LCW 07-01-26

.{ Reflections on the good life in coastal South Carolina }.

Lowcountry Tough Love 4 America at 250

Tree in the Road 6

A Flow Country meditation

Halfway Home 10

Artwork & sea turtles

Walk For Water at 10 11

Bigger and better than ever

Star-Spangled Sides 12 Food for the Fourth

Summertime Choir 15

Orchestrating the garden

The Toxic Avenger 9

Sea Glass Stage Company

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

July July 14, 15, 2026 2025 July 21 –– July

Weekly

cover notes

Weekly

Lowcountry

The photo on our cover was taken by our gardening columnist, Laura Lee Rose. A Master Gardener retired from the Clemson Extension Service, Laura Lee encourages the use of native plants and sustainable landscaping. Read her latest column, 'Voices in the Summertime Choir,' on page 15.

July 1 – July 14, 2026 Founding Publisher and Patron Saint: Jeff Evans Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly Marketing Director: Amanda Hanna — 843-343-8483 or Amanda@LCWeekly.com Advertising Sales: Jere Russo — 401-787-3280 or JereRusso@gmail.com Original Design: Lydia Inglett Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks Contributing Writers: Bradley Beck, Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Luke Frazier, Wendy Hilty, Jared Madison, Cele & Lynn Seldon, and Sutty Suddeth What’s Happening Calendar: Staff – Editor@LCWeekly.com Letters to the Editor, comments or suggestions can be addressed to: Lowcountry Weekly 106 West Street Extension, Beaufort, SC 29902 Call: 843-986-9059 or Email: Editor@LCWeekly.com Lowcountry Weekly is published every other Wednesday and distributed throughout Beaufort County at various restaurants, retail locations, hotels and visitor ’s centers. The entire contents of Lowcountry Weekly is copyrighted 2025 by P. Podd Press, LLC. No part may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned.

Tough Love

With Independence Day upon us – not to mention America’s 250 th Anniversary – I wanted to write something heartwarmingly patriotic. I truly did. But as deadline approached, my heart just wasn’t feeling all that warm.

Even the stories I was reading about World Cup visitors dazzled by the US were leaving me semi-cold. Or, at best, room temp. Apparently, these overseas travelers have been captivated by our friendliness, but even more so by our vast array of giant convenience stores (special shout out to Buccee’s), the mind-boggling panoply of soft drink flavors at McDonald’s, and our bottomless supply of free ice. I tried to embrace that spirit and write about American abundance – I’ve been to Europe, and the ice situation is grim – but while I can certainly appreciate the miracle of the Big Gulp, I longed to go deeper.

I hopped over to the Lowcountry Weekly website to see what I’d written in years past, hoping for some inspiration. Or better yet, something I could recycle!

The website was down.

Apparently, our domain name had expired while I wasn’t looking. My late husband/business partner would never have let that happen, but I’m no Jeff Evans – plus, I only recently learned the term “domain name.” I spent hours with my tech guy trying to recover my latest dropped ball.

We finally got the site back up, and I and did a search of my July 4th columns. Read them all. Felt some serious feels. Remembered how I used to be a decent writer.

Wondered what happened. (Old age? Widowhood? Some undiagnosed, untreatable brain disease?)

All of the columns were dated, so recycling was out of the question. But clearly, I was in no mood to write a love song to America at 250. Anything I might conjure up would be more like a dirge.

So, I decided to let my Facebook friends write the bulk of my column for me. Feigning good cheer, I posted the following prompt: “Friends, I’m working on a column and could really use your input! As our 250th Anniversary approaches, how’s your patriotism? How are you feeling about our country and its future? Are you optimistic? Pessimistic? Why do you feel the way you feel? If you have the time and the inclination, please share your thoughts here. Feel free to elaborate!”

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Margaret Evans

The response was spectacular.

The comments were all over the place – positive, negative, confused, conflicted – but one thing was clear: If my FB friends are a representative cross-section – and I believe they are – Americans still love their country. Some, unabashedly. Some, more reservedly. Some almost despairingly. But even their laments seemed born out of love.

Tough love, after all, is still love.

The following is a mere sampling of the bounty that poured forth from my diverse collection of FB friends. I’m not using any names here. If you want those, along with the “full experience,” visit my personal page on Facebook. ### “The American farmer is still out there feeding and preserving. Our churches are still out there caring for the needy. I pray and fly my American flag every day. I see all the bad, but I am part of the solution.”

“I cried like a baby while singing God Bless America in a football stadium just after 9/11. I’ll never forget that feeling. But if I’m honest… I feel like a lot of folks think any kind of dissent or negativity means you hate it here and don’t really love America.”

“I feel disgust and despair. I fear the experts on autocracy are right and that we have lost too many of the democratic institutions that ensured the ‘American way of life’ and that there’s no going back to that.

The next few years are crucial in determining the future. Whether this country will remain a democracy or solidify into a kleptocratic autocracy. So - not feeling any celebration.”

“A shining city on a hill. The last, best hope for mankind. Everybody wants to be here.”

“I am concerned about the rise in support for socialism from the likes of AOC and Mamdani. But especially here, where we hear the sound of freedom flying overhead regularly, I am continuously optimistic.”

“You don’t have to look closely to see the hard-to-bend metal of the moral universe when you walk the streets of Beaufort, boat its waterways, and visit its historic islands. You literally bear Beaufort’s history of slavery, imagine the sea island cotton on fingertips, hear the thunderous shots of the Civil War and the voices of Robert Smalls and Harriet Tubman, applaud the Port Royal Experiment and Penn Center, marvel at

Reconstruction, and witness the results of its abandonment as the shame of Jim Crow stubbornly resisted the path toward voting rights and integration. If only more of us could stand on the same side and bend the arc more in the next 250 years, what a union we might perfect.”

-“I am troubled by the comments on Socialism. I am not sure that people understand what Socialism is. It is Government taking responsibility for the wellbeing of the people by such things as old age pensions, workman’s compensation, unemployment aid, Medicare, etc. We are so behind many of the highly educated nations of the world in this regard. Socialism is not Communism. We have allowed the undereducated to run this country and it is not pretty. I will not be celebrating.”

“I have felt especially proud to be an American when I see FIFA cup fans from around the world enjoying the incredible bounty we have here. We must hold on to that, because there is literally no place on earth like the USA.” “Those of us who are old like me remember 1976. The Bicentennial! It was a year of patriotic fun, a whole year of patriotism. There were all sorts of special events, most of them themed with the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, 200 years of democracy. We felt part of something special. The Bicentennial was everywhere!

Even though it was a presidential election year, I don’t remember politics tainting the celebration… I can’t speak for today’s teenagers, and whether this 250th anniversary feels special, but to me, there is no comparison. It’s as though all the joy has been sucked out of what should be a special year for ALL Americans. I feel no similar joy and see no similar sense of wonder and celebration, and that is a terrible shame.”

“Politics and the 24-hour news conglomerates are brainwashing people into thinking there’s more that divides us than unites us. I believe that trends like this are cyclical and the goodness of people will once again prevail.”

“As a musician and as a retired music teacher, it deeply saddens me that our children don’t know even basic patriotic songs. . . Our kids (and many adults!) don’t even know our national anthem, much less the history behind it. And, you’ll get blank stares if you mention “America the Beautiful” or “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Heck,

RANTS & RAVES

they don’t even know “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain.” We have absolutely failed at passing on music, and traditions of generations past of our young country.”

“I’m actually optimistic. What we’re seeing feels less like a temporary disruption and more like a broad cultural shift. The last major shift of this scale unfolded during the 1960s and 1970s, when a generation challenged many of the institutions and assumptions of the day. Over time, those former outsiders became the new establishment. History has a way of cycling through these transitions, with each generation eventually giving way to the next.”

“I’m a little sad. Fifty years ago, despite our imperfections, we had common bonds that tied us together as a large family. I remember attending the 200th anniversary celebration in Nashville, at Centennial Park.

The orchestra played, we had speeches and other entertainment, and no one questioned celebrating. We were a special country. I fear that sense of common pride has been seriously eroded. However, being an optimist, I keep hoping we will find a way, like a family, to make it work, notwithstanding our differences.”

“I’m actually pretty optimistic. Not because I think our leaders always get it right.

They don’t. What gives me hope is that there are still plenty of Americans willing to ask hard questions, challenge the status quo, and hold people accountable. It’s the mom at the school board meeting. The neighbor at city council. The citizen filing a FOIA request. The volunteer giving their time. The person willing to stand up and say, ‘Something about this doesn’t seem right.’ That’s what makes this country special.”

Margaret Evans is the publisher and editor of Lowcountry Weekly. She has been writing her award-winning column, Rants & Raves, for more than 25 years.

Paul Slota, M.D., FACC, FSCAI to Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists

Dr. Paul Slota, a board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist, has joined Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists, expanding access to advanced cardiac care across the Lowcountry.

With more than 30 years of experience in general and interventional cardiology, Dr. Slota brings extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias and high cholesterol.

Early in his career, Dr. Slota was a founding physician of Hilton Head Heart, where he practiced for over a decade, caring for patients on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, as well as performing procedures in Savannah. He later relocated to Rock Hill, where he played a key role in establishing Carolina Heart Specialists and cared for patients there for nearly 20 years.

Now returning to the region, Dr. Slota sees patients in Beaufort and Okatie and performs procedures at Beaufort Memorial, strengthening the health system’s ability to provide comprehensive, high-quality cardiac care close to home.

CALL 843-770-4550 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. 300 MIDTOWN DRIVE, BEAUFORT • 122 OKATIE CENTER BLVD. NORTH, OKATIE

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Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Philadelphia, Pa.

At the practice, Dr. Slota joins board-certified cardiologists Drs. Stuart Smalheiser, Francis O’Neill and Terry Grainger, as well as board-certified physician assistant Tara Kay.

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

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A Tree in the Road There’s this tree, and it’s in the road.

It’s on North Street, between Charles and Newcastle. Sitting right there like a parked car, taking up space. You must veer slightly over the double yellow line to continue driving west from Charles Street, unless you have some kind of super skinny car. It sits along the south side of St Helena’s Anglican Church, with some kind of office windows overlooking it. I decided to call it IRT, for In-Road-Tree.

I don’t remember the first time I passed IRT, though I’m sure it registered as a slight oddity. I’m the kind of person that notes and enjoys things that present as slightly off-kilter, or out of place, or emitting a kind of juxtaposition vibe. This preference for the unusually expressive permeates my taste in art, favoring varieties of performance art, Dada, Surrealism, abstract sculpture, self-taught & primitive, and weird soundscapes. It used to fuel my constant quest for intoxication.

In a similar attraction for odd angles, I was briefly into postmodern theory back in grad school. I loved the heady mix of intellectualism and cultural criticism, though its overall circular

By Luke Frazier

FLOW

COUNTRY

A tree in the road on North Street in downtown Beaufort density and flatulent verbosity eventually drove me a bit bonkers. It’s all part of my overall curious mental twist and juvenile sense of humor that I’m no longer fighting, explaining, or defending.

Thank God I have a few years left to live without so much concern about what other people think of me.

Anyway, swerving around IRT once again on a recent trip to town brought me to a deep consideration of the idea of accommodation and its overlap with identity. Who does this tree think it is, sitting there in the road? Okay, it was

Logan

certainly there before the road came along but didn’t it consider yielding to the almighty progress of man?!

I guess in this case there is mutual accommodation. Of course we have to go around, but the tree itself has to deal with the road over its roots and the anxiety of potentially getting hit. IRT’s identity had to shift though, from a beautiful oak minding its own business to part of Beaufort’s street grid.

It reminded me of the shapes I’ve assumed throughout the years of life and the roads taken and not. Ourselves and The Lowcountry – A Little Bit of Heaven

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our imagined selves dancing through the years, relationships, jobs, places, and beliefs.

The word identity has the Latin root idem, which means “same.” As if identity were a static thing. In my life I’ve inhabited quite a few identities, a good number of which were false starts.

Didn’t we all try on different personas and try to figure out where we fit?

This desire continued for decades.

Nothing seemed to stay the same with my identity, at least around the periphery. I spent a lot of time accommodating to what I thought others thought was cool or relevant, a people pleaser of sorts and there’s not enough column space to get into all the context and history for that.

The history of the IRT is not known to me, I imagine it had to do with the tree being spared when the road was put in. That begs the question, though, why not just move the road over a few feet? The road accommodated the identity of the tree and in a grand Venn diagram sort of way, a shared space, maybe a third space, was created.

My point is that we mold identity by accommodating a center of sorts, a “comfortable-enough identity” we choose to share to various degrees with the rest of the extended selves around us. We hold together the associations, loosely at times, dress it up in clothes, choosing from all sorts of fashions and fabrics.

This is not as nihilistic as it may sound. I believe there is a core of identity in all of us, you could call it sacred if you are so inclined, that both shines and seeks the light of others. I mean, how good does it feel when you share a really personal part of yourself and it is

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

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received lovingly by a friend, family member, or even a virtual stranger?

That is your center, and it does hold.

There is this idea out there in literature and beyond that instead of convincing ourselves of our terminal uniqueness, we can instead embrace the notion that everything and everyone else out there in the world is just more of us. We are a fraction of the human immensity and reflect all those sacred cores burning inside the unbelievable scope of characters that make up this messy, beautiful world.

The next time I pass the IRT I think I’ll stop and place my hand on that finely aged and lovely bark. Perhaps say hello and offer it confirmation that it is seen and appreciated, a tree right there in the road, a fellow traveler.

Luke Frazier is a writer and award-winning media producer who transplanted to the Lowcountry in 2024. He runs NOW Communications and can be reached at nowandfuturecomms@gmail.com

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

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SOBA Announces 32nd Annual Judged Show & Fundraiser The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is proud to announce its 32nd Annual Judged Show, one of the Lowcountry’s premier visual arts exhibitions, running September 1 through October 4 at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton, 7 Church Street.

Open to both members and non-members, the annual exhibition welcomes artists from across the Lowcountry and beyond to showcase their work in a professionally judged competition featuring cash awards in seven artistic categories, as well as a coveted Best in Show award.

The exhibition has become a celebrated tradition in the region, highlighting exceptional artistic talent while serving as one of SOBA’s most important annual fundraising events.

“As a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and nurturing the visual arts, this event allows us to celebrate artistic excellence while supporting programs that

enrich our community,” said SOBA Annual Judged Show Chair Tricia Dudley.

The show is open to all artists and is limited to the first 100 entries received. Artwork may be submitted in the following categories: Oil Acrylic Watercolor Mixed Media & Collage Photography & Digital Art Drawing (including pencil, colored pencil, pen & ink, and pastel) 3-D Art (including ceramic, wood, wire, papier-mâché, resin, and stained glass) Cash awards will be presented for First, Second, and Third Place in each category, along with Best in Show and Honorable Mentions. Artwork incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted in any category.

Important Dates Entry Deadline: August 23, 2026

Artwork Drop-Off: August 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Exhibition Dates: September 1 through October 4, 2026 Reception & Awards Ceremony: September 2, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Artwork Pick-Up: October 5, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Since becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2004, SOBA has relied on art sales, sponsorships, donations, and volunteer support to fulfill its mission of fostering creativity and expanding access to the visual arts throughout the Bluffton community.

SOBA also remains the only gallery in Old Town Bluffton offering art classes to both members and non-members, serving as a cultural destination for residents and visitors alike.

In addition to supporting current programs, proceeds from the event contribute to SOBA’s Capital Campaign, “A Forever

ART FINAL WEEKEND ADULT CLASSES FINAL WEEKEND JULY JUL Y 4th 4th & & 5th 5th at at 1 1 PM PM

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Beginning Acrylics July 20 & 27: Steve Liker Beach Scene Watercolor July 22: Helen Hodge

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Home for SOBA,” which aims to secure a permanent and vibrant future for the arts in Bluffton.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available SOBA invites local businesses and community leaders to partner with the organization as sponsors of the 32nd Annual Judged Show. Sponsorship demonstrates a commitment to the arts and the cultural vitality of the Lowcountry while providing valuable visibility among residents, visitors, collectors, and art enthusiasts.

About the Society of Bluffton Artists Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can visit the 2026 Judged Show page at www.sobagallery.com to complete a sponsorship form, or contact SOBA President Karen Richards at sobapresident2425@gmail.com to learn more about sponsorship levels, recognition opportunities, and the full range of sponsorship benefits available.

Founded in 1991, the Society of Bluffton Artists is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and nurturing the visual arts through exhibitions, education, community outreach, and artistic collaboration.

The SOBA Gallery and Art School serve as a welcoming creative hub for artists and art lovers throughout the Lowcountry.

For more information, visit www.sobagallery.com or call 843-757-6586.

Brusho Palm Trees Watercolor July 28: Helen Hodge

Tuesday - Sunday 11am-4pm

Wings Over the Lowcountry Art by John Meckley

Vibrant Landscape July 29-30: Mickey Boisvert

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The Toxic Avenger Cometh!

BIFF Screenwriters Workshop

“The Toxic Avenger: The Musical,” a rowdy comedic story about an unlikely group of folks in New Jersey, comes to Sea Glass Stage at Coligny for a three-week run July 9-26.

Melvin Ferd the Third is an earth scientist determined to clean up his hometown, Tromaville, New Jersey, and its toxic dump site. But the corrupt mayor sends her cronies to stop him. Her goons drop Melvin into a barrel of the green waste and leave him to die. However, he emerges from the glop transformed into a hideous mutant, The Toxic Avenger, and is more driven than ever to rid the town of the mess.

Somewhere along the way, the freakish monster falls in love, escapes repeated attempts on his life, goes a bit crazy, and finally regains his confidence to help make his world better.

The cast of five Sea Glass veterans brings to life 33 characters in a fun, music-filled show sure to delight patrons of all ages.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at sgstage.org.

Sea Glass Stage at Coligny Theatre is located at 1 N. Forest Beach Drive, Unit I-5, across the breezeway from Life Is Good.

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

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Halfway Home

An Art Exhibit Supporting Sea Turtle Patrol HHI

WHAT: Halfway Home, a sea turtle-themed art exhibit benefiting Sea Turtle Patrol HHI WHEN: Exhibit Dates: July 21–31, 2026 Exhibit Hours: Weekdays, 10am–4pm Turtle Talk: Friday, July 24 at 2pm Closing Reception: Friday, July 31, 5–7pm WHERE: Art League Academy 106 Cordillo Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843.842.5738

'Sea Turtle II' by Molly Leech Halfway Home, a special sea turtle-themed art exhibit, returns to Art League Academy July 21–31, 2026, in partnership with Sea Turtle Patrol HHI. The exhibit showcases creative works from local artists celebrating the beauty and vulnerability of Hilton Head Island’s beloved sea turtles.

Twenty percent of all artwork sales and class tuition will benefit Sea Turtle Patrol HHI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting sea turtle nests and hatchlings during the nesting season.

“We named the exhibit Halfway Home because we’ll be right at the midpoint of sea turtle season,” says Kristen McIntosh, Executive Director of Art League of Hilton Head. “The artwork is always inspiring, and we’re honored to once again support Sea Turtle Patrol HHI and the important work they do on our island.”

Visitors are invited to browse the exhibit weekdays from 10am–4pm and attend the Closing Reception on Friday, July 31, from 5–7pm, where they can meet the artists, mingle with the sea turtle patrol, and enjoy light refreshments. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

As part of the week’s programming, Art League Academy will offer sea turtle-themed classes throughout the fundraiser, including a free Turtle Talk hosted by a Sea Turtle Patrol volunteer on Friday, July

24 at 2pm. The educational presentation is open to the public and will provide insight into Hilton Head Island’s sea turtle population, nesting season, and conservation efforts. Class registration is available at artleaguehhi.org.

“Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers monitor the beaches daily throughout nesting season to help protect sea turtle nests and hatchlings,” says Amber Kuehn, Director of Sea Turtle Patrol HHI. “Community partnerships like this not only help fund our mission, but also educate residents and visitors about how they can help protect this endangered species.”

ABOUT ART LEAGUE OF HILTON HEAD: Art League of Hilton Head is the island’s only 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts organization with a synergistic art gallery and teaching Academy. The Academy welcomes artists and students of all skill levels and media, offering classes and workshops taught by professional educators. The Gallery, located inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, features local artwork from over 250 member artists and rotates exhibits monthly.

'Moonlight' by Tatiana Tatum

'House of the Turtle' pine needle basket by Karen McCarthy

'Turtle Time Fishing' by Cathy Steward

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

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Beaufort County Walk for Water Celebrates 10 Years Walks raise money for access to clean, safe water Thousands of Beaufort residents and visitors will splash their way in, through and around all things water at the annual Water Festival in July — but that’s an unimaginable luxury for 2 billion people around the world who have no access to clean, safe water.

The 10th annual Beaufort County Walk for Water aims to change that.

Registration is open now at walkforwater.com/beaufort for walks on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Saturday, Oct. 3 at Bluffton United Methodist Church. An estimated 1,000 walkers are expected to participate, helping raise a record $100,000 to fight the global water crisis.

Beaufort County Walk for Water promotes awareness of the global water crisis and raises money to provide sustainable, safe water around the world. All money raised benefits Water Mission, a nonprofit Christian engineering organization based in Charleston that builds safe water solutions in developing countries and disaster areas, such as western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

“We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year by offering free registration for all

participants,” said Nan Krueger, Beaufort County Walk for Water committee leader.

“This creates an opportunity for even more people to learn about the global water crisis, engage with Water Mission’s work, and raise money to support safe water solutions around the world.”

Walkers who register by Aug. 18 and raise or donate at least $25 will receive a free T-shirt.

Participants can carry a bucket of water on part of a 3-mile walk to symbolize the burden millions of women and children in developing countries carry daily to collect water that’s often contaminated. That unsafe water has dire consequences: A person dies from water-related illness every 37 seconds somewhere in the world, according to Water Mission.

“Participation by Beaufort County residents, businesses and churches makes a life-changing difference for thousands of people in desperate need,” Krueger adds.

“The money the walk raises lifts up people for generations in communities around the world. As little as $50 provides one person ongoing access to safe, clean water, $500 can create latrine sanitation for a community, and about $1,000 can build solar panels for a power source. These are things most of us take for granted but make a transformational difference to those who don’t have them.”

Follow Beaufort County Walk for Water on Facebook and Instagram @BeaufortWalkforWater, and on Twitter #bftwalkforwater. For more information, call (843) 7697395. For sponsorship information, contact Bob Burroughs at (404) 213-5513 or burrou_ bob@bellsouth.net.

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

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Star-Spangled Sides

Happy Independence Day, y’all! At 250 years of age, our great nation is still a young one. I realize that I’m dating myself, but how many of you remember celebrating our Bicentennial in 1976? It seems like yesterday.

When I was growing up in Wilson, North Carolina, our neighborhood had an annual Fourth of July picnic two doors up from my house at the Gillette’s home. Long tables were lined up in their back yard and friends and neighbors from Cavalier Terrace brought all kinds of good food to share. It was THE event of the summer when I was a kid. I remember everything being homemade. The desserts were all homemade.

The lemonade was homemade. Some years we even had homemade ice cream. Those were the days! Are you going to an Independence Day soiree this year? Are you supposed to bring a side dish? If so, this week’s recipes are for you. July 4th is all about being red, white, and blue. Celebrate proudly, loudly, and safely. God bless America! (Photography by Susan DeLoach).

Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

The first stuffed jalapeno that I ever tasted was at a Change of Command ceremony on USMC Parris Island. It was stuffed with peanut butter. Believe it or not, it was quite tasty. These are tastier.

16 whole jalapeno peppers 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 (12-ounce) package beef cocktail sausages

1 ( 1 6 - o u n c e) pac kag e baco n , sliced in half Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut each jalapeno is half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scrape out seeds and membranes. In a small bowl, mix cream cheese with cheddar cheese and garlic powder until smooth. Spread evenly into the jalapeno halves. Press one cocktail sausage into cheese in each jalapeno half and wrap with ½ slice of bacon. Secure with toothpicks, if needed. Place on 2 baking sheets and bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until bacon is cooked and cheese is melted. Makes 32.

Buffalo Blue Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs must be served at all southern celebrations. It’s a fact.

12 hard-boiled eggs ¼ cup prepared blue cheese salad dressing 1 tablespoon buffalo wing sauce ¼ cup finely chopped celery 1 teaspoon dried chives Dash dry mustard Salt and pepper, to taste Blue cheese crumbles Fresh Italian parsley Cut each hard-boiled egg in half lengthwise. Place the yolks in a small bowl and the whites on a serving platter. Add the blue

cheese dressing and buffalo wing sauce, mash together with a fork until smooth. Stir in celery, chives, and dry mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Fill the egg white halves with the yolk mixture. Garnish with additional hot sauce, blue cheese crumbles and fresh Italian parsley, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes 18 to 20.

By Debbi Covington

CELEBRATE

EVERYTHING!

Grilled Peach Salad with Bourbon Vinaigrette

Fresh peaches are great on the grill where quick cooking brings out juiciness and intensifies sweetness.

For the vinaigrette: 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 3 tablespoons bourbon 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard ½ cup vegetable oil ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper For the salad: Fresh peaches, unpeeled Micro greens or mixed greens Red onion, thinly sliced Fresh blueberries Watermelon Crumbled blue cheese Pistachios Mix cider vinegar with brown sugar, bourbon, mustard, vegetable oil and salt and pepper; refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut peaches along the seam all the way around and then twist halves off the pit.

Brush peaches with vegetable oil. Cook, cut side down, on a hot grill or grill pan until

the fruit has grill marks, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until peaches are tender, 3 to 4 minutes more.

Serve peaches on a bed of salad greens, topped with thinly sliced red onion, fresh blueberries, watermelon pieces, crumbled blue cheese and salted pistachios. Drizzle with chilled Bourbon Vinaigrette before serving.

The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at debbicovington@gmail.com.

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

More coverage and content at LowcountryWeekly.com 13

Memory Matters is Here for Beaufort Families

By Jill Horner When a loved one begins experiencing memory loss, families often don’t know where to turn. Questions arise, routines change, and caregivers can quickly become overwhelmed trying to balance the needs of their loved one with the demands of daily life.

That’s where Memory Matters can help.

For more than 25 years, Memory Matters has provided education, support, and evidence-based programs for individuals living with memory loss and their care partners throughout the Lowcountry. While many people know us from our Hilton Head Island location, fewer realize that we also serve families right here in Beaufort, with a full suite of programs designed to meet families wherever they are in their journey.

Our Compass Adult Social Day Program and Caregiver Respite Program, offered in partnership with Lowcountry Outreach at 80 Lady’s Island Drive, supports individuals in the early to middle stages of dementia through therapeutic and engaging activities designed to promote cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. Every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., participants enjoy brain games, music and art therapy, animal therapy, gentle movement, facilitated social interaction, and a healthy lunch.

Care is supported by a Certified Nursing Assistant who assists with personal care, safety, and daily needs.

Beyond the activities, the program offers something equally important: connection. Participants build friendships, remain engaged in their community, and focus on their strengths and abilities in a welcoming and supportive environment. At the same time, family caregivers receive valuable respite, an opportunity to attend appointments, run errands, work, or simply take a much-needed break.

For caregivers seeking their own support, Memory Matters also offers a Caregiver Support Group on the second Wednesday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the same Lowcountry Outreach location.

No appointment is necessary. It is a welcoming space for those caring for a loved one with dementia, a place to share, learn,

and find community with others who understand.

Families can also access Free Memory Screenings using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), available by appointment. These baseline cognitive screenings provide peace of mind and, when needed, serve as an important first step toward connecting with the right care.

For those who want to build their caregiving skills and confidence, Savvy Caregiver, a nationally recognized, evidence-based training program, offers practical tools for dementia care, strategies to reduce stress and burnout, and skills caregivers can put to use right away. Memory Matters is the only certified Savvy Caregiver provider in South Carolina. Local classes are offered periodically; visit the website for the next offering.

And for community members who simply want to be proactive with their own brain health, Brain Boosters™ is a fun, science-based three-week course focused on improving short-term memory, boosting attention and mental clarity, and building daily habits that help the brain thrive. Local classes are also offered periodically.

Many families wait too long before seeking support. They assume they should manage on their own, or believe their loved one is “not ready” for a program. In reality, early engagement often leads to greater confidence, increased social connection, and a higher quality of life for both the participant and the caregiver.

If you have a family member experiencing memory loss, or if you are a caregiver looking for community, training, or a moment to breathe, there is no better time to learn about the resources available right here in Beaufort.

Memory Matters is here, and we are ready to help.

Jill Horner is Executive Director of Memory Matters.

Memory Matters staff, Lowcountry Outreach Staff and volunteers celebrate the opening of the Beaufort location at Lowcountry Outreach. (L-R Michelle Frink - MM Program Director - Lisa Daly, Lowcountry Outreach Director, Gabby Wurmlinger - MM Program Specialist, Diane Naus, Volunteer & Brenda Hyleman, volunteer)

June 23–July 24

Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm and 90 minutes before every Arts Center performance

MEMORY MATTERS PROGRAMS IN BEAUFORT COMPASS Adult Social Day Program & Caregiver Respite Lowcountry Outreach | 80 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort Every Wednesday | 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Lunch Included | registration required Caregiver Support Group 2nd Wednesday of each month | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | No appointment necessary Free Memory Screenings (MoCA) By appointment | Schedule online at mymemorymatters.org Savvy Caregiver Training Evidence-based caregiver education | Check website for next local offering Brain Boosters™ Science-based brain health course | Check website for next local offering To learn more or schedule a conversation, contact Memory Matters at 843-842-6688 or visit mymemorymatters.org.

You do not have to navigate memory loss alone. Memory Matters is here for you and your family.

Opening Reception:

Wed, June 24 • 5-7pm Enjoy refreshments and meet the artist • Free and open to the public

Presented by Art League of Hilton Head Inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina 14 Shelter Cove Lane, HHI www.ArtLeagueHHI.org 843.681.5060

Artist Demo:

Fri, July 10 • 10am-12pm Gallery walk followed by a field demo at Fish Haul Beach Park

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

More coverage and content at LowcountryWeekly.com 14

Healing Broken Hearts Since the publication of my December 2024 column on grief, a number of readers have asked if I’d revisit parts of that piece that they’d found helpful. That particular column concerned holiday grief specifically, as numbers of souls seem to leave the earth during that time. Currently, I’m finding that as the years go by – and not only at holidays – more people I know, many of whom I care about, are passing away, while many more are losing those they care about.

We all know that death is part of the cycle of life, but that knowledge doesn’t help much when it’s someone we love.

Years ago – when I was likely in my 30’s – I met my first nonagenerian at his 94th birthday party. This gentleman seemed in overall good health, had a great sense of humor, and conversations with him indicated he hadn’t lost a brain cell in all those years.

Curious, I asked him how being in his 90s felt. He looked down and took a deep breath before his eyes met mine.

“I never thought about this until my mid-80s,” he said. “When my friends began to die. I missed them terribly. Life became lonely without them. I finally realized I’d have to make new, younger friends that hopefully, would stay vital long enough to remain friends until my own time comes Author, public speaker, and death and grieving expert David Kessler assures, “The

goal is not to forget a loved one or get over the loss as soon as possible, but to live a life that honors them, to embrace their memories with more love than pain. Though we must deal with the sadness, it’s easy to get stuck and suffer from loss and become unable to live life fully.”

Kessler, who has written numerous books, including two with psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, pioneer in the study of death and dying, offers resources on www. grief.com, where you can find an online grief support community and helpful workshops.

A gem of a local resource is Friends of Caroline Hospice (www.fochospice.org).

Above all, says Kessler, “Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself the time you need.

Your tears are evidence of love. Pain from loss is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

Remember, your grief is your own, however it manifests. Everyone’s grief journey looks different. Says spiritual teacher, author, and lecturer Marianne Williamson, “It takes as long as it takes” to work through grief. Find solace in whatever works for you, whether it’s self-care, the support of loved ones or a group, reading quotes and/or scripture on grief, seeking professional help, or a combination of these things.

But the big question is, what do you say

to someone who’s grieving? You want to help but you don’t want to say the wrong thing. Not knowing what to say can keep us from saying anything. So we don’t contact them and then feel guilty. Fortunately, Kessler has covered this base with a couple of lists.

The 10 Best Things to Say to Someone in Grief 1. I am so sorry for your loss.

2. I wish I had the right words. Just know I care.

3. I don’t know how you feel, but I’m here to help in any way I can.

4. You and your loved one will be in my thoughts and prayers.

5. My favorite memory of your loved one is…

6. I am always just a phone call away.

7. Give a hug instead of saying something.

8. We all need help at times like this. I am here for you.

9. I am usually up early or late, if you need anything.

10. Saying nothing, just be with the person.

The 10 Worst Things to Say to Someone in Grief 1. At least she lived a long life. Many people die young.

2. He is in a better place.

3. She brought this on herself.

4. There is a reason for everything.

5. Aren’t you over him yet? He’s been dead for a while now.

6. You can have another child still.

7. She was such a good person God wanted her to be with him.

8. I know how you feel.

9. She did what she came here to do and it was her time to go.

10. Be strong.

Though I’ve heard all of these “worst things” said at one time or another, I hope the inappropriateness of all the above is obvious without discussion.

For the past 25 years, my sister has given me a subscription to a small-format magazine called Guideposts, a spiritually focused publication founded in 1945 by Ruth Stafford Peale and Norman Vincent Peale, the clergyman who wrote The Power

WHOLLY HOLISTICS

by Katherine Tandy Brown

of Positive Thinking. It’s the only monthly that I read from cover to cover. The stories are short and always touching in some respect. One written several years ago by grief counselor Kate J. Meyer dealt wisely with the above issue in these ways: When speaking with someone who’s grieving, don’t be afraid to mention the name of the deceased. Saying his/her name shows you care.

Don’t judge a person’s reaction to their loss. If they choose to spend a holiday in a way that doesn’t meet their family’s expectations or that you might think unusual, support their wishes. They’re riding a rollercoaster of emotions and likely doing the best they can to care for themselves emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Be patient with someone who’s grieving if they turn down your offers of help initially. Be specific as to how you might help. For instance, you might offer to cook and take them dinner or go for a walk. If they seem interested, be specific about a date. Don’t just say, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

If you’d rather send a card, our own downtown shop, Lulu Burgess, has what I believe to be the best selection of sympathy cards for people and for pets (and for any other occasion as well!).

Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross has these wise words for those grieving: “The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it.”

Katherine Tandy Brown has traveled the world as a freelance writer for 25 years. She teaches memoir, travel writing and writing practice in USCB’s OLLI Continuing Ed program and in her downtown cottage. A certified writing coach, she is penning her first novel, One to Go: An Equine Thriller. ktandybrown@gmail.com or (859) 312-6706

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

More coverage and content at LowcountryWeekly.com 15

Voices in the Summertime Choir Like our beloved Editor, choirs have been a part of my life. My family sang, and growing up we sang both kinds of music: sacred and irreligious. Harmony in families is well known. Mother, even in her nineties with dementia, would pick the part we weren’t singing. She and my sister, who majored in music therapy and is a retired soloist, had/have perfect pitch. My dad met my stepmom as members of the choir. My maternal grandparents were gardeners, and Big Dale certainly sang to her petunias.

We all loved summertime when Big Catherine (paternal grandmother) would go to the farmers market at the fairgrounds in Columbia and buy tomatoes, okra, butterbeans, and corn. At Sunday dinner those butterbeans were so good with sliced tomatoes, fresh peaches, and ice cream. In those days I would have rather walked the plank at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm than eat okra or cooked tomatoes. I’ve seen the Light, and now I love okra most any way you can cook it, but grilled is my favorite.

In the vegetable garden, beans and corn are good companion plants. They can also be used in crop rotation because corn uses

a l d g e

Can’t Beat Our View!

Beaufort’s Largest Covered Waterfront Patio

lots of Nitrogen and beans (legumes) add Nitrogen to the soil by a bacterial association with their roots, which converts atmospheric N into a water- soluble and useable form. Okra and tomatoes cooked together

are a perfect duet over rice or grits.

Both are sun lovers, growing best in full sun, well drained soil with a pH around 6.5. Okra’s song is “Pick Me Every Day” because the pods are best small 2”-3”. There are also many varieties of tomatoes available at the market and in seed catalogues. They perform in a rainbow of colors, an assortment of shapes, textures, and a range of acidity.

Gardening is a form of orchestration – preparing the soil, assembling instruments and tools, ordering seeds, understanding which plants and herbs sing well together or which ones throw the others off key. Some plants are not good companions. Too much water, fertilizers, or mulch can be worse than not enough. Timing is essential.

Luckily, we have planting, spacing, and harvesting charts. If music is a salve to cure our ills, then gardening is a close second. Music is a vibration in the brain, and we also resonate with the breezes, birds, and soil biota as gardeners.

Our Summertime choir has depth of flavor thanks to the accompaniment of basil, dill, oregano, peppers, and some salt sprinkled in. The songs and melodies can be solos, duets, trios, and quartets with names like “Corn Pie,” “Succotash,” and “Gumbo.”

We are so fortunate to live in a time so

By Laura Lee Rose

many fruits and vegetables are to be had in supermarkets and farmers markets. Guy Clark wrote a song called “Homegrown Tomatoes.” The last line in the chorus is “Only two things in life money can’t buy. And that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.”

Laura Lee Rose is a native of South Carolina and has lived in the Lowcountry for many years. Certified Nursery Professional and retired from the Clemson Extension Service, she taught Master Gardener classes and encouraged professional landscapers. A board member of the South Carolina Native Plant Society and President of the South Coast Chapter, Laura Lee encourages the use of native plant material and sustainable landscaping.

Come Hungry . . . Leave Full

Featuring Award Winning BBQ & Southern Cuisine 822 Bay St. • Beaufort • 843-524-7771 www.Q www.

Q onBay.com

Tues - Sun: 11am-9pm

.{ Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.

More coverage and content at LowcountryWeekly.com 16

Marine Veteran & Father of Autistic Child Launches Nonprofit A Beaufort Marine Corps veteran and father of a child with autism has launched a nonprofit organization aimed at helping Lowcountry families obtain autism evaluations and connect with critical support services.

The Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund (LAEF) was founded by Justin Palmer to address one of the most significant barriers many families face: obtaining timely autism evaluations that can open the door to therapies, educational services, and community support.

For many families, autism evaluations can involve long waitlists, financial challenges, and limited access to specialists.

Palmer created the organization after navigating those challenges with his own family and recognizing that many other parents face similar obstacles.

“Every child deserves access. Every family deserves answers,” Palmer said. “An autism evaluation is often the first step toward helping a child receive the support they need to reach their full potential.”

The Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund works to reduce barriers to autism evaluations and raise awareness about the importance of early identification and intervention. The organization also seeks to connect families with available resources while building partnerships with healthcare pro-

viders, schools, businesses, and community organizations throughout the region.

Palmer hopes the nonprofit will become a trusted resource for families across Beaufort County and the South Carolina Lowcountry, as well as costal Georgia.

“Parents often know something is different long before they receive answers,” Palmer said. “Our mission is to help families take that first step toward understanding their child’s needs and accessing the services that can make a difference.”

The organization is currently seeking community partners, sponsors, donors, and volunteers to help expand its impact and serve more families.

For more information about the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund, visit laefsc.org.

About the Founder Justin Palmer is a Marine Corps veteran, Beaufort County resident, father, and founder of the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund.

After navigating the challenges of obtaining services and support for his own child with autism, Palmer became passionate about helping other families access the evaluations and resources they need. He founded the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund to reduce barriers to autism diagnosis

Justin Palmer with his son

and ensure that families throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry have access to answers, support, and hope.

Palmer is dedicated to community service and advocacy for children with autism and their families. Through the Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund, he works to raise awareness, build partnerships, and expand access to autism evaluations for families facing financial and logistical challenges.

His guiding belief is simple: Every child

deserves access. Every family deserves answers.

Palmer spent 11 years in the Marines conducted 3 combat deployments to the Middle East, before being sent to MCRD Parris Island as a Marksmanship Instructor.

He holds a B.S. in Social Psychology and a M.A. in Applied Behavior Analyzation. He currently serves on the board of advisors for Beaufort County Department of Disability and Special Needs.

Helping our clients navigate to success with expertise and accuracy.

(843) 379-1065 • WWW.CWACPAS.COM • 1411 QUEEN ST

Post your ad and reach ALL of Beaufort County

Classifieds TO RENT or OWN

ITALY: Tuscany townhouse for rent by the week in historic UNESCO village. Sleeps 4, large furnished garden, easy walk to shops and excellent restaurants. www.cozyholidayrentals.com or 401-862-2377.

FURNISHED LUXURY APT In the heart of downtown Beaufort. 2BR, 2BA, W/D, Housewares. Please call 843-812-4229.

FOR RENT ON FRIPP 371 Speckled Tr o u t R d , Charming coastal retreat! Enjoy serene water views, modern amenities, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living, and quick access to fishing, beaches, and local dining. $3,500/mo. Call Diana Lopez at 276-6851260. Relaxation awaits!

CLASSES & SEMINARS FREE HYPNOSIS/HYPNOTHERAPY INFORMATION session and guided group meditation workshop. This free session will focus on stress reduction and relaxation.

Open to the public, every 3rd Monday of the Month, at 7 pm Eastern via Zoom. Bring a friend, learn more and RSVP for Zoom Link at www.guidepathhypnosis.com or contact Chris at chris.guidepath@gmail.com BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY ONGOING PROGRAMS & CLASSES Stitch Happens, Mondays @ 1:30, Bluffton; Basic Computer Skills Class 1st & 3rd Fridays @ 11:30am, Lobeco; Dungeon & Dragons Teen Club Mondays @ 4; Teen Gaming Club 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 4.

FRIDAY SOCIAL DANCES: The Hilton Head Carolina Shag Club hosts Friday dances from 6-9 pm at Christ Lutheran Church (HEINRICHS HALL) , 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head. The Shag dance is the state dance of South Carolina. If you know it, come dance with us. If you don’t know it, we’ll teach you!! We have regularly scheduled classes. $8 Cover fee. Bring your own Food and Beverage. DJ’s provide EXCELLENT music! We have many annual events and dance parties. Come have some fun!!! www.hiltonheadshagclub. com.≠ ART LEAGUE OF HH CLASSES & WORKSHOPS With over 25 local professional art educators, and guests from around the world, Art League of Hilton Head offers classes and workshops in all media for all levels of students. Visit www.artleaguehhi.org or email academy@artleaguehhi.org for more info.

POTTERY CLASSES IN BEAUFORT McSweeney Clay Studio offers morning, afternoon and evening classes for children and adults. Pottery dates and parties available as well. Classes are on going. Beginner or advanced welcome. mcsweeneyclaystudio.com or call 843-694-2049.

LOWCOUNTRY SHAGGERS Mondays - Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary St. 6-9pm. Shag Lessons with Tommy & Sheri O'Brien and others. Occasional Ballroom and once a month Line Dance. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com or lowcountryshaggers@aol.com WEDNESDAYS, BEAUFORT SHAG CLUB meets evenings at AMVETS, 1831 Ribaut Rd., Port Royal from

7-9pm, and the 2nd Sat. of the month 7-10pm. Free lessons to members Sep. to June. Visit The Beaufort Shag Club on Facebook. \

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FREE VESSEL SAFETY CHECK by local members of the America's Boating Club of Beaufort. If your boat passes, you will receive a VSC decal to mount on your boat that will be visible to other boaters and maritime law enforcement personnel. Contact safety@beaufortboatingclub.com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to staff The Lending Room, 954 Ribaut Rd across from Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Help us receive donations of gently used medical equipment and distribute them to those in need. We need to staff our showroom M-F 9:30-3:30 and Sat. AM. Shifts only 3 hours long. No experience is required but a familiarity with commonly used medical equipment helpful. Training will be provided. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer job, learn about TLR and find volunteer application forms at lendingroombft.com or call Barbara at 314-660-4233.

LOCO SCRIBBLERS 3:00 5:00 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Are you a scribbler (professional or hobby writer)? Check out our small, informal Beaufort area writers club. All skill and subject levels welcome: fiction, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs.

Free. Call or email for more info and meeting location in Port Royal: beaufdick@gmail.com or 843-322-0616.

SEA ISLAND ROTARY CLUB has a 12:15 lunch meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information about the Rotary Club of Sea Island please visit our website at www.seaislandrotary.org BRIDGE CLUB at the Beaufort Branch Library Wednesdays at 11am. Join a session for beginners new to the game, other sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players.

Call the Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for military lounge at the Savanna/Hilton Head Airport operated by a cadre of volunteers. The former USO Lounge is now “Savanna Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and families. We need volunteers to keep the lounge open from 8 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week. There are 3 shifts each day, with 2 volunteers for each. Interested? Info and application forms are at the www.savannahsalutes. org or contact Tedd Sheyda at (843) 368-2341. or TSheyda@savannahsalutes.org The airport provides free parking.

VETERANS FIRST THRIFT STORE is in need of volunteers. Summer hours are Thursday thru Saturday 10am-4pm. Volunteer hours are very flexible! Stop in the store at 612 Robert Smalls Parkway to fill out a volunteer application or call the store at 843-263-4218. Please consider helping this very worthwhile organization!!

SECOND HELPINGS seeks volunteers to crew trucks in Bluffton and Beaufort to distribute food to local charities. Offering a flexible schedule at your convenience.

Email officeadmin@secondhelpingslc.org BEMER LONGEVITY TECHNOLOGY 9a Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span”?

Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing

Community Announcements & Classes are FREE Merchandise · Employment • Rental Property • FSBO Automobiles · Motorcycles • Boats • Pets $25 Up to 25 Words • $35 Up to 25 Words with a Photo

To place your ad call 843-986-9059 or email: Amanda@LCWeekly.com medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes 2X/day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.

CARIS HEALTHCARE: WE HONOR VETERANS Hospice Program. You a Vet with a little time to share with other Vets with limited time? The We Honor Veterans program seeks volunteers who are Vets to offer a listening ear for our Veteran patients. Volunteers also participate in our Pinning Ceremonies for Veteran patients. Contact 843473-3939 or smilliken@carishealthcare.com SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY: Non-denominational meditation, silent prayer and healing group forming. All welcome. No meditation experience needed. 843-489-8525.

HABITAT RESTORE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We're looking for volunteers. Cashiers, sales floor associates, donation processing, donor data entry, and donor ambassadors. Visit lowcountryhabitat.org/volunteer or call 843-525-0055.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Calhoun Station Thrift Store in Bluffton. All funds generated are returned to other nonprofits in the community. Open Wed & Sat 10am to 1pm at 77 Pritchard St. Volunteers can stop by or contact Cate Taylor, 843-310-0594 or catetaylor@frontier.com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for HELP of Beaufort, 530 Charles St. Looking for committed volunteers for clothes sorting, pantry help, front desk help and Mobile Meals drivers. We are open M-F from 9:30-12:30, Mobile Meals delivers to home bound seniors 5 days/week, routes takes about 30-45 mins. Email Lori at helpbeaufort@gmail.com, or call 843-524-1223, or stop in and fill out an application.

PORT ROYAL MUSEUM is open Thursday through Sunday at 1634 Paris Ave., from 10 - 3 or upon request. Free admission! Call 843-524-4333 or email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com to request a special opening.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP - First Thursday of the month at Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Center, from 1:30-2:45pm, 900 Ribaut Rd. Beaufort. We're individuals with Parkinson’s, care partners of those with Parkinson’s, and individuals or companies providing products or services for Parkinson’s patients. For more info: Rick Ostrander at pdawaresc@gmail.com or Facebook at Parkinson’s Support Group Of Beaufort SC Port Royal & Lady’s Island.

TOUR HISTORIC FORT FREMONT – Running through July, the Fort Fremont History Center will expand operating hours to Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm, Fridays from 1 to 4 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. No admission fee. Docent-led tours are available by request. The Fort Fremont Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday. A self-guided walking tour is available for smartphones from the Apple or Google Play stores. For more information or to download the app, visit www.fortfremont.org US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, Flotilla 07-10-01, Port Royal Sound, a uniformed, all volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. We conduct safety patrols, assist search & rescue, teach boat safety, conduct free vessel safety checks and other boating activities. Monthly meetings are open to all and held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom at 7pm. For info call Flotilla Commander Pattie McGowan (706-633-6192) and on Facebook USCGA Beaufort.

BEAUFORT TOASTMASTERS CLUB meets from 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm the first & third Tuesday, in the Beaufort College Building, Rm. 103 (USC-Beaufort Campus), 801

Carteret Street, Beaufort. To learn more visit beauforttoastmastersclub.toastmastersclubs.org

FREE ACUPUNCTURE FOR VETERANS – Veterans, Active Duty, Transition. Their Families and First Responders are Eligible. First & Third Wednesday 4 6pm. Walk In Clinic. No Need to Pre-Register or Call. Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs Clinic. 1214 Prince Street, Downtown Beaufort.

CRESCENT HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP: Last Wed. and Thurs. of the month. Weds. 10-11am at Sun City; Thurs. 12-1pm Brookdale Hilton Head Ct., Hilton Head; for those who provide physical, emotional or practical support to a family member or friend. Jodi Johnson, LMSW. Bereavement Group: 5-6 pm., Fridays, 10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton; for those who have experienced a loss and would like support and info associated with grief and bereavement. Corrie VanDyke, LMSW or Marie James, MA. 843-757-9388.

INTERESTED IN HEALTHY EATING? Second Helpings, of Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, seeks committee members and chairperson for Healthy Food Program.

Funding available to procure fresh produce and protein for the 60 food pantries and soup kitchens served by Second Helpings. Contact Exec. Dir. Lili Coleman, 843689-3616 or execdirector@secondhelpingslc.org

BORN TO READ working for early childhood literacy, needs volunteers to deliver books and materials to new mothers at Coastal Community Hosp., HH Hosp., and BMH. Visits are from 10am – noon. More info at borntoread.org or call 843-379-3350.

THE LITERACY CENTER is seeking volunteers to tutor adults in reading, writing, math and ESL. Students hope to acquire skills to pursue life goals, support families, and contribute to our community. Daytime and evenings in Bluffton and HHI. Call 843-815-6616 (Bluffton); 843-6816655 (HHI). No teaching, tutoring or other language knowledge necessary. www.theliteracycenter.org

THE SANDALWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY. Volunteer-based, non-profit provides groceries, clothing and basic items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or sandalwoodpantry@gmail.com

PARRIS ISLAND MUSEUM. The legacy of the Marine Corps and the history of the Port Royal region. Thousands of artifacts, images, and other materials illustrate the stories in exhibit galleries from Native American to modern Marines. FREE admission. Mon-Sat 10am4:30pm and 8am on Graduation Days. Closed Federal Holidays. Info at parrisislandmuseum.org or 843-228-2166.

CHRIST CENTERED RECOVERY MEETINGS At Praise Assembly Church Fridays for “Celebrate Recovery”, addressing life’s problems by looking to scripture. Meal at 6pm; Praise, Worship; Big Meeting. 6:30pm; Small Groups at 7pm. 800 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort.

Info at 205-475-3600 or 303-521-1891.

ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER BEAUFORT, Support Groups: Caregiver - Friday, 12:30 p.m., Living with Alzheimer's - for those in very early stages - Mondays 1:00 p.m., Respite Programs: Social Day Program 10:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. $45 Day Fee, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Meetings at Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; In Home - Respite Aides available for 2 hr. minimum, $14-$27. Early Memory Loss: Maintain Your Brain 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m., $10/person, $15/couple, Carteret Street Methodist Church, Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-521-9190 or make an appointment, 1500 King St, Beaufort, free; Purple Haven Project Educate local establishment staff to better interact with a person with Alzheimers call 843-521-9190.

The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. For live music schedule, visit (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms.

For live music schedule, call (843) 886-8596 or visit www.the-windjammer.com

GALLERIES/ART

MUSIC

Now - 8/31, Betty Thorpe Hintz exhibit at Fair Winds Bar & Grill in Rose Hill Plantation, Bluffton. For more information, visit www.sobagallery.com

Lights Out Present a Tribute to Frankie Valli & More. The nation's #1 tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Tickets are $32 and are available at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com

Now - 7/24, A Feathered Focus, featuring wildlife photography by Morgan Thompson. Opening reception Wed 6/24, 5-7pm.

Art League of Hilton Head Gallery, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head. 843-681-5060 Now - 8/30, Wings Over the Lowcountry, an exhibit of artwork by John Meckley, at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery. Opening Reception Friday 7/3, 5-8pm. 913 Bay Street in downtown Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com

BEAUFORT/PORT ROYAL

7/5 - 8/1, Quiet Contemplation with Expressive Flair, a collaborative exhibition featuring paintings by Virginia Cassidy and handcrafted jewelry by Doris Jones Vargas.

Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Opening Reception Fri 7/10, 4-6pm. www.sobagallery.com

Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island. (843) 838-9300. Foolish Frog on Facebook Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) 521-1888 or Luther's on Facebook Q on Bay, 822 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 524-7771 or www.qonbay.com Rosie O’Gradys Irish Pub, in Beaufort Town Center.

Irish American Sports Pub & Eatery. C'mon down!

Rock & Roll Lunch. Monday - 25% Off Burgers; Tuesday - 25% Off Fish & Chips. Wed, Fri & Sat Karaoke. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook

Editors Note: Events listed here may be subject to postponement or cancellation.

Please check for further information.

Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com

BLUFFTON/HILTON HEAD

FILM/THEATER/DANCE

Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www.bigbamboocafe.com

Now - 8/9, Mean Girls: The Musical, at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. For Captain Woody’s, 14 Executive Park Rd., Hilton tickets and more information, visit www.

Head, 843-785-2400; OR - 17 State of Mind St., artshhi.com Bluffton, . Tuesdays - Chris Jones, Wednesdays - Trivia. Thursdays - Jevon & Andy. www. captainwoodys.com

com

Lights Out Present a Tribute to Frankie Valli & More. The nation's #1 tribute to OUT OF TOWN Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Tight harThe Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. monies, soaring falsettos, audience particiFor live music schedule, call (843) 853-2252 or pation, and comedy. Tickets are $32 and are available at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com www.musicfarm.com

Wed 7/1, Putting Down the Roots of History, A Carolina Days Celebration in Beaufort's Waterfront Park, West St. entrance. Featuring Shakespearean actor and living history interpreter GregRobin Smith as Benjamin Franklin. Dedication ceremony, living history presentation, and liberty tree planting. Starts at 2pm.

7/17 - 7/26, 70th Annual Beaufort Water Festival in Waterfront Park. For a full schedule, visit www.bftwaterfestival.com

Sat 7/25, Giveback Day at The Sunshine Playhouse. Sponsored by Lowcountry Autism Evaluation Fund. Learn about LAEF, fun and games, giveaways! 10% of proceeds go toward supporting local children. $20 first child; $15 per sibling. For more information visit www.thesunshineplayhouse.com

7/21 - 7/31, Halfway Home: An Art Exhibit Supporting Sea Turtle Patrol HH at Art League Academy. Featuring sea turtle themed artwork. Closing Reception, Fri 7/31, 5-7pm. 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Last Saturdays in June, July, August & Head. 843-842-5738.

Sept, ROOTED: Summer Concert Series at 7/28 - 8/28, Finding Light, an exhibit of art- at Historic Penn Center on St. Helena Island, work by L. Robert Stanfield at Art League featuring live music, food vendors, cultural Gallery inside the Arts Center of Coastal experiences rooted in Gullah-Geechee heriCarolina on Hilton Head. Opening Recep- tage, and more. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 tion Wed 7/29, 5-7 pm. www.artleaguehhi.org at the gate. For more information, visit www. penncenter.com Sun 8/23, Entry Deadline for SOBA's 32nd Annual Judged Show & Fundraiser. For Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponmore information visit www.sobagallery.com sored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature or call 843-757-6586.

Center at 843-838-7437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.

Now - 7/5, All Shook Up: A New Musical Comedy, produced by the Southeastern BOOKS & WRITERS Summer Theatre Institute at Beaufort High School.

For more information, times, The Jazz Corner, Village at Wexf1ord, Hilton Head. Sundays - Deas Guyz; Mondays - A and tickets, visit www.summermusicals. Fri 7/10, Evening with NewYork Times bestJourney Through Jazz with The Martin com or call 866-749-2228. selling author Meg Waite Clayton (Typewriter Lesch Band; Tuesdays - Fat Tuesdays: A Beach) at the Pat Conroy Literary Center , 601 Swingin' Celebration of New Orleans and Mon 7/13, 'Glory' will be the Monday Bladen St. in downtown Beaufort. 5:30-7pm.

Beyond; Wednesdays -Quiana Parler w/Lavon Movie at USCB Center for the Arts. Screen- Space is limited, so please reserve your spot. VisStevens Trio; Thursdays - Lavon Stevens with ings at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets available at it www.patconroyliterarycenter.org the door, or at www.uscbcenterforthearts.

Louise Spencer. Check website for other dates.

(843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com

OTHER EVENTS

Third Thursday, TECHconnect is a monthly networking event for professionals working in and around technology. Come join the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:307:30pm. 843-470-3506. www.beaufortdigital. com

Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/Child.

Wed 7/15, Family Reading Circle (third 843-686-6560.

Wednesdays). Toddlers - 10 year olds. Prizes & Refreshments! 3:30 - 5:30 pm at the Beaufort Ongoing, Beaufort Tree Walk by the Lady’s IsBookstore, 2127 Boundary St, Beaufort. www. land Garden Club through the historic Old beaufortbookstore.com Point. Takes about an hour and is a little over a mile. Starts at the corner of Craven & Carteret Streets ending in Waterfront Park. Booklets with a map and tree info available FREE at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven St.

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ACT NOW!

T S U J T ’ N DO .

E S I D A R A VISIT P

LIMITED-TIME INCENTIVES.

!

E R E H T E V I L NEW HOMES FROM THE $300s FLOORPLANS FOR EVERY LIFESTYLE

ENDLESS WAYS TO PLAY

From courts to clubs to concerts, life here never skips a beat.

MORE THAN NEIGHBORS Make lifelong friends in a community where connection comes naturally.

EASY LIVING, BUILT IN

Low HOA, no CDD and zero stress – just more time to enjoy life.

ACT NOW FOR THE BEST VALUE IN 55+ LIVING! THE GOOD LIFE WON’T WAIT!

LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE HILTON HEAD

by Minto Communities

(843) 310-5734

SCAN QR CODE

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT HILTON HEAD ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO LATITUDE HH, LLC. FILE NO. CP18-0021. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE WATERSOUND ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, LMWS, LLC. FILE NO. CP20-0062. Pennsylvania Registration Numbers OL001170 (Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head) and OL001182 (Latitude Margaritaville Watersound). Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head and Latitude Margaritaville Watersound are registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118 and with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required and has not been completed. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are merely representative of current development plans. Development plans, amenities, facilities, dimensions, specifications, prices and features depicted by artists renderings or otherwise described herein are approximate and subject to change without notice. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2026. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored, or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission.

Latitude Margaritaville and the Latitude Margaritaville logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. CGC 1519880/CGC 120919. 2026

820 Bay Street Beaufort, SC 29902

843.521.4200 $750,000

$285,000

CAT ISLAND | MLS 196462

HARBOR ISLAND | MLS 194737

$564,000

$599,900

4BDRM | 3B | 2500sqft | Marsh Views Ashley Nye 561.350.8109

DEPOT AREA | MLS 195135 2BDRM | 2B | 1300sqft Lloyd Williams 843.754.4735

$1,000,000

DATAW ISLAND | MLS 194636 4BDRM | 3.5B | 2913sqft | Water View Paige Walling 843.812.8470 Trudy Arthur 843.812.0967

1BDRM | 1.5B | 794sqft | Oceanview Bryan Gates 843.812.6494

$1,150,000

$1,196,000

HERMITAGE | MLS 195383

MIDTOWN SQUARE | MLS 196716

$1,250,000

$218,000

4BDRM | 2.5B | 3101qft | Private Dock Edward Dukes 843.812.5000

4BDRM | 3B | 2200sqft Julia O'Hara 201.456.8620

MLS 190471 | 3BDRM | 2.5B | 1885sqft Lady's Island Paige Walling 843.812.8470

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY

MLS 193309 | 1 Acre Fully Approved and Ready to Construct Car Wash Trea Tucker 843.812.4852 Wayne Webb 843.812.5203

BATTERY CONDOS | MLS 195874

$2,549,000

$5,250,000

$525,000

NEW CONSTRUCTION

THE BLUFF | MLS 193576

4BDRM | 3.5B | 4450sqft | Waterview Amy McNeal 843.521.7932

DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT | MLS 196888 2BDRM | 2.5B | Elevator | Penthouse Panoramic Views | Commercial/Residential Edward Dukes 843.812.5000

2BDRM | 2.5B | 1380sqft Shannon Denny 843.575.7055

PIGEON POINT | MLS 192232

.35 Acre | 2 Lots | Zoned T-4N | Great Location Donna Duncan 843.597.3464

www.LowcountryRealEstate.com