Matthew didn’t blow Bluffton’s spirit away

As we drove off ahead of Hurricane Matthew toward Athens, Ga., last Friday, we had no idea what Saturday would bring.

We had reservations for two nights in the only motel we could find that took pets. We reluctantly left the outside cats - they are rather wild and hard to corral. I put lots of cat food and water out for our inside kitty whose name is Dorothy Draper SINCE she drapes over everything, even fences. I, of course, had no idea we would be gone for three nights. Thank you to my courageous neighbors - who stayed in their “safe room” and did not leave - for bringing the kitties more food.

We did have fun on our unexpected holiday, though.

We met all kinds of people. There was a woman at the motel who brought two cats with in her escape from Matthew. The cats got out twice, why I have no idea, but when they bolted the second time, we ignored the circus and headed for a bar. Athens has all sorts of neat bars and music venues as you might know. I was born there so I know streets and fun spots, Don and Tat both graduated from the University of Georgia so they enjoyed looking around. There is a fabulous motel-hotel called “The Graduate.” It used to be called “The Foundry.” It accepts animals if you wish to visit with Spot or Wags in a leisurely fashion.

As for driving to and from Athens and back to Bluffton, we know lots of back roads because we have made the trek many times so we missed all of the backed up traffic.

When we finally got back here, we were so glad to find all of our houses safe. The trees and yards are a very different story. There was debris everywhere and it will be a bit of time before we get everything tidy. As I write this, we still have no power on Bridge Street. Thank you to the wonderful electric crews working overtime to fix it. Trees were blown down everywhere and of course, left no power pole unscathed.

As a side note, we have been overrun with automatic calls that offer loans and workers willing to clean up yards. I am horrified at their audacity of taking advantage of thesituation we have all found ourselves in. I hope no one takes any of the calls seriously because they are after one thing only - your pocketbook. So please be careful.

Thank you to all of the fabulous “hometown” heroes who took charge and fed the hundreds of responders who came down here to help us from all over America. It is truly a magnificent sight to behold. We will survive this mess and be an even better community. “Bluffton Strong.” You better believe it !!

Get to know the old Beaufort

Historic Beaufort Foundation will host its annual Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens, Oct. 28- 30.

There will be a walking tour of the Beaufort historic district, a ramble around Beaufort, and a kitchen and cuisine feature with local chefs. To order tickets call 843-379-3331 or go to www.historicbeaufort.org.

Ready for some seafood?

The Bluffton Seafood Festival will offer some wonderful events during the upcoming week.

The arts and crafts which are always wonderful, will be for sale October 22- 23 on Calhoun Street. This event is always a real treat and a tasty one, too. Can't wait.

This story was originally published October 12, 2016 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Matthew didn’t blow Bluffton’s spirit away."