May 7 edition

Out of necessity a passion is born

Linda Ferguson has been tailoring all kinds of uniforms in Beaufort for the last 30 years

By Luke Frazier The Island News

The idea of being a “pillar of the community” is more likely to be associated with an elected official, someone who owns a lot of local real estate, or perhaps a person with a high profile position at a large institution. What might be called big wigs. Consider instead that it might mean a person who has proudly served many thousands of military and civilian customers for decades as a provider of a specialized service. This specialized service not only makes things fit but helps individuals feeling positive, even SEE PASSION PAGE A7

Judge’s ruling clears way for trial over policy affecting thousands of female detainees

By Delayna Earley The Island News

A federal judge has ruled Beaufort County can be held legally responsible for a jail strip search policy that disproportionately affected female detainees, setting the stage for a trial that could expose the county to significant financial liability.

The ruling was first reported by The Post and Courier Beaufort County In a March 31 order, U.S. District Judge David Norton found the county may be liable under federal law because the policy in question was implemented by the jail’s director, who the court determined had final policy making authority over detention center operations.

The ruling follows a bench trial focused specifically on whether the county could be held liable under federal civil rights law.

The decision does not deter-

PAGE A8

ETV Lowcountry productions nominated for Regional Emmy Awards

Jackson, Lewis recognized for their work

By Luke Frazier The Island

News

In our fractured world of broadcasting, with more streaming services than one can count and the ascendance of short and seemingly endless social media reels, places still exist to recognize quality long-form content.

One such place is created by the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), who gives out

regional Emmy awards for television excellence. They recently announced their nominations for the 2026 awards and Beaufort’s public television station, ETV Lowcountry, snagged four nominations.

Not bad for a station with two full-time employees.

The dynamic duo consists of Holly Jackson, host and producer of the interview show “Books By the River” and Rob Lewis, photographer, editor and co-creator of the nature show “Coastal Kingdom.”

ETV Lowcountry is part of the South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) network, which received a record-breaking 15

nominations, the most ever for the organization. Evidently the death of public broadcasting has been greatly exaggerated, at least here in the Southeast.

“Books By The River” received one nomination in the Interview/ Discussion — Long Form Content category for its episode on author Jeffrey Lofton, and Coastal Kingdom received three nominations: Environment/Science — Long Form Content for its episode titled “On Becoming A Naturalist;” another in the category “Photog-

SEE AWARDS PAGE A4

LOWCOUNTRY LIFE & NEWS

Port Royal’s Tracy Lontz snapped this photo of Jeannine Readdy of Pennsylvania enjoying “Taste of Beaufort” on Saturday, May 2, 2026. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit 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.

American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Gary Koesis, 70, who joined the United States Marine Corps in Summerville, N.J., in 1975. After Boot Camp at Parris Island, he went to Twentynine Palms, Calif., to attend Electronics School and Radio Fundamentals Course before advanced training at Keesler AFB in Mississippi for Microwave Equipment Repair. His first duty station was MCAS Cherry Point working with ground-to-air communications. From there he deployed on USS Harlan County (LST-1196) to the Caribbean; on USS Austin (LPD-4) to Norway and Den-

NEWS BRIEFS

Honor Flight Savannah send-off

The public is invited to attend the departure event for Honor Flight Savannah’s 30th trip to Washington, D.C. A total of 28 Vietnam War veterans will depart by motor coach from AMVETS Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15. More than half of the veterans on the trip are from the South Carolina Lowcountry. There will be a short program during which the veterans will be introduced beginning at 8:10 a.m.

Public test of central count scanners (ballot tabulating machines)

A public test of the Central Count Scanners (ballot tabulating machines) for the May 12, 2026, School Board District 9 Spe-

May 9

1981: Greg Jones is born in Columbia. Jones was a star athlete at Battery Creek High School in the 1990s, earning AllState honors on offense (running back) and defense (linebacker) in football. Jones played college football at Florida State University. Drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones played nine seasons in the NFL, eight with the Jaguars and one with the Houston Texans.

May 10

2019: Mills Langehans scores five goals to lead the Holy Trinity Lions to an 8-0 win over Cambridge Academy to win the SCISA 1A girls soccer championship at Porter-Gaud in Charleston.

mark; and aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60) to the Mediterranean, including Spain and Turkey. In 1978 he deployed to MCAS Beaufort to backfill locals who deployed. In 1979 he separated and used the GI Bill to attend DeVry Technical Institute, furthering his skills in electronics. He then began 18 years working for IBM designing integrated circuits before moving to Pitney Bowes and advanced mail services. In 2013 he relocated to Smith

Mountain Lake, Va., and began selling boats. Finally in 2019, he moved to Beaufort County. He is a DAV volunteer each Thursday, helping service VA claims at AMVETS in Port Royal, where he is also a member. He volunteers at the Beaufort History Museum.

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

cial Election will begin on Friday, May 8 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County office, located at 15 John Galt Road in Beaufort. For more information, call 843255-6900

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, June 10 Hilton Head Island Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road Wednesday, July 15 St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road

2019: Beaufort Academy’s boys are denied a sixth consecutive SCISA 1A soccer championship, falling, 4-2, to The King’s Academy at Porter-Gaud in Charleston.

May 11

2019: Beaufort High School claims its second straight Class 4A boys track and field state championship in Columbia. The Eagles won by a whopping 36 points despite having just three event winners – Alex Macias (pole vault), Desmond Gailard (triple jump) and Dexter Ratliff (discus).

May 12-13

1862: Beaufort’s Robert Smalls steals the CSS Planter and delivers the ship to the Union Navy. The three white crew members – Capt. C.J. Relyea, pilot Samuel H. Smith and engineer Zerich Pitcher – went ashore

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 843-2556880 to reserve your seat. For questions and more information please contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880 – Staff reports

in Charleston, leaving Smalls, the ship’s wheel man, and the enslaved crew members unattended. Around 3 a.m., Smalls and his crew fired up the ship’s boilers and sailed to a wharf to pick up their waiting family members, then sailed past Confederate forces at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie. Smalls, impersonating the captain, wearing his wide-brimmed straw hat to hide his face, used the proper coded signals at two Confederate checkpoints, including at Fort Sumter itself, and other defense positions. When the Planter cleared the Confederate defenses, just before dawn, Smalls raised a white flag and delivered the ship – and its 17 Black passengers (nine men, five women and three children) to the blockading Union fleet.

– Compiled by Mike McCombs

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

Arrest made in federal operation targeting illegal weapons at Beaufort post office

18-year-old

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Two people were arrested at a Beaufort post office Thursday, April 30, as part of a federal operation targeting the illegal mailing of weapons, according to federal officials.

A man and woman were detained around 4 p.m., outside the U.S. Post Office at 11 Robert Smalls Parkway after allegedly receiving illegal firearms or firearm parts through the mail.

The operation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from

Homeland Security Investigations and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The case involved Homeland Security Investigations because the package originated in another country, according to Breslin Steverson of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Photos from WSAV-TV show one man in handcuffs outside the post office, flanked by a federal agent and a Beaufort County

deputy, with several other agents nearby.

One of the two suspects was identified as 18-year-old Burton resident Brandon Treymayne Anderson, who was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center on Thursday evening.

Anderson was charged under South Carolina law with unlawful possession of a machine gun or a sawed-off shotgun or rifle.

Jail records show he was released just before 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

As of Friday, Anderson had not

been federally charged in connection with the alleged delivery.

The second person detained, a woman, has since been released. Steverson declined to identify her.

Steverson said both individuals could face federal charges under the National Firearms Act and the Gun Control Act of 1968, which regulate the transfer and transport of certain weapons, including across state lines and international borders.

Federal officials have not said what was contained in the package.

Asked how the shipment was identified, Steverson said postal inspectors use screening methods to flag suspicious parcels and noted that inspectors cannot open mail without consent or a federal search warrant.

Further details have not been released as the investigation remains ongoing

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.

Beaufort County Council rejects hate intimidation ordinance after divided vote

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Beaufort County Council has rejected a proposed hate intimidation ordinance, ending a weeks-long effort to create a local misdemeanor offense aimed at addressing hate-based incidents in unincorporated areas of the county. Council voted 6-4 against the ordinance during second reading Monday, effectively killing the measure after it had advanced through committee and an initial vote earlier this month. The proposed ordinance would have made it a misdemeanor to intimidate or harm someone based on characteristics including race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Penalties would have included a

Awards from page A1

fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail.

The ordinance had previously cleared first reading on an 8-2-1 vote April 13 after being unanimously recommended by the county’s Community Services and Public Safety Committee.

A divided council Monday’s vote reflected a split council, with Logan Cunningham, Anna Maria Tabernik, David Bartholomew, Paula Brown, Mark Lawson and Tom Reitz voting against the ordinance. Alice Howard, Joe Passiment, York Glover and Gerald Dawson voted in favor.

Concerns raised by council members who opposed the ordinance centered largely on legal authority and potential constitutional

rapher — Long Form Content” for Lewis; and the third in the category “Program Host/Moderator/ Correspondent” for Tony Mills, the Education Director for the Spring Island Trust and co-creator of Coastal Kingdom.

For her part, Jackson says “Books” is a great collaboration between the station and USC Beaufort students and faculty (Professor Carolyn Sawyer is one of the producers). Jackson, originally from tiny Bishopville, S.C., went to journalism school at the University

challenges.

Bartholomew said his opposition was not about the intent of the ordinance, but about whether it could withstand legal scrutiny.

He pointed to an opinion from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office suggesting local governments may not have the authority to create criminal hate crime laws.

County attorney Brian Hulbert echoed those concerns, warning council the ordinance could face immediate legal challenges.

He also questioned whether the proposed penalty was sufficient.

“It’s just ridiculous to trivialize a hate crime to that level to being a misdemeanor,” Hulbert said, adding that such offenses are typically

of South Carolina and worked in television in Savannah and Tampa before moving to Beaufort in 2005

Jackson says people often ask her to share her favorite interview.

“It always boils down to who did I connect with?” Jackson said.

“Who did I basically forget that we were even doing a TV show during the interview and feel like we were having a true, heart-to-heart conversation?”

The episode featuring Jeffery Lofton fits that bill, according to Jackson, and she says that’s the goal “Books” has had throughout its eight year run.

“If you want to know the story behind the book of how the author got to the point of wanting to get

handled as felonies at the state level.

Cunningham also raised concerns about how the ordinance would be applied, describing it as a “slippery slope” that could open the door to difficult-to-prove claims.

Lawson questioned whether the ordinance could infringe on free speech, particularly in cases involving religious expression.

Supporters argue for local action

Supporters of the ordinance argued it would fill a gap in protections for residents in unincorporated areas of the county, where local ordinances do not exist.

Gerald Dawson said the possibility of legal challenges should not prevent the

those thoughts out on paper and share them with the world, then that’s where [our show] comes in,” she said.

Jackson is quick to praise her colleague Lewis, saying she couldn't choose a better person to work with.

Lewis was born and raised in Charleston and went to college there at the College of Charleston.

Because he was interested in TV production, he jointly attended Trident Technical College for a time and went to work in local television news afterward at WCIV.

Then Lewis moved to Beaufort in 2005 and soon started working at Beaufort County Television, covering the range of local gov-

county from taking action.

“Hate should not be shown toward anybody, regardless of their race, color or creed,” he said.

Advocates also pointed to inconsistencies across the county.

The City of Beaufort and the Town of Bluffton have both adopted their own hate crime ordinances, creating what some described as uneven enforcement depending on location.

Sreden Prince, with the Lowcountry Coalition Against Hate, told council earlier this month that “justice should not depend on a zip code.”

What happens next

While the local ordinance failed, Beaufort County Council has already taken a

ernment meetings. But he knew he wanted more.

“I was in a situation where I loved video production,” he said, “and that was what I was doing for my career. But what I really had a passion for was nature and the outdoors.”

Lewis connected with Mills around the shared idea of a “virtual field trip” where they could bring viewers directly to the plethora of wildlife and natural wonders in the Lowcountry, and sometimes beyond. That was 16 years ago, and they eventually brought the show over to ETV Lowcountry, where it has thrived.

This is Lewis’ first individual Emmy nomination, and he is right-

formal position urging the South Carolina General Assembly to pass a statewide hate crime law. Council unanimously approved a resolution earlier this month supporting statewide legislation . South Carolina remains one of only two states without a hate crimes law on the books. For now, enforcement of hate-related offenses in Beaufort County will continue to rely on existing state laws, unless or until lawmakers act at the state level.

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.

fully proud.

“You know they say it’s a cliché to say, ‘it’s an honor to be nominated,’ but it really is just an honor to be nominated,” he said.

What is also nice is how that honor shines upon the Lowcountry in general as we’re tucked here in our little corner of the brave new world of broadcasting.

The award winners will be announced on Saturday, May 16 at the 2026 Southeast Regional Emmy Awards in Atlanta, Ga.

Luke Frazier is a writer

Springfest 2026

Springfest organizers said that while attendance was slightly lighter than last year, the event, hosted by ZenDen in Port Royal on Saturday, April 25, 2026, still exceeded expectations, running smoothly with strong community support, including many returning attendees. Held on World Healing Day, the festival offered a meaningful mix of handmade goods, wellness services, and creative experiences that brought people together. Now in its fourth year under current leadership, the event continues to grow with a focus on providing a safe and successful space for vendors, despite challenges like a last-minute food truck cancellation. Looking ahead, organizers hope to expand next year with a street setup in front of ZenDen and Town Hall, adding more vendors and food while preserving the festival’s unique, artisan-driven vibe. Amber

Hewitt/The Island News

County council pulls USCB convocation center funding

Split opinions over cost, timing and priorities stall $11.1M county contribution to long-planned project

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Beaufort County Council has effectively pulled the plug on its previously approved funding for the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s planned convocation center, reversing course on a project that once carried a split but decisive vote.

During its latest meeting, council voted down two ordinances that would have provided a combined $11 1 million toward the project, halting the county’s financial participation, at least for now. The ordinances, which were taken up together, failed to gain support after already being defeated at the Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee level by a 4-5 vote. The funding package included $1 6 million from general fund sub-funds and $9 5 million reallocated from a previously issued general obligation bond tied to the county’s law enforcement center project.

Shift from earlier support

The vote marks a notable reversal from last year, when council approved the same $11 1 million contribution following a split vote, positioning the county as a key partner in the long-discussed project.

At the time, the convocation center was pitched as a multi-use facility that would support USCB athletics, graduation ceremonies and community events, with state lawmakers committing roughly $47 million

toward construction.

But in the months since, concerns over timing, priorities and long-term costs have grown among council members.

Concerns over cost, timing and priorities

Councilman Logan Cunningham, who has consistently opposed the project, reiterated his concerns during the latest discussion, pointing to infrastructure needs and future funding uncertainty.

“The idea sounds great,” Cunningham said. “I don’t think it’s the right time.”

He also raised concerns that the initial $11 1 million would not be the county’s final contribution.

“They already said they’re going to ask us for more to get to that $20 million,” he said, adding that county funds should instead prioritize roads and existing residents.

Traffic impacts near the proposed site, located along the heavily traveled U.S. 170 and S.C. 278 corridor, were also cited as a concern.

Supporters highlight long-term investment Not all council members agreed.

Councilman Mark Lawson voiced continued support for the project, pointing to

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the role USCB has played in expanding access to higher education locally.

“I think that USCB has been a very, very important part of our community,” Lawson said, noting that the university allows students to stay close to home for college.

Supporters have long argued the convocation center would be an investment in economic development and quality of life, with potential to attract events and generate revenue.

What happens next With the ordinances failing to move forward, the county’s funding commitment is now off the table, leaving a gap in the project’s financing plan.

It remains unclear whether USCB or its partners will pursue alternative funding sources or return to council with a revised proposal.

For now, the vote signals a pause, and possibly a turning point, in a project that has been years in the making and remains a point of division among county leaders.

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.

Beaufort approves new short-term rental rules after months of debate

Final measure sets caps, enforcement rules and neighborhood-based limits

By Delayna Earley The Island News

After months of debate, revisions and public input, Beaufort City Council gave final approval April 28 to a new ordinance regulating short-term rentals, establishing caps, enforcement rules and operating standards across the city.

The vote came during a special called meeting and worksession, marking the second and final reading after council advanced a revised version on first reading April 21

That earlier vote reset the process and incorporated amendments that shaped the final version approved this week.

What the ordinance does

The ordinance creates a new chapter in the city’s code governing short-term rentals and treats them as a regulated business requiring a license and ongoing compliance.

Short-term rentals are capped at 4 percent of allowable parcels citywide, with a stricter 3 percent cap within the National Historic

Landmark District. A wait list system will be used once those caps are reached.

Only one short-term rental is allowed per parcel, and properties must be at least 300 feet apart unless they were already operating prior to the ordinance and maintain continuous use.

Accessory structures, including carriage houses and accessory dwelling units, may be used as short-term rentals, subject to the oneper-parcel limit.

Operational rules include a minimum two-night stay, occupancy limits based on bedrooms, restrictions on large gatherings and a prohibition on outdoor amplified music.

Enforcement and accountability

Council emphasized enforcement in the final version.

Property owners or their designated agents must respond to complaints within one hour, and a three-strike policy establishes escalating penalties.

The first violation results in a written warning, the

Barry Milo

Sept. 18 1946 – April 30 2026 Beaufort, S.C.

Colonel Barry C. Milo, age 79 of Beaufort, S.C., passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

Barry's wishes were to be cremated. A graveside service will be held at noon on May 15 2026, in the Beaufort National Cemetery with funeral honors performed by the United States Marine Corps. Barry was born in New York on Sept. 18, 1946, to the late Charles A. Milo and the late Alice I. Hess. A proud Marine until the end, Barry served 30 years in the Marine Corps and was a Vietnam veteran. He served his country with valor, honor, and dignity.

Among his accolades, he received the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Unit Citation, USMC Recruiter Ribbon, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. Following his retirement from the Corps in 1998, he joined the civilian sector and joined Grayco as their HR Manager for over 12 years, retiring for the second time in 2013 Smart, funny, hard-working, and quick-witted are just a few words to describe Barry. He would also want to make sure we didn't forget to express how handsome he was. Never without a funny comment or a word of support, Barry was always willing to lend a hand or be there for anyone in any way he could. He cherished spending time with friends and family, hunting and fishing, riding his John Deere lawn mower, and watching his grandson's lacrosse games. Barry was happy to do anything as long as his wife was by his side.

Beloved by his family and friends, he was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His lasting love for his family is his greatest legacy. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sarah, his daughter Kathleen (Nick) of Huntersville, N.C., and his pride and

second a $500 fine and the third can lead to suspension, revocation or nonrenewal of the business license.

The ordinance also requires notification to adjacent property owners when a short-term rental is approved and mandates compliance with inspections, parking requirements and local tax obligations.

What changed in the final ordinance

The approved version reflects several changes from earlier drafts, many made in response to public feedback.

Council eliminated the proposed “special exceptions” section, which would have allowed additional short-term rentals under certain circumstances. Residents argued it could create loopholes and undermine the cap system.

Council also revised how limits are calculated.

Instead of using dwelling units, the ordinance now uses allowable parcels, setting a 4 percent cap citywide and a 3 percent cap within the historic district.

joy, his grandson, Vincent Charles Kopay.

The love and support shown to him and his family during this time are a direct result of the impact he has had on others. The family would like to thank his incredible care team and the amazing doctors and nurses at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, who were wonderful and kind during his final days. The family would also like to express love and gratitude to our extraordinary neighbors who have become family. You gave Barry and us fun times to cherish. Thank you for always being there and for being with us during his final days and beyond. You meant the world to him.

In memory of Barry, the family welcomes donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.

N M “Butch” Polk

June 20, 1939 – April 28, 2026 Beaufort, S.C.

N M "Butch" Polk III, 86, of Beaufort S.C., died Tuesday, April 28 2026 at his residence.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 1 to 3 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home with a memorial service following at the Yemassee Baptist Church at 4 p.m., on Thursday.

Butch was born on June 20 1939 in Beaufort, S.C. He was raised and lived in Beaufort his entire life. He was the son of the late N M Polk Jr. and Sarah Polk. He was preceded in death by his wife Michal R. Polk and two brothers, Jimmy Polk and Donald Polk.

Butch graduated from Beaufort High School (Tidal Wave) and was well known for his achievements on the football field. Due to an accident and injury he missed the opportunity to go to college and play football.

Before starting his long term career as a law enforcement officer, he opened and operated his own body shop for a few years. Then he joined the Sheriff's Department

Existing short-term rentals are counted toward those caps, tightening the overall limit.

The ordinance removes a previous restriction that prohibited short-term rentals in The Point, placing that area under the same 3 percent cap as the rest of the historic district.

Accessory dwelling units are allowed to operate as short-term rentals without requiring the owner to live on the property, though only one short-term rental is allowed per parcel.

The final version also includes a limited incentive for buyers who rehabilitate abandoned or dilapidated properties, allowing those properties to operate as short-term rentals outside the cap if they meet specific criteria and timelines.

Continued debate at second reading

Even as council moved toward final approval, discussion April 28 highlighted disagreement over how the ordinance should be applied.

Council members raised concerns about how the 4

under Sheriff J.E. McTeer, where he served until joining SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) in 1966 He worked his way up through the ranks and retired as a Lieutenant in 2002. After retiring from SLED, he spent his time traveling and pursuing his love of hunting and fishing, also catering barbecue for friends and organizations.

Surviving are three sons — N M "Butchie" Polk IV (Peggy), Daniel "Danny" Polk (Cheryl), William "Billy" Polk (Sandy); five Grandsons - Butchie Wayne Polk, Nathan Polk (Kenzie), Brantley Polk (Maria), William Polk, Tony Marino (Paige); and six great grandchildren -- Gavin, Paisley, Savannah Rose, Brynley, Zelvia and Joseph.

Mark roBertsoN

June 16, 1953 – April 25, 2026

Bluffton, S.C.

Mark Robertson, born Mark Eisenberg on June 16, 1953, passed away after a remarkable life defined by generosity, humor, and a deep connection to his community. He was 72 Mark’s voice was a familiar and comforting presence on the radio. Beginning his career in 1977 after moving from Brooklyn, New York, he built an extraordinary 48-year run on air, becoming a beloved fixture in Savannah and beyond. As a host of 98 7 The River, alongside co-hosts at different times, Sandy and Sherry, he was a steady companion to listeners during their daily commutes, known for his quick wit, warmth, and unmistakable personality. Broadcasting was more than a profession to Mark — it was a lifelong dream that began in childhood, listening to a transistor radio and imagining a future behind the microphone. That dream became a legacy measured not just in years, but in the lives he touched. Beyond the airwaves, Mark was deeply committed to helping others. His annual “Christmas Wish” program raised nearly $1 million for families affected by cancer, bringing comfort and joy during

percent cap would function across the city, prompting an amendment to clarify its intent.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike McFee said the goal was not to create a single citywide pool of short-term rentals, but to distribute them more evenly across neighborhoods.

“I intended that to reflect that the individual neighborhoods … would continue to maintain their neighborhood-based caps,” McFee said.

Without that clarification, a single cap could have allowed rentals to concentrate in certain areas while leaving others with few or none. Instead, the ordinance is intended to limit the percentage of rentals within each neighborhood.

Remaining concerns

Even with final approval, some council members signaled concerns about how parts of the ordinance will function in practice.

Discussion included the incentive allowing certain rehabilitated properties to operate outside the cap, raising questions about fairness

the holidays. He also supported pet organizations, helped reunite lost pets with their owners, and never hesitated to lend his voice to a good cause.

Mark retired in 2025 after nearly five decades on the air. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, facing his illness with the same quiet strength and grace that defined his life.

He will be remembered for his generosity, his unusual wit and humor, and his genuine kindness. Whether on the radio or in everyday life, Mark had a rare ability to make people feel like they knew him — and that he cared.

He was predeceased by his loving parents. He is survived by his sister, Diane, along with many dear friends and neighbors who will miss him deeply.

The family extends special thanks to Marisol Hospice, Senior Helpers caregivers, and his many friends and neighbors for their compassion and support.

Mark will be cremated by Sauls Funeral Home, of Bluffton, S.C. A celebration of life will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Palmetto Animal League.

Though his voice is now silent, the laughter, comfort, and kindness he shared will continue to echo in the hearts of those who listened.

eugeNe “terry” stoNe April 16, 2026 Beaufort, S.C.

It is with great sadness that the family of Eugene Carroll "Terry" Stone III announce his passing on April 16, 2026 after a brief illness. He was 78 and was born in New Haven, Conn.

Growing up Terry enjoyed summers on the farm with his paternal grandparents in Batesville, Miss., and with his maternal grandparents on the beach in Brewster, Mass., on Cape Cod. Terry and his family moved to Oxford, Miss., in 1964 from Wellesley, Mass.

and whether it could create unintended exceptions. Council members also noted that some language may need refinement to ensure the ordinance is clear, enforceable and legally defensible as it is implemented.

A long process concludes Council member Josh Scallate has said the goal was to create a system that is clear, enforceable and balanced.

The ordinance is the result of months of meetings and revisions as council worked to address competing concerns from residents, property owners and business interests. With final approval in place, the ordinance will take effect following adoption, establishing new rules for how short-term rentals operate within the city.

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.

OBITUARIES

He graduated from Oxford High School and Ole Miss, and earned his juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Terry's legal profession included a career in municipal law serving as deputy attorney and City Attorney of Jackson, Miss. He later became a special assistant to the Mississippi Attorney General, eventually leading the legal division of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

After retirement, Terry and his wife, Jane Hearn, relocated to Beaufort, S.C., to enjoy the beauty and abundance of the coastal "Lowcountry." Terry was an avid golfer and fisherman. Terry was also a gourmet chef who provided many an unforgettable delicious meal for family and friends.

Predeceasing Terry were his parents, Dr. Eugene Carroll Stone Jr. and Althea Brownville Stone, and sister Jeanne Ramu. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jane Hearn and sisters, Sue Turner of West Yarmouth, Mass.,, Mae Stone of Oxford, Miss., and Melanie Stone of Brewster, Mass. He is also survived by his sister-inlaw, Mary Hearn of Suwanee, Ga., nephews Joshua Turner of Oxford, Miss., and Chris Wright of Eureka Springs, Ark., and nieces Hannah Turner of West Yarmouth, Mass., and Sarah Turner Powers of Sardis, Miss.

Terry's generosity with his knowledge and gift of conversation enriched his friends with wonderful stories, memories and experiences. In turn, it brought him a wealth of love from family, friends and neighbors. He will be sorely missed. Should any contributions be considered, Terry was actively supportive of the conservation and preservation of the coastal environment through the South Carolina Environmental Law Project and the Open Land Trust. Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Beaufort treasurer’s budget presentation raises questions

Walls points to contradictions between courtroom testimony, what County Council has been told

By Delayna Earley

The Island News

Beaufort County Treasurer Maria Walls used her Fiscal Year 2027 budget presentation Tuesday to do more than ask for funding.

She used it to draw a line.

Standing before County Council, Walls made it clear her request cannot be separated from what she described as ongoing internal conflicts, decision-making disputes and the legal consequences that could follow.

“This is no longer just about a policy, and it is no longer just about a budget,” Walls told council. “It is about how decisions are being made, how information is being presented, and the impact those decisions have had on our employees, our operations, and our taxpayers.”

A warning without naming the case

Walls repeatedly pointed to decisions being made outside of her office and without her input, particularly when it comes to staffing and how her budget is being handled.

In a letter included in the Council packet, she said county administration has “barred” her from requesting personnel funding and

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joyful, at Marine Corps ceremonies and special events of all kinds.

That is also being a pillar of the community.

The case in this point is tailor Linda Ferguson, 70-years-young and operator of Laurel Bay Tailor Shop for the past 30 years.

To get to her shop from downtown you’ll pass by high-end businesses, expensive homes, City Hall and county offices and eventually make a left at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort onto Laurel Bay Road. Follow that road for about three miles, past the storage units, two modular home communities, a gymnastics academy, and there it sits, part of a one-story concrete block building and right next to Pastor Josephine Brown’s House of Deliverance.

Linda started her sewing career at a textile plant in Walterboro, where she was born, raised, and still lives. She learned to sew because her mother needed help.

intends to submit its own version of her office’s budget without operational knowledge of how it runs.

She said those limits have been in place for multiple budget cycles, affecting staffing, overtime and retention.

“Personnel expenses represent the largest portion of this office’s operating budget,” Walls wrote.

During the presentation, she tied that directly to the reality of her office’s workload, particularly as it prepares to implement a new software system tied to county revenue.

“We are needing more assistance because this … testing and transitioning a major software that is responsible for every dollar, pretty much, that you’re talking about on council, we want to make sure it’s right,” she said. “And testing is a large commitment.”

Her request includes both a technical position and additional frontline staff.

“They would include a data integration specialist type of role,” Walls said, along with personnel to support daily operations.

Contradictions between council, courtroom Walls’ sharpest criticism came when she pointed to what she described as conflicting messages from county leadership.

“During a court hearing last week, both the county administrator and the director for human resources testified that the rules and guidelines they follow for personnel decisions … come from the county’s personnel handbook,” she said.

But, she added, that testimony did not match how those same policies have been presented to council.

“They further testified that they do not have the authority to enforce those policies on the Treasurer’s Office, and that the authority to enforce them solely rests within my purview,” Walls said.

“We now have a situation where a policy was presented to you one way and is now being described in another,” she said, before asking council directly, “What exactly is the county arguing here?”

Council leadership acknowledged the sensitivity of that issue in real time, cautioning members

not to get into legal questions during discussion.

Cost of conflict versus cost of staffing

Walls also framed the dispute as a financial issue.

While she did not cite a specific dollar amount for legal fees during the presentation, she repeatedly suggested the county is spending money fighting internal disputes instead of addressing them through staffing.

Her request centers on two additional full-time positions, along with compensation adjustments tied to workload and retention.

“Personnel directly drives service delivery and revenue continuity,” she wrote in her budget submission.

In contrast, she pointed to the growing strain on her office, including sustained overtime and the demands of a major system transition.

The implication was clear. The cost of not funding those positions carries consequences.

Those consequences include operational strain, reduced service levels and, increasingly, legal conflict.

“I’m the oldest of seven girls, and my mom had to figure out something about how she was going to clothe [all her] girls,” she said. That solution was Linda, and after lessons from an aunt, she took to sweing quickly.

After the plant work and brief stints at Parris Island and MCAS Beaufort, she

opened the business and started building it up to the community anchor locals know it as today.

Inside there are at least four sewing stations, racks of military uniform pieces, a few fancy gowns, and piles of clothes just about everywhere. A glass case serves as a counter and is filled with artificial flowers. But make

no mistake, this is a workspace where things get done and people leave happy. And that’s why Linda does it.

“I love it, that’s why I’m still here … it’s just me doing the service and then seeing the happiness on [customer] faces and knowing that they love the work that I do,” she said.

Linda says she used to sew

What it means going forward

Walls’ presentation leaves council with more than a funding decision.

It raises a broader question about who controls the operations of independently elected offices and what happens when those lines blur.

By the end of her remarks, she brought it back to accountability.

“At some point, this must stop being about vague, unacknowledged internal process and start being about accountability to the employees, to the operations of this county, and to the taxpayers who are funding it all,” she said.

“At the end of the day, you are responsible for both the decisions made and the consequences that follow.”

If those disputes continue to escalate, the impact may not be limited to budgets. It may play out in court.

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.

“You’ve got to have the passion to want to do something; if you love something you’re going to do it.”

various kinds of things, such as matching Walterboro Rice Festival costumes for her three sons (so she could spot them in the crowd) but has gradually moved away from personal projects.

Now she primarily sticks to custom alterations, though she is still up for challenges that curtains, leather fabrics, or zippers might present.

Of her three boys, the oldest and youngest (Vernon and Christopher Maurice, respectively) both served in the U.S. Army for several years. She enjoys her six grandchildren — four girls and two boys — and one great grandbaby.

When asked what she liked to do when not working, she mentioned having

gone to local fashion shows in the past and swing dancing.

“Well, I love to dance … disco a little bit but mainly swing to the old school [music]”

Linda says she plans to continue working as long as her health holds up, turning that into advice for others.

“As long as you can work, keep going, cause that’s the part that energizes you to keep moving.”

As Linda reflects on her decades as a tailor, she recognizes that it is not a career many young people pursue. She wraps this thought into a larger philosophy about life.

“You’ve got to have the passion to want to do something, if you love something you’re going to do it.” What Linda Ferguson has managed to do all these years is sew that love and passion right into the clothes satisfied customers wear with pride.

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 weighs new fees, services in early FY2027 budget talks

Council weighs vehicle fee, other revenue options as budget process begins

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Beaufort City Council be-

gan work on its Fiscal Year 2027 budget during an April 21 budget workshop, balancing a steady tax rate against proposals for new fees that are already drawing scrutiny.

The $73 5 million spending plan keeps the city’s millage rate unchanged, but introduces additional revenue sources as officials look for ways to cover rising costs without increasing property taxes.

The proposed budget is balanced across all funds.

At the center of the discussion is a proposed $32

per-vehicle fee that would be added to annual tax bills for residents with Beaufort addresses.

The fee would apply to vehicles registered within the city and is intended to help offset the cost of maintaining rights-of-way along state-owned roads inside city limits, work the city currently handles without reimbursement.

City Manager Scott Marshall said the proposal is part of a broader effort to connect fees more directly to the services they support, while avoiding a millage increase.

“Anytime you introduce a new fee it’s going to raise

questions,” Marshall said.

Council members signaled early on that they are not fully sold on the idea, even as they acknowledge the financial pressures behind it.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike McFee said he views the proposal as another form of taxation, though he also noted the city already spends heavily on maintaining those areas because residents expect it.

Other council members raised similar concerns, particularly about how the fee could affect residents with lower or fixed incomes.

Mayor Phil Cromer said he would like to see addi-

tional information before supporting the proposal and suggested a lower amount might be more reasonable.

Councilman Neil Lipsitz described the situation as a difficult tradeoff, saying the city is left choosing between cutting services, raising taxes or finding new ways to generate revenue.

“The money needs to come from somewhere,” Lipsitz said.

Together, the proposed vehicle fee and a new $1 000 annual short-term rental fee would generate more than half a million dollars in new revenue for the city.

The short-term rental fee

ties the city’s financial planning to ongoing efforts to regulate that industry.

Council approved updated short-term rental rules during the same April 28 meeting, creating a system that limits the number of rentals and establishes penalties for violations.

City officials say rising maintenance costs and limited revenue growth are driving those conversations now.

As those policies take shape, residents have begun raising broader concerns about how the city is prioritizing its spending.

By Jessica Holdman SCDailyGazette.com

Former Gov. Mark Sanford said he is “stepping aside” in the race for South Carolina’s coastal 1st District, but he’ll still be on GOP primary ballots.

The end of Sanford’s campaign comes less than a month after he launched a bid to win back the congressional seat he lost eight years ago.

The two-term GOP governor said he instead intends to form a non-profit organization advocating for reduction of the nation’s debt.

According to his latest campaign filing, he has about $1 5 million in his account — largely left over from his previous campaigns — that he could put into a nonprofit. Sending money to a charity is among the allowed uses of excess campaign cash.

“After a lot of thought, I’ve concluded that the most effective way I can contribute right now is not by seeking office, but by helping build a broader movement focused on the country’s financial future,” Sanford said in a statement. “The trajectory of debt and deficits isn’t a Republican problem or a Democrat problem — it’s an American problem. And it’s one that demands sustained grassroots pressure for change to occur.”

When seeking his third stint in Congress, Sanford turned in his paperwork with less than two hours remaining in the two-week filing period. To officially withdraw, he

Jail from page A1

mine whether the strip searches themselves were unconstitutional. That question, along with any potential damages, will be decided at trial, which has not yet been scheduled.

The lawsuit, filed in 2020 and later certified as a class action, represents thousands of women who were held at the Beaufort County Detention Center between February 2015 and May 2020

Policy at the center of the case

At issue is a 2015 policy requiring strip searches of all female detainees during the booking process, regardless

Former Gov. Sanford ends bid for SC’s 1st District

“After a lot of thought, I’ve concluded that the most effective way I can contribute right now is not by seeking office...”

MARK SANFORD, Former South Carolina Governor.

must again submit paperwork to the state Election Commission.

Because the state has already printed its 2026 primary ballots, Sanford’s name will still appear alongside the 10 other Republicans vying for the chance to replace U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is running for governor.

Seven Democrats are also competing for their party’s nomination.

Sanford lost his 2018 bid for re-election to then-state Rep. Katie Arrington of Charleston, who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement. But she lost that November to Democrat Joe Cunningham as the 1st District flipped for a single term before Mace’s 2020 win.

It is unknown whether Trump would have weighed in again, but Sanford did tell The Post and Courier the president “has a very long memory toward people who haven’t kissed the ring.”

of whether there was reasonable suspicion they were concealing contraband.

Court findings show that male detainees were not subject to the same blanket requirement. Instead, men were strip searched only under certain conditions, such as after classification or when there was reasonable suspicion.

Because of how the jail housed female detainees, the policy effectively meant all women entering the facility were strip searched.

County estimates show more than 5 000 strip searches were conducted under the policy during that time.

Testimony in the case indicated the policy was intended to prevent contraband from being passed between

Former Govs. Mark Sanford and Nikki Haley talk before the start of Gov. Henry McMaster’s inauguration at the Statehouse on Jan. 9, 2019. Sanford said Thursday, April 30, 2026, he is ending his bid to win back South Carolina’s coastal 1st Congressional District. Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the S.C. Daily Gazette

Sanford, a long-time Trump critic, said the possibility of the president endorsing another candidate did not factor into his decision.

“But I’ve always been aware of that contingent liability — and it’s real,” he told the Post and Courier

Governor from 2003 to 2011, Sanford’s second tenure in Congress began with a 2013 special election. He won a 16-way Republican primary to fill the vacancy created when then-Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Tim Scott to the U.S. Senate.

It was a remarkable political comeback just two years after Sanford left the Governor’s Mansion following a scandalous affair with a woman in Argentina.

detainees, particularly given how female inmates were housed within the facility.

The lawsuit argues that disparity violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Why the county can be held liable

A central issue in the case has been whether Beaufort County itself can be held responsible for the policy, or whether liability rests solely with individuals who implemented it.

Norton’s ruling hinges on that question.

The court found that former detention center director Col. Quandara Grant had the authority to create and implement policies without meaningful oversight from County Council or the coun-

ty administrator.

Sanford had planned to lean on his reputation as a staunch fiscal conservative in his latest bid to return to Washington.

The mounting deficit, which has only grown since his first election to Congress in 1994, was part of Sanford’s platform in 2019, during his short-lived presidential campaign.

“Our nation’s crumbling financial course is what led me to enter this race, and it’s what’s animated my time in politics,” he said in a statement. Now it will be the focus of his soon-to-be named nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization.

Council’s budget work is still in its early stages, with department presentations helping guide decisions on capital projects and operational needs.

Council is expected to take its first vote on the budget in May, with final adoption scheduled for June 9

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.

During public comment, some questioned whether new fees would lead to noticeable improvements in services, particularly in areas like street maintenance.

Similarly, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint used his leftover campaign cash to start South Carolina’s Palmetto Promise Institute after he resigned in December 2012 to take the helm of the conservative Heritage Foundation. Scott replaced DeMint, who was ousted from the Washington think tank in 2017 Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the SC Daily Gazette,

Evidence presented during the bench trial showed the county did not review, approve or revise jail policies, even when aware of them.

Under federal law, that level of authority makes the director a “final policymaker,” meaning her decisions can be attributed to the county itself.

As a result, the court concluded the strip search policy could be considered a county action, allowing the case to proceed against Beaufort County.

Facility limitations and context

Court findings also pointed to longstanding space limitations at the detention center, including the inabili-

ty to separately house female detainees by classification. Those issues were identified in multiple studies and inspections over the years, which found the facility lacked adequate space to properly separate inmate populations.

What the ruling means

The decision does not determine whether the strip search policy was unconstitutional, but it does allow the case to move forward toward trial.

It also means Beaufort County can be held financially responsible if the plaintiffs prevail, raising the stakes as the case advances.

What comes next

The next phase of the case will determine whether the

strip search policy violated the constitutional rights of the women included in the class. If the court finds the policy unconstitutional, a separate determination will be made on damages, including how much Beaufort County may be required to pay.

A trial date has not yet been set.

Beaufort County Public Information Officer Hannah Nichols did not immediately respond to requests for comment made by phone and text message.

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.

Beaufort County advances civil gun ordinance after months of debate

Revised measure focuses on unsafe discharge, allows fines up to $500

houses closer to rural land.

By Delayna Earley The Island News

Beaufort County Council has approved a revised ordinance regulating the discharge of firearms in certain unincorporated areas, advancing a civil penalty approach after months of debate driven by reports of bullets striking homes.

The measure makes it unlawful to discharge a firearm in a way that is considered intentional, negligent or careless and likely to cause injury, death or property damage, shifting the focus from distance-based restrictions to unsafe behavior.

The issue first gained traction earlier this year after residents north and south of the Broad River reported gunfire hitting homes and passing through neighborhoods, raising concerns about safety in areas where development has pushed

In response, council initially advanced a proposal that would have prohibited firing a gun within 500 feet of homes, schools and parks in certain parts of the county.

That version quickly ran into questions about enforcement and property rights.

By March, council postponed a vote on the ordinance after extended public comment and discussion, signaling the need to revisit the language and work more closely with law enforcement and legal staff.

The debate continued into April, when council unanimously rejected a version that would have created criminal penalties for violations, effectively ending that approach and shifting the focus to civil enforcement instead.

By the time the ordinance returned this week, the proposal had been significantly scaled back.

“This is the civil penalty ordinance,” county staff said during the public hearing, noting the earlier criminal version “didn’t pass.”

Unlike earlier drafts, the version approved by council does not include the 500-foot buffer that had been at the center of earlier discussions.

Instead, the ordinance is designed to address unsafe firearm use more broadly, giving law enforcement and code enforcement officials a tool to respond when gunfire poses a risk to people or property.

“The reason that we have this is because of … someone not being safe,” Councilman Mark Lawson said, pointing to increased devel-

opment near residential areas.

During discussion, Councilman Logan Cunningham praised Councilman David Bartholomew for his work refining the ordinance.

“I just want to say, David worked really hard on this, and thank you for getting that done and taking the bull by the horns, because this was a really split thing on council for months,” Cunningham said.

He added that Bartholomew also worked with state legislators and local residents as the ordinance evolved.

Under the ordinance, violations are handled through civil penalties rather than criminal charges, with fines of up to $500 per violation.

The measure also encourages those cited to take a firearm safety course, which a magistrate may

consider when determining the amount of the fine.

The ordinance does not apply to lawful uses such as self-defense, law enforcement activity, military duties, wildlife control by state officials or operations at established shooting ranges.

With the vote, Beaufort County now has a defined way to respond to complaints of unsafe gunfire in unincorporated areas, replacing earlier proposals that relied on fixed distance requirements with a standard based on whether the discharge itself is dangerous.

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.

Junior Service League of Beaufort holds Recruitment Soirée

Staff reports

Members of the Junior Service League of Beaufort (JSLB) held a Recruitment Soirée on Thursday, April 23, at Marker 244 in Port Royal. JSLB is accepting applications for new members through Aug. 1, 2026, inviting women in the community to join its mission of volunteerism and civic impact.

link.

Known for its hands-on service and philanthropic leadership, the League supports a range of local initiatives, including partnerships with organizations like CAPA and Hopeful Horizons, as well as broader community outreach

and fundraising efforts that benefit Beaufort County.

Members contribute their time through monthly meetings, service projects, and volunteer shifts, helping address critical needs while building connections and leadership skills.

The League also offers a structured provisional program for new members, providing a clear pathway to get involved and make a meaningful difference in the community. Those interested in service, networking, and local impact are encouraged to apply.

of the

the

and

Is medical marijuana now legal in SC?

By Jack O’Toole Statehouse Report

What GOP Sen. Tom Davis said on the Senate floor Wednesday, April 29, sounded almost surreal in the Republican-supermajority chamber.

“In South Carolina, right now, as we stand, we have just become the 41st state that has a legally authorized medical marijuana program.”

What Beaufort’s Davis, the legislature’s foremost medical marijuana proponent, said was probably news to most South Carolinians. After all, no new medical marijuana legislation has passed the S.C. House and Senate. There has been no signing ceremony at the governor’s mansion. Supporters and opponents weren’t holding press conferences to celebrate or decry the move.

But as Davis explained to his colleagues, none of that was apparently necessary. He said the state already has a law mandating the creation of a medical marijuana program in the state Department of Public Health (DPH) that was passed by the legislature and signed into law in 1980

On its face, the plain language of the act appears to support Davis’s contention.

“There is established in the Department of Health and Environmental Control [the DPH precursor agency] a controlled substances therapeutic research program,” the law says. “The program shall distribute to cancer chemotherapy and radiology patients and to glaucoma patients who are certified pursuant to this

act marijuana under the terms and conditions of this act for the purpose of alleviating the patient's discomfort, nausea and other painful side effects of their disease or chemotherapy treatments.”

And when Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an April 23 order “immediately” reclassifying medical marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III substance — essentially ending the federal prohibition by formally declaring medical marijuana a drug with legitimate medical uses — he triggered the 46-year-old S.C. law, Davis said.

“Medical marijuana is now legal in South Carolina,” Davis continued. “And Dr. [Edward] Simmer, as the DPH director, is in charge — he ‘shall’ provide that marijuana to those patients [under the law].”

State agencies quiet about impact

State agencies were mostly mum in response to Davis’s argument.

In a Thursday, April 30, statement, DPH acknowledged the federal action, but didn’t comment directly on its Palmetto State implications.

“We are assessing the impacts to DPH and the state of South Carolina,” spokesperson Casey White said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), whose chief, Mark Keel, has been a leading opponent of medical marijuana, declined comment.

“SLED does not have anything to

provide on this matter at this time,” the agency said in an unsigned statement.

Gov. Henry McMaster’s office also did not reply to a request for comment, but confirmed through a spokesperson that the federal rescheduling would trigger a state reclassification in an April 25 news report.

Still, as Davis told Statehouse Report on Thursday, April 30, he’s not happy about the apparent win.

In fact, he sees the current situation — an apparently binding mandate on DPH, with none of the guardrails and regulations that he’s tried to put in place through a carefully crafted medical marijuana law over the past 12 years — as a failure by state leaders to recognize that an eventual federal rescheduling was inevitable.

“The legislature, quite frankly, has been derelict in its duty,” Davis said.

‘The most conservative medical marijuana bill in the country’ S.C. has seen at least three serious attempts to legislate on medical marijuana since the 1980 bill, and Davis has been at the center of each effort.

In 2014, he sponsored and passed Julian’s Law, which allows patients with severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy to possess cannabinoid oil containing up to 0 9% THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

That legislation, he said, grew out of a conversation he had with a constituent who pointed him to the medical research supporting

medical marijuana in epilepsy treatment. And it was in the course of working on that bill that Davis said he discovered the larger body of scientific studies on marijuana’s medical uses for other serious medical problems — cancer, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, chronic pain and more.

“That’s when I realized we needed to put some safeguards in place to allow doctors to provide their patients with this product,” Davis said.

What followed was a comprehensive bill that sought to strictly regulate medical marijuana, from sourcing to prescribing to dispensing — legislation that Davis has called “the most conservative medical marijuana bill in the country.” Since then, he’s shepherded the legislation through the Senate twice, in 2022 and 2024, only to see it die without a vote in the House.

And now, without comprehensive legislation, Davis fears that lawmakers’ inaction has left the state with an irresponsible legal mandate to provide patients with an unregulated drug.

“My position has always been that this is a potentially dangerous substance,” Davis said. “We need to regulate it. We need to have physicians authorizing it. We need to have pharmacists dispensing it with proper labeling. And all that’s missing now.”

The consequences of inaction

With state agencies still mostly silent on the 1980 law and only six days left in the 2026 legislative

session, Davis said the most likely short-term outcome is a finding by DPH that, without direct funding from the legislature, it can’t create the legally required program. But that’s unlikely to settle the issue until lawmakers return next January, he noted.

“I’m not encouraging this, but I expect there will be some legal actions filed by individuals who want to access marijuana for medicinal purposes,” Davis said. “And they’re going to compel, or attempt to compel, DPH to discharge the duty it has been statutorily directed to do.”

Asked about his own next steps, Davis said he plans to reintroduce his regulatory bill next session when he believes the legal situation will force the legislature to act.

But that’s not the solution to the challenges facing S.C., he said, likening the medical marijuana bill to two other bills he’s sponsored, and expects to soon see die, this session — comprehensive data-center regulation and new authority for local governments to pair new development with the roads and infrastructure needed to support it.

“A lot of times as legislators, we tend to think if something’s complicated or uncomfortable, we can just do nothing and avoid the problem,” Davis said. “But that’s just not the case.” He added, “Doing nothing is a choice. And doing nothing has consequences.”

How urodynamic testing can help you get back to life

Special to The Island News

If you’re constantly going to the restroom or leaking urine, you may have a problem with your lower urinary tract.

Urodynamic testing, however, can help identify the cause of your problem, so you can get treatment and move forward with confidence.

At the Beaufort Memorial Urodynamics Clinic, which opened in mid-April, advanced testing following a provider referral is used to assess how the bladder and urethra function, helping uncover the cause of urinary symptoms.

With a clear diagnosis, providers can recommend personalized treatment plans that support greater comfort and confidence in everyday life.

“Understanding the source of a bladder or urine problem can be life-changing,” said Dr. Eve Ashby, a board-certified gynecologist with Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group Specialty Care, who refers patients experiencing urological issues to receive testing. “It can lead to proper treatment and relief for symptoms that have slowed you down for months or even years.”

There are many types of urodynamic testing:

Cystometric test — After emptying your bladder with a thin, flexible tube (catheter), a urologist or other specialist fills the bladder with water through a second catheter. When you feel the need to urinate, the urologist measures

the pressure in your bladder and the amount of fluid it contains. In some cases, an additional catheter inserted into your vagina or rectum is used to measure pressure. Electromyography — A series of sensors measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves that control your lower urinary tract. The purpose is to find communication problems between your bladder and pelvic floor. Leak point pressure measurement — This is performed along with a cystometric test. The goal is to see how much fluid your bladder can hold before leaking. An instrument called a manometer notes the precise moment urine leaks, known as the leak point pressure.

• Postvoid residual urine measurement — After urinating, this test measures the amount of urine left in your bladder. Your urology care provider may use an ultrasound or a catheter-based exam for this residual measurement.

• Pressure flow study — “Pressure is necessary to push urine out of the bladder,” said Dr. Maurizio Buscarini, a board-certified urologist at Beaufort Memorial Urology Specialists. “A pressure flow study determines the amount of pressure needed to urinate. It also measures how quickly urine flows from your bladder, which is known as your flow rate.” This test can help detect blockages that slow urine flow.

• Uroflowmetry — You urinate into a container that measures

the flow of your urine. This helps determine how much urine your bladder holds and your flow rate. Test results help identify weak bladder muscles or an obstruction to urine flow.

Video urodynamic tests — While filling and emptying your bladder, a radiologist or other specialist uses X-ray imaging services to record how your bladder responds. Contrast dye may be added to improve image clarity.

“For the right person, urodynamic testing is a powerful tool,” Dr. Buscarini added. “It allows us to diagnose all sorts of urinary tract problems, including overactive bladder, urinary tract obstruction and urinary incontinence.”

Your healthcare provider may recommend urodynamic testing for the following reasons:

Difficulty completely emptying your bladder Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Intermittent urine flow (repeated starts and stops while attempting to urinate)

Problems with leaking urine

Sudden urge to urinate

Urinating an excessive number of times daily Weak urine flow

If you’re considering urodynamic testing, here’s what to expect, during and afterward.

• Pre-testing — Before urodynamic testing, many do not need to take any special pre-

cautions. However, you may undergo a physical depending on your particular situation. Your provider may perform a pelvic exam (for women) or a digital rectal exam (for men). You may also provide a urine sample for analysis or track your bathroom habits for a few days.

• Preparing for your test — On the day of your test, your healthcare provider may ask you to arrive with your bladder full of urine. This allows testing to begin immediately.

• Managing discomfort Most urodynamic tests are painless. Tests that use catheters may be uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t hurt. A numbing gel can help reduce pain during catheter use.

• Recovering and resuming life — You may experience slight discomfort when urinating after the test, but this should improve within a few hours. Since no anesthesia is used, you can drive yourself home immediately after the test and return to normal life. Some test results are ready immediately. Others may take a few days.

“Often, the biggest obstacle to treating urinary tract problems is overcoming embarrassment,” Dr. Ashby said. “By admitting your symptoms to your primary care provider, you take a giant step toward regaining control of your bladder and life, so don’t wait.”

Marmo Family Scholarship to support future Lowcountry nurses

Special to The Island News

Aspiring nurses in the Lowcountry have an opportunity this spring to help turn their career goals into reality.

A scholarship launched by the Marmo family of Bluffton, in partnership with the Beaufort Memorial Foundation, began accepting applications May 1, offering both financial support to local nursing

students and a means by which to help strengthen healthcare across the region.

The Marmo Family Nursing Scholarship, established by Chris and Trisha Marmo, provides direct incentives for local nursing students. This fund aims to strengthen the labor pool for healthcare in the region and provide financial assistance for those seeking careers in the

healthcare field.

College students admitted to an accredited nursing program who are residents of Beaufort, Jasper or Hampton counties are encouraged to apply for the scholarship, which provides up to $4 000 per semester.

Once recipients are selected, the funds will be distributed each semester while the recipient is enrolled with good standing in

their nursing program.

Trisha and Chris Marmo created the scholarship alongside the Foundation with the goal of supporting nursing students on their education journey, giving back to students, local healthcare and their own community.

“With this scholarship fund, we hope to be an example to others of all that can be accomplished

Special to The Island News

Giving birth is a joyful experience, but your body goes through changes you may be eager to reverse.

Pregnancy alters your muscles, skin, pelvis and even the diaphragm that helps you breathe. It may be tempting to jump right into exercise after pregnancy, but it’s important to do so safely while your body is healing.

During pregnancy, your abdominal muscles stretch and your back muscles shorten. Ligaments and joints in your pelvis loosen. As you recover after delivery and adjust to life with your new baby, you may find yourself less active, so muscles stay weakened. Exercise after pregnancy can help:

Improve pelvic floor function

Improve sleep

Promote weight loss

Relieve stress and feelings of depression

Restore strength

“It’s important every mother allows her body time to rest and heal,” says Dr. Tiffany Bersani, a board-certified OBGYN at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists. “Returning to exercise after pregnancy de-

pends on how you feel, whether you had a cesarean section or vaginal birth and how your post-partum recovery is progressing.”

While you may look forward to physical activity after pregnancy, consider setting exercise goals beforehand. These goals can help guide which exercises will be most beneficial.

“Exercise should make you feel good, not make you feel worse,” Dr. Bersani says. “If there’s any bleeding or pain post-workout, that’s a sign your body needs more time to recover.”

Safe post-pregnancy exercises

Most physicians suggest waiting four to eight weeks to resume exercise after pregnancy, but it’s best to speak with your OBGYN before beginning exercise, especially after a C-section.

No matter your activity level pre-pregnancy, it’s good to start with 20 to 30 minutes a day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week, approximately 30 minutes a day five days a week. Here are a few exercise suggestions to work your way up to that goal:

through education,” said Trisha Marmo, a former nurse. “We hope our scholarship recipients will pay it forward themselves one day by providing exceptional healthcare to our community.” A maximum of five recipients is selected each year through a committee with representation from the Marmo family, Beaufort Memorial administration and the Foundation. Applications will be accepted until June 30, and awardees will be notified in July.

Get fit safely after pregnancy

Basic breathing techniques help pinpoint the abdomen to strengthen and engage pelvic floor muscles. To practice, lay down and pull in your abdominal muscles as you exhale. Hold for five seconds. Work up to five to 10 breathing exercises a day until you can contract your abdominal muscles without moving the spine. Firm up a post-pregnancy belly with strengthening exercises such as yoga or Pilates. Abdominal muscles have undergone lots of change during pregnancy. Go easy on your-

self and take your time.

Heel slides help keep abdominal muscles strong. Start on your back with your arms at your sides and knees bent.

Engage your abs using the breathing techniques. Inhale while sliding one leg parallel to the floor and exhale as you bring it back up. Repeat on both sides and work your way up to 20 repetitions per side. Kegel exercises strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which can help prevent bladder leakage and post-partum hemorrhoids from forming.

Completed applications can be mailed to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation, Attn: Marmo Family Scholarship, P.O. Box 2233, Beaufort, SC, 29901. Forms can also be submitted via email to BMHFoundation@bmhsc.org.

Pretend you’re stopping urine mid-flow. Hold those muscles tight for five to 10 seconds and repeat up to 20 times a day. Don’t practice Kegel exercises while urinating, because that can prevent your bladder from emptying fully. Walking is an effective form of low-intensity exercise. Not only does walking strengthen muscles and help with weight loss, but it’s also good for your heart.

If you need exercise motivation, find a workout buddy to walk or attend classes with. During a workout, listen to music or a podcast. Perform exercises during regular household chores so you don’t forget. You should avoid high-intensity abdominal exercises or crunches in the first months after delivery. Pregnancy can lead to a condition called diastasis recti that occurs when abdominal muscles separate. It’s common in women who’ve had multiple pregnancies or have a multiple birth. Excessive crunches or abdominal exercises too soon after pregnancy may make diastasis recti worse.

Bucs wrap up region baseball title, earn fortuitous draw

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

After securing their first region baseball title last week, the Bridges Prep Buccaneers have earned a fortuitous draw in the SCHSL 2A playoffs.

The Bucs, ranked ninth in SCHSL 2A in the final S.C. Baseball Coaches Association rankings of the season, wouldn’t have to face a team ranked ahead of them in the poll until the Lower State tournament. Even then, the two Lower State teams ranked ahead of the Bucs — No. 3 Philip Simmons and No. 4 East Clarendon — have

to square off in the district round, so Bridges will only have to worry about one of them.

Bridges (19-4) rattled off 11 straight wins before dropping two of its last three regular-season games — both outside the 2A classification — but they have their pitching lined up to make a run through the district bracket, and perhaps earn some revenge along the way.

The Bucs open with a struggling Mullins team at home Tuesday, and with a win they would be back at home Thursday against Academic Magnet or Cheraw.

Academic Magnet beat the Bucs 10-0 back on March 3, but Bridges bounced back for a 9-7 win over the Raptors three days later.

JPII’s bats stagnant in 2-and-out

John Paul II’s baseball team racked up double-digit runs seven times this season — more than one-third of the Golden Warriors games — but the bats were silent during JPII’s short-lived postseason.

The Golden Warriors (13-7) ran into some dominant pitchers in a 2-0 loss to Augusta Christian, as Mark Hamlin, James Cressend

and Maddox Nuckols combined for a two-hit shutout to outduel

JPII’s Stewart Misko. A day later it was Hammond School’s Worth Lundy who stymied the Golden Warriors, striking out nine and scattering five walks and a hit batter across a no-hitter to lead the Skyhawks to a 4-2 win and eliminate JPII.

Bucs’ Herndon hits 100 K’s Bridges Prep softball pitcher Carly Herndon hasn’t even hit high school yet, but she’s already reached a milestone that many high school pitchers only dream

Water Festival 5K/10K

of — and she’s done it twice.

Herndon has racked up 100 strikeouts for the second consecutive season, leading the Bucs to a 12-8 record and a No. 2 seed in the SCHSL 2A playoffs.

The eighth-grader has been a workhorse for the Bucs, pitching 92 ⅓ innings — all but two innings this season — and compiling 101 strikeouts against 41 walks while posting a 3 64 ERA.

Bridges Prep opens the district tournament at home Wednesday against Lake City and will face either Andrew Jackson or Marion on Thursday.

SPORTS BA’s Leslie taking last ride

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

Beaufort Academy boys

soccer coach Ian Leslie has already told his team this is his last ride.

Now it’s up to them.

The Eagles will try to send their coach out on top when they begin their SCISA 2A title defense Tuesday at Spartanburg Day, hoping to rattle off three consecutive wins away from home in the span of a week and claim their second straight crown.

BA (12-3) breezed through last year’s tournament, outscoring opponents 13-1 and capping it with a 2-0 win over Marlboro Academy in the final. A championship rematch could be in order

Saturday in Columbia, but only if the Eagles get past Spartanburg Day and likely top-seeded Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach in the semifinals.

BA’s girls opened their postseason run with an 8-0 rout of Marlboro Academy and will travel to top-seeded Cambridge Academy on Wednesday for a semifinal matchup.

Creek soccer on the rise It has been a banner year for Battery Creek High School’s soccer programs, and the Dolphins aren’t done yet.

Battery Creek’s boys earned a 3-0 win at Loris on Monday in the first round

of the SCHSL 3A boys soccer playoffs, marking the second year in a row the Dolphins have won a playoff game — something that hadn’t happened since 2019 before Battery Creek broke through with a 2-0 win over Georgetown last year.

The Dolphins (11-7) will face a familiar opponent in the second round at Swansea, as the Tigers (11-9) ousted Creek with a 4-1 victory a year ago.

The Battery Creek girls (6-9) were set to try to earn their first playoff win since 2019 when they travel to Loris on Tuesday with a trip to Fox Creek likely if the Dolphins advance to Round 2

USCB NOTEBOOK

Softball team set to open Peach Belt tourney

By Justin Jarrett LowcoSports.com

The USCB softball team is in the dance, and at the Peach Belt Conference Softball Tournament, anything can happen.

The Sand Sharks dropped two of three at USC Aiken over the weekend, losing two one-run games on Sunday to fall to the No. 6 seed, but that puts them on the opposite side of the bracket from host and top-seeded North Georgia. The Night Hawks ended USCB’s season with a 1-0 win in the opening round of last year’s tournament.

USCB (30-21) opens the tournament Friday against No. 3 seed Georgia College, which won two of three against the Sand Sharks on March 21 in Milledgeville. If they win the opener, the Sand Sharks would face either No. 7 seed Augusta or No. 2 seed Columbus State in the semifinals Saturday. USCB took two of three from Augusta and dropped two of three to Columbus State during the regular season.

The best news for the Sand Sharks is ace Madison Murphy has earned a win against every conference opponent except Lander this season, and the Bearcats would have to get through North Georgia for the Sand Sharks to face them in the finals.

Track stars claim gold in Daytona USCB’s men’s track and field team claimed four individual titles and placed sixth at the Peach Belt Conference Championships over the weekend, while the Sand

Shark women placed fifth despite just one individual champion.

Samuel Mitchell was the biggest star for USCB, earning Outstanding Field Athlete honors in addition to his spot on the All-Sportsmanship Team. Mitchell won the long jump with a mark of 7.49 meters and claimed gold in the triple jump with a leap of 14.92 meters. He also placed fifth in the 100 meters.

Jakori Herring won a conference title in the 400-meter hurdles in 53.79 seconds, and Aiden O’Neil won the pole vault with a mark of 4.72 meters.

Grace Wolf was the only conference champion for the Sand Shark women, edging teammate De’Andra Brown for gold in the heptathlon, but USCB’s women had six podium finishes, including a pair of runner-up showings from Victoria Colon in the women’s hammer and shot put.

Sand Shark golfers qualify for nationals

USCB women’s golfer McLain Neal opened with a 4-over-par 76 at the NCAA Division II South Regional at Cleveland (Tenn.) Country Club, putting Neal in a tie for 23rd after the first round.

The final two rounds were slated for Tuesday due to bad weather in the forecast for Wednesday.

The USCB men’s golf team tees it up Thursday through Saturday at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional at Valdosta (Ga.) Country Club.

VOICES

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

Somewhere, someplace, his father must be smiling

Tamils over from India.

It is Sunday, and I’m in Port Royal. This afternoon I’m sitting with Leigh Stone in my small grey-painted study, and we’re talking about Oxytetracycline — a broad spectrum antibiotic discovered by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in 1949 Oxytetracycline (also known as Terramycin) is effective against infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, Lyme disease, cholera, typhus and tularemia. Leigh Stone tells me that it was Oxytetracycline that was Pfizer’s first and best-selling drug after a slow start when others — like Eli Lilly and Merck — acquired their patents on existing drugs like Streptomycin and Ampicillin.

Stone came of age in suburban New York City, the son of a surgeon. He went to Lehigh University intending to study Economics but found fraternities more interesting. That led to a twoyear sabbatical in the United States Army, including one year at Tan Son Nhat Airbase outside Saigon.

“The tour in Vietnam allowed me to grow up a little bit; and gave me a renewed focus on Economics when I got back to Lehigh,” he says.

In due course, that refocus got Stone an MBA from Lehigh; then his CPA; and eventually work as an internal auditor at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals on East 42nd Street in New York City.

“When I got to Pfizer I wanted meaningful managerial work and, secondly, I wanted to run something,” he says.

“As an auditor I was able to examine almost every aspect of the company and found that International sales made up 55% of Pfizer’s business; but accounted for 75% of the net income.”

“I also discovered that

the essential ingredients for many of our drugs came from places like Ireland; that our distribution centers were in places like Brussels; and that pill manufacturing usually happened in the country where the drugs would be sold.”

“This system of production and distribution resulted in a corporate tax rate of about 21% rather than the 40% we would be paying in the United States.”

“It was also apparent that in each of the countries where Pfizer operated, the Country Manager had total control of the operations.”

This last realization would put Pfizer International into Stone’s sights, and eventually, he was named the Country Manager for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is an island that is just off the southern coast of India consisting of 22 million people and one overarching problem — two ethnic populations that do not like each other.

“The British needed someone to grow their tea,” said Stone. “And brought hundreds of thousands of

The Tamils over-performed, were entrepreneurial and quickly learned the English language.”

“The British favored English-speakers, so the Tamils outcompeted their Sinhalese counterparts in the civil service sector.” (Wikipedia).

“Pfizer employed both Sinhalese and Tamil workers, and I knew that getting these two cultures together was essential if we were to produce our pharmaceuticals inside the country,” says Stone.

“Right after we arrived I sat down with one of the Ministers — a man close to the President — who told me the Tamils were dirty, dishonest and could not be trusted. I was stunned by his speech.”

“We lived in a compound — near where the President lived — and began to experience electrical blackouts, demonstrations, and it was clear that the situation was getting worse.”

The shooting started in 1983, just after Stone and his family had left. Between 1987 and 1990 Indian

peacekeeping forces tried to broker a ceasefire but the “Tamil Tigers” then assassinated Sinhalese President Premadasa in a bomb attack in 1993

Between 1995 and 2001 the war raged throughout the north and east. The

Tamils bombed Sri Lanka’s holiest Buddhist site and a suicide attack destroyed the airport and half of the Sir Lankan airline fleet.

In 2009, the Sinhalese government announced the Tamil Tigers were defeated after the army forces overran the last patch of rebel territory. Some 70 000 to 80 000 people are estimated to have been killed in this war.

This was not the only time when British colonial decisions favored one tribe leading to unrest and civil war — this also happed in Nigeria where the Hausa, Igbo and the Yoruba peoples fight to this day.

And then we have Trinidad, where the British brought in 150,000 workers from India to harvest sugar cane. This did not cause a

It takes a real king to educate a wannabe

Ithink I have always been fascinated by British culture. Perhaps this emanates from my teaching English, and in doing so, researching background for every work.

As for Charles and Camilla, my fascination was somewhat less enthusiastic. The whole thing with Diana, what he was said to be doing, the estrangement and her untimely death, caused me to see him in a different, yes, negative light. That was until his recent visit to the United States.

Don’t misunderstand, dear reader. In no way do I look lightly upon extramarital “flings.” That is personal choice, and reflective of the individual in many ways. Rather, I am choosing to look at his appearance before our Congress, and how he handled himself in the political arena.

British humor is, in many cases, droll to the point of being non-existent. One has to listen closely or miss it entirely.

The same is true when making a point. And this was precisely the case as I listened to Charles deliver what was a subtle yet shattering observation of the present United States governmental institution, and more importantly the condition of that institution.

Oh, he was polite, and he was diplomatic as only the British can be. But in that very controlled manner he reminded the President and Republican Congress about issues they have chosen to ignore, or worse, vilify.

These issues included NATO, and the fact that the organization was there for our country when 9/11 occurred. He also mentioned that British troops fought alongside Americans in Afghanistan, and he stated firmly that Ukraine needs help now.

Charles moved on to the topics of protection and preservation of our natural beauty and resources. It might be worth noting here that I read just the other day that No. 47 has yet to visit one of our national parks. Yes, that can be seen as a digression, and a purposeful one as well. In this same vein, Charles spoke of melting ice caps and how

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘Iran war stupid, a massive waste, a distraction’

Please have your columnist, Louise Matthews, do better. Iran has never declared war on the U.S.

She also appears to forget or has no knowledge of the CIA/U.S. deposing the rightfully and duly elected prime minister of Iran in 1953 and installing the cruel, vicious and deadly Shah. This action by the U.S. eventually led directly to Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979

Ms. Matthews seems to think that the U.S. actions in Iran do not amount to a “war,” however she terms both Grenada and Panama as “wars” when neither was. The lady is, quite simply, confused. When it comes to Iran's nuclear ambitions, the only person I have heard warning

we must pay attention to global warming for the sake of coming generations.

Perhaps the issue that really grabbed my attention as well as my gratitude was his speaking on the subject of checks and balances, and how the executive branch should act. Whoa, I thought. It may get a little dicey here regarding the response from Congress.

I had no doubt that the Democrats would provide a rousing cheer for his Majesty’s courageous venture, but Republicans? I couldn’t believe my eyes when both the Vice President and the Speaker stood in applause. Oh, boys, do you really know what you are doing? And for everyone, including your master, to see?

I do not have room here to include the entire speech King Charles III gave, but it is available online, and I urge you to visit and read it in its entirety. Instead I will present a few passages that I feel support my contention that he came to the Congress with a plan, and that he executed it beautifully.

Let’s begin with part of his opening: “So, I come here today with the highest respect for the United States Congress, this citadel of democracy created to represent the voice of all American people

about Iran is Netanyahu, and lately by his puppet Trump. I've been listening to Netanyahu warn that "Iran is months away from having a nuke!!!" since at least 1991 when he was a correspondent for CNN covering the Gulf War.

President Obama, Iran and five co-signers had forged the JCPOA, a great deal that was working as planned until Trump threw it all away out of spite because it was Obama's plan and because Trump is an idiot.

I was in the Marines from 1980 to 84 and did two tours in Beirut and had 241 of my fellow American servicemen killed by Iran. Sixteen of them were from my platoon. I have ample reason to approve and support the attack on Iran and I do not. It is stupid, a massive waste, and is just a distraction from the horrors and decline of the country.

– Edward Murphy, USMC, 1980-84

to advance sacred rights and freedoms.”

The last thing 47 and his cult want is “representation of all.”

Think deportation of the legal residents who happen to be Hispanic. Think of the deaths of those in Minnesota who were fighting for those legal immigrants.

Then there was this: “Not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many, representing the living mosaic of the United States. In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today.”

One has to be totally devoid of understanding or maybe willfully ignorant, not to see the implications of this. Not by the will of one? Diverse and free societies providing collective support for those with less?

I have to think that if the creators of Project 2025 were watching, they had to be clutching their pearls, wiping their brows, and reaching for their guns.

I’m surprised that No. 47 didn’t send ICE to crash the session and take Charles away in handcuffs!

What a contrast this was to what

We can do so much better

Dear MAGA voter: You were happy (twice) to take a chance on a Presidential candidate of poor reputation and personal conduct in the name of change. His administration has had dire consequences on our nation's values and reputation.

... But if you approve the result, read no further.

If, however, you are disappointed in the result, but still seek change, will you now take a different chance -- on the other American party?

I like the idea of a great America, too.

I think we have learned by now that to achieve better results we need people of better character in leadership positions. I want to reduce the legacy of oligarchs and corruption that has rendered our nation untrustworthy, both here and abroad.

civil war but led to huge social and demographic problems that also persist.

After Sri Lanka, Stone took the Country Manager job in Portugal; after which he returned to New York eventually becoming Vice President of Pfizer International for Finance and Vice President for Strategic Planning. But Leigh Stone’s story was not over. Not yet. When he and his wife got to Beaufort there was still a longing “to fix people” and Stone admits, “I’m somewhat of an adrenalin junkie.” He decided the best place for his condition was Beaufort Memorial’s Emergency Room where he spent 10 years as an Emergency Room Nurse. These days he satisfies the urge to fix people at the Good Neighbor Free Clinic on Ribaut Road. Somewhere, someplace, Leigh Stone’s father must be smiling.

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

“Not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many...”

KING CHARLES III, Address to U.S. Congress.

we hear from our “wannabe king.” Daily posts of hateful rhetoric; calling people low IQ, castigating our allies around the world, insulting the Pope, overt racism. The list is endless.

It was Brian Cobb who wrote this: “King Charles delivered a well-crafted diplomatic speech, appealing to the ideals of Democracy, the Constitution, Pluralism, Human Rights and the ties of our shared histories. He did not insult our intelligence; he did not deprecate or threaten anyone based on gender, race, party or ideology. Charles spoke the truth. He did not lie.

“I repeat, he did not lie.”

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.”

Good leadership requires serious citizens to elect public servants of decent character. Let's start at the state level.

The South Carolina Democratic Party is running some highly qualified candidates of excellent character, who have demonstrated a commitment to public service.

I know we like to hold onto our political loyalties (boy howdy!) but is voting for a few Democrats just a bridge too far? Maybe just baby steps?

We voters can term-limit our incumbents simply by not reelecting them! Instead, let's add just a couple of S.C. Democrats to Congress (my choices are Dr. Annie Andrews and Mac Deford), so our mix of elected officials better reflects our diverse population. We can do so much better.

– Carol Brown, Beaufort

About a former governor and someone who wants to be

Today’s commentary comes in two pieces – one about former Gov. Mark Sanford, a month-long candidate for Congress who dropped out Thursday, and current Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who stepped in something ripe that’s related to a speech invitation.

First Sanford, who is featured on the cover of the new issue of the Charleston City Paper in a story describing his congressional bid. And here’s where the story twists: The newspaper had to create a second cover for its online edition after Sanford unexpectedly dropped his bid for the First Congressional District seat.

Last week, the newspaper interviewed Sanford for the cover story because his bid for a third stint in Congress was fascinating. He first ran for the U.S. House as a firebrand in 1994 and won three terms. Then after serving as governor from 2003 to 2011, he

ran in a special election in 2013 and then won full terms in 2014 and 2016. On March 30 – the last day he could get in the race that already had nine Republican candidates – he rocked the political world by filing at the last minute. Why? Because he said he wanted to get people in Washington talking about the nation’s growing $39 trillion debt and to restore fiscal sanity to Washington. So all of this led to a good story that the City Paper put on the cover. The newspaper sent

the issue to its Seneca printer on Wednesday afternoon. Soon, the paper was printed, only to be delivered late Thursday. But in what was the journalism equivalent of an unforced tennis error, Sanford dropped out of the race on Thursday, making the cover story moot.

So the newspaper developed a new online version of the cover (same image with a big red X across his face), added an editor’s note to the story and offered a column explaining why there were two covers this week for the first time ever.

This whole mess caught the newspaper flatfooted. And frankly, the staff kind of feels like it got a little Appalachian-trailed on this one, even if unintentionally. (IYKYK).

Please note: The newspaper isn’t mad at Sanford – just a little disappointed that it got put in this situation. If you can get a physical

copy of the printed issue, it’s sure to become a collector’s issue. Let’s just hope it’s not ever on eBay. For his part, Sanford apologized Thursday. “I am so sorry,” he texted. “My doubts had been growing and a conversation … broke the dam and it cascaded from there.”

Now to Evette, a gubernatorial candidate who was slated to give a May 8 commencement speech at S.C. State University until students started protesting this week. They didn’t like some of her political rhetoric about diversity, equality and inclusion. They asked the administration for another speaker.

Evette should have ignored them and should have said she looked forward to talking about non-political business issues. But in politics, grace sometimes isn’t in the forefront, especially when you’re behind in the polls like she is.

So she castigated students as a “woke mob,” which was like throw-

Elegy for the trees

ing gasoline on a political fire in Orangeburg, where during a 1968 protest, three students were shot and 28 wounded in what is known as the Orangeburg Massacre. (Perhaps Evette, a native of Ohio, doesn’t know much about the event — but as lieutenant governor, she should.) What seems to have happened here is that Evette tried to create a controversy using the Historically Black College and University to bait MAGA voters to support her for governor – a cynical strategy not that much different from the politics of fear spewed in 1968 by successful GOP presidential candidate Richard Nixon. And we all know how that turned out.

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

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

– Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi

Or, in this case, another apartment complex. By the time you read this, the beautiful woods near my neighborhood will be a memory.

On May 1, Lather Site

Preparation started clearing the woods at the corner of Broad River Boulevard and Robert Smalls Parkway for Retreat at Port Royal LLC –yes, another apartment complex. That’s the information that the ladies in the Port Royal Town Hall front office gave me when I stopped by.

I cannot find a listing for the property on the Port Royal Planning Department Monthly Report either under the “Retreat” name or the address that is listed in the Beaufort County record of the property.

WWe who live near that intersection knew the day would come when the 25plus acres would be sold and developed into something humans could use. Somehow, we missed the property’s sale in 2024. Not until we saw the sign for “Site preparation by Lather…” did we realize bulldozers would soon attack the trees and wildlife.

When I saw the Lather sign and visited the town hall, I asked about the moratorium on approving more apartment complexes in Port Royal. The Port Royal ladies said this development was approved before the town council adopted the freeze. I have yet to verify that statement.

I sometimes wonder what the occupancy rate is for all the new apartments in Beaufort and Port Royal. Then I encounter something like a May 2 news article, reporting that the United States Census has called South Carolina the fastest growing state in the nation.

Between July 2024 and July 2025, South Carolina saw a net influx of 66,622 domestic migrants. At 3:30 on Tuesday afternoons, I think all of them are on Ribaut Road trying to get across the McTeer Bridge to Lady’s Island.

The same article reported the net loss of population in northern cities like New York and Boston. A neighbor who works in real estate described the influx of people in the Beaufort area since COVID as “like water from a fire hose.” Given the increasing tax rates in northern and far western states, that trend will probably continue.

Another realtor friend said people who want to move to the Beaufort area

rent because they either can’t afford a house, or they are building their Lowcountry dream and renting until construction ends.

I have also read that Gen Z people desire apartments. They do not want to be bothered with the maintenance home ownership entails. I guess it’s much more fun to live in the virtual world than it is to take care of the physical one.

In the April 23 issue of this newspaper, Lolita Huckaby wrote of the clearing of 47 specimen and landmark trees in Port Royal because the Mariners Walk development was approved before the town adopted its tree ordinance on Oct. 9 2024. A friend whose house and yard border this devastation said the property was clear cut, that is, all of the trees were removed. The only vegetation left between the new development and her home were scraggly trees along the property line.

From what I have seen bulldozed today, it is possi-

ble that Retreat at Port Royal will also clear cut. Given that this property was sold to its new Greensboro-based owners in August 2024, and the first reading of the tree ordinance was in June 2024

I am hopeful that town planners held off on approval until this development could fall under the new rules for protection of whatever specimen and landmark trees the contractors encounter as they mangle the woods.

Of course, even if this development is under the tree ordinance, trees can be removed and fines paid.

Look at the Harris Teeter parking lot on Lady’s Island. Does anyone remember the gorgeous live oaks that were destroyed? It was cheaper for the company to pay the fines and demolish the trees than it was to work around them. They might have cost Harris Teeter a parking space or two!

I am hopeful that Retreat at Port Royal, LLC, which is part of Berkely Hall Companies, will leave at least some

of the mature trees in those woods as Parc at Broad River and Views at River Bend (formerly The Oaks) did when they were constructed. I hope they contribute to the tree canopy that the Port Royal ordinance states the town is anxious to protect because a canopy takes a long time to establish. I know developers replant trees, but many years must pass before a tree provides the benefits of “air quality, stormwater management, wind buffers, increased property values, and cooling effects to our homes and communities …” as the Port Royal Tree Ordinance states. To paraphrase the poet, Joyce Kilmer, Essays are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.

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

Vaccines keep our children safe

e write as 730 pediatricians across South Carolina, members of the South Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who have spent the past months navigating a reality many of us were trained to prevent: a significant measles outbreak in our Upstate communities.

This outbreak began in a small, close-knit community shaped by a history that includes deep and understandable mistrust of government institutions.

We have cared for children from this community before and have seen preventable diseases surface in isolated cases. Until now, those cases did not spread to surrounding communities because surrounding immunization rates were high.

What has changed are exposure rates and uncertainty. Parents today are navigating an overwhelming and contradictory stream of information about vaccines, from social media feeds, influencers, and even political voices.

In exam rooms across our state, we are seeing something new: not outright opposition in most cases, but confusion. Parents who want to do the right thing are no longer

sure what the right thing is, and the result is declining vaccination rates.

We want to be clear about one thing: the majority of South Carolina parents continue to support routine childhood vaccinations.

But it’s not enough.

The measles vaccine is highly effective: about 93% after the first dose and 97% after the second.

But no vaccine is perfect. In a room of 100 vaccinated people, a very small number may not be fully protected. They rely on the rest of us to reduce the chance that the virus ever enters the room.

When vaccination rates remain above approximately 95%, measles struggles to spread, and exposure becomes unlikely. But when rates fall below that threshold, the virus finds opportunity.

And then there are those who cannot be vaccinated at

all: infants too young for their first dose. Children undergoing chemotherapy. Patients with transplanted organs or complex genetic conditions that weaken their immune systems.

These children don’t have the luxury of choice. They are depending on the rest of us.

Some of us have stood alongside families at the bedside of children with measles pneumonia, struggling to breathe. Others have helped care for children with measles encephalitis, dangerous inflammation of the brain that can leave lasting damage. These are not mild illnesses. They are frightening, fast-moving, and, in some cases, life-threatening.

For most of us, these have been the first measles cases we have ever seen in our careers, a testament to how successful vaccination has been over the past several decades. It is different when you see it up close, and our recent proximity inspires us to speak out. We urge parents to turn not to the loudest voices online, but to the people who know their children and have dedicated their lives to caring for them: their pediatricians.

We care about your child, your neighbor’s child, and about the

children we may never meet, but are still part of the same community. When those of us who can be vaccinated choose to do so, we create a shield that protects the most vulnerable. We reduce the chances that a preventable disease becomes a crisis. We preserve the progress that generations before us worked hard to achieve, and we keep kids out of hospitals and in the community where they can thrive, grow, play, and learn.

This outbreak has reminded us how quickly that progress can be tested.

It has also reminded us of something else: that when communities come together with clear information, mutual trust, and a commitment to protecting one another, we can stop the spread.

We remain ready to do that work alongside you.

Dr. Martha Edwards serves as president of the South Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She holds a degree in neuroscience from Brown University and completed medical school and residency at the University of Virginia. She was a pediatrician in Rock Hill for more than 25 years before retiring. She lives in Greenville.

ART

Budding Artist After-School

Art Club

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

days/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

Beaufort County Democratic Party

Candidate Rally & Cookout

2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 10, Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Circle East, St Helena I2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 10, Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Circle East, St Helena Island. Free & open to the public. Get to know your candidates before the June 9 Democratic Primary! Those currently planning to attend include the following STATEWIDE Primary candidates (on everyone's ballot): S.C. Governor candidate Jermaine Johnson, S.C. Superintendent of Education candidate Sylvia Wright, S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture candidate DeShawn Blanding, S.C. Comptroller General candidate Tiffany Boozer, and Congressional District 1 candidates Max Diaz and Mayra Rivera-Vázquez.

Beaufort County Democratic Party Quarterly Roadside Cleanup

9 a.m., Saturday, May 16, Halifax Drive, St. Helena Island. Join fellow Democrats at the BCDP’s Adopt-aHighway location on St. Helena Island.

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 each month, Port Royal Farmer’s Market, Corner of Ribaut Road & Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal. Free. DAYLO Stu-

WHAT’S HAPPENING

dents 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.

CAMPS Broadway Bound Summer Camp

9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday June 15 through Friday, June 19 and Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26, USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort. Cost is $300 for the two weeks. Join the CFA and Beaufort Children’s Theatre for a summer camp bound for fun! Campers will engage in all aspects of musical theatre, while gaining self-confidence and the ability to express themselves as they learn basic acting skills, vocal instruction, and choreography. The highlight of the camp will be the children’s creation of their own show. Deadline to register is May 29. Limited scholarships available. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3Od8jus.

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. For more information, visit beaufortshagclub.com.

GARDENING

Beaufort Garden Club 31st Annual Garden a Day 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday, June 8, 501 Pinckney Street, Beaufort; Tuesday, June 9, 908 Scott Street, Beaufort; Wednesday, June 10, 901 London Street, Port Royal; Thursday, June 11, 1315 Laudonniere Street, Beaufort; Friday, June 12, 126 Spanish Point Drive, Beaufort. Free. This year’s Garden a Day event, celebrating National Gardening week, is June 8 to June 12, and features gardens in Beaufort and Port Royal. The Beaufort Garden Club invites the public to visit these gardens, rain or shine. The Beaufort Garden Club, the second oldest garden club in South Carolina, has been holding its Garden A Day event nearly every year in June since 1994. Garden visitors are asked to not bring pets.

GOLF

9th annual Rooms of Grace Golf Tournament

8 a.m., Friday, May 1, Hilton Head Lakes Golf Club, 2130 Club Way, Hardeeville. Check-in at 8 a.m., shotgun start at 9 a.m. Four Players, Captain’s Choice. $125 per player, $475 for 4. Includes prizes, gifts, and lunch. For more information or to register, call 843-208-5353 or 484-753-1134, or email Gary Harrell at gary.l.harrell@ gmail.com.

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 410212-1468 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-ofthe-century businesses and industries of Port Royal: Shrimping, crabbing, oystering, the railroad, the school and the mercantile. Great gifts featuring local artists are available. For more information. visit www.portroyalhistory.org, email historicportroyalfoundation@ gmail.com or call 843-524-4333.

Tour Historic Fort Fremont Dawn to dusk, Monday through Sunday, The Fort Fremont Preserve, 1124 Land’s End Road, St. Helena Island. Free and open to the public. The History Center is open 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

South Carolina Bar Presents Law Talks at the Library: Elder Law

11 a.m., Monday, May 18, Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton. For more information visit beaufortcountylibrary.com.

“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.

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.

Adult Knitting & Crochet Group

10 a.m. to noon, Thursdays, Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. Free. Bring your projects, a snack, and/or a beverage, and chat with knitting friends new and old. Open to all levels, whether you are a beginner or a lifelong expert. Please bring your own needles and yarn. For more information visit beaufortcountylibrary.org.

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 843255-6458.

MEETINGS

UAP/ET/UFO Discussion Group

3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 10, 2 Habersham Park, Beaufort. Free and open to the public. Come to watch research about the disappearance of retired Maj. Gen. McCasland, the commander of the Air Force research program who vanished from his home in Albuquerque on Feb. 27, 2026.

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.

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

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

Beaufort Rotary Club Noon, Wednesdays, Sea Island Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island. Catered buffet lunch, followed by a guest speaker. Prospective members

welcome. For further information and upcoming speakers, please visit website www.beaufortrotaryclub.org.

The Beaufort Trailblazers – A Volunteer Group 8 a.m., first Thursday each month, University Bikes, Beaufort. Anyone interested in supporting or building offroad/dirt/wilderness mountain biking/ jogging/walking trails near is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 843-575-0021 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 703-9662014 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 252917-7082. 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. Al-Anon 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

5th annual OPFOB Concert for the Heroes – Lee Brice headliner 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9, 328 Lakeview Drive, Ridgeland. Tickets start at $87.21. Benefit concert for Operation Patriots FOB (OPFOB), which exists on a 268-acre recreational property in Ridgeland, where it hosts veterans, active duty, first responders and their families. Its mission is to create and foster positive experiences for these local heroes by connecting through outdoor and recreational activities. The lineup includes Lee Brice headlining, with Jerrod Niemann, Craig Campbell, and Rick Trevino. Ticket sales are limited, and every year we sell out our VIP Experience. To purchase tickets, visit https://shorturl.at/KSb4N.

Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ 5:15 to 10 p.m., Sunday, May 24, Shellring Ale Works, 1111 11th Street, Port Royal. Tickets $49.87 per person. Celebrating their 35th Anniversary together, Atlanta-based folk-rock act, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, have spent most of their career on tour. Don’t miss the amazing chance to catch them in the Lowcountry. To purchase tickets, visit https://shorturl.at/YmJsi.

Joe Nichols -- Water Festival Concert in the Park 6 p.m., Saturday, July 18, Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Bay Street, Beaufort. Gates open at 6 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m. Featuring Joe Nichols, Tyler Reese Tritt, & Blake Proehl. No strollers, coolers, or professional photography. For more information visit bftwaterfestival.com.

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.

Habersham Third Fridays 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

70th annual Beaufort Water Festival Fishing Tournament Captain’s Meeting

5:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, Beaufort

Boat & Dock Supply, 1734 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. All boats should send a representative to the meeting, which will be the deadline for all entries, plus a chance to get bait and last minute tackle! Weigh-ins are May 9, 2026 or May 16, 2026 with the banquet scheduled for May 17 at 2 p.m. at Live Oaks Park. To register, visit https://www.bftwaterfestival.com/#/.

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 843838-7437.

RECYCLING

by

RUNNING 70th annual Beaufort Water Festival 5k-10K 8 to 10:30

tracoastal Waterway. The 5K is run or walk, the 10K is run only. Participants pre-registered by April 22, 2026 will receive a 70th annual Beaufort Water Festival 5K/10K T-shirt. Registration after April 22, 2026 and walk-up registration does not include a T-shirt. There may be some T-shirts for sale the day of but this cannot be guaranteed. Timing is provided by Grounded Running. Awarded categories include: overall male, overall female, and the top 3 in each age division. To register and find more information, visit https://bit.ly/415U2mk.

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

Moms, Mimosas, and Mahjong 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club, 30 Yacht Club Drive, Beaufort. Tables of 4 for $60. Join us for open play. Including Raffle prizes, mimosas, tea, and light snacks in a stunning waterfront setting. For more information visit byscnet.com.

Beaufort ACBL Duplicate Bridge 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Carteret Street. Events will be held weekly. All players welcome. For more information contact Jane Simpson, Director, at 803-226-3491.

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 202460-5286.

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.

LOCAL MILITARY

Charlie Company Crucible

This is the final article in a series on VA Health Care eligibility, priority groups, copay rates, and how veterans’ income levels and other special eligibility factors affect VA healthcare. These five articles and the VA websites referenced within should encourage veterans to stop procrastinating and:

Make an appointment with their local VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO). There is a county veterans service office in every county of South Caroline, Georgia and North Carolina (and in most other states). Find S.C., Ga., and N.C. County VSOs at https:// bit.ly/4uqu6OJ; https://bit. ly/42zq62N; and https://bit. ly/4tpY052. Veterans can search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs, Attorneys, and Claims Agents) nationwide at the VA’s “Accreditation Search” webpage at https://bit.ly/4tSOMze. Veterans can also search for VSOs co-located with Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Offices at https://bit. ly/48FjL9g. Veterans Service Organizations, such as the VFW, VVA, AL, FRA, AMVETS, DAV, PAV, and others, list their VA-accredited VSOs on their websites.

• Ask their VA-accredited VSO to explain their federal and state veterans’ benefits and help them apply. Ask the VSO to help you enroll in VA healthcare and apply for service-connected disability compensation for any wounds, injuries, illnesses, scars, events, traumas, HAZMAT contaminations, which have caused a disabling condition. VSOs can also help them request copies of their official military personnel files (Military Medical, Dental, Personnel records from the National Archives (National Personnel

Records Center-NPRC). Learn more at https://bit.ly/3OWsUUn. This may include requesting Military Medical Records from VA, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard storage locations. The VSO can also help veterans order VA and civilian medical records.

• Check their eligibility for VA health care. Learn more about VA health care eligibility by asking your VSO and reading the VA webpage “Eligibility for VA Health Care” at https:// bit.ly/4urGttZ.

• Enroll in VA healthcare. Ask your VSO to help you enroll in VA health care. Learn more about how to apply by phone, by mail, in person, online, or with the help of a VSO for VA health care benefits at “How to apply for VA Health Care” at https://bit.ly/42zqfDn. Find a VA Medical Center or Community-based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) near you at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/.

• If you live outside of the USA or travel outside of the USA, learn about the Foreign Medical Program (FMP). If you are a veteran who gets medical care outside the U.S. for a service-connected condition, the VA may cover the cost of your care. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3P5a4dI; https://bit.ly/4tRlBMT; and https://bit.ly/4wbHcB2

• Ask your VSO and or the VA to explain the factors used by VA to assign veterans

to a priority group. The VA bases a veteran’s priority group on: 1) the veteran’s military service history; 2) the veteran’s disability rating; 3) the veteran’s income level; 4) whether or not the veteran qualifies for Medicaid; and 5) other benefits the veteran may be receiving (like VA pension benefits). VSOs, VA Medical Center Eligibility and Enrollment Office employees, and VA Social Workers can explain VA priority groups. Learn about VA priority groups and VA copay rates. According to the webpages “VA priority groups” at https://bit.ly/3QGDpvB and “Current VA health care copay rates” at https://bit.ly/4eWG91O, after the VA processes a veteran’s application for VA health care, the VA will assign the veteran to one of eight priority groups. Ask your VSO or your local VA Medical Center (Eligibility and Enrollment Office), or CBOC, or if you are already enrolled in VA Health Care, ask your Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Team Social Worker to explain VA Priority Groups and what group you are in. Learn more at the VA webpage “VA priority groups” at https://bit. ly/4dn43Cq.

• Learn all about Your VA health care costs. Ask your VSO or your local VA Medical Center Eligibility and Enrollment Office or CBOC about whether or not you will have to pay copays for VA health care. Learn about veterans’ health care costs at the VA webpage “Your health care costs” at https://bit.ly/4f3cWlL. Learn about current/ past health care copay rates at the webpage “Current VA health care copay rates” at https://bit.ly/4n7gSEa. The copay rates for Urgent-Outpatient-Inpatient Care, Medica-

tion, and Geriatric/Extended Care are listed. Services that do not require a copay (no matter what the veteran’s disability rating is) include:

1 Readjustment counseling and related mental health services.

2 Counseling and care for issues related to military sexual trauma.

3 Exams to determine your risk of health problems linked to your military service.

4 Care that may be related to combat service for veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998

5 VA claim exams (also called compensation and pension, or C&P, exams).

6 Care related to a VA-rated service-connected disability.

7 Care for cancer of the head or neck caused by nose or throat radium treatments received while in the military.

8 Individual or group programs to help you quit smoking or lose weight (These aren’t considered whole health programs.)

9 Care that’s part of a VA research project (like the Million Veteran Program)

10 Laboratory (lab) tests.

11 Electrocardiograms (EKGs or ECGs) to check for heart disease or other heart problems.

12 VA health initiatives that are open to the public (like health fairs).

• Learn about VA health care benefits. Ask your VSO, your VA Medical Center Eligibility/Enrollment Office, or your VA Social Worker, and read the information at https://bit. ly/4daMrsl about VA health benefits. Each veteran’s medi-

cal benefits package is unique. Yours will include care and services to help: 1) Treat illnesses and injuries; 2) Prevent future health problems; 3) Improve your ability to function; and 4) Enhance your quality of life. All veterans receive coverage for most care and services, but only some will qualify for additional benefits, such as dental care. The full list of a veteran’s covered benefits depends on: 1) The veteran’s priority group; 2) The advice of the veteran’s VA primary care provider (the veteran’s main doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant); and 3) The medical standards for treating any health conditions the veteran may have.

The bottom line

Applying for VA and state veterans’ benefits is complicated. Use a VA-accredited VSO for filing benefits and appealing VA decisions. The more you know about VA benefits and services and how to apply for those benefits, the more likely the VA will approve your claims and appeals

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 VSO, a Patient Adviser at Charleston and Durham VA Hospitals, a Fisher House Charleston/Friends of Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador,

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Listening for God

God speaks in silence

Quiet prayer time allows us to hear God.

When two friends are together in a noisy place, it can be hard for each to hear what the other is saying. Once they move somewhere that is quiet, they finally hear each other clearly. In a similar way, God is always reaching out to us, but we can’t hear him because of all of the noise. When we set aside quiet time to be with God, we start to hear God more clearly.

God usually doesn’t speak in a booming voice.

In your daily prayer time, you won’t normally hear a loud voice from heaven or see a miraculous sign. It is more likely that he will speak to you by gentle tugs on your mind and heart. It is like the experience of the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament: instead of revealing himself in a big, noisy manner, God spoke in a “still, small voice.”

(1 Kings 19:12)

In silence, God gives you new insights.

Perhaps you have been sharing with Jesus how a coworker has hurt you. As you sit quietly, lifting your mind and heart to the Lord, he brings to mind a forgotten experience from years earlier, when you hurt a friend in a similar way. You begin to feel more compassion and understanding toward the coworker.

In silence, you see how God is at work.

Perhaps you have been telling Jesus about a situation that is causing you a great deal of worry and anxiety. As you sit quietly, he helps you remember several other times in your life when you felt like you were in an impossible situation. Looking back, you see that he took care of you each time and opened unexpected doors. You experience deeper peace and calm, trusting that he will take care of you now, too.

In silence, God guides you.

Perhaps while quiet with Jesus, he brings the image of a friend to mind, seemingly out of nowhere. You haven’t spoken to the friend in quite a while, but you feel a tug at your heart that the Lord might be asking you to give her a call. When you call her after your prayer time, you discover that she was facing a very difficult decision and that she had been praying for someone to reach out to her!

Your friendship with God starts to deepen.

As we spend time each day in prayer, talking with the Lord and listening, our friendship with him starts to deepen. He becomes a friend: not just someone we have heard about, but someone we know. In our next message, we will explore how we can invite Jesus to speak to us through Scripture.