Lowcountry
Just the Facts, Ma'am 4 An annoying habit
Flight–n–Fancy 8
Janet Urbanic at SoBA Two Points of View 9
Bosley & Sease Sea Eagle Market 10 Eat local seafood: part 2
cover notes
The painting on our cover is 'Shell Portrait' by Beth Stern, from her featured exhibit 'Reflections,' opening at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery on July 1st. For more information, see our story on page 5.
yWeekly
June 18 – July 1, 2025
ro w c o unt
LPublisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com
Editor: Margaret Evans — Editor@LCWeekly
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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
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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.
Just the Facts, Ma’am RANTS & RAVES
I’ ve recently developed an annoying habit.
It annoys me, anyway – and I’m sure it annoys others even more.
I have unintentionally appointed myself Senior Fact Checker of Facebook. When Mark Zuckerberg announced the end of Meta’s fact-checking program after Trump’s election – to much rejoicing and lamentation – I somehow found myself stepping up to fill the void, almost against my will. It’s an unofficial, unpaid position. (Yes, I’m a volunteer!) I would love to quit the job – it’s time consuming – but the work feels more like a compulsion than a choice.
Mind you, I’m not talking about opinionating or persuading or arguing positions – all the stuff I’ve been doing for years, both here and on social media. This new gig is not about shaping perspectives or challenging deeply held political views. I’ve come to believe those are almost completely gut-level for most of us, and barely subject to correction or change. In a choose-your-own-adventure world of multiple media narratives, I’ve just about given up trying to forge consensus or mutual understanding. It’s like trying to make pottery out of vapor.
But facts? Facts are solid, right? They either are or they aren’t. Facts, I mean. If I work hard enough, I can prove that
something either happened . . . or didn’t. The Big meaning-of-life Truths may be elusive, and even subjective (which thoroughly irritates me!), but the facts –truths with a small t – are objective. You can get your hands around facts.
Those quasi-political quotes everybody’s posting on Facebook, attributed to Pope Leo?
There’s no compromise or middle ground. He either said them or he didn’t. (FYI: He didn’t.) That statement “recently released” by General James Mattis that’s been getting thousands of shares? All it takes is actually reading it to know there’s nothing “recent” about it. A little research reveals Mattis made that statement in June of 2020, during the George Floyd summer. And yet, round and round it goes on FB like a shiny new toy. I even received it via email last week.
This stuff is not rocket science, y’all. You don’t have to be particularly smart to check facts. You just have to be curious. And skeptical. And open to disappointment.
As one of my FB friends said, while discussing yet another fake Pope Leo quote aimed at shaming Trump supporters: “If someone you believe to be an authority figure over the people you despise says something you believe the people you despise should be righteously scolded to believe, the chances of it being fake rapidly approach 100%.”
He’s not wrong.
I recently got so frustrated with this bogus Pope Leo meme that kept appearing on my feed – it was proliferating like no-see-ums at a Lowcountry cookout – that I stopped making corrections on every post I saw and just slapped the meme on my own page, with the following announcement: Attention – Pope Leo did NOT say this. He didn’t say that stuff about being “woke,” either. This pope is the most misquoted Christian on social media since C.S. Lewis.
The declaration gave me a deep, burning sense of righteous satisfaction. For about two minutes. Then I deleted it.
Because who wants to be that person?
The sassy know-it-all? The one who repeats “actually” like it’s going out of style? The schoolmarm of Meta?
Not me. I promise. But you people need to stop triggering me!
My heartfelt plea? If a famous person you greatly admire is quoted on Facebook as having said something contemptuous about somebody you hold in contempt, despite your overwhelming urge to share that quote with the world – because it will be overwhelming! – please think twice. Chances are high it’s a misattribution, a very loose paraphrase, or – most likely – a complete fabrication. And I’ll be forced to fact-check you.
As my mother used to say when my sisters and I were fighting: Don’t make me come in there.
I don’t know why I’m so driven to this task. I’m almost OCD about it. Nowhere else in my life am I like that. Almost the opposite, in fact. I’ll let laundry sit in the dryer for days without folding it . . . and just shrug. I’ll convince myself the weeds in my backyard are beautiful wildflowers just to avoid whacking them. No biggie.
But the facts? I must save them! I must not let them be twisted or mauled or even slightly glossed. The facts must be impeccable.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the big, important facts – the ones shrouded in spin and deception, politics and competing agendas. I can’t tell you if Covid came from a bat or a lab leak, or who’s actually winning the war in Ukraine.
No, I tackle the little facts. Mainly who said – or didn’t say – what, and when they said or didn’t say it.
In a certain light, it seems like a petty pursuit. Why bust people’s chops and take away their sense of virtue? We all want to believe in the righteousness of our opinions, and when a public luminary shares those opinions, it’s the ultimate affirmation.
Why am I compelled to rob people of their celebrity endorsements?
Honestly, I’m not sure.
I could blame Nancy Drew and Harriet the Spy, two of my earliest influences; I was an aspiring Girl Detective from a very young age. That aspiration has never really left me, the yearning to “get to the bottom of it,” to peep into every Old Clock and Hollow Oak.
But I think it’s more than that. Above, I mentioned that we now live in a chooseyour-own-adventure world of multiple media narratives, and I think it’s just about shattered us as a society. I feel the weight of that shattering – that absence of a common, binding story – and it’s very heavy on me. Checking the little facts – the ones that can still be checked? I think it’s my way of proving to myself – and others – that there is still such a thing as objective reality. The facts are the facts, no matter what we believe about them. You can try to spin the facts, but the facts remain. Somehow, that brings me peace.
I think it’s the same reason watching Jeopardy has become the highlight of my day. We usually do it over supper. (Yes, we’re one of those TV tray families. We use our kitchen table as a shelf. Don’t judge.) There’s just something about watching people answer those questions – or, rather, question those answers – that does my heart good.
With Jeopardy, it’s all about the facts. You’re either right or you’re wrong, period. No opinions invited, thank you. Like Alex Trebek before him, Ken Jennings is a nice guy, but he suffers no fools nor falsehoods. Verily, a hero for our age.
Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly. She has been writing her award winning column, Rants & Raves, for 25 years.
Margaret Evans
Beth Stern's 'Reflections' at BAA
Beaufort Art Association Gallery is proud to showcase the art of Beth Bronnum Stern in our upcoming featured artist series. Her show “Reflections” opens on July 1 and runs through August 30. Beth’s medium of choice is oil on canvas. The subject matter includes landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, still life, and dog portraits.
Beth’s work from the last 40 years has evolved from contemporary still life, which combined the conventional subject of still life with non-traditional compositions. Painting unusual combinations of objects from several angles within the same painting, she juxtaposed compositions with vivid, heavily textured fields, in the form of diptychs and triptychs.
Although today, Beth leans towards more traditional compositions, her focus on light, high contrast, and reflection has remained. Her palette has always been a mix of vibrant colors. Since the reflection of light through glass and water continues to be a subject of many of her paintings, Beth has titled her exhibit “Reflections”. Beth’s style of oil painting reflects more of a personal vision and mood, rather than being a solely realistic interpretation. She hopes viewers will experience feelings of closeness to nature, scenery, and images – more than just viewing a painting.
Since living In the Lowcountry, light, shadows, gorgeous colors, and contrasts in the water and foliage have been the vision for her paintings. She finds the glass-like quality of still water and mirror-images of a lush summer landscape reflections to be very motivational and the vibrancy of the Lowcountry colors, from sunrise to sunset, create the inspiration for her intense color palette.
Beth Stern, originally from Georgia, resides on Fripp Island. She earned her Masters of Art in Painting at New York University, and lived in Greenwich Village in New York City, working in her studio and exhibiting her work. She later moved to Bedford, NY, where she and her husband raised three children. She has exhibited in many shows, has her work in public and private collections, and has done numerous commissions throughout the years. Her donations of art to various organizations have helped in their fundraising efforts through the years, as well.
Putting art aside, her hobbies are pretty simple - walking on the beach, spending time visiting her parents, children, and other family members, photography, cooking, taking care of her dogs, Pilates, and watching (but not playing!) lots of pickleball!
The BAA invites the public to Beth Stern’s reception Friday, July 11 from 5pm – 8pm. For info visit www.beaufortartassociation.com
Fish Camp by Moonlight, above Lowcountry Beauty, left
Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair Returns
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center’s annual Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair will be held on Saturday, July 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Weezie Educational Pavilion (310 Okatie Hwy). A dozen local and visiting writers will be on hand with books for sales and signing, along with art activities and readings throughout the day.
Presented in partnership between the Conroy Center, the Port Royal Sound Foundation, the Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore, and DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization), this free community event is made possible by the generous support of Oyster Cay Collection of Beaufort.
Angela May, the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Islanders middle-grade novels, will be reading at 11:00 a.m. National Park Service Ranger Katherine Freeman will host a special Read with a Ranger program at noon. Michael B. Moore will read from his debut children’s book, Freedom on the Sea, inspired by the life of Beaufort’s iconic historical figure (and Moore’s ancestor) Robert Smalls at 1:00 p.m.
throughout the day, and local artist Hank Herring will also be teaching a free art project as well. A food truck will be available midday. The Maritime Center will also be freely open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Daddy Series; Martha Jaworowski, author of Sports at First Sight; Carole Marsh, author of the Real Kids, Real Places series; Emma McClure, author/artist of Beautiful Beaufort: A Coloring Book; Nancy Merrill, author of Elf Dust; Ryan Q. Milling, author of Bob’s Truck; Robin Prince Monroe, author of The Glades; Susan Montanari, author of My Dog’s a Chicken; Susan Diamond Riley author of the Delta & Jax Mysteries; Katherine Robinson, author of The Crabs on Calhoun; and Beryl Title, author of Adventures of Roxy the Unicorn. The Storybook Shoppe will have additional local books available for sale.
DAYLO student volunteers will be hosting read-alouds and bookmark art projects
Other participating authors and artists include Mary T. Jacobs, author of the Big
ABOUT THE FEATURED AUTHORS
Angela May is the co-author of The Islanders, a New York Times bestselling middle-grade novel series created with Mary Alice Monroe. The first book in the series, The Islanders, earned several honors, including the South Carolina Children’s Book Award nominee and the Triple Crown Award. Angela is a lowcountry native who now lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband and their two children.
Michael Boulware Moore is the greatgreat grandson of Robert Smalls, whose heroic journey from slavery to the U.S. Congress is the inspiration for Moore’s first children’s picture book, Freedom on the Sea. He served as the founding president of the International African American Museum in Charleston, and he is a frequent keynote speaker for universities, conferences, museums, and other organizations across the country. He lives in Charleston with his family. Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org and the Port Royal Sound Foundation at www.portroyalsoundfoundation.org
Author Angela May
Author Michael Boulware Moore
HHSO Presents ‘Music For Everyone!’
The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (HHSO) is thrilled to unveil its 44th season, presenting "Music for Everyone!" throughout the year. The upcoming season promises a diverse array of concerts and events, showcasing the orchestra's commitment to artistry, collaboration, community, diversity, education, and stewardship, with a special emphasis on celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Jazz In The Park: The HHSO presents its fifth season of six FREE concerts every other Tuesday evening, beginning at 7:30 pm, at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny, Hilton Head Island:
June 24 – Tuffus Zimbabwe Quartet (keyboardist, Saturday Night Live Band)
July 8 – Junior Jazz Foundation All Stars
July 22 – Tower of Funk and the Choosy Mothers Horns
August 5 – Martin Lesch Band
August 19 – Charlton Singleton Quartet (trumpet, Ranky Tanky)
September 2 – John Brackett Quintet Orchestra Series: The nine concert Orchestra Series features two performances of each program on Sundays at 4:00 pm and Mondays at 7:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island:
• October 19-20, 2025: The series opens with Sphinx Competition winner cellist Christine Lamprea performing Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, composed during his residency in America. The concert, conducted by John Morris Russell, kicks off with Symphony No. 102 by Franz Joseph Haydn.
• November 9-10, 2025: Jazz legend Marcus Roberts brings his trio to perform his own version of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and James P. Johnson’s Yamekraw, featuring Roberts’ own improvised cadenzas. Two works by Carlos Simon, Four Black American Dances and Hellfighters’ Blues, round out the all-American program, performed during American Music Month and conducted by John Morris Russell.
• November 29, 2025: Special Holiday Pops concert at St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church Parish Life Center, Bluffton (see below).
• November 30-December 1, 2025: Holiday Pops, a cherished tradition in the Lowcountry, features Hilton Head Island favorite, baritone Michael Preacely, along with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus, 2025 Youth Concerto Competition winner Brooklynn Thatcher, and John Morris
Russell in a family-friendly eclectic mix of music and merriment.
• January 18-19, 2026: HHSO Principal Oboist Reid Messich will be the featured for Richard Strauss’ Oboe Concerto. The concert, led by John Morris Russell, will open with Eric Whitacre’s Prelude in C and close with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.
• February 8-9, 2026: Guest Conductor Samuel Lee makes his HHSO debut directing
• April 12-13, 2026: John Morris Russell is joined by the combined voices of the HHSO Chorus, Claflin University Concert Choir, and soloists from Sherill Milnes’ Savannah VOICE Festival for Guiseppe Verdi’s powerful Requiem.
• April 26-27, 2026: Hilton Head International Piano Competition First Prize Winner Jonathan Mamora makes his triumphant return to perform Johannes Brahms’
and as solo violist with HHSO Principal Second violinist Brian Allen in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante. The program opens with Louise Farrenc’s Overture No. 2 and closes with the Symphony No. 4 by Ludwig van Beethoven.
• February 22-23, 2026: John Morris Russell conducts a program celebrating generations of immigrants to America, including many important composers. The first half features works by Charles Ives, Igor Stravinsky, Miklós Rósza, Astor Piazzolla, and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Members of Lean Ensemble Theater will join Russell and the HHSO in the regional premiere of Peter Boyer’s dramatic Ellis Island – The Dream of America in a finale perfectly suited to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America.
• March 8-9, 2026: Guest Conductor and host Daniel Wiley leads “An Evening at Hogwarts – The Music of Harry Potter,” featuring dazzling orchestra scores by John Williams, Patrick Doyle, and Alexandra Desplat. Audience members of all ages are encouraged to come in costume, prepared for spells, trivia, contests, and brilliant orchestral fireworks.
Concerto No. 2. John Morris Russell conducts the Orchestra Series finale that opens with the Symphony No. 4 by Robert Schumann.
Orchestra Series subscription tickets, in 9-, 6-, and 3-concert packages, are available for purchase now. Call (843) 842-2055 to order season tickets. Single tickets will go on sale on September 2, 2025.
Symphony Under the Stars: Celebrate the fall season with two Symphony Under the Stars outdoor pops concerts on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Martin Family Park, Bluffton (part of the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival) and Friday, October 17, 2025, at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny. Ticketed table seating is available beginning September 2, 2025, by calling (843) 842-2055. Lawn seating is FREE!
Hilton Head International Piano Competition: From March 16-21, 2026, witness twenty of the world’s finest young pianists, ages 13-17, compete in three thrilling rounds. The competition culminates with performances of five finalists each performing a concerto movement with the HHSO and John Morris Russell, with the first-place
winner returning for a full concerto performance during the 2026-2027 season.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
• Hilton Head Chamber Music Institute: June 11-21, 2025, at various locations.
• HHSO Youth Concerto Competition: January 31, 2026, at St. Luke’s Anglican Church.
• April 7, 2026: John Morris Russell leads the HHSO in the traditional Spring Symphony Under the Stars concert at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny. Ticketed table seating is available beginning in early 2026, by calling (843) 842-2055. Lawn seating is FREE!
• SoundWaves: In addition to hosting a number of community performances and events, the HHSO’s intimate and versatile performance space at Coligny presents two series featuring music and dinners from area partner restaurants:
• Coastal Home Supper Club: Offered monthly from September through June, the vocal performances feature varied programs that range from the Great American Songbook to superstar tributes to Motown to country.
• Gullah Geechee Cultural Series: 20252026 represents the fourth season of this unique collaboration with The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, and the Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association. Each program features SoundWaves’ “house band,” the Lavon Stevens Trio, an emcee, and musical guests, storytellers, visual and culinary artists, historians, and prominent representatives from the local Gullah Geechee communities. The perfect combination of entertainment and local history, four presentations will be offered, starting in October.
For information and tickets, visit hhso.org.
The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and John Morris Russell recently agreed to a three-year extension to his contract, extending his tenure as Music Director through the 2027-2028 season, which will be Russell’s sixteenth season in that role.
HHSO President and CEO Alan Jordan states, “John Morris Russell’s time so far here has been transformational. The Orchestra continues to achieve new levels of artistry, and we attract many of today’s most sought-after soloists. We know that trend will continue for the coming three seasons.”
Piano
The HHSO at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Photo by The French Guy Photography
Flight-n-Fancy
Janet Urbanic featured at the SOBA Gallery
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is pleased to present “Flight-n-Fancy” by Janet Urbanic July Featured Artist Exhibit, on display from July 6 through August 2 at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. An opening reception is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 and is free and open to the public.
Urbanic’s artwork reflects her deep appreciation for the beauty of the Lowcountry, particularly its captivating birds, serene marshes, and vibrant wetlands. Working primarily in oil and watercolor batik, she brings a gentle, often whimsical approach to her compositions, exploring the emotional connections found in nature and human relationships.
“I try to capture the softer side of life through my brush,” Urbanic said. “Whether it’s the grace of a heron or the whimsy of a watercolor batik, I’m inspired daily by the beauty that surrounds us.”
A native of Ohio, Urbanic relocated to Sun City nearly six years ago after retiring from a 25-year corporate career. She began painting in oils through a class offered by the Cleveland Museum of Art, building upon a creative foundation that began with teaching ceramics and china painting. Urbanic holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Hiram College, where she also pursued her love of art through elective coursework — including a
formative trip to Paris to study the works of master painters.
Urbanic is a proud member of SOBA and also exhibits with the Art League of Hilton Head and at Sun City.
SOBA is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SOBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more. The gallery is located at 6 Church Street and is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays. Visit www.sobagallery. com for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843-757-6586.
Tuesday - Sunday 11am-4pm
BLOOMS, BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES Mosaic Glass by Sharon Cooper
Exhibit celebrates the artistic perspectives of photography and painting
Art League Gallery presents 'Two Points of View,' a collaborative exhibition featuring the stunning photography of William Bosley and the vibrant oil paintings of Murray Sease. The exhibit showcases the unique artistic interpretations of the Lowcountry’s natural beauty, where photography and painting harmoniously capture the same scenes from two perspectives.
Sease, an accomplished painter and graphic designer, complements
Bosley's photographic vision with her vibrant oil paintings. Inspired by her global upbringing as part of an Air Force family, Sease settled in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where her love for the region's natural beauty blossomed. Her paintings offer a colorful and expressive interpretation of Bosley’s photographic scenes, blending realism with artistic flair.
Two Points of View Gilbert Law Firm llc
Bosley, a seasoned photographer inspired by the scenic wonder of Hilton Head Island since 1982, offers a profound visual exploration of the region’s wildlife, landscapes, and coastal charm. His work has been featured in various local exhibitions and establishments, including the Art League of Hilton Head, Benny’s Restaurant, and the Harbour Town Yacht Club. Bosley's images reflect a deep appreciation for the Lowcountry, from sweeping marsh views to intimate portraits of Lowcountry landscapes, birds, and wildlife.
"Collaborating on this exhibit has been a unique opportunity to explore how two artists can interpret the same subjects differently," says Sease. "I hope visitors appreciate the way each medium brings a new dimension to our shared vision."
The exhibit runs July 22–August 22, 2025. An opening reception will be held Wednesday, July 23, from 5–7 pm, and an artist talk with both Bosley and Sease is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, 1-3 pm.
The exhibit, reception, and Gallery Talk & Demo are free and open to the public.
Art League Gallery is open MondaySaturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday, 12-4pm and located mid-island inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. For more information call 843-681-5060 or visit www.artleagueHHI.org
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
samuel@dcgilbert.com Tues - Sun: 11am-9pm
Johanna Graham johanna@dcgilbert.com
Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
Kingfisher by William Bosley
Derek C. Gilbert Attorney at Law
Kingfisher by Murray Sease
Sea Eagle Market & Beyond
Eat Local Seafood – Part 2
Editor’s Note: This is Part Two of “Sea Eagle Market & Beyond,” the most recent “DISH” from Seldon Ink.
VISITING SEA EAGLE MARKET
The entrance to Sea Eagle Market sets the briny tone for seafood shopping, thanks to lots of seafood-leaning merchandise, including: a huge variety of spice mixtures and sauces; their own seafood seasoning and breaders; Kelchner’s cocktail sauce (try it!); tools (think shrimp deveiners, oyster knives, and scalers); local books; and nautical items, Christmas ornaments, Sea Eagle T-shirts and other logoed items. They also fry their own pork skins, with their special flavoring, every week. Oh, and did we mention that Craig loves featuring different soups each week that those in the know (like us) love, including clam chowder, she crab soup, seafood chowder, and gumbo? Trust us.
Once at the seafood counter and after passing the lobster tank, the briny Sea Eagle fun continues. Here’s a laundry list of the possibilities on any given day and season: fresh shrimp (natch), if in-season; previously frozen local shrimp (if they’re not in-season); various shellfish, like oysters (including local ones from their leases October 1 to May 15), clams, and mussels; whole local blue crabs in-season; and various fish filets. They partner with a dive boat, Selena Grace, which brings
them local grouper, snapper, triggerfish, and more, in-season. You’ll also find lots of whole fish options. We’ve become huge fans of buying whole fish and have found that the Sea Eagle staff behind the counter and back in the cutting room are a huge help concerning what to buy and how to prepare it (whether roasted or grilled whole, or broken down into filets and more . . .
like tasty grouper collars . . . again, trust us).
Other popular possibilities can include: scallops; fresh-picked crab meat; salmon; whiting; flounder; tuna; crab legs; single oysters from Atlantic, North Carolina’s High Tiders Oyster Company; and a lot more. Additionally, Sea Eagle sources fresh and frozen fish from various locations, including Florida, Iceland, Chile, and beyond. We can personally attest to great experiences buying and preparing Sea Eagle’s varied offerings from near and far.
But our first love is local shrimp. Here’s a quick primer about beloved local shrimp, including what we’ve learned from numerous Sea Eagle Market visits, seafood whisperer Barton Seaver’s cookbooks, and a highly recommended book, Shrimp Tales: Small Bites of History, by local author Beverly Bowers Jennings (check out her great website, www.shrimptales.org).
There are three species of shrimp in the area: brown, white, and pink (which are less common). The first local shrimping season of the year for “roe” shrimp is generally in May and June. The second season, mostly for brown shrimp, falls between June and August and possibly into fall. The final season brings mostly white shrimp and runs from August or September into winter.
Cele & Lynn Seldon
Melena Reaves receives the Hospitality Employee of the Year from the Lowcountry Tourism Commission. Pictured are Nick Borreggine, Ashlee Houck, Craig Reaves Melena, Jana Reaves, Peach Morrison, and Caroline Gecy. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Area Hospitality Association
Whole fish counter
Oysters
Spices and sauces, photos by Seldon Ink
In our signed and tattered copy of the joy of seafood, Barton Seaver writes, “Shrimp’s popularity is due to its incredible versatility: its flavor melds into dishes better than just about any other seafood . . . But not all shrimp are created equal . . . wild American shrimp are worth seeking out.” We think that’s especially true of wild local shrimp.
Sadly, Craig and others report that more than 90% of the shrimp consumed in the United States has been imported, with most of it being farm-raised in Asia and elsewhere. There’s also been a lot of shrimp “dumping” over the decades, which new tariffs may address, making local shrimp more attractive, pricewise.
“Unfair trade policies are pushing U.S. shrimpers to the brink, as we compete with imports using unethical cost-cutting practices,” says Southern Shrimp Alliance Executive Director John Williams.
“Fortunately, the shrimp industry has dedicated volunteer leaders like Craig, who effectively communicate these critical issues to the public and policy makers. His recent appearances on major news outlets like Fox News and NPR, along with his op-eds, are a testament to his impactful advocacy.”
We can most definitely testify that local shrimp simply tastes better, and we buy it whenever possible, which is most of the time, whether it’s fresh off the boat or correctly frozen to be enjoyed off-season. Many may not know that Sea Eagle has local shrimp year-round, thanks to their day-boat ice trawlers and freezer boats.
SEA EAGLE’S CATERING
Sea Eagle and the extended Reaves family are also well known for their catering operations. We can also personally attest to the quality of this part of the Sea Eagle operation, thanks to helping coordinate a large event at the Beaufort Yacht Club as part of the 2023 Pat Conroy Literary Festival, when we worked with Melena Reaves (Craig and Jana’s daughter) and crew to host a memorable Lowcountry boil and oyster roast.
Melena reports they offer everything from “Fatback to Caviar,” and they’ll pretty much prepare anything the customer requests. The possibilities include: traditional oyster roasts; Lowcountry Boils; pulled pork BBQ; seafood dinners (including fried seafood, lobster, and more); chicken dinners; and more. We love arriving at an event and seeing Sea Eagle’s massive catering trailer, in that we know we’re in for a tasty time.
We’re also pleased to report that Melena was recently named the Lowcountry Tourism Commission’s Hospitality Employee of the Year. Of the award, Melena told us, “I am very humbled and grateful for the award. I wouldn’t have been able to accept the award without the guidance and knowledge of my family, or the awesome community of Beaufort I get to work with. I always try to keep a focus on making experiences memorable and enjoyable.”
Like us, local restauranteur extraordinaire Nick Borreggine (think Shellring Ale Works and Scratch Italian Kitchen + Bar) also thinks very highly of Craig and Sea Eagle. When asked, Nick told us, “I’ve known Craig for twenty years and can honestly say there is not a single person in Beaufort that works harder than him and his family. His passion and drive goes deeper than the beautiful bottom feeding fish he brings to market.”
Given all of this, it’s obvious we’re swimming in a large school of Sea Eagle Market fans. From local shrimp to so much more, including the extended Reaves family, it’s the place to head for sea-to-table cooking and eating.
Craig Reaves at the cutting table
Melena Reaves at a Sea Eagle catering event. Photo by Sea Eagle
From Vine to Table SC Tomatoes
You can’t go wrong with fresh South Carolina tomatoes. The east coast of the Carolinas is the home of the most delicious and flavorful tomatoes that have ever been grown. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, are loaded with fiber, and are only about 35 calories each. Tomatoes become more flavorful when they're allowed to ripen on the vine. Green tomatoes will change color and soften, but the sugar, acid and aroma compounds are locked in once the fruit is picked. Choose local vine-ripened tomatoes because the less the tomatoes must travel the more likely it is that they were picked ripe. Fragrance is a better indicator of a good tomato than color. If the tomatoes smell fresh and tomato-y, they will taste that way. Remember – never refrigerate fresh tomatoes. Cold temperatures make the flesh pulpy and destroy the flavor. Always store fresh tomatoes at room temperature, stem up. When I was growing up, no Sunday dinner was complete without fresh, sliced tomatoes. Granny Baker used to peel her tomatoes, cut them into thick slices, and serve them with salt and pepper. What I wouldn’t give for one of those Sunday dinners! (Photography by Susan DeLoach)
BRUSCHETTA
BEAUFORT TOMATO PIE
Traditionally, bruschetta is grilled and then rubbed with cloves of garlic before more toppings are added. If you have time to add the extra step, it's worth doing.
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 long baguette, halved lengthwise
1 (6-ounce) jar prepared pesto
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Grated parmesan cheese
Pour vinegar into a small saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the vinegar has reduced to 1/3 cup, about 15 minutes. Set balsamic reduction aside to cool. Spread both halves of bread with prepared pesto and place on a baking sheet. Top bread with pieces of cheese and tomato halves. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven until bread is heated through and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic reduction before serving. Serves 4 to 6.
black pepper, to taste
If you have a copy of my first cookbook, Dining Under the Carolina Moon, you'll see that my tomato pie recipe has changed a bit. Change can be a good thing –and this new recipe includes bacon. Best of all, it's for two pies, one to keep and one to share!
2 (9-inch) deep dish frozen pie shells
1 egg white, lightly beaten
6 to 7 large ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced
Salt and freshly ground
1 tablespoon dried sweet basil, divided 2 teaspoons dried chives, divided 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
2 cups Miracle Whip salad dressing or mayonnaise
2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Dried basil and dried chives to garnish, optional
Thinly sliced tomatoes to garnish, optional
Thaw pie crusts in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Place pie crusts on a large
baking sheet and prick bottoms and sides with the tines of a fork. Brush pie crusts with beaten egg white. Bake pie shells in a preheated 375-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool. Fill cooled pie shells with tomato slices. Season with salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried chives. Top with crumbled bacon. In a medium bowl, mix salad dressing with mozzarella cheese. Spread mixture over the top of each pie, sealing to the edges. Sprinkle cheese mixture with additional basil and chives. Garnish with thin slices of tomato. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Serves 10 to 12.
GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH TOMATO AND FETA
Quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!
1 large eggplant
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
½ cup fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
3 large tomatoes, to match diameter of the eggplant
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
Basil leaves, to garnish
Slice eggplant into ½-inch thick rounds. Brush each slice with
olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Place the basil leaves, lemon juice, garlic and remaining olive oil in a small food processor, blend until smooth. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange grilled eggplant rounds side by side. Spread ½ tablespoon of
the basil-garlic mixture on top of each one. Cut the tomatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds. Top each slice of eggplant with a slice of tomato. Brush tomatoes with remaining basil-garlic mixture and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately top each stack with feta cheese. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Serves 4.
address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at
By Debbi 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
Blasphemy
Ignorance is bliss. I don’t think so! We’ve all heard this saying. Many of us hold it as an axiom, or have, at least, believed it. I mean, I would ask: How ignorant is it to find bliss in groping around in the dark? Won’t be too long before you blow that toe out on the dresser, will it?
I submit that ignorance can be an asset, however. Maybe it’s more accurate to call it innocence. Scar tissue has its downside. In other words, not knowing that you cannot or should not do something can be a good thing, beyond beginner’s luck.
It was a simpler time — the age of innocence. Do you think we notice those halcyon days as they’re occurring, or are we always longing for the good ole days? I need to give credit to myself here for recognizing certain good ole days as they were occurring. My college years and early Mr.
Mom days with my daughter, for example. If I allow myself, regarding my time at the University of South Carolina, I’d focus on all the fun and forget the sometimes-painful immaturity I had, as a young adult, to handle college until around my senior year. But, in general, the desire for innocence never dulls or deflates, as we progress through life’s gauntlet. We yearn for the predictability that predictably ended “unpredictably.” I can only strive daily to be where my feet are.
Speaking of innocence: I can’t recall any adult, of significance, in my family of origin, not talking about what a cruel, harsh land, “adult-land” is. Were they well-meaning?
Yes, I think so. We’re talking about members of the “Greatest Generation” and their children. People that survived the Great Depression, WWII, the Cold War, the
turbulent 60’s, etc. The real question was and is: Was it necessary to paint such a bleak perspective? In this moment, I’m reflecting on the alternate reality, that exists on another plane, of what life may have been like had I been allowed to keep my rose-colored glasses. Things looked so pretty through those prisms and lenses. I’m just now considering such things as I approach my 50th.
Care must be taken not to conflate the empty-calories of nostalgia with the protein shake of a reality check. Reality: There was still tragedy during the good times. Ye olde birth, death, rebirth . . . This is no different from remembering a crossed-over loved one as a saint rather than the human they actually were. Time beatifies in this manner.
So, let’s focus on what you’re doing best today, even if it’s just having a good cry. Some people cannot. or will not emote in that manner. Be careful of jumping on that grenade, btw. There are things that are going right, even when everything else is going wonky. What’s important is that you’re honest here. Everyone wants to know dirty laundry—the soiled souls, but not everyone wants to process said laundry.
It’s time to do what you don’t want to do, or don’t feel comfortable doing, so you
by Sutty Suddeth WHOLLY
HOLISTICS
can get what you want. In a similar vein, consider that it’s not who you know, but who knows you. Your reputation precedes you.
Is it true that life doesn’t give you more than you can handle? Maybe. I’ve believed and espoused this notion in the past. It does have some merit, but there is a hint of dismissive aftertaste here. Maybe life gives you what it gives you and you decide whether or not to step up.
Meliorism is the belief that we can contribute to positive change and improve the world through acts of love, creativity, compassion, and kindness. I like the sound of that ism word — the innocence of it all. It’s time we consider what is really blasphemy, and what only sounds blasphemous because we were told it was blasphemous. Or even because of who uttered such treason against the souls of us all.
So, ask yourself: When was the last time you looked to the sky in hope — hope of a better evening, hope of a better relationships to whoever or whatever, hope of a better life? “Hopefulness is adversarial. It is the warrior emotion.” (Nick Cave) When you kill, or attempt to murder a person’s hope, you’re robbing the cradle, so to speak.
Your destiny could be written in the clouds. Breathe in for a few beats as your gaze lifts to the heavens. Hold. Now exhale as your point of view descends back down to the Earth. Annnd breathe . . .
The year: 1987. The setting: The Rocks of Fripp Island, SC. Sutty first answers the siren call of writing. In the years and publications since, the destination has been Divinely timed, while being Divinely unknown. A reformed Reiki Master of more than a dozen years, an emotional energetic alchemist, as well as a student in various energetic modalities. My favorite Buddha quote is, “Everything in moderation, even moderation.” Visit Home / Chris Suddeth (journoportfolio.com) for more info.
Tomatoes: A Fruit with an Identity Crisis
Ihave trouble with tomatoes! According to novelist John Updike, “Of plants tomatoes seemed the most human, eager and fragile and prone to rot.” I don’t know if I have that attitude about humans, but tomatoes are like that. I have had some success with tomatoes, but lots of failures. It might be genetic. My sister used to buy a large container and fresh soil every year for her single patio tomato. It was nurtured and cared for, but she would get one tomato known as the $75.00 tomato. I am sure that the one tomato was delicious . . . but.
I find that tomatoes can be fussy especially in our humid climate. I realize that they grow tons of tomatoes out on St, Helena, but they certainly do not like my yard. When I had a community garden plot in Massachusetts, I grew so many tomatoes that I canned them. Now at my age, I cannot imagine that I canned anything. I even made my own clothes. I must have been in some sort of a self-reliant hippie phase. But back to tomatoes. They have an interesting history.
Tomatoes are indigenous to the Americas and were cultivated by the native peoples through Mexico, Central, and South America. They are a member of the Nightshade family so right from the beginning when they were “discovered” by Spanish explorers, they were suspect. Brave souls did use them in Spanish cuisine and from there by the mid 1500’s, they were used in Italian cooking. When they reached the rest of Europe, they were used as a table ornament rather than being eaten. In
Europe, tomatoes had many different names such as wolf peach and love apple. The French believed that the tomato – or “pomme d’amour” – was an aphrodisiac. But then again the French believe that oysters, dark chocolate, asparagus, avocados, and honey also ignite romance.
The first date that we know tomatoes were grown in British North America is in 1710. An herbalist saw them growing in what is today South Carolina and made reference to these strange plants. It is believed that like indigo, tomatoes may have been introduced from the Caribbean.
By the mid 18th century tomatoes were grown on some plantations in the southeast. Yet for most Americans, tomatoes were still considered poisonous and grown for their ornamental interest rather than as a food. Even though gardeners as admired as Thomas Jefferson cultivated and ate tomatoes, it was not until the early 1900’s that tomatoes finally became popular in American kitchens.
Tomatoes themselves are vines and can grow to 9 feet although there are bush varieties that only reach 3 feet. They are considered tender perennials, but they are usually grown as annuals. Their stems and roots contain solanine which is a neurotoxin so in that sense they are poisonous. Even though we often think of the tomato as a vegetable, those round globes are a fruit.
Nearly everyone has heard the old adage: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”
One great advantage of tomatoes is that they are bisexual and the flowers can self-fertilize so that the same plant has both reproductive organs. It does not self-pollinate though, so in a greenhouse, the plants must be pollinated by fans or bees brought in to do the job. Outside, they are just fine without any artificial means of pollination.
Tomatoes can be fussy and are susceptible to many insect pests and viral diseases. That is not a reason to avoid growing them. Many new varieties of tomatoes have been bred to be resistant to many mildews and diseases. One unfortunate thing is that to produce tomatoes of uniform size and color, the rich flavor has been impaired. That is probably why heirloom tomatoes are so popular right now. I look for those misshapen Purple Cherokees at the farmstand and markets.
Tomatoes like at least 6-8 hours of sun. They also like rich soil with good organic matter.
By Wendy Hilty
Composted manure is a good supplement or any rich compost for that matter. I think the reason why I had success growing tomatoes in Massachusetts was that my farm plot was on bottom land and had probably been the bed of a pond. The soil was dark and fertile. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer or you can purchase a fertilizer specially made for tomato plants. Tomatoes like calcium so you may need to add lime or crushed eggshells around the plant. If you see the end of the fruit rotting, that’s caused by lack of calcium and is known as blossom end rot. Tomatoes also need some form of staking and I personally like tomato cages for the task.
Is it worth growing tomatoes in your own yard? I believe that there is nothing that says summer more than a tomato sandwich on good bread with rich mayonnaise. Add a little bacon and lettuce and you may be in culinary heaven.
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.
Waves Beyond the Water
One of my prized possessions is a small, red and black plastic radio that I got for my birthday a few years ago. It plays AM & FM stations, and can be charged with a cord, the sun, or a hand crank. The real value, however, is the NOAA ( National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather-band capability. This means I get a 24/7 loop recording made by the National Weather Service from station KEC85 (162.400 MHz) in Savannah.
Actually, his voice is like what an ocean wave itself often is: rhythmic, steady, comforting. And as I sat there listening/not listening on a recent morning, it got me thinking about the broad range of waves that surround us all the time here in the Lowcountry — in the sky, among the trees, or swelling across the Atlantic.
I thought about the cloud formation I saw driving over the McTeer Bridge the other night around sunset; it looked like the crest of
The computer-generated voice (nicknamed “Paul” according to the guy who answered the phone at the NWS office in Charleston) takes you through current conditions, short and long term forecasts, marine conditions, and more. The marine data includes details about rip tides, temperatures, and wave conditions.
Regarding waves, you might hear something from Paul along the lines of: “wave detail . . . southeast three feet at 8 seconds . . . ,” which I’m assuming references the direction it’s coming from, height, and at what time interval it breaks and dissipates. The loop is hypnotic in its own way, and it’s a special little thrill when I have it on long enough to hear the updates and new information. Paul’s voice is not overly artificial, though he does mispronounce or emphasize the wrong syllable on occasion (like Sapelo Island).
an ocean wave about to break, complete with some froth already ahead of it on the sky-beach in my mind. I thought of the wet strands of Spanish Moss hanging from the Oak trees in a nearby alley, and how they wave in the wind and give the impression of falling streams of water. I thought of the other clouds out at Hunting Island I saw that were like gentle ripple-row waves that whisper ashore. From there it was a short leap to other kinds of fresh emotional waves.
I recently saw my son graduate college after a few bumps and bruises along the way, some of which are still being sorted out. Pride was accompanied by moments of anguished worry and fear. Right after there was bad news about a good friend’s health, then good news about another friend’s return to addiction recovery from a relapse. Juxtaposed in the usual way of things were the tender mercies
and expectational insults of a hundred daily situations: the flotsam and jetsam of life among humans. It recalled a quote from the writer Dan Millman:
Life comes at us in waves. We can't predict or control those waves, but we can learn to surf.
We’ve been surfing here in Beaufort for coming up on a year now, and it’s starting to feel like home. Coming back from a recent trip overseas I was a little surprised by the internal wave of certainty that I was headed home. There is something comforting about feeling rooted in a place where we can then navigate the life waves that arrive, sometimes crashing, at our shore-door. Trips to the beach always help with perspective.
When I body surf, the best rides come from letting go at just the right time and granting the wave permission to carry you. Twenty or thirty yards later you’ve arrived exactly on time and in fine style. Rise up and do it again, like the call of a new day.
By Luke Frazier
through dance. This Roth quote pulls together waves, energy, and a renowned Italian poet: I know that if a wave of energy is allowed to complete itself, it yields a whole new wave, and in fact that is all I really know. Riding these waves means joining the cosmic dance that, as Dante says, 'moves the sun and the other stars.'
All I really know is that every day the wave energy of the sun moves in, among, and across Beaufort’s world, through the spindly swing bridge, across Chambers Park and along the Plough mud in the marsh parallel with Bay Street. But it doesn’t stop there. Every day it reaches you, wherever you are in the Lowcountry, with an invitation to partake in life.
We’re all out here riding along and searching for equilibrium day by day, juggling the happenstance of waves beyond the water, seeking balance amid a daily reprieve against the inevitable low tides. I only recently learned about the dancer/musician/writer Gabrielle Roth, but her story of overcoming injury and depression and creating the ecstatic dance approach 5Rhythms amazes. Her videos are like kinetic missives complete with instructions on how to retrieve your soul
Some waves are made of water, and some are not. Regardless of its substance, the quality of our lives consists of the responses we make to the surf, right here on our own turf.
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
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 Savannah/Hilton Head Airport operated by a cadre of volunteers. The former USO Lounge is now “Savannah 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 Berg-
mann. 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 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); 843-681-6655 (HHI). No teaching, tutoring or other language knowledge necessary. www.theliteracycenter.org
THE SANDALWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY. Volunteer-based, non-profit provides groceries, clothing and basic 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. Monday25% 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) 6863443 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. 6/18 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Stevens Trio, 6/20 & 6/21 Thomas Milovac's Quartet - innovative composers of Jazz, 6/25 Bobby Ryder, 6/27 & 6/28 One Love - Dean St. Hillaire's Quintet celebrates Reggae & Calypso, 7/2 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Stevens Trio, 7/4 Closed! Happy 4th! 7/5 Zack Stevens Band. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
OUT OF TOWN
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 6/18 & 6/19 moe, 6/20 Southern Culture on the Skids, 6/21 Badfish - Sublime tribute; Crooked Coast; Damn Skippy, 6/22 End of the Line - Allman Brothers tribute, 6/24 Shwayze; JARV; Hrlum, 6/25 The Spooklights, 6/26 Adrian Younge, 6/27-6/29
Melvin Seals & JGB. 6/30 MC Chris; Swell Rell, 7/3 House @ the Pour House, 7/4 Kanika Moore & the Brown Eyed Bois - Jimi Hendrix & Betty Davis tribute, 7/5 The Grateful Brothers - Dead & Allman Brothers tribute. (843) 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse. com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 6/18 Collie Buddz, 6/19 Ziggy Alberts, 6/20 & 6/21 The Vegabonds, 6/27-6/29 Moon Taxi, 7/1 & 7/2 Yacht Rock Revue, 7/3 Edwin McCain, 7/4 & 7/5 Flipturn. (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.
GALLERIES/ART
Now – 6/28, Blooms, Birds and Butterflies. Featuring artwork by Sharon Cooper at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery.
Now – 6/28, “Reflections of the Lowcountry,” a solo exhibition by artist Marie Camenares, is on display at the SOBA gallery, 6 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton. www.sobagallery.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 6/19 Satin Jackets; Fake Fever, 6/20 Grapevine Groove, 6/21 90s & 2000s R & B and Hip Hop Night, 6/22 Honey Revenge; Daisy Grenade; Vana; Nightlife 6/25 The Fall of Troy; A Lot Like Birds; Lobby Boxer; Mella, 6/27 White Lotus Party, 6/28 Cirque do So-Lazer - a cabaret dance party, 6/29 Sunny War. (843) 8532252 or www.musicfarm.com
Now – 6/30, The Rhodes Collection of African American Art on exhibit in the USCB Gallery in Beaufort. www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Now – 8/17, Wild Bees Photography Exhibit, featuring work by Paula Sharp and Ross Eatman at the Coastal Discovery Museum. For more info, visit www.coastaldiscovery.org
7/1-8/30, Beth Stern’s ‘Reflections’ is the featured exhibit at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery in downtown Beaufort. Opening reception Fri 7/11 from 5-8pm. Free and open to the public. www.beaufortartassociation.com
7/6 – 8/10, Flight-n-Fancy, exhibit of featured artist Janet Urbanic at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Opening reception Wed 7/10 3-5 pm. Free and open to the public. www.sobagallery.com
7/22 – 8/22, Two Points of View, featuring photography by William Bosley and oil paintings by Murray Sease. Recpetion Wed 7/23, 5-7pm. Free and open to the public. Art League Gallery on Hilton Head. www. artleagueHHI.org
BOOKS & WRITERS
Sat 7/26, Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center from 10am - 2pm at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Weezie Educational Pavilion (310 Okatie Hwy). A dozen local and visiting writers will be on hand with books for sales and signing, along with art activities and readings throughout the day. www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
MUSIC
Tues 6/24, Tuffus Zimbabwe Quartet will play a free concert at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny on Hilton Head. 7:30 pm. Sponsored by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. www.hhso.org
Tues 7/8 Junior Jazz Foundation All Stars will play a free concert at Lowcountry Celebration Park at Coligny on Hilton Head. 7:30 pm. Sponsored by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. www.hhso.org
OTHER EVENTS
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/
7/11 - 7/20, 69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival in Waterfront Park downtown. For a
full schedule of events visit www.bftwaterfestival.com
Tuesdays, Tours of Hunting Island sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For info call the Nature Center at 843-838-7437. 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 an guest speaker. For info or educational opportunities, contact Paul Gorsuch: admino@beaufortboatingclub.com Boat ownership not required, but a passion for safe boating is 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. 843470-3506. 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.
