A dollhouse
designed to delight
The
SUN CITY OCTOBER 20, 2026 • SECTION SCS I VOLUME 29, ISSUE 10 GAIL SHAFER SHOWS THE DOLLHOUSE SHE SPENT MORE THAN 500 HOURS FURNISHING AND DECORATING, FILLING ITS ROOMS WITH CAREFULLY CHOSEN MINIATURE DETAILS. (PHOTO BY MARYANN ARMSTRONG)
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Sun City Sun
October 20, 2026
A dollhouse designed to delight BY JOE TURINO Contributor A porch swing, gleaming kitchen countertops, and a bathrobe with slippers: Gail Shafer’s dollhouse invites visitors into a world of tiny treasures. The Sun City resident and Woodworkers and Modelmakers Guild member devoted over 500 hours to transforming the house with ingenuity and fellow members’ help. “I’m basically a frustrated interior decorator,” Shafer said. “So doing it in miniature is perfect.” Shafer moved to Sun City in 2004 from the Syracuse, New York, area. The guild helped draw her here to learn to use woodworking tools properly. She joined around 2006 or 2007, completed training, and began making cutting boards and turning wooden bowls. Her interest in dollhouses began about three years ago, when a member invited her to help with one for the guild’s annual show. Learning to wallpaper miniature rooms and work with small wooden pieces opened a new creative avenue. This project came through guild member Kathy Kohler, who teaches pen making using wood and acrylics. Kohler purchased the dollhouse and asked Shafer to take over when she could no longer devote time to it. Although already assem-
bled, the house inspired Shafer to envision a thorough transformation. Beginning in March 2025, she stripped paint and wallpaper and replaced floors throughout the rooms. She finished in early November, spending an estimated 20 to 40 hours a week. Her decorating instincts developed during a 35-year real estate career in the Syracuse area, where she staged homes for sale. Repurposing furniture sellers no longer wanted sharpened the eye for design she brought to the dollhouse. That resourcefulness appears throughout the home. A small tree branch became a tree, a wooden bead became a vase, and pictures cut from an old T-shirt became framed artwork. Even a packaging tab became a bathroom faucet. The floors required remarkable patience. Shafer fashioned them from tongue depressors, using a scroll saw to cut tiny bathroom squares before painting
and gluing each into place. She made much of the furniture, including the bed and an intricate sofa, and refreshed purchased miniature pieces with paint and new knobs. She also created shiplap, a stove, a kitchen island, and bedding, giving the rooms character. Her enthusiasm drew guild members into the project. Shafer estimates at least a dozen contributed, combining traditional craftsmanship with shop technology. Members made sinks with a 3D printer and a bathtub on the CNC machine. A friend laser-cut kitchen cabinet pieces from a pattern, then gave them to her for assembly and adjustments. After Shafer assembled the cabinets, her friend created realistic epoxy countertops. Others supplied tiny pillows, throws and a bathrobe, adding inviting touches. “I can imagine it,” Shafer said. “I see how it’s going to be decorated. I see the colors. I see it all.”
Fellow members helped realize those ideas, suggesting equipment or techniques to create the pieces she envisioned. Each added another detail to discover. At last year’s guild sale in Pinckney Hall, the dollhouse attracted admirers eager to learn how Shafer created it. She said visitors were “truly dumbfounded.” The dollhouse is offered for $750. If not purchased beforehand, bids will be taken during the silent auction at the Woodshop Annual Artisan Fair, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pinckney Hall. Sale proceeds support the guild’s planned addition. Shafer is already working with fellow member Mary Ann Armstrong on her next project: three miniature barns. The barns offer fresh opportunities to share her imagination and the pleasure of a miniature world. Looking ahead, Shafer said, “The new ones I’m making will bring joy.”
Foxlake residents raise $2,330 for local youth BY SASHA SWEENEY Editor Residents of the Foxlake neighborhood raised $2,330 for the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton through a gift and silent auction held Sept. 26 at Pinckney Hall. Organized by the neighborhood’s social committee, the fundraiser had two goals: helping cover the cost of community gatherings so more residents could participate and supporting a local charitable organization. The committee designated half of the event’s proceeds for charity, with additional donations collected at a designated
charity table. The combined contribution to the Boys & Girls Club totaled $2,330. The effort was part of Foxlake’s ongoing community service activities, which include Fill the Bus, Wreaths Across America and collections for Agape and other organizations. Following the fundraiser, social committee members visited the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton to present the donation check to Unit Director Keisha and Program Director Aaron “A.J.” Jenkins. During the visit, committee members toured the facility and learned more about its programs and volunteer opportunities.
Jenkins has a personal connection to the organization. He attended the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton as a child and was twice recognized as Member of the Year, according to the fundraiser organizer. The visit also prompted committee members to consider volunteering with the organization, which depends on community donations and volunteer support. The fundraiser received positive feedback from attendees, according to the organizer, who said the event helped bring neighbors together while supporting local children and families.
October 20, 2026
Sun City Sun
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Sun City Sun
October 20, 2026
Embarrassing moments BY D. CHRIS ROOSA Contributor I lived in a dentist’s chair in my youth. There was probably not a tooth in my mouth that didn’t have a filling. I had soft, chalk-like fangs that required a lot of upkeep. So, in my adult life, I had every tooth in my mouth crowned. It was then that I felt I could smile with confidence. One day, I was preparing for an evening party when my front crown fell into the sink. I was shocked and bewildered, wondering how to find a quick solution. We were to leave shortly for the event. My husband’s suggestion was to use Elmer’s glue. No! My makeup was done to perfection, every strand of hair was in place, and my attire was quite attractive. Yet I walked into that gathering feeling like one of the Clampetts from “The Beverly Hill-
billies,” with a big gap right in the front of my face while my front tooth lay on my counter at home. Talk about embarrassing. With old age comes a balance problem. My friend came over to show me where the sprinkler box was so I could turn off the system. After completing the task, we were walking to her car, and darn if I didn’t fall on my butt in the front yard, in a dress! As I lay there with my derriere exposed, my first thought was, “What did I break this time?” Nothing hurt! My friend was trying to pull my fat butt off the grass, to no avail. I finally told her to get the potty chair out of the garage so I would have something substantial to lean on to hoist myself off the ground. I know! Real feminine, right? As I was grunting, groaning and straining to rise, my neighbors were driving by with questionable
looks on their faces. I wanted to shout out that I had been using the potty chair in my front yard and had fallen off. But I just smiled and waved. How embarrassing. I took a vacation to my hometown. My husband stayed in Houston with the children so I could have a fun and relaxing holiday. He was such a kind and loving man. Not a jealous bone in his body. Trusted me with all his heart. I decided to play a prank on him. At each friend’s house, I made sure to take lots of photos because my husband always enjoyed seeing what we did. I picked up the developed pictures and handed them over for his viewing. In snapshot one, there I was in bed, under the covers with my best friend’s husband. In picture two, my next friend’s husband and I were under the covers, waving at my husband.
In the third snapshot, there I was again, in bed with yet another husband! By the time my dear husband got to the third picture, he had a confused look on his face and went back to view the previous two photos. Then he asked who I was under the covers with. By this time, I couldn’t hold the laughter in any longer. I burst out laughing hysterically while he continued to shuffle those photos back and forth. What an embarrassing moment ... for hubby. Moral of the stories? Keep Gorilla Glue handy for your mouth. Sod the interior of your house so you don’t break bones. And always have something to prank your trusting husband with from your vacation. Chris Roosa is a resident of Sun City Hilton Head.
Together we are an ocean BY ANDREA HOERNER Contributor “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For indeed, that’s all who ever have.” Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist and author 100+ Women Who Care is a grassroots giving movement that brings local women together to make a meaningful difference in the community. Members pool their quarterly donations, creating a collective gift that can have a much greater impact than any one person could make alone. The concept is brilliant in its simplicity: Women coming together with a common purpose to support local nonprofit organizations. The collective power and generosity of these giving circles is truly impressive. When resources are pooled, a local charity can complete a project or reach a goal that might otherwise be out of reach. That’s real impact. And it takes less than an hour. No volunteering, no telemarketing, no event planning and no silent auc-
tion donations to solicit. Meeting quarterly for an hour or less, members hear three presentations and vote, and a recipient is announced shortly afterward. Each member’s check, written directly to the charity, is tax-deductible. For an hour of your time and $100 four times a year, you can make an incredible impact in the local community. That’s an annual commitment of $400, just about a dollar a day, and 100% of the pooled funds go directly to the charity, potentially raising thousands of dollars depending on
chapter size. Members are changing lives one meeting at a time. The first 100+ Women Who Care chapter was started in 2006 by Karen Dunigan, the former mayor of Jackson, Michigan. Since then, the groups have grown tremendously to include almost every state. There are men’s groups, children’s groups and business groups. Currently, there are 700 giving circles throughout the world. Since its start in 2017, Sun City Women Who Care has donated an incredible $432,600 to local charities serving Beau-
fort and Jasper counties. The group was formed out of concern for the needs in surrounding communities and has continued to grow to almost 200 members. The group supports a wide range of local causes, including hunger relief, animal rescue and medical services. At its August meeting, members donated $19,500 to Friends of Caroline Hospice, helping to further its mission. “There is a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from supporting the efforts of generous women who seek to help local charities. It is so rewarding!” said Vicki Galbraith, one of the team leaders. If you’ve been looking for a way to make a meaningful difference right here in the Lowcountry, check us out. More information about 100+ Sun City Women Who Care can be found in Sunsations under Registered Community Groups or on the Sun City website. Our next meeting is Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. in the Edisto Room at Pinckney Hall. Come join us! “Alone you are a drop, together we are an ocean!”
October 20, 2026
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
Sun City Sun
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SCVA presents Veterans Day tribute
Some occasions bring a community together in ways that linger long after the final song. The Sun City Veterans Association’s annual Veterans Day tribute is one: an inspiring, heartfelt celebration of those whose service gives special meaning to the freedoms Americans share. Residents are encouraged to attend at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Magnolia Hall, where stirring music, remembrance and recognition promise a memorable observance. Arrive early, as Magnolia Hall fills; the program will be simulcast into Pinckney Hall for overflow seating. The Low Country Brass Ensemble, conducted by Dacota Cecil, will welcome attendees with a musical prelude. Retired Army Lt. Col. Carl A. Trovato will serve as master of ceremonies, guiding a tribute that invites everyone to celebrate, reflect and express gratitude.
The ensemble’s “National Emblem” will accompany the ceremonial opening, featuring the SCVA Color Guard, led by William Field, and SCVA Marching Unit, led by retired Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Chorney. The Bluffton High School JROTC Color Guard will also participate. Following the posting of colors, the Sun City Singers will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner,” directed by Nancy Laws with Debbie Ratliff accompanying on piano. Chaplain Fleetwood Bagley will deliver the invocation and, later, the benediction.
Patriotic music will carry that spirit throughout the morning. The Low Country Brass Ensemble will perform “America” and “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” and the Sun City Singers will present “America the Beautiful.” SCVA Commander Al Richter will introduce keynote speaker Marc Gershman, a Sun City resident, and Marine Corps veteran whose commitment to fellow veterans continues today. An aviation electronics technician at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Gershman later established a regional veterans employee re-
source group at Trane Technologies. He now volunteers with Operation Patriots – Forward Operating Base, supporting veterans and first responders. The program will turn to heartfelt remembrance with the Singers’ performance of “Song for the Unsung Hero” and recognition of the POW table. These moments offer an opportunity to honor those no longer present and reflect on their sacrifices. The Sun City Singers’ “Service Medley” will salute the military services, and Richter will present the Dan Sullivan Award. Together, these observances recognize service and the people behind it. Following the benediction and retirement of the colors, the Sun City Singers will perform “God Bless America.” Trovato will announce the conclusion, and the Low Country Brass Ensemble will provide a musical close, leaving residents with renewed gratitude for those who served and pride in a community that honors them.
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Sun City Sun
Sun City Chorus & Orchestra “Celebrate!” BY RHONDA HARRIS Contributor
tle Town of Bethlehem” features piano solos, while the men’s voices take the spotlight in Cliff Duran’s Latin-inspired The Sun City Chorus & Orchestra will arrangement of “O Come All Ye Faithwelcome the holiday season with “Celeful.” brate!,” a concert featuring traditional The women’s sections will be featured and contemporary Christmas and holiin “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song).” day favorites. Arrangements of “Hark! The Herald AnThe 70-member mixed chorus and full gels Sing” and “Let There Be Peace on orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 3-5 Earth” will close the first half. and 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Tickets are $28 and are The second half opens with “Merry available to Sun City Hilton Head resiChristmas, Merry Christmas,” followed dents and the public by emailing SunCiby “Believe” from the film “The Polar tyTix@gmail.com, calling 843-941-9729 or Express.” visiting SCHHChorus.org. Other selections include “Jingle Now in its 27th year, the Sun City Cho- Bells,” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas rus & Orchestra presents an annual holi- Day,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like day concert under the direction of music Christmas” and a medley of Irving Berdirector Art Hansen and assistant direclin standards, including “White Christtor Lorraine Hansen. mas.” The concert will open with “Joy to the Musselman invited residents and visiWorld,” followed byRuth “Tis Wonderful.” to attend the concerts and celebrate Kimball, Realtor®tors & Sun City Resident Dan Forrest’s arrangement of “O Litthe holiday season.
Ruth’s Active Listings in Sun City
October 20, 2026
Sun City Theatre brings ‘White Christmas’ to Magnolia BY SASHA SWEENEY Editor Sun City Theatre will bring holiday music, dancing and romance to the stage this fall with a production of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” featuring a cast of Sun City residents. The musical opens Oct. 31 at Magnolia Hall in Sun City Hilton Head, with five performances scheduled through Nov. 8. Carol Dines directs the production, with Colette Moculski serving as producer and Vikram Perry as music director. Based on the 1954 Paramount Pictures film, “White Christmas” follows World War II veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who become a successful songand-dance team after leaving the military. The two follow singing sisters Betty and Judy Haynes to a Vermont inn, where they discover the struggling business belongs to their former commanding general.
Hoping to help their former commander, the performers organize a holiday show at the inn. The stage adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs, including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” and the title song, “White Christmas.” The original “White Christmas” film starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Evening performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 6-7. Matinees will be held at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 8. Tickets are $26 and may be purchased through the Sun City Theatre website or at the Magnolia Hall box office. The box office is open from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as one hour before performances. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. For tickets and information, visit suncitytheatre.org or call 843-645-2700.
Ruth’s Active Listings in Sun City Ruth Kimball, Realtor® & Sun City Resident ED4 Erne Court | $400,000
278 Landing Lane | $399,900
7 Devant Drive East I $438,000
43 Nesting Lane I $349,000
4 Erne Court | $400,000
278 Landing Lane | $399,900
Broughton Court | $380,000 266Penny Creek Drive I $625,000
25 Wild Strawberry Lane | $365,000 62 Andover Place | $375,000
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Ruth Kimball, Associate Broker/Realtor®
CNE, CRS, GRI, CBR
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED LOCALLY FOR THE PAST 26 YEARS
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
• RETAIL SHOWROOM • GRANITE • MARBLE • TILE • CABINETS • BATHS • KITCHEN • DESIGN • FABRICATE • INSTALL
25 Wild Strawberry Lane | $365,000 ®
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October 20, 2026
Sun City Sun
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Small details can make a big difference
BY GARY SMYTHE Contributor
I recently had an experience while showing a home that reminded me just how much a buyer’s perception can influence the value of a property. As my clients and I walked toward the house, I overheard the husband say to his wife, “Looks like this home is going to need a roof. GARY SMYTHE That’s around $20,000.” Fortunately, I overheard the comment and knew the details of the property. I was able to explain that the roof wasn’t nearly as old as it appeared and likely had another ten years of useful life remaining. The problem wasn’t the age of the roof, but a common fungus that causes dark stains on shingles in our area. A professional soft wash could remove those stains for a few hundred dollars, making the roof look much closer to its actual age. Think about that for a moment. A relatively inexpensive cleaning could prevent a buyer from assuming they were facing a $20,000 expense.
First impressions matter, and buyers often make assumptions before they ever walk through the front door. When buyers look at a home, they aren’t just evaluating the kitchen, bathrooms, floor plan and location. They’re also mentally calculating the cost of everything they believe needs attention. A stained roof may suggest replacement. Faded exterior paint may signal extensive maintenance. Overgrown landscaping can make a home look neglected. Sometimes those concerns are justified. Other times, the actual cost to address them is surprisingly small. The challenge for sellers is that buyers don’t always know the difference. They may not ask questions or investigate further. Instead, they simply move on to the next property. When preparing a home for sale, sellers naturally have to decide where to spend their money. Not every improvement will provide a return, and a major renovation may not make financial sense. But there is real value in looking at the property through a buyer’s eyes. Ask yourself: What might a buyer see that could make them believe this home needs an expensive repair? In a competitive seller’s market, buyers may overlook imperfections. In a buyer’s market, the equation changes. When buyers have more homes to choose from, they can be selective. If one property appears to need significant
work and another looks well-maintained, the second home may get the showing—even if the first home is in equally good or better condition. A buyer who believes a home needs $20,000 in immediate work may mentally subtract that amount from what they’re willing to pay—or eliminate the home from consideration altogether. Before putting your home on the market, go outside and look at it as if you were seeing it for the first time. Ask your real estate professional to help identify the things a buyer might interpret as costly problems. Focus on the items that could create an negative impression or cause a buyer to overestimate the cost of ownership. In today’s market, small details can have a surprisingly big impact. Sometimes, spending a few hundred dollars to correct a buyer’s perception can be far more valuable than spending thousands on an improvement that may not matter to them. The goal isn’t simply to make your home look better. It’s to help buyers recognize its true value. 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.
! y t i C Sun
New Listing in
10 SUNFLOWER LANE $635,000 2 BR 2 BA, Lagoon & Golf Views BLUFFTON SC 29909 Completely remodeled
RICK YELVERTON REALTOR
®
828-674-7421 • rickyelverton@aol.com • rickyelverton.com
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Sun City Sun
October 20, 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
1 LANDMARK LANE $449,900
E AL S R
This home features the most desirable floor plans-the spacious Dogwood model, offering approximately 2,094 square feet of comfortable living space with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a screened lanai overlooking a beautifully landscaped, private backyard. The kitchen offers extensive cabinetry, a center island, breakfast bar, generous counter space, pantry, and plenty of room for gathering with family and friends. The spacious primary suite serves as a private retreat with a bay window sitting area, oversized walk-in closet, dual vanities, garden tub, and separate shower. Also included is an additional bedroom, and a flex room/Den. A formal dining room, large laundry room with extra storage, and an attached two-car garage complete this thoughtfully designed home. Step outside to the expansive screened veranda and enjoy the peaceful backyard setting-ideal for morning coffee, relaxing evenings, or entertaining outdoors. A new roof installed in 2026.
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Hedda Tischler Sales Associate (843) 540-2074
55SCHH.COM
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Greg Price Realtor (843) 338-3418
184 STRATFORD VILLAGE WAY $439,000
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Enjoy peaceful forest-preserve views from this spacious Pelican model in Sun City Hilton Head. Offering approximately 2,005 sq ft on one level, this well-designed home features two bedrooms, a private office/den, 2 baths, a generous sunroom and an open living and dining area with hardwood flooring. The bright kitchen provides abundant white cabinetry, and a sunny bay-window breakfast area. Just beyond the main living room, the tiled sunroom creates an inviting place to relax, wooded backdrop and added privacy. The primary suite includes a bay window, large walk-in closet and spacious bath with dual vanities, a separate shower and tub. Major improvements include a new roof and water heater in 2020, HVAC replacement in May 2023, new garage door in 2023, new carpet and dishwasher in 2024, and the home was repainted in 2024. The range, refrigerator and microwave were replaced in 2017.
FOR SALE
UNDER CONTRACT
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240 Argent Place • $249,000
22 Wandering Daisy Drive • $529,000
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SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
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SOLD
SOLD
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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