Arrest made in 38-year-old murder of Margit Schuller
Improved forensic technology, persistence combine to solve cold case
By Mike McCombs The Island News
Benjamin Franklin once said, “energy and persistence conquer all things.”
With a little help from science, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Cold Case Investigator
Bob Bromage appears to have proven Franklin correct.
The BCSO held a press confer-
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
Downtown merchants wear smiles despite ‘big dig’
BEAUFORT
You gotta hand it to the downtown Beaufort merchants. Most of them are wearing smiles worthy of a beauty queen despite the bad hand city and state officials have dealt them by starting a multimillion dollar digging project right at the beginning of the busiest holiday shopping season.
When city officials announced less than a month ago that the long-anticipated downtown area stormwater drainage renovation had to be completed by the end of 2026 or federal funds could be jeopardized, the announcement included plans to close the central Charles and Bay Street intersection for several weeks.
While initially there was much “weeping and wailing” by retailers who saw the potential of their primary shopping season going up in smoke, the merchants quickly adopted a “can do” attitude to make lemonade out of the lemons.
The city officials extended the free parking opportunities in the downtown marina parking lot, a tradition for the past several years although it traditionally ran from Thanksgiving to the new year.
Mary McCarthy leaves a lasting impact with $2.5 million contribution — largest in Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s history.
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ence Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 19 2025, to announce that almost four decades after the murder of 34-year-old Margit Schuller in 1987 76-year-old Cortez Sabino Lake of Beaufort has been arrested and charged in connection with the killing.
The arrest is a direct result of the BCSO’s Cold Case Review and improved forensic technology over the past 38 years.
Investigators served Lake with
an arrest warrant for murder on Tuesday, Nov. 18. He remains in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center with a bond hearing pending with a Circuit Court judge at a later date.
The victim
Margit G. Schuller was born June 21 1953 in Gardony, Hungary. A cardiac nurse, she married Jozsef Schuller and they had a daughter. The family immigrated to the United States in 1982
When Jozsef Schuller joined the U.S. Navy, the family moved from Alabama to Beaufort, where he
was stationed at Parris Island. At the time of Margit’s murder, Jozsef Schuller, a Navy corpsman, was on assignment in San Diego.
The crime At around 8:45 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 1 1987, BCSO deputies responded to the Palmetto Apartments in Burton where Schuller had been found shot to death near the complex’s laundry room, where she had been last seen folding laundry.
When Schuller’s 12-year-old daughter went looking for her after she was late coming back to her apartment, she found her dead in a pool of blood under a nearby tree, shot to death.
“She was shot actually inside the laundromat and crawled her way out,” Bromage said. A second blood trail diverged from Schuller’s blood trail back toward the end of the apartment complex indicating to investigators that the killer had been wounded, as well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, Lauren Galvin, Hannah Sather, Robbin Buchanan arrange flowers for tables in preparation of the Parish Church of St. Helana’s 46th annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner that will be held at the church on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
BCSO: Missing Lobeco man found
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The search for a missing Lobeco man was suspended on Saturday evening, Nov. 22, when remains that have since been confirmed to be his were discovered, according to a release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Isaac Bussey Sr., 79, was reported as “missing and endangered” on Friday, Nov. 21, after he left home to go shrimping and did not return. His relatives last heard from him at around 3 p.m. that day, and his
last known location was Old Rail Bed Road in Lobeco. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed on Monday, Nov. 24, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office and the findings from the autopsy were to be released on Tuesday, Nov. 25
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.
LOLITA HUCKABY
Margit G. Schuller
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS
American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Andre Boone, 72, who joined the United States Marine Corps in Philadelphia in 1972 After Boot Camp at Parris Island, he trained at Camp Lejeune in supply food service. He first served at the Recruit Training Depot in San Diego and later at the Marine Barracks at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth,
Va. In 1976, he transferred to Camp Pendleton for a tour before assignment on Okinawa, from which he deployed to Korea. He returned to Parris Island in food service supply before another tour on Okinawa. While at PI he used his GI Bill
to earn an Associate Degree from Johnson & Wales College. In 1984, he returned for a second tour at PI before a third tour on Okinawa, including other deployments. In 1991, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, from which he retired in 1992 as a Gunnery Sergeant with 20 years of service. He then worked as a chef at Naval Hospital Beaufort before beginning a 20-year
Ron Callari recently snapped an evening picture of Habersham’s Community Dock at its picturesque River Retreat. 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 highresolution 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.
career at the National Cemetery here in Beaufort where he began a program to mentor Beaufort County work-release parolees to work at the National Cemetery in grounds maintenance.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
2 arrested for weekend roadway robbery and shooting in Beaufort
By Delayna Earley The Island News
Bernard Deon Chisholm, 34, of Burton, and Bria Monae Smith, 34, of Beaufort, were arrested and charged as the suspected shooter and accessory in a roadway robbery turned shooting over this past weekend in northern Beaufort County.
Chisholm was charged with attempted murder, strong-arm
robbery, misdemeanor assault possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony and possession of weapon during a violent crime and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent crime. Smith faces two counts of accessory before the fact to a felony for allegedly helping Chishom flee the scene of the robbery.
ON THIS DATE
November 27
2023: Former S.C. Governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, a Republican candidate for President of the United States, holds a rally at the USC Beaufort Recreation Center at the Bluffton campus.
November 28
2023: Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone, in a letter to S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, asks the Attorney General’s office to take over the misconduct and political corruption investigation into former Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway. At the time, the investigation was being conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division and the Public Integrity Unit, a team of prosecutors and investigators run jointly by the First and
Just before 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, Chisholm allegedly robbed a victim at gunpoint on Franklin Street. He fired multiple shots according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, but no injuries or property damage were reported. Chisholm was successful in stealing property from the victim. As of Tuesday, Nov. 25
Chisholm is still being held at the Beaufort County Detention Center, but Smith was released on Nov. 24, on a $50,000 surety bond.
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.
Accounting April Ackerman april@ aandbbookkeeping. com Billing questions only.
14th Circuit Solicitors offices.
November 30
1772: Beaufort becomes the last of the backcountry courts, created by the General Assembly’s second Circuit Court Act in 1769, to begin to officially function following Camden and Orangeburg (Nov. 5); Cheraw and Ninety Six (Nov. 16); and Georgetown (Nov. 25).
December
Col. John Barnwell leads an expedition into modern-day North Carolina to quell an uprising of the Tuscarora Indians. He returned in June having earned the nickname “Tuscarora Jack.”
December 1
2022: Beaufort High School defeats
Powdersville, 41-31, in Columbia to win the S.C. High School League Class 3A State Football Championship, the Eagles’ third title overall and first since 1945
December 3
1981: Beaufort native Joe Frazier fights Floyd Cummings to a 10-round draw in Chicago. The bout would be the last for Frazier, who retired with a professional record of 32-4-1
2015: Beaufort weightlifter Dade Stanley, 13, sets two Youth American records in the 69kg weight class at the USAW American Open at Grand Sierra resort in Reno, Nev. Stanley was 6-for-6 on his attempts, lifting 83kg in the Snatch, 105kg in the Clean & Jerk and a Total of 188kg. The Clean & Jerk and Total were American Youth Records. – Compiled by Mike McCombs
PETS OF THE WEEK HAVE A NEW HOME!
Our Pets of the Week have moved to Page B10 so we can showcase even more pets in need of loving homes. Be sure to check it out and meet all the new faces waiting to be adopted through Palmetto Animal League and Hilton Head Humane’s Hilton Head campus.
Do you value your free hometown newspaper – made by locals, for locals? Free news isn’t cheap. Please help support The Island News!
Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550, Beaufort, SC 29901 Scan
Andre Boone
Generosity that shapes the community
Mary McCarthy leaves a lasting impact with $2.5 million contribution –largest in Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s history
$2.5 million donation by Okatie resident Mary
is the
philanthropic gift in the 40-plus-year
of
Burton Fire District promotes Kenyon to Assistant Fire Chief
Staff reports
On Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, The Burton Fire District promoted Assistant Fire Chief Joslyn Kenyon to her current rank from Captain during a ceremony attended by her husband and coworkers at the Pinewood Fire Station.
Kenyon’s husband, Steve Kenyon, currently a Battalion Chief and training officer for the Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire District, pinned on her new badge.
Assistant Fire Chief Kenyon oversees the Burton Fire District’s emergency medical program which includes both basic and advanced life support services. The Burton Fire District responds to more than 3 000 emergency calls a year, 65% of which are for medical emergencies.
Assistant Chief Kenyon has been in the emergency services for longer than 16 years, serving in both the private and public industry, including working as a paramedic for Global Medical Response (GMR) Nevada Coal Mines. Prior to coming to Burton in 2024, Chief Kenyon also worked for GMR as a critical care flight paramedic, and has served on the South Carolina Low Country Firefighter Support Team assisting firefighters and their families throughout the state. In 2019, then Firefighter/Paramedic
Burton Fire District Fire Chief Harry Rountree poses with newly promoted Assistant Fire Chief Joslyn Kenyon on Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, at the Pinewood Fire Station. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District
Kenyon, was part of a South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization and served on the Sumter Landfill Recovery Task Force, and after a several month operation, located and helped return the remains of 5-yearold Nevaeh Adams who was a victim of a homicide.
Assistant Fire Chief Kenyon holds a BA degree in History from UC Berkeley, and an MS degree from City University in London, England.
Special to The Island News Construction at the Bay and Charles streets intersection in downtown Beaufort has generated considerable attention in the past week following the city’s announcement the central downtown junction would be closed for the next 5 to 6 weeks, just in time for holiday shopping.
What wasn’t as widely noted, except on social media, was the removal by Gulf Stream Construction work crews of a single live oak tree estimated to be 100 years old.
The tree, located at the eastern entrance of the Downtown Marina parking lot behind Emma’s Earth Shop and Suthern Rose Horse Tours, is estimated to be about the age of the underground stormwater pipes the contractor is working to
replace to improve drainage in the downtown district.
When word went out, again via Facebook, that the tree had been removed to make way for the bulldozers, questions were raised about the role in planning of the City’s Park and Tree Advisory Commission, the protector and overseer of the City’s tree landscape.
City Manager Scott Marshall answered that question very directly during a PTAC meeting when he said the tree removal, which at that point, was a “done deal,” and “beyond the scope of authority” of the advisory board.
The five-member committee met to discuss a report on their activities for Nov. 17 meeting of City Council. But their role in the tree removal was raised by members who were concerned that the removal of such a significant
tree might jeopardize the city’s standing in the Tree USA program, a certification Beaufort has held for the past 30 years. Board member Michael Andersen expressed concern that the Commission had not been brought into the planning process prior to a report by the City’s Capital Improvement Project Manager Raul Dominguez in October that work would include the tree. At that October meeting, Dominguez also said the Bay-Charles intersection phase of the project would not be starting until January and would last only three weeks.
Board members asked Marshall if he was aware of any other tree removal in the next phases of the stormwater improvement plan. His response: “not to my knowledge.”
Wednesday evening, Nov. 19, the Burton Fire District responded to a reported vehicle fire in Seabrook that was endangering another vehicle and a nearby home. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District
Car fire endangers home and vehicle
Staff reports Just past 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, Burton firefighters responded to a reported vehicle fire on Yarrow Lane in Seabrook. Fire crews arrived on scene
to find a vehicle fully involved in flames within 10 feet of another vehicle and within 15 feet of a home. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. No damages were reported to the home or adjacent vehicle.
The Burton Fire District has responded to nine vehicle fires so far in 2025, two of which have occurred this month.
The
McCarthy
largest
history
the nonprofit Beaufort Memorial Foundation. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
4th annual Beaufort County First Responder Food Drive
Event will benefit Bluffton Self Help, HELP of Beaufort
Staff reports
Emergency response providers in Beaufort County have teamed up to collect non-perishable food items during the 4th annual Beaufort County First Responder Food Drive. The food drive, which runs through Friday, Dec. 12 2025, is geared towards ensuring food bank shelves are restocked ahead of the Christmas holiday.
Donations will be collected and distributed to Bluffton Self Help and HELP of Beaufort the week of Dec. 15, 2025
For those interested in donating non-perishable food items, donation boxes are located at various locations throughout Beaufort County.
FOOD DRIVE LOCATIONS
Beaufort County
100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort
Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department
1750 N Paris Avenue, Port Royal
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
2001 Duke Street, Beaufort
Burton Fire District
2 Market, Beaufort
Beaufort County EMS
2727 Depot Road, Beaufort
25 William Pope Dr., Okatie
31 Red Barn Dr., Bluffton
12 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Bluffton
Beaufort Police Department
1901 Boundary Street, Beaufort
City of Beaufort
1911 Boundary Street, Beaufort
Dataw Island Community Center
43 Marina Drive, St. Helena Island
Fripp Island Fire Department
289 Tarpon Blvd., Fripp Island
Lady’s Island-St. Helena Fire District
146 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort
MCAS Beaufort Fire & Emergency Services
2085 Drayton Street, Beaufort
MCRD Parris Island Fire & Emergency Services
455 Wake Blvd., Parris Island
Port Royal
PAFEN honored by Beaufort County Council
Staff reports The “Help Save Gullah-Geechee Land Campaign” of the nonprofit Pan-African Family Empowerment & Land Preservation Network, Inc., (PAFEN) was honored with a 10th anniversary proclamation by the Beaufort County Council during its Oct. 27 2025, meeting in Bluffton.
Beaufort County Councilman Mark Lawson of Bluffton presented the proclamation to St. Helena Island resident Theresa White, Founder and CEO of PAFEN. White, is a former journalist and was the first Savannah District Office Manager for former U.S. Rep. Cynthia A. McKinney, Georgia's first Black Congresswoman.
PAFEN, currently headquartered on Hilton Head Island, has saved GullahGeechee-owned homes, land, and businesses in
Theresa White, Founder & CEO of the nonprofit Pan-African Family Empowerment & Land Preservation Network, Inc., (PAFEN), left, receives a proclamation from Beaufort County Council honoring the 10th anniversary of PAFEN's “Help Save Gullah-Geechee Land Campaign” from Beaufort County Councilman Mark Lawson of Bluffton, left, during its Oct. 27, 2025, meeting in Bluffton. Submitted photo
both South Carolina and Georgia with a total assessed value of almost $25
million. It has also educated S.C. property owners and leaders via a series of Stand4Land Taxpayer Empowerment Workshops since 2017
Among other notable achievements, PAFEN was able to get the S.C. General Assembly to implement a 1-year extension of the redemption deadlines for all S.C. real property auctioned at county delinquent tax sales statewide in 2019 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Georgia, PAFEN has been saving Geecheeowned property from delinquent tax sales in McIntosh, Glynn, and Chatham counties since 2021. The majority of funds in Georgia have been spent to protect Geechee property in the tiny Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, the most endangered Gullah-Geechee enclave in the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, and Savannah. For more information, visit https://panafricanfamilyempowermentnetwork. org.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helps HELP of Beaufort
Special to The Island News
In response to increasing demand for food assistance, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided additional emergency funding to 60 food pantries across the Southeastern United States with the potential for assistance to additional locations.
HELP of Beaufort is among the organizations getting additional help.
This support will help relieve shortages and provide meals for more than 400 000 individuals and families facing food insecurity.
Receiving organizations such as HELP of Beaufort are on the front lines of helping those in need. Many have experienced recent stock shortages and heightened demand as families struggle with reduced benefits and rising food costs.
to heal hearts and help others feel the joy and peace that come from a merciful Redeemer who remembers each one of us.”
Opozda described her organization’s ongoing needs.
“HELP of Beaufort has been working with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for quite a few years; the pallets of food we received during the COVID pandemic were life-saving for our pantry shelves. Having to move again three years ago, we were in an extremely tight space and were unable to receive pallets of food anymore.
HELP of Beaufort’s Executive Director Lori Opozda said, “We moved into our permanent home just 12 weeks ago, just in time for the food stamp issue and government shutdown. The funds we receive will be used to keep our pantry shelves stocked and our mobile meals program operating without a hitch.”
Staff reports
This initiative builds on the Church’s ongoing humanitarian efforts to care for the poor and hungry. In 2024 alone, more than 32 million pounds of food were donated through community and interfaith organizations across the United States.
“As followers of Jesus Christ, we are invited to care for those in need,” Elder Craig C. Christensen, United States Southeast Area President of the Church, said in a media release. “When we lift the weary, feed the hungry, and comfort those who suffer, we reflect the pure light of the Savior. In doing so, we become instruments in His hands
“During the last four years we had an ongoing building campaign and now have a permanent home completely built by the community. Between donations, donated materials and a builder who worked 100% with us, we made it happen.
“We are always looking for volunteers and perishables/nonperishables, especially with the holidays approaching. Our toy drive this year has superceded previous years, with 242 children already signed up, and we still have two more weeks to go for registrations!”
Grays Hill fire 2nd for home
Early Sunday morning, Nov. 16, the Burton Fire District, MCAS Fire & Emergency Services, and Beaufort County EMS and Sheriff’s Office, responded once again to a house fire on Craig Lane in Grays Hill.
Just after midnight, emergency crews responded to a reported house fire on Craig Lane in Grays Hill after a frantic neighbor called 911 to report the blaze. The neighbor stated that she had banged on the door to check if anyone was
inside but there was no response.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find heavy flames coming from a double-wide mobile home. Due to the amount of fire, fire crews had to battle the fire from outside until being able to
enter the home to search for victims. Crews made a quick search of the residence due to the structure being unstable and found it unoccupied.
The home appeared to be under remodeling after a fire at the same residence in Oc-
tober in which the residents had extinguished a fire prior to the fire department’s arrival. That fire was believed to have been caused by an electrical issue.
Both fires remain under investigation. No injuries were reported.
Loop in Southside Park renamed in honor of longtime City Public Works Director
the South Coast Cyber Center and Director of the Pritchard Island Research Living Shores Foundation. “His family is immensely grateful to City Council for bestowing this honor on him. He would be very proud of this honor in recognition of his long service to the community.”
Beaufort Memorial Foundation fosters ‘Tree of Hope’
Staff reports
This fall, inside a bright and bustling classroom of four-year-olds at the Beaufort Memorial Learning Center, the spirit of the holidays arrived early. Crayons danced across paper, small hands worked with joy and focus and giggles filled the room as young artists poured their hearts into creating festive designs for the Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s 2025 Tree of Hope campaign.
This year, four unique ornaments, each featuring a joyful design created by Learning Center students, are available for purchase through the Beaufort Memorial Foundation for $30 each. Proceeds from the campaign will directly support the Founda-
tion’s mission to expand access to healthcare throughout our region.
The Beaufort Memorial Learning Center currently enrolls 72 students and celebrated the opening of its new location on the main hospital campus last November.
Through this partnership, the creativity and compassion of Beaufort’s youngest learners help bring health and healing to the community they call home.
Each Tree of Hope ornament captures the wonder of the holidays through a child’s eyes, reminding us all of what truly matters: connection, kindness, and the magic of giving. Your gift helps ensure that families in our community have access to the care they need, when they need it most. Tree of Hope ornaments are available for purchase until Monday, Dec. 15 for $30 each. To order or learn more, visit BeaufortMemorial.org/TreeofHope.
The Tree of Hope campaign is more than a holiday tradition, it’s a celebration of life, hope and giving, highlighting the profound impact Beaufort Memorial has made on thousands of families over the past 81 years. Through the dedication and generosity of our community, the Beaufort Memorial Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to enhance and expand vital services, ensuring that Beaufort Memorial continues to provide exceptional care close to home.
Paul Harris Fellow Awards
Award for both herself
share the common goal of doing good for the community. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Murder from page A1
“We're not sure how he was wounded at this point, but we know he was injured as he left a blood trail,” Bromage said.
Investigators developed persons of interest but could definitively link no one to the crime.
The weapon
Two years after her murder, the French-made .22 caliber pistol that was used to kill Margit Schuller was found by construction workers at the future site of a hotel on U.S. 21 near Robert Smalls Parkway.
Discovering the murder weapon brought investigators no closer to solving the crime.
According to Sheriff P.J. Tanner, the gun wasn’t a common make with no criminal record tied to it. Apparently, the manufacturing plant where the gun was made no longer even exists, having burned down years before the crime.
As years pass, the science gets better
Investigators collected critical blood evidence from the scene, even though it would be years before they could do much more than determine the killer’s blood type.
“Now, back in 87, there wasn't DNA [testing],” Bromage said. “There was blood typing, so that was not a specific and sensitive as the technology we have today.” Slowly that changed.
Before 1999, Bromage said, you needed a lot of blood to develop any sort of DNA profile. But by 1999
Naomi Benshoff, center, uses her monthly magazine, Beaufort Lifestyle, to highlight the people, places, and passions that capture the essence of Beaufort, Port Royal, and the Sea Island and on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, The Rotary Club of Beaufort presented her with a Paul Harris Fellow award. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
“you needed only a minute amount of DNA to be able to produce a robust profile.”
A Ph.D. at the State Law Enforcement Division lab, Gray Amick, told the BCSO, “I see the blood, but I can't develop a profile. I don't know why, but if you resubmit it in a few years, we should have better technology."
A few years later, Amick was then in charge of the Richland County Sheriff's Office in Columbia. He told Bromage, "I want another try."
The BCSO resubmitted the evidence in 2005, and Amick developed a robust profile belonging to an unknown male. It was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Eventually, all original persons of interest in the case were eliminated based on DNA evidence. In 2019, investigators sent DNA evidence to Parabon Nanolabs for advanced analysis. Through its advanced analysis, Parabon developed composite sketches of what the suspect may have looked like at ages 25 and 55 Parabon also began to analyze potential connections due to familial relations.
The Cold Case Committee In 1999, when P.J. Tanner took office as Beaufort County Sheriff, he started reviewing cold cases with a committee, headed up by Bromage, now a reserve deputy and the public safety director for Hilton Head Island.
The committee, made up of retired law enforcement officer and others from all walks of life, meets regularly and picks at unsolved cases from as many different angles as they can, trying to shed new light on any details that may lead to the resolution of a case.
“[We] started the cold case review in 1999,” said Bromage, a retired Major. “Since [then] we've solved four cases and have a partial resolution in another case from 1995., I will say this -- stable, progressive leadership leads to the successful resolution of these cases. Changing leadership, it may have gotten lost in transition. So having an active cold case program for 26 years now has been very effective. And I want to acknowledge Sheriff Tanner's leadership and the leadership of Mark Orlando, the Hilton Island Town
manager for supporting this program.”
Bromage enlisted the help of one of these cold case volunteers to dig into potential biological connections in the evidence that might connect someone to the crime.
“I have a particular volunteer that ... you talk about volunteerism, I mean, it's amazing, the amount of hours, the countless hours, that go into this,” Bromage said. “She was able to identify Maria Telles-Gonzalez in 2022. She had been an unidentified murder victim for 27 years. Amazing. So, after that case, she goes, ‘Bob, I'd like to I'd like to try this case.’”
Eventually, after countless hours of research, the volunteer reached a conclusion in Margit Schuller’s murder –the killer was likely 76-yearold Cortez Sabino Lake of Beaufort.
Who is Cortez Sabino Lake?
Lake lived in the Battery Creek Apartments at the time of the murder in 1987 maybe 600 to 800 feet from the laundry room, according to Bromage. Originally from Illinois, Lake was a
corpsman in the U.S. Navy serving in a dental clinic on Parris Island.
“He would have known who Margaret Schuler was,” Bromage said. “He would have had access to the laundromat. We were able to establish he did live there.”
Despite the fact that both Lake and Jozsef Schuller were Navy corpsmen, Schuller has no recollection of crossing paths with Lake while they were both in Beaufort.
After his separation in 1988, he was employed at Beaufort Memorial Hospital as a respiratory therapist, and retired after more than 30 years.
The arrest Investigator Adam Drayson, the first partner Bromage said he’s ever had in a cold case investigation, went to speak to Lake about the crime. Bromage said Lake was surprised by the visit.
“Not to get into too much, but we did not receive cooperation from that that we were looking for,” Bromage said. “We brought him back in. This time I came over from Hilton Head, and we sat with the subject. Again, he did not want to cooperate, but we were able to obtain DNA, not with his cooperation, but we obtained DNA.” Bromage wouldn’t go into detail about how the investigators got a DNA sample, but when they did, they submitted it to the BCSO Forensic Services Lab. He said several days later, the lab called and asked if they were buying lottery tickets, saying, “he’s it!”
Bromage and Drayson obtained a search warrant from a circuit court judge to obtain to compel Cortez Lake
to provide DNA. Once again, the BCSO Forensic Services Lab found Lake to be a perfect match to blood from the 38-year-old crime scene.
Drayson obtained a warrant for Lake’s arrest, serving it Tuesday, Nov. 18. Investigstors believe sexual assault was the motive in this case.
“There was evidence found at the scene,” Bromage said, “and the victim, of course, her appearance when she was found would indicate sexual assault was going to be the motive.
Tanner said Lake, who lives with a woman, has essentially been hiding in plain sight for 38 years. It’s possible he has committed other crimes, though he has virtually no criminal record.
“Lake has lived in Beaufort County ever since this incident occurred,” Sheriff Tanner said. “So we believe that there are people out there that would have information, so we really encourage people to come forward and tell us whatever they might know about him or anything that's happened since the murder occurred.”
If there are other victims of crimes Lake may have committed, Tanner encourages them to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call Cold Case Investigator Bob Bromage at 843-816-8013
For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County at the P3 Tips App (mobile) or online at tipsbft.com or at 844-TIPS-BFT (844-8477238).
Mike McCombs is
Margaret Evans, center, was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow
and her late husband, Jeff, publishers of The Island News and Lowcountry Weekly, at the Rotary Club of Beaufort luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. According to the awards, the newspapers
An ornament created by a Beaufort Memorial Learning Center student for the “Tree Of Hope” campaign called "Christmas Tree, Me, My Baby, My Friend." Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Beaufort Memorial, first responders team up for hospital safety drill
Exercise saw teamwork across the organization, support from external agencies
Special to The Island News
BEAUFORT – “ICU…white male…khaki pants…plaid shirt…five-nine in height… brown hair. Avoid, deny, defend.”
That message echoed across the entire Beaufort Memorial organization on Monday, Nov. 3, as the community health system, in its ongoing commitment to preparedness, united with external partners to conduct a scheduled active shooter safety drill at the main hospital campus.
The drill, “Operation Rapid Shield,” was strictly a proactive measure with the goal of ensuring protocols across Beaufort Memorial in an active shooter scenario are as clear, efficient and seamless as possible.
The exercise saw collaboration between Beaufort Memorial, law enforcement, fire and other community and state partners and validated the health system’s ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness, continuous staff training and readiness for potential real-world events.
"We hope Beaufort Memorial never faces a situation like this, but it’s important that our team knows exactly how to respond to keep our patients, visitors and each other safe,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “This drill really showed the power of teamwork — both within our hospital and with our community partners who helped make it a success."
‘Operation Rapid Shield’
The organization-wide drill, held in the intensive
Lowdown
from page A1
care unit (ICU) at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, has been in development for months, with several planning meetings held prior to the exercise that brought in community partners such as law enforcement agencies and emergency management personnel.
“Operation Rapid Shield” was a hybrid tabletop exercise, with a walkthrough and discussion-style execution and a subsequent “hotwash” (a comprehensive debriefing highlighting key takeaways) with Beaufort Memorial staff and external agencies.
The drill saw a realistic scenario unfolding in the Beaufort Memorial Hospital ICU at 11 a.m. on Nov. 3 as a staff member role-played an active shooter in the department. Staff walked through response protocols with law enforcement, hos-
A number of merchants urged the officials to consider making all parking spaces downtown free, but city officials declined to honor that request, noting that past parking studies included free parking did not lead to more shoppers.
The nonprofit Freedman Art District organization stepped in and quickly organized a special pop-up “Mistletoe Market” for downtown merchants to be held Thursday, Dec. 11 through Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Tabby Place on Port Republic Street, the weekend after Night on the Town activities and the Christmas parade which will be rerouted down Craven Street instead of Bay.
The business community has, indeed, stepped up and just as an observation, it looks like locals are responding by hazarding the new Bay Street detour signs and beginning their Christmas shopping in downtown shops early.
The restaurants located in the area appear relatively quiet, but … despite the decorations and marketing, it’s not CHRISTMAS yet so hopefully that will pick up this week as relatives come home for Thanksgiving.
In the meantime, it’s expected merchants will continue to wear those big smiles and try to explain to visitors why the downtown area is being plowed just in time for Santa.
PTAC reminded they have no authority over tree removal
BEAUFORT -- One citizens’ group that’s not wearing smiles right now is the city’s Park and Tree Advisory Committee.
Since the Gulf Stream Construction company contractors cut down a live oak at the foot of Charles Street two weeks ago, in anticipation of the stormwater
pital security and agency partners, and the hotwash after the exercise “captured valuable insights that will further strengthen safety and response plans moving forward,” Baxley explained.
For employees who work in departments other than the ICU, the drill was an opportunity for teams to discuss their strategy should an incident like this occur in their workspace.
A collaborative effort
The exercise was collaborative from start to finish, requiring cross-departmental and interdisciplinary cooperation of Beaufort Memorial staff, but included onsite engagement of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the Beaufort Police Department, Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department, Beaufort County EMS, Department of Public Health (DPH) and the South
drainage work, citizens have asked “why” and “how come the PTAC didn’t do something about this?” Members of the five-member citizens panel, which is charged with protection of the city’s trees as well as parks, are asking those same questions.
It turns out the city capital improvements coordinator did tell them, at their October meeting, with a promise that the tree would be replaced, or “mitigated,” somewhere else.
And, as City Manager Scott Marshall reminded them during a special meeting last week, they’re an ADVISORY board even though the board is a requirement for the U.S. Tree City designation which Beaufort has held for the past 33 years. Plus the removal of trees, in fact all aspects of this public utility project are exempt from the routine city regulatory procedures, which would have included removal permits, according to the city manager. No answers yet on how many trees will be removed, or damaged as the project bulldozers move north to King Street. There is at least one sycamore at the corner of Charles and North slated for removal, according to information provided by email to the committee.
In the meantime, PTAC members are expected to be on hand for the Dec. 5 city celebration of the state’s Arbor Day, where one tree will be planted, in honor of all those cut down this past year. They, like the downtown merchants, will probably be wearing smiles, trying to make the best of the situation.
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. The Rowland, N.C. native’s goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.
Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), Region 6
“Exercises like these give everyone the chance to practice our emergency procedures and work on strengthening the skills we have. The drill gave us the valuable opportunity to practice in a hospital setting and engage with our healthcare partners. By building these robust relationships, our preparedness, response and recovery can constantly adapt and improve,” SCEMD said in a statement.
SCEMD participates in multiple exercises throughout the year across the state to better prepare for possible emergencies.
“Teamwork was essential for this exercise, and we want to thank Beaufort Memorial staff and our external partners for their dedication as we work to prepare our-
selves for the possibility of emergency scenarios such as an active shooter,” said Baxley. “The incidence of violence in healthcare facilities across the country has grown over the last decade, and Beaufort Memorial, in partnership with local law enforcement and emergency services, is committed to being as prepared as possible.”
The drill exercised not only the staff’s grasp of emergency protocols in an active shooter scenario, but the internal and external communication procedures should such an incident take place. Internal alerts and external coordination flowed smoothly through the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), showing how quickly the team can mobilize during a critical event.
“This exercise demonstrated excellent coordina-
NEWS BRIEFS
Beaufort County office closed for Thanksgiving
In observance of the Thanksgiving and Heritage Day holiday, all Beaufort County government buildings will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28
Convenience Centers in Beaufort County will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27, and will resume their regular schedules Friday, Nov. 28
Operations at the Hilton Head Island Airport will remain available during the holiday. Beaufort Executive Airport will have self-serve AvGas but no FBO services will be available Thursday. All services will be available Friday.
Emergency services and law enforcement personnel will remain available.
Lowcountry Food Bank gets $50,000 grant from Norfolk Southern
Lowcountry Food Bank has been awarded $50 000 in grant funding by Norfolk Southern Corporation to support its mission in the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina the organization serves. The funds will be used for food distributions that meet neighbors where they are, close to home, with pre-packed food boxes or a neighbor-choice, market-style food distribution where neighbors choose the foods they want to take home to their families. Mobile Pantry distributions provide a variety of food, which may include shelf stable items, fresh produce, dairy and meat.
Hardeeville man arrested in connection with sexual exploitation of minors
Kevin Richard Vliet, 55 of Hardeeville was arrested on three charges connected
tion between Beaufort Memorial, hospital security and our law enforcement, fire and other community and state partners,” Baxley added. “Throughout the drill, everyone communicated efficiently and followed established protocols.”
A commitment to preparedness
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience violence in the workplace than other occupations. Recent tragedies in the Beaufort County community also reinforce the importance of preparedness. Operation Rapid Shield was the first active shooter drill held at Beaufort Memorial and is a key component of Beaufort Memorial’s ongoing training for readiness in an emergency scenario. Hospitals are high-traffic environments that care for vulnerable patients and often see stressful, emotionally charged situations. Exercises such as Operation Rapid Shield help ensure that personnel at Beaufort Memorial are trained to respond quickly, communicate effectively and prioritize patient safety during critical incidents.
“Ongoing training not only protects lives but also continues to reinforce Beaufort Memorial’s culture of safety,” Baxley said. “The safety of our patients, visitors and staff is our top priority, and this exercise will allow us to keep the momentum going in preparing our staff for the unthinkable.”
to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Attorney General's Office made the arrest. Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations, also members of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation. Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which led them to Vliet. Investigators state Vliet possessed files of child sexual abuse material.
Vliet was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. He is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count. This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office.
County Assessor hosting community events
Beaufort County Assessor Ebony Sanders is hosting multiple community events at County Library Branches to allow the public an opportunity to meet with her staff and share questions and concerns regarding real property valuation, exemptions, appeals and general property information. Each community event will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. No appointments are necessary. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Rigg, Appeal/BAA Coordinator at BAA@bcgov.net or 843-255-2404
The dates are as follows:
St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way: Thursday, Dec. 11
Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway: Monday, Dec. 1
– Staff reports
First responders walk through protocols with the ICU staff at Beaufort Memorial Hospital during a safety drill on Monday, Nov.
3. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
BUSINESS
Giving well
Provided by Wells Fargo Advisors
How much thought do you give your charitable giving? Do you simply write some checks, or do you visit organizations’ websites, make donations, and then get on with your day? If so, you’re not alone. But is that really the most fulfilling way to do it? Here are some insights from Meredith Camp, philanthropic services senior regional trust manager with Wealth & Investment Management, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.:
Having supported the philanthropic efforts of many clients over the years, I have seen clients enjoy so many incredible benefits of giving, but not without obstacles that need to be overcome to get the most out of the experience. First the benefits: I have seen first-hand how giving one’s time, money, and energy on behalf of others can enrich personal and cultural relationships, enhance well-being, and build stronger, more vibrant communities.
Now the obstacles: Making meaningful decisions about how, when, and how much to give is not always easy. With over 1 million charities in the U.S. and social, environmental, and economic uncertainty, the choices can be overwhelming, even stressful. As a result, I have seen some individuals restrain their charitable activity despite their strong desire to give back. Others I encounter worry that their giving is scattered, often reactive, and as a result, only moderately satisfying.
“When
Fortunately, there are ways to enhance the process of giving so that it’s a more rewarding and joyful experience for both donors and the recipients of their generosity. When my clients ask how to make the most of their charitable giving, I tell them it starts with meaning (not money). Together, we explore their values, passions, and objectives to help bring focus and intention to their philanthropy.
How can you transform your giving into a more meaningful, fulfilling endeavor? Whether giving of time or treasure, a little planning goes a long way. Here are some guidelines to help get you started:
1 Reflect: The first thing I encourage clients to do is take a look at past and current practices of generosity. Understanding your past behaviors will help guide your direction forward. As you reflect, consider how much of your giving decisions are based on feelings of obligation, gratitude, impulse, or even guilt. What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever given and why?
2 Identify your values: Values are the core motivating principles that guide our behavior and shape how we show up in the world. Knowing the principles and characteristics that motivate you is at the heart of meaningful giving. For example, if your core values are creativity, opportunity, and inde-
pendence, you may approach giving differently than one motivated by tradition, effectiveness, and collaboration. Understanding that philanthropy is as unique as your fingerprint allows authenticity and meaning to penetrate the choices you make.
3 Find a focus and write it down: Intentional philanthropy requires exploring your interests and passions and determining what issues matter most. I suggest choosing two or three areas on which to focus the bulk of your giving. Then write a philanthropic mission statement as a way to clearly express the intent of your generosity. A mission statement answers the questions “What do I stand for and what do I want to do about it?” This focus will help you prioritize opportunities, make meaningful decisions, and even help you say “no” when an opportunity is off-target.
4 Engage those you love and trust: Philanthropy as a shared experience fosters a sense of interdependence and cooperation and can drive greater personal and social change than may be achieved alone. Family philanthropy is also an opportunity to connect with one another, define what you stand for as a family, and pass down generational values. Whether giving as a family unit or with a trusted group of individuals, be willing to stretch out of your comfort zone and learn from others and from the communities you choose to serve.
5 Attend to the details: It’s important to address the practical details of putting your generosity in motion. Establish a budget including charitable dollars and volunteer time, and consider parameters for discretionary and responsive gifts, even for those random acts of kindness. A budget can aid in planning and decision-making, bringing peace of mind so you can feel good about doing good.
Consider taking time to reflect on how you might find more meaning and fulfillment from your expressions of generosity. Talk to a professional financial advisor if you’d like to learn more about charitable planning and inspired giving.
Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management provides financial products and services through various bank and brokerage affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.
This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Whitney McDaniel, CFP®, AAMS®, Financial Advisor in Beaufort and Hilton Head Isalnd, SC at 843-524-1114
Investment and Insurance Products are: Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government
Agency Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered brokerdealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
©2022 2025 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.
Battery Creek legend Stroman dead at 83
Coach led girls basketball team to pair of 3A state titles
The Island News
Joseph Stroman Jr., the most decorated basketball coach in Battery Creek High School history, died at his Burton home Thursday, Nov. 13
Stroman, 83, is survived by his wife, Trudelle G. Stroman. A Celebration of Life was held last week at Grace Chapel AME Church on Lady's Island.
“Coach” Stroman, a science teacher for the Beaufort County School District, coached football, basketball and track and field at Robert Smalls High School from 1967 to 1973. From there he went to Batter Creek, where he coached from 1973 to 2006
From 1973 through 1995, Stroman was 288-57 in boys track, winning four region championships from 1974 through 1977, the first region championships
in Battery Creek’s history.
But it was girls basketball where Stroman really made his mark, going 253-126 and winning 3A state championships in 1996 and 1998
Former players called Stroman “tough but fair” and said he pushed players to be “better than they intended to be.” Many of his girls went on to college, while two played professionally, one in the WNBA and one in Europe.
Stroman was inducted into the Batter Creek Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2023, the new Batter Creek gymnasium was dedicated in his name -- Joseph Stroman Jr. Gymnasium.
In 2025, he was inducted into
the S.C. Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
His plaque read, “Beyond the wins, Coach Stroman’s greatest legacy is the lasting impact he made on his players and the Battery Creek community. He expressed deep gratitude to his wife, Trudelle, his son, Damon, and the entire Battery Creek community for their unwavering support.”
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following organizations: Wesley United Methodist Men, 701 West Street, Beaufort, S.C. 29902
Claflin Alumni Association, 5 Thoroughbred Circle, Beaufort, S.C. 29906
Kappa Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 20 Brasstown Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906
Dolphins take 2nd; everyone wins at JCS Memorial
By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com
Both gyms at Bridges Preparatory School were overflowing with wrestlers, coaches and fans on Saturday for the 2nd annual JCS Memorial Tournament, and every one of them represented a punch landed in the fight against cancer.
The inaugural event took place last year in honor of former Buccaneers wrestler Joshua Shipley, who unexpectedly died at age 18 while studying abroad in Costa Rica, and this year’s event was even bigger and better.
Bluffton took home the title with 171 points, edging runner-up Battery Creek by 10 points, but with 18 teams and both varsity and JV brackets running on five mats, it was a win-win for a growing sport in the Lowcountry — and a significant fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
JCS Memorial Tournament at Bridges Prep Team Scores Bluffton 171 Battery Creek 161, MCA 149 5, Benedictine 145, Hilton Head 139, Bridges Prep 70 Bamberg-Ehrhardt 57 5 John Paul II 54, Woodland 50, Camden Military 38 5, Manning 33 5, Colleton Co. 33, Islands 28, Savannah Country Day 28, Trinity Collegiate 20 Hardeeville 19, Northwood Academy 14, Savannah Christian 12
Individual Finals / Consolation Finals
106: Roman (BLUF) pinned Perez (BCHS) / Allen (TIM) tech Jamison (BAM)
138: White (MAN) pinned King (CC) / Adams (BEN) pinned X.Carter (BLUF)
144: West (BEN) dec Wall (BLUF) / C.Sowers (HH) tech Stonecipher (MCA)
150: Minnich (BEN) tech CJ Florencio (HH) / Kraeuter (SCD) pinned Cox (BLUF)
157: N.Najar (BCHS) pinned Ward (BEN) / Brown (TIM) pinned McCann (WOOD)
165: Wilson (BAM) pinned Martinez (BCHS) / Fitzpatrick (CM) dec Fallon (BEN)
175: Batten (WOOD) pinned A.Florencio (HH) / J.Vortisch (JPII) pinned Liverman (IHS)
“I think that was the most people who have ever been on our campus at one time,” Bridges Prep coach Alex Hagan said on the Lowco Grind podcast. “They were killing it in concessions. I think they had to run to Walmart for more food four or five times. It was awesome.”
aged a sixth-place finish and one champion in senior 190-pounder Kevin Summers — a fitting champ as the last remaining teammate of Shipley’s on the roster.
and Mason Benke (285) finished second, and David Ding (113) placed third in a strong showing from the Dolphins.
113: J.Fontana (HH) maj dec LaFountain (JPII) / Ding (BCHS) pinned Ford (BAM)
120: Holland (MCA) dec Lawson (BLUF) / Thames (TIM) pinned Guerrero (NC)
190: Summers (BP) dec Campbell (MCA) / A.Brown (BLUF) pinned Middleton (TIM)
The host Buccaneers are looking to reload after losing a talented graduating class from last year’s Class 2A Lower State semifinalist squad, but they man-
Battery Creek had a pair of champions in seniors Nate Najar (157) and Pharrell Myers (215), while Anthony Perez (106), Theo Johnson (132), Chris Martinez (165),
John Paul II finished eighth despite missing two of its top wrestlers, as Chase LaFountain (113) placed second, and Jacob Vortisch (175) took third.
126: Jackson (MCA) dec Stephenson (HH) / Chavez (TC) def Jenkins (BP)
132: Simmons (BEN) pinned Johnson (BCHS) / L.Pittman (HH) pinned Groover (MCA)
215: Myers (BCHS) pinned Smith (NC) / Banks (BLUF) pinned Calustro (HVL)
285: Cummings (MCA) pinned Benke (BCHS) / C.Vargas (BLUF) pinned Goodman (TIM)
She Got Next Classic
Beaufort vs. TBD Battery Creek vs. St. John’s, 11 a.m.
Sunday, November 30
COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL
USCB at Ferrum College, TBD
Monday, December 1
SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL
Tuesday, December 2 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL
Battery Creek at Whale Branch, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3 COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL USCB at USC
Joseph Stroman Jr.
who
Staff reports
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, in partnership with the DAYLO student book club, will hold a holiday-themed community read-aloud, on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, at the Port Royal Farmers Market at 1615 Ribaut Road.
High school and college student volunteers from the Beaufort-based chapters of DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization will gather near the gazebo in Naval Heritage Park to read to young children and their families from diverse holiday picture
books, inspiring a love of stories, books, reading, and peer-to-peer mentoring.
Free books for young readers will be available, courtesy of a donation from the nonprofit Lisa Libraries. Cozy blankets, a plethora of stuffed animals, and some snacks help the students make a welcoming environment in this free community literacy program. These Teddy Bear Picnic read-alouds are also held throughout the year on first Saturdays at the Port Royal Farmers Market, and are often also held in Title One schools throughout our community in conjunction with family literacy pro-
ARTS BRIEFS
Artists Sunday set for Nov. 30
There will be an Artists Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday Nov. 30, hosted by the Freedman’s Arts District and the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association.
Included will be a Local Artists Pop-Up at the Historic Beaufort Arsenal at 713 Craven Street in downtown Beaufort; holiday shopping at the many downtown galleries and boutiques; live street music; and an interactive public art experience at 12 different downtown shops.
Promotional events continue for Seldons’ new book
Promotional events are still ongoing this fall for the new book by Beaufort’s Cele and Lynn Seldon, “100 Things to Do in the Lowcountry Before You Die.”
The book completes a trilogy for Reedy Press following the bestsellers “100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die” and “100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die.”
The new book explores all of the great things to see, do, eat, and buy between Charleston and Savannah, including Edisto Island, Walterboro, Beaufort, Yemassee, Ridgeland, Hardeeville, Bluffton, Daufuskie Island, Hilton Head Island, and more.
Upcoming events include: Friday, Dec. 5 – Book Signing: Night on the Town at Oyster Cay Collection, 917 Bay Street, 5 to 7 p.m.
Beaufort Art Association Holiday Show ongoing
The Beaufort Art Association’s annual Holiday Show is open and will run through the end of the year. Bring a friend and start your holiday shopping or treat yourself to that special piece of art created by local artists from the Beaufort area.
Small art including holiday themed and
gramming.
DAYLO is a student-led diversity themed book club and community service group founded at Beaufort High School and now with chapters across South Carolina. Learn more at https:// linktr.ee/DAYLOBFT.
The Pat Conroy Literary Center is a nonprofit interpretive and learning center advancing the legacy of beloved, bestselling writer, educator, and mentor Pat Conroy (1945-2016), author of “The Water Is Wide,” “The Great Santini,” “The Prince of Tides,” and more. Learn more at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org.
non-holiday works will be available. Many of our 2-D and 3-D artists have created special art for the season including holiday cards
and small original paintings, wood-turned ornaments and wine stoppers, plus textiles and ceramics with a low country vibe.
In addition to our Holiday Show, the annual All Member “Best of Beaufort” exhibit will run simultaneously. Our jewelers will be showcased and over 60 artists are participating including featured art from our general members. The show will run through Monday, Dec. 29
Stone, White holding book signing
Local energy healing teachers and authors, Susan Stone and Ifetayo White, will read from their latest books at a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Pat Conroy Literary Center. Come, join community and learn.
Charleston artist
Sisco’s
art on display
An exhibit of Charleston based artist Deborah Sisco’s artwork, “Between the Stillness and Disappearance,” will be on display at the Performing Arts Center of USCB in Beaufort until Dec. 22 2025. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.
The exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m., to 6 p.m., and on weekends during performances (check the USCB Center for the Arts website for schedule at https://www.uscbcenterforthearts.com/).
Society of Bluffton Artists 2025 Holiday Market open
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is celebrating the season of giving and creativity with its Annual Holiday Market, open through Sunday, Dec. 28 at the SOBA Art Gallery in Old Town Bluffton.
Each year, SOBA transforms its featured artist room into a cheerful boutique bursting with handcrafted treasures made by local artists. Visitors will find paintings, jew-
elry, ceramics, pottery, prints, photography, cards, stained glass, and wood art — plus festive décor and giftable pieces that showcase the heart of Bluffton’s creative spirit.
“This event truly captures the warmth and joy of our community,” said Karen Richards, President of SOBA. “Every ornament, painting, or piece of pottery tells a story. When you shop at the Holiday Market, you’re not just buying a gift, you’re supporting local artists and spreading a little Lowcountry cheer.”
The Holiday Market is open during SOBA’s regular gallery hours:
• Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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: Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m.; and Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. – Staff reports
Indigo scarves by Lydia Beason and tea towel bamboo salad set by Theresa King are available at the Beaufort Art Association Holiday Show.
VOICES
‘What
happened to the lives you once had as options?’
It is Monday, early, and I have been reading John O’Donohue.
O’Donohue was an Irish priest who wrote and spoke with uncommon eloquence. His eloquence touched on topics largely unseen — one’s spirit, one’s relationship with God, one’s efforts to find and to explore one’s spiritual landscape.
But O’Donohue was also interested in imagination, creativity and living a meaningful life.
“The greatest sin,” he wrote, was the “un-lived life.” The greatest regret, he said, was lying on one’s deathbed knowing one had been “absent” and missed out on the “whole thing.”
Now O’Donohue is deceased.
Fortunately O’Donohue wrote several books; poetry that transports one straight to Ireland; and was sometimes interviewed — leaving beams of pure light illuminating a mystical, magical inner landscape.
This morning I have one of his books — “To Bless The Space Between Us” — helping me understand the journey that I took and,
Sto use a battered metaphor, “the road not taken.”
When I was at the Citadel I had friends who arrived with a plan — a plan to fly airplanes.
Earlier in their lives, perhaps they were teenagers at an air show, they decided that their college degree would be a passport to the U.S. Air Force — as well as a bridge to a life in aviation. They followed this path even though this route would likely put them into an F-4 Phantom flying missions against well camouflaged anti-aircraft batteries around Hanoi.
I did not have this yearning. I had a father who wanted me to follow him into medical research.
In this connection he choreographed summers that had me
field testing pharmaceuticals in Trinidad; collecting urine samples from cotton farmers in Bowman, S.C.; and looking for traces of lead (in children) living in the shadow of the Cooper River Bridge.
But those jobs ran counter to my efforts in the classroom. In high school I failed trigonometry; in college I struggled with chemistry; in every quantitative, science-related course my grades were borderline or somewhere south of that border.
For reasons that had more to do with chance than choice, I wandered into a course called Constitutional Law. This was my third undistinguished year at the military college.
I found that I loved the debate and the actors that surrounded the writing of our Constitution. I also loved parsing the legal cases that followed ratification.
But what I really liked was the compromise that was a part of this process. Notwithstanding the cursed compromise postponing the prohibition of slavery; I began to think that compromise was a uniquely American trait — singu-
larly so — and the “secret sauce” that made our system durable.
But a large part of the deal was a young professor — Larry Moreland — who made “Con Law” fascinating. He also brought humor, irreverence and irony into to the classroom. Somewhere along the way I decided I should look at law school for my own passport to a meaningful life.
Generally speaking I enjoyed law school — especially the classroom clamor of the late 60s — but the “practice of law” was largely focused on winning, and fees, and so I pin-balled through an uneven, unhappy landscape sometimes wondering about making a living as a piano-playing lounge singer.
All of which brings me back to John O’Donohue.
“The interesting question is, What happened to the lives you once had as options but did not choose? Where do they dwell?
Perhaps your unlived lives run parallel to your current life and in some subtle way and continue to influence the choices that you make. All of this may be happening beside you and in you yet
unknown to you.”
And what about one’s inner life — that inner dive that requires imagination, courage and a willingness to think there are worlds and realms unknown and uncharted?
And what about the duties that come with the privilege that most of us enjoy. The duty of compassion, empathy and the duty to take honorable risks. The duty not to judge; to give some of one’s treasure to the poor; the duty to explore the possibilities?
O’Donohue was once a priest and he provided the oils and the prayers for those ready to crossover,
“People feel most alive when they attend a funeral.”
At one point he was attending a dying man and he asked, “Well, tell me what you think about your life — the whole thing,” he said.
The man paused, then chuckled and said, “Jesus, I did get a big squeeze and hug out of it …”
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
A hope for the return of red lights
ince the January inauguration of President Donald Trump, the nation has often felt like a place without red lights.
It’s been go, go, go. But in government, like in traffic, if there aren’t a few red lights to help to order what’s happening in the course of human events, then people, agencies and a country run in different directions like mad headless chickens. There are huge collisions. We alienate friends around the world. And all of this results in self-inflicted confusion, injuries and even deaths.
Just look at an incomplete laundry list of all of the chaos caused by the Trump administration in the last few months: Immigration: Not only have there been loads of illegal deportations, but raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and
ANDY BRACK
the presence of National Guard troops in larger cities like Washington, Chicago, Portland and Memphis illustrate the administration’s thumbed nose at the rule of law. In the last week, more than 250 people were detained in Charlotte, sending waves of fear throughout the area.
Agencies: The administration pushed through efforts to close the U.S. Agency for International Development and Department of Education. It fired and furloughed thousands of vital workers, such as
health researchers and park rangers. It stripped power from the Federal Election Commission and Federal Trade Commission as well as gutted major research and grant funding.
Payments: The administration fiddled with sensitive payment systems managed by the Treasury Department, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, sending seniors into conniptions about benefits and spreading mass confusion.
Foreign policy: Its shootfrom-the-hip interactions with governments all over the world frayed relationships with allies. Trump needlessly embarrassed allies, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and embraced authoritarian despots, such as this week's bromance with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince.
The list of horrors goes on and on – environmental
degradation, tariffs that are undercutting farmers and consumers, vengeful prosecutions, the longest government shutdown in history and huge potential increases in health insurance costs.
Fortunately, some of the nation’s red lights may be quietly coming back, as Trump seems to be getting into a bunker mentality thanks to sagging polling numbers and potential health issues.
Look at changes in the last couple of weeks: Judges are severely scrutinizing whether the Trump administration is seeking revenge through a politicized Justice Department that indicted a former FBI director and state attorney general.
The GOP-led House of Representatives, which stalled for almost two months over the sex-trafficking Epstein files, flipped
course when the politics changed and voted to release them. Then blustery Trump, who had been pleading to keep the files in which he is mentioned quiet, suddenly embraced their release.
The U.S. Coast Guard surprised many with a new policy this week that said the swastika and noose were no longer considered hate symbols, only to recant almost immediately after a backlash.
This seemingly slow return of red lights in government also is happening in South Carolina, as witnessed by recent events here, too.
Earlier this week, four Republican state senators declined to vote on a bill that would have created the strictest abortion ban in the nation in a state that already has a strict six-week ban.
That allowed three Democrats to kill the proposal and
keep the bill from reaching a full Senate committee.
Also in recent days, GOP gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace unleashed the wrath of GOP and Democratic leaders after a profanity-laced outburst at law enforcement officials at Charleston International Airport, sending her stock down in the court of public opinion.
Bottom line: There are hints that reason, common sense and the rule of law are emerging from the paralyzing MAGA fog that has gripped the nation. Unfortunately, the forces of anti-democracy still have time to regroup. Be vigilant. Protect and fight for your freedoms.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.
Why the V.C. Summer deal is right for S.C.
South Carolina stands at a crossroads. Our state faces surging electricity demand driven by population growth, advanced manufacturing and data center expansion.
Meanwhile, two partially built nuclear reactors at V.C. Summer in Fairfield County have sat dormant since July 2017. The Santee Cooper board’s unanimous decision on Oct. 24 to enter final negotiations with Brookfield Asset Management to sell and complete those reactors with private capital changes everything.
This proposed deal transforms an abandoned liability into a strategic asset. It delivers 2 200 megawatts of reliable baseload power without asking taxpayers for another dime, positioning South Carolina as the national leader in America’s nuclear resurgence. Nuclear power remains the only reliable, scalable energy source capable of meeting our state’s growing needs. While wind and solar have their place, they cannot provide the around-the-clock baseload power that manufacturers, data centers and households depend on. As China accelerates nuclear deployment and states
like Texas and Tennessee expand their energy portfolios, South Carolina cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.
The Westinghouse AP1000 reactor design represents a quantum leap in safety. It features passive safety systems that rely on gravity and natural circulation rather than pumps, meaning the reactor can safely shut down and cool itself even during complete power loss. This eliminates vulnerabilities that led to accidents like Three Mile Island and Fukushima. If power systems fail, physics itself takes over, with water naturally flowing downward to cool the reactor core, and heat naturally rising to dissipate through the containment structure. No human intervention, electricity or backup generators needed.
The deal itself has been thoroughly de-risked. Since July 2017, Westinghouse has successfully delivered six AP1000 units worldwide, including Georgia’s Vogtle Units 3 and 4, which now power more than 1 million homes. Fourteen more units are under construction in China. Construction efficiencies improved 30% between Vogtle’s third and fourth units, and the design is fully licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission until 2046
Critically, Santee Cooper has maintained V.C. Summer in good condition since 2017, keeping the site among the best-preserved nuclear assets globally. We’re not starting from scratch; we’re finishing what we started.
The financial structure protects South Carolina ratepayers while securing massive benefits. Brookfield’s proposal includes a multi-billion-dollar ratepayer relief package and provides Santee Cooper with percentage ownership and power share through a structure that delivers below-market electricity rates without equity investment or project-level financial risk.
Brookfield brings extraordinary resources: approximately $1 tril-
lion in assets under management, including $500 billion invested in U.S. infrastructure. As majority owner of Westinghouse, Brookfield uniquely aligns capital, technology and execution expertise.
The company is negotiating with major tech companies for longterm power purchase agreements at premium rates, ensuring stable revenues while guaranteeing that Santee Cooper’s customers receive power at below-market rates.
Beyond electricity generation, Brookfield’s investment will rebuild South Carolina’s nuclear workforce and strengthen the state’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The project will prioritize South Carolina vendors and suppliers, creating sustained demand for local businesses. Through partnerships with trade schools and universities, Brookfield will establish comprehensive training pipelines for nuclear technicians, welders and engineers. This commitment to workforce development will revitalize the Midlands economy and position South Carolina as a hub for hightech manufacturing and nuclear research. The ripple effects will extend far beyond Fairfield County,
creating opportunities for the next generation of South Carolinians in careers that didn’t exist when the project was first conceived.
The completion of V.C. Summer’s two reactors also creates powerful synergies with the $80 billion initiative to build 10 additional AP1000 reactors nationwide recently announced by the Trump Administration. South Carolina gains transformative first-mover advantage: while the 10 new reactors require years for siting and permitting, VC Summer can deliver power sooner, positioning South Carolina as the anchor of America’s nuclear renaissance.
The alternative is leaving 2 200 megawatts of potential capacity on the table while competitors surge ahead. South Carolina has a chance to turn a painful chapter into a success story. The Brookfield-Santee Cooper partnership delivers reliable power, protects ratepayers, creates jobs, requires no new taxpayer funding and positions our state as a national energy leader. That’s not just a good deal. It’s the deal South Carolina needs.
SCOTT GRABER
state Sen. Tom Davis represents Beaufort and Jasper counties.
S.C. SEN. TOM DAVIS
137 in quarantine as measles continue to spread in SC
Exposures at SC schools, airport and church
By Skylar Laird SCDailyGazette.com
COLUMBIA — More than 130 people are in quarantine for measles exposure after infectious people visited schools, an airport and a church, the Department of Public Health said Friday, Nov. 21.
Since Oct. 2, the state health department has reported 52 measles cases related to an outbreak in the Upstate, plus three unrelated cases. Of the eight new cases reported this week, four came from exposures to known measles patients. It is unknown how the remainder contracted the disease, according to the health department.
Most of the 137 people in quarantine Friday were students and staff at three public schools in the Upstate.
The state health department did not say how many of the active measles cases came from each of the schools. When a student at a school tests positive, the schools send home every unvaccinated student to prevent spread, health officials previously said.
Lyman Elementary has 57 people in quarantine, Boiling Springs Middle School has 55, and D.R. Hill Middle School has one, ac-
Source: S.C. Department of Public Health
cording to the health department.
The department did not specify how many unvaccinated people were students versus staff.
One person with an active case worked at Greenville Spartanburg International Airport and may have exposed travelers and fellow employees to the virus between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 11.
Another attended Way of Truth Church in Inman the evening of Nov. 7 and the morning of Nov. 9, according to the health department.
Anyone who visited the airport or church on those days should monitor themselves for measles symptoms and call a doctor if they get sick, according to the health department.
Symptoms of measles typically begin between a week and 12 days after exposure with a cough, run-
ny nose and red eyes, along with a fever. Cases can then cause a red, blotchy rash that appears first on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
The best way to keep from getting and spreading measles is to get vaccinated, state epidemiologist Linda Bell has said.
Typically, children receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is about 97% effective in protecting from
the virus. All but two of the people who contracted measles were unvaccinated. The two who had their vaccines only had one dose, which is less effective than the full two doses.
After Monday, the state health department was to stop routinely operating the mobile vaccine clinics that have run since mid-October. But organizations can still request a mobile clinic date through the health department’s website.
Modernize permitting to power America forward, keep SC’s growth on track
Reliable and afford-
able energy is what keeps our country running. It fuels businesses, supports families, and gives communities the foundation to grow.
Nowhere is that clearer than in South Carolina, where record population growth and major industrial expansion are pushing electricity demand to unprecedented levels.
Yet many projects that could expand supply and strengthen the grid are stuck waiting on approvals that take years to complete.
These delays stem largely from federal reviews that move far slower than the needs of fast-growing states like South Carolina.
The longer they wait, the higher costs climb for everyone.
The issue is not a lack of investment or ingenuity.
South Carolina has become a national magnet for advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle production, aerospace suppliers, and next-generation logistics.
BMW’s continued growth in Spartanburg; Bosch’s battery component expansion; new industrial parks in Greer, Gaffney,
and Laurens County; and a wave of suppliers serving Siemens and GE Vernova all depend on a modern, reliable grid.
But the bureaucratic process that governs the infrastructure needed to power these projects, transmission lines, substation upgrades, and grid interconnections moves too slowly and has become overly complex.
Developers often face overlapping reviews, shifting requirements, and legal challenges that can drag on for years.
The 732-mile TransWest Express transmission line from Wyoming to Nevada, for example, took nearly 18 years just to secure permits before breaking ground.
To support BMW expansions, battery component suppliers, and new industrial development corridors
along the Interstate 85 spine, Duke Energy needs timely approvals for new substations, high-voltage transmission lines, and large-scale grid upgrades that often take longer to permit than to construct.
When these projects stall, reliability and affordability for families and businesses are put at risk.
When projects take too long to build, communities lose out on affordable power, new jobs, and private investment.
According to the global consulting firm
McKinsey & Company, as much as $1 5 trillion in infrastructure investment nationwide is tied up in the federal permitting process. A meaningful share of that investment is aimed at fast-growing states like South Carolina — if the infrastructure can actually be built.
Permitting reform is about restoring common sense. It means keeping environmental standards strong while making the approval process clear, efficient, and predictable.
The goal is not to cut corners, but to cut confusion.
That can be done by establishing firm timelines so projects can move from proposal to construction without endless waiting; designating a single coordinating agency to avoid duplicative reviews; prioritizing high-impact projects such as Upstate transmission upgrades; and creating a clear judicial review process so infrastructure that meets every requirement is not stuck in court for years.
Streamlining the process would save time and money without weakening safeguards. Federal reforms are especially important because many transmission projects require approvals from multiple federal agencies before South Carolina utilities can even begin construction.
Today, a routine transmission line needed to power a new industrial supplier in Spartanburg County can take years longer to approve than to build. Substation upgrades serving fast-growing communities around Greer, Powdersville, and the western Upstate must often navigate multilayered reviews that move more
slowly than the growth they are intended to support.
With targeted reforms, builders could move forward with confidence, and communities would benefit from lower costs and greater reliability as new energy sources and delivery systems come online sooner.
Permitting reform also strengthens America’s energy independence, and South Carolina’s competitiveness.
Much of the region’s electric grid is operating with equipment deep into the second half of its lifespan, even as demand accelerates. Federal energy analyses show that the United States will need to double the size of its electric grid by mid-century to support artificial intelligence, manufacturing, electric vehicles, and population growth, all trends already reshaping South Carolina.
When infrastructure can be built faster, energy becomes more affordable and more secure. Local industries, from battery manufacturing in the Midlands to aerospace and advanced-materials suppliers across the Upstate, can expand with confidence.
And new employers deciding where to invest will see a state prepared for continued growth, not constrained by outdated processes.
Modernizing how projects are approved is not a partisan issue. It is a practical step toward a stronger economy and a more resilient energy system. Families deserve affordable electricity and reliable service, and they deserve a government that helps make that possible. The time to act is now.
Modernizing the federal permitting process will lower costs, strengthen reliability, and keep energy affordable for every family and business in South Carolina.
Cutting red tape is not just good policy. It is essential to keeping our state’s momentum moving forward.
Jack Morrissey is the American Conservation Coalition's state director for the Carolinas. The conservative environmental organization has 85,000 members nationwide. Morrissey grew up in Fishers Island, New York, an 8-mile island in the Long Island Sound. He lives in Charlotte, N.C.
Lady’s Island Drive Pastor Steve Keeler (843) 525-0696
A nurse readies a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight
JACK MORRISSEY
ART Budding Artist After-School
Art Club 4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.
BOOKS Books Sandwiched In Noon to 1 p.m., Mondays, Jan. 26, 2026 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:
• Jan. 26: Frank Rodriguez. Superintendent, Beaufort County School District; Feb. 2: Capt. Tracy R. Isaac, Commanding Officer, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Beaufort; Commanding Officer, Naval Support Facility Beaufort; Director, Naval Hospital Beaufort; Feb. 9: Capt. Craig Reaves, Commercial shrimper; Feb. 16: Libby Ricardo, MFA, University of South Carolina at Beaufort Associate Professor of Theater and Interdisciplinary Studies; Program Coordinator for Interdisciplinary Studies; Feb. 23: Andrew Bridges, President and CEO, NEMOURS Wildlife Foundation; Mar. 2: Amanda Brewer Dickman, Director, Beaufort County Library. For more information, visit https://friendsofthebeaufortlibrary. com/books-sandwiched-in.
CALENDAR
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to midnight, Mondays, Tomfoolery, 3436 17 Market, Habersham, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Karaoke with Ali
9 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort. With DJ Ali.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.
Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary
7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https:// rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.
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
WHAT’S HAPPENING
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, Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary Street. Shag lessons with Tommy & Sheri O’Brien and others. Occasional ballroom and once-a-monh line dancing. Biginner, intermediate and advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com of email lowcountryshaggers@aol. com.
The Beaufort Shag Club
6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
BEMER Longevity Technology
9 a.m., Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span?” Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes, 2 times a day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes
5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.
HISTORY Beaufort History Museum
at the Arsenal
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.
The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-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
Recycling 101
11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Lobeco. With Valentina Palacio of Beaufort County Public Works. For children.
Composting 101
2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, Port Royal Branch Library, 1408 Paris Ave., Port Royal. With Valentina Palacio of Beaufort County Public Works. All ages.
“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
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843255-6458.
MEETINGS
Beaufort Lions Club
6 p.m., first and third Monday of every month, St John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. For more information, visit thebeaufortlionsclub@gmail.com or follow on Facebook/Instagram/Nextdoor.
PFLAG Savannah –Beaufort Peer Group
6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www.PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.
Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club 6 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of most months, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Regular meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and often include an exciting Guest Speaker from the Lowcountry. For Meeting Information or Educational Opportunities, please contact Paul Gorsuch, Administrative Officer at admino@beaufortboatingclub.com. Boat ownership is not required, however a passion for safe responsible boating is mandatory.
Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.
Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting 12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub. org.
The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, University Bikes, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.
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 (PA-A). 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 252- 917-7082. 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
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
Free boating inspections
Get a free vessel safety check by local members of the America's Boating Club of Beaufort. If your boat passes, you will receive a VSC decal to mount on your boat that will be visible to other boaters and maritime law enforcement personnel. Email Safety@beaufortboatingclub.com. The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old
RUNNING
purchase. Course is mixed surface — grass, dirt, and pavement. Prizes — Top finishers by age group and Ugliest Sweaters! The race is open to the public. Bring family, friends, and neighbors. For details, contact Miranda Shipman at PTO@thejp2.org.
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
St. Helena Branch Library’s 4th annual Unrated Chess Tournament 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Open to all ages and ability levels. Pizza and drinks provided at lunch break. Join us for fun and prizes. Registration is required. Call 843255-6487 or email sthelenaislchess@ gmail.com.
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 843-2556458 for more information.
Beaufort Masters Swim Team
6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.
More men are choosing liposuction to sculpt, reduce fat
By Dr. Heidi Harrington Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics
If you think liposuction for men isn’t common, think again. Liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in America, and nearly 21,000 American men underwent liposuction procedures in 2023 alone, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This number continues to rise as more men turn to liposuction to improve their physiques.
Male patients are realizing that a healthy diet and exercise aren’t
always enough to get rid of stubborn fat deposits. That’s when they turn to plastic surgeons to help with body contouring.
Liposuction’s purpose is to remove excess fat cells that are resistant to diet and exercise. Depending on your goals, liposuction helps sculpt specific areas of the body. Areas commonly targeted by men include:
• Chest — For gynecomastia (enlarged male breast tissue),
Beyond words
How to be there for loved ones with cancer
Special to The Island News
The holidays are nearly here, and that can mean seeing friends and family that maybe you haven’t in a while – including those who may have started a cancer journey and are receiving treatment.
When someone you love shares troubling news of any kind, your natural inclination is likely to help them solve the problem or offer advice on how to deal with the situation. When someone you love tells you they have cancer, you can’t offer an easy fix, and you may not know what to say. Still, your support is crucial. Research has shown that for people with cancer, support can help their outlook and improve their quality of life.
The first step to being a source of support is understanding what kind of resources your loved one with cancer needs.
“While
your initial response may be to offer a solution or advice, the best way to respond is to listen.”
KIANNA BROWN, licensed oncology social worker who facilitates two cancer support groups at Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center
Be mindful of your initial reactions. “While your initial response may be to offer a solution or advice, the best way to respond is to listen,” says Kianna Brown, licensed oncology social worker who facilitates two cancer support groups at Beau-
RSV in adults
fort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center. “Show compassion, so they know you’re there for them.”
Be encouraging. Offer encouragement that helps them focus on the present moment, for example, “You were diagnosed and now you can get treatment,” or, “I’m here to help you get through this.”
Accept the reality of their diagnosis. While you want to be encouraging, be aware that the situation is very difficult for the patient.
Hearing “everything will be OK,” or, “you’re strong enough to beat this,” may not be helpful if they don’t think everything will be OK or aren’t feeling very strong.
Listen without judgment. Allow your loved one to vent or share their worries without judging how they feel. Simply allowing them to
SEE WORDS PAGE B2
Guard your lungs this fall and winter
By Dr. Michael R. Kaup
Memorial Express Care
Dr. Michael R. Kaup
infants (especially those born prematurely), older adults and those who have a weakened immune system, are at a higher risk of developing more serious RSV symptoms or complications from RSV. If you have a health condition, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for example, it’s common for RSV infections to cause your condition to flare up or worsen. Older adults and those with a
SEE LUNGS PAGE B2
liposuction can provide minimally invasive reduction.
• Hips — Liposuction is an effective way to address “love handles.” Torso — Removing stubborn fat around the midsection can uncover the six-pack abdominal muscles you work so hard to build.
Liposuction offers a long-term solution for reducing fat that sticks around despite healthy lifestyle habits. The procedure only
Your guide to holiday potlucks
Special to The Island News
It’s potluck season – that time of year where holiday parties, whether with friends and family or in the office with your coworkers, see an array of delicious offerings that may delight (or overwhelm) you.
Navigating a potluck as someone trying to be conscious of their diet can be difficult, but going into a gathering with a game plan can help guide you.
Bring your best
One of the key components to a potluck is, of course, bringing your own dish. If you bring a dish that aligns with your personal wellness goals and dietary preferences, you’ll at least know that one offering at the table is an appropriate option for you.
Something fresh, such as a salad or fruit or veggie tray, can be a great choice to add some green to the table.
“Eating colorful fruits and vegetables has many health benefits,” said Kim Edwards, RD, CDE a registered dietician and diabetes educator at Beaufort Memorial. “To ‘eat the rainbow’ means including a variety of foods in your diet, ensuring your body gets the nutrients it needs. It’s an easy way to improve your diet every day, including during the holidays!”
Keep your eyes peeled –and slow it down
Don’t rush into filling your plate. See what your options are ahead of time, and plan what foods are calling your name and which you’d like to pass over.
Once your plate reflects your choices, take your time while eating. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, sip water and chat with the people
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Dr. Heidi Harrington
Enlarged prostate affects more than half of older men
Special to The Island News
For young men, the prostate usually doesn’t cause any problems. However, as men age, the prostate gradually gets larger, and some men develop a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate.
BPH mostly affects older men. About 50% of men ages 51 to 60 and up to 90% of men over age 80 have symptoms of BPH. Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes the condition, but it may be related to hormonal changes that occur as men age. Other factors besides hormones can increase the likelihood of a man developing BPH. Those factors include:
Being age 40 or older.
Certain medical conditions, such as obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Erectile dysfunction.
A family history of BPH.
Lack of physical activity.
As the prostate gets bigger, it presses against the urethra, the
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has a few steps, and your surgeon will determine the appropriate technique for the fat removal process.
• Anesthesia — You’ll receive anesthesia to ensure comfort during surgery.
• Incision — Your plastic surgeon makes small
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talk it out can be a big help for them. It’s also important to understand that every cancer patient’s journey is unique. Avoid talking to your loved one about the experience of other cancer patients.
“In sharing the story of another patient, one can induce anxiety and actually take away from the journey of the cancer patient they are speaking with, even though this is likely unintentional,” Brown said.
Respect their wishes and opinions. “People with cancer and their caregivers must make hard decisions about treatment,” Brown says. “Recognize that they did not make these decisions lightly and they had the input of oncologists and other healthcare providers. If they ask for your advice or opinion, feel free to offer it, but unsolicited advice may come across as judgmental.”
Talk about what they want to talk about. As patients and their caregivers progress through appointments and treatments, they learn how to live with can-
tube through which urine flows out of the bladder. Over time, the bladder muscles can get weaker, and you might not be able to empty your bladder completely.
Other symptoms of BPH can include: Frequent urination, defined as urinating eight or more times per day and having to urinate frequently while sleeping. Having urine with an unusual smell or color. Pain when urinating or after ejaculation. Trouble starting a urine stream or having a weak urine stream. Urinary urgency, incontinence or retention.
“You may be tempted to ignore symptoms, especially if they are only mild,” says Dr. Louis Plzak III, a board-certified urologist with Beaufort Memorial Urology Specialists. “However, BPH may increase the risk of developing urinary tract infections, acute
discreet incisions.
• Fat removal — The surgeon inserts a thin, hollow tube through the incision and into the area of focus to dissolve and remove the unwanted body fat.
Recovery depends on the amount and location of fat removed. Most of the time, you will go home the same day. Men who undergo liposuction should expect some swelling and bruising at the
urinary retention (inability to urinate), bladder stones and kidney damage.”
In addition, although BPH does not increase the risk of getting prostate cancer, its symptoms can mimic those of prostate cancer, so it’s important to see a provider if you experience them.
Your provider will talk to you about your personal and family medical history and may also perform a physical exam and a digital rectal exam, which is a physical exam of the prostate.
A review of your symptoms and a physical exam are usually enough for a diagnosis of BPH. However, your provider may refer you to a urologist, who might perform other tests, including: A urinalysis — A urine sample will be evaluated for signs of infection.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test — This test shows levels of PSA in the blood. High levels can indicate BPH or another
site of the procedure. This is normal and should go away within a short amount of time. You’ll receive medication to manage discomfort and will return for a follow-up within a couple weeks to check healing and remove sutures. Though the National Institutes of Health state that recovery time from all swelling can take a few months, you can return to office work within a few days.
cer every day. They may not want to talk about cancer when they’re with you. Let them lead the conversation. The advice mentioned above can help a friend or loved one caring for someone who has cancer, but if you have the time and energy to offer physical help, there are many other ways you can offer assistance:
Accompany the caregiver or patient to a cancer support group. Do (or arrange for help with) household chores, such as cleaning and yard maintenance, that they don’t have the energy to tackle.
Offer to help arrange for financial or legal assistance if you feel comfortable doing so.
Organize a meal train, order meal delivery or prepare a meal for your loved one so they don’t have to cook.
Serve as the contact person who keeps others updated on the patient’s care. Volunteer to take the patient to their appointments or to sit with the patient during treatment so the caregiver can run errands.
weakened immune system (such as cancer patients) are also at a higher risk of developing complications of RSV, including inflammation of the respiratory tract and lung infections like pneumonia. If you’re at a higher risk of developing severe RSV, it’s worth taking precautions to protect your health. You can’t eliminate your risk of developing this respiratory virus unless you stay completely isolated, but you can proactively lower your risk. Many of the same health measures widely practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic can be helpful in preventing RSV in adults as well as children. Start with these habits:
problem with the prostate, such as an infection or prostate cancer.
• Urodynamic tests — These tests help the urologist determine how well the urethra and bladder store and release urine from the body.
Cystoscopy — For this procedure, a urologist inserts a narrow tube called a cystoscope into the penis to evaluate the urethra and bladder.
Transrectal ultrasound — A type of imaging exam that uses sound waves, this test involves a trained technician inserting a wand into the rectum and taking images of the prostate. Your urologist will review the images to see the size of the prostate and look for abnormalities.
Your provider may recommend lifestyle changes, such as: Avoiding caffeine and alcohol as well as certain medications, such as decongestants
To speed your recovery and manage symptoms, follow your surgeon’s orders.
Recovery tips include: Avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks
Keep the surgical site clean and covered
Wear compression garments, if prescribed, to reduce swelling and improve healing
Most men quickly return to normal life after liposuction, often with renewed
If you live a long way from the person with cancer, it may feel as though there’s nothing you can do to help. There are many ways you can offer long-distance support, though. Call them regularly or organize video calls if they are comfortable doing so.
Research educational resources. The American Cancer Society is a good starting point. Nonprofits that focus on specific types of cancer can offer advice and information tailored to your loved one’s diagnosis. Take on financial responsibilities, such as paying bills, troubleshooting issues with health insurance and arranging for home care.
“Whether you live close by or far away, people with cancer need as much support as you can give,” Brown says. “Don’t feel guilty if all you can do is call them on the phone or send them a card. Simple acts of kindness like those can go a long way toward helping someone deal with a difficult diagnosis.”
Wash your hands often. Handwashing is essential after coming in contact with others or potentially germy surfaces and objects, after using the restroom or changing a diaper, before and after cooking, and after coughing or sneezing. Using soap and water, scrub your hands, including under your nails, for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.
• Keep hand sanitizer handy. If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, rubbing a generous amount on your hands for the same 20-second timeframe. Avoid touching your eyes and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly. Pay special attention to the most frequently
and antidepressants. Doing pelvic floor exercises. Reducing intake of liquids, especially before going to bed or going out in public.
If your symptoms affect your quality of life, your doctor can prescribe medications that may help. Medications can relax your prostate and bladder muscles or improve urine flow, so you can reduce symptoms related to urination. Other medications can shrink the prostate or treat erectile dysfunction.
When medication and lifestyle changes are not enough, your urologist might recommend a minimally invasive procedure or surgical treatment to reduce the size of the prostate or widen the urethra.
Your urologist will help you decide on the best treatment for you. The bottom line, however, is that BPH is treatable, and you have many options to choose from, so you can live without symptoms and get back to enjoying your life.
confidence. To maintain results, it’s important to: Limit foods and drinks high in unnecessary calories Follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions Stay consistent with exercise
Liposuction is not a magic pill for patients to lose weight; it’s a tool that helps you make the most of your other efforts by removing some of the stub -
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around you. It is a gathering, after all, so enjoy visiting with your friends, family or colleagues. If there’s an option to eat outside or in a spot further from the food at the function, it may help curb the pressure to continue going for additional helpings.
Don’t show up starving
With a potluck on the calendar, you may feel tempted to “save up space” beforehand and refrain from eating all day.
“When you show up hungry, you’re going to be more likely to overeat or choose foods that normally, you wouldn’t,” Edwards said. “Eat breakfast in the morning, have some healthy snacks throughout the day and stay hydrated, too.”
Control your portions
A potluck dinner often results in more food than can be realistically eaten. It’s normal to want to try a variety of foods, but keep your portion sizes small. This will allow you to enjoy lots of flavors throughout the meal without overeating.
Listen to your body when you start to feel full. You can always go back for more if you ate something you partic-
touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs, light switches, the remote control and your phone.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick. If you’re at a high risk of RSV complications, spread the word to your family and friends. You will want to steer clear of anyone experiencing coldlike symptoms, which may be related to a mild case of RSV. A mild case of RSV in a loved one may not be mild when it passes to you.
• Cover your mouth and nose. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue to avoid spreading respiratory droplets, especially if you’re sick. You may also benefit from wearing a mask when you’re out in public.
Finally, talk to your provider about whether the RSV vaccine is right for you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all adults ages 75 and older and for adults age 6074 years who are at increased risk may to get a RSV vaccine to help avoid serious complications.
In clinical studies, the vaccine reduced the risk of developing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease by 82 6% and severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease by 94 1%. Further research is being conducted into developing vaccines for young children, pregnant individuals and others at high risk.
There’s also an immunization that might help infants and some older babies avoid severe infection. The CDC recommends a monoclonal antibody called nir -
born fat stores that conceal the muscle tone below. By following these steps, you will increase the likelihood of enjoying the benefits of liposuction for years to come.
Heidi Harrington, M.D., is a board-certified and fellowshiptrained plastic surgeon with two decades of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery experience. She sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Okatie.
ularly enjoyed, but forcing yourself to continue eating when you’re full is not good for your digestive system, Edwards said.
Say no to guilt
It may be difficult to say no to certain offerings at a potluck, especially one with dishes curated by loved ones.
In the South particularly, food can also be a way of showing love, so a family member affectionately pushing additional helpings may be commonplace at the table. Be resolute in your responses; during a holiday gathering, it’s more important to visit with your loved ones than it is to feel pressured to take second or third helpings of their dish. Your approach to mindful eating is a personal one, and your loved ones will support you no matter what.
The holidays are meant to be a joyful time filled with laughter, good food and even better company. Approach potluck holiday parties with a plan, and the holidays can be even sweeter.
sevimab for all infants younger than 8 months and babies up to 19 months old who are at an increased risk of RSV. The medication may reduce infections and hospitalization by up to 80%. Nirsevimab is recommended for infants and young children (six to 24 months of age) who are at high risk for severe RSV infection, such as those with chronic lung disease of prematurity, heart disease, immune disorders, as well as infants and young children (eight to 19 months of age) entering their second RSV season.
A board-certified emergency medicine specialist, Michael R. Kaup, M.D., treats serious but not life-threatening illnesses and injuries in adults and children of all ages at Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health.
LOCAL MILITARY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 26 November 2025
Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel A. P. Bariletti
2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A. Yang Commander of Troops, First Sergeant J. L. Kauth • Parade Adjutant, Staff Sergeant E. J. Effert Company “G”, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Captain E. Lee Drill Master • Staff Sergeant C. Garcia
PLATOON 2080 Senior
Adams, Quincy Alford Jr, Derrick X. Alvaradogonzalez, Ricardo Alvarezurena, Johansel A. Amaro, Raimynd J. Battle, Tyson D. Bell, Christian D. Bensch, Tyler Q. Bond, Blake M. Bothfeld, Sebastian I.* Bradley, Sawyer D. Brisson, Alex C. Burnett II, Jamaal R. Burnett, Brayden A. Candeloro, Michael A. Carpenter, Josiah N. Castillomendoza, Kevin Caudle, Airon J.
Clyburn, Aaron M. Conklin, Kameron S. Crider, Giovonni X. Emmanuel, Chimzi U. Garcia, Nicolas Goris Jr, Daniel O. Guzman Jr, Juan C. Guzman, Rafael T. Hacker, Tommy J. Harper, Christopher D. Harwell, Garrett M. Hernandezmoreno, Alexander Holcombe, Dominic R. Holmes, Christian J. Jackson, Blake Johnson, Gage A. Machado, Anthony Martin, Alexander L. Mcknight, William G. Ofarrillaboy, Alejandro J. Orregosilva, Angelo C. Ouellette, Robert M. Peraltaflores, Dalwyn Roberts, Matthew J. Robinson, Deitrick D. Rodriguezrodriguez, Rey L. Sells, Richardson N. Serantes, Richard A.* Sikombe, Ephraim P. Spencer, Jacobi J. Stanger, Jackson F.* Stout, Conner A. Strickland, Andrew T. Suter, Luke R.
Taylor, Evan T. Taylor, Rondale D. Thatcher, Mark A. Thike, Myat H. Tillman, Aiden M.* Wolter, Thomas
PLATOON 2081
Adams, Sophia R. Aguayo, Leilani S. Amazan, Malinda J. Beatty, Lucy K.* Bhatti, Ester F. Blancoarregui, Liena R. Blount, Makayla J. Bonillabarrera, Britney M. Briskman, Rebecca A. Broome, Mia S. Canovillano, Gabi Castron, Jocelin P. Cheriscart, Rachel J. Colondejesus, Jomayra L. Cortez, Alexis J. Craig, Brianna L. Dean, Danielle K. Delcid, Diana A. Delosa, Ansley F. Dorseycash, Jewel M. Dunning, Abigail C. Eisenhardt, Alle L. Estebansalto, Emily Ferreyra, Fernanda Flowers, Sierra M. Fuentesaguilar, Jakelin A. Fuller, Kimora S. Gonzalezgarcia, Vanessa Griffin, Kimberly J. Hall, Shyan N. Harris, Alyson P. * Hornbaker, Brielle P. Jaimessebastian, Heather J. Jarquin, Chelsea S. Johns, Annabelle S. Loayza, Abigail Lopez, Emma S. Maldonadogonzalez, Tania* Maranonmartinez, Stephanie Marmolejossanchez, Aileen E. Martin, Megan R. Martinez, Alondra C. Martineznava, Sarah Medina, Sherlyne A. Mejia, Jennifer D. Mendezmorales, Angelica Nash, Alana M. Navarro, Tytiana B. Nixon, Syniah K. Pazfeliz, Rashell N. Pazgavidia, Arleth D. Perez, Olivia A. Ramostavera, Valeria Revis, Emma G.* Rodriguezcarreras, Maria V. Rogers, Allison S. Rojassegura, Deana Sabogalvanegas, Laura M. Santoro, Jessica L. Santos, Angela Sasser, Georgia L. Steele, Savannah R. Strickland, Layla N. Valdes, Glenda Valdovinosfarias, Melani G. Valencia, Yoselin M. Valenzuelagomez, Ashley A. Vargas, Susan A. Veronicacruz, Briana Y. Wilson, Shenelle Yupapichazaca, Erika J.
PLATOON 2082
Senior
Acevedo, Jayden E.* Acosta, Saul R. Akpang, Munachi O. Barlow, Cody A. Billey, Nathanael O. Billman, Isaiah M. Brown, Jonathan N. Burns, Brier D. Butcher IV, Gilbert F. Byers, Austin R. Carverponce, Isaac A. Casady, Reece M. Childers, Luke A. Cofield, Timothy M. Cone, Andrew N. Cottle III, Benjamin T. Dejesus Jr, Ralph A. Del, Chase M.* Depault, Patrick T. Dillon, Justin W. Eidex, Moshe C. Escudero, Luis A. Fisher, Jesse M. Ford, Nathaniel A. Fowler, Aiden P. Freyer, Gabriel E. Fuentes, Erik N. Gale, Noah C. Garciaalcaraz, Oliver Garrett, Charles M. Hawkins, Quinn R. Hidalgo, Luis A. Hill, Michael A. Hopkins, Judson T. Hudsonlea, Nehemiah R. Inyagwa, Ethan M. Jones, Jacolby D. Josey, Sean W. Kinkead, Daniel B. Lee, Brian Macpherson, Thomas A. Magalski, Matthew F. Malinowski Jr, Robert A. Mann, Kayson B. Martinez, Cayson L. Mcdavid, Jacob R. Mcintosh, Gabriel S. Minicozzi, Evan T. Murray, Dereck M. Nadzadi, Michael C. Ortwein, Trent V. Prince, Logan S. Rock III, Michael G. Rogers, Jonathan M. Ronceros, James A. Rosse, Gabriel N.* Schaak, Grayson W. Simmons, Sean M.* Sousa, Joel A. Tanoh, Nolan Y. Whitley, Brendan J. Zurita, Bennett H.
PLATOON 2084
Senior
SSgt
Agnant, Mehki P. Aguirrezabala, Enzo Ali, Wasif S. Armas, Thomas H. Ayala, Matthew Bailey, John J. Braley, Donald I.* Black, Mekhii B. Brooks, Jacob M. Burke, Owen C. Camposomblero Jr, Isreal Corvino, Matthew P. Creech, Ryan J. Dasilvajunior, Helder C. Desimone, Joshua R. Dor, Oscardo D. Dupont, Tarron A. Farnsworth, Mark A. Forrest, James P. Freitag, Benjamin F. Galkin, Egor Gaviria, Thomas Granado, Josue A. Green, Kymel P. Guerreroramirez, Harold E. Hardy, Joevyn E. Hernandezcarrasco, Sebastian Holtzman, Gage M. Kalisa, Abdilatif A. Keyguyer, Jacob J. Kron, Connor R. Lewis, Nickolas H.* Lopez, Luis A. Maradiaga, Erick J. Martinez, Sonny D. Martinmedina, Benjamin Masiello, Salvatore L. Mckinney, Cameron A. Morris, Matthew J. Nicklas, Westin J. Nunn, Ethan K. Perry, Tyrice W. Powell, Kalib A.* Raymond Jr, Eric A. Redden, Jordan A. Rivera Jr, Edwin N. Riveracolon, Raymond Rodriguezlinares, Cristo O. Sigfrinius, Bradyn P. Sotorosario, Marcos I. Stein, Caleb W. Trask, Brayden R. Wallace, Doug R. Watson, Hayden S. Wheeler, Jordan D. White, Dalton J. Williams, Travis D. Wingham, Kenneth A. Woodside, Daycianno E. Zeltwanger, Brock M.*
PLATOON 2085
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt L. A. Hernandez
Pvt Akoon, Yai L.
Pvt Alert, Matthew J.
Pvt Anastacio, Javier G.
PFC Anderson, Brayden H.*
PFC Argueta, Edwin A.
PFC Baker, Cameron G.
Pvt Baker, Gavin J.
Pvt Bartolomeo Jr, Thomas
Pvt Benitezmendoza, Diego
Pvt Brandao, Nicholas O.
PFC Broome, Thomas S.
Pvt Cabrera, Andres M.
Pvt Cardwell, Riley G.
Pvt Chen, Benson J.
Pvt Chicaiza, Anthony L.
Pvt Dominguez, Yureek A.
Pvt Dotson, Hunter A.
Pvt Emerson, Ethan X.
LCpl Fernandez, Luis A.*
Pvt Filias, Jean J.
Pvt Fitek, Tristen J.
Pvt Giles, Nathen D.
PFC Hale, Landon J.*
Pvt Hernandez, John A.
Pvt Holzapfel, Kash T.
Pvt Hopkins, William J.
Pvt Lam, Gia H.
Pvt Lariviere, Hunter J.
PFC Lastra, Andres M.
Pvt Maldonadosierra, Christoph
Pvt Martin, Zane A.
Pvt Mendezpayan, Marlon
Pvt Moralestorres, Angel J.
Pvt Morancruz, Ricardo
Pvt Nitschke, Joseph M.
Pvt Owens, Kevin J.
PFC Pamula, Adam S.
Pvt Pena, Jakeryan O.
PFC Presher, Owen R.
PFC Prestigiacomo, Anthony D.
PFC Rich, Logan T.
Pvt Rivera, Jacob A.
Pvt Rodriguez, Ian J.
Pvt Rodriguezrosario, Luis C.
Pvt Rosalessanchez, Steven
Pvt Rucker Jr, Derek M.
Pvt Saldivar, Carlos J.
Pvt Shelton, Christian A.
PFC Siavichayherrera, Alexis L.
PFC Simpson, Morgan W.
PFC Sorcia, Manuel A.
Pvt Soriano, Kevin L.
Pvt Steele, Elijah W.
Pvt Tambochimborazo, Daniel
Pvt Terrazas, Justin D.
Pvt Tostanoski, Nicholas A.
PFC Walpole, Gregory T.
Pvt Weaver, Cooper L.
PFC White, Demonni A.
Pvt Worley, Noah A.
Pvt Zarett, Shawn D.
PLATOON 2086
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt G. R. Apollon
PFC Acevedosepulveda, Ian Y.
Pvt Amez, Jeremy R.
Pvt Andujardiaz, Yostin L.
PFC Arguello, Jeremias D.
PFC Auredy, Camron J.
Pvt Bald, Royce R.
Pvt Betancourt, Gianni L.
Pvt Castilloroa, Thomas M.
PFC Cavanaugh, Nolan M.
Pvt Choezvelez, Hector F.
PFC Cinais, Benel
PFC Cineas, Kenson
Pvt Clasper, Jacob J.
Pvt Coward, Zion K.
PFC Detmer, Zachary A.
Pvt Doucet, Bryce A.
Pvt Druckenmiller, Simon J.
Pvt Duncombe, Seaun L.
Pvt Finney, Keyshun K.
Pvt Ford, Treyvon L.
Pvt Foreman, Reed L.
Pvt Gonzalez Jr, Melquiades
PFC Haidary, Alijah B.
Pvt Haymon, Dalton L.
Pvt Hyp, Liam J.
Pvt Johnson Jr, Justin M.
PFC Kane, Julian B.
Pvt Keeney, Zachary W.
Pvt Lanphere, Matthew E.
PFC Livingston Jr, Terrance*
PFC Mai, Aziz V.
PFC Marulandasilva, Samuel
PFC Mears, Ethan E.
PFC Miller, Jevonte A.
PFC Mung, Thang T.*
Pvt Ortiz, Jeremias M.
Pvt Osoriomillan, Fernando
PFC Reed, Braxton L.
PFC Rice, Jeffrey L.*
PFC Rigley II, Eric J.
Pvt Ring, Nathaniel S.
Pvt Rodriguez, Caden M.
Pvt Rojas, Friedrick F.
Pvt Rondonlara, Marcelo F.
PFC Rosariomedina, Yandel J.
PFC Ross, Benjamin T.
Pvt Rowe Jr, Eldon E.
Pvt Shaffer, Noah A.
Pvt Smith, Birin J.
Pvt Sperlazzo Jr, Angelo M.
Pvt Taylor, Jayden C.
PFC Torresjaramillo, Steven
PFC Ulrich, Gavin J.*
Pvt Urda, Giuseppe A.
Pvt Voisine, Jacob S.
Pvt Yanesaguirre, Gerson D.
PFC Zirlott, Nathan T.
*Denotes Meritorious Promotion
LOCAL MILITARY
Sgt. Westfelt receives Navy and Marine Corps Medal
The VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
This is the final article of three on the “VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.”
You can read the first article online in the Nov. 13 and 19 2025, editions of The Island News at https://bit.ly/4r6NyPN and https://bit.ly/48l4oBT.
What happens after I apply?
A member of the caregiver support team, who the veteran receives care from or plans to receive care from, will contact the veteran and any caregivers to discuss this application and eligibility. Before you are assigned as a caregiver, you must complete: Caregiver education and training, and ... A home care assessment.
The VA will assign you as a caregiver no later than 90 days after it gets your application.
If you disagree with the VA’s decision on your application, you have options to appeal or request a review of the decision. Learn about VA decision reviews and appeals at the VA webpage “Family Caregiver Program decision reviews and appeals” at https:// bit.ly/3K8guGw.
Wellness contacts
Once you are in the program, you will need to participate in wellness contacts. Wellness contacts are check-ins to ensure both your well-being and the veteran’s, and to confirm that the veteran is receiving their personal care services. These occur at least once every 120 days, with one annual visit to the veteran’s home.
What if the veteran is not yet enrolled in VA health care?
The veteran must first apply for VA health care benefits. After the veteran enrolls in VA health care, you can then ask about enrolling in the general caregiver program. Learn more about how to apply for VA health care at the VA webpage “How to apply for VA Health Care” at https://bit.ly/4addYcx.
Active-duty service members
Active-duty service members undergoing a medical discharge must apply for VA health care before or after submitting their application for caregiver assistance. Learn more about active-duty service members and VA health care at the VA webpage “Active-duty service members and VA Health Care” at https://bit.ly/4ppQHIF.
What if the Veteran I’m caring for isn’t eligible for this program?
What if the veteran I am caring for is not eligible for this program? Family caregivers of veterans who do not qualify for this program may still be able to get support and resources through the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS).
Learn more by:
Reading about the Program of General Caregiver Support Services at the VA web page
“The program of general caregiver support services” at https://bit.ly/4ohxfNk. Calling the VA at 855-2603274 (TTY: 711) Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Discussing your options with a caregiver support team at your nearest VA facility
Find your nearest VA facility at “Find VA locations” at https:// www.va.gov/find-locations/.
How do I set up direct deposit as a caregiver?
How do I set up direct deposit as a caregiver? You must enroll in direct deposit using the customer engagement portal to get your monthly stipend.
For step-by-step instructions, download the VA’s “Primary family caregiver user guide for direct deposit enrollment.”
How to find the guide:
1 Go to the VA’s outreach materials page at “OUTREACH MATERIALS” at https://bit. ly/48g8YBw.
2 Find the “Select a Topic” dropdown.
3 Select “Family Member and Caregiver Benefits” from the dropdown menu.
4 Find the “Caregiver Direct Deposit” PDF, a 14-page guide titled “VA’s Primary family caregiver user guide for direct deposit enrollment” to download at https://bit.ly/48hvObR.
The User Guide offers a stepby-step walkthrough for completing the Webform for Direct Deposit Enrollment. It includes Webform instructions, a frequently asked questions section, instructions for setting up your ID.me account, and additional resources. The guide is specifically for VA Primary Family Caregivers. Information entered during the enrollment process should be specific to you, the caregiver. Please DO NOT enter any information related to the veteran’s identity, including their Social Security Number.
What types of life changes do I need to report to the program?
The Primary Care Giver will need to contact their local caregiver support team in these situations:
If the Primary Care Giver or the veteran moves to a new address. If the veteran is admitted to a hospital, rehabilitation center, correctional facility, assisted living facility, medical foster home, or nursing home. If the veteran or another family caregiver dies.
Warning. To avoid benefit overpayments, notify the caregiver support team within 30 days of
the event by phone, in writing, or in person.
How are the 2 VA caregiver support programs different?
The VA offers two programs to support caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care:
• The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Both programs offer these services: A caregiver support team at your local facility Phone and text support. Support and services, such as coaching, peer support mentoring, support groups, and training and education.
PCAFC also offers these benefits to eligible Primary and Secondary Family Caregivers: Enhanced respite care. Mental health counseling. Travel and lodging daily allowance when traveling with the Veteran for VA-approved health care.
And PCAFC offers these benefits to eligible Primary Family Caregivers: A monthly stipend (payment).
Access to health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) — if you don’t already qualify for health care under another plan. Legal and financial planning services related to the needs of the injured Veteran.
How to contact VA Caregiver Support
If you still have questions or need help with this program, call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. You can also connect with your local caregiver support team.
How do I find my local VA caregiver support team? Veterans and caregivers can find their local VA Caregiver Support Team at the VA webpage “Caregiver Support Teams” at https://bit.ly/44imC5O. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Health Care System (RHJVAMC&HCS) Interim Support Coordinator is Michelle Copley, Phone: 847-227-6046 Email: michelle.copley@va.gov. The RHJVAMC&HCS Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) is Laura Young at 843-577-5011, Ext. 424541, email: laura.young67@va.gov.
References
VA Caregiver Support Program, https://bit.ly/3M21pqr. Caregiver Support teams, https://bit.ly/4aaruxw and https://bit.ly/4p0sCZr. VA Caregiver Support Announcements, https://bit. ly/3Kh85At. VA Caregiver Support Legal and Financial Services, https://bit.ly/4p7VtuY. Caregivers Library/Site Map, https://bit.ly/4p7VvmA. VA Caregiver Support Line 1-855-260-3274
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
LARRY DANDRIDGE
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Colten Westfelt, a primary marksmanship instructor with Weapons and Field Training Battalion, received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during an Oct. 10, 2025, ceremony on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island for his life saving actions during a car accident. The Navy Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded by the Department of the Navy to sailors and Marines who have performed acts of heroism outside of direct conflict. Lance Cpl. Ayden Cassano/USMC
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Jesus is the Bread of Life
For the first time, disciples abandoned Jesus and walked away. They said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (John 6:60)
Many left Jesus, although they had been following him for a while. They were dismayed by a sermon unlike any they had ever heard: the Bread of Life discourse found in the sixth chapter of John.
The crowd wanted another miracle, but Jesus had other ideas. Jesus had just fed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread, miraculously multiplying the loaves so that all had plenty to eat. The crowd wants him to work another such miracle. Instead, he urges them to seek the bread that comes from heaven and lasts forever. He declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (v. 36) He has come down from heaven to bring eternal life.
When the crowd objects, Jesus emphasizes his point even more. They ask themselves how Jesus can say that he comes down from heaven. Isn’t he just an ordinary man? In response, Jesus continues to speak as if he believes himself to be God: “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (v. 48-51) His sermon then takes an even more surprising turn: “This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (v. 51)
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
The crowd takes Jesus literally and begins to object. At other times when Jesus is misunderstood, he explains that he is speaking metaphorically (see Matt 16:11 or John 11:14). Instead, he does the opposite here, switching to even more forceful language, using words in the original language that mean “to gnaw on,” as animals eat, rather than the usual word for eating or feeding.
“My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.”
He proclaims: “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them… Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (v. 54-58)
Many of his followers leave, and Jesus lets them leave. This is the only time in the Gospels when disciples of Jesus leave him due to one of his teachings. He does not run after them and exclaim that it is all an elaborate metaphor. He allows them to leave, for they have understood him correctly. When he asks the apostles if they too will leave, Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.” (v. 68) Their faith would be rewarded a year later at the Last Supper, when Jesus will feed them for the first time with the Bread of Life.