Opinions

A Labor Day tribute: Ink, hard work, and lessons learned

As part of celebrating Labor Day, we asked neighbors and business owners to share stories about their first jobs and what they learned from them. You can read about a wide range of experiences on pages 14 and 15 of this week’s newspaper, ranging from working at a grain elevator to...

As long as you have breath in your lungs, it’s never too late

It is never too late to be what you might have been. - George Eliot In case you missed it, a San Antonio, Texas, library had an overdue book returned – 82 years late. The book came with a note stating, “Grandma won’t be able to pay for it anymore.” The book, “Your Child, His Family,...

Radioactive wasps, our new state mascot? This idea has legs!

Were you ever picked on by an older sibling or the bigger kids at school? If so, you probably absorbed the taunts until that moment, like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story,” when you found the inspiration to fight back. We South Carolinians can empathize with Ralphie as we often live in...

Enjoying what’s now vs. what’s next

The advancements in technology that have taken place in the past 40 years are nothing short of astounding. What once required the space of an entire building has been reduced to fit inside a phone stuffed into your pants pocket. Although this is extraordinary, our expectation of what’...

Remembering Richard Gowe, co-creator of DIS Community Garden

This is dedicated to the memory of Richard John Gowe, the best friend, co-creator, and designer of the Daniel Island School and Community Garden, who passed away on June 7, 2025. He was 64 when we lost his physical presence among us, far too young, but the good news this column brings is...

How good are you at compromising?

In your most important relationships, do you have an equal voice? I always thought that compromise was a good thing. But after delving into the involuted world of relationships, I’m beginning to view the concept differently. Don’t get me wrong. I still value the ability, but I’m...

How good are you at trusting yourself and others?

“Trust is the foundation of every meaningful relationship we build,” writes Joanna Baars at counselling-directory.org.uk. “It creates safety, connection, and understanding. “But trust isn’t just about believing in others it starts with trusting ourselves. When we don’t trust our instincts...

Do our family pets go to heaven?

Ask any owner who has said goodbye to a pet, and they’ll tell you: losing a pet is losing family. But grief does more than ache – it wonders, do pets go to heaven? It’s a theological and philosophical question with no single, definitive answer, but it’s a question Father Gregory West,...

DIY or not? How to know when it’s time to call a pro

It’s an age-old question. Should I fix it or hire someone to fix it for me? The “it” in this situation could be anything. From gutter cleaning to car detailing, there’s a person you can hire to do any chore you either don’t feel like tackling or have no idea where to begin. I’m not a...

Erase your disappointments by celebrating sharp thinking

“Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead.” - Les Brown, motivational speaker In case you missed it, more than a thousand people in Minneapolis recently attended what has become an annual celebration – the sharpening of a giant No. 2 pencil. ...