City makes huge FOIA gaffe
Beaufort couple gets 9,000 pages of unredacted emails; much of it shouldn’t have been released
By Mike McCombs
The Island News
In the process of fulfilling a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by a citizen on July 29, the City of Beaufort mistakenly released information it was not required to release and that it should not have produced, potentially compromising the personal information and privacy of numerous individuals and causing the City to re-evaluate how it handles requests for information.
When Autumn Hollis submitted a FOIA request to the City of Beaufort in May, she and her hus-
band, Kiel, were hoping to learn more about how the Beaufort Police Department handled the case of their daughter Emily and others like it.
The Hollis family contends their then12-year-old daughter was a victim of human trafficking in February, while the Beaufort Police maintained initially that she was a runaway and now says any trafficking took place outside its jurisdiction.
When the Hollis family re-
ceived the documents fulfilling their request from the City, they were stunned. In more than 9,000 pages of emails, not including attachments, of which there are many, almost nothing is redacted.
In addition to hundreds of pages of documents pertaining specifically to the Hollis case — surprisingly including their daughter’s full forensic examination, recorded as part of the sexual assault investigation and usually released
BACK TO SCHOOL
only after a court order — there are thousands that are totally unrelated. And it’s what’s in those documents that may be more concerning.
There are the Social Security numbers and addresses of at least 55 individuals across hundreds of documents.
There is another minor’s forensic interview, released without the family’s knowledge.
• There are records that include private medical and DSS-protected information. There are emails involving the employment/personnel details for members of the Beaufort Police Department. There are toxicology reports for numerous individuals. There are attachments showing the Beaufort Police Department has hidden or deleted more than 800 comments on a Facebook page. There are numerous emails which contain the reset login/password for Spillman for more than one officer with the
HELP of Beaufort gets a new home
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
After nearly three years of construction, HELP of Beaufort finally has a permanent home.
The doors to their new facility will open on Monday, Aug. 18, when they officially open for business in the building.
Executive Director Lori Opozda said in an interview with The Island News on Monday evening that they would be having a private ribbon cutting on Friday at the building to say thank you to all of the volunteers and donors who helped to make the organization’s dream building a reality. The building was a community partnership build, meaning that
labor and fiances that contributed building the structure were donated from members of the community.
“It’s taken so long because we were looking to do a community build with everybody,” Opozda said. “You know, we look for plumbers, electricians, sheet rock people, painters, wood suppliers, roof suppliers, you know, things like that that you know people would like to work with us to either donate materials or donate time or give us a discount.”
The 4 500-square-foot structure features a large warehouse
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Beaufort mother wants answers
By Delayna Earley The Island News
The mother of a 7-year-old non-verbal autistic student at Shanklin Elementary School is left with more questions than answers after her daughter required a trip to the hospital due to an injury sustained on the first day of the school year.
On Wednesday, Aug. 6, Lenisha Manigo said that she received a phone call from the nurse at the school that her daughter, Jayla Frazier, attends asking her to come pick up her up from school because she had been injured.
Manigo said that she did not have any clue until she arrived at the school how badly injured her daughter was.
She said that she was told by the teacher and assistants in her daughter’s special education classroom that Jayla had injured herself by slamming her finger in a door.
“I walked into the office, and she was sitting there with nothing on her finger, blood on the floor and all over her clothes,” Manigo said.
Manigo said she immediately took her daughter from the school to the hospital where they kept her for eight hours before ultimately putting her daughter under anesthesia to repair the damage done to her middle finger on her right hand.
What would have been a bad situation for anyone was even more confusing and traumatic for an autistic, non-verbal child, according to Manigo.
Wanting answers about how this had happened, Manigo returned to the school the following day to allegedly try and meet with the school’s principal and student resource officer to find out how
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy students wait for the doors to open on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2025.
Amber Hewitt/The Island News
HELP of Beaufort's Director, Lori Opozda, prepares last minute details on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 at HELP’s new location at 1600 Ribaut Road in Port Royal ahead of the Ribbon Cutting scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15.
Amber Hewitt/The Island News
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS
Jenn Clementoni snapped this photo of a Painted Bunting singing on a sunflower on St. Helena Island. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.
American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Stanley Grossman, 82, who joined the U.S. Army’s pre-commissioning program in 1965. Upon earning his degree as a dentist from Loyola University in 1968, he was commissioned a Captain in the Army’s Dental Corps. He attended Basic Training for doctors at Fort Sam Houston and was then assigned to the Dental Unit at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. He next served in Vietnam at the Dental Clinics at Na Trang and later at Tuy Hoa and Ban Me Thout. These assignments included providing dental services to the Montagnards tribes in the central highlands. He separated in 1970 and went into private practice in the New York City area. He moved to Beaufort County in 2005 and began eight years of service to the Army at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield as a contract dentist. He retired fully in 2013 – Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
OBITUARY
Charles (Charlie) Davis
May 18, 1932 – August 10, 2025 Fripp Island
Charles (Charlie) Davis died in his home with family close by on Aug. 10 2025
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., at the Fripp Island Community Centre & All Faiths Chapel on Fripp Island on Friday, Aug. 22 2025
Charlie was born on May 18 1932 to the late William N. Davis and the late Anna Dempsey Davis. He is also preceded in death by his brothers: William and Michael Davis. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Page, children James (Jim), Peter (Pete), and Mary, stepson David and 6 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Mr. Davis was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Wayne, Pa., until he attended Portsmouth Abbey and St. Vincent Preparatory schools. He attended the University of Pennsylvania on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduating in 1955, he entered Naval service.
August 15
As a naval officer in New Jersey, he served as a pilot, air intelligence officer, and antisubmarine warfare officer. He flew ZPG-2s blimps as well as S2Fs from the USS Lake Champlain aircraft carrier. He attended the Navy’s Air Intelligence School and served in the defense intelligence community from 1962 to 2000 in the Washington DC area.
In August 1962, he briefed the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the emerging Soviet SAM system being installed in Cuba leading to the identification of the Cuba missile crisis. He continued sharing his intelligence insights through opinion pieces in the National Catholic Reporter, the Washington Post and the Beaufort Gazette
Throughout his adult life, Charlie was very active in the Catholic church reform movement that sought the ordination of married priests and women and more active role of the laity. In 2000, Charlie and Page moved to Fripp Island, where they thoroughly enjoyed the natural environment with all the birds. Charlie served on the Fripp
2019: Democratic Presidential candidate Andrew Yang speaks at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Beaufort.
2021: In a private service, Beaufort’s Jill Striebinger becomes the first South Carolina woman ordained by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. Her ordination is not recognized by the Roman-Catholic Church.
August 16
1965: Beaufort-born Joe Frazier makes his professional boxing debut with a heavyweight victory by TKO over Woody Goss at Convention Center in Philadelphia.
August 17
1686: The Spanish destroy the Scottish settlement of Stuart’s Town somewhere in the vicinity of present-day Beaufort.
1837: Charlotte Forten (Grimke) is born a free Black in Philadelphia. Forten would later become the first Black teacher at the Penn School on St. Helena Island. She would reside at Seaside
and meet all the new faces waiting to be adopted
OBITUARIES The Island News publishes obituaries, including a photo, free of charge. Please contact jeff.theislandnews@gmail.com for more information.
Island Property Association board and Fripp Island Resort Advisory Committee.
In his retirement in the Lowcountry, he helped establish the progressive Episcopal parish of St. Mark’s in Port Royal. On Fripp, they have had a special community of friends who have supported them as Charlie’s health declined.
Charlie enjoyed playing tennis and body surfing in the Atlantic Ocean. He was an avid sports fan and shared the love of attending and watching sports events with his family. Charlie and Page played competitive duplicate bridge through December of 2024
Contributions may be made in the name of Charlie Davis to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal and All Faiths Chapel on Fripp Island.
Plantation and chronicle her time there in a collection of essays, published in 1864 in Atlantic Monthly, entitled Life on the Sea Islands. She became close friends with Robert Gould Shaw, the commander of the famous all-Black 54th Massachussetts Regiment during their Sea Islands campaign. Among her writings in 1862 she was also one of the first writers to make reference to “the blues,” already attached to a sad, depressed state, to refer to a style of song or music popular among Blacks, in church and among the slaves.
2019: South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Democratic candidate for President, speaks to supporters at Whale Branch Middle School.
August 19
2019: S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks to Beaufort Academy students during the school’s annual convocation.
August 20
2021: Whale Branch running back Joseph Hicks scores six touchdowns in a 54-50 season-opening win over Calhoun County. – Compiled by Mike McCombs
Do you value your free hometown newspaper – made by locals, for locals? Free news isn’t cheap. Please help support The Island News!
Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550, Beaufort, SC 29901
Stanley Grossman
Multiple weaponsrelated arrests made at St. Helena Island park
Staff reports
On Monday, Aug. 11 2025, at approximately 3:35 p.m., the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) responded to the Scott Hill Community Center on Scott Hill Road on St. Helena Island following reports of multiple males seen carrying firearms.
According to the BCSO, upon arrival, deputies observed several young males with weapons near the playground area on the county recreational property, a violation of Beaufort County Ordinance 90-
Answers from page A1
this happened and request that the officer file a police report on behalf of her daughter.
The school’s account of the incident remained the same, the injury was self-inflicted, and Jayla slammed her finger in the door when they were trying to change her.
Jayla has attended the special education program at Shanklin Elementary since she was in Pre-K, and according to Manigo, this is the worst injury she has sustained, but it is not the first injury that she
96(h), which prohibits possession of weapons on county recreational facilities.
When deputies approached, the individuals attempted to run away but were quickly detained. A total of ten males, aged 15 to 22, were detained. Six adults and one juvenile were subsequently taken into custody. Multiple firearms were also seized during the incident.
Those arrested include: Elijah Johnson, 22, of St. Helena Island; Treyvion Doe, 20, of Burton;
got while at at school and allegedly every time something happens the answer she receives is the same, the injury is self-inflicted.
Manigo said that her daughter does not have a history of injuries at home or other places, just when she is at school.
“Every time she comes home hurt, they say it’s self-inflicted, but my daughter is non-verbal and cannot tell her side of the story,” Manigo said.
While seemingly willing to help get answers at first, Manigo said that the principal’s demeanor quickly turned cold as she continued to ask questions about how this could have happened to her daughter.
• Joshua Warren, 20, of St. Helena Island; Damian Brown, 19, of St. Helena Island; Jakyri Sterling, 18, of St. Helena Island; and Nyzen Bennett, 18, of St. Helena Island.
All six adults were arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A 17-year-old juvenile was detained for possession of a firearm by a person unlawfully. The adults were transported
Eventually, after several days, the principal told her that she couldn’t respond to more questions regarding the situation as it had been referred to the Beaufort County School District’s legal team.
Candace Bruder, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County School District said that they are aware of the situation and parent’s concern but cannot comment on it.
“HIPAA prohibits the release of sensitive patient health information,” Bruder said in a text to The Island News on Tuesday, Aug. 12. “Although we cannot share information about a specific student due to federal privacy
T
to the Beaufort County Detention Center, while the juveniles were released to their parents or guardians.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office encourages the community to report suspicious and criminal activity by calling our non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777. If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app on your mobile device, online at tipsbft.com, or by calling 844-TIPSBFT (844-847-7238).
laws (e.g., FERPA and HIPAA), we can share that if any student is injured at school, staff protocol is to respond immediately, notifying parents as soon as possible.”
As for Jayla, she has not been cleared to go back to school by her doctors yet, but Manigo said that she is not sure what she is going to do once she is.
“I am terrified to send her back to the school, or anywhere else,” Manigo said.
She said that she is worried that Jayla’s injuries are the result of her not being properly monitored in the classroom and negligence led to her daughter’s injury.
Manigo said she is also concerned with the lack of care she felt like her daughter allegedly received following the incident and before she was picked up. She feels that the response from staff does not rise to the appropriate level of concern considering the severity of the injury and argues that Beaufort County’s Emergency Servies (EMS) should have been contacted to look at her finger.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Staff reports
Shortly after midnight, early on the morning of Monday, Aug. 11 2025, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Communications Center received calls of shots fired in the area of Fawnwood Lane in Seabrook.
According to the BCSO, when deputies arrived, they observed one residence was struck multiple times by gunfire. Although there were no reported injuries, the residence was occupied by 11 people including eight juveniles ranging in age from 6 months to 16 years old.
The shooter has not been identified at this time. This incident is still under investigation. If anyone has any information they are encouraged to contact Investigator Staff Sergeant Tunis, 843-255-3426 If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app on your mobile device, online at tipsbft. com or by calling 844-TIPSBFT (844-847-7238).
Spenser Staub, M . D. to Beaufort Memorial Pulmonary Specialists
o further meet the need for pulmonary care in the Lowcountry, Beaufort Memorial has added board-certified and fellowship-trained pulmonologist Dr. Spenser Staub to its Pulmonary Specialists practice.
Dr. Staub joins the practice from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), and will be diagnosing and treating patients with various pulmonary conditions, including COPD, asthma and other acute and chronic lung diseases, as well as managing care for patients admitted to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital intensive care unit (ICU).
Growing up in Charleston, many of Dr. Staub’s role models were physicians, which guided him to a career in the medical field. He has used his medical expertise in clinics around the globe, including in a medical command unit in the U.S. Army National Guard, where he has been a member since 2019.
During residency and fellowship training, Dr. Staub presented research at various national medical conferences and had several medical journal articles published. He was also recognized as an outstanding educator two years in a row by medical students at MUSC.
Fellowship
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Residency
Internal Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Doctor of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Science
Spanish Language and International Health (Departmental Honors in Biochemistry)
Medical University of South Carolina
Dr. Staub joins board-certified pulmonologist Andrew Stevens, M.D., board-certified nurse practitioners Risa Linford, AGACNP and Shawna Nievierowski, FNP-BC, as well as board-certified pulmonologist John Krcmarik, M.D. at the practice.
Gaffe from page A1
Beaufort Police Department.
Spillman is the computer software system used by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, as well as other local municipalities, to handle things like dispatch, charges, bookings, and the jail log at the Beaufort County Detention Center, among other things.
There are emails discussing the issues with the structure of the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and funding for repairs.
And there is an email chain between the City of Beaufort and one of its attorneys pertaining to the lawsuit over the Downtown Marina contract by Protect Beaufort.
“The fact that the city released unredacted forensic interviews, Social Security numbers, juvenile records, and other protected information didn’t just support my claim — it exposed a much larger failure of responsibility,” Emily Hollis said in an email to The Island News. “I set out to find proof of negligence. I didn’t expect the FOIA response to be the proof.”
Autumn and Kiel Hollis allowed The Island News to view the documents they received, to confirm their existence. During roughly two hours at their home, we were not allowed to take photos or print any documents, but we were allowed to take notes. At the time this story was written, The Island News was the only news organization, so far, to view the documents.
“There’s no telling how much information is in there that we don’t know about,” Kiel Hollis said.
How we got here
In early February, Emily Hollis was reported missing from her home in Beaufort.
Last seen in the company of 16-year-old Chase Eskeets, Emily Hollis and Eskeets were reported by the Beaufort Police Department as runaways. After several days, the pair was found in Jacksonville, Fla.
Soon thereafter, the Hollis family was contacted by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Special Agent Logan Fey, who assisted them by putting them into contact with S.C. Department of Social Services (DSS), a common practice with runaway or missing children’s cases.
In May, it was determined through an investigation by DSS that Emily Hollis was likely the victim of human trafficking, and the case has sparked debate regarding the police’s use of the term “runaway,” their treatment of the family and their general handling of the case.
Complicating matters, in February, shortly after Emily Hollis’ disappearance, all members of Beaufort City Council signed and published an open letter to the community – a rare occurrence — responding to public outcry against the use of the term “runaway.” In the letter, members of Council offered their support to
the police department for their handling of the case.
At least a week before the conclusion of the DSS investigation in May, Autumn Hollis had submitted her FOIA to the City of Beaufort. Her request covered several months and was quite broad.
Kiel Hollis said they were looking for anything they could find to justify why the Beaufort Police had come to the conclusions they had or any evidence they had not handled the investigation the way they should, both in his daughter’s case or any similar cases during the same time frame.
On Monday, May 12, Ashley Brandon, the City of Beaufort’s Public Information Officer, suggested in an email that Autumn Hollis should narrow her search terms.
“In the initial run of the public records and communications requested we have returned 17 099 emails/communications from the requested time frame. I am happy to put the full request together, but that many emails/ communications will require a time frame much longer than the 30 days as all 17,099 will require sensitive information redacted,” Brandon wrote.
Autumn Hollis agreed to Brandon’s suggestion and the number of emails/communications was cut from 17 099 to just more than 9,000
Autumn Hollis emailed Brandon on Tuesday, July 22, asking for an update. On Thursday, July 24, Brandon replied, “I estimate to have your emails redacted and to you by the end of next week. Unfortunately changing the keywords now will delay that as we will have to reprocess everything and start the redaction over. I am a team of one so the redaction process is taking quite a while as I specified in prior emails. I look forward to completing these and send the subject matter to you as soon as possible. If it will require more time past the end of next week, I will let you know.”
When Autumn and Kiel Hollis received the email with the results of their request on Tuesday, July 29, the lack of redactions caught them off guard.
“This is not an [IT] issue, it’s an oversight issue,” Kiel Hollis said. “They didn’t check to make sure there wasn’t information that wasn’t redacted.”
The initial response?
Autumn and Kiel Hollis got a lot more information than they expected and a truckload more than the City intended to give them. But until City Councilman Josh Scallate asked for the same information Autumn Hollis had requested, the City had no idea.
“At the time,” City Manager Scott Marshall said, “we did not have the knowledge there were unredacted items in the release.”
According to Scallate, Council isn’t typically notified of a FOIA request. In this case, he said he learned of the request from a Facebook post by one of the Hollis family members about the 9 000page release – Autumn and Kiel Hollis have made numerous social media posts about the FOIA and the City’s response -- and possible
Port Royal Police called to Piggly Wiggly
By Amber Hewitt The Island News
Young men dressed in military uniforms and carrying guns inside the Port Royal Piggly Wiggly apparently prompted concerned calls to Port Royal police just after 10 a.m., on Thursday, April 7
Luckily the guns were props, and the men were actors. Filming for a documentary/feature called “Soul Patrol” was taking place at the
grocery store. Production ran from Aug. 4 through Aug. 8 in Charleston, Port Royal and on Hunting Island. The unexpected sight led to a brief interruption before police were able to confirmed it was all part of the production.
According to an incident report from the Port Royal Police Department, “Officers were informed of a film crew on the premises with fake weapons (firearms)
Beaufort’s Kiel and Autumn Hollis, the parents of Emily Hollis, a then12-year-old who was missing for four days in February. Looking for more information on their daughter’s case, the couple filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the City of Beaufort in May and received more than 9,000 pages of unredacted emails and attachments on July 29. Amber Hewitt/File/The Island News
evidence the city had created a “false narrative.”
As a result, Scallate contacted Marshall and requested the information himself on Wednesday, July 30, and received the information from Brandon on the morning of Thursday, July 31. No formal FOIA request was necessary. As an elected official, Scallate said he can review, upon request, information for which the City is the custodian.
“That evening I opened [the FOIA response] up and quickly recognized that some information that would usually be redacted was not,” Scallate said. “I immediately notified both Scott [Marshall] and [Assistant City Manager] J.J. [Suave] and showed them that much of what was originally redacted had been reversed once sent out and was actually visible to the recipient.”
Several days later, on Monday, Aug. 4, Suave called Autumn Hollis and told her and Kiel together on the phone that the City had mistakenly included some documents in the FOIA response that should have been redacted.
“I’ll just ask that you don’t release the unredacted version,” Suave can be heard saying in the recorded phone call.
He went on to explain that some of the documents had been redacted while others had not.
“Nothing has a redaction,” Kiel Hollis said, surprising Suave.
“None of the emails has a redaction?” Suave asked.
“No,” Kiel Hollis said.
Later in the conversation, Suave offers to provide a correctly redacted version of the FOIA response.
“I would like to get you a copy that is redacted,” he said.
Autumn Hollis told Suave they didn’t need it.
“No, I think we’re good,” she said.
According to Marshall, when Suave made the phone call to Autumn and Kiel Hollis, he asked them to destroy the unredacted files. But you cannot hear Suave say that in the recording.
“They did ask us not to share any of the information,” Kiel Hollis said, “but they didn’t ask us to destroy it.”
“They just asked us not to release anything, and we’re not,” Autumn Hollis said. “But if a reporter wants to come look at it, they can.”
According to Marshall, the City has sent Autumn and Kiel Hollis a certified letter requesting that they destroy the unredacted file in exchange for a correctly redacted version.
As of Monday, Aug. 11, they have not received that letter.
How did it happen and what’s next?
Marshall said the City had identified what had caused the documents to go out unredacted.
“We have successfully replicated the phenomenon,” Marshall said. “There were five large individual PDF files. They were combined into a single file for ease of access for the recipient. When they were combined into a single file, they lost some of their redactive characteristics.”
When asked if someone checked the documents one last time before they hit send, wouldn’t this mistake have been avoided, Marshall said, “if each individual page of those 9 000 [pages] was looked at, yes. As I understand it, the final [document] was spot checked.”
When asked who was responsible for filling the FOIA request and ultimately providing the recipient with the files, Marshall responded it was the FOIA officer and a second level of supervision, as well.
The FOIA officer would be Brandon.
In her May 12 email to Autumn Hollis, Brandon wrote, “I will be handling the total of the FOIA so as to have everything completed and sent as one from all the departments.”
But Marshall was quick to take the blame.
“Ultimately, the city manager is responsible for all programs, …” he said. “Responsibility stops with me.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 5, after details about the FOIA request began to become public, the City of Beaufort released a public statement addressing the release of information. For those without knowledge of the information dump, the statement likely sounded cryptic.
The statement read, “In responding to a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from an individual, the City of Beaufort inadvertently disclosed information that was exempt from disclosure and should not have been produced. Upon becoming
filming a documentary. After making contact with the subjects and the business, it was determined that there had been no proper notice to the town, nor adequate safety precautions in place to prevent alarm from the general public.”
According to police, the store ultimately opted to shut down while filming was going on to “prevent any confusion and panic with the public.”
aware of the issue, City staff immediately removed access to the affected files. The City is currently assessing the scope of the disclosure, ensuring that there is no further dissemination of the information, and notifying any impacted individuals.”
It’s unclear what removing “access to the affected files” means. The attachments to the emailed documents can still be accessed by the recipient.
And it will be difficult to ensure that “there is no further dissemination of the information.”
According to Taylor Smith, an attorney for the S.C. Press Association and an expert on the Freedom of Information Act, the City of Beaufort has no control over the information once it has been released.
Smith said someone may be held liable when publishing things like the Social Security numbers, addresses and other specific personal information that was accidentally released, but that the City cannot tell Autumn and Kiel Hollis what they can release.
The City has taken steps to try and ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. In its Aug. 5 statement, Marshall, who said he “is committed to operating with transparency while fully complying with FOIA requirements, including the safeguarding of information that is exempt from public release,” announced the City’s new NextRequest system.
Purportedly in the works since February the new FOIA management platform is supposed to enhance data security, incorporate safeguards, and significantly reduce response times, staff workload, and the likelihood of future disclosure errors, according to the City. FOIA requests should now be submitted online via the NextRequest portal at https://cityofbeaufortsc.nextrequest.com/.
Marshall said the system would likely have prevented a mistake like the response to Autumn Hollis’ FOIA request.
“It would have provided additional accountability measures,” he said.
You likely won’t color Autumn Hollis impressed.
“The trauma of having my child’s confidential interview — one that detailed abuse and exploitation — released like a public document has been devastating. Other families will also be impacted by this breach,” she said. “… My entire goal in requesting these FOIA records was to prove negligence in how my daughter’s case was handled. I never expected the response itself to prove my point so clearly.”
Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, The Island News Assistant Editor Delayna Earley interviewed for the position of Public Information Officer for the City of Beaufort, the position eventually filled by Ashley Brandon. The Island News Assistant Editor Delayna Earley contributed to this story.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
Photo from a Facebook post by Piggly Wiggly Port Royal during the filming of “Soul Patrol” at Piggly Wiggly in Port Royal on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. Photo courtesy of Port Royal Piggly Wiggly
Applications open for City’s 2026 ATAX Grant Program
Staff reports Applications are now available for the City of Beaufort Fiscal Year 2026 Accommodations Tax (ATAX) Grant Program. Application packets are available on the City’s website at www.cityofbeaufort.org under Government and then Tourism Development Advisory Committee. The ATAX Grant Program pro-
vides funding to support tourism-related projects and events that promote overnight visitation and enhance the local economy.
Mandatory learn and share workshops
All potential applicants are required to attend one of the following Learn and Share Workshops: Workshop 1: Friday, Aug. 15
2025, at 2 p.m.
Meeting ID: 299 415 837 881
Passcode: cz7td3xh
• Workshop 2: Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 287 181 746 442 6
Passcode: yL2Rh9cx
The workshops will be held at City Hall at 1911 Boundary Street, 1st Floor in the Community Development Conference Room. These
workshops will provide essential information on the grant process, eligibility requirements, and application best practices.
Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at 4 p.m. For questions or additional information, please contact the ATAX Administrator at atax@cityofbeaufort.org or by phone at 843525-7071
Burton firefighters rescue trapped worker 40-feet up
Staff reports
Late Saturday morning, Aug. 9, the Burton Fire District rescued a worker trapped in a lift suspended 40 feet in the air.
Just before 11 : 30 a.m. today, Burton firefighters responded to a call on Roseida Road in Burton for a worker who was trapped in a boom lift.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find a boom lift leaning on two wheels and a worker trapped in the extended bucket, which was leaning against a tree. Firefighters worked to stabilize the lift at the base and utilized their ladder truck to rescue the worker who was safely brought back to earth uninjured.
On Saturday morning, Aug. 9, the Burton Fire District rescued a worker trapped in a lift suspended 40 feet in the air. Photos courtesy of Burton Fire District
Fire officials estimated the worker was in the bucket for approximately 30 minutes while crews worked to rescue him. “It looks like the worker
was trimming trees and the lift came off balance and tipped,” said Burton Engineer Eric Chapman
who was on scene. “We are just thankful when the bucket started to fall it landed against a tree
which caught it before it came crashing down and injured the worker or worse.”
space with room for volunteers to sort clothing and food donations. The facility also features a large walk-in-freezer and refrigerator that will allow them to take in more perishable products that they cannot currently accommodate.
In the public side of the building, there is an area for clients to do their shopping. It is divided between pantry goods and clothing and household goods.
Opozda said that they didn’t want to make the building look like a warehouse but instead make it an inviting place for people to come and get what they need and feel welcome.
Authorities seize 10 dogs in Seabrook dogfighting arrest
By Delayna Earley The Island News
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
(SLED) has charged Lamont Moultrie, 54, with Animal Fighting or Baiting and Ill Treatment of Animals, according to a press release on Monday, Aug. 11 2025
Ten dogs were placed with the Humane World for Animals organization during the operation so they could receive veterinary care. Per the arrest warrant, SLED’s Dogfighting Unit executed a search warrant at the address listed on Moultrie’s driver’s license in Seabrook. SLED had information that dogs being housed on the property were being used for dogfighting.
A veterinarian was able to determine that nine of the 10 dogs seized had scar patterns consistent with organized dogfighting.
Moultrie arrived on the scene while the search was being executed and said that he takes care of the property and that the dogs belonged to someone else.
The Beaufort County Animal Control, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.
Moultrie was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center, and the case will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Court Solicitor’s Office, according to the release.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
The organization offers food, clothes and services for all South Carolinians, but sometimes it is hard for someone to come into the facility and admit they need help.
“It doesn’t take much, just a week or two of being out of work, to get behind on bills,” Opozda said. With the inflation and prices
soaring in recent years, Opozda said that the group seeking support that she has seen grow the most is that of working families.
She wanted to create comfortable place for people to come and get the help they need, when necessary, without shame.
“We do follow the USDA guidelines for USDA allotted food, but that’s like a separate program,” Opozda said. “For our own personal guidelines, we don’t really go by any time of income qualifiers. So, you can get somebody that makes $80,000 a year, but if they are out of work for a month or two or fell behind, then it can get hard very fast.”
The building also provides office space for employees of HELP of Beaufort.
Opozda said that opening the building to the public is just the first step. She hopes to turn the vacant lot adjacent to the build-
ing into an area where they grow produce and teach people how to garden, no matter where they live.
“That part of the project is going to have raised garden beds, and we’re going to have trellises so that we can grow just a lot of different fruits and vegetables,” Opozda said. “We’ll be able to have produce for our clients, but we’re also going to open it up to have some cooking classes through the Lowcountry Food Bank and gardening classes.” HELP of Beaufort is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at their new building on Ribaut Road in Port Royal.
Owner Isis Nunez helps to remove fish from the fryer during Sea Sea’s Honey Hole’s three-year anniversary Fish Fry celebration on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Rudy and Elizabeth Bishop enjoy fish dinners during Sea Sea’s Honey Hole’s three-year anniversary Fish Fry celebration on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
A view of the reception area at HELP of Beaufort’s
Ribaut Road in Port Royal. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Habersham’s Village Social, Conroy Center partner for monthly
Staff reports
series
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center and the recently opened special event space Village Social at Habersham will launch a new six-part monthly series of Pat Conroy-themed lectures and panel discussions, beginning on Monday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. with “Pat Conroy: An Introduction to a Lowcountry Legend,” presented by Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt.
Conroy (1945-2016) is best remembered as the author of “The Water Is Wide,” “The Great Santini,” “The Lords of Discipline,” and “The Prince of Tides,” each also adapted for film. He has become as synonymous with his adopted Lowcountry as pluff mud or Spanish Moss.
Join the Conroy Center executive director — one of Pat’s many protégés — for an engaging hour of stories, photos, and videos introducing Conroy’s origin story, the beginnings of his writing and teaching life and exploring some of the major themes of his work, and how the nonprofit literary center established in his memory continues his legacy today.
The $25 registration fee includes the presentation, refreshments, and a donation in support of the year-round educational mission of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center. You can register in advance for this event and others in this new series at https://bit.ly/4fBV2VN.
The monthly series will alternate between engaging thematic lectures on Conroy presented by Haupt and lively panel discussions among a rotating cast of contributing local writers to the multi-award-winning anthology “Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy.” Future event panelists include Cassandra King, Tim Conroy, Stephanie Austin Edwards, Brenda McClain, John Warley, and Margaret Shinn Evans.
Beaufort’s Sayers wins Governor’s Award
Staff reports Beaufort’s Valerie Sayers has been named one of the 2025 recipients of the Governor’s Award in the Humanities by South Carolina Humanities.
The writer, author, and former William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English at Notre Dame, is a fiction writer, essayist, and critic born and raised in Beaufort, which features prominently in her work.
The author of six novels, including “The Powers” and “Brain Fever,” and a
collection of stories, “The Age of Infidelity,” her literary honors include a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and two Pushcart Prizes, as well as three “distinguished” citations from Pushcart. Her prose has appeared widely in venues ranging from the New York Times and Washington Post to Agni, Ploughshares, and Zoetrope, and her books have been on many "Best of the Year" and "Editors' Choice" lists, including those at the New
York Times, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune Sayers was the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of English at Notre Dame, where she served terms as chair of the English Department and Director of the Creative Writing Program, founded the Notre Dame Review, and taught in the Moreau College Initiative, a college prison program in Northern Indiana. After retirement, she returned to Beaufort, where she continues to write and serves on the board of the Pat Con-
roy Literary Center. She is especially honored to be a member of the South Carolina Academy of Authors. Established in 1991, the Governor’s Awards recognize outstanding achievement in humanities research, teaching, and scholarship; institutional and individual participation in helping communities in South Carolina better understand our cultural heritage or ideas and issues related to the humanities; excellence in defining South Carolina’s
cultural life to the nation or world; and exemplary support for public humanities programs. The 34th annual South Carolina Awards in the Humanities Luncheon and Ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 16 2025 at the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia. Table sponsorships are available now and individual tickets will go on sale after Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. To learn more about this event, call 803-771-2477
Street Music returns
Saturday Aug. 9 with the legendary Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues at
NEWS BRIEFS
Filing
open for Port Royal Town Council election
The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections will be holding a General Election on Nov. 4, 2025, to fill two Town Council seats in the Town of Port Royal.
Candidate filing opened on Aug. 8, and closes at noon on Friday, Sept. 5 2025. Filing must be done in person at Port Royal Town Hall at 700 Paris Avenue.
The filing fee for Town Council is $100 and is due at the time of filing. Candidates must be eligible voters residing within the town limits and must complete the Statement of Intention of Candidacy – Non-Partisan form.
State ethics filings, including a Statement of Economic Interests and Campaign Disclosure, are also required. These can be completed through the State Ethics Commission at www.ethics.sc.gov.
Voter registration deadlines are as follows:
In Person: Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
Online/Email/Fax: Sunday, Oct. 5
2025 By Mail: Must be postmarked by Monday, Oct. 6 2025 For more information and filing forms, visit www.beaufortcountysc.gov/vote.
ShellRing hosting Secrets of the Salt Marsh by FOHI
The Friends of Hunting Island present the Secrets of the Salt Marsh at 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17 at ShellRing Ale Works in Port Royal. Erin Rogers, Coastal Manager of the
South Carolina Audubon Society, will give a conservation talk during which she will reveal the complex ecology and secretive creatures of the Carolina Salt Marsh.
The event is free and open to the public. Pleas email FOHIConservationOutreach@ gmail.com to reserve a spot.
Saint Peter’s 65th annual Fall Bazaar vendors spaces available
Saint Peter’s Catholic Church will hold its 65th annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 4 2025 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., on the church campus at 70 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort.
The Bazaar features international foods, a craft fair, a sweet shoppe, in-person and online silent auctions, wine and beer garden, plant sale, church tours, and Kids Zone with inflatables, games, and the Beaufort Barnyard Petting Zoo.
Artists and crafts people interested in a 10-foot-by-10-foot space can send an email to gather@stpetersbeaufort.org for more information. Indoor space is very limited, so those interested should reach out as soon as possible.
The Bazaar will raise funds for Lowcountry Outreach, a Saint Peter’s ministry that works to increase scarce services in northern Beaufort County. Lowcountry Outreach partners with several agencies and services such as Good Neighbor Medical Clinic, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, and Alienated Parents of Adult Children among others. Its Angel Rides program has completed more than 850 rides for people needing transportation to medical and other needed
appointments. Additional information can be found at www.LowcounryOutreach.org.
Poll workers needed; training available
The Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County will be holding 10 new poll worker training classes.
All of the classes will be held at the main office, located at 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, S.C. 29906. The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the following dates: Wednesday, Aug. 20; and Wednesday, Sept. 17
To sign up for a class, visit https://beaufortsc.easypollworker.com/home.
United Way of the Lowcountry offers additional free tax prep days
United Way of the Lowcountry's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering additional free tax preparation days to help qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties file their federal and state tax returns accurately and efficiently.
The program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors with their tax filing needs.
In Bluffton, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, at the Bluffton Public Library at 120 Palmetto Drive.
at
in the heart of Port Royal.
In Beaufort, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25 at the United Way of the Lowcountry Beaufort Office at 1277 Ribaut Road.
Limited spots are available, and in-person appointments are required. Visit www. uwlowcountry.org/VITA to reserve your spot, check for eligibility requirements and to find a list of necessary documents to bring.
Human Services accepting grant applications
Beaufort County Human Services is accepting applications for the FY26 Grant Program. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 22. Any application received after that date, will not be considered.
According to the Community Services Grant Program webpage, "Funds for this grant program are provided by County Council of Beaufort County. Established in 2013, the Beaufort County Community Services Grants Program supports local non-profit human service organizations in enhancing residents' quality of life. All grant awards are contingent upon the availability of funding."
Eligibility, criteria, application timeline and the application itself are all outlined at https://bit.ly/4l8UTe8 for interested groups. For questions or more information, please call Beaufort County Human Services at 843-255-6058 or visit the webpage at https://bit.ly/4npqEBv.
– Staff reports
Jonathan Haupt
Mike Merrow and his two-year-old daughter Adaleigh shared a Daddy-Daughter dance during the kickoff to the 2025 Fall season of Port Royal Street Music with the legendary Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues, which was relocated to the Port Royal skate park due to weather conditions on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News Staff reports Port Royal Street Music kicked off its Fall 2025 season, its 34th, on
the Port Royal skate park. Known for his soulful sound and deep roots in blues history, Mac Arnold has shared the stage with icons like Muddy Waters
and James Brown. The remaining schedule is Marcell and Her Lovers on Aug. 23, Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos on Sept. 6 and Ladycouch on Sept. 20. The shows start
6 p.m. on Paris Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets. Bring a chair, invite your friends, and enjoy a free night of live music
SPORTS
SCISA teams kick off Friday
By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com
The full deluge is still a week away, but worry not — you won’t have to endure another Friday without high school football for quite some time.
A smattering of SCISA schools will tee it up Friday night, ending the long wait to return to the gridiron. Among them are a pair of Lowco-on-Lowco classes, as Beaufort Academy travels to Hilton Head Prep for a matinee matchup in Sea Pines, and John Paul II hosts Colleton Prep for the nightcap in Hardeeville.
Hilton Head Christian Academy will open its season with a tough test at Porter-Gaud, and Cross Schools kicks off the 8-man season at The King’s Academy.
Here’s a closer look at the matchups on this side of the Broad River.
Colleton Prep at John Paul II, 7 p.m.
The Golden Warriors hit the field this fall with a revamped roster, as only three starters return from what was ultimately a disappointing campaign. One of the returners, though, is quarterback Alan Wolf, who has developed into a legitimate dual-threat and has some talented, if young and inexperienced, weapons around him.
JPII’s defense might have its hands full, though, as the War Hawks return nearly all of their offensive production, including their own dual-threat quarterback in Cale Owens. The Golden Warriors were over-
matched in their scrimmage with Beaufort Academy last week, and the Eagles appear to be one of the frontrunners in SCISA 1A — along with Colleton Prep.
This is a game JPII circled ahead of the season as a potential win, but the Golden Warriors will need to give their best performance to pull it off, and that might be too much to ask of an inexperienced squad this early in the season.
Beaufort Academy at Hilton Head Prep, 5 p.m.
Last year’s clash on Lady’s Island was a mismatch with BA rolling to a 36-7 win after a sluggish start, and this one is likely to unfold similarly.
The Eagles have seen a ton of talent graduate over the past two years, including quarterback Dietrich Shuford last spring, but they still have one of the most dominant running backs in SCISA in Nych Underwood, and there’s plenty of talent around him. Devin Fripp is a constant big-play threat on both sides of the ball, and Keeler Dineen and Tres Delaney are back to anchor the defense along with Whale Branch transfer Rahiem Saunders, who will make an impact in the trenches.
The Dolphins are entering their second year under coach Doug McFadden and showed massive improvement a year ago, but with low numbers and limited depth, they’re not likely to hang with the Eagles past halftime.
John Paul II sweeps through preseason tourney
LowcoSports.com
After a record-breaking season a year ago, John Paul II’s volleyball team picked up where it left off last weekend, sweeping through the field at the IP Builders Preseason Tournament in Walterboro.
The Golden Warriors went 4-0 and did not drop a set through the tournament, taking down fellow SCISA teams from around the region to claim the title in coach Chase Vaigneur’s debut.
Lily Termini led the attack with 23 kills, but setter Mi-
“...it’s always good to see that show up on the court.”
CHASE VAIGNEUR, Head Coach, John Paul II Volleyball
randa Moulton shared the wealth with everyone, dishing out 49 assists. Rachael Brenneman anchored JPII’s defense with 35 digs. Lauren Majorkiewicz added 18 kills,
and Gracie Cotter collected 38 assists to aid a strong team effort.
“I’m super proud of how the girls opened their season,” Vaigneur said. “They competed well and have handled the coaching change seamlessly. They have put in a lot of hard work over the summer and in the preseason, and it’s always good to see that show up on the court.”
The Golden Warriors were back in action Tuesday at home against Veritas Academy.
LEGAL NOTICES
Property is to satisfy the
822 at Page 1035, as may be further revised from time to time. The total amount due as of the date of the Foreclosure Sale is $5,710.75. If additional costs and/ or fees associated with the foreclosure and sale are incurred, such additional costs and/or fees shall be added to this amount on the date of the Foreclosure Sale.
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Monarch at Sea Pines Owners' Association, Inc. v. GORDON GUTMANN AND MARTHA GUTMANN 1746 UTICA PIKE JEFFERSONVILLE IN 471304780 (“Owner”) Contract number : 1421
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that according to the Notice of Sale recorded in the Register of Deeds Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, Daniel C. Zickefoose, as Trustee/Attorney and Eck, Conley & Richardson, P.L.L.C, 4000 Faber Place Drive, Suite 300, North Charleston, SC 29405 (“Creditor/Lienholder”), will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, outside of the Beaufort County Government Center Entrance, 100 Ribaut Rd, Beaufort, SC 29902, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on September 10th , 2025, the following described Property: AS TO: GORDON GUTMANN AND MARTHA GUTMANN Together with a remainder over in fee simple absolute as tenants in common with the other owners of all the unit weeks in the hereafter described Condominium Unit in that percentage interest determined and established by the aforesaid Declaration of Interval Ownership, Rights, Restrictions, Affirmative Obligations, Conditions, Etc. for the following described real estate located in the County of Beaufort, State of South Carolina as follows: UNIT WEEK 21 in UNIT NO 3644, in Monarch at Sea Pines, Horizontal Property Regime XXV, Phase IX, according to the Master Deed of American Resort Properties, Inc., dated May 18, 1982, as recorded in the Beaufort County Records in Deed Book 347 at Page 346, et seq. and as amended by Annexation Declaration of Phase IX, recorded in the Beaufort County Records, and all applicable amendments thereto. The sale of the
(“Owner”) Contract number 5756207. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that according to the Notice of Sale recorded in the Register of Deeds Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, Daniel C. Zickefoose, as Trustee/Attorney and Eck, Conley & Richardson, P.L.L.C, 4000 Faber Place Drive, Suite 300, North Charleston, SC 29405 (“Creditor/Lienholder”), will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, outside of the Beaufort County Government Center Entrance, 100 Ribaut Rd, Beaufort, SC 29902, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on September 10th , 2025, the following described Property: AS TO: Frank Bancer and FRANCINE MUNKACSY An undivided one fifty-second (1/52) fractional interest in Unit No. 5421 respectively, SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime, lying situate and being in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina, and being more particularly shown and described by reference to the Master Deed, establishing the said Horizontal Property Regime, being dated June 17, 2004, and recorded in the Land Records for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on June 22, 2004 in Deed Book 01976 at Page 0001, as further amended from time to time, and by reference to that certain plat entitled "Plat of Phase 1, 2 & 3 SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime", said plat prepared by Surveying Consultants, Inc., Terry G. Hatchell, S.C.R.L.S.#11059 , said plat being dated July 15, 2005, and recorded in the Land Records for Beaufort County, South Carolina, in Plat Book 108 at Page 5, as may be further revised from time to time ("Plat"). AND ALSO, all of the rights, privileges, easements, and common areas appertaining to the above-described property as set forth in the Master Deed and By-Laws of SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime. AND ALSO, all right, title, interest and privileges extending to Time Sharing Interest Numbers(s) 5421-S-09 in each of the respective aforedescribed Units, as contained in that certain Time Sharing Declaration, dated June 17, 2004, recorded in the Land Records for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on June 22, 2004 in Deed Book 01976 at Page 0082, as amended from time to time. The sale of the Property is to satisfy the past due obligations of the Owner(s) as evidenced by the Claim(s) of Lien duly recorded in the following Official Records Lien Book/Page: 161/1018, 4390/1280 of the Public Records of Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Owner is currently in default under certain provisions of the Master Deed Establishing SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime, Beaufort County, South Carolina by MARRIOTT OWNERSHIP RESORTS INC. recorded in the Registrar of Deeds, Beaufort County, South Carolina on June 22, 2004 in Deed Book 01976 at Page 0001, as further amended from time to time, (the “Master Deed”). As provided for in the Master Deed, as amended, the lienholder has chosen to proceed with a non-judicial foreclosure procedure in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 32 of Title 27 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina. The total amount due as of the date of the Foreclosure Sale is $4,134.09. If additional costs and/ or fees associated with the foreclosure and sale are incurred, such additional costs and/or fees shall be added to this amount on the date of the Foreclosure Sale.
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
SurfWatch Owners Association v. JENNIFER HUNTER PO BOX 1690 PAROWAN UT 84761-1690 (“Owner”) Contract number 10253466. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that according to the Notice of Sale recorded in the Register of Deeds Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, Daniel C. Zickefoose, as Trustee/Attorney and Eck, Conley & Richardson, P.L.L.C, 4000 Faber Place Drive, Suite 300, North Charleston, SC 29405 (“Creditor/Lienholder”), will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, outside of the Beaufort County Government Center Entrance, 100 Ribaut Rd, Beaufort, SC 29902, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on September 10th , 2025, the following described Property: AS TO: JENNIFER HUNTER An undivided one fifty-second (1/52) fractional interest in Unit No. 5141 respectively, SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime, lying situate and being in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina, and being more particularly shown and described by reference to the Master Deed, establishing the said Horizontal Property Regime, being dated June 17, 2004, and recorded in the Land Records for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on June 22, 2004 in Deed Book 01976 at Page 0001, as further amended from time to time, and by reference to that certain plat entitled "Plat of Phase 1, 2 & 3 SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime", said plat prepared by Surveying Consultants, Inc., Terry G. Hatchell, S.C.R.L.S.#11059 , said plat being dated July 15, 2005, and recorded in the Land Records for Beaufort County, South Carolina, in Plat Book 108 at Page 5, as may be further revised from time to time ("Plat"). AND ALSO, all of the rights, privileges, easements, and common areas appertaining to the above-described property as set forth in the Master Deed and By-Laws of SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime.
AND ALSO, all right, title, interest and privileges extending to Time Sharing Interest Numbers(s) 5141-S-09 in each of the respective aforedescribed Units, as contained in that certain Time Sharing Declaration, dated June 17, 2004, recorded in the Land Records for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on June 22, 2004 in Deed Book 01976 at Page 0082, as amended from time to time. The sale of the Property is to satisfy the past due obligations of the Owner(s) as evidenced by the Claim(s) of Lien duly recorded in the following Official Records Lien Book/Page: 157/173 of the Public Records of Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Owner is currently in default under certain provisions of the Master Deed Establishing SurfWatch Horizontal Property Regime, Beaufort County, South Carolina by MARRIOTT OWNERSHIP RESORTS INC. recorded in the Registrar of Deeds, Beaufort County, South Carolina on June 22, 2004 in Deed Book 01976 at Page 0001, as
further amended from time to time, (the “Master Deed”). As provided for in the Master Deed, as amended, the lienholder has chosen to proceed with a non-judicial foreclosure procedure in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 32 of Title 27 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina. The total amount due as of the date of the Fore-
Family Portraits
Statues and Religious Art
Why do Catholics have art in their churches?
Our churches often have depictions of Jesus, angels, saints, and Bible scenes. Such art goes all the way back to the earliest centuries, when persecuted Christians created frescoes of Jesus and religious scenes in the catacombs. Historically, art has been an important way to teach the faith to those who are unable to read, in much the same way as children’s Bibles today often contain pictures. Art also adds beauty to our worship and serves as holy reminders of heavenly realities.
How can works of art be holy reminders?
Think of how our national monuments feature statues or portraits of American heroes. Standing before Lincoln’s statue at the Lincoln Memorial, we are inspired to fight for truth as he did. Similarly, when Catholics stand before a crucifix depicting the death of Jesus, we remember the tremendous love with which Jesus gave his life for us. Religious art helps us turn our heart and mind towards God.
Are Catholics worshipping the statues?
No, Catholics do not worship statues or any other works of art, any more than visitors to the Lincoln Memorial are worshipping “Honest Abe.” We only worship the blessed Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are well aware that a crucifix is simply a hunk of plaster and wood, for example, and not really Jesus himself. When we pray in front of a crucifix, we are not worshipping it, but praying to Jesus whom we cannot see.
Why have statues of people besides Jesus?
As we explained in our previous message, Catholics see the saints as our brothers and sisters in Christ. Just as people often have portraits of family members in their homes, Catholics often have images of the saints in our churches, since they are part of our spiritual family. Their lives inspire us in our love for Jesus. When we see an image of Saint Paul, for example, we are inspired to preach the Gospel courageously as he did.
Didn’t God forbid statues and images?
When God gave the Ten Commandments, he was not forbidding the creation of all religious art, but rather the creation of idols of false gods. (Exodus 20:3-6) The Israelites were not to create such idols like their pagan neighbors, for God is the only true God and they must worship him alone. On many occasions, however, God does command his people to create statues and other art for use in worship.
What are examples of God commanding images to be made? God commanded Moses to create a bronze serpent for the healing of the Israelites. (Numbers 21:4-9) He ordered that golden angels be made to adorn the Ark of the Covenant. (Exodus 25:17-22) By God’s command, the Temple in Jerusalem was full of sacred art, including enormous statues of angels, as well as carved images of palm trees, flowers, lions and oxen. (1 Kings 6-7) Such examples show that God does not prohibit all religious art, but only the worship of false gods. It is proper for Christians to use nativity scenes, illustrated Bibles, crosses, and other works of art to help draw us closer to him.
Common Questions
Message 3 of 8
DAYLO, Conroy Center, Storybook Shoppe donate supplies to Robert Smalls
Staff reports
During June and July, the student-led book club DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization), the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, and the Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore collected more than $8 000 worth of school supplies and gift cards to donate to the students and teachers of Robert Smalls Leadership Academy (RSLA), an award-winning Title 1 public school serving Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in Beaufort.
The school supplies drive collaboration is reflective of the pro-literacy and community-building mission of DAYLO, the educational mission of the Conroy Center (which honors the legacy of Pat Conroy as educator, author, and advocate), and the family and community outreach goals of the Storybook Shoppe. In addition to having drop-off locations for supplies at the Conroy Center and the Storybook Shoppe, the DAYLO students also gratefully received supplies at their summer community literacy events.
The largest donation to the school supplies drive came in the form of 100 backpacks loaded with essential elementary school supplies, donated and delivered by Kim Jeffcoat, Chief Community Officer of The Jeffcoat Firm. Each colorful backpack contained a notebook, scissors, crayons, pencils and a sharpener, a glue stick, folders, and a supplies pouch — all to help students prepare for a successful and enthusiastic beginning to their new school year. In support of education
and community well being, the Jeffcoat Gives Backpack initiative delivered more than 1 700 backpacks of supplies to community
partners in Columbia, Lexington, St. Matthews, Holly Hill, and Orangeburg. For a second consecutive year, the Conroy Center was selected
as The Jeffcoat Firm’s distribution partner in Beaufort.
The inspiring generosity of dozens and dozens of individual local donors from
across the Lowcountry also filled several huge bins with vital supplies for educators and their students, all from the school’s official supplies list for the year. Curiously, one of the many bins came filled with supplies from the Toys“R”Us set of Roofman, the forthcoming Channing Tatum film, courtesy of a connection facilitated by the Storybook Shoppe.
DAYLO student leaders
E Achurch (The Complete Student) and Piper Kennedy (Beaufort High School) were joined by past DAYLO leaders Nora O’Brien, Mary Ruff, and Anjali Barigala (all Beaufort High), and their mentors Claire Bennett and Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt in delivering the many supplies to RSLA, home of Beaufort County School District Principal of the Year Bradley Tarrance, prior to the start of the new school year to help support the educational needs of the nearly 900 students who attend the school. DAYLO student leader Becca Bennett (Beaufort Academy) also assisted the Jeffcoat Firm’s delivery of the backpacks to the Conroy Center.
“I’m tremendously proud of the remarkable work of our world-saving DAYLO students, our Conroy Center supporters and volunteers, the customers and staff of the Storybook Shoppe, and the many generous members of our community who wanted to help Robert Smalls students and teachers start the new school year with a plethora of supplies to equip them for success,” said Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt. “We’re
“...we also wanted to show all of those students and teachers in a grand, impactful way that our community cares about them, supports them, and wishes them fantastic learning experiences this school year.”
beyond grateful to Kim Jeffcoat and The Jeffcoat Firm for once again supporting this project with such an incredible gift, truly in service to the many communities they serve.
“Beyond the thousands of items we were able to collectively donate, in the spirit of Robert Smalls Leadership Academy being an extraordinary community school, we also wanted to show all of those students and teachers in a grand, impactful way that our community cares about them, supports them, and wishes them fantastic learning experiences this school year.”
This is the second year of the DAYLO-led school supplies drive in collaboration with the Conroy Center and the Storybook Shoppe. Last year’s supply drive benefited St. Helena Elementary School, also a Title 1 school.
TCL receives ‘Gold Award’ for veteran friendly institution
Staff reports
The Technical College of the Lowcountry has been awarded gold level status by the S.C. Military Academic Recognition Program, part of the S.C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA).
SCDVA representatives presented the award at a special event held July 28 at TCL’s Military & Veterans Resource Center (MAVRC) on the college’s Beaufort Mather Campus.
The recognition program aims to highlight colleges and universities that support service members, veterans, reservists, National Guard members and their family members as they work
toward achieving academic and professional goals. Currently, 19 percent of TCL’s student population is active military, veteran or military-affiliated.
“We are very proud of the team we have here and the work they’re doing to support our veterans,” said TCL President Dr. Richard Gough. “Veterans, their families and dependents, are a significant part of our college and our culture, so it’s important to us that we have these programs in place and that they know they are supported.”
To qualify for gold status, institutions must meet specific standards such as offering a cen-
tralized place for students who are veterans to meet or find assistance, information or career counseling. The college has been working toward meeting the SCDVA’s criteria for gold status, since receiving the silver designation in December of 2023
In addition to renovating and expanding its Military and Veterans Resource Center on the first floor of MacLean Hall, TCL also completed “Green Zone” training, or specialized training that enables staff to better assist military or military-affiliated students. For more information on TCL’s military and veterans’ services, visit www.tcl.edu/military.
From left, Technical College of the Lowcountry’s School Certifying Official Shelby Holstein; TCL Assistant Director of Military and Veteran Programs
Marie Hooper; TCL’s Director of Military and Veterans Programs Topher Byrnes; presenter Erika Jones of the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and TCL President Richard Gough. Photo courtesy of Technical College of the Lowcountry
Whale Branch Elementary gets national wellness grant from American Heart Assoc.
Staff reports
Only 1 in 4 kids gets the recommended amount of daily physical activity, and nearly 40% of children in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese. With physical inactivity and mental health challenges on the rise among youth, schools like Whale Branch Elementary are taking action to create healthier learning environments. To help address those growing needs, the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health of all, recently awarded a $665
grant to Whale Branch Elementary School in Seabrook through its Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ programs.
Whale Branch received the award as part of the latest round of funding from the Kids Heart Chal -
lenge and American Heart Challenge grant program, which supports projects that help increase physical activity, improve mental well-being or provide tools for emergency preparedness. Whale Branch plans to use their grant to purchase tchoukball game equipment. Tchoukball is a game that incorporates a lot of running and requires teamwork, collaboration, and communication.
“We are incredibly grateful for the American Heart Association’s support,” said Ashley McAteer, physical education teacher at Whale Branch Elementary “These funds will help us introduce new physical activity resources and games and allow us to further our commitment to improving the health of our students, staff and school community.”
DAYLO students, the Pat Conroy Literary Center and the Storybook Shoppe collected and delivered more than $8,000 worth of school supplies for students at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy. Photo courtesy of Pat Conroy Literacy Center
JONATHAN HAUPT, Executive Director, Pat Conroy Literary Center
Robert Smalls International Academy principal named Principal of the Year
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Robert
Smalls International
Academy principal Bradley Tarrance is not originally from Beaufort, but in the five years that he has been in the Lowcountry he has sought to create a home and safe space for the students who attend the school.
Tarrance, who is originally from Flint, Mich., is entering his fifth year at the K-8 school with a new achievement to add to his long list of accomplishments, 2025-2026 Beaufort County School District Principal of the Year.
He said that one of the big draws for him to move to Beaufort for his career was the opportunity to work with Beaufort’s superintendent Frank Rodriguez.
“We ended up deciding on Beaufort County specifically because Dr. Rodriguez is an outstanding superintendent and then we really loved the history that was here on the Beaufort side – being the foundation of reconstruction and the strength of the community here –
there was no doubt that this was the place to call home,” Tarrance said.
The 43-year-old principal said that he fell in love with the school and community right away.
“Robert Smalls Leadership had my heart from the first time I saw it and met the beautiful people that are here,” said Tarrance.
When asked why he thinks he was honored by being named this year’s Principal of the Year he said that he tries to “lead with humility” and he does not see this as his award, but as a community award.
“I always say it takes a village, and we know that,” said Tarrance.
“I’m just one part of the piece of the puzzle to the village.”
The school is a completely different school – physically, socially, emotionally and academically –than it was five years ago when he arrived for his first year as principal, according to Tarrance.
He said that the reputation of the school was not very good when he took over as principal because the school lacked systems and a real direction.
Bradley Tarrance poses for a quick photo with a student on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
EDUCATION BRIEFS
Sparklight to host free digital literacy class
To help Beaufort/Port Royal residents build confidence and skills for today’s digital world, Sparklight will host a free digital literacy class on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from noon to 2 p.m. at its retail location at 1425 Ribaut Road in Port Royal.
Attendees will learn basic internet terms, web browser navigation and online search techniques. The session will also cover identifying digital devices, connecting to Wi-Fi networks and troubleshooting basic internet connection issues. Instructors will overview online safety principles, including selecting strong passwords/pass phrases and recognizing scams.
“The internet is essential for accessing information, securing education and employment, connecting to vital services and more,” said Jane Shanley, Sparklight Senior Regional Director, Southeast. “We’re pleased to offer this practical workshop to help Beaufort-area residents improve their knowledge and open up new opportunities.” For more information and to reserve your spot, please call 843-384-8971. Attendees are encouraged to bring their preferred digital device to boost their hands-on skills.
Nexus Care of Beaufort, All Aboard Beaufort Youth Leadership host Back to School meeting
Nexus Care of Beaufort's STAR (Striving to Achieve Resiliency) Youth Leadership Program is kicking off another school year with an event encouraging middle school and high school students north of the Broad to develop peer-to-peer conversations about preventing substance use and misuse.
In partnership with All Aboard Beaufort, the event will be held Thursday, Aug. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Penn Center at
“So, what I think led to this was the vision of a community school where we meet the community where they’re at and are able to identify those needs and handle those needs,” Tarrance said.
There are three laundry facilities on site, a free grocery store in the school and they offer parenting classes [at the school].
The school runs 12 different summer programs to keep kids in the community busy and has around 350 kids at the school every single day during the summer.
“We listen to the feedback that the staff and parents and students give us, and we directly implement that,” Tarrance said.
Any student who stays in after-school care also gets served dinner in addition to the free breakfast and lunch that all Beaufort County students receive free of charge.
Tarrance said that there is not much for kids to do on the north side of the Broad River, so his vision was to make the school more
than a place for learning but also a community hub where families can come an
While he has found his groove now, Tarrance said that starting at the school was challenge as this is the most unique school that he has ever worked at due to the way the school is structured.
Pre-K to fifth grade has roughly 50 kids per grade, but once students get to sixth grade the number of students jumps up to 180 per grade level. The school has two different bell schedules, one for middle school and one for elementary, and gets two state report cards, one for elementary and one for middle school.
But while the two parts to the school are treated separately in many ways, he is constantly trying to find ways to connect the upper academy and lower academy students so they can learn from one another.
“I think a lot of people confuse schooling and education,” Tarrance said. “We’re true educators
16 Penn Center Circle Eas.
The special guest is Marie Gibbs. As a Gullah native, she taught, inspired, and motivated young minds for more than 30 years at St. Helena Elementary School, the school she attended as a child and the school from which she later graduated. Gibbs retired in 2008 and began her second career as a devoted grandmother and volunteer at the Penn Center Museum.
This event is free and open to all interested middle school and high school students in northern Beaufort County.
For more information and to R.S.V.P., contact Jodie Martinez at jodie.martinez@ bcgov.net.
FWDG announces winners of 2025 Restock My Classroom Giveaway
FWDG, the Lowcountry’s favorite furniture and mattress store since 1972, an-
nounced the winners of its 2025 Restock
My Classroom Giveaway, a month-long community campaign designed to support local educators and help provide essential classroom supplies ahead of the new school year. Two schools have been selected to receive a combined $6 000 in funding:
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy was awarded the $5 000 Grand Prize through a random drawing of all nominated schools. Located in Beaufort, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is an award-winning Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade school of excellence and Title I school known for its focus on leadership development and academic excellence. The funds will go directly toward classroom needs, helping to create an even more enriching learning environment.
Okatie Elementary School received the $1 000 Community Choice Award,
here where we’re changing the world every day. I let our staff know here, not everybody gets to wake up and actually have an impact on the future of our world. When you’re driven by that, the other stuff will take care of itself.”
He tells his teachers and staff to be authentic, transparent and vulnerable and if you are those three things, they will lead to relational trust.
“That means if you’re a white guy from Flint, Mich., like me, then be the white guy from Flint, Mich., and our kids will absolutely love that because our kids have an amazing meter to tell if someone’s being fake or not,” said Tarrance. “And if you’re fake in my community, they will immediately chew you up and spit you out.”
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
earning the highest number of votes — 378 in total — during the public voting period. Based in Bluffton, Okatie Elementary is celebrated for its nurturing culture, committed educators, and strong community ties. The overwhelming number of votes reflects just how deeply the school is valued by families in the area.
St. Helena’s Whitfield graduates from Arkansas
The University of Arkansas honored its most recent graduating class with a series of spring commencement ceremonies at Bud Walton Arena and Barnhill Arena, and the School of Law's ceremony at the Fayetteville (Ark.) Town Center.
Sydney Whitfield of Saint Helena Island graduated with a BS in Business Administration and was among more than 5,500 graduates earning a degree and a spot for their name on Senior Walk.
Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs, more than 100 major fields of undergraduate study, over 90 master's programs and more than 50 doctoral programs.
Beaufort’s
Tran earns honors at Georgia Tech
Nathan Tran of Beaufort earned the distinction of Faculty Honors for Spring 2025 at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This designation is awarded to undergraduate students who have earned a 4 0 academic average for the semester.
The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.
– Staff reports
Recently named 2025 Principal of the Year, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Principal Bradley Tarrance hugs a student as he greets her on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Michelle Latimore, along with her 11-year-old daughter Amaya, and son Avery, 9, from Beaufort, interact with MSgt. Robert Herlong during the Burton Wells Back to School event held at Burton Wells Recreation Center on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Habits for aging in place
Consider simple changes when upgrading home
Special to The Island News Aging in place allows you or your loved ones to continue living a full life in the home of your choice. It’s not just about getting older – it’s about being prepared for the changes in your life that occur as you age.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 36 million falls reported among older adults each year, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths.
Betsy Sears, DPT, a physical therapist with Beaufort Memorial Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, answers a few questions about a few simple, relatively inexpensive changes that you can make to prevent you from becoming one of these statistics.
As they get older, many individuals begin using canes or walkers. What are common warning signs that you see as a physical therapist that you can advise people to look out for when considering a mobility device?
Some of these common warning signs include:
Pain in your back or legs, either developed over time or due to an injury.
Shuffling, limping or not picking up one or both of your feet when you walk, which can lead to decreased mobility and an increased risk of tripping.
Always looking for a wall, railing or furniture to help with balance. A shift in your overall balance could be
linked to other medical conditions, so it’s best to check with a physician if you’ve experienced a change in your balance.
Experiencing a fall, or you notice that you are stumbling more frequently.
Increased anxiety or fear of falling (stemming either from falling previously or from experiencing a noticeable shift in your balance).
What advice do you have for patients who may be wary of getting a mobility aid?
The biggest concern or worry that we see with patients who are considering the route of a mobili-
ty aid is “looking old.”
Aging is a natural process. We want individuals to feel confident and comfortable as they get older, and sometimes that process includes adding a mobility device like a cane, walker or scooter to allow them to keep their independence and continue with some of the activities they enjoy – just with a little bit of additional help and support.
After the use of a mobility aid is recommended to an older adult, their primary care provider can refer them to a physical therapist who can show them how to use it properly (how to hold it, how to use it on stairs, how to stand and sit while using a cane, etc.), which
can improve their overall confidence in using the device.
When might someone need a cane versus a walker?
Canes are the best choice for individuals experiencing either pain or weakness on one side of their body or in one leg, while a walker can provide support for individuals experiencing pain or needing support in both of their legs.
What are some tips you have for maintaining mobility during the aging process? Are there any tips you have for lifestyle or home adjustments that might help prevent falls?
Simple changes to a home can allow for a safer “aging in place” experience, ranging from making sure that your home is well lit, to reducing trip hazards, to upgrading your bathroom to be more easily accessible.
Understanding osteoporosis:
5
Special to The Island News
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones fragile and more likely to break. Unless tested, many who have osteoporosis don't know until a fracture occurs.
If you have this disease, bone breaks can happen with something as minor as bumping into a table, tripping and falling, or even during a hearty sneeze or tight hug.
Although you can't go back to the bone building years of childhood and young adulthood, there are five simple steps that the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends you take to protect your bones throughout your life:
steps to better bone health
Step One: Talk to your doctor
To learn more about osteoporosis, speak with your primary care provider. Good questions to ask include:
Am I at risk for osteoporosis based on my medical history, lifestyle and family background? Am I taking medication that puts me at higher risk for developing osteoporosis? How do I best prevent (or treat) osteoporosis?
Step Two: Avoid smoking, limit alcohol
Smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease. The good news is that if you stop smoking, within five years, your risk can return to that of a lifelong nonsmoker. And while
studies suggest a glass or two of red wine per day may have health benefits,
tipping the bottle more puts you at increased risk for osteoporosis.
Step Three: Exercise
While physical fitness makes your muscles bigger and stronger, it also makes your bones stronger and denser. The NOF recommends two types of exercises: weight-bearing impact exercise and resistance/ strengthening exercise.
Step Four: Take your vitamins
You likely know calcium is important to building strong bones, but so is vitamin D. Yet almost every one of us misses the vitamin D mark unless we regularly consume vitamin D-fortified dairy and fish.
The National Institutes of Health recommends that women 50 and younger consume 1 ,000 mg of
calcium daily while those over the age of 50 should increase the amount to 1 200 mg.
Step 5: See if your bones pass the test
The only way to diagnose osteoporosis and determine your risk for fracture is a bone density test. Beaufort Memorial Outpatient Imaging Center in Beaufort and Bluffton Medical Imaging in Bluffton offer a DEXA scan for bone density, which uses special X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. A higher mineral content means your bones are denser and less likely to break.
Breastfeeding benefits nutritional for baby, long-term health for mom
Special to The Island News
New moms want the best for their babies, and breastfeeding is one way to give them the best start at day one. This August, National Breastfeeding Month, learn about some of the benefits — for both mothers and infants — of breastfeeding.
“New moms require lots of support when it comes to breastfeeding. Learning what to expect before your baby is born can help you feel more comfortable when navigating the process," says Andrea Farr, RN, a breastfeeding support team member at Beaufort Memorial Collins Birthing Center. "Breast milk contains all the nutrition your baby needs as well as numerous health factors to keep your baby healthy and happy."
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends feed-
ing your baby only breast milk for the first six months of life and continuing for as long as you and your baby mutually desire. According to the AAP, the components of breast milk are beneficial for all stages in infant and toddler growth. For infants, there are several benefits that come from breastfeeding, including: Fewer digestive issues, such as diarrhea or constipation; Fewer lifelong (chronic) illnesses and ear infections and stronger immune systems overall; and Lower rates of infant mortality and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding in both their shortand long-term health. Breastfeeding mothers experience fewer
postpartum complications, such as heavy bleeding and depression, as well as decreased risk of reproductive cancers and chronic diseases. Some mothers may think that breastfeeding will interfere with their jobs, however, research has found that mothers with infants who breastfeed miss less work because their infants are healthier. There are also laws that help to support breastfeeding families by allowing mothers time to breastfeed or express milk with the help of hand or electric pumps.
In the long term, mothers who breastfeed have lower rates of ovarian and certain breast cancers, as well as Type 2 diabetes, than women who have never breastfed.
If you choose to breastfeed, you should maintain a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water. In
addition, stick to the following guidelines:
• Caffeine can be consumed but in moderation. Limit your caffeine intake to the equivalent of two to three cups of coffee per day. The caffeine should not affect your baby. However, premature babies may be more sensitive to caffeine, so you may consider drinking less. Every baby is different, so if you find your infant is more irritable after you drink caffeinated beverages, reconsider when you drink them or the amounts you drink.
• Avoid alcohol, as it easily passes into breast milk. Avoid seafood
•
cury, such as swordfish and certain
ART Budding Artist After-School
Art Club
4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.,
Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/ Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.
CALENDAR
STEAM Festival
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, Port Royal Sound Foundation, 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie. Free. Our 9th annual STEAM Festival will provide hands-on, innovative and super-cool activities for families to enjoy. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), is an important initiative for educating and preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. The festival will showcase demonstrations, simulations, experiments and hands-on activities by area businesses, organizations and schools that are using STEAM to succeed. Stay for lunch! Food trucks will be on-site.
Yemassee Shrimp Festival Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday, Sept. 20, 101 Town Circle Yemassee. Live music includes the East Coast Party Band (8 p.m., Friday), sponsored by Comcast; and Funk Factory 5 (8 p.m. Saturday). Ore details to come. 2025 Beaufort County Youth Conference
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, USC Beaufort Center For The Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort. The event aims to bring rising middle school and high school together from all over to address and tackle pressing challenges. For more information, call Lynn at 843-476-1888; Brandon at 843-321-0373; or Carrie at 843-812-4399 for more information.
Gather & Give: A Family Promise Barn Bash
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, The Barn at Hampton Lake, 7457 Hampton Lake Drive, Bluffton. $150 per ticket. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, good food, good company, and giving back — all in support of Family Promise of Beaufort County. Beer & wine included. Live music and more. To purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/45gHNpF.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to midnight, Mondays, Tomfoolery, 3436 17 Market, Habersham, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Karaoke with Ali
9 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort. With DJ Ali.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.
Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary
7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https:// rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.
Karaoke at Willie’s
8 p.m., Thursdays, Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. Come and showcase your singing talents or just enjoy the performances. For more information, visit www.GullahLove.com.
Bluffton Night Bazaar –a Lowcountry Made Market
5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.
Habersham Farmers Market
3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Drive, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Port Royal Farmers Market
9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry,
WHAT’S HAPPENING
beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www. portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.
Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Saturdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Eric.
Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.
Karaoke with Melissa 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Road, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
CLASS REUNION
Beaufort High School Class of 1975 Oct. 17 through Oct. 19, 2025, Beaufort. 50th Class Reunion Celebration. Request that graduates of this class contact the class Community Outreach Representative Barbara Gardner Hunter at 347-497-9326 or email gardnerbarbara991@gmail. com to provide current contact information.
DANCE Lowcountry Shaggers
6 to 9 p.m., Mondays, Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary Street. Shag lessons with Tommy & Sheri O’Brien and others. Occasional ballroom and oncea-monh line dancing. Biginner, intermediate and advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com of email lowcountryshaggers@aol.com.
The Beaufort Shag Club
6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.
GOLF
4th annual Stingray Scramble Saturday, Sept. 20, Ocean Creek Golf Course, Fripp Island. Proceeds benefit Riverview Charter School. Early bird pricing is $650 for team of four through July 1. After July 1, $700 for team of four. Register online at https://bit.ly/4kTF4br. Visit https:// bit.ly/4mWQ7ls for sponsorship opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry's 28th annual Golf Tournament
9 a.m., Monday, Sept. 29, Oldfield Club, 130 Oldfield Way, Okatie. Tickets and sponsorships start at $200. Through this event and the auction, Habitat aims to raise funds to build a Habitat home for a local family. With funding from the past several years’ tournaments, Habitat is currently constructing the “Larry Sanders House” in Ridgeland. That house is named in honor of Larry Sanders, who has been the tournament organizer for many years. Sanders continues to be involved by recruiting players and sponsors for the event. To register to play in the tournament or to become a sponsor, please visit www.lowcountryhabitat. org/2025golftournament.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
BEMER Longevity Technology
9 a.m., 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, 2 times a day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.
HISTORY Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through
Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors
$7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.
The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.
Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@ bcgov.net.
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
“Hidden Gems” Book Club
3 p.m., third Monday of each month, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. So many books, so little time. St. Helena staff have uncovered some great titles to get you started on your “hidden gem” journey. Join us for lively discussions and coffee or tea. No registration required.
Career Navigator
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-255-6458.
Bridge Club
10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-2556458 for more information.
Mahjong Club
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.
MEETINGS
Beaufort Lions Club
6 p.m., first and third Monday of every month, St John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. For more information, visit thebeaufortlionsclub@gmail.com or follow on Facebook/Instagram/Nextdoor.
PFLAG Savannah –Beaufort Peer Group
6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www.PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.
Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club
6 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of most months, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Regular meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and often include an exciting Guest Speaker from the Lowcountry. For Meeting Information or Educational Opportunities, please contact Paul Gorsuch, Administrative Officer at admino@beaufortboatingclub.com . Boat ownership is not required, however a passion for safe responsible boating is mandatory.
Zonta Club of Beaufort
6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.
Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting
12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 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, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub. org.
The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, University Bikes, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail. com.
Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@ gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.
Al-Anon Beaufort County 7:30 p.m., Thursday, 80 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. “Do you worry about how much someone drinks? Is it affecting your life? You are not alone. Al-Anon Beaufort Serenity Group offers help and hope. Join the group in Beaufort, or visit the Lowcountry page at https://bit.ly/3HvksaF for more times and locations.
Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Dr., Ladys' Island. Catered breakfast from local chef. Speakers weekly. Occasional social events replace Friday mornings, but will be announced on our website, www.rotaryclubofthelowcountrybeaufort.org.
MUSIC
Corey Tate 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, GG’s Restaurant & Bar, 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
Rick Rudd 4 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, GG’s Restaurant & Bar, 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Celebrating the establishment’s first anniversary.
Ed Walter 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29, GG’s Restaurant & Bar, 1003 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
Distant Sounds
6 to 9 p.m., Fridays, Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Seaside Bar & Grill, St. Helena Island. Something for everyone, from the 60s to the 10s. David Ayres on guitar & vocals, Richard Knieriem on drums & vocals, Eric Roberts on bass, Paul Butare on guitar & vocals.
Distant Sounds
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, Another Slice Pizza, Harbor Island. Something for everyone, from the 60s to the 10s. David Ayres on guitar & vocals, Richard Knieriem on drums & vocals, Eric Roberts on bass, Paul Butare on guitar & vocals.
Warsaw Island Boys 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, ShellRing Ale Works, Port Royal.
Campfire Tyler 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays, The Fillin’ Station, Lady’s Island.
Live entertainment 7 to 11 p.m., Wednesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Chris Jones 7 to 11 p.m., Thursdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Habersham Third Fridays Music on Market 5 to 8 p.m., third Friday of the month, Habersham Marketplace.
Live entertainment 9 p.m. to midnight, Fridays & Saturdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
OUTDOORS/NATURE
America's Boating Club
Basic Boating Course
6:15 to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays through Sept. 4, First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort Education Building, 1201 North Street, Beaufort. $50 for the first family member, $15 for
each additional member. For more information, contact education@ Beaufortboatingclub.com.
Free boating inspections Get a 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. Email Safety@beaufortboatingclub. com .
The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.
Tours of Hunting Island
Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Wild Bees photography exhibit Through Sunday, Aug. 17, Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Island. A photography exhibit by Paula Sharp and Ross Eatman.
RUNNING
Race4Love 5K & 3K Saturday, Sept. 27, Cat Island. Annula race hosted by Hopeful Horizons.
Run Forrest Run 5K 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, 1015 Bay Street, Beaufort. $40 for pre-registration, $45 for regular registration. Race through iconic movie locations to make Lowcountry history. Feel the ocean breeze in your poncho as you compete over the Woods Memorial Bridge. Take your photo with our Forrest Gump impersonator at the Start/Finish line. First-, Second-, and Third-Place runners will receive the coveted Run Forrest Run 5K medals both for winners of each age division and overall placers. Bring your favorite characters from the Forrest Gump movie to life as you race towards shrimp glory. We encourage participants to get groovy with themed costumes and unique outfits. Those donning a Forrest Gump getup can race to the finish line in hopes of claiming the Fastest Forrest Award. Register now and RUN, FORREST, RUN! For more information and to sign up, visit https://shorturl.at/YoyHx.
SEWING/QUILTING
American Needlepoint Guild
Meeting 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@needlepoint.org.
Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.
SPORTS/GAMES
Beaufort Brawl 6: Summer Showdown 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, The Foundry, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 18-B, Beaufort. Doors open at 5 p.m. A full fight card showcasing top amateur fighters from Beaufort, the Southeast, and beyond and featuring high-impact amateur MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and kickboxing bouts. Affordable VIP access and general admission tickets — perfect for fans, families, and fight-fitness enthusiasts. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/4eWJ6NI.
ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret Street. Events will be held weekly. Contact Director and Club Manager Susan DeFoe at 843-5972541 for location.
Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-2556458 for more information.
Beaufort Masters Swim Team 6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.
VOICES
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News
It’s the ‘impossible dream’ we all seek
It is Monday, and it is hot — our thermometer says it’s 95 degrees.
Some of you know that I’m listening to a Jesuit priest, Richard Rohr, who talks about “containers.”
Rohr says that the during first half of our lives we focus on building an identity, finding our place in the world, creating what he calls the “container.”
It’s a time of graduations, starting a career, building relationships and finding income stability. “It’s about solidifying your sense of self and whom you are in the world.”
The second half, however, is when we adjust, change.
We should, according to Rohr, abandon our resume’ building pursuits and embrace humility. This second half is often triggered by some kind of failure — a spousal death, bankruptcy, some sort of seismic event that changes our worldview.
During the first phase my life my container was often reduced to a narrative — a monologue delivered at dinner parties after a
WSCOTT GRABER
couple of glasses of Pinot Noir — that began with the fact that I was a disappointment to my father.
My father was in medicine (burns and transplants) and he wanted me to go to medical school. He was also a competitive tennis player and wanted me to develop a big serve, a backhand that came with a spin, a shelf of small statuettes.
I accomplished none of these things, ushering-in a lengthy, unhappy estrangement.
For a while after that my mother was my refuge, often entertaining me with her views on the South.
In the summers of my youth, we would walk the beach from Ocean Drive to Cherry Grove (all of which is now called North
Myrtle Beach), and all the while she would tell me stories about battlefield bravery at Ft. Fisher and at Petersburg.
She believed that the South had fought a long and courageous fight; that its people were kind and well-mannered; that slavery was regrettable.
I pretty much bought that narrative.
For reasons that I cannot explain I chose a college, The Citadel, that came with its own Civil War history. That history began with a cadet battery that fired on a ship, Star of the West, trying to re-supply Fort Sumter. Later I would learn that Lee’s surrender flag was carried to General George Custer by Captain Robert M. Sims, The Citadel Class of 1856
My time in law school coincided with the Civil Rights movement across the South and, from time to time, spilled-onto the Mall in Washington, D.C., where I toured Resurrection City.
When I moved to Beaufort, my internal narrative was influenced by two non-fiction books, Face
of An Island (Edith Dabbs) and Black Yeomanry (T.J. Woofter) — books dealing with the culture on St. Helena Island in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These two books revealed a vibrant, self-sustaining community (on St. Helena Island) that thrived when the rest of the South was descending into a Jim Crow kind of hellscape. These books were testament to resilience, and a will to survive in spite of horrific characters like Pitchfork Ben Tillman, who organized a “Constitutional Convention” in 1896 Tillman’s convention, held in Columbia, was designed to remove Black folk from the voting rolls. That effort was fought by Robert Smalls, Thomas Miller, William Whipper, James Wigg and Isaiah Reed from Beaufort, Ben Tillman calling Whipper, “the ablest colored man I ever met.”
I also learned that another outspoken Black lawyer, John Mardenborough, moved to Port Royal about this same time, where he became the Postmaster, raised his family and built a columned, double-porched house on 9th
Street. I happen to be sitting in Mardenborough’s study as I write these words this morning.
This then was part of the “narrative” I carried around in my head for most of my adult life. But these days I find myself reading Rohr and wondering what parts of that narrative remain “authentic” and what parts need an upgrade?
These days I am also reading David Brooks and I’m drawn to his distinction between “resume values” and those values we sometimes hear at funerals. Brooks calls this second group “eulogy values,” and that category would include generosity, kindness, empathy and humility.
Switching to a life centered on humility is much harder than repeating a self-serving narrative around the dinner table. Shifting to consistent, systemic kindness is more than writing a check and getting a tote bag. Finding and giving love is, of course, the “impossible dream” we all seek.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
This guy’s not even a quack!
e are now into August and entering the time when we should be thinking of those vaccines that are available to get us through the winter months without succumbing to the diseases that appear every year.
There is always the “flu de jour,” and luckily, up to now, there has been a vaccine readily available for those who wish to take advantage of it. Note my verbiage: not mandated, but readily available.
I ran across a blurb which asked, “Which Trump Appointee is the most unqualified?” It showed a picture of 11 people, some of whom were very familiar, others not so much. The answer to the question posed was simply this: “It’s a tough choice, isn’t it?”
Over the last six months
I have addressed a couple of these -- Hegseth, who casually texted top secret information on an unsecured line, and “dog exterminator” Noem come to mind. I am sure I will address others in the coming weeks since they never fail to provide fodder for anyone possessing a scintilla of comprehension.
But back to our current Secretary of Health and
LETTERS
Human Services. This is a man with a surname that ordinarily connotes political success, and even in the eyes of some, greatness. I’ll leave that for you to decide. What I do know is this; his cousin wrote an impressive letter that cast him in a very unflattering light. She and many of her relatives were in a position to know of what they spoke, and some have gone so far as to call him a national threat.
On this note, a little of the background RFK, Jr. brought to his nomination to become the decision-maker on our country’s health. His choices regarding his own health is a good place to start.
He was a drug dealer in college and spent a large part of his adult life shooting up heroin. He shot so many steroids that his voice has been impaired. Shortly after his appointment, he was seen swimming in Rock
Is there anything I've said that you really disagree with?
Mr. Dickson, you should just leave your Republican politics and come on over to the folks that actually display some civic virtue and ethical behavior. Next you should rewrite your third paragraph and just say Donald Trump and his sycophant grifters "... are not paragons of ethical conduct … ." And yes, I agree, for the most part we are an ethical and moral people. But remember January 6, and then wonder how they could all be pardoned. And what about immigrants are you not seeing? The few still coming in and those already here are NOT being exposed to a moral and caring people. They are NOT exposed to warm caring people. They are exposed to ICE. Unless of course you happen to have an extra $5 000 000 for a trump card. Like you said, we are a nation of immigrants. There are few remaining who are brave enough to "… board a ship or walk a jungle trail … ." Our history, our traditions, our generational knowledge, our rule of law, our inclusiveness, our diversity, our optimism, our hope, our sanity is eroding on a daily basis. Even our bravery is waning, as we fear retribution from a newly created system that the average God-fearing
Creek, Md., which had been declared unsafe because of pollutants. I might add that his grandchildren were with him.
My research unearthed some rather frightening information. He isn’t just a vaccine skeptic -- he especially dislikes one type of vaccine: those that use mRNA technology, such as the first COVID shots. As a result of his “thinking,” he canceled nearly $500 million in funding to make mRNA immunizations as well as a bird-flu vaccine that Moderna was developing. (Adam Kushner, “Shot in the Dark”)
I don’t know about you, but I know I got the shot and the subsequent boosters with nothing more than a sore arm.
Try to think back when COVID first hit our country. Schools were closed -- kids basically lost a year of education because they were tossed into virtual learning without preparation. Businesses lost millions; restaurants alone were closed down, some never to reopen. The mental health crisis that resulted is reason enough to inspect Kennedy’s motivation. But then his mental health, in my humble opinion, mandates the same.
So, what is Kennedy’s objection? He says the speed which the vaccine was developed. This response alone is reason enough to question his credibility. Anyone knowing how this works (or taking the time to find out) would discern that this vaccine has been in the pipeline for 20 years.
Deeper delving produced this: Kennedy favors wholecell vaccines, developed more than 100 years ago. They use the entire pathogens, thereby exposing the body to hundreds of antigens (bacteria or virus) at once. The result can be seizures and high fever, especially in children. Let that sink in. This person making decisions on your health favors 100-yearold “technology” as opposed to that which is up to date. Tell you anything? I found a discussion between Kennedy and Congresswoman Dr. Kim Schrier, a pediatrician, that should put his competency clearly into focus. I will include as much as my word count permits. You, dear reader, can access the entirety online. She quickly brings to the exchange his staggering ignorance on vaccines.
"Secretary Kennedy
American citizen can not stand against.
Yes, we are a capitalist country. That being said, we are also a socially moderate people who care for one another for the most part. In other words we are also thankfully a little bit socialistic (think social security, medicare, environmental protections and consumer protections). It is not a bad word. We are a society in which each of us leans just a little on the others for our clean air, water, food, safety, education and general welfare.
You said not to believe the American Dream is dying. But our only hope lies at the doorstep of the Supreme Court, and if they don't wake up soon, all power will be in the hands of one man who will destroy that Dream for all but a few.
Is there anything I've said that you really disagree with, because I just can't comprehend how anyone with just the slightest bit of study and reflection can support the current administration.
– Bob Lewis, Port Royal
What is a fact?
The biggest threat to our democracy is not Donald Trump, his “base,” his congressional supporters, the deep
on May 27, you posted a 60-second video on your X account unilaterally changing vaccine recommendations without consulting the customary panel of experts," said Schrier. "As a pediatrician I find that extremely alarming so I thought we would talk a little about some vaccine-preventable diseases.
"Secretary Kennedy — and these are yes or no questions — have you ever treated measles?"
"Do I what?" asked RFK.
"Have you ever treated measles?"
"No," he admitted.
"Well, I have. Let me tell you how miserable it is. These kids have high fevers, struggling to breathe, and they are crying," said Schrier. "They suffer. Great news is that there is a vaccine to prevent it.
“Secretary Kennedy, again a yes or no question, have you ever treated bacterial meningitis?"
"No," he admitted again.
"Well, I have," said Schrier. "These babies are so sick. They come into the ER with high fevers. They are floppy, and we have to figure out why. Do you know how we figure out if a baby has meningitis?"
She goes on to explain a
spinal tap, but adds that few have to be done anymore because of the three vaccines available, calling them miracles.
"Secretary Kennedy, yes or no, have you ever treated pertussis or whooping cough?"
"No. I've had it," said Kennedy.
“I've treated a bunch of older kids with it. They cough so hard they vomit. They run out of air. They break ribs. And if you don't catch it before two weeks, antibiotics don't even work." If this discussion (if you can even call it that) doesn’t convince you of this man’s ineptitude, nothing will. I’d call him a “quack” except that’s reserved for inept physicians, and he isn’t even that.
Already measles is spreading across the country like wildfire, something inconceivable a year ago. People are dying. This man is woefully unqualified for his position; he should be removed immediately!
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
state, “Never Trumpers,” anything “woke,” Democrats, or “traitors who hate the country.” The biggest threat is: What is a fact? Now, after years of relentless propaganda from Trump and the MAGA universe, we now have “alternative facts” memorably defined by Kellyanne Conway, Trump's advisor in his first presidential term.
For the first time in political history, we have a disagreement regarding what is true and what is false. The public is told constantly that what the Trump administration says are “facts” and any opposition is fake news, a witch hunt, lies, etc. Fox News amplifies whatever Trump says into a very large megaphone watched and heard by millions. Social media and influencers have the ability to shape the narrative any way they want. Now, we cannot have a discussion about anything political going on in the country because we can't agree on what is a fact and what is not. This is a very dangerous situation. We are on the road to an erosion of democratic values that support our way of life for which there is no easy return.
It is worth remembering the words of the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-New York): “You can have your own opinions, but you cannot have your own facts.”
– Terry Gibson, Beaufort
CAROL LUCAS
Editor’s Note:
VOICES
SC’s rural places face hollowing of people, spirit
Rural communities in South Carolina are in the midst of a “Great Hollowing,” a reduction in the number of people, their economic power, their political might and, in some ways, their sense of place.
Meanwhile, urban areas like Horry, Greenville, Charleston and Berkeley counties grew as the state added more than 360,000 people between 2020 and 2024 — a whopping 7% overall growth rate.
Some of our rural areas, such as the towns of Hampton and Hartsville, still feel alive and robust. Too many others have downtown areas that resemble ghost towns with empty store fronts, weathered wood and virtually no foot traffic.
TANDY BRACK
“If you’re not growing, you are unfortunately dying,” said state Sen. Russell Ott, a Democrat who makes rural St. Matthews his home. But as the coast and Upstate suck up new residents like sponges, some people still want small-town life with slower paces and graces. Ott says they’re not put off by driving 30 minutes to get to good restaurants and bigger stores.
here was a great cartoon that came out during the 2024 campaign season: A billboard within a field of sheep shows a wolf (in coat and tie) with a quote that says “I will eat you!” … and one sheep says to another, “He tells it like it is”! Of course it’s an “on” Trump satire that causes the sort of chuckle that means: Sad but true. I have to say, and I don’t mean this in a mean way, that I cannot, at this point in time, spend any more time trying to understand anyone who can still support a man like Trump. The gulf is simply too wide.
Trump told us on the campaign trail what he was going to do, and he is doing it, as I speak, unabated by our own U.S. congress as well as states like Florida, Texas and
Failing grade
Still, too many who live in smaller towns may be trapped by few job prospects, an education system that aspires but is still left behind and generational issues that keep them stuck.
Ott said the difference between a rural town that succeeds and one that’s isolated often comes down to invigorated local elected leadership that plans what it wants its community to be –and then makes it happen.
But even rural communities with good leaders face ongoing challenges of needing more water and sewer infrastructure for economic growth or money for downtown revitalization or more money to pay good teachers competitively.
“It’s the chicken or the egg,” Ott said. “You’re not
going to open a Cracker Barrel unless Cracker Barrel runs the numbers and knows there’s enough there to support them.”
Part of the money problems that smaller counties with lower tax bases have is they're still dealing with Act 388, which swapped lower property taxes for higher sales taxes and reduced a local area’s ability to tax. Ott said Act 388 needs to be scrapped because it hampers small businesses, which absorbed the brunt of lost local government revenues.
And there’s something else at work that is hollowing rural parts of the state – the graying, or aging, of the people who live there.
Daniel Tompkins, a state data analyst, noted, “without a working-age population
growing equally fast, counties with an age distribution like Horry, whether rural or urban, will need to attract a workforce to support the ballooning retired population.”
Data shows the state will increase in the number of children in 12 urban counties. And those areas will grow in the number of people who are in the workforce (ages 18 to 64) in the next few years. But a clear swath of rural Upstate counties and those in a wide band from the Pee Dee southwest to Barnwell, Allendale and Bamberg counties could lose up to 30% of their workforce in the next few years.
These maps should be scary for rural elected officials. They’re a clear warning that more needs to be done. And some of that
Pettiness plays rough
TIM WOOD
South Carolina: Our own supreme court and other Fed “judgeship” appointees; All them willing to follow the guidelines set down (for all to see) within the Project 2025 manifesto. They have been telling us all along: We will tear down your “woke” democracy and revolutionize the USA through and with the concepts of Project 2025 What the majority of citizens
thought and what people like me prayed for, was that our constitutional guardrails would hold, never considering that this Republican Congress would kneel and kiss the Trump ring so readily, offering up their own legislative powers. But here we are, following the same path as Orban’s Hungary. Google how well Hungary is fairing … shades of things to come.
The Epstein fiasco is another disgrace. The Trump team has been pouring through those documents, eating up thousands of man hours. Do you really believe Trump will be exposed within them by this time? Why can’t people simply trust and believe (at least, say, three) of the dozens of women (since 1970) with 25+ sexual abuse allegations pending against this convicted felon for,
guess what: Sexual abuse and defamation. For a man who believes that his enemies have weaponized the Federal government with “woke” ideologies, how can his supporters not see Trump’s own weaponization of our Federal government with Project 2025’s totalitarianism and religious doctrines? I think it’s simple: This is the “revolutionized” government they want; Why else do we have a Congress and Supreme Court enabling this U.S. president? They want a country that functions under the Project 2025 plan. They want a country that performs like a present day (Christian) Russia under our present leadership. Why not? The present elected Congress, (lifetime) judge appointments, as well as the Executive
work needs to be shouldered by state legislators, who need to focus more on small businesses than landing the next big industry in an urban area.
For the last 15 years, we’ve urged lawmakers to create a cabinet-level position in state government to add and retain 10 000 small business jobs in the state per year. This strategy would benefit rural areas sooner than later.
“Politicians talk about helping small businesses,” we remind leaders every year. “This would force them to.” Get to work.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.
Branch, see themselves in power positions for an unknown and unlimited amount of time, never having to worry about that messy, democratic process they spend so much of their time and money on.
Totalitarian and authoritarian governments are much more simple and easier to rule, especially under marshal law. And Trump is about to test those totalitarian waters in Washington D.C. itself. Let’s see what happens.
Tim and Kristy Wood moved to Beaufort in 1974. He worked as a carpenter in both restoration and new home construction, as well as operating a shop specializing in custom woodwork, Wood on Wood Specs. He is semiretired, involved with fine woodworking and formerly sat on the City of Beaufort Zoning Board of Appeals.
Once again, Carol Lucas, in her latest TDS laden diatribe, this time on “gerrymandering,” gets an “F” for failing to present an accurate picture of what’s really going on. To begin, she leads us to believe this is: A) new(although she rightly points out it was first employed way back in the early 1800’s … in a Blue State … figures) and, B) only being done in Red States which is misleading and ingenuous. Check out how many Blue states have a disproportionately high number of Democrat Congressional seats relative to their proportion of
Republican versus Democrat votes … N.Y., N.J., N.M., Calif., Ill., Wash., … all guilty. Ms. Lucas does, albeit superficially, touch upon the real issue … the decennial census … but at he same time fails to point out a crucial fact. Specifically, she fails to explain that in the census ALL people … both U.S. citizens and illegal aliens … are counted. This is important because a disproportionate number of illegals have migrated to blue areas … where they are replacing actual U.S. citizens who have been migrating in growing numbers to Red states. Simply put, the 15-20 million illegals
the Biden administration allowed to enter our country (and will now be counted in the census) are impacting the governance of our country. Since each congressional district represents roughly 780,000 people, Democrats are now able to protect roughly 20 House seats from likely turning Red by simply having their vanishing populations replenished by illegals. A brilliant cover up under the guise of humanitarianism but when you have nothing else to peddle this is the kind of systemic manipulation you resort to.
Clearly we need to fix this flaw in the way we apportion Congressional districts if for
no other reason than to force the Democrat party to create policies that will actually appeal to potential voters …rather than resorting to chicanery...and worse (like Ms. Lucas’s misleading editorial).
P,S, I know about Gerrymandering. I was raised on the Southwest side of Chicago in what was then a solidly Republican area with a discernible geography. Check out Illinois’ 4th District today (solidly Democrat) and you’d think Rand McNally and Rube Goldberg colluded to create a map that even Magellan couldn’t find his way.
– Frank Wainwright, Saint Helena Island
NASCAR drivers visit Parris Island
What Veterans need to know about VSOs, VA Healthcare, more
Veterans and their family members continue to ask me the following questions:
1 What is a VSO, and why do I need to use one?
2 What is the PACT ACT?
3 Am I eligible for VA healthcare?
4 What are VA healthcare benefits?
5 How do I know if I am eligible for VA Healthcare?
6 Why should I enroll in VA healthcare when I have other insurance?
7 How do I enroll in VA Healthcare?
8 How do I get a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)?
9 Once I enroll in VA Healthcare, how do I know what VA priority group I will be assigned to?
10 How do I find out what the VA copay rates are?
11 What is the Foreign Medical Program (FMP)?
12 What are the Family and Care Giver health benefits?
13 What are VA Priority Groups?
This article and the next four will answer the above questions.
What is a VSO, and why use one?
Veterans and their families have sacrificed and served selflessly their fellow military members and our great nation. Because filing for VA benefits and services can be complex, and usually require many hours of work, a computer, a copier, a scanner, and a phone, veterans and their family members should ask a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO), Attorney, or a Claims Agent to help them understand what their VA benefits (federal and state) are and how to claim those benefits.
VSO services are free
Because VSO services are “free” and because VSOs are background checked, trained by a Veterans Service Organization
(VFW, American Legion, VVA, DAV, and over 25 others.), must pass a comprehensive exam, swear to serve with honesty, and complete continuing education courses, VSOs should be the first choice when seeking help with claims and appeals.
Warning
There is a shortage of VA-accredited VSOs. There is also often a backlog of veterans and family members waiting to see VSOs. Therefore, veterans need to make an appointment to see a VSO, as walk-ins are not ordinarily available. Veterans and their family members also need to do their homework and read the information at www.va.gov, the info in The Island News articles, and other publications on VA benefits.
They also need to assemble the necessary documents, records, and evidence (DD214/separation documents, military/VA/civilian medical records, military service records, Lay Witness Statements, Nexus Letters, etc.) they need to support their claims and appeals.
You may need an attorney for complicated appeals
In some complex claims and appeals, a veteran may want to seek the help of a VA-accredited Attorney. VSOs sometimes recommend that veterans and their families seek the help of a VA-accredited attorney. VA-accredited Attorneys and Claims Agents charge for their services.
VSO’s work for veterans, their families
VSO’s work for military members and veterans, and their families, caregivers, and survivors. VSOs do not work for the
VA, but they do work with the VA to ensure their customers get their federal and state benefits. VSOs also work for the Veterans Service Organizations that sponsor and train them.
Where to find VSOs
VSOs can be found working in most states in County or State Regional Veterans Affairs (Service) Offices. They are also collocated with Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) Regional Offices, collocated in some Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Medical Centers, in Veterans Service Organizations’ State Department Offices, and a very few VSO Posts and Chapters. There is a County Veterans Affairs Office in each county of South Carolina and most counties of North Carolina.
The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Office
The office website is found at https://bit.ly/4ldYkzy. Caroline Fermin is the Beaufort County Director of Veteran Affairs. Six VA-accredited VSOs work in the Beaufort County Offices. The office provides services from three locations:
1 Beaufort Office: 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906, Phone: 843-2556880, Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, Appointment only.
2 Government Center South: 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928, Phone: 843-2556886, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Appointment only.
3 Bluffton Office: 9 Benton Field Road, Bluffton, S.C. 29910, Phone: 843-2556880, Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, Appointment only.
County VSOs Find S.C. County VSOs online at https://bit.ly/3JkRj2w. Find Georgia County/Regional VSOs online at https://bit. ly/3HaZk9N. Find North Carolina County VSOs online at https://bit.ly/4lzJ2Wd.
VSOs nationwide Search online using the VA Search page for VSOs nationwide. Veterans can search for VA-accredited representatives nationwide at the VA’s “Accreditation Search” webpage at https://bit.ly/45EYlYI.
VSOs at VBA Regional Offices Veterans can search for VA-accredited VSOs at VBA Regional Offices at https://bit.ly/4fmc6yI.
Columbia, SC, VSOs co-located with the Columbia, S.C. VBA Regional Office frequently travel throughout the state to help veterans. Contact them at: Disabled American Veterans (DAV) – 803-647-2422
American Legion/SCDVA –803-647-2434
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – 803-647-2443 Paralyzed Veterans (PVA) –803-647-2432
Winston-Salem, N.C., VSOs are co-located in the N.C. Regional VBA Office. Located at 251 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101. Contact phone numbers are available online at https://bit. ly/41w1fwl. Contact them at: American Legion, Suite 420 336-631-5471 DAV, Suite 151, 336-631-5481 POAV, Suite 430 336-2510836 VFW, Suite 490, 336-6315457
• National Association of Black Veterans, Suite 169, 336-2510776 NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Suite 190 336-251-0677
More about VA-accredited VSOs, Claims Agents, Attorneys Get help from a VA-accredited representative or VSO webpage at https://bit.ly/3J9cggR. VA Accredited Representative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage at https://bit. ly/3TcLOoK or https://bit. ly/46LHWmi. The VA online list of VA-recognized Veterans Service Organizations at https://bit.
EDITOR’S NOTE This article is the first in a series of four.
ly/4onXV0b. The VA “Request Help From a VA Accredited Representative or VSO (VA form 21-22 and VA Form 21-22a)” webpage at https://bit.ly/3HlwzHi. VA Office of General Counsel “How to Challenge a Fee” webpage at https://bit.ly/47c4jzu or https://bit.ly/4lYtoo4 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Warning Article titled “WARNO: They call themselves ‘coaches’ or ‘consultants’ and advertise their ability to assist you with your VA benefits claim but may not be accredited to practice before the VA,” By Joshua Friedman and Krystle Good, dated Feb. 15 2023, at https:// bit.ly/3ZaPqeO or https://bit. ly/3Uhw5oz. Office of General Counsel FAQ at https://bit.ly/4dMBb4q or https://bit.ly/3UhaxbS. The VA phone question center is 800-698-2411, ext. 0 (TTY: 711). The phone is answered 24/7 The S.C. Department of Veteran Affairs website at https:// scdva.sc.gov. The N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website at https://www.milvets.nc.gov. The Georgia Department of Veterans Services at https:// veterans.georgia.gov. Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@ earthlink.net or 843-276-7164
LARRY DANDRIDGE
Team Penske NASCAR drivers Ryan Blaney (No. 12) and Austin Cindric (No. 2), along with staff from Darlington Raceway, visited Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. The group observed recruit training and gained insight into the mental, physical, and moral development required to earn the title Marine. The visit strengthened community partnerships and highlighted shared values such as discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Cpl. Dakota Dodd/USMC
LOCAL MILITARY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 15 August 2025
Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti
1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel G. T. Moynihan Commander of Troops, First Sergeant P. S. Ramos • Parade Adjutant, Staff Sergeant C. B. Spalding Company “C”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Captain G. A. Hubble Drill Master • Gunnery Sergeant J. J. Merriweather, Staff Sergeant B. C. McGuigan
PLATOON 1048
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt J. A. Hernandez
Pvt Baltazar, J. A.
Pvt Barone, M. M.
PFC Billick, J. M.
Pvt Bradley, L. D.
Pvt Bullock, B. S.
PFC Childs Jr, L. C.
Pvt Dubois Jr, M. D.
PFC Evans, I. R.*
Pvt Franco, Z. T.
Pvt Frasure, J. T.
Pvt Garciaperez, A.
PFC Glass, G. H.
Pvt Goldberg, S. E.
PFC Gomez, A. V.
Pvt Halaychik, V. J.
PFC Hampton, M. Z.
Pvt Hopkins, J. T.
Pvt Lopez, S. B.
Pvt Lower, B. A.
Pvt Marsh Iii, J. R.
PFC Mccormick, I. W.
PFC Melton Jr, J. F.
Pvt Migneault, M. A.
Pvt Miller Jr, B. A.
PFC Morris, L. A.
PFC Olaires, M. S.
PFC Payne, G. J.*
Pvt Pitanga, G. L.
PFC Powers Iii, J. S.
Pvt Pui, J. B.
PFC Renshaw, T. B.*
Pvt Reyesfernandez J. J.,
PFC Rodriguezrodriguez, M.
PFC Sams, E. J.
Pvt Shauberger, S. R.
PFC Siafakas, J. T.
Pvt Smith, W. A.
Pvt Teruelserrano, C. A.
PFC Willis, J. O.
Pvt Young, J. C.
PLATOON 1049
Senior Drill Instructor Sgt N. Prosper
PFC Alteus, D. P.
Pvt Bailey, J. K.
Pvt Barkers, T. L.
PFC Brisita, J. C.
Pvt Brown, D. J.
PFC Castro, J.
Pvt Chandler, J. B.
Pvt Czyszozon, C. C.
Pvt Dennis Iii, F.G.
PFC Diazthwaites, A.C.*
PFC Donnelly, J. T.
PFC Dunigan, D. T.
Pvt Figueredodaubar, L. C.
PFC Finney, A. E.*
Pvt Freeman, C. G.
Pvt Gamboaleiva, J. E.
Pvt Harris, D. J.
Pvt Hernandez, A. J.
Pvt Jacksonhill, J. D.
PFC Joiner, J.M.
PFC Le, J.*
Pvt Livingston, L.H.
Pvt Lopezhernandez, J. M.
Pvt Lue, C. D.
PFC Macdonald, J. N.
Pvt Mcmillon, H. J.
Pvt Mulcahy, C. M.
Pvt Nguyen, K.
Pvt Perez Jr, R.
PFC Perez, J. A.
Pvt Powell, A. J.
Pvt Rodriguez, O.
Pvt Rojasmendoza, A. P.
Pvt Staples Jr, N. B.
Pvt Starkey, Z. S.
Pvt Strawser, K. S.
PFC Tlaczaninunez, R.
Pvt Vicenteguox, E. S.
Pvt Ware, J. P.
PFC Weissfierro, T. J.
PLATOON 1050
Senior Drill Instructor
GySgt L. J. Nevins
PFC Alejandrino, A.
PFC Aschim, T. D.
PFC Ashton, A. T.
Pvt Barbosa, T. A.
Pvt Bennett, L. A.
Pvt Bohorquezmora, J. S.
Pvt Cortezquinteros, F. M.
Pvt Diaz, S. J.
Pvt Donnie, P. L.
PFC Germaine II, M. P.
PFC Gil, David J.
Pvt Gilesliberato, F.
PFC Hernandez, N. A.
PFC Jeffrey, W. P.*
Pvt Jerez, D.
Pvt Kephart, V. N.
Pvt Klocko, Ty E.
PFC Knapp, T. M.
Pvt Knapp, Z. C.
Pvt Kramer, H. R.
PFC Le, A.*
Pvt Lineleyan, P. P.
Pvt Luces, E. C.
Pvt Martinez, I. J.
Pvt Martinezsantiago, X.
Pvt Moradel, C.
Pvt Morochoguaman, J. S.
PFC Nelson, J. A.
PFC Ortegacastro, K.
Pvt Pemberton, D. A.
PFC Perezarita, M. G.
Pvt Philosthene, C.
PFC Seguramayo, S. R.
Pvt Tongaree, C.
PFC Toussaint, J. J.
Pvt Tovar, R.
Pvt Vanderpool, J. D.
PFC Williams, S. M.
Pvt Wood, C. D.
Pvt Wren II, J. D.
PLATOON 1052
Senior Drill Instructor SSgt I. M. Fannin
Pvt Acostaacevedo, H. J.
Pvt Barrioshernandez, J. M.
PFC Beard, C. M.
Pvt Brothern Iv, J. D.
Pvt Benitez, C.
Pvt Byrnes, J. J.
Pvt Cady, D. F.
PFC Candlish, C. J.*
Pvt Carranzauribe, M. A.
PFC Dauria, I. F.
PFC Devall, L. F.
PFC Diniz, I. L.
Pvt Ducote, C. R.
Pvt Foote, D. F.
Pvt Galvez, F. G.
PFC Gonzalez, L. J.
PFC Iunusov, A.
PFC Jock, A. L.
Pvt Maness W. R.
Pvt Martineztorres, K.
Pvt Miller, G. M.
Pvt Montalvo, B. J.
Pvt Navas, K. D.
PFC Pachecocolon, J. M.
Pvt Parrilla, J. J.
PFC Patel, A. P.
PFC Perry, D. A.
PFC Person, P. G.
Pvt Pointdujour, R.
PFC Redhead Jr, J. D.
PFC Romanvallellanes, E. G.
PFC Rufener, A. M.*
Pvt Sanders, A.
PFC Santiagoarvelo. M. J.
Pvt Schnoor, J. A.
Pvt Scott, K. T.
Pvt Shaw, J. G.
Pvt Sipes, H. L.
PFC Washington, A. T.*
PLATOON 1053
Senior Drill Instructor SSgt M. D. Mckie
PFC Adams, P. J.
Pvt Alexander, C. J.
Pvt Armstrong, J. L.
PFC Bell, I. J.*
PFC Bray, A. W.
Pvt Coraizacaanguiano, A. R.
Pvt Davidson Jr, E. C.
Pvt Dozier, A. R.
PFC Felipemiguel, A.
Pvt Garland, G. A.
PFC Gentry, R. J.
Pvt Gray, N. G.
PFC Hernandezrojas, R. A.
Pvt Hewitt, B. K.
PFC Holmes, Z. A.
PFC Johansen, S. E.
Pvt Kaiser, C. E.
PFC Kendall, J. D.*
Pvt Langley, R. J.
Pvt Lonisnavarro, J. A.
Pvt Masino, A. J.
Pvt Montgomery, C. M.
Pvt Munoz, D.
Pvt Myers, O. K.
Pvt Orr, A. J.
PFC Privott Jr, R. U.
Pvt Randall, C. B.
PFC Rials, L. J.*
Pvt Sambonigaviria, E. A.
PFC Scott Iii, O. L.
PFC Sherard, T. S.
Pvt Smith II, P. B.
PFC Smith, C. J.
Pvt Stewart, J. D.
Pvt Venturajorge, A. J.
PFC Vuong, D. T.
Pvt Waid, O. G.
Pvt Willis, A. G.
Pvt Woods, I. J.
PLATOON 1054
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt A. J. Rojas
Pvt Aguilarlluberes, J. S.
Pvt Barrois, E. B.
Pvt Bettine, G. R.
Pvt Carbaugh, G. E.
Pvt Clifton, J. P.
Pvt Corkern, S. A.
Pvt Coronadomendez, F. G.
Pvt Davenport, W. D.
Pvt Depaz, L. F.
Pvt Dinh, A.
PFC Dorsla, A. J.
PFC Gallagher IV, P. E.
PFC Gasparri, R. L.*
PFC Gillio, Ja. M.
PFC Haynes, L. K.
PFC Horton, D. C.*
Pvt Lamar Iv, E. L.
PFC Lott, D. J.
Pvt Lowery, B. D.
Pvt Lynch, A. G.
Pvt Mahureva, T.
Pvt Mcfadden, Emannanuel
Pvt Monroy, J.
PFC Nolan, J. P.
Pvt Oquinn, A. J.
Pvt Palmer, R. S.
PFC Perezmuniz, K.
PFC Pettit, E. N.
PFC Polancosantos, L*
PFC Reyesvillanueva, M.V.
PFC Rogers, S. C.
Pvt Rualesvillanueva, S.
Pvt Self, C. L.
Pvt Sharpless, D. C.
Pvt Stewart, J. A.
PFC Valerio, J.
Pvt Vogler, D. J.
PFC White, T. A.
Pvt Whitehead, T. R.
*Denotes Meritorious Promotion
Morning Worship at 8:30 & 10:30
Lady’s Island Drive
Steve Keeler • (843) 525-0696 seaislandpresbyterian.org
SERVICE DIRECTORY
ATTORNEY
Christopher J. Geier
Attorney at Law, LLC
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation
16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450
chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com
AUDIOLOGY & HEARING
Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care
Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A
Licensed Audiologist
38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007
Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You
The Beaufort Sound Hearing and Balance Center
Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655
CLASSIFIEDS & GAMES
THURSDAY’S CARTOON
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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AUCTIONS
ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561
HELP WANTED – DRIVERS
ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561
HELP WANTED – DRIVERS & ROOFING
LABORERS NEEDED
Two Brothers Roofing is now hiring motivated, hardworking individuals to join our growing team! We are currently looking for:
• Roofing Laborers
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MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
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ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 1 5 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 803750-9561
YOUR AD HERE
Looking to advertise your business, announce a yard sale, or share other classifieds? Contact Amanda Hanna today at amanda@lcweekly.com to secure your spot and get your ad featured in our upcoming issue!
