Hilton Head Living

MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL CELEBRATES GULLAH CULTURE

The month of February on Hilton Head Island is dedicated to all things Gullah — flavorful food, vibrant culture, colorful art and soulful music. This rich heritage will be on display during the 22nd annual Gullah Celebration, organized by the Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association.

“We are celebrating the traditions of the culture, such as food, music and crafts, and its evolution,” said Thomas Curtis Barnwell of the NIBCAA. “It is our intention to continue this tradition and share those parts of our history with our patrons and visitors.”

CHINESE NEW YEAR MARKS THE START OF THE YEAR OF THE DOG.

At the stroke of midnight on Feb. 16, more than 1 billion people will celebrate the start of a new year — the lunar new year, that is, following the Chinese lunar calendar.

According to that calendar, the Chinese New Year will usher in the Year of the Dog — a very good year for anyone born under that sign, like actor Alec Baldwin, royals Prince William and Kate Middleton, and our president, Donald Trump.

FROM WEBSITES TO TINDER, IT’S POSSIBLE TO FIND ROMANCE ONLINE AT ANY AGE IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN MIND.

You date, you fall in love, you get married (at age 38), you have kids, you get divorced, you date again. And eventually, if you’re lucky, you love again.

In the first go-round — several decades ago — I met women the old-fashioned way: bars, the workplace and ski resorts (I lived in Colorado and Wyoming). No computers, no smartphones. I would walk up and sit next to an attractive woman, start talking, dance a few songs, ask to see her again, and carry on from there. It was simple.

NEW FACILITY WILL HELP HOMELESS DOGS AND CATS

In the five-plus years since forming a private-public partnership, the Hilton Head Humane Association and Beaufort County Animal Services have made huge strides, but the biggest benefits are yet to come.

Crews broke ground on a new shared campus for the two organizations in October. The $8 million project is expected to be completed by December 2018 and will provide a centralized facility to better serve all of Beaufort County.

LOCAL SCHOOLS OFFER ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Good schools prepare children for the world of work and help them to develop their personal talents, discover who they are and gauge where they best fit into society. Schools also play a tremendous role in the life of a community and contribute to a feeling of belonging among residents. How much education is valued is a reflection on the community itself, its priorities and its future. For Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry, schools have played huge roles in the history and development of the region. On the following pages, we’ve highlighted nine of the best schools, academies and institutions available right here at home.

A “new you” in 2018 is an encouraging new year’s resolution, and it’s easier than you think. It might be helpful to think small at first — maybe try a new hair style — and then work up to bigger-picture makeovers, like weight loss or cosmetic surgery. Here are a few places to start, and a few expert tips from Lowcountry health and beauty professionals.

HIT THE GYM IN BLUFFTON

Expanded Buckwalter Recreation Center offers new fitness options

As a busy couple with a 6-year-old son, Maren and David Rogers have a hard time squeezing in exercise without cutting into family time. And even if they’re able to carve out space in their schedules, it’s tough to find room in the budget for expensive exercise classes or gym memberships.

We’ve curated a list of 12 ways to start fresh in 2018, focusing on your mental, physical and social well-being so that you can accomplish all you set out to do this year. But for those looking to improve their lifestyle in the new year, you might want to try baby steps instead of cannonballing straight into the deep end. When you weigh yourself down with too many expectations, you automatically set yourself up for failure. Try breaking down these 12 steps into a plan that better suits your needs.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT HAS BECOME A HOLIDAY TRADITION

As part of the world’s largest and longest-running citizen science project, bird lovers in more than 2,500 locations in the Western Hemisphere will participate in the 118th Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. Between Dec. 14 and Jan, 5, each group will cover a 15-mile radius and tally the birds spotted.