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.”

Emotional intimacy is the key to a healthy marriage and necessary for developing financial harmony. The secret to creating emotional intimacy is for each of you to meet the needs that are most important to the other. Emotional intimacy is key because it produces authentic trust and respect.

Studies show that married people who behave as true financial partners tend to do better financially and emotionally. So if you haven't already, you and your spouse need to make a commitment to each other to become equal financial partners in your marriage. This can be a verbal or written commitment, whichever suits you best. For some spouses, this step of commitment will mean giving up control. For others, it will require them to get involved.

This we all know: Walking is a wonderful way to exercise. It calms your mind, juices your joints, and makes you stronger so you can last longer. If all of us began our day with a 30-minute romp around the neighborhood, enjoying the fresh air, breathing in, breathing out, saying hello to the birds, air-kissing the flowers, our world would be a better place. At least for those 30 minutes.

Any style of walking is admirable when you're just getting started, but there comes a time when it makes sense to pick up the pace and add some moisture to your brow, so your walk becomes your workout. Here's how to do it:

More than 350 children in the Lowcountry need foster homes. Nearly 50 homes are sought in Beaufort County alone. The demand for qualified, trained foster parents is high.

To meet this overwhelming need for trained foster parents, Epworth Children’s Home recently established an office on Hilton Head. Island The office opened last May and held its public grand opening last month. Located at 18A Pope Avenue on the campus of St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church, the vacant building previously served as The Sandbox Children’s Museum. Olivia Hooker is Epworth Children’s Home’s Director of Foster Care for the Greater Hilton Head Area, and her office serves Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties. Before joining Epworth, Olivia received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in criminal justice. Prior to arriving in the Lowcountry, Olivia investigated abuse cases in the Tennessee foster care system.

Are you stuck in a routine without
savoring the flavor of what you do?
Unearth your true passions!

Exploring genuine passions and identifying happiness is crucial for a fulfilling life.
In today’s fast-paced world, routines rule our days, weaving themselves into the fabric of our work lives and self-care rituals. These predictable patterns, while providing structure, unwittingly clip the wings of our creativity, hindering our potential to innovate and flourish.

If you’ve driven up or down I-95,
you’ve seen the exit for Yemassee, but have you ever stopped?
“We’ve always had people passing through, but now we’ve become
a destination,” said Paula Flowers, owner of Fletcher’s Catering.
The eight other businesswomen in the room agree,
Paula is the “de facto mayor” of Yemassee,
though she has never run for office. “She’s the one who worked
so hard and got the TV show to come to Yemassee, and it worked!” touted Charlotte Murray, who grew up on Hilton Head Island.

Wait! There was a TV show filmed in Yemassee? CBS launched a reality show entitled “The Week the Women Went.” Aired in 2012, the premise of the show was the town’s menfolk are left to handle all the responsibilities, ranging from making the kids’ breakfast and putting them to bed to maintaining their households and coordinating events when the women leave for a week. It made for good TV, but it wouldn’t work today because the women of Yemassee are movers and shakers and a major part of its economy.

Want to make your life easier? Clean out, clean up and get your clothes closet organized.
With an organized closet you can see what you have, what fits and the clothes
you love to wear. Even better—everything is easier to find!

Here are simple steps to find calm in all that chaos. By the way, these same principles for organizing a clothes closet apply to linen closets, utility closets and your food pantry. And the best part? You can do this without spending a dime, using items and tools you have already. The tools you need are boxes, a full-length mirror and a trash can.

Is exercise good for you? Duh.

Regular workouts give you strength, energy, a trimmer body, a healthier heart, a calmer mind and a much lower risk of at least 35 (!) different devastating diseases, including high blood pressure, stroke, osteoporosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diverticulitis, Type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer and, yes, even that star of prime-time TV: erectile dysfunction.

In spite of what we know, we don't do. According to the latest research, 92 percent of adolescents and 95 percent of adults in the U.S. do not meet the minimum guidelines for physical activity.

The Lowcountry Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter
recently received the National Alumnae Chapter of Excellence
award for the fifth time since 2009.

Kappa Delta (KD) is a national sorority for college women, and alumni chapters continue the camaraderie and service after graduation. They are one of only 15 KD chapters awarded this honor. The award is based on four criteria: philanthropy, social interaction, community involvement, and diversity. The Lowcountry chapter has these four areas covered and then some.

It’s 9:30 am on a Wednesday morning in Shelter Cove on Hilton Head Island, and I’m greeted by a big hug and a big smile when I sit down to talk with Hartland Monahan. I realize immediately his name is indeed fitting…this artist is all heART! And his goal is to share his art and passion with the community because this is a heARTfelt way to honor his dad. Wait until you hear his story; better yet, wait until you see Ernieville!

Ernieville is an incredible miniature Christmas village set up each year in the WaterWalk Apartment’s Welcome Center lobby, but it began in Montreal, Canada, on Christmas Day in 1951. It was there where Hartland’s father, Ernie Monahan, placed a few tiny reindeer and Christmas figurines into an empty fireplace. For Hartland and his brothers, Glenn and Kim, it was “magical”!

If you take an extra helping of love, mix it with a heaping dose of compassion, add a dash of hope and stir in the power of belief, you get Christmas magic. Some believe Christmas magic only comes this time of year, but there’s a place where Christmas magic is alive every day of the year. This magical formula is in full force for the 34 dogs currently residing at Noah’s Arks Rescue located on Highway 170 near Callawassie Island.

Noah’s Arks Rescue is different. They take in the dogs nobody else wants—at least in the condition they arrive in. These dogs have been through the worst of the worse, sometimes on the brink of death, euthanasia, or perhaps simply born with a deformity in which most would put them down. However, if you meet them, like I did, your heart melts and you feel the love and gratefulness they have for a second chance at life.

Away With Divisiveness, Anger & Fear
Let It All Go & Replace It With Cheer

by Elizabeth Skenes Millen

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Everyone was angry, even the mouse.

The tempers had flared, it seemed nobody cared
The TV shows told us there’s no hope, no prayer.

The children were alone all glued to their phones,
Which stole Christmas spirit, the cheer and the tone.

The world is worrying about Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Hamas, school shootings and crooked politicians, and the deep, relentless anxiety plays havoc with our imagination.

What if you're sipping a coffee at an outdoor cafe and terrorists start firing machine guns at your table?

What if you're on a plane that explodes in midair because a maniac snuck a bomb into the baggage hold?

What if a suicidal jihadist decides to blow up your kid's school?

Uncontrolled, even irrational, anxiety is a giant obstacle to personal happiness. Worry causes stress, and stress saps our energy, disturbs our sleep, and destroys the calm and peaceful state we seek.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest night of the year falls on December 21. Since the Fall Equinox on September 23, nights have steadily gotten longer each day. After December 21, they will begin to get shorter again. The Winter Solstice, which in Latin means “Sun standing still,” occurs on this day, as well, at exactly 10:27 p.m. EST this year.

In the Christian church, December 21 is a day during Advent that is observed as a time of remembrance, comfort, and especially hope, during the dark days of winter. It is sometimes called “Blue Christmas,” but after Elvis’ song, most churches switched to Longest or Darkest Night.

Food is the foundation for connection. The enjoyment of spending time around a table with family and friends is as old as time. It’s just a simple truth—life is better with good food. And behind much of the good food we enjoy here in the Lowcountry is someone who has a passion to please others through the hospitality and love of life’s favorite social pastime—sharing a meal with lovd ones.

My tail feathers got all twisted when I read that the average American gains 27 pounds between Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Eve.

OK, I'm pulling your leg. The statistic is more like 4 to 7 pounds, but even that's depressin—enough extra poundage to make your jeans feel like a blood-pressure cuff.

Take heart! It doesn't have to be that way. We humans have choices. Dogs, cats and children pretty much have to eat whatever's piled in front of them, but we grown-ups are free to choose, free to make small meaningful changes in our life that lessen our risk of obesity and boost our well-being.

Of course, the holidays are known for filling our homes and hearts with family, food and fun. But the whirlwind months of November and December are also known for being a particularly stressful time of the year for many people—with seemingly endless holiday “to-do” lists running through our minds as we head into what we hope will be the most wonderful time of the year.

There are a number of ways to try to minimize holiday stress, including making sure to plan ahead and to take shortcuts when you can. But perhaps the best way to reduce stress during the holidays is by taking some important time for yourself in a calming environment geared to help you relax, rejuvenate, and recharge your mind, body, and spirit.