December 4 – December 17, 2024
Special Pull-Out
Holiday Gift Guide
A Wicked Black Friday 4
Movie musings
Still Blooming 5
Sheila Grabarsky exhibit
Harold's Country Club 7
No monkey business
Belles & Bows 15
Pam Tillis at USCB
Deck the Halls 19
On holiday greenery
'The Good Bride' 6
Jen Marie Wiggins
The painting on our cover is 'Flowery Language' by Sheila Grabarsky, from her exhibit Still Blooming, opening December 12 at Social Betty in downtown Beaufort. See our story on page 5.
ryWeekly
o w c o unt
LDecember 4 – December 17, 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: Jere Russo — 401-787-3280 or JereRusso@Gmail.com
Art Director: Lydia Inglett
Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks
Contributing Writers: Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Sandra Educate, Wendy Hilty, 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.
Black Friday, late-morning. My daughter’s busy packing so she can high-tail it out of here for the Carolina-Clemson game –a bit of scheduling that irks me every year, but what are ya gonna do? – and my husband’s making French toast while The Godfather drones in the background.
Is it just my imagination, or do they show The Godfather every Black Friday now? And maybe every Good Friday, too? In any case, it seems to have become an inexplicable part of our holiday background noise, right up there with The Sound of Music. My husband’s devotion to The Godfather is nothing short of religious, so maybe it makes a certain kind of sense.
We’ve entered that blurry, dream-like period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s when there’s too much to do, and not enough time to do it, and it all seems to overlap and interweave like some marvelous tapestry of wonder and anxiety.
Cold weather has finally arrived, albeit a day late. (I don’t hold with a warm Thanksgiving. It’s against my principles!) Our house is trans-seasonal, with pumpkins on the porch and a Christmas wreath on the door. My daughter says I must remedy that situation post haste, but I’m in no hurry. This year’s pumpkins actually persevered instead of rotting, and one hates to throw out a good gourd.
Black Friday is no time to be on deadline. Everybody else seems to have the long weekend off, and I really just want to sit here in my pajamas, scrolling Facebook and reading movie reviews.
Speaking of which, I just read a fascinating piece at The New York Times about WICKED, the new movie adaptation of the smash Broadway musical that bills itself “the untold story of the Witches of Oz.” Having seen the film twice already – and wondering when I can get back over to Bluffton for a third viewing –you might say I’m their target reader.
Incidentally, when I call the Times piece “fascinating,” what I really mean is . . . kind of horrifying. It’s the transcript of a conversation between four NYT political columnists, and after reading it, I decided – not for the first time – that political commentary has no business posing as art criticism.
Columnist Lydia Polgreen starts by saying, “I came to ‘Wicked’ completely cold. ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was not part of my childhood, nor was musical theater.”
Um, WHAT? Right off the bat, I don’t trust this person.
She later remarks, “To me this movie just seemed so . . . queer? I guess that says more about me than anyone else, but there is something about the hothouse of same-sex environments (like Glinda’s super-girly dorm room) that will always read as charged with queerness.”
Okay. But I do think that says more about her than anyone else.
To columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom, the movie is more a commentary on feminism than queerness. Of the two female leads, Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) she writes, “Erivo’s power comes from her rage, which she spends a lot of time struggling to control. Glinda’s power comes only from soft power — by manipulating how others see her. But I like female rage. I don’t want it tempered with social graces. I want Elphaba to burn down whatever she wants, including Glinda if she gets in her way. Women deserve rage. We have a lot to be angry about.”
Indeed. In fact, I got a little angry reading that take.
For columnist Patrick Healy, the movie is all about race – with Elphaba’s greenness standing in for Blackness – and according to Maureen Dowd, it’s about fascism. The only question is: whose?
“Some people on TikTok are comparing Elphaba to Donald Trump, saying the green-faced girl is the orange-faced man because she too is a victim of the Deep State,” writes Dowd, continuing, “Most people, of course, will see shades of Trump in the Wizard, a con man with authoritarian tendencies who is set upon uniting people against a common enemy.”
It was an exhaustive – and exhausting –read.
Margaret Evans
on a movie or TV series? They only have one approach: creating meaning through a fixed political lens. Gosh it’s so BORING!”
I replied, “It IS boring, and I say that as one of them!”
On second thought, though, I realize that what bored my friend about the piece is actually what fascinated – and kind of horrified – me. I marvel at how each NY Times columnist brought a different “fixed lens” to this fairy tale, and how none of their interpretations were wrong, per se. And these columnists all hail from the same side of political aisle, too. Can you imagine the conversation had they thrown in a couple of conservatives?
When you think about it, a work of art is never really just . . . itself. It’s always some amalgam of what the artist has created and what the viewer has perceived. And there are so many different prisms through which to do that perceiving. More every day, it seems. And this is true not only of art, but of . . . everything. Reality itself. Is it any wonder our culture is so fractured and confused?
A minute ago, I noticed another friend had commented on my Facebook page following the NY Times article. Still in my pj’s, lazing around in delicious Black Friday-ness, I am happy to let her finish this column for me:
After these columnists stole most of my WICKED joy, I decided to squeeze out every last drop by reading the comments that followed the article. Most of the NYT readers hated the movie or fancied themselves above seeing it at all. Perusing their negativity was a demoralizing experience, until THIS comment appeared:
“As an about-to-retire academic, this discussion reminds me of everything I am looking forward to leaving behind.”
This made me laugh and tear up a little.
Still avoiding the task at hand – the writing of this column – I shared the NY Times piece on my Facebook page and hardly anybody read it. Most people aren’t masochists, after all.
But one person – a filmmaker who’s become a dear friend through the Beaufort International Film Festival – commented: “Isn’t this what happens when you invite political writers, columnists, ‘talking heads’ to comment
“I never made it to a performance of Wicked; don’t really know anything about it. After reading these four talking heads as they dissected the movie and used their personal political beliefs to interpret the appearance and actions of the characters, I almost decided to skip the whole movie.
“Then I read audience reviews by real people who are not ‘intellectual’ enough to write opinions for the NYT. They described a whole other movie bursting with sadness, joy, friendship and learning to march to your own drum; life lessons of love and loyalty all told with great music and dancing and incredible visuals. If I go, that’s the movie I want to see.”
I have no doubt that’s the movie she will see. She’s bringing the right lens to the theater.
Elevate Art, a new art consulting and brokerage business serving the Lowcountry, is proud to announce its first pop-up exhibit, Still Blooming, featuring the works of acclaimed artist Sheila Grabarsky. The opening event will take place on December 12th from 4 – 7pm at Social Betty, located at 204 Carteret Street, Beaufort. The event is free and open to the public.
Still Blooming showcases the bold, vibrant color compositions that have defined Sheila Grabarsky’s artistic career. As a classically trained colorist, Grabarsky’s work explores the limitless potential of color, and visitors will have the opportunity to experience her bold abstract paintings, each one reflecting her lifelong fascination with the creation of new colors and the introspective process of artistic expression.
Grabarsky, whose work has been featured in many venues across the U.S. and collected by both private and public institutions, brings a unique perspective to the art world. She has received numerous accolades, including the Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition from Who’s Who in American Art Her paintings have also appeared in the Williams Sonoma catalog and in the Hollywood film American Pastoral
“We’re thrilled to partner with Social Betty to bring Sheila’s work to the Beaufort community,” said Stella Scott, owner of Elevate Art. “As an art consultant business, we aim to foster creativity in both public and private spaces. Our pop-up exhibits like Still Blooming introduce dynamic, contemporary artists to new audiences, and we’re excited to launch our first event with such an accomplished artist.”
The opening reception will be an opportunity to meet Sheila Grabarsky, explore her
work, and connect with fellow art lovers in the heart of historic downtown Beaufort. Elevate Art’s pop-up exhibits are designed to create an immersive, in-person art experience, helping to bridge the gap between art collectors, designers, and the general public. Grabarsky’s exhibit will be open for a limited time, so don’t miss the chance to experience her stunning work firsthand.
In addition to showcasing Grabarsky’s work, Elevate Art offers a wide range of curated art collections, personalized consulting services, and future pop-up exhibitions. Whether you’re an individual collector, a business, or a designer, Elevate Art is dedicated to helping clients transform their spaces through the power of art.
For more information about Elevate Art, upcoming events, or to inquire about art consulting services, please visit Elevate Art ArtCloud or contact Stella Scott at letselevateart@gmail.com
Founded in 2021 at Beaufort High School, DAYLO, or Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, is a student-led book club and community literacy service group with chapters across South Carolina. DAYLO has been recognized with awards from the American Association of School Librarians, the South Carolina Library Association, and the South Carolina Education Association, as well as being featured in national media.
As an ongoing community service project, the five Beaufort-based DAYLO chapters host free read-aloud events—called the Teddy Bear Picnics—for young children and their families at the Port Royal Farmers Market on the first Saturday of each month, in collaboration with the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center.
In partnership with the National Park Service’s Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, the Saturday, December 7, edition of the Teddy Bear Picnic read-aloud will feature a very special guest reading at 10:00 a.m., with an encore at 11:00 a.m., as the Read with a Ranger program returns once more for the holidays.
NPS Park Ranger Katherine Freeman will be reading from the children’s picture book Okra Stew: A Gullah Geechee Family Celebration, by Natalie Daise. The book invites young readers to learn about Gullah family traditions and foodways. Inspired by Okra Stew, there will also be an art project for attendees to reflect on their own family traditions, just in time for the December holidays.
“A loving family, a verdant garden, and Gullah Geechee traditions are key ingredients to this delightful stew of a story,” praised Kirkus Reviews is a starred review of Okra Stew.
DAYLO student volunteers will be assisting with Read with a Ranger, and also reading other children’s picture books throughout the morning of December 7, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, at the Farmers Market by the gazebo in Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribault Road, Port Royal. To learn more about DAYLO, please visit www.instagram.com/beaufort_daylo. To learn more about the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/ reer. To learn more about the weekly Port Royal Farmers Market, visit www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an evening with novelist Jen Marie Wiggins, author of The Good Bride, on Thursday, December 19, at 5:00 p.m., at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call in advance to reserve: 843-379-7025.
About the Book and Author: “This slow-burn, family drama, thriller told through multiple POV’s layers tension, drama and buried secrets perfectly.”
— The Best Thriller Books
The Wedding of the Year turns disastrous in this twisty family drama full of lies and betrayals, perfect for fans of Laura Dave, Lucy Foley, and Ruth Ware. One year after a devastating hurricane, bride-to-be Ruth Bancroft is marrying her perfect groom in a quaint fishing village on the Gulf Coast. The weekend is carefully curated, with the displays of pomp and social media magic meant to promote an area still struggling to rebuild as well as bring Ruth’s estranged family back together.
Yet as good intentions often go, this road to wed is hell and paved in complications. With tensions rising between the family and the bridal party, long-buried secrets come to light, and accusations start flying. Things officially spiral out of control when the oceanfront rehearsal dinner is rocked by a series of gunshots, and a high-profile guest goes missing. As the investigation gets underway, it turns out that everyone has
something to hide. Big Little Lies meets The Guest List in this gripping page turner that asks the big questions about messy family liaisons, modern media, and the lies we tell the world.
Jen Marie Wiggins's first book, the gifty nonfiction title Married AF: A Funny Guide for the Newlywed or Bride, was published with Sourcebooks in 2022. She has a background in advertising and public relations, and her writing has appeared in Southern Coastal Weddings, Savannah Magazine, Savannah Homes, and elsewhere. The Good Bride draws much of its inspiration from the devastation and rebuilding struggles of Mexico Beach, Florida, a place near and dear to Jen's heart.
To learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center, please visit www.patconroy literarycenter.org
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an evening with debut novelist Andrew K. Clark, author of Where Dark Things Grow , in conversation with retired FBI Special Agent Dana Ridenour, author of the Lexie Montgomery Series, on Friday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m., at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Books will be available for sale and signing. Seating is limited: please reserve in advance to attend this free author event: 843-379-7025.
About the Book and the Author: “As haunting as all fireside stories should be. Where Dark Things Grow will make you sleep with the lights on.” — Jason Mott, National Book Award-winning author of Hell of a Book
Fifteen-year-old Leo is watching the world crumble. His father is missing, and his mother is slipping into madness as she cares for Leo, his sick sister Goldfish, and two useless brothers. Relatives are no help, and the church folk have turned their backs in the middle of the Great Depression.
When he discovers an enchanted wulver from ancient folklore that will do his bidding, he decides to settle old scores. Revenge is sweet, but Leo soon learns he can’t control
what he’s unleashed. It takes his spitfire best friend Lilyfax to help Leo overcome his anger and try to escape the wulver’s evil. As they search for his father, Leo, Lilyfax, and friends are pursued by dark forces and pulled into a rescue effort to find and save trafficked girls rumored to have been taken by the mysterious Blue Man.
Featuring elements of horror, folklore, and magical realism, Where Dark Things Grow is a dark bildungsroman set squarely in the place and culture of the 1930s Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Andrew K. Clark is a writer from Alexander, North Carolina, outside of Asheville where he now resides. His first full-length collection of poetry, Jesus in the Trailer, was short-listed for the Able Muse Book Award. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in UCLA’s Out of Anonymity, Coffin Bell Journal, The Journal of American Poetry, Appalachian Review, Rappahannock Review, fall/lines, The Wrath Bearing Tree and many others. Clark earned his B.A. in English, M.B.A. from Georgia Southern, and M.F.A. from Converse College.
Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
With all the monkey business happening lately in Yemassee (sorry, we couldn’t resist), we thought it was the perfect time to write a love letter to Harold’s Country Club, where history, atmosphere, friendly people from all walks of life, and great food provide a legendary Lowcountry dining destination.
dealership and purchased by Harold Peeples in 1973, it become an old-fashioned garage and gas station.
Situated just off U.S. Highway 17 South on the outskirts of Yemassee, Harold’s Country Club is the type of place you could only find in the Lowcountry. Originally a Chevy dealership and then a garage and gas station run by Harold Peeples, this kitschy restaurant now serves up some of the best Lowcountry vibe, hospitality, and food of anywhere we know.
In the 1970s, friends and neighbors began gathering for covered dish suppers. Eventually the group started cooking and eating in the garage to avoid unfavorable weather and insects. As the potluck gained popularity and others wanted to join the group, Harold initially started doing all the cooking, charging a small amount to cover expenses. Later additions were Friday wings and Saturday steaks. Although his wife, Mary, handled most of the cooking, Harold was happy to take the credit.
Often, the cars had to be moved out of the garage to set up tables and chairs. The former garage now has a “stage” seating area because Harold opted to build over the “grease rack” (car lift) instead of removing it. Because the garage gradually became a bar and restaurant, the radiator hoses and fan belts still hung from the walls.
According to Joyce Bunton, Harold’s daughter and Harold’s Country Club co-owner with her brother, Red, today’s Harold’s has quite a unique history. She recently shared some of it with us:
Harold’s Country Club has always been a gathering place for the community. Built in the 1930s as the aforementioned Chevy
no longer available to the local softball team, a group, led by Harold, formed Yemassee Athletic Association, bought land and built a ball field across the road from his business.
The ballfield was later donated to the Town of Yemassee. On June 4, 2011, it was named “The Harold Peeples’ Athletic Park” in his honor.
Cele & Lynn Seldon
However, a major fire on May 9, 1999, changed that. The entire bar area was destroyed. Although under-insured, Harold was determined to rebuild. Friends and family helped rebuild, as well as contributing various items to help restore the unique décor.
A room for extra seating and private parties had just been completed at the back of the garage. This became the bar, and Harold’s was up and running within a week. It was two weeks before meals could be prepared. After missing the first Thursday potluck, Harold was contacted by several customers who asked that they be allowed to bring covered dishes so everyone could share a meal.
Harold was a lifetime avid player, coach, umpire, and supporter of baseball and softball. When the local school ball field was
At that time, the business was called Peeples Texaco Service Station. After the games, the announcer, Charles Jackson, started saying,
“Now, let’s all go over to Harold’s Country Club for a cool one.” Soon people started calling the business Harold’s Country Club. Harold passed away in 2003 at the age of 78, and Mary passed away in 2022 at the age of 95. Harold’s Country Club continues to be a family- run business. Their children, Harold Peeples, Jr. (Red) and Joyce Bunton are now the owners and are very involved with the business, as well as grandson, Bobby Bunton, who says that his Pappy taught him how to cook steaks.
Their nephew, Ronald Murdaugh, has been with Harold’s since it opened and has been responsible for the great food all these years. Estelle Parker, a long-time employee, is the general manager. Mary’s sister, Loraine Ferguson and her daughter, Fran Zimmerman also help with the business. Other family members pitch in when needed. (Continues next page.)
The traditional Thursday “Potluck” nights have a different feature entrée each week (check their great website for the schedule). The possibilities include: fried pork chops (highly recommended!); fried chicken and fried livers and gizzards; shrimp gravy and baked chicken; barbeque pork and hash; chicken and dumplings; fried fish; red rice and sausage; baked ham; plus other possibilities throughout the year.
The bountiful food is served up buffet-style, including typical sides (depending on the featured entrée), like: macaroni and cheese; rice and gravy; hash (a family recipe); chicken and rice perlo; okra and tomatoes; pickled beets; potato salad; corn on the cob; green beans; other varied vegetables (think collards, butter beans, and much more); coleslaw, and more, along with biscuits, sweet tea, and varied desserts. They even serve deep-fried turkey with rice, gravy, cornbread dressing, peas, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce the week before Thanksgiving every year. You can also order a fried turkey to be picked up Thanksgiving morning. We plan to take advantage of both offerings next year.
In the late-1980s, Harold and Mary decided to expand to Friday and Saturday nights as well. They added Friday’s famed “Wings and Things” night, where they serve up seven different wing flavors, fried chicken strips, fried shrimp and fish, burgers, steak sliders, and more. Typical Friday night sides include French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, cheese ‘stix,’ fried pickles, and fried mushrooms.
Saturday night’s “Steaks” night features two seatings at 6:30pm and 8:00pm. Reservations are a must and you simply call
and order your steak temperature— rare, medium rare, well, or whatever your preference may be. When you arrive, a buffet of large charcoal-grilled boneless ribeyes is waiting, along with baked potatoes, sautéed onions, tossed salad, yeast rolls, and dessert.
Plus, you can stick around on either Friday and Saturday night once dinner has been cleared for karaoke, a DJ, a band, or other musical entertainment. You might even spot one of many celebrity guests, who have included movie producer Joel Silver, Martha Stewart, Mel Gibson, and Tom Berenger.
Harold’s also sports a bar serving up icecold beer in long-necks or cans and wine by the glass or bottle, as well as wine coolers and ales.
chops). We also recommend designated drivers returning to spots near and far — just watch out for those monkeys!
Harold’s veterans in-the-know also know they can bring their own bottle and say cheers to the five-buck corkage fee.
We highly recommend Harold’s Country Club as a great gathering spot for groups during the Holidays and throughout the year (we recently met varied friends for fried pork
97 US Hwy. 17-A (97 Lowcountry Highway Yemassee, SC 29945 • 843-589-4360
4pm Thursday, Friday & Saturday and open for private parties
Thursdays: 'Potluck' Buffet 5:30-8:30pm
Fridays: Wings and Things 5:00-9:00pm Saturdays: 6:30 or 8:00pm (call to reserve)
Beaufort-based travel journalists Lynn and Cele Seldon (www.seldonink.com) often cover culinary travel around the world and Lowcountry Weekly 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.
For the 13th year, First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort will present a free weekend-long Annual Nativity Celebration on December 6-8 – featuring more than 150 different nativity scenes from around the world.
“This year is so special as we have been offered two very large collections to display alongside many of people’s annual favorites,” said Donna Sheetz, First Presbyterian’s Volunteer Nativity Event Coordinator. “One is a very unique collection from 95-year-old Lady’s Island resident Ann Errington who has been collecting since she was a little girl.”
A second large collection on display will be that of church organist Lily Cooper.
Sheetz said First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort is preparing for more than 700 adults and children for this
community-wide Advent tradition. Like other pieces of art, many collectors have a story to share – some nativity collectors have grand stories of travel, gifts or inheritance, while others found their treasures in a local thrift store.
“Whether you want to bring your spouse, friends or grandchild – this weekend-long display is a great way to slow down, reflect, learn about other cultures, and begin the anticipating season of Christmas,” said Sheetz.
The Nativity Celebration will be located in historic downtown Beaufort in the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort’s Fellowship Hall located at 1201 North Street, Beaufort, SC 29902. This event is free to the public, has easy parking and is handicap accessible. The display will be open Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. All ages are welcome. To learn more about this event go to https://www.firstpresbeaufort.org
Now
Embrace the color and flavor of tradition this holiday season with new twists on red velvet desserts. These variations on the classic cake can take your celebrations to new heights by throwing it back to childhood with a little bite of the past.
Take a trip down memory lane with Red Velvet Bundt Cake, Red Velvet Cake Balls and Red Velvet Cookie Cutouts, all of which make it easy for the entire family to join together for some fun (and rich homemade flavor) in the kitchen.
1 red velvet cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter
Frosting:
1/2 stick softened butter
1 red velvet cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter
Frosting:
1 stick softened butter
1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
5 cups powdered sugar
white sanding sugar (optional)
In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
Grease bundt pan with butter and pour in batter. Bake according to package instructions for bundt cakes the add 10-15 minutes. Let cool before icing.
To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
Ice entire bundt cake or place frosting in piping bag and pipe with back and forth “drip” motion. Sprinkle sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.
4 ounces softened cream cheese
1/8 cup heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, plus more for rolling, divided
Heat oven to 350 F.
In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
Grease 9-by-13-inch pan and pour in batter. Bake 45 for minutes.
Remove from oven and use fork to crumble cake then place in large bowl.
To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar. Mix frosting into bowl with cake.
Form cake mixture into balls then roll in powdered sugar.
1 red velvet cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter
Frosting:
1 stick softened butter
1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
white sanding sugar (optional)
Heat oven to 350 F.
In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Pour half
the mixture onto each sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes. Let cookies cool then freeze 1 hour. Use cookie cutters to make desired shapes.
To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar. Using knife or piping bag, frost cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.
Are you planning a party? A church luncheon? Are you going to a soiree where you must take an appetizer? Are you staying at home with family and watching Christmas movies? Whatever’s happening, hungry people will certainly be involved. Earlier this week, I tested some new holiday recipes. These three are a few of my favorites. They’re easy, delicious, and absolutely destined to become annual requested repeats. Merry Christmas!
Lettuce
1 (8-oz.) block cheddar cheese, room temp 4-inch wooden skewers
Mix cream cheese with chicken in a small bowl. Using assorted star-shaped cookie cutters, cut out bread layers. Slice roma tomatoes, thinly. Season tomatoes with salt and pepper. To make the sandwiches, spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture on largest bread star. Top with a piece of lettuce, and repeat with two more layers of bread stars, cream chicken mixture and lettuce, using smaller stars as you work your way up. Add a slice of tomato and another bread star, spread with cream cheese and topped with a piece of lettuce. End with a the smallest bread star. Using a very small cookie cutter, cut out a piece of cheddar cheese to top the sandwich. Room temperature is easier to cut and skewer. Cold cheese tends to break easily. Gently run a skewer through the cheese stars and skewer the entire sandwich to make a Christmas tree. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Aren’t these sandwiches the cutest things you’ve ever seen?! Best part is, they’re totally easy to make and they’re also yummy. You’ll need assorted sizes of star shaped cookie cutters. You can buy them year-round at craft stores and online. One loaf of sandwich bread will fashion between 6 and 8 sandwiches, depending on the sizes of your cookie cutters and how many layers you choose to make.
1 (8-ounce) container refrigerated cream cheese and chive spread
1 (4.5-ounce) can chicken breast meat, drained well
Sandwich bread
Roma tomatoes
Salt and pepper
You could absolutely make this elegant shrimp dish in mini ramekins for passing at a cocktail party.
3 tablespoons salted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
9 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (31 to 35 per pound)
9 white mushrooms, stems removed 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Italian parsley, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a skillet. Add garlic and shrimp and cook over medium heat until shrimp just turn pink. Place one shrimp into each mushroom cap and place in a small baking dish. Spoon the garlic butter over the shrimp and mushrooms and sprinkle each with a pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered, in preheated oven, until mushrooms are tender
and cheese is golden and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter. Makes 9.
By Debbi Covington
4 cups rice Chex cereal
4 cups corn Chex cereal
2 cups pecan halves
½ cup butter
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place cereal and pecans in a large bowl. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. Pour hot mixture over cereal and pecans. Gently toss to coat evenly. Pour cereal mixture on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 90 to 120 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes, until mixture is dry and crispy. Store in airtight container. Makes 10 cups.
Baking time may vary, depending on the humidity in the air. Just keep stirring the cereal-pecan mixture every 20 minutes until it’s dry and crispy. I like to make Praline Crunch at night and then leave it in the oven after it’s done (with the heat turned off) until the next morning, to be sure that the cereal and pecans are completely dry.
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
Join us for a mesmerizing drive through the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park as it transforms into a winter wonderland! From December 7-9th, our beloved Holiday Nights & Lights event returns for the fifth year, bringing with it twinkling lights and fun holiday displays.
The display is open nightly from Saturday, December 7th through Monday, December 9th, 2024, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, 40 Harriet Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926. This event is for all ages, where children and adults alike can immerse themselves in a dazzling holiday light display.
“Holiday Nights & Lights is our way of inviting the community to come together in the spirit of the season. Each twinkling display in Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park tells a story of warmth, joy, and connection. We hope every guest feels the magic of the holidays while creating cherished memories with loved ones and joining our board and staff in honoring the heart and history of Mitchelville,” shared Ahmad Ward, Executive Director.
This year, our theme is “Connected Descendant Communities” to celebrate our local Gullah and Historic Communities and the Park’s new Ghosted Structures, which opened earlier this year. Through the light display, It’s become a special tradition to highlight local culture and non-profit partners. Be on the lookout for special recognition of The Gullah Museum, The Heritage Library, Penn Center, and NIBCAA.
Prepare for a magical evening at the Park—grab some hot cocoa, tune into your favorite Christmas music channel, and keep an eye out for surprises! To avoid long waits, we recommend lining up on Beach City Road beginning at 5:45 pm or at 7:30 pm. We ask for your patience with our volunteers and fellow participants. Admission is free, but donations are warmly accepted to support our mission. For more information about this event via our website at exploremitchell ville.org or call 843-255-7301.
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host a free public drop-in book signing for local children’s author Nancy E. Merrill, author of the holiday picture book Elf Dust. The signing will be held outside (weather permitting) on Saturday, December 7, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St.) in downtown Beaufort. No advance registration required. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Merrill will also be the featured author at the Conroy Center’s monthly Open Mic Night, to be held at the Conroy Center on Thursday, December 12, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Prior to Merrill’s closing reading, Open Mic will also feature short readings of 3 to 5 minutes each by other local writers in many genres. This event is also free and open to the public.
About the Book and Author: “A new addition to our Christmas library. Children will fall in love with the elves and Elf Dust . The illustrations bring you back to your childhood. Absolutely beautiful. This book will be your go-to picture book this holiday season.” – Heidi Lane, author and educator
Nancy E. Merrill is a mom of two children who were born in Hong Kong where she lived and worked for many years. Living there was an important element in the creation of Elf Dust. Highrise apartment life meant there were no chimneys and Santa wasn’t going to land on the roof. Something had to be found to ignite imagination and magic for her kids. Elf Dust did not disappoint. Today, Nancy lives in South Carolina after a consulting career around writing, communications, and creativity. She is delighted to offer Elf Dust to all who celebrate the magic of imagination.
To learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center, please visit www.patconroy literarycenter.org
The holiday season is about to get a dazzling dose of country charm as Grammy Award-winning artist Pam Tillis brings her Belles and Bows Christmas tour to the USCB Center for the Arts. This highly anticipated performance will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7:30 PM, offering an unforgettable evening of music and festive cheer.
Pam Tillis, known for her powerhouse vocals and heartfelt storytelling, is a bona fide country music legend. With numerous number-one hits, multiple gold and platinum records, and countless accolades—including a Grammy Award and multiple CMA Awards—she
has secured her place as one of country music’s most beloved artists. As the daughter of country music icon Mel Tillis, Pam has carried forward a rich musical legacy, blending traditional country sounds with her own unique artistry.
The Belles and Bows Christmas tour captures the magic of the holiday season, featuring a mix of Pam’s popular hits and classic Christmas songs, all performed with her signature warmth and style.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pam Tillis and her Belles and Bows Christmas tour to the USCB Center for the Arts,” said Bonnie Hargrove, Director of the Center for the Arts. “This performance will be a heartwarming celebration of country music and holiday spirit that’s perfect for the whole family.”
Limited tickets are available for this one-night-only event and are on sale now. They are expected to sell quickly. Don’t miss this chance to experience Pam Tillis live on stage and ring in the holidays with music that stirs the spirit of a country Christmas.
When: Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, 7:30pm
Where: USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort Tickets: Adults $40, Seniors/Military $35, Students $20. Tickets Online: uscbcenterforthearts.com
Inviting friends over to celebrate is one of the greatest pleasures of the holiday season! If you've been dreaming of hosting a neighborhood Christmas party, take a tip from Santa Covington this year – make a list and check it twice! List-making will help you put the multitude of holiday chores and activities into perspective. And these quick and easy recipes will keep your kitchen chores to a minimum. Invite your neighbors to a come-asyou-are Open House and plan a menu of easy-to-eat hors d'oeuvres. Stay low-key with the decorations, then dim the lights and add candles for sparkle. Ask your newest neighbor to pass the Tuna Melt Poppers, and recruit others to refill serving dishes and help with the clean-up. At the end of the evening, you'll have new friends and a great sense of satisfaction. Merry Christmas!
FESTIVE PIGS IN A BLANKET WITH SPICY HONEY-LIME KETCHUP
These are great to make ahead and reheat just
before serving. I actually like them better the second time around.
½ cup ketchup
1 teaspoon buffalo wing sauce
1 tablespoon honey
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
1 (13.8-ounce) roll refrigerated pizza crust
1 (14-ounce) package cocktail smokies, drained
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Fresh rosemary, optional
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and let sit for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and
spray lightly with cooking spray. Unroll pizza crust on a cutting board. Slice pizza crust into 36 strips. Wrap each cocktail smokie in a slice of pizza crust and place, seam side down, on prepared baking sheet. Brush each appetizer with beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake in preheated oven for 17 to 20 minutes, or until appetizers are puffed and golden. Serve warm with Spicy Honey-Lime Ketchup. Garnish with fresh rosemary. Makes 36.
TUNA MELT POPPERS
I prefer the tangy zip Miracle Whip but plain old mayonnaise will work, too.
1 (12-ounce) can wild caught albacore tuna, in water, drained 1 stalk celery, diced
2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
Zest of 1 lemon ¼ cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 (1.9-ounce) packages frozen phyllo shells, thawed
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Jalapeno slices
In a medium bowl, mix drained tuna, celery, red onion, chopped fresh Italian parsley and lemon zest with Miracle Whip or mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Spray a baking sheet lightly with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill each phyllo shell with a spoonful of tuna mixture. Top with shredded cheese and a slice of jalapeno. Place appetizers on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated
oven for 15 to 17 minutes or until cheese is melted and appetizers are crispy and heated through. Serve warm. Makes approximately 48.
By Debbi Covington
BACON-WRAPPED CHICKEN TENDER BITES WITH SC MUSTARD BBQ SAUCE
If you don't have time to make this yummy homemade BBQ sauce, store-bought yellow mustard BBQ sauce will work just as well.
½ cup yellow mustard
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons chipotle pepper in adobo, minced
2 teaspoons ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Black pepper, to taste
½ pound sliced bacon
1 pound chicken tenders
Chopped fresh Italian parsley, to garnish
Mix first 9 ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside until ready to use. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut each slice of bacon and each chicken tender in half. Wrap chicken tenders with bacon and place seam side down on prepared baking sheet. Pour 1/3 cup BBQ sauce in a small bowl. Brush each bacon-wrapped chicken tender generously with BBQ sauce. Bake in
preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until bacon is browned and crispy and chicken is cooked through. Place appetizers on a serving platter and garnish with chopped fresh Italian parsley. Serve with remaining 2/3 cup SC Mustard BBQ Sauce. Makes approximately 18.
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
“Love is not a feeling. Love is the witness of every feeling.” –Matt Khan
Usually in my Wholly Holistics columns I pepper the reader with questions to inspire deliberation, digestion, then, ultimately decisiveness. Some of that may happen with Acceptance Speech, but I want to let you in on my process, as I process. Lately, I’ve been meditating on unconditional love versus unconditional acceptance. As always, take what works for you and recycle the rest.
First, let’s talk about the aforementioned decisiveness. True, it’s always preferable to know what you shouldn’t do, but if you aren’t enlightened to dead ends and endless rabbit holes in a situation, then you need to eff around and find out. Two people I have known in positions of authority come to my mind as examples here. One may not have been the most popular, nor did everyone like the decisions he made, but at least he made them. The other just talked and talked, then disappeared to count paperclips when it mattered. Which guy do you think got more accomplished, not to mention was more respected? Sure, there were missteps, but, as the old saying goes, “If you ain’t making mistakes, you ain’t doing s***”.
Do you ever feel like you’re in an episode of Star Trek? Not one of those cute ones like Trouble with Tribbles, but one of those life and death ones like Space Seed (the original series episode where Khan, the greatest Star Trek villain of all time, is introduced). One of my favorite episodes, a fan favorite, for good reason, is The City on the Edge of Forever.
The City on the Edge of Forever is basically an alternate reality discussion about what would happen if the Allied Forces lost WWII and Hitler was able to wrest control of the world. Scary thought, no doubt, but from the perspective of living a global tragedy such as a world war, there had to be doubts all along the way. As an amateur historian, I know this truth conceptually. Early in the American involvement in WWII, we need only look to the Battle of Midway in the Pacific theater for such an example. Doolittle’s Raiders emerging from Shangri-La over Japan was more symbolic, so Midway was getting down to the nitty gritty of saltwater conversion plants. Crazy AF, no doubt. Of course, the European theater’s most doubtful time came leading up to D-Day, an epic global event if there ever was one.
The question that The City on the Edge of Forever episode asks is would you allow a virtual earth angel to die to preserve the history we now know as fact? The actress who plays Edith Keeler was, none other, than Joan Collins. What happens when you accept that history is what it was? Before D-Day, there was no history to accept. It’s a consideration worth pondering.
The question this column posits is what concept and practice is the healthiest, least nebulous, most practical, unconditional love or unconditional acceptance? I think and feel they’re easily confused. I’m not sure if I ever heard the term unconditional acceptance, so we’re just gonna say I came up with it. It just came to me one day. Since that day, I’ve tried it out internally as things come up in my mental zone—in my aura.
The reason I feel this notion of unconditional acceptance has merit is the pressure release I feel when I employ it. I can hear you now, “Well shouldn’t we love everyone unconditionally, Sutty”? Sure, I don’t know how realistic that is on this side of the veil, but sure, such a thing as love
deserves the ole college try. This is why I feel accepting life as it presents is more realistic.
“But this has worked for me forever, Sutty.” Those that know me know that I listen to a bunch of sports talk, all day, every day. One of my favorite quotes that has many life lessons outside of sports comes from NFL hall of famer, Shannon Sharpe. Love me some Club Shay Shay . I digress. Anyway, Mr. Sharpe reminds his viewers often to, “Never accept in victory what you wouldn’t accept in defeat.”
How does all this relate to one’s selfrelations? Anytime one is trying to control or delete emotions and feelings by attempting to alter the outside world, it’s a breadcrumb to a place within that needs quality time. What I’m really saying is that accepting those nasty and embarrassing qualities of yourself allows you to acknowledge, gain relief, formulate a gameplan, then move on to a bigger and brighter stage.
Be mindful that accepting doesn’t mean condoning. Be careful here. The best way to think of it is that you wouldn’t nor shouldn’t condone certain behaviors from others. When has enabling ever worked out in the long run? When we unconditionally accept others we share the earth with, we’re accepting all they have offer. It doesn’t mean we’re buying everything the a$$holes that inhabit the habitable say, it just means we’re not trying to pretend they don’t exist.
As a writer and author, I realized long ago that I must “kill my darlings,” but I’m just now realizing that once written and published, the work is no longer mine. The reader owns it now. I was reminded of this when I told a friend my subject matter, and she went in a whole other direction in her interpretation of what I was writing. Was she wrong? Of course not. That’s her take and I have mine. My take can and will evolve over time, as will hers.
I see a flaw in your cole slaw, Sutty. Really? I think I know where you’re going with this. The other day, I saw a quote on Instagram. It referred to the handwringing the Boomers would have over my generation being obsessed with playing video games and watching too much TV. Now, that same Boomer generation is doing what they feared their children would by unconditionally
by Sutty Suddeth WHOLLY HOLISTICS
accepting everything Fox News spews. I would change “Fox News,” in this context to mainstream media rather than just Fox News, but you feel me. My response is we never don’t have free will to decide how we want to accept something or someone.
By the way, if you’re reading this column on the reg, or it speaks to you now, you’re likely the healer of your family.
Accept that to test its accuracy. It’s so tempting to try to help others. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, but regardless of your religious leanings there’s a reason for Bible verses such as Matthew 7:5. “ . . .remove the beam from thine own eye so you may see clearly to remove the beam from thy brother’s eye.
(Paraphrasing from memory there . . . ) It occurs to me that the opposite of acceptance is resistance. What does that look like to you? What we resist persists! I know, I hear a nana, nana, boo, boo with an “up yours” gesture with that trite saying, too. Unfortunately, it doesn’t mean it’s not true. Alas, axioms are axioms for a reason. I say we must allow those “angels” to die for the greater good. How often have you found that what you perceived something to be was so far off the mark, that it’s embarrassing? Remember, you’re not pulling the trigger, you’re accepting that there is another way — another reality. So, as we head into this holiday season that tends to bring many uncomfortable issues to the surface, try accepting these issues instead. Let this acceptance inform you of how you choose to spend your time, not just the holidays, but life beyond. For time is the only true commodity any of us truly own.
The year: 1987. The setting: The Rocks of Fripp Island, SC. Sutty first answers the siren call of writing. In the years and publications since, the destination has been Divinely timed, while being Divinely unknown. A reformed Reiki Master of more than a dozen years, an emotional energetic alchemist, as well as a student in various energetic modalities. My favorite Buddha quote is, “Everything in moderation, even moderation.” Visit Home / Chris Suddeth (journoportfolio.com) for more info.
Fa La La La La! And all that. I love to sing Christmas carols. But then I love to sing anything. And I love that Holiday songs are full of references to plants and plant material - “The Holly and the Ivy,” “O Tannenbaum,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Under the Mistletoe,” and many more. Why all the emphasis on greenery at this time of the year?
throughout the cold. Holly leaves were said to represent the Crown of Thorns of Jesus and the red berries, his blood. A very far reach was the “legend of the holly bush” which proclaimed that when the baby Jesus was trying to escape King Herod’s men, a holly bush sprang up in the desert to hide and protect the holy family. It may have been not only a religious miracle, but also a horticultural miracle as well.
In northern Europe before the introduction of Christianity, people celebrated a pagan festival known as Yule. Yule coincided with the winter solstice, an event of great significance to ancient people who farmed and hunted. The solstice marked the shortest night of the year and after that time, the days slowly began to get longer and the sun higher in the sky. It was a time of renewal and rejoicing that another season of planting and fertility would eventually arrive.
In earlier Roman festivals occurring in what is now the month of December, conifers were used to decorate houses and other evergreen plants such as holly and mistletoe were used as part of the festivities. Evergreens were an integral part of Yule as well.
When Christianity was introduced, the Church found ways to incorporate pagan customs and give them religious significance. Mistletoe was said to represent vitality and eternity because it produced berries in the winter and the leaves stayed bright green
their homes. For some reason unknown to us, the custom of kissing under the mistletoe became part of a Christmas tradition.
By Wendy Hilty
Holly flourishes in temperate climates to the tropics. There are over 570 different species with some having rounded smooth leaves and others with sharp serrated leaves. The most common variety of holly often pictured on Christmas cards and used in floral decorations is Ilex aquifolia . Most hollies produce flowers on male and female plants and these need to be pollinated to produce berries. The fruits ripen in the winter and provide a striking contract between the red berries and dark shiny foliage.
Holly is relatively easy to grow here with some varieties becoming as tall as a small tree. They seem to flourish in our acidic soil and the red berries are a treat just in time for the holidays. Feed hollies twice a year with a fertilizer meant for acid loving plants and they will thrive. Be certain to check the size of the shrub before you purchase a holly to make sure that you have the right plant for the right place. You do not want a large tree wedged up by your house.
Mistle toe is becoming visible at the tops of our trees right now as the trees, particularly oaks, lose their leaves. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that takes water and nutrients from its host. It can kill a tree, but oaks seem to survive having it grow on their limbs. Mistletoe seeds or fruits are spread by birds eating them and then they pass the sticky seeds which cling to the branches and germinate into more plants. Ancient cultures regarded mistletoe with awe and pagan peoples felt that mistletoe represented fertility. Romans connected mistletoe with peace, understanding, and love and hung it over their doorways to protect
I love the look of mistletoe with its light green oval shaped leaves and white berries. People used to harvest mistletoe by shooting it down from trees and then they would sell it by the roadside, but not anymore. The toxicity of the berries particularly for children and pets has caused this plant to go out of favor in holiday decorations.
But we still have holly for our décor as well as the many nontoxic evergreens in our area.
Fresh pine boughs smell good, but beware of the sticky sap. And how about Magnolia leaves? The dark green leaves of the Magnolia grandiflora have been used in southern homes at Christmas since colonial times. The leaves keep for a long time and can be used with holly berries, pinecones, dried fruits, and shiny Christmas tree balls for tabletop and mantle arrangements. Enjoy this Holiday season with our cooler weather, spectacular winter sunsets, and an abundance of evergreen plants to use for your holiday decorations.
Wendy Hilty is a Master Gardener and member of the Lowcountry Master Gardeners organization. She is also a member of the Royal Horticultural Society and likes to spend her time attempting to grow an English Cottage Garden in our heat and humidity. Her Comyagardener blog won a state-wide award from Clemson University last year. Wendy firmly believes that the most important tool for a gardener is a good sense of humor.
Alisha Doud alisha@dcgilbert.com
Daun Schouten daun@dcgilbert.com
Laure Gallagher laure@dcgilbert.com
Ashley Hart ashley@dcgilbert.com
Joy McConnell joy@dcgilbert.com
Johanna Graham johanna@dcgilbert.com
Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
melissa@dcgilbert.com
Sam Bailey samuel@dcgilbert.com
Beaufort’s Doris E. Wright will be reading from and talking about her novel, Cabbagehead , at The Beaufort Bookstore, 2127 Boundary Street, from 3- 5 pm on Saturday, December 7.
Cabbagehead is the story of Bradley Peterson’s friendship with a large, wise, philosophical weed. Bradley is fifty, reclusive, happiest when alone gardening. His beautiful, domineering wife, Calley, runs things; his grown children barely know him. While Calley is away, Bradley finds a cabbage-like plant that speaks to him. His talks with the wise and funny Cabbagehead engage Bradley and bring him to realize he has long suppressed his real self.
Readers of Cabbagehead have described it as a tale of “serious matters told with humor,” noted the author’s “wonderful writing,” and the book’s “beautiful lines and passages.” One less conventional reader describes it as “Walter Mitty meets Kafka’s cockroach."
Born in the Panama Canal Zone, Doris Wright has lived and traveled throughout the world. After careers as a teacher and a journalist, and raising three children, she turned to writing.
Her story, A Glitch in Time , won second place and was published in the anthology Short Story America: Volume 7, July 2022 . Other of her award-winning stories in Sea Island Spirit Writer’s short story contests include “A Mother and Son have a Friendly Conversation,” “Quit It!” and “Buried Along with Her Name,” all published in Lowcountry Weekly. Her non-fiction work Mobile Summer ” and her poem “Stars” were published in the Catfish Stew anthologies (April 19, 2020, and May 31, 2021), and several of her flash pieces were runners up in Women on Writing contests. An undergraduate English major, philosophy minor, at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Al, and she took graduate level English classes and participated in writers’ workshops, including the New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College and Colgate University’s novel, short story, and poetry workshops. “Broken Down,” is her novel in progress about the misadventures of academics at a conference in Africa, based on an actual trip she took with her academic husband.
ITALY: Tuscany townhouse for rent by the week in historic UNESCO village. Sleeps 4, large furnished garden, easy walk to shops and excellent restaurants. www.cozyholidayrentals.com or 401-862-2377.
FURNISHED LUXURY APT In the heart of downtown Beaufort. 2BR, 2BA, W/D, Housewares. Please call 843-812-4229.
FREE HYPNOSIS/HYPNOTHERAPY INFORMATION
session and guided group meditation workshop. This free session will focus on stress reduction and relaxation. Open to the public, every 3rd Monday of the Month, at 7 pm Eastern via Zoom. Bring a friend, learn more and RSVP for Zoom Link at www.guidepathhypnosis.com or contact Chris at chris.guidepath@gmail.com
BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY ONGOING PROGRAMS & CLASSES Stitch Happens, Mondays @ 1:30, Bluffton; Basic Computer Skills Class 1st & 3rd Fridays @ 11:30am, Lobeco; Dungeon & Dragons Teen Club Mondays @ 4; Teen Gaming Club 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 4
FRIDAY SOCIAL DANCES The Hilton Head Carolina Shag Club hosts Friday dances from 6-9:30 pm at Dolphin Head Golf Club, 59 High Bluff Rd, Hilton Head Plantation. Open to the public. Shag, ballroom, swing, country, or line. Singles welcome. Cash bar and light dinners available. $5 floor fee. HHICSC also teaches beginner Shag lessons Tuesday nights. www.hiltonheadshagclub.com, or www.facebook.com/HHICSC
ART LEAGUE OF HH CLASSES & WORKSHOPS With over 25 local professional art educators, and guests from around the world, Art League of Hilton Head offers classes and workshops in all media for all levels of students. Visit www.artleaguehhi.org or email academy@artleaguehhi.org for more info.
POTTERY CLASSES IN BEAUFORT McSweeney Clay Studio offers morning, afternoon and evening classes for children and adults. Pottery dates and parties available as well. Classes are on going. Beginner or advanced welcome. mcsweeneyclaystudio.com or call 843-694-2049.
LOWCOUNTRY SHAGGERS Mondays - Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd. 6-9pm. Shag Lessons with Tommy & Sheri O'Brien and others. Occasional Ballroom and once a month Line Dance. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com or lowcountryshaggers@aol.com
WEDNESDAYS, BEAUFORT SHAG CLUB meets evenings at AMVETS, 1831 Ribaut Rd., Port Royal from 7-9pm, and the 2nd Sat. of the month 7-10pm. Free lessons to members Sep. to June. Visit The Beaufort Shag Club on Facebook
SEA ISLAND ROTARY CLUB has a 12:15 lunch meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information about the Rotary Club of Sea Island please visit our website at www.seaislandrotary.org
BRIDGE CLUB at the Beaufort Branch Library Wednesdays at 11am. Join a session is for beginners new to the game, other sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the military lounge at the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport. It is operated by a cadre of volunteers. Formerly the USO Lounge it has been renamed “Savannah Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and their families. The facility requires volunteers to keep the lounge open from 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. There are three shifts each day, with two volunteers on duty for each shift. Interested in volunteering? More info and application forms are available at the www.savannahsalutes.org or call John Findeis at (912) 507-4848. The airport will provide free parking.
VETERANS FIRST THRIFT STORE is in need of volunteers. Summer hours are Thursday thru Saturday - 10am4pm. Volunteer hours are very flexible! Stop in the store at 612 Robert Smalls Parkway to fill out a volunteer application or call the store at 843-263-4218. Please consider helping this very worthwhile organization!!
SECOND HELPINGS seeks volunteers to crew trucks in Bluffton and Beaufort to distribute food to local charities. Offering a flexible schedule at your convenience. Email officeadmin@secondhelpingslc.org
BEMER LONGEVITY TECHNOLOGY 10-11a Fridays via Zoom. Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Want to grow better, not older? Have one and want to learn more about it? Come for Q&A about this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
CARIS HEALTHCARE: WE HONOR VETERANS Hospice Program. You a Vet with a little time to share with other Vets with limited time? The We Honor Veterans program seeks volunteers who are Vets to offer a listening ear for our Veteran patients. Volunteers also participate in our Pinning Ceremonies for Veteran patients. Contact 843473-3939 or smilliken@carishealthcare.com
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY: Non-denominational meditation, silent prayer and healing group forming. All welcome. No previous meditation experience needed. Call Michael 843-489-8525.
HABITAT RESTORE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We're looking for volunteers for cashiers, sales floor associates, donation processing, donor data entry, and donor ambassadors. Interested? Go to lowcountryhabitat.org/volunteer or call 843-525-0055.
LOCO SCRIBBLERS 3:00 5:00 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Are you a scribbler (professional or hobby writer)? Check out our small and informal Beaufort area writers club. All skill levels and subjects welcome including fiction, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs. Free. Call or email for more info and the meeting location in Port Royal: beaufdick@gmail. com or 843-322-0616.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Calhoun Station Thrift Store in Bluffton. All funds generated are returned to other nonprofits in the community. Store is open Wed & Sat 10am to 1pm and located at 77 Pritchard St. Volunteers can stop by store or contact Cate Taylor, 843-310-0594 or catetaylor@frontier.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for HELP of Beaufort, 530 Charles St. Looking for committed volunteers for clothes sorting, pantry help, front desk help and Mobile Meals drivers. We are open M-F from 9:30-12:30, Mobile Meals delivers to home bound seniors 5 days/week, routes takes about 3045 mins. Email Lori at helpbeaufort@gmail.com, or call 843-524-1223, or stop in and fill out an application.
PORT ROYAL MUSEUM is open Thursday through Sunday at 1634 Paris Ave., from 10 - 3 or upon request. Free admission! Call 843-524-4333 or email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com to request a special opening.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP - First Thursday of the month at Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Center, from 1:30-2:45pm, 900 Ribaut Rd. Beaufort. We are individuals with Parkinson’s care partners of those with Parkinson’s, and individuals or companies providing products or services for Parkinson’s patients. For more info: Rick Ostrander at pdawaresc@gmail.com or Facebook at Parkinson’s Support Group Of Beaufort SC Port Royal & Lady’s Island
TOUR HISTORIC FORT FREMONT—Travel to the 1800's and the Spanish American War. The Fort Fremont History Center is open from 10am to 2pm Fridays, Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm at Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land's End Road, St. Helena Island. Visitors to Fort Fremont can learn about the fort's history by reading interpretive panels, taking a self-guided tour with a smart phone, visiting the history center exhibit hall, or attending a docent-led tour of the property. The Preserve grounds are open to the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk. For more Information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact the Passive Parks Department Director, Stefanie Nagid, at snagid@bcgov.net
US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, Flotilla 07-10-01, Port Royal Sound, a uniformed, all volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. We conduct safety patrols, assist search & rescue, teach boat safety, conduct free vessel safety checks and other boating activities. Monthly meetings are open to all and held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom at 7pm. For info call Flotilla Commander Pattie McGowan (706-633-6192) and visit us on FacebookUSCGA Beaufort
BEAUFORT TOASTMASTERS CLUB meets from 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm the first & third Tuesday, in the Beaufort College Building, Rm. 103 (USC-Beaufort Campus), 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. To learn more visit beauforttoastmastersclub.toastmastersclubs.org
FREE ACUPUNCTURE FOR VETERANS – Veterans, Active Duty, Transition. Their Families and First Responders are Eligible. First & Third Wednesday 46pm. Walk In Clinic. No Need to Pre-Register or Call. Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs Clinic. 1214 Prince Street, Downtown Beaufort
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for a few hours each week at St. Francis Thrift Shop. Open Tuesday thru Saturday. Call 843-689-6563 or come in to speak with Miss Ann.
Definitely shop.
CRESCENT HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP: Last Wed. and Thurs. of the month. Weds. 10-11am at Sun City; Thurs. 121pm Brookdale Hilton Head Ct., Hilton Head; for those who provide physical, emotional or practical support to a family member or friend. Jodi Johnson, LMSW. Bereavement Group: 5-6 pm., Fridays, 10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton; for those who have experienced a loss and would like support and info associated with grief and bereavement. Corrie VanDyke, LMSW or Marie James, MA. 843-757-9388.
INTERESTED IN HEALTHY EATING? Second Helpings, of Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, seeks committee members and chairperson for Healthy Food Program. Funding available to procure fresh produce and protein for the 60 food pantries and soup kitchens served by Second Helpings. Contact Exec. Dir. Lili Coleman, 843-689-3616 or execdirector@secondhelpingslc.org
BORN TO READ working for early childhood literacy, needs volunteers to deliver books and materials to new mothers at Coastal Community Hosp., HH Hosp., and BMH. Visits are from 10am – noon. More info at borntoread.org or call 843-379-3350.
ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER BEAUFORT, Support Groups: Caregiver - Weds., 12:30pm, Living with Alzheimer's - for those in very early stagesMondays 1pm, Respite Programs: Social Day Program10am-1:45pm $40 Day Fee, Weds. & Friday. All meetings are at Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; In Home - Respite Aides available for 2 hr. minimum, $13-$26. Early Memory Loss: Maintain Your Brain - 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10-11:30am, $10/person, $15 couple, Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-5219190 or make an appointment, 1500 King St., Beaufort, free; Purple Haven Project - Educate local establishment staff to better interact with a person with Alzheimer's call 843-521-9190.
THE LITERACY CENTER is seeking volunteers to tutor adults in reading, writing, math and ESL. Students hope to acquire skills to pursue life goals, support families, and contribute to our community. Daytime and evenings in Bluffton and HHI. Call 843-815-6616 (Bluffton); 843-6816655 (HHI). No teaching, tutoring or other language knowledge necessary. www.theliteracycenter.org
THE SANDALWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY. Volunteer-based, non-profit provides groceries, clothing and basic needs items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am-12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or email sandalwoodpantry@gmail.com
PARRIS ISLAND MUSEUM. The legacy of the Marine Corps and the history of the Port Royal region. Thousands of artifacts, images, and other materials illustrate the stories in exhibit galleries from Native American to modern Marines. FREE admission. Mon-Sat 10am4:30pm and 8am on Family Graduation Days. Closed all Federal Holidays. Info at parrisislandmuseum.org or 843-228-2166.
CHRIST CENTERED RECOVERY MEETINGS At Praise Assembly Church Fridays for “Celebrate Recovery”, addressing life’s problems by looking to scripture. Meal at 6pm; Praise, Worship; Big Meeting. 6:30pm; Small Groups at 7pm. 800 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Info at 205-475-3600 or 303-521-1891.
Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island. (843) 838-9300. Foolish Frog on Facebook
Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) 521-1888 or Luther's on Facebook
Q on Bay, 822 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 524-7771 or www.qonbay.com
Rosie O’Gradys Irish Pub, in Beaufort Town Center. Irish American Sports Pub & Eatery. C'mon down! Rock & Roll Lunch. Monday - 25% Off Burgers; Tuesday - 25% Off Fish & Chips. Wed, Fri & SatKaraoke. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook
Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 3793474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com
Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www. bigbamboocafe.com
Captain Woody’s, 14 Executive Park Rd., Hilton Head, 843-785-2400; - OR - 17 State of Mind St., Bluffton, Tuesdays - Chris Jones, . www.captainwoodys.com
The Jazz Corner, Village at Wexf1ord, Hilton Head. Sundays - Deas Guyz; Mondays - A Journey Through Jazz with The Martin Lesch Band; Tuesdays - Fat Tuesdays: A Swingin' Celebration of New Orleans and Beyond; Thursdays - Lavon Stevens with Louise Spencer. 12/4 Quiana Parler with Levon Stevens Trio, 12/6 & 12/7 Zach Stevens Band, 12/13 & 12/14 A Neil Diamond Christmas with Bobby Ryder's Swingin' Quintet, 12/18 Quiana Parler with Levon Stevens Trio, 12/20 & 12/21 A Motown Holiday Spectacular with Reggie Deas & Deas Guyz. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 12/5 Santa Rave, 12/7 Avery Anna; Lauren Hall, 12/8 Beatles Music for Kids; Ft. the Rock; Roll Playhouse, 12/12 Club XCX, 12/20 Rip City's Holiday Showtacular, 12/21 A Christmas Nightmare - The Misfits and Black Sabbath tribute with Horror Business and Rat Salad, with Dirt Nap. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 12/6 1972 presents Tribute to the Sons of Sagittarius - music of Gregg Allman, Jim Morrison, Jimi, Keith Richards, Dickie Betts, JJ Cale and more, 12/7 All
Star Christmas with Reckoning - request night of The Dead and Jerry, 12/12 Dizgo Goosemas Pre-Party with Cam Herdt; Nite Zero Band, 12/13 Funk You; Groups3x, 12/14 Runaway Gin - Phish tribute, 12/18 Toubab Krewe, 12/19 Drunken Doja Monkey; Krampus Kristmas; Trolgar, 12/20 Same As It Ever Was - Talking Heads tribute, 12/21 The Psycodelics - Isley Brothers holiday tribute, 12/23 Broken Speaker's Funky Jingle Ball VII. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse. com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 12/5 Fox 'n' Vead, 12/6 SKWZBXX, 12/7 Cody Webb, 12/13 Drivin' 'n' Cryin', 12/14 Kudzu Kings, 12/20 Congress, 12/21 Randall Fowler, 12/27 The Yacht Club. (843) 8868596 or www.the-windjammer.com
Editors Note: Events listed here may be subject to postponement or cancellation. Please check for further information.
12/5-12/8 Sea Island Christmas Celebration, featuring ‘Christmas Wish . . . Freedom!’ Performed by the Gullah Kinfolk Traveling Theater, Inc. For more details about the weekend, and a full schedule of events, visit www.gullahkinfolktravelingtheater. org/christmas
Now – 12/30, Square Works Holiday Show at Atelier Off Bay. Thirteen local artists will exhibit 12”x12” works, priced at $500 or less, perfect for holiday giving! Wine, apps, free gift-wrapping! 203 West Street in downtown Beaufort. www.atelieroffbay.com
Now - 12/30, Beaufort Art Association Holiday Market, featuring unique handcrafted ornaments and gifts, 913 Bay Street, Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Now - 1/3, Holiday Gallery of Gifts at Art League Gallery, featuring gift-worthy original art and crafts from Art League members. Opening reception Wed 12/4, 5-7pm. Inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head. 843-681-5060.
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
Now – 3/23, This Is Not: Aldwyth in Retrospect at the Coastal Discover Museum on Hilton Head. www. coastaldiscovery.org
1/5 – 3/2, Daniel McSweeney’s Original Pottery & Members’ Impressionist-Style Paintings, a dual exhibit at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery. Opening reception on Fri 1/10 at 913 Bay Street, Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Now – 12/12, Book events for ‘Elf Dust,’ a new children’s book by Nancy Merrill. Events will happen at: Sandbox Children’s Museum (12/6, 5-9pm); Pat Conroy Literary Center, Beaufort (12/12, 6-7:30 pm). Visit www.elfdustbook.com
Sat 12/7, Doris E. Wright will read from and talk about her new novel Cabbagehead from 3-5pm at the Beaufort Bookstore, 2127 Boundary Street.
Sat 12/7, Read with a Ranger, children’s read-aloud hosted by DAYLO, featuring Park Ranger Katherine Freeman, at the Port Royal Farmers Market. At 10 am and 11 am. www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com
Sun 12/8, Jared Madison will launch his new book The 30 Day Guide to Inner Peace at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St, Beaufort) with a reception starting at 5pm. Books available for sale and signing. Free and open to the public. Call to reserve your spot. 853-379-7025. www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
Fri 12/13, Andrew K. Clark (Where Dark Things Grow) will be in conversation with Dan Ridenour (Lexie Montgomery Series) at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St.) at 5pm. Books available for sale and signing. Seating is limited: please reserve yours at 843-379-7025. www.patconroyliterarycenter. org
Tues 12/17, Lynn and Cele Seldon at USCB Lunch with Authors Series. Belfair Club in Bluffton at noon. Tickets $60. Deadline to register 12/10.
Thur 12/19, Jen Marie Wiggins (The Good Bride) at the Pat Conroy Literary Center at 5 pm. Free and open to the public. Books available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call to reserve: 843-379-7025.
Fri 12/13, Grammy-winner Pam Tillis brings her ‘Belles and Bows Christmas Tour’ to USCB Center for the Arts at 7:30 pm. For tickets, visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Sun 12/15, Beaufort Symphony Orchestra’s 'Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!’ Concert. Featuring Bach’s Concerto in A Minor for Violin & Orchestra (Fred Devyatkin) and a host of Holiday Favorites. 5 pm at USCB Center for the Arts. For tickets visit www.beaufortorchestra.org or call 800-585-4TIX
12/6 – 12/8 13th Annual Nativity Celebration at First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort. See more than 150 nativities from around the world. Free and open to the public. Fri & Sat from 10am-4pm, Sun from noon-3pm. In the church fellowship hall, 1201 North St, Beaufort. www.firstpresbeaufort.org
12/7 – 12/9, Holiday Nights & Lights in Historic Mitchelville. Nightly from 6-8pm. Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, 40 Harriet Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island. www.exploremitchelville.org
Sat 12/7, 14th Annual Thumbs Up Fundraiser Car Show. To benefit the Children’s Learning Center in Beaufort. Free entry, fun for all ages! From 10 am – 2 pm at 1 Market Street in Habersham, Beaufort.
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, a monthly networking event for professionals working in and around tech. Join the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:30-7:30pm. 843-470-3506. www.beaufortdigital.com
Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/Child. 843-686-6560.
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
There was a time in my experience when I hit rock bottom. I felt I had lost everything. I was angry with God, because I thought I had done everything right – been obedient to the Ten Commandments, tried to treat others like I wanted to be treated. But so many things weren’t working out. I felt as if God wasn’t delivering on the things I needed, and that I wasn’t being rewarded for the good life I had been trying to live.
At some point during my regular study of the Bible and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, I came across this statement: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds” (Science and Health, p. 4).
That was a real game changer. On the surface, the answer to what we most need might seem pretty obvious – food, water, clothing, and shelter. But Christian Science teaches that there’s a whole other dimension to consider here, the dimension Christ Jesus revealed to us.
In some of his most important teachings, recorded in the Bible as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his students not to focus too much on what food they would eat or what clothes they would wear. Instead, he said, “Seek ye
Jesus’ answer to what we most need and must do is quite different from what the physical senses suggest. As we seek the kingdom of God and divine righteousness, we discover that our most fundamental need is to express the joy and goodness God has already given each of us. That’s not to say we should go without the meeting of all our basic human needs, including food, water, and clothing, but that our mental starting point makes a big difference in our experience, including in having these needs taken care of.
The kingdom of God, Jesus said, isn’t something we see with our eyes, but is within each of us. Science and Health says of Jesus, “He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause” (p. 313). Jesus’ entire ministry was spent showing his followers the effects of pursuing the understanding of the kingdom of God, who cares for all of His spiritual offspring. This understanding empowers us to demonstrate God’s limitless care.
What I most needed, and must do, I realized, wasn’t about getting something I didn’t have. Rather, it was about expressing, or giving, what I was capable of and already did have: patience, meekness, love, goodness. These and other qualities like them
emanate from God, who created each of us as the spiritual reflection of His purity and love. Another statement in Science and Health amplifies this theme: “Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love – the kingdom of heaven – reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear” (p. 248).
As I thought more deeply about all this, I felt I was being shown that God’s presence had been there all along, leading me to realize that what I most needed wasn’t “out there” somewhere, but present, here and now. The peace and assurance I needed were already within me as God’s child, constituted of spiritual qualities that are forever here in infinite supply, always available to be expressed.
As I began the must do part – to more consciously express qualities such as patience, meekness, unselfishness, goodness, love – truly, the kingdom of heaven within all of us, my circumstances changed. My human needs were abundantly met, and have consistently been met ever since.
What we most need and must do isn’t about getting; it’s about giving of the qualities that God is forever revealing within each of us, evidencing the kingdom of heaven.
By Sandy Sandberg
Our Perspectives discuss a topic that needs our local attention. For December it is “Things We Must Do.” 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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