The Bluffton Sun • August 18, 2026

The

Bluffton Blufft n Sun August 18, 2026 • Volume 29, Issue 16 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com

Work begins on first phase of Alljoy sewer project 6A

Bobcats aim to build on last season’s success

By Jeff Moeller

Contributor

After his team posted its most wins in a season since 2017, finishing 8-4 overall and 8-3 in the regular season, Bluffton head football coach Hayden Gregory knows the road to another successful run will start with his team’s maturation throughout the season.

The Bobcats lost a number of key seniors, starting with quarterback Aedan McCarthy, who threw for 3,543 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2025. Still, Gregory has liked the team’s work ethic and focus throughout the spring and summer.

They will face a challenging schedule, traveling for nonregion games against Florida-based North Florida Educational Institute in Jacksonville and P.K. Yonge in Gainesville, along with Georgia-based Laney in Augusta.

Still, Gregory is confident his team is ready for its season opener against Savannah Country Day on Aug. 21.

“We lost a number of key people, but we have a good group coming back,” Gregory said. “The guys have been working very hard, and we will have a number of play-

At Palmetto State Bank, we’re committed to making a difference in the communities we serve.

walk for water

BEAUFORT COUNTY 2026

We hope you’ll join us for the Beaufort County Walk for Water on October 3rd in Bluffton as we take steps toward a world with clean water for all.

Visit walkforwater.com/beaufort to register!

ers who will be out there for the first time.”

Gregory said there has been an added focus on details.

“It was a total team effort in the offseason,” Gregory said. “We have been focusing on the little things, like cleaning up penalties, improving our special teams, and avoiding unforced errors.”

Heading the list of returnees is four-star senior wide receiver Amare Patterson, who caught 51 passes and recorded 10 touchdowns last year. Patterson verbally committed to playing for North Carolina’s Tar Heels June 20, 2026.

Junior Jack Calendine will take over at quarterback. Others expected to make an impact include senior running back Kordell Holley and senior linebackers Jacobi Saunders and Malcom Gordon, who was a first-team all-region and first-team all-state selection last year.

Gregory noted that line play will be a work in progress after the loss of four players on both sides of the ball.

Saunders, who had 108 tackles and two sacks last season, believes he and Gordon will again be an effective tandem.

“Malcolm and I make a perfect yin and yang combo,” said Saunders, who was a

Glow together

12A

Mapping the past

16A

Watermelon Caprese Salad

27A

BOBCATS CONT. ON PAGE 3

2A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

CAREERS & WITH

BEAUFORT MEMORIAL

J oin us for

A WELCOMING, AFTER-WORK EVENT

where you can meet our team, explore clinical and non-clinical job opportunities, and learn what makes Beaufort Memorial a great place to work and grow. n

MEET OUR TEAMS

N OW H I R I N G FO R O U R N E W E ST LO C AT I O N S Bluffton Community Hospital • Hilton Head Island Emergency & Urgent Care

LIVE MUSIC

August 27 T H U R S DAY

5–8 p.m.

WHAT TO EXPECT

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Speak with Beaufort Memorial hiring leaders

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Discover rewarding career paths

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– Learn about our culture, benefits and growth opportunities

WHY BEAUFORT MEMORIAL

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

We’re a growing team committed to exceptional care and a healthier Lowcountry. At Beaufort Memorial, our team members are valued, supported and inspired to do meaningful work.

RSVP TO AT TEND: BeaufortMemorial.org/CareerFair

GREAT ATMOSPHERE & REFRESHMENTS

BROWSE CAREERS:

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BeaufortMemorial.org/Careers

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

BOBCATS FROM PAGE 1 first-team all-region selection last season. “The chemistry is very good, and a lot of the guys grew up together. We are a family. There is a lot of raw talent that can be very exciting to see this season.”

Gordon, who registered 130 tackles and three sacks last season, sees himself as a leader on defense. He is confident the team can have another solid season.

“I think the chemistry on this team is very strong,” Gordon said. “Since I have been here, we’ve always had great potential. So, it’s about putting words into action and living up to it.”

Gordon wants to keep everything in perspective.

“We are taking it one game at a time,” Gordon said. “We’ll worry about later in the season when we get there. We have the potential to peak late in the season.”

His coach echoed those thoughts. The Bobcats looked good in their scrimmage against Savannah Christian, winning 27-17 and forcing three turnovers. Two of those turnovers resulted in scores.

“We want this to be a season in which we keep getting better each week,” Gregory said. “We want to be playing our best football in Week 10 of the season.”

Jeff Moeller has covered high school, collegiate, and professional sports for the past 42 years. He also is an avid runner and a frequent half-marathon participant.

3A

Greater Bluffton Chamber partnership expands health plan options Small businesses that are members of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce will have access to a new health coverage option through a partnership with Beaufort Memorial and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

The members-only initiative will allow participating chamber members to obtain health coverage through BlueCross with access to providers in the Beaufort Memorial system, according to a news release announcing the partnership.

The coverage includes inpatient care and health care services provided at Beaufort Memorial Hospital and its physician practices. Featured services include annual physicals and exams, health screenings, routine immunizations and pharmaceutical support.

“When businesses have access to quality, affordable healthcare, they are better equipped to recruit and

retain talent, support employee well-being and continue investing the communities they call home,” Greater Bluffton Chamber CEO Natalie Osterman said.

Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley said the partnership is part of the health system’s efforts to support businesses and families in the Lowcountry.

“As a community health system, Beaufort Memorial is invested in more than just delivering healthcare,” Baxley said. “We are invested in the long-term health and vitality of the businesses and the families who make the Lowcountry thrive.”

Additional information about available health plans and coverage is available by contacting BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina at Chamber.Blue@bcbssc.com.

SHOWROOM HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm Closed Sun VISIT OUR SHOWROOM BRIDGE CENTER:

1532 Fording Island Rd. Hilton Head, 29926 843.757.5800

VOTED

Our Featured Listings

Real Estate Company

VISIT: www.moulrealtors.com

CALL: 843-940-8007

4A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

EDITORIAL

Our Staff

A rare moment for South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat

Current Circulation Via USPS is 24,678

Editor

Sasha Sweeney editor@blufftonsun.com

Page Designer

Cary Howard cary@blufftonsun.com

Advertising

Mary Ann Kent, Sales & Marketing Manager 843-575-4151 BJ Frazier, 843-422-2321 Claudia Chapman, 814-434-3665 Mary Pat Gifford, 912-414-7122

Contributors Rich Bernstein

Tamela Maxim

Abby Bird

Jeff Moeller

Ryan Chowansky

Weston Newton

Danie Connolly

Nannette Pierson

Ben Coulter

Jim Quirk

Zach Deloach

Leslie Rohland

Collins Doughtie

Chris Roosa

Annelore Harrell

Lucy Rosen

Jean Harris

Joy Ross

Channing Heiss

Gregg Schor

Andrea Hoerner

Gary Smythe

Kenneth Horup

Paul Tollefson

Wendy Kushel

Joe Turino

Charley MacInnis

Mark F. Winn

Nick Martin

Tracy Winslow

Contact us

PO Box 2056, Bluffton, SC 29910 843-757-9507 Physical address: 181 Bluffton Rd., Ste F103-2, Bluffton, SC 29910 BlufftonSun.com All contents are copyrighted by Beaufort Media Group LLC. 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 16, August 18, 2026, is published twice monthly by Beaufort Media Group, LLC, 181 Bluffton Rd Suite F103-2 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.

By Rep. Weston Newton Contributor

South Carolina has had remarkable continuity in one of its two U.S. Senate seats. For more than seven decades, that seat has been held by just two senators: Strom Thurmond and Lindsey WESTON NEWTON Graham.

As Republicans prepare to vote in the Aug. 25 runoff election to select our party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate, it is worth reflecting on the significance of this moment and the responsibility entrusted to Republican primary voters. The special Republican primary was held Aug. 11, with a runoff scheduled for Aug. 25 since no candidate received a majority of the vote. The Republican nominee selected through this process will advance to the November general election and is widely viewed as having a strong opportunity to represent South Carolina in the Senate beginning in January 2027.

My connection to this Senate seat is both personal and professional. As a college student at Washington and Lee University, I had the privilege of interning in Washington for Sen. Strom Thurmond.

To a young South Carolinian interested in public service, there could have been no greater opportunity. Thurmond possessed an unmatched understanding of South Carolina and an unwavering commitment to serving its citizens.

Years later, as a newly minted lawyer serving as a law clerk for South Carolina Supreme Court Justice John Waller, I first met Lindsey Graham. Even then, it was obvious that his intellect, energy and dedication to public service would carry him far. Over the years, Graham became one of the most influential voices in the U.S. Senate, particularly on issues of national defense, foreign policy and the judiciary.

While both men played significant roles on the world stage, that alone does not explain why South Carolinians respected them so deeply. Their true legacy

rests in the fact that neither ever forgot who sent them to Washington. They understood that public service begins at home.

I witnessed that commitment firsthand as chairman of Beaufort County Council.

During a period of explosive growth in the Lowcountry, traffic congestion on U.S. Highway 278 had become a serious economic and public safety concern.

Widening that critical corridor required federal assistance and persistent advocacy. Thurmond and, later, Graham responded to our pleas and worked tirelessly to help us secure the resources necessary to advance that project at a time when Columbia was providing virtually no assistance.

They understood that improving transportation infrastructure was not just about concrete and asphalt. It was about economic opportunity, quality of life, public safety and preparing our communities for both natural disasters and the future.

Their efforts reflected a broader philosophy that defined both senators. They recognized that the most important title either ever held was not senator. It was servant of the people of South Carolina.

That is why this election matters so profoundly.

The next senator will inherit more than an office. He or she will inherit a tradition of leadership that stretches across generations. South Carolina needs someone who can effectively advance conservative principles, defend our state’s interests and command respect in Washington. But we also need someone who understands that constituent service remains the foundation of representative government.

The challenges facing our nation are

substantial. Americans are concerned about economic growth, inflation, border security, national defense, energy independence, protecting the environment and preserving the constitutional freedoms that define our republic. South Carolina deserves a senator who can engage those issues at the highest levels while never losing touch with the communities, families, farmers, small businesses and local governments that depend upon effective federal representation.

Republican voters therefore carry an enormous responsibility. The runoff election is not merely about selecting a nominee. It is about choosing the person who will likely represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for years to come. The decision deserves thoughtful consideration and careful evaluation of each candidate’s experience, judgment, character and commitment to our state.

Moments like this are rare. Generations of South Carolinians knew Thurmond as their senator. A generation after that knew Graham. Now, for only the third time in many of our lifetimes, we have the opportunity to choose a new steward for this seat.

Let us approach that responsibility seriously, participate in the runoff election, vote on Aug. 25 and select a leader worthy of the trust the people of South Carolina place in their U.S. senator.

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the S.C. House of Representatives.

Please call on me if I may be of assistance.

Weston Newton is the representative for District 120 in the State House of Representatives.

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

5A

6A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Work begins on first phase of Alljoy sewer project

By Channing Heiss Contributor

Work has begun on the first phase of sewer infrastructure construction in the Alljoy neighborhood in Beaufort County.

Malphrus Utilities has been contracted by the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, or BJWSA, to complete the project as part of the Go2Sewer for a Cleaner May River Initiative, a collaborative effort involving BJWSA, the town of Bluffton and Beaufort County.

According to BJWSA, the goal is to transition properties from septic systems to a public sewer system to protect public health and the ecosystems of the Stoney Creek and May River watersheds.

Supporters of the project also point to its importance to the local economy.

Funding includes a $1.5 million state rural infrastructure grant, $4.6 million from BJWSA and $1 million from Beaufort County.

A crew visited the site July 21, the day before the public groundbreaking ceremony, and construction began July 27.

According to the latest information from BJWSA, Malphrus has been working with

homeowners to mark grinder pump station locations. Grinder pump stations are wastewater collection and pumping units.

BJWSA has announced that property owners will either be contacted in person, if they are home, or receive a flyer asking them to contact Malphrus Superintendent Blake Doyle at 770-851-0151 or BJWSA Project Manager Rich Tetrick at 843-2263564.

While the program involved the work of numerous officials, grassroots advocacy groups also pushed for the project. Many Alljoy residents have advocated for sewer service for years, some for decades.

Jim Lawton, whose family has founding roots in Alljoy, is among those who have worked toward the project for years.

“We are, on the whole, delighted with the prospect of moving Alljoy off septic, especially the low-lying properties along Boat House Creek, a substantial wetland basin flowing south into the May next to the boat landing,” Lawton said.

“With the project at Stoney Creek, we now have future protection at both ends of the May River estuary,” he added.

Lawton thanked fellow organizers Bob Williams, Laura Wilson, Kathie Coburn, and Lamar and Denise Hattaway for their

work.

Several Alljoy advocates, including Lawton, have praised Charlie Stone, who they say has been one of their strongest and earliest supporters in the multiyear effort.

“The residents of Alljoy are very thankful especially to Charlie Stone and Beth Lowther of BJWSA for helping our community band together to get this thing done,” Lawton said.

Wilson also pointed to Stone’s support and a 2023 meeting at BJWSA. Wilson and six other advocates, who have been called “The Original Seven,” met with Stone and the BJWSA team that day. Wilson described it as a significant moment in the effort and recalled the reaction among fellow organizers on social media.

“I did a happy dance,” Wilson said.

Wilson said crew members from Malphrus Utilities have been good to people in the Alljoy neighborhood and described them as dedicated.

“They are such nice people,” she said.

“They came out the day after the groundbreaking and talked to us.”

Substantial completion of the first phase is anticipated by mid-December, with full completion expected in mid-January.

Channing Heiss is a freelance writer and a member of the Beaufort County disAbilities Coalition.

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

7A

ACT NOW!

T S U J T ’ N O D .

E S I D A R A P VISIT

LIMITED-TIME INCENTIVES.

!

E R E H T E V I L NEW HOMES FROM THE $300s FLOORPLANS FOR EVERY LIFESTYLE

ENDLESS WAYS TO PLAY

From courts to clubs to concerts, life here never skips a beat.

MORE THAN NEIGHBORS Make lifelong friends in a community where connection comes naturally.

EASY LIVING, BUILT IN

Low HOA, no CDD and zero stress – just more time to enjoy life.

ACT NOW FOR THE BEST VALUE IN 55+ LIVING! THE GOOD LIFE WON’T WAIT!

LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE HILTON HEAD

by Minto Communities

(843) 310-5672

SCAN QR CODE

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT HILTON HEAD ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO LATITUDE HH, LLC. FILE NO. CP18-0021. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE WATERSOUND ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, LMWS, LLC. FILE NO. CP20-0062. Pennsylvania Registration Numbers OL001170 (Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head) and OL001182 (Latitude Margaritaville Watersound). Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head and Latitude Margaritaville Watersound are registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118 and with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required and has not been completed. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are merely representative of current development plans. Development plans, amenities, facilities, dimensions, specifications, prices and features depicted by artists renderings or otherwise described herein are approximate and subject to change without notice. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2026. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored, or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission.

Latitude Margaritaville and the Latitude Margaritaville logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. CGC 1519880/CGC 120919. 2026

MINTT-110F_lmhh_26Q2_BS_DJVP_9.96x9.765.indd 1

4/24/26 4:15 PM

8A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Hardeeville Walmart marks remodel with $9,000 in local grants, employee recognition

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

The Walmart Supercenter in Hardeeville marked the completion of storewide renovations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and $9,000 in grants to four local organizations.

The store, at 4400 U.S. Highway 278, held its re-grand opening July 31 following renovations that included transformed departments, updates to the Vision Center and pharmacy, a reconfigured layout, new signage and expanded space for online pickup and delivery.

The store awarded $3,500 to Jasper County, $2,500 to Second Helpings, $1,500 to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and $1,500 to Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

Bill Miles, president and CEO of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce; Hardeeville City Manager Josh Gruber; and Jasper County Sheriff Chris Malphrus participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with

representatives of organizations receiving grants.

The event also recognized longtime Walmart employees. Ten employees were honored for more than 25 years of service: Barbara Exley, Barbie Fussell, Brenda Ainsworth, Deloris Sanders, Gloria Sanders, Gloria Willias, Jackie Johnson, Julie Baseback, Londa Nelson and Sarona White.

Patrick Treacy was recognized for more than 30 years of service, while Angie Hamilton was honored for more than 65 years.

Renovations included expanded aisles and new interior and exterior signage.

The store also added digital features intended to help customers navigate aisles and access services, as well as updates to its Auto Care Center services.

Walmart said the Hardeeville renovation is one of 29 store remodels planned in South Carolina in 2026 and one of approximately 650 remodels across the United States.

Be Part of Our Temple Family TEMPLE OSEH SHALOM Please Join Us for High Holy Day Services Rosh Hashana (Oct. 2 and 3) Yom Kippur (Oct. 11 and 12) ,

Be Part of Our Temple Family

TEMPLE OSEH SHALOM

Call 843-603-6121 for Details We are an open and Welcoming Jewish Congregation

Please Join Us for High Holy Day Services Rosh Hashana (Sept. 11th and 12th) Yom Kippur (Sept. 20th and 21st)

Call 843-321-9216 for Details

We are an Open and Welcoming Jewish Congregation

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

9A

REAL PATIENT TESTIMONIALS “My toes were so numb I couldn’t feel the gas pedal. I could not walk a straight line. After 3 months, I’m driving safely again and walking normally. I got my independence back.”

Real patient, Grace.

“My neurologist said, ‘It’s age. Nothing we can do!’

That was discouraging. But here, they looked deeper. My feet feel warm again. I can feel the floor when I walk. My balance improved from 1-2 seconds to 10 seconds. My shuffling improved, too. This feels like a miracle.”

Real patient, Harold.

“My legs felt like they were wrapped in tight socks.

Walking through a store was exhausting. I was skeptical at first, but now I walk the whole store without needing the cart for support!”

Real patient, Carol.

DO YOU STRUGGLE WITH...

NUMBNESS COLD FEET TINGLING

BALANCE ISSUES ACHY FEET LEG CRAMPS

NEUROPATHY CONSULTATION Includes...

Thermal Image Scan Comprehensive Sensory Testing X-Ray Imaging (if necessary) Full Report of Findings Customized Treatment Plan

ONLY

$79

Dr. Ken Horup, D.C. Certified in Neuropathy Discover Specific Chiropractic

(843)689-2273 4101 Main St, Suite A Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926

Want to learn more?

Read his book!

Found on Amazon now!

Restoring Nerve Health

By Dr. Ken Horup, DC

NEUROPATHY RELIEF CALL TO RESERVE YOUR APPOINTMENT (843) 689-2273

10A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

The Lowcountry heat is still here:

VOTED

Are your feet trying to warn you?

By Dr. Kenneth Horup Contributor Bluffton Financial Planning is a boutique wealth management firm committed to delivering quality advice to a fiduciary standard, personalized service, tax-efficient investment strategies and comprehensive financial planning.

Nick and Izaac are a unique team characterized by the quality of their education, their veteran backgrounds and their combined 24 years financial planning experience. They understand the shifting dynamics when preparing for retirement, transitioning to retirement and living in retirement.

Market volatility is here, Bluffton Financial Planning is providing value through quality advice and effective communication. Let’s talk!

Retirement Income Planning Tax-Efficient Investment Strategies Investment Management Estate & Tax Planning Communication, Like you Expect Holistic Planning, Like you Deserve

Contact Us for a Complimentary Review

843-605-9100

1024 Berkeley Hall Blvd, Ste 201, Bluffton, SC 29909 Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Bluffton Financial Planning is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Raymond James Financial Services and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Nick Martin, AAMS®, MBA

Izaac King, CFA®, CFP®, MBA

https://www.blufftonfinancialplanning.com/

If you have spent any time outside in Hilton Head or Bluffton lately, you already know one thing: It’s hot outside!

Step onto hot pavement barefoot? “Never!”

Walk across hot DR. KEN HORUP sand? “Absolutely not!”

Touch a hot surface? Your body immediately says, “That was a bad idea.”

That reaction is not just common sense. It is your nervous system doing exactly what it was designed to do. Your feet have their own alarm system. The problem is that peripheral neuropathy can turn down the volume.

Many people think nerves only help us feel pain. But nerves do much more than that. They help us sense temperature, pressure, touch and the environment around us. They send important messages from the feet to the brain, helping us react quickly and protect ourselves.

When someone has peripheral neuropathy, those messages may become weaker, slower or distorted. The feet may not recognize heat as quickly, and the warning signal may not be as strong. With neuropathy, your feet could feel nothing at all or as if everything is normal.

This is why some people with neuropathy can accidentally spend too much time on hot surfaces without realizing it. A person may walk barefoot on a hot driveway, stand on a warm pool deck or step onto hot sand and not react as quickly as someone with normal sensation.

And that is one of the things people do not always understand about neuropathy. It is not always about pain. Sometimes it is about losing the information your body depends on.

Some patients describe neuropathy as numbness, tingling or burning, or feeling like they are walking on marshmallows, foam or thick socks even when they are barefoot. Others describe feeling disconnected from the ground, almost like their feet are not giving them the same feedback they used to.

That matters because your feet are constantly communicating with your brain.

They are telling you: “Here is the ground.”

“Here is the temperature.”

“Here is how much pressure you are putting down.”

“Here is how to adjust your balance.”

More than one of my patients has admitted they could no longer feel the gas pedal or sometimes mistook the brake pedal for the gas. Frightening!

When those signals become unclear, everyday activities can become more challenging. A beach walk, a trip around the neighborhood, gardening, driving or simply walking from the car into the house may require more attention than it used to.

The good news is that paying attention early matters.

Small changes in sensation are worth noticing. Numbness, tingling, burning or changes in how your feet feel are signals your body may be sending for a reason.

The Lowcountry is too beautiful to spend time worrying about your feet instead of enjoying your life.

If you have numbness, tingling or burning, or if your feet feel like you are walking on marshmallows, your body may be trying to tell you something. It may be time to get evaluated for peripheral neuropathy. Start early, before a small problem turns into a bigger one.

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

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

11A

Late-summer lawn care starts with water and pest control

By Zach Deloach Contributor

We hope that everyone is having a great August so far. With summer nearing the back end and kids going back to school, afternoon showers are becoming more frequent, along with a little fluctuation in our temperatures. This month, we wanted to talk about what we can do to prevent damage or setbacks before the growing season wraps up in the next couple of months.

The first thing to be aware of is the amount of rainfall. We have been seeing a little more lately, but overall, this has been a dry, hot summer. Keeping a rain gauge at the house is highly recommended so that you can monitor how much rainfall we receive. When we are getting multiple inches of rain a week, adjust your irrigation system accordingly. Too much water can create fungus in the lawn this time of year, identified by

WWWWW

discolored blades and circular patterns.

It is important to give the lawn a chance to dry out between periods of heavy rainfall. We always say that the best way to water is deep and infrequent, about two to three times per week. Doing so will help promote a deep and healthy root system.

Heavy rainfall can also help identify imperfections in the lawn, such as excessive runoff or heavy puddling or pooling. When water stands in an area for days at a time, it can cause damage to the grass underneath. Adding sand to level out these spots can provide a long-term solution and greatly improve drainage. In areas with heavy runoff or washout, you may determine the need for drainage or retention. Seeing the larger picture of what is causing the damage allows you to make corrections for a more sustainable landscape.

Aside from water damage, we have also been seeing increased insect activity. Sod webworms and armyworms

llwcccnnnn ggee tt

...

• National Brands • Locally Owned • Lowcountry Pricing • 1060 Fording Island Road, Ste B • (between Starbucks & Honey Baked Ham) • Bluuon, SC 29910 843-836-2337 • www.mayrivermaaress.com • Open Daily 10-6pm Sun. 12-5pm

have been making their presence known in Bermuda and St. Augustine lawns.

They can quickly chew down the blades of grass, leaving areas and even entire lawns damaged or browned out. The first indicator of these gnawing insects is often moth activity in your lawn.

If you are seeing small white or gray moths flying out of your grass as you walk through at dusk or dawn, it is important to put down a preventive insecticide, as the caterpillars begin feeding quickly once they hatch. The good news is that recovery is somewhat manageable when the problem is controlled in a timely manner.

St. Augustine specifically deals with a plethora of issues this time of year, including webworms, chinch bugs and gray leaf spot fungus. Keep a close eye out for yellowing, spots on grass blades and brown, straw-like areas forming in the lawn. It is best to act preventively with this grass type, as it does not recover as well as zoysia or Bermuda.

Lastly, we want to discuss our plants and bushes. We are getting close to the time when our spring and summer annuals begin to change colors and drop some leaves, while our fall and winter annuals begin to produce growth and buds. Providing nutrients can help support healthy growth. We have also seen a lot of activity from whiteflies this season, especially on viburnums. Look for small, white, hopping insects on the undersides of your leaves and around the bases of your plants. Whiteflies will leave behind a residue on the leaves, leading to sooty mold that will eventually turn the plant black.

We hope this information helps you identify and treat issues at the source before they become larger problems. If you ever need a professional opinion or help with treatments, feel free to reach out.

Zach Deloach is the owner of Lawn Doctor of Beaufort County.

12A

Bluffton hosts Glow Together for special needs teens

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

Teenagers and young adults with special needs gathered for music, dancing and friendship Aug. 1 during the Town of Bluffton’s Glow Together event, an effort organizers designed to provide participants with a social experience centered on their needs.

The free, invitation-only glow dance was designed for members of Bluffton’s special needs community ages 13 to 20. Local student volunteers served as buddies, spending the evening with participants and joining them in activities.

The event grew out of conversations about creating more opportunities for people with special needs to participate in town activities, Bluffton resident Cheryl Rodriguez told Town Council during its Aug. 11 meeting.

Rodriguez said challenges associated with special needs can sometimes make activities outside the home difficult and contribute to isolation for individuals and their families.

“As soon as these challenges were brought to the attention of the event planners, they immediately went to work on finding ways to make our special needs community know that they are seen and valued as a part of the Bluffton community,” Rodriguez told council.

She said the town has added special needs parking at events and created sensory bags containing fidget items and headphones that families can borrow.

Glow Together was another step in that effort.

“The Town of Bluffton hosted a glow dance for our teens and young adults with special needs to socialize, get to know one another and have a teen experience where they could be fully involved,” Rodriguez said.

More than 20 local teenagers and several adults volunteered at the dance, according to Rodriguez.

Event information was distributed through local care providers, educators, therapists and special needs community partners. According to information provided by the town, the approach helped organizers plan attendance, coordinate volunteers and provide support for participants.

The evening included pizza from Dough Boys Pizza Bluffton and craft sodas from Lowcountry Soda Co. Jeff “T-Bone” Taylor Mobile DJ provided music.

Parents had a separate space to socialize while their teens participated. Live Light Healing/Laurel Ashley, LMT, provided chair massages and self-care guidance.

Parents commenting on the town’s Facebook post following the event praised the volunteers and organizers.

“This was an exceptional event,” Michelle Hudson wrote. “Our son had a fantastic time and so did we. Thank you Bluffton for loving on us all this weekend.”

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

13A

The gift they didn’t mean to leave

By Charley MacInnis Contributor

I spent some of my law school years living with my grandparents, studying at their kitchen table while they bickered lovingly about whose turn it was to make the coffee, a mundane experience that I now miss more than words can express.

This past spring, I lost them both, unexpectedly and within mere weeks of each other. After 69 years of marriage, living without my grandfather was something my grandmother’s heart simply couldn’t handle. As an estate planning attorney, I thought I had a healthy understanding of loss and legacy. I learned that no amount of professional experience could have prepared me for how personally difficult the aftermath of their deaths would be.

My grandparents came from humble beginnings, and, touched by the Great Depression, my grandfather preferred investments he could see and understand. Rather than placing much faith in the stock market, they built their retirement around real estate.

Over decades, they accumulated a number of rental properties. It was a disciplined strategy that supported a long retirement

filled with travel, but it also made settling their affairs quite complicated once they were gone.

My grandparents had wills that had been created decades ago, well before they had amassed their real estate portfolio. I talked to them about the benefits of trusts more than once, explaining as gently and clearly as I could that a properly funded trust could keep their properties out of probate, save their children time and money, and allow them to grieve without the added stress of an unnecessarily complicated and lengthy probate administration. They would nod, agree wholeheartedly that updating their estate plan sounded like an excellent idea and then put it off.

I understand their hesitation better now.

Estate planning requires us to confront uncomfortable realities: death, illness, dependence and the potential loss of control. Even those who understand the value of planning can find it difficult to take the next step and confront these uncomfortable possibilities head-on.

Failing to optimize their plan for a streamlined after-death administration of assets is one thing, but an even more consequential gap in my grandparents’ planning was their complete lack of incapacity

GRAND OPENING IN OLD TOWN’S PROMENADE!

The Red Dog Biscuits & Boutique

We are Bluffton’s Newest Pet Boutique!

We Offer Fresh Healthy Treats With Real Ingredients And Feature Unique Gifts & Toys From Lowcountry Artisans & Global Makers.

Introducing

The Biscuit Bar!

Let your pet sample treats until they find the one they love!

20% OFF

your purchase over $40.

thru 9/19/26Mention Bluffton Sun

843-597-2507

5 Promenade St., Suite 1302 • Old Town Bluffton, SC

planning. Neither had durable financial power of attorney or a health care power of attorney to designate a trusted person to handle financial transactions and make health care decisions on their behalf in the event of incapacity or unavailability.

My grandfather was petrified of being sent to a nursing home and never coming home again, so he avoided executing powers of attorney. Because of this, when difficult end-of-life decisions had to be made about his medical care, decisions that should have been guided by my grandfather’s own wishes expressed in his health care power of attorney had to instead be made without any such guidance, at a time when the family needed simply to be present with their loved one.

My background helped me identify issues, ask the right questions and lovingly nudge my grandparents in the right direction, but it could not remove the emotional burden of confronting these topics head-on. Professional knowledge after a crisis is no substitute for planning before one.

This experience reinforced four questions every adult should consider: Are my estate planning documents current and tailored to my particular situation? Are my assets and beneficiary designations consistent with my

plan? Have I named trusted people to handle financial and health care decisions if I become incapacitated? Do those people know where to find my important documents?

The gift my grandparents never meant to leave was a lesson about unfinished planning. Love is not measured by the property we leave behind. Sometimes it is reflected just as clearly in the uncertainty we spare the people we love. A thoughtful estate plan can preserve your choices, give authority to the people you trust, simplify administration and reduce the number of difficult questions your family may someday have to answer.

Make those decisions while they are still yours to make. One of the greatest gifts you can leave your family may simply be the freedom to grieve without also having to untangle what was left unfinished.

Charley MacInnis is an attorney with LawyerLisa, LLC, based in the firm’s Irmo office located at 7511 Saint Andrews Road, Suite 3, Irmo, SC 29063. LawyerLisa is an Estate and Life Care Planning firm with six offices across the state of South Carolina. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

14A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Permission

By Wendy Kushel Contributor

“May I please?”

“Thank you very much. I think I will.”

You never know what’s going to push you to finally give yourself permission. It might happen by acciWENDY KUSHEL dent, by choice or after something that changes you, a loss, a breakup or a moment that forces you to pause.

However it happens, you often don’t realize how much you needed it until you’re in it, even if what you’re allowing yourself is simply space to grieve.

For entrepreneurs, especially scrappy ones, slowing down doesn’t come easily.

You’re chasing a positive bank account, answering emails, working long hours and always thinking about the next order, the next bill or the next opportunity.

Then something shifts.

You step away.

Maybe you go somewhere you don’t have to take care of anyone else. Maybe you carve out a quiet corner of your life.

You read a book, take a walk, sit in a sauna, try a cold plunge or have dinner alone and strike up a conversation with someone new.

You give yourself time to think, breathe, feel whatever comes up and simply be.

I highly recommend it.

Because most of us are accustomed to showing up for everyone else. We take care of our families, stay connected with friends, answer the phone, listen, help and handle what needs to be handled.

It’s part of who we are, and there’s value in that.

If you’re a mother, you’re taking care of your family. If you’re a wife, you’re probably making your husband a sandwich once in a while, or at least dinner.

You’re probably picking up more things off the ground than he is. Sorry, guys, but it’s true.

But it can also leave very little room for ourselves.

We’re conditioned to feel guilty when we’re not being productive, answering emails, folding laundry, returning calls, making dinner, paying bills and planning what’s next. We tell ourselves we’ll slow down someday. The problem is that someday rarely arrives on its own.

So if you get the chance to reset, or better yet, if you decide to create one, take it.

Read the book. Take the walk. Sit in the sauna. Cry if you need to. Have dinner by yourself. Talk to strangers, or don’t talk to anyone at all.

What feels like a small break can have a bigger impact than you expect. You come back a little calmer. Your mind isn’t racing in 10 directions. With space, new ideas surface, ones you wouldn’t have found if you’d kept pushing.

And the people around you feel it.

Your family, your friends, your customers and even the stranger behind you in line benefit when you’re not running on fumes.

Taking that time isn’t selfish. It’s a reset that helps everything else work better.

Wendy Kushel is the owner of Wendala’s LowCountry Sugar Scrub, LLC based in Bluffton. Drawn to the beauty and personal care industry, Wendy founded her company in 2020. Her background includes stand-up comedy, film, TV and a lot of sales and marketing. For more information about Wendala’s® LowCountry Sugar Scrub visit www. lowcountrysugarscrub.com or call/text 843-949-8933.

August 18, 2026

New faces

HOW OLD YOU ARE The Bluffton SunIS YOUR BUSINESS. HOW YOUYOU ARE HOWOLD YOUNG ISLOOK YOUR ISBUSINESS. OUR

15A

HOW YOUNG YOU BUSINESS. LOOK OUR HOW IS OLD YOU ARE Pure Med Spa is here to BUSINESS. IS YOUR assist you in BUSINESS. achieving your HOW OLD YOU ARE skincare goals.

HOW Pure MedYOUNG SpaBUSINESS. is hereYOU to IS YOUR assist youIS in achieving LOOK OUR your skincare goals.

HOW YOUNG YOU BUSINESS. LOOK IS OUR Pure Med Spa is here to BUSINESS. assist youHydrafacial in achieving yourIs For Everyone

Nurse practitioner joins Beaufort Memorial OB-GYN team

St. Luke’s UMC welcomes new senior pastor

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Okatie welcomed the Rev. L. Kim Eanes as its new senior pastor July 24.

Eanes has served 32 years in fulltime ministry with the United Methodist Church, including 11 years in the denomination’s Iowa Conference. She transferred to the South Carolina Conference in 2001.

A Midwesterner, Eanes attended the University of Iowa for her undergraduate studies and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.

Eanes was ordained a deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1991 and an elder in 1993.

During her time in South Carolina, Eanes has served United Methodist congregations in Greenwood, Columbia, Surfside Beach, Fort Mill, Cheraw and Lexington.

Lauren Nates has joined Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists as a nurse practitioner, seeing patients at the practice’s Okatie and Beaufort locations.

Nates, MSN, APRN, NP-C, IBCLC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner and lactation consultant. She provides prenatal, maternity, postpartum and menopausal care, as well as preventive care and contraceptive and lactation education.

Nates earned her undergraduate degree at Anderson University, where she studied nursing. She later earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina.

She began her nursing career in an emergency department. According to Beaufort Memorial, caring for a patient experiencing an obstetric emergency led to her interest in women’s health.

“I help patients feel comfortable, informed and empowered during some of their most vulnerable moments,” Nates said. “I offer opportunities for education as well as my recommendations, helping develop collaborative partnerships that support confident, personalized healthcare decisions.”

Nates’ background includes experience in maternity, obstetrics and general OB-GYN care.

To schedule an appointment with Nates or another provider at the practice’s Beaufort or Okatie locations, call 843-522-7820.

skincare goals.

Pure Med Spa is here to Fine Lines | Wrinkles | Elasticity | Firmness assist you in achieving your Even ToneIs| For Vibrancy | Skin texture Everyone skincare Hydrafacial goals.

Enlarged Pores | Oily or Congested skin Fine Lines | Wrinkles | Elasticity | Firmness Even Tone | Vibrancy | Skin texture D R . K LEnlarged E N Pores K E | ’Oily S or Congested A P P skin R OAC H

Hydrafacial“AtIsPinnacle, ForweEveryone want our patients to feel like they are

DR .

family and|weFirmness to treat them that way FineLLines | Wrinkles Elasticity K E N K part E of’|ourS A P strive P R OAC H from the first time they visit. We pride ourselves on the

Hydrafacial For Everyone Even Tonecustomer |IsVibrancy | Skin texture to always keep experience.

It is important

“At Pinnacle, we want our patients to feel like they are

up with the latest advances, but our practice uniquely Enlarged Pores | our Oily or Congested skin part of family and we strive to treat them that way

separates the gimmicks from the options that produce from the first time they visit. We pride ourselves on the results. It is our philosophy to listen first to our patients’ It is important to always keep D R . K L E N K customer E ’andexperience.

SthenA P PthemRto theOtreatments A C goals help guide and H up with the latest advances, but our practice uniquely procedures that will help us all work shared “ At Pinnacle,separates we want our feel like theytoward arethat partthat of our family the patients gimmickstofrom the options produce goal.

Your inner and outer you should be in harmony.” and we striveresults. to treatItthem way fromtothe firstfirst time theypatients’ visit. We is ourthat philosophy listen to our pride ourselves onand the customer experience.

It istheimportant to and always goals then help guide them to treatments Dr. Audrey Klenke, FACS, Board Certified keepup with procedures theMD, latest advances, but our practice uniquely separates that will help us all work toward that shared the gimmicksgoal. fromYour the inner options produce results. our philosophy andthat outer you should be Itinisharmony.”

Call to schedule to listen first to ouryour patients’ goalsconsult and then help guidetoday! them to the treatments an MD, procedures that will help us all workCertified toward that shared Dr. Audrey Klenke, FACS, Board goal. Your inner and outer you should be in harmony.”

Call schedule your consult today!

Dr. to Audrey Klenke, MD, FACS, Board Certified

Call to schedule your consult today!

843.815.6699 PinnaclePlasticSurgery.com 843.815.6699

16A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Mapping the past

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

When Cross Schools senior Luna Rangel began looking for a way to turn her interest in historic preservation into something useful for her community, she found her answer in an unlikely place: an online map.

Rangel, a lifelong Bluffton resident, created “Reviving the South,” an interactive map highlighting historic and cultural sites throughout Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and the Beaufort area. The project combines two of her interests, history and historic preservation, with a digital format designed to make information about Lowcountry sites more accessible.

The interactive map allows users to click on individual locations to find photographs, brief histories and links to additional information. It gives residents and visitors a starting point for discovering historic sites throughout the Lowcountry and learning the stories behind them.

Rangel said the idea began taking shape before her junior year, when she started researching historic preservation concerns in the area. She became interested in how greater public awareness and outreach could help draw attention to historic places, particularly those that might be less familiar to residents and visitors.

Her volunteer work at the Heyward House in Bluffton added to that interest. Although she has given tours inside the Heyward House, part of her training included reviewing materials used for local walking and golf cart tours. Through those materials, Rangel

MAPPING CONT. ON PAGE 17

NOW IN PROGRESS...

Entire In-Stock

INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE! Includes Our Huge Selection Of Entry Point Door Transformations

Hurry!

Final Weeks.

Sale End Aug. 31, 2026

Take Advantage Of This Savings Opportunity As Soon As Possible...HURRY IN! lcdoortransformations.com

Sheridan Park, 40 Pennington Dr., Unit C • Open Mon.-Thurs. 11 AM to 4 PM & Always By Appointment.

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

MAPPING FROM PAGE 16 began learning the histories of buildings she had passed for years without giving them much thought.

“I just thought they were ordinary buildings,” she said.

“And the thought to me then was, well, people that would come to the area would also think that those are ordinary buildings when really that’s not all that there is to them.”

Rangel began thinking about how technology could make those stories easier to find. Building a website seemed too complicated, and she didn’t know how to build an app. Then, one night while working through ideas, she thought of creating a map.

She found an online mapmaking platform and started with about five Bluffton locations she already knew. From there, she expanded her research and began adding sites in Bluffton and branching out to the Hilton Head Island and in the Beaufort area.

“I connected modern technology with historical preservation and to access to all those locations,” Rangel said.

The current map has its largest concentration of sites in Bluffton and Okatie, with additional locations on Hilton Head Island and in the Beaufort and St. Helena Island area.

Among them are the Church of the Cross, Heyward House and Garvin-Garvey House in Bluffton, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park and the Gullah Museum on Hilton Head Island, and Penn Center on St. Helena Island.

Rangel researched the locations through municipal websites, websites associated with historic sites, historical records available online and information she encountered through her volunteer work, she said. Each map entry provides a short description, and include links for users who want to learn more.

The map is not intended as a GPS or a substitute for visiting the sites. Rangel sees it as a way for people to explore Lowcountry history from home, learn more before visiting a location or discover places they might want to see in person.

She also hopes its digital format will reach younger people who might be less likely to seek out traditional sources of historical information.

“I would hope that something like a digital map that’s easy to access ... will convince other younger people to learn about the town’s history and explore,” she said.

The interactive map remains a work in progress, and Rangel plans to continue researching and adding locations. She also invites users to contact her through the map with suggestions for sites she may have missed.

For Rangel, the project reflects a personal connection to the place where she grew up.

“I’ve just felt this natural connection to my town,” she said.

“And I just want to show my love for it and support it in any way.”

Historic preservation is not Rangel’s only academic interest.

She was named a 2027 Horatio Alger National Scholar and is beginning her senior year at Cross Schools. As she considers college, she said she is interested in studying neuroscience and perhaps eventually pursuing medical research.

History and preservation, however, are interests she hopes to continue even if her career takes her into medicine.

For now, she hopes it gives people another way to understand the Lowcountry beyond the places and buildings they see every day.

“To understand a place, you have to know its history and its past, what it meant before to other people, what it was before and how it’s evolved into what it is now,” Rangel said.

Visit the map: https://bit.ly/4qdP5DE

Wo r l d - C l a s s D o c t o r s

P ro v i d i n g t h e B e s t L o c a l C a re .

When it comes to the very latest cutting-edge technologies and unparalleled patient outcomes, eye care experts around the world look to the Lowcountry and the passionate eye care pioneers at Bishop Eye Center. The best of the best in superior compassionate eye care are right here in Hilton Head, Sun City, and Bluffton.

You don’t have to look – or go – far.

The Leading Center for Cataract Surgery H i l t o n H e a d • N e w R i ve r / S u n C i t y • B l u f f t o n • 8 4 3 - 6 8 9 - 3 9 3 7 • B i s h o p Eye . c o m

17A

18A

The Bluffton Sun

By Ben Coulter

Back to school, forward to a career

Contributor

August is a time for students and families to reflect on the career pathways that education can help make possible.

Many young people are questioning the value of higher education. National student loan debt now exceeds $1.87 trillion, according to LendingTree, with borrowers in South Carolina carrying an average balance of about $34,000, slightly below the national average of roughly $37,000 to $39,000.

While concerns about the value of college are very real, the data indicate that postsecondary education still provides pathways to increased lifetime income. In South Carolina, community college graduates will earn $220,000 to $335,000 more over their lifetimes than those with just a high school diploma. Four-year graduates, including transfer students, will earn nearly $800,000 more over their lifetimes.

However, some of the biggest barriers to obtaining a college degree are cost, time to completion, accessibility and flexibility to accommodate competing life priorities.

Postsecondary education provides multiple pathways to economic success

through professional certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The key is to choose pathways that offer job security and a return on investment.

Professional certificates can offer a faster, less expensive way to earn a credential that validates a desired skill set. Certificates can serve as a stackable on-ramp toward a degree, provide timely skills or help someone qualify for career advancement. In South Carolina, the most in-demand professional certificates are in the following fields: • Health care (CCRN, LPN, CNA, certified medical assistant, certified coding specialist) • Manufacturing, logistics and skilled trades (commercial driver’s license, precision manufacturing, HVAC, industrial electrical) • Corporate (project management professional, Lean Six Sigma) • Technology (Google Professional Certificates, CISSP, CompTIA Security+) Associate degree programs in high demand across South Carolina are concentrated in the following fields: • Health care (ADN, RN, physical therapist assistant, diagnostic medical sonog-

PROTECT WHAT MATTERS MOST Providing options for every budget:

SOLAR, SAFETY & PRIVACY Use t oun disc e: cod

August 18, 2026

ALL FILMS26 12% OFF until 10/15/26

raphy/ultrasound technology, radiologic technology) • Engineering and advanced manufacturing technology (mechanical or industrial engineering, mechatronics, architectural and civil engineering technology) • IT and cybersecurity (computer information technology, network systems management, cybersecurity) • Business (business administration, management, accounting) The following are among the most in-demand bachelor’s degrees: • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) • Business administration and finance • Computer science/IT • Operations and supply chain management • Engineering • Public health According to a recent Gallup poll, only 12% of adults say four-year colleges and universities are doing an excellent or good job of providing an affordable education. Respondents gave higher marks to two-year colleges, with 68% rating them excellent or good. Despite that sentiment, parents still want their children to pursue postsecondary education: 38% want them to attend a four-year college, 19% a two-

year college and 17% a job-training or certification program.

While the economic returns on these programs may be years away, here are some strategies to help reduce the cost of postsecondary education: • Apply for scholarships and grants, both national and local.

• Earn an associate degree, then transfer to a four-year college or university.

• See if your employer offers tuition assistance.

• Enlist in the military and take advantage of education benefits, as I did with the GI Bill.

• Explore accredited, competency-based universities that let students progress at their own pace and potentially graduate faster.

Not every well-paying career in South Carolina requires a costly degree. This fall, look beyond traditional routes and consider educational pathways that offer clear returns: opportunity, manageable cost and lasting career value.

Benjamin M. Coulter, Ed.D., is the Southeast regional director for accredited online Western Governors University, with over 8,200 graduates in South Carolina.

Beautiful views come with big risks

When hurricane winds hit, window film helps hold shattered glass together adding an extra layer of protection for your home.

3M™ WINDOW FILM HELPS YOU: PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Helps hold shattered glass in place caused by wind-blown debris — preventing water from entering.

BLOCK THE SUN. NOT THE VIEW.

Rejects up to 78% of solar heat and 99% UV rays, keeping your home cooler and your furniture protected — also reducing your energy costs.

PROTECT YOUR HOME & FAMILY

Helps reduce fading, glare and hot spots, creating a more comfortable, safer space year-round.

PROFESSIONAL GRADE. BUILT TO LAST.

3M™ Window Films are the World’s most technologically advanced and the most trusted in the industry.

We are YOUR residential & commercial EXPERTS! More than 21,000 local installs in 27 years.

Call Us TODAY!

843.341.6789

www.coastalinstallationsinc.com

INSTALLATIONS INSTALLATIONS 3M WINDOW FILMS INSTALLATIONS

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

19A

Three questions for evaluating the quality of your retirement life

By Nick Martin Contributor

Your retirement income may be secure and flowing just as you intended, but financial preparedness alone doesn’t guarantee a fulfilling retirement. According to MIT AgeLab, living well in retirement NICK MARTIN requires more than a strong balance sheet. To gauge your readiness for this next chapter, researchers developed three deceptively simple questions that can help reveal how prepared you are to live well in retirement: 1. Who will change my light bulbs?

Some retirees enjoy the upkeep that comes with owning a home; others would rather spend the time elsewhere. There’s no right or wrong answer. The harder ques-

tion is what you’ll do when the choice is no longer yours: when balance, strength or stamina make getting on a ladder a more dangerous proposition than it was at fifty.

With fewer children per family and higher divorce rates than past generations, baby boomers can’t always count on the family help that prior generations took for granted.

That makes it worth thinking early about what you’d want if your independence at home started to slip.

Would you stay put and build a network of friends and paid help around you? Would you move to a continuing-care or assisted-living community? Or would you take a different path altogether? Whichever path you choose, the key is to plan for the practical support that helps keep home safe, comfortable and manageable as your needs change.

2. How will I get an ice cream cone?

This question is about independence of movement – specifically, the freedom to walk or drive to places you want to go, whether that’s to enjoy some ice cream, see a movie or visit your favorite beach.

Are you living in a community where all

NOW AVAILABLE!

THC

your favorite activities are a short walk or drive away? Do you have your own car or access to transportation that can get you everywhere you want and need to go?

Mobility is critical to well-being. Your ability to take care of errands, go to appointments, see friends and participate in community life supports your emotional health, resilience and quality of life, according to research.

That’s why, if you can’t drive, it’s essential you live in an age-friendly community, where public transit and rides from family, friends and ride services help maintain social connection and daily functioning.

3. Who will I have lunch with?

Social connection is an often-overlooked aspect of retirement readiness. Something as simple as sharing lunch with friends, family or new acquaintances can be a sign of a strong social network. And numerous studies show that strong social connections and in-person interactions are critical for healthy aging, brain health and overall well-being. Does where you live enable you to enjoy existing social connections or build new ones?

Retirement often shrinks the social network you built through work or raising a family, so the effort to maintain other connections matters more than ever. Take stock of your social fabric. Are family and longtime friends within easy reach? Do you have regular opportunities for socialization, like a weekly walking group, a faith community or a volunteer commitment? Does your neighborhood offer gathering places like cafes, parks, libraries or community centers where casual connections can grow?

Financial security may be the foundation of retirement, but what you build on top of it matters too. A fulfilling retirement also depends on having a home that supports your needs, reliable ways to get where you want and need to go and meaningful connections with the people who enrich your life.

Nick Martin is a financial planner and the founder of Bluffton Financial Planning.

Bluffton Financial Planning is not a registered broker/dealer, and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

BEAT THE HEAT!

Chilled deals: Perfect rums, tequilas, and vodkas.

BEVERAGES • No Alcohol • No Hangover • With all the

Buzz & Chill!

• Delta 9 Seltzer

Our Weekly Specials Will Make Your Drinks Refreshing FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1991

Best Prices, Best Selection, Best Customer Service

VISIT 1 OF OUR 3 LOCATIONS

KITTIES CROSSING PLAZA 1008 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON

843-815-5077

Monday thru Sunday 9am till 7pm • All Major Credit Cards Accepted

LADY’S ISLAND 132 SEA ISLAND PKWY, BEAUFORT

843-522-3700

MAY RIVER CROSSING SHOPPING PLAZA 2700 MAY RIVER CROSSING, BLUFFTON

843-815-2361

20A

The Bluffton Sun

SEE THE ISLAND IN A WHOLE NEW WAY

BOOK EARLY AND SAVE! Get 10% OFF boat rentals with 20+ day advanced bookings through Dec. 31, 2026.

Use promo code: BOOKAHEAD Additional restrictions may apply.

#beauty

#memories

#nature

The Island’s Best Boating Experience • Brand new luxury Aloha pontoon boat rentals • 150 horsepower Yamaha engine • Easy to operate with Garmin GPS navigation • Comfortable seating for up to 12 people • 9 ft Sunbrella for fun in the shade

ShelterCoveMarinaBoatRentals.com 866-922-6567 | 1 Shelter Cove Lane

August 18, 2026

Estate planning is much more than just a will

By Mark F. Winn Contributor

Accountability should be built into your estate plan Too many families discover the weaknesses in an estate plan when it is already too late to fix them. A sudden illness MARK F. WINN or incapacity occurs, someone must step in to manage finances, and questions can quickly arise among family members. After more than 20 years practicing estate planning in the Hilton Head and Bluffton area, I have seen how thoughtful planning can prevent confusion and reduce family conflict.

One of the most overlooked protections is accountability for the person managing your financial affairs. If you appoint an agent or trustee, consider requiring regular accountings—perhaps annually or semiannually—to other designated family members or interested parties.

A simple accounting of receipts, distributions, and expenses can provide transparency and prevent misunderstandings. Without that accountability, even perfectly appropriate financial decisions can sometimes create suspicion or disagreement among family members.

It is also important to clearly address compensation and expenses. Many family members are willing to serve without compensation, but they should not necessarily be expected to bear the costs of doing so. A well-drafted plan can authorize reimbursement for reasonable expenses, including travel, lodging, mileage, and, when appropriate, lost wages.

Clarifying these matters in advance can go a long way toward preventing resentment.

Make sure your assets avoid probate Another important part of estate planning is determining whether your assets will have to pass through probate court.

Many people assume that having a will avoids probate. It does not.

Avoiding probate requires careful at-

tention to how assets are titled and how beneficiary designations are established.

Trusts are often an effective tool because assets properly transferred to, or payable to, a trust can generally be administered without going through probate.

We take time to review how our clients’ assets are titled and designated so their estate plan works as intended.

Protect what your beneficiaries inherit so it remains in your bloodline We also consider how beneficiaries should receive inherited assets. In many circumstances, it may be better for a beneficiary to inherit their share pursuant to the terms of a trust rather than receiving assets outright.

A properly structured trust can provide protection from lawsuits and creditors and may help protect inherited assets in the event of a future divorce. It can also help preserve family wealth for future generations and, when appropriately structured, address estate-tax considerations.

Good estate planning is about much more than deciding who gets your property. It is about protecting people, preserving relationships, and providing clarity when your family needs it most.

If you have not reviewed your estate plan recently—or if you do not have one—consider scheduling a meeting to make sure your legal documents, asset titles, and beneficiary designations all work together. A little planning today can prevent significant confusion and conflict tomorrow.

Mark F. Winn, Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning, a local asset protection, estate planning and elder law attorney serving Bluffton and Hilton Head residents for more than 20 years. www.

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

21A

Annual brunch celebrates 350 Lowcountry educators, school staff

By The Bluffton Sun Staff

Lowcountry Community Church welcomed 350 teachers, administrators and other school staff members from 59 schools for its third annual School Staff Appreciation Brunch on Aug. 1.

The event included breakfast, a message for attendees and boxes of school supplies donated by church members and through a partnership with Coastal Shores Landscape.

The brunch is held ahead of the new school year as a way for the church to support local school employees. The event has grown since it began in 2023, when 64 people attended.

“Our teachers and school staff carry so much responsibility, and many of them enter the school year already feeling tired or overwhelmed,” LCC Outreach Director Liz Lucarini said.

“We wanted this morning to remind them that they are loved and supported by people who believe in the work they

are doing.”

Lucarini said the church wanted participants to leave feeling encouraged as they prepared to return to their classrooms and schools for another year.

The supply boxes were one part of that effort. Filled with items donated

by LCC members and through the church’s partnership with Coastal Shores Landscape, the boxes were distributed to participating school employees. Some also contained personal letters that drew appreciation from attendees.

“Thank you for the love that was shown today,” Lois Casto said. “I loved the supply box that was given to us. I was touched by the letter that was in my supply box.”

T. Lynn Holman also thanked organizers.

“All of the hard work that went into preparing everything, especially the thoughtful supply boxes, did not go unnoticed,” Holman said. “We are truly grateful and feel so blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful event.”

BEACH LIVING IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

1425 Okatie Hwy. (170) Hwy 170 between River’s End & Oldfield 843-379-1888 | www.palmsumc.org UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Aug 23rd “Pray Daily for Guidance” Matthew 6:13 Rev. Randall Haase

Light & bright 2 BR • 2 BA condo at The Seabrook of Hilton Head $140,000

Lori Loukonen eXp Realty

License #147875

August 30th "This is God's Perspective” Mark 8:27-33 Rev. Randall Haase

843.686.0919

Lloukonen@TheSeabrook.com

Your coastal lifestyle starts here

Reverend Randall Haase

Sunday Services: 10am live streamed on palmsumc.org

Anna Marie Kuether Director of Music & Worship Arts

www.palmsumc.org

22A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

How to avoid “blow-up” holes when playing golf

By Dr. Jean Harris Contributor

Thinking about SELLING? I have over 25 yrs as an Award Winning REALTOR. I’m also a Combat Veteran who will fight for all your real estate needs.

For a Confidential discussion call/text:

843-226-5003

Lic#143135

If you play golf, you will experience an occasional blow-up hole. The secret to becoming a better golfer is to minimize these disaster holes. You may be having a great round of golf, and then comes the dreaded blow-up hole.

This can happen because of a bad decision, lack of course knowledge, a bad break or the pressure you are putting on yourself. Most blow-up holes start with a poor tee shot. These can be caused by poor club selection, mechanical breakdowns, not knowing the proper distance needed to avoid trouble or not having a consistent preshot routine.

Here are several strategies to help you become a more consistent golfer: • On tee shots, always play short of trouble. If hitting a driver can get you into a fairway bunker, hit a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee.

• Always tee off on the side of trouble.

For example, if there is out-of-bounds on the left side of the hole, tee off on the extreme left of the tee box and swing away from trouble.

• If you are going to lay up on a hole, lay up to a distance you can hit well. It may be easier for you to hit a 100-yard shot to a green than a 40- to 60-yard pitch.

• Use the 70% rule: Don’t try a shot on the course that you haven’t practiced. If you can pull it off seven out of 10 times in practice, then go for it.

• Practice recovery shots. You need to learn how to hit the ball high and low and how to curve it from left to right and right to left.

• Firing at the flagstick is not always a smart play. Picking a safe target on the green can help eliminate big numbers.

• Before executing a shot, using the word “don’t” can cause you problems. If you say, “Don’t hit it in the water,” your brain hears, “Hit it in the water.” Stay positive and say what you want to do.

• Your body language and self-talk are important after a bad shot. They can influence how you feel and cause you to hit another bad shot. Take a cleansing breath and go to your next shot with your head high and shoulders back.

• Finally, expect that you are going to hit a bad shot or get a bad bounce during your round. You can’t change the past, so concentrate on hitting your next shot into play. This will help you avoid disaster holes.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

23A

A taste of late summer

Blufft n Sun

The

e h t s ' t a h t

T E K TIC O N E­ISSUE 16 T I M D A 29, VOLUME

• 18, 2026 AUGUST

24A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Arts and Events Calendar Bluffton Library Adult Programs Let’s Talk AI Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-noon Discussion exploring artificial intelligence.

Page Turners Book Club Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Discussion of “The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau.”

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group Aug. 27, 1-2:30 p.m.

Support group for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.

For information, call 843-2556503.

Hilton Head Library Programs Great Southeast Pollinator Census Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-noon Hilton Head Library Learn how to participate in the regional citizen science pollinator count.

Library Puzzle Swap Aug. 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hilton Head Library Swap completed jigsaw puzzles or help assemble a community puzzle.

Adult Crafts: Watercolor Landscapes Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-noon Hilton Head Library Beginner watercolor class. Materials provided.

Registration required.

For information, call 843-2556525.

Palmetto Bluff Arts Initiative Pups on Parade Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

FLOW Gallery + Workshop, Palmetto Bluff Live pet paintings by artist Sheryl Stalnaker. palmettobluff.com Palmetto Bluff Conservancy Programs Aug. 5-19 Palmetto Bluff Conservancy August programs include Brown Bag Lunch presentations on living with alligators (Aug. 19); Great Southeast Pollinator Census (Aug. 21); Some programs are offered online or require reservations. palmettobluff.com “Finding Light” by L. Robert Stanfield July 28-Aug. 28 Art League Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island Exhibit featuring works by L. Robert Stanfield. Opening reception July 29, 5-7 p.m.

Coffee meet-and-greet Aug. 11, 10:30 a.m.-noon. artleaguehhi.org | 843-6815060 Author Event with Michael Wayne Wojcik Aug. 20, 2-4 p.m.

Emry’s Bookshop, Port Royal Plaza, Hilton Head Island Author Michael Wayne Wojcik discusses his paranormal novel “Don’t Let Me In,” followed by audience Q&A and book signing. Limited copies available for purchase.

843-802-6143 Carolina Dreamers Car Show Carolina Dreamers Car Show Sept. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Celebration Park, 94 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island Annual charity car show featuring cars, trucks and motorcycles, plus awards, raffles, food trucks, music and a silent auction. Registration is $25 at the event. Proceeds benefit local charities. carolinadreamers.info Palmetto Quilt Guild New Member Meet and Greet Sept. 10, 4:30-6 p.m.

WaterWalk Apartments Community Room, 47 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island Meet-and-greet for new Palmetto Quilt Guild members.

Palmetto Quilt Guild Meeting Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Island Lutheran Church, Hilton Head Island Lynn Rinehart, quilt designer, fiber artist and certified quilt appraiser, will speak about the modern quilt movement.

Crazy Modern Quilt Workshop Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Zoom workshop led by Lynn Rinehart. Participants will learn foundation piecing and expand their stitch repertoire using fabric scraps to create a modern crazy quilt.

Hilton Head Choral Society Questions & Answers Sept. 25, 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island Hilton Head Choral Society opens its 2026-27 season with its annual POPS program featuring popular songs built around questions and answers.

Season tickets are available at www.hiltonheadchoralsociety. org. For information, call 843341-3818 or email tickets@ hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.

Volunteers in Medicine Clinic – Hilton Head Island Circle of Caring 2026 Gala Oct. 30, 6-11 p.m.

Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Annual gala featuring cocktails, seated dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions and music by Deas-Guyz. Black-tie optional.

Valet parking is $12.50.

Proceeds benefit Volunteers in Medicine Clinic – Hilton Head Island. vimclinic.org

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

25A

2-8PM SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 12TH

O YS TE R FA CT O RY PA RK 63 W ha rf St re et Bl uf ft on , SC 29 91 0

Music By: Stee & The Ear Candy Band

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!

26A

The Bluffton Sun

SOBA to hold reception for 32nd annual judged show

By The Bluffton Sun Staff

The Society of Bluffton Artists will hold a reception and awards ceremony for its 32nd annual judged show from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at the SOBA Gallery, 7 Church St. in Old Town Bluffton.

The reception is free and open to the public and will give visitors an opportunity to meet participating artists and view the exhibition. Awards will be presented in seven categories, including Best in Show.

The exhibition features original works submitted by artists from the Lowcountry and beyond. Works include paintings, drawings, photography, digital art, mixed media and three-di-

mensional pieces.

The show will be on display from Sept. 1 through Oct. 4. Artwork in the exhibition will be available for purchase.

The judged show is one of SOBA’s annual fundraisers, with proceeds supporting the organization’s exhibitions, education, scholarships and community outreach, as well as its “A Forever Home for SOBA” fundraising campaign.

Founded in 1991, the Society of Bluffton Artists offers exhibitions, art classes, workshops and outreach programs.

According to the organization, SOBA became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2004.

For more information about the exhibition, visit www.sobagallery.com or call 843-757-6586.

August 18, 2026

Local educators can apply for TangerKids grants

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

Educators at public and private schools can apply beginning Aug. 17 for funding through the 2026-27 TangerKids Grants Program offered by Tanger Outlets Hilton Head and Tanger Outlets Savannah.

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 18. Faculty members at public and private schools serving students from pre-K through 12th grade are eligible to apply.

The grants are intended to fund classroom and school programs, including projects designed to improve learning environ-

ments and accessibility, address student needs and provide additional classroom resources.

According to Tanger, the company has provided more than $3.9 million in grants to schools and educational programs over the past 30 years. In 2025, the TangerKids Grants Program awarded an estimated $200,000 to initiatives in the United States and Canada.

The company operates 38 outlet centers and four open-air lifestyle centers.

Grant recipients in each community are expected to be announced during TangerKids Day in January 2027.

Educators can apply at grants.tanger.com.

Includes all food and beverages

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

A taste of late summer

By Leslie Rohland Contributor

There is something about late summer that makes simple food taste even better.

When the Lowcountry heat is still hanging on and the idea of turning on the oven feels like too much, meals can be at their LESLIE ROHLAND best when they are fresh, colorful, and served cold. This Watermelon Caprese Salad is a perfect example. It brings together juicy watermelon, sweet strawberries, creamy fresh mozzarella, peppery greens, and fragrant basil for a dish that feels like summer on a plate.

While watermelon is certainly refreshing on a hot day, it also has a high water content, making it a delicious way to add a little extra hydration to a summer meal. It is also wonderfully easy to prepare. There is no cooking required, which means less time in a hot kitchen and more time enjoying the long days of summer. The salad can be assembled ahead of time and chilled until you’re ready to serve, making it an easy option for a casual lunch, a backyard gathering, or a light dinner alongside grilled chicken or seafood.

As summer begins to wind down, this is the kind of recipe worth keeping close.

It is uncomplicated, fresh, and full of the flavors that make this time of year so good. And perhaps that is the best part of late summer cooking: there is no need to overthink it. Pick up something fresh, make it beautiful, and sit down long enough to enjoy it.

Watermelon Caprese Salad • 3 cups cubed watermelon, seedless preferred • 2 cups sliced strawberries • 1 cup chopped fresh mozzarella • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste • Mixed greens or fresh spinach • ¼ cup torn fresh basil Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine the strawberries, watermelon and mozzarella.

2. Drizzle the olive oil over and toss gently. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Place the watermelon mix over the greens.

4. Garnish with the basil, and serve right away or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Leslie Rohland, 2024 SC Chef Ambassador, Chef and Proprietor of The Cottage Cafe, The Bluffton Pasta Shoppe, the Juice Hive, and May River Coffee Roasters. (843) 757-0508, 38 Calhoun St, Bluffton, SC.

27A

HERITAGE LIBRARY FALL HISTORIC TOURS VISIT HILTON HEAD ISLAND

COLONIAL ERA CEMETERY TOUR

A JOURNEY ROOTED IN HISTORY Visit the gravesites of four Revolutionary War heroes and find out about the bloody skirmish that was fought just steps away.

Site on the SC Liberty Trail.

Corner of Hwy. 278 & Mathews Dr.

TUESDAYS September 15, 22, 29 October 6, 27 November 3, 10 10:00-11:00am $10/LIBRARY MEMBERS | $12/NON-MEMBERS CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE Registration required.

HISTORIC FORT MITCHEL TOUR

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

65 Skull Creek Dr., Hilton Head Plantation

THURSDAYS September 17, 24 October 1, 8, 29 November 5, 12 10:00-11:00am $10/LIBRARY MEMBERS | $12/NON-MEMBERS CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE Registration required.

Scan to register for classes and tours at HeritageLib.org/Tours Open Monday-Friday 10am -3pm The Professional Bldg | 2 Corpus Christi | Suite 100 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 | 843.686.6560 | HeritageLib.org

28A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Capture It:

Get up close with baby alligators, turtles, snakes, and other Lowcountry critters!

Drop in Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays between 9:30 am & 12:30 pm FAMILY-FRIENDLY. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Scan for details & tickets!

coastaldiscovery.org

You snooze, you lose — learning to see the light

By Lucy Rosen Contributor

If there’s one hard truth photography will teach you, it’s this: if you aren’t willing to get up with the sun, you’re going to miss a lot. And not just the quiet.

You’ll miss the light.

LUCY ROSEN Early morning light is generous. It’s soft, directional, and forgiving.

It wraps gently around your subject instead of flattening it. Colors are richer. Shadows are longer. Everything feels calmer. That’s why photographers joke—only half-joking—that you snooze, you lose.

The same is true late in the day. As the sun drops lower, light warms and slows.

Harsh contrast fades. Texture returns.

Ordinary scenes suddenly feel cinematic.

Light isn’t something you add later.

It’s something you respond to in the

moment.

Great photography starts with noticing where the light is coming from and how it’s interacting with your subject.

Is it hitting from the side, revealing texture? Is it backlighting, creating glow?

Is it filtering through clouds, softening everything in sight?

You don’t need to understand complicated lighting setups. You just need to pay attention. Move your feet. Shift your angle. Watch how the scene changes as the sun moves—even a few steps can make a dramatic difference.

Midday light has its place, but it’s rarely subtle. Early morning and late afternoon reward photographers who show up with intention. They also reward patience. The best light often lasts only minutes.

Light sets the mood. It tells the viewer how to feel about what they’re seeing.

Learn to see it first—and the rest of the photograph will follow.

Lucy Rosen is a Lowcountry-based writer and bird photographer who observes the natural world through a patient, thoughtful lens. Follow her work on Instagram @LucyGRosen or visit www. lucygrosenphotography.com.

August 18, 2026

By Sasha Sweeney

The Bluffton Sun

29A

Walk for Water events set for Bluffton, Port Royal

Editor

The 10th annual Beaufort County Walk for Water will hold events Sept. 19 in Port Royal and Oct. 3 in Bluffton, with organizers hoping to raise $100,000 for Water Mission.

Registration is free this year for both events. The Sept. 19 walk will be held at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal, while the Oct. 3 event will take place at Bluffton United Methodist Church. Organizers expect about 1,000 participants between the two walks.

Money raised will benefit Water Mission, a Charleston-based Christian engineering nonprofit that provides water systems in developing countries and disaster areas.

During the 3-mile walk, participants can carry a bucket of water for part of the route to represent the distances traveled by women and children in developing countries to collect water.

“We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year by offering free registration for all participants,” Beaufort County Walk for Water committee leader Nan Krueger said. “This creates an opportunity for even more people to learn about the global water crisis, engage with Water Mission’s work, and raise money to support safe water solutions around the world.”

Walkers who register at walkforwater. com/beaufort by Aug. 18 and raise or donate at least $25 will receive a free T-shirt.

According to information provided by organizers, Water Mission has provided water systems in developing countries and disaster areas, including western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

The organization also reports that a person dies from a water-related illness every 37 seconds worldwide.

For more information, call 843-769-7395.

Sponsorship information is available from Bob Burroughs at 404-213-5513 or burrou_bob@bellsouth.net.

2600 MAY RIVER CROSSING BLUFFTON AVAILABLE ALL DAY

843-705-5369 DINE IN ONLY

WEEKLY SPECIALS MONDAY

$10 TWO

TACOS

$5

MARGARITAS

FRIDAY

BOGO 50% OFF FISH & CHIPS

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

TRIVIA NIGHT 6:30-8:30 PM

$10

BURGERS

1/2 OFF

BOTTLES OF WINE

SATURDAY STEAK NIGHT

20% OFF

12 OZ NY STRIP WITH TWO SIDES

THURSDAY TAKE & BAKE PIZZA

$16

SPECIALTY PIZZAS *

$14

UP TO TWO TOPPINGS

*EXCLUDES THE NEW ENGLANDER

SUNDAY

$10

BRUNCH LUNCH

ALL DAY

30A

The Bluffton Sun

EXPERIENCE THE SONIC POWER LIVE ON STAGE

AUG 28 7:30PM & AUG 29 7:30PM “A BREATHTAKING KNOCKOUT OF A MUSICAL” THE NEW YORK TIMES

O N S A L E AU G 19 !

SEPT 23 – OCT 25

Best For Ages: 13 and up. Parental Discretion Advised.

Contains mature themes including mental health challenges as well as strong language.

UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCES AWAIT!

2026 2027 THEATER SERIES

SEP 23 – OCT 25

DEC 2 – JAN 3

APR 28 – MAY 30

JUN 23 – AUG 8

20 26

FEB 3 – FEB 21 2027

20 27

BEST SEATS. BEST PRICE. W H E N YO U S U B S C R I B E & SAV E SCAN TO LEARN MORE AND SUBSCRIBE!

2026-27

2027

August 18, 2026

A word about words

By Tamela Maxim Contributor

My love of words began when I was very young. My parents were devoted readers who filled our home with books.

I started reading at 3, something my mother reminded me of just yesterday.

Growing up in a military family meant constant travel, including three tours in Germany. Because of that, I was encouraged to learn foreign languages, eventually studying French and German and attending a German university. One of my courses at the University of Stuttgart explored the origins of language, including how ancient words like mother and father have recognizable relatives across languages thousands of years later. That class revealed something profound: Words are artifacts of human history, carrying the fingerprints of every generation.

Words as time capsules Every word carries a story.

Some are whimsical, like serendipity, coined by Horace Walpole after a tale called “The Three Princes of Serendip,” using an old name for Sri Lanka.

Others are somber, like melancholy, born from the Greek melas (black) and khole (bile). Ancient Greek physicians believed emotions were governed by four bodily fluids, or humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile (choler) and black bile (melancholy). Illness was thought to occur when the fluids were out of balance.

Each humor was associated with an element: blood (air), phlegm (water), yellow bile (fire) and black bile (earth).

Words shape our emotional experiences. The concept of linguistic relativity holds that language can influence how people perceive and think about the world. For example, a person who knows the word petrichor, the earthy scent after rain, might savor that moment differently than someone who simply calls it “a nice smell.”

Languages can also structure concepts such as time and space differently. Some languages routinely use cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) instead of left and right, and research has found that speakers of some such languages maintain a strong awareness of cardinal direction. Some Inuit and Yupik languages have extensive vocabularies for snow and ice, although their grammatical structure makes simple word-count comparisons with English misleading.

The evolution of language Language shifts, mutates and adapts.

English is a mosaic of influences. From its Anglo-Saxon roots come words like bread, house and love. Norse seafarers brought us words like sky, anger and window (“wind-eye”), while the French influence is seen in words like beauty and courage. Latin and Greek dominate much of the vocabulary of science, medicine and philosophy.

Each time a word moves into a different culture, it can offer new ways of expressing ideas. When English adopted liberty, ultimately from the Latin liber, meaning “free,” it gained another way to express ideas of freedom. The English word democracy traces to the Greek demokratia, referring to rule by the people.

Language evolves through necessity The digital age birthed words like emoji, hashtag and unfriend. Older words are transformed: awful once carried meanings associated with inspiring awe or reverence, while cloud developed from an Old English word referring to a mass of rock or a hill.

Words as identity Words signal belonging to a region, a profession or a generation.

The word y’all, which my autocorrect kept changing to Yall until I found a way to put y’all into my iPhone’s dictionary, is a cultural marker of the Southern United States. Schadenfreude is borrowed from German and describes enjoyment of someone else’s misfortune.

Some words are considered difficult to translate precisely because their meanings carry cultural associations that may take several words to express in English.

The Portuguese saudade expresses a deep, nostalgic longing for something or someone that may never return. It conveys more than simply “missing” someone or something.

The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi finds aesthetic value in imperfection, impermanence and simplicity. The Southern African concept of ubuntu is often expressed through the idea “I am because we are,” emphasizing human interconnectedness.

The Finnish word sisu describes determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. English has words such as courage, grit and perseverance, but none captures precisely the same collection of

WORDS CONT. ON PAGE 31

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

31A

COME JOIN THE FUN! WORDS FROM PAGE 30

ideas.

One of my favorite foreign words, which some English speakers have adopted, is the German word Gemütlichkeit. It conveys a sense of comfort, friendliness and pleasant sociability. Having spent several of my college years in Munich, the word makes me think of beer gardens with “oom-pah-pah” music, giant mugs of beer, close friends, laughter, huge salty pretzels with hot mustard and sunshine filtered through the airy shade of larch trees.

Why etymology matters Etymology, the study of word origins, is more than academic trivia. It reveals how humans have thought, felt and interacted across centuries. When we learn that quarantine comes from the Italian quaranta giorni (40 days), we glimpse historical attempts to control disease.

When we discover that salary comes from the Latin salarium, a word connected to salt, we see traces of salt’s importance in the ancient world.

Etymology connects us to our ancestors.

The living future of words Language will continue to evolve. New technologies create new vocabulary; shifting cultures redefine old terms.

Words shape the way we live. They influence emotion, identity and culture.

They are the threads that weave human experience into something shareable.

Every word we speak carries a hidden history, a trail of migrations, inventions and emotions. Words are fossils of human experience, and when we examine them closely, they reveal how deeply language shapes our lives.

Numbers as words A sign of the times: Numbers have increasingly become vocabulary. Gen

Alpha uses the slang term “67,” pronounced “six-seven,” as a largely nonsensical expression without a single established meaning. They sometimes use it to annoy adults, such as shouting “six-seven” as the answer to math problems or teacher roll calls, or as an answer to a basic question like, “How are you?”

In slang, 404, based on the internet “not found” error code, can refer to someone who is clueless or foolish, as in, “He’s so 404” or “My brain is 404.”

Contranyms Sometimes words are just downright contrary. A contranym is a word that can have two opposite or contradictory meanings.

Take dust. You can dust a cake by adding a light coating of sugar, or dust the furniture by removing dust.

Overlook can mean to supervise or inspect something, but it can also mean to fail to notice it.

Fast can mean moving quickly, but something held fast is firmly fixed in place.

Then there are some linguistic oddities that aren’t technically contranyms but are still fun to ponder: We park on the driveway and drive on the parkway.

How can a fat chance and a slim chance mean essentially the same thing?

He left his jacket when he left the party.

Words hold our memories, shape our identities and tether us to every culture and generation before us, reminding us that human experience is shared, layered and ever-evolving. Words can hurt or help, so try not to go all 404 and keep your sassy six-sevens to yourself.

Tamela is a proofreader and book editor; she hosts paint parties for adults, art and drama camp for kids, and is the art teacher at May River Montessori. www. tamelamaxim.com www.artposseproductions.com

Handmade products from local artisans, vintage home decor, flowers & herbs, local honey & more!

Live Music & Food Trucks

172 BLUFFTON ROAD (ROUTE 46) INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR? WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU! WWW.BLUFFTONFARMANDFLEA.COM • 843-715-1248

32A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Keeping an adolescent dog on track

By Abby Bird aka Alphadog Contributor

As I work with dogs of all shapes and sizes, one thing is fairly consistent based on age. Once a pup is past 6 months of age, and assuming you have done your age-appropriate obedience training, many owners think that is all you have to do.

Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Up until 6 months, pups are eager learners, absorbing training skills for rewards such as play, attention and food.

They are little sponges, eager to learn and to please their owners. Then adolescence settles in, where they think they know everything and the reward systems are not as enticing.

This adolescent brain goes into challenging and independent mode, just like an adolescent preteen and young teenager.

How do we work with dogs during this phase of their life? Mostly, it is consistency and practicing on a daily basis all the skills they have learned early on. It is a reminder to them that you still matter and they should still want to please and obey

you.

We do change how we implement the training. I try to keep training sessions very short but do multiple sessions each day. Your best bet is to put the dog on a leash to be able to implement each command without them learning they can ignore you or just walk away. Each

session lasts no longer than 3 minutes and is based on repetitions. I call them “skills and drills.”

Make sure you are using treats, preferably different ones than you used with early training. A treat to consider is freeze-dried liver or freeze-dried chicken, easily purchased in a brand called

purebites. I want them to look forward to pleasing you and earning special rewards.

As an example, you would use multiple commands very quickly, expecting immediacy as their response. I don’t want them to think about it, just do it! Mix it up and do different combinations during the day.

Short and sweet, please.

Sit, wait, let’s walk.

Sit, wait, then back up and say come.

Sit, down, sit, down, sit, down.

Down, stay, then back up and return to the dog. Do again.

And you can make up any others that your dog knows. Keep it quick and fun. Be excited when they do them.

This may need to go on for a few months, usually until about 9 months to a year of age. Then periodically do them randomly to keep their attitude in check.

Your sweet and compliant puppy should start to pay better attention and with a much better attitude.

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

CELEBRATE AMERICA 250 AT SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA

2026 FIRE WORKS* Start on Tuesdays when sky is dark SHANNON TANNER

Parrot Palooza

FOLLOW & TAG US IN YOUR PHOTOS! @ShelterCoveHarbourMarina #Harbourfest

Two shows: 6:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Now to August 19: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. June 11, - August 20.

Two shows on Labor Day Weekend: September 5 & 6

CAPPY THE CLOWN

Face painting, balloon animals, sand art & more! 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Now to September 4: Monday to Friday.

Plus Labor Day Weekend: September 5 & 6

ShelterCoveHarbourfest.com

LOCATED MID-ISLAND, MILE MARKER 8, ACROSS FROM ENTRANCE TO PALMETTO DUNES, *All events subject to change without notice. Weather permitting

Scan code for show updates

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

33A

Skinny legs

By Danie Connolly Contributor

I have finally made peace with my skinny little legs.

My mother would always say, “Your sister has the most beautifully shaped legs.

Now, I have skinny, skinny legs with bunions.” She’d DANIE CONNOLLY pause for a moment and then turn to me and say, “You know, you’ve got legs just like mine.”

I grew up never wanting to wear skirts, dresses or shorts.

Today, I’m happily entrenched in my 70s, so I don’t give a rat’s egg about them anymore. I can take my skinny little legs and shuffle off to the ice cream store and stand in line to get a double scoop of butter pecan. I’m thrilled to hop into my car, plop down in the seat and drive through Dunkin’ for a chocolate-covered dough-

nut. And I’m happy trying to keep up with my dog on a walk to the beach as he sniffs every. Single. Blade. Of. Grass.

It wasn’t always this way. I went to a shrink a long time ago to help me figure out why I was so self-conscious about these sticks of mine. $280 later, I wasn’t any more in love with them, only poorer.

One day while I was visiting my mom, we were laughing about the funny days in

our lives, and we got around to the day I was born. As she related her (and my) ride on the gurney to the delivery room, she shared the story that shaped our lives.

“There I was, trying not to scream from the labor pains, and one of the nurses turned to the other and said, ‘Those are the ugliest feet I’ve ever seen.’ And the other one said, ‘Get a load of those scrambled toes and stick legs!’”

NOW OPEN TUES. thru SAT. With Lunch Weds., Thurs. & Fri.!

TUESDAY THRU FRIDAY

Check Out Our New Value Priced

EARLY BIRD DINNER MENU!

Delicious Special Menu Every Evening!

You Must Be Seated Between 4:45 to 5:15 Dine In Only. Must present coupon. One coupon per couple.

Can not be combined with other offers.

Automatic 20% gratuity will be added to original price.

Try Our Brand New

•Food! •Gifts •Art! •Dine! •Shop!

•Fun! •Galleries and More!

DELICIOUS LUNCH MENU! Now Serving 11:30 to 2 EVERY WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY!

Now Open For Lunch Weds., Thurs & Fri. 11:30 to 2 P.M. Dinner Tues. thru Sat. 4:45 until…...

Call for Reservations 843-757-5755

1263 May River Road • Old Town Bluffton

And that is how I got her opinion, based on two overworked nurses who were trying to be funny on a late night in May. I sure wish I knew that before I forked over almost 300 bucks to my shrink!

But now, here’s the happy ending.

My mother, my sister and I were together for the holidays, and as we sat out on the patio sharing our latest adventures, my mother recited for the umpteenth time, without realizing it, “Your sister has beautifully shaped legs. And I have skinny, skinny legs ...”

I interrupted her and said, “She does, Mom, and I have beautiful legs, too. And you have legs just like mine.”

We laughed for hours.

But the best part of this story?

I was at Disney World a few years back, and an adorable little girl dressed as a princess from “Frozen” was standing in line. I was wearing a pair of comfortable, gigantic Crocs, and as she stared down at them, she giggled and said, “You look like Minnie Mouse with those shoes.”

Then her face lit up with a smile that stretched from ear to ear, and she proclaimed, “I love Minnie Mouse. She’s the most beautifulist.”

34A

The Bluffton Sun

•Food! •Gifts •Art! •Dine! •Shop!

•Fun! •Galleries and More!

32 ND ANNUAL

JUDGED SHOW Sept 1 Oct 4 2026

Awards & Reception Sept 2, 4-6pm OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The Annual Judged Show produces truly exceptional artwork in our community and is one of the biggest fundraising events for our non-profit art organization.

7 CHURCH ST. OLD TOWN BLUFFTON

SOBAGALLERY.COM

Fresh from the Garden just one of many pieces in our NEW Exhibit OPEN 7 days 11-5pm

August 18, 2026

Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10-5 Thursday – Friday 10-6 • Saturday – 10-5

August 18, 2026

By Ryan Chowansky Contributor

First, a joke.

Why did the tub break up with the bathroom?

Because their relationship was going down the drain.

Now that I got that out of my system, we need to talk about your tub.

You know the one.

The fiberglass tub and shower combination that was probably perfectly respectable when it was installed sometime during the Bush administration.

You’ve scrubbed it (too hard). You’ve recaulked it (too much). You’ve bought increasingly aggressive cleaning products for it (remember when it had a gloss?).

Maybe there’s even a strategically placed shampoo bottle covering a spot we’d all rather not discuss.

At some point, we have to accept that the tub has given us everything it has.

And yet, every morning you step over that thing, look around and think, “We really need to do something with this bathroom.”

The Bluffton Sun

35A

Tub talk

Then you go to work.

And another year passes. Another layer of the tub’s finish gets removed.

The squeak gets louder, and the drywall around the showerhead gets softer.

I think part of the reason so many homeowners put off their bathrooms is because they assume fixing the shower means remodeling the entire room. Which sounds expensive and overwhelming.

New vanity. New flooring. New lighting.

New countertops. Tile selections. Plumbing fixtures. Demolition. Dust. Decisions.

More decisions. And eventually, you find yourself standing in a showroom debating between two nearly identical shades of white while questioning every decision that brought you to this moment.

But here’s the thing.

If you let yourself complicate it, you will.

Why is keeping things simple so hard?

In some cases, replacing an old tub or shower doesn’t require remodeling the entire bathroom. Homeowners may choose to replace only the shower system or make a few additional updates, such as a new vanity, flooring, lighting or mirrors.

That can mean focusing on the parts of

the bathroom that need attention rather than redesigning the entire room.

Around the Lowcountry, there’s another reason homeowners may consider making changes to a bathroom.

Getting in and out of a bathtub isn’t getting any easier.

A tub wall that didn’t bother you 15 years ago can suddenly start feeling suspiciously like an obstacle course. Add a wet surface, and what used to be an inconvenience can become a safety concern.

A low-threshold shower, properly placed grab bars, a handheld showerhead and seating are among the options homeowners can consider when looking to make a bathroom easier to use.

That’s important.

Function doesn’t have to be the only consideration. Wall patterns, colors, fixtures, glass options and accessories provide choices for homeowners who also want an updated look.

Some newer shower systems also reduce or eliminate grout, which can simplify routine cleaning and maintenance.

And yes, I’m an award-winning custom home remodeler telling you that sometimes you don’t need a full-gut custom

bathroom renovation.

You need to do what makes sense for you.

I’ve always believed the right construction project isn’t necessarily the biggest one. It’s the one that solves the homeowner’s problem.

If you love everything about your bathroom except the 20-year-old fiberglass tub or that vanity door that keeps coming off in your hand, maybe you don’t need to tear apart everything you love.

Maybe it’s enough to replace the tub or vanity, update the flooring and put a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

So if you’ve been walking into your bathroom for the last five years saying, “We really need to do something in here,” it might be time to decide what actually needs changing.

Take one last look at that old tub.

Remember the good times.

Thank it for its service.

Then let it retire.

It has served honorably.

And frankly, it’s tired.

Ryan Chowansky is the owner of Bluffton Builders, LLC, www.bluffton.builders.

August is Hair Loss Awareness Month...

Thank You For Voting Us the

Don’t Wait Until It’s Gone!

“Best Assisted Living”

A Taste of the Old Country is at

in Bluffton!

Actual Local Client Early Results!

“Caring in a better way day by day” The Palmetto’s person-centered approach supports the mind, body and spirit of each of our residents.

h residents.

Assisted Living • Memory Care Respite Care

The Palmettos Assisted Living of Bluffton, a National Healthcare affiliate.

3035 Okatie Highway, Bluffton, SC 29909.

are

Non-Discrimination Policy - As a recipient of federal financial assistance, NCH does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, or on the basis of disability or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of their services and benefits of any of its programs and activities or in employment. For more information, please contact 843-707-9400 or for TTY callers in SC dial 1-800-735-8583.

Call Joy Ross,

on Hilton Head Island

Book Your Next Event in Our Private Room!

Licensed Hair Loss Specialist,

Authentic Eastern European Cuisine

Heather Connelly

STYLE IT! SALON

heather.connelly@nhccare.com Assisted Living • Memory Care • Respite

Call For Directions & Appointment www.styleitsalon.com

Northridge Plaza (Near the Cinema) 435 William Hilton Pkwy Ste O, Hilton Head Island (843) 715-2691 • Tasteofeuropehhi.com

©2017 The Palmettos Assisted Living. All rights reserved. The Palmettos and The Palmettos Tree logo are registered trademarks of The Palmettos Assisted Living in the State of South Carolina.

he grounds of race, grams and activities

* AlmaTed is a revolutionary, non-invasive treatment. * AlmaTED is a quick and painless 25 minute treatment. * Results after just 1 treatment…

3 treatments for best results!

A Taste of Europe

3035 Okatie Hwy., Okatie, SC 29909

843-505-5698

For an Informational Consultation Appointment.

(843) 338-1530

A Taste of Europe

Closed Mon & Sun Lunch and Dinner Tue, Thu & Fri • Dinner Wed, Sat

Fresh Bites Every Time

Dine In or Take Out Breakfast all day, Lunch, Soup, Wraps & Ice Cream.

8am-3pm Mon-Sat 8am-2pm Sunday

Simply Delicious, Simply Homemade

Northfield Plaza 435 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head

(843) 682-6227

36A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Can you hear me now? Unfortunately, yes.

By Tracy Winslow Contributor

Ok, people. Emily Post called, and she used language that would make a grown man blush.

She wanted to know what happened to basic manners.

Have we become so engrossed in our phones, our TRACY WINSLOW notifications, and whatever fresh nonsense the internet is serving us that we’ve forgotten how to function among actual human beings? At some point, common courtesy apparently became an elective, and judging by what I’m seeing out there, a disturbing number of people dropped the class.

I was getting a massage because my daughter told me I needed to stop working so much and take some “me-time,” which apparently is what we’re calling lying perfectly still while mentally reorganizing

your entire life. I was finally starting to relax when a man in the hallway started chatting, loudly, on his phone.

Now, every self-help book currently squatting on Amazon’s bestseller list says, “Let them talk on the phone!” and “You can only control your response to someone’s behavior, not their actions,” and blah, blah, blah, inner peace, boundaries, personal growth. Conceptually, I understand this. Spiritually, I was one muffled speakerphone conversation away from stomping into the hallway and providing some very direct feedback.

Fortunately, I remembered that I was skyclad at the time, which would have turned a mildly irritating afternoon into an arrest and a phone call of my own.

Mine, at least, would have been necessary.

At what point did we collectively decide that everyone else in the room simply ceased to exist?

I get it. We live in a different world now.

People can work from wherever there’s cell service, offices have become increasingly optional, and apparently, as the world gets smaller, our conversations have gotten louder. There seems to be an overwhelming need to share every moment

In-Stock Stationary & New Motion Furniture Available In Fabric & Leather!

of our lives, not only on social media, but also on speakerphone with everyone within a 30-foot radius.

Because who among us asked to become an unwilling participant in a complete stranger’s phone call? Oh, that’s right, no one. I also don’t need to know why your sister is mad at you, what your dermatologist said about that thing on your back, or why Brenda from accounting is “literally impossible to work with.” Granted, if there’s a secret second family, a neighborhood scandal involving a Ring camera, or an embezzlement scheme, speak up. I’m not unreasonable. But it never is. It’s usually an exhaustive forensic reconstruction of an interaction the person telling the story didn’t even enjoy, and now everyone within earshot is being forced to experience it retroactively.

Back at the spa, the man continues his loud conversation. He’s hard of hearing, and judging by his wife’s responses blasting through the speakerphone, so is she, which means I get the added benefit of hearing both sides of the conversation several times.

She wants to know what he wants for dinner.

The answer is hot dogs.

This should have been a two-word exchange.

It was not.

What she thinks he says isn’t even in the hot dog food group. What follows is several increasingly louder attempts to communicate two of the simplest words in the English language.

“HOT DOGS.” “WHAT?” “HOT. DOGS.” Her next guess is still wildly incorrect.

This riveting culinary summit apparently couldn’t wait until, I don’t know, he was outside and no longer in the middle of a spa where people had paid actual money to relax. By the time the Great Hot Dog Negotiations reached an apparent stalemate, I was emotionally invested in whether this poor woman would ever understand that the man wanted hot dogs and, thanks to the prolonged culinary hostage situation, wondering what I was going to have for dinner.

Spoiler alert: not hot dogs.

He finally leaves, and I can feel my body

HEAR CONT. ON PAGE 37

New Furniture Arriving Weekly In-Stock Furniture Available For Delivery

Visit Our Virtual Showroom For Special Clearance Items!

Visit Our Showroom Today And Experience The Quality Of Flexsteel.

@

843.837.4000 Mon - Sat 10 - 6 • Sun 1 - 5 1569 Fording Island Rd (HWY 278) Bluffton • MCVFurniture.com

Locally Owned & d!

Operate

Recliners • Sofas • Loveseats • Sectionals Sleepers • Bedroom • Dining• Home Office

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

HEAR FROM PAGE 36

beginning to crawl out of fight-or-flight mode. My shoulders drop. My jaw unclenches. Inner peace is once again within striking distance.

Until, and I kid you not, a different man starts talking on his phone.

In Spanish.

Now, as a Spanish teacher, I am professionally incapable of not eavesdropping on a conversation in Spanish. I don’t want to listen. I have to listen. My reward? A one-sided discussion about where something is located.

I’m hoping it was the Hope Diamond or the cure for cancer, given the amount of “No, not that drawer. The one to the left. A la izquierda. No. The other left.”

Apparently, we had exhausted the traditional concept of izquierda and moved on to una izquierda diferente. By this point, I wasn’t getting a massage. I was trapped in the world’s most expensive bilingual scavenger hunt.

Maybe all those self-help books are right. Maybe I can’t control other people’s behavior. I can only control my response to it. I can breathe deeply. I can practice acceptance. I can protect my peace.

Or, and hear me out, we could also make a tiny effort not to destroy everyone else’s.

37A

We could remember that public spaces are shared spaces. We could respect the peace of the people around us. We could resurrect the radical notion that just because you can do something in public doesn’t necessarily mean you should.

And, for the love of Emily Post, we could all just stop talking on speakerphone in public.

I hope that poor woman eventually figured out he wanted hot dogs. And that somewhere, someone finally located una izquierda diferente.

Tracy Winslow is the owner of Low Country Shrimp and Knits and One More Row Coffee Co. She is also a Spanish professor at Montclair State University, where she insists her students wear headphones during Zoom classes because the general public has suffered enough without being forced to learn the difference between the preterite and imperfect. If you need somewhere to escape the chaos, speakerphone conversations are not allowed at Shrimp and Knits. Come grab some yarn, order a nice cup of tea, and protect your peace. We’ll do our best not to destroy it. shrimpandknits.com AI Created Image

GRAB BARS WITH DESIGN AND PURPOSE WE SELL AND INSTALL

GRAB BARS

IS COMING TO BLUFFTON!

HAND HELD SHOWER HOLDER GRAB BAR

SHOWER SEATS SUPER POLE HAND HELD SHOWER LEVEL ENTRY SHOWERS

TOILET RISER

WALK IN BATHTUBS

& NOW HIRING Management and Full-Time Employees to Join Their Team!

Competitive Pay and Flexibility!

Scan the QR Code to apply or go to culvers.com, select careers and find us!

CALL US FOR A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION

SHAMPOO SHELF GRAB BAR TOILET PAPER HOLDER GRAB BAR

linmarconsultant@gmail.com • www.linmarconsultants.com

38A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Bad hair day? Blame the cuticle

By Joy Ross Contributor

Have you ever wondered why your hair looks smooth and shiny one day, then dry, frizzy and out of control the next? The answer often has to do with something called the cuticle.

Think of your hair like the shingles on a roof. Each strand is covered with tiny overlapping layers called the cuticle.

When those layers lie flat, your hair reflects light, feels smooth and looks shiny.

When the cuticle is lifted or damaged, the hair becomes rough, dull and much more likely to frizz.

So, what causes the cuticle to open?

One culprit is moisture in the air. On humid days, hair absorbs water from the environment. As the hair swells, the cuticle can lift, creating that fuzzy, frizzy look many of us battle during the summer months.

Heat styling can also damage the cuticle. Frequent use of curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers can weaken those protective layers over time. Chemical services such as bleaching, coloring and

perming may also leave the cuticle more vulnerable if the hair isn’t properly cared for afterward.

Even something as simple as rubbing

GREAT CARTS GREAT DEALS

your hair with a towel or brushing it too aggressively while it’s wet can rough up the cuticle and lead to breakage and frizz.

The good news is that you can help keep

the cuticle smooth and healthy. Using conditioner after every shampoo can help replace moisture and smooth the outer layer of the hair. A leave-in conditioner or lightweight serum can also help protect the cuticle and reduce frizz. If you use heat tools, apply a heat protectant first.

And instead of rubbing your hair dry with a towel, gently squeeze out excess water or use a microfiber towel to reduce friction.

Healthy hair isn’t about eliminating every frizzy strand. It’s about protecting the cuticle so your hair stays strong, smooth and better able to handle everyday styling.

The next time your hair feels dry or starts to frizz, remember that it isn’t trying to misbehave. It’s simply telling you that its protective outer layer may need a little extra care. When you take care of the cuticle, your hair can have more shine, less frizz and a healthier appearance.

Sometimes the smallest part of your hair makes the biggest difference in how it looks every day.

Joy Ross is the owner of Style It Salon. styleitsalon.com, 843-338-1530.

OF BEAUFORT COUNTY 843-837-5296

Lawn Care • Tree & Shrub Care Yearly Programs Available for Lawn, Trees & Shrubs Locally owned for more than 30 years

of Hilton Head

Certified Preowned 2021 RXV Elites in stock starting at $6,000 25 Sherington Drive, Unit F Bluffton ezgofactorydirect.com (843) 212-4195

www.lawndoctor.com

Fertilization • Weed & Insect Controls • Mole Cricket Control Fire Ant Control • Core Aeration • Fungicides

Call for your free estimate today!

Good thru 09/01/26

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

39A

The hidden secrets of a golf architect

By Rich Bernstein Contributor

As we head out to the course for our next round of golf, our minds are filled with thoughts of all kinds, ranging from a swing concept that worked well last week to wondering about the speed of the RICH BERNSTEIN greens, the weather conditions or the lunch special at the 19th hole Grille Room. Surprisingly, not many of us give a moment’s thought to one of the most important and consequential individuals who affects every one of our shots, from the opening drive on the first tee to our final putt on the 18th green: the golf architect.

A golf course designer has an exceedingly difficult and challenging task.

Like an artist preparing to create a new masterpiece, the golf course architect

is given a blank canvas stretching over approximately 150 acres, with the formidable challenge of “painting a picture” of 18 varied golf holes that best use the landscape to its full potential.

Although education and experience in the fields of landscape architecture, agronomy, engineering and environmental science are surely required, there is no doubt a surprisingly different list of prerequisite studies exists.

How else can we explain why our golf ball just landed in a solitary, 6-foot-wide pot bunker on an otherwise wide-open, totally unobstructed 485-yard hole? Why else does our golf ball strike a single tree with a 3-inch diameter when, given the opportunity, we couldn’t hit it again if we tried 100 times? How did the golf architect know where to perfectly place every outof-bounds marker, penalty area, patch of knee-high fescue, pond, creek, greenside bunker and fairway bunker to await the successful capture of our golf ball?

A close inspection of any golf hole reveals the evil trappings of the golf course designer. Whether you have only a passing, occasional familiarity with these undesirable areas or a deep, family-like attachment, be assured it is not you or

your teaching pro who is to blame. It’s clearly attributable to the work of the golf course designer.

Although the profession of golf architect is highly respected, you don’t have to be a psychologist to note their unhinged obsession with diabolical and deceitful designs. Examples of such trickery include the placement of a bunker in the middle of the infamous sixth-hole green at Riviera Country Club and the tiny island green on the teasingly short, 137-yard 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass.

Only a scheming golf course architect could have predicted that LPGA star Charley Hull would stand over a birdie putt on the fifth hole during her opening round of this year’s Women’s Scottish Open and walk off the green with a quadruple bogey.

Her birdie attempt rolled past the hole, off the false front of the green and into the rough. After three unsuccessful attempts to chip back onto the green, Hull finally succeeded with her fourth and then sank a 12-foot putt for a 9.

To those who believe it’s just a bad break or an unlucky “rub of the green,” I respectfully disagree and place the blame for these examples where it clearly belongs: on the calculating, devious golf

course designer. After all, without ever having seen us hit a single shot, they have the uncanny ability to place every hazard and penalty area precisely where our golf balls will come to rest.

A peek inside a golf architect’s office may reveal the mystery of their sinister designs. On one side, we’ll surely find the expected tools of the trade: shelves filled with engineering and mathematics books and a desk covered with computers, calculators, protractors and compasses. But on the other side, I suspect we’ll discover the real secret to their prophetic creations: books about mystical forces, clairvoyance and soothsaying skills, and a stack of Ouija boards, tarot cards and crystal balls.

What a relief to finally discover our high scores aren’t due to our lack of skill.

We’ve simply been outwitted by the supernatural powers of our favorite golf course architect.

Rich Bernstein is a resident of Sun City - Hilton Head. Rich has been experiencing the joy, challenges and frustrations of golf since his selection as the 6th player on his 5-player high school golf team.

BROPHY BROS. Home Services

Pick-up Locations!

Our Services

• Complete Tree & Landscape Service • Home Improvement & Handyman Services • Junk Removal

Low financing available!

www.clubcarhhi.com

1484 Fording Island Road, Bluffton, SC 843-837-2066 Mon-Fri. 8:00-5:00, Sat. 9:30-1:00

• Power Washing • Window Cleaning Inside & Out

PHONE: 843-784-5427

EMAIL: IBot4000@icloud.com

OFFICE

181 Bluffton Rd, F103-2

SIPPIN COW

36 Promenade St

CHARTER ONE REALTY 1 Promenade St

BEHIND SONIC 5 Sherington Dr

ISLAND BAGEL

17 Sherington Dr, #6039

COASTAL STATES BANK 32 William Pope Dr

40A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

The best time to sell may be when you don’t have to

By Gregg Schor Contributor

“Why would I sell now? Things are going great” is a sentiment often heard from successful business owners. But that may be exactly when an owner should consider a sale. Waiting for a life event or business downturn can reduce both valuation and negotiating leverage. Even if an owner ultimately decides not to sell, exploring the market can provide valuable information about the company’s potential value, deal terms and the metrics buyers consider important.

1. Get started early. The best time for a lower middle market company, defined here as $10 million to $100 million in revenue, to prepare for a sale is before it is under a potential buyer’s microscope. Preparing early allows an owner to work at a chosen pace without becoming distracted from managing the business.

2. Mitigate future risk. The level of real or perceived risk a buyer may face post-transaction is a critical factor in determining the purchase price and valuation of a business. Risk can come in

many forms besides general economic or geopolitical conditions, such as from customer concentration, declining demand, technology shift, reliance on one supplier, or not having key employees who can step up post-transaction. The absence of actual or threatened litigation is also obviously a plus.

3. Understand what commands a premium. Buyers place a premium on recurring revenue, profit margins higher than industry averages, having a management team in place, low customer concentration, more than one supplier, increasing revenue and earnings trends, and a clear growth strategy. Additionally, businesses that have competitive advantages , or that operate in industries with barriers to entry, are also more attractive to buyers than ones without.

4. Put yourself out of a job. Companies attract a premium when the owner is less essential to the daily operations of the company and when revenue is not dependent on the owner’s personal relationships with customers and those relationships are distributed amongst other employees.

Buyers know that once a seller receives

a large cash pay-out and despite best intentions, their motivation is not the same.

It is generally best for all parties if the owner completes a transition period, usually ranging from a few months to a year.

While this is a generalization, there are exceptions where the former owner and the buyer mutually agree that it would be beneficial he or she stays longer.

5. Financial reporting. Most lower middle market companies are valued at some multiple of the adjusted earnings, or EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). This metric is used to measure a company’s overall core profitability, and “adds back” such items as one-time expenses, personal expenses which may be run through the business, and other adjustments. The financial model which an M&A advisor develops for this purpose is therefore very different from what an accountant prepares for tax purposes, which is typically structured to minimize taxable income.

Being able to generate monthly and accurate financial reporting is critical to advancing the sales process in a timely manner. Appropriate processes should ob-

viously be put into place irrespective of a sale so that an owner can make informed decisions, but in the context of an M&A transaction, not having timely and accurate financial information can kill a deal or lead to an incorrect outcome. Having an outside accounting firm that has the resources and willingness to be responsive is a top priority, and if the owner is not confident that their current accountant meets this requirement, better to make a change now.

Ultimately, the owners who achieve the best outcomes are those who prepare early, reduce risk, and build a business that can run well without them. Even if a sale is years away, the steps above make the company stronger today — and considerably more valuable when the time comes.

Gregg Schor is CEO at Protegrity Advisors, where he advises owners of privately held lower middle market companies on mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning. A resident of Bluffton, South Carolina, he works with business owners throughout the Southeast and across the country.

BLU F F T O N

SCHEDULE ONLINE, OR CALL 843.705.9401

He for  HEAD TO TOE

Optim Orthopedics is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care to every patient that comes through our doors. Our fellowship-trained physicians are focused on treatment plans that put your needs first.

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

41A

Self-righteousness meets radical grace

By Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson Contributor

A beautiful, uncomfortable, and often misunderstood story, found in Luke chapter 7 of Pharisee named Simon, inviting Jesus to have dinner at his home. Jesus accepts the invitation and as he settles in at the table an unnamed NANNETTE PIERSON woman, labeled only as a sinner, arrives with an alabaster jar of the finest perfume.

Standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, then kisses his feet as she anoints them with nard.

I travel to the Himalayas in Northern India yearly and this perfume she broke open was pure nard, a perennial herb that is harvested there. The cost was nearly a year’s wages and the jar itself, made of semi-transparent gemstones must have been very special to her. In this culture her

actions were shocking! Her unbound hair was unacceptable in public, as was touching a man who was not her family or husband.

As she wept, with grief and gratitude, she poured her perfume onto his feet. Just picture the sight. A room that was to be alive with debate became silent, everyone shocked by what they were witnessing. The Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is, that she is a sinner.”

This highly educated holy man is judging both the woman and Jesus, and who of us, thinking we’re better than, more educated, more religious than another, hasn’t also judged unfairly?

Jesus then goes on to tell him a story about a two people who owed money to the same lender. One owed 500 denarii (over a year’s wages) the other 50 denarii (about two months wages) Neither could pay back the lender so in an act of grace he forgives both debts. Jesus asks Simon which debtor will love the lender more? Simon answers, the one with the larger debt. Jesus tells him he’s correct. The Bible story continues with Jesus turning toward the woman saying to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came

10

$

OFF

FOR EVERY PERSON WHO PRESENTS THIS NEWSPAPER AD. (offer expires 8/31/26) Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse is now

Lasso Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse The New Owners Welcome you to enjoy the Fresh Salad Bar with over 30 items, 6 Hot Brazilian Flavored Dishes and a “parade” of 16 USDA Prime cuts of Beef, Lamb and Chicken carved tableside.

1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head (843) 715-3565

into your house, and you didn’t give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You didn’t put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

This act of worship ranks as one of the most beautiful and meaningful statements of faith in all of Scripture. She risked her reputation, some might say, what little was left, to anoint Jesus. She knew what the Pharisees do to woman labeled sinners, but that didn’t keep her from putting all her chips on the table. She used her most precious possession to make her profession of faith and Jesus accepted this gift and then contrasts Simon’s lack of hospitality with her extravagant love. He makes it clear that her actions are evidence of her forgiven state, not a means to earn forgiveness. Isn’t it ironic, yet appropriate, that the perfume she may have used in her life as a sinful woman would become the token of her profession of faith. She emptied out every drop onto the feet of Jesus. What’s your most precious

possession? Could you empty it all out, have that little talk with Jesus, tell Him all about your troubles? It is said we are as sick as our secrets and this woman was willing to walk out of the dark shadow of sin and into the light of the world.

There comes a moment in all our lives when we need to come clean. A moment when we need to unveil the secret shame of sin and fall full weight on the grace of God. This is that moment for this woman. She reminds us that no matter what we have done or how far we have fallen, God sees us, loves us and offer grace. This woman answered the Lord’s call for faith while the self-righteous Pharisee was unable to see his need of it. Do you want to turn your shame into joy, fear into love and brokenness into beauty? What would happen if you decided to love extravagantly as this woman did? My guess is there would be a revival on earth and a good bit of dancing and rejoicing in the presence of the angels in Heaven over one repentant heart!

Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson, Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Pastoral Associate at Campbell Chapel A.M.E. in Bluffton, SC

42A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

Raised by an island

By Paul Tollefson Contributor

Johnny Bringas has forgotten a lot about the day his family arrived on Daufuskie Island.

He couldn’t tell you what they packed in the boat or which box got carried into the house first. He doesn’t remember where they put the kitchen table or which bedroom became his. Time has a way of sanding away those ordinary details. What remains are the moments that mattered, the ones that quietly became part of who you are.

“The gnats damn near carried us away,” he says, laughing.

That was his introduction to Daufuskie.

His family had come from Texas looking for a fresh start, and they found one on a small island where life moved with the tides instead of the clock. Their home sat along one of the island’s sandy roads beneath a canopy of sprawling live oaks. It was painted schoolbus yellow, a color that probably shouldn’t have worked but somehow fit perfectly among the palmettos and moss.

Before long, Johnny had abandoned his shoes like most of the other boys on the

island. There wasn’t much need for them anyway. The roads were dirt, the marshes were your backyard, and every morning held the promise of another adventure if you were willing to wander far enough.

It wasn’t long before Johnny found his place among the island boys. He quickly became inseparable from Ricky Blake and Travis Painter, and the three were known for always being together. From the time they left home in the morning until someone called them in for supper, they fished the creeks, rode bicycles down sandy roads, explored the woods and followed whatever adventure happened to present itself that day.

Johnny still laughs when he describes those years.

“We were thick as thieves,” he says.

Looking back now, it’s hard for him to remember one of those adventures without Ricky and Travis standing somewhere beside him.

Johnny realizes he didn’t just grow up on Daufuskie. He grew up because of it.

The island had a way of raising children together. Parents certainly did their part, but so did teachers, neighbors, fishermen, grandmothers, store owners and just about anyone else a child happened to cross paths

Navigate your way to our

Second Hand Store!

Incredible discounts and amazing daily specials!

Two Locations 446 Railroad Ave 23 Getsinger St. Estill SC Ridgeland SC ESTILL: Thursday & Friday 10 AM -5 PM, Saturday 10 AM -4 PM RIDGELAND: Tuesday – Friday 10 AM – 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM

843.338.8896 Proceeds benefit the survivors of human trafficking & community education

“HEALING AND FREEDOM FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR ALL”

with during the day. If you were hungry, somebody fed you. If you got into trouble, somebody corrected you. If you wandered into the wrong yard, chances were you knew the people sitting on the porch anyway.

Nobody called it community. It was simply life.

Most families didn’t have much money, but as Johnny remembers, very few people complained about it. They made a grocery trip to the mainland every month or so for flour, sugar, rice and the things the island couldn’t provide. Everything else seemed to come from the woods, the water or somebody willing to lend a hand.

Even getting around required neighbors to depend on one another. Johnny remembers his family often leaning on Travis Painter’s family whenever they needed transportation on the mainland because the Painters were one of the few island families who kept a car there. Otherwise, hiring a taxi could quickly become more expensive than the groceries themselves.

Nobody kept score over things like that.

If you needed help, someone usually helped, knowing that one day they might need you, too.

That spirit of looking after one another

is what Johnny remembers most. It wasn’t something people talked about, and it certainly wasn’t something they advertised. It simply existed in the background of everyday life, as dependable as the tides.

Some of Johnny’s memories revolve around his stepfather, Harvey, and an old Volkswagen Beetle that had no business being driven anywhere. The brakes barely worked, and the floorboards had rusted away so completely that you could look between your feet and watch the sandy road passing beneath the car.

Harvey had learned to work around its shortcomings. Long before arriving anywhere, he’d cut the engine and coast the rest of the way, saving what little braking power he had left. Johnny remembers riding on the outside ledge of the passenger side while holding onto the car as they rolled down the road, something that would horrify parents today but felt perfectly ordinary to an island kid 40 years ago.

Many of those trips ended at Simmons, a makeshift place that was far more than a restaurant or country store. Simmons was

ISLAND CONT. ON PAGE 43

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

ISLAND FROM PAGE 42

where people caught up on the latest news, settled tabs, shared a meal and lingered a little longer than they probably intended.

Harvey always seemed to have a running tab there. Johnny remembers the candy, cigarettes, beer, jars of pickles and pickled pig’s feet. While the grown-ups talked, he usually disappeared toward the Frogger arcade game or wandered outside, where Miss Linda Simmons let him pick bull grapes from the arbor growing beside the building. Before they left, she almost always reached into the pickle jar and handed him one for the ride home.

It’s funny how a gesture that small can stay with someone for 40 years, but that’s the way memory works.

One afternoon, Harvey shut the Beetle off and coasted toward Simmons just as he always did. Hidden in the tall grass was the stump of an old oak tree neither of them could see. The car struck it hard enough to throw Harvey face-first into the windshield while Johnny went tumbling through the grass.

Somehow, the boy escaped without a scratch. Harvey climbed out bloodied but stubbornly refused to see a doctor. Instead, he bought himself a case of Budweiser, loaded it into the Beetle and went on with his day.

Johnny still laughs telling that story because, in his mind, there wasn’t another man quite like Harvey.

Just behind Simmons lived another unforgettable island character, an older Italian craftsman named Sal Strazzi. Johnny says you could smell Sal’s house before you ever reached it because he had built nearly the entire place from cedar. The sweet scent drifted through the yard year-round. Inside, Sal spent his days crafting cedar hope chests, furniture and anything else he thought someone might buy.

As a boy, Johnny was fascinated by the way rough boards slowly became something beautiful beneath Sal’s hands.

“You would’ve had to have been there,” Johnny says. “There were some interesting characters back then.”

The more he talks about those years, the more you realize Daufuskie was full of people like Sal. They weren’t famous, wealthy or important in the way the outside world measures success. They were simply themselves, and somehow that was enough to make them unforgettable.

School reflected the island just as much as the people did. Mary Fields Elementary had one classroom serving every grade from kindergarten through fifth. Ms. Catherine Campbell somehow managed to teach every student at once without making any child feel

43A

overlooked.

Lessons often stretched beyond the classroom walls. There were kickball games that seemed to last all afternoon, Matchbox races down the playground slide and walks to the beach that became part of the school day. When tourists arrived, the students grabbed stacks of green “I Love Daufuskie Island” bumper stickers and copies of The Daufuskie Kids’ Magazine, eager to sell them to visitors. Johnny still laughs remembering how successful they were and believes those sales eventually helped pay for a class trip to Disney World.

Lunch meant Mrs. Wiley’s cooking, another memory that seems to come up whenever former students gather. Nobody remembers anyone leaving her cafeteria hungry. If a growing boy wanted another helping, chances are he got one. Looking back, Johnny realizes that simple act said everything about the people who lived there.

The same could be said for Ella Mae Stevens Jenkins.

Johnny spent countless afternoons at the home of his best friend Ricky Blake, where Ella Mae seemed to welcome whichever boys happened to wander into her yard that day.

He remembers sitting beside her while she patiently picked blue crab meat for deviled crab, listening more than talking as life unfolded around them.

As a child, he thought he was simply passing another afternoon. It wasn’t until years later that he understood those quiet hours were shaping the kind of man he would become. Ella Mae never sat him down to teach lessons about kindness or generosity. She lived them, and children have always learned best by watching.

When Johnny looks back today, he doesn’t see one long story. He sees moments.

Fishing from the dock. Riding through the island in a Volkswagen with holes in the floor.

The smell of cedar drifting from Sal Strazzi’s house. Miss Linda handing him a pickle before leaving Simmons. Ella Mae Stevens Jenkins picking blue crab beneath the shade of an old tree.

None of those memories seem particularly extraordinary by themselves.

Together, however, they tell the story of an island that raised its children differently.

And perhaps that’s why so many of the boys who grew up there still speak of Daufuskie the way they do. They aren’t longing for a place as much as they are remembering a community where people depended on one another, where neighbors quietly became family and where a child could leave home after breakfast knowing that, no matter where he wandered, someone on that island was looking out for him.

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR BUSINESS—AND SPENDING MORE TIME IN THE LOW COUNTRY?

Your next chapter deserves careful planning.

Protegrity Advisors confidentially guides owners of companies with $10 million to $100 million in revenue through every stage of the sale process — from strategic preparation to a successful close.

When you're ready to start the conversation, we're ready to listen.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Contact: Gregg Schor, CEO (843) 585-8250 GSchor@ProtegrityAdvisors.com www.ProtegrityAdvisors.com South Carolina · Long Island · New York

44A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

It’s all kid’s stuff

By Collins Doughtie

sound catching small shark after small shark, maybe an offshore trek to the Betsy Ross would be more fun. Having never taken his boat that far out, the dad had a twinkle in his eye that told me he was all in for an offshore adventure.

But first we had to catch some live bait, specifically menhaden or, as we call them, pogies. As we got close to the south end of Hilton Head, huge schools of pogies were popping on the surface, so I grabbed my cast net and made a toss. You should have seen those boys’ eyes as I pulled up no fewer than 100 menhaden in one throw. I probably could have turned around right then and there, headed back to the dock, and they would have been as happy as clams. But with all that live bait, off we went.

Arriving at the Betsy Ross some 15 miles out, I rigged four rods, and we bump-trolled in hopes of getting a king mackerel or possibly even a cobia. Glancing over at the youngest child, I saw a look on his face and instantly knew what was coming.

With no Dramamine on board, he simply crashed, but I have to say he took it like a champ. No sooner had he finished chumming the water than a large barracuda hit the short bait and jumped almost 8 feet in the air. All three boys were dumbstruck!

The 9-year-old was the first to grab the rod and got the fish in after a 10-minute battle. I knew that was the birth of a new lifelong, die-hard angler. Having mentored lots of kids, I can usually tell which kid will be hooked on fishing and which one would rather play video games than bend a rod.

Though we missed a couple of cobia, the day was full of firsts for both the father and his sons: loggerhead sea turtles basking on the surface, hourlong battles with unknown monsters of the deep, huge remoras behind our chum bag and up-close encounters with massive tiger sharks that would swim up our chum line only to chow down on our closest topwater bait.

I guarantee these watery encounters are something these kids will never, ever forget.

So, take a kid fishing. And especially if you decide to go offshore, remember one simple thing: Dramamine!

Contributor

If you are a fisherman, then let me ask you one question. Who took you fishing for the very first time? Yep, dear old Dad! My start was so far back I was barely out of diapers before my pop threw a fishing rod in my hand.

Being the youngest of five kids, I think he must have learned from taking my oldest brother, Tim, fishing that it was a great way to keep the children out of his hair, even though he didn’t have much.

From my experience raising two kids of my own and showing them the ropes of fishing, it’s a process that constantly evolves as they get older. When they were very young, their attention span was all of 10 minutes, while their patience was even shorter. But as the years went by, that patience grew longer.

Of course, it took me a while to understand that this lack of patience just comes with the territory, and I wasn’t always as patient as I should have been. It was just that I desperately wanted them to love fishing and being outdoors as much as I did. Being new to parenting, I didn’t understand that each child is different. If I remember correctly, it was my daughter Camden who caught on faster than my son Logan, who spent most of his younger years back by the baitwell torturing and dissecting shrimp by pulling their legs off.

Had I had the means and the money, I wish I would have had a whole passel of kids. They are just so much fun! Being the kid that I am, it is really easy for me to relate to children, and more often than not, I was scolded more than they were for being immature. I guess that little tidbit shouldn’t surprise any of you who know me.

Anyway, now that my kids are both grown, I jump at any chance to fish with kids. This past week, my wish came true as I went out with a newcomer to the Lowcountry and his three sons, ages 9, 8 and 6.

With a new boat and not at all familiar with our waters, the dad gave me a call and asked if I would tag along to take his boys fishing and maybe show them some places and rigs that work in our waters. Meeting up at the Hilton Head Boathouse at dawn, I watched as he arrived with three of the cutest boys, who all looked like they came out of the very same mold. With short, sandy blond hair and good manners, I could just tell this day was going to be

fun, especially if I could put them on some fish.

Since the winds were light and the sea seemed to be behaving itself, I decided that instead of sitting in the

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

Your One-Stop-Shop for Fresh Water Tackle & Gear!

Shimano Fitzgerald St. Croix Daiwa Strike King Yamamoto

Lews Z-Man Berkley

405 Squire Pope Rd, Hilton Head • 5279 N. Okatie Hwy, Ridgeland

August 18, 2026

By Annelore Harrell Contributor

Summer brings us diplomas, from kindergarten to doctorates; dewyeyed brides; bathing suits dragged out and tried on, with mirrors consulted; and an increase in sales of diet drinks.

No one pays the ANNELORE HARRELL least bit of attention to the potential disaster waiting up the road.

Sure as God made little green apples, hurricane season is on the horizon.

Not to worry. Television weathercasters love to talk about hurricanes. As soon as a bit of weather stirs up off the west coast of Africa, they manage to get all solemn-faced and delight in scaring the bejesus out of us as they track potential storm paths on their green board. The 6 o’clock news never had so many viewers.

In those long-ago days before TV, before cellphones, before airplanes flew into the

The Bluffton Sun

Hurricanes

center of those monster storms to gather scientific data, we knew something was certainly wrong when, on a beautiful summer day, the sky turned yellow and the wind picked up.

It was 1940 when a devastating hurricane hit Savannah. There was no warning.

We had rented a cottage at Tybee Island for Labor Day weekend and were unpacking the car when we were told to leave. A hurricane was coming, and the island was being evacuated.

By the time we had gathered everything together and put it back in the car, the sky had darkened. There was a solid line of vehicles on the two-lane road leading across the bridges and marshland back to Savannah. The tide was so high that water covered the road, reaching the middle of our 1935 Chevrolet’s hubcaps. Our house on 52nd Street was safe from flooding because it was on high ground, but there was an oak tree out front that we feared would fall and crush our roof.

Daddy put the car in our garage, and we hurriedly unpacked once again. We were getting to be experts. Making sure we could hear the radio, we huddled in the back of the house. Next door, Mrs. Ross’ garage roof went sailing down the drive-

WHIPPLE ROOFING & EXTERIOR FINISHES Proudly Helping Homeowners

Fast, professional repair solutions: • Roofing repairs & replacements • Leak fixes, flashing & pipe boots • Stucco repair & remediation • Siding, wood rot & trim repairs • Interior & exterior painting

Why choose us?

• Quick turnaround times • Licensed & insured • Detailed repair documentation • One contractor for all repairs • FREE roof & stucco inspections

John: (843) 783-7808 Office: (843) 415-3853 www.whippleroofing.com john@whippleroofing.com

way. The wind howled and screamed, and the rain, that fine maniacal mist of water, beat against everything like water from a fire hose. We stuffed the windows with bath towels. To no avail. Water still oozed down. The electricity was out.

Then there was silence. We were in the eye. Timidly, we went outside. It was a mess.

Too soon, the wind and rain began again, this time even stronger and more serious. Again, we huddled in the back hallway, worried stiff about that dang oak tree.

At long last, it was over. Where the hur-

45A

ricane went, we didn’t know or care. Our street was flooded. We put on our bathing suits and went swimming in the street, which must have had zillions of germs. We could not have cared less. It was exciting.

Mr. Dean even took us for a ride in his motorboat.

We had no idea how much our city had suffered, but we later learned that many of its ancient oaks had fallen, just tumped over.

These days, hurricanes are tracked before they realize it themselves.

However, what I will always remember most is riding in Mr. Dean’s boat, sitting there with wet hair and a wet bathing suit after swimming in the flooded street.

That water was probably polluted beyond calculation.

But who cared?

Life was sweet.

Annelore Harrell’s journey is a tapestry woven with fascinating experiences and extraordinary accomplishments. Even at 92 in 2025, Annelore’s energy and zest for life continue to inspire. Annelore Harrell’s story is a testament to living with passion, resilience, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure.

46A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

My senior body has arrived

By Chris Roosa Contributor

When I was a young teen, I thought I was attractive, or so the boys told me.

Now that I’ve aged into “my senior body,” my belly is hanging on my knees for dear life, and I can’t tell you the last time I saw anything south of my belly button. I look like I have a tummy full of M&M’s, stuffed with peanuts.

There was a time when my husband adored me and would do anything for me.

Now I don’t even think he’d pull me out of danger.

I notice, as I get older, my feet spread wider, my hands seem bigger and my nose continues to grow. If I keep this up, it will look like I have an Italian sausage in the middle of my face. However, my frame is shrinking and I’m getting shorter. Plus, I know my bones are getting weaker because every time I stub a toe, it seems like a femur breaks or I have two fractures to the pelvis.

In my youth, I was 5 feet, 10 inches tall by the time I was 12. That was extremely tall for a girl way back then. The boys were all 4 feet, 3 inches tall. They came right below my nonexistent bust line. I

hated dating because I found I was always slouching so they weren’t talking into my armpit. Unfortunately, from a distance, I looked like I was deformed with some terrible spinal disease. But at least I could then hear the boys telling me I was pretty.

I met my husband on a beach 64 years ago. He was sitting down and invited me to join him. Little did I know I had just

OUR SERVICES

ROBERTO LARA (843) 274-5403 rnrhandyman7@gmail.com

Bluffton, SC 29910

Plumbing Painting Repair Drywall Electrical Remodeling Floor Install Maintenance Decks Demo Window & Door & many other services

met my future husband. We chatted for two hours, and then it was time to leave. I dreaded him standing up. Probably another short guy.

But to my surprise, he was 6 feet, 2 inches tall. Nice and tall, for a change.

Of course, he too has shrunk, right along with me, in his elderly years. He’s now 5 feet, 10 inches tall.

Services Offered: • Commercial • Residential • Custodial Services • Tile & Grout Steam Cleaning • Carpet Cleaning

Chris Roosa is a resident of Sun City Hilton Head.

CLIP & SAVE

$5 OFF ANY SERVICE

Condos, Hotels, Houses, Offices, Construction Cleaning LICENSED & INSURED

Our three little toddlers have shot up so tall that I am now talking into their armpits. It’s amazing how a 21-inch infant can turn into a 6-foot-4 Amazon. There was a time when we loomed over their little heads. Today, they probably wonder where the rest of their parents disintegrated to as they look down upon our frail, deflated, miniature bodies. Kind of like Benjamin Button!

One day, my husband came into the bedroom as I was dressing.

“When did you start wearing thongs?” he asked.

“I’m NOT! They are Fruit of the Loom full-figure panties,” I replied.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him slinking out of the bedroom before I clobbered him.

When I was a teen, I’d hide a hickey from my parents with tons of camouflage makeup. Now, hickey time in our lives has passed.

It could be worse. If I were dating a man at this age, I’d probably have to work around his CPAP machine.

Time has not been kind to my body, but life was good.

843-227-8806

(With this ad. Cannot combine with other offers. Offer expires 8/31/26)

212 Okatie Village (next to Food Lion), Okatie

(843) 705-0900

PALMETTO ANIMAL LEAGUE ADOPTION CENTER ADOPT. FOSTER. RESCUE.

56 RIVERWALK BLVD, RIDGELAND, SC 29936 (843) 645-1725 Open Monday through Saturday 12-6pm

August 18, 2026

The Bluffton Sun

47A

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507 CALL TODAY FOR ALL YOUR GOLF CART REPAIRS!

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

BATTERIES, TIRES AND ALL REPAIRS DONE IN YOUR OWN DRIVEWAY! NO DOWN TIME!

BEST PRICES IN TOWN!

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL 843-757-9507

Lowcountry Home Repair & Remodeling ANY AND ALL INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR HANDYMAN OR REMODELING NEEDS.NO NEED IS TOO SMALL TO CALL FOR. 854-2364134 THE ORIGINAL AND ONLY MOBILE GOLF CART SERVICE OF THE LOW COUNTRY NOT ALL LITHIUM BATTERIES ARE CREATED EQUAL. GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN.

We Support Our Troops

TOP RATED LITHIUM CONVERSIONS OF THE LOW COUNTRY SEE OUR DEALER SPOTLIGHT @ GOGOBATTERIES.COM

Arts &ment Entertain

If you have an event to share, please email it to

editor@blufftonsun.com

0% financing

for consideration.

Available on Lithium conversions

Go-Go Batteries & Car t Tires & Wheels WE PUT THE GO IN GO GOLF LF CARTS! FREE BATTERY TESTING

www.gogobatteries.com

631-327-4013

LICENSED & INSURED FAMOUS MAKER & AMERICAN MADE!

LICENSED & INSURED FAMOUS MAKER & AMERICAN MADE!

BEST PRICES IN TOWN!

& Knife Sharpening Services One of a kind, handmade kitchen & outdoor knives

422 Pinckney Colony Road Okatie, SC 29909 Call 843.757.0000 for an appointment.

in the Hilton Head/Bluffton, SC area is looking for a

full-time/part-time stylist.

Lots of opportunities and a sign on offer. Very busy salon and a great opportunity for someone that is new to the area.

1533 Fording Island Rd #312 Moss Creek Village Hilton Head Island, SC

(843) 837-5588

LET OUR MOBILE TIRE SHOWROOM COME TO YOU!

BATTERIES AND TIRES INSTALLED IN YOUR OWN DRIVEWAY!

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR BATTERY AND TIRE NEEDS!

Spring Spruce Up

(4) 8” Standard Golf Cart

199

$

Tires & Wheels

Special

New Custom Wheels

25

$

Starting as Low as

Installed In Your Driveway No Down Time!

ea.

with the purchase of 4 tires. In stock items only

While Supplies Last

W E P U T T H E G O I N G O L F C A RT S !

FREE BATTERY TESTING!

Peterson Custom Cutlery

Sale!

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

www.gogobatteries.com

631-327-4013

48A

The Bluffton Sun

August 18, 2026

COMPLIMENTARY WILLS and LIVING TRUST SEMINAR South Carolina Law Firm reveals the 7 costly mistakes families make in their estate plans!

WILL YOUR BASIC ESTATE PLAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES?

1. PROBATE COSTS AND DELAYS 2. ESTATE TAXES 3. IRA PROBLEMS 4. DIVORCE 5. REMARRIAGE 6. INCAPACITY 7. LOSS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

When you attend one of our Wills and Living Trusts seminars, you’ll immediately discover how you can prevent this from happening to you and your family.

REGISTER NOW FOR IN-PERSON SEMINARS USCB Hilton Head Island Campus

Hampton Inn and Suites - Sun City

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH

1 Sand Shark Drive, Room 115 Hilton Head, SC 29928

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27TH

29 William Pope Dr., Okatie Room Bluffton, SC 29909

SEATING IS LIMITED, SO CALL NOW

843.815.8580 RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

All seminar attendees will receive a FREE private attorney consultation to see how a proper estate plan will benefit you and your family.

I am an attorney who speaks on legal issues that affect our lives and estates. My law practice focuses on trust and estate planning issues, and I have practiced locally in this field for over 23 years. I am a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. My speaking engagements have been said to be “informative, entertaining, and easy to understand.” - Hunter Montgomery

Wills. Trusts. Probate.

10 Pinckney Colony Road Suite 400, Bluffton, SC 29909