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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, and First Lady Peggy McMaster's schedules for the week of December 5 will include the following:

Monday, December 5 at 11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend the SC Port Harbor Deepening Celebration event, Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park, Cooper River Room, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Monday, December 5 at 2:30 PM: Gov. McMaster will join Adjutant General Van McCarty and the South Carolina National Guard’s Survivor Outreach Services in recognizing “A Tree for the Fallen” for South Carolina’s fallen service members and their families, Governor’s Office, State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.

Monday, December 5 at 5:30 PM: Gov. McMaster and First Lady Peggy McMaster will host the annual Governor's Mansion Christmas Open House, Governor's Mansion, 800 Richland Street, Columbia, S.C. Note: The governor will hold media availability at 5:20 PM. Members of the media wishing to participate in the media avail should arrive at the Richland Street mall gate by 5:15 PM to go through security.

Tuesday, December 6 at 10:00 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend an Economic Development Announcement, Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, 201 South Dargan Street, Florence, S.C.

Tuesday, December 6 at 2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster will attend South Carolina OSHA's 50th Anniversary event, Denny Auditorium, State Fire Academy, 141 Monticello Trail, Columbia, S.C.

Wednesday, December 7 at 10:00 AM: Gov. McMaster and Lt. Gov. Evette will attend the Nephron Nitrile Grand Opening Event, Nephron Nitrile, 4777 12th Street Extension, West Columbia, S.C.

Wednesday, December 7 at 2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster will host a Memorandum of Understanding Signing with the United Kingdom, State House, first floor, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.

Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 AM: Lt. Gov. Evette will participate in the Greater Travelers Rest Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Parade, Wells Fargo Bank 5 Hawkins Road, Travelers Rest, S.C.

Gov. Henry McMaster’s Weekly Schedule: November 28, 2022

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gov. Henry McMaster’s schedule for the week of November 28, 2022, included:

Monday, November 28

10:40 AM: Agency call.

10:42 AM: Agency call.

11:01 AM: Agency call.

11:21 AM: Agency call.

Tuesday, November 29

Gov. McMaster was in the Office of the Governor for office hours, State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.

11:00 AM: Agency meeting.

11:45 AM: Gov. McMaster presented the Order of the Palmetto to Steve Hamm, Governor’s Office, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.

1:30 PM: Policy meeting.

2:00 PM: Policy meeting.

3:00 PM: Policy meeting.

Wednesday, November 30

5:28 PM: Call with a member of the South Carolina Senate.

Thursday, December 1

10:11 AM: Call with a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster attended the groundbreaking expansion event at KION North America, 2550 West 5th North Street, Summerville, S.C.

Friday, December 2

6:15 PM: Gov. McMaster attended the SPINX Company’s 50th anniversary celebration event and presented the Order of the Palmetto to Stewart Spinks, Fluor Field, 945 S. Main Street, Greenville, S.C.

Like so many who came to Summerville, Saul Alexander sought refuge.

A Jewish immigrant, Alexander fled his home country of Ukraine and came to the United States to escape anti-Semitic persecution. Local historian Ed West said he arrived in New York on Ellis Island shortly after 1900.

According to the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina’s (JHSSC) website, he remained in New York for roughly four years before coming to Summerville.

“I’m not sure how he got word of Summerville being a place on the map, but for whatever reason, he bought a ticket to Summerville and came down here,” West explained.

That decision would significantly impact Alexander’s life and the Summerville community for years to come.

A Quiet Life

West said Saul Alexander got his start in Summerville as an apprentice tailor. Eventually, he saved enough money to open a store along Hutchinson Square. Saul Alexander Dry Goods was located at 102 South Main Street, where the building still stands today.

West said Alexander also worked in real estate, providing loans to homebuyers.

“He helped people gain loans for real estate during the Depression,” West said. “And he would help fund loans and things like that.”

Alexander owned a home on Central Avenue in Summerville. It featured a garden house that he used as an escape from summer’s heat and a place to entertain friends.

The Summerville Dorchester Museum has restored the gazebo-like structure. It now stands as a memorial for Saul Alexander and others like him who, throughout history, have found sanctuary in Summerville.

An Unexpected Gift

Saul Alexander lived a quiet life in Summerville. So, it was a surprise to many that after he passed in 1952, a foundation was created to benefit the community.

Alexander left his home to a long-time employee, Sarah Chinners, and a foundation was established according to instructions in his will. The JHSSC notes on its website that Alexander’s estate was in excess of $750,000 and more than $500,000 was designated for the foundation.

“What was also in his will was the establishment of a foundation which became known as the Saul Alexander Foundation,” West explained. “In Summerville, he funded playgrounds and various church projects and his money helps with the museum [Summerville-Dorchester Museum] here,” West said.

Today, according to Edie Blakeslee, Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Leadership at the Coastal Community Foundation, the funds continue to support Summerville and the Lowcountry.

Since the 1980s, the Coastal Community Foundation has managed the Saul Alexander Foundation.

“The Saul Alexander Foundation was originally a private foundation,” Blakeslee said. “Mr. Alexander’s closest friends and advisors were the trustees.”

She noted that Alexander’s will provides specific directions for all philanthropic activity. For example, he required the trustees to be a mix of Jews and Gentiles. And precise percentages are allotted for projects in Summerville, the Jewish community, and other institutions.

More than 40 organizations benefit from the Saul Alexander Foundation, which has grown to a current value of $2.8 million, Blakeslee said.

The Saul Alexander Foundation trustees continue to meet annually.

“What the trustees have always been really good about is honoring Mr. Alexander’s intent,” Blakeslee said.

The Saul Alexander Foundation is designed to benefit the community in perpetuity. Saul Alexander’s legacy continues to impact others more than a century after he arrived in Summerville.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV ) — Hunger is a familiar problem for the Lowcountry. With inflation, more and more families need help to put food on the table.

One local food bank has plans to expand and hopes a new status will help them feed more people.

Abraham Belanger wears many hats- one of them is pastor of First Fruits Community Church.

In the back, a food pantry available to help those in need.

Right now, the shelves are fully stocked with things like black beans, peanut butter, and tuna thanks to their partners Earth Fare of Summerville and Lowe’s on Dorchester Road. Their deep freezers are currently empty.

“We don’t have any chicken or beef or anything, so what we do is as we get donations, we go out and buy everything and fill up the freezers and give it out,” said Abraham Belanger, founder of Summerville Food Bank.

Even with full shelves now, Belanger doesn’t expect that to last.

“By the end of January and February, these shelves will be back down and that is when we really count on a lot of our community members, individual donations, people that do food drives,” said Belanger.

They usually give out about 50 bags a month. Each contains non-perishable items like jelly, peanut butter, and other items on the shelves along with a bag of chicken, beef, eggs, cheese, bologna and hot dogs.

Their focus is Summerville and other parts of Berkeley and Dorchester counites, but they're willing to help other areas too.

“We have just normal families coming through saying we really need some help and we have been able to be that help to them, which is great,” said Belanger. “We want to impact the communities, we want to be able to take food out to as many organizations as possible so they can distribute in their community as well.”

As the need grows, now the food bank can keep up. Summerville Food Bank is now officially recognized 501(c)(3).

As of Wednesday, it is the designated food bank serving the city of Summerville.

“Companies can now look and say hey, Summerville food bank is the official food bank of Summerville,” said Belanger. “They can donate with charitable contributions and be able to write it off on their taxes and we are really excited about it.”

Belanger knows how much this will help. His mom relied on help like this when he was growing up

“There were times that my mom was working three full time jobs just to keep a roof over our head and put food on our table," said Belanger. "... And some of her stories was she was that mom eating out of the can and we are eating the food that she was working on bringing in and it was kind of tough."

As the organization expands, the goal will remain the same: to feed families and give hope.

The monthly giveaways are on the fourth Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at First Fruits Community Church at 195 Farmington Road in Summerville.

For more information on the Summerville Food Bank website.

Fort Dorchester head football coach Steve LaPrad resigned on Wednesday, according to a release by the Dorchester County District 2 public information office.

The district’s office said the district shared the following letter with Fort Dorchester players and their families.

“Dear Fort Dorchester High School football families, I want to make you aware that Fort Dorchester High School has received the resignation of Mr. Steve LaPrad as head football coach.

“We want to thank coach for his many years of dedicated service to the Patriot football program.”

LaPrad spent the last 20 seasons as the head coach at Fort Dorchester, taking over the program after the death of former coach John Bagwell in 2003.

LaPrad’s teams posted a record of 172-70. His 2015 team, led by current South Carolina receiver Dakereon Joyner and current NFL lineman John Simpson, won the Class AAAA state championship. The 2022 team lost to Dutch Fork in the Class AAAAA finals in December.

Prior to his time at Fort Dorchester, LaPrad was a highly successful wrestling coach at Summerville High, leading the program to four state championships and six state runner-up finishes.

LaPrad’s resignation brings to three the number of high-profile coaching vacancies in the Lowcountry. On Tuesday, Berkeley terminated veteran coach Dr. Jerry Brown after two seasons. Brown previously coached Berkeley for 18 seasons, retiring in 2010, but was hired back as coach in 2021.

Brown has 295 career coaching wins and won five state championships, three as head coach at Berkeley. The Stags, however, managed only five wins over the last two seasons.

In September, Hanahan placed head coach Art Craig on leave and later ended his tenure as head coach in his third season. Craig has 229 career coaching wins, most of those coming at Timberland, where he won 193 games in 19 seasons, which include 18 consecutive winning seasons. Craig won two state titles (2011, 2014) at Timberland.

LaPrad, Brown and Craig were three of the winningest active coaches in the state, and also among the highest paid. According to state salary data, Brown was earning $130,000 per year; Craig was at $104,000 per year; and LaPrad’s annual salary was $102,000. LaPrad was the only one of the three to serve also as the athletic director.

Hanahan is currently in the interview process for its next head coach. Assistant Steve Blanchard served as interim head coach after Craig was relieved of his duties.

Jeff Hartsell contributed.

The South Carolina Bar and the Dorchester County Library (DCL) are collaborating in hosting Law Talk on Jan. 26 at the Summerville Library, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., where the topic of the day will be employment law presented by attorneys Brice Ricker and Emily Tong.

Registration isn’t required for this event, per DCL, that will feature a Q&A session at the end of the discussion.

“South Carolina’s employment relationships are ‘at-will,’ which generally means that employers can terminate an employee for any reason, or no reason at all; however, both federal and state law provides exceptions to this foundational rule ... Mrs. Tong and I look forward to helping Dorchester county residents learn about these exceptions and circumstances so that our community has a better understanding of their rights in the employment setting,” said Ricker.

For more information on Law Talk or other programs, contact Elizabeth Neal at 843-871-5075, ext. 212 or [email protected].

Nearly 300 women will combine their energies next month in building a home for a Summerville-based single mom as part of Dorchester Habitat for Humanity’s annual build undertaking inspiring females to get involved in construction in the spirit of creating a forever home for a local family.

This “Women Build” initiative, according to Dorchester Habitat for Humanity Development Director Moriah Hollander, will require more than 2,000 hours to complete, as business partners will assist in the venture by donating construction materials.

“It’s the most fun we have on the build site each year,” Hollander shared. “You can show up never having picked up a hammer and leave knowing how to install trim in your living room.”

“Women Build” participants partaking in the project, says Hollander, will meet and work alongside the prospective home owner during weekend meetings in February.

The 2023 home recipient is Ariell Burgess, a mother of three.

“This house holds endless opportunity, growth, and stability in all areas of our life,” observed Burgess. “I want my kids to know their mom worked hard to build them a home.”

Volunteer Amanda Leviner is excited for what lies ahead and described the annual build as a great bonding experience for women.

“Women’s build was just a day of goodness,” she added. “Serving together but also knowing that that service is producing fruit in someone else’s life. Getting to meet her that day was an extra bonus.”

Those who wish to participate or sponsor this year’s construction activities are invited to to contact [email protected] for further details.