MAY 16 - 22, 2019 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Means to an end
Penn Center draws support from 1772 Foundation
Top swimmers take on Beaufort River Swim, assist those who can't
Historic Penn Center has received a grant from the 1772 Foundation for a 12-month capacity building project that will improve Penn Center’s ability to sustain itself and be effective well beyond its current 157-year-old history, which spans the Civil War, Reconstruction Era, and Civil Rights Movement through today. The 1772 Foundation uses matching grants to ensure the safe passage of America’s historic buildings and farmland to future generations. In 2017, an extraordinary moment in public history occurred with the creation of the Reconstruction Era National Monument. Penn Center’s Darrah Hall became one of four monument sites in Beaufort County. With the founding of Penn School in 1862, Beaufort County became the birthplace of Reconstruction. In 2019, the Reconstruction monument expanded to become the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park in portions of Beaufort County to include St. Helena Island. “These external events, as well as internal changes lead us to the conclusion that we need to increase the effectiveness of Penn Center with a focus on the restoration, preservation and protection of the Penn Center physical assets,” Penn Center interim executive director Marion Burns said in a release. “We also need to better support our ability to accomplish our mission by obtaining greater financial performance from our land and building assets, and also strengthen our programs, management systems and governance. “We believe the two key capacity building strategies vital to Penn Center at this time, are the development of robust financial plans to diversify and expand our organizational revenue sources, and improve our organization's operations, administration, and management. Penn would also like to establish stronger partnerships with local community groups and organizations like universities, the National Park Service, preser-
THE 13TH ANNUAL BEAUFORT RIVER SWIM Saturday, May 18
The 3.2-mile competitive open water swim and one-mile fun swim in the Beaufort River supports the Wardle Family YMCA Learn to Swim Program.
hen the swimmers hit the water at 7:15 a.m. Saturday for the Beaufort River Swim, now in its 13th consecutive year, spectators will see some of the best swimmers in the Lowcountry take part in the 3.2-mile open-water race. Oddly enough, however, the Beaufort River Swim is really all about people
Want to swim? Register online at beaufortriverswim.com or at the downtown Beaufort Marina starting at 6 a.m. on the day of the race. The 3.2-mile
like Leigh Aiken, originally from St. Helena Island. The Beaufort River Swim, hosted by the Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal, is actually a fundraiser for the YMCA Learn To Swim Program. And that’s where people like Leigh Aiken come in. Fear of the water Thanks, in part, to her protective parents, Aiken
race starts at 7:15 a.m. and the fun swim starts at 7:45 a.m. Cost: The price for the 3.2Mile Race is $65. The price for the Fun Swim is $40.
was afraid of the water from the start. “Stay away from that water! Never ever go near that water!” Aiken recalls hearing. “If you were a child growing up in the Lowcountry, you were probably told this on a daily basis,” she said. “In my community (Warsaw and Pollawanna Island on St. Helena Island), the water
Want to watch? Spectator boat tickets are available at $30 per person. Purchase at the Y in Port Royal (1801 Richmond Ave.).
was something to fear. You could drown and possibly never be found.” Aiken grew up, graduated from high school and left the Lowcountry. But her fear of the water never fully left. “I always heard my parents warning (me) to stay away from the water (in my head),” she said. While living in Seattle, the grip of Aiken’s fear
seemed to be loosening. But then tragedy struck on a rafting trip. “Because of that year’s snowmelt, the water was rough and scary,” Aiken said. “My canoe capsized, and I was pulled to safety. Unfortunately, one of our friends in the group drowned that day. It was
SEE SWIM PAGE A4
Street Music on Paris Avenue returns The band Yarn kicked off the 12th year of Street Music on Paris Avenue on Saturday, May 11. From left are lead guitarist Roderick Hohl, Blake Christiana playing acoustic guitar, Robert Bonhoma on drums and Rick Bagel on bass. Photos by Bob Sofaly.
The 12th year of Street Music on Paris Avenue kicked off Saturday, May 11 with the band Yarn from New York playing to a couple hundred people who gathered between 9th and 10th streets to listen under perfect conditions. The next Street Music date is May 11, when soul
and R&B artist Annika Chambers takes the stage. Black Cat Zydeco featuring Dwight Carrier comes to town June 8, followed by blues artist EG Knight on June 22. Admission is free. Bring your chairs and your dancing shoes.
SEE SUPPORT PAGE A4 We are. Accreditation
BMH IS BUILDING
IT WASN'T EVEN CLOSE
INSIDE
Beaufort Memorial breaks ground on new medical office building.
Holy Trinity win the SCISA 1A girls soccer state title with a dominant 8-0 victory over Cambridge Academy.
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