With so many styles and materials, selecting the perfect countertops for your home isn't always easy. Your counters must be practical enough for everyday use and unique enough to complement your style. They hold a demanding role as the go-to area for food preparation and cleanup and are often front-and-center when snacks are needed for parties. The very best kitchen countertops in St. Stephen, SC mix beauty and style, setting your kitchen apart from your neighbors. But they must also be durable and useful, so you and your family can enjoy them for years to come.
At Stone City Kitchen & Bath, we create countertops and kitchen cabinets that make a statement in your home where other features fall short. You've worked hard to foster an attractive appearance throughout the rest of your home, so why should your countertops be any different?
Here at Stone City KB, we combine the durability and elegance of natural stone with personalized attention for each of our valued customers. Unlike other countertop fabricators, we source our materials from across the globe, searching high and low for the best stones available. In doing so, we are able to produce some of the finest remodeling and renovation products in our industry, from granite, marble, quartzite, quartz, and recycle glass countertops to new kitchen solid wood cabinets.
By providing high-quality materials and unmatched customer service, our clients have the chance to make informed decisions they feel great about. Our mission is to provide:
Impeccable Quality: You can count on Stone City KB to design and craft your countertops and cabinets exactly as you imagined, with globally-sourced, high-quality materials.
Honesty & Integrity: Trust is a must when you invite someone into your home to discuss new kitchen renovations. We are privileged to serve you, and our technicians are dedicated to treating your home like it was our own.
True Craftsmanship: When we say personalized service, we mean it. Our artistry lies in getting the details of your project right, whether we're installing custom countertops or completely remodeling your kitchen.
As our testament to creating a better product for our clients, we use innovative technologies and the brightest minds in the business to create stunning countertops and cabinets. Because when it comes to your home, it needs to be as close to perfect as possible.
We offer a wide selection of stones and materials for your next kitchen renovation project:
If you're in need of a professional, fast, reliable company for kitchen cabinets, countertops, and remodels, look no further than Stone City Kitchen & Bath.
When you're remodeling your kitchen or having new countertops installed, there are a lot of decisions to be made. From countertop material choices to counter placement preferences, each decision is impactful, making for an overwhelming experience. Luckily, at Stone City Kitchen & Bath, we have a team of countertop experts who are more than happy to offer assistance and advice on your new countertop journey.
Most of our clients start by selecting the type of countertop material they want to use. If you're at this stage and aren't sure what to choose, ask yourself these questions:
Still unsure? Swing by our showroom and let us help. Our kitchen remodeling experts can give you a rundown of the features and advantages of all our countertop materials, from durability to upkeep. Once you have those questions answered, you can begin narrowing down your selection. And what better way to do that than with a breakdown of our most popular countertop material choices?
Granite countertops are, without a doubt, the most popular choice for homeowners who want to install new kitchen countertops. Granite has held that position for years, and while it has competition, buyers love its luxurious looks and natural composition. Like some countertop materials, no two granite slabs will look exactly alike, giving your kitchen a unique aura.
Granite is a great choice for families, especially if you have children, as it has a hard surface that can withstand chips and scratches. Pricing on granite can vary depending on where it's sourced and how large the slab is. But one thing is for sure - if you're in need of a reliable countertop material for day-to-day use, granite should be atop your list.
One of the biggest reasons granite countertops are so popular is because they can be quite affordable. That's especially important for families trying to stick to a kitchen remodeling budget. Prices of granite can vary, so be sure to speak with one of our expert associates at Stone City KB for the most accurate pricing.
Another popular reason to choose granite countertops over other materials is granite's resistance to scratches and chips. If you're like most folks, you'll be using your new countertops every day. Over time, counters can take a beating, especially when you have younger children. Fortunately, granite can withstand many scratches and chips, making it a popular choice for longevity and beauty. Remember, though - never use your granite countertops for dicing, cutting, or slicing. Use a cutting board instead, or you may damage your new countertops.
When sealed properly, your granite countertops in St. Stephen, SC can resist stains. In fact, if a spill dries on your counters, you should be able to scrape them off gently with a plastic scraping tool. That's not to say that granite can't be stained at all - acids and alkaline can do a number on granite, so avoid spilling those substances on your counters. With that said, if you seal your granite counters every year and clean up spills quickly with soap and water, you should be able to avoid most long-lasting stains. At Stone City KB, we are trained and certified for a permanent sealer with additional cost, that is warranty for 15 years. Don't forget to ask your sales representative for this permanent 15 years sealer as an option so you can be worry free.
Like stains, granite countertops are also resistant to heat. Granite is formed in nature with heat and pressure, so it makes sense that it would have inherent heat-resistant properties. This is great news if you use your oven or toaster oven to cook dinner. If you accidentally place a hot pan on your granite counters, you don't have to worry. While we recommend placing oven-hot pans on potholders, you should be safe to use your granite counters too.
Granite has many practical benefits over countertop materials, but it also has an aesthetic advantage. At Stone City Kitchen & Bath, all our granite slabs are unique. If your neighbors have new granite countertops installed, you can rest easy knowing their granite won't be exactly like yours. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind, cost-conscious option for your kitchen countertops, granite is a fantastic choice.
Marble is a timeless material that exudes luxury. It has dynamic, detailed hues and is a very popular choice for homeowners in need of a high-end feel for their kitchen. Unlike granite counters, marble needs regular upkeep to maintain its beauty and durability.
Like granite, quartz are engineering countertops are durable and don't require too much maintenance. It is non-porous and doesn't need to be sealed, so scratches and stains are minimal. However, unlike granite, you should avoid placing hot items on quartz countertops or you could risk damaging them. If you like marble with white and gray vein movements, quartz countertops is your best choice.
No kitchen remodeling project would be complete without installing new cabinets. At Stone City Kitchen & Bath, our experienced craftsmen have created and installed hundreds of new cabinets. We know that deciding on your new kitchen cabinets' material, finish, and style can be hard. That's why we're here to help every step of the way!
Our team has the tools, training, and experience to help you choose the best cabinets for your kitchen. We'll consider your current kitchen layout, your color preferences, and more to provide personalized options for your project. And when it's time to install your new cabinets, you can rest assured we'll get the job done right at a price you can afford.
When it comes to kitchen remodeling in St. Stephen, SC installing new kitchen cabinets is a great idea. If you're already upgrading or replacing your kitchen countertops, having new cabinets that match the aesthetics of your kitchen makeover is a no-brainer.
At Stone City KB, we believe that everyone deserves an elegant, versatile kitchen with stunning cabinetry. That's why our team will work closely with you to discover the material, texture, and style of cabinets you're craving. Once we do, we handle all the heavy lifting, including cabinet design and installation in your home.
So, why should you install new kitchen cabinets alongside your countertops? Here are just a few reasons:
Many customers install new kitchen cabinets because they're already remodeling their kitchen and need their cabinets to match the aesthetics of their updated space. Do you want your kitchen to feel more open and airier? Do you have specific lifestyle requirements that necessitate a particular cabinet material? Our kitchen cabinet experts can help you find the perfect cabinet setup for your needs.
Having a uniform aesthetic throughout your kitchen and home is important. But from a practical standpoint, new kitchen cabinets often mean more kitchen storage. That's a big deal for families, especially when younger children are involved. If you find that your countertops are magnets for clutter, new cabinetry can help remove the mess and stress less. The more storage your kitchen has, the easier it will be to use your kitchen for cooking and entertaining.
Take a few moments and check out the bones of your current cabinets. Low-quality, cheap cabinets are often a turnoff for potential buyers. If you plan on selling your home in the next few years, one of the best ways to boost resale value is with new cabinetry.
Is it a pain in the side to cook in your kitchen? Whether it's due to clutter, design, or something else, many of our customers want new cabinets so that their kitchen is functional again. New cabinets give you more storage, as mentioned above, but they can also make your kitchen more functional, depending on design and remodeling preferences. If you love to cook for your family and get-togethers, investing in new kitchen cabinets can help you do more of what you love.
Whether you're looking to "wow" a new client or work colleague or just want to make your neighbors a little jealous, upgrading your kitchen cabinets is a great way to do so. Of course, first impressions have always mattered, but particularly so in real estate. When the time comes to sell your home, having custom cabinets and countertops in your kitchen can set you apart from other sellers.
Here at Stone City Kitchen & Bath, we specialize in custom kitchen countertops and cabinets designed especially for you. Whether you've been dreaming of traditional wood cabinets or need sleek, elegant granite countertops, we've got you covered. We are committed to affordable options while holding true to our craftsmanship and skills, providing customers with the best kitchen renovations in South Carolina.
If you're looking for the largest selection and the best prices, visit our showroom or contact us today. You've worked hard to make your home special, so why not your kitchen too? From design to installation, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
AppointmentsThe Rev. Nate Huffman is chaplain at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla.The Rev. Edward Hunt is rector of Holy Trinity, Onancock, Va.The Very Rev. Sarah Frances Hurlbert is dean of the Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, N.C.The Rev. Michael Hurst is senior associate rector at Redeemer, Sarasota, Fla.The Rev. Ian G. Hyde is curate of Good Shepherd, Terrell, Texas.The Rev. Lilian Hyd...
Appointments
The Rev. Nate Huffman is chaplain at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla.
The Rev. Edward Hunt is rector of Holy Trinity, Onancock, Va.
The Very Rev. Sarah Frances Hurlbert is dean of the Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, N.C.
The Rev. Michael Hurst is senior associate rector at Redeemer, Sarasota, Fla.
The Rev. Ian G. Hyde is curate of Good Shepherd, Terrell, Texas.
The Rev. Lilian Hyde is interim rector of St. Andrew’s, Pearland, Texas.
The Rev. Donna Ialongo is rector of St. Benedict’s, Bolingbrook, Ill.
The Rev. Carver Israel is interim rector of St. Andrew & St. Monica, Philadelphia.
The Rev. Gary Jackson is rector of Grace, Port Orange, Fla.
The Rev. Canon Shancia Jarrett is canon for formation at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore.
The Rev. Canon David H. Johnson is interim rector of St. Paul’s, Magnolia Springs, Ala.
The Rev. Kristian Kohler is assistant rector for liturgy and congregational care at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields, Lincoln, Mass.
The Rev. Ellen Kohn-Perry is priest in charge of St. Paul’s, Chatham, N.J.
The Rev. Mary J. Korte is rector of Christ Church, Rolla, Mo.
The Rev. Dr. Rhonda M. Lee is interim rector of St. Luke’s, Durham, N.C.
The Rev. Joanna Leiserson is interim rector of St. Anne’s, West Chester, Ohio.
The Rev. James Liberatore is interim rector of St. Stephen’s, Beaumont, Texas.
The Rev. Mitchell Lindeman is priest in charge of Ascension, Wakefield, R.I.
The Rev. Dr. Janet Lombardo is pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Laconia, N.H.
The Rev. Canon Cody Maynus is priest in charge of All Saints’, Northfield, Minn.
The Rev. Valerie Mayo is director of Beloved Community Initiatives at Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Texas.
The Rev. Meghan Mazur is priest in charge of St. Philip’s, Fort Payne, Ala.
The Rev. Gavin McAdam is curate of St. Mark’s, Irving, Texas.
The Rev. James McAdams is rector of St. Francis of Assisi, Indian Springs, Ala.
The Rev. Kathy McAdams is priest in charge of Grace, North Attleboro, Mass.
The Rev. Canon Ramelle McCall is the Diocese of South Carolina’s canon for leadership.
The Rev. Leah McCullough is co-director of Cathedral Ridge, Woodland Park, Colo.
The Rev. Kendra McDonald is associate rector for children, youth, and families at All Saints’, Austin, Texas.
The Rev. Gregory McIntyre is rector of St. Patrick’s, Mooresville, N.C.
The Rev. Kathryn McKey-Dunar is priest in charge of Trinity, Trumbull, Conn.
The Rev. Andrew McLarty is rector of Redeemer, Brookhaven, Miss.
The Rev. Suzie McNiff is parish deacon at Christ Church, Greenwich, Conn.
The Rev. Andy McQuery is rector of Christ Church, Oberlin, Ohio.
The Rev. Nelson Mendoza is priest in charge of Our Savior, New York.
The Rev. Garrett Mettler is priest in charge of St. Stephen’s, Armonk, N.Y.
The Rev. Anna Olson is interim rector of Good Shepherd, Silver Spring, Md.
The Rev. Mack Olson is the Diocese of Northern California’s missioner for church life.
The Rev. Ally Perry is rector of Trinity, Wetumpka, Ala.
The Rev. Canon Stephen Pessah is the Diocese of Florida’s canon for the Apalachee Region.
The Rev. Brian Petersen is curate of St. Bartholomew’s, Poway, Calif.
Ms. Kate Riley is the Diocese of Maryland’s canon for youth.
The Rev. Daniel D. Robayo is vicar of St. Mary Magdalene, Manor, Texas.
The Rev. Suzi Robertson is rector of St. Stephen’s, Seattle.
The Rev. Sarah Robbins-Cole is interim assistant for youth at St. Andrew’s, Wellesley, Mass.
The Rev. Canon Charles Robinson is pastoral associate at Hickory Neck, Toano, Va.
The Rev. Lawrence Robles is parish priest of All Saints Christo Rey, Watsonville, Calif.
The Rev. Christopher Rodgers is priest in charge of St. James’, Sonora, and St. Matthew’s, San Andreas, Calif.
The Rev. Beth Scriven is interim rector of St. Luke’s, Ypsilanti, Mich.
The Rev. Marco Serrano is shepherd of Free State Minster in the Diocese of Kansas.
The Rev. Dr. Valorie Mulvey Sherer is priest in charge of Emmanuel, Webster Groves, Saint Louis.
The Rev. Shawn Sherrade is vicar of St. John’s, Abilene, Kan.
Ms. Sarah Shipman is executive director of Episcopal Migration Ministries.
The Rev. Jay Sidebotham is associate rector at St. James’, New York.
The Rev. John Deepak Sundara is vicar for evangelism and worship at St. Martin’s, Houston.
The Rev. Naomi Sundara is chaplain of St. Martin’s Preschool, Houston.
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba is associate rector at St. David’s, Radnor, Wayne, Pa.
The Rev. Dr. Marcel Tabone is priest in charge of St. Barnabas by-the-Bay, Villas, N.J.
The Rev. Jennie Talley is priest in charge of St. John’s, Wilmot, and Trinity-St. Paul’s, New Rochelle, N.Y.
The Rev. Mike Tess is priest in charge of St. Mark’s, Beaver Dam, Wis.
The Rev. Canon Calhoun Walpole is parish priest at St. John’s, Johns Island, S.C.
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Walters is rector of All Saints’, Peterborough, N.H.
The Rev. Patrick Ward is rector of Holy Spirit, Orleans, Mass.
The Rev. Doug Wasinger is rector of St. Mark’s, Corpus Christi, Texas.
The Rev. Nathan Webb is curate of St. James on the Lake, Kemp, Texas.
The Rev. Dr. David J. Weidner is interim priest in charge of St. Peter’s, Jacksonville, Fla.
The Rev. Jason Wells is priest in charge of St. Matthew’s, Goffstown, N.H.
The Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert is interim rector of Grace, Sandusky, Ohio.
The Rev. Rachel Wildman is priest in charge of Trinity, Canton, and Trinity, Stoughton, Mass.
The Rev. Dan Wilfrid is transition bridge priest at St. John’s, Walpole, N.H.
The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams is interim rector of St. George’s, Milford, Mich.
The Rev. Ryan Willis is vicar of St. Peter’s, Pittsburg, Kan.
The Rev. Lee Winter is rector of Christ Church, Bay Saint Louis, Miss.
The Rev. Leah Wise is curate of Grace, Houston.
The Rev. George C. Wong is priest in charge of St. John’s, Kula, Hawaii.
The Rev. Mike Woods is vicar of St. Elizabeth’s, Buda, Texas.
The Rev. Canon Stuart Wright is the Diocese of Maryland’s canon for administration and transition ministry.
The Rev. Ben Wyatt is priest in charge of Holy Nativity, Indianapolis.
Dr. Thea Mirabella Maeve Wyatt is dean of the Iona School of the Diocese of Olympia.
The Rev. Canon Raja B. Zabaneh is rector of St. Paul’s, Jacksonville, Fla.
The Very Rev. James Zotalis is dean of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, Faribault, Minn.
Ordinations
Priesthood
Albany: Karla Parsons Banach (priest in charge, St. Francis Mission, Albany), Jonathan Paul Beck (assisting priest, Cathedral of All Saints, Albany)
Arizona: Erin Cox Oney (assistant and chaplain, Ascension Church and School, Paradise Valley), Shawn Rutledge (vicar, St. Peter’s, Casa Grande), Craig Smith, OP (interim vicar, Resurrection, Gilbert)
Missouri: Margaret Barry Goldstein (curate, Transfiguration, Lake St. Louis), Joshua David Huber (curate, Calvary, Columbia)
New York: Stacey Marie Carpenter (curate, Christ Church, Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, Del.), Eliza Aryeequaye Davies (priest associate, St. James the Less, Scarsdale), Nicole Regina Hanley (priest in charge, St. Andrew’s, Walden, and St. Francis of Assisi, Montgomery), Meredith Anne Marguerite Hawkins, Alexander Herasimischuk (priest in charge, Zion, Wappingers Falls), Molly Jane Layton (associate rector, Calvary-St. George’s, New York), Mary Katharine McCarty (curate, Christ’s Church, Rye)
Newark: Danielle D. Baker (priest in charge, St. Paul’s, Morris Plains), George Dredden III (priest in charge, Trinity and St. Philip’s Cathedral, Newark)
Northern Indiana: Amy Lepine Peterson (assisting priest, St. Joseph’s, Durham, N.C.)
Northwest Texas: Ashley Taylor Colley (curate, Holy Trinity, Midland)
Olympia: James Ayuen (parish priest, St. John’s Sudanese, Tukwila), Mary Bol (parish priest, St. John’s Sudanese, Tukwila), Daren Chidester, Allen Hicks, Baudelina Paz, Linzi Stahlecker (curate, St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle), Pam Tinsley (assisting priest, St. Andrew’s, Tacoma)
West Texas: Matthew Robert Bloss (deacon in charge, St. John Chrysostom, Delafield, Wis.)
Berkeley County and the town of St. Stephen are getting to work on using a $500,000 environmental grant.ST. STEPHEN, S.C. (WCSC) - Berkeley County and the town of St. Stephen are getting to work on using a $500,000 environmental grant.The EPA Brownfield Grant money is meant to identify and make a plan to clean up run-down properties that may have contaminated materials on the land...
Berkeley County and the town of St. Stephen are getting to work on using a $500,000 environmental grant.
ST. STEPHEN, S.C. (WCSC) - Berkeley County and the town of St. Stephen are getting to work on using a $500,000 environmental grant.
The EPA Brownfield Grant money is meant to identify and make a plan to clean up run-down properties that may have contaminated materials on the land so it can eventually be redeveloped.
County Economic Development Director Kristin Lanier says St. Stephen is an area where officials are looking forward to investing in redevelopment.
“We asked them to put together a steering committee of community members because we understand any type of activity in the community, especially grant-driven opportunities have to be driven by the community. So from that town hall, we sat down with the community members, and they actually provided a lot of insight that went into the grant that we wrote,” Lanier says.
Daniel Kredensor moved to St. Stephen to be a part of the small-town charm. He says he loves the area and is excited about what its future holds.
“It’s a small community. Everybody really is wonderful to each other. We take care of everybody here. The community itself is very much alive,” Kredensor says.
The grant will allow the county and town to identify as many as 15 to 20 pieces of land they want to revitalize before working the list down to a few main focuses. Officials already have their eye on the old St. Stephen High School and Old Lumber Mill.
Kredensor says it would be great to see opportunities like a community center come back to the school and a working company providing jobs take over the mill. He also hopes people will get involved in the town halls, committees and surveys that will soon be coming about the project.
“Everyone needs to be a part of this. It’s not just elected officials. And it’s not just you know, one or two people from the county. It is the people of town and it really needing that participation because the county doesn’t know every site that people think should be fixed,” he says.
As of October 1st, the money has been available and officials say the first steps are getting a qualified consultant to help and setting up the community outreach phase.
“This is where the community can start sending insights that they want to look at, and we will actually create like a ranking tool to kind of determine based on all the sites that are presented which one we deem we should look at in the first notch,” Lanier says.
The grant can be used to identify old sites that may have asbestos, lead paint, gas soil contamination or chemical remnants. Those types of hazards need to be properly identified and the county needs to create a plan for safely removing them with this grant to apply for more money to begin any work.
“There was a lot of history that comes into it, so when you come into a brownfield grant or in really any community you look around and you might see some unused properties, but the folks that live there, you know, they know the history of these of these communities in the in these properties,’ Lanier says.
Officials hosted a town hall about the grant. They also plan to send out information in different forms including online and handouts to make sure people are able to participate in the process starting early next year. You can watch the full meeting on the town’s Facebook page.
In a statement, St. Stephen Mayor John Rivers says:
I was pleased to see the participants at the Town Hall Meeting, held on October 20, 2022, at the American Legion Hut. Their questions were asked and answered. I think many misconceptions were cleared up during this exchange of information. We will continue in our efforts to keep the community informed, inspired and involved. I thank the Berkeley County Economic Development Department for their crucial partnership in this project. Our continued growth will depend on the actions of the town officials and a supporting community working together on one accord.
Officials say this is the first step in a years-long investment into revitalizing St. Stephen. They hope to have outreach programs ramp up at the start of the new year and want people to get as involved as possible.
You can learn more about St. Stephen and current projects going on by clicking here.
Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Ole Miss soccer and head coach Matt Mott have announced the addition of nine new freshmen as part of their 2023 signing class.The class of new Rebels includes local and national talent with signees from seven different states: Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Kansas, California, Texas, and Wisconsin. From that pool of talent, the Rebels have added two goalkeepers, three defenders, two forwards, and two midfielders.Campbell WolffGoalkeeper | Alexandria, Va. | St. Stephen’s...
Ole Miss soccer and head coach Matt Mott have announced the addition of nine new freshmen as part of their 2023 signing class.
The class of new Rebels includes local and national talent with signees from seven different states: Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Kansas, California, Texas, and Wisconsin. From that pool of talent, the Rebels have added two goalkeepers, three defenders, two forwards, and two midfielders.
Campbell Wolff
Goalkeeper | Alexandria, Va. | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-time letterwinner at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia… Named to the All-Independent School League Team and was named an ISL All-Star in 2022… Played in the ISL Semifinals in 2019, 2021, and 2022… Led her team to the Virginia State Finals in 2019 and the Virginia State Semifinals in 2021 and 2022… Named to the Dean’s List/Honor Roll 2019-2022 and a Distinguished Scholar Athlete 2019-2022… Lettered one season in basketball (2019-20)
CLUB/ODP: Played for Virginia Union ECNL… Led Virginia Union to the ECNL National Playoffs in 2021
PERSONAL: Daughter of Robert and Kymberly Wolff… Born June 18, 2004… Father Robert played football at Georgia Tech
Gili Johnson
Forward | Manhattan, Kan. | Manhattan High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time letterwinner at Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Kansas… Scored 33 career goals with 13 assists… Played in the 2020-21 National Championship for GA and ECRL… Manhattan High School Triple Jump school record holder and 2022 Kansas High School 6A Triple Jump State Champion… Won a team track & field Centennial League Championship with Manhattan
CLUB/ODP: Played for Sporting Blue Valley ECNL… Played in the ECNL National Semifinals in 2022
PERSONAL: Daughter of Tonoher & Vincent Johnson… Born June 28, 2005… Has a sister, Nisbyc… Mother Tonoher played softball and track & field at Alcorn State… Father Vincent played football and track & field at Alcorn State… Aunt Shannon Washington was Ole Miss Varsity cheerleader… Uncle Justin Reed played basketball for Ole Miss and in the NBA… Cousin Errol Robinson played baseball at Ole Miss and in the MLB
Hattie Patterson
Defender | Dallas, Tex. | Highland Park High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-time letterwinner at Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas… Voted team captain in 2021 and 2022… Named District MVP in 2022… 2022 First Team All-Region… Two-time First Team All-District honoree (2021 & 2022)… 2020 Second Team All-District… 2022 5A Regional Finalist… National Honor Society… National English Honor Society… National Spanish Honor Society
CLUB/ODP: Played for Solar Soccer Club… Won the 2022 ECNL Texas Conference Championship… Two-time ECNL Second Team All-Conference honoree (2021 & 2022)
PERSONAL: Daughter of Lucas and Ali Patterson… Born March 21, 2005… Has one sister, Ella, and one brother, Cotton… Grandfather played football at Texas
Zoë Parkhurst
Midfielder | Menlo Park, Calif. | IMG Academy
CLUB/ODP: US Soccer National Training Center Invitee (2016, 2017, 2020, 2021)… Girls Academy National Talent ID 2022… Girls Academy Regional Talent ID 2022 & 2021… IMG U17 & U19 Team Captain… IMG U17 Team MVP… TopDrawerSoccer Top-150 (2018-2022)
PERSONAL: Daughter of Gillian and Justin Parkhurst… Born March 25, 2005… Has one sister, Mia… Father Justin played rugby at Cal and sister Mia plays soccer at Georgia
Avery Brown
Defender | Franklin, Tenn. | Franklin High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-time letterwinner at Franklin High School in Franklin, Tennessee… 2022 District Player of the Year… 2022 High School All-American Watch List… Played in 2022 State Senior Star game… Two-time All-State honoree (2021 & 2022)… Three-time All-District honoree (2020-2022)… Scored eight goals and had nine assists as a forward her sophomore season… Three-time District Champion (2020-2022)
CLUB/ODP: Played for Tennessee Soccer Club ECNL… Two-time First Team All-Conference honoree (2021 & 2022)… Played in the 2021 ECNL National Selection Game… Won a Conference Championship in 2019… Played in the ECNL Champions league playoffs in 2019, 2021, and 2022
PERSONAL: Daughter of Mike and Stacey Brown… Born January 19, 2005… Has one brother, Evan
Ella Luna
Midfielder | Milwaukee, Wis. | Whitefish Bay High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time letterwinner at Whitefish Bay High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin… 2021 State Champion… 2022 State Runner-up
CLUB/ODP: Played for SC Wave… Five-time Wisconsin State Cup Champion… Two-time Mid-America Champion (2021 & 2022)… GA Talent ID Camp participant… ODP International Team… ODP National Team
PERSONAL: Daughter of Mariano and Tina Luna… Born March 5, 2005… Has two sisters, Sophie and Maddie… Father Mariano played football at North Dakota State and New Mexico and professional soccer
Evie Ewing
Forward | Madison, Miss. | Madison Ridgeland Academy
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-time letterwinner at Madison Ridgeland Academy in Madison, Mississippi… Four-time All-Conference honoree (2019-2022)… 2022 All-Star… 2022 top-10 player DPL soccer… Lettered in basketball and track & field… 2022 Mississippi State Champion in long jump… 2021 & 2022 Mississippi State Champion in 400m
CLUB/ODP: Played for Alabama FC ECNL and RUSH Soccer… Rush 04 National Team selection (2018, 2019 & 2021)… MAIS top-20 player 2021 & 2022
PERSONAL: Daughter of Christa and Justin Ewing… Born December 3, 2004… Has one sister, Libba and one brother, Cade… Father Justin played baseball at Mississippi State
Addison Yelton
Goalkeeper | Johnson City, Tenn. | Baylor High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time letterwinner at Baylor High School… Two-time All-Region selection (2019 & 2020)… 2021 Team Captain and MVP… Two-time US Club ID selection
PERSONAL: Daughter of Matt and Tamara Yelton… Born April 20, 2004… Has one brother, Aiden… Father Matt played soccer and mother Tamara played volleyball both for King University… Father Matt is an assistant coach at ETSU… Uncle Jay is the head coach at ETSU and Uncle Todd is the head coach at Samford
Avery Stevens
Defender | Garden Grove, Calif. | Pacifica High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time letterwinner at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, California… 2022 Athlete of the Year… 2022 Team Captain… 2020 League Champions
CLUB/ODP: Played for Beach FC ENCL… 2022 ENCL Championship finalist
PERSONAL: Daughter of Eric and Cindy Stevens… Born August 17, 2005… Has two sisters, Autumn and Aubree… Father Eric played baseball at San Jose State
St. Helena residents, leaders rally against gated community, golf courseBy Mike McCombsFor the second time in five days, St. Helena Island citizens, local politicians, conservation leaders and others filled the County Council Chamber on Monday, Jan. 9, at the Beaufort County Administration Building hoping to speak out against a text amendment to the St. Helena Cultural Overlay Protection (CPO) zone.Though, no matter how County Administrator Eric Greenway and staff have framed the issue, ...
St. Helena residents, leaders rally against gated community, golf course
By Mike McCombs
For the second time in five days, St. Helena Island citizens, local politicians, conservation leaders and others filled the County Council Chamber on Monday, Jan. 9, at the Beaufort County Administration Building hoping to speak out against a text amendment to the St. Helena Cultural Overlay Protection (CPO) zone.
Though, no matter how County Administrator Eric Greenway and staff have framed the issue, particularly in comments to the County’s Planning Commission on Thursday, Jan. 5, they are actually more specifically rallying to stop a proposed golf course and gated community on Pine Island and in St. Helenaville.
Ultimately, Beaufort County’s Community Services and Land Use Committee decided Monday, to postpone action for more research and discussion with the community.
Chairwoman Alice Howard, who was also present at Thursday’s meeting, explained to the large crowd in attendance that the amendment was up for discussion, but that she intended to make a motion to postpone consideration of the item until the Committee’s April 10 meeting.
“Item No. 12 is a proposal to amend the St. Helena Cultural Overlay Protection zone on St. Helena. When we get to that item,” Howard said, “I am going to ask for a motion to postpone Consideration of the item until our April meeting and to refer the matter to the Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee which we formed in November 2022 to study the existing ordinance with our legal department and with other outside entities … to suggest provisions which can be added to reinforce the overlay’s purpose and to improve the protection it provides St. Helena and the surrounding islands.
“When it comes back from the CPO we will place it on our agenda and take public comment.”
Vice Chair York Glover agreed with Howard.
“I support Chairwoman Howard’s decision to postpone this matter until our April meeting,” Howard said. “The Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee needs more time to study the existing ordinance with the legal department and make sure we are doing everything within our power as County Council to monitor development projects and make sure we protect St. Helena and the surrounding islands.”
Developer Elvio Tropeano, representing Pine Island GC, LLP, has asked the County for a change to the zoning map to remove the culturally important Pine Island and St. Helenaville properties, nearly 500 acres, from the CPO to build a private, gated community and an 18-hole golf course. The CPO specifically forbids both gated communities and golf courses nine holes or larger.
Because of time constraints, and the fact the action was going to be postponed, public comments were limited to 15 minutes.
Among the speakers was Tom Mikell, representing the Hanna family, who owns the land. He said in a statement he gave to the committee that, “the family is confused how such extreme restrictions on the use of private property can be imposed.”
Monday’s meeting was markedly different from Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting, which saw more than 200 people attend, the crowd overflowing into the hall. There were more than 2½ hours of public comments.
From the start of his comments, Greenway tried to separate the text amendment to the CPO from the proposed Pine Island project.
“While everyone thinks this is related to the Pine Island issue, this is not being driven by the Pine Island request,” Greenway told the committee, though at least two representatives of the potential developer were present.
Greenway said the amendment was proposed solely because of concerns that the current CPO language leaves the County open to lawsuits, and he contended the developer agreed to pause while the County amended the text in an effort to strengthen the CPO.
But the text amendment, if anything, seems to weaken the CPO. Currently, the CPO forbids Restricted Access (Gated) Communities, Resorts and Golf Courses consisting of 9 holes or more. The text amendment actually allows for exceptions to these restrictions if 1) the land contains 50 or more acres of “highland,” which is not defined, 2) there is a negotiated Development Agreement with the Beaufort County Council, which takes the community out of the equation, or 3) there are limitations for use that protect the CPO.
Critics at the meeting accused Greenway and the County of negotiating a deal with the developers behind closed doors over the past year, and now softening the CPO to guarantee they can close the deal.
“I’m not an attorney or anything,” said Lily Harris of St. Helena Island, “but that yellow portion that was highlighted (the amendment), seemed to me that it was in favor of the developers. That’s all I wanted to say.”
Queen Quet of the Gullah Geechee Nation was the inaugural CPO District Chairperson for more than 5 years and is once again on the CPO District Committee.
“We were told then that if Beaufort County initiated the CPO district, that Beaufort County would be sued,” she said. “We said, ‘Bring it on.’ Now here I am again standing in essentially in the same spot, all of this time later, hearing essentially the same things.”
She also disputed claims that the CPO District Committee reviewed the documents at an early December meeting.
Amy Armstong, the Director of the S.C. Environmental Law Project who has been a litigator for 20 years, spoke on behalf of the Coastal Conservation League. She said the language of the CPO was already very clear.
“(There are) pretty simple and straightforward restrictions,” she said. “There are three uses that are very clearly prohibited. And what I heard this evening from planing staff is what we call in my field, legal gymnastics.”
Mayor Stephen Murray said development agreements tie the hands of the community and are not the proper mechanism to protect St. Helena. He suggested public conservation funds might be used to protect the properties.
In all, roughly three dozen people spoke with only one supporting the amendment or development.
In addition to those named other speakers in opposition to the amendment included Executive Director of the S.C. Coastal Conservation League Faith Rivers James, Victoria Smalls of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Commission, Cynthia Jenkins of the Historic Beaufort Foundation, Bernie Wright of Penn Center and Chief Sekhu Hadjo Gentile, leader of the Yamassee Indian tribe.
In addition, there were two petitions signed by a total of more than 8,000 Beaufort County citizens opposed to the development of Pine Island and St. Helenaville.
Gov. Henry McMaster also wrote a letter opposing the development of Pine Island and St. Helenaville.
“It is my fear that changes to the CPO, which has protected St. Helena from this type of development since 1999, will signal ‘open season’ to other developers and create a domino effect on St. Helena Island and beyond,” McMaster wrote. “It is my opinion that careful consideration of the benefits of development weighed against the certain damage to this pristine, historic, and culturally significant land will yield a decision to leave the CPO untouched.”
One speaker seemed to sum up St. Helena Island residents’ fears as a whole.
“Everybody knows, everybody in this room knows, if Pine Island is developed, it’s the beginning of the end (for St. Helena).”
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
Diego Freyre scores the lone goal, Noah Rueping posts the shutout as the Mustangs defeat the No. 1 team in Florida and No. 2 team in the countrySATURDAYBradenton Christian 44, Cape Coral 31AT: Bradenton ChristianTOP PLAYERS: BC Lana Price 13 points, Kirsten Benigni 12 pointsRECORDS: Bradenton Christian 10-6, Cape Coral 7-7NEXT: Manatee at Bradenton Christian, 6 p.m., TuesdayFRIDAY...
SATURDAY
AT: Bradenton Christian
TOP PLAYERS: BC Lana Price 13 points, Kirsten Benigni 12 points
RECORDS: Bradenton Christian 10-6, Cape Coral 7-7
NEXT: Manatee at Bradenton Christian, 6 p.m., Tuesday
FRIDAY
BOYS SOCCER
TOP PLAYERS: LR, Diego Freyre goal, Noah Rueping shutout.
OF NOTE: Jesuit was first in Florida and second in the country.
NEXT: Lakewood Ranch vs. Gulf Breeze on Saturday at Jesuit in Tampa.
GIRLS SOCCER
AT: Cardinal Mooney High School
TOP PLAYERS: Lilly Henderson 2 goals, Gina Toltera 2 goals
RECORD: Cardinal Mooney 6-3-1
NEXT: Lakewood Ranch at Cardinal Mooney, 6 p.m. Tuesday
BOYS BASKETBALL
AT: Lemon Bay
TOP PLAYERS: CM, Kevin O'Donoghue 21 points, Connor Heald 17 points, Dylan Higgins 12 points
RECORDS: Cardinal Mooney 10-4
NEXT: Cardinal Mooney at Gateway Charter, 7 p.m. Tuesday
TOP PLAYERS: BC, Jaden Baker 15 points, Landon Dempsey 11 points, 10 Rebounds
RECORD: Bradenton Christian 9-6
NEXT: Bayshore at Bradenton Christian, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
TOP PLAYERS: SC, Jayven Scewczyk 12 points, Ben Milliken 10 points
RECORDS: Out-of-Door 7-6, Sarasota Christian 6-8
UP NEXT: Gulf Coast Heat at Sarasota Christian, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
GIRLS BASKETBALL
OF NOTE: Twelve Lemon Bay players scored. ... The Manta Rays led 40-9 at halftime.
RECORD: Lemon Bay 9-7.
NEXT: DeSoto County at Lemon Bay, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
THURSDAY
GIRLS SOCCER
AT: Saint Stephen's Episcopal School
TOP PLAYERS: SS, Alexa Pymm goal, Julia Villaveces assist, goalie Riley Schlick-Trask 3 saves
RECORDS: Saint Stephen's Episcopal School 6-2, St. Pete Catholic High School 7-2
NEXT: Out-Of-Door Academy at Saint Stephen's Episcopal School, 5 p.m. Monday
GIRLS BASKETBALL
AT: Bradenton Christian
TOP PLAYERS: BC, Lana Price 14 points, Katherine Mercer 11 points, Jillian Zoerman 11 points, Taylor Blunden 10 points
RECORDS: Bradenton Christian 9-5, Palmetto 4-6
NEXT: Keswick at Bradenton Christian on Friday
TOP PLAYERS: S, Paisley Binswanger 20 points, Kennedy McClain 17 points, V, T. O'Leary 19 points, Z. O'Leary 16 points, A. Ivery 15 points, I. Leggett 10 points
RECORD: Sarasota 10-8
NEXT: Riverview at Sarasota on Monday
WEDNESDAY
BOYS BASKETBALL
AT: Eddie Howell Gymnasium, Sarasota
TOP PLAYERS: S, Harris Hawke 13 points, 5 rebounds, Kahlil Williams 12 points, Nate Johnson 11 points, 6 steals; SS, Braden Mohr 20 points, Rowan Bilik 17 points
RECORD: Sarasota 12-3, Saint Stephen's 9-3
NEXT: Sarasota at Island Coast, Friday, Saint Stephen's at Bradenton Christian, 7 p.m., Friday
TUESDAY
BOYS BASKETBALL
AT: Cardinal Mooney
TOP PLAYERS: CM, Kevin O'Donoghue 17 points, Connor Heald 9 points, Randy Wilson 8 points, Teddy Foster 8 points
RECORDS: Cardinal Mooney 9-4
NEXT: Cardinal Mooney at Lemon Bay, 7 p.m. Friday
TOP PLAYERS: SC, Ben Milliken 22 points, Simon Dik 12 points, Maison Montgomery 9 points, Jayven Szewczyk 6 points, Randall Collins 6 points
RECORDS: Sarasota Christian 6-7, Families Instructing Students Home School 2-10
UP NEXT: Sarasota Christian at Out-of-Door Academy, 7 p.m., Friday
TOP PLAYERS: LB, Joey Scott 15 points, Lucas Newcomb 13 points, Jace Huber 10 points
RECORD: Lemon Bay 10-3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TOP PLAYERS: LB, Taylor Orris 25 points, 12 rebounds, Maya Collins 14 points, 13 rebounds.
RECORD: Lemon Bay 8-7.
NEXT: Lemon Bay at Imagine School at North Port, Friday.