December 15 edition

Beaufort names Marshall new City Manager

McFee, Scallate sworn in at City Council meeting

By Delayna Earley

The City of Beaufort has found its new city manager.

During the final city council meeting of the year on Tuesday evening, Dec. 13, Scott Marshall was announced as the council’s pick to fill the city manager position.

Marshall was one of three finalists for the position. Current city manager William Prokop will be retiring in January 2023.

“All three candidates would have done a great job, but he just stood out among the others because his experience in leadership is more di-

verse,” Mayor Stephen Murray said about Marshall’s hiring.

Marshall will likely take the position in mid-January 2023 according to Murray, but his contract is currently still being negotiated.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the work that the city is doing while also pushing for full transparency in everything we do,” Marshall said.

Marshall is currently employed as the Human Resources Director for Beaufort County.

A native of Danville, Va., Marshall is a retired U.S. Air Force officer, having served for 23 years. After the military, he was appointed executive director of the Beaufort County Board of Elections & Voter Registration. In 2013, he became director of the Beaufort County Parks & Leisure Services. He then became deputy town manager for the Town of Bluffton, and was named interim town

LOLITA HUCKABY

Book bans

BEAUFORT

What in the world, one might wonder, would possess some 200 citizens to crowd into the Technical College of the Lowcountry’s auditorium on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, two weeks before Christmas?

According to one of the four speakers on a panel focused on the subject of book bans, it’s because of concern.

And watching audience responses to information tied to the current controversy facing the Beaufort County Board of Education, he wasn’t wrong.

As a quick update: school district officials have been challenged on the subject of 97 primarily young adult books that critics feel should be removed from the school library shelves because of “inappropriate” material. To date, four of those books have been cleared by two

Heroes laid to rest

Services held for remains of 9 unclaimed U.S. veterans

By Bob Sofaly

The cremated remains of nine unclaimed U.S. servicemen were laid to rest Friday at Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors.

Janice Shelton of Amvets Post 70, in Beaufort said, “Our community and Wreaths Across America can be the family for and say ‘thank you’ to these

nine veteran heroes.

The nine, from all four branches of the military and many of whom were combat veterans, were each represented by honor guards from their own branch of the service.

Only one of the unclaimed U.S. Army veteran, Specialist Four Calvin Forte, Jr., of Beaufort, had a blood rel-

ative survivor there. Though his four children were absent, his niece Serina Farley came to pay her respects and was given his flag.

About 200 people from veterans groups, civilians and active duty military from four different commands

are nothing new; motivations behind them may be

Ryan Scallate, left, wife of City Councilman Josh Scallate pins on his City of Beaufort lapel pin after he was sworn in by Municipal Judge Ned Tupper during Tuesday’s Beaufort City Council meeting. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Soldiers from Third Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, were the honor guards for a pair of U.S. Army combat veterans, who along with seven other unclaimed veterans, were buried with full military honors Friday morning at Beaufort National Cemetery. Here, they finish folding the flag of U.S. Army Specialist Four Calvin Forte, Jr. of Beaufort. Spec. 4 Forte was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. Bob Sofaly/The Island News SEE HEROES

Scott Marshall

VIDEO To watch a short video of new City Manager Scott Marshall, follow this digital link or go to https://youtu.be/tHAQkpO8Tu0.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK JOHN NORMAN

Beaufort’s John Norman, 61, joined the United States Army in Philadelphia in 1983. After basic training at Fort Jackson he trained as a supply specialist.

His first assignment was with the Honor Guard in Washington, D.C., providing honors at events in the city and at funerals at Arling-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No way to ask for money

“EMERGENGY NOTICE – Your heat will be turned off.”

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs warns us that utility scams are common this time of the year. You might expect this type of scam to originate from Russian or Iranian hackers.

You would not expect a scam like this to originate from a sitting U.S. Senator. However, this is exactly how South Carolina Senator Tim Scott begins his current email fundraising campaign.

Only after opening the email does it become clear that it is not an emergency overdue heating bill notice, it’s Senator Scott asking for money. Please write to Senator Scott’s office ( https://www.scott.senate. gov/) to let him know this sort of fraudulent activity is unacceptable.

– Peter Birschbach, Port Royal

Heroes

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representing

The

Calvin

Richard

Philip

Raymond

Bob

ON THIS DATE

December 17

1959:

Cat of the Week: McKinley has enough love to build a mountain. He is a big boy who loves to meet new people and welcome all the pets. He would not mind a home with other cats and people of all ages. McKinley is a year old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

EDITORIAL/DESIGN

Editor-in-Chief Mike McCombs theislandnews@ gmail.com

Art Director Hope Falls ads.theislandnews@ gmail.com

Sports Editor Justin Jarrett LowcoSports@ gmail.com

Videographer

Delayna Earley delayna. theislandnews@ gmail.com

ton National Cemetery. He then served with the engineers at Fort Leonard Wood.

His next assignment was with aviation supply at Fort Campbell, Ky., from which he deployed during Desert Shield/Storm into Saudi Arabia and Iraq. His service there resulted in his separation in 1998

with 100 percent VA disability. Today he is active with our DAV and AMVETS, as well as with Montford Point Marine Association.

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For nominations, contact jechubb 1 @gmail.com

‘A waste of good newspaper space’

Heee's baaack! In reference to David Taub's resurrection in the Dec. 1-7 edition (of The Island News), I must paraphrase Henry II, "Will no one rid me of this gas bag?"

In many earlier columns, he held anyone who disagreed with his political views as some sort of ignorant low life and now he is hoping to drum up support for the doom and gloom crowd; perhaps he should get some pointers from Greta Thunberg. His columns are not only uninteresting, they are a waste of good newspaper space.

–

McKinley, Roofus

pets,

adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@palmettoanimalleague. org to set up an appointment. All of our cats, kittens, and adult dogs will have waived adoption fees until January 7.

DISCLAIMER

John Norman

The Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge, named for a South Carolina Highway Patrol officer killed in the line of duty, was opened, connecting downtown Beaufort with Lady’s Island.

Compiled by Mike McCombs

– Bill Warren, Lady's Island

all four branches of the military were on hand.

nine servicemen laid to rest were:

Forte, Jr. – Army, Vietnam Kenneth Hopkins – USMC, Vietnam

Sloan – Navy, Vietnam Paul Graham, Jr. – Army, Vietnam Michael R. Heaton – Navy, Vietnam

McDonnell – Navy Bruce E. Junkins – Air Force, Vietnam

O. Herring, Jr. – Navy Pinkney L. Preston – Navy, Vietnam

Sofaly has been photographing people and what they do in Beaufort since Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980.

He can be reached at bobsofaly@gmail.com

Nine boxes containing urns holding the remains of nine unclaimed U.S. veterans, some of whom were combat veterans, were laid to rest by various veterans organizations Friday at Beaufort National Cemetery. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

After the remains of nine unclaimed veterans were laid to rest, their flags were carried out and refolded before being presented to various veteran’s groups and one survivor during the funeral with full military honors Friday afternoon at Beaufort National Cemetery.

Santa Claus took time out of his busy, busy schedule to spend some time and spread Christmas cheer with children Sunday afternoon at the Beaufort Executive Airport on Lady’s Island. After landing his Cessna, seen in the background, Bob Sofaly snapped a photo of the Jolly Old Elf getting big hugs from some of the children who were patiently waiting for him. 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

Only a person that reads books would know

Bluffton High School Librarian Karen Gareis was likely more prophetic than she realized at Tuesday evening’s Beaufort County Board of Education meeting at the Beaufort County School District (BCSD) offices in Beaufort.

Gareis was speaking about some of the 97 books removed from BCSD school library shelves and how many, which dealt with controversial subject matter, were important because the could show students that there can be positive outcomes from bad situations.

“The books that we’re pulling off the shelves could potentially save a student’s life,” Gareis told The Island News after her public comments.

“They are the messages and the stories that they need to read, they need to hear. They need to see those circum-

known Isabella Troy’s situation. The Battery Creek High School senior only attended the school board meeting because her young cousin was performing for the board with the Coosa Elementary School Chorus.

MIKE McCOMBS

stances play out in real life and know it will get better.

“There’s not a single book on my shelf that doesn’t have a message of hope at the end of some controversial subject, so regardless of the presence of potentially controversial material, these are things that are actively happening in their lives, and we would be idiotic to think that we could throw rainbows and sprinkles in front of them and they’d want to read that. They want to see their story on the pages. They want to know that it’s going to be OK.”

Gareis couldn’t have

But she stayed for the public comments. And what she heard angered her.

And inspired her.

Troy wasn’t even aware of the removal of books from the district’s library shelves or the efforts of some parents to have books removed. She was dumbfounded.

“I was like, ‘banning books?’ I feel like that should be the last thing they should worry about,” Troy said.

“People have fought for years across the world to have the right to read books. And here we are, talking about banning them?”

Then she heard something that hit a nerve … and hit close to home. Too close.

One of the public commenters who spoke in favor of removing the books said the subject matter in these books would lead to several terrible outcomes for kids, including drug abuse.

“It hit a nerve. It hit a nerve like I have never felt one hit before. I was angry, and then I realized … she never read. She never read books,” Troy said. “Because she would know reading books, it teaches you what not to do. It teaches you what to do. It gives you a stronger sense of empathy. It expands your comprehension. It extends your vocabulary. There’s no negative effects of reading books. But only a person that actually reads books would know that.”

Troy wanted to speak. She approached Bluffton’s Jodie Srutek, who had spoken in the first public comment period, about how to get in front of the board.

Srutek steered her in the

Sheriff’s Office seeks suspects in October shooting in Burton

From staff reports

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) investigators are looking for 19-year-old Kennard Terry-Mitchell of Beaufort in connection to an October shooting at a gas station in Burton. Terry-Mitchell is wanted for attempted murder, aggravated breach of peace, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and pointing and presenting a firearm.

Investigators continue to look for 23-year-old Alexander Xavier Smalls in connection to this same incident. He

has warrants for his arrest in connection to the shooting.

Smalls is known to frequent the Seabrook area of Beaufort County, Midtown Drive Apartments in Port Royal, and Southwood Park Drive on Hilton Head Island.

Both individuals should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you know where Terry-Mitchell or Smalls may be, please call Sgt. Jennifer Snider at 843-255- 3421 or Crimestoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111 if wishing to remain anonymous.

At about 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, deputies were called to the Enmark gas station located at 3076 Trask Parkway in Burton for a complaint of gunfire.

When they arrived, deputies found a 20-year-old Sheldon resident with a gunshot wound. The man was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital for treatment and released.

Through the investigation, 23-year-old Alexander Xavier Smalls of Beaufort was identified as the person responsible for the shooting,

right direction, and in the second public comment period, Troy’s name was called.

Scared, nervous and visibly shaking, Troy stood in front of the school board and began to speak about the book removal and why she was opposed.

“My brother overdosed this weekend,” she said, struggling to stay composed.

Her brother is OK now. A 15 year old in Hampton County, he was given drugs at school. LSD. They believe it was laced because he lost consciousness and seized.

Troy’s mother, a paramedic, had to resuscitate her son on her living room floor. He was give NARCAN to get him back.

Troy said her brother struggles in school sometimes, but he’s a good kid. Stays out of trouble. He did this to fit in with friends.

“Books that contain drug content are banned in his

school,” she said, “but here he is seizing on my mom’s (floor), throwing up, ending up in the hospital.”

Troy told the board removing books containing certain behaviors wouldn’t stop the behavior.

She likened it to texting and driving. Adults can preach about texting and driving and how dangerous it is. But unless young people see what the effects of their actions can be, they simply won’t listen.

But reading about it might have a different outcome.

“If your kids are at home reading books about doing drugs instead of being out on the street actually doing them,” Troy said, “you’ve already done your job as educators, you’ve already done your job as parents.”

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

Sheriff’s Office searching for missing Seabrook man

From staff reports

As of Tuesday evening, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 41-yearold Donald Youmans of the Seabrook community.

Youmans was reported missing by family members on Monday, Dec. 12. His last contact with family members was on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Youmans is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 165 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He may be wearing a white “Youmans Painting” T-shirt and

light-colored stonewashed jeans. He may be traveling in a light blue 2007 Hyundai Sonata bearing South Carolina tag VSL 375.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Donald Youmans is encouraged to contact Sergeant Matt Wilfong at 843-255-3439 or Beaufort County dispatch at 843-524-2777.

Mike

Donald Youmans

and 19-year-old Kennard Terry-Mitchell was identified as being involved as well. This incident was not a random act of violence and the victim was familiar with Smalls.

5 dogs rescued from house fire in Beaufort that displaced family

From staff reports

The Burton Fire District, Beaufort County EMS and Sheriff’s Office, and the Parris Island Fire Department responded to a house fire on Broad River Blvd., on Friday afternoon, Dec. 9, in which five dogs were rescued and a family was displaced.

Just after 1 p.m., emergency crews responded to a reported house fire on Broad River Blvd., and arrived on scene to find heavy smoke coming from the home. The family, who had escaped, informed firefighters there were animals still inside the home.

Firefighters made entry

into the home under extremely hot and smokey conditions and located a heavy volume of fire in a rear room. While firefighters attacked the flames, another team of firefighters entered to search the home for the animals and any potential victims.

In all, five dogs were removed, two of which were unconscious and were revived on the front lawn by firefighters and Beaufort County EMS personnel who carry medical equipment for animals on the ambulance.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in less than 15 minutes, and ful-

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Managermanager in January 2021. In July 2021, he rejoined Beaufort County in his current position.

Also Tuesday night, Mike McFee and Josh Scallate were both sworn in as Council members. McFee was re-elected, while Scallate replaces Phil Cromer, who retired from Council after eight years.

And in other business, Council voted on first reading to give all City employees a 5% raise plus an additional contribution toward their health insurance, without raising taxes.

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

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different committees doing independent reviews, but at least one appeal of that action has already been announced which would lead to the elected school board deciding whether to uphold the decision.

Sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center, the panel consisted of former S.C. Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth, state ACLU legal representative Josh Malkin, former journalist and father of three public school children Paul Bowers and North Charleston community activist AJ Davis – all obviously concerned about the attention book bans in public schools are generating not just in Beaufort County or even South Carolina, but across the country.

Ironically, on the panel there were no representatives of the Moms for Liberty, a “grassroots” organization which espouses the rights of public school parents that has been highly visible in the Beaufort County debate. When asked about that organization’s absence, PCLC Executive Director Jonathan Haupt responded the opinions of the late author about book bans were well known and “his opinions were being honored.”

Now it would seem Conroy might have enjoyed a lively debate on the topic but Sunday’s gathering was to share information, not just about the current school district issue but about the

influences of groups like the Moms in the ongoing civil discourse about personal rights and the importance of protecting them.

A show of hands indicated about half in the audience were teachers or school librarians, individuals who are apparently being harassed by some critics for trying to do their jobs –teaching students to think.

It was a safe assumption a majority of those present were parents with school children. There was at least one elected school board member on hand to listen and even one state representative – Rep. Michael Rivers (D-District 121), who used to serve on the school board, as well.

It wouldn’t be fair – or even possible – to say all gathered for the discussion were of a like mind – that banning books in school libraries is a slippery slope to hell. There was some head-nodding in agreement when the philosophies of Moms for Liberty groups were described as good, old-fashioned parents worried about their kids’ indoctrination.

The banning of certain books – for various reasons – is nothing new, as the panelists pointed out.

It is the implications of the underlying support of groups like Moms for Liberty in political arenas, where candidates with hidden agendas are getting elected to local government positions – school boards, town councils, county councils.

But the panelists tried to avoid complete doom and gloom scenarios.

“Because you are here, there is hope,” one of them noted, but with a warning.

“You have to stay vigilant. You have to attend meetings … and that may not be easy because sometimes local politics just aren’t interesting except for the hot issues.”

And that was what was considered a “silver lining” for the afternoon.

Beaufort County’s ‘street cred’ growing in Legislature

COLUMBIA – With the 2022 elections behind us, the legislators in Columbia are getting organized to go back to work next month and Beaufort County’s “street cred” is definitely on the rise.

Just this past week, state Rep. Shannon Erickson, R-District 124, was appointed by the Speaker of the House to the powerful House Education and Public Works Committee.

Erickson, teacher and director of a private child care center in Beaufort, is the delegation’s senior member with 15 years in the Legislature, unless you count state Sen. Chip Campsen of Charleston, who added parts of northern Beaufort County to his District 43 in the most recent redistricting.

Campsen served in the state House for eight years before moving into the Senate for the past 17 years.

Erickson, as chair of the Education and Public Works Committee, is expected to face a very busy session working with a new state Superintendent Ellen Weaver, a fellow Republican who’s already talking about subjects like book bans and critical race theory

Top left: After being re-elected to another term, Beaufort City Councilman Mike McFee, center, is sworn in by Municipal Judge Ned Tupper during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. At right is McFee’s brother, Rick McFee.

Bottom left: Former City Councilman Phil Cromer, center, poses with his wife, Ameilie, and Mayor Stephan Murray after he formally stepped down from office during a brief ceremony at the City Council meeting Tuesday. Cromer was defeated in November by Josh Scallate. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

ly extinguished in less than 45 minutes. While the fire was confined to the rear of the home, the home still sustained heavy heat and smoke damages, displacing the family. The Red Cross was notified to assist.

No human injuries were reported, and all animals were transported to a local veterinary office by the family for further medical treatment.

The fire is under investigation, and Broad River Blvd. was closed for over two hours while emergency crews worked.

Port Royal celebrates Christmas

Port Royal held its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 7, near Port Royal Elementary School. Following the lighting, the larger than average crowd made its way to Live Oaks Park to await a visit from Santa who arrived within minutes on a fire engine. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

for the past 10 years of his service.

Rep. Jeff Bradley, R-District 123 of Hilton Head, is chair of the House Regulations and Administration Procedures Committee while Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-District 118 of Bluffton, is 2nd Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee.

Rep. Michael Rivers, D-District 121 of St. Helena Island, is the only Democrat on the local state delegation, and he’ll be serving as a member of Erickson’s Education and Public Works Committee.

On the Senate side, state Sen. Tom Davis, a Republican who now serves District 46 which is south of the Broad River and parts of Jasper, remains the Chair of the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee while Campsen is chair of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.

Landscape netting has appeared around the North Street parking lot adjacent to the old Federal courthouse on Bay Street, soon to be the administrative offices of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. When the orange mesh appears, curious Lowcountry residents typically wonder "what now?" Contrary to some misguided rumors, the netting has not been erected in advance of clear-cutting to accommodate additional parking for the future law enforcement vehicles. (And we all can tell there's a lot of them – just look at the Ribaut Road parking lot adjacent to the sheriff's department now.) A historic oak nicknamed "the witness tree" because of its "witness" at one point in time to the Union troops during Beaufort's occupation, is being protected – thanks to the efforts of the Pat Conroy Literary Center board working with the county which owns the lot. The tree is going to be surrounded by a small "pocket park" where folks can gather and read a Conroy book or contemplate the world. Lolita Huckaby/The Island News

curriculum, subjects near and dear to the voters’ hearts. Then we have Rep. Weston

It will be interesting to see how these leadership appointments play out for Beaufort County.

For those interested in trying to follow along, an interesting free mobile app is SC Legislature where you can key in what areas of interest you would like to monitor. Good luck.

Newton, R-District 120, who will head the House Judiciary Committee where he served as a member

Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com

Five dogs were rescued from a Friday house fire on Broad River Blvd., that displaced a family. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District.

Book Challenge Forum

By Mike McCombs

In the second public comment period at Tuesday night’s Beaufort County Board of Education meeting at the Beaufort County School District offices in Beaufort, Jodie Srutek of the Beaufort County Democratic Party read a freshly approved resolution from the party’s executive committee to the school board.

Resolution to support intellectual freedom under the First Amendment

The below resolution was adopted unanimously on the 13th day of December, 2022, by the Beaufort County Democratic Party Executive Committee.

WHEREAS, foundational to our Democracy is the freedom of expression, which includes the right to read, seek and receive ideas, and is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Meet the co-chairs of the 2023 Valentine Ball

From staff reports

It’s time to dine, drink, and dance your way to better healthcare by attending the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 34th annual Valentine Ball, set for Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Tabby Place.

Co-chairing this year’s event are Dr. William and Mary Beth Donovan and John C. and Danielle Troutman.

Longtime hospital supporters and Valentine Ball attendees, William Donovan owns and operates Donovan Family Dentistry, LLC, on Lady’s Island, while Mary Beth Donovan is a nurse practitioner for Beaufort Memorial Primary Care. They share two young daughters and their parents, both retired, live in Beaufort as well.

John and Danielle Troutman are both Senior Financial Advisors and partners with The Clark-Troutman Group at Merrill Lynch.

Danielle Troutman is also the resident director of the Beaufort Merrill Lynch office. She has served on numerous Valentine Ball volunteer committees, and she and John have opened their home to host pre-ball dinner parties. The couple share four sons.

“As a mother of four boys having a strong community hospital has always been

important to me,” Danielle Troutman said in a news release. “From providing a safe and welcoming environment at the Birthing Center to the excellent level of care in the Emergency Center anytime our boys have been sick or injured, Beaufort Memorial has been a part of our lives along the way. It gives me great joy to know we are supporting an organization that has helped so many in our community over the years.”

The four chairs are collaborating with an army of volunteers to coordinate every aspect of the event, from soliciting silent auction items and recruiting dinner party hosts to selecting the live music and fabulous desserts.

The event will feature the ever-popular pre-ball dinner parties, live music performed by Charlotte, N.C.based Diverse Groove, a silent auction, cocktails, and dessert. Most important, all proceeds from the event will support a dynamic workforce development program to include a state-of-the-art, on-campus education center and a freestanding, on-campus daycare center for Beaufort Memorial.

Hosted by generous community members, the preball dinners provide guests the opportunity to bask in the hospitality of local hosts while meeting new friends

along the way. After dinner it’s off to the ball for desserts, drinks, and live music, plus browsing and bidding on trips, artwork, spa services and more at the silent auction.

Over the years the Valentine Ball has raised millions of dollars to support the non-profit hospital’s projects, programs, equipment, and services. Organizers hope to raise more than $200,000 to support the hospital’s workforce develop-

ment initiatives.

“I am honored to have worked for BMH for nearly 10 years and I am passionate about helping people and supporting my community,” said Mary Beth Donovan.

“Co-chairing the Valentine Ball is another way to give back because I’m supporting a fundraiser that directly benefits my hospital and my patients. At the end of the day, it’s a win-win for Beaufort Memorial and the health of the people we serve.”

Invitations for the Valentine Ball will be mailed in late December, and ticket purchases must be made by January 13 to guarantee seating at a pre-ball dinner party. A new, pre-ball silent auction featuring items to help guests prepare for the ball is set to open on January 1. For more information about the Valentine Ball visit ValentineBall.org or call the

WHEREAS, The Beaufort County Democratic Party rejects attempts by public officials, entities, and any others to limit these freedoms by restricting access to books and information without appropriate public engagement and procedural safeguards to ensure that freedom of expression, including intellectual freedom, is not prohibited or restricted.

WHEREAS, The Beaufort County Democratic Party believes in the value of critical thinking and how that helps shape well-rounded members of our society, and that all people have a right to stories, ideas, and information that accurately reflect the diversity of our world.

WHEREAS, the Beaufort County Democratic Party calls on the elected members of the School Board of Trustees to act in their authority as representatives of the public interest and direct the leadership of the Beaufort County School District to follow established policies regarding the handling of library materials to prevent the infringement of First Amendment rights of students.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Beaufort County Democratic Party supports freedom of expression as guaranteed by the First Amendment to include the rights of all students to access a variety of books in schools, in libraries, and elsewhere and opposes attempts by public officials, entities and any others in our community working to limit access of students to a wide variety of literature and learning resources.

County Democrats adopt resolution on school district’s book removals

Marjory Wentworth, left, moderates the speakers regarding book bans in schools, where they come from and how to challenge them during a public forum Sunday afternoon at The Technical College of the Lowcountry’s McLean Hall. Here, Josh Malkin, far right, of the ACLU, makes his point as Wentworth, far left, Poet Laureate and Professor of Literature at College of Charleston; AJ Davis, founder of Community Solutions Consulting and director of Lowcountry Black Parents Association and Paul Bowers, a former education reporter and communications secretary for the Charleston branch of Democratic Socialists of America, wait their turn to speak. To watch a short video from this event, follow this digital link or go to https://youtu.be/kq4lhEzz2Vo. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation at 843-522-5774.

Co-chairs for the Beaufort Memorial Foundation's 34th Annual Valentine Ball are, from left, John C. Troutman Jr., Danielle Troutman, Mary Beth Donovan and Dr. William Donovan. Submitted photo.

incredible holiday show featuring Liz Jane’s

County Council recognizes outgoing members

From staff reports Monday night's County Council meeting was a night of thanks, well wishes and farewells. Outgoing Council Members Paul Sommerville, Stu Rodman, Brian Flewelling and Chris Hervochon were all feted and recognized for their contributions during their Council terms.

Paul Sommerville –District 2 (MCAS/Beaufort/ Lady's Island/Fripp Island)

Sommerville, first elected in 2007, served both as Chairman and Vice-Chairman over the years. His background in labor relations and as a management consultant served him well when negotiating essential issues that would impact taxpayers: school budgets, County budgets, and tax rates.

Full-time and part-time residents benefited from Sommerville's skill to bring and keep everyone to the discussion table. He has served on the following committees: Natural Resources, Executive, Community Services, Economic Development, Finance, Legislative Affairs, Public Facilities, and Public Services.

Stu Rodman – District 11 (Hilton Head Island)

Rodman, also first elected in 2007, served as a member of the Executive Committee and Finance Committee and is currently Chairman of Public Facilities. He previously served on Public Services, Economic Development, Executive, and Natural Resources committees. Representing portions of Hilton Head, Mr. Rodman has been instrumental in managing growth and development on the island and expanding Highway 278, including a new bridge.

Brian Flewelling –District 5 (Okatie/ Burton/Shell Point)

Flewelling was first elected in 2009 and has served as a Finance Committee and Public Facilities member. As liaison to the Lowcountry Council of Governments (LCOG) and Southern Lowcountry Regional Planning, he represented County interests and worked with municipal partners to improve regional growth and partnerships.

A devoted supporter of the Rural and Critical Lands Trust, Mr. Flewelling worked tirelessly to protect and balance residential growth and development while preserving the natural beauty of the Lowcountry. Flewelling has also previously served on Executive Committee.

Chris Hervochon –(Hilton Head Island/ Bluffton)

Wrapping up his first term, Hervochon was elected in 2019. With a background in finance and accounting, Mr. Hervochon has been very focused on any topics fiscally impacting the County and taxpayers. He serves as a member of the Public Facilities, Community Services/Public Safety Committee, and Vice Chair of the Finance Committee.

Readers can watch the recognitions here:

Paul Sommerville, https://youtu.be/FlWK_5SY55s

Chris Hervochon, https:// youtu.be/4SQk5FwhhOE

Stu Rodman, https://youtu.be/HTU8mKMO4vU

Brian Flewelling, https:// youtu.be/TtdPGzXQ3mI

Newly elected Council members will be sworn in at County Council's first meeting in 2023 to be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3. Those Council members are David Bartholomew – District 2, Tab Tabernik – District 6, Paula Brown – District 8, and Tommy Reitz – District 11.

County Tree Lighting

HBF’s Winter Lecture Series features top historians detailing Beaufort’s ‘Five Centuries of History’

From staff reports

Five lectures in January and February will once again feature three top historians sharing their knowledge and research into Beaufort’s five centuries of history, focusing on specific events that shaped Beaufort’s changing role in South Carolina’s development as well as the city’s broader roles in the scope of American history.

Hosted by Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) and the USC Beaufort Center for the Arts, the Winter Lecture Series features John M. McCardell, Ph.D; Larry S. Rowland, Ph.D; and Stephen R. Wise, Ph.D.

“To have these three acclaimed historians share their time and expertise with our community is an exceptional opportunity,” Historic Beaufort Foundation Executive Director Cynthia Jenkins said in a news release. “To those of us who miss our college days and learning in lecture halls, this is a chance to dive deeply into our own local history with three of the best experts on South Carolina history.”

Dates for the lectures are each Thursday Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16, all at the USCB Center

for the Arts on Carteret Street in historic downtown Beaufort.

Tickets for the event are expected to go fast – last year’s lectures sold out. Tickets go on sale to the public Dec. 15 online at https://historicbeaufort.org/

Tickets are: $30 per lecture and $150 for the lecture package for Historic Beaufort Foundation members; $35 per lecture and $175 for the full series for HBF non-members; and … $20 per lecture and $100 for the full series for full-time students (students must show current school ID at check-in).

The 2023 lectures will expand on topics covered during the first series, but all three historians will provide plenty of background material for first-time visitors.

“We are so grateful to John, Larry and Steve for again donating their time and decades of research to teach us all the authentic history of Beaufort,” Jenkins said. “Whether you are a native of Beaufort or it is your adopted hometown, you will not want to miss this series.”

“Beaufort’s history is the foundation of the great architectural legacy we inherited and all cherish. These three historians bring to life the pivotal role Beaufort played in South Carolina and the nation over the centuries,” she said.

John M. McCardell

McCardell graduated from Washington and Lee University and earned his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. For his dissertation, The Idea of a Southern Nation, he earned the 1977 Alan Nevins Prize by the Society of American Historians. McCardell served as vice-chancellor of Sewanee: The University of the South from 2010 until June 2020.

Larry S. Rowland

Rowland is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History for the University of South Carolina, Beaufort, and previously held roles with USC as Professor of History and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College in New York and both his Master’s degree and Doctorate from the University

of South Carolina. He has authored numerous books and articles about South Carolina and the Sea Islands.

Stephen R. Wise Wise is director of the museum and the Cultural Resource Manager for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, his Master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. He has written and edited several books and articles including Lifeline of the Confederacy: Blockade Running During the Civil War, and Gate of Hell: The Campaign for Charleston Harbor

Historic Beaufort Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education foundation created to preserve, protect, and present sites and artifacts of historic, architectural, and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County. For more information on the entity's mission and history, please visit historicbeaufort.org and follow them on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.

Navy, Marine Corps hold MCAS Beaufort water sampling open house

By Mike McCombs

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps held an open house on Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Beaufort to provide information to the public about efforts to sample drinking water wells near Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort.

The sampling is for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may be present in these drinking water wells due to past use of firefighting foam or other PFAS-containing materials on base.

In 2020, a basewide PFAS preliminary assessment was completed that identified known and potential areas where could end up in the groundwater. In 2021, samples from these areas confirmed several areas where the chemicals were confirmed in the groundwater and places where the groundwater may flow away from those release areas and off base onto surrounding private property. While most water service on those properties is provided by Beaufort-Jasper

Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA), some residents may use wells. The Navy and Marine Corps attempted to identify those properties where wells were in use, contact the residents and offered to test samples from those wells to see if PFAS are above 70 parts per million.

Thirty-six people attended the open house as a result of the Navy and Marine Corps’ efforts.

If samples from those wells are found to be above 70 parts per million, the Navy and Marine Corps will

immediately – and until a long-term solution is implemented – provide bottled water for drinking and cooking.

Research shows there may be human health and ecological effects from widespread use of PFAs. However, as of now, there is no legal requirement for the Navy and Marine Corps to conduct this water testing.

The Navy and Marine Corps are working in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Agency for Toxic Sub-

stances and Disease Registry.

For more information on the effects of PFAS, visit https://www.epa.gov/pfas or https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ pfas/index.html

For more information about the off-base drinking water sampling, visit https:// go.usa.gov/xJgYA

For questions, contact the MCAS Beaufort Public Affairs Office at 800-818-8455 or BFRT_JPAO@usmc.mil.

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

Beaufort County held its Christmas Tree lighting ceremony Friday evening near the flag pole of the Beaufort County Complex on Ribaut Road. The ceremony culminated with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to listen to children’s wishes after the annual Beaufort County Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony Friday evening. Here, Virginia Fripp, 9, listens to the Jolly Old Elf himself.

People seem to be mesmerized by the miniature Christmas Trees during a brief concert of Christmas songs by children from the Hobbit Hill Preschools during the annual Beaufort County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday at the Beaufort County Complex.

LIVING ON PURPOSE

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

Most people have read or at least heard of a man named Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882). He was a literary giant in his lifetime and is still known today in many circles as “The Children’s Poet,” and several schools around our nation are named in his honor. You may remember some of His original works which include, Paul Revere’s Ride, The Song Of Hiawatha, and Evangeline, and was the first American to completely translate Dante Alighieri’s Comedy. As one of the fireside writers from New England, he is regarded as the most popular poet of the 19th century.

On July 9, 1861, tragedy struck the Longfellow home. His wife, Fanny, was near an open window placing locks of her daughter’s hair in a packet, using hot sealing wax to secure it. It was never known whether a spark from a match or the sealing wax was the cause, but suddenly her dress caught fire and she was engulfed in flames.

Henry was sleeping and was suddenly awakened by her screams for help. He ran into the room and immediately tried to smother the flames as best he could, first with a

BILLY HOLLAND

rug and then his own body, but the damage from the burns was very severe. She died the next morning.

Henry’s burns were so extensive on his face and hands that he was unable to attend his wife’s funeral. The scars on his face made shaving nearly impossible, so he allowed his beard to grow which became associated with his image. The anguish within his soul was beyond what anyone could fathom. His family could see his suffering in his eyes, and they observed his long periods of silence. At times he feared that he would be sent to an asylum on account of his sorrow.

A couple of years later in 1863, there was another crisis when his son Charles Longfellow without telling his family, boarded a train headed for Washington, D.C., to join President Lincoln’s Union army to fight

in the Civil War. On the first day of that December, Henry was dining alone at his home when a telegram arrived with the news that Charley had been shot and was being transferred to the Rapidan River.

Henry immediately set out to search for his son and arrived by train on December 5. He was alarmed when informed by the army surgeon that his son’s wound was very serious and that Charles would most likely be paralyzed. Longfellow, as a 57-year-old widowed father of six children, was not only witnessing his country fight a war against itself, but his oldest son had been struck down on the battlefield.

Although he was admired for a gift for communicating the human experience, Longfellow still needed divine peace that only God can give. On that Christmas Day in 1863, he heard the Christmas bells ringing in Cambridge and the singing of “Peace On Earth” but he considered the strife and division going on around him was in direct contradiction with a joyous holiday.

He sat down and desperately tried to reflect on the joys of knowing that God

is not dead or sleeping and that He is the only one who can heal, save, and give hope to the soul. He was never considered a hymn writer, however, the poem he wrote on that day expresses the agony about the condition of a nation, and was later set to music by Englishman John Calkin. The result is one of our most popular Christmas carols, “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.”

There is a theme of passion and desperation within the poem, eventually lead -

ing to an attitude of confidence and trust even in the midst of bleak despair. The Civil War was in full swing and the devastation from the battle of Gettysburg still gripped the nation in a state of trauma. He must have asked himself how can we have peace on Earth and goodwill toward men in this war-torn land, where brother fights against brother and father against son?

Yes, the days were dark, but he includes in one of the stanzas, “The wrong

shall fail, the right prevail!”

Within these words, we sense a man crying out in prayer to God, just like many of us are today, to please stop the hatred and the violence, and unify the hearts of all people with God’s love. This carol reminds us that eternal peace and harmony shall one day be established when the Prince of Peace shall reign forever.

Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com

Public menorah lighting set for Sunday at Waterfront Park

From staff reports

Celebrating the 2022 Hanukkah season, Chabad Greater Hilton Head will host their second annual public menorah lighting on the waterfront in downtown Beaufort.

Chabad Greater Hilton Head will light a 9-foot public Hanukkah menorah at Hanry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort, at 5 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 18, the first night of the eight-day Festival of Lights. The event will feature a performance by the enthralling Magic Mark, music, latkes and donuts.

Complimentary Hanukkah menorahs and candles will be distributed as well for participants to light at home.

“Everyone is especially excited about Hanukkah this year,” Rabbi Mendel of Chabad Greater Hilton Head said in a news release. “People are preparing to celebrate with family and friends, to fill their homes with the light of Hanukkah, and there’s a palpable joy. The public Hanukkah celebration is about sharing this light and joy with the broader community and the

entire Greater Hilton Head.”

Hanukkah emphasizes that each and every individual has the unique power to illuminate the entire world. It was to encourage this profound idea that the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson,

launched the Hanukkah awareness campaign in 1973, of which Beaufort’s public Hanukkah activities are a part of.

The menorah faces the street, the Rebbe notes, and so by passers immediately

feel “the effect of the light, which illuminates the outside and the environment.”

Chabad-Lubavitch's annual Hanukkah campaign has distributed millions of menorahs to Jews around the world, and erected thousands

of public menorahs to share its universal message of light over darkness with humanity at large.

Chabad Greater Hilton Head offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information visit Jewishhiltonhead.org

Throughout the State of South Carolina, Chabad will be presenting several Hanukkah events and celebrations, including celebrations in Bluffton and Hilton Head. For more information about Hanukkah and a local schedule of events, visit jewishhiltonhead.org/chanukkah.

About Hanukkah Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18 and concludes the evening of Monday, Dec. 26. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the Syrian-Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom.

They also desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service.

Upon recapturing the Temple, only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day. But it lasted miraculously for eight days. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah.

Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Additional information about the Hanukkah holiday is available at www.Chabad.org/Hanukkah

Chabad of Greater Hilton Head has previously erected a 9-foot menorah in Shelter Cove on Hilton Head Island. Submitted photo.

Your guide to avoiding holiday injuries, accidents, and illness

The holiday season is a special time of year. But it’s more enjoyable if you stay healthy—and we’re not just talking about protecting yourself from the flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses.

The best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy this month is to be prepared. Take appropriate safety measures, make good decisions and, most of all, make time to relax and enjoy yourself.

Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 and Flu

Vaccines:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adults should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Updated bivalent boosters became available Sept. 2, 2022. Of course, anyone who has symptoms of illness should stay home. When gathering with people from multiple households, consider taking a COVID-19 test prior to the event to further reduce risk. Get your annual flu vaccine now.

Traveling for the Holidays?

Be Prepared:

If you're traveling this year, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest and be prepared for any emergency. Traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile.

Hundreds of people die every year in crashes on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, according to Injury Facts. Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of these fatalities.

Stay safe on the roads over the holidays—and every day: Prepare your car for winter if you’re driving into

wintery conditions and keep an emergency kit with you Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving Leave early, planning ahead for heavy traffic Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit Practice defensive driving Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or overthe-counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment

Decorate Safely Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but emergency rooms see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season. When decorating follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Keep potentially poisonous plants – mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis –away from children

If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”

If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry

Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them

Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights

Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections

Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house

Watch Out for Fire-Starters: Candles and Fireplaces

Use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations in many homes during the holidays, means more risk for fire. The National Fire Protection Association reports that one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles and that two of every five decoration fires happen because the decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of children Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children in a locked cabinet

Use flameless, rather than lighted, candles near flammable objects Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace Use a screen on the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning Never leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended or when you are asleep Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year

Turkey Fryers

Be alert to the dangers if you're thinking of celebrating the holidays by frying a turkey. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there have been hundreds turkey-fryer related fires, burns or other injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage losses from these incidents.

NSC discourages the use of turkey fryers at home and urges those who prefer fried turkey to seek out professional establishments or consider using an oil-less turkey fryer. If you must fry your own turkey, follow all U.S. Fire Administration turkey fryer guidelines.

Food Poisoning

Is No Joke: Keep your holidays happy by handling food safely. The foodsafety.gov website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides some valuable holiday food safety tips: Wash your hands frequently when handling food

Keep raw meat away from fresh produce Use separate cutting boards, plate and utensils for uncooked and cooked meats to avoid cross-contamination Use a food thermometer to make sure meat

is cooked to a safe temperature Refrigerate hot or cold leftover food within two hours of being served When storing turkey, cut the leftovers in small pieces so they will chill quickly Thanksgiving leftovers are safe for three to four days when properly refrigerated

It's Better to Give Safely: Gifts and toys should inspire joy, not cause injuries. Thousands of children are seriously injured in toy-related incidents every year. Avoid safety hazards while gifting with these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Toys are age-rated for safety, not for children’s intellect and physical ability, so be sure to choose toys in the correct age range

Choose toys for children under 3 that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards

For children under 10, avoid toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet

Be cautious about toys that have button batteries or magnets, which can be harmful or fatal if swallowed

When giving scooters and other riding toys, give the gift of appropriate safety gear, too; helmets should be worn at all times and they should be sized to fit

To find out about holiday toy safety and recalls, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Sources: https://www.nsc.org/ community-safety/safety-topics/ seasonal-safety/winter-safety/holiday; https://connect.uclahealth. org/2021/12/23/

Children, button batteries and magnets have a dangerous attraction

Every year, many children end up in hospital emergency rooms. Cases involving children ingesting multiple magnets and/or button batteries are generally resulting

in more serious outcomes, including emergency surgery. The results of a study documenting a rapid rise in pediatric injuries was published in Annals of Emergency Med-

icine (“Rise in Pediatric Magnet-Related Foreign Bodies Requiring Emergency Care”) http://tinyurl.com/lfahfdd.

The magnets/button batteries in question were typi-

cally those found in kitchen gadgets or desk toys marketed to adults but irresistible to children.”

It is common for children to put things in their mouth and nose, but the risk of intestinal damage increases dramatically when multiple magnets or button batteries are swallowed. The ingestion of multiple items can severely damage intestinal walls to the point that some kids need surgery.

In cases where children ingested multiple magnets or button batteries, 15.7 percent were admitted to the hospital (versus 2.3 percent of single magnet ingestions). Nearly three quarters (74 percent) of magnets/batteries were swallowed; twenty-one percent were ingested through the nose. Nearly one quarter (23.4 percent) of the case reports described the items as “tiny,” or other variants on the word “small.”

Injuries were not restricted to small children. There

were proportionally more nasal injuries involving older children, possibly because strong, attractive magnets are being used to imitate

nose, tongue, lip, or cheek piercings. Parents need to be aware of the serious risk these magnets and button batteries pose if swallowed.

Options & References for a Healthier Life

Durable medical equipment (DME) fraud

Tips for protecting yourself and your Medicare

Scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries tests and “free” durable medical equipment to obtain their Medicare information for fraudulent billing purposes, or possibility medical identity theft. In a medical equipment scam, someone reaches out to you with an offer of a “free” (as in, “Medicare will pay for it”) brace, wheelchair, or another device. You might get an unsolicited phone call, see an advertisement, or be approached at a health fair or similar event.

Durable medical equipment (DME) and orthotics companies offer a valuable service by providing wheelchairs, surgical supplies, catheters, and respiratory nebulizers as well as nutrition and tube feeding supplies and other health care equipment. DME and/or orthotics are considered medical equipment prescribed by your doctor that can withstand repeated use, serve a medical purpose, and can be used in the home. However, many fraudulent companies across the country are charging Medicare beneficiaries for this equipment without showing the medical necessity and sometimes without even sending the equipment to the beneficiaries.

Medicare Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment, or “DME,” that is prescribed by your doctor, can withstand repeated use, serves a medical purpose, and can be used in the home. Medicare only covers DME if you get it from a supplier enrolled in the Medicare program. Medicare Part B pays 80% of the approved amount and you pay the other 20%.

DME that Medicare covers includes, but is not limited, to:

Blood sugar monitors and test strips, canes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, crutches, hospital beds, infusion pumps and supplies, oxygen equipment and accessories, patient lifts, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters.

Prefabricated orthotics that Medicare covers include, but are not limited, to shoulder, knee, back, wrist, and ankle braces.

Prosthetic devices that Medicare covers include, but are not limited, to: Breast prostheses (including a surgical bra), one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses provided after a cataract operation, ostomy bags and certain related supplies, some surgically implanted prosthetic devices (including cochlear implants), and urological supplies.

Examples of Durable Medical Equipment Fraud Schemes

Suppliers who offer “free” equipment but bill Medicare.

Suppliers who want you to use their doctors (not yours), who then prescribe unnecessary medical equipment.

Suppliers or doctors who provide medical equipment or supplies you never requested.

Suppliers or doctors who charge for items you never received.

Suppliers who bill for people who have passed away.

Suppliers who request your Medicare number at a presentation, during a sales pitch, or in an unsolicited phone call.

Beneficiaries who willingly allow their Medicare number to be used in exchange for money, gifts, or unnecessary equipment and supplies.

Suppliers who deliver an off-the-shelf product but bill Medicare for a more costly product.

Warning Signs You receive an unsolicited call or other communication offering a free or low-cost medical device as a Medicare “benefit.”

Someone claiming to be from Medicare asks for your Medicare or Social Security number. Medi-

care representatives almost never make unsolicited calls to consumers and do not ask for personal information by phone.

Your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your health plan lists medical equipment you did not order or receive.

What can you do to stop DME fraud?

Be sure your doctor has assessed your condition and orders the equipment or supplies. Never sign a blank form from your health care provider or equipment supplier.

Always read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Look for charges for equipment

you do not need, never requested, or did not receive.

If you rent and return medical equipment, always get a dated receipt. Protect your Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security cards like credit cards.

Do not accept products or services from strangers who call or knock on your door.

Do not give out your Medicare number at a presentation, or during a sales pitch at any event.

Do not accept money, gifts, or unnecessary equipment and supplies from a supplier in exchange for your Medicare number.

Example Medicare Charges for DME

Any Medicare code that starts with an “L” indicates

that it is an orthotic, which is a type of DME. Here are some examples:

L0625-LO651: Lumbar Orthosis — Back brace

L1810-L1860: Knee Orthosis — Knee brace

L1900-L1990: Ankle-foot Orthosis — Ankle brace

L3650-L3678: Shoulder Orthosis — Shoulder brace

L3763-L3931: Wrist Orthosis — Wrist brace

Always read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Call Medicare (800-633-4227) or your insurance company if you see claims for supplies or services you don’t recognize.

Report your concerns about billing errors or possible fraud to Medicare and your local SMP (Senior Medical Patrol). In South Carolina, the Department on Aging/SMP can be reached at aging.sc.gov or call 1-800868-9095.

You may also contact the fraud hotline at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG). You can also contact the OIG by phone (800-447-8477) or email (spoof@oig.hhs.gov).

Sources: Kristen McDermott-Mozzo, DO, is a board-certified family medicine physician; https://www. smpresource.org/Content/Medicare-Fraud/Fraud-Schemes/

Can spices help lower cholesterol?

People claim various spices may help lower a person’s cholesterol. There is some evidence that the following spices may help to improve a person’s cholesterol levels. However, these spices should not be used instead of prescribed medication

Ginger: A 2018 study found that taking 5g of raw ginger daily for 3 months reduced LDL levels in people with high cholesterol. However, the study size was fairly small, so further research is required to confirm these effects.

Capsaicin: A review from 2022 looked into the effects of capsaicin on cholesterol. Capsaicin is a component of chili peppers. Reviewers found that eight out of nine studies researched found that capsaicin reduced LDL levels in people with metabolic syndrome. However, reviewers also found that eight out of nine studies indicated that

capsaicin did not affect HDL.

Garlic: Research from 2016 studied the effects of garlic and lemon juice on cholesterol. Researchers noted that people with high cholesterol had a reduction in LDL and total cholesterol levels after taking 20g of garlic and a teaspoon of lemon juice daily for 8 weeks. However, people taking garlic and lemon juice and those in other groups that took garlic or lemon juice had only an increase in HDL levels. Researchers note that more studies into these effects are required.

Turmeric: A review from 2017 looked into the effects of

turmeric and its component curcumin on cholesterol. Reviewers found seven studies that stated that turmeric and curcumin could reduce LDL levels in people at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, reviewers suggested further studies should be undertaken into these effects.

How to reduce cholesterol

A person can reduce their cholesterol levels by changing their lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the following advice for a person who wants to lower their cholesterol:

Limit saturated fats: Decrease intake of foods high in saturated fat, such as cheese, dairy, fatty meats, and tropical oils, such as palm oil.

Eat a healthy diet: For a balanced, nutritious diet, choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and added sugar, such as fruit and vegetables.

Add fiber to your diet: Consume foods that naturally have high fiber, such as oatmeal and beans.

• Eat unsaturated fats: Foods that contain unsaturated fats include avocados and nuts.

Lose weight if you need to: As needed, lose weight or maintain

a healthy body weight. This can lower blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

• Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help people maintain a healthy weight. Stop smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels, harden arteries, and increase the risk of heart disease.

• Limit alcohol intake: Too much alcohol can raise cholesterol levels.

A doctor may also prescribe cholesterol-reducing medication, such as statins.

When to speak with a doctor

High cholesterol levels do not cause any symptoms.

This means that a person should have their cholesterol levels checked regularly.

The CDC recommends that a healthy person should have their cholesterol levels checked every 4 to 6 years. If a person has a health condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, they may need to have their cholesterol levels checked more frequently.

Additionally, a person with a family history of high cholesterol should have their levels checked more often.

The CDC also suggests that children and adolescents between ages 9 and 11 and ages 17 and 21 should have their cholesterol levels checked.

What does Medicare cover in relation to DME, Orthotics, and Prosthetics?

EDITOR’S NOTE

Doug Crowley and Lisa Wechsler

LOCAL MILITARY

‘A Marine’s life is priceless’

MCRD Parris Island testing heart monitor to prevent heat deaths

By Lance Cpl. Dakota Dodd USMC

MCRD PARRIS ISLAND — “It’s a check engine light, but for your body,” said Kyla Driver, a research coordinator with the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM).

The product of many years of research, development, and redesigns, the Heat Injury Prevention System (HIPS) developed by the U.S. Army Medical Material Development Activity (USAMMDA) and USARIEM, along with several other research groups, is undergoing its final testing on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

“All recruits are issued a heart monitoring system that they wear throughout the Crucible,” said Dr. Mark Buller, the lead investigator for the project. “This allows a drill instructor to see that he has recruits who may be higher risk of suffering a heat injury.”

Heat casualties are some of the most common training related injuries experienced at Parris Island, especially given the stressors and rigors of the recruit training process.

“Prior to Parris Island we developed a heat stroke prediction algorithm,” said Buller. “That came out of working with the 75th Ranger Regiment, when we actually captured six

heat strokes that occurred real time.”

Testing of the HIPS began early in 2019, but due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, testing was put on hold for 2020 and part of 2021. Now, the

testing is back in full swing, analyzing and collecting data on approximately 500 recruits each week during the Crucible.

“It’s been three years and we’re

still learning,” said Driver. “Now, the algorithm is able to learn from the person’s heart rate and determine alerts to an individual’s risk level.”

On average, it only takes the al-

gorithm about 30 minutes to collect this data and adapt to each individual recruit. The algorithms calculate each recruit’s heat strain state and sends this to the phone that enables each drill instructor to monitor their recruits.

“This may not be as cool as a watch, or as easy to wear as one,” said Buller. “Though we’ve learned that during higher intensity training, the watches are often inaccurate at collecting a correct heart rate.”

While the HIPS has seen testing in multiple different branches of military, as well as the British Royal Marines, Parris Island’s recruit training has offered the stresses and challenges the team needed to round out development of the HIPS.

“Marines can break just about anything,” said Driver. “The first generation we brought out here, recruits demolished it during recruit training. The second generation has gone through all the Crucibles from last year, and all the ones so far this year.”

With the HIPS testing nearing its completion, these devices are soon to see use across the Marine Corps, as well as the globe.

“A Marine’s life is priceless,” said Driver. “This system will allow us to preserve those Marines by being able to monitor their conditions during real time events.”

How can you help veterans and their families?

This week’s article is a plea to everyone for help in finding veterans and referring them to a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) and the VA. Finding veterans in need and getting them help is the best Christmas gift and this gift is free!

As a 100% disabled veteran I know how important VA healthcare, mental healthcare, prescription drug, hearing aids, eyeglasses, service-connected $$$$ compensation, home loans, employment assistance, education, training, pensions, life insurance, skilled nursing care, home healthcare, adult daycare, dementia care, hospice care, caregiver training, caregiver respite, family, and other benefits are.

Despite the tremendous efforts of the VA, the military, Veterans Service Organizations, Veterans Service Officers, the S.C. Department of Veteran Affairs, and many other organizations, tens of thousands of veterans still do not know what their benefits are and do not apply for those benefits.

Frequently the veterans who contact me are senior citizens, with many health conditions, and are jobless. Many have limited computer skills, anxiety, and depression. Many of those health conditions are military service-connected and many veterans are in health, financial, housing, employment, or other crisis.

DANDRIDGE

When I ask the veteran, “Why have you waited so long to seek help from the VA?” they tell me things like:

I did not need VA help when I was young and left the military but as I got older, my health worsened, and more and more health issues began to plague me.

I did not want to take away from other veterans who need those services much more than I do.

I just did not know that I could get VA help in the areas that I need help with.

I am hoping that this article will help everyone who reads The Island News to make it their mission to find veterans and give them some basic information about veterans’ benefits and encourage them to visit or call their local VSO or VA Office. Ask your co-workers, your fellow house of worship members, your servers at restaurants, your fellow club members, homeless people, and others you meet:

Are you a veteran in crisis (health, homeless,

employment, or other)?

Are you a veteran and do you know what your veterans’ benefits are?

Have you applied for your veteran’s benefits?

Have you applied for veterans’ healthcare?

Have you applied for service-connected disability compensation (which will soon be over $4,000.00 per month for veterans rated by the VA as 100% disabled)?

If they answer “no”’ to any of the above questions tell them:

Veterans’ Crisis Line. Dial 988 and press 1 is for veterans and their family members and anyone who knows about a veteran in crisis. This line is manned 24/7. No matter what problem the veteran is facing, the VA has the resources to help.

The VA is fully funded to provide veterans benefits to every veteran.

Veterans’ benefits are not just for the veterans who need them the most.

Veterans’ benefits include VA healthcare, prescription drug, hearing aids, eyeglasses, service-connected $$$$ compensation, home loans, education, employment assistance, pensions, life insurance, CHAMPVA health insurance, family, home health care, aid attendance, hospice, and many others.

Perhaps the two of the most valuable VA benefits that veterans have earned include VA healthcare and service-connected disability compensation.

The VA healthcare system is the largest and best healthcare system in the world and

the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Health Care System is one of the top two of the 167 VA Medical Centers.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System has Community-Based Out-Patient Clinics in Beaufort, North Charleston, Trident-North Charleston, Goose Creek/Charleston Naval Weapons Station, Hinesville, Ga.,, and Savannah, Ga.,. Veterans may also be approved to use civilian community healthcare.

Veterans Service Officers A VSO will help veterans and their family members to find out what their VA benefits are and apply for those benefits. There are VSOs working for many Veterans Service Organizations (VFW, American Legion, DAV, PAV, etc.) and the S.C. Counties. VSO services are free. Veterans can find their county VSO at https://scdva.sc.gov/ county-veterans-affairs-offices. Below is a partial list of VSOs in the Lowcountry: Beaufort County VSO: 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906; 843-255-6880.

Colleton County VSO: Janet D. Smith, 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org

Charleston County VSO: David J. LeBlanc, Sr., 843-9746360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org

Hampton County VSO: Sharon Johnson, 803-9142085/2087, sjohnson@hamptoncountysc.org

Dorchester County VSO: Johnny K. Brown, 843-8320050, JKBrown@dorchestercountysc.gov

Jasper County VSO: Alton Jenkins, 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov

Berkeley County VSO: Jan Helton, 843-377-8506, jan.

helton@berkeleycountysc. gov Chatham County, Ga., VSO: Reggie Lewis, 912920-0214, Ext. 2194, reggie. lewis2@va.gov 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga. 31419.

Liberty County & Hinesville, Ga., VSO: Charles Isaac, 912-408-2948, charles. isaac@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313.

Beaufort DAV Chapter VSO: Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543, mlv1030@ gmail.com

Veterans can also find an accredited representative a VSO or a VA accredited Lawyer or Claims Agent by: Going to eBenefits at https://www.ebenefits. va.gov/ebenefits/manage/representative to find a local representative (including a recognized VSO, an attorney, or a claims agent) by state/territory, zip code, or the organization’s name.

Searching the VA Office of the General Counsel’s list at https://www. va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp to find VA-recognized organizations and VA-accredited individuals by name, city, state, or zip code.

One Department of VA and three VA Administrations

There are three Veterans Administrations under the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

VHA provides veterans their health care including organ transplants and plastic surgery. VBA is responsible for initial veteran registration, eligibility determina-

tion, and administration of the VA's five key lines of non-medical benefits to service members, veterans, and their families including Home Loan Guarantee, Insurance, Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment, Education, Compensation, and Pension. Read A to Z about the VBA at https://benefits.va.gov/ benefits/ Veterans can get help with finding out what their VA healthcare benefits are and their eligibility for VA healthcare at their local VA Medical Center Eligibility Office and Clinic.

They can also get help finding out what their VA benefits are at any Veterans Benefits Regional Office and by going online to https:// www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/Applying.asp Veterans can find VBA Regional Offices at https:// benefits.va.gov/benefits/ offices.asp. Veterans can get information about benefits or file a claim for benefits by visiting our website at www.va.gov. The Columbia, S.C., VBA Regional Office is located at 6437 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, phone 800-827-1000.

Veterans with claims-specific or other questions may request information via https://ask.va.gov or telephone at 800-827-1000.

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

Recruits with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, conduct the Crucible on August 18 on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The Crucible is the final 54-hour test recruits must pass to become United States Marines. Maj. Philip Kulczewski/USMC

LOCAL MILITARY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 16 December 2022

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel Bradley W. Ward 3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Curley Commander of Troops, First Sergeant Jacob D. Godboldte • Parade Adjutant, Gunnery Sergeant Hakgae M. Kim Company “M”, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain Christian J. Peterson Drill Master • Staff Sergeant Ezekial B. Owrey

PLATOON 3088

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt E.J. Daise

PFC Anderson, Camden B.

PVT Ashley, Cameron R.

PVT Bennett, Jamaine T.

PFC Borzea, Garrett B.

PVT Boye, Mohammed

PVT Branch, Landon J.

PVT Brooks, Cole A.

PVT Brown Jr, Claude A.

PFC Cabellomodesto, Alexander

PFC Caddauan, Gino E.

PVT Carranza, Caleb J.

PVT Cassidy, Samuel T.

PVT Castillo, Anthany T. *

PVT Coffman, Robert T.

PVT Collins, Nathan A.

PVT Crews, Reggie D. *

PVT Cruzcortes, Jonathan

PVT Davis, Dylan W.

PVT Deal, Brixton W.

PVT Diaz, Raul

PVT Dimalanta, Leonard F.

PVT Eller, Jakob M.

PVT Escalantelugo, Andres E.

PVT Flores, Bryan R.

PVT Franklin, Samuel A.

PFC Fritch, Matthew J.

PVT Fussell, Dillon S.

PVT Gibson, Elijah B.

PVT Gomez, Edwin

PVT Guerrero, Alexis D.

PVT Hinojosa, Felipe M. *

PFC Johnson Jr, David M.

PFC Juarezlopez, Jorge T.

PFC Kendrick, Jace L.

PVT Lafrenaye, Philipp E.

PVT Lawson, Aiden S.

PVT Lentz, Jacob C.

PVT Lilly, Damauri O.

PVT Martinezlopez, Jordan E.

PVT Mixon II, Stewart L.

PFC Moore, Julian D.

PVT Muiruri, Shawn K.

PVT Myers, Derick J. *

PVT Newman, John R.

PVT Oliver, Xavier T.

PVT Pearson, Nicholas H.

PVT Perezaguilar, Randy E.

PVT Perezvelez, Jorge M.

PFC Perry V, Lawrence C.

PVT Phillips, Dominick J.

PVT Preciado, Andres

PVT Proctorjackson, Tylil X.

PVT Propst, Andrew M.

PVT Reta, Michael S.

PVT Richmond, Jared S.

PVT Sanders, Travis D.

PFC Schmidt, Roger J.

PFC Sells, Dalton C.

PVT Shepherd, Colton I.

PVT Sheridan, Daniel B.

PVT Stabile, Alec N.

PVT Susena, Christian

PVT Troncozo, Hugo

PVT Vasquezsamudio, Silverio

PFC Vinson, Justin D.

PVT Volpi, Logan C. *

PVT Ward, Lucas A.

PVT Wyckoff, Liam C.

PLATOON 3089

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt C. R. Quiceno

PFC Abraham, Mark A.

PVT Araujogarcia, Rafael G.

PVT Avita, Angel

PVT Ball, Jeremy L.

PVT Beaty, Aron S.

PFC Berak, Seth M.

PFC Biron, Quin S.*

PFC Brown Jr, Deon L.

PFC Canaley, Erich T.

PVT Cartagena, Orlando J.

PVT Castrosolano, Oscar J.

PVT Chaparro, Elias

PVT Cody, Trent A.

PVT Copeland, Kaelob P.

PFC Corderomustafa, Jomar*

PVT Cross, Jymari A.

PFC Culberston, Harley G.

PFC Dayton, Samuel V.*

PVT Deathrage, Dakota K.

PVT Demizer, Marcherwidge H.

PFC Duncan, Shane C.

PFC Gallagher, Sean M.

PVT Godwin Iii, Jimmy D.

PFC Grant, Noah B.*

PFC Greenfields, Malik A.

PVT Griffin, Colin R.

PVT Henderson, Divonte B.

PFC Hernandez, Jonathan

PVT Hoitink, Benjamin W. PVT Holder, Matthew B.

PVT Ison, Calvin D.

PFC Jimenezmendez, Matthew

PVT Karakolis, Luke G.

PVT Keeling, Peyton J.

PVT Kuzan, Kyle J.

PVT Laguerre, Nader B.

PVT Laurenvil, Donalson

PVT Lopez, David O.

PVT Lovett, Christopher E.

PFC Luongo, David N.

PFC Massie, Dane M.

PVT Mccoy, Amontae R.

PVT Mills Jr, Kelly R.

PVT Mills, Caleb S.

PFC Munoz, Derison Y.

PVT Nester, Jacob E.

PVT Pereagaviria, Luis M.

PVT Perez, Xavier

PFC Ragland, Tydarius M.

PFC Rodriguez, Omar

PFC Russell, Steven M.

PVT Serrudo, Jorge A.

PVT Slate, John S.

PFC Steiner, Rodriguez J.

PFC Taylor Jr, Davado N.

PFC Tinoco, Samuel

PFC Udi, Goodnews E.

PVT Urbieta, Angel A.

PVT Urdaneta, Alberto A.

PFC Vineyard, Dante J.

PVT Webster, Lance D.

PVT Wheeler, Aidan M.

PVT Williamson, Antony M.

PFC Wright, Brandon J.*

PFC Zoebelein, Jackson O.

PLATOON 3090

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt G. A. Gonzalez

PVT Adams, Conner J.

PVT Alonsoortiz, Yahir

PFC Anderson, Tylor M.

PVT Arvaiza, Jordi

PVT Carcione, Jason R.

PVT Chevalierdelacruz, Harold A.

PVT Childs Jr, Antonio R.

PFC Clark, Kameron A.

PVT Cook, Jesse A.

PVT Coradosaravia, Andres D.

PVT Cornelio, Alex K.

PVT Cunningham, Brian P.

PVT Davison, Brandon L.

PFC Deering, Jesse B.

PVT Dunn, John C.

PVT Fowler, Chi D.

PVT Freyler, Bradly V.

PFC Garcia, Jayden

PFC Grafalsmartinez, Josh M.*

PVT Harmison, Nathaniel A.

PVT Hayes, Torey Q.

PVT Heidel, Logan D.

PVT Hice, Donovan G.

PVT Hicks, Ethan H.

PFC Houston, Adonis M.*

PVT Johnson, Austin M.

PFC Johnson, Jason N.*

PVT Jordan, Joshawn J.

PVT Lewis, Mason L.

PVT Litz, Zachary J.

PVT Logmann, Imran A.

PVT Mcdermott, Hunter L.

PFC Mcghee, Darryl L.*

PVT Mejia, Jhonny E.

PFC Monahan, Sean M.

PVT Morrissey, Patrick H.

PFC Nicolas, John

PFC Orick, Lantz I.

PVT Orr, Sullivan J.

PVT Ortizsantiago, Yahir

PVT Pangburn, Connor Z.

PFC Pasqualicchio, Paul V.

PVT Phillips, Cameron A.

PVT Phillips, Grant E.

PVT Price Jr, Paul D.

PFC Pulling, Johnathon M.

PFC Ramos Jr, Luis O.

PVT Reed, Conner W.

PFC Reisinger Jr, Thomas J.

PVT Rivera, Israel

PVT Roblesgonzalez, Lennix O.

PVT Ruiz, Xavier P.

PVT Sanchez, Brandon

PVT Solis, Johncy I.

PVT Sotonieves, Abdiel

PVT Taverasfurcal, Anthony

PVT Taylor, Jordon T.

PVT Teets, Tyler S.

PVT Torpey Jr, Ryan P.

PVT Turner, Dominick J.

PVT Valentin, Brayan

PVT Vetter, John W.

PVT Watson, Ty C.

PVT Zepeda, Miguel A.

PLATOON 3092

Senior Drill Instructor Sgt J. M. Knupp

PVT Allen, Wesley T.

PVT Alvarez, Joel E.

PVT Barfield, Emmanuel E.

PVT Barillas, Anthony J.

PVT Bartee, Mark T.

PVT Bass, Samir Q.

PVT Bennett, Jonovan P.

PVT Besteda Jr, Andre D.

PVT Blevins, Hayden W.

PFC Boyd, Antonio

PVT Britton, Corbett E.

PVT Brown, Caden C.

PVT Buterbaugh, Nicholas D.

PVT Carita, Johnathan R.

PVT Cervantes, Miguel A.

PVT Chen, Kevin

PVT Coe, Marshall R.

PFC Cokerkallon, Mukeh*

PFC Contreras, Alberto A.

PVT Coyne, Connor D.

PVT Cress, Ebon I.

PFC Cruz, Marvin D.*

PVT Cruz, Steffan A.

PVT Danville, Andrew S.

PVT Dundon, Paul F.

PVT Escobarjimenez, Renato A.

PFC Follett, Jacob S.

PVT Garcia, Damiel I.

PFC Gonzalez Ii, Luis A.*

PVT Gonzalez, Caleb A.

PFC Grunow, Justin K.

PVT Hardin, Jacob L.

PVT Hickson, Michael J.

PFC Hoskins, Vasean T.*

PVT Jernigan, Anthony L.

PVT Klismet, Caden M.

PFC Lavare, Alexander J.*

PVT Lehto, Evan M.

PVT Liaros, Alexander R.

PVT Long, Gavin E.

PVT Lovera, Fabian J.

PVT Maillaro, Jerome W.

PVT Manzo, Ervin A.

PVT Marrero, Marco D.

PVT Mclaughlin, Philip C.

PVT Monroygaray, Anthony D.

PFC Moore, Zachariah J.

PVT Morgado, Ethan F.

PVT Mullis, Colson M.

PVT Odonnell, Keegan B.

PFC Perezvazquez, Luis O.

PFC Pettengill, Joshua M.*

PVT Pruden, Madison J.

PVT Riverareboseno, Jeffrey

PVT Santana, Jose E.

PVT Saucier, Matthew W.

PVT Schultz, Brennen F.

PVT Starks, Tevondre N.

PVT Tenzinjorden, Fnu

PVT Touchette, Yisehak M.

PVT Urena, Abraham J.

PVT Villalonacaba, Maxwell

PVT Villamaria, Ryan M.

PFC Watson, Alistair J.

PVT Wetmore, Edward C.

PVT White Jr, Michael J.

PLATOON 3093

Senior Drill Instructor

GySgt A. Mondragon

PVT Apeaagyemang, Kofi

PVT Arguetamejia, Jose A.

PVT Ayala, Moises D.

PVT Batchelor, Jerimya A.

PVT Benavente, Alejandro A.

PVT Burke, Noah J. PVT Burns, Andrew J.

PVT Campbell III, Thomas

PVT Colina III, Roland M. PFC Colon, Dmitri J. PFC Crider, Ayden D.

PVT Croteau, Shane M.

PVT Cullen, Richard E. PVT Day, Jayden R. PFC Delwarte, Jacob R.

PFC Direnzo, Micah D. PVT Duong, Fei C. PFC Dupont, Rubin

PVT Entrekin, Mard D. PFC Fall, Serigne B. PVT Fisher, Bryceton A. PVT Gallagher, Ian W. PVT Germandiaz, Francy L. PVT Henao, Daniel O. PVT Hernandez, Luis F. PFC Huaroccsanchez, Arthur L. PVT Huncher, Kyle A.*

PFC Huynh, Tu T. PVT Jimenez, Adrian M. PVT Johnson Jr, Richard S.

PVT Kegler, Joseph A.*

PVT Khoury, Cooper M. PVT Knobel, Nikita PFC Lamarche Iv, Ernest F.

PVT Lemmonsriggs, Kaleb I.* PFC Lin, Nick PVT Loggins, Dejonte D.*

PVT Maciassaucedo, Mario PFC Martinezperez, Daniel R.

PVT Mcclure, Traylin O.

PVT Mcgill, Caden J. PFC Mchale, Connor T. PFC Mendez, Cruz B.

PVT Miller, Dylan C.

PVT Morgan, Braeden M.

PVT Morocho, Randy J.

PVT Morochozhicay, Jonathan O. PFC Mulherin Jr, Matthew M. PFC Niemi, Timothy C.

PVT Nietovazquez Jr, Juan

PFC Ostroha, Gabriel J.

PVT Perez, Dady M.

PVT Pizarro, Gabriel

PVT Ramirezflores, Mark A.

PVT Raymond, Tchery B.

PVT Rodriguez, Juan *

PVT Roth, Thomas M.

PVT Sanders, Cade B.

PVT Shinebarger, Riley J.

PVT Shockley, Nicholas J.

PVT Stafford, Logan S.

PVT Stauffer, Shawn B.

PFC Stewart, Neal J.

PVT Thomas Jr, Morik L.

PVT Thorpe, Shevaun N.

PLATOON 3094

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt H. A. Brown

PFC Alvarado, Alex D.

PVT Arredondocastillo, Lenin

PVT Bartman, Michael T.

PFC Bauduy, Jaiden D.

PVT Berrones, Antonio

PVT Bronson, Malachi N.

PVT Cook, Curtis W.

PVT Daquilema, Christopher C.

PFC Delangelventura, Miguel J.*

PVT Escobar, Franco S.

PFC Espinalespinal, Deury D.

PVT Flores, David A.

PFC Floresruiz, Joshua D.

PFC Frank, Hayden T.*

PVT Friebolin, Matthew R.

PFC Gibbs Iii, Daniel W.

PVT Gilbert Iv, John P.

PVT Godleywalden, Daun Q.

PVT Green, Cameron A.

PVT Guazhimamorocho, Andy P.

PVT Guevara, Colton J.

PFC Hampton, Treveon C.

PVT Hart, Sean C.

PVT Heurteloulouis, Dinerro F. PVT Holcomb, Shawn W.

PVT Hosier, Everett J.

PVT Igneri, Reese H. PFC Isma, Alex

PVT Jordan Jr, John G.

PVT Joyatorralba, Edelson O.

PFC Koller, James B.* PVT Lackey, Lane G.

PVT Law, Garrett S.

PVT Leedom, Riley J.

PVT Maignan, Matthew W.

PVT Maldonadocaballero, Anthony J. PFC Mangual, Nickolas E.

PVT Mathura, Joshua S. PVT Mcgoldrick, Santino A. PFC Mejia, Daniel I.

PVT Mercado, Ethan A.

Pvbt Mort, Nikolas J.

PFC Muller, Joseph A.

PVT Nepomucenomanzano, Kevin S.

PVT North, Alexander D.

PVT Ortiz, Adonis M.

PVT Perez Jr, Robinson M.

PVT Potokar, Nathan

PVT Powell, Nathan A.

PVT Quinonezcontreras, Kenyon M.

PVT Rickner, Zackary T.

PVT Rilea, Hayden W.

PVT Robertson, Mario C.

PVT Rosasgalicia, Jesus A.

PFC Rousseau, Ryan R.

PVT Sanchezcollado, Miguel A.

PFC Schreiber, Andrew M.

PVT Scott, Dustin M.

PVT Slomski, Bryce N.

PVT Sosaalgarra, Alvaro J.

PVT Tanner, Tyler E.

PVT Wared, Raul Y.

PFC Westmoreland, Caleb J.*

PVT Whitman, Austin M.

PFC Williams, Samuel J.

PFC Wright, Kieran R.*

PFC Zaragozapreciado, Carlos F.

PVT Zavala, Rafael E.

PVT Zurawski, Eric J.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotions

SPORTS&RECREATION

DECEMBER 15–21, 2022

FROM FISHING TO FOOTBALL, THE HARD WORK OF ALL ATHLETES DESERVES RECOGNITION

Beaufort stars Fields, Phares named All-State

By Wes Kerr LowcoSports.com

Headlined by a pair of state champions from Beaufort High, nine Lowco standouts were selected Friday to the 2022 South Carolina Football Coaches Association All-State teams.

Beaufort High’s Kacy Fields and Colton Phares, May River’s Jaiden Jones and Darrion Perry, Hilton Head Island High’s Chris Mar-

able and Shaikh Thompson, Wade Hampton’s Zion Dobson and Mandrell Sanders, and Bluffton’s Jaylin Linder received All-State honors.

An additional 12 area players earned honorable mentions.

Fields and Phares delivered a historic season for Beaufort High, leading the Eagles to their first state championship since 1945. After moving to running back early in the season, Fields rushed for an astonishing

2,230 yards and 32 touchdowns in his final 11 games. He was next to unstoppable with his breakaway speed and agility, becoming the catalyst of a sensational Beaufort rushing attack. Fields was outstanding under the brightest lights, rushing for 219 yards and three touchdowns on top of a 93-yard kickoff return score in the Eagles’ 41-31 state championship win over Powdersville.

An extraordinary and versatile

Warriors win

playmaker for Bryce Lybrand’s team, Phares shined in all three phases to power the Eagles to the title. He was a menace in the secondary with his tremendous range and physicality, racking up 69 tackles alongside four interceptions and two forced fumbles.

The Appalachian State commit also became a part of Beaufort’s stellar ground attack, adding 598 rushing yards and six touchdowns

Whale Branch knocks off rival Battery Creek

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

A sharply-dressed man with stylish eyeglasses hyped the crowd and led the chants of “DEFENSE” on Friday night at Whale Branch, often appearing as if he was a sixth defender for the Warriors, gesturing emphatically and shouting instructions all night long.

A Seabrook superfan? Nah, just new boys hoops coach Antauwn Wade, whose team has taken on his personality — hard-nosed and high-strung — and was able to channel the frenetic style into a 54-45 home win over round-thecorner rival Battery Creek.

Defensive lineman turned post magician Bradford Thompson led a balanced effort with 12 points, Quaeshawn Fields and Keith Chisholm added nine each, and David Evans and Talon Lee each had seven with a key triple to help the Warriors scrap out a hardfought early-season win.

Evans splashed a 3 to open the scoring, sending the crowd into a frenzy and Wade into a different dimension, as he turned his back to the court and led his bench and fans behind it in chant. The Warriors had the momentum early, but Kanye Freeman scored three straight buckets to force Wade to ask for time to regroup.

Whale Branch edged ahead 2117 at halftime but it was a backand-forth scrap until Lee banged a 3 from the corner and slashed to the basket for two more to push the lead to 28-18. Creek clawed back within 31-26 on an Owen Middleton bucket, but Trevionne Blue rained in a corner 3, then Evans came up with a steal and fed Thompson for a nifty finish to push it back to double digits going to the fourth.

Chisholm took over in the final period, scoring six points in the quarter including a three-point play that iced a late comeback effort.

Freeman scored 12 points to go with five steals and Middleton

alongside 19 catches for 349 yards and a score. His work on special teams may have been the difference in the playoffs, using his incredible elusiveness to return three punts and a kickoff to the house this year including a go-ahead return in the fourth quarter of a playoff win over Gilbert. He finished up his Beaufort football career by earning the Defen-

PREP HOOPS ROUNDUP

Battery Creek senior, Trinity Coney, goes up for a basket. The Dolphins defeated the Warriors on Friday, 47-9. Justin Jarrett/LowcoSports.com

GIRLS BASKETBALL

to help the Eagles pick up a solid road win in a defensive struggle. BA held HHP star Courtney Campbell to seven points before fouling out.

Monday’s Games Beaufort High 50, Whale Branch 27: Aniya Houseal scored 10 points to go with six rebounds to lead 12 Eagles who scored in a lopsided matchup. Acionna Lowe added nine points and seven rebounds, and Quinn Wilson had nine points and five assists for Beaufort, while Zaria Coaxum scored 14 points with five rebounds and three steals to lead Whale Branch.

John Paul II 70, Memorial Day 15: Eighth-grader Lauren Majorkiewicz scored 15 points and Brady Mahoney posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Golden Warriors finished a season sweep of the overmatched Matadors.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Friday’s Games Hilton Head Prep 58, BA 22: The Eagles didn’t have an answer for Chattanooga signee Sean Cusano, who controlled the paint and racked up 27 points.

Monday’s Games

Beaufort High 59, Whale Branch 48: Michael Dennison scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Sully Gay added 18 points and 13 boards to help the Eagles hold off a scrappy Whale Branch team at home. Quaeshawn Fields scored 10 points and David Evans added nine for the Warriors.

Memorial Day 70, John Paul II 23: The Golden Warriors couldn’t get going at the offensive against the undefeated Matadors.

Jefferson Davis 43, Holy Trinity 31: Nasir Void had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Colson Loadholt added 12 points for the Raiders to hold off the visiting Mighty Lions.

– LowcoSports.com

Beaufort’s Phares shines in losing effort at Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl on Saturday

By Wes Kerr LowcoSports.com

MYRTLE BEACH – The

74th Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl on Saturday afternoon was a classic.

And the Lowco stars showed out.

Bluffton’s Jaylin Linder caught a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, and Beaufort High star Colton Phares shined to earn defensive MVP honors for the South team, which came up short, 22-14, to the North squad at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.

After a low-scoring first half of football ended with the South leading 7-5, the North squad scored 10 straight points including a 1-yard rushing touchdown from

Emerald’s Jaylen Foster. But the Lowco’s leading receiver came through to tighten up the ballgame in the fourth quarter.

Brookland-Cayce quarterback and Elon commit

Tanner Staton weaved his way through pressure in the pocket and found Linder, who broke open in the back of the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown grab. A key stop powered by Phares gave the South a chance to win it, but North captain Evan Javis picked off Staton to set up a Bryson James rushing score for a 22-14 lead.

Blythewood’s Anthony Thurman put the finishing touches on the victory with a sack as time expired.

Linder finished second on

the South team in receiving, catching three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Beaufort sensation Kacy Fields added three receptions for 25 yards plus a 2-yard rush. Phares showcased his brilliance in the secondary, making an impressive nine tackles (eight solo) including a tackle for loss with two pass breakups to earn defensive MVP honors for the South team. May River’s Jaiden Jones added a tackle and recovered a fumble on defense, and teammate Darrion Perry also played for the South allstars.

Wes Kerr is a graduate of Hilton Head Island High School and Davidson College. He reports on local sports for LowcoSports.com

New Whale Branch boys basketball coach Antauwn Wade hyped the crowd in the Warriors’ home win over rival Battery Creek on Friday night. Justin Jarrett/LowcoSports.com

Beaufort’s Colton Phares (14) and Kacy Fields (9) pose with coaches from Beaufort High School on Saturday after the 74th Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl on Saturday in Myrtle Beach. Wes Kerr/LowcoSports.com

Right where he wants him

USCB Student selected for prestigious writers’ workshop

From staff reports

University of South Carolina Beaufort English major, Gullah poet and novelist Edra Stephens has been selected as a manuscript fellow for prestigious writers’ workshop The Watering Hole. She is the first USCB student to be chosen for this honor.

The Watering Hole hosts the only Southern writing retreat for poets of color and draws 50 to 60 poets each

year. She was invited to the 10th annual winter retreat, held in McCormick, S.C., and will attend two more weeklong retreats with the group in 2023.

Stephens, who grew up on Hilton Head Island, will bring to the group selected poems and a section of her

first novel, “Born White, Dying Black.”

The Watering Hole has its roots in Cave Canem, a writers retreat hosted by Kwame Dawes, editor of Prairie Schooner with sessions led by National Book Award winner Nikky Finney, International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent inductee Patricia Smith, and co-founder of Affrilachian Poets Frank X Walker.

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Beaufort’s Myers graduates from Wheaton

Wheaton College congratulates August 2022 graduate Austin Myers, of Beaufort, who graduated with a BS in Chemistry-Chem ACS.

Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) is a coeducational Christian liberal arts college noted for its rigorous academics, integration of faith and learning, and consistent ranking among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

8 from Beaufort named to The Citadel’s Spring 2022 dean's list

Eight cadets and students from Beaufort were named to The Citadel's Spring 2022 dean's list.

The dean's list is a recognition given to cadets and students who are registered for 12 or more semester hours and whose grade point average is 3.20 or higher, with no grade of I (Incomplete) and no grade below C for work in a semester.

Cadets who are named to the dean's list receive a medal, which is worn on their uniform during the semester following their academic achievement. Non-cadet students on the dean's list are presented a certificate.

The Beaufort cadets and students include Thomas Conrad, Jonathan Lehman, John Hewlett, Henry Manley, Ethan McKen-

Rival

from page B1

added 10 points and four rebounds for the Dolphins, while Ethan White scored seven points and dished out five assists.

Wade wore his emotions on his chest all night and went through more than one towel wiping sweat from his brow as he worked as hard as his players for every defensive stop, at one point excusing himself to the end of

sive MVP award for the South team in Saturday’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl in Myrtle Beach.

The workhorse back of May River’s offense, senior Jaiden Jones was a two-way star in 2022. A strong runner with exceptional power to break through tackles, Jones tallied 1,233 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Sharks. His tenacity and quickness translated to the defensive side as well, making 23 tackles at

linebacker with seven tackles for loss and three sacks. Jones shared the backfield with teammate Darrion Perry who excelled at safety. His speed helped him fly to the football and make open-field stops, picking up 53 tackles on the season. Perry was incredibly efficient on the ground, averaging 6.8 yards per carry with 406 rushing yards and six touchdowns. His hustle on the field was especially evident on special teams with three blocked kicks to his name.

Chris Marable concluded his outstanding high school career for BJ Payne’s Hilton

Head Island Seahawks with a dominant campaign at defensive tackle. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound senior displayed his elite strength and footwork to stuff his opponents’ run game, leading his team with 68 tackles including a whopping 25 stops for loss. Marable is committed to play at Wake Forest this fall and will compete in the 2022 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on Saturday in Greenville.

He’s joined on the all-state team by breakout junior defensive end Shaikh Thompson, who made an immediate impact with his explosive play on the line. Thompson’s

power and physicality helped him make 45 stops including 15 tackles behind the line of the scrimmage. His strong work ethic and athleticism on the field will make him a cornerstone of Payne’s defense in 2023.

A standout in the backfield for Wade Hampton, Zion Dobson feasted in his junior season. Dobson’s quickness and agility were difficult to contain, rushing for 1,065 yards and 15 touchdowns on 200 carries. He was especially efficient in running routes and picking up extra yardage after the catch, pulling in nine receptions for 121 yards and

zie, Reed Reichel, Christopher Rohrer and Elliott Ruoff.

The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of U.S. military service.

5 from Beaufort earn gold stars at The Citadel

Gold stars were awarded to cadets and students at The Citadel who achieved a 3.7 grade point average or higher in the spring 2022 semester. Cadets and students who achieve gold star recognition are also placed on The Citadel's dean's list.

Those cadets may wear gold stars on their uniforms throughout the semester following their academic achievement. A gold star recognition certificate is awarded to non-cadet students who meet the requirements; veteran and active duty students are also awarded challenge coins.

The five cadets and students from Beaufort who earned gold stars are Henry Manley, Ethan McKenzie, Elliott Ruoff, Thomas Conrad and Jonathan Lehman.

– From staff reports

the bench to fume while his assistants lowered the temperature and set the young team back on course.

The Warriors couldn’t complete the sweep of their crosstown rivals, though, falling 59-48 at Beaufort High. Michael Dennison ravaged Whale Branch inside with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Beaufort Academy transfer Sully Gay added 18 points and 13 boards, exposing some limitations.

But Whale Branch went toe-to-toe with the Eagles for most of the night, getting

two scores. His Red Devils teammate Mandrell Sanders also earned a nod after a terrific season at linebacker. The sophomore’s quickness and ferociousness were critical to Wade Hampton’s defense, making 93 tackles including a team-high 24 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Sanders’ terrific burst off the snap helped him to a team-best 6.5 sacks and 12 hurried throws.

Linder saved his best season for last at Bluffton, conjuring up a spectacular senior campaign under first-year head coach Hayden Gregory. An explosive wideout with the speed and athleticism

10 points from Fields and nine from Evans in a game that was within three in the fourth quarter.

Like their enthusiastic young coach, the Warriors have some settling in to do, but they should be a factor in a wide-open Region 7-1A.

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.

to beat defenders over the top and make tough catches in traffic, Linder put up 63 receptions for 1,276 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also shined on the defensive side at free safety, picking off a pair of passes to lead his team in interceptions. He finished off his career in style on Saturday, catching a touchdown pass from Brookland-Cayce’s Tanner Staton in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.

Wes Kerr is a graduate of Hilton Head Island High School and Davidson College. He reports on local sports for LowcoSports.com

The Bucs’ second baseman tries to field a bad throw as the Red Snapper’s Russ Regina safely steals second during the third inning of their Beaufort County Adult Baseball League game Monday at Burton Wells Athletic Complex. The Bucs won 6-3. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Edra Stephens

Bridges Prep’s Eberardo Martin, top, moves Academic Magnet’s Ayden Cuffanel into position for the pin during their 170-pound bout Monday night at Bridges Preparatory School. Bridges Prep defeated Academic Magnet, 54-14, and Bamberg, 66-18. Bamberg defeated Academic Magnet, 34-33. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

VOICES

‘We’re in some very undefined territory right now’

It is Tuesday, and we’re in Connecticut driving through a rolling landscape where large properties are defined by thigh-high walls made of gneiss and schist. As we drive through Greenwich, National Public Radio takes us to a conference in Egypt where global warming is on the menu. The question on the table is what the “Global North” owes the “Global South” in term of reparations.

NPR’s expert at this conference says that we in the United States manufacture 25% of the carbon dioxide that has made its way into the earth’s atmosphere. Furthermore that we, followed by China, are the world’s biggest polluters. And that we and China are responsible for the droughts, the floods, the famines and riots that have resulted from the increase in temperature.

The rest of the world — especially the developing countries in the Southern Hemisphere collectively called the Global South — want damages for the resulting calamities, both natural and political. They want

GRABER

“accountability,” and accountability means cash and there is no question from NPR’s expert that the two are logically, legally connected.

Later in the day, the discussion (on NPR) turned to the midterm election and the voting population called “white, without a college degree” — a voting bloc formerly called “Joe SixPack” by our very own Lee Atwater. A voting bloc now owned by the young, scented, gel-applying mandarins in the Republican Party.

Now I do understand that the Republicans “underperformed” in the Midterms, but this go-round the “white without” folks constituted 41% of the entire vote and 65% of this 41% voted Republican.

None of these numbers are news to those of us live in the American South. We know

that the white, without-a-college-degree folk who happen to be listening to NPR — and there can’t be a whole lot — view the concept of global warming with suspicion.

As I listened to the coverage of this conference and the implicit endorsement (by NPR) of the cause, effect and culpability of the United States, I have no doubt what “Joe and Joleen Sixpack” are thinking about the “damage and reparations” part of NPR’s story.

But I also wondered what would be required if the “Global South” brought suit in the Beaufort County’s Court of Common Pleas and these plaintiffs were required to prove their damages — to prove that the floods, riots, insurrection and mass migration were caused by our carbon emissions. I also thought about the requirement of negligence that would be necessary in our courts.

Proof of negligence requires the disregard of a code, statute or standard.

Furthermore, there has to be a connection between the negligence and injury. There would

Although automobiles and coal-burning generating plants have pumped billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, most historians believe that the invention of the internal combustion engine was, on the whole, a good thing for mankind.”

have to be proof that our carbon dioxide caused their floods, their political upheaval, their insurrections and the resulting mass migration.

The Wall Street Journal has weighed-in on accountability saying that “Attribution science is still evolving.” But other scientists say its going to be hard to pin-down who, in particular, caused the recent floods in Pakistan; or who is sending the Senegalese into the Mediterranean.

“I think we’re in some very undefined territory right now,” says Lisa Graumnlich, a professor of Forest Sciences at Washington State University and President Elect of the American Geophysical Union.

Although automobiles and coal-burning generating plants have pumped billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, most historians believe that the invention of the internal combustion engine was, on the whole, a good thing for mankind. And I would bet the young engineers who currently build the GE97 Turbofan (jet engine) don’t see themselves as defendants.

In the 1950s Chairman Mao Zedong made a decision to encourage mass transportation and bicycles in China — to stay away from automobiles. No one knows why he did this, but

it’s a good bet Chairman Mao wasn’t thinking about global warming when he made this decision.

In the last 20 years the Chinese reversed themselves on automobile ownership. That decision, along with the industrialization of India, has made the difference. Now internal combustion emissions threaten everyone — even those Lexus-loving aristocrats who live in Charleston, who now must contemplate an 8- to 20-foot-high wall around their frequently flooded peninsula.

The Biden Administration is trying to get us into electric cars; and has recently enacted legislation encouraging off-shore windmills which, in South Carolina’s case, would be in Myrtle Beach. Getting Americans to embrace these changes is probably better than asking Joe Sixpack to send cash to Niger and Burkina Faso.

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

Was the fix in against Herschel Walker?

When Herschel Walker gave his concession speech after losing the race to occupy one of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats, I listened and found myself saying something totally unexpected:

“I could have voted for this guy.”

Unlike the clown the final weeks of his campaign had put on display, the man who stood at the microphones the night of December. 6 came across as thoughtful, sober-minded, and dare I say it, statesmanlike.

A couple of excerpts:

“The best thing I have ever done in my whole entire life is run for this Senate seat right here. The reason I am going to say that is because I got a chance to meet all of you and hear what you guys feel about this country.”

“You can't blame no one because I want you to continue to believe in this country, believe in our elected officials. Most of all, stay together,

‘We

We the People! Those three words changed governments forever. Never had any government been successfully created believing in the idea of “self-governance.” Before that amazing instrument that “We the People” call the “Constitution of the United States” was ratified, “the People” were considered too uneducated, too opinionated, and too uncivil to govern themselves. Here we are, 233 years after it became the law of the land, and our United States is considered by many to be the most prosperous, the most generous, the most powerful, and the freest nation on

don't let anyone separate you. Don't let anyone tell you that we can't because I am here to tell you, we can.”

It reminded me of Arizona Sen. John McCain’s concession the night he lost the presidential election to Barack Obama. It was not as eloquent, and certainly not as long, but every bit as sincere and necessary. It left me with positive feelings about this man I had once looked up to based on his athletic prowess and public image.

I had given up a lot of those feelings after Walker announced he accepted Donald Trump’s endorsement to run for Senate in an

ill-conceived effort to siphon Black support from incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock. I lost even more as Walker’s son Christian took to social media to call out his father’s apparent hypocrisy over allegations of family discord.

By the time news broke Walker had been credibly accused of funding abortions for a series of girlfriends, I was long past looking at Walker with anything but disdain. How could this guy immolate his public image for political again? Why would he subject himself and his family to this indignity?

Social media was flooded with clips of inarticulate malapropisms (“this erection is about the people”) and buffoonish behavior (like pop-locking as he entered a rally stage to the sounds of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s elegiac hip-hop classic “Tha Crossroads”). After the latter incident, I posted on social media, “It’s bad enough the Republicans don’t take him seriously, but now he doesn’t even take himself seriously.”

But maybe that’s where I was

divided into two separate bodies (a Senate, and a House of Representatives), and a judicial branch led by a Supreme Court with a chief justice having strong leadership authority.

Here comes the BUT.

wrong.

See, not long before this happened I read a report Walker had become upset after seeing how his campaign was being used by some of his Republican Party colleagues and affiliated committees. Fundraising solicitations were distributed under the auspices of helping Walker, but only a fraction of the money was actually going to his campaign.

NBC News reported, “President Donald Trump’s Save America sent out an email that asked prospective donors to ‘contribute ANY AMOUNT IMMEDIATELY to the Official Georgia Runoff Fundraising Goal and increase your impact by 1,200 percent.’ But if donors didn’t see a link that said ‘click here for details or to edit allocation,’ they wouldn’t have noticed that 90 percent of their contributions automatically went to Trump, with the remaining 10 percent going to Walker.”

After being called out, Trump’s group changed the default allocation to 50-50, but similar efforts had been

conducted in North Carolina and Ohio using Walker’s name. Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz did similar call outs, giving Walker half of the money they had requested in the name of helping his campaign.

The NBC report was dated Nov. 14. Walker broke out the electric bugaloo at a campaign appearance Nov. 19.

Maybe I’m trying too hard to regain my former good feelings about Walker in thinking he decided to blow up his campaign to spite the people who dispatched and exploited him. What else could he do, knowing that if he won, he’d be in their thrall for at least the next six years of his life?

Maybe Herschel Walker saw an opening, made a final breakaway run to save what was left of his own self-esteem and danced his way to freedom.

Terry E. Manning is a Clemson graduate and worked for 20 years as a journalist. He can be reached at teemanning@gmail.com

of office and their civil and criminal jurisdiction. The terms of office must be uniform throughout the State.”

planet earth. For the most part, the Constitution of our great state of South Carolina follows the principles of the United States Constitution. At first blush, our Constitution seems to have established a state government system that includes three separate and equal branches – an executive branch, a legislative branch,

Article V, Sections 26 and 27 of our state Constitution have potentially negative effects on the “separation of power” between our legislative branch and the judicial branch. Article V, Section 26 says: “The Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a number of magistrates for each county as provided by law. The General Assembly shall provide for their terms

The original intent was to give the Governor strong power to decide who would preside over our most basic courts. However, at this point in our state’s history, each elected state Senator simply decides to whom he/she wants to give those important judicial positions, and the Governor acquiesces.

In other words, “friends of state Senators” become our magistrates. It is time for “We the People” to step up and help our Governor rightfully assume his Constitutional responsibilities. It is usually

at the magistrate level that original bond amounts are set or suspects are released to their “personal recognizance.”

Article V, Section 27 of the South Carolina Constitution creates, what has become perhaps a more egregious potential, but one which I believe “We the People” can also address and rectify.

Article V, Section 27. Judicial Merit Selection Commission.

As a principle, I believe the intent of the JMSC is positive, however, that commission, has, in my opinion, become unnecessarily controlled by powerful left-leaning lawyers.

“We the People,” working

with our Governor, the South Carolina Sheriffs Association, the South Carolina Solicitors Association, and men like Mark Keel, our Chief of SLED must rise up and demand a fair and just system that maximizes safety and holds the criminal element accountable.

I stand ready, willing, and able to be a voice of reason in your South Carolina Statehouse. What can you do? You can contact me by email at mcsjoe1213@aol.com. “We the People” CAN, together force necessary change.

S.C. Rep. Joseph (Joe) White (R) represents District 40 covering parts of Lexington and Newberry counties.

Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News

SCOTT

TERRY MANNING

REP. JOE WHITE

ARTS

Gifts From the Boneyard

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 1-31, 2023, Port Royal Sound foundation (PRSF) Museum, 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie. The Friends of Hunting Island (FOHI) and The Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) are hosting an art exhibit called, "Gifts From the Boneyard, Art Inspired by Hunting Island's Landscape.” The featured artist is Barbara James, a local fabric artist. Photographers Joan Eckhardt and Andy Stephens are also contributing pieces. Proceeds from sales will go to FOHI and PRSF. Opening gala from 4 to 6 p.m., March 2, 2023.

CALENDAR

Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market

5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.

Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes

5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.

Wet Willie's Trivia Night

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

Wet Willie's Bingo Night

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

Highway 21 Flea Market

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

Port Royal Farmers Market 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http:// www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @ portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.

YMCA Puppy Plunge

9 to 11 a.m., Saturdays, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25. Wardle Family YMCA, Outdoor pool, 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. Wellbehaved canines of all breeds and sizes are welcome. Cost is $10 per pup. All proceeds benefit the Y’s Learn to Swim program. Owners will be required to sign a waiver before entering the enclosed, exterior pool area (use the side entrance gate), must be present with their pups at all times, and humans are not permitted to swim in the Puppy Plunge. The YMCA asks that pets be up-to-date on all vaccinations. Event is weather dependent so check the YMCA social media or call the Y front desk at 843-522-9622 the morning of the Puppy Plunge to check any status update.

Senior Citizen’s Tea 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18, Marine Corps Air Station Officer’s Club. Hosted by the MCAS Beaufort Military Spouses’ Club. This is a tradition since 1968 to thank them for their support of the military community. For more information and to make reservations, call or text Christine Arbogast at 928-246-3775.

Beaufort Oyster Festival Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 21-22, 2023, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. www. BftOysterFestival.com.

Herbal Tea from Native Plants of the Sea Islands 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Call 843-255-6487 to register. Free. Learn how to find and create teas from native plants with artist & environmentalist Monique deLaTour; history, origins, and uses of Yaupon, and more.

Lowcountry Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon and Program

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 170 Hampton Hall Blvd., Bluffton. ‘Jazz it Up Feature/Speaker-Tempe Brown; Mini Jazz & Blues Concert. Prepaid Reservations: Luncheon is $28 Luncheon is $28 payable to CWC Bluffton and send to Carol Mock, 607 Argent Way, Bluffton SC. 29909 or email Julie. ott.az@gmail.com.

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

HISTORY

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING

HIGHWAY 21 DRIVE-IN

The movies scheduled for this week (Friday, Dec. 15 through Thursday, Dec. 22, closed Wednesdays) at the Highway 21 Drive-In are Avatar: The Way of Water (PG-13, 7:30 p.m.) on Screen 1; Avatar: The Way of Water (PG13, 6:30 p.m.) and Avatar: The Way of Water (PG-13, 9:50 p.m.) on Screen 2; and Christmas Vacation (PG-13, 7:30 p.m.) and Violent Night (R, 9:10 p.m.) on Screen 3 (Friday and Saturday).

Online ticketing is available at hwy21drivein. com on the Now Playing page. Patrons are asked to arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

“Our family at the Hwy. 21 drive in feel a responsibility to our community,” a statement from Highway 21 Drive-In management reads. “We are concerned about many things in these trying times and in making the right decisions. We are concerned with our employees, our patrons, our business, our community’s businesses, and the health and well-being of all.”

A reminder: no outside food or beverages can be brought into the drive-in.

Upcoming movies include Avatar: The Way of Water (December) and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (December).

features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.

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

Heritage Library Family Tree Maker Classes 10:30 a.m. to noon., select Mondays, Fourpart Zoom seminar. $50 for Heritage Library members, $55 for non-members. A series of 4 online classes to help you make the best of Family Tree Maker Software. To register, go to https://heritagelib.org/online-classes.

Jan. 16, Session 1: Overview and the First Steps. Learn how the program is organized and the proper setup to get the most from the software. These classes assume you have basic computer skills. The software is available both for MAC and PC users. Jan. 23, Session 2: Getting Started: People and Media Tabs. Learn to add people, set relationships, add and categorize media, set profile pictures, link media to several people at once, backup your files, and more. This class gets you started on the process of documenting your family history with this software. You must have purchased Family Tree Make 2019, installed it on your computer, and done the preliminary required setup covered in Session 1. Jan. 30, Session 3: Introducing the Web Search. Learn to search websites through Family Tree Maker, add favorite search sites, and add information directly to your tree. Additional information on Media and maps will be included. Feb. 6, Session 4: Creating A Final Project: Find and Fix Errors, Get Started With The Publish Tab.

Participants will learn how to find and fix duplicate information and errors; learn what reports can be created from the software; how participants can share work; and how to create a book.

Rediscovering the Discovery of America

10 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, Room 115, USCB Hilton Head Campus, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. $8 for Heritage Library members, $10 for non-members. To register, go to https://heritagelib.org/online-classes. This presentation explores the actual facts behind the myths that have framed American history for centuries.

The New York Campaigns

1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24, Room 213, USCB Hilton Head Campus, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. $8 for Heritage Library members, $10 for non-members. To register, go to https://heritagelib.org/online-classes.

Explore the history of the Revolutionary War in New York.

History & Happy Hour

with Captain Jack Stoney 5 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24, USCB Hilton Head Campus, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. $25 per person, with cash bar. To register, go to https://heritagelib.org/onlineclasses. Meet Captain Jack Stoney, privateer and wealthy landowner of early Hilton Head and enjoy the cocktail of your choice and hors d’oeuvres. Captain Jack will delight you with his descriptions of life on the island before, during and after the Revolutionary War. Cash bar with food provided by The Heritage Library.

Gullah 101 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, Room 115, USCB Hilton Head Campus, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. $8 for Heritage Library members, $10 for non-members. To register, go to https://heritagelib.org/online-classes. Let us introduce you to the spiritual, musical, linguistic and storytelling world of the Gullah culture.

The American Revolution: A World War No One Knows 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14, Room 115, USCB Hilton Head Campus, 1 Sand Shark

Drive, Hilton Head Island. $8 for Heritage Library members, $10 for non-members. To register, go to https://heritagelib.org/onlineclasses. Discover how America was only one relatively compact and insignificant theater of war in what was in reality a World War for England, and that American independence was won only due to military aid from two European powers and distractions provided by four other major nations.

What Civil War Are We Talking About?

Southern Honor and the Myth of the Lost Cause 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 20, Room 115, USCB Hilton Head Campus, 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head Island. $8 for Heritage Library members, $10 for non-members. To register, go to https://heritagelib.org/onlineclasses. This presentation explores this 19thcentury manifestation of “fake news” and its lasting consequences on the national memory and understanding of the Civil War.

HOLIDAYS

Santa Clause Christmas Drive-Thru

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, 16 Penn Center Circle-West, St. Helena Island. Free gift of a toy for all boys and girls. Cosponsored with the St. Helena and Lady’s Island Fire Department.

Drink Wine, Eat Chocolate and Create a Beautiful

Christmas Ornament

6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, Southern Palette Art Studio, 2121 Boundary Street, Suite 1006, Beaufort. $65. Limited space. Call 315-409-5636 to register. Southern Palette Art Studio has invited Tammy from Wine Chocolate for a Christmas themed night of wine and chocolate tasting and oyster shell ornament creations. Sample different wines paired with chocolate and enjoy some Christmas music while creating beautiful Christmas ornaments guided by Kandace Joy.

The Beaufort Railroaders 29th Annual Model Train Display

Select times and dates, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott St, Beaufort. Free. Open to all ages. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15; & Friday, Dec. 16th; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17.

Sounds of the Holidays

6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16, Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, 10 Clubhouse Drive, Hilton Head Island. $45 per person, 3 course meal and show included. Limited Space. For questions and sign-up, call 843-681-1747. Cocktails from 5:30 to 6 p.m., Dinner from 6 to 7 p.m., and Show from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The quartet will perform a variety of songs and genres, including Christmas classics, Blues, Country, Pop, and a few surprises that are notso-Holiday songs. Plan on having fun, laughs, warm memories, and lots of love in the air. Invite your friends & family. Will also have a sing-along segment and a Table-versus-Table singing and choreography contest.

Music From The Manger

7:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, Wardle Family YMCA, 1801 Richmond Ave, Port Royal. Headlining the concert is local musician Liz Jane with her band including Jim Bachety (lead guitar), Kyle Fabian (bass), and Stefan Mozer (drums). Supporting Liz this year is a talented singer Emery Ward, the band Rock Solid and the Music From The Manger Choir led by Joshua Wall. Music From the Manger will benefit the YMCA Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $30, $60 for a family of four. Visit MusicFromTheManger.com.

Beaufort Menorah Lighting

5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Bay St, Beaufort. Free. Show by Magic Mark. Enjoy music, donuts, and latkes. For more information, visit https:// www.jewishhiltonhead.org/beaufort.

Live Nativity Performance

6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18, Penn Center’s Frissell Community House, 16 Penn Center Circle-West, St. Helena Island.

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Law Talk

Select times and days, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Seabrook. To register, call 843-255-6479. Free. Brief topic overview with Question & Answer with volunteer attorney. Saturday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m. to noon, Family Law; Tuesday, Feb. 28, 5 to 6 p.m., Landlord Tenant Law; Tuesday, March 18, 5 to 6 p.m., Wills, Estates, and Probate; Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. to noon, Heirs Property; Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m. to noon, Starting a Business or Nonprofit.

Dungeons & Dragons

4 p.m., Mondays, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843255-6441. Ages 12 to 18.

Lego Club

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843-255-6540. All ages welcome.

Time for Tea

(English Tea Party)

3 p.m., 1st Monday of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6456.

Law Talk

5:30 to 6:30 p.m., select Tuesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort.

To register, call 843-255-6481. Free. Brief topic overview with Question & Answer with volunteer attorney. Jan. 24, Wills, Estates, and Probate; Feb. 28, Estate Planning; March 28, Advanced Health Care Directives; April 18, Starting a Business.

Knitting/Crochet Class

2:30 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6456.

Teen Art Club

4 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6441. Ages 12-18.

Teen Anime Club

4 p.m., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6456.

Teen Video Game Club

4 p.m., 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6441. Ages 12 to 18.

S.C. Works Job Coaching

2 to 4 p.m., Thursdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843-255-6540. Free help with job searches, interviews.

Line Dance Class

3:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6456.

Chess Club

1 to 2 p.m., Saturdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843-255-6540. Ages 5 and older.

MEETINGS

Maye River Quilters

9:30 a.m., Jan. 9, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. To attend as a guest, RSVP at mayeriverquilters@ gmail.com. For Information and membership forms, call 843-705-9590.

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.

Zonta Club of Beaufort

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

MUSIC Music on Malphrus –Kirsten Maxwell

7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton. General Admission $25. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Fripp Island Friends of Music Concert Series

5 p.m., specific Sundays, Fripp Island Community Centre, 205 Tarpon Blvd., Fripp Island. Individual shows are $30. Consider becoming a member of Fripp Island Friends of Music (FIFOM). Membership gives you access to all five concerts, including the post-performance reception where you meet the musicians while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared fresh by Harold’s Chef Services. It also helps fund FIFOM’s Music-in-the-Schools program. The basic FIFOM membership, $100, has not changed. To become a member, text or call Vanessa Peñaherrera at 704-8070255 or email vandy116@gmail.com. Go to frippfriendsofmusic.com for more information.

Schedule: Jan. 8, Andrew Armstrong (piano); Feb. 26, The Tony Lee Group (jazz); March 26, Kim Richey (singer-songwriter).

NEW YEAR’S

Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31, Revolution Ballroom. Attire is 1920's theme. Advance registration is required. Early Bird tickets (until Dec. 15) are $45 per person. Tickets after Dec. 15 are $55 per person. Tickets are non-refundable. Get tickets at https://www. revolutionballroom.com/event/newyear/.

OUTDOORS

Port Royal Cypress

Wetlands tours 10 to 11:30 am., Saturday, Dec. 31; 4 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27; 10 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 11; 4 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, Port Royal Cypress Wetlands. Bring your holiday guests to a free guided tour of the wetlands sponsored by Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands and led by Master Naturalist Jill Moore. Moore is full of information about alligators, turtles, trees, plants, and the variety of birds that call the wetlands home. This is a great opportunity to learn about this magical place. Tours are limited in size so sign up now. Kat Bray, Tour Coordinator, info@foprcw.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 844-5242197 Tuesday, December 20, 2022 is the last day to redeem winning tickets in the following South Carolina Education Lottery Instant Games: (SC1324) CASH FRENZY; (SC1328) THE BIG $PIN

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 833-230-8692

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-397-7030 www.dental50plus. com/60 #6258

AUCTIONS

28th Annual Construction-Truck Auction. Tue, Dec. 27th at 8AM. See meekinsauction.com. NCLN 858. 10% BP-onsite; 12%-online ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.1 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

EDUCATION

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-602-1453. (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required.

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS

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

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Never clean your gutters again! Affordable, professionally installed gutter guards protect your gutters and home from debris and leaves forever! For a FREE Quote call: 877-324-3132 NEED NEW FLOORING? Call Empire Today to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring. Call Today! 844-254-3873 Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time offer – get $50 off on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-866-2750142.

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Re-

quest a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-844-775-0366

The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-655-2175

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-875-2449. Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company – 855-837-7719 or visit www.Life55plus. info/scan Trouble hearing your TV? Try TV EARS’ Voice Clarifying Wireless TV Speaker. Better than a soundbar and/or turning the TV volume way up. Special, limited time $50 off offer. Call TV Ears. Use code MBSP50. Call 1-833-856-0470

STAINED GLASS CLASSES IN BEAUFORT

Southern Sky Glass Studio is forming morning and afternoon classes for adults 18 and older. Beginning to advanced classes. Cynthia Buckley 508-280-9792 or southernskyglassstudio@gmail.com

TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

DIRECTV Stream – Carries the Most Local MLB Games! CHOICE Package, $89.99/mo for 12 months. Stream on 20 devices in your home at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-855-237-9741

DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-844624-1107

DISH Network. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1-877542-0759

FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-855-851-8201

VACATION RENTALS

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

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