Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that modern Americans are much fatter than they were just a few decades ago. Take one look around a shopping center or strip mall and it seems that half the people present are struggling with obesity. Recent data from the CDC supports those observations - more than 39% of adults in the United States were considered obese from 2015-2016. That number is up from 33.7 percent in 2007-2008.
Perhaps more alarming is the fact that severe obesity is on the rise as well. The same report from the CDC tells us that nearly 8% of Americans were severely obese from 2015-2016, which is up from 5.7% in 2007-2008. When you read between the lines, those statistics mean that almost 4 in 10 adults are obese in the U.S., and almost 1 in 13 are severely obese.
Unfortunately, "fixing" obesity isn't something that can be done overnight. There is no quick fix that is also safe and non-surgical. The obesity problem in the U.S. is only getting worse as more adults and children choose the ease and convenience of fast food sugar-packed products over healthy eating, exercise, and positive lifestyle choices.
Besides the challenges of being overweight, like clothes that don't fit and hurtful comments, the health risks are much more serious. Obesity can endanger your life, and those who rely on you may lose you earlier than expected. Over time, the likelihood of developing severe and life-altering health problems grows.
The good news is that a new medication called semaglutide in Port Royal, SC, is available for people struggling with obesity. This game-changing treatment approaches obesity as a chronic metabolic disease rather than a problem that can be solved through willpower alone.
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we now ioffer semaglutide as part of our custom weight loss program. If you've been struggling with obesity and have tried other diets with little to no success, don't lose hope. With the help of our medical and nutritional providers, you can lose weight, keep it off, and take meaningful steps toward better health.
Our weight loss program with semaglutide starts with a comprehensive consultation and evaluation process. During this phase, we will determine the ideal semaglutide dosage for you and provide personalized nutrition and exercise guidelines. Once we have a better understanding of your body and your weight loss goals, you'll begin receiving regular injections of semaglutide in Port Royal, SC.
It's your responsibility to incorporate lifestyle changes, specifically in your diet and exercise, to reach your weight loss goals. However, we'll be there every step of the way and conduct regular check-ins to help you stay on course. We'll also closely monitor your progress and overall health to ensure that your weight loss is safe and sustainable. The purpose of our semaglutide weight loss program is to offer a comprehensive weight loss treatment that helps you achieve natural, long-lasting results. That's the VIP Cosmetic Surgery difference.
Patients who sign up for our semaglutide weight loss program benefit from the following:
For semaglutide to have the biggest impact on your weight, you've got to make changes to your diet. When you eat nutrient-dense, whole foods that support weight loss and healthy living, you're setting yourself up for long-term weight loss. Our nutrition plans are comprehensive and customized to your needs and lifestyle. That way, when you're ready to make real changes in your life, we'll be there with a nutrition plan you can follow to make the journey easier and more sustainable.
One of the biggest reasons why people fail to achieve their weight loss goals is because they try to do it all on their own. When you sign up for VIP Cosmetic Surgery's semaglutide program, you benefit from monthly check-ins with Dr. Farr to see how your progress is going. During this meeting, you can talk to the doctor about your progress and what hurdles you're still trying to overcome. The doctor will give you advice and guidance based on his experience and - perhaps most importantly - help keep you on track so that you can lose weight and keep it off for good.
Our practitioners will provide tests to ensure that your body is healthy, hydrated, and well-fed. By checking your hydration and nutrition levels, we can help ensure you're losing weight in a healthy manner and not starving yourself. By maintaining optimal health throughout your weight loss journey, you're giving yourself the best shot at long-term weight loss.
For individuals working to lose weight and stay healthy, sticking to a consistent diet and exercise routine can be tough. Between work obligations and important tasks like picking your kids up from school, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to eat healthy foods. After all, McDonald's is on the way home, and your little ones are screaming for food.
Fortunately, many busy people find semaglutide to be a valuable tool in their weight loss journey. This FDA-approved injection, used for treating both diabetes and obesity, functions by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and promote long-term health.
In more simple terms, semaglutide imitates glucagon in the body, signaling to the brain that you're full and don't need to eat more. When you take semaglutide and try to overeat, your body sends a message that says, "That's enough." In essence, it makes you feel full, so you're less likely to binge eat, especially at night when food tends to sit in your stomach.
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By minimizing glucose spikes after meals, it lowers inflammation, which is a crucial step in optimizing your overall health. Moreover, Semaglutide assists in insulin secretion by the pancreas regulates glucose levels in the body and even possesses anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling with weight loss, treatments such as semaglutide can make a substantial difference for you.
In summary, semaglutide helps you lose weight in a few different ways, including:
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, one of the most frequently asked questions our providers receive from curious weight loss patients is whether or not semaglutide is supported by clinical trials. As it turns out, many trials have been conducted measuring the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss, and the results are very promising.
Semaglutide is designed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who are attempting to shed at least 10% of their total body weight without success with other methods. Clinical trials involving over 1,900 obese adults who were unable to lose five percent of their body weight after a year of treatment with other medications demonstrated that semaglutide increased average weight loss from 2% to 20% over a treatment period of just over one year compared to a placebo.
In a different trial involving 1,387 patients with obesity (but not type 2 diabetes), participants were randomly assigned to different doses of semaglutide: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or placebo for 104 weeks. The group that took the higher dose of semaglutide lost an average of 31 pounds, while those on the lower dose lost an average of 11 pounds.
According to the NCBI, the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People With Obesity (STEP) trials have shown the efficacy of semaglutide, as well. In large randomized controlled trials, patients who received 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide lost a mean of 6% of their weight after 12 weeks and 12% of their weight after 28 weeks.
So, what do all these statistics mean for you? If you're looking to shed some pounds, it's worth giving semaglutide injections a shot. This type of treatment isn't a miracle drug, but it can significantly boost your chances of weight loss success. That's why, at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we have incorporated semaglutide as a fresh treatment option for individuals grappling with obesity, especially those who have exhausted other remedies and are seeking something new.
As is the case with promising therapies like semaglutide, people considering the drug have a lot of questions about whether it's right for them. Keep reading to get answers to some of the most common questions relating to semaglutide.
If you're an adult dealing with obesity, excessive weight, or weight-related medical conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, semaglutide injections could be a suitable option for you. To qualify for semaglutide weight loss services at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you must meet the BMI range criteria established by the FDA. If you're unsure whether semaglutide injections are the right choice for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our weight loss practitioners today.
Our doctors and practitioners often hear from patients asking whether semaglutide is safe for long-term use. It's natural to have concerns about a medication that impacts your body. Simply put, as long as you meet the criteria, it is safe to take this weight-loss medication. Even patients with endocrine, kidney, heart, and liver conditions can safely use semaglutide. As of June 4, 2021, the Food & Drug Administration has given the green light for semaglutide injections (2.4mg once weekly) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and at least one weight-related condition.
Weight loss medications such as semaglutide may cause people to regain weight once the treatment is stopped. According to a clinical trial featured in Practice Update, participants regained 11.6% of their lost body weight within a year of discontinuing semaglutide medication and lifestyle intervention. Researchers suggest that this weight gain could be linked to the reversal of the cardiovascular benefits associated with semaglutide treatment, including stable blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
This data underscores the importance of continued medication and ongoing treatment for obesity as a chronic health condition to effectively manage its impact on quality of life and heart health. The key takeaway here is that due to its nature as a weight loss treatment, it's best to take regularly over time for the best results.
That length of time will vary depending on factors such as:
There's no question about it - semaglutide is making waves in the medical community. Thousands of obese men and women in the U.S. are using the treatment to get a handle on their weight and live healthy lives. With its ability to reduce blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss, it makes sense that patients are looking for ways to get the most out of their regimen.
Keep reading to learn a few of the best tips to maximize your journey with semaglutide.
Before you start taking semaglutide or make any changes to your treatment plan, make sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider who prescribes semaglutide. They will evaluate your specific needs, determine the right dosage for you, and give you important instructions on how to use the medication properly. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, our weight loss practitioners work one-on-one with every patient who takes semaglutide to ensure they're staying healthy, hydrated, and committed to our semaglutide program.
Make sure to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels as recommended by your semaglutide provider. While semaglutide can assist in reducing blood sugar levels, it's important to regularly monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments. When you begin a weight loss program at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you can rest easy knowing we check your blood sugar levels periodically.
Regular physical activity can boost the effects of semaglutide. It's best to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week to support weight loss and overall health improvements.
It's important to understand that results may not happen right away and could take some time to become noticeable. Try to be patient as you follow your treatment plan, maintain consistency with lifestyle changes, and have confidence that positive results will come gradually.
To maximize the effectiveness of semaglutide, it's very beneficial to eat a well-rounded diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Always try to choose nutrient-rich options over high-calorie, high-fat foods. That way, you can achieve your weight loss objectives quicker. When you work with weight loss experts like the doctors at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you'll have access to customized nutrition plans that will help expedite your weight loss and keep off the pounds once you reach your goals.
Make sure to set up regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to track your progress, make any necessary changes to your treatment plan, and talk about any concerns or questions you might have. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, follow-ups and check-ins are built into our semaglutide program, giving you one less thing to worry about as you lose weight.
Are you striving to reach a healthy weight and live a more fulfilling life? Are you eager to have a positive impact on yourself and your loved ones? Take the first step toward better health by contacting VIP Cosmetic Surgery. Our experienced, compassionate practitioners will collaborate with you to identify your weight-loss goals. Once we know more about you and your body, we'll create a custom plan and provide the cutting-edge strategies and treatments you need to see real results. If you're ready to make a meaningful change, we're ready to guide you on the path to success.
Indications are new mystery developer’s plans a step in right directionBy Scott GraberThe Island NewsIn 2004, 20 years ago, then-Governor Mark Sanford called for the selling of the Port of Port Royal. In that year the General Assembly passed legislation ordering the Ports Authority to sell its Port Royal Terminal and allow the Town to plan the commercial and residential future of this site.In 2005, the Town hired a design firm out of Baltimore — Desi...
By Scott Graber
The Island News
In 2004, 20 years ago, then-Governor Mark Sanford called for the selling of the Port of Port Royal. In that year the General Assembly passed legislation ordering the Ports Authority to sell its Port Royal Terminal and allow the Town to plan the commercial and residential future of this site.
In 2005, the Town hired a design firm out of Baltimore — Design Collective — to reimagine and redesign the Port’s waterfront acreage.
Matt D’Amico, a principal in that firm, said at the time, “People wanted to make sure that the (Town) grid extended to the water, so there is a physical and visual connection to the waterfront.”
Over the past 20 years, the notion of “physical and visual connection” with Battery Creek has manifested itself in three planned improvements — a waterfront pedestrian promenade, the Spanish Moss Bike Trail and a vehicular access road that would extend into the site from Ribaut Road.
In the latter part of June 2024, Safe Harbor revealed to the Town of Port Royal that it hoped to enter into a sales contract with reputable, Beaufort-based developer who would develop the “Bluff Neighborhood” and the “Ribaut Village” properties.
The ‘Bluff Neighborhood’ and ‘Ribaut Village’
The “Bluff Neighborhood” and the “Ribaut Village” properties are wooded, heavily vegetated parcels generally located behind a high bluff just South of Ribaut Road as that road descends from the Russell Bell Bridge and passes through Port Royal.
These two parcels have always been deemed more suitable for residential development; for homes, rather than industrial activities, or commercial structures supportive of marina activities.
The sales price is unknown, however, a single appraiser was apparently agreed upon by Safe Harbor and the unknown buyer according to Town of Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips. According to Phillips, the unknown buyer-developer has promised to build fewer units than the planned unit development (PUD) permits.
Previously, the Beach Company was identified by Safe Harbor as the likely buyer/builder; and its spokesman indicated that Beach could only develop the residential communities as “build to rent,” citing environmental and economic problems related to the site. However, it appears that the current unknown buyer/builder doesn’t have those concerns.
The Spanish Moss Trail
Safe Harbor previously assured the Town of Port Royal that “the Developer” would honor the proposed extension of the Spanish Moss Trail through the two properties. In fact, the Fish Camp on 11th Street restaurant built a small segment of the bike trail in its parking lot.
In his January 9, 2024 letter Peter Clark (at Safe Harbor) wrote to Town of Port Royal Town Manager Van Willis, saying, “While neither the PUD, nor the Development Agreement obligate the Developer to do so, Developer has agreed to provide an easement across a portion of the Property for the Spanish Moss Trail.”
In a previous, reimagined rendition of the “Bluff Neighborhood” the Spanish Moss Trail meandered down the middle of a street to be built behind the first row of waterfront, top of the bluff-oriented houses.
Dean Moss, President of the Spanish Moss Trail Association, has a copy of this proposed, unexecuted easement and said the trail will be 24-feet wide as it comes across Ribaut Road, eventually connecting with an existing, short segment (of the Trail) that bisects the parking lot at the Fish Camp Restaurant.
Moss believes that The Trail will then transit a narrow, unimproved stretch of land (currently featuring several picnic tables) that would presumably contain a vehicular access road, the 24-foot wide bike trail, and, perhaps, a waterfront walking promenade that is described as extending through the “Marina Village” and the “Port Village” in the PUD document dated November 9, 2011.
Moss says the bike trail will eventually veer to the East (after passing through the Fish Camp parking lot and the narrow choke-point below the parking lot) and then follow 8th Street in an easterly direction until it intersects with the park sometimes called the London Avenue Park.
If this is the bike trail’s eventual route, it would not pass around (or near) the site of the massive transit shed built by the Ports Authority (Pier 21) in 1958 — a structure has since been demolished by Safe Harbor.
It is further noted that the Town has put markings on 7th Street and on the Sands Beach Road indicating that this is how current bike riders should access the Sands Beach.
The waterfront walkway
The “deeded waterfront public walkway” described in sections 5.3.3 and 5.3.4 of the PUD was briefly referenced in a letter from Willis to Safe Harbor’s Carla Ferguson dated March 20, 2024.
In that letter, Willis wrote, “This is further noted that Sections 5.3.3 and 5.3.4 of the PUD (as amended pursuant to the July 14, 2021, amendment thereto) set forth certain open space requirements, including a deeded walkway/promenade that extends through the MV and PV Planning Districts to connect the Town’s Sands Beach Area Access Boardwalk.”
The “Marina Village” and “Port Village” segments (on the previous Grey Ghost illustrations) do not actually show where the “waterfront walking promenade” will be located, but one assumes that the PUD, as amended, still mandates a “waterside walkway/promenade” giving the public access to Battery Creek as was called for in 2005.
It has also been revealed that Safe Harbor is still awaiting its permit for the Marina, that permit coming from the State of South Carolina. Notwithstanding the lack of progress, there is a feeling of optimism (at Town Hall) that something tangible will happen in the near future.
However, when contacted by The Island News, officials with Safe Harbor declined to comment on details of the impending sale, the name of the “developer” of the Bluff Neighborhood and Ribaut Village properties, or the path of the pedestrian promenade below Fish Camp.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
Recreation fishing and serious science are rarely on display in one activity but in late September, as anglers hook redfish, southern flounder, spotted sea trout, cobia, tarpons and sharks during a one-of-a-kind fishing tournament, they will be also helping sustain the local ecosystem.South Carolina’s Port Royal Sound has a unique watershed comprised of water, land and expansive salt marsh, bigger than the state of Rhode Island, says Chris Kehrer the science program manager of the Port Royal Sound Foundation.The foundatio...
Recreation fishing and serious science are rarely on display in one activity but in late September, as anglers hook redfish, southern flounder, spotted sea trout, cobia, tarpons and sharks during a one-of-a-kind fishing tournament, they will be also helping sustain the local ecosystem.
South Carolina’s Port Royal Sound has a unique watershed comprised of water, land and expansive salt marsh, bigger than the state of Rhode Island, says Chris Kehrer the science program manager of the Port Royal Sound Foundation.
The foundation has come up with a new way to assist in the collection of vital data as part of its work to protect it and it’s called the Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam. But catching the biggest fish won’t be the only aim of the first-of-a-kind fishing tournament for the area.
In this case, tournament participants will where two hats: angler and citizen scientist. When the tournament opens at 6am, Sept 27 hundreds of anglers will be unleashed along the shores into the crooks and crannies and open waters of the 1,600 square-mile watershed in September and October. Besides having fun and competing for $10,000 in cash prizes, their job over the 10-day tournament will be recording any fish they catch for the sake of research. That information will then be turned over to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Port Royal Sound is the deepest natural harbor on the East Coast south of Chesapeake Bay. With waters reaching 60 feet deep in places, it features high-salinity ocean rivers such as the Broad and May that extend up to 30 miles inland.
As a result of the salty tidal inlets, it is not uncommon to see such ocean species such as cobia, tarpons and sharks deep in the interior in places where they would not otherwise be found, Kehrer says. Both tarpon and a 5-foot blacktip shark have recently been spotted off the dock at the foundation’s Okatie Highway Maritime Center.
“It’s a really unique ecology that exists here,” Kehrer says.
But more information is needed on the diversity and density of the smorgasbord of species that thrive in this lifeblood flowing through Lowcountry rivers, says Kehrer. Fisheries managers can only do so much, he added.
Jody Hayward, executive director of the Port Royal Sound Foundation, says the different kind of fishing tournament is another way to contribute to the health of the Port Royal Sound “so it remains clean and healthy.”
“Tourism relies on the Port Royal Sound and we have to take care of it and we have to protect it,” Hayward says, “and getting residents involved, being a part of that process, is really important and that tournament helps to do that.”
An inshore slam is a fishing challenge where anglers attempt to catch three inshore species. In this case, redfish, southern flounder and spotted sea trout will be targeted. The winner will have the overall longest aggregate length of each of those three species (redfish over 32 inches, referred to as bull redfish, will not be counted to conserve fish returning to inshore waters to spawn during early fall).
But this tournament will have one big difference from typical contests. Any fish species that participants reel in will be photographed and measured using the MyCatch phone app. That important catch data, in turn, will be shared with SCDNR researchers to help better understand and protect the fishery.
“It’s a snapshot really of a variety of fish being caught in Port Royal Sound,” Hayward says.
Earlier this year, a research symposium was conducted at the Maritime Center. One of the needs highlighted was more information about Port Royal Sound fish, Hayward said.
SCDNR regularly conducts fish surveys at specific locations but the agency can’t get to all of the smaller creek areas, Kehrer says. Port Royal Sound is really large, he adds. As for fishermen, they don’t routinely record everything they catch. The tournament offers an opportunity for them to make a real contribution to important data collection, he says.
“It’s very difficult for SCDNR to get this widespread data set across this massive area so hopefully this will be helpful for them,” Kehrer said.
The tournament boundaries will allow residents from across the region to participate: The northern boundary stretches from Dawson’s Landing in the Coosawhatchie River across to the northern end of Bray’s Island, and Huspah Creek to the creek fork at the southern end of Bull Point. The western boundary includes Knowles Branches, Coles Creek, Euhaw Creek, Hazards Creek and the Okatie and May rivers.
The southwest boundary covers the western end of Daufuskie Island and the saltwater section of the New River, while the Southeastern boundary is up to one mile off the shores of Hilton Head, Bay Point, Pritchards, Fripp, Hunting and Harbor islands.
The northeastern boundary includes Whale Branch and the Coosaw River up to Parrot Creek, including Morgan Island, along St.Helena Island, and just outside of Harbor River.
St. Helena Sound is not within the tournament boundary.
The Foundation and SCDNR are teaming Angler’s Atlas, a mobile app dedicated to sport fishing and citizen science, on the inshore slam because it provides an opportunity to gather data about the fish living in coastal South Carolina during the fall months. Angler’s Atlas says it will not release any MyCatch GPS data, meaning fishing spots will remain secret.
“Along with our long-term sampling programs, angler catch data provides us with an important tool to help manage our fisheries for sustainability,” said Matt Perkinson, a spokesman for SCDNR’s Marine Resources Division.
The cost is $40 for youth and $80 for adults with the proceeds going toward the foundation’s conservation mission. The early bird registration deadline is 5 p.m. Aug. 15. The tournament opens at 6 a.m. Sept. 27 and ends at 6 p.m. Oct. 6. Check out https://portroyalsoundfoundation.org/inshore-slam/ for more information.
This story was originally published July 30, 2024, 1:01 PM.
The Island Packet
Karl Puckett covers the city of Beaufort, town of Port Royal and other communities north of the Broad River for The Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet. The Minnesota native also has worked at newspapers in his home state, Alaska, Wisconsin and Montana.
Drivers in Port Royal can enjoy 50% off any oil change at the July 31st grand opening event, hosted with the local chamber of commerce, at the newest Strickland Brothers location at 875 Parris Island Gateway, Port Royal, SC 29906 (across from Food Lion)BEAUFORT, S.C., July 29, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Drivers in Port Royal and Beaufort can now experience a superior oil change from the comfort of their vehicle as Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change opens its newest location at 875 Parris Island Gateway, Port Royal, SC 29906. The...
Drivers in Port Royal can enjoy 50% off any oil change at the July 31st grand opening event, hosted with the local chamber of commerce, at the newest Strickland Brothers location at 875 Parris Island Gateway, Port Royal, SC 29906 (across from Food Lion)
BEAUFORT, S.C., July 29, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Drivers in Port Royal and Beaufort can now experience a superior oil change from the comfort of their vehicle as Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change opens its newest location at 875 Parris Island Gateway, Port Royal, SC 29906. There will be a grand opening event hosted by franchise owner, Jim Ripper, and the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce on July 31st with a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Attendees of the event will enjoy 50% off any level of oil change for their vehicle.
Jim and his wife, Candace Ripper, are fulfilling their dream of owning a small business and are excited to serve the low country area. Jim states that their mission with Strickland Brothers "is to provide more than just an oil change – we offer peace of mind in a comfortable and safe environment. In accordance with Colossians 3:17, we strive to ensure that every aspect of our service brings glory to God."
Strickland Brothers prides itself on high-quality oil changes, superior service, and a uniquely relaxed experience that typically has customers back on the road in about 10 minutes. They proudly pour Valvoline® motor oil but want customers to know that they should anticipate to drive away with more than just oil. Strickland Brothers' team of highly trained technicians ensures that each oil change is performed with the utmost care and attention to detail. The customer will leave Strickland Brothers content that they have not only received a great service, but that they were treated with dignity and honesty and felt cared about, rather than just another car.
In addition to its focus on high-quality oil changes, Strickland Brothers is also dedicated to providing a relaxed experience for customers. This means that customers sit in their cars during the oil change with no need to leave the comfort of their vehicle. This allows for a quick and hassle-free experience that is perfect for busy individuals and families.
Strickland Brothers is a portfolio member of the Accelerated Brands family, a leader in the automotive industry who strives to deliver a superior service experience to their customers by enriching the lives of their team members and communities they serve. For more information and store locations, please visit www.sboilchange.com.
Media Contact
Erin Kenny, Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change, 1 833-787-2767 1029, erin.kenny@sboilchange.com, https://sboilchange.com
SOURCE Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change
With the nation’s 248th anniversary being celebrated this week, fireworks displays are rightfully expected and with the Thursday timing of July 4, many are taking Friday away from the office to create the rarest of summer treats: a four-day-long warm weather holiday. With the pageantry of parades and fireworks shows also comes the attendant traffic snarls and parking spot hunts. Arriving early and packing an extra dose of patience is key to enjoying the evening.Here’s where to go to see the fireworks and how to navigate th...
With the nation’s 248th anniversary being celebrated this week, fireworks displays are rightfully expected and with the Thursday timing of July 4, many are taking Friday away from the office to create the rarest of summer treats: a four-day-long warm weather holiday. With the pageantry of parades and fireworks shows also comes the attendant traffic snarls and parking spot hunts. Arriving early and packing an extra dose of patience is key to enjoying the evening.
Here’s where to go to see the fireworks and how to navigate the surface streets and highways for a smooth commute.
On Hilton Head Island, Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina is hosting the regions largest celebration, the annual Fourth of July Harbourfest Fireworks Show.
Fireworks will start as soon as the sky gets dark. But events are planned leading up to the show including
Food and drink can be purchased from vendors and restaurants during the event. Guests are asked not to bring coolers.
Free parking for the event will be at the Hargray building near the Fresh Market, at 856 William Hilton Pkwy. A free shuttle will run from the parking lot to the marina from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Anyone walking or biking from Palmetto Dunes to the marina must utilize the pedestrian underpass, under U.S. 278.
The Town of Port Royal is hosting a fireworks display on Sands Beach. The free event starts at 6 p.m. and fireworks will begin after sunset.
Food vendors for the event include Fly Pies, hamburgers and hotdogs from local Boy Scouts, Lawyers BBQ, Snack Shack, Tropical Treasures and Blue Sky Italian Ice.
Live music from DJ Kev Greaves and the Iron Mic Parris Island Marine Band will start at 8 p.m. and end when the fireworks begin.
Pets are not allowed unless they are service animals. Coolers, firearms and concealed weapons are also prohibited at the event.
Sands Beach Road will be shut down to traffic.
Golf Carts will be allowed on the beach. However, all carts are asked to be gone by 8 p.m. or to wait for all pedestrians to have left before driving off the beach.
On Friday, Beaufort’s First Friday will be “Red, White and Brews” themed. The monthly event is described as “a patriotic party where we blend the festive spirit of Independence Day with the community camaraderie of First Friday.”
First Friday’s can be a busy area so those who aren’t interested in the festivities are encouraged to avoid the Downtown core of Beaufort from 5 to 8 p.m.
The city does not have anything planned for the Thursday, July 4.
This list will be updated with more events throughout the week.
This story was originally published July 1, 2024, 12:48 PM.
The Island Packet
Sebastian Lee covers Beaufort County for The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2022. If he’s not working he’s most likely watching a good movie or spinning a record.
By Scott GraberIt is Saturday, early, and I’m at my pine-planked, dining room table in Port Royal. The news this morning centers on the waterfront in Beaufort and in Port Royal.Both, we learn, are about to change.Port Royal will abandon its semi-industrial look for a waterfront featuring a sleek, recumbent population of white, fiberglass-hulled boats, patiently awaiting their weekend captains from Greenville and Atlanta. Beaufort’s waterfront may get a new, two and three-storied building with...
By Scott Graber
It is Saturday, early, and I’m at my pine-planked, dining room table in Port Royal. The news this morning centers on the waterfront in Beaufort and in Port Royal.
Both, we learn, are about to change.
Port Royal will abandon its semi-industrial look for a waterfront featuring a sleek, recumbent population of white, fiberglass-hulled boats, patiently awaiting their weekend captains from Greenville and Atlanta. Beaufort’s waterfront may get a new, two and three-storied building with a rooftop bar.
I must say that I have memories of rooftop drinking and remember when one had to travel North (or West) for this privilege. In my case it was New York’s Rainbow Grill, high above Rockefeller Center, where one could buy an Old Fashioned, a small bowl of mixed nuts and a view for about $10.
After Susan and I landed at LaGuardia our first stop was always the Grill. In the early 70s we would board the Grill-dedicated elevator praying for a table with a view — a view then including the Chrysler Building and the newly built Twin Towers.
We did this for 5 years before being lured over to Campbell Apartment, a dark, semi-secret bar hidden above the Main Concourse at Grand Central.
For those of confined in Beaufort County there was the Crow’s Nest on Hilton Head that gave one a slightly elevated view of the Atlantic Ocean. But if one was willing to travel (to Atlanta) there was John Portman’s “Polaris” atop the Hyatt Regency.
Portman followed that revolving restaurant with “Sun Dial” at the Peachtree Plaza. I remember sitting in this hotel and admiring the tall, dark haired waitresses wearing slate gray skirts.
“John Portman designed those women as well” Jim Thomas said as we sipped our Dewars.
And who could resist a drive to South of the Border and a climb to the top of Pedro’s iconic sombrero? Those who made that trek were sometimes rewarded, depending on barometric pressure, with the distant lights of Dillon, S.C. But it wasn’t long after that ascent that Susan and I discovered the Pisgah Inn at Milepost 408.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The dining room at Pisgah, at elevation 5,000 ft., overlooks the soft-shouldered, oak, laurel and fir carpeted mountains just below its huge windows. It’s restaurant offers a variety of entrees, but one should not dismiss the trout which is filleted at one’s table.
But it’s the view, looking east into North and South Carolina, that makes this place magical. It is the unbroken, unimproved, unaltered view that, in those days, came with a dollop of fatigue — fabulous fatigue that came after an ascent up Black Balsam Knob and then up and over to Shining Rock. It was a fatigue that enveloped our small, fragile family sitting, if just for an hour, at the top of the world.
Some years later I found myself atop the M’Bamou Palace Hotel in Brazzaville. Their rooftop bar came with its view of Kinshasa just across the Zaire River. That bar featured Johnny Walker Black — flown in from Paris — and cohort of beautiful Black prostitutes. But the real draw was balcony seating for the civil war then underway in Zaire.
I remember sitting with a reporter from the Wall Street Journal talking about Mobutu Sese Seko and whether he would survive this mutiny. It seems that inflation finally made his money — bills featuring Mobutu’s imperial face and figure — worthless. The rebellious troops had left their barracks and found machine guns and tracer ammunition that lit up the nighttime sky.
More recently I found myself atop the Perry Lane Hotel in downtown Savannah. My son, his wife, Susan and I were watching the building-sized container ships squeeze under the Talmadge Bridge. I remember saying that the Savannah port people made their deal with China and Charleston’s customers were mostly in Europe.
The kids seemed distracted, frequently looking down at their cell phones. We would later discover that while we watched 100 of our friends were gathering below to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.
Now it appears that Beaufort will have a choice of rooftop bars in which to do its drinking. Dick Stewart is building one on Port Republic Street; Graham Trask is putting his bar in place just off Bay Street. For those of us who once nursed our Mojitos at the John Cross Tavern — or traveled North and West — this is a future we could not imagine.
Scott Graber is a lawyer, novelist, veteran columnist and longtime resident of Port Royal. He can be reached at cscottgraber@gmail.com.
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