March 26 edition

His awesomeness was contagious

Club Karate owner reflects on decades alongside Chuck Norris

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Long before the internet turned Chuck Norris into a punchline, he was something else entirely to the people who worked alongside him.

For Chuck Elias, who owns and operates Club Karate on Lady’s Island and has spent decades training within Norris’ system — including helping to run one of his international tournaments in Las Vegas — that version of Norris never quite matched the largerthan-life image.

“He never was on a pedestal,” Elias said. “He was one of the gang.” Norris, the martial artist and actor best known for Walker, Texas Ranger, died March 19 at 86 after a medical emergency in Hawaii, prompting tributes from fans

chalk artists will spend two inspiring days

breathtaking,

this free, family-friendly festival transforms ordinary pavement into an extraordinary canvas, inviting residents and visitors alike to witness imagination come alive in real time.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and continuing through 5 p.m. Sunday, nationally recognized

works of art directly on the pavement beside Tabby Place on Port Republic Street. Guests will not only see art unfold before their eyes, they will experience the creative process, meet the artists, and feel the energy that happens when a community gathers around beauty and expression.

SEE CHALK PAGE A2

around the world.

He rose to fame through a string of action films in the 1980s before becoming a household name on television, where his stoic, disciplined persona helped define an era of action storytelling.

But in Beaufort County, the memories are more personal and in at least one case, a little misunderstood.

Despite a long-standing local belief that Norris once trained or operated a school in Beaufort, Elias said that’s not the case.

“He’s never owned a school in Beaufort,” Elias said.

Norris did visit the area once in the late 1960s for a demonstration at Beaufort High School and

SEE KARATE PAGE A5

Republican JoJo

to run for Beaufort County

on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Beaufort County Elections Office. Asa

St. Helena man arrested in connection with 2024 murders in Burton

Marktazius Smalls was already in the Beaufort County Detention Center for other charges

Staff reports

A St. Helena Island man, already in custody for other charges and a person of interest in the October 2025 St. Helena Island mass shooting at Willie’s Bar & Grill, has been arrested and charged in connection with an October 2024 shooting in Burton.

According to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) release, as part of an ongoing investigation into a shooting that occurred on County Shed Road and Parris Island Gateway in Burton on Oct. 23 2024, the BCSO Northern Investigations section has arrested 23-year-old Marktazius Jovan

SEE ARREST PAGE A10

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

Some Marines were doing calisthenics

at 7:24 a.m., Saturday, March 21, when

snapped this photo from

submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.

VETERAN OF THE WEEK ELIZABETH SANTAGATI

American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Elizabeth (Liz) Santagati, 75, who graduated with the St. Helena High School Class of 1968 and joined the U.S. Army. After Basic Training at Fort McClellan, Ala., she trained at Fort Sam Houston to be a medic.

She was assigned to the McDonald Army Hospital at Fort Eustis, Va., first in the pediatric

Elizabeth (Liz)

ward and later in the OB-GYN ward, rising to be wardmaster in both. She ended her active service as a temporary recruiter, separating in 1974 as a Sergeant.

She used her GI Bill to attend community college in Washing-

ton state and at TLC, earning an AA degree in Business Administration. She’s held a variety of positions locally including with Beaufort County’s Department of Disability and Special Needs. Santagati has been very active in community development here and throughout the state, earning the coveted Order of the Palmetto from Governor McMaster. She’s a Silver Haired

Legislator, twice past-commander of American Legion Post 207, VFW member, and Mistress of Ceremonies for 14 years at the Nation Cemetery’s events on Veterans Day.

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

Burton family evacuated after propane leak

pane leaking from the relief valve.

Staff reports

Just after 1 p.m., on Sunday, March 22, Burton firefighters responded to a report of a strong smell of propane in a home on Poppy Hill Circle in the Grays Hill community of Beaufort County, according to a media release.

Firefighters arrived on scene and met with the homeowner who stated that they had their propane tank filled the day prior and had been smelling propane in the home since that time. Upon confirming the odor of propane in the home, firefighters evacuated two adults.

Fire crews located the propane tank outside the home with pro-

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Crews secured power to the home and deployed a flare kit to burn off enough propane in the tank to bring it back to safer levels and allow the relief valve to reseat.

Utilizing a gas detector, firefighters confirmed the house was clear and were able to return both power and gas to the home.

No injuries were reported, but Burton fire officials stated that this could have resulted in a tragedy. “Once the propane and oxygen reached the right mixture, all that was needed was a spark, and this would have had a different ending,” said Burton Fire District Engineer Joel Cody, one of the first to arrive on scene. “They were very lucky.” Fire officials encourage people to call 911 immediately if

they smell gas or propane, and to evacuate if inside a building and eliminate all ignition sources.

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Visiting artist Jennifer Ripassa describes street painting as performance art, where pavement becomes a stage and chalk becomes a tool for transformation, turning blank concrete into

Traditional craft artisans will demonstrate their skills on Saturday, while Sunday will feature a spirited chalk art competition among local middle and high school students. Throughout the weekend, live music from beloved area performers will fill the air with rhythm and celebration. For artists and audiences alike, Chalk It Up! is more than an event, it is a shared moment of wonder.

something vivid, meaningful, and alive. Master chalk artist Lisa Sandrowicz shares a similar vision, emphasizing connection, inspiration, and the importance of nurturing the next generation of artists so that creativity continues to flourish in communities everywhere. Now in its third and most exciting year, Chalk It Up! promises to be Beaufort’s most

colorful weekend yet, a celebration not only of art, but of possibility. The Freedman Arts District warmly invites the entire community to come experience the joy, connection, and inspiration that happen when creativity is shared in the open air. Together, we will color our streets, spark imagination, and celebrate the vibrant spirit that makes Beaufort shine.

Do you value your free hometown newspaper – made by locals, for locals? Free news isn’t cheap. Please help support The Island News!

Donations gratefully accepted at www.yourislandnews.com or The Island News, PO Box 550, Beaufort, SC 29901

THANK YOU

FOR 82 YEARS OF CARING

This Doctors’ Day, we celebrate the physicians whose compassion and dedication continue Beaufort Memorial’s legacy of care.

What began in 1944 with just four passionate physicians has grown into a team of more than 250 doctors serving our region today. We are grateful for the care, compassion, and commitment they show to our families, friends, and neighbors each and every day.

National Doctors’ Day, observed on March 30th, recognizes the invaluable role doctors play in our lives and our community. On this day and every day —we proudly say thank you for your dedication and service.

Say “Thank You” to your doctor with a gift to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation in their honor. Visit BeaufortMemorial.org/ThankYou or scan the QR code.

Driver charged with felony DUI in Beaufort crash that killed 31-year-old mother

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

A woman has been charged with felony driving under the influence in connection with a crash last week on Lady’s Island that killed a Beaufort mother of two.

Court records show 23-year-old

Isabelle She’A Zilko was arrested March 21 and charged with felony DUI resulting in death following the March 16 crash on Brickyard Point Road.

The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 31-year-old Hailee Autumn Shackelfurd, who died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the collision.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. Sunday, March 16, near 153 Brickyard Point Road.

According to Cpl. Nick Pye with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, a 2004 Toyota pickup was traveling north when it ran off the right side of the roadway, over -

turned and struck a tree.

Shackelfurd, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was transported to a local hospital.

Zilko was released on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond, according to records from the Beaufort County Public Index.

The case remains pending in Beaufort County General Sessions Court.

The S.C. Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A GoFundMe campaign created to support Zilko’s recovery states she suffered severe injuries in the crash, including a broken neck, broken collarbone, broken ribs, fractures in her back and compressed discs.

As of Tuesday morning, March 24, the campaign had raised just over $8 000 toward a $20 000 goal.

A life remembered

Shackelfurd, who was born June 9 1994, in Fairfield, Calif., and raised in South Carolina, is being remembered by family as someone whose presence drew people in, someone who made others feel seen whether they knew her for years or only moments.

“Hailee was a strong, smart, loving, beautiful and driven person,” her brother Preston Shackelfurd wrote in a fundraiser created to support her family. “She was a patient and loving mother of two.”

Her two children, Haiden, 10, and Oleander, 6, were “beaming examples of the love their mother filled them with every moment of every day,” he wrote, adding that she had a gift for making birthdays and holidays feel special.

She worked at Dockside, where coworkers and customers alike came to know her for her warmth and quick wit, a place where reg -

ulars often asked for her by name. Family members described her as someone who would show up for others without hesitation, offering support and steady presence to those around her.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by her family to help cover funeral and memorial expenses and to establish a future fund for her children has drawn an outpouring of community support.

As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser had raised nearly $63,000, far exceeding its original $20 000 goal.

“We want to honor her memory by coming together as a community to support her children and give her the farewell she deserves,” Preston Shackelfurd wrote.

Services and support

The family received friends Monday, March 23, at Anderson Funeral Home.

A graveside service followed at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

In addition to her parents, Donn R. Shackelfurd and Marcella Friese Shackelfurd, she is survived by her children, her fiancé Travis Belflower, and her brothers, Preston, Camden and Trenton Shackelfurd.

For those who knew Shackelfurd, the loss is measured not just in what happened that night, but in what she gave while she was here and in the community now rallying around her children in her absence.

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

100 Women Who Care donates

$10,700

Staff reports

Recently, Robin Brendza of 100 Women Who Care proudly presented a check for $10 700 to Adaptive Golf Experience (AGE), a local nonprofit dedicated to making the game of golf accessible to individuals with disabilities. The check was accepted by Executive Director Steven Giammona.

Founded 12 years ago, AGE provides individuals with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, amputations, severe PTSD, and other complications that limit mobility or

to Adaptive Golf Experience

access, to outdoor physical activity. While originally established to serve veterans, AGE now proudly supports both veterans and civilians throughout Beaufort County.

Although primarily based on Parris Island, AGE also travels to multiple golf courses in Beaufort County. To do so, the organization must transport many pieces of specialized adaptive equipment along with other equipment and supplies. Thanks to this generous donation from 100 Women Who Care, AGE will be able

to purchase a second trailer, significantly expanding its ability to serve participants.

With this contribution, 100 WWC has now donated more than $564 000 to non-profit organizations in northern Beaufort County.

The group’s second-quarter meeting is Tuesday, April14 at First Presbyterian Church Hall in Beaufort. For more information about 100 Women Who Care, www.100wwcbeaufort.org and to learn more about Adaptive Golf Experience, visit www.adaptivegolfexperience.org

Health and Legal Services Fair

Volunteer Lizette Mojica

welcomes participants at the Health and Legal Services Fair at the Lowcountry Outreach Center. Representatives from Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic, and other community organizations hosted the event March 14th on Lady’s Island. The free event connected residents with medical, legal, and community service providers in one location. Asa Aarons Smith/The Island News

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Man injured in Grays Hill fire

Staff reports A man was injured and displaced after a house fire in Grays Hill on Friday morning, March 20, according to the Burton Fire District.

Just past 8 a.m., the Burton Fire District, MCAS Fire & Emergency Services, and Beaufort County EMS and Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported house fire on Sunburst Lane in Grays Hill after the resident saw smoke in his home. Firefighters arrived on scene to a single-wide mobile home with smoke coming from the residence.

Burton Fire District firefighters arrived on scene Friday, March 20, to a single-wide mobile home with smoke coming from the residence in Grays Hill. Photo courtesy of Burton Fire District

The fire started, and spread, inside the walls and had just begun to burn through the wall into the living room when firefighters entered the home. Firefighters quickly got the fire under control but not before there was extensive damage to the wall and roof. One adult male was displaced and sustained minor injuries; however, he refused transport to the hospital. Red Cross was no-

fill Nancy Mace’s soon-to-be-open seat in the 1st Congressional District, six Republicans and three Democrats have filed, so far. The Republicans include Jenny Honeycutt, Logan Cunningham, Kendal Ludden, Alex Pelbath, Cindy Wagers Riley and Mark Smith. The Democrats are Mac Deford,

Max Diaz and Nancy Lecore. In the race for the U.S. Senate, Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham is being challenged by fellow Republicans Thomas Keith Dismukes, Pat Herman and Mark Lynch. Demcrats running for the seat include Dr. Annie Andrews and Brandon Brown.

Singing the truth

Tendaji Bailey turns history lecture into Gullah Geechee ‘truth-telling symphony’

By Luke Frazier The Island News

The Parish Church at Habersham

is a relatively new building that was consecrated at the end of January last year. It’s a beautiful space with exposed wooden beams and windows that soar to the ceiling.

It might be a touch austere for certain tastes, but it was recently warmed up through an engaging lecture on Gullah Geechee culture by artist, historian, and memory worker Tendaji Bailey.

Bailey hails from Port Royal and has family throughout the Sea Islands. He is seventh generation Gullah Geechee and founder of the Gullah Geechee Futures Project.

He was invited to speak by Habersham’s history club, whose founder Annis Lyles says has one membership requirement — you must love history. Based on the 100-plus individuals who showed up recently for the late afternoon event, there is certainly plenty of interest.

But calling what occurred a lecture isn’t quite right. When Bailey first strode to the lectern with a big smile on his face he didn’t say a word. Instead he broke into a richly voiced rendition of

part of his original song Da Wada, in which he weaves in pieces of traditional hymns. The song tells the story of the great paradox of the agony enslaved individuals endured during the Middle Passage voyages contrasted with the role coastal waters continue to play as an economic and spiritual life force for Gullah Geechee communities.

Bailey sprinkled in more song fragments from his collection “Seeking/ Soaring: Gullah Resilience Songs,” which was funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission. His 75-minute presentation featured a vari-

ety of dramatic stories, pictures of family, community members, and mentors, and even a moment of show and tell that included a proud display of his in-progress handmade fishing net.

In a conversation prior to the lecture, Bailey explained that as a “memory worker,” he actively enters historical sites, performs rituals, and educates young people about the people and the foundational principles involved. He calls his work with the Gullah Geechee Futures Project a succession plan.

“It’s so important that we have a cadre of young peo-

ple ready to step into those places,” he insisted, “[It’s an] intergenerational transference of knowledge, just to sit at these elders’ feet and hear the wisdom that they are so freely sharing.”

Other activities that Bailey uses when working with young people include gathering near the water at night to debrief painful history, for example after visiting the historic site of Igbo Landing on St. Simons Island, Ga. This is where in 1803 a group of West Africans chose to walk in the water and drown rather than submit to slavery. It is also the source of the “Flying

Africans” myth whereby the captives grew wings and flew back to Africa. Bailey is spellbinding during the presentation as he relates the various aspects of this historical event and many others.

As far as understanding the larger cultural context of the entire Gullah Geechee Corridor, roughly from Wilmington, N.C., south to Jacksonville, Fla., Bailey urges caution.

“Gullah Geechee Corridor is not a monolithic experience,” he says, “What it means to be Gullah Geechee on St. Helena’s Island is not what it means to be Gullah Geechee on Sapelo [Island] or Sandy Island. They all have their individual histories and experiences and icons who have been upholding legacies in these specific spaces.”

Bailey points out that the ties that bind distinct parts of the corridor are shared cultural experiences, water, and a connection to spirit through nature. He sees where he is today and what he does as being a direct result of exposure to a variety of these webs of historical significance and knowledge.

“I look at history as a window into your purpose,” he reflects, “It gives you clarity on what you are supposed to be doing once you have seen what has already been done.”

The question after the

lecture might be whether some of the tough historical realities Bailey shared via stories and songs dampened enthusiasm for looking or sharpened resolve to see and understand even painful history. The type of history that includes the fact that for decades much of Beaufort County consisted of plantations routinely exploiting enslaved individuals, including the land where folks were gathered on this day to hear Bailey.

Part of the answer depends on how one might respond to Bailey’s plea found in his original song called “Joy.”

“Joy is a revolution, joy is a solution, c’mon let’s heal the world,” he sings, as he merges resilience with the fact of joy.

“So for me it’s important to know that the resilience of our ancestors was really birthed out of trauma,” Bailey concludes, “And the joy is that they were able to turn nothing into everything.” On this recent afternoon Tendaji Bailey turned what was supposed to be just a lecture for a gathering of history lovers into a genuine truth-telling symphony.

Luke Frazier is a writer and award winning media producer who moved to the Lowcountry in 2024. He runs NOW Communications and can be reached at nowandfuturecomms@ gmail.com.

Beaufort Academy Egg Drop

Karate

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had planned to return in 2020, Elias said, but that trip was canceled when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down travel and events.

The connection here, instead, runs through people like Elias, who built their careers inside Norris’ system and carried it forward in places like Port Royal and now, Lady’s Island.

A test he never forgot

Elias’ connection to Norris began in 1983, during a black belt test that still stands out more than four decades later. There were three candidates. Thirteen people on the board.

And Norris himself running the test.

After hours of evaluation, the candidates were given time to hydrate and then sent into a four-hour workout.

“I don’t know where I got the energy to do it,” Elias said. “There’s no way you

could say no.”

Two of the three candidates quit before it was over.

Elias didn’t.

“That was my first encounter with him,” he said.

“And he is a real deal.”

“That was his track”

Over the years, Elias saw Norris in settings most fans never would – conventions, training sessions, long days inside crowded Las Vegas convention halls filled with instructors and students from around the world.

And he never rushed those interactions.

“If you got caught in the elevator with him, by the time you got off, he would know all your family members, your pet’s name,” Elias said. “He thoroughly enjoyed talking to people.” Sometimes, that meant slowing things down in unexpected ways.

Elias and others would walk Norris back to his room, not because he needed protection from anyone else, but because he needed protection from himself.

If someone recognized him along the way, Elias

said, Norris would stop every time.

“He would stop and sign it and have a full-on conversation,” Elias said.

At one point, Elias joked about the unofficial role he and others had taken on.

“That’s nice to have on my resume,” he said with a laugh. “Chuck Norris’ bodyguard.”

Keeping him moving became the real challenge.

“That was his track,” he added. “Interacting with people.”

Not the version people think they know

For many, Norris existed as something closer to folklore – the action hero who couldn’t be hurt, the subject of endless one-liners.

Even in the hours after news of his death spread, those jokes resurfaced online.

Norris knew them and embraced them.

“He liked them. He laughed with them,” Elias said.

But the version Elias knew wasn’t built on exaggeration.

“He was all about making

people better,” he said.

The moments that stayed The stories Elias carries aren’t the ones most people would expect.

At a fundraiser in Florida, he was walking his young daughter — who was about 4 years old at the time — through a breezeway outside a gym when Norris approached from the other direction.

He stopped.

“Oh my gosh, she’s so beautiful. Can I hug her?” Norris said.

He picked her up, hugged her, and kept going.

“That’s something that just burns in my memory,” Elias said.

There were other moments, too, ones that never made headlines.

He stood beside Norris in a wedding, serving as best man while Norris gave away the bride. He visited Norris’ home in Navasota, Texas, for training and events.

He spent years helping run tournaments that brought competitors from around the world together.

Through all of it, one thing stayed consistent.

“I was not a special person. I was a lucky person,” Elias said.

A legacy that keeps moving

Today, Elias continues to teach on Lady’s Island, where students as young as 4 line up on the mat to begin training.

The lessons he learned from Norris still shape the way he runs his school, not just in how students move, but in how they carry themselves.

“Because of him, my life was changed,” Elias said. “It made me a better person physically, spiritually and mentally.”

That influence doesn’t stop with him.

“I got to pass that on to other people,” he said.

“Totally blown away” Elias first heard Norris was in the hospital from a parent at his studio.

A quick phone call reassured him everything was fine.

So, when the news came the next morning, it didn’t feel real.

“I was totally blown

away,” Elias said.

“I still haven’t wrapped my mind around it.”

More than a legend

For many, Norris will remain the larger-than-life figure.

For Elias, the memory is something else.

“The world lost a legend today,” he said. “More than that, one of the finest human beings I know.”

And in a studio on Lady’s Island — where young students bow onto the mat and begin again — that influence is still moving, passed from one generation to the next.

The man most people knew as a legend lives on there in quieter ways, in discipline, in routine, and in the expectation that showing up and doing the work still matters.

“His awesomeness is contagious.”

Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist

Beaufort County gun ordinance sent back to committee

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

A proposed Beaufort County ordinance regulating the discharge of firearms in unincorporated areas was sent back to committee Monday night, as council members signaled they are not yet ready to move forward without significant changes.

After weeks of public input and revisions, Beaufort County Council voted to remand the ordinance to its Community Services and Public Safety Committee for further work, pausing the measure before a second reading.

The move comes after growing debate over how the ordinance should be enforced and whether violations should be treated as criminal offenses or handled through civil penalties.

From complaints to countywide debate

The proposal traces back to complaints from residents in the Riverside neighborhood in October 2025, according to county attorney Brian Hulbert, who said concerns about gunfire in increasingly dense residential areas prompted the initial push for an ordinance.

County officials brought forward a draft in November modeled in part on a similar ordinance adopted in Charleston in 2025

Since then, the proposal has undergone multiple revisions.

It passed out of committee in early February on a 6-2 vote and cleared first reading later that month in a 7-4 vote.

A public hearing held March 9 drew a wide range

of opinions, with residents split between safety concerns and fears of government overreach.

Council then voted unanimously to delay second reading until Monday’s meeting.

Enforcement concerns surface

Much of Monday night’s discussion centered on how the ordinance would actually be enforced.

Hulbert said conversations with law enforcement, prosecutors and code enforcement officials raised new concerns, particularly about asking unarmed code enforcement officers to respond to calls involving gunfire.

Under the current structure, daytime complaints could fall to county code en-

forcement, while nights and weekends would likely be handled by deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, who would then refer cases for follow-up.

That approach drew concern from county officials, who questioned whether it would put employees at risk.

“There was great concern … about sending code enforcement officers who are not armed out to respond to a discharge of weapons,” Hulbert told council.

Push toward civil enforcement

At the same time, both the sheriff and solicitor indicated support for shifting the ordinance away from criminal penalties and toward a civil enforcement model.

Vice Chair Anna Maria “Tab” Tabernik said she supports that approach, arguing it would make cases easier to pursue.

“I think we’re getting closer, but it needs to be civil penalty, not criminal,” Tabernik said before the vote.

That shift, however, would require additional drafting and review — one of the key reasons council opted to send the ordinance back to committee rather than proceed.

What happens next

Council members approved the motion to remand without opposition.

The ordinance will now return to the Community Services and Public Safety Committee, where staff and council members are

South Coast Cyber Summit

expected to rework key elements, including enforcement mechanisms and penalty structure.

Officials said they will try to bring a revised version back as early as April, though May is more likely given the time needed to redraft the ordinance.

For now, the debate remains unresolved. What began as neighborhood complaints about gunfire has grown into a broader countywide conversation, one that council made clear Monday night is not finished yet.

Delayna Earley, who joined The

Beaufort Memorial gets transportation grant for cancer patients

Staff reports

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently awarded the Beaufort Memorial Foundation with a $4 500 grant to provide transportation aid to patients receiving cancer treatment, according to a media release from Beaufort Memorial.

This grant is a part of a nationwide investment of $9 million that is expected to provide nearly 60 000 eligible patients with transportation and lodging services. This is the fourth year that the Foundation has received this grant from the ACS.

“Access to care is a critical part of achieving better health outcomes in our community,” said Kim Yawn, Beaufort Memorial Foundation Chief Development Officer. “This grant and the con-

tinued support from the American Cancer Society allows us to directly address transportation challenges that can lead to missed

appointments or delayed treatment, helping our patients receive the care they need.”

Gas cards purchased by the

Foundation will be distributed to eligible Beaufort Memorial patients who qualify for transportation-related financial aid and will be distributed based on the frequency of their appointments and the required distance of travel.

Access to high-quality oncology treatment directly impacts health outcomes, and patients who lack the transportation and lodging needed to receive quality care can often experience missed appointments, treatment interruptions and delays in follow-up care.

In 2023, a study by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed that delayed care due to lack of transportation is associated with increased emergency room use and mortality risk among adults with and without cancer history.

“Transportation obstacles or the cost of a hotel room should not be barriers that determine the survival of those needing cancer treatment,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the ACS. “Partnering with health systems and organizations across the country to provide funding to deliver the direct assistance needed helps to fill these equity gaps and improves cancer outcomes.”

Since 2021, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $50 million in transportation and lodging grants to health system partners across the country. By the end of 2027, this investment is expected to provide more than 370 000 patients with over 4 3 million transportation and lodging services.

Beaufort County Airports to host Frogfest 2026

Staff reports In celebration of South Carolina Aviation Week, Beaufort County Airports will host the first annual Frogfest 2026. It will be held Saturday, April 18, at Beaufort Executive Airport at 39 Airport Circle on Lady's Island. Frogfest 2026 is open to the public and will kick off with the Flying Frog 5K/10K, a runway race with all proceeds going to support OPFOB. The event also includes music, food, fun and airplanes. The event is $10 However children 12 and younger are free. The event cost is included for registered Flying Frog 5K/10K runners.

– Price increases after March 31 The Flying Frog 10k: $45 – Price increases after March 31

week-long celebration, promoting aviation through events that highlight airports’ educational and economic impacts throughout the state.

Registration Options The Flying Frog 5k under 12: $25 – Registration ends April 16 The Flying Frog 5k Student ages 12-17: $30 – Price increases after March 31 The Flying Frog 5k: $35

Register today for the Flying Frog 5K/10K at https:// bit.ly/3NZlKxZ. Please note, registration is not refundable. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the event.

South Carolina Aviation Week is April 19 through April 25, and is an annual,

Learn more about S.C. Aviation Week at https:// bit.ly/4lPSkit. Learn more about OPFOB at https:// bit.ly/40VJrKz. For questions and more information, please contact Beaufort County Airports Business Manager Marlene Myers at tracy.myers@bcgov.net or 843-929-7967

Beaufort distillery closes after five years, drawing community support in final days

By Delayna Earley

Island News

The

A Beaufort distillery that opened in the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and held on through years of change has closed its doors, prompting an outpouring of support from customers and the community it built along the way.

Rotten Little Bastard Distillery, located on Boundary Street and owned by Brian and Brigid Fackrell, announced March 11 that it would shut down after more than five years in business.

The distillery has since closed permanently.

“Brian and I have made the difficult decision to close Rotten Little Bastard Distillery,” co-owner Brigid wrote in a Facebook post.

“We would like to thank everyone who has worked with us, helped us, supported us and visited us in the past 5½ years. We will miss you.”

The distillery first opened at a moment when pandemic shutdowns had halted tourism and created imme-

In January 2025, Brian suffered a stroke; not debilitating, but enough to shift what running the business looked like day to day.

“We realized then that our current level of stress was not sustainable,” Brigid wrote.

The couple explored selling the business, working with a broker to find investors or a buyer.

But economic conditions and changes in how people consume alcohol made that difficult.

“The current economy and changes in how people drink alcohol were not in our favor and we could not find a buyer,” she said.

back, sip them a little more slowly, and toast in your honor.”

Others pointed to the relationships built inside the distillery, from tours and tastings to the people behind the bar.

“I’ve always enjoyed coming by the distillery. The staff was great,” another commenter wrote.

Many echoed a similar sentiment that while the closing is difficult, the decision to prioritize health and family is the right one.

“I understand that family and health come first,” one supporter wrote.

she and our pups are getting used to the new living situation, she is doing well and exploring all over.” The comments also reflected something else: just how far the distillery’s reach extended.

Messages came not only from Beaufort locals, but from visitors, out-of-state customers and people who had followed the business from afar.

diate challenges for small businesses across Beaufort.

“We opened in June of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic was closing businesses down and stopped most tourism to our area,” Brigid wrote. “This was an unexpected rough start, and we learned many uncomfortable lessons.”

Despite that, the business gained traction over time, producing a range of spirits and building a loyal customer base.

By 2023, the owners said they felt they were finally moving in the right direction. But a series of challenges followed.

As news of the closure spread, dozens of customers and supporters responded to the announcement with messages of gratitude, encouragement and, in many cases, a shared sense of loss.

“We really enjoyed being there and enjoying all your unique spirits,” one customer wrote. “We will cherish the bottles that we brought

The distillery’s personality extended beyond its spirits, something customers made clear in their responses.

Along with messages of support, several people asked about Juniper, the distillery’s resident cat.

“And just so you are not worried about our darling Juniper, she is home with us,” Brigid wrote in a follow-up comment. “While

For now, the distillery’s products remain available in South Carolina liquor stores and through online distributors while supplies last. Brian and Brigid say they are staying in Beaufort.

“Brian and I are not going anywhere, as Beaufort is our home,” Brigid wrote. “We are just moving on to the next experience.”

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

A Night At The Museum Auction

Beaufort Memorial Primary Care Services adds new family medicine physician

Special to The Island News

Beaufort Memorial has welcomed a board-certified family medicine physician now seeing patients in Beaufort, according to a media release.

Dr. Joseph M. DiMaria has joined Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group Primary Care, where he provides comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages. His clinical focus includes preventive medicine, minor cosmetic procedures such as skin tag

and mole removal, women’s health and a balanced approach to chronic disease management that integrates evidence-based, traditional medicine with holistic care.

Dr. DiMaria began his healthcare career as a pharmacist before pursuing medicine. He made a mid-career change, earning his medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. He brings to Beaufort a wide range of clinical, academic and leadership experience from an array of healthcare

Dr. Joseph M. DiMaria

settings, primarily in New York, and is excited to bring his whole-person approach to patients in the Lowcountry and make an impact in this community.

“I take the time to get to know my patients and work with them to develop a care plan to fit their individual needs,” he said. “By combining allopathic medicine with well-

ness-based therapies, we can better support long-term health.”

He lives in Beaufort with his husband Jeremy, his daughter Bella and their dog Max. He’s a self-proclaimed thrill seeker and enjoys art, history and cooking fun, nutritious meals for his family.

At Lowcountry Medical Group Primary Care, Dr. DiMaria diagnoses and treats a wide range of chronic conditions and has a particular interest in women’s health, including pre- and post-natal

counseling.

The practice offers comprehensive outpatient medical services with a focus on wellness, preventive care and management. On-site imaging and laboratory services are available. Dr. DiMaria joins board-certified physicians Drs. Nicholas P. Dardes, Carl Derrick, Emi Rendon Pope and Craig Floyd, along with physician assistants Nikki Newman and James Varner, and nurse practitioners Veronica Smalheiser, Jennifer Martin and Erin R. Scott.

USCB’s Reconstruction Era Institute joins historic network

Two college programs join the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network

Staff reports

The Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era at USC Beaufort is one of two institutes of higher learning being added to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, according to the National Park Service.

This national network connects sites across the country who provide education, interpretation and research related to the period of Reconstruction. The Reconstruction era, lasting from 1861 to

NEWS BRIEFS

Health screening event

There will be a health screening event from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 28 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church at 367 Keans Neck Road in Dale.

The event will feature diabetes, cholesterol, prostate, hypertension and skin cancer screenings, as well as eye exams and eyeglass vouchers, prescription assistance, medical appointment assistance, safety net assistance, and mammogram and colonoscopy referrals.

The event is supported by the Beaufort Memorial Mobile Unit, AccessHealth Lowcountry Services, BJH Comprehensive Health Services, Dominion Energy Services, Baufort-Jasper EOC Services, Well Care, Healthy Blue, and the SC 1890 Extension Program.

All services are absolutely

1900, includes stories of freedom, education and self-determination.

The Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era at USC Beaufort is currently the only research institute focusing solely on the Reconstruction era attached to an organization of higher learning in the nation. The Institute promotes educational initiatives, facilitates scholarly research and presents public events that focus on the social, economic, cultural and political history of the Recon-

struction era in the United States and the Lowcountry. Also added was Selma University in Selma, Ala., established in the 1870s as an institute of higher education for formerly enslaved people. Initially established to train ministers, it eventually grew to include a high school, a teacher's college and welcomed women as both students and educators.

Still an active HBCU, Selma University was added to the

National Register of Historic Places in 2023

The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed into law on March 12, 2019, outlined the creation of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. This network, managed by Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, includes more than 100 sites and programs that are affiliated with the Reconstruction era, but not necessarily managed by the NPS.

This network is nationwide and works to provide opportunities for visitors to connect to the stories of Reconstruction. For more information about the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, visit https://www.nps. gov/subjects/reconstruction/network.htm.

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

free. For more information, contact George Bush at 843412-2572 or Madie Orage at 803-587-1017

Community members needed to fill spots on County boards, commissions

Beaufort County Boards and Commissions are Council-appointed volunteer opportunities for community members to share their expertise, input and ideas.

The Boards and Commissions help County Council anticipate, fund and provide a cost-effective level of service.

Beaufort County’s population continues to grow. That growth means increased demands on services, programs, infrastructure as well as the need for increased preservation and protection

of the County’s natural resources and beauty.

The Boards and Commissions that currently have vacancies are listed below.

Accommodations Tax (2% State) Board

Board of Assessment

Appeals

Construction Adjustments and Appeals

Design Review Board

Historic Preservation

Board (Northern Beaufort County)

Keep Beaufort County Beautiful (Districts 4 5 and 10)

Library (District 1)

Parks and Recreation (At-Large)

Planning Commission (Lady’s Island Area)

Stormwater (Districts 4 and 8)

Some vacancies are limited to specific Council Districts, some are looking for volunteers with a specific

expertise, while others welcome volunteers from anywhere in Beaufort County.

To review the current list of vacancies and requirements, visit https:// bit.ly/3Pw851R. The positions listed are currently available. Availability may change at any time, and positions may be filled during the review and appointment process.

Volunteers can be any registered voter in Beaufort County. A Volunteer Application can be found at https://bit.ly/4dGYWxm.

City issues request for proposals for Waterfront Park Day Dock improvements

The City of Beaufort is seeking bids from licensed

and qualified contractors to perform modifications to the Waterfront Park Day Dock, according to a recent media release.

The planned improvements will enhance functionality and accessibility, allowing the Day Dock to reopen for public use upon completion.

“Restoring public access to the Waterfront Park Day Dock is an immediate priority. We are hopeful for bids that will ultimately result in a solution that will provide access in time for the Water Festival,” City Manager Scott Marshall said.

The non-mandatory prebid meeting was scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, March 23 2026, in Executive Conference Room No. 2

Questions were due by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Answers will be posted by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 27 2026

Bid submissions are due on or before 2 p.m. on April 6 2026. A public bid opening will be held at that time in Executive Conference Room No. 2

All work is expected to be completed by June 1 2026

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs offering Life Planning

seminars

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs is hosting a series of Life Planning seminars for

veterans and their families. The seminars will be offered at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., and will be held at the following dates and locations:

Wednesday, April 15 – St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road

Wednesday, June 10 – Hilton Head Island Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road

Wednesday, July 15 –St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road

Wednesday, September 16 – Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Drive

Wednesday, November 18 – Burton Wells Recreation Center, I Middleton Recreation Drive

Wednesday, December 2 – Hilton Head Island Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road

This seminar specifically addresses things veterans and their families can do today to ensure their personal effects are in order. The seminar also discusses Veterans Affairs benefits that surviving spouses may be entitled to receive.

RSVPs are required for space and resource purposes. Please contact Crystal at 843-255-6880 to reserve your seat. For questions and more information please contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-2556880 – Staff reports

LEGAL NOTICES

Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery hosting Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony

Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. James Livingston guest speaker

life for his country."

Staff reports

Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. James Livingston, USMC, ret., will be the guest speaker when the Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Department and Beaufort National Cemetery parter again to host a Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 28, at the Beaufort National Cemetery at 1601 Boundary Street. Livingston was awarded the Medal of Honor on May 14 1970, by President Richard M. Nixon during a ceremony at the White House. During the Vietnam War, then Capt. Livingston was Commanding

Officer of Company E, 2D Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade.

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor website, "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, Company E, in action against enemy forces. Company E launched a determined assault on the heavily fortified village of Dai Do, which had been

seized by the enemy on the preceding evening isolating a marine company from the remainder of the battalion. Skillfully employing screening agents, Capt. Livingston maneuvered his men to assault positions across 500 meters of dangerous open rice paddy while under intense enemy fire."

Read the entire citation at https://bit.ly/3NEUoNC.

The sister of Medal of Honor recipient and Charleston native Ralph Johnson will be one of the guests of honor at the ceremony and will lay a remembrance wreath on her brother's grave.

Read about Pfc. Ralph Johnson's military service and honors at https://bit.ly/3NUsvkJ.

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website, "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a reconnaissance scout with Company A, in action against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces. Pfc. Johnson's courage, inspiring valor, and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his

LUCK O' THE IRISH

Join us in honoring the great service and sacrifice of our Vietnam War veterans with a pinning ceremony. All Vietnam Var Veterans, the families and the general public are invited to this free event.

The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Office assists veterans, their spouses and other dependents with access to government programs for which they are eligible. Veterans Affairs Counselors are available by appointment only by calling 843-255-6880. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4rWnoyu.

Join the Parris Island Iron Mike Bike Tour

Staff reports

The Parris Island Museum and Parris Island Heritage Foundation are offering a free bicycle tour through history. Explore the Lowcountry and the modern Marine Corps presence on a 15-mile ride, starting and ending at the Parris Island Museum from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check in prior to the ride for safety and route instruc-

tions. Personal bikes and helmets are required, and personal water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended. Water refill stations will be available throughout the course.

Beaufort Memorial Medical and Administrative Center

990 Ribaut Road, Beaufort • Room 317, 3rd Floor To RSVP for a free Support Group, scan our code or visit: BeaufortMemorial.org/CancerSupportGroup

In case of inclement weather, the tour will be canceled, but the Museum will remain open until 4 p.m.. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to experience history up close and

personal! For information on base access, visit https://www. mcrdpi.marines.mil/Visitors/Base-Access/. To learn more about the Parris Island Museum,

visit https://www.mcrdpi. marines.mil/.../Parris-Island-Museum/. To learn more about the Parris Island Heritage Foundation, visit https://parrisislandfoundation.org/.

Staff reports

Review highlights Beaufort Memorial PATH program, education center

The Beaufort Memorial education and simulation program ranks among the best in the nation, according to Becker’s Hospital Review.

Becker’s, the leading healthcare publication for hospital business news and analysis, recently highlighted 93 leading hospital education and simulation programs around the nation that use advanced technology and immersive, innovative training to improve overall patient outcomes, enhance safety measures and reduce healthcare costs.

Only two South Carolina health systems landed on the list.

The publication recog-

Both rated among nation’s best

nized Beaufort Memorial for its PATH (People Achieving Their Highest) program, a structured internal pathway

designed to help current employees advance their careers while building a pipeline for nursing, clinical and nonclinical roles. The program graduated its first cohort in fall 2022 and has since seen over 100 graduates.

“This recognition highlights the work happening in this community to prepare and support healthcare professionals,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “We’re proud to be recognized, and even prouder to continue to create opportunities for people in our community to grow their careers while ensuring our patients receive exceptional care.”

In January 2025, Beaufort

Memorial partnered with the Beaufort County School District to launch a dual-enrollment option allowing high school seniors to participate in the PATH program tuition-free. The nonprofit health system hired five of the graduates from the first high school cohort immediately after their graduation.

The Becker’s editorial team selected the featured programs based on overall health system achievements, awards and recent advances in innovative care delivery and patient care processes. Beaufort Memorial was the only Lowcountry-based health system included in the list, alongside major academic and regional health systems.

Becker’s also highlighted the Beaufort Memorial education team and the four state-of-the-art simulation labs in the Career Development Center, which opened in Summer 2024 and also serves as a satellite location for the University of South Carolina-Beaufort (USCB) nursing program.

“Developing a sustainable pipeline for healthcare professionals is essential to the future of the Lowcountry,” Baxley added. “This honor reflects the dedication of our education team and our commitment to the training that helps our caregivers deliver the safest, highest-quality care possible.”

Friends of Fort Fremont Oyster Roast

Schwab survey: Women investors cite discipline and patience as top strengths

Presented by Hampton Long In retirement communities like ours, many women unexpectedly step into managing the household finances after a spouse becomes ill or passes away. Though this newfound responsibility can be stressful and even intimidating—especially for someone who has not filled that role before—new research shows that women possess impressive aptitude and skill, and over time develop well-earned confidence and competence in managing their investments.

Women aren’t new to investing, but they’re more engaged than ever, according to Charles Schwab’s

Arrest from page A1

2025 Women Investors Survey. Nearly all respondents ( 90% ) feel they’re on track to reach their financial goals, leaning on strengths like discipline and patience to help shape their journey. These encouraging results are just some of the findings of the online survey conducted for Schwab by Logica Research in January 2025. The survey reached 1 200 women ages 21 to 75 who have at least $5,000 in investable assets outside retirement accounts and are primary or joint financial decision-makers for their households. Here are some additional highlights.

Smalls Jr. of St. Helena Island. Smalls was already detained in the Beaufort County Detention Center. Shortly before 10:20 p.m.,that night, deputies responded to the intersection of County Shed Road and Parris Island Gateway in

Getting an early start

Today’s younger generations of women started investing earlier than their older counterparts. Millennials (ages 28 to 43) started at an average age of 27 compared with age 31 for Gen X (ages 44 to 59) and age 36 for Boomers (ages 60 and older). And even though roughly half of respondents say they started investing before the age of 30, the overwhelming majority—85%—say they wish they had started sooner.

Focused on the future

Women investors are very disciplined, with only 8% reporting that they invest for fun. Instead, women ap-

reference to a report of a shooting which just occurred. There were two 18-year-old males killed as a result of the shooting. An arrest warrant was obtained for Smalls on the charges of Arson, Accessory after the Fact, and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.

Smalls was charged Friday, March 20 2026

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case

proach investing as a longterm strategy, with eight in 10 focused on big-picture goals. And they’re not timid with their money: 61% say they don’t mind taking on some risk with their investments when potential returns justify it.

Confident and curious

Women are highly engaged in the investing process, with 89% saying they are confident in their investing strategies. Though women investors prefer to use a combination of their own research and advice from a financial professional when making decisions (42%), they also discuss their finances with family

is encouraged to contact the lead investigator, Staff Sergeant Tunis at 843-255-3426

Prior charges On Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, Smalls was arrested by the BCSO in a raid for possession of narcotics; breach of peace, aggravated; and possession of a machine gun. At the time, BCSO spokesman Lt. Danny Allen emphasized that

(79%) and friends (56%) to learn new information and feel more confident in their own financial decisions.

At Charles Scwhab, we thrive on helping investors manage and invest for their futures. It doesn’t have to be complex, or expensive, to be the right solution for your circumstances. If you would like to learn more about investing, please let us know.

HAMPTON LONG is a FINANCIAL CONSULTANT at Charles Schwab with over 16 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. Some content provided here has been compiled from previously published articles authored by various parties at Schwab.

the charges against Smalls were unrelated to the Oct. 12 shooting at Willie’s. But a law enforcement source confirmed to The Island News at the time that Smalls was a person of interest in the mass shooting. According to court records, Smalls late had a second possession of a machine gun charge added, and there was a bond revocation motion filed in his case.

This material is intended for <general> informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The securities, investment products and investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own situation before making any investment decisions.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and for some products and strategies, loss of more than your initial investment.

©2026 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

0326-JDL5

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to suspicious or criminal activity to report it by calling the non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777. If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app on your mobile device, online at tipsbft.com or by calling 844-TIPS-BFT (844-8477238).

ART Budding Artist After-School

Art Club

4 to 5 p.m., or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays, Happy Art Studio, 10 Sam’s Point Way, Beaufort. Ages 8 to 13. Painting, drawing, clay or crafts. Visit www.happyartstudio.net.

CALENDAR

Karaoke with Melissa

7:30 p.m. to midnight, Mondays, Tomfoolery, 3436 17 Market, Habersham, Beaufort. Enjoy food and drinks during Karaoke with Melissa.

Karaoke with Ali

9 p.m. to midnight, Tuesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort. With DJ Ali.

Karaoke with Melissa

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Rosie

O’Grady’s, 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 2, Beaufort. Free. Enjoy karaoke with either Parker or Eric.

Trivia with Tom –

Bricks On Boundary

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Bluffton Night Bazaar –a Lowcountry Made Market

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

Habersham Farmers Market

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Karaoke with Melissa

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

Port Royal Farmers Market

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

Slip and Splash Saturdays

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Eric’s Karaoke Krew

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

Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud 9 a.m. to noon, 1st Saturday

WHAT’S HAPPENING

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

Karaoke with Melissa

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

DANCE

Lowcountry Shaggers

6 to 9 p.m., Mondays, Albergotti Grill, Holiday Inn, 2225 Boundary Street. Shag lessons with Tommy & Sheri O’Brien and others. Occasional ballroom and once-a-month line dancing. Beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons. Open dancing after lessons. Visit www.lowcountryshaggers.com of email lowcountryshaggers@aol.com.

The Beaufort Shag Club

6:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, AmVets Club, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Free lessons for members from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We also host a dance the second Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. Lessons will run September through May only. Visit our FaceBook page (beaufortshagclub) for current events.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

BEMER Longevity Technology

9 a.m., Wednesdays via Zoom. Seen the buzz on “life span VS health span?” Want to grow better, not older? Haven’t heard of BEMER yet? Come for Q&A about how this longevity-enhancing medical device can enhance your health, fitness and overall well-being in just 8 minutes, 2 times a day. Offered by BEMER Specialist - Human & Equine, Elizabeth Bergmann. Text 410-212-1468 to get the Zoom link. Free.

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.

HISTORY

Beaufort History Museum at the Arsenal

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

The Historic Port Royal Museum

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or upon request, Thursdays through Sundays, The Historic Port Royal Museum, 1634 Paris Ave. The museum features the turn-of-thecentury 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 843524-4333.

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 Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history during the Spanish-American War through interpretive signs, self-guided walking tours with a smart phone, exhibits in the history center, and docent-led tours. For more information visit www.fortfremont.org or contact Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net.

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

“Hidden Gems” Book Club

3 p.m., third Monday of each month, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Free. So many books, so little time. St. Helena staff have uncovered some great titles to get you started on your “hidden gem” journey. Join us for lively discussions and

coffee or tea. No registration required.

Career Navigator

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

Bridge Club

10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.

Mah Jongg Open Play

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays, St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena Island. Already know the basics of this fun and popular tile game? Join others for open play –all materials supplied. Cards may be purchased at nationalmahjonggleague.org.

Mahjong Club

9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Fridays, Beaufort Library, 311 Scott Street. All levels of players are welcome. Feel free to bring your own mahjong sets. Plan to meet every week. For more information, call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458.

MEETINGS

Beaufort Lions Club

6 p.m., first and third Monday of every month, St John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. For more information, visit thebeaufortlionsclub@gmail.com or follow on Facebook/Instagram/Nextdoor.

UAP/ET/UFO Reset Discussion

Group

Sundays, (March 22, 3-4:30 p.m.; March 29, 7-8:30 p.m.; April 5, 3-4:30 p.m.; April 12, 3-4:30 p.m.; April 19, 3-4:30 p.m.; April 26, 7-8:30 p.m.), 2 Habersham Park House, Habersham, Beaufort. Free and open to the public. Watch and discuss the most important event in human history. The "Disclosure of UFOs/UAPs." We will watch interviews from retired military and civilians sharing their UFO experiences from the series “Cosmic Disclosures,” “Gaia.” Come and learn about these paradigm shifting events. We are moving into disclosure — might as well be educated. Questions? Please email ncloring@ icloud.com.

PFLAG Savannah –Beaufort Peer Group

6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of every month, Fellowship Hall, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort (UUFB), 178 Sams Point Road, Beaufort. Free. The group will be moderated by Rick Hamilton and Kay Carr. The provides advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, family, peers, and allies in the Lowcountry. The peer group provides a safe and strictly confidential environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies to discuss the challenges faced in coming out or being out in neighborhoods, the workplace, school, or church. The organization offers resources for counseling, educating, and advocating to achieve an equitable, inclusive community where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. Minors under the age of 18 are required to come with an adult parent, guardian, or mentor. Additional information about peer groups, membership, donations, and volunteering is on the website www.PFLAGSavannah.org and on Facebook.

Beaufort Chapter of America’s Boating Club 6 p.m., 2nd Tuesday of most months, at various Beaufort/Port Royal venues. Regular meetings begin with a Social, followed by Dinner and often include an exciting Guest Speaker from the Lowcountry. For Meeting Information or Educational Opportunities, please contact Paul Gorsuch, Administrative Officer at admino@ beaufortboatingclub.com . Boat ownership is not required, however a passion for safe responsible boating is mandatory.

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

Rotary Club of Sea Island lunch meeting 12:15 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tues-

Habersham Third Fridays

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

Rotary Club of Sea Island social gathering 5:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month, locations vary and posted on our website. For more information, visit www. seaislandrotary.org.

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

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

Parents Alienated By Their Adult Children 10 a.m., Thursdays & 6 p.m., Fridays, Lowcountry Outreach Center, 80 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort. This is a 12-step support group for Parents Alienated By Their Adult Children and is based on the international group, Parents Alienation Advocates (PA-A). Contact Marye Jo Hartley or Greg Hartley at 703966-2014 for more information.

Emotions Anonymous International local group meeting 4 p.m, Thursdays, via Zoom. Emotions Anonymous International, (EAI), is a nonprofit program designed to help people with emotional difficulties. It has a chapter in the Lowcountry and members want others who feel the need to know they are welcome to participate. There is no charge to participate. They are based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and follow a specific format designed to provide the support and tools for navigating life’s painful difficulties. All are welcome. Anyone interested in participating may contact the group via email at EALowcountry@gmail.com or call or text Laurie at 252- 917-7082. For more information on EAI visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.

Al-Anon Beaufort County 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, 80 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. “Do you worry about how much someone drinks? Is it affecting your life? You are not alone. AlAnon Beaufort Serenity Group offers help and hope. Join the group in Beaufort, or visit the Lowcountry page at https://bit. ly/3HvksaF for more times and locations.

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

MUSIC

Campfire Tyler

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays, The Fillin’ Station, Lady’s Island.

Lowcountry Wind Symphony rehearsals 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, Beaufort High School Band Room. The Lowcountry Wind Symphony, a 65-member concert band, invites new members. Woodwind, Brass, Percussion. Open to adults and talented high school youth. For more information, email director@lowcountrywindsymphony.com or call 843-304-0543.

Live entertainment 7 to 11 p.m., Wednesdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.

Chris Jones 7 to 11 p.m., Thursdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.

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

Live entertainment 9 p.m. to midnight, Fridays & Saturdays, Luther’s Rare and Well Done, 910 Bay Street, downtown Beaufort.

OUTDOORS/NATURE

Free boating inspections

Get a free vessel safety check by local members of the America's Boating Club of Beaufort. If your boat passes, you will receive a VSC decal to mount on your boat that will be visible to other boaters and maritime law enforcement personnel. Email Safety@beaufortboatingclub. com.

The Beaufort Tree Walk Lady’s Island Garden Club invites you to take a meandering walk through the Historic “Old Point” and enjoy some unique and noteworthy trees. The “Walk” takes about an hour, is a little over a mile starting at the corner of Craven & Carteret streets in Morrall Park and concluding in Waterfront Park. Booklets with map and information about each tree are available free at the Visitors Center in the historic Arsenal on Craven Street.

Tours of Hunting Island

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

RECYCLING

Computer recycling program

St. Andrew by the Sea Methodist Church, 20 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island. St. Andrew by the Sea has started a program where your trashed computer is wiped clean of all data and recycled to Missioncentral. org — a 100% charity cause.

SEWING/QUILTING

American Needlepoint Guild

Meeting 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1st Tuesday each month. The Hilton Head Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild welcomes anyone, beginner or experienced stitcher, who is interested in needlepoint to join us for stitching, learning and fellowship. For more information, please contact us at hiltonheadislandchapter@needlepoint.org.

Embroidery Guild of America Meeting

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

SPORTS/GAMES

ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club

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

Charity card game

3:30 p.m., first Tuesday of each month, Mangiamo‘s Pizza, 2000 Main Street, Hilton Head Island. The Hilton Head liberal men’s group is sponsoring a free social/ charity event with a fun, easy to learn card game. A percentage of the money spent on food and drink goes to the charity of our choice. Come socialize, have fun, and support a good cause. Reserve a spot by texting Dave Desjardins at 202-460-5286.

Bridge Club 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Join us if you want to learn a new game, practice your skills, or need more players. Call the Beaufort Branch Library at 843-255-6458 for more information.

Beaufort Masters Swim Team

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

HEALTH

Mommy makeovers can help you reclaim your confidence

By Dr. Heidi Harrington Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics

Giving birth is a challenging journey, and taking care of your newborn after leaving the hospital requires a lot of energy.

Once you finally find time for yourself, you hit the gym, eat healthier and aim to regain your pre-pregnancy body, but something still seems to be holding you back.

If this sounds familiar, it might be time to consider a mommy makeover.

The purpose of a mommy makeover is simple: empowering you to reclaim your body after pregnancy. It can help you feel confident in your own skin as you move forward with your life and care for those you love.

Restoring your breasts

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter the shape and feel of your breasts. Many new mothers report that their breasts sag or become

“pancake-shaped” after breastfeeding, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Including a breast augmentation or breast lift in your mommy makeover can help restore the appearance of your breasts.

• Breast Augmentation — Also known as breast implants, this procedure involves placing silicone gel, saline or your own fat inside your breasts. It can improve breast symmetry, shape and size.

Breast Lift — If you experience post-pregnancy sagging and skin stretching, a breast lift can reverse these changes.

The surgeon may also reposition the areola and nipple for a more natural look.

Rebuilding your midriff

During pregnancy, your belly stretches to accommodate your growing baby, and afterward, it can be challenging to return to your pre-pregnancy shape. Many mothers opt for a tummy tuck to help restore their body.

In recent years, tummy tucks have become more popular for a good reason. This procedure helps

mothers regain their pre-pregnancy bodies when exercise and diet aren’t enough. For long-lasting results, make sure you have a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain your slimmer body.

Reshaping your buttocks

Pregnancy can change the shape of your buttocks, but there are several options available to restore their form.

• Buttock Lift — A plastic surgeon can make an incision below the waist or buttocks and

More young adults seeing signs of liver damage

Special to The Island News

For many young people, drinking is a part of socializing. While those in their 20s and 30s often believe that only older people develop drinking-related liver problems, an alarming rise in the number of young people diagnosed with liver disease proves otherwise.

Knowing the causes and signs of liver damage can go a long way to helping prevent, and in some cases reverse, liver problems.

Young people, alcohol and liver problems

“The number of younger patients that we see with liver disease directly related to alcohol consumption is very concerning,” says Kristen Johnson, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant at Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group Specialty Care. “While people in this age group are often not concerned about liver damage, educating them about the health effects of excessive alcohol use can greatly decrease the number of people adversely effected by this worsening trend.”

How alcohol affects your liver

When you drink alcohol, your liver breaks it down and removes most of it from your blood. What your liver doesn’t remove gets disposed of through urine, breath and sweat. But excessive alcohol use can cause fat to build up in your liver and leave behind damaging toxic substances. There are several stages of alcohol-related liver disease:

• Alcoholic fatty liver disease — This is the first stage and happens when alcohol causes fat to collect in your liver, putting a strain on liver function. Often, people don’t experience any symptoms, but it can cause fatigue and pain on the upper right side of your abdomen. Healthy lifestyle changes, such as giving up alcohol, can help reverse the condition. Alcoholic hepatitis — Excessive drinking over a long period of time can lead to hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes damage to liver cells. If caught early enough, the damage may be reversed. But severe cases can be life-threatening. Alcohol-related cirrhosis — Longterm alcohol abuse can eventually lead to cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver and the last phase of alcohol-related liver disease. People with cirrhosis are at risk for serious complications, including liver failure and death.

Know the signs of liver damage

When liver disease is caught early enough, the damage can sometimes be reversed, because the liver has the ability to repair itself. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms of liver problems, including:

• Confusion

Easy bruising

Fatigue

Fever

Lack of appetite

Nausea

Spidery blood vessels on the skin

Swelling of the legs or abdomen

Tenderness and pain in the abdomen

Yellowing of the skin and/or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

How doctors treat liver damage

Depending on the severity of the disease, there are several different options for treating liver problems. Anyone who has liver disease — as well as those who want to avoid liver damage — should live a healthy lifestyle, including:

Abstaining from alcohol

Eating a healthy diet low in fat, salt and sugar

Exercising regularly

Properly managing underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol

Staying up to date on all vaccinations

Medications and procedures can help in some cases. These include:

Diuretics to eliminate excess fluid

Medicines to reduce inflammation, such as steroids

Paracentesis, the removal of fluid from the abdomen

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to help blood flow through the liver

For people with cirrhosis in the end stages, the only option might be a liver transplant. By being aware of trouble signs and limiting alcohol use, you can stay on top of your health and avoid long-term liver problems.

remove excess skin and tissue to improve the shape of your buttocks.

• Fat Grafting — Known as a Brazilian butt lift, fat grafting transfers fat from one area of your body to your buttocks to enhance their size and shape.

Removing stubborn fat

It’s common to have stubborn fat that won’t go away after pregnancy.

Liposuction can help remove that extra fat and restore a slimmer version of yourself. Liposuction is one of the most

popular cosmetic procedures because it can be used as a standalone procedure or in combination with other mommy makeover surgeries. Today, there are various liposuction techniques available that remove fat through small incisions. When combined with other procedures in your mommy makeover, liposuction can target specific areas to help you regain a more contoured shape.

Some procedures, like breast augmentation, offer immediate results. Other procedures, such as liposuction, may take one to three months for full results.

Recovery typically takes four to six weeks or longer, depending on the procedures performed. The benefits — renewed confidence and comfort in your body — can last a lifetime with the right care. A healthy diet, regular exercise and attention to your ongoing health needs will help maximize your results.

Heidi Harrington, M.D., is a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with two decades of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery experience. She sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Okatie.

Telling a child about a loved one’s cancer diagnosis

Special to The Island News Cancer can affect anyone and everyone. Fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles get diagnosed every day.

Breaking the news of this diagnosis can be complicated.

“A parent’s initial reaction is often to protect their child and hide a cancer diagnosis,” says Kim Wade, RN, BSN, OCN, an oncology nurse navigator at the Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center. “While this response is understandable, it can add additional stress to the situation. Besides, kids know when something is off. Not telling them the truth can make them fear the worst.”

When you break the news of a cancer diagnosis, start the conversation with any facts you know. A few to start with include:

• Cancer name — Some types of cancer, such as breast cancer, clearly state where the cancer began. With a less common cancer, you may need to tell your child which body part the cancer affects.

• Diagnosis and treatment — Tell your child about the tools used in diagnosing cancer, including imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, and biopsies. Then explain treatment options that will help remove cancer cells.

• What to expect — Cancer treatment often takes a long time. It can take months or longer, possibly with weekly radiation therapy or other treatment. Side effects of treatment may include hair loss, weakness and more. Additionally, a cancer diagnosis may affect your child’s daily routine. The loved one may be unable to attend sporting events or give rides to school.

“There is no one-size-fits-all cancer journey.”

KIM WADE, RN, BSN, OCN Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center Oncology Nurse Navigator.

“While symptoms of cancer aren’t always obvious, treating cancer often has a very visible effect,” Wade says. “Discussing these with a child helps them prepare themselves mentally.”

As you give details of the loved one’s cancer care journey, use age-appropriate language. While a teenager may be able to understand cancer risk factors and how a positron emission tomography (PET) scan works, toddlers will need more basic information. Adjust accordingly to make sure your child feels informed.

Let your child ask questions

Children are curious, so let them ask questions. If your child asks how bad the cancer is, give an honest answer that is understandable to them. Explain what the stage of the cancer means and what kind of specialists make up the loved one’s cancer care team. Also, remember that being honest and transparent doesn’t always mean clear, complete answers. Sometimes, it means admitting you don’t have all the answers.

“There is no one-size-fitsall cancer journey. Every one of them is unique and comes with its own set of challenges,” Wade says.

“So, it’s OK to admit when you don’t know something or when you feel afraid. Your child will appreciate your candor. When you get answers to your child’s questions, share them. Doing this helps your child

feel less alone and more like part of the team, that you’re in this together.”

Address cancer diagnosis myths, misunderstandings The internet and other media sources can overwhelm your child with information about cancer. Some of it isn’t accurate. This means you may have additional responsibilities as a parent.

“As our understanding and treatment of cancer improves, misinformation is keeping pace,” Wade says. “To correct myths, give your child an opportunity to voice those beliefs, then explain the truth without making your child feel foolish or suspicious that you’re holding back information.”

Time your cancer diagnosis discussion Before rushing off to tell your child about a loved one’s cancer diagnosis, consider the timing.

“While there’s never a good time for a cancer diagnosis, certain times are better to share the diagnosis with children,” Wade advises. “Timing your discussion can help your child process the information in a helpful manner.”

When planning these difficult discussions, aim to hold them in a private setting. If you have more than one child, tell each child of the diagnosis separately. This way, you can use age-appropriate language. You can also better recognize each child’s reaction to the news, which allows you to provide additional information to ensure the child has as complete an understanding as possible. Hearing a loved one’s cancer diagnosis is difficult for anyone. Relaying the diagnosis to a child can be uncomfortable, but doing so can help reduce fears and provide your child with comfort.

Penn Center’s York W. Bailey Museum hosting Floyd Gordon exhibit

Staff reports Penn Center is currently hosting a powerful art exhibit by acclaimed Orangeburg-based artist Floyd Gordon, on display through Tuesday, March 31

The collection features four striking portraits — Thomas C. Barnwell Jr., Charles E. Simmons, Joseph Mix, and Laura Lee Steakley Morris — honoring individuals who played a vital role in shaping Penn Center’s legacy, blending history, storytelling, and visual artistry.

Visitors are invited to experience this moving tribute to leadership and cultural preservation on Penn Center’s historic campus before the exhibit closes. Exhibit is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The portraits were commissioned by Bernie Wright, former Penn Center executive director from 20022007

Laura Lee Steakley Morris was remembered as a longtime supporter and advisory board member. She also worked in Strom Thurmond’s congressional office and played a key role in helping Penn Center secure federal funding.

Thomas C. Barnwell Jr., a Hilton Head Island native and the only living honoree, attended Penn School and later served as director of Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services.

He spent decades in public service and served on Penn Center’s board.

Charles E. Simmons, also a Hilton Head native and Penn School attendee, was part of the final class before Beaufort County assumed control of the school system. He later graduated from St. Helena High School.

Joseph Mix, a former ex-

ecutive director of Penn Center, was recognized for his leadership in 2002, including working with the board to acquire the Penn Center Inn.

On Friday, Feb. 27, Penn Center hosted an invite-only reception to unveil the four new portraits and the larger exhibit by Gordon.

The event also acknowledged the Wright family’s continued support. In 2024 Bernie Wright was honored at the 1862 Gala for his contributions to Penn Center. Before coming to Penn, he spent his entire career with the Farmers Home Administration, a loan agency that was part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is also a former advisory board member of the center.

Beulah Smalls introduced Gordon, highlighting a career spanning more than 60 years. Born the son of a sharecropper and one of 13 children, Gordon built a nationally recognized body of work rooted in storytelling. His watercolors and acrylics

center everyday people, farmers, and African American life in the South, rendered with dignity and depth. He is widely regarded as one of South Carolina’s most important cultural artists and ambassadors.

This marks Gordon’s third exhibit at Penn Center. A portion of proceeds from artwork sales will support the organization.

During the program, Gordon reflected on both his personal journey and the significance of the commission, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Penn Center’s ongoing story.

Gordon closed with a reflection on legacy: he hopes the exhibit inspires the next generation of contributors, emphasizing that Penn Center’s strength comes from the people who continue to support it.

The exhibit is now on view at the York L. Bailey Museum and features a broader collection of Gordon’s work alongside the commissioned portraits.

Gullah/Geechee CREATE Artwork Showcase set for Saturday

Staff reports

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is hosting the Gullah/Geechee CREATE Artwork Showcase Event from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 28, at the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park's Darrah Hall at St. Helena Island’s Penn Center. Register to attend this free event at https://bit.ly/4t5OGmO.

Gullah/Geechee CREATE, an innovative program in collaboration with South Carolina Sea Grant that merges art, environmental stewardship, and cultural education in the heart of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.

Gullah/Geechee CREATE — Coastal Debris Removal Engaging Artists Through Environmental Cleanups — engages Gullah/ Geechee artists and community members in transforming marine debris collected

from coastal environments into meaningful works of art that educate the public and celebrate the resilience of the Sea Islands.

Through the program, community members participate in coastal cleanups, learn about the environmental challenges facing the Sea Islands, and witness how artists reclaim discarded materials from waterways and marshes to create powerful artistic statements about protecting the land and water that sustain the Gullah/ Geechee people.

The gathering will highlight artwork created from materials recovered from the coastal environment while providing opportunities for attendees to learn about marine debris prevention, community science, and the cultural heritage of the Gullah/ Geechee people.

Diploma divide offers big insights into electorate

Achart that a friend forwarded recently has been top of mind for the whole week.

It shows the “diploma divide” — a red/blue graphic of the statewide percentage of adults with college degrees and whether they voted in 2024 for the Democrat, Kamala Harris, or the Republican, Donald Trump.

It’s not surprising that blue-state voters were more educated — this is something that political analysts have been talking about for years.

What is surprising is looking at how 17 of the 18 more educated states voted blue. Only Utah (39 1% adults with college degrees) voted Republican.

And in the 32 states that had a lower share of adults with a college education? Thirty voted for Trump. Only Delaware (No. 23) and New Mexico (No. 41) voted for Harris.

America’s polarization couldn’t be clearer based on where you live and how educated your state

There are times when I wish I had something really joyful and enlightening to write about.

I mean that sincerely.

As I sat musing Saturday evening, nothing but the state of the world seemed to make inroads through my mind. The loss of Robert Mueller at 81 years of age hit close to home since I will hopefully see 84 next month. I was unaware that he had Parkinson's Disease for years. Nor did I know that he was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.

Of course, there was 47’s classless response to this, proclaiming his happiness at Mueller’s death. Without fail, we are forced to ask ourselves just how low our so-called leader can go. I have asked so many times that I have come to the conclusion the answer is “obviously, there are no constraints.”

Certainly, I could take off on that topic, but why bother? Those of you who agree will continue to do so, and those of you who still support this morally bereft person, regardless of what he does, will continue to find excuses. Never

Iis. South Carolina, by the way, ranked 34th with 33 3% of adults with college degrees.

The chart came from the Age of Disruption Substack post by Washington lobbyist Bruce Mehlman, who served as an assistant U.S. secretary of commerce under President George W. Bush.

He explained the growing “diploma divide” this way: “It was stark in 2024: 17 of the 18 states with the highest share of college-educated voters voted for Harris, 17 of the bottom 18 for Trump.

“The educational divide explains profound policy differences across myriad issues, though

it’s unclear whether university studies push students politically-leftward or more liberal people are likelier to pursue college degrees in the first place.”

If you dive into the chart a little deeper, you can see swing states that will likely be key for the 2028 presidential candidates. On the blue side of the dividing line are Maine (No. 17) and Oregon (No. 18), although after political shenanigans in each state in the last year, it’s doubtful they would turn red.

Below the red/blue break, though, are these three states that have been key players in past elections: North Carolina (36 4% with college degrees), Pennsylvania (36 3%) and Georgia (36 3%).

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to predict both parties will throw a lot of resources (again) into these states to try to win their electoral votes – and swing the election their way. In fact, these three states have a total of 51 (19%) of the 270 electoral

votes needed to win the presidency.

Other targets for Dems to boost turnout in their favor: Arizona (34 7% college educated), Wisconsin (34 6%) and Michigan (33 3%). Conversely, Republicans might want to amp it up in New Hampshire (41 5%), New Jersey (44 5%) and New Mexico (31 8%).

Now let’s say you dive another level deeper in thinking about all of these numbers. Ask yourself why less-educated states like South Carolina vote red.

Is it because Republicans are better organized? Is it because the party and its politicians intentionally prey on less-educated voters to swing them by focusing on polarizing culture-war issues?

While all states are bombarded by the culture wars, perhaps these lower-educated voters are more susceptible to negative or fear-based messages on red-meat issues of immigration, gender, race and more.

Or maybe the Democratic machines in blue-voting states

On a happy note …

the twain shall meet, as Rudyard Kipling stated. But I digress.

So back to writing, hopefully something non-controversial, happy even. Then it hit me. I had spent some time on Facebook answering friends and keeping up with their first world problems. There I ran across an article that talked about an educational program in Iowa, stressing hands-on instruction; it showed a young man mowing a lawn for a senior citizen. This was how he earned his physical education credit.

The memories came rushing back to me like a fullblown tsunami. The last 12 years of my career, I taught three English classes in the morning and coordinated a community service learning program in the afternoon.

Our school board mandated that students must accrue 120 hours of community service over their four years in high school as a graduation requirement. My job was finding placements within the community that kids could easily access. In addition, I created in-school projects in which they might participate and gain hours.

Of course there was parental outcry, especially from those of the so-called “gifted” students, cries regarding the oxymoron of mandated volunteerism. I sat with them and suggested that they might want to think ahead as to how colleges would view this on their child’s application. With that, the program received grudging approval.

On that note, a side story is appropriate. One student returned from his freshman orientation at WVU to tell me they had been told they had to complete 15 hours of service. My kiddo started to laugh aloud; the presenter looked at him and said, “You think this is funny?”

The boy stood and told the entire auditorium what he had completed in high

school, and with that the speaker told him to stop by after the presentation, that he wanted to hear more.

Because this is my “happy article,” I must tell you about a couple of projects that became annual events in our school.

The first is the Senior Citizens’ Prom. Initially, maybe 10 kids signed up. Committees were created: one group approached the cafeteria and worked with the staff regarding dinner before the dance. Another group went to local florists for donations of corsages and boutonnieres. A third worked to find a 40s band, and all stayed after school to decorate the gym the night of the dance.

Kids who enrolled knew that, barring illness, they had to attend the dance. Attend, they did and dance, they did ... with the seniors. Soon the attendees were showing the kids their dance steps. Pure delight. And yes, dear reader, I danced with my kids.

As a postscript, the next year’s volunteers doubled. Furthermore, one woman came to me and said, “I will never complain about my

school taxes again.”

are competing better than in the red states of the South and other areas with Republican messaging. More than anything, the “diploma divide” chart offers an interesting look that can drive strategy in the election ahead.

Mehlman concludes, “Remedying this problem [of polarization] will take broader societal effort (systemic reforms across politics, media, public policy that rebuild trust). But individuals have agency here also.

“You can be part of the solution. How? Two of my recommendations from “How to Navigate an Age of Disruption”: (a) Balance your media diet and (b) Be curious about why others feel as they do. As Morgan Housel recommends we all ask, “Whose views do I criticize that I would actually agree with if I lived in their shoes?”

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

By the time I retired, we had more than 100 seniors come to “their” prom.

The second project of note was the Teddy Bear Holiday. This eventually took on a life of its own.

I contacted an association dealing with children taken from abusive homes. At first I thought perhaps this might involve 10 to 15 kids. When I learned that the number was closer to 30, my heart sank. How were we going to accommodate that?

Silly me! Never doubt the enthusiasm, not to mention pure grit, of kids with a mission. The student committee suggested we make it a school-wide project and approach all the extra-curricular clubs. The requirement was a teddy bear and a Christmas gift for each child. The “kind” of bear they brought soon bowled me over.

The football team brought a bear with a helmet. The French Club contributed a bear wearing a beret. The band attached a horn to their bear. One bear with a tennis racket. The gauntlet had been laid.

The day of the assembly to present all we had collected was one for the books. The committee chose who would “host” the program. As the name of each participating group was called, a member would bring the bear and the gift to the stage. All with the roaring approval of the packed auditorium.

I might add there were more than I in tears as I sat wearing a sweatshirt my husband had given me that morning. The shirt had a picture of a teddy bear, and embroidered beneath was “Mama Bear.”

Extra note: The kids brought the bears to my classroom after school the day before the assembly. Each occupied a desk, and the custodian (with a straight face) said, “I see you are teaching a class after school.” You see, I can write about happiness. I just have to dig into the past.

Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”

I never knew a better suitor than Bill

was working at the Firestone foundry in Trenton, Mich., making truck tire rims at piecework wages when I got the call.

If I could get to the Seafarer’s Union Hall in my hometown of Alpena, Mic., by 8 a.m. the following morning, I could ship out as an ordinary seaman aboard the bulk cement carrier Paul H. Townsend.

I did, and I was. At the time, Alpena housed the world's largest cement plant. A fleet of bulk carriers delivered its product to ports across the Great Lakes.

Sailing on a Great Lakes freighter was a grand adventure, one I shall always remember.

I sailed aboard the vessel Paul H. Townsend. Most of our trips were to Duluth, Minn. Sailing across Lake Superior in June, July, and August was unforgettable. I was told November cross-

ings could be unforgettable as well, but not always in a pleasant way. So, I decided to catch the June-August cruises and book passage back to school in September.

As indicated, I shipped out as an ordinary seaman, specifically as one of two engine room wipers. Wiper is a job classification that requires no further description of its duties beyond what the name implies. After sailing in this classification for a couple of weeks, an opening occurred for in an able-bodied seaman position.

In normal course, this job would have been filled by the senior wiper (there were two), provided he or she was qualified. But in this case, neither the senior nor junior wiper was, as they were unable to meet the literacy requirements. I could, so I got the job and a raise; an early payback for my ability to read.

One of the wipers — I’ll call him “Bill” — was an affable fellow in his mid 30s who performed his wiper duties well, but who was otherwise often ineffective.

Bill liked sailing to Duluth; he had a girlfriend there. As soon as the ship was secured, he would go off to see her. But when he returned, he would be both broke and despondent. Without money, his girlfriend would see him no more.

The ship’s engine department crew hated to see Bill hurt. We advised him to consider courting

a different lady, one with a broader slate of acceptance criteria. Bill didn’t say a thing, but we could tell he listened.

We alerted Bill to the fact that he needed to pay closer attention to his grooming -- a challenging area for him. We advised him to consider purchasing nicer clothes and advanced the proposition that ladies prefer a fellow who not only dresses well but also smells nice. Bill listened.

When we were next in Alpena, loading for a return trip to Duluth, Bill left the boat. No one knew where he went, but we soon found out. It was a fine summer evening, and I was serving my four-hour watch when who should appear at the top of the engine room stairs but Bill. He was wearing one of the broadest smiles I have ever seen on a man, and rightfully so, for he was resplendent in a brand

new suit of clothes. The suit was not a current style, one resting on a back rack for a considerable time, but it fit Bill reasonably well, and the salesman sold him a new white shirt and a tie that matched.

Bill wore a new pair of shoes, and they shone.

After the initial shock of Bill’s entrance wore off, the entire engine room crew gave him a resounding round of applause.

Bill made no reply. He couldn’t. He was barely able to remove the clean white handkerchief from the pocket of his brand new suit to wipe away the tears that flowed into his broad, proud smile.

Bill, the finest suited suitor I have ever known.

Doug Pugh is a retired judge from northern Michigan. He and his wife are wintering on Fripp Island and are pleased to be there. He can be reached at pughda@gmail.com.

Editor’s Note:

VOICES

To drop or not to drop — that is the question

It is Wednesday, early, and I have my coffee.

Many years ago, I traveled in West Africa. I traveled for a variety of reasons but, from time to time, I traveled on the behest of an African politician.

In those days I had a friend — Herve’ Miabilangana — who went with me to Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) where we met with President Laurent Gbagbo. Throughout that trip Herve’ translated — the official language being French — Herve’ also explained customs, traditions and the bewildering politics of this former (French) colony.

One evening as we were sitting in the bar at the Hotel d’Ivoire (eve-wah) in Abidjan, we began talking about Mobutu Sese Seko, Idi Amin and Charles Taylor, as well as other men who had forcibly grabbed-hold of presidential power in Liberia, Congo-Kinshasa, Uganda, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Angola and Ethiopia. This discussion eventually moved to the obvious question, “What is wrong with Africa?”

“You really don’t understand evil,” Herve’ said to me that night. “Some Americans give lip service to Satan; but you Americans don’t really accept the idea of evil as a

TSCOTT GRABER

person.”

We had had a couple of drinks, Johnny Walker Black Label, so I can’t remember the details except that Herve’ described evil like it was an entity; a dark, cloudlike presence that invested itself in a person who then descended into mischief, madness and the killing of men with machetes. This stunned me because Herve’ has a PhD in Mathematics; wrote his PhD thesis on “string theory;” and speaks several languages fluently.

I haven’t thought about that late-night conversation in many years, although I have read “The Origin of Satan” by Elaine Pagels, wherein she writes that Satan was in olden times more of a metaphor for those who would lead us away from God — or groups who rejected Jesus — but was not a winged, Batman-styled person making us do bad things.

All of which brings me to Buddhism.

Buddhists do not accept that evil is an outside presence running amok and causing grief; Buddhists look upon evil as an unwholesome internal failure. They call it “Akusala.”

Buddhists don’t think of a single, supernatural presence; rather they see the emergence of greed, or hatred or ignorance bubbling-up (from within) and taking an individual to a place where he or she decides that stealing or killing is acceptable behavior.

Likewise, the Hindus do not personify “evil” — there’s no “Joker” running around Metropolis doing really bad stuff. Rather Hindus see a “disorder” involving ignorance, deception and selfishness that comes from within.

So what does any of this have to do with our current, jangled lives here in the United States.

Right at the moment we’re trying to find and kill the Ayatollah’s son as well as his subalterns who still — in spite of our F-35s and our Tomahawks — hold sway in Tehran.

Our President has characterized these turban-wearing clerics as wicked, or evil, and our Secretary of War, Pete

Hegseth, reinforces this Satan-like characterization in order to get young men into their F-35s notwithstanding the fact that some of their “ordinances” will, inevitably, land on innocent non-combatants.

In this connection we actually have a formula in place — titled “acceptable collateral casualties” — that determines how many civilians can be killed when we are going after a particular person hiding in a particular bunker.

When we target such a person, the acceptable collateral casualties may vary from 5 to 20 according a recent writing in the New

Yorker Magazine. It seems to me that we are, in effect, turning some people into Satan — at least from the no-trial, no-presumption-of-innocence, no-Geneva-Convention-protections standpoint. And when we stand off the coast 200 miles or so — and fire our Tomahawks into Nigeria, Iran or Venezuela — we can’t be sure about the number of casualties to begin with.

This kind of long-distance killing got its start in WWII arguably with the bombing of Dresden, but culminating in the explosion of “Little Boy” over Hiroshima. That collective decision — to drop or not to drop — was recently

Four deaths and a funeral

his week, I have been struck by the contrast between one death in the United States and three deaths in Iran.

The first was the peaceful death of the 89-year-old Lou Holtz, legendary football coach at Notre Dame and other teams, including the University of South Carolina. The three deaths are the hanging of 19-year-old champion wrestler, Saleh Mohammadi, and his two companions. For some reason, videos of Lou Holtz’s funeral have popped up in my Facebook feed. AI widgets must have figured out I have two brothers who graduated from Notre Dame; brother Ed has avidly followed Irish football ever since. I was once at Ed’s house when Notre Dame played Clemson, where Ed’s wife and middle daughter completed undergraduate degrees. The Clemson fans hollered in the living room while the Irish fans roared in the base-

This week, I decided to take a break from grumbling about the pollen and doom-scrolling on my phone and take a warm-day walk with our rescue dog, Buddy, over to spend a little time in the hallowed ground of the Tabernacle Baptist Church churchyard.

As I stood there looking up at the pollen dusted bronze monument to Harriet Tubman and those she led out of slavery, a tour group from the Reconstruction National Historic Park passed by. I was reminded of the legacy of Harriet Tubman, who died 113 years ago on March 10 1913 -- Harriet Tubman Day. When Tubman was an enslaved child, an overseer hit her on the head with a

ment rec room that had the bigger screen. I stayed neutral. I knew little about Lou Holtz. The videos I watched showed me much more. Coach Holtz was loved. Crowds waited outside the basilica where the funeral took place, enduring driving wind and snow. The Notre Dame trumpet band stood hatless in the circle near the front of the church in the near blizzard and played the alma mater as his casket was carried down the steps to the hearse. Mourners marched in the snow to the grave site, many of them arm-in-arm.

Notre Dame put out a video of moments from the funeral Mass, scored with the choir singing Mozart’s Ave Verum. There was more love expressed. Burly men with tears in their eyes unabashedly hugged each other. The homilist stated that he was sure God welcomed Lou with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

In his elegy, one of Lou Holtz’s sons said that the last words spoken by his father were those he asked everyone he met throughout his life, “What can I do for you today?”

What a message to the world! With those words, Lou Holtz asked not what the other could do for him, but what he could do for another person. That is a beautiful testament to freedom, faith, and love.

Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi were hanged on March 19 in Qom, Iran. They were young men accused of killing two policemen

during a protest against the theocratic dictatorship of Iran in January 2026

Reports by journalists and Iran experts assert that accusations the condemned had “waged war against God” were false, and the trials were a sham. All who have heard nothing but lies from Iran for 47 years cannot believe that these victims committed the crimes for which they were executed.

Saleh Mohammadi was Iran’s national wrestling champion. His death and the executions of his fellow protesters are seen as a warning to the Iranian people that the regime is still in power and will not tolerate dissent. Amnesty International described the trials as “involving forced confessions and fast-tracked proceedings.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior Iran program director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated the executions in the midst of a war reveal the regime is

Awe-inspiring Moses

weight after she refused to restrain a fellow enslaved man who was attempting to flee. She suffered severe trauma from the event and experienced headaches, seizures and "visions," or hallucinations, that she interpreted as inspiration from God to help guide her work and strategy. By the late 1890s, the pain had affected her ability to sleep, and she found a doctor in Boston

willing to operate on her brain. Instead of receiving anesthesia while the doctor cut open her skull and performed the surgery, she chose to bite on a bullet — something she had seen soldiers do during the Civil War when they suffered injury on the battlefield.

I think about how we all struggle with some kind of mental health struggle over the course of our lives, and the awesome courage it took for Tubman to turn her disability into her superpower.

In today's era of "might makes right," it is interesting to see how power and vulnerability can work together and accomplish extraordinary things. When Harriet Tubman was doing her amazing work in our world, she was likely able to remain

fairly safely unseen. Tubman was able to slip in and out of spaces often unseen because those around her didn’t expect an "ordinary" person like her to have the ability to do anything extraordinary.

Today, as we cross the Harriet Tubman Bridge on U.S. 17, we remember that on June 2 1863, Tubman led 150 African American Union Soldiers in the Combahee River Raid, an operation that rescued more than 750 men, women and children, according to the Reconstruction National Historic Park.

The Raid was the only Civil War action ever organized by a female civilian. During the Civil War Tubman served as a nurse and Union informant, using the navigation skills that

described in “The

The principals in that decision were troubled but assuaged of those troubled thoughts by saying that Hiroshima was a military target and, of course, the coming invasion of Japan would probably involve a million American casualties. But the dropping of those bombs was made easier by the cruelty of the Japanese in China, Korea and Burma. The Japanese being almost, not quite, Satan-like.

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

equally at war with its own people as it is with the United States and Israel.

In Iran, a young man, who in this country might have competed under an encouraging coach like Lou Holtz has been killed because he protested for what we consider fundamental human rights. He was murdered because the regime hates and fears anyone who does not surrender human dignity to the power of the mullahs and their militant henchmen.

The contrast could not be starker. Lou Holtz’s life, death, funeral, and the people he touched were wrapped in love. Saleh Mohammadi and his companions were killed because of hate. If God is love, who is the deity of Iran’s current leaders?

Louise Mathews retired from a career in community colleges, and before that, theater. A 13-year come-by in Beaufort, she has been a dingbatter in North Carolina and an upstater from New York.

she developed during her time as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Tubman, already familiar with the terrain and waters during resistance activities in the region, helped plan raids and organized reconnaissance expeditions.

Tubman conducted 19 trips from different areas of the South to Ontario, Canada.

She famously stated, “I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”

Tubman, also known as "Moses" for her role in delivering her people from slavery, is recognized as a saint in the Episcopal Church, having been formally added to its calendar of feast days in 1997. The Military Intelligence Corps inducted Tubman into its

Hall of Fame in June 2021 and hopefully someday we will have a $20 bill featuring her image.

"I have no doubt that she heard all her life with a small stature and being a woman and an African American, what she could not do,” 45th Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Scott Dingle said. “But Harriet did not let that stop her … because she knew based on the rooting in the Word of God, that she had a mission in this world.” May she rest in peace and continue to inspire awe in generations to come.

Kevin de l'Aigle is a local hospitality executive and certified yoga teacher. He sings in the choir at St. Mark's Episcopal Church and enjoys life in

SPORTS

Host Eagles win No Speed Limit Invitational

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

Beaufort High’s girls track and field team blazed to the team title on their home track Friday at the No Speed Limit Invitational.

The Eagles won just two events — Yzeult Antia took the 400-meter hurdles in 1:13 09, and Amir Harrison won the javelin with a mark of 99 feet, 1 inch — but amassed enough points to hold off Hampton County by 21 5 points for the top spot.

Beaufort’s boys finished sixth

among 13 teams, while John Paul II had a strong day with the boys finishing fourth and the girls in sixth. The Golden Warriors had three individual champions in Angelo Iskander in the 800 meters, Sebastian Frickel in the 1 600, and Andrew Boyden in the javelin, plus they claimed the 4 000-meter distance relay.

Battery Creek’s Isaac Smalls won the 400-meter hurdles for the second straight week, lowering his time by nearly a second to get inside the 57-second mark.

NO SPEED LIMIT INVITATIONAL GIRLS

Team scores Beaufort 137 5, Hampton Co. 116, May River 103, Irmo 94, St. John’s 53 5 John Paul II 33, Bluffton 30, Battery Creek 14, Ridgeland 11, Hardeeville 7

Individual Champions 100m: Areyana Allen, HC, 12 60

200m: Janiyah English, Irmo, 26 24

400m: Caylee Alexander, Irmo, 1:01 06

800m: Taryn Hanna, HC, 2:30 78

1600m: Giada Carge, BLUF, 5:25 85

100H: Willow Dobson, HC, 16 78

400H: Yzeult Antia, BFT, 1:13 09

4x100: Irmo, 50 48

4x800: May River, 10 23 59

4000m Distance Relay: May River, 13:44 60

SCORES AND SCHEDULE

High Jump: Ja’Niyah Stokes, Irmo, 5-4

Long Jump: Jayla Weaver, Irmo, 5 12m

Triple Jump: Jayla Weaver, Irmo, 10 96m

Pole Vault: Lily Gluck, MR, 2 75m

Discus: Kya McQuire, HC, 94-10

Javelin: Amir Harrison, BFT, 99-1

Shot Put: Kya McQuire, HC, 34-5

BOYS

Team scores Hampton Co. 118, Irmo 87, May River 78 John Paul II 78, Ridgeland 59 Beaufort 57, Bluffton 36 Battery Creek 32, Bethesda Academy 26, St. John’s 17, Hardeeville 13, Burke 10, Colleton Prep 3

Individual Champions

100m: Amare Patterson, BLUF, 10 50

Bridges Prep at Edisto, 6 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER

Battery Creek at Oceanside Collegiate, 5:30 p.m.

Edisto at Bridges Prep, 6 p.m.

Beaufort at May River, 7 p.m.

CBCCA at Beaufort Academy, 4 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER

May River at Beaufort, 7 p.m.

Battery Creek at Oceanside Collegiate, 7:45 p.m.

Whale Branch at Lake Marion, 7 p.m.

Edisto at Bridges Prep, 7 p.m.

Patrick Henry at John Paul II, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

College 9, USCB 1

200m: Amare Patterson, BLUF, 21 51

400m: Ty’sean Elmore, Burke, 50 13

800m: Angelo Iskander, JPII, 2:09 98

1600m: Sebastian Frickel, JPII, 4:29 35

110H: Tyler Davis, HC, 14 37

400H: Isaac Smalls, BCHS, 56 62

4x100: May River, 43 18

4x400: Irmo, 3:54 81

4x800: Hampton Co., 8:55 10

4000m Distance Relay: John Paul II, 11:35 43

High Jump: Desmond Mathis, HC, 6-2 Long Jump: Tyler Davis, HC, 21-0

Triple Jump: Kameran JonesChampion, SJ, 13 01m Pole Vault: Ricky Gardner, HC, 3 36m

Discus: Jevonte Hill, Irmo, 145-1 Javelin: Andrew Boyden, JPII, 145-3

England 7, May River 5

12, Colleton Co. 2

Hilton Head Prep 9, Colleton Prep 4

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

HHCA 27, Hardeeville 5

Hilton Head 7, Battery Creek 6 Hilton Head 6, Battery Creek 2

Colleton Co. 3, Branchville 2

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER

Beaufort Academy at Patrick Henry, 5 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER

Beaufort Academy at Patrick Henry, 5 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS LACROSSE

Beaufort 9, South Effingham 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Hanahan at Battery Creek, 6 p.m.

Bridges Prep at Edisto, 6 p.m.

Lake Marion at Whale Branch, 6 p.m.

Beaufort Academy at Thomas Heyward, 4 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Hanahan at Battery Creek, 6 p.m.

Hilton Head at Beaufort, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 26

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

John Paul II at Camden Military, 4:30 p.m.

St. John’s at Bridges Prep, 6 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Battery Creek at Hanahan, 6 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER

Orangeburg-Wilkinson at Battery Creek, 5:30 p.m.

John Paul II at Palmetto Christian, 4 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER

Orangeburg-Wilkinson at Battery Creek, 7 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS LACROSSE

Beaufort at Bishop England, 6 p.m.

John Paul II at Effingham Co., 5 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS LACROSSE

Bishop England at Beaufort, 6 p.m.

Friday, March 27

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Hilton Head Prep at John Paul II, 4:30 p.m.

Battery Creek at Hanahan, 6 p.m.

Beaufort at Hilton Head, 6:30 p.m.

Edisto at Bridges Prep, 6 p.m.

Whale Branch at Lake Marion, 6 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

John Paul II at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

Battery Creek at Hanahan, 6 p.m.

Edisto at Bridges Prep, 6 p.m.

Lexington vs. Beaufort, 2:30 p.m.

Oceanside Collegiate vs. Beaufort, 5:30 p.m.

Slaughter returns to Beaufort County

LowcoSports.com

Beaufort High School has found its new athletics director, and he’s no stranger to Beaufort County.

The school will hand over its athletics department to Cody Slaughter in July, bringing the well-regarded South Florence High School AD back to the Lowcountry, where he previously served as AD at Bluffton High School. Slaughter was the wrestling coach and assistant AD at Bluffton before being promoted to the top spot in 2017. Three years later, he took the position at South Florence and has continued a tra-

dition of fielding highly competitive Class 4A programs with the Bruins.

Slaugher replaces Bradley Adams, who was hired as the head football coach at Colleton County earlier this year.

JPII pitchers putting in work

Old-timers in baseball have a saying that a team is only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher. If that’s the case, John Paul II’s baseball team is pretty good.

The Golden Warriors got two more gems on the mound last week, as Landen Davis and Stew-

art Misko each turned in outstanding starts to lead JPII to a pair of key region wins over Trinity Collegiate, lowering JPII’s team ERA to 0 97 Davis carried the Golden Warriors to a 3-2 win at home Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a homer and limiting the Titans to two runs (one earned) over six innings before Ben Solomons nailed down the save.

Three nights later in Florence, Misko held Trinity Collegiate to one unearned run and one hit over five innings and went 2-for-3 with an RBI double out of the leadoff

spot to help JPII win 4-1 Misko has allowed only one unearned run in 14 innings of work, and Davis, Solomons, and Russell Spencer have been nearly as dominant, giving JPII a reliable rotation that ensures they always have a poised presence on the mound, and that means the Golden Warriors have a chance to win just about every night.

Aiken rakin’ for Eagles With former star Kylie Rast now two years removed from carrying the Beaufort High softball program to new heights, a new cast of stars

are emerging for the Eagles, and the latest is freshman Ali Aiken.

Aiken enjoyed a breakout performance Friday against Hilton Head Island High, pitching a complete game to earn the win on the mound and going 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, and a home run while scoring twice and driving in three runs.

Aiken has emerged as the Eagles’ top pitcher this season and a complement to a strong senior class led by catcher Caylin Adkins, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles in Friday’s win and has been an

chor in the lineup.

LOCAL MILITARY

The event provided students with the opportunity to interact with local first responders, medical professionals, and Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to learn about various career paths and equipment used in their daily operations. Lance Cpl. Brianna Davidson/USMC

MTypes of VA Service-Connected Disability Claims and more on VA Secondary Conditions Marines volunteer during Elementary Career Day

any of my previous articles on veterans' benefits and how to file a claim for those benefits covered filing a claim for service-connected disability compensation. In those articles, I tried to help educate military members and veterans on the following types of serviceconnected disability claims: 1) Original Claims, 2) Worsening Conditions Claims, 3) New Claims, 4) Secondary ServiceConnection Claims, 5) Special Claims, and 6) Supplemental Claims.

This article will provide a refresher on service-connection disability claims and additional information on secondary service-connection claims.

Original claim

The first claim submitted for disability compensation for disabilities/conditions that: The veteran's condition predated military service and worsened during service.

The injuries, illnesses, wounds, traumas, events, burns, scars, HAZMAT exposures, and injuries/diseases caused by those exposures while serving in the military. Those disabilities or conditions that the veteran developed after they separated/discharged from the military but were caused by their service (for example, presumptive cancers caused by Agent Orange or health conditions caused by Burn Pits, Asbestos, etc.). Learn more at the VA webpage

Types of Disability Claims and When to File (https://bit. ly/4byW6b2).

Increased claim for

worsening conditions

Veterans can file a claim for increased disability compensation if they have a rated service-connected disability that’s gotten

worse. Veterans need to submit up-to-date medical evidence that shows their disability has gotten worse. Veterans can file an increased claim for: An increase in the veteran’s disability rating. More financial support. Find out more about how to file a claim for disability compensation at How to File a VA Disability Claim, https://bit. ly/4rJSZTL.

New claim

Veterans can file a claim for added benefits or other benefit requests related to an existing service-connected disability. Veterans can file a new claim to request these benefit changes:

More financial support.

Special monthly payments.

A shift to Individual Unemployability (IU) status (a status given to Veterans who are unable to work because of a disability). Learn more about IU at the VA webpage, Individual Unemployability if You Can’t Work (https:// bit.ly/3PkCa4z).

The VA decision on a veteran’s new claim will be based only on NEW evidence (like a doctor’s report or medical test results) that the veteran gives the VA to support their claim. The VA WILL NOT consider any evidence the veteran may have provided regarding past claims. Find out how to file a service-connected disability claim at How to File a VA Disability Claim (https://bit.ly/4rPNmna).

Special claim

Veterans can file a special claim to request compensation for special needs. Examples of special needs include:

A specially equipped vehicle if the veteran’s service-connected disability prevents them from driving; or

Temporary payments if the veteran is recovering from surgery or other treatment and unable to move; or Increased payments if the veteran can’t work because of your service-connected disability.

Learn more about special claims at https://bit.ly/4lSNAc0

Supplemental claims

Veterans can file a supplemental claim if they can provide new evidence to support a disability claim that was denied. The veteran must meet BOTH of these requirements:

The VA decided the claim in the past; and

The veteran’s claim isn’t a contested claim.

And the veteran must meet at least one of these requirements:

The veteran has new and relevant evidence to submit; or

The veteran is requesting a review of their claim based on a change in law (such as the PACT Act).

Learn more about contested claims at Contested Claims (https://bit.ly/4rOLDyw).

Secondary serviceconnected claim

Veterans can file a secondary claim to get more disability benefits for a new disability that’s linked to a service-connected disability they already have. A secondary service-connection is when a service-connected condition causes or creates a new disability (condition).

Here are some examples of

when a veteran might file a secondary claim:

The veteran develops arthritis that’s caused by a service-connected knee injury the veteran got while on active duty.

The veteran develops heart disease that’s caused by the high blood pressure the VA already concluded was connected to your service.

The veteran suffers from a service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and then develops Migraine Headaches from the TBI.

The veteran is being treated for a VA-determined service-connected health/ disability (condition) by the VA or any other healthcare system, and the medication causes a new health or disability, the veteran can claim that new condition as a secondary service-connected condition.

This author is very familiar with the secondary condition of migraines caused by TBIs because I suffered a dozen TBIs during my 24 years of military service, and I have had daily and frequently terrible migraine headaches since my second TBI in Vietnam on March 28, 1969

According to the VA YouTube SITREP titled “Secondary Condition for Medication Side Effects (VA Compensation-theSITREP),” dated Jan. 28, 2026, found at https://bit.ly/41qhURA, a common example of a secondary claim would be a male veteran who suffers from a mental health condition, and the antidepressant medication the VA prescribes for the depression causes or worsens the veteran’s erectile dysfunction.

The VA calls the loss “SMCK” or loss of or loss of use of a creative organ, and other conditions, such as loss of or loss of use of both buttocks, one hand or foot, or other such conditions.

If a medication or treatment of a condition starts to create a new disabling condition, that new condition (called a secondary service-connected condition) can be granted as service-connected. If a veteran has a service-connected orthopedic joint condition, such as the left knee or left hip, and begins to walk with an altered, unhealthy gait, and later develops a right knee or right hip condition, the new condition may be granted by the VA as a secondary service-connected injury or condition. This award is justified based on the fact that the original left side caused or created a new and separate service-connected condition on the right-side knee, hip, or both.

This author is familiar with other disabling secondary conditions that developed after my original wounds in Vietnam. My L1 and L2 vertebrae were fractured in a helicopter crash. The crash destroyed 86 percent of my L1 vertebra, and my spine slowly developed more and more pain, a scoliosis (spine curvature), L4/L5 spondylosis, spinal osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal from osteoarthritis/ hardening tissue). All of these secondary disabling conditions were awarded by the VA as secondary service-connected conditions to compression fractures.

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 VA-accredited

SERVICE DIRECTORY

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Office: 843-986-9449 • Fax: 843-986-9450

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Licensed Audiologist

38 Professional Village West, Lady's Island monica@beauforthearing.com www.beauforthearing.com | 843-521-3007

Hear the Beauty that Surrounds You

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AUCTIONS

PUBLIC AUCTION. Sat., March 28 2026 at 9:30 am. 510 Stoller Rd., Bamberg, SC (Half mile from Dukes BBQ – Hwy 301). Selling out a local business and consignments! Call now to consign! Cars, trucks, ATVs, trailers, golf carts, lawn mowers, shop equipment, tools, nice stainless items, restaurant equipment, and much more! Come to the auction! Expect to see much more than on the web! Browse our website: www.cogburnauction.com. 803860-0712

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561

HELP WANTED – DRIVERS

ADVERTISE YOUR DRIVER JOBS in 80

S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25word classified ad will reach more than 1 5 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Audien Hearing. The world’s first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions. 45-day risk free trial. Free shipping. Lifetime support. More than 1 5 million happy customers. Call Audien 1-855-620-9614

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-7750366 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

TELEVISION & INTERNET SERVICES

DIRECTV OVER INTERNET – Get your favorite live TV, sports and local channels. 99 % signal reliability! CHOICE Package, $84 99/mo for 12 months. HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1 - 855237 - 9741

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VACATION RENTALS ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 1 5 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 80 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 803-750-9561