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<p>A former newspaper manager and reporter, Brent Cooper takes pains to ensure the Lowcountry Phone Directory brims with homespun touches, like photos shot by local photographers and profiles of prominent community members.</p>
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<p>The 25th edition of the Lowcountry Phone Directory will be arriving soon in mailboxes in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties. This year’s cover photo was shot by Robert Gecy, using a DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone. Gecy captured a Sunday sunrise above the Parish Church of St. Helena in downtown Beaufort. The steeple of the Baptist Church of Beaufort is seen in the background.</p>
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<p>In addition to dozens of photographs of local scenery, the phone book includes a newcomers guide, tide charts, and hurricane tracking and evacuation maps. Several community members are also profiled, including historian Larry Rowland, Judge Ned Tupper, Captain Woody Collins, and former 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh.</p>
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<p>The book’s mix of aesthetics, readability and utility explains why it is consistently awarded by the Association of Directory Publishers. It was named that organization’s Directory of the Year in 2016, beating out books from around the U.S., Canada, Germany and the Virgin Islands for the association’s top honor. In 2018, CPC won six gold book awards, including first place in the Excellence in Cover Design and the Art-Product Branding competitions.</p>
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