JUNE 5–11, 2025
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Jenkins stepping down
BEAUFORT RIVER SWIM
HBF Executive Director retiring after 14 years; Sundrla to take reins By Delayna Earley The Island News Historic Beaufort Foundation Executive Director Cynthia Jenkins is stepping down from the position after holding it for nearly 15 years. The Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) has Cynthia been a defining Jenkins voice for preservation of historic buildings in the City of Beaufort. Jenkins, 73, told members that she would be retiring from the position on June 7 in an email that was sent on Thursday, May 29. Lise Sundrla, who worked with Jenkins for the past five years, has Lise been named as the Sundrla new Executive Director of the HBF effective June 7, according to a release sent out by the HBF Board. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of such an incredible preservationist as Cynthia Jenkins,” Sundrla said in the release. “She has set the bar high.” When asked about her time at the HBF, Jenkins said that her most proud accomplishment during her tenure as director was how they “were not just able to rescue the Verdier House but be good stewards of it for 50 years.” “I am also very proud that we were able to continually add to the knowledge of what good preservation is, using that house as an example,” said Jenkins. While she was proud of the HBF’s contributions to the Verdier
Hilton Head Aquatics swimmer Jack Shave, 14, the overall male first-place winner, receives his trophy from Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer after the 19th annual YMCA Beaufort River Swim & Run on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Beaufort Downtown Marina. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
14 year olds rule the day
Hilton Head teens sweep record-breaking River Swim By Mike McCombs The Island News In another record-setting year for the YMCA’s Beaufort River Swim, youth was served, once again, as a pair of 14 year olds from Hilton Head Island took home the Men’s and Women’s championships. The Men’s and Overall champion was Jack Shave, who finished his first 3.2-mile Beaufort River Swim with a time of 52:56, while Piper Lucas took the Women’s Championship. A rising freshman at Hilton Head Island High School and a
member of Hilton Head Aquatics, Shave has only been tackling open water swims for about two months. Jack “It was fun, it Shave was good,” Shave said. “I haven’t had a lot of experience [with open water]. This was his second 5K race, the first coming a month ago in Ft. Myers, Fla. Shave said the biggest challenge in open water swims so far has been keeping track of where
he is. “The waves, the current, where to go,” he said. “You have to look where to go.” Shave wasn’t Piper sure he’d won, at Lucas first, because his biggest worry had been going off course. “I didn’t know I was in first. I knew I was in front of a lot of people, …” he said. “I had to keep looking behind me to be
SEE SWIM PAGE A8
SEE DIRECTOR PAGE A4
Music Festival of the Lowcountry returns Tony Jackson, Who’s Bad headlining free event
Country music singer Tony Jackson entertains the crowd during the first annual Music Festival of the Lowcountry on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
Staff reports After a successful debut last year, the Music Festival of the Lowcountry returns to Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park from 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 7, featuring headliners such as country music artist Tony Jackson and Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience. The event is free, though you can reserve tickets at www.musicfestivalofthelowcountry.com. The 2024 event brought almost 6,000 visitors to downtown Beau-
fort. The event was the brainComplete child of local real schedule estate expert Jafor Music Festival mie Peart of J.P. of the Signature Group Lowcountry, – Keller Williams. Page A5 The primary objective was to provide a platform for local and regional bands to showcase their artistic prowess. Inclusivity across various music genres was a key consideration -- attendees can anticipate a diverse musical lineup encompassINSIDE
ing country, jazz, pop, classic rock, steel drums, and more! “I want to create a space where local musicians of all genres can play and be heard. Where our local community can enjoy music and life in our historic town,” Peart said. Peart joined forces with Brittany Underwood, a marketing specialist and graphic designer, to make this event sparkle. On top of the music, the event serves up a feast of tasty
SEE MUSIC PAGE A5
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Community Foundation of the Lowcountry and Women in Philanthropy honor nonprofits making a difference across Beaufort County and beyond.
Celebrating the Class of 2025: Graduates across the Lowcountry turn their tassels.
Patrick Canning: “Mitchell wore his uniform to a protest and it’s a big deal.”
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