It’s hard to prepare to be resilient, but when faced with adversity, most people are surprised to find they can rise above. Their stories were on display on Oct. 20 at the inaugural TEDxHiltonHead talk, held at the rooftop bar at Poseidon Coastal Cuisine.

TED is a nonprofit group that was originally conceived as a conference to focus on technology, entertainment and design in 1984. Today, the talks cover almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages and have earned a global following online. Independently run TEDx events, like the recent forum on Hilton Head Island, help share ideas in communities around the world.

This online exclusive follows a story from my regular column “Where Are They Now”.

Nicole Arnold can sleep wherever she lays her head. She’s slept on the floors of airports, she’s slept on strange couches, and deep in the starry desert. Sometimes, she’s chosen to go without sleep altogether.

Not content to take the requisite summer cruise or well-trodden trip to Paris before diving straight into college, Nicole graduated high school early and defied expectation when she toured the U.S. coast to coast by bicycle. There’s no doubt this journey of a lifetime steeled her travel ethos.

Auditions for “NEWSIES,” the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina’s Holiday musical production are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16, by appointment only. The production will be directed by Mark Martino, who also directed the Arts Center’s productions of “Forever Plaid” and “White Christmas.”

Rehearsals for "Newsies" begin on November 14, and performances run from December 6-31, 2017. Actors must be available for all rehearsals and performances.

Kayaking down intercoastal waterways, trudging through marshland, building catapults and even riding roller coasters are just a few of the many activities John Paul II Catholic School science classes have participated in throughout the past two years.

According to Heather Rembold, assistant principal and science teacher at JPII, there is much in store for the future of the program. “In today’s education scene there is a large emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math),” she said. “The growth for this type of curriculum will be huge.”

Cue scene: The waitress at my birthday dinner has a smile that seems tailored just for me. She’s just a little shy but very sweet. Blue streaks in her hair. With 7 credit cards, we pay up, my friends and I, joking about the small profit the bank makes on our good time. I waive adieu and we go in for some late night jazz at a bar across the street. Much later, that same smile graces my eyes. It’s loud in here but we manage to talk poetry just as I’m called on stage to play. She leaves with a friend and I can’t reverse her momentum as she walks out.

Sun City residents mingled with some of the Lowcountry’s cutest and most eligible cats at Palmetto Animal League’s first ever ‘Meow Mixer’ July 22 at the PAL Adoption Center in Okatie’s Riverwalk Business Park. 

Guests enjoyed refreshments and waived adoption fees for cats 1+ years old. PAL matchmakers were on hand to help attendees find their next great love. The idea behind the Meow Mixer was to help more adult cats find their forever home. PAL staff members fondly refer to their longtime feline residents as ‘Whiskers in Waiting.’ 

“Our facility provides a comfortable environment, but it could never be a substitute for a home of their own,” says Palmetto Animal League President, Amy Campanini. “Some cats have been here for 3 or more years, and it’s time for them to finally experience all the love and happiness they deserve.”

During the Meow Mixer, four adult cats were adopted into loving homes. Six other pets, including dogs and kittens, were also adopted at PAL the same day. Those who adopted an adult cat during the Meow Mixer received a gift bag compliments of PetSmart and a limited-edition PAL “Lives Worth Saving” T-shirt.  

The Coastal Discovery Museum will host “Les Bonnes Artistes” starting July 1 and running through August 27.  “The Good Artists” was founded in 2007 by Doris Shay.  The name is something that all artists aspire to; to become a really good artist.  The idea was to get a group of women artists together once a month to discuss art, share ideas and techniques, support each other, and improve their art.  Soon after, the idea for a group show of their works was discussed and they have been showing at various venues on Hilton Head Island for the last ten years.

The Sunshine on a Ranney Day organization was featured in our April 2017 issue. Check out this touching video of Briana Hudson's room makeover reveal.

Photographer Arno Dimmling captured these images from the 2017 Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day Parade.