April 20 edition

Airshow returns to MCAS Beaufort: What you need to know

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Are you a fan of airplanes?

Looking for a fun family event for the weekend?

Well, you are in luck. The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort Airshow is back.

The show, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23, at MCAS Beaufort, is free for the public to attend, and tickets are not required. However, there are special seating

LOWCOUNTRY

LOLITA HUCKABY

and VIP tickets available for purchase in advance if you want to be closer to the action.

The event will feature a demonstration by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels.

You may see, and hear, the Blue Angels practicing for the show later in the week.

The airshow will also include performances and demonstrations by Clemens Kuhlig with Chefpitts Air Shows, Extreme Flight, an F-35B, Gary Rower with Rower Air Shows, Kyle Fowler,

AIRSHOW AFTERPARTY

Make sure to check out the Airshow Afterparty on Saturday, April 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Port Royal. The party, which will be held at the corner of Paris Avenue and 8th Street, will feature the Parris Island Marine Corps band, food trucks, beer wagon and a tap truck.

Kyle Franklin with Franklin’s Flying Circus, Chris Thomas, Patty Wagstaff, Rob Holland, the MCAS Marine

Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), the SOCOM Para-Commandos and Precision Exotics.

Kuhlig will be flying the Pitts Special, “an iconic airplane that lends itself well to beautiful rolling, curving lines, snap rolls and excellent outside capability,” accord-

SEE SHOW PAGE A6

BEAUFORT

The front page of last week’s edition of The Island News told a story of the Lowcountry almost without reading.

In case you missed it, there was the lead story about St. Helena Island supporters “claiming an early win” in their fight to keep a gated, golf-course resort off Pine Island. There was a lengthy report by Tony Kukulich of The Post and Courier about the ongoing fight south of the Broad River to “keep Chelsea rural” while facing the prospect of at least 4,800 new homes on the Jasper County side of S.C. 170.

There was the Lowcountry Lowdown once again, spouting doom and gloom, this time about a County Council member’s reminder that Hilton Head Island is the financial golden goose of the county and we might as well accept the development that’s

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A5

This isn’t settled yet

Beaufort County votes to prohibit golf courses on St. Helena, but battle isn’t over.

By Tony Kukulich tkukulich@postandcourier.com

BEAUFORT — Officials recently took a step toward strengthening the zoning ordinance protecting Gullah-Geechee culture and moderating development on St. Helena Island, but the intensity of County Council debate prior to the vote suggests the issue is not settled.

Developer Elvio Tropeano, with beard and dark shirt, looks on as the Community Services and Land Use Committee takes up revisions to the St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay during a Monday, April 10, 2023, meeting in Beaufort. The committee voted to recommend adoption of the language by a vote of 10-1 and council approved the first reading by the same vote. Tony Kukulich/The Post And Courier WANT

can be adopted.

development pressure.

The prohibitions against gated communities, resorts and golf courses remain, though the definitions of gated communities and golf courses have been updated. The revised language also eliminates a previous exception that allowed golf courses with fewer than nine holes.

According to County Administrator Eric Greenway, two additional readings and a public hearing are required before the revised St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay

The changes add commentary to the overlay’s purpose statement, adding information about the island’s history, Gullah-Geechee culture, and the challenges faced from increasing

Originally adopted in 1999, the overlay’s significance was highlighted late last year when developer Elvio Tropeano floated a plan to build an ex-

SEE BATTLE PAGE A4

HRB says ‘no’ to downtown townhouses, ‘yes’ to rooftop bar

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This Snowy Egret was captured by Harold Burnley, Jr., on April 7 at Port Royal Cypress Wetlands. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com

VETERAN OF THE WEEK BRIAN TRIMMER

Beaufort’s Brian Trimmer, 65, joined the United States Marine Corps in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1975.

After boot camp at Parris Island, he trained in avionics at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tenn. He was then assigned to MCAS Beaufort, from which he deployed twice to Iwakuni, Japan. Back to Memphis for more training, he returned to MCAS Beaufort, from which he deployed twice again to Japan. He

OBITUARY

Mary allice PhiliPs

Mary Alice Philips was born on July 26, 1946, to Evan Rhodes and Gay Ragland Philips. She died on April 15, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.

Alice’s wishes were to thank everyone that impacted her life. First and foremost, thank you to her loving and devoted daughter, Stacey Braithwaite as well as her grandchildren Lily and Dax Grantizski. They took tremendous care of her for the past three years. Their

love, humor, and inclusivity in their lives enhanced her quality of life beyond measure. Bobby Overbey thank you for being so

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Community rights are established

Just a comment on the developer who says he’s going to develop Pine Island/St. Helenaville according to his property rights. Well, he should have investigated the current zoning for the property. It’s protected under the St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay. Stated clearly, no gated community, no resorts, and no regulation golf courses. So instead of respect for the law, intent of the language, and respect for the culture and history of the Gullah people, he wants to exploit loopholes in the law’s language (with the help of lawyers who invented “legalese” and wordsmithing) and not honor the

ON THIS DATE

April 20

returned to Memphis to instruct for more than four years before a three-year assignment at Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Va. His last assignment was back at MCAS Beaufort, from which he made lengthy deployments aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), taking him to both the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.

kind, funny and caring. All four of you brightened Mom’s life.

Alice was beyond grateful for being loved by all of her children. Her son, Trey Braithwaite (Dori) grandchildren Quin, Christian, and Charlie Braithwaite and her daughter Brittany Smith (Beau) grandchildren Abigail and Kyle Smith.

Thank you to her sister Babs Price for her love and support throughout Alice’s entire life. Her niece Robin Price, and nephews Lantz Price and Brett Price (Stacey) are amazing and

community property rights. The community rights are established in the zoning ordinance. For almost a quarter century.

Community rights are more important than any individual rights because communities need to maintain order and serve the welfare of the majority of residents. Otherwise, any property could become a gas station or the property next door could contain a motel. The old, outdated concept of “highest and best use” means wringing the most profit possible out of a property is OK. Unfortunately, some county officials still cling to this dinosaur philosophy. It’s poison to a healthy community and leads to neverending rezoning. Sound familiar?

Changing the law for one person when

1916: U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announces plans to add a portrait of Harriet Tubman to the front of the $20 bill, moving the portrait of President Andrew Jackson to the rear.

April 24

2019: Beaufort’s C.J. Cummings, 18, dominates the Pan American Weightlifting Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, setting 15 records and sweeping all three gold medals in the 73kg weight class. Cummings’ 153 kg Snatch, 191kg Clean & Jerk and

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Cat of the Week: Fiddler is a sweet boy who loves to talk to people about his day. He has handsome chubby cheeks and a big personality. Fiddler gets along with other cats and would enjoy a home with a friend. Fiddler is 2.5 years old, neutered, and up to date on vaccines.

He retired in 2001 as a Master Sergeant with more than 25 years of service. He next worked with avionics at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah for more than 21 years. Today he is retired.

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com

OBITUARIES

The Island News will publish obituaries up to 300 words for no charge. This service also includes a photograph. The Island News will have a charge of .25¢ per word of obituaries beyond 300 words. Please contact jeff.theislandnews@ gmail.com for more information.

she loved them so much. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Virginia Beach SPCA. A celebration of life will be held in June.

the majority of the people is opposed is absolutely absurd. Yet that is being considered by the county council. For what reason is baffling beyond belief. The Gullah people have been ignored, taxed out of their homes, and are disappearing from our islands every day.

It’s time for a stand. Time for a Gullah culture revival. Almost every citizen on St. Helena Island and other sea islands have spoken in opposition to exchanging the protective ordinance for one person’s profits. County Council, you’re up. Don’t let the Gullah culture and history be “Gwine wit de tide” I beg you.

– Jerry Floyd, St. Helena Island

344kg Overall lifts each set new junior and senior American records, junior and senior Pan Am records, and Junior world records.

April 26

2019: New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, a Democratic Presidential candidate, holds a revival-like political rally at Whale Branch Middle School in Seabrook.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs. If you have items for On This Date, send them to TheIslandNews@gmail.com with the subject line of On This Date.

Dog of the Week: Lola arrived with her eight beautiful puppies several weeks ago, and she has watched her babies find their new homes. She is a spry and energetic dog who is the perfect size for an adventure buddy. She would do well in a home by herself since she has shared her space with her puppies for so long. Lola is 4 years old, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

If you are interested in adopting Fiddler, Lola, or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@ palmettoanimalleague. org to find out more information.

Videographer Delayna Earley delayna. theislandnews@ gmail.com

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All content of The Island News, including articles, photos, editorial content, letters, art and advertisements, are copyrighted by The Island News and Island News Publishing, LLC, 2022, all rights reserved. The Island News encourages reader submissions via email to theislandnews@gmail.com. All content submitted is considered approved for publication by the owner unless otherwise stated. The Island News is designed to inform and entertain readers and all efforts for accuracy are made. Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Island News, its publisher or editors. Content published from Care Magazine® is intended as a reference and options source only, not as a guide to self-treatment or substitute for profession medical advice. It is provided for educational purpose only. Readers assume full responsibility for how this information is used. The Island News reserves the right to refuse to sell advertising space, or to publish information, for any business or activity the newspaper deems inappropriate for the publication.

Brian Trimmer

Spanish Moss Trail to be extended into Town of Port Royal

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

In an at-long-last development that falls in the “it’s-about-time” category, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has issued the permit for construction of the long-awaited, fully-funded section of the Spanish Moss Trail to cross from Smilax Avenue over Ribaut Road into the Town of Port Royal.

“It’s a really big deal, I’m beyond thrilled. The Spanish Moss Trail is a jewel for our area,” Rep. Shannon Erickson (R-124) told The Island News by phone Monday. “That we’re adding to it is an especially big deal.”

The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail made the announcement in a news release Monday afternoon, April 17.

“The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail have been working on this project for the past five years,”

Volunteer Executive Director of the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail Dean Moss said in the release. “The importance of our nonprofit’s advocacy work cannot

be understated. We have been a liaison for this essential section of the Trail among the multiple sales of the former State Ports Authority property. We are excited for the more than 100,000 people a year who will soon be able to enjoy this highly anticipated extension of the Trail.”

The permit will enable the Trail to follow the alignment of the old railroad with the expansion starting at Smilax Road where the current Trail ends and crossing Ribaut Road with a pedestrian-controlled stop light called a HAWK signal next to Pender Brothers and Martin Landscaping.

“I think this time it went pretty smoothly,” Erickson said. “We’ve cracked this egg before. We’ve already put in a road crossing on S.C. 170, and we’ve answered the questions … can it be done? What does it look like? Can we do it safely?”

The Trail will then continue down the old railroad right-of-way about 1⁄4 mile until it reaches a private driveway coming in from Ritter Circle. From there, the Town

of Port Royal and the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail will install appropriate signage to direct Trail users into the Village, the Sands Beach and other Port Royal shopping, dining and recreation attractions.

The construction is being funded by a combination of sources including a State grant arranged by Rep. Erickson, a Beaufort County 3% Accommodation Tax Grant, the Town of Port Royal and significant private donations from the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail.

“I got some funding in the budget last year, then I worked with DOT to get all the parties together to get that hammered out,” Erickson said. “The teamwork was just spectacular. Everybody came in and made this thing happen. I just tried to help keep the situation moving, asking where we’re standing every once in a while.”

According to The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, the Beaufort County Engineering Department will be administering and overseeing the construction contract and bids for this project.

“We expect the County to solicit bids very soon,” Moss said. “The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail will continue our work to advocate and support the County’s efforts to move as quickly as possible and we are hopeful that construction will occur during the summer of 2023.”

What’s next?

There will be two more sections of the Trail in Port Royal. The Town of Port Royal will continue to work closely with the new developers of the former State Ports Authority property to continue the Trail through this waterfront property towards Shellring Ale Works and Fishcamp on 11th Street restaurants. Then, they will concentrate on bringing the Trail to its termination at the Sands Beach.

With more than 100,000 residents and visitors enjoying the Spanish Moss Trail each year, this rails-to-trail greenway is now one of the recreational centerpieces for Beaufort County. With a current 20-mile round trip experience for residents and visitors, the Trail of-

County hosting grand opening for Whitehall Park on Lady’s Island

From staff reports

Beaufort County is hosting a Grand Opening celebration for Whitehall Park at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 21. Beaufort County Councilman York Glover and City of Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray will provide opening remarks and cut the ribbon.

Whitehall Park is located at 120 White Hall Drive, Lady’s Island and is owned by Beaufort County, with the City of Beaufort providing maintenance of the property. The park is 9.72-acres of mixed pine and live oak canopy along a salt marsh point on the Beaufort River.

Passive recreation amenities at the park include public access with a pervious parking lot, pervious sidewalks, a pavilion with restrooms and water fountains, a picnic garden under live oak canopy, and benches along the scenic river front. A boardwalk also joins the lighted pervious

multi-use pathway along the causeway to the Woods Memorial Bridge. This pathway will allow visitors and residents to safely walk or bike from downtown Beaufort to the residential and shopping areas on Lady’s Island, day or night.

Whitehall Park is open to

fers a 12-foot wide, paved path that is dedicated to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Erickson wishes there were more.

“Wouldn’t it be cool to have a trail that went from Yemassee all the way to Hilton Head?” she asked. “You could run, walk, or hike from one end of Beaufort County to the other. Imagine the history, wildlife, and nature you’d see.”

Play a part

To support The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, tax-deductible checks can be made payable to: Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail (P.O. Box 401, Beaufort, S.C. 29901) or online at www.SpanishMossTrail.com. For more information on the work of the FSMT and easy navigation to the Trail, people can download the free Mobile App, The Spanish Moss Trail Mobile Guide (available on Apple Store and Google Play).

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com

the public Monday through Sunday from dawn to dusk by an automatic timed gate. The pathway is open to the public 24/7. Please contact the City of Beaufort Downtown Operations Manager, Linda Roper, at lroper@cityofbeaufort.org for reservation/rental requests.

Whitehall Park. Photo courtesy of Beaufort County.

Seabrook man convicted of killing 70-year-old

From staff reports

A 46- year-old Seabrook man with a history of violent crimes is returning to prison for the strangling death of a 70- year-old Beaufort woman who hired him to do yard work.

Jermaine Lemonte Thurston pleaded guilty Monday in Beaufort Count General Sessions Court of murdering Theresa Coker in her home on Polk Street. Thurston was sentenced to 43 years in prison.

“Throughout his life, Jermaine Thurston has demonstrated a penchant

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for violence that has only escalated,” said Hunter Swanson of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case.

“Nothing is more despicable than brutalizing a vulnerable person who trusted you.

Mr. Thurston’s conviction is a measure of justice for Theresa Coker and a measure of safety for our community.”

A property management worker found Coker dead on Oct. 9, 2019, when he

clusive golf course and gated resort on a St. Helena Island property that he had an option to purchase, the Pine Island Plantation.

The plan sparked public outcry, as it contradicted the overlay’s purpose: to protect “culturally significant resources” found on the island, and to recognize St. Helena as a center for Gullah culture in Beaufort County.

Since then, a limited liability company purchased the property for $18 million and subdivided it into five parcels. Tropeano has referred to himself publicly as the property owner.

On April 10, the Land Use Committee voted 10-1 to recommend adopting new overlay language. Councilman Logan Cunningham was the lone holdout vote. The issue then advanced to County Council, which approved it 10-1. Cunningham again cast the sole no vote.

While those who supported the new language saw the vote as a victory, final adoption of the revised overlay is not a foregone conclusion.

Behind closed doors

A letter dated April 7 from Tropeano addressed to Beaufort County Council and obtained by The Post and Courier reveals a high level of cooperation between county administration and Tropeano with regard to the Pine Island property. Much, if not all, of this interaction has taken place outside of the public’s view.

“Over the last two years, my team has met with the Beaufort County administrator, county legal counsel, district councilperson and county staff over 50 times to determine the best use and development of Pine Island,” wrote Tropeano in the letter.

County Attorney Brittany Ward replied to a Post and Courier inquiry that posed a number of specific question about the statements made in Tropeano’s letter. While Ward declined to answer most of the questions, she did say that county administration provides developers feedback based on the county’s development guidelines.

“The size and scope of a project determines the number of meetings and amount of time staff spends helping a developer comply with the (Community Development Code), as well as other laws and regulations,” Ward added.

Because these interactions between the county and the developer are not public, it’s difficult to know how the county’s involvement in this initiative compares with any

came to replace locks and door frames for the new tenant. After no one answered his knocks, he let himself into the house and discovered Coker’s partially nude body on a bedroom floor. She likely had been dead for several days. Blood smears were found in the bedroom and the kitchen, and her purse and jewelry appeared to have been rifled through. Coker’s Honda Accord also was missing. Thurston had only recently been released from prison. Though he lived in Seabrook,

he had a girlfriend who lived in the city of Beaufort. He had been seen walking the streets around Polk Street in the days before Coker’s murder. Neighbors reported that Coker complained she had been harassed recently by a Black male asking to do yard work for her. They later saw a man fitting Thurston’s description in her yard.

One neighbor also reported that Thurston came by with some jewelry that he was trying to sell shortly after Coker’s death. Coker’s daughter also identified jewelry that Thurston gave

to his girlfriend after the killing as belonging to her mother.

Coker’s missing vehicle was found abandoned in Seabrook, about a mile from home of Thurston’s mother.

Bloody clothing was discovered in Thurston’s home after Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office investigators obtained a search warrant. His DNA was discovered on the curtains in Coker’s home, on a mop located near her body and on a cigarette butt recovered from her stolen vehicle.

Thurston’s criminal histo-

ry dates to 1994 and includes offenses in South Carolina and Georgia. Among them are four convictions for assault and battery, including a 2006 charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and a 2009 conviction for assault and battery with intent to kill that resulted in a 12-year prison sentence. Additionally, Thurston has been convicted twice of burglary, and also of criminal domestic violence and armed robbery. Circuit Court Judge Robert Bonds handed down the sentence.

Marquetta

other development project.

Tropeano went on to state that the county “has guided the planning and timeline, up to directing our team to subdivide the property.”

Two weeks after the purchase of Pine Island, the property was subdivided into five parcels, a fact that Tropeano confirms in his April 7 letter. On March 8, Tropeano appeared at a Beaufort County Staff Review Team meeting to discuss a request to build three six-hole golf courses, one on each of three of the property’s newly subdivided parcels.

Ward was asked if the county advised Tropeano to subdivide his property, and if so, why was that recommendation made. She declined to answer those questions.

Several times earlier this year, county officials stated that three golf courses on three separate parcels cannot be operated as a single entity under county guidelines. The county declined to codify that limitation in a deed restriction during the March 8 meeting with Tropeano. At the time, Ward noted that “there might be some other ways to go about it” without specifying what those other options might be.

Despite the county’s position, Tropeano stated that he has submitted completed applications to develop three parcels in accordance with county zoning ordinances, which currently allow golf courses of fewer than nine holes. Ward confirmed that the county has received those three applications.

Ward additionally stated that neither county administration nor staff provided advice or assurances to Tropeano’s team regarding operating three golf courses as a single entity.

Public support swells

There was little doubt that the public would turn out in significant numbers for two county meetings held the afternoon of April 10 to discuss the future of development on St. Helena Island.

A rally held March 30 sought to make residents aware of the county’s meetings. An estimated 600 people heard community activists, politicians and religious leaders advocate to protect the island and show strong support as the county considered revisions to the overlay.

The message appears to have gotten through.

Residents and other interested parties started gathering outside county chambers more than two hours before the 3 p.m. start of the Community Services and Land Use Committee meeting. By the time the meeting started, the chamber was filled to capacity, and people milled about in the crowded hallway outside the chamber.

Another large group sat outside the county building watching a live feed of the meetings on their mobile devices. Some sat in lawn chairs brought from home along with cases of water bottles and homemade signs expressing support for efforts to protect the island. Still more watched the proceedings from inside an empty courtroom in another building on the county’s campus.

Tropeano has charged that the effort to update the overlay is in response to his plans for Pine Island. But officials and residents insist that they have been calling for a second look at the overlay long before the developer came on the scene.

The county’s 2040 comprehensive plan, adopted in November 2021, called for a reevaluation of the overlay to determine if additional land-use restrictions were necessary to meet the intent of the overlay.

But the effort to reconstitute the Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee was interrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic until November. At that time, the overlay district committee was reformed.

Marquetta Goodwine, also known as Queen Quet, was appointed chair of the newly formed committee. Goodwine served on the original overlay committee in the 1990s and played a role in securing the adoption of the overlay at that time.

Courier

While the committee was getting on its feet, county administration

presented their own changes to the overlay during a Beaufort County Planning Commission meeting in January. The amendment would have, for all intents and purposes, removed the overlay’s prohibitions on resorts, gated communities and golf courses in favor of requiring developers to enter into development agreements with the county.

If passed, county administration would have been responsible for negotiating those development agreements and ensuring the protection of St. Helena Island in accordance with the wishes of the residents there.

After a vigorous public opposition to the amendment, the Planning Commission unanimously rejected the county’s proposal. Per county procedure, the amendment proceeded to the Land Use Committee, which was meeting a few days later.

There, Councilwoman Alice Howard put forth a motion to delay consideration the county’s recommended changes until April 10, referring the matter to the overlay district committee.

What’s new in the overlay?

Robert Merchant, director of the county’s Planning and Zoning Department, outlined the revisions to the overlay recommended by the overlay committee for the Land Use Committee on April 10.

“I will say that these changes don’t constitute substantive changes to the cultural protection overlay district,” Merchant said. “They merely address the purpose statement and then reworking some of the definitions to meet the intent of what was to be protected.”

Cunningham started the committee’s debate, and quickly made a motion to move into executive session, which occurs outside the public’s purview.

Councilman York Glover Sr. pushed back against Cunningham’s motion, setting up a sparring match between the two that would continue beyond the committee meeting and into the council meeting.

“There is nothing that is being recommended that changes the spirit of the overlay district,” Glover said. “It more or less enhances, clarifies the definition of the community.”

Cunningham’s motion went to a vote and passed 6-5. For the next 30 minutes, the committee met behind closed doors.

When they emerged from executive session, Greenway launched

into presentation regarding allowable development on Pine Island. The proposed development of Pine Island was not on the meeting’s agenda, nor was the presentation that Greenway made part of the agenda packet.

“We’re talking about a whole other issue than what’s on agenda,” noted Glover.

As Greenway moved through his presentation, he revealed that the county tried to purchase the Pine Island property before it was sold to Tropeano, the current owner. “The owners did not want to deal with the county,” Greenway said. County Council enters the debate

Once the revised overlay moved on to County Council, concern over the updated prohibition on all golf-related development came to the surface.

Cunningham once again started the discussion.

While he recognized the need to strengthen the overlay, he expressed trepidation about changing prohibitions that apply to current property owners. Councilman Mark Lawson echoed Cunningham’s concern.

“It makes me feel uncomfortable that Mr. Tropeano has purchased this property thinking that he’d be able to develop it, and we are now making this change tonight to push this forward to change the CPO so it says no golf courses, no resorts,” Lawson said.

Cunningham went on to offer an amendment that would have tabled the first reading of the overlay until June. Glover again pushed back against Cunningham, who eventually withdrew his amendment after other council members including Lawson and Howard said they wouldn’t support a pause.

Having passed its first reading, a second reading can reasonably be expected at the next County Council meeting April 24. There is no indication yet when the public meeting will be held, which is required prior to the third and final reading.

Meanwhile, the next step for Tropeano’s three development applications is a review at a county Staff Review Meeting. Timing for that is also uncertain, though several sources have suggested that it could take place as early as April 19.

From Beaufort to Bluffton and Hilton Head, The Post and Courier covers news impacting your community.

for more

A public rally drew hundreds of people to St. Helena Island on Thursday, March 30, 2023. The rally was held to raise awareness of efforts to protect the island. Tony Kukulich/The Post And Courier

Goodwine, also known as Queen Quet, speaks after Beaufort County Council approved the first reading of revisions to the St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay during meetings held in Beaufort on Monday, April 10, 2023. Goodwine chairs the Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee that crafted the updated overlay language. Tony Kukulich/The Post And

Thurston

Sheriff’s Office seeking information on Grays Hill shooting

From staff reports

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Thursday, April 13, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was called to Paradise Lane in the Grays Hill community after reports a

man who had been shot. A 21-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen while working outdoors. He was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital by Beaufort County EMS

and later transferred to the Medical University of South Carolina where he remains in stable condition.

Witnesses in the area reported hearing gunfire and then observed a man walk-

ing away from the scene. Due to the rural area where this incident occurred, it is not believed to be a random act of violence.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with infor-

mation about this incident to contact Investigator Kremer at 843-255-3294 or if wishing to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.

Soft Shell Crab Festival

to benefit

Friends of Caroline hosting ‘Release & Remember’

From staff reports

Friends of Caroline is holding “Release & Remember, A Community Butterfly Release” at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 29, in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort.

Purchase a butterfly for $12 and celebrate the memory of the ones we love as we release butterflies over the Beaufort River. Names will be placed on Memory Boards displayed at the event and on the Friends of Caroline website. Butterflies can be picked up at the event beginning at 10:30 a.m. The program will begin at 11 with a few words from Coordinator of Support Services Steve Scudder, a reading from Battery Creek High School junior Quinnie Clark and a musical performance by Elaine Lake.

For more information, call Friends of Caroline at 843525-6257 or visit fochospice. org

Thousands of patrons meander down Paris Avenue during the annual Soft Shell Crab Festival on Saturday in Port Royal.

JSLB to host 18th annual Spring Fundraiser — JSLB Jubilee

From staff reports

The Junior Service League of Beaufort (JSLB) is hosting its 18th annual Spring Fundraiser JSLB Jubilee, from 6 to 10 p.m., on Saturday, April 29, at the Historic Beaufort Arsenal.

Tickets are $75 and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar featuring wine and beer. Tickets can be purchased through a JSLB member or online at www. jslbeaufort.com.

Jubilee is the Junior Service League of Beaufort’s annual spring fundraiser and year-end celebration, focusing on the Junior League of Beaufort’s commitment to our mission: serving the women, children and families of the community since 2005. Event proceeds will be distributed back into the Beaufort community through a formal request-for-funds process, in which JSLB selects non-prof-

Lowdown

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coming “our” way. There was lots of good community news inside – the Republican ladies threw a birthday party for Robert Smalls; First Friday on Bay Street seemed to be a big success; good advice on what to do about ticks; the Beaufort High and Beaufort Academy boys soccer teams are doing well; a couple of pages of legal ads which helps keep this little piece of award-winning journalism rolling off the presses. Of course, there was a report of police investigating an Easter Sunday murder, but, by and large, it was mostly positive news

it agencies that complement the organization’s mission to support and enrich the lives of women, children and families in the local community.

As is tradition, the event will feature live music, dancing, food, an open bar, a silent auction, and specialty raffle. Attendees can look forward to meeting the 2022 grant recipients, recognizing JSLB’s honorary members of the year and learning about the service JSLB offers to the community.

“I am so excited to be working with the ladies on my committee as we plan to bring Jubilee back to the Historic Arsenal once again this year,” Jubilee Chair Sarah Sutton said in a news release. “I’d like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers; without their help we would not be able to put this event on year after year. Don’t forget about the champagne raffle where

about the community we live in, especially the reports about citizens rallying together to speak out for what they believe is right.

Another group that spoke up last week, but not in this paper, was the city of Beaufort’s Historic Review Board, a group of appointed citizens who have gotten quite a bit of “negative feedback,” shall we say, about some of their decisions.

Last week, the group of four (the chairman had to declare a conflict) actually said “no” to a development plan. It started out being a very gentle “no.” You could tell they really wanted to approve Charleston developer Hank Hofford’s plan for a second three-story duplex at 1106 Craven Street, backing up to his other three townhouses 1109, 1107 and

attendees could win a beautiful item donated by Bay Street Jewelers.”

JSLB is a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 dedicated to supporting and enriching the lives of women, children and families in the Beaufort County community.

Since its founding, the league has donated more than $145,000 and provides regular volunteers to organizations such as the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) and Hopeful Horizons.

JSLB also hosts an annual Touch a Truck event in the fall, an annual 5K run in the winter and a free prom dress boutique in the spring.

For information about the organization or sponsoring or attending the event, please contact Communication Director Kayla Griffin at communication.jslb@ gmail.com or visit us online at www.jslbeaufort.com

1105 Bay Street.

But the bottom line, the board just couldn’t approve plans for another three-story structure (with a fourth floor cupola) in that area.

“You brought a three-pound sack and you bought five pounds of potatoes,” was the way board member Mike Sutton summed it up.

Bottom line: the board ended up turning down conceptual approval for the buildings. But since this is the third time the plans have been presented, with minor revisions, there’s a pretty good bet they’ll be back.

On a brighter note, the same review board, at the same meeting, gave conceptual approval to a roof-top bar above City Loft on Carteret Street. The facility, once constructed, could be the first

“official” downtown roof-top bar since John Cross Tavern on Bay Street closed its waterfront venue.

Correction: That’s no school campus! BEAUFORT – Apologies to the Beaufort County School District for incorrectly accusing them of denuding part of Robert Smalls Parkway.

Contrary to last week’s column, it’s not the school district that clear cut the 37 acres behind the Robert Smalls International Academy for a new campus.

Instead, it’s a private development, Gray Tract A Apartments (also referred to as Myrtle Bush Farms in some documents), soon to be the home of 312 apartments and townhouses. And by the way, complied with

Since 1977, FRIENDS of Caroline has been providing palliative, hospice and bereavement care to The Lowcountry Community. This care provides quality-of-life care that offers hope and encouragement to those nearing the end-of-life’s journey and support for their family, friends and the community.

city of Beaufort tree-removal regulations for site work.

The project includes 11 apartment buildings with 264 units and eight townhouses making up 48 units plus detached garages and a clubhouse.

Thank you to Dick Geier who in addition to having fact-checking skills provides above-and-beyond community service by serving on the Board of Education.

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. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com

Tyger Snell, owner of Belly Full by Tyger Concessions, pours out a fresh batch of fried shrimp as Chef Eli Diaz, background, batters up another crab for the fryer during the annual Soft Shell Crab Festival on Saturday in Port Royal.

The guests of honor for the annual Soft Shell Crab Festival are soft shell Atlantic blue crabs. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Why young savers should adopt a long-term mindset

Provided by Wells Fargo

Four key considerations could help young adults create a mindset to succeed with saving and investing for the future.

Michelle Wan, Wells Fargo Investment Institute senior wealth investment solutions analyst, has met many younger clients who have had reservations about investing. “Young investors may find themselves delaying investing for retirement because it seems so far in the future. Alternatively, they may enjoy trading volatile investment instruments for rapid profits,” she says. “They don’t realize how important it is to methodically develop planning and investing goals at a young age. Time is a young saver’s greatest ally.” Here, Wan shares four key

considerations for young savers when it comes to prioritizing long-term savings and investment plans.

1. Adopt a planning mindset

One key factor is having a planning mindset — a positive and proactive stance that could set savers on a path to positive financial outcomes. A planning mindset can provide a road map that can help strengthen a person’s financial future.

2. Start with small changes

Small changes in your financial behavior today could have a big impact on long-term success. Creating a budget, building healthy financial habits, and becom-

ing more comfortable and familiar with investing could go a long way in contributing toward achieving longterm financial goals. Some practices to consider: Automatically transferring part of your income into a savings account or an investment account Paying down student loans to avoid late fees and damage to credit scores

3. Begin saving and investing now

Start saving for retirement as soon as you can. The sooner you start, the more time every dollar saved has the potential to grow. If dollars saved early in your working years generate investment

gains year after year, they can have a much bigger impact on the size of your account balance at retirement than you might think. Thanks to the power of compounding, as the dollars invested potentially earn returns, those reinvested returns can start earning returns, and so on — year after year.

“For younger investors, compounding returns become especially powerful given their longer time horizon, so an early start can make a dramatic difference in helping investors reach their financial goals,” says Wan.

4. Take full advantage of retirement savings plans

If your employer offers a

401(k) plan, be sure to participate — and max out any kind of matching-contribution offers. They are the equivalent of free money.

Roth IRAs — to which you contribute after-tax dollars — are also worth a closer look because they offer taxfree growth potential. Investment earnings are also distributed tax-free in retirement if specific requirements are met.

“Another savings vehicle to consider is a Health Savings Account (HSA), which offers tax benefits to qualified investors,” Wan says.

This

article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Whitney McDaniel, CFP®, AAMS®,

Beaufort County hosting Earth Day event

From staff reports

In celebration of Earth Day, Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling is once again hosting a regional cleanup event and would like to invite the public to participate. This is a great opportunity to come together and show our commitment to keeping the County clean, litter-free and beautiful.

The Earth Day 2023 Clean Up Event is Friday, April 21, with morning and afternoon slots available.

This is a huge event including numerous locations around Beaufort County, and public participating is needed to help make it a success. Participants will receive a T-shirt and lunch followed by a ceremony at 4 p.m. to commemorate the event. Gloves, trash bags, and other cleaning supplies will be provided on-site. Please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Once registration closes, people will be notified of their designated location and time for

pickup, as well as where/how to get their supplies.

In 2017, a former Council Member pitched the idea to then Public Works Director, Dave Wilhelm to host a County Cleanup day involving both County employees, members of the public and any local businesses interested in participating. That first event was called Beaufort County Fall Cleanup Day. Since then we have had numerous county-wide events.

The first regional event was in 2019 and expand-

ed to include surrounding counties. Due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, efforts were scaled back to doing a small public works event in 2020.

In 2022, the County hosted a full cleanup day. This year with Covid restrictions very low, Beaufort County Public Works is hosting a regional event again.

Last year was the first year there was a decrease in the amount of litter collected.

The goal is to see a decrease in litter pick up again this year. With all events com-

bined, Beaufort County has had over four thousand volunteers participate and more than 18 tons of litter collected. This year’s regional event is expected to host more than two thousand volunteers.

Along with all municipal governments and law enforcement agencies in Beaufort County, the County is partnering with Jasper, Colleton, Hampton Counties, governments, AdoptA-Highway groups, and all of their law enforcement agencies.

Other participants include County Adopt-A-Highway groups, local businesses, private citizens, and many volunteers from different departments. Litter clean up partners Keep America Beautiful, Keep Beaufort County Beautiful, Palmetto Pride will all be participating and supporting the County’s Earth Day event.

To sign up and be part of this year’s Earth Day Clean Up Event, please call Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling at 843-255-2735.

Sea Island Quilters show coming to Beaufort April 28-29

From staff reports

The Sea Island Quilters will present their “Southern Comforts” quilt show on Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 at the National Guard Armory (Beaufort Readiness Center), 1 Cavalry Land, Beaufort (U.S. 21 near MCAS Beaufort). The hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $8 for adults. Children younger than 12 are free.

The Sea Island Quilters was founded in 1987 “to foster the art of quilting, to encourage high standards of design and techniques in all of its various forms, and to stimulate an interest in the goals within the community.”

NEWS BRIEFS

County offers chance to dispose of unused prescription drugs

The Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department (BCADAD), in partnership with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, is again participating in the DEA National Rx Take Back program that allows people to proper-

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The F-35B will demonstrate it’s speed — it can accelerate past the speed of sound in flight — and it’s ability to make a vertical landing like a helicopter.

Rowler will be flying his 1942 PT-17 Stearman airplane. His performance is “filled with giant barnstormer loops, hammerhead turns, slow rolls, a Cuban eight, inverted flight, snap roll and one of his favorite maneuvers, the Outside Humpty

Featured at the show will be approximately 150 quilts of all sizes and styles from traditional to modern to contemporary art. For the show, the quilters have created a beautiful quilt – “Sea Island Stars”. Sparkling with cleat, vibrant colors, crisp points, and exquisite quilting. The quilt will be raffled on Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

The pattern for “Sea Island Stars” came from an online source, Summer Sampler 2017, and was created by multiple designers. The quilt was pieced under the leadership of Cynthia Cassidy by members of the guild – Cassidy, Lynn O’Neal, Karen Guinn, Joey Patrucco, Ann Davis, Anita Bryde, Kristine Rich-

ly dispose of unused prescription drugs.

The event will be held Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at two locations: Beaufort County Bluffton Government Center, 4819 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton; Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center, 2001 Duke Street, Beaufort.

Beaufort County Alcohol & Drug

Bump,” according to the MCAS Beaufort Airshow’s website.

Franklin will perform an aeronautical comedy act as Ben Whabnaski, an annoying drunk who wants his airplane ride that was promised to him.

Thomas, Wagstaff, Holland and Fowler are all renowned pilots; Wagstaff is the first woman to claim the title of the U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, winning it three times.

The event will open at 11:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony featuring the SOCOM Para-Commandos and will end with a 3:00 p.m. demonstration by the U.S.

ardson, Danielle Gillespie, Jeanette Bussard, Brenda Lucas, Dorthy Stockell, Sam Cowan, Bobbie Elder and Marie Kositzka with professional long arm quilting by Lynn O’Neal of Creative Clutter Quilting. A “Lowcountry Store” will sell used magazines, books, patterns, fabrics from “stashes,” and a few surprises. And the “Ukraine Quilt” will be on display at the show.

There will be a special exhibit by nationally known quilt maker, Mary Kerr. Kerr is an award-winning quilter, teacher, speaker, author, and appraiser who has been a professional in the fiber arts industry for more than 30 years. Her books will be available for purchase.

Back by popular demand, in ad-

Abuse Department will be there to give out Deterra Bags, for at-home medication disposal and provide information on year-round medication drop-off box locations.

More information on DEA National Rx Take Back can be found at https://bit.ly/3ooeKh8

For more information about this event, call the Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department at 843-255-6013.

Navy Blue Angels.

In addition to the featured performances in the air, visitors can also explore the many aircraft that will be displayed on the ground.

There will also be many exhibitors onsite, as well as concession stands throughout the spectator area.

If you are a VIP invited guest, VIP parking pass holder, military and Department of Defense authorized vehicle or a vehicle using handicap parking, you will need to enter through the Main Gate.

All other guests will need to enter MCAS Beaufort through Gate 3 or Gate 5. There will be traffic signs

dition to the show and quilt raffle, there will be an opportunity to purchase tickets for various themed gift baskets. A small Merchant’s Mall will be available for shopping. Items include fabric, threads, embroidery and wool supplies, long arm quilting demos, tools, templates, and more. (A list of vendors is available at SeaIslandQuilters.com).

Proceeds from the quilt show will be used to support guild activities such as making quilts for local children’s shelters and the Good Neighbor Clinic, and making stockings for Christmas babies born at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. The guild also assists students and adults who want to learn to quilt and offers lectures and workshops.

Indivisible Beaufort hosting April meeting

Indivisible Beaufort’s next meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, April 22 at the St. Helena Branch of the Beaufort Library at 6355 Jonathon Frances Road, St. Helena Island.

The featured speaker is Tim Joy, the local chapter leader of the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL). The

the airshow.

and law enforcement to direct traffic toward the correct gates. Parking is free and is available on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Additional parking is available on Shanklin Road off of U.S. 21, but shuttles will not be available to take people from Shanklin Road.

Keep in mind, tailgating will not be allowed and no outside food or drinks will be permitted at the airshow. Only coolers with medically necessary items and infant formula or breastmilk will be allowed.

Bags and purses are permitted, but all bags will be inspected before entering

During its 30-plus year history, the guild has hosted many national teachers and authors and has donated hundreds of quilts to community organizations.

The judge for the show is Karen Kendo, an award-winning long-arm quilter, teacher, quilt show judge, and presenter. She lives, gardens and works on three-plus acres in Harleyville with her retired husband, two dogs and two cats.

Ribbons will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each of the 15 categories. Attendees also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite quilt to be awarded “Viewer’s Choice” ribbon.

For more information, email seaislandquilters@gmail.com

Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on policies to address climate change.

In addition, Elayne Scott, a member of the Pine Island Cultural Overlay Committee, will share an update on the status of the fight to protect St. Helena Island. The event is free and open to the public.

MCAS Beaufort recommends that all spectators, especially young children, should bring hearing protection to the show.

Pets will not be allowed at the show, only service animals will be permitted.

The show will begin around 11 a.m. and will end at 4:30 p.m., but gates will open at 9:30 a.m.

The MCAS Beaufort Airshow will be held rain or shine, so be sure to check the weather in advance. Performers will be grounded if there is lightning within 5 miles and will continue once they can safely do so.

Tickets for premium seat-

ing will not be available for purchase at the airshow.

The shows on Saturday and Sunday are the same, so keep that in mind if you plan to attend both days.

For more information about the 2023 MCAS Beaufort Airshow, go to www. beaufortairshow.com

Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She spent six years as a videographer and photographer for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette before leaving the Lowcountry in 2018. After freelancing in Myrtle Beach and Virginia, she joined The Island News when she moved back to Beaufort in 2022. She can be reached at delayna. theislandnews@gmail.com

Will the return of Christ interfere with your plans?

Henry Allan “Harry”

Ironside was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author who pastored Moody Church in Chicago from 1929 to 1948.

It is said that Harry Ironside was one of the most prolific Christian writers of the 20th Century and published more than 100 books, booklets, and pamphlets, many of which are still in print. He also wrote several hymns including “Overshadowed” “His Grace Proclaim” and “The Wonder of His Love to Me.” One editorial reviewer wrote in a 2005 republication that, “Ironside’s commentaries are a Christian standard and have stood the test of time.”

In his comments on Isaiah 57, Dr. Harry Ironside shares this true story: “Years ago, before the First World War, Professor Stroeter, a wellknown prophetic teacher in Germany, would travel through the country giving lectures, and using charts to explain the dispensations. His meetings attracted the attention of the German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm, who despite of his many idiosyncrasies, was quite a Bible student himself, and he would deliver sermons in the palace chapel on many occasions.

One day the emperor invited Professor Stroeter to his royal mansion so that he could have a personal session to learn more about the information the professor had been teaching. The professor was taken into the library and he began to spread his charts out on the table. The emperor listened

closely as he pointed out various prophetic stages that led up to the glorious Second Coming of the Lord.

After a lengthy conversation the emperor said, “Do you mean to say that Jesus Christ is coming back literally, and when He returns all the kingdoms of the world are going to be destroyed and He will set up His kingdom on the ruins of them all?” Professor Stroeter said, “Exactly, your Majesty.” The emperor backed away with a look of disappointment and said, “Oh no, I can’t accept that! This would interfere with all of my plans!”

What an honest but troubling admission from a man who professed to be a student and teacher of the Bible. There are indeed many interpretations and opinions about what the future may bring, but Christians can agree there is coming a day when this world will be no more and God will establish His heavenly kingdom forever.

We look around and notice that many people are working hard to build their dreams. I know individuals that are making plans 10, 20, and even 30 years in the future, but are these divine blueprints that God has drawn? Have you known or

heard about individuals that had their lives all mapped out, but were suddenly taken out of this world at a young age?

It’s worth considering whose voice we are following as the Bible declares there is nothing more important than keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open to where the Lord desires to lead us. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Many of us add Christ to our long list of things we are interested in, but there are only so many hours in our already crowded schedule. Yes, we all have responsibilities, but ignoring God and not being prepared comes with steep consequences. Are we just seeking the God we want without taking the time to know Him? Maybe our busyness is a way of hiding our brokenness.

We notice in Luke 5:15-16, Jesus was becoming very popular and multitudes were constantly seeking Him for

that promotion, retiring, or completing some project you’ve been working on for years, more important than the return of Jesus?

Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com

BILLY HOLLAND

Does your child need ear tubes? parent PULSE ©

Middle ear infections are caused by bacteria or a virus that infects fluid that has builds up in the middle ear. These infections often happen when a child has a cold, allergy, or upper respiratory illness. Ear infections can be painful and cause difficulty sleeping or hearing. Unfortunately, they also are one of the most common infections for children.

Inserting tubes in the ear is a treatment for chronic ear infections. Here are answers to questions about this procedure:

What are ear tubes?

Ear tubes are tiny, hollow cylinders made of soft plastic. They are placed in the eardrums and allow air to circulate between the outer and middle ear.

Are ear tubes common in children?

Myringotomy, the procedure to insert ear tubes, is the most common surgical procedure performed on children. Kids have a higher risk of runny noses and ear infections because their eustachian tubes are shorter and narrower than those of adults. Because the eustachian tubes in children aren’t as developed, they can become inflamed or irritated more easily. This leads to ear infections. Ear tubes can help relieve the pressure that builds up during an infection or altogether prevent infection.

While the procedure is more common in children, inserting ear tubes also can help adults who experience recurring ear infections.

How do you know if your child needs ear tubes?

Ear tubes likely will help kids who have chronic ear infections. This means those who have had at least three ear infections within six months or four infections within one year, all with persistent middle ear fluid. If a child has had fluid buildup in the ears for at least three months, the health care team may recommend a hearing test to show if a child has a loss of hearing.

For adults, the most common symptoms that may improve with ear tubes are muffled hearing and ear pressure. These symptoms can cause a sense of imbalance or dizziness—like rocking in a boat—if there is fluid buildup in one ear but not the other. In these cases, placing an ear tube can help the person regain balance.

How are ear tubes placed?

The process of placing ear tubes is simple and quick. The surgeon makes a small incision in the eardrum to suction out fluid from the middle ear. Then a tiny tube is inserted in the opening to ventilate the ear and prevent fluid buildup in the future. Patients experience little to no pain.

For adults, a surgeon can place tubes during a clinic appointment, using topical medication to numb the eardrum. There is minimal recovery necessary for adults. They can go back to work or school the same day.

Young kids may not be able to

sit still during the procedure, so ear tubes are inserted in an operating room. They receive anesthesia to make them fall asleep. The entire procedure can last less than one minute. I joke with parents that it takes longer to put children to sleep than to put in the ear tube. I encourage parents to keep kids home for the rest of the day after surgery, but they can return to school or day care the next day.

Do ear tubes provide relief?

Yes. For many patients, relief from the pain and discomfort of a middle ear infection is almost immediate. Once the fluid is removed and the pressure decreases, patients usually feel and hear better

immediately. Any dizziness also improves right away. After the procedure, children aren’t in constant pain so most behave better, aren’t as clingy and sleep well.

Do ear tubes fall out?

Yes, ear tubes are made to fall out on their own. Over time, the eardrum heals, pushing the tube into the ear canal. Ear wax moves it to the outer ear. Most tubes remain in children’s ears for about one year. For adults, it’s about six months.

Children may need tubes placed again if they start having ear infections after the original tubes fall out. If a second set of tubes is needed, your child’s

health care team may recommend removing the adenoid glands as well. These are two small pads of tissue found on the back of the nose. The eustachian tubes drain the ears on either side of the adenoids. If the adenoids are enlarged, they can block drainage and cause ear infections.

Talk with your child’s health care team if you’re concerned about chronic ear infections and think ear tubes may help. Or talk with your health care team if you are experiencing muffled hearing or dizziness.

Statin users: Moderate exercise is safe, even in those with muscle pain

• A new study found that people on statins who are worried about exercising due to fears about potential muscle damage need not worry.

• After moderate exercise, the muscles of statin-taking participants and control participants in the study felt about the same.

• However, high-intensity exercise for statin users is not recommended.

A new study provides encouragement for people on statins who are afraid to exercise for fear of causing muscle damage. Some people on the cholesterol-lowering drug report experiencing muscle issues and may forgo physical activity that is important for their cardiovascular health.

The study finds that statin users, whether they do or do not have muscle problems, experience the same muscle-related effects from moderate-intensity exercise.

After such exercise, temporary muscle pain and fatigue are common for anyone. This is also true for people on statins. Study participants who took statins, however, took a little longer to recover than did people

in the study’s control group. This study investigated the effects of moderate-intensity exercise. Other research has cautioned that high-intensity, exercise carries a greater risk of skeletal muscle injuries for people on statins.

The recent findings appear in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The paper is accompanied by an editorial that underscores the importance of the study’s findings for the cardiovascular health of statin patients.

What are statins?

Statins are a family of medicines that can lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol,” in a person’s blood.

Currently, statins are the most effective treatment for hyperlipidemia [ high cholesterol] and a major treatment after a heart attack. They are important treatments to prevent recurrent heart attacks and strokes. Further noted that statins have been a major reason that heart disease and strokes have reduced

significantly since their introduction in the early 1990s. Their effects are large enough to reduce all-cause mortality in adults with even mild heart disease.

Exercise intensity matters

While the researchers found that recovery time from post-exercise muscle weakness was longer in statin users compared to the control group, otherwise the effects of exercise were the same in all groups.

The study also tracked levels of CoQ10 in participants. CoQ10 has been implicated as a possible factor in statin muscle problems. However, the researchers found no difference in CoQ10 levels among the three groups, nor was it related to muscle performance, reported muscle issues, or injury markers. The study authors caution that their method of measuring CoQ10 in leukocytes may not be sensitive enough to reveal small, but potentially meaningful, differences.

Statin-associated muscle symptoms

Muscle problems reported with taking statins are collectively referred to as “SAMS,” which stands for “statin-associated muscle symptoms.”

These include myalgia, cramps, and perceived muscle weakness.

Some patients who might benefit from statins refuse to take them, or decline to take prescribed dosages, due to concerns about SAMS. There is some controversy regarding how common an experience SAMS are. The American College of Cardiology says that the incidence of SAMS is low in randomized controlled trials, yet much higher in clinical observation studies. One study of former statin users reported 62% of them quit the drug due to side effects.

According to the National Lipid Association (NLA), research suggests the actual incidence of SAMS is about 10%, with different studies finding its frequency among statin users ranging from 5% to 25%.

While the symptoms reported by patients are real, 80% are not caused by statins, says the NLA.

It’s concluded that doc-

tors must properly educate patients on what SAMS typically present as so patients can be more aware of what to look out for.

Why physical activity is ‘very important’

With widespread, arguably exaggerated, reports of SAMS, some people who take statins are concerned about the safety of exercising.

Why this is concerning:

Study authors explain that the combination of statin therapy and physical fitness lowers mortality risk more than either strategy alone.

Patients that are prescribed statins generally have more risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, so for these patients, a healthy lifestyle, including being physically active, is very important.

Solid, previous research demonstrated statin users can safely engage in a 12week moderate-intensity exercise program that improves muscle performance without exacerbating muscle symptoms.

Exercising on statins:

Recommendations

Cardiologists summed up the current recommendations for people on statins. Patients should continue to take their statins at their maximally tolerated dose after discussion with their healthcare providers, and should implement a regular exercise program, with preference to a moderate-intensity exercise program.

150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, the same recommended amount of exercise for people who

STATIN ALTERNATIVES

A person who cannot tolerate statins can consult their doctor about trying a different drug. The doctor may recommend one of the following: ezetimibe, a drug that reduces cholesterol absorption. fibrates, which lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. • nicotinic acid, which raises HDL cholesterol.

• bile acid sequestrants a group of drugs used to treat high cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, which lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

These drugs are not a direct replacement for statins, and each has different uses. A person may need to take more than one of these drugs or take them alongside statins to reduce their cholesterol levels.

do not take statins. People taking statins should avoid high-intensity exercise, which can raise muscle enzymes to higher levels that can produce muscle damage. Also, patients should contact their doctors if they develop fevers, chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, severe muscle aches/ pains, dark urine, muscle swelling, nausea, vomiting, severe weakness, or malaise.

Source: Excerpted from the article at https://www.medicalnewstoday. com/articles/statin-users-moderateexercise-is-safe-even-in-thosewith-muscle-pain

Pao Vang, M.D., is an otolaryngologist. This article originally posted on the Mayo Clinic Health System blog.

Who is at risk for hypertension?

(The medical term for high blood pressure)

Sometimes national statistics are so shocking that people have to stop and take notice. This is certainly the case for high blood pressure, which affects nearly half of all adults in the United States—only a quarter of whom have the condition under control.

But these numbers are simply unacceptable, since high blood pressure—when blood pushes against artery walls more forcefully than normal—caused or contributed to more than 670,000 deaths in the United States in 2020, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition is defined as blood pressure that’s at or above 130 mmHg (systolic pressure) over 80 mmHg (diastolic pressure).

Since the condition, known medically as hypertension, places people at risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease—leading causes of death in the United States—”high blood pressure just can’t be ignored”, Dr. Robert Segal, a board-certified cardiologist says.

“What makes it even more dangerous is that it often produces no symptoms,” says Dr. Segal, a fellow of the American College of Cardiology whose research has been published in many respected medical journals. “Some people with high blood pressure may experience headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, but these signs aren’t exclusive to it and often don’t occur until high blood pressure has become severe or life-threatening.”

What leads to high blood pressure?

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but certain risk factors make it more likely. These include:

Family history: Family members have high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.

Race: Black people are more predisposed than those from other groups.

Age: It’s more common in people over 55.

Weight: Those overweight or obese are more apt to develop high blood pressure.

Sedentary: Exercise can help stave off the condition.

High-salt diet

• Tobacco use

• Alcohol use: More than one drink per day for women, or two for men, can raise the odds.

“It’s clear that lifestyle choices play a large role in who develops high blood pressure, though that’s not always the case,” Dr. Segal ex-

plains. “There’s no single cause for the condition, but there are certainly plenty of contributing factors.”

How high blood pressure is diagnosed and treated

High blood pressure is fairly straightforward to diagnose, Dr. Segal says. Doing so involves checking blood pressure with a special

cuff or device. This is usually done at an annual check-up or doctor’s appointment. “If the reading is high at two or more visits, your doctor may tell you that you have high blood pressure,” he explains.

Treating the condition, however, is quite individualized, depending on a person’s other health conditions, lifestyle, age, and other contributing factors. Medical guidelines help doctors match the best blood pressure drugs to each person, with several main classes of medications available—each working a little differently to reduce blood pressure. These include:

• Beta blockers, reducing heart rate and cutting the heart’s workload

Diuretics, which help the kidneys remove extra salt and water from the body ACE inhibitors, which help blood vessels stay relaxed by blocking an enzyme that causes them to tighten ARBs, which block a receptor that constricts blood vessels

• Calcium channel blockers, which relax blood vessels

Often, people with high blood pressure need more than one medication to successfully treat it, Dr. Segal notes. But they should also blend a healthy lifestyle with prescription medications for a one-two punch to keep the condition at bay.

“Eat foods lower in fat, salt and calories, and make physical activity a bigger part of your day,” he advises. “Simple, commonsense measures can both prevent high blood pressure and help keep it under control.”

Dr. Robert Segal is a board-certified cardiologist and the founder of Manhattan Cardiology, Medical Offices of Manhattan and co-founder of LabFinder, www.manhattancardiology.com; www.LabFinder.com

Summer safety: Check your pool gate

Drowning is the leading cause of death in children aged 1 – 4 years, with an average of 11 fatal and 22 non-fatal drownings per day. The majority of the children that drown in swimming pools most commonly gain access to the pool area through a faulty fence or gate.

Combined with constant child supervision and other layers of protection, physically checking your pool gate, and maintaining your pool gate regularly to ensure it self-closes and self-latches at all times could help prevent drownings, yet only 30% of pool owners check the safety of their pool gate once a year.

You should not be able to open a gate without activating the release mechanism, which should be out of the reach of toddlers, additionally, the gate should self-close

and self-latch without assistance.

A few minutes is all it takes for pool owners to check that their pool fences and gates are in good working order.

This simple routine done regularly could help save the life of a child.

Safety checklist for pool gates

Gates should open outwards, away from the pool Latch release knob should be out of reach of toddlers under 5 years. (check local codes/standards for minimum requirements) Fence should be at a minimum height to comply with your region and encompass the pool area. (check local codes/ standards for minimum

requirements)

Gates must be self-closing and self-latching

Fence perimeter should have adequate distance from other climbable objects or structures

Gate hinges are reliable, tension-adjustable, self-closing and rustfree

Latch cannot be keylocked in the “open” position

Latch cannot be opened using implements or force

Latch must be adjustable horizontally and vertically to accommodate gate movement

Maximum clearance from finished ground surface is no more than

4” (100mm)

Gate will latch from any position, including from resting on the latching mechanism Gate complies with all relevant Codes/Standards and legislation for pool safety

Incorporate multiple layers of protection: https://ndpa.org/layers/ For more information on pool safety and compliance visit: www.ndpa.org.

It is critical to check your local pool codes for compliance, as local codes may vary.

Beaufort Art Association’s Spring Art Show winners announced

From staff reports

The 59th annual Beaufort Art Association’s Spring

Art Show and Sale opened

Monday, March 27, and was judged by Chris Robinson, retired Visiting Artist and Chair of Visual Art and Design at USC Beaufort.

The winners included:

Best in Show – Feeling

the Way, by Penny Beesley

First Place – Floating

Over, by Tricia Gardner

Second Place – Rushing

In, by Beth Williams

Third Place – Excitement, by Mary Segars

BAA Founders Award –

The Birds, by Frank Cirulli

Also these special memorials were awarded: Midcoast Maine, by

Robert Steinmetz (Michael Pearson Memorial Watercolor Award)

Profile of Heron, by Robert Ryzner (Larry Kay Memorial Photography Award)

Fishing, by Lindsay Boyd (Neidich Memorial Award)

The Many Colors of My Day, by Frank Anson (Valerie Jansen Memorial Award)

Chinatown, San Francisco, by Lynne Morgan (Bogan Memorial Award)

The People’s Choice award, voted on by show attendees, will be announced soon.

Holy Trinity presents ‘Mischief Matters’ May 4, 5

From staff reports

More than 40 Holy Trinity

Classical Christian School students will be performing in the 10th annual Spring Production, “Mischief Matters,” at 6 p.m., on Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5, at Praise Assembly Church, 800 Parris Island Gateway.

“Mischief Matters,” an original play written by Holy Trinity second-grade teacher and Drama Department Head Elizabeth Booman, is a play for the whole family.

Booman writes in her introduction: “Mischief is brewing in the town of Dusseldorf, Germany, in the year 1364, where the townspeople are crushed under the heavy hand of a power-hungry mayor. To make matters worse, a mysterious infestation of vermin threatens to overwhelm what little

ARTS BRIEFS

CFA to show National Theatre

Live broadcast of ‘The Seagull’

USCB Center For The Arts will show the National Theatre Live broadcast of “The Seagull” at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 22.

Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st-century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness.

A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside, dreams lie in tatters, hopes are dashed, and hearts broken. With nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other.

Following his critically

happiness they have. When an ancient, magical object is discovered in the river of Dusseldorf, Paulus Leuthold, the son of the rival may-

or, wonders if its power can defeat the forces of evil – or if its power is locked somewhere in the past. To find the answer, Paulus must

WANT TO GO?

Who: Holy Trinity Classical Christian School’s 10th annual Spring Production

What: “Mischief Matters”

When: 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5

Where: Praise Assembly Church, 800 Parris Island Gateway

Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for students. Visit www.HTCCS.org/ theater/mischief-matters/ or call the school’s office at 843-5220660.

journey into the pages of history, back to the little town of Hamelin, where he is faced with startling truths about his past, his future, and the future of all Dusseldorf.”

Booman began writing plays for her family to perform when she was 9; she has loved theater and writing ever since. She wrote

her first play for non-family members in 2012 when the need arose for a school Christmas program. Since then, she has written, directed, and choreographed 20 more plays for Holy Trinity Classical Christian School. Elizabeth Booman writes the scripts, songs, and lyrics, while her sister Anna Booman provides musical arrangement. Anna Booman teaches music and art at Holy Trinity. Complete with songs and dances, strong morals and Christian ideals, “Mischief Matters” is a play for the whole family. Online ticket reservations and payment are available on the school’s website at www.HTCCS. org/theater/mischief-matters/ The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students. For additional information, contact the school’s office at 843-522-0660.

acclaimed five-star production of Cyrano de Bergerac, Jamie Lloyd brings Anya Reiss’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play to stage. Filmed live in London’s West End. For more information or tickets, call USCB Center for the Arts at 843-521-4145 or visit uscbcenterforthearts.com

Pat Conroy book club starts this month

The nonprofit Conroy Center and the Rhett House Inn will host a monthly book club discussion of Pat Conroy’s dozen books in order of publication, moderated by Charlene Spearen and Jonathan Haupt. Book discussions will be held on fourth Thursdays beginning at 6:30 p.m. Limited to 20 participants each month, the cost is $10 per person. Advance registration is required at http://

EDUCATION BRIEFS

LIMS performing ‘Pirates 2’

The Lady’s Island Middle School’s Theatre and Chorus presents “Pirates 2 – Hidden Treasure” at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 20.

Tickets are $5 for the public and $3 for children, ages 4 to 14 years old.

2 from Beaufort initiated into Phi Kappa Phi

The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines:

• Elizabeth Chain of Beaufort (29907) at Clemson University

Ethan Glover of Beaufort (29902) at Clemson University

bit.ly/40Ixlm7. Discussions will be held at The Rhett House Inn at 1009 Craven Street, Beaufort).

The initial schedule is as follows:

April 27 – The Boo (1970)

May 25 – The Water Is Wide (1972)

June 22 – The Great Santini (1976)

July 27 – The Lords of Discipline (1980)

Lowcountry Wind Symphony performing

April 30

The Lowcountry Wind Symphony will perform “European Escapade” from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, April 30 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. This is another of the many family-oriented events the City of Beaufort is bringing to Waterfront Park in 2023.

– Staff reports

They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Beaufort’s Rohrbough

honored at OSU

Names of students who have made the Scholastic Honor Roll Winter 2023 have

Beaufort High artists sweep BAA high school awards

From staff reports The Beaufort Art Association is pleased to announce the Geneva Litchfield Memorial High School Award Winners for the 59th Annual Spring Show. Geneva Litchfield was an artist, a past Beaufort Art Association president, as well as an educator. In memory of her, the friends and family of Litchfield established the Geneva Litchfield Award for Exceptional Art by a High School Student.

Beaufort High School’s art program swept the awards.

Best in Show: Kandace Wright for her dry point etching, titled “Butterflies.”

First Place: Paige Fosberry for her mixed media collage, “Patterns Everywhere.”

Second Place: Korrine Mueller for a mixed media

Best in Show: Kandace Wright for her dry point etching, titled “Butterflies.”

art, “Ca-Nine.”

Third Place: Alayjah Daise for “Self Portrait,” created on scratchboard.

Special Judges Distinction: Estrella Frazier for a graphite piece that was untitled.

The exhibit was judged

been announced by Oregon State University. Beaufort’s John T. Rohrbough, a senior majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, made the list.

A total of 12,307 students earned a B-plus (3.5) or better to make the listing. To be on the Honor Roll, students must carry at least 6 graded hours of course work.

As one of only three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the nation, Oregon State serves Oregon and the world by working on today’s most pressing issues.

Riverview Board meeting rescheduled

The Riverview Board of Directors Meeting has been rescheduled to 6 p.m., Monday, April 24.

by Mr. Chris Robinson, retired Visiting Artist and Chair of Visual Art & Design at USC Beaufort. Thanks to all the student artists who exhibited, and congratulations to all the high school winners this year.

Okatie’s Drury named to Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society

Gracyn Drury of Okatie, has been named a member of the College of Charleston chapter of the Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society. Drury is majoring in Biology at the College of Charleston. The Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college seniors for their exemplary scholarship, leadership and service.

Located in the heart of historic Charleston, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university.

King Rattenus. Submitted photo.

– Feeling the Way, by Penny Beesley

First Place – Floating Over, by Tricia Gardner

Second Place – Rushing In, by Beth Williams

ARTS

Lowcountry Glass Mosaics Workshop

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 22, Morris Center For Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 S Jacob Smart Blvd, Ridgeland. Ages 16 and up. $55 registration fee. Create a luminous mosaic suncatcher in this 4-hour workshop led by glass artist Pat Stone. You’ll also learn how to safely cut glass, follow mosaic patterns, and grout pieces. Purchases are non-refundable. Register at https://www. morrisheritagecenter.org/event-5047016.

‘Southern Comforts’ Quilt Show

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, April 28; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 29, National Guard Armory (Beaufort Readiness Center), 1 Cavalry Land, Beaufort (U.S. 21 near MCAS Beaufort). Admission is $8 for adults. Children younger than 12 are free. The Sea Island Quilters was founded in 1987 “to foster the art of quilting, to encourage high standards of design and techniques in all of its various forms, and to stimulate an interest in the goals within the community.” Featured at the show will be approximately 150 quilts of all sizes and styles from traditional to modern to contemporary art. For the show, the quilters have created a beautiful quilt – “Sea Island Stars.” Sparkling with cleat, vibrant colors, crisp points, and exquisite quilting. The quilt will be raffled on Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

CALENDAR

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Sharing Hearts Support Group

5:30 to 7 p.m., second Tuesday of every month, 2201 Boundary Street, Suite 208, Beaufort. Free. Come tell your 10-minute story of a life lesson or healing message using your own creative expression through a song, poetry, reading, art or verbal storytelling. Come away with an uplifting sense of support and connections or to just listen. Register by leaving a voicemail with name, phone and number of attendees at 843-525-6115 or send email to reneesutton@ healthierhealing.com. Notification will be done of any location change due to seat requirements. Next event is on Tuesday, April 11.

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.

Trivia with Mike – Fat Patties

7:30 p.m., Every Wednesday, Fat Patties, 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/ o9nhwe.

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 Mike – Bricks On Boundary

7:30 p.m., Every Thursday, Fat Patties, 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.

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.

Wet Willie’s Trivia Night

7 to 10 p.m., every Thursday, Wet Willie’s, Beaufort Town Center. Win awesome prizes while you sip the worlds greatest daiquiris and munch on delicious bites.

Wet Willie’s Bingo Night

7 to 10 p.m., every Friday, Wet Willie’s, Beaufort Town Center. Win free giveaways, merchandise, and more cool prizes.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127

Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Dr, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Drum Circle

6:30 to 8 p.m., 2nd Friday of every month, Gazeebo, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. (Note: Drum circle will meet on 3rd Friday in May – May 19 – because of schedulig conflict.) Free. Anyone welcome,

no experience necessary. Eric Roy, a recent transplant from Connecticut with successful experience in leading drum circles, is our new facilitator. He will start sessions off with 15-20 minutes of instruction on djembe playing and teach a selected traditional rhythm & accompaniment for participants to play. In addition, there will be time allotted for spontaneous group drumming. Bring a drum, if you have one, a chair and a desire to have fun. The Drum Circle has several extra drums and many other percussion instruments that anyone can use. To receive updates on future events, send your email to lannyk13@gmail.com.

Highway 21 Flea Market

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, Highway 21 Drive-In. Sellers, vendors, handmade items, unique products and yard sale items. For information, email lowcountryfleamarket@gmail.com.

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.

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.

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Beaufort County Earth Day

2023 Clean Up Event

All day, Friday, April 21, with morning and afternoon slots available. Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling is hosting a regional cleanup event and would like to invite the public to participate. This event includes numerous locations around Beaufort County. Participants will receive a T-shirt and lunch followed by a ceremony at 4 p.m. to commemorate the event. Gloves, trash bags, and other cleaning supplies will be provided on-site. Please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Once registration closes, people will be notified of their designated location and time for pickup, as well as where/how to get their supplies. To sign up and be part of this year’s Earth Day Clean Up Event, please call Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling at 843-255-2735.

MCAS Beaufort Airshow

Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, 2023, MCAS Beaufort. Visit BeaufortAirShow. com. General admission is free.

Family and community Field Day

9 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 29, Lady’s Island Middle School. The school will be hosting a family and community field day. Bring your family and friends and participate in a wide variety of events.

‘Release & Remember’

11 a.m., Saturday, April 29, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, downtown Beaufort. Friends of Caroline is holding a community butterfly release. Purchase a butterfly for $12 and celebrate the memory of the ones we love as we release butterflies over the Beaufort River. Names will be placed on Memory Boards displayed at the event and on the Friends of Caroline website. Butterflies can be picked up at 10:30 a.m. The program will begin at 11 with a few words from Coordinator of Support Services Steve Scudder, a reading from Battery Creek High School junior Quinnie Clark and a musical performance by Elaine Lake. For more information, call Friends of Caroline at 843-525-6257 or visit fochospice.org.

Wild Women’s Tea Party

2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 29, Indigo Hall at Indigo Run, 103 Berwick Drive, Hilton Head Island. Join us for a madcap afternoon of whimsy and elegance at the Lowcountry Legal Volunteers 11th Annual Wild Women’s Tea Party. Our Emcee is the beautiful and talented Riley Miller of WJCL. Wear your finest jewelry and that perfect little black dress and enjoy some decadent food, desserts and drinks. A perfect afternoon for you and your friends! Our Afternoon Highlights Include: A Fashion Show with all the latest styles from J. McLaughlin, Exciting Raffle Prizes, and a Silent Auction with luxury items and local experiences. Plus, fabulous prizes for best hat, best dressed, best dressed table and as always, wildest hat! For tickets, visit https://rb.gy/2ar8. For more information, call 843-815-1570 or email executivedirector@lclv.org.

Play & Eat – Dinner Theater

6 to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays, April 29, May 13, May 20, June 3, June 17, and July 1, Hilton Garden Inn, 1500 Queen Street, Beaufort. Solve a murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just to let you know the murderer is hiding somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as one of the suspects if you don’t watch it. This is a prize-winning competition and everyone is

a participant. For more information, contact 843-592-6209 or playandeatdinnertheater@ gmail.com, or visit the website at www. playandeatdinnertheater.com.

Beaufort Memorial Hospital career fair

4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 3, Southern Barrel Brewing Co., Bluffton. Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) is hosting a system-wide hiring event. Prospective employees will meet with and be interviewed by hiring managers during the RSVP-only event. Reservations are required to attend the hiring event. Visit BeaufortMemorial.org/JobFair or call 843522-5680 to reserve your spot. To learn more about open positions at Beaufort Memorial visit BeaufortMemorial.org/ Careers.

A Taste of Beaufort

5 to 10 p.m., Friday May 5; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday May 6, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Memory Matters Brain Booster Class

1 to 3 p.m., Monday, May 8, 15, & 22, First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 99$ fee. A three-week brain wellness course for active adults that promotes positive lifestyle strategies for improved brain health. Instructed by Memory Matters’ Community Education Director Debbie Anderson.

Lowcountry Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, Hampton Hall Clubhouse, 170 Hampton Hall Blvd., Bluffton. Derby Days: Feature-Heroes on Horseback. Invited Speaker: Rose Lewis. Cost $28, must be prepaid. Please make checks payable to CWC Bluffton and send to Carol Mock, 607 Argent Way, Bluffton S.C. 29909. For more information call Julie Ott at 602-705-5465.

Memory Matters: Ask a Neurologist

10 a.m., Saturday, May 20, Memory Matters, 117 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. $20 for this session, or $40 for all Memory Matters sessions. Speaker: Dr. Jill Trumble, St. Joseph’s Candler Neurology.

Memory Matters: Preparing for the Unexpected

10 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, 38 St Gregory Drive, Bluffton. $20 for this session, or $40 for all Memory Matters sessions. Speakers: Lowcountry Council of Governments, Geriatric Care Manager, Elder Law Attorney, Bluffton Fire Department.

Memory Matters: Simple Suppers –Healthy Eating for Two

10 a.m., Wednesday, June 21, First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. $20 for this session, or $40 for all Memory Matters sessions. Speaker: Chef Kim Baretta.

67th annual Beaufort Water Festival

Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 23, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort.

HISTORY

Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday;

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/ Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.

The Historic Port Royal Museum

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail. com or call 843-524-4333.

Tour Historic Fort Fremont

Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 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

Law Talk Select times and days, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Seabrook. To register, call 843-255-6479. Free. Brief topic overview with Question & Answer with volunteer attorney. Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. to noon, Heirs Property; Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m. to noon, Starting a Business or Nonprofit.

MEETINGS

The Beaufort Trailblazers –

A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, Herban Marketplace, 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.

League of Women Voters

6 to 7:30 p.m., second Thursday of every month, Meeting Room, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Ladys Island Drive, Beaufort. Free. The Public as well as LWVB members are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be about the topics members have suggested as projects for 2023.

Zonta Club of Beaufort

6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal. Until November 22, we are participating in a service project with a global organization called Free the Girls. We are currently collecting new and gently used bras to help women rescued from trafficking start their own businesses selling the bras. Last year our club collected more than 600 bras and we are hoping to beat that number this year. Our collection sites are Amy Bowman State Farm Agency, 1284 Ribaut Rd., Myrna B. Breland, CPA, 1 Professional Drive, Port Royal, and Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs, 34A Savannah Hwy.

Indivisible Beaufort

11 a.m., Saturday, April 22, St. Helena Branch of the Beaufort Library, 6355 Jonathon Frances Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The featured speaker is Tim Joy, the local chapter leader of the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on policies to address climate change. Joy will share background on the Citizens Climate Lobby and its priorities, including putting a price on carbon, preserving and promoting healthy forests, reforming clean energy permitting, and building out our electrical infrastructure. In addition, Elayne Scott, a member of the Pine Island Cultural Overlay Committee, will share an update on the status of the fight to protect St. Helena Island.

Maye River Quilters

9:30 a.m., Monday, May 13, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. To attend the meeting as a guest, send an RSVP email to mayeriverquilters@ gmail.com. For more information and for membership forms to join the group, call 843-705-9590.

OUTDOORS

S.C. Bluebird Society Presentation

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, April 21, Downton Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free. Glen Hendry is the Trail Director for the SCBS and will provide a presentation on local cavity nesting birds to include the Eastern Bluebird. Glen has a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding cavity nesters. Please RSVP to Becky McCollam at chopperjoe1616@gmail. com or if you have any questions.

Fripp Island Audubon Club April Program

7 p.m., Thursday, April 27, Fripp Island Community Center, 205 Tarpon Blvd, Fripp Island. Roseate Spoonbills, Woodstorks and Limpkins: Craig Watson’s talk will center around three relative newcomers to South Carolina, the Roseate Spoonbill, the Wood Stork and the Limpkin. These birds were seldom seen in South Carolina until fairly recently and are now here year-round. Craig will explore the reasons behind this move north. Meet and Greet begins at 6 p.m., bring something to share at the snack table and meet your fellow birders. For more information visit www.islc.net/audubon.

Port Royal Cypress Wetlands tours

9 a.m. Friday, April 28; 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 29, Birthday For The Birds; 9 a.m., Saturday, May 13; 9 a.m. Friday, May 26; Port Royal Cypress Wetlands. Bring your friends and visitors to a free guided tour of the wetlands sponsored by Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands and led by Master Naturalist Jill Moore. The egrets, snowy egrets and woodstorks are all nesting and the rookery is an exciting place! Alligators and turtles are basking in the sun and spring is in the air. This is a great time to learn about this magical place. Tours are limited in size. T0 sign up at www.foprcw.org and register on line.

RUNNING

67th Beaufort Water Festival 5K/10K

8 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 22, 904 14th Street, Port Royal. $20. The 67th Annual Beaufort Water Festival welcomes you to the Festival’s second event of the year. The races will start at 8 a.m. in beautiful Port Royal at Live Oak Park. This is a wonderful flat course that takes you along the moss-draped giant live oaks with beautiful views of the Intracoastal waterway. The course is USATF Certified #SC18011DW. 5k is a run or walk. Walk up registration will be available the day of the race for $25. Packet pick-up and Walk up registration at Live Oak Park on April 22 begins at 7 a.m. Awards to overall Male and Female and top 3 in each age division. Timing is provided by Grounded Running. Participants preregistered by April 10 will receive a 67th Annual Beaufort Water Festival 5K/10K T-shirt. Registration after April 10, 2023, and Walk up registration cannot be guaranteed a T-shirt. Packet Pick-up will take place at Grounded Running, located at 2139 Boundary Street, Suite 108 on Friday, April 21 from 12 to 5 p.m., and at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal on Saturday morning from 7 to 7:40 a.m. Race day registration will take place on Saturday morning from 7 to 7:40 a.m. to ensure an on-time start at 8 a.m. To register visit https://rb.gy/euwp.

SPORTS 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.

What price freedom?

America, land of the free, with equal justice for all. Are we really appreciative of the freedom we have in this country? Do we tend to believe that this will always be the case? Or are we complaisant to the point that we ignore what is happening around us? And much like the Germans who awakened too late to the reality of what was happening in their country, will we fall prey to that same negligence?

We look at other countries that are immersed in turmoil, shake our heads, and think what a tragedy it is. African countries as well as those in Central and South America are dealing with increased violence and civil unrest. This is exacerbated by famine and drought.

Statistics report that in Syria, which has undergone a decade of war, 75% of the population is unable to meet basic needs. Afghanistan’s entire population is living in a state of poverty. Even some countries not considered to be third world, such as France, are dealing with daily civil unrest. And this doesn’t include Ukraine where horrific destruction by the Russians is taking place. The list goes on and on. Sounds like we have it pretty good, … and we do. But now is not the time to be smug.

So what about those freedoms that America seems to accept as a matter of course. Are they eroding

CAROL LUCAS

before our very eyes and are we too blind to see? In reviewing last week’s happenings here in the USA, I’d like to explore that question.

In Tennessee, two young black state representatives were expelled from their governmental positions because they had the temerity to voice their displeasure over a gun law that permitted, dare I say almost “encouraged,” the shooting deaths of six people in a private school, three of whom were 9 years old.

I will stand by my use of the word encouraged because very frankly, if gun laws were stronger, the perpetrators of these mass shootings might be discouraged from trying to obtain that assault weapon that is meant for military use. But this argument is old stuff by now, so back to the dismissal of the two young black representatives AND the retention of the white woman who joined forces with them.

I cannot sing the praises of Gloria Johnson enough, and it didn’t surprise me one bit that she is a former teacher. But as

she pointed out when asked why she escaped dismissal: “It might just be the color of my skin.” I can only imagine those who rolled their eyes and muttered, “Well, bless her heart.”

The pompous and flagrant actions of those in the Tennessee legislature should be seen as just one example of how freedom is beginning to deteriorate. Yes, these young men were reinstated, but never forget the reason they were removed in the first place. So whose “freedom” are we going to support, that of the gunman or that of the innocent children and those three adults who lost their lives trying to protect, something the legislators refuse to do?

Our next move on the “freedom” express is to Texas where Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement, ruled against the FDA approval (20 plus years ago) of Mifeprex, the drug used almost universally to terminate pregnancies. This Judge chose to use such inflammatory language as “killing/ starving the unborn human until death.”

Greer Donley, University of Pittsburgh law professor, specifically FDA law, noted, “Here is a judge who has no scientific expertise overruling an agency that has a ton of scientific expertise.”

He added, “This is the first time a judge has unilaterally, against FDA’s objections, removed a drug

from the market.”

Which begs the question: what drug is next, should this ruling hold? And the further question: how is it that one man can deny the need of so many women?

It’s no secret that the anti-abortion movement has moved quietly, steadily, and yes, stealthily over the past decades, waiting for the right time to remove the right of a woman to make her own decisions regarding her reproductive health. And yes, make no mistake, when Roe vs Wade was overturned, their glee turned to vengeance. Draconian measures became a game of “one-upsmanship.” By all means, make the woman carry a rapist’s child or that conceived through incest … no exceptions! Six weeks? Ten weeks? Spin the wheel! The fetus is determined not viable? Tough, sweetie, you just have to soldier on! Your mental health?

You know, the condition we want to focus upon rather than access to guns? Well, this is different. Why? Because we say so.

I’d like to propose an alternative. How about mandatory vasectomies for boys at 10 years of age? They are, after all, reversible, and that reverse-procedure could be done, let’s say, at age 22. It would certainly dramatically reduce the abortion problem. Do I hear the moans in the distance? Shall we revisit the concept of freedom?

You may have gathered by now

that I am vehement about this topic, and I will be until I take my last breath. I have daughters and granddaughters, and while the former are no longer of child-bearing age, the latter are. Over and above the personal aspect, I resent that women have come as far as we have, only to have our “freedom” to choose ripped away.

And so we have two very volatile issues of freedom confronting us: one pits the ownership of firearms, crafted for military use, against what has sadly become a weekly massacre of our citizenry, small children included. The second is also a right or freedom, that of a woman to control her own reproduction. These are challenging times as we try to wade through the quagmire that surrounds each.

I’ll conclude with two quotes that I believe should cause introspection on the part of all of us. It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, “With freedom comes responsibility.” And secondly, William Faulkner noted, “We must be free, not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”

All the symbols we so proudly point to – the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, our flag – these mean nothing if we don’t practice it.

Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”

Protection of Gullah-Geechee culture, ACE Basin crucial for St. Helena’s future

The battle shaping up over the future of Pine Island on St. Helena Island is about much more than one resort development. It is about the survival of a culture and the protection of a critical coastal habitat.

St. Helena is the last remaining undeveloped Sea Island. It is not a barrier island. It is an erosion sediment island created when the mountains were formed. It is an old island, with an old island vibe; rural, rich in natural beauty, culture, history and charm.

It is the smell of pluff mud and sweet grass, expansive views of tidal marshes and oyster beds, small hidden coves and creeks famed for pirate hangouts, ancient Live oaks, storied canopy dirt roads, Penn Center, praise houses, and old plantations, loggerhead turtles and horseshoe crabs, coastal breezes and balmy nights, pop-up thunderstorms and

King tides, and a swoon-worthy sky for star gazing.

It is an island with a long agricultural history: rich soil, long-staple cotton, family farms growing okra and collard greens, trucks selling produce over flowing from tailgates, handmade signs for fresh eggs, Seaside tomatoes, shrimp boats with flying trawl nets, roadside seafood markets, and Frogmore stew.

The island is noticeably sparse in commercial amenities, by design. St. Helena island is a special place, and the people who live here want to ensure it remains this way.

Most importantly, St.

Helena is the celebrated epicenter and ancestral home of the Gullah-Geechee people who are determined to preserve their land, for it is rooted in their way of life. The island’s location on the edge of the A.C.E. Basin in St. Helena Sound, one of the most diverse marine estuaries in the world, is a significant and crucial resource. Named for the three rivers that empty into the Sound (Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto,) it is the spawning and nursery ground for the entire Atlantic and is federally protected. It is a rare, natural asset.

Thirty years ago, the state legislature passed the 1994 S.C. Planning and Enabling Act to address the breakneck speed of development consuming rural land especially in the coastal Lowcountry. This law requires local government — with input from their citizens — to plan for growth with an eye toward preserving history,

culture, and character, protecting coastlines and natural resources, and directing future growth.

It empowers the people to create a road map for HOW they want their community to grow. This road map is the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Zoning and Planning is tied to this plan. It is a strategic vision, created for and by the people on what they want for their community. It is a legal document passed as an ordinance. It is not a guideline, it is law.

The 2040 Beaufort County Comprehensive Land Use Plan set a high priority on St. Helena. It describes the island as “one of Beaufort County’s greatest cultural and environmental assets.”

It states: “the primary threat to the long-term viability of Beaufort County’s Gullah/ Geechee communities is land development.”

In 1999, seeing the rapid development happening in Hilton Head, visionary lead-

ers of this community initiated a Cultural Protection Ordinance to preserve the rural/agricultural character of the whole island for the future of the Gullah Geechee culture. For 24 years, it has been successful.

It was disheartening to hear county administration do the bidding of the Pine Island developer at the County meeting on April 10 for a proposal that is incompatible and disregards the people’s design and intention for this rural island.

The developer knew when he bought the property that these ordinances were in place, particularly the cultural protection overlay that prohibits golf courses and gated resort developments.

This project would open the door, a door that can never be closed, to the kind of development that has already gobbled up rural land in the Lowcountry.

Pine Island’s location at the mouth of the A.C.E. Basin,

with a potential for 75 boat docks and a golf course, will have grave impacts to this crucial coastal estuary. If it is approved, it would transform this soulful, vital community into a place that looks like every other suburban development as described in the Geography of Nowhere,” where every place looks like no place in particular.”

We are asking that the county enforce its ordinances, to be the protectors and champions of preserving a unique island and a distinctive culture for the future of St. Helena, for the future of Beaufort, and for the future of South Carolina.

is

Carolyn Jebaily

a full-time clay artist and former gallery manager who makes her home on St. Helena Island. She worked in conservation for 10 years in land use, wetlands protection and water quality. She is a long time explorer of St. Helena and Hunting islands. Her sculpture (Tree Ladies of Hunting Island) is an expression of her love for the natural world.

CAROLYN JEBAILY

The conversation is never over

It is Saturday, early, and I’ve got my coffee (Seattle’s Best, House Blend) and an article titled “Good Talk.”

“Good Talk” (New Yorker, March 20) explores the lost art of face-to-face conversation by saying, ...

“In past eras, daily life made it necessary for individuals to engage with others different from themselves. In those moments of unpredictability and serendipity, we confronted difference. There were no smartphones, message boards, or online factions. Maybe because life moved at a slower pace and every interaction wasn’t freighted with political meaning, we had the opportunity to recognize our full humanity.”

In the early days of my legal career, I did criminal defense work that involved going to the Courthouse and seeking a deal — a plea bargain.

In those long gone days

SCOTT GRABER

there was no criminal roster so one didn’t know when their case would be called. That decision rested entirely with the Solicitor. We lawyers had to arrive with our client in tow, the Solicitor knowing that the looming likelihood of a jury trial “concentrated the mind” of all concerned.

In the 70s and 80s, there was a lot of hanging around; time to talk; and those courtroom conversations involved anecdotes that centered on shotguns, bird dogs, rattlesnakes, the arrival of Cobia in the Broad River, and inebriated hunters falling out of duck blinds.

I was at a disadvantage in these conversations — often involving the Circuit

Judge himself — because I did not own a shotgun, a jon boat, or a pair of Bean rubber-soled boots. I did not have a portfolio of stories that involved somebody mistakenly shooting a barn that had wandered into their line of fire; or blasting a hole in the bottom of their boat.

But those early morning, coffee-fueled conversations — stories that connected the Solicitor, Circuit Judge and the defense lawyers — were an important prelude to the plea negotiations that followed. One needed to have self-deprecating, shotgun-centered anecdote to establish one’s credentials.

But the New Yorker piece, titled “Good Talk”, is not a self-help essay — or one about listening instead of talking — it is about disagreement. It reviews the book, “Good Arguments” (Penguin Press) and starts with the antique notion that conversations of “elegant and intelligent design” will lead to inescapable conclusions and

to persuasion. The piece meanders a little before getting round to political discourse.

The New Yorker essay takes us back to Bill Clinton and to Barack Obama and their call for a “national conversation” on race, abortion and universal medical care.

Most of us remember Bill Clinton’s call, in 1997, for a “conversation on race”. We also remember a young Barack Obama who believed that a discussion on heath care in the United States need not to devolve into anger where facts — self-evident and clear — would emerge making universal, single-payer health care a reality.

But many Republicans remained skeptical about those facts and the Covid pandemic showed that facts (even those supported by the scientific research) are never indisputable.

In the last 100 years, the U.S. medical community has developed antibiotics, vaccines and its research

has put gene re-purposing therapy within the realm of clinical use for a host of diseases including Parkinson’s Disease. The research backing up these discoveries involves trials in animals, trials in humans, and papers published (and reviewed) in medical journals like JAMA. This process has, until recently, kept medical treatment immune from social media disparagement and above the political fray.

With the Covid pandemic, that immunity evaporated. Now there are those who question germ theory; means of transmission; vaccines; therapies; and the necessity for the “lockdowns” that follow infection.

When I was younger there was the unspoken belief that Americans possessed an uncommon capacity to find compromise.

Notwithstanding the Civil War, we were a people who could sit down, face-to-face, and hammer out legislation that gave everyone a piece

of the pie. Lyndon Johnson, Tip O’Neill and other arm-twisting dealmakers could get people into a room — and after some screaming, shoving and shouting — make what they called “sausage,” legislative sausage.

If we ever had that ability to agree on the facts; or to compromise in the interest of finding a solution; we seem to have lost that ability.

The New Yorker piece ends by saying:

“Its the imperfections we offer one another that make such endeavors worthwhile. We keep talking, knowing that it brings us closer to one another as it simultaneously casts us apart, and that the conversation is never over.”

Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com

Love God, Love Others, Reach Out

All Are Welcome for Worship

Sunday 8:30 am, 10:30 am at 81 Lady’s Island Drive Pastor Steve Keeler (843) 525-0696 seaislandpresbyterian.org

Finding a Family

How Does One Choose a Church?

Imagine Joe, a man raised without any faith background. He began to read the Gospels out of curiosity, after a friend gave him a copy of the Bible. As he read about Jesus, Joe was surprised to find himself captivated. He started to explore the reasons for faith, and he slowly became convinced that Jesus truly is God, just as he claimed to be. Joe realizes that his life can no longer remain the same; he wants to follow Jesus and be a faith-filled Christian.

Joe visits different churches and tries them out. He really liked the music in one church, the friendly atmosphere in another, and the dynamic preaching of various pastors. But one thing is very troubling to Joe. Each church claims to get its teaching straight from the Bible, yet he finds that the churches disagree on many important matters of faith and morals. He knows that, just like in math or science, two conflicting teachings cannot both be true. How can he be certain that a particular church is faithfully teaching all that Jesus intended, without error or omission?

Has Joe been going about this the wrong way?

As he prays about all of this, Joe realizes that he had been seeking a church that fit his own preferences and tastes, as if he were looking for a new gym or country club. Shouldn’t his decision be based on something more than his musical preferences, or his appreciation of a particular preacher? Shouldn’t his decision be based on truth, and on what Jesus desires for his life, even if it does not line up with his own initial expectations or personal tastes?

Joe decides to search for the Church that Jesus started. In his reading of the Acts of the Apostles, Joe saw a beautiful family of faith begun by Jesus and built upon the apostles. Reflecting on this, Joe concludes, “If Jesus gave us a Church, and it is still around today, then that’s the Church that I want to belong to. I want to be part of that family of faith. I want to receive all of the gifts that Jesus intended me to have on my journey with him to heaven.”

Joe continues his search in an unexpected place.

He knows that the Catholic Church has been around longer than the other churches in town. But he has heard so many bad things about the Catholic Church over its long history, and the recent scandals make it the last church he would ever want to join. As Joe thinks back upon the New Testament, however, he remembers that the twelve apostles struggled with sin and brokenness, and the early Church was full of saints and sinners. Reluctantly, he decides to give the Catholic Church a quick look, so that he can cross it off his list.

What would Joe find?

Joe is fictional, but many people have been on a faith journey like his. As they distinguish truth from misconception, countless people have been surprised to discover that the Catholic Church has the same characteristics as the Church in the Acts of the Apostles, but with centuries of growth and development. In this message series, we will explore some of these aspects that a person like Joe might discover about the Catholic faith.

This final article in a series of five articles will cover more on VA Burial benefits, pensions, dependency and indemnity compensation, and Family Caregivers Programs.

VA benefits are many and complex and applying for them is even more complex. These articles are not a substitute for reading the wealth of information at www.va.gov and asking a Veterans Service Officer for help.

Arlington National Cemetery

The VA cannot determine eligibility for burial in Arlington National Cemetery because the U.S. Army maintains this cemetery. Veterans and their families should work with a funeral director to contact Arlington National Cemetery at 877907-8585 for their eligibility information. See the details at https://bit.ly/40okPay

Read the many details and watch videos about military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery at https:// bit.ly/3Aaysj0 and at www. ArlingtonCemetery.mil

You can also download the Arlington Cemetery Fact Sheet at https://bit. ly/3GWajAC

VA Burial in a National Cemetery Benefits

When a veteran, service member, or family member qualifies for burial in a VA national cemetery, they receive the following burial benefits at no cost to their family.

A gravesite in any of our national cemeteries with available space. See https://www.cem. va.gov/find-cemetery/ Opening and closing of the grave.

A burial liner provided by the government.

A headstone or marker provided by the government. Call the VA at 800-697-6947 with any questions. Perpetual care of the gravesite.

At the time of need, the person planning the burial can also request other VA memorial items (Headstones, markers, and medallions; Burial Flags; and Presidential Memorial Certificates) as well as military funeral honors (Playing of Taps, a rifle detail, a color guard, and uniformed service members who present the flag) provided by the Department of Defense. These items and honors have other eligibility requirements. Read about memorial items at https://bit.ly/3Lap2u0 Learn all about military funeral honors and committal service at https://bit. ly/41uGor0

How to plan ahead for burial in a VA National Cemetery

According to the VA webpage https://bit.ly/3Aa09bJ veterans and other eligible family members can plan ahead to make the process of applying for burial in a VA national cemetery easier. Apply for a pre-need eligibility determination by following the instructions at https://bit.ly/3KoGeul. The pre-need eligibility determination is only for VA nation-

al cemeteries. If you want to be buried in a state or tribal veterans cemetery, check the site you want ahead of time, since some state veterans’ cemeteries require that you live in that state or have other eligibility rules.

Learn more about veterans’ burial benefits at the following VA web pages:

Frequently Asked Questions https://www.cem.

va.gov/cem/faq.asp

Schedule a burial for a veteran or family member https://bit.

ly/3KRhRpg

Schedule a burial in a VA National Cemetery https://www.cem. va.gov/burial_benefits/ Request your military service records webpage https://bit.

ly/41ydmaU

If you are the next of kin of the veteran who passed away, how do you request a copy of the veteran’s military records https://bit.

ly/41ydmaU

How to apply for a veteran’s burial allowance

https://bit.ly/3dKZkyx

Honor a veteran or reservist with memorial items https://bit.

ly/3Lap2u0

• Bereavement counseling https://bit.

ly/3Aa2UtK

Military funeral honors and the committal service https://bit.

ly/41uGor0

How do I search for the committal service date, time, and cemetery for the scheduled burial of a veteran, spouse, or other eligible family

member? https://bit.

ly/3A7OwSv How do I search nationwide the VA gravesite?

https://bit.ly/3A7OwSv

Survivor’s Pension Benefit

A surviving spouse or unmarried child of a deceased veteran with wartime service can find out if they qualify for monthly pension benefits and how to apply by reading the information at https://bit.ly/3RixtDp and the VA Survivors Pension Fact Sheet at https://bit. ly/3oBnGNs ( https://bit. ly/3opNuif ).

This subject was covered in detail in The Island News article dated February 9, 2022, titled “Are you missing out on a surviving spouse or unmarried child’s VA pension?” Read that article at https://bit. ly/3UQfNCK

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Benefit

If you are the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, find out how to apply for this tax-free monetary benefit at https:// bit.ly/3rcIrzS

VA Benefits for Family Caregivers Caregiver Program 1, Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

According to the VA webpage https://bit.ly/3ZsrvET, the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), offers support and services for family caregivers of eligible veterans who were seriously injured in the line

of duty and meet other eligibility requirements. PCAFC caregiver services include care or assistance to support the Veteran’s (1.) Health and well-being, (2.) Everyday personal needs (like feeding, bathing, and dressing), and (3.) Safety, protection, or instruction in their daily living environment.

Eligible Primary Family Caregivers working in the PCAFC Program may also receive:

A monthly stipend (payment), Access to health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)

— if you don’t already qualify for care or services under another health care plan, and At least 30 days per year of respite care for the Veteran. Call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

VA Benefits for Family Caregivers Caregiver Program 2, General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)

According to https://www. caregiver.va.gov/Care_Caregivers.asp, in this program, the veteran does not need to have a service-connected condition, for which the caregiver is needed, and may have served during any era. The VA does not require a formal application for this program. Read the VA’s informative Fact Sheet on PGCSS and Fact Sheet on Frequently Asked Questions at https://bit.ly/40lp0nJ and https://bit.ly/3ottzyI

In closing this series on VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers, it is important to remind military members, veterans, and family members that the two best ways to find out what a veteran’s, or veteran’s spouse, dependent, survivor, and family caregiver VA benefits are and how to apply for those benefits include:

1. Reading the VA’s webpage titled VA Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors, and Family Caregivers at https://bit. ly/3ZsrvET ( https:// www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/) and …

2. Asking for a VA-accredited VSO (or VA-accredited Attorney or Claims Agent). Read about VA Accredited Representatives at https://bit. ly/3rNLdvy ( https:// www.benefits.va.gov/ vso/), https://bit. ly/41PPiQM ( https:// www.va.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp), and https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL ( https://scdva.sc.gov/ county-veterans-affairs-offices).

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Rachel Imhoff (left) and Capt. Landon Keller, F/18D Hornet aircraft pilots with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, arrive at Gwangju Air Base, Republic of Korea, during the Fiscal Year 2023 Korea Flying Training, April 13, 2023. KFT 23 is a combined training event focused on tactical execution of combat missions and is part of the ROK-U.S. alliance’s routine, annual training program.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/18D Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, taxis on the runway during the KFT23 at Gwangju Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 13, 2023. Photos by Cpl. Raymond Tong/USMC

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot

Parris Island, South Carolina, 21 April 2023

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel B. W. Ward

2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel C. J. Kearney

Commander of Troops, Captain A. H. Mubarak • Parade Adjutant, Captain J. L. Caraballo

Company “H”, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain A. H. Mubarak

PLATOON 2024

Senior Drill Instructor

Sgt A. F. Cifuentes

Pvt Alonzo, G. M.

Pvt Banks, C.M.

Pvt Bennett, A. J.

Pvt Brooks, C. A.

Pvt Buckner, B. K.

Pvt Burdick, D. J.

Pvt Burge, T. A. *

Pvt Camachocruz, C. J.

Pvt Campbell, T. M.

Pvt Carswell, T. H.

Pvt Castrobarron, G.

Pvt Chriscoe, L. G.

Pvt Clemons, C. W.

PFC Cunhaandrade, V.

Pvt Diazsantiago, D. Y.

Pvt Dominguez, B. D.

Pvt Freeman, N. C.

PFC Garacci, E. J.

PFC Gill, A. M.

Pvt Graham, T. L.

Pvt Guiterrezjaramillo, J. J.

Pvt Hardy, D. A.*

Pvt Henry, J. H.

Pvt Howe, T. S.

Pvt Hudgins, A. J.

Pvt Isaac, A. L.

Pvt Jackson Jr, C. D.*

PFC Jenkins, R. A.

Pvt Jimenezlopez, J.

Pvt Johnson, K. L.

Pvt Larry, M. J.

Pvt Lopezsanchez, A.

Pvt Mccloud, C. L.

Pvt Mccurry, C. G.

Pvt Moore, L. D.

Pvt Mukisa, W. J.

PFC Odle, H. T.

Pvt Paynter, K.

Pvt Pierrelouis, Gabriel M.

Pvt Pinion, B. K.

Pvt Rodriguez, Z. C.

PFC Rojas, L. M.

PFC Salazar, C.

Pvt Sanchezmejia, J. L.

Pvt Sanchezruiz, I. I.

Pvt Santos, J. J.

Pvt Sokol, C. S.

Pvt Solaresmonzon, C. J.

Pvt Spendiff, S. W.*

Pvt Spilker, K. R.

Pvt Stacy, S. A.*

Pvt Williams, L.C.

PFC Wynns, R. A.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

Drill Masters • Gunnery Sergeant T. M. Hinton, Staff Sergeant S. A. Jones

PLATOON 2025

Senior Drill Instructor

Sgt B. Perea

Pvt Acevedo, Katy J.

Pvt Aguilargarcia, E.

Pvt Avalosbustamante, T.

Pvt Bennett, C.A.

Pvt Bostic, C.T.

Pvt Brookins, J.N. *

PFC Canalesriveras, Y.C.

PFC Cadeno, K.

Pvt Chou, A.T.

PFC Chunn, B.N *

Pvt Cogdell, L.A.

Pvt Cole, S.G.

Pvt Corado K.V.

Pvt Croy, J.E.

Pvt Cruz, A.I.

Pvt Ferraiuolo, E.R.

Pvt Folks A.R.

Pvt Gonzalezvega, I.M.

Pvt Gramajo L.A.

PFC Guy, K. R.

PFC Hayden, J.R.

Pvt Henry, L.Z.

Pvt Henry S. *

Pvt Hernandezlopez, T.

PFC Hickerson, S.A.

PFC Higgins, Courtney J.

Pvt Jennings, V.R. *

Pvt Jiao, J.N. *

PFC Johnsey, S. L.

PFC Kennedy, S.J

Pvt Krasteva, A.A

Pvt Laguer, E.E.

Pvt Loeraarias, M.

PFC Luna, A.I.

Pvt Marmol, L.

PFC Mcginley, S.A.

Pvt Melena, A.

Pvt Mendozatorres, J.

PFC Moreno, V.

Pvt Morgan, S.J.

Pvt Morrison, G.M.

Pvt Nueva, J.R.

PFC Oceant, R.

PFC Ruhl V.E.

Pvt Sanchezruiz, X.I.

Pvt Smith, L.J.

Pvt Stevens, N.L.

Pvt Wiegand, K.J.

PFC Worden, A.

PFC Zahradnik, E.R.

PLATOON 2026

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt M. P. Villon

Pvt Aguilarvargas, P. A.

Pvt Aldazsoto, A. A.

Pvt Ayresrodrigues, A.

Pvt Beiter, J. J.

PFC Bickers, B.

PFC Bonheur, E.

PFC Canavan, H. P.*

Pvt Chojnowski Iv, R. A.

Pvt Coleman, D. J

Pvt Coleman, K. B.

Pvt Colon, J. T.

PFC Comer, S. P.*

Pvt Dobler, G. W.

Pvt Espinozadominguez, Bryan D.

Pvt Finch Iii, J. R.

Pvt Floresotero, K.

PFC Gerard, J. X.

PFC Gibsonmccormack, F. P.

PFC Goldstein, J. J.*

Pvt Gonzalezrodriguez, J. A.

Pvt Guzman, E. D.

Pvt Hernandezgalvez, E. J.

Pvt Herrera, A. R.

PFC Hice, D. J.

Pvt Holman, Z. T.

PFC Howell, D. J.

Pvt Irvine Jr, E. L.

PFC Jiang, Johnson

Pvt Joseph, K. A.

Pvt Margrave, H. T.

Pvt Martinezduque, D. A.

Pvt Mast, A. J.

Pvt Mccrum, N. I.

Pvt Mcfarlane, T.

PFC Mejiaalvarenga, H. R.*

Pvt Morgan Jr, F. L.

Pvt Myers Jr, A. M.

Pvt Otero, J. L.

PFC Richter, C. A.*

Pvt Roberts, A. W.

Pvt Roberts, J. X.

PFC Rosa, T. C.

Pvt Scheidt, J. P.

PFC Sherman, J. M.

Pvt Smith, A. M.

Pvt Swords Jr, B. L.

Pvt Talley Jr, G. E.

Pvt Urciuoli, C. B.

Pvt Velasquezzelaya, J. E.

PFC Whidbee, J. D.

PFC Yeung, D.

PFC Zanin, G. E.

PLATOON 2028

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt S. J. Gutzan

Pvt Bigorre, M. S.

Pvt Browning, J. W.

PFC Bush III, J. R.

PFC Cross, B. J.

Pvt Czarecki, M. W.

Pvt Davis, R. B.

Pvt Delacruzramos, J. C.

PFC Denny, K. M.

PFC Doble IV, R. B.

Pvt Ecklund III, E. W

Pvt German, N. A.

Pvt Hicks, A. J.

Pvt Horne, J. M.

Pvt Ibarra, T. H.

Pvt Johnson, D. S.

Pvt Johnson, J. K.

Pvt Julmiste, K. N.

Pvt Kaza, J. P.

PFC Korlewala, N. Q.*

Pvt Lawrence, J. D.

Pvt Lewis, B. S.

Pvt Lopez, A. O.

Pvt Lorenzorolero, A. A.

Pvt Love Jr, J. M.

PFC Lowery, G. T.

Pvt Mahoney, B. P.

Pvt Marsh, E. J.

Pvt Martinez, J. H.

PFC Maxemow, J. R.

PFC McIntosh, R. C.

Pvt Nezbeth, C. J.

Pvt Nunezjimenez Jr, R.

PFC Olivas, A.*

Pvt Orea, B.

PFC Oskins, C. T.

Pvt Piggott, D. L.

Pvt Ramirez, K. M.

Pvt Rawls, D. L.

Pvt Rincon Jr, G.

Pvt Riveragonzalez, Y. O.

PFC Roblesnava, M.

PFC Rost, C. M.

Pvt Roy, T. R.

Pvt Ruizmedina, E.

Pvt Sabol, J. P.

Pvt Sanon, C. M.

PFC Sessoms, K. L.

PFC Shirikjian, S. T.

Pvt Smith, K. S.

PFC Vinson, D.A.

Pvt Wilson Jr, T. C.

PLATOON 2029

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt I. R. Dernbach

Pvt Bolton, J. B.

Pvt Bonilla, M.

Pvt Bundschuh, M. D.

PFC Byers, A. F.

Pvt Cadet, S.

Pvt Cadreau, K. A.

Pvt Campbell, A. R. *

PFC Cheatham III, K. C.

PFC Clarosguevara, E. J.

PFC Davis, J. L.

Pvt Dell, T. J.

Pvt Fernandez, O. D.

PFC Flores, E. A.

PFC Flores, O.

Pvt Granata Jr., N. J. *

Pvt Guadalupemercado, D. G. *

PFC Herr, B. A.

Pvt Howard, T. J.

Pvt Jimenezalberto, E.

Pvt Johnson, B. K.

Pvt Johnson D. L.

Pvt Jones, R. K.

Pvt Knox, R. T.

Pvt Langhals, J. J.

Pvt Luke, J. Q.

PFC Mahaffey, T. E.

Pvt Mcgrath, C. T.

Pvt Mohammed, S.

Pvt Molina, A.

Pvt Murray III, H. D.

Pvt Nezbeth, G. M. *

Pvt Nicholson, M. A.

Pvt Ovalle, D. R.

PFC Peterson, R. A.

Pvt Prackup Jr., T. E. *

Pvt Ragland, A. J. *

Pvt Ramirezvalenzuela, D.

Pvt Rivas, R. J.

Pvt Salinaschavez, J. D.

Pvt Seadler, M. O.

Pvt Serrano, A. J.

Pvt Shafer, M. D.

PFC Smyth, C. M.

PFC Spano, J. J.

Pvt Thibodaux, K. M.

PFC Thomas, M. D.

Pvt Turner Jr., M. P.

Pvt Vasquez III, J.

Pvt Velasquezpaiz, E. A.

Pvt Walker, A. P.

PFC Walker, D.

Pvt Zborowski, A. J.

Pvt Zentenodelossantro, A.

PLATOON 2030

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt A. C. Bowers

PFC Addison, T. M.

PFC Adkins, D. T. *

Pvt Arroba, L. A.

Pvt Ayankunle, S. M.

PFC Barnhart, S. W.

PFC Barocsi, B. A.

Pvt Baumann, S. M.

PFC Bautista, A.

Pvt Bryemah, E. K.

PFC Calderon, A.

PFC Campbell, K. K.

PFC Chimborazolopez, J. K.

PFC Cohen, E. R.

Pvt Conmy, D. D.

Pvt Diazalfaro, E. E.

Pvt Dibba, H.

PFC Doda, E. D.

PFC Duran, B. I.

PFC Edwards, S. C.

Pvt Elrasul, J. D.

Pvt Emerson, C. M.

Pvt Hartman, A. M.

Pvt Haywood, J. D.

Pvt Jamroz, N. J.

PFC Larreamontesdeoca, C. A.

Pvt Leon, M.

PFC Luckey, D. P. *

Pvt Machuca, C. J.

Pvt Maldonado, K. A.

Pvt Martinez, A. L.

Pvt Mayer, J. A.

Pvt Mcclish, T. H.

Pvt Medina, L. A.

PFC Minchala, I. A. *

PFC Pangelinan, R. P. *

PFC Patel, L.

Pvt Paucar, J.

Pvt Pham, N. H.

PFC Pinto, A.

Pvt Powell, B. A.

Pvt Ramirez Jr., R.

PFC Robinson, Z. R.

PFC Roller, N. *

Pvt Salinas, I. J.

Pvt Santoswright, B.

Pvt Sanusi, M. A.

PFC Serrano, A.

Pvt Shine, B. K.

PFC Solorzanomora, A. I.

PFC Stankosky, M. A.

Pvt Stevens, J. A.

Pvt Syrett, T. P.

Pvt Waler IV, T. J.

PFC Webb, S. D.

by Donald F. Jemella

INVITES YOU TO TWO SPRING CONCERTS

‘EUROPEAN ESCAPADE’

Saturday, April 29, 2023, 4:00 P.M.

St. John’s Lutheran Church 157 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907

Music includes ‘Suite from Carmen’, ‘Excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathetique Symphony’, ‘Les Miserables Soundtrack Highlights’.

Featured soloist, Dennis R. Smith, in ‘Rondo from Clarinet Concerto No. 1’ by Carl Maria von Weber, and more.

‘LWS IN THE PARK’

Sunday, April 30, 2023, 4:00 P.M. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Beaufort, SC 29901

Tunes You Love To Hear! Come Enjoy Great Music in a Great Space! Bring a lawn chair.

Rain location: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4:00 P.M. 157 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907

BOTH CONCERTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED

lowcountrywindsymphony.com

Exploring

PROBLEM

“Resorts, golf courses, and coastal suburban development

on the islands led to steadily increasing property values and skyrocketing taxes. Island economies changed from rural subsistence farming to a service- based economy. Native islanders were often unable to bear the tax burden, and many were forced to leave their homes. Not just Gullah/ Geechee people but all islanders of modest means, black and white, have been adversely affected by the rising taxes caused by development and population growth.”

National Park Service. Low Country Gullah Culture Special Resource Study and Final Environmental Impact Statement. Atlanta, GA: NPS Southeast Regional Office, 2005.

SOLUTION

“As one of Beaufort County’s last substantially rural sea islands and the center of its most notable concentration of Gullah culture , the island requires an additional level of development standards to protect this important resource…The Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO) encompasses the entire island and acknowledges its historic and cultural landscape and the sense of community that has existed on the island for 300 years.” Beaufort County 2010 Comprehensive Plan

CPO protections were recommended in 1997, enacted in 1999.

Recommended again in 2010, updated in 2014.

Recommended again in 2020, updated in 2023.

Join the St Helena community to support the Cultural Protection Overlay Standards on Monday April 24 at 5pm, County Council Chambers

www.protectsthelena.com

Directed

&RECREATION

Milligan coming from NC to lead JPII football

LowcoSports.com

John Paul II has named Shayne Milligan, a veteran assistant coach with a decade of experience in North Carolina, as its next head football coach. Milligan replaces Chris Myers, who resigned following his fourth season at JPII to join the staff at the consolidated Hampton County High School next fall.

Milligan has spent the past four seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Concord (N.C.) High, where he also served as recruiting coordinator and head coach of the track and field team. He was previously

an assistant at Porter Ridge and Avery County high schools. While the quarterbacks coach at Porter Ridge, he worked with current Coastal Carolina star Grayson McCall Milligan also brings eight years of teaching experience and is the department chair for special education at Concord High. He was a standout quarterback at Wakefield (N.C.) High and continued his ca-

reer at Elon University, starting as a preferred walk-on and earning a scholarship, before playing four years of professional arena football.

“I think of football as an analogy for life,” Milligan said. “Learning how to overcome obstacles, learning how to win with class and good character. Football and good coaches teach players hard work ethic, moral integrity, discipline,

The Goldens are golden

and accountability.”

Milligan, who will also serve as a full-time special education teacher at JPII, graduated from Elon with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Liberty University with a Master of Science in Human Service Counseling, and has a graduate teaching certificate in special education from University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

JPII baseball team earns emotional win at HHCA

LowcoSports.com

Stephen Gaylets knew his young John Paul II baseball team would eventually grow into a contender, and the Golden Warriors took a big step in the right direction with a 5-4 win at Hilton Head Christian Academy on Monday.

The Golden Warriors dropped seven of their first eight games, several by large margins, before winning three of four, but the momentum was halted by a pair of losses to HHCA, including an 11-0 rout in the second matchup April 5 at HHCA.

JPII set the tone early in the rematch, taking a patient approach at the plate and pushing across four runs in the top of the first. Ben Eddy came on in relief to quiet JPII’s bats, and the Eagles chipped away with a run in the second and another in the fourth to claw within 4-2.

The Golden Warriors picked up an insurance run on Ayden Kollstedt’s two-out RBI single, and it proved to be the difference. The Eagles loaded the bases in the seventh, and two runs scampered across when breaking balls in the dirt went to the backstop, but Ross Putnam ended it with a strikeout to strand the tying run at third.

Frank and Iris Golden, both 78, were the top (and only) finishers older then 70 years old in the Radiance Run 5K on April 1 in Port Royal. Frank Golden’s time was 32:48:38 and he was 33rd overall. Iris Golden’s time was 39:24:26 and she was 44th overall.

It was a beautiful day for the annual 5K run and 2-mile walk. Radiance Women’s Center increased its community awareness and was able to raise more than $17,000 through the event. Complete results can be found at https://bit.ly/3L98vqm and https://bit. ly/3UOVh59. Photo courtesy of Chris Deans

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP

BASEBALL Eagles look to rebound from tough stretch

LowcoSports.com

After a brutal stretch of non-region matchups and tournament games against tough competition, Beaufort High’s baseball team hoped to be hardened when Region 8-3A resumed, but the Eagles dropped the opener of their key region series with Hanahan, falling 11-4 on the road Tuesday.

The Eagles scored first with a run in the top of the first, but the Hawks answered with a pair in the bottom half and broke it open with a seven-run fourth. Hanahan racked up 18 hits — 16 of them singles. Zack Talbert was 2-for4 with a double and a run, and Hudson Mullen hit a solo homer for Beaufort.

Over Spring Break, the Eagles went 1-2 at the HIT Tournament in Charleston, losing their opener 2-0 to Bishop O’Connell (Va.), beating

Woodland 3-0 behind six innings of three-hit ball from Chase McKelvey (2BB, 8K), and falling 7-4 to Wando despite two-hit games from Talbert and Mullen.

Beaufort (12-10-1, 4-1) hosts Hanahan at 6 p.m., Thursday to conclude the series.

Wade Hampton 9, Battery Creek 4

WH

BCHS 000

WP: Charlie Foy 4IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 2K

WH (10-8): Chris Terry 3-4, 2B, 3B, BB, 3RBI; Austin McQuire 3-5, R, RBI; Foy 2-3, RBI; Reese

Donahue 1-1, 2RBI; Houston Crews 2-4, RBI;

Emerson Jarrell 2-4, 2B, RBI; Grayson Ferguson

2-4, 2RBI

BCHS (6-12): Aiden Hovest 1-2, 2B, 2R; Hunter

Hollingsworth 1-1, 2BB, 2R, RBI; Hunter Smith 2-2

SOFTBALL

Estill 17, Whale Branch 16

GIRLS SOCCER

Holy Trinity 9, Colleton Prep 0

HT (5-1): Fifth shutout; Izzy Harter 4G; Harper

Squires 3G; Laney

Putnam struck out four and walked three over four strong innings in relief of Garrett Heathcott, who went the first three innings and allowed two hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

JPII (5-10) was back in action at Memorial Day on Tuesday and hosts Hilton Head Prep on Thursday.

Shayne Milligan

TrinityGrace Maxwell

SOCCER Beaufort Academy 10, Polaris Tech 0

Yannick Baumgartner 5G, Gavin Midyette 2G, Nick Cooper 1G, Timmy Horgan 1G, Clay Lohr 1G

Bray Sheehan 2G; Ashton Stacks

Andrew Jennings SHO

Battery Creek High School’s Karley Davis, left, tries to trap the ball as Patrick Henry Academy’s Phoebe Laine Gooding tries to take control during the first half of their soccer match Thursday, April 6, at Dolphins Stadium. The Lady Dolphins outscored the visiting Lady Patriots, 2-1, for the win. Bob Sofaly/ The Island News

Beaufort Academy’s Maylen Brandt, left, knees the ball over the head of a Patrick Henry Academy defender during the second half of their soccer match last Monday at BA’s Merritt Field. The Lady Eagles outscored the visiting Lady Patriots 6-2 for the win. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

ATTORNEY

Christopher J. Geier Attorney at Law, LLC Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation 16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING

Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care

Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A Licensed Audiologist 38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com

www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007

Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You

The Beaufort Sound

Hearing and Balance Center

Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com

www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655 1001 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 open

FURNITURE / HOME

to 5pm,

by chance

home decor & more (843) 379-4488

& Ginny DuBose, Owners aldubose@yahoo.com

THURSDAY’S CARTOON

Read with caution; not necessarily the opinions of the editorial staff.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s , too! Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – 24 Hour Response – Maximum Tax Donation – Call (888) 515-3810

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 844-524-2197

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DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians

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STOCK YOUR POND EVENT- Coming to a store near you soon! Grass Carp, Largemouth Bass, Coppernose Bluegill, Shellcracker & Channel Cats, Mosquitofish. Must Pre-Order the week ahead of the event. Southland Fisheries 803-776-4923.

AUCTIONS

HUGE ESTATE AUCTION. Saturday, April 29th, 2023 at 9:30AM. 3105 Julia Ave., Augusta, GA 30906. Estate of John D. Sullivan. 20+ welders, tons of fabrication equipment, backhoes, front end loaders, tractors, trucks, 07 Chevy Tow Truck, 2000 RV, tandem trailers, diesel lifts, tons of shop equipment, 100+ power tools, school bus, forklift, 2 EZ Go Carry Alls, piles of iron/steel fabrication material, 1977 GMC Sierra PKP, 3 steel freight containers, portable bldgs, lots of salvage/scrap metal, and much more! 3 Auctioneers Selling! Preview Friday April 28th from 10AM-6 PM. Browse Web www.cogburnauction. com (803) 860-0712 or (803) 378-4991.

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.1 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25word classified ad will reach more than 2.1 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

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Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company – 855-837-7719 or visit www.Life55plus.info/scan

TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

DIRECTV Stream – Carries the Most Local MLB Games! CHOICE Package, $89.99/ mo for 12 months. Stream on 20 devices in your home at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.)

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VACATION RENTALS

Short Term Rental

Go to, TideWatch Vacations, Menu Bars, Vacation Rentals, St. Helena Island, #64.

ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 2.1 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

YOUR AD HERE

Email Amanda (amanda@lcweekly.com) to place your classified ad here!

Many people experience great anguish and grief after losing a child to abortion, even many years later. They often feel that they are alone in these feelings; no one else can understand what they are going through. They might believe that God cannot forgive them, or that they will never be able to forgive themselves.

But there are others who understand what you are going through, and who can help you find healing and forgiveness from God. Like the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well, who felt alone and rejected because of her sins, you can begin to receive healing and hope from Jesus.

(John 3)

We are starting a postabortion healing ministry called Jacob’s Well. If you or someone you love has experienced an abortion, we are here with love, hope, and compassion. The ministry is open to women and men of all faith backgrounds.

The

will soon begin gathering in person for sharing and prayer. The first sessions will be on April 25 and May 9 in Beaufort. For more information, please look at the

All calls

meetings are confidential.