The
SUN CITY AUGUST 18, 2026 • SECTION SCS I VOLUME 29, ISSUE 8
Driven by fun and friendship
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Sun City Sun
August 18, 2026
Retirement Tax Planning Seminar:
Understanding Strategies and Opportunities for Your Financial Future Limited to 36 people!
Wednesday, September 16th • Starting at 9:30 AM
Evan M. Kubiak, CFP® Wealth Advisor
Evan@EndowmentWM.com 843-816-1092
Bayside Room in the • Lakehouse 1251 Sgt William Jasper Blvd Parlor doughnuts & coffee provided!
Complimentary educational seminar covering:
• Understanding how taxes can impact retirement income • Strategies for managing taxes in retirement • Roth conversions and other tax-planning opportunities • Coordinating withdrawals from different account types • Planning for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) • Avoiding common tax-planning mistakes
Future Seminars
Estate Planning - October 22, 2026 Scan QR code to RSVP or via binder at lifestyles front desk For educational purposes only. Not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.
Robert L. Riedl, CPA, CFP®, AWMA®, CFC President & CEO
Rob@EndowmentWM.com 920-915-4000
August 18, 2026
Sun City Sun
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Driven by fun and friendship BY JOE TURINO Contributor From gleaming classics and custom hot rods to modern high-performance machines, the Sun City Car Club brings together an eye-catching collection of automobiles and an energetic group of people who never seem to slow down. With about 250 members, the club welcomes anyone who appreciates automobiles. No classic, vintage or collectible car is required. Some members simply enjoy distinctive vehicles, learning about them and sharing the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. “We have at least four activities a month and oftentimes six or seven,” said club President Dave Resch. Members display cars at the monthly Cars and Coffee show at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus on U.S. 278 and at Caffeine and Fuel gatherings at Auto Island in Bluffton. Other activities include breakfasts, NASCAR watch parties, an annual barbecue, and holiday parties. Car displays also support Sun City clubs and registered community groups. Members will bring several vehicles to the Buckeye Group’s Sept. 12 fundraising breakfast at the Pavilion. Resch moved from Maryland to Sun City five years ago after spending much of his life in motocross, motorcycle racing on dirt tracks with turns, hills, and
jumps. He joined the club four years ago and owns a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport. After serving as vice president, he began his two-year term as president in January. “Our members come from all over the country with all kinds of work backgrounds, bringing endless knowledge and stories, especially stories,” Resch said. “It adds to the fun of getting together regularly.” Members also build friendships while exchanging information about repair shops, restoration specialists and hard to find parts. Excitement shifts into high gear Oct. 26 with the club’s 26th annual Sun City Car Show near Magnolia Hall. The free admission show is the club’s largest fundraiser, typically filling approximately 120 display spaces and attracting more than 2,000 spectators. Sponsors and exhibitors help make it a success. The club will next send vehicles to the nationally recognized Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival. Sun City is among the invited clubs in the Car Club Showcase Saturday, Oct. 31, at Port Royal Golf Club, followed by the Concours d’Elegance Sunday, Nov. 1. For Sun City residents who want to join, visit sccarclub.org and get ready to rev up the fun, friendships, and automotive excitement.
Sun City Car Club members combine good food, conversation and friendship during a monthly cruise in breakfast at the Omelette Cafe on Buckwalter Parkway.
A first generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 commands attention with its hood raised during one of the Sun City Car Club’s recent annual car shows at Magnolia Hall.
An impressive lineup of Sun City Car Club vehicles transforms the Lakehouse parking lot into a preview show before a monthly general meeting.
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Sun City Sun
August 18, 2026
A new condo lending rule could change the market BY GARY SMYTHE Contributor If you own a condominium, or are thinking about buying one, there is a change in the mortgage world that deserves your attention. Beginning August 3, Fannie Mae GARY SMYTHE and Freddie Mac ended the streamlined “Limited Review” process for many condominium projects. That means lenders will generally have to take a closer look at the financial and physical condition of a condominium community before approving a conventional mortgage. Why does that matter here in the Lowcountry? Because condos are an important part of the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton real estate market. Many buyers choose
condominiums for their location, amenities and lower-maintenance lifestyle. But when you buy a condo, you aren’t just buying the four walls of your unit. You are also buying into the financial health of the association. And lenders are paying closer attention to that association. What are lenders looking at? Among other things, lenders can look at the association’s budget and reserves, insurance, delinquent assessments, pending litigation, deferred maintenance and other issues that could affect the financial stability of the project. There is another important change coming in 2027. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are increasing the standard for the amount many condominium associations need to allocate toward replacement reserves, from 10% to 15% of annual assessment income. There are exceptions and alternative ways for some projects to qualify, so this does not mean every association will simply have to put 15% of its budget into reserves. The reasoning makes sense. If a roof,
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elevator, exterior structure, parking area or other major component needs to be replaced, the association needs money available to pay for it. The challenge is that building those reserves can mean higher monthly HOA fees or special assessments. Why this matters in Hilton Head and Bluffton For our local market, I think the biggest issue is going to be financeability. Imagine two condominium units that are very similar. One is in a financially strong association with adequate reserves, good insurance and well-maintained common areas. The other is in an association that has deferred maintenance, limited reserves or unresolved financial issues. On the surface, the two units might look almost identical. But if a buyer can’t get conventional financing for one of them, the potential buyer pool becomes much smaller. That could affect how long the property sits on the market and, ultimately, what a seller is able to get for it. This doesn’t mean condos with financing challenges can’t sell. Cash buyers and other financing options may still be available. But fewer qualified buyers generally means less competition. What should condo buyers do? If you’re considering buying a condo, talk to your lender before making an offer, or at least very early in the process. Ask whether the lender has reviewed the condominium project and whether it appears to meet current Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac requirements. Don’t automatically assume that a low HOA fee is a good thing. Sometimes a low fee simply means the association isn’t putting enough money aside for future expenses.
The better question is: Are the dues appropriate for the long-term financial needs of the community? What should sellers do? If you’re selling a condo, don’t wait until you have a buyer under contract to discover there may be a financing issue. Talk with your property manager or association and find out what financial and insurance documents are available for lenders. Ask whether other recent sales in the community have encountered financing problems. If the association has recently completed a reserve study, made significant repairs or increased reserves, make sure that information is readily available. The easier it is for a lender to get the information it needs, the smoother the transaction is likely to be. A change worth paying attention to These new requirements shouldn’t scare buyers away from condominiums. In many ways, having financially healthy associations with adequate reserves is good for everyone who owns a unit. But it does mean that the old way of looking at a condo isn’t enough anymore. The financial health of the community is becoming an increasingly important part of the value of the individual condominium.
Gary Smythe is a local Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate specializing in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island. Gary@GarySmythe.com. www.WilliamRaveis.com/GarySmythe
August 18, 2026
Sun City Sun
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Sun City Sun
August 18, 2026
The man behind the smile BY JIM QUIRK Contributor In a community as large and active as Sun City Hilton Head, residents quickly come to recognize the people who help keep daily life running smoothly. Some greet residents face-to-face, while others work quietly behind the scenes, preparing spaces for the clubs, gatherings and activities that make the community feel like home. David Johnson Jr., known to most people as JJ, is one of those familiar faces. He comes from Hampton County, where his family roots run deep. He recently lost his great-grandmother, who was born in 1903, a reminder of the long family history that helped shape him. His nickname came about simply enough: David Johnson Jr. could have become “DJ,” but he never liked the sound of it. “JJ” suited him better, and it stayed. After graduating from Estill High School at 18, he was known as a strong athlete in both football and basketball.His coach saw promise in him. “The football coach told me if I could give him six tackles a game, he would get me a scholarship,” Johnson recalled. But a life of study and sports was not to be. Johnson said he was drawn instead to spending time with friends.. “Like most of my friends, we enjoyed
BY JOE TURINO Contributor A welcoming smile, a shared meal and a lively calendar of activities are helping single Sun City residents turn new connections into lasting friendships through Solos of Sun City. President Michele Murphy moved here from North Carolina about four years ago. “After I lost my husband, I wanted to move to a community that had a social structure for persons without partners,” Murphy said. “The Solos Club was a primary reason I chose to move to Sun City Hilton Head.” After serving two years as secretary, Murphy is completing her second year as
partying and having a good time,” he said. His mother, however, kept encouraging him to come to church. An evangelist in the Pentecostal Church of Christ, she wanted him beside her every Sunday. She told him she had dreamed he would die if he did not turn his life over to Jesus. That message stayed with him. One day, Johnson said, “I was getting ready to go out and party, and I was shaving when suddenly I felt a hand pressing on my head, and I fell to my knees.” After he told his mother, he thought, “I’ve got to get saved.” She invited him to a revival service at her church. After he prayed on the third night of the service, he said he received the Holy Ghost. Johnson was 24 when he stopped partying. Twenty-three years later, his faith remains at the center of his life. He has served as a member, deacon, minister and pastor and now serves as presiding elder, helping administer three churches and two missions. Looking back, Johnson remembers the turning point when he decided to live a sober, purposeful life. “There were two things that changed my life,” he said. “Getting the job at Sun City Hilton Head and giving my life to Christ.” That job introduced him to a career in hospitality through the Del Webb organi-
zation. From the beginning, Johnson understood that the work was about more than tables, chairs and room arrangements. It was about welcoming people. “Greeting each day and each new resident with a smile and a helpful attitude,” he said, became part of his daily routine. For years, he drove to Sun City Hilton Head to work in the Facilities Department, first on the night shift and later during the day as one of six employees handling housekeeping and room setup for Pinckney Hall, Purrysburg and the Clubhouse. Today, the team has grown to 12 employees and supports events in Pinckney Hall, Magnolia Hall, Hidden Cy-
press, Lakehouse, Riverbend and a new building on the West Side. His fellow lifestyle technicians are Ben Blasier, Harry Brown, David Ferguson, Elora Fu, Christine Honig, Timothy Larkin, Evyana Robinson, Markus Robinson, Shared Robinson, Christopher Smith and John Steel. The team is led by Venue Manager Ja’mel Morell. Now 47, he looks forward to retiring one day and will soon celebrate 29 years as a team leader of the setup crew. He also serves Sun City spiritually and has spoken and prayed at its National Day of Prayer for the past eight years. Ultimately, Johnson’s goal is to plant a mission church in the Bluffton area and surrounding community to spread the message of the Bible. Johnson and his wife, Elease S., have built a life centered on love, faith and family. Together, they have raised seven children, with the youngest soon to turn 18. For Johnson, the journey from Hampton County to nearly three decades of service at Sun City Hilton Head is a story of hard work, faith and the steady presence that helps a community feel connected. A former journalist, Jim Quirk retired Navy and living in Sun City for 20 years. He was born in Boston, the proud son of Irish immigrants.
Solo, but not alone president. “Having this club was so important to me, that I am honored to be able to help lead the Solos Club for others that find themselves in similar situations,” she said. With about 235 members, Solos gives single residents opportunities to expand their social circles and enjoy activities together, Treasurer Ellen Smith said. It can be especially helpful for single newcomers who want to meet people, as well as widows and widowers seeking new connections. Both women and men are welcome, she added. Each month’s calendar typically includes two breakfasts, two dinners, a so-
cial meeting, a house party and another special activity. Offerings have included bowling, an escape room, picnics, trivia and an ice cream social. Upcoming events include an Old Time Radio Show performance Aug. 25 and an Oct. 5 sailboat ride followed by lunch in Harbour Town. Monthly meetings, held from 5 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday, alternate between Hidden Cypress and Riverbend. Smith said the gatherings are more of a social occasion than a business meeting and may feature entertainment, games, food and conversation. A New York native, Smith moved here 15 years ago from another Sun City community, Sun City Grand in Surprise, Ari-
zona. A Solos member for many years, she first completed the remainder of the previous treasurer’s term before being elected last December to a two-year term ending in December 2027. “What I enjoy most is meeting the new people and watching the friendships grow,” Smith said. “That is what it’s all about.” Sun City residents seeking more information or a membership form may contact Membership Chair Lisa Sharpe at lisarsharpe@gmail.com. Additional information is available under “Clubs & Groups” on the Sun City Residents website.
August 18, 2026
Sun City Sun
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Ham radio is not about hams! BY ANDREA HOERNER Contributor
professional telegraphers to mock amateur radio enthusiasts for their perceived Centuries ago, long-distance communilack of skill. Amateur operators emcation consisted of foot runners and braced the nickname, and it has been mounted riders. Then came postal sysused as a term for amateur radio ever tems, with physical letters transported by since. different means. Amateur radio can become an importMore modern times gave us the teleant means of communication during natgraph, radio, television, mobile phones, ural disasters. One example was Hurriand the internet. However, one method of cane Katrina in New Orleans where huncommunication is often overlooked until dreds of amateur radio operators deit is needed in a disaster. ployed to teh Gulf Coast and provided Ham radio, officially called amateur critical point-to-point communications radio, is a popular hobby and communica- when cell towers, landlines and power tion service that allows licensed operators grids were down. They relayed distress to talk across town, around the world or calls, and helped with coordination relief even to astronauts in space. It operates efforts for emergency response personnel. using radio waves without relying on the Operators can build transmitters, deinternet, cell towers or commercial telesign custom antennas and experiment communications infrastructure. Unlike with digital data modes. Radios can be commercial AM/FM radio, which broadpowered by battery banks, portable solar casts to an audience, ham radio allows panels, generators or hand-crank power. two-way communication. And it isn’t just old-school Morse code. The term “ham” originated as a derogaModern operators can send digital data, Ruth Kimball, Realtor® & Sun City Resident tory slang term in the early 1900s, used by connect radios to computers to transmit
Ruth’s Active Listings in Sun City
Ruth’s Active Listings in Sun City Ruth Kimball, Realtor® & Sun City Resident
images and use digital voice modes. The hobby ranges from chatting with someone in another country to building and modifying radio equipment and antennas. Ham radio operators have access to a range of frequencies across VHF, UHF and HF bands. Depending on equipment, frequency, propagation and other conditions, radio signals can travel varying distances. Because amateur radio uses public airwaves, operators in the United States must pass an exam to earn a license from the FCC. There are three classes of licenses, each granting different operating privileges. Each operator is assigned a unique call sign, which must be used when transmitting. Amateur radio is used for noncommercial communication, technical experimentation and emergency preparedness. Other types of two-way radio services include walkie-talkies, while military radio systems use specialized equipment and
may employ encryption. Some well-known amateur radio operators have included Donny Osmond, Ronnie Milsap, Chet Atkins, Tim Allen, Marlon Brando, Walter Cronkite and Priscilla Presley. The American Radio Relay League, or ARRL, is a national association for amateur radio. It provides news, information and resources, including licensing education and training. It also sells publications, clothing and equipment. ARRL Field Day is an annual amateur radio event focused on emergency preparedness, community outreach and operating under conditions in which normal infrastructure may not be available. Field Day is not held at a single location. Local amateur radio clubs, groups and individuals establish temporary stations at locations across the United States and Canada, including parks, schools, emergency operations centers and backyards. For more information on ARRL’s Field Day visit their website: arrl.org.
Helping Our Sun City & 55+ Neighbors Navigate Life's Next Move with Confidence Since 1995
ED4 Erne Court | $400,000
278 Landing Lane | $399,900
7 Devant Drive East I $438,000
6 Broughton Court I $380,000
✓ Preparing Your Home for Sale ✓ Downsizing & Transition Planning ✓ Buying Within Sun City & Beyond
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Sun City Neighbors & Trusted Real Estate Advisors Willy & Yvonne Fanning
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4 Erne Court | $400,000
278 Landing Lane | $399,900
621Broughton CourtI|$325,000 $380,000 Mackay Lane
2546 Wild StrawberryLane LaneI |$450,000 $365,000 Nightingale
Ruth Kimball, Associate Broker/Realtor®
CNE, CRS, GRI, CBR
Complimentary Market Consultation
Buying or selling? Start with Realtors who live here.
Cell: 843-540-0205 / Office: 843-705-3351 Ruth.Kimball@HowardHannaTate.com
Real Estate Company in the #1 Selling Sun City Community Since 2007 6 Broughton Court | $380,000
Call or Text 843-603-8137 willy@willyfanning.com willyfanning.com
25 Wild Strawberry Lane | $365,000 ®
Sun City Resident Realtors. 55+ focused.
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Sun City Sun
August 18, 2026
SC’s Premier Real Estate Company, Listing & Selling Homes In Sun City/Riverbend, The Haven, Bluffton & Hilton Head Island.
Rick Malon Owner/Broker (843) 338-1360
Donnie Kunich Owner/Broker (843) 301-8517
Extensive experience selling Sun City - More than 1500 home sales in Sun City Hilton Head, Riverbend and The Haven.
Ross Turpin Sales Associate (843) 263-3632
22 WANDERING DAISY DRIVE $529,000
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Popular Lilac model in Sun City Hilton Head offering 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a private den, and a rear Carolina Room. Enjoy Lowcountry living on the large screened, covered porch with paver flooring and vinyl windows for year-round use. Kitchen features cherry cabinets with rollout shelving, Corian countertops, black appliances, natural gas cooktop, new Bosch dishwasher, eat-in bay window, and upgraded tile flooring. Wood floors in the great room and den. Spacious owner’s suite with bay window, two walkin closets, and raised bath vanities. Carpet in bedrooms, tile in baths. Major updates include new roof (2020) and HVAC (2017) with new compressor (2024). Additional highlights: 4-ft garage extension, attic storage, Tech Shield radiant barrier for improved energy efficiency, brick paver driveway ext. with brick paver walkway from driveway to the front door. Furnishings are available for sale.
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Hedda Tischler Sales Associate (843) 540-2074
55SCHH.COM
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Greg Price Realtor (843) 338-3418
240 ARGENT PLACE $289,000
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Welcome to this charming Acadia model located in the highly sought-after active adult community of Sun City Hilton Head. This thoughtfully designed home offers 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, and 1 half bath, along with a 1-car garage-perfect for easy, low-maintenance living. Inside, you’ll find tile flooring throughout the great room, kitchen, and bathrooms, creating a clean and durable living space, while the bedrooms offer soft carpeting for added comfort. The eat-in kitchen features bright white cabinetry, white appliances, and a stylish tiled backsplash.The owner’s suite is highlighted by a beautiful bay window that brings in natural light and adds character to the space. Recent updates include a newer roof and a 2025 HVAC system, offering added peace of mind for years to come.
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
1 Landmark Lane • $469,900
184 Stratford Village Way • $439,000
37 Basket Walk Drive • $335,000
11 Scenic Drive • $425,000
UNDER CONTRACT
PENDING
PENDING
PRICE DECREASE
71 Kings Creek Drive • $425,000
243 Landing Lane • $330,000
112 Holly Ribbons Circle • 419,900
24 Daffodil Farm Way • $918,000
PRICE DECREASE
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
250 Fort Sullivan Drive • $494,900
610 Northlake Village Court • $439,900
26 Lynah Way • $479,000
8 Devant Drive E. • $335,000
TOWN SQUARE REALTY - WHAT IS YOUR HOME’S VALUE? FOR A FREE HOME AUDIT CALL 843-705-9040 Find Your Dream Home • 843-705-9040 • Located in the Okatie Shopping Center next to the Food Lion Supermarket