Best Moving Company in Beaufort

(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said the principal was fired but was changed to reflect that she was put on leave, according to two board members.)

Beaufort High School Principal Carla Shelton was put on administrative leave for disciplinary reasons, which have not been made public, according to Beaufort County School Board members.

Board Member Richard Geier said Superintendent Frank Rodriguez ultimately made the decision to put Shelton on leave, who was in her first year as principal at the high school. Board member Will Smith, who represents the high school’s district confirmed.

Geier declined to say publicly why Shelton was put on leave.

“We don’t exactly know what’s going on,” Smith said. “It’s a personnel matter that they’re going through.”

The superintendent is responsible for firing school district employees. His decisions are then reported to the School Board in a monthly personnel ratification report given in executive session that closed to the public.

“That’s the superintendent’s business,” Geier said. “The board sees all hirings and firings and resignations and retirements once a month, and at that time, the board can comment on it.”

Rodriguez could not be reached for comment. The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette called Rodriguez Monday and Tuesday, and he didn’t answer attempts seeking comment or respond to a voicemail and email.

Candace Bruder, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County School District, said district policy prevented her from commenting on personnel matters.

Shelton was put on leave with a little over a month left in her first year. The school district announced her departure Monday.

She was hired in June 2022, replacing the school’s former principal, Charity Summers.

Shelton could not be immediately reached for comment.

Parents were notified by email Monday morning that Shelton is no longer on the job, and that Assistant Principal Sonji Leach would serve as interim principal.

“Although we understand that absences such as this can create questions amongst students and parents, the district is unable to comment on personnel matters,” the district said the email. “We greatly appreciate your support during this transition.”

News of Shelton’s departure came to the dismay of parents. Danelia Merino-Canales, who has a 10th grader at the school, said she had little cooperation trying to get information from the school district.

“Parents were given no explanation, it’s frustrating,” she said.

Shelton’s 25 years in education included time as a special education teacher, a school counselor and a principal, according to previous reporting. Before coming to work with the Beaufort County School District, she was a principal for a high school in Evans, Georgia.

In an interview with the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette ahead of her official start in August, Shelton said she was most excited to help boost morale among students and staff alike following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think we have to get everyone reconnected,” she said. “We have to understand we are going to have to get back to school as we know it. I think what’s come out of the whole COVID crisis is people need each other.”

During her year as principal, Shelton’s school was one of at least two Beaufort County schools, and 22 others in South Carolina, that was targeted by a hoax phone call reporting an active shooter on campus in October. The school went into an hours-long lockdown and had students and teachers sheltering in place. The phones calls were unsubstantiated and the investigation was turned over to the FBI, according to previous reporting by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

Since then, the hoax calls have taken place in other states as well.

This story was originally published April 24, 2023, 3:37 PM.

Ten Beaufort County food businesses were cited with grades below an “A” in routine health inspections in March by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control:

Cheap Seats Tavern 2, 142A Burnt Church Road in Bluffton, scored an 80% (B) in a routine inspection on March 9. Among the issues noted: Employee not using gloves properly, lack of chlorine in the chemical dish machine, food holding temperature issues, pizza by the slice not time-stamped, and dough pans stored on top of a trash can.

The restaurant was reinspected on March 16 and scored a 100% (A).

Circle K #5386, 114 Sea Island Parkway in Beaufort, was inspected three times in March. It had scored an 85% (B) in a February inspection because of evidence of rodent activity, among other issues. It was reinspected March 10, March 20 and March 30 and still had its B rating at the end of the month.

The store agreed to voluntarily stop selling prepared food and drinks and packaged convenience foods to focus on cleaning and pest control.

Fuji Yama, 48 Burnt Church Road, Suite DE in Bluffton, scored a 73% (C) in a routine inspection on March 23. Among the issues noted: The person in charge does not have a food-handlers certificate, hand-washing violation, escolar labeled as white tuna on menu, raw shrimp and steak stored above ready-to-eat sauces, rice holding temperature too low, evidence of rodents and insects, bagged onions and open containers of sauces stored on the floor, plastic cups without handles in food bins in dry storage area, equipment in poor condition, and an accumulation of grease, grit and grime on all non-food contact surfaces throughout the facility.

The restaurant had not been reinspected by publication time.

Grand Hilton Head Inn, 36 S. Forest Beach Drive on Hilton Head, scored an 86% (B) in a routine inspection on March 10. Among the issues noted: No paper towels at the hand washing station, unlabeled chemical spray bottles and residential pesticide stored under the hand-washing station, evidence of rodent activity in several areas, facility maintenance issues and dirty floors in the back storage room.

The hotel was reinspected on March 20 and scored a 100% (A).

Hilton Garden Inn, 1575 Fording Island Road in Bluffton, scored an 84% (B) in a routine inspection on March 23. Among the issues noted: Rear hand-washing sink without soap or paper towels, spoiled produce in the cooler, problems with the temperature and pressure of the warewashing machine, and food held at an improper temperature and past the discard date.

The hotel was reinspected on March 24 and scored a 100% (A).

La Nopolera, 5 Sams Point Road in Beaufort, scored an 85% (B) in a routine inspection on March 13. Among the issues noted: The person in charge does not have a food-handlers certificate, food holding temperature issues in several areas, ingredients not labeled, chicken wings and beef cubes stored in a way that could lead to contamination, and surfaces and equipment in need of cleaning and repair.

The restaurant was reinspected on March 16 and scored a 93%. Even though that normally would merit an A grade, the restaurant was given a B because a prep unit cooler was not holding food at a low enough temperature. The facility will discontinue use of the cooler until it is replaced or repaired.

The restaurant was reinspected on March 27 and scored a 98% (A).

La Tampiquena Mexican Restaurant, 4376 Bluffton Parkway, Suite 201, in Bluffton, scored an 82% (B) in a routine inspection on March 1. Among the issues noted: The person in charge does not have a food-handlers certificate, food being thawed and prepped in an unclean sink, food holding temperature issues, items in cooler without dates, dry goods stored without labels on the containers, soiled wiping cloths stored improperly, and a dishwasher in need of cleaning.

The store was reinspected on March 9 and scored a 100% (A).

Old Bull Tavern, 205 West St. in Beaufort, scored an 83% (B) in a routine inspection on March 24. Among the issues noted: Food holding temperature issues; fruit flies in the bar area; in-use kitchen knives stored in sanitizer water; broken and unclean containers, utensils, liquor bottles and shelves; and cleaning and repairs needed in multiple areas, including the mechanical dishwasher.

The store was reinspected on March 28 and scored a 100% (A).

Taqueira Las Abuelitas, a food truck listed under the address 20 Sable Drive, Suite 2, in Bluffton, scored a 96% in a follow-up inspection on March 6. Even though that normally would merit an A grade, the business was given a B because of violations that had not been remedied after a February inspection. Among the issues noted: A hose attached to a water spigot without back flow prevention, and grease and water dumped on the ground.

The business was reinspected on March 16 and scored a 100% (A).

The Foolish Frog Three, 846 Sea Island Parkway on St. Helena, scored an 81% (B) in a routine inspection on March 29. Among the issues noted: Employee hand-washing violation and lack of soap and paper towels at the hand-washing sink, in-use pans with heavy carbon buildup and leftover food residue, unclean cooking equipment and utensils stored with clean equipment and utensils, chemicals stored near food items, improper thawing of fish, evidence of rodents, and other kitchen facility and equipment maintenance and cleaning issues, including unclean floors and ceilings.

The restaurant was reinspected on April 7 and scored a 95% (A).

Inspectors hand out a grade of A, B or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for a variety of infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score.

During March, DHEC recorded 196 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County. The agency publishes the results of health inspections on its website.

Newer food grade decals will include a QR code that customers can scan with their phones to see the food establishment’s latest report.

Below are the SC DHEC restaurant grades in Beaufort County from March 1-31, 2023.

At the top left of the chart, there is a space to search for the name of a restaurant. Please note that this month’s inspections take up two pages. Switch to page 2 at the top right.

This story was originally published April 13, 2023, 9:27 AM.

A tale of two Beauforts

Two of our favorite Southern small towns share a name—sort of. Beaufort and Beaufort are spelled exactly the same way, which is why people mix them up all the time (much to the chagrin of the residents of each spot). However, these two towns are not the same place, and, despite the written similarity of their shared moniker, they're not pronounced the same way either. Learn the differences, and you'll never mix them up again.

A Tale of Two Beauforts

First of all, Beaufort and Beaufort are located in different states. One is Beaufort, North Carolina, the third-oldest town in the state and one of the most beloved small towns in the "Inner Banks," the inland coastal region of Eastern North Carolina (just west of the Outer Banks). It's situated between Cape Lookout and Emerald Isle.

On the other hand is Beaufort, South Carolina, another inland coastal gem located a stone's throw from St Helena Island and Parris Island, between Edisto Beach and Hilton Head Island. It's said to be the second-oldest town in South Carolina.

Beaufort Pronunciations

As mentioned, while these two towns' names are spelled identically, they don't share identical pronunciations. Beaufort, North Carolina, is pronounced "BOW-fert" or "BOH-fert." It has a similar pronunciation as the one you find in the old-fashioned name "Beauregard." It calls for the pronunciation of "beau" that we associate with the word's definition as "an admirer" or "a sweetheart."

Beaufort, South Carolina, is pronounced "BEW-fert." Cassandra King writes for Southern Living, "Contrary to the spelling, it's pronounced "BEW-fert," with the lips pursed as though blowing a kiss." It's "BEW-fert," with a similar sound as the one you find in the word "beautiful."

Beaufort Histories

According to the Town of Beaufort, Beaufort, North Carolina, "was first known as Fishtown because the fishing industry was and has been an important part of the county's history. Beaufort was later named for Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort."1 It's the county seat of Carteret County and has a population of approximately 4,000.

According to the Beaufort Visitor's Center, Beaufort, South Carolina, was founded in 1711.2 It was also named the South's Best Small Town by Southern Living readers in 2017—a charming community filled with sleepy streets, beautiful homes, and plenty of places to launch a boat or a paddleboard.

Takeaways? There are at least two Beauforts you should be aware of. They're not in the same state, and they're not pronounced the same, so there's no excuse to get them mixed up ever again.

WATCH: The South's Best Small Town: Beaufort, SC

They're two of our favorite Southern small towns—have you visited both of the Beauforts?

BEAUFORT — Lunch business was brisk at Plums Restaurant, a Beaufort institution that has served food and drinks from its waterfront location for nearly four decades. A cruise ship moored to the dock just yards away ensured that every table inside and out would be filled.

As locals and tourists mingled at the bar inside April 20, a growing roar captured everyone’s attention, which is unusual in a town used to daily air traffic from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort just a few miles up the road.

This sound was different, though, bigger and more intense.

Within seconds the reason was clear. “Blue Angels!” someone outside shouted.

Without the benefit of even seeing the tight formation of bright blue F/A-18 Super Hornets streaking down the Beaufort River and over the Woods Memorial Bridge, the crowd inside erupted into cheers.

For the first time in four years, it’s air show weekend in Beaufort.

The MCAS Beaufort Air Show is held every two years, but the 2021 show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Around town, people appear ready for the show’s return.

Scheduled for April 22 and 23, the air show will feature aerobatics demonstrations, precision parachutists, flight simulators, helicopter rides, static displays and more.

But there’s no doubt that the Navy Blue Angels will be the show’s main attraction.

Flying in from their base in Pensacola, Florida, six of the team’s seven jets made a low pass over the field before landing around 10 a.m. Taxiing onto the flight line, they were welcomed by ground crews, who worked to secure the jets.

“We want to showcase what gets done in the fleet, but to do that in an air show, we have do that a little bit lower and a little bit closer together,” said Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel, who flies the opposing solo position on the team.

Stangel has been a pilot with the Blue Angels since the fall of 2021 and has one more year before he returns to a carrier squadron. He’s also known by his call sign, Push Pop. He earned it, he said, for winning an ice cream-eating contest. Something about the way he smirked telling the story suggests there’s more than he was will to let on.

With only seven jet pilots, the Blue Angels is an exclusive club.

“It takes a unique person and work ethic to be part of this team,” Stangel said. “It’s got to be somebody self-motivated, very driven.”

Practice is an essential part of the pilot’s routine. During the air show season, which includes 32 shows for the demonstration team, Stangel estimated that the team practices three hours for every hour of public performance. Added to that are 10 weeks of practice that take place in the offseason from January through March.

The team will continue to fine-tune their flight demonstration right through their last show in November, he added.

The seventh pilot on the team arrived a day early. On April 19, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman was tasked with working out some final details in preparation for the arrival of the rest of the team.

Zimmerman also gave rides in a two-seat version of the Super Hornet to two local influencers: Bradley Tarrance, principal at the Robert International Academy, and Laura Marshall, a counselor at May River High School in Bluffton who was named High School Counselor of the Year for the Beaufort County School District in February.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Marshall said before the flight. “It’s an honor.”

Opening ceremony is at 11:30 a.m. April 22-23, and the Blue Angels start their performance at 3 p.m. each day. General admission is free.

Easter is right around the corner with the holiday taking place on Sunday.

Are you still on the lookout for an Easter egg hunt for your little one to enjoy? If so, there are still some local egg hunts set to take place this weekend and the Easter bunny might just make an appearance.

Here are four public Easter egg hunts set to take place in Beaufort County this week.

Head on over to Beaufort’s Community Bible Church, located at 638 Parris Island Gateway, for their annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday. This free Easter event will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will include train rides, free egg hunts for kids, puppet shows, picnics, face painting, bounce houses, candy and plenty of food for everyone.

Salty Dog’s Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt and Waterfront Breakfast on the south end of Hilton Head Island is set to occur on Saturday. The egg hunt will take place from 10- 11 a.m. on April 8 at 232 South Sea Pines Drive. The waterfront breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. and the egg hunt promptly at 10 a.m. Kids will have the chance to hunt for over 10,000 colorful Easter eggs at this event with different age group “hunting grounds.” There will also be an abundance of sweet treats to enjoy as well as fun prizes to win. The Easter Bunny will make a surprise visit at this event, along with Jake, the Salty Dog.

St. Helena Branch Library’s Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt is set to take place on Saturday. The egg hunt will take place at the St. Helena Branch Library, located at 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road in St. Helena Island, between noon to 1 p.m. Saturday. Registration for this event is required, but there will be games, prizes, food and fun, and kids will even receive a take home craft. If you attend, don’t forget to bring your little one’s Easter egg basket to collect their eggs.

Skull Creek Boathouse and Skull Creek Dockside’s 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on at 11 a.m. Sunday. This event is intended for children 8 years old and under. At this event, kids will have the chance to hunt for eggs, get their face painted and get a photo with the Easter Bunny. Guests may also enjoy the event’s Easter Brunch Buffet, which will occur at 10 a.m.