Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Magazines, 2 Finch Street, Hilton Head Island, SC (2024)

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!

10/31/2023

Happy Halloween! 🎃 A few years ago trick or treating with my brother and mom.

08/29/2023

Housing on a Fast Track

Hilton Head Island continues to build out a framework it hopes will lead to more workforce housing.

The Town adopted the Workforce Housing Framework last November as part of a long-term strategy to create affordable housing on the island, whether by the Town or private developers. The Framework comes as local businesses struggle to retain employees and maintain service.

The workforce housing shortage has been a growing issue for years, not just on Hilton Head but in tourist spots around the country. In the post-COVID world, escalating real estate prices make it nearly impossible for many workers to live near their jobs. But the process to change this will not be completed overnight.

“When we do new construction, it takes a lot of time for planning and construction,” said Missy Luick, Assistant Community Development Director for the Town of Hilton Head Island. “It is years in the making, but it is money well spent because it will be our housing in the future.”

Alex Brown, Ward 1 Town Council member, said Hilton Head had come a long way in putting together the infrastructure to get housing built. He pointed to the strategic framework and the expansion in June of the Town’s fiscal year 2024 budget to include $3.3 million for workforce housing, an increase from the $1 million allocation approved when the Framework was launched.

“I think we are moving in the right direction,” he said.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/housing-on-a-fast-track

08/28/2023

Frittata

serves: 8

Ingredients
• 12 large eggs
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 spring onion
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions
• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Clean spring onion and cut into ¼ inch pieces.
• Chop off any ends of asparagus.
• Using a skillet at medium-high, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and asparagus and cook until crisp (2-3 minutes). Remove.
• Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, spring onion, ½ teaspoon of salt to skillet. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Whisk together the eggs in a bowl and add ½ teaspoon salt.
• Add eggs to skillet and then asparagus on top.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan (optional)
• Bake for 20-22 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

Find more recipes here: http://anthemmediagroup.com

08/27/2023

Business is Booming

Companies from around the world are moving to Beaufort County and feeling welcome in large part due to the enterprising and resourceful leadership of John O’Toole, Director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation.

The past 2 ½ years since COVID have been especially bountiful for O’Toole, who was selected in November 2017 to assume the role of heading up the county’s economic development program, and his senior project manager, Charlie Stone, as they have shepherded a growing list of prospects who are enthusiastic about the business climate in Beaufort County.

The BCEDC works closely with the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Southern Carolina Alliance to market Beaufort County. Even during the COVID years, their collaborative approach has led to impressive results in filling the pipeline with prospects.

Over the years there has been $330 million in capital investment, more than 60 new projects, and nearly 1,300 new jobs created and retained. There has also been $15.9 million in incentives and site development grants.

“Our promise to our current residents is to identify businesses that will diversify and improve our local economy but do no harm to our environment,” says O’Toole. “We pursue businesses that are economic driving-type companies, such as light manufacturing entities, suppliers for hi-tech aviation and aerospace industries, back-of-office type operations, and green businesses or even headquarters.”

O’Toole notes that for most of the past half century Beaufort County has been dominated by hospitality, tourism, and retirement-related businesses — like medical facilities and home builders — south of the Broad River, and military/defense installations on the north.

He explains that his mandate has been to identify and attract diversity and focus on companies that can help lift the average wage expectations for young people coming out of school so they will want to establish a long-term future locally.

Read on: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/business-is-booming

08/26/2023

Waddell Mariculture Center

The Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton is a saltwater fish hatchery that is a part of the Marine Resources Division of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The center opened in 1984 and initially worked on the development of practices and technology for the commercial production of shrimp. Currently the Mariculture Research section at WMC focuses on a Stock Enhancement Research Program that produces marine finfish that are recreationally important in South Carolina, such as red drum and cobia.

In this system adult fish reproduce, or spawn, in hatchery tanks; two days after fish larvae hatch from eggs, they are stocked into outdoor ponds. After approximately 30 days juvenile fish reach about 2-4 inches in length and can be harvested from ponds and then released into the wild.

In 2022 WMC released more than 36,000 cobia into Port Royal Sound to help preserve the genetically distinct population that spawns in that estuary. This year it has already released about 16,000 juvenile cobia.

Red drum are stocked along the South Carolina coast in various estuaries, and in 2022 the WMC released more than two million juveniles. Thanks to the work of its genetics research section, Waddell Mariculture Center can annually rotate parent fish from different genetic “families.”

These defined family units allow WMC to determine whether a fish it catches is stocked or wild by obtaining and analyzing a small piece of fin tissue. The SCDNR Inshore Fisheries section collects red drum samples in trammel net, electrofishing, trawl and longline surveys that are used to track long-term abundance trends of estuarine species.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/waddell-mariculture-center

08/25/2023

Visualize Your Dream Room

Tired of your living- or family-room arrangement? Pushing that furniture around to a new spot could be dangerous to one’s health.

What to do? Well, there’s a way to rearrange your living spaces without lifting, shoving and dislocating your back: consider an online room planner.

This room design software is a super way to replace a boring room with an exciting one without landing in the ER.

It only takes a few moments until customers can see a lovely, realistic room, precisely to scale. Within minutes furniture can be perfectly placed or quickly rearranged, allowing a quick view of changes they were struggling to visualize.

What a magical, back-saving way to experience a new home or room, and with instant success. Often when selecting furniture, visualizing how it works in our home is a challenge. However, with good 2-D and 3-D online room planners, the stress melts away.

Entire homes can be planned with furniture easily moved about to see how it looks, feels and fits in another location. Focus on what’s most important in the room and home and then try different renditions.

A room planner does not require a lot of technical skill and within minutes can give you insight of any room in your home to help turn it into a magazine picture.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/visualize-your-dream-room

08/24/2023

Whimsical Artistry
Chris Sudduth loves being a local.

His business and his art mesh nicely, all for the joy that it brings to him and the lucky one who comes through his door.

He has called Hilton Head Island his home since 2009 and opened “Sno Cones by Chris” on Palmetto Bay Marina just four years later.

“Even on a bad day, I am happy to be here,” he says. Sudduth’s grateful enthusiasm is unmistakable, and customers are greeted with more than just tasty treats. Sudduth is gifted in the art of Legos, and his shop is a showcase of his talented and whimsical work.

“When I opened, I had around 20 to 25 pieces,” he says. “Now, there are several hundred.”

Countless two-dimensional Lego portraits hang, showing famous actors, landscapes and fictional film characters. Some examples include Marilyn Monroe, The Harbour Town Lighthouse, Bob Marley, Audrey Hepburn, the Hulk, and even Sudduth’s self-portrait.

Three-dimensional historic pieces and familiar landmarks are a sight to see. The Statue of Liberty, The Twin Towers, Empire State Building, World Trade Center, and the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), are all built to scale.

One of Sudduth’s first, and continually evolving, pieces is the Titanic.

“Since the 1997 movie, I’ve been working on and off of it,” he says. “I’m always making changes to perfect it.” Larger and more realistic smokestacks are his most recent additions to the ill-fated ship.

Lady Liberty was Sudduth’s second creation. Currently, he is adding windows to the Cape Hatteras and Hunting Island Lighthouses.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/whimsical-artistry

08/23/2023

Mind the Manatee

The Lowcountry welcomes friendly visitors each summer. Manatees have been spotted in South Carolina since the 1800s, but Beaufort County historically appears to be a popular destination.According to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, there had have more than 500 sightings in Beaufort County since 1850 (as per a 2004 report).Summertime is a hot time for sightings. Records show manatees are most spotted in the state in July and August.SCDNR began a formal project to document manatees in the 1990s and reported 848 sightings in the state between 1996 and 2003. In 1998, there was a record 190 sightings in South Carolina.

Here are some more facts about these gentle mammals.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/mind-the-manatee

08/22/2023

Developing Local Leaders

A town that grows quickly is going to attract its share of young professionals.

Seven years ago, the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce started a program that allows new residents, Lowcountry natives and those in between to network and learn ways to help their community.

“The Bluffton Chamber Young Professionals program exists to develop strong local leaders who enhance the community by helping them strengthen necessary personal and professional skill sets,” according to the chamber. “We engage area young professionals with the broader business community in order to help them establish a local professional network and equip them to give back to the community.”

Program membership is open to young professionals, usually between the ages of 21 and 40, with free attendance for the first event. After their first event, prospective members can join the program for less than $100 annually, the chamber said, or pay per event.

“The program is structured in a way that gives young professionals experience leading as they learn from the experience of seasoned professionals who serve as mentors and coaches,” the chamber said. “This networking group meets monthly to learn from an expert on a major topic of leadership and professionalism.”

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/developing-local-leaders

08/21/2023

Wonderful Waterfalls

The upper state of South Carolina is home to some of nature’s most awe-inspiring beauty. The scenery is magnificent, augmented by spectacular waterfalls. Many waterfalls can be viewed after a decent, but not overly strenuous, trek through the woods.

From easy to difficult, here are a few waterfalls that are worth the hikw

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/wonderful-waterfalls

08/20/2023

Chicken and Avocado Wrap

serves: 2

Ingredients
• 2 tortilla wraps
• 2 ripe avocados, sliced
• 1 large chicken breast
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper

Directions
• Cook and slice the chicken breasts.
• With the wraps open on a plate, to each one add chopped lettuce, tomatoes, avocado slices, and slices of chicken. Top with desired amount of cheddar cheese. Add light sour cream.
• Add salt and pepper, if preferred.
• Fold sides carefully and roll tight.
• Preheat pan to medium and grill for 1-2 minutes until brown. Flip and grill other side. You can also put tortillas in microwave-safe plastic wraps and heat for 15-20 seconds.
• Serve

Find more recipes here: http://anthemmediagroup.com/

08/19/2023

For the Love of Literacy

Joe Distelheim’s journalism career spanned 38 years and five states. The former Hilton Head Island resident, who spent 10 years volunteering at The Literacy Center, left a legacy that his colleagues wanted to honor. They decided to recognize literacy students of Bluffton Self Help, which merged with The Literacy Center in 2021, with the Joe Distelheim Award for Literacy.

The inaugural winners were recognized last year. This year’s winners, who each received $500 and an engraved platter, were nominated by volunteer tutors at Bluffton Self Help.

“A recurring theme was how these learners of English were not only high achievers but cheerfully aided others in the class — and helped the tutors as well,” noted committee member Alex Cruden.

“They had excellent attendance records while at the same time fulfilling job and family responsibilities and otherwise leaping life’s hurdles.”

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/for-the-love-of-literacy

08/18/2023

Making Written Connections

The letters come from throughout the county and the country — and even from overseas. They arrive with pleasant greetings from children and adults and bring a smile to the faces of the recipients.

The correspondence always begins with a question: Will you be my pen pal?

Life Care Center of Hilton Head, a nursing and rehabilitation center, is always looking to engage its residents. Earlier this year the center wondered if the residents would be interested in having pen pal relationships.

The response was positive.

In May the center posted on Facebook photos of residents who sought to correspond with people. They were pictured holding signs that reflected their topics of interest.

Eddie looked for someone who enjoys Atlanta Falcons football and gardening.

Mary was interested in communicating about bowling, baseball and the Yankees.

Ruby hoped her pen pal would correspond about church, basketball and current events.

And Georgetta looked for someone who enjoys country music, church and collecting.

Morgan Wogenstahl, who was the Life Care Center’s activities director when the program launched, hoped the initiative would get a decent response.She certainly didn’t expect what happened.

“It blew up more than I could have ever possibly imagined,” she said. From the Lowcountry, Canada and England, the Facebook posts quickly spread and letters kept arriving. Hundreds of letters have arrived, with some residents receiving 40 each.“

We have had an overwhelming response,” Wogenstahl said.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/making-written-connections

08/17/2023

Q & A with Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka

Since her election in 2008, Bluffton mayor Lisa Sulka has been at the helm of a town that has blossomed into the heart of the Lowcountry. We chatted with her about her tenure and what makes Bluffton special to her.

Q: When you think back to when you ran for mayor in 2008, could you have imagined how long and productive your tenure would be?
A: It was such a blur. I love being part of helping people, but I was very unaware of what was going on right in front of us. I’ll admit it — if there’s one regret I’ve had, it’s not being aware of everything these development agreements entailed. I questioned whether I was ready because I was not (outgoing mayor) Hank (Johnston). I could not see 10 seconds in front of me, so how could I see 10 years in front of me?

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/q-a-with-lisa-sulka

08/16/2023

‘There’s a Lot Going On’

For those tracking the growth and development of Hilton Head Island, here’s a suggestion: Don’t blink.The town has a hot list of projects coming into view to upgrade, update and – in some cases – upend life on the island.

The stepped-up pace of change follows a choppy period of fits and starts caused by COVID-related health and economic uncertainties.

“There’s a lot going on – a lot,” said Mayor Alan Perry. “We had two years of COVID and now we have a lot on the table.”

The challenge, he said, is “to get it right.”The Hilton Head game plan is to utilize a handful of comprehensive and detailed documents advanced by town leaders and stakeholders.

A “Strategic Action Plan” spells out an ambitious blueprint for “our vision for the community over the next two fiscal years,” said Town Manager Marc Orlando in rolling out strategies ranging from protecting natural resources and historic neighborhoods to adding so-called “workforce housing,” and enhancing roads, parks and beaches.

Read on: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/theres-a-lot-going-on

08/15/2023

OluKai Lowcountry Boil Paddle Pattle is Sept 8-10th.
A Benefit for The Outside Foundation.

Friday Sept 8th:
Paddle Clinics
Sprint Race
Board Demos
Olukai Trunk Show
Board Drop
Packet Pickup Party and Pint Night

Saturday Sept 9th:
Endurance Challenge Course
Long Course
Short Course

Sunday Sept 10th
Surf Technical Sprint
Trash Clean up

For more information and to Register
https://www.lowcountrypaddle.com/

08/14/2023

Igniting Creativity

The new Telfair Children’s Arts Museum, which offers transformative learning experiences, has opened in Savannah, Ga.

The long-anticipated opening last month unveiled the innovative transformation of part of the Jepson Center into a space that ignites creativity and inspires children of all ages, a news release said. Jepson Center guests enter CAM through an informative tunnel gallery that serves as a portal to spaces filled with state-of-the-art technology and activity stations.

The Children’s Arts Museum will serve as a major attraction for thousands of annual visitors to Savannah, as well as area families and school children. Since the 1920s Telfair has welcomed more than 250,000 students to the museum through a partnership with Savannah-Chatham County Schools, and educational tour programs which continue to evolve today under the leadership of Harry DeLorme, longtime Director of Education and Senior Curator.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/igniting-creativity

08/13/2023

Turtle Trackers

Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head Island, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, was established in 2016 to assist with the preservation efforts for endangered sea turtles nesting on Hilton Head Island and to educate the public for the protection of the sea turtle hatchlings headed to the ocean.

Turtle Trackers relies on the generosity of donors and grants to fund its operation. To make certain that funding exists for years to come, Turtle Trackers recently established the Sea Turtle Preservation Endowment Fund with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

The purpose of the fund is to ensure that resources for sea turtle preservation efforts and programs will continue to be available to fulfill the mission of Turtle Trackers, said Turtle Trackers President Beverly Crylen.

Turtle Trackers began with a Sea Pines chapter and has expanded to six chapters island-wide with more than 550 members.

Programs include on-beach activities to ensure the beach is clean, flat, and dark for nesting sea turtles who come ashore beginning in May to lay their eggs, as well as for the hatchlings who make their way from their nests to the sea. The sea turtle nesting and hatching season on Hilton Head Island runs from May through October.

Read on: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/turtle-trackers

08/12/2023

Prehistoric Mystique

Hilton Head Island has a diverse and multi-faceted historical narrative.

Archeologists and historians have evidence of prehistoric history locally that stretches as far back as 4,500 years when indigenous people left their mark on the island’s sandy, moist soil.

However, once records began being chronicled, a colorful island history unfolded. Today numerous historic markers dot the 41-square-mile island, including the mysterious Sea Pines Shell Ring.

Glen McCaskey is one local resident who has played a meaningful role in determining the focus of several landmarks. McCaskey, 82, was originally recruited by Sea Pines Company founder Charles Fraser to help ensure that Fraser’s specific standards of environmental stewardship and preservation of the island’s rich, natural beauty and historic significance would be maintained.

“When I arrived, our Sea Pines Master Plan revealed a fascinating nature preserve of nearly 600 acres right in the heart of the 5,200 acres planned for development,” says McCaskey. “It was centered around this small, pre-istoric ring of large oyster shells that had been identified a few years earlier as being something rare, and had undergone its first tiny excavation by Alan Calmes, an expert from the University of South Carolina.”

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/prehistoric-mystique

08/11/2023

Working Together to Help Others

When you peel the onion that is the SCORE volunteer mentor organization, it’s an unending discovery of sacrifice and impact, going back nearly 60 years and influencing a surprising number of local businesses and business leaders.

A resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE has educated and mentored more than 11 million small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country since starting in 1964, offering free and confidential business mentoring, education, and resources to help clients start or grow their businesses. SCORE has 230 chapters nationwide with more than 10,000 volunteers.

Nationally last year 30,453 new businesses were started.

SCORE SC Lowcountry, which has 43 volunteers, makes a local impact. In 2022, 164 jobs were created.

“The beauty of the way SCORE works is we work with each other,” says Karen Casey, mentor at SCORE SC Lowcountry. The network she describes refers to leaning into one another’s areas of expertise.

"If I’m helping someone with finance, but then we need HR input, we can connect them to an HR-experienced volunteer,” Casey said.

After retiring from a 30-year career in banking, Casey (CPA, CFP) wanted to use her knowledge and skillsets to help others.

“I found an article on SCORE SC Lowcountry and was intrigued by helping small businesses succeed, Casey said. "My greatest satisfaction is watching my clients succeed. Luana Graves Sellars is one of them and providing her direction to fulfill her passion and watch her quit her full-time job and make the scary step toward supporting the Gullah Geechee community through her podcast, Foundation and speaking engagements was amazing.”

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/working-together-to-help-others

08/10/2023

Ronald Vargas is ready to run.

Vargas, 57, is a production manager at The Greenery, where he has worked for more than 24 years. A veteran of endurance races, his next run will be at the 2023 Bigfoot 200-mile race in the Cascade Mountains range in Washington state Aug. 11-15. Vargas, a native of Costa Rica, grew up playing soccer and became an ultramarathon runner 10 years ago. He has completed five 100-mile races, five 50-mile races, two 24-hour races and numerous marathons and trail runs.

A recently completed 160-mile race from Hutchinson Island, Ga., to St. Marys, Ga., was finished in 40 hours and 18 minutes.But the Bigfoot 200 will be the longest endurance race he has attempted.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/ready-to-run

The Bigfoot 200 starts at Mount St. Helens and finishes in Randle, Wash., going “point-to-point” through the Cascade Mountains, including 46,000 feet of ascent throughout the race, a news release said.

08/09/2023

Rich. Delicious. Flavorful.

Hilton Head Distillery got its start in Greenville, S.C., as the Dark Corner, opening a sister spot on Hilton Head Island.

Though the original business was focused on whiskey, it seemed logical for Hilton Head’s tropical weather and beachy vibes to offer alcohol with a tiki flair. When the distillery hired Whitney Meriwether as a master distiller, the idea of focusing on rum was perfected.

Meriwether moved to Hilton Head in 2020 from his distiller position in Seattle, looking for a life change and sunny weather. For the last few years he worked to learn what the distillery offered and enhance the products. The idea was to change the business focus to an American rum house, drawing on the Caribbean methods of rum creation.

He focused on pure ingredients to an extreme rarely seen in distilling. There are no prepared flavors in the rums offered on the menu. The Toasted Coconut Rum is made from coconuts that were toasted and added to the distilling process.

The Dark Pineapple Rum is made when pineapples are cooked on charcoal grills, then added when the alcohol is in the barrel at a high proof. This allows the fruit flavors to be extracted into the rum while it ages.

The team spent the last few years creating natural rum flavors under the creative direction of Meriwether, who moved from distiller to general manager in 2022.

“Everything you see now on our menu is either Whitney’s original product or his reinvented interpretation of a product that we had previously,” said Michelle Swanson, Director of Operations and Marketing.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/rch-delicious-flavorful

08/08/2023

Bonding Over Baseball

If you’ve ever wondered, as I often have since childhood, what happens to the old-timey baseball players in “Field of Dreams” after they walk back into the cornfield, I’ve found as satisfying an answer as any in the notion that they walk out the other side into Cooperstown Dreams Park, a sleepover camp in upstate New York, masquerading as a baseball tournament (or vice versa) just up the road from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

It’s something like heaven for baseball-loving 12-year-olds.I experienced it firsthand recently with my son and the Bluffton Waves team I founded when he was 8. We made the pilgrimage in June, spending a week bunked up as a team in cabin 45A, with a giant baseball card featuring Cardinals legend Bob Gibson posted outside the door, and eating, sleeping, and breathing baseball.

In fact, most of us only left the Baseball Village twice. I’d be lying if I said we had the full Cooperstown experience, but one of those outings was taking the entire team to the Hall of Fame, which included a private talk from an outstanding docent, an emotional and inspirational short film that made me feel like a 12-year-old again, and walking through the incredible museum that illustrates the history of the game that brought all of us together.

Our head coach, Aaron Jackson, gave the players homework before the field trip: To return with three things they learned at the Hall. To their credit, most came back with far more than three despite the swiftness with which they absorbed everything.

Opened in 1996, Cooperstown Dreams Park attracts hundreds of baseball teams from around the country to the cradle of the sport each summer for a series of weeklong camps accompanied by an epic tournament.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/bonding-over-baseball

08/07/2023

Back to School

The Lowcountry is teeming with fantastic education options, with some of the best schools in the country.

Our area includes private, public, and higher-education institutions that prepare its students to succeed.

Our private schools annually are ranked among the top in the state and our colleges, with undergraduate and graduate programs, attract students from around the country and the world.

The Beaufort County School District educates nearly 22,000 students in 40 schools, offering pre-K through Grade 12 classes. With state-of-the-art facilities and campsues, the schools also offer high-level athletic programs and extracurricular activities.

Education is a top priority in the Lowcountry. Here are some of the area’s finest institutions.

Read more: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/back-to-school

08/06/2023

Tomato Pie

serves: 8
Ingredients
• 1 9-inch frozen pie crust.
• 3 large tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper‍

Directions
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees
• Bake pie shell 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Reduce oven to 350 degrees
• Place tomato slices on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 5-8 minutes. Pat out extra moisture.
• Place half of the tomatoes around the bottom of the pie crust.
• Add half of the garlic cloves, half of basil, half of cheddar and half of mozzarella.• Starting with remaining tomatoes, add other layers.
• Apply mayonnaise over final mozzarella layer.
• Place in oven.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes until pie is lightly browned and cheese is melted.
• Let cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.‍

Find more recipes: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/tomato-pie

08/05/2023

Building a Quality of Life

Parks, public docks and boat ramps, sidewalks, sewer connections and historic buildings.

These are the kinds of things Bluffton’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) has built or renovated over the years.

The town allocates more than a third of its annual operating budget to capital improvement projects designed to improve quality of life and infrastructure. Projects are divided into categories like roads, parks, sewer and stormwater, housing, facilities, economic development, land acquisition and internet technology.

Within the past five years, completed capital improvements include a new Calhoun Street Regional Dock, streetscapes on May River Road and Dr. Mellichamp Drive, new parks and parking in the Old Town historic district, and the veterans memorial park at Buckwalter Place.

Over the last decade, the town also has completed several phases of ongoing sewer extension projects, restored the Garvin-Garvey House, upgraded water access at Oyster Factory Park and opened a police substation in Old Town — just a few items on a long list of capital improvements, from sidewalks to signs and street lighting.

The Capital Improvement Program fund in the town’s 2024 fiscal year budget is $28.8 million. Its funding sources include hospitality and local accommodations taxes, bonds, tax increment financing, the town’s general and stormwater funds, grants and the CIP’s fund balance.

More than half of the budget’s CIP expenditures are slated for park, stormwater and sewer improvements. Park projects make up 26.5 percent of the proposed CIP budget, or about $7.6 million. Stormwater and sewer make up 24.4 percent, or about $7 million.

The other project groups in the budget are land acquisition (just under $4 million), economic development ($3.3 million), roads ($2.3 million), facilities ($1.7 million), housing ($1.7) and information technology infrastructure ($488,000).

Read on: http://anthemmediagroup.com/post/building-a-quality-of-life