll workers will be held Dec. 13 at the Lowcountry Living Room, 216 U.S. 17 Alternate in Yemassee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with training from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The event is hosted by Palmetto Citizens for Informed Governance.

Participants will learn how to recognized who is who on Election Day, the differences between poll workers and poll watchers, how to find election laws in South Carolina, and how to recognize fraud and what to do if you see fraud occur.

For more information, call Catherine Stewart at 925-548-1427.

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The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

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Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

SHARK from page 38A said. “I’m just a doer. I didn’t have a manufacturer, I didn’t have a true recipe or a logo or labels, but I dove in.”

She curated the ingredients, found a label maker, bought six pallets of jars and had them shipped to Bluffton. Sounds easy, right? Not quite.

“I made so many mistakes along the way to even get to this point. The first batch of labels didn’t look right – that was $800 down the toilet. But I am a believer in if you can dream it, you can do it. Hey, Sarah Blakely was a stand-up comedian like me and she invented SPANX,” Kushel said of her mentor. “Sarah probably has no idea I exist, but it’s folks like her and Barbara that really keep folks like myself. in my 50s, still dreaming and trying to find that one great idea.”

Kushel took her idea to SCORE Lowcountry, the local chapter of a national network of retired industry leaders turned small business mentors. She perfected the pitch and the logo and found a manufacturer in Charleston that could translate the scents from Kushel’s brain into a mass-produced formula.

“I have an elevated sense of smell from all my years in the wine business and it’s really paid off here,” she said. “Plus, I’ve listened to my early customers and really zoned in on what they love and want to see more of.”

The “Wendala” came from a term of endearment bestowed on her by her Aunt Barbara that stuck with friends and family.

The scrub is a blend of luxury ingredients like shea butter, organic coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil and organic rosemary extract.

“I kept working at these mixtures and kept selling out at the local festivals. Then my clients started asking if I could make something more specific to a hand scrub,” Kushel said. “That was another ‘A-ha’ moment here. Women just kept saying they had nothing like this in the kitchen that could help their skin feel moist and refreshed. So we’re going all-in on the hand scrubs, too.”

Kushel is building her business nights and weekends while she continues to excel at her day job, often making calls to manufacturers or potential retailers during lunch breaks from her car in a grocery store parking lot.

“You do whatever you have to do. I

heard Barbara say so many times, ‘You just have to stay in the game.’ So that’s what I’m doing,” she said. The call from Corcoran’s team could not have come at a better time.

“You have those ebbs and flows where you wonder, ‘Is this really going to work?’

And then to get the message from the producer that they want to talk to me – it was just a lot of very joyous expletives streaming from my mouth for a couple hours, I’ll tell you that.”

Kushel has gained inspiration from her husband and from her daughter, a 30-something retiree thanks to helping build the Smartypants gummy vitamin brand that sold to Unilever for $600 million.

“She was working for a talent agent in Los Angeles, met a woman at a dog park who was working on this startup and got in on the ground floor. So she is such a success story and an inspiration for me,” Kushel said. “I’m a proud Mom who also has a proven business mentor in my corner. That’s pretty cool.”

Kushel has shown she has a knack at PR herself, helping her son and fellow comedian Jake Adams get press nationwide as he set out to hit a golf ball in all 50 state earlier this year.

While she can’t divulge too much from her conversation with Corcoran, Kushel said the business titan helped her focus on the key steps ahead.

“It’s buckets of what am I doing right now, what are the next must needs to do, and then what are the things I want to do,” Kushel said. “Setting those priorities, making that plan and really attacking it, it’s a huge help.”

Just getting 15 minutes of support from a woman who has been through hell and back to rise to the top of her industry was a game changer for Kushel.

“Just a comment from her on my LinkedIn post got me 10,000 likes and comments and potential new customers.

What an incredible platform,” she said.

“I’m in this for the long haul. I’m living proof that when you get kicked, you just make sure it propels you forward instead of down.”

Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. Contact him at timwood@blufftonsun.com.

Page 41A

Page 42A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

BUSINESS UPDATE

Anniversaries, golf carts, cupcakes, kitties and a giant egg

The installation team shows off the new Harmonic Egg ready for use in Bluffton.

By Tim Wood CONTRIBUTOR

A huge thank you to all of the hard-working small business owners who have survived and thrived one of the most challenging years ever to be in business. Here is the latest on a slew of entrepreneurs taking the new business plunge, as well as a pair of Old Town businesses celebrating milestones.

Happy Anniversary!

• Maggie and Me, 6 Bruin Road, Bluffton, 843-707-9083: This boutique offering “sophisticated but casual” clothing, shoes and accessories for women, teens, infants and toddlers, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in Old Town Bluffton. Rebecca Mancini already had an established boutique in Circleville, Ohio, and was looking for a “next chapter” after 20 successful years up north, so like many Ohioans, she looked to the Lowcountry. Her sorority sister, Leslie Trenta, lives in Stock Farm and saw the storefront post a “For Rent” sign. She alerted her fellow Marshall University alum, who had visited Old Town a few times through the years. Within 48 hours, Mancini was in town to sign paperwork and four weeks later, she opened the doors of the converted cottage. Hats off to Mancini for betting on Bluffton in the middle of the pandemic and for hitting the one-year mark in town.

• Joe’s Ice Cream and Beverage Company, 15 Bruin Road, Bluffton, 843-7079514, joesicecreambeverage.com: Just across the street from Maggie and Me, owner Joe

O’Rourke is celebrating two years serving his unique blend of traditional flavors along with four wine-based ice cream flavors and shop specialties. Wine flavors, for adults 21+ only, include chocolate cabernet and a boozy shake, along with a number of off-menu daily specials. Joe’s also offers more classic offerings like soft serve, sundaes, milkshakes and floats. On the beverage side, you’ll find coffees, teas and espressos with a number of add-on options. Joe’s has won numerous awards for his concoctions and we’re thrilled he’s hit the two-year mark as a hometown ice cream option in Old Town. Joe’s is open Wednesday through Sunday serving via its window and is both pet and kid friendly.

The Newbies: • Harmonic Egg of the Lowcountry, 23 Plantation Park Drive, Suite 301, Bluffton, 843-865-0107, lowcountryharmonicegg. com: Welcome to a new chapter in advanced energy healing. The Harmonic Egg is named in part due to its egg-shaped chamber created to promote mental, emotional, physical and spiritual healing and wellness.

The resonance chamber utilizes sacred geometry, light, color and sound frequencies to restore and rebalance the body. Owner Shembra Carter has brought the technology to the Lowcountry after 20 years of serving as a registered nurse and seeing the need for alternative modalities. She decided to bring the Harmonic Egg to Bluffton after flying to Colorado to meet with inventor Gail Lynn and experiencing the positive impacts of the therapy herself.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 43A

UPDATE from page 42A • Coastal Carolina Smoke Shop, 24B Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island, 843757-3339, CBDStoreBluffton.com: Larry Moran has been busy educating Lowcountry customers about the health benefits of hemp and cannabidiol, and is now preparing to open his third location after opening at Berkeley Place in Bluffton and Boundary Street in Beaufort. Moran has become as trusted source of CBD oils, edibles, gummies, smokable hemp bud flower, vapes and roll-on pain creams for humans, and veterinarian-formulated CBD calming chews for dogs. Moran and his team are experts in all-organic CBD, hemp, Delta-8, Delta-10 and Kratom products.

• 5th and Mill: Lisa DiTroia, her husband and two kids visited Bluffton from New York in February 2020 and fell in love. She launched her online clothing boutique on Nov. 20 after years of planning. The store offers the latest trends in women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories from more than 100 curated vendors, and is offering a slew of grand opening and holiday promotions. Visit the online boutique at 5thandmill.com.

• May River Boat Detailing, 843-5058822: Alexander Matos made a life-changing gamble when he moved his family to Bluffton after many years serving all over the world in the Navy. Matos has long been a fan of boating, so he set out to combine his military work ethic with his passion for the water in opening up his new business. May River offers wash and wax serves, oxidation removal, metal polishing, paint correction, seat restoration and ceramic coating. He offers new customer specials and an ongoing discount for veterans.

• May River Pressure Washing, 843415-6545, mayriverpressurewashing.com: Bubba and Krista Flanders were raised in the Lowcountry, each coming from families that owned successful construction companies.

As they dreamed of launching their own business, they decided to focus on bringing out the true value of the gorgeous properties they saw popping up around them. The bonded and licensed team uses a hot water wash system that works beautifully for house washing, driveways, fences, pool decks, gutters, patios and porches.

• Cupcakes 2 Cakes, 108 Buckwalter Parkway, Berkeley Place Suite 2C, Bluffton, 843-415-5678, cupcakes2cakes.com: This is a mother-daughter-owned bakery that was born out of years of Linda Ashby honing her love of baking while teaching middle school kids overseas. What began as a home-based business has spawned a brick-and-mortar location where Linda and her daughter Erica display Ashby’s latest creations – from ham and cheese scones to cookie pies, cocoa bombs to muffins, and the centerpiece of Ashby’s portfolio, her custom-made cupcakes and cakes. Check out her website for designs, pricing and serving guide before visiting the store to avoid being overwhelmed with all the deliciousness.

Luxury Day Spa

• E-Z-GO Carts Factory Direct Store, 25 Sherington Drive, Suite F&G, Bluffton, 706-250-9372, ezgohhi.com: The iconic Augusta-born golf and utility cart company has opened its latest store in the former Stooges Breakfast Café location in Sheridan Park. The new dealership will feature an expert service department to provide parts and accessories, maintenance and cart care.

The factory-trained service staff can customize E-Z-GO carts, giving every client the opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind vehicle.

The store will offer a range of financing options on new vehicles and will accept all trade-ins, regardless of the brand. They also have a wide variety of cart rentals available for tournaments, weddings, parties and other special events.

• The Kneady Cat Books And Gifts, 108 Buckwalter Parkway, Berkeley Place Suite 2D, Bluffton, 843-504-0973, thekneadycat. org: Carla Onofrio is a proud mother of two girls and four sweet kitty cats. She wanted to help drive awareness to the cat overpopulation epidemic and the need for having cats spayed and neutered. She is fulfilling that mission and dream by opening a used bookstore and gift shop where customers can drink some coffee, pet some cats, and read (and buy) donated books. A portion of the store’s profits will go to the Palmetto Animal League. Gifts at the store include every feline creation you can dream up, from teapots to ornaments to puzzles, toys and games, kitty pens, journals and kitty gift baskets.

Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. Contact him at timwood@blufftonsun. com.

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Page 44A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

EDUCATION

Get your glow on

TCL to cover student tuition, fees for residents this spring

for the holidays!

Learn about our newest techniques in lasers and skin rejuvenation, derma fillers, Botox and many other services that can give you a refreshed, youthful appearance without downtime.

COURTESY TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

TCL’s paid tuition program was announced during the Nov. 18 ribbon cutting at its Culinary Institute of the South in Bluffton. Chef Miles Huff, dean of the Institute, cuts the ribbon with a chef’s knife, joined by members of TCL’s Area Commission, TCL’s board of directors, donors and others.

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Elizabeth Liggett MSN, AGNP-C

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Hilton Head Island - 843.689.5259 Bluffton-Okatie - 843.705.0840 I Beaufort - 843.525.9277

Are you tired of the same old job? Are you considering a new career or thinking about learning a new skill? If so, college just a got a little easier.

The Technical College of the Lowcountry is offering paid tuition and fees for the spring 2022 semester, thanks to a combination of newly available federal, state and private funding sources. The paid tuition program exemplifies the college’s commitment to students and the community. Cost should never be a barrier to those who desire higher education and a better life.

In fact, affordability is what drove the creation of American community colleges in the early 20th century, and has since been a hallmark of the community college mission.

Just as importantly, providing relevant workforce training was also foundational to the creation of technical colleges. It could also be said it was the creation of the S.C. Technical College System that saved the state’s economy in the 1960s.

During that time, the state’s economy was severely suffering because of the extreme decline in farming. Workers were untrained and under-skilled for new industry.

Technical colleges were created to help solve the problem and provide technically trained workers in order to attract more diversified industry to the state. Workers benefited by getting better-paying jobs.

Today, community and technical colleges like TCL continue to offer affordable and

relevant higher education to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. This paid tuition program makes it even easier for students.

Any South Carolina resident who is college eligible can qualify for the paid tuition program. Students must enroll in at least six credit hours, or about two classes, for the semester and also complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). TCL will take care of the rest.

Students can choose from more than 60 programs of study including computer technology, health care, business, building construction, culinary, hospitality and more.

TCL’s hands-on, real-world education leads to high-skilled, in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow. In fact, 95% of our graduates go on to work in their field of study or continue to a four-year degree.

Maybe you’re one of the millions who resigned from a job during the pandemic.

Maybe you’re wondering what else is out there. Maybe you want to be your own boss.

Whatever your reason, now is the perfect time to start a path to a new career. TCL’s no tuition and fees might just be the incentive you need. (Note that this program does not cover books or required supplies, and does not apply to dual enrollment or transient students.)

Enroll now for the spring semester.

Classes start in January. Visit tcl.edu/paid for more information.

Leigh Copeland is the assistant vice president of marketing and public relations for Technical College of the Lowcountry.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 45A

LEGAL

Good estate planning now makes good sense for later

By Mark F. Winn CONTRIBUTOR

Trust law enables us to create legal structures that guarantee our assets will stay in our family bloodline protected for generations. How? Let’s assume Charles and Francine have three children – Peter, George and Mary.

Peter is married to Tina. They have one Mark F. Winn child, Kyle.

George is a single successful surgeon.

As a surgeon he has substantial exposure to malpractice claims.

Mary is single and is receiving government benefits due to a disability.

Charles also has one child, Elijah, from a prior marriage.

Questions:

1. Can Charles and Francine make sure Tina will not get any of what they leave to Peter?

2. Can Charles and Francine make sure that if something happened to Peter, his share would be used to benefit Kyle?

3. Can Charles and Francine make sure whatever George may receive will be protected from a medical malpractice claim if he were sued?

4. Can Charles and Francine benefit Mary and also protect her benefits?

5. Can Charles make sure that when he and Francine are both gone, that Elijah will receive 20% of the assets?

The answer to all these questions is “yes.” With some basic planning and careful tilting and designation of Charles and Francine’s assets, all of the above can accomplished.

With some variation depending on unique circumstances and unique individual directions, the hypothetical

Charles and Francine should leave half their assets to each other protected in trust, and direct the remainder to their children in trusts so the assets are protected and stay in the family.

Each of them should have updated South Carolina powers of attorney for health and for finances. This will avoid guardianship and conservatorship proceedings (which can be expensive) if Charles or Francine become incapacitated for any reason.

Each should create a trust where they remain the trustees and beneficiaries at the outset. With the counsel of their lawyer, they should re-title assets into their trusts. The lawyer can help with whose trust assets should go into which trust and why.

When this is done, if the trust papers spell out the terms of a family asset protection trust and trusts for the children, then their plan can work wonders to protect their assets and preserve their

legacy.

Of course, Charles and Francine’s trust-based estate plan will keep their affairs private, avoid unnecessary probate costs and legal fees.

It will also protect half their assets from lawsuits during the surviving spouse’s life, leave assets to their children in a sort of “lock box” (a trust) where they have total control use and benefit of the trust funds, but that will be protected if they become divorced or get sued for some other reason, ensure that when a child passes, it will go to their children (Charles and Francine’s lineal blood descendants) and not the in-law spouse, Tina.

Now, that’s good planning. Good plans just make good sense.

Mark F. Winn, J.D., Master of Laws (LL.M.) in estate planning, is a local asset protection, estate and elder law planning attorney. mwinnesq.com

Page 46A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021D

LEGAL

Revocable trust could be the right tool for estate planning

By Rebekah Thompson CONTRIBUTOR

Whether you have recently purchased your first home or your 50th, you need to consider if creating a revocable trust is the right estate planning tool for you.

As the name suggests, a revocable trust is a tool that allows you to transfer your assets, such Rebekah Thompson as your home, from your name as an individual into the name of your trust.

A revocable trust can be modified, dissolved, rescinded, amended, etc.

You retain full control of all the assets placed in the revocable trust, and you have the ability to remove an asset, should you so choose.

The main purpose behind placing your home in a revocable trust is to avoid probate. Probate is the legal process where the probate court manages the transfer of wealth from a decedent to their named heirs.

The length of time probate takes varies from state to state. In South Carolina, this process takes roughly 13 to 15 months to complete. Furthermore, the average cost of probate is approximately 3% to 7% of the value of your probate estate.

A revocable trust allows you to avoid such costs, delays, and publicity of the probate process.

Other benefits to placing your home in a revocable trust are: • In the event of incapacity or disability, your named trustee can manage your trust to protect your home.

• You can specify who and how an heir is to inherit your real estate property.

• If you are in a blended marriage situation, you can dictate the real estate property be managed by the trust for the benefit of your spouse, and upon their passing, instruct how the home is to be inherited.

• You do not lose any homestead rights when you transfer your primary residence into a revocable trust.

• A lender cannot enforce a due on sale clause if you are transferring your primary residence to a revocable trust.

• You can still deduct your mortgage interest from your income taxes.

For those individuals who own real estate property in multiple states, a revocable trust should be strongly considered. Upon your passing, your estate must complete the probate process in every state you own real property, in your own individual name.

For example, Owner is a resident of South Carolina. Owner owns her primary residence and a condo in Palmet-

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to Dunes. Owner also owns a condo in New York, a town home in Texas, and a condo in Florida. All the deeds to this property state Owner is the sole owner of these real estate properties.

Upon Owner’s death, her personal representative (executor) will commence the probate process in South Carolina because that is her state of residence. Owner’s personal representative will also have to commence ancillary probate proceedings in New York, Texas and Florida. The South Carolina probate case will have to remain open until such time all the other states’ probate processes are completed.

A revocable trust avoids this entire scenario.

Revocable trusts are a great estate planning tool for homeowners.

Rebekah Thompson is an associate attorney with Elder Law & Estate Planning Center. hiltonheadelderlaw.com

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 47A

MONEY

Is the time right, and should I refinance my mortgage?

By Klaus Jensen CONTRIBUTOR

Many people have held off refinancing for a variety of reasons. However, it is still not too late to take advantage of historic low mortgage rates that are currently available.

Here are four angles to evaluate if the time is right for you to refinance. The process to refinance is easy and fast … and surprisingly affordable, given the savings you can recover. Often appraisals can be waived due to the rising real estate market values.

• Lower your current rate. Depending on the size of your mortgage and how many years you have left, it might make sense to consider a refinance even if the new rate is only 0.5% lower than what shows on your mortgage statement. Refinancing to a lower rate is a guaranteed savings that could put tens of thousands in dollars in your pocket.

• Shorten your term. Reducing your term from a 30-year mortgage to, for example, a 20-year mortgage can again save you

tens of thousands of dollars over time. You might now be in a better position to afford the higher payment that comes with a shorter term. Shorter term mortgages also carry a lower interest rate than 30-year loans.

• Convert from an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) to a fixed rate mortgage.

ARM mortgages carry the risk of a future

(higher) interest rate after the initial fixed rate period expires. Currently, the fixed mortgage rates are very attractive, and you can lock in a fixed rate for the remainder of the term. This gives you predictability in payments and lowering your risk.

• Take out equity, to pay off debt or fund home improvements. Rising real

estate values across the nation means there is more room to extract that equity at favorable rates. You might have some nagging credit card debt you want to consolidate; perhaps you have a variable rate (e.g. risky) HELOC that you want to pay off and roll into the primary mortgage; or maybe you just need some extra cash for a rainy-day fund or to fund college costs.

Lastly, investing back into your home is historically one of the best investments you can make … and you get to enjoy the improvements while you live there As you can see, there are many reasons to consider a refinance. Perhaps most importantly is that your home and your mortgage are arguably the biggest investment (and debt) you have. It warrants careful analysis by a professional. Do not just “park” your mortgage for 30 years and assume it is fine.

Klaus Jensen is a senior vice president and loan officer with Guaranteed Rate. klaus. jensen@rate.com

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Page 48A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

HEALTH

Prepare your face to look, feel its best during the holidays

By Oswald Lightsey Mikell CONTRIBUTOR

The holidays are upon us! There’s shopping, cooking, and cleaning to be done. There’s too much celebrating – with too much food, too much drink and too much to do on too little sleep.

Just when you want to look sparkly and fabulous, your skin gets the holiday Oswald Mikell blues.

The good news: There are things you can do to get your holiday glow on.

Q: What can I do to make sure my tired skin looks great for the holiday?

A: You should start treatment early in the season by increasing the mois-

ture level in your skin. Don’t dry your skin out with cleansers; lock in the moisture with topical moisturizers.

Q: I always seem to get dark circles during the holiday season.

What’s causing this?

A: Could be lack of sleep, lack of moisture or stress. Also drinking alcohol can add to skin dryness. Trade up to a richer, more emollient moisturizer, be sure to get enough rest, and be mindful of alcohol consumption.

Q: Even though I don’t normally suffer from acne my biggest holiday skin problem is breakouts.

A: Do your best to manage stress. It causes women to produce more of the traditionally male hormone testosterone; and it’s those surges that lead to holiday zits. You might try over-thecounter benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatments, placed directly on the pimple.

Q: After a holiday party, I feel like my skin has a hangover. Is there anything I can do to look refreshed the next day?

A: While preventative measures are always the best route, there are a few things you can to do freshen up tired skin. Cold is the best solution for puffiness. You might try a 5-minute cold pack treatment. You might also try elevating your head while sleeping.

Alcohol dilates your blood vessels, and that is what allows the fluid to leave the vessels and enter the tissues, which in turn is what causes the puffiness. Sleeping with your head elevated can help the fluids drain from your puffy cheeks and eyes.

While stress is sometimes unavoidable during the holiday season, taking steps to manage stress, such as exercise, eating right or using relaxation techniques can help to make you feel more relaxed and may just improve

the look of your skin as well.

Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps your skin look better.

Make sure you drink water throughout the day and, if you are having a few alcoholic drinks, increase the water you drink before going to bed and again the next day to avoid dry skin.

Avoid the temptation to go to bed without removing your make-up. This can clog pores and oil glands and end up causing irritation and blemishes.

Laser treatments are a great option for the fine wrinkling of the skin. If you think this may be a good plan for you, schedule a consultation with a dermatologist and find the treatment that is right for you.

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

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 49A

WELLNESS

Less-frequently-asked questions about plastic surgery of face

By E. Ronald Finger CONTRIBUTOR

Q. I am in my 50s, and my upper lip is disappearing. Is there anything I can do besides injections?

A. Actually, as we age, our upper lip (the skin between the red part and the nose) gets longer, sometimes considerably longer, to the point where upper E. Ronald Finger teeth cannot be seen with the mouth slightly open, as they did when we were young. This causes the lip to turn under, making the mouth look older.

The treatment is a “buckhorn” excision of skin just below the nose. In youth the distance between the nose and vermillion (the red part of the lip)

is 1.4 to 1.6 millimeters. Sometimes the distance increases with age, up to 2.5 mm. The buckhorn excision removes a measured amount of excess skin, and the scar is located just under the nose and is imperceptible. This procedure is done under local anesthesia.

Q. When I look in the mirror, I look sad or angry because the corners of my mouth turn down. Is there anything I can do about that?

A. The simplest treatment is to inject Botox or Dysport just below the corner of the mouth and in a specific place on the jawline. This relaxes the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle, which naturally pulls the corners down. This treatment lasts about 3 or 4 months.

When used with fillers, such as Restylane or Juvederm products (which last about 18 months), or Bellafill (which lasts about 5 years), the result is more lasting.

A permanent remedy is to excise a carefully measured triangle of skin just above the corners of the lip. This elevates the corners of the lip into a more “happy mouth.”

An alternative procedure, if the patient also has deep “marionette lines” (the crease below the corners of the mouth), is to extend the excision downward, also removing the excess skin lateral to the marionette line. This elevates the droopy mouth corners and reduces the deep marionette lines, and is also done under local anesthesia.

Injectable fillers can diminish marionette lines and, if needed, volumize the cheeks, jaw line, chin, or hollows under the lower eyelids. Fillers may be needed in addition to the minor surgical procedures mentioned since the questions above involve the aging face.

As the years pass, there is usually diminished volume of both fat and bone and replacement with fillers or one’s

own fat is often indicated for the most optimal result.

Q. What is the treatment for earlobes when the pierced ear hole has enlarged too much?

A. Under local anesthesia, the edges of the hole must be cut out, generally through the lower border of the earlobe. Then, the open edges of the excision are sutured, closing the hole completely. The ears can then be repierced in about 6 weeks.

Q. My earlobes are thin, bigger, and droopy.

A. Like the upper lip, the earlobes get thinner and longer. Often a filler can be used to reinflate the earlobes. If this is inadequate, the excess earlobe can be excised.

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

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Page 50A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

GIVING

An important holiday to-do item for your end-of-year list

By Scott Wierman CONTRIBUTOR

Did you know there are positive mental health benefits attributed to having a generous spirit? And after a couple of COVID-weary years, we’re all looking for ways to feel better.

The end of the year is a great time to practice generosity. In addition to the Scott Wierman endorphin spike you might experience from writing a check to your favorite charity, here are some other reasons year-end giving should be added to your holiday to-do list.

• The pandemic has had a significant impact on the financial health of many local nonprofits, and they are hurting. A March 2021 survey of our Lowcountry nonprofits, conducted under the direction of Together SC, found that 56% of responding nonprofits reported having six months or less of operating revenue. Thirty-seven percent had experienced an operating loss.

• You might get a tax deduction.

In 2020 the CARES Act temporarily changed the tax code to allow individuals to take up to a $300 deduction for cash donations to a qualifying organization, even if you don’t itemize. For 2021, that not only has been extended, it’s been enhanced to allow a married couple filing jointly to deduct up to $600. (Gifts to donor advised funds and private foundations don’t count.)

An added bonus: This is an abovethe-line deduction so it can also help reduce your adjusted gross income.

The extension also applies to those who itemize, continuing to eliminate the percent of adjusted gross income

limits for charitable deductions.

If you decide to make a year-end gift, here are some things to think about before you do: 1. Does your employer offer matching donations? It will help your gift go even farther.

2. If you have a favorite charity, great! If you don’t, think about what moves you; then do your homework.

Make sure that the organization you give to is legitimate. Visit GuideStar. org to research local, national and international nonprofits. You can also visit our fund directory at cflowcountry.civicore.com/nonprofits, where you’ll find information about our many funds.

3. Have a hard-to-buy-for person on your list? Consider making a charitable donation to a cause that person supports. Many organizations allow you to make a gift “in honor” and they’ll even let the person know a gift has been made in their name.

4. Avoid scams. Don’t make a gift to an organization you don’t initiate contact with, unless you’ve done your research and know they’re legitimate.

And if you’re giving online, make sure you see the “https” at the beginning of the URL. 5. Keep accurate records and get receipts.

6. Talk to us about other giving options. Community foundations offer an array of ways to invest in our communities and help our neighbors – from donor advised funds, to scholarships, to gifts of stock, and many others.

You can learn more on our website, cf-lowcountry.org. Or call us at 843681-9100. ’Tis the season to consider a yearend donation. Happy holidays!

Scott Wierman is the president and CEO of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 51A

FAITH

Practice true evangelism by sincerely welcoming others

By Christine Herrin CONTRIBUTOR

For some, the word “evangelism” evokes visions of a street preacher condemning passersby to hell if they don’t repent and turn to God, right then and there.

These preachers try to scare people into believing in God. While this “turn or burn” method of evangelism, which starts Christine Herrin with fear, might work for some, it’s far more effective to do what Jesus did – which was to start with love, to accept people as they are, where they are, and by word and action show how much God loves them.

For it is knowing we are loved deeply, despite our failure, our sin, that motivates us in gratitude to turn to God, receiving

forgiveness and committing our lives to God, seeking to follow Jesus.

At a recent online conference put on by my denomination, we considered the many facets of evangelism – a good word because at its root is the word “evangel,” which means “good news.” God’s love is indeed so amazing that when we receive it and know it in the depth of our being, we can’t help but share it with others.

Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Contrary to what we might think, “… the task of evangelism is the business of every disciple of Jesus Christ … a collective responsibility of the Church as a special community: the body of Christ.

Essential to the formation of a community is establishing and fostering authentic relationships, and in life everything is about relationships. The way we relate to others is a practice of evangelism.” (From “8 Habits of Evangelism,” Presbyterian Church U.S.A.)

How we live together and welcome others is evangelism because these actions bear witness to the authenticity of the faith we profess. Our relationships can attract others to discover God’s love for themselves, or turn them off.

In one seminar, the leaders listed practices that don’t foster “welcome.”

There’s the “fireworks welcome,” in which people are effusive with their attention to visitors, but it quickly dissipates as members return to paying attention only to their old friends.

Second is “pew entitlement,” in which newcomers are given the evil eye or actually asked to move out of someone’s favorite pew. It’s hard to believe it happens, but it does!

Third is “coffee hour murmuration,” which is gossip around the coffee counter, or in the parking lot, said within ear shot of visitors. People have stopped visiting a church for that reason alone.

Fourth is showing preferential welcome

God Is Love

Rev. Christine Herrin is the senior pastor at Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton.

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of the rich over the poor.

Lastly, is to claim to welcome all when in fact that isn’t true – e.g., when churches say they want young families, but then complain when children are noisy.

The challenge I see for churches, beyond being sure not to fall into these practices, is for members to go beyond being “friendly” to newcomers, to actually inviting them into their lives. For it is when we begin to share our burdens and our joys and the challenges of living like Jesus, that authentic relationships develop, and we are encouraged for the journey of faith.

Where these relationships are flourishing, welcome of all and evangelism will become as natural as breathing. And that will be more attractive than slick ads, impressive buildings, and programs every time.

Pastor Pete Berntson

Jesus is my Peace

www.palmsumc.org

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Page 52A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

SPORTS

Learn about these specifics and become a wedge wizard

By Jean Harris CONTRIBUTOR

Your wedges are the second most important clubs you have in your bag, after your putter. There are a variety of wedges from which you can choose. The distance and height that you get from your wedges depends on your golf ability.

I recently broke my sand wedge and went to a club-fitting specialist to purchase a new one. He asked me a number of questions, including, do I take divots with my wedges or do I pick my ball off the ground with a shallow angle of attack? Do I play on a course with forced carries over bunkers to elevated greens?

He then explained a number of things I need to consider before buying wedges.

The bounce is the area of the wedge that hits the turf. Bounce angle is measured between the leading edge and the sole of the club.

The sole grind is the additional shaping of

the sole of the wedge. A heel grind enables you to open the clubface more at address.

The finish, such as chrome or nickel, is also an alternative. Chrome enables the wedge to maintain its color and appearance longer. Raw finishes are designed to rust.

Shafts are an area that you must decide on. Most wedges come in steel shafts, but you can order wedges with the same shaft

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you have in your other clubs.

Now for the decision on how many wedges you want to carry in your bag. I recommend at least three. You should have at least four degrees between the wedges.

Pitching wedge (44-48 degrees) is the least-lofted wedge. You can use this for full swings and long chip shots.

Gap wedge (50-53 degrees) is the wedge

closes the gap in distance and trajectory between your pitching wedge and sand wedge. This is a great wedge for short pitches and chips.

Sand wedge (54-58 degrees) is used in the bunkers and short pitches to the green.

Lob wedge (59-65 degrees) is the highest-lofted wedge available. I is designed to get the ball up quickly, which is great out of thick rough and also used in steep bunkers.

Finally, when choosing the wedges you want in your bag, think about the course you play. Are the greens small or large? Do the bunkers have high lips, and what is the texture of the sand?

It is important to know your distances with your wedges. Work on different length swings with each of your three wedges. Also work on different trajectories into the green.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at Pinecrest Golf Club. jean. golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean. com

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Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 53A

NATURE’S WAY

Gulf fishing near oil rigs yields new experiences, yellowfins

By Collins Doughtie CONTRIBUTOR

In my nearly 14 years writing outdoor columns, I have never once received any recognition for my rather peculiar writing style. But that is all right because, quite frankly, I continue to write because it comes easy to me on most weeks and besides, and I love trying to open people’s eyes to some of the incredible acts of nature that I have been privy too in my thousands of hours scouring our waters.

My recognition dry spell ended recently, when totally out of the blue, Rhonda Carper, a woman I barely know, donated $10,000 to the Waddell Mariculture Center in my name.

To say I am humbled is putting it mildly.

If you follow my columns with any regularity then you know the Waddell Mariculture Center and the work they do there has been my adopted child for a lot of years.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Rhonda – because your contribution will fund sorely needed interns for this incredible facility.

I should have thanked Rhonda earlier but I was in Orange Beach, Ala., fishing in the Gulf for yellowfin tuna aboard Blufftonian Bud Mingledorff’s 68-foot boat, the Line Set. Along with Aaron Dowell, Dan Cornell and Chuck Robinson, we trucked to ’Bama, and no sooner had we got there than it was time to hop aboard and go.

Leaving the dock at midnight with another Lowcountry friend, Corrin Askeland, at the helm, we traveled nearly 100 miles offshore to fish near one of the deep-water oil rigs in

Dan Cornell with a nice yellowfin caught on our Alabama fishing trip.

nearly 4,000 feet of water. Arriving at the rig around 4 a.m. was like encountering a massive alien spaceship. Lit up like a Christmas tree, the rig’s lights revealed big tuna busting the surface here there and everywhere.

Though we had some live baits and chummed like mad, all we could catch were blackfin tuna, the smaller cousin of a yellowfin. As the sun began the rise, the yellowfins pretty much disappeared, so we decided to hop from one oil rig to another.

Because the water was still fairly warm down there, slob barracudas were demolishing our live baits before tuna even had a chance. But that is fishing, and with perfect seas and a warm breeze, the experience was well worth the long trip down.

We did nail a couple of mahi and a few

more blackfin, but our target species, yellowfin tuna, were playing hide and seek as we hopped from rig to rig.

While running to yet another oil rig, we had an encounter with two sperm whales. I have had really cool encounters with right whales, humpback whales, orcas, and pilot whales, but never a sperm whale.

Talk about blowing your top, these sperm whales’ blowholes shot water up a good 30 to 40 feet. In water that deep, they were no doubt readying themselves to dive down to the bottom in search of huge squid.

The reason I say that is because when we got in and were cleaning our catch, a guy next to us was cleaning a swordfish caught that day, and in that sword’s stomach was the largest squid I have seen in years. If that

swordfish was able to whack a squid that big, Lord knows the size of squid those sperm whales feed on in those deep, dark depths.

Corrin had two mates onboard, but I don’t think either of them knew that the four of us were very experienced offshore anglers.

It was strange to have the mates doing the rigging, etc. that the rest of us are so used to doing, but taking a day off from this tiring duty wasn’t all bad.

Every area of the country uses different yet similar techniques but after several strike outs at different rigs, I suggested we try a ballyhoo, with a blue and white Ilander lure in front of the ballyhoo. In my thousands of hours fishing blue water, that blue and white lure has accounted for more fish than just about any of the hundreds of lures I own.

Met with skepticism by one of the mates for most of the day, we pulled up to the last rig of the day and I finally got him to give in to this proven blue and white killer. It hadn’t been out in the spread for more than a minute when a nice yellowfin inhaled it. In the next 40 minutes, we landed a few more yellowfin – all but one on that same lure – before we headed in.

It was a great trip, eye candy every which way you looked and, best of all, a chance to fish new waters. One tip though, whether you fish our blue water or the Gulf of Mexico, be sure to bring along a blue and white Ilander!

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

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Page 54A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

BPD seeks elves, toys for annual toy drive, Shop with Cop The Bluffton Police Department (BPD), with its officers and Town employees, is hosting its eightth annual Toy Drive and its fourth annual Shop with a Cop event to bring holiday joy and gifts to local children.

BPD will collect toys until Dec. 10.

Anyone may drop off unwrapped, new toys in the lobby of BPD headquarters, 101 Progressive St. in Buckwalter Place, or Town Hall, 20 Bridge St. in

Old Town. Those toys will be delivered to local families through Bluffton Self Help the following Monday.

For Shop with Cop, each of the six Bluffton school resource officers will select two children from a financially challenged family. Those 12 children will receive a $100 gift card and go with a Bluffton police officer to WalMart and Shop with a Cop. To donate to Shop with a Cop, drop

off or mail a check by Dec. 8, made out to Bluffton Police Department, to BPD, c/o Chief Stephenie Price, 101 Progressive St., Bluffton, SC 29910.

Put “Shop with a Cop” on the memo line.

“The Bluffton community is second to none in the way our neighbors fill a need with enormous generosity and enthusiasm,” said Chief Stephenie Price.

Price said these events are a joy for the officers, as well for the children, as it is wonderful way for children to learn to trust officers.

“If children grow up around police officers who advocate for them, those children become our best public safety partners as they grow up,” Price said.

For more information, email Debbie Szpanka at dszpanka@townofbluffton.com or call 843-540-2274.

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Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 55A

COLLECTING

Research your collectibles to add to the joys of the season

By Jerry Glenn CONTRIBUTOR

It’s important to know what, when, where, and why about your collectibles.

Each day, the nightly news or the daily newspaper is filled with floods, wildfires, Covid-19, right, left, school shootings and many other terrible events. The holiday season is a perfect time to focus on the positive – our collections.

We have often written about types of collectors, be it investors, historians, compulsives, or those that just amass things. What you might want to consider is to seek information on exactly what your collectible is and when it was made, where it was made, and finally, why it was made. Was there a need at the time?

These are all simplistic questions, but the answers will give you a better appreciation for your chosen collection.

This month and January are a perfect period to get one’s mind off of the negative happenings. Many years ago I was told to not worry about something you can’t control because you’ll probably forget about it tomorrow. Knowledge is something you can control and one bit of facts often leads to more, as we’ll explain.

While relaxing one day I glanced at a tumbler on our shelf of miscellaneous collectibles. I knew it was old, but how old?

This is where the “W’s” came in handy.

The 6-inch tumbler was made by the Greentown Indiana Glass Works. It was later referred to as chocolate glass because of the color or caramel slag or simply Greentown glass.

I wondered why it was called “slag.” I found out slag is the waste from the melting of ores and was used as an ingredient in producing these unique tumblers.

The Greentown company was shortlived, as it burned to the ground in 1902 after only 8 years of production. The

tumbler was an advertising vehicle for National Biscuit Company and Uneeda Biscuit and was actually functional in an ingenious way. These tumblers were made to hold 1 dry pint of product and were used as a measuring device.

The company placed a tumbler in a half

bushel basket of oyster crackers, animal crackers, and tiny cheese klip crackers.

The grocer could keep or sell the tumbler after selling all the contents of the basket.

The tumbler was one of the first, if not THE first “dealer loader” items.

In the year 1900, packaging did not exist as yet and product was bulk. My tumblers are 121 years old and are valued at $90 to $125 – if you can find them.

After 1902 the National Biscuit Company developed a cereal bowl to advertise the new package of Uneeda Biscuit by putting the famed Uneeda Boy on 3 sides of the bowl. At last check these are on E-bay for about $50, depending on condition.

This is just an example of knowledge I came onto with curiosity and now have a greater appreciation for a collectible as history and not just a “thing” to have.

You too, can add to the joy of the season by taking one item and search the W’s.

Happy Holidays!

Jerry Glenn, former owner of Legends and Reminisce gift shop, currently is appraising trading card collections.

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Page 56A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

PETS

First behaviors to address in age-appropriate puppy training

By Abby Bird CONTRIBUTOR

As we near the end of the year, many families will purchase puppies or dogs or adopt the same. By far the largest number will be puppies.

Holidays are a popular time to do this since families may be home and can dedicate time for potty training and bonding.

There are two behaviors that should be begun as soon as possible when one gets a new puppy. One is potty training and the other is nipping and biting. These are both age-related and timing is critical to get the pup started down the correct path.

Potty training takes months to do, instilling the correct timing with the humans and those same months to make sure the pup is being guided down the right developmental path. Potty training usually takes until a pup is about 7 to 8 months old, but should be getting

constantly better after about 5 months of age.

This is only true if the owners are doing scheduling properly. Keeping a time chart along with an activity spreadsheet will help the owner avoid common errors through this process.

Crate training and knowing the right way to use it is still the best possible method to insure success.

What are we looking for? Anything and everything that creates pee or poop. Food is the primary agent for pooping, along with walking, but literally everything else creates pee! Napping, sleeping, walking, drinking, playing by themselves, playing with people and playing with dogs. This is why pups may pee 10 to 15 times a day but only poop two to five times.

Setting up that chart will help the owner to realize just how often the pup really needs to be going outside. It is much more often than you think. Even setting a timer or Alexa can help to avoid common

We see things through your eyes.

timing issues.

The next biggie is definitely nipping and biting humans as part of play and seeking attention. It is the natural way dogs play with both other dogs and people.

Dogs will tend to correct other dogs

but it is up to us to teach a pup it is not appropriate to put their razor-sharp teeth on human flesh! A verbal correction cue, redirection with appropriate chewing toys and other mild correctives such as sound, water spray and bad tasting deterrents can assist quite a bit at an early age.

Consistency in the family is also important, especially with children! Pups and kids should never be unsupervised.

It is a recipe for only bad things when the dog is not really being bad, just a normal puppy. Children can aggravate the situation by how they play and their voice pitch and quick movements, which only serve to stimulate nipping behavior.

Start your puppies off right and they will be such an important part of your family unit. If possible, ask a dog trainer for guidance early on.

Abby Bird is owner of Alphadog Training Academy. AlphadogTrainingAcademy@ gmail.com

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Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 57A

PETS

Cat siblings find their way back to PAL after 15 years

By Lindsay Perry CONTRIBUTOR

Palmetto Animal League makes a lifetime commitment to every animal and adopter.

At PAL, we never give up on an animal, and that includes 15-year-old brothers Panda and Taylor.

They were adopted from PAL as kittens back in 2006, and they knew a loving and supportive home their whole lives, until they tragically lost their human this fall. We welcomed Panda and Taylor back to PAL with open arms and aching hearts.

“At 15 years old, they want nothing more than to spend the rest of their lives together, snuggling with their person and napping with one another,” said PAL volunteer Lori Higgins.

Our greatest wish this holiday season is to find Panda and Taylor a forever home together.

“At the adoption center, we often find them snuggled up in a comfy chair,” says

PAL adoption coordinator Sally Dawkins.

“They are the last bit of home each other has.”

Panda and Taylor are wonderful, no drama, low-maintenance boys who thrive on affection, cuddles, and lap time. But make no mistake, these senior cats live each day to the fullest!

“They still have their kitten spunk at times and never turn down playtime with a wand toy or catnip,” said Dawkins.

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“The boys,” as we call them at PAL, have been through so much since losing their beloved caretaker and the only home they knew. We are their temporary family, but we hope and pray someone will fall in love with Panda and Taylor and give them the real home they deserve.

Bring home the love and devotion of a rescue pet during Palmetto Animal League’s “Season of Second Chances.” We are waiving adoption fees for cats, kittens, and adult

dogs Dec. 1 through Jan. 1, and our knowledgeable staff and volunteers are dedicated to helping you find your next great love.

Even if you can’t adopt, you can still help homeless pets this holiday season. PAL’s Christmas cards make a great gift for all the animal-lovers in your life. Make a donation and we’ll send an eCard to your designated recipient or provide you with a special card to print and give as a gift. Your card will make someone’s day and help save pets in need of rescue. For details, visit PalmettoAnimalLeague.org and click on “Holiday Gifts.”

Still thinking about Panda and Taylor?

Call PAL at 843-645-1725 to schedule a meet and greet at our comfortable, upbeat adoption center located in Okatie’s Riverwalk Business Park. “The boys” will be in Cat Room 7, waiting to soak up your love and nap in your lap.

Lindsay Perry is the marketing coordinator for Palmetto Animal League. PalmettoAnimalLeague.org

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Page 58A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

HOME

’Tis the season to clear the air for cleaner, healthier home

By Dave Miller CONTRIBUTOR

With the winter season upon us and temperatures dipping, the quality of the air that you breathe inside your home can have a major impact on your health.

While you might assume that the air inside your home is much better to breathe than outside air, this is not always the case, and many health issues can be traced back to a lack of air quality.

Many homes (older and new) can contain harmful pollutants. Making sure that the quality of air in your home is good should be one of your top priorities, especially if you are experiencing illness on a regular basis. Clean air in your home will help keep you and your family healthy.

Indoor air pollution can come from many sources. Cooking, cleaning, dust build-up or just playing with your pets are activities that can lower the quality of the air in your home and cause you to experience serious

health issues.

Over time, contaminants like pet dander, VOCs, radon, and mold can accumulate in your home, lowering the quality of the air you breathe. Many will experience symptoms from minor eye or throat irritation to more serious respiratory infections and illnesses.

Although anyone can be affected by contaminants in the air, there are certain individuals who might be more at risk.

Children and senior citizens will be in greater danger because their immune systems aren’t particularly strong. Those who suffer asthma or allergy related issues can also be affected more seriously.

To keep the air in your home clean and healthy and avoid many health issues, it is recommended to have your air quality and equipment inspected and tested on a seasonal basis. This can help to determine whether or not the air in your home is safe.

Testing can include inspection of your heating and cooling systems to ensure they are working properly as well as all ducts and airways are clear and clean. Often, very simple repairs or new filters can be installed to fix any concerns.

More involved solutions can include whole-home air cleaners which remove up to 99.98% of allergens and pollutants from the air.

Using a professional home air quality testing company with a team having years of experience and state of the art technology, you’ll be able to pinpoint the problems in your home and address them right away.

Remember, the more often you test and service all your air quality systems, the better the quality of air in your home and that you breathe leaving you healthier for the months to come.

Dave Miller, owner of Superior Services, has been providing whole-home services in the Lowcountry for more than 20 years. gotosuperior.com

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

SAFETY

Be careful with turkey fryers

By Cinda Seamon CONTRIBUTOR

If you’re planning a holiday feast involving a turkey, be especially careful if you plan to fry it.

The first step is to thaw and dry the turkey before cooking. Partially frozen and/ or wet turkeys can produce excessive hot oil splatter when added to the oil.

Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors at a safe distance (10 feet) from buildings or anything else that can burn.

Never use on a wooden deck, under a breezeway, in a carport, on a porch or in a garage.

Make sure there is at least 2 feet of space between the liquid propane tank and fryer burner.

Keeping fryers on a flat surface will help prevent accidental tipping.

Never let children or pets come near the fryer when it is in use. Even hours

Page 59A

We Know The Car Washing Business Inside and Out

Bluffton’s Local Favorite Carwash

after use, the oil can remain dangerously hot.

Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the pot or lid handles.

Be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix and water can cause oil to spill over, which can cause a fire or even an explosion hazard. That’s another reason why your turkey should be completely thawed before it goes into the fryer.

Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby and never use water to extinguish a grease fire.

Raise and lower food slowly to reduce splatter and avoid burns.

Check the oil temperature frequently.

Turn gas supply off if oil begins to smoke.

Never leave any cooking unattended.

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Page 60A

The Bluffton Sun

NITE UTIRE & AUTOD

Dec. 7, 2021

Eagle Eye View

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The Hilton Head Island Land Trust has set up two infrared video cameras in a treetop at an undisclosed location to keep an eye on a pair of Bald Eagles who built a nest and are tended to two eggs that have been laid. Viewers can tune in day or night to check in. The eggs are expected to hatch around Christmas Day. View the action at hhilandtrust.org/ eagle-cam. Donations are welcomed.

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58 Schinger Ave., Okatie/Bluffton, SC (First Left on Hwy 170 After Riverwalk)

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

HHI Jingle Jingle Bridge Run celebrates 30 years with new name Bear Foot Sports has merged two favorite races together. The Hilton Head Island Bridge Run and the Hilton Head Jingle Jingle Run have combined to become the Hargray Hilton Head Island Jingle Jingle Bridge Run. The 5K and 10K will be held Dec 24, beginning at 8 a.m. at Crossings Park. Both distances will start and finish at the park and take participants over the scenic Broad Creek on the Cross Island Expressway. This is a new course for 2021.

The 10K Road Race will feature all standard race divisions including: men’s, women’s senior, and masters.

The 5K run will feature limited divisions.

All participants will receive a colorful Long Sleeve Jingle Jingle Bridge Run T-shirt. An awards ceremony, featuring refreshments, music, and door prizes, will be held following the race

Page 61A

3 Northridge Dr. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 P.O. Box 22209 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 “Amaze Our Customers; Enhance Our Community”

Sales Associate Position Summary The primary responsibilities of the Sales Associate position are to maintain outstanding customer service, generate sales, merchandise product, and support the store management team.

Participants are encouraged to get in the spirit of the season and wear elf, Santa or other colorful holiday costumes.

A percentage of proceeds from the event will benefit Sunset Hilton Head Rotary Club. For more information or to register visit bearfootsports.com or call Bear Foot Sports at 843-7578520.

Major Responsibilities The major responsibilities for this position include: • Ensure each customer receives outstanding service which follows the S.A.L.E.S process. All knowledge required will be taught.

• Fills Cashier role in conjunction with Sales Associate role (insures at least one person is always at the POS ) • Maintain awareness of all promotions and advertisements.

• Execute the daily operational, day-to-day goals and priorities assigned by store management • Assist in the training and development of peers • Engage in all changes and opportunities at the store (understands and acknowledges Weekly Notes) • Uphold merchandising and store cleanliness standards • Participate in the processing of new shipments and help the team to keep the receiving and back stock area clean and organized • Responsive of safety issues • Conscious of shoplifting activity (uses radio call sign “Mr. Washington” to identify potential shoplifter) • Aid customers in locating merchandising in store, on acehardware.com, as well as, processing special orders • Solicit customers to open an Ace Rewards card • Answer customers’ questions and provide information on procedures and policies Minimum Requirements The minimum requirements for this position include: • Education/Training: High School degree. Possess a willingness to learn. All hardware knowledge will be taught.

• Ability to establish relationships and work with customers • Previous experience in a retail environment is a plus • Skills/Knowledge: Knowledge of retail computer systems, MS Word and Excel a plus but all required knowledge will be taught.

• A commitment to service excellence and customer satisfaction • Solid team player with excellent interpersonal skills • Excellent communication skills, organizational ability, high attention to detail, and ability to multi-task • Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet the needs of the business Physical Requirements The minimum physical requirements for this position include: • Must be able to lift 40 pounds frequently to load and unload customer orders.

• Ability to stand for an extended period of time • Move and handle boxes of merchandise and fixtures throughout the store, which entails lifting and perform all functions as set forth.

Job responsibilities may change based on the needs of the business.

Why work at Ace HHI? • • • • • • • • • •

$13.00/hr – Review after 90 day to $14.00/hr. if successful Path to $15.00/hr. Program available after 90 days Holiday and Sunday Pay – 1.5x Regular Pay Healthcare Benefits – 100% Paid - Full Time Associates Only – With Proof of Enrollment at Blue Cross Blue Shield Matching 401k Program– 100% Match on First 3%; 50% of next 2% - After 1 year or 1000 hours of service Quarterly Bonuses based on Company Performance (paid every year since 2016) Company Paid Training – Basic and Advanced Special Employee Discount for Personal Purchases Advancement Opportunities – Local and National Fun and Gratifying Place to work!

Page 62A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES LOOKING FOR A NEW POSITION?

These Are A Few Openings Right Here In Our Own Backyard!!

EMPLOYER

POSITION

SKILLS REQUIRED

FT/PT COMPENSATION

WESTIN HILTON HEAD ISLAND & RESORT

VARIOUS

Varies based upon position

Varies

HILTON HEAD PLANTATION POA

SECURITY OFFICERS

Security experience; will train

TEMPLATE/FIELD RESPRESENTATIVE & INSTALLERS

Must have prior experience.

KELCA COUNTERS LIGHTHOUSE SMOKE SHOP

CONTACT INFO

Visit: Careers.Marriott.com or Varies – includes an extensive WestinResortHHI.com Call: Compensation Package w/benefits! 843-681-0869 Or In-person: 2

Grasslawn Avenue, Hilton Head SC

RETAIL SALES

Days / Hours Vary Mon – Sun

E-mail: vgreen@hhppoa.org $15 - $18 per hour based upon Call: 843-681-3053 experience

Full time Pay is based upon In-person: 2 Coastal Drive, Bluffton SC with benefits experience

Retail sales experience, smoke shop, cannabis

PT – less than 30 hours per week

$10 - $12 / hour

E-mail: prohendrix@yahoo.com Or Call: 843-379-3339

NANTUCKET MEAT & FISH MARKET

CAFÉ BARISTA

Prepare custom beverages, assemble sandwiches, cash handling, food preparation

Part time – evenings & weekends

$14 - $16 / hour

E-mail: CBergner09@gmail.com or Call: 843-706-2500

NANTUCKET MEAT & FISH MARKET

MEAT CLERK

Customer service, food preparation, meat cutting skills are a plus!

Part time – evenings & weekends

$16 - $18 / hour

E-mail: CBergner09@gmail.com or Call: 843-706-2500

GRANT COORDINATOR

Organizational, verbal/written skills, Microsoft proficient, working knowledge of Mailchimp, Wordpress, & Zoom

Part-time (5 days/ week)

Hourly or Salaried (TBD)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Masters Degree, leadership, grant writing, budgeting

Full Time

ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Degree in Marketing, Communications or related. 1 year experience

P.T. 20-30 hr. per week

TBD

Email Resume, Cover Letter, Portfolio Examples to: personnel@ artshhi.com No phone calls

NECTAR BLUFFTON

ALL POSITIONS

Varies

Opening Soon

Varies

Visit: www.serggroup.com/careers E-mail: jnorris@serggroup.com or

LOWCOUNTRY ALLIANCE FOR HEALTHY YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA BEAUFORT / JASPER: ISLAND HOUSE PROGRAM

E-mail: Dr. Loretta Novince @ lorettanovincephd@gmail.com

$50,000 - $65,000 E-mail resume and cover letter to: per annum chamberwill@aol.com depending on qualifications

EMPLOYERS: WANT TO ADD YOUR OPENINGS TO THIS LIST? THIS IS A FREE SERVICE. CALL MELISSA AT THE BLUFFTON SUN/HILTON HEAD SUN AT 843.757.9507

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 63A

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES LOOKING FOR A NEW POSITION?

These Are A Few Openings Right Here In Our Own Backyard!!

EMPLOYER

POSITION

SKILLS REQUIRED

FT/PT

COMPENSATION

CONTACT INFO

OKATIE PINES INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING

SERVER

No experience required

PT

$11 / hour

Visit: careers.rlcommunities.com

OKATIE PINES INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING

HOUSEKEEPING

Experience preferred

PT

TBD

Visit: careers.rlcommunities.com

WHISPER CREEK DAY SPA

NAIL TECHNICIAN

Licensed nail technician & previous experience

FT with benefits

$18 - $30 / hour

Visit: https://whispercreekspa.com/ careers E-mail: khrisha.hein@whispercreekspa.com Or Call: 423-505-9197

WHISPER CREEK DAY SPA

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Licensed massage therapist & previous experience

FT with benefits

$18 - $42 / hour

Visit: https://whispercreekspa.com/ careers E-mail: khrisha.hein@whispercreekspa.com Or Call: 423-505-9197

THE CHILDREN’S CENTER

CLASSROOM TEACHER

HS Diploma required, experience preferred

Mon – Fri

Starting at $15 / hour

E-mail: info@thechildrenscentersc.org Call: 843-681-2739 In-person: 8 Nature’s Way, Hilton Head SC

THE CHILDREN’S CENTER

KITCHEN ASSISTANT

Restaurant experience preferred

Mon – Fri 7am – 4pm

Starting at $15 / hour

E-mail: info@thechildrenscentersc.org Call: 843-681-2739 In-person: 8 Nature’s Way, Hilton Head SC

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK – BLUFFTON

PREP

Mon – Sat 8am – 8pm

$9 - $13

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK – BLUFFTON

CASHIER

Prepare our delicious chicken salad, be open to being trainable Exude extraordinary customer service, be open to being trainable

Mon – Sat 8am – 8pm

$9 - $13

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK – BLUFFTON

LINE COOK

Mon – Sat 8am – 8pm

$9 - $13

MORE SPACE PLACE

CUSTOM FURNITURE SALES

Prepare our chicken salad dishes, be open to being trainable Accurate in measurements, experience in sales or customer service

Tues – Fri 9am – 5 pm & Sat 10am – 4 pm

Excellent communication skills, computer literate, hands-on medical experience preferred

40 hours per week

MAY RIVER DERMATOLOGY

MEDICAL ASSISTANT /MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST

Base salary and Commissions

E-mail: cscbluffton@gmail.com Call: 843-258-1780 In-person: 20 Discovery Dr, Bluffton SC E-mail: cscbluffton@gmail.com Call: 843-258-1780 In-person: 20 Discovery Dr, Bluffton SC E-mail: cscbluffton@gmail.com Call: 843-258-1780 In-person: 20 Discovery Dr, Bluffton SC E-mail: msp36@hargray.com Call: 843-836-1304 In-person: 1304 Fording Island Road, Suite G, Bluffton SC

E-mail: $13 - $19 per hour info@mayriverdermatology.com

EMPLOYERS: WANT TO ADD YOUR OPENINGS TO THIS LIST? THIS IS A FREE SERVICE. CALL MELISSA AT THE BLUFFTON SUN/HILTON HEAD SUN AT 843.757.9507

Page 64A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

HOME

Don’t greet New Year with same old tap water in your home

By Chris Lane CONTRIBUTOR

It is safe to say many will be very happy to ring out 2021 at the end of this month and ring in 2022. Like every Dec. 31, our lives are full of self-reflecting, promising to be heathier and, of course, making New Year resolutions.

Most years, we have looked at the New Year with traditional resolutions like losing weight, quitting smoking, going to the gym, or limiting our intake of alcoholic beverages.

2021 has been like no other, and it provides an opportunity to reflect and move forward in a new way. After another year that’s been anything but “normal,” it’s fair to expect that many of our New Year’s resolutions will look different this year, too.

As we ring in 2022 it’s natural to reflect on how our lifestyles changed and what we might want to change in 2022 and beyond.

2020 taught us that the air we breathe is so precious to our health and safety. The

pandemic has taught us to social distance, wash our hands routinely, wear face coverings and work from home. In 2022 we all need to continue to include the CDC Guidelines part of our New Year resolutions.

Often, I have been asked if COVID-19 can be spread through drinking water.

Currently, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people by drinking treated water. Our local public service districts’ water treatment plants use disinfectants to remove or kill germs, like the virus that causes COVID-19.

The EPA regulates water treatment plants to ensure that treated water is safe to drink.

One great New Year resolution every year is to drink more water. The question always comes up: “How much water should I drink every day?” Some say 64 ounces per day, or eight 8-ounce glasses of water; other experts recommend half an ounce for each pound of body weight as your daily recommenda-

SO LD

tion.

Whichever choice you make for 2022, it will be a healthy one.

I believe the best New Year resolution is to drink filtered water. When choosing a filter for your home, make sure the filter is certified to remove any contaminants found in your tap water.

Carbon refrigerator filters, faucet mount filters or filtered pitchers are affordable and reduce many common water contaminants.

However, a reverse osmosis filter provides triple-filtered water and can remove many contaminants, such as lead, nitrates, sodium, fluoride and pharmaceuticals, that carbon filters cannot catch.

For more information on how you can safeguard your home’s water supply, visit the Water Quality Association at wqa.org, or call a local water treatment expert.

Chris Lane is the owner of Culligan Water Conditioning of the Lowcountry, serving Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. culliganhhi. com

Sun City | 33 Plymouth Lane | $425,000 2 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms, Den Gorgeous Hamilton Jefferson Carolina Room Main living areas w/Ceramic Woodlike Flooring Extended vinyl / screen porch Overlooking a long lagoon

Sun City | 32 Penny Creek Drive | $425,000 2 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms, Den Popular Dogwood Large lot close to Hidden Cypress amenities Many upgrades throughout 3 sliders to the brick paver screened porch Great room w/formal dining area Inviting front porch & entry foyer

SO LD

Correctly priced homes are selling in record time, the demand is high and the supply is low. For an accurate market analysis on your home call me, have a full-service REALTOR working for you. References are readily available.

Ruth Kimball | 843-540-0205 | ruthkimball@msn.com ASK ME ABOUT U.S. MILITARY ON THE MOVE! All information is believed to be accurate. Subject to verification by Buyer/Buyers Agent.

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

Page 65A

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Let us Manage your Rental (Homes and Condos)

SUN CITY 34 Cutter Circle $599,999

Bring your personal items & move into this pleasantly & lovingly appointed Osprey Model Home with 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Enter into an inviting tiled foyer, the left is a formal living room with room for a grand piano, on the right a formal dining room both surrounded by large crown molding & smooth ceilings. Skylights in the kitchen offer daylight to enhance the ambiance of the cozy gas-fireplaced Carolina room with built-in shelving that includes a large picture window overlooking the enclosed Lanai. There are a master and guest bedrooms, a master bath & guest bath, & hardwood & tile floor coverings. 1 yr Home Warranty at successful closing.

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Page 66A

The Bluffton Sun

Dec. 7, 2021

REAL ESTATE

Best strategies for pricing a home in hot seller’s market

By Larry Stoller CONTRIBUTOR

While the Lowcountry temperatures are cooling down, our real estate market is still hot. We are in a seller’s market with bidding wars and multiple offers above list price.

I recently listed and sold a home for $60k more than asking price. There were five offers, and some of them included escalating clauses, stating that the buyers would beat any other offer by so many dollars up to a specific dollar amount.

With the high demand for local area homes, it is of utmost importance to price your home so it sells for the highest possible price. I suggest that you strategically price your home to encourage multiple offers.

That might mean not overpricing your home, which could risk turning off buyers who are ready to make at or above list price offers. The better strategy might be to price your home at fair market value based upon

comparable homes for sale and homes that have already sold.

Savvy real estate agents know how to strategically price homes.

In a fast-moving market it is also important to consider comparable homes that are under contract. While we do not know the

agreed-upon prices of these homes that have not yet closed, we can get some ideas and insights by reaching out to those agents who put these homes under contract.

Over the past few months, I have seen agents pricing homes above market value (but not too much above), which appears

to be a solid strategy in a seller’s market to obtain multiple offers and encourage bidding battles.

On the other hand, this being the Lowcountry with lower property taxes and good value homes, I would suggest pricing high to see if any offers come in. In less than a week or so, either you will have some offers or the market will tell us to lower the price a bit.

It has been my experience that prospective home buyers from up North feel that they are getting a good deal when they shop online for our Lowcountry homes for sale.

And with the inventory as low as it is in most Hilton Head Island and Bluffton communities, they are more than ready to make attractive cash offers on what they see.

Larry Stoller is a broker and Realtor with Real Estate Five of the Lowcountry. Larry@ RealEstateFive.com, RealEstateFive.com, SunCityOpenHouses247.com

HONEY HORN FARMERS MARKET EVERY TUESDAY FROM 9 AM – 1 PM AT THE COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Dec. 7, 2021

The Bluffton Sun

CLASSIFIEDS SPORTS CARDS WANTED: Vesci Sports Cards, specializing in pre-1972 baseball, football and basketball cards. Looking for personal collections.

Cash paid for cards. Hilton Head resident Jim Vesci 215-266-2975 jdvescisr@gmail.com

YOUR AD HERE CAN REACH 25,000 households and businesses from Moss Creek to Sun City to Callawassie Island. Promote services, sell goods, announce a yard sale, buy a house, sell a house, find a job, find employees, ask for help, offer help! Ads starting at $28 for 40 words. 843-757-9507.

FIREARMS TRAINING. BASIC SAFE HANDLING to advanced defensive shooting. Have you recently acquired a pistol and would like to feel comfortable with it? Classroom and range training for men, women, small groups, and church security. Certified instructor. Call Jack at 843-4223172.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

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Call Jerry

OVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE References Call 843-384-0303

LEARN PIANO, SAXOPHONE OR FLUTE Experienced Instructor In Bluffton.

Jennifer, Instructor of Piano, Saxophone, and Flute.

Classical or popular music, including music theory.

Offering on-line lessons.

Mon-Thurs - Morning to early evening.

Please call in Bluffton.

Find me on YouTube: Jennifers Music page

407-818-4346

gatorhater2021@gmail.com

Page 67A R YES, I Want to Continue My FREE Bluffton Sun Delivery (at no cost) In The Mail For the Next 3 Years!

Email Us At: FreeSubscription@BlufftonSun.com Please include: First & Last Name, Street Address, City, SC, Zip Code, Email address or Telephone Number (Delivery Available in 29909 & 29910)

Page 68A

The Bluffton Sun

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or visit hargray.com/bluffton-sun Limited time offer. Advertised price does not include equipment fees, taxes, surcharges or any other regulatory or governmental charges. Hargray does not require a contract for residential services. Additional Hargray services are allowed for additional monthly cost per service. “Fastest Internet” claim is based on the download and upload speeds of Hargray’s 1000 Mbps tier compared to the download and upload speeds of the fastest Internet tier offered by most competitors as of October 1, 2021, and are typically between 945 Mbps and 950 Mbps due to overhead capacity reserved to deliver the data. Upload speeds are typically between 50 and 54 Mbps. Fastest Upload Speeds delivered as optional symmetrical service via Hargray fiber to the home Internet service and are up to 1000 Mbps.Hargray Internet service plans feature unlimited data with no data caps, no overage charges, and no service throttling. Intentional speed reductions may be triggered at the customer-level when an individual customer drives network congestion that negatively impacts other customers. 30 Day Money Back Guarantee applies to subscribed service and installation fees if removed within 30 days after installation.

Refunds are not applicable for long-distance, Video-on-Demand (VOD) or PPV Charges. Up to $200 credit for Early Termination Fee requires final competitor’s statement with early termination fee displayed. The credit will be applied to the customer’s Hargray account after installation and competitor’s final bill is received. Broadband speeds may not be available in all areas, are not guaranteed, are subject to a number of factors and are measured via direct connection (not via WiFi). Promotion is for new residential customers only, adding Hargray services for the first time. Optional FREE 3 Months PowerBoost is good for the first 3 months and is based on service availability. ©2021, Hargray Communications Group, Inc.; logos are registered trademarks and as such, protected property of their respective companies; all rights reserved.

ut llo ion Pu ect S

Dec. 7, 2021 • SECTION B Volume 24, I­ ssue 23

PHOTO BY GUSTAVO RATTIA

Don’t miss ‘Elf: The Musical’ Dec. 8-Jan. 2 • Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

Don’t miss our arts calendar for latest events! 2B

La Petite Gallerie Spotlight: Don Nagel -6B

Savannah Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” - 8B

Kids’ book features archaelogical adventure - 9B

Page 2B Dec. 8-Jan. 2 “Elf: The Musical,” Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Family holiday fun, based on 2003 Christmas movie. Tickets $56 adults, $51 children for preview, Dec. 8-9; $61 adult, $56 children starting Dec. 10. tickets.artshhi.com or 843-842-2787.

Dec. 9-19 “Art,” presented by Lean Ensemble, at Hilton Head Prep’s Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St. Performances Dec. 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m.; with Sunday matinees Dec. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets $40; preview night Dec. 9, $25. Dec. 12 is “pay what you can with a can” for Deep Well. 843-715-6676 or leanensemble.org. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test required.

Dec. 10 “The Sounds of Christmas,” by Hilton Head Choral Society, 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway. Vocals and full orchestra. Tickets $15-$40. For tickets and more information, call 843341-3818, visit hiltonheadchoralsociety.org, or email tickets@hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. Proof of vaccination required.

Dec. 10-22 Kids Christmas Ornament art class, Society of Bluffton Artists, for ages 6-14. Taught by Mary Burrell, children can create their own design or use patterns. Classes 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 10; 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 11; 5:30-7 p.m.

Dec. 17; 2-3:30 Dec. 18; 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 22. $25 per child; register at sobagallery.com.

Dec. 11 “Carols in the Courtyard,” by Lowcountry Community Concert Band, outdoor Christmas concert, 1 p.m. in the front courtyard of the Library at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus in Bluffton. Free.

Bring chairs; wheelchair accessible.

Through Dec. 13 “Visual Conversations: Our Voices,” USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort.

Collection of abstracts by 31 artists from three states.

Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Nov. 18. USCBCenterForTheArts.com or 843-521-4145 Dec. 15, 16, 18 “The Nutcracker,” Savannah Ballet Theatre, four performances. Dec. 15, 16 at 7 p.m., Tybee Post Theatre, 10 Van Horne Ave.; tickets $25 at box office. 1 p.m. (low-sensory show for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, other disabilities), and 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Johnny Mercer Theatre, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave.; tickets $25 at Ticketmaster; 1 p.m. show free. savannahballettheatre.org Dec. 17 “Painting on Glass,” class with Kathy Oda, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Art League Academy, 106 Cordillo Parkway. Students will create a 13x6 plate. Cost $40,

Dec. 7, 2021 plus bring $15 cash to class for materials. Details at artleaguehhi.org.

Through Dec. 31 Gallery of Gifts, Art League of Hilton Head, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted gifts from artist members. Includes artistic stocking stuffers, jewelry, and unique ornaments and holiday decor. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

Through Jan. 1 Dove Street Lights, back in its original location on Dove Street, North Forest Beach, Hilton Head Island. Drive through magical wonderland of lights, complete with carols and beach snow, from dusk to midnight.

Free!

Through Jan. 7 USCB Visual Art and Design Faculty Exhibition, Sea Islands Center Gallery, 1106 Carteret St., Beaufort.

Features works by Joanna Angell, Ann Holderfield, Kim Keats, Laurie Lovell, Chad Penner, Chris Robinson, and Jim Sidletsky in painting, drawing, sculpture, fibers, ceramics, digital collage and animation. Gallery hours weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dec. 7, 2021

Page 3B

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Dec. 7, 2021

Take some time this holiday season for your ‘Elf’ If you’re ready to get into the holiday spirit, then get ready for “Elf, The Musical” at the Arts Center, running Dec. 8 through Jan. 2. Based on the eponymous 2003 Christmas film, this song-and-dance version of the modern holiday classic introduces us to a young orphan named Buddy, who mistakenly crawled into Santa’s bag of gifts and was then transported to the North Pole.

Raised by elves his entire life, Buddy doesn’t know he is actually a human. When his larger size and poor toy-making ability cause him to face the snow-cold hard facts, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.

Buddy soon finds out that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, both of which make him even more determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

The Arts Center is delighted to be producing this modern-day holiday classic, directed and choreographed by New York

GUSTAVO RATTIA

The cast of “Elf, The Musical,” onstage Dec. 8-Jan. 2 at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

City’s Mark Martino (“Newsies,” “White Christmas,” “Kiss Me Kate”). He leads a stellar cast including Conor McShane (Buddy), Emily Grace Tucker (Jovie), Jesse Sharp (Walter), John Ahlin (Santa) and, new to the Arts Center stage, local youth actor JP Carr (Michael), among a talented host of

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performers.

Martino is excited to be back at the Arts Center for his sixth show here, and said, “This show is so much more than even the beloved movie. Big numbers, singing, dancing, make ‘Elf, The Musical’ a holiday must-see! I can’t wait for Lowcountry

residents and visitors to experience the thrill of this joyful show as only live theatre can deliver!”

Back at the Arts Center again is Bryson Baumgartel who is musical director; and yes, Virginia, there is a live orchestra!

The musicians are actually under the stage, and the pit is closed, so many audience-goers have been unaware of the talent below the stage. They are as stealthy, as well … elves.

“Elf, The Musical” is the most fun you’ll have this season getting in the holiday spirit!

Preview performances (Dec. 8-9) are $56 for adults; and $51 for children (ages 5-15); regular performances (Dec. 10-Jan. 2) are $61 for adults; and $56 for children (ages 5-15).

Tickets are already going fast, and may be purchased at tickets.artshhi.com or by calling 843-842- 2787. Get yours today, because, after all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

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Page 5B

SOBA opens call for judged show Lowcountry artists are invited to submit their works for The Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SOBA) 28th Annual Judged Show, to be held March 7-April 3, 2022. An awards reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. March 9.

Registration deadline is March 1.

Winners will be awarded first, second and third place cash awards in the following categories: Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor, Photography, Drawing (pastel, pencil/graphite, pen & ink) and Miscellaneous (mixed media, collage, 3-D, stained glass). Size requirements will apply.

The Judged Show is limited to 100 entries. Registration is required by completing a form available at the

gallery, located at 6 Church St. in Old Town Bluffton, or by registering online at bit.ly/28thjudgedshow.

The cost to register is $25 for SOBA members and $50 for non-SOBA members.

Artists must drop off their art from 9 to 11 a.m. March 7 at the Center for Creative Arts, located at 8 Church St., next door to the SOBA gallery. No entries will be accepted after 11 a.m.

Registration information and a full list of rules are available online at bit. ly/judgedshowdetails.

These events are free to attend and open to the public.

For more information, visit sobagallery.com or call 843-757-3776.

A MODERN DAY HOLIDAY CL ASSIC Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The wouldbe elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.

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Dec. 7, 2021D

Don Nagel’s art progressed from pastels to graphics and back La Petite Gallerie, an intimate Old Town Bluffton shop featuring local art, continues to introduce its gallery artists.

This month’s spotlight artist is one of the original five artists who started the gallery, pastel painter Don Nagel.

Nagel was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., studied art at the Rochester Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Arts, and later received a Master of Arts degree in printmaking from Wayne State University in Detroit.

He worked in Pittsburgh and Detroit for 30 years in major advertising agencies as an art director and associate creative director, receiving numerous rewards, including the New York Director’s Club Gold Medal and Clio Awards.

Nagel and his wife, Joyce, also a pastel artist, moved to Hilton Head Island in 1986.

He worked as a freelance graphic designer until 1998, when he retired. He now has devoted himself to painting and teaching the fine art of pastel.

“When I started in the agencies many years ago, layouts and designs were ren-

dered in pastel gauche or watercolor. I was never very good at watercolor and gauche was slow,” he said. “Eventually magic

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markers became available, and finally the computer was invented. While working full time, I never had time or energy for fine

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Nagel appreciates “the immediacy of the pastel medium,” he said. “I start my paintings with an underpainting of pastel and solvent on sandboard, using mostly complimentary color. Then I build up light and dark tones with hard pastel and finally add the bright highlights with softer pastel.”

Nagel Don is a member of Art League of Hilton Head, an associate member of the Pastel Society of America, and a Member of Excellence in the Southeastern Pastel Society. His paintings hang in private and corporate collections and have received awards from regional and national pastel societies.

Nagel’s original pastels can be seen at La Petite Gallerie, where prints of his work are also available.

La Petite Gallerie is located at 56 Calhoun St. in Bluffton, where Nagels spends a little time welcoming visitors. For more information visit lapetitegallerie.com.

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Page 7B

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Dec. 7, 2021

Savannah Ballet presents ‘The Nutcracker’

HOLIDAY ART WALK Friday, November 19 5:00pm - 7:00pm

The Savannah Ballet Theatre (SBT) is slated to celebrate the holiday season with four live productions of “The Nutcracker” this December. Two of the performances – at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 – will be shown for the very first time at Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer Theater, located at 301. W. Oglethorpe Ave. The 1 p.m. performance will be a special low-sensory show for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities. The other two performances will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 at the Tybee Post Theater, located at 10 a live audience for the first time in two Van Horne Ave. years,” said SBT artistic director Suzanne The legendary score by Tchaikovsky Braddy. “The local dancers at our profeswill fuel the performance of this classic sional company are filled with excitement holiday ballet, which demonstrates the for this year’s performance as it features story of a young girl’s dream of a Christguest artists, exciting projections and mas gift come-to-life to become her beloved prince. There’s no better way to get beautiful costumes to create the magical experience that the audience looks forin the holiday spirit than by joining SBT ward to each year. We could not have put as they guide members of the audience this production on without the generous through a magical holiday dream.

“We are thrilled to bring this incredible support of our sponsors, on Tybee Island, and our patrons.” many art galleries and shops.

Art enthusiasts canSBT meet some Christmas production back in front of

Tickets for the Tybee Post Theatre performances on Dec. 15 and 16 are $25 and will be sold at Tybee Post Theater Box Office. Tickets for the Johnny Mercer Theater performances on Dec. 18 are $25 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. The low-sensory performance at 1 p.m. on Dec. 18 is free and open to the public, thanks to the City of Savannah’s ACE grant.

For more information visit savannahballettheatre.org.

of them during the Holiday Art Walk.

Enjoy the Holidays in LIGHT UP THE NIGHT Old Town Bluffton.

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Shop & Dine early, then join the Christmas tree lighting with Santa in Martin Park at 5:30.

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Dec. 7, 2021

Page 9B

Beaufort author digs up a new archaeological adventure The name is Bone – James Bone.

007 years old and licensed to dig, this pint-sized paleontologist is in search of a Dino-sized adventure! From author Carole Marsh comes a new graphic novel series, “James Bone and the Awesome Allosaurus Adventure,” created for kids with a tremendous appetite for prehistoric puns, fun, and facts.

“Graphic Novels are an entirely new genre for me, but I’ve always had the idea for a James Bond spoof for kids, and it seemed like the perfect fit,” says Marsh of her latest venture. “My goal was to craft something a reader wants to read; read out loud to a parent or sibling, read with a friend, read over and over, and otherwise find confidence and joy in their ability to read, no matter their age or language. They’ll enjoy the friendship, fumbling, and fun, feel a part of it all, and want to continue the journey with James, his friends, dinosaurs, and more!”

The award-winning writer, formerly of Atlanta and now residing in Beaufort

County, has inspired an entire generation of readers with her “Real Kids! Real Places!” mystery series, and in more recent years has been a fixture in the classroom with social studies curriculum and educational resources that support teachers across the U.S. and Canada. For this new graphic series, she has partnered with illustrator and cartoonist Lee Barrow, a 2014 graduate of Sa-

vannah College of Art & Design (SCAD).

The eightbook series invites readers to join James on an epic hunt to find dinosaur fossils for showand-tell. Each book follows their adventures as they dig through a new assignment at an archaeological site. Along with his friends Pick, Shovel, and his dog Diggy, they uncover more than just fossils – they discover the tools needed

to solve any problem. This series teaches that through perseverance, persistence, and patience, the young explorers always complete their mission. While reading about their favorite topic, kids will learn about the importance of friendship, cooperation, and creative problem-solving.

Marsh is an entrepreneur, author, and founder and CEO of Gallopade International in Peachtree City, Ga. After more than 40 years, she continues to write new stories for readers of all ages.

In 2021 she created Gallopade Graphics to introduce new graphic novels that incorporate history and science to educate and entertain a new generation of fans.

Graphic novels have been proven to help kids get excited about reading and to read above their grade level.

“James Bone and the Awesome Allosaurus Adventure’” is currently available for pre-order at gallopade.com, and will be on sale for the holiday season on Amazon and Follett with eBook and audio versions coming in 2022.

Page 10B

Christmas concert features local musicians

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The Lowcountry Community Concert Band will present a special outdoor Christmas concert, “Carols in the Courtyard,” at 1 p.m. Dec. 11 in the front courtyard of the Library at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus on U.S. 278 in Bluffton.

Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

The USCB campus has ample parking and is wheelchair accessible. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and coolers are welcomed.

Added attractions will include food trucks, a Christmas cookie baking contest, and an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest.

Masks are not required at this outdoor event.

The program begins with music by the Lowcountry Flute Choir and the Lowcountry Brass Quintet. The full band will play a number of traditional carols, a holiday medley, and favorite songs for all ages.

The LCCB performs under the baton

of Conductor/Artistic Director David Carbone, who has more than 30 years of experience in music education and the marching arts as a performer, conductor, educator, arranger and adjudicator.

Deborah Hamner, our associate conductor, currently teaches band, music appreciation, and piano at May River High School. Prior to this she taught music and directed the band at Bridges Preparatory School.

LCCB is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

LCCB provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages and abilities to play instrumental music together for enjoyment as well as to perform for the community. The band is 100% self-sustaining; donations are welcome, and are used for buying new music and equipment, repairing instruments, and paying for transporting equipment to concert venues.

For more information, visit ollilccb. com.

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Page 11B

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Dec. 7, 2021

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