On Being The Media 4
In an anti-media age
Lowcountry Classics 6
Lynn Drake at SoBA
Meet 'Jackie' Author 8
Dawn Tripp in Beaufort
Inside The Foodseum 10
The Seldon's explore
Easter Blessings 12
And bunny tails
Old Sheldon Ruins 13
Celebrate & preserve
'Gothictown' Novelist 9
Emily Carpenter
The image on our cover is 'Wisteria' by Lynn Drake, from her exhibit 'Lowcountry Classics,' coming to the SOBA Gallery in May. For more information, see our story on page 6.
ryWeekly
o w c o unt
LApril 9 – April 22, 2025
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Lowcountry Weekly is published every other Wednesday and distributed throughout Beaufort County at various restaurants, retail locations, hotels and visitor’s centers. The entire contents of Lowcountry Weekly is copyrighted 2025 by P. Podd Press, LLC. No part may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned.
You might have noticed that The Media is fairly unpopular lately.
I capitalize The Media – and use “is” instead of “are” – because people talk about us that way, in the giant singular, as if we’re one great big monolithic creature, marching in lockstep to wreak evil upon the land.
To those who support Donald Trump, we are the “fake news media,” lying with abandon and indulging our flagrant bias without remorse. To an increasing number of those who oppose Trump, we are doing too much to “normalize” his presidency by reporting on him as if he were . . . the president.
It matters not if you’re a small, family–owned local newspaper or the New York Times. To many people, these are distinctions without a difference. You are simply The Media. And The Media is bad.
But not today. Today I am in Columbia for the South Carolina Press Association’s annual meeting and awards luncheon. It’s kind of like our own little “Oscars,” although even fewer people care about the SCPA awards than the Oscars. It’s basically just a bunch of journalists coming together to recognize other journalists for their work, and, yes, it’s a bit self-congratulatory. But we’re The Media. If we don’t congratulate ourselves, who will?
Anyway, it’s Thursday afternoon, and I’m sitting in a hotel room, waiting for the opening reception to start. It’s at Beirkeller Brewery – a cool, casual hangout on the riverfront. There’ll be free beer and wine, and probably even some brats and pretzels!
Legend has it the SCPA annual meeting was once a lavish weekend, complete with open bars and fancy-dress dinners and such. This was in the heyday of newspapering –back when they made money – and long before Jeff and I got into the business. The two-day event is now a much more modest affair, culminating in an awards luncheon –rubber chicken, no booze –– but we always have a grand time. Journalists need to mingle with other journalists, especially in today’s atmosphere. The moral support, alone, is worth the price of admission.
Still, the news doesn’t stop just because newsies are throwing a party, so I’m here at the hotel checking my email, waiting for Jeff to return from the meeting of the executive committee, into which he was recently inducted. I see that I’ve received a forward from my friend Bonnie Hargrove at USCB Center for the Arts telling me that the SC Humanities Council has just been defunded by DOGE, along with all the other humanities councils in the country. After yesterday’s tariffs announcement, and this morning’s stock market plunge, it almost fails to register.
Almost.
But then I Google “humanities” and learn that "among the thousands of groups affected by the sudden cessation of funds are state humanities councils, museums, historic sites, archives, libraries, educators and media outlets in all 50 states.”
Ugh. That hurts. Can’t wait to see what my fellow evildoers in The Media have to say about it at the SCPA reception.
And I wonder how to write about this latest gut-punch to our culture without bringing a deluge of violent disapproval down on my head. A reader of The Island News – our other paper, which is more “newsy” than this one – recently sent a Letter to the Editor in which he referred to us as a “communist news network” and a bunch of “liberal reprobates.” He’s not the first.
And it’s all very weird for me. No one has ever called me a communist OR a reprobate, and I’m not even sure what “liberal” and “conservative” mean anymore. Long-time readers of this column know me as a knee-jerk moderate who often goes to greater lengths than they wish I would to “see both sides.” It’s a compulsion. If I showed you a list of my daily reading and podcast choices – the sheer breadth and depth of conflicting opinion in which I willingly immerse myself –you’d probably wonder how I maintain an inkling of sanity. At this point, I’m holding onto that inkling by a very frail thread.
As an extreme moderate, I dream of an Opinion Page that’s a perfectly balanced reflection of our community, and I gnash my teeth every week when it doesn’t materialize. Let it be known throughout the land: our Voices section remains open to anybody who can write well and support their opinions with facts. Of course, it’s up to our editor Mike McCombs to make that call. (Yes, here in The Media, we still have editorial gatekeepers. People hate that.)
The SC Press Association gives a special award for Assertive Journalism. This year’s presenter – yes, I’ve skipped ahead to the awards luncheon now – started by saying, “Journalists are contrarians. If they weren’t contrarians, they wouldn’t be journalists. They’re good at prying truth out of people who aren’t inclined to tell it.”
I am not that kind of journalist. Not exactly. Every columnist has to do some reporting – as I said above, facts are nonnegotiable – but prying the facts out of people in power is not my jam. It makes me squeamish, in fact. Thank goodness I have a team who enjoy it and are good at it. It’s truly the essence of good journalism, and we need it now more than ever.
Having said that, the letter writer has a point about our Opinion Page at The Island News. We do have significantly more columnists writing from left of center than right. We’ve been working on that for a while now, with little success. All of our columnists are either local or from somewhere nearby –Andy Brack hails from Charleston, for instance, and Terry Manning’s in the upstate – and that’s entirely by design. The internet is lousy with national opinionators –“there’s something for everybody!” out there – so we choose to expose our readers to something different: the ideas, thoughts and feelings of their own neighbors and fellow South Carolinians. We have more submissions than we have space, and the simple fact is that most of the area writers who reach out to us are left of center. We do have a couple of conservative columnists, but their submissions are much less regular. I wish they weren’t.
My work obsession is a bit different. It involves looking at those facts – and those powerful people – and trying to understand them. I live to pry the meaning – the larger truth – from that which meets the eye. Motives, passions, intentions, context, cultural implications, historical parallels . . . These are the “questions” that drive my journalism.
Am I a contrarian, too? Undeniably. I’m so ornery, in fact, that I can’t seem to accept any public narrative – or public figure – at face value. I’m a bloodhound for the story behind the story. As it turns out, most things are not what they appear to be. Occasionally, however, they absolutely are. And that right there’s the rub.
Art League of Hilton Head is thrilled to announce Kaya Tolly as the recipient of the prestigious Art League of Hilton Head Scholarship valued at $2,000 and the Barbara & Clayton Kittinger Scholarship worth $1,000. The scholarships are awarded annually to a promising student who demonstrates exceptional talent and dedication to the arts.
Kaya's personal statement highlights her deep-rooted passion for the arts. She was born and raised on Hilton Head and has actively participated in the local arts community. From attending summer art camps at the Arts Center to performing in ballet at the Hilton Head Dance Theatre and productions at Main Street Youth Theatre, Kaya has embraced various forms of artistic expression.
and minor in Illustration. I aim to refine my skills and learn more about the freelance art industry."
"I have always been passionate about art," Kaya wrote in her personal statement. "My plan after high school is to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design to major in Painting
Kaya's artistic accomplishments are impressive, including winning six Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, with notable achievements such as two Gold Keys, a Silver Key, and an Honorable Mention this year alone. She also won the 2024 Best of Show/3-D award at the South Carolina State Fair Art Competition.
One of her most significant projects was creating a 4x12-foot mural for Ace Hardware on Hilton Head Island, which allowed her to collaborate with local business owners and contribute to the community. "The mural serves as a testament to my ability to blend creativity with the world around me," Kaya shared.
Kaya's nomination received strong endorsement from her art teacher, Monique Dobbelaere, who highlighted both her artistic talent and character. "Kaya's artwork embodies both delicate and confident qualities that reflect her personality," Dobbelaere remarked. "She has the heart and mind of a true artist, and her creativity, driven by goodwill, is truly impactful. These are the qualities that future leaders in our world desperately need." Her photography instructor, Patricia Schoelkopf-Lewis, who also serves as the Sponsor and Advisor for the National Art Honor Society, where Kaya holds the position of President, reflected these views in her letter of recommendation. She emphasized that whether Kaya is pursuing academic excellence or crafting stunning visual art, her determination to succeed remains steadfast.
Art League of Hilton Head is proud to support Kaya Tolly's artistic endeavors and looks for-ward to her future contributions to the arts community and beyond. The scholarship pro-gram encourages students to develop their artistic skills and pursue a career in the visual arts, funded through charitable donations. To contribute to the Art League’s scholarship fund, please email director@artleaguehhi.org or call (843)681-5060 for information.
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) proudly presents “ Lowcountry Classics, ” a vibrant and heartfelt exhibit by May’s Featured Artist Lynne Drake. The show will be on display May 4 through May 31 at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. A public reception will be held Wednesday, May 8 from 4-6 p.m., where guests can meet the artist, enjoy refreshments, and immerse themselves in the beauty of the Lowcountry through a colorful and expressive collection of works.
This new collection captures the emotion, nostalgia, and natural beauty that define the Lowcountry.
“My current art reflects what moves and inspires me here in the Lowcountry, working in various mediums and styles,” Drake explained. “I love all things beautiful — form, color and emotion — and all the qualities that make something worth remembering and replicating.”
Artist Lynn Drake
Art has always been part of the artist’s identity, with early memories of sketching life-size chalk figures on pavement. Her passion for creative expression led to a solo art show in the fifth grade and continued through a lifelong journey in the arts. She earned a BFA in graphic design and a MALS with a focus on art and education.
into the artist’s connection with the region’s landscape, culture, and spirit. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this inspired exhibit throughout May at SOBA Gallery.
Throughout her career, she worked as a sign painter, graphic artist, and gallery manager in the Hamptons, and founded a Long Island art studio that exhibited local artists, hosted children's art parties, and offered art instruction. She also taught art in a variety of settings — including private lessons, public education, group homes, and inner-city high schools through a program with the National Council of Unity.
Now settled in the Lowcountry with her husband — also an artist — she devotes her time to creating and teaching art at SOBA and Sun City.
“As long as I can remember, art has been just who I am — what I see and how I live,” Drake said.
“Lowcountry Classics” offers a heartfelt glimpse
The Hilton Head International Piano Competition (HHIPC) completed its 27th competition since 1996 on Monday, March 17 with the fourth and final round featuring three finalists performing a different piano concerto with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro John Morris Russell. At the awards ceremony later that evening, the jury awarded first prize ($20,000, plus numerous other prizes) to 29-year-old American pianist Jonathan Mamora, who performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Second prize ($10,000) was given to 24-year-old Polish pianist Piotr Alexewicz, who played Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and third prize ($5,000) was awarded to 23-year-old Croatian pianist Jan Nikovich, who played Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Medalist prizes ($2,000) were awarded to three semifinalists: Dominic Chamot (age 29, from Switzerland/Germany), Jiarui Cheng (age 26, from China), and Hyunjin Roh (age 24, from South Korea).
Mr. Mamora, an Indonesian-American pianist from Southern California, also wins numerous additional prizes with his impressive victory in Hilton Head, including: an October 2025 recital at Weill Recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City; a return engagement with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Russell in April 2026; a studio recording on the Steinway & Sons label; management services for up to three years provided by HHIPC Director, Steven Shaiman; and numerous performance prize engagements provided by the HHIPC’s artistic partners in South Carolina, Georgia and Wisconsin (orchestras, music festivals and recital series).
Mr. Mamora was selected as the winner by a jury panel of internationally renowned pianists and pedagogues, including: jury chair Simone Dinnerstein (USA); Marina Lomazov (Ukraine/USA; who is also a former HHIPC winner); HaeSun Paik (South Korea); Peter Takács (Romania/USA); Terrence Wilson (USA); Amy Yang (China/USA); and Wei-Yi Yang (Taiwan/USA).
The HHIPC 2025 began on Monday, March 10, with 19 pianists ranging from age 18 to 30, representing 10 different countries. Each competitor performed two rounds of short solo recitals at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, after which the jury selected six semifinalists to advance to round 3, which took place on Saturday, March 15. Those six pianists each performed a 50-minute recital
in the semifinals at First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head, following which the jury narrowed the field to three finalists, each of whom performed a full piano concerto with the HHSO on Monday night, March 17. The awards ceremony was held immediately after the finals concert, with announcement of the prizes by the jury chair Simone Dinnerstein and HHIPC Director, Steven Shaiman.
Director Shaiman, says, "We congratulate Jonathan on his outstanding performances throughout this competition, and we are particularly excited to welcome him as our new first prize winner, since this is actually his third time competing at the HHIPC! We first heard him here in Hilton Head at only age 14 in 2011—which was our inaugural Young Artist competition—and he also competed in 2022, so the third time was the charm for him to win the whole thing! I am excited to get to work with Jonathan going forward to help him advance his burgeoning career. I’m also thrilled that the performance level by all 19 pianists was staggeringly high, so, on behalf of the HHIPC and our eminent jury, we congratulate all of the competitors and prize winners!"
In addition to the prizes already mentioned, two additional discretionary awards were also announced at Monday night’s ceremony. The first was the Sascha Gorodnitzki Memorial Prize, a jury discretionary award given to the “most promising non-finalist,” with a trophy and a $1,000 check given to semi-finalist Jiarui Cheng. The second was the Jim Neumeister
Memorial Prize, given to the artist who gave the “best performance of the commissioned work” in the first two rounds of the competition, and that trophy and $1,000 check was awarded to semi-finalist Dominic Chamot.
The commissioned work was written specifically for the 2025 HHIPC by prominent American composer Lowell Liebermann, which he entitled Moment Musical, Op. 144. All 19 competitors were required to learn the piece and perform it in one of their two early recital rounds. Director Shaiman, added, "Many elite competitions commission new works to showcase music by living composers, and I decided that this was a
priority for the 2025 HHIPC. This was a special challenge for the competitors and also exciting for our sophisticated audiences, since we essentially heard 19 world premiere performances of Lowell’s captivating ‘Musical Moment.’ I am delighted that our very first competition commission turned out so beautifully, and I am grateful to Lowell for writing it. I must also thank him for his time and attention to select the winner of the Neumeister Memorial prize, since only the composer himself could make that determination of who brought the piece to life in a way that was closest to his artistic vision!”
HHSO Music Director John Morris Russell added, “The HHIPC is a jewel in the cultural crown of the Lowcountry, and I as excited as I was to work with all three remarkable finalists performing with the orchestra, I am eagerly looking forward to welcoming Jonathan back to play a concerto with us in spring 2026!”
About the Hilton Head International Piano Competition: The Hilton Head International Piano Competition, one of the leading international piano competitions in the United States, operates with a three-year rotation of events: an adult competition for pianists 18–30 years of age, a young artist competition for pianists 13–17 years of age, and a festival— BravoPiano! —which showcases past prize winners and other prominent keyboard artists performing music ranging from classical to jazz. The HHIPC, inaugurated by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra in 1996, draws applicants, artists, and audiences from numerous countries the world over, and many HHIPC artists are now enjoying thriving professional careers.
In partnership with NeverMore Books, the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an evening with novelist Dawn Tripp, author of Jackie, on Tuesday, April 15, 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 through NeverMore Books. Seating is limited; please call in advance to reserve: 843-379-7025. About the Book and Author: “An intimate, episodic narrative . . . Tripp’s wonderful, pointillistic skill with physical description and the deft, empathetic leaps she takes — jumping off from letters, contemporary memoirs and photographs snapped of the former First Lady — gives “Jackie” undeniable emotional punch . . . Tripp’s book stands out for its psychological acuity . . . notable for its admirable emphasis on the intelligence and grace of this valiant American woman.” — Washington Post
In this mesmerizing novel of the life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, bestselling
author Dawn Tripp has crafted an intimate story of love and power, family and tragedy, loss, and reinvention.
Jackie is the story of a woman who forged a legacy out of grief and shaped history even as she was living it—a deeply private person with a nuanced, formidable intellect. It is the
story of a love affair, a complicated marriage, and the fracturing of identity that comes in the wake of unthinkable violence.
When Jackie meets the charismatic congressman Jack Kennedy in Georgetown, she is twenty-one and dreaming of France. She has won an internship at Vogue, and she thinks Kennedy is not her kind of adventure: “Too American. Too good-looking. Too boy.” Yet she is drawn to his mind, his humor, and his drive. The chemistry between them ignites. During the White House years, the love between two independent people deepens. Then, a motorcade in Dallas: “Three and a half seconds — that’s all it was — a slivered instant between the first shot, which missed the car, and the second, which did not . . . A hypnotic burst of sunlight off her bracelet as she waved.”
This spellbinding novel is a window into the world of a woman who led many different lives: Jackie, Jacks, Jacqueline, Miss Bouvier, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Onassis, Jackie O. It is at once a deeply human story and a captivating
Paid Advertorial by The Christian Science Society of Beaufort
Regeneration is at the heart of the 2,000-year-old Easter story. Jesus of Nazareth was brought to trial at the urging of religious authorities who felt threatened by his teachings about God’s love for all, and by his unprecedented healing ministry. He was sentenced by the Roman governor, Pilate, and crucified. The narrative moves as Jesus predicted: he arose from the dead after three days to prove that Love and Life are divine, and can’t be destroyed by hate.
I grew up with Jesus’ story, but as a young adult I needed to search to find its meaning. Belief wasn’t enough. I found direction in the practice of Christian Science, which simultaneously saved my life in an emergency. I was completely paralyzed and rapidly losing my normal functions, including sight. My husband began reading to me from the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, and I heard a clear thought that confirmed the truth I had been looking for. The condition, which was later identified medically as one that can be fatal, immediately left. But, of even more consequence to me, the beginnings of regeneration that I experienced compelled me to explore how this had happened.
I found some answers in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15). It tells the story of a younger son who, after wrecking his life with bad choices, returns hungry and homeless to his
father. His father greets him with love, saying, “My son was dead, and is alive again.” The prodigal hadn’t died and come back to life, but he had let go of old ways of thinking and living, and was unexpectedly welcomed into the good that was always waiting for him. Sacrificing his old ways led to his regeneration – to a type of resurrection.
work of imagination that comes right up against what she was thinking and feeling, what she was afraid of, fought for, and believed in.
Dawn Tripp’s novel Georgia was a national bestseller, finalist for the New England Book Award, and winner of the Mary Lynn Kotz Award for Art in Literature. She is also the author of three previous novels: Game of Secrets, Moon Tide, and The Season of Open Water, which won the Massachusetts Book Award for Fiction.
Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
Considering the Easter story, one might wonder, Why did Jesus sacrifice himself? Certainly it may require individual searching to grapple with that question. Wasn’t it done out of complete love for God and his fellow man? Jesus’ monumental sacrifice did enable others to begin to conceive of their own value to God as worthy, loved, and indispensable, because he demonstrated that death wasn’t the end. His resurrection proved that life exists regardless of the actions of hate, and that life is above claims of being dependent on matter, because God is Life.
Jesus’ utter selflessness and subsequent proof of spiritual existence as a present reality moved his disciples to selfless ministry as well. Biblical accounts relate that his disciples also healed, and in some notable instances even raised the dead. Their sense of life had been radically expanded by Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.
Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice and healing is universally translatable to all humanity, for all time. He illustrates that regeneration requires unselfed thinking. We can begin, like the prodigal, by sacrificing old habits and ways of thinking that
focus primarily on self, and by caring more universally. We are naturally led to give up thinking about self when we understand how God loves and sees His creation. This higher understanding that God is limitless Life, and that as God’s offspring we each reflect that true Life, leads heart and mind more spiritually. In a very real sense it resurrects us. It allows our thinking to be transformed by the Christ-spirit that Jesus exemplified.
Jesus taught to turn from a focus on flawed self-sense and be lifted to higher thoughts and acts. That may seem like sacrificing individuality. But it really uncovers a deeper and more satisfying identity. As Science and Health says, “This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man’s absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace” (p. 265) Resurrected views look outward; they’re broader, kinder, less materialistic, and they lead us to see that everyone is embraced in perfect Life. Our uplifted perspective contributes to uplifting the spirit of humanity. Selfishness, fear, and sadness diminish, heart and mind are renewed, and the body responds correspondingly, often in experiencing a needed healing. Resurrected thinking affirms each individual’s timeless value to the infinite God that created each one of us.
By Suzanne Riedel
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, in partnership with NeverMore Books, will host an evening with novelist Emily Carpenter, author of the newly published novel Gothictown, on Thursday, April 17, at 5:00 p.m., at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Carpenter will be in conversation with Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt. 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.
“A high-energy read that effortlessly reinvents the modern Gothic while delivering all the elements that make the genre so captivating: a haunting atmosphere, a dark legacy, a determined heroine and a whisper of horror. I love the Gothic and I love Gothictown.”
— Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author
*A Publishers Marketplace BUZZ BOOKS Selection*
In an immersive Southern Gothic with echoes of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, a restauranteur lured by pandemic-era incentives moves her family to a seemingly idyllic small town in Georgia, only to discover a darkness lurking beneath the Southern hospitality and sun-dappled streets.
The email that lands in Billie Hope’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100,
she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and the painful memories of shuttering her once thriving restaurant and start over with her husband and her daughter. Plus, she’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity. It seems like a dream come true . . . or a devil’s bargain.
A few phone calls and one hurried visit later, and Billie, Peter, and six-year-old Meredith are officially part of the Juliana
Initiative. The town is everything promised — two hours northwest of Atlanta but a world away from city living, a “gentle jewel” with weather as warm as its people. Between settling into their lavish home and starting her new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss any troubling signs.
But Billie’s sleep is marred by haunting dreams, and her marriage with Peter is growing increasingly strained. Meanwhile the town elders, all descended from Juliana’s founding families, exert a level of influence that feels less benevolent and more stifling day by day.
There’s something about “Gentle Juliana” — something off-kilter and menacing beneath that famous Southern hospitality. And no matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and if, they’ll ever leave.
Emily Carpenter is a bestselling author of suspense novels including Burying the
Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies, and Gothictown. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she graduated from Auburn University and worked in New York City as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and behindthe-scenes soap opera assistant for the CBS shows As the World Turns and Guiding Light. She now lives with her family outside Atlanta, Georgia.
Jonathan Haupt is the executive director of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, the past director of the University of South Carolina Press, and co-editor of the anthology Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy, winner of 17 book awards. He is a frequent guest book reviewer for the Charleston Post and Courier and a mentor to the student leaders of DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization.
Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
We’ve had the pleasure of visiting the campus of the Culinary Institute of the South several times, but our most recent visit for the ribbon cutting of their new Foodseum was most definitely a cherry on the top of this flavorful Bluffton foodie destination.
on the Lowcountry dining scene, thanks to students and graduates heading to area restaurants, resorts, hotels, and beyond.
The school became the fourth campus in TCL’s network of Lowcountry-based campuses and marked the culmination of many years of planning and cooperation. The $15.3 million 30,000+ square-foot facility in Bluffton’s Buckwalter Place was funded with $11.2 million from Beaufort County, the Beaufort County School District, and the Town of Bluffton, $3.5 million from the state of South Carolina, and about $625,000 raised from private sources and donors.
The Culinary Institute of the South at Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) was founded in 2021 and has quickly become a recipe for success for the Lowcountry’s travel and tourism industry, which is the area’s top economic driver. We have already seen the school’s positive (and tasty) impact
The Culinary Institute of the South features six academic classrooms, two gleaming teaching kitchens, and a theaterstyle show kitchen that we think Food Network execs would love. There are also two dining options at the bustling campus, which are open to the public: Clist Café and The Bistro (see below for dining details).
The Culinary Institute of the South offers hands-on, practical training in culinary arts, baking and pastry, and hospitality. Highly trained, credentialed instructors teach both theory and practical application in and out of
the kitchen, with full- and part-time options and day and evening classes available in seven different curriculum tracks, from Culinary Arts to Baking and Pastry, and Hospitality/Tourism Management. Students can also expand their menu of skills by completing internships in the Lowcountry’s own world-renowned restaurants and resorts.
TCL is a public two-year multi-campus community college and is the region’s primary provider of higher education and workforce training, serving about 5,000 students annually. And, before we dish it out on the new Foodseum, here’s an historic background tidbit about Technical College of the Lowcountry: TCL traces its origin to the Mather School, a school created by Rachel Crane Mather in 1868 to educate the daughters of liberated slaves.
Even more exciting to our loyal Lowcountry DISH readers is that the Culinary Institute of the South offers a Personal Enrichment program, which is targeted to food enthusiasts who are looking to expand their knowledge. Where better to learn how to cook than at a culinary institute, right?
Featuring three-hour immersive and entertaining hands-on classes from chefs, culinary experts, and guest instructors in state-of-the-art kitchens, participants learn kitchen basics, knife tips, and cooking
terminology, all while whipping up a tasty meal to enjoy at the end of class.
Upcoming classes that have us salivating include topics like: Vegan Recipes (“Because Broccoli has Feelings Too”); Get Your Jam on with Jambalaya; Around the World (“How Ingredients Influence Different Cultures”); A Spanish Banquette (“Roast Suckling Pig Holiday Feast”); and Tweens Can Cook (“For Ages 8-12”). The classes are held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., cost $150 per student/class, and aprons are provided.
As the latest TCL offering, the new Foodseum (including the great name) was the brainchild of our most wonderful Beaufort neighbor, Leigh Copeland, who is assistant vice president of Marketing & Public Relations for the Technical College of the Lowcountry. She’s rightfully (almost) as proud of this new offspring as she is of her two great sons, Lukas and Reames, and hubby extraordinaire, Ryan.
“We are really excited about the Foodseum, not only as a stand-alone museum for residents and visitors to the area, but also for the program potential and other opportunities it adds to the Culinary Institute of the South,” says Jacqueline Orak, Dean of the Culinary & Hospitality Division.
Located to the right on the Culinary Institute of the South’s entrance and lobby, the Foodseum opens with a “Welcome Wall” that answers the question, “What is a Foodseum?” Here’s what it says: “Southern food has a story to tell. It’s as much about
geography and genealogy as it is about ingredients. Join us on this journey through the past, present and future to discover the diverse ingredients, cultures and cooking styles that put Southern cuisine on the map. Our hope is that your Foodseum experience encourages cooking and conversations beyond these walls so that the story never ends.” Now, that’s a mouthful.
The “Intro to Southern Cuisine” is just that, providing the history and journey of the ingredients that put Southern food on the map. On the backside of this display, we loved “taking a spin” through a display on Southern ingredients.
Lowcountry’s own cookbook authors, including Daufuskie Island’s own Sallie Ann Robinson.
Sallie Ann’s a long-time friend by way of Pat Conroy (who was her teacher on Daufuskie) and she spoke about “What Southern Food Means to Me” after the ribbon cutting.
Liz Williams, author and founder of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans, also flew up from the Big Easy for a very interesting “Food Has a Story to Tell” presentation. After touring the Foodseum, we enjoyed a lively lunch with Leigh and Liz at SERG Group’s Frankie Bones Bluffton, and it’s highly recommended.
On the backside of this exhibit, there’s a
Next comes a rotating exhibit called “Tastes of the South” that showcases Southern food topics. And, they’ve opened with a topic we know and love: Barbecue! Then, there’s a “Food Growth Map,” which shows what is grown across the South. We also learned how what grows where has evolved over the years and from state to state.
The “History of Southern Dishes” display highlights iconic Southern dishes and we have to say that we learned a lot of new factoids to dish out at dinner parties. Nearby, a well-situated reading bench provides a place to grab a book from their cookbook and food narrative collection and sit a spell to relax, read, and watch students in the sprawling and sparkling SERG Show Kitchen.
“Lowcountry Spotlight” is another rotating exhibit and this one features food and more found right in our backyard. The first installment for this exhibit highlights SERG Restaurant Group and provides an ode to the
“Share Your Story” display that allows visitors to share their favorite food stories. Reading them made us hungry.
“So You Think You Know?” tests your southern food knowledge with multiple choice questions that seemed to start off relatively easy before stumping (and humbling) us several times in a row. We look forward to revisiting these quizzes.
Nearby, artifact cases and shelves display everything from milk jugs to pie tins, plus
several items where we had to ask what the heck they were. Many of these culinary artifacts were donated from the personal collection of the Culinary Institute of the South’s founding Dean, Miles Huff.
“The Future of Southern Cuisine” is next. It highlights the Culinary Institute of the South and its students and alumni, including recipe cards to take home and try. We grabbed graduate Christina Ranck’s delectable recipe for loaded chocolate chip cookies and give it an A-plus!
Situated in the middle of the Foodseum is a large table they’re calling “The Dining Table.” Just like a dinner table anywhere in the South, it’s going to provide a place to have a seat at the table and talk about southern food and history. Yeap, it made us hungry.
Dean Orak, who also teaches at the Culinary Institute of the South, told us that the Foodseum will also host events held in conjunction with the revolving exhibits, cookbook signings and other appropriate author events, additional seminars and classes, and guest lectures. Sign us up!
As mentioned and if you’re like us, a visit to the Foodseum is sure to make you hungry. Thankfully, there are two delectable dining options at the bustling campus.
The Clist Café serves as a multi-purpose role as both a grab-and-go café for the general public, students, and staff, as well as a “classroom” for culinary and hospitality students. There’s a great courtyard area, where it’s easy to chat with students about all things culinary. They serve a variety of fresh student-made breads and pastries, along with coffees, teas, and more, plus lunch specials featuring sandwiches and salads.
There’s also The Bistro, which features multi-course lunches prepared by the school’s culinary, baking, and pastry arts students as part of their curriculum. Open only for lunch, The
Bistro menu changes each semester with the classes and seasons, and we’re looking forward to scoring a hard-to-get reservation soon.
Beaufort-based travel journalists Lynn and Cele Seldon (www. seldonink.com) often cover culinary travel around the world, and Lowcountry Weekly recently lured them to write a monthly feature covering the local food scene. This will include articles about restaurants, chefs, food-focused stores, farms, farmers, farmers markets, and more. They welcome suggestions for topics.
1 Venture Dr. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 305-8575
tcl.edu/culinary-institute
The Foodseum (tcl.edu/foodseum) and Clist Café (tcl.edu/culinary-institute/clist-cafe) are both open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while The Bistro (tcl.edu/ culinary-institute/the-bistro) is only open for seated lunches by reservation on certain days each semester.
Easter, which celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, is Christianity’s most important holiday. Lately I've found myself reminiscing about the church that I grew up in, the churches that I've worked for and Easters past. Recollections of Easter dresses, little white gloves, Easter bonnets and palm frond crosses quickly come to mind. Sunday morning flashbacks have my head happily filled with favorite hymns along with memories of what sometimes feels like a whole other lifetime. Isn't it wonderful that happy memories only get better with the passage of time? And isn't it interesting that dining with the people we love is often a part of the process? I hope that this week's recipes will create some new happy Easter memories for you. Thank you for letting me share them with you.
1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed in refrigerator
1 pound mild Italian sausage
½ cup diced fresh tomatoes
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup diced bell pepper
1 (10-ounce) package chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 (16-ounce carton) whole milk ricotta cheese
6 eggs, divided
8 ounces thinly sliced Italian meats* (calabrese, salami, capocollo, prosciutto and/or pepperoni)
1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Place on a baking sheet and set aside. In a skillet, over medium heat, cook Italian sausage until browned; drain well on paper
towels. Add tomatoes, onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until onions and peppers are tender; remove from heat. Place spinach in a medium-sized bowl. Add parmesan cheese and tomato-onionpepper mixture. Mix well to combine. Place sausage in a large bowl. Add ricotta cheese, 5 eggs and spinach mixture; mix well to combine. Unfold puff pastry sheets. Roll out one sheet to about a 12-inch square. Line bottom and side of springform pan with 12-inch pastry sheet. Layer 1/3 of the sausage mixture in bottom of pan. Top with 1/3 of thinly sliced Italian meat followed by ½ of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of thinly sliced Italian meat. Roll out remaining puff pastry sheet to about an 11-inch square. Slice off a thin strip from one side to make cross, if desired. Place sheet on top; fold and tuck pastry edges into pan to enclose filling. Pinch edges to seal. Beat remaining egg in a small bowl and brush surface. Make cross with reserved puff pastry, place on top and brush with beaten egg. Pierce pastry several times to form vents or slits, which will allow steam to escape during baking. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool on a baking rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Run small knife around edge of pan before removing. Serves 12.
*I used a package of Italian meats that featured calabrese, salami and capocollo. You can also use deli prosciutto and or sliced package pepperoni. Use at least two different types.
2 (12-ounce) packages crinkle cut carrots
1 stick butter, divided
1 small onion, chopped ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
By Debbi Covington
1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of celery soup
½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 sleeve townhouse crackers Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender; drain. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan. Saute onions until tender. Place carrots in a large bowl. Add cooked onions, parsley, cream of celery soup, salt, pepper and cheese. Stir gently to combine. Transfer carrot mixture to prepared dish. Crush crackers in a bowl. Melt 5 remaining tablespoons of butter and pour over crackers. Toss to combine. Scatter cracker mixture over top of casserole. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes of until heated through. Serves 8 to 10.
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 (14-ounce) package sweetened flaked coconut
In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, confectioner's sugar and almond extract with a electric mixer. Place truffle mixture in refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up a bit. Pour coconut into a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread out evenly. Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop out truffle mixture and drop one-by-one into flaked coconut. Make about 10 at a time. Roll in coconut, coating on all sides, and place on a baking sheet. Place coconut covered truffles in refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving. Makes about 48.
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (16-ounce) package confectioner's sugar
The writer owns Catering by
and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. For more great recipes and to view her cooking demonstrations, visit and subscribe to Debbi’s YouTube channel. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at dbc@ cateringbydebbicovington.com
St. Helena’s Anglican Church will host an event to celebrate and help preserve the Old Sheldon Ruins on Friday, April 25th at 5 pm.
The ruins have a long, rich history. Prince William Parish, comprising the land lying between the Pocotaligo and Coosawhatchie Rivers, was carved out of the massive St. Helena Parish in 1745 to serve a growing population, chiefly of rice planters, who moved into what had been reserved as “Indian Territory” before the 1715 Yamassee uprising.
The site chosen for the Sheldon Church of Prince William came about as a gift of Eliza Bellinger in 1747.
Much of the funding for the church, which was completed in 1757, came from the influential Bull family. Its design was, according to an architectural historian, “the first building on American soil modeled on an Ancient Greek or Roman temple … and among the first in the entire British Empire.” A contemporary deemed it to have been “a more beautiful building than St. Philip’s [in Charleston] . . . and beautifully pew’d and ornamented.”
British troops passing by in 1779 put the building to the torch.
The building remained a ruined shell until 1815, when parishioners determined to rebuild. The new church, based on the same design but less ornately furnished, was consecrated in 1826, but succumbed to destruction once more in 1865. It was never rebuilt. The ruins remain.
In 1925 St. Helena’s Church in Beaufort began the custom of holding an annual service at Old Sheldon during the Easter season. The special celebration this year, along with the traditional Sunday service,
will mark the 100th anniversary of the “return” to Old Sheldon, which is now the property of St. Helena’s. The special event on Friday, April 25, will raise funds to support the preservation of this historic site.
Refreshments will be served from 5-6 pm while a string trio provided by Rabinowitz Music graces attendees with their sound. You are invited to stroll the grounds and view the original artwork of the Ruins available for bidding. Artwork will be provided by Jennifer Heyd Wharton and Gloria Dalvini. There will also be a rare photograph by Aubrey Dempsey of the ruins covered in snow. After an introduction from Rev. Shay
Gaillard at 6 pm, The Plantation Singers will perform at 6:15 pm. Singing traditional Lowcountry songs for over 22 years, The Plantation Singers area renowned a cappella group that has performed locally, nationally and internationally. They are known for their ability to reach out and draw a crowd into their performance with shoe tapping, hand clapping and a singing along atmosphere.
Historian and St. Helena’s member John McCardell says, “Old Sheldon is a hauntingly beautiful reminder of our history — of hopes and dreams and bitter disappointments — and of a tenacious and profound faithfulness that has endured through it all.” Tickets are $100 each and seating is limited. Purchase tickets at www.sthelenas1712.org/ old-sheldon
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center's monthly Open Mic Night will be held at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St.) on Thursday, April 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. For National Poetry
Month, Open Mic Night will feature poet and memoirist Galen Warden, author of I Believe You: When Doctors Won't, A Mother Must. She will also be reading on behalf of her son, James Strazza, author of Unsung: Poems
Written in the Dark. Open Mic will also include short readings of 3 to 5 minutes each by other writers in many genres.
Interested in reading as part of Open Mic?
Email the Center in advance: contact@patconroyliterarycenter.org.
Galen Warden has enjoyed poetry since childhood, drawing from the joyful, transcendent, and most difficult moments of her life. From adolescence through motherhood, divorce, dating, and caregiving — and throughout her career as a designer and marketer for Bowker and LexisNexis — poetry has been a steady companion. Her work has appeared in Sensations Magazine, The Ever-Dancing Muse, Get Satisfied, and Lips, plus the anthologies Poets of the Palisades, The Paterson Literary Review, and The World Book of Healing. Galen is a fourth-generation Beaufortonian who has cared for her adult son James in her home for the past five years. Her forthcoming memoir, I Believe You, captures the heartrending reality of very severe M.E.
“I have come to know Galen as an amazing mother, caregiver and advocate.
Patients, families, caregivers and medical professionals will benefit from her lived experience and effectiveness . . . Her book is a highly effective clarion call to anyone with ME or long COVID to just rest, and to their loved ones to support them. I believe it’s what the world urgently needs right now.”
— Janet L. Dafoe, PhD, psychologist
James Strazza was a prolific songwriter as well as a professional music producer when his young life was destroyed by a serious neurological disease. His only creative outlet became texting on his phone, so he leveraged his songwriting skills for a newfound passion: poetry. His second collection of poetry is
Unsung: Poems Written in the Dark.
“This poet—and he is a poet in the fullest sense—gives utterance to a horrific reality that escapes all utterance. Transforming us into witnesses, he ignites our own soul: to read James Strazza is to burn with him. And to be forever transformed.”
—David Patterson, Hillel A. Feinberg Distinguished Chair in Holocaust Studies, University of Texas at Dallas Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
Good fences make good neighbors” so the saying goes. In fact, fences and barriers have been in yards since the arrival of the Pilgrims. One of the first things that these settlers built in Plymouth were fences to enclose their little bit of land. This seems to be a uniquely English tradition for England is a land of hedges, fences, and walls. We are not as much inclined today, but buffers enclosing our yards are and can be a good thing for multiple reasons.
Rather than fences and walls, buffers of shrubs, plants, and trees can serve several functions as well as being an attractive addition to a landscape. Buffers can be along a marsh or waterway, by a roadside, separating property lines, or blocking out an unwanted view.
Buffers of native plant material along a marsh or waterway can protect against erosion and/or flooding. Buffers can help minimize the amount of pollution from stormwater and irrigation run off from entering our marshes, rivers, and streams. Planting along the water can provide an important habitat for wildlife particularly coastal birds and reptiles as well as a shaded fish spawning area along the shore.
Plantings along a roadside can do many beneficial things. A buffer of shrubs, plants, and trees can reduce noise pollution from road traffic to a level that will enable residents to enjoy outdoor activities as well as open decks and porches. A roadside buffer can also abate pollutants that enter the environment from vehicle exhaust thus protecting the residents of a nearby community. Buffer plantings help to prevent road debris and matter from entering a residential area. Buffer plantings can help to stabilize ecosystems by preventing erosion and separating disparate land uses. For example, a buffer can separate residential living from commercial traffic. It seems that most people naturally like to have privacy and maintain their own space. Many HOA’s do not permit walls or fences. However, buffers of plants are usually encouraged. You may not wish to see your neighbor’s house, garage, or utility court. Or perhaps your yard abuts commercial property that you wish to block out. Planted buffers can be very effective in blocking out noise, light, and air pollution as well as an unwanted view. Even wind can be a problem in many yards and a thick stand of shrubs can help to abate this.
What to plant in your buffer is dependent upon its location –sun or shade? Moist soil or dry? It is always a good idea, especially along water, to use native plants for wildlife. Our native yaupon holly will grow anywhere and can be pruned to stay small or allowed to grow to its height of 10-20 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. There are dwarf yaupons so be certain that you know what you are purchasing. Another good native is saw palmetto (Serenoa repens). It is a fire tolerant evergreen member of the palm family that only grows 6-9 feet tall. It is native to the entire coastal lower south and provides a great naturalistic barrier along the marsh. Native grasses such as muhly grass, switch grass, or northern sea oats also provide good erosion preventing qualities.
As a separation between properties or to block out an unwanted view, you cannot go wrong with Sweet Viburnum. (Viburnum
odoratissimum) This shrub can grow as tall as 25-30 feet and has thick evergreen leaves. It is misused as a foundation plant because it is inexpensive, lush, and grows quickly, but it is too large to be next to a house. It is far more suitable as a buffer plant due to its size, speed of growth and thick foliage. It is very hardy and can be left on its own with no additional care. Viburnums do best in sun or partial shade.
Podocarpus is also an interesting landscape shrub with evergreen finely textured conifer like leaves. There are tall and short varieties to choose for each location. Again, this is a low maintenance shrub that does best in some sun.
Loropetulum is another shrub that maintains its purple foliage all year long. There are many different sizes and some cultivars can grow into small trees. The thick foliage is an effective barrier to noise, sight, and wind. It also gets pink or red fringe like flowers in the early spring.
By Wendy Hilty
Whatever you use as a barrier, be sure that it is not deciduous and will provide leaf coverage throughout the year. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has a pdf titled “Backyard Buffers” with all sorts of ideas for your yard as well as lists of native plants, shrubs, and trees. A quick search will take you right to the booklet. Good fences may make good neighbors, but good buffers are better for the environment.
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.
Sound sets mood in a myriad of ways; think of a great movie soundtrack or a song that sets your heart afire. Think of overhearing a loved one’s raucous laughter and how it delights the ears. Think of the rhythmic crashing roar of waves as you stare over the ocean and the resulting sonic embrace. Sound is an important connection to the interior world of meaning.
In the natural world of the Lowcountry many sounds are muted. You must listen hard at the edge of a saltwater marsh to hear brushy whispers, and the loudest plops in ponds near my house are turtles jumping in. Unlike my last citified neighborhood, it’s possible to sleep with the windows open when the weather is right; it’s a pleasant little treasure.
Sometimes I’ll lie there in the dark and hear the wind pick up a bit and rustle the treetops and it will be a calm balm easing me back to dream land. No such drifty pleasure was possible at 5:30 a.m. on a recent morning. Instead, a bunch of birds went crazy for an extended glory-be it’s great to make noise! symphony. I was surrounded by squawks, screeches, trills, and assorted ecstatic whistles. I had to laugh at how loud it was, and my wife and I compared it to the trains that used to blast their horns outside our windows in Knoxville. It went on for a while but was worth the attention.
In an oddly similar way, a very different kind of sound experience captured my full attention recently at the SCAD Museum in Savannah. I’d been meaning to get down there for some time and finally made the trek. We had a great lunch first at a place called Veratina, and I thought the Shrimp Scampi made the trip a success regardless of what art might come later.
It turns out the multiple galleries at SCAD provided a fabulous array of artwork, notably the expressive drawings and paintings by Christina Quarles and the graceful large paintings filled with colorful beauty and longing by Ken Gun Min. But when I entered the sound installation called Vox I knew what I had come for.
This 8-channel sound installation by Icelandic artist and musician Jónsi (on display until June 22) is an immersive experience of sight, sound and fragrance.
The roughly 20 X 15 foot room consists of long rectangular LED light panels on all four walls and a small sitting platform in the middle.
Depending on when you enter the 25 minute loop, you’ll hear Jónsi’s falsetto voice gently inviting contemplation or more roughly declaring contact, existing over tonal palettes that range from natural world ambience to mechanical construction. His voice has been converted into light frequencies that trigger the LED panels as the voice booms through the speakers. At the same time, there are bursts of an earthy and fecund fragrance and wisps of fog pumped in as part of the immersion. It turns out the artist’s family runs the perfumery Fischersund and Jónsi knows scents. He also knows how to create sonic arrangements that folks respond to, if his 500,000 YouTube followers mean anything.
I’m definitely wired to appreciate installation art in general, and soundscapes in particular, but I believe that anyone who is able to relax into the mood of Vox and stick it out for the duration will be rewarded. The experience makes overall sense in its alchemy of what you see, feel, hear, and smell.
I believe that part of the point (and value) of art such as this is that it offers a chance to step outside your normal social interactions and linger inside an artistically realized and fully created space. It’s an opportunity for a new experience, challenging and rewarding at the same
By Luke Frazier
time. In some way this immersion reset my emotional concerns and broadened my perspective, as powerful art can do.
Jónsi’s Vox installation reminded me of a James Wade passage written from the perspective of a dying character who felt himself caught up in a “swirling rotation of the never before and always has been.” I let expectations go in that scented little room filled with flashing lights and a powerful voice and stepped into a larger context of life on Art’s terms.
Light and sound will be part of our lives until darkness and silence finally overtake us. But until then, there are ample opportunities to be engaged by creative acts, and Jónsi’s Vox installation at SCAD is now calling.
Luke Frazier is a writer and award-winning media producer who recently transplanted to the Lowcountry. He runs NOW Communications, which focuses on the needs of missiondriven organizations. Luke can be reached at nowandfuturecomms@gmail.com
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 - Home Slice Pizzeria, 2001 Boundary St. 6-9pm. Shag Lessons with Tommy & Sheri O'Brien and others. Occasional Ballroom and once a month Line Dance. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com or lowcountryshaggers@aol.com
WEDNESDAYS, BEAUFORT SHAG CLUB meets evenings at AMVETS, 1831 Ribaut Rd., Port Royal from 7-9pm, and the 2nd Sat. of the month 7-10pm. Free lessons to members Sep. to June. Visit The Beaufort Shag Club on Facebook
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to staff The Lending Room, 954 Ribaut Rd across from Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Help us receive donations of gently used medical equipment and distribute them to those in need. We need to staff our showroom M-F 9:30-3:30 and Sat. AM. Shifts only 3 hours long. No experience is required but a familiarity with commonly used medical equipment helpful. Training will be
provided. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer job, learn about TLR and find volunteer application forms at lendingroombft.com or call Barbara at 314-660-4233.
LOCO SCRIBBLERS 3:00 5:00 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Are you a scribbler (professional or hobby writer)? Check out our small, informal Beaufort area writers club. All skill and subject levels welcome: fiction, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs. Free. Call or email for more info and meeting location in Port Royal: beaufdick@gmail.com or 843-322-0616.
SEA ISLAND ROTARY CLUB has a 12:15 lunch meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information about the Rotary Club of Sea Island please visit our website at www.seaislandrotary.org
BRIDGE CLUB at the Beaufort Branch Library Wednesdays at 11am. Join a session for beginners new to the game, other sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for 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 for each shift. Interested in volunteering? More info and application forms are 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 843-263-4218. Please consider helping this very worthwhile organization!!
SECOND HELPINGS seeks volunteers to crew trucks in Bluffton and Beaufort to distribute food to local charities. Offering a flexible schedule at your convenience. Email officeadmin@secondhelpingslc.org
BEMER LONGEVITY TECHNOLOGY 9a Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span”? Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes 2X/day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
CARIS HEALTHCARE: WE HONOR VETERANS Hospice Program. You a Vet with a little time to share with other Vets with limited time? The We Honor Veterans program seeks volunteers who are Vets to offer a listening ear for our Veteran patients. Volunteers also participate in our Pinning Ceremonies for Veteran patients. Contact 843-473-3939 or smilliken@carishealthcare.com
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY: Non-denominational meditation, silent prayer and healing group forming. All wel-
come. No meditation experience needed. Call Michael 843-489-8525.
HABITAT RESTORE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We're looking for volunteers. Cashiers, sales floor associates, donation processing, donor data entry, and donor ambassadors. Visit lowcountryhabitat.org/volunteer or call 843-525-0055.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Calhoun Station Thrift Store in Bluffton. All funds generated are returned to other nonprofits in the community. Open Wed & Sat 10am to 1pm at 77 Pritchard St. Volunteers can stop by or contact Cate Taylor, 843-310-0594 or catetaylor@frontier.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for HELP of Beaufort, 530 Charles St. Looking for committed volunteers for clothes sorting, pantry help, front desk help and Mobile Meals drivers. We are open M-F from 9:30-12:30, Mobile Meals delivers to home bound seniors 5 days/week, routes takes about 30-45 mins. Email Lori at helpbeaufort@gmail.com, or call 843-524-1223, or stop in and fill out an application.
PORT ROYAL MUSEUM is open Thursday through Sunday at 1634 Paris Ave., from 10 - 3 or upon request. Free admission! Call 843-524-4333 or email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com to request a special opening.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP - First Thursday of the month at Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Center, from 1:30-2:45pm, 900 Ribaut Rd. Beaufort. We're individuals with Parkinson’s, care partners of those with Parkinson’s, and individuals or companies providing products or services for Parkinson’s patients. For more info: Rick Ostrander at pdawaresc@gmail.com or Facebook at Parkinson’s Support Group Of Beaufort SC Port Royal & Lady’s Island
TOUR HISTORIC FORT FREMONT – Beginning April 1 and running through July, the Fort Fremont History Center will expand operating hours. The new hours are Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm, Fridays from 1 to 4 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. There is no admission fee. Docent-led tours are available by request. The Fort Fremont Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday. A selfguided walking tour is available for smartphones from the Apple or Google Play stores. For more information or to download the app, visit www.fortfremont.org
US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, Flotilla 07-10-01, Port Royal Sound, a uniformed, all volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. We conduct safety patrols, assist search & rescue, teach boat safety, conduct free vessel safety checks and other boating activities. Monthly meetings are open to all and held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Port Royal Sound Foundation classroom at 7pm. For info call Flotilla Commander Pattie McGowan (706-633-6192) and on Facebook - USCGA Beaufort
BEAUFORT TOASTMASTERS CLUB meets from 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm the first & third Tuesday, in the Beaufort College Building, Rm. 103 (USC-Beaufort Campus), 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. To learn more visit beauforttoastmastersclub.toastmastersclubs.org
FREE ACUPUNCTURE FOR VETERANS – Veterans, Active Duty, Transition. Their Families and First Responders are Eligible. First & Third Wednesday 46pm. Walk In Clinic. No Need to Pre-Register or Call. Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs Clinic. 1214 Prince Street, Downtown Beaufort.
CRESCENT HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUP: Last Wed. and Thurs. of the month. Weds. 10-11am at Sun City; Thurs. 12-1pm Brookdale Hilton Head Ct., Hilton Head; for those who provide physical, emotional or practical support to a family member or friend. Jodi Johnson, LMSW. Bereavement Group: 5-6 pm., Fridays, 10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton; for those who have experienced a loss and would like support and info associated with grief and bereavement. Corrie VanDyke, LMSW or Marie James, MA. 843-757-9388.
INTERESTED IN HEALTHY EATING? Second Helpings, of Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, seeks committee members and chairperson for Healthy Food Program. Funding available to procure fresh produce and protein for the 60 food pantries and soup kitchens served by Second Helpings. Contact Exec. Dir. Lili Coleman, 843-689-3616 or execdirector@secondhelpingslc.org
BORN TO READ working for early childhood literacy, needs volunteers to deliver books and materials to new mothers at Coastal Community Hosp., HH Hosp., and BMH. Visits are from 10am – noon. More info at borntoread.org or call 843-379-3350.
ALZHEIMER’S FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER BEAUFORT, Support Groups: Caregiver - Fridays., 12:30pm, Living with Alzheimer's - for those in very early 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, 1011:30am, $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 staff's 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 10am-4:30pm and 8am on Graduation Days. Closed Federal Holidays. Info at parrisislandmuseum.org or 843-228-2166.
CHRIST CENTERED RECOVERY MEETINGS At Praise Assembly Church Fridays for “Celebrate Recovery”, addressing life’s problems by looking to scripture. Meal at 6pm; Praise, Worship; Big Meeting. 6:30pm; Small Groups at 7pm. 800 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Info at 205-475-3600 or 303-521-1891.
Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island. (843) 838-9300. Foolish Frog on Facebook
Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) 521-1888 or Luther's on Facebook
Q on Bay, 822 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 524-7771 or www.qonbay.com
Rosie O’Gradys Irish Pub, in Beaufort Town Center. Irish American Sports Pub & Eatery. C'mon down! Rock & Roll Lunch. Monday - 25% Off Burgers; Karaoke Wed, Fri & Sat - 10pm. 25% off Apps & Wings for NFL Ticket; College sports Saturdays. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook
Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com
Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www.bigbamboocafe.com
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. 4/9 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Steven Trio, 4/11 & 4/12 Celebrating Oscar Peterson's "The Trio" with guitarist Howard Paul and Grammy winners Matt Rollings & John Lee, 4/16 Bobby Ryder, 4/18 & 4/19 Bobby Ryder honors Tom Jones & Engelbert Humperdinck, 4/23 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Steven Trio, 4/25 & 4/26 Randy Napoleon Trio plays Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and Kenny Burrell. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 4/10 Colby Acuff; Mel Washington, 4/11 Nightly; Will Linley; Brooke Alexx, 4/12 Debi Tirar Mas Fiestas: the Bad Bunny Party, 4/13 The Aristocrats, 4/15 Rubblebucket; Capyac, 4/17 STRFKR; Valgur; Happy Sad Face, 4/18 Mr Hollands Oats - Hall & Oates tribute, 4/19 Hypnum Goth Night with The Veldt; Nightsweat; IceBlynk, 4/20 Mike; Sideshow; Niontay; El Cousteau, 4/22 The Dip; Zach Person, 4/23 Slothrust; Weakened Friends, 4/24 Giovannie & the Hired Guns, 4/25 Goldie Boutilier; Easy Money, 4/26 Trappyoke. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 4/9 The Bright Light Social Hour, 4/10 Sunsquabi, 4/11 Check Your Head; Mike Live - Beastie Boys tribute, 4/12 Live Dead & Brothers with Steve Kimock, 4/16 House at the Pour House with Oleg Terentiev; Sean Bing; Tyrie Young; Jeff Caldwell, 4/17 Sierra Hull; Mason Via, 4/18 & 4/19 Papadosio, 4/23 Dogs in a Pile; OMIWIMO, 4/23 Grateful for Biggie, 4/24 Come Back to Earth, 4/25 Sexbruise; Electrolux, 4/26 Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 4/10 Shadowgrass; Clay Street Unit, 4/11 Conner Smith & Dylan Marlowe, 4/12 The Novatones, 4/19 Uncle Mingo; Spidermonkey, 4/25 Rock the 90s. (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.
Sun 4/27, Mark Lowery & Friends with Endless Highway. Gospel artist and humorist Mark Lowery brings his signature blend of music, storytelling and comedy to the stage, joined by Endless Highway. 3 pm at USCB Center for the Arts. For tickets, visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Now – 4/26, Tidal Treasures, collaborative exhibit at Beaufort Art Association Gallery, 913 Bay St, Beaufort. Featuring work by Art Rothenberg, Emily Styles and Gail Newton. Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Now – 5/3, Lowcountry Serenity: Celebrating Coastal Beauty. Featuring the work of Janet Stevens. SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Reception on 4/11 from 4-6 pm. www.sobagallery.com
Now – 6/30, The Rhodes Collection of African American Art on exhibit in the USCB Gallery in Beaufort. Opening reception and talk with Dr. Harold M. Rhodes Fri 4/11, 6 – 7:30pm. Up Close with the Artists, Sat 5/31, noon-2pm. www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
4/20 – 5/20, Awakenings, an exhibit of photography by poet Miho Kinnas, at the Island Rec Center, 20 Wilborn Rd, Hilton Head Island. Photographs available for purchase. Admission is free
5/4 – 5/31, Lowcountry Classics featuring work by Lynne Drake at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Public reception Wed 5/8 from 4-6 pm. www.sobagallery.com
Thur 4/10 Pat Conroy Literary Center's Monthly Open Mic Night, at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St.) from 6-7:30 pm. Featuring poet/memoirist Galen Warden reading from her work I Believe You: When Doctors Won't, A Mother Must, and also on behalf of her son, James Strazza, author of Unsung: Poems Written in the Dark. Open Mic will also include short readings of 3 to 5 minutes by other writers in many genres. Interested
in reading? Email the Center in advance: contact@patconroyliterarycenter.org
Tues 4/15, Evening with Dawn Tripp (Jackie) at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St, Beaufort) at 5 pm. Free and open to the public. Books available for sale and signing through NeverMore Books. Seating is limited, please call to reserve: 843-379-7025. www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
Thur 4/17, Evening with novelist Emily Carpenter (Gothictown) at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort) at 5pm, in partnership with NeverMore Books. Carpenter will be in conversation with Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt. Free and open to the public. Books available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call to reserve: 843-3797025. www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
Sat 4/12, Always Olivia, a musical tribute to Olivia Newton John. 7:30 pm at USCB Center for the Arts in Beaufort. www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Now – 6/23 Modjeska School of Human Rights will host spring session classes in a satellite classroom at Penn Center. Tuition will be waived for Penn Center students. For more information or to register, visit https://www.scpronet.com/ modjeskaschool/spring-session/
4/12 - 4/13, MCAS Beaufort Airshow. Free general admission. Premium seating and more info at www.beaufortairshow.com
Fri 4/25, Benefit at Old Sheldon Ruins to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. Helena’s Prayer Services. Hosted by St. Helena’s Anglican Church to help preserve the ruins. Starting at 5 pm, with hors d’oeuvres, beverages, an art auction, and a performance by the Plantation Singers. Tickets are $100. Visit sthelenas1712.org
Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-8387437. Tours free are and park entry fees apply.
First Saturday of the Month, Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud at Port Royal Farmers Market. DAYLO students and other volunteers will read to young children between 9am and noon. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal.
Third Thursday, TECHconnect, a monthly networking event for professionals working in and around tech. Join the conversation at BASEcamp 500 Carteret 5:30-7:30pm. 843-470-3506. www.beaufortdigital.com
Thursdays, History Tours of Fort Mitchell by Heritage Library, 10am. $12/Adult $7/Child. 843-686-6560.
Ongoing, Beaufort Tree Walk by the Lady’s Island Garden Club through the historic Old Point. Takes about an hour and is a little over a mile. Starts at the corner of Craven & Carteret Streets ending in Waterfront Park. Booklets with a map and tree info available FREE at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven St.
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Over 25 Years experience servicing Lowcountry buyers and sellers with closings, deeds, and contracts.
Alisha Doud alisha@dcgilbert.com
Daun Schouten daun@dcgilbert.com
Laure Gallagher laure@dcgilbert.com
Ashley Hart ashley@dcgilbert.com
Joy McConnell joy@dcgilbert.com
Johanna Graham johanna@dcgilbert.com
Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
Derek C. Gilbert Attorney at Law
Derek C. Gilbert derek@dcgilbert.com
Melissa R. Wicker melissa@dcgilbert.com
Sam Bailey samuel@dcgilbert.com
2 PROFESSIONAL VILLAGE CIRCLE BEAUFORT, SC 29907
TELEPHONE: 843-524-4000
FACSIMILE: 843-524-4006
