The Bluffton Sun • March 3, 2026

Bluffton Sun

Discipline over motivation

By Justin Jarrett Contributor

Discipline over motivation.

That’s the mantra that guides the May River wrestling team, and it’s the mindset that has built the Sharks into a consistently dominant force and a budding dynasty that seems to be picking up steam with each passing year.

May River repeated as SCHSL Class 4A state champions for the second straight year, sweeping both the dual and traditional titles and crowning five individual state champs Saturday at Florence Center. It marks the eighth consecutive year that coach Ashley Powell’s program has produced at least one state champion, starting with Ryan Humel in 2019, but it’s the first time May River has crowned more than two champs in the same year, proving the Sharks haven’t peaked yet.

Senior Blake Butler capped off his sensational career with a second consecutive individual title, ripping his way through the 157-pound bracket and racking up a

16-1 technical fall against Hayden Adkins of York in the finals.

Where you find one hammer, you typically develop another, and Thomas Brough has been the beneficiary of going head-tohead with Butler for the past two years, sharpening his skills every day and claiming a 150-pound state championship and a North-South All-Star nod as a senior.

Fellow senior Marcus Foulk also claimed his elusive state title in dominant fashion, pinning all four of his opponents with only his semifinal match reaching the second period. Foulk is a prototype for the program, having picked up the sport as a freshman and consistently developed into a force to be reckoned with.

Sophomore 106-pounder Stephano Calderon was nearly as dominant en route to his first state title, needing the full six minutes only in the finals, where he earned a 12-3 major decision over Dreher’s Franco Pressley. Calderon is set up to be the Sharks’ first three-time state champion if he can defend his title the next two years.

And the Sharks crowned their first girls state champion, as Vivian Urriola breezed

through the 130-pound bracket and scored a third-period pin in the finals.

Discipline over motivation.

Powell preaches it every day, and his wrestlers buy in, because why wouldn’t they? The proof is hanging in the rafters, and the banners keep coming.

My son was a freshman on this year’s team, grinding every day in hopes of eventually following where others have blazed the trail, because when you crack

DISCIPLINE CONT. ON PAGE 3

BTerry Grainger, M.D., FACC

eaufort Memorial is expanding access to heart care in the Lowcountry with the addition of an experienced cardiologist to its team.

Dr. Terry Grainger, board-certified in cardiovascular disease and fellowship-trained in cardiology, has joined Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists and is seeing patients in both Beaufort and Okatie. With more than 30 years of experience, he offers a compassionate, expert approach to diagnosing and treating conditions such as coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertension.

Dr. Grainger also brings expertise in sleep and obesity medicine, including treatment for sleep apnea. He joins Beaufort Memorial from Prisma Health in Columbia, S.C., where he cared for patients with a wide range of heart and sleep disorders.

Focused on preventive cardiology, Dr. Grainger works closely with patients to encourage healthy habits and reduce the risk of heart disease.

“I treat patients the way I want my own family to be treated,” he said. “Building strong relationships is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”

Board-Certified – Cardiovascular Disease

Fellowship – Cardiology

East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, N.C.

Residency – Internal Medicine

Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville, N.C.

Doctor of Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.

At the practice, Dr. Grainger joins board-certified interventional cardiologists Drs. Stuart Smalheiser and Francis O’Neill, as well as physician assistant Tara Kay, MMS, PA-C and nurse practitioner Nicole Gray, MSN, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC.

DISCIPLINE

FROM PAGE 1

the Sharks’ lineup, you’re instantly a state title contender. On the third day of practice, he climbed into the car completely physically wasted. A few minutes into the drive he finished doing the math in his head and reported that he did over 200 push-ups and 75 pull-ups between drills at practice. On day 3. By the time the season started, he

reported that his muscles no longer tired in matches.

Discipline over motivation. The rest will take care of itself.

Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and is the founder of Lowco Sports. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable

sense of humor.

2026 SCHSL Wrestling

State Championships

Individual State Champions

May River

Stephano Calderon (4A 106)

Marcus Foulk (4A 126)

Thomas Brough (4A 150)

Blake Butler (4A 157)

Vivian Urriola (Girls 130)

Hilton Head

Bryce Stephenson (4A 120)

Beaufort

Colton Freeman (4A 215)

Battery Creek

Theo Johnson (3A 120)

Nate Najar (3A 150)

RUNNERS-UP

Hilton Head

Mikayla Hinchey (Girls 155)

Beaufort

Olesya Mullins (Girls 105)

Bluffton

Andrew Lawson (4A 113)

Abraham Brown (4A 190)

3rd PLACE

May River

Bryce Butler (4A 113)

Ryan Seman (4A 120)

Bluffton

Oscar Roman (4A 106)

Christian Vargas (4A 215)

Hilton Head

Cole Sowers (4A 138)

Jordan Mootry (Girls 130)

4th PLACE

May River

Sean Zadroga-McNulty (4A 215)

Bluffton

PJ Ventrone (4A 120)

Colleton Co.

Jordan LaPresta (4A 138)

Bridges Prep

Kevin Summers (2A/1A 175)

Hardeeville

David Taliaferro (2A/1A 113)

Whale Branch

Javaree Bartley (2A/1A 132)

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Nick Martin

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Dan Prud’homme

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Contact us PO Box 2056, Bluffton, SC 29910

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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 5, March 3, 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.

EDITORIAL

Bluffton adds a business “landing pad”

By Mayor Larry Toomer Contributor

When people think about economic development, they often picture large factories or corporate headquarters. Bluffton has taken a different approach.

Here, our economy is built from the ground up — powered by entrepreneurs, small businesses and local innovators who choose to live, work and grow right here at home.

The Don Ryan Center for Innovation (DRCI) serves as the Town of Bluffton’s economic development department to support a business community comprised of numerous small businesses.

And now, with the opening of The COVE — short for Community, Opportunity, Vision and Entrepreneurship — Bluffton has added a major resource in its economic development toolbox. The COVE is located in Buckwalter Place, between the Bluffton Police Department and DRCI’s first building. The first one houses the Center’s staff and resources

for businesses and the second building, the COVE, is a “landing pad” for prospective companies whose owners want to explore locating to Bluffton.

The new facility provides office space for companies exploring Bluffton, training and conference rooms, and shared space where entrepreneurs can collaborate and connect. In short; DRCI’s services offer both space and support — two things small businesses often need most.

Few communities offer hands-on business assistance and dedicated workspace under one roof. Bluffton now does. Together, they both assist businesses to move from the idea stage to operation and give companies space to consider relocation or expansion.

To understand why The COVE matters, it helps to look back at how the Don Ryan Center began.

In 2012, Bluffton was emerging from the recession. Town leaders recognized that relying solely on regional industries wasn’t enough to ensure long-term stability. Bluffton needed a stronger, more diverse local economy — one that supported startups, attracted new businesses and helped existing companies succeed.

Working with Clemson University’s Technology Villages model, Bluffton launched what would become the Don Ryan Center for Innovation. Don Ryan, an early supporter who relocated his healthcare management company to Bluffton,

helped lay the foundation for this effort, and the center was later named in his honor.

Over the past 12 years, the Don Ryan Center has advised and supported more than 600 companies, guided more than 100 through formal programs, helped generate nearly $40 million in new investment and maintained an 84% business survival rate — well above national averages. Today, most of the center’s clients are Bluffton businesses, and many are women- or minority-owned.

The Don Ryan Center also invests in our future workforce, partnering with local schools, colleges and organizations to train students and business leaders, including programs focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. By preparing people early, the town, through DRCI, strengthen the pipeline of talent that keeps our economy competitive.

Bluffton has grown significantly over the past two decades, but the town’ goal remains the same: balance growth with the character and sense of place that make this town special.

Please contact the Don Ryan Center for Innovation if you want to explore its services or opportunities at the COVE.

Larry Toomer is the mayor of the Town of Bluffton. ltoomer@townofbluffton.com

Town looks to fill board seats

The Bluffton Town Council is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on several town boards and committees, including panels that advise on tourism tax revenue, zoning appeals and public art.

The Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee has one vacancy for a citizen from the hospitality industry. The seven-member committee advises Town Council on the distribution and expenditure of accommodations tax revenue,.

The Board of Zoning Appeals has one vacancy for a town resident. That board hears appeals and requests for variances related to land use and zoning decisions.

The Public Arts Committee also has one vacancy for a town resident. The committee advises on public art initiatives and related cultural programming.

The five-member Wall of Honor Committee has one vacancy for a town resident. The committee recommends citizens of distinction for inclusion on the Wall of Honor at the Theodore D. Washington Municipal Building.

While the town is highlighting those immediate needs, applications are accepted year-round for all boards, commissions and committees, regardless of current vacancies. Most appointments require residency within the town limits of Bluffton. Applications remain on file for two years, and candidates may be considered for any openings that arise during that period for which they qualify. Other town advisory bodies include the Affordable Housing Committee and the Planning Commission.

The seven-member Affordable Housing Committee advises Town Council on criteria, goals, policies and funding mechanisms for town-sponsored affordable housing initiatives.

The seven-member Planning Commission is responsible for drafting and recommending amendments to the town’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance, reviewing annexations and zoning map amendments, and overseeing aspects of land development regulation.

Applications are available on the town’s website townofbluffton.sc.gov/299/ Boards-Commissions-Committees. Contact information and additional details about each board and committee are available through the Town of Bluffton.

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

“You’re Invited”

By Hilton Head Audubon Contributor

Beginning March 30, 2026

Join us any day of the week for exceptional dining, warm hospitality, and an inviting atmosphere.

Basil & Bourbon

198 Okatie Village Dr, Suite 105 Okatie, SC 29909 (843) 707-1750

A well-known, natural beauty of the Lowcountry celebrates fifty years next month. Located between Hilton Head’s two bridges, Pinckney Island, a former cotton plantation and hunting preserve, was added to the National Wildlife Refuge in 1975, after being donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On Saturday, April 11, the community is invited to commemorate Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge’s 50th anniversary with a full day of free activities celebrating nature, wildlife, and conservation.

Pinckney Island’s 4,000 acres of sweeping marshes, maritime forests, and tidal creeks is a haven for hikers, bikers, photographers, and all lovers of nature. The island is managed and maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Shaped by five decades of their preservation efforts, Pinckney Island shines as a crown jewel in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Whether high or low tide, Ibis Pond, Starr Pond and Pinckney causeway feature a flush of local birds, and an occasional grazing white-tailed deer or sunning alligator too.

Because Pinckney is a major migratory route for North American aviary species, birds will take center stage. Members of

Hilton Head Audubon will provide guided tours to learn about our resident and migratory birds — roseate spoonbills, painted buntings and bald eagles to name a few. Be sure to watch one of the celebration’s most anticipated experiences – a live owl and hawk demonstration program. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to witness the stealth and beauty that makes them the regal hunters of the island skies.

If you prefer more action, the day offers plenty of ways to move and explore. Visitors of all ages can trek the trails in family fun walks. Enjoy interactive music and a song writing experience with performing artist, Roger Day. Bike rides and yoga blend fitness, relaxation, and nature into a setting that feels worlds away from everyday life. There will be food trucks on site to keep you full of energy.

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge represents more than protected land — it embodies a shared Lowcountry legacy. From wading birds and raptors to alligators, white-tailed deer, and countless migratory species, Pinckney Island showcases the success of conservation efforts in our national wildlife refuges.

Join Hilton Head Audubon to celebrate Pinckney’s 50th anniversary, Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for a rare drive-in opportunity. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/ pinckney-island.

Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day Parade marks 40 years

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

One of the Lowcountry’s most enduring traditions will return to Pope Avenue this spring as the 40th Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade gets underway Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m.

Recently named the 2025 Best South Carolina Festival by Guidetosouthcarolina.com and hosted by the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the free event draws thousands of residents and visitors each year to celebrate. The parade steps off from the beach parking lot near Celebration Park onto Pope Avenue, makes a left onto Office Park Road and ends at Park Plaza.

The event traces its roots to 1983, when local businessman Tom Reilley and a small group of friends informally drove down Pope Avenue to promote a newly opened restaurant.

“It was Tom Reilley and the gentleman that opened Kasey’s Crustaceans. They had their cars and one was a miniature fire truck. They just decided to drive down Pope Avenue,” said parade chairwoman Gabrielle Muething. “Unfortunately, the police said, ‘You can’t do that. You don’t have a permit for a parade.’ They said, ‘We’re not parading. We’re just driving around.’ And so it began.”

bands and our dignitaries and all of the other wonderful entries that we have. We have commercial floats. We’ve got Irish dancers, we have 12 bands this year, which is amazing,” Muething said.

Participating groups in recent years have included high school and university marching bands, pipe and drum corps, military bands such as the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Parris Island, and local civic organizations. Past parades have also featured appearances by the Budweiser Clydesdales, military jet flyovers and novelty vehicles including the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and the Big Idaho Potato.

The 40th anniversary carries added significance after the 2025 parade was canceled due to severe weather — the first cancellation in the event’s history.

This year’s celebration will also honor the legacy of founder Tom Reilley, who died in May 2025. His wife, Diane Reilley, will serve as grand marshal.

Pope Avenue will be closed to traffic during the parade. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early, bring lawn chairs and consider using alternative transportation, including The Breeze trolley service from the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Hilton Head campus to the parade’s starting area near Lowcountry Celebration Park.

This year’s parade will feature nearly dozens of entries, including commercial floats, Irish dancers, dignitaries and marching bands.

“We usually have up to 100 entries, that includes our

Over four decades, the modest promotion evolved into what is widely regarded as the state’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Organizers say attendance has reached as many as 25,000 spectators in past years.

Four decades after its spontaneous beginnings, the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade remains a spirited celebration of community pride, Irish culture and island tradition.

We Are Proud To Support These Upcoming Important Informational Events

Thursday, March 5, 2026

1:00PM-4:00PM

Spaces are limited, call Nancy Rosen to reserve your spot. (843)815-7890

Assisted Living • Memor y Care

Calhoun Station Thrift Store A hidden gem in Bluffton

By Edwina Hoyle Contributor

Thirty-six years ago, Jeanne Lee formed a small group of women including Eva Lynn, Margaret Owens, and Margaret Hayward who founded Calhoun Station Thrift Store.

“Back then Bluffton was an itty, bitty crossroads with no stores,” said Linda Collins, who has volunteered there since 2000. “Since there was nothing here, and people were poor, Lee decided to start a thrift store selling ‘good’ things only. It was small and was located on Calhoun Street in Bluffton in an old gas station,” Collins said.

The owner was closing the station and he donated the space to the thrift store. Hence the name Calhoun Station. “Even today people call us thinking we are a train station,” Collins said.

Eventually they moved into their current location at 77 Pritchard Street in Bluffton because they needed more space. This site is behind Town Hall and had been used for storage.

“The Town donates the space and has been real good to us. And they take care of repairs,” Collins explained.

In 2021 a constant roof leak caused the ceiling to start falling down. Major renovations were needed and the Town stepped up.

Collins said, “I make sure that we only sell quality goods that we would wear. The volunteers know that nothing with stains, missing buttons, or broken zippers goes out to be sold. We’re picky about the clothes we put out. Everything has to look good. And we get a lot of clothes that still have the original tags on.”

“We have the cheapest prices for the best merchandise anywhere,” Collins

said. “It’s neat and clean with the best buys.”

They do not sell large items like furniture and no electronics. They only accept cash payment because credit card fees and bookkeeping cut into the money that goes to charity.

Every dime they bring in is given to local charities. Any legitimate non-profit that has a 501©3 can apply. There is no form to fill out, and only a letter is required to request funds. The letter should explain what the money is for and how much money is requested. It must be submitted by November 15 each year.

In January the board divides the total money collected during the previous year among the charities that apply. Every organization gets a piece of the pie. In 2025 they awarded grants totaling $35,000.

Over the years, Calhoun Station has awarded grants to organizations like Volunteers in Medicine, Programs for Exceptional People, Resource Foundation, and many more – all providing much needed services to the community.

Calhoun Station has no paid staff, only volunteers. “We have a core base of volunteers, but we always need men and women who can stick with it, who are dedicated,” Collins said. “My only rule is cut and dry. Leave a bad attitude at home and come in with a good attitude.”

“We grow by word of mouth, so come in and tell your friends, and put it on Facebook. Spread the word about Calhoun Station,” Collins said.

Calhoun Station Thrift Store is only open on Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Edwina Hoyle is a freelance writer in Bluffton.

ACCESSIBLE, STATE-OF-THE-ART TREATMENT AND TECHNOLOGY.

The nationally recognized Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler is proud to offer innovative advances in radiation therapy with TrueBeam® technology and a dedicated PET-CT onsite at our Bluffton Campus. With this non-invasive procedure, patients can expect pinpoint radiation treatment for their cancer, with most sessions lasting 10 minutes or less. Our exceptionally skilled, dedicated radiation oncologists and technicians provide you with comfort and confidence during each session.

Learn more about TrueBeam® and other innovative technologies that are ready to attack and kill cancer; right here at St. Joseph’s/Candler.

Our experienced carpenters painstakingly reface the cabinet boxes with premium furniture-grade 1 ⁄4” solid hardwood

We install brand new Amish-crafted solid wood doors and drawer fronts –cabinets look and perform JUST LIKE NEW AGAIN!

“Ten stars for American Wood Reface! We had our kitchen cabinets refaced and are so pleased with the results. A top notch company from start to finish. AWR’s price for refacing was several thousand dollars LESS than a company that wanted to use formica! I can’t say enough about the professionalism and quality AWR provided.” ~ Bill R.

Huge selection of styles, colors, and wood finishes in eight different domestic woods. Beautiful new stone countertops.

Modify and customize cabinets: change function, extend, reduce or add new cabinets. Roll-outs† and drawer banks for accessibility and convenience.

“American Wood Reface’s installer did an absolutely fabulous job installing the facing for a perfectly seamless appearance. The fit and finish of the new doors and drawers is just perfect and of the highest quality. My wife and I are completely thrilled with our new kitchen, and the skill, craftsmanship and professionalism of American Wood Reface’.” ~ A.L.

Polo tradition returns to Rose Hill in April

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

A Lowcountry polo tradition dating back nearly five decades is set for a revival this spring as organizers work to restore the sport’s long-standing presence at Rose Hill.

Equus Charities of the Lowcountry plans to host the Rose Hill Charity Polo Match on April 12 at the Rose Hill Equestrian Center in Bluffton. Organizers say the event marks a renewed effort to give polo a permanent home at the historic field, where the sport thrived for decades.

Polo was first introduced to the Hilton Head Island area in the late 1970s at Honey Horn Plantation by Dr. Sandy S. Termotto and other community members. The field relocated to Rose Hill in the early 1980s and has remained there since, according to event organizers.

The Rose Hill Polo Field is now dedicated as the Dr. Sandy S. Termotto Polo Field. Organizers describe it as the only regulation-size polo field between southern Florida, Charleston and Aiken — two South Carolina cities long associated with equestrian sports.

Emily Termotto-Trott, founder and board president of Equus Charities of the Lowcountry, said the nonprofit was formed as a 501(c)(3) organization to ensure the tradition remains active while

supporting community causes. The group has scheduled both a spring match in April and a fall match in October.

This year’s spring event will benefit Heroes on Horseback, a Bluffton-based therapeutic riding program serving children and adults with special needs and veterans. The organization is a PATH International-certified center, reflecting standards set by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.

The April 12 match is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature two regional polo teams in a traditional format. Organizers say the event is designed to provide a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere while raising funds for the therapeutic riding program.

Local food and beverage vendors are expected to participate, and VIP hospitality will be offered to team and platinum sponsors.

Polo has appeared intermittently at Rose Hill in recent years, but organizers say the 2026 season represents a more structured effort to restore regular matches and strengthen the sport’s community presence in the Lowcountry.

The Rose Hill Charity Polo Match will take place at the Rose Hill Equestrian Center, 10 Equestrian Way, Bluffton. For more information and ticketing, visit equuscharitiesofthelowcountry.com.

More retirees are crossing state lines Here’s where they’re going

By Nick Martin Contributor

More than 338,000 Americans relocated for retirement last year – a 44% increase from 2022 – and about a quarter of those retirees moved to a different state. According to the online moving-services marketplace Hire A Helper’s latest annual report, Florida is the number one destination for retirees, claiming 11% of movers across state lines. South Carolina comes in at a close second and New Jersey third, with Texas and Washington rounding out the top five. Let’s explore what’s drawing retirees to these destinations.

Tax benefits a key consideration

Three of the five states – Florida, Texas and Washington – don’t tax residents’ income, which is an obvious draw for people whose earnings will decrease significantly in retirement. While many states don’t tax Social Security benefits, these three also won’t tax investment income or 401(k) distributions.

But what about New Jersey, with its notoriously high income and property tax rates? It’s also the sixth-most likely state for older adults to leave. California and New York are the top two, originating almost 30% of interstate retirement moves between them.

With a cost-of-living index of 114, New Jersey is a more affordable destination for retirees leaving New York, with its index of 125. Cost of living indexes are pulled from a variety of factors, including housing, groceries, transportation and health care. A score over 100 means the state has a higher cost of living than the national average. But even for people moving from other locales, the Garden State has its benefits.

Not only does New Jersey not tax Social Security distributions, it also boasts generous pension exclusions that enable retirees to shield up to $100,000 from state income taxes, as well as property-tax relief programs for seniors and people with disabilities.

Climate and topography also factor in

Washington also has a relatively high cost of living (index 115.10), but boasts some of the country’s leading healthcare systems, as well as a strong economy, scenic diversity and a variety of recreational activities.

While Florida was long known for its affordability, its cost-of-living index has steadily increased to 102.3 as more people flock to its warm climate and white-sand beaches – including younger people who, thanks to remote working, can live in the climate of their choosing.

South Carolina and Texas both offer miles of beachfront and mild temperatures, but with a significantly lower cost of living (94.3 and 92.5, respectively).

Finances are less of a concern

Financial worries were less of a factor for retiree moves in 2023 than the year before. Just 6% of retirees reported moving to find more affordable housing, down from 12% in 2022. It make sense, considering the median household income of retirees who relocated last year was $88,347 – 35% higher than 2022 and 17% higher than the typical U.S. household.

If you’re considering moving for retirement, talk to your advisor about which factors are most important for you and developing a plan.

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.

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!

The Darius Rucker Tournament

By Dr. Jean Harris Contributor

We are fortunate to have one of the premier women’s college tournaments play right here in the Lowcountry at Long Cove Club on Hilton Head, Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4.

Long Cove was established in 1981 by renowned architects Pete and Alice Dye. Long Cove is one of the premier residential golf courses in the country. It is currently ranked #20 in Golfweek’s Top 200 Residential Courses in the United States.

This beautiful course weaves through marshes and features century-old live oak trees covered by Spanish moss, with a stunning view of the saltwater marshes on the par-three 13th hole. Long Cove is a members-only course, and you are invited to see the course and some great female college players this week.

The Darius Rucker Tournament, originated in 2012, is the only all-women’s regular-season collegiate golf event that is televised in the United States. The field consists of 17 universities throughout the United States in Division I women’s golf.

The NCAA ranks 285 Division I teams, and the Darius Rucker Tournament has teams ranked from #5 to #61, which is considered an elite field.

This year’s field consists of: Alabama (57), Arizona State (23), Arkansas (6), Auburn (5), Arizona (23), Duke (13), Florida State (25), Georgia (61), Kentucky (33), LSU (34), Mississippi (15), Northwestern (21), Ohio State (41), South Carolina (18), Texas (9), Vanderbilt (12), and Wake Forest (7).

The #1 ranked player in collegiate golf,

Maria Jose Marin from Arkansas, will be playing and should be a favorite to win the individual championship. Also, local golfer from Hilton Head Preparatory School, Camilia Burnett, is on the South Carolina team.

To watch the tournament in person, admission is free, with free parking located at Central Church (975 William Hilton Parkway), directly across from the entrance to Long Cove. There is a free trolley shuttle to and from the course from 8:30 to 6:00.

If you can’t make it to the tournament, it is televised on the Golf Channel from 2:30–5:30 each day.

The tournament is named for Darius Rucker, a Grammy Award winner with the band Hootie and the Blowfish, which has sold more than 25 million albums. Rucker is an avid golfer and a graduate of the University of South Carolina.

Rucker started his solo career and released his first country album in 2008. He was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2014. A lifelong philanthropist, his Darius and Friends concerts play to sellout crowds.

Rucker also gives a private concert for the players, coaches, tournament sponsors, and officials. This is one of the highlights of playing in this great collegiate tournament.

This is an event that golf fans don’t want to miss.

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

Bluffton Post Office Job Fair

Beaufort/Burton Post Office Job Fair

Hilton Head Post Office Job Fair

Hardeeville Post Office Job Fair

Ridgeland Post Office Job Fair

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Located at the Bluffton Post Office at 25 Thurmond Way, Bluffton SC 29910

ASSISTANT RURALCARRIERS (Sun/Holidays) RURALCARRIER ASSOCIATES (Relief Carrier) CITY CARRIER ASSISTANTS (CCA’s)

Apply for all SC Post Offices

US Postal Service Postmasters will be on hand to answer your questions about careers with the USPS!

Ask the Expert: 7 legal must-knows for new SC residents

By Lisa Hostetler Brown Contributor

Moving to South Carolina is an exciting new chapter whether you’re drawn by the Lowcountry’s beauty, the warm climate, or the slower pace. But with every life change comes important legal to dos. South Carolina has its own rules for estate planning, real estate, healthcare decisions, and probate, and understanding them can save your family confusion and stress down the road.

Here are seven essential legal must knows for anyone newly calling South Carolina “home.”

1. Update your will or trust after moving states

Durable Power of Attorney forms differ from those used elsewhere, and institutions here often prefer (or require) the local versions. Updating these documents ensures that the person you choose can step in quickly during a medical emergency or financial crisis without red tape.

4. Know the tax differences for retirees

Good news: South Carolina is known for being retiree friendly. New residents are often surprised to learn about available deductions for retirement income, Social Security benefits, and property tax exemptions. Understanding these rules early can help you plan wisely and maximize benefits now and in the future.

5. Explore local aging & care resources

Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry communities offer strong support networks for seniors and caregivers. From local aging agencies to veteran services and memory care programs, knowing what’s available helps you plan confidently and proactively.

Visit www.usps.com/careers to complete an application.

Online assessments can now be completed from your electronic devices.

Post Office Job Fair /Burton Post Office Job Fair

• Must have a valid SC Driver’s License

• Must be at least 18 years of age

7. Meet with a trusted elder law attorney

• May be required to use your personal owned vehicle ($0.97 cents per mile)

• PAY: $20.38 per hour paid Bi-Weekly; There is NEVER a charge for background checks, to apply or test. If you are ‘charged’ you have been re-directed to a third-party site. Visit usps.com/careers to apply for a career with the US Postal Service.

December 13th,2022

One of the first steps after a big move is making sure your estate plan still works the way you intended. Wills and trusts drafted in another state may not be invalid, but they often don’t align with South Carolina’s probate laws. Small differences can cause delays later. Updating your plan ensures your wishes are honored smoothly and without further expense to your family.

2. Understand how south carolina handles property ownership

If you purchased a home, how your property is titled matters. South Carolina recognizes several forms of ownership. The choice affects what happens automatically at death, what passes through probate, and how easily your heirs can inherit. Reviewing your deed with a professional is a simple step that can prevent major complications.

3. Refresh your powers of attorney and healthcare directives

Every state has its own requirements for legal decision makers. South Carolina’s Healthcare Power of Attorney and

One of the most important steps you can take as a new South Carolina resident is meeting with a local elder law and estate planning attorney. A move is an important moment to ensure your planning still reflects your life, goals, and current state laws. A professional review helps confirm that your documents are up to date, coordinated, and aligned with both your long term wishes and South Carolina’s legal requirements. Connecting with a trusted local elder law attorney provides clarity, confidence, and peace of mind, so you and your family are well prepared for the future.

For educational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Lisa Hostetler Brown is a Certified Elder Law Attorney certified by the National Elder Law Foundation. 2 Hampton Hall Blvd, Ste 100, Bluffton, SC 29910. | 843-757-5294 | LawyerLisa.com.

ENDLESS WAYS TO PLAY

From

MORE THAN NEIGHBORS

Make

By Dan Prud’homme Contributor

Real estate market update

As we move into the heart of the spring selling season, the Bluffton real estate market is sending a very clear signal. Inventory is not building the way it typically does this time of year, demand remains strong, and key indicators suggest upward pressure on pricing as we move deeper into 2026.

Let’s start with inventory. There are currently 720 homes for sale in Bluffton. Last month, there were 739 homes on the market, which represents a 2.6% decline. More importantly, this time last year there were 1,006 properties available. To see inventory this low in early spring, we have to go back to 2022, when there were 698 homes for sale. The ten-year average for this time of year is 1,099 homes. We are dramatically below normal seasonal

levels. When inventory contracts during a time of year it typically expands, that is a strong signal that pricing could accelerate in the months ahead.

Days on market plummeted to 77 days, down from 93 last month, a 17.2% decline in just one month. That is a significant shift. Interestingly, this time last year homes were also averaging 77 days on market. The sharp drop from last month indicates renewed urgency among buyers as we enter peak season.

Pending sales are also impressive.

STOP LETTING TIGHTNESS WIN.

Year to date, there are 352 homes under contract, compared to 316 at this time last year. That is an 11.4% increase in pending activity, despite substantially lower inventory. Demand is clearly absorbing what little supply is available.

Closed sales year to date sit at 245, compared to 281 at this time last year. While that is lower on the surface, the surge in pending contracts suggests we are likely to see closed sales surpass last year’s pace in the near future.

The absorption rate currently stands

at 2.0 months of inventory, down from 2.1 months last month, a 4.8% improvement. Anything under four months is considered a seller’s market, and Bluffton is firmly planted in that category.

Median sale prices over the past five years show the broader trend. In 2021 the median price was $375,000. In 2022 it rose to $469,800. In 2023 it reached $514,000. In 2024 it climbed to $540,000. In 2025 it came in at $526,072. So far in 2026, the median price is $550,000, marking a new high.

The current market condition is clearly a strong seller’s market. Inventory is historically low, demand is rising, and pricing momentum is building. If these trends continue, 2026 could shape up to be another year of meaningful appreciation in Bluffton.

Dan Prud’homme is the visionary & success coach of The Prud’homme Team at William Raveis Real Estate. dan@danprudhomme. com theprudhommeteam.com

Reduce risk not anxiety

Spend wisely when it comes to safety

By James Hamilton Contributor

For three weeks now, the Nancy Guthrie case has captured the nation’s attention. These types of events also cause many to question their own safety and security. Many moved to Bluffton to avoid these types of events and many choose to live in communities that have some degree of visible security: guards, gates, and fencing. Some readers do not live in such communities, and even those that do — they want to bolster their security by doing something. This usually means — buying something.

Unfortunately, the consumer doesn’t always have clarity when making decisions in this critical area, and the marketplace is littered with noise. There is no shortage of products or salespeople telling the consumer that this one thing will “make them safe.” From alarms to cameras to panic buttons, the consumer has a lot of choices.

Begin this process of deciding what to purchase with a fundamentally important question: How many of these products actually reduce risk and how many just reduce anxiety?

Certainly, it is best to spend money on things that actually reduce risk. As discussed previously, the first step in a safety and security program is listening to intuition. If the product seems too good to be true, it most certainly is. When looking at bolstering residential security, a layered approach is often recommended. This means multiple systems layered over the residence to mitigate the chance of an unfavorable event.

The following are items to consider. This is not an exhaustive list; it is a place to start. Please remember — if being targeted directly, contact a security consultant for a professional assessment

Alarm: There are a number of off-theshelf products available and there are various companies that still sell the

“whole package.” The point of the alarm is to serve as a visible deterrent (stickers and signs) and detect unlawful entry through various sensors and alert the police if the home is breached. Remember, the system is not effective if it is not turned on, so arm it.

Panic Buttons: These are often sold as part of an alarm package that can be carried or installed in the residence. They reduce risk when installed appropriately. As designed, they work on the concept of the button being pushed and police are dispatched with little delay.A word of caution here: If a salesman says, “When you hit this button,50 cops will be here in less than 90 seconds” – this certainly cannot be true.

Cameras: Doorbell style cameras serve a number of purposes. They allow for visual recognition of people at the door and allow you to have conversations through the door versus opening the door and trying to figure out who the person is and what they need. They also serve as a first line of observation and provide some peace of mind if away from the home. It is favorable to pay for a subscription and pay for an extended data plan.

Exterior Lighting: Motion-activated lighting on the perimeter of the home alerts the homeowner of an approach and alerts the individual approaching that the home has some security.

Safe Area: Designate a windowless room in the home that serves as a last line of defense in case of an intrusion. Bathrooms or master closets work well. Add a lock and strengthen the door by installing 3-inch screws at the strike plate that screw into the stud.

All things being equal, one of the best things to do is get a dog. Not only are they great companions, but they do also deter entry through their presence and barking and some are large enough to defend the homeowner if an intruder enters.

James Hamilton is a nationally recognized security expert with more than 33 years of protection experience. He is a former FBI Special Agent and created the close protection training for the FBI. He is the founder of the Hamilton Security Group and can be contacted at: www. hamiltonsecuritygroup.com

Keeping pets and families together when it matters most

By Madison Thomas Contributor

When families face financial hardship, the challenges often extend far beyond paying bills. Rising housing costs, unexpected medical expenses, or temporary job loss can quickly place families in crisis. Too often, beloved pets are caught in the middle not because they are unwanted, but because families lack the resources to keep them.

Palmetto Animal League (PAL) is addressing this growing need through its Keeping Pets and Families Together assistance program, a compassionate initiative designed to help local residents overcome short-term financial barriers that might otherwise force them to surrender a pet.

The program provides temporary financial support for essential pet-related expenses, including pet deposits required for housing, subsidized veterinary care, spay and neuter surgeries, and pet food.

By addressing these challenges early, PAL works to prevent unnecessary pet surrenders and keep animals safely in the homes they know and love.

Many people who face the heartbreaking decision to give up a pet do so as a last resort. In most cases, the bond between the family and their pet remains strong; it is the lack of resources, not the lack of love, that leads to surrender. Keeping Pets and Families Together is designed to bridge that gap during times of hardship.

By helping families stay together, the program also benefits the broader community. Preventing pet surrender reduces shelter intake, allows limited shelter

resources to be focused on animals truly in need, and promotes responsible pet ownership. Most importantly, it preserves the powerful human-animal bond that brings comfort, stability, and companionship during life’s most difficult moments. PAL is deeply grateful for the support of the Pawsitive Rescuers Fund, whose investment in the Keeping Pets and Families Together program reflects a shared belief that financial hardship should never separate families from the pets they love. Their generosity helps ensure that critical, short-term assistance is available to keep pets safe, cared for, and in the homes where they belong.

Through this program, Palmetto Animal League continues its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals while also recognizing that sometimes the most meaningful rescue is preventing a family from ever having to say goodbye. Community support makes this work possible. Those interested in supporting the Keeping Pets and Families Together program can help by making a donation, becoming a program sponsor, or spreading awareness within the community. Families in need of assistance are encouraged to reach out to Palmetto Animal League to learn more about available resources.

Madison Thomas is the Director of Development t Palmetto Animal League. Palmetto Animal League is a nonprofit animal welfare organization serving the Lowcountry through rescue, rehoming, and community-based programs that support pets and families. Email: palpetsandfamiliestogether@palmettoanimalleague.org

A modern, layered approach to treating cellulite

By Dr. Ronald Finger Contributor

CFor decades, companies have promoted treatments to eliminate those dreaded dimples known as cellulite. Devices, machines, potions, and lotions have been prescribed. However, there has been little improvement. Many women are embarrassed about their cellulite to the extent they will not wear shorts or bathing suits.

What is cellulite? Cellulite is the dimpled or “orange peel” appearance that commonly develops on the thighs and buttocks. It affects the vast majority of women at some point, regardless of weight or fitness level. Many people assume cellulite is simply excess fat, but that’s not entirely accurate. In reality, cellulite forms because small bands of connective

tissue beneath the skin pull downward while normal fat pushes upward. This combination creates the uneven surface that so many find frustrating. Creams and massages may temporarily smooth the skin, but they do not correct the deeper structural cause.

Today, treatment has progressed beyond surface-level fixes. A more effective strategy focuses on correcting cellulite in layers — addressing what’s happening underneath the skin first, then refining what remains.

The first step is releasing the tight connective bands that cause the dimples. A minimally invasive treatment instrument called Avéli allows physicians to precisely identify and release the specific bands responsible for pulling each dimple inward. By freeing these tension fibers, the dimple is released. This is typically performed in a single session under local anesthesia, and most patients return to normal activities within a few days, although bruising and swelling usually occur.

Often, after releasing the fibrous bands that created the dimple, there is still a diminished amount of fat, leaving a slight depression. If this is the case, an inject-

able product called Renuva is injected into the depression. This stimulates fat production to elevate the depression. Renuva lasts five years or more.

Finally, in the strategy of correcting the cellulite problem, attention turns to skin quality and tightness. If the skin itself has thinned or loosened, tightening or resurfacing treatments will enhance the result. Technologies such as UltraClear laser or the Helix laser will improve skin texture, stimulate collagen, and even tighten the skin moderately.

In patients with more significant looseness, devices like Renuvion will provide deeper tightening beneath the surface.

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

Right side is before the AVELI treatment, and left side is after the treatment.

• Family Primary Care

o Men & Women’s Health Care

• B12 Shots

• Bio-Identical Hormone

Replacement Therapy

• Weight Loss

o Semaglutide

o Tirzepatide

o Lipotropic B12

o Phentermine

• Laser Treatments

o Hair Removal

o Skin Resurfacing

o Vein Removal

o Dark Spots

o Nail Fungus

o Acne

IV Therapy

Esthetician Services

ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING

ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING

MARCH 18, 2026 •

• MARCH 18, 2026 • New Chapter. Forward Momentum.

New Chapter. Forward Momentum.

• MARCH 18, 2026 • New Chapter. Forward Momentum.

School board extends superintendent’s contract

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

tice components weighted at 45% of the overall score, along with three measurable components weighted at 55%.

The 4th Annual Community Meeting will be an informative and inspiring celebration of philanthropy in the Lowcountry.

The 4th Annual Community Meeting will be an informative and inspiring celebration of philanthropy in the Lowcountry.

The 4th Annual Community Meeting will be an informative and inspiring celebration of philanthropy in the Lowcountry.

4:30-6:30pm

4:30-6:30pm

Free Admission

4:30-6:30pm

Free Admission

Tickets Required (Seating is limited)

Free Admission

Tickets Required (Seating is limited)

Tickets Required (Seating is limited)

2026 NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED

The Beaufort County School District Board of Education has extended Superintendent Frank Rodriguez’s contract for one year following his annual evaluation for the 2024–25 school year.

Rodriguez, who began serving as superintendent on July 1, 2019, received a total composite score of 3.80 on a 4-point scale, rated as “highly effective overall,” according to a Feb. 18 statement from the board.

Based on the evaluation results, board members unanimously voted to extend Rodriguez’s contract through June 30, 2030. The board also approved a 5% increase in his base salary, raising it to $297,923.83.

The five professional practice categories and their average scores were: governance and board relations, 3.73; community relations, 3.71; staff relations, 3.70; business and finance, 3.84; and instructional leadership, 3.61. The composite professional practice score was 3.71.

The measurable components were scored as follows: student achievement, 3.79; teacher recruitment and retention, 3.88; and financial oversight, 4.0.

Board members completed individual evaluations, which were then compiled and shared with Rodriguez and the board, according to the district. Scoring options ranged from 1, defined as ineffective, to 4, defined as highly effective.

FEATURED SPEAKER

FEATURED SPEAKER

FEATURED SPEAKER

New CFL President and CEO Aaron Falk

New CFL President and CEO Aaron Falk Plus Q&A with Emcee Andrew Davis

Plus Q&A with Emcee Andrew Davis

New CFL President and CEO Aaron Falk Plus Q&A with Emcee Andrew Davis

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

Enjoy a live performance courtesy of The Junior Jazz Foundation, and learn about the exciting opportunities provided to local students by the nonprofit.

Established in 2022 by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL), with the generous support of Joan and Wade Webster, this award recognizes an individual within CFL’s service territory that has made a recent, significant positive impact in the Lowcountry through volunteering with an organization, nonprofit, or for a cause. The nominee must be a resident of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, or Jasper County. This award is not a lifetime achievement awardit is designed to recognize individuals who are currently volunteering with an organization, nonprofit, or for a cause.

The evaluation instrument was unchanged from the prior year and includes 32 questions tied to five professional prac-

The Beaufort County School District serves students across Beaufort County, including Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and surrounding communities.

Enjoy a live performance courtesy of The Junior Jazz Foundation, and learn about the exciting opportunities provided to local students by the nonprofit.

Enjoy a live performance courtesy of The Junior Jazz Foundation, and learn about the exciting opportunities provided to local students by the nonprofit.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

The Joan & Wade Webster Community Impact Award – The recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to bestow upon local charitable organizations.

The award recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to bestow to a charitable organization or organizations based in CFL’s service territory. The following groups of people are ineligible to receive the award: current board and staff of CFL, individuals who are paid staff of a nonprofit, and elected officials.

The Joan & Wade Webster Community Impact Award – The recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to bestow upon local charitable organizations.

The Joan & Wade Webster Community Impact Award – The recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to bestow upon local charitable organizations.

NETWORKING RECEPTION TO FOLLOW PROGRAM

The Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award will be presented on March 18, 2026 at CFL’s Annual Community Meeting, taking place at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

NETWORKING RECEPTION TO FOLLOW PROGRAM

NETWORKING RECEPTION TO FOLLOW PROGRAM

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Call the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina box office at 843-842-2787, Monday-Friday 10am-4pm

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS IS JAN. 21, 2026

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Call the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina box office at 843-842-2787, Monday-Friday 10am-4pm

14

ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA

PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE TO ACCESS THE NOMINATION FORM

Call the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina box office at 843-842-2787, Monday-Friday 10am-4pm

ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA 14 SHELTER COVE LANE, HILTON HEAD, SC

ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA 14 SHELTER COVE LANE, HILTON HEAD, SC

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

Bluffton Principal Receives Peggy May Inspiration Award

Dr. Kathleen Corley, principal of Red Cedar Elementary School, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Peggy May Inspiration Award by the Foundation for Educational Excellence.

Corley was surprised with the honor during a recent districtwide meeting of Beaufort County School District principals and administrators. Foundation Chair Carole Ramsey said Corley’s dedication to students and educators reflects the spirit of the award, which recognizes individuals connected to county public schools whose professional accomplishments inspire others.

Corley began her career as a music teacher in Illinois and later served as a principal in Virginia and Massachusetts. After relocating to Bluffton in 1999, she became the founding principal of Bluffton Elementary School and opened Red Cedar Elementary in 2009. She continues to serve as principal and in 2024 published her first book, The Magical Place We Call School.

The award is named for the late Peggy May, a former county and state director of adult literacy and past foundation board chair. Since 2009, the foundation has awarded more than $400,000 in grants to Beaufort County teachers and students.

Education News

Education Brief: Love House Learning Academy Receives $15,000 Financial Literacy Grant

Love House Learning Academy has received a $15,000 grant from Power:Ed to launch a financial literacy program serving approximately 75 Beaufort County middle school students.

The grant, announced Feb. 18, will support lessons in budgeting, saving and responsible spending for students in grades six through eight. Theresa A. Roberts, executive director of Love House Learning Academy, said the program is designed to prepare youth for future economic independence.

Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons said the organization is pleased to support the afterschool initiative, which incorporates mentoring and career pathway exploration. Founded in 2019 as the philanthropic arm of SC Student Loan Corporation, Power:Ed awards quarterly grants supporting education and career readiness programs across South Carolina.

Education Brief: Beaufort County Dedicates Renovated Library at James J. Davis Center

The Beaufort County School District dedicated a renovated library Feb. 12 at James J. Davis Early Learning Center in honor of Pastor James E. Moore.

District leaders, families and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the redesigned space, which serves children from birth through age 5. Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez described Moore as a longtime advocate for students and public education in the Whale Branch community.

The updated library includes hands-on literacy and STEAM learning stations designed to support early childhood development. The dedication was held during the district’s inaugural James J. Davis Day and coincided with its fifth annual African American Education History Conference.

Memories Do Matter

By Mark F. Winn Contributor

How to make sure your assets will stay in your family

As a South Carolina attorney, I often hear the same concern from families: “We worked hard for what we have. How do we make sure it stays in our family?” The good news is that with thoughtful estate planning—particularly through properly designed trusts—you can protect your assets, preserve privacy, and guide how your wealth benefits your loved ones for generations. Many people assume a simple will is enough. A will is important, but it does not avoid probate. Probate in South Carolina is a public court process. That means anyone can review what you owned,

what you owed, and who inherited your property. For families who value privacy and efficiency, that may not be ideal. A revocable living trust, on the other hand, allows your assets to pass privately, outside of probate. During your lifetime, you maintain full control. Upon your death, your successor trustee carries out your instructions without court involvement. That alone provides peace of mind—but the real power of trust planning goes much further.

Properly drafted trusts can protect your children’s inheritance from creditors, lawsuits, divorce, and even poor financial decisions. Instead of leaving assets outright to a child, you can leave them in a continuing trust for that child’s benefit. The trustee can make distributions for health, education, maintenance, and support—while the assets remain shielded from most outside claims.

This protection is especially important when it comes to in-laws. If your child receives an outright inheritance and later divorces, those assets may become entan-

gled in marital disputes. By keeping the inheritance in a properly structured trust, you greatly reduce the risk that a former spouse walks away with family wealth. You can design a plan where your assets will remain in trust for your children, then grandchildren, and beyond—protected and privately managed according to your instructions. You can encourage education, entrepreneurship, home ownership, charitable giving—whatever values matter most to you.

By way of example, meet Fred and Lucy, a happily retired couple living near the coast. They have one daughter, Jasmine, whom they adore. Jasmine is married to Robert. Now, Fred and Lucy like Robert just fine. He brings decent potato salad to Thanksgiving. But do they trust Robert with the family’s life savings? Not exactly. Fred leans over one evening and whispers, “Lucy, what if something happens to Jasmine? I don’t want Robert running off to the Bahamas with our money.” Lucy nods. “Or worse—investing it in one of his ‘can’t-miss’ ideas.”

So instead of leaving everything outright to Jasmine, Fred and Lucy create a trust. Jasmine can benefit from the assets throughout her lifetime. The trustee can distribute funds for her needs. But the principal stays protected. If Jasmine divorces Robert, the trust assets are not marital property. If Robert has business troubles, his creditors cannot reach into the trust. And when Jasmine passes, whatever remains goes to Fred and Lucy’s grandchildren—just as they directed. No Bahamas. No “can’t-miss” investments. Just thoughtful planning.

Estate planning is not about distrust. It is about protection, stewardship, and love. If you want your assets to stay in your family, remain private, and benefit generations to come, now is the time to act. With proper planning, you can protect what you’ve built—and ensure your legacy follows your wishes, not chance.

Mark F. Winn, J.D., Master in Estate Planning, a local tax, asset protection and estate planning attorney.

Taking ownership

By Ryan Chowansky Contributor

I realized most people are just winging life. They don’t have a plan. They are gambling on a wish and letting the day happen to them, over and over again.

There’s a large difference between a plan and a wish. For me, I see it show up in two areas: in construction projects and in life. When a homeowner comes to us without a real plan and resists planning, the project becomes a disaster. Budgets constantly increase. Timelines stretch. Stress massively skyrockets. The same thing happens when you roll into the new year, every year, with a “wish” for the year instead of an actual plan. A plan has a vision, and a plan has numbers. A plan has milestones. A plan has accountability baked into it.

You better plan like it matters. Because it does.

Before we start production on a remodel, we design it. We put vision to paper. We don’t just say, “I want a nicer kitchen.” We define every space, every layout, every detail. That clarity is what transforms a contractor relationship into an experience. We didn’t use to. We would be there to just serve your ideas, or lack of them. It was not a great experience for either side. Many contractors still run their businesses this way. I couldn’t anymore. Here’s the thing: your life is no different. If you can’t draw a picture of where you want to be in five years—financially, physically, spiritually, or relationally— you will just be reacting to whatever shows up. Design your life with the same intention you’d want someone designing your dream home. Vision first. Always plan out what you want.

Now let’s talk about the numbers, because this is where most people get uncomfortable, and that discomfort is

costing you.

In a construction project, if you don’t know your costs, you lose money. Period. Full stop. I don’t care how good your work is, how beautiful the tile looks, or how happy the client seems. If the numbers don’t work, the business dies. The same is brutally true in your personal life. You need to know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what the gap between those two things means for your future. Stop avoiding your bank account like it’s bad news. Don’t delegate and hope for the best. Open it. Face it. Fix it. The numbers are not your enemy. Ignorance of them is. Own it!

Here’s what nobody talks about enough: a great experience is the product of relentless excellence and disciplined execution every single day. And here’s the secret to that: if you don’t draw the line in the sand now, you can’t bring a great experience, excellence in what you do, or execute properly. When I drew the line in the sand for my business and said, moving forward, this is what I am committed to, we got in little reps each day, and the strength grew. Our confidence grew. People are noticing. Get in the reps!

Your life is the same project. The experience you’re living right now is the direct result of how excellently and consistently you’ve been executing on your priorities. Want a better marriage? Execute on it daily. Want financial freedom? Practice excellence in your spending and earning decisions every week, not just in January. Want to be healthier? Show up to the gym when it’s inconvenient and plan what goes in your refrigerator with self-control in the grocery store.

Taking ownership isn’t a mindset poster on your wall or just something “great” people do.

It’s a plan. A design. Real numbers. And the daily execution to back it up. Build something worth living in, and you will make your world, and our world, a better place.

Ryan

Chowansky

is

the owner of Bluffton Builders, LLC, www.bluffton.builders

HOW YOUNG YOU LOOK IS OUR BUSINESS.

Pure Med Spa is here to assist you in achieving your skincare goals.

DR. KLENKE’S APPROACH

“At Pinnacle, we want our patients to feel like they are part of our family and we strive to treat them that way from the first time they visit. We pride ourselves on the customer experience. It is important to always keep up with the latest advances, but our practice uniquely separates the gimmicks from the options that produce results. It is our philosophy to listen first to our patients’ goals and then help guide them to the treatments and procedures that will help us all work toward that shared goal. Your inner and outer you should be in harmony.”

Our Life Care Planning services include a dedicated Elder Care Coordinator (ECC) who serves as a central point of guidance and advocacy to ensure loved ones receive the right care, at the right time, with a clear plan in place.

HH Choral Society to mark 50th with spring concert

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

The Hilton Head Choral Society will present its spring concert, “Celebrate Renewal,” on Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The performance, accompanied by orchestra, is part of the organization’s 50th anniversary season and will revisit selections that have shaped more than five decades of choral music on Hilton Head Island. A reception for attendees will follow the concert.

Creech will return for a portion of the performance. Reynolds led the Choral Society for 22 years, and Creech served as accompanist for 12 years.

“This concert represents both reflection and forward momentum,” said Dr. Dustin C. Ousley, Artistic Director of the Hilton Head Choral Society. “As we celebrate the spirit of renewal, we’re also honoring the people, music, and moments that have shaped us - while joyfully stepping into the next chapter of HHCS’s future.”

ECC’s Coordinate care and communicate with providers Assist with long-term care and Medicaid planning Advocate during hospitalizations and transitions Support families and reduce crisis-driven decisions

The program blends longtime audience favorites with contemporary works centered on themes of hope, peace and new beginnings. Featured selections include “Nella Fantasia,” “Ubi Caritas,” “Let the River Run,” “For We Wish You Music,” Paul Basler’s ‘Psalm 23,’ which includes a French horn solo; and Billy Joel’s ‘And So It Goes.’

In recognition of the anniversary season, longtime Artistic Director Tim Reynolds and former accompanist Janice

The concert is sponsored by an anonymous donor in tribute to the singers and musicians who have participated in the Choral Society over the years.

Tickets are available at hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. For more information, call 843-341-3818 or emailing tickets@ hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.

Founded in 1975, the Hilton Head Choral Society is a nonprofit organization open to singers who enjoy choral performance and fellowship. The group is a member of Chorus America, a national organization that promotes choral music.

The Blufft n Sun

HHCA students bring Steve Martin musical to Bluffton stage

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

Hilton Head Christian Academy will present the musical Bright Star March 19–21 at its Performing Arts Center in Bluffton.

Evening performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. March 19, 20 and 21, with a 2 p.m. matinee March 21. Bright Star, featuring music, book and story by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, is set in the American South during the 1920s and 1940s. The story follows literary editor Alice Murphy and a young soldier returning from World War II as their meeting leads to revelations about the past. The production features 19 student perform-

ers and is directed by Michelle McElroy Cox, the school’s assistant director of fine arts. Choreography is by HHCA alum Jamal Edwards, and music direction is by Vikram Perry.

Cox said the production gives students the opportunity to explore complex themes while developing their performance skills.

Junior Mallory Krimm stars as Alice Murphy, with junior Luke Strebe as Jimmy Ray Dobbs and junior Eli Taylor as Billy Cane. Sophomore Jetts Nelson plays Margo Crawford, and senior Hudson Baker portrays Mayor Josiah Dobbs.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They are available at hhca.org/showtickets.

Arts and Events Calendar

Bluffton

Library Adult Programs

Bluffton Branch Library

• March 3, 2–4 p.m.: Pat

Conroy: An Introduction to a Lowcountry Legend

• March 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.:

Opening Reception — The Art of Quilting Exhibit (exhibit runs March 2–31)

• March 10, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.: The Empowered Caregiver: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances

• March 19, 2–4 p.m.: How to Know What’s True: How Journalists Fact Check Their Reporting

Info: 843-255-6503

An Evening at Hogwarts — The Music of Harry Potter

March 8, 4 p.m.

March 9, 7:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island

Family-friendly orchestral concert featuring music from Harry Potter. Costumes welcome.

Ticketing: www.hhso.org.

Beach Sweep

March 13, 2 p.m.

Sea Pines Beach Club

Volunteer beach cleanup along designated stretch of shoreline. seapines.com/experiences

Libraries for Kids International

Author Series: Millie West

March 16, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

The Roasting Room, 1297 May River Road, Bluffton

Discussion of Cat Island and award-winning screenplay

The Wind Chimes. Free; $5 suggested donation. Reservations required: 843683-4100

Harbour Town Spring Fest

March 22, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Harbour Town

Sidewalk sales, live music, watersports and family activities. seapines.com/experiences

Shore Notes A Cappella Chorus — 25th Anniversary Concert

March 28, 7 p.m.

Hilton Head Island High School, Anniversary concert celebrating 25 years of a cappella music.

Tickets: ShoreNotes.com

St. Andrew By-The-Sea UMC Holy Week Services

20 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island

• March 29: Palm Sunday services at 9 a.m. & 11:09 a.m.

• March 30–April 3, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Stations of the Cross display

• April 2, 6 p.m.: Maundy Thursday service

• April 3, Noon: Community Good Friday service at Christ Lutheran Church

• April 5: Easter services at 7 a.m. (Coligny Beach), 9 a.m. & 11:09 a.m.

Info: standrewbytheseaumc.org

Gregg Russell Spring Concerts

March 30–April 10

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 7:30–9 p.m.

Liberty Oak Tree, Harbour

Town. Family-friendly outdoor concerts.

www.seapines.com/ experiences

Easter Sunrise Service

April 5, 7 a.m.

Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St., Bluffton

Outdoor Easter worship service along the May River presented by The New Bluffton Worship and historic First Zion. Free-will offering benefits local families in need. Bring a chair or blanket. Rain or shine. Info: thenewblufftonworship. com/easter

From Axle Nuts to Walnuts

April 11, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 6637 Okatie Highway, Ridgeland

Car show and garage sale hosted by the Carolina Dreamers Car Club and Clearview Automotive.

Vendor spaces: $25. Car show registration: $20. Information: carolinadreamers. info

St. Patrick’s Sunset Block Party

Friday, March 13

The third annual Bluffton St. Patrick’s Sunset Block Party is scheduled for Friday, March 13, at Oyster Factory Park. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature live music from The Horan Brothers Band and The Chilly Willy Band. Organizers say the celebration will also include a food court, beer garden, wine bar and family-friendly activities.

The outdoor event is designed as a local alternative to larger St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Savannah and on Hilton Head Island. At-

tendees are encouraged to arrive by boat, bike or golf cart. Lawn chairs and leashed pets are permitted, though outside food and drinks are not allowed. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free. Bear Foot Sports is partnering with The Heyward House and the Bluffton Historic Preservation Society, also known as the Bluffton Historic Foundation, as charitable beneficiaries of the event. Additional information and tickets are available at blufftonsunsetparty.com.

BUILD YOUR FAMILY TREE WITH US

Unlock your family history with the help of our volunteer genealogists! Whether you’re just getting started or facing a research roadblock, we’re here to guide you. Call 843.686.6560 to schedule your appointment today!

LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY

We preserve and share the rich history of Hilton Head Island, stewarding two historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the year, we offer engaging classes, tours, and events, with sessions available in the spring and fall. For full details and registration, visit HeritageLib.org.

EDUCATE & CELEBRATE –

250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Join us as we celebrate 250 years of American independence and honor the fight for freedom! Discover Hilton Head Island’s vital role in shaping our nation’s history at HeritageLib.org – your local resource for all things related to the American Revolution.

The Heritage Library is the heart of Hilton Head Island’s history and genealogy. Visit us soon!

Cram &

Jon Poirier

Art League to feature Judy Blahut

The Art League of Hilton Head will present Secret Gardens of the Low Country: Paintings by Judy Blahut from March 3 through April 3 at Art League Gallery.

The exhibition features acrylic, charcoal, watercolor and mixed-media works by artist Judy Blahut, whose paintings draw inspiration from the Lowcountry landscape. An opening reception is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. March 4. The reception is free and open to the public.

Blahut’s work explores cultivated and natural garden settings, focusing on color, light and movement. She cites artists including Henri Matisse and Georgia O’Keeffe as influences.

In addition to the exhibition, Blahut will host a free artist talk from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 11 and a live painting demonstration from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 18. Both events are open to the public.

Blahut earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University and has worked as a painter for much of her life.

Art League Gallery is located inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina at 14 Shelter Cove Lane. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Spirit of Sebastian substance abuse prevention events

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

Spirit of Sebastian will host three events in March focused on substance abuse prevention and community support in the Lowcountry.

The nonprofit will present “Prevention Starts Now” on March 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Head Preparatory School Theater, 3000 Main St. Hilton Head Island. The program will address the importance of preventing drug and alcohol use among young people, emphasizing that early education and community awareness can save lives.

A Spanish-language presentation, “Prevention Starts Now – Spanish,” will follow on Tuesday, March 24, at the same location. Organizers say offering the program in Spanish ensures broader ac-

cess to prevention education for families across the region.

The events are part of the organization’s mission to provide resources, outreach and education that encourage healthy choices and support youth and families impacted by substance misuse.

In addition to the educational programs, Spirit of Sebastian will hold its first golf fundraiser tournament on March 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Golf Club at Hilton Head Lakes in Hardeeville. Proceeds from the tournament will support the nonprofit’s prevention initiatives and community programming.

Founded in memory of Sebastian Puech, the organization works to empower youth and prevent substance abuse through advocacy and education. More information about the events is available at spiritofsebastian.org.

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High-protein…pasta?

By Leslie Rohland Contributor

If “protein” doesn’t immediately pop into your mind when you hear “pasta,” you are likely in the majority. Pasta salad has long been a reliable option for gatherings, but a high-protein version makes it especially useful for busy households. This high-protein pasta salad is designed to keep up with active days while remaining easy to prepare and store.

Protein plays an important role in maintaining strength, supporting muscle health, and keeping hunger steady throughout the day. For many people, nutrition goals start with good intentions and fade once the day gets busy. Between errands, work, family commitments, and time spent outdoors, meals often need to be quick, flexible, and filling. That is where a high-protein pasta salad becomes especially useful. This pasta salad is designed to help increase protein intake in a way that feels natural rather than restrictive, becoming a balanced meal that can carry you through long afternoons without frequent snacking.

This pasta salad works equally well as a main dish or a side and lasts up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. It can be packed for lunches, served poolside, or paired with grilled items for dinner. The added protein helps it feel substantial, which is especially helpful for days filled with activities and errands. Another advantage

is its adaptability as vegetables, proteins, and dressings can all be adjusted without compromising the overall structure of the dish. This flexibility is valuable for cooks who want to minimize waste and maximize convenience.

In the Lowcountry, where entertaining often happens casually, this salad fits naturally. Not only is it delicious, but we love this recipe because it supports real-life demands.

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.

High Protein Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 8 o z dry protein pasta - any shape, available in better grocery stores

• 1 - 15o z can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 3 radishes, chopped

• ¼ green cabbage, chopped

• Pepperoni, purchase pizza cut pepperoni, then slice it thinner

• 1/2 heavy pinch Kosher salt

• ½ cup Greek Yogurt

• 2-3 tablespoons Pesto, store bought or homemade

Instructions

• Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and let cool slightly.

• In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, radish, cabbage, pepperoni, and salt.

• Add pasta to the bowl and add in the Greek yogurt and pesto.

• Toss to coat.

• Chill before serving for best flavor, store in the refrigerator.

Students recognized for creative work

High school students in the Beaufort County School District have earned regional recognition in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a national program honoring creative work by teens.

Students from Bluffton High School, Hilton Head Island High School, Beaufort High School and May River High School received Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention awards for original work in drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture, fashion, painting, illustration, mixed media and experimental photography.

Gold Key awards, the highest regional honor, were presented to Bianca Picasso of Bluffton High School for “Hidden but Homey” in drawing and to Maxima Poletto of Bluffton High for “Fall Foliage” in ceramics. At Hilton Head Island High School, Gold Keys were awarded to Charlotte Hussey for “Re-Arranged” in sculpture, Sophie Olander for “Bloom in Twilight” in mixed media, Rhett Marshall for “Superman” in experimental photography, and Sienna Schutz for “Transformations of Africa” in drawing.

Picasso’s “Hidden but Homey” was also named an American Visions nominee, a distinction given to select regional Gold

Key works chosen to represent their region at the national level. Gold Key recipients advance to national adjudication. Silver Key awards were earned by Sofie Steen of Beaufort High School for “I

Returned From the Woods” in illustration; Iyari Chacoj Leiva of Bluffton High for “Still Life” in photography; Bianca Picasso for “Peace Perspective” in drawing; and Maxima Poletto for “Perfectly Plump” in ceramics. Additional Silver Key recipients from Hilton Head Island High School included Aubrey Cranford for “Transformation” in drawing; Sophie Olander for “The Black Dress” in fashion; Christina Walker for “Low Country Nights” in digital painting, drawing and collage; Ella Shaw for “Mystic Water Blossom” in photography; Taim Taylor-Rivera for “Streak of Love” in experimental photography; and Sienna Schutz for “Forever a Son, Father, Husband and Grandfather” in drawing.

Samantha Shipps of May River High School received a Silver Key for “Midnight Drive” in painting.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to James Anderson of Bluffton High School

for “Atlanta 16” in photography and to Bianca Picasso for “A Ripple in Calm” in painting. From Hilton Head Island High School, Honorable Mentions went to Aubrey Cranford for “The Memory Project” in drawing and “Hello” in digital painting, drawing and collage; Sienna Schutz for “Bloom” in drawing; Arhirany Garcia for “Dock Dreams” in photography; Jeremiah Walters for “Mj Through The Loop” and “Holding The Moment” in photography; Tyrese Howard for “Dark Marsh” and “Spikes” in photography; Taim Taylor-Rivera for “Rose Quartz Horizon” in photography; Kylie Moberley for “Action Smokebomb” in photography; and Ella Shaw for “Gaze Breaking Through Darkness” in experimental photography. At May River High School, Ma’kaely Cairo received an Honorable Mention for “Beetles” in painting, and Hanalyn Weitekamper was recognized for “Bramble and Unlikely Enemies” in illustration.

According to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, submissions are judged on originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal vision or voice. Alumni of the program include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon and Ken Burns.

District officials congratulated the student artists and their teachers on the recognition.

Journalists to discuss truth and transparency at Bluffton event

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

The League of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Area has partnered with The Post and Courier to host a public panel discussion on how journalists verify information and how citizens can assess what is accurate in today’s media environment.

The program, titled “How to Know What’s True: How Journalists Fact Check Their Reporting and What Citizens Can Do,” will feature journalists from Charleston discussing fact-checking practices, challenges in a complex media landscape, and the role of transparency in government.

Panelists will share real-world examples from their reporting experiences and explain how sourcing, verification and editorial standards shape newsroom decision-making. The panel will also address how public records serve as tools for accountability.

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions following the presentation and engage directly with the journalists about issues affecting local and state coverage.

The event is scheduled for March 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bluffton Library, 120 Palmetto Way. It is free and open to the public.

Organizers ask attendees to register in advance at my.lwv.org.

Weeklong March Forth events honor Pat Conroy’s legacy

By The Bluffton Sun

The Pat Conroy Literary Center will host its 10th annual March Forth celebration March 2–8, a weeklong series of literary and community events honoring the life and legacy of author Pat Conroy.

The annual observance marks the anniversary of Conroy’s death on March 4, 2016. Events will take place in Beaufort and throughout the Lowcountry, including Bluffton, Charleston, Daufuskie Island, Port Royal and St. Helena Island.

This year’s schedule includes author conversations, educational programs and community gatherings. Among the featured events are a Conroy Remembrance Day program in Beaufort, a writers’ workshop focused on storytelling craft, and a special literary tour highlighting sites connected to Conroy’s life and work in the region. Select programs will also spotlight poetry and Southern literature, reflecting the wide range of genres Conroy championed during his career.

According to the Pat Conroy Literary Center, the March Forth celebration commemorates Conroy’s life and legacy with educational programs and community events. Many events are open to the public, with registration required for certain workshops and special programs. Activities are designed to engage readers of all ages and encourage discussion about storytelling, history and the Southern experience.

Conroy, best known for novels including The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, lived and taught in Beaufort County and remains one of the Lowcountry’s most influential literary figures. His work continues to resonate with readers for its vivid sense of place and exploration of family, resilience and personal growth. The literary center established in his name hosts author talks, writing workshops and educational outreach throughout the year.

The Pat Conroy Literary Center celebrates Conroy’s enduring contribution to Southern literature and fosters a vibrant literary community. Event details available online at patconroyliterarycenter.org.

Artists donate work for special SOBA gallery fundraiser

By The Bluffton Sun

The Society of Bluffton Artists will open a special member-donated exhibition March 3 at its new gallery space in Old Town Bluffton, with proceeds supporting the organization’s capital campaign.

The exhibition will run through April 4 at the SOBA Gallery, 7 Church St., and will feature artwork donated by member artists. Participating artists in March include Julia Kamenskikh, Sue Mentis, Pearl Mintzer, Jean Macaluso and Jan Urbanic.

The show also includes a piece by Betty Hintz, a founding member of

SOBA. The artwork was donated by her family in her honor.

“This exhibition is a celebration of both artistic talent and collective generosity,” said Karen Richards, the SOBA president. “Each donated piece plays a role in sustaining our gallery and expanding opportunities for artists and art lovers alike.”

A public reception is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. March 5 at the gallery. Organizers said additional donated works may be added during the run of the exhibition.

The Society of Bluffton Artists is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting visual arts and supporting artists in the Bluffton area.

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We are proud to support the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball.

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Coastal Discovery Museum hosts native plant sale

Easy-care, pollinator-friendly plants

By The Bluffton Sun

The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, will host its annual Spring Native Plant Sale on Saturday, March 28, from 10 am to 1 pm. The sale will offer more than 115 native plant varieties suited to Lowcountry conditions, including azaleas, salvias, echinacea (coneflowers), and rudbeckia (black-eyed Susans).

“Whether you’re a longtime gardener or new to the area, you’ll find native plants to beautify the landscape of your home and bolster the health of our Lowcountry ecosystem,” said Annmarie Reiley-Kay, Deputy Director at the Coastal Discovery Museum.

Native gardens provide vital food and habitats for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that are essential to

our food supply. According to Clemson Cooperative Extension, approximately one-third of the food on our plates depends on pollinators.

In addition to supporting food production, native plants typically require less water, and little or no fertilizer or pesticides, helping protect our marshes and waterways by filtering polluted stormwater runoff.

Plants will be available at affordable prices: one-gallon potted plants are $10 each, and three-gallon potted plants are $20 each. Cash or check only, please. Master gardeners and staff will be onsite to answer questions and offer planting tips.

The Coastal Discovery Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit coastaldiscovery.org or call 843-689-6767.

“Welcome to Paradise” Quilt

Festival set for March 20-22

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

The Palmetto Quilt Guild will host its 18th biennial “Welcome to Paradise” Quilt Festival from March 20-22, 2026, at the Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort ballroom.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

More than 150 quilts made by guild members will be on display during the three-day event. The show will also feature nine vendors, along with the guild’s boutique, vintage marketplace, silent auction and quilt raffle.

An American Quilter’s Society-certified appraiser, Lynn Ann Rinehart, will be available to provide written appraisals for new and antique quilts. Appraisals, intended for insurance or resale purposes, are $80.

In advance of the festival, the guild will offer a two-day workshop March 19-20, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Electric Community Room in Hardeeville. The workshop, “Twinkle Star,” will be led by Brenda Dyer, a

certified instructor in the Judy Niemeyer foundation paper piecing method. The pattern, designed by Judy and Bradley Niemeyer, creates a 38-inch by 38-inch quilt. Registration is $85 and includes admission to the festival.

Founded in 1991, the guild promotes and preserves the art of quilting and has more than 100 members from Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, Savannah and surrounding Lowcountry communities, as well as part-time residents from other parts of North America and Europe.

The guild meets on the third Thursday of each month except August, November and December. Meetings feature guest speakers and optional workshops.

Through its Community Service Program, the guild donates handmade quilts to local charities and awards an annual scholarship to a graduating senior from a Beaufort County high school who plans to pursue higher education in the visual arts. The scholarship recipient also receives a quilt to take to college.

Details about the festival and workshop registration are available at palmettoquiltguild.org.

Spring flower show set for Martin Family Park

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

The Bluffton Flower Show will return to Old Town on March 21, bringing plant vendors, floral designers and gardening enthusiasts together for a daylong spring event at Martin Family Park.

The show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will extend into surrounding areas of Old Town Bluffton. Organizers say the event will feature plant and garden-related vendors, floral arrangement displays and educational presentations focused on plant care and gardening techniques.

The event is hosted by longtime Bluffton ambassador and business owner Babbie Guscio. The goal of the show is to create a town-wide experience that draws visitors into Old Town and highlights Bluffton’s charm, creativity, and commu-

nity spirit.

“This show is about slowing down and noticing the beauty in the little things,” said Guscio. “Bluffton has always had a creative soul, and the Flower Show is another way to celebrate our town, our people, and the joy of growing things together.”

In addition to professional floral designers, the show will include space for amateur arrangers to display their work. Local businesses and restaurants are encouraged to participate by offering flower-themed promotions and displays during the weekend.

Organizers are seeking vendors who sell plants or garden-related items, as well as local businesses interested in participating.

More information about participation is available by contacting thestoresc@ gmail.com.

Easter is a great time for family, friends, traditions and celebration.

This year why not do something special at THE NEW BLUFFTON WORSHIP!

We’ve got a perfect experience for everyone; inspirational music and messages, a casual atmosphere on the May River or at our Persimmon St. worship center where you can meet new friends, plus fun for the kids including an egg hunt. Come to hear about Easter and how it can bring us all renewed hope. Start a new tradition this Easter come to the May River and Celebrate Easter with The New Bluffton Worship!

Easter Celebrations Sunday April 5

Sunrise on the May River - 7:00AM

Bluffton Oyster Factory Park

63 Wharf St. Bluffton 29910

Feel free to bring a chair or blanket

The service is also jointly sponsored by historic First Zion MB Church

Easter Worship - 9:00 & 10:30AM 39 Persimmon St. #203/204

In Sheridan Park between the Bluffton Parkway & Hwy 278

Come for joyful music by our inspiring worship band, coffee and other refreshments, and meaningful messages by Pastor Daniel Burbage. Nursery provided. Children’s Church for ages 3 to grade 5 at the 10:30AM service with an Easter Egg hunt afterward.

Bluffton Worship is a non-denominational Low Country Church. TheNewBlufftonWorship.com/easter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blufftonworship

Reflecting on The Savannah Book Festival

By Annelore Harrell Contributor

The Savannah Book Festival, a week of hoopla that welcomes thousands of readers and a coterie of talented authors, is an occasion not to be missed.

This year, daughter Tamela, her husband Nick Maxim, and I were there the 8th of February 2026, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension on Wright Square in beautiful downtown Savannah, where I had been christened, confirmed, and married a long time ago.

As we had done in years past, the three of us, plus our darling friends Yvette Acuff, Elizabeth Millen, and Holcombe Smith, were fellow worker bees. We were given $5.00 food vouchers and yellow-ribboned lanyards that, with our obligatory white shirts and black pants, made us official.

There were two venues at Ascension: Fellowship Hall on the ground floor and the 450-seat sanctuary, on the second floor, where we were assigned.

After “doing our usher duty,” with everyone properly seated and every pew filled to the limit, we retreated to our reserved places in the back of the sanctuary.

Stacey Abrams was to be the speaker, her book Coded Justice.

Born on December 9, 1973, in Madison, Wisconsin, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College, a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas, and a Juris Doctor from Yale. She has spent her career in public service.

Ms. Abrams has published books: fiction under the pen name Selena Montgomery and nonfiction works, including Our Time Is Now and Lead from the Outside, both New York Times bestsellers. A children’s book, Stacey’s Extraordinary Words, was released in December 2021. She promised to be most interesting and was.

More often than not, the festival brings in some of my favorite authors.

In 2024, John Berendt, of the controversial Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, was on the program.

In 2025, there was Scott Turow, author of Presumed Guilty.

But in my humble opinion, nobody, not a single author at any of the festivals, no matter how famous, was better than Dorothea Benton Frank when we saw her on Saturday, the 18th of February, 2017.

She was a delight. Casually dressed, wearing sling-back pumps and a rock of a diamond ring, she told us, an entranced audience, how she managed to move back home to Charleston, to Sullivan’s Island, and why she started writing.

Her husband, Peter Richard Frank, was an investment banker, and she worked in the apparel business. They lived the American dream: two children, a home in Montclair, NJ, and successful careers.

But memories of pluff mud between the toes and soft island breezes and the rustle of palmetto fronds and laughing with dear friends over sunset cocktails nudged midnight dreams. Her family home on Sullivan’s Island became available in 1992 when her mother passed away. Dottie wanted it. Listed at $180,000, Dottie needed $149,000 to clinch the deal. Richard was agreeable. “Fine,” he said. And then came the kicker: “If you want your mother’s house, you need to get off your fanny and

buy it yourself because I’m not going to spend my money to sit down there and listen to your crazy family tell the same stories over and over again.”

And she did. She wrote a book, Sullivan’s Island, then another and another, one a year, 20 books. And she got her Sullivan’s Island home. Not her mother’s home. She missed that one, but another at 2424 Middle Street.

Pat Conroy called her “The Dotted One.” She called him “Fat Boy.”

Devoted fans call her one of their favorite Southern writers.

On September 2, 2019, at age 67, Dorothea Benton Frank passed away, a victim of myelodysplastic syndrome.

Gone much too soon.

I thought about her on this Saturday afternoon, yes, I did, as I seated people in Ascension’s sanctuary. She was special.

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

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Don’t needlessly put your wealth at risk

By Thomas Dowling Contributor

For many people, building wealth represents years, often decades, of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. What sometimes receives less attention is the reality that accumulated assets can also create new vulnerabilities.

In conversations with successful families and business owners, one concern comes up often. The possibility of being targeted by lawsuits or legal claims. Litigation can have serious financial consequences.

That is why protecting wealth can be just as important as building it. Without thoughtful preparation, financial security for both individuals and families can be exposed to unnecessary risk.

Yet many affluent individuals do not have a clear strategy in place.

Research from CEG Insights, which surveyed more than 1,200 affluent investors with net worths ranging from $100,000 to $25 million, found that fewer than 20 percent had established a formal asset protection plan. Even among those with $10 million to $25 million in net worth, only about 28 percent had taken those steps. The survey also showed that 40 percent operated without umbrella insurance coverage, potentially leaving themselves financially vulnerable.

Asset protection planning, as it is commonly defined, focuses on putting safeguards in place before a problem arises. The goal is to deter litigation when possible and encourage more favorable outcomes if disputes do occur.

Asset protection is not about hiding assets. In fact, transparency can be part of the strategy. The idea is to create a legal structure that makes assets more difficult to reach, which may discourage claims or encourage settlement rather than prolonged disputes.

Five Asset Protection Steps to Consider 1. Put protections in place before a

claim arises.

Asset protection strategies are generally most effective when implemented before any legal exposure exists. Once a claim develops, options can become much more limited because of laws surrounding fraudulent conveyance. Similar to insurance, protection is most valuable when established in advance.

2. Cover the basics first.

Evaluating liability insurance and related coverage is often a foundational step. Umbrella policies can provide an additional layer of protection. In some cases, ownership structures or asset titling decisions may also play a role.

3. Explore additional strategies where appropriate.

Depending on individual circumstances, this may include reviewing insurance types, using state law exemptions, considering business restructuring, evaluating gifting strategies, or planning inheritances in ways that reduce exposure to potential creditors.

4. Work with qualified professionals. Because these strategies can be complex, coordination among knowledgeable professionals is often important.

Attorneys, financial professionals, and insurance specialists may all play roles in developing a cohesive approach. Without proper structure and expertise, protections may not hold up when they are needed most.

5. Avoid common mistakes.

Some asset protection strategies require careful planning and execution. If structured improperly, they may not provide meaningful protection. Assumptions about safety can create a false sense of security if plans are not implemented correctly.

Planning Ahead Matters

Ultimately, the purpose of asset protection is not fear. It is preparation. Just as individuals insure homes or businesses against unexpected events, protecting accumulated wealth is about preserving what has been built over time.

For those who have worked to achieve financial success, understanding this topic can be an important step toward long term security and peace of mind.

Thomas M. Dowling, CFA, CFP®, CIMA® is the Head of Wealth Management at Alliance Global Partners of the Low-

Business briefs Promotions, hires and community giving

William Raveis taps Dow for growth role in Lowcountry

William Raveis Real Estate has appointed Cristy Dow as strategic growth manager for its Hilton Head Island and Bluffton offices, the company announced.

Dow will focus on agent recruitment and development, strengthening connections between markets and supporting the firm’s luxury real estate presence in the Lowcountry, according to

“Cristy’s tenure with our company and her understanding of relationship-driven growth make her exceptionally well suited for this role,” said William Raveis, Founder and CEO of William Raveis Real Estate. “Hilton Head and Bluffton are important to our long-term strat-

egy, and we are committed to strengthening our presence there with proven leadership.”

Owen Tyler, broker-in-charge and senior vice president for William Raveis in the Hilton Head and Bluffton region, said the company is building a leadership structure designed to support experienced agents and meet expectations in the luxury market.

Sea Pines Resort announces maintenance director, culinary leadership changes

The Sea Pines Resort announced that Matt Whitis, director of facility maintenance, has been added to the resort’s executive leadership team.

Whitis joined the resort approximately four months ago. Resort President Steve Birdwell said Whitis has strengthened facilities operations and demonstrated strong leadership in a short period of time.

Whitis previously served as engineering manager at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and spent more than two decades at Olivet Nazarene University, where he oversaw large-scale facilities and capital projects.

The resort also announced culinary leadership changes.

Alex Dinerstein, a nine-year employee, has been promoted to food and beverage operations manager. He most recently served as general manager of Links, an American Grill.

Nick Osterfoss has joined the resort as general man-

ager of Links, bringing experience from luxury resort properties across the country.

Brendan McGuire has been promoted to general manager of Harbourside, and Eric Haley has been named assistant operations manager at Fraser’s Tavern.

Coastal States Bank hires treasury services banker

Coastal States Bank announced that Charlie Labassi has joined the company as treasury services relationship banker serving markets in Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, Charleston and Savannah.

Labassi brings more than 20 years of corporate treasury and banking experience. In his new role, he will work with businesses to improve treasury processes and financial operations.

Brian Smith, the bank’s coastal regional president, said Labassi’s experience supports the bank’s relationship-based approach to serving local businesses.

Beaufort Memorial adds orthopedic physician assistant

Beaufort Memorial Hospital has expanded its orthopedic services with the addition of Kara White, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant.

White joined Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists in the fall and sees patients in Okatie and Port Royal. An Atlanta native, White earned a Master of Health

Science from South College Atlanta in December 2024. She works alongside orthopedic surgeons Dr. Cory Messerschmidt and Dr. Vandit Sardana, as well as nurse practitioner Aron Love.

Beach House Hilton Head donates $106,000 to local nonprofits

Beach House Hilton Head Island Resort announced it distributed $106,000 to local and regional nonprofit organizations in 2025 through its Community Impact Program.

The donations are part of an initiative launched in 2022 by EOS Hospitality, the resort’s management company, aimed at supporting organizations that address basic needs such as food security, housing and crisis assistance.

According to the resort, the following organizations received funding in 2025:

$10,000 to Bluffton Community Kitchen, $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island, $10,000 to Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island, $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton,

$10,000 to Port Royal Sound Foundation, $15,000 to Volunteers in Medicine Bluffton-Jasper, $21,000 to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, $10,000 to Family Promise of Beaufort County, $10,000 to Direct Relief

General Manager Ben Beaudoin said the resort’s team was honored to distribute the funds and support initiatives focused on resident well-being, environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

More information about the resort is available at beachhousehhi.com.

The Bargain Box awards $575,000 in grants

The Bargain Box announced it awarded $575,000 in 2025 to 55 Beaufort County nonprofit organizations.

Grant recipients were selected following interviews conducted by the organization’s grants committee, with final approval by its board. The nonprofit thrift store said its volunteers, donors and shoppers make the annual giving possible.

VIM receives award

By The Bluffton Sun

Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of Hilton Head Island has received the Heritage Award from the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, an honor recognizing a nonprofit organization for lasting and meaningful contributions to the community.

Dr. John Newman, the clinic’s executive director, accepted the award alongside Mary Ellen McConnell, widow of the clinic’s founder, Dr. Jack McConnell.

“We are incredibly honored and pleased to know that you all know about and value what our organization is doing in our community,” Newman said during the ceremony. “We often think that not enough people know what we do here at VIM, but tonight you proved us wrong.”

Volunteers in Medicine, commonly known as VIM, provides medical services to residents in need. Newman said the clinic’s work extends beyond basic care.

“We are not just a clinic where folks go to get a bandage or a vaccine,” he said. “We treat the entirety of a person’s health – from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up to wellness-centered living to prevent diseases and improve overall health.”

Newman said the recognition reflects the efforts of the clinic’s volunteer base.

“We accept this award on behalf of the hundreds of talented and devoted volunteers at our clinic,” he said. “We are grateful to the Chamber and all the businesses in the community that support our mission.”

Dr. Jack McConnell founded the Hilton Head clinic in 1993 as part of the Volunteers in Medicine model, which supports community-based, volunteer-driven health care for uninsured patients.

Do G.O.A.T.s play robotic “lights

By Tom Dorsel Contributor

My recent column, “Playing lights out,” sparked this response from an old friend, a Hall of Fame athlete in multiple sports.

Dear Tom,

I love being fully focused, playing in the zone, always in a state of flow. Those phrases capture the ability to perform above and beyond the field of participants, thereby capturing unbelievable success.

In contrast, the term ‘robotic’ strikes a chord that disregards and overlooks that level of mastery over the human condition exemplified by an athlete who so decisively demolishes the opposition.

Thus, I see no robots in the likes of Babe Ruth, Jim Brown, Sandy Koufax, Mohammed Ali, Pelé, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Tom Brady, Jack Nicklaus, Stephen Curry, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Caitlin Clark, etc.

Respectfully,

Harry

Dear Harry:

Of course you have named a whole herd of G.O.A.T.s (Greatest Of All Time) and to those players was granted a special talent and charisma that is undefinable. They didn’t need anything resembling robotics. Indeed, their unique talents and performances are what the robotic players are trying to emulate, trying to program themselves to do.

These performers at the top of their fields are in a class of their own. Like Bobby Jones said of Jack Nicklaus, and Jack Nicklaus of Tiger Woods, “He plays a game with which I am not familiar.”

So we are both right: A robot mentality does not apply to the G.O.A.T.s. It applies to the rest of us mere mortals who are trying to play like the G.O.A.T.s.

I have marveled at the privilege our generation has had to witness perhaps the greatest athletes of every sport, some two or three times over. When I think of golf, Ben Hogan was the greatest, then Jack Nicklaus, then Tiger Woods. We have witnessed from Johnny Unitas to Tom Brady, Pete Rose to Shohei Ohtani, Mark Spitz to Michael Phelps, Olga Korbut to Nadia Comaneci, Michael Jordan to LeBron James, Roger Bannister to Usain Bolt, Steffi Graf to Serena Williams and Bjorn Borg to Roger Federer.

And Alberto Tomba … he was in a world of his own. He might even be an example of how G.O.A.T.s think and feel differently, not just perform differently. Once when he was asked if he felt any particular pressure before a gold medal ski run, Tomba replied: “Pressure, what pressure? — It won’t affect the party tonight.”

When Alberto was further asked what in the world he said to himself after one of his great, record-breaking runs, he replied: “I say, ‘Congratulations, ... Alberto.’ “

All this is to say, Harry, that G.O.A.T.s are definitely different, and it is going to take a heckuva robot to mimic any of them. But if players are not G.O.A.T.s, I return to the suggestion for them to attempt to play their games robotically — that is, methodical, unemotional, fully focused in the moment, in their cocoon. I submit to you that such a mindset might be their best chance of getting into the zone and “playing lights out.”

Gratefully, Tom

Dr. Tom Dorsel is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and a clinical/sport psychologist in Hilton Head. His best-selling book is “GOLF: The Mental Game.” He works with athletes from all sports and can be reached at tom@dorsel.

When leadership fails, culture cracks And so does the business

By Jamie Harrison Contributor

In South Carolina’s fast-growing business hubs — especially Bluffton and Beaufort County

— an overlooked risk is quietly eroding organizations: not worker shortages, but leadership breakdown.

Across healthcare startups, retail shops, and service businesses, leaders are seeing turnover, miscommunication, and morale issues. Employees often aren’t the problem. Leadership habits are. As one Lowcountry worker put it in an exit interview: “Every time I try to care, I’m reminded that leadership doesn’t.”

Culture Is Infrastructure — Not a Perk

Company culture isn’t about slogans or ping-pong tables. It’s built in daily deci-

sions, especially those made by managers. Weak leadership systems don’t just deflate morale; they risk client care, customer loyalty, and compliance.

Reactive rule-making, uneven discipline, and poor communication are more than annoyances. They’re structural cracks that undermine trust and fuel disengagement.

Warning Signs of Leadership Breakdown

Toxic workplaces don’t appear overnight. They usually stem from leadership missteps. Warning signs include:

• Constantly shifting policies without structure

• Lack of follow-through on commitments

• Favoritism or uneven discipline

• Employees staying silent to avoid conflict

• Quiet resignations from top performers

Each signal points to a culture in crisis — and to leadership teams lacking the capacity or training to repair it.

Why It Matters Now

South Carolina businesses already face

workforce shortages, tough compliance rules, and fierce competition. Poor leadership only magnifies these risks:

• Rising turnover and retraining costs

• Compliance violations and audit failures

• Burned-out managers juggling gaps

• Loss of credibility with staff and clients

The cost of inaction is often greater than the investment in leadership development.

Rebuilding the Foundation

The good news: cultures can be rebuilt. But it requires accountability at the top.

1. Lead with vision and pur pose. Leaders must provide clarity. Employees connect when they understand the “why” behind the work — and see processes that reinforce that vision.

2. Train leaders like professionals. Even small businesses need real leadership training. Skills such as setting boundaries, giving feedback, and documenting fairly aren’t optional. Texting “new rules” at midnight isn’t communication — it’s chaos.

3. Address gaps openly. Avoiding issues

erodes trust. Acknowledging problems with empathy opens the door to solutions.

4. Use outside suppor t. When credibility is lost, a third-party culture assessment can help employees feel safe voicing concerns. Far from weakness, it shows leaders are serious about change.

Culture Starts at the Top

Whether in a startup or an established firm, culture isn’t something you have. It’s something you build. And it begins — and ends — with leadership.

People don’t leave jobs. They leave poor leadership and broken systems.

Culture isn’t a perk. It’s a business necessity.

Jamie Harrison is the CEO of Wolff Engagement Solutions, a Bluffton-based HR & Organizational Development consultancy helping businesses align people, culture, and strategy during growth, compliance pressure, or transition.

By Dr. Maurizio Buscarini Contributor

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the United States.

While about 1 in 8 American men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, the risk is significantly higher for African American men – about 1 in 6.

Not only are African American men more likely to develop prostate cancer, but they are also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, have more aggressive or advanced disease, and die from it. In fact, African American men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as men in other racial or ethnic groups. Genetics certainly play a role; African American men tend to have higher

Early detection is key

baseline levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the prostate. Elevated PSA levels can be an early sign of prostate cancer.

Historically, African American men have also had less access to routine healthcare and cancer screenings. As a result, prostate cancer is often diagnosed only after symptoms appear – typically at more advanced stages, when treatment is less effective.

There is good news: prostate cancer outcomes are improving. Today, the five-year survival rate for African American men diagnosed with prostate cancer at any stage is approximately 97%.

Early detection is key. When prostate cancer is found early, the survival rate regardless of ethnicity rises to 99%. In contrast, men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer have a five-year survival rate of just 32%.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men between ages 55 and 69 discuss prostate cancer screening with their healthcare providers to decide whether screening is right for them.

Because of their increased risk, African

American men should begin these conversations with their healthcare providers sooner – ideally between the ages of 40 and 45.

There are two main screening tools used to detect prostate cancer: PSA blood tests, which measure prostate-specific antigen levels in the blood, and a digital rectal exam (DRE), in which a clinician checks the prostate for abnormalities.

Talk with your medical provider about a screening plan that reflects your personal risk factors. Screening only takes minutes, and early detection of prostate cancer can save your life.

Today, men diagnosed with prostate cancer have access to a wide range of effective treatments. Options may include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological treatments or participation in clinical trials.

Early-stage prostate cancer often requires less aggressive treatment. Some low-grade cancers grow slowly and can be managed with “active surveillance,” which involves regular monitoring with PSA tests and imaging, or “watchful waiting,” in which symptoms remain closely

observed. Treatment begins only if the cancer shows signs of progression. All men can take steps to support prostate health and reduce overall cancer risk, including:

• Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils and whole grains, with fewer animal products

• Exercising regularly

• Getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night

• Limiting alcohol to two or fewer drinks per day

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Quitting smoking

Annual checkups with a primary care provider are also essential. Even if prostate cancer screening is not performed at every visit, these appointments provide an opportunity to review lifestyle habits and address other risk factors for cancer and chronic disease.

Maurizio Buscarini, M.D., Ph.D., MPH-MBA is a board-certified, fellowship-trained urologist who sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Urology Specialists in Beaufort and Okatie.

By Cinda Seamon Contributor

With somewhat warmer weather and longer days approaching, now is a good time to take on long-neglected projects like spring cleaning, home repairs and yard work. As you take care of these projects, you are helping keep your home safe. Start by reducing the amount of clutter inside and outside your home. While clutter does not start fires, it can become fuel for a fire. Household and pool chemicals, paints and poisons should be marked and stored out of a child’s reach. Dispose of any that are leaking or expired. Make sure gasoline and cleaning fluids are also marked and stored in a cool, dry place away from the house and away from children and pets. Use only approved containers for gasoline storage. Common household chemicals can fuel a fire and can also be hazardous to your health. Maintain only the amounts you need and be sure to use, store and dispose of household hazardous materials in a safe manner as outlined on the product.

Spring safety tips

Have your dryer vents cleaned annually to improve efficiency and prevent fire risks. Lint can accumulate in the hose and exterior vent hood.

Your medicine cabinet is not meant to be a storage area for all of the medicines that you have ever been prescribed. Spring cleaning is a good time to get rid of them and any expired over-the-counter medicines that you may have. Maintain your yard—trim bushes, plants and trees. Removing vegetation clears fuel for any potential fire. Keep

gutters and roofs clear of leaves and other buildup. Check the kids’ play area for sharp objects, poisonous plants and tripping hazards.

Clean up work areas by putting tools and other work items away from children’s reach. Remove all fire hazards, including stacks of rags, newspapers and magazines. Pay attention to spaces around your hot water tanks, fireplaces, space heaters and dryers, as well as under stairs.

Check your barbecue grill for leaks and cracks, and be sure to store any propane tanks at least 10 feet away from your house and garage. Locate grills a safe distance (at least 10 feet) from buildings or wooden decks.

Test all your smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Change the batteries at least once a year and the actual smoke alarm every 10 years.

Spring cleaning can improve the safety of your home and family.

Cinda Seamon is the Community Risk Reduction & Outreach Program Coordinator for Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue.

Shamrock Run set for March 14

The 31st annual Alliance Roofing Hilton Head Island Shamrock Run is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, March 14, beginning at Celebration Park.

The festive 5K run and health walk will follow a flat course through the South Forest Beach area. Organizers encourage participants to wear green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

The annual event has become a holiday tradition on Hilton Head Island, combining fitness and community involvement. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Sunset Rotary Club of Hilton Head.

Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as unique prizes for the top three finishers in each age category. In addition, runners who finish ahead of the event’s “Leprechaun” pacer — identified as the top 50 finishers — will receive a themed prize.

The 31st Annual Alliance Roofing Hilton Head Island Shamrock Run is presented by Hilton Head Island Builders and proudly sponsored by The Bank Beer Garden, Oak Advisors, Rollers Wine & Spirits, Tobin Bone & Joint, Skillets Café & Grill, Watusi Café, The Sand Bar Beach Eats, New York City Pizza, Captain Woody’s, and Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head.

Additional information is available at bearfootsports.com or by contacting Bear Foot Sports at 843-757-8520.

Healthcare group opens Hilton Head location Offering home-based care

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

Your Health, a primary care organization focused on delivering medical services directly in patients’ homes has opened a new office at 2 Marshland Rd, Hilton Head Island as part of its continued statewide expansion.

The company reports that it currently serves patients in every county across South Carolina and is expanding into Georgia.

The Hilton Head office supports a care model centered on bringing medical services to adult patients in their homes. The organization serves adults 18 and older, with a strong focus on highrisk and geriatric populations. Patients do not need to be homebound to qualify for care.

Your Health provides a range of services that includes primary care, specialty care such as cardiology, neurology and pulmonology, as well as palliative and hospice care, therapy services, wound care and psychiatric and behavioral health support. Wellness programs are also offered.

Unlike concierge medical practices, the organization bills services directly to insurance providers and does not charge additional membership or access fees. Most insurance types are accepted, according to the company. No referral is required to begin services; patients can enroll with basic information.

Company representatives say Dr. Jonathan Sack and his staff bring years of expertise in caring for the community and will be integral in bringing the Your Health model of care to life in the region. This partnership will enable him and his staff to bring more medical resources more often to patients. Your Health remains dedicated to serving as a collaborative partner in the community and providing compassionate care close to home.

In addition to its island presence, the organization established a clinic in Okatie and house calls services, serving patients in the greater Bluffton area.More information about services and enrollment is available through the organization’s website, www.yourhealth.org.

Why appraisals matter more than ever in the 2026 real estate market

By Chip Collins Contributor

As we move deeper into 2026, one clear trend is shaping residential real estate transactions across the Lowcountry: financing is back in the driver’s seat. More than 50 percent of real estate deals are now financed, a shift that began in earnest last year and is expected to grow as interest rates become more attractive. With that shift comes renewed importance of one often misunderstood component of the transaction - the appraisal.

An appraisal is a required step whenever a buyer uses a mortgage. While it may

feel like a routine checkbox, the appraisal plays a critical role in determining whether a transaction moves forward smoothly or encounters delays and renegotiations. Understanding how appraisals work, and what they are designed to do, is essential for buyers, sellers, and agents alike.

A common misconception is who the appraiser works for. Although the buyer typically pays for the appraisal as part of their closing costs, the appraiser’s client is the lender not the buyer or the seller. The appraisal is ordered by the lender through a third-party system designed to maintain independence and objectivity. This separation exists to protect the integrity of the lending process and ensure the valuation is unbiased.

The primary purpose of the appraisal is to help the lender assess risk. It confirms that the property provides adequate collateral for the loan and supports the loan’s inclusion in a broader financial package that may ultimately be sold on

the secondary market. While buyers and sellers often view appraisals as negotiation tools, their function is rooted in risk management and accuracy.

Appraisers frequently contact real estate agents during the process to validate data. While appraisers have access to MLS information, they often need additional context that is not documented such as unusual conditions, multiple-offer situations, or seller motivation. Accurate, factual input from agents helps ensure a more reliable appraisal.

Preparation is key. Providing appraisers with correct property details, renovation histories, and clarification of public record discrepancies is not only allowed, but also encouraged. What is not allowed is attempting to influence value. The goal is accuracy, not advocacy.

When an appraisal comes in below the contract price, it does not automatically mean the deal is over. All parties should review the report carefully for errors or

omissions. If issues are identified, they must be submitted through the lender for consideration, potentially leading to a reconsideration of value or a formal appraisal review. Direct contact with the appraiser outside this process is not permitted.

As financed transactions continue to dominate the 2026 market, understanding the appraisal process is no longer optional. Accurate data, proper preparation, and realistic expectations help ensure a fair, stable market, one where values reflect reality not emotion. In the end, a well-supported appraisal benefits everyone involved.

Chip Collins is the Broker-Owner of Collins Group Realty founded in 2002. Find Chip at chip@collinsgrouprealty.com or collinsgrouprealty.com

By Tracy Winslow Contributor

“You’re going to need a few new crowns.” His spelunking light blinds me as he delivers the fabulous news.

“I know, right? I’ve been telling my ex that for years,” my shaky retort.

The dentist barely conceals an eye roll. My comedic defense thuds to the floor like the heavy lead apron they unceremoniously tossed onto me moments prior. I’m so nervous I can hardly sit still, one step from bolting from the chair. Four crowns? On top of the three I got last year? Apparently my dentist has been bingeing Bridgerton.

I am absolutely petrified of the dentist. My pediatric dentist treated my mouth like an ATM. Every appointment uncovered a fresh abomination that required another silver amalgam until my teeth

Tooth and consequences

looked like they were regulars at Studio 57. The memory of him telling my mother I needed 13 cavities filled at one appointment is forever tattooed on my cerebellum. Thirteen in six months since my last cleaning? I’m not sure I even had 13 viable teeth at that stage of baby-tooth turnover. Every novocaine drenched visit left me with chewed up cheeks and weeks of lectures about my pathetic excuse for hygiene - as if I smoked crystal meth at the tetherball court during recess.

I have always taken every possible preventative cavity measure: toothbrushes, floss, Waterpiks, fluoride treatments, mouthwash - you name it, I own it. Before each appointment I pray for a hygienist who didn’t attend the Marquis de Sade Dental Academy, but the blaring yacht rock music in the rooms seems to block out my begging. Every dental ritual begins the same: very sharp instruments are slammed into my teeth and gums, then the hygienist/Mafia enforcer informs me that my extensive cleaning routine sucks. Next, the dentist storms in long enough to tell me what needs to be hacked out because I am not worthy of having things like my own teeth.

I’ve concluded that people who love go-

ing to the dentist are sociopaths, because every time I sit in the torture chair, I shake so badly the hygienist not-so-gently suggests Valium for the next time they cram their hands into my mouth - which is generally in 2-3 month intervals..

I’ve lived in eight states and two countries, which means I’ve rotated through more dentists than most people have had oil changes. Each new DMD seems to uncover some new fresh hell that comes with a sizable out-of-pocket expense, and I can’t help wondering how much of it is elective. As in, they’re electing to reduce me to a puddle of self-loathing and fear under a blinding light - dental/black-ops operative, armed with a high-speed drill and a tray of stainless-steel instruments built for extracting classified information. At that point, I’m ready to confess to knowing who shot JFK, where the Ark of the Covenant is stored and the precise location of Amelia Earhart’s carry-on luggage.

My revolving cast of dentists never lacks an opinion. One insisted I needed a $2,500 deep cleaning - out of pocket, of course. A second opinion (a week later) asked how long I’d had TMJ described how I needed braces, with no mention of the “urgent” deep cleaning, but somehow

overlooked my completely straight teeth. Another insisted on a custom-designed $1,000 night guard, which insurance didn’t cover and, notably, contained no diamonds or fancy lettering. I’m convinced they burn the midnight oil inventing innocuous-sounding dental jargon that doubles as a billing strategy.

“2,3,2,” is “this girl clearly thinks she is funny with that stupid crown comment - which she is not. Make sure you scrape extra hard with that super pokey thing* and make her gums bleed. Then tell her she isn’t flossing enough while she spits blood in that tiny urinal/bowl.”

“You probably want an oral cancer screening” translates to, “This will cost you an extra $50 OOP so I can look at your mouth the same way, only this time with my oncology eyeball instead of my dental one.”

“Look at the distal of #19” means “Lots of fillings - DARN IT. Someone has already tapped into that revenue stream. Find a few “new” reasons to bring her back. And judging by the trembling, she clearly has dental PTSD. Excellent — she’ll say yes before I even finish the treatment plan estimate.

“We’ll want to watch that buccal mar-

Resort Services Site

336 and 342 Buck Island Road Bluffton

Notice of 30-day Public Comment Period Voluntary Cleanup Contract with Resort Services, Inc. and Tideline Linen Services, LLC

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is accepting public comments until March 30, 2026, on proposed Responsible Party Voluntary Cleanup Contract 25-8877-RP (VCC) regarding the Resort Services Site. The Site was founded in 1972 and has operated as a commercial linen operation in support of coastal Georgia and South Carolina medical, hospitality, and food and beverage businesses.

As part of the VCC, Resort Services, Inc. and Tideline Linen Services, LLC (Respondents) have agreed to perform and fund a remedial investigation and an evaluation of cleanup alternatives for the Site under SCDES’s oversight. Respondents will reimburse SCDES for oversight costs relating to this VCC. The VCC contains provisions regarding the granting of a covenant not to sue from SCDES to Respondents for completion of response actions specifically covered in the VCC, contribution protection, and contribution from other responsible parties. The complete text of the VCC may be viewed at SCDES’s website: https://apps.des.sc.gov/PublicNotices/

Your written comments regarding the VCC should be addressed to Elisa Vincent, SCDESBLWM, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or email your comments to elisa.vincent@des. sc.gov. You may also contact Mrs. Vincent at 803-898-0882 with your questions/comments or to request a copy of the VCC.

gin,” actually means “Our revenue margins need help. Tell her she needs a root canal and a highly expensive replacement crown that her insurance will only cover $2.37 of. Then we will laugh in the back while doing whip-its with nitrous oxide. Oh, and tell her we don’t use gas at this place - don’t want to waste it on this scumbag who clearly doesn’t care for her teeth properly. Probably raised by wolves by the looks of things.” And yet, despite the dread, the drills and the grocery list of “estimated patient responsibility charges,” I will be back in six months. I will floss with the intensity of someone trying to erase a criminal record. I will lie under the blinding light and again pray for the “Everything looks good” unicorn, triggering a level of euphoria usually reserved for lottery winners and people who successfully parallel park on the first try.

*“super pokey thing” — clearly the highly technical term they covered sometime after Advanced Drill Theory and before Billing Codes 401.

Tracy Winslow is the owner of Low Country Shrimp and Knits, a premier fiber arts shop in the Low Country. When she isn’t fabricating state secrets to survive the torture chair, she’s getting people excited about creating with fiber through knitting and crochet, plus beginner-friendly classes in needle felting, yarn art and more. It’s dinner and a show, minus the four-course meal. Grab a friend and book your next girls night out at www.shrimpandknits.com.

Heritage Classic Foundation tops $61.8 million in lifetime giving

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

The Heritage Classic Foundation announced that it distributed a record $4.422 million to South Carolina charities in 2025, bringing its total giving since 1987 to $61.8 million.

The foundation organizes the annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, South Carolina’s only PGA Tour event. Proceeds from the tournament fund educational and charitable programs across the state.

According to the foundation, the 2025 total was allocated across six areas:

Health and welfare: $1,922,000

Children’s programs: $929,000

Arts and culture: $775,500

Education: $363,000

Environment: $243,700

Scholarships: $189,000

match to participating nonprofits. The Champions Fore Charity program allows donors to contribute $1,000 or more directly to a registered charity, with those gifts also receiving a 20% match from the foundation.

Charitable distributions are generated through several fundraising initiatives tied to tournament week. Through Birdies for Charity, supporters pledge a set amount for every birdie made during the RBC Heritage, with the Heritage Classic Foundation providing a 20%

SKIP THE DRIVE. KEEP THE VIBE.

In addition, the foundation administers a scholarship program that annually awards need- and merit-based scholarships to 11 high school seniors from South Carolina. Local civic and nonprofit groups also raise funds by staffing on-course concession stands during tournament week, receiving a share of proceeds for their organizations. The foundation reports that additional direct donations are made throughout the year to community groups and special projects.

The 58th annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing is scheduled for April 13–19, 2026, at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island.

Founded in 1987, the Heritage Classic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses the PGA Tour event as its primary fundraising vehicle. Tournament proceeds support nonprofits and educational initiatives throughout South Carolina.

From your home to our airport – in a just a short drive. Enjoy the convenience of a 10-minute drive to the airport, quick check-in and easy parking at the Hilton Head Island airport. With nonstop flights to hub cities and one-stop connections worldwide, you can get to anywhere you need to be, on your choice of major airlines – right from our island’s own airport.

Shop Hop returns to benefit Memory Matters

By Sasha Sweeney Editor

A spring shopping event benefiting Memory Matters is returning to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, with participating boutiques donating a portion of sales to support programs for individuals living with memory loss.

The annual Shop Hop is scheduled for March 26 in Bluffton and April 2 on Hilton Head Island. On those dates, participating stores will contribute a percentage of proceeds to Memory Matters, a Hilton Head–based nonprofit that provides brain health education, caregiver support and programs for people experiencing memory loss.

Organizers say the event also serves as a lead-in to the nonprofit’s annual spring gala, Mykonos by Moonlight, scheduled for April 30 at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island.

Bluffton retailers participating March 26 include Birdie James, Cassandra’s Kitchen, Eggs ’n’ Tricities, GiGi’s Boutique, The Haven Boutique, J. Parker Ltd, Jean Pierre Klifa, J. McLaughlin, Maggie and Me, and Monkee’s.

Hilton Head Island participants on April 2 include

The Back Door, Birdie James, Carolina Jasmine, Coastal Bliss, Collage, Evelyn & Arthur, Gifted, Hilton Head Running Co., Island Child, J. McLaughlin, John Bayley Clothier, Palmetto’s, Pink Pineapple, Pyramids, Sea Love and Shop! Boutique.

The event is led by returning co-chairs Kathryn Mademann and Julie Martin, who are also serving as co-chairs of the 2026 spring gala. Martin is a member of the Memory Matters board of directors.

“Shop Hop is a wonderful way to bring people together while building momentum for the work Memory Matters does year-round,” Mademann said. “It connects local businesses, community members, and a cause that touches so many families in our community and beyond.”

“As both a board member and a gala co-chair, it’s meaningful to see how events like Shop Hop create energy and awareness leading into our spring gala,” Martin said. “Every purchase helps support families navigating memory loss, and that collective impact truly matters.”

Shop Hop events will run throughout the day at participating locations. Additional information about the event and the spring gala is available at mymemorymatters.org or by calling 843-842-6688.

Combahee Heritage of Rice Festival set for April 18

By The Bluffton Sun

The Combahee Heritage of Rice Festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Green Pond Community Center.

The event will take place at 415 Ivenia Brown Road in Green Pond and will focus on the Gullah Geechee heritage connected to rice cultivation along the Combahee River. Organizers say the festival will feature historical exhibits, ancestral research opportunities and food vendors. The event is designed to highlight how Gullah Geechee rice cultivation shaped the development of the Lowcountry and to recognize the history of freedom seekers associated with the Combahee River. The festival is open to the public and intended for all ages. Questions about the event can be directed to greenpondhs@gmail.com.

M.Y.O.B. Mind Your Own Business

Taking the leap

Hiring your first team member

By Lucy Rosen Contributor

There comes a moment in every small business when you stare at your color-coded to-do list and think, there’s no universe where one human does all this.

That moment? It’s not failure. It’s growth. It means you’re ready to hire.

Most women wait too long. We cling to the myths: It’s faster if I do it. No one will do it like me. I’ll hire when things calm down. Spoiler: why in the world would you want your business to calm down? Chaos expands to fill the container you give it. If you want your business to scale beyond “me and caffeine,” you need another set of hands—and a brain attached.

Step 1: Decide what you actually need

Do a one-week task dump. Circle everything that drains you or doesn’t require your special sauce: scheduling, inbox triage, invoicing, posting content, packaging orders, customer follow-ups. Your first hire isn’t your clone; she’s your complement. If you shine at sales, hire execution. If you’re a creative, hire ops. Step 2: Employee or contractor?

Quick gut check—not legal advice, just wisdom from the trenches. If you control how, when and where the work happens, you’re probably looking at an employee (think training, consistent hours, your tools). If you need outcomes on deadlines and they choose the how and when, that’s more contractor territory. Pick the model that matches reality, not wishful thinking, and set expectations in writing.

Step 3: Hire for attitude; train the rest Skills matter, but coachability, communication and initiative matter more. I will take a curious, organized, upbeat human over a “10/10 résumé, 0/10 vibe” any day. Ask scenario questions: “An order is late and the client is irritated—walk me through your first three steps.” You’re listening for thought process and tone, not perfection.

Step 4: Pay like a grown-up brand

“Cheap” is expensive in disguise. Underpay, and you’ll train your new hire to job-hunt on their lunch break. Offer fair pay, clear milestones and room to grow. Tie small bonuses to outcomes you actually care about (on-time delivery, five-star reviews, upsells). People rise to trust.

Step 5: Onboard like you mean it

Day one isn’t “Here’s your login; good luck.” Give a 30-day plan. Record three to five short Loom videos for recurring tasks. Create checklists. Schedule two standing touchpoints each week (one tactical, one big-picture). Document as you go so the second hire is easier than the first.

Step 6: Let go—on purpose

If you hire and then micromanage every keystroke, you didn’t hire—you adopted a hostage. Delegate outcomes, not just tasks. Give context, not just commands. And when they do something better than you? Celebrate out loud. That’s the point.

Step 7: Become the leader your business needs

Leaders don’t hoard; they multiply. Praise specifically (“Great catch on that invoice error”), correct kindly and quickly, and protect your team from scope creep. Your job shifts from “doing all the things” to “building the system that gets the things done.”

Lucy Rosen has spent 40+ years helping women find business success. Based in Bluffton, she also runs the Lowcountry Women’s Network, a monthly gathering for women in business. Reach: Lucy@ smartmarketingcommunications.com

5 Fast Steps to Hiring Your First Team Member

1. Write the role, not a wish list. Define outcomes, hours, tools, and success metrics.

2. Start part-time or project-based. Test the fit before you scale the hours.

3. Recruit from your real world. Referrals, local groups, and past clients beat generic job boards.

4. Systemize from day one. Checklists + short screen-recordings = fewer “quick questions.”

5. Meet weekly, measure monthly. Keep two standing check-ins and track 2–3 simple KPIs.

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By Wendy Kushel Contributor

“Where’s the fire?”

It’s a phrase people used to say — especially in the 70s and 80s — when someone moved a little too fast. It meant: slow down… relax… you’ve got time. Why the rush?

But some people hear that question differently.

Because sometimes the fire isn’t outside. Sometimes the fire is inside.

There are people who live comfortably at one speed. They wake up, go to work, come home, put their feet on the ottoman, turn on the TV, and repeat. Nothing wrong with that — they worked hard for it. Stability is the goal. Calm is the reward. Predictability feels safe.

Then there are the other people. The ones whose brains never stop mov-

Where’s the Fire?

ing. Thinking, building, learning, fixing, trying, failing, trying again — sometimes all before lunch. Their mind doesn’t idle; it revs. Ideas spin constantly. Plans form at odd hours. Solutions appear where others see problems.

Those people get asked, Where’s the fire?

For them, the answer is simple: the fire lives in the gut, the heart, the brain — the whole body. It’s the internal engine pushing forward before there’s a map. It’s throwing spaghetti at the wall not because they’re lost, but because they’re searching for their place in the world. Movement creates clarity. Action creates understanding.

But that pace makes others uncomfortable. Not intentionally — just naturally. When someone is constantly doing, building, and risking, it disrupts the calm rhythm around them. The couch-sitters feel tired just watching. The planners feel uneasy around unpredictability. The secure feel nervous around possibility. So they say, slow down. They don’t mean harm. They mean

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relief — mostly for themselves.

They’ve earned rest. They like their 9-to-5, their retirement, their savings, their schedule. Comfort is success to them, and they achieved it. Watching someone sprint toward uncertainty feels exhausting.

But for the person with the fire, slowing

down isn’t peaceful — it’s suffocating.

The motion isn’t chaos; it’s oxygen.

Not everyone is wired for constant motion, just as not everyone is wired for stillness. One isn’t better than the other. They’re simply different operating systems.

Some people rest to feel alive. Some people build to feel alive.

So when they hear, Where’s the fire? They already know the answer.

The fire isn’t a problem to solve — it’s a fuel to use.

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 standup 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.

How Do You Define Wealth?

Thomas Dowling, Head of Wealth Management at AGP of the Lowcountry, has launched Defining Wealth: Beyond the Numbers

Each 20-minute episode explores how local business and leaders measure wealth, while highlighting the relationships, purpose, and passions that matter most.

LISTEN NOW. New episodes released each week.

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

The Village at Wexford Hilton Head Island 843.420.1993 infohh@allianceg.com agplowcountry.com

By Matt Uppenbrink Contributor

One of the most common misconceptions about independent living communities is that residents must sacrifice personal style and individuality. The reality couldn’t be more different. Lowcountry residents transitioning to community living, creating a personalized, distinctive home that reflects an active lifestyle is not just possible, it’s encouraged and celebrated. Beyond four walls: indoor-outdoor living

Modern independent living residences here in the Lowcountry embrace the region’s natural beauty through thoughtful design. Private patios and balconies become extensions of living spaces, offering front-row seats to spectacular spring dis-

Your home, your rules

plays—blooming azaleas and the vibrant greens of coastal landscaping.

Research from environmental psychology demonstrates the profound importance of personalized living spaces to well-being. A landmark study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that folks who personalize their living environments experience greater life satisfaction and stronger sense of identity. Your home isn’t just where you live, it’s an extension of who you are and how you want to live. Creating your active lifestyle hub

Personalizing community living means designing spaces that support your passions. Avid cyclists create bike storage and maintenance areas. Golfers display memorabilia and practice putting on private patios. Gardeners transform balconies into flourishing container gardens filled with herbs, flowers, and even tomatoes. The beauty of community living is combining personalized private spaces with easy access to amenities. Store your kayak in community facilities, personalize your home office overlooking marshlands views, and return from morning beach walks to a space that’s distinctly yours. Bringing the outdoors in

Lowcountry residents understand the connection between environment and vitality. Many style their homes to maximize natural light and views. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Spanish moss-draped oaks. Sliding doors open to patios. Interior color schemes echo coastal palettes.

Studies emphasize that maintaining continuity of identity through major life transitions supports psychological well-being. Personalizing your space creates this essential continuity while embracing new possibilities.

Freedom to focus on what matters

Here’s the transformative advantage: creative control over your interior space while professionals handle exterior maintenance and landscaping. Those hours previously spent on yard work? Now available for morning bike rides on beach paths or simply enjoying spring’s spectacular beauty from your personalized patio sanctuary.

Your interior spaces can also be inviting to your friends and neighbors, either through an impromptu visit or cocktail hour before dinner, or cards on a rainy weekend. Display your coastal photography collection, create a meditation corner

overlooking gardens, or designate a sunny spot for watercolor painting.

Coastal contemporary to classic elegance

Whether your aesthetic is mid-century modern, Carolina traditional, or contemporary minimalist, your home can authentically reflect your style. Your collection of Lowcountry landscape paintings? They deserve proper display in your personalized gallery wall.

The National Institute on Aging recognizes that environmental factors significantly influence aging experiences. A personalized living environment supporting both indoor comfort and outdoor activity access contributes substantially to overall quality of life and continued vitality.

For Lowcountry residents, community living means creating a home as unique as you are while connecting you to the active, beautiful lifestyle that makes this region so special and extraordinary.

Matt Uppenbrink, MS Gerontology, is the Executive Director of The Seabrook of Hilton Head. To learn more or to schedule a tour visit www.theseabrook.com or call

Spillin’ the Tea

Bluffton’s quiet waterman

By Paul Tollefson Contributor

A tribute to Mr. Sinh C. Vo 1941-2026

Some people live in a place. Others become part of it.

Mr. Sinh Cong Vo belonged to that second group. If you spent any time around Bluffton, especially near the May River, chances are you knew Sinh, even if you never formally met him. He was simply there, moving through town with quiet familiarity, often smiling, often heading somewhere with purpose. Always with that smile.

Sinh was known as a true waterman, a man whose life revolved around the river in a way that felt both natural and inseparable. He knew the tides, the oyster beds, and the hidden stretches of water that only years of experience can reveal. Younger generations recall searching for him on the river, knowing that if they found Sinh, they would find guidance, advice, and more often than not, help filling their buckets. He was generous with knowledge, generous with time, and generous with spirit.

Sinh’s presence in Bluffton stretches back further than many realize. References to him can be found as early as the 1970s, reminders of a life that unfolded alongside the town’s own transformation. Over the decades, he became one of those familiar constants, a steady figure woven into the everyday backdrop of river life.

Like many who make their living on the water, Sinh’s path was not without hardship. There were times when luck did not seem to be on his side, moments that

became part of local lore, money stolen from his car, an electric bike tossed into the May River. Yet what stands out just as clearly in these stories is not the misfortune itself, but what followed.

The community always rallied around him.

It was Bluffton at its most recognizable, neighbors stepping forward, people lending a hand, small acts of generosity that spoke volumes. Time and again, Sinh found support from the very town he had quietly become part of, a reflection of the unique, giving spirit that defines Bluffton at its best.

But Sing was more than a fixture on the water. He was, by all accounts, a genuine Bluffton character.

He was often seen riding through town on an ever changing collection of scooters, bikes, and inventive forms of transportation that he frequently seemed to assemble himself. His station wagon, regularly packed to the brim, became nearly as recognizable as the man behind the wheel.

There was a quiet resourcefulness about him, a creativity that reflected a life built not on excess, but on making things work.

And work he did.

For decades, Sinh harvested the May River, earning deep respect as a dedicated and tireless worker. Friends recall that he never seemed to age, returning from long days shrimping while others looked worn and weathered, Sing stepping off the boat smiling as if the river had somehow given him energy instead of taking it.

He carried humor wherever he went. Stories of Sinh are filled with laughter, gentle teasing, and moments that feel uniquely Bluffton. One friend recalled asking why Sinh’s English still sounded so distinct after so many years. The answer came easily and with perfect affection.

“He didn’t learn English. He learned Gullah.”

Beneath the familiar presence, beneath the easy smile, was a remarkable story. Sinh arrived in the United States as a refugee following the Vietnam War, part of a generation whose lives were shaped by upheaval, uncertainty, and resilience. Like many who found their way here, he built a life through persistence, hard work, and determi-

nation.

Over time, Bluffton did what Bluffton has always done at its best. It made room.

Sinh was no longer simply someone who came from somewhere else. He became part of the everyday landscape, part of the rhythm of the river, part of the shared memory of the town itself. He was known not for drawing attention, but for the small, steady interactions that somehow meant so much — a smile, a greeting, a joke, a helping hand.

Bluffton has lost one of its originals, but like the river he loved, Sinh’s presence will linger in the stories, the memories, and the countless quiet moments he leaves behind.

Paul Tollefson is the Director of Tennis at the Hampton Hall Club. After moving from Hilton Head to Bluffton he became enthralled with the history of the town and the people and cultures that call it home. He has found a passion in writing and enjoys being able to share the stories and pictures of long-time locals. He is the co-creator of the Facebook page “Bluffton Then and Now.”

Memory Matters launches SAVVY training for caregivers

Memory Matters is offering a training program designed to support family members caring for loved ones living with dementia.

The nonprofit will host the SAVVY Caregiver Course, an evidence-based program developed to help unpaid caregivers better understand memory loss, manage behavioral changes and reduce stress associated with long-term caregiving.

According to national research from organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, more than half of family caregivers report high levels of emotional stress, and many experience symptoms of depression or burnout. Caregiving without formal training can increase the risk of isolation and health challenges, experts say.

The SAVVY Caregiver Course will be

offered both virtually and in person this year at TidePointe on Hilton Head Island, The Palmettos of Bluffton and the Lowcountry Community Center in Beaufort. Additional locations may be announced. The multi-session program focuses on building caregivers’ knowledge of dementia, strengthening communication skills and improving confidence in day-to-day decision-making. Participants are also introduced to strategies aimed at coping with difficult behaviors and maintaining their own well-being.

Memory Matters provides caregiver education, support programs and brain health initiatives across the region. Registration is required for the SAVVY course, and space is limited. The five session course is offered in March and April. More information is available at mymemorymatters.org/events.

Nature’s Way

The art of seeing outside the box

By Collins Doughtie Contributor

A few days back, I was finally able to get out and fish with a friend of mine who had asked me to show him the ropes of saltwater fishing. He was quick to admit that pretty much all the fishing he had done up to this point had been in freshwater and, having just bought a boat, he felt rather lost in the big world of saltwater fishing. “Everything looks the same,” he told me. “One creek looks like the next, so how in the heck do you find places that hold fish?”

How many times have I heard this same question? If I had to guess, I think that number would be in the thousands. But no matter how many times that question has been asked of me, my answer is always the same — “Use your eyes, because saltwater fishing is no different from freshwater fishing. Look for points, look for structure, and if you really keep your eyes peeled, saltwater fish will often reveal themselves as they blast through bait, just like you’re used to seeing a largemouth bass going after a minnow or small shad.”

Getting back to the fishing excursion, I decided to take him to one of my redfish honey holes, and right off the bat, he was taken aback by its location. His boat was a little 15-foot flats boat, a boat that can get into some pretty darn shallow water. To get to where I wanted to fish, we had to tilt the motor all the way up and paddle in toward the shoreline until we could go no further. Instantly, I could see a look in his eyes that said a light bulb — a 150-watt bulb — had gone off in his brain.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said. “I would have never imagined fish could be in such shallow water as this.” If everything went according to plan, I knew that at a particular tide the redfish would show up, so I told him to keep his eyes open and look for fish busting or making wakes on the flats. In a nutshell, I wanted him to look and see the things that I am so used to seeing. Sounds like a tongue twister, doesn’t it? For the first twenty minutes, I got a bit frustrated because as he was looking one way, I was seeing reds busting the other way. “Did you see that?” I would ask. “No, what?” I felt like I was on Candid Camera or something because I was seeing fish tailing all over the place, but by the time he looked to where I was pointing, they were gone. Finally, after nearly an hour, we both got on the same page, and he saw his first tailing redfish. Up until that point, I was certain he was convinced that I was just

messing with him, but it wasn’t until he saw that gold back and blue tail come out of the water that he realized I was telling the truth the entire time.

I don’t care if you are fishing in six inches of water or six hundred feet of water; your eyes are the key to being a successful saltwater fisherman. You can have the most expensive rods and reels, the coolest and most expensive flats boat ever made, but if you don’t use your eyes, you might as well hang it up. Some people are naturals when it comes to being observant of their surroundings, but on the flip side, I repeatedly notice others who struggle with the art of “seeing.”

Maybe it has something to do with where and how you were raised. For example, whenever I go to New York City or some other large metropolitan area, I notice that people simply won’t look you in the face as they pass by. Maybe it’s a defensive mechanism (or it’s because I’m

just plain ugly), but for this Southern boy, I can’t get enough “people watching” when I hit the big city. Even right here in the Lowcountry, I am always looking around. When driving my car and I notice a bald eagle soaring above me, I can’t help but watch these magnificent birds. But then I stop at a stoplight, look at the person in the car next to me, and they not only haven’t seen the eagle but also couldn’t seem to care less, even if it were a massive B-52 bomber flying directly overhead. Yep, I truly believe that most avid outdoorsmen’s brains have honed their senses to see things differently from the majority of the general population. Using this God-given ability, which it truly is, my plan for this coming fishing season is to target a certain species of fish that is pretty much overlooked around here — tripletail. In the past four or five years, I have managed to catch a fair number of these prehistoric-looking fish, but only because I have gone looking for them. Having done that, my eyes and brain now appear to be working together so that when I pass by a tripletail drifting along on the surface, my eyes instantly see it. So work on training your brain to see, and you’ll be amazed at what a difference it will make the next time you head out, whether it’s on the water or simply walking to the end of your driveway. Believe me when I say a whole new world will come into focus — and what a world it is!

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

Why we dance

By Sandro Virag Contributor

Dance is fun – plain and simple. It doesn’t have to be fancy or formal, and it doesn’t have to happen in a studio or on a stage. Sometimes you might find yourself dancing in your living room or in your kitchen while you are waiting for that cup of coffee.

The great thing about dancing is it’s free, it’s fun and it’s easy to move your body to a beat. How many times do you find yourself tapping your foot to a song on the radio or dancing around the kitchen a bit while preparing dinner? You don’t need to be a professional to enjoy dancing. Think of it as little bursts of joy in your everyday routines.

Why do we feel the urge to dance to music? In the brain, the cerebellum and the basal ganglia act as key nodes linking the auditory cortex to motor areas, matching sound rhythms to movement timing. These areas, along with the supplementary motor area and pre-motor cortex, form a network that predicts and participants to the beat.This applies to every age – from babies to mature brains. The urge to move to music is deeply rooted. It is a “hardwired” phenomenon, even in people who don’t necessarily

enjoy music.

Furthermore, songs associated with emotional memories create a stronger urge to dance than familiar songs alone. Dancing comes benefits other than just improving your mood – it improves fitness. Dancing gives people stronger bones, a decrease in blood pressure, increases muscle tone, a reduced risk of heart disease, reduces stress and improves memory.

Dance also has a way of bringing people together without words. Whether you dance alone or in a group, you are sharing energy, rhythm and expression. So many things in our daily lives feel rushed and stressful where dance gives us a chance to pause, breathe and enjoy the moment.

So let loose and have a good time. Feel good when you nail a move and don’t worry about mistakes. Just get moving to the music and see who wants to join in. Make it part of your everyday life no matter how good you are. Let the movement be a reminder that joy can be simple and spontaneous and exactly what you need.

Sandro Virag is a partner and instructor at Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio of Hilton Head, hiltonheadballroom.com.

Preserving muscle becomes more important with age

By Chad Cannon Contributor

One of the most overlooked aspects of nutrition, especially for adults over 40, is eating to preserve muscle.

Muscle plays a serious role in maintaining strength, metabolism, balance, injury prevention, and overall independence. However, what many people do not realize is that muscle loss begins earlier than expected. Adults begin losing muscle mass as early as their 30s if they are not actively working to maintain it. This can gradually reduce strength and functional ability over time. The combination of regular strength training and proper nutrition is one of the most effective ways to slow or

even reverse this process.

While exercise often receives most of the attention, nutrition plays an equally important role.

Maintaining muscle helps in movements such as climbing stairs, carrying groceries, getting up from the floor, and preventing falls. It’s not all about physical appearance or athletic performance.

Muscle tissue also supports metabolism, helps the body regulate blood sugar and maintain healthy body fat. As muscle mass decreases, many adults notice a decrease in energy and difficulty maintaining weight and strength.

I’ve spoken about protein in my the last few articles and how it’s one of the primary nutrients responsible for building and maintaining muscle. As people age, the body becomes less efficient at using protein to support muscle repair and growth. Older adults usually require higher protein intake than younger individuals.

One of the main mistakes people make is consuming most of their daily protein at dinner. The body benefits more when

protein is spread out throughout the day. Eating protein consistently helps with muscle repair, energy levels, and helps appetite control.

Common protein sources include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products such as Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, beans, legumes, and protein supplements when appropriate. Try incorporating protein as almost half of each meal.

Many adults under-eat in an effort to stay healthy or maintain weight. While counting calories can be beneficial, consistently consuming too few nutrients, especially protein, can increase muscle loss and reduce strength.

Maintaining muscle requires giving both resistance training and the building materials through proper nutrition.

Exercise alone is often not enough to maintain muscle long term. Strength training sends a signal to the body to preserve and build muscle, but protein and overall nutrition provide the resources necessary to support that process to preserve and build.

Adults who combine regular resistance training with adequate protein intake often see improvements in strength, recovery, balance, and overall health.

Eating to preserve muscle does not require extreme diets or complicated meal plans as many people think. Simple habits such as including a protein source with each meal and being consistent with eating patterns can have significant longterm benefits.

As we’re living longer than ever before, most of us don’t just want more yearswe want good years. Years where we can move with ease, stay independent, and keep doing the things we love. One of the simplest and most powerful ways to make that happen is by taking care of our muscles. Through consistent movement and nourishing food, we can maintain a high quality of life.

Chad Cannon is a health & fitness coach, success coach and owner of the CannonFit Transformation Center in Bluffton. www. cannonfit.com

Downsizing without losing your family history

By Rhoda Gordon Contributor

For many families in our area, downsizing is part of a new chapter. Whether it is moving closer to grandchildren, simplifying daily life, or settling into a home that better fits the present, many of us are transplants. Along with that transition often comes a task few people feel prepared for: sorting through decades of photographs and memorabilia. What looks like a few boxes at first quickly reveals a lifetime of moments, relationships and stories that no one wants to lose.

The challenge isn’t just deciding what fits in the new house. It’s deciding what carries meaning. Photos don’t behave like furniture or kitchenware; their value isn’t measured by size or usefulness. A small envelope can hold fifty years of family history, and a single unlabeled photo can

leave future generations wondering who that person was and why they mattered. One of the most common mistakes families make is waiting until the last minute. When moving day approaches, decisions become rushed and emotional. Boxes get divided quickly among siblings, or worse, set aside with the intention of “dealing with them later.” Unfortunately, later often means details are forgotten and stories are lost. Downsizing works best when photos are approached as a project of preservation, not just decluttering.

Start by separating the process into two goals: protecting memories and reducing volume. You don’t need to keep every duplicate or blurry image to preserve the story. Begin with a single box and sort broadly into time periods without worrying about perfection. You can group photos into general eras — childhood, school years, young family, later years — rather than by individual people. Many families find they get stuck when a single photo includes several relatives, which can stall progress. Working in time periods keeps momentum moving and allows details about individuals to be added later, once the larger story is in place. As familiar faces appear, write down names and

relationships on a sheet of paper or record a quick voice memo. Capturing context matters far more than finishing quickly. Many families discover this becomes an unexpected opportunity for connection. Parents recall events their children never knew about, and grandchildren

learn about relatives they never met. The process often turns from a stressful task into a shared experience, allowing family members to participate in deciding what should move forward into the next chapter together.

I often remind families that downsizing isn’t about letting go of your history; it’s about choosing how to carry it with you. With a little time and intention, your photos can move into your next home organized, identified and ready to be enjoyed rather than stored away. The goal isn’t to keep everything, but to keep what tells your story.

Rhoda Gordon, a local Certified Photo Manager, is the owner of Sunflower Photo Solutions and the creator of DIG YOUR PHOTOS!™, a DIY photo organizing kit. For a decade, she has been helping families and businesses sort, organize, digitize, and back up their print and digital photo collections. Discover more tips, tricks, and how-tos on her YouTube channel: youtube. com/@digyourphotos, and visit sunflowerphotosolutions.com or digyourphotos.com for expert guidance and support with your media collection and organizing projects.

By Rev. Therese Donlan Lee Contributor

As we journey into 2026, many of us find ourselves quietly wondering, among the loud newscasts, “What is it that my heart truly desires for my life?” If we’re honest, perhaps we recognize a gentle uncertainty; we’ve wished for things, but have we really tuned in to authentic desire? It’s easy for our thoughts to be scattered — daily life fills our minds with clutter, obscuring the clear sense of purpose we carried into this world. Unity’s third principle gently reminds us: “Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind.” Jesus, our way shower in Unity, revealed a path for us to invite the desires of our hearts into our everyday living. Scripture tells us He said, “Whatever you pray and ask for, believe

Live while you’re alive

that you have received it, and it will be yours.” He wasn’t promising that every whim is granted; rather, He points us toward the deeper work of believing. Unity’s teachings invite us to focus on this process. When we nurture faith— when we steady our minds in trust—we begin to notice the quiet power that resides within each of us. Then comes the asking. We are called to discern our true desires, to approach our prayers with intention and clarity. His wisdom is gentle but firm: it is from the convictions that ring true in our hearts, not the fleeting wishes, that our lives will be shaped. Remember, He said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” The calling is that sacred longing—the inner nudge to expand, to become more, to contribute.

I recall this yearning stirring within me at 16, quietly asking for my attention. I tried to ignore it, pursuing and achieving worldly success, all while weaving Unity’s spiritual teachings into my everyday choices and interactions. But by 39, I could no longer ignore the call. I gave back my golden handcuffs, released the comforts of corporate life, and followed the call to seminary, ultimately being ordained at 47.

SPRENGER ASSISTED LIVING

Each of us, when we pause to listen for the still, small voice and gather our energies toward what matters, will sense where we are being guided. Our work is to keep our minds open—to trust that the Divine will carry forth the details when we answer the call with faith. In time, I have come to know that true happiness awakens in those who discover and embrace how to contribute by being of service. In offering ourselves, love and joy are awakened within, and creativity begins to flow. New possibilities and ideas swirl around us.

We affirm we are possibilitarians. We become clear: wishes transform, some fading away, others blossoming into purpose. Let your deepest desires find their voice. Allow yourself to be a living part of the divine creative process—let your wishes ripen into heart-centered beliefs. Live— fully, intentionally, beautifully—while you are alive.

Rev. Therese Donlan Lee is the senior minister of Unity Spiritual Center on Hilton Head Island. revthereseunityhiltonhead@gmail.com

By Tamela Maxim Contributor

Day 27: From the Ark to Samburu

The next morning began early with breakfast at 6:30 and departure at 7:45 toward the Samburu region. Along the way, we kept an eye out for Samburu’s “special five”: the Grevy’s zebra, black leopard, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the longnecked gerenuk.

Sande arrived later than expected. A potentially dangerous elephant had blocked his way, delaying his arrival. We later encountered that same elephant. He made a half-hearted attempt to block the road, offering both excitement and tension, but thankfully, he let us go by. If you encounter an elephant who signals a bit of crazy, you wait. If you go forward, the elephant might charge. If you back up, the elephant might charge. If you stay still, the elephant might lose interest and leave. It’s good to always choose Door Number 3. You might be stuck for minutes or hours, but nobody with any sense messes with an unstable pachyderm.

A journey through Kenya

From the Ark to Samburu

At 8:15, several nearby elephants were walking through the mist-shrouded trees, and I captured some magical video moments.

As we drove on, Sande shared more about himself—his name was passed down from his grandfather, and his family numbers over 5,000 members. His grandfather, Sandruok, had been a rainmaker, chief, and respected dispute settler with sixty wives and great wealth from the gifts he received for his counsel. We loved listening to Sande’s stories and learning about the history, culture, and wildlife.

The road wound past Trout Tree Restaurant, beside ponds stocked with trout—an introduced species in the Mt. Kenya region. In Nanyuki, we noted windbreaks of pine trees, fields of canola and potatoes, and even elephant tunnels constructed beneath the highway to reduce animal-vehicle conflict.

The region has a deep history: Meru National Park, the filming site of Born Free; Lewa Downs Conservancy, a holiday retreat for celebrities and host to marathons where runners compete alongside wildlife; and the tall, slender Turkana

people, whose roots trace back to Ethiopia. Remnants of the old British-Italian conflict were found in place names such as Buffalo Springs, an area bombed in error by forces intending to target Nairobi. The blast opened a natural spring that buffalo now frequent.

Arrival at Samburu Simba Lodge brought us to the nearby Buffalo Springs tourist site, where you could swim in the freezing water (we declined) and the Uaso Nyiro River, which we could view from our rooms. Wildlife here included elephants, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, Beisa oryx, and the long-necked gerenuk. Lodge life followed a rhythm— scheduled Wi-Fi windows and tea breaks.

On our afternoon drive, we were treated to beautiful doum palms, the only palm trees with more than one trunk. We witnessed Thompson’s gazelles signaling readiness to mate (they lift their tails), weaver nests which always face the leeward side of acacia trees, and a termite mound inhabited by a squirrel. Birds dotted the landscape—the tawny eagle, bee eaters, yellow-necked spurfowls, sandgrouse, Somali sparrows, and crowned plovers.

Then came the crescendo: the chanting goshawk’s cry led us toward a leopard— the elusive chui. Sande took us on a thrilling high-speed, driving-over-small-trees kind of chase, with jeep-to-jeep chatter with other safari guides sharing moment-by-moment instructions on which way to go. Sande zipped us along, road or no road, whipping us in every direction to keep up with the leopard’s attempt to lose us. But Sande was determined, and we caught up with the elusive cat. It was late; we’d been zooming for hours; it was way past dinner time, but Sande patiently waited while we oohed and ahhed, snapped photos, took videos, and soaked it up. Then he miraculously knew exactly how to get back “home” for a very late dinner and some well-earned rest.

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.

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Making Home Improvements or Thinking About Selling?

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HOME SELLING, STAGING & PREP WORKSHOP

» Current buyer trends and preferences

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Hosted by The Haven at New Riverside The Retreat in The Magnolia Room 103 Whistlers Walk, Bluffton