JANUARY 3 - 9, 2019 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Whale Branch senior remains missing
Lettiana Elizondo
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek information regarding the whereabouts of a Whale Branch Early College High School senior who disappeared on Dec. 18. Malik Spencer, 18, was last seen on the morning of Dec. 18, when he left his home in Lobeco. Spencer never arrived at WBECHS that day, nor did he report to his job at Wendy’s. Spencer’s vehicle was found abandoned near a rural residential area on St. Helena Island on Dec. 21. Sheriff's Office personnel — accompanied by patrol K-9 units and the bloodhound team Malik — conducted Spencer an extensive search of that area, but did not find Spencer. Sheriff's Office investigators continue to follow up information on Spencer’s possible whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Some of the Information obtained by investigators up to this point leads them to believe that foul play may have been involved. Spencer's family and the Sheriff's Office remain extremely concerned for his well-being and are asking for information from the public. Anyone with information regarding Spencer’s whereabouts is urged to contact investigator Brian Abell at 843255-3436 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CrimeSC if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward.
Jonathan Baquedano
SANTABABIES Two Christmas miracles delivered at BMH
Santa made his first stop at the Beaufort Memorial Collins Birthing Center just a few minutes after midnight on Christmas Day with a special delivery for Tyra and Marcelino
Elizondo of Beaufort. The Elizondos celebrated the holiday with the birth of Lettiana, who arrived at 12:11 a.m., weighing 6 lbs., 5 oz.
A second little Christmas stocking stuffer arrived at 4:50 p.m. when Anabel Anaya and Reynaldo Baquedano of Bluffton welcomed baby Jonathan, who weighed in at 6 lbs., 14 oz.
Congratulations to moms, dads and these two precious Christmas babies. Photos by Charlotte Berkeley Photography.
Time running out to get invitation to Valentine Ball pre-gala parties
Only one week remains to purchase tickets to Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 30th annual Valentine Ball and receive an invitation to one of the highly-anticipated pre-gala private dinner parties. Hosted by Beaufort residents in their private homes, the dinner parties serve as a warm up for the main event. The dozens of volunteers who host the private dinner parties have made the Valentine Ball a standout among fundraisers. In addition to providing the venue for the parties, the hosts decorate their homes, plan the menu and pay for the food, helping reduce the cost of putting on the event.
Hosted in private homes, the pre-ball dinner parties, like this one from 2018, have made the Valentine Ball special among local charity fundraisers. (From left to right: Bruce Reynolds, Gayle and Graham Walters, Dolores Reynolds, Joanne and John Fontana, Missy and Jerry Schultz and Susie and Dave Roos). “The pre-ball dinner parties are so much fun,” said Allison Coppage, who is co-chairing
KEYS TO A STARTUP
the Valentine Ball with her husband, Ben, and Beaufort Memorial general surgeon Dr.
Stephen Sisco and his wife, Laurie. “Everyone pulls out their best china and crystal. It’s
STRONG SHOWING
an elegant, intimate affair.” After dinner, guests will progress to the Valentine Ball to dance the night away, enjoying tiers of extravagant desserts and a silent auction. The popular charity event takes place the weekend of Feb. 8-9 at Tabby Place in downtown Beaufort and includes the Friday evening Cocktail Affair, where attendees will be able to preview the fabulous decorations and auction items while enjoying an open bar, elaborate hors d’oeuvres and live music. Saturday night is the “main event” — the private dinner parties and black-tie gala. Since its inception in 1990, the Valentine Ball has raised near-
INSIDE
Seminars will give tech entrepreneurs crash course.
Whale Branch Warriors settle for runner-up finish at Bobcat Classic over the weekend.
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ly $5 million for a wide range of hospital improvements, from the expansion of the ER to digital diagnostic technology for the Breast Health Center. Proceeds from the 2019 fundraiser will help fund the renovation of Beaufort Memorial’s surgical pavilion. Cocktail Affair tickets are $80 per person, gala tickets are $150, and tickets for both events are $200. To receive an invitation to one of the private dinner parties, you must purchase your Valentine Ball ticket by Jan. 11. Tickets can be purchased online at valentineball.org. For more information, visit the website or call the Foundation at 843-522-5774.