Reflections on the good life in coastal South Carolina }.
Lowcountry
Cracker Barrel Blues 4
An American folktale
Whispers from the Soul 5 Theresa King at BAA
Five Decades of Song 7 HHCS turns 50
Book Club Convention 8 For Lowcountry readers
Shorts at High Noon 9 Encore, encore!
Pound Cake Power 16
What's your gift?
NeverMore Forever! 10
Author Jason Mott
August 27 – September 9, 2025
July 2 – July 15, 2025
cover notes
The painting on our cover is "Sunset Reflection" by Theresa King, from her exhibit "Whispers from the Soul," opening at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery on September 2. For more information, see our story on page 5.
yWeekly
August 27 – September 9, 2025
ro w c o unt
LPublisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com
Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly
Marketing Director: Amanda Hanna — 843-343-8483 or Amanda@LCWeekly.com
Advertising Sales: Jere Russo — 401-787-3280 or JereRusso@gmail.com Delayna Earley — 804-347-8704 or Delayna.TheIslandNews@gmail.com
Art Director: Lydia Inglett
Layout & Design: Amalgamated Sprinkleworks
Contributing Writers: Bradley Beck, Katherine Tandy Brown, Debbi Covington, Luke Frazier, Wendy Hilty, Jared Madison, Cele & Lynn Seldon, and Sutty Suddeth What’s Happening Calendar: Staff – Editor@LCWeekly.com
Letters to the Editor, comments or suggestions can be addressed to: Lowcountry Weekly
106 West Street Extension, Beaufort, SC 29902
Call: 843-986-9059 or Email: Editor@LCWeekly.com
Lowcountry Weekly is published every other Wednesday and distributed throughout Beaufort County at various restaurants, retail locations, hotels and visitor’s centers. The entire contents of Lowcountry Weekly is copyrighted 2025 by P. Podd Press, LLC. No part may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned.
Cracker Barrel Blues RANTS & RAVES
Iwouldn’t call myself a Cracker Barrel regular. We don’t even have one in Beaufort. I think there’s one in Okatie, but that's a long haul for some sub-par biscuits 'n gravy. Nevertheless, the Cracker Barrel has a semi-special place in my heart thanks to its longstanding role in Evans Family Tradition. Every Christmas season for as long as I can remember, Jeff and I – and later, Amelia –have begun our day-long drive from Beaufort to my mom’s in Decatur, Ala, with a stop at the Cracker Barrel in Pooler, Ga.
In the early days, it was all about gathering listening materials for the road. Before there was Audible – or podcasts – there were Books on Tape, and Cracker Barrel had a decent selection. You could buy a “book” at one Cracker Barrel, listen to it on the road, then return it to another Cracker Barrel – any Cracker Barrel, anywhere! – and get all but a dollar of your money back. What a deal. For road-reading, we were particularly fond of Sue Grafton’s alphabet series – A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar, C is for Corpse, etc. etc. The chapters were short, the mysteries were twisty, and the writing was snappy. Nothing too philosophical or literary. (Best not to try “deep listening” on long road trips with family members who are likely to mock your lofty aspirations while demanding multiple pit stops, thus taking you out the “zone.”)
At some point, we stopped getting audio books, but we didn’t stop stopping at the Cracker Barrel. Because stopping at the Cracker Barrel was, by now, our Christmas Tradition. Sometimes we’d pick up last-minute gifts for my nieces or brothers-in-law. Often, Jeff would buy a stash of pralines. (My husband has purchased pralines in at least 23 states and several foreign countries. He’s a connoisseur.) But even if there was nothing we needed, we stopped at the Cracker Barrel for its Christmasy vibe.
The cheesy ornaments. The cheap figurines. The sappy music. The festive sweaters. The sheer, unadulterated holiday hokiness!
And the clean bathrooms, even on the busiest travel days of the year? Talk about your Christmas miracle! I’m welling up a little just thinking about it . . .
I’m referring to the “Old Country Store,” of course. I’m less sentimental about the Restaurant side of the Cracker Barrel. We’ve had dinner there a few times, on the way back from Alabama – road-weary and forlorn, with Christmas now behind us. Maybe it was my exhaustion or general bedraggled-ness, but the “magic” just wasn’t there for me on the flipside of Christmas. And while the food was fine, it wasn’t more than fine. I do remember having a tasty breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near Greenville once, but again, it’s the Old Country Store that wormed its way into my heart.
11th Annual Sea Island Spirit Writers Short Story Contest
Writers, Far and Wide – Here’s a chance to get paid for writing! Sea Island Spirit Writers’ critique group is again sponsoring a short story contest open to all writers 18 years old and up. The phrase “the ride home” must appear in your story of 750 words or less. Your story could net you $100 for first place, $50 for second place, or $25 for third, and publication in Lowcountry Weekly.
THE RULES ARE SIMPLE:
• Entry fee is $15 per story. Only one entry per person please.
• All entries must include your name, address, email address and phone number.
• Entries must be received by Friday, October 3, 2024.
• Entries cannot have been previously published. We want new, fresh fiction.
• Digital entries only please. Submit to editor@lcweekly.com by email with “Short Story Contest” in the subject line.
• Payment may be made either by check or credit card. To pay by credit card, call Lowcountry Weekly at 843-522-0418. To pay by check, make checks out to “Lowcountry Weekly” with “Short Story Contest” in the memo line. Mail to Lowcountry Weekly, 106 West St., Extension, Beaufort SC 29902.
• Winners will be published in the October 22nd issue of Lowcountry Weekly.
So I have followed with interest the drama unfolding around Cracker Barrel ever since the company announced that some of its stores would be getting a new look.
According to Southern Living , “the Tennessee-based restaurant chain beloved for its Southern-style cooking and charmingly cluttered interiors started implementing a rebrand last year. Cracker Barrel executives told The Wall Street Journal in May that they believe giving a physical makeover to certain locations will help boost sales, attract new customers, and hopefully keep the 56-year-old business afloat through economic fluctuations.”
Now look, I know what it’s like to be 56 years old and in need of a makeover, but much like my dear family love me “just the way I am” – or so they tell me – it seems some Cracker Barrel enthusiasts were not eager for change nor thrilled when it happened.
“As Cracker Barrel locations across the country begin unveiling their simpler aesthetics, diners have been sharing their new looks on social media,” says Southern Living. “The response has been mixed, with fans of the kitschy, old-fashioned decor mourning the loss of Cracker Barrel’s charming sense of nostalgia.”
And just last week, the company lost almost $100 million in value when its stock plunged after it introduced a new logo. Still gold and brown, like the old logo, the new version is cleaner, less fussy, and – most significantly – has dropped the image of a man leaning on a barrel.
According to the Cracker Barrel website, the man and barrel in the old logo represented "the old country store experience where folks would gather around and share stories."
In a statement to CBS News, Cracker Barrel said that the man portrayed in the logo, known as "Uncle Herschel," will remain "front and center in our restaurants and on our menu."
"Our values haven't changed, and the heart and soul of Cracker Barrel haven't changed," the company assured CBS.
But this is the year 2025, so the conversation didn’t stop there. Of course it didn’t. The new logo – while shaped like a barrel – became a political football.
Popular right-wing X accounts ganged up against Cracker Barrel, including End Wokeness, an account with nearly 4 million
followers, which posted, “Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino should face charges for this crime against humanity.” The post had garnered over 50,000 likes as of this writing.
Country singer John Rich, an outspoken Trump supporter, posted, “Will you go to Cracker Barrel now that it's going woke? This could be a ‘Bud Light’ moment in the making,” referencing the 2023 conservative-led boycott against beer company Bud Light after it briefly collaborated with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson, who has 5.5 million subscribers on YouTube, posted a video claiming Cracker Barrel had gone “woke,” slamming CEO Masino as an “insufferable left-wing elitist” and calling the company’s makeover the “destruction of a great American brand.”
A friend of mine on Facebook asked: “Can someone explain how removing an old geezer from a logo makes it ‘woke’”?
Good question. And it occurred to me that in a truly “woke” nation, “old geezer” would not be acceptable language. I also had this VERY un-woke thought, which I added to the comment section: “I guess it feels like they’re removing the cracker from Cracker Barrel.”
(Hey, as a white woman from the Deep South, I imagine I’m considered a “cracker” in certain circles, so I think I’m allowed to “reclaim” the word, right? Isn’t that how it works?)
As for me, I like the pictures I’ve seen of the refreshed, refurbished Cracker Barrel, and the clean new logo pleases my aesthetic sensibilities. But I’ll have to wait ‘til Christmas to form a truly educated opinion.
I’m fond of this company – it’s been good to my family – so I hope it hasn’t changed too much.
And I really hope they still sell pralines. Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly. She has been writing her award winning column, Rants & Raves, for 25 years.
Margaret Evans
Whispers from the Soul
BAA features Theresa King in September and October
The Beaufort Art Association Gallery is excited to present the fall Featured Artist show,
“Whispers from the Soul,” an exhibit by Theresa King. The exhibit will be on display from Sep. 5 through Nov. 1 at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery located on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort.
Theresa King’s show opens on September 2, coinciding with First Friday festivities. The Reception – free and open to the public – will be from 5 to 8 pm at the gallery, giving the community an opportunity to meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments. In addition, art by over 70 exhibiting artists will also be on display in the gallery.
“My passion lies in creating beautiful, inspiring images infused with Healing Energy, a quiet offering of peace, hope, and transformation,” says King. A self-taught artist, King’s oil paintings reflect her deep connection to the natural world and her own spirituality. She has cultivated a distinctive style that blends vibrant color, natural elements, and healing energy.
She sees art as not only beautiful but as a powerful emotional tool for transformation.
A cancer survivor and caregiver for several family members, Theresa has experienced firsthand the power of art and the enduring power of creativity. After losing her husband, she moved from Ohio to South Carolina at the age of seventy.
When asked about her hobbies outside of her art, King laughed, explaining that she exhibits regularly in three galleries and two satellite galleries and has served on the Beaufort Art Association gallery board for two years. “Keeping track of what’s where and when I volunteer keeps me plenty busy,” she says.
For more about Theresa King visit www.kingshealingart. com. For more about the Beaufort Art Association, visit the gallery at 913 Bay Street or www.beaufortartassociation.com. Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm or go online at beaufortartassociation.com
“I sold everything but my art supplies and a few keepsakes my husband made (woodworking was his hobby), packed up my car and started driving along the East Coast, stopping in various cities for a few days until it felt right. I’d never been to this area before and my friends thought I was crazy, but it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made,” says King.
“Each piece of art I create is an invitation to pause, reflect, and receive healing on a deeper level,” says King. “Art is my sanctuary and my way of bringing light into the world.”
Sailors Safe Harbor
Sunset Stream
SOBA Celebrates 32 Years of Creativity
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is proudly celebrating 32 years of bringing art, creativity, and community spirit to Old Town Bluffton — and 14 years in its charming location at the corner of Calhoun and Church Streets. This milestone comes as SOBA kicks off a vibrant new membership year with fresh leadership, exciting exhibitions, and renewed dedication to keeping art alive and thriving in Bluffton.
As part of the ongoing effort to promote the arts district in Old Town Bluffton, The SOBA Gallery will participate in the upcoming Gallery Hop & Block Party from 3–7 p.m. September 10 on Church Street from Calhoun to Boundary. This free community event will feature shopping, light refreshments, and special exhibits at the SOBA Gallery, as well as Robert Rommel Gallery of Nature, Preston Pottery Studio and the Maye River Gallery, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the range of artistic and cultural venues that make Bluffton’s creative corridor a destination.
Founded in 1994, SOBA began as a small group of dedicated local artists and has grown into a lively nonprofit gallery and art school featuring more than 100 talented members from across the Lowcountry. The gallery offers rotating exhibitions, workshops for all skill levels, and a warm, welcoming space for artists and art lovers alike.
“Our current home has been the perfect place to grow,” said President Karen Richards. “We’re especially grateful for our supportive landlord, Kirk Glenn, whose commitment to preserving the charm of Old Town Bluffton makes it possible for us to keep inspiring and engaging our community.”
This year, SOBA welcomes many new members and an almost entirely new board of directors, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the organization. To celebrate, the gallery is hosting a five-week-long exhibition of small artworks in place of the traditional featured artist show, perfect for art lovers looking to take home a unique piece of Bluffton.
SOBA is proud to be part of Church Street’s thriving artistic row, offering:
• Art lessons for all levels – from beginners to experienced artists
• Opportunities for camaraderie, growth, and mentoring
• Volunteer involvement and meaningful friendships
• Special exhibitions during local festivals and art walks, with art displayed on the lawn and porch and chances to meet the artists in person
• SOBA’s Naomi McCracken Scholarship — funded through generous donations from Naomi’s family — recognizes young talent and dedication. Finalists who are continuing their art education are selected from our local high schools, then interviewed by SOBA board members in conjunction with McCracken family members. Students submit a portfolio of their work and a written statement detailing their career plans and artistic achievements to date. Scholarships are awarded based on both artistic skill and commitment to the field.
Whether you’re an aspiring painter, a seasoned creator, or someone who simply enjoys beautiful art, SOBA is a place to connect, learn, and celebrate the artistic spirit of Bluffton.
The public is invited to visit the SOBA Gallery, meet local artists, and enjoy the anniversary celebration exhibitions. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays, and admission is always free.
For more information, visit sobagallery. com or follow SOBA on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events.
Five Decades of Singing
Hilton Head Choral Society commences 50th anniversary season
The Hilton Head Choral Society proudly announces the concert schedule for the 2025-26 season, marking five decades of musical excellence and tradition. This milestone year will feature special concerts celebrating the Choral Society’s 50th anniversary while highlighting its rich history and lasting impact on the Lowcountry community.
“Celebrate the Holidays” – Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7 p.m.
This December, join us for an enchanting evening that brings together cherished seasonal traditions and beloved contemporary holiday classics. Accompanied by special guest performers, the Hilton Head Choral Society will fill the air with warmth, joy, and the unmistakable magic of the season. In
The Hilton Head Choral Society’s 50th Anniversary Season includes the following concerts taking place at First Presbyterian Church:
“Celebrate Unity” – Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7 p.m.
This concert will feature renowned American composer, conductor and recordist, Z. Randall Stroope. The Choral Society will premiere an original keynote piece commissioned from Stroope especially for the HHCS anniversary celebration. Stroope has conducted concerts in 26 countries and published over 200 musical works! Throughout a variety of moving pieces, the 75-voice chorus will rise and fall in harmony, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is sure to stir your heart. Concertgoers will be invited to a reception after the concert in honor of the 50th Anniversary.
celebration of our founding in 1975, the program will feature selections from Handel’s Messiah, honoring our rich musical legacy. Come and experience the unifying spirit of music during the most wonderful time of the year.
“Celebrate Renewal” – Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Spring renewal is a time of transformation and awakening when nature sets an impressive example of resilience. Beyond the natural world, spring renewal is symbolic for personal growth and optimism. This concert will feature many favorite pieces and special performers from the past plus fresh seasonal selections that you will love, as you join with us as we step into our next 50 years!
“Celebrate America!” -Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Wrapping up this commemorative season, we invite you to our Celebrate
America concert. On the day before Memorial Day, the Choral Society will pay tribute to those in the armed services who fought valiantly for the freedoms we continue to enjoy. Memorial Day 2026 is part of the broader “America 250” celebrations marking our country’s 250th anniversary! This special program will include guest musicians and speakers for an inspiring event and grand finale to our anniversary season.
In addition to the four concert line-up, the HHCS will host the Vienna Boys Choir in a double-evening presentation at Lowcountry Community Church, 801 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton:
The Hilton Head Choral Society Presents The Vienna Boys Choir – Monday, Feb. 23 + Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at 7 p.m.
One of the most famous choirs in the world, the Vienna Boys Choir has been enchanting audiences for centuries with their pure & pristine sound and charming performance style. These gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty are a beloved institution, presenting a diverse array of vocal music that appeals to audiences of all ages.
A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY AND SONG
The Hilton Head Choral Society is the island’s longest-running performing arts organization, with a legacy dating back to 1976. Founded by Martha Gregory with a vision of presenting Handel’s Messiah, the group’s inaugural performance—funded by a $500 grant from the Hilton Head Institute of the Arts—was such a success it evolved into an annual island tradition. Over the decades, HHCS has grown into a beloved nonprofit that welcomes singers of all experience levels, building community through music and camaraderie.
Following Martha Gregory’s founding leadership, HHCS entered a dynamic period of growth under several influential directors. In the late 1980s, husband-and-wife team John Carter and Mary Kay Beall Carter — renowned composers and lyricists — introduced a spring concert that expanded the group’s repertoire beyond the annual Messiah performance. In the 1990s, conductor John Gosling, then director of the Hilton Head Orchestra and a Juilliard-trained musician, brought full orchestral accompaniment to the Choral Society, raising the caliber of its performances. Mary Green took the baton in 1999 and further broadened the group’s musical range with ambitious works like Carmina Burana. Then came Tim Reynolds, whose 20-year tenure as Artistic Director marked a transformative era. A former singer with the group, Reynolds introduced programs like the Chamber Singers, a Children’s Choir, and a four-concert annual season. Today, HHCS thrives under the direction of Dr. Dustin C. Ousley, who brings deep expertise in choral conducting and vocal artistry, continuing the society’s mission of bringing people together through music.
“As the oldest performing arts organization on Hilton Head Island, the Choral Society has a rich legacy of musical excellence and community connection,” said Dr. Dustin C. Ousley, Artistic Director. “I’m honored to lead this remarkable group into its 50th Anniversary Season - a milestone that not only celebrates our past, but also sets the stage for an exciting future of continuing to bring the joy of music to the Lowcountry.”
Tickets go on sale August 4th online at www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. For more information or for assistance placing your ticket order, call 843-341-3818 or email tickets@hiltonheadchoralsociety.org
Dr. Dustin C. Ousley
9th Annual Lowcountry Book Club Convention
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host our 9th annual Lowcountry Book Club Convention on Friday, September 26, at the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce in Beaufort, and Saturday, September 27, at the Culinary Institute of the South at the Technical College of the Lowcountry in Bluffton. Ideal for book club members, those interested in joining a book club, or anyone who simply loves the joy of reading, the
Lowcountry Book Club Convention is presented in partnership with NeverMore Books and the student book club DAYLO.
The Lowcountry Book Club Convention will begin on Friday evening with a panel discussion among local authors: biographer Nancy Thode ( Ahead of Her Time: The Trailblazing Life and Literary Legacy of Ann Head), novelist Karin Gillespie (The Pitch Queen), and travel writers Lynn and Cele Seldon ( 100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die). This opening session will be followed by a book signing, with refreshments. This is a ticketed event, held at the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (711 Bladen St., Beaufort).
The Convention continues Saturday at the Culinary Institute of the South (1 Venture Dr., Bluffton), with three author keynote conversations and gourmet box lunches catered by Debbi Covington. The program will feature a morning discussion with USA Today bestselling novelist Renée Rosen, author of Let’s Call Her Barbie, an afternoon discussion with New York Times bestselling novelist Marie Bostwick, author of The Book Club for Troublesome Women, and a midday conversation between Food Network star Kardea Brown, author of The Way Home, and local favorite Mary Martha Greene, author of The Cheese Biscuit Queen: Kiss My Aspic! Each author conversation will be followed by a book signing. This is a ticketed event.
Advance registration is required by September 20 for this year’s Lowcountry Book Club Convention. Learn more and register at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org (under the Events tab) or at https://lowcountrybookclubconvention2025.eventbrite.com
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Marie Bostwick is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than twenty works of uplifting contemporary and historical fiction — most recently The Book Club for Troublesome Women, a USA Today and Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance bestseller. It was a monthly pick for large national book clubs including the AARP Girlfriends Book Club, Gloss Book Club, and Brenda Novak’s Book Club, and has been includes on numerous “most anticipated” lists, including BookBub’s Best Historical Fiction of 2025.
menu pays homage to dishes her grandmother and mother passed down to her. She is the host of the hit show Delicious Miss Brown and Kids Baking Championship.
Kardea Brown is a contemporary Southern Chef, author of the New York Times bestseller The Way Home and the forthcoming Make Do with What You Have (November 2025). She and the creator of the New Gullah Supper Club pop-up, where her
Karin Gillespie is the author of nine novels, most recently The Pitch Queen. She’s a former book columnist for the Augusta Chronicle, a former humor columnist for Augusta Magazine, and a recipient of a 2016 Georgia Author of the Year Award.
Mary Martha Greene is the author of The Cheese Biscuit Queen Tells All: Southern Recipes, Sweet Remembrances, and a Little Rambunctious Behavior, and its sequel, The Cheese Biscuit Queen: Kiss My Aspic.
Renée Rosen is a USA Today bestselling author. Her newest novel, Let’s Call Her Barbie, about the origin story of the popular doll, is a USA Today bestseller featured in the New York Post, RuPaul's Book Club, Book Riot, the Nerd Daily, and the Chicago Review of Books.
Lynn and Cele Seldon are veteran travel journalists and published authors of many travel guidebooks, including 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die, 100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die, and the forthcoming 100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die.
A native of Beaufort, Nancy Head Thode was a founding board member of the Academy of Family Mediators and continues her work today as a practicing family psychotherapist. Ahead of Her Time, the biography of her mother Ann Head, is her first book.
Marie Bostwick
Renee Rosen
Kardea Brown
and
Donna Lynn Lito in Beaufort
Beaufort Bookstore will host a book signing event for Donna Lynn Lito on Wednesday, September 10th, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm, featuring all three of her novels, which were released in the same year. According to Lito, all three books focus on powerful, multi-dimensional women and their journeys to empowerment.
“My debut novel, Securely Insecure, began as a healing journey after I lost a college friend in 2018,” says Lito. “It follows four college students whose lifelong bond is tested by tragedy. The story is told through the journals of Lynnie, an 87-year-old woman with dementia, whose memories recount stories of love, loss, and loyalty. It explores the complexities of friendship and the difficult choices we face between doing what’s right and what feels loyal.”
“I then released Letting Go, which depicts the emotional journey of a woman escaping an abusive relationship. It’s a tribute to women reclaiming their value while honoring their roles as mothers. I was deeply touched by the personal messages from readers saying, ‘Me too,’ ‘I saw myself in Mae,’ and I rooted for her the entire way.’ Although a difficult subject, Mae was able to overcome and thrive with a sense of independence and strength, a message that’s important for many women to hear.”
Of her most recent novel, The Mixing Bowl, Lito says, “It holds a special place in my heart. It tells the story of three generations of South Carolinian women who overcome life’s many challenges to open the state’s first women-owned bakery. Narrated from each generation’s perspective, it is a story about legacy, grit, and pursuing dreams one step at a time. Researching this novel allowed me to immerse myself in South Carolina’s rich culture and beautiful landscape — an experience that has deeply influenced both my life and my writing.”
Shorts at High Noon
Mark your calendars. The Beaufort Film Society in association with the Technical College of the LowcountryTCL will present the popular Shorts at High Noon program this fall. During the months of September, October, and November you'll get a chance to catch encore presentations for many of the 2025 Beaufort International Film Festival films in the categories of Shorts, Student Films, Short Docs, and Animation Films.
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3rd and continuing through Wednesday, Nov. 19th, spend your lunch hour with us, get excited, get inspired, and get ready for BIFF 2026, our 20th anniversary. Screenings are on Wednesdays only. Check-in time is 11:30am with screenings beginning promptly at High Noon. Location: 921 Ribaut Road, Bldg 12, Auditorium, Beaufort, SC 29902. Admission is FREE. For more information see beaufortfilmfestival.com
Shorts At High Noon 2025 Schedule
SEPTEMBER 3
Gleam* 5 min Animation
Lollie 18 min Student I’m Still Here 26 min Short Doc
SEPTEMBER 10
Indefinitely 6 min Animation
Jupiter 8 min Student Five Thousand 16 min Short Stars
Silver Sizzle* 14 min Short
SEPTEMBER 17
112 Steps 5 min Animation Heartless 14 min Student 1001 Cuts* 25 min Short Doc
SEPTEMBER 24
There Can Be 3 min Animation Only One Living On 16 min Student The Edge What I Am 26 min Short OCTOBER 1
Love 4 min Animation Photosynthesis Donor 11 min Short
12 min Short
Jason Mott Celebrates with NeverMore
National Book Award winner brings sequel to Beaufort as Andersons
By Teresa Bruce
The last time author Jason Mott picked Beaufort’s NeverMore Books for a signing, co-sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center, bookstore owners David and Lorrie Anderson predicted his Hell Of A Book would win the National Book Award. They were right. So it’s no wonder the celebrated Southern author insisted that his next book tour return to the Port Republic Street bookstore on September 5th.
Could a repeat win be in store? Mott’s not going to jinx it, telling Lowcountry Weekly he’s “not sure if I believe in good luck talismans, but I do believe in the awesomeness of NeverMore!”
Reviews of Mott’s sequel People Like Us suggest it will fly off shelves, calling it a “genre-bending tour-de-force” and “haunting, vivid literary fiction at its finest.”
Goodreads writes: “ People Like Us is wickedly funny and achingly sad all at once. It is an utter triumph bursting with largerthan-life characters who deliver a very real take on our world.” And while it’s a natural evolution from his last book, readers new to Mott will pick up the story line with ease. And Hell of a Book fans will find reminders of why it appealed to so many audiences for so many reasons.
People Like Us continues to tackle race, gun violence and loss, but could just as easily be described as hopeful and wise – in the way only a hometown friend can break bad news with a much-needed hand up, or heartfelt hug. Music fans might call it a jazz performance, full of lyrical passages and triumphant rhythm. This time the protagonist, an accomplished writer confused with other famous Black authors, finds himself in two places at once – deciding whether to live with the brutal truth of his own country or to make new family from the nostalgic comfort of distance. Many a Beaufort newcomer from another part of the world will relate to this type of reckoning even if they’ve never experienced gun violence or racial profiling. Here’s a passage from when the hero goes on book tour in Italy.
“He grabs my luggage and leads me across a bustling Italian street to what I can only describe as the strangest car I’ve ever seen. First off, it’s old. And I’m talking Roosevelt Old. Too old for seat belts and high rates of passenger survival. Whole thing’s shaped like a snail if that snail could pull its top back.”
Mott’s unpretentious, outsider tone is a perfect match for
David and Lorrie Anderson
NeverMore Books
NeverMore Books. Though the store’s owners keep a low profile, the People Like Us meet-and-greet on September 5th also marks their tenth anniversary as Beaufort’s
least ordinary business. David Anderson started collecting first editions and rare books as a kid working in his parents’ Lincoln, Nebraska furniture store. Estate sale books they bought as props for selling shelving units mysteriously disappeared, hoarded away by the now grown-up NeverMore founder until he had a 2,000 book personal collection to launch the bookstore. He still reads 3 books at a time, though not “borrowed” from unsuspecting parents. Lorrie Anderson developed her passion for books by practically taking up residence in her Camden, South Carolina library as a child. Just like Mott, as it turns out, whose favorite memories of growing up in eastern North Carolina include long interludes at the local library. If he felt “weird” back then, he channeled it into the greatest joy his character Soot finds on tour:
“Soot just signs the book and offers the kid a smile and he hopes it’s enough. The kid takes the book and he offers Soot a handshake and when they’re shaking hands the kid just says four little worlds. “Thanks for being weird.”
Mott says he’s eager to return to Beaufort for a real-life, First Friday book signing at Nevermore, where visitors find hand-written notes tucked between shelves like “unattended children will be given to the goblin king.”
“Weird is the right way to describe NeverMore and that’s exactly why I love it,” Mott says. “It’s not trying to be any other store. It’s purely itself and that’s exceptionally rare. And of course, David and Lorrie are simply wonderful. Every time I visit, David will bring out some book I’ve been searching for –without me ever having to tell him I was searching for it.”
approachable genius we’ve ever met.” Mott is the latest in a long line of celebrity authors in the NeverMore mutual fan club –from the late Pat Conroy to Delia Owens and Valerie Sayers. But it’s the reviews from readers that
Named in homage to Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting refrain, NeverMore Books leans into its gothic intrigue with curated shelves that reflect both classic sensibilities and unconventional tastes. From signed first editions to children’s literature, biographies, and art books, the store’s selection is as thoughtful as it is eclectic. And it’s a New York Times reporting bookstore, which means physically purchasing People Like Us from NeverMore Books gets Mott statistically closer to “The Big One” he writes about.
The Andersons think he’s already big time – calling him “the most genuine and
will keep the doors open for the next ten years:
“Best bookstore, ever!” — happyfeet51 “The selection of books is amazing, the intriguing decor makes you want to step inside and browse, and the owners can tell you just about anything you want to know.”
First Friday at Nevermore Books (910 Port Republic Street), with author Jason Mott, happens Friday, September 5th from 5-7pm, and copies of People Like Us are available in advance or at the signing. For a full list of Mott’s tour dates, visit www.jasonmottauthor.com
Author Jason Mott
David Anderson reads
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
When I was growing up, my mother's go-to salad was a wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with a blob of chunky blue cheese dressing. She and Daddy devoured it like it was candy. I turned my nose up. What was the appeal of this stinky, gooey cheese stuff? Of course, I swore that I would never eat blue cheese. And, once again I'm eating my words. I love blue cheese! I love blue cheese with so many things – on steaks, on salads, stuffed in mushrooms, melted over grilled vegetables, the options are endless. This week's recipes all feature blue cheese. You can choose your favorite variety. Personally, I like the stronger blues like gorgonzola. If you're not a huge fan, opt for a lighter Danish blue. I wish my parents were here to share in my change of heart. I still think it's a grownup acquired taste.
CHOPPED BLUE CHEESE SALAD
For the cinnamon pecans:
1 pound pecan halves (about 4 cups)
¼ cup sugar
1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg white, beaten
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Combine sugar, cinnamon and egg white in a medium bowl. Add pecans and stir to coat thoroughly. Spread pecans evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes, until pecans are crispy and dry. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
For the vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate any unused vinaigrette.
For the salad:
3 cups chopped hearts of romaine
3 cups chopped green leaf lettuce
1/3 cup finely chopped carrots
2 green onions, chopped Grape tomatoes, diced
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
¼ cup chopped cinnamon pecans
In a large salad bowl, toss lettuces with carrots and green onion. Dress, to taste, with vinaigrette. Top with diced tomatoes, blue cheese and cinnamon pecans. Serves 4.
BLUE CHEESE PASTA
4 slices bacon
1 cup ditalini pasta
1 cup sour cream
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Dash garlic powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Italian parsley, to garnish
Cook bacon until crispy, drain and crumble; set aside. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and pour into a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine sour cream, blue cheese and cheddar cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy. Season with garlic powder. Remove from heat and stir in Italian parsley. Pour sauce over drained pasta and toss well to combine. Top with crumbled bacon and additional parsley before serving. Serves 2.
MUSHROOM AND BLUE CHEESE QUICHE
2 deep dish frozen pie shells, thawed in the refrigerator
3 pounds mushrooms, chopped (about 4 cups cooked)
3 cloves garlic, chopped Nutmeg
Salt
Black Pepper
1 (5-ounce) package shredded Swiss cheese (about 1¼ cups)
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/3 cup fresh chopped Italian parsley
6 large eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
By Debbi
Place thawed pie shells on a foil-lined baking sheet. Prick all over with the tines of a fork and par-bake in a preheated 400-degree
oven for 10 minutes or until the crusts are lightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Roughly chop mushrooms. In a large skillet, cook mushrooms with garlic. No not add oil. The mushrooms will sweat and make their own moisture. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove mushrooms from skillet with a slotted spoon and divide evenly between the two pie crusts. In a medium bowl, mix cheeses, parsley, beaten eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour cheese-egg mixture over the mushrooms in the pie crusts. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 55-60 minutes, or until the centers are firm. Serves 12.
Covington
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
Conroy Center & Port Royal Sound Foundation Fall Series
Throughout the months of September and October, the nonprofits Pat Conroy Literary Center and Port Royal Sound Foundation are collaborating on a quartet of educational programs highlighting the interconnectivity of the beauty of our Lowcountry with its capacity to inspire writers and storytellers. Registration is now open for all four programs, with additional details to be found on the organizations’ websites, www.PatConroy LiteraryCenter.org (under the Events tab) and www.Portroyalsoundfoundation.org (under Book a Program).
September 9, 3:00-4:30 p.m. The Prince of Tides Book Club Discussion
Pat Conroy’s 1986 masterwork The Prince of Tides is the quintessential Lowcountry novel, beloved by millions as their point of entrance into the lush southern geography, lyrical voice, and complex interweaving of fact and fiction which define the author’s literary legacy. Join Pat Conroy Literary Center executive director Jonathan Haupt and USC Beaufort English professor and Writer in Residence Ellen Malphrus for a book club discussion of the novel, its major themes, its 1991 Academy Award-nominated film adaptation, its place in the Conroy literary canon, and its lasting impact on Lowcountry literature and lore. $10/person.
September 15, 10:00-Noon. Firing the Clay: A Poetry Workshop
In this writing workshop led by Tim Conroy, poets will explore approaches to revision, considering the content and sound of each word, line, and stanza of each poem. The workshop aims to clarify and challenge identity as poets, to elevate poems through improving habits and engaging in playful revision, to risk failure from disassembling and
reassembling for the chance to discover what the clay can reveal, and to forget expectations for an opportunity to find the soul, form, and sound of a better poem. Open to writers at all levels of experience. $45/person.
September 29, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Nature
Writing: Kayak on the Chechessee and Write about It
We who live in the Lowcountry are fortunate to be surrounded by its extraordinary nature. In this workshop, taught by writer Katherine Tandy Brown, you’ll kayak on the Chechessee River with guides from the Maritime Center for an afternoon immersion in Carolina’s nature at its finest. Then – like Henry David Thoreau on Walden Pond – you’ll take pen to paper and write about any part of the adventure you choose. Dress for a journey on the water, and be sure to bring sunscreen, a water bottle, notebook or journal, and several pens. $70/person.
October 21, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Pat Conroy as Nature Writer
An encore presentation! Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt and poet Tim Conroy will discuss the nature writing of Pat Conroy. From his obscure boyhood poetry to his beloved lyrical adult prose, Conroy wrote about the beauty of our natural world as both wondrous and perilous, using the Lowcountry not only as a setting but as the central character of his many books. This presentation will highlight representative examples of Conroy’s nature writing from across the span of his writing life, drawing attention to how Conroy’s relationship with nature is also ultimately a relationship with his deeply felt spiritual and humanistic faith. The presenters will be assisted by students from DAYLO, who will be reading from Pat Conroy’s work and sharing original creative pieces in response. $10/person.
First Federal Foundation Supports Veterans
The First Federal Foundation has awarded the Circle of Hope Ministries, Inc. a $10,000 grant to support its mission to help our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Rev. Dr. John C. Dortch, President/CEO of the COHM, noted that “The First Federal Bank of Florida has partnered with us, since our inception in 2015 and continues to support our community outreach services to aid those who are undervalued and underserved. Most notably, the FFBF financed the purchase and renovation of a building to establish our Hospitality House in the town of Beaufort.” The Hospitality House was the first and only transitional housing in Beaufort County for unsheltered veterans and emergency shelter for the general homeless population during inclement.
However, during Covid-19, because of the close quarters of dormitory living, we had to discontinue our operation at the facility to protect the health and safety of our residents. Consequently, we sold the building and
“Serve God by Serving Others.” Please send a tax-deductible contribution to Circle of Hope Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 554, Beaufort, SC
deposited the net proceeds into our Capital Campaign to develop the Hope Village Inn, an affordable housing community for veterans on a 3.4 acre tract of land donated by the Multicultural Association. The Hope Village Inn Affordable Housing Community will consist of 2 - 5 unit apartments (each with one American with Disabilities Act compliant unit); 3 cottages (one which will be ADA compliant); 3 villas (one of which will be ADA compliant) and a Multipurpose/Community Center). The COHM is a 501c3, faith-based, charitable organization, whose mission is to
29901 or visit our website at www.Circle OfHopeMin.org to make a contribution. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Dr. John C. Dortch, President/CEO. Email: CircleNewBeginning@gmail.com or Call: (843) 263-2563. We need the support of businesses, foundations, the faith-based community and individuals to help our veterans who are struggling to find affordable housing during these times of economic uncertainty. We invite you to become a Circle of Hope Ministries partner by contributing at gofundme.com (search by name John Dortch).
Rev. Dr. John C. Dortch
Crystal Hudson, First Federal Financial Ctr., Specialist II Mark Weeks, First Federal VP Commercial Lender, Rev. Dr. John C. Dortch, Circle of Hope Ministries, Debbie Mattox, First Federal VP Retail Market Manager
Circle of Hope Ministries continues to work toward affordable housing
Prof. Ellen Malphrus
Author Tim Conroy
No Mama Kitty, You Can’t Go Out There
Frank Morris, a hardened con with a history of prison breaks, is sent to serve the rest of his life sentence at Alcatraz – America's most infamously brutal and inescapable maximumsecurity prison. Morris quickly realizes the prison's dehumanizing effects and clashes with its cruel warden. Fed up with life at Alcatraz, Morris and two convict brothers meticulously plan the unthinkable: an escape from the island.
Now you may be thinking to yourself, “Isn’t this the plot of the 1979 movie ‘Escape From Alcatraz’ starring Clint Eastwood?” and although you would be presumably correct, this is the closest description I could reasonably relate when considering the disposition of my dear loving cat-child “Mama Kitty” whenever she wants to go outside but I prohibit her from doing so.
Up on hind legs, feverish paws at the upstairs balcony door intensify with each passing breath. She reminds me of those scenes in the prison escape movies where the escapees chisel away furiously at the cell wall whenever the guards leave them unattended. This is her way of telling me that she wants to go outside. Most often I oblige her loving demands. She likes to sit on the balcony railing and look down into our backyard. I believe if she were to take a 23 and Me for ancestry the results would highlight some percentage relation to one
of the birds of prey (she is a perch cat for sure).
The only time I don’t let Mama Kitty go out on the balcony is when I know I won’t be able to let her back in after she’s gotten her fill of ornithology. So, if I’m on my way to work, or the gym, or if I’m leaving the house for a prolonged period of time, I tell her, “No Mama Kitty, You Can’t Go Out There.” Undoubtedly (by the quite disappointed look in her eyes) she understands that she is now confined to the (what her looks suggest) prison of a place that I call home.
I get it though girl! I mean who doesn’t want to breathe in the fresh air, look at nature, and sunbathe? That upstairs balcony porch is her happy place and sometimes I’m just the callous prison guard telling her she can’t get any yard time; but I only do this out of love.
You see, if I know I’m not going to be able to let her in, I don’t let her out. It be hot out there! Plus, there’s no water and no food out there. I for one could not imagine being stuck outside during a South Carolina summer with a fur coat on and no water. I also know Mama Kitty doesn’t like not having options. For instance, if she’s on the balcony and I am home, she knows the door will be slightly cracked and she can push her way back inside whenever she wants to. If I were to leave, her outside, I would have to close the door because as
my grandmother and mother would say, “Close that door! We’re not trying to cool the whole neighborhood!”
One day, this whole experience awakened me to a deeper truth: sometimes in life we may think that something is good for us but really it could be to our detriment. Further, there is a higher consciousness that is aware of things that we are not aware of. This loving intelligence (when thing don’t go the way we want to) is saying to us, “No Mama Kitty, You Can’t Go Out There.”
Mama Kitty doesn’t know I’m leaving or for that matter how long I’ll be gone. I can’t ask her, “Hey, are you okay with being out here for 8 hours alone?” So, if I were to leave her outside, she would probably feel neglected and forsaken. Although inside might pale in comparison to outside for her, I assume her experience of being alone inside for 8 hours with all her luxuries is far better than being left outside for that same amount of time with just the view.
Isn’t this the same with us though?
We may think that person, job, or opportunity is perfect for us but roadblock after roadblock deters us from our pinnacle. With furrowed brows and clinched jaws, we question the heavens-- frustration fueling our prayers for sanctification. We’ve been on that proverbial balcony so many times, so why not now? The answer is loving protection. Perhaps you are being spared the rod in some way when a Higher Power tells you, no. Perhaps there is something better for you elsewhere, something that was being constructed for you for years. To that point, no doesn’t mean never, sometimes it just means not right now.
by Jared Madison WHOLLY HOLISTICS
Take heart my friends. If you find yourself hitting a roadblock in your life, or if that job opportunity passes you by when you were sure you were the right fit, or if you can’t seem to un-single yourself, know that you are being protected and guided. You are loved beyond measure and always considered, even and especially when you feel the opposite. If you can’t go left and you can’t go right, take a moment to look at where you are and what is being offered to you in this space in time.
If you haven’t made it to your balcony porch yet, it probably just means it’s not time yet. There is a higher intelligence that loves you, adores you, has your back and is constantly leading you to and for your highest, greatest good, and to and for the highest greatest good of all those around you. You’ll be out there one day but right now, “No Mama Kitty, You Can’t Go Out There!”
Jared Madison is a self-proclaimed “New Renaissance Man.” From practicing Reiki to earning a degree in Math & Science, he is a student of life who calls creativity his superpower. A photographer, graphic designer, poet, writer, and entrepreneur, Jared also loves to travel, ride rollercoasters, and eat good food. For more of Jared’s writing check out his book, “The 30 Day Guide To Inner Peace” available where books are sold.
Tues - Sun: 11am-9pm
Salvias – The Perfect Plant for Lowcountry Gardens
Aplant that stands up to heat, humidity, and drought, has flowers that are long lasting, and is deer resistant - What is not to like? Those plants are Salvias –one of my favorite flowers in any garden. I never grew Salvias in Massachusetts or Ohio, but I “discovered” them at garden centers down here and I was hooked.
Salvias are an amazingly diverse group of plants. There are varieties that we consider herbs such as common rosemary (now labeled by botanists as Salvia rosmarinus) to culinary Sage (Salvia officinalis) that we use in our dressing or stuffing at Thanksgiving. There are over 100 species and most are known for their flowers. And as scientists are extracting more plant DNA and changing plant genera, who knows how many more plants will be identified as Salvias
You can choose between annual plants and perennials. There are annual Salvias that are quite short and only bloom for one season, but the largest number of Salvia species are perennial and many are cold hardy and can be grown from USDA zones 4a to 11. These perennial Salvias can be found on nearly every continent, but most are indigenous from across Europe into Asia and in Central and South America. They can vary in height from one to three or four feet and come in a variety of colors. They are a member of the mint family and that seems to make them fairly deer resistant. I have known some people who have had Salvia browsed by deer, but I have not had that experience and I tend a
garden that is in “Bambi Land.” Most have rough leaves with a strong smell and that seems to deter our four hooved munchers.
What is the best way to plant and tend Salvias? I find that the woodier the Salvia is, the more it is able to thrive in our heat and humidity. They may start to look a little tired by the middle of August, but I cut them back and they respond with new foliage when the weather cools down. They will die back in the winter if we get some frosts, but they bounce right back in the early spring and are blooming by April. Deadheading will keep them blooming longer. They like welldrained soil and winter damp can affect them negatively. I make certain not to plant mine in low spots where water might collect. Plenty of sun and good airflow also are crucial for Salvia survival. I nourish mine with mushroom compost in the spring for better growth. Other than that, they are generally easy to care for and I have never seen pests or diseases on my plants.
What are some varieties to consider?
The only variety of Salvia that I have not had luck with is Salvia nemorosa which is a shorter and very floriferous type of plant. They just do not hold up to our humidity in the same way that other varieties do. The Rockin’ series grow extremely well. I particularly love “Rockin the Blue Suede Shoes” and “Rockin Purple.” Who names these things? Salvia “Sally Fun” is a white variety that blooms vigorously all summer long. A long time favorite is Salvia “Black and Blue”which has dark blue blossoms that age to a brighter blue. “ Mystic Spires” is another blue Salvia that I have in my garden. There are many varieties of red Salvias as well including one called “Hot Lips” which has red and white flowers like little teeth
By Wendy Hilty
and lips. With so many species to choose from, you cannot go wrong.
An extra bonus is that pollinators seem to love Salvias and their open petals make it easy for bees and butterflies to access for nectar. Hummingbirds particularly like the tube-like blossoms.
Fall is a great time to plant perennials and shrubs. If you see Salvias at a nursery in the fall, buy them and plant them then. Most Salvias appear in garden centers in the spring, usually April or early May and that is a good time to plant as well. Whether in the ground or planted in a container, Salvias certainly give you a lot to like even if you purchase only one plant. I find it hard to resist buying several and any new varieties that appear on the scene from plant breeders.
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.
Salvia farinacea – photo by Michael Goodyear
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
The Power of Pound Cake
Ihad a slice of pound cake the other day. Buttery, dense, with a crunchy golden crust. As I bit in, I thought of my dear friend Carroll. It’s been more than a decade since we’ve lived in the same town, but I’ll never eat pound cake without thinking of her.
That’s because in every crisis of my life, a warm pound cake — fresh from Carroll’s oven — showed up at my door. It signaled love, comfort and understanding, all folded into butter, sour cream, flour and sugar. The cake was always followed by her unjudgmental wisdom and concern. I don’t know how many she bakes in a year, but if you rushed over to comfort a friend, odds were the cake got there first. I never asked for her recipe, and maybe that’s the point. I’d never bake it for myself.
Other friends have their own signatures. One always sends gorgeous flowers for a happy occasion, and if it’s truly dire, a plush throw blanket arrives. Another mails the perfect book matching the moment. I know men who bring their “trademark” offerings — grilled ribs with secret sauce, or a curated six-pack of craft beer. Different forms, same idea: people who pick something comforting and stick with it. Not coincidentally, they’re also the ones who always show up.
That’s the beauty of a signature gesture — you don’t have to think about it. No reinvention required. And honestly, showing up empty-handed is harder than showing up with anything: food, books, blankets, whatever you’ve chosen.
By Carolyn Mason
But show up anyway. That’s the real gift. It’s listening. It’s knowing when not to talk. There’s an art to not making grief heavier by filling the air, to resisting the urge to say something that demands the bereaved now comfort you. You only realize how tricky that balance is in hindsight.
I’ve tried and failed to land on a signature gift. For a few years I baked apple pies. Then chocolate chip cookies. Then an unfortunate foray into baking sourdough bread, knitting terrible scarves, and painting inspirational sayings on rocks. I’ve rehomed Bundt pans, rolling pins, and yarn, but still have a fat bag of colorful rocks if anyone needs encouragement to “Rock On.”
Intentions, I have. Consistency, not so much.
My wardrobe offers a slightly different story. Open my closet and you’ll find beige and white in summer, beige and black in winter. When I FaceTime shop with my daughters, they sigh, “That’s so you,” which translates to, “Why ask when you buy the same thing every time?” But it works. I was a capsule wardrobe queen back when TikTok was just a clock sound. So, it’s not like I don’t get the value of consistency. I just can’t seem to land on the right thing.
Lately, the pace of needing to show up has quickened. I even find myself doing what my parents do — calling my daughters to tell them sad news about people they don’t know. And they do what I still do: offer words that help me process.
This week, two lovely volunteers from a group I’m part of died. I’ll wear beige to the visitation, but I’m definitely not bringing a rock.
Perhaps it’s time to buy a new rolling pin.
Classifieds Classifieds
TO RENT or OWN
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.
FOR RENT ON FRIPP 371 Speckled Trout Rd, Charming coastal retreat! Enjoy serene water views, mod -
ern amenities, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living, and quick access to fishing, beaches, and local dining. $3,500/mo. Call Diana Lopez at 276-6851260. Relaxation awaits!
CLASSES & SEMINARS
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 - Holiday Inn, 2225 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
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FREE VESSEL SAFETY CHECK by local members of the America's Boating Club of Beaufort. If your boat passes, you will receive a VSC decal to mount on your boat that will be visible to other boaters and maritime law enforcement personnel. Contact safety@beaufortboatingclub.com
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 military lounge at the Savanna/Hilton Head Airport operated by a cadre of volunteers. The former USO Lounge is now “Savanna Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and families. We need 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? Info and application forms are at the www.savannahsalutes.org or call John Findeis at (912) 507-4848. The airport provides 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 843473-3939 or smilliken@carishealthcare.com
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY: Non-denominational meditation, silent prayer and healing group forming. All welcome. No meditation experience needed. 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 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'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 – Running through July, the Fort Fremont History Center will expand operating hours to 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. No admission fee. Docent-led tours are available by request. The Fort Fremont Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday. A self-guided 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 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.
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, 843689-3616 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 items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or 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 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.
BEAUFORT/PORT ROYAL
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) 5247771 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 Phillys; Karaoke Wed, Fri & Sat - 10pm. Daily Lunch Specials. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook
Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com
BLUFFTON/HILTON HEAD
Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www.bigbamboocafe.com
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. 8/27 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Stevens Trio, 8/29 & 8/30 John Brackett Band, 9/3 Bobby Ryder, 9/5 & 9/6 The Sister Moon Project - Grace Kelly, Chrissi Poland & Christian Tamburr reimagine Sting & The Police, 9/10 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Stevens Trio, 9/12 & 9/13 Guitarist Jocelyn Gould. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
OUT OF TOWN
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 8/27 The Casualties, 8/28 TruckFighters; Restless Spirit; Majic Dust, 8/29 Wade Bowen,
8/30 Bradeazy; B2B; Hi Ed; Geo, 9/4 Gimme
Gimme Disco, 9/5 Ordinary Boys; New Dawn Fades - Joy Division & New Order tribute, 9/6 Angelo the Kid; Ayetea, 9/9 Nick Hexum; Water Tower, 9/10 Boldy James; Slim Soul, 9/11 Say Anything: Is a Real Boy; Michael Cera Palin, 9/12 Dibi Tirar Mas Fiestas, 9/13 90s & 2000s R & B and Hip Hop Night, 9/14 Superheaven; Cloud Nothings; End It; Soul Blind. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 8/29 Sam Holt Band, 8/30 Interstellar Echoes - Pink Floyd tribute 9/4 Gullah Collective, 9/5 Farmhouse Animals, 9/6 Illiterate Light; Wilson Springs Hotel; 9/9 Lucero; Jessica Lea Mayfield, 9/22 The Simplicity; Colors in Corduroy; Connor McLaren, 9/12 Elise Testone's Led Zeppelin Experience, 9/14 John Moreland; Justin Bloss. (843) 571-4343 or www. charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 8/29 SUSTO; Rotoglow, 8/30 Rock of the 90s, 9/5 Ashley Cooke, 9/6 The Brook & the Bluff; Hollifield. (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.
THEATER/FILM/DANCE
Wednesdays 9/3 – 11/19, Shorts at High Noon, encore presentations of short films from the 2025 Beaufort International Film Festival. Check-in at 11:30 am, screenings at noon. Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) in Beaufort. 921 Ribaut Road, Bldg 12, Auditorium. Admission is FREE. For more information see beaufortfilmfestival.com
tion Gallery in downtown Beaufort. www. beaufortartassociation.com
Now – 8/30, Everyday Life on Hilton Head featuring the work of Nancy Huson at The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. www.sobagallery.com
Now – 11/4, Deliberately Unpredictable, by the Art Beyond Tradition Group at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Reception Thur 9/11, from 5 to 7 pm. Gallery walk with artists Thur, 9/25, at 11 am. Admission is free. www.coastaldiscovery.org
9/2 – 11/1 "Whispers from the Soul," featuring works by Theresa King, will be the featured exhibit at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort. Opening reception Fri 9/5 from 5-8pm. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Wed 9/10, Gallery Hop & Block Party in Old Town Bluffton from 3-7pm. Free community event featuring shopping, light refreshments, and special exhibits at the SOBA Gallery, as well as Robert Rommel Gallery of Nature, Preston Pottery Studio and the Maye River Gallery, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the range of artistic and cultural venues that make Bluffton’s creative corridor a destination. For more information, visit sobagallery.com
9/17 – 9/19, Stroke Up on the Basics of Good Painting Workshop with Gary Baughman at Art League Academy, 106 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head. Register at: shop.artleaguehhi.org
BOOKS & WRITERS
Fri 9/5, 10th Anniversary of Nevermore Books (910 Port Republic St, Beaufort), featuring National Book Award winner Jason Mott (People Like Us) from 5-7pm. Books available for signing during this First Friday event. www.nevermorebooks.com
Wed 9/10, Book signing event for Donna Lynn Lito (Securely Insecure, Letting Go, The Mixing Bowl) from 4:30-7:30 at Beaufort Bookstore.
9/26 & 9/27, Pat Conroy Literary Center’s 9th Annual Lowcountry Book Club Convention . Fri 9/26 at the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce in Beaufort, and Sat 9/27 at the Culinary Institute of the South at the Technical College of the Lowcountry in Bluffton. Learn more and register at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
OTHER EVENTS
Fri 9/26, Beaufort Young Life Mahjong Fundraiser at St. Helena’s Parish Hall, 507 Newcastle St. Open Play. Doors open at 8:30
am. Event 9:15 am – 12:30 pm. To benefit Young Life and Wyld Life programs so important to our local youth. Register at: https:// beaufort.younglife.team/beaufortylmahjong
Sat 10/4, Coastal Discovery Museum’s Annual Fall Native Plant Sale from 10 am to 1 pm (or until sold out). Free admission. 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head.
Sat 9/27, Race4Love 5K Run & 3K Walk to benefit Hopeful Horizons. 9 am on Cat Island. Register now at www.race4love.com
Sat 10/4, Run Forrest Run 5K fundraiser for Beaufort Digital Corridor. Downtown Beaufort. Registration is open, and Early Bird Tickets are available at https://runsignup.com/Race/ SC/Beaufort/2019RunForrestRun5k
Thursdays Now-9/4, The Beaufort Chapter of America's Boating Club offers a basic boating course for all boaters on five consecutive Thursdays evenings from 6:15 to 8:30. First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, at 1201 North Street. $50 for the first family member, $15 for each additional member. Contact: education@Beaufortboatingclub.com
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.
2nd Tuesdays - Most Months at 6pm, Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club Monthly Meeting, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and may include a guest speaker. For info or educational opportunities, contact Paul Gorsuch: admino@beaufortboatingclub.com Boat ownership not required, passion for safe boating mandatory.
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. About an hour and a little over a mile. From the corner of Craven & Carteret Streets to Waterfront Park. FREE booklets with a map and tree info at the Visitors Center in the Arsenal on Craven St.
