Growing up, everyone in my family was unhealthy, unhappy, AND deranged. Go ahead, laugh. But it’s true. So thanks to our global pandemic, I’m again wrestling with the same issues that plagued me as a kid: loneliness, anxiety, confusion, panic attacks, and eating at 4:30am. Usually, I sneak into the kitchen for yogurt and bananas, instead of Dunkin Donuts. Well, maybe just one little chocolate glazed?

Kim and Geoff Block needed a change. Tired of the rat race, they left New Jersey in 2015 and settled in Bluffton, after being regular Lowcountry visitors for many years. Life was pretty tranquil for 14 months. Then Hurricane Matthew hit. When their builder, Josh Simpson, approached them with stories of Lowcountry residents struggling with home repairs, the three decided they wanted to help. With the guidance of the Community Foundation, Lowcountry Strong was born.  

It’s gorgeous outside lately. I just met an interesting duo, Edward and Ronnie. Edward is 65, an alcoholic with a heavy drinker’s bulbous nose. He lives with a roommate in a new local shelter. Their room has its own bath. The shelter serves three meals a day. He draws Social Security for cash. Looks like he spends much of it on liquor. Most of the rest, $370 a month he claims, goes for cigarettes.  About 35 packs.