The countdown to summer vacation has begun, and with it the annual question faced by all parents: What are we going to do with the kids? Whether you’re looking to keep the kids engaged for a week, or just get them out of the house for a few hours so they don’t spend the whole day watching Netflix, there is a great selection of summer camps right here in the Lowcountry.

Since the start of the pandemic, gardening has become a popular hobby. Studies have shown that incorporating plants around your home can reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood and boost productivity. If you’re a pet owner, it’s good to know which plants are safe for your pets to be around and which ones to avoid.

Summer is in full swing in the Lowcountry. If you’re looking for some at-home ideas to keep the family busy, we’ve rounded up 10 unique staycation ideas to try this summer. Find a low-cost outdoor movie projector on Amazon (or check Facebook Marketplace for a deal.) Hang a white sheet between two trees, then spread out blankets or beach chairs in the backyard.

Olympian and former Kansas Congressman Jim Ryun delivered a motivational speech to the student body of Holy Trinity Classical Christian School on Friday morning in Beaufort. Ryun’s speech touched on the hardships he endured in high school as an athlete and the importance of never giving up on your dreams or losing faith.

Presidential hopeful and Ohio Governor John Kasich pushed his vision for a revitalized economy and America during a rally Wednesday in the Bluffton Promenade. In addition to serving as Ohio’s chief executive, he served 18 years in Congress. He will continue to travel the state for the rest of the week, rallying support in the buildup to Saturday’s GOP Primary.

A Floral Affair is a bride’s one-stop shop when it comes to making her wedding flower fantasies bloom true, mostly thanks to shop owner Dawn Kiritsy. She and her husband, Stephen, opened the shop in 1997 on Dillon Road a year after relocating to the Lowcountry from New Hampshire. They were sick of the North’s snow and were ready for warmer weather, so their favorite vacation spot — Hilton Head Island — soon became their home, and their new place of business.

With all the buzz surrounding the presidential election, it’s easy to overlook the general elections happening here in the Lowcountry. On Nov. 8, Democrat Dimitri Cherny is challenging current U.S. Mark Sanford to represent the South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. Two years ago, a similar race was unfolding when Cherny ran as a write-in candidate against Sanford, which he lost with 9 percent of the vote.

Phoebe Howard is the ultimate self-made woman. This Florida-based mother of four is a housewife turned household name in the Southeastern interior design world, touting an impressive client list and showrooms from Charlotte to Jacksonville. She never attended design school or worked for another designer, but instead learned by experimentation, inspired by her husband Jim Howard’s success as an architectural and design expert.

I will be the first to admit that when I came to college as a young and eager freshman, the last thought on my mind was my impact on the environment and living sustainably. Through my years in school, I gave little consideration to the amount of food I wasted, time I spent in the shower, or even where the food I ate was coming from, and that’s alright.

You don’t have to be a marketing major to know that when you’re preparing for a career, you have to brand yourself. No matter what career field you plan on pursuing, there is going to be competition coming at you from all angles. So how can you distinguish yourself from dozens of other applicants, and communicate to your employer that you are the best person for the job?

Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter may be all the rage right now, but could ultimately be the bane of your existence when you start applying for a job. There is nothing less appealing to an employer than an employee that misrepresents their company when they aren’t in the office. Employers today will dig deep into your personal social media presence and often keep your outside work activities in consideration when looking to hire someone new.

The working world is all about appearance and it’s important to maintain a professional one. When you’re ready to jump start your career or revamp the one you’ve already begun, there are important things to keep in mind to demonstrate your professional demeanor. Below are a few quick steps you can start taking today to improve your professional lifestyle.