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County Council authorizes review of all 2023 contracts, 2023 purchases, procurement codes; audit of P-card system
By Delayna Earleyand Mike McCombs
The Island News
Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway was placed on administrative leave with pay fol-
lowing executive session held during the special called County Council meeting on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Beaufort.
Eric GreenwayAssistant County Administrator of Public Safety John Robinson has been appointed as the acting county administrator during this time. He will receive an additional $3,000 per month while serving in this capacity, Chairman Passiment
said during public session. County Council members met at 10:30 a.m., for the special called County Council meeting and went directly into executive session following the Pledge of Allegiance.
After two hours in executive session, County Council members resumed the public session where it was revealed that the issues discussed in Monday’s executive session were first brought to light in a July 10 meeting between council members Mark Lawson (District 9), Anna Maria Tabernik
(District 6), Chair and Vice-Chair of the Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee; County Council Chairman Joseph Passiment (District 5);
Vice Chairman Larry McElynn (District 10); and legal counsel for the Beaufort County Council and Beaufort County.
The Special Called County Council meeting was held to review documentation and information revolving around issues of compliance with the county’s procurement codes, budgets and P-card
policies, among other issues, and to receive legal advice on the matter, said Passiment. Four additional motions were made and passed following executive session.
County Council authorized the Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee to “contract with one or more professional or professional firms” to do a thorough review of all purchases and contracts for professional
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By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The
are
during
The Island News
With the Commodore’s Ball on Saturday night and the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday morning, the 67th annual Beaufort Water Festival has ended.
The final evening of Water Festival featured the upbeat music from ACE Party Band and the announcement and first dance of the 68th Commodore
and First Lady, Josh and Brooke Schott.
Schott is a Beaufort native and has been volunteering with the festival since 2001. This year he acted as the Program Coordinator and was the “right-hand man” to Nutt as he planned the
festival’s festivities.
The festival, which promotes 10 days of events in downtown Beaufort, had to contend with some days with temperatures higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but thankfully the precipitation (according to the Water Festival’s website, they do not use the word “rain”) that is common in Beaufort this
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Beaufort developer Dick Stewart filed a lawsuit on Monday, July 17, 2023, against Graham Trask and his father George G. Trask in response to the legal battles and alleged spread of disinformation revolving around the construction of a hotel and parking structure in downtown Beaufort. Graham Trask has filed two separate lawsuits under his business entities, Mix Farms, LLC and West Street Farms, LLC, against the City of Beaufort, 303 Associates, LLC and the Beaufort Inn, LLC, both of which are owned by Stewart, claiming that the plans for the proposed hotel and parking structure do not abide by the city’s laws for size.
DickStewart Graham Trask
George Trask does not have an ownership interest in either of Graham Trask’s businesses and was not a plaintiff in either lawsuit. Stewart, who is currently retired, said during an interview with
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Beaufort’s Will Payne, 81, joined the United States Marine Corps in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1960. After boot camp and Infantry training in San Diego, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton, Calif. His next tour was at MCAS El Toro followed by assignment aboard USS Eldorado (AGC-11), first out of San Diego then homeported in Subic Bay, Philippines. The ship embarked the Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific Fleet and oper-
Will Payneated off Vietnam directing amphibious operations. He then served at Camp Lejeune where his specialty
Recently, 29 Democrats and 28 Republicans joined hands to reconstitute the House Climate Solutions Caucus. Our own Nancy Mace is on board in her latest in a long line of worthy bipartisan moves. If the climate (pun intended) in the House is anything as it appears, these 57 are showing welcome fortitude. The Caucus intends to meet climate change with sound science and economics. An aim at least as difficult as it is important.
According to Co-Chairs Republican Andrew R. Garbarino (N.Y.) and Democrat Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), their first task will be permitting reform for energy projects. If South Carolina is to continue to enjoy our current rate of economic development in EV manufacturing, advanced battery production and many other sectors, we need increased electric power that is secure affordable and clean.
Today approval of new energy projects takes years with renewables (the cleanest, most affordable and secure power sources) at the back of the line. Proposed new transmission lines are the worst victims of the current bureaucracy taking 10 years to get underway. Increased power production isn’t worth much without a way to get
July 27
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was changed to Combat Intelligence before transferring to Da Nang, Vietnam. After that in-country tour, he served at MCAS Cherry Point before coming to Parris Island as a Drill Instructor for four years. His next assignment was in Okinawa from which he deployed to Korea. His final duty station was MCAS Beaufort, where he was assigned to an F-4 Fighter Squadron, again deploying
overseas. He retired in 1980 as a Gunnery Sergeant with 20 years in the Corps. He then joined the Civil Service, first at Naval Hospital Beaufort and then Parris Island for a 30-year career with the General Services Administration.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
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where it’s needed.
If you are concerned about climate change, as I am, this tangle of red raises the specter of disastrous delays. If you are more interested in economic development right now, surely you find the current red tape unacceptable. It’s essential members of Congress work across the aisle for permitting reform that speeds up the approval of clean energy projects and protects the health and safety of American people and communities. We can each do our part by encouraging our leaders to work together and find the critical common ground we all must share.
Please write Nancy Mace at mace@mail. house.gov. and thank her for stepping up for all of us.
– Tim Joy, Chapter Leader, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Beaufort
Freedom is not free
Seventy years ago on July 27, 1953, an Armistice was signed which brought a halt to the war in Korea. Technically, it did not end the war. It just meant “everyone stop shooting at each other.”
Now is a time to remember and honor America’s servicemen and women who gave their lives to bring freedom to people
2019: Democratic Presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson shares her message on the campaign trail with approximately 130 people at Beaufort’s United Church of Jesus Christ.
July 28
1883: Hannah Jones Smalls, first wife of Robert Smalls, dies. She was about 58 years old.
2021: Beaufort-born weightlifter C.J. Cummings competes for the United States in the Men’s 73-kilogram weight class at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Cummings made two of his six lifts for a total of 325 kg, finishing ninth.
July 29
2019: Longtime Thomas Heyward Academy softball coach Bob Layman is named the new head coach at Battery Creek.
Cat of the Week: Oslo is the sweet and quiet type of guy. He has become a big brother to the kittens in his room, a little bit of mischief with a whole lot of love. Oslo has been at our adoption center for the entire first year of his life. He would do really well in a home with a cat friend or two to hang out with. Oslo is a year old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.
they did not know, in a country far away. The words, “Freedom is Not Free” are engraved on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., where our fallen heroes are remembered for their sacrifice in defense of freedom in South Korea.
A Wall of Remembrance was added to this memorial in July 2022; on it are engraved the names of the 36,574 who lost their lives during the 1950-1953 Korean War.
The Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) invites you to visit the Korean War Memorial online at https://www.defense. gov/koreanwarmem. Another website you may wish to view is the Korean War Project (https://koreanwarproject.org). It lists American war dead from the Korean War by name, hometown and state; whether killed in action (KIA), missing in action (MIA), or prisoner of war (POW); and history of each unit’s involvement in this war, plus much more.
Please take the time to think of the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, not only during the Korean War, but all wars. Honor and remember them. Freedom is not free.
– Charlotte M. Ayers, Beaufort. Ayers, a Korean War-era USMC veteran, is the Founder and Past President of Chap 303 of the KWVA and was Director of the National KWVA from 2007-2010.
2020: Longtime City of Beaufort Police Chief Matt Clancy dies at age 56 from complications caused by neuroendocrine cancer.
July 30
2020: City of Beaufort Deputy Police Chief Dale McDorman is named interim Police Chief after the death of longtime Chief Matt Clancy.
August 1
2021: Beaufort-based weightlifter Mahassen Hala Fattouh competes for Lebanon in the Women’s 76-kilogram weight class at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Fattouh completed five of her six lifts for a personal-record total of 217 kg. Fattouh, the first female weightlifter to represent Lebanon in the Olympic Games, finished ninth.
– Compiled by Mike McCombs
Dog of the Week: Taz will send your heart into a whirlwind with his goofy personality. He loves to go on bike rides with our kennel team members and spend time outside with a rope toy. He just celebrated his first birthday and would love to celebrate his future birthdays with a family. Taz is a year old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.
If you are interested in adopting Oslo, Taz or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@ palmettoanimalleague. org to set up an appointment.
Accounting April Ackerman april@ aandbbookkeeping. com Billing questions only.
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The Post And Courier PARRIS ISLAND — A leadership shakeup has resulted in the ouster of two senior leaders at the Marine training base on Parris Island.
The commanding officer and sergeant major of the Recruit Training Regiment were both relieved of their command July 5 due to a "loss of trust and confidence," according to a statement released July 17 by Maj. Philip Kulczewski, spokesman for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Although the two men were not identified in the statement, they were later confirmed as Col. Bradley Ward and Sgt. Maj. Fabian Casillas. Ward's removal comes as his assignment on the base was nearing its end.
No further explanation for the action was provided.
Five recruits have died on Parris Island in the past two years, though there has been no indication that the deaths played a role in the removal of Ward or Casillas.
Col. Bradley Ward was relieved as commander of the Recruit Training Regiment on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island earlier this month due to a “loss of trust and confidence.” Photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps
The June 12 death of Pvt. Marshall Hartman was the most recent incident. Hartman, an 18-year-old resident of Prescott, Mich., died during his sixth day of training.
Sgt. Maj. Fabian Casillas was relieved as sergeant major of the Recruit Training Regiment on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island earlier this month due to a “loss of trust and confidence.” Photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps
His cause of death has not yet been released, but it was referred to as a "non-training incident" when it was first reported by Kulczewski last month.
The death of 19-year-old New Jersey resident Pfc. Dalton Beals in June 2021 led to the filing of multiple charges against Beal's senior drill instructor, Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley. Smiley's court-martial trial got underway July 17 in a courtroom on Parris Island and is expected to last three weeks. Smiley's charges include negligent homicide and dereliction of duty resulting in a death.
Ward assumed command of the Recruit Training Regiment in July 2021. He previously served on Parris Island as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor.
Casillas began in his role on the island base in January 2022.
The primary role of the Recruit Training Regiment is the mission most closely associated with Parris Island, training the 20,000 recruits that report to the base every year. The regiment is comprised of three recruit training battalions as well as a support battalion. Included in the command of the Recruit Training
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Regiment are the recruits, drill instructors, senior drill instructors, a drill instructor school and medical staff.
Prior to being relieved of his command, Ward reported directly to the base's commanding general, Brig. Gen. Walker M. Field, who assumed command of the base in June 2022.
Col. Christopher McArthur has been named as Ward's replacement. Sgt. Maj. Michael Brown will take over for Casillas.
This article is published through The Post And Courier News Collaborative, a partnership created to inform readers across the state.
Historian will examine community recovery, conflict after South Carolina's deadliest hurricane
From staff reports
On Thursday, August 3, at 6 p.m., the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park invites the public to attend a free lecture by historian Caroline Grego, Ph.D., marking the 130th anniversary of the Hur-
ricane of 1893. This program will take place at Darrah Hall in the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District at 24 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena Island. In August of 1893, the Sea Islands up and down the
coast of Georgia and South Carolina were slammed by a massive hurricane. Thousands of people, mostly from the islands' Gullah Geechee community, died during and after the storm. Grego’s presentation will
explore how the community, state and local officials, and national relief organizations, all interacted with each other within the context of the collapse of Reconstruction in the Lowcountry.
Grego is an Assistant Pro-
fessor of History at Queens University of Charlotte and is the author of Hurricane Jim Crow: How the Great Sea Island Storm of 1893 shaped the Lowcountry South, which was published by the University of North
Carolina Press in 2022. For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www. facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS.
Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Sciarra specializes in performing routine and complex GI procedures as well as in treating chronic and acute GI disease. Born, raised, educated and trained as a physician in New Jersey, Dr. Sciarra also had practiced in the state 15 miles from where he grew up for the entirety of his medical career before coming to the Lowcountry. In private practice at Riverview Gastroenterology in Edgewater since 1997, he was on the medical staff at three nearby medical centers; the director of the gastroenterology fellowship program at Hackensack Meridian/Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen and Hackensack; and an associate professor at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City.
At Lowcountry Medical Group, Wilkinson works to promote patients’ digestive health, assisting its board-certified gastroenterology team with clinical assessment and pre- and post-operative care. An experienced nurse practitioner, most recently she worked at Tampa General Hospital Urgent Care in Florida and assisted in the opening of the Clinical Decision Unit in TGH’s emergency department. She has also done missionary work in West Africa.
Doctor of Osteopathy
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency
Internal Medicine
St. Michael’s Medical Center Newark, N.J.
Fellowship
Gastroenterology
St. Michael’s Medical Center
Newark, N.J.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Delaware
Master of Science in Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Delaware
From staff reports
Two more shootings took place in northern Beaufort County last week in a summer increasingly marked by gun violence.
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), shortly after 10:30 p.m., Thursday, July 20, deputies responded to Archie Sumpter Road in Sheldon in response to reports of gunfire.
Two neighboring residences were struck by bullets that had been fired from the road.
A 16-year-old who was sitting on the couch in one of the homes was struck by a bullet that penetrated the walls. He was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury and has since been released.
Then, according to the BCSO, deputies were dispatched at 11:25 p.m., Saturday, July 22, to an address on Stanley Road in Burton in response to a man who had been shot.
Deputies found an 18-year-old Burton man suffering from a single gunshot wound on the back porch of the residence. Sheriff’s investigators and K-9 tracking teams responded.
The teen was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital and later to the Medical University of South Carolina.
Anyone with information about the Burton incident is encouraged to contact Staff Sergeant Todd Duncan at 843-255-3418. Anyone with information about the Sheldon case is encouraged to call Lieutenant Calhoun at 843-255-3704.
Those wishing to remain anonymous for a possible reward, call Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843554-1111.
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services with the County that have occurred since January 1, 2023, to determine if the purchases and contracts comply with the County’s procurement codes.
Additionally, council authorized the Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee to hire a professional or professional firm to conduct a review of Beaufort County’s procurement codes see if there is need for any updates, revisions or new measures, in
Joel Cody with the Burton Fire District uses an electric saw to cut the hinges off a door during a training day at the Robert Smalls International Academy on Wednesday, July 19. All five Engine Companies, through an agreement with the Beaufort County School District, used the building to hone their indoor forceable entry skills using a variety of both and hand power tools. The building is being is scheduled to be destroyed and replaced with a much larger building. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
From staff reports Indivisible Beaufort will host a talk by student leaders from DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literary Association) at their Saturday, July 29 meeting at 11 a.m. at the Beaufort County Library at 311 Scott Street in Beaufort.
DAYLO is a Beaufort-based student-led book club with chapters in several
local schools. In addition to discussing books with diverse themes and perspectives, DAYLO also engages in empathy-building community literacy initiatives through public read-a-louds, book drives for teachers, and support for the Beaufort Human Library Project.
The featured speakers will be Millie Bennett (Beaufort High School ’23),
Beaufort County's Capital Projects Department was begin work on Wednesday, July 26, on repairs to the pedestrian bridge on the Spanish Moss Trail on the Battery Creek near the Technical College of the Lowcountry.
Construction is expected to take four months. The timeline is an estimate dependent on weather and supplies. The work will be done by Titan Civil Construction from Tarpon Springs, Fla.
This bridge is located between the street crossings at Hermitage Road and Cottage Farm Drive.
The bridge may be closed to pedestrian traffic intermittently during this time. Citizens are encouraged to take caution when visiting the area and expect closures. Visit the Spanish Moss Trail website at https://bit.ly/3q2qRBs for closures.
order to strengthen the code. Finally, council authorized an audit of the County’s Purchasing Card (P-Card) system for the fiscal years of 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to see if there are any changes needed to the system.
The P-Card is a charge card that enables authorized S.C. employees to make “small value purchases of supplies, materials, equipment and services for State business use,” according to the S.C. Division of Procurement Services website.
Passiment closed out the meeting by acknowledging that this is an ongoing per-
Izzy Troy Brazoban (Battery Creek High School ’23) and Lizzie Foster (Beaufort Academy’ 23).
Bennett will begin her studies at the College of Charleston this fall, majoring in studio arts and double-minoring in women’s and gender studies and creative writing.
Brazoban is headed to Georgia Southern Univer -
For questions or more information, please contact Beaufort County Capital Improvements Projects at 843-255-2707.
The City of Beaufort has been recognized for the 16th consecutive year for excellence in financial reporting.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Beaufort a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.
“The City being recognized by the GFOA for excellence in financial reporting is a testament to the hard work of our Finance Director Alan Eisenman and his team of professionals,” City Manager Scott Marshall said in
sonnel matter and that for the time being, for legal reasons, members of Council will not be able to answer additional questions.
“County Council members realize that everyone wants to know the reason or reasons that caused today’s decision to place Mr. Greenway on Administrative Leave – and rightfully so,” Chairman Passiment said. “That will happen…There will come a time when we can talk about it openly and freely, and we will do so. But we are not there yet. So, please be patient with us as we go through this process together.”
A criminal complaint
sity, where she is majoring in philosophy on a pre-law track. This summer she is participating in both of the ACLU’s Summer Advocacy Institutes.
Foster will be attending Georgetown University, where she will study government. She is also participating in one of the ACLU’s Summer Advocacy Institutes.
a release. “Day in and day out, they are great stewards of taxpayer dollars and consistently strive for transparency in our fiscal operations.”
The report was judged by a panel to meet the high standard of the program, which include demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate Beaufort’s financial story and motivate users to read the report. The City keeps all of its financial and budgeting information on its website, www. cityofbeaufort.org. Users can access the financial transparency tool to take a closer look at the City’s budget.
The award is the highest form of recognition for governmental accounting and financial reporting.
“Its attainment represents significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” GFOA said.
The latest award is one of many the City’s Finance Department has received from GFOA – in the categories of financial reporting
against Greenway for misconduct in office was filed May 11, 2023 with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner and 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone discussed the complaint and determined it needed an independent review.
The complaint will be investigated by the Public Integrity Unit, a team of prosecutors and investigators from the 1st and 14th Circuit solicitors’ offices.
The incident report states that the alleged offenses took place between 8 a.m., January 9, 2023 and 4 p.m., June 29, 2023. Aside from
Learn more about DAYLO on its Instagram page at www.instragram.com/ beaufort_daylo or see the DAYLO leaders in conversation with EveryLibrary about their work and the documentary film, 97, being made about them at youtube.com/live/CkAAZbH8o_E.
The event is free and open to the public.
and excellence in budget presentation – under the leadership of Eisenman and his team.
Mace tests
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC1) tested positive for COVID-19 last week for a third time. As such, Rep. Mace was unable to attend votes and committee hearings last week. She continued to work safely and remotely while she recovered and is now returning to in-person work this week.
Previously, Rep. Mace tested positive for COVID-19 On June 23, 2020 and January 10, 2022. She was fully vaccinated in the spring of 2021.
“I wanted to thank our staff for ensuring our office operated on all cylinders last week,” Rep. Mace said. “No one works harder for the Lowcountry to put our constituents first.”
– From staff reports
that, there is no complainant listed and there are no details of any alleged crimes.
“At this particular time, that is all that we’re saying,” Tanner said July 3.
South Carolina recognizes the common law offense of misconduct in office. It occurs “when duties imposed by law have not been properly and faithfully discharged.” To constitute a crime, such conduct must be willful and dishonest.
Legally, there are three kinds of misconduct – malfeasance, which means acting illegally; misfeasance, which means acting legally but corruptly; and nonfeasance,
which means not carrying out a required duty of the office.
When contacted initially by phone Monday afternoon, July 3, Greenway said he had initially been made aware of the complaint just that morning and had no comment.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
By Mike McCombs The Island News
It’s the year of the sea turtle on Hunting Island.
Volunteer Mark Schetsky found nest No. 176 on Friday, his first nest found of the season, breaking last year’s record of 175 nests. The nesting season normally lasts from May to October.
After another busy weekend, that number is now up to 184, as of Tuesday.
“It took us 38 years to beat the old record,” said Beth Glass, Director of the Friends of Hunting Island (FOHI) Sea Turtle Conservation Program. “Now it’s back to back years.”
Though the numbers may have been disputed, Glass said the previous record was actually 157 back in 1984.
“Back then the cabins were still on the island and most of the nests were at the south end,” Glass said. “But now, the heaviest amount of nesting has moved to the north end. A lot of the nesting is between the campground and the lighthouse.”
Glass said the last nests are usually laid somewhere from the end of July to the middle of August.
“We call the nesting season when we go two weeks with no new nesting activity,” she said. “But turtles don’t read. I remember one time when we called it, and a turtle
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The Island News on Tuesday, July 18, that he filed the suit to try and stop the spread of misinformation.
“We have been quiet and waited on the courts to rule,” Stewart said.
The lawsuit seeks to recoup $40 million in damages from lost income, increases in materials and labor due to inflation and financing costs caused by delays in construction due to the projects being paused due to ongoing legal battles with the defendants and the Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF).
Additional punitive damages due to damage to reputation, legal costs and personnel time bring the total number to more than $120 million.
“Having operated our business in Beaufort for over 25 years, we have never been confronted by such deception and outright lies about our projects or our people,” Stewart said. “We have always avoided mudslinging.
Now that the courts have ruled that we did follow the processes, it is only reasonable that the bad actors be accountable for the damage they have caused.”
The two lawsuits filed by Trask have gone through their initial hearings and in both cases the judge has ruled that the City of Beaufort, 303 Associates and the Beaufort Inn followed the law when getting the plans to build the parking structure and Marriott-affiliated hotel approved by the Historic Beaufort Review Board.
That said, appeals and further litigation in both suits are still pending.
Per the lawsuit, the Trasks, who own a significant amount of property in Beaufort, have been some of the most outspoken critics of the project, saying that the proposed structures violate city law due to their massive size and will destroy the overall historical aesthetic
laid a nest the next day.”
Glass has reason to hope, in addition to a record season, this could be a 200-nest season. The size of nests gen-
erally range from 120 eggs at the top end to between 6070 at the bottom end, usually late in the season. She said of the last eight nests, only one
had fewer than 100 eggs. “I still feel those mamas have a lot of eggs left in them,” Glass said.
Friends of Hunting Island
President Linda Miller said Hunting Island isn’t the only place seeing a high number of nests this year.
“That’s up and down the coast,” Miller said. “It all plays out on social media, and we see it. Everybody is super busy.”
Glass said a lot of observers are crediting the high numbers of nests and eggs to conservation. She said it takes 23 to 25 years for a sea turtle to reach sexual maturity.
“We’re seeing the results now of the babies that survived as a result of when conservation efforts really began,” she said.
A highlight this year, Glass said, was a nest laid at Russ Point Landing, just a tiny strip of land along the beach with access to that boat landing. Nest 21 is the first nest at that landing since 2012.
Also, with the first hatchlings of the season emerging on July 19 – “We were excited to see we had our sixth nest hatch today,” Miller said Tuesday – Hunting Island has nests hatching while new nests are still being laid.
“There’s no slowing downtown in August and September,” Miller said. “At some point the nests will stop, and it will be all about the hatchlings. To have both happening at the same time is pretty unique.”
The FOHI Sea Turtle Conservation Project marked the first sea turtle nest of the season at Hunting Island on Friday, May 5. The 2023 season opened on the heels of another record-breaking year — in 2022, biologists and volunteers counted 7,996 sea turtle nests in South Carolina, the second-highest year since record-keeping began. There were 8,795 nests in 2019.
Overall, sea turtle nest numbers across the Southeast have trended up over the past decade after several decades of conservation efforts.
Accoding to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), four sea turtle species nest on South Carolina beaches: loggerheads, greens, Kemp’s ridleys, and leatherbacks. All four species are classified as endangered or threatened and are protected under the Endangered Species Act in addition to state law. Loggerhead nests comprise most of the state’s total number each year. The SCDNR relies on a network of more 1,500 trained volunteers to regularly patrol beaches from May 1 to October 31 to count, monitor and protect sea turtle nests.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
of the downtown area.
In addition to fighting through the court system, the lawsuit states that Trasks have publicly expressed their opposition to the projects on their online news site, The Beaufort Tribune, and through emails and social media from their group, the Beautiful Beaufort Alliance.
As of Wednesday afternoon, when he spoke with The Island News, Graham Trask said that, to his knowledge, his lawyer had not been served the papers about the lawsuit, but he found the suit online on the Beaufort County Courts website.
Trask said that he did give his lawyer, Andy Gowder in Charleston, permission to accept the lawsuit but his lawyer is currently on vacation.
According to Ned Nicholson, legal counsel for 303 Associates, Trask’s lawyer has agreed to accept the service when he returns from his vacation on July 31.
Trask claims that the lawsuit is a type of suit referred to as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) lawsuit.
“This appears to be an act of desperation by Dick Stewart to illegally silence critics who have followed the legal process to appeal what are certainly illegal actions by the City of Beaufort,” Trask said. “Clearly, I, my entities and my father will vigorously defend these unsubstantiated and false accusations.”
Emails suggest a partnership was discussed In the lawsuit and in his interview, Stewart alleges Graham Trask only began to oppose the project, publicly and legally, after he asked to partner with Stewart on the projects and Stewart turned him down.
To support this, the lawsuit contains the transcripts of many back-and-forth emails correspondences between Stewart and Trask talking about their properties in downtown Beaufort and the proposed projects.
Trask said in response to the contents of the lawsuit that the claim was simply not true.
One thing that both parties agree on is that at one point Trask had an agreement with Beaufort Inn to manage one of his properties adjacent to the location of the new hotel and parking structure, and that agreement ended poorly primarily due to a dispute over the removal of a tree on Trask’s property.
According to the lawsuit, in December 2020, there were several trees on Trask’s property adjacent to 812 Port Republic Street, which was owned by The Beaufort Inn and 303 Associates.
The property was slated for demolition, but there was concern that the trees had roots that were growing under the building that was to be demolished and that once that building was gone the trees would become unstable and may fall onto and damage the buildings on Trask’s
property at 221 West Street. The demolition contractor hired by 303 Associates and Beaufort Inn removed a part of the tree, but eventually took the entire tree down after it appeared to have become unstable, which, according to the lawsuit, Trask said he had not agreed to.
According to Stewart, this was when Graham Trask’s attitude toward the downtown Beaufort projects changed.
Trask disagreed and said that Stewart “has concocted false reasons and false assertions as to the motives behind filing the lawsuits.”
“It appears that it is a public relations smear campaign, frankly,” Trask said. “But I guess he will have to deal with any of the consequences that will occur from his actions.”
Stewart said, “We have always acted within the rules and law of this city and will always do so. This suit is simply our only available option to stop the disinformation and falsehoods that have been pushed by a select few with their own personal agendas. We have tried to engage in a reasonable manner for some time with each of them, to no success.”
Projects haven’t started
Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray told The Island News there is nothing legally stopping 303 Associates and The Beaufort Inn from going forward with construction on the hotel and parking structure in down-
town Beaufort.
Stewart said that he is currently waiting on information from a utility firm regarding underground pipes before starting the bulk of the construction on the parking structure and hotel expansion, but once construction gets underway, he estimates that the projects will take about two years to complete.
“These buildings and these projects are going to be wonderful for the City of Beaufort,” Stewart said.
Despite the ongoing legal battles over the past several years, Murray said that to his knowledge there has never been anything to legally prevent construction on the buildings from going forward as they have gone through all the appropriate channels and have secured approval from the City of Beaufort under the current code and laws.
In addition, the projects went through 13 rounds of public reviews led by the city’s Historic District Review Board and was approved, with that approval being upheld in by two circuit court judges in response to Trask’s lawsuits.
“The two projects have always been allowed to go forward as there has not been an emergency injunction filed, and that would cost a significant amount of money to do so,” said Mayor Murray. “They have their permits in hand and can legally proceed.”
Trask thinks differently
and said that this lawsuit, to him, is a sign that Stewart will never go forward with construction of the buildings.
“I think it has terminally damaged the prospect of him being able to build those projects – I mean I think the chances were probably pretty small anyway – but I think this is the final nail in the coffin,” Trask said. “Because now all the attention is going to be on this.”
Murray said that he was recently informed that an appeal for one of Trask’s previous lawsuits against the City of Beaufort, 303 Associates and The Beaufort Inn will be heard on August 1.
An earlier online version of this story stated that George Trask and Graham Trask had filed lawsuits against the City of Beaufort, 303 Associates, LLC and the Beaufort Inn, LLC under the business entities Mix Farms, LLC and West Street Farms, LLC. Though George Trask is the registered agent for both those entities, he has no ownership interest in either and is not a plaintiff in the lawsuits.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
By Delayna Earley The Island News
The 67th Beaufort Water Festival Grand Parade was held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in downtown Beaufort.
Rob Bridgers was the Grand Marshall for the parade and was organized by the Beaufort Lions Club.
The Lions Club has been organizing the parade since the first Water Festival in 1956.
The Water Festival is a 10day long festival that takes place annually in Beaufort to celebrate the connection that Beaufort has with the coastal waterways.
Water Festival, wave to the crowd as their
Street. Bob
The Island News
Son’s of Sailors, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, played for the first time during this year’s Island Time Tuesday event on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort.
The annual Water Festival Event does not always draw as big of a crowd as other nights, but there were still plenty of people at the park ready to dance to the laid-back island tunes that the band played.
Tuesday was also First Responder and Military Appreciation Night, meaning that those with an active ID card were admitted for free.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
It wouldn’t be an official parade with the Parris Island Marine Corps Band leading the way as seen here during the Beaufort Water Festival parade Saturday. Following the band is the Grand Marshall Rob Bridgers (in blue shirt), former Marine and pilot of the presidential helicopter Marine Two. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
Always a crowd favorite, the Omar Vettes from Myrtle Beach show off their miniaturized stunt driving skills during the annual Beaufort Water Festival Parade on Saturday. Bob Sofaly/The Island NewsThe Pirettes, official ambassadors of the Beaufort float makes its way down Boundary Sofaly/The Island News Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com. Son of Sailors, a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, performs during the 67th Annual Beaufort Water Festival’s Island Time Tuesday on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in downtown Beaufort. Delayna Earley/The Island News
By Delayna Earley The Island News
Lowcountry Supper, sponsored by Sea Eagle Market, featured delicious food and good music.
People started lining up before the gates opened to be first in line to eat the delicious Lowcountry favorite.
Melena Reaves with Sea Eagle Market said that despite the heat, turnout was similar to what it has been in the past.
This year 850 pounds of shrimp, 700 pounds of potatoes, 2000 ears of corn, 900 pounds of sausage, 1500 rolls, 300 pounds of coleslaw, 75 gallons of sweet tea, 50 gallons of lemonade and 75 watermelons were served during the event.
“It was hot in our “ring of fire”,” Reaves said. “That’s what my dad (Craig Reaves) official calls it! It’s a pretty accurate description.”
The main entertainment was provided by Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band, Freebird.
Chris Jones entertained
as the opening act, followed by The Whistlers. The Whistlers are five former Commodores dressed up in big hats that cover the top of their bodies while their stomachs are exposed and painted to look like faces.
They perform to The Whistler song, March from the River Kwai and Colonel Bogey March by Mitch Miller. This year the five Whistlers were the most recent commodores, 66th Commodore Shawna Doran, 65th Commodore Erin “Tank” Morris, 64th Commodore Brian Patrick, 62nd Commodore Jason Berry and the trumpet solo went to 63rd Commodore Stacey Canaday.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/ The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna. theislandnews@gmail.com.
Close from page A1
time of year stayed away for the most part.
There were two days where the evening events had to be postponed for an hour due to lightning in the area, but once it was safe the concerts proceeded as planned.
The 67th Commodore James Nutt told The Island News that as far as he is concerned, the festival went just about as well as it could have.
His personal favorite night was Rockin’ the River, which featured a headlining act Led Zeppelin 2, but there is no denying that the most popular night was Motown Monday and the concert by Deas-Guyz.
“There is a reason why it has become a tradition to have them back,” Nutt said.
Nutt proceeded to say
that, despite the heat and lack of wind, the turnout for Motown Monday was bigger than they have seen for a very long time.
Commodore Nutt also said that he was pleased to see that the changes, both public and behind the scenes
that they made for this year’s festival seemed to help everything go very smoothly.
One such change that festival planners made was to require patrons to purchase tickets to this year’s Concert in the Park in advance of the event instead of at the gate.
He said that they have been working with the City of Beaufort after last year’s Concert in the Park, and they came up with a maximum attendance number in conjunction with the Fire Marshall.
“We tailored this entire
festival to not even come close to that number,” Nutt said. “The experience, and having a pleasurable experience, was our main goal.”
As for next year, Nutt said that he is excited to see what his friend of nearly 20 years will do as Commodore.
“I have full confidence that he is going to throw a great festival,” Nutt said.
“I don’t want to say it’s going to be better than mine,” he added with a laugh, “but I can hope it will be close.”
He then added, in a more serious tone, that it really is not a competition, and if Commodore John Schott shatters expectations and it is record breaking then it will just end up benefiting the community.
Nutt said that he is excited to offer advice to the new Commodore and will be on his advisory committee because it is a big position and job to undertake.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at
Ahoy little mate! As if the Beaufort Water Festival wasn't fun enough, one of its longstanding annual traditions is to send a gift for the babies born at the Beaufort Memorial Collins Birthing Center during the festival. Modeling her commemorative Water Festival onesie is Tallulah Linnig, who arrived at 8:22 p.m., Monday, July 17. Welcome aboard to all our Water Festival babies.
courtesy of Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
The Island News
Talented performers took to the stage on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, to compete in the annual Beaufort Water Festival Talent Show, but not until after a slight delay due to lightning in the area.
The show was hosted by Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
The contestants were divided up into categories by age – 5-9 years old, 10-14 years old, 15-20 years old, 2134 years old and 35+ years old – and by individual and group performances.
This year the judges were India Dickinson, Jennifer Fisher, Alex Long and Mike McFee.
The results of the show are:
Category A (5-9 years old)
Group Performance
1st – Derrick Ballet Conservatory – Group/Dance –Stand By Me
Individual Performance
1st – Coley Ketchie – Individual/Dance – Above the Clouds
2nd – Jazmine Patterson –
Individual/Dance – The DJ
3rd – Georgia Wells – Individual/Dance – Dance
Category B (9-14 years old)
Group Performance
1st – Maren and Katie –
Group/Singing – Where the Streets Have No Name
2nd – Micah and O’Wren –
Group/Dance – I See You
3rd – Dani’s Dance Dynamics – Group/Dance – Apartment D3
Individual Performance
1st – Sami Nix – Individual/
Dance – Strange
2nd – Olive Florence – Individual/Dance – Paquita
Variation
3rd – Lily Feus – Individual/ Dance – Not About Angels Category C (15-20 years old)
Group Performance
1st – Coastal Dance Works
– Group/Dance – Strangers in a Car 2nd – The Beaufort Dance Co. – Group/Dance – Glam
3rd – Somebody Like You
– Group/Dance – Somebody Like You
Individual Performances
1st – John Pridgen – Individual/Musical Instrument – Medley
2nd – Richie Ford – Individual/Dance – Finding the Way
3rd – Anna Maria Bennett –Individual/Sing with Guitar – Don’t Mind It Category D (21-34 years old)
Individual Performances
1st – Shauna Buddenhagen – Individual/Sing – Big Bad
Handsome Man
2nd – Ces Hage – Individual/Sing – If I Ain’t Got You
3rd – Kev Greaves – Individual/Sing – At Last Category E (35+ years old)
Dancers with Dani’s Dance Dynamics in Burton perform during the 67th Annual Beaufort Water Festival’s Talent Show on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in downtown Beaufort. Delayna Earley/ The Island News
Group Performance
1st – The Jones Boys –Group/Other – The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Individual Performance
1st – Miss Kay – Individual/ Sing – Come Together
2nd – Jason Bailey – Individual/Sing – Something in the Orange 3rd – Allison Chambers –Individual/Sing – Gimmie Gimmie Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/ The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna. theislandnews@gmail.com.
Kara Grace Vernon, with Derrick Ballet Conservatory, performs during the Talent Show on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in downtown Beaufort. Delayna Earley/The Island News
By Delayna Earley
The Island News Rockin’ the River had hot weather and hot music this year. The only 18-and-older event during the annual Beaufort Water Festival featured headlining entertainment from Led Zeppelin Tribute Band, Led Zeppelin 2.
“I think the Rockin’ the River was a huge success,”
said 67th Commodore James Nutt. “Mainly because the band sounded pretty close to Led Zeppelin and I was screaming every lyric to every song that they were playing.”
Killin’ Quade was the opening act for the night, and they had the concertgoers up and dancing while they sang crowd favorites
from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/ The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna. theislandnews@gmail.com.
The Island News
The weather was hot and sticky on Monday evening, but that did not stop people coming out in droves to attend the 67th annual Beaufort Water Festival’s Motown Monday.
The event was held on Monday, JULY 17, 2023, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, and there was standing room only as people packed into the park to listen to popular band Deas Guyz.
The band has played at the Beaufort Water Festival for the past 13 years, since 2010.
“Deas Guyz is always a favorite,” Commodore James Nutt said about the band.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/ The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna. theislandnews@gmail.com.
Members of the Beach Boys group race down the street during the 67th Annual Beaufort Water Festival’s Bed Races in downtown Beaufort. Delayna Earley/The Island News
Does your child become anxious and agitated whenever it storms?
Health professionals have noticed that this behavior has become more frequent since evacuations due to hurricanes, frequent tornado warnings, or big thunder and lightning storms. What can you do to help your child overcome their fear of storms? Is your child always asking about the weather whenever you leave the house, and if the sky darkens, do they ask if you need to take shelter to be safe? Should you be worried? Should you schedule a visit for them with a counselor?
It's common for young children to be afraid of storms. Certainly, having to evacuate your home due to a hurricane is likely difficult for them, but you can take steps that may ease their anxiety. If you find their fear of storms does not improve or if the anxiety begins to interfere with daily life, consider having them talk with a therapist or counselor.
During a storm, it is reasonable for a child to seek comfort from a parent. Storms can be scary. For children who are particularly sensitive to noise or light, thunder and lightning can be particularly challenging. For some children with a significant fear of storms, the problem comes not so much from a storm itself, but from the
anticipation of a storm. That anticipation can result in ongoing stress and anxiety.
Many children are hesitant to leave the house if they think they may get caught in a storm. They may try to avoid outdoor activities. This stress can get in the way of other aspects of their lives, such as schoolwork, because the fear makes it hard for them to concentrate. It can be wearing on parents, too, as the children look for constant reassurance that it will not storm.
You can do several things to try to ease your child’s fear.
For some children, it is comforting to know the plan for staying safe in a storm. Talk to your child about what your family did before and how that kept you safe. Share what you will do during a storm— even if you are outdoors or away from home. Reassure them that you will do whatever you can to keep them safe. If your child has been through a scary experience, such as an evacuation, talk about how that was scary and how you as a family handled it, and explain what you will do if that situation happens again.
Knowledge also can help. Books, websites, or other resources that discuss weather are a good place for you and your child to learn more. Learning about the weather and understanding what causes
a storm can ease some children's storm anxiety. Just be careful that the sources you choose focus on the storms themselves rather than dwelling on the destruction they can cause. Likewise, if you are trying to stay up to date on a storm that may affect you, be mindful of your child's whereabouts and what they can hear. Try to help your child decrease their "safety behaviors." These are
the things they do that make them feel a little better, but they don't really do anything to keep them safe. These behaviors may include checking the forecast or asking about heading to shelter. When children rely on these behaviors, it prevents them from learning that they can handle their anxiety about uncertainty. As these behaviors decrease, children come to see that they can manage not knowing
exactly what's going to happen, and things often turn out fine.
As you work through ways to help your child handle their fear, remember that it is important to be supportive and encouraging. Never punish or belittle a child for being afraid.
If the fear continues despite your attempts, or if it worsens or becomes distressing to you, then it is time to seek professional help.
The therapy used for storm anxiety consists of helping kids face their fear. It may start with simply talking about storms. That may transition to reading stories about storms, and watching videos of tornadoes, hurricanes, or other big storms. Eventually, it may include having the child outside in the rain or safely standing near a window watching a storm while it happens.
Of course, one of the challenges is that a therapist cannot conjure up a storm for a therapy session. Instead, planning and role-playing what children can do to handle a storm allows them to feel confident that they know what to do when a storm comes. Helping kids gradually face their fears in this way has proven successful in overcoming anxiety and excess worry.
Source: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic. org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-children-and-storm-anxiety/
If you have a chronic lung condition, such as asthma or COPD, you may struggle even more with very hot and humid weather conditions.
Hot weather can cause your symptoms to flare up, especially if you become dehydrated. Strong sunshine causes the level of ozone and other air pollutants in the air to rise, which can cause breathing problems and trigger your symptoms.
Humid, hot weather can also make your breathing problems worse.
A hot summer day with high humidity can be an asthma trigger. If you have asthma, the presence of a lot of moisture in the air can make your airways swell, making it harder to breathe. This can also cause cough-
represents or warrants
ing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
If you have a chronic lung condition, your doctor can prescribe medications to help you manage weather-related breathing difficulties. Medications commonly prescribed for chronic lung disease include:
Bronchodilators
Anti-inflammatory agents
Oxygen
Antibiotics
Once you’ve learned to adjust to changing air quality and avoid irritants, there are things you can do every day to help you breathe easier:
Maintain a healthy diet.
Commit to a structured exercise program. Prevent respiratory
infections.
Control stress.
Maintain proper hydration, and drink plenty of water in warm and hot weather.
It can be frustrating, but there’s plenty that you can do to help alleviate your symptoms during hot summer days: Avoid the heat. Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. Stay out of the sun, especially from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when it’s the hottest. Reduce strenuous activity. This does NOT mean you can skip your pulmonary rehab, though. Rehab will help, even during
provider with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.
hot days. Drink cold water and avoid alcohol because it can cause dehydration. Eat normally, but separate meals into smaller portions, lower your salt intake, and try cold foods like fruits and vegetables. Use a handheld fan or a large fan. Don’t point a large fan directly at your face because they can get very dusty.
Know when to see your doctor Even though it may seem normal to have more difficulty breathing when weather conditions are extreme, there are times when you should seek medical help.
“In most cases, shortness of breath is not normal,” says Sumita Khatri, MD of the Cleveland Clinic. “Any new shortness of breath should be immediately evaluated, as should any shortness of breath that can’t be explained by the cold or flu or by just being ‘out of shape’. And if at any point you notice you’re
having breathing difficulty that’s interfering with your normal activity, you need to seek medical care to have your symptoms further evaluated.”
Sources: https://breathepa.org/; https://my.njhealth.org; https:// www.atsjournals.org; https://health. clevelandclinic.org
Always call your dentist immediately. If you cannot reach your dentist or a dentist who handles emergency after hours care, depending on the extent of the injury/trauma you may need to visit the emergency room. If the tooth is chipped and there is no bleeding, it’s best to contact your dentist for further instruction.
Dental care shouldn’t take a vacation. An emergency
unscheduled visit to the dentist is surely not among summer or travel plans. The long days of summer are great for being with friends
and family enjoying the outdoors. They’re also a time to make sure you keep up with your dental care routine and stay mindful about the pos-
Berries are nature's candy. Even the pickiest eaters seldom need to be coerced into eating a bowl of strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
Fortunately, berries are as healthy as they are delicious. Whether you're adding a handful of blueberries to your breakfast cereal or tossing a few strawberries into your smoothie, adding berries to your diet is a win-win.
Berries are small fruits with even smaller seeds and can be eaten whole without peeling or pitting. Some common berries include blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. But there are many other types of berries, like acai berries, boysenberries, cloudberries, cranberries, currants, elderberries, gooseberries, and wolfberries — also known as goji berries.
Why are berries so good for you?
As a rule, all berries are nutritious. Consider these powerful health benefits:
• Berries help improve your cholesterol levels and lower your blood sugar levels. You can thank all the fiber for that. Just 1 cup of raspberries or blackberries contains around 8 grams (grams) of fiber. One cup of blueberries or strawberries has around 3 grams of fiber.
(In comparison, a packet of instant oatmeal contains 4 grams of fiber). And despite their sweet taste, berries gen-
erally have a low glycemic load. This means that they digest fairly slowly due to their fiber content, which keeps the bump in blood sugar—and your insulin response—modest after eating them.
• Berries pack a vitamin and mineral punch. Berries provide an array of vitamins, including vitamin A, the B vitamins, and vitamins C and K. And minerals? Look no further for healthy amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron.
• Berries have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects — and more. Berries are high in phytonutrients, plant chemicals that have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of the best berry phytonutrients are anthocyanins—which are the pigments that
give berries their color. Berry antioxidants and phytonutrients also help fight infection and boost the immune system, improve blood vessel function, cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and protect nerve cells and the brain.
Berries may reduce your risk of heart attack. Research suggests that a few weekly servings of anthocyanin-rich berries, like strawberries and blueberries, may significantly reduce your risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease. They may also delay cognitive decline associated with aging and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Source: https://www.mayoclinic. org/connected-care/why-eat-berrieslet-us-count-the-ways/cpt-20247
sibility of dental injuries, especially in children.
Help Prevent
Dental Injuries:
Dentists see a marked rise in dental emergency visits in the summer. Baseballs, bats, pool walls, flying elbows, and errant sail booms (which even have their own named injury: “boom mouth”), many of our favorite summer activities all carry the potential for damaged, lost or chipped teeth. Luckily, there’s an easy preventative whenever contact sports are involved: mouth guards. Any mouth guard will help protect teeth to some extent, but some are better than others.
Many tooth-related accidents start with a child’s flip-flop getting caught in a deck surface or a trip down the steps to the beach. And, if those get-togethers happen to be by a pool, make sure there’s no running. The slippery surface is a perfect place for accidents to happen—and possibly damaging teeth.
Everything in
Moderation: If you must indulge in the goodies at those summer beach barbecues and family picnics, eat sweets in moderation, and make sure there’s fresh water available to drink afterward to help clean sugar off the teeth.
Stick with the program: Just because it’s summer, doesn’t mean there’s a break from your family’s dental routine. If you go on vacation, remember to take all dental supplies: toothbrush (manual or electric), toothpaste, and dental floss…and use them! Also, keep any dental appointments you made during the summer months.
All too soon it will be time to go back to school. With a little protection and good dental habits (including scheduling back-to-school appointments, dental and orthodontic) your child’s smile will make it back to school, intact and shining.
Fall sports practices are in full swing despite hot and humid Lowcountry summer weather.
So how do we keep kids safe from heat illness when temperatures rise?
Adam Keating, MD, a pediatrician with Cleveland Clinic Children’s, said hydration is key.
“We do think that hydrating is one of the most important things that kids can do when they’re exercising in heat,” he said. “And, in general, for athletes in high intensity exercise, we want them drinking before they are thirsty and hydrating before that, as well as regular cooling down and hydration afterwards.”
Risk for heat illness, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, is highest when kids exercise in hot, humid weather.
Symptoms of heat illness include nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion. If untreated, heat illness can be deadly.
Dehydration increases the risk of heat-re-
lated illness. Signs of dehydration include thirst, headache, dizziness and fatigue.
When caught early, dehydration can be easily treated with fluids.
But, Dr. Keating said getting ahead of the heat is best.
He recommends taking frequent breaks, removing pads to cool down and drinking plenty of fluids.
“The vast majority of the time, water is going to be adequate to hydrate the athletes but if you’re doing very vigorous activity for probably greater than an hour with high intensity, then a sports drink may help out to help replenish some of those electrolytes,” advised Dr. Keating.
Dr. Keating said it’s important for kids to pay attention to early signs of dehydration. He said kids should know it’s okay to speak up and tell their coach if they’re not feeling well.
Source: Cleveland Clinic News Service
Screening appointments are now available for our upcoming school year!
All new and returning students must go through the screening process to begin enrollment.
PROGRAM FEATURES:
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Developmental and age appropriate lesson plans
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Certified Teachers/Qualified Assistants
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843-522-9622
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SCAN TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT!
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what they should do. He answered, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:37-38) This is still the same answer Catholics would give a crowd of questioners today. We need to turn away from sin and acknowledge our need for Jesus, and gratefully ask him to cleanse us of sin and give us new life through Baptism.
Why would Baptism be important?
At Baptism, we share in the Lord’s death and Resurrection, and are washed clean from sin and given a new life. (Rom 6:4) Jesus was referring to Baptism when he spoke of the need to be “born again by water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5) He himself said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) This understanding of Baptism is clearly evident in Acts and has been practiced since the earliest centuries of Christianity.
Why do we need Baptism if we are saved by grace alone?
We are saved by grace alone, by the freely offered and undeserved gift of God. God can give his gifts in any manner he chooses, and he has chosen to offer us these spiritual gifts through Baptism. As an example, say a friend comes to your front door with a present. You have done nothing to “earn” the gift; you can only benefit from the gift by opening the door and accepting it. When we repent and have faith in Jesus, we open the door of our hearts, and when we allow ourselves to be baptized, we allow God to place his gift into our arms.
Doesn’t Paul say that we are saved by faith, not works?
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” To this, Catholics say, “Amen!” We cannot earn our salvation by doing good deeds. It is through faith that we are moved to request God’s gift of new life in Baptism, freely given by God and completely undeserved.
Baptism. He is referring to circumcision and other works of the Jewish law, such as observing the dietary laws. He is clarifying that such actions are not required for Christians, and they do not bring about new life in Christ.
What is the Catholic understanding?
After explaining again that circumcision does not have value for Christians, Paul wrote, “The only thing that counts is faith working through love.” (Gal 5:6) This is a great summary of Catholic belief: one must have faith that is expressed through acts of love. This is what the apostle James meant when he wrote that we are not saved by faith alone. (James 2:24-26) In other words, to have the abundant life which God desires for us, we must have faith in Jesus and also remain united with him in love. This, too, is the understanding embraced by Christians throughout all of Christian history.
Before we were overcome with the deluge of the spring sports season, we spent the winter in gyms around the Lowco living and dying with every 3-pointer, rebound and fast break.
Braves second baseman Kevin Ortega throws the ball to first base after forcing out Brandon Deloach during the second inning of their Beaufort County Adult Baseball League game Monday at Burton Wells Athletic Complex. Ortega’s throw went a little wide and was not in time for the double play. The Yankees managed a narrow 10-9 win over the Royals. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
A girls basketball dynasty marched on at Hilton Head Christian Academy, Beaufort Academy played on the final day of the season, and the Bluffton Bobcats, Estill Gators and Wade Hampton Red Devils captured region titles, and individual stars captivated us with their skill and tenacity.
Hilton Head Prep’s boys brought home a state title in a Lowco-on-Lowco final, Beaufort High made a deep run, and the Estill Gators and Wade Hampton Red Devils closed out their program histories with epic seasons.
Better late than never, we honor the Lowco’s top coaches and the top 40 high school boys and girls basketball standouts from the 2022-23 season with the All-Lowco Boys Hoops Team presented by Mikkelson Law Firm, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry and Homegrown Home Inspections.
BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR
Richard Barron | Hilton Head Prep SCISA 3A State Champions
Beaufort County 13-andunder all-star Rylan McGarvey goes down to get a pitch. Justin Jarrett / LowcoSports.com
Two Beaufort County all-stars represented South Carolina in the Dixie Baseball World Series after winning state titles earlier this month.
The 14-and-under allstars dropped their opening game 11-5 to Hattiesburg (Miss.) on Saturday before bouncing back to win twice Sunday. Beaufort County routed Nashville (Ark.), 15-1, and edged Baconton (Ga.), 5-2, to stay alive for another day.
The end of the road came in a 9-4 loss to the Louisiana state champs from Jefferson Parish on Monday.
The 13-and-under team dropped a heartbreaker on Saturday, losing the lead late in a 9-8 loss to Brunswick County (N.C.). The local squad was unable to recover Sunday, falling 8-2 to Dothan (Ala.).
Dixie Boys WS (Spring Hill, Va.)
Hattiesburg (Miss.) 11, Beaufort Co. 5
Beaufort Co. 15, Nashville (Ark.) 1
Beaufort Co. 5, Baconton (Ga.) 2
JPRD West (La.) 9, Beaufort Co. 4
Dixie Junior Boys WS (Opelika, Ala.)
Dothan (Ala.) 8, Beaufort Co. 2 Brunswick Co. (N.C.) 9, Beaufort Co. 8
In his first year replacing the legendary Jerry Faulkner, Hilton Head Prep’s Richard Barron took the Dolphins back to the top in 2022-23. Powered by outstanding big man Sean Cusano, Barron adopted a multifaceted motion offense and a stingy defensive approach to lead a motivated group to the SCISA 3A boys’ state title. After falling to rival Hilton Head Christian Academy in overtime, the Dolphins won their last nine games of the year with two of them against those Eagles including the finale in the state championship game. Barron’s group relied upon a steady senior duo of Cusano and Kane Eanes alongside excellent growth from underclassmen guards Ben Frey and Connor Campbell.
2022-23 ALL-LOWCO HOOPS BOYS TOP 40
LOWCO BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sean Cusano | Sr. | F | Hilton Head Prep
21.6 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 11 double-doubles
The catalyst of a memorable state championship season at Hilton Head Prep, Sean Cusano starred on both ends to put the Dolphins on top in SCISA 3A. At 6-foot-9, Cusano’s extraordinary play close to the basket was paramount to the Dolphins’ success. The Chattanooga signee averaged a double-double while stretching the floor with his multi-level scoring ability. His constant defensive intensity protecting the rim and shot-blocking were just as important, helping shift the momentum and energize his group.
A proven leader who aided the growth of his teammates, Cusano always found a way to orchestrate the key play when his Dolphins needed it.
ALEX SHERRILL
HEART & HUSTLE AWARD
Braydon Dineen | Sr. | G | Beaufort Academy
An exemplary multi-sport athlete at Beaufort Academy, senior Braydon Dineen stands out as this year’s boys’ Alex Sherrill Heart and Hustle award winner. Dineen fits the award perfectly – a young man who will stop at nothing to make the little plays that matter on the court. Carrying a constant drive to perform and improve, Dineen soared above the rest to hustle for loose balls, come away with key steals, make the extra pass, and hit the open shot. A terrific team-first player and leader on the court, Dineen fits the award’s bill perfectly.
ALL-LOWCO BOYS 1ST TEAM
Beaufort County 13-andunder all-star pitcher Dylan Simonsen throws a strike. Justin Jarrett / LowcoSports.com
son was dynamite in the fast-break game, showcasing her quickness and passing prowess to change a game’s momentum on a dime. A go-to playmaker who thrives with the ball in her hands, Hutchinson dazzled with her scoring ability while playing lockdown defense on the other end and racking up steals.
ALEX SHERRILL HEART & HUSTLE AWARD
Ja’laina Mosley | Jr. | F | Bluffton HS
9.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.9 spg
Giving a big spark of energy every time she stepped on the court for the Bluffton Bobcats, Ja’laina Mosley is this year’s girls recipient of the Alex Sherrill Heart and Hustle Award. Mosley’s impacts were plenty on the court for Lonnie Roberts’ squad in her junior year, becoming a beast on the boards and a reliable scorer in the paint with nine points per contest. She provided second chance points on offense and locked down defensively, averaging just under two steals a game. Her excitement and positive energy on the court were always noticeable and became contagious among her teammates.
ALL-LOWCO GIRLS 1ST TEAM
G COURTNEY CAMPBELL
Soph. | Hilton Head Prep 48 3FG, 20.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg
G DEVON YARDE Jr. | HHCA 8.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.9 spg
F TACOYA HEYWARD Jr. | Bluffton HS 13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.6 spg
F LYNDA YOUNG Jr. | Hilton Head Island HS 15.9 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 2.9 spg
C MORGAN SCOTT Jr. | HHCA 14.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg
ALL-LOWCO GIRLS 2ND TEAM
G NY’KEYAH MITCHELL Sr. | Wade Hampton HS Region 6-2A POY, USC Salk signee
G KIARA WILSON Sr. | Battery Creek HS
All-Region 8-3A selection
MYKEEM GANT | Jr. | Colleton Co. HS
XAVIAR GARVIN | Jr. | Estill HS
ANDREW HELMS | Sr. | Hilton Head Prep
TE’SHAUN HEYWARD | Jr. | Beaufort Academy
ANGELO LEWIS | Sr. | Estill HS
DIETRICH SHUFORD | Soph.
Thomas Heyward Academy
REECE STEWART | Soph. Hilton Head Island HS
BRADFORD THOMPSON | Jr. | Whale Branch
CHRISTIAN TILTON | Jr. | John Paul II
JOCOREY WALTERS | Sr. | Hilton Head Island HS
NICK WILLIAMS | Jr. | Colleton Co. HS
LARON WRIGHT | Jr. | Whale Branch
Q.J. YOUNG | Soph. | Bridges Prep GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR
Bobby Thompson | HHCA
SCISA 3A State Champions
Taking over for decorated coach Kenny Conroy, Thompson kept Hilton Head Christian Academy’s impressive dynasty rolling with its fifth consecutive SCISA state championship. And it was one of the Eagles’ most dominant runs yet. Playing a highly challenging schedule, Thompson led HHCA to a 27-2 record in his first year at the head of the program. A defensive-minded coach, Thompson helped strengthen the team’s veterans and elevate the younger talent. With the skill of electric guards Devon Yarde and Tamya Hutchinson combined with the leadership of senior Abby Peduzzi and a dominant post player in Morgan Scott, Thompson’s Eagles rolled in the postseason, winning each playoff game by 29 points or more en route to the title.
2022-23 ALL-LOWCO HOOPS GIRLS TOP 40
F TAHLEEAH HEYWARD Sr. | Beaufort Academy SCISA 2A Region 2 POY
F ABBY PEDUZZI Sr. | HHCA
ppg, 8.6 rpg
C JA’LASIA POLITE Sr. | Estill HS 16.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg
ALL-LOWCO GIRLS 3RD TEAM
G LYRIC JONES 8th | Estill HS
15.8 ppg, 1.5 spg
G QUINN WILSON Sr. | Beaufort HS 12.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.9 spg
F MIKE’ALA WASHINGTON Sr. | Beaufort Academy
All-Region pick, Limestone signee
F JAI’DA GRAYSON Sr. | HHCA
9.7 ppg, McD AA Nominee
C BRADY MAHONEY Jr. | John Paul II
14.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.9 spg
ALL-LOWCO GIRLS HOOPS HONORABLE MENTION
AMIRAH BROWN | 8th | Bluffton HS
SHANDI BROWN | Jr. | Colleton Co. HS
JANIYA CARTER | Soph. | Wade Hampton HS
MAKAYLA CHISOLM | Sr. | Colleton Co. HS
BROOKE DALTON | Soph. | May River HS
JADEN EXLEY | Soph. | Ridgeland
JANIYA FEREBEE | Sr. | Hilton Head Island HS
ELIZA GAILLARD | Sr. | Holy Trinity
KAIRA GARVIN | Jr. | Wade Hampton HS
ARMANI HUTCHINSON | Sr. | Battery Creek
DESIREE JENKINS | Jr. | Whale Branch
CASEY LAING | Sr. | May River HS
LILLIAN LUCAS | Soph. | Patrick Henry
River HS
SAMARI BONDS | Soph. | Beaufort HS
BRANDON BRYANT | Jr. | Bluffton HS
LOWCO GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tamya Hutchinson | Jr. | G | HHCA
18.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 spg
In her second season at HHCA, Tamya Hutchinson wowed Eagle fans on the court to propel her team to a fifth consecutive SCISA title. Her offensive creativity and lights-out shooting were on display this winter with 18.6 points, 4.0 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per contest. Hutchin-
BRYN MILLER | Sr. | Hilton Head Prep
ALYSIA NEAL | Soph. | Bridges Prep
EMILY O’SULLIVAN | Sr. | John Paul II
IMANI PATTERSON | Jr. | Ridgeland
SANAY PATTERSON | Sr. | Ridgeland
HARPER RICE | Sr. | Patrick Henry
KATIE RODNEY | Jr. | Bluffton HS
DE’NYLIA SALLEY | Jr. | Wade Hampton HS
KA’DEJAH SMOAKS | Jr. | Estill HS
LILY TERMINI | Fr. | John Paul II
From staff reports United Way of the Lowcountry's Women United has announced the launch of its annual Operation Backpack and Mimi's Closet initiatives, aimed at supporting underserved students in Beaufort and Jasper counties. With the start of the new school year just around the corner, Women United is urging the community to make monetary donations to provide much-needed resources for these students to thrive academically.
Operation Backpack and Mimi's Closet are dedicated to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed in the upcoming school year. By contributing to these initiatives, community members can help equip deserving students with new backpacks, uniforms, and essential school supplies.
From staff reports
More than 20 Beaufort County School District (BCSD) schools will be offering free breakfasts and lunches to all of their students during the 2023-24 school year.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federally funded initiative, serves schools with high percentages of students from low-income families. The 25 participating schools in Beaufort County this year are Academy for Career Excellence, Battery Creek High School, Beaufort Elementary School, Beaufort High School, Beaufort Middle School, Broad River Elementary School, Hil-
ton Head Island Early Childhood Center, Hilton Head Island Elementary School, Hilton Head Island Middle School, Hilton Head Island School for Creative Arts and Daufuskie Island School, James J. Davis Early Childhood Center, Joseph Shanklin Elementary School, Lady’s Island Elementary School, Lady’s Island Middle School, Michael C. Riley Early Childhood Center, Michael C. Riley Elementary School, Mossy Oaks Elementary School, Port Royal Elementary School, Robert Smalls
Leadership Academy, Red Cedar Elementary School, St. Helena Elementary School, Whale Branch Early College High School, Whale Branch Elementary School, and Whale Branch Middle School.
Other schools will continue to offer free and reduced-price lunches to students whose families apply and demonstrate financial need under the National School Lunch Program, through which the district serves free meals to more than 10,000 students and reduced-price
lunches to about 1,300 more.
CEP, established in 2010, is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Schools are eligible to participate if more than 40 percent of their students are determined to be low-income. Although the number of CEP schools has increased, the district’s overall average poverty rate of 55.9 percent remains lower than the state average of 60.6 percent.
“There should be no cost to the district for the expanded services,” said district Chief Financial Officer Tonya Crosby. “This is a win-win for our students and the district.”
"With the support of our compassionate community, we believe that we can bridge the gap for these underserved students and give them the tools they need to succeed academically,” Chairman of Women United’s Steering Committee Katie Phifer said in a news release. “Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of these young learners, empowering them for a brighter future.”
In 2022, Women United's initiatives benefited more than 1,500 students in need, providing them with school supplies and backpacks. The group collaborates closely with school social workers to identify students who may not be receiving assistance from other organizations.
Supporters can securely make their contributions online by visiting https://uwlowcountry.org/school.
The deadline for donations is August 31, ensuring that supplies reach the students just in time for the start of the school year.
From staff reports Beaufort High School’s Makayla Perry was one of 94 high school seniors selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation held from July 22 through July 29 in Washington, D.C. The week-long program, founded in 1947, has provided exceptional civic education to thousands of students, teaching them about how the federal government works. Perry is one of two partic-
ipants who will represent South Carolina as a “senator” at ALA Girls Nation. Two delegates from each ALA Girls State program are chosen to represent their state after participating in an ALA state-level program held across the country. At ALA Girls Nation, senators will participate in mock Sen-
ate sessions complete with caucuses and debating bills that range from personal to political interests.
Makayla PerryOther activities on the agenda include a visit to Arlington National Cemetery where they will place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with U.S. senators from their state, and a tour of D.C. monuments.
Perry, a rising senior at Beaufort High School, was
active in many ways during the week at ALA Palmetto Girls State. Perry also participates in many activities at school and in the community, including student government, National Honor Society, Interact Community Service Club, Robotics, Green Club (Environmental Club), and theater.
“ALA Girls Nation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our nation’s future leaders to learn about the inner workings of the federal
government before they are of voting age,” said Donna Dillard, ALA Girls Nation Committee chair. “After attending their local ALA Girls State program and then ALA Girls Nation, the participants return home ready to be engaged citizens at all levels of government.”
Students leave the program with increased confidence and leadership skills for college and in their future career paths. Some participants of the pro -
gram go on to have careers in public service at the local, state, and national levels. No matter what their future holds, all leave with a better understanding of civic responsibilities.
Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the United States. To learn more and to volunteer, join, or donate, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.
From staff reports
“A gorgeous book that will touch every child’s longing to connect with someone ‘out there’ who is like them,” is how School Library Journal praised Indigo Dreaming, the newest picture book from award-winning children’s author Dinah Johnson. Indigo Dreaming is a meditation on place, wonder, and connectedness as experienced by two young girls on opposite sides of the Atlanta Ocean.
Dinah Johnson will be the special guest author at the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s annual Children’s Book Fair, to be held on Tuesday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Weezie Educational Pavilion at 130 Okatie Hwy in
Okatie. Presented in partnership between the nonprofit Conroy Center, the Port Royal Sound Foundation, the Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore, and
DAYLO: Diversity Awareness
Youth Literacy Organization, this special event is free and open to the public. Johnson will give a reading from Indigo Dreaming at 11 a.m.
Student volunteers from DAYLO will be hosting a Teddy Bear Picnic read-aloud throughout the event.
Other participating authors and artists in the Children’s Book Fair
are Patricia Bee, author of Try'umsee's Wings; Bill Borg, artist of Myrtle the Loggerhead Turtle; Rebecca Chamberlain, author and artist of Maralee & the Turtles of the Sea; Lisa Anne Cullen, author and artist of Haskel and Greta; Mary T. Jacobs, author of the Big Daddy Series; Ann Eilers Lilly, author of Scoot's Savannah Rescue; Susan Montanari, author of My Dog’s a Chicken; Robin Prince Monroe, author of The Silent Glades; Sheree Richnow, author of Dixie the Rescue Dog Makes New Friends; and Susan Diamond Riley, author of the Delta and Jax Mystery Series, including, most recently, The Sea Witch's Revenge
All Hands on Deck, the student anthology from the sixth annual
Camp Conroy will also make its debut at the Children’s Book Fair.
And the Bluffton-based Storybook Shoppe will have a selection of other popular Lowcountry children’s books available as well.
About the Featured Author Dinah Johnson is the award-winning author of many books for
young readers, including H Is For Harlem, which received five-star reviews and was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and a Horn Book Fanfare title. Indigo Dreaming is her most recent book. A professor of English at the University of South Carolina, she lives in Columbia. Learn more at www.dinahjohnsonbooks.com.
Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org, about the Port Royal Sound Foundation at www.portroyalsoundfoundation. org, about the Storybook Shoppe at www.thestorybookshoppe.com, and about DAYLO at www.instagram.com/beaufort_daylo.
ARTS
Bookbinding Workshop
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 29, Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 South Jacob Smart Blvd, Ridgeland. $40. Explore the art of bookbinding with Director of Exhibitions & Programs Kayleigh Vaughn. Whether you want a journal, sketchbook, or scrapbook, you will learn the basics of Secret Belgian binding. All supplies are provided to create a 96-page blank book. Purchases are non-refundable. To register visit https://www.morrisheritagecenter. org/event-5305006.
CALENDAR
Karaoke with Melissa
8 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Sharing Hearts Support Group
5:30 to 7 p.m., second Tuesday of every month, 2201 Boundary Street, Suite 208, Beaufort. Free. Come tell your 10-minute story of a life lesson or healing message using your own creative expression through a song, poetry, reading, art or verbal storytelling. Come away with an uplifting sense of support and connections or to just listen. Register by leaving a voicemail with name, phone and number of attendees at 843-525-6115 or send email to reneesutton@healthierhealing.com. Notification will be done of any location change due to seat requirements. Next event is on Tuesday, June 13.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Trivia with Mike – Fat Patties
7:30 p.m., Every Wednesday, Fat Patties, 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.
Trivia with Mike –Bricks On Boundary
7:30 p.m., Every Thursday, Fat Patties, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.
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.
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.
Wet Willie's Trivia Night
7 to 10 p.m., every Thursday, Wet Willie's, Beaufort Town Center. Win awesome prizes while you sip the worlds greatest daiquiris and munch on delicious bites.
TECHconnect
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 3rd Thursday of each month, Beaufort Digital Corridor, 500 Carteret Street, Suite D, Beaufort. Free. The BDC's signature happy hour “meetup” networking event for tech professionals. Connect with like-minded people, fellow entrepreneurs, startups and VCs over local food and cold beverages. Call 843-470-3506 or visit https://rb.gy/e7t2h for more information. The next meeting is on August 17.
Wet Willie's Bingo Night
7 to 10 p.m., every Friday, Wet Willie's, Beaufort Town Center. Win free giveaways, merchandise, and more cool prizes.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.
Karaoke with Melissa
7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Dr, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
Drum Circle
6:30 to 8 p.m., 2nd Friday of every month, Gazeebo, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. Free. Anyone welcome, no experience necessary. Eric Roy, a recent transplant from Connecticut with successful experience in leading drum circles, is our new facilitator. He will start sessions off with 15-20 minutes of instruction on djembe playing and teach a selected traditional rhythm & accompaniment for participants to play. In addition, there will be time allotted for spontaneous group drumming. Bring a drum, if you have one, a chair and a desire to have fun. The Drum Circle has several extra drums and many other percussion instruments that anyone can use. To receive updates on future events, send your email to lannyk13@ gmail.com. Next meeting will be July 28 (delayed because of the Beaufort Water Festival).
Highway 21 Flea Market
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, Highway 21 Drive-In. Sellers, vendors, handmade items, unique products and yard sale items. For information, email lowcountryfleamarket@gmail.com.
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 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.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.
Eric’s Karaoke Krew
9:30 p.m., Saturdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Eric.
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.
The next Reading is Saturday, Aug. 5. Karaoke with Melissa
8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.
2nd annual Back To School Bash
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 29, Parish Church of St. Helena, 507 Newcastle Street, Beaufort. To register, call 843-522-1712, email lovebeaufort@ sthelenas1712.org, or go to https://subsplash.comtheparishchurchofs/lb/ev/+nqpdfhk.
STARTING A BUSINESS?
The Options Plus Pitfalls to Avoid
3 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1, Via Zoom. Led by TCL Paralegal Program Director & Attorney Brian McDaniel. RSVP required. Thinking about starting a business or do you already operate one but haven't yet registered it with the S.C. Secretary of State? This 90-minute seminar will explore the options for business entities in South Carolina and how to set them up properly. Plus, learn important steps you can take to protect your business along the way. RSVP at https://rb.gy/ vxbnq.
DON’T FEAR THE LAWSUIT!
Navigating the Judicial Process
1 to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3, Via Zoom. Led by TCL Paralegal Program Director & Attorney Brian McDaniel. RSVP required. This free 90-minute seminar will discuss the litigation process in South Carolina so that you can
be better prepared to protect yourself and your business. Whether you have a breach of contract or personal injury claim, learn the options for filing or defending yourself in court, what to expect and the pros and cons of doing so. RSVP at https://rb.gy/888cx.
Pat Conroy Literary Center’s Annual Children’s Book Fair
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 8, Weezie Educational Pavilion, 130 Okatie Highway, Okatie. Free. Dinah Johnson will be the special guest author at the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s annual Children’s Book Fair. Presented in partnership between the nonprofit Conroy Center, the Port Royal Sound Foundation, the Storybook Shoppe children’s bookstore, and DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, this special event is open to the public. Johnson will give a reading from Indigo Dreaming at 11 a.m. Student volunteers from DAYLO will be hosting a Teddy Bear Picnic readaloud throughout the event. All Hands on Deck, the student anthology from the 6th annual Camp Conroy will also make its debut at the Children’s Book Fair. The Bluffton-based Storybook Shoppe will have a selection of other popular lowcountry children’s books available as well.
Saint Peter’s 63rd Annual Fall Bazaar
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 70 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort. The bazaar committee seeks Lowcountry artists and crafts people to sell their creations at the bazaar. Booths may be set up inside or outside. Fee is $100. The Bazaar will also feature International Foods, Sweet Shoppe, Beer and Wine Garden, Kids Zone with inflatables, games, and petting zoo, and a Silent Auction. Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Outreach Center. For an application, contact parishlife@stpetersbeaufort.org.
CHURCH
Preparing The Table — Port Royal UMC Revival
7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3; Friday, Aug. 4; Friday, Aug 6, Port Royal United Methodist Church, 1602 Columbia Avenue, Pot Royal. Guest Pastor Rev. J. Woods.
HISTORY
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-ofthe-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.
Port Royal Lecture Series: Who Was Here? Native Americans Before and During European Settlements
6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1004 11th Street, Port Royal. $25 per person – Seating is limited. Lecturers are Stephen Criswell, Professor Chris Judge, and Evan Nooe, University of South Carolina Native American Studies Center. Buy tickets at https://historic-port-royal-foundation.square.site/.
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
Dungeons & Dragons
4 p.m., Mondays, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6441. Ages 12 to 18.
Lego Club
4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843-255-6540. All ages welcome.
Teen Art Club
4 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843255-6441. Ages 12-18.
Teen Anime Club
4 p.m., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843255-6456.
Teen Video Game Club
4 p.m., 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843255-6441. Ages 12 to 18.
S.C. Works Job Coaching
2 to 4 p.m., Thursdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843255-6540. Free help with job searches, interviews.
Chess Club
1 to 2 p.m., Saturdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843255-6540. Ages 5 and older.
Chess Meet Up
11 a.m., 2nd Saturday of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-2556456. Instructor Henry Otto Seim will show beginners the basics or play a friendly game with more experienced players. All skill levels welcome. Extra boards will be set up.
Chess Meet Up
11 a.m., 3rd Saturday of each month, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, 843-255-6479. Instructor Henry Otto Seim will show beginners the basics or play a friendly game with more experienced players. All skill levels welcome. Extra boards will be set up.
MEETINGS
The Beaufort Trailblazers –
A Volunteer Group
8 a.m., first Thursday each month, Herban Marketplace, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.
Zonta Club of Beaufort
6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal. No meeting for July.
Maye River Quilters
10 a.m., Saturday, August 5 at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m. To attend as a guest, email RSVP to mayeriverquilters@ gmail.com. For more information and for membership forms, call 843-7059590.
MUSIC
Street Music on Paris Avenue
6 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 12, Aug. 26, Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Paris Avenue, Port Royal. All shows are free. Bring your own chairs. Stage is between 9th and 10th streets. Aug. 12, the Bennett Matteo Band; Aug. 26, Blackcat Zydeco featuring Dwight Carrier; Sept. 9, Angela Easterling; Sept. 23, J.P. Soars & The Red Hots.
OUTDOORS
The Beaufort Tree Walk
Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.
Tours of Hunting Island
Every Tuesday, 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. The next Tuesday is August 1.
SPORTS/GAMES
ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret St. United Methodist Church. Games and events will be held weekly. Director Gene Ogden. Contact Jane Simpson 803-226-3491.
Beaufort Masters Swim Team
6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.
There is a lot of talk today about the reality of a global system of organized evil that controls the governments and social politics of the world. There are many different attitudes from thinking this is silly, to being consumed with anxiety and stress. Those who pay little attention to the news, have learned that ignoring negativity makes them more calm.
However, just because someone puts their head in the sand does not mean the problems are not real. For those who carry the heavy burden of worrying about the future and their own safety, fear can take a devastating physical, emotional, and spiritual toll on our personal well-being.
In psychology, we know there are subconscious reflexes that cause us to reject information that challenges our worldviews.
When certain information is just too overwhelming, we can build barriers to prevent knowledge from intruding into our thought processes, and also develop a familiar internal security system that allows us to feel contentment by concluding it's not true.
In other words, hiding our heads in the sands of denial is the easy way to avoid dealing with uncomfortable
knowledge. On the other hand, truth seekers embrace all opinions because they want to research as much as they can to discover what is right and wrong. Even if it’s painful.
As Christians, the empowerment of being indwelt with the presence of God and having the opportunity to renew our minds can completely transform our attitude. Instead of thinking about how weak we are and submitting to the imagination that we are going to be devoured, Christians must realize they are in covenant with the God of all creation, and as a part of His family, nothing is more devastating to the forces of evil than His authority.
In our daily lives, darkness is never confronted or cast out by those who are shaking in their boots. Faith is having confidence in who God is and who we are in Him.
When the Bible says the enemy roars like a lion, it means he likes to make a lot
of noise, but if we study this closely, this is a scare tactic he uses to make people believe he is stronger and more fierce than he actually is. This is a common strategy used in the animal kingdom where certain species will puff themselves up, spread their feathers, or do a lot of screaming to make their opponent afraid.
The old saying that a dog’s bark is worse than his bite applies here. As we pray for spiritual wisdom and discernment, we understand the devil is not a carnivorous beast looking to literally eat humans. He is trying to persuade and deceive someone who does not comprehend spiritual truth and because of a lack of understanding, he will harass and bully them until they learn how to stop him in the Name of Jesus.
When we realize that Satan is a faker and underneath the mask is a sniveling coward, we can walk in the revelation of spiritual victory. God says, “My people perish from the lack of knowledge” and this explains the foundation of spiritual warfare. The devil is sneaky and can throw obstacles in our path, he can make things difficult by launching ambush attacks, but the dark side cannot separate us from the love of God or stop us from
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accomplishing God’s will. What the enemy is trying to do is convince us that we are a failure, our mission is impossible, no one cares about us, and we might as well give up.
Of course, this is a lie and has no effect on anyone “until” someone believes it. It’s true that mountains are moved by positive faith, but negative faith can also steal our joy and crush us under the weight of pessimism
and doubt. Believing is the fervent acceptance of something we accept as true and releases power into whatever we agree with.
Why is this important?
The attitude of our conscience is forming the basis of who we are and who we will become. I encourage you today to guard your thoughts and your words and remember that God never fails. When a room is dark and you turn on the
light what happens? Darkness runs and hides. God is Omnipotent and evil will always bow down to Him.
Billy Holland is an ordained Christian minister, community chaplain, and author. Discover more about the Christian life and his new book about miracles, “Receiving Our Healing” at billyhollandministries. com. His email is psalmz103@gmail. com and you can support this ministry at PayPal.Me/psalmz103
CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH - LEVEL 1 BEAUFORT CAMPUS CFA 101
Date: Aug 29 - Nov 28 | TUESDAYS
Time: 7 - 8:30 pm
Cost: $255 plus books
CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH - LEVEL 2
BLUFFTON CAMPUS HARGRAY 204
Date: Aug 31 - Nov 30 | THURSDAYS
Time: 7 - 8:30 pm
Cost: $255 plus book
SEATS ARE LIMITED | REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
SLOW FLOW YOGA | TUESDAYS BEAUFORT CAMPUS CFA 206
Session 1: Aug 22 Sept 19
Session 2: Oct 3 31
T Time: 9-10 am
Cost: $95 each session
YIN/RESTORAT IVE YOGA | TH URSDAYS BEAUFORT CAMPUS CFA 206
Session 1: Aug 24 Sept 21
Session 2: Oct 5 Nov 2
T Time: 9-10 am
Cost: $95 each session
REGISTRATION IS REQU IRED | YOGA MATS AVAILABLE
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The FY 2023-2024 appropriations bill for South Carolina went into effect on July 1, 2023. This is a fiscally prudent budget that accomplishes three objectives: 1) fully implements tax-cut legislation and increases reserves; 2) focuses on core government functions; and 3) includes appropriations important to my constituents in Beaufort and Jasper counties. The total general fund revenues for FY 2023-2024 are $12.5 billion; however, the following were deducted from that amount before any appropriations were made:
$795 million to fund the property tax relief trust and $96.2 million to fund the 2022 income-tax cut; and ...
Increases in general and capital reserves to $715.2 million and $390.1 million, respectively.
These top-line deductions reflect the legislature’s belief that taxes should be kept as low as practicable and
TOM DAVIS
that it is prudent for the state to increase “rainy day” reserves as a hedge against economic uncertainties (and to improve our state’s bond rating). Of the remaining amount, statewide priorities were then addressed in the budget that include the following:
$205.7 million (in addition to $2.5 billion in gas taxes) to SCDOT for improvements to our state’s roads and bridges, including I-95;
$172.9 million to increase all K-12 teachers’ salaries by $2,500 and raise the minimum starting salary to above the Southeastern average;
• Increases in funding for armed, certified school resource officers; we have gone from 406 SROs in 2018 to 1,170 SROs in 2023;
Increases in funding for our 16 technical colleges so South Carolinians can get the training needed to fill open jobs in high-demand careers; and ...
Increases in funding for recruitment and retention pay raises for our state law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
This focus in the budget on improvements to roads and bridges, increases in K-12 teacher salaries, fully deploying SROs, empowering technical colleges, and supporting law enforcement is warranted, as are the increases in funding for health care, corrections, DHEC and social services.
My first budgetary objective is to keep taxes as low as possible and my second is to limit state appropria-
tions to core functions of government. Inevitably, however, a budget will also inevitably include direct appropriations to local agencies and organizations, and our county legislative delegation works to ensure Beaufort and Jasper counties are treated equitably. In this regard, the recently enacted budget includes the following appropriations:
$10,000,000 to USC Beaufort for a new convocation center;
$500,000 (recurring) to USC Beaufort for Pritchard’s Island;
$11,500,000 to TCL for a new workforce development center;
$1,500,000 to Southern Carolina Alliance for the Jasper port;
$922,000 to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park;
$900,000 to the Port Royal Sound Maritime Center;
$300,000 to Bluffton-Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine;
$3,000,000 to Beaufort-Jasper Regional Housing; $2,000,000 to Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity; $500,000 to the Waddell Mariculture Center for renovations;
$1,000,000 to Osprey Village for special-needs neighborhood;
$2,000,000 to the Town of Bluffton for a linear walking trail;
$1,000,000 to the Town of Port Royal for repairs to shrimp docks;
$750,000 to Jasper County for a community BMX bicycling track; $500,000 to the Beaufort County Sheriff for a crime lab; $300,000 to the Town of Hilton Head Island for a bridge study; and ...
$750,000 to assist with relocation of St. James Baptist Church.
That’s a total of $37,422,000 in direct
appropriations to agencies and organizations in Beaufort and Jasper counties. For context, when I first started serving as state senator in 2009, these areas received less than $1,000,000. Working as a team, the members of our local legislative delegation have since thoroughly addressed this budgeting inequity.
Again, this is a budget we can all be proud of. It implements tax cuts and increases “rainy day” reserves, focuses on core government functions, and equitably funds local agencies and organizations important to my constituents in Beaufort and Jasper counties. And since members of our local legislative delegation hold more legislative committee chairmanships than any other delegation, these same budget priorities will be achieved for years to come.
Tom Davis represents the people of Beaufort and Jasper counties in the South Carolina Senate.
Iwas browsing Apple Music when it occurred to me to check out a couple of the more popular recent tunes.
I cued up Jason Aldean’s “Try That In a Small Town.” The song began:
“Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk Carjack an old lady at a red light Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store Ya think it's cool, well, act a fool if ya like.”
So far so good. Sucker punches? Bad. Carjacking? Bad. Pulling a gun on a liquor store owner? I couldn’t conceive of a reason to do that, but okay: bad. Three-for-three. “Cuss out a cop, spit in his face Stomp on the flag and light it up Yeah, ya think you're tough”
My brain short-circuited: The guy is singing about Jan. 6?!? Holy smokes! No wonder this song is controversial!
TERRY MANNING“Well, try that in a small town See how far ya make it down the road
Around here, we take care of our own You cross that line, it won't take long For you to find out, I recommend you don't
Try that in a small town.”
Yeah, try to overthrow the federal government in a small town, dude! See how far that gets y — Wait, that doesn’t make sense.
“Got a gun that my granddad gave me They say one day they're gonna round up”
That’s when it hit me. This is another one of those made-up patriot songs.
How long have people been threatening some unnamed “they” are going to take people’s guns away? And who is “they?” Must be gun manufacturers, because no one else is profiting from talking about random gun seizures. Except maybe politicians who try to rally constituents by threatening “they” are coming for their guns.
But “they” haven’t, have they?
Hmm.
I watched the video for Aldean’s song on YouTube; it was removed from Country Music Television after criticism. There was nothing in it about Jan. 6. In fact, the video featured clips of big-city protests, most of which looked like Black Lives Matter protests. Most BLM demonstrations were peaceful, but sure, placate the “Burn Loot Murder” crowd. Still, Aldean wasn’t born in a “small town.” His hometown of
Macon, Ga., is a city of 153,000 people. That isn’t New York City, but it ain't exactly Mayberry, either.
I researched and found the video was filmed in front of a Tennessee courthouse where a Black man was lynched in 1927, followed in 1948 by a race riot that nearly claimed the life of future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
These events happened in Columbia, Tenn., a town with a population of about 42,000 according to the 2020 Census. In South Carolina, Greer and Florence are comparable in size.
Those actually are small towns, and they are hardly safe havens from social unrest. Ask folks in Orangeburg. Selma, Ala. Wilmington, N.C. You can’t ask anyone who lives in Rosewood, Fla., about the sometimes-dangers of smalltown life. It was burned to the ground.
Aldean’s music labelmate Blanco Brown came to his defense, pointing to the time Aldean reached out to him after
a motorcycle accident (nothing repels accusations of racism like having a Black friend), but he still criticized the “Small Town” lyrics as “just bad songwriting.”
Brown lamented on Twitter he hates the song but, “Aldeans Stream Are Gonna Go Through The Roof.” Which they have: the song hit No. 1 on the iTunes country chart.
Aldean addressed the uproar at a Cincinnati concert, blaming “cancel culture” and telling the crowd, “I feel like everybody's entitled to their opinion. You can think something all you want to — doesn't mean it's true, right?”
Right. Like my thinking, Jason Aldean made something designed to appeal to people with shallow minds and deep-seated racism in their hearts. Blanco Brown isn't the only one who knows, you’ll never go broke doing that in this country.
Terry E. Manning is a Clemson graduate and worked for 20 years as a journalist. He can be reached at teemanning@gmail.com.
Life is full of decisions that need to made. We make decisions every day about something, sometimes big important things and sometimes small. Even small decisions can be life changing though we may not realize it at the time.
Most of us have had that moment when we look at two or more options that seem to have equal advantages and disadvantages, and you find yourself looking at one and saying, “I don’t see any harm, and I do see some advantage, so why not go this way” Most of the time that process is pretty effective and will turn out to be a good choice.
In making political decisions many of us tend
JIM DICKSONto follow the same process, comparing good points and bad points of the candidates and coming up with a decision as to who to vote for. For some of us the decision is easy, he or she is a Democrat, and I am a Democrat so I will vote for the Democrat, and the same holds true with Republicans. Sometimes you might not like any of the candidates,
so the decision is “to just sit this one out.” I think, or sure would like to believe, that most people do give some time, effort and thought about who to vote for, irrespective of party, even though many times they will end up pulling the lever for the candidate that is running for the party that they most closely identify with, and that's OK. At least they gave it some serious thought and study, and hopefully their decision was based on what they thought was best for the country and them.
I, like many of my fellow Americans look at the two leading candidates for President and after weighing the advantages and disadvantage of both, I can’t come
up with many good reasons why either one of them would be a good choice for President again. This leads me to ask myself, what qualities am I looking for in a President? So I made a list, and came up with this: honesty, integrity, intelligence, experience, past success, leadership ability, reliability, open minded, firmness in purpose, good health, a solid patriot who believes in and loves America, and last but not least the ability to attract similar people to serve with him or her.
When I looked at all the declared and some undeclared candidates I came to an obvious, for me, conclusion. Why not Tim Scott?
I first met Tim when he
was running for Lt. Governor in 2010, and he spoke to a group of which I am a part. Scott was just as impressive then as he is now. I have had the pleasure to know and support Scott when the ran for Congress that same year and all of his campaigns since.
A few days ago a friend asked me about Tim Scott and what kind of a man he was. My answer was “Do you like what your hear and what you see? Because if you do, you will like Tim Scott, because what you see is what you get.” In all the years I have known him I have never seen any sign of duplicity, deception or a hidden agenda. He is what he is.
When I thought about it, Scott had pretty much every quality that I was looking for on my list. Right now it’s a long shot, but his whole life as been a long shot, and yet here he is running for President of the United States of America. Who knows what’s possible in America?
Born, raised and educated in the Southwest, Jim Dickson served in the U.S. Navy Reserve in Vietnam before a 35-year business career. Retired to St. Helena Island, Dickson and his wife are fiscally conservative, socially moderate and active in Republican politics, though they may not always agree with Republicans. Having lived around the country and traveled around the world, Dickson believes that the United States truly is the land of opportunity.
It is Friday, hellishly hot, with no relieving, refreshing breeze from the Sound.
Many years ago Pat Conroy was doing a turn as an expat in Rome.
In those days (before Prince of Tides), Conroy was marginally famous but was not yet required reading for those majoring in Southern Literature. While in Rome he befriended Michael Mewshaw who arranged for Conroy to meet Graham Greene.
Greene was then living, part time, on Capri. He was a prolific author who had published The Quiet American, The Honorary Consul, The End of the Affair, The Heart of the Matter and other best sellers.
Greene was known for creating complicated, conflicted men trapped in a torpid, heat-deadened place like Saigon or Freetown, Sierra Leone. His novels were immensely popular, and he was often-singled out as the most insightful writer of the post-war era.
Conroy thanked Mewshaw for arranging the meeting but declined saying, “I have friends coming in from Atlanta.”
Mewshaw was — according to Conroy in his oral biography, My Exaggerated Life — flabbergasted. He urged Pat to cancel on his “Atlanta friends” and spend the afternoon with one of the best-known,
SCOTT GRABERbest-read authors on earth.
In Conroy’s oral biography he said; “He (Mewshaw) never did understand why I didn’t want to hang around writers with supernatural gifts as if they would pass that flame on to me. Another part of my loser-dom for Michael was that I would not ask a writer for anything.”
“I could tell him, I don’t want to meet those people. I want to be those people.”
Greene had a reputation for being confrontational; and these two writers were very different in their approach to fiction; but similar in one respect. Both could — at any given moment — become an entirely different person.
I say this not knowing Graham Greene, but having read about a mercurial temperament that often sought a “row” with anyone in the room because it was almost a physical necessity for him (attributed to Malcolm Muggeridge
in Greene of Capri). I did know Conroy, and he would readily admit there were two persons lurking in his psyche. There was a boy, not unlike Ben Meecham in The Great Santini who wanted little more than his father’s approval. But that boy shared that same emotional space with a raging, intemperate “warrior” who sought nobody’s approval.
Conroy’s fiction was robust, full of sound and fury often containing a dozen other tales within the confines of his central story. Greene was more subtle, antiseptic, his stories often ending in suicide. It is said the Greene’s prose reflected the fact that he was raised-up a Catholic in a cold, wet, dark country — Britain — experiencing the Depression, World War II and the rationing privations that followed the war.
Conroy and Greene were also different in their fictional treatment of women. Pat often depicted his women as smart, haunted, unhappy — think Shyla McCall in Beach Music. Pat’s fictional protagonist always coming to the rescue. Greene’s women were usually beautiful, caught up in affairs, and more or less disposable.
Greene’s fiction reflected the fact that women were still considered a lesser species in the 40s
If Greene and Conroy had met, I would like to think it would have been at Ristoranti Bernini on the Piazza Navona. But I think Pat was being honest when he said he didn’t need a Graham Greene encounter to improve his own writing or to replenish his collection of conversational, big name-peppered anecdotes.”
and 50s. Yes, indeed, there were women like Eleanor Roosevelt, Martha Gellhorn, Francoise Sagan, but the most famous women in those years were Grace Kelley and Katherine Hepburn.
Pat brought his fictional heroism to life when he championed Shannon Faulkner’s effort to get into The Citadel. One afternoon the two of us went to Corner Community — aka Frogmore — to hear Faulkner speak. I think we both believed her efforts were doomed although Pat would support her to the very end — and even after she walked out of the barracks for the last time.
Pat saw that revolution coming even if his college was blinded to it. He saw the day when the majority of lawyers, doctors and scientists would be women.
It would seem these days that many on the far right, especially those in a decision making capacity, are putting forth legislation that permits the government to impose strict laws upon individual rights. Frankly, I find myself confused. Was it not too long ago that conservatives were striving to rid us of liberal “intrusion” by the government? This right wing of the political spectrum wanted, with few exceptions, the federal government out of Americans’ lives. They felt that it had overstepped its boundaries, and their goal was to invest more into state regulation, if there were to be regulations at all.
History tells us that this divide has always been present, beginning with the founding of our nation. We need only look back at the writing of the Constitution to see the contrast between those advocating states’ rights as opposed to those who wanted a strong, comprehensive federal government. So the division is hardly a new concept.
CAROL LUCASBefore I get too far into my argument, however, I want to remind folks that I do not adhere to extreme liberal ideology. As an Independent, I believe I am a fiscal conservative, and a social liberal. While there may be those whose thoughts embrace an “all or nothing at all” attitude, I will stick to my position. I suspect that given the strident extremes of both parties, there are more of us out there than are accounted for who think the way I do.
But the thing that perplexes me is what the extremists, those who want the federal government “out of our lives,” are calling for. Consider the following actions that have been taken in the past year.
For months now, states all across the nation have been dictating what your children can and cannot read, thus the banning of books they consider “inappropriate.”
Keep in mind that in many instances, only one parent has complained; yet the book is off the shelf or at the very least put into the hands of a “committee” that renders a thumbs up or thumbs down. Majority rule? I think not.
Then there is the governmental white-washing of history curriculum. Now children will learn that many “valuable skills were taught to slaves, thereby enabling them to become productive members of society.” Why it’s almost as if the early plantations were the roots of present-day trade schools. No mention of the conditions on the ships that brought these people or the whips that were used on them. Besides, those were just tools meant to develop and enhance these folks so they might advance to a better trade.
Consider, too, that there
are words that are taboo, words you cannot say, particularly in Florida. Keep in mind that the governor of that state is running for President, and should he win, what takes place in Florida will certainly not stay in Florida. And since you can’t “say gay,” don’t even think about claiming to be gay, or bi, or, trans, or … you get the idea. So the government will not only tell you what you can’t say, but also what gender you cannot be. And don’t even think about who you can or can’t marry.
Even the very conservative Supreme Court, which doesn’t seem so supreme anymore, has gotten in on the act by telling what you can (and can’t) do with your uterus. Indeed, the lives of women that are endangered have been rendered secondary to that of a group of cells unable to live outside the womb on its own.
Recently, lower courts banned the sale abortion drug Mifepristone in 31 states where the procedure isn’t 100% legal. Fortunately,
If Greene and Conroy had met, I would like to think it would have been at Ristoranti Bernini on the Piazza Navona. But I think Pat was being honest when he said he didn’t need a Graham Greene encounter to improve his own writing or to replenish his collection of conversational, big name-peppered anecdotes.
Many people drop names — I’m doing that in this column — and talk by stringing together anecdotes that are amusing. But that isn’t conversation. It’s performance. Pat Conroy was a daring conversationalist who got one involved and engaged. Then left that person stunned by the encounter.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
the same Supreme Court had a rush of brains to the head and ruled otherwise this past Friday. Governmental intrusion, saying what approved medicines you can and cannot take?
In my effort to portray conservatism at least somewhat devoid of any bias I might have, I sought a compact and succinct summary of the core principles. What I found is this. Pure conservatism adheres to the notion of: limited government, rule of law, peace in strength, fiscal responsibility, free market, and human dignity.
Not knowing who may have organized the list, I can only say that I’m a bit disappointed that the last entry holds the position it does. However, I will deal with that, and that only.
We all want to believe human dignity is of primary import in anything the government may do. Those who rant against Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid must surely know somewhere down deep, that these were created to help those who
are older and less able. Yes, there are some collecting in any of these categories who, perhaps, should not be doing so. Do we then throw out the baby with the bath water as an act of retribution? And let’s not forget that most of those collecting Social Security paid into the fund for the better part of their adult lives. Furthermore, let’s not be so willing to toss aside human dignity. And so I return to my original question: which one is it? Less governmental intrusion as is the mantra of conservatives with a capital C? Or cherry-picked intrusion into the classrooms and the bedrooms of the country as touted by those of the far right? “The Democrats are coming for your freedoms,” proclaim many of the ultra right. Really? Have I missed something in the translation?
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.”
Since 2020, the University of South Carolina Beaufort has more than quadrupled externally sponsored funding, a testament to the talent and resourcefulness of its faculty and staff. Awards received during fiscal year 2023 respond to educational needs and other regional challenges the university is meeting head-on with the strength of its intellectual capital.
On a per capita basis, external funding at USCB outpaces that of many institutions classified as “high research,” or R2 designation in the Carnegie classification.
In September 2022, USCB’s Public Health program was awarded $1.5 million by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide students scholarships. In October 2022, USCB was announced as recipient of a $5.1 million Department of Education (ED) grant aimed at recruiting and retaining high-quality teacher candidates to serve Beaufort County School District’s (BCSD) high-need schools.
In April, USCB was awarded $1 million in HRSA funding to
enhance healthcare workforce development in partnership with Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Beaufort County, and the City of Beaufort. Through grants from the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Town of Bluffton, USCB’s Center for Event Management and Hospitality Training continues to provide Island Ambassador training annually to hundreds of members of our local workforce. Thanks to area donors, USCB offers a Summer Math Camp for rising junior and senior high school students from nearby underserved counties. In the fall, USCB was awarded a grant through the Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries (PASCAL) consortium to make
textbooks and other educational resources more affordable for our students.
In addition to educational projects, USCB focuses on regional problem solving, in alignment with the American Association of State College and University’s (AASCU) call for regional universities to be “Stewards of Places.”
In May, USCB received a $1 million planning grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for maritime cybersecurity.
The grant positions USCB and its partners to apply for up to $160 million to cultivate a regional ecosystem for workforce and research development related to maritime cybersecurity. The NSF grant follows a $1.3 million DOD-funded grant for enhancing cybersecurity education in the region. Active federal grants also include a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant for sustaining Gullah/Geechee agriculture, an NSF grant for materials assembly and design, a Department of Transportation (DOT)-partnered grant for monitoring the environmental impact of noise levels
emitted by ocean vessels, a pair of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-partnered grants to promote estuarine health and sustainability, and a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) stipend for a project studying 19th-century women reformers in the Sea Islands.
Other projects are funded by regional and state donors such as the Port Royal Sound Foundation, the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, the Stewart Family Office, the S.C. Arts Commission, the USCB Education Foundation, private donors, Beaufort County, and the municipalities of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort. These projects support educational endeavors, water quality, the health of our intracoastal waterways, cybersecurity, and others.
As part of the USC system, USCB faculty are eligible to apply for grants to support, in addition to their own research, student research projects. USCB faculty are prolific in mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers. It is one of many ways faculty engage
students in experiential learning — or learning by doing — a hallmark of the USCB educational experience.
Moving forward, USCB is designing a water-themed Innovation Center that will focus on topics critical to regional vitality such as ecological studies, sustainability, and maritime cybersecurity. These efforts will be aided by the state’s commitment to supporting research and educational opportunities at Pritchards Island. Other projects in queue would support growth of USCB’s Nursing program and enhance STEM education opportunities.
USCB continues to elevate its impact on education and quality of life in the Lowcountry. The work would not be possible without the shared vision and support of partners across the Lowcountry and beyond.
Eric Skipper, Ph.D.,
Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel C. B. McArthur
1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel K. R. Sile
Commander of Troops, First Sergeant R. G. Deyo • Parade Adjutant, Gunnery Sergeant P. M. Thompson Company “C”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain D.R. Lastra Drill Masters • Gunnery Sergeant L. M. Hinton, Staff Sergeant R. W. McNew Jr.
PLATOON 1048
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt A. Hidalgo
Pvt Acosta, D. C.
Pvt Alhamwi. M. F.
Pvt Arnold, J. L
Pvt Blakeley, T. H.
Pvt Bowers, R. J.
PFC Brown, J. A.*
Pvt Carpenter, C. G.
Pvt Carty, B. C.
Pvt Collier, D. S.
PFC Conner, T. L.*
Pvt Copeland, K. J.
Pvt Davis, C. A.
Pvt Dawson. I. J.
Pvt Delgadozaruma, D. X.
PFC English, J. T.
Pvt Garcia, S. 0.
Pvt Gregory, T. S.
Pvt Harden, E. B.
PFC Harrover, H. M.
Pvt Higgins, R. M.
PFC Holmes, J. E.
Pvt Jackson Jr, D. T.
Pvt Major, D. J.
Pvt Malone, K. M.
Pvt Martinelli, G. P.
Pvt Martinez, E.
Pvt Martone, J. R.
PFC McNally, R. J.*
Pvt Mears. W. G.
Pvt Mercer, E. C.
Pvt Moralessuarez, A. D.
Pvt Nogueras, I. K.
Pvt Osteen, J. G.
Pvt Pascualrnateo, N.
PFC Pascualnicolas, A.
Pvt Perez, K.
Pvt Ramirez Jr, H. F.
Pvt Read, J. K.
Pvt Rivers, C. B.
Pvt Russell, C. J.
Pvt Santamaria Jr, A. R.
Pvt Shankle, C. W.
Pvt Vu, D.
Pvt White, E. C.
Pvt Williams, T. D.
Senior Drill Instructor
GySgt J. W. Turner
PFC Adetosoye, D. A.
PFC Babrock, M. T.
Pvt Carr, R. J.
Pvt Cbavezhemandei, V. A.
PFC Child, A. W.
Pvt Chit, K. P.
Pvt Chrin, J. A.
Pvt Cole, T. J.
Pvt Cruz, E.
Pvt Decker II, R. L.
Pvt Delpeche, A. D.
Pvt Dubois, M. H.
Pvt Feliciano, J. D.
Pvt Feneira, G. S.
PFC Fregapane II, C. A.*
PFC Gibbons, E. R.
Pvt Guzman, J. A.
Pvt Hendricks, J. M.
Pvt Henry, J.
Pvt Kellam, S. P.
Pvt KelJy, J. M.
Pvt Marshall Jr, A. A.
Pvt Mayfield, D. K.
Pvt Murphy, J. T.
Pvt Nasser, 0. N.
Pvt Nivarperez, C. A.
Pvt Nolascosalmeron, A.
PFC Pardo, B. J.*
PFC Perez Jr, F.
Pvt Pe-rez, J. J.
Pvt Phy, E. W.
Pvt Porter, Q. L.
PFC Ross, D. L.*
Pvt Sandoval, 0. E.
Pvt Serrano, G.
PFC Stewart, E. M.
Pvt Swinhoe, R. J.
Pvt Tamang, S.
Pvt Terrycooney, S. K.
Pvt Tiradozhunio, E. D.
PFC Toribioinfante, Y.
Pvt Urquhart, N. J.
PFC Vazquez, K. M.
Pvt Wagner, E. J.
PFC Wood, T. R.
PLATOON 1052
Senior Drill Instructor SSgt G. A. Ford
Pvt Aguilar, E.
Pvt Atkins. T. D.
PFC Barrera, S. L.*
Pvt Barros, J. J.
Pvt Chestang Jr, J. E.
Pvt Colun.s, M. A.
PFC Contee Jr, L. E.
PFC Comeilson, M. R.*
PFC Curotte, T. T.
Pvt Devita, J. A.
PFC Emerson, N. M.
Pvt Enah, E. H.
Pvt Floyd, J. K.
Pvt FunesbemaJ, C.
PFC Giuditta, D. M.
PFC Guernsey, C. S.
Pvt Handy, J. D.
Pvt Hill, A. L.
Pvt Johnson, T. R.
Pvt Law Jr, L. D.
PFC Mathieu, D. V.
Pvt Medrano, M. M.
Pvt Mendez, C. A.
PFC Mopositarodriguez, J. A.*
Pvt Morales, A. T.
Pvt Mosey, M. T.
Pvt Njoku, M. N.
Pvt Padgett, A. S.
Pvt Pfeifer Jr, J. M.
PFC Reynolds VI, H. A.
PFC Romancruz, W.
Pvt Schafer, N. L.
PFC Schirano, R. A.
Pvt Simmons Jr, C. M.
Pvt Stockman, D.S.
PFC Sungvazques, J. X.
Pvt Teixeira, E.
Pvt Tims, M. A.
PFC Trench, D. J.
Pvt Va-zquez, T. J.
PFC Walter, J. D.*
Pvt Waring. H. N.
Pvt Washington, N. T.
Pvt Woolcock, W.
Senior Drill Instructor
SSgt B. M. Ryner
Pvt Alcoser, N. J.
PFC Alford, J. H.
Pvt Brickey, C. A.
Pvt Broe, P. J.
PFC Callahan, L. A.
PFC Camp, G. W.
PFC Carrascoruiz, C. J.
Pvt Casey, A. W.
Pvt Castillo, J.
Pvt Cave, A. J.
Pvt Clarke, J. T.
Pvt Clay, J. T.
PFC Cogbill, N. D.
Pvt Cordero, D. J.
Pvt Cravens, M. A.
PFC Dover, G. T.*
Pvt Echevarria. J. A.
PFC Elter, G. L.
Pvt Femandezsiri, J. A.
Pvt Fetzer, D. S.
Pvt Galarzajaramillo, G. S.
Pvt Garcia, F. A
Pvt Geiger, J. R.
PFC Guevara Jr, 0. R.*
Pvt Harne, T. P.
Pvt Kunchok, T.
PFC Lawson, I. M.
Pvt Loyd, C. D.
Pvt Macnaughton. M. J.
Pvt Maure, Y. Y.
PFC Medina, C. H.*
Pvt Mohammed, A.
Pvt Monserrate, X. F.
Pvt Moralessantos, T. R.
Pvt Portillo, C. D.
Pvt Ramos, E. G.
Pvt Rawlett, Z. A.
PFC Ray, D. D.*
PFC Spadel Jr, J. E.
Pvt Troche, N. D.
Pvt Vassell, N. T.
Pvt Villalva, H.
Pvt Whisby, J. K.
*Denotes Meritorious Promotion
Are you like most other veterans?
Meaning, when you were injured, wounded, contaminated with hazardous material, or became ill while serving, you did not collect any evidence of those incidents or events?
Are you like my 21-yearold pal Danny, who fell off of the top of a wet helicopter while performing a pre-flight inspection of his Huey in the dark, early morning hours in Vietnam and hurt his knee and ankle? Danny had no time to go to see a military doctor and he had no time to report the injury or seek treatment. After all, he could still fly with the pain and walk with a limp – and he had a war to fight and lives to save.
How did he know that many years later he would develop more and more pain and instability in his ankle and knee and, be limited in his use of the ankle and knee due to permanent ligament and cartilage damage and worsening osteoarthritis?
Or are you like the veteran who did not report the sleep apnea he developed while in the military afraid it would hurt his career and opportunity to re-enlist? Therefore, no military medical or other official military records of his sleep apnea were ever created. However, his military pals and spouse witnessed his snoring, his waking up gasping for breath, and his tiredness during his military service and after.
When accidents, injuries, wounds, illnesses, and scars occur most military men and women are very young and
do not think about the longterm effects of those service-connected events. After all, when you are young, you believe you are bulletproof, can take anything, and can recover from any injury, illness, or wound quickly. When we are young, we have more important things to do than gather evidence of an event that might haunt us later in life.
At 19 years old when I joined the Army, I knew little to nothing about the importance of medical records, accident reports, line-of-duty investigations, incident reports, witness statements, operational hazard reports (OHRs), or enlisted and officer efficiency reports. I also knew very little about military personnel records, battle reports, unit history records, pictures, and other records that could serve as evidence that I could present 25 years later to the VA to substantiate my claim for a service-connected disability.
So, what can veterans do when they find out 10, 20, or 40 years later that they have a mental or physical condition, illness, or condition that is keeping them from working, socializing, and functioning normally? What can veterans do when they find out 10, 20, or 40 years
later when that they cannot find the military medical, personnel, and other military records that they need to prove to the VA that their injury, wound, illness, condition, or scar is a military service-connected?
Lay Witness Statements
The answer is the veteran should download copies of VA Form 21-4138, the VA’s Statement In Support Of Claim form, which is found online at https://bit. ly/3Y6KSmY and ask witnesses to fill out and sign the form. Veterans can also get a Lay Witness (Buddy, spouse, family member, battle buddy, etc.) to write a letter to “Whom It May Concern” and have the letter notarized – because the VA requires that the person writing it must swear that their testimony is the truth.
The VA does consider outside evidence when medical records, military personnel records, line-ofduty investigation reports, accident reports, and other official records are not available.
What the VA is looking for
The veteran should also explain to the Lay Witness that the VA is looking for
three or four paragraphs that focus on the injury or illness that caused the disability. The letter should tell the VA who, what, when, where, and how the injury, illness, scar, or HAZMAT contamination happened.
Specifically, the Lay Witness statement should give as much as possible the following information:
1. The witnesses’ name, address, phone number, and email address and relationship to the veteran.
2. Details about the incident which caused the injury or illness. If possible, include the date of the incident, the place the incident happened, what unit was involved, and who the witnesses were.
3. Details about the injury or illness itself.
4. Details about how the disability affects the veteran’s job, social, and personal life.
5. The witnesses’ signature and date.
What the veteran is trying to prove
When filing a claim for service-connected disability a veteran is trying to prove the condition, injury, illness,
HAZMAT contamination, or scar:
1. Happened while he or she was serving in the military.
2. Or the injury, illness, or condition was caused by military service and appeared or worsened after the veteran got out of the military.
3. Or it happened while they were in the military, but showed up after they got out of the military (Agent Orange, Asbestos, PTSD, Burn Pits, etc.).
4. Or it happened while in military service and is secondary (caused by) the injury, illnesses, or wound (Like Migraines caused by TBIs, etc.).
Veterans can use Buddy/ Lay Witness Statements in support of their claim, to provide evidence for a VA disability claim for service connection. Not all Veterans have records that reflect injuries or illnesses while serving in the military and Buddy Statements can be a solution to that problem.
The bottom line Now is the time for veterans to make an appointment with their local Veterans
Service Officer (VSO). Now is the time for all veterans to ask their local VSO to explain what disability, healthcare, and other benefits they are eligible for and how to apply for those benefits. Veterans can find SC County VSOs at https:// bit.ly/3qbLVSL. Veterans can find Georgia VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7. VSOs will guide veterans through collecting all the evidence (DD214, military medical records, military personnel records, VA medical records, civilian medical records, line-of-duty investigations, accident reports, incident reports, pictures, lay witness statements, etc.) that they need to file a claim for each of their service-connected disabilities.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, exWarrant 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.
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
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Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655 1001 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 open Tues.-Sat.
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& Ginny DuBose, Owners aldubose@yahoo.com
Read with caution; not necessarily the opinions of the editorial staff.
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