The Sun City Sun • February 17, 2026

Take me out to the ballgame

BY ANDREA HOERNER Contributor

For both participants and spectators, softball games are a favorite Sun City pastime. Watching friends and neighbors play at beautiful Veterans Memorial Field—complete with sunshine and hot dogs—who could ask for more? And best of all, it’s free.

In 1997, Nat Shapiro and Frank Giglinto petitioned Del Webb, Inc., for a softball field and started the Sun City Men’s Softball Club. The field was located where Magnolia Hall now stands. Play was informal and the league consisted of two teams. Field conditions were austere.

Fast forward to 2026, and the Sun City Softball Club is a slow pitch softball club with more than 400 players, both men and women. Games are officiated by volunteers from the membership who receive regular training. Outside of their spring and fall seasons, various activities are offered to keep even the most ardent players and fans happy and engaged. The four leagues include player drafts, regular season games, and playoffs with champions crowned. Thirty-two teams make up the two leagues, which accommodate skilled and intermediate players. Team sponsors provide their uniforms. The weekend league and women’s league on Saturdays round out the schedule.

Their newer Player Development Program provides instruction for club members and new residents who want to learn or improve their softball skills and general knowledge of senior slow pitch softball. The club’s goal remains unchanged: to provide a social forum for members to engage in the game of softball with an emphasis on fair, balanced and safe competition.

Eliabeth Gawrysiak, an enthusiastic player, says: “The Sun City Softball Club is a wonderful club to be a part of. I didn’t play softball before I moved to Sun City. I

learned to play through Wednesday instructional and playing on teams. I was a member of the very first season of the WSL Women’s Softball League in 2019. The entire softball club is a great group of people and the camaraderie is amazing.”

For some Sun City residents this might be considered a family activity with several couples active in league play: George and Cindy Kalogeris, Rosie and Tom Battaglia, Dennis and Lyn McGuire, Dave and Roma McCloskey and Joe and Shannon Bullock.

Committed to giving back to the community, the softball club sponsors activities such as pet adoption days, a Backpack Buddies tournament, and supports Wreaths Across America.

Holly Meckley has been president for four years and is excited about the changes that have occurred. All games are shown on YouTube, the club has a Facebook page, and their popular Hot Dog Days on Tuesday and Saturday, now include more menu choices such as pulled pork, nachos, chili and ice cream. When asked about her involvement in the club, Holly said: “I’ve enjoyed sports all my life. I love the competition and playing.”

The softball club’s opening days are the week of February 24. May is a busy month with Championship Day, Peachtree Visit, North/South Rivalry Games, a picnic and Memorial Day military games.

For more information, visit their website suncitysoftball.com, or contact Holly Meckley at hmmeckley@gmail.com.

BY GARY SMYTHE Contributor

Listing early this spring can pay off

Traditionally, spring is the busiest season in real estate, but there can be real advantages to listing early in the spring rather than waiting until late April or May. If selling is on your radar this year, here’s why an early spring listing may work in your favor. Less competition, more attention

In the Bluffton and Hilton Head area, inventory typically increases as spring progresses. Listing early means your home may come on the market before that wave of new listings arrives. Fewer competing homes can translate into more buyer attention, more showings, and potentially stronger offers. When buyers

have fewer choices, well-prepared homes tend to stand out.

Motivated buyers are looking

Serious buyers don’t wait for perfect weather. Many are relocating for work, retirement, or trying to secure a home before the peak season heats up. Early spring buyers are often highly motivated and prepared to act quickly. These buyers tend to be well-qualified and focused, which can lead to smoother negotiations and fewer surprises.

Better pricing position

When inventory is lower, pricing pressure often favors sellers. Early spring listings frequently benefit from a stronger pricing position before comparable homes set new benchmarks later in the season. Even if a home ultimately sells closer to summer, starting earlier allows sellers to test the market while buyer demand is building rather than peaking.

More time, less stress

One overlooked benefit of listing early

is flexibility. An early start provides more time to respond to market feedback, make adjustments, and stay ahead of the rush. Sellers who wait until late spring often feel pressured by timelines, overlapping transactions, or the need to buy their next home quickly. Starting early allows for a more thoughtful, less stressful process. Homes show well in early spring

In the Lowcountry, early spring is an ideal time for presentation. Yards green up, daylight lasts longer, and homes feel brighter and more inviting. Small improvements like fresh mulch, light interior updates, and decluttering make a big impact before summer heat arrives.

A

head start on your next move

Many sellers are also buyers. Listing early can provide clarity and confidence when making an offer on another home. In competitive situations, sellers who already have their home under contract — or at least well-positioned on the market — often have an advantage.

Preparation is key

An early spring listing works best when paired with good preparation. That includes understanding the local market, choosing the right pricing strategy, and deciding which improvements will deliver the best return. Not every update makes sense, and timing matters.

If you’re considering selling this year, now is a great time to start the conversation. Even if you’re not quite ready to list, having a plan in place can make all the difference when spring arrives. As always, real estate is local, and the right strategy depends on your goals, your home, and current market conditions.

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

BY DAVID HACKETT Contributor

As life circumstances change, even simple daily tasks can become unexpectedly difficult. For many people, stepping over the high wall of a traditional bathtub becomes one of those challenges. Whether because of decreased balance, limited flexibility, recovery from surgery or the natural effects of aging, getting in and out of the tub can shift from a routine activity to a potential safety hazard.

For one longtime client, that reality became personal. His father, who recently celebrated turning “90 years young,” had always been independent and determined to care for himself. A car accident several years ago, however, left him with reduced mobility in his legs. Although he remained mentally sharp and committed to

Watch your step

his daily routines, lifting his leg over the bathtub wall became painful, tiring and, at times, unsafe. The family grew concerned not only about the physical strain but also about the risk of a fall.

They explored common solutions, including walk-in tubs, full bathroom remodels and replacing the bathtub with a walk-in shower. Each option involved significant expense, lengthy timelines and weeks of disruption. The family wanted a solution that was simple, safe, effective and reasonably priced.

They eventually found the CleanCut Step-In Tub Conversion Kit, a system designed to modify an existing bathtub into a lower-threshold entry. Rather than removing the entire tub or undertaking a major renovation, the system alters the existing structure. The installation takes a fraction of the time of a traditional remodel, and the cost is less than half of what most bathroom renovations require.

For the father, the change was immediate. The barrier that had made showering difficult was reduced, allowing him to

step in and out more easily and with greater confidence. He could step in and out of the tub with confidence, without lifting his leg high, without fear of losing his balance, and without relying on someone else for help. It restored not just convenience but dignity, independence, and

The Jolly Green Giant

peace of mind.

CleanCut conversion kits are available in multiple sizes to accommodate standard, garden-style and oversized bathtubs. The units can also be refinished in durable industrial aerospace epoxy coatings, available in hundreds of colors, including faux granite or quartz styles to match any décor.

Whether you prefer a DIY project or would rather hire a professional bathtub conversion and refinishing expert, this system offers an accessible, affordable way to keep your home safe and functional. For homeowners facing mobility challenges — whether temporary or long term struggling with entering or exiting the bathtub — a bathtub conversion may be the safest, smartest, and most cost-effective solution.

David Hackett lives in Bluffton and is the owner of Castle Coatings, a bathtub refinisher with over ten years in the business. CastleCoatings.biz

BY CHRIS ROOSA Contributor

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I love it far more than Christmas. I saw Christmas as nothing but a lot of extra work for mothers: shopping for dozens of gifts, spending evenings wrapping and putting special ribbons on each present. Then there was putting up and taking down the Christmas tree, along with an assortment of decorations. Let’s not forget grocery shopping and preparing a special feast for the family and in-laws. And, as you must know by now, I hate to cook. So Christmas was my least favorite holiday. But Halloween! That was a special time for children to have some innocent fun.

This particular year, our ten-year-old son wanted to go dressed as the Jolly Green Giant. He was tall for his age, and

it would probably be his last year to trickor-treat. I mixed up a concoction of makeup and green food coloring and lathered this on his face and upper torso. One of our daughters went as a black trash bag, with holes cut into the bag for her feet and hands. I stuffed the bag with an assortment of newspapers and towels to give it the bulky roundness that was needed before tying it around her neck.

Off they went into the warm Houston evening with their pillowcases in tow. They both looked so adorable.

Parents sat on the curb watching the parade of youngsters while handing out candy. Designer jeans were in style for women, worn with 4-inch high heels. One of our female neighbors was walking with her children, donning her designer outfit. She took these tiny little steps as she passed by. My husband’s remark was that she walked like she had a hamburger

squeezed between her knees and didn’t want to lose the pickle.

Later the children returned home with their stash of candy, excited to see how much they could stuff into their mouths before bedtime. By then, we were sitting in front of the next-door neighbor’s house, as the flow of trick-or-treaters had slowed down to a dribble. I told my son to wash up and get ready for bed.

About thirty minutes later, he came back to the curb still very green. He was really upset. He told me he couldn’t get “the green” washed off his face or body. He had even taken a shower but still was, in fact, very much the same color.

It was just about that time when my “green giant” began crying because I was laughing so hysterically. I couldn’t quit! The tears were rolling down my cheeks. The more I laughed, the harder he cried. How was he going to attend school the

next day as a green person? I couldn’t help it; I laughed even harder.

Upon returning home, I scrubbed him even more aggressively, to no avail. Unfortunately, the child had to attend school like that the rest of the week until he eventually turned back to normal. That process took days, along with a lot of showers.

As much as we adore our adult children, it’s so heartwarming to look back on those special times with loving memories. They too have now gone through years of watching their own children dress up for Halloween. And they also have had the joy of seeing those broad smiles light up as their children trick-ortreat the neighborhood for candy.

3rd

Creative Vision 2026 shines despite snow-shortened run

BY JOE TURINO Contributor

Snow, bitter cold, and extreme winter weather forced Sun City’s Creative Vision 2026 to close earlier than planned—but not before Friday visitors made their voices heard. Originally scheduled to run from Friday, January 30th through Sunday, February 1st, the 13th annual celebration of art and photography was shortened to a single day, yet still drew robust attendance by Sun City residents, steady voting, and clear winners. First place pairing honors went to artist Linda Hilts and photographer David

Simpson for their collaborative work titled ‘The Conversation.’ Second place pairing was awarded to artist Jan Urbanic and photographer Barbara Moschella for their entries titled ‘Autumn Reflections,’ while third place pairing went to artist Jane Caparo and photographer Richard Miller for ‘Bathing Beauties’ and ‘Roseate Reflections.’

The Individual category awards followed. Jan Urbanic earned art first place for ‘Autumn Reflections,’ marking a second top honor for the same work, while Harriet Forbes received art second place for ‘Endearing Pastel.’ In photography, Corky Burt captured first place with

‘Leaving for Food,’ while Mike Davis earned second place for ‘Starry Night.’

Specialty awards rounded out the honors. Glasscrafter Jill Kooken received first place glass for ‘Pink Pirouette,’ and woodworker Sandy Tignor won first place wood for ‘Intarsia, Climbing Flowers.’ Creative Vision remains one of Sun City’s most distinctive exhibitions, pairing photographers with artists, glasscrafters, and woodworkers to create original interpretations inspired by a single photograph. The event is made possible each year through the creativity of its entrants, the combined efforts of volunteers from all participating clubs, and the con-

tinued support of sponsors. This year’s show featured 146 participants, including 73 photographers, 61 artists, eight glasscrafters, and four woodworkers.

According to veteran photography club member John Burrack, this marked the first time in the event’s 13-year history that Creative Vision was shortened. The only other disruption occurred during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2021, when the event was canceled in advance.

Even compressed into a single winter day, Creative Vision 2026 delivered what it does best—collaboration, creativity, and community enthusiasm—making the shortened show a clear success.

BY DR. JEAN HARRIS Contributor

As a golf professional, I often see golfers who think they can buy themselves a better golf game by purchasing the latest technology. While equipment and proper swing technique are important, the body is the engine behind every golf shot.

Many golfers don’t realize that if they had more flexibility, strength, and balance, they could add more distance to their game and have more energy throughout their golf round.

Playing golf incorrectly can cause injury to your lower back, knees, hips, neck, elbows, and wrists. Being golf fit can take your game to the next level. Identifying and correcting swing flaws will definitely improve your golf game.

Improving your strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance all play a key role

Get golf fit this year

in your golf game. They also help prevent injuries and build confidence.

I am a real advocate of getting into the gym. I recently hired a fitness trainer, and she is helping me with my flexibility and strength.

We have identified several of my physical limitations, and I am now using machines and free weights that will help improve my golf game. I am also looking at my diet and adding more protein.

I am aware of many of my golf errors: early extension of hips, an outside-in swing path, lack of endurance, and not staying focused. In the past, I have not used exercise machines and now realize that they are the way to add more distance to my golf game.

Each week, I try to add either more repetitions and/or more weight to the machines I am using. We will also add more machines to my routine. Below is my cur-

rent exercise routine in the gym.

I have had a hip replacement, and I need to get stronger in this area. Building a stronger lower body can give me more distance. I am now doing squats, lunges, and rotational movements with a medicine ball. I am also using a leg press machine, seated leg curl machine, and seated row machine to gain more strength.

I also need more strength in my upper body. I have added a triceps extensions machine, shoulder press machine, and shoulder lifts machine. I am also using free weights (dumbbells). I am doing chest presses, bicep hammer curls, and triceps extensions. I can also do these at home with light weights.

Finally, I still enjoy doing cardio exercises on the treadmill, elliptical machine, and long walks with my dog, Arnie. Cardio will help me with endurance and focus on the golf course.

Exercise more and make this year the year that you improve your golf fitness.

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

Change 4 Change drive fights childhood hunger

BY JOE TURINO Contributor

Sun City residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for a small cup that delivers an enormous impact in the fight against childhood hunger. As the annual Change 4 Change campaign returns March 2nd to 16th, those familiar cups appearing in neighborhoods across Sun City will once again help turn spare change, cash, and checks into vital support for children and families served by Bluffton and Hardeeville schools.

The community-wide effort is organized by Sun City’s Friends of BackPack Buddies II: Box Program, a 75-member registered Sun City group dedicated to helping address childhood hunger in the Lowcountry.

According to Diane Brayden, communications coordinator for the group, this year’s Change 4 Change campaign is shaping up to be the largest yet, with 63 Sun City neighborhoods participating— up from 56 last year—and more than 90 residents expected to volunteer during the drive.

The need remains significant. Nationwide, more than 14 million children—one in five—live in food-insecure households. Locally, the challenge is even greater. Brayden noted that one in five children in Beaufort County and three in ten children in Jasper County may not get enough food each day.

The local Backpack Buddies of Greater Bluffton and Hardeeville was established in 2010 with a mission to help feed local children facing chronic hunger. Sun City residents joined the effort in 2016. That commitment was formalized in 2017, when the Sun City registered community group became officially established and has continued to grow in reach and impact ever since.

The group helps through a monthly food box program during the school year. Each box contains 18 shelf-stable items designed to help families build meals, including peanut butter, pasta, soup, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, chicken, beans, pancake mix, and granola bars. The average value of food in each box is about $48, Brayden said.

Behind every box is a well-coordinated

volunteer effort. Each month, the group purchases food, transports it to a local church, packs hundreds of boxes, and delivers them to Bluffton and Hardeeville schools for distribution to children and their families. In 2025, the program provided more than 250 boxes per month, helping to feed over 1,000 children and their families throughout the school year.

Funds raised through the Change 4 Change drive help support the purchase of food included in the group’s monthly boxes distributed. Last year’s campaign generated $78,837, a result attributed to strong community support by Edie Autuori, coordinator of the group’s Change 4 Change drive.

When asked about a goal for this year,

Autuori emphasized gratitude over numbers. “We never set a goal—we’re simply thankful for what is raised,” she said. “Our volunteers and contributors realize their efforts and donations help provide much-needed shelf-stable food boxes to the families of Bluffton and Hardeeville.”

Autuori also emphasized the spirit behind the campaign. “We have all heard that it takes a village to raise a child,” she said. “Sun City residents are a perfect example of a community coming together to serve the families of Bluffton and Hardeeville during the annual Change 4 Change campaign.”

As the 2026 Change 4 Change campaign gets underway, Sun City once again proves that generosity lives close to home. Every cup of change, every check, and every volunteer hour helps deliver nutritious food to children in Beaufort and Jasper counties—giving them a better chance to learn, grow, and thrive. It’s a powerful reminder that when Sun City residents come together, small acts of kindness can create lasting change for hundreds of local families.