health insurance agent in Charleston

Readers of The Post and Courier’s Food & Dining section have learned a lot about Charleston burgers in the last week.

We provided details about Tully’s, the new burger-centric kitchen that has replaced The Royal American as Music Farm’s food vendor, and highlighted 18 of the top burgers in the Charleston area.

Let the burger banter continue — Charleston diners will soon have a new smash-burger to try in West Ashley.

Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop will open a fourth location at 1028 Saint Andrews Blvd. in late fall. Specializing in burgers, hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches, the restaurant is owned by acclaimed pitmaster Pat Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint on James Island.

Charleston’s forthcoming Hugh-Baby’s will be the only one located outside of Nashville after one on the West Virginia University campus closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hugh-Baby’s Nashville locations are said to have a “wonderful combination of modern efficiency with an old-school vibe” that is reflected in the menu, which celebrates rural eateries like Abe’s Grill in Corinth, Miss., that Martin frequented while growing up.

“This brand was inspired by the places that I ate in the South as a little kid,” Martin told The Post and Courier.

Hugh-Baby’s is a fast casual destination that is equipped with a drive-thru, but the swift nature of the service doesn’t extend to the preparation of the food, Martin said.

Hugh-Baby’s has a simple and small menu that relies on scratch-made ingredients. A combination of sirloin, chuck and brisket is ground in-house and formed into 3.5-ounce patties that are cooked to order on the flat top grill. Other menu options include a fried chicken sandwich, french fries, hand-spun milkshakes and hot dogs that are a nod to the classic gas station dogs of Martin’s youth.

Pulled pork, turkey and bologna will be smoked on-site at the Charleston Hugh-Baby’s just like they are in Nashville.

Martin also plans to occasionally serve Hugh-Baby’s signature slugburger at the Holy City outpost, though it won’t be available every Friday like it is in Nashville. Featuring a deep-fried ground pork and soy grit patty that’s served with pickles, onions and mustard, the slugburger was born in Corinth, Miss., during the Great Depression as a way to save money on meat. John Weeks’ creation came to be known as the slugburger because it was sold for a nickel, nicknamed a slug at the time.

Martin credited the James Island community for welcoming Martin’s Bar-B-Q Joint in the three years since its 2019 opening. He’s hoping West Ashley will be the same.

“I like going in neighborhoods exactly like West Ashley,” Martin said. “This is a very kids-friendly, family-friendly place.”

Hugh-Baby’s West Ashley will be Martin’s 14th restaurant. In addition to the three Nashville Hugh-Baby’s, Martin owns 10 Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joints in Nashville, Louisville, Ky., Birmingham, Ala., and Charleston.

Once open, Hugh-Baby’s will serve customers from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The chairman of the Charleston County School Board issued a response Tuesday to a letter Gov. Henry McMaster wrote after saying he received calls and letters from parents concerned about an assignment.

McMaster’s letter called on the school board to “restore and prioritize parental involvement in the classroom by prohibiting instructional materials on gender identity from being distributed or utilized without parents’ knowledge and consent,” McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes said.

Charleston County School District spokesman Andy Pruitt said the district learned last Wednesday there were concerns about content shared with students in a class at Camp Road Middle School. That led to a prompt investigation that revealed an assignment was left for students to complete with a substitute teacher during a physical education class without parents’ prior knowledge.

“The assignment involved students reading a Scholastic magazine article that addressed the topic of trans people and then answering three multiple choice and two short answer questions,” Pruitt said. “The assignment was supplemental and was not given a grade.”

Mack released this statement Tuesday evening:

I am in receipt of Governor McMaster’s letter, sharing his concerns, and those of parents, about an assignment distributed by a teacher at Camp Road Middle School

Based on a review of events, District officials listened intently to parents’ concerns and acted swiftly to address them last week. We regret this occurred without prior notification to parents and surely value their right to determine if/when they prefer materials not be shared with their children/young adults.

I have requested that [district] leaders ensure all staff receive information annually regarding opt-out protocols and that such protocols be followed moving forward.

In the letter, McMaster said while he heard from parents, he had not received a copy of any questions or other materials provided to the children and said he was told the district “has thus far refused to provide this documentation to parents upon request.”

“Parents know what is best for their children, and that includes whether, when, or how to address topics like those raised in the article,” McMaster wrote. “If parents decide to introduce their children to the ideas discussed in this article, then it is in their sole discretion to do so, at a time (or age) and in the way they deem appropriate. It certainly should not be done by a public-school teacher without parents’ knowledge.”

District staff determined the assignment did not align with state and district policies, Pruitt said.

The school’s principal, Jaclyn Rowehl sent the following statement to parents whose children were in those classes:

Dear Camp Road Families,

Following concerns shared by parents, we have determined that content was shared with students in a PE/health class involving topics that were not in accordance with the Comprehensive Health Act from the South Carolina State Department of Education.

At Camp Road, moving forward, instructional materials utilized within the classroom by teachers will adhere to the Comprehensive Health Act requirements.

We want to be sure you know that if you choose for your child not to participate in the growth and development portion of the Health class, Parent Opt Out forms can be completed. Parents can expect that opt-out forms are sent out before the material is covered in the course. For your review, curriculum materials can be found at CCSD Comprehensive Health Plan.

We appreciate the feedback provided and the ongoing dialogue with families that has allowed us to respond to concerns and make adjustments to our practice.

Respectfully,

Ms. Rowehl

“District staff regrets that this matter occurred, and leaders are working to ensure all staff is reminded of parents’ opportunity to opt their children out prior to sensitive materials being shared with students,” Pruitt said. “School administrators at Camp Road Middle continue to be available to meet with parents to address additional questions and concerns about this matter.”

You can read the full letter and the materials McMaster attached here:

2022-09-20 Gov. McMaster to CCSD BoT Chmn. Mack Re Camp Road Middle School Matter by Live 5 News on Scribd

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – While this year’s Atlantic hurricane season has been mostly quiet, with only seven named storms as we enter peak season, we look to the past for a reminder that it only takes one storm to make it a truly bad hurricane season.

That storm – Hurricane Hugo – left its mark on the South Carolina coastline 33 years ago. It’s still a topic of conversation for those who lived through the storm and its aftermath.

Hugo formed near the Cape Verde Islands on September 9, 1989. Strengthening over time, Hugo would be upgraded to a strong Category 5 hurricane as it trekked across the Atlantic but wavered in intensity as it moved near Guadeloupe, St. Croix and Puerto Rico.

Still powerful in nature, the storm caused widespread damage and claimed several lives as it passed through the islands before later setting its eye on the Lowcountry.

The storm was heading this way. Leaders knew they had to evacuate the coast in order to save lives. Powerful voices boomed from the Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Center – it was time to move.

South Carolina’s governor Carroll Campbell declared a State of Emergency as the storm approached and emergency officials knew they had to do whatever it took to make citizens heed their warnings. This storm was serious and dangerous.

For many, that chilling message from then-councilwoman Linda Lombard still rings clear in their minds today.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Charleston County is now under a state of emergency,” said Linda Lombard from the Emergency Operations Center,” urging residents to heed warning and take this powerful storm seriously.” It is anticipated that Hurricane Hugo will be in the Charleston area earlier than first reported.”

She continued her message. “Gale force winds are predicted by 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, making weather conditions and travel conditions very dangerous. It is imperative that all residents are Charleston County leave as soon as possible.”

The powerful Category 4 storm packed 140 mph sustained winds and 160 mph gusts as it made landfall just north of Charleston during the night of September 21st, 1989.

At daylight, those who stayed behind emerged from their homes to see destruction. Homes were destroyed, debris littered yards and roadways. Trees were felled, roofs lifted off buildings.

The sound of Hugo’s howling winds would be exchanged for the chewing grind of chainsaws.

Hugo produced widespread wind damage and storm surge along with the coast, with Charleston at the center of the worst damage.

The storm caused $7 billion in damage in the United States and Puerto Rico. At the time it was the costliest hurricane in U.S. history.

Nearly 80,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and the estimated loss of timber surpassed $1 billion.

While South Carolina has been impacted by hurricanes and tropical systems over the years, Hugo was the last major hurricane to make landfall in the state.

The Mayor is the CEO of the kazoo factory. Really.

Photo courtesy of John Powell

There’s just something about Beaufort, South Carolina. Old oak trees festooned with Spanish moss shade the quaint historic quarter. The words of famed Southern writer Pat Conroy seem to come alive in this place he loved so much. And the tides seem to whisper of ships seeking harbor in days gone past. But, if you listen closer, that might not be history whispering to you. It might be the distinct humming tune of a kazoo instead.

Located in an industrial park a short drive from the historic district is Kazoobie Kazoos, one of only two kazoo factories in the United States. Kazoobie makes custom kazoos to the tune of one million a year, then invites visitors to build their own during a factory and museum tour. And Beaufort’s mayor, Stephen Murray, is its CEO.

Kazoobie Kazoos opened as an e-commerce site in 1997, began manufacturing in 2001, and moved home to Beaufort in 2009. By that time, the song of kazoos had already helped Murray, a Beaufort native, to see the country outside of the tidal creeks and islands of his home, thanks to the pied pipes of musician and entertainer Rick Hubbard.

While performing regularly in neighboring Hilton Head, Hubbard hired Murray on as tour manager and assistant for his popular The Kazoobie Kazoo Show with Rick Hubbard (which invites the whole family to get in on the kazoo action), and the two set off on what they thought would be a simple musician’s tour of the United States but instead would tune their lives forever to the joy of the humble kazoo.

They never really set out to make kazoos, but as Hubbard’s show grew and evolved, he soon became one of the biggest customers of a US kazoo factory, and when that factory decided to stop manufacturing, Hubbard bought all of its equipment and decided to build the best kazoo he could, with Murray at his side. After all this time, they knew what made a high quality kazoo.

“We use a medical grade of polypropylene—you can drive a Hummer on it and it won’t crack—and our mold also creates a thicker, stronger plastic, which yields better resonance,” says Hubbard. Then there are 14 different colors, mix and matching for the caps and instrument bodies, and a custom, “die cut, polymer membrane for the resonator—that makes our kazoo resonate vibrantly.”

You’ll learn this much and more during a factory tour, as well as see the history of kazoos in a small museum redesigned during the height of the pandemic by Kazoobie friends and artists Boaz Frankel, Melanie Von Trapp, Charlie Wagers, and Ed Kulisek. There, you can see historical kazoos (the instrument was invented in the 1840’s), a timeline of the kazoo in pop culture (Jimi Hendrix, in fact, has a kazoo connection), and other interesting tidbits about the mini organ.

Sarah Barnwell, marketing director at Kazoobie, runs most of the tours and is proficient not only at helping people find their inner kazoo master, but also running the Instagram account like a puppeteer and building art out of kazoos, including the massive American flag featured on a wall of the museum.

“One of the questions we get a lot is "Does the noise get on your nerves?’,” she says. “We have a lot of fun but also work very hard getting these kazoos shipped worldwide. Even when a bad day happens, because sometimes they do, there is something magical watching folks play the kazoo; it washes away the remnants of a bad day.”

And when that doesn’t quite cut it, there's always “Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton, one of their favorite songs to play around the factory, with kazoo accompaniment of course.

“The kazoo is a silly instrument, and working with Rick and seeing the joy and fun that kazoos can create, it spans generations,” says Murray. “I think that today we aren’t as intentional with joy as we should be. Kazoos are counter culture, sure, but they’re woven into pop culture, from Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Fallon.”

And the tune plays on in Beaufort, sure, a little off key, and a lot breathy, but with a hefty dose of silly fun—fun you can add your tune to, too.

A native North Carolinian, Stephanie grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, on good Southern cooking and lots of books. She received both her BA and MA in English from UNC Charlotte and was a former instructor of English and American Studies there as well. Writing has led her to some interesting places: haunted houses on lonely country roads, white, sandy beaches on the West coast of Florida, and dinner at lots of tables of Southern food, but if you get her started talking about it, it’s hard to get her to stop. Therefore, it’s best to discuss movies or gardening with her at a dinner party. She doesn’t write much about those. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including Paste Magazine, The Local Palate, The Post and Courier, and The Hollins Critic.

The MUSC Office of Innovation is proud to recognize Christy Huggins and Casey O’Neill, Ph.D., as the September 2022 recipients of the I am an MUSC Innovator awards. Sponsored by the Office of Innovation, the I am an MUSC Innovator campaign is designed to raise awareness of the many forms that innovation can take, to inspire others and to recognize individuals or teams that are making impacts, publicly.

Huggins and O’Neill represent the Center for Academic Excellence and Writing Center. Huggins, an administrative coordinator, has been with MUSC since 1989. O’Neill, an assistant professor, has been with MUSC since 2015.

The innovative duo tackled an online pain-point brought about as a result of the campus being shut down in March of 2020, due to the pandemic, and created a remote supplemental instruction system. With about 400 students enrolled in Supplemental Instruction, MUSC’s small-group tutoring program, for their courses and about 150 student tutors who are trained and paid to lead these small group learning sessions, the two needed to figure out a way to move their in-person sessions online and fast.

“Prior to March 2020, nearly every tutoring session was held in person, and student tutors would submit their timecards and session reports to us in person,” said O’Neill. “Within the span of one week, Christy and I had to transform the entire meeting and payment process into a virtual experience. I searched educational literature to rebuild the tutor training to include best practices for virtual teaching and learning.”

After doing so, O’Neill informed the students enrolled in small groups that their sessions would be moved online and worked to ensure everyone could access and use the virtual meeting platform used by MUSC. The next step was to reach out to accounting partners and design an entirely new workflow for the hiring and payment processes that involve students submitting their tutor applications and timecards/session documentation through MUSC’s Box platform.

Currently, supplemental instruction is now larger than ever, giving students the options of tutoring through an online process (Teams/Zoom) or in person. The program used to serve an average of 300 to 400 students each semester and typically hired between 120 and 150 peer tutors to lead sessions. Now, they regularly receive over 800 requests for peer tutoring from MUSC students and hire and train more than 200 peer tutors each semester.

“We appreciate the support of our director, Tom Smith,” said the two. “Without his help and advocacy, this program would have failed to be able to handle the increase in student demand. We also appreciate our colleagues Nell Piedmont and Kathleen Williams in Accounts Payable, Tonia Brown in Human Resources and Rhonda Walters in Education Innovation and Student Life for all of their dedication and help in making this enormous undertaking a huge success.”

Each quarter, the campaign showcases educators, researchers, care team members and service team members enterprisewide who have been nominated for the impact they have made in the area of innovation.

Nominations are solicited by and submitted to the chief innovation officer and evaluated based on the merits of the innovation, including potential impact and unique factors that contributed to the innovation. Nominations are solicited on a quarterly basis but may be submitted for consideration at any time.

Do you know someone who should be recognized? Fill out and submit a nomination form.

Award criteria

To be eligible for the I am an MUSC Innovator campaign, the individual or team must be: •Employed by MUSC or attend MUSC as a student. •Acknowledged within the organization for the creation of an idea, product or process that can solve a problem or create a new opportunity. •Recognized as collaborative, respectful, adaptive to change and committed to quality care.