Into March We Go With News, News and More News!
Volume 1, No. 7 edition of the What's Happening in Bluffton newsletter
Welcome into March, y’all!
Gorgeous weather in Bluffton, and I’m taking a break from battling my backyard weeds to bang out another edition of our newsletter.
Out of the gates, a HUGE thank you to all of the folks recommending the group and putting us over 18,000 members!
So much going on in the community, so much news to share in this edition. Let’s get on with it.
Last Chance to Enter the DJ’s Day Prize Giveaway
Tonight is the night, folks. We are doing a live stream on WHIB to determine the winners of the DJ’s Day of Giving prize giveaway. Here is what our wheel of names looked like as of 10 am this morning.
This is your LAST CHANCE to enter! Drawing of all prizes is TONIGHT!
Do you want your name on this wheel? Do you want to score amazing getaways like a two-night stay at Montage Palmetto Bluff, a $400 gift card from Old Town Bluffton Inn, a family four pack from K1 Speed Bluffton and more?
Each $25 ticket gets you one slot on our Wheel of Names. Buy as many as you like. 100 percent of the monies goes to the Dwon Fields, Jr. Scholarship Fund. Venmo @WHIBTim, CashApp @BTownTDubb or DM me for other payment options!
A Shindig That Gives Back
Congrats to Mike Reynolds and Paul Tollefson from the You Know You’re From Bluffton When … Facebook group, the one group I tell anybody and everybody to join other than WHIB. It is an incredible community-sourced resource for learning all about Bluffton history.
They pulled off a gathering of all the group members and all the folks who wanted to celebrate Bluffton history with their Feb. 19 State of Mind Shindig. More than 500 folks attended the party, read all about it here.
While this year’s party wasn’t intended as a true fundraiser, the ticket sales did raise money to be given back to historical causes around town.
This from Reynolds:
“With the profits we made we donated $300 to the Michael C. Riley Alumni Association and $1553.13 to the Historic Bluffton Foundation/Heyward House Museum. We also committed to working with the Heyward House to better investigate, document and preserve the history of Bluffton‘s black families who descend from Bluffton area slaves. This historic effort is long overdue and must be done soon to maximize that effort.”
And more good news: The Heyward House is re-opening to the public on March 7. Schedule ahead as the staff is still short of docents/tour guides.
Amazing Kindness For Amazing Grace
Heidi Hanson and Kristen Sulak thought they were just going to a house closing to celebrate a cousin’s new home. When they got there, they learned the real party was for them.
The couple lost their daughter, Grace Sulak, was killed in a hit-and-run accident along I-26 on May 7, 2016. They started a scholarship fund in her name, the Amazing Grace Scholarship Fund, which is now in its sixth year of giving scholarships to deserving students.
Bluffton realtor and philanthropist Catherine Donaldson gave her closing fee on the house to the fund, which totaled a whopping $10,498.86!
The donation is part of an ongoing initiative by the Donaldson Group to shine a spotlight on worthy organizations in the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island communities.
Thank you for your leadership, Catherine.
To learn more about the Amazing Grace Sulak Scholarship fund or donate, visit https://bit.ly/3LKnoxx
Have You Heard of the Egg?
The Harmonic Egg is a resonance chamber that utilizes sacred geometry, sound, light, frequency, and vibration to unlock your body's natural ability to heal itself.
Go see for yourself what the Egg can do for you at Harmonic Egg of the Lowcountry (23 Plantation Park Drive, Suite 301) and learn more online at lowcountryharmonicegg.com.
CFL Scholarship Deadline
A reminder that the deadline to apply for a vast array of scholarships available to graduating seniors given under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is March 14. Here’s a list of all the scholarships available, including the Amazing Grace Sulak Scholarship and the “Live Like DJ” Scholarship.
Great Links
How to make pizza in your own backyard (fun one for me to write, I have a Bertello oven and love it) … Great article by Justin Jarrett on 7-year-old speed sensation Parker Stewart … The latest new business roundup, including an update on the Aldi coming to Bluffton … For Charlie Golson, cooking won out over an English degree (great work as always, Gwenyth Saunders) … Huge shoutout to all the WHIB contributors on my “blue-ribbon panel” that helped suss out where the best veg eateries are.
Help Us Get Justice For DJ
The Bluffton Police Department has released this photo of a person of interest in the March 5, 2021 of Dwon Fields, Jr. We want justice for DJ, we want closure for the family. And sadly, we have some cowards protecting this “person.” If you recognize this person, you are asked to contact Sgt. Ryan Fazekas at (843) 540-5724. If you wish or need to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers of the Low Country at (843) 554-1111.
Get Ready for St. Patty’s Day Parade
It’s back and better than ever! The Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day parade is set for Sunday, March 13, beginning at 3 p.m. The grand marshals are Gloria and Allan LaCoe, who are seen above at their re-sashing ceremony. The couple, who helped found the annual Thanksgiving dinner at Hudson’s for lonely locals and those in need, have actually been grand marshals for three parades. The 2020 edition of the parade was canceled just days before the event as the COVID pandemic began its seige. The 2021 edition turned into a boat parade but we’re back out on the streets this year.
Read all about the parade and the full weekend of activities here.
Town Council Meeting March 8
Here’s a link to the agenda for the next Bluffton Town Council meeting, as well as minutes from the last Town Council meeting. Stay informed.
You Eat Out? Help The Community And Save Lots of Money
Wanted to alert you to a phenomenal deal from the SERG Restaurant Group, which runs some of the best eateries in the Lowcountry. They also give a lot back to nonprofits and the way they do that is through the sales of their Community Strong VIP Card.
Check out the deal and if you’re interested in the card, click here to buy.
Want to Be a Volunteer at the RBC Heritage?
There are so many great ways to get involved at this year’s RBC Heritage (April 11-17). Most folks don’t know just how many different ways you can get involved. Everyone from middle and high schools (standard bearers) to seniors can volunteer. The deadlines are fast approaching though. Check out how to get involved here.
Post of the Week
It certainly feels like low-hanging fruit, but I posted about tipping and how some local restaurants have started adding automatic 20 percent tips to the check, as well as a bevy of surcharges (including for takeout). This drew 225 comments and counting. And a big shoutout, as the conversation remained civil despite some heated takes on all sides of the issue.
Get Out For ‘Steel Magnolias’
The May River Theatre production of “Steel Magnolias” is already a huge hit around town, and you have one more weekend to see what all the buzz is about.
The last performances are Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m. So excited to see the show that includes my good buddy, Lynne Hummell (far left as Ouiser)! Get your tickets before they sell out!
Got Good News To Share? Want to Advertise?
Reminders one more time: Got a great story that the community needs to know about? whibtim@gmail.com is the email to hit me or text me with your news to 843-290-6242. You can also DM me on Facebook.
That’s also how to connect with us on advertising on What’s Happening in Bluffton. All sponsored post proceeds are donated to the Lowcountry Online Journalism Initiative, our 501c3 that is focused on building a good news operation here in town.
Other quick links for the group:
Sign up for the newsletter (pass it on to a friend) • “For Rent” thread • Jobs in Bluffton thread