Once upon a time this community had the annual Water Festival to look forward to, breaking up the long, hot Lowcountry summer. And there was the Lions Club Christmas parade in December. But like so many things
my, my, have times changed.
The Water Festival, begun in 1956, has grown to a full two-week schedule requiring almost 500 volunteers and a team that plans for the event all year long.
We have the Beaufort Gullah Festival, begun in the 1980’s by the late Rosalie Pazant, her friends and family, including singer Marlena McGhee, as a tribute to “Decoration Day.” Held in May on Memorial Day weekend, the weekend event includes crafts, music and dance activities plus a heavy dose of Gullah culture history.
There’s the Taste of Beaufort in early May which is going to be expanded in 2026 to include an arts festival.
We have the weekend Shrimp Festival in October, timed for the local shrimp season, the relatively new Oyster Festival in January and the Beaufort International Film Festival which celebrates it’s 19th anniversary this year.
There’s the monthly “First Friday” events that began in 2017 as expansion of the early-December “Night on the Town” activities, a creative schedule that has been sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association. Because of the success of those events, the merchants association, again, made up of volunteers, has asked the City’s Downtown Management to take over the events.
Just this past weekend, Beaufort hosted the second annual
Freedman Arts District’s 2nd Chalk It Up! festival a success that can’t be erased
By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Mother Nature played nice, the rain held off until after the final awards were announced by Aunt Pearlie Sue, and the second annual Chalk It Up! Festival in Beau-
fort was an amazing success. The sidewalk art, fundraising event for the Freedman Arts District saw more than twice the number of artists participate this year over last year’s inaugural event. Forty-four artists from all
over the country, including one from the Dominican Republic, chalked it up in the parking lot behind downtown Beaufort’s Tabby Place.
Freedman Arts District here to stay, impact positive change
My article often stumbles and staggers out of my brain onto my keyboard with the hesitancy of fear mangled by judgment, misinterpretation, and the ripples it may cause toward those I love — but not this time.
My fingers can barely contain the energy from this weekend's experience, and my words flow more freely than any other recent memory. Almost a year ago, I accepted a position so out of my comfort zone that I even thought I had lost my mind. I ran full speed
into the world of nonprofits, community activism, and the power of art. For the first time in more than 20 years, I was a beginner.
A gentleman whom I deeply respect — a visionary whose fearless dedication to the arts leaves me in perpetual awe — shoved me as gently as a steamroller toward expanding my expectations, both of others and of myself. My self-doubt ricocheted off him, falling on deaf ears, met with his unwavering, unamused gaze. I kept retreating to the familiar excuse of “I am not an artist,” but he remained unbothered, his irritation clear at my reluctance to embrace the unfamiliar. Days turned into weeks,
weeks into months, and I found myself in the final hours of a weekend-long event that changed my life. Chalk it Up Beaufort 2025 moved at the speed of light from our first meeting to the last table folded and returned. Our opening ceremony exceeded our expectations as Tabby Place came to life with artists, sponsors, community leaders, and residents wanting to know more. During Aunt Pearlie Sue and The Gullah Kinfolks' performance, I knew I
SEE CHANGE PAGE A5
LOLITA HUCKABY
The People’s Choice first-place adult winner, Nicole Von Kuhl from Alexandria, Va., works to complete her chalk art at the Tabby Place on Port Republic Street during the second annual Chalk It Up! Festival hosted by the Freedman Arts District on March 28-30, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS
Habersham’s Ron Callari snapped this photo of youngsters getting ready for the Fun
Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Habersham. 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 DAN PETERS
Dan Peters
American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Dan Peters, 78, joined the U.S. Army in Rockport, Mass., in 1966. After Basic Training at Fort Campbell, Ky., he trained for generator maintenance and at the Radio School at Fort Knox. He then served in Vietnam near Bien Hoa driving an armored personnel Carrier (APC) and on radio duty at the Division headquarters. He was there during the Tet Offensive, which saw widespread combat. In 1972, he transferred to the Army Reserve and in 1973, to
the Massachusetts Air National Guard, still as an experienced radio operator. While in the Guard he went to work for the Boston & Maine Railroad, climbing his way over his 36 years working on the railroad to be a conductor for passenger trains. He was activated for Desert Storm and served on the Tactical Air Command Battle Staff at Langley (Va.) AFB. He also made deployments to Korea, the Middle
East, Europe, Central America and to Colombia working with Colombian Rangers. He retired in 1993 as a Master Sergeant with 26 years of service. He is a past-commander of the Sun City Veterans Association.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
April 4
1922: Harriet Keyserling, daughter of Isador Hirschfeld and Pauline Steinberg, is born in New York City. After marrying Dr. Herbert Keyserling in 1944, she moved south where she represented Beaufort for 16 years in the state legislature. She was elected to Beaufort County Council in 1974 and served one term. Then from 1977 to 1993 Keyserling spent her time in the statehouse focused on energy, nuclear waste, the arts, education, women’s rights and ending the filibuster in the House. She is the mother of longtime Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling.
2019: About 50 people gather in front of Congressman Joe Cunningham’s office on Boundary Street to protest the failure of the Trump Administration to release Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
April 5
1839: Robert Smalls was born into slavery in Beaufort. During the Civil War, Smalls became a hero for the Union. He freed himself, his crew, and their families by commandeering the CSS Planter on May 13 1862 in Charleston harbor and sailing it through the Confederate-controlled waters of the harbor to the U.S. blockade at sea. After the Civil War, Smalls returned to Beaufort and won election as a Republican to the South Carolina Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives during Reconstruction. He authored state legislation providing for South Carolina to have the first free and compulsory public school system in the United States and he founded the Republican Party of South Carolina. He served five terms in Congress.
PAL PETS OF THE WEEK
Dog of the Week
Meeko is a sweet, easygoing, 10-month-old boy. He's fantastic on a leash, making walks a pleasant and relaxing experience. He absolutely loves his toys and enjoys playtime just as much as his naps. Meeko is simply a love, and his gentle nature has quickly made him a staff favorite at Palmetto Animal League. He is up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
Cat of the Week
After spending 2 years at Palmetto Animal League Cricket needs a best friend.
At our Adoption Center, this stunning 7-year-old girl hides and barely comes out, so we found her a loving foster
April 6
2019: Former U.S. Senator and S.C. Governor Fritz Hollings, a longtime mentor to Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling, dies at the age of 97
2019: The NAO Santa Maria, a handbuilt replica of the largest of Christopher Columbus’ 15th-century ships that sailed to the Americas from Spain, visits Beaufort. The ship, open for tours, would stay in Beaufort for eight days.
April 9
1890: Robert Smalls marries Charleston schoolteacher Annie E. Wigg. It was Smalls’ second marriage.
– Compiled by Mike McCombs
home and guess what? The minute she was in a home, she immediately felt comfy. Cricket follows her foster mom around
and loves to watch TV with her at night. Cricket is actually a bit of a show-off, believe it or not. And when you admire her, she just wants more! She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
If you are looking for a quiet, friendly, amusing companion to do life with, please call PAL at 843-645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org to schedule a meet and greet with Cricket or Meeko or any of our other pets.
– Compiled by Lindsay Perry
Do you value your free hometown newspaper – made by locals, for locals? Free news isn’t cheap. Please help support The Island News!
Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550, Beaufort, SC 29901
Run at The Beaufort Twilight Run (BTR) on
National protest will extend to Beaufort on Saturday, April 5
Staff reports For more than a month, each Monday, protesters have lined the intersection of Boundary Street and Ribaut Road in front of Beaufort City Hall and across and in front of the parking lot of the Beaufort County Government Building to voice their displeasure with the actions of Elon Musk and the Trump Administration.
That will continue with a special local protest to be held Saturday, April 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. as groups like Indivisible, MoveOn and others, not to mention countless individuals, have committed to the Hands
Off! National Day of Action. The Beaufort protest will be just one of hundreds across the nation, including a protest in Bluffton.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They're taking everything they can get their hands on, and daring the world to stop them. On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!” the website reads.
Those interested can use the website – HandsOff2525.com – to find a protest, register to attend a protest, or even get safety and de-escalation training.
More than 80 protesters gathered
and Ribaut Road to voice their displeasure
The Island News
Queen Quet hosting WaterSC ‘listening session’ at Penn Center
Learn about preserving water resources
Staff reports
A member of WaterSC, Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet. com), is hosting a WaterSC listening session from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 8 in the Frissell Community House at Penn Center on St. Helena Island to spark conversations about the protection and management of water resources in South Carolina.
This listening session is an opportunity for residents to speak with WaterSC participants, learn about water use and planning in our state, and provide input on how South Carolina's irreplaceable water resources can be best preserved for generations to come.
Visit des.sc.gov/WaterSC for more information and to submit comments online. Register to attend the event at https://bit. ly/41SlGEy.
Ride the Iron Mike Bike Tour on Parris Island
Staff reports The Parris Island Heritage Foundation is hosting the Iron Mike Bike Tour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 5 on Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island.
During the event, which is free and open to the public, participants can see the Iron Mike statue and learn more about the history of Parris Island.
On July 25 1924, in a ceremony reviewed by USMC Commandant Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, the Iron Mike statue was unveiled on Parris Island. It was the first war memorial specifically for Parris Island-trained Marines who fought during World War I.
According to the Parris Island Heritage Foundation, Brig. Gen. Eli Cole (18671929) had been the loudest voice for a monument to be erected that would honor the Marines who fought during The Great War. He also had the backing of highly decorated Lt. Col. Frank Evans and The National Academy of Design of New York City, as well as many other Marine Corps veterans who supported the project.
Cole sought out world-re-
nowned sculptor Robert Ingersoll Aitken, Captain of a machine gun unit in the U.S. Army’s 306th Infantry Regiment during The Great War.
In correspondence with Lejeune, Cole stated, “As the result of considerable correspondence and interest displayed by Lt. Col. Evans, as well as the president of the National Academy, I have a proposal from Capt. Robert Aitken to erect the memorial here at a cost within the amount we have
on hand — any sum left over I contemplate using to improve the grounds surrounding the actual location of the site of the statue, putting in walks, etc., to make it as nearly as possible a complete and harmonious whole.”
For more information on the event, visit https:// www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/ Visitors/Parris-Island-Museum/ or https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/Visitors/ Base-Access/ or call 843228-2951
in front Beaufort City Hall at the intersection of Boundary Street
with the actions of Elon Musk and the Trump Administration. Asa Aarons Smith/
Lowcountry Food Truck Festival back in Port Royal on Saturday
Staff reports
The Lowcountry Food Truck Festival is back this weekend and better than ever.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 5, along Paris Avenue in Port Royal and will feature 21 food trucks, along with live music, more than 20 arts and crafts vendors, inflatable games, and bounce houses. The festival is open to the public with free admission.
Enjoy foods ranging from Lowcountry seafood favorites, to Jamaican food, Filipino food, Tex Mex, BBQ, and more.
Live music on the big stage at this year’s festival will be provided by Campfire Tyler starting at noon and Broke Locals at 4 p.m.
All About That Bean (gourmet espresso drinks, frappes, and boba tea), Da Skin Wagon (Pork rinds, cracklin’), Philly Boyz (cheesesteaks, hoagies, subs), Tacos El Padrino Padrino (Mexican), and Papa’s Kitchen (Lowcountry seafood, wings) are just a few of the food trucks confirmed for the event. Visit the Lowcountry Food Truck Festival Facebook page to start mapping your day full of fun.
Staff reports
Shell Point homes damaged; families displaced after storm
Late Monday afternoon, March 31, during the brief storm, the Burton Fire District responded to two incidents in Shell Point in which trees had fallen, damaging homes and displacing families.
Burton firefighters responded to the first incident for trees down just past 6 p.m. on Hickory Street in Shell Point. Fire crews arrived on scene and were notifying DOT of a large tree that had fallen and was blocking the road when they were approached by a resident stating another tree had fallen on his home causing damages.
Firefighters investigat-
ed to find that a tree had fallen and damaged the rear corner of a Hickory Street home causing significant structural damage. No injuries were reported. Power was secured to the home and the family was displaced.
The second response occurred just after 7 p.m. on Magnolia Bluff Circle in Shell Point. Burton firefighters arrived on scene to find that a tree had fallen and damaged two homes and fences resulting in structural damages and a gas leak. Firefighters secured power and gas to the homes. No injuries were reported. Red Cross was notified to assist two families that were displaced.
Junior League hosting Scales & Tails Kids Fishing Tournament
Staff reports
The Junior Service League of Beaufort is hosting its first annual Scales & Tails Kids Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in
downtown Beaufort.
Anglers ages 12 and younger are invited to participate in a fun-filled day of fishing along the Beaufort waterfront. This catchand-release tournament is perfect for young fishing enthusiasts
to enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, and compete for exciting prizes. Entry fee is $10 per child. Bait will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own rods. Prizes will be awarded in var -
ious categories! Register now at https://bit. ly/42pLGHn to secure your spot. Sponsors include the Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club, Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply and Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
City opens local hospitality tax grant applications for FY25 Applications are now available for appropriations of local hospitality funds for fiscal year 2025
Each year, the City budget allocates 1 1% of the anticipated local hospitality tax funds in accordance with City Ordinance Section 7-13003. This ordinance stipulates that the allocation will be awarded by the City Council based on application presentations from nonprofit organizations.
The City is requesting proposals from nonprofit agencies that focus on advertising to increase tourism and revitalization of the downtown economy, aligning with the City Council’s strategic goals and purposes. The budgeted allocation for FY 2025 is $31,900 Applications are available on the City website and are due by April 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. Submissions can be emailed to jphillips@
Lowdown from page A1
Chalk-It Up! festival, sponsored by the three-year-old, nonprofit Freedman Arts District, which is certainly doing its work to bring different cultural events … and people … into the area.
(And as a topping on the cultural cake, FAD, working with USC Beaufort, sponsored the one-night-only, sold-out performance of “Off the Wall Onto the Stage,” a ballet tribute to the art of native artist Jonathan Green.)
And next weekend, we have the Blue Angels coming to town for the Air Show. While not a “festival,” the two-day event hosted by MCAS Beaufort will be bringing hundreds of visitors to the area’s hotels and restaurants.
The town of Port Royal has its increasing share of crowd attractions with the two-day Soft Shell Crab Festival sponsored by the Old Village Association, coming up in April for its 20th year, and the Bands, Brews & BBQ event sponsored by the local Zonta Club in February. Not to mention
cityofbeaufort.org or delivered to Beaufort City Hall, second floor, Finance Department, 1911 Boundary Street, Beaufort, S.C. 29902
Phillips to speak at April LIBPA meeting
Town of Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips will be the featured speaker when the Lady’s Island Business & Professional Association meets at 8 a.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Beaufort Realtors’ Association Headquarters at 22 Kemmerlin Lane, Lady’s Island. Please stop by for coffee and conversation concerning the community.
Power of the Purse tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale for the 13th annual Power of the Purse presented by Tanger Hilton Head, happening April 10 at Saltus River Grill in downtown Beaufort. Join Women United in supporting vital
the Lowcountry Foodtruck Festival this Saturday.
All this being said, these events, while bringing opportunities for the locals to volunteer, are bringing tons of visitors, which is why the city’s tourism budget, based on a percentage of the business revenues generated by hotels and restaurants, is supported by almost $11 million in annual revenues.
One of the key elements in all this festival business is location, location, location. For the City of Beaufort festivals, that means the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, the city’s “crown jewel,” which is currently under study for a major renovation effort once the cost of replacing the underpinning in the 46-year-old park is determined.
Port Royal’s events, on the other hand, are all on Paris Avenue where the biggest inconvenience is closing the town’s main street for several hours.
Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer made an interesting comment about the situation at the last City Council workshop, where the council was asked to expand membership of the city’s Cultural
education initiatives in Beaufort and Jasper counties. Enjoy signature cocktails, a virtual auction, a blind wine raffle, live music, and more, all while making a difference. Go to https://bit.ly/4j7IV3f to purchase tickets. For sponsorship opportunities or to donate an auction item, call 843-837-2001
Veterans Affairs Office
closed
through April 4
The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Office will be closed through Friday, April 4 for staff training to maintain accreditation. The office will return to normal business hours Monday, April 7
An administrator will be available during the training (by phone and email only) to set up appointments in the Beaufort office (100 Clearwater Way), however the office will remain closed to the public for the week.
The Benton Field Road office in Bluffton will remain closed for the duration of the training.
Arts District board. Board members and city staff, who oversee the board, were asking for two more members to help support the group’s growing project workload.
Cromer noted on what’s been said for the past several years: “People used to look forward to the festivals but now some say maybe there’s too many of them.”
Interestingly enough, the St. Augustine, Fla., City council earlier this month voted to reduce the number of days for their internationally famous Nights of Lights Christmas holiday event.
Citing concerns about traffic safety and citizens’ complaints about quality of life issues, the council, by a 3-2 vote, agreed to shorten the festival by five days, from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the last weekend in January. The festival schedule had been shrinking over the past two years, when council reduced the schedule to 78 days and then 62 days for 2024-25
The vote, as expected, drew opposition from downtown business owners and support from residents. The vote also came as recent Florida tourism reports
To contact the Veterans Affairs Administrator, please call Crystal Snowden at 843812-8023 or email csnowden@bcgov.net. The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Office assists veterans, their spouses and other dependents with access to government programs for which they are eligible. Veterans Affairs Counselors are available by appointment only by calling 843-2556880
HELP of Beaufort
hosting fundraiser
HELP of Beaufort is hosting a Smoked Ham fundraiser. The northern Beaufort County food pantry is selling Smoked Hams for $45. Order and pay online at www.helpofbeaufort.org, or call 843-524-1223
Pickup date is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 19 at the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center at 1347 Ribaut Road in Port Royal. – Staff reports
showed an overall 2 7 percent reduction in visitors, a greater drop than during Covid.
With a large percentage of Florida visitors coming from Canada, tourism leaders have also expressed some anxiety about the impact of national relations.
Guess they’re all watching carefully so the “golden goose” of tourism won’t get killed.
Good news: More downtown parking spaces
BEAUFORT – Speaking of downtown events besides tourism, it was good news to learn that week from the city that 303 Associates’ vacant lot on the corner of Port Republic and Scott streets has been open for public parking.
The development firm had plans for a multi-story hotel on the site and cleared the property several years ago in anticipation of construction. But because of ongoing litigation, the hotel, like a proposed parking lot on Charles Street planned by 303 are on hold even though both projects have received city planning approval.
The lot, per an easement agree-
ment with the city, has 27 public parking spaces, which is no parking garage, but it’s something.
Apartment units replace hotel rooms on Boundary
BEAUFORT – And one more development in the local tourism world with a 303 Associates connection is the reduction of 120 motel rooms, to be replaced by apartments.
The former Quality Inn at Boundary Street, part of 303’s Town Center property, closed last month and is being renovated by the development company for long-term rental units.
The reduction of rooms leaves approximately 1,600 units in the area, according to tourism officials. But there’s still a plethora of short-term rentals to be had.
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
Burton firefighters arrived on scene on Magnolia Bluff Circle in Shell Point to find that a tree had fallen and damaged two homes and fences resulting in structural damages and a gas leak.
Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District
Beaufort inmates temporarily moved to Charleston due to plumbing issues
By Delayna Earley The Island News
Inmates from a housing unit at the Beaufort County Detention Center have been temporarily moved to a jail in Charleston County due to a plumbing issue in their building.
Fifty-three inmates were transferred from Beaufort County to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston on Tuesday, March 25, according to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
The inmates are expected to be
housed in the Charleston County jail for three weeks while the plumbing issue is fixed at the Beaufort jail.
The Beaufort County Detention Center has struck a deal with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) where they will pay $15 a day per inmate to cover medical care and daily meals, and a onetime $50 fee per inmate to cover the intake and screening process, according the CCSO.
An additional $52 per day will be added if one of the inmates requires
a hospital escort during their incarceration in the Charleston County Detention Center. Staff has been provided by Beaufort County to work in the unit where the Beaufort inmates are being housed.
While many the inmates housed in the Beaufort County jail are now in Charleston County, there are some that were not moved due to lack of space.
Reporting by Savannah’s WSAV-TV stated that the remaining inmates have allegedly been exposed to dust and chemical
fumes from the plumbing work that is being done without the proper ventilation and their family and friends are concerned that their 8th Amendment rights are being violated, which prohibits inmates from receiving excessive bail, fines and cruel and unusual punishments.
While Beaufort County officials have not confirmed or denied if the inmates had been receiving appropriate ventilation while construction work was going on, they did tell WSAV that the remaining
inmates have been moved to separate locations within the detention center, and they hope that moving the inmates will help to solve any issues.
The Island News reached out to relevant officials, but did not receive immediate responses.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony
Just 5 South Carolina counties remain under State Forester’s Burning Ban
Staff reports Beaufort County is no longer under a burning ban.
The State Forester’s Burning Ban has been lifted for all but five South Carolina counties. Greenville, Horry, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties will remain under the burning ban until further notice. The Forestry Commission has lifted the ban in the other 41
Change from page A1
wasn't the only one who felt their song's electricity as feet tapped, shoulders swayed, and hands clapped. Little did I know, this was just the beginning. Day 2 came bright and early, and impassioned artists from near and far wasted no time turning mundane pavement into pure masterpieces as visitors watched with wonder. As the day went on, joy multiplied with the colors of the chalk. Residents, tourists, community leaders, artists, and art lovers poured through the gates to experience the power of art, not knowing they were as much a part of the completed work as the strokes from the artists.
Even the enthusiastic sand gnats could not dampen the pure sunshine flowing through the festival. Donning mosquito nets, artists gleefully shared their creative process with passersby. With childlike wonder, people of all ages stood in complete awe as
the artists transformed asphalt into live-size art, listening intently as the creators shared their stories. Saturday night came without warning, and I found myself rushing from the festival to USCB for “Off the Wall Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green,” by the South Carolina Ballet Company, our featured event of the weekend. Knowing I had to speak to an excited audience, the butterflies moved in as they often do during times of intimidation. Once again, my expectations of the night proved far below reality. It was as if time stood still as I sat shoulder to shoulder with an audience so entranced by the performance that I wondered if others had to remember to breathe, too. In times of change, I miss my childhood home of Mississippi the most. I felt home in a different zip code on Saturday night. From one act to the next, I was in church, a blues hall, and back to church again. I felt the songs of my youth, the words of my grandmother, and the soul that only impassioned hymns can touch.
counties because the dangerous combination of low relative humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 21 outdoor burning prohibition has improved and
History tapped me on my shoulder and made me take notes as art and dance transcended boundaries and biases and ignited the spirit of every single attendee. With each graceful pose, the dancers summoned tears, inspiration, and a shared humanity. The music took me back to old wooden pews, folded sermon fans, and the lightness of heart that comes from a well-told message.
For a moment, I realized my fortune of growing up as a frequent visitor of a Black church. I watched as those around me did their best to contain their bodies' movement and the joy in their hearts. We all failed. Singing, dancing, and standing ovations were the chosen dialect of the evening.
Johnathan Green is one of us; his feet feel the pricks of oysters, his eyes see the tides change, and he knows the scent of pluff mud and the force of the ocean. His art moved the audience in ways I have never seen before, and I doubt I will again. We all felt at home in Beaufort and with each other.
Day 3 brought the event
is expected to ease significantly across the state over the next week. The ban is being left in place in the remaining counties for several reasons. The sheer amount of Forestry Commission and fire department personnel/equipment dedi-
cated to the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties, which includes two wildfires that have grown to a combined 13,000-plus acres, has potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions.
to a close with even more mesmerizing art, local students showcasing their talents and volunteers continuing their work of heart. Friendships started and strengthened, and for a few
hours, the world saw color in the most productive way humans can: as a tool of healing and connection.
My determination to grow the Freedman Arts District has superseded my
fear of the unknown. As the storm rolled in, threatening to wash away the event's touchable effects, it was the unreachable, unbreakable effects that remained. Yes, I am in a brand new world professionally but a familiar world personally. Please become involved with the Freedman Arts District, donate, volunteer, sponsor, and/or attend community events. If you, too, are tired of the ties that break, we work in the world of the ties that bind. The Freedman Arts District is here to stay, to impact positive change and to remind us all that through art and creativity,
Lisa Gaither of Durham, N.C., works on her artwork during the second annual Chalk It Up! Festival hosted by the Freedman Arts District on March 28-30, 2025. Jeff Evans/The Island News
USMC Col. Christopher McArthur of Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island accompanied Helen Richards, the sister of Medal of Honor recipient Private First Class Ralph Henry Johnson, as she placed a wreath on his gravesite during the Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony event hosted by the Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Department on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Beaufort National Cemetery. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
USMC Col. Christopher McArthur of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island gives Spencer Washington a Vietnam Pin during the Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Department on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Beaufort National Cemetery. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Survivor, advocate, leader
Dataw Island’s Shymske ‘digs deep’ following breast cancer diagnosis
Staff reports
“Herewe go again.”
That’s what Marj Shymske thought when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last October.
The New York native had just celebrated five years of being endometrial cancer-free, a huge recovery milestone, just to be hit with the news.
Like clockwork
Marj, 66, moved to Dataw Island from Chicago with her husband Greg 11 years ago. They love it here, spending lots of time playing golf, playing tennis and enjoying the Lowcountry sunshine.
After she turned 40, Marj was “religious” about her annual mammograms. Last May, her screening showed a small spot. She underwent an ultrasound during that same appointment. The subsequent biopsy came back negative.
“They told me to come back in the fall – thank the Lord,” Marj said. The mammogram showed the same spot, as did the ultrasound, and she underwent another biopsy.
Three days later, she learned that she had breast cancer.
“I thought, ‘I’m going to die, and I’m too young,” Marj said. “I
Success from page A1
“Chalk it Up! Beaufort is more than an explosion of color and creativity — it’s a vital fundraiser that fuels the Freedman Arts District’s mission to inspire, unite and empower through the arts, ensuring that our rich cultural heritage continues to thrive for generations to come,” Freedman Arts District’s Executive Director Cherimie Weatherford said. "We have received incredible feedback from local businesses, hotels and restaurants all commenting on the positive impacts to foot traffic, sales and occupancy rates. In our planning we took great care to consider our downtown businesses, and it paid off."
The festival opened Friday night with a ceremony that offered artists and residents an opportunity to meet, learn about area art organizations, and enjoy the performance of Aunt Perlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk while enjoying sampling Frogmore Stew.
had already had my cancer – why me?”
A care connection
Marj’s gynecologist, Dr. Eve Ashby with Lowcountry Medical Group Specialty Care, was invested in her care following the breast cancer diagnosis – the same way she was when Marj was diagnosed six years ago with endometrial cancer after a “wonky” result on a pap test.
“She saved my life,” Marj said.
“All the tests were coming back negative, but not that pap.”
Dr. Ashby’s determination and compassion drove Marj’s decision to once again seek care right here at home.
“I had so much faith in her that it was only natural to me that I would seek care locally,” she said.
“It never occurred to me otherwise.”
A well-oiled machine
Marj had countless questions, and when she met with her care team initially, they made her feel at ease.
Breast oncology surgeon Dr. Tara Grahovac, radiation oncologist Dr. Jonathan Briggs and Dr. J. Eric Turner, Marj’s medical oncologist, worked with the rest of the Breast Health Center team as a “well-oiled machine.”
With the world of Google at
The art began Saturday morning.
"Festival goers were mesmerized by the creative process, skill and stories told by the artists themselves,” Weatherford said. “Our local musicians kept everyone singing, foot tapping and wanting to stay. It was a joyful crowd, the energy felt by all was electric."
Votes were tallied a little early as rain threatened Sunday’s awards presentations, but everything worked out.
"The crowd was diverse, enthusiastic and inquisitive about how to become involved in the Freedman Arts District,” Weatherford said. "Artists raved about our beautiful town -- many already making plans to return for family vacations. Thanks to the generosity and support of our local partners, we exceeded all expectations."
Winners were all chosen by People’s Choice –voting by attendees of the festival.
In the high school category, Beaufort High School won first place, and Bridges Preparatory won second place. In the middle school
her fingertips, the information available about Marj’s diagnosis was overwhelming.
“You want to Google all the time,” she admitted. “But you have to be your own advocate. You have to dig deep; I had to take control of what I thought was the
category, Riverview Charter won first place, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy won second, and third place was a tie between Sea Islands Heritage Academy and Lady’s Island Middle School.
The adult category winners were Nicole Von Kuhl from Alexandria, Va., who won first place; Ke’Chanbria Ball from Americus, Ga., who won second place; and Brian Morris from Lutz, Fla., who won third place.
Oyster Cay Collection sponsored the awards that were presented to adult chalk artists and school art classes.
"We have already set the date for next year, with even more exciting components added,” Weatherford said. “It will continue to be a three-day event filled with celebrating our rich cultural heritage and the power of art to transcend boundaries and strengthen community ties. We have already begun the planning process for Chalk it Up Beaufort 2026, March 20-22."
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
best information and go to the people I trusted.”
Marj underwent a lumpectomy, a five-day radiation treatment and started on anastrozole, which is used to treat all stages of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in post-menopausal
women. She considers herself now “cancer-free.”
Pledge the Pink
In Chicago, years before she’d receive her own diagnosis, Marj was no stranger to breast cancer support events, having walked in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure twice.
In 2019, Marj found herself involved through connections at her Lowcountry home on Dataw Island with “Pledge the Pink,” an event born in 2011 dedicated to funding breast cancer screening, treatment, outreach and research.
Now, she’s the committee chair for the event’s Day 1 walk on Dataw kicking off the event, which is scheduled for Oct. 16-19
This year, she has her own experience as a survivor to draw from, continuing to put that passion into play while coordinating pink-clad volunteers for the uplifting event.
She said she feels lucky to be here when she received her diagnosis and is grateful to her care team for their compassion and support as she received treatment locally during her journey.
“Breast cancer – any kind of cancer – is not a death sentence,” Marj said. “I’m a cancer survivor. I’m so thankful and grateful that we caught this, and I’ve had the very best care. I’m very blessed.”
Dataw Island residents Greg and Marj Shymske. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
M atthew V ince
c oV ington
March 19, 1962 –March 30, 2025
Beaufort, South Carolina
Matthew Vince Covington, 63, died on March 30, 2025, after a fierce battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
Born in Florence, S.C., Vince was the son of the late James Edward “Pete” and Barbara Poston Covington. He was the owner of Covington Blind and Shutter Company and co-owner of Catering by Debbi Covington. He was a member of St. Helena’s Anglican Church and served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort. He was a loving husband, brother, uncle, and friend with a strong Christian faith.
Vince was a music lover, an avid guitarist, and a closet poet. He was a movie buff and a longtime sponsor of the Beaufort International Film Festival. Vince loved nature and animals and fed everything that came into his yard – birds, ducks, deer, turtles, and fish. He loved fishing in his pond, but he always returned his catch to the water. Vince especially loved cats and faithfully fed the feral cat colony behind the Lady’s Island Walmart for many years.
Joyful memories of Vince are cherished by his wife Deborah Baker Covington of Beaufort, S.C.; brothers Fleetwood Covington of Florence, S.C., James Covington (Joanne) of Chestertown, N.Y., five nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat Belle.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 10 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Helena’s Anglican Church, 505 Church Street, Beaufort, S.C.. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow.
OBITUARIES
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Humane Association of the Lowcountry, c/o CFL, PO Box 23019, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29925; St. Helena’s Anglican Church, PO Box 1043, Beaufort, S.C. 29901; or the Pat Conroy Literary Center, 601 Bladen Street, Beaufort, S.C. 29902. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Clark Trask and Cardinal Hospice of Beaufort.
w illiaM “B ill ”
R ankin P atton , J R .
January 21, 1933 –March 16, 2025
Beaufort, South Carolina
William “Bill” Rankin Patton, Jr., age 92, spent his last hours listening to his family and friends because his grandson, Justin, sat beside him and called everyone so they could say “Goodbye” to him. Bill passed away peacefully on March 16 2025, in Beaufort, S.C. Born on Jan. 21 1933, in Orlando, Fla., he was the son of William Rankin Patton Sr., of Asheville, N.C., and LaNell Moye Burn and Herbert Burn of Charleston, S.C.
Bill attended The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., where he later met and married his high school sweetheart, Laura McClenaghan of Mount Pleasant. In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with
the 82nd Airborne Division as a Military Policeman where he earned his gold jump wings during the Korean War Era. After his honorable discharge, he utilized the "G.I. Bill" and pursued a higher education at seminary school in Newberry, S.C., St. Petersburg, Fla., and later continued at Duke University and NYU. His academic journey was distinguished by the attainment of three master's degrees, reflecting his dedication to lifelong learning.
Throughout his life, Bill embodied the term “renaissance man”, embracing various careers and passions. His professional journey included roles as a Lutheran Minister, a Youth Pastor at Duke University during the 1960's, a high school educator, college professor, gymnastics coach, off-Broadway theater owner and director, director and professional counselor for AMIKids, collegiate diving instructor, sea captain, nautical licensed sailboat enthusiast, scuba diver, diesel mechanic, author, playwright, thespian, and Alaskan offshore fisherman — not necessarily in that order. He had an insatiable curiosity and zest for life and was often described as a “rolling stone” with a nomadic lifestyle, maintaining connections with family, friends, and love interests across the United States and around the world. Bill had a profound love for travel, culture, food such as raw oysters, wine, and cognac, combined with engaging company filled with laughter and his larger-than-life storytelling. He was passionate about all things related to the sea, as well as tennis, reading, and writing novels inspired by his adventures.
He was preceded in death by his former wife, Laura McClenaghan Logan, and granddaughter, Isabel. He is survived by his children:
William Rankin Patton III; Sherri LaNell Patton (Amada); Matthew Patton (Carla); and Colin “Bubba” Patton (Marisol), and cousins Matthew Moye (Marcia), Judy Moye DiSalvo (Gary) of Beaufort and Diane Moye Calhoun of Savannah. Also known as “Papa”, his legacy continues on through his grandchildren, who are called: Amber (Kevin), Anton (Lexie), Justin, Asher, Rowan, Matthew, and Francis; and great-grandchildren: Dylan, Logan, Calli, Louie, Leah, and Romy. He also leaves behind his ex-wife Clare Bennett and many beloved family members and lifelong friends spanning from Florida to South Carolina to Virginia to New York to California to Alaska, and beyond.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on June 14 from 5–7 p.m., at The Beaufort Wine Bar, 200 Carteret Street, Beaufort, S.C., where family and friends will gather to share memories and honor his remarkable journey. Bill's adventurous spirit and diverse pursuits left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of one's choice in Bill's memory. One Bill would approve of – which leaves a lot of options.
Investigating Christ
An Atheist Examines the Evidence for Jesus
For Lee, everything changed when his wife became Christian. He had married his high-school sweetheart, Leslie, and became an award-winning investigative journalist for the Chicago Tribune They both assumed that God was a fairy tale; they believed only in what they could see and experience. But his wife was introduced to Christianity by a friend, and one day she shared with Lee that she now believed in Jesus.
Lee felt like he was losing his wife. She was becoming a different person. He worried she would no longer be the joyful, fun-loving woman he had married. He had not signed up to be married to a Christian! One of the things he most loved about her was how reasonable and logical she was. If he could demonstrate to her that Christianity is false, then perhaps she would leave it behind and everything could go back to how it was before.
He decided to approach Christianity like a crime investigation. Without telling his wife what he was doing, Lee began to use his skills as an investigative journalist to explore the historical claims of Christianity. He began seeking out experts in fields such as history, archaeology, Scripture, psychology, and medicine. He interviewed them at length, raising the typical objections against Christianity.
For each of his questions, Lee discovered compelling evidence. The facts indicated that the Gospels are reliable biographies of Jesus written by eyewitnesses, remarkably close to his lifetime. Jesus clearly understood himself to be divine, and it is this claim that led to his crucifixion. He did not have the attributes of a crazy person, nor did it make sense that he was a liar. He even fulfilled a great number of Old Testament prophecies about the Jewish Messiah.
Evidence for the Resurrection was especially persuasive. Lee especially sought evidence to disprove the Resurrection of Jesus. But he found that the alternative theories, such as the idea that Jesus somehow survived crucifixion, simply did not hold up against the known facts. Jesus had truly died, and yet a great number of witnesses had seen him alive after his death. This is what caused thousands of Jewish people to abandon their traditional faith and begin to worship Jesus as God.
Instead of convincing his wife, Lee became convinced. Although he did not want to believe, he was determined to follow the facts wherever they led, as in a courtroom. The evidence pointed to the verdict that Jesus was truly who he claimed to be. Lee eventually came to believe in him, joining his wife as a follower of Christ. Lee’s story has helped millions of people to explore the facts about Jesus and come to their own conclusion about him.
Lee Strobel shared his journey in the bestseller, The Case for Christ, recently made into a movie. The Case for Jesus, written by Dr. Brant Pitre, is another excellent book exploring the truth of the Gospels.
Who Is Jesus?
William Rankin Patton, Jr.
Matthew Vince Covington
ARTS
An Olivia Newton-John Tribute: “Always Olivia” coming to USCB CFA
Staff reports
The USC Beaufort Center for the Arts is presenting for one night only an Olivia Newton-John tribute: “Always Olivia,” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 12
“Always Olivia” is a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John, who sold more than 100 million records worldwide, had 10 No. 1 hits, earned four Grammys, numerous music awards, and starred as Sandy with John Travolta in Grease – a role which catapulted her to
superstardom.
“Always Olivia” authentically captures the essence and sounds of Olivia’s timeless music. The show stars Annie Aiello, a celebrated singer who has studied and has been captivated by Newton-John ever since Annie was 7 years old.
This show, with its all-star band of musicians, lovingly incorporates five decades of Olivia’s music, dialogue about the star’s history, humor, audience participation, costume changes and video projection with stimulating visuals. Expect to hear Olivia’s
oh-so-memorable hits spanning the 70’s to the present-day, including: “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “You’re The One That I Want,” “Physical,” “Magic,” “Xanadu,” “If You Love Me (Let Me Know),” “Let Me Be There,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Grace & Gratitude” and so much more – performed to a live band!
In a nod to Olivia Newton-John’s openness about her breast cancer journey, show sponsor Beaufort Memorial Hospital will have members of the Beaufort Memorial breast imaging team onsite before and after the show to provide information, resources
and the ability for attendees to schedule their screening mammograms. Breast cancer survivor and Dataw resident Marj Shymske will also share with the audience a little about her personal journey to survivorship and how individuals can support local options for breast cancer care.
Tickets are on sale now at USCBCenterForTheArts.com. Adult prices are $48, Seniors/Military are $45, and Student/Child tickets are $30. Call the box office
Habitat’s Upcycled Art Auction
Beaufort Middle students present “Newsies,
Staff reports Beaufort Middle School’s musical theatre performers are hard at work in rehearsals preparing to perform their production of “Newsies, Jr.!” Based on the real events of 1899, the show profiles the New York newsies, kids who sold newspapers on the street, as they went on strike for the chance to earn a living wage. The production stars Beaufort Middle School students in Grades
Attendees
the Habitat for
of the Lowcountry Upcycled Art Auction at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Charlotte Gonzalez observes the artwork featured at the Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry Upcycled Art Auction at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The fundraising event featured ordinary items transformed into stunning works of art — all in support of building a home for a deserving local family.
Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Beaufort sweeps Hilton Head to open region play
By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com
After a challenging early-season schedule, the Beaufort High baseball team opened Region 6-4A play in impressive fashion, sweeping a three-game series from Hilton Head High to put the Eagles right in the mix in a crowded region race.
After grinding out a 6-3 home win Monday, Beaufort blanked the Seahawks, 5-0, on Wednesday and routed Hilton Head, 13-3 in the finale to take a spot atop the region standings alongside Bluffton, which swept Colleton County.
The Eagles let a 3-1 lead slip away in the opener when Hilton Head tied it with a pair of runs in the fourth, but Tanner Altman scored from third on a passed ball to put Beaufort back on top, and the Eagles added two runs in the sixth. Dylan Rast took care of the rest, striking out six and walking one over 3⅔ hitless innings in relief of Carter Womack. Reece Mullen went 3-for-3 with an RBI and Sellers Lynn was 2-for-4 to pace Beaufort’s offense.
Gunnar Hollingsworth picked up where
Rast left off on the mound Wednesday at Hilton Head, striking out 12 over six innings with just two walks and two hits, and Jayden Davis struck out the side in a perfect seventh to close out a 5-0 win. Rast was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, and Lynn and Samari Bonds each added RBI triples.
The Eagles finished the sweep with a 13-3 rout Friday at home, as Mullen went 4-for-5 with a triple and four RBIs in the leadoff spot, while Bonds, Rast, and Altman each added two hits and Rast drove in three runs. Hudson Mullen went five innings for the win, striking out 10 with three walks and three hits while allowing three runs (one earned).
The degree of difficulty ratchets up this week and next for the Eagles, who face top contenders Bishop England and May River over the next two weeks in a stretch that should help sort out the region’s top tier.
Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and the founder of LowcoSports.com. He was the sports editor of the Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazette for 6½ years. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable sense of humor.
As successful as you are, we know
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Find out why so many people trust our advisors to help them manage their
Beaufort High’s Dylan Rast awaits the ball as he readies to
Jack Boatwright slides into second base on
at Beaufort
School. Beaufort won, 6-3. Amber Hewitt/The Island News.
ART Coastal Discovery Museum
24th annual Art Market
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April
26 & 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April
27, Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island. $5 Admission, free for children
12 and younger. Free parking. Visitors will find a diverse range of mediums, including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, wood, metal, painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture. Beyond the art, visitors can enjoy live music and a variety of food and beverage vendors, with shaded seating under the Mary Ann Peeples Pavilion and throughout the scenic grounds. Proceeds from the Art Market support the Museum’s year-round programs, exhibitions, and events. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.coastaldiscovery. org/.
Budding Artist After-School Art
Club
4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/ Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.
CALENDAR
Lowcountry Food Truck Festival
11 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 1404 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
Memories Do Matter 2025 Speaker
Series – Lisa Hostetler Brown
10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, April 9, 31 St. Gregory Drive, Bluffton. Free. Online registration required. Attorney Lisa Hostetler Brown will be the guest speaker, discussing “Elder Law & Estate Planning.” Register at https://www.mymemorymatters.org/ events.
MCAS Beaufort Airshow Saturday, April 12 & Sunday, April 13, MCAS Beaufort. Celebrate 250 years of the Marine Corps with us.
From the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to unforgettable aerial thrills, it’s a weekend you don’t want to miss. Tickets are free for general admission but required! Reserve yours now to secure your spot. Go to beaufortairshow.com to reserve your tickets.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to midnight, Mondays, Tomfoolery, 3436 17 Market, Habersham, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Karaoke
9 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort. With DJ Ali.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie
O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.
Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary
7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https:// rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.
Karaoke at Willie’s
8 p.m., Thursdays, Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. Come and showcase your singing talents or just enjoy the performances. For more information, visit www.GullahLove.com.
Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market
5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.
Habersham Farmers Market
3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Drive, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Port Royal Farmers Market
9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh
WHAT’S HAPPENING
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 843295-0058.
Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9:30 p.m., Saturdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Eric.
Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.
Karaoke with Melissa
8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Road, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
CLASS REUNION
Beaufort High School Class of 1975 Oct. 17 through Oct. 19, 2025, Beaufort. 50th Class Reunion Celebration. Request that graduates of this class contact the class Community Outreach Representative Barbara Gardner Hunter at 347-497-9326 or email gardnerbarbara991@gmail.com to provide current contact information.
DANCE The Beaufort Shag Club
6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
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.
BEMER Circulation Therapy
10 to 11 a.m., Fridays via Zoom. Already own a BEMER? Never heard of it but curious? Join to ask any questions about this leading-edge German technology that enhances blood flow 30% in 8 minutes. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Brought to you by BEMER Specialist -- Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
HISTORY
Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.
The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.
Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jona-
than Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. An education program presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. To be presented by Megan Brauer, volunteer community educator. Join us to learn about the difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s; Common warning signs; The importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; Next steps and expectations for the diagnostic process; and Alzheimer’s Association Resources. Please sign up at alz.org/ sc or call 1-800-272-3900.
Watercolor Basics
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. Ages 14 and older. Adults will be introduced to the basics of watercolor painting through various techniques. No registration required.
Intro To Art Media For Kids
3 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 12, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. Ages 6 and older. Kids are invited to join us to “dabble” in art media. We’ll introduce different types of media from acrylic painting to sketching. Participants will leave with a fun multi-media art creation all their own. No registration required.
Toddler Storytime
11 a.m., Mondays through May 12, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. (Library will be closed Jan, 20 and Feb. 17.) Join us for a fun-filled time of stories. Books and activities will focus on toddlers/preschoolers, but siblings are welcome.
Plant Swap 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 19, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Take a plant, leave a plant. Bring your divided perennials, extra clippings, and propagations to swap with others.
Make a Seashell Trinket Dish
11 a.m., Saturday, April 26, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Ages 12 and older. All materials will be provided. Space is limited. Call 843-255-6487 to register.
Mother’s Day Gift
11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 3, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Come and celebrate the mothers and the mother figures in your life with a fun craft.
“Hidden Gems” Book Club
3 p.m., third Monday of each month, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. So many books, so little time. St. Helena staff have uncovered some great titles to get you started on your “hidden gem” journey. Join us for lively discussions and coffee or tea. No registration required.
Postpartum Support Group
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us fr a postpartum and parenting support circle, a weekly gathering for parents and caregivers navigating the postpartum journey. Led by full-spectrum holistic doula Tameka Walker, the circle provides a warm supportive environment where families can connect, share and learn together. Registration is requested but not required. Call 843-255-6487 for more information.
“Lego” With Lego 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 5 and up. No registration required. Come see our new and improved Lego Club. Choose one of our new Lego kits and get going. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.
Career Navigator
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-255-6458.
Bridge Club
10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-2556458 for more information.
Baby Time
10 a.m. Thursdays through May 15, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us for stimulating stories, activities, and more. Designed for babies, 0-18 months.
Mahjong Basics
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us to learn the basics of this fun tile game. Intructor Donna Misuraca will teach participants the structure and rules of the game and guide you through how to play. All game materials will be provided. Call 843-2556540 for more information.
Mahjong Club
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to
bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.
MEETINGS LIBPA
8 a.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Beaufort Realtors’ Association Headquarters, 22 Kemmerlin Lane, Lady’s Island. Town of Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips will be the featured speaker when the Lady’s Island Business & Professional Association meets. Please stop by for coffee and conversation concerning the community. Free and open to the public.
Beaufort Chapter of America's Boating Club
5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, Olde Beaufort Bar and Eatery, Royal Pines, Lady's Island. Social hour begins at 5:30 followed by dinner. The speaker will be Kim Ritchie of USC Beaufort. Guests should contact Paul Gorsuch at AO@beaufortboatingclub.com.
PFLAG Savannah – Beaufort Peer Group
6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www.PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.
Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.
Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting 12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub.org.
The Beaufort Trailblazers – A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, 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.
Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@ gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.
Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Dr., Ladys' Island. Catered breakfast from local chef. Speakers weekly. Occasional social events replace Friday mornings, but will be announced on our website, www.rotaryclubofthelowcountrybeaufort.org.
MUSIC
Music on Malphrus — Scott Ainslie
7 p.m., Saturday, April 11, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton.
$25. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets available at the door or at https:// www.uulowcountry.org. Schedule — April 11: Scott Ainslie. April 26: Karyn Oliver.
Live entertainment 7 to 11 p.m., Wednesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Chris Jones 7 to 11 p.m., Thursdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Habersham Third Fridays Music on Market 5 to 8 p.m., third Friday of the month, Habersham Marketplace.
Live entertainment 9 p.m. to midnight, Fridays & Saturdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
OUTDOORS/NATURE
The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.
Tours of Hunting Island Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437.
SEWING/QUILTING
Sea Island Quilters “Southern Comforts” quilt show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, April 25, & 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26, National Guard Armory, 1 Cavalry Lane, Beaufort. Featured at the show will be approximately 150 quilts of all sizes and styles from traditional to modern to contemporary art. A “Lowcountry Store” will sell used magazines, books, patterns, fabrics from “stashes”, and a few surprises. “Southern Elegance,” the Sea Island Quilters beautiful raffle quilt is in tribute to and in loving memory of its maker, Joanne Moss. A valued guild member for many years, Joanne passed away shortly before the 2023 Southern Comforts Quilt Show. The quilt was acquired from her husband. Tickets for the quilt are $1 each or six for $5. In addition to 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. 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. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each of the 15 categories. Attendees also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite quilt to be awarded the “Viewer’s Choice” ribbon.
American Needlepoint Guild
Meeting
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@needlepoint.org.
Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.
SPORTS/GAMES
Hilton Head Kiwanis Club Cornhole for Charity Tournament 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26, Lincoln & South, 138 Island Drive, Hilton Head Island. Overall proceeds from the 2025 Tournament to benefit Volunteers in Medicine -- Pediatric Care. Winning team selects a youth charity of choice for the $300 prize; runner-up selects for $150. For more information and to sign up, visit https://shorturl.at/cFB0k
ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret Street. Events will be held weekly. Contact Director and Club Manager Susan DeFoe at 843-5972541 for location.
Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-2556458 for more information.
Beaufort Masters Swim Team
6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.
FAITH
Chabad Greater Hilton Head offering Matzahs, community seder
Events to highlight the spirit of Passover
Staff reports
Chabad Greater Hilton Head will distribute hundreds of packages of handmade Shmurah Matzah And Passover Handbooks this year to assist the Lowcountry Jews to participate in the upcoming Passover holiday. The Matzahs can be requested at www. jewishhiltonhead.org/matzah.
Passover, celebrated this year from Saturday evening, April 12 until after nightfall on Sunday, April 20, commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt in 1313 BCE. Directed by God to leave Egypt hastily, the people of Israel could not wait for their dough to rise, and thus ate unleavened crackers called "Matzah."
Round, kneaded and shaped by hand, present day “Shmurah” Matzahs (lit. watched Matzahs) are similar to those eaten by the Jews when leaving Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. From the moment the wheat is harvested, the ingredients are carefully watched to ensure that they do not become leavened, which would be prohibited on Passover.
Few Jewish holidays evoke the same warm sentiments as Passover. Bringing the
warmth and tradition of this festival to the Lowcountry community, Chabad Greater Hilton Head is inviting all Jewish residents to participate in community seders to be held on Saturday night, April 12, and again on Sunday night, April 13. Location is to be provided upon RSVP.
“Passover is not simply a celebration of the historic liberation of an ancient people,” said Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Greater Hilton Head “Passover is about our own personal liberation – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Passover inspires us to break free from the shackles restraining us from reaching new heights - in our lives, relationships and connection with God.”
All Jews are welcome to join the community seder, regardless of Jewish affiliation or background. Reservations can be made online at www.jewishhiltonhead.org/seder.
Chabad of Greater Hilton Head offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Chabad Greater Hilton Head at 843-301-1819 or visit online at www.jewishhiltonhead.org
The King and His Heaven are coming
When we were young we seldom thought about the afterlife since we were so focused on this one, but as we grow older, we become more curious.
I believe in visions and dreams, but I do not know anyone personally who claims they have been to heaven, however, I’ve heard a few people say they have.
Even though near-death and out-of-body experiences about heaven are common, I’m not going to discredit those who really believe they have encountered a glimpse of the other side. May we realize that all we have to base our theology on is the Bible and it’s worth noting that Jesus makes a profound statement about this in John 3:13
Years ago I was studying about the end times as I was teaching some eschatology classes and began focusing on what the next life will be like. There are a few places in the Bible that give hints as to what we will see and do in heaven. Still, like other subjects much of it is controversial because of different interpretations and whether the text should be understood as literal or symbolical.
We read in I Corinthians, Chapter 2 that, “Eye hath not seen, not ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him” but if we keep reading within the context of the passage we see that God does reveal spiritual truth through the Holy Spirit.
I praise God for all the letters I receive from those who are blessed by these messages, but we all know the minute I start talking about doctrines many feathers will be ruffled. So, to prevent anger and hard
WILLIAM HOLLAND
feelings, I try to focus on subjects about the Christian life that most of us can agree with.
Even though many believers do not study on their own, have never graduated from seminary, or are daily prayer warriors, Christians are not lacking in the area of having strong opinions about what they believe. For the majority, the religious knowledge they have accumulated throughout their lives has come from what they heard someone else say, but we have been commanded by God in Second Timothy the second chapter to rightly divide the scriptures for ourselves through unbiased research and diligent study.
There is also a faithful group of truth seekers who attend adult Sunday school classes and Bible studies and study on their own which gives them confidence to draw their own conclusions. I admit that my views have changed over the years as the more I learn, the more I see things differently.
I do not think this is a bad thing seeing that as we mature, we are developing and expanding in our wisdom and understanding. When talking about our eternal abode with God, let us agree as His children, that where we are going and what it will contain is not as important as being with the one we love more than anyone or anything. We are to be revealing
the nature and character of Christ within our lives here on earth now since we are made in His image to reflect His glory. Likewise, the earth is a type and shadow of heaven according to Hebrews Chapters 8 and 9 and was made after the pattern of where God lives.
We recall the first verse of the Bible in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth” and from the mention of both realms in the same sentence we see a connection between the spiritual domain of God’s throne and the natural realm which was made later that reflects similar attributes such as a tabernacle, sanctuary, priest, light, worship, rivers, trees, fruit, streets, banquets, cities, and so on. Cities? Yes, the Bible says the holy city of Jerusalem will come down from heaven and literally sit upon the earth.
We are told in Revelation Chapters 21 and 22 about how God will one day do away with the old heaven and earth and will create a brand new heaven and earth. In Christian eschatology, the New Jerusalem, represents heaven coming down and sitting upon the new earth.
We should be filled with excitement to know that one day we will be with Him when our spirit and new body are united and we will live in His presence forever. Spending eternity with our Lord is so encouraging and next week we will continue this conversation. I welcome your thoughts about this fascinating subject ... Psalmz103@gmail.com.
William Holland Jr. is an ordained minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.
JR.
Picture this: X-rays, MRI, CT scans and PET scans
Your doctor just told you that you need an MRI. You wonder why a less expensive CT scan wouldn't work. In fact, you’re not quite sure what the difference is between a CT scan and an MRI.
Imaging tests are common, but having your body scanned in a tube can seem more like science fiction than medical science. Here are the ways health professionals view the inside of your body, including X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
The big picture
Various imaging tests work in different ways, and certain tests are better suited to detect different types of illnesses or conditions. However, they have many commonalities:
Contrast agents may be administered via injection, drink or enema to highlight certain areas.
You're instructed not to move and sometimes to hold your breath so that the image doesn't blur.
MRI, PET scans and CT scans are performed so that cross-sectional images of your body, or "slices"—like a piece of bread—can be viewed from multiple angles and even compiled into a 3D image.
X-rays, CT scans and PET scans expose you to variable but still relatively low amounts of radiation.
X-ray
An X-ray is a quick, common and comparatively inexpensive test that is particularly good at providing images of:
Skeleton issues, including fractures, joint dislocations, arthritis, dental issues and bone tumors • Problems in the chest, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, lung cancer or an enlarged heart
Abdominal problems, including digestive system issues and swallowed items (commonly for children)
Breast cancer—in particular with mammogram, a special type of X-ray used with com-
pression of the breast tissue to evaluate for growths and cancer
How X-rays work
An X-ray machine produces beams of ionizing radiation that pass through your body and onto an X-ray detector. Dense materials such as bone absorb many of the X-rays, and therefore show up as white on the image. Fat and muscle are less dense and look gray. The air in your lungs shows up as black.
Getting an X-ray
During an X-ray, a technologist situates your body. This may involve standing or lying on a special table in one or more positions with props such as pillows to help you stay in place.
CT scan
A CT scanner takes many X-rays that a computer assembles into a more complex image than a single X-ray could provide. CT scans may be used to:
Rapidly inspect people who may have internal injuries from car accidents or other types of traumas Plan and direct procedures such as surgery, biopsies, and radiation therapy
Examine the head, heart, chest and gastrointestinal system to evaluate problems such
as strokes, blood clots, heart disease, aneurysms, appendicitis, diverticulitis, abscesses and tumors
How CT scans work
The circular machine has an X-ray producer on one side and X-ray detectors on the opposite side. Rotations of the machine create cross-sectional image "slices." Today, CT scanners can forgo separate "slices" and take X-rays without pausing, resulting in a spiral of images.
Though still low, the amount of radiation is greater than with a plain X-ray because the CT scan is using more X-rays to collect more images.
Getting a CT scan
CT scanners are shaped like a large doughnut standing on its side. You will be positioned on a table that then moves you through the opening. The machine may generate buzzing and whirring noises. You can communicate with the technologist—who is in a separate room—via an intercom.
MRI
MRI is used to capture internal images without using ionizing radiation. Instead, it uses a magnetic field and radio waves. MRI is typically not as quick as a CT scan but can provide better images of soft tissues such as ligaments and
Brain and spinal cord issues, including brain aneurysms, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord tumors, degenerative spine disease, strokes and brain injury
Heart and blood vessel problems, including aneurysms, blockages in the blood vessels and strokes
Bone and joint problems, including sports injuries, tendon tears, cartilage damage, torn ligaments, disk problems and bone infections
How MRI works
When you lie inside an MRI machine, the machine's magnetic field—at many thousands of times the power of the earth's magnetic field—temporarily realigns positively charged particles known as protons in your body. Radio waves throw off the alignment of these particles, and the machine measures the energy given off by these particles when they fall back into place. This energy varies for different tissues, allowing the MRI machine to create de-tailed pictures of tissues within the body.
Getting an MRI
An MRI machine also looks like a doughnut standing on its side, but with a longer tube on the inside than with a CT scanner. You will be positioned on a table that then moves you into the tube. People with a fear of enclosed spaces might be given a drug to make them feel less anxious and somewhat sleepy.
Because the MRI machine produces repetitive noises such as tapping and thumping, you might be given earplugs or be offered the option to listen to music to help block the noises. As with a CT scan, a technologist oversees and directs you from another room.
Because MRI machines use powerful magnets, people with metallic devices such as cochlear implants, metal plates or screws, joint replacements, or certain pacemakers might not be able to have an MRI.
Ask your doctor or the technologist if this applies to you.
PET scan
PET scans—which are most of-
ten combined with CT or MRI—not only produce images of organs and tissues, but also provide information on whether they are working properly by examining activities such as blood flow or sugar metabolism. PET scans may be used to examine:
• Cancer, including finding and tracking cancer and assessing response to cancer treatment
Heart disease, such as detecting coronary artery disease and revealing areas of decreased blood flow within the heart
Brain disorders, including assessing dementia and seizures
How PET scans work
A PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) that is usually injected intravenously. Although a PET scan uses radiation, it’s very different from an X-ray or CT scan. During an X-ray or CT, a machine directs radiation through your body to create an image. In a PET scan, the radiation source—the tracer—is within your body and the radiation travels outward to be detected. Though still low, the amount of radiation is greater than with a plain X-ray.
Once it's injected, the tracer gathers in areas of your body with increased chemical activity, which may correspond to areas of disease. On a PET scan, these areas show up as bright spots. For example, cancer cells show up as bright spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolism than do normal cells.
Getting a PET scan
The PET scanner is another machine that looks like a giant doughnut standing on its side. PET scanners are often combined with either a CT scanner or MRI machine.
First, you will be given a tracer. Then you'll wait about 30 minutes or more for the tracer to be absorbed by your body. You will then be positioned on a table that moves you through the opening.
Interested in more insightful information on this subject?
You'll have expanded access to much more with a (paid) subscription to Mayo Clinic Health Letter at https://order.store. mayoclinic.com/
Why you should you toss your toothbrush after being sick
If you just got over being sick, you may want to toss your toothbrush. A dentist explains why.
If you’re one of the many out there finally getting over a stubborn cold or the flu, you may want to consider tossing your toothbrush.
“Frankly, most healthy people are probably at a very low risk of reinfecting themselves from something they've already really built an immunity to,” said Anne Clemons, DMD, dentist at Cleveland Clinic. “But it's kind of one of those maybe it's better safe than sorry. It can't hurt.”
Dr. Clemons said toothbrushes should be thrown away every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are starting to fray. The same goes for electric toothbrushes. Some other ways to help prevent the spread of germs include keeping toothbrushes stored separately in the bathroom and making sure everyone in the house has their own toothpaste.
Dr. Clemons notes that whether you’re sick or not, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene. She recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing. And if you like mouthwash, using that too.
“The mouth is connected to your whole body. We can't just kind of separate it and put it over here. If
there's inflammation or other disease happening in the mouth, it doesn't just stay in the mouth,” she said. “We're
still learning more and more in general in medicine, but in dentistry as well, how those little things,
maybe a little bit of gum inflammation, may affect your body in big ways. But it's all connected, so the cleaner and healthier your mouth is, the better and healthier you are overall.”
Dr. Clemons adds sometimes when people are sick, they may crave more sugary foods and drinks, which isn’t great for our teeth. So, it’s best to try and avoid that. And if you need cough drops, go for the sugar-free kind.
Many parents equate car seats with a small child. However, child-passenger safety does not end when your child is out of infancy or even toddlerhood. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), using child-safety seats for as long as your child comfortably fits in one is safer than solely using vehicle safety belts. The key to keeping kids safe and secure in the car is recognizing which seat is appropriate for their age and size.
Infant-only seat/rear-facing never in front seat with passenger-side air bag.
Convertible safety seat/ rear-facing until child is at least 1 year of age and at least 20 lbs. Then forward-facing to the maximum weight and height allowed by seat.
Combination (convertible) seat with internal harness that transitions to a belt-positioning booster seat. Forward-facing only; weight varies.
• Forward-facing seat with internal harness; weight varies.
• Integrated child seat: toddler seat with harness (20 - 40 lbs.) or some as belt-positioning booster seat with lap/shoulder belt (more than 35 - 40 lbs.), as long as child fits.
Belt-positioning booster seat with lap/shoulder belt, as long as child fits.
Weight and height restrictions vary with the different brands and models of safety seats available. Refer to the seat instructions prior to use. In addition, review your vehicle safety seat installation instructions to properly install the seat in your specific vehicle. They may differ
from the generic instructions provided with the seat. If your child is smaller or larger than average, consult with your pediatrician as to the proper seat. Remember, the safest place in a vehicle for all children is in the rear seat where a passenger-side
air bag cannot harm them. Never place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle if there is an activated air bag.
For more information on car-seat safety, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/ campaign/right-seat or consult with your child’s pediatrician.
Semaglutide shows promise in reducing alcohol cravings
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as semaglutide are increasingly used to promote weight loss, working in part by modulating the part of the brain responsible for hunger. Given this mechanism, researchers have wondered if and how GLP-1 medications could affect cravings for addictive substances such as alcohol.
The results of a small, 48-participant clinical trial recently published in JAMA Psychiatry suggest that semaglutide could reduce the desire to drink among those with alcohol use disorder. After 9 weeks, individuals who received semaglutide consumed less alcohol during a self-administration session than those who had taken a placebo.
In terms of real-world behavior, semaglutide was associated with reduced weekly alcohol cravings. Although participants taking the GLP-1 drug did not reduce the average drinks per day or the total number of days they chose to drink, they experienced greater reductions in heavy drinking days over time.
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of
There’s a parallel between the beheadings
It is Friday, early morning, sunlight trying to break through a slate-gray, overcast sky.
When most of us think of the French Revolution we think about the overthrow of the monarchy. We remember the nobles shoved into mule-drawn carts and carried across the cobblestones to the guillotine.
But the Revolution was also the toppling of the Catholic Church in France — and removing the purpled-robed archbishops and the rules of morality that had been developed over thousands of years.
On Jan. 20 2025, as Donald Trump finished-up his inaugural address inside the Capital; a similar revolution was starting in the United States. As he read what he was about to do most of those listening did not hear what he was saying. Or, if they heard, they didn’t believe what they were hearing.
Several hours later one
Ycould see and hear the pillars of our government crashing down — I don’t need to recite the governmental pillars that have fallen since January 20 — but the employees at United States AID; Agriculture; Education; EPA: Consumer Protection and every other agency can give you this detail.
The continuing daytime destruction that is now underway began with a sweeping accusation of corruption — sometimes a few specifics — then these stunned folks were told to clean-out their desks and then escorted out of the building and into oblivion. No, this is not the
same as loading shamed, shaved-headed men into a succession of wooden carts; wheeling them past angry crowds to a guillotine where heads are cut off. But, certainly, one can see a parallel between the be-heading of the federal bureaucracy and the destruction of the French Monarchy and the Catholic Church in 1791
The question that everyone is asking — excepting those in the ICU at Beaufort Memorial — is where does the destruction end?
During this last 70 days the Wall Street Journal; New York Times and NPR have been providing coverage for these firings, or attempted firings, removal of records, or attempted removal of records, and there seems to be no shortage of newspaper reporting on these hourly confrontations and public humiliations.
In the evening network, ad-supported television puts on show after show
that repeats the 30 second eviction and then attempts to “analyze” that event with the same tired panel of experts they have used throughout their years of Trump coverage.
This next-to-useless “coverage” does not tell us who is making the raid; what planning attended the raid; where these Musk people meet, eat and sleep and otherwise decide what agency to hit next.
This non-coverage marks the end of the pharmaceutical supported television news reporting — the numbers confirm ever-declining audiences — and it will be interesting to see what kind of digital entity rises-up to fill the void.
Notwithstanding the WSJ and The Times and their consistent, long-form essays, most of us remain in the darkness about where this destruction (of government) is going. We wonder if this diminished bureaucracy
is supposed to function at any level? What administrative functions does Trump considered essential? Will the government be whittled-down to a skeleton-like IRS to collect income taxes; an ever-growing Defense Department to keep the Venezuelans at bay; and some kind of Social Security Administration to write nominal checks to old folks like me?
Those of you who remember your history know that the French Revolution ultimately brought Napoleon Bonaparte to the fore and he — for a time — did some positive things involving education, science and the re-writing of the Civil Code. But, ultimately, the manhood of France ended-up dead or bleeding-out in the November 1812 snows of Moscow. There is a musical overture that celebrates this slaughter.
“For twenty six years France would wonder
and waver under the spell of the Revolution and Napoleon — the greatest romance and the greatest romantic of them all; and half the world would be frightened or inspired by that eventful quarter century in which an exalted and suffering nation touched such heights and depths as history had rarely known before and has never know since.” (“Age of Napoleon,” Durant, page 155) And, of course, we know that Waterloo was not the end of this story — historians argue that France spent the rest of the 1800s trying to shake-off the Revolution and recover some semblance of stability. And then there was another generational kill-off at Verdun; and let’s be honest about France’s uneven, unhappy performance in World War II.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
Failure and collapse: Signalgate
ou knew it had to happen.
It was inevitable; given the players, it was only a matter of time. That it should be a matter of national security wasn’t necessarily on your radar, but given the collection of buffoons put into place by 47, it was clear that some kind of storm was on the horizon.
Of course, FOX News, that source of undeniably factual reporting, dubbed it “The Scandal That Never Was.” I’d be inclined to think their response was meant to be reflective of the Shakespearean play “Much Ado About Nothing.” However, I doubt that anyone of that group ever heard of it, much less engaged in interpretation. They have their own version of drama. What I am about to say, I have said before ... many times. We are a military town, and we supposedly support the men and women who come here to train. These people are ultimately sent out to protect us from the dangers posed by our adversaries, more accurately our enemies. Please keep that in mind as you read. Let’s look at the situation as well as the players in this complete failure and collapse of sensitive information distribution. From Wikipedia we have this.
From March 11 to March 15 2025, a group of United States national security leaders used communications services and personal devices to conduct a group chat on the Signal messaging service about imminent military operations against the Houthis in Yemen. A leak occurred when Waltz erroneously added Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of the American
magazine The Atlantic, to the group. On March 15, Hegseth used the chat to share details of the impending airstrikes, including launch and attack times.
Just as an addendum, the name of an active undercover female CIAofficer was mentioned by the CIA Director in the chat, while Vance and Hegseth expressed disdain for European allies.
But what the hell? She’s just a female, and those allies are just a buffer for the US.
The contents of the chat became public on March 24, when Goldberg published a partially redacted transcript in The Atlantic. The White House's National Security Council verified the chat's authenticity. After other Trump administration officials disputed Goldberg's characterization of the redacted sections as likely containing classified information, The Atlantic published the entire transcript on March 25
With a little tongue-in-cheek applied, the political scandal and U.S. government intelligence leak has been called “Signalgate.”
So on to the boorish dolts who, in their consummate arrogance, brought this shame to our doorstep.
Among the chat's members were: J.D. Vance, the-vice president; Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense; Marco Rubio, the secretary of state; Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence; and Michael Waltz, the national security advisor. Notably absent was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but I digress.
Their responses when caught with their pants down? Tulsi Gabbard’s was a slew of cowardly dodges — she even refused to admit she was the TG on the chat. No surprise there.
Then there is National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. After initially defending his decision to use an unsecure messaging app to discuss classified war plans, Waltz eventually admitted it was a mistake.
"We made a mistake. We're moving forward," Mike Waltz told Laura Ingraham on Fox News last week.
There are other responses from those in the group, all to be seen online. However, I feel it necessary to add Steve Witkoff, President Trump's Ukraine and Middle East envoy. This man was in Moscow when he was included in the group chat. Furthermore, he was hooked up to Russian wifi to access.
The exact messages, now known to the world, paint a pretty damning picture of the administration's cavalier approach to national security. It was Don Bacon, Republican congressman, and a former Air Force brigadier general who said, "The White House is in denial that this was not classified or sensitive data."
When you've got members of
“What I am about to say, I have said before … many times. We are a military town, and we supposedly support the men and women who come here to train. These people are ultimately sent out to protect us from the dangers posed by our adversaries, more accurately our enemies.
Please keep that in mind as you read.”
CAROL LUCAS, on the implications of “Signalgate” for Beaufort's military community.
Kudos
Dear Mike [McCombs] and The Island News staff, My wife and I were taking a break from Vermont's cold during our yearly visit to Beaufort. I picked up copies of The Island News when we were there [in] February/March. As an old newspaper man (editor and publisher — ending 2004 — of two community newsweeklies in Essex and Colchester, Vt.), I always have my eye out for the local newspaper whenever I travel. You have an excellent publication, the quintessential community newspaper.
I enjoyed the articles, opinion pieces, "Lowcountry Lowdown," the state feeds from SCDailyGazette.com, and scoping out the advertisements (As Beaufort's newspaper of record, don't you love the revenue from all those legal notices in the March 6-12 edition?!).
The layout is crisp and clean, font choices, photographs, the whole thing. What a pleasure to read The Island News. I look forward to next year's editions. Please relay my message to your most capable staff and your publishers.
– Warren Baker, Vermont
The real effect of federal job cuts
I wonder if it’s possible for us to stop being on this side or that side for even a moment just to think about our fellow citizens and the direction we’re headed. Tens of thousands of people are losing their source of income, mortgages aren’t going to get paid, cars are going to be repossessed, bankruptcies are going be declared en masse. In addition, AI is going to replace humans in practically every sector of employment in the very near future. What
And then there is this. It turns out Jeffrey Goldberg, who knew two hours before the attack was to happen, wasn't the only unauthorized individual in the Signal group chat. Trump nominee Joe Kent, who has yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, was also in the group as they discussed top secret war plans. This debacle has more far-reaching implications beyond that of a monumental screw-up by a group of individuals so unqualified to be dealing with national security than it is a national embarrassment.
Consider what our allies must be thinking about sharing any sensitive, much less classified, with Curly, Moe, and Larry! When they stop sending us crucial information, it’s time to assess where we are.
The good news is that a lawsuit has been filed. Where it goes is anybody’s guess.
So I am going to leave it with this: If you aren’t enraged by what happened this past week regarding the possible endangerment of those who are members of our Beaufort military community, not to mention our country, then I have a suggestion. Book a one way ticket to Russia or China or North Korea — take your pick! You’ll love 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.”
your own party calling you out, you know you're in deep trouble … or you should. An interesting comment I read online said this: “The part people are missing is that they are doing official communications on Signal to avoid those communications being retained. There are Project 2025 training videos that recommend this so as to avoid subpoenas. They can stage a total takeover of the U.S., and there will be no evidence through official channels. This is the part every news channel should be shouting from the hilltops!”
happens to people? How do we survive? This is not hyperbole. Governmentcreated jobs pulled our citizens through the Great Depression and into a society that worked for the American Dream. Now, as we watch those same jobs being wiped out and the looming prospect of AI taking away more jobs, we have to seriously consider what the future holds for everyday working Americans.
So before we cheer for a billionaire to get rid of “waste" let’s consider that we all may be considered "waste" very soon.
– Beth Young, Beaufort
SCOTT GRABER
CAROL LUCAS
Editor’s Note:
The broken people breaking our country
There are few things I like better than watching know-it-alls get taken down a peg or two.
Some of you might be thinking, don’t talk yourself into a reckoning, smart guy. Except I appreciate being corrected. First, the Bible says only a fool scorns wisdom, and second, I hate the idea of walking around being confidently wrong.
This differs from public pundits like Nate Silver, the political analyst who’s drawn pushback recently over his adherence to the Great Man Theory of history. This theory proposes that the track of human history can best be studied as a series of breakthroughs achieved by great men.
In this case, Silver was heralding the accomplishments of tech billionaire and presidential puppeteer Elon Musk after a Musk biographer stated, pointblank, that Musk was intelligent but possessed nowhere near a genius-level IQ.
“I would peg his IQ as between 100 and 110,” writer/political historian Seth Ambramson wrote on X. “There’s zero evidence in his biography of anything higher.” For
the record, that would make Musk an above-average thinker, nothing to turn up one’s nose at, but well short of the 130 or better IQ usually associated with being a genius.
Silver replied, “How can you be a remotely competent historian without recognizing that major events in human history are shaped by high IQ, high-agency people who are bad and/or flawed and/or dangerous … The much better take is that high IQs serve as a force multiplier for both positive and negative traits.”
That’s interesting. Silver asserts Musk is so smart it “multiplies” the worst aspects of his personality. But of course, there are plenty of people for whom intelligence is a reason why they are civic-minded and understand that when every-
one prospers, every. One. Prospers.
Another take, one I have considered, could be Musk being on the autistic spectrum. Musk disclosed he had Asperger’s syndrome during his stint hosting NBC’s Saturday Night Live in 2021
“Look, I know I sometimes post and say strange things. That’s just how my brain works. To anyone I offended, I just want to say, I reinvented electric cars, and I'm sending people to Mars in a rocket ship. Did you think I was also going to be a chill, normal dude?”
“Chill” and “normal” were not words I thought of then about Musk, and they are certainly not words I think of now.
One well-known sign of autism is difficulty recognizing social cues. Cues such as, I don’t know, recognizing that firing half the federal government workforce could result in devastation on macroand microeconomic scales.
Of course, not all people who have autism, or are anywhere on the spectrum, are malevolent or nonchalant about the harm they cause to others, but to borrow Musk’s own words, that’s how his brain works.
Another take, one I wish more people would explore, is the effect on Musk of the rich man’s flu. No, not influenza: Affluenza.
The term came into prominence in 2013 when Ethan Couch, a 16-year-old from Dallas, Texas, plowed into a group trying to help a young woman with her broken-down car. Four people on the ground were killed, and a passenger in the bed of Couch’s pickup truck was paralyzed.
Couch tested for a blood alcohol level of 0 24 (three times the legal limit), with subsequent blood work showing he had marijuana and prescription medications in his system as well.
For the carnage he caused, Couch was sentenced to 10 years … probation? Yes, and his lawyers’ defense? Couch was too rich and too spoiled to know the difference between right and wrong.
The term resurfaced a few years later when former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner was convicted of raping an unconscious woman. He got six months in jail, a sentence that drew widespread criticism of the judge for being too lenient after
he said Turner didn’t deserve to have his life ruined for “twenty minutes of action.”
I wonder how many people are around today because of 20 minutes (or less) of action. But that’s a poor people’s problem to someone like Musk. When you're rich and as smart as he and many others think he is, you're doing the world a favor by having babies, whether or not they are wanted by the mothers.
None of Elon Musk's primary traits make him a bad guy. Following on from a thought I had a couple of weeks ago, this is what they call correlation, not causation. But Musk is flawed, have no doubt.
And you have to wonder what kind of broken person would put this broken man in a position to break the country. The same kind of broken person who would populate their council of closest advisors with other broken, ill-intentioned people.
I don't know about you, but I’m ready for a break from all of them.
Terry E. Manning is a Clemson graduate and worked for 20 years as a journalist. He can be reached at teemanning@gmail.com.
The new and improved radical, Part III
Ineed to take some time to talk about (probably) the most mis understood and abused “.cracy” word I know of (besides democracy): Bureaucracy. But wait, is this a form of government?
Webster defines a bureaucracy as “A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives. (Now this can be misleading because all states elect some sort of a mix and percentage of state officials).
I also found this AI generated definition of bureaucracy: A system of organization that uses rules and procedures to implement laws and policies. (I kinda like that one). This definition is likable because it invokes the word’s origin from France, “bureaucratie”… think: bureau, a chest of drawers with a writing table. It always amazes me when you look up an accepted, proper definition for any word, it becomes obvious how abused, misused and misunderstood most words can become; it’s always people that generate all those abuses and confu-
Osions, but now, we have AI that can do that for us with a click of a button, for both good and evil. Any form of government in this modern world will be managed with some form of bureaucracy, from a dictatorship to a utopia … there’s just too many people on earth, and we have to be managed with some type of bureaucracy, along with the rules and procedures used to set (their system’s) laws and policies. I’ve read that suppressed societies are usually even more entrenched in bureaucratic systems than democratic ones. We are witnessing Trump and Musk transforming our (mostly) democratic bureaucracy into a oligarchy bureaucracy, right now, as I write these words. I don’t know how that transitioning can possibly be more obvious; I guess
until it gets worse, and it’s getting worse by the day.
Yes, I have found myself more radical now (witnessing what has happened in the last several weeks) than in my youth, but at 75, my brain and fingertips are the only weapons I will allow myself to use to feed my radicalism. I dearly want to remain comfortable and secure inside my own country, but I will never support what is happening to this privileged country under the Trump/Musk administration. It’s as if both Joe McCarthy and America First won when the the U.S.A.’s democracy was dangerously close to becoming fascist.
I know violence was worse in the late 50s/mid60s, but, back then, when some of us wanted change we felt, with time and work, the country might change, and it did, just not quickly; but I never, ever thought or felt our system of government would be so bluntly attacked from within and against the rule of law as it is now … right now.
I recently saw pictures from the El Salvadorian prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center … it’s purpose
is simply horrific … but it’s certainly the cleanest looking death camp compared to World War II concentration camps, though just as inhumane. The acceptance of the amount of inhumanity happening at this time, now, in our world is frightening.
Did you ever think you’d watch the broadcasted cruelty in Gaza but feeling stagnate, not being able to do anything about it? When I went looking for the “New Society” as an 18 year old, I never could have fantasized what I’m witnessing now, as our present society seems to be morphing into what the mind of Donald Trump and Elon Musk envision. It’s dystopian, it’s terrifying and it is simply wrong.
Boycotts and shutdowns are all that is left for us to turn to, peacefully. I’m asserting that too much of today’s world leaders are out there now primarily for power and wealth; Trump, Musk, Orban, Putin, Maduro, Marcos, Jong Un, Jinping, Bezos … you know the list. Hurting those leaders financially is all that they will pay attention to.
Have you ever tried taking a bone away from a
feral dog? Expect the worst is yet to come, but we better figure out some way to act for change before the Proud Boys are turned into the Brown Shirts.
On top of all this jabbering, I hope people reading this fully understand that I believe (strongly, personally) there is a lot within our government that needs to be cleaned up and reshuffled. I strongly believe in a balanced Federal budget along with zero national and public debt. I don’t want non-citizens owning vast acreage’s of American soil and real estate. I want bipartisan and humane solutions for controlled immigration. I want all criminals tried and punished appropriately.
But! … I want all this and more fulfilled within our Republic, through an evolving Constitution within a nonpartisan justice and governmental (bureaucratic) system. Easy-peasy, right!?!
Some of you might now be thinking, “This guy’s right up there with the conspiracy-theory crazies”…and I do have a couple interesting conspiracy theories: The world’s billionaires are
scrambling, as fast as they can, for as much power and wealth as their deep greed allows, because they strongly sense the approaching Holocene Extinction as this present world is consuming itself.
I believe what really drives billionaires like Musk and Bezos is their race for which one of them will become the world’s first trillionaire; too much is not enough! I wish I could put that into my pipe and smoke it.
P.S. I’m ending these (too long) meditations on a personal note to Lindsey Graham: Dear Lindsey. I wanted you to know that I just got a message from my mother: She and Strom are rolling over in their graves, though George, J. Edgar and Joe are not, but they’re backing you 100%. God help us.
Tim and Kristy Wood moved to Beaufort in 1974. He worked as a carpenter in both restoration and new home construction, as well as operating a shop specializing in custom woodwork, Wood on Wood Specs. He is semi-retired, involved with fine woodworking and formerly sat on the City of Beaufort Zoning Board of Appeals.
Are they sure they have the right word?
ligarchy … /’oligarch:ki/ … noun … “A small group of people having control of a country or organization.”
I see that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are on an anti-oligarchy tour of the country warning the nation about the evils of Oligarchy. I have to admit that this is one of the few occasions that I have ever agreed with either of them. They are 100% correct, Oligarchy is always an evil and destructive form of government. I can’t think of a better way to describe the government of any Communist country, especially Russia, and China. I am very surprised that Sanders would be so avidly against that form of government. Moscow is where he chose to spend his honeymoon basking in the glories of commu-
nism those many years ago. He has been working diligently ever since to convert America to the same lethal philosophy.
He calls himself a socialist, and maybe he is, but it’s been said that” socialism is just a way to put lipstick on the ugly face of communism.” Even Lenin himself described it as the “last step on the road to communism.”
I have no doubt that the senator is a true believer, he has devoted
his life to the cause.
While spending a lifetime raging against the evils of capitalism, he has personally become a multi millionaire. To the best of my knowledge he has never held a real job of any kind. He has been feeding from the public trough his whole life. There is a role model for you!
In the case of AOC, I have no idea what the woman stands for or believes, she is just one of the new congresspeople whose purpose in life is to make the most noise about something and get themselves on the nightly news. She and her ilk accomplish nothing for the good of the country and for the misguided constituents who elect them. They are creatures of social media.
Macbeth said it best, “That struts and frets his hour upon
the stage, and is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing.” In her case I am not even sure that she knows what an Oligarch is, but it’s fun accusing President Trump and Elon Musk of being one, whatever it might be. She and Bernie are drawing large crowds who are cheering them on, and they are getting on the news every day. What could be better?
In fairness, the Republicans have three or four of the same social media creatures in congress, one we know very well, who are probably watching this dog and pony show very carefully thinking how this might work for them. Anything that draws that many cheering crowds and makes that much news is too good a thing to pass up. Stand by,
it’s probably coming to a facility near you.
In spite of all of this extraneous noise, the very good news is that there are a lot of great things going on around the country that are changing things for the better, accompanied by lots of moaning and groaning from the Dems. They need a new plan and new leadership. I hope they come up with it soon. The country needs a strong two-party system.
Born, raised and educated in the Southwest, Jim Dickson served in the U.S. Navy Reserve in Vietnam before a 35-year business career. Retired to St. Helena Island, Dickson and his wife are fiscally conservative, socially moderate and active in Republican politics, though they may not always agree with Republicans. Having lived around the country and traveled around the world, Dickson believes that the United States truly is the land of opportunity.
TERRY MANNING
TIM WOOD
JIM DICKSON
Eligibility for VA Elderly Veteran Benefits
National Vietnam War Veterans Day was March 29, 2025, and I am receiving more calls from the families of elderly veterans, who are dying from Agent Orange-caused health conditions. The average age of Vietnam Veterans today is 75 to 88 (based on joining at 18 years old between 1955 and 1975).
The point is that if you served in Vietnam, you are an elderly veteran. If you served in WWII or the Korean War, you are a super senior and one of our cherished elderly veterans.
I also continue to get frequent phone calls, emails, and text messages from elderly veterans and the family members of elderly veterans asking me: What are the eligibility requirements for VA healthcare?
How can a veteran enroll in VA healthcare?
What VA healthcare benefits are there specifically for elderly veterans?
This article is the first of three to answer the above questions, provide helpful information to elderly veterans, and encourage veterans and their families to oppose the current draconian cuts to VA, Social Security, and other benefits that elderly veterans need.
Ask your VSO for help
If you are a WWII Veteran, Korean War Veteran, Vietnam War Veteran, an elderly veteran of any period, or the son, daughter, spouse, next of kin, or caregiver of an elderly veteran, you should read this article and ask your local VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to explain your veterans’ federal and state benefits to you. VSOs can also help veterans determine if they are eligible for VA healthcare, enroll in VA healthcare, and request enrollment for veterans' benefits and services.
Each South Carolina county has a Veterans Affairs Office. Veterans can trust VSOs because they can represent veterans to the VA. VSOs must pass
a background check, take a comprehensive examination, take continuing education classes, and be sponsored by a Veteran Service Organization (American Legion, VVA, VFW, DAV, PAV, AMVETS, etc.).
Find a VSO Veterans can find S.C. County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL. Find Georgia VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7. Find North Carolina county VSOs at https://bit.ly/4ghZqHW.
Some SC VSOs in The Island News’ footprint: Beaufort County, Director Caroline Fermin, 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906 843-255-6880, caroline.fermin@bcgov.net. Beaufort DAV Chapter, Chapter Service Officer (Not a VSO) Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543 mlv1030@gmail.com. Jasper County, Alton Jenkins, 651 Grays Highway, Ridgeland, S.C. 29936 Phone: 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov. Hampton County, Daryl Harris, B. T. Deloach Building, 201 Jackson Avenue, West, Hampton, S.C. 29924, 803-914-2085
Colleton County, Janet Smith, 219 S. Lemacks Street, Suite 124, Walterboro, S.C. 29488 843-549-1412 cvao@colletoncounty.org. Charleston County, David LeBlanc, Lonnie Hamilton III Public Services Building, Suite B-154 (First Floor),4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, S.C. 29405 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org. Berkeley County, Gerald Baxley, 212, Oakley Plantation Drive, Moncks Corner,
S.C. 29461 843-723-3800 Ext. 4023, gerald.baxley@ berkeleycountysc.gov, Moncks Corner 843-719-4023, St. Stephen 843-567-3136, Ext. 4023 Dorchester County, Johnny Brown, 500 North Main Street, Summerville, S.C., 843-832-0050 (No email listed) and 201 Johnston Street, St. George, S.C., 843-563-0116
Some Georgia VSOs in The Island News’ footprint: Chatham County, GA., Manager Miguel Rivera (Bi-Lingual), 912-920-0214, Ext. 2412191, Miguel.rivera5@ va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, GA, 31419. Also, VSO Sheri Shellman, 912920-0214, Ext. 412194, and VSO Robert Jones, 912-9200214, Ext. 412193. Located in the Savannah VA Outpatient Clinic. Liberty County & Hinesville, GA, Shannon Daniels, 912-408-2948, shannon. daniels@vs.state.ga.us, and Dennis Boothe, 912-4082900, Ext. 352750, dennis. boothe@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA, 31313. Located inside the Hinesville VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
Search for VSOs nationwide Veterans and their family members can also search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs, Attorneys, and Claims Agents) nationwide at the VA’s “Accreditation Search” webpage https://bit. ly/3QnCk5M.
VSOs at VBA Regional Offices Veterans can also search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs) at Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Offices at https://bit.ly/3WQp0e3 VSOs co-located in the Columbia, S.C., VBA Regional Office frequently travel throughout the
state to help veterans. Contact them at:
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) – 803-647-2422
American Legion/SCDVA –803-647-2434
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – 803-647-2443
Paralyzed Veterans (PVA) –803-647-2432
Do your homework
The more you know about VA benefits and how to apply, the better your chances of filing a successful claim or requesting services. If you want to understand how to enroll in VA healthcare and understand your elderly veteran VA benefits and services, you should talk with your VSO and read the VA webpages referenced in this article and The Island News articles listed below:
1 Things you need to know about Veteran Service Officers, September 4 2024 by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/3OgLZwl.
2 VA webpage on healthcare eligibility, https://www. va.gov/health-care/ eligibility/.
3 VA benefits for elderly veterans (Part 1 of 5), December 4 2024, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/4copwZB.
4 VA benefits for elderly veterans (Part 1 of 5), December 4, 2024, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/4grRyEa.
5 VA benefits for elderly veterans (Part 3 of 5), December 18 2024 by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/4cec4at.
6 VA benefits for elderly veterans (Part 4 of 5), December 24 2024, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/4lav6CQ.
7 VA benefits for elderly veterans (Part 5 of 5), January 1, 2025, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/43AUJq7
8 VA Services for aging veterans, August 31 2022 by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/4cebvh7
9 Get started with services for Aging Veteran VA Guide dated 10/01/2022, https://bit.ly/4jdjqNW.
Living & Growing the Jesus Way
Sunday Morning Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 81 Lady’s Island Drive
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10 Reasons all veterans should enroll in VA healthcare, January 3 2024, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/3KIolqI.
11 Veterans must know their VA social worker, October 23 2024, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/3VllutR.
12 Applying for VA benefits and a veteran’s Character of Discharge October 9, 2024, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/4ceceyB.
13 Helpful veteran services contact information, September 6 2023, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/42eh8Y2
14 The (FIVE STAR) Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, August 9 2023, by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/3YcOBAJ.
15 How do I get a copy of my DD214, military service personnel, medical, dental, and other records?, May 31 2023,by Larry Dandridge, https://bit.ly/3RwrD3O.
16 Getting started with State Veteran Benefits and Services? Guide, https://bit.ly/42dSsie.
17 The SC Department of Veterans Affairs (SCDVA), https://scdva.sc.gov, Phone: 803-734-0200
How to get past The Island News articles on VA Benefits
You can read Larry Dandridge’s past Island News articles on veterans’ benefits, leadership, law enforcement, hospice, and other topics at https://www.yourislandnews.com and click MILITARY.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164
LARRY DANDRIDGE
SERVICE DIRECTORY
ATTORNEY
Christopher J. Geier
Attorney at Law, LLC
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation
16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450
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ERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 1 5 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561
YOUR AD HERE
Looking to advertise your business, announce a yard sale, or share other classifieds? Contact Amanda Hanna today at amanda@lcweekly.com to secure your spot and get your ad featured in our upcoming issue!
