


The image on our cover was created by a student at May River High. It's part of the annual High School Art Show coming next month to the Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery. For more information, visit www. sobagallery.com
January 15 – January 28, 2025
ro w c o unt
LPublisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com
Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly.com
Marketing Director: Amanda Hanna — 843-343-8483 or Amanda@LCWeekly.com
Advertising Sales: Jere Russo — 401-787-3280 or JereRusso@Gmail.com
Sarah Barnwell — 401-787-3280 or JereRusso@Gmail.com
Art Director: Lydia Inglett
Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks
Contributing Writers: Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Sandra Educate, Wendy Hilty, Margit Resch, 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.
Before Christmas, my husband and I found ourselves in a bit of a pickle. And by “pickle,” I mean “panic.” (Jeff wouldn’t call it that. He doesn’t do panic.)
First, a little history. I married a Renaissance man who is also a dreamer. I know that sounds doubly trite, but I’m not sure how else to say it. Jeff is a San Francisco-born, internationally-raised Army brat who had already worked as an actor, a chef, a restorer of Victorian houses (aka “construction worker”), and a video producer by the time I met him in his late 30s.
By then, he was on Hilton Head running a small video production company, but his “hobby” – really his passion, his raison d’etre – was producing Shakespeare in the Park, using local talent. For twelve years he did this – first on Hilton Head, then in Beaufort. Each production was magical madness . . . and a monumental task.
When we met, I’d been working as the editor of Beaufort Magazine for six years, but that gig soon ended – along with the magazine itself – and I began working for a new arts & entertainment paper called “Lowcountry Bi-weekly.” The owner wanted to sell it, and – long story, short – my whimsical new husband decided we should try our hand at publishing. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing.
And now here we are, almost 25 years later, still doing it. We changed the name early on to Lowcountry Weekly. “Bi-weekly” sounded clunky to us, but more importantly, we had high hopes of going weekly soon. Again, we had no idea what we were doing.
Reader, I’ll confess it’s been a hard way to make a living. When we bought this paper, alternative newsweeklies were in their heyday – remember Creative Loafing? – and we had grandiose plans. But soon, this invention called The Internet would change the media landscape forever. Moguldom remained beyond our grasp. Still, we hung in there, eking out a living and considering ourselves lucky to be serving our community doing work we both loved. To make ends meet, we produced annual publications for clients, and had other various “side hustles,” but Lowcountry Weekly remained our mother ship.
Until six years ago, when we took another madcap leap – and a loan – and bought The Island News. At the time, it had a part-time editor, a part-time designer, and a part-time salesperson – who worked on commission – and with almost zero overhead, the publishers were doing pretty well for themselves. Even though we’d read all the same stories you have – about print being “dead” – we hadn’t found that to be the case with Lowcountry Weekly, and we still don’t think it’s the case. Not here in our neck of the woods, anyway. Here in Beaufort County, with our older population and our street-strolling tourists, print publications were – and still are – alive and kicking.
But my husband had a dream for The Island News. He dreamed of transforming the sweet little community paper – one that mainly published press releases, school menus, and society photos – into a real newspaper. His dream was contagious. I signed on and we went “all in.”
Today we have a full-time editor, a full-time production manager/designer, a sports editor, a reporter, a couple of photographers, a host of contributing columnists, three salespeople, and a humble (i.e. unpaid) webmistress – yours truly. We’ve won a slew of awards from the SC Press Association, and we even took home The President’s Cup in 2022, which gave us the right to call ourselves “the best newsweekly in South Carolina.” (We beat
out the Charleston City Paper and the Columbia Free Times that year, which tickled us pink!)
As we grew into a serious independent news source, we tried hard to maintain our “sweet little community paper” feel, as well. We assigned our photographers to all the festivals and food drives and football games they could lift. When the Beaufort Gazette stopped printing the weekly list of graduates from Parris Island, we took up that mantle. (We now send out hundreds of papers a week to Marine families all over the country who want to frame that page.) When obituaries in the Gazette became unaffordable for so many, we decided to publish them for free.
When I say “we,” I should really be saying “Jeff,” because this has been his vision all along –this vision of a hardhitting yet heart-warming hometown paper, made by locals, for locals. He put in place a fantastic team, and he supports them every step of the way. To this day, if you make a phone call to The Island News, for any reason – and many people do, every day –Jeff answers the phone . . . and typically has a long chat. I don’t care what time it is; he answers. (Weirdly, it’s often during dinner.) People seem stunned to hear a real human voice.
But I didn’t start this column to rave about my husband or our newspaper. I had to get through all that background so I could rave about our READERS, many of whom read this publication, too.
You see, before Christmas we found ourselves in a real bind. Inflation had hit our business very hard – starting, but not ending, with the price of paper and printing –and at the risk of sharing TMI, we weren’t sure how we could afford to keep going.
So we wrote a heartfelt letter to our readers, asking for their help, and published it on page 2 of The Island News. We had no idea if anybody would notice the letter, much less care.
And now I’m starting to get emotional, because y’all . . . the response was overwhelming. We’d set up a place for donations on our website, and they started trickling in immediately. Then they flowed. And then, the cards and letters started arriving in our mailbox. Christmas cards, thank you notes, personal letters . . . each
containing a check. From $10 – $500, each gift brought tears to my eyes. And even more touching than the much-needed donations were the words of encouragement.
When you’re a newspaper run by a very small staff, you make plenty of mistakes. There are lots of moving parts and balls get dropped. And that’s typically when you hear from your readers. (Remember those calls to Jeff I mentioned?)
But this was the opposite of that.
You know that scene at the end of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ when all of Bedford Falls shows up to help George Bailey in his time of need? We feel like George Bailey.
Unfortunately, we are not out of the woods yet. But we’re enthusiastically exploring new ways to make The Island News sustainable into the future. We know that print will vanish one day, but our readers have made it clear that they love holding a paper in their hands, so for now, we’re going to keep printing. My dreamer husband is deeply committed to keeping the paper free, as well. “Everybody deserves access to the news,” he says, and I agree. But as it turns out, free news isn’t cheap. And while we have wonderful advertisers, we don’t have enough of them.
But we do have some ideas brewing, and thanks to the generosity and encouragement of our readership – which includes many of you – we’ve got a whole new sense of purpose and we’re feeling inspired!
We’re also continuing to take donations. Visit www.yourislandnews.com if you’d like to support our efforts.
If you already have, but haven’t received a thank you note, it means we’re still searching for your mailing address. (A few envelopes were lost in the shuffle.) If you donated online, you received an automatic thank you via email. Please know that we can see your names, we know who you are, and we’re so very grateful.
Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly. She has been writing her award winning column, Rants & Raves, for 25 years.
After years on the waiting list, my husband and I finally joined the Lowcountry Master Naturalist program—a deep dive into the beauty and complexity of the area’s natural world. None of my friends or family said it to my face, but I could feel the breeze from their collective eye rolls. "Here we go with all the new facts about to be showered upon us," they might have been thinking.
I know my propensity to fact-bomb can be annoying. My daughter’s friends even call me CNN, Carolyn’s News Network. So, I vowed to focus on studying the material without oversharing. But when you’ve just learned how to tell the difference between a deadly coral snake and a helpful scarlet king snake — red on black is a friend of Jack; red on yellow will kill a fellow — it’s hard not to broadcast it. It’s the kind of knowledge that could save the day… or the snake, assuming I get it right.
A friend dubbed this new adventure "Nature School," which sounds more like German kindergarten than the intense mix of reading, fieldwork, chemistry, and biology we were tackling over the course of four months. But the name stuck, and soon many in our group called it that. It was a fantastic group, too — like-minded people from all walks of life immersed in a program designed to cultivate awareness of the intricate relationships between humans and nature, inspiring stewardship and advocacy.
The retired vets, dentists, and pediatrician in my group likely didn’t have to Google as frequently as I did, considering my sketchy biology background. Still, our instructors were rock stars. Tony Mills, the tall, handsome founder of Coastal Kingdom, handled reptiles, spiky fish, and even a gator he accidentally caught in a turtle trap with fearless ease that were equal parts impressive and horrifying. For the sake of this story, I asked him how often he’s been bitten. He frowned, thought for a moment, and replied, “Only three times this morning.” He had the fresh nicks to prove it.
Then there was Andy Jones, Ph.D., who could identify birds by sound alone. One day,
as we hiked through an old-growth forest, he stopped abruptly. “Do you hear that?” he asked. All I heard was the slap of my borrowed binoculars against my ribs and the whine of mosquitoes dive-bombing my ears. But Andy heard two types of woodpeckers, a cardinal, and several songbirds. He would point skyward to raptors swooping majestically through the air. “Look at its red shoulder,” he’d say, or “Notice the curve of its beak.” All I could see was a brown blur. Training your brain to see and hear these things takes time, and mine was woefully untrained.
Sloane Wiggers, an instructor with great patience and humor, taught us how to identify trees by their bark, leaves, pinecones, and location. She led us through exercises like identifying small animal skulls by their jaws and teeth. The retired vets and dentists had a clear advantage here, but I learned that raccoon skulls are everywhere. If you stumble upon a bleachedwhite, pointy skull, it’s probably a raccoon. Save that factoid to impress your friends.
Our instructors unlocked the Lowcountry’s natural world—birds, plants, trees, insects, reptiles, fish, currents—and taught us how to observe it with a discerning eye. We explored how rising sea levels, industrial growth, and invasive species threaten this hauntingly beautiful ecosystem. By learning the language of nature, from identifying species to understanding their form and function, we developed a deeper connection to the world around us.
The field trips included amazing places such as Congaree National Park, Audubon’s Beidler Forest Sanctuary, Bennett’s Point, Webb Center and Nemours Wildlife foundation and Spring Island.
By Carolyn Mason
At Hunting Beach, we identified depressions in the sand left by horseshoe crabs. We dug up periscope-like tubes housing worms scurrying up and down their silos. My favorite shell, which I’d always admired but didn’t know the name of, turned out to be a lettered olive — the state shell of South Carolina. What kind of person doesn’t know the name of her favorite shell? Apparently, me. But now I do.
Passing the final exam felt like a true accomplishment. I made flashcards to study because the last time I crammed for an exam, my brain was younger and sharper. The openbook test was comprehensive, covering everything from crazy-looking fish to tree identification. When I correctly identified a raccoon skull, I silently celebrated. It was hard work, and my old brain hurt, but the sense of achievement was worth it.
Reflecting on my journey through "Nature School," Frank Lloyd Wright’s words resonate: “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” What began as curiosity has transformed into a profound appreciation for the intricate web of the natural world around me. Now, when I walk through the woods or along the beach, I see not just trees or shells, but stories and ecosystems. Armed with this understanding, I am committed to being a steward of the Lowcountry’s natural beauty, ensuring it thrives for future generations.
I may still be Carolyn’s News Network, but now my broadcasts come with a side of raccoon skulls and mostly accurate snake facts. And, if you are interested, I can offer a student’s field guide to a deeper connection to nature.
The Spring Island Trust hosts the Lowcountry Master Naturalist program, and you can get on the waiting list by sending an email to masternaturalist@lowcountry institute.org
Founder of the World War II Foundation, Gray has produced 40 documentary films on the personal stories from World War II.
The Beaufort Film Society will present the inaugural Legends & Legacies Award to Tim Gray, President and Founder of the World War II Foundation, at the 19th annual Beaufort International Film Festival taking place February 18 – 23, 2025 in Beaufort, SC.
Tim Gray
Tim Gray and the non-profit World War II Foundation have produced 40 documentary films on the personal stories of World War II. He has received six regional Emmy Awards for his work and dozens of International film awards and films rank in the top five of most
requested programs nationally by PBS affiliates. Tim has also been honored with American Public Television’s prestigious National Programming Excellence Award. Films produced by Tim are shot on location in Europe and the Pacific and narrated by celebrity voices, including Tom Brokaw, Gary Sinise, Paul Giamatti, Keith Morrison, Kevin Bacon, Darius Rucker, Josh Lucas, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Nantz, Luke Bryan, Liev Schreiber, Tom Selleck, and Bill Belichick.
In 2012, Tim raised money for and dedicated the Richard D. Winters Leadership Monument in Normandy, France. He also dedicated a plaque in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2021, honoring Elvis Presley’s role in helping to get the USS Arizona Memorial built at Pearl Harbor. In 2021, Tim was inducted into the State of Rhode Island’s Hall of Fame. He has often appeared on television programs to discuss the personal stories of World War II. The World War II Foundation has an additional eight films in various forms of production.
For more information about the 19th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival, visit beaufortfilmfestival.com
The Beaufort Film Society is a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3, member-supported organization, dedicated to providing the highest levels of entertainment and education to the public from all areas of the film industry.
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center is pleased to announce that Bruce Murdy has joined the Conroy Center’s staff as Director of Development.
Murdy brings over 40 years of experience to this role, most of those headquartered in Charleston. For many years, he headed Rawle Murdy, a Charleston-based marketing, advertising, and public relations firm.
After selling the firm and retiring from marketing, Murdy began a new professional challenge as Director of Development for a regional symphony orchestra based in South Florida. Hearing the call of the South Carolina lowcountry, Murdy returned home in 2024 and recently joined the Center’s staff.
In his new role, Murdy’s responsibilities include engagement with current and prospective donors, working with private and public grant-making organizations, and identifying new funding opportunities for the Conroy Center.
“I’m especially excited to join the Pat Conroy Literary Center,” says Murdy. “As
with many readers around the world, Pat Conroy has always held a special place in my heart. To be able to represent the Conroy Center and to help it nurture aspiring writers and educators is an honor and highlight of my career.”
Inspired by the life and work of writer, educator, and mentor Pat Conroy (19452016) — the beloved author of The Water Is Wide, The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides, and more — the Pat Conroy Literary Center nurtures a diverse community of writers, readers, teachers, and students by offering exhibits, workshops, author visits, educational programs, and special events that celebrate the transformative power of story, expanding its positive impact through collaboration with local and national partners.
To learn more about the year-round educational mission of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, please visit us online at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org or in person (Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m.) at 601 Bladen Street in historic downtown Beaufort, South Carolina.
USCB’s Center for the Arts is currently presenting “‘Payne-ful’ Business, Charleston’s Journey to Truth,” its first gallery show of the year.
Running through Feb. 20, 2025, the exhibit is a collaboration between Charlestonian author Margaret Seidler and John W. Jones from Columbia.
Featuring more than 40 paintings created by Jones using oils, acrylics and watercolors, the works in the exhibit are inspired by Seidler’s historical research into her family history, which revealed her relation to William Payne, her great-grandfather and domestic slave trading auctioneer.
Jones drew inspiration from the Payne newspaper ads which promoted for sale, blacksmiths, cooks, child nurses, brick masons and dozens of other talented enslaved people. He transformed their trade, skills, and labor into a compelling visual narrative of the
pervasiveness and magnitude of the contributions of the enslaved. Each is accompanied by the textual images of the supporting newspaper advertisement, including its archival provenance.
Seidler’s book, “‘Payne-ful’ Business, Journey to Truth” (Evening Post Books, February 2024, evepostbooks.com), incorporates Jones’ compelling images in support of the historical interpretation of her recently discovered ancestors.
In addition to the exhibit, Margaret Seidler will be the first presenter at this year’s Books Sandwiched In, the popular book review series sponsored by Friends of the Beaufort Library. Her presentation will take place at noon on Monday, January 27th in the auditorium of USCB Center for the Arts. To learn more please visit www.friendsofthebeaufortlibrary.com
Arts Ob We People: Winter Exhibition and Sale is a display of original work by emerging and leading artists that represents the life of Gullah people on Hilton Head Island and the surrounding community. This annual arts and crafts exhibition features the work of local artists’ interpretation of the people, food, dancing, and daily living of the Gullah people.
and transformative as I seek to provide a glimpse of Gullah life, and ‘de luk pon we island.’”
The exhibit runs February 4-28, 2025. An artists’ reception, free and open to the public, will take place on February 5, from 5-7pm. All artworks will be on display and for sale.
The Art League Gallery is located mid-island inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14
Saundra Renee Smith is the 2025 featured artist of this annual Gullah Celebration. "My work is inspired by the bright hues born from a culture tempered in isolation. This makes my work authentically Gullah and is a tribute to the people who hold a unique place in American history.” Smith uses paints primarily with acrylic and oil on canvas, wood, tin, or glass. Says Smith, “ I strive to capture the daily lifestyle of the Gullah people through visual art. Baskets, and flowers, water and sky. Women and families with brightly colored dresses, and colorful head rags and hats to cover unique nappy hair and secrets of the land are what inspire me to paint. My work is spiritual
Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, 843.681.5060.
Art League of Hilton Head is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts organization on Hilton Head Island with a synergistic art gallery and teaching Academy.
Art League Gallery features local artwork in all media created by more than 200 member artists. All artwork on display is for sale and exhibits change every month. Located mid-island at 14 Shelter Cove Lane, inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, next to the
box office, Art League Gallery is open every day, Monday through Saturday from 10am –4pm and Sunday from 12 – 4pm, plus 90 minutes prior to all Arts Center Performances.
Art League Academy welcomes artists and students in all media at all skill levels, including true beginners. Taught by professional art educators, students can choose from many art classes and workshops in most media. Art League Academy is located at 106 Cordillo Parkway. The Academy Manager’s office hours are Monday & Friday, 10am - 2pm.
“Inspiring visual arts for our community and its visitors through exhibitions, education and partnerships” is Art League of Hilton Head’s mission.
For more information, call 843.681.5060 or visit www.ArtLeagueHHI.org, follow Art League of Hilton Head on Facebook, Instagram, or connect on LinkedIn.
Historic Beaufort Foundation’s longrunning Winter Lecture Series returns Thursday, Feb. 6 at USC Beaufort’s Center for the Arts in downtown Beaufort with John McCardell, Larry Rowland and Steve Wise.
“Our Winter Lecture Series is one of the most popular educational offerings available about local history. The presenters are extremely knowledgeable in their field and have a compelling way of telling the stories of South Carolina and Lowcountry history,” HBF Executive Director Cynthia Jenkins said in a news release.
All lectures run from 5:30 to 8 pm. at the USCB Center for the Arts at 805 Carteret Street in Beaufort. Admission to each event is $30 for HBF members, $35 for non-members, and full-time students with valid student ID can participate for $20. Tickets also can be purchased on-site the night of each event if seats are available.
Tickets are available online and are expected to go quickly. Visit the HBF website at https:// historicbeaufort.org/ for more information.
This year’s topics include:
February 6
· The Legacy of the Yemassee War
Larry Rowland
· The First Great Awakening and the Coming of the American Revolution
John McCardell
February 13
· The Second Great Awakening and the Coming of the Civil War
John McCardell
· Maritime History of the Port Royal Sound, 1800-1865
Steve Wise
February 27
· Civil War Photographers of Beaufort
Steve Wise
· Reminiscences of Beaufort, Kate Gleason, Francis Griswold and Samuel Hopkins Adams
Larry Rowland
John McCardell graduated from Washington and Lee University and earned his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. For his dissertation, “The Idea of a Southern Nation,” he earned the 1977 Alan Nevins Prize by the Society of American Historians. McCardell served as vice-chancellor of Sewanee: The University of the South from 2010 until 2020.
Larry Rowland is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History for the University of South Carolina, Beaufort, and previously held roles with USC as Professor of History and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College in New York and both his Master’s degree and Doctorate from the University of South Carolina. He has authored numerous books and articles about South Carolina and the Sea Islands.
Steve Wise is the curator of the museum for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, his Master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. He has written and edited several books and articles including “Lifeline of the Confederacy: Blockade Running During the Civil War” and “Gate of Hell: The Campaign for Charleston Harbor.”
Historic Beaufort Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation created to preserve, protect, and present sites and artifacts of historic, architectural, and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County, S.C. Visit us at historicbeaufort.org, Facebook, and Instagram.
By Margit Resch
Look at the picture of this trio. Those musicians are having fun! And so will you when you come to listen to them on Fripp Island, Sunday, February 2nd at 5:00 pm. Actually, you may want to come earlier, because oftentimes young aspiring musicians from Beaufort schools show off their talents for us at 4:30 pm, before the concert, and it is a pleasure listening to them display their skills and instruments. Call the number at the end of this article for more information about this Fripp Island Friends of Music program.
But back to PROJECT Trio, an ensemble of three virtuosic composers and performers, who hail from Brooklyn, New York and play genre-defying music ranging from baroque to nu-metal, and who adopt pretty much every musical style imaginable.
Reviewers like Gramophone Magazine praised the trio’s performances as being “packed with musicianship, joy and surprise” and “exciting a new generation of listeners about the joys of classical and jazz music.” The Wall Street Journal hailed the trio for their “wide appeal, subversive humor, and first-rate playing.” Wide appeal, indeed. PROJECT Trio has impressed audiences with their performances in twenty-five countries on four continents and in most of our United States. They will impress us, no doubt.
As you can tell from the picture, the trio consists of a flutist, a cellist and a double bass player, each recognized for his remarkable accomplishments.
Greg Pattillo is a beatboxing flutist. A flutist plays the flute, of course. But beatboxing? What is that? Well, you just have to come to the concert and experience beatboxing. All I will tell you is that beatboxing is a complex and demanding vocal art form that requires technical skill, creativity, and physical control and comes in many variations, depending on the artist.
Pattillo earned his B.A. and M.A. from the Cleveland Institute of Music and was a student of Joshua Smith, the principal flutist of the Cleveland Orchestra. He has been praised for his creativity in combining beatbox and flute, and for his work as an arranger and composer who infuses his compositions for flute and for PROJECT
Trio with elements of jazz and hip hop. Among his remarkable accomplishments is the unusual award he received in 2007 from—you won’t believe it—the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s “Music Under New York” program, which, among other things, allows Pattillo to play music in the subway.
Eric Stephenson is one of the most innovative and versatile cellists in the profession. His style ranges from classical to jazz to rock and folk. Eric, too, earned his degrees, with honors, from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He served as Assistant Principal Cello of the Aspen Festival Orchestra from 1999-2004. He has appeared as a soloist with the Cleveland Institute of Music Symphony Orchestra, the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, and on and on.
In 2006, Eric moved to NYC where he has performed with countless ensembles. But he spends most of his time with PROJECT Trio, which he co-founded. Composing and recording is a huge part of his life. He has engineered and mixed two PROJECT Trio albums and premiered two works for trio and orchestra. In his spare time, he enjoys biking around Brooklyn and playing the tenor sax.
Peter Seymour is the co-creator, manager and bass player of the trio. Like Greg and Eric, Peter earned his BA from the Cleveland Institute of Music, but received his Master of Music degree from Rice University, where he studied with Paul Ellison. After his education, Seymour went to play with a multitude of world class orchestras, including the New World Orchestra and the Houston Symphony, in famous concert halls like Severance Hall, The Concertgebouw, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. As an educator he organizes and performs in more than 100 school concerts a year.
The trio’s extensive repertoire consists of its members’ original compositions and arrangements in styles including classical, jazz, rock, hip-hop and blue grass. The trio is also active in music education and, through a nonprofit organization, offers workshops and concerts in schools around the world. According to Wikipedia, PROJECT Trio is one of the most viewed chamber music ensembles on the internet with over 70,000,000 combined views on You Tube.
PROJECT Trio has performed in concert halls, clubs and classrooms around the world, including the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. They have toured Hong
Kong, Australia, Europe, Canada and over 35 states in the US. You can listen to their music on a variety of albums they released and on other recordings.
And, lucky you, you can experience PROJECT Trio right here in your neighborhood, on February 2nd at 5:00 pm, in Fripp Island’s Community Center, 205 Tarpon Boulevard. The concert is presented by Fripp Island Friends of Music and supported by the SC Arts Commission. Attendees get a free pass at the Fripp gate. Tickets at the door: adults $30 and free for students, thanks to the Peg Gorham Memorial Fund. You are invited to join the musicians at a complimentary reception after the performance, catered deliciously by Harold’s Chef Services.
Do you have questions? Do you want to become a member of FIFOM to save money on tickets and support FIFOM’s missions? Email or text Vanessa Peñaherrera at vandy116@ gmail.com or (704) 807-0255. And go to frippfriendsofmusic.com for information about our upcoming concerts and whether you should come early for a little concert before the big concert.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my jo, for auld lang syne, we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.”
Ihave a fascination with all things Scottish. Several years ago, I spent quite a bit of time researching family history in the North Carolina Archives. I now know much about my Scottish heritage and own kilts, scarfs and pins from my clan, Lindsay. Many Beaufortonians also share an interest in Scotland and Scottish heritage. Several local churches even hold annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans celebrations. Saturday, January 25th is another opportunity to honor our ties to Scotia (land of the Scots). Burns Night commemorates the birthday of the bard (poet) Robert Burns, who was born in 1759. It also celebrates Burns' contribution to Scottish culture. His best-known work is Auld Lang Syne. The festivities are held in the evening and feature a Burns Supper that typically includes a meal of haggis, neeps and tatties; recitations of Burns’ poems and songs; tributes, speeches, and toasts to the memory of Burns; and toasts to the lassies and laddies. Guests wear kilts. Scottish guests wear their family’s tartan. This week’s recipes highlight traditional Scottish recipes that I’ve converted into canapes and dessert to be served with haggis, neeps, and tatties. If you'd like to purchase actual biadhan (that's Scottish for 'food') visit scottishgourmetusa.com. I purchased Haggis Sauce, Oat Crackers and Selkirk Bannocks from them and was very pleased. Here's a wee bit of trivia for you to share with your Burns Night guests. The traditional Scottish Gaelic toast when raising a glass to say 'cheers' is Slàinte Mhath which is pronounced slan-ge-var. Aye! How fun is that?
DECONSTRUCTED SCOTCH EGGS WITH HIGHLANDER MUSTARD
This lighter version of an old favorite features a delicious fiery mustard.
For the mustard:
1 cup Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon scotch whisky
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon sea salt
For the canapes:
6 large eggs
1¼ pounds (5 sausages) mild Italian sausage Oat, multigrain or whole wheat crackers Italian parsley, to garnish
divide each sausage into 6 pieces. Form into small patties and saute until brown and cooked through. To assemble the canapes, put a hearty dot of Highlander Mustard on each cracker round. Top with a slice of egg and a warm sausage patty. Garnish with a leaf of Italian sausage. Makes 30.
A super easy party nibble with a Scottish twist.
8 chicken tenders, cut into thirds
6 large white mushrooms, quartered 12 slices bacon, halved
Grains of paradise or dried sage
Haggis sauce or redcurrant jelly
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Wrap a piece of chicken tenderloin and a slice of mushroom in a halved slice of bacon and place seam side down on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush liberally with haggis sauce or jelly. Continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes more or until bacon is crispy and chicken is cooked through. Serve hot. Makes 24.
Mix mustard ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours before using. In a medium saucepan, cover the eggs with about 1-inch of cold water. Place the lid on the pan and bring the eggs to a boil. Immediately turn off the heat and set the pan aside for 15 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan and plunge into a bowl of cold water. Once cooled, remove the eggs from the shells. Slice eggs into rounds. Remove casings from sausages and
By Debbi Covington
Selkirk Bannocks are very dense Scottish raisin breads. Challah bread with a handful of raisins would be a good substitute. This recipe can easily be halved and cooked in an 8x8-inch baking dish. Just reduce the cooking time to 50 to 60 minutes.
For the sauce:
1 (13.25-ounce) jar butterscotch sauce
2 tablespoons scotch whisky
For the bread pudding:
2 (1-pound) Selkirk Bannocks
½ stick butter, melted
6 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
In a small bowl, combine butterscotch sauce with scotch whisky; set aside until ready to serve. Slice bannocks into 1-inch cubes, about 12 cups. Spread bread evenly in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Drizzle melted butter over bread. In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs with sugar, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, milk, and heavy cream. Pour evenly over cubed bread. Let sit for 30 minutes or until bread has absorbed most of the liquid. Lightly mash the bread down with the back of a fork, if necessary. Cover with foil. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 70-80 minutes, removing foil after 60 minutes, to allow the top to brown. The bread pudding is done when it is golden brown and springy to touch. The center of the pudding should be baked through and not at all liquid. Serve warm with Butterscotch Whisky Sauce. Serves 12 to 15.
The writer owns Catering by
and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. For more great recipes and to view her cooking demonstrations, visit and subscribe to Debbi’s YouTube channel. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at dbc@ cateringbydebbicovington.com
“There is no word in the language I revere more than 'teacher.' My heart sings when a kid refers to me as his teacher, and it always has. I've honored myself and the entire family of man by becoming a teacher.”
— Pat Conroy, The Prince of Tides
Established to encourage and support high school seniors with a declared intent to pursue a career in education, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Future Educator Scholarship honors the teaching legacy of the late Pat Conroy (1945-2016), acclaimed bestselling author of The Water Is Wide, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides, and more. The inaugural scholarship is funded through the generosity of former educators and will be presented in spring 2023. The $5,000 scholarship will be awarded in two parts: (1) $2,500 on high school graduation and
college acceptance, and (2) $2,500 in the awardee's junior year of college as a future candidate for teaching.
Now in its third year, the scholarship has previously been awarded to Darby Kinsey (Battery Creek High School) and Kierra Thompson (Beaufort High School), with a special recognition of Kaylin Cunningham (Bluffton High School).
The Conroy Center’s Future Educator Scholarship is open to all Beaufort County, South Carolina, graduating high school seniors with an interest in pursuing a career in education and meeting the following criteria. Priority will be given to need-based applicants.
The ideal candidate will: (1) have earned a GPA of 3.0 or greater on the SC Uniform Grading Scale, (2) have earned a 21 or greater on the ACT and/or a 1080 or greater on the SAT, (3) be a
legal U.S. citizen and a legal resident of Beaufort County, (4) submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors not related to the applicant, and (5) complete the required application form and two essays.
The 2025 scholarship application period is now open and will conclude on March 31, 2025. Eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and finalists will be contacted for brief interviews. The scholarship recipient and all other applicants will be notified of their status by April 7, 2025.
Apply online using the application form at https://patconroyliterarycenter. org/about/future-educator-scholarship.
Please contact the Conroy Center with any questions at patconroyliterarycenter@ gmail.com
How often can one say, “It was every bit as good as I thought it would be”? Not very often, right? I mean, Harris Teeter’s pimento cheese is all it’s cracked up to be, but that’s an outlier, right? Seriously, try it if you’re not lactose intolerant. Maybe it’s worth it even if you do have a problem tolerating dairy. Only you can judge if the juice is worth the squeeze.
In today’s column I intend to encourage those that have chosen 2025 as the year of a$$hole reduction in their lives. I’m not sure how I feel anymore about resolutions, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a noble pursuit with peace on earth as a destination. After all, it has to happen within before it’s reflected outwardly. Maybe it’s as simple as embracing the ease rather than tolerating the intolerable. We’ll see, won’t we?
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, while wisdom is knowing not to put tomatoes in a fruit salad.” (@counteruck) Where does the cynicism of our existence end? My guess is probably right about where the paranoia begins. Various forms of smugness are, far too often, confused with intelligence by the victim and the perpetrator alike.
Do we not use our sense of smell on the road to epicurial delights? There’s a reason why the senses of taste and smell are so closely linked beyond knowing if something or someone is palatable or not. Nothing is
wasted in this life we lead. Remember that. Embrace that. What smells are wafting your way? It’s a choice to be downwind or upwind. It’s okay to send a mollify cocktail their way. Stirred, not shaken, as only 00Sutty would have it. You owe them nothing and revealing your anger only fuels their ire. Disdain for your innocence is often underestimated. You’re built differently. It’s why you can’t see it easily. Have faith. It’s all you have, isn’t it?
A Turkish proverb teaches us: “The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe. For the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.”
I try to ask myself if I spend too much time ruminating. My sincere hope is that our readers will ask this question, too. I often remind, and even chastise my readers about not even trying five minutes a day meditating. Ruminating is the other end of the spectrum of denial. We’ve all seen those who apparently have too much time on their hands. What do they look like? Do you spend too much time dining with your problems? God knows the world would be a better place with more people in therapy, but when does the law of diminishing returns kick in? Only the individual can answer that for themselves. I want to make sure you’re at least asking the question.
The above paragraph is meditation, too. If you want to get really woo woo, you can ask for a distinct smell to clue you in. Just like food that doesn’t smell quite right, it’s a quick road to having it come out both ends. Ick, and one of the worst feelings in the world. Sometimes that’s exactly where you want to be, though.
But I’m not certain I want to go through the growing pains required. I get that. I really do, but consider that certainty is the enemy of unity. Certainty is the enemy of tolerance. If only there was certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery. What fun is that? Consider that your truth is so precious, it’s been concealed with a bodyguard of lies.
Who hasn’t wondered about things left unsaid and undone? Pressure is a privilege, is it not? Embrace the pressure of the road less travelled. Privileged are those that intend healing and growth in the new year. It’s a tough, but worthwhile road, so here are some underrated signs from @rewildtu you’re healing:
1) You no longer wear being over-worked and tired as a badge of honor.
2) You have stopped over-apologizing for the choices you make.
3) You can rest without feeling guilty.
4) You have stopped expecting people to read your mind, and, instead, feel safe asking for what you want.
by Sutty Suddeth WHOLLY
5) You don’t need to be liked by everyone. In the end, it’s that you learn, not that you agree with, or get closure from said scenario. Keep in mind that while closure is certainly desirable, it’s a black rabbit hole one can piss away years or decades chasing. Be mindful that anxiety screams while intuition whispers.
Anxiety feels jittery, while intuition feels calm (@megjosephson). Watch out for those coffee hangovers. Coffee smells good, but you don’t need the last drop.
We’ve reached the age where we can convert that righteous energy into something more useful—more utilitarian than constant recrimination. The alternate reality is yours to create and embrace. Follow your nose like a blood hound. If the smell is stank, change what you rank, to allow those settings to tranquilize. It’s a worthy endeavor for your beautiful soul.
The year: 1987. The setting: The Rocks of Fripp Island, SC. Sutty first answers the siren call of writing. In the years and publications since, the destination has been Divinely timed, while being Divinely unknown. A reformed Reiki Master of more than a dozen years, an emotional energetic alchemist, as well as a student in various energetic modalities. My favorite Buddha quote is, “Everything in moderation, even moderation.” Visit Home / Chris Suddeth (journoportfolio.com) for more info.
Polar Vortex—that is an awfully sophisticated name for what I have always called a “cold snap.” I have also heard areas of low pressure bringing cold called the “Montreal Express,” “Alberta Clipper,” or “Saskatchewan Screamer.” In Texas, they call them “Blue Northers.” In
Colorado, cold fronts with snowstorms are referred to as “Colorado Hookers.” In our area, we get “Appalachian Runners.” Call it what you will, it means cold temperatures. In early January, 2018, I woke up one morning to see snow on the palm trees. It was only a couple of inches, but the entire area was paralyzed. Schools were closed and we were warned that the 28 degree temperature was life-threatening. I do remember wishing that I had brought some ice melt with me from northeastern Ohio. My ten-foot tall beautiful Philodendron was a pile of mush on the ground and my shell ginger looked most distressed. Was there permanent damage to our gardens? Some citrus trees did not survive and Washingtonian palms which are native to Baja, Mexico lost their fan-like fronds. Some ferns were unhappy looking. Despite the snow and cold in five months, my Philodendron was back to its large and lush self. My geraniums and snapdragons acted as if nothing had happened.
The lesson learned? Our plants are pretty darn hardy. Now Tropical plants are another matter. If you have house plants outside on a deck or porch, a freeze can damage them or even cause their demise. They should be brought indoors if possible or moved close to the house. You can also cover them. Do not use plastic or a tarp. Plants like people must breathe and plastic will smother them. An old sheet can provide protection from the cold or you can purchase frost fleece or a frost “blanket” at many garden centers. Outdoor citrus can also be covered. Some people wind outdoor Christmas lights around their trees to provide extra warmth. Hydrating your garden before the hard freeze is also helpful. Desiccation can cause leaf damage and drop. You can turn on your irrigation the day before a freeze alert. Our ground does not freeze to an extent where we must drain irrigation systems as you do farther north. I run my irrigation for a bit in the winter if we have had a dry spell. What plants will show some damage after a frost? Shell ginger ( Alpinia zerumbet ) might die back, but it almost
always rebounds during warmer weather. A popular small shrub known as duranta gold mound will have black leaves instead of its usual bright yellow. Cut the damaged leaves off when danger of a frost is past. As mentioned before, Philodendrons might collapse in a mushy mess. Once it is warm again, I clear away the decayed plant matter to prevent fungal disease and the plant will come back.
One thing that most golfers will know is that you must not walk upon frost coated grass. This can break the grass fibers and cause damage. That is the reason for the dreaded “frost delay” this time of the year. Although our sun is low in the sky, it still provides warmth and frost usually burns off in a short time. These are good mornings to enjoy that extra cup of coffee before heading out.
The most important thing to remember about our cold spells is to be patient. Do not
By Wendy Hilty
give up on a plant because it is looking stressed. Leave it be and when spring arrives, chances are that you can remove any damaged plant material and it will revive. If the plant has not put out new growth by May 1, then it probably was the wrong plant in the wrong place and probably belongs in southern Florida or Mexico.
Wendy Hilty is a Master Gardener and member of the Lowcountry Master Gardeners organization. She is also a member of the Royal Horticultural Society and likes to spend her time attempting to grow an English Cottage Garden in our heat and humidity. Her Comyagardener blog won a state-wide award from Clemson University last year. Wendy firmly believes that the most important tool for a gardener is a good sense of humor.
Alisha Doud alisha@dcgilbert.com
Daun Schouten daun@dcgilbert.com
Laure Gallagher laure@dcgilbert.com
Ashley Hart ashley@dcgilbert.com
Joy McConnell joy@dcgilbert.com
Johanna Graham johanna@dcgilbert.com
Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
derek@dcgilbert.com
melissa@dcgilbert.com Sam Bailey samuel@dcgilbert.com
On New Year’s Eve we watched the sky explode over the Beaufort River in a phantasmagoria of better-than-expected fireworks; on New Year’s Day I plunged into the Atlantic out on Hunting Island with hundreds of co-celebrants for The Pelican Plunge. It was a stellar 17 hour stretch.
The mood was holiday-jaunty at both, strangers united in singular pursuit of an experience, a marking of meaning, a shout into the abyss, a peak moment. The year was over/the year began and there we were: alive and accounted for. Remember this night, I thought, remember this day.
What made the fireworks so dang good was the layering effects produced in the pirouettes of pyrotechnic artistry. There were swirls within circles, staggered sparkling twists, slow-fading golden extensions with pops & flashes and sizzling celestial starfish. There was a nice crowd but it wasn’t overwhelming, and the ease of getting in and out of downtown was like butter cream frosting on my sometimes cranky in crowds attitude cake.
Late the next morning we arrived at Hunting Island and joined a line of cars snaking to the north beach parking lots, it was a backup that I was happy to be a part of. The
sun had broken strong with its own new year’s resolution to provide rays of comfort that made the mid-fifties air temperature feel just fine. The food trucks were cranking and we got hot chocolates loaded with marshmallows. Wondering if we would see anyone we knew after moving here just last August we soon bumped into our next door neighbors, joking about carpooling next time.
Among the crowd were a family of crab-head hats, a jellyfish umbrella collective with colorful, shimmery streamers, flamingo-human hybrids, a few pajamas and new year’s tiaras, a man on horseback sporting an American flag, the Pelican of the Plunge themselves, and a grandma who got run over by a reindeer (it was mounted on her back to prove it).
I chatted with a woman dressed as a turtle who told me she switched costumes after last year’s dragon tail got stepped on too much and laughed at a kid in a hot dog costume telling a joke. Mostly I wandered around the beach smiling while we waited on the countdown.
The moment arrived and everyone took off, kids screaming and adults beaming. The initial rush was tempered by adrenalin, and as the cold rose up my legs my only thought was when I would let go and dive. Then I was under and up and consumed in the brightness of a body reacting to a radical change in circumstances. I looked around in laughter.
Collectively we worshipped in 53 degree holy water, witnessing via tingling extremities and gasping yelps of surrender. We believed in this freezing moment like holy rollers stomping out the devil (temperature differentials notwithstanding). I had that thought that comes up more often as I get older: you need to fix this memory in your mind and heart—this is what living large means and it doesn’t last forever.
One of the most stunning aspects of aging for me is the double-edged ability to consider
whole chunks of time—the melding of days into weeks then seasons, followed by years becoming decades and more. Even when there are specific facts to hang on life’s timeline the edges fray and wear, fading comfortably in some cases, other times with pointy memories best avoided. Often we’re left with an amalgamation of fact and fiction, something the British psychologist Frederic Bartlett tagged back in the early 1930’s as “imaginative reconstruction,” a feature of which is our internal drive to compose stories that feel coherent. We so want things to make sense.
Modern research has validated Bartlett’s insight by showing that neural circuits linked to imagination are active when we are in the process of remembering. In his book “Why We Remember” neuropsychologist Charan Ranganath notes how emotion impacts episodic memory, the recall of experiences rather than facts or knowledge. Ranganath seems to suggest that the combination of imagination and emotion makes memory
By Luke Frazier
associated with experiences I remember.
Textured layers of meaning added to those decades reduced to days, hours and distilled moments. That is what we have to hold close. I spent maybe 10 minutes in the water on New Year’s Day, offering a little prayer for those I love to be protected in the coming year. I thanked my higher power for being able to take part in such an event, starting with waking up at all. The less I take for granted the more I get to enjoy. Time is a dream we try to hold on to and will inevitably fail. Instead we will have a recollection, a hodgepodge of what happened and might have happened. A perfectly imperfect memory to feel again and again. Hallelujah anyway.
more akin to a dynamic phenomenon, and qualitatively more than just a repository of records.
As I look back on those chunks of time (and holidays seem to be a natural time to steep in memory) I can certainly sense how many specific facts have dissolved and gone away. What has not gone away are the feelings
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.
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 6-9:30 pm at Dolphin Head Golf Club, 59 High Bluff Rd, Hilton Head Plantation. Open to the public. Shag, ballroom, swing, country, or line. Singles welcome. Cash bar and light dinners available. $5 floor fee. HHICSC also teaches beginner Shag lessons Tuesday nights. www.hiltonheadshagclub.com, or www.facebook.com/HHICSC
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 - Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd. 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
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 is 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 Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the military lounge at the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport. It is operated by a cadre of volunteers. Formerly the USO Lounge it has been renamed “Savannah Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and their families. The facility requires volunteers to keep the lounge open from 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. There are three shifts each day, with two volunteers on duty for each shift. Interested in volunteering? More info and application forms are available at the www.savannahsalutes.org or call John Findeis at (912) 507-4848. The airport will provide free parking.
VETERANS FIRST THRIFT STORE is in need of volunteers. Summer hours are Thursday thru Saturday - 10am4pm. 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 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 previous meditation experience needed. Call Michael 843-489-8525.
HABITAT RESTORE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We're looking for volunteers for cashiers, sales floor associates, donation processing, donor data entry, and donor ambassadors. Interested? Go to lowcountryhabitat.org/volunteer or call 843-525-0055.
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 and informal Beaufort area writers club. All skill levels and subjects welcome including fiction, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs. Free. Call or email for more info and the meeting location in Port Royal: beaufdick@gmail. com or 843-322-0616.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Calhoun Station Thrift Store in Bluffton. All funds generated are returned to other nonprofits in the community. Store is open Wed & Sat 10am to 1pm and located at 77 Pritchard St. Volunteers can stop by store 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 are 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—Travel to the 1800's and the Spanish American War. The Fort Fremont History Center is open from 10am to 2pm Fridays, Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm at Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land's End Road, St. Helena Island. Visitors to Fort Fremont can learn about the fort's history by reading interpretive panels, taking a self-guided tour with a smart phone, visiting the history center exhibit hall, or attending a docent-led tour of the property. The Preserve grounds are open to the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. For more Information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact the Passive Parks Department Director, Stefanie Nagid, at snagid@bcgov.net
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 visit us on FacebookUSCGA 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 46pm. Walk In Clinic. No Need to Pre-Register or Call. Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs Clinic. 1214 Prince Street, Downtown Beaufort
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for a few hours each week at St. Francis Thrift Shop. Open Tuesday thru Saturday. Call 843-689-6563 or come in to speak with Miss Ann.
Definitely shop.
CRESCENT HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP: Last Wed. and Thurs. of the month. Weds. 10-11am at Sun City; Thurs. 121pm 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, 843-689-3616 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.
ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER BEAUFORT, Support Groups: Caregiver - Fridays., 12:30pm, Living with Alzheimer's - for those in very early stagesMondays 1pm, Respite Programs: Social Day Program10am-1:45pm $40 Day Fee, Weds. & Friday. All meetings are at Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; In Home - Respite Aides available for 2 hr. minimum, $13-$26. Early Memory Loss: Maintain Your Brain - 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10-11:30am, $10/person, $15 couple, Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-5219190 or make an appointment, 1500 King St., Beaufort, free; Purple Haven Project - Educate local establishment staff to better interact with a person with Alzheimer's call 843-521-9190.
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 needs items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am-12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or email 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 Family Graduation Days. Closed all 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.
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; Karaoke Wed, Fri & Sat - 10pm. 25% off Apps & Wings for NFL Ticket; College sports Saturdays. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook
Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com
Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www.bigbamboocafe.com
Captain Woody’s, 14 Executive Park Rd., Hilton Head, 843-785-2400; - OR - 17 State of Mind St., Bluffton, Tuesdays - Chris Jones. www. captainwoodys.com
The Jazz Corner, Village at Wexf1ord, Hilton Head. Sundays - Deas Guyz; Mondays - A Journey Through Jazz with The Martin Lesch Band; Tuesdays - Fat Tuesdays: A Swingin' Celebration of New Orleans and Beyond; Thursdays - Lavon Stevens with Louise Spencer. 1/15 & 1/16 CLOSED, 1/17 &. 1/18 John Cranford & Friends with Junior Jazz Rising Star Alice Gould, 1/22 Bobby Ryder, 1/31 & 2/1
Mark Rapp - "Brass, Beads & Beads: NOLA Nights Alive! with vocalist Brittany Turnipseed. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 1/16 Gimme Gimme Disco, 1/18 Boots & Beats, 1/19 Soulfunktion, 1/21 Michigander; Sydney Sprague, 1/22 Donny Benet; 2 Slices, 1/23 RIP City CHS, 1/24 The Sloppy Boys; Mids,
1/25 Todd Barry, 1/28 Slothrust; Weakened Friends, 1/29 Carbon Leaf, 1/30 Rock the 90s, 1/31 Toni Romiti, 2/1 The Nashville Nights Band. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 1/15 Chucktown EDM; Chris the Almighty; NoahFRiends; DJ DollaMenu, 1/17 Cosmic Charlie, 1/18 Electro Lust; Abby Bryant, 1/19 Kathleen Edwards; Lauren Morrow, 1/22 Chucktown EDM; Flomatik; Web Hollow; Puzzled, 1/23 The Local Honeys, 1/24 Moon Hooch w/ Too Many Zooz; Honeycomb, 1/25 Thurston Howell, 1/26 The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, 1/28 James McMurtry; BettySoo, 1/29 Phyphr, 1/30 Eddie 9V; Paul McDonald & the Morning Doves, 1/31 & 2/1 Bob Marley Birthday Celebration with Well Charged; Operation Erie; Jimmy 5 Starr; Da'Gullah Rootz; Zandrina Dunning; Ric Mystic, 2/2 Badfish - Sublime tribute. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 1/26 Nirvani - Nirvana tribute, 1/31 The Broken Hearts - Tom Petty tribute, 2/1 Cowboy Mouth. (843) 886-8596 or www.the-windjammer.com
Editors Note: Events listed here may be subject to postponement or cancellation. Please check for further information.
1/31, 2/1 & 2/2, High School Musical, Jr. will be performed by the Beaufort Children’s Theatre at USCB Center for the Arts. Fri & Sat at 7pm and Sun at 3pm. Adults $24, Seniors/Military $20, Children/Students $16. For tickets visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Now – 2/1 – Elemental Alchemy: The Visionary Artwork of Gloria Owens at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. www.sobagallery.com
Now – 2/22, Language of Clay: Catawba Indian Pottery and Oral Tradition at Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, US 17, Ridgeland. www.morrisheritagecenter.org
Now - 3/2, Daniel McSweeney’s Original Pottery & Members’ Impressionist-Style Paintings, a dual exhibit at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Now – 3/23, This Is Not: Aldwyth in Retrospect at the Coastal Discover Museum on Hilton Head. www.coastaldiscovery.org
2/4 – 2/28, Arts Ob We People: Winter Exhibition and Sale, a display of original Gullah artwork at the Art League Gallery. Opening reception 2/5 from 5-7pm. Inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, 843-681-5060.
2/3 – 2/28, SOBA Annual High School Art Show. Opening Reception Sat 2/8 from 3-5pm. SOBA Gallery, 6 Church Street, Bluffton.
Sun 2/23, Deadline for SOBA’s 31st Annual Judged Show. The contest is open to all artists and the cost to register is $25 for SOBA members and $75 for non SOBA members. Registration and a full list of rules are available online at https://sobagallery.com/2025-judged-show/
Fri 1/24, Evening with Karen Salyer McElmurray, award-winning author of the essay collection I Could Name God in Twelve Ways and the novel Wanting Radiance. Starts at 5pm at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Sponsored in part by WayWord Books, this author event is free and open to the public. Books available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call to reserve: 843-379-7025.
Mondays 1/27 – 3/10, Books Sandwiched In, hosted by Friends of the Beaufort Library. In this popular annual series, community members present books that are meaningful to them. Light refreshments. Noon–1pm at USCB Center for the Arts, Beaufort. For a full schedule of presenters and books, visit www.friendsofthebeaufortlibrary.com
Fri 1/17, Trey McLaughlin & the Sounds of Zamar, renowned contemporary gospel ensemble, will perform at 7:30 pm at USCB Center for the Arts. Adults $48, Seniors/Military $45, Child/Students $30. Tickets on sale now at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Sat 1/25, Friction Farm will be featured at Music on Malphrus, UUCL, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton. 7 pm. Tickets are $25 each and are available for purchase online or at the door. Refreshments are available for purchase ahead of the show! https://www.uulowcountry.org/collections/music-on-malphrus
Sun 2/2, PROJECT Trio will perform a concert on Fripp Island at 5 pm at the Fripp Island Community Center. From Baroque to nu-metal, this genre-defying ensemble offers something for everyone. Visit www.frippfriendsofmusic.com for tickets and more information.
1/18 & 1/19, Beaufort Oyster Festival, Water-
front Park, downtown Beaufort. Sat, 10am-6pm & Sun 11am-4pm. Live music, delicious food, games, free admission. For a full schedule, visit https:// bfthospitality.com/bftoysterfestival/
Thur 2/6, Historic Beaufort Foundation’s Winter Lecture Series begins with ‘The Legacy of the Yemassee War’ (Dr. Larry Rowland) and ‘The First Great Awakening and Coming of the American Revolution’ (Dr. John McCardell). All lectures run from 5:30 to 8 pm. at the USCB Center for the Arts at 805 Carteret Street in Beaufort. Admission to each event is $30 for HBF members, $35 for non-members, and full-time students with valid student ID can participate for $20. Tickets also can be purchased on-site the night of each event if seats are available. Tickets are available online at https://historicbeaufort.org/
Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-8387437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.
First Saturday of the Month, Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud at Port Royal Farmers Market. DAYLO students and other volunteers will read to young children between 9am and noon. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal.
Third Thursday, TECHconnect, a monthly networking event for professionals working in and around tech. Join the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:30-7:30pm. 843-470-3506. www.beaufortdigital.com
Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/Child. 843-686-6560.
Ongoing, Beaufort Tree Walk by the Lady’s Island Garden Club through the historic Old 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.
910 Port Republic Street Tuesday - Saturday 11-5 843-812-9460