Bluffton Packet

How 3 Bluffton belles helped spell success for ‘The Bachelorette’

Party celebrates the work of Josie Schmitt, Dani Conn and Pearl Giltner as spelling bee judges on the popular ABC series when it filmed recently in Old Town Bluffton.

Religion

How St. Gregory the Great Catholic School plans to spend $7M

St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in greater Bluffton is planning a major expansion project that would add a new $7-million, nearly 30,000-square-foot muti-purpose building adjacent to existing facilities just north of U.S. 278. The new building — called the Parish Life Center — will provide a gymnasium and cafeteria for the school, overflow space during services and events, meeting rooms, and a venue for wedding receptions.

Local

Can’t find parking in Old Town Bluffton? Leaders say this might help

Bluffton town leaders are involved in ongoing discussions about potential regulatory changes aimed at easing parking woes, particularly in the Old Town historic district. Potential amendments to town code could include increasing the number of spaces developers are required to include in future projects.

Bluffton Packet

Hate it when businesses answer your call with a machine? Join the club

Bluffton Packet contributor Jean Tanner would much rather talk to a real, live person than a “virtual” anything.

On the Town

Going ‘green’ with envy over Bluffton garden

Babbie Guscio has a favorite “secret” garden on Buck Island Road.

Real Estate News

Bluffton leaders give nod to plan for new neighborhood next to May River High

Bluffton Town Council voted unanimously earlier this week to approve a plan to build a 365-home neighborhood on roughly 232-acres near the intersection of New Riverside and Old Palmetto Bluff roads. The site of the development — which is planned to be a private gated community — sits squarely between May River High to the west and the headwaters of the May River to the east.

Bluffton Packet

Bluffton Town Council passes new budget. How will that impact your property taxes?

The Bluffton Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the town’s new 2018 fiscal year budget. The roughly $37 million budget includes a property tax cut of about 4 percent.

Real Estate News

This is what Sun City looked like 24 years ago

In 1993, when developers of Sun City Hilton Head were looking to develop a key piece of property that straddled Beaufort and Jasper counties, the land was filled with pines, hardwood trees and dirt roads. If you were leaving Hilton Head Island, US 278 went only as far as SC 170. And then, just two years later, Sun City was in full bore to become the metropolis it is today. Watch through this video to see how more than 5,000 acres became what is known today as Sun City.

Politics & Government

Beaufort County Councilman Mike Covert sets two town hall meetings for residents

Beaufort County Councilman Mike Covert will hold a pair of town hall meetings in June. The first meeting is open to the public and is set for Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. The second meeting is open to Hampton Lake property owners and will be held Friday, June 22, 2017, at the Lake Room in Hampton Lake community center.

On the Town

Old Town graduation party includes a thanks offered in Gullah

A Bluffton family sends a son off to college in North Carolina with good food, fine fellowship and a ‘thank you’ in the Gullah language.

Education

A giant selfie and remembering fallen classmates: 5 things you missed at Bluffton High’s graduation

Didn’t make it to Wednesday night’s big event? Or were you too excited to pay attention? We’ve got the highlights here from Bluffton High’s Class of 2017 graduation.

On the Town

You know Bluffton’s past and live its present. Recent gathering looks to its future

A recent symposium discussed Bluffton’s past, present and future and was followed by a reception at the Pine House.

Bluffton Packet

How a Pritchardville picket-fence romance led to 60 years of marriage

Painting a picket fence, trips to Nick’s Grill in Hardeeville and years of “hearty discussions” formed the basis of more than a century of wedded bliss.

Business

Do you know the best folklore of Bluffton? New tour company hopes to inform

The company, which will begin tours starting mid- to late June, will be a walking tour guided by the character “Bluffton Jack.”

Liz Farrell

Classmates show kindness after girl falls off stage

Olivia Renaud, performing in Hilton Head Island Elementary School's production of James and the Giant Peach, took a tumble off stage but came back to finish the show.

Real Estate News

New 365-home neighborhood planned for site next to Bluffton’s May River High

Bluffton’s Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday evening to recommend approval of an initial master plan for a proposed gated community near the intersection of New Riverside and Old Palmetto Bluff roads. The property, which could see the construction of as many as 365 new homes, is adjacent to May River High School.

On the Town