<b>Thank you to sponsors of</b><b> Friends of Caroline Fashion Show</b>

The 10th Annual Friends of Caroline Hospice Fashion Show, presented by Grayco and Beaufort Memorial Women’s Imaging Center, was held Wednesday, April 24 at The Shed in Port Royal. More than 300 people enjoyed fashions from locally owned retailers in Beaufort, a live and silent auction and catering by Debbi Covington. The Fashion Show was emceed by Deanna Bowdish, owner of The Gallery, and entertainment was provided by Chris Conefry. The event raised over $36,000 for Friends of Caroline Hospice, a non-profit United Way organization that has served Beaufort for more than 30 years.  Committee members included Janet Thompson, Laura Trask, Amy Pinckney, Cheryl Comes and Penny Williams.

Local retailers included the Red Door Thrift Shop, Beaufort Clothing Company, Higher Ground, SugarBelle Boutique, Bay Street Outfitters, LuLu’s Boutique, Lulu Burgess, Nuances, Grayco, Sweetgrass Apparel and Rossignol’s. The featured designer was Maude Couture by Caroline Baker.

Friends of Caroline Hospice would like to thank its sponsors for making this event possible. In addition to Grayco and Beaufort Memorial Hospital Women’s Imaging Center, sponsors included Bill’s Liquor and Fine Wines, South Carolina Bank and Trust, Amazing Event Rentals, Turbeville Insurance Agency, Southern Tree Services. Regions Bank, Palmetto State Bank and The Beaufort Eye Clinic. Donation were also made by Beaufort Medical Imaging, George Beck, The Cobb Family, Colin’s Pest Control, Copeland Funeral Home, Emily’s Restaurant, Fripp Men’s Club, Gilbert Law Firm, Bill Harvey, Levin, Gilley and Fisher, McDonald’s, Medical Weight Loss of the Lowcountry, Merry Maids, Orchid Salon, Palmetto Pain Center, John and Ellen Sutton, Verity Investment Partners and Waters Dry Cleaning.

Friends of Caroline Hospice would also like to thank all of the contributors to the live and silent auctions and the many volunteers who offered their time and services for the successful event.

<b>Wendy Pollitzer, Friends of Carolina Hospice</b>

&nbsp;

<b>Recognizing lawmakers working for affordable health insurance</b>

For well over a decade small businesses have complained loudly about the affordability of health insurance.  Efforts to address this problem have been controversial and often too partisan.

That is why it is important to publicly recognize legislators who are problem solvers and forge a bi-partisan solution to benefit are small businesses and individual policyholders.

Representatives Bill Bowers, Shannon Erickson, Bill Herbkersman and Ken Hodges have joined over half the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives in sponsoring H.4095.  Thirty-five Republicans and 39 Democrats have found a way to address a critical issue that is making health insurance unaffordable for everybody.

Right now those with health insurance pay higher premiums to cover the uncompensated care of the uninsured, who are mostly low income.  For a family policy this additional cost is about $1,000 a year.  This cost shifting or “hidden tax” will only go away when most citizens have some form of health insurance.

House Bill 4095 would help low-income citizens obtain private insurance using effective managed care organizations and health savings accounts. Through the effective utilization of federal funds, today’s uninsured and insured South Carolinians will realize the benefits of affordable health insurance without adding significant expense to the state taxpayers.

We applaud the leadership of these Representatives in pursuing affordable health insurance for our small businesses and citizens.

<b>Frank Knapp Jr., President and CEO,
South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce</b>
<div><b> </b></div>