Lowcountry Weekly February 14 – February 28

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

Lowcountry The Coming Attraction 4 BIFF turns 18

Art Beyond Boundaries 7 Beesley & Whitehouse

Chef Frank's Bistro 12

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February 14 – February 27, 2024

E I G H T E E N T H

Weekly

18TH A N N U A L

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Dishing in Port Royal

Cooking with the Movies 14 Forrest Gump at 30

Six for Five by Six 17 USCB Chamber Music

Svetlana Smolina 18

Pianistic treats on Fripp

8th Annual March Forth 21 Kelley Luikey

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BEAUFORT

The image on our cover is the official logo of the 18th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival, happening February 20 - 25 at USCB Center for the Arts. See our story starting on page 4.

FILM FESTIVAL

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February 14 – February 27, 2024 Publisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly.com Marketing Director: Amanda Hanna — 843-343-8483 or Amanda@LCWeekly.com Advertising Sales: Hope Falls — 757-274-7184 or Ads.TheIslandNews@Gmail.com Sandy Schepis — 678-641-4495 or SandySchepis@Gmail.com Art Director: Lydia Inglett Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks Contributing Writers: Vivian Bikulege, Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Sandra Educate, Wendy Hilte, Michael Johns, 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 2024 by P. Podd Press, LLC. No part may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

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The Coming Attraction R The 18th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival is here, and it’s going to be amazing. on Tucker’s excited.

We’re sitting in a cozy booth at Hearth, along with his wife Rebecca, deep into the third hour of our lunch meeting. We were the first ones here, and now the restaurant’s almost empty again. Our pizza’s all boxed up and our tab’s paid, but we can’t stop yakking about the upcoming 18th annual Beaufort International Film Festival.

movie as a boy growing up in Poland – yes, Poland – it features 32 locals, was co-produced by locals – including Ron and Rebecca Tucker – and, as you might imagine, the screening has already sold out.

I’m not allowed to say much about The Spirit of Beaufort – no spoilers, I was told – but I hear it’s full of familiar locations, and lots of familiar faces, Gary Sinise and has a wonderful, “Gary just might be the most famous original score by Paul Dengler. person we’ve honored,” Ron says. Not only is Sinise an Emmy, Golden Globe, and two-time SAG award winning actor, but his work on behalf of our nation’s service men and women is near legendary. For over 20 years, his Lt. Dan Band has performed hundreds of shows in support of wounded warriors, Gold Star families, veterans and troops around the world. You might say he’s the 21st Century’s answer to Bob Hope.

Ron & Rebecca Tucker Every year, Ron swears to me “It’s going to be the best festival yet,” and every year, he’s right. Today, he adds a new claim: “This year’s festival is going to be more high profile than ever.”

Whoa. More high profile than, say, Blythe Danner? Michael O’Keefe? Vanna White?

Andie McDowell?

I continue reeling off celebrities who’ve graced BIFF’s red carpet in years past. What, exactly, does BIFF’s executive director mean by “high profile”?

THE SPIRIT OF GUMP This year, BIFF will celebrate the 30th anniversary of six-time Oscar-winner Forrest Gump – much of which was filmed here – with a visit from Lt. Dan, himself, Gary Sinise, who will perform a concert with his band at MCAS and receive the Pat Conroy Lifetime Achievement Award the next day.

Margaret Evans

RANTS & RAVES

i B

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r k a Mama Sings the Blues.” Not only does itT promise to be fabulous – Marlena’s alwaysa fabulous – but it will also be her finali ,performance with the Hallelujah Singers, them internationally acclaimed musical ensembleo she founded 33 years ago.

Marlena’s swan song? High profile,p indeed. w fi

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

This year, 500 filmmakers submitted films to BIFF and 55 were selected. That’s an acceptance rate of just over 10%, meaningi Beaufort’s little festival has become“ extremely competitive. s

Where attendees to BIFF 2023 cam

You may know Dengler as “Forrest Gump.” In 1996, while living in Beaufort, he won a look-alike contest at our fledgling Shrimp Festival, then went on to become the official Forrest Gump impersonator for the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. A singer/songwriter living in Nashville, Dengler’s been traveling all over the country working that side-hustle Marlena Smalls for over 20 years now. He’ll be here in Also bringing Gump-tion to this year’s Beaufort for BIFF, getting his Gump on. fest – The Spirit of Beaufort: Remembering But wait, there’s more! Beaufort’s own Forrest Gump will make its world premiere. Marlena Smalls – who had a memorable role A full-length documentary by Daniel in Forrest Gump – will kick off the festival Stanislawski, who became obsessed with the with an opening night concert, “Bubba’s

As of this writing, 102 filmmakers – a term which includes directors, actors, producers, editors, etc. – were planning to attend BIFF in person this year. Ron Tucker thinks that’s a festival record. It’s definitely in the ballpark.

In short, BIFF is no longer the “best kept secret” in the international filmmaking community. The secret is out. Way out.

Ron says it’s mostly word of mouth – filmmakers talking to other filmmakers about the networking opportunities, the great audiences, the beautiful location, theU legendary “Beaufort hug,” and whatnot. But you could also blame Film Freeway, thet comprehensive online service that matchesu filmmakers with film festivals, and vice versa.

For the past few years, the site has consistentlyA rated BIFF one of the top 100 film festivals int the world – based on reviews by actualf filmmakers. t

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To be clear, there are 12,000 film festivals in the world . . . and according to Film Freeway, BIFF is in the top 100.

“We were actually #10 last time we looked,” says Rebecca Tucker, “but those numbers change all the time.”

Fifteen states and four countries will be represented in this year’s festival. “We won’t know about audience representation until about a week after the festival,” says Ron Tucker. Last year’s audience featured attendees from 36 states and six countries, including the US. At one time, “international” might have been a mostly aspirational part of BIFF’s name. Those days are long gone.

Having said that, Ron and Rebecca are particularly pleased that this year’s festival will feature the work of eight South Carolina filmmakers, the largest number yet.

THINK AND FEEL

Filling in the Blanks: a documentary chronicling writer-director Jon Baime’s quest to trace his lineage after a DNA test reveals a family secret.

I Can’t Keep Quiet: a documentary short about singer/songwriter MILCK’s journey in the years since her song “Quiet” became a global anthem for the women’s movement that exploded after the election of Donald Trump.

Common as Red Hair: A short film by SC filmmaker Robbie Robertson that covers the aftermath of a funeral where two parents must reevaluate their decision to have gender corrective surgery on their intersex child.

“We also have a film with a religious slant,” Ron says. “If you’re an atheist, you’re not going to like it. But that’s okay. We want to challenge people. We’re looking to make an emotional impact. We want to make people think and feel.

The Tuckers say this year’s roster of films is more unique and diverse than ever before.

“We have films that are going to make some audience members uncomfortable,” Ron tells me.

When I ask him to elaborate, he says maybe “thought-provoking” would be a better way to put it. But I’m sticking with “uncomfortable.” I like feeling uncomfortable, myself, especially WHY FILMMAKERS LOVE BIFF where art is concerned.

When filmmakers review BIFF – whether Each year, I actually look forward to feeling in person or on Film Freeway – there are uncomfortable at the certain factors they always highlight, things Beaufort International that make BIFF different from other festivals.

Film Festival.

Filmmakers from a past awards night “For one thing, they say they’ve never seen crowds like this in their life,” says Ron Tucker.

Most film festivals – especially in big cities – have several venues scattered around town, featuring multiple screenings, simultaneously. In contrast, BIFF is all under one roof, and each film screens only once. This means audiences are invariably quite large, from 9 am till almost midnight.

“They say our audience is really engaged, as well,” Ron continues. “They ask great questions and spark great discussions.”

New York based actor-director Anthony Robert Grasso has had eight films selected

by BIFF over the past six years and he loves coming to Beaufort. “I only missed one year, due to Covid,” he says.

me from

(Not literally, mind you. The seating at USCB is quite comfy.)

Some of the “thought-provoking” films that might – or might not – make you uncomfortable this year include: Our Males and Females: A short film by Ahmad Alyaseer about Muslim parents trying to observe traditional Islamic burial rites for their deceased daughter, who happens to be transgender.

Filmmakers Bob Celli, Anthony Grasso, on left, Jeanine Bartel, on right,at The Anchorage

“BIFF has, over the years, become a favorite of festival of mine and many of my NYC friends,” says Grasso. “It has one of the best communities and all are film lovers.

Every screening – over 250 audience members. It has the warmth of South Carolina, the ‘Beaufort hug’ as it’s known, and curators Ron and Rebecca are extraordinary – not to mention the professionalism on their board and all who volunteer. The films are highly regarded and top quality. When any of my films are selected, I’m always extra proud knowing I’m in good company. As someone with over three dozen films circulating worldwide, and having visited over 50 festivals, hands down BIFF is always on my list to submit to. I have recommended many directors I’ve worked with, and fellow filmmaker friends from NYC. The location is beautiful. If you’re from the north, it’s a nice welcome break from the February cold.”

Grasso is coming back this year with the short film Ivy’s Dream.

Actress Jeanine Bartel, also from New York, says, “The Beaufort Film Festival is like no other. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into the BIFF family. It’s a wonderful fest full of fun and classy events, talks with legends in the industry, cocktail parties, packed houses at the screenings full of the Beaufort community and so many film-loving fans that come from all over . . . and really beautiful, funny, heart-wrenching, moving films.

“One of my favorite things is the thoughtful Q&A Ron hosts with the present filmmakers after every film,” she continues.

“Each filmmaker gets their own very special time to discuss their (continued on next page)

.{ Beaufort International Film Festival }.

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project and connect with the audience.

Ron and Rebecca are fast friends and continue their love and support for your projects, both personal and professional, throughout the year.

And you leave wrapped in the famed Beaufort hugs, with a whole newly extended film fam! It’s a beautiful experience, one I wish every filmmaker got to enjoy!” Jeanine will be here this year, representing the short film Blood is Thicker.

Bob Celli and his wife Laura Delano are BIFF veterans, too. They’ll be returning to Beaufort with their short film Because I Love You. They believe BIFF is “a truly a special festival.”

“The caliber of films that Beaufort screens is inspiring and we feel privileged to be part of it,” says Bob. “As filmmakers, it is thrilling to be able to screen our films in front of a film savvy audience who have interesting and engaging questions. Locals Ken Harwell, Debbi Covington, and Ken Davis The entire festival team and town of Beaufort WHAT’S IN IT FOR US LOCALS? provide a level of hospitality, care, and respect I could go on and on about what BIFF for filmmakers and films that is truly genuine means to me – and have, ad nauseum, in this and so appreciated.”

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BIFF audience at USCB's Center for the Arts very paper – but let’s just say it’s my favorite thing about winter in Beaufort, bar none.

Every year, BIFF rises from the cold, dead earth like some exotic flower, blasting away my winter blues, reminding me that I am a living thing – mind, body, soul – and that springtime’s on its way.

And I’m not alone. I know plenty of Beaufortonians who take a few days off work each year to attend the festival. While film lovers are flocking here from other

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states and countries, lots of locals see BIFF as an excuse for a mini staycation.

“My husband Vince’s business, Covington Blind and Shutter Company, always sponsors the award for animation, so we’re in our seats every morning in time to see the animated films at 9 am,” says Lowcountry Weekly’s food columnist Debbi Covington. “By the lunch break at Noon, we’ve experienced so many different emotions — happiness, fear, heartbreak, anger, empathy, joy — that we leave the theater both exhilarated and exhausted. My mascara is usually destroyed.

Then, we eat lunch. I repair my makeup and we both head back in to ride that emotional rollercoaster for a few more hours. It’s the best week in February. We love BIFF!” Beaufort’s Ken Davis is always in the BIFF audience, too. “I have been a fan of movies as long as I can remember . . . sitting in the dark and losing myself. The festival never disappoints. I laugh and cry and learn so much. Such a wonderful opportunity in our great town.”

Festival regular Ken Harwell loves it all, but especially the BIFF socializing. “Ron and Rebecca work so hard to preview the films and they are wonderful,” he says. “Even better are the people . . . meeting friends as well as film affiliated folks make for a fun filled, electric atmosphere.”

Emotional roller coasters, exciting new friends, and a fun-filled, electric atmosphere?

Just as winter’s wearing out its welcome?

Yes, please!

Bring it, BIFF 2024. We’re ready.

The Beaufort International Film will take place February 20 - 25 at USCB Center for the Arts. For more information and tickets, visit www.beaufortfilmfestival.com

Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly.

She has been writing her award winning column, Rants & Raves, for over 20 years.

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Art Beyond Boundaries P enny Beesley and Amy Whitehouse will be the featured artists at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery in March and April, with an exhibit called Art Beyond Boundaries.

ABOUT PENNY BEESLEY

Downstream by Penny Beesley

energizing the surface without thought, and as shapes and design come together, I walk away for a while, then return. When something interesting happens, I work to bring cohesion and closure. Sometimes it takes a long time!” Penny Beesley was raised in an art-loving family; weekends were often spent at her father’s elbow in his studio. Art was a focal point during high school followed by Eastern Michigan University, attaining a BFA in ceramics and painting. Inspiration and motivation continue to come from nature’s stimulus of color, form and light, a background presence of music, and the emotions brought on by them. She also finds a mix of media opens more opportunities for chance chemistry. The argument inside the skin has always been to be abstract and spontaneous, to follow the push-pull. Collage media and mono print papers bring chance juxtaposition and build up texture.

The exploration of techniques is a continuing learning experience.

“I work mostly in mixed media, ABOUT AMY WHITEHOUSE spontaneously and intuitively. I begin by gathering a selection of paint colors Amy Whitehouse has been painting and papers often inspired by the environment, fulltime for twenty years, and has spent the

last four years in the abstract world.

Having time worked in the representational field of art for many years, she was ready for a challenge – and found it. Since she is Beaufort-based, the surrounding area often informs Amy’s work, as in her series, “Coastal.” These paintings express ocean waves, shrimper boats, netting, rocks slashed with incoming tides. Other work may express a stage of life, such as in the “Passages” series. Amy was experiencing a new phase of life and preparing for a move at the time of these creations. Finally, as in most abstract work, Amy’s paintings express emotions, be they joyous ones or those of struggle. Always her hope is for the viewer to experience personal, individual responses to her artwork.

Join the artists for an opening night reception on March 1, 5-8 pm, at the BAA Gallery, 913 Bay Street. www.beaufortart.org

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Grrrrr!

S

trange title, that one. Just to clarify, I won’t be discussing lions, tigers, or bears. My topic is much more general.

One that we all know personally and that hangs in the air these days, slipping unbidden into the media, personal conversations, the psyches of drivers on the road, political campaigns, and because of its preponderance in the world today, in us.

A basic human emotion, anger is a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a perceived wrong. According to Psychology Today, it is related to the “fight, flight, or freeze response of the sympathetic nervous system; it prepares humans to fight.”

That can translate into a positive response, such as changing a situation for the better, talking out a problem, or changing one’s viewpoint; or it can erupt into a violent reaction, like yelling, throwing an object, or punching someone. A few people operate from a place of anger on a regular basis. My suggestion for those would be professional help.

My intended audience is the rest of us, who can feel anger around us as thick as Lowcountry humidity. Sadly, it’s often as contagious as Covid. I personally don’t like being angry, as I’ve encountered enough of it in one lifetime, thank you very much.

Admittedly, I’m a Pollyanna and choose to live positive day-to-days whenever possible.

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Crossing Over

But that ol’ feeling that someone’s doing me wrong can creep into my house, even though I try to avoid the news like the plague.

So what’s to be done when anger is coming at us from all directions? Fortunately, great minds have addressed, and continue to address, this issue, and surprisingly, we have a plethora of options. Gotta love options.

When I left my home for the University of Kentucky a while back, my mother gave me a terrific piece of advice that I will continue to use until I go toes up.

“Whenever a problem arises,” she said, “as long as you have another option, you’ll be fine.” Thank goodness I’ve lived long enough to realize how wise she was. Sometimes, another option isn’t immediately clear, but I believe there’s always at least one.

Sometimes more.

First, know that anger is a normal feeling and can be used to help work through emotions and details surrounding an issue that needs to be resolved. It can be a great motivator to urge you to move ahead in a different direction than you were initially going. For instance, when friends are coming to my house, and it’s a complete wreck, I can use the anger at myself for letting it become a candidate for an episode of “Hoarders,” turn on some background vibes a la Queen, shift into Molly Maids mode, and shine the abode up to company status.

Anne Lamott, beloved author of Bird by Bird, a treasure of a roadmap for writers, describes holding a grudge as “drinking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die.”

If your anger is focused on someone in particular – it could even be yourself – and resolution of the situation has come to a standstill, you can choose forgiveness of either the other person or people involved, or of yourself. Sometimes it’s easier to blame someone else for anger that’s ire at yourself.

If you can take a breath, dig deep into your emotions or your heart and forgive, you can ease the tension and move on.

The benefits of forgiveness on your physical, mental, and/or spiritual health include lowered blood pressure, relief of anxiety and stress, lessened feelings of aggression, decrease in depression, and improved condition of your heart. Forgiving and moving on with your life is definitely worthwhile. Realize it is possible to forgive someone who treated you wrongly. Then choose to forgive, and if possible, let the person you’re forgiving know that you have done so. This can be the path to freedom for you.

Buddhist Monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that dealing with anger is like preparing for a sudden storm. Before anger arises, we have two or three seconds to practice coming back to ourselves and breathing mindfully. When we can do that, we are no longer afraid of our anger, and we do not become a victim of, and overwhelmed by, that emotion. A simple mindful breathing technique was developed

by U.S. physician and integrative medicine proponent, Dr. Andrew Weil (drweil.com).

Known as the 4-7-8 technique, this practice consists of inhaling to a count of four, holding the breath for a count of seven, and exhaling from your mouth to a count of eight, all while sitting in a relaxed position.

This type of breathing seems simple, and it is. Visit Weil’s website to learn its benefits.

Hearkening back to my mom’s advice, let’s now explore more options to succumbing to anger: • Step back and breathe. Practice Dr. Weil’s 4-7-8 breathing.

• Exercise. Take a walk, work out at a gym, ride a bike, hit some golf balls. You’ll feel calmer.

• Relax your muscles, one at a time, while breathing deeply.

WHOLLY HOLISTICS

by Katherine Tandy Brown • Stretch. Neck rolls and shoulder rolls can help control your body and emotions.

• Take a mental vacation. Go to a quiet part of your house. Take a comfortable seat and close your eyes. Visualize a beautiful scene in nature. Be there in your mind.

• Let music soothe your anger away. Or shake a leg to some great rock’n’roll.

• Take a break from talking for a while and let the angry words dissipate.

• Refocus your angry energy into doing a good deed for someone else.

• Write in a journal. Take Julia Cameron’s suggestion from her life-changing book, The Artist’s Way, and write daily “morning pages”, i.e. three pages of what’s on your mind.

• Write a letter to the individual to whom your anger is directed explaining your anger and why you feel that person is wrong and perhaps hurt you. Then tear it up without sending.

• Create a well-thought-out response that you may someday use about the situation. Edit this over time until you choose to use it.

• Talk to a close, supportive friend. His or her perspective may help yours.

• Practice gratitude by focusing on the positives in your life, or empathy, by putting yourself in your “offender’s” shoes and imagining his pain.

These are but a few options for taking the fire out of anger. Above all, be easy with yourself as you pursue a new life pattern that’s sure to enhance your days.

The following wise words are from psychologist, hypnotherapist, family therapist, and mind-body wellness coach, Joanna Zajusz: “If you . . . do just one thing to heal anger, ask yourself, ‘How would I live if I truly loved, cared for, accepted, and respected myself?’ This is what will heal us, this is what will heal the world.”

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

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“Tell Me a Story” & Chalk It Up!

T

here will be lots of artistic storytelling applications from artists in Georgia, Illinois, Organized by the Freedman Arts District, at the Chalk It Up! festival in Beaufort Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New York, North Chalk It Up! is a free two-day festival that next month! Artists will be drawing Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and even Mexico. celebrates the artistic process while drawing the inspiration from the theme “Tell Me a community together. Artists Story,” as they create giant chalk will be creating from scratch illustrations directly onto the pavement of a to finish, large chalk artwork parking lot in downtown Beaufort, March 23-24. on the pavement while One such artist is Chelsey Scott, a Master chatting with the public, Street Artist who is coming from Atlanta. Best explaining what they are known for her use of color and unique doing and telling their story. freehand method, Chelsey’s approach is to There will also be musical combine realism and fantasy to bring an entertainment all day both image to life—to tell a story.

Saturday and Sunday Chelsey entered the world of chalking, aka featuring local musicians, street art, after being inspired by her high and a kids-zone tent with school's festival in 2005. Now she participates hands-on art for youngsters. in chalk festivals around the country, is a Call for Artists! It’s not member of the Florida Chalk Art Association, too late to participate as an and the Georgia Chalk Artist Guild. She is one artist, the deadline has been of many artists who will be visiting Beaufort extended. Go to www.Freedfor the first time to participate in Chalk manArtsDistrict.org for the It Up! Festival organizers have received application and guidelines.

Artist Chelsey Scott’s chalk illustration for a Georgia festival

Paid Advertorial by The Christian Science Society of Beaufort

The Real Scale Of Happiness

As a young teen, I did not think much about body image until my friend gifted me a diet book. Then I followed its advice, including notating everything I ate, as though it were sacred. However, this approach set me off on a roller coaster ride of happy and sad days, dictated by the bathroom scale.

This “scale of happiness” dogged my days for many years. One day, I realized I wished to be free of having my sense of happiness and self-worth dictated by my weight or food consumption. At this time, I was becoming a sincere student of Christian Science, so I turned to the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science, for inspiration to help improve the way I was thinking about food and my self-image.

One story in the Bible particularly resonated with me: that of Daniel, who was held captive by a Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel, chap. 1). The king wanted to specially feed and educate a few chosen captives so they might be fitted to serve him in his court.

Daniel, however, did not want to follow the decreed diet of wine and meat, perhaps thinking that the food had been consecrated to Babylonian gods. He asked for a very simple and somewhat sparse diet for himself and his companions, and this was granted provided they could prove, after ten days, that they looked as healthy as those

who had been eating the king’s fare. According to the Bible story, at the end of the allotted time Daniel and his companions appeared “fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat” (1:15).

This story sparked a thought: Why didn’t the food seem to dictate the physical appearance of Daniel and his friends? I realized that Daniel was very close to God. He also acknowledged God as the source of wisdom and might (Daniel 2:20). This inspired me to see that, like Daniel, my true identity and sense of self-worth came from a spiritual source: God. I began to see that it had nothing to do with what I ate or what I saw in the mirror. I saw that I needed a new conception of my being. Echoing an idea I had appreciated in Mrs. Eddy’s Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, I realized I too could say, “I will gain a balance on the side of good, my true being” (p. 104).

I understood this true being to be the reflection of God, because the Bible’s first book, Genesis, says that God made man (each of us, male and female) in His“image” and “likeness.” The Bible also says that God is Spirit, and so the teachings of Christian Science conclude that each of us, as God’s image, is truly spiritual. Understanding this has a healing impact on our experiences.

As I considered these ideas, the impact of this understanding was enabling me to see that I was not

subject to material forces and fads, and this lifted a great weight off my thought.

I found that I no longer needed to stand on the scale each morning, as I had discovered that the real “scale of happiness” has nothing to do with a matter-based emotion. It comes from realizing the truth of our being as God’s deeply loved offspring and expressing spiritual qualities such as goodness and joy in our activities.

I began to lose the weighty thought that my worth had anything to do with how I looked physically. It wasn’t that I stopped caring about how I looked. Rather, the idea of the spiritual completeness, beauty, and joy of God’s creation, and my freedom to express such qualities, gained more weight in my thinking. As this mental shift took place, I found I was expressing more of those qualities in my life, and a sense of balance in my weight and food consumption came naturally. I became less focused on what I ate and one day realized another outcome had naturally resulted: I’d been opting for more appropriately sized portions.

Understanding more of our true nature as God’s beloved child, cared for in every way, lifts the burdensome sense that we are limited mortals subject to variables. Then we see and feel more of God’s love and goodness in our lives.

A CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE

By Wendy Margolese

Our Perspectives discuss a topic that needs our local attention. For February it is “Our Body Image.” How can you express God’s love to address this in your life, our community, and the world? Learn more about Christian Science and our local services at BeaufortChristianScience.Org and view more Perspectives at CS Monitor Perspectives.

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Chef Frank’s Bistro B eaufort has its fair share of delicious casual dining spots—everything from pizza joints to Mexican cantinas, fried seafood to Southern specialties and creative gastropub grub to continental cuisine.

Chef Frank and Sous Chef Nicole But what Beaufort doesn’t have much of is that ‘special’ place. The place to celebrate an occasion like a birthday, anniversary or new job—or just another day in our Lowcountry paradise. A cozy place where you can impress your date.

Or simply a place to gather with friends and enjoy a sumptuous meal with personalized attentive service. But that’s all changed with Chef Frank’s Bistro in Port Royal.

Owned and operated by Chef Frank Chiasera, Chef Frank’s Bistro opened in the old Black Dog Grill space in April 2023 to rave reviews, and Chef Frank hasn’t looked back since opening night. “I was a little anxious about opening the restaurant at first,” he recalls. “It’s been so much better than I thought it would be.”

First, a bit more about Chef Frank. Raised in Niagara Falls, New York, Frank found his way into the kitchen of a small Italian restaurant when he was 16. He thought he wanted to be a draftsman after high school, but always seemed to find himself in the comfort zone of a kitchen. From dishwasher to cook and then a culinary program at a community college, Frank knew he had found his calling, graduating from the iconic Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York in the early 1990s.

After a few stints in restaurants in New York where Frank learned how to cook quickly, often preparing 20 things at a time, a friend reached out about an opportunity at a private member club. He then spent the next 20 years

Mushroom eggroll

THE LOWCOUNTRY

DISH Cele & Lynn Seldon

When asked about his food philosophy, Chef Frank replied, “If we have it in-house, we’ll make it.” With all their dishes being made fresh daily and having a goal of offering personalized service, when a guest asks for gluten-free, vegetarian, no garlic or whatever, Frank and his staff will bend over backwards to make it happen.

His small staff is part of the key. With just Chef Frank and sous chef Nicole Harrell in the kitchen, they are a well-oiled machine and work extraordinarily well with one another.

Having hired the Burton native while he was the executive chef at The Ford Field & River Club in Richmond Hill, Chef Frank insisted that Nicole come with him to Port Royal. Nicole jumped at the opportunity, in that it would give her more control on menu planning and execution of every dish on the menu.

Another key is the service. Ashley and Sandy stayed on from Black Dog Grill and Rosie and Rachel joined the team shortly after Caprese Chicken they opened. Whether knowing a repeat working in some of the top private golf and guest’s wine preference, being able to decountry clubs in the nation, including several scribe the menu in detail or intuitively underin the Lowcountry between Charleston and standing whether guests prefer to power through their meals efficiently or linger over Richmond Hill, Georgia.

However, as the club environment—with typically three meals a day 364 days a year, plus special events, private parties, large staffs, corporate politics and more—started to eventually wear thin, Frank decided that the time was right to try something new.

He had always had a desire to open his own restaurant. He knew he wanted to bring the club experience to a restaurant, complete with white tablecloths, delicious food that was a culmination of his 25 years of cooking, dedicated service by servers who knew how to read the room (and their customers) and his own personalized interaction with the guests.

An acquaintance who also knew the owner of Black Dog Grill, informed Frank that they were looking to get out of their Port Royal location. “The minute I saw the quaint cozy dining room with the white tablecloths and art on the walls, I knew this was the space,” he says. The restaurant has 37 seats, as well as 12 seats outside overlooking Paris Avenue and the CySeared s press Wetlands, when the weather allows.

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Seared halibut Salads are creative, generous and often celebrate the season, with options like golden beet and goat cheese, caprese or grilled watermelon and feta.

Entrées are typically Mediterranean leaning with an appropriate selection of fish, beef, chicken and pasta. Crowd favorites include: the caprese chicken with fresh pillowy buffalo mozzarella, sun-dried tomato and basil, caramelized pearl onions and local wild mushroom gnocchi (OMG—we’re salivating just Watermelon feta salad typing this); classic pan seared wild caught coffee and dessert, these powerhouse servers salmon with roasted garlic and vegetable risotto and white butter sauce; and marinated help to elevate the experience.

The menu is an accumulation of every- rack of lamb with local chestnut mushroom thing Chef Frank has learned along the way. polenta (yum!) and a cherry demi-glacé. AdFrom local specialties like oysters Rockefeller and seared shrimp cakes to Asian nods like steak and mushroom eggroll and crab Rangoon, the palate-opening starters are hard to resist.

scallops

Caprese salad

ditionally, there are two of Chef Frank’s favorites that are emblematic of his cooking style: grilled pesto-crusted swordfish with roasted garlic and vegetable risotto, asparagus and lemon butter and Sugo de Salsiccia, a luscious Italian sausage marinara enveloping pappardelle pasta, finished with shaved parmesan and garlic bread.

Everything is made in-house by either the chef or Nicole, including all the dressings (the lemon thyme vinaigrette is to die for) and desserts like chocolate crème brûlée and budino (an Italian butterscotch custard with salted caramel topping), all of which Frank has created over the years. Chef Frank’s offers a nice wine selection of wines from around the world and a variety of beers, including some local options.

Although much of Chef Frank’s menu features local ingredients—including mushrooms from Lowcountry Mushrooms, shrimp and other seafood from Sea Eagle and microgreens from Hardee Greens, he is expanding regional sourcing now that the restaurant is up and running.

With approximately 95% of his customers being locals who found the restaurant by word of mouth, Chef Frank has been overwhelmed by the support of the community. This has made his goal of personalized service even easier to accomplish. He loves getting to know his customers—from answering the phone and taking reservations to coming out to greet the guests each. He also plans to give back to the community with special dinners benefitting Second Helping, wine dinners, themed dinners like New Years Eve and Valentine’s Day and participation in area activities like Tides to Table Restaurant Week and Off the Eaten Path.

Initially not wanting to be known solely as a white tablecloth restaurant, Chef Frank is warming up to the concept—and so are his already loyal patrons. “I’m embracing the idea that we are a special occasion restaurant.”

In our opinion, we’re happy to have

Swordfish

such a great go-to place for special occasions.

Sure, we have our favorites for a quick weekday dinner. But it’s exciting to have that one spot that feels elevated. Where you feel a bit more special, get a taste of the red-carpet (and white tablecloth) treatment, and, well, feel like a member of a special club.

Beaufort-based travel journalists Lynn and Cele Seldon (www. seldonink.com) often cover culinary travel around the world, and Lowcountry Weekly recently lured them to write a monthly feature covering the local food scene. This includes articles about restaurants, chefs, food-focused stores, farms, farmers, farmers markets, and more. They welcome suggestions for topics.

Chef Frank’s Bistro 1635 Paris Avenue Port Royal, SC 29935 843-379-3664 • www.cheffranksbistro.com Tuesday - Saturday 5pm-9pm

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Cooking with the Movies Celebrating 30 Years of Forrest Gump

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Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

To assemble the sandwiches: 2 French baguettes or sandwich rolls Fresh cilantro Sliced jalapenos, optional Split French baguettes in half lengthwise.

Spread spicy mayonnaise on both sides of bread. Add shredded beef, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and sliced jalapenos.

Cut sandwiches in half and serve. Makes salt and pepper. Add the next 9 ingredients six sandwiches. and spread over the roast with a spatula.

BUBBA GUMP’S SHRIMP PASTA SALAD Cover crock pot and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the meat is fork tender. When Inspired by Bubba’s love of all things shrimp, meat is done, remove from crock pot and this delicious pasta salad will be a bright and shred, using two forks. Add some of the crisp new addition to your recipe collection. cooking liquid to the shredded beef to keep (For a detailed demonstration, please visit the the meat moist.

Lowcountry Weekly website or @chefdebbiFor the pickled vegetables: covington on YouTube or Instagram to watch 7 radishes, very thinly sliced this short cooking video.) ½ English cucumber, very thinly sliced 12 ounces cellentani pasta (corkscrew pasta) 1 cup shredded carrots 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined ½ cup hot water 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning ½ cup rice wine vinegar 2 cups fresh sugar snap peas, sliced diagonally 2 tablespoons sugar ¾ cup diced celery (3 stalks) 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion Place cut vegetables in a nonreactive dish. ½ cup roughly chopped fresh dill Add vinegar, sugar and salt to hot water and ½ cup roughly chopped fresh Italian parsley whisk until smooth. Pour vinegar mixture ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil over vegetables. Cover tightly and refrigerate ¼ cup fresh lemon juice for at least 4 hours.

1 tablespoon coarse-grained Dijon mustard For the spicy mayonnaise: 2 tablespoons honey ½ cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon Gochujang (Korean chili sauce ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper or sriracha ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon soy sauce ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning Cook pasta according to package directions.

Drain well and place in a large bowl. Cook shrimp with 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning until just pink. Drain shrimp and add to pasta.

Add sugar snap peas, celery, red onion, dill, and parsley to the bowl. In another bowl, mix extra-virgin olive oil with lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper, black pepper, salt, and ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning. Whisk to combine and pour over the pasta, shrimp, and vegetables. Toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least hours before serving. Serves 6 to 8.

t’s time to roll out the red carpet! The 18th annual Beaufort International Film Festival is almost here. Opening night festivities begin on Tuesday, February 20th. On Wednesday morning at nine o’clock, filmmakers, directors, screen writers, movie stars and lots of filmloving fans will begin viewing the award-nominated flicks for four action and drama-packed days and nights. This year we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the movie Forrest Gump.

In keeping with the spirit of the festivities, my three new recipes pay homage to Forrest, Bubba, Lt. Dan, and our beloved BIFF. It’s going to be a great week! For more information about the Beaufort International Film Festival and to purchase movie and event tickets visit www.beaufortfilmfestival.com. I'll be catering the Awards Ceremony Cocktail Hour on Sunday, February 25th. I hope to see you at the movies

LT. DAN’S BEEF BAHN MI

Bahn mi literally means “bread or baguette” in Vietnamese. This tasty recipe for a beef version of a bahn mi sandwich was inspired by Lt. Dan Taylor when he tells Forrest and Bubba that steaks are on the grill when they first arrive in Vietnam. Lemongrass paste and ginger paste may be found in the produce section of your local grocery store. (For a detailed demonstration, please visit the Lowcountry Weekly website or @chefdebbicovington on YouTube or Instagram to watch this short cooking video.)

For the beef: 1 (2½ -pound) chuck beef roast Salt and pepper ¼ cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons lemongrass paste 3 tablespoons ginger paste 3 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon Gochujang (Korean chili sauce) or sriracha, optional Place beef roast in a crock pot. Season with

By Debbi Covington

T

BIFF POPCORN COOKIES

What’s a film festival without popcorn? Kudos to Ron and Rebecca Tucker, Executive Directors of the Beaufort International Film Festival and two of my favorite self-proclaimed popcorn fans. This recipe is for you. Happy BIFF! 1 stick salted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1¼ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda Dash salt 2 cups popped popcorn 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg in vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Beat with creamed mixture. Stir in popcorn, chocolate chips, and pecans. Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray. Form dough into cookies and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 15-17 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington 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

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Children’s Author/Rapper to Appear at TCL

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he nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host a free evening of story and song with Raj Haldar, the #1 New York Times bestselling children’s author of P Is for Pterodactyl and This Book Is Banned. This special event is presented in collaboration with the Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore and DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization). Following the author’s storytelling performance, he will be in conversation with the students of DAYLO to discuss the importance of intellectual freedom and pro-literacy advocacy.

This event will be held at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Bldg 4 (Health Sciences), 104 Reynolds St., Beaufort, on Thursday, February 22, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Books will be available for sale and signing through the Storybook Shoppe. Attendance is free with advance online registration at https://aneveningwithrajhaldar.eventbrite.com "A funny, thought-provoking book that opens the door to discussion about book banning with younger children." – School Library Journal, STARRED review

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, s e @

Author, rapper, and producer Raj Haldar "Well done and adorably funny . . . a really great introduction to the subject of banned books for little ones." – Youth Services Book Review, STARRED review "A zany, fourth wall–breaking exploration of book banning." – Kirkus Reviews

"Haldar and Patton employ absurdist hijinks to explore the practice of book banning . . . By story’s end, readers will likely have had at least one beloved subject ousted potentially prompting conversation about real-world events." – Publishers Weekly "The adult-child combination who reads This Book Is Banned together will have fun discussing the issue of banning in the hypothetical, thanks to the busy and engaging illustrations and text that await them. Young children will want you to read it to them over and over again . . . Strongly reminiscent of The Monster at the End of This Book." – NY Journal of Books About the Author – Raj Haldar is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling picture book P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever. But, for close to a decade, he has been better known as Lushlife, the rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.

In that time, he's amassed a fervent global fanbase and released award-winning viral music videos that highlight his erudite lyrics.

The Sunday New York Times describes his

work as “an intoxicating mix of captivating rhymes with audacious, gorgeous production.”

So it should come as no surprise that Haldar has made the leap into the world of children’s literature. His latest book, entitled This Book is Banned, gives young readers a lighthearted entry point to begin understanding the dangers of book banning and censorship. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, Interview Magazine, VICE, Pitchfork, Village Voice, Mental Floss, BBC, SPIN and more. Raj currently lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his wife and two young daughters.

During his visit to the Lowcountry, Raj will also be appearing as a featured author at the Palmetto State Literacy Association annual conference and visiting local schools. He last appeared with leaders of DAYLO in a Banned Books Week national livestream for the Children’s Book Council, hosted by Pat R. Scales, and subsequently featured in Publishers Weekly.

Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org

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Youth Concerto Competition Winners

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aia Alli, an eighteen-year-old cellist from Atlanta, Georgia, won the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra’s 2024 Youth Concerto Competition. A twelfth-grade student at the Westminster Schools who studies privately with Daniel Laufer (Associate Principal Cello of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra), Alli captured first prize performing the final movement of Edward Elgar’s Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. The top prize includes a cash award plus the opportunity to perform with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra during the 2024-2025 season.

Second prize was awarded to violinist Eugenie Lim, age seventeen from Kennesaw, Georgia, while third prize was awarded to eighteen-year-old double bassist Devin O’Brien from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

A Special Achievement Award was presented to 11-year-old cellist Yuna Ella Chae from Pooler, Georgia, who received a $750 scholarship to the Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF). (All finalists received

Winner cellist Jaia Alli PIMF scholarships.) A total of nine competitors were chosen from over 30 total applicants from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and performed in the finals of the competition on Saturday, January 27, 2024, which was livestreamed from SoundWaves at Coligny, the HHSO’s intimate performance venue. The other finalists were violinists Ellie Dixon

music schools, including Juilliard, Curtis, Peabody, New England Conservatory, Oberlin,B Eastman, Cleveland Institute of Music, Yale, and Vanderbilt, as well as the Royal Conservatory in Toronto.

“Over the years, we have provided solo opportunities for more than 150 young musicians,” stated Hilton Head International h Piano Competition and Education and i Community Engagement Director, Steve d Shaiman. “These talented students gain r invaluable experience as a YCC finalist, since A most of them aspire to be professional a musicians, and our competition helps prepare ( them for college auditions and other v competitions. Many of our past finalists now a enjoy thriving careers, and we are proud to ( support and nurture these young artists of the G future.” a A link to the 2024 Youth Concerto Competition livestream video follows: https:// p www.youtube.com/live/ZOCC4Humox8?si= 1 T a jVzXV_vr1UtVg5&t=1984 v t m m e t r CONCERTS ARE FREE BUT DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED R R b a M v c r A a P

(Charlotte, NC), Lauren Juntunen (Melbourne, FL), B. Andrew Lee (Johns Creek, GA), and Yining Zhang (Suwanee, GA), and cellist Adam Kremer (Charleston, SC).

Finals judges for the 2024 competition were HHSO Concertmaster Micah Gangwer, HHSO Principal Violist Lizhou Liu, and HHSO Principal Cellist Daniel Mumm.

Pianist Keru Zhang accompanied six competitors, while Sharon Berenson accompanied three during the finals.

Produced annually since 2008 by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Concerto Competition (YCC) is one of the largest and most prestigious competitions in the Southeastern United States. The competition is restricted to young artists living in nine states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia—because of limited performance solo opportunities in this region. Past YCC winners and finalists have gone on to earn degrees at the nation’s top

Directed by Donald F. Jemella

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‘THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT’ A FREE CONCERT...

On the program tor ‘That’s Entertainment’ is great music from Broadway to Hollywood, Sousa to Strauss. Well loved melodies from ‘The King and I,’ ‘The Music Man,’ as well as the film score from ‘Pearl Harbor.’ Peggy Copley is the featured soloist performing Artie Shaw’s ‘Concerto for Clarinet.’

Peggy Copley, Featured Clarinet Soloist

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

St. John’s Lutheran Church 4:00 PM 157 Lady’s Island Drive Beaufort, SC 29907 Open to the Public

Magnolia Hall, Sun City 7:00 PM Bluffton, SC 29909 Residents and Guests Only

Exploring What’s Musically Possible PO Box 361, Beaufort, SC 29901 • lowcountrywindsymphony.com • lowcountrywindsymphony@gmail.com

p o E H c s s s c c i c h

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Six for Five by Six O

By Michael Johns

n Sunday, March 3, 5:00 pm, USCB Chamber Music will present a concert filled with a spectacular mix of musical colors and styles. Artistic Director, pianist, and host Andrew Armstrong has assembled a program to satisfy all tastes, including deep introspection, plaintive song, dreamy sensuousness, sacred hymnody, razzmatazz jazz, and hefty romantic splendor.

A combination of six new and returning artists will assemble in five configurations (piano trio; four piano-accompanied works for viola, horn and clarinet; a sextet including all artists) to perform works by six composers (Rebecca Clarke, Ernst von Dohnànyi, George Gershwin, Florence Price, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Camille Saint-Saëns).

The first half of the concert introduces the performers, beginning with Rachmaninov's Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor for piano, violin, and cello. Written at age 19 while under the influence of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov modeled it after that master's Piano Trio in A minor (heard on the January concert) in an expressive audible panorama with fromthe-heart intensity. Camille Saint-Saens is represented by his tuneful and gentle Romance for valveless French horn and piano.

Rebecca Clarke's Morpheus displays English bearing leavened with impressionistic ambiance in her ethereal narrative of Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, for viola and piano. Two works by American composers, arranged for clarinet and piano, round out the first half: Florence Price's Adoration, a sublimely melodic incantation, and George Gershwin's three-movement Prelude No. 1, a sassy, jazz-age celebration.

Concluding the program is a dazzling, hyper-romantic showpiece: Sextet for Violin, Viola, Cello, Horn, Clarinet and Piano, Op. 37 by Ernst von Dohnányi. A major force in Hungarian music as a pianist, composer, conductor, and administrator, the sextet showcases Dohnányi's lyricism, expansive sonic vistas, and sparkling wit. It is a unique, strong, masterful work and the unusual combination produces a huge, orchestra-scale color palette. Because of its novel size and instrumentation it is under-represented in concert halls; do not miss the opportunity to hear this masterpiece live in Beaufort!

Violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti makes a welcome return. A frequent presence on this

Clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein series, she has a distinguished musical career of broad versatility, being equally adaptable as soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster, and educator. In the latter category, she is the inaugural Director of Mercer University's McDuffie Center for Strings.

Violist Gabriela Diaz, a celebrated performer and advocate for contemporary music, has worked closely with many significant composers on their own compositions as a member of multiple Boston area contemporary music groups. A childhood cancer survivor, she is a firm believer in the healing properties of music, leading her to organize colleagues for chamber music performances in numerous hospital cancer units.

Cellist Raphael Bell enjoys a varied career as a principal cellist, chamber musician, teacher, and festival director. He is currently principal cellist of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra (Belgium), founder and co-director of the Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival (Virginia) and co-Artistic Director of La Loingtaine in Montigny-sur-Loing (France).

Clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein has performed in recital, with distinguished orchestras, and with chamber ensembles worldwide. A winner of multiple competitions, recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant Award, and Professor of Clarinet at the Peabody School, Mr. Fiterstein’s playing is described in The Washington Post as “dazzling in its spectrum of colors, agility, and range. Every sound he makes is finely measured without inhibiting expressiveness.”

French hornist R.J. Kelly is a versatile musician who is comfortable playing in the middle of opera, ballet, symphony, and conductor-less orchestras, in front of

ensembles as a concerto soloist, and in jazz groups around the world. As if this did not keep him busy enough, he has a second international horn-playing career on the valveless horn which requires very different techniques, equipment, and repertoire than the modern valved (French) horn. On this program he will display his artistry on both instruments.

Rounding out the ensemble is deeply engaged, captain-of-the-ship Artistic Director, loquacious host, and barn-storming pianist Andrew Armstrong, who recently returned from a successful solo recital in London's Wigmore Hall. He will hold the music-making together by playing on every piece, providing sensitive accompaniment, exquisitely synchronized ensemble passagework, or dashing éclat as needed.

Experience in-the-moment creativity with artists who have crafted major careers and arrive

in Beaufort with the performance-earned reputations that they will deliver an intriguing, soothing, probing, joyous, and memorable concert. The January concert was a complete sell-out, Don't take a chance at missing this event; reserve your seat today for the Lowcountry's premiere chamber music series. There are three ways to enjoy the concert: in person and virtually by Live-Stream and On-Demand. All virtual concerts are professionally produced, creating great viewing opportunities. On-Demand is accessible four days after the concert and available to view at your leisure for three weeks. For concert, event, or ticket information, go to www. uscbchambermusic.com or call 843-208-8246, Monday through Friday. The concert is Sunday, March 3, 5:00 pm at the USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort in the downtown historic district.

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Pianistic Treats on Fripp Island

By Margit Resch

S

vetlana Smolina, a Russian classical pianist, is stunningly talented and stunningly beautiful. What more do you need to know to come to Fripp on Sunday, February 25, 5:00 pm, so you can hear and see this amazing lady play?

It shouldn’t surprise you, considering the above qualifications, that Svetlana has been giving solo concerts all over the world, has played with hundreds of prestigious orchestras and famous musicians of all kinds, has been invited to scores of international festivals, has countless recordings, records, and broadcasts in her résumé, and, without exception, has received rave reviews, such as

this one by Marcia Fulmer from Indiana, one of the first of Svetlana’s appraisals in this country: “It was the artistry of the 20-year old pianist that brought the audience to its feet . . .

Mrs. Smolina was in complete control of the emotionally lyrical, technically intimidating work . . . Mrs. Smolina’s incredibly fluid - and incredibly strong - fingers invested each change of mood and movement with exactly the right texture, depth and sense of being . . . In Svetlana Smolina, Rachmaninoff’s Third found a perfect match. She was phenomenal!”

According to the headline of a more recent review by the New York Times, Svetlana is among “The Best Pianists of the 21st Century.”

Pianist Svetlana Smolina

Tues - Sun: 11am-9pm

It would be easier to enumerate where and what and with whom Svetlana has not performed. But let me give you an idea of the multitudes of her musical activities by looking at her schedule just for the year 2016-17: She opened the season with Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional Juvenil in Lima, Peru. She was chosen as the soloist on the New Year tour to seven cities in China with the Dublin Philharmonic conducted by Derek Gleeson, performing a Rachmaninoff Concerto. She went to the opening of the Tippet Rise Festival in Montana, just north of Yellowstone National Park. She recorded and released a CD in July 2017. She had duo recitals with the famous violinist Vadim Repin at Cartagena Music Festival in Teatro Colón, Bogota, Colombia. She played in Bangalor and Mumbai, India, for the XXV Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival. She performed at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy; at a Carnegie Hall recital in New York City; at a concert for International Women’s Day at the Sentosa World Theater in Singapore; with the South Florida Symphony in Fort Lauderdale; and, last but not least, she competed in “The Best Pianists of the 21st Century“ concert series, including a recital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am breathless. How about you?

Svetlana has played with major orchestras in musical hotspots like Berlin, Paris, New York, and Beijing, just to mention a few. She collaborated with many famous soloists to form quintets, quartets, trios, duos, even duos with another pianist. One of her favorite musicians to work with seems to be another

R

Russian, Vadim Repin. He and Svetlana even entertained their countrymen at the residence of the Ambassador of Russia in Washington DC, and they appeared together in London for Maestro Repin's Trans-Siberian Art Festival.

"Vadim is simply the best and most perfect violinist that I have ever had the chance to hear,” said Yehudi Menuhin; and who would argue with the praise of that world-famous violinist? Needless to say, Vadim and Svetlana make a fantastic duo, indeed. Check it out on music.youtube.com.

I don’t know all the piano competitions in which Svetlana competed. But I do know that she garnered countless prizes, including the Grand Prix of the prestigious Citta Di Senigallia International Piano Competition, the K ingsville Piano Competition, and the William Byrd Young Artists Piano Competition.

Since 2011 Svetlana has been directing the piano program at the Philadelphia International Music Festival. In 2014 Svetlana was appointed as Artist in Residence in Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music & Dance, in the Department of Instrumental Studies.

Svetlana’s repertoire, not surprisingly, is endless. Think of a few composers you like, their piano work will be part of it. I don’t know what she has chosen to perform for us on Fripp, maybe Beethoven’s Eroica Variations, Bizet’s Carmen Variations, Debussy’s Pour le Piano, Chopin’s Mazurkas, Schumann’s Ballades, Gershwin’s Three Preludes (1926), Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies, Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, Mozart’s Sonatas, Piazzolla’s Tangos, Schubert’s Drei Klavierstücke, Ravel’s Jeux d’eau. Did I whet your appetite?

Svetlana Smolina will satisfy your pianistic appetite on Sunday, February 25, at 5:00 pm at the Fripp Island Community Centre, 205 Tarpon Boulevard. Her concert is sponsored 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, students free, thanks to the Peg Gorham Memorial Fund.

You are invited to join the pianist at a complimentary reception after the performance, catered deliciously by Harold’s Chef Services. Questions? Email Vanessa Peñaherrera at vandy116@gmail.com or text her at (704) 807-0255.

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Roses are Red V alentine’s Day and love is in the air! The florists are all sold out of roses and we can have a guilt-free chocolate or two . . . or more.

I’m also reminded that Valentine’s Day is a reliable time to prune the roses. There are videos galore on YouTube about just how to do this accurately, but it’s not rocket science. Failure to do this simple but necessary chore will result in thin and wispy canes that will run all over the place.

Just select the three strongest canes to survive, cutting the rest of them off. Prune those three down to about 18 inches or so, and as soon as those begin to show new growth, you can fertilize them with a good all-purpose fertilizer. Ideally, you should get a soil analysis and follow the recommendation on the results. My favorite garden guru was the late Margot Rochester, who recommended a cup of granulated garden lime annually for each shrub. Roses prefer an alkaline soil.

Hybrid tea roses do pretty well down here, but they don’t like our humidity. Be sure to give them ample space for air circulation. In fact, don’t crowd any of your roses.

By mid-summer, it’s a good idea to give them a haircut – hybrid teas, grandifloras and floribundas. All except climbers and those you want to “peg.”

Roses typically produce blossoms near the end of canes and these blossoms produce a hormone that inhibits competing buds from forming lower on the cane. That’s why roses tend to get leggy as the season progresses.

Pegging is a way to subvert this growth pattern by arching the canes and securing the ends to the earth with landscape pins. This

lets gravity trap those hormones and usually mild winters, “own root” plants have encourages blossoms to form at nodes all begun to be popular. along the canes. This naturally works best on Roses are easy plants to propagate, roses that climb or have longer canes. although it is illegal to propagate patented Pegging plants. It’s will

reward unlikely you with that the more and Plant Police bigger will show up blossoms and at your door if produce a you do, but make beautifully shaped sure they are for mound of flowers. your own use. Don’t Most roses in the past try to sell them. You can few decades have been be prosecuted. grafted onto hardy rootMy mother-in-law had her stock and have needed careful very long driveway edged with monitoring to prevent the hardy propagated roses. She would cut a four or rootstock from taking over the plant and five inch stem, dip it rooting hormone killing the graft. In our climate with its and plant it covered with a clear glass mason

By Sandra Educate

jar; the bigger the better. She always planted more than she wanted, but most rooted. Believe me, if my mother-in-law could do it, anyone could. It’s the only thing she ever grew.

If you’re not growing roses because of the dreaded black spot disease, take heart.

Because I’m a Master Gardener, I can’t really endorse a brand name product, but there are several products on the market that address this issue. My personal favorite is a systemic granular one that is a fungicide, insecticide and a 9-14-9 fertilizer. I water it in the soil twice a year. When weighing the attributes of organic gardening vs. a minimal use of chemicals, I’m afraid that organic loses.

Even Clemson’s HGIC website expounds on the proper use of chemicals. That being said, this is one of the very few in my arsenal.

It’s not the home gardener who is responsible for widespread contamination of soil, air, and water and the decline of the pollinating bees. It is the hundreds of thousands of acres of monocultures and agribusinesses that permeate our land.

This does not mean that we should ignore our duty to garden responsibly. But at my age, I appreciate a helping hand now and then.

Even if it does have a brand name.

Sandra Educate is active in the local Master Gardeners Association and the Beaufort Garden Club, and she produces the annual Lunch and Learn series at the Port Royal Farmers Market. She loves strange and unusual plants and hates weeds. Sandra won’t give away her age, but takes her inspiration from Thomas Jefferson, who said, "though an old man, I am but a young gardener."

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FURNISHED LUXURY APT In the heart of downtown Beaufort. 2BR, 2BA, W/D, Housewares.

Please call 843-812-4229.

CLASSES & SEMINARS FREE HYPNOSIS INFORMATION PRESENTATION and guided group meditation workshop. This free session will focus on anxiety reduction and relaxation. Open to the public, Tuesday, November 14th at 7 pm EST via Zoom. 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 Knitting/Crochet Club 1st Tuesdays @ 2:30; Line Dance Class 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 3:30; Basic Computer Skills Class Wednesdays @ 9; Hoopla Class 2nd Mondays @ 10 and 4th Wednesdays @ 4; Escape Quest Games daily during library hours; Dungeon & Dragons Teen Club Mondays @ 4; Teen Art Club 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 4; Teen Anime Club 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 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 is offering 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 at the Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd. 6-9pm. Carolina Shag Lessons with Tommy & Sheri O'Brien and others. Occasional Ballroom and once a month Line Dance is taught. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons. Beginner classes in Jan., Mar, May, and Sep. 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 MAYE RIVER QUILTERS meets 1st Saturday of Every Month, at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. Members meet at 9:30am for social exchange. The meeting starts at 10 am. We welcome new members. Please call 843-707-6034. \

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 am and 1:00 pm. 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 is open to the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk.

For more Information visit www.forttremont. org or contact Passive Parks manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, Flotilla 07-10-01, COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS US Port Royal Sound, a uniformed, all volunteer

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 843-473-3939 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.

KARAOKE AT THE MOOSE Sing with us Thursday evenings at The Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd.

7:30-10:30pm. Brought to you by #top6entertainment Mardi & Dennis Topcik. The Moose is a family friendly place and Thursdays are also Pizza Night!

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, 1810 Ribaut Road. 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. From 10am to 2pm Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm at the Fort Fremont History Center at the Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land's End Road, St. Helena Island is open.

Docent-led tours are every Saturday at 11:00

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 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 www.beauforttoastmastersclub.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 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 Mr. Hal. Definitely shop.

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE Safe & effective centuries old healing system treats and prevents many health-related conditions. Experience individualized treatment in a peaceful group setting.

Sliding scale fee. Beaufort Acupuncture, 12 Fairfield Rd, 5B, Lady’s Island. For info and to schedule: (843) 694-0050 or www.BeaufortAcupuncture.com SECOND HELPINGS seeking Day Captains and other volunteers to crew our trucks distributing food to local charities. Flexible schedule at your convenience. Email officeadmin@secondhelpingslc.org AGAPE HOSPICE seeks volunteers to spend time bringing joy to our patients and families during​a difficult time. Activities include playing music, baking, arts and crafts, pet therapy, manicures, listening to stories, holding hands, etc. Provide companionship to the elderly who often feel lonely and unappreciated. Contact Ashlee Powers at 843-592-8453 or apowers@agapehospice. com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for HELP of Beaufort.

Come join the team providing food, mobile meals, clothing and emergency financial assistance to those in need in our community. Open Mon-Fri 9:30-12:30. 2 Ice House Rd., Beaufort.

Call or email Jennifer 843-524-1223 or info@helpofbeaufort.org TIDEWATER 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., Thursdays, 10 Buckingham

M

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 M

INTERESTED IN HEALTHY EATING? Second Help-o ings, of Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties,j seeks committee members and chairperson for Healthy Food Program. Funding available to pro-a cure fresh produce and protein for the 60 food pantries and soup kitchens served by Second Helpings.

Contact Exec. Dir. Lili Coleman, 843-689-3616 orh execdirector@secondhelpingslc.org

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

m

ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATERa BEAUFORT, Support Groups: Caregiver - Weds., 12:30pm, Senior Services of Beaufort, 1408 Paris Ave.,C Port Royal; Living with Alzheimer's - for those in veryC early stages - Mondays 1pm, Parsons Parlor, Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret, Beaufort. Re-P spite Programs: Social Day Program- 10am-1:45pmM $40 Day Fee, Mon. at Cornerstone Christian Church, 2301 First Blvd., Beaufort, Weds. & Friday at CarteretW Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; InK Home - Respite Aides available for 2 hr. minimum, $12$24. Early Memory Loss: Maintain Your Brain - 2nd &d 4th Thursday, 10-11:30am, $10/person, $15 couple,R Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-521-o 9190, free; Purple Haven Project - Educate local estab-C lishment staff to better interact with a person with H Alzheimer's call 843-521-9190.

O

THE LITERACY CENTER is seeking volunteers to tutor adults in reading, writing, math and ESL. Stu-a dents hope to acquire skills to pursue life goals, support families, and contribute to our community.

Daytime and evenings in Bluffton and HHI. Call 843-F 815-6616 (Bluffton); 843-681-6655 (HHI). No teach-S ing, 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 Tues & Fri 11:30am-1pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843715-3583 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 10am-4:30pm and 8am on Family Graduation Days. Closed all Federal Holidays. Info at parrisislandmuseum.org or 843-228-2166.

MEDICAL SERVICES OF AMERICA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS - Volunteers needed for companionship or skills like yard work, music, and crafts to patients and their families or assist in the office with admin tasks.

Volunteers needed in Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. For info contact 843-322-0063.

CHRIST CENTERED RECOVERY MEETINGS At Praise Assembly Church Fridays for “Celebrate Recovery”, addressing life’s problems and looking to scripture for solutions. Meal at 6pm; Praise and Worship 6:30pm; Small Groups at 7pm. 800 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Info at 205-4753600 or 303-521-1891.

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

More coverage and content at LowcountryWeekly.com 21

March Forth on March 2nd & 3rd

T

he nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center's eighth annual March Forth will be held on Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3.

This special event commemorates the anniversary of Pat Conroy's passing on March 4, 2016, with programs on major themes of his writing and teaching life, including social justice, inclusivity, conservation, education, and storytelling.

Learn more and register in advance at https://marchforth2024.eventbrite.com March Forth will include appearances by novelist Jeffrey Dale Lofton, author of Red Clay Suzie (Longlisted for the Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Prize); novelist, musician, and educator Brendan Slocumb, author of Symphony of Secrets and The Violin Conspiracy (A Good Morning America Book Club Selection); naturalist and biographer Patrick Dean, author of Nature's Messenger: Mark Catesby and His Adventures in a New World; award-winning nature photographer Kelley Luikey; Spring Island Trust executive director Andy Jones; National Park Service Ranger Katherine Freeman; and the students of DAYLO. March Forth is hosted this year by Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt, Conroy Center board member Ginger Olszewski, and Lowcountry Weekly publisher and columnist Margaret Evans.

Free events will be held at the Port Royal Farmers Market and the Conroy Center on Saturday, March 2. A ticketed all-day event

(including a catered lunch by award-winning caterer and cookbook author Debbi Covington) will be held at Penn Center on St. Helena Island on Sunday, March 3. Books by presenting authors will be available for sale and signing through NeverMore Books.

March Forth is presented in collaboration between the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center and Penn Center, NeverMore Books, Lowcountry Pride, the Port Royal Farmers Market, the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, the Rhett House Inn, MarshSong Cottage, Catering by Debbi Covington, and DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization), and sponsored in part by the Pulpwood Queens Book Club.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud and Read with a Ranger at the Port Royal Farmers Market Saturday, March 2 9:30-Noon. Student volunteers from local chapters of DAYLO will be reading children's picture books to young readers and their families, with light snacks provided. DAYLO students will be joined by National Park Service Ranger Katherine Freeman from the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park for a special read-aloud, Read with a Ranger. This free event will be held near the gazebo at the Port Royal Farmers Market (1615 Ribaut Rd, Port Royal). No registration needed.

Author Jeffrey Dale Lofton An Afternoon with Jeffrey Dale Lofton Author of Red Clay Suzie At the Conroy Center Saturday, March 2 2:00-3:30 p.m. Award-winning writer Jeffrey Dale Lofton will discuss his debut novel Red Clay Suzie (Longlisted for the Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Prize) at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort), presented in collaboration with Lowcountry Pride. Books will be available for sale and signing through NeverMore Books. Seating is limited for this free event; please register in advance at 843-379-7025.

Ticketed March Forth Events At Penn Center Sunday, March 3 9:30-10:00 a.m. Attendee check-in.

10:00-11:30 a.m. Birding and nature walk of Penn Center led by naturalist and Spring Island Trust and Lowcountry Institute executive director Andy Jones.

11:30 to Noon. Catered lunch by Debbi Covington. (Register in advance by February 26 for lunch. Day-of registrations may be possible without lunch.)

Noon to 1:00 p.m. Novelist, musician, and educator Brendan Slocumb, author of Symphony of Secrets and The Violin Conspiracy (A Good Morning America Book Club Selection) in conversation with Conroy Center Executive Director Jonathan Haupt, presented with the generous support of the Pulpwood Queens Book Club.

1:00 to 1:20 p.m. Book signing break with NeverMore Books.

1:20 to 2:20 p.m. Naturalist and biographer Patrick Dean, author of Nature's Messenger: Mark Catesby and His Adventures in a New World, in conversation with Lowcountry Weekly publisher and writer Margaret Evans.

2:20-2:40 p.m. Book signing break with NeverMore Books.

2:40-3:40 p.m. A special slideshow presentation by award-winning nature photographer, naturalist, and educator Kelley Luikey.

3:40-4:00 p.m. Closing remarks.

To learn about the year-round educational mission of the Pat Conroy Literary Center, please visit www.patconroyliterarycenter.org

Can’t Beat Our View!

Beaufort’s Largest Covered Waterfront Patio Tuesday - Sunday 11am-4pm

Vince Covington, Owner

Karen Richards & Kristie Schubert

Over 25 Years of Window Treatment Experience in Beaufort and the Sea Islands • In-Home Consultation • Free Estimates • Professional Sales & Service • Discounted Pricing

Come Hungry . . . Leave Full

January 5 ~ February 28

913 Bay Street • 843.521.4444 www.beaufortartassociation.com

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

Q onBay.com

2/14 The Midnight City - Emo Valentine Show, 2/15 Ian Asher, 2/16 Emo Night Brooklyn, 2/17 Gimme Gimme Disco, 2/23 80's Dance Party, 2/24 Taylor's Version, 2/27 Sammy Rae & the Friends, 3/1 Drake White, 3/2 Red Light Night: A Queer Dance Party, 3/3 Geoff Tate & Adrian Vendenerg.

(843) 408-1599 or www.musicfarm.com

BEAUFORT/PORT ROYAL

The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 2/15, 2/16 & 2/17 Big Something; The Ries Brothers; Skip'Lo; Yam Yam, 2/20 James McMurtry; BettySoo, 3/21 Vincent Antone; Cozm & Nova, 2/23, Town Mountain, 3/24 Check Your Head - Beastie Boys tribute, 2/25 Carbon Leaf, 2/27 Cole Chaney with Abby Hamilton, 2/28 Grateful Dub; Roots of Creation, 2/29 The Delta Circus - Rolling Stones tribute, 3/1 Death Kings; Wolf Mask, 3/2 Sam Holt Bands presents Remembering Mikey & Todd. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com

Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms.

Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena 2/17 Pocket Full of Shells - Rage Against the Island. (843) 838-9300. Foolish Frog on Facebook Machine tribute, 2/23 Weird Science, 2/24 Isle of Palms Polar Plunge 10:30am; The Average Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) Savage 9pm, 3/1 & 3/2 Midnight City. (843) 886521-1888 or www.luthersrareandwelldone.com 8596 or www.the-windjammer.com 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. Mondays-25% off Burgers! Tuesdays – 25% off Shrimp & Chips Baskets! Wednesdays-25% off Philly Cheese Steaks! Wednesdays, Friday & Saturday - Karaoke.

(843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com

BLUFFTON/HILTON HEAD Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www.bigbamboocafe.com Captain Woody’s, 6 Target Rd., Hilton Head or 17 State of Mind St., Bluffton. 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.

2/14 Lavon Stevens with Terry Grant, 2/16 & 2/17 Ricardo Ochoa and Acoustic Office 2/21 Bobby Ryder, 2/23 & 2/24 Anderson Brothers play Cole Porter, 2/28 Lavon Stevens with Quiana Parler, 3/1 & 3/2 Amina Scott Quartet. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com

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

Please check for further information.

THEATER/FILM/DANCE 2/20 – 2/25, 18th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival. At USCB Center for the Arts. This year’s festival will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Forrest Gump. For a full schedule of events and ticket information, visit www. beaufortfilmfestival.com

GALLERIES/ART

Now – 2/29, Going Wild in the Lowcountry, featuring works by Karen Richards and Kristie Omni Hilton Head Ocean Front in Palmetto Schubert at the Beaufort Art Association GalDunes. Buoy Bar - HH Prime - (843) 842-8000 lery, 913 Bay Street, Beaufort. Opening recepor www.omnihotels.com tion Fri 1/5, 5-8pm.

OUT OF TOWN

Now – 3/12, Alvin Glen: Stance In CircumThe Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. stance exhibit at Coastal Discovery Museum. 2/

28, at 2:30 pm, Glen will discuss his paintings and Conroy’s writing and teaching life, including the stories that inspired them, as part of the mu- social justice, inclusivity, conservation, seum’s Discovery Lecture Series. Admission is $7. education, and storytelling. Learn more and register in advance at https://marchforth2024.

Now – 3/24, Intimate Oceans: Coral in Contem- eventbrite.com porary Art at Coastal Discovery Museum on HilMUSIC ton Head. 70 Honey Horn Dr., Hilton Head. 843689-6767. www.coastaldiscovery.org Tues 2/20, Lowcountry Chorale Rehearsals Begin. St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beaufort. All Now – 3/29, Celebrating Black Mermaids, an singers welcome, no audition necessary. 7 pm. exhibit of black mermaid art by award-winning Concert to take place on 5/20. For more informaartists from across the US at USCB Center for the tion, call 816-582-7591.

Arts. Opening reception, Fri 1/19, 6-8pm. Mermaid Artist Fair & Film Screenings, Sat 1/20, 12Sun 2/25, Svetlana Smolina piano concert at 4pm. Meet the Curator, Tues 1/27, 12-3pm. ClosFripp Island Community Center. Tickets at the ing Event/Water Blessing Fri 3/29, 5-7 pm. All door: adults $30, students free. Guests may join events are free and open to the public. the pianist at a complimentary reception after the performance. Email Vanessa Peñaherrera at vanThur 2/1, Chalk It Up! Application Deadline. dy116@gmail.com or text her at (704) 807-0255.

Chalk Art Festival to be held 3/23 – 3/24 in Beaufort’s Freedman Arts District. To submit an appli2/29 – 3/4, BravoPiano! 2024, Hilton Head’s trication visit www.FreedmanArtsDistrict.org ennial international piano competition, featuring 4 performances. For more information and tickFri 2/9, Nancy Patrick Carney artist of the month ets, visit www.hhipc.org or call 843-842-2055 reception, during Winter Art Walk 3 -7pm. Pluff Mudd Art Gallery, 27 Calhoun Street, Bluffton.

OTHER EVENTS

Say 3/2, 2024 Beach Walk to Benefit CAPA, hosted by Low Country Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter. 10 am. The walk will begin at Coligny Beach Park, 1 North Forest Beach on Hilton Head. The Rain Date is March 3rd, 2024. A minimum donation of $10 per person is suggested. Make checks payable to Low Country KD AC and send to Jennifer Kaple, 301 Central Avenue, Suite 122, Hilton 2/5 – 3/3 – SOBA Annual Student Art Show. Head Island, SC 29926. You may also donate via Featuring artwork from 3 participating high Venmo to Jennifer-Kaple-SC1. For more informaschools. Opening reception from 3-5 p.m. on 2/11 tion on the Beach Walk, call 843-707-7899. at the SOBA gallery, located at 6 Church Street in First Saturday of the Month, Teddy Bear Picnic Old Town Bluffton.

Read-Aloud at Port Royal Farmers Market. DAY2/25 – 4/28, ‘Art Beyond Boundaries,’ featuring LO students and other volunteers will read to Penny Beesley and Amy Whitehouse at the Beau- young children between 9am and noon. Children fort Art Association Gallery. Join the artists for an are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed opening night reception on Fri 3/1, 5-8 pm, at the animal.

BAA Gallery, 913 Bay Street. www.beaufortart.org Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by 3/5 – 4/5, Gestures in Nature: The Allure of the Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his Landscape, featuring the work of Ellen DeFazio, team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-838at the Art League Gallery. Opening Reception 7437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.

Wed 3/6, 5-7pm. 14 Shelter Cover Lane, Hilton Third Thursday, TECHconnect is a monthly netHead. 843-681-5060. working event for professionals working in and BOOKS & WRITERS around technology. Come and join on the for the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:30Thur 2/22, Evening of Story and Song with Raj 7:30pm. 843-470-3506. www.beaufortdigital.com Haldar, bestselling children’s author of P is for Pterodactyl and This Book is Banned. After his Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by the storytelling performance, Haldar with be in con- Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/Child. versation with students of DAYLO. Sponsored 843-686-6560 by the Conroy Center and the Storybook Shoppe, this special event takes place at TCL’s Beaufort Ongoing, Beaufort Tree Walk by the Lady’s Iscampus, Building 4, from 5 – 6:30 pm. Atten- land Garden Club through the historic Old Point dance is free with advance online registration at enjoying some unique and noteworthy trees. https://aneveningwithrajhaldar.eventbrite.com Takes about an hour and is a little over a mile, 2/1 – 4/26, Heart to Heart, a new art exhibit by the Artists of Sea Pines at the Sea Pines Community Center. Opening reception 2/1, 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Ten % of every sale will be donated to Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) on Hilton Head Island.

71 Lighthouse Road (next to the fitness center) in Sea Pines Shopping Center.

3/2 & 3/3, Pat Conroy Literary Center's 8th annual March Forth event, commemorating the anniversary of Conroy's passing on March 4, 2016. Featuring programs on major themes of

starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret Streets and ending in Waterfront Park. Booklets with a map and info about each tree available FREE at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.

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820 Bay Street Beaufort, SC 29902

843.521.4200 $3,250,000

$495,000

FRIPP ISLAND | MLS 183430

4BDRM | 4.5+B | Inground Pool | Ocean Front Edward Dukes 843.812.5000 Amy McNeal 843.521.7932

DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT

MLS 183714 | 2BDRM | 1B | 947sqft Great Location Lloyd Williams 1.843.754.4735

$965,000

$695,000

NEWPOINT | MLS 182418

CAT ISLAND | MLS 181446

$1,395,000

$849,000

4BDRM | 3.5B | 3434sqft | Community Dock Colleen Baisley 843.252.1066 www.23Newpoint.com

.62acre Homesite | Deep Water Dock Permit in Hand Trea Tucker 843.812.4852

$339,000

$284,500

TRADEWINDS PLANTATION

MARSH HARBOR | MLS 183486 DISTANT ISLAND | MLS 182723 DATAW ISLAND | MLS 183734

$695,000

$685,000

MLS 183292 | 3BDRM | 2.5B | 1512sqft Wayne Webb 843.812.5203

DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT

MLS 183277 | 3BDRM | 2B | 1692sqft Zoned Residential/Commercial Amy McNeal 843.521.7932

3BDRM | 3B | 1501sqft | Pond View Paige Walling 843.812.8470

FRIPP ISLAND | MLS 182726 3BDRM | 2B | 1342sqft Bryan Gates 843.812.6494

.65acre Homesite | Deepwater | Private Dock Panoramic Views Edward Dukes 843.812.5000 www.20clairespoint.com

4BDRM | 3B | 2400sqft | Golf/Pond Views Trudy Arthur 843.812.0967

$990,000

$995,000

NEWPOINT | MLS 183488

CAT ISLAND | MLS 182877

4BDRM | 4B | 3470sqft | Community Dock Sara Miller 1.540.209.5434

5BDRM | 5B | 3066sqft Julia O’Hara 1.201.456.8620

www.LowcountryRealEstate.com