November 21 edition by The Island News

BEAUFORT

It’s been two weeks now. Beaufort County ballots have been counted, election results certified and political signs almost all gone.

There were few — if any — reports of polls malfeasance and the results, at least in Beaufort County, showed the 75 percent of voters who showed up wanted the same County Council AND Beaufort City Council members to stay in office.

The irony of this election is the majority of county voters, who returned incumbents to their posts, rejected the proposed one-percent transportation sales tax on the grounds of an orchestrated campaign organized by the Beaufort Tea Party of “we don’t trust those in charge.”

So, incumbents get re-elected, a transportation sales tax which would have paid for road repairs, more sidewalks, paved roads and an improved bus system, gets rejected. Safe to assume complaints about traffic issues are going to continue.

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4

Lab Monkey Freedom Run

Return to Pritchards Island

Jessica Holdman

island, accessible only by boat, to the university in 1982 to use for marine education and research. Then, in 2009, the same year

LOLITA HUCKABY

Governor Henry McMaster addresses attendees of the Return To Pritchards Island program on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at Tabby Place in Beaufort. McMaster said the work of USC Beaufort supports statewide initiatives aimed at preserving South Carolina's natural beauty and biodiversity. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Beaufort’s Ryland Vargas, 6, leaps over a keg as he makes his way to the finish line during the Lab Monkey Freedom Run hosted by Shellring Ale Works, Dustbone Apparel and Grounded Running Beaufort on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. The Lab Monkey Freedom Run was conceived by Nathan Callender, founder of Dustbone Apparel; Tim Waz of Grounded Running; and Nick Borreggine, owner of Shellring Ale Works, after 43 female rhesus macaque monkeys fled from captivity at Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Nathan Callender, founder of Dustbone Apparel; Tim Waz of Grounded Running; and Nick Borreggine, owner of Shellring Ale Works pose for a photo as they await the first of the runners to make their way to the finish line. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

The Mooney family pauses for a photo just before the start of the Lab Monkey Freedom Run hosted by Shellring Ale Works, Dustbone Apparel and Grounded Running Beaufort on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

this photo of a recent sunset. 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

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 OBNER LINDOR

American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Beaufort’s Obner Lindor, 51, who joined the U.S. Navy in Miami in 2006. After Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Ill., he attended hospital corpsman school before assignment to NAS Pensacola, from which he deployed to Kuwait. His next assignment was with the Marines at Camp Lejeune, from which he deployed to Afghanistan.

Obner Lindor

He returned to the States to specialize in radiology before a five-year tour at Quantico, Va. He next worked at Newport, R.I., where he served the school populations at OCS and the Naval War College. Moving south, he was assigned to Naval

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Time Woods Bridge

for worshipers

The open Woods Memorial Bridge has made me and many fellow worshipers late arrivers on Sunday mornings. I asked the Coast Guard to add something to their proposed ordinance, like "Openings on Sundays between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., only on the hour and halfhour,” for people trying to get to and from services. That way, we can at least time our trips to use the bridge at XY:15 a.m. and XY:45 a.m., and not get held up. And this would allow our weekend boaters to still pass through at known times on Sunday mornings. Comments can be left at www.regulations.gov, where one enters USCG-20240198, then one can click the Comments button.

– Rick Hamilton, Beaufort

We’re not ‘getting onboard’

I find it absolutely laughable when I read how some MAGA folks insist that we non-MAGA folks need to "get onboard" with the MAGA agenda. While our candidate was spreading a message of unity ("I want to be a President for all Americans"), your candidate spread his message of hatred and division. He called us "the enemy within." Why on earth would we “get onboard” with someone who considers us the enemy?

I also find it laughable when our MAGA friends (the "Let's Go Brandon!" crowd) tell us we need to behave in a civil manner. We probably will, but it won't be because of the fine example the MAGA folks have set during the past four years.

We believe the MAGA agenda is destined to fail because it is

November 21

Hospital Jacksonville, including duty in Mayport, Fla., before his transfer to the radiology clinic here at Naval Hospital Beaufort, where he works today.

– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.

absolutely contrary to the ideals and principles upon which our country was founded; ideals and principles that countless Americans have fought and died for. As loyal Americans, it is our duty to oppose the MAGA agenda. And we will.

– Peter Birschbach, Port Royal

Thanks for supporting veterans, their families

This is to thank [Mike McCombs] and The Island News for [their] fantastic support of our military and veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors. I enjoy reading Larry Dandridge's articles especially.

I have a team of volunteers in Charleston who interview veterans for the Library of Congress. We have interview sessions once a month in Charleston but we'd love to organize a group to get together in Beaufort for a session. Maybe you could mention in your publication that any veteran willing to give an interview should contact me.

The interviews are on the Library of Congress website at https:// www.loc.gov/programs/veterans-history-project/explore-the-collections/. To search for an interview, you put in a name or a key word like "Iwo Jima" or "USS Ticonderoga."

You do a huge service to the military community. Please keep it all coming.

– Margaret von Werssowetz, Mt. Pleasant

2022: HELP of Beaufort breaks ground on its new facility at 1600 Ribaut Road in Port Royal.

November 23

2023: Battery Creek High School’s Dolphin Pride Marching Band, along with the Blue Diamond Dancers and the Blue Diamond Flag Troupe, perform in the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade.

November 27

2023: Former S.C. Governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, a Republican candidate for President of the United States, holds a rally at the USC Beaufort Recreation Center at the Bluffton campus.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

PAL PETS OF THE WEEK

Dog Of The Week

Say Cheese! Fangs is always smiling, and his cheerful personality is sure to brighten your days. He is incredibly friendly and loves meeting new people. Fangs weighs 40 pounds, and his laid-back personality makes him the perfect lap dog. Whether he’s snuggling up for a nap or rolling over for a belly rub, all he wants is affection. Fangs is 5 years old, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

Cat Of The Week Could your storage facility, workshop, or barn benefit from the loyal presence of an independent-minded feline?

Boss Lady has a proven track record of deterring rodents, and she runs a tight ship. As you can see, she prefers the lofty feel of PAL’s warehouse to our

CORRECTIONS:

homelike cat rooms. But she also likes her soft, shag rug. No reason a girl can't have the best of both worlds. Boss Lady is 2 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

For more information on Fangs, Boss Lady or any of our other pets, call Palmetto Animal League at 843-645-1725 or email Info@ PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.

– Compiled by Lindsay Perry

Former Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray’s name was misspelled in the Nov. 7 edition of The Island News

In Delayna Earley’s story in the Nov. 17 edition of The Island News about local reaction to seven books being removed from school libraries by the state, USC Beaufort DAYLO chapter founding president Mickie Thompson’s statement to the Instructional Materials Review Committee was misattributed. “I’m angry. I’m scared. But I won’t be silent, and I won’t back down,” said Thompson. “That’s something that ‘Damsel’ and books like it taught me … Support your students and their right to read. Leave ‘Damsel’ in high school libraries where it belongs, and censorship does not.”

Cruise ships docking in Port Royal

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

A small cruise ship line

will be docking in Port Royal over the next few months.

American Cruise Line will be using the Safe Harbor dock for their cruise ships until just after the new year. American Cruise Line is a popular cruise line that navigates rivers and intercoastal waterways.

The first of the cruise ships, a 241-foot-long ship called American Liberty, docked in Battery Creek last week.

Typically, the cruise line has docked at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, but in July the city of Beaufort made the decision to no longer allow them to dock at the park because of the deterioration of the underwater pilings that

support it.

City officials fear that the weight of the vessels would put too much pressure on the waterfront’s infrastructure, so despite protest from downtown

businesses who rely on the tourists that come on the cruise ships for income, they said they did not have a choice in the matter.

Due to this decision, the cruise line turned to the

town of Port Royal and Safe Harbor Marinas.

The passengers from the ship are being bused to downtown Beaufort, where they are partaking in shopping, dining

and tours through the historic district.

This allows the American Cruise Lines to comply with agreements it made with local tour companies that focus on local architecture, history, Hollywood films that have been made in the area and Gullah Geechee culture.

The cruise ships that are stopping in Port Royal and Hilton Head during the fall and winter seasons are part of the southeast and holiday cruises that sail from Amelia Island, Fla., to Charleston.

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.

Grant for Charles/Craven stormwater project increased

Staff reports

Staff reports Once again, Beaufort County is reminding the public that it is asking for feedback on its Ribaut Road Corridor Improvements Plan. In a news release, the County thanked all residents and community members for their attendance and participation at the public meeting on October 25

“Our goal is to create a master plan that reflects the needs of the community, and your participation is invaluable to that process,” the release said.

An online portal is now open for the public to review the proposed design alternatives for the Ribaut Road corridor, offer further comments and feedback, and to vote for preferred alternatives. The meeting page will be open to the public through Saturday, Nov. 30

The project is overseen by SCOR, and is a state-managed project. The original estimate for the project did not anticipate that construction costs would increase as much as they have.

The City of Beaufort announced in a news release that it was recently notified that a grant it had received for $7 5 million from the South Carolina Department of Resiliency (SCOR) has been increased to $11 9 million to cover the increased costs of construction for the Charles/Craven streets stormwater project. At its Nov. 12 meeting, City Council approved an amendment to the original 2023 resolution that executed an agreement between the City of Beaufort and SCOR for the stormwater project and its funding.

The project, to mitigate flooding and draining issues, is expected to begin construction in early 2025 with an April 2026 deadline to complete it. It is one of several stormwater construction projects now being developed in the City of Beaufort.

To participate, visit the project website at https:// www.reimagineribautroad. com/meeting. Comments may be submitted through the comment form located at the bottom of the page, or by mail to P.O. Drawer 1228 Beaufort, S.C. 29901-1228 For questions or persons requiring additional assistance due to language barriers, contact the Engineering Department at 843-255-2700 County

H e i d i H a r r i n g t o n , M.D.

o provide state-of-the-art reconstructive and cosmetic surgery services to residents of the Lowcountry, Beaufort Memorial has added Heidi Harrington, M.D., to its medical staff. A board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with two decades of experience in plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, Dr. Harrington will lead the hospital’s new Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics practice in Okatie.

Prior to joining Beaufort Memorial, Dr. Harrington trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery and aesthetics in Southern California, then spent 12 years in New England working in both private practices and hospitals, launching her own practice in 2018. Among the many surgical and noninvasive plastic surgery procedures she performs, reconstructive and cosmetic breast, mommy makeovers, body contouring after weight loss, skin cancer reconstruction, facial rejuvenation, and cosmetic injection procedures are her hallmarks.

Serving breast cancer patients is a particular passion for Dr. Harrington. She is skilled in a variety of advanced techniques used in breast reconstruction and pioneered the technique of single stage direct to implant prepectoral breast reconstruction in New Hampshire and Maine, and will now offer this innovative breast cancer reconstruction technique to the women of the Lowcountry.

Board Certified – American Board of Surgery

Fellowships

Breast Surgical Oncology Fellow

Magee Women’s Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

Research Fellow – University of Pittsburgh

Residency

Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

Doctor of Medicine

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Bachelor of Science – Ohio University

Drexel

ABOUT Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics

Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics provides a comprehensive array of reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries, as well as customized aesthetic services. An experienced board-certified plastic surgeon and team of specialists achieve confidence-building results using advanced surgical and nonsurgical techniques for the face, breast and body. The team creates individualized care plans with patients to restore form and function based on each patient’s reconstructive needs and personal cosmetic goals.

In addition to office consultations for patient’s reconstructive and cosmetic concerns, Dr. Harrington and her team will offer office-based minor surgeries, as well as cosmetic procedures such as Botox and volumizing fillers at the Okatie office. More complex surgeries will take place at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

American Cruise Lines docks a cruise ship at the Safe Harbor dock on Battery Creek in Port Royal on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Former County Parks and Recreation Director fined for ethics violation

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Former Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper did not have her hearing with the South Carolina State Ethics Commission in October, but she was notified that she was cited for two ethics violations that carry fines.

After looking into two separate complaints filed about Loper, the ethics commission ultimately found evidence to support multiple ethics violations.

The state’s ethics commission cited concerns regarding the authorization of payments to Loper’s family members.

The initial complaint filed in October 2023 alleged that Loper paid members of her family to include her four sons almost $7,000 for coaching cheer camp and officiating sports as independent contractors for the Beaufort Parks and Recreation Department.

Loper, who was fired from her job with Beaufort County in October 2023, said in an interview on Beaufort County’s House of Cards, hosted by former County Council member Mike Covert, that she hired her sons because the department had a hard time finding qualified people to do the jobs.

The ethics commission found Loper’s actions were in violation of the South Carolina code of laws as public employees are prohibited from participating in decisions that economically benefit their family members.

Loper said in her interview with Covert that she went to the former County Administrator Eric Greenway, financial officials and the county’s legal department for permission, and they all gave their approval because of staffing short-

ages for the jobs.

The ethics commission did say that there is no evidence that Loper paid her son’s more than the standard rate for the jobs they did.

The commission issued a public reprimand citing five counts of ethics violations along with a civil penalty of $1 000 and a $500 administrative fee.

The second complaint filed against Loper was filed in May 2024. The complaint alleges that Loper improperly used county funds for personal expenses while in Phoenix, Ariz., on a work conference in 2022. She allegedly rented a van and house with county funds and took the van and used the van to go out to restaurants, sightseeing and to a rodeo.

It was found through an investigation that a county issued P-card was used to rent the house and van for five Beaufort County employees who attended the conference and ended up saving the county

money instead of booking individual hotel rooms.

The cost of the rental home was almost $2 500, which was almost $1 800 less than the hotel rooms were estimated to cost.

It was also found that the van was used by employees for personal activities and conference-related activities, but the personal expenses were shared among the group and did not cost the county any additional money, per the decision and order.

Despite there being no evidence in the ethics commission’s investigation to show misuse of county funds, Loper was found to have authorized her own reimbursement for her daily expenses following the conference which is a potential violation of ethics rules that prohibit self-authorization in transactions with personal financial interest.

While probable cause was found in this violation, the commission declined any punitive actions and waived further proceedings.

While Loper was the first to be cited for ethics violations, she is not the only one facing an investigation by the South Carolina State Ethics Commission.

To date, there have been at least nine recent complaints filed alleging unethical behavior by Beaufort County employees.

Three were filed against Loper, two against Greenway, one against former Capital Improvement Projects Director Eric Larson, one against former Deputy Administrator Whitney Richland, one against Special Assistant to the County Administrator Hank Amundson and one against Assistant County Administrator for Infrastructure Jared Fralix.

Beaufort Memorial celebrates opening of on-site childcare facility for employees

Staff reports Beaufort Memorial officials teamed up Friday morning with Hobbit Hill Preschools owner and State Rep. Shannon Erickson, Beaufort mayor Phil Cromer, Port Royal mayor Kevin Phillips and representatives from the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the relocation of hospital’s childcare center to a new, on-site facility. The Beaufort Memorial Learning Center, an employer-subsidized childcare program offered in partnership with Hobbit Hill Preschools began as a response to COVID-driven school closures and virtual learning schedules, and has evolved to meet the ongoing need that employees have for childcare.

Lowdown

from page A1

The state-licensed center opened in September 2020 in an existing facility on Lady’s Island, and the hospital broke ground on

the new freestanding facility on its main campus in March 2024. Construction wrapped up this summer, and the program moved into

County Council and Hilton Head

The County Council is already scratching its collective head about what to do next after receiving notice from the State Infrastructure Bank, SIB, that the $120 million set aside for the U.S. 278 bridge project, officially the William Hilton Parkway Gateway Corridor, might not be available if the county can’t come up with the $190 million needed for the local share (part of which was money coming from the sales tax … which didn’t pass).

The council members considered, even before wording for the referendum had dried on the proverbial page, what IF the referendum didn’t pass, were they gonna have to consider … dare we say … a property tax increase?

Council members last week almost unanimously said, “nope,” no property tax increase on our watch. So how will the eastbound Mackay Creek bridge, which has been listed as structurally deficient by the S.C. Department of Transportation, get fixed?

Well, council members agreed, maybe they should just turn the problem of a “deficient” bridge back to its owners, DOT. In the meantime, the council said it will be “exploring options.”

So much for the seven years the

Town Council and a whole bunch of consultants spent debating on how to improve not just that bridge but the whole roadway system connecting the island to the mainland.

A worse-case scenario thrown out during the Council meeting was handing the project back to the state engineers and letting them come up with a repair plan that very well might include closing one side for repair, then the other side. Meaning, traffic on and off the island could be narrowed to two lanes for a couple of years

Scary … a situation traffic nightmares are made of.

Councilwoman Tab Tabernik suggested, during last week’s discussion of “what next,” the council perform an “autopsy” of the election results. They could start by looking at the precinct results of the sales tax.

It might come as a surprise that with a 10,000-plus margin, the sales tax did pass in 28 of the 126 precincts, all south of the Broad River. All but one of Sun City’s 10 precincts supported the tax, some by very close margins but the support was there. Those folks are tired of the increasing traffic congestion and were willing to spend an extra penny sales tax to pay for improvements.

And right across the road, in Jasper County where voters voted yes on their sales tax referendum.

its new home.

“When COVID hit, obviously everyone went home except for hospitals and health care workers. We all

An autopsy might be valuable on the election results. But they might find out, as Councilwoman Alice Howard said, “they just don’t trust us.” Time might be better spent trying to regain that trust.

After 40 years Heritage Days parade goes single-lane

BEAUFORT – During last week’s County Council meeting, a group of about 40 St. Helena Island residents sat quietly waiting for the elected officials to discuss the future of road projects. They were present to complain about a more recent road issue –the partial closure of U.S. 21 (Sea Island Parkway) during Penn Center’s annual Heritage Days parade.

The Saturday parade, which is part of a three-day festival schedule on St. Helena, saw U.S. 21 partially closed this year, by order of the sheriff’s department.

At one time, the festival committee, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, started the parade at the St. Helena Elementary School campus and moved west along U.S. 21 to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, turning left to continue down to the Penn Center Campus.

This year, Sheriff P.J. Tanner, after meeting with community leaders, announced one lane on U.S. 21 would remain open and the parade could use one lane to reach MLK, which would remain closed until 1 p.m.

came to work – and then some,” Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley said. “We had to do this. We talk a lot about how access in Beaufort is tough for health care, but it’s probably even tougher for childcare. This is a great step in

County Council Chairman Joe Passiment made it clear to those who waited over an hour to address council that this was Tanner’s decision, not the council’s.

But those who addressed the council accused officials of sacrificing their traditions to the rights of an increasing number of motorists along the single route to and from the islands, including Fripp, Harbor, and St. Helena, all which have seen rapidly increases amount of traffic.

In past years, Tanner said in a later interview, the numbers of complaints received about traffic stops along the roadway have increased tremendously.

“You’re not talking about just an hour-and-a-half parade stopping traffic. You’re talking about another hour and a half to clear traffic,” the Sheriff said.

It’s all another sign of the times.

One more thing about those monkeys

YEMASSEE -- As the national media, looking for something to focus on rather than the Nov. 5 election results, brought attention to the growing town of Yemassee and the 43 research monkeys that escaped there, maybe you wonder about the timing.

Was the Alpha Genesis Primate Center employee blamed for not securing a gate at the research facility on some sort of protest mission? Who knows? How many conspiracy

addressing that issue.” As the organization continues its expansion of health care access in the southern part of the county, Baxley said, Beaufort Memorial has plans to develop a second childcare facility for its employees in the Okatie area.

theories can we tolerate?

In truth, the history of the Yemassee monkey farm and Morgan “Monkey” Island, is a rich one and fully outlined, back in 2019, by former Beaufort Mayor David Taub, who once ran the research operation. Taub wrote about the history in a two-part series published in The Island News in February, 2019. If you’re really interested in this interesting part of Beaufort history, find it (https:// bit.ly/3CCghHt and https://bit. ly/4exm525) and enjoy the read. Suffice to know, the history of Lowcountry research monkeys is now open to the public. Probably gone are the days when locals knew someone who had one of those monkeys, kept it as a pet and had great stories to tell about it. To date: the monkeys are slowly returning. As of Sunday, six remain free. No reports of “attacks” on residents have been recorded. Congresswoman Nancy Mace, R-SC1, has launched an investigation into operations at the research facility.

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

Shannon Loper

Students at the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Learning Center had a "hand" in decorating the ribbon, which was cut Friday morning at the childcare facility by Beaufort Memorial Assistant Vice President Allison Coppage and Hobbit Hill Preschools owner Shannon Erickson. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Berkeley

Hobbit Hill Preschools owner Shannon Erickson and Beaufort Memorial Learning Center Director Ms. Tammi. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Berkeley

St. Helena’s Church providing Thanksgiving service, meal for community

Staff reports

For the 45 th year, the community is invited to enjoy Thanksgiving service and dinner at St. Helena’s Church in Beaufort.

Since 1979, St. Helena’s Church in Beaufort has welcomed the community for a Thanksgiving service and meal. This year St. Helena’s Anglican Church will again throw open its doors to all who would like to join this special tradition.

On Thursday, Nov. 28 , the day will begin with a service at 10 : 30 a.m. at St Helena’s Church at 505 Church Street. At 11 : 30 a.m., all are invited for a Thanksgiving dinner in the Parish Hall at 507 Newcastle Street in downtown Beaufort.

The Thanksgiving worship and sit-down meal regularly draws several hundred people, with a menu of turkey dinner with cornbread stuffing, green beans, sweet potato casseroles, cranberry sauce, and a variety of desserts. Last year more than 600 meals were served. The dinner will be served from 11 : 30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Whether seeking food, fellowship or a new tradition, all are encouraged to come and join others in the community — residents and visitors alike.

Invite family, friends, neighbors and strangers. The meal is free though donations are welcome.

Church and community volunteers plan for weeks to assure that the special gathering will be both festive and welcoming. From preparing turkeys to baking pies and cookies, to arranging transportation of meals to those who cannot get out, the event involves over 150 volunteers.

All are encouraged to attend the meal in person but delivery of meals will be available to anyone who is home-bound. To place an order in advance, contact St. Helena’s church office at 843 - 522 - 1712 . The deadline for home-delivery requests is noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27

For further information contact Jai Dowell, Director of Local Missions at 843 - 522 - 1712 , Ext. 219, or email jdowell@sthelenas 1712 .org.

Turkey Trot 5K set for Thanksgiving morning Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry’s annual Turkey Trot 5K will take place in downtown Beaufort at 8 a.m., Thanksgiving Day morning, Nov. 28

Online registration for the race is open until 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26. The link to sign up for the race is https://bit.ly/4hBcoCF. After 2 p.m., Nov. 26, participants can register in person from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at Grounded Running at 2139 Boundary Street, Unit 108 in Beaufort, and at Freedom Mall on Bay Street in Beaufort on race day until 7:45 a.m.

All proceeds from the race will go directly toward building a home for a local family.

The Turkey Trot is the third race in the Beaufort Triple Crown race series, preceded by the Run Forest Run race in October and the Swing Bridge Run earlier this month.

FOHI hosting ‘The Coastal Birds of Hunting Island’

At 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, Rebecca McCollam, Shorebird Stewardship Director for the Friends of Hunting Island (FOHI), will present an educational program on the Coastal Birds of Hunting Island State Park.

McCollam will share her knowledge and experience as a birder, Shorebird Stewardship Director and master naturalist to reveal the wonder and challenges facing the many species of birds sharing our coastal beaches. This presentation will focus on identifying, explaining the biological needs and describing the threats facing the birds and ways in which we each can help them.

The importance of Hunting Island State Park and Audubon’s Shorebird Stewardship program will be emphasized. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

This program is the first in a series of events to be held by FOHI at the Park’s nature center highlighting the amazing array of wild creatures and places of coastal South Carolina and the efforts and goals of the people and organizations dedicated to their protection.

Seating is limited to only 35 people for this free event. Email Jim Prince at FOHIConservationOutreach@gmail.com to secure your spot before seats are filled.

‘Lay of the Land’ opens to the public

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is hosting a free program celebrating the opening of the park’s visitor center exhibit, “Lay of the Land.” The program will take place Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. at the park visitor center, located at 706 Craven Street in downtown Beaufort.

The Old Beaufort Firehouse in downtown Beaufort has been the visitor center for Reconstruction Era National Historical Park since the park was established in January of 2017

“For most of our park’s history, we’ve relied on borrowed exhibits from a variety of community partners, and that has been a won-

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

45th Annual

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

45th Annual Fun, food, and fellowship— Join the tradition!

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

45th Annual Fun, food, and fellowship— Join the tradition!

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Fun, food, and fellowship— Join the tradition!

45th Annual Fun, food, and fellowship— Join the tradition!

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Fun, food, and fellowship— Join the tradition!

45th Annual Fun, food, and fellowship— Join the tradition!

Thursday, November 28

A pedestrian was struck and killed Monday evening, Nov. 18 on Trask Parkway (U.S. 21 ) near the Albergottie Creek Bridge in Burton. According to S.C. Highway Patrol Master Trooper Gary Miller, at approximately 6:03 p.m., a 2001 Toyota four-door sedan was “traveling South on U.S. 21 and struck the pedestrian in the roadway.”

Thursday, November 28

All are welcome - free of charge!

Catherine Weichbrodt, 62, of Beaufort, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy was planned for Wednesday.

All are welcome - free of charge!

Service • 10:30 am

St. Helena’s Church 505 Church Street

Service • 10:30 am St. Helena’s Church 505 Church Street

Helena’s Church

Service • 10:30 am St. Helena’s Church 505

Dinner • 11:30 am-2 pm

St. Helena’s Church 505 Church Street

Dinner • 11:30 am-2 pm

• 11:30 am-2 pm

St. Helena’s Parish Hall 507 Newcastle Street

Dinner • 11:30 am-2 pm St. Helena’s Parish Hall 507 Newcastle Street

Dinner • 11:30 am-2 pm

St. Helena’s Parish Hall 507 Newcastle Street

Dinner • 11:30 am-2 pm St. Helena’s Parish Hall 507 Newcastle Street

Dinner • 11:30 am-2 pm

St. Helena’s Parish Hall 507 Newcastle Street

Delivery available for the home-bound Order by calling the church @ 843-522-1712

derful experience for the more than 50,000 people who have come to the visitor center” said Chris Barr, Chief of Interpretation for the park. “We’re excited to continue that collaborative spirit in creating our park’s first long term exhibit project.”

“Lay of the Land” was created in collaboration between park staff, volunteers, community partners, and an internship with Morehouse College alumni through the Greening Youth Foundation HBCUI program. The exhibit uses a place-based approach to share stories of locations throughout the southeastern United States to address core themes of Reconstruction: land, labor, education, citizenship, and politics, as well as the long-term consequences and legacy of Reconstruction.

The exhibit was completed in late October as part of a series of projects to improve the accessibility and visitor experience to the park.

For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www. nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www. facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS.

Pigeon Point playground survey open for public input

The City of Beaufort is seeking public input on improvements to the Pigeon Point Park playground.

The playground equipment needs to be replaced due to age, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and safety concerns.

The public is asked to provide input via a short survey on Survey Monkey at https:// bit.ly/3UPJgxz. The survey will close on Monday, Nov. 25, at noon.

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park hosting free Junior Ranger

Park Explorer Program

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is inviting the public to attend a free Junior Ranger Park Explorer Program at Camp Saxton on Friday, Nov. 29 2024 any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Exploring public lands is a great way to shake off the turkey on the day after Thanksgiving. Stop by the Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve at 601 Old Fort Road in Port Royal, part of the site of Camp Saxton to meet a park ranger, and learn about how to safely experience wildlife and preserve historic sites. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their Junior Ranger Park Explorer Badge, as well as learn about the story of Camp Saxton. This program is free and open to the public.

For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www. nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www. facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS.

County Veterans Affairs celebrating Operation Green Light

In collaboration with the National Association of Counties (NACO), Beaufort County

The driver was the sole occupant of the Toyota and was not injured. There have been no charges filed. All southbound lanes of Trask Parkway were blocked for some time and traffic was re-routed.

Veterans Affairs is celebrating Operation Green Light for Veterans for the month of November. Beaufort County's Government Buildings in the County Plaza including the Administration Building, the Arthur Horne Building and the County Courthouse will all be lighted green for the month of November.

According to NACO's website: America’s counties have a long and proud history of serving our nation’s veterans, a legacy that continues to this day as we work with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that the former service members have access to the resources they need to thrive.

"We encourage the entire Beaufort County community to join in on this initiative, shining a green light on businesses and homes," said Caroline Fermin, Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Director. "This gesture lets our military community know they are acknowledged, valued, and supported."

FEMA hiring in South Carolina

FEMA is hiring in South Carolina to support recovery from Hurricane Helene. A wide range of skills and expertise are needed.

Positions include Civil Rights Specialist; Disability Integration Advisor; Environmental And Historic Preservation (Environmental Compliance Specialist, Environmental Floodplain Specialist, Environmental Specialist, Historic Preservation Specialist); External Affairs (Creative Specialist (Writer), Digital Communications Specialist, External Affairs Specialist, Intergovernmental/Congressional Affairs Specialist, Media Relations Specialist, Program Liaison Specialist, Visual Imaging Specialist); Hazard Mitigation (Community Education Outreach Specialist, Data Integration Specialist, Hazards And Performance Analysis Specialist, Insurance Specialist); Information Technology Specialist; Interagency Recovery Coordination (Community Assistance Expert Specialist, Geospatial Data & Analytics Cell Analyst); Logistics Specialist; Public Assistance (Program Delivery Manager).

Many FEMA employees began their careers in emergency management by helping their own communities recover from a disaster, as a local hire. These temporary positions start as 120-day appointments and may be extended. Benefits include sick leave, health insurance and up to 11 paid annual holidays. Applications are being accepted online.

To see all open positions and to apply, visit USAjobs.gov, type keywords “FEMA, Local Hire” and enter your location as “South Carolina.”

Detailed information is provided for each position, including pay and benefits. More information about FEMA’s hiring process can be found on FEMA.gov/careers and the Local Hire career path at LocalHire|FEMA. gov.

All applicants must be U.S. citizens and 18 years of age or older. Additional requirements vary by position type.

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

Beaufort County Assessor hosting community events

Beaufort County Assessor Ebony Sanders is hosting multiple community events at County Library Branches to allow the public an opportunity to meet with her staff and share questions and concerns regarding real property.

Each community event will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The dates are as follows:

St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road: Tuesday, Dec. 3 Large Meeting Room. Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way: Thursday, Dec. 5 – Large Meeting Room.

Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway: Monday, Nov. 25; Monday, Dec. 16

In the event of an unforeseeable change in the date, time, or location, the Assessor’s Office webpage will be updated to reflect rescheduling. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Rigg, Appeal/BAA Coordinator at BAA@bcgov.net or 843-255-2404

A construction reminder

IPW Construction Group will continue to perform shoulder closures and temporary lane closures the entire length of Laurel Bay Road in Beaufort. Closures will take place between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday, until the end of the year. During this time, please prepare for and expect minor delays in traffic. Drivers traveling through the area are asked to please be mindful of our traffic control team and the crews working within the area. In addition, the ramp coming off U.S. 21 onto Laurel Bay Road is permanently closed.

County VA to offer End of Life Planning Seminars for veterans, families

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is hosting End of Life Planning Seminars for veterans and their families. These seminars address things veterans and their families can do today to ensure their personal effects are in order. They also discuss Veterans Affairs benefits that surviving spouses may be entitled to receive. They will be offered at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m., at convenient locations around Beaufort County:

• Tuesday, Feb. 18: Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Seabrook. Tuesday, Feb. 25: Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way.

• Tuesday, May 20: Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road. Tuesday, May 27: Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street.

RSVPs are required for space and resource purposes. Please contact Crystal at 843-255-6880 to reserve your seat. For questions and more information please contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880

– Staff reports

VIM HHI receives grant to expand services

Bank of America names Volunteers In Medicine Hilton

Staff reports

Bank of America’s Neighborhood Champions program, which provides multiyear flexible grant funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in nearly 40 communities nationwide, has named Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island Clinic (VIM HHI) as its Lowcountry 2024 Neighborhood Champion for its work providing essential, free healthcare services to uninsured, low-income residents primarily residing in Beaufort County. Through 26 medical special -

ties and five disease management clinics, including a dedicated Diabetes Clinic and Hypertension Clinic, VIM HHI addresses acute and preventive healthcare needs across the region.

As a Neighborhood Champion, Volunteers in Medicine is awarded a $ 50,000 grant over two years, leadership training resources for the organization’s executive director, access to technical coaching and a national network of nonprofit peers.

Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island Clinic, which cele -

Head Island as its 2024 Neighborhood Champion

brated more than 30 years of service last year, offers 26 free medical, dental, mental health, and wellness services to uninsured individuals. With the Neighborhood Champion grant funding, VIM HHI will implement two innovative technologies to enhance patient care and surpass national wellness benchmarks. These technologies — impedance cardiography (an advanced EKG) and machine learning integrated into electronic health records — will drive quality im

provements in managing diabe

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, Rotary Club of Beaufort honored Outstanding Service Members who were nominated by the Commanders of each of the area’s three military installations. The three recipients (from left to right) are Naval Hospital Corpsman Second Class Andrew R. Nelson, Cpl. Madison Minner from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and SSgt. Stewart S. Tauch from Headquarters Company of the Headquarters and Service Battalion onboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Amber Hewitt/ The Island News

LEGAL

Defendants.

NOTICE OF FILING TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE-NAMED: TAKE NOTICE that the Lis Pendens, Summons and Complaint were duly filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on the 7th day of July, 2023, and the Order of Publication was duly filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on the 30th day of October, 2024.

LIS PENDENS

The following is a description of the subject property, to-wit: Lot 904, Phase II, Dataw Island, St. Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina

TMS R300 005 00A 0230 0000 SUMMONS

TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE-NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer thereto upon the subscribers at their offices, 611 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the date of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within such time, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded therein.

TUPPER, GRIMSLEY, DEAN & CANADAY, P.A. By: s/James A. Grimsley III James A. Grimsley III (SC Bar #2328) Attorneys for the Plaintiff P.O. Box 2055 Beaufort, South Carolina 29901 (843/524-1116) jimgrimsley@tgdcpa.com Beaufort, South Carolina June 30, 2023

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CASE NO.: 2023-CP-07-01342 (Non-Jury)

DATAW ISLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, vs. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS, LLC; DREXEL BROOKS HOLDING COMPANY; ODELL BARNES, LLC; JAMES CARTLIN; DATAW ISLAND CLUB, INC., Defendants.

NOTICE OF FILING TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE-NAMED:

TAKE NOTICE that the Lis Pendens, Summons and Complaint were duly filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on the 7th day of July, 2023, and the Order of Publication was duly filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Beaufort County, South Carolina, on the 30th day of October, 2024. LIS PENDENS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an action has been commenced by the Plaintiff against the Defendants named herein, to foreclose a lien filed by Dataw Island Owners Association, Inc., against Real Estate Investments, LLC, recorded October 28, 2022, in Lien Book 152 at Page 2128, in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Beaufort County, South Carolina. The following is a description of the subject property, to-wit: Lot 768, Phase II, Dataw Island, St. Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina TMS R300 005 00A 0267 0000 SUMMONS TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE-NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer thereto upon the subscribers at their offices, 611 Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the date of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within such time, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded therein. TUPPER, GRIMSLEY, DEAN & CANADAY, P.A. By: s/James A. Grimsley III James A. Grimsley III (SC Bar #2328) Attorneys for the Plaintiff P.O. Box 2055 Beaufort, South Carolina 29901 (843/524-1116) jimgrimsley@tgdcpa.com Beaufort, South Carolina June 30, 2023

tes, hypertension, cholesterol, and heart failure.

Impedance cardiography provides clinicians and patients with deeper insights than a standard EKG, enhancing medication adherence and helping select optimal treatments for blood pressure control.

Additionally, VIM HHI is collaborating with a healthcare firm to pilot proprietary AI software, assessing its impact in a free clinic environment. This grant will significantly elevate VIM’s care delivery. If successful, VIM HHI’s

model could pave the way for innovation across thousands of free clinics nationwide.

“There is often the perception that free care is “OK” care,” said Dr. John Newman, Executive Director of VIM HHI. “Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island is blessed with great doctors, great nurses, engaged patients and now awesome intelligence support and new technology. We are excited what improvements these advancements will bring and how we can share it with our free clinic colleagues across the country.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, Rotary Club of Beaufort honored Outstanding Service Members who were nominated by the Commanders of each of the area’s

Headquarters and Service Battalion onboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, and Rotary President Bob Allen. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF BEAUFORT IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CASE NO.: 2023-CP-07-01344 (Non-Jury)

DATAW ISLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, vs. TAWAIN WATTS; GREGORY M. FIELDS AND MARY LOU M. FIELDS; CAROLINA HERITAGE, LLC; CRC INDUSTRIES, LLC; DATAW ISLAND CLUB, INC., Defendants.

NOTICE OF FILING

TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE-NAMED:

(Non-Jury)

DATAW ISLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, vs. FRANKIE GLOVER; THOMAS M. HUTCHINSON AND PATRICIA A. HUTCHINSON; CRC INDUSTRIES, LLC; DATAW ISLAND CLUB, INC., Defendants.

NOTICE OF FILING

TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE-NAMED:

three military installations. Pictured (from left to right) Military Affairs Chair Jim Weiskopf, Naval Hospital Corpsman Second Class Andrew R. Nelson, Cpl. Madison Minner from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and SSgt. Stewart S. Tauch from Headquarters Company of the

It’s Christmas Time Again

City of Beaufort offers free parking during holiday season

Staff reports

Once again this year, free parking will be offered during the holiday season at the Downtown Marina parking lot beginning Thanksgiving Day and running through New Year’s Day, according to a press release from the City of Beaufort.

In addition, City Council approved a Holiday Magic Parking Program at its Nov. 12 meeting that allows two free hours of parking (one time) at any City lot or on metered streets during the same time period, Thanks-

Island from page A1

Rhodes died, federal, state and private funding dried up and erosion washed the sand out from under the island’s since-demolished research center as it sat dark for more than a decade.

“It was a pretty successful research program up until funding fell off,” Ritchie said, with professors monitoring turtles, as well as oysters, fiddler crabs, shrimp and other species living in the island’s salt marsh.

The Rhodes family grew frustrated that the university was no longer using the island for its intended purpose and nearly enforced a clause in the deed that would have transferred control to the University of Georgia. McMaster intervened and last year legislators added $500 000 to the school’s budget to restart the program, including a sea turtle monitoring program that has been volunteer-operated in the college’s absence.

The money has gone to hire a couple more researchers, fund scholarships and purchase kayaks and boats to get to and from the island.

In the last year, researchers and their teams of students have set up cameras on the island to monitor snake and lizard populations. The school also has sensors in the water that pick up sounds from fish and alligators. They’ve even discovered a never-before studied dolphin population, Ritchie said.

giving through New Year’s.

Residents can get the onetime free parking in one of two ways:

• Cut out a free parking voucher from The Island News, beginning the week of Thanksgiving, or in the City’s December newsletter, which should be sent out just before Thanksgiving. Redeem the voucher for two one-hour tokens at the Park Beaufort office at 500 Carteret Street.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday

through Friday.

Or, customers can use the ParkMobile app (download from your app store). Select the option “apply promotional code” at checkout, and then enter BFTMagic to receive your two free hours.

“We feel this program will go a long way to bring shoppers to our unique shops and restaurants during our holiday season,” Downtown Operations Director Linda Roper said in the news release.

And just last week, the college put out acoustic recorders for bats. In that time, the students have already found several species of bats that are at risk of becoming endangered.

The island, untouched by the erosion controls, heavy boat traffic or people building homes that come with much of the state’s fast-growing coastal communities, provides a baseline to compare against more developed places.

“It’s a way to study a natural system that hasn’t been disturbed,” Ritchie said. “The possibilities are limitless.”

In addition to broadening scientists’ understanding, access to Pritchards also is beneficial to students pursuing a career in marine biology.

“Ordinarily, when you start a sea turtle monitoring program, new volunteers don’t get to go anywhere near a sea turtle for a couple years. They have to just watch,” Ritchie said. “We got

Graduate students from the Netherlands came as part of a study of sand dune vegetation up and down the East Coast and how those plants can help slow erosion, Ritchie added.

out there and the students were binding nests and helping babies right away.”

The state dollars have provided students with paid research internships, working with the state Department of Natural Resources before they ever graduate. This can give students an advantage in a fiercely-competitive career field and when they go on to pursue more advanced degrees.

Bringing more faculty with a broader expertise to the school also has expanded student opportunities — from tagging a great white shark as part of Ritchie’s research on microbes beneficial to the marine predator to deep sea exploration using submersibles.

“Everybody wants to be a marine biologist, but you have to have the right connections and the right background,” Ritchie said. “It’s very competitive and this helps them give a leg up.”

Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the S.C. Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier.

S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest statefocused nonprofit news organization.

University of South Carolina Beaufort students protect loggerhead sea turtle nests on Pritchards Island. Photo courtesy of USC Beaufort

Workers assemble the Christmas tree in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort. Jeff Evans/The Island News

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Options

MUSC involved in study on device that caused ‘statistically significant weight loss’

By Helen Adams

A device called Epitomee caused “statistically significant weight loss” in a 24-week trial involving nine study sites, including the Medical University of South Carolina. Patrick O’Neil, Ph.D., led MUSC’s involvement in the study. He described how the device works.

“It's a capsule that you swallow, and it changes shape. The outer part of the capsule dissolves very quickly, as soon as it gets in the stomach. The inside of the capsule is this very absorbent polymer with some bonding materials. This can absorb about 100 times its weight in water from the stomach. So that causes the device to expand into a rigid triangular shape. And it stays in the stomach like that for a while,” O’Neil said.

The device gives a feeling of fullness. “It occupies space and mechanically stimulates receptors in the stomach during the few hours that it's there. And so that can produce some stimuli that are associated with

eating more food than you will have eaten,” O’Neil said. It dissolves in about six hours and passes out of the body through the digestive system.

The study had about 280 participants across its nine locations. They took a capsule with two cups of water a half hour before a meal, two times a day. Half got Epitomee; half got a placebo capsule.

They all used an app to log every time they took a capsule, along with what they ate and drank. They also had activity monitors and smart scales that were connected to the app. And everyone got what O’Neil called state-ofthe-art behavioral, dietary and exercise lifestyle coaching for weight loss by registered dietitians, using the data the participant uploaded to the app.

All participants were overweight at the start, with a body mass index ranging from 27 to 40. An average healthy body mass index is anywhere from 18 5 to less than 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They could be prediabetic but not diabetic.

O’Neil, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at

MUSC, director of MUSC’s Weight Management Center and a former president of the Obesity Society, was pleased with the results. The average loss in the Epitomee group was 6 6% of start weight, compared with 4 6% in the placebo group, with substantial variability within each group. Fifty-six percent of the people in the Epitomee group lost at least 5% of their body weight in six months compared with 44% of the people in the placebo group. Some participants lost more than 15% of their body weight.

“If you look at it in comparison to what we see with semaglutide and tirzepatide these days, of course, it's nowhere near that. But it’s not meant to compete with that. This is meant to fill a different need,” O’Neil said. Semaglutide is the key ingredient in some of the prescription diabetes and weight loss drugs that have come out in recent years, including Ozempic and Wegovy. Tirzepatide is in Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Unlike those products,

O’Neil said the Epitomee capsule isn’t considered a medication but a device. The company that makes it, Epitomee Medical Ltd., calls it drug-free and easy to use. It announced Food and Drug Administration clearance of the device in September.

O’Neil was part of a team that presented the Epitomee study results at the Obesity Week 2024 conference in Texas this week, an event focused on science and treatment. He said he has no stake in the company. “They funded our site research site as they did all the other sites.”

O’Neil said the study found no serious adverse side effects in people who took Epitomee. It’s expected to become available in the U.S. next fall. At this time, it’s unclear what it will cost.

Source: Medical University of South Carolina. https:// web.musc.edu/about/ news-center/2024/11/08/ musc-involved-in-study-ondevice-that-caused-statisticallysignificant-weight-loss

Healing through aromatherapy

As you go through life, you may notice that some scents resonate with you more than others. For example, lavender might make you feel more relaxed, while orange might invigorate you. While you can attribute these feelings to personal fragrance preferences, many scents can have powerful effects on mood and well-being.

The science of smell. Your nose detects smells because fragrant substances give off specific molecules. When inhaled, these molecules, bind to the smell-related, or olfactory, receptors in your nose. The receptors send chemical messages through the olfactory nerve to your brain. These messages talk to the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions and stores memories. The messages also stimulate the hypothalamus, which is responsible for hormones that affect your heart rate, hunger, body temperature and mood. In response to a smell, your brain releases hormones such as:

• Serotonin: Influences mood,

sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health and blood clotting.

• Dopamine: Regulates attention, learning, memory, mood and movement.

• Endorphins: Relieve pain, reduce stress and improve mood.

This hormonal response can alleviate anxiety or reduce your perception of pain. Aromatherapy draws on this science to support the body and mind in facing physical and mental challenges.

Healing scents

Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oils or applying them in a diluted form to the skin. Essential oils are highly concentrated and fragrant plant extracts from flowers, leaves and stems. Some essential oils possess antimicrobial properties and can kill certain bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Due to their concentration, use caution if applying essential oils directly to the skin. They must

be diluted in carrier or base oils, which are also made from plants but don’t have a strong smell and don’t give off the fragrant molecules. Base oils often contain antioxidants and essential fatty acids, nourishing your skin while delivering essential oils.

Recent studies illustrate how inhaling chemicals in essential oils work on the brain and body. For example:

• Lavender and bergamot: Contain linalool, which eases anxiety and depression. Cinnamon: May reduce anxiety by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Sweet orange, rose and lavender: Act as natural sedatives, reducing cortisol, the stress hormone. Rose also boosts serotonin while decreasing cortisol.

Rosemary and clary sage: Serve as cognitive stimulants and memory enhancers. A combination of scents may produce a wide range of therapeutic effects.

To inhale the oils’ scents, you can use a nasal inhaler, a vapor diffuser, vapor balm, air spray or a cotton ball scented with a few drops of oil. Aromatherapy is often combined with a massage to enhance relaxation and overall wellness.

Finding a qualified aromatherapy practitioner: To find a certified aromatherapist, consult the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) website. Another useful resource is the Alliance of International Aromatherapists.

IMPORTANT: If you choose to use aromatherapy, keep your healthcare team informed in case you develop any kind of reactions or side effects.

Source: MayoClinic.org

Awareness of lung cancer screening remains low

By Leslie Cantu

Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in this country – and around the world, for that matter.

Scientists are working hard on new treatments. (We recently shared news of a breakthrough new treatment for small cell lung cancer).

As with other cancers, though, early detection is key Unfortunately, awareness that a lung cancer screening test exists is very low.

“We’ve got a screening test that works. It works as well, if not better, than breast and colorectal cancer screening in terms of mortality reduction. It's one of the most life-saving things we have for a cancer that kills more

people than either of those two combined,” says Dr. Gerard Silvestri, who worked with other Hollings researchers to publish a study looking at awareness of this screening test.

Lung cancer screening consists of a low-dose CT scan of the lungs. It’s a noninvasive, painless test and doesn’t require anesthesia. The scan can pick up on early-stage lung cancers, which can often be completely removed with surgery. Importantly, eligible patients should get a scan every year so that doctors can look for changes.

Across the nation, less than a fifth of those eligible for the test are getting it.

“Overall, the uptake of

lung cancer screening writ large is somewhere between 16% and 20% – and that's an optimistic estimate,” Silvestri said.

Who should get this screening test? If you or a loved one fits these criteria, talk to your health care provider about getting screened if you: Are between the ages of 50 and 80 and Have a 20-pack-year cigarette smoking history (one pack a day for 20 years; two packs a day for 10 years, etc.) and Currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years.

Source: https:// hollingscancercenter.musc.edu/news/

archive/2024/11/04/awarenessof-lung-cancer-screening-remainslow

Sonawane K, Garg A, Toll BA, Deshmukh AA, Silvestri GA. Lung Cancer Screening Communication in the US, 2022. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(11):e2442811 doi:10 1001/ jamanetworkopen.2024

New woman-specific recommendations from American Stroke Association

By Helen Adams

Some new recommendations from the American Stroke Association apply to a group that may be surprised to hear them: young women. “Women have risk factors that are not present in men during the childbearing and the post-menopausal period,” said Ghada Mohamed, M.D. She’s a stroke neurologist with the MUSC Health Comprehensive Stroke Institute.

The recommendations come in the 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke. The Stroke Association now recommends that women and their doctors keep an eye on the following risk factors:

High blood pressure during pregnancy and within six weeks of having a baby.

Recurrent pregnancy loss.

Use of oral contraceptives or hormonal therapy.

Premature birth.

Presence of endometriosis.

Premature ovarian failure.

Early menopause.

The Stroke Association also lists transgender women and gender-diverse people taking estrogen for gender affirmation as running a higher risk of having strokes due to the estrogen component. Mohamed said hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms can increase stroke risk as well, especially for those with histories of cancer or clotting disorders.

The good news: Screening for stroke risk factors and modifying or treating them when possible

can greatly reduce the odds that someone will suffer a stroke. “It's good to have this subcategory to address those specific factors that are related to women to increase the awareness about these potential risk factors and the best way to modify them,” Mohamed said.

Bigger picture

What happens during a stroke? A blood vessel to the brain is blocked by a clot or rup-

care TALK ©

tures. That restricts blood and oxygen flow, causing brain cells to die. Who’s most likely to have a stroke? The average age is someone in their 60s, Mohamed said. But previous research has drawn some distinctions involving age and sex. A 2022 report in the journal Stroke found that women age 35 and younger were more likely to have strokes than men in that age range. The gender differ-

Tips for Combating 'Decision Fatigue'

Every day, we make dozens of decisions and that can leave some people feeling exhausted. A psychologist offers advice on how to handle 'decision fatigue.'

Every day, we make dozens of decisions—some big, some small. And when you add them all up, it can leave a person feeling exhausted.

“’Decision fatigue’ is the mental exhaustion that we experience from making many decisions in one day. It can lead to poor decision-making, or difficulty making decisions and choices,” explains Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Albers said ‘decision fatigue’ can also lead to procrastination, avoiding decisions, feeling paralyzed, emotional fog and impulsive decisions.

So, what can someone do to relieve their fatigue? To start, she suggests creating a routine. This way you know what to expect each day. The same goes for limiting your options, like with what to eat for dinner. You could do

meatless Mondays or taco Tuesdays. Staying organized with a calendar can be another good tool. And don’t be afraid to delegate decisions. For example, if your child is old enough, let them pick out their clothes. This teaches them independence and eases your mental load. Finally, make sure you’re getting enough sleep.

“The number one cause of decision fatigue is being sleep deprived. Studies

have shown that we struggle to make decisions when we are overly tired or feeling fatigued,” said Dr. Albers. “The best defense and way to buffer yourself from decision fatigue is to get a good night's sleep.” If you are still feeling overwhelmed in your dayto-day life, it’s best to consult with a mental health professional. They can provide more advice on how to navigate any challenges.

Source: https://newsroom. clevelandclinic.org/2024/11/04/ tips-for-combating-decision-fatigue

ence dissolved in the 35 to 45 age range. In people 46 to 75, men had more strokes. Beyond that, women led the way. They tend to live longer than men.

How common are strokes? Almost 800 000 Americans have one each year. That’s about one every 40 seconds.

What are the leading causes of strokes? Having had a previous stroke is up there. So are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and sickle cell disease. Lifestyle choices can raise the risk as well. They include a diet high in fat, lack of physical activity, too much alcohol, tobacco use and secondhand smoke.

What are the signs someone is having a stroke? Mohamed said people can take the actions represented by the acronym BE FAST

B stands for balance. “A sudden onset of acute severe dizziness, vertigo, the room is spinning,” Mohamed said of the feeling involved.

E stands for eyes. “Look for acute vision change, loss of vision, double vision. Part of the vision is gone or severely blurred.”

F stands for face. “There can be facial droop.”

A stands for arm. “Look for arm weakness.”

S stands for speech. “That’s speech disturbance, whether it's slurred speech, the ability

to get the words out or the inability to understand what the people are talking about.”

T stands for time to call 911

“If the patient developed any of those symptoms, especially if they never had them before, call 911.”

After making that 911 call, Mohamed said people sometimes try to figure out what they can do to help the person who had the stroke while they wait for an ambulance.

Her advice: “You can check the blood sugar if they have a blood sugar machine because sometimes hypoglycemia can mimic symptoms of stroke. But otherwise, I don't recommend people giving their folks or family members aspirin because we don't know if it's ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke.”

An ischemic stroke, the more common type, involves a blockage of a blood vessel. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures.

In any case, wait for emergency help to arrive, with experts who can determine the next steps, Mohamed said. And be aware of not only symptoms but also risk factors – including the new woman-focused recommendations. “I was really happy to see those,” Mohamed said.

Source: https://web.musc.edu/about/ news-center/2024/10/30/new-womanspecific-recommendations-from-americanstroke-association

Miler Orthodontics celebrates grand opening of Bluffton and Beaufort locations

Dr. Sherwood Miler announces the grand opening of Miler Orthodontics in Bluffton and Beaufort, marking a new chapter for the decade-old practice under his ownership.

“We are thrilled to continue our 10-year legacy in the Lowcountry under our new name, Miler Orthodontics," said Dr. Sherwood Miler. "My time as a Navy Dentist at Parris Island taught me the value of precision and dedication and I'm honored to continue serving our community, now through orthodontic care."

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies at both locations welcomed local leaders and showcased the practice's advanced treatments and welcoming environment.

Locations: Bluffton: 337 Buckwalter Place Blvd (843) 815-2521

Beaufort: 1600 Burnside St., Ste. 105 (843) 379-9200

Miler Orthodontics offers complimentary exams and X-rays, flexible financing, and braces and aligners for all ages. No referrals needed for consultations. For appointments or information, visit milerorthodontics.com or contact either office.

“Our goal remains to provide high-quality, personalized orthodontic care in a welcoming environment, and we are excited to serve both our existing and new patients. We’re deeply committed to our Lowcountry community, actively supporting local organizations and creating smiles in the area we call home.”

Miler Orthodontics is located at 1600 Burnside St., Ste. 105 in Beaufort. Photo provided

In a stroke, a blood vessel to the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures. That restricts blood and oxygen flow, causing brain cells to die. Photo by Anna Shvets.

ART

Budding Artist

After-School Art Club

4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15

p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.

CALENDAR

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

9 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. Presented by Beaufort Area Hospitality Association.

Beaufort Oyster Festival Saturday, Jan. 18 & Sunday Jan. 19, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort.

50th Beaufort

Charities Festival Friday & Saturday, Feb. 28 & March 1, Live Oaks Park, Port Royal. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights. Oyster roast all day Saturday.

Lowcountry Food Truck Festival

11 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 1404 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.

Karaoke with Melissa

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

Karaoke with Melissa

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Trivia with Tom – Bricks On Boundary

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Karaoke at Willie’s

8 p.m., Thursdays, Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. Come and showcase your singing talents or just enjoy the performances. For more information, visit www.GullahLove.com.

Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market

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

Habersham Farmers Market

3 to 6 p.m., Fridays, Habersham Marketplace. Vendor roster includes B&E Farm, Cottonwood Soap, Flower Power Treats, Hardee Greens, Megs Sweet Treats, Vitamin Bee, Lady’s Island Oyster Company, Pet Wants.

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Fridays, Rosie O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy Karaoke with Parker.

Karaoke with Melissa

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

Port Royal Farmers Market

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING

alfarmersmarket on Facebook or call 843-295-0058.

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

7 p.m., Saturdays, The Beaufort Moose Lodge, 350 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with Lt. Dan. Come early at 6 p.m. for Steak Night.

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

Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud

9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Students and other volunteers will read to young children, who are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals.

Karaoke with Melissa

8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, Peaceful Henry’s Cigar Bar, 181 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

CHRISTMAS

Lowco Gardeners

Christmas Market

3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, Lowco Gardeners, 1 Marina Blvd., Beaufort. Shopping 3 to 5:30 p.m.; Tree lighting 5:30 p.m.; Movie 6 p.m.

Smile For Santa

9:30 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Port Royal Farmers Market Gazebo. Sponsored by the Beaufort Garden Club. Adults, Children, Grandchildren or Pets.

Christmas Movie Night Meets

Night On The Town

6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, 1301 Bay Street, in front of the Best Western, Beaufort. Movies include The Grinch and Disney’s The Santa Clause. Bring your own chairs. Free hot chocolate and popcorn. Sponsored by Stokes Honda Cars of Beaufort; Harvey & Battey, Attorneys at Law; and The City of Beaufort 13th annual Nativity

Celebration

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7; Noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, 1201 North Street. Public is welcome for this free community eventcelebrating the Christmas story with more than 150 nativities from around the world.

Christmas Extravaganza

With The Cox Team

1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, 1304 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. Crafts, treats, bounce house, face painting, Santa & Mrs. Claus and more. Sponsored by Stephanie Cox, The Cox Team, EXP Realty and Melanie Ott with Gateway Mortgage Group. Family, friends, clients, associates -let’s get together for a fun afternoon spreading holiday cheer.

Town of Yemassee

Christmas Tree Lighting & Christmas Party

6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, downtown Yemassee. Activities include hayrides, refreshments, pictures with Santa, bingo, painting and more.

DANCE

The Beaufort Shag Club

6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.

EMPLOYMENT

Veteran Job Fair

3 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, Building 12, Technical College of the Lowcountry, 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort. Register at https://bit.ly/4hFO6r9.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes

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

BEMER Circulation Therapy

10 to 11 a.m., Fridays via Zoom. Already own a BEMER? Never heard of it but curious? Join to ask any questions about this leading-edge German technology that enhances blood flow 30% in 8 minutes. Sessions are designed to support those who have their own unit but everyone is welcome. Brought to you by BEMER Specialist -- Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.

HISTORY

Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal

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

The Historic Port Royal Museum

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

Tour Historic Fort Fremont

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

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

“Lego” With Lego 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. Ages 5 and up. No registration required. Come see our new and improved Lego Club. Choose one of our new Lego kits and get going. Call 843-255-6540 for more information.

Career Navigator

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Tuesday, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free one-on-one resume writing and job application assistance with a Career Navigator from Palmetto Goodwill. No appointments necessary. For more information call 843-255-6458.

Bridge Club

11 a.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Beginning September 18. The first session is for beginners new to the game, and following sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.

Mahjong Club

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.

MEETINGS

Zonta Club of Beaufort

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

Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting

12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Social gathering every 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.

Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of

each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www.seaislandrotary.org.

Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub.org.

The Beaufort Trailblazers –A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, Herban Marketplace, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building off-road/ dirt/wilderness mountain biking/jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-5750021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.

Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 9177082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.

Rotary Club of the Lowcountry 7:30 a.m., Fridays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady's Island Dr., Ladys' Island. Catered breakfast from local chef. Speakers weekly. Occasional social events replace Friday mornings, but will be announced on our website, www.rotaryclubofthelowcountrybeaufort.org.

Deas Guyz

MUSIC

7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29; Willie's Bar and Grill, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Saint Helena Island. $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit www.GullahLove.com.

Habersham Third Fridays Music on Market 5 to 8 p.m., third Friday of the month, Habersham Marketplace.

OUTDOORS/NATURE

The Coastal Birds of Hunting Island

2:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, Hunting Island Nature Center. An educational talk with Rebecca McCollam, the Shorebird Stewardship Director for the Friends of Hunting Island. Learn how to identify common coastal birds, the challenges they face, and what we can do to help them. Space is limited, contact FOHIConservationOutreach@ gmail.com to reserve a seat.

The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees.

The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.

Tours of Hunting Island

Every Tuesday, Hunting Island State Park, 2555 Sea Island Pkwy. Free, park entry fees apply. Sponsored by Friends of Hunting Island Keeper Ted and his team. For more information call the Hunting Island Nature Center at 843-838-7437. The next Tuesday is August 1.

RUNNING/WALKING

Habitat for Humanity Turkey Trot 5K 8 a.m., Thanksgiving Day morning, Thursday, Nov. 28, downtown Beaufort. Online registration for the race is open until 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26. The link to sign up for the race is https://bit.ly/4hBcoCF. After 2 p.m., Nov. 26, participants can register in person from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at Grounded Running at 2139 Boundary Street,

Unit 108 in Beaufort, and at Freedom Mall on Bay Street in Beaufort on race day until 7:45 a.m. All proceeds from the race will go directly toward building a home for a local family. The Turkey Trot is the third race in the Beaufort Triple Crown race series, preceded by the Run Forest Run race in October and the Swing Bridge Run earlier this month.

Palmetto Bluff Turkey Trot 9 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 28, Wilson Village Green, 2 Village Park Square, Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton. All proceeds from the registration fees will be donated to Memory Matters, a nonprofit organization supporting families and individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. General Public Race packet pick up is from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26 at New Palmetto Running Company, 25 Minetta Lane, Bluffton. Adult registration fee is $35, and kids fun run is $25. Online registration closes at 11:59 a.m., Monday, Nov. 25. Strollers and dogs welcome. Overall turkey trophies to top overall finishers male and female. Medals to top three in each age division: 12U, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 5059, 60-69, 70-79, 80+. Plus, top three dog finishers. Register at https://bit.ly/48UZLyl.

SEWING/QUILTING

Sea Island Quilters Meeting

6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, in-person and by Zoom, Carteret Street United Methodist Church, 408 Carteret Street, Beaufort. We are holding an auction. Bring what you would like to see auctioned off. Join the Zoom Meeting at https:// bit.ly/3V01j4d. Meeting ID: 853 9314 9065. Passcode: 847145. American Needlepoint Guild Meeting 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@needlepoint.org.

Embroidery Guild of America Meeting

Second Tuesday of every month, Palmetto Electric Community Room, Hardeeville. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in any type of embroidery including needlepoint, cross-stitch, surface and beaded embroidery, hardanger, bargello, sashiko, etc., to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.

Autumn Exhibit of Embroidery Techniques 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway, Lobeco. This time is for an Artist Meet & Greet. The Lowcountry Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America is hosting an Autumn Exhibit of Embroidery Techniques through mid-November. Refreshments will be served at the Meet & Greet. Drop in to meet the artists behind the creative pieces on display. For more information, please contact the llbrary at 843-2556479 or beaufortcountylibrary. org or the Embroidery Guild at lowcountrychapter@egacarolinas.org.

SPORTS/GAMES

ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret St. Events will be held weekly. Contact Director and Club Manager Susan DeFoe at 843-597-2541 for location. Bridge Club

11 a.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library. The first session is for beginners new to the game, and following sessions will provide some instruction and we will learn as we play. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843255-6458 for more information.

Beaufort Masters Swim Team

6 to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, Wardle Family Port Royal YMCA. Coached practices. Ages 18 & older, all skill & speed levels, no prior swim team experience needed. Visit lowcountryswimming.com for more information.

DAYLO honored with SCLA Intellectual Freedom Award

Staff reports

DAYLO was recently awarded an honorable mention for the South Carolina Library Association’s 2024 Intellectual Freedom Award. Presented at the SCLA’s statewide conference in Columbia, the Intellectual Freedom Award recognizes those in the library services and advocacy community who have contributed to an awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues in South Carolina libraries — on the local, state, or national level.

Founded in 2021, DAYLO, or Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, is a student-led book club and community literacy service group fostering empathy and understanding through the power of story, with a growing number of chapters across South Carolina, including five chapters in Beaufort County.

According to a release from DAYLO, “The student leaders and advisors of DAYLO, and their mentors Claire Bennett and Jonathan Haupt, are honored to be commended by the SCLA with this honorable mention — and all the more so in a year in which the Intellectual Freedom Award was

DAYLO — Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization — was awarded an honorable mention for the South Carolina Library Association’s 2024 Intellectual Freedom Award. Submitted photo.

presented to past S.C. Association of School Librarians (SCASL) president Tamara Cox.”

Earlier this year, DAYLO was also recognized with a national commendation from the American Association of School Librarians at the recommendation of the SCASL and presented by Tamara Cox at the statewide SCASL conference. The South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) also awarded DAYLO their Richard W. Riley Award for Human & Civil

Rights at their statewide awards dinner.

DAYLO was first established at Beaufort High in 2021 by Holland Perryman, then a high school junior, inspired by literary and social justice community programs she experienced as an intern of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center.

During the 2022-2023 school year, six DAYLO students from Beaufort High, Beaufort Academy, and Battery Creek High

Nexus Care of Beaufort hosting another Youth Leadership STAR Program

Staff reports Nexus Care of Beaufort County and the All Aboard Beaufort Coalition are partnering to host another Youth Leadership STAR Program. The program is open to all 6th through 12th graders in Beaufort County.

The STAR program helps students Strive To Achieve Resiliency against alcohol and substance misuse.

The leadership program will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21 at the St. Helena Branch Library at 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road.

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month, excluding December and July, at the Saint Helena Island Library. Each session offers a unique, stand-alone message that provides value on its own, so attendance is encouraged even if not every meeting is possible. While each session builds upon the last, the core message is always accessible to everyone, regardless of prior attendance. This is an opportunity to make new friends, be creative and learn new leadership skills. The goal of the program is to work together to reduce youth substance misuse and pro-

mote resiliency. Supplies and food will be provided. Please register by contacting Jodie Martinez at jodie.martinez@bcgov. net. For more information, please contact Nexus Care of Beaufort at 843-2556001

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Sea Islands Heritage Academy hosting fall festival

Sea Islands Heritage Academy is hosting a Fall Festival and Day of Gratitude on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 10-B Holly Hall Road featuring local food trucks, crafts, vendors, and activities for all ages. Tours of the school are also available. Call 843-6944984 to request a tour.

TCL holding online auction Technical College of the Lowcountry’s Online Auction is offering more than 100 exclusive items — from golf packages, whiskey, wine, getaways and more. Every bid supports TCL students, faculty, and pro-

grams, along with the Culinary Institute of the South. The Online Auction is part of the sold-out sixth annual Chefs' Table Benefit Fundraiser, but you don’t need to attend to participate and make a difference. Registration is free, and you only pay if you win. The auction ends at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. Visit https://bit.ly/3ApmqpS to browse items and register to join in the fun.

Seabrook’s Yandle named to UMCG President's List

Steven Yandle of Seabrook earned a Bachelor of Science in Data Science in the summer 2024 term and was named to the President's List at University of

Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).

To qualify for the prestigious list at UMGC, a student must have graduated with a bachelor's or master's degree and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4 0

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland with more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland.

– Staff reports

spoke out in public comments at Beaufort County School Board meetings in response to challenges against 97 books in district school libraries. Earlier this year, five DAYLO students from Beaufort High, Beaufort Academy, USC Beaufort, and Charleston’s Academic Magnet High School also spoke publicly against statewide restrictions impacting the freedom to read, as documented in a nationally broadcast segment for Nick News. The inspiring ad-

vocacy of DAYLO students has led to additional opportunities regionally and nationally, and has empowered the creation of new DAYLO chapters across South Carolina.

To learn more about DAYLO’s pro-literacy community service outreach and continued advocacy for the right to read freely, please follow DAYLO on Instagram at www.instagram.com/daylo_reads or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DAYLO.reads.

Heritage Classic Foundation Scholar applications available

Staff reports Applications for the 2025 Heritage Classic Foundation Scholar Awards are now available online for all Beaufort and Jasper County High School Seniors.

The Heritage Classic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and host to South Carolina’s annual RBC Heritage PGA TOUR golf tournament.

The Heritage Classic Foundation Scholarship application is located through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s scholarship portal. Students must create a username and password to access the application using this link: https://bit. ly/4hThZUZ.

The Heritage Classic Foundation will name eleven new Scholars from the 2025 graduating class. Each Scholar will have an opportunity to receive a 4-year grant totaling up to $16,000 or $20,000

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

1 Student must be a high school senior.

2 Student must have a 3 5 or greater unweighted GPA on the S.C. Uni-

form Grading Scale.

3 Student must be a legal U.S. citizen.

4 Student must be a legal resident of Beaufort or Jasper County.

5 Student’s parents/guardians combined adjusted annual income must be less than $150 000

6 Student must enter college within one year after high school graduation.

7 Student must attend high school in Beaufort or Jasper County. We will also accept homeschooling and Governor’s School applicants.

Since this Scholar program was instituted in 1993 386 graduating seniors have been named Heritage Scholars. These grants, to a college of the student’s choice, have totaled more than $5 38 million. All applications must be completed by January 15, 2025

The 2025 Scholars will be recognized at the 57th annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, which will be held at the Harbour Town Golf Links from April 14-20, 2025

Sea Pines Resort establishes scholarship at USCB

Staff reports The Sea Pines Resort has established an endowed scholarship at the University of South Carolina Beaufort through its nonprofit organization, The Sea Pines Resort Community Fund, according to a release from USC Beaufort.

The need-based scholarship will be awarded annually to a student majoring in Hospitality Management.

“USCB’s hospitality management program is so important to our community,” said Steve Birdwell, President of The Sea Pines Resort. “With this scholarship, we hope to create opportunities for students to succeed both academically and professionally and know that our commitment will benefit Hilton Head Island for years to come.”

USCB offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management. The program is based at the university’s Hilton Head Island campus. In addition to coursework, students gain valuable hands-on work experience at the island’s world-class hotels and resorts, including The Sea Pines Resort. Graduates of the program work in leadership and management positions in a wide range of settings including lodging, food service, golf courses, resort operations, arenas, private clubs and retirement facilities.

From left, Tim Daniels, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations at USCB; Mirna Tomic, Director of Human Resources for The Sea Pines Resort; Al M. Panu, Chancellor of USCB; and Steven M. Birdwell, President of The Sea Pines Resort. James Jolly/USCB

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.

SPORTS&RECREATION

Warriors ousted in first round

By Tim Alonso LowcoSports.com

The Whale Branch Warriors’ hopes of a deep playoff run came to an end Friday with a 34-18 loss to Kingstree, capping off a tough season for the program.

Despite the defeat, head coach Jerry Hatcher praised the effort of his players, particularly in the second half.

“We played a really good second half, we were just too far down,” Hatcher said, noting that the line play, which had been the team’s biggest strength all year, continued

to stand out even in the loss.

One of the game's other bright spots was Dayaun Brown, who capped off a great senior season with one of his best performances.

“Dayaun Brown had the game of his life,” Hatcher said. “He scored all three touchdowns and had well over 100 yards receiving.”

One of the touchdowns came on a 45-yard catch, but his biggest play of the night was a 53- yard reception to put the Warriors in scoring position.

The loss concluded the first losing season for Whale Branch (4-6)

since 2013, a fact that Hatcher attributed to a grueling schedule and key positional challenges.

“We had a really tough schedule and played some really close games,” he explained.

Hatcher also pointed to the need for improvement at linebacker, an area the team had struggled to solidify, but he remains optimistic about the program’s future.

“We’ve got to be better at the linebacker spot,” he said. “We were moving guys around all year, but going into next year, we’re going to really develop those spots.”

Beaufort High signings

Kingstree Blazer Tyleek Dukes (4) is stopped by a group of Whale Branch Warriors on Friday, Nov. 15, in the SCHSL 2A playoffs. Whale Branch lost at home, 34-18. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Whale Branch Warriors Jermon Bowers (10) and Davin Evans (8) stop Kingstree Blazer Tyleek Dukes (4) on Friday, Nov. 15, in the SCHSL 2A playoffs. Whale Branch lost at home, 34-18. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

Beaufort High School’s Susan Cushman, pictured surrounded by her family, has signed to swim at Virginia Military Institute. Photo courtesy of Beaufort High School

Beaufort High School’s Selena Duncan, pictured surrounded by her family, has signed to play soccer at Longwood University. Photo courtesy of Beaufort High School

Whale Branch’s Jermon Bowers (10) runs the ball Friday, Nov. 15. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

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

We missed our own malaise this time around

It is early, raining, and I’m in Port Royal. This morning the news lingers on the election. Why did the Democrats lose? Who didn’t show up? What went wrong with the polling?

But Fox, MSNBC, CNN and the ever-expanding corps of “explainers” and “influencers” seem to agree that this was an honest election.

We should, I suppose, take some comfort in the fact that the voting machines were not infected by Russia’s FSB; were not pre-programmed by Venezuelans; and there wasn’t any significant turn-out of the dead.

Apparently there were Republican lawyers ready to file petitions to stop the counting and seize the tainted ballots; but now most of those disappointed litigators will return to their offices and wait for a call that may get them a job in

Ta marble-clad building on Independence Avenue.

The new Administration has its “mandate” — roughly one half (49 96 percent as of Monday at 5 p.m.) of the American electorate wanted a radically different government. Some of that cohort want no government at all — or at least no rule-making bureaucracy to slow down the laying of pipelines; the burning of coal; the expansion of crypto. A big part of that majority believes that government “is the problem.”

Part of this cohort also believes that they have been ignored; lectured to about

racism, sexism and gender reassignment; and lied to about the border. Part of this cohort believes that inflation is (entirely) the fault of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris; and most of this majority doesn't just want changes on the margins.

Many of my friends say this running-of-the-table; and the changes in the Supreme Court; signal a seismic shift that will remain in place for the rest of our lives. Since most of my friends are in their late 70s we are, I suppose, talking 10 years at best. They also point to an acknowledged effort to put young, partisan Turks into every nook and closet of the vast Federal edifice. And so, perhaps, I should be alarmed by all of this and Susan and I should re-examine the expiration dates on our passports.

But I’ve been here before. Actually, we’ve all been here before.

I was alive, mostly

sentient and sober in 1980 when Jimmy Carter was swept out of office by Ronald Reagan’s revolution. In 1979, Carter was struggling with Iran — the Revolutionary Guards had invaded the U.S. Embassy taking 50 diplomats hostage. They held those hostages for 444 days during which major newscasters began their evening program sonorously saying, “It has been 150 days since the hostages were taken in Tehran.”

At the same time, Soviet-backed rebels were making gains in Ethiopia, Angola and Mozambique. More importantly there was high inflation, high unemployment and frequent spikes in the cost of gasoline.

Jimmy Carter — after taking a national poll showing widespread discontent — gave a speech wherein he said there was “malaise” drifting across the countryside.

“It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt of the meaning of our own lives and the loss of unity and purpose as a nation. The erosion of confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and political fabric of the nation.”

Notwithstanding Carter’s candor, he harvested only 41 Electoral Votes in his subsequent race with Ronald Reagan.

I am not saying that the current frustration with our government was exactly the same in 2024 as it was in 1980 — there were no hostages this time around. But there was inflation, the mile-high cost of bacon and biscuits mixed with the fear of a migrant invasion that was not all that different from the humiliation from the kidnapping of American diplomats and the “malaise” paired with that humiliation.

I do not need to say that in 1992 a Democrat named Clinton got to sit in the Oval Office on the strength of his predecessor’s declining economy. Nor do I need to remind my long suffering readers that in 2008, another Democrat named Obama, won the White House during a dramatic nose dive in the Stock Market — many Americans watching their retirement savings evaporate. In 1980, Jimmy Carter did an internal poll and discovered that most of America was angry or overwhelmed. He saw what was coming and his speech was a kind of “Hail Mary” pass. This time our pollsters somehow, someway missed our own malaise saying that Harris had a slight lead going into the election.

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

City getting into shelter business?

he guy you don’t want to be is Beaufort’s Mitchell Ginsberg. Because once you have taken the step, history shows it is politically next to impossible to take it back. Who was Mitchell Ginsberg? Or, as he was known at the time in New York Daily News headlines: “Come-and-Get-It Ginsberg.” Although he went to his just reward nearly 30 years ago now, Mitchell Ginsberg is still vilified in New York City government circles. Why? Because he was the Human Resources Administrator under New York Mayor John Lindsay who in 1968 threw open the city’s welfare programs to any and all who wished to apply.

And then he bragged about his innovative approach as “a new national model” to every media outlet who would have him so that they would carry the great news nationwide.

Ginsberg single-handedly created the moment when New York City became mecca for all those individuals everywhere who might be looking for a handout. There was no residency requirement: just show up, sign up, and get on the dole was all there was to it. And today with more that

L15,000 of the city’s hotel and motel rooms filled daily with individuals whose stay is being paid for by the government, there’s politically still no going back.

In just the first year of Ginsberg’s new, big-hearted, comeone-come-all program, New York’s welfare caseload more than doubled with the city’s share of the costs jumping from $400 million to more than a billion dollars. But that was just the beginning. Because welfare recipients were automatically eligible for the city’s generous Medicaid program, those costs rose more. Altogether the new program hit the city’s budget for nearly $2 billion in its first year, and the costs have been rising ever since. What does all that have to do with Beaufort?

To me, the eye-popping moment in the recent Beaufort

candidates’ forum at USCB was when two sitting members of the Beaufort City Council suggested they would be interested in exploring on a modest basis getting Beaufort into the homeless shelter business. That was a new one.

Let me say here, right from the jump, kudos go to the Rooms of Grace program that is currently in the Lobeco area housing, feeding and counseling homeless men. And the same goes for all the efforts that other non-profit groups, including our churches, are making to feed and clothe our neighbors who are in need.

But is getting the city into the shelter business the way to go?

First, are there any reasonable alternatives?

A four-county detention center in Hampton County in the undeveloped area west of Yemassee (after all the loose monkeys have finally been accounted for) has been floated in law enforcement circles.

From the perspective of Beaufort’s homeless issues, a regional detention facility elsewhere would at least eliminate the instances of individuals from who-knows-where getting out of the Ribaut Road lock-up with no-

where to go; stepping across the street with their last few bucks to enjoy a second-to-none Maryland Fried Chicken lunch; noting the friendly folks and comfortable surroundings of America’s often-cited No. 1 small town; and deciding to stay.

Also, no one, I am told, has contacted the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless to see if that organization on a contract basis might be willing to undertake addressing Beaufort County’s homeless needs. There is -- however tenuous -- precedent for working with Savannah.

In the “old Beaufort” days (of which I was a part) the cops and the lawyers and the judge used to sometimes all chip in to buy a bus ticket to Savannah for a newly free offender who was conveying unmistakably his reluctance to pursue one or more of the legitimate local revenue generating opportunities that were available to him in Beaufort County.

That was a somewhat more sensitive approach than the occasional old practice (not policy!) of loading wandering, unknown and apparently indigent men into the back seats of Beaufort squad cars for a one-way ride to that I-95 rest area just north of the

Yemassee exits.

“That fella,” the cops used to say, “looked like he’d do better in a big city like New York or Miami where they have the services to help him.”

Which brings me back to the proposed “modest” Beaufort shelter. It’s not just the building. Or the meals. Or the liability. Or the around-the-clock, highly-trained and credentialed managers who will have to be hired to run the program. Nor is it the inevitable degradation of the surrounding neighborhood. It’s also the cost of the medical care; the cost of the psychiatric services; the cost of the addiction counseling services; the cost of the job counseling; the cost of the housing counseling services … for starters … that add up.

Count me with the cops on this one: there are some individuals who will do better in a big city where there are deeper pockets to provide the specialized services they need. R.I.P. Mitchell Ginsberg.

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.

Contemplating what’s important

ast week, after the election results, I determined I wouldn’t let myself fall prey to depression. I have traveled that road before, with all its inherent pot holes, and, if at all possible, I will seek a detour every time.

My search for that alternate route took me to Atlanta where both of my daughters’ families, as well as my granddaughters, live. There is nothing like family to bolster you when you feel as though the bottom has suddenly dropped out, taking you with it. Truth be known, however, seeing my great grandson was the lure that said, “Pack your bags and get out of Dodge, or in this case, Beaufort.”

This child warms my heart in a way that brings me out of the doldrums and

into the sunshine every time. His smile is all I needed to forget, even temporarily, the state of the union or whatever we are calling it now.

So on Sunday morning, I put gas in my car ($2 68 a gallon, but I digress) and headed west on Interstate 16 across Georgia, and then north on Interstate 75. I was going to make this week the one that soothed the savage beast, even if I died trying.

The latter statement could well have occurred since I feel it is necessary to

mention that ours is a house divided. Yes, some of those with whom I would spend the upcoming week are diehard Republicans, so I really didn’t know what I might face although I was pretty sure the election wouldn’t be a topic of conversation. Of course, that excludes my younger granddaughter about whom I wrote last week. She and I managed to squeeze in some time late at night to compare notes and commiserate! If you believe misery loves company, we were living proof at that time. Thankfully, those on the other side of the fence weren’t any more anxious to engage in the “unspoken” than I, and family ties won out. Furthermore, we didn’t watch the news, and that was the absolute best thing for me. Out of sight, out of

mind … almost. Let me take a moment to address something that added a dimension of clarity to my thoughts as I traveled west. I don’t remember at what exact point I began to see a massive number of uprooted trees or those simply snapped off. It has to have been a 20-mile swath, at least, and it was a reminder of what hurricane Helene wrought. This devastation occurred a few weeks back, and like so many of Mother Nature’s “incidents of magnitude,” it became lost in the maelstrom of politics. As I drove mile after mile, I wondered how much people had lost, or if there were those who had been killed or injured. My mind jumped immediately to western North Carolina and all of the loss there.

The clarity I alluded to earlier was simply this: immersing myself in something over which I had no control, short of my writing and my vote, was doing no one any good, especially me. I was able to drive my car to visit my family; I had money to stop and buy lunch, and with luck or some heavenly assistance, I would arrive safely. Those fallen trees reminded me that not everybody could say the same. So my week with my family was cathartic. We laughed a lot, we hugged and verbally expressed our love for one another, and we discussed plans for the upcoming Christmas. There are so many schedules to be considered and integrated, but somehow Christmas eve and Christmas day will be all about family. I look forward to that

trek across I-16 again in December because I know it will bring me joy at the end of the journey. Ah, the journey’s end … at my age, I recognize those times of delight in family gatherings are winding down. Therefore, I intend to relish every moment and actively remove from my brain, even temporarily, those things in life that are disappointing. That said, look out 2025 because this old broad will continue to share her opinion on things she believes to be important as they unfold. You, my dear reader, wouldn’t expect anything less.

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.”

SCOTT GRABER

BILL RAUCH

CAROL LUCAS

ARTS & SPORTS

Shrek the Musical Jr. comes to the USCB CFA

Staff reports

The beloved story of everyone’s favorite ogre takes the stage as the Beaufort Children's Theatre proudly presents Shrek the Musical Jr. at the USCB Center for the Arts. Running from Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 24, this lively production promises a weekend of laughter, music, and a whole lot of fun for audiences of all ages. And there are still tickets available.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film, Shrek the Musical Jr. follows the hilarious and unlikely hero Shrek as he embarks on a quest to rescue the fiery Princess Fiona. Along the way, he’s joined by his lovable yet talkative sidekick Donkey and a host of fairytale misfits, including Pinocchio, Gingy, and the Three Little Pigs, all of whom learn that what makes them different is what makes them special. This talented young cast of local talent brings these iconic characters to life with their vibrant performances.

Tickets can be purchased online at www. uscbcenterforthearts.com, by calling the box office at 843-521-4145

For more information and to see more upcoming events, visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com.

Playoffs

from page B1

WANT TO GO?

Who: Beaufort Children's Theatre

What: Shrek the Musical Jr.

When: 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22; 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23; 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24

Where: USCB Center For The Arts, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort

Tickets: Adults $24, Seniors/Military $20, Students/Children $16; Tickets can be purchased online at www. uscbcenterforthearts.com, by calling the box office at (843) 521-4145.

26, Scotts Branch 20 (OT) Hannah Pamplico 43, Military Magnet 6 Denmark-Olar 22, Carvers Bay 16 Lake View 36, Hardeeville 7 Johnsonville 43, Branchville 41 Bamberg-Ehrhardt 65, Bethune-Bowman 0 Baptist Hill 16, Latta 0 2nd Round Upper State Blackville-Hilda at Abbeville Lee Central at Lamar Dixie at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Ridge Spring-Monetta at Lewisville Lower State Ridgeland at Cross Denmark-Olar at Hannah Pamplico Johnsonville at Lake View Baptist Hill at Bamberg-Ehrhardt 2024 SCISA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

SCISA 4A First Round Hammond 35, Cardinal Newman 6 Porter-Gaud 44, Heathwood Hall 13 Northwood Academy 49, Laurence Manning 20 Augusta Christian 17, Ben Lippen 7 Semifinals Hammond 55, Augusta Christian 7

Porter-Gaud 21, Northwood Academy 7 Championship Friday, Nov. 22, 7pm, Charleston Southern Hammond vs. Porter-Gaud SCISA 3A First Round

Northside Christian 53, First Baptist 28 HHCA 42, Florence Christian 7 Wilson Hall 25, John Paul II 14 Pinewood Prep 49, Trinity Collegiate 13 Semifinals

Pinewood Prep 35, Northside Christian 21 Wilson Hall 21, HHCA 9

Living & Growing the Jesus Way

Sunday Morning Worship at 8:30 & 10:30

81 Lady’s Island Drive

Pastor Steve Keeler • (843) 525-0696 seaislandpresbyterian.org

Championship

Saturday, Nov. 23, 7:30pm, Charleston Southern

Pinewood Prep vs. Wilson Hall

SCISA 2A First Round Bethesda Academy 36, Orangeburg Prep 0

Calhoun Academy 42, Hilton Head Prep 27

Pee Dee Academy 56, Spartanburg Christian 19 Greenwood Christian 28, St. John's Christian 14 Semifinals

Pee Dee Academy 69, Greenwood Christian 33

Bethesda Academy 38, Calhoun Academy 21 Championship

Saturday, Nov. 23, 3:30pm, Charleston Southern

Pee Dee Academy vs. Bethesda Academy

SCISA 1A First Round

Beaufort Academy 23, Carolina Academy 21

Dorchester Academy 45, Colleton Prep 7

Thomas Heyward 55, Lee Academy 12

Williamsburg Academy 55, Patrick Henry 6 Semifinals

Williamsburg Academy 21, Beaufort Academy 0

Thomas Heyward 49, Dorchester Academy 14 Championship

Saturday, Nov. 23, 12pm, Charleston Southern Thomas Heyward vs. Williamsburg Academy

SCISA 8-MAN First Round Jefferson Davis Academy 46, WW King 22 Laurens Academy 56, Cross Schools 22 Richard Winn Academy 51, Newberry Academy 16 Wardlaw Academy 46, Holly Hill Academy 44 Semifinals

Laurens Academy 34, J efferson Davis Academy 28

Richard Winn Academy 31, Wardlaw Academy 12

Championship Friday, Nov. 22, TBD Richard Winn Academy vs. Laurens Academy

2 circuit court judges, state agency lawyer vetted for seat on SC Appeals Court

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — A pair of circuit court judges and the legal head of the state tax collection agency answered legislators’ questions Monday about South Carolina’s court backlog as part of their bid for a seat on the state Court of Appeals.

Three candidates are competing for a seat on the state’s second highest court after now-Justice Letitia Verdin ascended to the state Supreme Court earlier this year. They are Circuit Court judges Kristi Curtis of Sumter and Courtney Clyburn Pope of Aiken — the daughter of a longtime state representative — and the state Department of Revenue’s chief legal officer, Jason Luther.

The trio appeared Monday before a legislative panel that screens judicial candidates. Assuming all three are deemed qualified, their names will be forwarded to the General Assembly for election.

South Carolina is one of only two states where the Legislature elects nearly all judges. Virginia is the other. Monday’s hearing marked the first of many over the next two weeks. In all, 83 judicial candidates are vying for 52 spots that the General Assembly will fill in a joint assembly election in February. Only one Appeals Court seat is contested. If legislators elect either of the two women to fill Verdin’s vacancy, the court’s makeup would return to five men and four women. Electing Clyburn Pope, who is Black, would increase racial diversity. Judge John Geathers is the court’s only Black judge. No one is challenging his re-election.

Asked what changes she’d advocate in the state’s judicial system, Curtis said she’d like to see more done to resolve the logjam of cases.

It’s a problem previously highlighted by legislative leaders.

As of January, at least

11,600 cases statewide involved suspects who had been indicted at least three years earlier and were still waiting for their day in court, according to House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter.

If an appeal is filed, a case can take three to four years to make it to the state’s appellate court and seven to eight years before the state Supreme Court might take it up.

“A delay can really be a denial of justice. So, I think we have to be looking at ways to cut down that backlog and be willing to try new things,” Curtis said.

Curtis, who started as a magistrate in Sumter County in 2011 before the Legislature elected her to the circuit bench in 2018, touted her experience heading the magistrate court and tackling a four-year delay of drunken driving cases.

“It would seem to me, based on your background, you’re a perfect person to help in this situation,” said Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence.

Curtis credited the Appeals Court, under the leadership of Chief Judge Bruce Williams, with hiring more staff to help with research and a proposal to speed the process by putting cases where the law is more settled on a quicker path to receiving a hearing.

“I think we have to be looking at ways to cut down

that backlog and be willing to try new things,” Curtis said.

The Legislature, in the budget, provided $1 5 million to state Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office to form a task force, made up of nine attorneys, investigators and paralegals to bring older cases around the state to trial while local prosecutors handle new cases.

For her part, Clyburn Pope said she thought creating more seats on the bench would help. With a nine-member bench, the Court of Appeals has three, three-member panels to hear cases. Adding three more judges would create a fourth panel that could hear additional cases.

Tackling other issues

Other issues the two circuit court judges said they’d like to tackle if elected included public outreach in an effort to improve confidence in the judicial system and increased treatment options for drug abuse and mental health.

Curtis said about 90% of the cases she’s handled in her six years as a circuit court judge have involved mental health or addiction.

“I do think that we need more drug treatment, we need more mental health treatment, and we have a big problem with both gun violence and domestic vi-

olence. Those are the main issues that I see day in and day out,” Curtis said. “So, I think we always need to be looking for new ways to address those same issues and not just keep doing more of the same.”

“Another thing that I personally think is important is the reputation of the judiciary,” Clyburn Pope said. “I think a lot of people perhaps don’t understand some of the processes that we have. I’d love to have more time to do that for the community.”

Questions posed to Luther, the lone candidate who has not worked as a judge, were focused on his lack of experience.

Luther acknowledged that he has no experience as a judge, but he spoke to the appeals process he’s been part of at the state Department of Revenue. His work at the agency has also involved procurement, bankruptcy and foreclosure law on top of regulatory work, he told the screening panel.

Who they are

Luther manages the Office of General Counsel within the tax collection agency, providing legal advice on tax and regulatory policy and representing the agency in court. Before joining the agency in 2017, he worked on civil cases, according to his biography on the agency website.

Before becoming a judge, Curtis was an attorney for businesses and served as a prosecutor representing the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department in magistrate court, according to her biography on the state court system website. She also clerked for retired Justice Kaye Hearn when she was on the state Appeals Court. She became a magistrate — a county-level judge — 13 years ago before being elected to circuit court in 2018

And Clyburn Pope has been on the bench since 2019. She started her law career defending workers’ compensation cases. In 2016, she became attorney for the City of Aiken until she was elected to the circuit court. She is also the daughter of state Rep. Bill Clyburn, D-Aiken, a former Aiken city and county councilman who was first elected to the state House 30 years ago. In their remarks, members of the screening panel heaped praise on Clyburn Pope for her performance as a young lawyer taking on a judicial circuit that had a reputation for toughness, even as some commenters questioned whether she’s been a judge long enough for her to have gained experience before moving up the judicial ranks.

“Congratulations, you’re one of these special people that have the ability to put people in jail, rule against them, and they still like you,” said Pete Strom, a Columbia lawyer who sits on the judicial screening panel.

Strom noted that another member of the judiciary who enjoys such a reputation is the judge she’s seeking to replace — Justice Verdin.

Other seats to watch Hearings for other judgeships will continue throughout the week and into next week.

They include a circuit court seat previously held by the wife of former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.

President Joe Biden nominated Judge DeAndrea Gist Benjamin to the federal Court of Appeals in August 2022. The U.S. Senate confirmed her appointment about a year later.

Candidates include a Columbia municipal court judge, a former state assistant attorney general, a deputy solicitor and a pair of U.S. assistant attorneys. Also back in the running is Justin Williams, a member of the state Public Service Commission that regulates utilities. He dropped out of a previous race for the seat against former state Rep. James Smith, a Columbia Democrat who ran for governor against Gov. Henry McMaster in 2018 Legislators broke precedent, rejecting Smith, even though he was the only remaining candidate for the job. They restarted the application process instead of electing him by acclamation, as normally happens in an uncontested judicial race. Also being filled is a circuit court seat previously held by Judge Bentley Price of Charleston, who the state’s judicial screening panel pulled from the bench last year. They opted not to re-recommend him after lawyers and victims’ families testified he had made questionable rulings. Critics included 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, who The State reported claimed Price had shown leniency to clients of lawyers who are also state legislators. Candidates include a former deputy solicitor and lawyer for the city of Hanahan, a Moncks Corner municipal judge, a pair of criminal defense lawyers and a real estate lawyer.

Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the S.C. Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier. S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Boeing laying off 220 employees in SC

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

About 220 South Carolina Boeing workers will be out of work after the new year.

S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

days before Christmas.

The financially struggling aerospace company announced the layoffs, expected to begin Jan. 17

All but eight of the employees losing their jobs work in North Charleston, where the 787 Dreamliner is assembled. Also being let go is one person each working from Beaufort, Columbia, and Moncks Corner, as well as five employees in Charleston, according to a federally required notice filed with the state employment agency.

“The Boeing Company has made the difficult decision to reduce its workforce,” Elizabeth French, part of Boeing’s exit management team, said in the letter filed Nov. 18 with the

Boeing reported a financial loss of more than $8 billion so far this year, with $6 billion of that coming between July and September. In response, CEO Kelly Ortberg announced in October the company would cut 10% of its workforce, or about 17,000 employees nationwide.

About 2 200 Boeing employees in Washington state and Oregon also received notices this week that they would be laid of Dec. 20, five

The layoffs follow a seven-week strike by 33 000 unionized machinists on the West Coast — mostly in Washington but also Oregon and California — as the company and union negotiated a new contract.

Those union members ratified the new deal the first week of November. Ortberg has said the cuts were caused by overstaffing, not the work stoppage.

The strike did not include non-unionized workers in South Carolina.

The Palmetto State job cuts amount to 2 8% of Boeing’s reported 7 864 employees statewide.

The layoffs include business and training staff, engineers, information technology workers, analysts, quality control, and supply chain staff, according to the notice.

Eligible employees will receive severance pay and subsidized health care benefits for up to three months after leaving the company, according to a statement from the company.

Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate rose again for the eighth straight month to 4 7% in October, according to the latest numbers from the state Department of Employment and Workforce. The national rate stayed steady at 4 1% Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the S.C. Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier. S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, who leads a state panel charged with screening judges in South Carolina, questions candidates for the state Court of Appeals at a Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 hearing in Columbia. Jessica Holdman/S.C. Daily Gazette

Beaufort’s Simmer to keep leading SC’s public health agency

By Skyler Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — Gov. Henry Mc-

Master has tapped the interim director of South Carolina’s 5-monthold public health agency to permanently lead the department.

Beaufort resident Dr. Edward Simmer has been the interim director of the 2 000-employee Department of Public Health since July. That’s when the former Department of Health and Environmental Control — which Simmer began leading in 2021 — officially split into two separate agencies. His salary is $258 960

“I am grateful for his continued commitment to serving our state and know he will build upon the progress he has made in advancing public health in South Carolina,” McMaster said in a news release announcing his decision.

The 2022 law that required DHEC to split put both newly organized agencies into the governor’s Cabinet. Previously, Simmer answered to a board of commissioners appointed by the governor. Now Simmer answers directly to the governor, who has sole authority in picking Cabinet nominees. Simmer must still be confirmed by

the Senate. McMaster has not yet announced his choice to permanently lead the environmental agency.

Simmer was confirmed as DHEC’s director in February 2021 as the agency was rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations, eight months after the previous director quit for family and health reasons.

Senators were incensed DHEC’s board took so long to fill the role amid a pandemic.

Despite starting at a challenging time for public health, Simmer “immediately proved to be an exceptional leader,” McMaster said in a news release. That remained true as Simmer led the agency through the split.

Simmer, a psychiatrist, took over DHEC shortly after retiring from the Navy, becoming the agency’s first director in 35 years with a medical degree.

He spent his previous six years overseeing Tricare Health Plan, the military’s massive health system for care outside military hospitals.

“It has been a privilege to serve

the people of South Carolina for the past three and a half years, and I look forward to continuing to work with the amazing team at DPH and our many dedicated external partners to improve the health of all South Carolinians,” Simmer said in a news release. “Working together, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”

Simmer’s previous roles include a stint in South Carolina, from

2010-2012, as executive officer of the Navy hospital in Beaufort. He was also head of the Navy’s Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team, or SPRINT, for nine years, leading responses to tragedies, including Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, and the USS Cole bombing. Originally from Ohio, Simmer received a medical doctorate degree from Saint Louis University.

SC GOP hopeful for tax reform, vouchers with new Senate supermajority

Republicans will set the agenda for the year, but not without potential fights

By Skyler Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — Returning to the Statehouse with a supermajority in the House and Senate, Republicans are hopeful to easily pass priorities such as cutting taxes and restoring school choice vouchers, leaders said.

However, questions remain about the details and debates in 2025, which will feature the first supermajority in the Senate since Reconstruction. Republicans in that chamber have not yet set their caucus priorities, said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield.

“We’re in uncharted waters now in South Carolina,” said House Minority Leader Roger Kirby, D-Lake City. “We don’t know what to expect, quite frankly.”

In the House, a top priority for the majority GOP caucus is “historic tax cuts,” which could have widespread support from both House Democrats and the hardline conservative Freedom Caucus.

However, that all depends on the actual plan, which leaders have not yet laid out.

As for school choice, Republicans in both chambers want to reinstate taxpayer-funded aid for private tuition after the state Supreme Court threw out that part of last year’s school choice law as unconstitutional. But there could be disagreement among Republicans on how to respond to that ruling. And Democrats will likely continue fighting efforts to help parents pay for private K-12 schools — as

they have for two decades. However, Democrats won’t be able to sway that debate on their own, as the election reduced their ability to block anything going forward.

And it’s unclear whether legislators will attempt a stricter ban on abortions in 2025. A law that took effect in August 2023 banned abortions past six weeks’ gestation, with limited exceptions.

The House Freedom Caucus, whose ranks are still unclear, will push for a ban from conception, said Rep. Jordan Pace, a Goose Creek Republican who leads the caucus.

But the majority GOP caucus doesn’t want to waste time leading that fight.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in 2022, the South Carolina House has repeatedly passed bills banning abortions from the outset of a pregnancy, which senators blocked. Rather than get into yet another stalemate with the Senate, the House will wait on the Senate to act before taking that up, said House Majority Leader Davey Hiott, R-Pickens.

But he does expect an abortion debate eventually.

“I believe that when it comes to defending being a pro-life state, we are 100% pro-life,” Hiott said. “So, I believe you’re going to see that again.”

How much dissent the majority Republican caucus will receive from the Freedom Caucus is up in the air.

The caucus has spent the past two years warring with

their Republican colleagues, trying to push them further right.

It’s unclear whether their ranks will include Rep. RJ May, a Lexington County Republican who founded the caucus in 2022 and served as its de facto spokesman. He could be indicted on criminal charges after federal law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices from his home.

Asked by reporters about May’s status with the caucus, Pace said only that May remains a member of the House, so “there’s no reason to exclude him.”

All 13 Freedom Caucus members who ran for re-election kept their seats, and several more either ousted more moderate incumbent Republicans or won open races, Pace pointed out. He hopes that will increase the group’s pull with House Republican leadership, he said.

“By all accounts, I think we’re succeeding,” Pace told reporters at a news conference.

However, he could not give an exact tally of the caucus’ membership. There were 17 members last year; four did not seek re-election.

Despite its small size, the Freedom Caucus made waves through floor debates and procedural motions. The uber-conservative group counted it a major success in running out the clock on several bills, blocking compromises in the closing minutes of the session in May. That included legislation to merge six agencies in an

overhaul of the public health system.

House Republican leadership plans to revive that proposal, or at least something similar, this session, Hiott said.

“Obviously, the No. 1 principle of the Republican platform is to consolidate and make government smaller, so I don’t understand why Republicans would be against that, but we’ll see where that leads us,” Hiott said.

School choice

House Republicans plan to rewrite the law creating taxpayer-funded scholarships for K-12 students for private school tuition, in the hopes that the state Supreme Court will this time find it constitutional, said House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter.

“I think there were some avenues in school choice to which we can put that matter up before the court again,” Smith said.

The high court struck down that component of the Legislature’s 2023 law, which provided $6 000 scholarships for eligible students. The rest of the program remains in place, allowing the quarterly payments to be used for other expenses such as tutoring.

The state Supreme Court gutted the purpose of the law by ruling the private tuition payments violated the state constitution’s ban on public money directly benefiting private education. But the makeup of the court has changed since then, poten-

tially meaning a different outcome for legislators.

Some Democrats in the House might support another proposal, but it’s unlikely they would get behind a rewrite of the same law, Kirby said.

“It still doesn’t change the primary underlying argument that they’re not constitutional,” Kirby said.

As for the Freedom Caucus, it advocated Thursday for a different way to help parents with tuition. Providing tax credits to refund parents is a more legally sound option, Pace said. A similar program limited to students with disabilities has never been challenged.

But the Freedom Caucus would also be fine with an “all-of-the-above approach,” including revisiting the original law, Pace said.

Taxes

One thing that legislators across the political spectrum might agree on is tax reform. That’s the Republican caucus’ No. 1 priority going into the session, Hiott and Smith said.

What that looks like is still up in the air, they said.

“We have all decreed that tax relief is our priority,” Smith said. “I think that there’s a commitment and there’s a will in our body.”

Among states with income taxes, South Carolina has one of the lowest effective tax rates nationally because of the way its taxes are structured, as well as generous exemptions and deductions. Nearly 45% of tax filers in South Carolina

pay zero state income tax, while the wealthiest 10% pay 65% of all state income taxes collected, according to the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. Democrats can get behind tax relief, especially for small businesses, Kirby said.

After all, the Legislature unanimously passed a $1 billion phased-in tax cut in 2022 after Democrats worked with Republicans to ensure the tax breaks covered lower-wage earners. This year’s budget accelerated that process, doubling the scheduled reduction to $200 million.

Support among Democrats in the House will depend on the actual proposal and the numbers behind it, Kirby said. As the state’s population grows, the state has to be able to keep up with more people using taxpayer-funded services, he said.

“The devil’s always in the details, right?” Kirby said. And the Freedom Caucus wants more cuts, faster. As proponents of significantly reducing government spending, Freedom Caucus members called for House Republicans to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the state budget to further reduce taxes.

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues. Originally from Missouri, she previously worked for The Post and Courier’s Columbia bureau. S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Dr. Edward Simmer

Dr. Edward Simmer, interim agency director for the Department of Public Health, speaks at a press conference on the launch of the new department on Monday, June 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Department of Health and Environmental Control

Scout Motors touts jobs, shows off new vehicle design in SC

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — Excitement was high as state and local lawmakers gathered late Friday for the unveiling of the first Scout Motors vehicles to be made at the Volkswagen subsidiary’s $2 billion electric vehicle assembly plant north of Columbia.

The automaker gave the public its first glimpse of the vehicles — the Traveler SUV and the Terra pickup — in a ceremony held near Nashville late last month.

Friday’s event in downtown Columbia served as something of a homecoming.

State legislators took turns climbing behind the wheel of the dark blue truck and red clay-colored SUV, taking cellphone photos of one another.

Then on Saturday, the company rolled the vehicles out on the field of Williams-Brice Stadium before some 80 000 fans gathered to watch the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Missouri Tigers.

Meanwhile, about 20 miles to the north at the assembly plant site in the Columbia suburb of Blythewood, roughly 3 million square feet of manufacturing space is at least partly up. That includes the buildings that will house the paint shop, body shop and main assembly.

The goal is to have the buildings completed in the first three months of next year and then start installing equipment.

The project is supported by $1 3 billion in taxpayer funding, which will cover the cost of road improvements, a new interstate interchange and rail spur, and site work. That included drilling 300 000 holes and filling them with stone to create underground pillars that will stabilize

the soil and hold the weight of the factory.

Scout so far employs about 250 people in South Carolina, spokesman Jamie Lovegrove said. Those numbers will likely double over the next year as the company continues to push toward production at the end of 2026 or early 2027

When at full capacity, Scout is expected to employ 4,000 people.

“And I want to be clear, as people talk about jobs,” said Scout CEO Scott Keogh.

Unlike other jobs that don’t pay livable wages, “These are real jobs,” he said.

Keogh, in his presentation, touted figures showing Scout factory floor workers will earn 40% more disposable income compared to the rest of the general working population in northeast Richland and the surrounding rural counties.

And they’ll have benefits: Health care, child care, and retirement funds.

“It’s about the transformation of the Midlands of South Carolina,”

said Senate President Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla. “We’re here to celebrate the generational aspect, how it’s going to be generational for the employees and families that will be impacted by the jobs that are created.”

Keogh also told legislators that Scout’s suppliers, some of which will be located on the assembly plant site, will likely bring an additional 5 000 jobs. “A big portion” of those will be filled by South Carolinians, he said.

And the automaker said it has taken steps to “future proof” the factory.

Beyond building all-electric vehicles with 350 miles of battery range, the plant will also make plug-in hybrids with both a battery and a gas engine that extends the range of travel to 500 miles between refueling.

This comes as the U.S. market has been slower than anticipated in warming up to electric vehicles.

The rate of new electric vehicle registration growth in the U.S.

has plateaued and even pulled back month over month. Still, that doesn’t mean the vehicles aren’t on the rise, according to an analysis by S&P Global.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, electric vehicles and hybrids made up 12 5 million of the more than 286 million passenger vehicles in the United States, a number that has doubled since the start of 2020

By July 2024 1 6 million of the 1 8 million additional vehicles on the road in that six-month span were driven by alternative fuels, mostly hybrids, the national investment firm reported.

“People said the adoption curve is going to be direct and linear. I think something as big as a car and as complicated as a car, it’s not direct and linear. It moves in waves,” Keogh said. “I think this gives you that safety valve as you run. We’ll follow that adoption curve. But if you look at what’s happening with hybrids combined with EVs, that’s going to be the future of the market. And we’ve got one platform

that can go both ways.”

“If there’s a shift, we’re not going to get stuck in this plant with this future technology,” Keogh added.

Keogh also told reporters that Scout is not reliant on the continuation of the $7 500 consumer income tax credit on electric vehicles should the incoming Trump administration not seek to extend the incentive. Without the credit, the vehicles will sell for about $60 000

National ad

Scout’s first marketing campaign to reintroduce the brand nationally gives a shoutout to South Carolina.

The TV commercial, airing since the Nashville ceremony, features a father and daughter in the last Scout before the brand was retired by International Harvester in the 1980s.

Its scenes were also used in Friday’s unveiling in Columbia.

The ad starts with the father, a Scout worker in Indiana, driving home with the vehicle. The daughter helps him work on the vehicle and learns to drive it, then heads off to college sporting a University of South Carolina bumper sticker. It concludes with the daughter calling her father from her workplace in the new Scout development center, saying “You’re going to want to see this.” That was the moment that Scout employes pulled the black fabric off the vehicles parked in Columbia.

Transgender student sues SC to use bathroom of choice

By Skyler Laird SCDailyGazette.com

COLUMBIA — A transgender middle school student is suing South Carolina in an effort to block a rule requiring students to use bathrooms that match their biological sex at birth.

The rule, which also applies to locker rooms and gym showers, went into effect in July as part of the state’s spending package. The budget clause does not outright ban transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice. Instead, it threatens to revoke a quarter of a district’s funding for not enforcing it.

The Berkeley County student, who goes by John Doe in the lawsuit, was told by school administrators that he must use the girls’ bathroom or a private nurse’s bathroom. Not seeing either of those as feasible options, and facing bullying from his peers, the student switched to an online program, according to the federal lawsuit filed last week in Charleston.

His case is led by the national nonprofit Public Justice. Joe Wardenski, a New York-based attorney hired for the case, has argued similar lawsuits in other states, including a successful challenge to a school policy in Wisconsin.

Attorneys are asking a federal judge to temporarily halt the law while the case proceeds, as well as allow the unnamed student to act as a stand-in for all transgender students in the state, according to court filings.

As part of the budget, the rule is technically a one-year law, though directives attached to the state spending package usually roll over from one year to the next indefinitely.

It’s unclear whether any school district has lost funding or even received a warning over the rule. The state Department of Education did not respond Monday to the Gazette’s questions about it.

Legislators knew the clause would likely face legal challenges. The probability was part of the floor debate before senators voted 30-7 in April to add it to the budget package. A similar case from Virginia had already been decided in the student’s favor.

In 2020, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals — the same circuit that would hear an appeal from South Carolina — upheld a lower court’s ruling to let a transgender student use the bathroom and locker room of his choice. A year later, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, allowing the decision to stand.

Similar rules in other states have been challenged with varying results. Sen. Wes Climer of Rock Hill, who proposed the clause, told the Gazette in April he thinks the nation’s high court would take a future case to settle the matter.

The South Carolina clause also directly contradicts new Title IX rules released by the Biden administration just days before the Senate vote. Those federal

regulations, which were supposed to take effect Aug. 1, have been blocked in half of states, including South Carolina. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to enforce the rule pending a final ruling.

South Carolina’s attorneys have not yet filed a response to the lawsuit. The Berkeley County School District did not respond Monday to requests for comment.

The lawsuit’s claims According to the lawsuit, an assistant principal at Cane Bay Middle School in Summerville told the student in August that he needed to use the girls’ restrooms or the single-stall bathroom in the nurse’s office. The nurse’s office is significantly further away from the student’s classes, meaning he would have had to miss class time to use it, the lawsuit alleges.

It said using the girls’ bathroom wasn’t an option. Not only would the student be upset about using the girls’ bathroom, but he might upset other students because he looked masculine, the lawsuit claimed. No student had complained about the middle schooler using the boys’ bathroom, it continued.

The student ignored the assistant principal’s warning and continued using the boys’ bathrooms. He received a daylong suspension, with the threat of expulsion if he kept disobeying the policy, the lawsuit reads.

When he returned from

his suspension, the student’s teachers monitored which bathroom he used. If he tried to use the boys’ bathroom, teachers intervened. The student opted instead to not use the bathroom during the school day, making him both physically and emotionally uncomfortable, according to the lawsuit.

Other students began harassing the 13-year-old because he was transgender, taunting him over which restroom he was allowed to use, according to court filings.

“I was so upset by the harassment and invasive monitoring of my restroom use at school that, sometimes, I could not even go to school,” the student said in a signed statement submitted along with the lawsuit.

In September, about a month after the student was first told to use the girls’ bathroom, his parents removed him from the school and enrolled him in an online education program.

“He is socially isolated and academically disengaged,” the student’s father, also anonymous to protect his son’s identity, wrote in a signed statement. “I am afraid that (my son), who is very smart and has been a strong student, may fail his online classes.”

The boy’s story is emblematic of an issue affecting transgender students across the state, attorneys wrote. As many as 3,700 South Carolinians ages 13 to 17 are transgender, according to a 2022 study by University of California, Los

Angeles researchers.

Not allowing those students to use the bathroom of their choice violates their constitutional right to equal protection, along with other federal laws prohibiting discrimination, the lawsuit argues.

Transgender students who must use a bathroom that doesn’t align with their gender identity are more likely to experience emotional distress than their peers, attorneys wrote.

“Although many transgender individuals report negative consequences when they are restricted from using restrooms consistent with their identity, this exclusion may be particularly damaging during adolescence,” wrote psychologist Stephanie Budge in a signed statement submitted with the lawsuit.

Some students instead avoid using public bathrooms at all, even going so far as to avoid drinking liquids so they don’t need to use the restroom as often, Budge’s statement continued. That can cause medical issues, such as urinary tract infections, she wrote.

Potential pause in lawsuit over medical care

A different case challenging a law affecting transgender youth could soon be on pause pending a U.S. Supreme Court decision, a federal judge said in an order last Thursday.

That lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union seeks to block a state law meant to bar health care

providers from providing puberty blockers or gender-transitioning hormone therapy to transgender youth under the age of 18. While GOP legislators said their intention was to ban treatments for children, the law signed in May included a line prohibiting the use of public funds “directly or indirectly for gender transition procedures.” Pointing to that line, the Medical University of South Carolina began phasing out all gender-transition care by Jan. 31.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel is “actively considering” halting the case, he wrote. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Dec. 4 on a challenge to a similar law in Tennessee, which bans hormone treatments for transgender children under 18. An appeals court upheld the law, reversing a lower court’s decision.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the state Attorney General’s Office have until the first week of December to file their arguments on whether the South Carolina case should continue while the nation’s high court makes its decision, a process that usually takes months, Gergel wrote.

Skylar Laird covers the South Carolina Legislature and criminal justice issues.

Scout Motors executives came to South Carolina on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, to show off the first vehicles — the Traveler SUV and the Terra pickup — to be made at its $2 billion electric vehicle assembly plant near Columbia. Photo courtesy of Scout Motors

Operation Christmas Child underway in Beaufort

Staff reports

Volunteers are collecting Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, through Nov. 25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations are open across the country, and shoebox packers can find their local dropoff locations nearest them.

In Beaufort, Riverview Baptist Church at 2209 Boundary Street is the drop-off location.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children,

including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster, in more than 170 countries and territories. Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach another 12 million children in 2024 with the hope of Jesus. Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage (https://bit.ly/3Oh6U2w).

The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need.

Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive

a tracking label to discover its destination.

“Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone and God loves them,” Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham said in a news release.

“Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope of the Gospel with boys and girls around the world. Please pray that these simple gifts have an eternal impact.”

Drop-off locations and hours of operation can be found at https:// bit.ly/3APMcUa as participants

Living peaceably, grounded in

With the Republican victory over the Democrats, many are reflecting on the direction of the United States. For the Trump side, this outcome brings hope and a sense of relief that the country can start heading in a better direction.

For the Democratic side, there is concern, uncertainty, and even despair that a progression toward a more liberal agenda has been hindered. Whatever your views, God wants us to have a response that is grounded and guided by timeless biblical principles, regardless of who is president.

The Commander in Chief is a powerful position, but we also realize that whoever holds this title can only do so much. The government is massive and has many moving parts, namely people who hold positions of authority.

It seems there are so many connections and collaborations within the huge spider web we call government, that it’s difficult

to imagine how all of these “chains” operate. Many times good and bad ideas are stopped by the majority of votes, so again, the president needs bipartisan cooperation.

In I Timothy, Chapter 2 and Verses 1-4, the apostle Paul wrote, and I will use the New Living Translation, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”

I realize it’s difficult to graciously lose, but this

passage contains three important messages that help us put the election process into perspective.

The first thing we notice is that Paul is instructing Christians to pray regardless of personal opinions and convictions. If we are supporting a certain candidate and administration and they do not win, we still have a responsibility to pray for those in authority.

Can we rise above our differences and trust the Creator is in control? Most people believe they are correct in their speculations and principles, but the spiritual concept of prayer is to intercede for God’s will to be done rather than what we want to see. He is not dependent on us, we are dependent on Him. Sure we all have preferences, but God is the one with the perfect plan.

The next point we notice is that if we can take the higher road and sincerely pray for those we disagree with, it will provide us with an attitude of rest where we can live in spiritual peace in

stead of being agitated and depressed. What does this mean and how can we do it?

Living in God’s peace means we are walking on an even keel, steady and consistent with patience and integrity, even when others are against us. As those around us notice our self-control, we become a more effective witness for Christ.

Of course, this applies not just to our prayers but to our thoughts and actions as well.

Having Jesus as our Lord means that we ask Him in faith to help us have more stability and strength under pressure, and He will.

Our last thought is to be reminded that often we are merely peeping through a crack in the fence when God is seeing everything all at once. We agree with Paul here, in that our highest priority is to see everyone saved and comprehending the truth. Living by God’s Word is our purpose and is truly beyond any social or political movement. People and ideas are here one day and gone another, but God’s

make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by City or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off. For more information, call 770-777-9342, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Godliness

Whatever we support and are involved in let us remember we are contributing to God’s ultimate purpose and that is to draw more souls into His kingdom. I pray this is the focus and foundation of our prayers.

Yes, a lot is at stake in the natural realm, but this natural earthly environment is not our eternal home.

God’s children are citizens of heaven and He is our eternal Lord and King!

The Almighty has been carefully guiding the world

since He created it, and His plans have never been in jeopardy! This election is not just about the price of a chuck roast, it’s about being submissive to God’s voice as He helps us prepare for the tribulation, the return of Christ, and the millennial reign. He has an eternal plan -- not just a four-year plan.

Billy Holland is an ordained minister, a certified chaplain and Christian author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.

BILLY HOLLAND

Volunteers gather to pack Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at First Scot Presbyterian Church. A total of 35 volunteers packed 1,981 boxes in three hours. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

‘I told you I could do it’

Dying mother inspiration for recruit to become a Marine

By Lance Cpl.

Jordy Morales U.S. Marine Corps

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT

DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND

When one recruit took his place on the parade deck to receive his Eagle Globe and Anchor, it was a moment filled with pride and loss—a hard-won tribute to the mother who inspired him to join the Corps and stood by him in spirit as he became a Marine on Oct. 19 2024

"I wanted to enlist to help my mom because she was sick," Pvt. Nathan Lamb said. "She was the main person taking care of me all 18 years of my life, and I wanted to give her a better life."

The decision was cemented when he met a Marine recruiter, who like Lamb, also came to the U.S. at a young age and found purpose in the Marine Corps.

"After I spoke with the recruiter, I felt like we were all family in the recruiting station," Lamb explained. "She told me of all the opportunities the Marine Corps can provide me."

Leaving for boot camp wasn't easy. His mother had

been battling illness for nearly a year, but she never showed how sick she indeed was.

"When I shipped off, I left her at the hospital, but I thought I'd return, and she would be there. My mom was a fighter," Lamb remembered. "She didn't want to worry me."

During his third week of training, Lamb received devastating news that his mother's health had taken a turn for the worse.

"It surprised me because her health wasn't as bad when I left," he said. "I didn't expect to get a call telling me she was 48 hours from passing away."

Although he was allowed to return home, he questioned whether he could continue.

"If my why is gone, why am I still here?" he wondered.

After seeing her for the last time, he returned to Parris Island, determined to fulfill her wish that he become a Marine.

"Before I left, she told me, 'It's OK. Make me proud. Be a Marine.' Coming back after that, I knew I had to finish," Lamb said. "I had to be ready. I couldn't let my

platoon down by bringing my problems into it."

Lamb's fellow recruits provided the support he needed to keep going. They offered him a listening ear, helping him process his grief and stay focused. As he prepared for The Crucible, he knew he needed to compartmentalize his emotions to achieve what he came to do. During the final march to the parade deck, a cadence echoed in his mind.

"Momma, momma, can't you see, what the Corps has done for me."

"When I got my Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, I thought of my mom," Lamb shared, picturing her pride if she could have seen him as a Marine. "It was disappointing knowing the one person who wanted to see me accomplish this mission the most couldn't be there."

Looking ahead, Lamb said he will use the Marine Corps' opportunities to build a better life and continue making his mother proud.

"If I could tell my mom one thing, it would be, 'I told you I could do it. You don't have to worry about me anymore — I got it.'"

S.C., on

Filing additional forms for military service-connected disability claims

continue to receive ques-

Itions about filing for military service-connected disability compensation and related benefits. This article will reference previous The Island News articles on filing for service-connected disability compensation and cover the need to file additional forms for veterans' disability claims.

Use a VSO, do your homework

Veterans should use a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to help them with state and federal benefits claims. They should also read the following VA webpages to ensure they are filing correctly and including all evidence and forms the VA requires.

“VA Disability Compensation” -- https://www.va.gov/ disability/.

“How to file a VA Disability Claim” -- https://bit.

ly/3wYGMRJ and “Types of disability claims and when to file” -- (Original Claim, New claim, Secondary service-connected claim, Special claim, Pre-Discharge claim, & Fully Developed claim) -- https:// bit.ly/3m6K3M9

“File for disability compensation with VA Form 21-526EZ” -- https://bit.ly/3RrzmPi.

“Evidence needed for your disability claim” (Supporting documents) -- https://bit. ly/3w6YGAN.

“Your intent to file a VA claim” -- https://bit. ly/3Rzq8Qk.

• “About VA Form 21-0966” at https://bit.ly/40PxbMT, and Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/ or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC (VA Form 21-0966) -- https://bit.

ly/40PxbMT.

• “The PACT Act and your VA benefits” (PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances) -- https://bit. ly/3ARbVrn.

“Disabilities that appear

within 1 year after discharge” -- https://bit.ly/3KPYQoe.

“Get Help from a VA-Accredited Representative or VSO” -- https://bit.ly/3WwDXmN.

An accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative (a VSO) can help you file a claim or request a decision review. Learn how to find and appoint one of these types of accredited representatives to help you.

Previous The Island News articles

The following articles and the VA webpages referenced are good places to start preparing to file for a service-connected disability VA rating award.

How to file a VA Disability Claim (Part 1 of 2), by W. Larry Dandridge, Aug. 16, 2023, https://bit.ly/4cWYzvh.

How to File a VA Disability Claim (Part 2 of 2), by L. Dandridge, Aug. 23 2023 https://bit.ly/4fAwoUt.

Suggestions for Veterans filing a Service-Connected Disability Compensation Claim (Part 1 of 2), by L. Dandridge, Sept. 13, 2023, https://bit. ly/4ePHyox.

Service-connected disability claims (Part 2 of 2), by L. Dandridge, Sept. 20 2023 https://bit.ly/4eSh7OR.

Pre-discharge claim for military service-connected disability, by L. Dandridge, Oct. 18 2023, https://bit. ly/3UYxMIu.

When and how should a veteran submit a VA Intent to File form?, by L. Dandridge, Oct. 5 2022, https://bit.

EDITOR’S

ly/40XCA4r. What veterans should know about VA (C&P) Claim Exams (Parts 1 2 3, & 4), by L. Dandridge, Nov. 15, 22, 29, 21, and 29 of 2023, and Jan. 4 2024, https://bit.ly/3RbNMow. Tips on Preparing for Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams, by L. Dandridge, Dec. 6, 2023, https://bit.ly/4fz7xAz.

Things You Need to Know about Veteran Service Officers, by L. Dandridge, Sept. 4 2024, https://bit.ly/3OgLZwl. Lay Witness (Buddy) statements are important to submit with VA Claims for service-connected disability, by L. Dandridge, July 26 2023, https://bit.ly/3Tean5w. Pre-discharge Claim for Military Service-connected Disability, by L. Dandridge, Oct. 18, 2023, https://bit. ly/3UYxMIu.

Things You Need to Know about Veteran Service Officers, by L. Dandridge, Sept. 4 2024, https://bit.ly/3OgLZwl.

Additional forms

According to the VA’s webpage, “Find Additional Forms for Your Disability Claim” (https://bit. ly/3XgpDxU) veterans may need to turn in any additional forms when they file their disability claims. Today’s article covers explicitly: Forms for increased compensation if you cannot work (Individual Unemployability). Forms for disability compensation related to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another mental health condition. Forms for an automobile allowance. Forms for an adaptive equipment grant for your automobile.

Forms for a clothing allowance. More helpful information.

For increased compensation if you cannot work (Individual Unemployability)

Use VA Form 21-8940 to apply for Individual Unemployability (IU) disability VA benefits for a service-connected condition that prevents you from keeping a steady job. Learn more about IU at: “Individual Unemployability if you can’t work” at https:// bit.ly/3DtUjEm; and The Island News article titled “What is Veterans Administration (VA) Individual Unemployability (IU) and how do I file for it?” Published on July 7 2021, at https://bit. ly/3VZDPKc.

When you file a claim for IU disability compensation, veterans will also need to submit both forms: A Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940). Veterans should use VA Form 21-8940 to apply for Individual Unemployability (IU) disability benefits for a service-connected condition that prevents them from keeping a steady job. Download VA Form 21-8940 at https://bit. ly/4fCbO6m; and A Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits (VA Form 21-4192). Use VA Form 21-4192 if you are a Veteran and you need your most recent employer to send us information so you can apply for Individual Unemployability disability benefits. Your most recent employer must complete and submit this form. Download VA Form 21-4192 at https:// bit.ly/4fOxGvr.

If you are filing a claim for disability compensation online, you do not need to submit this PDF form. When you fill out your online claim, the VA will ask you

questions about your claim for increased compensation based on IU.

For compensation related to PTSD or another mental health condition

When a veteran files a claim for disability compensation, they also need to submit A Statement in Support of Claimed Mental Health Disorder(s) Due to an In-Service Traumatic Event(s) Form (VA Form 21-0781). Veterans should use VA Form 21-0781 if they have been diagnosed with a mental health condition related to a traumatic event during their military service and they want to apply for related benefits or services. Download VA Form 21-0781 at https://bit.ly/3UZBlOB. Learn more about VA disability compensation for PTSD at https://bit. ly/40TTb9j.

For an automobile allowance If you have a disability related to your service that prevents you from driving, you may be able to get money (an adaptive-equipment grant) to help you buy or change a vehicle so you can drive. Veterans should use An Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment Form (VA Form 21-4502) to file for an automobile adaptive-equipment grant. Download VA Form 21-4502 at https://bit. ly/3ZeKjKm. Learn more about claims for automobile allowance and adaptive equipment benefits at https://bit.ly/3TXtXjP.

Continued next week.

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

LARRY DANDRIDGE

U.S. Marine Pvt. Nathan Lamb poses for a photo at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island,

Oct. 28, 2024. Lamb is a native of Jamaica. Lance Cpl. Jordy Morales/USMC

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and

Jen was raised in a happy home without religious upbringing. Her father, an engineer, had given her a love of science and had taught her to follow the facts wherever they lead, without letting emotions cloud her judgment. From a young age, it seemed to Jen that there were no logical reasons to believe in God. It was fine if others wanted to have religious beliefs, but she considered them to be fairy tales created to bring people comfort.

She was convinced that the material world is all there is. Like the atheist authors she admired, Jen believed that there is no such thing as a soul. Our thoughts and feelings are simply the result of chemical reactions in the brain. When we die, we cease to exist, and nothing of ourselves continues on. This realization brought about a sense of despair and hopelessness within Jen. What meaning did her life and actions have, if she was destined to turn to dust? But she found that she could distract herself from such thoughts with moments of worldly happiness. So she resolved to chase such moments and get as much enjoyment out of life as she could.

As a new wife and mother, Jen started to have doubts. Now 27, she was married to the man of her dreams and had just given birth to a beautiful boy. Reflecting on the love that she and her husband shared, and the unconditional love that she now had for her son, Jen began to be open to the possibility that perhaps there was something beyond the physical. To her surprise, she realized that she could no longer believe that we were simply collections of neurons, or that the love she felt for her husband and her child were merely products of brain chemistry.

With a new openness, Jen began to explore reasons for faith. She decided to begin by examining Christianity, since it is the only major religion whose founder claimed to be God. She figured such a specific claim should be relatively easy to disprove. She started a blog online and invited Christians to respond to her toughest objections. To her surprise, she found there were actually logical, compelling answers to her questions. Slowly, as she followed the facts, she increasingly became convinced that the evidence pointed to faith in God and, more specifically, to faith in Jesus. Emotionally, she didn’t want to be a Christian and change her way of life, but she was determined to follow the truth, wherever it led her.

Gradually, Jen opened herself up to a relationship with God. She and her husband joined a nearby church. With the support of their new church family, they slowly grew in their relationship with God. They are now faith-filled Christians, following Christ as loving parents to six children. Jen still considers herself a work in progress, on a lifelong journey of spiritual growth, but she has changed. She no longer needs to distract herself from despair and hopelessness; her life is now filled with purpose and hope.

Jennifer Fulwiler recounts her conversion story in her engaging and humorous autobiography, Something Other Than God. You can also visit jenniferfulwiler.com to learn more about Jen and her radio show.