November 3 edition

BOE elects Gwozdz as Chair

Physician takes second turn as leader of board

From staff reports

Last week, the Beaufort County Board of Education elected veter an Board member Dr. Christina Gwozdz to serve as Board Chair in a special called meeting. The Chair position became vacant when the former Chair, David Striebinger, passed away unexpectedly.

“I will miss Da vid, my friend and colleague,” Gwozdz said. “I hope to hon or his legacy with continued sound de cision making.”

This is not Gwozdz’s first time in the Chair seat, having also served in this role from 2019-2021. “It is such a privilege to serve in this capacity as we as a Board remain focused on improving student learning and achievement in our public schools.”

Superintendent Rodriguez appre ciates the opportunity to once again serve the Board with Gwozdz in this capacity. “We look forward to work ing with Chair Gwozdz as a strong leader and district advocate.”

Gwozdz has represented District 9 (portions of Bluffton and Pritchard ville, and also Daufuskie Island) since January 2017. Her three sons

Looking at the races

From staff reports

Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democrat and a pediatrician from Charleston running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC Dist. 1), held a press conference Thursday, Oct. 27 at Henry C. Chambers Wa terfront Park in Beaufort.

Andrews came to town voicing her concerns about recent negative and personal attacks from Mace. She spe cifically took the chance to reaffirm her support for lowering the Social Security eligibility age to 55 years old, to work with the current adminis tration to reduce the cost of prescrip tion drugs, and uphold “women’s re productive health care rights.”

In a race that seemed so quiet for so long, likely because Andrews

didn’t face a primary challenge and didn’t have to campaign, this one has gotten louder and uglier as it has gone along.

One candidate holds a press con ference or fires off a Tweet. The other accuses the first of lying. Then the candidates switch off.

Joseph Oddo (Alliance) joins An drews in the quest for Mace’s seat.

Mace, the first female graduate of The Citadel, supports parents’ control over education, vows to stop

A10

EARLY VOTING

Early voting continues through Saturday, Nov. 5. Voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There are four early voting centers in Beaufort County: Beaufort – 15 John Galt Rd, Beaufort, SC 29906

Bluffton – 61B Ulmer Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910

Hilton Head Government Complex – 539 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928.

St. Helena Branch Library 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Rd., St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920.

A reminder that voters will be asked for a photo ID when checking in to vote.

Bring back the books

Speakers overwhelmingly oppose school district’s removal of books at board meeting

present at the start of the meeting at the Beaufort County School District Of fice in Mink Point spoke publicly, and just two were in favor of removing the books.

More than 20 of the 100 or so people

Port Royal’s Peter Birchbach had read just four of the 97 books, but he said all four shared some qualities.

“While these books are all very dif ferent, they all have some common elements,” Birchbach said. “They’re all well written, they’re all solid literature, they all examine complex topics in an intelligent manner, and they all explore

Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democrat and a pediatrician from Charleston running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC Dist. 1), held a press conference voicing her concerns about recent negative and personal attacks from Mace on Thursday, Oct. 27 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Nancy Mace

Dr. Christina Gwozdz

By Mike McCombs Public speakers at Tuesday night’s Beaufort County Board of Education meeting made one thing clear – they don’t agree with the recent removal of 97 books from the school district’s mid dle and high school libraries.

Madison Hahn, Student Body President of May River High School, made her feelings known regarding the recent removal of 97 books from Beaufort County School Libraries during the public comment segment of the Beaufort County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday at the district office. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Bob Sofaly snapped this photo of Cameron Allen, left, and his cousin, Naji Osborne as Batman, getting some candy and a container of scented Silly Putty from Gianna Salce during Trunk-or-Treat Day on Sunday at the Chalrles “Lind” Brown Center on Greene Street. Several businesses sponsored their own version of Trunk-or-Treat last weekend giving area children a safer alternative from going house-to-house on Halloween night. 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 highresolution 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 JOHNNIE MAJOR

Beaufort’s Johnnie Major, 79, a 1962 graduate of St Helena High School, was drafted into the Unit ed States Army in 1966 from Hal lendale, Fla. After basic training at Fort Jackson and combat train ing, he was deployed to Vietnam. He was assigned near An Khe in the central highlands. While point man for his patrol heading to res cue other Army forces, he was se verely wounded requiring medical

evacuation, first to the Philippines and later Japan. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon return to the States, he served at Fort Jack son on the drill field.

In 1968 he separated from ac tive duty and returned to St. Hel ena. He later trained as a butch er and began working at Parris Island, first in the Exchange and then, beginning his Civil Service

career, in the Commissary. He retired from Parris Island in 1998 with 27 years of Civil Service. Today he serves his church and maintains the family’s property on St. Helena.

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

Friends of Library sale this weekend

From staff reports

The Friends of the Beaufort Li brary (FOL) will hold its annual book sale to support the branch li braries in northern Beaufort Coun ty this Friday through Sunday, Nov. 4-6, at the Henry C. Chambers Wa

NEWS BRIEFS

First Friday Nov. 4

Downtown merchants will be open for some late night shopping and fun and folks are invited to come downtown to celebrate First Friday on from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4.

This month’s theme is Thankful to be in Beaufort.

HELP of Beaufort will be outside the Spice and Tea Exchange col lecting non-perishable food dona tions. With every donation, partici pants will be given an entry to win a gift card to participating stores. With every purchase from a partic ipating store, you will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card. All entries can be dropped off at the clocktower before 8 p.m.

USCB hosting Heirs’ Property Workshop and Presentation

USCB Center for the Arts will host a free workshop and presenta

ON

November 3

terfront Park. The event is one of FOL's largest fundraisers and only made possible by the generous book donations from residents.

With more than 25,000 books in 42 different genres, there is truly something for everyone.

tion by the Center for Heirs Proper ty Preservation on Thursday, Nov. 3. The event, which will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., is free and open to anyone wanting to learn how to manage the legal processes related to resolving issues with heirs’ prop erty. Participants will learn about the direct legal services offered by the center to assist families in reaching agreement, clearing title to family land and probate estates. There will also be information shared about economic opportu nities for landowners who may be interested in using their land for forestry businesses.

Tickets or registration are not required to attend this event. For more information visit: www.usc bcenterforthearts.com or call The Center for the Arts at 843-521-3145.

HELP hosting oyster roast HELP of Beaufort is hosting

DATE

1874: Beaufort’s Robert Smalls was elected to the South Carolina Legislature.

November 5

1895: Annie Wigg Smith, second wife of Robert Smalls, died.

2019: Joe DeVito was elected Mayor of the Town of Port Royal, defeating Mayor Pro-Temp Mary Beth Gray-Heyward by 22 points.

November 7

1861: Union warships attacked Fort Walker (Hilton Head Island) and Fort Beauregard (Phillips Island), initiating the Battle of Port Royal. The

Cat of the Week: Deku is the picture perfect Halloween cat. He is one of our spunky house cats who loves people. He was abandoned by his last family and is looking for his next one. Deku enjoys sunny spots to nap in and frequent snack breaks. Deku is 5 years old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

EDITORIAL/DESIGN

Editor-in-Chief Mike McCombs theislandnews@ gmail.com

Art Director Hope Falls ads.theislandnews@ gmail.com

Sports Editor Justin Jarrett LowcoSports@ gmail.com

Videographer Delayna Earley delayna. theislandnews@ gmail.com

Hours for the event are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. No pets are allowed. There will be pop-up sales throughout the day Saturday, and all books are half off on Sunday. Early bird hours for

its second annual benefit Oys ter Roast on Saturday at the Riv erfront at Shellring. The Oyster Roast, which runs from 1 to 4 p.m., costs $40 in advance and includes all-you-can-eat oysters with a craft beer and dessert or pulled pork platter with two sides, craft beer and dessert.

Tickets are $50 at the door. There will be live music, as well.

Order tickets at www.helpof beaufort.org

Rotary Club of the Lowcountry hosting oyster roast

The Rotary Club of the Low country is once again hosting its 25th annual Family Oyster Roast fom 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, at Live Oaks Park, Port Royal.

Tickets are $40 per person and will be available at the gate. Chil dren younger than 10 are free. Tickets include oysters, beer, wine,

Friends of the Library members are 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday. You can join online or at the door. Membership fees are $15 for military or student (with ID) or $25 per household.

To learn more visit us at friend softhebeaufortlibrary.com.

soda, hot dogs, chili and desserts. Live music will be provided by lo cal favorite Mike Kavanaugh. There will be a live and silent auction. Tickets can be purchased at Port Royal Police Department, Bay Street Jewelers, and Palmetto State Bank.

For more information, contact Club President-elect Bob Bible at 843-252-8535 or reconmc@aol.com

November

LIBPA meeting

Lady’s Island Business & Profes sional Association will meet at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Beau fort Realtors’ Association Head quarters at 22 Kemmerlin Lane, Lady’s Island.

Assistant County Administra tor Jared Fralix will be the guest speaker. Fralix will update the community on Lady’s Island Cor ridor traffic improvements. The meeting is open to the public.

Union would take Port Royal and Beaufort. The same day, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee arrived, via the Charleston & Savannah Railroad, in Coosawhatchie. Lee, at the time still the Confederate commanding general for Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, established a headquarters there.

2011: Joe Frazier died of liver cancer at age 67 in Philadelphia.

November 9

2019: Beaufort weightlifter C.J. Cummings won three silver medals in the Snatch, Clean and Jerk and Overall at the IWF Grand Prix in Lima, Peru.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

Aurora is 4 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.

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

Johnnie Major

Grand Army of the Republic Hall added to Reconstruction Era National Historic Network

From staff reports

The National Park Ser vice (NPS) has added four new sites to the Reconstruc tion Era National Historic Network, including Beau fort’s Grand Army of the Republic Hall. June marked the completion of structur al repairs to the building, which was built in 1896 and is located at 706 New Castle Ave.

The national network connects sites across the country which provide ed ucation, interpretation and research related to the pe riod of Reconstruction. The Reconstruction Era (18611900) is one of the most fascinating and misunder stood periods in American History and includes stories of freedom, education and self-determination.

“We are excited to see the Reconstruction Era Na tional Historic Network growing,” Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Superintendent Scott Teodorski said in a release.

“These new sites, from as nearby as here in Beaufort to as far away as rural Vir ginia, remind all Americans that nearly every communi ty has a Reconstruction sto ry to tell.”

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fra ternal organization founded in 1866. It was composed of

Union veterans of the Civil War. The organization was segregated and included separate chapters for Black and White veterans.

A Black GAR post was formed in Beaufort in 1888.

Called David Hunter Post Number 9 this post in cluded many veterans who were formerly enslaved on nearby Sea Island cotton plantations. Robert Smalls was counted among the members of Post Number 9 and served as the post com mander for time.

As veterans of the Civil War died off, the GAR was dissolved and ownership of

the Grand Army of the Re public Hall was transferred to the Sons of Union Veter ans of the Civil War and the Daughters of Union Veter ans of the Civil War in 1939.

Over the years, the hall has been used as a meeting place, a dance studio, a day care center and a church.

Other sites added by the NPS include: The Gilmore Cabin at James Madison’s Mont pelier in Orange Coun ty, Virginia, was built in the 1870s during Re construction by George Gilmore, a man who had

been enslaved at Mont pelier prior to the Civil War, but as a citizen later owned part of the property. Restored in the early 2000s, Gilm ore Cabin serves to teach the public about the legacies of slavery in America including political status, land ownership, and eco nomic production.

The Hamburg-Carrs ville African American Heritage District in North Augusta inter prets the history and legacy of the Hamburg Community, which

THE MOST ADVANCED JOINT CARE OPTIONS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY

was a Freedman com munity established after the Civil War, and was the site of the “Hamburg Massacre,” an attack by former Confederates and Red Shirts against Black cit izens during the 1876 election period.

The Center for African American History, Arts, and Culture in Aiken, is located in the building that was home to the Immanuel School, a Re construction era school built in the 1880s for Black children in the Aiken community.

FWDG annual Coat Drive returns

From staff reports FWDG will help Beaufort County stay warm again this year with its annual coat drive. The furniture store’s 32nd An nual Coat Drive began Tues day, Nov. 1, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 31.

The coat drive, established in 1990 by one of FWDG’s owners, Robyn Mark, has been going strong for 31 years with a total of 45,964 winter garments collected. The store will collect new and gently worn winter weath er clothing. Clothing items needed include coats, sweat ers, scarves, warm hats, gloves, and mittens for children and adults. Other necessities such as socks and winter footwear will also be accepted.

This year, FWDG partners with Help of Beaufort, The Deep Well Project, and Bluff ton Self Help. These nonprofit organizations will distribute the donated clothing to those in need throughout Beaufort County. To help the home less and all those served by these nonprofits, FWDG will work to collect a minimum of 2,000 pieces of clothing. FWDG organizes all other aspects of the coat drive in cluding promotion, collec tion, temporary storage, and transportation of the clothing.

Donation Drop-off Locations

FWDG 745 Robert Smalls Parkway Beaufort, SC 29906 843-524-8695

WHHI-TV 32 Office Park Rd, Ste. 103, Hilton Head, SC 29928

Charter One Realty 203 Carteret Street Beaufort, SC 29902

We Keep You IN

A t Beaufort Memorial, our entire team of physicians and joint care experts is committed to helping you be your best and enjoy life without pain.

A testament to our quality outcomes, the Joint Replacement Center is one of only three programs in South Carolina to achieve advanced certification in knee and hip replacement. Our boardcertified surgeons are skilled with state-of-the art minimally invasive technology, including Mako SmartRoboticsTM for knee and hip replacement. Many of our patients go home the same day as their surgery.

At Beaufort Memorial you’ll also find:

• Joint preservation therapies

• Numerous non-surgical treatment options

• A personalized approach to restoring joint function

• Pre-operative education classes that engage patients and caregivers in the healing process

• A Joint Optimization Program that follows you through the process to ensure the best outcomes

• Outpatient and in-home rehab services to get you back in the game faster

Over the years, the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Beaufort has been used as a meeting place, a dance studio, a daycare center and a church. Tony Kukulich/The Island News

Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Beaufort underwent major repair work to its 126-year-old structure earlier this year. Tony Kukulich/The Island News

Honoring Hometown Heroes

By Bob Sofaly

When one arrives at AM VETS Post 70 in Port Royal, the first thing they now see are banners of Hometown Heroes,” the brainchild of member John Patrick and Michelle Naar of the Lady’s Auxillary of the Post.

Patrick said Naar contact ed him about about the ban ner project. Patrick, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, said he had “nothing but time” and agreed to help out. So the two put their heads together and got permission to put up the flags on AMVETS property.

Naar said she would see these banners in other mu nicipalities during her trav els and thought it would be a great idea to start the project in Beaufort.

“My hope is that others will see ours and it will take off and Beaufort, Port Royal and

the military commands in our area will adopt it as well,” she said.

“Anybody can buy one of the 18 x 36-inch banners for their military loved ones for $140, and that includes every thing,” Patrick said. “All that is required is name, rank and serial number along with a photo of the service member and the branch they served in.”

Patrick added that the Home Town Hero doesn’t have to be military.

“As this project expands, we’ll open it up to (civilian) heroes as well.,” he said.

“They can be first responders too; fire fighters, EMS, and police are all heroes.”

He said that because the first banners will be posted on AMVETS’ property they decided to make it available to military members first.

Currently there are four flag poles, each flying four banners. There are also or ders for eight more banners and requests for 20 more. Eventually, AMVETS will run out of room and “we’ll have to decide if want them out front and down the side walks,” Patrick said. “Eventually we hope to get the attention of Beaufort and Port Royal as well and the other military commands and get them go ing on board too.”

Naar and Patrick said neither they nor AMVETS receive any of the funds. All proceeds collected go straight into the cost of ban ners and poles, Naar said. For more information about creating a banner for a family “Hometown Hero” one should call Jon Patrick at 703-728-2967.

City Council makes board appointments

From staff reports

Beaufort City Council ap pointed several members to various boards and commit tees at its Oct. 11 meeting.

Beaufort Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

John Warley: Warley was appointed to a five-year term that expires on Oct. 31, 2027.

Warley, a resident of Beau fort, is a retired attorney. He previously lived in Newport News, Va., where he served two terms on the Redevelop ment and Housing Authority Board. He also served a fouryear term on the Virginia Housing Development Au thority. Warley is vice presi dent of the Beaufort History Museum.

Ethan James: James was appointed to a four-year term that expires on Oct. 31, 2026. He is a resident of Beaufort and has worked in real estate for 11 years, most recently with his own agency, Ethan James Real Estate Advisors.

Dick Stewart: Stewart, the former CEO of 303 As sociates, was appointed to a three-year term that expires on Oct. 31, 2025. 303 has built and managed apartments, duplexes, and single-family rental housing. Stewart has been a member of the City’s Design Review Board, and also has been active in many local non-profits.

Beaufort-Jasper Regional Housing Trust Fund Oversight Board

Dick Stewart was appoint ed to a two-year term. This board will oversee the new trust fund, which has been es tablished to address the need for affordable housing across the Lowcountry.

Defense Community Partnership Task Force

Councilman Mitch Mitch ell was appointed to this task force, which is developing a long-range and communi ty-driven plan for the Naval Hospital.

Chair from page A1

attended district schools, and she has volunteered in numerous capacities at district schools.

Gwozdz is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bowdoin Col lege who earned her M.D. at Cornell University. She has served as President of the South Carolina Society of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and as a del egate to the South Carolina Medical Association.

Sheriff’s Office on lookout for man involved in Burton shooting

From staff reports

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a man wanted for a late-night shooting that injured a man in Burton last week.

On Friday, Oct. 25, at ap proximately 11:40 p.m., Sher iff’s deputies were called to the Enmark gas station lo cated at 3076 Trask Parkway after a report of gunfire.

When they arrived, they found a 20-year-old Shel don resident with a gun shot wound. The man was

transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital for treatment, and has since been released.

Investigators collected ev idence and reviewed video surveillance from the store, and through the investiga tion, 23-year-old Alexander Xavier Smalls of Beaufort was identified as the person responsible for the shooting.

It is believed that the victim and Smalls are familiar with each other and this was not a random act of violence.

Investigators met with a Beaufort County Magistrate last week and obtained war rants for Alexander Xavier Smalls’ arrest for attempt ed murder, possession of a weapon during the commis sion of a violent crime, and aggravated breach of peace related to this event.

Smalls is a 23-year-old black male subject, stand

ing approximately 5feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 125 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Smalls is currently out on bond for a 2019 incident where he was charged with attempted murder and pos session of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime as well as a 2021 inci dent where he was charged with burglary first-degree and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

As of the time of this ad visory, Smalls has not been located and remains at large. He should be consid ered armed and dangerous, and we urge you not to ap proach him.

Anyone with information about this incident or Smalls’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact Sgt. Jennifer Snid er at 843-255- 3421 or if wish ing to remain anonymous and for possible rewardCrimestoppers of the Low country at 843-554-1111.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH

BJWSA asks customers to use less water

From staff reports

The Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is asking its customers to cut back on watering their lawns.

The BJWSA has issued a water use reduction request for their 65,000 customers in Beaufort and Jasper coun ties. Customers are asked to postpone landscape irri gation. The availability of treated water is limited in the system because of im provements underway at one of the Authority’s two water treatment plants. The Authority is replacing essen tial treatment equipment at the Chelsea water treatment

plant which is expected to take approximately three months.

“We planned this import ant restoration project for the end of the year because irrigation normally decreas es in the fall and we want to be complete for spring us age peaks. However, we’re currently observing higher than normal irrigation de mands, likely because of the lack of rain over the past several weeks,” said Chief of Plant Operations Brian Chemsak. “We realize that some people may try to ex tend the season for their green lawns but it's time to

let most southern grasses go dormant until spring. It's good for your lawn and for your water system.”

According to Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, warm-season grasses only need about an inch of water every three weeks while dormant during the late fall and win ter in South Carolina. Warm season grasses dominate landscapes in the southern part of the state and include Bahia, Bermuda, Centipede, St. Augustine and zoysia va rieties.

If customers in Beaufort

and Jasper counties fail to reduce morning irrigation consumption, the two-coun ty system may begin to lose pressure and that can lead to bigger problems. As pres sure drops, the first symp tom would be discoloration problems and reduced water pressure at customer taps.

A major loss of pressure could necessitate boil water advisories, cause service in terruptions and even threat en firefighter’s access to adequate flows.

Customers who must use their irrigation systems are asked to follow BJWSA’s Ir rigation Management Plan.

The plan involves adjusting irrigation timers to water only three days per week, on a rotating schedule. Cus tomers with odd-numbered addresses are asked to ir rigate on Tuesdays, Thurs days and Saturdays. Those with even-numbered ad dresses are asked to irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. No irrigation should occur on Mondays or any day between the hours of 3 and 9 a.m. when water usage traditionally is at its highest.

For more information, go to www.bjwsa.org/water-use or call 843-987-9200.

Smalls

The operator of this motorcycle was injured and taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital after colliding with a Ford pickup truck Tuesday night on S.C. 128 in Shell Point. The driver of the truck was uninjured. Port Royal Police are investigating. No other information on the motorcyclist was available at press time. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Michelle Naar stands out front of AMVETS Post 70 in Port Royal where 16 banners of local “Hometown Heroes” are displayed. Naar, who came up with the idea for the banners with help from John Patrick, hopes their new project will be shared with Beaufort, Town of Port Royal and all three military commands. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

IT’S A BRAND NEW DAY!

I am Marilyn Harris, and I am running to represent you on the Beaufort County Council in District 2.

Throughout the last year, neighbors just like you have shared concerns about both long-standing and newly evolving issues we must address now. I am listening. I will advocate for your priorities and keep you informed by communicating with you through town halls, emails, and social media.

County Council is a full-time job that requires a representative who is available full time.

I am informed, energetic, ready, and available to you on Day One.

I hope you will join me in driving some much-needed change in our District and County. To learn more about me and the issues visit my website votemarilynharris.com.

BY

OF MARILYN HARRIS

Books

the dark aspects of humanity. Our greed, our prejudice, our cruelty, our savagery, some times even outright evil. And these books all describe great bravery and heroism. Men and women who stood up and took action against the greed, the prejudice, the cruelty, and the evil, often at great person al expense. These are exactly the kind of lessons our kids should be learning.

“Clearly the book banning advocates have not done their homework. Book banning did not work in 1939 Germany, and it will not work in current-day Amer ica.”

Former teachers, current teachers, librarians, parents, a social worker, a candidate for State House District 124 and one student addressed the board about the books during the public comment session that lasted nearly two hours.

May River High School Stu dent Body President Madison Hahn confessed that she had spoken to a fellow student about the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower one of the 97.

Her unidentified fellow stu dent had been pressured into a sexual situation in which she did feel comfortable, similar to a situation in the book.

“Now, I agree that this content is, in fact, triggering. However, this is an important passage for the sixteen-yearold girl. She has confided in me a story of herself in a situ ation where a relationship was confused as consent,” Hahn said. “She had recently been guilted into having sexual re lations with a boyfriend who refused to take her no as an answer. She felt violated and unsafe and disrespected, but these feelings were perceived

as invalid.”

Hahn said the student felt guilty, like a “bad girlfriend,” for even feeling uncomfort able around her boyfriend.

“She felt used and dirty and objectified, but most of all did not know that these were nor mal feelings. This makes me wonder, what can I do to help women like my friend?” Hahn asked. “Where can I find a sto ry that I can show here where she knows she is not alone and how can I teach high school students the effects of a situa tion like the aforementioned?

And I realized that this solu tion exists, and it exists in our school libraries – or at least formerly existed there. Books mean more to people than just entertainment. A lot of these banned narratives are the real ities for our students.”

Most of the speakers were respectful and thoughtful. Many simply implored the board to do their due dili gence.

“I stand opposed to the ban ning of books,” Democratic candidate for House District 124 Barb Nash said. “The Beaufort County school board has a policy and a process in place, and I urge you to follow

that process to the letter.”

Port Royal’s Barbara Berry was taken aback by the soli darity among the speakers.

“I want to say, my heart is so full to hear all these voices,” she said. “I thought no one agreed with me.”

She said given the things teens now deal with on a dai ly basis, books at the library aren’t the biggest concern for her.

“I trust our teens to make the right choices,” she said.

“These are kids who have had to navigate shooting drills, where violence is normalized. Where every day they face problems I never had to deal with. I believe each teen can choose the right book to read out of the school library.”

Dave Cook was the one dis senter in the early public com ment period.

Cook said those speaking about banning books were “speaking in ignorance” and told the speakers they could be held criminally liable for providing these books to chil dren.

“You seem to forget that these are our kids in schools right now, not yours,” he said,

“and we have to consent to this material being given to them. It’s not the other way around.

Josh Malkin of the Amer ican Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was present and spoke to the board, as well. He said there are nine situations like this one currently in the state of South Carolina.

Malkin said 97 books re moved at once raises eye brows since “book bans are unconstitutional.”

“(The school board) heard from a lot of really eloquent folks tonight, he said. “I’m hopeful they can make a right decision without a costly, time-consuming lawsuit.”

Beaufort County School District Superintendent Frank Rodriguez wasn’t surprised at the number of speakers push ing back against the removal of the books.

“This is the United States of America and everybody is entitled to their opinion and their voice, and that’s what you heard today,” he said. “You heard people pushing back on what they heard prior to this.”

The saga of the 97 books began back in the summer when word of organized book

challenges made their way through the Beaufort County School District.

Then at the Oct. 18 Beaufort County Board of Education meeting, parents read very brief excerpts from books that could be found in libraries in Beaufort County Schools.

“It was just a few public speakers who read very short segments of books,” Board of Education Chair Christina Gwozdz said. “But they didn’t even tell us the title of the books. And it was very sexual ly explicit passages that were, I personally thought, were very degrading to women. But you didn’t get the context of what it was in or which book it was or what grade-level it was. It was such an isolated portion of the book, but it was concerning.”

Sometime after that meet ing, a list of the 97 books made it’s way to the school district, and three days later, on Oc tober 21, the books were re moved from the shelves.

The district has a policy for the removal of books, which requires a specific and indepth form for each book a complainant wants removed, calling for very specific rea

sons why the book is offensive.

While the books were al ready removed, as of Tuesday night, Nov. 1, the district had still not received any formal complaints.

“At the end of the day, … we made the determination to go ahead and put them through the process,” Beaufort County School District Superinten dent Frank Rodriguez said. “It’ll take some time, but we’ll get it done.”

Per policy, the District will form a seven-member com mittee, which must review each contested book individ ually and thoroughly. Rodri guez said the school district would put together as many committees as possible to make the process move more quickly.

Also, Rodriguez said they would try to prioritize books that might be used in curricu lum. There is no timetable.

“Our target is as soon as possible,” Rodriguez said. “We want to get through it and we want to get through it the right way.”

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

Karen Jordan, center, music teacher at Joseph A. Shanklin Elementary School, directs her Sand Dollar Scholars in song to start Tuesday night’s Beaufort County Board of Education meeting at the district office in Mink Point. The students sang their song and headed back to their school bus.

Kate Joy holds up a small sign to voice her disapproval of banning books in Beaufort County Schools on Tuesday during the school board’s regular meeting. Most, save a very few, of the roughly 100 people in attendance were opposed to the District’s removal of 97 books. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Council moves ahead on selling land for 2nd spec building

From staff reports

Beaufort City Council, on Oct. 26, approved the sale of eight acres of land in the Beaufort Commerce Park to Magnus Development Part ners, who will build a second spec building in the park next to the building that was completed earlier this year.

The first building, at 64,000 square feet, is ful ly leased to two companies that are scheduled to start operations before the end of 2022.

The new spec building will be 72,000 square feet, and will be marketed to warehouse and manufactur

ing companies. The land is being purchased from the City for $25,000, or approx imately $200,000. That amount will be repaid to the City in $5,000 increments, beginning with a first pay ment when a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for the building, and then yearly.

However, if Magnus sells the property, the purchase price will be paid in full at that time.

Magnus Partners will next move forward with the en gineering and design of the building.

“We made a bet. We proved the Beaufort Commerce Park

was a great investment,” said John O’Toole, Executive Di rector of the Beaufort Coun ty Economic Development Corporation, which partners with the City in econom ic development, at the first reading of the ordinance on Oct. 11.

Approximately $6.1 mil

lion in private investment was made into the first spec building, he noted, and the two companies that are leas ing the space, Norman USA and Critical Role, are expect ed to invest $16 million into their operations and hire more than 80 employees be tween them.

Although not a truck, this larger than average motor grader was popular with the children who got a guided tour inside the cab by the machine’s operator during Touch-a-Truck on Saturday at Beaufort Town Center, hosted by the Beaufort Junior Service League. Photos by Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Nolan Brown adds his artistic touch to the “canvas” during the annual Touch-a-Truck on Saturday at the Beaufort Town Center. Hundreds of children and their parents attended the fundraising event for the Beaufort Junior Service League.

Friendly foes face off for Beaufort County Council District 2

From staff reports

Republican David Bar tholomew and Democrat Marilyn Harris have run an amazingly clean campaign for the Beaufort County Council District 2 seat. When answering questions in pub lic, they often admit their an swers are quite similar, and always civil.

“We’re both civil,” Bar tholomew said recently at an Old Commons Neighbor hood Association meeting. “In so many of these things, especially with the this po litical environment we have today, there’s a lot of mud slinging. We haven’t done that. I think we’re both in it for the right reason, I think we’re both trying to get out and help the community and approach these problems in our own way.”

An attorney with Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm, Bar tholomew touts engaged responsible growth and en vironmental protection and transparency in county gov ernment. He touts flexible

zoning codes and already established state and federal programs to assist in build ing affordable housing, and he hopes to push develop ers to promote green spaces in their developments. He wants to manage growth to stay ahead of infrastructure.

“The comprehensive plan predicts that we will have an additional 44,000 residents by 2030,” he said. “The most important thing for me in managing the growth is to stay ahead of the infrastruc ture needs of the county. We need to take a proactive ap proach and address the is sues now.”

Harris supports responsi ble growth, transparency and revisiting the Lady’s Island Plan, as well as better coop eration between the Lady’s Island community, the City and the County. Like her op ponent, she is open to explor ing a third bridge to Lady’s Island, Harris’ strong point is her experience and leadership. She came to Beaufort in 2015

and has spent much of her time since working in the community, serving on the Boards of Directors of sever al local non-profits including the United Way of the Low country, Second Helpings, SCORE and the Boys and Girls Club.

Before coming to Beau fort, Harris retired after more than 35 years in Federal Pub lic Service, including senior leadership positions with the Department of the Army, the White House, the United States House of Representa tives, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In 2019, she was elected to a three-year term on the Board of the Directors of the Dataw Island Club. She has been ad junct faculty at The Technical College of the Lowcountry as well as a substitute teacher in Beaufort County Schools. She has served as the facili tator for the Lowcountry Af fordable Housing Coalition and as Beaufort County’s Program Coordinator for the COSY and COSA Programs.

QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT

cent of such revenues?

From staff reports

There are four questions on the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 8 – two Beaufort County ques tions and two state constitu tional questions.

Beaufort County Questions

Question 1A

Shall a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be im posed in Beaufort County for not more than two (2) years to raise up to $100,000,000 for preservation procurement for the purpose of procuring open lands and green space by and through the acquisi tion of interests in real prop

erty, located within or outside the boundaries of Beaufort County, such interests to in clude: (a)the acquisition of fee simple titles; (b)conserva tion easements; (c)develop ment rights; (d)rights of first refusal; (e)options; (f)leases with options to purchase; or (g)any other interests in real property?”

Question 1B I approve the issuance of not exceeding $100,000,000 in principal amount of gener al obligation bonds of Beau fort County maturing over a period of not to exceed two (2) years to fund the procure ment of open lands and green

space identified in Beaufort County Local Referendum Explanation

The County Council placed two questions on the ballot that would allow the County to buy development rights or total ownership of land to retain it as green spaces, in and outside the boundaries of Beaufort County. The first question would approve a 1 percent sales tax for two years to raise $100 million dollars for land acquisitions; pur chases of groceries, gas, and medicine are excluded from the tax. The second question would allow the County to is sue bonds to raise the money

4 School Board seats up for grabs

prior to the actual receipt of the tax money (that will be used to pay the bonds).

Constitutional Amendments

Amendment 1 Must Section 36(A), Article III of the Constitution of this State, relating to the General Reserve Fund, be amended to provide that the General Re serve Fund of five percent of general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year must be increased each year by one-half of one percent of the general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year until it equals seven per

Explanation A ‘Yes’ vote will increase the amount of money state government must keep in the General Reserve Fund (its "rainy day" fund) from 5% of the previous year's revenue to 7% of the previous year's revenue.

Amendment 2 Must Section 36(B), Arti cle III of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that the Capital Reserve Fund of two percent of the general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year be increased to three percent of the general fund

revenue of the latest complet ed fiscal year and to provide that the first use of the Cap ital Reserve Fund must be to offset midyear budget reduc tions?

Explanation A ‘Yes’ vote will increase the amount of money state government must appropri ate to the Capital Reserve Fund (the “reserve and cap ital improvements” fund) from 2% of the previous year’s revenue to 3% of the previous year’s revenue and require that the Capital Reserve Fund’s first priority is to off set midyear budget cuts at state agencies.

Nine unopposed Republicans on northern Beaufort County ballots

Marilyn Harris

From staff reports When voters go to the eral Alan Wilson and S.C. Comptroller General Richard surer Maria Walls, Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner

David Bartholomew

Shannon Republican for House District #124

Community Voice!”

ERICKSON

“I am proud to endorse Representative Shannon Erickson for re-election to the South Carolina House. Shannon’s experience, leadership, and ability to bring people together is what District 124 deserves to represent them in Columbia. Join me in supporting Shannon Erickson on November 8th.”

u TIM SCOTT, U.S. Senate

”In Columbia, Shannon Erickson is a fighter for the students and parents, the taxpayer, and the people of District 124! Shannon’s experience and her ability to work across the aisle to bring home results is unmatched. Please join me in supporting Erickson for House District 124 on November 8th.”

u GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER

”Shannon serves on the Ways & Means Committee and chairs that committee’s Transportation and Regulatory Budget Subcommittee, and she uses that powerful position to effectively advocate for limited government, economic freedom, and to bring home our fair share of tax dollars. It is critical that she be reelected on November 8th; her experience and seniority are irreplaceable.”

u TOM DAVIS, S.C. Senate

“Shannon Erickson embodies a commitment to her constituents and Beaufort County that is admirable and very much needed these days. She is available, attentive, and a fierce defender of our lowcountry values. Her steady leadership has brought stability and vitality to our area. I encourage all to vote on November 8th for her continued strong representation for District 124.”

u DR. RACHEL WISNEFSKI, Beaufort County

”You are voting for the things that matter to me - our air, land, water, and clean energy sources. Your conservation efforts are greatly appreciated and I value what you do for our district.”

u MR. JERRY SCHULZE

”Shannon’s continuous support of all branches of the US Armed-Services is well-known in her community and at the statehouse. She has supported active-duty service members, dependents, and retirees with policies that make South Carolina one of the most military-friendly in the nation. Shannon was a key sponsor in exempting military retirement pay from state income taxes. Join me in keeping Shannon working for us in the SC House!”

u ANTHONY. P. PETRUCCI MGySgt USMC, Retired

Shannon Erickson’s record shows she deeply cares about children, parents, and teachers like myself. Her work on funding to classrooms and into pay increases, along with helping create policy that supports students, educators and parents are tangible examples of her dedication and success on our behalf. Shannon has my vote!

u LISA CLANCY, Teacher

“Thank you, Shannon, for encouraging our new and upcoming leaders!” u ANITA SINGLETON-PRATHER, “AUNT PEARLIE SUE”

“As a 30 year Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, I can attest to Shannon’s effectiveness and support of healthcare. Thanks to Shannon, SC joined the National Nursing Compact, has grown care options all over our region, and pushed cutting edge telemedicine & telehealth law into place way before COVID. Vote ERICKSON on November 8!”

u CINDY CROWTHER, CRNA

JOIN YOUR COMMUNITY IN SUPPORTING SHANNON ERICKSON FOR SC HOUSE DISTRICT 124 ON NOVEMBER 8TH!

ENDORSED BY

Two City Council seats up for grabs

Five candidates are vying for two Beaufort City Council seats on Tuesday.

Michael J.D. Andersen Andersen, 29, and his fian cé relocated to Beaufort in 2020 to start a family and to be closer to relatives in the area. He is pursuing an MBA with the goal of becoming a certified public accountant.

Andersen’s priorities are public safety, affordable housing and moving away from tourism and the mili tary toward manufacturing and other high-paying jobs.

“Stephen Murray here has done a really excellent job, in my opinion, of try ing to attract a lot of the businesses that aren't here in the city to diversify our structure out of just tourism and the military,” Andersen said in September. If we’ve seen anything in the last two years, it’s that if we rely too heavily on one of those, specifically tourism, when we do have an example of a Covid shutdown, it puts a lot of people out of work. It puts a lot of people out of work, a lot of people have struck hard time paying for rent, they had a hard time putting food on the table and clothes on their backs, and by bring ing these other primary In dustries into the city, it will allow our future children to basically have an ability to not just stay here.”

Josh Gibson Gibson is formerly the youngest person on the Zon ing Board of Appeals and the President of the Old Com mons Neighborhood Asso ciation. Gibson wants to im prove the services the City provides for it’s citizens. And he feels his 50 years here will help him better serve and lead the people of Beaufort.

And he is a big backer of the Blue. As a big supporter of the police, Gibson hopes to protect citizen self and arrest and convict more vio lent criminals.

“The reason that I’m run ning comes down to three simple words: I love Beau fort. That’s why I’m running. It just means so much to me, and I want it to … maintain its integrity and maintain everything it is that brings people who want to be here,” Gibson said in September.

“I know that the thing that I think about Beaufort, where we are right now, is that we have what everybody wants, … we keep winning these awards: Greatest Small Town In The South, Greatest Whatever, Greatest, Great est, Greatest – from Southern Living and other magazines, and stuff like that keep say ing this is the greatest place, and so I think that we – that the focus that we should have… The word is out about Beaufort. …”

Races

“lawless mandates,” Criti cal Race Theory, biological males competing in women’s sports and “radical ideolo gies” in the classroom. She opposes abortion, vows to secure the Southern border, touts the second amendment and supports Ukraine.

Andrews, a professor of Pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, supports a woman’s repro ductive rights and believes abortion is health care. And she supports stronger gun legislation.

“The way I see it, there are four major issues this elec tion: gun violence preven tion, reproductive freedom, upholding our democracy, and climate change,” An drews told the League of Women Voters. “I would like to see significant change made on all of those issues.”

Wilma Holman

Holman came to Beaufort after retiring from a career at IBM. She worked for the Beaufort County School Dis trict and was the HUD Co ordinator for 19 years at the Beaufort Black Chamber of Commerce.

Holman wants to have a more open dialogue with constituents, holding month ly sessions to hear their con cerns and explaining deci sions and policies to them, as well.

She wants to implement affordable workforce housing so that people that work in Beaufort can afford to live in Beaufort.

And Holman says she en courages development that will bring good jobs to keep young people in Beaufort.

She supports ideas like the Beaufort Digital Corridor and the Beaufort Commerce Park that can help contribute to the creation of higher-paying jobs.

Mike McFee

McFee has served 14 years as City Councilman for the City of Beaufort and the last eight years as Mayor Pro Tempore. He s a business man and realtor, as well.

In addition to maintaining the City of Beaufort as we know it, and making it a safe place for people to live, Mc Fee believes the city needs to diversify its economic base away from tourism and gov

Nash, a career nurse, is in favor of complete legal ac cess to abortion.

“Women should have the right to body autonomy and to make their own reproduc tive decisions. Abortion is healthcare,” Nash told the League of Women Vot ers. “Women must have legal access to safe profes sional abor tions without restrictions. Banning abor tions will not stop abortions, it will just mean more women will die.”

She also supports Medic aid expansion, stricter gun legislation and fully funding public schools.

In those schools, Nash is opposed to restricting cur riculum so that it would “whitewash” American his tory. Teachers should be free to teach, Nash said, and stu dents should learn critical thinking.

ernment.

He told the League of Women Voters that stable, higher-wage jobs are key to keeping and growing the city’s younger professional population.

“I think we all can agree that we have growth issues, and traffic issues, in the city and into the connectors coming into our neighbor ing communities, and the islands of course, so I think cooperatively one of the most important things intergov ernmentally, I think, is for the governments that work together – the sister city and town of Port Royal, City of Beaufort and the county, re gionally on the northern side of the islands, really have to

his time firing criticism at the Democrats, and of the Biden administration in particular, on matters including infla tion, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and crime.

At a recent rally in Bluffton, Scott did not take the oppor tunity to discuss his record and referenced his political platform in only the most broad terms. Reporters were given five minutes with Scott after his speech. He also indi cated that abortion was not a key issue for voters in this election cycle.

Matthews wants to protect voting rights, rein in student debt, promote affordable housing and promote crim inal justice reform. She is in favor of eliminating the fili buster.

“It has been used to block meaningful legislation that would help marginalized communities for too long,” Matthews said. “Adequate de bate is necessary the filibus ter is not meaningful debate, its stalling due process.”

be in lockstep and be work ing together to make the most of what we have.”

Josh Scallate

Scallate, 31, is a native of Beaufort and a 2009 gradu ate of Beaufort High School. He graduated from the South Carolina Fire Academy in 2012, and completed the EMT program at the Technical College of the Lowcountry in 2013.

Scallate is a lieutenant with the Lady’s Island St. Helena Fire District, where he has worked since 2013. In 2018, he was named Firefighter of the Year.

At 22, Scallate lost his brother to a drug overdose and has since committed to public service. He recently

Cunningham earned a rep utation as a bipartisan rep resentative during his term in the U.S. House. He wants to improve S.C. education, improve workforce develop ment and jobs, and improve the state’s infrastructure. He is firmly in support of expanding Medicaid, and has said he would expand it on his first day in office.

“Increasing access to healthcare, especially in rural and economically-challenged areas of the state, should nev er be controversial because healthcare is a basic need and we should do everything in our power to maximize access to it,” Cunningham said. “Also, because Medic aid eligibility determines el igibility for other assistance programs, expanding Medic aid has implications beyond just health care–it will lead to improved outcomes in every thing from early childhood education to employment rates and maintaining a com petitive job market.”

ran for the Beaufort County County Council District 4 seat and lost. But he said he learned a lot from the pro cess.

“I filed in March to run for County Council, and I didn't win that race, but that's OK because I learned a lot from that and I was able to get a lot of support in that race, and it's one of the reasons why I decided to run for City Council is because I feel like I I owe the people who com mitted to voting for me in that race, to continue to fight, Scallate said in September.

“I mean, I can't just give up and sit down, you know, my goal was to really be and put myself in a position to help shape the future of Beaufort.”

tricia Mickel (Green) will face off in the general election for the spot currently owned by Superintendent Molly Spear man, who chose not to run for re-election.

Weaver has courted contro versy by not having the Mas ters degree required by law to hold the elected position until October, and only earn ing it through a questionably brief program through Bob Jones University.

A former assistant to Sen. Jim DeMint, Weaver is the chairman of the S.C Educa tion Oversight Committee and a board member for the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. She has no classroom experience.

Weaver’s three key issues are basic skills for students, trust though transparency and empowering and elevat ing teachers.

Treasurer Curtis Loftis (R)

Sarah E. Work (All)

S.C. House District 121 Michael Rivers (D) Eric Erickson (R)

S.C. House District 124 Shannon Erickson (R) Barb Nash (D)

Beaufort County Council 2 David Bartholomew (R) Marilyn Harris (D)

Beaufort County School Board, District 2 Chloe Gordon Terry Thomas

Beaufort City Council

Michael Andersen

Josh Gibson Wilma Holman

Michael McFee

Josh Scallate

Fripp Island Public Service District Commissioner

Mike Murphy

John L. Newman Gary M. Nizzi

Mike Wilt

Beaufort County Soil and

In a slightly different First District and after the fallout of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it’s apparent both can didates know this race is tight and up in the air.

State House of Representatives, District 124

In a repeat of two years ago, Democrat Barb Nash is challenging Republican incumbent Shannon Erick son. Erickson handed Nash a nearly 27-point loss last time. Erickson is entrenched. She is popular in the business community, is extremely active in the community and is accessi ble to her con stituents.

A support er of public education, she favors allowing public money to be used for scholar ships to go to private schools.

And in this year’s big issue, Erickson was a supporter of the state’s 6-week abortion ban, though she is not in fa vor of a ban unless it includes certain exclusions in the case of rape, incest, a fatal fetal condition or the life of the mother is in jeopardy.

State House of Representatives, District 121 Incumbent Democrat Michael Rivers Sr. is again facing Republican challeng er Eric Erickson. Rivers de feated Erickson by nearly 27 points two years ago.

Rivers is seeking his fourth term in the S.C. House. He is a member of the House Leg islative Oversight Commit tee, as well as the Education and Public Works Commitee.

Erickson is the principal attorney at Beaufort’s Erick son Law Firm. He is a former special prosecutor for the S.C. Attorney General’s office and a public defender.

Erickson lists his top three priorities as teacher reten tion, funding mental health care and deciding best how to allocate the 4.6 billion dol lar budget surplus. Erickson believes “a women has a right to make personal healthcare decisions with her doctor.”

U.S. Senate Incumbent Tim Scott (R) will face State Representative Krystle Matthews in the race for Senator.

Scott’s statements sound familiar. He spends most of

Matthews believes the best way to restore confidence in our voting system is by set ting a national standard and without guaranteed access to a good education, there’s no such thing as equal opportu nity.

Matthews’ campaign hit a serious bump in September. As reported in the Post and Courier, key Democrats in the state called for Matthews to drop out of the race after she was recorded making disparaging remarks about white people.

Governor Incumbent Governor Hen ry McMaster will face Demo crat Joe Cunningham, as well as candidates from the Inde pendence, Libertarian and Labor parties. McMaster is seeking his second term as governor. He is pro-business and touts success in “keeping the state open” during the COVID pandemic, as well as suc cessfully fighting overreach by the federal government during the Biden adminis tration. A folksy speaker, Mc Master spent two terms as the state’s Attorney General.

McMaster holds a huge cash advantage over his chal lenger.

Cunningham also supports stricter gun laws and would like to put an end to gerry mandering.

Secretary of State Incumbent Republican Mark Hammond is facing Democrat Rosemounda Peg gy Butler.

First elected in 2002, Ham mond is running for his sixth term as Secretary of State.

Hammond touts his office’s “24-7” filing services and the state’s business-friendly ap proach during the pandemic. He vows to continue to stress improvements in technol ogy for S.C. businesses. He is “dedicated to working to keep South Carolina business friendly.”

Butler is a small business owner and a retired Army combat nurse. She wants to create a task force to assist small businesses in securing government and public fund ing.

“I want to ensure that small owners get the resources needed to create thriving businesses and more jobs in S.C.,” Butler said.

State Superintendent of Education Republican Ellen Weaver, Democrat

A career educator, Ellis’s goals are to recruit and re tain high quality teachers, reduce inefficiencies and in equities in the public school system, and promote chang es in school funding that en sure more funding gets into the classroom, where it can make the biggest impact on students.

“I am running for super intendent of education be cause South Carolina's pub lic education system is in crisis,” Ellis told the League of Women Voters. “We are losing teachers because of poor policy, and we need to change course immediately.

All children deserve a high quality education, and with out strong teachers, they don't receive that. I believe I have the experience, knowl edge, and context to improve the system.”

Commissioner of Agriculture

Longtime incumbent Hugh Weathers will face challengers David Edmund (Green) and Chris Nelums (United Citizens) for the Commissioner of Agricul ture seat.

Weathers, commission er for 17 years, stresses the importance of local food sources and less dependence on imports, creating oppor tunity for South Carolina’s farmers and providing for improved food safety.

Luke

Inabinett Daniel Lesesne

Shannon Erickson

Barb Nash

From staff reports

Incumbent Beaufort City Councilman Mike McFee, center, makes his remarks during the Candidate’s Forum sponsored by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts. From left are City Council candidates Josh Gibson, Michael Andersen, McFee, Josh Scallate and Wilma Holman. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the under signed Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 11/17/2022, beginning at 9:30 A.M.. The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bol choz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Property Description: A fee simple undivided 0.0 147723220820258,0.0147723220820258,0.0 147723220820258 % ownership interest in the Project as tenants(s) in common with the holders of other undivided interests in and to the time share property known as MBV VACATION SUITES, as established by that certain Declaration of Cov enants, Conditions and Restrictions and Vacation Ownership Instrument for MBV Vacation Suites, recorded at Book 3406, Pages 1312-1365, et seq., of the records of the R.O.D. Office for Beaufort Coun ty, South Carolina, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), having Interval Control Number U1308-W25B,U2206-W21B,U2206-W22B.

Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lien holders is as follows: MARK ANDREW QUEENAN & HOLLY MICHELLE BLOCKER, 42 OLDFIELD VILLAGE ROAD, BLUFFTON, SC 29909. Junior Lienholder: ,

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the MORTGAGE as recorded in Book 3802 at Pages 225, records of Beaufort County, SC.

The amounts secured by the MORTGAGE, are Amount currently in default (including interest) $134,869.90 Trustee’s Fee $ 350.00 Costs $ 871.95 Total Amount Due $ 136,091.85 With a per diem of $ 49.61

Together with any and all additional principal, inter est, costs coming due and payable hereafter.

The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bid der at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Record ing Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or se nior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.

An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345.

King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee and Attorney for HHI Development, LLC, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 (843)-249-0777

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq.,

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the under signed Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 11/17/2022, beginning at 9:30 A.M..

The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bol choz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Property Description: A fee simple undivided 0.0147723220820258 % ownership interest in the Project as tenants(s) in common with the holders of other undivided interests in and to the timeshare property known as MBV VACATION SUITES, as es

tablished by that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Vacation Owner ship Instrument for MBV Vacation Suites, recorded at Book 3406, Pages 1312-1365, et seq., of the records of the R.O.D. Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), having Interval Control Number U2510-W33B.

Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lien holders is as follows: JAMES FLETCHER SHARP & YVONNE CASSANDRA SHARP, 4610 JACKAM RIDGE CT, LITHONIA, GA 30038.

Junior Lienholder: ,

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the MORTGAGE as recorded in Book 3904 at Pages 1066, records of Beaufort County, SC.

The amounts secured by the MORTGAGE, are

Amount currently in default (including interest) $42,479.54

Trustee’s Fee $ 350.00 Costs $ 871.95 Total Amount Due $ 43,701.49

With a per diem of $ 17.33

Together with any and all additional principal, inter est, costs coming due and payable hereafter.

The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bid der at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Record ing Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or se nior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.

An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345.

King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee and Attorney for HHI Development, LLC, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 (843)-249-0777

NOTICE OF SALE

TRUSTEE’S

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the under signed Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 11/17/2022, beginning at 9:30 A.M..

The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bol choz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Property Description: A fee simple undivided 0.01 47723220820258,0.0147723220820258 % own ership interest in the Project as tenants(s) in com mon with the holders of other undivided interests in and to the timeshare property known as MBV VA CATION SUITES, as established by that certain Dec laration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Vacation Ownership Instrument for MBV Vaca tion Suites, recorded at Book 3406, Pages 13121365, et seq., of the records of the R.O.D. Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), having Interval Control Number U1403-W41B,U1403-W42B.

Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lien holders is as follows: GARY LEE GINN & TIFFANY BECKER GINN, 5335 HARD SCRABBLE ROAD, BLY THEWOOD, SC 29016. Junior Lienholder: ,

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the MORTGAGE as recorded in Book 3522 at Pages 1567, records of Beaufort County, SC.

The amounts secured by the MORTGAGE, are

Amount currently in default (including interest) $35,420.36 Trustee’s Fee $ 350.00 Costs $ 871.95

Total Amount Due $ 36,642.31 With a per diem of $ 15.05

Together with any and all additional principal, inter est, costs coming due and payable hereafter.

The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bid der at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Record ing Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or se nior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.

An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345.

King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee and Attorney for HHI Development, LLC, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 (843)-249-0777

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq.,

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the under signed Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 11/17/2022, beginning at 9:30 A.M..

The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bol choz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Property Description: A fee simple undivided 0.0147723220820258 % ownership interest in the Project as tenants(s) in common with the holders of other undivided interests in and to the timeshare property known as MBV VACATION SUITES, as es tablished by that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Vacation Owner ship Instrument for MBV Vacation Suites, recorded at Book 3406, Pages 1312-1365, et seq., of the records of the R.O.D. Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), having Interval Control Number U2207-W35B.

Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lien holders is as follows: KIM RIENER , 5753 HIGHWAY 85 N, CRESTVIEW, FL 32536-9365. Junior Lienholder: .

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the MORTGAGE as recorded in Book 3847 at Pages 1346, records of Beaufort County, SC.

The amounts secured by the MORTGAGE, are Amount currently in default (including interest) $36,164.12 Trustee’s Fee $ 350.00 Costs $ 868.67 Total Amount Due $ 37,382.79 With a per diem of $ 11.40

Together with any and all additional principal, inter est, costs coming due and payable hereafter.

The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bid der at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Record ing Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or se nior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.

An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345.

King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee and Attorney for HHI Development, LLC, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 (843)-249-0777

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq.,

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the under signed Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 11/17/2022, beginning at 9:30 A.M..

The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bol choz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Property Description: A fee simple undivided 0.0147723220820258 % ownership interest in the Project as tenants(s) in common with the holders of other undivided interests in and to the timeshare property known as MBV VACATION SUITES, as es tablished by that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Vacation Owner ship Instrument for MBV Vacation Suites, recorded at Book 3406, Pages 1312-1365, et seq., of the records of the R.O.D. Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), having Interval Control Number U2203-W6B.

Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lien holders is as follows: CHARLOTTE GAIL ALMODOVAR & EMILIO ALMODOVAR, 4538 CABINWOOD TURN, DOUGLASVILLE, GA 30135-1956. Junior Lienholder:

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the MORTGAGE as recorded in Book 3947 at Pages 3092, records of Beaufort County, SC.

The amounts secured by the MORTGAGE, are Amount currently in default (including interest) $19,015.29 Trustee’s Fee $ 350.00 Costs $ 870.31 Total Amount Due $ 20,235.60 With a per diem of $ 8.64

Together with any and all additional principal, inter est, costs coming due and payable hereafter.

The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bid der at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Record ing Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or se nior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.

An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345. King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee and Attorney for HHI Development, LLC, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 (843)-249-0777

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq.,

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the under signed Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 11/17/2022, beginning at 9:30 A.M..

The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bol choz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Property Description: A fee simple undivided 0.0147723220820258 % ownership interest in the Project as tenants(s) in common with the holders of other undivided interests in and to the timeshare property known as MBV VACATION SUITES, as es tablished by that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Vacation Owner ship Instrument for MBV Vacation Suites, recorded at Book 3406, Pages 1312-1365, et seq., of the records of the R.O.D. Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, as amended or supplemented (the “Declaration”), having Interval Control Number U1403-W52B. Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lien holders is as follows: MICHAEL REED KEAN 6045 BARCLAY LANE, CLOVER, SC 29710. Junior Lienholder: ,

The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the MORTGAGE as recorded in Book 3996 at Pages 3018, records of Beaufort County, SC.

The amounts secured by the MORTGAGE, are Amount currently in default (including interest) $28,910.22 Trustee’s Fee $ 350.00 Costs $ 420.62 Total Amount Due $ 29,680.84 With a per diem of $ 12.85

Together with any and all additional principal, inter est, costs coming due and payable hereafter.

The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Record ing Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or se nior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.

An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its in terest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 2732-345.

Options & References for a Healthier Life

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: TIPS TO QUIT SMOKING

Nicotine is the addictive substance present in tobac co products, including ciga rettes and cigars. It is a chem ical that can affect a person’s brain function.

Once the body adapts to regular nicotine intake, it can be challenging to give up smoking because of the uncomfortable symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

When nicotine begins to leave the body, people typ ically experience physical and psychological withdraw al effects. Knowing what to expect and how to manage these effects can help people cope if they decide to stop us ing nicotine.

Withdrawal symptoms usually peak after a few days and then decrease over a pe riod of a few weeks. After this time, the body has expelled most of the nicotine, and the withdrawal effects are mainly psychological. Under standing nicotine withdraw al symptoms can help peo ple manage while they quit smoking.

What is nicotine withdrawal

When someone uses a nic otine product, such as a ciga rette, their body absorbs the nicotine through the lining of the nose, mouth, and lungs. From these locations, it en ters the bloodstream.

When nicotine reaches the brain, it activates areas in volved in feelings of pleasure and reward. It also boosts the levels of a chemical called do pamine.

Nicotine also affects areas in the brain that play a part in: breathing memory appetite heart rate

Using nicotine for an ex tended period leads to chang es in the balance of chemical messengers in the brain.

When a person stops using nicotine quickly, they disrupt this chemical balance. This can lead to the person experi encing physical and psycho logical side effects, such as cravings and low mood.

Experts describe this dis ruption of brain chemicals as nicotine addiction, and it is part of the reason why people

find it so difficult to reduce or quit smoking.

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are both physical and psychological. The phys ical side effects only last for a few days while the nicotine leaves the body, but the psy chological side effects can continue for much longer.

Although it may feel un pleasant, nicotine withdraw al, for the most part, has no associated health risks. How ever, if a person experiences significant changes in their blood pressure, this may af fect their heart health and one should seek immediate help from their healthcare practitioner.

Timeline of nicotine withdrawal

Each person will have a dif ferent experience of nicotine withdrawal. Some individuals experience only mild symp toms for a few days, where as others may have intense cravings and symptoms that last several weeks.

Withdrawal symptoms ap pear 4–24 hours after some one smokes their last ciga rette. The symptoms peak about 3 days after quitting and then gradually subside over the following 3–4 weeks.

About 2 hours after smok ing a cigarette, the body will have cleared about half of the nicotine. The level gradually decreases over the next few days until it can no longer af fect the body.

Alongside the withdrawal symptoms, people also begin to notice positive changes. These may include: an improved sense of smell and taste less coughing easier breathing, particu larly when exercising

How long does nicotine withdrawal last?

Nicotine withdrawal symp toms typically begin 4–24 hours following a person’s last cigarette and peak after about 3 days.

Most people experience mild to moderate nicotine withdrawal symptoms that gradually lessen over several weeks. However, some peo ple continue to have cravings for cigarettes months or even

years after quitting.

If a person visits a place where they used to smoke or spends time with friends who still smoke, they may experi ence a stronger craving.

Can quitting cause anxiety?

Anxiety is one of the most common emotional effects of quitting nicotine. A person may experience anxiety and irritability as their brain ad justs to the lack of nicotine.

For some people, the feel ing is mild and goes away af ter a few days. For others, it is more intense and may persist for weeks.

There are several ways to manage anxiety during nico tine withdrawal, including: practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga doing enjoyable activi ties, such as going for a walk in nature increasing physical exer cise levels reducing caffeine intake by limiting or avoiding coffee, soda, and tea talking with friends and family members for sup port joining a smoking cessa tion group or speaking with a counselor avoiding triggers, such as places where the per son used to smoke using nicotine replace ment therapy

If anxiety is severe or per sists for more than a few weeks, it is best to speak with a doctor to rule out other un derlying conditions.

Treating nicotine withdrawal

Quitting nicotine is diffi cult because the addiction is both physical and psycho logical. Many people benefit from nicotine replacement products and other forms of support during the period of nicotine withdrawal.

Treatments for nicotine withdrawal include:

Nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is an umbrel la term for products that are tobacco alternatives and con

tain smaller amounts of nico tine. They include: chewing gum skin patches inhalers

nasal or mouth sprays

No single type is neces sarily better than another. However, combining differ ent types of NRT could have a stronger effect than a single method alone.

Research has found that using NRT can increase the chance of quitting by 50–60%.

A person can use NRT to re duce their nicotine dosage gradually until they no lon ger need to use it. NRT is a common and suc cessful treatment for nicotine withdrawal. However, many people still experience some mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms.

Although NRT does pro duce side effects, they are usually easier to manage than the symptoms of nico tine withdrawal without NRT. Possible side effects of NRT include: nausea dizziness insomnia headaches abdominal discomfort

Medication

Several types of medica tion can help treat nicotine withdrawal, including: • Varenicline (Chantix): This drug can reduce cravings and block the rewarding effects of smoking.

Bupropion (Zyban and Wellbutrin): Doctors may prescribe the Zyban brand to reduce nicotine cravings or the Well butrin brand to act as an antidepressant.

E-cigarettes

Although e-cigarettes con tain nicotine in vapor form, they do not contain the same

host of harmful substances as other tobacco products. A person can use e-cigarettes instead of cigarettes, pipes, or other tobacco products. However, experts do not yet know the long-term health risks of smoking e-cigarettes. These devices may provide some relief from withdrawal and cravings when a per son is trying to quit tobacco smoking. However, more re search is necessary to deter mine whether they are truly effective.

Counseling

Counseling can help peo ple cope with the psycholog ical and physical aspects of nicotine withdrawal. People can have sessions with a ther apist or join a support group. It can be a valuable addi tion to NRT in some cases.

Counseling can help peo ple identify and address trig gers that prevent them from quitting.

Tips for coping

People should remem ber that many cravings only last for 10–20 minutes. This means that when someone feels a craving coming on, they can distract themselves until it passes.

A person may find that the following tips and strat egies help them copeTrusted Source with nicotine with drawal symptoms: preparing themselves mentally for the reality of withdrawal symptoms making a list of the benefits of quitting and re-reading them when a craving hits taking deep breaths or using other relaxation techniques exercising more regular ly during withdrawal, es pecially as a distraction from cravings adding social pressure

by telling people about the decision to quit avoiding triggers, such as drinking alcohol or visiting specific places being realistic about how long quitting can take • taking up new hobbies and keeping busy spending more time with friends who do not use nicotine

Seeking help for addic tion may seem daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. If you believe that you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, you can contact the following organizations for immediate help and advice: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAM HSA): 800-662-4357 (TTY: 800-487-4889) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

In summary, a person may find nicotine withdraw al symptoms uncomfortable and feel overwhelmed at times, particularly in the first week after quitting. Some people return to smoking be cause of this or are afraid of trying to quit.

However, many people suc cessfully overcome the chal lenges of nicotine withdraw al to achieve the multiple health benefits of quitting. It is important not to give up, as it can take a few tries before a person kicks the habit for good.

Sources: Medical News Today, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/323012; 7 common withdrawal symptoms and what you can do about them. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/ campaign/tips/quit-smoking/7common-withdrawal-symptoms/index. html

How to quit smoking plan — 8 steps to quitting for good. (2021). https://www.addictionsandrecovery. org/quit-smoking/how-to-quitsmoking-plan.htm Nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit tobacco. (2021). https://www.cancer.org/ healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/ guide-quitting-smoking/nicotinereplacement-therapy.html What do we know about e-cigarettes? (2022). https://www.cancer.org/healthy/ stay-away-from-tobacco/e-cigarettesvaping/what-do-we-know-about-ecigarettes.html

WELLNESS

Options & References for a Healthier Life

Should you take collagen supplements?

No one likes the wrinkled skin, achy joints and de creased muscle mass that can come with aging. But all these issues have one thing in com mon—they can result from reduced collagen in our body.

Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein and build ing block, accounting for onethird of our body’s protein. It helps us form connective tis sue—a vital component of our skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and cartilage. If our body doesn’t make enough colla gen, these body parts lose the elasticity and strength they need to function.

The good news is that sup plements can support our body’s collagen production. But as with any supplement, it’s important to have all the facts before changing your daily regimen.

Here’s what you need to know:

How collagen production decreases

Collagen levels naturally decrease with age. The body’s collagen production slows down over time, decreasing by 1% a year beginning in ear ly adulthood. And according to the American Academy

of Dermatology, women lose 30% of their skin’s collagen in the five years following meno pause.

But certain lifestyle factors can speed up the level of de cline. Collagen production may be affected by:

Excessive alcohol use

Exposure to environ mental pollution

Insufficient sleep Lack of exercise

Nutrient deficiencies

Smoking Sun exposure

Health effects of low collagen

When collagen breaks down faster than the body takes it in or makes more, it

can have detrimental effects.

Some of the effects are visible, while others happen beneath the surface.

Low collagen is a signif icant contributor to aging skin. Collagen makes up 70% to 80% of skin tissue and pro vides skin’s structural integ rity. As it decreases, skin can look wrinkled and crepey.

On the inside, muscles can weaken without enough collagen, while tendons and ligaments can lose their strength and stability. Colla gen also makes up 60% of the body’s cartilage, which cush ions bones from the effects of high-impact movements. When collagen deteriorates, joint pain and osteoarthritis can result.

How to increase collagen production in your body

There are ways to help your body increase collagen pro duction while supporting the collagen your body already has. You can eat foods high in collagen, and you may want to consider taking collagen sup plements.

Collagen in food

Eating foods high in colla gen is a natural way to boost collagen intake. Ideal choices include high-protein foods that have a lot of connective tissue, such as:

• Beef, especially tough cuts such as brisket and pot roast

Bone broth made from chicken, beef, or fish

Chicken and turkey, which provide collagen in skin and connective tissue

• Fish and shellfish, which contain the most colla gen in their bones and scales

You can also eat foods that support your body’s produc tion of collagen. Opt for a diet rich in:

Copper, found in beans, chickpeas, and cashews

• Protein such as egg

whites and beans Vitamin C, abundant in berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and bell peppers

• Zinc, found in nuts and seeds

Collagen peptides supplements

Collagen supplements also are a reliable resource — and there is no conclusive re

search proving that collagen from food is better than colla gen provided by supplements. But to ensure your body gets all the collagen it can from supplements, opt for collagen peptides or hydrolyzed colla gen. This alternative includes fragments of animal-derived collagen. Breaking down col lagen makes it easier for the body to absorb in its entirety than collagen taken as a com plete protein.

Collagen supplements come in pill, powder, or liq uid form. Topical creams and lotions may also contain col lagen, but the external appli cation is not as effective as in gested collagen supplements. Add powdered collagen to smoothies, coffee, and soups. Research shows that taking 2.5 to 15 grams daily of hy drolyzed collagen is safe. A

smaller dose benefits your joints and skin, while a larger amount may help with body composition and muscle mass.

Things to consider when supplementing with collagen or collagen peptides

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t reg ulate or review supplements, so talk to your primary care physician before adding col lagen supplements to your daily routine. While there are no known side effects, more research on collagen supple ments is needed.

Remember, collagen sup plements should not be a sub stitute for changing unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, forgoing sun protection, or not getting enough sleep. Making positive lifestyle changes can significantly im pact your body’s collagen pro duction.

To learn whether you should consider collagen sup plements, reach out to your primary care physician.

Source: https://connect.uclahealth. org/2022/09/30/should-you-takecollagen-supplements/

Is a fruit smoothie a good meal replacement option?

A typical smoothie is a drink made from mixed fruits or vegetables, and there are many ways to make one. While they provide several health benefits, drinking too many smoothies can nega tively affect your health. They can add a lot of unforeseen calories, especially when a smoothie is simply a bev erage with a meal. Lorraine Fye, a Mayo Clinic dietitian, has some simple ways to get smart about fruit smoothies.

A smoothie is delicious and easy to make. But is it good for you?

"I would say it's a really easy way to get a lot of good fruits and vegetables. You can get a lot of nutrients packed into one little glass," says Fye.

But too much of a good thing can be unhealthy.

"An unhealthy smoothie, it would be one that maybe is just all fruit or has a lot of fruit juice—one that's really laden with added sugar and that's not very balanced," says Fye. A smoothie can taste great and still be healthy. You just

need to add the right ingredi ents.

"The healthy smoothie— we're really looking for that balance. So you want good carbohydrates, good proteins and good healthy fats," she says.

Once you find the right bal ance and taste, that smoothie can be a good thing.

"It's really fine to have a

smoothie every day. It can be a convenient meal replace ment as long as you're making sure that it really is replacing the meal. Not too few calories, but not too many calories," says Fye.

Source: https://newsnetwork. mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinicminute-is-a-fruit-smoothie-a-goodmeal-replacement-option/

GREEN SMOOTHIE

Medical myths: Does sugar really drive kids wild?

You are at a party, and there are around 20 chil dren, aged 3–6. The noise is deafening, and the candy bowls are empty. Screams of joy fill the air as parents marvel at their offspring’s sugar-induced bedlam.

But what does the science say? Does sugar increase the risk of hyperactivity in chil dren? Perhaps surprisingly, the data says, “probably not.”

This will come as a sur prise to anyone who has at tended a gathering of chil dren where sweet treats are available, so let’s dive into the evidence, or lack thereof.

Sugar and hyperactivity in children

The question of whether sugar influences children’s

behavior started to generate interest in the 1990s, and a flurry of studies ensued.

In 1995, the Journal of the American Medical Associ ation (JAMA) published a meta-analysis that combed through the findings of 23 experiments across 16 scien tific papers.

The authors only included studies that had used a place bo and were blinded, which means that the children, par ents, and teachers involved did not know who had re ceived the sugar and who had been given the placebo.

After analyzing the data, the authors concluded:

“This meta-analysis of the reported studies to date found that sugar (mainly sucrose) does not affect the behavior or cognitive

performance of children.”

However, the authors note that they cannot eliminate the possibility of a “small effect.” As ever, they explain that more studies on a large scale are needed.

There is also the possibil ity that a certain subsection of children might respond differently to sugar. Over all, though, the scientists demonstrate that there cer tainly isn’t an effect as large as many parents report.

Are some children more sensitive to sugar?

In 2017, a related study appeared in the Internation al Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition The research ers investigated the impact of sugar consumption on the

sleep and behavior of 287 children aged 8–12.

Taking the findings to gether, it seems clear that if sugar does impact hy peractivity, the effect is not huge and does not extend to the majority of children.

Why does the idea persist?

At this point, some readers might be asking, “If there is no scientific evidence that sugar induces hyperactiv ity in children, why does it induce hyperactivity in my children?” Some of the blame, it is sad to say, may

fall on parental expectations.

Parents, the media, the setting in which children consume candy or sweets, or simply sweets as a spe cial treat might be enough to generate a boisterous out burst of high-octane activi ty—all can have an effect on children’s hyper episodes. It is most likely not sugar con sumption alone.

Sugar, it seems, does not cause hyperactivity in the vast majority of children. In the future, larger, longer studies might detect a small effect, but current evidence suggests that the associa

tion is a myth. This, however, does not discount the fact that a diet high in sugar increases the risk of diabetes, weight gain, tooth cavities, and heart dis ease. Monitoring children, and our own, sugar intake is still important for maintain ing good health.

Sources: excerpted from the article https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/medical-myths-does-sugarmake-children-hyperactive#Animportant-final-word; Journal of Affective Disorders; the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.

I’m Josh Gibson, and I hope you will consider my history of leadership in this community when it is time to make your decision about who should serve on Beaufort’s City Council.

I know you’re busy, and probably tired of reading and hearing political ads, but if you could take a minute of your time to read this, I would appreciate the chance to earn your vote.

When I say I have lived in Beaufort, I just don’t mean one spot of it, I have lived in almost every part of this city. I have lived in Mossy Oaks, where my parents and sister’s family live right now. I have lived in the Hermitage neighborhood, when my first son was born. When I was really young, I lived in a house my parents were renovating on New Street in The Point. I built a home in Battery Point when it was a new neighborhood, and I’ve built a home with my in-laws in the Northwest Quadrant. I’ve lived on Lady’s Island and Port Royal too. Now I live in the Old Commons neighborhood behind the old Catholic Church.

My point is this. I’m not running to represent some small sliver of Beaufort. I understand and believe in all of it, and I will represent all of it.

I served the city of Beaufort for six years as the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. I was also the President of the Old Commons Neighborhood Association. I’ve been called to serve by the city and by my neighbors and friends, and every time, I’ve accepted that responsibility. Now I’m asking for your vote. If you give me the opportunity, I will represent you, and this city, as faithfully as I have in the past. I believe I have the leadership skills that Beaufort needs as we look toward the future.

There have been moments in this campaign when important issues have come up, and I’ve been quick to take a firm position. The first issue I spoke out on was violent crime and using more cameras to help stop it. Now it seems the other candidates are for that too. This isn’t just a campaign talking point. It directly affects my neighbors lives. Twice in the 10 years I’ve lived in my neighborhood, my neighbors’s have had the windows shot out of their cars in drive-by shootings. This is a real ongoing problem that needs a solution. The city has since budgeted almost $70,000 to upgrade and add new cameras. That is great news and a step in the right direction.

I was the first one to come out firmly against the scale of the marina expansion. Now the other candidates seem to feel the scale of it is inappropriate as well. I’m glad they followed my lead.

There are plenty of things the city can do better too. We have got to streamline the construction permitting process, not only to make it faster, but also more effective. We also need to improve the interactions and communication between the city and its citizens. It shouldn’t take months to get a permit to paint your house or replace a fence.

My history in Beaufort started 50 years ago. My parents, my wife’s parents, and my sister’s family all live in the city. Both of my sons graduated from Beaufort High. I’m fully invested in Beaufort and want to protect it, while making sure that it grows in a way that respects our traditions and history.

I believe I have the local knowledge, experience and judgement to be a good representative for you. With your support, I’ll work to maintain and preserve this special place that we are all so lucky to call our home.

If you have any questions about issues I haven’t addressed here, call, text or email me. I’ll be happy to hear from you.

Thank you for your time. Please vote on or before November 8th. goforgibson2022@gmail.com 212-300-7179

Eagles win in a rout

By Wes Kerr LowcoSports.com

With a region title on the line, the Beaufort High Eagles delivered their best perfor mance yet.

The Eagles soared into the postseason with dominance in all three phases, downing Hanahan 49-14 at home Fri day to secure the Region 8-3A championship. It’s a remark able third region crown in four years for Bryce Lybrand, who also led Beaufort to the SCHSL 4A state champion ship game in 2021 – the only year his Eagles didn’t capture a region title.

“They did a great job,” Ly brand said. “We asked them to just come out tonight and click early, and for the first half, that’s as good as we’ve played in all three phases. Ev erybody did their job, really proud of them.”

The tone was set on Beau fort’s first defensive stand of the game, as Jeyden Simmons and a swarm of Eagles pum meled Hanahan quarterback Jaden Cummings and recov ered his fumble to set up the offense at the Hawk 28. Ly brand turned to his newfound workhorse back to get the job done, as Kacy Fields found a hole on the left side and blazed past a diving defender for an 8-yard touchdown.

Beaufort’s swarming de fense forced a quick threeand-out, and Eagles quarter back Samari Bonds went to work. The sophomore signal caller showcased a bit of ev erything on a seven-play scor ing drive, finding big tight end Michael Dennison before using his quick feet to escape the defense and score from 27 yards out. After Lamar and Jamar Knight and a speedy Eagle secondary shut down the Hawks again, Beaufort had a chance to land an early knockout blow.

They did it in just one play.

Bonds quickly flipped the ball to Fields, and the back re versed it to Colton Phares, who took off down the left side and cut through a pair of tacklers at midfield for a 69-yard touch down run. But the electric se nior wasn’t done yet. Phares one-upped his eye-popping run with yet another sensa tional punt return, fielding the ball on a bounce at the 25-yard line and slicing through a pack of Hawks on his way to the end zone. The magician daz zled again with his incredible quickness and agility to blow up the scoreboard and give the Eagles a 28-0 lead.

“I’ve never coached a player like him,” Lybrand said. “It’s cool to see him have success, and he’s going to be a great

football player at Appalachian State. Hopefully he keeps playing the way he’s playing because he’s been very good for us.”

Then, it was Kacy’s turn. Fields took back the spot light on the next Beaufort series, keeping the handoff this time and turning on the jets for 41 yards down the left sideline to score his second touchdown of the night. Ha

FOOTBALL ROUNDUP LowcoSports.com

Beaufort Academy 35, Bethesda Academy 30 Devonte Green and Jaxen Porter each topped 100 yards rushing and combined for three touchdowns, and Braydon Dineen had another monster game on both sides of the ball as the Eagles built a 29-8 lead and held off the Blazers’ furious second-half comeback to wrap up the region title.

Dineen rushed for 62 yards and tossed scoring passes to Zeke Gon zalez and Tripp Gregory and col lected 10 tackles, and Porter added seven tackles, an interception, and

a forced fumble on defense. The Eagles open the SCISA 2A play offs at home against Orangeburg Prep on Friday.

Records: BA (7-2, 3-0); BETH (7-3, 1-2)

Philip Simmons 42, Battery Creek 0

The Dolphins were no match for the red-hot Iron Horses, who locked up the No. 2 spot from Region 8-3A with their second straight shutout. Battery Creek travels to Gilbert to open the Class 3A playoffs Friday.

Records: PS (7-3, 3-1); BCHS (37, 1-3)

Wilson Hall 49, John Paul II 14

Christian Tilton rushed for 108 yards and a TD on 23 carries with a TD pass and an I nterception and added eight tackles (2 TFL) and forced and recovered a fum ble, but the Golden Warriors didn’t have enough gas to hang with Wil son Hall, which will host JPII in a first-round SCISA 3A playoff game Friday. Tony Hill caught a TD pass, and Sebastian Slusne had 11 tack

les (1 TFL) for JPII. Records: WH (6-3, 5-1); JPII (46, 2-4)

Bamberg-Ehrhardt 21, Whale Branch 3

The Warriors couldn’t muster enough offense on the road to keep pace with the Red Raiders, missing out on an opportunity to secure the No. 2 seed from Region 7-1A. Whale Branch travels to Lake View for a Class 1A first-round matchup Friday.

Records: WB (6-4, 3-2); B-E (82, 4-1)

A look at the playoff draws for squads across the area

LowcoSports.com

The high school football regular season wrapped up Friday night, which means we’re talking playoffs. Playoffs!

Here’s a look at the first-round matchups for every postsea son-bound squad from the Lowcoun try, as well as a glance at what lies ahead next week if they survive and advance.

Round 1 Playoff Schedule

SCHSL 4A Myrtle Beach (4-6) at May River (5-5)

IF THEY WIN … the Sharks will travel to West Florence or host Lu goff-Elgin Bluffton (4-6) at Westwood (3-7)

IF THEY WIN … the Bobcats will travel to South Florence or host Rich land Northeast

SCHSL 3A

Orangeburg-Wilkinson (3-7) at Beaufort (8-1)

IF THEY WIN … the Eagles will host Crestwood or Aynor Battery Creek (3-7) at Gilbert (8-2)

IF THEY WIN … the Dolphins will travel to Manning or Lakewood

SCHSL 2A Ridgeland (1-9) at Andrew Jackson (8-2)

IF THEY WIN … the Jaguars will travel to Timberland or Kingstree Wade Hampton (6-4) at Central (6-4)

IF THEY WIN … the Red Devils will travel to Oceanside Collegiate or host Lee Central

SCHSL 1A Hannah-Pamplico (4-6) at Estill (9-1)

IF THEY WIN … the Gators will host Carvers Bay or St. John’s Whale Branch (6-4) at Lake View (7-3)

IF THEY WIN … the Warriors will travel to Cross or host East Clarendon SCISA 3A

Florence Christian (4-6) at HHCA (7-3)

IF THEY WIN … the Eagles will travel to Wilson Hall or host John Paul II John Paul II (4-6) at Wilson Hall (7-3)

IF THEY WIN … the Golden War riors will travel to HHCA or Florence Christian Hilton Head Prep (0-9) at Pee Dee Academy (9-1)

IF THEY WIN … the Dolphins will travel to Pinewood Prep or First Bap tist SCISA 2A Orangeburg Prep (3-7) at Beaufort Academy (7-2)

IF THEY WIN … the Eagles will host Colleton Prep or Northside Christian Northside Christian (6-4) at Colleton Prep (9-1)

IF THEY WIN … the War Hawks will travel to BA or host Orangeburg Prep SCISA 1A Dorchester Academy (5-4) at Thomas Heyward (6-3)

IF THEY WIN … the Rebels will host Calhoun Academy or Clarendon Hall Patrick Henry (6-3) at St. John’s Christian (7-3)

IF THEY WIN … the Patriots will travel to Lee Academy or host The King’s Academy SCISA 8-man Holy Trinity (4-5) at W.W. King (9-1)

IF THEY WIN … the Mighty Lions will travel to Faith Christian or Ward law Academy

Together, I believe we can make positive changes for the City of Beaufort that we can all be proud of.

nahan got on the scoreboard thanks to running back Kev on Rivera, but the Eagles an swered right back on the next drive as Bonds found paydirt for the second time from 12 yards out. It was the punctu ation to a near-flawless first half from the home side and put Beaufort on the cusp of a region title with a command

Beaufort’s head coach Bryce Lebrand is all smiles after getting doused with a cooler full of Gatorade after his Eagles defeated Hanahan, 49-14, on Friday night to become the 2022 Region 8-3A champions. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Beaufort brings its best, blows out Hawks for region crown

Beaufort’s workhorse Colton Phares scores his second touchdown of the night against Hanahan Friday night. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Mighty Lions sweep SCISA 2A XC titles

Boys Holy Trinity won the team

with a dominant showing,

26 points to easily

St. John’s Christian (61) and Beaufort Academy (82).

Daniel Reedy ran a 5K time of 18:21 to win the individu al title and lead a quartet of Mighty Lions who finished in the top six overall. Fellow se niors Sam Moore (19:05) and Caleb Stone (19:12) were third and fourth with freshman William Cochrane (19:53) in sixth.

Eighth-grader Titus Weav er (20:03) led Beaufort Acad emy in eighth place with se nior Brock Bekemeyer (20:25) and freshman Cohen Weav er (20:29) in 10th and 11th. Sophomores Preston Gard ner (20:41) and Joshua Mark

Eagles from page B1

ing 42-7 lead.

The Eagles capped off the scoring early in the second half, as an 18-yard Bonds run set up Fields’ third rushing touchdown from the Hawk 20.

Beaufort’s secondary contin ued to feast down the stretch, and Dom Camacho added his

(21:14) finished 12th and 14th for the Mighty Lions.

2A Girls Holy Trinity (30) boasted three of the top four finishers to cruise to the title, as Con way Christian (45) and Cal houn Academy (47) were the only other teams to field full squads.

Calhoun’s Gabby Jourdain (20:26) won the individual

second interception in three games. It was a coronation from there, as the Eagles ran out the clock to close out a re gion-clinching 49-14 win.

Fields closed out a special regular season with anoth er stellar outing, rushing for 164 yards and three touch downs on 15 carries. Bonds impressed under center, com pleting 2 of 5 passes for 21 yards and adding four rushes for 70 yards and two touch

title with a trio of Mighty Li ons right behind her in soph omore Bryant Salley (21:54), and eighth-graders Peyton Kaylor (22:11) and AnnaCate Gray (23:30).

3A Girls John Paul II did not field a full team but had a strong showing from junior Brady Mahoney, who finished 10th in 21:18.

downs. Phares pulled off two highlight-reel scores and an chored a strong secondary alongside Camacho and the Knight brothers.

Beaufort High (8-1, 4-0) be gins its SCHSL 3A postseason run on Friday at home against Orangeburg-Wilkinson.

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

Holy Trinity girls boasted three of the top four finishers to cruise to the title. Photo from LowcoSports.com

Five new art benches bring number around town to 17

From staff reports

Five new artist-designed benches have been added to the Cultural Arts District’s Art Bench Project in Octo ber, making for a total of 17 benches displayed around the city – for both viewing and sitting.

“We’re thrilled that we are expanding this project year by year,” City of Beaufort Events Manager and mem ber of the Cultural Art Dis trict Advisory Board Andrea Hackenberger said in a news release. “This unique project tells the story of Beaufort in both a beautiful and func tional way.”

The newest benches were unveiled last Thursday at US CB’s Center for the Arts lawn. The benches were built by Lowcountry Habitat for Hu manity. Each is sponsored by a different organization. The new ones include:

Do All the Good You Can Do

something that everyone can enjoy for a long time. This is a colorful, youth-directed expression of positivity and inclusiveness. The youths' handprints are on the back of the bench.

Waterfront Park –Then and Now

amined photos from that pe riod to show what the water front looked like as you were crossing the Woods Memori al Bridge toward Beaufort.

DragonBoat Beaufort

History and Current Lifestyle in Pigeon Point

Sponsor: Carteret Street Methodist Church Artist: Youth Fellowship, overseen by artist Linda Silk Sviland

Location: Bench will be placed in the church’s play ground area.

About the bench: The quote inscribed across the bench is illustrated with various de sign elements Illustrating the John Wesley quote, “Do all the good you can do.” Peace symbols, raised hands, hearts, people holding hands, love and unity created a special opportunity for the tweens and teens of Carteret Street United Methodist Church’s youth group to participate in

Sponsor: City of Beaufort Artist: Mary Ann Browning Ford

Location: Bench will be set up at the west end of the Wa terfront Park near pavilion.

About the bench: Henry C. Chambers knew, when he became mayor of Beaufort in 1969, that the city’s dilapidat ed waterfront demanded to be remade. And he had the vision to do it. Chambers saw the potential for a waterfront park that could bring “seven acres of water” to anyone who lived in or visited Beaufort. It would not just be for the privileged, but for all of us – a community front lawn where concerts and festivals could be held, kids could play, and everyone could stroll along the promenade, soaking in the beauty of the marshes, the bridge, the marina, the boats, the dolphins – every thing that makes Beaufort the truly special place it is.

Today, we have that water front, but in the 1950s, it was quite a different story, as de picted on the bench.

About the artist: Mary Ann Browning Ford is a member of the National Association of Women Artists and a sce nic artist/designer at Center for the Arts. Mary Ann re searched the waterfront as it existed in the 1950s, and ex

Sponsor: DragonBoat Beau fort

Artist: Greg Rawls

Location: Bench will be placed in front of day dock at Downtown Marina.

About the bench: Dragon Boat Beaufort, which rais es money to help cancer patients, started in 2012 in spired by the documentary film “Awaken the Dragon,” presented at the Beaufort International Film Festival.

With no resources and no equipment, the first practice was done sitting on chairs and paddling with brooms in Waterfront Park. The mixed competitive team compris es many cancer survivors as well as supporters who prac tice several times a week.

DragonBoat Beaufort holds an annual Race Day in Wa terfront Park where local organizations form teams to race dragon boats. All money raised goes to an outreach program used to assist can cer patients who live, work, or receive treatment in Beau fort County with expenses not covered by traditional means.

About the artist: Greg Raw ls’ primary mediums are glass and wood. He has been designing and building the sets for the Beaufort Theatre Company for seven years. He also designs all of the graph ic materials for Dragon Boat Beaufort.

Sponsor: Pigeon Point Neighborhood Watch Artist: Linda Silk Sviland Location: Bench will be placed along the grassy area along the road just outside of Pigeon Point Park.

About the bench: Pigeon Point residents love their neighborhood and welcome this opportunity to share their enthusiasm! Linda Silk Sviland’s creativity captures the charm of today’s lifestyle – fishing at the boat land ing, biking, and dog-walking along shady streets, fami ly fun at the three popular parks – while the back of the bench reflects Pigeon Point’s unique history over more than a century, all of which endears the neighborhood to its residents and its many visitors. And soaring above it all is our beloved passenger pigeon!

About the artist: Linda Silk Sviland’s creative output has always been in the public eye — from her adolescent launch as a costume designer for the professional stage; to creat ing national political cam paign graphics; to designing public building murals cel ebrating Olympic champi ons and Black community trailblazers. Since retiring to Beaufort, Linda feels blessed to continue to “put herself out there” with the public art bench project. She has de signed and painted a number of benches.

Ancestral Connection Sponsor: Washington Street Park Artist: Hank Herring

Location: Bench will be placed in Washington Street Park.

About the bench: The bench Ancestral Connection is ded icated to the responsibility that we all have to teach, pro tect, encourage, guide and to raise our youth into the next generation of elders. The images on the bench depict children playing with out worry, surrounded by the Adinkra symbols that represent the ancestral con nection of parents, teach ers, and the neighborhood, all that have imparted their wisdom into their survival, their growth, and their jour ney in this life. The main symbols seen on the back of the bench are the Sanko fa “Go back and fetch it, or Learning from the past to build the future,” and Mate Masie: “What I have learned I keep.” These are reminders that we need the knowledge of our ancestors, and the lessons they taught. Sankofa is for us to acknowledge the situations our ancestors went through, Mate Masie that we remember and prepare for those coming afterwards and never forget, “It takes a vil lage to raise them up.”

About the artist: Hank D. Herring is the owner of the

Green Herring Art and Fram ing Studio on Bay Street. He learned about art at an early age from watching and being instructed by artistic fami ly members and school art programs. After high school, Hank enlisted in the Marine Corps for a 20-year career. His occupational specialty was machinist. Working in the machinist field allowed him to learn more creative ways to manipulate metals, plastic, glass, and composite materials into art. During his time in the military, Hank made a correlation between found objects and life les sons that he expresses in his art to this day. Hank contin ually shows his passion for helping the community and the arts through mentoring programs, public events, and forums. He has mentored in public and private schools, and has served as a teaching artist for the Kennedy Cen ters Teaching Artist Program and the Low Country Arts In tegration Project with Beau fort County School District. He served as a board member of the South Carolina Arts Al liance and as a consultant on local arts organizations’ spe cial projects. Hank's work has been featured in museums and galleries throughout the United States.

Museums partner with SC Public Radio for ‘Southern Sound Radio’

From staff reports

Southern Sound Radio is a two-hour program sched uled to broadcast from 8 to 10 p.m., every Saturday evening in November on S.C. Public Radio. Featuring live concerts recorded at the McCelvey Center in York during the

Southern Sound Series, this is the third year that Culture & Heritage Museums has part nered with S.C. Public Radio.

The Southern Sound Ra dio lineup for 2022 includes recorded live music by Della Mae, Chatham County Line, Ruthie Foster and Steep

Canyon Rangers, includ ing previously unaired re cordings from the Southern Sound Series.

This year’s program is bol stered with fresh conversa tions between the featured artists and Zach Lemhouse, historian for Culture & Heri

tage Museums. In the inter views, band members reflect on the evolving nature of the genre of bluegrass and dis cuss historical crossovers of musical styles that encom pass the roots music of the Carolina Piedmont. Video from the interviews

can be viewed on Culture & Heritage Museums' YouTube Channel.

Schedule Southern Sound Radio will air each Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. Nov. 5, Della Mae

Nov. 12, Chatham County Line Nov. 19, Ruthie Foster Nov. 26, Steep Canyon Rangers

More information and lives tream details can be found at southcarolinapublicradio.org

Members of the Washington Street Park. Artist Hank Herring is at right. Photos courtesy of the City of Beaufort.

Some of the youth artists from Carteret Street Methodist Church.

City Council members and staff surround the bench. Artist Mary Ann Browning Ford is at left.

Members of DragonBoat Beaufort. Artist Greg Rawls is third from right.

Pigeon Point neighbors gather around their new bench.

Chamber Music makes colorful return

By Michael Johns

USCB Chamber Music's 43rd season opens at 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6, with a spec tacular splash of musical col ors and styles. Artistic Direc tor, pianist, and host Andrew Armstrong has ably assem bled a program that will in flame the passions, satisfy in tellectual curiosity, and offer a variety of vibrant sounds and pleasing melodies.

There are two pieces of American music (one influ enced by jazz, the other by imaginative fancy), a main stream Austrian classical work, two French pieces (one with Spanish seductive ness, the other celebrating the French Baroque), a Nor wegian piece (with a nod to the German Baroque) and a Hungarian piano, wind, and string ensemble work of fer vid extravagance. The seven compositions are set in six different instrumental combi nations. There is something to please every taste and emotion.

The concert begins with American composer Julia Perry's jazz-inflected Prelude for Piano Written while she was a junior in college, Per ry's halting and unhurried ballad begins with heaviness and ascends to radiance. Lud wig van Beethoven's Classi cal-period Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Opus 11 pro vides tuneful melodies with hints at the disruptive quali

ties he would magnify as he trans formed west ern music.

The Ameri can Florence Price is rep resented with her Elfentanz (Dance of the Elves) for Viola and Piano a charming and whimsical miniature with ragtime-in flection and heart-felt nostal gia.

Maurice Ravel is represent ed by two works arranged for French horn and piano. Haba nera weaves sensuous, seduc tive melodies over the piano's hypnotic dance rhythm while Rigaudon, from Le Tombeau de Couperin, features bubbly energy surrounding a middle section of exquisite delicacy and intimate reflection.

Following intermission, Jo han Halvorsen's Sarabande con variazioni (Thême de Händel), for Violin and Viola takes a simple Baroque tune and, over 11 variations, grad ually builds through flashy virtuosity to a monumental conclusion approaching sym phonic majesty.

Concluding the program is a dazzling, hyper-romantic showpiece: Sextet for Violin, Viola, Cello, Horn, Clarinet and Piano, Op. 37 by Ernst von Dohnányi. A major force in Hungarian music as a pi anist, composer, conductor, and administrator, Dohnányi

was granted U.S. citizen ship following World War II and spent his last decades on the facul ty of Florida State Univer sity. Conservative by nature, Dohnányi used pre-exist ing forms and filled them to overflowing with lyricism, expansive sonic vistas, and sparkling wit. The Sextet is a unique, strong, and gripping work. Because of its unusu al instrumentation it is un der-represented in concert halls; do not miss the oppor tunity to hear this master piece!

Armstrong has assembled a stellar group of superb artists to perform this var ied program: the legendary French hornist Philip Mey ers was principal horn of the New York Philharmonic from 1980-2017, soloed with the orchestra every year of his tenure, and taught at the Juil liard School. Dominic Desau tels, a graduate of the Univer sité de Montréal, is principal clarinetist at the Canadian Opera Company, adjunct as sistant professor of clarinet at the University of Toronto, and in frequent demand as a soloist and chamber musi cian.

Violist Beth Guterman Chu, a graduate of the New England Conservatory and

Juilliard School, has been the St. Louis Sym phony Or chestra’s principal viola since 2013, was a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and is a frequent chamber music col laborator at music festivals across the country. Cellist Alice Yoo holds degrees from the New England Conserva tory, Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, En gland, and the University of Southern California's Thorn ton School of Music, is the Co-founder and Co-Artistic director of the Denver Cham ber Music Festival, a faculty member at Colorado State University and the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, and performs in nu merous chamber music fes tivals, including Marlboro/ Musicians from Marlboro Tours, Ravinia, Yellow Barn, Olympic, and Moab Music Festivals.

Violinist Arnaud Suss mann was trained at the Con servatoire de Paris and the Juilliard School, won a 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, has been a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 2006, and is respected worldwide as a soloist, recording artist

and chamber musician. Minnesota’s Pioneer Press writes, “Suss mann has an old-school sound rem iniscent of what you'll hear on vintage recordings by Jascha Heifetz or Fritz Kreisler, a rare combi nation of sweet and smooth that can hypnotize a listen er. His clear tone (is) a thing of awe-inspiring beauty, his phrasing spellbinding.”

Hearing Artistic Director Andrew Armstrong on a reg ular basis has positioned se ries subscribers into eagerly anticipating his witty and un scripted stage remarks, bril liant musicianship, and artis tic intensity. Not one to sit on his laurels while away from Beaufort, Armstrong recently recorded a new solo album of American composers for release on an international label in 2023 and within days of the first USCB Chamber Music concert he will be off to Melbourne, Australia for a performance of the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas with James Ehnes.

There are multiple ways to enjoy the concerts — In Per son, Live-Stream and On-De mand. All virtual concerts are professionally produced, cre ating ideal viewing opportu nities. On-Demand is accessi ble four days after the concert

Cellist Alice Yoo performs in numerous chamber music festivals, including Marlboro/ Musicians from Marlboro Tours, Ravinia, Yellow Barn, Olympic, and Moab Music Festivals. Submitted photo.

and available to view at your leisure for three weeks. For concert/ticket information, go to www.uscbchambermu sic.com or call 843-208-8246, Monday through Friday. The concert is 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6, at the USCB Center for the Arts. Doors open at 4.

TAKE3 for another fabulous concert on Fripp Island

By Margit Resch

Do me a favor: Go to you tube.com, type in “TAKE3, Stand by Me,” and listen to the trio’s captivating rendi tion of that Ben E. King clas sic song. Actually, you can just listen to any of their mu sic, the unusual and alluring fusion of classical and popu lar tunes created by a vocal ist/violinist, a pianist and a cellist.

Lindsay Deutsch, the founder of TAKE3, said that their music is based on the following idea: “What if we combined classical music with music people actual ly like?” So the trio clever ly mixes music like "Sweet Home Alabama,” Billy Joel's "She's Got a Way,” Louis Arm strong’s "What a Wonder ful World,” Willie Nelson’s unforgettable “On the Road Again” or Leonard Cohen’s immensely popular “Hallelu jah” with Beethoven’s “Moon light Sonata,” Bach’s “Ave Maria,” Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” or John Nel son’s “Amazing Grace,” first published in 1779.

I am sure you will actually

like TAKE3’s music mixes.

You will want to hear and see TAKE3 in real life. And you can — right here in Beaufort County. Fripp Island Friends of Music (FIFOM) is offering a TAKE3 concert in Fripp Is land’s Community Centre on 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13.

Did you listen to one of the trio’s performances on YouTube? So, what do you like better, Lindsay Deutsch’s mesmerizing voice or her classically-inspired, rock-in fused, alluring violin rendi tion; or the creative, catchy interludes by award winning pianist Jason Stroll; or the bewitching, almost roman tic versions of cellist Mikala Schmitz, an avid, internation ally admired performer of many different styles.

Actually, you shouldn’t just listen, you should also watch closely, because the trio’s vi sual performances are just as dramatic and dazzling, especially Deutsch’s intrigu ing body language and facial expressions. While playing the violin expertly, she danc es, leaps, struts and prances, grimaces, laughs, frowns and

otherwise emotes, all in the service of illustrating the mu sic.

“She played like a column of fire – her head thrown back, her body an extension of the instrument,” one reviewer wrote, describing her physi cal stage demeanor.

Deutsch made her solo orchestral debut at age 11, playing with the Clear Lake Symphony in Texas. In addi tion to forging a reputation as a violinist, she won (would you believe) a gold medal in the World Junior Olympic Racquetball Championships in 1997 and was selected to the 2000 U.S Junior Olympic Racquetball Team. No won der Deutsch is moving with such elegance and agility on stage while playing violin. At age 15, she decided to pursue a musical career. While earn ing her degree from the Col burn School of Music in Los Angeles, where she studied with Robert Lipsett, she con tinued to perform with ma jor orchestras all over North America.

She was just 20 years old when she received national

attention. No, not for winning in racquetball, not for play ing violin — yet. In fact, she couldn’t have played in April of 2005 because her violin was stolen out of her car — a 1742 Sanctus Seraphin violin, valued at $850,000, on loan from the Mandell Collec tion of Southern California. Deutsch offered a $10,000 re ward, and the instrument was returned five days later.

In 2018, Deutsch be gan touring with Yanni, a Greek-American composer, pianist and music producer. She was the featured violinist during his "Yanni 25 – Live at the Acropolis Anniversa ry Concert Tour,” which also took her to Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Deutsch’s movie credits in clude the violin sound track in the 2006 movie The Good Shepherd starring Robert de Niro. It’s not surprising to find out that Deutsch is ac tively involved in outreach programs to present classical music to young audiences and revitalize classical music in general. So she will love playing for FIFOM’s Music-

in-the-Schools program on Monday after the concert on Fripp. And, of course, she per forms with her trio TAKE3, these days amassing a sched ule of about 60 concerts a year. And amassing as many flattering reviews. Just two of these will have to suffice.

The Indian Wells Com munity Concert Association wrote: "Due in large part to how well they connected with our audience, our members without exception are calling this the best concert they can remember us hosting, and we go back 73 years.”

Chris Seidel from the Palm Springs Community Concert Association said: "To say TAKE3 was a hit would be an understatement to be sure. In all the years I've been associ ated with the Concert Associ ation, I've never had as many compliments. They were a smashing success!"

Come and be dazzled by TAKE3 on Sunday, Nov. 13, 5 p.m. in the Fripp Island Com munity Centre, 205 Tarpon Blvd. Admission at the door is $30 for adults (credit cards accepted), students free

thanks to the Peg Gorham Memorial Fund. You are invit ed to a meet-the-artist recep tion after the performance, catered, deliciously, by Har old’s Chef Services. This concert is presented by FIFOM and supported by the SC Arts Commission. It helps fund FIFOM’s Musicin-the-Schools program. See our website frippfriendsof music.com for more informa tion, and call or text Vanessa Peñaherrera at (704) 807-0255 for reservations.

Arnaud Sussmann

Beth Guterman Chu

Dominic Desautels

Phillip Meyers

Photograph by Sandy Dimke

AT THE OPERA

USCB presents Verdi’s La Traviata

By Becky Sprecher

Verdi’s opera about a fa mous courtesan named Vi oletta Valéry who dies of consumption is based on the 1848 novel, La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils, son of the writer of The Three Musketeers. Sometimes referred to as Ca mille in English, the novel tells the story of the author’s affair with a courtesan who sacrifices everything for love. Shortly after publication, Dumas adapted the novel for the stage and in 1853, Gi useppe Verdi premiered his musical version of the story called La Traviata (the fallen woman) at La Fenice in Ven ice. While opening night was a disaster due to a poor per formance by the soprano in the leading role, La Traviata went on to become a “bread and butter” opera guaranteed to pack in an audience. The story has been adapted by the movies, too; think Gre ta Garbo in Camille (1936), and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, although Roberts’ Vivian has better luck than all of the rest. When Edward (Richard Gere) flies her in his private jet to see La Traviata at the San Francisco Opera, Vivian realizes she’d better get a real job and go back to school.

The role of disease in op era is quite prevalent, consid ering that so many were com posed in the day when much was not known. In their book, Opera: Desire, Disease, and Death, Linda and Michael Hutcheon point out that tu berculosis, or consumption as it was known when Verdi

was composing Traviata, was believed to be either inher ited or “provoked by certain personal characteristics or living habits” (including ex cessive sexual activity), and that a person simply “fell into a consumptive decline.”

Consumption decimated the artistic community, tak ing the lives of Keats, Shelley, the Bronte sisters, Schiller, Chopin, and many others, leading people to surmise that there was a link between artistic genius and the illness.

“The cause of the disease, the inter-personal transmis sion of Mycobacterium tuber culosis, was not discovered until 1882,” write the Hutch eons, and “the discovery of streptomycin wouldn’t come until 1943. This mysterious disease, which many thought could be inherited, fascinat ed society in those days, very

much like AIDS has in our time.”

“It is precisely these be liefs that provide the building blocks for the Verdi opera,” continue the Hutcheons.

“The curtain goes up on a late-night party scene where Violetta, who has just recov ered from a long bout with the illness, has announced that she is now fully recovered and wants to enjoy life to the fullest, for it is fleeting like a flower.” She proceeds to lead the guests in the famous The Drinking Song, Libiamo ne’ lieti calici. (I once knew of a fraternity who learned to sing this; however imperfect, it was a vast improvement over their usual bawdy repertoire.)

Alfredo Germont, a guest at the party, sees Violetta and falls madly in love with her.

For the first time, Violetta feels what it is like to be tru

ly loved. She gladly gives up her restless life in Paris to live with Alfredo in the country, where she is selling her prop erty to pay their expenses. Al fredo’s father visits privately with Violetta and warns that his son will never be able to take his proper place in soci ety as long as he is in a rela tionship with someone of her background. If she truly loves him, she should give him up.

Without explaining to Al fredo, Violetta leaves him and takes up with Baron Douphol, breaking Alfredo’s heart. Tragically, Violetta is on the verge of dying from the disease when Alfredo, who has finally learned the truth, rushes in to be with her at the end.

The success of this opera depends not only on the vo cal talents of the cast but the personal charm of the singer

Who Is Jesus?

who is performing the role of Violetta. After all, this is an opera about a courtesan and there’s a tendency to say that she got what she deserved.

We should remember, how ever, that in the 19th century, courtesans were celebrated and provided an array of ser vices, not just sexual ones. They dressed beautifully, were well read, had access to influential and powerful peo ple, and could converse on a wide variety of topics from the arts to politics. They were not streetwalkers, although they could end up that way if they did not invest their mon ey wisely.

Still, we must like her. We have to sympathize when she does the right thing and gives up Alfredo, and when she dies with a broken heart.

Watch a YouTube video of Beverly Sills singing Violet ta in the Drinking Song, and you’ll see what I mean. You just can’t not like Beverly Sills; her personality shines through. And regardless of what you think of Julia Rob erts as an actor, who doesn’t adore her? Her Vivian is one of her most endearing roles. We will have that likeabil ity factor in this production with Nadine Sierra as Violet ta. She sang lights out in last year’s Lucia de Lammermoor at the Met and charmed ev eryone with her vivacious personality in her backstage interviews. She is delightful, talented, and supported by a great cast.

You won’t want to miss La Traviata, so get your tickets now. Expect lavish costumes and settings, along with

Out of His Mind?

Jesus Was No Lunatic

What if Jesus believed he was God, but he actually wasn’t?

As one reads the words and deeds of Jesus in the Gospels, one sees that he claims to be God. One possibility is that Jesus truly believed that this was the case, but he was mistaken. In other words, he was delusional or crazy, like someone today who believes himself to be from outer space. But such an explanation does not fit the evidence one finds in the Gospels.

Jesus displayed great mental clarity.

He does not exhibit typical signs of mental disorder. He does not act or speak irrationally, jumping to false conclusions or exhibiting paranoia. Jesus acts logically and with a clear sense of purpose. His teaching is clear, down-to-earth, and cuts right to the heart of his listeners. Men and women of all backgrounds are attracted by his message, both then and now. His words are not those of a madman.

Jesus was emotionally balanced and stable. Those who are mentally disturbed are often unable to display emotion appropriately, but this is not the case with Jesus. He weeps when his friend Lazarus dies. (John 11:35) He displays appropriate anger when he sees God’s temple in Jerusalem being misused by merchants. (Matthew 21:12) He demonstrates tremendous calm and self-control, even forgiving his executioners as he is dying. (Luke 23:34)

Jesus had healthy friendships and interactions with others. Those who are disconnected from reality do not typically interact well with others or form healthy, long-lasting relationships. An insane person might deceive others for a short time, but those around him or her will soon perceive that something is off. Jesus interacts well with people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. He has healthy friendships with men and women, and he has particularly strong and close friendships with the twelve apostles. If Jesus were crazy or mentally unbalanced, the apostles would never have stayed three years at his side.

70 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, SC • 843-522-9555

glorious music. Super diva Renée Fleming is going to host. Afterwards, book a ta ble for dinner at a place with French wines on the list. You can toast how far women have come since those days, and how they no longer have to resort to such marginal ized lifestyles to earn a living. You can also celebrate the advancements in medicine that are saving lives from communicable diseases. See you there!

The Metropolitan Opera will present Giuseppi Ver di’s ever-popular La Traviata at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. The performance will be streamed live in Hi-Def at the Center for the Arts on Carter et St. Tickets are $22 and $20 for OLLI members, and may be purchased at the door or in advance on the website at www.uscbcenterforthearts.

com

The opera is sung in Italian with Met Titles in English. Running length is 3 hours, with intermissions between Acts I & II, and Acts II and III. For more details on the production, visit www.Metop era.org

Jesus backed up his spectacular claim with miracles. If he were not actually divine, then his attempts at performing miracles would have failed. When he commanded the wind and the waves to be silent, the deadly storm would have continued unabated. (Mark 4:39) When Jesus told the paralyzed man to rise and walk, the crowd would have seen the man struggle unsuccessfully to stand. (Mark 2:11) But this is not what happens. Jesus calms the storm and restores health to the paralytic, along with countless other miracles. A delusional person cannot do such things.

Jesus cannot be dismissed as a lunatic. As one reads the Gospels, one does not find reasons to conclude that Jesus was delusional or insane. It is quite the opposite: one gets the impression that Jesus was one of the most well-balanced and mentally healthy individuals one could ever hope to meet.

Next Week Was Jesus Lying?

WANT TO GO?

What: Giuseppi Verdi’s La Traviata performed by The Metropolitan Opera and presented in HD

When: 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5

Where: USC Beaufort Center For The Arts

Tickets: $22; $20 for OLLI members. May be purchased at the door or in advance at www. uscbcenterforthearts.com

The Metropolitan Opera will present Giuseppi Verdi’s ever-popular La Traviata at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5. The performance will be streamed live in Hi-Def at the Center for the Arts. Submitted photo.

CALENDAR

Shorts at High Noon at TCL

Noon to 1 p.m., every Wednesday, TCL’s Beaufort campus. Free and open to the public. Check-in is at 11:30 a.m. All films were featured at the 2022 Beaufort International Film Festival.

Bluffton Night Bazaar — a Lowcountry Made Market

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

Rooted Beaufort Yoga classes

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

Wet Willie's Trivia Night

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

Wet Willie's Bingo Night

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

Port Royal Farmers Market

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

Lowcountry Made Markets

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month through December, Buckwalter Place Park, next to Kroger off Buckwalter Place Blvd., Bluffton. Each market includes local vendors, live music, food and drink. The events are free. Participating vendors include: Gullah Express LLC (food truck), Declan’s Delights, Pick N Paint Pottery, Preservation Tree Art, 7th & Palm, Kara Artman Art, Southern Botanica, Hedone (bath & body),

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Blue Door Boutique, The Herb Room Organic Apothecary, Juke Joint Sweets, BPC Custom Furniture, Back to Eden Self Care Products, LLC, Shutterbug Custom Designs LLC, Pet Wants Hilton Head, Grind Coffee Roasters, LLC, Fabula Collective, The Artsy Girl, KODA Glass Designs, Lowcountry Livin’, Legacy Art Gallery, Cottonwood Soap Company, Marsh View Candles and Crafted With A Purpose.

Engage Beaufort –Heirs Property

6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3, USCB Center

For The Arts, 805 Carteret Street. Free and open to the public. A workshop presented by the legal and forestry staff of the Center for Heirs Property Preservation. Learn to indentify, claim and preserve you Heirs property and about opportunities to use your land to generate income. For more information, visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com/ENGAGE or call 843-521-4145.

Occasional Monday Night Movie – Where The Crawdads Sing

3 and 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7, USCB Center

For The Arts. Tickets are $8. For more information, visit www.uscbcenterforthearts. com.

Veterans Day Parade

10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 11. Parade lineup begins at Beaufort National Cemetery at 8:30 p.m.. Parade route runs through downtown Beaufort. Parade is sponsored by Beaufort County Veterans Affairs and will be broadcast on The County Channel. Entry application can be found at BeaufortCountySC.com/ veteransaffairs. Registration deadline is Oct. 27.

Lady’s Island Garden Club bake sale

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, in front of Grayco Hardware and Home at 136 Sea Island Parkway. Homemade baked goods will include whole cakes and pies and packages of cookies, snack mix, muffins, cupcakes, brownies, sugar-free and gluten-free items and treats for man’s best friend. Many of the baked goods will be packaged for gift giving. Holiday and seasonal wreaths and fresh floral arrangements created talented gardeners will be offered. The Lady’s Island Garden Club is a 501(c) (3) organization and proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for community service projects. Current projects include maintaining the Tree Walk on the Point, planting flowers at the Beaufort National Cemetery, supporting Wreaths Across America and more. The Club also contributes financially to many charitable organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Hunting Island, Friends of Fort Fremont, Port Royal Sound Foundation, Lowcountry Raptors and Beaufort Open Land Trust.

Port Royal Cypress Wetlands tours

4 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13; 4 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25. You don't want to miss the Free guided tours of the Port Royal Cypress Wetlands. Master Naturalist Jill Moore is full of information about the alligators, turtles, trees, plants, and the variety of birds that call the wetlands home. This is a great opportunity to learn about this magical place. Tours are limited in size so sign up now – Kat Bray, Tour Coordinator, info@foprcw.org. Sponsored by Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands.

Beaufort Oyster Festival

Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 21-22, 2023, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. www.BftOysterFestival.com.

MCAS Beaufort Airshow

Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, 2023, MCAS Beaufort. Visit BeaufortAirShow.com. General admission is free.

GOLF

Inaugural Stingray Scramble

Saturday, Nov. 12, Ocean Creek Course, Fripp Island. Tournament benefits Riverview Charter School. Event features golf, food, awards and an after party. Details to come.

Adaptive Golf Experience Clinic

9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, The Legends at Parris Island. Register at https://bit. ly/3vD1iGN by Nov. 6 to get on base. Free and open to civilians, veterans and active military. Led by golf professionals and physical therapists. Clinics target veterans and civilians with physical disabilities or challenges. As a participant, you’ll receive complimentary instruction on both the full golf swing and putting, taught by experienced professional golf instructors, fellow adaptive athletes who are already golfers and volunteers. No prior experience with golf is necessary – just a desire to learn or to help others. Our goal is to help those with disabilities learn new abilities through adaptive golf.

HISTORY

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-of-the-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., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. 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.

MEETINGS Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club November meeting

7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club located on Lady’s Island off of Meridian Road. Social begins at 6:30 p.m. Guests are welcome. Reservations are not needed. The guest speaker is Ryan Yaden, DNR Director of the S.C. Artificial Reef Program. Ryan will present the history of this very successful program with updates on the reef from Edisto to Hilton Head White Water Reef, including new coordinates. He will also present deployments of materials of opportunity at these reefs with underwater video of deployed tanks, APCS Barges, Tug Boat, and NY Subway Car. Weigh in your favorite catch at the Port Royal Landing Marina – Safe Harbor – during regular hours. Swinton Anderson won the monthly $50 drawing for October. Winners must be present at the next month’s meeting to receive the cash award. For additional information, contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2122 or email fgibson@islc.net.

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 843-575-0021 or email universitybicycles@hotmail.com.

League of Women Voters Beaufort meeting

6:30 to 8 p.m., 2nd Thursday of each month (Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8), Meeting Room of Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Lady’s Island Drive. This is a non-partisan, non-profit organization. All are invited to attend. Please join us to promote voter participation in matters of interest to all of us : locally, statewide and nationally.

YOUR EVENT HERE Send your events to theislandnews@gmail.com

LIVING ON PURPOSE

God’s authority rewards faith and obedience

Dedicating our heart to God will be our most important decision. Individuals who devote their lives to Christ are aware of what is at stake and embrace the burden of praying for the lost and testifying about God’s love.

For those who rarely venture out beyond the safety of the church and spend the majority of their time within the comforts of private iso lation, it’s common to forget how far the world has fallen away from the reverential fear of God, especially in the last few years. We should not be surprised as there are several passages that warn us about the culture and even the religious world becoming de ceived and drifting away from the faith. As their love grows cold, they lose what identifies them as a follower of Christ. Some will ask what does the term “falling away” mean

BILLY HOLLAND

and isn’t the world actually progressing into a higher reality? My short answer is there are two kingdoms, God and Satan, and this is the battle between light and darkness and good and evil.

God extends His invitation of salvation to all who will believe in Him while Satan works relentlessly to per suade and influence the human race to embrace his wicked agenda and turn away from God.

The falling away refers to the general population who has lost respect for what is

holy, but it mainly pertains to those who once followed God but when difficulties and challenges overwhelmed them they decided this sanctified lifestyle was too difficult and sadly they abandoned their faith. The world is not becoming more dedicated to the creator, it is becoming more distant and rebellious against Him.

I was invited to sign my new book at this year’s Kentucky Book Fair this past weekend. It’s always an encouragement as a writer to be included among the more accomplished and recognized authors. This year I was fea turing my latest book about miracles and how Jesus is still healing those who need His touch.

It’s a complex subject as the book is 500 pages and I only scratched the surface, however, I know the Lord was guiding, and with so

many who are suffering, it’s an inspiring read for anyone who is seeking a deeper understanding about how His power and authority works together with our faith and obedience. Why wait until the doctor gives a bad report to learn about faith and obedi ence? I’m not asking people to believe my interpretations nor an I guaranteeing about a particular situation, I’m en couraging us all to research the scriptures and see what God has promised.

Spiritual truth is desperate ly needed but often rejected. When I released the book, I assumed those who need a miracle would be interested in knowing about God’s covenant with us. Actually, the opposite has happened. It’s been like a ghost town as people have avoided it like a rattlesnake. Many Christians are always asking for prayer but are iffy about Jesus being

the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that nothing is impossible with Him.

Do the scriptures mean what they say? Where is the confidence to approach His throne boldly? Or is it much easier to sing the song, “What will be – will be?” Yes, God has a specific will, but He also has His written will which is His Word. I’m just trying to relay what He said. They desperately need to be healed but It’s like those who need water and when God provides the machinery to dig a well they walk off and ignore it.

This became disturbingly evident when individuals approached me this past weekend and declared how miracles ceased when Jesus returned to heaven. Where does it say this? I asked if they prayed and they said yes. So why would someone make a request to God if they did not believe He would or

could respond?

This reminds me of Deism. These negative oppositions were layered between the several atheists that tried to lure me into a debate about God and the Bible being a fantasy. Overall, it was a rough day. Maybe this doubt and resistance comes from our carnality refusing to bow down to God’s demands. Our unrenewed mind will always avoid the responsibility of allowing Him to possess our heart and conscience.

Maybe the title of my book, “Receiving Our Healing – Go ing To War On Our Knees” is intimidating, but whatever the case, God promises that His blessings and miracles are manifested when we choose to follow His Word and obey His voice.

Younger voices, choices are essential

Early voting has been vigorous.

Georgia has seen voting turnout observers compare to numbers typically seen during a presidential election. Early last week, much of that turnout com prised older voters and Black voters, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.

South Carolina is seeing similar activity, with the state election commission’s web site crashing due to unusu ally high demand on the first day of early voting.

Regardless of the final re sults, I’m happy to see many exercising a right a villainous few are trying to deny them. We still have too many who are sitting this one out, espe cially younger voters.

Politico says low turnout by younger voters is a peril to Democrats’ hopes to build on their majorities in the House and Senate — the House is considered by many to be all but a lost cause at this

point — but that seems to be ignoring a larger point. What hope is there for the future when the people who actually are going to live in it stop caring?

Some level of apathy or re sentment is inevitable based on how political campaigns are executed now.

Republican television ads are a relentless barrage of half-truths and flat-out lies mixed in with fear-monger ing over how their Democrat ic opponents plan to destroy the country they love to hate.

Democrats try to campaign on policy successes their base voters know are modest

in most instances, hampered by recalcitrant showboats Sens. Joe Manchin and Kirsten Sinema in their own party and Republicans who have no platform but shutting down the legisla tive branch to keep Donald Trump out of federal prison.

I don’t think I’m speaking only for myself in saying that if I never again see another campaign ad for Raphael Warnock or Herschel Walker that would be fine by me.

You can add Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams to that list.

After spending the past couple weeks in the Upstate of South Carolina, I'll be glad when Henry McMaster and his wife find something to do besides sit and worry themselves over what they misunderstand and mischar acterize in their morning paper. Criticizing D.C. wo keness” and a litany of other liberal offenses, they call the whole mess crazy” in one ad, with McMaster pledging, "As

long as I'm governor, crazy won't happen here.”

Riiiiight.

Maybe McMaster should have something to the knuckleheads who replaced a perfectly good American flag with a gigantic Confederate battle flag near the inter section of Interstate 85 and Highway 221 in Spartanburg County a few weeks ago. The Sons of Confederate veterans released a statement saying they raised the flag as a trib ute to troops lost at the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864.

What's “crazier” than con tinuing to celebrate a failed insurrection, especially a battle where your side was nearly eradicated? On a date three months after the actual anniversary of the battle? And along a corridor where people from all over the world can bear witness to the state’s clinging to a symbol that paints it as backwards, ignorant and racist?

But I digress.

Drive, he said!

The art of a proper, safe and legal left turn at a light: With the traffic signal light showing green, yellow or flashing yellow, you and (alert) trailing cars roll into the center of the intersection (L turn signals on). When traffic "clears" or the light changes to red, y'all complete your L turns into the nearest (LEFT) lane. As for oncom ing drivers properly turning R on red (against you); watch for them slowing and their R turn signal flashing. They should turn "tight" into the RIGHT (curb) lane ONLY! That allows you (and your fellow travellers behind) to likewise turn "tight" into the LEFT lane. (NO "crossing" lanes on a turn!). Everybody is safe, happy and on their way! If you really MUST change lanes after turning, WAIT! Use your turn signal, mirror and a glance back, then "ease" over when clear behind. We can do this, Beau fort! We have power steering!

– Ed Trottier, Lady’s Island

I am voting for Shannon Erickson

Beaufort County voters have important choices to make in the current election. One of the most significant is the selection of our represen tative to the S.C. House of Representatives. Shannon Er ickson has performed admi rably in this role for 15 years. She has demonstrated a cool head under pressure and has been an outstanding role model for timely and articu late communication with her constituents. I am shocked to hear her opponent charac terize her as “too extreme” for her citizens. I would use that adjective to describe Shannon’s performance as follows: extreme attention to Lowcountry issues, extreme dedication to the role of State House Representative, extreme focus on keeping her constituents informed of important votes in Columbia and even hurricane updates, and extremely accessible to her constituents.

As a small business owner, Shannon has been sensitive to issues such as excessive taxation and bureaucracy that impact local businesses. She has also focused on im proving funding to Beaufort County schools.

Shannon has extreme seniority in the S.C. House and serves on the powerful House Ways and Means Bud get committee. I am voting

to keep Shannon Erickson as our representative in Colum bia and highly recommend that all Beaufort County residents support her.

– Rebecca W. Bass, Beaufort

Land protection an essential part of healthy community

Land conservation pro tects what makes Beaufort County special and provides a balance to the growth and development we are expe riencing. Protecting open space helps keep pollution out of our creeks, rivers, and the Port Royal Sound.

Since 2002, Beaufort Coun ty voters have supported the Rural and Critical Lands Program to protect land. This November, the Greens pace Penny offers a new and complementary source of funds for land protection. I hope voters will act on this opportunity.

Consider the need: Beau fort County is one of the fast est growing regions on the East Coast. In the 10 years preceding, Beaufort County grew by 18.4% according to the 2020 Census. We are now seeing growth beginning to overwhelm housing afford ability, schools, quality of life and especially our transpor tation infrastructure.

We cannot stop growth, but we can manage and channel it into areas that are suitable. Carefully selected open space is a key part of that effort. This will be especially helpful outside of our urban areas where unchecked and badly planned land development can massively affect the quality of life of the persons

who live there as well as cost the County taxpayers the very substantial amounts of money needed to convert those areas from rural to urban. Carefully planned and managed land protection will protect special places before they are lost to development and save everyone money.

Protecting greenspace is also critical in keeping pollution out of our wa ters. Since 2004, thanks to previously approved funding for land conservation, more than 1,400 acres have been protected in the Okatie River Watershed, more than 10,000 protected in the ACE Basin, and more than 1,200 acres protected along the New River. The Port Royal Sound and its associated creeks and rivers remain among the most pristine waters on the East Coast, but only strategic land protection will keep them that way.

The quality of these waters and the associated recre ational and visual bounty they provide are among the primary reasons that people come to this area – to visit, invest and live. We must pro tect the uplands of the Port Royal Sound if we want our clean water to exist for future generations. Continuing this type of land protection is crit ical to preserving the quality of life that we have here in Beaufort County.

The Greenspace Penny is a targeted sales tax with builtin constraints to protect the taxpayer, including an essen tial citizens advisory commit tee and stakeholder project review. The Open Land Trust, Port Royal Sound Foundation and Nature Conservancy are all organizations able to provide stakeholder review, recommend projects and en sure money is best spent on

conservation opportunities that provide public benefit and not developer hand-outs. With voter approval, and stakeholder and citizen ac countability, the Greenspace Penny can meet the needs of our growing region and pro tect what we love for future generations.

– Dean Moss, Port Royal BCSD should follow its own rules

Per the American Library Association: “Intellectual Freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction” and is “the basis for our democratic system.”

The Beaufort County School District’s Procedures for Handling Questioned or Challenged School Library Materials specifically state that “All BCSD employ ees are charged with the responsibility of upholding the principle of intellectual freedom rather than defend ing a selected educational re source” and “the BCSD shall be operated to promote aca demic freedom, the student’s right to read, and the fair and reasonable competition of ideas and information.”

Broadly removing 97 book titles from the Beau fort County school libraries without following their own procedures sets a dangerous precedent and may violate students’ First Amendment rights to receive ideas and information.

Certainly, the primary responsibility for rearing children rests with parents and the BCSD procedures recognize the right of a parent/legal guardian to ask

I had a front-row seat in 2016 as young voters went back and forth compar ing the relative merits of Trump, Hillary Clinton and third-party candidates like Jill Stein of the Green Party and the Libertarian Party’s Gary Johnson. They didn’t like Trump, and they didn’t trust Clinton.

Then Trump won. “This is crazy!” “Something aint right.” “How?” I answered the last ques tion by asking one young voter who he voted for. When he said he voted Stein as a protest vote, I replied, “That’s how.”

The experience left a bad taste in their mouths, as did living through the Trump presidency and watching how he encouraged many of the volatile public behaviors we have all witnessed the past few years.

Toss in a poorly managed pandemic, an uncertain econ omy, inflation, rises in racism

and misogyny, corruption among public officials, un heeded warnings on climate change, and the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and you have a perfect recipe for producing a generation that asks, “What’s the #&*@%$ point?”

The point, I will challenge young votes to consider, is that most of this is to blame on us older folks. You can fix these things.

You can make democracy work. You can vote quality people into office. You can make the economy more equitable. You can lower the costs of public education. You can take on climate change. You can restore civil liberties.

But you have to vote!

You’re going to have to live in the future anyway. You might as well make it a good one.

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

that particular school library materials not be made avail able to their own children. However, that is not the route taken in this case. Instead of exercising their paren tal right to limit their own children’s access to these 97 book titles, the complain ants made a broad-based verbal challenge, bypassing the clearly outlined Recon sideration Procedure and usurping the rights of other parents to make their own decisions regarding these books.

It will be interesting to see how the book-review process proceeds because the complainants haven’t submitted the required Request for Reconsideration of School Library Materials Form required for the review process. This form must be completed and submitted for every challenged book and requires that the com plainant affirm or deny that the entire book has been read before initiating the request and then detail the objec tionable material. Without this documentation from the complainant, another important component of the Reconsideration Procedure is omitted.

This challenge to the BCSD Procedures for Han dling Questioned or Chal lenged School Library Proce dures appears to be the first major test of the procedures. The procedures themselves are straightforward and based on American Library Association guidelines, but adherence to the procedures is clearly lacking in this case. We must hold the BCSD ac countable for following their own procedures regarding challenged books – our chil dren’s intellectual freedom is at stake.

– Lori Wohlgemuth Tull, Beaufort

Young adults need sense of institutional belonging

I enjoyed Sgt. Morejon's piece about the role of the Marine experience in the context of developing an adult life (10/27/22). It reminded me how my father felt the same way about his Navy years, and how he sim ilarly occasionally wished he had stayed in.

The larger point, though, seems to be how young men (and women, now) can ben efit from the literal "esprit" of belonging to a "corps."

sense of institutional belong ing can provide a valuable path into a productive and satisfying adult life at a time when young people really need it.

Right now there are few alternatives to the military institution, with academic scholarship a distant option. National Service, if ever man dated, could provide a true service option that includes both the rigors and benefits of military service.

– Carol Brown, Beaufort

Read Greenspace question very carefully

You’ll be shocked when you realize this question, if passed, would actually give future County Councils the authority to use our tax mon ies to purchase properties in our neighboring counties. It says the money would be collected, … “for not more than two (2) years to raise up to $100,000,000 for preser vation procurement for the purpose of procuring open lands and green space by and through the acquisition of interests in real property, LOCATED WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE BOUNDAR

IES OF BEAUFORT COUN

TY, (emphasis is mine) such interests to include …” Is this to say our Council is considering purchasing some of the plantation prop erties which abut our County in Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties. I have an idea the governing bodies in those Counties would take a dim view of such action, but it will be a possibility if this proposal passes.

In my opinion, this pro gram would duplicate the Rural and Critical Lands Program which has already been in effect in our County for more than 20 years and is taxpayer funded, thanks to our voting for the program.

In addition, our wonder ful OPEN LAND TRUST organization, established 50 years ago by three of our civic-minded citizens, has saved many properties from development and did it using membership dues and donations. Some of the views saved by this group are no less than magnificent, such as those along Bay Street in the heart of the Historic District.

I’ll be voting a resounding NO on this referendum ques tion. Please read the entire question very carefully.

Note: The opinions of our columnists in the

necessarily

TERRY MANNING

Are you a ‘Divider’ or a ‘Continuer?’

It is Saturday, and this morning it is cold — cold enough for a sweater, wool socks and sweatpants. Cold enough to engage our long-dormant Solo-brand, fire pot.

This morning I’ve got my coffee — Cafe’ Bustelo — and a recent article that appeared in the New Yorker titled “Be coming You.” I’ve read this provocative piece by Joshua Rothman twice.

Rothman begins his essay by saying most of us cannot remember our childhood. We remember images, moments, but nothing substantial.

“What I recall from when I was four are the red-painted nails of a mean babysitter; the brushed-silver stereo in my parents’ apartment; a particular orange-carpeted hallway ...”

But we don’t retain memo ries of our “feelings, thoughts or personalities.”

Rothman writes that we

rely on others — mostly our parents — who tell us what we were like as children. But when they are gone there are only faded photographs showing a 5-year-old stand ing in front of a 1952 Buick along with his or her unsmil ing grandparents. These days there might be some old Super 8 film footage of a fifth birthday party; but there is nothing to reveal our personality — shy, upbeat, outgoing — other than a few cryptic comments by one’s 3rd-grade teacher — “Scott seems to enjoy recess.”

The question posed by

Rothman is whether our adult character — anxious, inhibited, reserved, reckless — has anything to do with our personality as a child. Were we as confident and well-adjusted at 6 as we seem to be now? Have we changed as we have aged, or are we just about the same as we were 65 years ago?

This then brings us to Rothman’s larger question of whether our life is about “continuity” or rather, “changeability.” Have we been the same careless, carefree person from ages two to seventy two; or did something happen that radically changed our view of the world and our role in that world?

This, of course, takes me to my own life and the narrative that I have carried around in my head since I began to bore people with my own sto ry — a story that begins with a red-headed, Noxema-scent

ed boy building sandcastles on the strand at North Myrtle Beach. A story that continues with a happy, well-loved child and an untroubled childhood that ended when I was 12. It ended with a report card awarding me a “D” in math. A report card that was followed by others revealing a middling, mediocre student and triggering a desperate, sometimes angry response from my father.

All of which ended my happy, carefree childhood replacing it with a troubled teen-aged-time when I struggled, unsuccessfully, to please my unhappy father.

According to Rothman, this episode puts me into the episodic, transformative, “Di vider” category where people change, developing different personality traits from those they had as children. Not only do Dividers believe they are periodically changed, but they seek to change them

selves as they get older.

The flip side of this coin are “Continuers” — those who who believe that you continue to be who you are regardless of what happens during your life. Rothman says these folks have no tendency to see their life as constituting a story or devel opment.

“Dividers tell the story of how they’ve renovated their houses, becoming architects along the way. Continuers tell the story of august prop erty that will remain itself regardless of what gets built. As different as these two views sound, they have much in common. Among other things they aid us in our self development. By committing himself to a life of change, Tim might have sped it along. By concentrating on his persistence of character, my father may have nurtured and refined his best self.”

Regardless of whether we

believe we have changed — or have remained the same — it is fun to seek out those who remember us when we were children or young adults. That is why some of us go to college or family reunions.

Some years ago I sought out an old girlfriend — a person I had known when I was 19 — trying to rediscover something about my younger self. I remember sitting in her living room that overlooked the Rappahannock River, asking, “Tell me about that guy who was young, smitten, and walked you down Duke of Gloucester Street 59 years ago. Was he a jerk?”

“You were a boy,” she replied. “Unformed, naive, somewhat uneven in terms of hygiene. But not a jerk.”

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

Continue to trailblaze: Vote Yes’ for Greenspace

Beaufort County has always been a leader in conservation in South Carolina and was the first county to establish a dedicated local land protec tion program in 2002. The positive impacts from that program can be seen and felt by residents across the coun ty, from St. Helena Island to Hilton Head Island.

This year, Beaufort County residents have the opportu nity to once again serve as trailblazers of conservation in the state by voting “Yes” for Greenspace on Novem ber 8. This would enable Beaufort to create another first-of-its kind conserva tion program, which would complement the immensely successful Rural and Critical Lands Program by creating an additional $100 million fund dedicated to regional land protection. The pro

gram will be funded through a “greenspace penny” sales tax program.

The Rural and Criti cal Lands Program has a record of success including purchasing and protecting the 95-acre Mobley Tract in 2016, curtailing a three-fold increase in density and an additional 4,000 daily car trips on S.C. Highway 170, as well as preventing increased stormwater runoff in the Chechesee and Broad rivers.

The program also pur chased the 162-acre Widgeon

Point property, enabling the public to view the rich diversity of wildlife and plant species on the property. And it contributed to protecting more than 20 acres in the historic Mitchelville com munity on Hilton Head, preserving the first post-Civ il War freedman village in the country.

These are huge wins, but to stay ahead of rapid growth pressures and a changing cli mate, we must do more. The “greenspace penny” program will increase the amount of resources dedicated to conservation. Funding for the program will come from a new stream of sales-tax dollars that will be collected for two years on consumer purchases, excluding gro ceries, gas, and prescription medications. County officials estimate that 40% of the money collected will come

As the new Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League and a Lowcountry native, I know first-hand the value that land protection has, not just for our natural environment, but also for our built communities. ”

from visitors to Beaufort County.

The Greenspace plan has built-in accountability measures, including a citizen advisory board, public disclosure of all spending, and annual audits reviewing how the money is spent. These measures will enable Beaufort County residents to ensure that the funds will

be used wisely to protect the land and waterways that make Beaufort County such a special place.

As the new Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League and a Lowcountry native, I know first-hand the value that land protection has, not just for our natural environment, but also for our built communi

ties. Protecting more land in strategic locations will keep pollution out of our rivers, lakes, and creeks, and help protect our drinking water supply.

Open land — especially wetlands — also serves as a natural barrier that holds floodwater, reducing erosion and property damage in ris ing tides and natural disas ters in the face of changing climate conditions.

At the Conservation League, we advocate for our coast and all its beau tiful landscapes, pristine waterways, and historic communities. Voting “Yes” for Greenspace is another landmark step forward we can take together to protect the Lowcountry we all love.

No shame means no responsibility

In the waning days of per sistent media hype over the upcoming election, my weariness has brought me to an all-time depressive low when I think about the state of our country and the possibilities that lay ahead. Never in my 59 years of vot ing have I felt the angst that has overtaken me.

My fears don’t lie with concern over my own life or lifestyle, but rather that of my daughters and grand daughters. Yes, I have heard references about periods in our history when people were attacked, including those in office. I lived through the assassination of John Kennedy, the killings at Kent State, riots in Watts and the attempt on Ronald Reagan’s life. What I have never felt so deeply, howev er, is the sense of hatred that permeates this country, as well as the flagrant display of hatred and the willingness

to act upon it.

Making this even more terrifying is the condon ing, applauding and open participation in that hatred by elected officials. Decency and a moral core are a thing of the past, and “anything goes” seems to be accepted by more than a handful. Two primary examples of this disregard occurred just this week.

The first was the response to the brutal attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of the Speaker of the House. One shouldn’t have to be affili ated with any party to find

this abhorrent. Yet, Virginia Governor, Glenn Youngkin chose a political rally (why not – more bang for the buck) to address this occur rence by flippantly saying that this would “send Nancy back to California to be with her husband.”

A spokesman quickly rushed in to point out that “the Governor did say that there is no place for vio lence, that he wishes Mr. Pelosi a full recovery, and he is keeping the family in his prayers.”

Really, Governor? You have the gall to trot out your pseudo-Christian prayer “ethic” after that crass and insincere statement?

To say Youngkin, a sup posed mainstream politician, made light of a crucial sit uation is the quintessential understatement. It should also be noted that the crowd response to Youngkin’s taunt was less than enthusiastic.

One can only suspect that even they were a bit horri fied since very few cheered. Sadly, Virginia isn’t the only state ‘blessed’ with consummate hypocrisy. Our own Lindsey Graham is right up there in the front row. (As a side note, I need to say that I, a life-long Democrat, used to have positive thoughts about Mr. Graham. Much of this was based on his close ties with John McCain. Readers, you remember McCain … a true Conserva tive?) I believe that same Graham has sold his soul to the Devil, the 45th President, even to the point of buying into the conceit of the ‘token man of color.’ Make no mis take regarding my assertion; watch the clip of Graham, with Herschal Walker by his side on the Sean Hannity show, touting the notion that if Walker wins, this would mean the GOP is not racially biased.

“The Dems fear this,” said Graham. To further quote Graham, after his little shuck and jive routine that includ ed shouting at Hannity, “me and you are racist, Sean.” Then comes the icing on the cake, the cherry on the sun dae: Graham points to Walk er, who all along has been standing there, gazing into the camera without offering a word, and says, “Demo crats are afraid every young child of color might want to become a Republican.”

Just a reminder, Lindsey –those young impressionable kids you hope will become Republicans are more inter ested in their current black heroes. It won’t be Walker who influences their political bent.

So this has become the GOP brand – tokenism and taunts. For those of you who are real Conservatives in your thinking, I have no small degree of sympathy

for what the Republican party has become. I have billed myself before as an Independent, and I want to make it clear that I don’t buy into the radical branch of my party either. Compromise is a dirty word nowadays, and this stance on both sides leads us to where we are today, on the brink of losing our democracy.

But make no mistake that the depths of depravity to which the Republican party descended, as well as those who don’t think this way but stand by silently, put our nation in a perilous posi tion. The above examples, along with Kevin McCarthy’s comment that he wants to hit Nancy Pelosi with the gavel, leads to nowhere good or safe. Sadly, there is no shame; therefore, there is no responsibility.

Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident.

CAROL LUCAS

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

SCOTT GRABER

Faith Rivers James is the Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League.

FAITH RIVERS JAMES

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, 4 November 2022

Recruit Training Regiment • Commanding Officer, Colonel B. W. Ward

4th Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A. R. Dones Commander of Troops, Captain A. M. McGregor • Parade Adjutant, Captain J. A. Machesky Company “P”, 4th Recruit Training Battalion • Commanding Officer, Captain A. M. McGregor

PLATOON 4044

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt L.E. Munoz

Pvt Alago, Adrian A.

PFC Anderson, Micheal D.

Pvt Arroyocanovas, Adam A.

Pvt Autrey, Tyler R.

Pvt Bailey, Iain T.

Pvt Ball, Adrian J.

Pvt Bass, Jonathen N.

LCpl Bassant, Mark A.

Pvt Bettinger, Owen M.

Pvt Beville, Nathan A.

PFC Bisbee, Silas

PFC Bishop, Eric A.

Pvt Black Jr, Eric S.

PFC Black, Christopherlee W.*

Pvt Blaszczak, Dominic S.

PFC Blevins, Colten W.

Pvt Blevins, Ethan D.

PFC Bordenrain, Nicholas J. PFC Briery, Jessie C.

PFC Burlile, Elijah J.*

Pvt Carroll, Christopher S.

PFC Catalfamo Iii, Giovanni P.

Pvt Caymo, Shaughnisaiah

Pvt Cree, Brandyn E.

Pvt Davila, Rogelio O.

Pvt Englund, Isaiah M.

PFC Espino, Angel J.

PFC Fletcher, Shavon D.

PFC Franquez, Oscar C.

Pvt Gregory, James D.

PFC Haggerty, Devin A. PFC Haghighatgrami, Saam S.

Pvt Hernandezgarcia, Jair A.

Pvt Herndon, Tyler J.

PFC Hopgood, Nicholis A.

Pvt Houston, Jeffrey R.

Pvt Huapilla, Damian Pvt Jackson, Greyson C. Pvt Jackson, Quenten C. Pvt Jackson, Xavier E. PFC Johnson, Coby L.

Pvt Kotula, Wesley C.

Pvt Lassiter, Jonathan N.

Pvt Lezcano, Frank A.

PFC Mahon, Patrick M.

PFC Mancia, Christian A. PFC Mccracken, Cody B. Pvt Mcgall, Nathan D.

Pvt Milliner, Jacob M. Pvt Murray, Seth W. PFC Myrick Jr, James E.*

Pvt Patel, Pratham G. Pvt Pennell, Austin D. PFC Phanordriche, Darren D. Pvt Rascoe, Kenrossi A.

PFC Rauchfuss, Christian T.

Pvt Reyesdelgado, David M.

Pvt Richards, Dominic S.

Pvt Ruffin Jr, Jonathan S.

Pvt Sauselein Iii, Beau W.

Pvt Schaeffler, Paul D.

Pvt Scott Jr, William A.

Pvt Sullivan, Braden M.

PFC Thomas, Treyvon L.

PFC Thomason, Malachi N.

Pvt Torreslemus, Aaron PFC Wallace, Brendan C. PFC Walters, Kyle P.

Pvt Weiss, Brandon C.

Pvt Woodall, Jacob T.

PFC Yanezmoreno, Gabriel

*Denotes Meritorious Promotion

Drill Masters • Gunnery Sergeant T. Moore, Staff Sergeant D. L. Sanchezlaacer

PLATOON 4045

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt I. N. Baker

PFC Alexander, Zianna K.*

Pvt Alpizar, Daniela L

Pvt Arriaga, Sarah E.

Pvt Barnett, Rylie D.

Pvt Bell, Briana K.

PFC Brunson, Amari J.

Pvt Burgos, Jaelyn J.

PFC Caid, Savannah R.

PFC Cook, Jolene M.*

PFC Cueva, Everlynn M.

Pvt Cummings, Ebony M.

Pvt Curran, Evangelyn C.

PFC Dickenson, Jorryn J.

Pvt Escobedohernandez, Gabriela

Pvt Fenton, Angelika N.

Pvt Geredagutierrez, Elizabeth M.

PFC Granadino, Tessa E.

Pvt Hale, Emily R.

PFC Hinzman, Megan A.

PFC Jimeneztorres, Ashley M.

Pvt Joseph, Jemimah E.

Pvt Lanebenjamin, Nyari T.

PFC Lopez, Crystal Y.

Pvt Lopez, Diana S.

Pvt Macwilliams, Jada G.

Pvt Marzluf, Rachel M.

Pvt Mcleod, Nafeesa S.

PFC Messick, Hannah K.

PFC Minnis, Grace E.

PFC Montgomery, Alivia A.

Pvt Pagan, Trinity A.

Pvt Panora, Jasmine I.

Pvt Polidore, Donna R.

Pvt Pontuti, Natalia E.

Pvt Pritchard, Jayleen J.

Pvt Sanchez, Mariah A.

PFC Sanchezzelaya, Ivanna G.

Pvt Schertz, Kiera S.

Pvt Seaman, Marissa A.

Pvt Senegal, Lesay H.

PFC Spinak, Julia E.*

PFC Tapanesromero, Keyri

PFC Trent, Megan L.

PFC Valencia, Victoria R.

PFC Valverde, Reyna Y.

Pvt Vasquez, Liliana Y.

PFC Wadsworth, Rilee*

Pvt Whitley, Kaylie M.

Pvt Wong, Gena.

PLATOON 4046

Senior Drill Instructor SSgt K.W. Jackson

Pvt Allen, Keontay J.

Pvt Barbosavazafonso, Leandro R.

PFC Bass, Braxton D.*

Pvt Bates, Cameron C.

Pvt Batistamartinez, Alexandro

Pvt Brennan, Justin A.

Pvt Brewer, Mathew D.

Pvt Butler Iii, Edward P.

Pvt Byrne, Robert M.

Pvt Camara, Mohamed

Pvt Carwile, Austin J.

PFC Cepeda, Isaac R.

PFC Childress, Eammon J.*

Pvt Clare, Keaton B.

Pvt Cordero, Christianson M.

Pvt Crenshaw, Jaydun D.

Pvt Delgado, Dominic J.

Pvt Devore, Dylan M.

Pvt Dunn, Patrick T.

PFC Enriquez, Joshua

PFC Evans, Roman U.*

Pvt Fortier, Landon R.

PFC Foust, Nicholas A.

PFC Funk, Ryan P.

Pvt Galarza, Bryan L.

Pvt Gallagher, Donavin T.

Pvt Gilmore, Luke D.

PFC Guzman, Jeramir R.

PFC Hernandez Jr, Miguel A.

PFC Herreradeleon, Queben

PFC Holder, Dmario I.*

PFC Jimenezreyes, Jorge A.

PFC Johns, Quinton D.*

Pvt Johnson Iii, Richard J.

Pvt Johnson, Antwan Z.

Pvt Kennedy, Austin C.

Pvt Laffita, Damny E.

Pvt Lafollette, Hunter B.

Pvt Laforest, Maxwell B.

Pvt Landry, Preston R.

Pvt Lee, Joshua M.

Pvt Lopez Jr, Andres M.

PFC Lucas, Grant C.*

PFC Munday, Koen L.

Pvt Nickerson, Charles S.

Pvt Ott, Nicholas D.

Pvt Pasayegonzalez, Alejandro

Pvt Pasell, Shaye D.

Pvt Patterson, Hunter A.

Pvt Paulson, Kenneth C.

PFC Peterson, Colin M.

PFC Ramirez Jr, Fernando R.

Pvt Rodenbostel, Christopher J.

Pvt Rubieragenao, Jeffrey A.

PFC Russell, Michael J.

PFC Sanchez, Matthew S.*

PFC Saylor, Aaron M.*

PFC Shellman, Ethan T.

Pvt Skidmore, Michael L.

PFC Smith, Isaiah W.

Pvt Solano, Joshua D.

PFC Statler, Dillon C.

Pvt Stimpson, Conner A.

Pvt Tecalero, Josue

PFC Thorwart, Xander A.

Pvt Torres, Anthony

Pvt Totten, Thomas W.

Pvt Vallesoto, Allan

Pvt Warren, Tiaje A.

Pvt Weisenberger, Scott M.

PFC Widener, Hunter X.

PFC Wudkwych, Doron M.*

Pvt Young, Darian L.

PLATOON 4048

Senior Drill Instructor Sgt K. Monterrubio

PFC Anderson, Zion J.

PFC Barnard, Ryan J.

Pvt Bermudez, Carlos A. Pvt Bernat, Joseph R.

PFC Bibbs Iii, Caldwell H. PFC Biddlecomb, Grant C.

Pvt Bonci, Dominic V. Pvt Bourgeois, David B. Pvt Brackett, Colin D. Pvt Bush, Luke D. Pvt Callejas, Mateo PFC Carrion, Jeycof A. PFC Cassano, Ayden L. PFC Charboneau Iii, Peter D. PFC Christian, Charles R. PFC Cobbina, Divine E.* Pvt Coke, Noel A. Pvt Cruzramirez, Angel E. PFC Dejesus, Alexander J. PFC Delacruzguzman, Jose A. PFC Deo, Nhan T. Pvt Diazturcios, Victor M. PFC Dominguezleon, Kevin S. Pvt Ferreira, Adam E. Pvt Flikkema, Jadon M. PFC Foss, Parker W.* Pvt Fowler, Bennett M. Pvt Goheroha, Axel E. Pvt Greene, Sebastian S. Pvt Griffith, Casey D. PFC Guantepaula, Francisco A.* Pvt Hermann, Keyshawn R. Pvt Herrera, Kevin Pvt Hood, William J. Pvt Houston, Trevor A. Pvt Hronek, Nicholas S. Pvt Hunter, Jackson N. PFC Iken, Joseph G. Pvt Kutateladze, Avtandili Pvt Lin, Eric S. Pvt Maimone, Anthony S. Pvt Mcleod, Jason A. Pvt Monteschicas, Jeankarlo I. Pvt Murphy, Jahleel PFC Oakes, Waya T. PFC Ogden, James P. Pvt Pardo, George S. Pvt Phillips, Joseph G. Pvt Pimenteldelvillar, Wilfreydy Pvt Raeihle, Christian J. PFC Reed, Chase C. Pvt Reinoso, Kevin A. PFC Riter, Robert A. PFC Rodriguez, Carlos D. Pvt Russell, Michael A. Pvt Salas, Omar D. PFC Sallaku, Laert Pvt Savage, Alex G. Pvt Sevilla, Ryan R. Pvt Shafer, Steven S. Pvt Shumye, Michale A. Pvt Smith, Dameon J. PFC Torres, Denzel J. PFC Turner, Gabriel J. Pvt Umanzorluna, Oscar E. PFC Valli, Christopher A. Pvt Vasquez, Antonio S. Pvt Wasowicz, Joshua W.* Pvt Wright, David A. Pvt Young, Dustin M. PFC Zelinsky, Michael V.* Pvt Zheng, Junhao

PLATOON 4049

Senior Drill Instructor Sgt K.E. Diaz

Pvt Acevedoclaudio, Jenny L.

PFC Alvarezsantana, Aneydis V.

Pvt Arcemunoz, Ximena PFC Armenta, Emily L. Pvt Avila, Danielle A.

PFC Barillasdelcid, Natasha M.*

Pvt Barsegian, Kirstin A. PFC Booze, Kiley M. PFC Byers, Beauty A.* Pvt Carino, Susana Pvt Catarino, Thania Pvt Cervantes, Veronica Pvt Chavez, Angela PFC Culp, Yanisa E. Pvt Ebulela, Natasha PFC Escobedo, Gaby M. PFC Franklin, Jayla A. Pvt Fuller, Sydney A. Pvt Gaw, Haley M. Pvt Gonzales, Aimee R. PFC Hamilton, Ava L. PFC Hernandez, Linda M. PFC Hislop, Sigourney S. PFC Jaramillohernandez, Camila PFC Lathrop, Hana L. PFC Leeper, Paityn I. Pvt Martin, Maya S. PFC Mendozaayala, Alexa Pvt Mitchell, Mia E. Pvt Myers, Yayneabeba M. Pvt Nino, Jessica N. PFC Parker, Marylynn V. Pvt Pelayo, Paloma PFC Ponce, Emily A. Pvt Rains, Alyssa R. PFC Ramirezolavarre, Mariana PFC Ray, Amanda A. Pvt Reyna, Amber B. Pvt Rider, Shiann M. Pvt Rosaventura, Marlyne G. Pvt Rutter, Annabelle L. PFC Sanchezangel, Diana K. Pvt Schilling, Ashlyn J. Pvt Schiman, Chloe A. Pvt Tinocoplancarte, Maria Pvt Tiscareno, Senay F. Pvt Williamson, Antionette M. Pvt Wisdom, Jaedeann P. PFC Yiulin, Aliccia L. PFC Zika, Sophia R.*

PLATOON 4050

Senior Drill Instructor

SSgt K. L. Kasmierski

PFC Acevedo, Malachi

Pvt Adams Jr, Robert T.

Pvt Ainsworth, Aiden C. PFC Bacon Jr, Michael A.*

Pvt Barrett, Declan J. Pvt Bernavidesdiaz, Welbin J. PFC Bradley, Dashonhenry E. Pvt Brie, Warren J. PFC Budds, George R. Pvt Camachoarana, Mauricio

Pvt Caraballo, Nathaniel PFC Cardenas, Manuel J.

Pvt Castilloreyes, Jonathan PFC Chacko, Alphi A. Pvt Chandia, Abdurrahman A. Pvt Clouse, Aaron B. Pvt Cornish, Cornelious C. PFC Davis, Jake H. PFC Eldaly, Omar H. Pvt Factor, Cody N. PFC Fitzgerald, Connor M. PFC Fogelman, Asher R. PFC Garciahernandez, Jomar J. Pvt Geyer, Ethan L. Pvt Gomez, Manuel A. Pvt Grant, Jason M. Pvt Hemmings, Xavier K. Pvt Kebe, Oumar F.

PFC Kilpatrick Jr, Roger W. Pvt Kirk, Sean W. Pvt Lauer, Keoni J. Pvt Lewis, Quinton M. Pvt Machinrodriguez, Anthony PFC Maddox, Matthew A. PFC Martinez, Eddy J. Pvt Martinez, Xyn J. Pvt Marvin, Timothy P. Pvt Mattiello, Dylan R. Pvt Maurina Jr, Itamar

PFC Mccalla, Kamari D.* Pvt Mckenzie, Derrick D. Pvt Mills, Gage G. Pvt Mills, Hayden M. PFC Mower, Charles A. PFC Musser, Daulton J.* PFC Parientetrejo, Emmanuel A. Pvt Pegos, Kenneth M. Pvt Perretta, Rocco V. Pvt Pierce Ii, Eric R. Pvt Pires, Joao

Pvt Ponthier, Jacob R. Pvt Preciado, Ivan C. Pvt Rawls, Christian L. Pvt Romero, Kyl G. Pvt Romerogonzalez, Brenden G. Pvt Sanchez, Jaden L. Pvt Scheirer, Jacob M.

Pvt Spahn, Braden J. Pvt Stafford, Jade J. Pvt Stanton, Neil J. Pvt Suliveres Jr, Jose M. Pvt Tlahuextlzempoalteca, Michael PFC Turner, Diondre L.*

Pvt Tyapkin, Brian

Pvt Vann Jr, Jason T. Pvt Vanvalkenburg, Benjamin Q. Pvt Vassar, Connor M. Pvt Velez, Matthew I. Pvt Wang, Zilong

Pvt Watkins, Brett T. Pvt Watts, David L.

Pvt Williams, Samuel D.

Pvt Zaidmuhammad, Judah R. Pvt Zinsmaster, Christopher P.

Aboard ‘Old Ironsides’

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs

CHAMPVA is a valuable benefit for eligible veterans and veteran family members (survivors and caregivers).

Every veteran with disabili ties, every surviving spouse of or child of a veteran with disabilities and every sur viving spouse or child of a veteran who has died needs to know about CHAMPVA benefits and how to apply for those benefits.

If a veteran or survivor does not qualify for TRI CARE (the Department of Defense’s health care program for active-duty and retired service members and their families), they may be able to get health insurance through CHAMPVA.

What is CHAMPVA?

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the De partment of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a health benefits program in which the VA shares the cost of certain healthcare services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. CHAMPVA is managed by the Veter ans Health Administration Office of Community Care in Denver.

What does CHAMPVA pay?

For eligible beneficiaries, the VA’s CHAMPVA Pro gram covers the cost of some veteran and survivor health care services and supplies.

CHAMPVA is a cost-sharing program. Find out if you qualify and how to apply at https://bit.ly/3FCwL1E

In most cases, CHAMP VA’s allowable amount (what the VA pays) is equivalent to MEDICARE/TRICARE rates.

CHAMPVA has an outpa tient deductible of $50 per beneficiary per calendar year or a maximum of $100 per family per calendar year and a patient cost share of 25% of the VA’s allowable catastroph ic cap of $3,000 per year.

If a patient has other health insurance, then CHAMPVA pays the lessor of either 75% of the allowable amount after the $50 calendar deductible is satisfied, or the remainder of the charges, and the benefi ciary will normally have no

cost share. Read the VA’s Fact Sheet titled CHAMPVA DE DUCTIBLES AND COPAYS, at https://bit.ly/3UiiDyR

CHAMPVA Eligibility Requirements

Veterans and survivors may only be eligible for healthcare through CHMAP VA if they do NOT qualify for TRICARE and at least one of the following is true for the veteran or survivor:

1. You are the spouse or child of a veteran who has been rated PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED for a service-connected dis ability by a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) region al office or ...

2. You are the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who DIED FROM A VA-RAT ED SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY or …

3. You are the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who was AT THE TIME OF DEATH RATED PERMA NENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED for a military service-connected disability by a VBA regional office or ...

4. You are the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, not due to misconduct (in most of these cases, family members qualify for TRI CARE, not CHAMPVA).

Definition of a serviceconnected disability

A service-connected dis ability is a disability that the VA concluded was caused or made worse by the veteran’s active-duty military service.

A qualifying CHAMPVA sponsor may also qualify for VA healthcare based on their own veteran status.

A veteran who is the qual ifying CHAMPVA sponsor for their family may also qualify for VA healthcare based on their own veteran

status. Also, if two spouses are both veterans who qualify as CHAMPVA sponsors for their family, they both may qualify for CHAMPVA bene fits. Each time either spouse needs medical care, they may choose to get care through the VA healthcare program or their CHAMPVA coverage.

The following seven other factors might affect whether a veteran or family member can get CHAMPVA benefits.

1. A new or expectant mother. If you are expecting a baby, you will need to take the two steps listed here before you can apply for CHAMPVA for your newborn.

STEP 1. You will need to get a Social Security number for your baby by applying at the nearest Social Security Administration office and STEP 2. You will need to set up the baby’s status as a dependent of the veteran sponsor by contacting your nearest VBA regional office. Medical claims can’t be paid until you sign your baby up under CHAMPVA, so get them a Social Security number and set their status as a dependent quickly. Find Social Security Offices at https://secure.ssa.gov/ ICON/main.jsp. Find VBA Regional Offices at https://www.va.gov/ find-locations/?facility Type=benefits.

2. A surviving spouse who is currently re married. If you are the surviving spouse of a qualifying CHAMPVA sponsor and you remar ry before age 55, you NO LONGER QUAL IFY for CHAMPVA as of midnight on the date of your remarriage. If you are the surviving spouse of a qualifying CHAMPVA sponsor and you remarry on or after your 55th birth day, you can keep your CHAMPVA benefits.

3. A surviving spouse

whose remarriage has ended by death, divorce, or annulment. If you are the surviving spouse of a qualifying CHAMPVA sponsor and you remarry, but the remarriage ends by death, divorce, or annul ment, you may qualify again for CHAMPVA. The first date that you qualify again is the first day of the month after your remarriage ends or December 1, 1999, whichever date is later. You will need to provide the VA with copies of your marriage certificate and death, divorce, or annulment documents, whichever is appropriate).

4. An 18 to 23-year-old dependent child of a veteran. If you are cov ered under CHAMPVA and you turn 18 years old, you will need to send the VBA proof that you are enrolled full-time in college or another educational institution to keep getting benefits. De pendent children need to read the instructions found on the SCHOOL ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CHAMPVA BENEFITS Fact Sheet at https://bit. ly/3SS4U0C

5. A veteran’s stepchild who leaves the veter an’s household. If you were covered under CHAMPVA as the step child of a veteran, and you leave the veteran’s household because of a divorce or remarriage, you no longer qualify for CHAMPVA.

6. A primary family caregiver of a veteran with injuries and/or disabilities. If you are a family member caring for a veteran with disabilities, and you are not entitled to care or services through anoth er health plan, you may qualify for CHAMPVA. Caregivers and veterans should read the INFOR

MATION FOR CARE GIVERS at https://bit. ly/3gVqcwW

7. A CHAMPVA benefi ciary who is 65 years old or older or who qualifies for Medicare at any age. CHAMPVA is always the second payer to Medicare. If you are UNDER 65 years old, you are eligible for CHAMPVA if you meet BOTH of these requirements – 1. You have both Medi care Parts A and B, and 2. You are otherwise eligible for CHAMP VA. If you are 65 years old or older, you’re eligible for CHAMPVA if you are eligible for Medicare. If you turned

65 before June 5, 2001, and you are entitled to either Medicare Part A or B, you will also need to enroll in Medicare Part B to be eligible for CHAMPVA. You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D to qualify for CHAMPVA. Veterans and beneficia ries need to carefully read the information in the MEDICARE AND CHAMPVA Fact Sheet found at https://bit. ly/3DO2SKn

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.

LARRY DANDRIDGE

EDITOR’S NOTE This is the first of a twopart series of articles on the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).

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