Hilton Head Monthly Magazine Voice of the Lowcountry 
HHSO’S MARY BRIGGS TO RETIRE
Mary Briggs will retire as president and CEO of The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra at the end of the year. The orchestra’s board of directors has announced Alan Jordan as her successor. Jordan is currently the executive director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Briggs led the orchestra for 12 remarkable years.
LOWCOUNTRY MEDIUMS USE PSYCHIC ABILITIES TO HELP OTHERS
National and local interest in the paranormal spiked recently after the release of video footage showing U.S. Navy pilots reacting to fast-moving, oblong objects — allegedly UFOs — hurtling through the air. The Navy acknowledged that the footage is real, and have admitted that they don’t know what, exactly, the objects are.
But for mediums in the Lowcountry, UFO sightings, spirits and communication that can’t be explained by traditional science are part of everyday life. They say that their access to the supernatural world allows many opportunities to help others.
BROTHERS’ OYSTER FARM MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO MAY RIVER
Every day, starting at first light, brothers Andrew and Austin Harter head out from the Alljoy public dock in their SeaArk, aiming for a little slice of the May River where their 200 oyster cages float.
It’s their first trip of the day, but usually not their last. They’ll go out two or three more times to check on their oysters and haul in the ones that are ready for market.
PAPER LANTERNS TO LIGHT UP LOWCOUNTRY SKIES IN CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY
Twilight is a beautiful time in the Lowcountry: The setting sun sinks below the horizon, turning the sky shades of pink, purple and blue as its rays reflect off the sparkling water.
Add hundreds of twinkling lights — glowing paper lanterns of all shapes and sizes — and you’ve got paradise on earth.
BISHOP EYE CENTER ADDS OPHTHALMOLOGIST AND RETINA SPECIALIST
Dr. Carl W. Baker has joined the team at Bishop Eye Center’s New River location as an ophthalmologist and retina specialist. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Previously, Baker served as chief resident in ophthalmology at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is engaged in clinical research for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and retinal vein occlusions.
SECOND HELPINGS HELPS CONNECT GROCERY SURPLUSES WITH THOSE IN NEED
Outfitted in white polos and tennis shoes — the signature look of Second Helpings volunteers — a group of volunteers gathered in a parking lot on the north end of Hilton Head Island. Aside from a few minutes of light chatting, little time was wasted as they all climbed into their assigned trucks and took off on a mission to provide food to those in need all around the Lowcountry.
Founded in 1992, Second Helpings is a nonprofit organization working to alleviate hunger in the Lowcountry by distributing food from donors like grocery stores and restaurants to local food banks and other organizations helping to feed the hungry.
LOCAL WOMAN MAKES HISTORY COME ALIVE IN CHARACTER
Bluffton resident Margaret “Peggy” Pickett has done a little bit of everything over the years.
For a while, she was a trainer for IBM, teaching customers how to use their new equipment. She also taught pre-school, and was a language therapist working with at-risk students.
TIDEWATCH EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NOW OPEN
Coastal Carolina Hospital will now include the Tidewatch Emergency Department. The 10,000 square foot facility has 12 treatment areas, 24/7 physician coverage and represents a $15 million investment in the community. The types of acute illnesses and injuries treated at a traditional ER can now be treated at Tidewatch Emergency Department. These include allergic reactions, bone fractures, chest pain, head injuries, seizures, stroke and other urgent medical conditions.
Most families who have loved ones in assisted living communities want to spend time together and plan regular visits. They also want their seniors to remain active, engaged and healthy. To make the most of visits, many experts recommend coming equipped with a list of activities that everyone will enjoy.
As an added bonus, many of these activities can be beneficial for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Most of us like to give and want to help out worthy causes. But new, higher standard deductions have made charitable contributions less beneficial and often non-deductible. So what is a person to do? Although everyone’s specific financial and tax situation is different, leveraging their IRAs to keep giving has been beneficial to many seniors.
