May Talk of the Town
Two Ospreys Choose Hilton Head Island Raptor Cam Nest
A pair of Ospreys chose the Hilton Head Island Land Trust’s Raptor Cam Nest as their home. Viewers can watch the nesting and incubation period by tuning into the HD Raptor Cam, which also has night vision. The Hilton Head Island Land Trust’s Raptor Cam is funded by donations and by sponsors Russell P. Patterson, P.A. and Hargray.
“The importance of preserving natural spaces on Hilton Head Island cannot be overstated,” said Robin Storey, Board Treasurer of the Hilton Head Island Land Trust. “We are fortunate to be able to observe nature in its home environment, and the Raptor Cam is a great way to get an up close and personal experience with the wildlife of this area.”
Ospreys nest for about 50 days, typically lay two to three eggs, and then incubate the clutch for about 36 to 42 days.
View the ospreys at hhilandtrust.org/raptorcam.
Bluffton inducts Mary O. Merrick into Wall of Honor
A lifelong Bluffton resident was inducted into the Town of Bluffton’s Wall of Honor. Mary O. Merrick, who was a teacher and defender of the region’s natural resources, was recognized April 11.
Merrick, who died in 2014, graduated top of her class from Bluffton High School in 1937. She also graduated from Florida State University at the age of 19 and taught school in Florida as well as becoming a chemist for Union Camp in Savannah.
She married Edwin L. Merrick, which brought her back to her family farm in greater Bluffton. She taught math and science for 30 years at Bluffton High School and McCracken High School. Merrick championed the causes of clean water, clean air, controlled development, and equity based on ability, according to the town.
Merrick was known as a “true Southern lady.”
Bluffton Officer Richard Ramirez named top officer in Criminal Justice Academy class
The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy awarded Bluffton police officer Richard Ramirez the “J.P. Strom Award” as the top student in his graduating class, and the Physical Fitness Award for scoring highest for all physical fitness categories. The J.P. Strom Award is the Academy’s most prestigious award, according to a news release.
“This is a proud moment for Officer Ramirez and for the Bluffton Police Department,” Police Chief Joe Babkiewicz said. “Ramirez represents the caliber of officer the department wants to attract, and we are beyond proud of him for his dedication to the academy process and to the profession.”
Ramirez, a graduate of Bluffton High School, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2012 -2022.
Home struck by lightning in Berkeley Hall community
A lightning strike to the roof of a residence on Lancaster Boulevard in the Berkeley Hall community caused an attic fire, with multiple fire stations from Bluffton Township Fire District responding. The home was safely evacuated, and the fire was determined to be caused by the lightning strike, a news release said.
According to the US Fire Administration, lightning is the cause of an estimated 17,400 fires each year. Of those fires, 41% occur in structures.
TCL signs agreement to join South Carolina Veteran Coalition
The Technical College of the Lowcountry has partnered with the S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs to join the South Carolina Veteran Coalition, which works to improve care for veterans, their spouses and family members based in South Carolina. The agreement enables coalition members to provide and expedite specific services to the state’s veteran population.
Bluffton High Wrestler Earns All-American Status
Jada Lawrence places 7th at national tournament
Bluffton High School’s Jada Lawrence is one of the top girls wrestlers in the country.
Lawrence, a sophomore, recently took seventh place in the 145-pound weight class at the National High School Coaches Association National wrestling tournament in Virginia Beach, Va.
Her accomplishment earned her All-American status.
Said coach Neal Nutter on the Bluffton Bobcats Athletics website: “For those that don’t know Jada, she is just a sweet, hard-working and dedicated young woman! She makes us so proud.”
Earlier this year Lawrence won the school’s first girls state wrestling championship. In that title match Lawrence defeated Rory Travis of Gilbert High 10-3 in the 145-pound weight class.
County school board approves 2023-24 calendar
The Beaufort County Board of Education has approved the district’s academic calendar for the 2023-24 school year. The first day for students will be Monday, Aug. 21. The final day of classes will be a half-day Wednesday, June 5. State law mandates that no South Carolina public school may begin classes prior to the third Monday in August, which this year is Aug. 21.
Schools will be closed for students Sept. 4 (Labor Day); Nov. 7 (Election Day); Nov. 22-24 (Thanksgiving); Dec. 22-Jan. 5 (winter break); Jan. 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day); February 19, 2024 (President’s Day);Friday, March 29, 2024 (Good Friday); April 8 (vacation day); April 15-19, 2024 (spring break); May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day); June 19 (Juneteenth); and July 4 (Independence Day).
High school graduation dates are June 3 (May River), June 5 (Bluffton), June 6 (Battery Creek and Hilton Head Island), and June 7 (Whale Branch Early College). June 7 is also a graduation make-up day in the event of inclement weather.
Piggly Wiggly owner wins Community Impact Award
David Martin, owner of Hilton Head’s Piggly Wiggly grocery store, was named as the inaugural Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award winner at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s Annual Community Meeting.
Martin’s nomination for the award focused on his work with Lowcountry Alliance for Healthy Youth. Two LCAHY initiatives that he led were cited in the presentation: Banning the sale of tobacco products in Piggly Wiggly and the establishment of the “We I.D. the LCAHY Way” training program that educates local businesses about underage drinking laws and their consequences. He received a $10,000 grant to distribute to nonprofit organizations.
Hilton Head Island Awarded FEMA Program Grant
FEMA awarded the Town of Hilton Head Island a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant for development of a resilience plan. The Town will receive $56,250 to use toward its plan, which will focus on climate adaptation. The project will evaluate the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and natural disasters, and explore potential mitigation strategies and activities to reduce the impacts of climate change and natural hazards on our community.
New Art Installed on the Shelter Cove Sculpture Trail
Featuring artists Mark Larkin and Michael Alfano
There are exciting new additions along the Shelter Cove Sculpture Trail. Recently the sculptures of artists Mark Larkin and Michael Alfano were installed by the Town of Hilton Head Island for the Lowcountry to enjoy.
The pieces are entitled:
“Egretious,” by Larkin, and “Liquid Sunshine,” “Beacon,” and “Self-Reflection” by Alfano.
The installations will be on exhibit through early 2024. The Sculpture Trail includes pieces that are in the Town’s permanent public art collection.
Hilton Head International Piano Competition Selects winners
Zhonghua Wei, 14, of China won the 2023 Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Wei also earned the Peter Takacs Classical Sonata prize. Donghwi Kang, 15, of South Korea placed second and Xinran Shi, 13, of the United States took third. David Choi, 15, (USA/Korea) and Nathaniel Zhang, 15, (USA) were medalists. Zarin Mehta, 15, of the United States earned the Sascha Gorodnitzki Memorial Prize.
Residents asked to serve on Green Space Committee
Southern Beaufort County residents are sought to serve on Beaufort County’s Green Space Advisory Committee that aims to preserve open space and protect critical and natural resources. Areas of the region eligible include Hilton Head Island, Palmetto Bluff, Daufuskie Island, Brighton Beach/Alljoy, New Riverside, and surrounding areas. For more information, visit beaufortcountysc.gov.
