The vibe: At 19, The Beaufort International Film Festival has become one of the world’s favorite film festivals
Ican’t believe it’s been a year since I cozied up at Hearth with Ron and Rebecca Tucker – for three hours straight – grilling them about the upcoming 18th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival. Now No. 19 is fast upon us, we’re back at our favorite wood-fired pizza joint, and once again, I’m firing questions at Beaufort’s hardest working cinephiles.
My mission? To ascertain the “vibe” of this year’s fest. Last year, it was easy. We
were celebrating the 30th anniversary of Forrest Gump, a film with deep roots in Beaufort. Gary Sinise was coming to receive a special award. There was a Gump documentary making its premiere. There were panel discussions and presentations and a Lt. Dan Band concert. The theme was clear. And the theme created the “vibe.”
SEE FILM PAGE A4
Roughly 100 people turned out Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, in front of Beaufort City Hall to protest the actions of the Trump administration. Jeff Evans/The Island News
Group protests actions of Trump administration
By Mike McCombs and Jeff Evans The Island News
Around 100 people turned out Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, in front of Beaufort City Hall to protest the actions of the Trump administration in its first few weeks.
The rally was organized by Carter Hoyt.
“If you’re as sick as I am thinking that Lindsay Graham and Tim
Scott and Nancy Mace are going to care whether you call their office, I’m inviting you to join me at 4 p.m., Monday afternoon ... in a protest in front of City Hall,” Hoyt said she told the 70 to 80 acquaintances she emailed. “And that’s how it started. Make your own sign, nothing profane. A lot of friends came back and said, ‘Can I invite other people?’ I said yes, as long as they understand about the signs.”
Hoyt made it clear it was not one particular group that organized the gathering, rather an “organic” collection of friends and individuals.
“I deliberately didn’t organize it through any group, not that I necessarily think that those groups are anything bad, but a lot of people don’t want to be on a list,” she said. “… I knew that they would
MARGARET EVANS
LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS
During the recent snow storm, Allan Lassiter of Lady's Island snapped a photo of these birds enjoying the seeds among the snow and icicles. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.
VETERAN OF THE WEEK ALICIA BAUTISTA
American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Beaufort’s Alicia Bautista who joined the U.S. Navy in Montebello, Calif., in 2018. After Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Ill., and Hospital Corpsman School in San Antonio, Texas, she was assigned to Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune (N.C.). She then
transferred to Naval Hospital Beaufort, where she works in the Medical Home Port serving our local active duty personnel and their families as well as some retirees. She does intakes, vitals, reviews medical records and works with pediatrics. She is the first in her family to serve in
the military. Her husband works at MCAS Beaufort, and they live at Laurel Bay.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
ON THIS DATE
February 15
1519: Pedro Menendez de Aviles — founder of Santa Elena, the first colonial capital of Spanish Florida on Parris Island in the Port Royal Sound — is born in Spain. Menendez de Aviles was the first Governor of Florida and the first European man to convert native Americans to Christianity.
2016: Beaufort author Pat Conroy announces publicly on his Facebook page that he was battling pancreatic cancer.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Why didn’t I say something?
I'm regretting another case of "Why didn't I say something?" on Wednesday afternoon, when a large group of elders (including me) were quietly walking around the Waterfront Park, demonstrating our concern about Trump's recent fire hose of malfeasance. A large man bellowed gleefully over the crowd, "Trump is going to fix everything!" Wish I had stopped to engage him in a real conversation, maybe beginning with "What has Trump fixed so far? WHAT exactly do you want him to fix?" I'm one of those folks who have never understood Trump's appeal, and therefore can't understand why so many people look to him for leadership. Fortunately, he still does not hold a majority of support in this country. Unfortunately, that isn't stopping him from doing a lot of reckless damage. His current "fixes" include: Indiscriminately decimating the Civil Service -- those people who do the actual work of the Federal government, all over our nation; Inviting an unelected oligarch without security clearance and with clear conflicts of interest to break into our Treasury Department and turn it over to young coders who are currently busily reworking payment systems for Social Security, Veterans, Medicaid, small businesses and nonprofits, other agencies. (What could possibly go wrong?);
Abolishing USAID and heading in that direction with our Department of Education; Purging the FBI of agents and attorneys who participated in the Jan. 6 investigations; "Owning" Gaza, Greenland, the Panama Canal; Starting a tariff war with Canada and Mexico; Undoing birthright citizenship (Unconstitutional); Renaming the Gulf of Mexico (pointless);
Ordering the U.S. military to do immigration work; requiring states to help ICE (both illegal); and ... naming a Fox News contributor to head up the Department of Defense, and a guy with a brain worm who left a bear carcass in Central Park to head up Health and Human Services, among other (questionable) nominations for the Cabinet.
Trump and his motley crew are simply sowing chaos throughout our nation and the world in service of … what? Making America Great Again? He is breaking things. What is he fixing?
While I sympathize with the need to turn away from this chaos, we can’t. Until we lose it, we still have government by the people. That's us. I have to pay attention. Oh, and I will occasionally gather with other con-
PAL PETS OF THE WEEK
Dog of the Week
Blondi is a sweet, gentle, 7-year-old girl with a heart full of love. She has a calm, serene presence and makes relaxation her number one priority in life. Blondi would be an ideal pet for someone looking for a lowenergy, loving dog who enjoys cozying up and taking long naps. She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
Cat Of The Week At 8 years old, Guila is a mature
February 16
1970: Joe Frazier defeats Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden in New York City to improve to 25-0 and win the WBA and vacant WBC world heavyweight titles. – Compiled by Mike McCombs
cerned citizens. Maybe that conversation that didn't happen still can, sometime.
– Carol Brown, Beaufort
Call your Senators today
Last year U.S. companies spent more than $80 billion on cybersecurity to protect their data and yours. Yet some of your most personal data — social security numbers, bank routing numbers, tax data, credit card numbers, etc. — has been handed over to an unelected billionaire and his unvetted DOGE team, none of whom have security clearances. What could possibly go wrong?
The DOGE team does not follow standard cybersecurity protocols. By handing them our most sensitive data, we are essentially opening the door to criminals and foreign adversaries who are always looking for ways to breach our systems. We've just rolled out the "welcome mat" for them.
This is not a partisan issue. Regardless of who you voted for, your data is now at risk. I urge you to call our elected officials today and let them know this is not okay.
Senator Lindsay Graham: (843) 849-3887; Senator Tim Scott: (843) 727-4525
I called these numbers and I spoke to actual human beings, not answering machines. And the people I spoke to were very respectful.
– Peter Birschbach, Port Royal
adult who appreciates the finer things in life, like good food and long naps. He has a gentle, patient nature and understands
the therapeutic benefits of a cozy cuddle session. No kitten antics here! Just a calm cat looking to spend his life with someone special. Guila is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
For more information on Blondi, Guila or any of our other pets, call PAL at 843-645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.
– Compiled by Lindsay Perry
Alicia Bautista
Former Black Chamber CEO arrested for trespassing
By Delayna Earley
Island News
The
Former Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCBCC) CEO Larry Holman was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 6, and charged with Trespassing while outside of the BCBCC building in downtown Beaufort.
Holman, who served as the CEO of the BCBCC for 22 years, was allegedly outside of the building on a bench when he was arrested by the Beaufort Police Department and
charged with Trespassing. He was released on a personal recognizance bond later in the day on Feb. 6
According to a post made by his son, Kevin G. Holman, on Facebook, his father was allegedly trying to get items of his personal property that he says the BCBCC “has illegally stolen and withheld from him after showing documents to prove it was
his personal property.”
Allegedly, the reason Holman was near the Chamber is because the property in question was being moved and potentially sold, which cannot happen because it is in court, so he was taking pictures through the window from the sidewalk to send to his lawyer.
He was arrested for allegedly violating a no trespass order against him, but supporters of Holman who wish to not be named in the newspaper have said that he was
allegedly sitting on the art bench outside of the Chamber, which is considered public property. The no trespass order was originally filed against Holman in 2023
The Chamber terminated Holman’s contract and that of his son, who was the Director of Programs and Events, in June 2023 after the board voted to remove them.
The BCBCC is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1999 to support and foster minority-owned businesses in Beaufort County.
Freedman Arts District hosting discussion Feb. 13
Focus will be on NW Quadrant, Old Common neighborhood investment
Staff reports
The Freedman Arts District is hosting a discussion session focusing on investing in the NW Quadrant and Old Common neighborhoods at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13 at the Freedman Arts District Office at 1401 Duke Street. The event is open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend.
Participating will be Curt Freese, the Community Development Director for the City of Beaufort, and Dick Stewart, General Partner at the Stewart Family Office L.P. Topics will include: City processes for approving changes to buildings; Grants and tax incentives for
property owners; Financial benefits of preservation easements for property owners, including a review of easements, and what’s needed to make this program more beneficial?; Revolving fund repair programs including what’s available and what’s needed?; Home repair programs including what’s available now and what are the requirements to qualify? and restrictions and requirements that discourage participation; and Heir’s Property Title programs and funding including what’s available and planned and what are the requirements to qualify?
In July 2023, the Chamber hired Marilyn Harris as their new CEO. Holman is currently scheduled to appear in Criminal and Traffic Court on March 24, 2025, at 3 p.m. according to the Public Index at press time on Tuesday afternoon.
Motorcyclist dies in single vehicle crash on U.S. 21
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
A motorcyclist was killed in a single vehicle crash on Monday evening after veering off the highway and hitting a tree south of Gardens Corner in northern Beaufort County. According to a report from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10 on U.S. 21 (Trask Parkway). A Kawasaki motorcycle was headed south on U.S. 21, according to Cpl. Nick Pye of the SCHP, and reportedly went off the right side of the road, striking a curb before colliding with a tree near the intersection of Pap Kee Lane. As of press time Tuesday afternoon, the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office had not identified the victim publicly.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached
Holman
Staff reports
‘Loving, inspirational and professional’
Beaufort Memorial honors Infusion Center nurse with DAISY Award
A cancer diagnosis is an earth-shaking, heart-wrenching, scary thing, and it certainly shocked Beaufort fifth-grade teacher Jill Scheper when she found out she had to complete 16 rounds of chemotherapy last year.
“I thought my life was over,” she said. “It felt like it was the end of the world.”
When Jill arrived at the Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort to begin her treatments, she could barely see as tears streamed down her face.
Then she met Annie Loughlin, a nurse who floored Jill with her kindness, professionalism and positivity. Those qualities earned Annie a prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses on Feb. 3 at a small surprise ceremony in the Infusion Center.
Annie’s matter of fact, knowledgeable manner put Jill at ease, and she never shied away from answering any of Jill’s questions – and there were many, Jill said.
Film from page A1
“Her knowledge in the oncology field is impressive,” Jill said. “She took the time to explain everything to me. It made me think, ‘OK, I can do this.’” Chemotherapy takes a
serious toll physically and emotionally, and there were moments where Jill considered quitting, but Annie’s positivity and encouragement, however, kept her from giving up.
“She was just a teacher in that sense, and a coach,” Jill said. “She told me, ‘Keep fighting for your family.’”
Annie’s manager, Michelle Talley, RN, also called her a “teacher.”
“The compassion and excellent care she provides to her patients every day is profound,” Michelle said. “Annie is a team player and advocates for her patients and will always find a way to teach them, no matter their level of education.”
Annie even expertly navigated Jill through using a cooling cap during her treatments, which allowed her to keep most of her hair.
“She saved my hair,” Jill said. “She put the cold cap on every time, which is so labor-intensive and needs to be monitored. I kept a lot of my hair, and the hair I did lose is growing back.”
Annie was Jill’s nurse throughout her 16 rounds of chemotherapy treatment and the subsequent infusions as well. They became close friends – and after Jill met Annie the first time, realized that they were neighbors as well, with Annie living just down the street from the Schepers.
Her knowledge and kindness during a “horrible” time in Jill’s life shows
not only her dedication to her patients and the field of nursing, but the sheer power and lasting impact of a friendly face and a caring hand.
“This means a lot to me and I couldn’t do it without my team. It really is a joint effort,” Annie said following the ceremony Monday. “I’m very honored and overwhelmed.”
Jill said that Annie made her feel seen, and like she was never alone.
“She’s loving, inspirational and professional, and all of those things blended together just make her a phenomenal nurse,” Jill said.
“She’s an earth angel.”
Developed in 1999 by a Seattle couple to honor the nurses who took care of their dying son, the DAISY Award has since been adopted by health care facilities all over the world.
Anyone can nominate a Beaufort Memorial nurse for the honor. Applications are available throughout the hospital and at BeaufortMemorial.org/DAISY.
Other years had other themes. Other vibes. There was the year we all dressed as flappers and gangsters for opening night, to honor special guest Paul Sorvino … who took ill at the last minute and didn’t show up.
Or the year we celebrated the 40th anniversary of The Big Chill – filmed in Beaufort – and dressed like hippies or yuppies or hippies-turned-yuppies. There was the year Blythe Danner came, and the unspoken theme was “movies based on Pat Conroy books … starring Blythe Danner.” And the time Andie McDowell came … and was both a theme and a vibe unto herself.
But this year, there is no theme. So what about the vibe?
“It’s really an a la carte festival this year,” Ron tells me.
“There’s literally something for everybody,” Rebecca confirms.
An a la carte festival. I like it! Because the more I think about it, the Beaufort International Film Festival – almost two decades in –no longer needs a theme to create a vibe. It IS the vibe. Consider the statistics …
Everybody wants in
This year, BIFF had 515 films submitted for competition, from more than 30 countries. Only 53 films were selected. That’s a 10% acceptance rate. Can you say “competitive”?
At least 80 filmmakers had committed to attending this year’s festival at press time, but Ron says it’ll probably be more like 100 Apparently, a good number of unexpected folks always turn up … just to keep the Tuckers on their toes.
As for general attendees, those stats won’t be in until sometime after the festival, but last year, there were 37 states and nine countries represented in the audience.
The Tuckers say BIFF’s popularity is mostly just great word of mouth. Filmmakers chat with other filmmakers about the networking opportunities, the huge audiences, the beautiful location, the southern hospitality, and such. (Same goes for festival fans.) But you could also blame Film Freeway, the comprehensive online service that matches filmmakers with film festivals, and vice versa. For the past few years, the site has consistently rated BIFF one of the top 100 film festivals in the world.
To be clear, there are something like 12,000 film festivals in the world ... and according to Film Freeway, BIFF is in the top 100 In fact, it’s often been listed in the Top 10 Filmmakers love the vibe Film Freeway bases its ratings on reviews by actual filmmakers. Here are just a few from last year’s festival:
“I don't even know where to begin with Beaufort International Film festival! A friend highly advised to attend and although driving 2500 miles all the way from California to South Carolina didn't sound like a lot of fun initially, we will make that drive to that festival over and over again from now on. It was, hands down, my best experience attending a film festival. It started with the head of the festival, Ron Tucker, personally emailing us and sharing his thoughts on the film. He offered us a free room at a beautiful historical Rhett House Inn across from the oldest church in town. The hospitality, and care were absolutely unparalleled; I have never had an experience like this. The screenings were nearly sold out every day and the audience was so receptive and engaged. Some of the best Q&A I've ever heard. The whole town comes together for this festival -- it is incredible!” – Yelena Krivosheyeva
“Beaufort International Film Festival is the best festival I've attended. It's large enough to have showmanship and energy, yet also fosters a sense of camaraderie and support. Ron and Rebecca are fantastic, and the festival volunteers are kind and nothing short of amazing. As a bonus, the setting is gorgeous -- beautiful antebellum houses by the seaside. I wish I could go again next week! Thanks for an amazing experience.” – Jennifer Baker
“Where does hospitality, kindness, and great taste in films come together? At the Beaufort International film festival, of course! The reception was amazing, and the hosts are the kindest of people. It's a fun time with a lowcountry twist. And they know how to pair films together in blocks. I'd go back again!” – Jon Baime
“This is a gem of a festival and one of the absolute best I’ve been to!! The unparalleled southern hospitality and the consistently incredible films (I mean, EVERY film was good!! Even if a film wasn’t to
my taste, it was still a good film!!) means that BIFF has cultivated an artistic community where networking feels natural because it’s creatives sharing their passions. Plus, the screening attendance is phenomenal!! We had 500 people attend our film!” – Maggie Alexander
Why he keeps crossing the pond
John Schwab is an American actor based in London, and a longtime veteran of BIFF. He’s had films in the festival, and for the past 10 years, he’s served as a juror. By any measure, John is a very successful working actor. His credits include streaming sensations like Jack Ryan, The Diplomat, and The Queen’s Gambit, among others. Yet, year after year, he makes time to participate in BIFF ... and often even appears on the scene.
“I find it a huge honor, because there is no other film festival like Beaufort. I have seen BIFF go from a tiny little festival with screenings held in a hotel conference room to now full-fledged top 100 festival in one of the most beautiful cities in America ... if not the world.
“I am so proud to be part of the growth in what little capacity I have been. I remember submitting my first film, The Applicant, way back in 2009 – or something like that – and almost imploring Ron to accept my little film into this festival that I just heard of in a town where I absolutely loved spending a very good chunk of my impressionable youth.
“When I heard that my film was accepted, I was so overjoyed, and my entire family joined me that year to go to BIFF. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that it was a transformative moment in my family‘s life. Beaufort became a tradition. The Beaufort film festival became a tradition. Family and friends travelling to Beaufort became a tradition.”
John had planned to continue that tradition this year, but a last-minute acting gig in London came up.
“Believe me when I say that my heart is a little broken. BIFF is a festival like no other, and at no other festival do the filmmakers show up and instantly become friends. It’s not just the stereotypical southern hospitality that one receives, it’s a special type of Beaufort southern hospitality. Hugs instead of handshakes. "See you later's" instead of "goodbyes." It’s something I have not experienced at any other film festival, and I’ve been to many, many festivals in the states and around Europe.”
For the Tuckers, BIFF never ends
For the visitors and locals who love it, BIFF will come and go – a dazzling flash of heat and light that’s so very welcome in February. For Ron and Rebecca Tucker, however, the festival never ends. Ron puts is like this: “We live and breathe BIFF all year long. While we celebrate a successful BIFF for a short time, we start planning the next one usually within the month of the last BIFF. Our Call for Entries will go out in March; we usually get films the first day submissions are open. If we’re out and about in Beaufort – or anywhere else in the world – we’re likely sporting some BIFF Swag or toting Save the Date or Business Cards and ready with our BIFF ‘elevator speech.’ Even on our celebratory annual cruise, we remain in the BIFF READY MODE.”
“Throughout the year we pound social media with past successes to build the likelihood of future success,” he continues. “We celebrate news from BIFF Alum on other festival wins or selections. We try to have a couple of Meet & Greets during the year and we have our Shorts at High Noon at TCL from September – November, when we’re recruiting new film enthusiasts and spreading the word about BIFF. We also speak to groups about BIFF and the Film Society during the year. We work in concert with other non-profit organizations helping to promote their efforts, often providing auction items for their fundraising.”
Through the Beaufort Film Society, the Tuckers also work with the Carolina Film Alliance and the South Carolina Film Commission to promote our region as a filmmaking destination. They work with other film producers who want to film in Beaufort, and serve as a liaison with City, County and State officials.
“There are several projects in the pending file,” says Ron. “For instance, we’re working with the USCB Media Department to establish a viable Student Intern Program. We’ll have two Interns working with us at the film festival. Also, there are as of right now two film projects in development with Beaufort in top position as a location. Time will tell.”
This year’s “a la carte festival” In truth, BIFF has always been an a la carte festival. Even when there’s a general theme, the menu of films is a rich and zesty smorgasbord.
Ron Tucker says this year there
seem to be a good number of movies that focus on history -- but as always, the films run the gamut from sci-fi to romance to suspense to comedy.
He says the documentaries are particularly strong this year.
In “Echoes of Loss: Eight Days in Israel,” the audience will journey alongside Mor as he travels from his home-base in Los Angeles to his homeland of Israel. Set against a backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war and rising global antisemitism, Mor explores his own healing journey after losing his wife, Noel, to ovarian cancer in 2019 “Marcella” takes a look at Marcella Hazan, a disabled woman who trained as a scientist, then changed how we cook and experience Italian food.
Closer to home, the short documentary “Breakfast in Beaufort: Journeys Through Time” features a close-knit group of local men, ages 80-something to 100, who meet every Wednesday at Blackstone's café.
As always, the roster of feature films, short films, student films and animated films on offer at BIFF 2025 is incredibly diverse –in style, tone, and subject matter. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, some will delight you or horrify you or enrage you. Some will just make you think. Half the fun of BIFF is walking into a block of films, giving yourself over to the surprise, and just riding the full range emotion.
But before all that …
Opening night vibe
Opening Night of BIFF is always a blast, but this year’s opener promises to be the best yet. The reception will happen on the lawn of the CFA, under a big tent – they’ll have heaters if needed – and there will be music from start to finish.
Local favorites the Cluster Shucks will rock the reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., then party-goers will mosey into the auditorium to enjoy a brief concert by the Beaufort Symphony Orchestra, performing some of the world’s favorite movie themes.
What a way to kick-off a week of entertainment, enlightenment, and inspiration! What a way to set the BIFF vibe.
The 19th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival will take place at USCB Center for the Arts February 18 through the 23 For tickets and a full schedule of events, visit www.beaufortfilmfestival.com.
Beaufort Memorial Infusion Center nurse — and the recipient of a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses — Annie Loughlin (left) and fifth-grade teacher Jill Scheper, one of Annie's patients who nominated her for the award because of her kindness and professionalism. Photo courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Immigration reform protest planned for Feb. 17
VIVA emphasizing ‘respectful and peaceful participation’
By Mike McCombs
Island News
The
An Immigration Reform Protest is planned for 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Fab. 17 – Presidents’ Day – at the Beaufort County Administration Buildings in northern and southern Beaufort County.
The group organizing the protest – VIVA, Independent Voices For a Vision of America – is emphasizing “respectful and peaceful participation.”
In a flyer sent to The Island News on Monday, Feb. 10, the group spells out the “whys” of the rally.
“Emotions are high. We’re here to show strength and unity, not intimidation,” the flyer reads. “We are heard and we are a growing community. Our voices will be heard. We are not criminals. We are your neighbors, classmates and friends.”
President Donald Trump, recently elected to his second term, has promised mass deportations of immigrants, some without regard for citizenship. Trump is vowing to end birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.
Karolina Bucardo, a 34-yearold tile business owner, who also works as a hairstylist, says VIVA
Protest from page A1
was formed because “we were seeing how our community is being affected.”
She said VIVA’s leadership, a small groupthat ranges in age from 18 to the mid-50s, is comprised of people that have been affected in the past by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and has seen the current situation happen before on a smaller scale in 2006, when the Latino Stand Up Movement protested the Bush Administration’s policies.
“The younger ones have seen their parents protest,” Bucardo said, “… some have seen their parents be deported in front of them.”
Bucardo said the numbers aren’t
feel more comfortable if they thought I was personally asking them than if they thought they were going to get on some ... list.”
“People are just mad, mad. They feel like they have no agency, no ownership, but this is what they can do. Our legislative group isn’t paying any attention to us. They don’t give a crap about us,” Hoyt said. “They’ll do what this guy tells them to do. They’ll do whatever Trump tells them to do. And what I don’t think people realize is all this stuff he’s doing is just cruel, some of it unconstitutional, a lot of it illegal.
“And it is hurting our own people. I mean, what they’re doing to USAID is hurting our own farmers. Taking away the immigrant workers is hurting our farmers. What they just did today, cutting the Agriculture Department funding, is hurting our farmers.
firm yet, but she definitely expects the protesters to number in the triple digits between the two sites.
Bucardo said members of the group’s leadership thought Beaufort County was a much more united community. But since Trump returned to office, she said they have seen members of their community back the same hate coming from the president.
“We are doing this for the people that cannot speak, … we’re carrying the torch for people that feel like their rights are being violated,” said Bucardo, who ideally hopes the event “would stay peaceful and respectful, and our whole community, not just
City Councilman Mitch Mitchell, a retired U.S. Air Force Major General made an appearance at Monday’s protest. Jeff Evans/The Island News
Hispanics, people from different backgrounds, places, show up and support us.”
Bucardo said she is aware speaking out and taking part in political protests could make her a target, and she knows there are others afraid to be exposed and worried about the repercussions for standing up for what they believe.
But she believes strongly in what she is doing and what the group is doing and she’s already thinking about the next rally that will come.
“This protest is to peacefully show that we are here,” Bucardo said. “Our community is one of peace. We may not show up like we should have in the elections of local government, but that’s also because we never thought we would be targeted when we contribute so much to this community. We are here and we are the children of immigrant hardworking parents. We can vote and we will. We are learning that silence and not engaging in our rights is not the answer and we will be much more involved.”
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
Counselors are
by appointment
by calling 843-255-6880. For more information, go to https://bit. ly/3CgzP1z.
Galentine’s Day
Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
Jeff Evans is the publisher of The Island News and can be reached at 888-ISL-NEWS.
“You saw what the President of Mexico said, ‘We don’t have to buy iPhones. We can buy other phones. We don’t have to buy American cars.’ So we’re creating a situation where we’re hated in the world for what we’re doing because we’re so damn selfish. So what are they going to do? They’re going to turn to other countries. And China is just thrilled about that. They’ll step in and say, Oh, we’ll help you.” So what do they think they’re doing. The whole thing is so idiotic. They’re ‘America First.’ That’s a joke right? … Everything about it is insane.”
by contacting the Procurement Administrator at 843-525-7071, or by email to procurement@cityofbeaufort.org. “EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY” STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT CIVIL ACTION NO. 2024-ES-07-01428 NON-JURY SUMMONS IN RE: ESTATE OF ELIZABETH NEWTON LAUREL A/K/A ELIZABETH LAUREL
BERNICE FORCER f/k/a BERNICE NEWTON f/k/a
BERNICE SYLVIA LAUREL Petitioner, vs BERNICE FORCER f/k/a BERNICE NEWTON f/k/a
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN RESPONDENTS, MINORS, PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES INSANE PERSONS UNDER ANY DISABILITY: TO THE RESPONDENTS NAMED ABOVE: And to any thereof that may be residents or non-residents of South Carolina, and to the natural, general, testamentary or other guardian or committee thereof, and to the person with whom they reside or whom they may be employed, if any there be, and to all other Respondents who whereabouts cannot be ascertained. TAKE NOTICE, that the Amended Summons, Amended Petition, Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem, Order of Publication, and Notice to Respondents Including Persons Unknown, Minors, Incompetents, and Disability were filed in the Office of the Probate Court of Beaufort County, South Carolina on January 21, 2025, and on January 31, 2025, Jodie A. Borger, Esquire, was appointed Guardian ad Litem, her appointment to become absolute thirty (30) days after the service of the Amended Summons.
NOTICE OF HEARING TO DETERMINE HEIRS-ATLAW: TO THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing has been scheduled for April 24, 2025 at 10:30 am at Beaufort County Probate Court, Beaufort County Courthouse, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina, for the purpose of determining the Heirs-at-Law of the Estate of Elizabeth Newton Laurel a/k/a Elizabeth Laurel.
ZenDen owner Robyn Baker engages with customer Norma Dondiego of Beaufort during the second annual Kiss My Grits Port Royal Galentine‘s Day Brunch and Shopping event in Port Royal on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Mace accuses 4 men, including ex-fiancé, of being sexual ‘predators’
By Shaun Chornobroff SCDailyGazette.com
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace accused four men, including her ex-fiancé, of “some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable” during a nearly hour-long prepared speech Monday night, Feb. 10, on the House floor.
The 1st District congresswoman said she discovered thousands of photos taken with hidden cameras as well as recordings the “predators” made of themselves sexual assaulting women over years. She was among the victims. Some were underage girls, she said.
“None of you will get away with it,” said Mace, who has represented the Lowcountry since 2020 “None of you will because tonight is about justice for all of the women that you all raped, that you all filmed, that you all photographed, that you all abused for years.”
All four men strongly denied the allegations to The Post and Courier after the speech.
“I categorically deny these allegations. I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name,” her ex-fiancé, Patrick Bryant of Charleston, told the newspaper.
The two broke up in late 2023 which would be after Mace said she found the evidence.
The State Law Enforcement Division confirmed after her speech that Bryant is being investigated for assault, harassment and voyeurism.
The investigation started Dec. 14, 2023, after SLED was contacted by U.S. Capitol Police. Multiple interviews and search warrants have happened since. A “well-documented case file” will eventually be available. But the “complex” case is ongoing and involves multiple lawyers, SLED said in a statement.
Once the investigation is complete, the file will be sent to a prosecutor for review, it concluded.
The statement did not name any of the other three men Mace called out in her speech.
One reached by the Gazette said he will “fight this in a court of law.”
“I unequivocally deny all the allegations made against me which are baseless, repugnant and defamatory,” Eric Bowman responded in a text.
‘This monster stole my body’ Mace’s speech started with a declaration that she was going “scorched earth.”
Mace said she first discovered the crimes after confronting Bryant about a text she received. He initially put his phone in a safe but later gave her the combination. She looked through his phone and saw a woman unconscious being sexually assaulted. She also found photos of a teenager undressed “in the kind of under -
wear a child would wear.”
Mace then said she saw another video of a slender woman with long brown hair. The woman was unaware she was being filmed,
Mace said.
She turned up the volume and heard her own voice. The congresswoman zoomed in on the video. There was no denying it was her.
“My entire body was paralyzed, and I couldn’t move,” an emotional Mace said. “Were my feet on the floor? Was I breathing? I had no idea. I could feel pain shooting out of my heart, out of my chest.”
“This monster stole my body. It felt like I had been raped,” she said.
It happened in 2022, she said, while she and Bryant were at a function on the Isle of Palms. She had two vodka sodas and blacked out, something she said had never happened before.
“My memories of that night are like flashes in and out of dark, flashes in and out of the night,” she said. “I was raped that night.” Mace said she could not be sure if it was Bryant who did it.
On one camera alone, she said, she found 10 633 videos, plus numerous photos of adult women and about a dozen photos of underage girls.
“I found file after file,” she said, adding that it seemed most were unaware of what was happening.
The night before she left Bryant in November 2023, ending a 19-month engagement, Mace said she was physically assaulted by him. She added she still has a mark to this day from it.
“Rather than see this mark as a scar, I see this mark of a free woman, free from a monster,” Mace said.
Mace mentioned her Christian faith throughout her speech. She also mentioned how the daughter of Ethel Lance, a 70-year-old victim of the 2015 Mother Emmanuel shooting, forgave the killer.
“I don’t want to forgive. I don’t want to, but I know that as a wom-
an of faith, I have to,” Mace said. Throughout her speech, the phone number of a hotline for victims was displayed on a poster beside her. Mace encouraged any victims of the men to call 843212-7048
Attorney general accusations
Mace also accused Attorney General Alan Wilson, an expected foe in the 2026 governor’s race, of not addressing the crimes against her and other women — which he called “categorically false.”
During her speech, Mace stood next to a poster of Wilson that read “Do Nothing Attorney General,” a moniker she has routinely used to describe him.
Mace said she turned evidence of her findings over to the attorney general, who failed to take any action with it and at one point refused further evidence.
But Wilson said neither he nor anyone in his office had any knowledge of the accusations until her speech. His office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement agency or prosecutor’s office, his office said in a statement released shortly after the speech.
Beyond that, it is not the attorney general’s job to start a police investigation, the statement noted.
“Ms. Mace either does not understand or is purposefully mischaracterizing the role of the attorney general” as the state’s chief prosecutor, it said.
As for her claim that Wilson refused to receive evidence, his office said, “the attorney general would always direct any citizen to provide evidence of a crime to the appropriate law enforcement agency, which would be responsible for the investigation.”
The lengthy statement also pointed out that Wilson and Mace have been at multiple events together over the past six months and that Mace has Wil-
son’s personal cellphone number.
“Not once has she approached or reached out to him regarding any of her concerns,” it read.
Mace has made stops around the state in recent weeks as she contemplates a gubernatorial bid. Gov. Henry McMaster is ineligible to run again, creating wideopen field.
So far, only former reality TV star and state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has announced a run for governor, which he did on X last week.
But Mace, Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pam Evette are the three most expected to run. Mace has been highly critical of both Wilson and Evette on social media.
Transgender controversies
Mace has also been making headlines for recent comments about transgender people.
In November, she led the charge to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings.
Her resolution followed Delaware electing Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson then issued a rule that “all single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex.”
Mace then introduced legislation to expand the rule to all federal buildings, as well as a separate bill applying the rule to restrooms nationwide. It threatens to prohibit federal aid to any company or government not complying. No action has been taken on either of those bills yet.
Last Thursday, Mace was criticized as using offensive language toward trans people during a House Oversight Committee hearing on spending by the United States Agency for International Development, known as
USAID, which the Trump administration has halted. Mace accused USAID of “funding some of the dumbest, I mean stupidest, just dumbest initiatives imaginable, all supported by the left,” citing a list of diversity and transgender advocacy initiatives funded around the world.
“Our foreign assistance system is badly broken, and this ends now,” she said in a video of her questioning she proudly included in her weekly newsletter.
When a Democrat on the committee told Mace she was using a slur to the LGBTQ community, she interrupted him and repeated the term multiple times, saying, “I really don’t care. You want penises in women’s bathrooms, and I’m not going to have it.”
The day before, she received a personal shoutout from President Donald Trump when he signed an executive order prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in female sports.
During her speech Monday on the House floor, Mace touted multiple bills she introduced to protect women. This includes the Prison Rape Prevention Act, which requires prisoners to be housed based on their biological sex. She said she introduced the bill “so a woman can’t be raped by a man who thinks he’s a woman.”
And she doubled down on her critics.
“I’ll take all of the arrows and all of the attacks, if it means I’m taking these attacks for each and every one of you,” Mace said. “I’m doing this today because we can’t delay justice. Justice victims like myself need to move forward.” Mace cannot be sued for her accusations. The Speech or Debate Clause protects members of Congress from lawsuits for what is said on the floor.
Shaun Chornobroff covers the state legislature for the S.C. Daily Gazette, a part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest statefocused nonprofit news organization.
Rep. Nancy Mace gives a speech on the House floor on Feb. 10, 2025. Screenshot from C-Span
Editor’s
A tribute to Beek Webb
By Victor M. Varner
Tears fell on Beaufort
last week. Rest in peace, Beekman Lee Webb, Jr.
I landed in Beaufort August of 2004. It didn't take long for me to start hearing the name Beek Webb. I looked at a house on Prince Street that had a slightly sagging floor toward the kitchen. I expressed concern, but the realtor told me Beek Webb would say "leave that floor alone." That was the first time I heard his name. Within weeks I was hired to lead a string band at St. Helena's Episcopal Church. One of the musicians said, "would be great if we could get Beek Webb to play his mandolin." I tried to reach out, but he didn't return my call. However, I began to hear Beek's name in more and more musical references, sometimes prefaced by "the legendary…"
I ran into a Charleston "legend" named Roger Bellow and he asked if I had played with Beek yet. I replied I hadn't, but I felt myself becoming more curious … and
somewhat intimidated.
Then my buddy Roland McIntosh (who taught with me at Beaufort High) said he was going to a "jam" at Beek's house on Tuesday night and suggested I attend. I got up my courage and took my guitar into a little building on Beek's property called the "Sunday School."
I walked into a room containing about 12 musicians – fiddles, mandolins, banjos, guitars, harmonicas, and a washtub bass played by Beek's cousin Alan Webb. I heard joyful music and found that I was able to follow along. Everyone there was encouraging and I noticed immediately that Beek was "holding court." All the players looked to him for direction. His guidance was subtle, but commanded respect.
He was playing fiddle that night, and I noticed right away he was professional. The Tuesday night jams became a source of mental therapy for me as I
was struggling to build a choral program at Beaufort High School. As timed passed I started to play a few solo acoustic gigs around town.
Then I got a call to play some tunes at the Rhett House Inn on New Year’s Eve. I sheepishly asked Beek if he'd do it with me and to my surprise he enthusiastically replied "yes." Thus began a 20-year journey playing restaurants, juke joints, churches, funerals, weddings, festivals, and assorted events. Some strange ones. We actually played for the grand opening of Roper Hospital's new cardiac operating room in Charleston … in the operating room! As well-known as he was for music, Beek was equally known and respected as a builder and THE authority on historic home restoration here in the Lowcountry. He was also an authority on ornithology, winning prizes for sightings in his youth. If you
attended a party or event where Beek was present, you might have noticed a group of seven of eight people gathered around him just listening to him talk. I once referred to Beek as my big brother. He shrugged off the comment, but the fact is he taught me so much about so many things. Beek's passion for music and life will live on with so many souls fortunate enough to cross his path. I may have been just a blip on his musical screen, but our partnership and friendship will always be a highlight of my life.
(The video linked here is of Beek's dog Capo, who is quite a singer, but prefers to sing only with Beek's mandolin. That's our friend David Dowling sitting nearby, and a glimpse of Cathy, Beek’s beloved wife. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=qldtg6N3a5k )
Vic Varner is a professional musician and retired music educator. He lives in Beaufort.
What I saw at the Revolution: A South Carolinian who deserves greater recognition
It was great to see John Laurens on the Peace Center stage in Greenville the other day.
For a man who’s been dead for 243 years, he looked terrific.
Laurens, a South Carolina hero of the Revolutionary War, occupies an important place as a character in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster musical “Hamilton.”
I’m not sure, however, that the real-life Laurens occupies a prominent place in the hearts of South Carolinians. He’s often been relegated to a “footnote” in the revolution, his biographer says.
And that’s a shame. The man was extraordinary. Laurens, born in Charleston in 1754, was a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army and aide-de-camp (a special assistant) to Gen. George Washington. Washington said of Laurens, “No man possessed more of the amor patria (love of country). In a word, he had not a fault.”
Washington trusted him to the extent that he appointed Laurens as the American commissioner for drafting formal terms of the British surrender following the decisive battle of Yorktown.
Laurens was recklessly brave in battle.
After the Battle of Brandywine, the Marquis de Lafayette quipped about Laurens, “It was not his fault that he was not killed or wounded. He did everything that was necessary to procure one or t’other.”
Fierce abolitionist
Perhaps most impressively, Laurens was also a fierce abolitionist in fiercely slaveholding South Carolina.
In “Hamilton,” Laurens (played by Nathan Haydel, 22), raps on stage: “But we’ll never be truly free/Until those in bondage have the same rights as you and me.”
That closely follows the real-life Laurens’ own words: “We Americans at least in the Southern colonies, cannot contend with a good grace, for liberty, until we shall have enfranchised our slaves.”
Laurens spoke out against slavery 80 years before the Civil War when 60% of the population in South Carolina were enslaved people of color. That jumped to 90% in some parts of the Lowcountry, according to historian Robert Allison.
Lauren’s own father, Henry Laurens, was a slaveholder and a partner in the largest slave-trading establishment in North America. In 1779, John Laurens gained approval from the Continental Congress for his plan to recruit a brigade of 3,000 South Carolina slaves by promising them freedom in return for fighting. However, South Carolina’s conservative leaders rejected the plan.
Elected to the S.C. House of Representatives, Laurens tried three more times to put his plan into action, but it was overwhelmingly opposed by state leaders.
It took uncommon guts, in other words, for John Laurens to openly advocate for freedom for Blacks rather than merely acquiescing to colonial popular opinion in South Carolina.
What could have been
“John Laurens was the most militant opponent of slavery in this band of brothers (the other revolutionaries),” Miranda said in his book “Hamilton: The Revolution.”
Some argue that Laurens was the most forward-thinking and modern of the revolutionaries and founding fathers — a group, of course, that includes Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, Madison and the rest.
“Laurens speaks more clearly to us today than other men of the American Revolution whose names are far more familiar,” his biographer Gregory D. Massey wrote in 2003
“Laurens believed Blacks shared a similar nature with whites, which included a natural right to liberty. To that extent, at least, his beliefs make him our contemporary, a man worthy of more attention than the footnote he has been in most accounts of the American Revolution.”
A “footnote” indeed: There’s not one statue of Laurens in the entire state of South Carolina.
Laurens merits only a passing reference in Walter Edgar’s authoritative “South
Carolina: A History.”
If Laurens is only an asterisk in accounts of the revolution, it’s probably because he had the misfortune to be killed at the age of just 27, before he had the opportunity to obtain the higher office for which he seemed destined, much like his good friend Hamilton.
On Aug. 27 1782, Laurens was shot from his saddle during the Battle of the Combahee River in South Carolina. He was one of the last casualties of the Revolutionary War.
“To me, his death is the greatest ‘What-If’ in American history,” Miranda wrote. “A voice for emancipation from a surviving Revolutionary War veteran and a favorite of Washington: We’ll never know what could have been.”
I think Miranda decided to include Laurens in his Pulitzer Prize-winning musical
for the same reason that he wrote about Hamilton: He believed that Laurens, like Hamilton, had been neglected by history.
Hamilton and Laurens were also the best of friends.
Some speculate they were lovers. They wrote affectionate letters to each other at a time when it was not uncommon for men to express such sentiments.
It’s true, of course, that Laurens County and the city of Laurens in the Upstate bear his family’s name.
There are streets named after Laurens and his father in Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, and Beaufort.
But I hope that John Laurens will earn a prominent spot in South Carolina’s 2026 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. We need to do far more to honor this South Carolina hero.
Spending time with revolutionaries like Hamilton and Laurens offers a galeforce breath of patriotism and inspiration.
Paul Hyde is a longtime journalist and teacher in the Upstate. He worked 18 years for the Greenville News as a columnist, editorial writer, education reporter and arts writer. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Clemson and Harvard universities. He has written for the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and USA Today, among other publications. He currently is a regular contributor to the Greenville Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Classical Voice North America.
The musical “Hamilton,” by the way, continues at the Peace Center through Feb. 16 At a time of chaos and deep division in contemporary Washington, “Hamilton” reaffirms fundamental American values to a throbbing beat of rap and hip-hop.
Beekman Webb. Submitted photo
PAUL HYDE
Elijah Malcomb (second from right) played John Laurens in the 2021 national tour of “Hamilton.” Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus
It is with great sadness that I share the news that Beaufort lost a great and humble man recently.
Beek Webb, a man who truly embodied everything “Beaufort,” passed away peacefully at his home on Coosaw Island this past week.
I got to know Beek through my work at the Open Land Trust. He enhanced my love of birds, wildlife, and the people who call Beaufort home.
We could sit for hours talking about the importance of connecting our kids and grandkids to nature so that future generations would care about this place, like we do. Beek led by example. Much like Beaufort itself, he was eccentric yet sophisticated, polished yet self-effacing, scholarly yet unassuming, successful yet modest.
IEmbody the best of Beek Webb
He served on the Open Land Trust’s board for several decades — a conservationist with saltwater in his veins and pluff-mud in his bones. At just 17 years old, he crafted what may have been the first conservation easement in our region to save Bay Point Island — decades before the idea became known.
One of his most treasured places, a campsite on Bay Point, known as Gale Brake, a place that he and his friends inhabited as much as their own homes back in
Beaufort, helped Beek to articulate his love of the Lowcountry. It’s also how he knew the importance of kids having special places to explore and learn from early on, like he had.
Way back when, when he was only 17 years old, he asked each one of his friends to sign his manifesto agreeing to principles that would not only protect his campsite, but would guide Beek’s life:
To preserve individual spirit
To preserve the island, their last refuge against the monster of civilization
To protect their campsite
To promote fellowship through good times
The manifesto closed with "May we all strive towards perfection in the pursuit of these principles and may the great God of Gale Brake be with us always."
His life was spent saving the
places and things he loved most.
From the Robert Smalls House to The Green and the historic sea island cotton fields on Coosaw Island, Beek’s vision and heart are everywhere you turn in our community. He stayed curious until the very end, although he already seemed to know more about everything than anyone I’ve ever met.
He felt deeply, loved fiercely, and cared passionately.
In one of his recent emails to me, Beek shared a thought that resonates now more than ever:
"The life we have now is the only one any of us can be sure of. We all need to do the very best we can."
Here at the Open Land Trust, we deeply miss Beek.
I miss him deeply.
We are committed to continuing his vision for a place where people and place are connected and where people approach life with curiosity and fellowship.
To our supporters, we thank you for being part of this community and for helping us keep Beek’s spirit alive through the work we do together today, tomorrow, and for future generations.
If you’d like to read his obituary, you can do so at https://bit. ly/4hSYZVW.
They say that the best way to honor someone you’ve loved and lost is to embody the best of them. Beek gave us so much to aspire to. I am determined to honor him together, as we save the land that he and so many others love.
Kristin Williams is the Executive Director of the Open Land Trust and can be reached at kristin@openlandtrust.org.
We can’t leave Africa to the Chinese
t is Thursday, and I’m sitting at what Susan and I call our “huddle house.” This is a battered Formica counter separating our miniature kitchen from our pink and green painted dining room. This black, cracked and chipped counter-top has seen countless cups of justbrewed coffee, steaming bowls of grits; but, today, it features my old laptop. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been listening to an audio-book — “Elon Musk” — as presented by Walter Isaacson. I do this in my upstairs study, often in the semi-prone position, distracted and slightly drowsy. But Musk’s life is so different from my own that my wandering mind is often jolted from its sundry distractions. Musk, of course, is Trump’s newly appointed Czar for government efficiency. This morning we learn that he has sent out — by way of a colleague — a
memo telling thousands of far-flung USAID bureaucrats not to come to work.
Listening to “Elon Musk” also coincides with an essay (The New Yorker, Feb. 3, 2025 by Anna Wiener) that discusses the “entrepreneurial mindset” first described in the book “In Search of Excellence” written by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman in 1982
“The book highlighted the importance of “corporate culture,” a workplace identity that could enable employees to feel a sense of agency, ownership, and purpose in their day-to-day work. As a management
book, “In Search of Excellence” ostensibly spoke to the management class — but, as its success implies, it also struck a nerve with the reader more likely to toil for a dysfunctional company rather than run one …”
In 1992 Peters followed “Excellence” with an essay that coined the phrase, “personal branding” that focused on creating a network of “friends, colleagues and clients” who would promote you (as a person) rather than your team or your company. This was movement away from one’s corporate, self-abnegating identity toward individualism, survival, and constant self-promotion.
Almost every week thereafter there was a book or magazine article reinforcing the fact that one could no longer count on long-term employment. The days of keeping one’s head down, being a “team player,” finding a niche or a mentor, working one’s way up the
Acorporate ladder were over.
The notion of lifetime employment (and loyalty) at IBM or General Motors became laughably naive. There wasn’t going to be a pension at 62; or a gold plated watch; maybe your company would not even exist.
One had better build an absolutely indispensable “brand” when you had your health—when there was still ambition and recklessness rattling through your young body.
Now Elon Musk has captured America’s corporate imagination built around a different concept.
One starts off with the premise, first and foremost, that Musk is a genius who is always right when it comes to coding, computers and design. He is famous for questioning everything — “Are these three bolts really necessary?” — and setting production deadlines that are thought to be “impossible.”
Whether it is the production of 5,000 Teslas; or the launch date of a rocket prototype; Musk sets a date that requires every employee to work non-stop with a sense of desperation and sleep-deprived dread.
Anybody who shows any reluctance — any allegiance to his wife and children or entertains any misguided thoughts about hiking the Pacific Coast Trail — is fired.
Musk operates on the theory that he, eventually, will make a landing on Mars. He says that every decision he makes — whether it involves rockets, building solar panels or self-driving automobiles — is in furtherance of a successful mission to Mars.
He takes the position that this Mars landing is so central to mankind’s survival that every employee must share his obsession or leave.
And because Musk has made billions of dollars in this process his philosophy
is taken seriously. There are, no doubt, dozens of professors at Harvard and Wharton now writing books about Musk and his philosophy of management.
I don’t know much about rockets; but I know a little bit about Africa and the money we have spent over the years to make life less miserable on that continent. Anyone who has spent any time in Africa knows there are problems — with the distribution of aid — mostly involving middlemen.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he intends to look at every program and make decisions on what goes and what remains. That is better than sacking the whole crew. Whatever happens we can’t leave Africa to the Chinese.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
Let’s commit to discussing controversial topics respectfully
fter each national election, one has to wonder if the political landscape could get any meaner or tougher than the previous years.
One only has to listen to the news on radio or television or read most any news publication to see how aggressively topics are discussed. One article I read, and which I initially agreed with, was suggesting that when discussing issues with family and friends, we should be focusing on what we agree on rather than arguing over or debating about topics where we had a strong differing opinion. But by the time I finished the piece, I found myself bothered by something. I found myself thinking that we needed to go a little further than was emphasized in that article. I was thinking what a sad commentary on society if we just stick to topics in which the parties agree on because we cannot have civil, thoughtful conversation on those topics where there is disagreement.
There are so many issues in this world — many of which are talked about almost endlessly by
politicians, written about by the press, and discussed on television, radio, and podcasts. These include things such as immigration, the border, leadership, drugs and alcohol, driving habits, abortion, education, the economy, sexual issues, energy and so many other topics.
Why is it that these issues cannot be discussed? Why cannot people discuss these things in a calm, respectful manner? Have we really gotten to the point that many/most of us in our society cannot discuss things without each side approaching the discussion as though it were some sort of debate?
We all realize now that politics has gotten to the point where winning is the only thing that
matters for many, but not all, of our politicians.
Everything has to be a debate with each side speaking louder and louder and frequently talking over the other person.
Has this form of discussion now moved from our politicians to everyone? Is there any option for discussing a topic where all parties have some or even a strong disagreement with others?
I believe that there is.
Whether it is the holidays or not, with family members, friends or others, and whether we are talking about nuclear weapons, immigration, energy or every other controversial topic, we should be able to have a calm, respectful conversation.
Maybe the conversation about a topic just focuses on what the specific issue or problem is. Maybe the conversation evolves into a discussion about what people believe are possible solutions — even with both sides totally disagreeing with the other side’s recommended solution.
Some believe we should be able to find some level of agreement or some common ground
on about every issue no matter how controversial. But not every discussion needs to end in a compromise. We can disagree completely on, for example, the legalization of psychedelics as being recently proposed by a few states, whether abortion should be performed in the case of incest or rape, and so many other issues.
As a civilized society, must it so often boil down where one’s opinion has to be expressed much louder than another or talking down to others or not really interested in listening to others?
There are no doubt times when some of these issues become very emotional to discuss and those times are understandable.
For example, if one’s child is killed by a person who has been in and out of prison for their entire adult lives, that parent would likely be extremely emotional over the death of their child and might feel very strongly that the killer should never be let out of jail ever again.
You would not blame the parent for being very strongly and loudly vocal about how they feel
the killer should be treated.
When it is a situation that has a strong, personal impact on one’s life or a member of their family, we can understand very emotional responses. Other than these types of situations, we should be able to intelligently discuss issues including their causes, affects, and possible solutions — at all times, including holidays.
We do not have to act like we are politicians running for office or debating challengers.
We do not have to, as the expression goes, get in one’s face.
Let’s discuss clean water and air and things of that nature.
But let’s also find a way we can discuss all issues with others, even if we strongly disagree with the other person.
But let’s do so in a respectful manner.
Dan Reider
KRISTIN WILLIAMS
Beekman Webb
DAN REIDER
SCOTT GRABER
Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News
Just who is Elon Musk?
F or starters Elon Musk is touted as the world’s wealthiest man, quite a distinction. I have to believe that if I had $100 for every time his name has been uttered, in vain or in fame, since the recent election, I might be considered one of the top 100 wealthiest ... at least in South Carolina. His name and his face are everywhere, and from my perspective, he seems to have overshadowed even the Donald.
When I began the tedious task of researching Musk, I found so much information that I felt I was in a quagmire from which I might not emerge. Yes, there were certain commonalities in all that I found, but there were a considerable number of contradictions as well.
So, as is often said, “Let’s begin at the beginning.”
Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, June of 1971
His father was a South African engineer, and his mother was a Canadian model and nutritionist. After his parents divorced in 1980, Musk lived primarily with his father. He would later dub his father “a terrible human being … almost every evil thing you could possibly think of, he has done."
Please keep that description in mind as you continue to read. He describes himself as being bullied in high school, sometimes being beaten. Musk goes on to say that when he got home, “things there were just as awful.” From all I was able to discern, Musk saw himself as the target of many.
At one point, I was going to refer to Musk as “the poor little rich boy.” However, several sources say that Musk did not grow up in a rich household but one
that was middle class. Furthermore his father did not own an emerald mine, contrary to many stories.
At 17, Elon moved to Canada, and he enrolled in Queen’s University. He would later obtain Canadian citizenship through his mother. Apparently the citizenship question wasn’t then (nor is it now) an inflammatory issue in Canada. Take note, No. 47
After two years at Queen’s University, Musk transferred to the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics and a second bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School.
When he was 24, he moved to California to pursue a Ph.D. at Stanford, but left the program after two days.
It is apparent that Musk is intelligent, and he turned that intelligence into remarkable business acumen in the field of technology. That said, what he has chosen to do now poses a greater threat to our country than has been seen in decades. Combined with a lack of scruples, that impact does not bode well.
Rather than being satisfied with achieving the status of a very successful entrepreneur, Musk saw his chance to catapult himself into politics. Donald Trump’s lack of sufficient finances to build a successful cam-
paign, and Musk’s bottomless pit of money created the perfect marriage, so to speak. Money is king, and Musk threw in the crown by contributing in excess of $277 million.
What I will postulate is this: when you lay out that kind of money to get a man elected to the highest political position in this country, it’s pretty safe to assume it isn’t out of the goodness of your heart. You have bought yourself something, and the extent of that purchase remains to be seen in its totality. I am quick to note that many see Elon Musk as embedded right alongside No. 47 in the current tsunami of decisions, many of which are illegal.
I might add that this co-decision maker is a “naturalized immigrant,” but then I digress, dear reader. (You knew it was coming somewhere in here.)
I would be remiss if I didn’t point out just how this assumption of coziness with the president benefits Musk’s pocketbook.
Musk and the federal government are already deeply intertwined: His companies Tesla and SpaceX account for at least $15 4 billion in government contracts over the past decade and span multiple agencies.
It’s worthwhile to ask just how much of his world-leading net worth comes from U.S. government help over the last 10 to 15 years. The answer is not simple.
By some measures, little of his wealth is thanks to taxpayers. Musk is worth an estimated $326 billion, according to Bloomberg’s real-time billionaire tracker. His companies have received “only” tens of billions from government contracts and programs.
But in other ways, virtually all of his net worth can be pinned
to government help. Tesla and SpaceX got started — and survived their early days — with assistance from state and federal policies, government contracts and loans.
“The foundation for Musk’s financial success has been the U.S. government,” said Daniel Ives, tech analyst for Wedbush Securities. (according to CNN) That begs the question: should Elon Musk have any job with the U.S. government?
During his May 8, 2021, appearance on the TV show “Saturday Night Live,” Musk revealed that he has Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. “I’m actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger’s to host SNL. Or at least the first to admit it,” he said.
How does the neuro-development condition manifest itself?
“I don’t always have a lot of intonation or variation in how I speak, which I’m told makes for great comedy,” Musk explained. Musk, I humbly suggest that
your place in government is not, in any way, humorous, and the sooner you remove yourself, the better. I am being kind.
Perhaps Steve Schmidt said it best when he wrote “… of course, there’s Elon Musk. Just when we thought this country couldn’t possibly be any more of a dystopian hellscape, Trump handed him the reins to something called the Department of Government Efficiency — which sounds like something straight out of a rejected 1984 fanfic. Now, the man who ruined Twitter has read-only access to Treasury data, which, according to the government, is totally fine and not at all a reason to panic. Never mind that the guy can’t run a website without accidentally locking himself out of his own account — now he’s poking around the U.S. financial system like a bored raccoon in a dumpster.”
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
The Lowcountry Wind Symphony, a 60 member concert band, continues its long-standing tradition of bringing great music to its audiences. Instrumental highlights are ‘Light Cavalry Overture’, ‘Poet and Peasant Overture’, ‘Pirates of Penzance Overture’ and more.
and
‘Nessun
‘O Mio Babbino Caro’, and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
Friday, February 21, 2025 7:00
Magnolia Hall, Sun City Bluffton, SC 29909 (Residents/Guests Only) Sunday, February 23, 2025 4:00 P. M. St. John’s Lutheran Church 157 Lady’s Island Drive Beaufort, SC 29907 (Open to the Public)
CAROL LUCAS
4 more books banned from all SC public school libraries
By Delayna Earley The Island News
Four more books have officially been removed from South Carolina public schools after the South Carolina Board of Education voted during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4
This decision comes less than a month after the state’s Instructional Materials Review Committee recommended in their meeting on Jan. 9 that the books should be removed due to their sexual context.
The four books that are to be removed are “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, “Flamer” by Mike Curato, “PUSH” by Sapphire and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky.
The books were part of a challenge put forth by Beaufort County resident Elizabeth “Ivie” Szalai, who first made headlines in October 2022 after she challenged a list of 97 books within the Beaufort County School District which led to a year-long review process of the books.
During the district’s review, only five of the books were removed and all four of the books recently
challenged by Szalai at the state level were not removed and were still in schools.
This is the first time since the state’s regulation was put into place that a book has gone through the appeals process from start to finish.
The Regulation 43-170 allows the banning of books in South Carolina public schools if the material contains any descriptions or visual depictions of sexual conduct.
Board member Beverly Frierson (5th Circuit – Kershaw, Richland) raised questions about the decision to ban some of the books based off a “vague” definition of sexual content that would ultimately lead to some students feeling alienated, ignored or not heard based off of their personal experiences with trauma that or sexual preference or identification.
“We made no judgement as far as the material because of LGBTQ or because of any other sort of mention of sex. Just because a book mentions sex, there are plenty of books that mention sex, but don’t give graphic descriptions,”
said board member Christian Hanley (9th Circuit – Berkeley, Charleston). “When you look at the state statute for what is sexual material, that’s not at all vague. That is actually very specific…It’s a binary choice. Either there’s sexual material in the book or there’s not. After we make the determination if there is sexual material in the book or not, if there’s not then we go to age and the other developmentally appropriate standards. When there’s sexual material in the book as defined by state statute, that’s it. We’re finished with our review.”
All but two of the South Carolina Board of Education voted to remove “All Boys Aren’t Blue”, “Flamer” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” while only one board member voted against removing “PUSH.”
Adding the four books to the previous seven books that were voted to be removed, the number of books that are currently banned from S.C. public school library shelves has risen to 11 Books that were already banned in S.C. public school libraries are
“Normal People” by Sally Rooney, “Ugly Love” by Colleen Hoover, “Damsel” by Elana Arnold, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas, “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas, “A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas and “A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas.
The board did vote to keep “House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros and “Bronx Masquerade” by Nikki Grimes in libraries after it was found by the committee that they were age appropriate and did not contain sexual content.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, there were many people who stood up to express their feelings about banning the books.
Additionally, Hanley said that the S.C. Board of Education had received a letter from the Beaufort County School District letting them know that most of the books that are being submitted for review have already gone through the review process at the district level, so he said they are working together to figure out a timeline.
Families Against Book Bans (FABB) in Beaufort, who generally speaks out against banning books in public schools, had a few members who traveled to Columbia to offer support and speak during the S.C. Board of Education Meeting on Feb. 4, and to combat the decision made by the board they are asking for community member to purchase copies of the books from a Black-owned book store called Liberation is Lit in Columbia.
The owner of the store will send the books to FABB in Beaufort, who in turn will pass out the four banned books within the community and with various organizations that they partner with around the state to “be sure that these books get into the hands of students and families who want and need them.”
Ivie Szalai did not respond for comment before press time.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Beaufort County students will not make up third missed snow day
By Delayna Earley
The Island News Students in Beaufort
County will only have to make-up one of the two days that they missed in January due to the rare snowstorm that hit the Lowcountry.
Due to the snow and ice that Winter Storm Enzo brought to the area on Jan. 22, 23 and 24, students missed a total of three days of school.
One of the days, Jan. 22 was able to be immediately made-up as one of the five e-learning days that schools
in South Carolina are allowed.
The second day, Jan. 23 is to be made up with in-person instruction on March 17, which was originally a day off for students but was a planned weather make-up day if needed on the district’s calendar for the year. Unfortunately, that was the final planned make-up day on the calendar for the year, so it fell to the Beaufort County Board of Education during their February meeting to decide if they wanted to add a day to the end of the
school year to make up for the third day missed by students during the storm.
According to the S.C. Department of Education, districts must make 190day calendars that include 180 days of instructional time for students and three make-up days.
In addition, some S.C. districts also have five e-learning days that can be used as make-up days as well.
Beaufort County qualifies for e-learning days since they have a 1-1 ratio of devices to students, according to
BC’s Stone honored as School Counselor of the Year
Staff reports Battery Creek High School Counselor Jessica Stone is the Beaufort County School District’s 2025 School Counselor of the Year, according to a press release from the BCSD. In addition to honoring Stone, the district also recognized River Ridge Academy’s Zoe Greene as the Rookie School Counselor of the Year.
“We’re extremely proud of Ms. Stone for earning this honor,” BCSD Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said in a press release. “Extraordinary school counselors like Ms. Stone and Ms. Greene are essential to our schools.” Stone appreciated the recognition. “To win an honor like this is just so humbling,” said Stone. “I love school counseling because I get the chance to connect with students… helping them be successful in their futures.” Battery Creek High School Principal Denise Lessard also praised Stone for her ability to connect with students.
Beaufort County School District’s 2025 Professional Counselor of the Year Jessica Stone, of Battery Creek High School and 2025 Rookie Counselor of the Year Zoe Greene, of River Ridge Academy. Photo courtesy of the BCSD
“She understands who they are, helping them navigate the opportunities and choices that they have.” “She is the one who got me started in dual enrollment,” Battery Creek High School student Makayla Brown said. “That helped me a lot to prepare for college and for even more things in life.”
Mary Stratos, Chief Instructional Services Officer with the district.
Due to missed days at the beginning of the school year because of Tropical Storm Debbie and in October due to Tropical Storm Helene, most of the e-learning days had already been utilized.
During their regular Board of Education meeting on Feb. 4, board members were presented with the option to either add a day of in-person learning on May 30 or to waive the make-up day.
To waive make-up days, all the e-learning days and calendar make-up days need to have been exhausted.
According to Stratos, the board is able to waive up to three days per state law.
Board members raised questions about how this would affect graduations for high schools, some of which are scheduled for that day.
“Why is this even a discussion?” said Board Member Victor Ney, “Is the last day of school even going to have any instruction? No. So we might as well just waive
it anyway.” Ultimately, board members voted unanimously to waive the make-up day for Beaufort County students.
“Let us pray that there is no weather in February, or we will be back here again,” Board Member William Smith said.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Local institutions host 4th annual African American history education conference
Staff reports Beaufort County School District (BCSD), Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL), Reconstruction National Historic Museum, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, and Penn Center have collaborated to host “Untold Stories of Harriet: Humanitarian, Healer, and History Maker,” an African American history education conference with a focus on Beaufort County’s rich and diverse history. The conference is open to anyone desiring an immersive learning experience about African American history specific to Beaufort County.
This 4th annual African American History Education conference promises a robust series of activities and educational sessions for attendees. The three-day immersive experience (Feb. 13-15) includes live music and dance, art, cuisine, and in-depth presentations and panel discussions from local and nationally renowned artists, authors, educators, clergy, living legends, and historians.
“We had such a positive response to the last three years’ programming that we knew we needed to do this again,” conference organizer and BCSD Officer of Academic Initiatives N’kia Campbell said in a media release. “Attendees will gain even more perspective and insight about the Lowcountry through the many untold stories shared.”
On Thursday, Feb. 13, attendees will have a choice of eight historical tours. Friday’s activities and sessions will be at TCL while Saturday’s conference events will be at Battery Creek High School.
For a conference overview and registration, visit https://bit.ly/3WRZSWH.
Interested persons can pre-register for the conference online on a first-come, first serve basis. Community members can register for $25 a day. BCSD employees and BCSD, TCL, and USCB students can attend the conference free of charge. For more information, email AAHEC@ beaufort.k12.sc.us.
Staff reports
Conroy Center’s March Forth back for 9th time
Now in its ninth year, the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center’s annual March Forth weekend, a collaboration with historic Penn Center, will be held on March 1 and 2
This special event commemorates the anniversary of Pat Conroy’s passing on March 4, 2016, by engaging with major themes of his writing and teaching life, including social justice, inclusivity, conservation, education, truth-telling, and storytelling. March Forth includes a guided nature walk at historic Penn Center, author conversations (in person and virtually), a history presentation, book signings, a catered lunch, a writing workshop, a community literacy read-aloud, and opportunities for tours. March Forth will include appearances by:
Ashley Hope Pérez: Young Adult novelist, educator, advocate, and editor of “Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers' Rights;”
• Kimberly Brock: novelist, past Georgia Author of the Year, and author of “The Fabled Earth,: a finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction; Edda L. Fields-Black: professor of history and director of the Dietrich College Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon University, author of “Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War;” Katherine Freeman: National Park Service Ranger with the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park;
• Jake Zadik: Brays Island naturalist, nature
photographer, and cofounder of South Carolina Partners of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SCPARC);
• Juliana Zadik: naturalist, educator, and Beaufort County LongRange Environmental Planner;
• Dana Ridenour: retired FBI undercover special agent, author of the Lexie Montgomery series; Eugene A. Rugala: retired FBI agent and profiler, behavioral science consultant and author.
This year, March Forth is hosted by Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt and nationally recognized youth advocate Julia Garnett. For more infor-
mation or to register, visit https://bit.ly/3QdJz2x.
March Forth is presented in collaboration between the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center, Penn Center, NeverMore Books, the Rhett House Inn, the Port Royal Farmers Market, the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, and DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization.
Schedule
Saturday, March 1
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Reconstruction Era National Historic Park Tours — Explore the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park locations in Beaufort, Port Royal, and St. Helena. Free. Details: https://www.nps.gov/reer/ index.htm.
9:30 a.m. to Noon: Read with a Ranger and Ted-
BAA hosting 61st annual Spring Art Exhibit
Staff reports
Local Beaufort artists have their materials in hand, getting ready for Beaufort Art Association’s annual Spring Art Exhibit to be held from Tuesday, Feb. 25 through Saturday, March 1 at Tabby Place on Port Republic Street in downtown Beaufort.
The public is invited, and admission is free. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and Saturday until 6 p.m. For the past 61 years, this event has been highly anticipated by local artists and art lovers alike. Painters, photographers, jewelers, and 3-D artists, have created their masterpieces to unveil to the world and to be judged. It’s the Best of the Year, so mark your calendar.
The talents of local high school artists are also brought to the forefront during this annual exhibit. Through the benefit of the Geneva Litchfield Fund, one deserving student will be awarded the “Carolyn
The 2024 Best in Show winner “The Fog Rolls In” by Beth Williams. Submitted photo
Egan Memorial Student Award” of $200 for the Best Student Art. There are also monetary awards for first place, second place, third place and honorable mention. Beaufort Art Association wants to encompass all local artists. Don’t worry if you are not a BAA member. Members and non-members alike are invited to register. The prospectus and
guidelines are available on the Beaufort Art Association website at www.beaufortartassociation.com. There will be a VIP evening on Monday, Feb 24 for all of BAA’s generous donors and the judge will be present to comment on the winners. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, an opening reception will be held. The public is invited from 5 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Rugala — Join retired FBI undercover special agent turned novelist Dana Ridenour and retired FBI agent and "profiler" turned consultant Eugene A. Rugala for a workshop for writers (and interested readers) about what FBI work is really like — and what novels and films get wrong. $60/person, limited to 20 attendees. Held at the Conroy Center at 601 Bladen Street in Beaufort. Register in advance at https://demythologizingthefbiworkshop.eventbrite. com.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Penn Center's York W. Bailey Museum Tours — Explore Penn Center and the York W. Bailey Museum at 16 Penn Center Circle West on St. Helena Island. Docent-led tours available. $15$20/person.
Noon to 4 p.m.: Pat Conroy Literary Center Tours — The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort) is open for free public tours, guided by volunteer docents.
dy Bear Picnic at the Port Royal Farmers Market — Student volunteers from DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization) will be reading children's picture books to young readers and their families, with light snacks provided. DAYLO students will be joined by National Park Service Ranger Katherine Freeman from the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park for a special read-aloud, Read with a Ranger. This free event will be held near the gazebo at the Port Royal Farmers Market at 1615 Ribaut Road in Port Royal. No registration needed.
10:00 a.m. to Noon: Demythologizing the FBI: What Writers Get Wrong, Workshop Led by Dana Ridenour and Eugene A.
Sunday, March 2 All Sunday events are ticketed and held at Penn Center's Frissell Hall at 16 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena Island. Nature walk: $10/person. Catered lunch plus two author presentations: $30
9:30-10 a.m.: Attendee check-in.
10-11:30 a.m.: Birding and nature walk of Penn Center led by husband and wife naturalists Jake and Juliana Zadik. Approximately 1 mile. $10/person; limited to 40 participants.
11:30 to Noon: Catered lunch by Magnolia's Cafe. Included in $30/person registration.
Noon to 1 p.m.: Presentation by Edda L. FieldsBlack, professor of history and director of the Dietrich College Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon University, author of “Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War.” Included in $30/person registration.
1 to 1:30 p.m.: Book signing break with NeverMore Books.
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Conversation with Kimberly Brock: novelist, past Georgia Author of the Year, and author of “The Fabled Earth,” a finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction — interviewed by Conroy Center executive director Jonathan Haupt and Banned Books Week Honorary Youth Chair Julia Garnett. Included in $30/person registration.
2:30-3 p.m.: Book signing break with NeverMore Books.
6 to 7 p.m.: Facebook Live Interview with Ashley Hope Pérez, Editor of “Banned Together,” in Conversation with Jonathan Haupt and Julia Garnett Ashley Hope Pérez's 2015 Young Adult novel “Out of Darkness” won a Printz Honor and the Tomás Rivera Book Award — and it as one of the top 10 most banned books of 2021. Pérez will discuss her new anthology “Banned Together: The Fight for Reader's Rights” (to be published on March 4) in conversation with Pat Conroy Literary Center executive director Jonathan Haupt and Banned Books Week Honorary Youth Chair Julia Garnett. This free virtual event will be live-streamed to the Conroy Center's Fcebook page and available to watch through Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. No registration required. https://www.facebook.com/ patconroyliterarycenter.
3 p.m.: Closing remarks
SOBA’s 31st annual Judged Show accepting entries
Staff reports Lowcountry artists are invited to submit their works of art for The Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SOBA) 31st annual Judged Show.
Winners will be awarded first-, secondand third-place cash awards in the following categories: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Drawing (Pencil, Colored Pencil, Pastel, Pen/ Ink), Photography & Digital Art, Mixed Media and Collage, 3-D: (Ceramic, Clay, Wood, Resin, Wire, Paper Mache, Stained Glass).
The judge for the event is renowned watercolor artist Jan Ross. She has formal training from the Chicago Academy of Art and workshops led by top American watercolorists like Judy Betts, John Salminen, and Mary Whyte. For more than 40 years, her award-winning work has been featured in more than 500 exhibitions at Local, Regional, National, and International levels.
Registration is required by completing a registration form available online at https://bit.ly/JudgedShowRegister2025
The contest is open to all artists, and the cost to register is $25 for SOBA members and $75 for non SOBA members. The registration deadline is Sunday, Feb. 23. The deadline for dropping off your art is from 9-11 a.m. March 3 at The SOBA Art School, 8 Church Street in Bluffton. No entries will be accepted after 11 a.m.
Registration and a full list of rules are available online at https://sobagallery. com/2025-judged-show/.
Ross holds Signature Memberships in multiple watercolor societies and has earned the highest accolades, including “Member of Excellence” in the Atlanta Artist Center. In 2023, she achieved her goal of exhibiting in all 50 U.S. states. Her work is part of Converse University’s Permanent Collection and is cherished in private collections worldwide, from Europe to Kirkuk, Iraq. The Judged Show exhibit will be on display from March 3 through March 30 at the SOBA gallery. An awards ceremony will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. March 5. These events are free to attend and open to the public. Artists can pick up unsold artwork at the end
What is scleroderma?
Systemic scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue (skin, tendons, joints, ligaments, blood vessels and muscles) and internal organs.
Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is a rare disease. About 10-20 new cases per 1 million people are diagnosed each year.
People of all races and ethnic backgrounds get scleroderma, but about 75 percent of people with the disease are women. It can occur at any age. However, scleroderma most commonly begins when people are between the ages of 30 and 60 years old.
While the cause of scleroderma is unknown, we do know that it is an autoimmune disease. This means the body's natural immune system does not behave normally. Instead of serving to fight off infections from bacteria, viruses and the like, the immune system of a person with scleroderma attacks its own body. This damages blood vessels.
The body's response to damage to its own blood vessels is to make specific proteins, called collagen. The collagen repairs the damage by forming diffuse scars (fibrosis) throughout the blood vessels. The excess collagen can deposit in the skin, in turn causing the many skin changes seen with scleroderma. In addition, the fibrosis (growth of scar tissue) of the blood vessels leads to involvement of many of the internal organs.
Twenty-five to sixty percent of people with scleroderma are often diagnosed with ILD (Interstitial lung disease). This number is higher when more of the skin is affected. Ten to fifteen percent of people with scleroderma may be diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. This is an increase in the blood pressure in the lungs.
Because scleroderma primarily targets the skin, its most obvious symptoms show themselves as skin problems. Due to the nature of the disease, however, which can also affect internal organs, other symptoms may occur.
Did You Know?
The term “20/20 vision” does not translate to perfect vision. Rather, the term was coined by eye doctors and refers to what a normal person should be able to see from 20 feet away. According to the online medical resource WebMd (www. webmd.com), people with 20/40 vision, then, can see at 20 feet away what a normal person can see from 40 feet away. It is also possible to have vision that is better than the norm. People with 20/10 vision, for example, can see from 20 feet away what a normal person can see from 10 feet away. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the cutoff for legal blindness in the United States is 20/200 vision, meaning you can see at 20 feet away what a normal person can see from 200 feet away.
Common skin symptoms of scleroderma include:
Thickening, hardening and tightness
Swelling of hands and toes Hair loss in involved skin
Sores over fingertips
Generalized itching
Color changes of hands and feet with cold exposure (known as Raynaud's)
Other common symptoms of scleroderma include:
Fatigue Arthritis
Muscle pain and weakness
Dryness of the eyes and mouth
Heartburn, bloating and other digestive symptoms
Shortness of breath
Cough
High blood pressure (known as hypertension)
Pulmonary hypertension
It is often difficult to diagnose scleroderma (systemic sclerosis). A specialist in autoimmune diseases is often required to establish the diagnosis. This specialist is a rheumatologist. The diagnosis of scleroderma is made based on the careful analysis of many factors.
It is important to identify early and treat the organs affected with scleroderma. A thorough history
and physical examination are essential. There are also certain laboratory studies that can be helpful when considering the diagnosis. These may include specific blood and urine tests. Other tests, including specialized lung and heart evaluations, are needed to determine if there is any internal organ involvement from scleroderma.
It is important to note that a diagnosis cannot be made based on any specific blood test alone.
It is important to recognize that there is no cure for scleroderma.
In addition, because it is a chronic disease, people often require medical therapy for many years to keep scleroderma under control.
Goals of therapy vary for each person because the various organs involved in a given person with scleroderma guide treatment. There are a number of effective organ-specific treatments available for people with scleroderma. Combinations of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medicines are often needed. These manage the underlying problems with the immune system. Various other medications are often needed to control the skin and internal organ problems associated with this disease. In particular, chemotherapy may be required to control underlying lung problems. If a person is diagnosed with ILD or pulmonary hypertension, specific treatment is recommended to treat these.
In addition to medication therapy, treatment of scleroderma may include:
Partnering with your health care provider to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan
Learning more about scleroderma
Living a full life that includes adopting a healthy lifestyle involving Regular exercise
◦ Healthy eating
Rest
Support from others
Giving up smoking
Avoiding infections
Taking medications as prescribed
Many people benefit from physical therapy and rehabilitation. Under the guidance of rehabilitation therapists, people with scleroderma often learn how to appropriately rest, exercise, strengthen and maintain joint and muscle function.
Source: https://www.nationaljewish.org/ conditions/scleroderma-systemic-sclerosis-ssc; This information was reviewed and approved by Dr. Fischer, Mehrnaz Maleki Fischbach, MD (8/31/2019)
Trouble with touch?
Organs inside your body sense different types of force, similar to the ways that skin senses touch.
Some examples include:
• The gut: senses when the stomach is full and sends signals to the brain to stop eating.
The lungs: signal when it’s time to stop inhaling and start exhaling, and vice versa.
The bladder: senses when it’s full and sends the urge to urinate to the brain.
• Blood cells: know when to change shape to pass through small blood vessels.
• Blood vessels: help regulate blood pressure.
The bones: trigger bone formation and maintenance in response to activity.
The joints: make sure tendons stretch, but not too much.
Your senses let you experience the world. Sight, hearing, taste, or even smell may be the first sense to spring to mind*. But don’t forget touch. Your sense of touch helps keep you safe from physical threats and can strengthen social bonds. It can also be altered by many health conditions.
Feeling too little or too much sensation from touch can affect your quality of life.
Nerve cells in your skin are the first to sense when you touch something. They send electrical impulses to your spinal cord, which then passes the signal on to
your brain. Each nerve cell can respond with a different level of sensitivity to different types of sensations. Some nerve cells in the skin sense things that hurt, like a pinch or a sharp object. Others pick up sensations like hot, cold, or the burning feel of spicy foods, like a chili pepper. Your skin is also coated in nerve endings that sense different types of force, like pressure or being stretched. Touch is really about the skin. But if you look underneath the skin, there’s a range of mechanical forces that you feel in every single tissue of your body. In a condition called tactile allodynia, the sensation of gentle touch turns painful. One example is when your skin gets damaged, like with a sunburn. The pain usually goes away after the skin heals. But for some people it doesn’t, and they experience chronic pain.
From Skin to the Brain
Touch messages are processed and move through the body and up to the brain. Researchers also discovered a type of brain cell that appears to play an important role in our memories of touch. For example, there are physical aspects of the world that never change, like the fact that glass is smooth or that sandpaper is rough. These types of memories help us process other aspects of our environment more quicky. They let our brain focus on the unexpected, like the feel of something sharp on what should be a smooth surface. This, in turn, helps keep us safe.
Solving Touch Problems
Certain physical and mental health conditions can affect a person’s sense of touch. Neurologic disorders, like stroke or autism, can affect the way we process
sensory information.
After a stroke, some people may become less able to process touch. A person with autism, on the other hand, may feel overwhelmed by touch.
Researchers also are exploring how our emotions affect our sense of touch. “The context in which touch happens is really important. Having a friend rub your shoulders feels great. But what if it’s a stranger on the subway? That’s not so great. Understanding how touch and emotion work together may lead to a better understanding of conditions like chronic pain.
If you’re having pain or other trouble with touch, talk with your health care provider. They can help you find ways to make feeling your world more comfortable.
Why ‘cough CPR’ is not the lifesaver it's made out to be
Misinformation has circulated for years on social media about how coughing forcefully can treat a heart attack. Health experts are quick to debunk that myth and warn that “cough CPR” is ineffective.
By Genaro C. Armas, American Heart Association News
The term “cough CPR” itself is a misnomer because CPR is for someone in cardiac arrest, meaning the heart has stopped beating. At that point, coughing would not be possible, nor would it be considered CPR.
"It physiologically does not make sense," said Dr. Bryn Elissa Mumma, a professor of emergency medicine at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, California. "Coughing just would not work to restart a heart that's not beating."
"Anytime anyone is hav-
ing chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, get to a hospital. Calling 911 is the safest way to get to a hospital for chest pain," emphasized Dr. Mumma.
Heart attack and cardiac arrest are medical emergencies requiring immediate medical treatment, though it is important to note they are two different conditions. A heart attack is a circulation problem and occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem and occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a common cause for cardiac arrest. Someone who goes into cardiac arrest will become unresponsive and stop breathing or gasp for air.
Cardiac arrest can lead to death if not treated within minutes.
Confusion about cough CPR might be traced to a temporary measure that may be used for a sudden arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat, in medical settings in which patients are constantly monitored, such as a cardiac catheterization lab, said Dr. Manesh Patel, distinguished professor of
medicine and chief of the cardiology division at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
During a sudden arrhythmia, a doctor or nurse may coach a patient to cough vigorously to maintain enough blood flow to the brain to remain conscious for a few seconds until the arrhythmia is treated. But this technique is not effective in all
patients and should not delay definitive treatment, according to the American Heart Association.
The misconception about cough CPR and heart attack may be tied to an idea that coughing can change the pressure in the chest, and, in turn, affect the heart, Patel said.
"I think people believe that it is changing, somehow, the heart's squeeze.
But (coughing) has not been shown to do that," he added. "If somebody has lost a pulse, we very much know that you have to do CPR."
If you're around someone who has gone into cardiac arrest, call 911 and start hands-only CPR, Mumma said. This means placing the heel of one hand in the center of the chest at the nipple line. Place the other hand on top and interlock the fin-
Vertigo vs. Dizziness: How to tell them apart
gers. Start pushing hard at a rate between 100 and 120 beats per minute. Get an automated external defibrillator, or AED, if one is close by or send someone to find an AED, Mumma said. People should use an AED as soon as it's available. Even untrained people can use the device by following its voice instructions. Because a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest, experts say it's critical to call 911 when symptoms start. These can include chest pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, sweating and nausea. Then sit and rest until the ambulance arrives, Mumma said. "Avoid exertion." An aspirin may help for those not allergic to it, she said. She also said someone with a prescription for nitroglycerin for chest pain should take the medication. But one thing people don't need to do, both experts said, is cough.
While similar, one may make you feel lightheaded, while the other can cause a spinning sensation
You know you’ve been struggling with dizziness lately—but what kind of dizziness?
The terms “vertigo,” “dizziness,” and “unsteadiness” are all often used interchangeably. But the truth is, when it comes to dizziness vs. vertigo, the conditions have several key differences. Identifying your symptoms and determining whether they apply to dizziness or vertigo is a key part of treating your balance issue. Read on to find out more about the differences between these issues and what you can do to get relief today.
If you’ve ever had a case of the spins, then you’ve probably wondered about vertigo.
The trouble is, there are many variations to your equilibrium feeling wonky—vertigo, dizziness, unsteadiness, off-balance. It can be hard to recognize if you’re just feeling dizzy or if you’re experiencing true vertigo.
What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness?
When it comes to vertigo vs. dizziness, it can be easy to get confused.
Dizziness is an altered sense
of spatial orientation, a distortion of where we’re within a space and your balance just feels off. You may feel light-headed, woozy and like you might fall if you don’t sit down.
Vertigo, on the other hand, is truly the sensation of self-movement or the movement of your surroundings—it’s a spinning sensation. The atmosphere around you may feel like it’s moving or spinning when it isn’t. Vertigo can be very debilitating. It happens abruptly and it can bring on other symptoms of imbalance, too.
How do you know if you have vertigo or dizziness?
If you’ve been experiencing balance issues of any kind, you should first and foremost check in with a healthcare provider. It’s important to understand what’s triggering this reaction and/or to see if there’s a pattern.
Do you remember what you were doing at the time when your symptoms came on? Do you have other related symptoms like nausea or head pain? Was it brought on by a change in position?
Sometimes, there are very common reasons for experienc -
ing dizziness and vertigo and they can be easily addressed and managed through therapy and medication. See your primary doctor first, to discuss your problems and symptoms.
Causes of vertigo and dizziness
Your balance system is complex. There can be numerous reasons why something is throwing it off.
Whether you’re struggling from vertigo or other general dizziness issues, you need relief to get back to living your life. But what causes these conditions? Your doctor may identify a number of causes for your balance issues:
Normal aging, which can contribute to dizziness
Certain neurological disorders
Inner ear-related issues from trauma or heredity
Certain medication
side effects
Hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause
Tips for preventing vertigo or dizziness
If you’ve been experiencing vertigo or feeling dizzy, in addition to talking to your healthcare provider,
one of the best things you can do for your balance system is to take care of yourself. This includes:
Staying active
• Eating well
Staying hydrated
Managing stress
• Seeing a healthcare provider annually
In summary
Understanding the differences between these conditions is key to finding relief. Make sure to outline your symptoms clearly for your doctor as you’re devising a
plan for relief. Finally, keep an eye out for symptoms like a whirling sensation, nausea, and vomiting, as these are typically limited to vertigo sufferers.
So, make sure you pay attention to how you’re feeling and note any changes in your balance and if they happen frequently. For preventive measures, the best thing to do is maintain good health.
Artificial intelligence continues to grow in popularity with people using it for work, school and now even their mental health. Reports show some are turning to the technology for therapy.
“Chatbot therapy may be of interest due to the availability 24/7. It is non-judgmental and it is affordable,” said Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic. “It may be attractive to people who are reluctant to speak with humans or don't know where to find resources.”
Another potential issue is lack of emotion.
Dr. Albers said while it may be tempting to try chatbot therapy, there are some important factors to consider, like privacy. She explains that a person has to upload private information into the computer program in order to get a response, and there’s no telling how that information is being stored or shared.
Chatbot responses can feel cold or generic since they are automated using data and patterns collected by artificial intelligence.
Dr. Albers said in traditional therapy, a professional can read tone, body language, and understand the complexities and nuances of a situation.
“Chatbot therapy might be useful to help you think through a response to a relation-
ship concern or to respond to an awkward conversation,” she said. “Things that we struggle with in daily life but are not a persistent issue or chronic problem.”
Dr. Albers warns that chatbot therapy is not equipped to handle a crisis or emergency. If you are experiencing either, it’s best to speak with a medical professional.
Source: 01/28/2025 ccnewsservice@ccf.org
JPII’s Orta, Snyder win state championships
By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com
Six of the 10 wrestlers
from John Paul II who ventured to the SCISA Individual State Tournament on Saturday at Cardinal Newman returned with hardware, including a pair of state champions.
Brian Orta (132) and Daniel Synder (138) both claimed state titles for the Golden Warriors, as a result of grinding against one each other daily in the practice room. The preparation showed as Orta cruised through his bracket with a pair of pins before earning a hard-fought 17-11 decision over top-seeded Cooper Smythe of Cardinal Newman in the finals.
Snyder had a pin and a technical fall en route to the finals, where he fought off his back in the third period and scored a late pin to stun two-time state champion
Jason Wagner of Cardinal Newman, avenging a loss in last year’s finals.
Jase Reynolds (120) and Jack Hannagan (150) each fell just short of joining their teammates atop the podium, claiming runner-up finishes. Reynolds lost by pin to Hammond’s Angesom Ladd, while Hannagan placed second for the second straight year, losing by technical fall to perhaps the most dominant wrestler in SCISA history, five-time champion Luke Martin of Hammond. JPII’s Tripp Thiesen
BCTV live high school sports coverage this week
Staff reports
Beaufort County TV (BCTV) will be broadcasting two live high school sporting events this week. Games are as follows: Friday, February 7
6:30 p.m. Girls’ basketball -- Hampton County at Whale Branch
7:30 p.m. Boys’ basketball -- Hampton County at Whale Branch
BCTV can be found on cable channels Sparklight (formerly Hargray) – Chs. 9 and 417; Comcast – Ch. 2; Spectrum – Ch. 1304. BCTV also streams live on www.BeaufortCounty.tv and through the free BCTV app available on ROKU, Apple TV, Android TV and Amazon Fire.
BOYS
fought through the consolation bracket at 113 to place third, and Archer Dewig placed fourth at 165
The Golden Warriors who placed in top three will have the opportunity to compete at the National Preps Qualifier at Strong Rock Christian High School in Locust Grove, Georgia, this Satur-
day. Wrestlers who place in the top three at the qualifier advance to the prestigious National Preps Championship at Lehigh University the following weekend.
SCISA Individual State Championship at Cardinal Newman Lowco Medalists
“The future is bright for John Paul II wrestling,” JPII coach Greg Lonz said. “As coaches, we could not be prouder of the hard work and the never-give-up attitude of all of our wrestlers.”
175 | Kai Sobey, PHA (4th | dec. to Job Fitzpatrick, Cardinal Newman)
190 | Luke Sobey, PHA (1st | pinned James Lay, Hammond)
215 | Nicolas Blubaugh, CPA (3rd | dec. Jordan Kennedy, Heathwood)
Club Karate hosting 31st annual Goodwill Tournament
By Mike McCombs The Island News
Beaufort’s Club Karate will host its 31st annual Goodwill Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22 2025 at the Beaufort High School gymnasium.
“We invite participants, enthusiasts, and spectators to join us for an exhilarating showcase of martial arts talent, camaraderie, and friendly competition,” Club Karate founder and owner Chuck Elias said in a release announcing the tournament. Participants can pre-register for the competition online at clubkartellc.com. According to Elias, pre-registering helps manage the event more efficiently and ensures participants have a smooth experience on the day of the tournament.
Those who prefer to register in person can do so at Club Karate at 10 Sams Point Road, Suite B-3, on Lady’s Island. Staff will be available to assist with the registration process and answer any questions. Payments can be made during
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
pre-registration online, in person at Club Karate, or at the event for an additional $10, cash only.
The fee for spectators is $8, cash only, for individuals ages 6 and older.
Elias said getting participants this year has been more of a challenge as there was more difficulty than usual working out a contract with the Beaufort County School District to use the Beaufort High gym.
But Elias chose to keep a positive attitude.
“Karate people are kinda known for being last minute people,” he said. “I’ve learned to not stress over it.”
According to Elias, the event, which he said usually has a pretty good crowd of participants, around 170 or 180, usually sees roughly half its participants register in advance and half register at the door on the day of the event.
Elias touts the tournament as more than just a competition, but a celebration of martial arts and com-
Beaufort High's Samari Bonds shoot against May River in the Eagles’ 62-29 loss on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at Beaufort High School. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Heyward, 2/11
2/4; L 47-55 at Cross Schools, 2/7; W 54-39 vs. Cross Schools, 2/10 This week: at Thomas
Holy Trinity (0-16, 0-9 SCISA 3-2A, 6th) Last week: L 15-65 vs. Andrew Jackson Academy, 2/4; L (FF) at Bethesda Academy, 2/7 This week: vs. Cross Schools, 2/12
munity. It has become a platform for martial artists of all ages and skill levels to showcase their talents, learn from each other, and foster a sense of camaraderie, he said.
“Nothing but happiness, a good experience,” Elias said when asked what he hoped a first-time participant would take home from the event. “It’s an opportunity to find out their strengths, their weaknesses and what they need to work on, to find out that there are people out there who train hard. Can they be one of them?”
Elias said tournaments played a big part in his own development in the martial arts.
“I know that if I had not attended a tournament, I’d have never been past a white belt,” he said. “I got to see how big martial arts really was. Tournaments are about seeing people of all ages, ability and ranks. About getting inspired, getting motivated.”
Even about making friends.
According to the release, “the tournament features multiple categories
and divisions to ensure fair and exciting competition. Participants will be grouped based on age, skill level, and martial arts discipline.” Participants can learn more about the categories and divisions during the registration process.
The release also stresses that the event’s judges and officials are “experienced martial artists and coaches who are dedicated to ensuring fair and unbiased judging. Their expertise and commitment to integrity are crucial to the success of the tournament.”
Winners in each category will receive ribbons as a token of their achievement, and all participants will receive a plaque as a recognition of their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship.
For any inquiries or additional information, contact Chuck Elias at 843-252-7283 or Clubkick@gmail. com.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
Beaufort (13-8, 6-2 Region 6-4A, 2nd)
Last week: L 44-72 at Bishop England, 2/4; W 56-34 vs. May River, 2/7
This week: at Hilton Head, 2/11; vs. Hilton Head, 2/13
Battery Creek (4-15, 2-6 Region 6-3A, 4th)
Last week: L 25-37 at Hanahan, 2/4; W 45-30 at North Charleston, 2/5; W 41-19 vs. North Charleston, 2/7
This week: No games
scheduled
Bridges Prep (4-13, 3-5 Region 5-2A, 4th)
Last week: W 23-19 at Edisto, 2/4; L 37-67 vs. Hampton Co., 2/5; L 37-62 vs. Lake Marion, 2/7
This week: at Hampton Co., 2/11; at Barnwell, 2/12
Whale Branch (8-10, 4-4 Region 5-2A, 3rd)
Last week: L 28-62 at Lake Marion, 2/4; W 38-36 vs. Barnwell, 2/5; L 40-51 vs. Hampton Co., 2/7
This week: at Barnwell, 2/11; at Edisto, 2/13
John Paul II
(19-4, 6-2 SCISA 3-4A, 2nd)
Last week: W 56-34 at Laurence Manning, 2/4;
Beaufort High’s Erin Crosby takes a shot against May River at Beaufort High School on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Beaufort won 56-34. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
W 57-43 vs. Cross Schools, 2/5; W 51-23 vs. HHCA, 2/7; W 52-28 vs. Wilson Hall, 2/11
This week: vs. Trinity Collegiate, 2/11
John Paul II’s Brian Orta claimed the SCISA Individual State Wrestling Championship at 132 pounds Saturday at Cardinal Newman. LowcoSports.com
John Paul II’s Daniel Snyder claimed the SCISA Individual State Wrestling Championship at 138 pounds Saturday at Cardinal Newman. LowcoSports.com
ART Budding Artist After-School Art Club
4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.
BOOKS 2025 Books Sandwiched In Noon to 1 p.m., Mondays through March 10, USCB Center For The Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort. The event is free and open to the public. Each week, a community member talks about a book that has been meaningful to him or her. Light refreshments are served and raffle items are available for bidding each week. For those interested in joining the Friends to support the work they do, an annual membership can be purchased at the door or on the Friends website at $25 per household or $15 per military household. For more information, please visit https://friendsofthebeaufortlibrary. com/ or contact Carter Hoyt at carterhoyt@comcast.net or 404-936-5695. Remaining schedule -- Feb. 17: “Teddy and Booker T.” by Brian Kilmeade; Presented by Pat Sculley. Feb. 24: “The World Without Us” by Alan Weisman; Presented by Elaine Adams. March 3: “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” by Tom Stoppard; Presented by Bruce Page. March 10: “Books Promiscuously Read” by Heather White; Presented by Lauren Hoffer. CALENDAR Dueling Pianos – A Musical Night To Remember 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, Tabby Place, Port Republic Street, Beaufort. $85 in advance; $90 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.afsgb.org or by calling the office at 843-521-9190. Proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s Family Services of Greater Beaufort. The evening also features complimentary beer and wine, dinner from local restaurants and a live auction.
Bands, Brews & BBQ
6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14 & 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Two days of food, music and fun with wings, barbeque, beer, live music and fun for the entire family. Proceeds from the event benefit nonprofits HELP of Beaufort and Zonta Club of Beaufort. HELP of Beaufort assists our neighbors in need of food, clothing, financial assistance, prepared meals since 1973, and is a certified USDA Wellness Pantry. Friday is the Hometown Heroes Wing Throw Down Party, while Saturday features the Hometown Heroes Boston Butt and Ribs. 50th Beaufort Charities Festival Friday & Saturday, Feb. 28 & March 1, Live Oaks Park, Port Royal. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights. Oyster roast all day Saturday.
Lowcountry Food Truck Festival 11 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 1404 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
MCAS Beaufort Airshow Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, MCAS Beaufort. Celebrate 250 years of the Marine Corps with us. From the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to unforgettable aerial thrills, it’s a weekend you don’t want to miss. Tickets are free for general admission but required! Reserve yours now to secure your spot. Go to beaufortairshow. com to reserve your tickets.
Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary
7 p.m., Every Thursday, Bricks on Boundary, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry
Made Market
5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.
Habersham Farmers Market
3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.
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
WHAT’S HAPPENING
fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www. portroyalfarmersmarket.com/, visit @ portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.
Slip and Splash Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.
Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.
CLASS REUNION
Beaufort High School Class of 1975 Oct. 17 through Oct. 19, 2025, Beaufort. 50th Class Reunion Celebration. Request that graduates of this class contact the class Community Outreach Representative Barbara Gardner Hunter at 347497-9326 or email gardnerbarbara991@ gmail.com to provide current contact information.
DANCE
The Beaufort Shag Club
6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park.
Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.
BEMER Circulation Therapy 10 to 11 a.m., Fridays via Zoom. Already own a BEMER? Never heard of it but curious? Join to ask any questions about this leading-edge German technology that enhances blood flow 30% in 8 minutes. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Brought to you by BEMER Specialist -- Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.
HISTORY Language of Clay: Catawba Indian Pottery and Oral Tradition Through Saturday, Feb. 22, Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Blvd., Ridgeland. This immersive exploration of Catawba pottery, curated by the University of South Carolina Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center, promises to captivate audiences with its profound connection to oral traditions.
Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.
The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.
Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island.
Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont. org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
Toddler Storytime 11 a.m., Mondays through May 12, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. (Library will be closed Jan, 20 and Feb. 17.) Join us for a fun-filled time of stories. Books and activities will focus on toddlers/preschoolers, but siblings are welcome.
Postpartum Support Group 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us fr a postpartum and parenting support circle, a weekly gathering for parents and caregivers navigating the postpartum journey. Led by full-spectrum holistic doula Tameka Walker, the circle provides a warm supportive environment where families can connect, share and learn together. Registration is requested but not required. Call 843-255-6487 for more information.
“Lego” With Lego 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 5 and up. No registration required. Come see our new and improved Lego Club. Choose one of our new Lego kits and get going. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.
Career Navigator
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-255-6458.
Bridge Club
11 a.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Beginning September 18. The first session is for beginners new to the game, and following sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
Baby Time
10 a.m. Thursdays through May 15, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us for stimulating stories, activities, and more. Designed for babies, 0-18 months.
Mahjong Basics
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Join us to learn the basics of this fun tile game. Intructor Donna Misuraca will teach participants the structure and rules of the game and guide you through how to play. All game materials will be provided. Call 843-2556540 for more information.
Mahjong Club
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.
MEETINGS
Beaufort County Public Meeting
5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, Lady’s Island Middle School Gymnasium, 30 Cougar Drive, Beaufort. A public meeting for the Hazel Farm Road/Gay Drive (S-497), and Sunset Boulevard (S-186)/ Miller Drive West (S-187) Streetscape projects, as approved in the 2018 One Cent Sales Tax Referendum for the Lady’s Island Corridor Traffic Improvements. The County will present the proposed designs for both projects which include bicycle and pedestrian facilities and road improvements. The meeting will be conducted as an informal, dropin format. There will be displays that depict the proposed design, and representatives from Beaufort County Engineering, J. Bragg Consulting, and Davis & Floyd will be available to discuss the
proposed improvements, answer questions, and listen to feedback. For questions or persons requiring additional assistance due to language barriers, contact the Engineering Department at 843-255-2700.
PFLAG Savannah –Beaufort Peer Group 6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www. PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.
Zonta Club of Beaufort 6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.
Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting 12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.
Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www. beaufortrotaryclub.org.
The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, Herban Marketplace, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building offroad/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/ jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.
Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.
Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Dr., Ladys' Island. Catered breakfast from local chef. Speakers weekly. Occasional social events replace Friday mornings, but will be announced on our website, www.rotaryclubofthelowcountrybeaufort.org.
MUSIC
Music on Malphrus — Friction Farm 7 p.m., Saturdays, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton. $25. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets available at the door or at https://www.uulowcountry.org. Schedule — Feb. 8: Pat Wictor. Feb. 22: Matt Nakoa. March 1: Miles and Mafale. March 21: The Kennedys. April 11:
Scott Ainslie. April 26: Karyn Oliver.
Live entertainment 7 to 11 p.m., Wednesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Chris Jones 7 to 11 p.m., Thursdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.
Habersham Third Fridays Music on Market 5 to 8 p.m., third Friday of the month, Habersham Marketplace.
Live entertainment 9 p.m. to midnight, Fridays & Saturdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay, downtown Beaufort.
OUTDOORS/NATURE
Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands Speakers Series – Thomas Rainwater 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, Shellring Ale Works. Thomas Rainwater, Ph.D., will present “All About Gators.” Rainwater is a Wildlife Biologist and
Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437.
SEWING/QUILTING American Needlepoint Guild Meeting 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@ needlepoint.org.
Embroidery Guild of America Meeting Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, crossstitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.
SPORTS/GAMES ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret St. Events will be held weekly. Contact Director and Club Manager Susan DeFoe at 843-597-2541 for location.
Bridge Club 11 a.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library. The first session is for beginners new to the game, and following sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.
Compromise is not an option.
We believe that price should never be a barrier to pursuing your goals. That’s why there’s no cost to work with a Schwab Financial Consultant. That includes getting help with creating a personalized Schwab plan, receiving tailored product recommendations, and having direct access to our specialists.
LOCAL MILITARY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 14 February 2025
Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel C. B. McArthur 3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel B. L. Tye Commander of Troops, Captain S. M. Doublet • Parade Adjutant, Captain Schweers Company “I”, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain S. M. Doublet Drill Masters • Gunnery Sergeant J. J. Merriweather, Gunnery Sergeant D. L. Goodman Jr.
PLATOON 3008
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt S. N. Gatling
Pvt Aldanajimenez, Joshua O.
Pvt Anderson, Koen C.
Pvt Adino, Isaac A.
Pvt Ashwell, Alan J.
PFC Augustin, Carist C.*
Pvt Braglin, Tatum C.
PFC Cruz, Yahir G.
Pvt Cruzrodriguez, Derick A.
PFC Eggers, Ricky J.
Pvt Eliasberbabe, Angel
Pvt Ghiz, Sebastian A.
Pvt Gill, Benjamin J.
Pvt Guerrero Michael A.
Pvt Hazelwood, Brady A.
Pvt Herring, Ashton J.
Pvt Johnson Jr, Lamont K.
PFC Jones III, Ernest R.
PFC Lemusmorales, Erick
Pvt Mckenley, Xavier T.*
Pvt Minniear, Stanley D.
Pvt Nunez, Jonathan T.
Pvt Ortizlopez, Freddy
Pvt Perezlara Jr, Alvaro
PFC Pickel, Davin L.*
Pvt Pugh, Logan D.
Pvt Richardson, Kraydan L.
Pvt Rives, Tyler A.
PFC Schiller, Ethan A.
PFC Serrano, Alexis D.
Pvt Serranogomez, Juan Y.
Pvt Smith, Torrenz C.
PFC Soler, Isaac
Pvt Swindall, Willam S.
Pvt Tanner Ryan C.
Pvt Tepora, Mark B.
Pvt Ventura, Owhens J.
Pvt White III Julius C.
Pvt Willams II, Joseph D.
Pvt Wing Eljah N.
*Denotes Meritorious Promotion
PLATOON 3009
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt C. Diaz
Pvt Anderson, Theodore D.
Pvt Bailey, James A.
Pvt Caballero, Anthony G.
PFC Carr, Adam L.
Pvt Carroll Jr, William A.
PFC Castilloarostegui, Jaime I.
Pvt Erickson, Dyllon N.
Pvt Faggins, Jadell M.
PFC Ferschke, Robert J.
PFC Fugich, Joseph L.
Pvt Gierbolinimolina, Cesar A.
Pvt Huffman, Riley K.
Pvt Jarrell, Tyler D.
Pvt Jimenez, Jhonny N.
PFC John, Dane A.
Pvt Jones, Tyler D.
Pvt Kuryvial, Nicholas L.
Pvt Lewis, Alexander J.
Pvt Maldonadomarfisi,Carlos S.
PFC Martinez, Robert *
PFC Michel, Teddrick A.
PFC Monroe, Lance J.*
Pvt Moralopez, Matias I.
Pvt Mounts, Trenton A.
PFC Nesbitt, Lequeio K.
Pvt Perez, Ivan T.
Pvt Perry, Michael J.
PFC Quintero, Tomas E.
PFC Renoird, Geral T.
PFC Sancheztolentino, Luis R.
PFC Santanavinas, Sebastian *
Pvt Santiagoflores, Adolfo
Pvt Santos, David R.
Pvt Schultz, Nathan R.
PFC Teransantos, Albert E.
Pvt Tessier, Fritzallen
Pvt Thorpe, Mark D.
Pvt Turillo, Noah M.
PFC Warren, Cassidy T.
Pvt Wilson, Logan A.
PLATOON 3010
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt D. Rosado
Pvt Apostolopoulos, Tyler J.
LCpl Avato, Luciano A.*
PFC Carter, Nicholas J.
PFC Coleman, Krist G.*
PFC Cruzrodriguez, Derek A.
PFC Daniels, Toshine S.
Pvt Derosa, Antonio P.
PFC Dilatush, Teagan M.
Pvt Doody, William J.
Pvt Elliott, Colyn D.
Pvt Fort, Brandon S.
Pvt Frazier, Michael D.
PFC Gatling, Dereon A.
PFC Golden, Taylor F.
Pvt Hines, Jason R.
Pvt Khalil, Amir I.
PFC Leichliter, Brec D.*
Pvt Marizan, Jayden D.
PFC Martinez Jr, Raul
Pvt Mccord, Corwin E.
Pvt Munoz, Alejandro P.
Pvt Obrien, Sean P.
Pvt Ogendi, Theophelus M.
Pvt Ohanlon Jr, Luke D.
PFC Palomequebermudez, Kevin R.
PFC Panella, Cade D.
Pvt Perezmartinez, Maximo
Pvt Pickering, John W.
PFC Rhommani, Ziad
Pvt Riveradominguez, Kelvin Y.
Pvt Rodriguez, Elianthony
Pvt Rose, William M.
Pvt Rudacillezimmerman, Kai M.
Pvt Sanaguaraytenensara, Segundo H.
PFC Sanchezperez, Alex M.
PFC Santana, Bryan A.*
Pvt Sharkey, Christian A.
PFC Sommer, Noah J.
Pvt Spencer Jr, Cory J.
Pvt Torres, Edwin
Pvt Tran, Zebadiah J.
PFC Varto, Matthew J.
Pvt Vazquez, Marco A.
Pvt Waters, Javion D.
PLATOON 3012
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt J. R. Barron
Pvt Ahearn, Austin J.
Pvt Anderson, Dillon R.
Pvt Artimovich, Gabriel C.
Pvt Bauer, Tanner P.
Pvt Blake, Jafar M.
Pvt Booth, Tyler F.
Pvt Bulszewicz, Blake S.
PFC Burns, Kane A.*
Pvt Carpenter, Gaden D.
Pvt Carroll, Kaden P.
Pvt Castor, Anthony C.
Pvt Chapel, Richard J.
PFC Culbreth, Patrick R.
Pvt Deitsch, Dovid S.
PFC Freebern, Hayden J.
Pvt Furr Jr, Justin B.
Pvt Grimaldiwarner, Antonio M.
PFC Jewell, Timothy S.*
Pvt Johnson, Alex N.
PFC Lee, Aidan P.
Pvt Lopezzamora, Javier
Pvt Mcneil, Jeremiah J.
Pvt Mendez, Michael Y.
Pvt Mondragon, Jordy
Pvt Norris, Robert W.
Pvt Ossoriomelian, Gabriel A.
Pvt Owens, Aidan X.
Pvt Phillips, Donovan J.
Pvt Preacely, Joshua M.
Pvt Reams, Skyler J.
PFC Rizzi, Caleb V.
Pvt Rollenhagen, Jacob T.
Pvt Sisselberger, Christian A.
PFC Skidgel, Zachary D.
Pvt Smith, Xavier S.
Pvt Vaughn, Hunter B.
Pvt Villagrezlopez, Jordan W.
Pvt Walker, Alex J.
Pvt Webb, Joseph F.
PFC Witt, Drew N.
PFC Woods, Xaveia M.*
PLATOON
3013
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt S. A. Benton
Pvt Aguilarmesias, Jason E.
Pvt Bascoperios, Luis A.
PFC Beatty, Sir T.*
Pvt Bennett, Luke M.
PFC Bolles, Alexander E.
Pvt Carie, Aidan X.
PFC Caton, Troy A.
Pvt Davis, Cyrus G.
Pvt Daugherty, Mason R.
PFC Dejohn, Keigon R.
Pvt Escalonagomez, Carlos J.
Pvt Florencia, Alexander J.
Pvt Fries, Dustin C.
Pvt Hidalgo, Angel A.
Pvt Houston, Tavery U.
PFC Johnson, Donald D.
PFC Kapko, Kyro*
Pvt Krantz, Ralph
Pvt Lago, Daniel A,.
PFC Lee, Christopher W.
Pvt Lizardo, Ariel
PFC McMahon Jr. Joseph A.
PFC Mello, Mark*
Pvt Miller, Marvessik C.
PFC Morrison, Jacob T.
Pvt Neff, Chase D.
Pvt Obrien, Sean P.
Pvt Ocasio, Justin L.
PFC Paine, Wyatt X.
Pvt Perez, Jayden
Pvt Perez, Justin M.
Pvt Pinedagarcia, Andy A.
PFC Rayman, Logan
Pvt Reynolds, Jeremy D.
Pvt Sanchezmartinez, Giovanni P.
Pvt Sanchezreyes, Giovanni A.
Pvt Seldon, Issac
PFC Sheen, David A.*
Pvt Skelley, Ryan D.
Pvt Taylor, Christopher E.
Pvt Torresandrade, Martin A.
Pvt Williams, Jaden M.
Pvt Wills, Alex P.
Cope North 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312, at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort approaches for landing over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, Feb. 7, 2025, as part of exercise Cope North 2025. The F/A-18D is the nation’s first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft, providing strike and close air support abilities without compromising its fighter capabilities. Exercise CN25 aims to further integrate ally and partner capabilities towards enhancing security and stability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. Photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Hansford/USAF
More on appealing Veterans Administration decisions
The VA webpage “VA Decision Reviews and Appeals” at https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/ provides detailed information on what a veteran should do if they disagree with a VA benefit or claim decision.
The legacy VA appeals process has changed to the decision review process. If you disagree with a VA benefit or claim decision, you can choose from three decision review options (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal) to continue your case. If you are not satisfied with the results of the first option you choose, you can try another eligible option. If you disagree with a VA medical decision, you can request a Clinical Appeal.
Use a VSO and, if needed, a VA accredited attorney. Veterans should use a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to help them file an appeal. If the VSO recommends you do so or you believe you need more help, you should use a VA-accredited attorney to help you with complicated appeals. An accredited attorney, claims agent, or VSO can help you request a decision review. VSO services are free.
How to request a decision review
The VA webpage “VA Decision Reviews and Appeals” provides details on requesting a decision review and links to: Decision review option: Supplemental Claims:
According to https://bit.
ly/3cT4sQM you can file a Supplemental Claim if you have new and relevant evidence the VA didn't have when the VA reviewed your case.
• Decision review option
— Higher-Level Reviews: According to https://bit.
ly/4aSUSqA, you can ask for a higher-level reviewer to review your case. You cannot
submit new evidence with a Higher-Level Review. Decision review option —
Board Appeals: According to https://bit.ly/4aSJcE2, you can appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and have a Veterans Law Judge review your case.
• Clinical Appeals of Medical Treatment Decisions: According to https://bit. ly/4dk4xGR, you can file a Clinical Appeal to request a review of a decision that your VA care team made about your care.
Family caregiver program decision reviews and appeals: According to https:// bit.ly/40WB3Ki, if you disagree with the VA decision on your Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers application, you have options to appeal or request a review of the decision. Your options depend on the date your PCAFC decision was issued.
• Contested claims: According to https://bit.ly/3QdmH3b, A contested claim is when you and someone else are claiming a benefit that only one person can claim. You have 60 days to appeal to a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, D.C. Insurance claims: According to https://bit.ly/3QdGi3q, if you disagree with a VA decision on an insurance claim, you can choose from three decision review options.
You can file a Supplemental Claim, ask for a Higher-Level Review, or request a Board Appeal.
Fiduciary claims: According to https://bit.ly/40LljK8 if you disagree with a VA decision on a fiduciary claim, you can choose from three decision review options. You can file a Supplemental Claim, ask for a Higher-Level Review, or request a Board Appeal.
How to manage your decision reviews and appeals
The VA webpage “VA Decision Reviews and Appeals” at https:// bit.ly/4dk4xGR provides details on requesting a decision review and links to:
The VA webpage “Check your VA claim, decision review, or appeal status” at https://bit.ly/3WTxXW8 explains how to check the status of certain VA claims, decision reviews, or appeals online. Veterans can use the online tool to check the status of a claim, decision review, or appeal for these types of benefits: (1.) Disability compensation (including claims based on special needs like an automobile or clothing allowance), (2.) Veterans or Survivors Pension benefits, (3.) Special monthly compensation (such as Aid and Attendance), (4) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, (5.) Burial allowance to help pay for a Veteran’s burial and funeral expenses, (6.) Specially Adapted Housing or Special Housing Adaptation grant. You can also use the online tool to check the status of (1.) Requests to add or remove dependents and (2.) Requests for approval of school attendance for dependent children.
Healthcare Claims, decision reviews, and appeals. For health care-related claims, decision reviews, and appeals, veterans should check the information on their decision letter to find out how to check the status.
The VA webpage “Manage a legacy VA appeal” at https:// bit.ly/3WX6F1b, applies to appeals for decisions dated before February 19, 2019 VA no longer accepts new appeals through the legacy appeal process.
More information and resources
More information and resources about VA decision reviews and appeals are found at: The VA webpage “Choosing a decision review option” at https://bit.ly/417KUOP. This webpage will help you to find out which option is right for you. The VA webpage “Decision reviews Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)” at https:// bit.ly/3EHIAoM provides answers to commonly asked questions about decision reviews. The VA webpage “After you request a decision review (What should you do while you wait)” at https://bit. ly/42U0K0H. When your review is complete, the VA will mail you a decision packet that includes details about the decision on your case. You do not need to do anything while you wait, unless the VA sends you a letter asking for more information. If the VA schedules any exams for you, be sure not to miss them. If you requested a decision review and have
not heard back from VA yet, please do not request another review. Call VA at 800-8271000 (TTY: 711). The VA webpage “Manage (appeal) your VA debt for benefit overpayments and copay bills” at https://bit. ly/4coewcX. This page will explain how you can review your current VA benefit debt or copay bill balances online. and find out how to make payments or request help. The VA webpage “VBA Appeals Modernization” at https://bit.ly/3CKT4TQ explains The Veteran Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017,which became law on August 23, 2017 (Pub L. 115-55). It is also known as the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). Read the law at https://bit. ly/4gDQUDx.
The bottom line Appeals can be complex. Veterans who receive an initial claim decision that they disagree with should ask a VA-accredited VSO or a VA-accredited Attorney or claims Agent to help them appeal. Veterans can find S.C. County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL. Find Georgia VSOs at https://bit. ly/44KMVA7. N.C. County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs Veterans Benefits Specialists and N.C. County VSOs can be found at https://bit.ly/4ghZqHW.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164
LARRY DANDRIDGE
SERVICE DIRECTORY
ATTORNEY
Christopher J. Geier
Attorney at Law, LLC
Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation
16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com
AUDIOLOGY & HEARING
Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care
Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A Licensed Audiologist
38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007
Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You The Beaufort Sound Hearing and Balance Center
Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655
CLASSIFIEDS & GAMES
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
I BUY OLD CONCERT posters, movie posters, lobby cards, pre-1970 comic books, 1930’s blues 78’s, (213) 944-9601 or streetsof2024@gmail.com
Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material – steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855-900-1261
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
We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-855-704-3381
DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400 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
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-ofthe-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-852-0368
STOCK YOUR POND EVENT- Coming to a store near you soon! Grass Carp, Coppernose Bluegill & Shellcracker 1"-3",Channel Cats 3"-5" & Mosquitofish. *Must Pre-Order by the Friday before the event. Southland Fisheries 803-776-4923
AUCTIONS ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561
HELP WANTED – DRIVERS ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
Prepare for power outages with Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect(TM) standby generators – the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty of 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-855-212-3281
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-7750366 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. 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
TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES
DIRECTV OVER INTERNET – Get your favorite live TV, sports and local channels. 99% signal reliability! CHOICE Package, $84 99/mo for 12 months. HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1 - 855237 - 9741
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84 99/ mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-844-624-1107
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-877-542-0759
VACATION RENTALS
ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 1 5 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561
YOUR AD HERE
Looking to advertise your business, announce a yard sale, or share other classifieds? Contact Amanda Hanna today at amanda@lcweekly.com to secure your spot and get your ad featured in our upcoming issue!
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
*2nd Wednesday, monthly • 6-7 p.m.
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (all cancers)
*4th Wednesdays, monthly • 1-2 p.m.
Medical Plaza • 989
*Meeting schedule is subject to change. For the most current meeting schedule, and to register for a free support group, please scan, or go to BeaufortMemorial.org/SupportGroups For more info call Kianna Reese at 843.522.7328. ank you to for generously sponsoring this ad.
Holy Communion Sundays at 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
Nursery & children ’s Sunday School at 11.
All are welcome at God’s table.
1104 11th St., Port Royal www.stmarksc.org
Man of Mystery Jesus of Nazareth
From a worldly perspective, Jesus was of no importance. He grew up in a small village, a lowly person in an unimportant corner of the Roman Empire. He had no earthly wealth, no military power. He was arrested and condemned to an agonizing and shameful death. In his moment of need, he was abandoned by his friends. In almost every way, Jesus had nothing that the world would associate with success or greatness.
Yet, Jesus changed the course of human history.
Two thousand years after his birth, a third of the world’s population follow Jesus as Christians. His followers laid the foundation for western civilization. It is thanks to Jesus and his followers that we have universities, hospitals, and many other institutions we take for granted, as well as principles like the dignity of the human person. We even divide history by the years before and after his birth.
What makes Jesus of Nazareth so important?
In popular culture, we often imagine Jesus as simply a loving teacher who went around telling everyone to be nice and to love each other But as one reads the Gospels, the four biographies of his life, one discovers a very mysterious and complex individual. At every turn, he speaks and acts in ways that are completely unexpected and fascinating.
Jesus responded to the needs of the human heart. He taught the crowds as no one had ever taught before. He called his listeners to turn away from sin and seek God. He revealed that God loves us as a heavenly Father, and he demonstrated this merciful love in his attitude toward sinners and the marginalized. He forgave the sins of those who repented. With merely a word or gesture, he worked countless miracles, healing the sick, casting out demons, and even raising the dead!
By his words and actions, he claimed to be God.
Jesus did not walk around shouting, “I am God!” Such an approach would have led to immediate rejection from his Jewish listeners. Instead, Jesus gradually revealed his identity in his actions, and through riddles and parables, so that those who were able could slowly begin to have faith. He revealed his identity most clearly in his suffering on the cross and through his resurrection from the dead.
In this series, we will discover what makes Jesus unique. We will explore the Gospels and try to look at Jesus through the eyes of his Jewish contemporaries. We will see why Jesus touched the hearts of so many people, why great crowds flocked to him.
In so doing, we will begin to see why Jesus is still so important to us today.
