A celebration. A woman who made history. And some fun in Beaufort County in September

Ella Wyman is now Mrs. Chris DuBose. The merriment — and there is always lots of it with this clan — began Aug. 16 at the Westin Hotel on Hilton Head Island.

Bess Soper and her catering crew served a delicious feast Thursday evening for out-of-town guests, all of whom were staying at the hotel. Friday night there was a fabulous cocktail dinner after the wedding rehearsal.

Saturday morning was a flurry of hairdos and prepping for the big moment later in the day. All of festivities had to be planned around the “virus,” so only family and close friends were in attendance. Three of those friends — Beth and Haigler Woods, wearing gorgeous long, pleated gowns (Beth in green and Haigler in yellow, both of which were amazing), and Ginger Mallett in an electric blue number — were standouts almost as if planned to dazzle.

At the appointed hour, Ella’s sisters and bridesmaids, Ivy and Emma Margaret, appeared in heavenly blue gowns. The mother of the bride, Angela, was beautiful in her lovely frock, and Aunt Druella looked smashing in her rose-colored dress.

The star of the show for the evening was, of course, the bride, dressed in a lovely sleeveless column of white. The bridegroom was beaming as the couple joined hands for the ceremony. There were some tears, lots of laughter and toasts to the beautiful couple.

Just as the ceremony was winding down, our gorgeous bride decided to jump into the pool with her new husband, which brought squeals of delight from the crowd. The happy couple will make their home in Ridgeland after their clothes dry out.

Miss Rankin and the right to vote

We are in the midst of celebrating women getting the right to vote.

Jeannette Rankin was a friend of my grandmother, and Miss Rankin had quite a bit to do with getting the 19th Amendment passed in 1919.

Miss Rankin was from Montana, the first woman to be elected to Congress in 1916, even though at the time women could not vote. A pacifist, she later voted against World Wars I and II.

Miss Rankin bought a farm near Athens, Georgia, where she built her own house, and when I was in the fourth grade, my grandmother took us to visit the farm. Miss Rankin was about 80 when we met, so all I remember is a little independent lady who told us how she built her house. It had a tamped dirt floor, of which she was very proud. She often traveled to India and had lots of brass vessels and beautiful woven saris draped about. She later left Athens to live in California.

This morning there was a bit about Miss Rankin the 19th Amendment and the struggle the women went through to give us the right to vote. Not many children think about history when they’re 9 or 10, but I was fortunate to meet a woman who helped change the nation’s course.

Coming events

The Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island will host its annual Native Plant Sale Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The sale, to be held outside on Honey Horn Drive, will have a large variety of native plants available. Museum volunteers and master gardeners will be on hand to explain the different species. Cash or check only; entry is free. Please wear a mask.

The Bluffton Artisan Market has announced Fall hours. The market is held Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot at Southern Barrel Brewing Company on Buckwalter Parkway.

Dates are Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 17 and Nov. 14. There will also be a Christmas market Nov. 27-28. To register, contact lcmade.com. A discounted fee will be given if you register before Aug. 31.

This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 6:30 AM.