One picture, so many different images

WALTERBORO

Iwas sent a photo last night that perfectly captures what the past five weeks have been like.

This photo was taken by Grace Beahm Alford of The Post and Courier, one of the handful of photographers designated by the court to capture images of the trial on behalf of all news agencies.

In it, Alex Murdaugh — guarded by a deputy — is walking past his adult son, Buster, during a break in Buster’s testimony Tuesday morning.

Alex is presumably being taken to a restroom.

Buster is standing by the court reporter, his hands deep in his pockets, his chin at his chest.

As Alex passes by, he reaches out his hand and seizes this opportunity of sudden proximity to pat Buster on the backside.

The photographer captured that exact moment.

The image is not one I ever wanted or needed to see — but I had a strong reaction to it. It immediately became all things at once.

A tall ginger man getting touched on the posterior by an

SEE FARRELL PAGE A4

Anastasia Ewald, left, and her 2-year old brother, Werner, were busy picking daffodils at the U-Pick Daffodil Farm in Okatie on Tuesday afternoon. The two were at the farm with their mother, Kierstin, who told them they could pick 10 flowers each. As it turned out, Werner did the picking and Anastasia did the arranging in the bucket. The farm is generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or whenever they run out of blooms to pick each day, according to Chuck Merrick, owner of the 40-acre farm. Merrick said weather didn’t co-operate this year causing a late opening, and recent rains caused a lot of mud, creating an unsafe environment. “But it’s all good now,” he said. Merrick said its best to go to http://upickdaffodils.com to make sure. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News their assigned book with the rest of their committee before voting anonymously on if the book should be returned to circulation at all, with restrictions, or without restrictions.

Each committee is made up of a community member, a parent, a school administrator, a member of a School Improvement Council in the school district, a district-level administrator, a teacher and a

SEE BOOK PAGE A4

Bands, Brews & BBQ is back

From staff reports Beaufort Memorial Hospital presents the 2023 Bands, Brews & BBQ, bringing two days of food, music and fun with wings, barbecue, craft beers, and live music on Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 on Paris Avenue in Port Royal.

This official South Carolina Barbecue Association sanctioned event benefits FRIENDS of Caroline Hospice.

Friday night is the Wing Throw Down from 6 to 9 p.m., where you can sample wing recipes from participating cookers while enjoying live music from Mike Ponder and Steel Rail Express.

Saturday is the barbecue tasting day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with cook teams from across the Southeast serving their award-winning butts. Don’t forget the beautiful view, live music from local favorites Chris Jones, The Bullgrapes, and The Chiggers.

Awards will be presented on Saturday by the South Carolina BBQ Association.

One award that is quickly gaining popularity is the Hometown Heroes award. Local teams representing First Responders, Veterans, Education, and Health Care compete for $500, a flag, and bragging rights for the year.

SEE BANDS PAGE A4