<em>Photo above: Graham Holcombe, right, and David Youmans of the Rotary Club of Beaufort unload Vidalia onions for fellow club members on Wednesday, May 4th as part of the club's annual Vidalia Onion Drive. Photos by Bob Sofaly.</em>
<h3>By Bob Sofaly</h3>
The air near St. Peter's Catholic Church on Lady's Island was alive with the sweet smell of fresh Vidalia onions as members of the Rotary Club of Beaufort lined up behind a truck prior to their regular meeting, to get their orders at the annual Vidalia Onion Drive.

The club has been getting the onions straight from growers in Metter, Georgia since 1985, and reselling them directly to resident’s right here in Beaufort. The drive is part of ongoing fund raising efforts that help support the club's charitable works, according to Linda Bailey of the “onion committee”.

"So far, we've sold nearly 6,000 pounds of the sweet onions," Bailey said, but added it's not too late to place an order. Onions are $12 for a 10-pound bag and $23 for a 25-pound bag. To place your order for Vidalia sweet onions, call Linda Bailey at (843) 812-8999.

[caption id="attachment_28411" align="aligncenter" width="545"]<img class=" wp-image-28411" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/DSC0038-1024x764.jpg" alt="Nick Hunt of the Rotary Club of Beaufort waits for more 10-pound bags of onions. Onions can be purchased in either 10 or 25-pound bags." width="545" height="415" /> Nick Hunt of the Rotary Club of Beaufort waits for more 10-pound bags of onions. Onions can be purchased in either 10 or 25-pound bags.[/caption]