Opinion, Arts, Culture, Lifestyle, Cuisine }.
Reflections on the good life in coastal South Carolina }. July 31 – August 13, 2024
Come On, Team USA 4 Can Olympics unite?
Walk for Water 5 Time to team up
Center for the Arts 9 Spectacular season
Harris Teeter 10 Here we come
Summer Supper 12 A weekend menu
Relentless Heat 15 The droopy garden
Historic Hamar Cup 6 At Verdier House
The painting on our cover is "Monterey Shack" by Leonard Camarda from "Got Art?", the annual fundraiser for Art League of Hilton Head.
For more information, see our story on page 7.
yWeekly
o w c o unt r
LJuly 31 – August 13, 2024
Publisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com
Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly.com
Marketing Director: Amanda Hanna — 843-343-8483 or Amanda@LCWeekly.com
Art Director: Lydia Inglett
Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks
Contributing Writers: Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Sandra Educate, Wendy Hilte, 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. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned.
It’s early Friday morning as I begin this column, and I find myself in a state of gratitude bordering on desperation – a weird emotional combo – because the Olympics are starting today. By the time you read this, if you do me that honor, we’ll be well into the games.
So, why the desperate gratitude? Because I’m practically dying to be inspired. Practically dying for something uplifting to happen. Something real and solid, with a coherent narrative that can’t be spun by pundits. A fair competition with judges who aren’t us, with clear winners and losers we all acknowledge. I am dying for a celebration of excellence that elevates the human spirit and helps us remember who we are. Who we can be.
In a world gone mad – not just crazy mad, but angry mad – I’m hoping the Olympics might bring us some international healing, joy and peace.
Even more challenging, perhaps, I’m hoping the Olympics might briefly unite the Divided States of America. Team USA is something we can all get behind and cheer for, together.
It’s been a while.
Actually, I felt a wee bit of hope for this country stirring in my soul right after the Trump assassination attempt. Does that
Vince
Covington, Owner
Over 25 Years of Window
sound awful? Hear me out. It was nice to see people who hate Trump with a white-hot intensity – who find their very meaning and purpose in that hatred – evincing concern and even compassion immediately after his close call. It wasn’t widespread and it didn’t last, but I found it encouraging.
And even Trump, himself, seemed different. Changed. Many remarked on the way he looked at the GOP convention. His face seemed softer. More humble. He even seemed to get a little teary at times. Sure, he gave that endless, rambling speech – or so I was told; I slept through it – but people still speculated that maybe, just maybe, Trump was a new man.
He wasn’t. Pretty soon, he was up to his old ways, talking about “broken down” Joe Biden and “radical left lunatic” Kamala Harris, telling the crowd at his first post-shooting rally that he had no intention of being “nice.”
Granted, he’s repeatedly been called a “fascist,” a “threat to Democracy,” and “Hitler” – by masses of powerful people who seem to believe what they’re saying –so maybe he’s just not feeling all that warm and fuzzy. Or, maybe he just can’t be that “new man” many were hoping to see. Maybe it’s just not in him.
But one thing IS new since that near death experience. Trump now seems to see himself as divinely protected, an instrument of God, on a mission to “save” America. And he’s not the only one. The memes are all over the Internet. Trump with a guardian angel over his shoulder. Trump in the arms of Jesus. Trump AS Jesus, hanging on a cross, an American flag for a loin cloth. I find the Divine Trump memes either horrifying or amusing, depending on my mood, but there are enough Trump-as-Satan memes out there that the universe somehow feels balanced.
Meanwhile, there are the new Kamala Harris memes. Kamala as Wonder Woman. Kamala as Captain America. Kamala as the Statue of Liberty. Kamala as “brat.” (If you don’t know what “brat” means – in its latest iteration – you are not alone. It’s a GenZ thing, very meta, and I am too old and confused to explain it. Use your Google and prepare to be enlightened.)
As someone who abhors a bandwagon,
the instant vibe shift around Kamala Harris has made me slightly uncomfortable. But I don’t hold it against her. These meme-driven movements have a life of their own. I’m sure the negative Kamala memes are coming, too, as soon as her new-candidate gloss wears off. They’re probably out there already.
The meme-ification of both Trump and Harris reflects the dumbing down and flattening out of our political discourse in general, I think. We seem to be moving backwards toward a civilization that communicates mainly in hieroglyphics, with so much nuance and subtly lost along the way. William Shakespeare must be turning in his grave.
Of course, political cartoons have always been with us. But they used to be smart. Thoughtful. They were pictures worth a thousand words. Some still are. But the political memes that pepper our social media feeds are mostly blunt instruments. They don’t make us think or ask questions or reconsider our positions. They merely make us feel angry or validated. And they signal our affiliations, like team jerseys. Share a meme, support your team. And put your enemies on notice.
It's all so disheartening.
You know what else is disheartening?
I put this column aside earlier, then came back to it after watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics with my daughter. We were both dazzled! From the athletes coming down the Seine in their boats, to the wildly creative production numbers, to the touching speeches of dignitaries, to a resplendent Celine Dion singing from the Eiffel Tower – all in the rain – it was a moving spectacle we’ll not soon forget. Sure, it was provocative, too. High Camp at times. There were drag queens. But they were a very small part of a four-hour event, and this was, after all, Paris. Drag queens are part of their schtick.
I took to Facebook as soon as the ceremony ended, tears in my eyes after Celine’s sublime comeback performance, hoping to share my joy. This was just what I’d been hoping for! Just what we’d all been hoping for, right?!
Wrong.
By now, you’ve probably heard about the Drag Queen parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper.’ It’s all anybody seemed to
Margaret Evans
be talking about after the opening ceremony. Allegedly, sometime during the production number billed as a “Fashion Show” –nodding to the city’s long relationship with that industry – a tableau resembling The Last Supper appeared beside the catwalk, featuring a drag queen in a halo-like headdress at its center.
I scratched my head as I caught up on this outrage du jour, because here’s thing: I never saw it. I saw the fashion show, but never the Last Supper tableau. Either I looked away at the wrong moment, or went to the bathroom, or something, but I missed it altogether. My daughter didn’t see it, either. Many friends I’ve spoken with – who watched the ceremony in real time, like me –missed it, too.
I’m not claiming that there was no Drag Queen Last Supper at the Olympics. I’ve seen the photos circulating on Facebook. (Though it’s worth noting that they’re carefully cropped so that only 12 queens appear with “Queen Jesus,” when there were many more on TV.) There may have been some anti-Christian mischief afoot – again, this is Paris we’re talking about – but if there was, I just don’t think it’s such a big deal. Whatever happened, it was so brief many of us missed it, and it doesn’t negate all the truly beautiful pageantry on display, nor the good will and camaraderie radiating from those boats along the Seine.
I’m now hearing lots of folks say they’re going to boycott the Olympics altogether, and I think that’s a real shame. However deeply offended you may have been by this tableau – and I understand that, I really do –the Olympic athletes, who have worked so hard, had nothing to do with it.
It’s easy to huddle in our cultural enclaves, with our dueling memes and our mutual contempt. Heck, it can even be fun. But you know what’s even more fun? Watching an American athlete take the gold, together. Come on, Team USA. Let’s do this.
Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly. She has been writing her award winning column, Rants & Raves, for 25 years.
Registration is open now for the eighth annual Beaufort County Walk for Water on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Sept. 21 at Wright Family Park in Bluffton. An estimated 1,000 walkers are expected to participate, helping raise a record $100,000 to fight the global water crisis.
and raises money to provide sustainable, safe water around the world. All money raised benefits Water Mission, a nonprofit Christian engineering organization based in Charleston that builds safe water solutions in developing countries and disaster areas.
The walk hit historic highs last year with more than 700 registered walkers on both sides of the Beaufort River. Their participation will help dramatically change the lives of thousands of people in desperate need, according to Robert Lasher, Beaufort County Walk for Water committee chair.
Beaufort County Walk for Water promotes awareness of the global water crisis
“The money the walk raises makes a life-changing difference for generations in communities around the world,” Lasher said. “As little as $50 provides one person ongoing access to safe, clean water,” Lasher said. “$500 can create latrine sanitation for a community, and just over $1,000 can build solar panels for a power source.”
Participants will be encouraged to carry a bucket of water on part of a 3-mile walk to symbolize the burden millions of women and children in developing countries carry daily to collect water
that’s often contaminated. That unsafe water has dire consequences: a person dies from waterrelated illness every 37 seconds somewhere in the world, according to Water Mission.
Registration is open now on the Walk for Water website at walkforwater.com/beaufort. Registration is $25 for adults ages 18 and older, $10 for youths ages 5–17, and free for children 4 and under. A $5 discount is available for those who register by Sept. 4 using the code EARLYBIRD on the registration site. All participants get a T-shirt but must register by Aug. 13 to be guaranteed preferred sizes. In addition, those who register now can double their impact thanks to a limited-time matching gift donation of up to $10,000.
Follow Beaufort County Walk for Water on Facebook and Instagram @BeaufortWalk-
forWater, and on Twitter #bftwalkforwater. For more information, call (843) 769-7395. For sponsorship information, contact Lasher at 843-906-8118 or rlasher5519@gmail.com
The 278-year-old “Hamar Cup” presented to British Captain Joseph Hamar for protecting the early commerce centers of Beaufort and Port Royal Island before the Revolutionary War, is displayed in the John Mark Verdier House in downtown Beaufort.
The antique cup, now owned by Historic Beaufort Foundation through the generosity of members and special donors two years ago, is expected to become a major draw at the house museum.
Admission to the John Mark Verdier House is $10 per person, but children and military personnel can enter for free.
In January 2023, Historic Beaufort Foundation successfully bid on the historic silver cup and cap from 1748 presented by “the Gentlemen of Port Royal” to Captain Joseph Hamar, commander of His Majesty’s ship Adventure , for protective services around Beaufort and Port Royal.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have the Hamar Cup to share with the Lowcountry community and visitors from not only across the country but from around the world,” said Cynthia Cole Jenkins, HBF executive director.
the Seven Years War or the War for Jenkins Ear – the Port Royal region finally was safe for commercial investment by the local settlers.
Sotheby’s experts said the 13.5-inch silver cup and cap, sold through Sotheby’s auction house and created by Thomas Heming of London, “is among the earliest and most sophisticated examples of rococo silver which can be linked to the American Colonies.”
While the Foundation obtained the silver cup more than a year ago, it took months to decide how to display it and how to upgrade security for the cup and the Verdier House to protect the piece, Jenkins said.
“It is so fitting that this historic silver cup has found a home in Beaufort. Our research shows this may be the first time the cup has actually been in the Lowcountry since it was created and presented to Captain Hamar in London all those years ago,” she said.
In the first half of the 18th century, the stability and economic benefits brought by Royal Navy ships helped establish Beaufort and Port Royal Island as centers for commercial shipping and were recognized by the local “gentlemen” with the silver cup gift to the British captain of the Adventure.
Captain Hamar and the crew of the Adventure helped close seven years of fighting for control of the region south of Charleston. With the conclusion of the fighting –commonly referred to as King George’s War,
Colonists from South Carolina commissioned the silver cup less than 40 years before the American Revolution. Thomas Heming later became Principal Goldsmith to King George III in 1760.
Capt. Hamar left the Adventure in 1749 and served briefly as captain of the 60-gun Eagle in 1755. He retired from British service in 1758 and died in 1773, just before the American Revolution.
Two streets within Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark district, Hamar and Adventure, were named in honor of the 1748 heroics, and Captain Hamar was gifted two lots on the street of his name.
The inscription on the silver cup reads:
The Gentlemen of Port Royal So: Carolina Present this Plate to Captn: Hamar Comdr: of his Majts Ship Adventure. in Gratefull Acknowledgment of his Services Done to this Port in ye Year 1748
Historic Beaufort Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education foundation created to preserve, protect, and present sites and artifacts of historic, architectural, and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County, South Carolina. For more information on the entity's mission and history, please visit historicbeaufort.org and follow them on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
More than 70 backpacks loaded with essential elementary school supplies were delivered to the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center by Kim Jeffcoat, Chief Community Officer of The Jeffcoat Firm. This huge donation was part of the ongoing school supplies drive in support of the students and teachers of St. Helena Elementary School, a Title 1 school, organized by the Conroy Center, DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy
supplies pouch—all to help equip students for a successful and enthusiastic beginning to their new school year.
The Conroy Center, DAYLO, and the Storybook Shoppe have been collecting a wide range of donated school supplies throughout July to be given to the students and teachers of St. Helena Elementary in early August. The inspiring generosity of local donors has also filled several large bins with vital supplies for educators and their students.
Organization), and the Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore. Kim Jeffcoat was joined by Jeffcoat Firm director of operations Brie White and Beaufort-based Jeffcoat Firm attorney Daniel Sevcik and his family. They met with St. Helena Elementary School’s new principal Constance Goodwine-Lewis, Conroy Center executive director and DAYLO mentor Jonathan Haupt, fellow DAYLO mentor and Beaufort Academy media center coordinator Claire Bennett, and current and former DAYLO students Becca Bennett (Beaufort Academy), Jasmine Rivers (Beaufort High School), and Mickie Thompson (USC Beaufort).
Each colorful backpack contains a notebook, child scissors, crayons, pencils and a sharpener, a glue stick, folders, and a
The generous source of the school supplies drive’s large donation, The Jeffcoat Firm is a personal injury and car accident law firm serving clients in North and South Carolina with offices in Columbia, Lexington, Blythewood, and Orangeburg. The Jeffcoat Firm is community focused, and, through their Project Backpack initiative, the Jeffcoat team is now distributing 1,000 backpacks for students ages Pre-K through 8th grade in Richland, Lexington, Calhoun, Newberry, Beaufort, Charleston, and Orangeburg counties.
The Conroy Center, DAYLO, the Storybook Shoppe, and St. Helena Elementary School are grateful to Kim Jeffcoat and The Jeffcoat Firm for selecting St. Helena Elementary as the recipient of their Project Backpack donation for Beaufort County.
Art League of Hilton Head’s annual fundraising benefit, Got Art?, makes collectors out of art enthusiasts. Every ticket holder will receive an original work of art during the live drawing. This year the drawing will again be a hybrid event—attendees can attend in person or via Zoom. The artworks, donated by Art League member artists, may include paintings, drawings, photography, collage, jewelry, ceramic works, and sculpture. Each is valued at $200 or more.
Each ticket costs only $100, and only 100 tickets are sold. Participants are invited to preview the 100+ works of art at Art League Gallery, located in the Arts Center at 14 Shelter Cove Lane. The preview will last three days—September 10-12, 10am-4pm—with a special ticket-holder Preview Reception taking place Thursday, September 12, 4:30-5:30pm, just before the drawing to be held 5:30-7:30pm, both in person and via Zoom. During the drawing, ticket holders will choose a piece of art when their name gets called at random. You never know when your name will be called or which pieces will still be available when it’s your turn to choose!
Got Art? always proves to be a popular and lively event, so get your tickets today!
To purchase a $100 ticket, visit https://shop.artleaguehhi.org/shop/c/p/Got-Art-2024Ticket-x83625090.htm, or call (843) 681-5060. Tickets are also available at Art League Gallery and Art League Academy.
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center is open to the public for docent-guided tours from Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m. The Conroy Center also hosts a variety of educational programs throughout the year for writers, readers, teachers, and students. In August, the Center will host two virtual programs, accessible remotely.
Thursday, August 8, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The Conroy Center’s monthly Open Mic Night will be held virtually this month, with featured poet Jessica Goody, author of Phoenix: Transformation Poems. Open Mic will also feature short readings of 3 to 5 minutes each by other writers in many genres. Writers interested in reading from their work on Zoom should register in advance by emailing contact@patconroyliterarycenter.org. Those interested in watching the Open Mic readings can do so via the live-stream on the Conroy Center’s Facebook page, beginning shortly after 6:00 p.m. that evening. Open Mic will be hosted by poet Melissa St. Clair.
About Our Featured Writer: Jessica Goody is the award-winning author of Defense Mechanisms (Phosphene Publishing, 2016) and Phoenix: Transformation Poems (CW Books, 2019). Her writing has appeared in over one hundred publications, including The Wallace Stevens Journal, Reader’s Digest, Phantom Drift, The High Window, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Seventh Wave, Third Wednesday, The MacGuffin, Harbinger Asylum, and The Maine Review. Defense Mechanisms was chosen as a “Power Read” by Hilton Head Monthly, a Book of the Month by The Creativity Webzine, and received an Honorable Mention for the 2020 North Street Book Prize. Jessica has facilitated poetry slams and taught writing courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USC Beaufort. A freelance journalist, she has been
a contributing writer for Hilton Head Monthly, The Bluffton Sun, SunSations, Local Life and Bluffton Today. Jessica is the winner of the 2016 Magnets and Ladders Poetry Prize. Her poem “Beachcombing” was recently added to the Hilton Head Poetry Trail. Wednesday, August 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Award-winning author Amber Wheeler Bacon will lead an online workshop, Expose & Compose, using photographs as creative writing prompts: Author Donna Baier Stein said that writers can use photography to "expand . . . meaning—not in terms of enlarging [an] original work, but in terms of offering more possibilities." In this workshop,
participants use a combination of professional and amateur photography, including family photos, in conversation with poems and short prose to generate creative new work. The workshop will include 4 prompts, so students are encouraged to come to this class ready to write. All genres welcome. This virtual workshop will be held via Zoom, limited to 15 participants, $45/person. Please register in advance at https://patconroyliterarycenter.eventbrite.com
About Our Instructor: Amber Wheeler Bacon is a writer and teacher whose work has appeared in Crazyhorse, Ecotone, Epiphany, Five Points, Prairie Schooner and Witness. You can find her writing online at Ploughshares and CRAFT. She's the recipient of the 2018 Breakout Writers Prize sponsored by The Author’s Guild and a 2021 Bread Loaf scholarship. She received the 2022 Lit/South Award for flash fiction, a 2023 Prairie Schooner Award and was a finalist for the 2023 Chautauqua Janus
Prize, nominated by Ecotone Magazine. Amber has an MFA from Bennington College and teaches English at Coastal Carolina University. She’s been a fiction editor at Four Way Review, Managing Editor for South Carolina Writers Association publications and a daily editor at the Southern Review of Books. Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
The USCB Center for the Arts proudly unveils its 2024-25 season, a dazzling lineup of performances that promise to captivate and inspire audiences of all ages. With a rich variety of acts spanning music, theater, and family-friendly shows, this season is set to be one of the most exciting yet. There is something for everyone at the Center for the Arts.
This season, the Mainstage Touring Artists series brings an eclectic mix of talent to Beaufort. Performances include:
Queens of Rock and Soul: Join American Idol Finalist LaKisha Jones in a celebration of the great ladies of soul from Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, the legendary Aretha Franklin and the one and only Whitney Houston.
Pam Tillis: Belles and Bows: Join country music legend Pam Tillis for a heartwarming evening filled with her greatest hits and timeless Christmas classics. "Belles and Bows" blends Pam's iconic voice with the magic of the holiday season, delivering an unforgettable performance that celebrates the spirit of a country Christmas.
Trey McLaughlin and the Sounds of Zamar: Experience the soulful harmonies and dynamic musical adaptations of this celebrated gospel group. Without a doubt, the vocal power of their forty voices will fill our venue for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Electric Avenue: The 80's MTV Experience: Electric Avenue show is a high energy space that reminds people of a time when they came home from school, put a record on, and listened with open ears and an open heart; conjuring first dates, first cars, prom nights, weekend movies, and meeting friends at the mall, while finding a sense of fashion and an identity all their own. At an Electric Avenue show, 80’s music is as alive and well today as it has ever been.
The Shark is Broken: This Olivier Award nominated new play is hilariously brilliant and pure genius. Inspired by Robert Shaw’s experience playing Quint on the notorious Jaws shoot, The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon celebrates movie history and peeks at the choppy waters behind Hollywood’s first blockbuster. Presented by Pure Theatre.
Splish Splash:
The Music of Bobby Darin: This fabulous show celebrates everything Bobby Darin – Teen Idol, Singer Songwriter, Movie Star and Nightclub Performer – his music, his life and times.
Snap your fingers to great Darin hits like Mack The Knife, Splish Splash, Dream Lover, Beyond the Sea, Clementine, and many more.
Always Olivia: Always Olivia is a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John, who sold over 100 million records worldwide, had 10 #1 hits, earned 4 Grammys, numerous music awards, and starred as Sandy with John Travolta in Grease.
Boy Named Banjo: In the decade since their stripped-down 2012 debut, The Tanglewood Sessions, brought them to Bonnaroo, Boy Named Banjo have taken Nashville and beyond by storm with a series of critically acclaimed, genre-bending releases that have earned performances everywhere from the Ryman to the Grand Ole Opry. They have been working on a new body of music that marks a full-circle return to their Americana and bluegrass roots.
The Beaufort Children's Theatre and the Beaufort Theatre Company continue to delight with their exceptional productions: Shrek the Musical, Jr.: This Beaufort Children’s Theatre production is based on the
Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. Join Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey in this enchanting adventure perfect for the whole family.
Oklahoma!: Beaufort Theatre Company presents one of the greatest American musicals, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!. This beloved classic musical, set in Indian Territory, is an exciting love story with fighting, trickery, and of course, the great state of Oklahoma. Alice in Wonderland, Jr.: Join Beaufort Children’s Theatre and dive into the whimsical world of Alice with this charming rendition of the classic tale. Alice encounters all of the iconic characters that audiences have come to love: including the ever-tardy White Rabbit, the grinning Cheshire Cat, a cool Caterpillar, the wacky Mad Hatter, and the hot-tempered Queen of Hearts.
Ain't Misbehavin': Ain’t Misbehavin’ pays tribute to the incomparable Thomas “Fats” Waller who rose to international fame during the Harlem Renaissance, the Golden Age of the Cotton Club, and that jumpin’ new beat, swing music.
"We are thrilled to present such a diverse and dynamic season," says Bonnie Hargrove, Director of the USCB Center for the Arts. "Our goal is to offer something for everyone, from rock and soul enthusiasts to families looking for a magical theater experience. We can't wait to welcome both new and returning patrons to our performances."
Individual show tickets are now available. For the complete schedule of show dates and times, and to purchase tickets, visit us at uscbcenterforthearts.com. Don't miss the chance to be a part of this incredible season of
and culture in
downtown Beaufort.
of
We may be teetering on heresy with long-time Publix fans (including us, by the way), but the addition of Harris Teeter to the Beaufort food shopping scene is a game changer. Their new Beaufort store has certainly been the talk of the town since opening late June to packed parking lots and lots of special offerings and events, so we decided to do some digging around to deliver a Lowcountry DISH about the new kid on the bustling block.
and offered the first supermarket that featured air-conditioning and stayed open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights. Just a few years later, in 1939, Willis L. Teeter and his brother, Paul, opened their first Teeter’s Food Mart in Mooresville, North Carolina.
On February 1, 1960, Harris Super Markets and Teeter’s Food Marts merged to form Harris Teeter Super Markets, Inc., with 15 stores in operation. Today, with more than 250 stores, 70 fuel centers and 36,000-plus associates, we’ve found that Harris Teeter provides a great shopping experience to millions of customers like us annually.
This “kid” is actually a beloved grocery retailer with quite the “Carolinas” history. Based in Matthews, North Carolina just east of Charlotte proper, Harris Teeter’s roots run deep in the Queen City and beyond.
In 1936, W.T. Harris borrowed $1,500 to open the first Harris Food Store in Charlotte. The store was founded on three principles: high-quality products; clean stores; and superior customer service. Harris was considered a pioneer of the grocery industry
Harris Teeter strives to provide the best shopping experience to its customers at a great value, while also providing high-quality and fresh ingredients, which is why the company is proud to say it’s, “Your neighborhood market.”
With construction that began back in early-2023, the new Lady’s Island store features almost 60,000 sprawling square feet and has 200-plus smiling associates.
On opening day, Danna Robinson, Harris Teeter’s director of corporate affairs, said, “Harris Teeter’s new location is an opportunity for us to enrich more lives through exceptional customer service and fresh, high-quality products, and that’s what we’re most passionate about.”
millions of dollars through various campaigns, including the company’s popular Round Up campaign, to dozens of non-profits with local chapters, so the donation remains in your community. Along with monetary donations, Harris Teeter is close partners with various local food banks, where they donate millions of pounds of food each year to help support families in need, which demonstrates the company’s purpose to: “Enrich Lives: One Meal, One Family, One Associate and One Community at a time.’
Cele & Lynn Seldon
Well, we’re certainly passionate about fresh food and great customer service, so our lives have definitely been enriched since Harris Teeter opened. Opening day included their signature “Taste of Teeter” sampling event, with complimentary food and beverage samples, live music, and more. During the first months, the company featured or is featuring 1,000 fuel points for transferring a pharmacy prescription
(through the end of September and equal to a $1.00 off per gallon of gas), fuel specials and fuel points bonuses, and more —
But Harris Teeter’s commitment to excellence doesn’t just live in the four walls of its stores, in that we’ve learned they are dedicated to supporting and serving the communities where they operate, including Beaufort. Each year, Harris Teeter donates
including “The World’s Largest Boiled Peanut” by way of South Carolina’s Luray Peanut Co. (which Lynn couldn’t resist).
Our new Harris Teeter goes beyond many traditional grocery store offerings, including: store-made pizza, subs, and sushi; an Asian & American hot foods bar; a full-service Starbucks (already quite popular); and a bustling craft wine and beer bar, where there’s also café-like seating. Additionally, there’s drive-through pick-up service for online grocery orders; a pharmacy onsite; and much more.
As one of the nation’s earliest loyalty programs and cards, we’re big fans of the Harris Teeter VIC (Very Important Customer) program. It not only ensures savings in-store, but also at fuel centers (we’ve already saved a buck a gallon). There’s also HT Plus (two levels and related pricing, with a 30-day trial currently being offered), which
includes special savings opportunities, extra fuel points, free delivery through Instacart, and more.
Thus far, after many, many visits — and after running into or talking to lots of friends and DISH devotees, including our esteemed Lowcountry Weekly publisher, Jeff Evans, who has been known to, in his words, “Walk around in hushed
awe and reverence . . . ” — we definitely have our favorite Harris Teeter offerings. These include: the wine and beer bar and café seating (where we’ve spied many folks making a meal out of their Harris Teeter visit); the produce (including lots of bargains we hope they’ll continue offering); the fresh sushi; the Deli; the Hot Bar; the crispy roasted chicken (yum!); the Bakery; the store-made
pizza (trust us); Murray’s Cheese (don’t get us started); the large seafood and meat departments; and so much more.
Yep — astute readers may have noticed that this is pretty much the entire left-hand side of the sprawling store when you enter. And, did we mention the Pharmacy rewards for switching prescriptions and the fuel points and specials at the gas station?
In summary, we spread our food (and beverage) shopping dollars far and wide, depending on what’s in-season, pricing, where we’re already going, and more. But, yes, it’s quite possible Harris Teeter may become our “main” groceries shopping destination.
However, along with our frequent forays to our new Harris Teeter, we will most definitely still be heading to both Publix locations (we love riding our bikes to the
new-ish location just off the Spanish Moss Trail); the occasional Food Lion stop; Olde Timey Meats; the beloved Port Royal Farmers Market; all of the local fresh seafood hotspots; Bill’s Liquors & Fine Wines, Frank’s Spirits & Wine (two locations), Tacarón, and more for wine and other adult beverages; the occasional Kroger stop in Bluffton; and frequent foodie stops on road trips at Aldi, Lidl, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Atlanta’s Buford Farmers Market (ask us about it!); and more. We wouldn’t want to be accused of teetering on grocery shopping heresy, would we?
It's rare, and actually quite wonderful when it happens, for Vince and me to be home alone for a few days without a catering event on my calendar. I love to cook for us. When we were dating and I was living in Raleigh, I spent hours planning menus for Vince's weekend visits. The sorry truth is, I have a tough time cooking for two people. We're lucky to have friends to share with and I'm happy to have participants who are willing to taste my culinary experiments. The recipes this week are just that – experiments. They were created from foods that we already had in our freezer, refrigerator, pantry and garden. I never had to leave the house. It was nice to be home together for the weekend. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. It’ll soon be time to get back to work.
¼ cup red wine
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 whole pork tenderloins, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
In a bowl, mix yogurt with cucumber and dill weed. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. In a glass bowl, pour wine and olive oil over pork; toss to coat. Sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper; toss again. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Thread on 6 skewers. Grill over medium heat to desired doneness. Serves 6.
ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES
1 (16-ounce) package orzo pasta
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 (3-ounce) package sun-dried tomatoes
1 (6-ounce) jar sliced kalamata olives, drained
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 or 4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh basil and/or mint
½ cup pine nuts, toasted Cook orzo to al dente, according to package directions. Drain cooked pasta and let cool for 5 minutes. Place orzo in a large bowl. Add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and olives; toss to combine. Whisk together red wine vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, honey and oregano in a small bowl. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill. Before serving, stir in fresh herbs and garnish with toasted pine nuts. Serves 8 to 10.
PUFF
2 large zucchini (about 1½ pounds)
¾ teaspoon salt, divided
½ cup sour cream
½ teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1 heaping teaspoon minced dried onion
1 tablespoon chopped dried chives
1 teaspoon dried Greek seasoning
1 (4-ounce) container crumbled feta cheese
½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Dried chives, to garnish
Chopped fresh tomatoes, to garnish
Grate zucchini on the large holes of a box grater. Transfer the zucchini to a colander over the sink and stir in ½ teaspoon salt. Let stand for 10 minutes. Squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands and transfer zucchini to a mixing bowl. In a small bowl, mix sour cream with baking powder. Add sour cream mixture to the zucchini along with 2 eggs, dried onion, chives, Greek seasoning and feta cheese. Mix well to combine. Pour mixture into a lightly greased (1.6 liter) baking dish. Bake, covered, in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with sharp cheddar cheese and
By Debbi Covington
bake, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes more or until center is set. Garnish with chives and chopped tomatoes. Serves 4. *Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled, just increase baking time.
BLUEBERRY CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING WITH BLUEBERRY SAUCE
For the sauce:
3 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen) 1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the bread pudding:
5 large croissants or 10 small croissants
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla Dash salt
Dash ground cinnamon
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon coarse sugar, for sprinkling
To make the sauce: Combine blueberries with sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until some of the berries burst and mixture begins to thicken. Set aside until ready to serve. To make the bread pudding: Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Tear the croissants into medium-sized pieces and place in prepared dish. Sprinkle evenly with blueberries. In a bowl, with an electric mixer, mix cream cheese with eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon. There will be little pieces of cream cheese floating in the mixture. Pour over croissants and
blueberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes and up to 8 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Top bread pudding with sliced almonds and sprinkle evenly with sugar. Bake, uncovered, for 50 to 60 minutes or until a knife inserted in center of pudding comes out clean. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with warm blueberry sauce on the side. Serves 8.
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
Gazing out into the dark abyss of a star filled night, the mind may deeply consider its own conception. An internal dialogue begins without a single word being spoken; this, if further unpacked, may emit a wave of chill bumps throughout any being, resembling the feeling of hairlike tentacles caressing the back of the neck from a crawling spider. How are unspoken words heard with the mind’s eye?
This seemingly small idea of “self-talk” parallels something out of a science fiction movie and may have adequately served as an episode description for the 1959 show, “The Twilight Zone.” As the mind ponders its own existence, our consciousness simultaneously falls deeper down the symbolic rabbit hole. It seems as if questions only beget more questions in a never-ending cycle of disappointing ignorance. Through this we may now come to understand the madness of The Hatter more aptly.
It is therefore evident that through abandoning our deepest inquisitions, we accept blissful ignorance rather than madness. Yet, even if we try to escape it, we are still harassed like a hungry mosquito by the questions, “Why am I here?” and “What is my purpose?” I am here to put your mind at ease, to save you from
madness and ceaseless questioning. You do not have a purpose. Let me explain . . .
If you were a tree, what would your purpose be? To give shade? To build buildings, bridges, structures of all kinds from the mind’s eye? What about to breathe in carbon dioxide and therefore produce life giving oxygen for countless species on the planet? No. Those things would not be your purpose. They would simply be the byproduct of you being you. You see, nature can be a great teacher to us if we study its qualities. From cooling the entire planet off through a process called evapotranspiration, from absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, these gentle, shade giving companions of ours called trees do so much for the planet by just being themselves.
So, your purpose therefore is to be you.
In our experience of being human we tend to relate purpose with something that we are doing, more directly related to a career perhaps. This can lead to delirium. If there was ever a tree that believed that it was not living up to its purpose or doing what it was supposed to be doing on this planet, it would go crazy, uproot itself in search of a vocation, shrivel up and die.
You cannot try to be you. You are you.
Who are you beyond the expectations society has charged you with? As you walk
through this life, you fulfill your purpose every time you help someone in need. You complete your life’s work each time you bring a smile to someone’s face. Your karma was complete when you made someone or even some thing as small as a flower feel loved.
We are often too hard on ourselves. We search the world for meaning, like a dog chasing its tail. We have always had meaning in ourselves, in the small gestures that add up over the course of a lifetime that resonate with the true nature of who we are. You may not have the job you want, or you may not be living the life that you want to live right now. However, your purpose was fulfilled when you complimented that random stranger on the street and saved them from a lifelong feeling of being invisible.
To live your purpose, live, breathe, and walk your awesome you-ness! You are a teacher, motivator, and savior through your gentle act of being. You have given priceless lessons to the hearts you have broken. You have captivated and motivated countless souls by traversing the challenges and tribulations of your life. Unbeknownst to you, you have helped others in creating boundaries both emotionally and spiritually. Whenever you share information, you are giving life to
by Jared Madison WHOLLY HOLISTICS
another. Your hug and your smile have been medicine you’ve administered to an ailing world.
Even in your imperfection, you are beautiful. Throughout each of our lives, we may coalesce between the frequencies of light and darkness, yet each action, phase, harsh word, and loving gesture have their perfect place in the puzzle of eternity. If you want to experience your purpose and understand the reason why you are here, floating on a rock in the middle of space . . . breathe, walk, talk, open doors for other people, donate to charities, pet your animal, plant a tree, go to work, make someone feel special, forgive someone, be nice, or not. Above all, remember that you are the most unique thing in existence, and because of this, you can never and will never not be on purpose and will be doing that purpose by just being.
Jared Madison is a self-proclaimed “New Renaissance Man.” From practicing Reiki to earning a degree in physics, he is a student of life who calls creativity his superpower. A photographer, graphic designer, poet, writer, and entrepreneur, Jared also loves to travel, ride rollercoasters, and eat good food.
Nothing much! And plants can do even less. It’s kind of like being in a traffic jam; you can’t even leave.
We’ve all watched in dismay as our plants struggle and lose the battle against this awful heat and burning sunlight. Even aggressive irrigation doesn’t seem to help much.
Well, we had better get used to it. It’s called Global Warming. We need to rethink how we planted our gardens and do some forward thinking for the next few years. A good rule of thumb to have on hand (pardon the pun) is that the larger the leaf, the less sun it needs or can tolerate, and the smaller the leaf, the more sun it needs or can tolerate. Of course, we know that most rules have their exceptions, and there is a plant out there that will make a liar out of you every time.
takes in cold days. It doesn’t’ t take into consideration heat or humidity. We have extremes of both, so we’re in a pickle. Where heat is concerned, we’re tropical; where cold is concerned, we’re sub-tropical.
We all know that we have gone up in the USDA zone to 9a, but that measure only
It’s all down to the plant itself, I guess. Trial and error and experience are our only reliable guidelines. Old faithful, The Southern Living Gardening Book, is the only one I know of that divides the south into heat zones. But nothing prepares us for the heat waves we have been having or will have in the future.
While mulch really is the gardener’s best friend, it protects only the root system. The upper growth is still subject to sunlight and temperature. About the only thing you can do is to carefully transplant the plant into a cooler and shadier location.
Successful transplanting in less than optimum conditions is always iffy. You can
increase your chances for success by root pruning a couple of weeks before you transplant.
In-ground root pruning is accomplished by plunging a sharp spade in a circle around the plant. The bigger the root ball you can easily remove, the better chance for survival.
I asked several Master Gardeners what plants could withstand this heat as well as a few degrees of freeze in the winter, and their conclusions were unanimous. It’s all down to the plant and your own backyard.
Look in your garden for plants that survived last summer’s record-breaking heat and humidity and came back this year safe and sound. I was surprised at the number in my yard that did. The ones with larger leaves drooped and looked like they were dying the minute the temperature reached 90. Not a pretty sight. But the moment the sun went down, they perked right up.
By Sandra Educate
Realizing that a mere human has little defense against Mother Nature, I decided I had no business hanging around in the heat either, so I decided to go inside, have a cool drink, and forego looking out the window until the sun went down.
Problem solved. 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."
ITALY: Tuscany townhouse for rent by the week in historic UNESCO village. Sleeps 4, large furnished garden, easy walk to shops and excellent restaurants. www.cozyholidayrentals.com or 401-862-2377.
FURNISHED LUXURY APT In the heart of downtown Beaufort. 2BR, 2BA, W/D, Housewares. Please call 843-812-4229.
FREE HYPNOSIS/HYPNOTHERAPY INFOR -
MATION session and guided group meditation workshop. This free session will focus on stress reduction and relaxation. Open to the public, every 3rd Monday of the Month, at 7 pm Eastern via Zoom. Bring a friend, learn more and RSVP for Zoom Link at www.guidepathhypnosis.com or contact Chris at chris. guidepath@gmail.com
BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY ONGOING PROGRAMS & CLASSES Stitch Happens, Mondays @ 1:30, Bluffton; Basic Computer Skills Class 1st & 3rd Fridays @ 11:30am, Lobeco; Dungeon & Dragons Teen Club Mondays @ 4; Teen Gaming Club 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 4
FRIDAY SOCIAL DANCES The Hilton Head Carolina Shag Club hosts Friday dances from 6-9:30 pm at Dolphin Head Golf Club, 59 High Bluff Rd, Hilton Head Plantation. Open to the public. Shag, ballroom, swing, country, or line. Singles welcome. Cash bar and light dinners available. $5 floor fee. HHICSC also teaches beginner Shag lessons Tuesday nights. www. hiltonheadshagclub.com , or www.facebook. com/HHICSC
ART LEAGUE OF HH CLASSES & WORK-
SHOPS With over 25 local professional art educators, and guests from around the world, Art League of Hilton Head offers classes and workshops in all media for all levels of students. Visit www.artleaguehhi.org or email academy@artleaguehhi.org for more info.
POTTERY CLASSES IN BEAUFORT McSweeney Clay Studio offers morning, afternoon and evening classes for children and adults. Pottery dates and parties available as well. Classes are on going. Beginner or advanced welcome. mcsweeneyclaystudio.com or call 843-694-2049.
LOWCOUNTRY SHAGGERS Mondays - Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd. 6-9pm. Shag Lessons with Tommy & Sheri O'Brien and others. Occasional Ballroom and once a month Line Dance. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www. lowcountryshaggers.com or lowcountryshaggers@aol.com
WEDNESDAYS, BEAUFORT SHAG CLUB meets evenings at AMVETS, 1831 Ribaut Rd., Port Royal from 7-9pm, and the 2nd Sat. of the month 7-10pm. Free lessons to members Sep. to June. Visit The Beaufort Shag Club on Facebook.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the military lounge at the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport. It is operated by a cadre of volunteers. Formerly the USO Lounge it has been renamed “Savannah Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and their families. The facility requires volunteers to keep the lounge open from 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. There are three shifts each day, with two volunteers on duty for each shift. Interested in volunteering? More info and application forms are available at the www.savannahsalutes.org,or call John Findeis at (912) 507-4848. The airport will provide free parking.
VETERANS FIRST THRIFT STORE is in need of volunteers. Summer hours are Thursday thru Saturday10am-4pm. Volunteer hours are very flexible! Stop in the store at 612 Robert Smalls Parkway to fill out a volunteer application or call the store at 843-2634218. Please consider helping this very worthwhile organization!!
SECOND HELPINGS seeks volunteers to crew trucks in Bluffton and Beaufort to distribute food to local charities. Offering a flexible schedule at your convenience. Email officeadmin@ secondhelpingslc.org
BEMER CIRCULATION THERAPY 10-11a Fridays via Zoom. Already own a BEMER? Never heard of it but curious? Join to ask any questions about this leading-edge German technology that enhances blood flow 30% in 8 minutes. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Brought to you by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
CARIS HEALTHCARE: WE HONOR VETERANS Hospice Program. You a Vet with a little time to share with other Vets with limited time? The We Honor Veterans program seeks volunteers who are Vets to offer a listening ear for our Veteran patients. Volunteers also participate in our Pinning Ceremonies for Veteran patients. Contact 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.
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, 843310-0594 or catetaylor@frontier.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for HELP of Beaufort, 530 Charles St. Looking for committed volunteers for clothes sorting, pantry help, front desk help and Mobile Meals drivers. We are open M-F from 9:30-12:30, Mobile Meals delivers to home bound seniors 5 days/
week, routes takes about 30-45 mins. Email Lori at helpbeaufort@gmail.com, or call 843-524-1223, or stop in and fill out an application.
PORT ROYAL MUSEUM is open Thursday through Sunday at 1634 Paris Ave., from 10 - 3 or upon request. Free admission! Call 843-524-4333 or email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com to request a special opening.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP - First Thursday of the month at Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Center, from 1:30-2:45pm, 900 Ribaut Rd. Beaufort. We are individuals with Parkinson’s care partners of those with Parkinson’s, and individuals or companies providing products or services for Parkinson’s patients. For more info: Rick Ostrander at pdawaresc@gmail. com or Facebook at Parkinson’s Support Group Of Beaufort SC Port Royal & Lady’s Island.
TOUR HISTORIC FORT FREMONT—Travel to the 1800's and the Spanish American War. The Fort Fremont History Center is open from 10am to 2pm Fridays, Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm at Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land's End Road, St. Helena Island. Visitors to Fort Fremont can learn about the fort's history by reading interpretive panels, taking a self-guided tour with a smart phone, visiting the history center exhibit hall, or attending a docent-led tour of the property. The Preserve grounds are open to the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. For more Information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact the Passive Parks Department Director, Stefanie Nagid, at snagid@bcgov.net
US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, Flotilla 07-10-01, Port Royal Sound, a uniformed, all volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. We conduct safety patrols, assist search & rescue, teach boat safety, conduct free vessel safety checks and other boating activities. Monthly meetings are open to all and held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom at 7pm. For info call Flotilla Commander Pattie McGowan (706-633-6192) and visit us on Facebook - USCGA Beaufort.
BEAUFORT TOASTMASTERS CLUB meets from 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm the first & third Tuesday, in the Beaufort College Building, Rm. 103 (USC-Beaufort Campus), 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. To learn more visit beauforttoastmastersclub.toastmastersclubs.org
FREE ACUPUNCTURE FOR VETERANS – Veterans, Active Duty, Transition. Their Families and First Responders are Eligible. First & Third Wednesday 46pm. Walk In Clinic. No Need to Pre-Register or Call. Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs Clinic. 1214 Prince Street, Downtown Beaufort
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for a few hours each week at St. Francis Thrift Shop. Open Tuesday thru Saturday. Call 843-689-6563 or come in to speak with Miss Ann. Definitely shop.
CRESCENT HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP: Last Wed. and Thurs. of the month. Weds. 10-11am at Sun City; Thurs. 12-1pm Brookdale Hilton Head Ct., Hilton Head; for those who provide physical, emotional or practical support to a family member or friend. Jodi Johnson,
LMSW. Bereavement Group: 5-6 pm., Fridays, 10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton; for those who have experienced a loss and would like support and info associated with grief and bereavement. Corrie VanDyke, LMSW or Marie James, MA. 843-757-9388
INTERESTED IN HEALTHY EATING? Second Helpings, of Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, seeks committee members and chairperson for Healthy Food Program. Funding available to procure fresh produce and protein for the 60 food pantries and soup kitchens served by Second Helpings. Contact Exec. Dir. Lili Coleman, 843-689-3616 or execdirector@secondhelpingslc.org
BORN TO READ working for early childhood literacy, needs volunteers to deliver books and materials to new mothers at Coastal Community Hosp., HH Hosp., and BMH. Visits are from 10am – noon. More info at borntoread.org or call 843-379-3350.
ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER BEAUFORT, Support Groups: Caregiver - Weds., 12:30pm, Living with Alzheimer's - for those in very early stages - Mondays 1pm, Respite Programs: Social Day Program- 10am-1:45pm $40 Day Fee, Weds. & Friday. All meetings are at Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; In Home - Respite Aides available for 2 hr. minimum, $13-$26. Early Memory Loss: Maintain Your Brain - 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10-11:30am, $10/person, $15 couple, Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-521-9190 or make an appointment, 1500 King St., Beaufort, free; Purple Haven Project - Educate local establishment staff to better interact with a person with Alzheimer's call 843-521-9190.
THE LITERACY CENTER is seeking volunteers to tutor adults in reading, writing, math and ESL. Students hope to acquire skills to pursue life goals, support families, and contribute to our community. Daytime and evenings in Bluffton and HHI. Call 843-815-6616 (Bluffton); 843-681-6655 (HHI). No teaching, tutoring or other language knowledge necessary. www.theliteracycenter.org
THE SANDALWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY. Volunteer-based, non-profit provides groceries, clothing and basic needs items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am-12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or email sandalwoodpantry@gmail.com
PARRIS ISLAND MUSEUM. The legacy of the Marine Corps and the history of the Port Royal region. Thousands of artifacts, images, and other materials illustrate the stories in exhibit galleries from Native American to modern Marines. FREE admission. Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm and 8am on Family Graduation Days. Closed all Federal Holidays. Info at parrisislandmuseum.org or 843-228-2166.
CHRIST CENTERED RECOVERY MEETINGS At Praise Assembly Church Fridays for “Celebrate Recovery”, addressing life’s problems by looking to scripture. Meal at 6pm; Praise, Worship; Big Meeting. 6:30pm; Small Groups at 7pm. 800 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Info at 205-475-3600 or 303-521-1891.
In a week of hard things, one moment stands out: A small, squeaky ladybug toy falls from a box of dog paraphernalia I’m unloading at Goodwill.
The toy, slightly stiffened with saliva, looks almost new. That’s because Willie Mays, my parents’ little dog, cared more for people than toys.
Willie Mays was the runt of a Maltipoo litter, a handful of silky black poodle fur with wide Maltese eyes. My dad, who played baseball for the U.S. Naval Academy, named him after his hero and true baseball royalty.
I bought Willie from a sketchy operation in rural Alabama where the breeder casually mentioned that every trailer on the lot had a guy with a gun pointing at me. Which I wisely chose to wholeheartedly believe as I counted out the cash and took possession of the puppy on behalf of my parents.
At the time, it seemed ridiculous to assist my aging parents in the getting of a puppy to raise in their new retirement community. Lots of people offered catastrophic predictions and frankly, I was apprehensive. But my mother was hellbent and the heart wants what the heart wants.
As it turns out, from the moment they met him, Willie transformed my parents’ world, blossoming into the best boy and quickly becoming their favorite child.
He ruled the roost. When he decided it was bedtime, it was as if Mary Poppins walked in clapping her hands, saying, “Chop-chop, time to wrap it up.” They dutifully followed him to the bedroom, even if they were in the middle of a show. His routines trumped theirs and he slept between them, an intact pack where he was clearly the alpha.
One of his endearing traits was to treat everyone as if they were the most important person in the room. Something rarely found in the human species, in my opinion.
When he focused on you, you were exalted, adored and your every emotion became a source of concern. Sad? He danced for you. Happy? He fetched a sock or pair of undies from your suitcase. Worried? He leaned his few pounds against your chest and reassured you.
He didn’t care too much for other dogs and was known to make large, impressive canines whimper with fear when he’d stomp his tiny foot, flash his dark eyes and let them know the king had arrived.
Carrying him in an oversized black purse, my mother took him to Mass, restaurants,
doctor’s offices and all the places clearly marked off-limits to dogs. But to follow that rule, one would have to know he was a dog and neither Willie nor my parents believed he was anything other than a prince among princes.
When they made the hard decision to leave their independent-living home and move into a skilled and assisted living facility, Willie assumed the position of most adorable mascot. He strutted his stuff, allowing residents in wheelchairs to hold him, pet him and tell him what a good boy he was. He was born for adoration and took his new role as royalty very seriously. No resident was too feeble or too rambunctious in their affections to bother him. He reminded them of all the pets they had loved and lost, and I watched him listen intently while they told him stories of those that came before him.
When Willie started his sad decline, I thought I’d have time to make it down to
By Carolyn Mason
Jacksonville before he took his last breath. Alas, he only had hours left and my mom stared into trusting eyes while the vet eased his way from this life to the next.
I try to avoid platitudes like telling them it will get easier with time. While it’s true the pain eases, great grief is the price of great love. Still, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now, perched on a corner of my desk is the rescued ladybug toy. I make her squeak every time I start and finish a story.
Oh Willie, you were the best boy, leader of the pack, prince among princes, and you are so very missed.
Carolyn Mason is a freelance writer who writes about everything from long haul trucking to how to retire gracefully. She and her husband Jeff live on Lady’s Island and have embraced the delights of the Lowcountry lifestyle.
Alisha Doud alisha@dcgilbert.com
Daun Schouten daun@dcgilbert.com
Laure Gallagher laure@dcgilbert.com
Ashley Hart ashley@dcgilbert.com
Joy McConnell joy@dcgilbert.com
Johanna Graham johanna@dcgilbert.com
Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
derek@dcgilbert.com
Wicker melissa@dcgilbert.com Sam
samuel@dcgilbert.com Tues - Sun: 11am-9pm
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island. (843) 838-9300. Foolish Frog on Facebook
Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) 521-1888 or Luther's on Facebook
Q on Bay, 822 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 524-7771 or www.qonbay.com
Rosie O’Gradys Irish Pub, in Beaufort Town Center. Irish American Sports Pub & Eatery. C'mon down! Rock & Roll Lunch. Weekly Food Specials! Mondays - F&B People Discount. 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
Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www.bigbamboocafe.com
Captain Woody’s, 6 Target Rd., Hilton Head. Mondays-Chris Jones; Thursdays-Brian Bazemore; Fridays-Jay Morelock; SaturdaysTradd Makar. – OR – 17 State of Mind St., Bluffton. Tuesdays - Chris Jones; Wednesdays - Trivia. 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. 7/31 Quiana Parler with the Lavon Stevens Quartet, 8/2 & 8/3 Benny Benack III, 8/7 Bobby Ryder, 8/9 & 8/10 Justin Varnes' Jazz Legacy Project - The Live & Music of Cannonball Adderly, 8/14 Quiana Parler with the Lavon Stevens Quartet, 8/16 & 8/17 Laiken Love & Fellowship of Love. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
Omni Hilton Head Ocean Front in Palmetto Dunes. Buoy Bar - HH Prime - (843) 842-8000 or www.omnihotels.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 8/2 Taylor's Version - A Swiftie Dance Party, 7/3 Lily's Burlesque - a Femme Fatale Cirque Cabaret, 8/7 Thursday; Nate Bergman, 8/9 Levels House Party, 8/10 Belmont; Lil Lotus; Hourhouse, 8/14 Riot Stares; Art Star; Show Me Mary; Skywatching, 8/15 Ferxxo Night, 8/16 Club XCX, 8/17 The Warped Band. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 7/31 Tomorrow: Beyond the Beatles - Beatles tribute, 8/1 Cosmic Charlie - Dead tribute, 8/2 Kanika Moore & the Brown Eyed Bois; Patrick Marzette; Gavin Smith, 8/3 The Reckoning with Charlie Thompson on pedal steel - play Workingman's Dead, 8/7 Frute, 8/9 Sam Holt Band - Remembering Mikey, 8/10 Extra Chill Fest 2024, 8/16 Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band; Illa Zilla, 8/17 Thurston Howell - A Premier Yacht Rock Spectacular. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 8/2 & 8/3 Muscadine Bloodline; Tyler Halverson, 8/4 Brett Dennen & Langhorne Slim, 8/8 & 8/9 St. Paul & the Broken Bones; Harper O'Neill, 8/10 Easy Honey; Brave Baby, 8/11 The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, 8/16 Everclear, 8/17 & 8/18 Sister Hazel, 8/18 Easton Corbin. (843) 886-8596 or www.the-windjammer.com
Editors Note:
Events listed here may be subject to postponement or cancellation. Please check for further information.
9/14, 9/15, 9/20 - 9/22, Oklahoma! Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic American musical presented by the Beaufort Theatre Company at USCB Center for the Arts. 9/14, 9/20 & 9/21 at 7:30pm and 9/15 & 9/22 at 3pm. Tickets available at www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Now – 8/23, Painting the Stories, the Gullah Geechee art of Samantha Claar at Art League Gallery. Inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head. 843-681-5060.
Now – 9/20, A Gathering of Artists, a new show by the Artists of Sea Pines. Sea Pines Center, 71 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head.
Now – 10/6, ‘Imagine’ Art Quilt Exhibit at the Coastal Discovery Museum at historic Honey Horn on Hilton Head. www.coastaldiscovery.org
Now – 1/14/25, ‘Timeless Treasures,’ student artwork created at Camp Conroy at Beaufort Art Association Gallery. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Now – 2/22/25, Language of Clay: Catawba Indian Pottery and Oral Tradition at Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, US 17, Ridgeland. www.morrisheritagecenter. org
8/5 – 8/31, The Beauty of Wood: Creations by Nicholas Di Mona at the Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) gallery. Opening reception Tues 8/6, 5-7pm. www.sobagallery.com
Thur 9/10 - 9/12, Got Art? Fundraiser for Art League of Hilton Head. 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Free public preview 9/10 – 9/12. To purchase a $100 ticket, visit https://shop. artleaguehhi.org/shop/c/p/Got-Art-2024Ticket-x83625090.htmor call (843) 6815060. Inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, 843.681.5060, www.artleaguehhi.org
Thur 8/8, Virtual Open Mic Night sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center, 6 to 7:30 pm. Featuring poet Jessica Goody, author of Phoenix: Transformation Poems. Also short readings of 3 to 5 minutes each by other writers in many genres. Writers interested in reading from their work on Zoom should register in advance by emailing contact@patconroyliterarycenter.org. Those interested in watching can do so via the the Conroy Center’s Facebook page, beginning shortly after 6 pm.
Wed 8/14, Expose & Compose, an online
workshop led by award-winning author Amber Wheeler Bacon, using photographs as creative writing prompts. From 6 -8pm. This virtual workshop will be held via Zoom, limited to 15 participants, $45/ person. Please register in advance at https:// patconroyliterarycenter.eventbrite.com
Saturdays 9/14 & 9/21, 8th Annual Beaufort County Walk For Water to raise money to fight the global water crisis. 9/ 14 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and 9/21 at Wright Family Park in Bluffton. An estimated 1,000 walkers are expected to participate, helping raise a record $100,000 to fight the global water crisis. Registration is now open at www.walkforwater.com/beaufort For sponsorship info, call 843-906-8118.
Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.
First Saturday of the Month, Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud at Port Royal Farmers Market. DAYLO students and other volunteers will read to young children between 9am and noon. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal.
Third Thursday, TECHconnect is a monthly networking event for professionals working in and around technology. Come and join on the for the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:30-7:30pm. 843-4703506. www.beaufortdigital.com
Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by the Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/ Child. 843-686-6560.
Monthly Wine Tastings for members of the Monthly Wine Club at Windhorse Gallery and Marketplace at The Shed in Port Royal. Along with 3 monthly wine selections, members have access to these gatherings on every 3rd Thursday, from 5-7pm. Featuring guest vintners, winemakers and growers to discuss the region and origins of each selection. $75/month. For more info visit https://windhorsegalleryandmarketplace. com/curations
Ongoing, Beaufort Tree Walk by the Lady’s Island Garden Club through the historic Old Point enjoying some unique and noteworthy trees. Takes about an hour and is a little over a mile, 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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