Opinion pieces, commentary, editorials, and columns that reflect community perspectives from Beaufort’s writers, thought leaders, and residents. This category provides a platform for voices shaping local discussion on issues, values, culture, civic life, and public debate in Beaufort and the broader Lowcountry.
By Scott Graber It’s Tuesday, and I’m at the Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. This evening I’m with about 100 people who have gathered to hear Dean Moss talk about the gestation, birthing and the early childhood of the Spanish Moss Trail. Dean’s story begins in 2007 when he was the Manager at the […]
A product of the energy, imagination of Dean Moss Read More »
From The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets on Feb. 7, 2026: “Trump shares racist video depicting the Obamas as monkeys.” This from the President of the United States. Pages and pages can be filled with the president’s lies, personal attacks, lawsuit threats, etc. Not to mention the graft, self dealing and debasement that
‘We are under siege’ Read More »
By Louise Mathews In the movie, “Casablanca,” Vichy French Captain Renault closes Rick’s Café on the orders of the Nazi Major Strasser. When Rick asks his friend why he is closing the cafe, the captain exclaims to Rick, “I’m shocked, shocked to find there’s gambling going on in here!” At that very moment, the croupier
Bull in the China shop? Read More »
By Doug Pugh Once, I was a farmer working in the great outdoors, able to move with the breeze into open spaces. I had time then to pause and listen to the music in its rhythms. The work was hard, but I could observe the quaking of the trees’ leaves, perceive what was being blown
Breezes can blow stress away Read More »
By Bill Rauch There was some good news last week for those who are concerned about the Colleton County data center steamroller. The political heat being generated down here in the Lowcountry may be beginning to be felt by the pols up there in Columbia. Seven of the nine representatives representing Colleton County in Columbia
Columbia starts to feel the heat Read More »
When Battery Creek hired C.J. Brown to take over its boys basketball team in 2019, there was hope. Hope that Brown, who once starred in the Blue and Gold, could restore the once-proud program to the lofty status it held for years under John Drafts, back before Whale Branch Early College High School opened and split the talent pool.
Brown building something special at Creek Read More »
By Douglas Pugh Times are changing, pecking orders evolving, but the chickens aren’t pleased. After all, they take pride in being the inspiration for this universally applicable ranking measure. Ranked positions in all species have existed since their evolution, but it was chickens who gave it its name, recognizing that it provided stability and sustainability
Evolution of the pecking order Read More »
By Mark A. Schmidtke I suspect most of us have experienced meaningful coincidences in our lives — those events that seem preceded by, and linked to, some thought or dream, and feel far from accidental. If you have, you understand how they might evoke wonder, awe, and a sense of destiny in your life. While
The manufacturing of meaningful coincidences Read More »
By Graham B. Trask This is the annotated public comment given by me on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 to Beaufort City Council at its annual strategic planning retreat. 1. Focus on the three primary core functions The City Of Beaufort government should focus on the three primary core functions of any city government: • Public
A way forward for the City of Beaufort — four focus domains Read More »
Barb Nash hit the nail on the head. Trump and his sycophants are causing so much chaos with Venezuela, ICE, etc., that we are forgetting about the terrible long-lasting actions the administration has taken against our healthcare system, the environment, and our allies around the world. Don’t get me wrong, almost everything they are doing
