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<p><strong>From staff reports&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p>More than 200 people turned out Saturday evening for the ribbon cutting and dedication of the new – permanent – home of the Pat Conroy Literary Center at 601 Bladen Street.&nbsp;</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Conroy-Center-07.jpg"><img src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Conroy-Center-07-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56240"/></a></figure>
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<p>Attendees enjoyed live music by Amanda Brewer Dickman, hors d’oeuvres by Debbi Covington, tours of the new space, and remarks by Conroy Center board members, friends and family.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>City Councilman Mike McFee helped cut the ribbon, and Rev. Ken Hodges gave the blessing.&nbsp;</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Conroy-Center-04.jpg"><img src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Conroy-Center-04-850x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56238"/></a><figcaption>Executive Director Jonathan Haupt speaks as Board Chair Jane Upshaw and City Councilman Mike McFee look on at Saturday’s Conroy Center dedication.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The rain that had been forecast for days held off, though lightning flashed a few times during the opening remarks. One friend of the Center’s patron saint quipped, “Stop being so dramatic, Conroy.”&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The Center’s new location at the corner of Bladen and King Streets comes with a scenic view of the Beaufort River and a section of Bay Street that Conroy immortalized as the Street of Tides in his novel The Prince of Tides.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>To learn more about the Conroy Center’s year-round educational mission, calendar of upcoming programs, and opportunities to donate in support, please visit online at www.patconroyliterarycenter. org or in person at 601 Bladen Street in downtown Beaufort&nbsp;</p>
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