NEWS: Bikers for Trump leader joins race for Cunningham’s seat. PAGE A5
JULY 11 - 17, 2019 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Cunningham tours Beaufort’s National Historic Monument By Mindy Lucas U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham toured several Reconstruction Era National Historical Park sites in Beaufort on Tuesday, July 2, as part of a scheduled visit that included a group of student journalists. About 20 people, including volunteers, park staff and a group of area students, gathered at the park’s visitor cen-
ter in the Old Beaufort Firehouse on Carteret Street for the tour’s kickoff. Formerly known as the Reconstruction Era National Monument, the site, which includes four properties throughout Beaufort County, was re-designated a national historical park in 2017 by then President Barack Obama. Cunningham, who worked
with U.S. Rep. James Clyburn on the legislation to rename and expand the park, spoke for about 25 minutes, while the students shot video as part of an educational program associated with the project. The Congressman reflected on the period in time, sometimes referred to as the most misunderstood period
INSIDE Exclusive interview with Cunningham, A6
in American history by historians, and what it means to South Carolina. “This country has some scars on it, especially the South,” he said. “But it’s im-
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Photo at left: The Rev. Abraham Murray of Brick Baptist Church near Penn Center on St. Helena Island, addresses those participating in the Reconstruction Era tour of of Penn Center. Seated at left is U.S. Congressman Joe Cunningham, D-SC. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
Stanley seeks funding for Pan Ams
2019 BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL
Being a world-class athlete sometimes comes with an otherworldly price tag. Beaufort weightlifter Dade Stanley, fresh off sweeping gold at the USA Weightlifting Youth National Championships in Anaheim, California, needs a hand paying his way to represent Team USA at the 2019 Youth Pan American Championships in Ecuador next month. The trip is one that has been funded by Team USA in most years, but because of preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the Youth Pan Ams trip is self-funded this year. That means Stanley and his coach, Team Beaufort founder Ray Jones, are paying for their airfare, lodging, meals, and other expenses out of pocket. “If you know me, you know I’m not one to ask for handouts. I’m generally the one giving them,” Stanley’s mother, Missy Moberly, wrote on a GoFundMe page aimed at raising $4,000 to help cover the costs. “But, this time, I need a little assistance!” Stanley started lifting as something to do after school, but he quickly emerged as an elite talent, winning multiple national titles and breaking youth American records. He swept silver at the 2019 Youth World Championships to help Team USA claim the team title and earlier this month swept gold at the Youth National Championships. “We would be forever grateful for any help getting Dade and Coach Ray to Ecuador to represent Beaufort, South Carolina, and the USA next month,” Moberly wrote on GoFundMe. “It’s not every day you are selected to represent your country and proudly wear the American flag on your chest!” To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/Dade-Stanley-Weightlifter or donate through Venmo to @ Dade-Stanley-Weightlifter.
Caleb Murray of Boundary Street Collision doesn’t seem to see the big shark coming up behind him as he flashes a surfer sign to the photographer during the 2018 Beaufort Water Festival’s annual Grand Parade along Boundary Street. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
FOR THE COMMUNITY Organizers hope to avoid bad weather that plagued last year’s event
By Mindy Lucas The 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival kicks off Friday with all the pomp and circumstance of one of the state’s oldest and most venerable festivals. Completely organized and run by an all-volunteer staff, the Water Festival features 10 days of music, art and family-fun activities. From the hilarious and must-see-to-believe hospital bed races, to one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the region, the festival serves up a variety of Ameri-
HONORING HERITAGE
cana event goers aren’t likely to find anywhere else. Commodore Brian Patrick said he and organizers are particularly proud of this year’s theme, “For the Community, By the Community.” “We really wanted to high- Schedule light the fact that Complete the festival is for line up of the community, events, A6 and everyone who puts it on is truly your neighbors, local law enforcement, military, our sponsors, all volunteers – everyone is from this communi-
ty, and of course the people we put it on for,” Patrick said. And while Patrick said they obviously don’t have any control of the weather, they hoped to avoid a repeat of last year, when heavy rainfall caused organizers to cancel some performances and postpone the opening night’s fireworks show for several days. With that in mind, Patrick said festival goers won’t want to miss the opening night ceremonies complete with The Parris Island Marine Band and fireworks at dusk on Friday.
LET FREEDOM RING!
Another crowd favorite is Saturday’s Concert in the Park. This year’s headliner is country music singer/ songwriter Tyler Farr. Farr’s most recent album, Suffer In Peace, released in 2015, debuted in the top five on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and before that his album Redneck Crazy, released in 2013, made No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200, making Farr the only solo male country artist in the last 10 years whose first two studio albums
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Penn Center guest celebrates the Gullah language.
Snapshots around Beaufort from the July 4 weekend.
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Lowcountry Life A2 Death Notices A2 Wildlife A2 News A4-5 Legal Notices A5 From the Front A6
Health Voices Sports Food Directory Around Town
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MORE INFORMATION For tickets or more information, visit www. bftwaterfestival.com.
debuted in the Billboard Top 200 Albums Top 5. Emily Ann Roberts, who fans may remember from Season 9 of The Voice, will open for Farr. Roberts has several Billboard singles and two No. 1 iTunes country songs to her name. Texas-based Copper Chief, a roots-country-rock band will also perform during the Saturday night concert.