POSTAL PATRON LOCAL
NOVEMBER 24–30, 2022
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Bridge a step close to Register of Historic Places Nomination moves on to Keeper of the National Register in DC
The Woods Memorial Bridge was built in 1959 and is one of only a hand full of swing-span bridges still in operation. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
By Mike McCombs The Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) and the City of Beaufort announced that the Woods Memorial Bridge has been approved for listing on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Register Of Historic Places. HBF Executive Director Cynthia Jenkins and Mayor Stephen Murray attended the meeting of the National Register Board at the S.C. State Historic Preservation Office on Friday in Columbia for the announcement, which culminates almost 2 ½ years of work. “The bridge is an iconic Beaufort
structure and part of the fabric of downtown Beaufort,” Murray told The Island News on Monday. “I feel it’s only appropriate that we added an additional veil of protection. “The bridge signifies the economic expansion of downtown Beaufort to the sea islands,” Jenkins said. “The physical bridge itself is important because its scale relates to the centuries of history in downtown Beaufort. It is an honest, simple design to help people cross the Beaufort River, while at the same time encouraging boats to travel up and down the Intracoastal Waterway.” The Beaufort landmark was built
in 1959 and is one of only a hand full of swing-span bridges still in operation. Originally named the Lady’s Island Bridge, the bridge was renamed in 1971 to honor S.C. Highway Patrol Officer Richard V. Woods who was killed in the line of duty. “As an icon, the Woods Memorial Bridge is part of downtown Beaufort’s image, with photos of it both day and night being instantly recognizable as part of Beaufort’s Lowcountry magic,” Jenkins said. Since the Bridge was attached to Beaufort’s Landmark Historical Dis-
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THANKSGIVING DAY
LOLITA HUCKABY
Beaufort looking at some new leadership
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BEAUFORT he campaign signs are gone, ballots have been counted, the challenges are over – at least here in Beaufort County – and we know who our local elected officials will be for the coming year. With all the national publicity about our democracy being at stake and every vote counting, 52 percent of the Beaufort County voters, 138,812 to be clear, turned out to vote. Slightly less than the 71 percent for the 2020 general election which included a presidential race but ‘tis expected. Of that number that did vote, 54 percent voted straight-party ballots, a practice that is allowed only in six states – South Carolina, Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Oklahoma. Over the years there’s been talk in the state legislature about changing that, since most states seem to be moving away from the practice. But like medical marijuana, it hasn’t happened yet. Of those that voted, roughly 3,000 ballots were cast early, aka absentee votes. As a result of all this, we here in Beaufort are looking at some new leaders. The 11- member Beaufort County Council will have four new members including David Bartholomew, an attorney who lives on Lady’s
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From left, Irene Norris of Port Royal, Peg Dale of Dataw Island, and Cindy Turnbull of Beaufort chop apples and then put them into a bowl filled with lemon juice and water to keep them from turning brown before they are used for the Parish Church of St. Helena’s 43rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday afternoon at the church’s Parish Hall. The dinner will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and is free to the public. Delayna Earley/The Island News
A sense of community Good food, fellowship to be found at local community Thanksgiving dinners
By Delayna Earley If you are in need of a hot, homemade meal and some good company on Thanksgiving Day, head on over to the Parish Church of St. Helena. The church will be holding their 43rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 24, starting at 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the church’s Parish Hall at 507 Newcastle Street in Downtown Beaufort. Community volunteers gathered in the Parish Hall on Monday, Nov. 21, to begin prepping and chopping the vegetables and fruit for the side dishes that will be prepared later this week. Jai Dowell, Director of Local Missions with the church, said that they are expecting to serve more than 1,000 people at this year’s event. “The past few years we haven’t had as many come out due to COVID, but
VIDEO For a brief video from the Parish Church of St. Helena’s Thanksgiving preparations, follow this digital link or https://bit.ly/3i0Yi34
this year people are getting out, so we are expecting more. Between that and how expensive food is right now, we are expecting a lot of people,” Dowell said. The event is put together by a committee of volunteers who begin organizing the event several months in advance and it relies primarily on donations of food from members in the community. Members of the community volun-
SPORTS
MILITARY
INSIDE
Beaufort star’s 89-yard kick return, interception in final period key Eagles’ victory.
Columnist W. Larry Dandridge receives Order of Palmetto Award.
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teer to cook the turkeys in their homes to be delivered to the church closer to the day, while other volunteers cook trays of mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and stuffing in the church’s kitchens. Jim Cato, a deacon of the church, said that the Thanksgiving meal today is much different than how it started 43 years ago. “When the church initially started this, it was more of a potluck where everyone brought a covered dish to share,” Cato said about the event. “After a few years, we decided to change things around to the way it is now because we were serving so many people.” The church will be serving meals to people who want to eat there, but
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