The Back to School banners are waving, and parents all over America are being tested with difficult questions that weren’t even an issue 10 years ago: Is my child too fat? Too stressed? Too medicated? Over-programmed or under-programmed? Too shy or too aggressive? Is his backpack too heavy? Is she spending too much time texting and shopping when she should be on the soccer field, building muscles and a future as a team-playing corporate executive?

A question I receive nearly every day goes something like this: I'm ready to get started taking back control of my finances. But how do I get started? It's like I'm stuck.

Don't think you are alone if you find yourself wanting to do all the steps at once. But that could be a big mistake. In the same way when building a house you wouldn't pour the foundation, raise the walls and put on the roof all at the same time, with your money makeover, you need to take things one step at a time.

Want to know what Lowcountry Ladies are reading?
We asked five local book clubs for
a peek inside their reading lists and to share their No. 1
book recommendation that stirred the soul and created compelling conversations amongst these friendships born from the love of reading.

Imagine driving by a beautiful, open field, looking out, and seeing 7,500 tacky, yet cheerful, plastic pink flamingos stuck everywhere. Can you envision it? Could it be the largest prank you’ve ever seen? Nope. It’s a “Flock of Love” and just one of the impactful parts of the huge, wacky, out-of-the-box fun the tremendous Pledge the Pink Breast Cancer Walk is known for.

Fourteen years ago, local Laura Morgan had an idea. It was to create one of the most fun, empowering, memorable breast cancer awareness and fundraising events ever. Her vision included 30 miles of walking over three days, everyone wearing Pink, working and walking together to raise an enormous amount of money to help people with breast cancer and make a significant donation to aid in research, treatments, mammogram scholarships and resources.

The Beaufort Garden Club has been around for a long time—since 1934, to be exact. A group of civic-minded ladies amid the Great Depression decided they wanted to do something beautiful for their little town of Beaufort, South Carolina.

The original group all lived on The Point in the venerable homes that were built before the Civil War. But these ladies didn’t just sip tea and eat cheese straws, they went out and got their fingernails dirty! They started planting flowers and shrubs around town, and even planted the line of Sabal palmetto palms, South Carolina’s state tree, on Highway 21 to welcome folks from Gardens Corner to Beaufort. Many of those palms are still there today, having survived numerous hurricanes.

The colorful masterpieces featured on Pink's cover each month are one of the signature features of our magazine. Created by artists from down the street to across the world, the chosen artwork is carefully procured to set the tone for the monthly theme and bring the issue alive.

Both Lydia Cook and her husband, Lloyd, were physicians in the Cleveland area, a pediatrician and internist, respectively. The couple had two children, Shayna and Brandon. Shayna is Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood for the state of Maryland, and lives in Washington, D.C. Brandon is a software developer, living in New York City. The two Doctors Cook had the dream of returning to his family roots and property in Seabrook, SC and enjoying all the Lowcountry has to offer. Lydia’s husband particularly loved fishing and boating, and naturally bought a boat to enjoy time in the creeks and rivers.

This is the time of year we all have no excuses but to get out there on the water. Think roseate spoonbills, eagles, dolphins, herons, and the peaceful marsh.

I love paddling Walter, my well-worn 17-foot Solstice, and not just because it’s an inspiring upper body workout. In less than a minute, kayaking transports me into the silence, the rhythm of the waves, one stroke on my right, another on my left, over and over, inhaling, exhaling, sometimes repeating the mantra, sometimes sending my breath to a tight spot on my torso that’s begging for attention.

When Corporal Michael Howard and I parted ways after meeting at the Hilton Head Plantation Property Owners office for this story, he said, “I hope you have a blessed day.” I responded, “I already have because of you.”

Michael is a security officer at Hilton Head Plantation (HHP). He has worked there for just over four years, and the residents who get to know him, love him. As a resident myself, I had never really interacted with Michael except for waving and smiling when he waves me through the gate, therefore I had no idea my neighborhood had an angel at the front entrance.

The Pink Academy for the Furry, Feathered,
and Frisky congratulates its Class of 2024
and honors these graduates as top-of-the-class
buddies, unlike any other.
- The Class of 2024 -

The colorful masterpieces featured on Pink's cover each month are one of the signature features of our magazine. Created by artists from down the street to across the world, the chosen artwork is carefully procured to set the tone for the monthly theme and bring the issue alive.

Many women in the Lowcountry are transplants from other parts of the United States. Some are here to retire, while others relocate for a job, move closer to family, or perhaps the snowflakes chase them south. Whatever the reason, we live in a corner of paradise with wonderful weather, beautiful beaches, great golf, delicious restaurants, a myriad of outdoor activities, and so much more. However, there is one drawback; we leave behind our friends, family, neighbors, and longtime community connections. Some of us may be a little lonely, especially if we enjoyed strong relationships borne from decades of living in the same neighborhood.

The colorful masterpieces featured on Pink's cover each month are one of the signature features of our magazine. Created by artists from down the street to across the world, the chosen artwork is carefully procured to set the tone for the monthly theme and bring the issue alive.

The one requirement: It always features a woman or the essence of a woman.

Beautiful weather is finally here, and so are shorts, sleeveless tops, and swimsuits—all in bright colors and zippy designs that often reveal doughy arms and generous thighs. A few rounds of golf can't help you. You can run a 10K every weekend, or hike, bike and play tennis till the cows come home, and still the most efficient way to build muscle and overall body strength is targeted strength training.

There are other good reasons for strength training beyond looking good in a bikini. Strong bodies are linked to strong minds. Strength training builds confidence, muscle, and healthy tissue. It's also good for stable joints, injury prevention, and weight loss. And yet—slugs that we are—fewer than 25 percent of Americans over the age of 45 work with weights on a regular basis. A whole lot fewer, I'm guessing.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. This national movement is dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education, and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness. As we all know, mental health conditions are at an all-time high, especially in young adults. Mental stress and anxiety are reducing quality of life, coping skills, social skills and general happiness in millions of people across the United States, and the world. We caught up with psychiatrist Dr. Gabriella Farkas to learn more about the latest concerns in mental health and what we can do about them.

Chante Fennell has a love for young mothers and their children.  She serves as the Hilton Head/Bluffton Coordinator for YoungLives, a part of the nationally known Young Life organization.  It is an unapologetically Christian organization that reaches out to adolescents through volunteer leaders to introduce them to Jesus Christ.  YoungLives takes it a step further with a ministry to young women who have become mothers and are now faced with the responsibility of a child, while many of them are so young themselves.

The colorful masterpieces featured on Pink's cover each month are one of the signature features of our magazine. Created by artists from down the street to across the world, the chosen artwork is carefully procured to set the tone for the monthly theme and bring the issue alive.

The one requirement: It always features a woman or the essence of a woman.

Pink Magazine has featured more than 175 artists over the years all the way from a fourth grader to some of the most renowned artists throughout the world. As our team paged through 20 years of magazines, we couldn't help but revisit the colorful journey our covers have wandered. Here is a look into a few of the legendary artists we've been lucky enough to work with throughout the years:

Over the course of publishing Pink Magazine for 20 years, things are sure to happen. That’s life. However, there are some things we will never forget. We have a lot of stories—some funny, some grueling and many beyond aggravating. Here are a few for the record books for a quick peak behind the scenes at Pink.

Dear Cheapskate:
Would you please explain how making double mortgage payments works to reduce the principal? —Stephanie

Dear Stephanie:
Sure! Let’s say you have these loan terms: $150,000 principal at 6% interest for 15 years. Your monthly payments are $1,265.78.

You are about to make your first monthly payment. If you asked for an amortization schedule, you know that payment will be allocated $750 to interest, and $515.78 to the principal.

And what, Dear Reader, is your part in this joyful blossoming? It's rejoicing in your own human nature—knowing that when the seasons shift and change, so can you.

Spring is the time for fresh starts and new beginnings, especially when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle. Like plants to the light, we all desire more energy, more growth, and greater productivity.

But how do we get there?

Dr. Elson Haas's timeless book, "Staying Healthy with the Seasons," is a great source of inspiration.

If you were to dive into my inbox, you might assume you’d find lots of questions on laundry, copycat recipes or what the best inexpensive fill-in-the-blank is. I do get lots of those. But it’s questions about credit cards and consumer debt that come out the winner in that contest.

You, like I, may find that curious because I am not a financial planner or investment adviser. I can boast no licenses or certifications in those fields. I have life experience, and I have that in spades.

Are you ready for “The Vintage Trailer Trot?” What is it, you ask? Well, you’ve heard of The Yacht Hop, right? The popular fundraiser for Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, where attendees go from one fabulous vessel to the next feeling like a million bucks. The Vintage Trailer Trot is a lot like that, except with the cutest vintage campers and travel trailers you’ve ever seen.

Meet the Southern Area Sisters, an all-female group of glamping enthusiasts who own vintage travel trailers and RVs. These women gather at two set events each year—the “Ground Hog Girls Camp Out” at Hunting Island and “The Frolic.” They try to get together more, but these two long weekends are their foundation dedicated to rest, relaxation, and reconnection. The group started as a Facebook page to coordinate local camping events and turned into fun, forever friendships. You can only imagine how close they have become, relying on each other to back up trailers, and set up camp. (No men allowed, at least for the weekend.)

March 8 is International Women’s Day. It is a day to celebrate women and their achievements, to educate and raise awareness for women’s equality, and to call for positive change in advancing women. This is a global initiative for all women on every continent and in every country.

We are fortunate to have a large number of international women residents, from other countries, living and thriving in the Lowcountry. To celebrate International Women’s Day here at home, we reached out to some international friends to get their insight into what it’s like to leave their home country, often times leaving close family members behind, and move to America. This is what International Women’s Day is all about, not only having a voice, but having it heard.

I love houseplants, and boy, do I have some beauties!
The truth is I don't have a green thumb; I just know a few secret tricks and tips that I will gladly share with you.

KNOW YOUR VARIETIES
Only consider plants in what I call the "thrivus neglectus" family, which comes from the Latin root meaning "really cheap" and thrives even under the harshest conditions of poor light and neglect!

Whether your idea of gardening is an elaborate design element in your landscape or simply caring for a single house plant, sunny spring days and blooming azaleas are an inspiration to connect with nature. Whether you have a green thumb, or you’re a novice, now is the time to get started.

The Lowcountry is filled with transplants from the North who move here because of the beauty and incredible weather. Unfortunately, gardening up North is very different from gardening here. For example, the forsythia, rhododendrons and lilacs that flourish in a cooler climate simply don’t do well here. It can be an expensive learning curve, so the best advice is to seek the advice of local experts at The Greenery.

It gives me the willies when I see some people riding their bikes, grinding out their precious knees. "Raise your seat!" I want to shout to them, and sometimes do, especially to the young ones, who like to pedal with their knees high and their pants low, spinning round and round, their legs never extending the way they should.

Yes, biking can make you fit, but if you don't fit your bike, you're asking for trouble. You lose power, invite fatigue, and can end your ride feeling sore and achy without realizing why. This spring, besides cleaning up your bike—checking the brakes, the spokes, the cables—pay attention to the fit.

The May River Theatre (MRT) is excited to continue a tradition of quality entertainment by opening its 2024 season with a production of Tim Firth’s heartwarming and hilarious play, Calendar Girls on February 23, 2024. He coined the word craugh, which means to cry and laugh all at the same time. Get ready to do some major craughing!

Elizabeth Schlieger, who is the production’s director and MRT Board President shared, “When choosing a season, we were looking for a balance of genres that would provide both enriching opportunities for community performers, while also connecting with our expanding audience. Calendar Girls seemed like an obvious choice for us. We have a great wealth of strong female performers in the greater Bluffton area, and this story celebrates the depth of hope and friendship, which resonates with our current patron base—which is predominantly women.”

The USCB Center for the Arts (CFA) in beautiful Beaufort is gearing up to deliver an unforgettable February filled with entertainment and cultural experiences. With a diverse array of performances, music, and theatrical shows, the CFA is set to captivate audiences of all ages and interests.

Kicking off on February 9, audiences can anticipate a captivating performance that promises to transport them back in time. In partnership with PURE Theatre, the CFA will present Septima by Dr. Patricia Williams Dockery, a new play that details the life and work of Civil Rights activist Septima Clark and celebrates her as one of the most important figures in American history, the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.”