So Much Great B-Town News To Catch Y'All Up On!
Vol. 1, No 6 edition of the What's Happening in Bluffton newsletter
Well, it’s been a while, folks, since we’ve sent out a legit newsletter. The past 6-7 weeks have been a constant battle in the Wood household dealing with COVID. After two years of staying clear and doing all the things to combat it, my 12-year-old son got hit hard, knocking him off the McCracken basketball team as they made their playoff push (Congrats to Coach David Grissom and the Bulldogs on making it to the league championship, as both the boys and girls ‘Dogs took home second place).
Then I got it BAAAAAD. Then my wife Debbie got it. Jake is still dealing with long-haul sinus issues a month later, and I’m dealing with a rollercoaster of energy and exhaustion as I try to make it back to feeling fully human again.
Anyway, enough about me. I hope you’re all happy and healthy to start the New Year! Let’s get you caught up with what’s happening in Bluffton!
DJ’s Day of Giving Coming Up On Feb. 24
We have more than 60 businesses participating in the second annual DJ’s Day of Giving, a community-wide event to help grow the “Live Like DJ” Dwon Fields, Jr. Scholarship Fund. Here is an article I wrote for The Bluffton Sun giving a little more information on DJ and how the Day came to be.
So how can you get involved? Three ways:
- eat out or make purchases from the businesses involved. Here’s the current list as we put this newsletter out Friday, Feb. 18:
- buy a $25 ticket in the SUPER RAFFLE, with 100 percent of your ticket going to the fund. Your one ticket qualifies you to win ANY AND ALL the prizes. Easiest way to buy is via Venmo @WHIBTim. Here’s what you could win:
- or you can donate directly to the Dwon Fields, Jr. Scholarship Fund online with secure payments thround the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.
Hope to see you all out and about on the 24th!
State of Mind Reunion This Weekend at Oyster Park
A Facebook group celebrating Bluffton history is getting ready to throw what promises to be an epic shindig.
A limited number of $7.50 tickets are still available for the Bluffton State of Mind Reunion at Bluffton Oyster Factory Park from 4 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 19.
The event is BYOB, but food and soft drinks will be available for purchase via food trucks and oysters will be available via order from Bluffton Seafood House. Proceeds from ticket purchases will offset facility and event costs and any profits made will be donated to the Heyward House museum. Popular local band Lowcountry Boil will play and there will be a warm fire in the fire pit. The group hopes to have some speakers to talk about Bluffton history.
To purchase tickets, search “You Know You’re From Bluffton When …” on Facebook.
Here are some last-minute reminders from group founder Mike Reynolds:
“Golf cart parking is in the same lot as the event (left side of the road. PLEASE DO NOT PARK GOLF CARTS IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE BOAT TRAILERS USUALLY PARK. We need those spaces for cars.
- Once the Oyster Factory Park parking lots are full, additional parking is available 1/2 a block north on Wharf Street at the First Zion Baptist Church. DO NOT MAKE A MESS OF THE CHURCH PARKING LOT.
- Speakers are at 5:30, 6:30 and 7PM.
- BRING CHAIRS IF YOU WANT TO SIT DURING THE EVENT. Limited seating is available but should be used by those who are eating their food.”
Come On Out For Music Bingo Saturday Night at Lot 9
Bluffton history not your thing? You more of the “drink awesome beer and win prizes” mindset? Hey, I got you covered.
Come see me as my alter ego, DJ T-Dubb, on Saturday at Lot 9 Brewing Co. The party goes from 7 to 9 pm-ish. All you need is to bring your smartphone (the game is played on virtual bingo cards using the web browser on your phone).
You can win Lot 9 beer and swag prizes and even if you got beat calling out bingo, you can still win some stellar consolation prizes. Here’s a taste of what you’re in for:
Seafood Festival Main Event Coming Next Weekend on HHI
The Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival is about to celebrate its 15th anniversary the one-millionth dollar given to local charities. It’s an amazing tribute to the memory of David Carmines put on by his brother Andrew and a cast of hundreds of volunteers.
Tickets for the signature Saturday event, the afternoon festival at Shelter Cove Community Park are $85 for adults and $12 for ages 21 and under. For more information on volunteering or buying tickets to the Festival, visit hiltonheadseafoodfestival.com.
Good Reads, the Epic List
Plenty to catch you up with on interesting news around Bluffton over the past month.
- Explorers program offers character and leadership development .
- Great piece by Gwyneth Saunders on restaurateur Charlie Golson, the Bluffton and Lowcountry legend who chose the kitchen over an English degree.
- Community leaders like Tio’s Bluffton co-owner Sally Zuniga are looking to make a pocket park at Bluffton Library a reality this spring.
- My latest Hot Spots list on the coffee brewers with the most boast to their roast.
- Comedy is coming to Old Town’s Roasting Room next week with island good guy Matt Stock getting a dream moment in the spotlight.
- The latest roundup of new businesses that have opened in Bluffton and Hilton Head, including The Ice Cream Stop in May River Crossing.
- Get to know South Carolina native Darius Rucker, who is coming to the island to perform a private concert as part of his annual college golf tournament.
Good Luck to Danielle Tennison, Hopefully the Next Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina!
Bluffton native Danielle Tennison is headed to Greenville this weekend to compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina. Get to know Danielle in a profile I did on her back in October.
She is an amazing inspiration for so many in town. Win or lose, we are so proud of you, Danielle!
Photos, Photos Galore Thanks To Y’All
I made a post on Feb. 16 asking for some new photos for the group profile photo. We have received well over 125 photos so far and counting. We have some incredible amateur photographers here, as you can see in the post. The photo above was taken by Brooklyn Barr. If you have photos of life in Bluffton you’d like to share with the group, just comment on the post link.
Family of Female Wrestler Raising Funds To Get Her to Nationals
Shoutout to group member Fran Rogers, who started a GoFundMe page to make sure her daughter Siobhan, a junior at Bluffton High School, was able to compete in the Girls Wrestling Nationals in March in Virginia Beach, Va.
Siobhan has only been wrestling for two years and is the first BHS girls wrestler to go to Nationals. She has a 4.6 GPA at school and wants to pursue a career in the Navy via the U.S. Naval Academy.
Huge congrats to the Rogers family. They have reached their GoFundMe goal, but you can still donate to make sure she has everything she needs to bring home the gold!
Final Shoutouts
- Congrats to F3 Lowcountry, who sold more than 450 pork butts at their annual Super Bowl Weekend fundraiser on Feb. 12. The group consists of men who gather for early-morning workouts and band together to raise funds for local charities. This is the local chapter of F3 Nation (the F's stand for fitness, fellowship and faith) and they have donated more than $270,000 to area charities through their community outreach.
- Well done to Bluffton residents Ryland Pollard and Alex Schroeder, two budding hockey stars who recently competed for the Charleston Junior Stingrays at the South Carolina state championship. Pollard, a junior at May River High, and Schroeder, a sophomore at John Paul II Catholic, make the trek to Charleston twice a week to train with the team. The hard work paid off as Schroeder had a goal in the tourney and was named the Role Model of the Game, and Ryland had three assists for the Stingrays.
- Bluffton Academy for the Arts (BAA) is currently accepting enrollment applications for the 2022-2023 school year. BAA is a secondary school created specifically with performing arts students and their families in mind. BAA is holding a virtual Parent Information Meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24. To receive information about BAA and the meeting, please visit blufftonacademyforthearts.com and fill out the information request form.
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.
Other quick links for the group:
Sign up for the newsletter (pass it on to a friend) | WHIB Jobs Thread | WHIB For Rent Housing Thread
SEE Y’ALL NEXT WEEK!
So Much Great B-Town News To Catch Y'All Up On!
Outstanding information today, Tim! Thanks for sharing everything and hope you and your family feel better soon.
Tim, thank you so much for the great job you do informing us of all that is going on in Bluffton. You are a tremendous asset to our community!