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JANUARY 23 - 29, 2020 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
‘Everything must go’ at Steamer’s auction Saturday By Mindy Lucas Looking for a large blue marlin to round out your ocean-themed décor? Or maybe you’re in the market for a gently used oyster table? If so, then you won’t want to miss a live auction Saturday, Jan. 25, at Steamer Oyster and Steakhouse, on Lady’s Island. Restaurant equipment, movie memorabilia, furni-
ture, and yes, several mounted fish, are just a few of the items that will go on the auction block when the final chapter ends for one the area’s longest running seafood restaurants. Co-owner Adam Rosica confirmed that he and his partners have inked a deal with Carolina Restaurant Group which plans to build a Wendy’s on the site, as
soon as the restaurant, which closed its doors last year, is demolished. “We thought about selling over time and we waited over time, and finally somebody came to us with a good offer,” said Rosica. Rosica and his partners, all members of Secession Golf Club, bought the restaurant in 2000. Asked if he was sad to see it
go or had any mixed feelings about selling it, the 77-yearold said, “not really.” “I’ve been in the restaurant business since 1983 and that’s long enough,” he said. “A lot of the partners were in their 50s and 60s then, and now they’re in their 70s and 80s.” So just what’s up for grabs? Anything you can think
SEE AUCTION PAGE A5
Photo courtesy of Uptown Auctions.
CELEBRATING THE DREAM
Beaufort remembers Martin Luther King Jr.
Republican Candidate Forum set for Saturday Staff reports There will be a Republican Candidate Forum at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Quality Inn in Beaufort at 2001 Boundary Street. Voters can hear from the candidates running for the 1st Congressional District seat in the November 2020 election in the event sponsored by The Beaufort Federation of Republican Men. Candidates attending include Mike Covert (https:// mikecovertforcongress.com), Chris Cox (https://www. chriscox2020.com), Kathy Landing (https://www.kathylanding.com), Nancy Mace (https://nancymace.org) and Brad Mole (https://secure. anedot.com/brad-mole-forcongress/donate). The Republican candidates are looking to unseat Democrat Joe Cunningham, who holds the seat.
Above: Riding the float from Pine Grove Baptist Church, these ladies wave to the hundreds of people gathered to watch the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade Monday morning along Boundary Street. Left: Despite the lack of an official color guard to lead the parade, this unidentified man took it upon himself to walk the traditional parade route carrying his American flag. Below: Omari Adams carries a small banner ahead of one of the floats during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade Monday morning in Beaufort. Photos by Bob Sofaly.
H
undreds of people braved Monday morning’s cold snap to observe the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade. There were hundreds of people gathered to watch along Boundary Street, and smiling children waving to the crowd.
Beaufort Chamber hires Bunton as interim president The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced that Kerry Bunton will serve as the organization’s interim President when outgoing President Blakely Williams transitions out of her role on Jan. 31. According to a media release, the organization will continue its search for a permanent President and CEO. Kerry is a native South Carolinian and graduated with a Bachelor of
Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clemson University. He recently retired as the District Engineer of the Southern District of Dominion Energy (previously SCE&G). His duties at Dominion included design of major new construction and system improvement projects for the company’s electric distribution system. These projects typically require working closely with
WREATH RETIREMENT
landowners, developers, architecture and engineering firms, as well as local, state and federal agencies. Kerry and his wife Paula have lived on Lady’s Island for more than 30 years. Paula is employed at Mims McDuff and Wood, P. A., and the couple attends Sea Island Presbyterian Church. Williams announced her departure on Dec. 11. For those interested in applying
UP TO THE CHALLENGE
for the open position, the Chamber has engaged an executive firm, Swingbridge Partners, LLC, to assist the search committee’s mission to find the next President. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31. Interested candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter outlining interest in the position and salary requirements to Anissa Starnes, IOM at jobs@swingbridgeconsulting.com.
INSIDE
Wreaths laid during the Wreathes Across America were officially retired and taken up.
Beaufort Academy hosts FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Competition.
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Do you plan to vote? Be sure you’re registered to vote in time for primary The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Democratic Presidential Primary is Wednesday, Jan. 30, according to the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. The Presidential Primary will be held Saturday, February 29. Anyone wishing to register to vote can visit the VR&E office in person at either the Beaufort office or the Bluffton office. The Beaufort office is located at 15 John Galt Road. The Bluffton office is located at 61B Ulmer Road. Hours for both locations are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Citizens may register during normal business hours. Voter identification is required. Voters are required to present one of the
SEE VOTE PAGE A5