May 9 edition

A yellowed-bellied slider turtle with paint on its shell as seen at the Cypress Wetlands and Rookery in Port Royal on April 30, 2024.

Clementoni

Turtle vandalized at Cypress Wetlands

Local group seeks help in finding who painted the shell of a turtle at the Port Royal wetlands

By Delayna Earley The Island News

The Cypress Wetlands and Rookery is full of beautiful wildlife, but while on a walk through the wetlands to enjoy the natural beauty, one local woman saw something that should not have been there.

On Thursday, May 2, Jenn Clementoni, made a post using the Friends of the Port Royal Cypress Wetlands Facebook page seeking information from the public about a turtle that appears to have been removed from its habitat and the number “24” painted on its shell.

Clementoni, who is the vice president of the nonprofit organization that supports and promotes the wetlands, said that she was walking through the wet-

SEE WETLANDS PAGE A8

No. 1 for 2024

First sea turtle nest found in Beaufort County this season

By Delayna Earley The Island News

While many were celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, members of the Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol were celebrating for a

different reason.

The first sea turtle nest of the season in Beaufort County and the second in the state was found on Fripp Island’s beach on Sunday, May 5

season began on May 1, and Karen Natoli, project leader for Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol, said that this is the earliest that she can remem-

SEE NEST PAGE A8

The sea turtle nesting

Astanding room only crowd of about 500 gathered along the shores of the Beaufort River last Sunday to celebrate the life of one of Beaufort’s greats. Steve Brown passed away peacefully two weeks ago, and his wife, Jean, and their four children Stephanie, Kelsey, Mitchell, and Wade jointly hosted the celebratory event. Steve Brown ran restaurants and a catering service in Beaufort in the 1980’s and 90’s and 00’s and 10’s until his health began to slip away from him. He also, as a volunteer, ran the Baptist Church

of Beaufort’s formidable kitchen during those years, which was an enormous gift to his church. But that’s just the beginning. As readers will soon see, there was a great deal more to the man.

Beaufort Mayor pro-tem Mike

McFee and City Councilman Neil

Lipsitz were there last Sunday, as was W.R. “Skeet” Von Harten, twice Beaufort County’s Council Chairman and the perennial chairman of its all-important “Save the Bases” committees.

So was Modern Jewelers’ Kevin Cuppia, godfather of Beaufort’s Bay Street merchants.

“Steve had the light” Cuppia said at the cookies, crabs and lemonade reception after the formal ceremony, “and we need to keep that light burning in Beaufort.”

Longtime Port Royal Municipal

Court Judge Jim Grimsley was there, too, with his wife, Josette. Some years back, the Grimsleys were moving out of a Waddell Gardens cul-de-sac just as the Browns were moving in.

“And reflective of his remarkable generosity,” Judge Grimsley recalled, “Steve brought us dinner that night!” Ed Duryea, a pillar of Steve’s beloved Baptist Church of Beaufort, was there, too, with his wife Cindy. Duryea, Beaufort Mayor Henry Chambers’ most effective

BCSD’s Rodriguez receives big honor

Rodriguez named the 2025 Superintendent of the Year in S.C.

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Beaufort County Schools Superintendent Frank Rodriguez received a big honor on Thursday, May 2 2024. Rodriguez was named the 2025 South Carolina Superintendent of the Year by the S.C. Association of School Administrators (SCASA).

“Dr. Rodriguez is so deserving of this honor. I have seen firsthand what a hardworking, personable and excellent leader he is,” Beaufort County Board of Education Chair Christina Gwozdz said. “His ability to connect with the community and district employees is amazing. And no matter what, he always strives to ensure our students are challenged scholastically so they can meet success in their academic careers and life. It’s been an honor to work with him in my role as Board Chair as we moved very important initiatives forward that benefit our entire county, such as two overwhelmingly successful referendums and increasing our teacher pay to top in the state.” Rodriguez told The Island News on Monday, May 6, that he is deeply honored to receive the award,

HONOR PAGE B6

Steve Brown ran restaurants and a catering service in Beaufort for many years until his health began to slip away from him. Photo courtesy of the Brown family

BILL RAUCH

Photo courtesy of Jenn

SEE

Frank Rodriguez

Members of the Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol stand with the first sea turtle nest found in Beaufort County on the south end of Fripp Island on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Photo courtesy of Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

Michigan’s Andy Sawyer was in the area to attend the May 3 U.S. Marines boot camp graduation at MCRD Parris Island when he snapped this 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 FRANKIE BONDS

Frankie Bonds

Beaufort’s Frankie Bonds, 69 joined the United States Marine Corps here in Beaufort in 1973. After Boot Camp at Parris Island, he trained as a mechanic at Camp Lejeune. With the drawdown after Vietnam, he was transferred to the Marine Corps

Reserve. He drilled with his unit in Augusta, GA., for six years and was finally separated in 1981. He worked in the Lowcountry, from Charleston to Beaufort, mostly as a carpenter. Today he is remodeling his home on St. Helena Island and

he is a member of American Legion Beaufort Post 207 – Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207 For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

Rabid raccoon confirmed in southern Beaufort County; 2 pets exposed

From staff reports

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed that a raccoon found near Pine View and May River drives in Bluffton has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. Two dogs were exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The raccoon was submitted to DHEC's laboratory for testing on

Friday, May 3, and was confirmed to have rabies on Monday, May 6

If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this raccoon or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC's Public Health Beaufort office at 843-5257603 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) or after hours and on holidays at 888-847-0902

(Select Option 2).

Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to po-

ON THIS DATE

May 9

1981: Greg Jones is born in Columbia. Jones was a star athlete at Battery Creek High School in the 1990s, earning AllState honors on offense (running back) and defense (linebacker) in football. Jones played college football at Florida State University. Drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones played nine seasons in the NFL, eight with the Jaguars and one with the Houston Texans.

May 10

2019: Mills Langehans scores five goals to lead the Holy Trinity Lions to an 8-0 win over Cambridge Academy to win the SCISA 1A girls soccer championship at PorterGaud in Charleston.

tentially rabid animals to DHEC.

“It is very important for you to seek medical attention if you have been exposed to a wild, stray or domestic animal," Rabies Program Director Terri McCollister said. "The rabies virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and can be transmitted through a bite, scratch, broken skin and the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose, or mouth. Immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water."

Contact your local Public

Health office for further guidance. It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. This raccoon is the first animal in Beaufort County to test positive for rabies in 2024

Contact information for local Public Health offices is available at scdhec.gov/RabiesContacts.

For more information on rabies, visit scdhec.gov/rabies or cdc. gov/rabies.

2019: Beaufort Academy’s boys are denied a sixth consecutive SCISA 1A soccer championship, falling 4-2 to The King’s Academy at Porter-Gaud in Charleston.

May 11

2019: Beaufort High School claims its second straight Class 4A boys track and field state championship in Columbia. The Eagles won by a whopping 36 points despite having just three event winners –Alex Macias (pole vault), Desmond Gailard (triple jump) and Dexter Ratliff (discus).

May 12-13

1862: Beaufort’s Robert Smalls steals the CSS Planter and delivers the ship to the Union Navy. The three white crew members – Capt. C.J. Relyea, pilot Samuel H. Smith

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Cat Of The Week

Sable Santana has a story to tell. This beautiful girl was discarded at a campground last April. She ran around the facility for weeks before good Samaritans were finally able to bring her to safety at Palmetto Animal League. She is shy at first, but once she gets to know you, she is an incredibly charming and loving cat. She longs for a real home where someone loves her best. She is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

and engineer Zerich Pitcher – went ashore in Charleston, leaving Smalls, the ship’s wheelman, and the enslaved crew members unattended. Around 3 a.m., Smalls and his crew fired up the ship’s boilers and sailed to a wharf to pick up their waiting family members, then sailed past Confederate forces at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie. Smalls, impersonating the captain, wearing his wide-brimmed straw hat to hide his face, used the proper coded signals at two Confederate checkpoints, including at Fort Sumter itself, and other defense positions. When the Planter cleared the Confederate defenses, just before dawn, Smalls raised a white flag and delivered the ship – and its 17 black passengers (nine men, five women and three children) to the blockading Union fleet.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

she can learn and grow as someone's beloved best friend.

She is a mixed breed puppy who will be small when fully grown. If you've been looking for a little dog to bring lots of joy and laughter to your life, come meet Chupa today! She is up to date on vaccinations and microchipped. Upon adoption, she will be scheduled for spay surgery at the PAL Vet Clinic.

For more info on Sable Santana, Chupa, or any of our other pets, call Palmetto Animal League at 843-645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.

National Nurses Week is celebrated each year from May 6 through May 12 —the birthday of Florence Nightingale—to recognize nurses for their foundational role in patient care and invaluable contributions to the well-being of communities everywhere.

Nurses help us heal.

Nurses give us comfort.

Nurses offer us hope.

Nurses make a difference.

Nurses deserve our thanks.

From Beaufort Memorial’s very beginning, 80 years ago, our nurses have been instrumental in providing the highest level of quality care. They are truly exceptional.

As we recognize their commitment to our community, join us in sharing your appreciation for the care they provide. Scan the QR code or visit BeaufortMemorial.org/OurStars to thank the nurses who made a difference for you with a note of gratitude or gift in their honor.

BMH announces new nursing scholarship, celebrates PATH graduates

PATH Program graduation, signing ceremony marks new opportunities for employees

From staff reports

Beaufort Memorial Hospital held its sixth graduation and pinning ceremony for more than 20 PATH (People Achieving Their Highest) graduates (including the program’s first two registered nurses) and celebrated the signing of 23 employees who will enter the program.

The event also featured the announcement of the new Marmo Family Nursing Scholarship.

Special guests Trisha and Chris Marmo congratulated the graduates and, alongside BMH Foundation Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer Kimberly Yawn, announced the establishment of the new scholarship, which will offer direct incentives for area residents pursuing a career in nursing.

Created in partnership with the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation, the scholarship is designed to offer nursing students in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties “a hand up rath-

er than a handout,” according to Trisha Marmo. The fund will award five nursing school scholarships annually specifically for those pursuing their RN degree, with the first recipients to be chosen this summer. Recipients are eligible for up to $4k per semester provided they are enrolled with good standing in their nursing program.

“South Carolina already has too few nurses and is projected to have as many as 10 000 nursing vacancies by the end of the decade,” said Yawn. “And it’s only going to get worse unless we find a way to attract more qualified people to the profession. This gift is going to have a major positive impact on both the nursing students who receive the scholarships and the residents who will one day receive their care.”

Paying it forward A native of south Florida, Trisha worked her way through nursing school while carrying multiple jobs

in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Faced with an uncertain future and a lack of money for tuition, she was preparing to leave the nursing program before graduation. When she arrived at a meeting with her Dean of Nursing to resign from the program, she was met with a check – a gift! – that would cover her expenses and allow her to graduate with honors from the University of Florida’s College of Nursing in 1992 (she repaid the “gift” six months after starting her first job).

Chris was a successful pharmaceutical entrepreneur for 30 years while Trish, in addition to raising their children, had careers in nursing and as a board-certified health and wellness coach. The two retired to Bluffton in 2021. Together, they raised five children, are

grandparents to six grandchildren, and recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.

“It sounds cliché,” she said. “But Chris and I had a successful run, and we’re ready to give back. Education was the ticket out of poverty for us both. And we hope with this fund to be an example to others of all that can be accomplished through education. We also hope our scholarship recipients will pay it forward themselves one day by providing exceptional health care to the community.”

PATH program graduation

Among those being honored at Wednesday’s ceremony are Adam Flores and Olivia Pace, graduated from USCB’s nursing program on Friday, April 26, and have accepted offers to work at

the hospital on the third floor pediatrics unit and the emergency department, respectively.

In addition to Flores and Pace, the ceremony celebrated the eight most recent PATH program graduates, as well as six who were pinned as certified Patient Care Technicians and six as certified Clinical Medical Assistants.

Since 2022, Beaufort Memorial has graduated or certified more than 55 employees through its innovative workforce development program, allowing employees to advance their careers in the organization. PATH Programs include a variety of clinical pathways, and last November graduated its first class of certified medical coders.

“We are extremely proud of our employee graduates

and the future their hard work affords them,” said BMH President and CEO Russell Baxley, MHA. “They are shining examples of our mission and vision, and our shared commitment to helping our employees achieve their goals.”

The Beaufort Memorial PATH Program has been showcased by the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) as an innovative example of workforce development. The program includes scholarships, clinical training, traditional education, and non-traditional financial assistance to encourage and incentivize individuals to advance their careers and support a better healthcare network. To learn more about the PATH Program visit BeaufortMemorial.org/PATH.

SpringFest on Paris Avenue

Wetlands

from page A1

lands along the boardwalk when she saw the adult yellowed-bellied slider marked with white paint in what she thinks was potentially part of a senior prank.

While their first thought is that this was likely part of a social media-fueled senior prank, they have no way of knowing that for sure.

The incident happened on Tuesday, April 30, and Clementoni has been back several times since then and has not been able to relocate the turtle, but she said that

didn’t surprise her given the large number of turtles in the wetlands.

Clementoni and other members from the group who were with her called the Port Royal Police Department and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to alert them of the vandalism.

“We were told that the Port Royal Police will be monitoring the wetlands more closely,” Clementoni said. “Part of the beauty of the Lowcountry is that we have places like this around, but we have to make sure to respect the wildlife and not take it for granted.” Andrew Grosse, SCDNR

Statewide Herpetologist, said that “this activity is unethical, illegal for protected species and may make them more susceptible to predators,” in a statement to The Island News.

Clementoni and the group took to social media to ask the community for help in identifying those who were responsible, posting that tips could be given anonymously without questions asked. Additionally, the post addressed why this act is such a serious issue.

For starters, the post warns the public against disturbing or removing any wildlife from the wetlands.

“In South Carolina, de-

pending on what it is, harassing or removing any wildlife can come with a big fine,” Clementoni said.

The area is protected, and the birds are nesting, any unnatural disturbance could cause the birds to abandon their nests that are filled with eggs or their chicks due to “people trespassing in the waters.”

Clementoni also said that the birds are not the only animals procreating right now. It is also mating season for the alligators that live in the wetlands, which means that they are a lot more territorial and dangerous than other times of the year.

“Gators, gators, gators …

whoever did this, well your story could have ended with not such a great outcome,” the post on Facebook read.

Additionally, being removed from its habitat, having its shell painted and then being put back is traumatic for the turtle.

“As you can see, water did not wash off the paint,” Clementoni said. “Who knows what kind of paint they used and how that paint is going to affect the health of the turtle and other animals in the wetlands.” Clementoni said that while she hopes that people visiting the wetlands keep an eye out for the turtle, she advised against trying to

help the turtle themselves, but instead she suggested that they report the sighting to SCDNR so that they could hopefully remove the turtle safely and relocate it to a rehabilitation center where they can gently remove the paint from its shell.

“We don’t want an accident or tragedy to happen because some people didn’t use common sense,” Clementoni said.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

The most recent graduates of the PATH program – front from left, Paige Thompson, BMH Clinical Instructor; graduates Hope Cox and Christina Capers; back from left, Mary Anne McNamee, BMH Workforce Development Coordinator; graduates Leslie Gant, Teresa Slattery, ShanTerrah Nelson, Katharine Troy; BMH Education Director Joy Solomon — celebrate with the Beaufort Memorial Education team.

Bluffton residents Chris and Trisha Marmo, a retired nurse, have partnered with Beaufort Memorial to offer a scholarship to local nursing students.

A vendor as seen on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at SpringFest on Paris Avenue in Port Royal. This is the second year for the annual event hosted by ZenDen. Photo courtesy of SK Signs, Designs & Marketing

Dataw Island Authors’ Luncheon

The Dataw Historic Foundation welcomed Cassandra King as their speaker for the 2nd annual Author's Luncheon on April 24 in the Carolina Ballroom on Dataw Island. The 220 guests were enthralled with the author’s stories about life with her late husband, Beaufort’s Pat Conroy.

Submitted photo

Port Royal’s Heyward graduates from Municipal Elected Officials Institute

From staff reports

Town of Port Royal Councilmember Mary Beth Heyward has graduated from the Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government. Graduates received their certificates during the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Hometown Legislative Action Day in February.

The Municipal Association offers the Advanced Institute exclusively to graduates of the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government. Created in 2014, the Advanced Institute provides elected officials with continuing education through classroom instruction and interaction with experienced peers.

“The Advanced Institute allows mayors and councilmembers to explore in depth many governance topics that can make them more effective leaders for their cities and towns,” said Urica Floyd, staff associate for distance learning for the Municipal Association.

Graduating officials have participated in at least four of six courses to graduate from the Advanced Institute. Topics include public safety, budgeting, utilities, advocacy, economic development and governance.

The Advanced Institute draws its faculty from South Carolina and across the country including recognized local government leaders, state officials, as well as college and university faculty.

Established in 1986, the Municipal Elect-

Town of Port Royal Councilmember Mary Beth Heyward, and Municipal Association President and Mayor of Conway Barbara Blain-Bellamy. Photo courtesy of the Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government

ed Officials Institute of Government is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. It gives municipal officials a strong foundation in the operation of mu nicipal government.

The MEO Institute and Advanced Insti tute are two of the many educational and training opportunities that the Municipal Association offers for the elected officials and staff serving cities and towns. Learn more at www.masc.sc (keyword: education and training).

From staff reports Beaufort County’s contractor, IPW Construction Group, LLC, will begin shoulder closures this week that will run the entire length of Laurel Bay Road. Portions of either lane and sections of the road shoulders will be closed intermittently throughout the project. Work will be conducted between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. During this time, motorists are asked to please prepare for and expect minor delays in traffic. Drivers traveling through the area are asked to please be mindful of the traffic

County’s Earth Day cleanup a success

From staff reports Beaufort County employees spent Earth Day volunteering to clean up some local roadways and waterways. More than 300 volunteers were assigned locations around the County, 236 bags of garbage were collected -- which equals 3 540 pounds of litter removed from the roadways.

Some of the more heavily traveled locations that needed attention were Castle Rock Road, Grober Hill Road, and Highway 170 County employees from several different departments including Human Resources, Stormwater, Finance, and several County officials. Joining County employees were volunteers from more than 60 Adopta-Highway groups.

Special thanks to County Fleet Manager Todd Davis, County Recycling Coordinator Chloee McGuigan, and Adopt-a-Highway Coordinator Farie Riley for arranging bus transportation.

This Earth Day tradition began in 2018 when former County Public Works Director Dave Wilhelm saw an increased need for litter control due to the amount of construction debris and roadway trash from individuals. Thanks in part to improvements from SCDOT, local municipalities, and the more than 100 County Adopt-aHighway groups that pick up litter year-round, less trash was picked up this year than previous years.

For those interested in joining an Adopt-a-Highway group or starting a new one, please contact Adopt-aHighway Coordinator Farie Riley at farie.riley@bcgov.net or 843-255-2817

More County road repairs, paving projects started

From staff reports

Beaufort County is beginning more roadway repairs on several roads in Beaufort this week.

As part of Beaufort County’s annual roadway resurfacing program funded by the County Transportation Committee, the County started road patching Wednesday, April 24

Contractors ask that residents please refrain from parking in the street during the time of operations. This will be a day-time activity between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. These are target dates and may be delayed or advanced due to weather and field conditions. Flaggers will be in each work zone so motorists are asked to travel with caution.

The schedule and timeframe for each road paving project is below: Micro Surfacing began Monday, May 6, and will run through Saturday, May 18 on the following roads: W. Chelsea Court, E. Chelsea Court, Middleton Recreation Drive, Arnold Lane, Donaldson Drive, McIntyre Circle, Paukie Island Drive, Hanna Avenue, Mark Avenue, Wesley Avenue, Suzanne Avenue, Frame Avenue, Harvey's Bend, Habersham Avenue, Hugh Street, and Perryclear.

Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution when approaching work zones. For more information, call the Beaufort County Engineering Department at 843255-2700

Taste of Beaufort

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

Notice is hereby given that KirinHHI, LLC, dba Fujiyama intends to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for a license and/or permit that will allow the sale and on premises consumption of beer and wine, at 2 North Forest Beach Dr., #108, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. To object to the issuance of this license and/or permit, you must submit Form ABL-20, postmarked no later than May 16, 2024. Submit protests online at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov, or email ABL@dor.sc.gov.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER

V.

HEIRS-AT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN INCLUDING FRANCES GREEN, ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER

V.

HEIRS-AT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN INCLUDING FRANCES GREEN, ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN

HEIRS AT LAW, INCLUDING UNKNOWN PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY MINORS, PERSONS NON COMPOS MENTIS AND PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHO MIGHT CLAIM TO BE HEIRS-AT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, RESPONDENTS. IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER: 2024ES0700058

AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING TO DETERMINE HEIRS-AT-LAW TO THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing has been scheduled for July 25, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET at Beaufort County Probate Court, Beaufort County Courthouse, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina, for the purpose of determining heirs-at-law

hearing.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER V.

HEIRS-AT-LAW OF JOSEPH GREENE INCLUDING ESTAE OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, FRANCES GREEN, ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, AND BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, INCLUDING UNKNOWN PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY MINORS, PERSONS NON COMPOS MENTIS AND PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHO MIGHT CLAIM TO BE HEIRS-AT-LAW OF JOSEPH GREENE, RESPONDENTS.

IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER: 2024ES0700057

AMENDED NOTICE OF HEARING TO DETERMINE HEIRS-AT-LAW TO THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing has been scheduled for July 25,2024 at 2:00 PM ET at Beaufort County Probate Court, Beaufort County Courthouse, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina, for the purpose of determining heirs-at-law of Joseph Greene. This action was commenced by Petitioner on January 11th, 2024, at the Beaufort County Probate Court to have the Probate Court declare that the Estate of Addie Mae Green, Frances Green, Rose Green, Linda Green, Bessie M. Green, and Betty Mitchell were the sole heirs-at-law of Joseph Greene upon his death on November 30, 1982. Any objections to the Petitioner’s right to commence this action, as the current owners of the real property that was owned by Joseph Greene at the time of his death, or to Petitioner’s prayer for relief declaring the aforementioned persons to have been the sole heirs-atlaw of Joseph Greene must be filed with the Beaufort County Probate Court on or before July 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET or advanced in person at the scheduled hearing.

/s/ Mikayla Mangle

Mikayla Mangle, Esquire Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation

8570 Rivers Ave, Suite 170. North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: 843-745-7055 Fax: 843-745-7054

mmangle@heirsproperty.org

Attorney for Petitioner

North Charleston, South Carolina April 15, 2024

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT

FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER

V.

HEIRS-AT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN INCLUDING FRANCES GREEN, ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN

HEIRS AT LAW, INCLUDING UNKNOWN PERSONS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY MINORS, PERSONS NON COMPOS MENTIS AND PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHO MIGHT CLAIM TO BE HEIRS-AT-LAW OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, RESPONDENTS.

IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER: 2024ES0700058

AMENDED NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS, INCLUDING PERSONS UNKNOWN, MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND UNDER ANY OTHER DISABILITY

TO THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED:

And to any thereof that may be residents or non-residents of South Carolina, and to the natural, general, testamentary or other guardians therefor, and to the persons with whom they reside or by whom they may be employed if any there be, and to all other Respondents whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained. TAKE NOTICE, that the Summons, Petition, Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem, Order of Publication, and Notice to Respondents were filed in the Office of the Probate Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina, and Sarah L. Clingman, Esquire, 3321 Forest Drive, Ste 1 Columbia, SC 29204, was appointed Guardian ad Litem, her appointment to become absolute twenty (20) days after the service of the Summons. STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT FRANCES GREEN, PETITIONER V. HEIRS-AT-LAW OF JOSEPH GREENE INCLUDING ESTAE OF ADDIE MAE GREEN, FRANCES GREEN, ROSE GREEN, LINDA GREEN, BESSIE M. GREEN, AND BETTY MITCHELL AND JOHN DOE AND MARY ROE FICTITIOUS NAMES REPRESENTING ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS

OF JOSEPH GREENE, RESPONDENTS.

IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NUMBER: 2024ES0700057

AMENDED NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS, INCLUDING PERSONS UNKNOWN, MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND UNDER ANY OTHER DISABILITY TO THE RESPONDENTS ABOVE-NAMED:

And to any thereof that may be residents or non-residents of South Carolina, and to the natural, general, testamentary or other guardians therefore, and to the persons with whom they reside or by whom they may be employed if any there be, and to all other Respondents whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained. TAKE NOTICE, that the Summons, Petition, Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem, Order of Publication, and Notice to Respondents were filed in the Office of the Probate Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina and Sarah L. Clingman 3321 Forest Drive, Ste 1 Columbia, SC 29204 was appointed Guardian ad Litem, her appointment to become absolute twenty (20) days after the service of the Summons. /s/ Mikayla Mangle Mikayla Mangle, Esquire Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation 8570 Rivers Ave, Suite 170. North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: 843-745-7055 Fax: 843-745-7054 mmangle@heirsproperty.org Attorney for Petitioner North Charleston, South Carolina

Above: Friends and family come together to make memories at Taste of Beaufort which was held Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

A seafood lover’s heaven, one of the many dishes available at Taste of Beaufort held on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Isabella Ramirez, 9, of Beaufort, tries her luck at one of the many games in the Kidzone at Taste of Beaufort, was held Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Lady’s Island Garden Club celebrating 50 years

From staff reports

The Lady’s Island Garden Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and in honor of this special occasion, the Club is sponsoring a special event on June 7. Louisa Pringle Cameron, an expert on Charleston gardens, will speak on this topic at St. Helena’s Parish Hall.

Lady’s Island Garden Club was formed as a civic-minded club working to provide education and beauty to the area, enriching the community by offering its people opportunities to learn about what the Lowcountry uniquely offers to its citizens and visitors.

The Club’s most important project, started in 2008, is The Beaufort Tree Walk that takes place in the Historic Old Point area. The newly revamped Walk is offered free to the public. The

self-guided Walk booklet is available at the Visitors Center in the Arsenal, and the experience can be enjoyed at leisure anytime.

As part of it’s charter as a Federated Garden Club to provide an on-going service to the Lowcountry community and in celebration of its 50th anniversary, the club has invited Cameron, a Charleston native and a notable author on Southern gardens, to Beaufort.

Besides being a local Lowcountry author of three pictorial books about Southern Garden gems rarely seen by the public, Cameron is a lifetime gardener and artist.

At 2 p.m., Friday, June 7

Cameron will share stories about the history of some of these hidden treasures of Charleston. She will speak of landscape design and utilizing what is originally

part of the area to the best advantage, such as trees, background views, house location, etc. Even an experienced gardener needs professional expertise, as she herself admits in her books.

The gardens Cameron will talk about are generally “in town” lot size, and their unique problems of utilization of space to its best potential is a keynote to the understanding of classic Southern gardening.

To be able to take a minimum size parcel, design and plant it to appear larger and have greater interest in the eye of the beholder, is an art unto itself. Ms. Cameron, with her perceptive background and artistic abilities will bring a special level of knowledge to this program.

Several years ago, the University of South Car -

olina Press asked her to write another book. This book, “Charleston: City of Gardens” will include private gardens on the peninsula, parks, and cemeteries, as well as a few gardens outside the Historic District. Her program in Beaufort will be on this subject — exploring the historic Lowcountry gardens of Charleston.

Tickets for this event are $30 and may be purchased by sending a check made out to Lady’s Island Garden Club to care of K. Pitman, P.O. Box 1258, Beaufort, S.C. 29901. Tickets by check will be Will Call. Tickets may also be purchased online by going to Eventbrite. com/Louisa Pringle Cameron and clicking on the link to purchase tickets. More information is available at http://ladysislandgardenclub.com.

Black Chamber First Friday

engage in conversation with a

the

A triangular space was marked off with white poles, tape and a sigh from DNR.

from page A1

ber a sea turtle nest being found on Fripp Island.

“Usually, Hilton Head [Island] or Hunting [Island] is the first to have a nest,” Natoli said.

The nest belonged to a loggerhead sea turtle mother and was found on the south end of the island.

The turtle laid more than 100 eggs – 99 viable eggs and 6 spacer eggs, which are non-viable.

Natoli dug a new nest for the eggs and members of the group transferred the eggs to their new home.

“We try to make our nests as discrete as possible so that we don’t draw too much attention to them,” Natoli said.

Typically, Fripp Island does not see their first turtle nest until around Mother’s Day or later, according to Natoli, so the group was pleasantly surprised to see the nest. The group patrols the three miles worth of Fripp Island beach every morning before beachgoers arrive to enjoy their day.

“We probably won’t see any more activity for a few more days at least,” Natoli said.

small selection of the items as

by

Library announces bookmark winners

From staff reports

The Beaufort County Library System has announced the winners of its 5th annual Bookmark Contest for the 2024 Summer Reading Program. The contest ran from March 1 to March 30 Artists, from left to right in the photo, and their age groups: Aubrey Buchanan (Ages 5 to 8)

Aurriah Sutton (Ages 9 to 12)

Darlene Macias Moreno (Ages 13 to 17) Laura K. Henderson (Ages

Even though the nest was found on Sunday, as of Tuesday, May 7, Fripp Island is still the only beach in Beaufort County to report a nest according to the tracker at seaturtle.org.

The first nest in the state was recorded in Garden City by the Garden City Surfside Sea Turtle Guardians group on April 29, two days before the six-month season officially started.

Since Sunday there have been five more reported nests statewide.

Natoli said that typically the first sea turtle activity that they see on the beach are false crawls, which is when a mother turtle comes ashore to nest but gets scared for

18 and older)

The four designs will be printed and available at all library branches at the start of Summer Reading on June 1 Participants created their artwork directly on the Bookmark Contest template and then returned it to any Beaufort County Library location. Templates were available at the library or printed from the beaufortcountylibrary.org/bookmark contest webpage. Beaufort County School District students were permitted to return their com-

some reason and goes back into the ocean.

While a lot of the Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol’s job is to locate sea turtle nests and protect them, Natoli said that due to the nature of the types of property on Fripp Island, they have to spend a good bit of time re-educating people on important sea turtle season rules such as keeping lights off of the beach, cleaning up all tents, chairs and trash off of the beach and not making too much noise at night.

“We have people who live here full time, but we get a lot of vacationers as well who don’t really know that the lights can be a problem for the sea turtles,” Natoli said.

In addition to relocating the nest found on Sunday, the Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol took one of the eggs for genetic testing. The group sends one egg per nest to the University of Georgia’s Northern Recovery Unit, which is a research project to track not only the genetics of the sea turtles, but their nesting habits.

Natoli said that the island typically sees an average of 100 nests per season – last year loggerhead sea turtles laid 118 nests on Fripp Island.

She said people are always asking how they can help, and while you must receive special training and a permit from SCDNR to relocate and mark off sea turtle nests,

pleted templates to their teacher. Only one design was allowed to be submitted per person. For more information on the Summer Reading Program or other BCL programs/events, please contact Theresa Furbish, Programs and Events Librarian, at 843-255-6442 or theresa.furbish@bcgov.net. For the most current listing of Beaufort County Library events, please visit the Library’s Event Calendar at www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/calendar.

there is still a lot that people can do to help protect these beautiful animals. Removing all tents, chairs and personal property from the beach; dismantling sand castles and filling in holes; keeping artificial lights off the beach at night; keeping the beaches clean of all plastic and balloons; following boating laws; and, of course, if you see a sea turtle do not touch it and observe it from a distance.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Louisa Pringle Cameron’s private garden. Submitted photo

Attendees

vendor during

First Friday event in downtown Beaufort hosted by the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce on May 3, 2024, sponsored by the Original Gullah Festival of South Carolina. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

A

showcased

vendors at the First Friday event in downtown Beaufort held by the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce on May 3, 2024, supported by the Original Gullah Festival of South Carolina. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

By Margaret Evans Lowcountry Weekly

Clover Choraliers returning to Beaufort

The Clover Choraliers have built a passionate following here in Beaufort, having made this a stop on their spring tour over the past few years. I wrote a paean to this exceptional, award-winning high school choir from the Upstate before their performance last year, and I can’t tell you how many people emailed later to say thanks.

One reader wrote, “I don’t even listen to choral music, but your rave was so over-the-top, I just had to check this group out. I am now a fan for life.”

Fans for life and the uninitiated alike have a chance to see what all the hype’s about on Friday, May 17, when the Clover Choraliers — all 120 of them — perform a concert at First Presbyterian Church.

Here’s how good this choir is universally acknowledged to be: Its founder and director, Jay Forrest, was just presented with the Order of the Palmetto by State Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver — on behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster — for his 30 years of distinguished excellence in music education.

Beaufort’s Vic Varner, retired choral director and an old friend and colleague of Forrest’s, has called him “a real-life Pied Piper,” saying, “He leads, and kids follow.”

“I don’t know about that,” Forrest told me last year. “But I will say that I probably spend more time thinking about how to motivate these kids than I spend preparing music. And it’s all about student leadership. We’re very

passionate about the hierarchy here, with the seniors at the top. The upperclassmen teach and lead the underclassmen. One of the dads once told me that we have a ‘corporate culture.’ I didn’t know what that meant, but apparently it means that if anybody loafs — doesn’t give 100% — then nobody buys the product.”

This particular product is outstanding. In last year’s “over-thetop” rave, I wrote: “The Choraliers need to be seen and heard. They’re a bit of a spectacle, in fact. Subtly costumed and choreographed, they’re somehow both precise and free flowing. Their bodies move with their music. Their faces shine with emotion. Every bit of every Choralier – mind, body, and soul – seems connected with every note they

Scenes From La Bayadere

sing. And as a result, we audience members connect, too. With the music, with them, and with each other. ‘Sublime’ is not too strong a word for the experience.”

Last year, the Choraliers came to Beaufort just before traveling to the Bahamas, where they’d been invited to perform at Christ Church as part of the celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Bahamian independence.

“It was an incredible experience for our students,” Forrest told me recently. “They were well received by a large audience, collaborated musically with a local choir from Nassau, and met singers who performed as children at the original independence ceremony 50 years ago.”

Every year, along with several choral concerts, the Choraliers

perform a full-scale staged musical. They’ve just wrapped this year’s production of ‘Something Rotten,’ the hilarious smash hit that tells the story of two brothers in 1959 who set out the write the world’s very first musical. They performed the show for three soldout audiences.

The Beaufort audience will probably hear a few of those songs, along with a wide variety of contemporary choral compositions and spirituals.

“We will also perform excerpts from Vivaldi’s Gloria and Crucifixus by Antonio Lotti,” said Forrest.

“The concert will conclude with some lighter selections.”

The Clover Choraliers have grown almost as fond of coming to Beaufort as Beaufort is of having them here. According to Jay For-

Ballerinas with the Derrick Ballet Conservatory perform part of the Veil Dance of La Bayadere during the

From

on Saturday and Sunday at the

School

or “Temple Dance” by French choreographer Marius Petipa, was first performed in 1877 at the Bolshoi Kamenny Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia by the Imperial Ballet. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

rest, “The Beaufort performance has been one of the highlights of our school year in the past. In addition to the beautiful waterfront setting and lovely architecture of First Presbyterian Church, the community has so warmly embraced our teenage singers in the Choraliers. We have a tradition after concert we refer to as ‘meet and greet’ where the students leave the risers and engage with our audience. This time of sharing has made an impact on these students in teaching them the value of manners and the opportunity to be ambassadors for young people. The concert in Beaufort will be bittersweet for many as it is the final performance of the year.”

The Clover Choraliers will perform a concert of eclectic choral music on Friday, May 17 at 6 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of North and Church streets in downtown Beaufort. Admission is free but seating is limited. The public is encouraged to arrive early. Last year’s concert was standing room only.

Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly and a Publisher of

Beaufort Children’s

Theatre to soar in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR.

From staff reports

“Near, far, in our motorcar, oh what a happy time we’ll spend!”

The USCB Center for the Arts presents the The Beaufort Children’s Theatre’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m.

And to those who can’t attend we say, “Oh, poppycock.”

Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. features a book by Jeremy Sams and music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (Mary Poppins), which includes the Academy Award-nominated title song featured in the 1968 movie produced by Albert R. Broccoli. The story follows an eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, and his children, Jeremy and Jemima, who discover an old race car that has magical properties.

Join the fun as more than 70 aspiring young actors from the Beaufort County area perform this 60-minute production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. Suitable and enjoyable for all ages.

Tickets are available online www.uscbcenterfortheart.com or through the box-office by calling 843-521-4145 on select days. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, military, and faculty and staff; and $16 for children and students.

THE CAST

Truly Scrumptious – Ava Lute

Caractacus Potts – Ian Brooks

Jeremy Potts – Jonah Perkins

Jemina Potts – Maeve Saunders

Mr. Coggins – Liam Martin

Junkman – Sophia Mercier

Grandpa – Caeden White

Miss Phillips – Molly Smith

Lord Scrumptious – Beau Backus

Baron – Sebastian Gallego

Baroness – Lauren Grice

Boris – Christopher Jenkins

Goran – Maggie Stephens

The Toymaker – DJ Wardlow

Child Catcher – Annie Grace Wells

The Fair Announcer – Alyssa Dibble

Violet – Rebecca Thomson

Sid – Gabriel Davidson

Turkey Farmer – Natalie Bozalek

Toby – Logan Forrestall

Marta – Evie Clavijo

Greta – Annie Marshall

WANT TO GO?

Who: The Beaufort Children’s Theatre

What: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR.

When: 7 p.m., Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18; 3 p.m., Sunday, May 19.

Where: USCB Center for the Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort.

Tickets: $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, military, and faculty and staff; and $16 for children and students. They are available at https://bit.ly/4a4agOQ.

Hidden Children

Kareena Desai, Kenzie Norwood, Everett Johnston, Riley Phifer, Lily Kate Ferguson, Wynn Staiger, Charlotte Bauer, Sophia Holmes, Azalea Savage, Valerie Baxley, Mahala Little, Emily Scott Howell, Mary Elizabeth Sliveka, Vivienne Gibbons, Gwendolyn Roberts

The Morris Dancers, Star Chorus, and Seagulls

Olivia Rose Smith, Madelyn Colton, James Riddle, Riley Kunkler, Ivy Beer, Katie Cechini, Maren Tillapaugh, Christopher Jenkins, Maggie Stephens

Fairgoers and Factory Worker Brianna Dibble, Anna Claire Stansell, Hannah Borreggine, Haley Mingledorff, Madeline Richardson, Ainsley Backus, Larissa Bearden, Emmalyn Bearden, Ivey Savage, Khloie Cole, Josephine Murray, Genevieve Murray, Liam Martin, Sophia Mercier, Molly Smith, Beau Backus, Alyssa Dibble, Rebecca Thomson, Natalie Bozalek

Soldiers David Barr, Bryan Parker, JJ Kunkler, Bryan Parker, Gabriel Davidson, David Barr, Jude Greenway, Brendan VanVreede Vulgarians

Hannah Schranz, Peyton Wardlow, Tia Larrimore, Lilly Grace Johnson, Maggie Smith, Madeline Hardy, Avery Marrick, Hannah O’Donnell, Lorelei Gardner, Cecila Wareham, Seabrook Duryea, Skyler Grace Holmes, Gray Williams, DJ Wardlow

Dogs Logan Forrestall, Evie Clavijo

The Clover Choraliers perform a Christmas concert. Submitted photo

Caroline Moore and Brady Peiczonka portray Nikiya and Young Solor during “Scenes From La Bayadere” performance in the Derrick Ballet Conservatory’s Showcase 2024 on Saturday at the Beaufort High School Performing Arts Center. La Bayadere or “Temple Dance” by French choreographer Marius Petipa, was first performed in 1877 at the Bolshoi Kamenny Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia by the Imperial Ballet. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Scenes

La Bayadere

Beaufort High

Performing Arts Center. La Bayadere

Street Music returns to Paris Avenue

Promote your

Church Services in The Island News and increase membership!

Contact us today! Amanda Hanna amanda@lcweekly.com Hope Falls ads.theislandnews@gmail.com

SCETV show explores iconic interview with Toni Morrison

From staff reports The captivating South Carolina ETV (SCETV) series “Echoes and Insights” revitalizes timeless conversations pulled from SCETV’s media archive.

Each episode revisits pivotal moments, featuring voices and perspectives of influential figures from the past.

The first episode, featuring a 1983 interview between SCETV’s Beryl Dakers, original host of “Art’s the Thing!” and Pulitzer Prize winner Toni Morrison, airs next on Thursday, May 9 at 9 p.m., on ETV-HD. Set against the backdrop

of Morrison's promotional tour at the University of South Carolina for “Tar Baby” (1981), just ahead of the monumental release of “Beloved” (1987), the series uncovers a history of insights and reflections from a diverse array of scholars, community leaders and women professionals such as poet Nikky Finney, storyteller Nancy Tolson, attorney and speaker Shontavia Johnson and many others. These voices come together to illuminate Morrison's enduring influence on their work, her unique perspective on South Carolina and

the lasting legacy of Beryl Dakers’ contributions to public media in the Palmetto State. From thought-provoking conversations with renowned artists and intellectuals to groundbreaking speeches by world leaders, “Echoes and Insights” brings forth the wisdom, struggles and triumphs of those who have shaped our world. Through curated archival footage and interviews, the series offers fresh perspectives on timeless issues and sheds light on the interconnectedness of past and present.

ENTREES:

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Thighs w/ garlic parmesan orzo

Carolina Crab Rice

Miso Braised Pork Shoulder w/ mango sticky rice

PIZZA: Pesto Fresco

Scan the QR code to see our full list of specials

SANDWICH: Reuban Crab Cake

MOTHERS DAY: (available Friday: Lobster Rolls Mixed Berry French Toast Breakfast Casserole

136 Sea Island Parkway #5 Beaufort, SC 29907 843 379 3303 thebeaufortktichen com

Our O MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY.

Beaufort Memorial Hospital is proud that two of our very own were selected to receive the state’s highest honor for nurses: THE 2024 PALMETTO GOLD AWARD.

Jaime Cuff, APRN, FNP-C

B

Kevin Kremer, RN, BSN

eaufort Memorial congratulates Jaime Cuff, APRN, FNP-C, and Kevin Kremer, RN, BSN, for being among the select group of 100 South Carolina nurses to receive the 2024 Palmetto Gold Award from the South Carolina Nurses Foundation. Now in its 22nd year, the Palmetto Gold Award recognizes nurses for the valuable contribution they make to patient care and the commitment they have shown to our community. Jaime and Kevin exemplify the best of the nursing profession, improving the quality of life for patients and demonstrating the kind of compassion and caring that has made nursing the heart of healthcare.

Debra Norwood and her son, Sean, share a dance together at Port Royal's Street Music on Paris Avenue as Soulful Femme kicked off the 2024 spring season on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Amber Hewitt/The Island News

A group of Port Royal residents and friends pose for a photo with Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips at Street Music on Paris Avenue on Saturday, May 4, 2024, as Soulful Femme kicking off the 2024 spring season. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Dancing in the street was in full swing at Street Music on Paris Avenue in Port Royal on Saturday, May 4, 2024, with Soulful Femme kicking off the 2024 spring season. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Can certain drinks lower your blood pressure?

While not magic elixirs, some drinks like beet juice and skim milk may help keep numbers down

High blood pressure (BP) can be deadly—a chilling reality for more than a billion people around the world who live with the condition. So, wouldn’t it be nice if you could lower your BP by just sipping on the right drink?

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. No magic tonic reverses high blood pressure (hypertension) sip by sip. The cause of high BP is much too complex to be resolved with a quick pour. But what’s in your cup could nudge your blood pressure down or drive it up.

So, what’s a healthy choice for a beverage? Let’s quench that thirst for knowledge with cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD.

What to drink to lower blood pressure

High blood pressure isn’t caused by ONE thing in your life. Typically, a multitude of factors—usually including diet, physical activity, and genetics—combine in some way to push BP numbers into the danger zone.

Adjusting what you eat and drink can help you naturally shift your BP into a healthy range. The DASH diet (which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a good starting point for what to put on your plate.

But here’s what you might want to consider to wash down those good eats.

Beet juice

When it comes to popularity contests, beets (or beetroot) don’t fare all that

well. A few years ago in fact, an online poll identified the blood-red root vegetable as the second least favorite vegetable in America. Hmm … maybe that’s part of the reason why high BP is such a problem?

Research shows that dietary nitrates in beets offer anti-inflammatory benefits that can contribute to lower blood pressure. Nitrates help open (or dilate) blood vessels to reduce the pressure needed to pump blood through your body.

“There is some data behind the idea that beets might lower blood pressure,” says Dr. Laffin. “But if it does help, it’ll just be a little bit.”

Juices high in potassium

It’s no secret that excess sodium in your diet can boost your blood pressure. But did you know that adding potassium to your diet

can knock your BP down a few notches by lowering sodium levels?

Potassium works with your kidneys to excrete sodium and give it the heaveho from your system. The nutrient also improves your overall vascular health to help blood flow more easily.

“Adding potassium to your diet tends to decrease blood pressure,” shares Dr. Laffin. (To put a number to it, getting the recommended amount of potassium in your diet can lower your BP by roughly 4 to 5 mmHg.)

Juices high in potassium include: Prune juice. Carrot juice. Pomegranate juice. Orange juice.

NOTE: Although grapefruit juice is high in potassium, caution is advised. Grapefruit juice can interact poorly with some blood

Pickleball injuries and prevention wise WORDS ©

By Deb Balzer

The popularity of pickleball has exploded in the last few years, and according to a recent report, so have injuries attributed to the relatively new sport.

Dr. Sanj Kakar, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand and wrist disorders, says there are two main injuries he sees due to pickleball. He offers three ways to prevent them.

A common pickleball injury is a traumatic one—like a broken wrist.

"Sometimes the patients are a little bit older, they may have undiagnosed osteoporosis, they fall over, they break their wrist, and we see actually a lot of those injuries," says Dr. Kakar.

He says players can also face problems from overuse. "For example, the tendinitis type of injuries that when somebody plays,

they're not conditioned to it," he says.

The goal is to prevent those type of problems in the first place. Dr. Kakar says to think of these three P's when heading to the court.

"Properly warming up, having proper equipment and also proper form," he explains.

Warm up by doing stretches before taking your first swing. "It's not tennis, it's not

squash, it's its own sport. So having proper equipment is important such as having a proper paddle, which is thicker, so you are not gripping as hard, and specific footwear," says Dr. Kakar. And when it comes to proper form, consider taking a lesson.

Source: https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayoclinic-minute-pickleball-injuriesand-prevention/

pressure medications. Talk to your healthcare provider before considering it.

Overall, look for 100% juice and try to avoid products with added sugars. Don’t go overboard on chugging juice, either: Even though it’s high in vitamins and nutrients, it’s also loaded with calories and natural sugar.

In addition, watch your potassium consumption if you have kidney disease, as your kidneys may struggle to process the nutrient. Kidney disease is often a byproduct of high blood pressure.

Skim milk

Low-fat dairy is a key part of the DASH diet—and skim milk qualifies. Researchers found that consumption of low-fat dairy may help lower BP. The potassium in milk is one reason. High levels of

vitamin D, phosphorous and calcium in milk also may impact blood pressure.

Tea Brewing and sipping a cup of tea is relaxing. It’s the sort of activity that can melt away stress that sends blood pressure levels soaring.

But that’s just the start. Many teas also contain compounds that reduce inflammation and keep blood vessels open and flexible. Given that, it’s easy to see why the beverage is a go-to choice for lowering BP. Hibiscus tea generally gets top marks for its work on BP. Ditto for chamomile tea

Drinks that raise blood pressure

While there’s no drink guaranteed to lower blood pressure, downing glasses of beverages in these four categories will almost certainly drive your BP up: Alcohol. There’s no question that people enjoy alcohol and that it’s ingrained in our culture. There’s also little debate that it’s not good for our health. Hypertension is among the more than 200 health disorders linked to alcohol consumption. Research shows that people who consume a lot of alcohol but then stop drinking can see a rapid decrease in BP.

Caffeinated drinks. While caffeine may help jumpstart your day, it’s not ideal for your BP—especially if you’re drinking cup after cup of coffee. People with high blood pressure who

drink two or more cups of regular coffee daily double their risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, reports the American Heart Association.

Sugary sodas and drinks. Added sugar can drive up blood pressure—and sodas and other sweet drinks are LOADED with added sugar. (Consider BP part of the long list of health concerns about these drinks, which can actually shorten your lifespan.)

Energy drinks. Ampedup energy drinks typically combine high levels of caffeine and sugar, neither of which are BP-friendly. Bottom line? “These drinks are horrible for you,” states Dr. Laffin.

Top ways to lower blood pressure

If your blood pressure runs a tad high, the fact that you’re looking up ways to lower it is a good sign. Changing what you pour into a glass can be a small part of your process to bring down your BP. What else can you do? For starters, you can: Limit sodium intake

Adjust your diet

Embrace fitness

Get enough sleep

Minimize stress

“Small changes to your routine can make a big difference,” encourages Dr. Laffin. “Every little bit helps.” Even what you drink.

Source: https://health. clevelandclinic.org/drinks-to-lowerblood-pressure

What are gallstones?

By Jason Howland

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid, called bile, in your gallbladder. They range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball.

Dr. Irving Jorge, a Mayo Clinic general surgeon, says people who experience pain and other symptoms from gallstones usually require gallbladder removal surgery.

You experience sudden, intense pain in your abdomen or back pain between your shoulder blades — maybe even nausea or vomiting. You could have gallstones.

"Typically, symptoms of gallbladder-related pain is pain associated with meals. Usually after you eat meals with fatty foods," says Dr. Jorge.

He says there are several reasons why your gallbladder can form gallstones. The

most common cause is what you eat. A diet high in fiber and low in cholesterol and fat will reduce your risk.

"Native Americans and Hispanic populations have a higher risk of developing gallstones and so do women. And as we get older, we're at higher risk of developing gallstones," says Dr. Jorge. He says, once you have gallstones, they won't go away on their own. Recommended treatment is surgery to remove your gallbladder.

"It's an organ that people can live without and not have any long-term consequences from," says Dr. Jorge. "We take out the gallbladder not just because it has stones, but it's because it's where most stones are formed. But there is a small percentage of patients that can develop stones within the bile ducts themselves."

Beaufort Memorial offers

$99 mammograms in May

Breast cancer is a big deal. A mammogram is not. And in recognition of Women’s Health Month, Beaufort Memorial is encouraging women to get their mammograms by offering 3-D screenings for $99 now through May 31

Appointments are available in Beaufort, Okatie and Hilton Head Island and can be purchased online at BeaufortMemorial.org/ SaveOnMammos. Patients who purchase the $99 mammogram voucher by the end of this month will be able to schedule their screening appointments any time within six months of purchase.

The special pricing is available through MDsave, an online healthcare marketplace designed for patients who have no health insurance or high-deductible health plans. Through MDsave patients

can receive discounts on a wide range of medical services, including lab work, imaging tests, physical therapy, primary care visits and a variety of same-day surgeries –and avoid hospital billing. Patients who wish to take advantage of the $99 offer should: Visit BeaufortMemorial.org/ SaveOnMammos and select a service and preferred location now through May 31 Pay online with a major credit card, debit card, FSA or HAS card and receive a voucher. Call (843) 522-5015 or visit BeaufortMemorial.org/MammoAppointment to schedule a screening any time in the next six months. Present the voucher at the time of the appointment.

How to manage travel anxiety

Create a checklist, reflect on your needs, and ask for help when unexpected delays occur

You’ve been planning for this big trip for months now. But in the hours before you’re supposed to leave, you’re starting to feel really nervous. You keep checking your boarding pass and pining over every little detail, worried you might have missed an important step. You’re double-checking the locks on your front door and keep rethinking whether or not you left something behind.

Maybe your hands are getting a little clammy and your heart rate starts to spike whenever you reach a new destination. And you continue to get nervous whenever you’re around a bunch of people in a crowded airport terminal or bus station.

If travel is causing you to worry more than normal and it’s preventing you from enjoying your trip, you might be dealing with travel-induced anxiety. Clinical psychologist Dawn Potter, PsyD, shares ways to ground yourself in the moment and seize control before your anxiety gets out of hand.

What is travel anxiety?

“Travel anxiety is not really one unified concept,” says Dr. Potter. “Travel anxiety could be a bunch of different things for different people.”

For some, anxiety can be crippling and debilitating. Others might have high-functioning anxiety

and respond in different ways, but the key to understanding anxiety is knowing it can be triggered by a variety of factors at any given time.

“Some people might experience a diffuse sense of anxiety and they might not really know right away why they’re feeling the way they’re feeling,” says Dr. Potter. “In those instances, you might have to do some relaxation techniques, try to get yourself feeling better, distract yourself, and then it might be clearer to target exactly what’s bothering you.”

Is it normal to have anxiety before a trip? Yes, it’s OK to feel a little uneasy when you’re outside of your comfort zone. Anxiety, adrenaline, and an increase in energy drives us to perform better and, in most cases, focus more. But there’s a stark difference between having a healthy sense of urgency or worry, and dealing with anxiety while you’re on the move.

Some amount of adrenaline and excitedness is fine and good, but when it crosses the line into clinical anxiety, we want to try to do something about it,” notes Dr. Potter.

If you think you might be dealing with travel-induced anxiety, sit down, take a deep breath, and ask yourself the following questions: Are you starting to feel

panicky?

Are you experiencing physical symptoms like shaking hands, shortness of breath, a fast heart rate or dizziness?

Are you having trouble focusing on the tasks at hand?

Are you having a hard time doing normal, everyday activities because they’re being interrupted by your worries?

Are you easily distracted?

Are you feeling increasingly irritable, sick to your stomach, or quick to anger?

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, and you’re unable to recover from them or they’re preventing you from enjoying your vacation, you may be dealing with anxiety.

Causes of travel anxiety

Here are some common causes that might set off your anxiety while you’re traveling, and ways to help manage each scenario.

Uncertainty and anticipation. The most common denominator with travel anxiety is the fear of the unknown. If you’re traveling to a destination you’ve never been to before, your anxiety might be triggered by not knowing how you’ll be received when you arrive,

not knowing what you can and can’t do in terms of activities, and not knowing if you’ll arrive safely.

Even if you’re going somewhere familiar, like visiting family or returning home after a long time away, you might feel anxious about exactly how the trip might go.

To combat that uncertainty, it’s good to go into your vacation with a minimal plan: What are the most important things you want to see, do, and experience?

“You want your plan to be flexible but detailed enough

that you’re not stressed about not knowing what to do,” advises Dr. Potter. “Try not fitting too much into any one day and let yourself move things around if you need to.”

Unexpected delays or canceled plans. Things outside of our control happen all the time, but when it happens while we’re traveling, it can feel even more stressful.

When unexpected delays happen, flights get canceled or roads get closed, our first line of thinking can be a

black-and-white perspective that makes us feel our trip might be ruined. With interrupted travel plans, often, it’s very scary at first because you usually find out about the interruption, but you don’t find out about the solutions right away,” says Dr. Potter. “The thing to do is try not to panic, try to slow down and take it step by step.”

If you’re flying, speak to a customer service agent who can help you re-route your flight. If you’re running late, notify the people you’re meeting up with so they’re aware of what’s happening and put firm, healthy boundaries in place.

Fear of flying

Airplane travel affects our bodies in a variety of ways, but if you have a phobia that impacts your ability to even think about getting on a plane, or you go into severe panic mode once in the aircraft, it might be out of the question for you.

If you’re consistently experiencing anxiety while flying and traveling, or you’ve tried some solutions and none of them worked, you should to speak to a healthcare professional who can provide coping techniques and other treatments to address your travel anxiety.

Source: Excerpted from an article at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ how-to-manage-travel-anxiety

When’s the last time you washed your reusable water bottle?

Although they’re a great way to stay hydrated on the go, they can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold if you don’t give them a good scrub every now and again.

“Everything that touches our reusable water bottles can transmit bacteria. We put our mouth to the water bottle, we lift the straw, we set it down – so bacteria can be transferred from any contact that's made,” explained Marianne Sumego, MD, a primary care physician with Cleveland Clinic.

According to Dr. Sumego, bacteria and mold thrive in moist envi-

ronments, like the reusable water bottles many of us use every day.

You often can't see the germs that may be growing inside your water bottle, and they could potentially cause you to experience symptoms similar to food poisoning.

Those with sensitivities to mold may also have a flare-up of allergy symptoms if mold starts growing in their go-to tumbler.

To prevent this, Dr. Sumego recommends cleaning your water bottle with soap and water after every use – and stresses that just rinsing it isn’t enough. She said it’s important to take the time to clean all those hard-toreach places.

“Water bottles have nooks, crannies and removable parts. All those areas can really harbor bacteria and mold if not cleaned properly,” Dr. Sumego said. “That’s why it’s important to remove all the pieces of your water bottle and wash them thoroughly – even using something like a wire brush, if needed, to clean those hard-toreach places.”

Whether it’s stainless steel, glass or plastic, Dr. Sumego said all reusable water bottles need to be regularly washed to avoid the buildup of bacteria and mold.

Source: May 1, 2024, ccnewsservice@ccf.org

Beaufort Memorial is encouraging women to get their mammograms by offering 3-D screenings for $99 now through May 31.Photo by Paul Nurnberg

You have the right to know what’s happening in your community.

Public notices – information local governments are obligated to provide citizens – are required to be published in local newspapers to provide a public record that’s accessible to everyone.

Public notices keep you informed about your government. But, in some states legislators are trying to keep public notices from appearing in local newspapers. This severely impacts government transparency and, in turn, limits the public’s right to hold them accountable for their actions.

Let your state legislators know that you value being able to access notices in your newspaper and that they are worth the investment.

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SPORTS&RECREATION

Is this the dawn of a new era in women’s sports?

Though the college career of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark ended with a disappointing loss, the point guard’s record-breaking season helped fuel widespread interest in this year’s NCAA women’s college basketball tournament.

The women’s Final Four garnered higher television ratings than the men’s Final Four. Then the women’s basketball championship game between South Carolina and Iowa didn’t just draw in more viewers (18 9 million) than the men’s championship game the following night (14 8 million); it also had more viewers than every World Series game since Game 7 of the 2019 World Series and every NBA Finals game since Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals. Does this represent another brief moment in the sun for women’s sports? Or will this shining moment extend far into the future?

Since Title IX’s passage in 1972 women’s sports have occasionally experienced big ratings and massive crowds. In 1983, nearly 12 million viewers tuned in as the University of Southern California, led by star forward Cheryl Miller, bested LSU in the basketball championship game. And more than 90 000 fans attended the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Pasadena, California.

The media briefly focused on these events, before returning to business as usual: giving men’s sports outsized attention.

But this moment feels different. Many fans, journalists and scholars are wondering if this is the dawn of a new era of women’s sports, with more coverage, increased viewership, heightened interest and bigger investments continuing in the future.

The long eclipse of women’s sports

I’ve spent over 30 years studying the intersections of gender, sports, media and culture.

Since 1989, my colleagues and I have been tracking the quantity and quality of coverage of men’s and women’s sports on televised news and highlight shows. Every five years, we collect a new batch of data. We’re in the middle of collecting data for the eighth time, the results of which will be published in 2025. (In 2019, we added online and social media content to our analysis.)

In our samples, we’ve consistently found that women’s sports on televised news and sports highlight shows generally comprise between 3% and 5% of the coverage, measured in minutes and number of stories. Over the years, there have been a few spikes driven by high-profile international sporting events, such as the 1999 Women’s World Cup and the Olympics. The newsletters and social media accounts of

Heartbreak for BHS girls soccer

Beaufort

LowcoSports.com

The next one for Beaufort

High’s girls soccer team — a showdown with powerhouse Waccamaw — had been circled for some time as the pivotal matchup that would stand between the Eagles and a trip to the Class 3A state finals.

But Beaufort didn’t get to make the trip.

Heartbreak befell the Eagles in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs, as Gilbert escaped The Nest with a 5-3 win in penalties Thursday, May 2, after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw. Beaufort dominated possession

for most of the match but was able to convert only one chance into a goal in the first half, as Charlotte Blair Scarpa broke through for the lead. The Indians continued to stifle the Eagles’ attack in the second half and came up with the equalizer, then locked

Beaufort

by. The

leading the

was ruled

Lower State tournament on Thursday at a site to be determined.

Eagles advance to Lower State

LowcoSports.com

The Beaufort High baseball team turned the page on Monday thinking it still had work to do to finish off a pesky Gilbert team.

The Eagles woke up district champions.

Moments after Beaufort rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, lightning flashes brought the game to a halt, and the ensuing rain ensured they weren’t finishing it Monday. It turns out it was already over.

With the home team batting in the fifth inning with the lead, the game was ruled official, sending the Eagles on to the Class 3A Lower State tournament with a 5-3 win.

The Indians jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Beaufort pulled one back in the bottom half. Each team tacked on a run in the fourth, but with storms threatening on the horizon, the Eagles found their offense in the fifth.

Logan Brutcher beat out an infield single and Hudson Mullen singled to left to set the table, then Jadyn

Andrews roped a double to tie it, and Gunner Hollingsworth followed with a two-run double to left to put Beaufort on top just ahead of the storms.

It wasn’t until Tuesday morning that the Eagles realized they didn’t have to come back and finish the job, instead taking their place in the Lower State bracket

starting Thursday. Dylan Rast threw an abbreviated complete game in the clincher, giving the Eagles (15-12) three complete game victories in three postseason games along with gems from Malcolm Webb in a 3-2 win over Georgetown on Tuesday and Hollingsworth in a 6-3 victory at Gilbert on Thursday.

CHERYL COOKY

Beaufort High starting pitcher Dylan Rast scoops up the bunt by Gilbert’s Scott Hardy during the top of the fourth inning Monday afternoon at BHS. The sacrifice bunt advanced a Gilbert base runner to second base with only one out. Later,

was

game 5-3 in the fifth when the game was halted until approaching thunderstorms could blow

game

an official contest, giving the Eagles the District Championship. Beaufort now moves on to the 3A

Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Beaufort High School baseball team cheers

JPII shines at state track meet

LowcoSports.com

When Shayne Milligan came in and took on the head football coach job at John Paul II, he also added head track coach to his responsibilities, and the Golden Warriors made it worth his time this spring.

JPII’s boys placed second and the girls were fourth in the team standings Friday at the SCISA Division II State Championships in Orangeburg, with the boys finishing just four points be-

hind champion Orangeburg Prep.

Zach Henderson captured gold in the boys 800 meters, and JPII’s girls won the 4x400 and 4x800 relays, while Sebastian Frickel and Brady Mahoney each finished on the podium twice to lead the Golden Warriors.

Pryor makes big haul The Region 8-3A and Region 7-1A meets went off this weekend with a pile of local athletes qualifying for

the Lower State meets, and Whale Branch’s Larmore Pryor was the biggest winner of the weekend, taking gold in three events.

Pryor won the 100, 200, and long jump, while teammates Talaijah Bartley, Jesse Richardson, Jonathan Kelley, and Bradford Thompson each won two events.

Beaufort High’s Eric Smart and Anaiya Houseal each won two golds to lead the Eagles at the Region 8-3A meet.

Charleston wins CAA men’s crown at Dataw

From staff reports

The Charleston men’s golf team won its seventh CAA title in 10 opportunities by closing out a tournament-record 35-under performance at the Cotton Dike Course on Dataw Island, just outside Beaufort. Charleston, which previously won four straight titles from 2014-17 and back-to-back in 2021 and 2022, matched the tournament single-round record of 16-under set by UNCW on Friday to complete the week five shots clear of the Cougars’ tournament record set on this course in 2021. Charleston now holds the four best 54-hole scores in the history of the Championship with three of them in the three tournaments played fully on the Cotton Dike Course.

Kieron van Wyk and

Cooky from page B1

Zach Reuland tied the tournament 54-hole record of 13-under previously set by Old Dominion’s Geoff Harris in 2003 and matched by Reuland in 2021 and van Wyk in 2022; they were declared co-medalists of the event with both players on the team earning the automatic qualifier to NCAA Regionals. The pair finished one shot ahead of Elon’s Garrett Risner, who eagled 18 to finish at 12-under – the best score in tournament history by a non-medalist. Elon’s Jack Wieler and UNCW’s Gray Mitchum finished tied for fourth at 8-under.

Seton Hall wins men’s Big East title Seton Hall placed three golfers in the top 10 en route to the 2024 Big East

the same networks in our sample also mirror the dearth of television coverage, with about 4% to 5% of the content focused on women’s sports.

Our findings are not unique. Hundreds of studies on the routine coverage of sports have similarly found that media coverage of women’s sports rarely exceeds 10% of total sports coverage. This is a recurring pattern across media platforms – print, TV, radio, social – in English-speaking countries.

Leapfrogging the gatekeepers

Yet while research on traditional media – television, newspapers, magazines – was relevant at the time of these studies, it does not fully capture the explosion of other ways to consume sports over the past decade.

Fans can watch highlights on X, formerly known as Twitter, and short-form video apps. Podcasts like “Hear Her Sports,” “The Gist of It,” “Tea with A & Phee” and “Attacking Third” directly appeal to women’s sports fans. Streaming platforms such as Fubo TV and Women’s Sports Zone on Roku offer a range of live women’s basketball and soccer games, which helps build and sustain a fan base. And niche media outlets centered on women’s sports, like Just

Men’s Golf Championship presented by Jeep played at the Riverton Pointe Country Club. The Pirates finished three strokes ahead of runner-up Butler. Seton Hall captured its second Big East crown in the last three years. They earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

St. John’s junior Peicheng Chen was the individual champion, carding a 2-under-par 214 for the 54 holes. He shot rounds of 69 73 and 72. A short tap-in putt on the 18th hole in the third round secured a onestroke edge over runner-up Shaun Campbell of Creighton who carded a 1-under 215 (74-71-70). Campbell’s second-place finish is the highest for a Bluejay golfer since Creighton joined the Big East in 2013-14

Women’s Sports, offer a diversity of content and perspectives.

Women athletes, along with women’s teams and leagues, no longer need to rely on newspapers, magazines and TV networks to reach fans. They can simply directly engage with them on social media, producing and pushing content that bypasses traditional media gatekeepers.

Leveraging feminism

A few decades ago, conventional wisdom held that “sex sells sports.” Media executives focused on the sex appeal of female athletes to attract male fans and viewers. The thinking went that women simply weren’t interested in sports.

But my colleague Dunja Antunovic and I observed an important shift in sports media starting in the mid-2010s: the mobilization of feminism and principles of equality to promote and sell women’s sports.

In one chapter of our latest book, “Serving Equality: Feminism, Media, and Women’s Sports,” we focus on how women’s sports leagues and teams, as well as their corporate sponsors, have used the imagery, language and slogans of feminism and social justice movements to sell merchandise and tickets.

The WNBA has a long-standing commitment to racial and social justice, whether it’s through promoting the #BlackLivesMatter movement, mobilizing voters

Beaufort, Creek’s Genberg qualify for state golf meet

LowcoSports.com

Beaufort High’s boys golf team punched its ticket to the Class 3A state meet next week, and Battery Creek’s Chase Genberg earned an individual berth in Lower State qualifying Monday.

The Eagles posted a team score of 319 at Darlington Country Club to finish fifth and claim one of eight spots in the state championships, while Genberg’s 81 was good enough to earn an invitation.

Soccer from page B1

Bridges Prep’s girls, who earned the first playoff win in program history with a 6-0 shutout of Hampton County.

Bridges Prep’s boys had a first-round bye and cruised past Whale Branch 9-0 in round 2 before falling 4-0 to Dixie in the quarterfinals.

or advocating for reproductive justice.

During the 2018 season, the WNBA’s “Take a Seat, Take a Stand” campaign highlighted how proceeds from tickets would go to organizations that advocate for women. The video accompanying the campaign interspersed scenes of WNBA games with scenes from the 2017 Women’s March on Washington.

Meanwhile, Budweiser’s “We Won’t Stop Watching” and “It’s Worth Watching” campaigns during the 2019 Women’s World Cup and National Women’s Soccer League season directly addressed the lack of media attention for women’s sports.

In December 2023, University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley popularized T-shirts featuring the slogan “Everyone watches women’s sports” – a flip of the dismissive excuse used to justify the lack of women’s sports coverage. The shirts were produced by the media and commerce company Togethxr, whose founders include current and former women athletes Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Sue Bird and Simone Manuel.

Being the change they want to see

While corporations and leagues deserve credit for highlighting the value of women’s sports, it’s also important to acknowledge how female athletes themselves have been driving change.

Caitlin Clark’s pursuit of the

Philip Simmons won the team title with a 302, edging Gilbert by nine shots.

Class 3A Lower State Qualifying Teams

Philip Simmons 302, Gilbert 309, Waccamaw 314, Hanahan 316, Beaufort 319, Brookland-Cayce 330, Dreher 331, Camden 332 Qualifying Individuals Chase Genberg, Battery Creek (81)

SCISA playoffs underway

John Paul II kicked off the SCISA 3A girls playoffs with an abbreviated 3-0 win over Spartanburg Day on Monday. The Golden Warriors already had three goals on the board when the game was halted by lightning just 17 minutes in, and the teams agreed to call it an official contest.

JPII travels to Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach for a semifinal matchup

NCAA scoring record became must-see TV for millions of fans.

The dazzling play of LSU’s Angel Reese, UConn’s Paige Bueckers, Southern California’s Juju Watkins and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardosa – each now a household name – also contributed to the tournament’s record ratings.

The activism of women athletes through the years has also created visibility for women’s sports.

In March 2019, the U.S. women’s national team players sued the U.S. Soccer Federation for gender discrimination. In 2022, the two sides came to an agreement on a multimillion dollar settlement and a promise to equalize pay between the men’s and women’s national teams.

In 2021, Oregon’s Sedona Prince posted a viral video of the disparities in the weight rooms at the women’s and men’s 2021 NCAA tournament. The clip drew national media attention and prompted the NCAA to conduct a gender equity review.

Yet, gender disparities persist.

It was only two years ago that ESPN began broadcasting the entire NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Last year was the first year since the 1980s that the women’s tournament was broadcast on network television.

The NCAA negotiated a television rights deal that permitted the men’s tournament to have its own contract, while packaging the women’s tournament with other NCAA championship games.

Wednesday. Holy Trinity’s girls are the favorite to capture the SCISA 2A/1A girls crown after completing a perfect regular season with a 1-0 win over Beaufort Academy on Thursday. The Mighty Lions host Charleston Collegiate in a semifinal contest Wednesday, while Beaufort Academy travels to Cambridge Academy in hopes of securing another crosstown rematch in the state finals.

The gender equity review conducted in the wake of Prince’s viral post estimated the value of the women’s tournament to be between $81 million and $112 million. The NCAA had previously pegged the number at $6 million to $7 million. The new contract estimates the value at $65 million – an improvement, but still well below what the independent review estimated. I don’t know whether this year’s tournament games are a harbinger of a new era or if they’re simply another example of the unevenness of social change in women’s sports.

But I find hope in the women athletes who are advocating for equality, in the diversity of media platforms that are correcting long-standing patterns of unequal media coverage, and in the voices of journalists and fans who are dedicated to telling stories about women’s sports.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Cheryl Cooky is a professor of American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Purdue University. Her interdisciplinary research examines the intersections of gendered dynamics, cultural representations, and sports contexts. She is the co-author of "Serving Equality: Feminism, Media and Women’s Sports” and "No Slam Dunk: Gender, Sport and the Unevenness of Social Change.”

The John Paul II boys and girls track teams finished second and fourth, respectively Friday, May 3 at the SCISA Division II State Championships in Orangeburg. Submitted photo

John Paul II’s Zach Henderson captured gold in the boys 800 meters Friday at the SCISA Division II State Championships in Orangeburg. Submitted photo

VOICES

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

Economic uncertainty is fueling our discontent

ecently a friend asked why

RI repeatedly cite articles found in the Wall Street Journal

“For the most part you seem like a reasonable, rational, well-adjusted man; but why don’t you ever quote the New York Times?”

I do like the Journal’s news reporting — it’s reportage — but I am intimidated by the Financial section and usually avoid the Journal’s editorial writers who reliably crucify President Biden. But admit, here and now, that I love the Journal’s Review section that is published every weekend.

“I Used To Judge Women Who Got Boob Jobs — Then I Got One;” “When Spirituality and Morality Meet;” “Building the Spanish Empire;” and “The Spies of Miami” are but four of the many articles offered-up in the April 27-28 Review section.

I was, of course, initially drawn to the piece on breast augmentation but was diverted into reading “GDP and the Dow Are Up. But What About American Well-Being?”

“Seriously Scott,” you are

A

Sthinking, “You left ‘Boob Jobs’ for an article on the gross domestic product and the Dow Jones average?

I will understand if you stop reading this column now.

But the piece in question says the four, tried and true economic indicators — Gross Domestic Product; Dow Jones Average, Unemployment and Inflation — were (recently) moving in the right direction. And yet ...

“Polls tell a different story. While public assessments of the economy are slowly improving, they still show profound dissatisfaction. … The problem is that most of the prominent measures of the economy are not focused on the actual lives of Americans.”

Several days ago I rode my

big-wheeled beach bicycle to

a Parker’s Convenience Store where I noticed that a gallon of gasoline costs $3 25. But then, when I went inside looking for a cherry flavored Tootsie Roll Pop, I found it cost 79 cents!

Although I reluctantly coughed-up the cash, I was saddened and then, angered, as my teeth busted through the hard candy exterior and into its chewy-chocolate interior. Had I been asked about the economy at that very moment would have said, “The American economy is going to hell.”

The WSJ has noticed this disparity and decided there was something missing with those four, classic “metrics.”

So it has created four new measurable elements — economic security, economic opportunity, health and political voice.

Let’s look at “economic security” — this particular metric coming from a “trove of credit bureau data on finances.”

(Presumably the credit bureau “trove” showed many Americans didn’t have much cash in the bank; live paycheck-to-paycheck,

and explains why they feel bad in spite of an expanding economy.)

But I think what’s really happening here is that nobody really understands our economy. While most Americans understand that inflation is a bad thing, and that just seven (“The Magnificent Seven”) stocks were responsible for 29% of market capitalization in the S&P 500 Index; everything else is “mumbo jumbo.”

It would be one thing if we really knew the relationship between inflation and bond yields. It would help if we were conversant with 10-Year Treasuries, or the fluctuating cost of natural gas, or the future relationship between Iran and Israel, or Intel’s 9 2% decline, or the precipitous collapse of the real estate market in China, or if there is life after TikTok.

Who really understands that as the yield from T-bills rises, there is a corresponding “steep stock decline” that could send us back to the dark, dangerous days of 2022. Most of us — including this columnist — don’t know about these relationships and so we cling to phrases like, “this is causing volatility inequities;”

“the bond market is waking up to the fact that inflation is stickier than we thought” and “choppy waters ahead.”

It seems to me that this economic uncertainty — together the inability of our State Legislature to account for $1 8 billion recently found sloshing around unknown and unspent in the Treasurer’s Office — is fueling the anger that has destroyed our optimism.

Wait a minute, I know, let’s use this found money to pay down the $2 3 billion (we ratepayers are paying) for the failed expansion of the VC Summer Nuclear Station.

I, for one, might recover just a little bit of my former optimism if I wasn’t still on the hook for that $2 3 billion. And it occurs to me that the optimism and productivity that followed World War II, the happy climate of my youth and young adulthood, was the magic elixir that fueled our economic expansion.

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

case for abolishing the SC House,

outh Carolina should amend its Constitution and abolish the 124-member House of Representatives and let the 46-member Senate do all the legislation.

Nebraska abolished its House in 1934 and has saved millions every year in duplicative costs of paying both the House and the Senate to do the same thing twice every year.

The South Carolina House costs $30 million a year in salaries, per diems, travel expenses, and fringe benefits paid out to representatives and to the staffs of the speaker’s office, the employees of 12 committees, the workers at the clerk’s office, security personnel and costs of maintaining the Blatt Building.

The money could be better used to fix South Carolina’s pot-holed streets and roads and to hire more police to fight the crime wave now sweeping the state and to hire more teachers in understaffed schools.

The arguments for keeping the House are few and faulty. The first is based on the assumption that South Carolina and the United States have both always had houses of representatives. In fact, South Carolina had only an Assembly during the colonial period from 1670 to 1776 and only adopted a two-house legislature after the American Revolution started in 1776

keeping the smaller Senate

And, in fact, the new United States only had a single-chamber Congress of the Confederation from 1777 until 1789. It was not until the U.S. Constitution was written in imitation of the British House of Commons and House of Lords and the Roman Republic’s Senate and Assembly that the United States created its House and Senate with legislators from only 13 states. A common assumption is that the House is needed to somehow balance the Senate.

In fact, the U.S. House was created to give the large population states such as New York and Pennsylvania more members in Congress to balance the fact that all states had two senators. This, of course, does not apply to the South Carolina Legislature where the 5 million population is equally apportioned in both the House and Senate and the big-population counties such as Richland and Greenville have many more representatives and senators than the small counties such as Allendale and Edgefield.

A related argument for the status quo is that the House is needed to prevent the Senate from making mistakes and abusing its power.

In fact, however, the House has been an eager criminal conspirator in the worst actions of the Senate in history, including the legislation and maintaining of slavery, the decisions to secede and fight the Civil War, the passing of segregation and discrimination laws after 1865 and the passage of the Base Load Review Act in 2007 which created the $9 billion nuclear power plant disaster which has devastated the ratepayers and stockholders since the project was abandoned in 2017 and bankrupted SCANA.

Fortunately, the South Carolina House and Senate do not have control over America’s affairs, the making of war, the ratification of treaties, and the management of the national economy as such authority is vested exclusively in the Congress and executive.

The General Assembly can make only a limited number of bad mistakes, none of which are even close in magnitude to those which can be made by Congress, where it is important to have the House and Senate to balance each other in hopes of preventing catastrophic mistakes.

The next line of argument is that the House has

The mace of the South Carolina House set in the chamber Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. When the mace is put in its place here in front of the House speaker, the lights on the rostrum light up. Mary Ann Chastain/File/Special to the S.C. Daily Gazette

unique functions such as drafting the annual state budget and impeaching state officials.

The writing of the budget could be done alone by the Senate and its staff, and the House has passed on its only recent chance to impeach anyone when Gov. Mark Sanford was briefly called in after his adulterous trip to Argentina and painted with whitewash by the House Judiciary Committee in 2009

The Senate could have whitewashed Sanford with only 46 pairs of hands — 170 pairs just cost the taxpayers a lot more.

Finally, the House has been a playground of bribery, shakedowns, theft

of campaign funds, and personal misconduct going back to Adam and Eve.

Since 1970, a total of 37 state representatives have been convicted of crimes, including just recently since 2014, House Speaker Bobby Harrell, Rep. Jim Merrill, Rep Rick Quinn, Rep. James Harrison, and Rep. Tracy Edge.

Abolishing the House would abolish the opportunities for state representatives to commit more crimes in the future and would save the innocent citizens of South Carolina the embarrassment blunders, mistakes, crimes, and costs of having 124 state representatives to do wrong what 46 state senators could do

for much less money and fewer prison cells.

John Crangle is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and member of the South Carolina Bar. He was a member of a commission appointed in 1991 that proposed ways to improve the selection of judges. Approved changes included a ban on sitting legislators voting for themselves for judicial positions and the creation of a Judicial Merit Selection Commission to screen judicial candidates. He also participated in reforming the magistrate system. Changes effective in 1996 included requiring new magistrates to have a four-year college degree and pass a course in the basic laws magistrates enforce. Crangle ran unsuccessfully for S.C. House District 75 as a Democrat in 2018 with a platform of abolishing the House.

Join Us for Worship & Fellowship Sunday Morning Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 81 Lady’s Island Drive Pastor Steve Keeler • (843) 525-0696 • seaislandpresbyterian.org

SCOTT GRABER

JOHN CRANGLE

VOICES

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

A Mother's Day tribute in retrospect

Not long ago, I read something a friend posted on Facebook. Yes, I know -- the good, the bad, and the ugly! But this was good, in fact, excellent. It was a tribute to the author’s mother who had gone back to college after several years to get her master’s degree, and it really struck a chord with me.

You see, my mother was also very much ahead of her time. Born in 1918 to parents who were quite poor, she was the middle of seven children. She often spoke of her French immigrant father’s work on the railroad, the tracks of which were very close to their house. Their home was small and cramped, and times were difficult.

It was during The Great Depression, and Pap’s work was spotty, in other words, day-to-day. When my Mom spoke of this, she added that the “type” of dinner on the table varied, depending upon how much work her Dad had been able to get. Yet she never seemed to be bitter about that part of her life, or if she was, she kept it well-hidden.

When my mother graduated from high school in 1936, she was awarded a one year scholarship to Penn State University at the branch campus in her hometown. At the end of that year, however,

she was expected to find another way to pay for her tuition if she were to continue her education; her parents simply did not have the means.

Mom opted to drop out of school and go to a trade school to become a beautician, knowing in her heart that this was simply a stop gap until she could earn sufficient money to return and get her teaching degree.

My Mom was good, really good, at anything she tried, and this included being a beautician, although she often said later that she disliked every moment she was in the profession. Perhaps it was this dislike that pushed her to always keep her eye on the goal of becoming college-educated. I do remember, in later conversations, learning that she developed a growing clientele at her salon and earned a sizable income during the mid- 1940s and well into the following decade.

I was an only child for 13 years; then in 1955, my brother was born. I suspect that was a pivotal (read traumatic) time for my mother although I don’t remember her verbalizing such. My father, who was not a handson parent, was working full time as an electrician, and she was confronted with raising an infant, running a business and taking night classes at a nearby college. Add to that raising a teenage daughter.

To borrow from Thomas Paine, it must have truly been the time that “tries men’s souls” or in this case, a woman’s soul. My mother was working hard to attain a life-long goal, and the stumbling blocks didn’t appear to be dissipating. Retrospect tells me that I didn’t begin to appreciate how much she endured in order to make her dream a reality.

The year was 1960. I graduated from high school and was preparing to enter a small state college, ironically, the same school my Mom had attended for the past few years. Imagine being a freshman at the school where your Mom is a senior. Of course, she commuted while I was given the privilege of staying on campus. Again my recognition, as well as my gratitude of being afforded that, came with more maturity.

Mom was somewhat of an enigma on campus for there weren’t many adults attending at the time. She would drop in on occasion to see me at my dorm room, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t always appreciate that. Factor in the small size of the campus, and there were, indeed, times I wished I had chosen elsewhere to attend college. Another reason to contemplate what I see now as a bit of selfishness, for she may well have been living my college experience in the only way she could, vicariously.

My mother graduated from college with a degree in elementary education. She went on to get her master’s degree at Penn State University and lived for two summers on campus. I know she relished that experience. She eventually became a speech pathologist for all the schools in Jefferson County, and when I attended her retirement dinner, I saw just how highly regarded among her colleagues she was.

In January of 2018, my mother passed away, four months shy of her 100th birthday. Much transpired over those years. She had moved to South Carolina and remarried, settling in an assisted living facility in Summerville. I laughed and told her she had made full circle because she had moved from Summerville, Pa.

I have often told parts of the story of what I have written, but I never took the time to consign it to paper. In sifting through this information, I have been forced to look at something I already knew but, sadly, didn’t say often enough in a truly open way to my Mom. She was a human dynamo, a determined woman who set goals for herself and accomplished them.

She and I often went head to head on issues, some of which I determined I would never thrust upon my own daughters. I have come to realize that, even in this respect, she taught me lessons that served me well. One thing I do know is this: my Mom was a woman that I respected and loved immensely. If I didn’t make that abundantly clear, I intend to do so when we meet again.

So I conclude with a hearty thanks, not only to my mother, but also to my friend whose Facebook post nudged me in the direction of this article. And I wish all of those women who took on the monumental task of nurturing a very Happy Mother's Day.

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.”

Killing medical marijuana is reefer madness

By Charleston City Paper Editorial Board

With yet another common-sense medical marijuana bill about to go up in smoke in the S.C. House, South Carolinians could be forgiven for calling their state representatives to ask — respectfully, of course — "Are you high?"

The state of South Carolina needs to enter the modern age to provide alternatives like medical marijuana that work for some people to relieve their continual pain and suffering.

The legislature’s latest outbreak of madness on medical reefer started in mid-February when after nine years the S.C. Senate passed S. 423, the Compassionate Care Act. It would legalize and strictly regulate the

use of marijuana for medicinal purposes — as 38 other states have already done.

In response, the S.C. House, which used a procedural excuse to kill a similar bill two years ago, moved like a turtle to do … nothing at all. No real hearings. No real negotiations. No real debates. Just week after week of carefully considered inaction, followed by a fast flurry of “my goodness, it’s really too late to consider this” in a hearing as the clock started running down on the legislative session in April. This might serve as a wryly amusing lesson in the power of parliamentary procrastination — except for the clear and present fact that living, breathing South Carolinians are suffering unnecessarily due to this legislative gamesmanship. Fortunately,

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let us choose wisely

It is always interesting to me to see Congresswoman Nancy Mace cheering on our military and encouraging more benefits for veterans. They certainly deserve everything Congress can do to reward their service but Nancy Mace,a graduate of The Citadel, where her father was the Commandant and where she probably paid little tuition, chose not to enter military service after attending this public military college. One third of graduates go into the military. Why didn’t she?

Just another example of her hypocrisy and selfcenteredness. We need people of conviction in Congress. Not people whose main interest is their own advancement. We have choices in November. Let us choose wisely. I think a Democrat would be the best choice.

– Barbara Temple, Lady’s Island

‘Hilarious’ letter caught my eye

In the May 2 edition of The Island News, two letters to the editor caught my attention. In one letter, the writer presented an argument for voting for Democratic candidates in the upcoming election. Whether you agree or disagree with the letter's premise, this letter was wellwritten, thoughtful, and it presented abundant facts to support its argument.

In another letter, the writer claimed, without offering any evidence, that Democrats are "Marxist/Islamic Sinophiles" who are aligned with Russia, China and Iran. I found this letter to be absolutely hilarious. I know a lot of Democrats and none of them are remotely Marxist, Islamist, or Sinophile. None of them support Russia, China, or Iran.

On the other hand, the Republican presidential nominee has openly professed his deep admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi

it was still within the House’s power — barely, even at this late date — to ease that suffering by forcing a vote on the House floor. Why? Because after nine years, we know the issue. It’s time for the House to vote.

After all, does anyone really believe our liberty-loving, freedom-caucusing House would be talking about the importance of careful deliberation – of taking their time and getting the details just so – if this were a bill that made it easier to get a gun or harder to get an abortion? Of course not. Instead, in those cases, we’d be hearing exactly what we should be hearing now — stern warnings about the human cost of inaction and the incalculable dangers of delay — warnings that would actually be true for medical marijuana.

The evidence is clear: cannabis has pain-relieving qualities our opioid saturated state needs. According to the National Academy of Sciences, which reviewed more than 10,000 medical studies in 2017, “there is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.” Moreover, “in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS)-related spasticity, short-term use of oral cannabinoids improves … symptoms.”

In fact, the evidence is so compelling that just last week, the U.S. Department of Justice signed off on a Food and Drug Administration recommendation to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, like prescriptions for testosterone and Tylenol with codeine.

Of course, none of this would

Jinping. He also admitted that in many years he paid more in taxes to China than the U.S.

His daughter received numerous Chinese patents in an effort to curry favor. He encouraged Russia to attack any NATO allies who did not meet their financial obligations. His proposed "peace plan" for ending the Ukraine war would involve the surrender of important Ukraine territories to Russia.

We should also remember how Russia funneled money to Republican candidates via the National Rifle Association in the 2016 elections. (Remember Maria Butina?) And recall how 8 Republic senators spent July 4, 2018 as official guests of the Russian government. And recall how House Republicans tried to prevent a vote on aid to Ukraine, a measure that ultimately passed by an overwhelming 311-112 vote.

If anyone is aligned with China and Russia, it is the Republican Party and its presidential nominee, not the Democrats.

– Peter Birschbach, Port Royal

Nothing real can be threatened, nothing unreal exists

Today’s mail bore the third mailing in as many days from an aspiring candidate for the District 1 U.S. House seat. A photo of her standing in front of “the” wall, the only verbiage …”I will build the wall, secure the border.” That’s it. No other policy issues at all.

The theme of an “invasion” is pure fear theatrics, with no mention of helping our neighbors cope with the climate change, often a root cause of migration. I say don’t be swayed by fear, but seek the truth about the worldwide migrant-refugee crisis, and lobby your representative accordingly.

The next piece of mail today was from the NRA. This

matter if the Senate bill in question were a wild-eyed, weed-happy slice of pro-pot agitprop. But as the bill’s sponsor, Beaufort Republican Sen. Tom Davis points out, it’s actually “the most conservative medical marijuana legislation in the county,” with end-to-end oversight of production and distribution, a specific list of covered ailments, and a physician’s prescription required. In addition, pharmacists would only be allowed to dispense in medically-typical forms like tinctures – no smokable flower allowed.

Put simply, this medical marijuana bill is sensible, conservative and humane. If House members want us to believe they have those same qualities, they’ll stop shilly-shallying and pass it without further delay.

one warns that “your freedoms are being attacked.” In fact, the word “attack” occurs so often one might cringe in the corner … except the extreme rhetoric is simply trying to scare me into joining — in fact offering a free knife if I do!

Nope! You can have your guns. I have faith, not fear, and good neighbors and the Sheriff on speed dial were I to need help.

All this fear pits us against one another and throttles pursuit of solutions.

Our politicians, for example, cannot seem to create solutions for the serious affordable housing crisis, so “Not In MY Back Yard” leaps out. Who are we afraid of? Your restaurant waitress or your grocery store clerk or produce man or your gardener or hair stylist?

Then there is this fear of socialism! Really!? I for one am so glad for the support of Medicare in my retirement, and have many friends thankful for their Social Security and Vets who fought for our common good and so deserve the help they get from the VA. It’s just all of us together helping one another.

And why are some (few) folks afraid of books, and try to ban some of them? Afraid of the truth? Such fear and action leaves kids unaware and unable to cope with the world at large. This coupled with a state legislature and state school board passing laws and rules that demean teachers by telling them what they can or cannot teach? Nope! We cannot deny history. Our road to the future is paved today by using the lessons and wisdom of our past.

This could go on and on. But a miraculous reality brings me back to now: a male Painted Bunting just flew into the sunshine at the bird feeder. So despite all that assails us in this intense political season, gotta be thankful and take time to smell the Jasmine. And remember, nothing real can be threatened and nothing unreal exists. Know that F.E.A.R. Is really just “False Education Appearing Real!” – Timothy Dodds, Lady’s Island

CAROL LUCAS

VOICES

Editor’s Note: The opinions of our columnists in the

Trump 2.0 would go way too far if reelected

If you want to be frightened in May more than anything you’ve ever experienced on Halloween, just read the new Time interview with former President Donald Trump.

Any lover of American democracy — independent, Republican or Democrat — should be terrified. Trump

2 0 — the guy accused of dozens of felonies and currently on trial for paying hush-money to a porn star — is way more scary than the guy who won the nation’s top office in 2016

Reporter Eric Cortellessa sat down twice with Trump at his Palm Beach compound and interviewed a lot of people inside his circle before writing “How Far Trump Would Go,” a 26-minute read that should shake any lover of freedom to the core. His conclusion:

ANDY BRACK

Today’s Trump thinks he was too nice in his four years as president. If he gets another four years, he won’t be.

Here are quotes from the story that highlight what Trump says he’ll do if he wins a second term (and he’s been saying these things on the stump, not just in an interview with this reporter):

Detention centers: “To carry out a deportation operation designed to remove more than 11 million

people from the country, Trump told me, he would be willing to build migrant detention camps and deploy the U.S. military, both at the border and inland.”

Abortion: “He would let red states monitor women’s pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans.”

Funding: “He would, at his personal discretion, withhold funds appropriated by Congress, according to top advisers.”

Justice: “He would be willing to fire a U.S. Attorney who doesn’t carry out his order to prosecute someone, breaking with a tradition of independent law enforcement that dates from America’s founding.”

Insurrectionist pardons: “He is weighing pardons for every one of his supporters accused of

Jattacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, more than 800 of whom have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury.”

Allies: “He might not come to the aid of an attacked ally in Europe or Asia if he felt that country wasn’t paying enough for its own defense.”

Civil service, more: “He would gut the U.S. civil service, deploy the National Guard to American cities as he sees fit, close the White House pandemic-preparedness office, and staff his Administration with acolytes who back his false assertion that the 2020 election was stolen.”

In short, Trump would replace real democracy — the kind of freedoms 250 years of Americans fought and died for — with autocracy.

He essentially wants to be a king, the kind of leader the Founding Fathers threw off.

When Trump was asked to explain a recent comment that he would be only a “dictator for a day,” the former president reiterated what has become a pat answer – that he was joking.

But Cortellessa’s story ends like this:

“Whether or not he was kidding about bringing a tyrannical end to our 248year experiment in democracy, I ask him, ‘Don’t you see why many Americans see such talk of dictatorship as contrary to our most cherished principles?’

Trump says no. Quite the opposite, he insists. ‘I think a lot of people like it.’”

Time’s cover story on Trump included full transcripts and other fact-checked information

for people to understand the veracity of reporting, historian Heather Cox Richardson noted in a commentary.

“The transcripts reflect the former president’s scattershot language that makes little logical sense but conveys impressions by repeating key phrases and advancing a narrative of grievance. The fact-checking reveals that narrative is based largely on fantasy.” Make no mistake: 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump is a threat to the democracy and freedoms we’ve taken for granted for far too long.

Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report and the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to feedback@ statehousereport.com.

Protecting children online begins with equipping parents

ust like every child in America, South Carolina children are being exposed to harmful material online every day.

Whether on their smartphones, tablets, or even their school-assigned devices, online safety for minors has become one of the most critical concerns for parents.

With reports noting that teens are spending eight and a half hours on screens per day, it’s time for federal lawmakers to create sensible and meaningful legislation to equip parents to protect their children’s minds and futures from those who want to harm them.

This crisis gained momentum on Capitol Hill with the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) when, after two years of working together on a bipartisan solution, legislation was introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Con-

necticut, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. Sadly, members unveiled new language that would usurp states’ rights and instead empower Washington bureaucrats of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to oversee the implementation.

While I appreciate the work that has already been done, Congress is using this crisis to gain more power and control over “We the People.”

With their language, they re-

Coast from New Orleans to Biloxi. Beaufort wanted to help.

city manager, explained a little of what Steve Brown’s “light” was.

“Steve had a group,” Duryea recalled, “I don’t know who they were. They were angels. And if someone was in need, Steve would hear about it, and if it was five hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars for a legitimate reason, the money would appear, and it would be given, and no one would ever know its source.”

Many times, in my own experience, the “source” was mostly Steve Brown himself. In 2005, for example, Category 5 Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf

As Beaufort’s mayor at the time, I called the Mississippi Municipal League to ask what town that had been hurt might Beaufort “adopt.” The voice on the phone said, “Long Beach” and he gave me Long Beach’s mayor’s name and phone number. Of course, the phone didn’t work. But, by Providence, Captain Perry Hall, who was also there for Steve last Sunday, stopped by my office to say he was going down to New Orleans to help. I asked Captain Perry if he would find Long Beach Mayor Billy Skellie and get him on a phone.

The next day Mayor Skellie was on the phone. “What do you need, May-

move a crucial element of the bill needed to ensure our children are protected — giving state attorneys general the power to enforce the duty of care provision within the bill. Instead, the revised KOSA provides greater authority and enforcement to bureaucrats to implement their own agenda on our children.

South Carolinians have proven time and time again that we know what’s best for ourselves and our families.

Attorney General Alan Wilson has done a great job fighting for the best interests of our citizens and should be allowed to continue to do so. He is best positioned to make decisions that put our children’s well-being first, not the Biden-appointed bureaucrats who are detached from real life in America.

or?” I asked.

Prioritizing parents, addressing

“Chainsaws,” he said. “As many men with chainsaws as you can get me.” So, I put out the word and 125 of Beaufort’s best answered the call, and the next weekend the “Beaufort Chainsaw Brigade” was on the road to Long Beach.

Who stepped up to feed this gang? Who, on a couple of days’ notice, arranged for a refrigerator truck full of enough food to completely feed for three days the whole company, and assorted Long Beach residents, and other itinerant volunteers too? And who dispatched it, and a retired U.S. Army field cook named Eddie too, to keep the field kitchen rolling providing three squares a day?

Steve Brown.

their concerns, and empowering the state attorneys general should be at the center of any federal legislation on this issue, not federal agencies. It’s imperative both parties come together to put forth a commonsense, families-first solution.

In a recent Pew Research study, 76% of parents shared that managing how much time their teen spends on their phone is an important or top priority. With teens especially spending more and more time scrolling and googling, it is becoming much more challenging for parents to manage what their children are exposed to, with 46% of parents noting it’s “hard.”

The Pew Research study also noted that today 95% of teens have access to a smartphone with 38% of them admitting they spend entirely too much time on

Did anyone ever see a bill for those services?

Never.

Beaufort’s longtime Representative to the South Carolina Legislature, Shannon Erickson, was there, too.

“Steve was always calling up for something,” she recalled affectionately.

“Someone needed help with their Social Security, or someone needed bunk beds? Steve was on the phone. He took care of people.”

Don’t get me wrong.

It wasn’t just the wheels -- the judges and the business-owners and the elected officials -- who came to the river’s edge to honor Steve Brown’s memory last Sunday. The guy who changes the oil in your car, and the lady who

their phones. Teens said they felt happy (74%) or peaceful (72%) when they were away from their phones.

The legislation Congress should pass must apply commonsense measures such as requiring parental consent in the app store. This would give the parent adequate time to review what the app is about, what it promotes, and if it’s appropriate before consenting to their child downloading it.

Providing online safeguards not only protects children from predators and other dangers, but it also fosters positive and necessary conversations between parents and their children, which is always time well spent.

Melanie Shull is founder and editor for Living Real Magazine and host of the Living Real Podcast. She’s a wife, mother and passionate advocate for protecting children.

stitches your shirt at the dry cleaners, and the guy with the prosthetic, and the lady who keeps the books at the used car lot, and the guy who shows up when you call the plumber were there too. Steve knew them all, and they all loved Steve Brown.

Gathered in the shade of a live oak after the formal ceremony, and joyfully telling Steve stories among themselves, were 20 or so of Steve’s helpers from when he catered events. They were wearing matching blue T-shirts with Steve’s signature “How’s your attitude?” greeting on their backs.

“Why?” I asked them, “was Steve’s team always so good natured when they worked?”

“You think he fed you?”

Kelly Lesesne said to the giggles of the others. “He fed us too!”

“Sometimes,” another of Steve’s servers added, “after an event there’d be some turkeys left over and Steve would say, ‘Take one. Take it home. Feed your family.’” Nan Brown Sutton, Steve’s only living sibling and the owner of Lulu Burgess, the legendary gift shop on Beaufort’s Bay Street was, of course, there too.

“Steve was one of a kind,” she said a bit sadly. “He was always giving, and never taking care of himself.”

Bill Rauch was the Mayor of Beaufort from 1999 to 2008 and has twice won awards from the S.C. Press Association for his Island News columns. He can be reached at TheRauchReport@gmail.com.

MELANIE SHULL

Beaufort High’s Thompson wins Conroy Center’s Future Educator Scholarship

From staff reports

Beaufort High School senior Kierra Thompson has been selected as the second annual recipient of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center’s Future Educator Scholarship.

The scholarship includes a $5,000 award.

Thompson will begin her studies toward her music education degree at the University of North Carolina Greensboro this fall.

A member of the Beaufort Symphony Orchestra and the Beaufort Youth Orchestra, Thompson is also a member, at Beaufort High School, of the Sea Island South Marching Band, National Honor Society, and DAYLO: Diversity Awareness Youth Organization.

She has performed in both the South Carolina Music Educators Association’s Regional and AllState Orchestras as well as

in the University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic, the UNC Greensboro Southeast Honors String Festival, and the UNC Greensboro Summer Music Camp. Thompson has previously been honored with the Arion Music Award, the College Board’s National African American Recognition Award, and Academic Letters for Instrumental Music and School Performance.

Thompson has also garnered invitations to the Brevard Summer Music Camp, the Berklee Summer Music Camp, and the National Honors Youth Orchestra Clinic at Carnegie Hall.

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Thompson plans to teach music at the high school or middle school level while continuing to perform. A master’s degree in music education may be in her future aspirations as well.

“Kierra is an exceptional and charismatic student, already actively engaged in teaching and inspiring other students and instructors,” Conroy Center Executive Director Jonathan Haupt said. “In her scholarship interview, she took command of the room as we are certain she will take charge of her future classrooms, and she instructed and fascinated us with every single facet of her passions for music, education, and creativity which she shared with us. Kierra is exactly the kind of exemplary student and empowering educator this scholarship was created to support. It’s an absolute honor to help her on her journey into higher education.”

A group of experienced educators and mentors served as the Conroy Center’s scholarship selection committee. They were unanimous and enthusias-

tic in Thompson’s selection as the 2024 scholarship awardee.

"Kierra is the embodiment of everything the Conroy Center represents,” said scholarship committee member Celeste PrinceBrown, a Beaufort County School District teacher-mentor who was also a Beaufort High School student of Pat Conroy’s.

Established to encourage and support Beaufort County high school seniors with a declared intent to pursue a career in education, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Future Educator Scholarship honors the teaching legacy of the late Pat Conroy (1945-2016), author of “The Water Is Wide,” “The Great Santini,” “The Lords of Discipline,” “The Prince of Tides,” and more. The scholarship is primarily funded through the generosity of former educators.

JPII yearbook program earns 2024 Silver Program of Excellence

From staff reports

The yearbook program at John Paul II Catholic School has been honored with the National Yearbook Program of Excellence 2024 award at the silver level. The award, given by Jostens, a prominent producer of yearbooks and student-created content, recognizes the outstanding efforts of the JPII SHIELD yearbook staff and

program in creating a dynamic and engaging publication.

The award was presented to the JPII yearbook program for achieving defined criteria in the following categories: creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement, and successfully managing the yearbook creation process.

According to Tammy Whitaker,

“This staff has been incredible even when faced with some challenges,” JPII Fine Arts Chair and Yearbook Advisor Kefrin Woodham said. “I’ll go on record saying that Tim McGuire (JPII senior) has been the most stellar editor that our SHIELD staff has seen. Next year, Cypress Daniel will serve as editor, and she will continue to do an incredible job.”

EDUCATION BRIEFS

School district sets 6 community meetings about five-year strategic plan

The Beaufort County School District has scheduled six community meetings to gather thoughts from educators, families, and community stakeholders on the school district’s new five-year strategic plan.

“Crafting a strategic plan requires foresight, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to navigate our educational journey toward excellence,” Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said. “The voices of our families and community stakeholders not only enrich our vision but ensure that our initiatives resonate with the diverse needs and aspirations of those we serve."

All meetings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.: Friday, May 9 – St. Helena Island Elementary School cafeteria.

Monday, May 13 – Whale Branch Early College High School media center. Tuesday, May 14 – Hilton Head Island Middle media center. Friday, May 16 – Bluffton Middle School

Honor from page A1

but the success of Beaufort County Schools is a team effort involving all the teachers and faculty who work for the district.

“It was very exciting, and it’s quite an honor to have been selected,” Rodriguez said. “I have a great team – I’m blessed with a great team – so the nice thing about this is that it reflects the work of our whole team here in Beaufort County. We are blessed to serve our 21 500 stu-

(Spanish language) cafeteria.

Monday, May 20 – Battery Creek High School media center.

Friday, May 23 – Bluffton High School cafeteria.

Those not able to attend a community meeting have the opportunity to provide their input online via www.connectbeaufortschools.org/strategic-plan-input through the end of May.

2 from Beaufort in UGA’s Class of 2024

The University of Georgia will celebrate more than 8 000 candidates for graduation, including two from Beaufort, in the Class of 2024 during upcoming Commencement ceremonies. The spring undergraduate ceremony will take place Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Sanford Stadium. The spring graduate ceremony will be held in two sessions on Thursday, May 9, with the master's/specialist ceremony starting at 10 a.m. and the doctoral ceremony starting at 2 p.m. in Stegeman Coliseum.

Brayden Sarathy, of Beaufort, is a candidate for a BBA Finance, while Janna Shissias, of Beaufort, is a candidate for a BS Biology.

dents and blessed to have a wonderful community to serve.”

According to the release from SCASA, Rodriguez received the honor in big part for the impact he has made in Beaufort County with his “innovative community engagement programs” that were designed to help students struggling with pandemic learning loss. Thanks to these initiatives, ELA scores are at their highest ever, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels, per the release from Beaufort County School District (BCSD).

He has also gained trust in the community by insisting on a Cit-

Jostens VP and COO Yearbook Division, Jostens is proud to recognize those who have created an exceptional yearbook for their school and community.

“These schools did an exceptional job on multiple levels,” she said. “Yearbooks are a critical part of capturing and telling a school’s story, and Jostens is dedicated to supporting yearbook staff members as they do their important work.”

For additional details and a complete 2024 Commencement schedule, visit UGA's Commencement website, commencement.uga.edu.

Beaufort’s Ruoff sworn in as officer

Beaufort’s Elliott Ruoff is one of the members of the The Citadel’s Class of 2024 who accepted a commission into the United States Armed Forces.

Held on Friday, May 3, during a joint commissioning ceremony, approximately 30% of the Class of 2024 accepted commissions into the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force. This year's joint ceremony was held in McAlister Field House in Charleston.

The ceremony included the now-officers reciting their oath, as well as having gold bars pinned on their uniforms by their sponsors. Following the ceremony, the commissionees gathered on Summerall Field where they received their first salutes as officers.

The commencement ceremony for the Corps is held the day after the commissioning ceremonies.

The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education for

izen-Led Oversight Committee to monitor bond spending, which contributed to approval of the districts largest bond referendum in November 2023

“In addition to his impactful initiatives around retaining top talent, mitigating pandemic learning loss and securing record-breaking bond funding, Dr. Rodriguez has made remarkable strides in enhancing communication and stakeholder engagement,” SCASA Executive Director Elizabeth “Beth” A. Phibbs said in the release. “Dr. Rodriguez is well-respected among his col-

The National Yearbook Program of Excellence recognizes engaging yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body while helping students to develop 21 century skills such as communication, collaboration, and information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy.

young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of U.S. military service.

TCL’s Spring Graduation set for Friday at Waterfront Park

The Technical College of the Lowcountry will hold its annual commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort, rain or shine.

The ceremony will include approximately 300 graduates from a range of certificate, diploma and associate degree programs. Jasper County School District Superintendent Rechel Anderson will give the commencement address.

For details on parking and available shuttle service visit www.tcl.edu/grad. Due to possible traffic congestion, the public is advised to avoid the Bay Street area during this time.

– From staff reports

leagues, and we are delighted to honor him as the 2025 South Carolina Superintendent of the Year.”

In addition to receiving the honor, Moseley Architects will provide a scholarship for Rodriguez to use to assist a student or teacher with professional development or college classes.

York District 2 (Clover School District) Superintendent Sheila Quinn was the other finalist for the award.

To be selected, nominated candidates participated in an application and interview process that was conducted by a team of South

Carolina business, education and community leaders, according to the release from SCASA.

SCASA is a professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina and touts a membership of more than 5 400. Its focus is to support school leaders in providing the best educational opportunities for the South Carolina youth.

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.

Beaufort High School senior Kierra Thompson and Pat Conroy Center Executive Director Jonathan Haupt. Submitted photo

EDUCATION

Graduating Class of 2024

Kathryn Noel Green

Certificate Graduates

Kelli Anne Adams

Jameeka Tinise Aiken

Malik Aquamina

Randall Thomas Bagley

Darryl Lamont Bennett

Sole Bennett

Donald Black

Dineshia Desiree Brown

Taniyah Sharelle Brown

Kayla Marie Ceyler

Keith Chisholm

Lindsay Ann Clark

Natalie M. Clark

Trista Daring

Gregg Marcel Dixon

Cecilia Rhodasia Doe

Lae'l Joi Durden

Oscar Giancarlo Espinoza

Latisha Tiamara Fields

Selena Angelique Flores

Jessica Freeman

Willie Mae Fripp

Javier Garay

Brenda Garcia

Anthony Gibson

Casey Greene

Sherice Renee' Gwathney

Denasia Haynes

Angelica Heily Herrera

Rhonda Heyward

Matthew Willis Hooker

Jerrod Terrell Houston

Rosemary Richardson Hunt

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Cymone Ajanni Jenkins

Anndriana Juliette Johnson

Nancy Skidmore Johnson

Tika Yvonne Legare

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Ryan Raymond Loeffler

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Simon Mikhael

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Jaylen Michelle Orellana-Reyes

Denise Lashelle Orr

Alexis Mckae Ortiz

Dante Cornell Patterson

Imani Nevaeh Patterson

Austin Benjamin Pollock

Kailey Cadence Pusha-Weeks

Sidney Rain Rafine

Amiya Larae Richardson

Jonathan Steven Rodriguez-Flores

Alondra Rodriguez Zamora

Sherman Rubio

Julia L. Rudock

Jordan B. Saddler

Joselyn Salado

Krista Lanette Schubert

Kamarae Nyjae Smalls

Marc Aguemon Sogan

Shannon Stinsman

Nicholas Jeffery Sullivan

Oswaldo Trejo

Justin Tyler Wachtendonk

Naomi Constance Amena Walker

Johnnie Roosevelt Wilson

Quanti Devon Wright

Coltyn Ray Wyant

Caedin T. Young

Diploma Graduates

Brooke Mikayla Bennett

Caitlyn Autumn Emery

Kahla Marie Fry

Karissa Gill

Jaclyn Rose Greifenberger

Kylee Taff Johnson

McKenna Rae Mabry

Bayli Chyanne Malphrus

Ryleigh Lynn Manning

Skylar Anna McDonough

Palasia Monique Moreland

Chloe Elizabeth Smith

Gabriella Marie Smith

Briannah Stokes

Emily Jean Wagner

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Abigail Jordana Wern

Associate Degree Graduates

Emily Adams

MacKenzie Adams

Jennifer Nicole Adomat

Christina Sue Ahders-Oehring

Andrea Albridge

Agnes Deshowne Albright-Pinckney

Christina L. Alexander

Carla Valentina Alvarado Duran

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Angelica Arizmendi

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Grace Beasley

Kathrine Bell

Ana Maria Lila Bennett

Ashley Lane Bentley

Annalise Marie Bertrand

Da-Jean Jeremy Biggerstaff

Annali Marissa Binkley

Tresharna G. Bitler-Gray

Hannah Maria Blank

Justin Miley Blocker

Latoya Boyd

Megan Eileen Boyle

Donna Lynn Bradley

Kody Ryan Briggs-Roberson

Michael Liney Brim

James David Brinson

Jessica Lee Britt

Yasmin Renee Brown

Erica Lashawn Brown

Nicole Bruce

Kara Breanne Burke

Briana Raejeane Burroughs

Joel Enrique Canales

Aldoalexei Cazales Carbajal

Savannah M. Carpenter

Russel Adaluz Carpio Castro

Irene Carrion Copello

Autumn Rose Catalano

Carolina Michelle Cerda Cardenas

Alejandro Daniel Ceron Lopez

Gabrielle Brianna Chaney

Kelsey Ann Charles

Anthony Michael Cincotta

Jordan Clifton

Kelcea Nicole Combs

Trinity Coney

Emylse Contreras Martinez

Zakk Aiden Cooke

Adam Christopher Crutchley

Latanya Denise Cuyler

Jasmine Davis

Lawrence Paul Dee

Destiny Victoria Delaney

Lillianna Makinsey Delk

Joseph Stone Dilsaver

Kendell Jameson Dinkins

Farrah Zianna Doe

Lynne Dowling

Erin Drew

Karleigh Marie Edmonson

Gabriel Elias

Shawana Latisha Erwin

Gabriela Maritza Escobar

Connor Ansley Faulkner

Derris Devonta Felder

Carson Elizabeth Felver

Betsy Fierros-Nava

Fallon Rose Fischer

Katie Elizabeth Foskey

Hailey Lynn Foster

Megan Foy

Charli Lorraine Frame

Heather Rochelle Francis

Kairington Diana Marie Franklin

Desha Renee' Frasier

Marcia Edell Frazier

Xzoriona Aneyiah Frazier

Guillermo Fuentes

Braydon Gantt

Samara Shanae Gibbs

Jeremy Renard Givens

Joshua Tyler Gobel

Gene Larisey Gooding

Hikaru Goto

Katie Mary Gottschalk

Jocelyn Latoya Green

Jakayla Adrena Harden

Heather C. Hayes

Josefa Alicia Heidacher

Jessica Lynn Hein

Aury Hernandez

Briana Hernandez

Fabiola Rossie Hernandez-Serna

Zakiera N. Herring

Heather Megan Heslep

Kelsey Daniya Hipp

Nicole Lynn Hoenshell

Catherine L. Horry

Nicholas Steven Hughes

Kaitlyn Hulbert

Carol Hunter

Sharrie Hurst

Mary Jacobson

Anastasia Marlayna Johnson

David V. Johnson

Mykerria Niazisa Johnson

Taylor Imani Johnson

David V. Johnson

Crystal Michelle Jones

Rachel M. Kader

Madyson J. Kotovsky

Ambriance Shanadra Lamar

Hailey Elizabeth Lamar

Makaylia Moeisha Lawrence

James Robert Lee

Andrew Jair Licona

Deva Lillaheart

Cole Theron Livingston

Sarah Brayden Lowther

John Fitzgerald Lyons

Caroline Joyce Marek

Leigha Bannister Marion

John Thomas Mauro

Alshaya Kachelle McCants

Xavian McEachin

Candice Chapman McIlrath

Craig Brian McKillop

Omarion K. McKinnon

Matthew Steven McLean

Justin Steven McPherson

Aimee Elizabeth Mentzer

Taqouya Jemira Miller

Ninosky Angelie Mills Ferreira

Elijah Walter Minton

Kalyn H. Mixson

Jaxson Tyler Moncibais

Inah Monroe

Autumn Moon

Erin Michael Morris

Savannah Averi Mullen

Tiffany Faith Murphy

Madison Nash

Valerie Elizabeth Nemes

Kaitlen Noelle Nettles

Virginia Irene Nightingale

Jacob Thomas Nojd

Shelby Marie Nolan

Lisa Ochmanowicz

Dakoda Raine Orlando

Sharone Hazel Orr

Mallory Corrine Osborn

Abimbola Alao Osuolale

Matthew Collin Padgett

Blake Tyler Parsons

Dashien Pettigrew

Dorian Phillips

Javier Alexander Pinto

Mahogony Platt

Eliza Cathleen Polk

Pamela Denise Poole

Daphne Ariann Ragusa

Brooklynn Love Rainwater

Damaris Ramos

Jasbeidy Ramos Ruiz

Rebecca Herndon Ramsey

Isabella Danyelle Raniszewski

Ayaunna Reid-Wright

Amber-Lin Nicole Reilley

Janay Shavon Robinson

Matty Rodriguez

Anarely Verenice Rosales

Kimberly Abigail Rosas

Hunter Madison Rosier

Latorria MaShell Ross

Gabrielle Rebecca Rowell

Naomi C. Salleme

Hannah Marie Salus

Kenny A. Santiago

Michelle Satar

Kelcie Virginia Schulze

Raven Scott

Kara Morgan Shaffer

Stephanie Shaw

Krista Shipes

Bryce Wayne Sides

Maiko Simmons

Stephanie Singleton

Craig Antonio Smart, II

Fantashya Cierra Smith

Arik Christopher Smrstik

Valerie Alessandra Solis

Ashtin Marie Soule

Kim D. Stone

Sherelle La'Shay Stoney

Dayle M. Taber

Nigiria Rose Taylor

Anabeth Mariah Thompson

Courtney Loraine Thompson

Sherod Khalil Thompson

Shyenne Frances Tiger

Jennifer Santibanez Trujillo

Kayle Sergio Vasquez

Alex Manuel Vega

Raiven Venning

Mary C. Wallace

Jodie Lauren Weathers

Brandon James Wester

Kyle A. Wetter

Dariyen Samone White

Samantha Loren White

Doralynn Loretta Whited

Joshua Hunter Wilborn

Miah Marae Willison

Jada Na' Wilson

Kiani Janay Wright Because names of candidates for graduation were furnished for publication prior to commencement, it is possible that some persons listed may not have completed award requirements or may have been added after publication. This printing of a candidate’s name constitutes neither graduation nor the granting of an award.

SC legislators approve antisemitism bill

Amid national wave of Israel-Hamas war protests, Columbia Democrat thinks SC colleges could use definition in weighing responses

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — South Carolina universities have not seen anything akin to the wave of protests over the Israel-Hamas war sweeping college campuses across the country.

There are no students pitching massive tent encampments on campus lawns, refusing to leave. No vandalizing or taking over of academic buildings. And no reports of insults, harassment or threats of violence aimed at Jewish students.

Still, as students finish final exams and campuses empty for the summer, lawmakers point to a bill codifying a definition of antisemitism into state law. The House gave final approval last week.

The state’s only Jewish legislator believes the bill heading to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk could be used by South Carolina’s public universities in deciding how to respond should troubling instances or conduct violations arise with staff or students in the future.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Columbia, would use the same definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and the U.S. State Department.

Student-led, pro-Palestinian protests have spread nationwide in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. War erupted between Israel and Palestine after Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 2023 killing about 1 200 civilians and taking some 250 hostages. Israel has since killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.

Bernstein said she was disturbed by chants of “go back to Poland” reported at Columbia University in New York. (Poland’s Jewish community was largely wiped out by Nazi Germany in the Holocaust.) And at Northwestern University in Illinois, where Jewish students are suing the school over its handling of protests, a student was called a “dirty Jew” and protest signs depicted a Star

college campuses, only one — the University of South Carolina — has reported minor protest activity.

After the Oct. 7 attack, a revived USC chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine distributed posters and leaflets on campus. And supporters of Palestine stood silently with protest signs at a vigil for Columbia’s Jewish community, held at the Anne Frank Center on campus. Blocks away at the Statehouse, protesters at a “free Palestine” rally organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation chanted and held signs, while a small group of pro-Israel counter-protesters gathered across the street.

Bernstein, who attended the vigil, said the pro-Palestine protesters were “maybe a tad bit disruptive, but not violent.”

Most recently, a late-afternoon demonstration was held between the university’s main library and student center on the last day of classes, which coincided with the first day of Jewish Passover. Un-

...in light of what we’re seeing on college campuses across the country, it could be used to help universities navigate any incidents if it starts to happen here in South Carolina.”

of David crossed through and the school’s president, who is Jewish, as a “bloodthirsty devil.” Bernstein, who is 54, said she has never seen this amount of hate directed at Jews in her lifetime.

For the Columbia lawmaker, it’s personal. With two daughters of her own, one of whom is a student at Tulane University in Louisiana — where there’s been extensive protests — she’s afraid for their safety and that of other young Jewish students.

She said she worries about continuous harassment of those students by protesters as they walk to class.

“They’re being ostracized,” Bernstein said. “Jews are being attacked just because they’re Jewish.

While supporters of Israel have called out the university protests as antisemitic, protest organizers say the antisemitic remarks of some do not reflect the views of the whole, which condemns the humanitarian crisis the conflict has led to in Gaza. Critics say those allegations are being used to silence the student movement.

Protests in SC

Out of South Carolina’s largest

like elsewhere in the country, the students left at dusk, The Post and Courier reported.

Then, at the university’s “midnight breakfast” event signaling the start of exams, about a dozen protesters carrying Palestinian flags and chanting stood for about 30 minutes at the entrance of the dining area of the school’s student center as students and staff passed through to the event, according to a police report from university police. They stayed after staff asked them to leave. The police report did not mention any threats or physical acts of violence.

When the group did move, police followed them outside and the students ran away in different directions. Police saw two of the students walking on Sumter Street and arrested them for breach of peace, a misdemeanor.

Police crackdown Across the country, by comparison, police have reported more than 2 000 arrests.

Tent encampments of protesters have spread across the country, mirroring one that formed at Columbia University in New York nearly two weeks ago. As the move-

ment has drug on, universities are cracking down, calling in police.

At Columbia, police cleared the tent encampment on the school’s grounds and an academic building overtaken by protesters at the Ivy League school about 20 hours earlier. The protest movement at the school also made national headlines last week after one of the organizers posted a video online encouraging violence on Jews.

“Zionists don’t deserve to live,” the student, Khymani James, said in video taken in January. “I feel very comfortable − very comfortable − calling for those people to die.”

Opposing groups of protesters at the University of California, Los Angeles, broke out in fistfights, with students from both groups kicking and beating each other with sticks. And at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, police in riot gear shut down an encampment, arresting about 20 people for trespassing.

Meanwhile, antisemitism and Islamophobia in the United States has surged to record levels since the Oct. 7 Hamas’ attack, according to the Anti-Defamation League and Council on American-Islamic Relations.

In its most recent report, the Anti-Defamation League said there were 85 incidents — 78 cases of harassment and seven acts of vandalism — of antisemitism in South Carolina in 2023, nearly double the number reported the year before and more than five times the number reported in 2021

Former state Sen. Joel Lourie, who is Jewish and now sits on the board of the regional Anti-Defamation League, said he suspects antisemitic sentiments have percolated under the surface for some time.

“But what we’re seeing now is much more pronounced,” he said. “Things have escalated beyond my wildest imagination.”

Lourie said it’s one thing to exercise free speech. It’s another when demonstrations block students from going to class or studying in the library. Recent reports of students being targeted, threatened or beaten “crossed an extremely dangerous line.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations received 8 061 complaints of anti-Muslim bias incidents last year – the highest number in the 28 years the organization has tracked cases. The report does not say whether any of those complaints originated in South Carolina.

Applying the definition

Bernstein acknowledged that if her bill becomes state law, ap-

plications of what’s antisemitic would be limited to policies and regulations at state agencies, which include public universities.

“But in light of what we’re seeing on college campuses across the country, it could be used to help universities navigate any incidents if it starts to happen here in South Carolina,” she said.

The bill defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/ or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The organization also provides modern examples of antisemitism:

Calling for or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or extreme religious view

Making dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews Holocaust denial

But critics have said some of the definition’s examples are overly broad, veering into complicated world politics:

Claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor

Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel than to the interests of their own nations

Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel

The definition does specify that criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country is not antisemitic.

Lawmakers in more than a half-dozen states pushed laws adopting the definition. Georgia’s governor signed it into law in January. South Dakota did the same in March. Virginia passed it last year, and Iowa passed it in 2022

South Carolina considered the definition multiple times in the past but this time were prompted to act.

Locally, Charleston, Greenville and Myrtle Beach have all passed resolutions with this definition.

And the U.S. House voted Wednesday to add the same definition to law that bars discrimination and harassment based on race, color or national origin at institutions that receive federal funding. This could give U.S. education regulators the ability to withhold funding from schools that allow protests to linger. The measure now heads to the Senate.

But even the definition’s au-

thor told the Associated Press he didn’t think the language should be put into law.

Congressional action

The ACLU, in an open letter, asked Congress to reject the effort, saying federal law already prohibits antisemitic discrimination and the move could instead chill free speech by “equating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.”

Bernstein said it’s important not to infringe on free speech in making such laws.

“You can disagree with Israel’s policies,” she said.

But while racial slurs are often more overt, Bernstein said antisemitism can be harder to determine, making a set definition important.

Hateful speech is not illegal under the First Amendment but comments that are deemed “true threats” are not protected as free speech. A true threat is a statement that frightens or intimidates people into believing they will be seriously harmed, according to the Free Speech Center in Tennessee.

Where things become problematic, Bernstein said, is when people lay blame to Jews as a whole, whether they’re from Israel or Jewish-American, and threaten violence against them.

South Carolina’s ACLU chapter also chimed in Wednesday, reminding university leaders of the state’s own, at times troublesome, history with campus protests. Demonstrations have included Civil Rights marches, calls for desegregation and opposition to the Vietnam War.

“Students have raised their voices throughout our shared history, and administrators, government officials, and law enforcement have not always responded in ways that protected their safety and their constitutionally guaranteed rights,” the group wrote.

The group urged restraint regarding the use of law enforcement, saying they’re far more likely to escalate things and pointing to past tragedies such as the 1968 Orangeburg Massacre.

In that incident 56 years ago, an attempt by students at two historically Black colleges, South Carolina State University and Claflin University, to desegregate a whites-only bowling alley turned violent after police showed up and beat protesters. Then-Gov. Robert McNair sent in the state police and National Guard, who shot into a crowd of 200 students, killing three and wounding at least 27

Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the S.C.

Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Columbia, holds up a special printed edition dedicated to remembering The Holocaust during session in Columbia on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the S.C. Daily Gazette

LOCAL MILITARY

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Steven Binyard III, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, visits the Edgerly Cemetery on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort on Thursday, April 11. Binyard graduated from boot camp and visited the grave of his great-great-great-great-grandfather on MCAS Beaufort. About two decades ago, local historical researcher and genealogist Kimberly Morgan found the headstone of Stephen Binyard alone and neglected in the woods. She and Akosua Moore began research that would eventually lead to the cultural and historic preservation of the Binyard-Finley family. In 1866, after serving in the Union Army for three years, Binyard and his family bought a piece of land on Edgerly Plantation. This has been Binyard’s resting place since his death in 1882. After its discovery, the cemetery was cleaned-up and restored to honor the memory of Binyard and the other ancestors of the Edgerly Plantation. Lance Cpl. Kyle Baskin/USMC

Visiting an ancestor’s final resting place

Veterans, military members should

SCWorks.org to find a job, get

The last three articles I wrote for The Island News were on VA careers and employment assistance. Although I mentioned in past articles that SC WORKS is an excellent place for military members, veterans, and their family members to get employment assistance, this article and my next article will go into more detail about SCWorks. org. This article continues with more helpful information on SCWorks.org. Veterans and others should use SCWorks.org to find services such as career guidance, the 10 steps of a job search, job referrals, jobs, reading the company’s website in preparation for the interview, interviewing, resume writing, cover letter writing, thank you note writing, dressing for success, maintaining eye contact, avoiding slang, speaking slowly, exhibiting contagious enthusiasm, testing, and training.

Federal bonding

According to the SC Works “Federal Bonding Program (FMP)” web page at https:// scworks.org, the Federal Bonding Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and is administered by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. A “Directory of State Bonding Coordinators” can be found on the bonds4jobs.com website.

The FMP Program has offered fidelity insurance as a risk mitigation tool to businesses willing to hire individuals with barriers willing to hire individuals with barriers to employment for more than 50 years. When veterans are faced with barriers to employment, it can disrupt their entire lives. It affects the veteran's ability to pay their bills and take care of their family. Leveraging the Federal Bonding program can offer assistance with marketing yourself to potential employers by removing perceived barriers.

Barriers can encompass many situations for various reasons. Below is an example of what a barrier may look like to an employer:

Justice-involved individuals with a record of arrest, conviction, or imprisonment; anyone who has ever been on parole or probation or has any police records.

Recovering addicts who have been rehabilitated through treatment.

Individuals with poor credit records or those who have declared bankruptcy.

Individuals lacking a work history.

Individuals dishonorably discharged from the military. Workers who need bonding to prevent being laid off or to secure a promotion.

Anyone else who needs the bond to get a job.

The coverage can be issued to an employer from $5,000 to $25,000 for the first six months of a newly hired individual’s employment at no cost.

If you are seeking bonding service and/or a job you should call the nearest SC Works Office (https://scworks.org/centers) for a Federal Bonding Voucher. The voucher is not the bond itself, but it provides valuable information to potential employers regarding your eligibility for the employer to receive ‘no cost’ fidelity bonding insurance.

Self-employed and independent contractors cannot be bonded through the Federal Bonding program. Jobseekers should follow

the following steps when seeking a Federal Bond Voucher: 1. Register with SC Works. 2. Obtain a Federal Bonding voucher from SC Works. 3. Distribute the voucher with resumes and applications, as needed.

Find the nearest SC Works Office in your area at https:// scworks.org/centers. Learn more by downloading and reading “The Federal Bonding Program Brochure” at https://bit.ly/3Uy1dzO.

SC Works job fairs

The SC Works Veterans Portal displays regularly updated listings of veteran-focused hiring events. Job fairs present the opportunity to meet face-toface with potential employers, submit resumes, ask questions, and make a good first impression. Details on job fairs listed in the SC Works Veterans Portal include their location and time. You can also submit resumes through the system, before the event. View job fairs by clicking the “Job Fairs” button. Register for an SC Works Veterans Portal account to sign up for a specific event or learn which employers are recruiting.

Health and medical links

SC Works provides information on (and links to) the following health and medical programs. Few things are as frustrating as being sick and unable to get care because you just don't have the money. Federally funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income. This locator is sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Find a Health Center at https:// bit.ly/4b8xrsu. Healthfinder, at https://bit.ly/3y55xPz, has resources on a wide range of health topics selected from more than 1 600 government and nonprofit organizations to bring you the best, most reliable health information on the Internet.

1. Medicaid: Medicaid (see https://www.medicaid.gov) is a federally funded program that provides medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. Medicaid is the largest program providing medical and health-related services to America's poorest people. The S.C. State Medicaid contact phone number for applicants and members is 888-549-0820

2. Medicare: Medicare (see https://www.medicare.gov/), the nation's largest health insurance program, covers nearly 48 million Americans. It is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people younger than 65, and people with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).

3. Minority Health Resources: The Office of Minority Health (OMH) (see https:// bit.ly/4b1yGtw) was created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 1985. The mission of the OMH is to improve the health of racial and ethnic populations – Native Americans and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics/Latinos -through the development of effective health policies and programs.

4. State Health and Human Service Agencies: To learn about services available in your state, consult the list at https://bit.ly/4b82rJb. This

is a list of websites for state health and human service agencies.

5. State Children's Health Insurance Program: The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) (see https://bit.ly/3QvDRd5 and https://www.insurekidsnow.gov) provides free or low-cost health insurance to children who do not qualify for Medicaid coverage, but whose families cannot afford private health insurance. Different states have different eligibility rules, but in general, uninsured children 18 years old and younger whose families earn up to $44,100 a year (for a family of four) are eligible.

The bottom line

There is too much valuable jobseeker information at SCWorks. org online and at the SC Works Centers to put in two articles. So, if you need information on Veteran Services, Career Services, Job Seeker Services, Education Services, Labor Market Services, Community Services and Benefits, Financial

LARRY DANDRIDGE

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Steven Binyard III celebrates with his father, Steven Binyard Jr., after graduating from boot camp at MCRD Parris Island on April 11, 2024. Lance Cpl. Kyle Baskin/USMC

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We believe that price should never be a barrier

Sometimes it feels like God isn’t answering our prayers.

It is exciting when we ask God for something and he immediately grants our request. But what about when we keep praying for a particular person or need, and nothing seems to happen? We can feel discouraged or start to doubt God. We might start to wonder, “Is God not listening? Or does he not care?”

God is a loving Father who wants what is best for us. When parents care about their child, they don’t say yes to every request he makes. This is not because they are not listening or don’t care, but because they love him and want what is best for him. In the same way, God loves us and knows what is best for us. He wants to help us grow into the saint that he is calling us to be.

As a loving Father, sometimes God says “no.”

We might ask the Lord for a particular job, for example, and not get hired. It could be that he knows that this is not actually what we need, and he has something better planned for us. Looking back on the things we have asked God for over the years, we can probably recognize many situations where we are now grateful that God told us no!

Sometimes God says, “not yet.”

Prayer often takes time. We might be praying for years for a friend to believe in God, for example, and feel like nothing is happening. But we keep at it, and one day, the friend suddenly comes to faith! Prayer has been compared to an axe cutting away at a tree: the tree will come down, but not in one stroke. One might cut at the tree hundreds of times with seemingly no results, but then all of a sudden the tree comes crashing down!

Prayer brings us closer to God, even in hardships.

Being a follower of Jesus does not mean that we won’t experience grief, pain, or hardships. After all, the Lord experienced all of these things, and we shouldn’t expect any less. (John 15:20) In our daily prayer time, we experience Jesus walking with us, and he helps us carry our burdens. In prayer, we receive strength to keep trusting in God during difficult times.

Persevere in prayer!

Jesus gave the example of a man who keeps knocking at his neighbor’s door, not giving up until the neighbor opens the door and helps. (Luke 11:5-10) That’s how we should be in prayer. Keep knocking, and don’t give up! But remember that prayer isn’t just about asking God for things. Give him thanks for your blessings, praise him for his goodness, and enjoy being with him!

Fred Gaskin, Branch Leader, Hampton Long and Benjamin Witcher, Financial Consultants