Two new public spaces in Bluffton — a park and a pavilion for community events — will offer residents and visitors more amenities in Old Town.

The newly constructed HEART — History, Education for Residents, Art and Tourism — Pavilion at Heyward House was the site of the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society’s first Historic Bluffton Town Party in March. The event was themed around Black History Month and Gullah culture and featured the praise ministry of Campbell Chapel AME Church; a vocal performance by Jim Gadson, a descendant of one of nine freedman who purchased Campbell Chapel in 1874; a book-signing and historical re-enactment by author Kim Poovey; and free tours of Heyward House. Children roasted marshmallows and played cornhole while Bluffton BBQ served up plates of barbecue.

Poet Maya Angelou wasn’t describing the matriarchs of the Gullah community when she wrote “Phenomenal Woman,” but she could have been. Gullah women have been the guidepost for their families for decades, preserving the native islanders’ language, food, traditions and way of life — all while overcoming the usual challenges of everyday life.

ON FEB. 2, LOWCOUNTRY RESIDENTS CAN HELP IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITY — ONE BOWL OF SOUP AT A TIME.

From noon to 4 p.m. at Coligny Plaza, in the area between FISH Casual Coastal Seafood and Skillets Cafe & Grill, local chefs will serve up their favorite soups as part of the Souper Bowl of Caring, an annual fundraiser to benefit Second Helpings, a local charity that “rescues” food from area grocery stores and delivers it to food pantries for distribution to those in need.

THE ART OF SHOWING UP

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry recently sponsored the second TEDxHiltonHeadWomen conference. The independently organized TED event brings together local speakers to share their ideas on issues important to women.

Here come the holidays — and they’re bringing with them a host of activities. Decorating the house, cooking, holiday parties: Instead of singing, “Let It Snow,” you might be humming “Let It Stop.” For me — and maybe you, too — the most stressful part of the holiday season is gift-giving. Every year, I feel overwhelmed by making a list and checking it twice for my family. But what if we shifted our focus to give ourselves simple, effective, health-minded goals? Here are just a few ideas:

Every year, the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival recognizes one collector for his or her continued participation and support. This year, that recognition goes to Paul Ianuario of Duncan.

Selected for his regular contributions to Concours, Ianuario has attended every event since the inaugural Hilton Head event in 2002, also frequently serving as a judge — including chief judge — and exhibiting vehicles. He joined Concours’ board of directors in 2017.

We often look at wellness-oriented treatment options like bodywork, spa sessions, exercise classes, health coaches and eating organic foods as luxuries — something “extra” we do for ourselves. But each of these treatments benefits our quality of life and, ultimately, our longevity — making even a 15-minute chair massage a health necessity. Here are a few reasons why you might want to indulge in some self-love.

Sarah Hurst is willing to consider just about any medical treatment that will help her 4-year-old daughter. So it didn’t sit well with her when she heard a top South Carolina law-enforcement officer label the hemp oil her daughter takes to help control seizures as “snake oil.”

“I’ve seen it stop a seizure after three minutes,” says Hurst, 34, of Bluffton.

Some of the Lowcountry’s best artists submitted works depicting Hilton Head Island and Bluffton for our City Guide issue. Enjoy their renditions of our local landscapes and landmarks here.