May 18 edition

No books banned during May book committee review

By Delayna Earley

The Island News OKATIE – Seven books will be returning to Beaufort County School District (BCSD) library shelves and one book, Identical by Ellen Hopkins, will be going back into the book review process due to a tie vote following the book review committee meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Okatie Elementary School. The committees reviewed eight

books in total on Thursday night

– Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher, Fade by Lisa McMann, Fallout by Ellen Hopkins, Foul is Fair / Golden Boys Beware by Hanna Capin, Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, Identical by Ellen Hopkins, Push by Sapphire and Tricks by Ellen Hopkins.

Four books, Almost Perfect Fade Fallout and Tricks were previously available to students in Grades 6 through 12. Of those books, Fallout

by Ellen Hopkins will be returned to circulation without any additional restrictions, whereas the other three books will be returned to library circulation for Grades 9 through 12 only.

Ryan Copeland, librarian at Battery Creek High School, participated in the committee tasked with reading and deciding on Tricks and he said that there were differ-

SEE BOOKS PAGE A4

Bruner the woman to beat at River Swim

Hilton Head Island senior looking for 5th straight win

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

Some things have become common around Beaufort.

A struggle to find a parking place downtown. A good burger at Beedo’s.

And Skylar Bruner winning the women’s race in the Beaufort River Swim.

While a fifth straight win is on the line in the 17th annual Beaufort River Swim set for Saturday morning, Bruner’s goals are personal.

What next for St. Helena?

By Tony Kukulich

The Post And Courier

— Councilman Lo-

Cunningham may have peered into a crystal ball as Beaufort County Council prepared to vote on the final reading of revisions to the St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay on May 8.

Speaking before the vote, Cunningham predicted the motion would pass, 9-2 As it turned out, his prediction was spot on.

The vote capped a months-long effort to strengthen the ordinance County Council originally adopted in

1999 to protect the island’s Gullah/ Geechee culture.

While the original overlay was barely a half page long, the revised ordinance stretches to more than two pages. Most of the additions are in the document’s “purpose”

section, which describes the history and culture of St. Helena Island in greater depth.

The prohibitions against gated communities, resorts and golf courses remain; however, the definitions of gated communities and golf courses have been updated. The revised language also eliminates a previous exception that allowed golf courses with fewer than nine holes.

“The cultural protective overlay’s clarifying language reinforces the overlay’s original purpose and intent, that St. Helena Island be preserved

“This race is the most personal to me. I’ve watched my parents win this race since I was a kid, and now to take over is an honor,” Bruner said. “It is also my first open water race, where I found my love for this side of the sport. While I’m definitely aiming for a win, I’m just honored to get one last for sure race in with this community.”

Bruner, a Hilton Head Island High School senior, finished third overall last year, winning the women’s race with a time of 53:17.16. She grew up watching her parents — Carlton and Heather Bruner — compete in this event. Both competitive swimmers, Carlton Bruner competed for the United States in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Now, Bruner’s senior year in high school is coming to a close, and she has been able to put things in perspective.

“This swim season has been my

SEE SWIM PAGE A2

Committee members discuss their assigned books during the Book Review Committee meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Okatie Elementary School in Okatie. Delayna Earley/The Island News

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Board-certified orthopedic surgeon H. Kevin Jones, M.D., and his surgical team celebrate their 500th robot-assisted joint replacement surgery last week at Beaufort Memorial. Pictured, from left, are Lauren Londono, RN; William Schreffler, NP; Brenda Carrick, CST; Rainey Fripp; H. Kevin Jones, MD; Robert Lewis, RN; Cynthia Hamon, RN; Kevin Barrett, CST; Cullen Estep, RN; and Natalie Landon, RN. “This is an exciting milestone,” said Jones, who was an early proponent of the technology and performed the hospital’s first robot-assisted hip replacement in late 2021. “The Mako SmartRobotics technology has been a game changer for total joint replacement, and we are seeing great outcomes.” Jones, along with several other Beaufort Memorial surgeons, began using the Mako surgical system for knee replacements in February 2020 and added robot-assisted hip replacement the next year. Clinical studies have shown the state-of-the-art technology improves outcomes by allowing the surgeon to customize the placement and alignment of the implant components to the patients’ unique anatomy, providing more natural movement of the joint and increasing its longevity. Due to the added precision, most patients also experience less post-operative pain and a faster return to normal activities, with some going home the day of their surgery. Submitted photo.. 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 WILLIAM (BILL) STULTZ

Beaufort’s Bill Stultz, who just celebrated his 104th birthday April 26, joined the New Jersey National Guard even before graduating from High School in Pennington, N.J. with the class of 1940. He served with the NJNG until 1943 when he joined the United States Army Air Corps. He worked in Personnel until he was sent, by ship, across the Pacific to join the Seventh Air Force in helping to secure Oki-

Swim from page A1

best yet,” she said. “I feel good in the water, and the training has been paying off. At my championship meet this past season, I had all personal bests, and even then I know I have more.”

Bruner said a small break is coming up before her life’s next chapter. She’ll enjoy the summer, compete in three back-to-back open water swims and head to college in August.

“I will be swimming for the University of San Diego in California and hopefully will also compete in a few open water swims,” Bruner said. “While I’m ready to go, it’s bittersweet leaving the towns I grew up in, and I (owe) so much thanks to

nawa while the fighting on the Japanese islands continued. He became a member of the sacred

“Order of the Golden Dragon”

this race and all the years of fun it gave me.”

“Also, I will be back to beat Cohen (my brother) so he better be ready.”

The Beaufort River Swim is the primary fundraiser for the Lowcountry YMCA’s Learn To Swim program. Last year, 164 competitors took part in the event, raising $21,000.

Registration ends Thursday, May 18 for the River Swim and 8k and 5k runs to be held May 19 and 20.

There are multiple sign up options for the event – swim, run, or both. But there is no same-day registration.

There are two challenges including Run/Swim/Run and Swim/Run, as well as the 3.2mile competitive Beaufort River Swim, a 1-mile fun swim, the 8k Competitive Road Race or the 5k Road Race after either swim

ON THIS DATE

May 18

as he crossed the 180th meridian while headed there.

At the end of the fighting he was sent back across the Pacific on a ship built in 1913 which saw service in World War I as USS Matsonia (ID-1589), then as a fish processing ship in Alaska, and finally chartered for World War II by the Army as the troopship USAT Etolin; it was a long crossing. He was discharged in 1947 as a Sergeant. He returned

distance. All proceeds benefit the Wardle Family YMCA’s Learn To Swim Program.

The competitive and not-socompetitive fun begins Friday at the Community Beer Garden/ Sands Beach in Port Royal. With live music, food trucks, and plenty of libations including non-alcoholic beverages. All participants will receive a race bag. Then at 7 p.m., the 8k Competitive Run through Port Royal will be held. This is a standalone race as well as the first leg of the two-day Challenge 1 and Challenge 3.

The Beaufort River Swim happens on Saturday morning. The downtown Beaufort marina parking lot is the end point of both swims. This is the staging area for swim and run events – please look for directional signage for check-in to receive your timing

to civilian life, first as a salesman, and then for 30 years as an insurance inspector for National General Insurance, an Allstate Company. He has been in Beaufort for 10 years and lives at Helena Place in Port Royal.

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

chip (3.2-mile swimmer and relay team participants only) and be marked up. Parking is free until noon.

Check-in begins at 5:30 a.m., and the 3.2-mile competitive swim starts at 8 a.m. with the Fun Swim starting at approximately 8:30 am. Competitive swim participants must be at least 13 years old.

For those participating in Challenge 1 or 2, the 5k run starts immediately after the 3.2-Mile Swim. There will be a transition area marked with signage adjacent to the swim finish. There is no stand-alone 5k race.

To register or if you have questions about the race, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/ SC/Beaufort/BeaufortRiverSwim

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

2019: Hilton Head Island’s Cohen Bruner, 16, and sister Skyler Bruner, 14, win the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, in the Beaufort River Swim. The siblings’ father, Carlton Bruner, swam for the United States in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

May 23

2019: The Beaufort County Board of Education approves a four-year contract with Frank Rodriguez, the veteran educator selected to become the new Beaufort County School District Superintendent. Rodriguez was a regional superintendent in Palm Beach County, Fla. – Compiled by Mike McCombs.

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Cat of the Week: Mallie is a low-key, no-drama, buff male tabby looking for a warm and welcoming home to call his own. He is supremely mellow, and has been known to snuggle with his roomie, Wright. He is a sun seeker, so a home with plenty of sunny windows and beds where he can catch rays and zzzzs at the same time would be perfect. Mallie is 2 years old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

Dog of the Week: Lola arrived with her 8 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.

If you are interested in adopting Mallie, Lola or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@ palmettoanimalleague. org to set up an appointment.

CORRECTION: Beaufort developer Graham Trask was misidentified in the May 11 edition of The Island News

Sports Editor Justin Jarrett LowcoSports@ gmail.com

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DISCLAIMER

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.

William (Bill) Stultz

Midnight crash in Port Royal closes Ribaut Road for hours

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

A single-vehicle crash just before midnight on Saturday, May 13, shut down traffic on Ribaut Road in Port Royal for almost nine hours.

According to the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department (BPRFD), just before midnight, Engine Company 3, Ladder Company 2 and Battalion 1 responded to a call for a motor vehicle accident.

A compact sport-utility vehicle had demolished a brick landscaping wall on the property of Parker’s and struck a utility pole, knocking it down and breaking it in half, leaving power lines down across all lanes of Ribaut Road just west of the intersection with Paris Avenue in Port Royal.

According to BPRFD, a driver was not located, and witnesses reported the driver fled the scene.

Along with the Port Royal Police Department, Dominion Energy responded to the scene to han-

dle the downed electrical lines.

SCDOT was requested for traffic control with the road closure expected to last hours while repairs were completed.

Port Royal Police Department (PRPD) Capt. John Griffith said the driver that fled the scene had been identified, and there was an

outstanding warrant for that person on charges of Striking Fixtures On Or Adjacent To A Highway and Failure to Report. Griffith declined to identify the driver, but indicated investigators had spoken with the driver’s attorney on Tuesday.

“It’s my understanding there’s

a warrant for them,” Griffith said, “and they are supposed to be turning them selves in first thing Wednesday morning.”

According to Griffith, Ribaut Road was re-opened at about 9 a.m., Sunday, May 14.

BPRFD spokesperson Ross Vezin said it wasn’t the first time

this particular utility pole had been involved in a crash.

“That power pole right there has probably hit three times,” he said.

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

Beaufort awarded another large stormwater grant

From staff reports

The City of Beaufort will receive a $9.4 million grant to address stormwater infrastructure needs in the King Street drainage area – the second large grant the City has been awarded in the last month for stormwater infrastructure improvements.

The new grant is from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority’s South Carolina Infrastructure In-

vestment Program.

This grant requires a 15% match – $1.66 million – which the City will fund from American Rescue Plan monies set aside for stormwater improvements.

Just last month, the City was notified that it will receive a $7.5 million grant to address stormwater infrastructure improvements in the Charles/Craven streets and Port Republic/Carteret

streets drainage areas. That grant was from the South Carolina Office of Resilience. The City also has received an $800,000 grant to address drainage issues along Bayard Street.

All of these drainage areas are part of the Downtown/The Point Stormwater Drainage Project the City of Beaufort began to address, with an extensive study, in 2021. Of all the areas in the

study identified, the King Street drainage area required the greatest amount of work and was expected to cost the most, more than $10 million.

At the City Council Regular Meeting on May 9, Mayor Stephen Murray called the grant “remarkable,” especially coming on top of the previous two grants. He thanked all those who had been involved in securing

the grant.

The King Street drainage area work is expected to include four projects that will provide improved drainage along King Street, which is subject to flooding during heavy rains. This includes installing new drainage infrastructure, upsizing pipes, rerouting existing pipes and installing a stormwater pumpstation.

“We are in a rare period

where sizeable grant opportunities are available to help fund critical infrastructure projects,” City Manager Scott Marshall said. “I’m proud of the way our team has been able to capitalize on these opportunities and leverage them for the good of the City.”

More information on this project is expected to be presented to City Council on May 23.

Scenes from a single-vehicle crash just before midnight on Saturday, May 13, near the intersection of Ribaut Road and Paris Avenue in Port Royal. Photos courtesy of the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department

No ruling made in Beaufort parking garage, hotel lawsuit

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

No decision has been made after a lawsuit regarding the proposed parking garage and hotel in Downtown Beaufort was heard in court on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Beaufort County Courthouse.

The plaintiffs in the case – West Street Farms and Mix Farms – filed suit against the City of Beaufort, 303 Associates and The Beaufort Inn, asserting that the proper processes were not followed while approving the project and that the original approval in June 2021 by the Historic District Review Board is invalid.

West Street Farms and Mix Farms are both owned by developer Graham Trask and are adjacent to the property where the hotel is set to be built.

Trask alleges that the approvals that were issued are invalid because they did not file for an issuance of variance by the Zoning Board of Appeals according to the city regulations due to the

large footprint of the two buildings.

“I believe that this is the beginning of the end of Beaufort’s architectural integrity,” Trask said about the approved hotel and parking structure.

Trask said that he was

happy with how things went during the hearing and is glad that the presiding judge, Judge R. Scott Sprouse, is taking his time to decide.

“He did not rule from the bench, and he is going to take his time to look things

over before he comes back with his feedback so hopefully, he will take the time to really understand,” Trask said.

Attempts to reach former city attorney Bill Harvey for comments about the hearing and lawsuit were

unsuccessful, but prior to the hearing, Beaufort mayor Stephen Murray said that he believes that the city has followed all the proper regulations during the process of approving the two projects.

Murray also stated that the parking garage is necessary to help solve the parking issues in Downtown Beaufort and that approved designs for the parking structure have included beautification measures to help the large structures fit in with the architectural aesthetic of historic Beaufort.

“We have a situation where we have water on one side and existing neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area, the only solution is to build up,” Murray said. This lawsuit is one of two that have been brought against the city regarding the projected parking structure and hotel.

The other lawsuit, which was an appeal filed by the Historic Beaufort Foundation as well as West Street Farms and Mix Farms, is cur-

rently waiting to be heard in the S.C. Court of Appeals after Judge Bentley Price upheld the Historic District Review Board’s approval of the hotel in January 2022. Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She spent six years as a videographer and photographer for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette before leaving the Lowcountry in 2018. After freelancing in Myrtle Beach and Virginia, she joined The Island News when she moved back to Beaufort in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com

Second Founding of America hosts Let History Speak Celebration, honors local citizens

From staff reports

The Let History Speak Celebration was held on Wednesday, May 10, at MacLean Hall on the TCL campus. An annual celebration, the event honored eight local citizens and their work supporting the mission of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort. Honorees were chosen from three categories – The Explorers of Untold History Scholarship Program, Alliance Volunteers, and the William “Billy” Keyserling Pioneer Award.

Second Founding of America was founded in 2018 by former City of Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling. The nonprofit organization is a philanthropic partner of the National Park Service. Its mission is to assist in uncovering, telling, and celebrating the untold stories of the Reconstruction Era.

The organization sponsors initiatives such as the Explorers of Untold History Scholarship Program, Project Reconstruction Teacher Network, Historical Site Renovation, the Let History Speak Celebration, and the National Park Rangers’ Community Gala.

This year’s Let History Speak Celebration was hosted by Mistress of Ceremony Mona Lise Dickson. The audience of 200 was treated to a pre-program Sponsors Reception and a program designed to highlight the accomplishments of eight Lowcountry unsung heroes.

According to Second Founding of America’s President/CEO, Dr. Dan Durbin, “The recipients tonight represent a commitment to honoring the past, the present, and the future in regards to telling the untold stories of history.”

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ing opinions in his review group but followed that by saying that it is OK to have differing opinions because “that is the process.”

“The book was not a happy story, more like a cautionary tale,” Copeland said about the book, “But you have to get the context of it.”

Genie Brainerd, a school improvement council mem-

Receiving the 2023 Let History Speak Celebration! Awards were Gina Baker, Kianna Brown, Al M. Panu, Craig Bowman, Kamirah Freeman, Page Miller, Brad Taracuk, William “Billy” Keyserling and Robert “Bobby” Jenkins.

Community Service Award

Gina Baker has called Beaufort County home for many years. She spent 26 years in the Marine Corps. Gina retired from the Marines in 1999 and obtained a degree in Early Childhood Education from USC Aiken. She went on to teach in Beaufort County for 14 years, retiring from teaching in 2015.

She spends most of her time volunteering to support numerous community sites including the Pat Conroy Literary Center, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, Beaufort Visitors Center, area food banks and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.

Explorers of Untold History Scholarship (runner-up)

Kianna Brown is the daughter of Wayne and Kymarra Brown. She is presently a student at the Polaris Tech Charter School in Ridgeland. Kianna is both a writer and an artist. She specializes in character design through story development. Kianna’s future plans include becoming a civil rights attorney.

Beyond the Horizon Award

Al M. Panu has been the Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Beaufort since 2015. An accomplished scholar and academic leader, Panu has been a visionary force behind

Booksber who has participated on three different book review committees, said that she felt misled by Almost Perfect, the book her committee reviewed. Brainerd, who described herself as being more conservative but against book bans, said she does feel that the committees that she has been a part of have been respectful.

“Up until this book, every book that I’ve read that has been questioned, I just was like, why?” Brainerd said. “But with this book, there is

the development of the Institute for the Study of Reconstruction (ISRE) at USCB.

Explorers of Untold History Scholarship

Craig Bowman is the son of Craig and Amy Bowman. As a Beaufort Academy junior, Craig is a member of the Speech and Debate Team, Mock Trial Team, Interact Club and a Junior Class Officer. This summer, Craig will be traveling to Kyrgyzstan as an exchange student.

Explorers of Untold History Scholarship

Kamirah A. Freeman is the daughter of Kindard and Yewande Freeman. She is presently a junior at Beaufort Academy where she has been on the Girls Varsity Basketball Team (captain), Volleyball team, Cheerleading Squad, a Student Ambassador, and Chaplin of the BA Student Senate.

Servant Leadership Award

Page Putman Miller received her Ph D. in American History from the University of Maryland. For twenty years, she headed the National Coordinating Committee for the Promotion of History, the national advocacy office in Washington for Historical and Archival professions. Dr. Miller has written extensively on Legislative issues and testified frequently before Congressional Committees.

Educator of the Year

Brad Taracuk is a history educator at Whale Branch Early College High School. He is also an adjunct staff member at the Technical College of the

some uncomfortable stuff in there. You know, as a parent of young children, how much of my kid’s innocence do I want to be lost early, but when they get to high school – it’s a little bit of an evolving story.”

The other four books, Foul is Fair / Golden Boys Beware Gabi, A Girl in Pieces Identical and Push were all originally available for Grades 9 through 12, and all but Identical have been returned to those grade levels. Of the 97 books that were

Lowcountry. In addition to using history to educate his students about the world in which they live, Brad also teaches servant leadership and teamwork through his state recognized track team.

Founder of Second Founding of America

William “Billy” Keyserling is a former mayor, member of City Council, and State Legislator. After organizing with hundreds to achieve the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, he retired to focus on establishing Second Founding of America as a philanthropic partner to the National Park Service.

William “Billy” Keyserling Pioneer Award

Robert “Bobby” Jenkins was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1965, he joined the Beaufort Police Department as its second full-time Black officer. A year later, he moved to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office as its first Black deputy. Jenkins then spent 30 years at the S.C. Law Enforcement Division before joining the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office for his final decade of service.

Well known throughout the state of South Carolina and beyond, “Big Bobby” – as he was referred to by Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner – has seen the county from many sides. As a youngster, Jenkins shrimped with his father. At age 21, he got his first job in law enforcement. The rest is a life-time of adventure and service. Those adventures called on him to help protect Presidents (Bush and Clinton), a Senator (Thurmond), and even the Ku Klux Klan. Bobby Jenkins has

originally removed from BCSD libraries, 54 have gone through the review process. Of those, three books have been removed from school district shelves – It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and The Haters by Jessie Andrews – and one book – Identical by Ellen Hopkins – will be returning to the review process due to a split vote.

There are still 44 books that need to go through the review process, including

seen his share of crime, drama, and just plain everyday sorrow. During his 30 years serving with SLED, he extradited criminals from 46 states while working for the SLED Fugitive Task Force. That meant locating, arresting and extraditing wanted people. After 56 years of law enforcement service, Jenkins retired on February 5, 2021.

Throughout it all, he has been a familiar face and soothing voice for Beaufort County residents in times of stress, sorrow, and life celebrations. Beyond his 56-year law enforcement career, Bobby is known as the “Gentle Giant” – a big man with a big heart and a giving spirit. His life has revolved around serving others. Beaufort County residents love to share stories of the Gentle Giant helping those in need, protecting the helpless and teaching future generations about integrity, honor, and selflessness.

the book that is being re-reviewed.

The review process, which has so far taken eight months, will continue into the summer according to BCSD spokesperson Candace Bruder. Review committees will meet twice during the school district’s summer break, but those dates have not been finalized.

As for the book that is being re-reviewed, Bruder said that a new committee will be selected through “random-

ized computer-generated process,” just like the other book committees are, and a re-review date has not yet been determined.

Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She spent six years as a videographer and photographer for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette before leaving the Lowcountry in 2018. After freelancing in Myrtle Beach and Virginia, she joined The Island News when she moved back to Beaufort in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com

Image of the proposed hotel that is approved to be built in Downtown Beaufort. Artist’s rendering courtesy of 303 Associates

William “Billy” Keyserling Pioneer Award winner Robert “Bobby” Jenkins, left, poses with Beyond the Horizon Award winner and Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Beaufort Al M. Panu. Photo courtesy of Ed Allen.

Two local Habitat for Humanity affiliates announce merger

Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry will serve Beaufort and Jasper counties

From staff reports Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity and LowCountry Habitat for Humanity which merge and begin operating as Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry on July 1. The Board of Directors of both organizations voted in favor of the merger, and members of each will combine to form the initial

governing body of Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry.

Both Brenda Dooley, Executive Director of Hilton Head Regional Habitat, and Barbara Thomas, Executive Director of LowCountry Habitat, are enthusiastic about the merger.

“We are thrilled to merge our organizations, which will allow us to serve more families and have a

much greater impact in Beaufort and Jasper counties,” Dooley said in a news release. Dooley will become the CEO of the new organization.

“The combined affiliate will be in a better position to take a leadership role in the affordable housing arena in Beaufort County, advocate in Columbia and apply for larger grant awards. Donors

will retain the opportunity to designate funds to projects of their choice,” explains Thomas. Both affiliates have served Beaufort and Jasper counties since 1990, building strength, stability, and self-reliance for each family stabilized through affordable housing. Beaufort and Jasper counties are home to more than 178 Habitat homes.

Fire Department receives grant to help with opiate abatement

From staff reports The Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department will receive $200,000 over the next two years from Beaufort County that will allow the department to staff a medical officer, who will direct and implement an opiate abatement strategy. The department will receive $100,000 each year

with the possibility of future awards, said Fire Chief Tim Ogden. The medical officer will oversee the department’s medical training program and help educate first responders in pre-arrest diversion programs, post-overdose response teams, and similar strategies that connect at-risk

individuals to services and support, he said.

Approximately $1 million was awarded to Beaufort County by the South Carolina Opioid Settlement Funds from the 2022 national opioids settlement. The Beaufort County Opiate Abatement Team invited organizations to apply for grants from this

settlement, and selected the Fire Department as one of its grantees.

“This was an opportunity for us to continue to grow our medical program by providing an additional layer of service,” Chief Ogden said.

The department also just received its Advance Life Support License, which al-

lows the department to provide a paramedic level of care. “We are excited to be able to provide a high level of care to our citizens along with our public education and prevention programs that help keep our community safe,” Ogden said. He said he hopes to promote from within for the position of medical officer.

Council member Dawson to host public forums

tributed fairly across the County.

3 youths injured after pair of shootings Friday

From staff reports

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) responded to two separate shooting incidents in northern Beaufort County Friday night that injured several area youths.

According to the BCSO release, on Friday, April 12, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., deputies were called to an address on Delaney Circle in Seabrook for a gunshot victim. When they arrived, they found a 19-year-old Beaufort man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital before being transferred to the Medical University of South Carolina for treatment.

BCSO spokesperson Angela Viens said the teen has since been released from the hospital Deputies learned that there was a large gathering of people at the home for a party when gunfire erupted. In addition to the gunshot victim, several vehicles were damaged by bullets.

A short time after responding to the Delaney Circle shooting, at approximately 11:30 p.m., BCSO deputies were called to a home on Glaze Drive in Burton for what was reported to be a drive-by shooting.

From staff reports

County Council Member Gerald Dawson (District 1) is hosting two public forums on 2023 Property Re-Assessment.

The meetings will be held:

• Sunday, May 21, 5 p.m. at Burton Wells Regional Rec Center

Tuesday, May 23, 6 p.m. at Booker T. Washington Center

The public is invited to attend at

NEWS BRIEFS

County offering electronics recycling

The Beaufort County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling will host two free electronics recycling events for County residents Saturday, May 20. They will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations: Beaufort County Public Works, 9 Benton Field Road, Bluffton Beaufort County Public Works, 140 Shanklin Road, Beaufort

*Please note adjusted event hours. Residents are asked to please stay in your car during the event. Staff will unload electronics. Residential only.

Future

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so that the community could continue to live and thrive in this special place,” Executive Director of the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League Faith Rivers James said in a press release issued after the vote.

When the result of the vote became clear, many members of the audience applauded the council’s action.

“The people of St. Helena want to thank the County Council for voting tonight to be on the right side of history,” St. Helena resident Robert New said.

Community-driven zoning

Work on the overlay began in earnest in January of this year. At that time, the county’s Community Services and Land Use Committee directed a newly formed Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee to review changes to the ordinance recommended by county administration and return with its own recom-

either location. Beaufort County Assessor Ebony Sanders will be the guest speaker at both forums. “We understand that property re-assessment can be a confusing and stressful process for residents,” stated Council Member

Gerald Dawson

Any personal computers, laptops, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, CRT televisions, non-CRT televisions, printers, hard drives, and miscellaneous electronics (cell phones, radios, and fax machines) will be accepted.

Household items NOT accepted at this event include microwaves, vacuums, stereos, speakers, tuners, VCRs, DVDs, lamps, etc. These can be taken to the Convenience Centers for disposal and will not be unloaded at the event.

If you have questions about Beaufort County recycling events, please call the Solid Waste and Recycling Office at 843-255-2736.

Dawson. “We want to provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about it and get answers to their questions.” This public forum will provide an opportunity for residents to learn about the property re-assessment process and how it affects their property taxes. The re-assessment of property values is necessary to ensure that the tax burden is dis-

Council Member Dawson will be joined by Beaufort County Assessor Ebony Sanders who will explain the ins and outs of property re-assessment and answer any questions that residents may have. For more information, please contact Council Member Dawson at 843-986-7265 or gdawson@bcgov.net

SCDNR to work at boat ramps

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) will be conducting its annual shellfish ground management efforts (oyster shell reseeding) at several Beaufort County boat landings next week.

The boat landings will remain open to the public, however there will be increased truck and barge activity throughout each day while SCDNR reseeds the oyster beds at each location.

The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, May 22-Tuesday, May 23 – Broad River

Landing, Beaufort

• Wednesday, May 24-Friday, May 26 & Tuesday, May 30 –Station Creek Landing

• Friday, May 26 & Tuesday, May 30 – Russ Point Landing, Beaufort

• Monday, June 5-Friday, June 9 & Monday, June 12 –

The Sands, Port Royal

The barge will occupy one ramp while it is being loaded. Loading will take approximately two hours. At least one ramp will be available for public use while the barge is being loaded.

– Compiled from staff reports

courtyard outside of council chambers.

During a rally to raise awareness of the overlay updates held at St. Helena Elementary School on March 30, hundreds of attendees heard local residents express their support for the initiative.

Councilman York Glover, Councilman David Bartholomew, State Sen. Chip Campsen and City of Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray also spoke at the rally in favor of updating the ordinance.

14, citing the pending adoption of the revised overlay language. The new overlay language expressly prohibits any golf-related activity.

Those close to the issue have argued that the overlay has effectively prohibited 18-hole golf courses since its adoption more than 20 years ago.

Tropeano lamented during the May 8 council that he would not be able to use revenue from the proposed golf course to power revitalization of the community.

A small gathering of youths, ages 9 to 14, were hanging out in the carport area of a residence on Glaze Drive when a vehicle drove by and shot toward the home.

An 11- year-old Burton child sustained a single, non-life-threatening, gunshot wound. Another 13- year-old also sustained injuries during the mayhem however the injuries are not believed to be from gunfire. Both youths have been treated and released from Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

The home, as well as several vehicles, sustained damage from gunfire.

These events remain under investigation. Anyone with information about either of these investigations is encouraged to contact Sgt. D. Kline at 843-2553430, or if wishing to remain anonymous and for a possible reward, Crime Stoppers of the Low Country at 843-554-1111.

a neighbor of yours,” Lawson said. “It will be worth your while to sit down and figure out what is best for him as the owner and yourselves as residents there for you all to work something out that is best for everybody and not just one side.”

Both Reitz and Cunningham expressed admiration for Tropeano’s persistence in the face of major opposition.

Indications are that Tropeano’s plans for the property now focus on residential development.

mendations by April 10.

The Land Use Committee approved the new language during its April 10 meeting and forwarded it on to County Council, where the first reading was approved by a 10-1 vote the same day. The second reading passed by a vote of 8-2 with Councilwoman Paula Brown joining Cunningham in opposition to the motion. Brown and Cunningham remained the two opposing votes on the

third reading.

Cunningham and Brown declined to comment to The Post and Courier about their votes, although previously Cunningham had publicly expressed reservations about government overreach.

The effort to update the overlay drew enthusiastic public support, with large crowds showing up at each county meeting. Supporters sometimes spilled into the hallways and into the

Glover returned to the mic on May 8. “The community has spoken,” Glover said during the County Council meeting. “It’s very clear.”

What’s next for Pine Island?

The revision to the overlay almost certainly ends the prospect of an exclusive golf club and resort on the 500acre Pine Island Plantation property proposed by developer Elvio Tropeano in late 2022.

The county rejected Tropeano’s application for three six-hole golf courses on April

“Fortunately the property is perfect for that,” Tropeano said. “Unfortunately, it’s perfect for a golf course or 166 homes. That’s what’s made this so hard, is the association of a sport with cultural loss. I get it. I totally get it.”

Despite the fact that a golf resort clearly conflicts with the St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay, several County Council members, including Thomas Reitz and Mark Lawson, advised island residents to meet with Tropeano to discuss development plans.

“Pine Island is going to be

After his proposal for three golf courses was denied, Tropeano appeared at an April 26 Beaufort County Staff Review Team meeting with a preliminary plan for 166 homes and up to 100 docks, which are in accordance with allowable zoning. If a completed application is received, Tropeano will need to appear before the Staff Review Team for three levels of approvals.

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

Developer Elvio Tropeano speaks as the Beaufort County Council takes up revisions to the St. Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay during its meeting held Monday, April 10, 2023, in Beaufort. The overlay revisions received final approval on May 8. Tony Kukulich/The Post And Courier

Will the Secure Act 2.0 affect your retirement planning?

Provided by Wells Fargo

You may want to review your retirement planning strategies because of key provisions in the Secure Act 2.0, which was signed into law in December 2022.

Currently effective

You may want to consider potential opportunities to adjust your retirement savings and distribution plans and charitable giving strategies.

1. Should you wait an extra year to take distributions from your retirement accounts?

The required minimum distribution (RMD) age has increased to age 73 for individuals who turn age 72 in 2023. This means they do not have an RMD due in 2023. Individuals who turned age 72 in 2022 or earlier must continue taking their RMDs as scheduled.

2. Does making qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) make sense?

QCDs are available to those age 70½ or older and have a Traditional IRA and/ or Traditional Inherited IRA.

Beginning in 2023, you may distribute a one-time $50,000 QCD paid directly from your IRA to certain split-interest entities that qualify under the new rule. The $50,000 is part of the $100,000 QCD annual limit. The rules governing

what split-interest entities are allowed to receive the one-time $50,000 amount are complex, so consult a planning or philanthropic specialist who can provide more information.

3. Should you direct employer matching contributions to your before-tax qualified retirement plan (QRP) account or designated Roth account?

Your employer may now offer you the option of receiving vested matching contributions in a QRP designated Roth account instead of a QRP before-tax salary deferral account. Contributions to a designated Roth account are made with after-tax dollars and qualified distributions are tax-free.1

Starting January 1, 2024

1. Should you delay taking distributions from a designated Roth account?

Currently, if you have a Roth IRA, you are not required to take RMDs while you’re alive, but you do have to take them from a designated Roth account. Starting in 2024, you will no longer have to take RMDs from either type of Roth account.

2. Would a 529 plan designated beneficiary get a head start on saving for retirement by transferring their unused balance to a Roth IRA?

Beginning in 2024, a 529 designated beneficiary may make a rollover contribution from their 529 to their Roth IRA if certain conditions are met. Distributions are subject to annual Roth contribution limits, the 529 beneficiary must have equivalent earned compensation, and the aggregate distributions are limited to a $35,000 lifetime amount.

To qualify, the 529 account must have been in existence for at least 15 years and the amount rolled over to the Roth IRA may not exceed the aggregate amount contributed (plus earnings) before the five-year period ending on the transfer date.

3. Will you get credit for your student loan payments?

If you are paying off qualified student loans, your employer will have the option to match your loan payments with contributions to a retirement account, offering you an additional incentive to save for retirement. For this purpose, matching contributions can be made into a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), or SIMPLE IRA plan.

4. Should you take advantage of employer-sponsored emergency savings accounts linked to individual account plans?

Your company will have the option to automatically sign you up for an emergency sav-

ings account for up to 3% of your salary or up to $2,500, indexed for inflation, to your retirement plan if you earn less than a certain amount of money. These contributions would be made on an after-tax basis with the potential for an employee match. If your company participates, you will be allowed at least one withdrawal per month and the first four withdrawals in a year cannot be subject to any plan fees.

Starting January 1, 2025

Should you take advantage of higher retirement catch-up contributions?

Currently, if you’re age 50 or older and want to increase your tax-advantaged retirement savings, you can make an additional $7,500 contribution annually to your QRP and $3,500 to a SIMPLE IRA.

Beginning in 2025, if you’re aged 60 – 63, you will be able to increase that amount to the greater of $10,000, indexed for inflation, ($5,000, indexed for inflation, for a SIMPLE IRA) or 150% of your catch-up contributions for the year.

The increased catch-up amounts will be adjusted for inflation beginning in 2025. If your wages exceed $145,000, indexed for inflation, in the preceding calendar year, you will be required to make your catch-up contributions to a designated Roth account.

Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. This communication cannot be relied upon to avoid tax penalties. Please consult your tax and legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your tax return is filed.

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 Insurance Products are:

Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2023 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. CAR 0323-00351

Distributions are qualified when a designated Roth account has been funded for more than five years and the employee is age 59½, or disabled, or taken by their beneficiaries after the employee’s death.

Don’t miss Little Mermaid Jr. at USCB Center For Arts this weekend only

From staff reports

From classic literature to the Academy Award-winning film and Broadway musical, Ariel’s undersea journey is a beautiful love story for the ages.

For this weekend only, journey “under the sea” with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Beaufort Children’s Theatre’s version of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., adapted from Disney’s Broadway production and the motion picture (featuring the enormously popular Academy Award-winning music and delightfully charming book and lyrics). Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that

she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

Show times are 7 p.m.

Friday, May 19; 7 p.m., Saturday, May 20; and 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 21 at the USCB

Center For The Arts at 805 Carteret Street. Tickets are going fast but still available at https://bit. ly/3MxrFGV. Adults are $22, Senior Citizens/Mili-

tary are $18, and students are $14.

This production features 96 local residents ages 8-18, all from Beaufort Country, including: Mary Margaret

WANT TO GO?

Who: Beaufort Children’s Theatre

What: Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jr.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, May

7 p.m., Saturday, May

3 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Where: USCB Center For The Arts, 805 Carteret Street

Tickets: $22 for adults, $18 for Senior Citizen/Military, and $14 for students. For tickets, visit https://bit. ly/3MxrFGV

Ackerman, Adalyn Aebersold, Isobel Amundson, Henry Amundson, Riley Barton, Charlotte Bauer, Joella Bonds, Naomi Bonds, Hannah Borreggine, Catherine Bowman, Natalie Bozalek, Eva Breazeale, Emma Brem, Peyton Brock, Sidda Leigh Brock, Ian Brooks, Katie Cechini, Brynlee Coburn, Kenadie Cole, Khloie Cole, Madelyn Colton, Chloe Cowins, Gabriel Davidson, Amelia Decanio, Jai Desai, Kareena Desai, Chase Dibble, Alyssa Dibble, Brianna Dibble, Emily Drewnoski, Seabrook Duryea, Summer Estrella, Lily Kate Ferguson, Logan Forrestall, Rials Gault, Raynor Gault, Vivi-

enne Gibbons, Mackenzie Goodrich, Lauren Grice, Jackson Hamilton, Madeline Hardy, Hailey Heckert, Iris Hock, Sophia Holmes, Skyler Holmes, Jane Rubin Irish, Christopher Jenkins, Lilly Grace Johnson, Everett Johnston, Trinity Jolly, JJ Kunkler, Riley Kunkler, Penny Larrimore, Ava Lute, Macie Magbee, Hannah McKinnon, Sophia Mercier, Avery Merrick, Leslie Merrick, Korinne Lyn Mueller, Genevieve Murray, Josephine Murray, Kenzie Norwood, Virginia O’Kelley, Caroline O’Kelley, Omoyeni Obasoyin, Sydney Oyervides, Sofia Pagliaroli, Annika Pagliaroli, Brea J. Parker, Trinity Patino, Destiny Patino, Allison Perlinger, Riley Phifer, Madisyn Pike, Abigail Poole Butler, James Riddle, Gwendolyn Roberts, Aidan Rock, Hannah Schranz, Savion Simmons, Kaylyn Smith, Allison Smith, Maggie Smith, Molly Smith, Wynn Staiger, Anna Claire Stansell, Amelia Steen, Maggie Stephens, Luke Strebe, Rebecca Thompson, Maren Tillapaugh, Nellie Vega, Layla Waldrop, Ceci Wareham, and Gray Williams.

Lowcountry Community Concert Band to perform in Park

From staff reports The Lowcountry Community Concert Band (LCCB) will close their Spring Season with an outdoor performance at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 21, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort. The event, featuring more than 60 volunteer musicians, is free, but donations will be accepted.

The program includes selections from Lincolnshire Posy, an English folksong collection by Percy Aldridge Grainger; Flourish for Wind Band and Rhosymedre, both by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Irish Rhapsody by Clare Grundman; Siciliano movement from Prelude,

Siciliano and Rondo by Malcolm Arnold; L’Inglesina (“Little English Girl” march) by Davide Della Cese; and Midnight Euphonium, a solo piece, by Goff Richards.

The LCCB performs under the baton of Conductor/Artistic Director David Carbone, who has more than 30 years of experience in music education and the marching arts as a performer, conductor, educator, arranger and adjudicator, including a 25-year career as a band director and music educator at high school and collegiate levels in Florida, Ohio, Texas, and South Carolina.

Carbone holds a Masters Degree in Wind Band Conducting

from the University of South Florida, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Miami (Fla).

In the spring of 2017, Carbone was named Artistic Director and Conductor of the Lowcountry Community Concert Band, sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Although he “retired” from public education in summer 2019, Carbone maintains an active schedule as a composer and arranger, band consultant, guest conductor, and music advocate for Music For All, Bands of America, Drum Corps International,

and judging circuits nationwide.

Deborah Hamner, the Associate Conductor, teaches Band, Music Appreciation, and Piano at May River High School. She formerly taught Music and directed the Band at Bridges Preparatory School. Hamner brings years of prior experience in the Marine Corps, which she joined as a clarinet player. She was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, N.C.; and Parris Island. She also attended the Ceremonial Conducting/Drum Major Course in Virginia Beach, Va.

The LCCB is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of South

Carolina Beaufort. The LCCB provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages and abilities to play instrumental music together for enjoyment as well as to perform for the community.

Any OLLI member is welcome to join. Students and adults of any age can also join the band. The LCCB is 100% self-sustaining, and receives no state or local funding. Donations are welcome, and are used for buying new music and equipment, repairing instruments, and rental of venue space for performances where required.

For further information, visit the LCCB website at www.ollilccb. com

Ariel (Lauren Grice) and Flounder (Adalyn Aebersold) rehearse for Beaufort Children’s Theatre’s version of Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jr., at the USCB Center For The Arts. Submitted photo.

‘Champion’ by Terrance Blanchard

By Becky Sprecher For The Island News

I’ve seen a lot of wild things on the opera stage, from duels, shootings and stabbings to Tosca leaping from a castle parapet to her death, John the Baptist’s head being brought in on a tray, and the burning of Valhalla.

But one thing I’ve never seen onstage is a boxing ring. Until now.

Champion (1 p.m., Saturday, May 20, USCB Center For The Arts) is about welterweight boxer Emile Griffith, an immigrant hatmaker from the Virgin Islands who not only had a tough childhood but is a closeted gay man. Enraged by a homophobic taunt from challenger Benny “The Kid” Paret during their third bout at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 1962, Griffith turned into a human pile-driver, unleashing a torrent of blows that went unchecked by the referee. Paret collapsed in a coma and died 10 days later.

The story is told in a series of flashbacks by an elderly Griffith (sung by Eric Owens), who is suffering from pugilistic dementia. Act I deals with Griffith’s childhood and career, while Act II covers his disastrous marriage and his brutal assault after leaving a gay club. He achieves redemption when he comes to terms with the injured child he once was and asks forgiveness from the family of the man he killed.

Champion is the first operatic work by jazz trumpeter Terrence Blanchard, a five-time Grammy Award winner and composer for Spike Lee’s films. His second opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones, had a sell-out run at the Met last season.

There are a number of challenges to bringing Champion to the Met stage. First of all, opera singers are not known to be paragons of physical fitness. But bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green lost 100 pounds

and went into training for the role of Griffith, practicing jabs, combos and weaves. “People think that punching is the hard part of boxing,” he told the New Yorker, “but it’s actually the footwork.”

Another challenge was the choreography. How do you make the match look realistic and violent without anyone getting hurt? Griffith and Paret also sing while they’re in the ring and would become too winded if they were actually throwing punches. The Met’s fight director, Chris Dumont, decided that the best way around this was a stylized approach. When a blow lands, the singers freeze as if they are in a snapshot. Other sequences are depicted in slow motion.

In order to portray Griffith’s epic barrage in the deadly knock-out round as realistically as possible, Dumont watched video of the actual fight. “The 17 blows are fairly close to what it was in real time,” he told the New York Times, “We are not actually landing the blows, but moving fast enough so the audience is tricked.” The action then moves to slow motion as Paret is falling to the mat. It didn’t hurt that Blanchard actually knows something about

boxing, having sparred informally with his friend, the actor and former professional boxer, Michael Bentt. To make sure the production had the right look, Blanchard asked Bentt to consult.

“I’m not an expert on opera, but I’m an expert on rhythm,” said Bentt in an interview with the Times, “and boxing is rhythm.”

He pointed out that the boxing mitts, which are used by a trainer to block a fighter’s punches, were too clean.

“Make them look gritty,” he advised. “Rub them on the concrete to get them nasty looking. There’s nothing clean about the world of boxing.”

The orchestra is an active participant in the show, with the snare drummer focused on the boxing punches and synching his snare shots accordingly. Actual bells sound to begin and end the rounds, and conductor Yannick NézetSéguin even appears in the orchestra pit in a boxer’s robe at the start of the second act. Also look for the carnival scene in St. Thomas to have the same vibrant energy as the stepdance that was such a hit in Fire Shut Up in My Bones.

Ryan Speedo Green, who sang in

Fire last year, shares a similar history with Griffith in that he grew up poor in a trailer park in Virginia. Also like Griffith, he was abused as a child, spending time in juvenile detention for threatening to kill his mother. As for his unusual name, his given name is indeed Ryan. But the Speedo?

“My dad was an amateur bodybuilder,” Green told the New Yorker, “and so as a joke on April Fool’s Day — I was born on April 1 — he named me after his favorite underwear.”

Magic happened when Green was 14 and went on a field trip to the Metropolitan Opera, where he saw Carmen. From then on, his life changed. A couple years ago, he found himself onstage at the Met, singing in seven shows at roughly the same time in English, Russian, Italian, and German. One of those roles was the toreador Escamillo in Carmen, the very opera that had inspired him to sing in the first place.

La Tonia Moore from Fire returns to sing Griffith’s neglectful mother, and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe does a great cameo as the “I’ve-seen-it-all-and-thensome” bar owner.

Champion is similar to Fire in that it explores these same sex attractions that caused author Charles Blow such early anxiety. In fact, one of Champion’s most beautiful and moving moments is when Green sings the almost Puccinian aria, “What makes a man a man?”

You may be wondering why Blanchard, who is straight, was drawn to this material.

“The thing that really got me about Emile’s story is the whole idea of accomplishing something major in your life but not being able to share that openly with someone you love,” he said in a Met interview. “Thinking about the inequities that people experience in the world because of social dogma — that really appealed to me as a subject. There’s

a moment when Griffith says, ‘I killed a man, and the world forgave me. Yet I loved a man, and the world wants to kill me.’ That, to me, was a very, very, very powerful notion.”

“I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, going to Central Congregational Church,” Blanchard continued, “and if you truly believe in a higher power, then you have to believe that we’re not all going to come in the same flavor. We need to celebrate our differences.”

Even more rewarding for Blanchard than seeing his work staged at the Met has been the opportunity for African American singers to showcase their talents in leading roles in big productions. “With Fire, they were all part of something that was successful and that’s going to be with them for the rest of their careers,” he said. “I loved watching them take ownership of the material and the music, making it their own.”

If Champion resonates with audiences, perhaps we can look forward not only to more operas from Blanchard, but more sports operas as well. If opera is about anything it’s about people under extreme pressures with extreme emotions, and professional athletes surely qualify. Perhaps in the future, seeing something like a boxing ring onstage won’t be so unusual after all.

PRSF Maritime center hosting Gullah Geechee art

From staff reports

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor National Heritage Area, presents “HOW DA WADA

KEPT OONA,” a Gullah Geechee art exhibition, in partnership with the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center. The exhibition is on display through May 29 at the Maritime Center located at 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie. The event is free and open to the public.

“HOW DA WADA KEPT

OONA” provides a brilliant glimpse into the contemporary artwork of nine local and regional creatives, who share their connections with Gullah Geechee culture and their connections to our beautiful coastal waterways.

The exhibition incorporates creations from public and private collections, featuring mixed media assemblages, photographs, poetry, and paintings by Mary

Inabinett Mack, Saundra

Renee Smith, Mahoganee

Amiger, and Lisa Rivers of St. Helena Island, Clyde Williams of Beaufort, James Simmons of Burton, Amiri

Geuka Farris of Bluffton, Quadre Stuckey of Mount Pleasant, and Quincy How-

ard of Columbus, Ga. The exhibition includes a small selection of limited-edition reproductions featuring the art of Jonathan Green. Gullah Geechee Corridor Executive Director Victoria Smalls says the group is honored to present “HOW

DA WADA KEPT OONA”

to the public in partnership with the Port Royal Sound Foundation, an organization with a like-minded mission “to preserve the Port Royal Sound for environmen-

tal, cultural and economic well-being of our area.”

The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of Africans who were enslaved on the rice, indigo and Sea Island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast. Many came with exper knowledge from the rice-growing region of West Africa.

The nature of their enslavement on isolated island and coastal plantations created a unique and

beautiful culture with deep African retention that are clearly visible in the Gullah Geechee people’s distinctive arts, crafts, food, music, and language.

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Area managed by the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission. The National Heritage Area program is managed by the U.S. National Park Service.

National Heritage Areas

are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. The purpose of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor NHA is to preserve, share and interpret the history, traditional cultural practices, heritage sites, and natural resources associated with Gullah Geechee people of coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Art Quilters of Lowcountry hosting Exhibit, Gallery Talk, and Sale

Ryan Speedo Green as Emile Griffith. Submitted photo

Saundra Renee Smith Artwork Clyde Williams Artwork

This image is from the The Art Quilters of the Lowcountry’s September 2022 exhibit called “Heart and Soul of the South” at Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn Plantation on Hilton Head Island. Submitted photo.

TCL graduates more than 300 students in Downtown Beaufort ceremony

By Delayna Earley

The

Island News

BEAUFORT

– More than 300 graduates received their diplomas on during Technical College of the Lowcountry’s (TCL) graduation ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023, in a ceremony held at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Downtown Beaufort.

Also among the graduates were the first group of students to graduate with an Associate in Applied Science in Culinary Arts Technology. While there have been other graduates, this is the first group of students to earn all their credits while attending TCL.

One of those graduates, Diane Keane, said that the program was very hands on and diverse in ages and experience, with students ranging in age from 17 to people in their 70s. She also received her Associate in Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts.

Keane said she didn’t know how to cook and she wanted to learn how to cook, so that’s why she sought her degrees.

This year more than 40 graduates were Dual Enrollment Scholars from Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties and received a certificate, diploma or degree

from TCL while still in high school.

The Student Address was delivered by Tori Jai White, a senior at Whale Branch Early College High School who was dually enrolled at TCL and graduated with an Associate in Arts, an Associate in Science, a Certificate in Arts / General Education and a Certificate in Arts / Liberal Arts Core before graduating from high school in June.

The student speaker is selected from a pool of applicants to speak during the graduation on behalf of the

current graduating class.

“Today is the culmination of your hopes and dreams, and the hopes and dreams that took shape as you were matriculating,” White said during her speech. She encouraged students to not mold themselves to fit what they think others want them to be, but to be themselves.

The Commencement Speaker was Beaufort County School District (BCSD) Superintendent Frank Rodriguez.

Rodriguez began by stating that White is an example

Rotary Club of Beaufort Awards Annual College Scholarships

From staff reports

Five Beaufort area high school seniors each received a $1,000 scholarship grant through the Lieutenant General George I. Forsythe Rotary Scholarship Program at the Rotary Club of Beaufort’s May 10 luncheon meeting.

The five recipients, each nominated by their respective high schools were Katherine Luckey, Beaufort Academy; Logan Morgan, Battery Creek High School; Megan Alvarez, Beaufort High School; Benjamin Christian, Beaufort High School; and Madelyn Confare, Beaufort High School.

Two recipients – Luckey and Christian – were introduced to the Beaufort Rotarians and recognized with certificates. Moran, Alvarez, and Confare were not able to attend the ceremony as they were scheduled to take Advanced Placement exams on the same day and at the same time as the Rotary recognition event.

The Lieutenant General George I. Forsythe Scholarship is presented annually to graduating seniors from Beaufort County high schools north of the

Broad River in memory of Forsythe, a member of the Beaufort Rotary from 1972, when he completed a distinguished 33-year military career, until his passing in 1986. The Beaufort Rotary received 25 applications this year, in what would become a very competitive contest. Certificates of recognition were presented to the recipients by the Rotary’s scholarship chair, retired Brigadier General Barney

Forsythe, son of the late George Forsythe, and a Rotarian since 2006. Luckey will attend Clemson University (Honors College); Moran will attend Brigham Young University after completing a two-year Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints mission; Alvarez is still undecided on her college; Christian will attend Georgetown University; and Confare will attend the University of South Carolina.

Casavant joins USCB’s Center for Strategic Planning

From staff reports Rod Casavant has joined the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Center for Strategic Planning (USCB CSP) as a facilitator. He is Chairman Emeritus of the SCORE SC Lowcountry Chapter, where he led a team of more than 40 certified business mentors (2017-22) supporting start-up businesses and in-business clients in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties.

Casavant is a SCORE certified Business Mentor and on the organization’s National Advisory Council. He had a 30-plus-year

career with Eli Lilly & Company in multiple leadership roles with a track record of developing high performing teams focused on successful implementation of strategic and operational initiatives.

of the amazing partnership between TCL and BCSD with their dual enrollment program.

“Thank you for representing all that is possible here this evening,” Rodriguez said about White. “With education, anything is possible,” he continued.

Rodriguez shared that 92% of TCL graduates usually stay locally and “are the heartbeat of our community and our economy.”

“The education that you received here allows you to chart your own course and

make a positive impact in our community,” said Rodriguez during his address.

According to Rodriguez, TCL offers over 60 degrees, certificates and diplomas and pathways across credited and no-credited programs.

“What makes these programs so important and special is that they align with the needs of our current and future regional industries, right here in the Lowcountry that require specialized training and certifications,” Rodriguez said. “You get that

through your experience (at TCL).”

A complete list of the 2023 TCL Graduates can be found in the May 11, 2023 edition of The Island News

Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She spent six years as a videographer and photographer for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette before leaving the Lowcountry in 2018. After freelancing in Myrtle Beach and Virginia, she joined The Island News when she moved back to Beaufort in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com

USCB’s Malphrus wins Carolina Trustees award

From staff reports

Ellen Malphrus of the University of South Carolina Beaufort has won the Carolina Trustees Professorship Award, in recognition of her outstanding work as an educator, author, and scholar. The Carolina Trustees Professorship is a prestigious award presented annually by the University of South Carolina Columbia to recognize excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Each year, a faculty member at one USC system institution receives this award for service to their disciplines, peers, students and communities. This is the fourth year in a row that USCB has won the Carolina

Trustees Professorship for System Campuses.

Malphrus is a Professor of English and Writer in Residence at USCB. Her critically acclaimed novel, Untying the Moon, (with a foreword by Pat Conroy) is among her many publications. Her poetry, fiction, and essays regularly appear in highly regarded literary journals across the country. She was mentored by U.S. Poet Laureate James Dickey. Malphrus has been a faculty member at USCB since 1998.

Ellen Malphrus

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Hilton Head Hospital

Auxiliary gives $20,000 to USCB Nursing Scholarships

On May 6, the Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary gave $20,000 to University of South Carolina Beaufort to support nursing scholarships.

The Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary provides financial assistance to those seeking advanced education in healthcare fields, with a focus on nursing students in the Lowcountry. The Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary started the scholarship fund to attract new students and help to address the local nursing shortage.

Members of the Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary donated $20,000 to USCB to support nursing scholarships. Pictured, from left, are Tim Daniels, USCB Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development; Dr. Lynne Hutchison, USCB Nursing Department Chair; Daytona Cooper (rising junior); Christine Flores (senior); Vicki Gorbett, President, Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary Board of Directors; Marge Sieban, Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Chair; Bob Elliott, Tournament Director. Submitted photo

https://hhiaux.org/annual-golf-tournament/.

Whale Branch’s Stephens wins State Fair scholarship

Whale Branch Early College High School student Austin Stephens is one of 51 2023 recipients of the South Carolina State Fair’s Ride of Your Life Scholarship.

Rod Casavant

Casavant has a BA in Chemistry from the University of South Florida and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

The donation comes from money raised at the Hilton Head Auxiliary’s 36th annual golf tournament, which, this year, will be held November 27-28, 2023 at the Harbour Town Golf Links and the Wexford Golf Club. The tournament has raised more than $1 million in net revenue over its history and is the longest running local charity golf tournament on Hilton Head Island.

To learn more about the Annual Hospital Auxiliary Golf Tournament visit

For the first time in more than a decade, the S.C. State Fair increased its total scholarship investment to $500,000 — awarding each recipient with $10,000.

Each year, the South Car-

olina State Fair, a self-supporting 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, awards scholarships to South Carolina high school students planning to pursue their studies at any public or private college, university, or technical college in the state. The individual scholarship amount increased this year from $7,500 to $10,000 The $10,000 scholarships are awarded at an annual rate of $2,500 and are based on academic and extracurricular achievement, communication skills, need and completeness of the application.

– From staff reports

Robert Brown, left, chats with Libby DeLoach, the Director of Cosmetology at the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL), on Friday, May 12, 2023, before the TCL Commencement ceremony at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort. By Delayna Earley/The Island News

Tori Jai White gives the Student Address during the Technical College of the Lowcountry Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023. By Delayna Earley/The Island News

From left, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Barney Forsythe; Benjamin Christian, Beaufort High School; Katherine Luckey, Beaufort Academy; Whitney McDaniel, President, Rotary Club of Beaufort; and Professor Larry Rowland. Not pictured are Logan Morgan, Battery Creek High School; Megan Alvarez, Beaufort High School; and Madelyn Confare, Beaufort High School. Jim Weiskopf/ Rotary Club of Beaufort

A divided heart lives in

I’m reminded again of the quote from Scott Fitzgerald, “You do not write because you want to say something; you write because you have something to say.” I can relate to those who are called to express the burdens within their hearts and thankful for the opportunity to share mine. These freedoms may not always be with us as the world is becoming aggressively opposed to God and His disciples. I write for several secular publications around the country and I’m often warned about toning it down with Jesus as it might offend those who disagree.

The subtle hint here is that being selective with my words would be better than having no platform at all. Many newspapers have already closed the door on spiritual content because of political, social, and cultural resistance.

The Living on Purpose column is recognized as a source of encouragement and faith, nevertheless, as a watchman I must never ignore His warnings. Pastors and teachers will agree it’s easier to talk about doctrines and Biblical history, but it’s a solemn responsibility and personal sacrifice to deliver a specific and urgent message from God Himself.

In the Bible when He would choose a servant that He could trust, often their obedience brought persecution and for some, it cost them their lives. This is happening right now.

I’m referring to those few individuals that are not afraid to speak divine truth about sin even if they are silenced with force.

The religious “fluff” will continue adapting and compromising as a part of their self-preservation, but sadly this fear of offending is causing many churches

BILLY HOLLAND

to reconsider their stand against sin as a solution to maintain popularity while avoiding hostile spiritual warfare.

Along with most assemblies reinventing themselves, we notice a decline in the promotion of prayer. Why is this? Because the masses would rather be cozy and comfortable, to be entertained, and listen to short “feel good” devotions that are nonthreatening. Serious prayer does not fit into this format, even though intercession generates the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the services and increases discernment, anointing, and maturity.

When prayer was removed from the public education system, the enemy won a major battle, but why do we not hear more about how the absence of a praying church causes a spiritually powerless nation? One reason is the average religious person only calls for prayer when they need something. If prayer was a top priority of Christians, there would be prayer meetings every day.

How often are we desperate for God? Do we anticipate Him whispering for us to go somewhere private and seek Him?

I realize I talk about the human will all the time, but I do not apologize as it is the key to the meaning of life. Our free will is the command center within the human experience that has everything to do with our spiritual connection with our Creator. Until the word

of God convicts the will and the mind is transformed to be completely dedicated to Him, there can only be a hypocritical facade.

If we choose to fill our minds with the poison of the world, we will not be convicted to pray or have a passion to walk in the awareness of His presence.

So, why is the reverential fear of the Lord hardly mentioned anymore?

Because the masses do not want to hear that lukewarmness is a result of being filled with more of the world than the Holy Spirit. We are what we think and when we refuse to guard our minds, our conscience easily becomes contaminated. When pleasure becomes more important than pleasing God, our dirty heart separates us from Him.

If we allow God to purify us with His refining fire, there is no way we can continue absorbing the corruption of wickedness. We have two choices: continue pledging allegiance to the darkness or become a living sacrifice for Christ. We can’t love two masters and being neutral is serving the darkness. Beyond the motivational talks and inspirational stories, we must own all aspects of truth, we must demonstrate what we confess.

Until we surrender our will to Him, we will not change. We’ve heard about being born-again, but not a lot about what it really means. When a person accepts Christ as their Savior and Lord, they no longer serve themselves. All control has been given over to their new Master, and to continue living exactly the same “after” we make our holy vow to Jesus is a fraud.

Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Options & References for a Healthier Life

See clearly: Advances in eyewear

Lenses:

The lenses are one of the most important parts of any pair of eyeglasses. Today, new lens materials have made glasses lighter, thinner and more appealing to the wearer. Here are some lens improvements:

Shatterproof

In the past, lenses were made from glass, which was heavy and more prone to shattering on impact. For safety reasons, most new lens materials are shatterproof. That’s a nice feature for all wearers, especially children and people who depend primarily on one eye for sight.

Multifocal

Bifocals garnered a bad reputation in the past, but today’s lenses aren’t the same bifocals your grandparents wore. Most lined bifocal designs today have a more subtle line than those of the past. Progressive, or no-line, bifocal designs also are popular.

Office

New progressive lens options are called “office lenses,” with room, desk and book designs. The right lens design makes seeing—and feeling more comfortable—at different distances easier:

• Room lens — designed for indoor vision and offers clear vision to 14 feet in front of the wearer Desk lens — offers clear vision to seven feet

• Book lens — designed for clear vision within three to four feet

Office lenses are great options for people working on a computer

or reading for extended periods. They allow people to see near distances efficiently without leaning toward a screen or tipping their heads back to see through a small portion of a traditional progressive lens.

Fatigue-reducing

Another lens option for people who look at a computer screen or small detailed work most of the day is the marketed as the Eyezen lens. It’s designed to help with eye fatigue and digital eye strain. It’s available in a single-vision digital lens and offers a small amount of accommodative help, similar to a multifocal lens but at a lower power. It is a great option for young professionals and students who do a lot of near work or use computers often.

Executive Several different types of multifocal lenses are helpful for specific professions as well. An executive

lens is a bifocal that goes across all of the lens area and is not confined to a small box or area. For example, police officers have reported having good experiences with executive lenses, as they only have to shift their eyes, not their entire heads, to look at their computer in a squad car.

Reverse bifocal

This is when the part of the lens for seeing close objects is at the top of the frame rather than the bottom. While this might not be helpful for everyone, it can be a great option for people who work on detailed items above their heads, like auto mechanics, electricians or plumbers.

Frames:

Eyeglasses frames are not just about style—they also play an important role in how comfortable and functional your glasses are.

In the past, frames were typically

made from a nickel metal alloy or plastic called zyl. While these materials are still popular today, there are other options available. Titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber materials are ultralight, flexible and durable.

Frames also can be made from materials like wood, bamboo and recycled denim. These glasses can be stylish, lightweight and comfortable to wear.

The most important part in picking out frames is making sure you have the correct size. If your frames are too wide or narrow, the lenses won’t be centered correctly for your sight. The right shape of the frame is also important in relation to your prescription. If you need a strong prescription, your lenses may be thicker at the edges and cosmetically unappealing in the wrong frame design.

Coatings:

Eyeglasses coatings protect the

lenses and improve their functionality. One of the most common coatings is an anti-reflective or anti-glare coating, which helps to reduce glare and improve vision in bright light conditions. Another common coating is a scratch-resistant coating, which helps protect the lenses from scratches and damage.

Specialty tints on lenses can reduce ocular side effects of migraine headaches, concussions or traumatic brain injuries. A tinted lens, often a shade of blue, purple or red, decreases bothersome symptoms accompanying those conditions by reducing light sensitivity and stimulation.

Lenses that change when exposed to UV light have been available for decades. Recent enhancements, such as extra darkened lenses, work better in a vehicle, and other newer options can transition quicker than lenses in the past. It’s important to talk with your optician about your needs so you get the right lens for you.

From custom multifocal lenses to tinted coatings, eyeglasses are becoming more comfortable, durable and functional. Whether you need glasses for reading, driving or everyday use, more options are available now than ever before. Talk with your optometrist about the best lens, frame and coating options for you so you can see clearly and comfortably.

Source: by Mayo Clinic Staff, May 12, 2023; This article originally posted on the Mayo Clinic Health System blog; https:// newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/seeclearly-advances-in-eyewear/

Swapping soda for water, tea, or coffee can slash type 2 diabetes complications by 20%

• Researchers say replacing soda with water, coffee, or tea can reduce a person’s risk of death from type 2 diabetes by more than 20%

• They add that drinking artificially sweetened sodas instead of regular soda can also reduce the risk, but only minimally

• Experts say unsweetened coffee and tea don’t raise blood glucose or sugar levels in the body in addition to other health benefits.

Adults with type 2 diabetes could live longer and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by switching from sugary drinks to water, coffee, or tea, a new study published in The BMJ suggests.

Looking at a group of more than 15,000 adults with type 2 diabetes over an average follow-up period of 18 years, researchers from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston reported that those who consumed the most sugar-sweetened beverages

regularly had a 20% higher risk of death from any cause compared to those who drank the fewest types of these beverages.

In addition, people who drank the most sugary drinks had a 25% higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 29% higher risk of cardiovascular disease-related death, the researchers said.

People with the highest sugary drink consumption drank on average more than one sugary beverage daily while those who consumed the least had less than one serving per month, the researchers noted.

“Sugary drinks containing a combination of fructose or high fructose corn syrup and glucose raise the blood sugar rapidly and induce rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin,” said Dr. Pouya Shafipour, a family and obesity medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California.

“This, in turn, will negatively impact diabetic control, worsen fatty liver, vascular inflammation and result in a higher risk of [car-

diovascular] and other diseases that are directly linked with poorly controlled diabetes,” he told Medical News Today

The benefits of coffee, tea, water

Researchers reported that there are also positive associations between increased intake of certain drinks such as coffee, tea, and water.

People who drank up to six drinks daily of coffee, tea, or water had a 26%, 21%, and 23%, respectively, lower risk of death during the study period. People who consumed high amounts of

low-fat milk also had a 12% lower mortality rate.

Greater consumption of coffee and low-fat milk was also associated with an 18% and 12% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Those findings also make sense, Shafipour said.

“Diabetes is an independent risk factor for [cardiovascular disease],” he explained. “Coffee, tea, and plain water do not raise the blood glucose level or insulin level. Caffeine in coffee and tea has been linked with reducing blood sugar levels and has been found to beneficial for the management of fatty liver, hence reducing insulin resistance.”

This study relied on patient surveys and self-reporting, meaning that it’s not possible to establish a direct causal link between beverage consumption and health for people with type 2 diabetes.

The associations made, however, seem reasonable, according to Dr. Mert Erogul, an obesity medicine specialists and a medical bariatrician at the Maimonides Medical Center in

Brooklyn, New York.

“This is probably the best study one could hope for in nutritional epidemiology, a stronger data set than the observational data that is typical for this field,” he told Medical News Today. “A prospective randomized controlled trial at this scale is not a realistic option.”

About artificial sweeteners

People who swapped sugary drinks for low-calorie, artificially sweetened beverages were also accounted for in the study.

The artificially sweetened beverages were also associated with lower mortality, but to a lesser extent — just 4% lower overall.

Diet drinks, nearly all of which are artificially sweetened, have also been associated with heart conditions, metabolic issues, and liver problems, prior research shows.

In addition, some artificial sweeteners have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

“Artificially sweetened drinks have also shown to

still induce an insulin release, causing hunger and worsening insulin resistance,” Shafipour noted.

Swapping out sweet drinks

When in doubt, switch away from sweet drinks to non-sweet ones, whether coffee, water, tea, or something else, Erogul recommended.

“Comparing a beverage to something sweetened with sugar is a very low bar, especially in the context of diabetes,” he said. “So you cannot say much about the health benefits of coffee or tea from this study, even though they are known to have antioxidant properties. In fact, they seem roughly equivalent to water.”

“Diluting the body’s volume with most fluids will be beneficial in diabetes because it helps the body get rid of excess sugar,” he added.

Source: https://www. medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ swapping-soda-for-water-coffeecan-drop-your-risk-of-death-by-20

How medications can affect your balance

Medications make a difference—generally a positive one—in the lives of many people. Insulin keeps blood sugar under control, cholesterol-lowering drugs can reduce the chances of having a heart attack, and thyroid medication can restore a normal hormone level. These are but a few examples.

At the same time, all drugs carry side effects,

and can interact with other medications. For many medications, one or more side effects affect balance.

And that can increase your chances of taking a fall.

How? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common problems include vision changes, dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness, and impaired alertness or judgment. Some medica-

tions may damage the inner ear, spurring temporary or permanent balance disorders.

How do I know if this is a problem for me?

Some of the commonly prescribed medications that can affect balance include: antidepressants anti-anxiety drugs antihistamines

prescribed to relieve allergy symptoms

blood pressure and other heart medications pain relievers, both prescription and nonprescription sleep aids (overthe-counter and prescription forms)

Sometimes the problem isn’t a single drug but the combination of medications

being taken together. Older adults are especially vulnerable because drugs are absorbed and broken down differently as people age.

If you are concerned about how your medications may be affecting your balance, call you doctor and ask to review the drugs you’re taking, the dose, and when you take them. It is never a good idea to just stop taking a medication without con-

sulting your health care provider first. Doing so can create even more health risks. For more information on improving balance and preventing falls, along with detailed exercise plans and routines, consider buying the publication Better Balance from Harvard Medical School.

Source: http://www.health. harvard.edu

Are mosquitoes attracted to you?

Try using a different kind of soap

Excerpted from an article by Dan Gray, Fact checked by Jessica Beake, Ph.D.

• New research analyzes the interplay between soap scent, the body’s unique odor profile, and mosquito attraction.

• Researchers say coconut-scented soaps were among the most effective at repelling mosquitoes.

• Researchers would like to further explore why mosquitoes are drawn to certain chemicals in soap.

• Experts note that no soap is as effective as a proper mosquito repellent.

Summertime brings with it the promise of longer days, warmer temperatures, and time spent outdoors.

The season also brings mosquitoes.

If it feels like mosquitoes target you more than others, it might have to do with the soap you’re using, along with your unique body chemistry.

Researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University conducted a study of unique odor profiles in people, along with different soaps, to determine the scents that mosquitoes are drawn to, and, conversely, the

scents they’re repelled by.

The findings were published earlier this month in the journal iScience.

What attracts a mosquito?

Daniel Peach, an assistant professor in vector ecology and infectious diseases at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Lab & Department of Infectious Diseases, relates that a number of variables can make a person more or less likely to be attractive to mosquitoes.

“Mosquitoes are attracted to people based on several intermodal cues, including carbon dioxide in our breath, odor cues such as volatiles produced by our metabolism or our skin microbiota, visual cues such as the clothing we wear, and more,” he explained. “Differences in attraction between different people come down to differences in these cues, frequently our odor profile.”

While many of these factors cannot be controlled, Clément Vinauger, PhD, an assistant professor at Virginia Tech, said that he and his colleagues wanted to study one that could be altered—the fragrance of a person’s soap of choice.

“While other studies have determined which chemicals

among those we produce as part of our body odor attract mosquitoes, the effect of smells we routinely add to our odor remained to be determined,” said Vinauger.

Vinauger hypothesized that, because mosquitoes use plant-emitted volatiles to find nectar, adding fragrance—particularly when many fragrances are plantbased or flower-scented— would have a marked effect on a person’s attractiveness to mosquitoes.

The research indicated that scented soaps do indeed have an effect, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

Added fragrance is mingled with a person’s unique odor profile, so different people will see different results, even if they’re using the same fragrances.

What soap should you use to discourage mosquitoes?

The research points to certain chemicals commonly found in soap that contribute to mosquito attraction and repulsion.

It seems that coconut-scented soaps are among the most repulsive to mosquitoes, although the most foolproof way to repel the pests is to use a proper repellent.

“Multiple publications show that coconut-derived chemicals tend to have a repellent effect on blood-feeding insects. So, if you are prone to getting mosquito bites, this could be the way to go,” said Vinauger. “That being said, if you live in or travel to areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent, I would highly recommend conventional mosquito repellents as commercial soap formulations don’t replace an effective repellent, and the duration of the effects remains to be determined.”

Peach says there are a number of options to make

yourself less attractive to mosquitoes.

“The best repellent out there, to my knowledge, is still DEET,” Peach said. “However, there are other options for those who seek to avoid DEET, such as picaridin. If you are particularly attractive to mosquitoes you can do things to try and minimize this attraction. For example, mosquitoes are more attracted to dark clothing than to light clothing, so consider wearing light-colored clothing.”

One wrinkle is that the soaps tested all had limonene—known to have a repellent effect on mosquitoes—as

Don’t throw it all out!

Opinion by Alicia Lutz, former editor at Care magazine®

We all know that drug companies cheat us. We all know that, if a drug’s expiration date is October 13, 2023, there is no way that the drug will be bad for us on October 14, 2023. So why are those expiration dates on the bottles? Read the first sentence again.

Yes, indeedy, expiration dates are just one more way for drug companies to con us into buying more of their products. Sure, eventually a drug’s effectiveness will not be 100 percent of what it once was, but usually the date on a bottle is significantly sooner than the actual time it will go bad. So, then, how much attention should we give these dates impressed into the caps and bottoms of our over-the-counter and prescription drugs? To answer that question, we must understand exactly what the expiration date is.

First of all, the date we see on the package is that which studies

found the drug was still stable. That is, the date does not necessarily mean that is will be unstable after that date—just that its manufacturer guarantees that it is at its full potency on that date.

It is a marketing ploy more than anything: a way to sell more. Second, the date we see is based on the assumption that the bottle will never be opened. Kind of strange assumption, for something that is sold to be opened. Regardless, this

assumption alone renders the date irrelevant to consumers . . . unless you find a sealed, unopened bottle in your cabinet, which goes back to our commonly accepted assumption that drug companies cheat us into buying these drugs we’ll never use in the first place.

With the irrelevance of the expiration date in mind, we will move on to the actual shelf life of the drug. Though expiration dates are usually listed as one to three years after the drug is manufactured, the shelf life is usually much longer: usually about 10-15 years. In fact, some drugs have been reported to remain stable for 30 years! Of course, short of going to medical school and conducting a scientific study, consumers have no way of knowing how long after the purported expiration date their drugs actually will remain stable and potent. At ease: There are almost no reports of toxicity of outdated drugs. Sure, the drug may lose between 5 to 50 percent of its original potency (and usually much closer to the former), but, in most cases this is much further down the road than we think.

a dominant scent. Despite this, three of the four tested soaps actually increased mosquito attraction.

“Our results indicate that more than the absolute amount of a given chemical, what really matters to the mosquitoes is the relative amounts of chemicals in mixtures. How these interactions are processed in the brain of the mosquito is something that we are going to pursue,” Vinauger said.

Source: https://www. medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ washing-with-different-soaps-couldmake-you-more-or-less-attractiveto-mosquitoes

EDITOR’S NOTE Updated May 8, 2023. This article is a matter of opinion. For legal reasons, you should ask your doctor about your specific drug.

One caution: Liquid medicines tend to go bad more quickly than others. If there is separation or a kind of cloudiness about the medicine, don’t use it. Another caution: If your life depends on an expired drug, you should get a refill. If, however, you are suffering from allergies, a headache, cramps, or the likes, don’t sweat it: You’re safe. The bottom line is, don’t let the big drug companies dupe you any more than they already have—keep all those half-full bottles of Tylenol and Claritin with expiration dates long past as long as you wish, as long as you keep in a moisture-free, preferably dark cupboard.

Class of 2023 Congratulations

Michael Andrade Clemson University

Isabella Carte University of North Florida

Levi Dyer Clemson University

Eliza Gaillard Clemson University

Luna Garcia Castro University of Grenada

Mary Larkin Hegler Clemson University

Andrew Jennings Georgia Southern

Jubilee Mayo University of South Carolina

Samuel Moore Clemson University

Sanders O’Neal Clemson University

Daniel Reedy The Naval Academy

Banks Scarpa The Citadel Honors College

Bray Sheehan Gap Year - Golf

Adelaide Shirley Clemson University Honors College

Annie Simonis Anderson University

Michael Smith Real Estate

Clement Owen Anderson University

Ashton Stacks Clemson University

Caleb Stone The Citadel

Emily Wilkinson Capernwray HallCarnforth, Lancashire UK

Sam Wood Clemson University

Beaufort Academy

Lady Eagles Madi McDougall and Claire Tumlin embrace after winning the SCISA 2A State Championship game against the crosstown rival Holy Trinity Mighty Lions on Saturday, May 13, at Hammond School in Columbia.

Bob Sofaly/The Island News

BA girls win crosstown state-title tilt

BA, Holy Trinity boys fall in SCISA finals

LowcoSports.com

LowcoSports.com

Championship soccer Saturday ended in elation for the Beaufort Academy girls, but the other three Beaufort-area squads competing for SCISA state titles on Saturday came up short in their quests.

The BA girls overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat crosstown rival Holy Trinity 3-1 at Hammond School in Columbia and capture the SCISA 2A/1A state title — the program’s first since 2017.

Eighth-grade phenom Keiley Good got the Eagles on the board with the equalizer early in the second half, and Lele Cooler and Madi McDougall added goals to seal the win.

INSIDE More photos from the SCISA finals, Page B2

“Everything kind of went by so quickly, but that feeling when the final whistle blew was the best feeling ever,” Good said

on the Lowco FC podcast Sunday night. “I’ve never won a state championship before. I’m only in eighth grade. But it was just the best I could ever imagine.”

BA’s boys were unable to complete the sweep, falling 3-1 to Greenwood Christian in the SCISA 2A championship game.

Holy Trinity’s boys were blanked 8-0 by a powerful Charleston Collegiate squad in the SCISA 1A championship.

BOYS SOCCER

SCHSL 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Daniel 3, Beaufort 0

SCISA 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Greenwood Christian 3, Beaufort Academy 1

SCHSL 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Charleston Collegiate 8, Holy Trinity 0

GIRLS SOCCER

SCISA 2A/1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Beaufort Academy 3, Holy Trinity 1

Daniel stops spirited Beaufort team in 3A final

By Wes Kerr LowcoSports.com

COLUMBIA – As the final whistle blew under the Columbia night sky, Beaufort head coach Terry Rawlins watched a battered group of Eagles walk off the field for the final time. After a four-year odyssey to the biggest stage, his resilient team had given him all they had left.

Despite an inspiring effort in their first trip to the SCHSL 3A boys soccer state title game, the Eagles fell to Daniel, 3-0, at Irmo High School on Saturday, marking the second consecutive state championship for the Lions.

But for Rawlins, it was the proud culmination of a successful spring.

“This was a journey,” Rawlins said. “We had to get the guys believing that we could actually do this. Playing a certain way. Getting into the system. Understanding how the game was supposed to be played. Once they started buying into that, the journey began.”

And it took them all the way to the final day of the season.

But on Saturday night, they ran into a team that was polished, talented, and experienced from top to bottom. From opening kickoff, it was the Lions who were quickest to the loose balls while adding a strong brand of physicality.

The start is critical in any championship match, and the Lions pounced on a Beaufort squad trying to feel itself out in its title bout

Beaufort High School’s Diego Perez gets tangled up with a Daniel High School player during their Class 3A Boys Soccer State Championship match Saturday, May 13, at Irmo High School in Columbia. The Eagles lost to Daniel, 3-0. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

debut. And just 10 minutes into the match, the Lions scored the first goal.

After maintaining much of the possession at the start, Luka Gasic capitalized with a well placed strike inside the far post. The towels were waving on one side, and the Eagles were left with questions on the other.

Beaufort made its mark this season by tough, hard, defense and well designed counterattacking, but Daniel’s strong systematic play and superior athleticism shut down the Eagle forwards in the

opening half. Despite some sensational stops from senior goalkeeper Nigel Bell, the Lions continued their strong pressure and added to the lead. With another ball loose in the box, dynamic striker Eddie Merck drove it home and ignited his crowd again. The wheels were coming off quickly for the Eagles. Then it was Merck who struck again for a 3-0 lead, this time on a beautiful back-door feed to Kenneth Walton-Flores, who slid it past a helpless Bell. The halftime whistle sounded

without a clear shot on goal from the Eagles. Beaufort had always seemed to find a way back this spring when it was slipping away, but this task felt next-to-improbable.

“We got caught flat-footed, and then we tried to play catch-up,” Rawlins said. “We know in soccer that it can be a hard thing to do. And then they parked the bus.”

A re-energized Eagles squad came out to begin the second half, but the Lions were able to sit back and stymie any attack that came their way through relentless hustle and pursuit of the ball. The crosses and passes needed to be perfect for Beaufort to claw their way back, and a couple chances in the second 40 minutes just missed that mark.

Sam Trask, Jack Troutman and this Eagles squad made the Daniel Lions earn what would be a full-postseason clean sheet. But after a Trask miss blazed just over the crossbar and another golden look right at the end of stoppage time, the referee pulled the curtain and crowned the Lions back-toback state champions.

The Eagles may have walked off with the somber mood on Saturday night, but they proved they belonged.

Nigel Bell was magnificent in his final action for the Eagles, using his acrobatic athleticism to

Angus defends title, Alvarez honored

LowcoSports.com

TBeaufort High tennis phenom Graeme Angus now has two state singles titles, and he hasn’t even finished his first year of high school.

Angus captured the Class 5A/4A singles crown as an eighth-grader last spring, and he made it a double by breezing through the Class 3A/2A/1A draw last week at the Dr. Eddie J. Floyd Florence Tennis Center.

Graeme Angus

The freshman phenom won all five matches in straight sets and advanced through the first two rounds without dropping a game. He took down Oceanside Collegiate’s Luke Skillman, 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals, then defeated Waccamaw’s Logan Tomovski, 6-4, 6-1 in the finals.

Senior teammate Diego Alvarez also had a strong showing, winning his first two matches in straight sets to earn All-State honors before falling, 6-3, 6-1 to Skillman in the quarterfinals. Alvarez was also honored with the Sportsmanship Award as voted on by coaches at the state singles tournament.

Alvarez plan to play tennis at The Citadel next year, while Angus will set his sights on a three-peat.

Magic runs out for Beaufort baseball

LowcoSports.com

It was a wild ride for the Beaufort High baseball team over the past month, culminating with three consecutive one-run games in a roller-coaster Class 3A

Lower State tournament starting Thursday and ending Monday night with a 5-4 season-ending loss to Brookland-Cayce.

After shaking off a sluggish end to the regular-season and plowing through the district bracket undefeated, the Eagles were set up well with their pitching staff lined up and homefield advantage for their opener against Hanahan on Thursday, but a 12-inning marathon resulting in a 10-9 loss took its toll.

Beaufort let a 6-1 lead slip away and appeared doomed when the Hawks scored twice in the top of the 10th, but the Eagles answered with a pair in the bottom half to extend the game. Hanahan regained the lead in the 12th, and Beaufort couldn’t muster another rally.

The Eagles still had some magic left, though, and they conjured some to stay alive

Saturday afternoon against Dreher. After a five-run fifth inning gave the Blue Devils

a 5-1 lead and left Beaufort with just six outs to play with, the Eagles rallied for

three runs in the sixth, and Hudson Mullen launched a two-out, two-run home run

Beaufort High School second

baseman Mason Connelly makes the play to first base during the bottom of the fifth inning against BrooklandCayce on Monday in Columbia. The Bearcats beat the visiting Eagles, 5-4. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

for a 6-5 walk-off win to keep the season going.

Beaufort nearly pulled off a similar comeback Monday, rallying from a 5-0 deficit to get within 5-4 before stranding the tying run at first in the seventh inning.

“Thank you to all my players and coaching staff for this baseball season,” Beau-

More from the SCISA finals

always easy, but when it counted we were at our best.”

Holy Trinity’s Ashton Stacks blocks out Charleston Collegiate’s Aaron Jacques during their SCISA 1A Boys Soccer State Championship game Saturday, May 13, at Hammond School in Columbia. Charleston Collegiate won the game, 8-0. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Beaufort Academy’s Nick Cooper, left, tries to catch up to a Greenwood Christian player during their SCISA Boys Soccer 2A State Championship game Saturday at Hammond School in Columbia. The Eagles lost to Greenwood Christian, 3-1. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Track and field stars set for state meet

LowcoSports.com

More than 40 Beaufort area high school track and field stars have qualified for the SCHSL State Championship scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Columbia.

The Whale Branch Warriors will be up first in the SCHSL 1A meet at Lower Richland High School on Thursday night, while the Beaufort Eagles and Battery Creek Dolphins will compete in the SCHSL 3A meet at Lower Richland starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.

1:11.71)

relay (11th, 50.71) 4x400 relay (4th, 4:15.30) 4x800 relay (3rd, 10:07.88)

Battery Creek

Boys Tanner McCracken (Discus, 7th, 137-4)

Anthony Phelan (Discus, 8th, 137-2)

Devin Broaddus (Discus, 13th, 130-7)

Girls

Kiara Wilson (LJ, 5th, 16-7.25)

Kiara Wilson (Discus, 5th, 106-9) Class 1A

Whale Branch Boys Jakhi Pusha (100m, 8th, 11.19)

Jercurious Blocker (100m, 13th, 11.28)

Jayden Young (400m, 13th, 54.06)

Jesse Richardson (800m, 5th, 2:09.55)

Jesse Richardson (1600m, 1st, 4:50.42)

Jesse Richardson (3200m, 3rd, 10:55.50)

Jonas Foskey (800m, 10th, 2:12.25)

Jonas Foskey (1600m, 9th, 5:08.90)

Jonathan Kelley (110H, 4th, 15.63)

Jonathan Kelley (400H, 11th, 1:06.59)

Jonathan Kelley (LJ, 8th, 20-9)

Keith Chisholm (110H, 5th, 15.72)

Keith Chisholm (LJ, 12th, 20-0)

Keith Chisholm (TJ, 4th, 42-0)

Greggory Gilbert (HJ, 3rd, 6-0)

Jadarius Garrett (LJ, 10th, 20-2)

Jadarius Garrett (TJ, 3rd, 42-0)

Laron Wright (TJ, 6th, 40-10)

Bradford Thompson (Shot, 4th, 45-4.5)

Bradford Thompson (Discus, 1st, 137-3)

Dorien Alston (Shot, 12th, 40-10)

Dorien Alston (Discus, 15th, 109-0)

4x100 relay (2nd, 43.39)

4x400 relay (7th, 3:41.18)

4x800 relay (5th, 9:13.20)

Girls

Destiny Pryor (100m, 1st, 12.30)

Destiny Pryor (200m, 1st, 26.13)

Destiny Pryor (LJ, 3rd, 17-1.25)

Natalia Aburto (100m, 6th, 13.01)

Natalia Aburto (200m, 9th, 27.32)

Alayah Brown (100m, 11th, 13.13)

Tamari Black (200m, 5th, 27.16)

Larmore Pryor (200m, 8th, 27.31)

Larmore Pryor (400m, 8th, 1:04.29)

Larmore Pryor (LJ, 8th, 15-9.5)

Faith Eugene (400m, 12th, 1:06.39)

Alani Crawford (3200m, 7th, 14:15.30)

Talaijah Bartley (100H, 1st, 15.09)

Imani Blackwell (100H, 2nd, 16.27)

Grace Bing (100H, 3rd, 16.36)

Grace Bing (400H, 6th, 1:14.97)

Makeima Adams (400H, 8th, 1:15.89)

Beaufort Academy’s Lele Cooler jumps over Holy Trinity’s goalkeeper Abby Schaub during their SCISA State Championship match Saturday, May 13, at Hammond School in Columbia. The Lady Eagles defeated the Might Lions, 3-1, to become State Champions. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Beaufort High School’s Jack Troutman, right, tries to stop the dynamic offense of Daniel High School during the Class 3A Boys Soccer State Championship game Saturday, May 13, at Irmo High School in Columbia. The Eagles lost to Daniel, 3-0. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Final from page B1

deny quality Lions looks at net all night. He finished with a whopping 13 saves to cap off a dominant season between the pipes. With the state run -

ner-up trophy in his hand, Rawlins sat down on the bench alone and was overcome by emotion. The four-year journey with his seniors had come to an end, but the memories made at every step will last a lifetime.

“This group of seniors, I’ll remember them as

fighters,” Rawlins said. “They were the ones on the field doing everything that needs to be done to make the Beaufort Eagles fly high.”

Wes Kerr is a graduate of Hilton Head Island High School and Davidson College. He reports on local sports for LowcoSports.com

Beaufort’s Dominic Camacho makes to second base as the ball skips away during the bottom of fourth inning against the Hanahan Hawks on Thursday, May 11, at Beaufort High School. The Eagles gave up four runs in the fifth and two runs in the sixth to allow the Hawks to tie the game at 7. Hanahan finally won the game, 10-9, after 12 innings. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

ARTS

“Colors of the World”

photography exhibition

Monday, June 5 to Sunday, July 2,

The Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery, 6 Church St, Bluffton. Free and open to the public. Savannah Kemper’s upcoming photography exhibit captures the unique colors and textures from her travels. An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 7 at the gallery. For more information, visit http://www. aproposllc.com or follow Savannah on Instagram at @apropos_photography.

(Re)create Assemblage Workshop

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 10, Morris Center, 10782 S. Jacob Smart Blvd, Ridgeland. $55. The art of assemblage is the subject of this workshop that focuses on how to repurpose disposable items (aka trash) into artistic creations. Led by Kirkland Smith, you’ll learn what types of materials work best for this type of assemblage and use templates to design your own piece on 12x12 Masonite.

CALENDAR

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Sharing Hearts Support Group

5:30 to 7 p.m., second Tuesday of every month, 2201 Boundary Street, Suite 208, Beaufort. Free. Come tell your 10-minute story of a life lesson or healing message using your own creative expression through a song, poetry, reading, art or verbal storytelling. Come away with an uplifting sense of support and connections or to just listen. Register by leaving a voicemail with name, phone and number of attendees at 843-525-6115 or send email to reneesutton@healthierhealing.com. Notification will be done of any location change due to seat requirements. Next event is on Tuesday, June 13.

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Trivia with Mike – Fat Patties

7:30 p.m., Every Wednesday, Fat Patties, 831 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/ o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.

Trivia with Mike –Bricks On Boundary

7:30 p.m., Every Thursday, Fat Patties, 1422 Boundary St, Beaufort. Free. Team trivia event, win house cash and Beer Bucket prizes! For more information, visit https://rb.gy/o9nhwe.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 7 p.m., Thursdays, Amvets Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free. Public is welcome. Enjoy Karaoke. Dinner will be available.

Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market

5 to 8 p.m., first Thursday of each month, Burnt Church Distillery, 120 Bluffton Road. A highly curated selection of accessories, clothing, home goods, custom gifts and more by local artists and makers.

Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes

5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal; 9 to 10:15 a.m., Whitehall Park or Pigeon Point Park. Rooted Beaufort is a collective of local Yoga teachers who host outdoor yoga classes and donation-based events with proceeds being donated locally on a rotating basis.

Wet Willie’s Trivia Night 7 to 10 p.m., every Thursday, Wet Willie’s, Beaufort Town Center. Win awesome prizes while you sip the worlds greatest daiquiris and munch on delicious bites.

Wet Willie’s Bingo Night

7 to 10 p.m., every Friday, Wet Willie’s, Beaufort Town Center. Win free giveaways, merchandise, and more cool prizes.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew 9 p.m., Fridays, Highway 21 Bar, 3436 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Lt. Dan.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127

Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free.

Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.

Karaoke with Melissa 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays, R Bar & Grill, 70 Pennington Dr, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Drum Circle

6:30 to 8 p.m., 2nd Friday of every month, Gazeebo, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. (Note: Drum circle will meet on 3rd Friday in May –May 19 – because of scheduling conflict.)

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING

HIGHWAY 21 DRIVE-IN

The movies scheduled for this week (Thrusday, May 4 through Sunday, May 7) at the Highway 21 Drive-In are Fast X (PG13, 8:30 p.m.) and Renfeld (R, 11 p.m.) on Screen 1; The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG, 8:30 p.m.) and Fast X (PG-13, 10:15 p.m.) on Screen 2; and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (PG-13, 8:30 p.m.) and Hypnotic (R, 11:10 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 Little Mermaid (May 26) & The Spider-man Across The Spider-verse (June).

can use. To receive updates on future events, send your email to lannyk13@ gmail.com.

Highway 21 Flea Market

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, Highway 21 Drive-In. Sellers, vendors, handmade items, unique products and yard sale items. For information, email lowcountryfleamarket@gmail.com.

Port Royal Farmers Market

9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year round, Naval Heritage Park, 1615 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, as well as plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees and beautiful, fresh cut flower bouquets. There are prepared food vendors serving barbecue, dumplings, she crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels and breakfast sandwiches. No pets allowed. For more information, visit http://www.portroyalfarmersmarket. com/, visit @portroyalfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.

Slip and Splash Saturdays

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, Battery Creek Pool, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort, and Bluffton Pool, 55 Pritchard Street, Bluffton. $5 per person. Stay busy for hours climbing on our inflatable challenge track.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort.

Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Saturdays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Eric.

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.

Beaufort Lions Club spaghetti dinner

5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 18, Sea Island

Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12. Major credit cards, cash, and checks are accepted, and take-out is available. The menu includes spaghetti with meat sauce or meatballs, crispy garlic bread, tossed green salad, sweetened or unsweetened tea, and dessert. Lions Clubs International is a global organization of 1.4 million members who serve those who have experienced disasters but focus on service in five target causes: vision, environment, diabetes, pediatric cancer, and hunger. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support both the vision program and the diabetes project.

Memory Matters: Ask a Neurologist

10 a.m., Saturday, May 20, Memory Matters, 117 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. $20 for this session, or $40 for all Memory Matters sessions. Speaker: Dr. Jill Trumble, St. Joseph’s Candler Neurology.

Play & Eat – Dinner Theater

6 to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays, 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 843592-6209 or playandeatdinnertheater@ gmail.com, or visit the website at www. playandeatdinnertheater.com.

Memory Matters Brain Booster Class

1 to 3 p.m., Monday, May 22, First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 99$ fee. A three-week brain wellness course for active adults that promotes positive lifestyle strategies for improved brain health.

Instructed by Memory Matters’ Community

Education Director Debbie Anderson.

Palmetto Bluff Farmers Market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 24, The Farm, 228 Old Moreland Road, Bluffton. Palmetto Bluff in partnership with Lowcountry Made is proud to present their inaugural Farmers Market, starting May 2023.

The Original Gullah Festival Friday through Sunday, May 26 to 28, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Decoration Day Play 3 p.m., Saturday, May 27, USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort.

$45 Online – $50 at the Door/Gate.

Children 12 & younger $15. Join Aunt Pearlie Sue & The Gullah Kinfolk as they celebrate Decoration Day. Step back in time and experience Memorial Day like it used to be. This is a very entertaining, informative and historical re-enactment of the City of Beaufort and describes some of the culture of the peoples in the sea island. Register at https://rb.gy/p3puu.

Memory Matters: Preparing for the Unexpected

10 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, 38 St Gregory Drive, Bluffton. $20 for this session, or $40 for all Memory Matters sessions. Speakers: Lowcountry Council of Governments, Geriatric Care Manager, Elder Law Attorney, Bluffton Fire Department.

Memory Matters: Simple Suppers –Healthy Eating for Two

10 a.m., Wednesday, June 21, First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. $20 for this session, or $40 for all Memory Matters sessions. Speaker: Chef Kim Baretta.

67th annual Beaufort Water Festival Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 23, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort.

HISTORY Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 713 Craven St, Beaufort. General Admission for Adults $8, Seniors $7, Active Duty Military and College Students with ID $5. Children/ Teens younger than 18 Free. Explore and experience more than 500 years of Beaufort History with knowledgeable docent guided tours.

The Historic Port Royal Museum 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-ofthe-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.

Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, selfguided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docentled tours. For more information visit www. fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov. net.

A Monumental Occasion: 250 Years in the Making 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 20, Morris Center, 10782 S. Jacob Smart Blvd, Ridgeland. Free. What is the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission?

Come learn about this organization and what they are doing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this revolutionary time in history. The speaker is Bill Davies, Vice Chairman of the Commission.

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. 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, 843-255-6441. Ages 12 to 18.

Lego Club

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 843-2556540. All ages welcome.

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, 843255-6456.

Teen Video Game Club

4 p.m., 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843255-6441. Ages 12 to 18.

S.C. Works Job Coaching 2 to 4 p.m., Thursdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island, 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., 2nd Saturday of each month, Beaufort Downtown Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, 843-255-6456.

Instructor Henry Otto Seim will show beginners the basics or play a friendly game with more experienced players. All skill levels welcome. Extra boards will be set up.

Chess Meet Up 11 a.m., 3rd Saturday of each month, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, 843-255-6479. Instructor Henry Otto Seim will show beginners the basics or play a friendly game with more experienced players. All skill levels welcome. Extra boards will be set up.

MEETINGS

The Beaufort Trailblazers –

A Volunteer Group

8 a.m., first Thursday each month, Herban Marketplace, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building offroad/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/ jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843575-0021 or email universitybicycles@ hotmail.com.

Zonta Club of Beaufort

6 p.m., 4th Tuesday of each month, Smokehouse, Port Royal.

Sea Island Quilters

6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 18, the Fellowship Hall at Carteret United Methodist Church, 408 Carteret Street, Beaufort. In celebration of our successful show and the Sea Island Quilters Guild’s 36th birthday, we will enjoy the evening with our guild friends and play “QUILTO” for alluring prizes. Bring 25 (i.e., tokens) to mark your cards.

Indivisible Beaufort

11 a.m., Saturday, May 20, Downtown Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. Free and open to the public. The featured speaker will be Mayra Rivera-Vazquez and Immigration Here In The Lowcountry will be the topic. She will discuss the consequences of our inaction on immigration here in the Lowcountry. Rivera-Vazquez has worked for the past six years with the Deverall Immigration Law Firm, helping immigrants, mostly Latinos, to achieve the American Dream. She has also worked as a community activist and volunteer in several organizations in the Lowcountry and the state, including Habitat for Humanity, Hopeful Horizons, and Lowcountry Immigration Coalition. For more information, visit indivisiblebeaufortsc.org.

Maye River Quilters

10 a.m., Saturday, June 3, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, 1 Cooperative Way, Hardeeville. Social time will begin at 9:30 a.m. To attend the meeting as a guest, send an RSVP email to mayeriverquilters@ gmail.com. For more information and for membership forms to join the group, call 843-705-9590.

Friends of the Beaufort Library

10 a.m., Saturday, June 10, Beaufort Branch Library. 2023 Annual Meeting. In addition to Board elections, this is an opportunity to learn more about our plans for the coming year, volunteer opportunities and meet other members. This event is open to the public. For more information visit friendsofthebeaufortlibrary.com.

MUSIC

The Sea Island Sound of Beaufort High School Spring Concert

6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 18, Beaufort High School Performing Arts Center, 84 Sea Island Parkway, Beaufort. $7 admission. Beaufort High School presents their Spring Concert: Myriad – Many Things, Many Places. Join the Beaufort High School Sea Island Sound for a musical journey around the world as we perform pieces from Europe, Asia, Africa, & North America. Featuring special guest narrator Mayor Stephen Murray and guest performers from the Lowcountry Wind Symphony. Purchase tickets at https:// rb.gy/rrgoq.

Lowcountry Community Concert Band

3 p.m., Sunday, May 21, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Bay Street, Beaufort. A free event, donations gratefully accepted. Lowcountry Community Concert Band presents “Spring Around the Posy.” The Lowcountry Community Concert Band closes a successful Spring Season with an outdoor performance. Come out and enjoy great music played by 60-plus volunteer musicians. The program includes selections from Lincolnshire Posy, an English folksong collection by Percy Aldridge Grainger; Flourish for Wind Band and Rhosymedre, both by Ralph Vaughan Williams; Irish Rhapsody by Clare Grundman; Siciliano movement from Prelude, Siciliano and Rondo by Malcolm Arnold; L’Inglesina (“Little English Girl” march) by Davide Della Cese; and Midnight Euphonium, a solo piece, by Goff Richards.

OUTDOORS

Port Royal Cypress Wetlands tours 9 a.m. Friday, May 26; Port Royal Cypress Wetlands. Bring your friends and visitors to a free guided tour of the wetlands sponsored by Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands and led by Master Naturalist Jill Moore. The egrets, snowy egrets and woodstorks are all nesting and the rookery is an exciting place! Alligators and turtles are basking in the sun and spring is in the air. This is a great time to learn about this magical place. Tours are limited in size. T0 sign up at www.foprcw. org and register on line.

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.

Your ‘all’ never included everyone

In journalism, we are taught to avoid absolutes.

“It’s the biggest!”

“It’s the best!”

“It’s the first!” Tallest. Oldest. Strongest. Says who?

It’s like calling our professional sports leagues’ top teams “world champion” even though no franchises from outside the United States are represented in the tournaments that produce the victors. At least the World Cup actually has teams from all over the world. But my personal lesson in avoiding absolutes started earlier than that, sometime in ninth grade, I think. As student body president, I sometimes got to help raise and lower the flag in front of the school, and I regularly got to lead the student body in a morning recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. One morning, I was summoned by a teacher who stood me in the hallway outside her classroom and asked me to recite the pledge in front of her. Confused, I began, “I pledge allegiance … to the flag … of the United States of America…”

TERRY MANNING

She interrupted: “Start over.”

“I pledge allegiance … to the flag …”

“There it is!” She exclaimed. “‘Tooda.’”

I looked at her, not understanding.

“You pronounce ‘the’ when you say ‘of the United States’ but at the beginning you say ‘tooda flag.’ It’s not ‘tooda.’ You need to slow down and say it correctly. People will think you are uneducated if you don’t pronounce it correctly.”

I thanked her and subsequently made an effort to say, “to the flag,” but my growing problem with the pledge wasn’t pronouncing “tooda,” it was with saying “with liberty and justice for all.” Because I didn’t

believe it. And I believe it less now than I did then.

When some people say “all,” it includes only themselves and people they want it to include. It doesn’t actually apply to “all” people. And even in the ninth grade, I knew that.

When I was in the library perusing old news magazines, I would become fixated on stories and photos about the Civil Rights Movement; the assassinations of President John Kennedy, his brother Robert, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Evers; the clashes between peaceful marchers who would be attacked by police with water hoses and dogs; the torture of Emmett Till; the murders of Goodman, Cheney, and Schwerner.

How could there be “liberty and justice for all” in a country where these kinds of things were happening to Black people, or to white people who were trying to help Black people and other minorities?

“Liberty and justice for all” was a lie. But I was expected to lead

others in saying it, and taking it to heart, when “all” seemed to apply more to the people who did these bad things than their victims.

The White Citizens Council supported Byron De La Beckwith Jr. after he shot 37-year-old Evers in 1963 in front of his home. It took 31 years before De La Beckwith was convicted; he died in 2001 at age 80. A warrant was issued in 1955 for Carolyn Bryant after her lies led to Till’s death, but it was never served. When it was discovered years later, the district attorney refused to honor it. Till died at 14; Carolyn Bryant Donham died in April at 88.

Also in April, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he would consider pardoning a U.S. Army sergeant who shot a protester at a 2020 rally against police brutality. This despite the discovery of social media posts the former soldier had made promising violence against protesters.

Earlier this month a former U.S. Marine sergeant choked a homeless Black man to death on a New York subway train. The

homeless man, a known Michael Jackson impersonator, yelled at subway riders, telling them he was hungry and “ready to die.” Daniel Penny put the man in a chokehold and held him until he lost consciousness and died. Days of protests occurred before Penny surrendered on charges of second-degree manslaughter. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised Penny’s actions, calling him a “Good Samaritan” and saying, according to the New York Post, “America’s got his back.” On a regular basis, America really does seem to “have the backs” of a certain class of people who look a certain way and do things some others wish they could do and get away with.

For some, the words “liberty and justice for all” have become part of a code where “justice” means escaping accountability for some and forcing injustice upon others in exchange.

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

Maybe the ordinance is itself a monument

It is Thursday, early, and I’m in Port Royal. This morning I have my coffee (Green Mountain Breakfast Blend) and a Thomas “Easy to Split” English Muffin. This morning we read the U.S. Army has rebranded Ft. Hood and other confederate general-named posts.

Bragg, Benning and A. P. Hill are no more.

In this connection I’ve been thinking monuments and statues and, in particular, the bust of Robert Smalls rendered by Marian Etheredge in 1975. That bust is located in the side yard of Tabernacle Baptist, but I first saw a clay prototype in an empty oil change bay at Discount Tire just off Boundary Street.

The bust was commissioned by County Council, but I don’t remember who came up with the idea. I’ve got to think Leroy Browne, the first African-American to sit on Council, had a hand in the project.

Marian Etheredge was an unlikely choice (as the artist) because she had never done a sculpture before; and

her nude paintings were routinely removed from competition at Beaufort art shows. But somehow Marian won this commission and taught herself how to work with clay and bronze.

I interviewed Marian one afternoon and found, of course, there was controversy surrounding her work. She wanted to render Robert Smalls with an African-styled “frontispiece”; her patrons wanted a standard 19th Century waistcoat. The Council-appointed committee would eventually prevail with a period jacket, vest and bow tie. All of which brings me to another monument; this one would memorialize a recently removed live oak just off 12th Street in Port Royal.

Two weeks ago, I wrote a column on gerrymandering, calling it the “grift that keeps on giving.” In fact, I went so far as to suggest that perhaps this is the biggest scam ever conceived to skew the voting process in favor of one party or the other. Foolish me! I should have known that someone out there would find something even more onerous to foist upon the American electorate, and recent news proved just that.

It seems that the winner of the “can-you-top-this” contest is a long-shot Republican who has thrown his hat into the Presidential ring. His name is Vivek Ramaswamy, and he is a pharma CEO. That, alone, should constitute a red flag, someone with close ties to the pharmaceutical industry running our country. But set aside that objection for just a moment.

What this man proposes is to raise the voting age from 18 to 25 years of age. Let me see if I can wrap my brain around this: the party that you represent, Sir, is adamant about giving an 18 year old a gun, no type excluded and few, if any, questions asked. Yet you see validity in keeping those people in the same age bracket out of the voting booths?

Furthermore, this same age group is eligible to go into the

Many of you know the story of Elizabeth Bergmann and her effort to stop the chainsaw-assisted removal of a 43-inch oak by Coastal Homes and Sunrooms last July.

One remembers the public meeting in July. And the widespread opposition to the cutting. And finally the issuing of the permit by the Town. One may also remember Bergmann’s appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. And then the compromise that eventually saved a second, threatened oak — this oak being a 60inch landmark.

The parties in this controversy signed a settlement agreement in October 2022, allowing the larger, 60-inch tree to remain in place with “reduction cutting and/or removal of limbs.” The Agreement also called for the donation of a “portion of the 43-inch oak tree” — the tree removed — to be repurposed “into a monument or memorial.”

And so I met with Elizabeth Bergmann to discuss the re-purposing and rendering of the (three-ton)

How do the local people convey to Charlotte-based MBAs, the New York based REITs, the real estate heavy mutual funds that they should honor local sentiment before reducing our landscape to billiard table flatness.”

trunk into a sculpture that would reinforce the notion that Port Royal values its tree canopy.

Notwithstanding profit projections that call for placing hundreds of new apartment units on Port Royal’s “unimproved property,” the local folks — a clear majority of the local folks — want the old specimen trees to stay in place without “reduction cutting and/or removal of limbs.”

How do the local people convey to Charlotte-based MBAs, the New York based REITs, the real estate heavy mutual funds that they should honor local sentiment before reducing our landscape to billiard

table flatness.

Bergmann’s repurposed tree trunk could depict Mother Earth planting a sapling — Mother in the same disheveled attire first seen in Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People.” Or, perhaps, we could show a dazed man having a Road to Damascus revelation. A revelation that will cause him to remove his hard hat, drop his chainsaw and spend the rest of his life preaching the gospel of tree conservation.

One might imagine a wooden tableau showing Elizabeth Bergmann, Wendell Varnes and Van Willis signing the “October Accords” ending the troubles between those of us who

share this small, precious peninsula. A device could be placed inside the trunk connected to ear phones that would have a short message from each of these three people.

But whatever the truncated tree memorial eventually looks like, it is clear that Elizabeth Bergmann, Kit Bruce, Jessie White, Wendy Zara and Noah Krepps made a much stronger tree ordinance in the wake of this controversy.

Now the removal of a 30inch Live Oak will cost the applicant a mitigation fee of $22,500. This money is likely to make a developer pause, do a little back of the envelope math, wondering if the offending Oak can be somehow worked into his development plan.

Maybe this revised ordinance is the enduring, actual monument to Bergmann and the Port Royal people who jumped, feet first, into the fray last summer.

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

SPIRIT OF MORAL COURAGE’

denying the right to vote to the citizens of the United States who are at least 18 years old.”

armed services, but won’t be able to vote?

I indicated my inability to “wrap” my brain around this, and as I was typing, I made a note that the word “warp” is simply an exchange of letter placement in the word wrap. And warped may be the kindest word I can use to describe this attempt to keep a fairly large and active group of citizens from voting.

Where do these people come from? And even more crucial, how can they possibly think ideas like this one will be seen as valid?

At this point, a few statistics are called for, and it took some digging on my part, but they are available for the taking. The 26th Amendment to the Constitution that dropped the voting age to 18 took place under the Nixon administration, although it had been discussed as early as 1941

The amendment “prohibits the states and federal government from using age as a reason for

And when ratification was finally completed on July 1, 1971, it was President Nixon, in a ceremony at the White House, who said, “We can have confidence that America’s new voters, America’s young generation, will provide what America needs, not just strength, not just wealth, but a spirit of moral courage.”

If necessary, read again those words from a Conservative, Republican President, and take a moment to ponder where we are right now. It’s apparent that today’s Republican party is not that of yesteryear. Neither is the Democratic, but that is fodder for another time.

The issue facing us now is a man who is running for the Presidency on the notion that he can change the voting dynamic by erasing the 26th Amendment.

I fully recognize that the possibility of his attaining the party’s nomination is slim and none. We do know, however, that stranger things have happened in the world of politics.

If you view this through the lens of voter suppression, however, it is not a quantum leap to envision others jumping onto this bandwagon, just as they did with gerrymandering. Imagine

the number of citizens kept from voting should this become the law of the land. I can just see the salivating and rubbing of hands, eyes aglow!

Consider this: in the 2020 election, 50% of those in the 18to-29 age bracket voted. This was an 11 point increase from 2016 And in the 18-19- year-old category, the newest eligible voters, the turnout was 46%. Statistics show that the four states with the highest turnout were New Jersey with 67%; Minnesota with 65%; Colorado with 64%; Maine with 61%. At the bottom of the chart were South Dakota with 32%; Oklahoma with 34%; Arkansas with 35%; New Mexico with 39%. Even the latter can be seen as laudable. And it should be noted that no state saw a decrease in the turnout of this age bracket.

These statistics don’t bode well for Republicans, as most of the votes cast were for Democratic candidates or non-controversial Republicans. One Republican campaign manager was recently quoted as saying, “We are tired of losing,” so you can see how abolishing the 26th Amendment might have some appeal.

Given the maelstrom of contested elections and the condition of our divided country, one could understand why today’s young people might shrug and

say, “forget it.” Then again, perhaps this is exactly why they are turning out in record numbers; their future is on the line, and they are savvy enough to know it.

I don’t think we have to look very far to understand why some of the younger generation are going so far as to run for office themselves. They are the generation of “hiding in classrooms” as a result of prolific gun ownership. Sadly, too many saw their friends become victims of this travesty. They are also the generation of kids looking for colleges in states with less strict abortion laws, knowing they could end up living in these states after graduation.

So Mr. Ramaswamy, I suggest that you stick to peddling your pills, and forget about running the country. That same bit of advice goes to other candidates who might see this as a rallying cry. To quote President Nixon, the younger generation possesses “a spirit of moral courage,” and it is this courage that will confront you, should you continue with these bizarre ideas. I might conclude that it is this courage upon which I am placing my hope.

SCOTT GRABER

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

‘A

Marines’ dog has his day

More on whom to call with questions about veterans’ benefits

ccording to the VA’s Accredited Representatives webpage https://bit.ly/42XJXGP, the VA accredits three types of representatives, Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives (Veterans Service Officers), attorneys, and agents, to help ensure claimants have access to responsible and qualified representation on their VA claims.

VA-accredited representatives must have good moral character and be capable of providing competent representation, and the VA’s Office of General Counsel is responsible for making those determinations. The accreditation process differs depending on which type of accreditation is being sought. An accredited VSO representative is someone who has been recommended for accreditation by a VSO (VFW, DAV, etc.) that is recognized by VA to assist with benefits claims. The VSO has certified to the VA that the representa-

tive possesses good character and is fit to represent veterans and their families as an employee or member of their organization. An attorney is someone who is a member in good standing of at least one State bar. When an attorney applies for VA accreditation, VA typically presumes that the attorney possesses the good character and fitness necessary to represent veterans and their family members based on the attorney’s state license. An accredited claims agent is someone who is not an attorney but who has undergone a character review by OGC and has passed a written examination.

The VA Office of General Counsel maintains a list, at

https://bit.ly/3QnCk5M, of VA-recognized organizations and VA-accredited individuals that are authorized to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefits claims. See more at https://bit. ly/41PPiQM.

What is the role of an accredited representative?

A VA-accredited representative can help a veteran and his family understand and apply for any VA benefits they may be entitled to including compensation, education, Veteran readiness and employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care, and burial benefits. A VA-accredited representative may also help them to request further review of, or appeal, a VA adverse decision regarding benefits.

VA-recognized VSOs and their VA-accredited representatives

Most of the representation that is provided to claimants on initial benefit claims is performed by VSOs. Among other things, a VSO representative can help veterans and their family members gather any evidence needed and submit a Fully Developed Claim (see https://bit.ly/3CTtFV0) on the veteran’s behalf. A VSO representative can also correspond with VA about the veteran’s or family member’s claim on their behalf. VSOs always provide their representation on VA claims free of charge.

In addition to assisting with VA claims, many VSOs also sponsor a range of Veteran-centric programs such as providing transportation (DAV provides vans and volunteer drivers serving the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center/Clinics) to and from VA medical center appointments, funds, and volunteers for disaster relief, and grants. VSOs also lobby Congress on behalf of issues facing veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.

VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents

Typically, VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents perform most of their representation after the VA has issued an initial decision on a claim, which is when attorneys and claims agents are permitted to charge fees for their representation. At this stage of the adjudication process, an attorney or claims agent may be helpful to veterans and their family members in further developing the evidence in support of their claim and crafting persuasive and legal arguments on their behalf to submit to the VA.

Fee for Service

It is important to know that VA-recognized Veterans Service Organizations and their representatives (Veterans Service Officers), provide their services on benefit claims free of charge. Unlike VSOs, VA-accredited attorneys and agents may charge the veteran or their family member a fee for their representation in appealing or requesting an additional review of an adverse VA decision. Only VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge you fees for assisting in a claim for VA benefits, and only after VA has issued an initial decision on the claim and they have complied with the power-of-attorney and the fee agreement requirements.

For information on what to do if you believe you were charged an unreasonable fee by a claims agent or attorney, see the fact sheet on How to Challenge a Fee at https://bit.ly/3fWUNts.

More information can be found at the VA General Counsel website https://bit. ly/3WeHLbR.

Find an AccreditedRepresentative Online Go to https://bit.

ly/3QnCk5M. See last weeks article at https://bit. ly/3W3SgPf.

Find an Accredited

Representative at a VA Regional Office Use the directory of VA-recognized VSOs that are co-located with VA at the VA’s Accredited Representatives webpage at https://www.benefits.va.gov/ vso/varo.asp.

Find a Veterans Service Officer in S.C. and Ga. Find SC County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL. Find GA VSOs at https://bit. ly/44KMVA7.

How to appoint a “local” VSO as your Representative Veterans should call their local Veterans Service Office and make an appointment with a VSO near them. Being able to meet face-to-face with your VSO and talk with him or her by local phone, email, fax, and mail is convenient and very comforting to most veterans and their families.

When you meet with your local VSO, they will have you sign a VA Form 21-22, Appointment of VSO as Claimant’s Representative. You can only be represented by one VSO, attorney, or claims agent at a time.

How to Appoint a VSO or Representative Online Veterans and their family members should first speak to the VSO before they submit their online request. Veterans may appoint a VSO to represent them online at https://www. ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/ homepage.

How to Appoint a VSO or Representative by Mail Veterans may also appoint a VSO by completing VA Form 21-22, Appointment of VSO as Claimant’s Representative. They may appoint an attorney, claims agent, or a specific, individual VSO representative to represent them by complet-

ing VA Form 21-22a, Appointment of Individual as Claimant’s Representative. Mail the form to:

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CLAIMS INTAKE CENTER PO BOX 4444 JANESVILLE, WI 53547-4444

How to Remove or Change Representation Veterans may discharge their representative at any time and for any reason by informing VA in writing. They may also replace their representative with a new representative by filing a new VA Form 21-22, Appointment of VSO as Claimant’s Representative, or VA Form 21-22a, Appointment of Individual as Claimant’s Representative with VA. If you believe that your VA-accredited representative acted unethically or violated the law, you may file a complaint about your representative with the VA’s Office of General Counsel. For more information on filing a complaint, see the VA’s factsheet at https://bit. ly/41HrjSq. For information on what the VA’s Office of General Counsel can do, and what it cannot do, in response to a complaint regarding representation, review the VA’s factsheet at https://bit.ly/42CBl8J.

Do not miss out on your hard-earned and valuable veterans’ benefits. See your local VSO now.

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.

Opha Mae II, the Depot

meritoriously promoted Monday, May 8, to the rank of Corporal on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The mascot is used to boost the morale of Marines and recruits aboard the depot, as well as the families of graduating Marines that come to visit. Lance Cpl. Bradley Williams/USMC

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot

Parris Island, South Carolina, 19 May 2023

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel B. W. Ward 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel M. C. Rock Commander of Troops, Captain R. S. Jordan • Parade Adjutant, Captain E. M. Pierone Company “A”, 1st Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain R. S. Jordan Drill Masters • Staff Sergeant L. M. Hinton, Staff Sergeant R. W. McNew Jr.

PLATOON 1032

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt B. J. Pearson

Pvt Aguilarsilva, D. A.

Pvt Alzate, E. M.

Pvt Brown, J. H.

PFC Carter, N. L.

Pvt Coplin, C. C.

Pvt Cowarttigue, D. B.

Pvt Criner, H. E.

Pvt Cuevasvalera, M. A.

Pvt Duncan II, J. B.

PFC Dyer, N. J.

PFC Eatman, N. A.

PFC Enriquez, J. A.

Pvt Fisher, J. L.

PFC Frye, C. A.

PFC Galvin, A. P.*

Pvt Greer, C. W.

PFC Hernandez, R. G.

Pvt Htoo, T. T.

Pvt Kirkland, C. L.

Pvt Leiva, H. C.

Pvt Marsh, R. A.

PFC Morales, J. A.

Pvt Musick, D. L.

Pvt Myers, T. A.

Pvt Owens, Z. E.

PFC Parham, E. J.

PFC Prewitt, E. A.

PFC Royster, A. C.

PFC Russell, J. W.*

Pvt Seguraregino, V. M.

PFC Shaaban, Z. M.

Pvt Taylor, P. N.

PFC Thomas, W. S.

PFC Thurmond, L. A.

Pvt Tirado, J. C.

Pvt Tucker Jr., D. K.

Pvt Villareal, L. K.

PLATOON 1033 Senior Drill Instructor SSgt P. C. Fredrick

Pvt Alford, T. F.

PFC Baker, D. A.

Pvt Bergamo, J. R.

Pvt Berryman, B. L.

Pvt Boyd, M. W.

Pvt Byrd, A. D.

Pvt Cabrera, H. W.

PFC Colon, M. A.

Pvt Cummings, E. J.

PFC Curtis Jr, R. P.

Pvt Dean, C. B.

PFC Derring, T. A. *

PFC Desiree, K. N.

PFC Dokan, K. A.

Pvt Dominguezguzman, L.

Pvt Freitas, J. D.

Pvt Gonzalezconsuegra, J.

Pvt Hall, C. A.

Pvt Haynes Jr, A. T.

PFC Jones, B. M.

Pvt Jones, B. N.

Pvt Kintum, H. K.

Pvt Korvah, S. S.

Pvt Kouassi, E. L.

Pvt Marrero, I. M.

PFC Merkle, C. R.

Pvt Mosley, T. D.

Pvt Negron Jr, A. J.

PFC Ott, J. D.

PFC Perez, A. F.

PFC Peshoff, L. L.

Pvt Peterson, R. M.

PFC Pfister, A. O.

Pvt Ratliff II, D. C.

Pvt Sailer, D. C.

Pvt Sajonas, J. F.

PFC Sanchez, M. A.*

PFC Singletary, S. *

PFC Stpreux, K.

Pvt Torresortega, J. O.

PLATOON 1034

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt I. H. Jenkins

PFC Allen, D. D.

Pvt Allen, N. Z.

Pvt Altamirano, M. S.

PFC Bailey, E. T.

Pvt Barney, B. C.

Pvt Berry, K. C.

Pvt Brown, J. K.

Pvt Caudle, C. S.

Pvt Crane, T. M.

Pvt Daugherty, R. E.

Pvt Day, R. O.

Pvt Destin, R. V.

Pvt Duff, R. H.

PFC Ervil, A.

PFC Gutierrezsanchez, L. E.*

Pvt Hart, H. T.

PFC Hugoboom, I. J.*

Pvt Hunt, A. G.

Pvt Luna, R.

PFC Marlow, J. A.

Pvt Martinezsosa, A.

PFC Mcalla, B. J.*

Pvt Merola, A. J.

Pvt Perezvillanueva, A.

PFC Retmier, A. J.

Pvt Rutherford, L. J.

Pvt Rutledge, N. L.

Pvt Schuette, P. M.

Pvt Smith, J. D.

Pvt Soto, D. D.

PFC Spencer, K. O.

Pvt Stewart, N. L.

PFC Ventro, V. M.

PLATOON 1036 Senior Drill Instructor

GySgt Z. D. Oftedal

Pvt Adames, N. J.

Pvt Aguila, J. A.

Pvt Barrett III, W. E.

Pvt Boothman, L. J.

PFC Briggs, R. B.*

Pvt Butler, J. E.

Pvt Carron, D. T.

Pvt Casteel, G. A.

Pvt Cegelski, N. K.

Pvt Clemmer, I. J.

Pvt Davis, C. L.

Pvt Dobromirescu, J. B.

Pvt Dombroski, D. J.

PFC Ferrero Jr, J. A.

PFC Gibson, M. J.

Pvt Harriganwhittington, Z. A.

Pvt Hernandez, J. N.

Pvt Hernandezcedeno, W.

Pvt Hernandezvelasquez, R.

Pvt Jackson, R. O.

PFC Jones, I. P.*

Pvt Kelley, V. W.

Pvt Kirk, O. E.

Pvt Latarewicz, J. C.

Pvt Leventry, A. T.

Pvt Markley, G. D.

PFC Masi, J. H.

Pvt Meddings, J. R.

PFC Meharg, P. G.

Pvt Perry, M. P.

Pvt Pilartefelipe, M. R.

PFC Smiley, J. R.*

Pvt Sondergeld, A. A.

Pvt Stevens, T. S.

Pvt Thangcin, G. C.

Pvt Watts, N. K.

PFC Weir, N. R.

PLATOON 1037

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt D. J. Meabon

Pvt Adams, Zachary J.

Pvt Adkins, Caleb W.

Pvt Ali, Sameer N.

Pvt Broadnax, Dorian R.

Pvt Cami, Alit

PFC Ellis, Luke E.

Pvt Fanith, Wilfredo J.

Pvt Garrard II, Kevin G.

Pvt Gonzalez, Cristopher H.

Pvt Grider, Ethan A.

PFC Jairdullo, Vincent J.

Pvt Jenkins, Josiah L.

Pvt Johnston Jr, Dwane E.

Pvt Kelly, Jordan A.

Pvt Lesperance, Leo G.

PFC Lindbert, Ezekiel J. *

Pvt Mason, Noah I.

Pvt Mejia, Edwin

Pvt Morrison, David L.

PFC Osborn, Austin J.

PFC Parlovecarrera, Victor M.

PFC Patterson, Christopher A.

Pvt Pollard, Jquan J.

PFC Reed, Jordan M.

Pvt Ricciullicorro, Edgar A.

Pvt Riverarivera, Kenneth J.

Pvt Rogers, Gary C.

Pvt Santana, Felipe A.

Pvt Settles, Devon S.

PFC Shipley, Darrin H.

Pvt Slater, Justin J.

PFC Snead III, Jimmie G. *

Pvt Stegall, Cassius D.

Pvt Storey, Aiden J.

Pvt Yenichek, James P.

PLATOON 1038

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt E. Cooper

Pvt Balladares, Kevin B.

PFC Benitez, Eric A.

Pvt Blackwell, Zane Q.

PFC Bouie, Justin I.

Pvt Carns, Nicholas D.

PFC Celedonmorales Octavio

Pvt Chavez, Edgar A.

Pvt Chavez, Steve A.

Pvt Colon, Lerey

Pvt Curry JR, Shareek S.

Pvt English, Keion K.

PFC Espinoza, Ronald J.

Pvt Fink, Jordan J.

Pvt Huffman, Cohen R.

Pvt Iavkin, Denys

Pvt James, Alexander M.

Pvt Jernigan, Cameron D.

Pvt Johnson, Nizeah M.

Pvt Keene, Andre S.

PFC Kieber, Owen D.

Pvt Larocque, Parker D.

PFC Macko, Charles J.

Pvt Martinezsoto, Leonid R.*

Pvt Matteson, Ivan H.

Pvt Morrison, Justin E.*

PFC Mynheir, Justin M.

Pvt Natal, Xavian C.

Pvt Nazario II, Ricardo B.

Pvt Oudshoff, Dante B.

PFC Paz, Kenny B.

Pvt Phoebus, Jayson A.

Pvt Prewein, Chase C.

Pvt Rogers, Dashawn D.

Pvt Shelton, Isaiah K.

Pvt Tenhaaf, Derek H.

Pvt Wagner, Shane C.*

*Denotes Meritorious Promotions

Christopher J. Geier Attorney at Law, LLC Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation 16 Professional Village Circle, Lady's Island Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450 chris@bftsclaw.com • www.geierlaw.com

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Shepherding His Flock

The

Catholic Church is Apostolic

Jesus changes Simon’s name to “Rock.”

When God gives someone a new name in the Bible, it signifies a new identity and mission. In Matthew 16, Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter, which means “rock” in their language. “I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) Jesus is declaring that Peter will be the rock upon which he builds his family of faith, the Church.

Jesus uses language associated with the royal steward. He promises Peter, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) Jesus is echoing language found in Isaiah 22:15-25. Each king of Israel had a royal steward who ran the kingdom on the king’s behalf and spoke with his authority. The steward wore large keys on his shoulder as a symbol of his office. The office was continuous, passed from one steward to another.

Jesus is making Peter his royal steward.

Hearing this language, the apostles would have understood that Jesus is bestowing an office of leadership upon Peter. Jesus is the king of heaven, and Peter will be his royal steward, leading the Church on his behalf. Since the Church on earth will always need a visible leader, this office will continue after Peter. The “keys” of leadership will be passed from generation to generation.

Jesus sent out Peter and the apostles to lead his Church. The early Church was built upon the apostles, who Jesus sent to continue his ministry. Led by Peter, the apostles taught and led in the name of Jesus. When theological disputes threatened to split the family of faith, the apostles gathered together and settled the issues definitively, as seen in Acts 15. Through his shepherds, Jesus kept his flock united as a spiritual family and faithful to the true Gospel.

The authority of the apostles was passed on.

As the Church grew, the apostles would pass on their authority to new leaders through the laying on of hands. These new leaders, called bishops, likewise passed on this authority to the next generation of leaders in the same way. Throughout the history of Christianity, when questions of faith arose, the bishops would gather and bring clarity. Through the ministry of these shepherds, Jesus kept his flock united and faithful to the Gospel.

The ministry of Peter and the apostles continues today. The pope is the successor to the apostle Peter, and Catholic bishops are successors to the apostles in general. If one could look back through time, one would see an unbroken chain stretching from bishop to bishop all the way back to the apostles, through the laying on of hands.

The Church is still built on rock.

Like Peter and the apostles, the pope and bishops are imperfect servants, but Jesus works through them to keep his Church faithful to the faith he gave to the apostles. Through these leaders, Jesus continues to guide and shepherd his universal Church so that it can bring his light to all nations.

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