Out and about at Christmas time, and the tragic loss after Bluffton’s Christmas parade
We have spent the last week or so nipping hither and thither to Christmas festivities both here in Bluffton and on “the island.” One beautiful evening we were headed to an art exhibit presented by Maneline Art.
The paintings and sculptures were on display at the upstairs at The Farm. The space is very interesting and rather rustic, which was a perfect foil for the art.
Pierce Giltner, one of our favorite Bluffton artists, had a wonderful group of paintings both on canvas and his favorite, weathered tin, to offer much to our delight. Carolyn Killebrew, an artist from Atlanta, and Chase Allen also had works for sale.
It was fun seeing Pearl and mama Pressly Giltner, down from Chester, for the evening. Loretta Wells joined daughter and son-in-law Anna and Cal Sharp, Jared Jester, Lyndie and Adam Simoneaux, David Pratt, Nikki and Brian Reiser along with a wonderful jumble of art enthusiasts enjoying themselves.
We bid adieu to “The Farm” and hopped in the car to our next destination, Port Royal Plantation, to see an aluminum tree collection dating from 1959 to 1971. The Aluminum Forest was set up with help from Blufftonian Nancy Jones at the home of Kelly and Marty McClure as a benefit for the Hilton Head Humane Association.
I must say the trees were quite amazing and very colorful. There were 50 of them and more are in storage, all sizes and shapes , along with all sorts of vintage ornaments too. The trees came about in the era of aluminum ... people were focused on modernism and the space race. You can see this also in the cars of that time with their shapes and adornments. We had a wonderful aluminum education and were very happy we went.
Speaking of humane things, I found the cutest picture the other day. Dogs are loved and treasured all over the world. Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet in Thailand, there is a problem. The country is home to so many stray dogs that their owners have come up with an idea. The dogs have to wear bright, colorful shirts to let people know they are loved and actually have a family that loves them. I was a little taken aback, but glad the dogs have families that care about their four-legged friends.
Another good thing is going on up in New York City. Lawmakers are expected to adopt legislation requiring “bird-friendly“ glass on all new construction in an effort to cut down on the thousands of birds who die each year flying into the city’s buildings.
New York City Audubon Society estimates that 90,000 to 230,000 birds, from hawks to hummingbirds, are killed each year when they crash into New York City buildings. New York City will be the largest city in the nation to require glass that is visible to birds when, I hope, the measure passes. This is the most broad-reaching bird-friendly policy in the country, according NYC’s Audubon director of conservation Susan Elbin.
River tours
Outside Hilton Head has two interesting items you might like.
There’s a Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Tour. This is a three-hour tour of the Savannah riverfront and the Georgia Ports Authority. Then another event is a tour of the Port of Savannah, the nation’s largest port in volume with over 50 piers, wharves and docks. You can experience a working port from the water via boat. For information on these tours and other offerings you may be interested in go to outsidehiltonhead.com.
A tragic loss
As we approached Christmas I want to say that Bluffton experienced a very tragic loss. A dear 5-year-old child Ameer Frazier lost his life at the Bluffton Christmas Parade. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Frazier-Ford family.
Merry Christmas to everyone and a very Happy New Year.
This story was originally published December 17, 2019 at 9:41 AM.