Hilton Head News

Red Cedar Elementary School set the Guinness world record for the most cereal boxes toppled in a domino fashion. On April 5, the school toppled 3,730 cereal boxes. The previous record was 3,416 boxes. The school collected 6,153 boxes, all of which will be donated to Bluffton Self Help with a handwritten message from a student attached to each one, the school said.

As sea turtle season begins, Amber Kuehn, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ permit holder, offers tips for beach goers to enjoy a safe and fun nesting season:

Some island folks consider May the start of the most exciting time to be on Hilton Head Island. That’s when the water temperature reaches 70 degrees and the seaturtles, mostly Loggerheads, come ashore to nest and lay their eggs along the island’s 14 miles of beach.

Jasper County will host a PGA Tour event this summer. Gov. Henry McMaster and Congaree Golf Club announced that the Palmetto Championship at Congaree will be held June 7-13 in Ridgeland. The FedExCup event will field 156 golfers. The tournament is expected to have more than a $50 million economic impact in the Lowcountry. The Palmetto Championship at Congaree will be broadcast on CBS, Golf Channel and PGA TOUR LIVE. The golf course is on U.S. 278 in northern Jasper County. The event joins the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing as a premier golf event in the Lowcountry. 

BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANS OUTDOOR GRADUATION CEREMONIES 

The Beaufort County School District plans on holding in-person outdoor graduation ceremonies for its 2021 graduates. To hold the ceremonies outdoors, the graduation schedule is adjusted in order to accommodate rain days: Beaufort High School, June 14 at 7 p.m. (Rain date: June 22 at 10 a.m.); May River High School, June 15 at 7 p.m. (Rain date: June 22 at 7 p.m.); Whale Branch Early College High School, June 16 at 7 p.m. (Rain date: June 21 at 7 p.m.); Hilton Head Island High School, June 17 at 7 p.m. (Rain date: June 19 at 7 p.m.); Bluffton High School, June 18 at 10 a.m. (Rain date: June 19 at 10 a.m.), Battery Creek High School, June 18 at 7 p.m. (Rain date: June 21 at 10 a.m.); June 23 is an extra rain day if needed. The district planned to submit plans to the S.C. Department of Commerce and Department of Health and Environmental Control for approval.

Tennis icons and Hilton Head residents Dennis Van der Meer and Kerry Melville Reid will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Known as the “teacher of teachers,” Van der Meer founded the Van der Meer Tennis Center on Hilton Head and Professional Tennis Registry. He was named Olympic Developmental Coach of the Year in 1997. Van der Meer, who died in 2019 at 86 years old, will be inducted posthumously. Reid, who lives on the island, will be inducted as part of the Original 9, which was a group of women in 1970 who signed $1 contracts to compete in a new women’s tournament, paving the way for the WTA Tour. The induction ceremony is set for July. 

SOLICITOR’S OFFICE COLLECTS ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR CHILDREN’S SHELTER 

Essential items were donated recently to the area’s only home for abused and neglected children thanks to a community partnership between the Child Abuse Prevention Association, the 14th Circuit Victims Services Center and a Solicitor’s Office program. 

The Victims Services Center and the Pre- Trial Intervention program donated toiletries, healthy snacks, school supplies, and clothing to CAPA and the Open Arms Children’s Home, which primarily serves children ages 12 and older who have been removed from an abusive or neglectful situation. 

A Bluffton woman’s lucky numbers won her a $100,000 prize playing the South Carolina Education Lottery. 

The winning ticket was bought at the Parker’s No. 33 on Buckwalter Parkway in Bluffton. The numbers for the Feb. 25 drawing were 2-12-15-19-35. 

More people are eligible for coronavirus vaccinations. The S.C. Department of Health in March moved to Phase 1b, which includes all people age 55 and older. It also includes people 16-64 with “high-risk” medical conditions, frontline workers with occupational risk, and school staff. The state expects to further expand eligibility around April 12 by implementing Phase 1c, which will include those age 45 and up. Phase 2 is set to begin around May 3, in which people 16 and older will be eligible. Online appointments can be made at scdhec.gov/ vaxlocator or by calling 1-866-365-8110. 

It certainly has been a year like no other. And in no other year have we been more excited or grateful to welcome you back to the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. 

COVID-19 brought great perspective for all of us: Community is so important, especially through the biggest challenges. Challenges unimagined. To have the opportunity to welcome our fans back to the grounds is an honor. 

Three Beaufort County sites are now among six spots joining the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. The national collection includes 67 public and private sites and programs that provide education, historical interpretation, and research related to the American Reconstruction era from 1861 to 1900, a news release said. The local sites are Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park on Hilton Head Island, Penn Center on St. Helena Island and Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaufort. 

Led by Dior Shelton’s 17 points, Hilton Head Christian Academy’s girls basketball team won the SCISA Class AA state basketball championship. The Eagles defeated Palmetto Christian Academy 48-32 at Sumter Civic Center to earn their third straight title. Abby Peduzzi added 11 points. 

In SCHSL competition, the Hilton Head High boys basketball team fell to South Point High 52-50 in the Class AAAA state-title game at the USC Aiken Convocation Center. 

At the SCHSL state wrest l ing championships, Eli Hall (220 pounds) and Gabe Juarez (160 pounds) of May River High and Hilton Head High’s James Levy (113 pounds) won state titles. 

The Breeze trolleys serving Hilton Head Island will begin service starting Saturday, April 10. The free service includes a second route serving mid-island residents and guests. The trolley service is expected to operate every day through Labor Day. The South Island Route will follow the same service hours, routing, and stops as last year using two trolleys each day. The new Mid- Island Route will use one trolley and will serve portions of William Hilton Parkway, Folly Field Road, and Shelter Cove Lane. The service will run 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 1 p.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit breezetrolley.com. 

STONEWORKS GIVES BACK TO DEEP WELL PROJECT

Deep Well Project received a $500 check from StoneWorks from proceeds of StoneWorks’ winter Level porcelain promotion. Customers received a discount on their Level porcelain and StoneWorks donated to Deep Well on their behalf.

1. A scenic view from the beach entrance at the Omni Resort Hilton Head as provided by Chris Webb.

2. Shauna Phillips captured the image on the water while fishing. 

3. Sunset on Broad Creek as photographed by Rebecca Shupp.

The 53rd annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing is set for April 12-18, with limited spectators on-site and strict health and safety protocols. COVID protocols include mandatory use of facial coverings and social distancing, according to a news release. 

The fan guide to safety policies for the 2021 event is listed at RBCHeritage.com/COVID19.