Dear Friends –
As I head into my 19th Gullah Celebration this week, I want to share with you my thoughts on this important annual event.
Without the People, we simply won’t have the Culture.
Art, cuisine, spirituality, dance, language, storytelling, all the elements we hold dear during the celebratory month of February we call “Culture” – it only exists because of the People. None of this would be possible without Island neighbors who possess the purposefulness and the desire to share with our community and this is why the people should always come first. Not the culture. Not the language. Not the food or the parties – but the people. It’s my hope in 2020, the entirety of our Island – from change-makers to community leaders to elected officials – embrace this principle and apply it wholly to serving our community.
We have a full week ahead of community activities – let’s dig into what I’m excited about…
?? Gullah Heritage Night @ Hilton Head Island Middle School ??
This Wednesday, explore the connection from here to Sierra Leone. View performances by students in dance, drumming, poetry, and more. Special guest speakers include Gullah Museum’s Louise Miller Cohen and my friend from Penn Center, Victoria Smalls. Learn more here.
? Gullah Celebration Opening Night ?
This Thursday night, join the who’s who of the Arts & Culture scene at the 2020 Gullah Celebration Opening Night Party at the Art League Gallery located in the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Enjoy opening night festivities and explore the curated collection of work by emerging and leading artists in the Arts Ob We People show. Trust me, you’ll definitely want to take home a piece from this collection!
?Catch Up On The Disappearance Of The Calverts?
Also on Thursday night, Investigation Discovery Channel will air Hometown Homicides In Too Deep at 10pm. In Too Deep highlights the still-open case of the disappearance of Hilton Head Islanders, John and Liz Calvert. Several locals were recently interviewed for the episode including Sheriff Tanner, Bob Bromage and Angela Viens from the BCSO, local reporters and Pamela Martin Ovens who, alongside Charlie Ryan, wrote the book, Deceit, Disappearance & Death on Hilton Head Island. Hargray channel 66, Spectrum channel 94.
? Soup Is On @ SouperBowl of Caring To Benefit Second Helpings ?
This Saturday, Coligny will host the SouperBowl of Caring event, with all proceeds benefiting Second Helpings – our local food rescue charity! Locally owned Coligny restaurants will serve up soup goodness – with Seafood, Vegan and Vegetarian options! The “souper” popular band, Pretty Darn, will be on the main stage and the entire event will be emceed by Southender Maga’zine Editor, Matt Stock. $10 at the door or go ahead and purchase online in advance!
? ? ? ? 278 Corridor Committee
This week’s meeting will determine recommendations for aesthetics and bicycle facilities in the corridor area. View the committee’s guiding principles, minutes and agendas here. The meeting will take place Wednesday the 29th at 3pm.
Thanks for reading and sharing, hope to see you around the Island this week!
– Heather Rath
? Meetings I’m Watching In 2020 –
- Reminder – there will be an election for three seats in November
- Town Council – next meeting Feb. 18th at 4pm
- 278 Corridor – next meeting on January 29th at 3pm
- Gullah-Geechee Preservation Action Steps
- Town Quality of Life Referendum – May
- Parks & Rec Master Plan Report – coming soon!
- 278 Safety Initiatives
- Comprehensive Plan (Our Plan) Finalization
- + More!
- See all meetings on the Town calendar here.
