March 23 edition

Page 1

MARCH 23 - 29, 2017

WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

Beaufort named top small town in the South By Sally Mahan

As anyone who lives here can tell you, Beaufort is the epitome of a wonderful small town. Now, the secret is out. Southern Living magazine has named Beaufort as Best Small Town in the South in it latest edition. According to the magazine, “No matter where you’re from, where you’ve been or where you’re going, Beaufort feels like home. “Even the name is pretty: Beaufort. Contrary to the spelling, it's pronounced "BEW-fert," with the lips pursed as though blowing a kiss. Just hearing it, you can picture the quaint little town that’s been racking up accolades in recent years.

It just sounds nice. Beww-fert, beckoning you to come hither, and see what all the fuss is about.” The story goes on to say, “It could be said that Beaufort has it all. Beauty, check; scenery, check; heritage/history, check; charm, check and double-check. “All well and good, but the question is, what makes Beaufort so special? … One visit to Beaufort and zap — you’re in love. It’s such a great place that you want everyone to know about it. You want to spread the love.” Blakely Williams, president and CEO of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, said they were thrilled to read the Southern

Living story. “Our Southern charm mixed with our history and values make Beaufort a place that we’re happy to call home,” said Williams. “We are honored to be a part of Southern Living’s list of best small towns in the South and we are excited to share everything we love about Beaufort with its readers.” As the Southern Living story says, “More than anything else, Beaufort is a way of life. Ask anyone who lives here about the Beaufort state of mind. It messes with your psyche; it spoils you for anyplace else.” For the full story, visit www. southernliving.com/souths-best/ beaufort-south-carolina.

Taking a walk through Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park has charm all its own. Photo by Bob Sofaly.

Reconstruction Era monument celebrated at ceremony

Board seat is up for grabs By Sally Mahan

Raul Bradley (in yellow) leads the Beaufort Mass Choir in a musical selection during the unveiling ceremony of the National Park Service Reconstruction Era National Monument at Penn Center on St. Helena Island. Photos by Bob Sofaly.

By Kat Walsh

“Today is the day,” Dr. Abraham Murray, pastor of Brick Baptist Church, told a nodding audience seated outside on the grounds at Penn Center. “Yes, today is the day when government is at its best and we see the fruit of the labors of local, regional, national leaders.” Murray’s invocation opened the dedication ceremony of the Reconstruction Era National Monument on March 18 at Penn Center on St. Helena Island. The “monument” is actually three historic sites in Beaufort

County that played a huge role in the Reconstruction Era. The Reconstruction era began during the Civil War and lasted until the dawn of Jim Crow racial segregation in the 1890s. During Reconstruction, four million African Americans, newly freed from bondage, sought to integrate themselves into free society and into the educational, economic and political life of the country. Reconstruction began in November 1861 in Beaufort CounSee ERA, page A8

MUSIC TO OUR EARS The Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation presents a performance by the Duke Symphony. PAGE B1

THE MONUMENT SITES When complete, the Reconstruction Era National Monument will be composed of historic buildings and landscapes at three sites in Beaufort County (more sites are expected to be added in the future): • Darrah Hall and Brick Baptist Church, within Penn School National Historic Landmark District, the site of one of the country’s first schools for freed slaves and a church built by slaves in

GET YOUR KICKS “Route 66,” a musical comedy celebrating that classic highway, is coming to the USCB Center for the Arts. PAGE B4

1855 and then turned over to the former slaves in 1862. • The Camp Saxton Site, on U.S. Navy property in Port Royal, where some of the first African Americans joined the U.S. Army, and where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read on New Year’s Day 1863. • The Old Beaufort Firehouse, which is within walking distance of dozens of other historic Reconstruction properties.

When Michael Rivers was elected in November to the South Carolina House of Representatives, his seat on the Beaufort County School District board of education was left open. Now, a special election will be held on Tuesday, March 28, to fill the District 3 seat, which covers portions of Beaufort, Lady’s Island and St. Helena Island. Only voters in that district can vote in this election. Check your voter registration card to see ifit's your district, or call the Board of Voter Registration and Elections See SEAT, page A8

THE CANDIDATES, THE ISSUES For an in-depth look at the candidates for the District 3 seat on the Beaufort County School District board of education and where they stand on the issues, see page A7.

INSIDE Lowcountry Life A2 In Other News A3, 5 A4 Business Health A6 Election 2017 A7 From The Front A8

Community B1 Sports B2 B3 Schools Events B9 Directory B10 Classifieds B11

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March 23 edition by The Island News - Issuu