Private Chef in Hanahan, SC

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Hundreds gathered in Hanahan on Saturday for a full-day affair dedicated to honoring the nation’s veterans.

Several community members say it is vital to prioritize our Lowcountry military before, during and after their service.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Navy Veteran Jerry Oldham says. “Right here. I’m one of you all, you’re one of us. We’re in this all together.”

After two tours in Vietnam and several years of service, Oldham now calls the Lowcountry his home.

He believes post-military resources didn’t always exist, but they are more important than ever.

“There’s more programs, opportunities, more things that look to help veterans today that weren’t there in the past.”

400,000 veterans currently live in the state out of 20 million nationwide, according to studies done by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

28% of them are experiencing a disability of some kind, whether physical or mental health-related.

Besides the day filled with speeches, songs, treats and trinket shopping, a handful of vendors were in attendance to support transitioning and post-service veterans.

“Whether it’s a lifelong career or just a few years, they come out different than when they went in,” City of Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater says. “They often need services and support.”

“Education, employment, nutrition, housing, social networking, all the different things which hug a veteran through their transition,” Palmetto Pathfinder Jean Brooks adds.

Palmetto Pathfinder is one of the many options available to veterans who need assistance.

It is a three-day mentorship program through the statewide Department of Veterans Affairs.

“A Pathfinder is a mentor for other veterans,” Brooks says. “We can speak to each other in our own language and provide resources.”

Oldham says it is heartwarming to see advocacy and celebration from the community in a time where it is becoming “less common.”

“It kind of hurts me sometimes, the things that happen today because people just don’t appreciate it.”

The City of Hanahan has been a long-time supporter with a population consisting of mostly military families.

They say they hope to continue to foster relationships and work toward making resources more accessible until the festivities start again next year.

“To those post-military, say ‘Hey, how can we support you, what are you in need of? You have served us, now we want to serve you.’”

For information on Veterans Affairs services, click here.

For information on the Palmetto Pathfinder Program, click here.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

HANAHAN — In the long and storied history of the state’s oldest spring-break high school baseball tournament, the host of the Hanahan Invitational Tournament had never won the championship. That changed on Thursday night.

Hanahan High defeated Berkeley, 12-5, to win the Steadman Division of the 54th annual Hanahan Invitational Tournament (HIT), marking the first time the Hawks had been able to hoist their own trophy.

Hanahan overcame an early 4-0 deficit, rallying for their 19th win in 21 games this season. The Hawks are the top-ranked team in Class AAA and the defending Lower State champions.

“I knew this team was special going into it and they played like it,” said Hanahan’s first-year head coach Skylar Hunter, himself a Hanahan graduate. “I am proud of the way they played. It was definitely a good night. We definitely wanted to win this thing. It was a goal.”

Hanahan sophomore centerfielder Sterling Coaxum was the tournament’s most valuable player, belting three home runs, including two grand slams, during the week.

Berkeley struck for four runs in the top of the first inning, with Bryson Heath delivering two runs with a double and Gavin Gaskins scoring Heath with a double.

Hanahan responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning as Riley Turner and Jacob Bunting delivered run-scoring safeties.

Berkeley added a run in the second on Mason Salisbury’s RBI single, giving the Stags a 5-2 lead, chasing Hanahan starting pitcher Porter Sprovero.

Prep Zone

“If I’m being honest, with our guys, there really was no concern,” Hunter said of the early deficit. “We were playing a little flat so we had to dig into them a little bit, light the fire. They responded.”

With his two top pitchers unable to pitch, Cox went with sophomore Keller Wofford on the mound. Wofford pitched admirably in his first-ever varsity start but ran out of gas in the third. He allowed three earned runs in 2⅔ innings.

Hanahan took advantage of two Berkeley errors and posted five runs in the third. Bunting tripled in two runs to trim the deficit to 5-4. Hanahan added three more runs in the frame to move ahead, 7-5.

A Lowcountry staple of spring returns this week as area high school baseball teams participate in the 54th annual Hanahan Invitational Tournament (HIT), the state’s longest running spring-break high school baseball tournament.

A total of 57 varsity and junior varsity baseball teams will compete at local high school venues with championships decided on Thursday at Hanahan High. The event also includes out-of-state high school programs from states such as Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky.

Among the schools participating is Catawba Ridge of Rock Hill, the defending Class AAAA state champion in South Carolina. Charleston-area teams Berkeley, Summerville, James Island, and Hanahan are currently ranked in their respective classification’s top 10 polls.

The varsity teams are divided into two divisions – the Hatfield and Steadman divisions, named for former Hanahan High baseball coaches. Tom Hatfield started the HIT 54 years ago and Steadman took over and brought the event to national prominence when he became the school’s head baseball coach and athletic director.

Prep Zone

Area high schools hosting games during the week include Hanahan, Bishop England, Wando, Berkeley, Ashley Ridge, James Island, West Ashley and Summerville.

Schools hosting junior varsity games include Cane Bay, Fort Dorchester, Stratford and Goose Creek.

Junior varsity games begin Monday morning with 21 varsity games beginning on Monday afternoon and evening.

54th HIT Monday varsity schedule

Steadman bracket

Hanahan High site

2 p.m. - Marvin Ridge (NC) vs, Catawba Ridge

5 p.m. – Cane Bay vs. James River (Va.)

7:30 p.m. – Hanahan vs. Oscar Smith (Va.)

Bishop England site

1 p.m. – Starr’s Mill (Ga.) vs. Cox (Va.)

3:30 p.m. – Starr’s Mill vs. Lucy Beckham

6 p.m. – Bishop England vs. McCracken County (Ky.)

Wando site

5 p.m. – Fort Dorchester vs. Providence (N.C)

7:30 – Wando vs, Hickory (Va.)

Berkeley site

5 p.m. – Philip Simmons vs. Green Briar Christian (Va.)

7:30 p.m. – Berkeley vs. Woodland

Hatfield bracket

Summerville site

5 p.m. – Pinewood Prep vs. St. Pius (Ga.)

7:30 p.m. – Summerville vs. Great Bridge (Va.)

West Ashley site

2 p.m. – Catholic (Va.) vs. Trinity Christian (Ga.)

5 p.m. – Ardrey Kell (N.C.) vs. Beaufort

7:30 p.m. – West Ashley vs. St. Francis (OH)

James Island site

2 p.m. – Western Branch (Va.) vs. Stratford

5 p.m. – Hilton Head Christian vs. Timberland

7:30 p.m. – James Island vs. Hilton Head Christian

Ashley Ridge site

2 p.m. – Ben Lippen vs. Goose Creek

5 p.m. - Bamberg-Ehrhardt vs. First Colonial (Va.)

7:30 p.m. – Ashley Ridge vs. Hickory Grove (N.C.)

HANAHAN, S.C. (WCIV) — A Hanahan family is getting an outpouring of support after losing everything in a house fire.

A fire spread through the Stewarts' Rembert Drive home Sunday in the blink of an eye. Neighbor Mike Hinson said he dropped what he was doing to help because he knew it was right.

"Meghan was in a panic," Hinson said. "I brought the kids in, found them something to watch on TV, and made them a little snack just to kind of get their minds off stuff."

A fire gutting their home is just the latest obstacle for Meghan had Bobby Stewart.

Read more: "2 mobile homes destroyed in Colleton County fire, investigation ongoing."

Meghan fought breast cancer for five years.

Bobby is recovering from surgery.

Long-time neighbor Hinson said he had to help his fellow neighbors, remembering the support the family gave him when his wife had cancer.

"Two years ago, my wife passed away, and so many people come together for me," Hinson said. "You can't give that back. She helped my wife, Sheila, get through it the best that she could. And we did the same for her, just returning what it is that we had borrowed."

His front porch is now a sort of landing zone.

People are stopping by with bags filled with clothes and shoes for the kids, toiletries, and other items.

Read more: "Firefighter falls through floor during house fire response in downtown Charleston: CFD."

All to make life a little easier for the Stewarts.

Hinson said this is what the Hanahan community is all about.

"These people right here are the people who are doing it for the right reasons," Hinson said. "You know, it's coming from the heart. All in all, if nothing else, they feel a lot of love."

A GoFundMe for the Stewarts was created. It can be seen here.

Hanahan ... home sweet home. I regret to say I wasn’t born here. But I sure got here as fast as I could.

Growing up in Hanahan would have felt like an American dream.

However, I truly believe that not growing up here has created a deeper appreciation for where I now choose to live and raise my family. While the location is ideal and central to the Charleston region, it’s the culture and family values that I treasure most.

Throughout this year, Hanahan has been celebrating its 50th birthday. This area was populated as far back as the 1600s, and one would find plantations where homes, parks and businesses now stand.

Sir John Yeamans founded Yeamans Hall, and brothers Arthur and Edward Middleton established Otranto Plantation to name a few of the first settlers.

After Reconstruction, the Charleston region grew, and so did its needs, especially for water.

To meet that need, the Commissioners of Public Works was established and purchased the Goose Creek Reservoir.

It later developed a vast system of tunnels and a pumping station to supply potable water to the region.

In addition to being a businessman and influential leader of this time, J. Ross Hanahan was named the first chairman of the Commissioners of Public Works. Upon his departure, the pumping station was named after him, and the area became known as Hanahan.

Schools were built. Business were created. Homes were established.

In September of 1973 (only a year after North Charleston officially became a city), the city of Hanahan was officially incorporated.

The city is still known for its award-winning schools, sports and community culture.

I recently co-authored a book called “Hanahan,” released by Arcadia publishing, as a part of its Images of America series.

When we met with people to learn about how Hanahan came to be, the stories weren’t just logistical. They were personal.

Stories of jumping off the train trestle into the water, dads coming home from work from the shipyard or paper mill, students at Senior Hill, first dates at the Arcadia Rollerdrome at Port Park, fishing at Mabeline Lodge and more.

Many stories started with “One time ...” or “Back in the day ...”

While the formation of the city itself is so important, just as important are the stories of the daily experiences of the people who became the city of Hanahan.

I began by referring to Hanahan as home sweet home. Many reading this will think of a place, a location, maybe even a house.

However, those who live in Hanahan know that home sweet home means the people, because through this extraordinary community one quickly learns that home is not a place but a person, or in our case, the people who surround us.

Christie Rainwater is Mayor of Hanahan.