Newsletter – March 17th 2019 – with love from the low country

Dear Friends –

Like many of you, I returned home a few hours ago from enjoying a full Sunday at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. After spending the morning at Coligny (which was a blast – I saw so many local friends – I had missed you all Winter!), Graydon and I walked alongside our neighborhood with the Charli’s Critters brigade.

We had an energized group of kids, handing out candy and beads and dancing! So much dancing! Spectators were able to pet lizards, alligators and snakes, all in the memory of sweet Charli Bobinchuck. The day was an exceptional one, celebrating our community and the organizations and people that make us the Island we are. Great job to the parade all-volunteer committee, a sincere thank you for all you do.

So, we all consider this past weekend of WineFest and the Parade as our “unofficial kickoff to Spring”, right? When it seems like our Island explodes with places to go and people to see.

Take for instance Saturday. Our little 12 by 5 mile Island hosted…

Hilton Head Island Shamrock Run in the Coligny Area – ? ? ?
Junior Bridge (Where Students Learn To Play Bridge For Free!!!) at The Bridge Club – Kids learning ♠️ ♥️ ♦️ ♣️ with volunteer experts!
WineFest – Heard the turnout was fantastic ?
Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island Gala Presented by Audi – $$$ raised for the 270 kids who are using the Club daily!
Learn to Fish & Crab @ Sailing & Rowing Center With Mr. Ben Green – Awesome show of community. ? ? ?

…and a ton of other events from Musical Performances to Art Shows to Oyster Roasts and more. This is truly a pretty great place to live and raise a family.

So let’s chat about the upcoming week.

Please attend the opening of The Living Lab THIS TUESDAY @ 3:30pm – See Invite Below. This is a creative space born out of the Our Plan process, a process that will help develop the Comprehensive Plan for the Town.

Think of it as a space where people can collaborate and think creatively about solutions for our challenges, our future, our Island…pretty cool, right? That’s The Living Lab.

Following the opening of The Living Lab is the 4pm #TownCouncilTuesday – you can find the full agenda here.

Highest item of interest is the adoption of Town Council Priorities, Goals and Strategies. I’ve included them below and you can view the presentation here.

Council Vision: The Town will focus on revitalization and modernization of its economy and infrastructure, while building an inclusive and diverse community.

Council Goals:

Protect and enhance our Island quality of life
Create, or cause to be created, a social, political, and economic environment that stimulates the right kind of private investment
Effectively and efficiently provide the appropriate level of community services and facilities

Council Strategic Initiatives:

Construct Celebration / Coligny Park
Introduce US 278 Gateway Corridor Project to Community and Solicit Input
Facilitate Mitchelville / Gullah-Geechee Cultural Preservation
Review and Update Comprehensive Plan
Determine the Most Effective and Appropriate Role in Workforce Development

There are tactics to achieving all goals found here.

Finally, on Thursday I’ll be attending the Symposium on Race at USCB Hilton Head Campus. Sponsored by OLLI, this panel discussion will bring together many of my friends and community leaders from across a variety of Island mediums for a diverse and thoughtful discussion. See image below for more information and to guarantee your space via RSVP.

Hope to see you this week around the Island!

– Heather Rath

PS – If you missed the Lantern Parade lunch and learn last week, check out the event details here and make sure your business/organization/POA saves the date for November 9th!

PPS – You MAY ? have seen Steph Cauller on the beach with a film crew last Saturday – stay tuned for more details soon! Teaser!