Sun City Sun • July 15, 2025 by The Bluffton Sun

Sun City volunteers provide a helping hand

By Andrea Hoerner Contributor

In 2013, the Sun City Board of Directors invited residents to join a Task Force on “Aging in Place.” Ten individuals responded and were tasked with researching and establishing an organization complete with a budget and a Board of Directors. After 18 months of diligent work, Staying Connected, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, was officially formed. Recognized by the Board of Directions as a Service Organization, the Resource Hub was opened and they began providing services in February 2015.

However, concerns over liability issues arose, and now Staying Connected is separate from the Community Asso-

ciation. The organization pays rent, pays for their utilities, office supplies and, of course, insurance. The 230 volunteers are kept busy helping 530 members.

Mary O’Brien, Vice President, and Lucia Crosby, Community Relations Director, have been volunteers for 10 years. Crosby says: “I consider volunteering to be an investment in our Sun City community. We bring value to the people living here who may need help with everyday life challenges. Volunteering has given me a sense of purpose and that is a wonderful feeling!”

Each week, volunteers can sign up using an on-line calendar which lets them choose the assignment they want, making it easy to fit into their schedule.

Safety is the #1 priority and volunteers are vetted and trained for their particular area of interest. And for the safety of members, volunteers go through background checks with all information kept confidential.

As is true for many non-profit organizations, volunteers are the lifeblood of Staying Connected. And the benefits of volunteering are many: A boost in your mental health, a sense of connection to others in your community. new friends and discovering your talents and strengths while helping others.

Volunteer opportunities include the following areas:

• Transportation for local medical appointments and grocery shopping.

• In home social visits allowing caregivers to leave for personal time.

• Reassuring phone calls on weekdays to those living alone.

• Basic home maintenance for simple household tasks.

• Administrative support such as data entry and staffing the Resource Hub.

Prospective members are interviewed to determine if their needs can be met and they are quick to praise the services provided. “Where would I have been after my knee replacement, if not for the wonderful volunteer who took me to PT appointments,” stated one Sun City resident.

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In November 2022, Staying Connected received a generous donation from 100+ Sun City Women Who Care, which enables them to utilize the services of Dr. Susan McCombs as a consultant. Dr. McCombs, a licensed clinical social worker (LISW), is a Sun City resident, and has provided training and lectured on geriatric subjects in the community. When requested, she makes a friendly visit to members to see if they might need more help than Staying Connected can provide.

Securitas is often asked to do wellness checks, but they can only check the home from the outside. A partnership was developed with Securitas which allows Staying Connected to provide them emergency contact information for their members. NOTE: In an emergency, relatives not registered with the Community Association cannot enter Sun City.

The Resource Hub is available to all residents of Sun City and offers an extensive catalog of services and support groups. It is located at the Yemassee

Crafts Center (843 705 2259). The office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The latest exciting development is that Staying Connected will be maintaining The Lending Closet, which has been coordinated by Dixie Reed, a Sun City resident. Open to all Sun City residents, equipment will be delivered and retrieved by volunteers, Monday through Friday. Residents can request/ reserve medical equipment through the Staying Connected web page or by calling 843 252-0121.

“This service has grown over the past four years. I am grateful for the amazing support our community has shown me in coordinating this valuable and greatly needed service. Partnering with Staying Connected in its continuation is a dream realized,” said Reed. To learn more about all that Staying Connected provides or to volunteer, please visit their website: stayingconnectedschh.org.

ANDREA HOERNER

By Chris Roosa Contributor

It was a hot summer day in a small town outside the Houston city limits. A little white fur-ball was trying to keep up with the Aussie and German Shepherd darting across the dressage arena during a teaching clinic. With legs too short and a stride far too modest, in comparison to his larger canine buddies, this petite Westie couldn’t cover nearly as much ground. He was trampled beneath the hooves of a Dutch Warm-blood cantering across the arena.

When I called the owner two days later, to check on his injuries, she informed me she had not taken him to a vet. I offered to pay the medical expenses, so she reluctantly took him for X-rays. Two broken toes and a broken pelvic was the diagnosis. During our following phone conversation she remarked, “He’s just a stupid little dog that’s going to get killed on this

Timmy was his name

farm. Do YOU want him?” I told her I’d pick him up in thirty minutes.

He still had his baby teeth. He needed time to recover. Because he strongly reeked of “barn smell” I carefully bathed him before hopelessly falling in love with this darling fluffy FREE puppy.

The first month he chewed up my prescription glasses that I left on the sofa table. Then he ate my newly purchased diamond post earrings. I’m sure my neighbors got a chuckle when, for the next three days, they’d watch me examine Timmy’s “offerings” in the hopes of retrieving my investment. All to no avail!

I spent an endless year potty training this dog. Adding to my frustration, he chewed up custom floor moldings, along with other household destructions, until he became an adult.

The following year we were transferred to Michigan and moved onto a ten-acre farm located in the middle of five hun-

dred acres. Paradise! Timmy finally grew into a well-behaved dog living on a farm. It was late October, and my husband was overseas on business. The house had no basement but was built on a five-footdeep crawl space. I had cats up at the barn for mice but every fall the mice became an problem within the house.

We had a gorgeous field stone fireplace with raked mortar covering one entire wall of the family room. One day, as I sat there watching television, a sudden movement caught my eye on the field stone. At that same instant Timmy alerted to attention. He just lay there almost paralyzed. Without warning he pounced! With a joyful bounce to his step, he quickly brought this wiggling little rodent to HIS MOTHER!!!

With a happy tone to my voice, I complimented him on his catch and said, “Let’s take it outside!” He was so willing to please. Out he ran, dropping the mouse

and coming back inside to once again sit guard at the fireplace. This went on a good portion of the day. It became a challenge to this little hunter.

What I didn’t know, at the time, is that Westie’s are considered an earth dog or tunnel dog. This little dynamo, from the Scottish Highlands, was bred to hunt vermin such as mice. The dogs are intelligent and eager to please. This is why Timmy was so happy to retrieve a “prize” for his mother. The eager canine was just doing what he was bred to do. That day Timmy brought me eight “gifts.” We never saw another mouse that season.

Timmy was like an Ever Ready battery that never wore out. We were blessed to have him for over 21 years. He was the gift that kept on giving.

Chris Roosa is a resident of Sun City Hilton Head.

The CLUE Report: why every homeowner should know what’s on theirs

By Gary Smythe Contributor

In today’s real estate market, transparency and preparedness can make or break a home sale. Whether you’re planning to sell your home soon or just want to stay ahead of the curve, there’s one little-known document that can offer significant insight into your property’s history—and peace of mind for future buyers. It’s called a CLUE report, and every homeowner should know what it is and how to get one.

What Is a CLUE Report?

CLUE stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, a database managed by LexisNexis that tracks property insurance claims filed within the past

seven years. It includes information about:

• Dates and types of claims (e.g., fire, water damage, wind)

• Insurance company involved

• Payouts made (if any)

• Whether the claim was accepted or denied

In essence, a CLUE report acts like a credit report for your property’s insurance history. It helps insurance companies assess risk, and it can influence whether they offer a policy—and at what premium.

Why It Matters to You as a Homeowner

Even if you’re not currently selling, reviewing your CLUE report offers several benefits:

1. Ensure Accuracy

Mistakes happen. A claim might be listed on your report that wasn’t yours or was resolved years ago. Left uncorrected, errors could affect your future insurance

rates or cause concern for potential buyers.

2. Prepare for a Sale

Buyers—and their insurance companies—often use the CLUE report to assess risk before closing. If past water or roof claims are listed, you may be asked to provide documentation or proof of repairs. Knowing what’s in your report ahead of time can prevent last-minute surprises.

3. Support Your Property’s Condition

A clean CLUE report can be a strong selling point. It reassures buyers that the home hasn’t experienced major issues or recurring insurance claims—a big factor in today’s cautious insurance market.

How to Get Your CLUE Report (It’s Free!)

Under federal law, you’re entitled to one free CLUE report per year. To request it:

1. Visit consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com

2. Choose “Request a Report”

3. Provide basic info (name, address, proof of identity)

4. Select the CLUE Homeowners Report You’ll receive the report within a few business days—either by mail or electronically.

A Smart Move for Bluffton Homeowners

With homeowners insurance becoming more scrutinized, especially here in coastal areas like Bluffton, having a clear understanding of your property’s claim history is more important than ever. Think of your CLUE report as another tool in your homeownership toolkit—one that can protect your interests and make selling smoother when the time comes.

Gary Smythe is a local Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate specializing in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island. Gary@GarySmythe.com

GARY SMYTHE

The Sun City Hilton Head

With June now in the books, two key trends are emerging in the Sun City real estate market. For the first time in several mon ths, the number of homes for sale has declined dropping from 223 in May to 209 in June. More notably, the 12 -month rolling median sales price usually a stable indicator has shown signs of a downturn. It’s currently down 3%, a significant shift after remaining fairly steady over the past couple of years. The good news? Despite ongoing uncertainty in both politics and the economy, Sun City recorded 71 home sales last month a solid figure that reflects continued buyer demand. For buyers, this market presents an excellent opportunity with more inventory to choose from and increased negotiating power. Fo r sellers, it’s still a great time to capitalize on the significant equity gains built during the pandemic years. Navigating today’s shifting landsca pe takes insight and preparation, and that’s where having a seasoned real estate professional makes all the difference. If you’re considering selling y our home, I invite you to take advantage of a FREE comprehensive market analysis and in-depth market review. Together, we’ll develop a strategy to ensure your home stands out and achieves the best possible value in this evolving market. Contact me today!

Sun City Real Estate June Market Snapshot

Venus Flytrap

South Carolina’s state carnivorous plant faces threats

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

In 2023, the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) was officially recognized as South Carolina’s state carnivorous plant, shining a spotlight on one of the world’s most unique and narrowly distributed species. Native only to specific areas in the coastal plains of South and North Carolina, this insect-eating plant continues to face pressure from habitat loss, poaching and environmental degradation.

The designation, supported by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), was intended to raise awareness of a species many resi

dents had not realized was native. According to SCDNR, the Venus flytrap is found only in certain coastal wetland and bay environments across both Carolinas — and nowhere else in the wild.

A native marvel with a specialized diet Unlike most plants, the Venus flytrap supplements its nutritional needs by digesting insects. This adaptation evolved in response to the nutrient-poor soils common in the plant’s native habitat, which often lack essential elements such as nitrogen. The plant’s distinctive jaw-like leaves snap shut when triggered by

world.

The flytrap’s natural range includes parts of coastal South Carolina, especially in areas with acidic, wet soils and high humidity. Though Beaufort County does not currently host known wild populations, it contains similar low-lying habitat types that conservationists identify as ecologically significant. These include pocosins, wet pine savannas, and freshwater wetlands.

Status and threats

According to SCDNR, the Venus flytrap is listed as a “species of high priority” in the agency’s due to its declining population and sensitivity to environmental change.

The plant faces several threats: Habitat loss due to development, agriculture, and drainage of wetland areas. Poaching, where wild plants are illegally removed for sale.

Pesticide exposure, which reduces the availability and safety of the insects flytraps consume.

• Hydrologic changes, such as altered water tables or blocked drainage, which can destroy the wet conditions these plants require.

SCDNR has identified habitat protection and public awareness as key strategies for conservation. The agency works with local partners to monitor known populations and preserve critical wetland environments.

Conservation sites and education

One of the most well-documented Venus flytrap habitats in South Carolina is the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve in Horry County. Managed by SCDNR, this site offers protected habitat for a range of

rare plants and animals, including the flytrap. SCDNR’s Conservation Education program aims to connect residents with the state’s natural resources through lessons on wildlife, land management, and native plant communities.

Public involvement

SCDNR encourages residents and visitors to take steps to help protect the Venus flytrap and its habitat:

• Avoid purchasing flytraps from sellers that do not disclose legal cultivation sources.

• Support conservation initiatives aimed at wetland protection.

• Learn more about native plants and habitat-friendly landscaping.

More broadly, the agency emphasizes the importance of respecting natural areas and minimizing human impact, especially in coastal counties where growth and land use changes may unintentionally harm sensitive species.

A symbol of the lowcountry’s fragile ecology

The official state designation in 2023 marks a cultural milestone for plant conservation in South Carolina. By highlighting a species that is both iconic and at risk, lawmakers and environmental leaders hope to foster stronger public interest in native biodiversity.

The Venus flytrap’s natural range may be limited, but its significance extends across the Carolinas. Its survival depends on continued education, land stewardship and respect for the delicate balance of South Carolina’s wetland ecosystems.

To learn more, visit www.dnr.sc.gov or www.scwild.org, and explore the SCDNR’s resources on the State Wildlife Action Plan and conservation programs.

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