So it has been a hectic and exciting couple weeks here in the State of Mind. We hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season and have some time to slow down, reflect on your year in the Lowcountry and look ahead to the exciting times ahead of us in 2022.
I know it’s been a fantastic year for my family, as we celebrated our oldest son’s high school graduation, my youngest son making the middle school hoops team, our family moving into a new home and my in-laws moving closer from New York down to Sun City.
On to what’s next, and a reminder. If you ever have good news to share with the community, email me at whibtim@gmail.com and we will make sure to share it!
CHRISTMAS GIVING GALORE
The Boys and Girls Club wrapped up their annual Christmas toy drive with their second straight drive-thru, giving kids all across the Lowcountry ages 6-18 a Christmas gift of their picking. Congrats to Ms. Molly (pictured here with Santa) and the entire team for giving a Christmas to more than 500 families this year.
There are too many charities to thank around this time of year, but a special shoutout to Bluffton Self Help and Toys for Tots for helping with the Boys and Girls Club drive and to all our members for taking part!
A Helping Hand to Neighbors In Need
A number of our Bluffton neighbors have had tragedy and hard times hit them during the holiday season, but it never ceases to blow my mind how Bluffton folks are there for their neighbors like no other community I have ever been a part of.
We’ve been trying to help through the network of members at WHIB and our friends at Bluffton/Hilton Head Ask and Answer. Heather Price is one of the most kind-hearted folks we know (read about her efforts in a piece here).
We have a few angel projects we are working on right now:
A veteran in Okatie is struggling with Parkinson’s and we are raising money to rebuild his deck to make it easier for him to get around and to host other disabled veterans who need temporary housing.
A woman on Goethe Road lost her home and all her possessions to fire on Dec. 22. Heather is spearheading the efforts here and we have many of the items that the woman needed to get back up and going. Gift cards to stores like Target and Wal-Mart are essential at a time like this, as are VISA or Mastercard gift cards. If you are interested in donating gift cards, please DM me on Facebook and we will connect you with Heather and where to send to.
A woman in Sun City, a beloved server at Cracker Barrel, lost much of her home and two cars to a fire on Dec. 23. We are still gathering information here. Watch the WHIB group page for more on what’s needed to help here.
A Lowcountry Chronicle Special: A Bethlehem Village Family Tradition
We have been teasing this for a while. We made a few sample videos in the spring to see if good news and staying informed on Bluffton is something that interests you. And you speak in volume that it is, so we’re coming back with Lowcountry Chronicle in January 2022. Here’s a taste of what you can expect, as we talk to Joe Dastoli about being the third generation to build a tribute to the birth of baby Jesus. You can also read about Joe and his stunningly detailed efforts here from the latest edition of The Bluffton Sun.
The Final Days of the 25 Days of Giving
Be part of the final two days of our 25 Days of Giving thank-you giveaway event. We are saving the best gifts for last, with a slew of Bluffton small businesses stepping up to give thanks to the 17,000+ members of our group who shop local and act civil.
You will need to WATCH LIVE on the last night, Christmas night! And to earn 10 free entries onto our spinning wheel of names, comment during the live stream on Christmas Eve!
HOW TO QUALIFY: If you’re seeing this, you likely already qualified by signing up for the newsletter (but share this with friends and tell them to sign up for the group and the newsletter!). So, you can also get an entry by signing up for our Instagram account, @newtobluffton.
We draw the next winner each night between 5-8 p.m. LIVE on the WHIB Facebook page.
Good News to Share
We asked you to share your good news and here’s what we have to report this week:
- Congrats to Claire Darling-Guidone, whose two sons were promoted in the Marines recently. “My oldest son (22) was promoted to Corporal and my youngest son (19) was promoted to Lance Corporal. They love the Corps and our beloved country.”
- Melanie Heyward Lowe also reported that her son just became a Marine.
- This from Kristie Morse Cochran: “Our amazing ladies here at On Point Salon donated services we raffled off and our generous clients raised $750!! Ashley jumped in and added $250 to make our donation to Grace Farm Animal Rescue & Sanctuary $1000. She also gave the owner, Robin, her first haircut in seven years and sent her back to the farm with a swag bag of products. Thanks to all our clients who helped make this happen.”
- Thanks to Laura Dimmick-Jones for sharing this news: The Bluffton Rec Girls Soccer All-Star 12-U division won the state championship on Nov. 20th in Greenville. Great job representing Bluffton! (The team includes Laura’s daugher, Emma)
This Week in Bluffton History
A couple gems from our friends at the You Know You’re From Bluffton When … Facebook group, the place to go for newbies and long-timers alike to get an instant dose of Bluffton history.
- From Michael Reynolds: “I found this old photo of the pontoon bridge between Bluffton and Hilton Head. That dinky little bridge certainly would work today, lol. Can’t believe that was the only way to drive to Hilton Head for what, about six weeks?”
- Another from Michael: “An old photo of Deke’s store, located at the corner of Hwy. 46 and Simmonsville/Buck Island Road (where Parker’s is now). This is the only photograph I have seen of it. There was a time where you could buy anything you wanted at Deke’s store. There was a coin laundromat around the right side that not too many people even knew was there.”
Same Coffee, New Name and Owners
This from Josh Cooke at Corner Perk: “A huge congratulations to Mia and Fernando. Mia has been one of our top team leaders this year and though we have loved having her on the team it’s time for her and our Okatie location to spread their wings and fly. Mia and Fernando are taking the leap and buying the Okatie location and renaming it Tangerines.
This location has done really well the 2.5 years it’s been open but will work so much better as an owner-operator concept! Mia and Fernando plan to keep serving Corner Perk coffees and lattes as well as trying some new ideas and flavors out. They will also continue serving awesome breakfast sandwiches and will have even more pastries, cakes, desserts and other great family recipes. Please support them and encourage them as they take this on! And of course spread the word! I know I’ll be a regular when I’m in the area! Merry Christmas y’all!”
Newbies Guide: The “Why” and “E” of the History of the May River
This is one of my favorite stories I’ve written for The Bluffton Sun, explaining the quirks of why we call a saltwater body the May River.
More Interesting Links
- For you last-second Christmas light display revelers, here is a roundup of the best spots to find the great displays from The Bluffton Sun.
- A secret getaway at the headwaters of the New River from Local Life
- A must read on a Bluffton gem, Doug Corkern, who sketches houses and landscapes of Bluffton’s yesterday and today by journo extraordinaire Gwyneth Saunders in The Bluffton Sun
- A Christmas rite of passage: David Lauderdale’s take on the holidays from The Island Packet (sadly, a paywall link)
- Meet the mastermind behind the Sharman Family Holiday Light Show from The Bluffton Sun
- Here is Mayor Lisa Sulka’s latest Mayor’s Memos from Bluffton Today
Want to advertise in the WHIB Weekly newsletter? DM Tim Wood or email whibtim@gmail.com for more details on how to reach our ever-growing group of local-loving WHIBbies!
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.
Other quick links for the group:
Sign up for the newsletter (pass it on to a friend) | WHIB Jobs Thread | WHIB Housing Available Thread
This is awesome! It is nice to be a part of such a wounderful giving and compassionate community.