JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
WANT TO GO? What: DragonBoat Beaufort 13th annual Race Day When: Saturday, June 27, beginning at 8 a.m. Where: Port Royal waterfront near Fishcamp on 11th Street
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Turtle nerds to the rescue
Admission: Free More information: dragonboatbeaufort. orgSummerMusicals.com or by calling 866749-2228.
DragonBoat Beaufort races into Port Royal Fundraiser brings hundreds of paddlers, spectators to new venue June 27 By Delayna Earley The Island News After more than a decade on Beaufort's downtown waterfront, DragonBoat Beaufort's annual Race Day is charting a new course. The nonprofit organization's 13th annual DragonBoat Beaufort Race Day will take place Saturday, June 27, along the Port Royal waterfront, marking the first time the event has been held on Battery Creek near Fishcamp on 11th Street, Shellring Ale Works and Safe Harbor Marina. Organizers say the move comes as construction and ongoing closures at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park made a venue change necessary, but they have found an enthusiastic welcome in Port Royal. "We're super excited," said Terry Ely-Wenrick, co-director of DragonBoat Beaufort. "Port Royal has graciously welcomed us, and so has Fishcamp and Shellring and Safe Harbor. I think everyone's super excited for this new venue." The event is expected to draw more than 400 paddlers competing on 24 teams from across the Southeast, stretching from Jacksonville, Fla., to Charlotte, N.C. Teams include competitive dragon boat clubs, community fundraising teams and cancer survivor teams. Each boat carries between 16 and 20 paddlers along with a drummer who helps keep the crew in rhythm. While organizers typically host 28 teams, this year's field was intentionally scaled back slightly as crews and race officials adapt to the new race course.
SEE RACE PAGE A3
Volunteers take part in capturing diamondback terrapins as part of the field work for an ongoing conservation study. Carol Weir/USC Beaufort
Volunteers capture diamondback terrapins in Lowcountry for conservation study By Luke Frazier The Island News he heat was thick in the tidal creeks on St. Helena’s Island on the morning of Saturday, June 13. The pluff mud was thicker. Neither was any kind of deterrent for the more than 50 volunteers who came to take part in capturing diamondback terrapins as part of the field work for an ongoing conservation study. The study includes capturing, measuring, weighing, and tagging the turtles — all done with the necessary permit. The purpose behind these activities is long-term monitoring of diamondback terrapins, a state designated “high priority” species for conservation due to its declining population. These little creatures are vitally important to our local salt marshes and creeks; a view offered as an absolute fact by everyone asked.
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This vocal pro-turtle advocacy crew included Jordan Gray of the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), a global organization based in Charleston. Sporting a scruffy look and a cap imploring all to “Drink Beer — Save Turtles,” which, it turns out, is a TSA fundraising venture that partners with breweries across the country, Jordan
was clear about why he thought what was happening was borderline sanctified. “One of the things is you get in the water, actually in there in the mud with these terrapins,” he said. “You get a whole different appreciation for the coastal
SEE TURTLES PAGE A3
Ben Franklin coming to Beaufort
A 1785 portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Joseph Siffrein Duplessis. Public Domain
Living history interpreter to visit July 1 in celebration of Carolina Days, America’s 250th birthday
From staff reports If you’re a living history enthusiast and the visit to Beaufort last year by Mark Schneider, a renowned Lafayette actor,
was an exciting experience, then you should be in for a treat this week, as well. Living history will return to Beaufort on Wednesday, July 1 as renowned Shakespearean actor and historian GregRobin Smith will visit the Lowcountry in his capacity as Benjamin Franklin in celebration of Carolina Days and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A community-wide dedication and cel-
ebration is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, in the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Hosted by the City of Beaufort, Historic Beaufort Foundation, the Beaufort County 250th, and the Governor Paul Hamilton Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, “Putting
SEE FRANKLIN PAGE A4
NEWS
EDUCATION
HEALTH
INSIDE
Former Beaufort PIO defends role in FOIA release.
Beaufort County School District set to host Back-To-School Expo on July 18.
Preoperative assessment clinic eases fears.
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