Kennedy Center 4
Making it great again?
Sparkling Sounds 7 Of springtime
Lowcountry Serenity 9 Coastal beauty
Chicken Salad Chick 10 New ref in town
Patricia & Vince 12 Kitchen memories
Reflections on the good life in coastal South Carolina }. March 26 – April 8, 2025
The Most Wonderful Time 15 For a gardener
Bestselling Novelist 6
Colleen Oakley
The painting on our cover is "Hornet" by John Hume, one of three new artists at Atelier
Off Bay in downtown Beaufort. See our story on page 5.
March 26 – April 8, 2025
untro w c o
LPublisher: Jeff Evans — Jeff@LCWeekly.com
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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.
Thanks to the giant firehose of information perpetually spewing forth from every direction these days, the best I can say, anymore, is that I know a little about a lot, and a lot about very little.
But recently, I found myself down a rabbit hole, and I remembered how much I like it down there. It’s fun to focus. To really zoom in. Learning a lot about something little was a refreshing reversal of my typical infogathering experience.
When I say “something little,” I mean that in relative terms. With all the tumult at home and abroad – much of it brought on by the new Trump administration – there are rabbit holes a’plenty to be plumbed. But today I will leave the more serious stuff – Ukraine, DOGE, tariffs, etc. – to better brains.
Because I’ve been thinking (and learning) about the Kennedy Center.
Ever since I heard, last month, that Trump had let most of its board members go, installed a new board of loyalists, and appointed himself Chairman, I’ve been fascinated by this turn of events. And by fascinated, I mean horrified. Now don’t go accusing me of having “TDS.” I am not deranged, nor do I harbor hatred in my heart for the 47th president. I know many people who do, and trust me, they’re in a whole different headspace. For instance, they don’t think Trump is funny. Me? Trump makes me laugh. A lot. Am I worried about Trump? Absolutely. But hatred? I’m guided by this weird, ancient religion that forbids it.
So now that we’ve cleared that up, I thought it was absurd – maybe even obscene – when I heard Trump had taken over the Kennedy Center. It felt like some kind of desecration.
You see, the Kennedy Center, along with being our nation’s cultural crown jewel, has great sentimental value for me personally. Every holiday season, for as long as I can remember, my dad and I watched the Kennedy Center Honors together. Even after I’d grown up and moved away, it was a special tradition for us, since I was always home at Christmas. Like me, Dad was a music buff, a choir singer, and an amateur theatre performer. We shared those loves, and we shared a love of the Kennedy Center Honors. Our tradition continued until my father died, almost six years ago.
Trump, on the other hand, bucked tradition during his first term and refused to attend the Kennedy Center Honors. All the presidents that came before him attended, but not Donald Trump. Apparently, some of the artists tapped for honors had criticized Trump publicly, so he boycotted the event. Until then, the Honors had always had a bipartisan vibe. Sure, Republican presidents were sometimes tweaked in the monologues – we all know the arts lean left –but they sat there graciously, taking it with good humor, and beaming at the wondrous performances, like everybody else. It was beautiful demonstration of American spirit and unity.
I know this because I watched the Kennedy Center Honors with my Republican father. Every. Single. Year.
But now, that’s all changing. This man, who was too thin skinned to attend our nation’s premier arts tribute while he was president the first time around – and who says he hasn’t been to a show at the center in years – has decided to take over the joint. And he’s ousted all the board members appointed by Democrats –their terms are supposed to last 6 years – and replaced them with his own people, folks like Laura Ingraham, Susie Wiles, Usha Vance, and Lee Greenwood. The board of the Kennedy Center – historically equal parts Republican and Democrat, by design – is now all Republican. You might even say it's full MAGA.
But why? Why Trump’s newfound interest in an institution he has all but shunned in the past?
As far as I can tell, Trump thinks the Kennedy Center – like the rest of America –needs to be made great again. To be more specific, he thinks it needs to be de-woked. (Un-woked? Un-woken? Put to sleep?)
In a statement last month to The Wall Street Journal, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The Kennedy Center learned the hard way that if you go woke, you will go broke.”
Interim Director Ric Grenell later confirmed that the center was in dire financial straits.
At a recent Kennedy Center board meeting, Chairman Trump discussed his love of musicals – especially big 80s hits like Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Les Miserables – and made it clear that he’d like the center to focus on presenting “non-woke” musicals like that those.
Margaret Evans
This left me scratching my head and wondering if Trump – or anybody on his board – has ever understood the musicals they love. (I love them, too, by the way!)
To be blunt, trying to find good musical theatre that’s not “woke” is like trying to have a basketball league without any tall Black men. (My husband said I probably shouldn’t include that sentence, but I think we’re all grownups here. Plus, it’s March Madness!)
I started wondering just how radically “woke” the Kennedy Center really is – or has been in recent years. My research revealed that the past two seasons have featured the following musicals: Guys & Dolls; Sunset Boulevard; Kiss of the Spider Woman; Les Miz; 1776; The Lion King; Moulin Rouge; Wicked; Tick, Tick, BOOM!; Nine; Frozen; and Bye Bye Birdie. Seriously?
You don’t even have to be a Broadway fan like me to know that’s some pretty standard fare. We are not talking about subversive, cutting edge theatre.
But is it “woke”? Well, only in the same way that almost ALL art is woke – in the best sense of that word. Challenging, provocative, empathetic, revelatory, cathartic!
In the interest of fair reporting, I should also acknowledge that there have been occasional drag shows at the Kennedy Center. Is drag an artform? That’s up to you to determine for yourself, dear reader. But if you’re a fan, it’s clear you’ll have to go elsewhere to enjoy it for the foreseeable future.
Several major artists who worked with the center – including Renee Fleming and Ben Folds – have ended their tenure in protest against the new leadership, and an upcoming production of Hamilton just canceled its run.
“I never liked Hamilton very much,” said Trump, with characteristic petulance. (Too woke, one presumes.) There have been other cancellations, as well.
Along with the question of who will perform there now, is the question of who will be the future recipients of Kennedy Center Honors. Trump recently referred to past recipients –who range from Fred Astaire (1978) to Francis Ford Coppola (2024) – as “radical left lunatics,” and floated the idea of honoring figures like Andrea Bocelli, Paul Anka, and Sylvester Stallone, all of whom supported his presidential campaign. He said he wants to go “slightly more conservative” with future honorees. He’s even talking about hosting the show himself, calling himself “the king of ratings.”
Don’t get me wrong; the arts have always been political. It would be disingenuous to pretend otherwise. But in modern democracies, politicians have typically left artists alone and let them do their thing, even when that “thing” included critiquing those politicians. (Especially then.) It’s almost like a separation of church and state.
So as much as I love the Rocky movies, this new arrangement at the Kennedy Center – unprecedented in its long, illustrious history – just feels wrong to me.
I imagine my dad –– a lover of the arts and lifelong Republican – is turning in his grave.
Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly. She has been writing her award winning column, Rants & Raves, for 25 years.
Atelier Off Bay is thrilled to announce the addition of three talented artists to its vibrant collective!
Located in the historic Lipsitz Building in downtown Beaufort, Atelier Off Bay is home to the working studios of 14 professional artists who work in a variety of media, styles, and subject matter. Open to the public, this unique creative space offers visitors an engaging fine art experience with some of the top artists working in the Beaufort area and features rotating exhibits, live demonstrations, workshops, and classes. It’s a welcoming environment where art lovers can interact with artists, observe their creative process, and purchase or commission original fine art.
We are excited to introduce our newest members:
Rachel Migliorino’s acrylic and oil paintings capture the breathtaking natural beauty of the Lowcountry. Inspired by coastal landscapes, wildlife, and serene nature scenes, her work brings a sense of tranquility and connection to viewers.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Rachel has been passionate about art since childhood, earning a degree in Fine Arts. Before returning to painting full-time,
she built a successful career as a cake and cookie artist, founding Frosted Artistry, where she combined her eye for design with edible creations. Since relocating to Beaufort, Rachel has embraced her passion for fine art once again, drawing inspiration from the region’s rich coastal environment. From windswept beaches to majestic herons, her work reflects her deep appreciation for the world around her.
Nationally recognized for his aviation and maritime artwork, John Hume brings decades of experience to Atelier Off Bay.
Having spent years in Alaska — where aviation is a way of life — John developed an extensive client base that includes museums, aerospace corporations, the U.S. Air Force, state and local governments, airlines, and private collectors.
John’s work is meticulously researched, capturing pivotal moments in aviation and maritime history. Through his detailed and evocative paintings, he creates timeless tributes to the men and machines that shaped history. Now in the Lowcountry, John looks forward to immersing himself in the region’s rich aviation and maritime heritage while connecting with new collectors and enthusiasts.
Maureen is a new artist in Beaufort and excited to join the creative community at Atelier Off Bay. She owned The Cottage at Coulby Glen in Macon, Georgia for over twenty years where she taught classes and hosted workshops, art shows, and renowned artists from around the world. With a BFA from the University of Georgia, Maureen has continued studying art, traveling to paint with artists she admires.
Maureen’s expressive, vibrant art features an impressionistic flair. Primarily an oil painter, she also experiments with acrylic and gouache. Her love for portraiture keeps her work interactive — she once painted a well-behaved English Setter posing live! Passionate about coastal scenes, she rarely lets a shrimp boat escape her eye or camera. Whether portraits, seascapes, or lively florals, her energetic use of color makes her work a striking addition to any collection.
We invite you to visit Atelier Off Bay and meet our newest artists while rediscovering the creative energy of Beaufort’s most unique art space. The gallery and studios are open to the public Monday through Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM, and is located at 203 West Street, upstairs in the historic Lipsitz Building, just off Bay Street.
Come experience the artistry, inspiration, and community that make Atelier Off Bay a must-visit destination!
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an evening with USA Today bestselling novelist Colleen Oakley, author of Jane and Dan at the End of the World, on Friday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m., at Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Oakley will be joined in conversation by Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt. Free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale and signing. Please call to reserve your seat in advance: 843-379-7025.
"Relatable and sweet . . . As much fun as you’ll ever have with middle-aged marriage and ecoterrorism." — Kirkus (STARRED)
“A hilarious, wonderfully moving family story.” — Booklist (STARRED)
“Funny banter, heart-racing heists and charming characters abound.” — Woman's World
Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple find themselves at the heart of a crime in progress, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.
Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years, but Jane isn’t sure they’re going to make it to twenty. The mother of two feels unneeded by her teenagers, and her writing career has screeched to an unsuccessful halt. Her one published novel sold under five hundred copies. Worse? She’s pretty sure Dan is
cheating on her. When the couple goes to the renowned upscale restaurant La Fin du Monde to celebrate their anniversary, Jane thinks it’s as good a place as any to tell Dan she wants a divorce.
But before they even get to the second course, an underground climate activist group bursts into the dining room. Jane is shocked—and not just because she’s in a hostage situation the likes of which she’s only seen in the movies. Nearly everything the disorganized and bumbling activists say and do is right out of the pages of her failed book.
Even Dan (who Jane wasn’t sure even read her book) admits it’s eerily familiar.
Which means Dan and Jane are the only ones who know what’s going to happen next. And they’re the only ones who can stop it. This wasn’t what Jane was thinking of when she said “’til death do us part” all those years ago, but if they can survive this, maybe they can survive anything—even marriage.
Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch, and Before I Go. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages around the world and have won multiple awards including Georgia Author of the Year and the French Reader’s Prize. A former magazine editor for Women’s Health & Fitness and Marie Claire, Colleen lives in Atlanta with her husband, four children, three chickens, and a mutt named Baxter.
Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
The Lowcountry has long inspired artists with its natural beauty, but Donna Sams sees what others overlook: the imperfections of natural beauty.
While beachgoers search for pristine seashells, Donna looks for the broken ones. Cracked by time, shaped by waves, and bearing the marks of hungry seagulls, those imperfect seashells become Donna’s models. To her, those features aren’t flaws; they’re proof of resilience, transformation, and a never ending cycle of life.
Her Grounded series takes this perspective further, highlighting fallen azaleas, camellias, and gardenias — flowers that have left their branches and begun a new phase of beauty in decay. What others dismiss, Sams elevates by capturing the fleeting moments of change.
Donna’s technique merits a mention: she renders her subjects in gouache. A water-based media, that is similar to watercolor, gouache is semi-opaque, which provides the artist with the range of precise calligraphy, flowy textures and striking pops of color.
Donna’s love for the Lowcountry has only grown—now shared through the wonder of her grandchildren as they explore the marshes and forests together, collecting inspiration along the way.
A Beaufort resident for nearly 45 years,
Her work is on view at Thibault Gallery (815 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC) and can be found on Instagram @donna_sams and Facebook @Donna Sams
By Michael Johns
USCB Chamber Music brings its 45th season to a spectacular close on Sunday, April 6, 5:00pm at the Center for the Arts. The music will span 305 years, from 1720 to a 2025 world-premiere. Composer-saxophonist Alison Shearer returns to Beaufort with a new composition inspired by her impressions of the Lowcountry gained from sitting on a Bay-Street porch at nightfall while gazing out across the water to reading Pat Conroy’s captivating personalization of the Sea Islands’ unique beauty, magic, and allure. These intuitions have coalesced into a three-movement quartet. The university and USCB Chamber Music are grateful to Katherine Wells and Walda Wildman for their thoughtful and generous commission of Ms. Shearer’s new-music creation.
Two different “instrumental” duos — one with vocal qualities (saxophone and soprano), the other from the percussion family (marimba and piano)—showcase their individual tone colors while exploring new and unique ensemble blends. Artistic Director Andrew Armstrong has invited Ms. Shearer, soprano Indra Thomas, and marimba virtuoso Eriko Daimo to join him for a program of Baroque perfection (J.S. Bach), Impressionistic subtlety (Debussy), heartfelt story-telling (Verdi, Puccini), poignant introspection (Strauss, Garner, Spirituals), brilliant virtuosity (Séjourné), and the one-of-a-kind
soprano, alto saxophone, marimba, and piano world-premiere quartet by Alison Shearer.
Two works that combine improvisatory flair and incisive construction begin the program: Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude and Fugue from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 and the keyboard-arranged Fugue from Violin Sonata No 1. Marimba virtuoso Eriko Daimo will reveal the dulcet colors and haunting introspection possible on that instrument with two peaceful works by Debussy: “Bruyères (Heather)” from Preludes, Book 2 and “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum” from Children's Corner. Soprano Indra Thomas then takes the stage for three gripping opera arias of suffering, anguish, and heartbreak: Verdi's “Pace, pace mio dio,” from La Forza del Destino, Puccini's “O mio babbino caro,” from Gianni Schicchi and “Vissi d'Arte,” from Tosca. The first half closes with Alison Shearer's new threemovement composition, Luminescence.
The second half features music of poignant reflection and brilliant display: Richard Strauss’ hopeful and comforting “Morgan!” for voice and piano, two spirituals — “Deep River“ and “Ride on King Jesus!” — and contemporary French composer Emmanuel Séjourné’s rapturous Concerto for Marimba and Strings. The concert and season conclude with a soothing image for wayward times; Erroll Garner’s jazz-standard, “Misty,” whose creative spark ignited while the composer was flying through a thunderstorm, looking out the window, and seeing a rainbow glowing through the haze.
Soprano Indra Thomas has established herself as an artist of sensitivity, poise, and virtuosity, with a prolific performing career that includes operatic roles, movie cameos, recordings, and soloist appearances nationally and internationally. Her latest solo album is titled Great Day! Indra Thomas Sings Spirituals. She has appeared with the leading opera companies of Atlanta, Valencia, Johannesburg, Hamburg, San Diego, Chicago, Barcelona and New York (the Metropolitan Opera) and been a featured soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, London, Kansas City, Boston and Rome Symphony’s, and the Seoul and New York Philharmonics.
Called “a force on the rise” by JazzTimes magazine, Alison Shearer’s career is reinventing what it means to be a jazz
saxophonist by blending classical technique, jazz mentorships, and natural talent with a style both personal and global. She has toured extensively around the US, Canada, and South Asia, performing at jazz festivals, arts centers and clubs large and small. Ms. Shearer formed her own quintet in 2015, and its debut album, View From Above, received immediate critical acclaim. She has branched out into the classical-composing realm and returns to the Center for the Arts for the premiere of her newest work, the Beaufort–centric Luminescense Praised for her “mesmerizing combination of sound and sight” (Irish Times), the awardwinning marimbist, Eriko Daimo, is one of the leading artists of her field. Recent concerts include concerto performances throughout Europe and Asia, as well as recital tours over 25 countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. As an educator, she has given concerts and masterclasses across the US and Europe, served as a judge on international percussion and marimba competitions and is currently on the faculty of the Juilliard School pre-college division and New York University. Andrew Armstrong, creative Artistic Director, brilliant pianist, and voluble host, has shown a knack for programming, communicating, and mixing new artists with familiar faces. In the process, USCB Chamber Music's presentations have increased, repertoire expanded, and sold-out houses become expectations rather than distant dreams. His keen and intuitive ear for blending eras and instruments was in evidence throughout the season, from the first piece in November (Schubert’s “Ave Maria”) to the last
in April (Erroll Garner’s “Misty”). The 45th season contained a number of ‘firsts;’ more will undoubtedly follow in future seasons. There are three ways to enjoy each concert: in person at the Arts Center and virtually by Live-Stream and OnDemand. All virtual concerts are professionally produced, creating great viewing opportunities. OnDemand is accessible four days after the concert and available to view at your leisure for three weeks. For concert, artist, event, and ticket information, go to www.uscbchambermusic.com or call 843-208-8246, Monday through Friday. The final concert of USCB Chamber Music's 45th season, Sunday, April 6, 2025, 5:00 will be at the USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort, in the downtown historic district.
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an afternoon with awardwinning journalists turned novelists Jeffrey Blount (Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way) and John Pruitt (Tell It True), in conversation with Rebecca Dwight Bruff (Trouble the Water) on Friday, March 28, at 2:00 p.m. Free and open to the public, this special event is presented in partnership with Luxe Lowcountry Travel and will be held at Penn Center’s Frissell Hall, 16 Penn Center West, St. Helena Island. Books by all three authors will be available for sale and signing. Advance registration is required by March 27 at: https://blountandpruitt.eventbrite.com
Jeffrey Blount is the award-winning author of three novels. He is also an Emmy awardwinning television director and a 2016 inductee to the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame. During a 34-year career at NBC News, Jeffrey directed a decade of Meet the Press and was the first African-American to direct the Today show. He is an award-winning documentary scriptwriter for films and interactives that are
now on display in the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way is a story about failure, self-discovery, empowerment, and the possibility of redemption. James Henry Ferguson doesn't belong here. After a highly publicized fall from grace, James attempts to flee from the chaos in his life. He ends up in a community he had never heard of before, one that has been neglected and ignored by everyone in rural Ham, Mississippi. A place of abject poverty, the neighborhood is commonly referred to as "Around the Way." Within a place forgotten by the rest of the world, politics can be a dangerous game. When a troubling discovery is made, the entire neighborhood is rocked to its core and James is forced to confront his own past in order to help the community have a future. He will have to find the strength to fight for the neighbors he once disregarded and avert a heart-breaking disaster. A self-identified failure is forced to uncover the wisdom of his past in order to recognize that money can't solve every problem.
John Pruitt began his journalism career in 1964 as a television reporter-cameraman and eventually rose to top anchor at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. For a half-century he covered the civil rights movement, Georgia politics, and the major news figures of the day. His reporting has been honored with multiple awards including induction into the Atlanta Press Club and Georgia Association of Broadcasters Halls of Fame.
In Tell It True, An African American serviceman is gunned down on a rural Georgia road in July 1964. This shocking murder ensnares a wide range of characters including the journalists who cover it, the lawmen who must solve it, the civil rights leaders who capitalize upon it, the politicians who exploit it, and the Atlanta magnate who fears its impact on the New South image he desperately wants to protect. TV news cameraman Gil Matthews and AP reporter Mindy Williams team up to follow the twists and turns of the murder investigation as rural, state, and federal lawmen clash, a civil rights leader fends off a black power challenger, and voters take sides in a governor's race pitting virulent racist Roscoe Pike against moderate underdog Harrison Parker. Focusing on the challenges faced by journalists as they covered a societal revolution and brought the dramatic and sometimes violent scenes to TV screens around the world, Tell It True takes us to a time when the future of the South hung in the balance.
To learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center, please visit www.patconroy literarycenter.org
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) will spotlight the work of Janet Stevens in a featured artist exhibit from April 6 to May 3, 2025, at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Art lovers are invited to an open house reception from 4-6 p.m. on April 11, where they can meet the artist and experience her captivating work in person.
Stevens’ exhibit is a celebration of the natural world, offering a collection of paintings that bring to life the beauty of landscapes and the distinctive character of local wildlife. Her work, which blends figurative expressionism with a deep reverence for nature, invites viewers to appreciate the quiet moments of wonder found in everyday surroundings.
“My art celebrates the natural world, focusing on the beauty of landscapes and the character of local animals,” said Stevens. “Each piece reflects my connection to the environment, capturing quiet moments of wonder. I enjoy creating serene compositions that honor the balance and harmony of nature.”
With a BA in Studio Art from Framing-
“The poets of the world occupy a place of high honor in my city of books.” — Pat Conroy, My Reading Life
April is National Poetry Month, and in honor of the occasion, LowcountryWeekly is sponsoring a POETRY CONTEST, in partnership with the Pat Conroy Literary Center and the Port Royal Sound Foundation.
The winners will have their poems published in Lowcountry Weekly and be invited to read at a PR Sound Foundation event in late April. They will also receive a cash prize.
Yes, these poets will be paid!
Awards will be given in two categories: Student and Adult First Place – $100 • Second Place – $50 • Third Place – $25
Rules:
~ Poem must be no longer than 100 lines. We love epic poetry, but . . .
~ Poem must be previously unpublished
~ Entry Deadline – April 4th, 2025
Email entries to: edwardjeffreyevans@gmail.com
ham State University, Stevens’ artistic expertise spans multiple disciplines, including painting, photography, ceramics, and Intaglio printmaking. She works across diverse mediums—oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and pencil—to convey both the tangible and emotional essence of her subjects. Inspired by the awe and beauty of the natural world, Stevens masterfully transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary visual narratives.
The SOBA Gallery, located in the heart of Old Town Bluffton, provides an inviting space for both emerging and established artists to showcase their talents. The Janet Stevens exhibit is open to the public, and all artwork will be available for purchase.
For more information about the Janet Stevens exhibit or the SOBA Gallery, visit https://sobagallery.com
The exhibit runs April 6 to May 3, at SOBA Gallery, in Old Town Bluffton. An 0pen house reception will be held April 11, from 4-6 pm.
Chicken salad is one of those ubiquitous things that, while everyone loves it, each person has an opinion on what makes the best version. In this household, there are some STRONG opinions. Shredded versus chopped? Pickle relish or celery? Fruit? Nuts? And, of course, which mayonnaise? Okay, that really isn’t up for discussion in this family—we’re Duke’s all the way!
For those that can’t agree, there’s a new referee in town. And the ref’s name is Chicken Salad Chick. Founded in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown in Auburn, Alabama, the national chain features over a dozen different house-made-from-scratch chicken salads on their menu, in traditional, savory, sweet, and spicy options, which will please all the chicken salad naysayers in your life. Plus, for those that don’t like chicken salad (blasphemy!), never fear. Chicken Salad Chick has your back. With a quest to find the perfect chicken salad, Stacy Brown decided to take matters into her own hands. She started with her own original recipe and tweaked it, and taste tested the results on her neighbors. After many adjustments, refinements, and modifications, she settled on a version that was the clear winner, and started selling
pounds of it to her neighbors and fellow elementary school teachers. She had more business than she knew what to do with and started discussing the idea of a restaurant with her computer software husband-to-be, Kevin.
After receiving a call from the Lee County Health Department and learning that cooking food at home and selling it was illegal, the conversation accelerated, and Chicken Salad Chick was born. Today, there are more than 270 locations in 19 states, with both company-owned and franchise locations.
Beaufort welcomed the state’s 14th Chicken Salad Chick location last October when multi-unit franchise owners Julie Belville of Greenville, South Carolina and Michelle Singleton of Auburn, Alabama opened for business at the new Beaufort Station shopping center at the corner of Robert Smalls Parkway and Parris Island Gateway. “Our families love Beaufort and have visited many, many times over the years,” said Julie. “We’ve been looking for the right spot to open a location and being part of the new Beaufort Station shopping center is exciting!”
They aren’t the only ones that are excited. Within weeks, Chicken Salad Chick and their tasty offerings were the talk of the town. Well, we finally got in to experience it for ourselves, and these “my chicken salad is the best” diehards have seen the light.
With a bright and light space and charming artwork on the walls, overhead menu, and tablecloths, we were drawn into the restaurant as we headed to the fast-casual style counter. With a dozen chicken salad options available as either a scoop, sandwich, or on a salad, it took a few minutes to take it all in.
Traditional options include Classic Carol, with celery, mayo and a secret seasoning, and Olivia’s Old South with sweet pickles and egg. Savory options feature Lauryn’s Lemon Basil, Dixie Chick (the only option with onions), Sassy Scotty, with ranch, bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese, and Barbie-Q, with a hickory smoked BBQ flavor. Then, there are fruity options including: Fancy Nancy, with apples, grapes, and pecans; Fruity Fran, featuring apples, grapes, and pineapple; and Cranberry Kelli, with dried cranberries and almonds. Last, but not least, spicy options
include Buffalo Barclay (think wing sauce), Jalapeño Holly, and Kickin’ Kay Lynne, with all the stuff from buffalo sauce and ranch to jalapeños and Sriracha.
For you eagle eye readers, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. All the flavors are named for real-life “chicks” in Stacy and Kevin’s families, including mothers, daughters, aunts, and friends.
Scoops are served on a lush lettuce leaf, while sandwiches come on grilled traditional white or wheatberry bread or a flaky croissant. All are served with a choice of any side, soup, or an extra scoop of any flavor of chicken salad, a pickle slice, and a tasty buttercream-frosted flower cookie. There is also a nice selection of signature sandwiches, including chicken salad BLT, chicken salad melt, and turkey club, which also come with all the extras. Scoops of chicken salad can
also be served on one of two green salads: classic and seasonal.
Freshly made sides include: broccoli salad (florets tossed in a sweet vinegar-based dressing with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses and bacon); grape salad (red and white grapes mixed in a sweet cream cheese sauce, topped with brown sugar and pecans); pasta salad (tri-color rotini in an Italian dressing, with feta and parmesan cheeses, black olives, and artichoke hearts); fresh fruit salad; or mac ‘n cheese.
Soup of the day options are plentiful, with two or three choices being offered daily, like
loaded potato, broccoli cheese, chicken tortilla, tomato bisque, chicken poblano, and more. Soups are available in a cup, bowl, and by the quart (an offering we love).
For our first visit, Lynn opted to play it safe with a Classic Carol on toasted white (the Chicken Salad Chick corporate folks tell us that Classic Carol is the most popular flavor company-wide), with a cup of chicken poblano soup. The sandwich was perfectly toasted, the chicken salad had a luscious texture, and the soup was hot and very flavorful, with just the right amount of heat. The dill pickle slice and crackers were a nice touch.
Cele was a bit out of her box, with a scoop of Fancy Nancy and a side of broccoli salad. Although not typically a fruit and nuts in her chicken salad kind of gal, she found the chicken salad delicious, with the texture of the shredded chicken and the ideal amount of mayo mixed with finely chopped apples, grapes, and pecans to blend wonderfully. The broccoli salad was the perfect combination of tart and sweet and was a nice accompaniment to the sandwich.
What if chicken salad is not your thing? No problem. They also offer pimento cheese scoops—regular or spicy—and an egg salad option. There is even a Quick Chick kiosk at the entrance that offers take-away containers of the varied chicken salad and pimento cheese flavors in small (feeds 2-3) and large servings (feeds 4-5) to create your own feasts at home, as well as a Little Chicks kids’ menu.
Whether you are a chicken salad newbie, a diehard aficionado, or just looking for a quick lunch during the workday or running errands, Chicken Salad Chick has you covered.
When visiting family and friends in North Carolina last week, I had the opportunity to see the new movie, “Julie and Julia” with my mother, the woman responsible for nurturing my love of cooking. While I savored the time with Mama, the movie almost hit too close to home for me! It made me remember Coq Au Vin (also known in our house as Purple Panic Chicken) spilled in the oven and across the kitchen floor. I had flashbacks of Vince suffering through some of my kitchen experiments (that weren't suitable for serving, much less eating) while diplomatically explaining to me that the dish was “good, but just not my taste.” And, hours of talking and discussing over and over again my insecurities about a dish or an event.
I guess my point is, I don't know how I would have made it without throwing in the towel if I didn't have Mama and Vince in my corner. When I was a very young girl, I had an idea but no recipe for a dish I called “Hot Candy.” I vaguely remember thinking it would be something gooey and chocolaty. Mama supported my interest in cooking but wouldn't let me near the stove. She finally set me up at the kitchen counter with some red and green Christmas lollipops and Nestle's Quick chocolate drink mix. I proceeded to concoct a disgusting mixture of candy dipped in thick chocolate milk that never dried much less turned into a candy coating.
The events of the day got me over the whole “hot candy” deal, but it didn't quench my interest in the activities that were taking place in my Mama's kitchen. I was always available to help mix and stir – and taste! By the time I got to high school I was becoming a pretty good cook. Mama taught me how to make her wonderful spaghetti sauce and how to bake layer cakes and make homemade frosting. I learned how to make Chicken Chow Mein and Chocolate Chip-Oatmeal Cookies. I suppose there must have been some kitchen disasters back then, too. But I don't remember them. I only remember Mama's loving support and patience with everything that I wanted to try to learn. When I was reminiscing with her about our kitchen memories, I joked, “Now that I'm a better cook I can also make a bigger mess.” Mama politely disagreed with me and reminded me that she had witnessed years of my messes and was quite aware of what I was actually capable of.
Which brings me back to my wonderful, supportive, and tolerant husband, Vince. Vince is the number one witness for the prosecution as to my ability to completely wreck a kitchen. He also takes great pleasure in commending me for my ability to “dirty” every knife in the house when I'm cooking for a party. Becky Trask has told me for years that I married well. And she's right! Vince has had to endure multiple taste tests (not all successful), 10pm dinners when I return home late from an event, and piles and piles of dirty platters and chafing dishes. The list is just too long to name! The man is a saint. “Julie and Julia” made me contemplate my journey into the kitchen and the people who have helped me want to stay here. I didn't choose catering as a profession; somewhere along the line, it chose me. My life is all about food and the people I love and somehow in the whole crazy recipe I have turned out to be completely happy and satisfied!
The recipes I'd like to share with you this week are some of my “training wheel” recipes. They're the first dishes I ever learned to prepare. All are easy and delicious, and I hope you'll enjoy them, too. In keeping with the spirit of the movie, my inspiration for this column, I quote Julia Child when I say, “Bon Appetit!” (Reprinted from September 2009)
1 envelope vegetable soup mix (Lipton or Knorr)
½ pound ground beef
½ pound ground pork
1 cup bean sprouts (fresh or canned)
1 package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and squeezed dry
1 tablespoon white wine
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 package wonton wrappers
Vegetable oil, for frying
For the salad:
1 pound fresh baby spinach, stems removed, washed and dried
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 can bamboo shoots, drained
3 hard-boiled eggs, cubed
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
For the dressing:
¾ cup vegetable oil
½ cup sugar
¼ cup vinegar
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Place the ingredients for the salad in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the salad dressing. Toss the salad lightly with the dressing before serving. Serves 4.
1 whole pork tenderloin
4 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon paprika
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine ingredients thoroughly. Coat tenderloin with the marinade. Roast for 20-30 minutes, basting occasionally, until meat registers 160 degrees. Slice thinly to serve. Serves 4.
1 (12-ounce) package Butterscotch Morsels
1 package hot dogs
1 jar red currant jelly
1 jar Chinese hot mustard
By Debbi Covington
1 stick butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped pecans
1 unbaked deep-dish pie shell
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and remove from heat. Beat eggs and mix with sugar, flour, and vanilla. Add melted butter and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake for 45 minutes or until pie is set. Serve chilled. Serves 6.
The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. For more great recipes and to view her cooking demonstrations, visit and subscribe to Debbi’s YouTube channel. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at dbc@ cateringbydebbicovington.com
Cook beef and pork until brown. Drain and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine soup mix, meat, bean sprouts, spinach, wine and ground ginger. Place 1 teaspoon of the mixture in the center of each wonton wrapper and seal. In a deep-fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees. Drop wontons in hot oil and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Makes 45 wontons.
1 cup butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
¼ teaspoon salt
Combine jelly with mustard. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Slice hot dogs into bite-sized pieces and add to mixture. Simmer for approximately 30-45 minutes. Serve in a chafing dish or crock pot with cocktail picks. Serves 6 to 8.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In saucepan, over low heat, melt morsels and butter; stir until smooth. Pour butterscotch mixture large bowl; stir in sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Stir in flour, nuts, and salt. Pour into greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Makes 36 bars.
Awakenings” features the ocean photography of poet, Miho Kinnas. She is the author of three poetry collections.
Her latest book, Waiting for Sunset to Bury Red Camellias, includes a poem anthologized in Best American Poetry 2023.
An avid swimmer, she has been taking photos at dawn near the Dune’s Café since 2017. Her photographs capture the ocean and sunrise at its most beautiful moments. This exhibition celebrates the island which has been her home after twenty-year sojourns in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The exhibition will run from April 20 to May 20, 2025 at the Island Rec Center, 20 Wilborn Rd, Hilton Head Island. It will be open daily during the Rec Center’s open hours (6 AM – 7:30 PM). Photographs will be available for purchase. Admission is free.
The Exhibition is coordinated by Artist, Richard Grant with the support of Culture HHI (Town of Hilton Head) and Island Recreation Center.
Tues - Sun: 11am-9pm
Beaufort resident Gerald Wynn will sign copies of his new book Downrange at Gardez on Thursday, April 3 from 4-6pm at the Beaufort Bookstore. Refreshments will be served.
Discussing his book, Wynn says: “ Downrange at Gardez is a revealing first-hand account of my military service in Afghanistan. I am a lifetime Beaufortonian, a 39-year member of the South Carolina Army National Guard, and this is my first wartime experience. Follow my Afghanistan Deployment through training, deployment, and returning home. This book is a complete description of daily life in Afghanistan during 2007-08. Travel down the roads, trails and back country with Logistic Task Force of, Alpha Company, 163rd Support Battalion, 218 Heavy Separate Brigade. The military personnel in Afghanistan are so appreciative of the many care packages that were sent overseas to support us. My book is a day-by-day journal of where I went, what I did, and who I was with during this time of war. It exposes
good times, bad times, and the time it took to readjust to civilian life. This is Afghanistan, how I saw it 2007-08.”
The Beaufort Bookstore is located at 2127 Boundary Street, Beaufort. For more info visit www.thebeaufortbookstore.com
When you meet someone new or hear of a famous person for the first time, what questions about him or her pop into your mind? What do you want to know about someone to determine whether they go into your YES, NO, or MAYBE column?
Do you want to hear more about this person to determine if you have any more questions or if you know all you want or need to know about this human being?
Far from a simpleton, my mother took one look at John Fitzgerald Kennedy and knew she had a Presidential candidate. To her daughters, she openly admitted, “He’s so attractive. I know he’d make a good candidate.” Even his Catholicism didn’t sway her. After all, Mom’s father was Catholic and had taken little Anne to his church until she was six. Anne knew she could live with a Catholic President as long as he was attractive. We all have our criteria for acceptance or rejection of people, no matter how far from valid our choices may appear.
At the age of five, I hopped aboard my first train and shortly thereafter, my first airplane, back in the days when everyone “dressed up” to travel. Several decades later, I snagged a job as American rep for an Irish horse sales company based in County Kildare, and from that point on, I happily jumped on a plane whenever the opportunity arose, albeit in my native country or those of disparate nationalities whose upbringing, customs, and day-to-day circumstances
differed, sometimes radically, from mine. Being confronted with ideas sometimes radically opposite from mine was a real eye-opener for this gal from smalltown Western Kentucky.
At that point the word “worldview” worked its way into my vocabulary, not in any kind of snobbish way, but in an intriguing, “Gosh, how do you know that?” kind of way. I soon realized that when I met folks with what seemed a broad worldview, I almost always learned something from them. And as the years rolled by, we often found surprising commonalities. From life experience at that age, I determined that the broader the worldview, the more likely a person is to know the truth of a situation or situations and the more likely he is to be able to converse or get along easily with people of varied backgrounds.
FYI, the term worldview refers to someone’s set of answers to all the big questions of life. Whatever those may be for each individual. Is there a supreme being – i.e. God – in charge of us all and the whole shebang . . . or not? What ethical duty does one human have to another? What’s behind man’s inhumanity to man? How do we know certain things and/or concepts are true . . . or not?
People’s worldviews influence every part of their lives. How you answer the important questions of existence will inform how you behave in your daily life. Additionally, defining your personal worldview will also
give you a far deeper source of meaning and understanding than you would be able to attain if you never attempted to answer these basic existential questions. You can rest assured that keeping an open mind while in the midst of a deep, relevant discussion will lead to learning. As will reading a broad spectrum of literature, and I reiterate, as will travel.
Several examples follow of instances while traveling that were worldview-broadening personally and furnished fodder for great travel stories as well.
On a media tour of Portugal our group was given an afternoon off to explore. I headed to a beach in Cascais that we’d passed earlier. Brightly painted fisherman’s boats bobbing in the bay created a perfect photo op. So I shed my shoes, slid my toes into the sand, and snapped away.
Engrossed in looking through the lens, I didn’t notice a large, black dog barreling toward me. Not until the friendly Portuguese Water dog careened into me and I tumbled onto the sand, laughing. After a few minutes of play, the curly pup let me know he wanted me to follow him. And he led me to a red, blue, and green wooden fishing boat, where a handsome, outdoorsy-looking man sat mending a net. Looking up, he flashed a welcoming smile when he saw his dog leading me. Though he spoke no English and I, no Portuguese, we ended up “chatting” for about 20 minutes. We laughed a lot, and somehow, “understood” each other.
Why would an encounter with a Portuguese
by Katherine Tandy Brown WHOLLY HOLISTICS
fisherman and his dog broaden my worldview? The incident gave me a tiny bit of insight into another culture completely different than my own, and made me feel a kind of bond, as if I had an emotional investment in Portugal, a country other than my own.
A case of food poisoning led me to the same sort of bond on my first visit to Ireland while in my 30s. Hired as an American rep for an Irish racehorse sales company, I spent a day on my own in Dublin and lunched on what turned out to be “bad” crab. Montezuma took revenge all afternoon and I was beyond ready for a toes-up. In the late afternoon, a coworker finally picked me up but needed to stop on the way back to my lodging. Ireland is a friendly place and when business was over, our host offered us tea and scones. When he noticed I wasn’t eating, he asked if I was unwell, and though embarrassed, I told him the issue.
“Ah, I’ve just the thing for ya,” he said, pouring me a snifter of Courvoisier. Surprisingly, my belly soon settled so completely that we stayed for a luscious dinner. Turns out liquor eases belly cramps beautifully. Irish medicine did the trick. Who knew? I wouldn’t have had I not had that experience. This incident left me with a positive memory about an unusual occurrence and a feeling of gratitude to a helpful Irishman.
As your worldview broadens over time, remember the importance of respecting how other people might come to completely different conclusions about these huge questions than you. We’re all individuals with different opinions. Assuming you’re always right and having to prove that will never win anyone over to your views, if that’s your goal.
American travel writer and television host Rick Steves’ favorite place to travel is India, he says, “because it rearranges my cultural furniture. It humbles me.”
In other words, India always broadens his worldview and wraps his mind around overall truths. Keep an open mind and your worldview will grow and serve you well.
Katherine Tandy Brown has traveled the world as a freelance writer for 25 years. She teaches memoir, travel writing and writing practice in USCB’s OLLI Continuing Ed program and in her downtown cottage.
And I do not mean Christmas. From the beginning of April into the middle of May is perfect here for Lowcountry gardeners. Garden centers are full of annuals and perennials, online nurseries are sending out boxes of their wares, and I am continually washing my clothes to get the dirt off. And best of all, the real heat and humidity of the summer has not set in – yet.
What am are some good perennials to plant during this time of the year?
You cannot go wrong with Salvias – deer resistant, long lived, and long blooming.
You also cannot go wrong with the two classics, “Black and Bloom” Salvia and Amistad Salvia. Amistad was developed by an Argentinian grower and is also known as “Friendship Sage” since Amistad means friendship in Spanish. It has large dark purple blossoms and blooms for a long time. There are many types of Salvias, literally hundreds of varieties and cultivars. The color ranges are quite diverse with red, pink, blue, and purple, with shades in between. “Mystic spires” is a compact version in a beautiful indigo blue or purple. Butterflies and hummingbirds are known to love Salvias.
Another great deer resistant plant is Baptisia or false indigo. It is native to the Southeast and I have the Baptisia australis (bluish purple) and Baptisia “Carolina Moonlight” (yellow). Baptisia is a spring bloomer here and the foliage lasts until July and fades away. I always forget where I plant it and this year I found that I had placed a bird bath over one plant. It came up from under the bird bath – tough little thing.
Coneflowers are an easy to find perennial that is native to our American prairies. The flowers are large and daisy like. The original native had pink flowers, but new cultivars are red, yellow, and hotter shades of pink than the original. Coneflowers are very hardy through our winters. The only disadvantage is that they tend to be short lived perennials and after about five years, they get smaller and more insignificant. I am replacing mine this year because they are just not worth the space in my garden. Perennials are not truly perennial. Some may last ten years, but some may diminish after only five years. The plants that seem to be perennial and last for years are probably the offspring of the original plant in your garden.
Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is a great garden plant grown for its foliage as much as
for the flowers which start out looking like an artichoke and then open into a purple thistle. The gray-green spiky leaves are a great addition to any garden. Since it is a Mediterranean plant, Cardoon does not have big water needs. Cardoons were cultivated in Italy to make the modern edible globe artichoke. The plant may die after blooming or it might resprout. It is easy to grow from seeds.
Another great foliage plant is bronze fennel. The seeds are used to flavor Italian dishes such as sausages. They have a
licorice-like taste. Fennels have tall dark stalks with lacy feathery leaves. The only other thing that looks like them is dill, another fun foliage plant that you can also use for cooking. Fennel is loved by swallowtail caterpillars. They will strip the leaves right from the plant if they find it. I don’t mind because that is one reason why I have a garden – to attract pollinators. Fennel might look strange without leaves, but they will come back next spring.
Did you know that yellow is the least favorite flower color of professional garden designers? I have no idea why because I love to see a pop of yellow in a garden.
Yellow leafed shrubs such as “Sunshine” Ligustrum, Duranta, or “Florida Sunshine” Anise can give year around color in a landscape. A great garden perennial is good old fashioned black-eyed susans or Rudbeckia. There are many varieties of Rudbeckia with different sized flower heads. There is even a perennial Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida) and an annual version that does tend to reseed
By Wendy Hilty
(Rudbeckia hirta). Rudbeckias are native to North America and a welcome early spring flower.
All these plants like full sun and do well with an occasional drink of water, but they are not water hogs. I mulch them with mushroom compost which give them nutrients as well as keeps moisture in. You will find all these perennials at local garden centers so shop until you drop. You will be rewarded with flowers and the pollinators will be happy.
Wendy Hilty is a Master Gardener and member of the Lowcountry Master Gardeners organization. She is also a member of the Royal Horticultural Society and likes to spend her time attempting to grow an English Cottage Garden in our heat and humidity. Her Comyagardener blog won a state-wide award from Clemson University last year. Wendy firmly believes that the most important tool for a gardener is a good sense of humor.
Alisha Doud alisha@dcgilbert.com
Daun Schouten daun@dcgilbert.com
Laure Gallagher laure@dcgilbert.com
Ashley Hart ashley@dcgilbert.com
Joy McConnell joy@dcgilbert.com
Johanna Graham johanna@dcgilbert.com
Kathy Crowley kathy@dcgilbert.com
Dawn Shipsey dawn@dcgilbert.com
derek@dcgilbert.com
R. Wicker melissa@dcgilbert.com
Sam Bailey samuel@dcgilbert.com
When I tell the story about how we left behind the small town where we raised our kids, the house whose every corner held a memory, and the friends who felt like family, I explain that it wasn’t just a move—it was a dismantling, piece by piece, of the life we had built. The goodbyes were wrenching, the packing endless. And yet, on the other side of that upheaval, a new chapter waited to be written. As the author of this story, I choose to describe the late career move from Alabama to the Washington, D.C. area as a grand adventure.
And indeed, it was—full of museums, concerts, restaurants, plays, parades, sports, politics, fabulous friends, and historic neighborhood living. There was the sheer awe of sitting in a church pew where George Washington himself once sat, seeing an explosion pink cherry blossoms for the first
time and jogging along the Potomac River alongside people from every country and walk of life.
Like most of life, just when we think we've settled into a story arc, an unexpected twist can send us flipping back through the pages, wondering how we got here. But if writing has taught me anything, it’s this: every good story is a work in progress. We revise. We cut what no longer fits. We shift the perspective, reframe the narrative, and sometimes scrap whole chapters to start fresh. The art of the rewrite isn’t just for writers — it’s how we move forward, how we make sense of change, and how we turn an unplanned detour into the next great adventure.
The power of reframing your narrative comes from how we tell our stories, letting go of what no longer serves us, and making space for new possibilities. “Kill all your
darlings” is classic writing advice, and I applied it ruthlessly when downsizing our accumulated possessions. But it’s also a way to let go of expectations, outdated dreams, and aspirations that were as frothy as an overwritten sentence.
When you view your life as a work in progress rather than a final draft, new chapters become possible. The art of rewriting your story offers powerful lessons, including:
• Regret is just a typo you couldn’t catch in time.
• Use the ‘Save As’ option to try out different versions of a situation without losing the original.
• Sometimes, hitting ‘Delete’ gives you a fresh start.
• You can’t cut and paste the past into the future and hope for new results.
• The rough draft is supposed to be messy, crummy, and full of mistakes.
• Too much editing can suck the life out of your prose—like a painting overworked until the colors turn muddy—and too little can feel sloppy, like a first draft riddled with typos and half-formed thoughts.
In writing, as in life, the magic is in the revision—because every rewrite brings us closer to the story we were meant to tell.
Here in this vibrant Lowcountry community, I’ve witnessed countless examples of personal rewrites. A friend
By Carolyn Mason
moved here to write a historical novel. Another created her own, unique jewelry line. I love talking to people who take up new hobbies, learn to play new sports, and uncover a passion for art. Neighbors and friends have channeled their expertise and generous hearts into volunteering, proving that reinvention isn’t just about careers — it’s about embracing change with creativity and courage. Whether by choice or circumstance, we all revise our stories, shaping new chapters from the raw material of the old.
The next time life hands you an unexpected plot twist, remember — you hold the pen. Every rewrite brings us closer to a story that is not just compelling, but truly our own. And in our community, as in life, the most captivating stories are still being written.
ITALY: Tuscany townhouse for rent by the week in historic UNESCO village. Sleeps 4, large furnished garden, easy walk to shops and excellent restaurants. www.cozyholidayrentals.com or 401-862-2377.
FURNISHED LUXURY APT In the heart of downtown Beaufort. 2BR, 2BA, W/D, Housewares. Please call 843-812-4229.
FREE HYPNOSIS/HYPNOTHERAPY INFORMATION
session and guided group meditation workshop. This free session will focus on stress reduction and relaxation. Open to the public, every 3rd Monday of the Month, at 7 pm Eastern via Zoom. Bring a friend, learn more and RSVP for Zoom Link at www.guidepathhypnosis.com or contact Chris at chris.guidepath@gmail.com
BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY ONGOING PROGRAMS & CLASSES Stitch Happens, Mondays @ 1:30, Bluffton; Basic Computer Skills Class 1st & 3rd Fridays @ 11:30am, Lobeco; Dungeon & Dragons Teen Club Mondays @ 4; Teen Gaming Club 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 4
FRIDAY SOCIAL DANCES The Hilton Head Carolina Shag Club hosts Friday dances from 6-9:30 pm at Dolphin Head Golf Club, 59 High Bluff Rd, Hilton Head Plantation. Open to the public. Shag, ballroom, swing, country, or line. Singles welcome. Cash bar and light dinners available. $5 floor fee. HHICSC also teaches beginner Shag lessons Tuesday nights. www.hiltonheadshagclub.com, or www.facebook.com/HHICSC
ART LEAGUE OF HH CLASSES & WORKSHOPS With over 25 local professional art educators, and guests from around the world, Art League of Hilton Head offers classes and workshops in all media for all levels of students. Visit www.artleaguehhi.org or email academy@artleaguehhi.org for more info.
POTTERY CLASSES IN BEAUFORT McSweeney Clay Studio offers morning, afternoon and evening classes for children and adults. Pottery dates and parties available as well. Classes are on going. Beginner or advanced welcome. mcsweeneyclaystudio.com or call 843-694-2049.
LOWCOUNTRY SHAGGERS Mondays - Home Slice Pizzeria, 2001 Boundary St. 6-9pm. Shag Lessons with Tommy & Sheri O'Brien and others. Occasional Ballroom and once a month Line Dance. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com or lowcountryshaggers@aol.com
WEDNESDAYS, BEAUFORT SHAG CLUB meets evenings at AMVETS, 1831 Ribaut Rd., Port Royal from 7-9pm, and the 2nd Sat. of the month 7-10pm. Free lessons to members Sep. to June. Visit The Beaufort Shag Club on Facebook
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to staff The Lending Room, 954 Ribaut Rd across from Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Help us receive donations of gently used medical equipment and distribute them to those in need. We need to staff our showroom M-F 9:30-3:30 and Sat. AM. Shifts only 3 hours long. No experience is required but a familiarity with commonly used medical equipment helpful. Training will be
provided. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer job, learn about TLR and find volunteer application forms at lendingroombft.com or call Barbara at 314-660-4233.
LOCO SCRIBBLERS 3:00 5:00 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Are you a scribbler (professional or hobby writer)? Check out our small, informal Beaufort area writers club. All skill and subject levels welcome: fiction, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and memoirs. Free. Call or email for more info and meeting location in Port Royal: beaufdick@gmail.com or 843-322-0616.
SEA ISLAND ROTARY CLUB has a 12:15 lunch meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information about the Rotary Club of Sea Island please visit our website at www.seaislandrotary.org
BRIDGE CLUB at the Beaufort Branch Library Wednesdays at 11am. Join a session for beginners new to the game, other sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the military lounge at the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport. It is operated by a cadre of volunteers. Formerly the USO Lounge it has been renamed “Savannah Salutes,” and continues to provide a respite for travelling active duty, retired and reserve military, veterans and their families. The facility requires volunteers to keep the lounge open from 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. There are three shifts each day, with two volunteers for each shift. Interested in volunteering? More info and application forms are at the www.savannahsalutes.org or call John Findeis at (912) 507-4848. The airport will provide free parking.
VETERANS FIRST THRIFT STORE is in need of volunteers. Summer hours are Thursday thru Saturday - 10am4pm. Volunteer hours are very flexible! Stop in the store at 612 Robert Smalls Parkway to fill out a volunteer application or call the store at 843-263-4218. Please consider helping this very worthwhile organization!!
SECOND HELPINGS seeks volunteers to crew trucks in Bluffton and Beaufort to distribute food to local charities. Offering a flexible schedule at your convenience. Email officeadmin@secondhelpingslc.org
BEMER LONGEVITY TECHNOLOGY 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. Call Michael 843-489-8525.
HABITAT RESTORE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We're looking for volunteers. Cashiers, sales floor associates, donation processing, donor data entry, and donor ambassadors. Visit lowcountryhabitat.org/volunteer or call 843-525-0055.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Calhoun Station Thrift Store in Bluffton. All funds generated are returned to other nonprofits in the community. Open Wed & Sat 10am to 1pm at 77 Pritchard St. Volunteers can stop by or contact Cate Taylor, 843-310-0594 or catetaylor@frontier.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for HELP of Beaufort, 530 Charles St. Looking for committed volunteers for clothes sorting, pantry help, front desk help and Mobile Meals drivers. We are open M-F from 9:30-12:30, Mobile Meals delivers to home bound seniors 5 days/week, routes takes about 30-45 mins. Email Lori at helpbeaufort@gmail.com, or call 843-524-1223, or stop in and fill out an application.
PORT ROYAL MUSEUM is open Thursday through Sunday at 1634 Paris Ave., from 10 - 3 or upon request. Free admission! Call 843-524-4333 or email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com to request a special opening.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP - First Thursday of the month at Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Center, from 1:30-2:45pm, 900 Ribaut Rd. Beaufort. We're individuals with Parkinson’s, care partners of those with Parkinson’s, and individuals or companies providing products or services for Parkinson’s patients. For more info: Rick Ostrander at pdawaresc@gmail.com or Facebook at Parkinson’s Support Group Of Beaufort SC Port Royal & Lady’s Island
TOUR HISTORIC FORT FREMONT – Beginning April 1 and running through July, the Fort Fremont History Center will expand operating hours. The new hours are Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm, Fridays from 1 to 4 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. There is no admission fee. Docent-led tours are available by request. The Fort Fremont Preserve is open from dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday. A 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 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 HomeRespite Aides available for 2 hr. minimum, $13-$26. Early Memory Loss: Maintain Your Brain - 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10-11:30am, $10/person, $15 couple, Carteret Street Methodist Church, 408 Carteret St., Beaufort; Memory Screenings available call 843-5219190 or make an appointment, 1500 King St., Beaufort, free; Purple Haven Project - Educate local staff's to better interact with a person with Alzheimer's call 843-521-9190.
THE LITERACY CENTER is seeking volunteers to tutor adults in reading, writing, math and ESL. Students hope to acquire skills to pursue life goals, support families, and contribute to our community. Daytime and evenings in Bluffton and HHI. Call 843-815-6616 (Bluffton); 843-6816655 (HHI). No teaching, tutoring or other language knowledge necessary. www.theliteracycenter.org
THE SANDALWOOD COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY. Volunteer-based, non-profit provides groceries, clothing and basic needs items to ANYONE in need. Open Tuesdays 9am-12pm at 114 Beach City Rd., Hilton Head. Donations of food and funds needed. For info: Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson at 843-715-3583 or email sandalwoodpantry@gmail.com
PARRIS ISLAND MUSEUM. The legacy of the Marine Corps and the history of the Port Royal region. Thousands of artifacts, images, and other materials illustrate the stories in exhibit galleries from Native American to modern Marines. FREE admission. Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm and 8am on Graduation Days. Closed Federal Holidays. Info at parrisislandmuseum.org or 843-228-2166.
CHRIST CENTERED RECOVERY MEETINGS At Praise Assembly Church Fridays for “Celebrate Recovery”, addressing life’s problems by looking to scripture. Meal at 6pm; Praise, Worship; Big Meeting. 6:30pm; Small Groups at 7pm. 800 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Info at 205-475-3600 or 303-521-1891.
Foolish Frog, 846 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island. (843) 838-9300. Foolish Frog on Facebook
Luther’s Rare & Well Done, 910 Bay Street. (843) 521-1888 or Luther's on Facebook
Q on Bay, 822 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 524-7771 or www.qonbay.com
Rosie O’Gradys Irish Pub, in Beaufort Town Center. Irish American Sports Pub & Eatery. C'mon down! Rock & Roll Lunch. Monday - 25% Off Burgers; Karaoke Wed, Fri & Sat - 10pm. 25% off Apps & Wings for NFL Ticket; College sports Saturdays. (843) 379-7676 or Rosie's on Facebook
Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St, Beaufort. (843) 379-3474 or www.saltusrivergrill.com
Big Bamboo, Coligny Plaza. (843) 686-3443 or www.bigbamboocafe.com
The Jazz Corner, Village at Wexf1ord, Hilton Head. Sundays - Deas Guyz; Mondays - A Journey Through Jazz with The Martin Lesch Band; Tuesdays - Fat Tuesdays: A Swingin' Celebration of New Orleans and Beyond; Thursdays - Lavon Stevens with Louise Spencer. 3/26 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Steven Trio, 3/28 & 3/29 The Jackson Evans Quartet with Gabrielle Stravelli, 4/2 Bobby Ryder, 4/4 & 4/5 The Jazz Legacy Project presents The Life & Music of Billie Holiday with Maria Howell, 4/9 Grammy winning vocalist Quiana Parler with The Lavon Steven Trio, 4/11 & 4/12 Celebrating Oscar Peterson's "The Trio" with guitarist Howard Paul and Grammy winners Matt Rollings & John Lee. (843) 842-8620 or www.TheJazzCorner.com
The Music Farm, 32 Ann Street, Charleston. 3/28
Metal Night with Sorrow of Silence; Kept in Ruins; Primo Noctis; Marytree, 3/29 United We Dance -
ultimate rave experience, 4/2 Attila; Butcher Babies; Kealer; DED; Nathan James, 4/3 John Vincent III; Murdo Mitchell, 4/4 Nirvani - Nirvana tribute, 4/5 Best of the Bad Girls Club, 4/6 Talib Kweli, 4/8 CLOSED, 4/10 Colby Acuff, 4/11 Nightly; Will Linley; Brooke Alexx, 4/12 Debi Tirar Mas Fiestas: the Bad Bunny Party, 4/13 The Aristocrats. (843) 853-2252 or www.musicfarm.com
The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston. 3/28 Gritty Flyright & the Music Family; Meredith Foster, 3/29 Sam Holt Bandremembering Mike & Todd, 3/30 Runaway Gin, 4/1 Rebirth Brass Band, 4/2 Vincent Antone; Future Joy, 4/3 Kyle Hollingsworth Band; Sam Fribush Organ Trio, 4/4 Jackie Venson, 4/5 Dogpark; Colors in Corduroy, 4/6 Eggy, 4/7 Silverada, 4/8 Masta Killa from Wu Tang Clan; Slim S.O.U.L.; Mike Brown; Eyeland Vibes, 4/9 The Bright Light Social Hour, 4/10 Sunsquabi, 4/11 Check Your Head; Mike Live, 4/12 Live Dead & Brothers with Steve Kimock. (843) 5714343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com
Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms. 3/28 & 3/29 Midnight City 13th Anniversary, 4/3 Colt Ford; Getaway Bronco, 4/4 & 4/5 Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, 4/10 Shadowgrass; Clay Street Unit, 4/11 Conner Smith & Dylan Marlowe, 4/12 The Novatones. (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.
Sat 3/29, Off the Wall & Onto the Stage, a fusion of visual art and live performance at USCB Center for the Arts in Beaufort, 7:30 pm. The iconic paintings of Jonathan Green come to life through dance, music and storytelling. For tickets and more information visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
hibit at Beaufort Art Association Gallery, 913 Bay St, Beaufort. Featuring work by Art Rothenberg, Emily Styles and Gail Newton. Beaufort. www.beaufortartassociation.com
Sat 3/29, Upcycled Art Auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry. From 5-9 pm at the Weezie Pavilion at the Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy. $50 per ticket. Visit www.lowcountryhabitat.org/upcycledartauction
4/6 – 5/3, Lowcountry Serenity: Celebrating Coastal Beauty. Featuring the work of Janet Stevens. SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Reception on 4/11 from 4-6 pm. www.sobagallery.com
4/20 – 5/20, Awakenings, an exhibit of photography by poet Miho Kinnas, at the Island Rec Center, 20 Wilborn Rd, Hilton Head Island. Photographs available for purchase. Admission is free
Fri 3/28, Jeffrey Blount (Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way) and John Pruitt (Tell It True), in conversation with Rebecca Dwight Bruff (Trouble the Water) at 2pm. Free and open to the public, this special event is presented in partnership with Luxe Lowcountry Travel at Penn Center’s Frissell Hall, 16 Penn Center West, St. Helena Island. Books by all three authors available for sale and signing. Advance registration required by March 27 at: https:// blountandpruitt.eventbrite.com
Thur 4/3, Gerald Wynn will sign copies of his new book Downrange at Gardez from 4-6pm at the Beaufort Bookstore. Refreshments will be served. www.thebeaufortbookstore.com
Fri 4/4, Evening with bestselling novelist Colleen Oakley, author of Jane and Dan at the End of the World, 5 pm, at Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort). Oakley will be joined in conversation by Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt. Free and open to the public. Books available for sale and signing. Call to reserve your seat: 843-379-7025.
Sun 4/6, USCB Chamber Music final concert of the season. Composer/saxophonist Alison Shearer returns with a new composition inspired by her experience of the Lowcountry. 5 pm at USCB Center for the Arts in Beaufort. www.uscbchambermusic.com
Sat 4/12, Always Olivia, a musical tribute to Olivia Newton John. 7:30 pm at USCB Center for the Arts in Beaufort. www.uscbcenterforthearts.com
Now – 6/23 Modjeska School of Human Rights will host spring session classes in a satellite classroom at Penn Center. Tuition will be waived for Penn Center students. For more in-
formation or to register, visit https://www.scpronet.com/modjeskaschool/spring-session/
3/29-3/30 Chalk It Up! Festival in the Tabby Place parking lot in downtown Beaufort. Street artists from around the country! Demonstrations, kids zone tent, hands-on art for kids, musical entertainment all day, both days. Opening reception Fri 3/28, 5:30-7:30 pm.
4/12 - 4/12, MCAS Beaufort Airshow. Free general admission. Premium seating and more info at www.beaufortairshow.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.
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.
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