Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
One of Hilton Head Island’s biggest attractions for both visitors and locals is open once again. The Coastal Discovery Museum was closed for several weeks following Hurricane Matthew but is now back in business, thanks to a new access road — the first right on U.S. 278 after Spanish Wells Road. The 68-acre Honey Horn site the museum sits on will continue to be used as a hurricane debris management site through May.
The Heritage Library recently announced that the South Carolina Department of Archives and History State Historic Preservation Office approved the Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery and the Baynard Mausoleum for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination has been submitted to the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., for final consideration and designation.
Thanks to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the South Carolina State Library, a pilot partnership between Beaufort County's public schools and libraries to bring internet access to some families living in rural northern Beaufort County has been so successful that the library has been awarded a $23,194 grant to expand the program. The Beaufort County Library has partnered with Beaufort County, the Beaufort County School District and wireless provider Kajeet to expand the reach and benefits of free access to the internet to underserved youth and communities by expanding the SmartSpot Educational Broadband Program.
More than 1,000 Beaufort County children are expected to receive developmental screenings and needed educational intervention to prepare them for kindergarten, thanks to $77,500 in additional funding from The Learning Center Fund of Coastal Community Foundation.
Hilton Head Island Town Council member Kim Likins was recently elected new mayor pro tem after Bill Harkins removed his name from nomination during a council meeting. The move means Likins will act as mayor when David Bennett is absent. She will also assume the role of mayor if the seat is ever vacated. Likins has lived on the island for 16 years and has been active in the community, serving on several boards. She is currently the director of the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island.
The crew at Outcast Sport Fishing Hilton Head Island hooked its first great white shark of the winter season, then reeled in and tagged another on Dec. 13. Capt. Chip Michalove estimated the first shark’s weight at 3,000 pounds. “We hooked into the largest white I've seen out there, over 3,000 pounds, but she spit the hook right out when we started to turn the boat around to give chase,” Michalove wrote on Facebook. “I almost called it a day and headed in, but we reset and hooked into this little guy (pictured).
The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Hilton Head at 1 Town Center Court will close permanently Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m.
Survivors of Hurricane Matthew can still get help with just a phone call to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. Information is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Highlights for the Town of Hilton Head Island by Town Manager, Steve Riley
Highlights for the Town of Hilton Head Island by Town Manager, Steve Riley
Please be advised that the Town's disaster debris operation will temporarily shut down for the holiday season from Friday December 23rd through Monday January 2nd. The Town's contractor, Crowder Gulf, will not be picking up any debris during this time.
Highlights for the Town of Hilton Head Island by Town Manager, Steve Riley
What:
Christmas Parade Road Closures
Where:
Old Town Bluffton
When:
Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.
The Town of Bluffton’s annual Christmas Parade will be held this Saturday, December 3, 2016 in Old Town. As a result of the parade route, several roads will be closed to the public beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Just two weeks remain for Hurricane Matthew survivors in South Carolina to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and submit disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The last day for survivors to register for federal disaster assistance is Tuesday, December 13.
Readers’ Choice Party showcases Lowcountry’s favorite people and places
You voted for your favorite people, places, restaurants and businesses. Now come celebrate with the winners. Don’t miss Hilton Head Monthly’s 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards Party, starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island.
The votes are in. Monthly celebrates local businesses and communities with the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards, the “best of the best” places to shop, dine and live, as voted by you, our readers. We received 10,226 electronic ballots in our eight-week Readers’ Choice promotional campaign, intended to identify the top businesses in a wide range of categories. Want to find the best of the Lowcountry? You will find it here.
Festive events to help get you into the holiday spirit
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, the Lowcountry is not the place to be. But if you’re hoping for a season filled with fun holiday activities, you’re in the right spot.
Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and the surrounding areas have an excellent lineup of festivities planned for 2016. And in addition to all the light displays and holiday performances, dozens of churches and synagogues will be offering Christmas and Hanukkah services.
