ast week’s column lead with news of the annual Point in Time count of local “unsheltered” individuals, a project lead by Beaufort County’s Human Services staff and volunteers.
This week, we learn that county officials, as part of the annual budget preparations, are proposing to eliminate this five-member department to save money.
The proposal, which was scheduled to be presented to the Council at Monday’s meeting (Feb. 9), is a result of the Council’s vote last year directing Administrator Michael Moore to work with the finance department to reduce millage, which almost seems like a no-brainer.
Elimination of the Human Services Department appears to be first on the list. The plan seems to be merging the department’s responsibilities with the Nexus Care division (formerly Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse) which, obviously, provides services for individuals suffering alcohol or drug abuse.
It’s unclear whether the Nexus staff is prepared to handle the additional functions including the county’s Community Services grant program, which last year
Mossy memories
BIFF’s 20th edition set to grace Beaufort with nostalgia, passion, applause, movie magic
By Luke Frazier Lowcountry Weekly
If our lives were like the live oaks that grace the Lowcountry, the drapes of Spanish moss would be our memories: sometimes wispy and ethereal, other times dense and clumpy, consistently rich with meaning, and always hanging around.
Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF) President and CEO Ron Tucker has plenty of memories from the 19 previous years running the show with his wife Rebecca. In fact, he recently reflected on the subject when asked for a mantra for this year’s festival.
“Hmm, memories … heaped with nostalgia,” he said. “For twenty years we’ve seen great films from extraordinarily talented filmmakers … they are often powerful and sometimes life changing.” It’s a wonder that the man who rightfully fits the
“Energizer Ronny” moniker has any time for reflection at all as the 2026 festival is now upon us. He and Rebecca, his beloved partner in films and life, just spent about 200 hours watching movies over the past several months — and that is a fraction of all the other hours it takes to organize, promote, and run this highly regarded and enjoyed event.
INSIDE For full schedule of events, see page A10.
This will be my second year covering BIFF, last year I fell back in love with short films because I watched 16 of them. It rekindled my dormant desire to make another one myself. Ron totally gets it from the filmmaker’s perspective.
“Indie filmmaking is about passion, creativity, and in many cases enormous sacrifices,” he said. “The reward comes with the applause mostly and not the money.”
Bands Brews & BBQ brings smoke, sauce, sound back to Port Royal
By Delayna Earley
This year’s festival
It’s safe to say that this year’s BIFF will display oodles of passion and the USCB auditorium will ring loudly with applause. It runs from Thuesday, Feb. 17 through Sunday, Feb. 22
As a little background, the judges (there are three tiers) selected 54 films and five screenplays from more than 500 submissions from
SEE MEMORIES PAGE A10
— the club’s biggest SEE SMOKE PAGE A6
The Albridge Family speaks with one of the barbecue teams while tasting a sample during the Bands, Brews and BBQ tasting in Port Royal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. The event was coordinated by Zonta Club of Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
LOLITA HUCKABY
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS
Holly LePener, of Lady’s Island, snapped this photo of a tree she calls “Old Man Time” on Jan. 5 at Fort Frederick in Port Royal. 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.
VETERAN OF THE WEEK HERBERT PARKER
Herbert Parker
American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Herbert Parker, 69, who joined the U.S. Army in Hardeeville in 1978 After Basic Training at Fort Jackson and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to an infantry unit at Fort Stewart, Ga. He
underwent extensive training in Australia, jungle training in Panama and amphibious training at Fort Dix, N.J. He was next assigned to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, from which he deployed to South Korea and New Zealand.
In 1982, he separated and began a 29-year career as a welder, first with
Great Dane Trailers in Savannah and then with International Harvester in Pooler, Ga.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
Accounting April Ackerman april@ aandbbookkeeping. com
Billing questions only.
Henry “robbie” robertson
Jan. 1, 1940 – Jan. 29, 2026
Beaufort
Obituary for Henry “Robbie” Robertson, husband of Lorraine Landry Robertson.
He was born Jan. 1 1940 to Harry “Bud” and Joyce Robertson, nee Shaw, in Camden, N.J., and received his education in the public schools of Pennsauken, N.J. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in January 1957 while still a Junior at Merchantville High School. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the regular Marine Corps in April 1959 while in boot camp at Parris Island. He was assigned sea duty aboard the USS Providence.
He met Lorraine while the ship was stationed in Boston, Mass., and they were married on Father's Day in 1960. She was his inspiration, his partner, and the love of his life from that day forward. He served as an enlisted man for 9 years before attaining a commission in 1965. In 1979, he retired as a Major, having
served in a variety of command and staff billets and as a Marine aviator. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1967-68 flying UH-34D Seahorse helicopters and again in 1972-73, this time flying the A-4E Skyhawk.
Following his USMC career, he embarked on his second career as a Registered Nurse, obtaining his nursing degree from Technical College of the Lowcountry (then Beaufort Technical College), and practiced in that profession, in a number of settings, for 21 years before retiring from the workforce.
He joined the Burton Volunteer Fire Department in 1979 and was Assistant Chief for two years.
From 1977 until 1982, he volunteered with the Beaufort County Water Festival and was the Facilities Chairman for the first festival held in the then new Waterfront Park in 1979
He was an avid reader, enjoyed classical and Jazz music but was happiest when he was in his garden with the plants and birds. He became a Master gardener in 2014. He was a loyal Washing-
ON THIS DATE
February 15
1519: Pedro Menendez de Aviles — founder of Santa Elena, the first colonial capital of Spanish Florida on Parris Island in the Port Royal Sound — is born in Spain. Menendez de Aviles was the first Governor of Florida and the first European man to convert native Americans to Christianity.
2016: Beaufort author Pat Conroy announces publicly on his Facebook page that he is battling pancreatic cancer.
February 16
1970: Joe Frazier defeats Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden
ton Redskins fan for more than 60 years. He developed a keen appreciation for Beaufort history late in life and was a member of a number of historically centered organizations.
“After all is said and done, the one thing that I am proudest of is my wonderful family. A man could not have asked for a more faithful, generous, dependable, patient, and understanding wife. We have two really terrific daughters who never gave us a moment of worry or trouble, five grandchildren who are all honest, industrious, law-abiding citizens who, also, have rarely caused us any concern and, the future of the world, our six precious Great-Grands.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Kenneth Robertson, and his sister-in-law, Elaine Robertson, both of Mt. Ephriam, N.J.
He is survived by his loving wife, two daughters, Patricia Jean “Patti” Rogers, and Deborah Ann "Debbie" (Eric) Wheaton; the five grandchildren, Rachel, Amanda, Chelsea, Cody, and McKenna; the six great-grandchildren, Mason
OBITUARIES
The Island News publishes obituaries, including a photo, free of charge. Please contact theislandnews@gmail.com for more information.
“Scotty,” Chloe, Peyton, Paisley, Sullivan, and Waylon Henry; niece, Christine Dutill of Runnymede, N.J., and sister-in-law Patricia Landry of Jamaica Plain, Mass.
He did not subscribe to an organized religion or any partisan political ideology, but was spiritual in his love of nature and a fierce Independent in how he thought, prayed, and voted.
A graveside memorial service was held on Monday, Feb. 9 2026 at the Beaufort National Cemetery with military honors rendered by the United States Marine Corps.
Memorial donations may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, PO Box 998 Quantico, VA 22134; the Friends Of Fort Fremont, PO Box 982, St. Helena, SC 29920; or the Beaufort County Historical Society, PO Box 55, Beaufort, SC 29901
in New York City to improve to 25-0 and win the WBA and vacant WBC world heavyweight titles.
February 18
1878: The General Assembly passes legislation creating Hampton County from part of Beaufort County.
1885: Jonathan Jasper Wright, an attorney, former state senator and former S.C. Supreme Court justice from Beaufort, dies of tuberculosis in Charleston. Wright was the first black man in the country to serve on any state Supreme Court.
– Compiled by Mike McCombs
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By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Hopes rise alongside questions as Beaufort considers social district
On any given evening, people drift along Bay Street with shopping bags in one hand and dinner plans in the other.
City leaders are now considering whether a drink could join them.
Beaufort City Council continues to explore creating a downtown social district — a defined area where visitors could purchase beer or wine from participating businesses and carry it with them as they move between shops, restaurants and the waterfront.
The concept has been building since a Jan. 27 work session, when council heard from merchants, residents and community partners about whether the change could help energize downtown.
What followed wasn’t a simple yes or no. It was urgency, curiosity and caution, often in the same breath.
‘This should already be running’
Councilman Josh Scallate made it clear he believes the city should move quickly.
“I already think this should be established and running,” Scallate said.
He pointed to other communities that adopted similar districts and reported more visitors without major public safety problems. Waiting, he suggested, doesn’t help businesses that need support now.
Scallate also questioned why proposed hours would begin at 4 p.m., arguing earlier activity might spread crowds out rather than concentrate them.
And he rejected comparisons to party destinations.
“If somebody’s going to order a pizza and they’re waiting for it and they get their drink and they also go shopping at the same time, it’s more of that than creating a Vegas Strip in a historic district,” he said.
Others want a softer start
Several of Scallate’s colleagues sounded open — but careful.
Councilman Mitch Mitchell said a slower rollout could help residents understand what the district is and what it is not.
“It’s kind of like easing into the water versus one big splash,” Mitchell said.
Mayor Philip Cromer said he continues to hear from people with questions about how it would work in practice.
What merchants are weighing Business owners downtown are also divided, though many say they are intrigued.
Joe O’Brien of Monkey’s Uncle has previously indicated that retailers were generally receptive to the idea and that he views it
Bas a way to create a welcoming atmosphere rather than a party scene.
At Carolina Me Crazy, assistant manager Rita Stockwell has pointed to existing events such as First Friday, saying the store already sees stronger traffic when people are walking, browsing and spending time downtown.
Nan Sutton, who owns Lulu Burgess, has said she believes a district could help people feel more comfortable moving up and down the street and might add energy at a time when some businesses are still feeling pressure from construction and slower seasons.
But not everyone is convinced.
Lisa Mykleby of M Home and Garden has questioned whether shoppers who are drinking are likely to make the kinds of purchases her store depends on, raising concern that the impact may not be equal across retail categories.
Jake Higgins, owner of Blackstone's Cafe, said Beaufort already operates like a social district.
“This isn’t a downtown of corporate headquarters,” Higgins said. “It’s food, shopping and drinks. That’s why people come.”
He supports showcasing what makes the city unique but said
the focus should be broader than alcohol alone.
“It’s not just about walking and drinking,” he said. “It’s about enjoying downtown — the streets, the views, the music. The whole experience.”
Higgins added that any expansion should match the city’s ability to support it.
“As long as the infrastructure — parking, safety, street services — can handle it,” he said.
Other merchants have said they want firmer answers on cleanup, enforcement and participation before they take a side.
Residents: Measure it
During the January meeting, residents lined up with opinions that ranged from enthusiastic to wary.
Rob Cahill, who lives on Water Street, described himself as “wildly enthusiastic” and urged council to try the program and gather real information.
“Do the pilot, get the data and let it inform future decisions,” he said, while also flagging restroom availability.
Joe Mack supported a vibrant downtown but said alcohol inevitably raises questions.
“The tool is alcohol,” Mack said. “I’m interested to see how it works, but I’m cautious.”
Students want connection Angela Simmons, vice chancellor for student development
at University of South Carolina Beaufort, told council students are looking for belonging as much as entertainment.
“They don’t necessarily need to go out and drink,” Simmons said. “What they want is a space that is not their residence hall space.”
Students have asked for more communication about events, outdoor gathering spots, late-night coffee options and ways to feel welcome downtown.
“They really do want to be engaged with the life of downtown,” she said. “They just need something to feel that they can go to.”
What the pilot could include
The draft model presented to council would create a 90-day trial featuring beer and wine, designated cups, marked boundaries and optional participation for businesses, along with police oversight.
Afterward, the city would evaluate impacts before deciding whether to continue.
The bigger question … beyond cups and boundaries, City Council is weighing how to support commerce while preserving the feel of a place many residents call home.
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.
eaufort Memorial is expanding access to heart care in the Lowcountry with the addition of an experienced cardiologist to its team.
Dr. Terry Grainger, board-certified in cardiovascular disease and fellowship-trained in cardiology, has joined Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists and is seeing patients in both Beaufort and Okatie. With more than 30 years of experience, he offers a compassionate, expert approach to diagnosing and treating conditions such as coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertension.
Dr. Grainger also brings expertise in sleep and obesity medicine, including treatment for sleep apnea. He joins Beaufort Memorial from Prisma Health in Columbia, S.C., where he cared for patients with a wide range of heart and sleep disorders.
Focused on preventive cardiology, Dr. Grainger works closely with patients to encourage healthy habits and reduce the risk of heart disease.
“I treat patients the way I want my own family to be treated,” he said. “Building strong relationships is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”
At the practice, Dr. Grainger joins board-certified interventional cardiologists Drs. Stuart Smalheiser and Francis O’Neill, as well as physician assistant Tara Kay, MMS, PA-C and nurse practitioner Nicole Gray, MSN, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC.
Lowcountry Outreach Center’s spirit reaches outside its walls
By Luke Frazier Special to The Island News
It can be hard to pinpoint the spirit of a place until you spend time within its walls or talk to those who do, especially if it is a place where many people come to try and resolve various life challenges.
One such place is the Lowcountry Outreach Center (LOC) on Lady’s Island, adjacent to and overseen by St. Peter’s Catholic Church. It has been substantially renovated since St. Peter’s bought the building in 2023. The final stages of the work are now underway thanks to a generous $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL).
It is now a bustling place where people come to tackle life on life’s terms, which sometimes means uphill battles. Lisa Daly is coming up on her one-year anniversary as the Executive Director and is clear about what they are doing.
“The goal of the outreach center is to fill gaps in services that exist in the
Lisa Daly, Director of Lowcountry Outreach Center, stands by the sign on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. She has been running the center for a year.
community,” she said. “Not duplicating services, but offering things like office space and support.”
The office space and meeting rooms are offered to a wide variety of organizations, including Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, A Father’s Place, Family Promise, Angel Rides, GriefShare, Guitars for Vets, Alcoholics
Anonymous, The Heritage Library, and many others.
Beyond the specific details of what these programs do and who they serve, these groups all share the purpose of uplifting the human spirit by providing a collaborative response to tough life challenges. Through counseling, education, practical assistance, mutual support,
and perhaps a shoulder to cry upon, the groups invoke the better angels of our human natures.
“The best thing is seeing folks come in and receive help that’s needed,” Daly says. “And seeing people’s faces when they say thank you for having this here.”
Daly spends many hours running the center — coor-
dinating with groups, finding resources, networking with nonprofit agencies, and believing strongly. She is a self-described “faith-filled Catholic” who grew up on a Nebraska farm with very little. Daly says she naturally feels called to help others.
That help has expressed itself in a couple different ways for Dave, who attends a support group meeting held at LOC. “We’ve been there for a couple of years now,” Dave says in appreciation. “They’ve done great renovations that made it more comfortable. Simply put, they’re doing good work for a variety of communities that need help.”
Another example of help that Dave and others received is for a Scout Troop he is involved with. Lowcountry Outreach Center assisted in connecting them with the Special Olympics for a community project that raised funds for the organization.
Daly says that there are many stories just like Dave’s. She recounts getting individuals reconnected
to their families, either locally or across the country. She points to one formerly homeless man who now has a job and his own apartment through the work of outreach center agencies. She notes that many people have gotten rides to their medical appointments and many more find comfort in sharing their struggles and triumphs during different support group meetings. Daly declares, “These are great miracles, where God has been able to use us.” So when it comes to determining the spirit of a place, one good indication is how far the impact ripples outside its walls, newly renovated or not. In the case of the Lowcountry Outreach Center, the spirit spreads across the horizon, runs deep under the surface, and reaches the center of many hearts.
Luke Frazier is a writer and award winning media producer who moved to the Lowcountry in 2024. He runs NOW Communications and can be reached at nowandfuturecomms@ gmail.com.
Beaufort’s new FOIA deposit rule sparks debate among residents
By Delayna Earley
Island News
The
A newly implemented Freedom of Information Act process from the City of Beaufort is prompting strong reaction online, with residents divided over a new requirement that requesters pay a deposit before staff begin gathering records.
The policy, recently publicized by the city, typically requires a 25% deposit based on an estimated cost of staff research, retrieval and redaction.
Officials say the change is meant to create consistency, set expectations early and ensure requests are processed in compliance with state law.
On social media, many residents said they understand the need for structure. Others argued the approach risks placing financial barriers between the public and information they believe should be easily accessible.
“I get that staff time isn’t free, but this feels like putting up a toll booth on access to public records,” one commenter wrote.
Lowdown from page A1
saw $398 000 tax dollars distributed to 36 nonprofit agencies including HELP of Beaufort, Memory Matters, Lowcountry Legal Aid, and Family Promise, to name a few.
Councilman Gerald Dawson of District 1 is the only member of the 11-member Council who was on the Council prior to 2013 when county officials established the Community Services Department to help streamline the grant process. Prior to its establishment, representatives of the various nonprofits in the county lobbied members of Council to get a share of the tax dollars allocated for “human services.” And lobby they did. Elected council members spent a lot of time behind closed doors and in public, making sure their favorite nonprofits got a piece of the pie. With the establishment
Another resident responded, “If it helps get answers faster and makes the process clearer, that seems reasonable.”
Several people questioned paying before knowing what documents might exist.
“So we have to pay for freedom of information?” one user asked.
Why the response is strong
For many residents, reaction to the new policy is shaped by a previous records controversy involving the Hollis family.
In that matter, documents released by the city contained information that critics said should have been more thoroughly redacted before being provided.
The disclosure sparked widespread discussion online and renewed scrutiny of how records involving minors and crime victims are reviewed. Some residents argued the episode demonstrated weaknesses in oversight and internal safeguards.
City officials said at the time the release was inadvertent and
of the Community Services Department, an application system was established with specific criteria, reviewed by a committee which recommended funding approval to the Council.
Last year, during the council’s discussion of the $199 million 2026 county budget, there was a question raised by Council Vice Chair Tab Tabernick that perhaps citizens didn’t approve of the way the money for nonprofits was distributed. So apparently, the administrative staff answer is to do away with the department and delegate its functions to another agency. It will be interesting to see what other changes will be proposed to balance the 2027 budget especially with the cuts already being made at the federal and state level.
It may take careful observation since budget preparations often garner little public interest unless some major cuts or additions are proposed.
A county spokeswoman
tied to a breakdown in the redaction and document-handling process, not an intentional decision to disclose protected material. Leaders indicated procedures were being evaluated in an effort to prevent similar problems in the future.
FOIA law requires governments to balance public access with privacy protections, and complex requests can involve large volumes of records moving through multiple departments.
Still, disagreement has lingered over whether the situation reflected a broader systemic issue or a mistake within a demanding process. That divide continues to influence how many residents interpret new changes to how requests are managed.
In the current discussion, one commenter wrote that when serious errors occur, people are likely to question anything that appears to add barriers.
Another said transparency is measured not only by policy language, but by how trust is rebuilt afterward.
describing the proposed change stated “no patient care will be affected.”
Again, citizens concerned about how their tax dollars are being spent and what services are being provided, will have to watch carefully.
Sales tax committee begins its work
Beaufort County’s transportation advisory committee is up and running.
The first meeting was held last week. A chair and vicechair were chosen, former Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka and Glen Stanford of Hilton Head Island.
Then the panel of 15 was given a stern lecture by county administrators on their upcoming job responsibilities and legal limitations.
The group is expected to review the lists and priorities of transportation projects within in the county and make a recommendation back to the County Council. That recommendation has been pushed back from April 3 to May 11
Debate over what taxpayers already fund
Some residents argued charging for staff time amounts to double payment.
“Personnel time is already covered by tax dollars,” one commenter wrote. “Whether it takes five minutes or five hours, that’s their job.”
Others noted that fees are common practice among agencies, particularly when requests require extensive searches or legal review.
Frustration — and fatigue
The online exchange also revealed exhaustion among residents who say the arguments have become familiar.
“I thought this was old news,” one commenter wrote, adding that similar charges exist elsewhere.
Another urged neighbors to allow room for improvement, saying progress becomes difficult when conversations turn personal.
What the city says
In announcing the change, the city said it “remains committed to
Facebook.
The Council’s goal is to have something to put on the November ballot for voters to consider for another sales tax to fund that list of road projects.
Most remember the list was turned down in 2024 and anyone who drives the roads of northern or southern Beaufort County knows the need for improved roads, be it wider roads, new roads or more traffic signals.
For more detailed information about the advisory committee’s progress or information about previous sales tax referendum, go to beaufortcountypenny.com
City considering Facebook changes, expanding social drinking
As if the Beaufort City Council didn’t have enough to occupy their time -- what with the “Big Dig” going on down Charles Street and waterfront park infrastructure problems – now they’re considering what people are saying about them on
transparency and public access to information while ensuring FOIA requests are processed efficiently, consistently, and in compliance with state law.”
Requests can be filed through the city’s website or by contacting City Hall.
How the process works According to city guidance: Staff determine whether responsive records exist. An estimate is prepared based on research, retrieval and redaction.
A deposit — usually 25% — is required before work begins. The remaining balance must be paid before release. Costs vary depending on scope, number of departments involved and whether legal review is necessary.
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 last month suggested the council remove the “public comment” feature from the City of Beaufort’s Facebook which is used primarily for making announcements about road closures, snow events, new fire trucks or council proclamations.
But increasingly, those comments, especially the ones dealing with the Charles Street stormwater drainage project, have turned into criticisms about the city staff.
City Manger Scott Marshall, in introducing the proposal at the last worksession, explained it was taking staff time to respond to the comments, especially when misinformation was being spread.
He suggested if the Council did not want to adopt a “no comments” policy, he would recommend hiring a social media manager to moderate the postings.
While Council took no action on the suggestion, the online comments, as one might imagine, have been largely negative, in light of the city administration’s perpetual pledge to transparency and accessibility. The council is moving forward with a plan to establish a five-block “social district” along Bay Street which would allow folks to walk around with plastic cups of beer and wine … no liquor. The staff working with downtown representatives came up with this idea to help promote nighttime business in the area. The plan now is to try the project on a 90-day basis, starting April Fool’s Day.
Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions.
Amber Hewitt/The Island News
The City’s newest addition
On Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department welcomed its newest ladder truck with the traditional push-in ceremony. The new $1.6 million truck features a 107-foot ladder and on-board crash response tools that are battery powered and ready to operate as soon as firefighters arrive on scene. An individual custom build, the truck took the better part of two years from the time the City of Beaufort contracted for it until production was finished. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Beaufort Lions hosting Sweetheart Breakfast on Saturday
Staff reports
The Beaufort Lions Club will hold its annual Sweetheart Breakfast from 8 to 11
a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14 2026 at Sea Island Presbyterian Church at 81 Lady’s Island Drive. Guests may enjoy a hearty menu featuring pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, waffles, and Jim Palmer’s famous sausage gravy and biscuits, along with juice and coffee. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online for $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12 at https://beaufort-lions-club.square.site/.
Proceeds from the breakfast support the Beaufort Lions’ vision and diabetes programs. During the current school year, members of the Beaufort Lions vision screening team have conducted vision and hearing screenings for more than 6 000 school-aged children in public and private schools and day cares. In collaboration with seven school nurses north of the Broad River,
Beaufort Lions also provided protein-rich snacks during the school day to approximately 30 students living with diabetes. In addition, a second-grade student diagnosed with diabetes at birth was sponsored to attend a diabetes camp, where he learned healthy nutrition habits and coping skills. In 2025, Beaufort Lions partnered with local eye doctors and the Good Neighbor Clinic to provide more than 30 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to residents north of the Broad River. With assistance from ham radio operators and off-duty FOP members, club members also organized and supported the Veterans Day, Water Festival, and Christmas parades.
Members of Lions and other community organizations wave flags at the Waterfront Park on Patriots’ Day in honor of those who lost their lives on 9-11, and participate in Wreaths Across America at the Beaufort National Cemetery.
During Mental Health
THE HOPE OF HUMANITY
Directed by Donald F. Jemella
The Lowcountry Wind Symphony, a 70 member concert band, presents the world premier ‘The Hope of Humanity’ This work, by world renowned composer, Stephen Melillo, was commissioned by our audience and musicians. In Composer Melillo’s words, “Beyond the pangs of the present, know that one day, despite all else, Love, Peace and Brotherhood, the Hopes of Humanity will prevail.”
Music on the program also includes ‘Berceuse and Finale’ from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and additional compositions by Stephen Melillo.
Soprano soloist, Mary Osegura Lara will perform ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, ‘Love Not War’ and ‘Eternal Father’ accompanied by the band.
A FREE CONCERT...
THE CONCERTS ARE ADMISSION FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED
Friday, February 20, 2026 7:00 P.M. Beaufort High School 84 Sea Island Parkway Beaufort, SC 29907
Sunday, February, 22, 2026 4:00 P.M
Bluffton High School 12 H. E. McCracken Circle Bluffton, SC 29910
and Well-Being Awareness Week in October, the Beaufort Lions donated hygiene packets and activity books to Hopeful Horizons, a local shelter serving victims of domestic violence, and provided food at Thanksgiving and gifts at Christmas. In January, Beaufort Lions partnered with Piggly Wiggly to collect non-perishable food items from the community. Through this effort, more than 900 pounds of food were distributed to eight local food pantries. Two Lion volunteers play bingo twice monthly with residents of a senior citizen facility. Members also collect aluminum can tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston.
Because Beaufort Lions continue to touch the lives of many throughout the Beaufort community, members ask for your support in helping carry forward their mission of making Beaufort a better place for all.
Executive Director
Haupt leaves Pat Conroy Literary Center
Olszewski named Interim Director
Staff reports Jonathan Haupt, longtime Executive Director of the Pat Conroy Literary Center, has resigned, according to a news release dated Sunday, Jan. 22
According the release, Haupt helped the Center move forward “during a time when many were still grieving over the loss of Pat Conroy, shortly after Conroy’s death in March 2016. For the past decade he has tireless championed Conroy’s works and legacy.”
Haupt, according to the release, has decided to pursue several passion projects that are close to his heart. The Center’s board, staff, volunteers, writers, and visitors will miss his leadership and wish Haupt nothing but the best in his new endeavors.
It was also announced in the relase that Ginger Olszewski, longtime board member of the Conroy Center, will lead the organization as its Interim Executive Director as search commences for Haupt’s replacement.
The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, Beaufort County and the City of Beaufort will host a grand opening to celebrate two important milestones at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, inside the iconic Depot Building at the Spanish Moss Trail Depot Trailhead.
First, the opening of the Spanish Moss Trail’s Downtown Beaufort Connector and second, the opening of the new national designation of becoming a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail.
“The new Downtown Beaufort Connector will formally link the County-owned Spanish Moss Trail to Beaufort's historic Bay Street,” said Dean Moss, Volunteer Executive Director of the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail. “With more than 100 000 people enjoying the Spanish Moss Trail each year, we expect this new wide path to be very popular and allow Trail users and downtown Beaufort patrons to easily move between these two important areas.”
This Downtown Beaufort Connector is within the City of Beaufort and was constructed by Beaufort County with funding from both entities. It starts at the Trail’s Depot Trailhead, goes down Depot Road, and crosses pedestrians and cyclists at the light on Ribaut Road onto Bay Street.
“We are also looking forward to celebrating becoming a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail,” said Moss. “We are grateful for our partnership with the City of Beaufort to
make this area so dynamic for children.”
Kids in Parks is a nation-wide designation by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and funded in South Carolina by the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. This Spanish Moss Trail TRACK Trail will start at the Depot Trailhead, with a large kiosk and children’s activity brochures, and extend along the Trail toward Port Royal for about a mile.
“Starting at this popular Depot Trailhead, families and
ABLE Foundation oyster roast a success
Staff reports Under the beautiful trees at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal, the ABLE Foundation, The Disabilities Foundation of Beaufort County, celebrated a milestone with their Oyster Roast held on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 and the turnout exceeded their expectations.
The fundraiser organized by the small but dedicated committee proved to be better than expected and a promising foundation for future events in support of Beaufort County’s disability community.
Led by committee chair Melina
Smoke from page A1
fundraising event of the year.
“It’s a big effort … it’s a fun event … family oriented,” said Zonta Club president Marie Collett-Larson in a previous The Island News report on the festival’s return after a leadership transition. “We hope that everybody has a great time.”
This is the second year that the Zonta Club of Beaufort has hosted the event.
Friday night: a wingpowered kickoff
The weekend opens Friday, Feb. 13, with the Wing Throw Down from 6 to 9 p.m., a roaming tasting event that doubles as a preview of the pitmasters’ competitive spirit.
For a dollar a ticket, visitors can sample everything from traditional Buffalo to sticky, sweet heat experiments. Some teams guard their recipes; others happily talk shop.
Live music from the Parris Island Marine Band, along with Rick Rudd, provides the soundtrack as families, date nights and groups of friends cluster around high-top tables and compare notes.
Lee, the six-member committee originally hoped to sell 50 tickets. Instead, the community showed up in force, with more than 100 people attending, filling the park with conversation, music, and a shared sense of purpose.
“This event was about getting exposed, about disability awareness,” Lee shared. “People often know other agencies in the community, but we represent the disability side and want to bring awareness to the Foundation.” The Oyster Roast gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the work of the
Veterans of past festivals will tell you the wings event feels like a warm-up party — the sort where you keep bumping into people you didn’t expect to see.
Saturday: smoke in the air, music in the street
By late Saturday morning, the avenue hums. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., barbecue takes center stage. Teams tend their smokers while Flat Silly and other performers rotate through, giving the crowd plenty of reasons to linger between bites.
Food trucks round out the options, though purists might argue that’s beside the point.
For competitors, the day builds toward the 3:30 p.m. awards ceremony, when more than $5 000 in prize money is handed out.
First place for barbecue butts earns $1 500, and top wings claim $500
Then there’s the Hometown Heroes award — $500 — and, perhaps more coveted, yearlong bragging rights.
Why people come back
There’s something about standing in the middle of the street, live music
ABLE Foundation, which provides support and resources for children and adults in Beaufort County who have been medically diagnosed with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities and special needs.
Catered by Sea Eagle Market, attendees enjoyed all-you-can-eat oysters along with hot dogs, chili, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Live music from the Sometime Later Band set a relaxed, celebratory tone, while a gift certificate raffle and silent auction giveaways added to the excitement.
echoing, smoke curling into the afternoon sky, that makes strangers chat like neighbors.
For some, it’s tradition: a way to gather in February when otherwise there’s not much on the calendar to bring the community
PLACE
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school groups can also enjoy the StoryWalk provided by the Friends of the Beaufort Library and Beaufort County Library, grab a book at the new mini library for children created by student artist E Achurch, and skip through the Depot Building to start their adventure towards the Mather Trestle fishing pier,” said Sissy Perryman, Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail Director of Advancement.
Kids in Parks began on the Blue Ridge Parkway, developed by the Blue Ridge
Parkway Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. As the program demonstrated easy implementation and effectiveness in getting children outdoors, Kids in Parks has rapidly expanded to other parks and public lands across the country. To learn more about the Spanish Moss Trail visit SpanishMossTrail.com. To learn more about TRACK Trails visit KidsinParks.com.
together downtown. For others, it’s a chance to discover new takes on old favorites — and meet the people behind the pits.
And for the Zonta Club volunteers who coordinate it all, the payoff is simple: seeing that crowd turn
out, sharing food and conversation when winter starts to loosen its grip again. Volunteers are still being recruited to help make the festival happen Feb. 13–14 according to recent Zonta Club posts encouraging community members to lend a hand.
Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
R. Galvin,
Heather R. Galvin, Probate Judge, Beaufort County,
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
Precious Lyons and Darien Williams, both from Louisiana, enjoy oysters during the Able Foundation’s Oyster Roast on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Port Royal. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Staff reports
Parade, Battle of the Bands fill Port Royal with Mardi Gras spirit
The inaugural Battle of the Bands put a new twist on the third annual Krewe of Port Royal Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, once again a fun-filled event. Bursting with vibrant colors, high energy, and community spirit, the event, sponsored by the Old Village Association of Port Royal, transformed Paris Avenue into a lively show of carnival tradition.
The parade beginning with line-up on Paris Avenue by the Post Office, and in dynamic fashion, the Whale Branch marching band led walkers, a few dancing witches, and decorated golf carts down the route. Completing the parade were the floats, followed by the Battery Creek High School marching band.
Ending at Shellring Ale Works, where attendees gath-
ered for the first Battle of the Bands. The bands of Whale Branch Early College High School and Battery Creek High School added a fierce
but friendly competition with tons of youthful energy.
Battery Creek turned up the heat and took home the trophy, along with a cool
$1,500 cash prize. Whale a Branch did not leave empty handed either, marching away with $1,000. Both bands have already been in-
vited back next year for an epic rematch.
Organizers, thrilled with the success, are excited to begin planning for next year,
aiming to grow the event and continuing the Battle of the Bands, possibly even adding a third school, along with more floats and walkers.
BMH enhances orthopedic care with certified physician assistant
Staff reports Beaufort Memorial has expanded access to much-needed orthopedic care with the addition of board-certified physician assistant Kara White, PA-C, in the fall. White sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists in Port Royal and Okatie. An Atlanta native, she has brought to the Lowcountry a strong commitment to patient-centered care and a focus
NEWS BRIEFS
Kara White
on building meaningful connections with the community she serves.
White’s interest in medicine began early, influenced by her mother, a physician and emergency room director who worked in a medically underserved community. White developed a
Palmetto State Bank names
Leonard CCO, COO
Palmetto State Bank, a $600 million South Carolina banking company, has announced the appointment of Stephen M. Leonard as Chief Credit Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
Leonard brings more than 25 years of banking experience, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at AgSouth Farm Credit. His background includes Extensive expertise in credit administration, risk management and banking operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Steve to our executive management team,” said Andy Westbrook, President and CEO. “He brings strong leadership, a practical approach to banking, and a deep commitment to team development and customer advocacy.
Founded in 1907, Palmetto State Bank is a community bank providing personal, commercial and mortgage services throughout South Carolina.
Lions Club hosting Valentine Breakfast
The Beaufort Lions Club is hosting its Valentine Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at Sea Island Presbyterian Church at 81 Lady’s Island Drive. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for thoe 12 and younger. Enjoy pancakes, waffles, biscuits & gravy, sausage, and scrambled eggs with juice, coffee, and tea. Buy tickets online at https://beaufort-lions-club.square.site/ or at the door.
Jones to speak at Indivisible Beaufort
meeting
Aisha Jones, Senior Partnership and Engagement Associate at WREN (Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network) will be the guest speaker when Indivisible Beaufort meets at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14 at the St. Helena Island Branch Library at 6355 Jon-
passion for understanding the human body and helping others navigate their health challenges.
She earned a Master of Health Science from South College Atlanta in December 2024 and was drawn to a physician assistant role after training under a PA and seeing the kinds of trust-based relationships PAs build with their patients.
“I want my patients to feel fully seen and understood,” she said.
“Building trust and personal connections is essential to providing the best possible care.”
White’s clinical interests include treating a broad range of orthopedic conditions and supporting patients through recovery. Her passion for orthopedics is rooted in her athletic background and her desire to help patients regain mobility and return to active lifestyles following injury or age-related
pain. She provides both pre- and post-operative care, guiding patients throughout their treatment journey.
At Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists, White works alongside board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons Drs. Cory Messerschmidt and Vandit Sardana as well as board-certified nurse practitioner Aron Love, MSN, FNP.
Girl Scout Cookie season is officially here, and members of the Beaufort Girl Scout Troop 836 — Journey Singleton, Elizabeth Bittick and Lauryn Polite — were out in the cold Saturday, Jan. 24, in front of Grounded Running at 2139 Boundary Street, selling the everpopular Girl Scout Cookies. A recent poll by Girl Scout USA reports the No. 1 flavor is Thin Mints followed by Samoas, Tagalongs and Do-si-dos. This year's new flavor is Exploremores, a rocky road-inspired cookie with flavors of chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond creme. Lolita Huckaby/The Island News
athon Francis Sr. Road on St. Helena Island.
The program is titled “South Carolina Women and Girls Face Big Challenges.” Jones will talk about the statewide research project undertaken by WREN to assess the obstacles facing women and girls in South Carolina.
The research revealed the following challenges: gaps on healthcare access; unequal pay for equal work; limited childcare; and entire communities left without important resources. Jones will share these hard truths and offer ways to meet these challenges. In addition, the Indivisible Steering Team
has been monitoring the healthcare situation in South Carolina and will give a brief overview of the dire consequences of ending the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premiums (subsidies) and cutting Medicaid.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
Deford to speak to NOB
Democrats
Mac Deford, Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat held by Republican Nancy Mace, will be the guest speaker when the North-of-the-Broad Demo-
cratic Club meets at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19 at Grace AME Chapel at 502 Charles Street.
The meeting is free and open to the public. Free parking.
The NOB Democrats, along with several other groups, rally every Monday at 4 p.m. in front of Beaufort City Hall to “speak up for Democracy and defend the Constitution.” If you wish to add your voice in support, bring a sign (no vulgarity), stay behind the sidewalk and off the median.
The next No Kings Day rally will be Saturday, March 28 from noon to 1 p.m. in the same location, followed by a walk to the Waterfront Park.
Board of Elections hosting community forums
The Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County will be hosting several Community Forums in the months leading up to the June Primary Elections. These meetings will be open to the public and are held at locations across Beaufort County.
Topics include: How to Register/Who Can Register to Vote Upcoming Elections What is on the Ballot What voters can expect at the polls
Absentee Voting Early Voting Sample Ballots Poll Workers And More
Dates and Locations of Forums: Thursday, March 19 6 p.m., St. Helena Library; 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920 Thursday, April 9 6 p.m., Hilton Head Island Library, 11 Beach City Road Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926
For more information, please contact Jean Felix at 843-255-6954 or via email at jean.felix@bcgov.net.
– Staff reports
Beaufort’s “Harpo” rides her festively decorated scooter as part of the Port Royal Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Liz Entwistle of Port Royal enjoys the Port Royal Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, as it makes it its way down Paris Avenue. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Special to The Island News
Denise Briggs, RN, has more than just a job at Beaufort Memorial — she has had a journey that has spanned over two decades, bringing her to her current position as a nurse in the hospital’s dialysis unit.
A lifelong bond
Beaufort native grew up with community hospital
She has been around Beaufort Memorial for her entire life, and in 2002 decided to join the organization. After 23 years, she has never looked back.
Growing with the organization
Denise joined Beaufort Memorial in 2002, working in materials management as a stock clerk.
“I have literally worked my way up at Beaufort Memorial!” she laughed.
After working there for two years, she decided to pursue a nursing career. She had the oppor-
tunity to move to the hospital’s fourth floor as a unit secretary, which she did until 2012
That same year, she graduated nursing school.
Her nursing career began there on the fourth floor, and she moved up to night shift charge nurse leader for a few years, and then in 2018 was faced with an opportunity for a position in the dialysis unit.
It really has been a journey with the organization, she said.
“Being from Beaufort, Beaufort Memorial was always talked about as a good place to work,”
Denise explained. “There are lots of people working here who have been here a long time — aside from me — people who have been
here 30, 40 years. I think that is a draw, too.”
While she has worn a Beaufort Memorial badge since 2002, Denise said her first exposure to Beaufort Memorial was actually even earlier, during her elementary school days at Mossy Oaks Elementary School. Beaufort Memorial held an art competition for area students, who were tasked with drawing a picture of something that “promoted health.”
“I drew a girl playing basketball, to show the importance of playing outdoor sports,” Denise recalled, chuckling. “I got third place and won a $50 savings bond!”
More than dialysis
Denise describes herself as a “natural introvert,” and said that it took her some practice to come out of her shell when she first
began in a patient care role at the hospital.
“I used to stand outside a patient’s door for three seconds and just take a deep breath, saying ‘you got this,’” she said. “Now it’s just second nature, but that was a personal thing I had to overcome in this line of work.”
As a nurse in the dialysis unit, Denise sees patients who are often new to the treatment process. Educating those patients is her favorite part of her job, and it’s critical.
“These patients often have lots of fears and questions, and I like addressing those and connecting them to the right people,” she said. “With dialysis, it’s not just going through the treatments. It’s watching what you eat and making sure you’re not doing anything to put you in the hospital or cause any distress.”
A team effort Denise grew up with Beaufort Memorial and has seen the impact that the organization has on the community — her community, which includes her daughter, Marie (who works in the Beaufort Memorial gift shop) and her granddaughter.
“I like being able to give back,” she said. “I feel like I’m serving my community.”
It’s not just about the external impact, either, but the innerworkings of the organization and how the departments are interconnected.
“I think we have very good teams here, and not just the nurses working together, but the ancillary departments, dieticians, physical therapists, the physicians. All those things come together, and I feel like it’s a really good team effort at this organization.”
Make this year a healthy one with these 10 habits
Special to The Island News
It’s a new year, which means that right now, most people are working on keeping up their new year’s resolutions. Whatever your resolution — and however successful (or unsuccessful) you may be at keeping it — there are a few tried-and-true healthy habits that you can implement to change your health for the better in 2026
Spoiler alert: your first step doesn’t need to be a long-term goal such as quitting smoking or losing 25 pounds. Those are great goals, but give yourself an easy health win (or two) with a fast payoff. Try these 10 easy-to-start habits that can have a profound impact on your health and how you feel.
1. Love to load up your plate? Try reducing portion size to facilitate weight loss.
One easy trick to help with this is using a smaller sized plate — it will take less food to fill and provide the same visual cue as a larger plate with more food. This is especially helpful if you tend to eat until your plate is clean.
2. It’s timeworn advice but still reliable: Get eight hours of sleep each night
If you find yourself not feeling rested after consistently getting eight hours of sleep each night, you should speak with your pri-
Struggling with your 2026 resolutions? Don’t worry — try these simple goals to stay healthy
mary care provider. You may need to rule out sleep apnea, which causes frequent night waking and may have other health implications.
3. Wake up with enough time to make a protein-rich breakfast. One idea: an egg white scramble with veggies. But if making time to prep breakfast is just too hard, look at make-ahead options including Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, nuts, boiled eggs or overnight chia pudding.
4. If you’ve been given a diagnosis of heart disease, sign up for cardiac rehabilitation right away.
The cardiac rehabilitation program at Beaufort Memorial is dedicated to rebuilding strength in people with chronic heart problems, who have just had a heart attack or other cardiac event, or who are recovering from bypass surgery or other form of heart surgery.
The program offers medically supervised education, nutrition and exercise programs in a friendly atmosphere at the Beaufort Memorial main campus and the Okatie Medical Pavilion. Call 843-522-5635 to learn more.
5. Feeling down? Try daily affirmations. Tell yourself that you will have a great day or that you’re capable of amazing things. Positive affirmations
can decrease stress, increase feelings of well-being and help you make healthy choices. Tape a message or saying on the mirror in your bathroom or another frequently visited spot and repeat it several times a day.
6. New to exercise?
Start slowly and work up gradually. Your body will thank you.
Start with small goals and increasing the duration and/ or degree of strenuousness over time. You'll be more likely to build a habit that sticks and maintain your motivation as you accomplish the goals you set.
7. Practice yoga. It’s great for building strength and
preventing falls. Yoga, Pilates and other types of exercise that focus on core strength and balance can be especially helpful as you age. In addition to toning muscles, which can counteract a slowing metabolism, the weight resistance helps keep your bones strong.
8. Make it a goal to have an advance directive for your health care completed by your next birthday. This important document captures your decisions and wishes for care and comfort should you become terminally ill or have a serious illness and can't speak for yourself.
You'll want to consider your definition of quality of life, types of health care decisions that support the quality of life you want, goals you'd have if a condition worsens, your fears and worries about the future, your strengths, what abilities are critical to you, and what you'd want to do to maintain those abilities.
9. Talk to your family about your wishes for healthcare if you become sick, injured or incapacitated. After you've considered what is important to you and completed an advance directive, the next step is a conversation with your family about your deci -
sions. You'll also want to give copies of the paperwork to your doctors, health care facility and your health care power of attorney.
10. Ask your doctor if you’re up to date on vaccinations. If not, schedule them. Some illnesses that can be prevented with adult vaccinations are influenza, shingles, pneumonia, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, measles/mumps/rubella and human papillomavirus (HPV). Depending on working conditions and individual health needs, you may benefit from additional vaccinations such as chickenpox or hepatitis A.
Special to The Island News
For many, sleep doesn’t always come easily, and the phrase “goodnight!” is easier said than done.
“Over time, sleep struggles can lead to a host of health concerns, such as memory problems, difficulty focusing, poor psychomotor skills, anxiety and fertility issues,” cautioned Jenna Gossett, MSN, FNP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner who sees patients and Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine.
Instead of just lying in bed and hoping for a good night’s rest, try implementing these tips to help secure the quality sleep your body needs.
3. Ditch the distractions. Sharing your bed with children and pets might sound like a slumber party, but their presence in the bedroom can keep you from entering a deep sleep — or easily rouse you awake — if they talk in their sleep, steal the covers or toss and turn all night.
4. Block out the noise. Try to keep your bedroom as quiet as possible. Some people fall asleep more easily by listening to white noise because it is soothing and drowns out other noises. Consider using a white noise machine with no extra lights or turning on a fan to soothe you to sleep.
5. Get comfy. You won’t sleep well if your pajamas or sheets are making you hot or itchy. Wear soft fabrics that feel good on your skin and adjust the room temperature to a cool 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep.
6. Be mindful.
Meditation can evoke the body’s relaxation response, which can cause you to drift into sleep.
“If you follow these tips and still don’t sleep well or feel rested, talk to your primary care provider,” Gossett advised. “You might need treatment for a medical condition that’s interfering with sleep, such as insomnia or sleep apnea.”
Denise Briggs
counselor David Favata, BCSD Superintendent Frank Rodriguez, and BCSD Director of School Counselors Latoshia Middleton pose after Favata was named the Beaufort County School District’s 2026-2027 School
the
Favata named BCSD School Counselor of the Year
Staff reports
Beaufort High School Counselor David Favata was recently honored as the Beaufort County School District’s 2026-2027 School Counselor of the Year, according to a press release from the school district.
“What truly sets Mr. Favata apart is his ability to combine heart with structure,” Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said. “Mr. Favata’s own educational journey shaped his belief that every student deserves a strong advocate and that success is never defined by just one path.”
Favata was quick to share credit with his team of counselors. “I think what I’ve taken the most pride in is building a team,” Favata said. “And my team is really why we’re suc-
cessful.”
He said he also finds pride in helping high school students navigate their futures. “I take pride in seeing students achieve their goals … in whatever field in college or trades,” he said.
Beaufort High School principal Ryan Walsh praised Favata for going above and beyond in supporting students and their families.
“Mr. Favata is incredibly deserving of school counselor of the year. He works tirelessly for his students, parents, and for the good of the school,” Walsh said. “There’s no work hours for him.”
Favata has been a school counselor for 25 years, four in Beaufort County Schools.
Beaufort County School District leaders, Office of Early Childhood staff, and community partners take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrate the launch of the district’s new traveling preschool bus, a mobile early-learning program designed to support school readiness for children from birth to age 5. Funded through Title I, the bus will bring developmentally appropriate activities and family-focused early childhood education to communities across Beaufort County.
Aarons Smith/The Island News
BCSD unveils traveling preschool bus
Staff reports
The Beaufort County School District’s Office of Early Childhood held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new traveling preschool bus on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at Port Royal Elementary School.
The mobile preschool will travel throughout Beaufort County, offering early childhood learning experiences for children and their families. “We believe early childhood learning experiences build the foundation for lifelong success and that all children should have access to these experiences,” said Ashley Gould, Director
of Readiness. The bus is packed with hands-on educational tools and activities, ranging from dramatic play and blocks to art and housekeeping, all aimed at supporting young children during the most critical years of development.
The new bus, which is the district’s second traveling preschool bus, offers more sensory activities and newer technology. For example, it features a stateof-the-art interactive sand table that incorporates virtual technology. Students can dig for dinosaur bones, build volcanoes and watch them erupt, and even catch
crabs while exploring an ocean environment. However, support continues beyond the time spent on the bus. Families can access helpful brochures, pamphlets, videos, free children’s books, and more to take home and continue the learning.
Referrals to family support services are also an important part of the work. “We connect families to whatever resources and additional services they need, right then and there,” Gould said. Those services may include referrals to pediatricians, Head Start, private childcare centers, or social service providers, according to Gould.
From left, Beaufort County School District (BCSD) Deputy Superintendent Mellow Lee; Beaufort High School Principal Ryan Walsh, Beaufort High School
Counselor of the Year. Photo courtesy of
Beaufort County School District
Asa
ARTS
String octet, Armstrong bring classical works to youth
Staff reports Renowned for his electrifying performances from New York’s Carnegie Hall to London’s Wigmore, internationally acclaimed pianist, Andrew Armstrong, along with eight extraordinary musical friends, is on a special mission: to share the wonder of classical music with the young explorers of the Lowcountry in USCB Chamber
Memories from page A1
Music’s third Youth Concert. Witness a spectacular hour of musical adventure in a captivating world where instruments speak a universal language that knows no national boundaries. Having four violins, two violas, and tow cellos on stage talking
56 countries. The films run the gamut of format and length, from features to shorts, documentaries to animation, student films to screenplays. Many of the trailers are on the BIFF website and if these snippets are any indication, there are films that are provocative, evocative, and graceful in the mix.
Gut punches
I’ve been able to screen a few shorts (I know a guy), and I am thoroughly psyched to dive into more when the festival opens. A couple that I watched were what Ron Tucker calls “gut punches,” which is meant as a compliment in the sense that they are emotionally powerful and authentically breathtaking. The first of these is “O & O” (pronounced Oh and Zero).
Jack Lafferty wrote and produced the movie and co-directed with Griffin Davis. It clocks in at 20 minutes and concerns an edgy veteran with PTSD, a waiter crumbling under life’s pressure, and a young first-generation woman struggling with her immigrant father’s insistence she follow his path to the American dream.
For Lafferty, it’s important that the audience not only consider the perspective of others, “…but what’s going on behind the curtain of our eyes that we share with people. If we seek to find out what our similarities are I think we’ll find common ground a lot quicker.”
Some of the dialogue is based on conversations Lafferty had with a friend who served three tours as a Marine in the Middle East and had some issues readjusting to civilian life. Without revealing any details, I can say that the intersection of those three lives at the end of the film is both shocking and inevitable.
Lafferty hopes that after the wallop is delivered at the end, “The audience can talk about what they just felt, what they’ve just experienced … that was the hope.”
Based on my viewing, there should be plenty of conversations.
Another short that provoked deep thought (and a few tears) was “Sit with Me While I Die,” another 20 minutes packed with sharp dialogue, this time about assisted suicide, or as main character Gwen puts it, “aid in dying.” Gwen is the one dying, and she and husband Tim are not happy with the platitudes and Bible quotes delivered by Father Ethan. At one point Gwen cuts off Father Ethan’s Bible quoting by saying, “Forget the Bible, how do you like the sunset?” as she takes in the beauty right outside her window for one of the last times.
The film advocates a death with dignity perspective that supports an individual’s right to choose their path to death. Director Brian Russell doesn’t deny it is an advocacy film but says he and co-writer Ross Popick wanted to make it more than that. “One of our foremost goals was to make a story that would be relatable and not feel like we were preaching at people.” This goal is artfully accomplished by making Father Ethan into a real human being and not a one-dimensional cardboard priest. He is struggling with his own sister’s death and wonders internally whether God even hears us and
together and talking with USCB’s own concert Steinway is a rare experience. Each instrument has a story to tell, and together, they create a symphony of narratives to spark the imagination of every listener-young and old alike.
Classical music is a brain booster, especially for kids. It enhances memory, boosts creativity, and may even make math easier. This concert is a playful blend of music education and interactive entertainment. Young folks get to ask questions, learn interesting facts about the I.nstruments and musicians, and be amazed at how music can tell stories and arouse
where his own faith has gone. So he sits with Gwen while she dies and it is poignant and tender, fully supported by Christopher S. Lind’s beautiful cinematography.
Russell referenced a quote about the best deaths being those that occur when a person is surrounded by love, and says that’s a central thesis of his movie, along with how our culture doesn’t deal with death very well. What Russel’s film does very well is providing a way for tough conversations to happen. “I hope that the audience thinks about death as something that is natural, as something that is fully part of our lives, and as something that can be beautiful.” This film delivers on those hopes.
Two other short films that I think are worth starring in your schedule are “Sounds of New York,” a documentary that chronicles a day in the Big Apple through its many sounds and stories, and Walter, a sweet take on how tough times can be navigated.
Sounds, directed by Daniel Stanislawski with incredible sound post-production by Bartosz Jaworski, is what it says: sounds. These are from the street, in the parks, around the corners and in all the nooks and crannies of Manhattan.
The joyful noise is supplied by musicians, cars, buses, doves, pigeons, trains, conversations between people, and a thousand other things. It recalls composer John Cage and the recordings he used to make of NYC life outside his open apartment windows, only denser.
What makes it more enjoyable is the fact that “Sounds” is also
emotions without words. Visit www.uscbchambermusic.com for tickets now for the performance at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, at the USCB Center for the Arts. Young people are FREE, and adult tickets are $25
The USCB Chamber Music’s third Youth Concert is once again proudly sponsored by Lora and Richard Childs and Family.
filled with stories and quips from real life New Yorkers during all this joyful noise. The combination is intoxicating and the 30-minute documentary flew by at the speed of, well, sound.
The lovely 12-minute film “Walter” is about a “pet wave” that a 10-year-old boy keeps in a bucket as a security blanket of sorts after his parent’s messy divorce. Director Julie Restivo is from California but has family in Bluffton. Restivo creates a humorous and charming lesson in acceptance and letting go.
Opening night with ‘Bette Davis’
Besides the films, there is a special opening-night treat. After the early evening reception on Tuesday, Feb. 17, Jessica Sherr will be starring in a one-woman show called “Bette Davis Ain’t For Sissies.” Sherr is a seasoned actor, writer, and producer who has performed the show more than 500 times in the U.S. and abroad to rave reviews and delighted audiences. She says audiences appreciate learning more about Davis beyond her Hollywood stardom.
“Audiences see a completely different side of her, and I'm always excited when people say they are inspired to learn more about her life. My play is not just [about] the star. It's also Betty the person, and so she really gets humanized.”
In the decade Sherr has been inhabiting Bette Davis, one memory from the early days that stands out is her trip to California to meet Davis’ long-time assistant. Sherr was scheduled to bring the show to Edinburgh Fringe Festival
in Scotland and had reached out to inform the estate. The conversation with someone who was so close to Davis gave her a real boost.” It was the beginning of really feeling like Miss Davis. It was a moment in my life when I got the message to never give up.”
As a bonus, the assistant gave Sherr a white box with a gold bow. Inside were turquoise gloves, a handkerchief, earrings, and a little pill box that belonged to Bette Davis. Now she gets to wear some of the items during the five costume changes in the show.
Grainger Hines to receive Lifetime Achievement Award
To cap off the festival there will be an awards ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 22. Besides recognizing film achievements, Biff will be honoring acclaimed actor, writer, and director Grainger Hines with the Pat Conroy Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals whose artistic careers embody excellence, integrity, and a lasting contribution to the world of film and the arts.
In honoring Hines, the Beaufort Film Society will celebrate not only his achievements in entertainment but also his enduring connection to South Carolina and his example of creative perseverance.
Initially, Hines says was a bit taken aback by the award letter he received. He notes that he is still out there working every day and adding to his 100-plus film and TV credits. Hines says he really had to think about what it meant.
“It has made me reflect on a lot
of things…it’s given me a feeling, a comfort. I can’t tell you how honored I am to get this award, I haven’t gotten a lot of [awards] but I’ve always gotten good notices. This award has allowed me in some ways to give myself some validation.”
Hines has great memories of playing musical gigs in Beaufort in his brief musical career with The Swinging Medallions. He remembers how beautiful the area is and looks forward to coming back in February.
When he comes back to town, Hines will be adding to his collection of memories of a life lived with passion for creative performance.
“You never know what life is going to hand you. If you stay open to things, things will happen. When I got cast in that very first play it was like ‘man, this is what I’m doing with my life.’ I’ve never going to retire; this is what I do.”
As far as what the Beaufort International Film Festival does, it can be summarized simply: BIFF adds significant cultural value to the Lowcountry through its affirming spirit of film and filmmakers. All that and a ton of mossy memories.
The 20th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival is happening Tuesday, Feb. 17 through Sunday, Feb. 22 at the USCB Center For the Arts. For tickets and more information visit www.beaufortfilmfestival.com.
Luke Frazier is a writer
ARTS
‘Heart of Healing’ program will unite power of local art, healthcare
Beaufort Memorial Foundation project aims to bring healing effects of Lowcountry art into new Bluffton Hospital
Beaufort Memorial
The Beaufort Memorial Foundation is blending art and healthcare through a new initiative designed to bring the healing power of local creativity into the new Bluffton Community Hospital.
The program, “Heart of Healing,” will feature artwork by Lowcountry artists displayed on Community Art Walls throughout the new Bluffton hospital, according to a news release from the Beaufort Memorial Foundation.
The goal? Create a welcoming, community-centered environment that supports patient healing, staff well-being and a deeper connection to the region that Beaufort Memorial serves.
country artists aged 18 and older. Artists may submit up to three existing pieces for consideration. The theme, “Community Well-Being,” encourages works of art inspired by nature’s restorative properties, local history, human connection and non-denominational spiritual or meditative imagery.
Hospital is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and open to patients in early 2027
Artwork from the “Heart of Healing” program will be displayed in clinical and transitional spaces, such as surgery corridors, waiting rooms, staff breakrooms and other employee areas.
“Beaufort Memorial is a community health system, and this hospital has ‘community’ in its name,” said Kim Yawn, Beaufort Memorial Foundation Chief Development Officer. “Through the power of art, we want to create a space that feels welcoming, meaningful and connected to the people we serve. We’re excited to partner with local artists to enhance how we deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.”
creative placemaking consulting organization led by Bluffton resident Maria Hooper – who also serves on the Town of Bluffton’s Public Art Committee – as a curatorial and advisory partner for the “Healing Arts” program.
Two-dimensional works in any medium are welcome, along with photographs of three-dimensional pieces. Selected artwork will be professionally, locally scanned and reproduced by Beaufort Memorial. Additional guidelines, including size requirements and licensing information, are available at BeaufortMemorial.org/Foundation.
The submission deadline is March 31 2026
Research shows that incorporating art into healthcare settings can reduce stress, support recovery, improve communication and foster a stronger sense of human connection. Through this program, participating artists will play a direct role in community healing while helping create a hospital environment rooted in comfort, reflection and belonging.
The Foundation is collaborating with EMROSE projects, an art and
The Foundation is now accepting submissions from Low-
Currently under construction at the corner of Bluffton and Buckwalter Parkways, the 28-bed, three-story Bluffton Community
The Beaufort Memorial Foundation plans to expand the “Heart of Healing” program to additional facilities in the future, extending its benefits throughout the health system.
BAA set to host
62nd annual Spring Art Exhibit
Staff reports
The highly anticipated 62nd annual Beaufort Art Association Spring Art Exhibit, titled “Unveiled,” is just around the corner -Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, March 13. The public is invited, and admission is free.
This year the show will be located in the lovely Old Bay Marketplace & Rooftop in downtown Beaufort at 917 Bay Street. The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and Friday until 6 p.m. It’s a perfect opportunity to see the lovely venue and view from the rooftop and enjoy a wide variety of the best art Beaufort County has to offer. Local artists, BAA members and non-members alike, plus budding artists from area high schools are invited to participate. Guidelines, forms, and more information about deadlines and registration are available online at www. beaufortartassociation.com.
BAA is proud to announce that Amiri Farris has been selected to judge this year’s show, their largest art exhibit and fundraiser of the year. Farris is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and university professor who received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design. As Artist Laureate of the Technical College of the Lowcountry, he has taught numerous courses in painting and design and has judged major fine arts competitions nationally, including the MOJA Arts Festival in Charleston and programs at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in Charlotte. His vibrant, layered works celebrate Gullah Geechee heritage, the Lowcountry, and cultural storytelling.
With more than 100 pieces of original art expected to be in the show, there will be something for everyone to enjoy! The area’s finest works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, photography, mixed media, clay, wood, glass, metal, fine art jewelry and more will be featured. All art will be for sale, so treat yourself or someone you love to a one-of-a-kind treasure.
This year’s co-chairs for the event are painter Anne Short and potter Traci Walter, both active members of the association.
“It is a privilege to be involved with such talented artists. We look forward to an outstanding show,” Short said.
More than $3 000 in prizes will be awarded, including “Best in Show,” First, Second, and Third places, the “Founders Award,” “3-D Award,” and several memorial awards.
“There will also be the coveted “Peoples Choice Award” voted on by all visitors to the show,” said Walter.
In addition, art from local high schools will be judged in several categories with monetary awards presented in memory of Geneva Litchfield.
“We want to thank our community for their gen-
erosity in donations and sponsorships to help make this year’s show a success,” said Walter. “A VIP evening on Monday, March 9, will be held for our donors and artists. Amiri, our judge, will be there and awards will be presented to the winners.”
In conjunction with the show, Farris will be teaching a Professional Art Development Workshop on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Beaufort Campus. Cost is $75 per person, with a portion going to benefit the BAA Spring Show, and space is limited to 40 participants.
This workshop is designed for emerging and mid-career artists, focusing on the process of preparing artwork for presentation, both visually and conceptually. The workshop is open to the public but registration must be made in advance by contacting either Anne Short at anneshort13@gmail.com or Traci Walter at jollypigpottery@ gmail.com. Once registered, payment will be accepted for the workshop in cash or check at the door.
Beaufort Art Association is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), powered entirely by donations and volunteers.
ARTS BRIEFS
Vido holding two Beaufort area book signings
Lowcountry romance author Jennifer Vido will be doing local book signings to promote her latest book, “Simplicity by the Sea,” the third of her Gull Island series of books via Wild Rose Press that are set in the Lowcountry.
Vido will be at Springtide Market on Fripp Island from 2 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, and at the downtown McIntosh Book Shoppe from noon to 4 p.m., on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14
St. Mark’s hosting Broadway (Off Paris!) at new location
St. Mark's Episcopal Church is hosting the Broadway (Off Paris!) choral extravaganza at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15. Due to overwhelming demand for seats, the event has a new location: St. John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive in Beaufort.
The event features the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Choir and other great artists. All are welcome, but reservations are needed. RSVP to church office at office@stmarksportroyal.org.
USCB Center for the Arts hosting ‘Confederate Currency: The Color of Money’
The USCB Center for the Arts and the South Carolina Artisan Center is presenting “Confederate Currency: The Color of Money,” an exhibition by artist John W. Jones, through Sunday, Feb. 15 in the Center for the Arts gallery. The exhibit is on loan from the collection of Drs. Sshune and Harold M. Rhodes, III Through powerful visual language, Jones examines the historical and symbolic role of Confederate currency, exploring themes of value, labor, race, and memory. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on how money functions not only as an economic tool, but also as a cultural artifact shaped by history and ideology.
This timely exhibition offers an opportunity for thoughtful dialogue and deeper understanding of the The exhibition, located at the USCB Center for the Arts gallery at 805 Carteret Street, is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends during performances.
For more information, visit the USCB Center for the Arts website gallery page.
Books Sandwiched In continues
Once again this year, as is has since 1987, The Friends of the Beaufort Library is hosting Books Sandwiched In, a lunchtime, multi-week Monday series featuring each week a community leader discussing a book that has been meaningful to him or
her, with questions and discussion to follow. Thanks to the generosity of community sponsors, these discussions are free and open to the public. All are warmly welcome, light refreshments are served, and raffle items are available for bidding each week. For further information, contact Melanie Jarvis at bsi@friendsofthebeaufortlibrary. com.
Fredericks
hosting two book signings
Two book signings are scheduled for “Contemporary Southern Vernacular: Creating Sustainable Houses for Hot, Humid Climates,” written by local architects Jane and Michael Frederick of the Beaufort firm Frederick + Frederick Architects. The book signings are Saturday, Feb. 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Ta Ca Ron, 6983 Okatie Highway (Hwy. 170) and Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Nevermore Books at 910 Port Republic Street.
Architectural Digest named the book one of the best design books of Fall 2025 Publisher's Weekly praised the book in saying, "In this authoritative handbook … the authors demonstrate the importance of incorporating environmentally conscious systems, from high-efficiency HVAC units to native landscaping. They encourage readers to build homes in harmony with their environment, arguing that "by leveraging the beauty of the land, and all that it has to offer, into the design of the home, its value increases. This well-informed blueprint for resilient design will appeal to architects and prospective homeowners alike."
Coastal
Discovery Museum highlights Hilton Head's legendary Round Table Artists
The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is hosting a retrospective exhibition, “It's Thursday! Artists of the Round Table,” celebrating 15 prominent local artists who gathered weekly at The Red Piano Gallery from the 1970s through 1994 to share ideas and projects that nurtured Hilton Head Island’s growing art community. The exhibit will be on view through March 23, 2026 This retrospective brings together approximately 80 works from private collections and new museum acquisitions. The Artists of the Round Table include Aldwyth, Ralph Ballantine, Joe Bowler, Danielle DeMers, Joe DeMers, Ray Ellis, Elizabeth Grant, Walter Greer, Tua Hayes, Katy Hodgman, Louanne LaRoche, Allen Palmer, Marge Parker, George Plante, and Coby Whitmore
The museum is offering free curator’s tours of the exhibit on the following dates: Thursday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m.; and Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m.
Best in Show 2025 — Tri Color by Mary Seagars
ART
“Confederate Currency:
The Color of Money” 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and on weekends during performances, through Sunday Feb. 15, USCB Center for the Arts gallery. An exhibition by artist John W. Jones on loan from the collection of Drs. Sshune and Harold M. Rhodes, III. Through powerful visual language, Jones examines the historical and symbolic role of Confederate currency, exploring themes of value, labor, race, and memory. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on how money functions not only as an economic tool, but also as a cultural artifact shaped by history and ideology.
“The World is Our Oyster” — Beaufort Art Association January/ February show Through February, Beaufort Art Association Gallery, 913 Bay Street, Beaufort. For hours and more information, visit beaufortartassociation. com. The show is free and open to the public. More than 60 local artists exhibiting new art throughout the gallery exploring the beauty of the Lowcountry. Maritime art of all kinds will be showcased. The new show celebrates treasures of the Lowcountry coastal paradise — plenty of marsh and boats and birds and seafood — with different artistic interpretations in many styles and mediums. Jewelers, potters, sculptors, wood workers, textile artists, and painters of all mediums are represented.
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.
BOOKS Books Sandwiched In Noon to 1 p.m., Mondays, Through March 2, 2026, USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort. An active community leader discusses a book that has had an impact on the presenter, with questions and discussion to follow. Free to attendees through generous community sponsorships. Free parking. Our 39th season will showcase the following six experts and notable community leaders speaking about books that inspire them:
• Feb. 16: “The Empty Space” by Peter Brook. Presented by Libby Ricardo, MFA, University of South Carolina at Beaufort Associate Professor of Theater and Interdisciplinary Studies; Program Coordinator for Interdisciplinary Studies. Feb. 23: “A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold. Presented by Andrew Bridges, President and CEO, NEMOURS Wildlife Foundation.
• Mar. 2: “Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust: My Friendship with Patsy Cline” by Loretta Lynn. Presented by Amanda Brewer Dickman, Director, Beaufort County Library.
CALENDAR
Bands, Brews & BBQ
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, Paris Avenue, between 7th and 11th Streets, Port Royal. Fueling Scholarships and Service, hosted by the Zonta Club of Beaufort. Enjoy BBQ, brews, and live music while supporting scholarships and service projects that empower women and girls locally and globally.
Beaufort Lions Club Valentine Breakfast
8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for those 12 and younger. Enjoy pancakes, waffles, biscuits & gravy, sausage, and scrambled eggs with juice, coffee, and tea. Buy tickets online at https://beaufort-lions-club. square.site/ or at the door.
Beaufort Charities Annual Two-Day Oyster Roast
5 to 10 p.m., Friday, March 6 and noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, March 7, Live Oak Park, 904 14th Street, Port Royal. Friday’s ticket price ($40) includes live entertainment, Frogmore Stew, steamed oysters, plus unlimited beer and wine souvenir cups available for purchase. Saturday’s ticket price ($50) includes live entertainment, the annual oyster roast, unlimited beer and wine souvenir cups available for purchase, two live auctions (3 and 6 p.m.) and a free kids zone. A two-day ticket is available for $85. Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/49jecyd.
Friends of Fort Fremont Oyster Roast
5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 13, Live Oaks Park, Port Royal. $40 per person. Tickets available at www.fortfremont. org or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 982, St. Helena Island, 29920 by March 9. No walk-ins on day of event. Oysters and chili catered by Sea Eagle Market. Music by the Sweet Ferns. Silent Auction, appetizers and desserts. BYOB and chairs.
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
WHAT’S HAPPENING
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.
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, 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.
DANCE
Lowcountry Shaggers
6 to 9 p.m., Mondays, Albergotti Grill, Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary Street. Shag lessons with Tommy & Sheri O’Brien and others. Occasional ballroom and once-a-month line dancing. Beginner, 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.
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 410212-1468 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-ofthe-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 843-255-6458 for more information.
Mah Jongg Open Play
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Already know the basics of this fun and popular tile game? Join others for open play – all materials supplied. Cards may be purchased at nationalmahjonggleague.org.
Mahjong Club
9:30 to 11:30 a.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 843255-6458.
MEETINGS
Indivisible Beaufort
11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, St. Helena Island Branch Library, 6355 Jonathon Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. The meeting is free and open to the public. Aisha Jones, Senior Partnership and Engagement Associate at WREN (Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network) will be the guest speaker. In addition, the Indivisible Steering Team has been monitoring the healthcare situation in South Carolina and will give a brief overview of the dire consequences of ending the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premiums (subsidies) and cutting Medicaid.
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.
ET/UFO/UAP Discussion Group Sundays, (March 22, 3-4:30 p.m.; March 29, 7-8:30 p.m.; April 5, 3-4:30 p.m.; April 12, 3-4:30 p.m.; April 19, 3-4:30 p.m.; April 26, 7-8:30 p.m.), 2 Habersham Park House, Habersham, Beaufort. Free and open to the public. Watch and discuss the most important event in human history. The "Disclosure of UFOs/UAPs." We will watch interviews from retired military and civilians sharing their UFO experiences from the series “Cosmic Disclosures,” “Gaia.” Come and learn about these paradigm shifting events. We are moving into disclosure — might as well be educated. Questions? Please email ncloring@icloud.com.
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 pro-
vides 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 offroad/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/ jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.
Parents Alienated By Their Adult Children 10 a.m., Thursdays & 6 p.m., Fridays, Lowcountry Outreach Center, 80 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. This is a 12-step support group for Parents Alienated By Their Adult Children and is based on the international group, Parents Alienation Advocates (PAA). Contact Marye Jo Hartley or Greg Hartley at 703-966-2014 for more information.
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 252917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.
Al-Anon Beaufort County 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, 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
Broadway (Off Paris!) Music Extravaganza! 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, St. John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. Featuring the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Choir & other great artists. All are welcome. RSVP to church office at office@stmarksportroyal.org.
Campfire Tyler 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays, The Fillin’ Station, Lady’s Island.
Lowcountry Wind Symphony rehearsals 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort High School Band Room. The Lowcountry Wind Symphony, a 65-member concert band, invites new members. Woodwind, Brass, Percussion. Open to adults and talented high school youth. For more information,
email director@lowcountrywindsymphony.com or call 843-304-0543.
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 Course 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays, Feb. 17, 24; March 3, Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort. $50 for first family member; $15 for each additional
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 843838-7437.
RECYCLING
Computer recycling program
St. Andrew by the Sea Methodist Church, 20 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. St. Andrew by the Sea has started a program where your trashed computer is wiped clean of all data and recycled to Missioncentral.org — a 100% charity cause.
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
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.
Charity card game
3:30 p.m., first Tuesday of each month, Mangiamo‘s Pizza, 2000 Main Street, Hilton Head Island. The Hilton Head liberal men’s group is sponsoring a free social/charity event with a fun, easy to learn card game. A percentage of the money spent on food and drink goes to the charity of our choice. Come socialize, have fun, and support a good cause. Reserve a spot by texting Dave Desjardins at 202460-5286.
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 843-255-6458 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.
Columbia starts to feel the heat
There was some good news last week for those who are concerned about the Colleton County data center steamroller. The political heat being generated down here in the Lowcountry may be beginning to be felt by the pols up there in Columbia.
Seven of the nine representatives representing Colleton County in Columbia – four Republicans and three Democrats – signed on to a resolution that says, “data center developments are not appropriate in the Ace Basin watershed.” Only Senate Minority leader Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) and Rep. Bill Hager (R-Hampton) declined to sign on to the Resolution.
At the same time Sen. Tom Davis (R-Bluffton) introduced a bill tailored exclusively to regulating data centers in South Carolina. Davis’ bill sets standards for where data centers can and cannot be built in the state. It requires data centers to cover all the costs of the electricity they use, and it mandates that best practices relating to water use be required for all South Carolina data centers. The data center resolution and Sen. Davis’ proposed bill were first reported in The South Carolina Daily Gazette. There was more. Anticipating the cold snap that chilled South Carolina last week, on Sunday,
OFeb. 1, Gov. Henry McMaster posted on his Facebook page a message warning, “if large numbers crank up the heat too quickly, or run their washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers at the same time, the power companies may not be able to keep up with the sudden demand for power.”
The governor’s post was met with a fusillade of angry comments from Lowcountry residents saying in general and in unison, “If the power companies can’t deliver to us reliable power now, you all are crazy to give Eagle Rock Partners the permit to build a facility here that will use as much electricity as a city with a million plus residents!”
Meanwhile, during the snap Dominion Energy announced 272 of its Ruffin area customers were without power. Ruffin is right around a country corner from the Cooks Hill Road site.
The Colleton County Board of Zoning Appeals had not at this
Runoff
The
Air
writing announced when it would hold its all-important vote on the data complex’s “special exception” under the county’s recently amended zoning ordinance that, if granted, would give the proposed data center complex the necessary zoning.
Two Colleton County residents have filed a complaint and petition in state court arguing the new “special exception” ordinance violates state law, the county’s comprehensive plan and the county’s zoning code. The petitioners are represented by
Breezes can blow stress away
nce, I was a farmer working in the great outdoors, able to move with the breeze into open spaces. I had time then to pause and listen to the music in its rhythms.
The work was hard, but I could observe the quaking of the trees’ leaves, perceive what was being blown about, and in what direction. Comfort lies in such perceptions, and I could feel the absence of stress more than the weight of it.
Then I moved to town, worked as an attorney at an inside location.
A recent Harvard School of Public Health report asked people to identify what most helped them relieve stress. At the top of their list? Spending time outdoors (“Need Help For Stress and Anxiety? Maybe You Shouldn’t See A Therapist,” The Wall Street Journal , March 17, 2023 ) My move to town was doubly stressful. Another article, from The
Washington Post , “The Happiest, Less Stressful, Most Meaningful Jobs in America " (Jan. 6 2023 ), revealed that the practice of law is the most stressful occupation.
Both location and occupation affect stress, but you already know that. But another one of the reasons, you may not know and may be surprised to learn.
A significant cause of the increase in societal stress appears to be that, over the last few decades, the number of English and History majors at our nation’s universities has been reduced by roughly one-half. Enrollments in the humanities are in freefall.
For example, at Harvard University in the 1970 s, 30% of the student body majored in one of the humanities, a percentage now standing at 7%
Conversely, enrollment in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has increased substantially. It’s not that our priorities are wrong -- STEM stuff is essential. Technological progress, though presenting unique challenges, has served us well. It may even save us if artificial intelligence doesn’t destroy us. But it can’t do it alone.
James Shapiro, an English professor at Columbia, attributes increased stress to two factors: first, the pervasiveness and speed with which technology has invaded our lives; and second, society’s allocation of resources away from the liberal arts.
If you graph funding for the humanities since the 1950 s, you’ll produce an upside-down parabola,
with the left arm trending higher, curving to an apex, and then crashing after the 2007 economic crisis.
According to Professor Shapirio, a graph showing the growth and decline of democracy during the same period follows this same curve.
These graphs reflect the reality that, for the first time in our nation’s history, an upcoming generation has less knowledge of the human past than the preceding generation. Hard to tell where you’re going when you don’t know where you’ve been.
But all is not lost. Sanjing Sarma, a mechanical engineering professor at MIT, says the future belongs to the humanities.
A conclusion supported by career studies showing that humanities majors, with their writing, communication, and broadly based analytical skills, often assume leadership roles in society.
And change is evolving. People in their 30 s and
40 s and older are taking advantage of community colleges and/or internet access to higher education. In many cases, they are not going back to school to take technical courses; rather, they are returning to study the humanities.
Having been out in the world for a few years, experiencing the realities of competitive existence, they, too, are asking the question: “What’s it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live?”
New York Times columnist David Brooks recently wrote of feeling shallow. Technology had shortened his attention span by filling his day with petty distractions. So he escaped to art, finding relief from the “yapping within” and opening his consciousness to an appreciation not of new gadgets or a new political amorality but of emotions that could move him beyond narrowness.
Brooks recently left the Times and has accepted a position at Yale Univer -
The Ten Commandments bill
sity. In addition, he will be a staff writer for The Atlantic whose editor in chief described Brooks’ anticipated contributions like this:
“With a reporter’s curiosity and a writer’s grace, David will speak to the faults of governments, institutions, and social structures and explore the moral, social, and philosophical underpinnings of human decency.” -- Jeffery Goldberg. This area is fortunate to USCB’s Center for the Arts and many fine artists, galleries, museums, and libraries. Opportunities abound to forgo the trivialities, to allow a fresh breeze of the humanities to blow stress away, and to do as David Brooks is doing: explore the underpinnings of human decency.
Doug Pugh is a retired judge from northern Michigan. He and his wife are wintering on Fripp Island and are pleased to be there. He can be reached at pughda@gmail.com.
By Will McCorkle
Abill at the Statehouse (H. 4762) that would require the Ten Commandments in every South Carolina classroom jumped its first hurdle on Jan. 21 when a House Judiciary subcommittee favorably approved it to the full committee for consideration. Too bad. It’s a performative bill. Why? Because it seeks to appeal to a deeply conservative religious base but will do little to actually change public attitudes, much less make society more ethical. It has lots of troubling issues from constitutional and Christian perspectives.
From a constitutional perspective, it’s clear that there should not be the promotion of any
one religious view in the public schools. The First Amendment states clearly and directly that “Congress should make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” It was for this reason that policies mandating school prayer and the display of the Ten Commandments were ruled unconstitutional in the 20th century. There will be those who say this bill is not necessarily about promoting one religion but rather about universal principles. However, that’s simply not true. While there is, of course, general agreement on some values, such as not stealing and not committing murder, commandments about “having no other gods before me” or “not making graven images” and observing the
Sabbath are certainly not held by every member of America’s diverse, pluralistic society.
This proposal is also deeply curious from a Christian perspective since the overwhelming majority of those pushing this law are professing Christians. But the center of the Christian faith is not the Ten Commandments. The center is the teachings of Jesus. The famous American writer, Kurt Vonnegut, put it so well when he said, “For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). But, often with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course, that’s Moses, not Jesus. I haven’t heard one of
them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, be posted anywhere. ‘Blessed are the merciful’ in a courtroom? ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ in the Pentagon?”
Much of the rest of the American society and the global community may also see the complete hypocrisy of the current Republican Party clinging to the Ten Commandments while unapologetically supporting a leader who is a serial adulterer who bears false witness almost every day, has brazenly cheated on his taxes, failed to pay his workers and seems to be covetous about almost everything. This is also the same party that is defending the killing of anti-ICE protesters. Perhaps Republicans in South Carolina
should try to do a little self-examination before forcing the Ten Commandments on the rest of society in a performative stunt that will do very little but drive more division in our state’s culture wars and undermine the Constitution.
I think if Jesus were here, he would care far less about whether the Ten Commandments were in schoolhouses than about whether his own followers are living out his teachings, especially when it comes to caring for the poor, the outcast and immigrants. Perhaps the South Carolina GOP should focus a little more on those issues.
BILL RAUCH
DOUG PUGH
Editor’s
Newspapers antidotes to Instagram, Facebook
There’s just something different about holding a newspaper in your hands instead of reading it online.
The physical newspaper is a treasure trove of unexpected information. At first glance, you can obviously see what’s important to editors on a front page. But you don’t know what you’re going to learn when you start flipping pages.
And learn you will. You could discover news about some fresh conflict in another part of the world, a rescue story in Texas, news about the death of someone who touched your life or a quirky story about someone’s pet alligator.
The point is this: The physical act of turning pages in a newspaper is an intellectual treat. It’s a great way to learn about your community and nation in random
ways that are not controlled by some Internet algorithm. Reading unexpected stories connects you in new ways to your home and neighbors.
Newspapers also provide a place every week or day where you can keep up with what your local, state and national governments are doing — or not doing.
Newspapers are the great, longer-than-TV snippets that allow you to dive more deeply into a topic. They are, in one sense, the
antithesis of Instagram or Facebook with their often misleading scraps of information spread by people who are trying to spin this or sell that — instead of focusing on truth and accountability.
Unfortunately for America, newspapers are withering. In Atlanta, the storied Journal-Constitution no longer prints a daily edition, now only showing up online. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will close operations in May after two centuries of publications. And [last] week, we learned about cuts of more than 300 journalists at the legendary Washington Post — a decimation that will cripple its sports and international news coverage and make the newspaper a shell of its former bullishness.
This loss is much the same in weeklies across the nation.
Between 2005 and 2025, some
S2 843 non-daily newspapers closed, leaving 4 482 non-daily newspapers. In South Carolina, two counties — Allendale and Saluda — don’t have a local print news outlet, according to a Northwestern University tracking study.
Other papers that used to be daily, such as in Greenwood or Sumter, now print on just two or three days a week. And many weeklies have lost so much advertising revenue that their print editions are shadows of their former selves.
All of this goes to highlight the slow demise of newspapers and how that appears to be a symptom of what’s going on in a country where democracy and freedom are being challenged by intolerant, unfree, authoritarian Americans.
A vital, free press is essential
for American democracy to thrive by observing and challenging what elected leaders are doing. Having a vibrant, free press delivers a truthful check on bad leaders — the number of whom have multiplied like gnats in the last year of the Trump administration. A free press bolsters accountability to ensure people are doing what they say they’re doing (too often, they aren’t). Newspaper reporting isn’t going to go away. They’ll keep adapting somehow. And we hope they’ll continue to mostly be published in print — despite it being an inefficient medium. Because you never know what you’ll read when you turn the page.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.
This is our chance to shape what economic
hortly before he died in 2020 in his final opinion essay, Rep. John Lewis wrote, “Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.”
As the leader of a historic Beaufort County organization, I recognize the need to actively advocate for the Beloved Community, a future built on our linked fates. During its 164-year history, Penn Center has steadfastly championed economic development as a cornerstone of democracy.
The proposed Gullah Geechee Cultural Center and Village Entre-
preneurial Market is an economic development project capable of facilitating its realization. Therefore, the Penn Center supports the proposed project.
Over the last four years, the residents of St. Helena Island and their allies vigorously defended the Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO). CPO proponents rejected a developer’s efforts to circumvent existing
development looks like
regulations in addition to the project’s exclusionary approach to economic development.
The Gullah Geechee Cultural Center and Village Entrepreneurial Market represents a community-oriented initiative that promotes inclusive economic development, preserves the island's unique cultural aspects, and attracts regional, national, and international visitors. It aims to benefit a broad range of stakeholders, including St. Helena residents and small business owners, showing strong local backing.
This project breaks with economic models that overlook rural voices, embodying the democratic ideal of
the greatest good for the greatest number. Each year, more than a million visitors pass through St. Helena Island on their way to Hunting Island State Park, the most-visited park in South Carolina. Currently, few businesses serve this busy tourist corridor. This project aims to expand spending opportunities, increase local sales, and create new jobs, thereby directly supporting economic growth and addressing underemployment in the area.
The Gullah Geechee Cultural Center and Village Entrepreneurial Market also aligns with Beaufort County policies and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan,
reinforcing our collective commitment to cultural preservation and sustainable growth for the community's future.
In a rare occurrence, the community, businesses, government, and philanthropy are working in unison to realize the project’s vision. The Gullah Geechee Cultural Center and Village Entrepreneurial Market is a project that responds to the demands of residents, many of them Gullah Geechee, for public spaces that expand economic opportunity. Now is the time to put this plan for equitable economic development into action.
The first step is acquiring the property, which is the largest remaining parcel in the Corners Community. This is our chance to shape what economic development looks like, rather than respond to someone else’s idea of what it should be. Senator Campsen has secured $1 million from the state, and Beaufort County is only being asked to contribute $600,000 from the $3 million allocated for economic development land purchases. Please contact your County Council representative to express your support for this plan and its long-term success.
from
President of
States. Pages and pages can be filled with the president's lies, personal attacks, lawsuit threats, etc. Not to mention the graft, self dealing and debasement that goes on with his millionaire "friends" and MAGA supporters. It is quaint to go back in time and remember this quotation from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address as president in 1961: “And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” Another quote from the same address: “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few that are rich.” We have fallen very far as a country and as a democratic society. We will fall even farther before the bottom is reached. What to do? Pray. We are under siege. There are no atheists in foxholes.
Beaufort
ANDY BRACK
Robert Adams Jr., Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Penn Center on St. Helena Island.
ROBERT ADAMS JR.
– Terry Gibson,
VOICES
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of
A product of the energy, imagination of Dean Moss
It’s Tuesday, and I’m at the Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. This evening I’m with about 100 people who have gathered to hear Dean Moss talk about the gestation, birthing and the early childhood of the Spanish Moss Trail.
Dean’s story begins in 2007 when he was the Manager at the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) and the railroad was then owned by the State Ports Authority. Moss knew about the railroad — it chugged through his backyard — and he knew the Ports Authority was about to abandon the line.
I remember these times because I had been the attorney for the railroad and often required to say “no” to hard charging developers wanting to create new crossings in order to build new subdivisions on Battery Creek.
I had more than one opportunity to say “no” and would then face an enraged man who would say, “We’ll see what Senator Waddell
In the movie, “Casablanca,”
has to say about that!”
Looking around at tonight’s attendees, I don’t see anyone who was around in those days — the actors in the railroad’s demise having long since departed.
But Appleton’s railroad did prosper in the beginning; however things went south when the line was acquired by the Central of Georgia in the 1890s. In 1893 the phosphate-mining industry died thanks to an unnamed hurricane and a phlegmatic Governor — “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman. Thereafter, long staple cotton atrophied at the hands of the Boll Weevil. By the turn of the century a few old locomotives — now operating as the newly conceived Charleston
Vichy French Captain Renault closes Rick’s Café on the orders of the Nazi Major Strasser. When Rick asks his friend why he is closing the cafe, the captain exclaims to Rick,
“I’m shocked, shocked to find there’s gambling going on in here!”
At that very moment, the croupier comes up to Captain Renault, hands him money, and says, “Your winnings, sir!” The captain replies, “Oh, thank you very much,” and exits with aplomb. The moment always brings a laugh at the captain’s fake outrage.
If I listen to the noise that passes for news, it seems that each day, Donald J. Trump has wreaked more havoc in the China shop of the world. At least that is the consensus of the perpetually outraged. The latest shocking news revolves around a video that was posted for a nanosecond on social media. It portrays Democrat leaders as various jungle animals, including the sacrosanct Obamas as gorillas.
Immediately, headlines shriek that Trump is a racist and this video proves it. Trump should apologize!
and Western Carolina line — still connected Port Royal and Augusta.
Before and during World War I, the Whipples, Grays, Bentons, McLeods and others began planting lettuce, Irish potatoes and cabbages, thus bringing the golden age of “truck farming” to Beaufort County. Railroads (not trucks) made it possible to get freshly harvested turnips and tomatoes to New York and Philadelphia.
When I arrived in Beaufort (in 1970), there were still “packing sheds” all along the rail line in Sheldon, Dale, Burton and Beaufort. One can still see the remnants of one, crumbling rail-dependent building — the Pickle Factory — near the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) in Beaufort.
But paved highways and refrigerated trucks would (almost) put an end to vegetable farming in Beaufort County — though one can still view sprawling fields of just-planted tomatoes on St. Helena Island.
By 1980, the Port was reduced to sporadic shipments of Kaolin brought down from Georgia and dumped into the belly of the Repap Enterprise — a freighter that carried this clay to Canada. By 2007, the S.C. Ports Authority and its railroad were ready to leave; “And as a utility manager I knew that a utility easement was the same as gold,” Dean Moss told his audience.
But Moss also knew that this miles-long, perfectly level corridor could openup biking and hiking to breathtaking scenery that was largely hidden from the public. When Moss dreamed he dreamed of the “Tour de France” and knew bicycle-riding could, actually, extend one’s life.
As the Manager of BJWSA, Moss knew they controlled the potable water and sewer service absolutely essential for any development — and would often leverage that “capacity” when dealing large, intractable developers
used to getting everything they wanted.
One of the largest landowners on the trail, for example, did not want the trail to subdivide his hunting fields. Moss met with this man, realized that there was an opportunity here, and agreed to re-route the trail around his property in return for financial support.
Eventually that support would pay for 40% of the entire trail.
Small problems remain.
Moss believes the Trail should be connected to downtown Beaufort and it was his plan make this connection by way of Bay Street as that fabulous, live oak-festooned street runs from the Downtown Marina to Ribaut Road.
There was a conceptual plan presented to City Council; but many folks along Bay Street rose up and, according to Councilman Neil Lipsitz, remain vehemently opposed to anything near the Bluff.
“The downtown connection is now in the
Bull in the China shop?
No one noticed when George W. Bush was compared with a chimpanzee several times. Whether the video was a mistake caused by a mash-up that was not supposed to occur, or it was someone’s sophomoric, racist idea of a funny conclusion to a serious video about voting, the loudest narrative seems to be the one that smears Mr. Trump with the big R word. Possibly, the Lion King addendum was planted to make the President look bad. Whatever the reason, I think the staffer responsible for the video needs to be reassigned to work with a broom and not a computer. Should Mr. Trump apologize? What difference, at this point, would it make?
Hillary Clinton could ask that question and achieve her party’s nomination for the presidency a
hands of the City,” Moss told his audience.
More recently Dominion Energy demanded that certain “memorial trees” — planted along the Trail in Hundred Pines— be removed. Dominion claimed these trees, when mature, will interfere with its transmission lines.
“We’re working with Rep. Shannon Erickson and Senator Tom Davis to find a solution,” Moss said. Notwithstanding these issues, it’s hard to image this Trail without the energy and imagination of Dean Moss.
Note: This piece would have been impossible without constant reference to “Bridging the Sea Islands’ Past and Present, 1893-2006” by Lawrence Rowland and Stephen Wise, University of S.C. Press, 2015
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
few years later. She was talking about the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, which the Obama administration lied about, saying peaceful demonstrations about a YouTube video got out of hand. Did anyone apologize?
When I read claims such as, “Everything the Trump Administration is doing is bad for America,” without any supporting evidence, I wonder how we can have news reporting so diametrically opposed that people could actually think that. The view of Trump as completely destructive, uncontrolled, evil, can be fed only by media that overwhelmingly support the Democrat party.
In theory, the press is supposed to report on events in an unbiased fashion. While that ideal has never been achieved, it was not until the current age with its 24-hour news cycle that there is a constant stream of hugely anti-Trump reporting coming from journalists, 95% of whom vote Democrat.
Are people so filled with hatred of Donald J. Trump that they cannot see any good things that have occurred under his administration? In its January 1, 2026 online issue, Newsweek, not exactly a conservative mouthpiece, wrote
that Trump’s successes include ending the GAZA war and resolving the hostage crisis. Closing the border, and the rapid, peaceful, deportation of immigrants who entered the country illegally throughout 2025 are fulfilled campaign promises.
People who work and pay taxes consider the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping tax-and-spending-cut bill, a monumentally good thing. Other accomplishments include lowering crime in Washington, D.C., and placing tariffs on countries that had been squeezing the USA for years. The number of deaths from overdoses of illegal drugs has been declining.
Trump took a very hard line with Iran and dismantled their nuclear capability. The Western Hemisphere is more secure with the Chinese and Russian ally, Maduro, out of Venezuela. The United States may not be as wellliked as it was under Biden and his puppeteers, but the nation is more respected.
Foreign investment is returning to the U.S. The military is stronger. The economy is poised for growth.
Gas prices are lower. Prices have stabilized; under the Biden
administration, they soared by 21 percent.
Trump is one year into his second term. He has accomplished more in one year than Biden and his puppeteers did in four. No matter what Trump achieves, the outrage about the bull in the China shop will get louder as 2026 progresses because one party has all of its congressional candidates running against Donald J. Trump.
On Feb. 6, the Wilmington (Ohio) News Journal published an opinion piece stating, “The Left is focused on gaining and maintaining total control over citizens from Washington, and they have indicated they will do anything to keep congressional control.” It is a sure thing that if the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives in 2026, we will face two years of impeachment hearings and muck-raking that will make what has happened to Donald Trump in the past seem like a sunny afternoon on the sandbar.
Louise Mathews retired from a career in community colleges, and before that, theater. A 13-year come-by in Beaufort, she has been a dingbatter in North Carolina and an upstater from New York.
SCOTT GRABER
LOUISE MATHEWS
LOCAL MILITARY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 13 February 2026
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 T. M. Marple • Parade Adjutant, Staff Sergeant J. W. Porter Jr. Company “A”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Captain A. M. Hubbard Drill Master • Staff Sergeant E. Sarmiento Jr., Gunnery Sergeant J. A. Runion
PLATOON 1000
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt C. H. Wright
Pvt Abraham, J. S.
Pvt Allison A. T.
Pvt Arvin A. B.
PFC Beckham A. E. *
Pvt Belmontesraigoza A. D.
Pvt Binzen T. D.
Pvt Brown D. J.
Pvt Brown T.
Pvt Castillo B. N
Pvt Castrosanchez J. A
Pvt Cattermurdock, A. J.
PFC Chamberlin, D. R.
PFC Claspell, J. D. *
Pvt Doyle, Z. T.
Pvt Dunn, B. C.
Pvt Edge, L. J.
Pvt Ewing III, R. G.
PFC Fienberg, D. S.
PFC Floyd, G. B.
Pvt Garcia Jr., J. C.
Pvt Garcia, A. M.
Pvt George, A. M.
Pvt Gregoriofrancisco, B. M.
Pvt Griffin, S. E.
Pvt Hargrove, J. R.
PFC Harpermcmichen, N. R. *
PFC Hernandezmartinez, S. D.
PFC Hernandezmartinez, S. D. *
Pvt Hines, N. J.
PFC Howard Jr., B. D.
PFC Hubbard, T. W.
Pvt Hubert, C. C.
Pvt Hughes, T. D.
Pvt Hunt, J. H.
Pvt Kershaw, N. K.
Pvt Larson, C. J.
Pvt Long, J. F.
Pvt Longino, K. I.
Pvt Lucas, S. R.
Pvt Martin, I. R.
Pvt Nivens, J. K.
Pvt Ortiz, C. D.
Pvt Pellotmaldonado, J. A.
Pvt Putnam, G. B.
Pvt Quirozbarrera, M. A.
Pvt Rivera, J. I.
Pvt Riverabenitez, A.
Pvt Rodriguezpacheco, A.
Pvt Scott, D. L.
Pvt Serrano II, C. J.
Pvt Shaver, D. M.
Pvt Sims, D. D.
Pvt Svay, V.
Pvt Turner, B. A.
PFC Velasquezperez, A.
Pvt Walsh, D. L.
Pvt Warner, J. S.
Pvt Whitaker, J. L.
Pvt Wigley, W. C.
Pvt Yu, J. H.
PLATOON 1001
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt C. Campuzano
PFC Adetayo, T. I.
Pvt Alvaradoromero, G. N.
Pvt Anderson, N. R.
Pvt Andzelik, E. M.
PFC Augusto, E. D.
Pvt Barcelohernandez, A. A.
PFC Bernalgonzalez, S.
Pvt Bond, E. R.
PFC Brown, E. D. *
PFC Cardoso, T. A.
Pvt Carrera, L. L.
PFC Castillo, A.
PFC Chamorrochavez, E. S.
Pvt Cruz, M.
Pvt Dibiasi, J. E.
PFC Elliott, M. E.
Pvt Esilva, M. T.
Pvt Galvangonzalez, J.
Pvt Garciacarrasco, A. N.
Pvt Garciaortiz, Y.
Pvt Gayle, J. A.
Pvt Goodyear, J. A.
Pvt Goshay, O. A.*
Pvt Grant, C. P.
Pvt Greene, T. L.
Pvt Haggerty, M. L.
Pvt Hancock, M. M.
Pvt Hanson, L. A.
Pvt Jimenez, L.
Pvt Jolly, E. J.
PFC Kessey, G. J.
Pvt Laura, J. Y.
PFC Leebaert, K.
Pvt Liebenberg, S. A.
PFC Lynch, E. J.*
Pvt Martinezmartinez, J. M.
PFC Mclearykelsey, R. R.
Pvt Mendez, M. M.
Pvt Miles, T. K.
Pvt Misch, S. E.
Pvt Monteroramirez, A.
Pvt Montielmorales, L.
Pvt Mouton, L. C.
Pvt Newton, N. A.
PFC Nketia, M. N.
PFC Nussler, H. L.
PFC Ortizaraiza, B. E.
PFC Oteroperez, J. J.
Pvt Palomo, B. L.
Pvt Pastranaceballos, K. B.
PFC Presnall, M. Z.
Pvt Ramirezavila, G. P.
PFC Rodriguezrosa, A. B.
Pvt Rush, S. D.
PFC Shulparada, G. M.
PFC Spurlock, I. M. *
PFC Tran, T. T.
PCF Walls, W. L.
PFC Ware, A. S.
PFC Wolf, E. Z.
PLATOON 1002
Senior Drill Instructor
Sgt M. J. Jackula
Pvt Acosta R. O.
Pvt Anson P. A.
Pvt Arboneaux D. T.
Pvt Beckspritchard M. W.
PFC Blaich L. D. *
Pvt Carvalhoespiritosa G.
Pvt Chang, Tristan O.
PFC Clouden, Brian I.*
Pvt Coons, Aaron J.
Pvt Crisostomorosales, Bryan G.
Pvt Dangelo, Nathaniel S.
Pvt Deshazo, Cameron V.
Pvt Fernandez, Nicholas
Pvt Floresrodriguez, Douglas Y.
Pvt Floresurena, Bryan
PFC Garza Jr, Oscar A.
Pvt Godsey, Caden D.
Pvt Hall, Mason B.
Pvt Hamilton, Dontae M.
PFC Harrison Jr, Jeffrey A.
PFC Hatter, Elie L.*
Pvt Henry, Michael C.
PFC Hewitt, Kawaun J.*
Pvt Jacobs, Joshua D.
Pvt Jeanfrancois, Jariah D.
Pvt Jeanguillaume, Sebastien A.
Pvt Jin, Xianyu
Pvt Keane, Christopher J.
PFC Kitchin, Mason D.
Pvt Lawa, Tawfiq
Pvt Linares, Yuhann J.
Pvt Magoon, Rory C.
Pvt Martinez, Jesus E.
Pvt Martinezescobar, Efren
Pvt Moore, Trent J.
Pvt Murphy Jr, Damarcus E.
Pvt Myers, Jack M.
Pvt Negrete, Jonathan
Pvt Orbeochoa, Jewliany A.
Pvt Pacasio, Alexander D.
Pvt Pardo, Amaury
Pvt Parker, Benjamin J.
Pvt Pascale, Robert D.
Pvt Peterssmith, Brayden F.
Pvt Petro, Paul R
Pvt Phillips, Levi M.
Pvt Pierre, Myalovych
Pvt Rasid, Adu
Pvt Rodriguez Jr, Baldemar
PFC Rodriguez, Issac A.
PFC Sarro, Scott A.
Pvt Shattuck, Curtis L.
Pvt Vaquinsantizo, Dorian W.
Pvt Vaughn, Dalton A.
Pvt Villarnovo, Christian
PFC Willet, Drake J.
Pvt Wilson, Joshua L.
PLATOON 1004
Senior Drill Instructor SSgt R. T. Frye
Pvt Abraham J. S.
Pvt Alberts B. L.
Pvt Anderson E. E.
Pvt Avila I. S.
Pvt Bellow T. W.
Pvt Belser K. B.
Pvt Brasher R. J.
PFC Brown P. M.
Pvt Bryant C. J.
Pvt Burrel L. G
Pvt Cimorelli J. T.
Pvt Colangelo E. C.
Pvt Cordner B. J.
Pvt Cruz M. S.
Pvt Cubero A. A.
Pvt Cuddy C. L
PFC Daniel J. A. *
Pvt Deroy L. T
Pvt Eliasguzman G. A.
Pvt Farabaugh L. P.
Pvt Frantz T. J.
Pvt Garciaperez E. Y.
Pvt Gilbreath N. A.
Pvt Gillis C. J.
Pvt Gomez S. A.
Pvt Hanline E. D.
Pvt Hardy N. R.
PFC Heatrice K. D.*
Pvt Johnson N. K.
PFC Kelly J. R.
Pvt Lovoportillo A.
PFC Mcdonaldson C. L.*
PFC Mcnab M. K.
Pvt Medina F. V.
Pvt Menter K. J.
Pvt Molugata T. M.
Pvt Palomera R.
Pvt Parrow N. M.
Pvt Proctor B. J.
Pvt Ramirez M. J.
Pvt Rattes D. C.
Pvt Reyes S. G.
Pvt Reyesgalvez A. A.
Pvt Sanchez J. A.
PFC Sandoval P. *
Pvt Sapp E. R.
Pvt Swann K. K.
Pvt Taylor A. N.
Pvt Thomas W. C.
PFC Valentinsantos R. O.
PFC Valeri D. M.
PFC Vanhoy T. I.
Pvt Vargasduran R.
PFC Viel C. W.
Pvt Wanjiru G. K.
Pvt Williams V. L.
Pvt Williams J. P.
Pvt Winkis A. J.
Pvt Yardley R.
PLATOON 1005
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt C. Wilson III
Pvt Arizmendimartin B. C.
PFC Au A.
Pvt Barradas Jr, A.
Pvt Bisig Z. M.
Pvt Boykin W. C.
Pvt Brown K. A.
PFC Carpenter R. J.
Pvt Castanomontes L.
Pvt Costas R. J.
Pvt Cummins L. M.
Pvt Desta D. G.
Pvt Duro G. V.
Pvt Ferguson D. A.
PFC Folse J. K.
Pvt Gomez M. D.
Pvt Guarisco C. S.
Pvt Hanlon G. M.
Pvt Hollis J. G.
Pvt Holt G. F.
PFC Hurley A. J. *
Pvt Jackson A. N.
Pvt Jacobs J. E.
PFC Jelsema J. C.
PFC Jelsema V. M.
Pvt Johnson Z. K.
PFC Justice A. G. *
Pvt Layne H. M.
Pvt Lisai S.
Pvt Lopezsosa S.
PFC Lothamer E. C. *
Pvt Martinezsalomon J. D.
Pvt Miles D. J.
Pvt Newman F. A.
Pvt Peters S. J.
Pvt Pugh R. A.
Pvt Ramos J. K.
Pvt Reno C. J.
Pvt Reynolds B. P.
PFC Robinson P. J.
PFC Sabanayagam T. X.
Pvt Sands A. L.
Pvt Sapp Jr T. T
Pvt Shafer C. B.
Pvt Shabazz J. R.
Pvt Skaggs J. M.
Pvt Snowden T. J.
PFC Stephens A. C.
PFC Taylorlehman J. I.
Pvt Thelen M. L.
Pvt Tipton S. B.
Pvt Tirado P. L.
PFC Transou D. T. *
Pvt Tucker B. W.
PFC Uribe M. A.
Pvt Vazquezgarcia M.
Pvt Walton C. D.
PFC Whitfield D. M.
PFC Williams Jr, Q. V.
Pvt Wilson C. L.
R.
Pvt Abarcamiranda J. I.
Pvt Achor R. G.
Pvt Acostamoreno C. A.
PFC Akramov K.
Pvt Alvarez A. D.
Pvt Amurao A. C.
Pvt Andre T. J.
Pvt Anglero A.
PFC Boss H. L.
Pvt Boxall J.
PFC Collado J. A.
Pvt Johnson
Pvt Keltz
Pvt
PFC
Pvt
Pvt Lebans
PFC Woods A. E. PLATOON
Pvt
LOCAL MILITARY
Tri-Command Multi-Gun Match
Homelessness still major problem for thousands of veterans
This is the second article in a series of three articles on homeless veterans and the resources available to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, injury, illness, disability, or transition from jail. Article 1 can be read online at https://www.yourislandnews.com: click Military, then go to the Feb. 5, 2026, article.
According to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center & Healthcare System (RHJVAMC&HCS) of Charleston, SC webpage “Homeless veteran care” at https://bit.ly/4qxoeB9, “If you are a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail, VA Charleston health care can help you. Contact a VA homeless services care coordinator to get help.”
VA Homeless Care Coordinator
The RHJVAMC&HCS Senior Social Worker/Homeless Care Coordinator is Erin Ashoss, phone: 843-789-6804; Email: ErinAshoff@ va.gov. Find your local VA Medical Center at the VA locator at https:// bit.ly/4ksJGpt.
Care provided by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center & Healthcare System (RHJVAMC&HCS) of Charleston
The RHJVAMC&HCS helps veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail. Contact the VA Charleston homeless services care coordinator to get help with: Immediate food and shelter, including both transitional and permanent housing. Job training, life skills development, and education. Support with justice system navigation and community re-entry from jail. Financial support to prevent homelessness. Treatment for addiction and depression.
Health and dental care.
VA Homeless Programs
The VA’s specialized programs for homeless veterans serve hundreds of thousands of homeless and at-risk veterans each year. Independently and in collaboration with federal and community partners, VA programs provide veterans with housing solutions, employment opportunities, health care, justice- and reentry-related services, and more. Learn more on the VA’s “VA Homeless Programs” webpage at https://bit.ly/4cgUlRW.
VA Homeless Programs include the following Housing-related Programs • Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). SSVF is for very low-income veterans. SSVF provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a veteran’s home; to identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family; or to rapidly re-house veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without assistance. Learn more about SSVF at https:// bit.ly/401GWpr. Find an SSVF provider in the directory found at https://bit.ly/401GWpr. The SSVF Charleston, SC, Email: ssvfcharlestonvm@ one80place.org; and phone: 843-212-8668, Intake Information serves Beaufort and Berkeley counties. Read about the CCVF-Shallow Subsidy Services at https://www. va.gov/HOMELESS/ShallowSubsidy.asp. • Homeless Providers Grant
and Per Diem (GPD) Program. State, local, and tribal governments and nonprofits receive capital grants and per diem payments to develop and operate transitional housing—including shortstay bridge housing—and/or service centers for veterans who are homeless. Learn more about GPD at https://bit. ly/4tuiquE. HUD-VASH (US Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing). This collaborative program between HUD and VA combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help homeless veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing. Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to veterans who are eligible for VA health care services and are experiencing homelessness. VA case managers may connect these veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community. Among VA homeless continuum of care programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and largest percentage of veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness. Learn more at https://bit. ly/3OxS8HQ.
The VA Homeless Programs include the following Employment-Related Programs:
• Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services (HVCES). Employment is a key element in helping veterans transition permanently out of homelessness or avoid it altogether. It is now easier than ever for business and industry to find, interview, and hire job-ready veterans exiting homelessness. The VA has
placed over 150 Community Employment Coordinators (CECs) at most VA Medical Centers to help connect employers with veterans leaving homeless situations. CECs are recruiters’ connection to veteran new hires across a wide variety of sectors. Learn more about HVCES at https:// bit.ly/4bLLCHl. Download the HVCES Fact Sheet at https://bit.ly/4kzdCQS. Find the Community Employment Coordinator (CEC) Contact List at https://bit.ly/4qz6ANl. Learn more about CWT at https://www.va.gov/health/ cwt/. Contact the Charleston, SC CEC, Okereta Mills at Okereta.Mills@va.gov.
• Compensated Work Therapy (CWT). CWT provides transitional work and supported employment to help homeless veterans return to competitive employment. (CWT) is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical vocational rehabilitation program that provides vocational rehabilitation services; partners with business, industry, and government agencies to provide veteran candidates for employment and veteran labor; and provides employment support to veterans and employers.
CWT programs are located within all VA medical centers. Veterans in CWT are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Learn more about CWT at https://www.va.gov/ health/cwt/.
The VA Homeless Programs include the VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program HCHV offers outreach, case management, and residential treatment services to help veterans transition from living on the street or in institutions to stable housing
situations. HCHV staff engage and serve veterans who are homeless, including those diagnosed with mental health or substance use issues. Through HCHV, Veterans receive exams, treatment, referrals, and case management. At more than 135 HCHV sites, trained, caring VA specialists provide the tools and support veterans need to get housed and healthy. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3ZqGgtJ, https://bit.ly/3OiDuEi, and .https://bit.ly/4rgPy7U
The VA Homeless Programs include the Homeless Veterans Dental Program VA’s dental services help thousands of eligible homeless and other Veterans each year get access to quality dental care. Dental treatment may be available through these programs: Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment, Grant and Per Diem, Compensated Work Therapy/ Transitional Residence, HCHV (contract bed), and Community Residential Care. Dental care may also be available to certain veteran patients enrolled in VA-sponsored and partnership homeless rehabilitation programs. Persons wishing to obtain information regarding the homeless dental program in their area should contact their nearest VA hospital and ask for the homeless coordinator's office. Learn more about the VA Homeless Veterans Dental Program at https://www.va.gov/homeless/ dental.asp.
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 VA-accredited VSO, a Patient Adviser at Charleston and Durham VA Hospitals, a Fisher House Charleston/Friends of Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the Veterans Benefits Adviser for his local
LARRY DANDRIDGE
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brandon Garza, a drill instructor with Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, shoots M16-A4 rifle Friday, Fab. 6, 2026, during the Tri-Command Multi-Gun Match on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The Tri-Command Multi-Gun Match is a shooting competition designed to test the individual skills within the Tri-Command using the M16-A4 service rifle, and the M18 service pistol through different courses of fire. Cpl. Jordy Morales/USMC
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Christopher J. Geier
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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ank you to for generously sponsoring this ad.
The Adventure of a Lifetime What if you were called on an amazing journey?
We love great adventure stories.
Often in novels and movies, ordinary people are suddenly called on an unexpected adventure. It is a mission that seems impossible, a mission that beckons them to true greatness. By the end, they have discovered truths and grown in ways that they never could have imagined.
What if we too are called on such an adventure?
We love these kinds of stories because, deep within ourselves, we sense that we are called to something special, something great. And this isn’t just a daydream; it is reality! God has indeed created us for an amazing adventure, greater than anything Hollywood has ever portrayed.
God calls us on an amazing journey.
God is not an impersonal force or energy, like gravity or electricity. Rather, he knows us and loves us in a personal way. He created us to enjoy a relationship of love with him, here on earth and one day in heaven. He invites us to share in his own divine life. This is our purpose on earth. This is the answer to the meaning of life. This is the adventure that makes all others seem small in comparison.
Our journeys are unique.
We all share this call from God to journey towards him, but the particular path will be different for each of us. He has a special plan for each of our lives, a plan which calls us to faithfully develop the talents and opportunities we have received. Along our journey, we each have some special work that God has intended for us to do, tasks that he has not intended for anyone else.
Our adventure with God enriches all areas of our lives. Jesus taught, “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind, and soul.” (Matthew 22:37) As our love for God grows, he starts to slowly change our hearts, and our love for those around us also grows. We become better spouses, better parents, better friends. We become more fruitful employees and more engaged citizens. Rather than weighing us down or holding us back, our relationship with God allows us to live life to the fullest.
Accepting God’s call brings joy. Like the heroes in the stories, we have to take that first step and embark on the adventure. It will not be easy; there will be hardships and trials, obstacles and foes. But there is a deep peace and joy that comes from accepting God’s call and beginning to journey with our Christian brothers and sisters on this most amazing adventure.
