March 16 edition

BOE again affirms book decisions

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

In a Beaufort County Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, March 7, marked by an unruly speaker and an unruly audience, the school board once again “concurred” by a vote of 8-3 with its Book Review Committees on its decisions regarding nine books among the 97 books challenged for removal from Beaufort County Schools.

The committees Nos. 17 through 26 which met Thursday, Feb. 16, at Okatie Elementary School, had rendered the following decisions on the following books:

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow

Rowell – returned to grades 9 through 12 only

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

– returned to grades 6 through 12 only

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson– returned to grades 6 through 12 only

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson – returned to grades 6 through 12 only

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult – removed from circulation

Sold by Patricia McCormick –returned to grades 6 through 12 only

All the Things We Do In The Dark by Saundra Mitchell – returned to circulation without restrictions

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare – returned to grades 6 through 12 only

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez – returned to grades

SEE BOOK PAGE A5

The entrance to Pine Island Plantation on St. Helena Island as seen Saturday, March 11. The cheery sign that once marked the entrance is missing, an indication to local residents that the sale of the property to developer Elvio Tropeano had closed. Tony Kukulich/The Post And Courier

The end around

Developer buys Pine Island, plans for 3 separate 6-hole golf courses, gated community

By Tony Kukulich The Post And Courier BEAUFORT

The cheery sign decorated with flowers no longer marks the entrance to the Pine Island Plantation on the north shore of St. Helena Island.

Its absence was the first indication that something had changed.

Since 1960, Pine Island Plantation has been owned by the Hanna family from Estill. The nearly 500-acre property went up for sale in 2021, with an asking price of $28.5 million, according to the website Land.com.

Island. Tropeano made clear his intentions to develop a gated, residential community with an 18-hole golf course, both of which are prohibited by a cultural protection overlay.

The Island News was awarded

The South Carolina Press Association’s President’s Cup

For Excellence for 2022. Mike McCombs/The Island News

Late that year, developer Elvio Tropeano executed a contract for an option to buy the property for $21 million.

Since then, the property that has been at the center of an existential struggle for the soul of St. Helena

Documents filed earlier this month with the Beaufort County Recorder of Deeds confirm that Pine Island Plantation was sold to a corporation known as Pine Island Property Holdings LLC for $18 million. The sale closed Feb. 14.

Two weeks later, Beaufort County approved subdividing the property

SEE ISLAND PAGE A6

The Island News shines at SC Press awards

Newspaper wins 24 awards, wins coveted President’s Cup

From staff reports

For the fourth year running, The Island News had its finest year ever in the South Carolina Press Association’s (SCPA) yearly newspaper awards.

The newspaper won a total of 24 awards, besting its previous high of 20, set last year, and for the first time claimed the President’s Cup, given to the top performing publication in each circulation group.

Among the newspaper’s 24 awards were 10 first-place nods, an-

other new high for the publication.

The awards were handed out at the SCPA’s annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday in Columbia.

“Once again, I’m especially proud of the small group of hard-working and talented people that have made this possible. We are blessed,” Editor-In-Chief Mike McCombs said. “Our goal, given our resources, is to continue to be the best local newspaper we can be for our community.”

In most categories, The Island News competed in the division for weekly newspapers with circulations higher than 6,500. The contest was judged by the Georgia Press Association.

Come

Tony Kukulich, now with the The Post And Courier, led the way with eight awards, including four first-place honors. Longtime photo journalist Bob Sofaly added seven awards to his collection, including his first two writing/reporting awards, one a first-place nod. Sofaly has won 25 awards for The Island News since 2012.

McCombs won five awards, including two first-place awards, while Sports Editor Justin Jarrett and video journalist Delayna Earley each won two first-place awards.

Publisher Jeff Evans won a fistplace award, while Hope Falls and Cherimie Weatherford each brought home one award.

Kukulich, McCombs and Sofaly won first place in the Breaking News category for their reporting on former Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling’s near drowning after a spring boating accident in the Beaufort River.

“Multiple eyewitness accounts of the events surrounding this accident gave me the feeling as a reader as if I were there,” the judges wrote. “The drama built as each person was interviewed.”

Kukulich and McCombs together won second in the same category, as well, for their March coverage of a U.S. Marine Corps

SEE AWARDS PAGE A4

Chief Warrant Officer III Mark Pellon, conductor of the Paris Island Marine Band, leads the Combined Forces Concert composed of the Parris Island Marine Band and the 282nd U.S. Army Band, Fort Jackson on Saturday, March 11, before a standing-room-only crowd at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Later, guest conductor, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer III Kevin Pick, also took control the band. Bob Sofaly/The Island News.To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com

VETERAN OF THE WEEK JIMMY COLMAN

Jimmy Colman

Beaufort’s Jimmy Colman, 36, joined the United States Marine Corps in Charleston in 2011. After boot camp at Parris Island, he was assigned to a unit at Camp Lejeune, which shortly thereafter deployed to Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan, he was wounded in combat, earning a Purple Heart.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Great equalizer is school choice

A recent letter writer opined that public funding of private and charter schools would be detrimental to public education (the great equalizer).

At one time it was. Until the late 60 ’s public education, if adequately funded, did well across the board. Since then the rise of teacher unions has coincided with a decline in overall K-12 public education

ON THIS DATE

March 18

ISLAND NEWS PUBLISHING, LLC

PUBLISHERS

Jeff & Margaret Evans

FOUNDING PUBLISHERS

Elizabeth Harding Newberry Kim Harding

EDITORIAL/DESIGN

Editor-in-Chief Mike McCombs theislandnews@ gmail.com

Art Director Hope Falls ads.theislandnews@ gmail.com

Sports Editor Justin Jarrett LowcoSports@ gmail.com

Videographer Delayna Earley delayna. theislandnews@ gmail.com

SALES/BUSINESS

Advertising Sales Director Amanda Hanna 843-343-8483 amanda@ lcweekly.com

His next duty station was on Okinawa where, incidentally, he was born. During that assignment he worked with and trained Republic of Korea Marines. He separated from active duty in 2014 and returned to South Carolina and the Beaufort area. He comes from a service-oriented family; his moth -

outcomes. This has been especially common in underserved minority communities lacking the means to escape government monopoly schools.

Overall, U.S. public education has been an expensive failure especially compared to schools in other countries. To address the failed government monopoly of K-12 education, faith-based schools, various private schools and home-schooling have come to the rescue. When parents are able to opt out of failing schools and are free

1825: General Lafayette arrives in Beaufort to a 13-gun salute and speaks to citizens from the John Mark Verdier House, also known as the Lafayette Building. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier – better known as Marquis de La Fayette or simply General Lafayette in the United States – was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War, commanding American troops in several battles, including Yorktown. In 1824, Lafayette returned to the U.S. and traveled through 24 states and the District of Columbia.

2009: Author Pat Conroy, for whom Beaufort played a prominent role both in his works and his life, is inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame. Among Conroy’s works are The

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Cat of the Week:

Miriam is full of spunk! This girl loves to sprawl out in her window bed and watch her roommates play around the room. She also gets in on the fun every once and awhile. She enjoys spending time with people of all ages. Miriam is 10 months old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

er served in the Navy, his dad is a retired Marine and a sister is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force.

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com

to choose alternatives positive outcomes result.

In fact many public systems can benefit from competition if parents are able to select which school is best for their children. When education dollars are allocated by student instead of a one-sizefits-all system, overall results improve. Let us move on from tax-supported Leftist indoctrination.

The “Great Equalizer” is School Choice.

– Carter Swenson, Beaufort

Water Is Wide, The Lords of Discipline, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini.

March 19

2016: The Pat Conroy Literary Center is incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The center houses a collection of Conroy memorabilia and seeks to continue his legacy.

March 20

1565: Pedro Menendez de Aviles, eventual founder of Santa Elena, is named the first Governor of Florida by Spanish King Philip II.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

Accounting April Ackerman april@ aandbbookkeeping. com Billing questions only.

CONTACT US PO Box 550 Beaufort, SC 29901 TheIslandNews@gmail.com www.YourIslandNews.com facebook.com/TheIslandNews

DEADLINE

For press releases and advertising, please submit by noon on Friday for the following week’s paper.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor should consist of fewer than 275 words and be emailed with a name and contact information to TheIslandNews@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER

Dog of the Week: Lola arrived with her eight beautiful puppies several weeks ago, and she has watched her babies find their new homes. She is a spry and energetic dog who is the perfect size for an adventure buddy. She would do well in a home by herself since she has shared her space with her puppies for so long. Lola is 4 years old, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

CORRECTION:

If you are interested in adopting Miriam, Lola or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@ palmettoanimalleague. org to find out more information.

All content of The Island News, including articles, photos, editorial content, letters, art and advertisements, are copyrighted by The Island News and Island News Publishing, LLC, 2022, all rights reserved. The Island News encourages reader submissions via email to theislandnews@gmail.com. All content submitted is considered approved for publication by the owner unless otherwise stated. The Island News is designed to inform and entertain readers and all efforts for accuracy are made. Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Island News, its publisher or editors. Content published from Care Magazine® is intended as a reference and options source only, not as a guide to self-treatment or substitute for profession medical advice. It is provided for educational purpose only. Readers assume full responsibility for how this information is used. The Island News reserves the right to refuse to sell advertising space, or to publish information, for any business or activity the newspaper deems inappropriate for the publication.

The cutline with the photo headlined “READ OUT LOUD” on Page A6 of the March 9 edition of The Island News was incorrect. The correct cutline reads: Millie Bennett, left, a senior at Beaufort High School, reads out loud to Kate Baxley, 5, and Emersyn Lovine, 2, during the Teddy Bear Picnic held Saturday at the Port Royal Farmers Market hosted by DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization and National Honor Society students from Beaufort High and Beaufort Academy. Bennett and a host of other high school students let children pick a book to be read to them. The books and event were sponsored by the Pat Conroy Literary Center and the Storybook Shoppe.

Tropeano introduces himself to County Council

BEAUFORT

Elvio Tropeano, formerly of Boston and now a resident of St. Helena Island, introduced himself Monday to the Beaufort County Council as the new owner of Pine Island Plantation off Dulamo Road.

Tropeano and his planners have been meeting with county planners and administrators for the past year to develop a gated community plus golf course plan for the 500 rural acres which neighbors, including Gov. Henry McMaster, have rallied to protect. In his first public appearance, Tropeano started his comments by reminding those present his property “by right” could be developed with 165 residences and 80 docks.

Tropeano, nor his lawyer A. Gibson Solomons of Hampton who introduced himself earlier in the afternoon to the county’s Community Services Committee,

mentioned their newest plans, presented last week to the staff review team, which propose dividing the property into three separate land developments, each with an 6-hole golf course.

This newest plan would appear to comply with the current Cultural Protection Overlay District zoning which County Administrator Eric Greenway and staff argued needed to be rewritten to avoid lawsuits.

Tropeano’s public comments included praise for Greenway and the legal staff for their ability to work with developers.

Award-winning author adds voice against book bans BEAUFORT – The board of education’s ongoing discussion of banned books has brought dozens, maybe hundreds to board meetings who might not normally have darkened the door of one of those meetings.

Concerned students and parents as well as community members, both for and against the bans, have filled the board’s twice monthly meetings since the process began last year.

At last week’s meeting, National Book Award winner Jason Mott was in attendance to express his concern for the book removals.

Mott, who makes appearances at Nevermore Books when he is in the area, said restricting books would never make the complexities of the world go away.

At the meeting, the board voted 7-3-1 not to change the

committee review process from 10 books per month to five books which would have slowed review of the 97 questioned books even further.

To date, the board has voted to remove only two books from school library circulation.

The review committee process is expected to continue through the spring and into summer.

CORRECTION on

Port Royal vote

PORT ROYAL – The 12-acre tract on Parris Island Gateway recently annexed into the town was NOT done unanimously, as reported in last week’s column.

Councilman Kevin Phillips was the only hold-out for the action, expressing concerns about residents of the 55 mobile homes who will probably be displaced as plans for development on the tract proceed. Phillips, during last week’s

Women’s Wellness Retreat coming March 25

From staff reports

A full day of fun learning opportunities and personal enrichment is planned as part of this year’s Women’s Wellness Retreat on Saturday, March 25. The women’s health and wellness event, hosted by USCB’s Center the Arts, will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a wellness fair sponsored by Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH).

Women are encouraged to make it a “ladies’ day out” and plan to attend with friends, family members, co-workers, or neighbors.

This year’s event will focus on finding joy while navigating decision making, challenges, and responsibilities of family, work, and personal health. Presenters will lead discussions and share insights on topics ranging

from starting and running a business, self-defense, personal health, preserving family traditions, and managing finances.

The wellness fair will include basic health screenings by Beaufort Memorial Hospital staff, a variety of vendors and displays, and food trucks so participants can purchase snacks or lunch.

The cost to attend the retreat is just $35 and includes the keynote address, choice of classes from each session, access to all retreat presenters, and the wellness fair.

To register and for more information about the event including a full list of class descriptions, visit http://bit.ly/3FnEPT8 or call USCB Center for the Arts at 843-521-4145.

council discussion of the annexation, noted the need for more affordable housing in the county and questioned if the annexation and rezoning were the right thing to do.

The newest property to join the town, which celebrated its 149th official birthday last week, could be developed for commercial use, according to the new zoning. Town stressed no specific plans for the property have been presented but the developers behind the property are known for their apartment projects.

Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com

Hunley exhibit in Beaufort canceled

From staff reports

Those who were hoping to see the H.L. Hunley Traveling Exhibition March 17 and 18 in Beaufort will have to make other plans.

The Beaufort History Museum announced this week by news release that the exhibit has been canceled.

“Due to unforeseen logistical issues, the planned

exhibit of the CSS Hunley replica at the Methodist Church Parking Lot at Craven and Scott Streets in Beaufort, S.C., on March 17 and 18 has been canceled,” the release said.

The exhibit features a full-scale replica of the Civil War-era submarine CSS H.L. Hunley, the world’s first successful combat submarine.

Ranked Health Care

We’re proud to be among the select group of hospitals recognized by the national hospital safety watchdog organization The Leapfrog Group for putting patients and their safety first every day. Not only does it mean our team is focused on you, it means you can feel confident in trusting us when it matters most.

We all want access to top healthcare, because we know that “top” means a commitment to pursuing and achieving the best, which is especially important when you’re looking for medical services and care. And the good news: it’s right in our backyard.

LOLITA HUCKABY

Beaufort area student dies in Costa Rica

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

Family and friends are mourning the loss of Josh Shipley, 18, of Seabrook, who died Wednesday, March 8 while studying abroad in Costa Rica.

According to his obituary, Shipley graduated early from Bridges Preparatory School and was furthering his education at Colegio

From staff reports

The South Coast Cyber Center will host its second annual South Coast Cyber Summit on March 20 and 21 at downtown Beaufort’s Tabby Place.

“This year’s summit will be another great opportunity to network with colleagues from government, the military, business, and education,” South Coast Cyber Center Chairman Warren Parker said. “And we’ll learn how to nurture the human potential needed to

Tecnico Profesional Ricardo Castro Beer in Orotina, Costa Rica. There has been no public information on how Shipley died. His parents, Sean and Misty (Langford) Shipley, as well as other family

members traveled to Costa Rica earlier this week to bring Josh home.

Josh Shipley

“Joshua was the baby of our family and we are forever changed,” Misty Shipley said. “We appreciate the outpouring of support from our community and covet prayers as we wait to find out what happened to our son. There are no words for me to express the deep

devastation we are going through. Thank you for honoring our baby.”

Josh, a wrestler at Bridges Prep, enjoyed playing his guitar and photography, and, according to his obituary, had planned to return to the United States in July to join the U.S. Air Force.

Along with his parents, Josh is survived by four siblings — Jessica, Jenna,

Justin and Jonathan — as well as beloved uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and his girlfriend, Veronica Capps.

Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services, to will be held at noon, Saturday, March 18, at Beaufort Memorial Gardens, 1 Copeland Drive.

Immediately following the service, the family is

extending an invitation to attend a Celebration of Life at, 67 Gillison Branch Road, Robertville, S.C. 29922.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made to Bridges Preparatory Athletics in memory of Joshua Shipley. BPS Athletics, 555 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, S.C. 29906.

2nd annual South Coast Cyber Summit coming March 20-21

build a cybersecurity ecosystem in the region.”

With the theme “Building Cyber Talent for Our Nation’s Future,” the summit will focus on how to build the talent the country requires to focus on the critical issue of cybersecurity, and build a cybersecurity ecosystem of academia, business, and government.

Last year’s summit was keynoted by Gov. Henry McMaster, who praised the collaborative effort of local and state government along

NEWS BRIEFS

Local sea rescue teams hosting online auction

Beaufort Water Search & Rescue (BWSAR) and Fripp Island Sea Rescue (FISR) are hosting their third online auction. The auction is free to everyone and runs through March 22 at http://bit.ly/3JFtIHH

Proceeds benefit water search and rescue missions in Beaufort County.

BWSAR and FISR are volunteer organizations that serve the commercial and recreational boating community in water related incidents and emergencies. Their primary missions are to help boaters in distress and conduct search and rescue missions to support and assist the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, United States Coast Guard and state and federal law enforcement agencies. These organizations require boats, motors, trailers, accessories, electronics, maintenance and fuel to provide these services. The Beaufort County area is developing rapidly and the needs of the organizations to provide emergency water response is growing expo-

Awards

from page A1

F/A-18D Hornet crash on Halfmoon Island.

Kukulich won three other first-place awards, including first in the Reporting In Depth category for his story about how a Beaufort Police investigation of threatening phone calls helped solve a double-homicide in Texas.

“Well written and researched,” the judges wrote. “Prose was clear, concise and thorough. Masterful job providing suspense as the story unfolds.”

He won first in Business

Beat Reporting and Feature Photo thanks to his photo from the Bed Races at the Beaufort Water Festival. He also won second-place awards for Reporting In Depth and Lifestyle Feature Writing and a third-place award for Government

Beat Reporting

In addition to his firstplace win in Breaking News, Sofaly brought home second-place awards for General News Photo, Feature Photo and Sports Photo; and third-place awards for Short Story, Spot News Photo and Feature Photo.

To his awards in Breaking News, McCombs added a first-place in Short Story

with the private sector, the University of South Carolina Beaufort, Technical College of the Lowcountry, Beaufort Digital Corridor, and the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation to bring cybersecurity business, education, and innovation to the region.

The effort is led by the South Coast Cyber Center, which was established in 2020, to make the Beaufort region a center for cyber business and education.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-

nentially. In 2022, teams completed 158 rescue missions. Without community support, they would not be able to provide these lifesaving emergency services.

If you choose to bid, simply add your email address and phone number. Bidders are able to set up notifications when they are outbid or watching items. Bidding started at 8 a.m., Wednesday, March 15 and continues until 8 p.m., Wednesday March 22.

For more information, contact Karen Myers at 508-735-6081 or karenmyers999@gmail.com

Indivisible

Beaufort Meeting set for March 18

Indivisible Beaufort’s March meeting will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, at the Downtown Beaufort Library at 311 Scott Street. The event is free and open to the public.

The featured speaker will be Chris deVries, who will speak on what’s going on in the South Carolina Legislature – women’s reproductive health, gun safety, criminal justice, gender/sexual identity DeVries, a former Washington

with his piece on Harriet Tubman Day – “Good coverage of local news,” the judges said. He added second- and third-place awards in Spot Sports Story.

Jarrett won first-place in Sports Feature Story for “Good And Disrespectful,” his piece on record-setting Beaufort High School running back Kacy Fields, and for Sports Column Writing for All Weeklies.

“(The) writer focused on a subject and explored it,” the judges said of the column-writing entry. “(The writer) showed insight into schools’ classification success and struggles.”

Earley won The Island News’ first two awards for videos, both first-place nods. The judges loved both.

In her Feature Video entry, she followed a girl who dresses up as the Headless Horseman near Halloween and rides down a rural St. Helena Island road for the locals that gather to catch a glimpse.

“It’s an unconventional piece that demonstrates to a T what the video medium can successfully convey that traditional print media cannot,” the judges wrote. “The lack of narration really helps establish a good opening, and the kid’s wraparound really takes it to the next level. An excellent clip that does more in less than

SC1), will kick off the summit on March 20.

Headline speakers this year will include retired Adm. Michael Rogers, the former director of the National Security Agency and first commander of U.S. Cyber Command; Dr. Vahid Majidi, director of the Savannah River National Laboratory; Rob Cheng, founder and CEO of PC Matic; Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton, commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence; S.C. Deputy Secretary of Com-

lobbyist, advocates for policies in South Carolina focused on equity, fairness, and justice. She serves on the Board of the Beaufort County Democratic Party, as well as LowCountry Indivisible, and is President of the Democratic Club South of the Broad and Vice-Chair of Planned Parenthood Votes in the South Atlantic.

County asks all citizens to take Get Connected SC

5-minute

survey

Get Connected SC, a statewide initiative dedicated to providing reliable high-speed internet access to all South Carolinians, has launched a short 5-minute survey to identify areas of need and understand the barriers to achieving this goal.

The survey is an essential part of Get Connected SC’s mission to deliver equitable access to the internet across the state. By completing the survey, citizens can help the initiative understand the current state of internet access in their communities and identify areas where improvements are needed.

merce Ashely Teasdel; and Maj. Gen. Lorna Mahlock, deputy director for Combat Support, the National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Directorate, and the Marine Corps’ first African American female major general; and Barbara Melvin, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority.

Notre Dame University Professor Mitch Kajzer, Gary Kessler, of Fathom5, a maritime cybersecurity firm, and Robert Jones, president of PReSafe Technologies, will

The survey is available online at https://cx.ravencsi.com/m8BvN. It is quick, easy, and anonymous, and will help shape the future of internet access in South Carolina.

Jennings to speak about shrimping book

Beverly Bowers Jennings will speak about her book, Shrimp Tales: Small Bites of History, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at St. Helena Library at 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Road on St. Helena Island.

Jennings interviewed more than 65 fishermen, marine biologists and others to explore the commercial shrimping life along the southeastern coast to create an exhibit for the Sharon and Dick Stewart Maritime Center – which in turn led to the publication of her book Shrimp Tales: Small Bites of History in 2020. The book explores the trade that started in Florida and eventually found its way up to Georgetown, SC. There are photographs, illustrations, quotes from shrimpers and recipes.

A Master Naturalist, Jennings has been featured on Walter Edgar’s Journal, Local Life magazine, and SCETV’s By The River series.

also speak. Brian Shea, who is Gov. McMaster’s Cyber Initiative coordinator, will brief the attendees on the governor’s strategic plan for cybersecurity in the State of South Carolina.

To register for the summit, go to https://www.southcoastcybersummit.com/ Cost is $50 per person.

For further information about the South Coast Cyber Summit, contact Warren Parker at warren.parker@ ymail.com

Space is limited, and registration is required to attend this lecture. Register at http://bit.ly/3JjnRX7

Friends of Fort Fremont hosting annual

oyster roast

Friends of Fort Fremont and the local chapter of the S.C. Native Plant Society are hosting their annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 24, at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal.

Cost is $40 per person. Attendees should bring their own chairs and adult beverages. Oysters and chili are provided by Sea Eagle Catering; appetizers and desserts provided by the Friends. Don’t miss the famous Silent Auction and music by the Sweet Ferns. Buy tickets online at http://bit. ly/3Jl6KFL, or if you prefer, send a check payable to: Friends of Fort Fremont P.O. Box 982, St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920.

Checks by mail must be received by March 16. For more information, email oysterroast@fortfremont.org

– From staff reports

writing,” the judges wrote. “Great entertainment.”

In the Weekly Over 6,500 category, Evans won first in the Arts And Entertainment Writing category for an August column about how Robert Smalls’ story inspired an award-winning novel that birthed a critically-acclaimed theatrical production.

“You have a beautiful way of storytelling!” the judges wrote. “All your entries were wonderful, but this one stood out. A great story and wonderfully told. Well done.”

two minutes than some 2,000-word articles.”

A local gymnastics school was the subject of her sports video – “A quick look at how a sport can address the whole child and their growth,” said the judges.

Evans’s photo of three protester dressed as “Handmaids” at a campaign rally for a state representative and Gov. Henry McMaster won first for Genera News Photo.

“There’s a lot of symbolism packed into this one photo,” the judges wrote. “I’m glad the photographer saw this and documented it.”

And Weatherford repeated her second-place award from 2021 in the Column writing category.

“For the last four years, The Island News has received an increasing number of awards from the S.C. Press Association. This has been hugely gratifying for our tiny band of misfit toys assembling our local newspaper on a weekly basis. It’s wonderful to be recognized by your peers in a wider world,” Evans said. “To say we were proud would be a huge understatement. Our goal has always been to give Beaufort the best local

newspaper possible. We’re forever grateful the people of Beaufort have embraced The Island News and these awards help confirm we’re on the right path.”

Evans wins 2 for Lowcountry Weekly Lowcounty Weekly Editor and The Island News co-publisher Margaret Evans again won two first-place awards for her publication. Evans won first in the Open Division Contest (all newspapers, daily and weekly, across the state) for Humor Column Writing – “Funny, relatable

“I don’t really think of myself as a humor columnist –more like a serious columnist who’s occasionally funny – so taking First Place for Humor Column Writing was weirdly delightful,” Margaret Evans said. “This was my first First Place in Arts & Entertainment writing, as well, and I was thrilled. But nothing was more exciting than hearing The Island News called as the winner of the President’s Cup for Excellence. Our little team works so hard, day in and day out, and we were up against big city weeklies in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, etc., not to mention plenty of great small-town papers. Journalists aren’t the most popular people these days, so being recognized by our peers is deeply gratifying. And we got a trophy!”

The Island News Publisher Jeff Evans captured this shot of the “Handmaid” protesters at a Republican rally in November in downtown Beaufort. The photo won first place in General News Photo for Weeklies over 6,500 circulation.

Seabrook man convicted of murder in Hardeeville apartment shootout

From staff reports

A Seabrook man has been convicted of a deadly shooting in a Hardeeville apartment complex.

A Jasper County General Sessions Court found Jharaun Montyce Washington, 25, guilty of murder Thursday in the April 2020 shooting death of 28-yearold Ridgeland resident Donovan Donvatrae Hay. Washington also was found guilty of possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. He was sentenced to 34 years in prison for murder and five years for the weapons

charge, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

“Mr. Washington fired nearly two dozen shots, not only killing Donovan Hay but endangering many innocent bystanders with his attack in the middle of the day,” said Trasi Campbell of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “He is a menace, and the community is safe now that he is off the streets.”

Washington

The crime was captured by surveillance cameras at Walsh Drive Apartments, where the shooting took place. Hay and three passengers were driving through the complex on April 22, 2020, when they passed the home of Washington’s mother, where her son and four other males were on the front porch. There was a history of disputes between the two groups. Hay drove around a corner and stopped behind a row of hedges, but still within sight of the men on the stoop. A passenger exited the vehicle and retrieved a firearm

from the trunk as Washington simultaneously walked to a white 2001 Cadillac parked in front of his mother’s residence and retrieved a handgun.

Moments later, Washington opened fire on Hay’s vehicle and its occupants. One of his bullets struck Hay in the head and killed him.

Investigators from the Hardeeville Police Department and S.C. State Law Enforcement Division collected 22 9mm casings from the spot where Washington fired. His gun was never recovered.

Campbell called 20 witnesses

during two days of testimony at the Jasper County Courthouse. Circuit Court Judge Robert Bonds handed down the sentence.

Washington’s criminal record includes convictions for failure to stop for a blue light, three counts of breaking into a motor vehicle, grand larceny and receiving stolen goods.

Campbell is a member of the Career Criminal Unit, which prosecutes the circuit’s most violent and habitual offenders. That team has earned convictions against 441 of the 477 defendants it has prosecuted since its formation in 2009.

Careers Encounter Day U-Pick ’em … they did

By Bob Sofaly

The Island News

Dempsey Farms U-Pick Strawberries opened for business with a bang Wednesday, March 8, on St. Helena Island.

Warren Dempsey, of Dempsey Farms, said there were about 400 people at one time in the 3.5 acre field picking strawberries.

Davey Dempsey said the field got “picked clean” of ripe berries, and he had to close the field early.

There were still a huge number of unripe, green berries left.

“We should be back in business by the weekend if it doesn’t get too cold,” Warren Dempsey said. Those wanting to visit the U-Pick patch are urged to call 843-838-3656 or visit the website at www.

from page A1

9 through 12 only

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews – returned to grades 9 through 12 only

All the committees findings, except the decision to remove Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes from circulation, were appealed by the original complainants – Ivie Szalai or Mike Covert or both.

Nineteen Minutes will remain off Beaufort County School District shelves for minimum of five years. It joins It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, which was the first book removed from the District in January.

Following the vote on the appeals, the board discussed the topic of dropping the number of books reviewed at a time from 10 to five. Victor Ney (District 5) moved to vote on that proposal, seconded by Elizabeth Hey (District 10).

The motion failed by a vote of 7 to 3 to 1, with Rachel Wisnefski (District 7) joining Hey and Ney in support.

A surprise guest

Earlier in the meeting, during the first public comment period, once again several of the DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Literacy Youth Organization) members –Battery Creek senior Isabella Troy, Beaufort Academy senior Elizabeth Foster, Beaufort Academy sophomore Patrick Good, Beaufort High senior Madelyn Confure and Beaufort High senior Millie Bennett – took to the podium to state their opposition to the removal of books.

And in a bit of a surprise, novelist and poet Jason Mott, a guest of the Pat Conroy Center’s Jonathan Haupt and Beaufort’s Nevermore Books, spoke against the

Liam Hicks, left, and friends Rhys and Kara Switzinger managed to fill their buckets despite having to walk a bit farther to gain access to red, ripe strawberries Wednesday, March 8, at Dempsey Farms U-Pick Strawberries on St. Helena Island. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

dempseyfarmsupick.com before coming out.

Bob Sofaly has been photographing

removal of books. Mott has authored two collections of poetry and four novels. His fourth novel, 2021’s Hell Of A Book, won the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction.

“Banning books will not make the world’s complexities go away,” Mott told the Board. “We all want to protect our children. We all want to keep them safe. That is why I write and I read books. Because at times in my life, I needed to know that the world was larger than the limits of my eyesight. And books were there. And at other times in my life, I needed to know that the world was populated by books and stories similar to my own. And books were there.

“From what I hear tonight, the children of Beaufort have the same needs. To ban books is to ban stories. It is to ban voices. It is to ban facts. It is to ban ideas and identities. And history has shown us, more than once, that this always leads to trouble.”

Off the rails

Almost immediately after Mott spoke, the meeting descended into chaos.

Julie Matthews, a citizen vocally in favor of at least some some book removals who has been a part of at

people and what they do in Beaufort since Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980. He can be reached at bobsofaly@gmail.com

least one Book Review Committee, addressed the board, singling out several members individually, mentioning several she agreed with and at least one she didn’t.

She then began to address Isabella Troy, one of the high school students who spoke earlier, resulting in a gasp from the audience consisting mostly of the teenagers and a dozen or so like-minded adults. Public speakers are prohibited from personally addressing anyone but Board members. As Matthews continued speaking, members of the audience vocalized their objections to her speaking directly to Troy, though it was almost impossible to determine what she was saying. Annoyed by the interruption, Matthews turned and said, “’Excuse me.”

Board Chair Christina Gwozdz (District 9) instructed the audience to be quiet while Matthews spoke before Board member William Smith (District 3) pointed out that Matthews could not address another speaker.

As Mathews attempted to continue her comments, a man in the back of the room began shouting for the Board to reset Matthews’ time since she was interrupted, again stopping her comments.

Steve Fitzgerald, Dean of Students at Bridges Preparatory School, talks to a group of 8th-graders during the inaugural Eighth Grade Careers Encounter Day on Friday, March 10, at Bridges Prep. More than 50 presenters from varying career paths spoke to the classes about what they do for a living and how their career paths change. An underlying theme was to have a “Plan B” as things don’t always go the way we expect. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

“I will continue past my time, regardless,” Matthews told the man.

Seconds later, her three-minute speaking limit elapsed and her microphone was turned off.

“No, no, I was interrupted, I will continue,” Matthews told Gwozdz.

As Gwozdz recessed the Board and they exited the room, Matthews turned toward the audience and began shouting her comments in their direction. In response, some turned their backs, some booed, some laughed, shouted and sang.

When she had finished, Matthews returned to her seat and proceeded to have words with another woman in the audience, while at least one of the high school students had what appeared to be an anxiety attack and left the room in tears to regain her composure.

Calm again

And then, as quickly as it escalated, it was seemingly over.

The Board returned, and then the next speaker, Ivie Szalai, politely thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak. During her time, while the audience was quiet and composed, she read a passage from the book Sold by Patricia McCormick depicting the sexual assault of a young girl by her sex-trafficking captor. When she finished the passage, Szalai began to list the profanities used in the 10 books last reviewed and told how many times each was used throughout the 10 books collectively.

When her time expired in the middle of this list, she stopped in mid sentence, politely thanked the Board for allowing her to speak, and returned to her seat.

After the meeting, during the second public comment period, Szalai was the first to return to the podium, where she politely thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak, picked up her list of profanities where she had left off, then thanked the Board again and sat down.

Later, two of the DAYLO students – Good and Troy –used their time to apologize

for the students’ rowdy reaction. Troy took the opportunity to address Szalai’s list.

“We just heard almost every profanity under the sun,” she said. “And here we are, … not a menace to society.”

Next up

Ten more Book review Committees were scheduled to meet at 5:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 15 at Okatie Elementary school.

The books up for review are:

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

The Haters by Jesse Andrews

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

The You I’ve Never

Known by Ellen Hopkins

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

Tilt by Ellen Hopkins

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

• Yolk by Mary H.K.

Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com

Choi

Julie Matthews speaks to the Beaufort County School District school board during the meeting on March 7, at the district’s office in Beaufort. Matthews participated in the Book Review Committee that voted to remove the book Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult from the schools’ libraries. Delayna Earley/The Island News

Isabella Troy Brazoban, a 17-year-old senior from Battery Creek High School, speaks against banning books in the schools on Tuesday, March 7, during the Beaufort County School District school board meeting at the district’s office in Beaufort. Delayna Earley/The Island News

VIDEO For a short video of Julie Matthews speaking to the Beaufort County Board of Education, follow this digital link or go to https:// youtu.be/Vvk9-qQe56Q

VIDEO For a short video of Isabella Troy Brazoban speaking to the Beaufort County Board of Education, follow this digital link or go to https:// youtu.be/efgw_Ynu9oQ

Key questions to answer to help plan to pay for retirement

Provided by Wells Fargo

Your retirement could last 20 years or more. Now could be the time to ask yourself, “What do I want to do when I retire?”

It’s an important question to ask sooner rather than later, as the answer could impact your retirement savings plans, so that you can align the retirement you want with the retirement you can afford. The first two steps in that process are: (1) decide what you want to do, and then (2) determine the potential costs.

The answers to these questions could help you take the first step toward creating the retirement lifestyle you hope to achieve.

What will I be doing during my retirement days?

Do I plan to continue working past age 65 or

Island

after I reach my full retirement age? Full time or part time? Are there hobbies I want to pursue that will either cost money or make money? Is there volunteer work that may also have costs associated? Do I plan to travel?

• Are there things I enjoy doing that have related costs?

What are the activities that make up my ideal retirement day?

Where will I be living in my retirement years? Will I stay in my current home or downsize to a smaller home or a rental property? Will I move to a retirement community or assisted living facility? Will I sell my home and

Then, Tropeano appeared at a March 8 Beaufort County Staff Review Team meeting to discuss a new plan to construct three six-hole golf courses, one on each of three of the newly subdivided parcels.

What is a cultural protection overlay?

Tropeano’s plans for development directly contradicts restrictions in the St. Helena Island cultural protection overlay. It has three prohibitions: golf courses with more than eight holes; gated communities; and resorts with an exception for ecotourism.

The overlay was an effort by residents to manage development of the island and preserve its culture. It specifically recognized the island’s role as the center of the Gullah-Geechee culture, which had been all but eliminated on other Sea Islands that saw rapid commercial and residential development over the last several decades.

“St. Helena Island does not want to become another Hilton Head, just like Hilton Head does not want to become another Myrtle Beach,” said Penn Center trustee Arnold Brown as he spoke about the overlay at the March 13 County Council meeting.

The overlay covers most of the 64-square-mile island. In place since 1999, it has additional development restrictions that go beyond standard zoning restrictions on the land within its boundaries.

“His proposal centers around a use that is prohibited on St. Helena,” said Jessie White, South Coast Office Director for the Coastal Conservation League. “Instead of abiding by those local zoning rules, we have multiple attempts at evading those rules in one way or another.”

Looking for a way around Tropeano has been in both public and private conversations with county officials for months about his vision for Pine Island Plantation. He submitted a zoning map amendment in late November in which he argued that the Pine Island Plantation should be removed from the overlay. Had that request been approved, the underlying zoning of the property would have allowed him to develop the property as he envisioned it.

According to Beaufort County officials, Tropeano withdrew his request before it was heard by the Planning Commission, and no ruling on the amendment was made.

Instead, county administrators took up the matter and proposed new overlay language that, if adopted, would have eliminated the overlay’s protections. The new lan-

replace it with an RV or other alternative living option?

What situations might occur that could impact my retirement expenditures?

What health care coverage do I need for my specific health conditions? Do I have an emergency fund for unexpected situations such as a health care crisis or loss of property due to a natural disaster?

What if I stop working sooner than expected? What happens if I experience a significant loss of income?

What are the barriers that are keeping me from investing? I have nothing extra to invest.

guage would task the county with negotiating development agreements with would-be developers that would, ostensibly, protect the island.

County administrators argued during a January 5 Planning Commission meeting that the overlay was vulnerable to legal challenge. During the contentious meeting, approximately 60 members of the public signed up to make public comments, the vast majority of whom opposed the county’s proposal. The commission voted unanimously to withhold a recommendation of the proposal. It proceeded to a review by the county’s Community Services and Land Use Committee.

Before the county administrators could make their case at the January 9 land use committee meeting, Councilwoman Alice Howard put forth a motion to table the discussion until the committee’s April 10 meeting. Further, the motion directed the county’s newly formed Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee to present its recommendation for new overlay language in time for the same April 10 meeting. Howard’s motion passed unanimously.

6 + 6 + 6 ≠ 18

While it may appear that Tropeano’s plan for three six-hole golf courses is an attempt to bypass the overlay restrictions and exploit the exception that allows golf courses with fewer than nine holes, the reality is more complicated.

The county staff was adamant during the March 8 meeting that each of the subdivided parcels must be operated separately and independently. The planned development for each parcel requires its own application to the county, and each parcel will be reviewed on its own merits.

“Because this is three different parcels, each parcel stands on its own,” said Hillary Austin, Zoning and Development Administrator for Beaufort County, during the March 8 staff review meeting.

Austin went on to suggest that a deed restriction should be put

I have education loans or other debt. I don’t know how to start an investment plan. I have time to start saving later.

Next steps:

Prepare rather than panic. Review the questions above and create an outline from your answers. That outline will give you the framework to calculate the income you may need to support your retirement lifestyle. Make the decision to adjust your spending patterns today. Choose something that you really don’t need and redirect that amount to a savings or investment account. Take advantage of the growth potential over time. Pay yourself first instead of spending money on something that will not support your future

retirement needs. Creating that nest egg now could lessen your stress about money.

Start or add to an emergency fund. Even if the amount seems very small, it is important to take the first step. As that amount grows and the saving behavior becomes a habit, you will likely gain confidence and momentum in your investment activities.

Meet with your financial advisor to review your answers and turn your outline into a plan that will help you work toward your goals. Your advisor has planning tools and other resources to help you identify your retirement income needs.

progress and fine-tune your strategy. This article was written by/ for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Katie C. Phifer, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RICP® and First Vice President-Investment Officer in Beaufort, SC at 843-982-1506. Investment and

assess your

The entrance to Pine Island Plantation is marked by a cheerful sign on St. Helenaville Road on St. Helena Island as seen November 30, 2022. Tony Kukulich/The Post And Courier

in place explicitly stating that the three parcels cannot be consolidated. County Attorney Brittany Ward hesitated to endorse that suggestion.

Chuck Atkinson, an Assistant County Administrator who heads the development and recreation department, was sitting with Ward when Austin made her suggestion. He told The Post and Courier that the pair briefly discussed it. They questioned the legality of the use of a deed restriction in this circumstance and the necessity of a deed restriction if the attempt to consolidate the properties created a development code violation.

“I think there might be some other ways to go about it,” Ward said.

Still, Austin pressed the matter, stating that she wanted the record to reflect that the parcels must remain independent in order to comply with the overlay.

“Don’t think that you’re going to come in here and do three (golf courses) and skirt these rules,

and then lift the lot lines or make connections between the buffers and say that you’ve met the intent of the code,” Atkinson added.

Development concerns remain

White said that Tropeano’s plan for three abbreviated golf courses disrespects the informed choice of the residents of St. Helena Island who, several decades ago, envisioned a future different from what they saw on other nearby Sea Islands. It’s an opinion that Brown shares.

“A proposal for three separate six-hole courses on the property is an affront to the unambiguous language and intent of the (cultural protection overlay),” wrote Brown.

Marquetta Goodwine, who currently chairs the Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee and who is also known as Queen Quet, said in an email to The Post and Courier that she was aware of Tropeano’s intentions.

“The Gullah/Geechee Nation will not stand by and allow destruction to come to St. Helena Island. We will continue to stand up for the rights of natives of St. Helena Island,” she wrote.

Who bought the plantation?

According Secretary of State records, the corporation that purchased the Pine Island Plantation, Pine Island Property Holdings LLC, was formed less than two weeks before the Feb. 14 closing date of the sale. Those same documents name Lauren Niemiec as the organizer of the purchaser. Niemiec, an attorney, represented Tropeano in a February 2022 amendment to purchase option contract.

Tropeano’s name does not appear on either the forms doc-

umenting the sale of Pine Island Plantation or on the forms used to create the corporation that bought the land. But if there was any question about who the new owner of Pine Island Plantation was, it was answered during the Beaufort County Council meeting on March 13.

Speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting, Tropeano introduced himself as the owner of Pine Island.

In his comments, he noted that the Pine Island property had been used as a private, gated recreation destination for over 150 years. He said that under his stewardship, the land will continue to be used in a way that allows him to “preserve, protect and activate the land in an unprecedented manner.”

Tropeano acknowledged that he bought the property aware of the zoning restrictions but said that he and his team have a vision of something bigger and better.

“Moving forward, our team will be taking the necessary steps to ensure that this vision can become a reality,” he said. “This will include balancing and securing my private property rights with standard and customary procedures.”

Complete applications for conceptual approval of the three Pine Island Plantation development plans have not yet been received by the county. Once the completed applications are received, the county staff has three weeks to review them before scheduling the project for review by the County Staff Review team. The timing for that is not yet known.

From Beaufort to Bluffton and Hilton Head, The Post and Courier covers news impacting your community. Subscribe for more local coverage at postandcourier.com/IslandNews

A sign expressing opposition to the development of a golf course and gated community on the Pine Island Plantation property is seen along the Sea Island Parkway on St. Helena Island on Saturday, March 11. The property was recently sold to developer Elvio Tropeano. Tony Kukulich/The Post And Courier

Fedora by Umberto Giordano

By Becky Sprecher Special to The Island News

In 1994, my husband and I flew from our home in Honolulu to London, a journey of almost 24 hours. Our hotel was a stone’s throw from the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, so we stopped by the ticket office and managed to get inexpensive Amphitheater seats for that night’s performance.

The opera was Fedora. And not only that, superstars Mirella Freni and Jose Carreras were singing. After lunch and a nap, we appeared that evening at the Amphitheater entrance located at the side of the opera house, the far grander front entrance being reserved for elegantly dressed, higher-priced ticket holders. We found our seats, and mine was located adjacent to a wall. Not long into the opera, the 12hour time change and jet lag began to kick in and my began head nodding, finally coming to rest against the wall. I woke up as the two glamorous stars were singing a spectacular love duet in Act II, then went out again after Intermission during Act III. I was awakened at the end by a cheering audience and the backstage crew flinging a cascade of longstemmed yellow roses from the boxes down to the stage.

Now, almost 30 years later, I want to see what I missed.

Fedora was composed by Umberto Giordano in 1898, and based on a story by the dramatist Victorien Sardou, who wrote it specifically for the talented stage actress, Sarah Bernhardt. The title character is a 19th-century Russian princess who is about to marry Vladimiro when he is killed. She suspects Count Loris of the murder and reports it to the au-

thorities, and this sets off a chain of events that she comes to regret.

Unfortunately, Fedora later finds herself falling in love with Loris. He reveals to her that he killed Vladimiro in self-defense when he (Loris) confronted him about having an affair with his wife. Loris also tells Fedora that Vladimiro didn’t love her but was marrying her for her money. Loris has no idea what Fedora has done.

Such a conflicted situation is an emotional roller coaster for the person singing the title role, in this case, the Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva.

“Giordano gets really complicated in some of his writing,” Yoncheva told Opera News, “especially in the second act of Fedora. One really has to understand and concentrate on the ac-

tion, and this complicated music, which is not always easy to digest. But in Giordano’s operas, there are moments of incredible light, you know? And this is where you fall in love with him.”

Fedora is an example of a verismo opera, a genre popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that emphasizes intense emotional power and the plight of everyday people. The characters are not drawn from mythology or the throne room; while they may indeed be aristocratic, they are recognizable to us, as are their struggles.

This is not where you are going to hear coloratura or ornamental singing; it’s going to be straight-out, gut-wrenching, and emotional. The composer also inserts verismo notes in the score

Food trucks drive in to Drive-In

What:

When:

Where:

cle Aria (a nod to the new craze in 1890s Europe), a salon song about Russian women and another about French men, comparing the latter to Veuve Cliquot Champagne (i.e. they either leave one bored or with a headache).

The Lowcountry Market hosted its first Food Truck Market on Saturday, March 11, at the Highway 21 Drive-In. About half a dozen food trucks where on hand to offer several different types of cuisine to those attending the weekly Lowcountry Market. Here, at lower left, are Lynzee Fezio and her friend Lexi as they snack on some french fries from Pete’s Kitchen from Bluffton. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

with background sounds, such as sleigh bells in the Russian winter setting.

This is a stylish new production, with luxe dresses all in shades of black and white. The New York Times reports that, at the New Year’s Eve premiere when Yoncheva made her entrance “wearing a dramatic raven-color dress with a many-diamonded tiara, the crowd erupted in wild applause reminiscent of the diva entrances in days gone by.”

The set offers eye candy, too. According to the Met Program, a clever design by David McVicar, takes us from “a palace in St. Petersburg, to a fashionable Parisian salon, and a picturesque villa in the Swiss Alps by unfolding like a Russian nesting doll.”

And there is ear candy to offset the tragedy: a riff on a concert by a Chopin like character, a Bicy -

In the tragic last act, Fedora has caused Loris to be exiled, his brother to be imprisoned (where he subsequently dies), and his mother to die of a stroke because of the death of her son. She is consumed by guilt. In the same moment she also realizes that Loris, who has vowed to avenge the deaths of his family by exposing and punishing the woman who betrayed them, will never forgive her. She drinks poison from a vial around her neck then confesses and dies in his arms, begging for his mercy while he begs her to forgive his anger.

This last is definitely melodrama. Who wears a vial of poison around their neck? Was this all the rage in Paris in the 19th century or just a device in service of the plot? Who cares. At this point, we’re drowning in beauty and tears from the singing, the music, and the pain of the star-crossed lovers. This is a good old-fashioned, cry-it-out opera. Some may say it’s melodrama; I say it’s therapy. Bring Kleenex.

Beaufort Art Association to host 59th annual Spring Art Show & Sale

From staff reports The Beaufort Art Association is once again offering a unique spring event – the 59th annual Spring Art Show & Sale – for local artists and Beaufort’s art-loving public from March 28 through 31, at Tabby Place, 913 Port Republic Street.

The event is free and open to the public.

Works will be exhibited in 2D, 3D, Photography and Jewelry, to be judged by Chris Robinson, himself a visual artist and University of South Carolina Emeritus Professor, recently retired as Visiting Artist and Chair of Visual Art & Design at USC Beaufort.

Approximately 15 awards will be noted, including “Best of Show” and “People’s Choice,” with more than $2,000 in awards given. Another award category includes eight Memorial Awards.

The Spring Show also features creative works of local high school students. All registered art works will be available for sale. There will be an information table featuring artists’ works-in-progress, as well as information about becoming a member.

Smoke alarm saves residence on busy day in Burton

From staff reports

Just past 10:30 p.m. last evening, Burton firefighters and Beaufort County EMS responded to a reported home fire in Beaufort County’s Pleasant Farm community when a neighbor called 911 after seeing flames in a garage. The residents of the home, who were awakened by their smoke alarm, were attempting to put the fire out using pots of water and a fire extinguisher.

Firefighters arrived on scene and reported heaving smoke coming from an

attached garage to a single-story home and were able to extinguish the growing fire in the garage before it spread to the home. The garage sustained heavy fire damages, and while the home was spared fire damage, it did sustain minor smoke damage; however, the residents were not displaced. No injuries were reported. Fire investigators determined that the fire was caused by a yard debris fire that the residents thought they had extinguished ear -

lier but had rekindled and spread to the home. This is the third time this year for the Burton Fire District involving a trash or yard debris fire that spread and damaged a structure. Just before 10:30 p.m., only moments before this fire was reported, Burton firefighters and county EMS responded to a reported house fire in Seabrook when a stove fire started while the residents were preparing food. The residents had extinguished the fire by using a pan lid

prior to the arrival of emergency crews. No injures were reported, but the cabinets and an overhead microwave sustained minor fire damages.

Earlier throughout the afternoon and evening, the Burton Fire District responded to three illegal trash fires, two brush fires, and along with the Sheldon Fire District, a vehicle fire on the Whale Branch Bridge. No injuries were reported in any of these fires, and only the vehicle sustained fire damage.

Piotr Beczala as Count Loris and Sonya Yoncheva as Fedora.

Silks and satins: chorus members backstage at the Met’s Fedora

Age recommended, routine cancer screenings

By Denise Pate, MD

The annual physical is the perfect time to discuss any changes in an individual’s health over the prior year with a primary care doctor. But it’s also a great time to ask which cancer screenings are recommended, according to Denise Pate, MD.

About 1.9 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States in 2022, according to the National Cancer Institute. Many of these malignancies, when detected at their earliest stages, are highly treatable or curable, so getting screened is a smart and proactive approach to staying healthy.

“Screening tests are used to find cancer in people with no symptoms, which raises the odds of finding cancers when they’re small and haven’t yet spread,” says Dr. Pate. “Staying on top of screenings could end up saving your life.”

The kinds of cancer screening tests appropriate for each individual depend largely on their age and risk factors. That’s why the annual physical is an ideal time to ask the doctor which screenings may be recommended.

“You should also ask how often you need a screening and if you need to visit a specialist to order any of your screening tests,” Dr. Pate notes. “The answers may vary depending on your health care system or insurance coverage.”

Age-by-age guide to screening tests

Certain screening tests are recommended and offered on a widespread basis in the United States, including those for cervical, breast and colorectal cancers. Other screenings are recommended for specific categories of people, including lung cancer testing for smokers and former smokers. Still

others may be advised but not necessarily standard, such as prostate cancer screening.

To help understand which screenings you should ask your doctor about, use these age-byage guidelines from the American Cancer Society (cancer.org):

Cervical cancer

Starting at age 25 and continuing through age 65, all people with a cervix should get primary HPV testing every 5 years to detect human papilloma virus, which causes 9 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer.

If primary HPV testing isn’t available close by, consider undergoing what’s called “co-testing,” an HPV test and Pap test done at the same time, also every 5 years. Alternately, consider getting a Pap test alone every 3 years.

Breast cancer

Annual mammogram screenings should begin at age 45 for every woman, but women who are 40 to 44 may opt to begin yearly screenings sooner. If an individual is at higher risk for breast cancer due to family history or other factors, they should ask their doctor about beginning mammograms sooner than 40. At age 65 and older, mammograms should be done every 2 years, or continue annually if recommended in specific instances.

Colorectal cancer

Screenings should begin at age 45 for people considered at average risk of colorectal cancer. If an individual is at higher risk due to family history, genetic disorders, or other

factors, they should ask their if it’s recommended to begin colorectal cancer screening younger than 45.

Screening options include stool tests, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. The latter two tests involve using a thin, flexible, lighted tube to check your rectum, colon, or both for abnormal growths. Depending on the screening test chosen, it may be recommended to repeat the test somewhere between every year and every decade.

Colorectal cancer screenings are standard until age 75. The decision to screen after 75 is made on an individual basis.

Prostate cancer

Starting at age 45, men considered at higher risk of prostate cancer should ask their doctor about the potential benefits of PSA screening. PSA (pros-

tate-specific antigen) tests measure the level of a substance in the blood called PSA, which is produced by the prostate gland and can be elevated in men with prostate cancer.

Men considered at higher risk include those who are African American or have close family members who had prostate cancer before age 65, such as their father, brother, or son.

Men with more than one close relative who had prostate cancer before 65 should ask their doctors about PSA testing starting at age 40.

Lung cancer

Individuals 50 or older and have a smoking history— meaning they either smoke currently or quit within the past 15 years—should ask their doctor whether an annual lowdose CT scan is appropriate to screen for early lung cancer.

Recommendations will vary depending on how much the individual smoked and for how long.

Not all health insurers cover low-dose CT lung cancer screening, so patients should find out if they are covered prior to testing.

With the variety of cancer screening tests available and the many factors guiding their use, the primary care doctor’s expertise is invaluable to help make sense of all the options, Dr. Pate says.

“Your doctor is your trusted advisor,” she says. “And remember, if you have any signs or symptoms of cancer, or additional risk factors that place you in a higher-risk group, it’s especially important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.”

Denise Pate, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine specialist and Medical Director at Medical Offices of Manhattan (NY).

Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals?

Sleep is essential for maintaining key bodily functions and mental health. Sleep deprivation has multiple health consequences, including heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

Research also shows that inadequate sleep is associated with obesity. Studies also show that those with irregular sleep cycles are at a greater risk of obesity and cardiometabolic risk.

Understanding more about how sleep affects obesity risk could aid the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies for the condition.

Recently, researchers investigated the effects of sleep quality on the compliance with a weight loss program. They found that better sleep was linked to greater adherence to a 12-month weight loss intervention. The study was presented at the American Heart Foundation’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2023

How better sleep changes behavior

For the study, the researchers recruited 125 adults with overweight or obesity and an average age of 50 years old. Each took part in a 12-month behavioral weight loss intervention. It is interesting to note the researchers also found a statistically insignificant link between sleep quality and physical activity.

Linking sleep and weight loss

When you sleep, your body goes through specific changes that enable the type of rest that is vital to your overall healthy. Good sleep allows for the brain to repair and revise synapses, enhancing the ability to modify behavior. It also provides more energy and focus the next day, making exercise more vigorous and effective. Over the long-term, that can help you adhere to a weight loss program.

How sleep affects appetite

The body’s sleep and wake cycles are controlled by a natural rhythm called circadian rhythmicity. Circadian rhythm affects two hormones called ghrelin and leptin, which help regulate appetite and how much you eat. When you don’t get enough sleep, the hormone that makes you hungry, ghrelin, increases, and the hormone that makes you feel full, leptin, decreases. These unwanted changes can cause you to eat more, especially when tired or stressed.

A lack of sleep can also affect levels of cortisol, the stress hormone in your body. During your sleep cycle, the body is building, healing, and processing so that when you wake up, your cortisol, or stress hormone, is at its highest to kickstart the day. When you get suboptimal sleep, you miss out on the REM sleep that helps to regulate your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a glucocor-

“Lack of sleep is a stressor on the body, especially on cardiometabolic health. Lack of sleep activates several physiological pathways that can result in excessive glucose in the bloodstream or increased insulin resistance over time which has been tied to increased body fat, especially around the abdominal region. Better sleep can moderate the relationship between weight loss interventions and weight loss outcomes.”

– Dr. Sarah-Nicole Bostan

ticosteroid

directly linked to blood sugar and metabolism. When cortisol is out of rhythm, so is your blood sugar. It can lead to fatigue and sugar cravings, making it much more challenging to adhere to weight loss interventions.

Note that authors indicate that the study still doesn’t answer the question: “does better sleep lead to more adherence to a weight loss plan?”

How much sleep do we need?

Everyone needs 8 hours. As with many aspects of human biology, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep. Overall, research sug-

Are daytime naps unhealthy?

Generally, experts recommend people avoid naps to ensure a better night’s sleep. However, if someone has missed out on sleep during previous nights, a tactical nap can help repay some of the accrued sleep debt.

Around 20 minutes is a good nap length. This gives the body ample time to recharge. People who sleep much longer than this could mean they descend into a deep sleep, and once awake, they feel groggy.

Tips for sleeping better

Exercise regularly

Get a new mattress

Limit alcohol at night

Maintain a regular bedtime

Make the bedroom sleep-friendly

Take time to wind down

Avoid large meals before bedtime

Avoid large beverages at night

Avoid napping

Use the bedroom only for sleeping

Avoid caffeine in the evening

gests that for healthy young adults and adults with normal sleep, 7–9 hours is an appropriate amount.

The story gets a little more complicated, though. The amount of sleep you need each day varies throughout your life:

newborns need

14–17 hours

infants need

12–15 hours

toddlers need

11–14 hours

preschoolers need

10–13 hours

school-aged children need 9–11 hours

teenagers need

8–10 hours

adults need

7–9 hours

older adults need

7–8 hours

Daytime napping is relatively common in the United States but taking a “siesta” is the norm in some countries. Naturally, our bodies tend to dip in energy during the early afternoon, so perhaps napping around that time is more natural than avoiding sleep until nighttime.

It is also important to note if an individual experiences severe tiredness during the day, this might be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.

Scientists will need to conduct more research before they can finally put all the napping myths and mysteries to bed.

Overall, you should try and aim for 7–9 hours’ sleep every night. It sounds simple, but in your electronic lit, bustling, and noisy lives, it is more challenging than you might like. All you can do is keep trying to give sleep the space that it needs.

Avoid tossing and turning

When to see a doctor

People who are still having sleeping difficulties after trying to improve their sleep habits should seek medical advice. A doctor can assess a person for sleep disorders and other conditions that can affect sleep. They can also advise on possible treatment options.

In summary, getting enough sleep can improve a person’s energy levels, performance, safety, and overall health. Practicing good sleep hygiene and making certain lifestyle changes can help people get a better night’s sleep.

Sources: https://www. medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ can-poor-sleep-impact-yourweight-loss-goals#Why-sleephygiene-education-is-needed; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/325303#tossing-and-turning

Hospice care provides comfort to those with terminal illnesses

Hospice care might be an option for people who are nearing the end of life due to a terminal illness and have exhausted all other treatment options.

Unlike other medical care, the focus of hospice care is not to cure the underlying disease. The goal is to support the highest quality of life possible for whatever time remains.

Enrolling in hospice care early can help your loved one live better.

Hospice care is provided by a team of health care professionals who aim to maximize comfort for a person by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. To help families, hospice care also provides counseling, respite care and other support, including bereavement services.

Who is eligible for hospice care?

Hospice services are typically for a person who is expected to have six months or less to live.

Many people who receive hospice care have cancer, but hospice care is available for patients with other serious or advanced medical conditions, such as heart disease, dementia, kidney failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. What is the benefit of hospice care?

Hospice care decreases the burden on family, decreases the family’s likelihood of having a complicated grief and prepares family members for their loved one’s death.

Additionally, since many family members often serve as the primary caregiver for their loved one, hospice care can offer a break to caregivers by allowing a patient

to be cared for at a facility for a period of time. This is known as respite care.

Who is involved in hospice care?

While many people opt to receive hospice care at home, it also can be available at hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and dedicated hospice facilities.

Typically, hospice staff will make regular visits to your home or other setting. Hospice staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A hospice care team typically includes:

• Doctors. A primary care doctor and a hospice doctor or medical director will oversee care. Each patient can choose whether to have their existing primary care doctor or a hos-

pice specialist as their main physician.

• Nurses. Nurses are an integral part of the care team and usually are responsible for the coordination of the hospice care team. Home health aides. Home health aides can provide extra support with routine care, such as dressing, bathing and eating.

• Spiritual counselors. Chaplains, priests, lay ministers or other spiritual counselors can provide spiritual care and guidance for the entire family.

• Social workers. Social workers provide counseling and support. They also can provide referrals to other support systems.

Pharmacists. Pharmacists provide medication oversight

and suggestions regarding the most effective ways to relieve symptoms. Volunteers. Trained volunteers offer a variety of services, including providing company or respite for caregivers, and helping with transportation or other practical needs.

• Other professionals. Speech, physical and occupational therapists can provide therapy, if needed.

Bereavement counselors. Trained bereavement counselors offer support and guidance after the death of a loved one in hospice

Selecting a hospice program

Depending upon where you live, there may be several hospice programs available. Speak with your care team, including doctors,

nurses and social workers, about their experiences with different hospice programs. Also, ask friends and your local or state office on aging.

Consider the following questions when evaluating a hospice program: Is the hospice program Medicare-certified? Is the program reviewed and licensed by the state or certified in some other way? Is the program accredited by The Joint Commission?

Who makes up the hospice care team, and how are they trained or screened? Is the hospice medical director board-certified in hospice and palliative care medicine?

• Is the hospice program nonprofit or for profit?

What services are offered to a person who is terminally ill? How are pain and other symptoms managed? Does the hospice program have a dedicated pharmacist to help adjust medications? Is residential hospice available?

How are hospice care services provided after-hours?

How long does it take to get accepted into the hospice care program?

What services are offered to the family? Are respite services available for caregivers? Are bereavement services available?

Sources: Dr. Maisha Robinson, Neurology, and Dr. Molly Kilpatrick, Palliative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. https:// newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayoclinic-q-and-a-how-can-hospice-careprovide-comfort-to-those-with-terminalillnesses/

Daylight saving time has arrived and that can be a tough adjustment for some.

Research has shown that one hour change can disrupt a person’s sleep and even cause car accidents due to fatigue.

However, on the positive side, that extra sunshine can help with mental health.

“You get extra sunshine when you leave work and I think that’s great. More opportunity to get outside, more opportunity to do more fun outdoor activities, cook outside, things like that

that I think can offset any negative impacts on sleep and mental well-being,” said Dawn Potter, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Potter said if you are having a hard time transitioning out of that winter funk, there are some easy things you can do.

For example, she recommends starting a new exercise routine, which can boost your mood.

Another suggestion is to add healthier foods to your diet or start making plans for things you want to do

as the weather warms, like creating a garden or doing some redecorating.

Many people may also be more inclined to “hibernate” during the colder months and not be as social.

Dr. Potter said now would be a good time to reconnect with friends.

“The warmer weather can lead to get-togethers with friends on patios, or you know exercise with friends and do other activities that you didn’t feel quite like cleaning the snow off your car to go out and do,”

she said.

Dr. Potter said if you find yourself having trouble transitioning out of that winter funk and are feeling depressed or lacking energy, you should speak with a mental health professional.

Source: ClevelandClinic.org ccnewsservice@ccf.org, March 13, 2023

Walking on bridges that human eyes cannot see

Soon after Jesus had resurrected, we find a beautiful account found in John, Chapter 20, that is a wonderful example of how much God loves us and desires to help us.

The friends and family of the Messiah were gathered together after his horrific crucifixion and were still grieving over his death when suddenly, He appears in their midst. Even though they remembered how He had promised to return, I’m sure they were still awestruck. Jesus stretches out His hands and reveals His wounds, and of course, they are overjoyed to see Him again. He spoke peace over them, commissioned them, filled them with the Holy Spirit, then vanished.

Thomas was not there that night, and later, when he returned, he was told that Jesus had visited them. He responded that until he saw Jesus with his own eyes, he would not believe.

Eight days later the group came together again, and like last time, Jesus miraculously appeared except this time Thomas was present. Christ looked at Thomas and told him to reach out and touch the

BILLY HOLLAND

scars, and he did. Jesus said, “Be not faithless, but believing,” and Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God.”

When we are discouraged and struggling to believe, we can know that God will make an extra effort to prove how much he loves and cares about us.

Have you ever needed Jesus to inject faith into your doubt? Are you feeling the heaviness of fear and discouragement today? You see, Thomas is not the only person who ever doubted. Actually, he’s a perfect example of you and I. God realizes how hard it is for us to believe.

Yes, Thomas had a chance to literally see Jesus, but does this mean we will not believe? This is where faith understands that just because we cannot see and touch Christ, does not mean He is not there.

Recently I happened upon an article which highlighted the efforts of three high school students in Texas. It seems that a custodian in their school was still working at 80 years of age because he could not afford to retire.

When the kids learned of this, they went into action and set up a Go Fund Me account for “Mr. James.” In the first 12 hours, they raised $10,000, and by the end of the final week, that figure had climbed to more than $230,000.

Several things came to mind, and I’ll get the negative out of the way first. I have ambivalent feelings about the whole “Go Fund Me” trend. It seems to be the first option of many these days, and generally speaking, it is a bit off-putting. I can hear my friends who know my liberal leanings gasp and shake their heads. So that’s out of the way. Now to the positive.

Two additional aspects struck me as I read this: first, my belief that there are more good people than bad in this world was reaffirmed, and second, never underestimate the power of kids when they are introduced to a cause about which they become passionate. It was that second thought that moved me to recall a part of my teaching career that was so meaningful and rewarding.

In 1988, I was given the opportunity to coordinate a community service learning program for high school students, Grades 9 through 12. The school board approved a mandate that required each student to accrue 120 hours of service over the course of four years. My schedule included teaching three classes of English in the morning, and research-

In Verse 29, we read, “Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: but blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Trusting God is having the ultimate optimistic and positive attitude, as faith is choosing to believe there is a way when there seems to be no way. Trust is paying tithes when we only have a small amount of money in the bank. Faith is resting in the promises that God’s word cannot fail.

Yes, it’s difficult to demonstrate confidence in His infinite power and authority when all we can see is discouragement and hopelessness, but let us remember, not if – but when the Almighty intervenes in your situation, miracles happen and nothing is ever the same. I John 5:4, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

So, how can we have more faith? We must consistently ask God to teach us how to believe. Faith is not only a source of spiritual hope and strength, but Hebrews 11:6

reminds us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that approaches God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

In Acts, Chapter 16, we read that Paul and Silas were being held in a dark and dreary prison, yet they began to praise and worship the Lord. Why? Because joy is not confined to a geographic location, a mood, or a feeling, but is activated when the determination to trust God becomes stronger than the temptation to doubt.

We cannot live in faith and fear at the same time. If we feed our faith, our fears will starve! These men made a choice to perceive reality with the eyes of their spirit instead of being controlled by their emotions and today we have the opportunity to do the same thing. Whatever trial we are facing, we use faith that we developed in the past as mountain-moving faith is not created in one day, but rather with a lifetime of learning. Our natural senses are associated with our emotions, but spiritual

faith declares that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Humans tend to rely on their intelligence, but God wants us to place our confidence in Him. True peace comes from knowing that He is listening and

A FEEL GOOD STORY

ing/providing service opportunities for students during the rest of my day.

Part of my job was to write grants so that the kids had seed money to underwrite any costs associated with the projects. And so I began a phase of my career that would provide amazing insight to what kids can do when given an opportunity to lend hands-on help for those in need.

To write this article is a trip down memory lane, one so delightful and so inspiring that I find myself pausing for the many rekindled emotions that hit me. Let me share with you a small portion of what “my kids” accomplished over the course of the nine years I spent with them in this venue. The best way to do so is to explain some of the many projects they created.

Perhaps the most memorable was our annual Teddy Bear Holiday. I contacted an organization that sheltered mothers and their children from domestic abuse to see if we could secure the names of the children and a Christmas wish list for each. Of course, confidentiality was of primary importance, and first names only were used. Then I called together representatives from each extra-curricular activity: clubs, athletic groups, musical groups, and explained what we hoped to accomplish. Each

group would receive information that included name, gender, and the child’s wish list (limited to two gifts). The representatives were to return to their club or activity to convey this information, including the idea that a teddy bear was to be part of the gifting. This is where the project took on a whole new aspect. Unbeknownst to me, the kids communicated with one another and decided the bears should reflect them and their activity. So bears with a cheerleader’s outfit, a football helmet, or one playing a band instrument – you get the idea – became the order of the day. When all of these came together the day of the assembly, I was flabbergasted! They truly went the extra mile to be sure their bear was “special.”

As the years went on, the bear “outfits” became more elaborate, and my heart became larger. One year, on the day before the assembly, the kids brought all the bears to my classroom, and each occupied a seat. You can imagine the look on the custodian’s face when he came in to clean my room. I could hardly keep from laughing when I told him I was holding class after school.

On the day of the assembly, a representative of the organization came to accept the donations. This assembly was a major school event, and many tears were shed – those of laughter as well as those of compassion. A student representing each group came to the stage to present the gifts AND the bear. Imagine, if you will, a big, muscular football player carrying a helmeted teddy bear onto the stage, and you get a sense of the gathering in the auditorium. When asked to speak the first year, I could only

stand there and weep. Of course, my emotions had been heightened earlier in the day when my husband delivered a sweatshirt with a teddy bear on the back, over which was inscribed “Mama Bear.”

We had other projects equally inspiring. The Senior Citizen’s Prom comes to mind. Every student who signed on to this project knew, short of illness, he/she had to attend the dance. The students planned the entire thing. They solicited local florists for corsages, researched for a band playing Forties music, negotiated with the cafeteria service to provide dinner before the dance, and decorated the gym the afternoon of the Prom.

We always had at least 75 senior citizens attend, and the best part was watching the kids dance with them. Make no mistake, the senior citizens took the opportunity to show the kids their dance steps as well. It was an evening of intergenerational compatibility, and one of the elderly women was heard saying, “This night was worth my school taxes.”

I engaged kids in tutoring elementary students. We also raked leaves on many fall Saturdays for our seniors. And of course, there were those kids who used the program as a tool for career exploration, volunteering at local hospitals and animal facilities. The limits were set only by their own creativity, and each placement site had to be green-lighted by me, so no one was gaining credit for something that didn’t fit the parameters of service.

One of the issues I had to confront was that of disgruntled parents who wanted to challenge the oxymoron of “man-

moving on our behalf.

Thomas Aquinas is quoted as saying, “To the one who has faith, no explanation is necessary, but to the one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

Learn more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com

dated” volunteerism. Ironically, this criticism came from parents of the so-called gifted students. However, I quickly found the answer to this objection by pointing out that colleges looked very favorably upon transcripts that included volunteering.

One student returned during his freshman year of college to tell me that in orientation, they had been told they had to perform 10 hours of service. He started to laugh aloud, and the speaker stopped and asked why that was funny. The boy stood and told him that he had a high school graduation mandate of 120 hours. The presenter then asked the boy to come see him at the end of the orientation. I often told that story to those upset parents, and there was little negative response after that.

You can see why I was drawn to the story of those students in Texas. In the 26 years that I have been retired from teaching, I had little reason to know whether or not such programs still exist in our schools. What I still remember is this: give a group of students the opportunity to volunteer, and they will pick up the challenge and produce results beyond your expectations.

Best of all, what they gain in return does not have a price tag. As one sophomore boy who tutored in an elementary school wrote in his journal after being given a go-away party and a large card signed by all the children, “I never thought so many people would like me at one time.” More tears from me.

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.”

CAROL LUCAS

Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the Voices section are not necessarily the opinions of The Island News

Americans got their carnival

It’s Saturday, and I’m in my dining room contemplating a world without Alex Murdaugh — actually a world without the gavel-to-gavel coverage of the “Murdaugh Family Murders” on Court TV.

Ok, I know it’s not accurate, or Judeo-Christian, to describe what has happened over these past months as anything other than a tragedy. A tragedy for those murdered. A tragedy for those who loved those who were murdered. A tragedy for others pulled into the vortex.

There is no silver lining here. But I suppose all of us were pulled away from our humdrum lives and became a part of the trial in Walterboro — a neighboring town normally of little interest to those of us in Beaufort County. Because the trial was covered by cameras in the courtroom, we didn’t have to rely on newspaper cover-

SCOTT GRABER

age or a condensed, 30-second feed from Lester Holt. We didn’t have to stand in line in hopes of getting an uncomfortable pew in the courtroom.

We would, some of us anyway, grab a glass of pinot and a hastily assembled BLT (heavy on the mayo) and sit in our battered Barcaloungers watching the lawyers do their work.

But it was slow going.

It was slow going because the state had to get their evidence into evidence. There were long stretches of time when a SLED agent testified about where he found a shell casing. And

how he put that casing into a plastic baggie. How he memorialized where that casing was found. How he signed the baggie and gave it to a second agent who put it on shelf somewhere in Columbia.

This kind of testimony — which was absolutely necessary — was not at all interesting and meant that Court TV would break away from the courtroom to a panel of lawyers who would comment on what was happening.

These lawyers were often critical of the dull, time-consuming, procedural mechanics that were characteristic of those first weeks. They wanted more drama. And so Court TV got personal, anecdotal drama from these well-tailored, desk-bound lawyers who were constantly second-guessing the unsmiling, largely colorless agents who were laying down the state’s case brick by boring brick.

The former prosecutors; and criminal defense “experts” were quick to make predictions (“hung jury”); to comment on the cross examination (too long); and suggest the strategy that they would have used if given the opportunity.

As the trial moved forward, the Court TV folks would focus on whether Murdaugh was actually crying — were there actual tears? Were the jurors crying? Where was this line of question going? Where was the “gotcha” moment? Are these the best litigators the Attorney General can provide?

All the while the Court TV would endlessly play the call that Alex Murdaugh made to EMS; and constantly remind us that he (or someone) murdered his wife and child; and, just in case you didn’t know, Alex Murdaugh comes from a 100-year-old dynasty that more or less ruled the lower

part of South Carolina.

The coverage routine was to give us maybe 10 minutes of trial, then break away for commercials that focused on burial insurance. These commercials usually featured an oldster telling her son, “I don’t want to burden you with my funeral bills when I die.”

“Oh mama,” the boy would reply, “you’re not going anywhere …”

These little vignettes might have been effective once or twice; but by the 10th showing, I was screaming, “For God’s sake let her die!”

At night, when the trial was over for the day, Court TV would take their cameras to Fat Jack’s and interview diners. In one episode they impanelled a six-person, all female “jury” and asked that they render their verdict based on what they had seen that day.

Guilty!

All of this reminds me

of the cave explorer, Floyd Collins, who got himself stuck in a cave in Western Kentucky.

Collins got stuck in 1925 but it was possible for him to speak to a reporter — a local journalist who would interview Collins as rescuers tried to reach him by way of another shaft.

While this was going on hundreds of thousands of spectators descended on a small town where they had to be housed, fed and entertained. An amusement park was quickly assembled for these people and while Collins slowly died, thousands drank, sang, and rode bumper cars and Ferris wheels above ground. OK, not a perfect metaphor, but America did have its media frenzy; its food trucks; its carnival.

Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com

Clear eyes, full hearts no longer enough

At a point in my life where I am reassessing everything, football has found its way into my sights.

One of the first questions I was asked after moving to Alabama in 2004 was, “Who you pulling for?” with the assumption I would pick between rivals Alabama and Auburn. Answering “Clemson” typically earned me a scoffing “psssht” and dismissal. An employee at a Subway shop waved me off once, saying, “Oh, we beat y’all already.”

This was in the days before head coach Dabo Swinney made the Clemson Tigers football team a powerhouse that regularly factors into discussions about conference and national championships. I would love to run into the Alabama fan who, when I asked which team he thought they preferred to play in the championship, answered patronizingly, “We don’t care” (pronounced ‘kay-er’!”).

He might “kay-er” now since Clemson has laid two whippings on his beloved Tide, but I digress.

I grew up playing football. Backyard, Little League, Pop Warner, junior high and then high school. I fell in love with the Pittsburgh Steelers because they wore black and gold (same as our high school) and because they had a quarterback named Terry. Some of the earliest books I got from the Bookmobile and Scholastic Book Club were biographies of football players, including O.J. Simpson before his fall from grace.

I had a dream before my senior year that I would hurt my leg playing and told my parents I wanted to quit. They insisted I finish out a career I – and they – had put so much effort into already. Plus, we were favored to win the state after

losing in the title game the year before.

Around the middle of the season, I broke my ankle. Injuries to other players made us the first team from my hometown to lose a home game in the opening round of the playoffs. There wouldn’t be another to do that for 40 years.

My ankle injury scuttled a potential scholarship offer from Furman, but I didn’t want to play anyway. I was tired of the work it took every offseason to get in shape only to spend four months getting yelled at by coaches and beat up by guys bigger and stronger than I was.

When I worked in Florida, I had to suffer watching the Dolphins and Saints every Sunday before better teams played in the afternoon and evening games. Monday night games were still a treat then, including the halftime showcase of results and highlights from the weekend’s action. Football still felt like something special.

And then … it seemed like there was football on TV every other

night: high school, small-college, big-college, NFL, European, USFL, XFL, Arena, a 24-hour network. Tuesday night, Thursday night, Friday night, games all day Saturday, all day Sunday. The Monday night game turned into an afterthought. Between all those games, the airwaves were filled with people talking about the game and its players, their heroics, misdeeds and high salaries.

College football feels like little more than a feeder system for the professional level, with players sitting out bowl games to protect their draft stock. High school players dance and preen after touchdowns like their favorite pros or their favorite musicians.

Add in the misguided reaction to Colin Kaepernick; the league’s obfuscation of information on the damage repeated hits have on players’ brains; the owners’ collusion to take control of star players; the league’s insistence on aligning itself with performative patriotism to appeal to conservative fans.

It’s a lot, but maybe the clincher came just last week.

I met with some high school classmates over dinner, and as we were leaving, we ran into an old teammate who graduated a year before us. I turned to our all-star quarterback and said, “With him, you now have a guard (me), a tackle and one tight end. You’re halfway to having your old line back.”

He laughed and said, “And none of us can do a damn thing now.” We laughed and left the restaurant. As I backed my car out, I saw the old tackle slowly making his way to his pickup truck. “Good Lord,” I asked myself, “is that how I walk?” But I knew the answer. There are lessons to be learned playing football about sportsmanship, being a team player and rallying behind a common cause. There is also a heavy price paid in terms of the game’s physicality. Maybe football is a childhood crush I’m outgrowing. Wouldn’t be the first, and won’t be the last.

Terry E. Manning is a Clemson graduate and worked for 20 years as a journalist. He can be reached at teemanning@gmail.com

So what about governmental regulations?

Over the years, I’ve thought a lot about the pros and cons of established and establishing regulations within our American society. As the world becomes ever more crowded and complicated, our rules and regulations grow and become more complicated as well.

Generally, rules and regulations are a human necessity in order to have, run and keep a civil society; I’m pretty sure we can all agree on that. Unless some folks actually desire anarchy, survival of the fittest, natural selection, or every man for himself.

I’ll admit there are times when I myself reflect longingly with the notion of “survival of the fittest” but that’s only because I know that the Donald J.s of the world wouldn’t be around long, causing so much trouble. But certainly not wanting that kind of life after watching an episode of “The Last of Us.”

I sometimes feel a little guilty because I actually like sensible rules and regulations. They help make living safe and comfortable.

It’s the balance of rules and regulations that’s hard to figure out, right?

Regulations were created

to help make us save, protect our civil rights, and to limit corruption within our republic. Not surprisingly, it is our want-to-be autocrats, greedy plutocrats, and self-interested capitalists pursuing their own well-being and disregarding sociopolitical pressure that are the usual suspects leading deregulation campaigns.

Why? Because rules and regulations cost time and money, and corporations like Norfolk Southern Railroad would rather hire lobbyists and operatives promoting deregulation than hire and train more blue-collar workers, or investing in newer, safety technologies.

Yes, it will be of great interest learning what actually comes to light as the investigations into the Norfolk Southern Railroad derailment in Palestine, Ohio proceed: Just the facts please, no rhetoric.

If people have any sense,

the old proverb still holds true: Follow the money, as always. This path usually leads you to the underlying problems in our world today, … power, greed, corruption – the brotherhood of money’s seduction.

I am not a person that enjoys the frivolous evolution of regulated laws. Thousands of rules and regulations have been established through the FDA since 1906. Sometime in the 80s, audio warnings for prescription drugs were established for TV and radio. This was a no-brainer; it was a necessary protection for the consumer, although changes in presentation today make no sense to me. One can listen to horrendous side effects with the advertised drug (sometimes taking longer than the actual enticement), or you listen to the fast talkers that run through the side effects at 800 mph without understanding more than four words. This latter technique is, of course, to save the big pharma company money on their expensive advertising time while satisfying the law. But how does that help me, the consumer? So yes, the evolution of that regulation has made that particular regulation impotent, so I

think it’s silly and a waste of time, though it does provide jobs for a handful of professional fast talkers.

So, like any modern government, regulations must be studied and amended according to the evolution of our societies, constantly changing to help make safe the new discoveries along with their new dangers.

Think about freight trains today and how they compare to steam locomotives from the 1800s. Think about the dependence we now have on extremely dangerous chemicals such as vinyl chloride needed to make PVC piping, all servicing the U.S. with a population of about 333 million people. Take a minute and Google a time lapse of air traffic around the world at any

given time. Could anyone possibly say we need to deregulate the airline industry? One average cruise ship generates about 15 gallons of toxic chemicals each day and 7,000 gallons of oily bilge water are released into the oceans every time the ship empties its bilge tanks, (and that’s often, ask any boat owner). So are you thinking that we need less regulation for ship cruise companies?

But think most about the politicians that advocate deregulation and want to neuter oversight institutions like the EPA, FDA or the Federal Trade Commission. Are those politicians serving you? Do they have your back? I don’t think so, and I refuse to advance their agendas with my sup-

port and vote.

I actually want more regulations that help with the control of, say, the advent of electric bikes and scooters, disassembling abandoned oil rigs in the Gulf, eliminating graft in campaign financing, making media outlets and social media giants accountable for spreading lies and “alternative (Kellyanne Conway) facts” that actually hurt our society. Making railways safe enough to where we never have another derailment that may be much, much worse than what Palestine, Ohio had to experience.

This stuff is here and now, we can only anticipate what’s in our future, but I can assure you of one fact: Life will not become less complicated. But it will become less safe without proper and sensible rules and regulations, whether they come from our state governments or our federal government.

Tim and Kristy Wood moved to Beaufort in 1974. He worked as a carpenter in both restoration and new home construction, as well as operating a shop specializing in custom woodwork, Wood on Wood Specs. He is semiretired, involved with fine woodworking and formerly sat on the City of Beaufort Zoning Board of Appeals.

TERRY MANNING

Not surprisingly, it is our wantto-be autocrats, greedy plutocrats, and self-interested capitalists pursuing their own well-being and disregarding sociopolitical pressure that are the usual suspects leading deregulation campaigns.

Traveling Through Time Worship in the Early Church

About the year 150, Justin wrote to the Roman Emperor. Justin Martyr was a renowned Christian author and teacher in the second century. Seeking to end the Roman Empire’s persecution of Christians, Justin wrote an open letter to the emperor explaining and defending the Christian faith. Although he was eventually beheaded for refusing to renounce Jesus, Justin’s letter allows us to travel back in time and see a fascinating glimpse of Christianity in its early years.

Justin describes the Christian worship and practices of his day. He writes that they gather together every Sunday, for “Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on the same day.” There are readings from “the memoirs of the Apostles and the Prophets.” The leader verbally instructs those present, “exhorting the imitation of these good things.” Then bread and wine are brought forward, and the leader prays over them at considerable length, using the words of Jesus at the Last Supper. The bread and wine are then given to the people to receive. Afterward, deacons take a portion of this bread to those who are too sick to come to the worship.

Justin explains, “This food is called among us the Eucharist.”

Not everyone is allowed to receive the Eucharist, he explains, but only those who share their beliefs, have been baptized, and are living a holy life. This is because they do not receive the bread and wine “as common bread and common drink,” but rather they have been taught that when this food is “blessed by the prayer of his word,” it “is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.”

The worship Justin describes is very familiar to Catholics. Each Sunday, Catholics around the world experience what Justin outlined. After we are nourished by God’s word in Scripture and preaching, we are nourished by Jesus himself in the Eucharist. Like the Christians of Justin’s day, we believe that Jesus works a miracle and becomes truly present in Holy Communion. He nourishes us spiritually and allows us to be united with him, body and soul.

Justin is one of many authors known as the “Early Church Fathers.”

Many were taught by the apostles themselves, or by someone who learned directly from an apostle. As one read their works from the first and second centuries, one recognizes beliefs and practices that are still associated with the Catholic Church today. This shows that the Catholic faith was not invented sometime along the way, but stretches all the way back to the first generations of Christians. The Eucharist, for example, is reflected in John 6 and other writings of the New Testament, and can be traced clearly through each century of Christian history.

Our Catholic faith unites us with the people of Justin’s time. In the previous message, we explored how the Catholic Church is a worldwide family of faith. Catholics can travel anywhere in the world and, even if we don’t understand the language, we can feel completely at home. Similarly, if we had an opportunity to travel back in time and join Justin’s congregation for a day, we would feel completely at home. It would be the same worship, the same Eucharist, and they would be our brothers and sisters. Jesus unites us as one beautiful family of faith, stretching across the centuries.

One can read Justin’s letter by searching online for “The Apology of Justin Martyr.” (“Apology” here means “explanation.”) He describes Sunday worship in paragraphs 65-67.

The Church Today Message 4 of 8

Goose Creek’s Ethan Riggs can’t get the ball in time as Beaufort’s Jadyn Andrews slides safely into second base during the bottom of the second inning Tuesday, March 7, at Beaufort High School. The Eagles went on to win their opening game against the Gators, 19-4. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Eagles stay hot going into region

LowcoSports.com

With region play beginning Tuesday against Philip Simmons, one of the other top contenders in Region 8-3A, Beaufort High’s baseball team tuned up with a home-and-home sweep of Goose Creek last week, winning 19-4 at home Tuesday and 5-2 on the road Thursday.

The top of the order carried the Eagles’ offense in Tuesday’s outburst, as leadoff man Jadyn Andrews was 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs, and three RBIs, and the next three hitters delivered two hits and at least one RBI each. Logan Brutcher went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, Zach Talbert went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and scored three times, and Hudson Mullen was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Chase McKelvey, Carter Womack, and Talbert combined for 10 strikeouts and limited the Gators to three hits in the rematch. Womack earned the win with four innings of scoreless relief, striking out four and allowing two hits and one walk, and Talbert struck out two and worked around two walks in the seventh to nail down the save.

Andrews, Brutcher, and Malcom Webb each had a hit and an RBI for Beaufort.

The Eagles (4-1-1) had won four straight heading into Tuesday’s region opener at home against Philip Simmons. They’ll be back home Wednesday against West Ashley before traveling to Philip Simmons on Friday.

Beaufort 19, Goose Creek 4

WP: Malcolm Webb 3IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER, 4BB, 4K

BFT (3-1-1): Jadyn Andrews 2-3, 2R, 3 RBIs; Logan Brutcher 2-4, 2R, RBI; Zack Talbert 2-4, 3R, 2 RBIs; Hudson Mullen 2-4, 2 RBIs

Beaufort 5, Goose Creek 2

WP: Carter Womack 4IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 4K

BFT (4-1-1): Jadyn Andrews 1-3, RBI; Logan

Brutcher 1-2, R, RBI; Malcolm Webb 1-3, RBI

Beaufort tops rivals at Eagles Pointe

LowcoSports.com

Beaufort High’s boys golf team carded a nine-hole team score of 164 to edge May River by 11 shots and win a five-team match between Beaufort County rivals at Eagles Pointe on Tuesday, March 7.

Jerry Bruns and Jack Lubkin each shot 39 to tie for third and lead the Eagles, with Simon McAlister fifth with a 40 and Cooper Davis and James Denton carding

SEE RIVALS PAGE B2

Beaufort High School’s standout tennis player Graeme Angus, center, was awarded his 2022 State Champion ring by Beaufort Athletic Director Linc Lyes during a brief ceremony Wednesday afternoon with his teammates, family and supporters in attendance. At left is head coach Dave Riedmyer. Angus won the 2022 Singles State Tournament in Class 4A/5A while an 8th grader at Beaufort Middle School. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Beaufort’s Angus collects his reward

From staff reports

As an 8th-grader at Beaufort Middle School last year, Graeme Angus claimed a state title for Beaufort High School before he even enrolled, winning five consecutive matches in straight sets to win the SCHSL Class 5A/4A state singles championship.

Wednesday afternoon, March 9, Angus was rewarded with his state championship ring in a brief ceremony before the Eagles took on Summerville. Beaufort Athletic Director Linc Lyes gave him the ring while his coach, teammates, family and friends looked on.

Before winning the title last year, Angus had earned All-State honors as a seventh-grader when he won three straight matches in the back draw in the tournament.

Then last year, he dispatched the players who troubled him the year before, went 23-1 and earnedcRegion 7-4A and Class 4A Player of the Year honors. And he’s only a freshman.

On Wednesday, Angus continued his winning ways, downing Summerville’s Sam DiMuzio, 6-1, 6-1. But the Eagles (0-1) fell to the Green Wave, 4-2. Diego Alvarez earned Beaufort’s other win, 6-2, 6-2, over Edward Naval.

Beaufort High School’s Graeme Angus returns the ball to Summerville’s Sam DiMuzio during no. 1 singles play

Wednesday, March 9, at BHS. Angus won in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. The Eagles, as a team, lost to Summerville, 4-2. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

TRACK ROUNDUP

Beaufort, Creek track stars claim gold

LowcoSports.com

Two Beaufort High track and field stars claimed gold at the prestigious Zaxby’s Azalea Invitational at Summerville on Saturday, and two Battery Creek athletes won events at the Shark Invitational at May River.

Anaiya Houseal won the high jump (5-2), while Acionna Lowe was named the field events MVP of the meet with second-place finishes in the shot put (32-6) and discus (105-4.5) and Charlize Antia finished second in the 1,600 meters (5:21.33) and third in the 800 (2:27.14) to help lead the Eagles to a fifth-place showing with 52 points.

Beaufort’s boys finished ninth with 32 points, led by Gavin Moore’s gold in the 3,200 meters, as his winning time of 9:55.78 edged Whale Branch’s Jesse Richardson by less than half a second.

At May River, Battery Creek’s Tanner McCracken continued his outstanding start to the season with two golds, winning the discus (144-0) and javelin (124-0) and placing third in the shot (4111). Jahmiel Reid also won gold for the Dolphins, taking the high jump with a mark of 6 feet. Kiara

Beaufort’s Keasia Walker and Lakecia Whittingly exchange the baton while running the four x100 meter relay Wedensday, March 8, at Beaufort High School. The pair, along with Takayle Wright and Kalia Jenkins, won the heat with a time of 54.3 seconds. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Wilson led Battery Creek’s girls with runner-up finishes in the triple jump (31-11.5) and javelin (934), and Holy Trinity’s Bryant Salley also made the podium twice, finishing second in the 400 hurdles (1:18.18) and third in the 100 hurdles (19.36).

ZAXBY’S AZALEA INVITATIONAL

144-0; Javelin, 124-0)

2nd: Alex Vega, BCHS (PV, 8-6)

3rd: Devin Broaddus, BCHS (Discus, 126-7); Renardo Frazier, BCHS (Javelin, 108-0); Tanner McCracken, BCHS (Shot, 41-11)

Girls

2nd: Bryant Salley, HTCCS (400H, 1:18.18); Kiara Wilson, BCHS (TJ, 31-11.5; Javelin, 93-4); Audrey Jefferson, BCHS (Shot, 29-7)

3rd: Bryant Salley, HTCCS (100H, 19.36)

Timely Technicians

Rast, Johnson pitch Beaufort past rivals

From staff reports High school softball teams typically can only go as far as their starting pitcher can carry them, and Beaufort High has a good one in Kylie Rast — but her understudy has some potential too.

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Rast struck out 12 and hit a tie-breaking home run to lead the Eagles to a 9-5 home win over a Bluffton team loaded with next-level talent, and Adalyn Johnson threw a three-inning perfect game and homered in a 15-0 rout of Hilton Head Island High to cap a perfect week for Beaufort.

Rast went the distance against the Bobcats, surrendering five runs (four earned) and six hits to a lineup with three senior who have signed to keep playing in college, and she also went 2-for-3 and scored three runs, smashing a goahead home run in the sixth inning. Johnson also had a big game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs, and Caylin Adkins was 3-for-4 with a double and drove in a run.

It was all Eagles on Friday night, as Johnson struck

Beaufort third baseman Adalyn Johnson scoops up the ball and makes the play in time to make the out at first base and end the top of the third inning against Stratford High School on Monday, March 6, at Beaufort High School. The Lady Eagles, however, made six errors and lost to the Lady Knights, 9-3. Bob Sofaly/ The Island News

out three of the nine Seahawks she faced, retiring all of them, and Beaufort’s bats ended it early. Rast was 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, Johnson was 2-for3 with a homer and scored three times, and Adkins, Reese Brozek, and Madisyn Miller each added run-scoring hits.

The Eagles (4-3) were slated to open region play at home Tuesday against Philip Simmons before traveling

to the Iron Horses for the rematch Friday.

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP

BASEBALL

May River 19, Battery Creek 0

WP: Tysen Brasington 3IP, 1H, 0R, 4BB, 6K MR (5-0): Brasington

2B, 2R, RBI; Logan Cotter 1-3, 2R, RBI, (2.2IP, 2H, 1R, 0ER, 0BB, 4K); Caleb Snyder 2-4, 2 3B, R, RBI May River 15, Battery Creek 3

MRHS (6-0): Max van Esselstyn 3IP, 4H, 3R, 2ER, 1BB, 5K (WP); Aaron Guthrie

3-3, 2R, RBI; Tysen Brasington 2-2, 3R, RBI; Trace Mischik 2-3, 2RBI; Davis Rose

2-2, 2 2B, 2R; Gustavo Gomez Jr. 2-2, 2R

BCHS (3-3): Hunter Smith 1-2, RBI; Jacob Regina 1-2, RBI SOFTBALL

Bridges Prep 26, Whale Branch 16

BP (2-0): Riley Cowan 4IP, 1H, 2R, 0ER, 2BB, 11K (WP), 2-4, 2B, 3R, 2RBI; Baylee Stevenson 2-2, 2B, 3R, RBI; Kristin Ketola 1-1, 4R, 2RBI; Mallorie Brown 1-1, HR, 4BB, 4R, 4RBI; Grace Smyth 2-2, 4R, RBI WB (0-2): Ivyanna Washington 1-4, R, 2RBI; Yana Jones 1-2, 2R, 2RBI; Kimiyah Roseman 0-0, 4BB, 4R; Sylise Edwards 1-2, 2R, RBI

Battery Creek 15, HHIHS 14 BCHS (3-4): Haley Maroney 2-5, 3B, 3R, 2RBI; Caitlyn Bentley 2-5, 2B, 3R, RBI; Brooke Crosby 2-5, 2B, 2R, 2RBI; A.Thomas 2-5, RBI; Rhiannon Tate 2-4, 2RBI HHIHS (1-4): Kiaya Lewis 3-5, 3B, 3R, RBI; Delcie Swift 3-5, 2B, R, 3RBI; Lynda Young 2-5, 3B, 3RBI; Shaina Lugo 3-3, 2B, R, RBI; Ca’lia Baker 2-4, 2R, RBI John Paul II 12, HHIHS

WP: Tevi Mullen 6IP, 9H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 5K

JPII (1-0): Shelby Pinski 3-4, 2R, 2RBI; Tevi Mullen 2-2, 3RBI; M.Zeroll 2-4, RBI; Caylin Gecy 3-4, 3R; Lauren Majorkiewicz 1-3, BB, 3R; Rachael Brenneman 1-2, BB, R, 2RBI; Cayce Graves 1-2, 2B, 2BB

Rivals from page B1

Beaufort Academy’s Everett Nason returns the ball to Hilton Head Christian’s Harrison Arnholt during their No. 1 singles match Monday afternoon, March 6, at Beaufort Academy. Arnholt beat Nason, 6-0, 1-1. HHCA beat BA, 0-8. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

GIRLS SOCCER

Pinewood Prep 10, Beaufort 0

BFT (1-2)

Battery Creek 2, New Hampstead 0

BCHS (7-0): Sophia Felix 2G

John Paul II 10, Whale Branch 0

JPII (3-0): Hollis Melnick 2G/3A;

Paige Weniger 2G; Evelyn Melnick 2G; Savannah Trott 2G; Brady Mahoney

1G/1A; Ayla Reynolds 1G/1A; TrinityGrace

Maxwell 4sv

Beaufort Academy 4, Colleton Prep 2

Holy Trinity 4, Patrick Henry 0

HT (1-0); PHA (2-2)

Beaufort Academy 1, Battery Creek 1

BA (2-0-1); BCHS (7-0-1)

JPII 2, Coastal Homeschool 2

JPII (3-0-1): Hollis Melnick 2G;

Brady Mahoney 1A; Abby Brock 1A;

TrinityGrace Maxwell 8sv

BOYS SOCCER

May River 4, Beaufort 3

MRHS (3-4): Alonzo Peña 2G, Carter

Lawson 1G, Joshua Elam 1A

BFT (1-1): Guerin Willis 1G, Eduardo Loza

1G, Sam Trask 1G

Branchville 2, Whale Branch 1

WB (1-5)

Bluffton 3, John Paul II 2

BLUF (3-1): Dorian Funez 2G, Ryan

Orford 1G

JPII (2-1): Brennan McDermott 1G, Anthony Hill 1G

Royal Live Oaks 3, Bridges Prep 2

RLO (1-1); BP (3-1-1)

Beaufort Academy 9, Colleton Prep 3

BA (4-3-1); CPA (0-4) Bridges Prep 6, Branchville 0

BP (4-0-1): Goals – Clay Sanders (2), Austin Lesesne, River Hock, Pablo

Astorqui, Gary Hansen; GK Darick Fisher

SHO (1 sv)

John Paul II 7, Coastal Homeschool 2

JPII (3-1)

GIRLS LACROSSE

Philip Simmons 21, Beaufort 3

BFT (2-3, 0-2): Megan Alvarez 1G/1A; Sophia Pellegrino 1G; Lillian Carr 1G James Island 14, Beaufort 7

BFT (2-4): Liz Livesay 3G; Sophia Pellegrino 2G; Lillian Carr 1G; Amiah Ramirez 1G

BOYS LACROSSE

Beaufort 18, Aiken 8

BFT (1-4)

Beaufort 16, Islands 3

BFT (2-4)

EDUCATION

Holy Trinity’s O’Neal named a Duckenfield Scholar at Clemson

From staff reports Caroline O’Neal, a 2020 graduate of Beaufort’s Holy Trinity Classical Christian School (HTCCS), has been named a Duckenfield Scholar at Clemson University.

The Duckenfield Scholars Program is designed to identify and enable one or two members of Clemson’s Honors College, who demonstrate extraordinary talent, motivation, commitment, and ability to attend St. Peter’s Summer School at Magdalen College, Oxford University, each summer. The fiveweek summer school program immerses students in an unparalleled

From staff reports

and challenging educational experience provided by Oxford professors from St. Peter’s College in one of three areas: Environmental Studies, English, and Medieval Studies.

In a recent letter to Holy Trinity Guidance Counselor Tara Gaillard, O’Neal wrote, “I will be studying prison literature through firsthand accounts of incarceration including the works of Boethius (a revisit of Consolation of Philosophy from Humane Letters!), John Bunyan, Nelson Mandela, and more modern authors.”

“It is a joy to celebrate Caroline’s latest accomplishments. Her

love of learning and work ethic are beautiful to see,” said Head Dean of the Upper School Josiah Tobin, who taught O’Neal during her years at Holy Trinity. “We are incredibly proud of Caroline and pray that she will continue to share the love of God in all the places that she will go!” While at Holy Trinity, O’Neal served as editor-in-chief of the yearbook for four years, was chapter president for the Mu Alpha The-

ta National Math Honor Society, was a National Merit Scholar, and graduated Summa Cum Laude.

O’Neal entered Clemson’s Honors College in 2020 and has continued to build her academic excellence and leadership skills.

Last year, Caroline was selected as a 2022 Clemson Dixon Global Policy Scholar and engaged in an intensive Maymester experience in France. This year, in addition to being named a Duckenfield Scholar, Caroline was elected to Student Government and serves in the Legislative Branch as a member of the Infrastructure and

HCF names 2023 scholars

Eleven outstanding Beaufort County seniors have been named Heritage Classic Foundation (HCF) Scholars for the 2022-2023 school year. The students come from seven different high schools and one is home-schooled.

Seniors in all Beaufort and Jasper County high schools were eligible to apply and applications were reviewed on the basis of academic success, community service, essays written by the student and financial need. Thirteen finalists were interviewed by the Scholar Committee, the two not selected were awarded a one-time $2,500 grant.

Six of the newly named Scholars will receive a $16,000 scholarship over the next four years. Four additional awards carry a $20,000 opportunity. Two of the latter scholarships honor Scholar Committee chairmen who have passed, John Zimmerman and Mike Malanick.

One honors the late Scholar Committee member Charlie Brown, and the Tartan Club Award recognizes the donations made by the Tartan Club. Created by the Heritage Classic Foundation, the Tartan Club is a group made up of individuals throughout the community who share a desire to help others through the awarding of scholar grants for area students.

The Kirby Scholarship, a oneyear $4,000 scholar award, was created in memoriam of past Scholar Committee chairman Ward Kirby and will be granted every year moving forward. Two additional students will receive a one-year $2,500 award.

Next fall, a total of 41 Beaufort County collegians will be attending school and will have received Foundation grants at an expenditure of $200,000. A grand total of $5M will have been awarded to 375 students after the 2023 distribution.

In addition to these eleven scholarships, the Foundation is funding four $2,500 annual scholarships to the University of South Carolina Beaufort and two $1,500 annual scholarships to the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

The Heritage Classic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts a PGA Tour event as a primary fundraising effort. For more information, call 843-671-

2448, visit heritageclassicfoundation.com or find us on Facebook (Heritage Classic Foundation) and Twitter (@HCFGolf).

The 2023 Heritage Classic Foundation Scholars Megan Alvarez, Beaufort High School – Charlie Brown Award Winner Alvarez is a varsity cheerleader and lacrosse player and also volunteers at clinics for both sports. She reads to isolated senior citizens and is a Key Club leader, raising funds for CAPA. She also promotes sustainability by selling thrifted clothing. She is an aspiring physician and plans to study Biochemistry/ Biology.

Levi Bates, Home-schooled Bates lives in Bluffton, where he teaches chess to other homeschooled youth and is a youth soccer referee. He is a member of the Boy Scouts and Junior Toastmasters. For ten years, he traveled extensively around the world with his missionary family and wants to make the world a better place by studying computer science and philosophy.

Ella Gordon, Battery Creek High School Gordon is a member of many service clubs, including the National Honor Society and Interact Club. She created the Riverview Mentorship program to support social-emotional learning among youth. She plans on studying molecular biology and pursue a career improving treatment for those with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Cynthia Gudaitis, Hilton Head Island High School –John Zimmerman Award

Gudaitis is No. 1 in her class and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate and a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. She is also a track and cross country standout, holding the school record for the 3,200 meters and earning all-state and all-south honors. She is head coach of the St. Francis Middle School girls cross country team, leading them to their first ever district championship. She plays piano and volunteers with Volunteers in Medicine.

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Beaufort’s Aivaz on Ole Miss’ Fall 2022 Chancellor’s Honor Roll

Madison Aivaz, of Beaufort, was named to the University of Mississippi’s Fall 2022 Honor Roll lists.

Aivaz was named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00.

“The remarkable students achieving Chancellor’s Honor Roll are among the best and brightest at the University of Mississippi,” said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. “I commend them for their hard work and dedication resulting in their outstanding academic achievements and this well-deserved recognition.”

In order to be eligible for honor

roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the state’s flagship university and has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business.

Beaufort’s Field on Ole Miss’ Fall 2022

Dean’s Honor Roll

Anna Field, of Beaufort, was named to the University of Mississippi’s Fall 2022 Honor Roll lists.

Field was named to the Dean’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-3.74.

In order to be eligible for honor

Laurel Hawkins, Hilton Head Island High School – Ward Kirby Award Winner Hawkins is president of several clubs and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program candidate as well as an AP Scholar with Honor. She volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club and is president of Model UN. She taught children to ride horses at Driftwood Stables and is captain of her IEA riding team, earning a varsity letter in Equestrian Sport.

Kellen Kubec, Heritage Academy Kubec is co-captain of Academic World Quest and founded the school’s chess club. He tutors younger students in math and helps his grandmother with chores. He is a member of the Hilton Head Island Crew team and is interested in studying economics and mathematics.

Benjamin Lewis, Hilton Head Island High School Lewis is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate and a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. He is the VP of the Interact Club and has helped with campus clean-ups and organized a Christmas coat drive. He is an after school math tutor, helping struggling classmates. He plans to study business in college.

Susan “Elizabeth” Livesay, Beaufort High School Livesay organizes quarterly blood drives as president of Health Occupations Students of America. She is a member of the varsity tennis and lacrosse teams and is National Merit Semifinalist. She volunteers as a Sunday School teacher

roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

Beaufort’s Mazzeo named to Tufts dean’s list

Thomas Mazzeo of Beaufort was named to the dean’s list at Tufts University for the Fall 2022 semester. Dean’s list honors at Tufts University require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater.

Tufts University, located on campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville, and Grafton, Mass., and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of

Operations Committee.

O’Neal is currently a junior majoring in Political Science and hopes to go on to law school and perhaps serve in public office. She is the daughter of Keith and Mary Ellen O’Neal of Beaufort.

Founded in 2012, Holy Trinity Classical Christian School provides students with a distinctly Christian and classical education in Beaufort. HTCCS serves more than 370 students in preschool through high school. For more information about the academic excellence offered at Holy Trinity, please see www.htccs.org

Fripp Island

Women’s Club gives Conroy Scholarship to 3 TCL students

From staff reports

In partnership with the nonprofit Conroy Center, the Fripp Island Women’s Club has awarded its annual The Water Is Wide/Pat Conroy Scholarship to three students from the Technical College of the Lowcountry –Tiffany Willis, Roslyn Todd, and Ashley Norwood.

at her church and hopes to attend medical school to specialize in pediatrics.

Samantha Reilly, John Paul II Catholic School

Reilly has been a house captain since the 10th grade. She is captain of the state semifinalist varsity tennis team and captain of the varsity softball team. She acts in school plays and is on the robotics team. The U.S. Naval Academy selected her to attend a summer STEM program. She also volunteers at the Sandbox Children’s Museum where she works on STEM projects. She plans to study Aerospace Engineering.

Benjamin Steen, Beaufort Academy – Mike Malanick Award Winner Steen is captain of the debate team and writes for the school newspaper. He volunteers at Help of Beaufort unloading and organizing canned goods and clothing. He also focuses much of his volunteer work each December on the Toys for Tots program. He plans to study journalism at Furman University.

Emma “Hayes” Wilkinson, Hilton Head Preparatory School – Tartan Club Award Winner Wilkinson has performed in eight theater productions at Main Street Youth Theater and Hilton Head Prep as a high school student. She is a member of the Honor Council and Captain of the varsity volleyball team. She is chapter VP of Zonta International which raises funds for local nonprofits. Her goal is to study Psychology and become a Forensic Psychologist.

students as leaders in a wide range of professions.

Be A Youth Planner

The Beaufort Youth Conference

– For Teens By Teens is calling all Beaufort County students, musicians, rappers, artists, athletes, singers, dancers, Tik-Tok-ers and entertainers to come to Technical College of the Lowcountry’s Building 12 from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 25 and Be A Youth Planner to plan this year’s Youth Conference event.

Those in attendance will have a chance to win Jordan Air 6s and airpods. For more information, call Carrie Major at 843-812-4399, Lynn Singleton at 843-476-1888 or Janie Brown at 843-592-0013.

– From staff reports

The scholarship was created in memory of author Pat Conroy (1945–2016), who made his home on Fripp Island for many years. One of his earliest books, The Water Is Wide, captured his passion for education as a teacher on Daufauskie Island. Conroy believed in equality for everyone and was a strong advocate of the importance of education and lifelong learning, as a teacher and throughout his writing life.

In keeping with Conroy’s legacy, this scholarship is intended for any older adult who may not have had the opportunity to continue their education. The scholarship is sponsored by the Fripp Island Women’s Club and coordinated through the Conroy Center.

The scholarship recipients will also be recognized at a luncheon hosted by the Fripp Island Women’s Club later this Spring.

About the Scholarship Winners

Roslyn Todd Todd currently works as a Medical Assistant and is pursuing her degree in Applied Sciences at TCL. Her recommendation stated that, “she is punctual, hardworking, intelligent and has excellent people skills. She will continue to be an asset to the healthcare needs of our community as she pursues her education.”

Tiffany Willis Willis is pursuing her certification from TCL’s Applied Science of Nail Technology. In her instructor’s recommendation, Tiffany was praised as “a working mother of a small child, she attends TCL four nights a week and she will be an asset to the salon industry upon completing her certification.”

Ashley Norwood Norwood, a mother of three, is currently working as a Kindergarten aide. She is returning to seek a degree in General Technology/Associate Degree in Applied Sciences. Her recommendation said that, as “the lead Kindergarten teacher in the classroom Ashley works, Ashley is constantly demonstrating a love of learning and has the commitment to succeed.”

Caroline O’Neal

The 2023 class of Heritage Classic Foundation Scholars. Submitted photo.

ARTS

Printmaking Workshop: Linocuts

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 18, Morris Center For Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 S Jacob Smart Blvd, Ridgeland. Ages 16 and up. $31.50 for Heritage Members, $35 for all others. Create cutting edge art! This hands-on workshop will introduce you to the art of linocut printmaking which involves carving into linoleum plates and then printing with ink and paper. Artist and educator Ian Welch will guide you through every step. Purchases are non-refundable. Register at https://www.morrisheritagecenter. org/event-5155744.

Fractals: Beautiful Geometry

6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 4, Morris Center For Lowcountry Heritage, 10782 S Jacob Smart Blvd, Ridgeland. Mesmerizing math? It may sound like a contradiction, but when the math involves fractals (never-ending patterns), you’ll be drawn into their intricate beauty. Learn more about these stunning creations with Dr. Manuel “Bud” Sanders, Professor of Mathematics at University of South Carolina Beaufort. Whether man-made, computer-generated, or found in nature, fractals are sure to fascinate. Register at https://www.morrisheritagecenter.org/ event-5151660.

Gifts From the Boneyard

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, through March 31, 2023, Port Royal Sound foundation (PRSF) Museum, 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie. The Friends of Hunting Island (FOHI) and The Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) are hosting an art exhibit called, “Gifts From the Boneyard, Art Inspired by Hunting Island’s Landscape.”

The featured artist is Barbara James, a local fabric artist. Photographers Joan Eckhardt and Andy Stephens are also contributing pieces. Proceeds from sales will go to FOHI and PRSF. Opening gala from 4 to 6 p.m., March 2, 2023.

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.

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 Tom – 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 Tom – 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.

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.

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. This session will be on Friday, March 10.

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.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

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.

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.

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.

Play & Eat – Dinner Theater

6 to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays, March 18, April 1, April 15, April 29, May 13, May 20, June 3, June 17, and July 1, Hilton Garden Inn, 1500 Queen Street, Beaufort. Solve a murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just to let you know the murderer is hiding somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as one of the suspects if you don’t watch it. This is a prize-winning competition and everyone is a participant. For more information, contact 843-592-6209 or playandeatdinnertheater@gmail.com, or visit the website at www.playandeatdinnertheater. com.

Lowcountry Job Fair

1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 21, Beaufort

National Guard Readiness Center, 1 Cavalry Ln, Beaufort. The fair is free and open to the public and will showcase more than 50 area employers and businesses that will share hiring preferences and career opportunities. For more information, please contact Melanie Gallion, Technical College of the Lowcountry Center for Business & Workforce Solutions, at 843-525-8224 or mgallion@tcl.edu.

Friends of Fort Fremont oyster roast

5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 24, at Live Oaks Park, Port Royal. Cost is $40 per person. Benefits the Friends of Fort Fremont and the local chapter of the S.C. Native Plant Society. Attendees should bring their own chairs and adult beverages. Oysters and chili are provided by Sea Eagle Catering; appetizers and desserts provided by the Friends. Don’t miss the famous Silent Auction and music by the Sweet Ferns. Buy tickets online at http://bit.ly/3Jl6KFL, or if you prefer, send a check payable to: Friends of Fort Fremont, P.O. Box 982, St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920. Checks by mail must be received by March 16. For more information, email oysterroast@fortfremont.org.

YMCA Puppy Plunge

9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 25. Wardle Family YMCA, Outdoor pool, 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. Well-behaved canines of all breeds and sizes are welcome. Cost is $10 per pup. All proceeds benefit the Y’s Learn to Swim program. Owners will be required to sign a waiver before entering the enclosed, exterior pool area (use the side entrance gate), must be present with their pups at all times, and humans are not permitted to swim in the Puppy Plunge. The YMCA asks that pets be up-to-date on all vaccinations. Event is weather dependent so check the YMCA social media or call the Y front desk at 843-522-9622 the morning of the Puppy Plunge to check any status update.

Memory Matters: Memory & Aging

4 p.m., Tuesday, April 4, Encompass Health Rehab Hospital, 107 Seagrass Station Rd, Bluffton. $20 for this session, or $40 for all Memory Matters sessions. Speaker: Dr. Paul Mazzeo, Coastal Neurology.

Lowcountry Christian Women’s Connection

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm., Wednesday, April 19, Hampton Hall Clubhouse, 170 Hampton Hall Blvd., Bluffton. “The Fabric of Friendship” features speaker Norma McMurry. Cost is $28 and must be prepaid by April 1. Make checks payable to CWC Bluffton and send to Carol Mock, 607 Argent Way, Bluffton SC 29909. For information contact Carol Mock at 843-7057604 or Julie Ott at 602-750-5465 Julie.ott.az@ gmail.com.

GOLF

Adaptive Golf Clinic

9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, Legends Golf Course, 299 Belleau Wood Road, MCRD Parris Island. Free and open to the public. Register by March 12 to get on base. Event is geared toward individuals with disabilities/challenges from stroke, spinal cord injury, TBI, neurological conditions, amputation and more or individuals who are recovering from major injury or surgery. Participants receive complimentary instruction taught by experienced professional golf instructors; use provided equipment to increase mobility and assist swing; practice driving, chipping and putting; and connect with fellow adaptive athletes who are already golfers. Register at https://adaptivegolfexperience.org/ monthly-clinic-registration/.

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

HIGHWAY 21 DRIVE-IN

The movies scheduled for this week (Friday, March 17 through Thursday, March 23) at the Highway 21 Drive-In are Shazaam! Fury Of The Gods VI (PG-13, 8 p.m.) and Creed III (PG-13, 10:15 p.m.) on Screen 1; Scream VI (R, 8 p.m.) and Cocaine Bear (R, 10:15 p.m.) on Screen 2; and 65 (PG-13, 8 p.m.) and Missing (PG-13, 9:30 p.m.) on Screen 3 (Friday and Saturday).

Online ticketing is available at hwy21drivein. com on the Now Playing page. Patrons are asked to arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

“Our family at the Hwy. 21 drive in feel a responsibility to our community,” a statement from Highway 21 Drive-In management reads. “We are concerned about many things in these trying times and in making the right decisions. We are concerned with our employees, our patrons, our business, our community’s businesses, and the health and well-being of all.”

A reminder: no outside food or beverages can be brought into the drive-in.

Upcoming movies include The Super Mario Bros. Movie (April) and John Wick Chapter 4 (March).

Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-the-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, in March, 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.

Vietnam War Anniversary Event

1 p.m., Sunday, March 26, Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort. Presented by Caris Healthcare in collaboration with We Honor Veterans & USA Vietnam War Commemoration Partnership. Join us for the presentation of colors, military songs, remembering those KIA and MIA, motivational readings, Presentation of commemorative lapel pin to Vietnam Vets, veterans’ spouses presentation of their own lapel pin, veteran information tables/representatives, and light refreshments. All are welcome. For more information contact Caris Healthcare at 843473-3939.

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Law Talk Select times and days, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Seabrook. To register, call 843-255-6479. Free. Brief topic overview with Question & Answer with volunteer attorney. Tuesday, March 18, 5 to 6 p.m., Wills, Estates, and Probate; Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. to noon, Heirs Property; Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m. to noon, Starting a Business or Nonprofit.

Dungeons & Dragons

4 p.m., Mondays, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-2556441. 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.

Law Talk

5:30 to 6:30 p.m., select Tuesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. To register, call 843-255-6481. Free. Brief topic overview with Question & Answer with volunteer attorney. March 28, Advanced Health Care Directives; April 18, Starting a Business.

Teen Art Club

4 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6441. Ages 12-18.

Teen Anime Club

4 p.m., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6456.

Teen Video Game Club

4 p.m., 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6441. 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, 843-255-6540. 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, 843-255-6540. Ages 5 and older.

Chess Meet Up

11 a.m., 3rd Saturday of each month, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, 843-2556479. 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 League of Women Voters

6 to 7:30 p.m., second Thursday of every month, Meeting Room, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Ladys Island Drive, Beaufort. Free. The Public as well as LWVB members are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be about the topics members have suggested as projects for 2023.

Zonta Club of Beaufort

6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal. Until November 22, we are participating in a service project with a global organization called Free the Girls. We are currently collecting new and gently used bras to help women rescued from trafficking start their own businesses selling the bras. Last year our club collected more than 600 bras and we are hoping to beat that number this year. Our collection sites are Amy Bowman State Farm Agency, 1284 Ribaut Rd., Myrna B. Breland, CPA, 1 Professional Drive, Port Royal, and Nourishing Health Acupuncture and Herbs, 34A Savannah Hwy.

Indivisible Beaufort Meeting

11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, Downtown Beaufort Library, 311 Scott St, Beaufort. Free & open to the public. Featured Speaker: Chris deVries. Topic: What’s going on in the South Carolina Legislature: women’s reproductive health, gun safety, criminal justice, gender/sexual identity. Chris deVries, a former Washington lobbyist, advocates for policies in South Carolina focused on equity, fairness, and justice. She serves on the Board of the Beaufort County Democratic Party, as well as LowCountry Indivisible, and is President of the Democratic Club South of the Broad and Vice-Chair of Planned Parenthood Votes in the South Atlantic.

MUSIC Fripp Island Friends of Music Concert Series

5 p.m., specific Sundays, Fripp Island Community Centre, 205 Tarpon Blvd., Fripp Island. Individual shows are $30. Consider becoming a member of Fripp Island Friends of Music (FIFOM). Membership gives you access to all five concerts, including the post-performance reception where you meet the musicians while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared fresh by Harold’s Chef Services. It also helps fund FIFOM’s Musicin-the-Schools program. The basic FIFOM membership, $100, has not changed. To become a member, text or call Vanessa Peñaherrera at 704-807-0255 or email vandy116@gmail. com. Go to frippfriendsofmusic.com for more information. Schedule: March 26, Kim Richey (singer-songwriter).

OUTDOORS

Tips & Tricks to Birding in Beaufort & The Sea Islands

7 p.m., Thursday, March 23, Fripp Island Community Center, 205 Tarpon Blvd, Fripp Island. Off island visitors welcome – stop at the gate to check in. Join us as Jenn Clementoni teaches us some easy ways to bird successfully, using technology to bird and explore nature smartly. Jenn relays that birding is an all inclusive activity and enjoying nature is the main goal! Jenn is also a Nature Photographer who will provide tips and tricks to those who are interested in learning about photography while birding. Meet and Greet begins at 6 p.m. – Bring something to share at the snack table and meet your fellow birders. Visit us at www.islc.net/ audubon/, or contact us at frippaudubonclub@ gmail.com.

Port Royal Cypress Wetlands tours

9 a.m, Friday, March 24; 10 a.m., Saturday, April 8; 9 a.m. Friday, April 28; 9 a.m., Saturday, May 13; 9 a.m. Friday, May 26; Port Royal Cypress Wetlands. Bring your holiday guests to a free guided tour of the wetlands sponsored by Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands and led by Master Naturalist Jill Moore. Moore is full of information about alligators, turtles, trees, plants, and the variety of birds that call the wetlands home. This is a great opportunity to learn about this magical place. Tours are limited in size so sign up now. Kat Bray, Tour Coordinator, info@foprcw.org.

RUNNING

13th Annual Beaufort Twilight Run

3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, March 25, Habersham Market, 13 Market, Beaufort. The BTR’s mission is to host a fun, competitive and memorable annual event for Beaufort to benefit Riverview Charter School – a free public charter school open to Beaufort County kindergarten through 8th-grade students. With the first event beginning at 3:30 p.m., BTR offers six options for runners and walkers at all levels including a signature 13.1 Mile Beaufort Challenge (5K Run + 10 Mile), 10 Mile Run, 8K Run, 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Youth Run, and Kids’ Fun Run. The BTR is one of two events in South Carolina offering a 10-mile run. All courses are flat and spectator-friendly, offering beautiful marsh views under shaded live-oak canopies. Register now to secure this year’s shirt, registration required before March 1 to guarantee a shirt. The BTR’s total cash purse is more than $6,000 with payouts to be awarded in the 13.1 Mile Beaufort Challenge, 10 Mile Run, 8K Run and 5K Run. Categories include the three overall male and female winners of each of those races, as well as for the top male and female Masters (40+), Active Duty Military and Hometown Hero (a Beaufort County resident). In addition to cash prizes, age group winners will receive a gift for their accomplishments. Discounts are also available for students, groups of 10 or more, and active-duty military. Live music will be performed by the band Broke Locals. A wide variety of delicious food and beverages will be available from gourmet food trucks and the Habersham Marketplace restaurants. To register and for details, visit www.beauforttwilightrun.com.

Radiance Run 5k / 2 Mile Walk

9 a.m., Saturday, April 1, Live Oaks Park, 904 14th St, Port Royal. $15 for youth under 18 at time of race; $35 for participants over 18 years at time of race. Annual fundraiser to support free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, parenting and lifestyle classes, fatherhood ministry and baby item boutique. Sign up at https://runsignup.com/RadianceRun5k.

SPORTS 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. Rose Hill Charity Polo Classic

2 p.m., Sunday, April 2, Rose Hill Polo Field, 1 Equestrian Way, Bluffton. $25 Pre-event, $35 at the gate. Children 10 & under are free. Gates open at 10 a.m. for VIP Sponsors & purchasers of tailgating spaces, and at noon for General Admission Spectators. Purchase tickets at rosehillequestriancenter.com.

Actions worthy of a medal

VA benefits for spouse, dependents, survivors, family caregivers

The two best ways to find out what a veteran’s spouse, dependent, survivor, and family caregiver VA benefits are and how to apply for those benefits include:

1. Reading the VA’s webpage titled VA Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors, and Family Caregivers found at http://bit.ly/3ZsrvET and ...

2. Asking a VA trained and accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO). Read about VA Accredited Representatives and how to find one at http:// bit.ly/3rNLdvy http:// bit.ly/41PPiQM and http://bit.ly/3qbLVSL

According to the VA, the spouse or dependent child of a veteran or service member may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. The survivor of a veteran or service member may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.

A family caregiver of a veteran may also be eligible for support to help them better care for the veteran — and for themselves.

This article will introduce spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers to:

How to get help for a Veteran who’s in crisis.

Benefits for spouses, dependents, and survivors. Support and services for caregivers of veterans. More resources for those supporting a

veteran or service member.

Help a Veteran find benefits.

How do I get help for a veteran who’s in crisis?

Anyone concerned about a veteran in crisis (mental health, suicidal, jobless, financial, domestic, etc.) should connect the VA’s Veteran Crisis Line responders for confidential help. Many of the VA Crisis Line Responders are veterans themselves. The service is private, free, and available 24/7.

To connect with a VA Crisis Line Responder anytime day of night call 988, or begin an online chat at http://bit.ly/41UIcdJ, or Text 838255, or if you are hearing loss call TTY 800799-4889.

Anyone worried about a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless should call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for help 24 hours per day, seven days per week. You or the veteran can talk privately with a trained VA counselor for free.

Benefits for spouses, dependents, and survivors

Health care: Find out through your VSO and the VA’s Healthy Care for Spouses, Dependents, and

Family Member Caregivers webpage at http://bit.ly/ 3JgMCoa if you may qualify for health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs (CHAMPVA) program (see http://bit.ly/3FCwL1E), the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program (see https://www.tricare. mil), or one of the VA’s other programs related to a veteran’s service-connected disability.

For spouse, dependent child, surviving spouse, surviving child

Education and training: Find out through your VSO and the VA’s Education Benefits for Survivors and Dependents webpage at http://bit.ly/41R3GrR if you may be eligible for help paying for school or job training through the VA’s Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program (also called Chapter 35) or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.

Learn about how a veteran may transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to you at the VA’s Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits webpage, which is found at http://bit. ly/3IWSAsK Read more about the Fry Scholarship Program and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program at http://bit. ly/41SGxVY and http://bit. ly/3yADbKd

For spouse, dependent child, surviving spouse, surviving child

Employment: Find out through your VSO and the VA’s Employment Bene-

fits for Dependent Family Members webpage at http://bit.ly/3YtP7I1 how to get free educational and career counseling if you are a dependent family member who is eligible for VA education benefits. Spouses, dependent children, a surviving spouse, and surviving children may be able to get educational and career counseling, plus help with exploring abilities and interests, mapping out a path to employment, and panning the best use of VA benefits. In certain cases, they may be able to get other education and employment benefits and services for dependents.

For example, if you are the child of a Vietnam or Korean War Veteran and have certain birth defects, or if you are the dependent child or spouse of a veteran who has died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of active service you may qualify.

Dependent family members may be eligible for VA educational and career counseling if they are the dependent of a veteran and they meet the specific eligibility requirements.

Learn more about Post9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), and Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) benefits at: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-billbenefits/post-9-11/ https://www.va.gov/ education/about-gibill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/ https://www.va.gov/ education/about-gibill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/

Eligible dependents can apply for benefits by mail by filling out an Educational/Vocational Counseling Application (VA Form 28-8832), which is found at http://bit.ly/41Nz7DA and mailing the form to their nearest VA Regional Office.

The nearest VA Regional Office can be found at the VA’s Find VA Locations webpage http://bit.ly/3BpjKET

More information about VA education and employment benefits and services for dependents can be found at:

Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance webpage https://bit.

ly/3yADbKd

• Birth Defects Linked to Agent Orange webpage http://bit.

ly/3Yq3kFU

Vet Success on Campus (VSOC) webpage http://bit.ly/3IYDnra

Don’t wait, contact your VSO for help!

Beaufort DAV Chapter VSO Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543 and mlv1030@gmail.com

Beaufort County VSO

Carl Wedler, 843-2556880, FAX 843-2559445 or 6880, cwedler@ bcgov.net

Colleton County VSO

Janet D. Smith, 843549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org; Jasper County VSO Alton Jenkins, 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov; and Hampton County VSO Sharon

Johnson, 803-9142085/2087, sjohnson@ hamptoncountysc.org

Charleston County VSO David J. LeBlanc, Sr, 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org; Berkeley County VSO Gerald Baxley, 843-377-8506, gerald.baxley@ berkeleycountysc.gov; American Legion VSO Hollywood Charlie Tupper, 843 709-7523, Charles.R.Tupper@ gmail.com; Dorchester County VSO Johnny K. Brown, 843-832-0050, JKBrown@dorchestercountysc.gov

Chatham County, Georgia VSO Reggie Louis, 912-920-0214, Ext. 2194, reggie. lewis2@va.gov; Liberty County & Hinesville, Georgia VSO Charles Isaac, 912-408-2948, charles.isaac@vs.state. ga.us

Next week’s article will talk about home loan programs; life insurance options, claims, and beneficiary assistance; pre-need eligibility determination for burial in a VA national cemetery, burial benefits and memorial items; and more.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant 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.

Left: U.S. Marine Corps Col. Karl R. Arbogast, left, commanding officer, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, reads an award citation for police officer Gabriel George of the Provost Marshals Office, Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron during an award ceremony Feb. 9, at MCAS Beaufort. George was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal for providing life-saving aid to gunshot victims in May 2021 while serving as an active-duty Marine with PMO. Right: U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Adam McKillop, left, provost marshal, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Beaufort, congratulates police officer Gabriel George. Photos by Lance Cpl. Kyle Baskin/USMC

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 17 March 2023

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel B. W. Ward

3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, ieutenant Colonel G. F. Curley

Commander of Troops, Captain J. V. Johnson • Parade Adjutant, Captain T. A. Smith Company “L”, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain J. V. Johnson Drill Master • Staff Sergeant E. M. Cisse

PLATOON 3016

Senior Drill Instructor

Sgt E. A. Serrano

PFC Balde, I. S.

Pvt Bormett, S. V.

PFC Brattain, W. D.

Pvt Cohen, B. M.

Pvt Cole, T. L.

Pvt Cornelius, J. S.

PFC Durden, K. L.

Pvt Evans, J. S.

PFC Garrett Iii, D. M.

PFC Gaytanjimenez, J. D.

PFC Griffin, P. M.

PFC Hahn, L. N.

Pvt Hannon, N. J.

Pvt Henderson, A. A.

Pvt Henry, W. J.

Pvt Hereford, E. M.

Pvt Hogan, Z. K.

PFC Hukezalie, L. A.

PFC James, B. M.*

Pvt Johnson, C. V.

PFC Julian, R. W.*

Pvt Lynch, D. T.

PFC Meltzer, N. P.

Pvt Miskicwicz, K. J.

Pvt Mobley, K. L.

Pvt Mock Jr, M. E.

Pvt Munson, L. W.

PFC North, C. J.*

Pvt Pickett, A. T.

PFC Pitts, M. R.*

PFC Prescott, B. C.

Pvt Price, J. C.

Pvt Roman, N. M.

Pvt Sanchez, A. S.

PFC Santiagolopez, D.

Pvt Scordellis, D. A.

PFC Silveira, B. L.

Pvt Smith, B. T.

PFC Stiakakis, G. E.

PFC Tighe, B. C.

Pvt Turner, N. E.

Pvt White, S. R.

Pvt Willy, J. J.

PLATOON

3017

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt M. E. Dewey

PFC Alameda, C.

PFC Arias, D. F.

PFC Callejapena, J. M.

PFC Carpenterorozco, G. A.

PFC Cisnerosornelas, A. G.

PFC Delacruzarias, C.

PFC Doynow, B.

Pvt Eby, J. R.

PFC Esmurria, A. L.*

PFC Garcia, C.

PFC Gaskins, T. S.

Pvt Gavlak, E. E.

Pvt Geronimoquintana, E. G.

Pvt Gonzalezsanchez, A.

PFC Gromlingspeppers, A. C.

Pvt Gutierrezbalmaceda, J. F.

Pvt Hunter, N. I.

Pvt Kosmas, A. C.

PFC Kurnik, L. S.*

PFC Legrant, J. S.

PFC Lewis, A. M.

PFC Martinezramirez, J.

PFC Mekjian, A. E.

Pvt Mendenhall, K. E.

PFC Miller, L. M.

Pvt North, A. J.

Pvt Orozcomontano, D. L.

PFC Parham, R. L.

PFC Pollich, S. M.

PFC Quezadanoboa, J. M.

PFC Raines, K. M.*

PFC Ramirezjimenez, S.

Pvt Ramosponce, K. J.

PFC Reyesduran, A. M.

PFC Rivas, J. C.

PFC Riverarosario, G. N.

Pvt Rogers, H. D.

PFC Ruth, S. T.

Pvt Sanchez, S.

Pvt Sawyer, K. A.

PFC Scott, D. L.

PFC Smith, J. N.

Pvt Thompson, J. M.

Pvt Travis, T. T.

PFC Vandam, M. R.

PLATOON 3018

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt B. Ratliff III

PFC Akers, L. T.

Pvt Alonsosantamaria, A. E.

Pvt Brothers, D. L.

Pvt Bundrage, J. P.

Pvt Burlingame, D. J.

Pvt Chavezoyola, K. A.

Pvt Clontz, L. M.

Pvt Collins, C. X.

Pvt Cushman, B. J.

Pvt Darner, C. J.

Pvt Davis Jr, C. D.

PFC Dowdy, K. T.*

Pvt Eure, H. C.

Pvt Figueroa, N. L.

Pvt Fortin, W. E.

Pvt Fraire, E.

Pvt Guthrie, E. A.

Pvt Guzmanmartinez, H.

Pvt Hill, M. J.

Pvt Hoffman, A. T.

PFC Hussey IV, J. B.*

Pvt Khai, R. M.

Pvt Kogut, K. J.

Pvt Mcgowan, S. M.

Pvt Mcmillin, C. J.

PFC Mitchell, J. A.*

Pvt Montanocisneros, M.

Pvt Moore, J. C.

Pvt Niebel III, R. P.

PFC Reed, E. C.

Pvt Rodriguez, D.

PFC Rolon, A. Y.*

Pvt Russell, R. D.

Pvt Rutherford, D. M.

PFC Sackey Jr, G. O.

Pvt Sanchez, J. A.

Pvt Santiago, D. M.

Pvt Shanks, O. P.

Pvt Sheftz, M. J.

Pvt Solorio Jr, A.

Pvt Sumpter, M. D.

Pvt Thiot, J. W.

PFC Tlatelpa, U. F.

Pvt Warfel, J. H.

PLATOON 3020

Senior Drill Instructor

Sgt D. E. Edwards

PFC Abner A. G.

Pvt Atwood, D. C.

Pvt Avila, Q. J.

PFC Bales, J. A.

Pvt Ballard, E.T.

Pvt Berube, L. J.

Pvt Caporuscio, J.M.

Pvt Chen, Y.

PFC Clifton, H. R.

Pvt Garcia, E. G.

Pvt Garner, R. N.

PFC Gates, C. R.

Pvt Gay, J. M.

Pvt Gomez, L. D.

PFC Hernandez, C. D.

PFC Holland, C. D.*

Pvt Ilesanmi, T. J.

Pvt Irish, T. A.

Pvt Johnson, A. M.

Pvt Jorge, J. J.

Pvt Kenny, S. P.

Pvt Labombarbe, R. T.

Pvt Ledezma, P. A.

Pvt Lee, H.

PFC Mahalick, M. K.

PFC Majett jr. C.M

Pvt Marshall, R.W

PFC Mcdade, J. D.

PFC Menard, S. M.

Pvt Mezaherrera, A.

PFC Miller Jr, D.L.

Pvt Munson, L. R.

Pvt Nichols, K. A.

Pvt Orellanapalacios, D.S.

PFC Pieper, M. R

Pvt Ruizrodriguez, F. O.

PFC Scott, A. R.

Pvt Shaffer, C. M.

Pvt Sims, J. P.

Pvt Talton, B. M.

Pvt Torres, R. C.

PFC Ucroscubero, I. J.*

Pvt Verdin, A. D.

PFC Zamoravega, D. E.*

PLATOON 3021

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt B. R. Gerry

Pvt Alemanalvardo, M.

PFC Beycioglu, M. B.

PFC Britomejias, I. P.

PFC Castillo, S. A.

Pvt Cox, D. E.

Pvt Edmondson, O. O.

Pvt Estime, C. H.

Pvt Francis, B. S.

PFC Gerena, J. L.

PFC Gifford, I. C.*

Pvt Glassic, M. J.

Pvt Gonzalez Jr, J. A.

Pvt Gonzalez, B. L.

Pvt Greene, E. M.

PFC Gueory Jr, J. R.

Pvt Harry, B. R.

Pvt Holmes, T. T.

Pvt Jamail, B. H.

Pvt Johnson, C. G.

Pvt Kessler, G. W.

Pvt Kugler, M. D.

Pvt Liddell, P. K.

Pvt Manna, J. R.

Pvt Martineznolazco, A.

Pvt Massaconi, T. A.

Pvt Michacatovar, A. L.

Pvt Miller, L. M.

Pvt Murillo, K. J.

PFC Orazi, N. A.

Pvt Reyes, E. D.

Pvt Robinson, H.

Pvt Rodriguez, A. T.

PFC Ruizsagastegui, V. A.*

Pvt Springer, D. S.

Pvt Stoecklin, B. A.

Pvt Thompkins Jr, K. J.

Pvt Toro, K.

Pvt Vargas, A. J.

PFC Walsh, W. J.*

Pvt Watkins, L. M.

PFC Weng, Y. L.

PLATOON 3022

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt O. Scott III

Pvt Argueta, E. M.

PFC Bianchi, J. B.

PFC Boothe, N. C.

PFC Brinton, A. J.

Pvt Carter, C. C.

Pvt Clark, W. H.

Pvt Curbelo, A.

PFC Dillman, M. N.

PFC Fisherrich, I. M.*

Pvt Garrett, X. T.

PFC Gomez, S.

Pvt Hill, X. D.

Pvt Johnson, R. J.

Pvt King, D. B.

PFC Leal, B. R.

PFC Leavitt, M. A.*

Pvt Lee, E.

PFC Lin, E.

PFC Martin, J. R.

PFC Meadows, D. D.

PFC Morabito, N.*

PFC Munoz, S. L.

PFC Oneal, C. J.

Pvt Ouyang, A.

Pvt Pantoja, C.

PFC Pelaez, E.

Pvt Pittman, Z. D.

Pvt Quito, K. F.

PFC Reyesgarduno, J.

Pvt Rodriguez, J. A.

PFC Rogers, B. P.

PFC Rosario, A. M.

Pvt Rozzelle, J. I.

PFC Sheeder, J. R.

PFC Souders, E. D.

PFC Suriel, E. A.

PFC Sutherland, C. T.

PFC Sutterfield, S. C.

Pvt Taylor, J. E.

Pvt Thenovalle, C.

PFC Touchtone, C. M.*

PFC Tran, J. H.

Pvt Vieu, G. T.

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

ATTORNEY

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

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING

Beaufort Audiology & Hearing Care

Monica Wiser, M.A. CCC-A Licensed Audiologist 38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com

www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007

Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You

The Beaufort Sound

HEALTH INSURANCE Now Accepting Small Business Clients & Bookkeeping Clients 69 Robert Smalls Parkway • Beaufort

Call us today at 843-521-7819 mdburns.com • mike@mdburns.com

Retail Garden Center Serving Beaufort & LowCo Areas Visit Our Retail Garden Center Plants • Flowers • Gifts • Coffee Other Services Include: Plant Design • Consultation Install • Landscape Maintenance PRESSURE WASHING Pressure Washing • Window Cleaning Soft Roof Wash • Residential & Commercial 843-522-3331 CHSClean.com Locally Owned and Operated

Furbulas Dog Grooming and Pet Sitting Brittany Riedmayer 843-476-2989 • 843-522-3047 furbulasdoggrooming@hotmail.com Member of National Dog Groomers Association of America

Hearing and Balance Center

Dr. Larry Bridge, AU.D./CCC-A 206 Sea Island Parkway, Suite 31, Beaufort thebeaufortsound@gmail.com

FURNITURE / GARDEN CENTER 1 Marina Blvd. • Beaufort • 843-521-7747 www.LowCoGardeners.com • Mon-Sat 8-6

PROFESSIONAL TAX PREPARER CHIMNEY SERVICES O. W. Langford, Jr. 843-812-7442 843-441-9162 Ask about our home services!

www.thebeaufortsound.com | 843-522-0655

Top Hat

PET SERVICES ROOFING DA Roofing Company Donnie Daughtry, Owner Call us for ALL of your roofing needs. New Construction, Residential and Commercial, Shingles, Metal, Hot Tar & Hydrostop. All repairs and new additions. FREE ESTIMATES 843-524-1325

1001 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 open Tues.-Sat. noon to 5pm,

by chance furniture, home decor & more (843) 379-4488

HOME CARE SERVICES PEST CONTROL residential commercial real estate 843-379-0185 www.BeaufortPestControl.com

Chimney Services MOBILE HOME INSURANCE John D. Polk Agency info@polkagency.com 843-524-3172 INSURANCE Manufactured Homes • Cars • Boats RV's • Homes • All Commercial CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY! COINS AND COLLECTIONS WANTED : Southeastern Coin Exchange FL, GA, & the Carolinas. Call “Guy” at 843-986-3444. Free appraisals. Highest prices paid. Over 60 years experience. Licensed. Private appointments available. COINS & COLLECTIONS Email Amanda Hanna (amanda@lcweekly.com) to place your classified ad here! YOUR AD HERE P L A C E YO U R A D I N PLACE YOUR AD IN 97 S C NEWSPAPERS S.C. and reach more than 2 1 million readers more 2.1 using our small space display ad network our small space ad network South Carolina Newspaper Network Randall Savely 888 727 7377 Randall 888.727.7377 scnewspapernetwork com scnewspapernetwork.com Statewide or regional buys available Statewide or regional available Local newspapers have the print and digital advertising solutions to help businesses bring customers back and quickly regain lost revenue. Local newspapers’ reach across products has never been higher. And with special packages tailored to local businesses, there are options for any size business with any budget. FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES NEWSPAPERS HAVE YOUR BACK. When it comes to delivering results for local businesses, NEWSPAPERS HAVE YOUR BACK Reach, Results, Solutions America’s Newspapers is a national association supporting journalism and healthy newspapers in our local communities. Find out more at www.newspapers.org or follow us on Twitter @newspapersorg or on Facebook @americasnewspapers. REAL ESTATE AGENTS 613 Carteret Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 Reach Buddy at 843-441-2933 Buddybrownrealestate@yahoo.com Reach Sally at 843-252-1414 Sallygermer@yahoo.com Buddy Brown Sally Germer America’s Newspapers is a national association supporting journalism and healthy newspapers in our local communities. Find out more at www.newspapers.org or follow us on Twitter @newspapersorg or on Facebook @americasnewspapers. Protect public notices i in newspapers and protect your right to know. Who cares about public notices? You have the right to know what’s happening in your community. Public notices – information local governments are obligated to provide citizens – are required to be published in local newspapers to provide a public record that’s accessible to everyone. Public notices keep you informed about your government. But, in some states legislators are trying to keep public notices from appearing in local newspapers. This severely impacts government transparency and, in turn, limits the public’s right to hold them accountable for their actions. Let your state legislators know that you value being able to access notices in your newspaper and that they are worth the investment. newspapers.org/public-notices

THURSDAY’S CARTOON

Read with caution; not necessarily the opinions of the editorial staff.

ANNOUNCEMENTS DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s , too! Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – 24 Hour Response – Maximum Tax

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AUCTIONS SPECTACULAR ESTATE AUCTION. Saturday, March 18 at 9:30 AM. 631 Goette Trail, Hampton, SC. Selling contents of home built in 1847! Beautiful Victorian oak bedroom suit, ornate iron beds, several chests/dressers, dining room suits, washstands, primitives, wicker, grandfather clocks, china, glassware, porcelains, lots of tools, coins, trains, shotguns, much more! Accepting consignments! www.cogburnauction.com. 803-860-0712

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.1 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS

ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 2.1 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

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Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company – 855-837-7719 or visit www. Life55plus.info/scan

TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

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Price Guarantee! 99% Signal Reliability, backed by guarantee. Includes Multi-Sport with NFL Redzone. Switch and Get a FREE $100 Gift Card. Call today! 1-877-542-0759 FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-855-851-8201

VACATION RENTALS

ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 2.1 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

WANTED

Wanted!!! Comics, movie/ tv/ and music memorabilia, books, magazines, manga, toys, old stuff, coins, playboys, collections of most anything. Fair negotiating. 410-980-6523

YOUR AD HERE

Email Amanda (amanda@lcweekly.com) to place your classified ad here!