<strong>By LOLITA HUCKABY</strong>
<h4><b>Save the Woods Memorial Bridge</b></h4>
BEAUFORT –&nbsp;The Woods Memorial Bridge may not have the economic impact Parris Island Marine Corps Depot has, but any talk about replacing that iconic landmark – bridge or base – always generates community debate.

Mayor Billy Keyserling, who will be leaving office in less than two months, quietly announced last week he’s working with Historic Beaufort Foundation on an effort to get the swing bridge added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Being on that list would make it harder, theoretically, to do away with the swing bridge that someone in authority might believe should be replaced down the road.

The designation application will take time and dollars, but Keyserling suggested a fundraising effort might be introduced to get citizens to help finance at least the application. Kind of a “put your money where your mouth is” effort for those who can’t imagine a downtown Beaufort without that bridge.
<h4>BIFF will go on</h4>
BEAUFORT – If you’re a member of the Beaufort Film Society, this comes as no surprise, BUT the popular International Film Festival, like just about every other public event in this country, is going to be different.

BFS announced earlier this month the 15th annual festival, which has drawn hundreds of film lovers, is going to be held during the week of Feb. 15-19, 2021. And attendees will be gathering – not at the old reliable USC Beaufort Center for the Arts – but at Tabby Place on Port Republic Street.

More information will be forthcoming as the event nears but you can plan on one thing – masks will be required.
<h4>Follow-up on<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>Paradise Paved</h4>
BEAUFORT – As a follow-up to last week’s report on the tree removal along MLK Highway, in preparation for our first Harbor Freight store, local arborist Michael Murphy, considered one of the community’s most respected tree experts, pointed out that although the city review team had approved the complete removal of trees, the owner had second thoughts and reworked the design plan to preserve 10 “significant” live oaks and a pine tree.

Thanks for that clarification, Michael, and thanks for the second thoughts, Graham Trask (the property owner). Not sure it soothes the soul of passing tree huggers but it’s something.

<em>Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and a former reporter/editorial assistant/columnist with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today. She can be reached at bftbay@gmail.com</em>

<em>Above: Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge. Photo by Bob Sofaly</em>

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