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The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse has been closed to the public for extensive restoration since early February 2022, but light has finally emerged at the end of the tunnel.

Scaffolding had encased the outside of the lighthouse for nearly a year and it has finally been removed in the past week, signalling the end of the exterior renovation phase.

The current repairs are part of a $3 million renovation project aimed at preserving the lighthouse for future generations. After standing strong while looking over the Atlantic Ocean for almost 150 years, the historic Lighthouse was well overdue for restoration and repairs.

The Hunting Island Lighthouse restoration work includes repairs to the lantern room, windows, decks, and rails. A key component of the project is the installation of new, large braces, designed in a style consistent with the historic cast iron, to support the stairs, according to the S.C. State Parks Department.

The project includes stabilizing and strengthening the stair system, which has been identified as a key area needing attention. Repairs include cleaning, repairing, and recoating the metal and iron elements of the lighthouse, including the cast-iron stairs. The lens has been disassembled and is being restored with modern materials to reduce maintenance needs.

Also, A new display area is being developed to showcase the restored lens, including an ADA-accessible exhibit space.

The timeline for these repairs is expected to extend to late 2025.

That means we’re almost there, y’all!

While the lighthouse itself is closed, visitors can still view it from the grounds and learn about its history from knowledgeable volunteers. The park remains a popular destination, offering five miles of pristine beaches, a saltwater lagoon, and thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest.

The lighthouse, known for its distinctive black-and-white stripes and towering height of 136 feet, has a rich history. Originally constructed in 1859, it was rebuilt in 1875 after being destroyed during the Civil War. A unique feature of the lighthouse is its construction from interchangeable cast-iron sections, allowing it to be dismantled and moved if necessary. This design proved crucial when severe beach erosion forced the lighthouse to be relocated 1.3 miles inland in 1889.

According to South Carolina State Parks, the lighthouse was also closed for repairs in May 2003 when cracks were discovered in several of its cast-iron steps. In a renovation that spanned more than 18 months, construction crews not only repaired the cracks, but installed steel braces beneath them for reinforcement. Left unpainted, the silver-gray braces stood out in sharp contrast to the black cast-iron stairs. The contrast helps distinguish between the original structure and modern improvements, which protect the lighthouse’s historic integrity.

Built in 1859, the original Hunting Island lighthouse was blown up in 1861 by the retreating Confederate Army to slow the Union Army down, so the lighthouse we cherish today as part of our home is actually the re-built lighthouse, completed in 1875.

It was constructed of interchangeable cast-iron sections so it could be dismantled in case it ever needed to be moved. Then just over a decade later in 1889, severe beach erosion made it necessary to relocate the lighthouse 1.3 miles inland to its present location.

Read more of its impressive history here.

Take part in the 16th annual Salute from the Shore on Friday, July 4th and participate in the opportunity to salute our armed forces during a military flyover along the entire South Carolina shore in a synchronized salute that will be shared online across the nation and around the world.

The Independence Day flyover of vintage planes to salute the armed forces will be over Hunting Island, Fripp Island and Hilton Head beaches sometime around 1:30pm on Friday afternoon, July 4th.

This year’s Salute From the Shore will begin at the North Carolina/South Carolina border, 40 miles north of Myrtle Beach, at approximately 1pm and will make its way down the coastline, where it’ll end in Beaufort County.

At 1 PM, F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base will make their way down the coastline, beginning at Cherry Grove in North Myrtle Beach and ending in the Beaufort/Bluffton area in the Lowcountry. Following the active military aircraft will be an all-volunteer brigade of Warbirds, a civilian-owned and flown vintage plane community that will include T-34s, T-6s, and T-28s.

It’s always best to arrive early and be patient.

On July 4th, 2010, the first “Salute from the Shore” was witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people. The inaugural flyover – assisted by a C-17 from Charleston AFB – resulted in an overwhelming outpouring of personal messages, stories and support from those who participated. Touched by the emotional reaction to the event, the organization resolved to grow the event into what it is today.

For more info, visit http://salutefromtheshore.org/

The Salute from the Shore is a unique opportunity for individuals, friends, and families to salute our armed forces while celebrating Independence Day on South Carolina beaches. Our role is to organize and promote a military flyover on the 4th of July that will stretch the entire length of South Carolina’s coast. We will capture as much footage of the flyover as possible, from the air and from the ground, for inclusion in a video that will be posted for all to see.

The military says, “no man left behind,” and that remains true as an unclaimed Vietnam Veteran is being laid to rest at the Beaufort National Cemetery and the invitation for attendance is open to literally anyone and everyone.

The Beaufort National Cemetery has put out a call for volunteers to attend the service of a Vietnam War Veteran who is being interred at our National Cemetery, and stand as his family, because, in this case, his family is unable to claim him.

SP4 Horrell White, United States Army.

“The public is invited to join us at Beaufort National Cemetery for the unclaimed committal service for SP4 Horrell White, United States Army. Horrell is a Vietnam War veteran who passed away late last year at the age of 76,” the Beaufort National Cemetery said in a social media posting.

According to the National Cemetery, this is not an unclaimed veteran service in the traditional sense. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the family cannot claim their loved one.

In cases like this, the Veterans Administration steps in to ensure the veteran receives the burial benefit and military honors they are entitled to.

The service is scheduled to begin at 10am on Tuesday, June 24th.

The National Cemetery recommends that people wishing to attend arrive at least 15 minutes early.

“Staff will be positioned throughout the cemetery to provide instructions on where to park and then walk back to the committal shelter for the service,” it said.

“Accommodations will be made to allow the drop off and pickup of guests with mobility issues at the shelter.”

If you have any additional questions about the service, please contact the staff at Beaufort National Cemetery at 843-524-3925.

Please share and help get the word out so this Veteran is NOT forgotten.

As is the case with all unclaimed veterans; in Beaufort, we are all their family.

If you can spare an hour out of your day to attend and to help give this hero the love and respect they deserve, please do.

Downtown Beaufort is set to get a new dining addition this fall with the opening of a sandwich, charcuterie and deli shop, Sister Sister Deli & Market.

Owned by a sister duo, Sami and Dani Mussman, Sister Sister is set to offer deli options, cheeses and sandwiches, all with American-made ingredients and products. Their space is intended to be part neighborhood deli and part gourmet market.

Sister Sister Deli & Market will open its doors at 403 Carteret Street in Beaufort, taking over the space formerly home to Griffin Market, an Italian eatery that closed in 2024.

While a full menu has not yet been set, Sami Mussman shared that their offerings will include Southern-inspired dishes and small boards.

Here are some items to expect at this new deli and market:

Lunch offerings will include:

According to their website, Sister Sister will be focused on sustainability, responsible sourcing, and supporting local and regional producers with their products.

Renovation work began in June and along the way, the team has uncovered some relics from the building’s past. Some of these findings include:

According to Sami Mussman, the building is set to be repainted starting in July.

Though an exact opening date has not yet been announced, Sister Sister Deli & Market is hoping to open their doors by October to bring the perfect lunch break, snack stop or dinner party charcuterie board crafting location to the Lowcountry.

To follow along with their progress, you can visit their Facebook or Instagram.

There were 11 Beaufort County food businesses cited with “B” and “C” grades in May health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Here is a rundown of the restaurants that received the lowest ratings in May:

Bowdie’s Chophouse scored 85% (B) on May 13 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Bowdie’s Chophouse was first reinspected on May 22 and scored 92% with a C letter grade for repeated infractions.

On May 30, Bowdie’s Chophouse was reinspected and scored 97% (A).

Plum’s Cafe scored 78% (B) in a routine inspection on May 6. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Plum’s Cafe was first reinspected on May 14 and scored 93% with a C letter grade for repeated infractions.

On May 21, Plum’s Cafe was reinspected and scored 98% (A).

Panini’s Cafe scored a 95% with a B letter grade due to consecutive violations on May 7 in a follow-up inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Panini’s was reinspected on May 8 and scored 100% (A).

La Familia scored a 74% (C) in a routine inspection on May 15. Issues noted by inspectors included:

La Familia was reinspected on May 21 and scored 100% (A).

La Poblanita Restaurant scored a 76% (C) in a routine inspection on May 19. Issues noted by inspectors included:

La Poblanita Restaurant was reinspected on May 28 and scored 100% (A).

Papaya Thai & Sushi scored a 71% (C) in a routine inspection on May 2. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Papaya Thai & Sushi was reinspected on May 13 and scored a 93% with a C letter grade for repeated violations.

Papaya Thai & Sushi was reinspected again on May 21 and scored 100% (A).

E Tang scored a 78% (B) in a routine inspection on May 6. Issues noted by inspectors included:

El Don Juan scored a 79% (B) in a routine inspection on May 21. Issues noted by inspectors include:

Olive Garden scored an 83% (B) in a routine inspection on May 27. Issues noted by inspectors include:

Olive Garden has not been reinspected as of June 2, but one is required within 10 days.

Sub Station II scored an 82% (B) in a routine inspection on May 23. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Sub Station II has not been reinspected as of June 2, but one is required within 10 days.

Yummy House scored % (B) in a routine inspection on May 8. Issues noted by inspectors included:

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

The grade scale is as follows:

In May, the SCDA recorded 244 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County and 35 in Jasper County.

Jasper County did not have any inspected establishments receive B or C grades in May.

The agency publishes the results of these health inspections on its website.

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

If there is an establishment for which you wish to request an inspection, you can submit a concern to the SCDA by filling out this Food Safety Complaint Form.