South-Carolina
This South Carolina Town is the Kazoo Capital of the United States
There’s simply one thing about Beaufort, South Carolina. Outdated oak bushes festooned with Spanish moss shade the quaint historic quarter. The phrases of famed Southern author Pat Conroy appear to come back alive on this place he beloved a lot. And the tides appear to whisper of ships looking for harbor in days gone previous. However, in case you hear nearer, that may not be historical past whispering to you. It is perhaps the distinct buzzing tune of a kazoo as an alternative.
Positioned in an industrial park a brief drive from the historic district is Kazoobie Kazoos, considered one of solely two kazoo factories in the US. Kazoobie makes customized kazoos to the tune of 1 million a yr, then invitations guests to construct their very own throughout a manufacturing unit and museum tour. And Beaufort’s mayor, Stephen Murray, is its CEO.
Kazoobie Kazoos opened as an e-commerce web site in 1997, started manufacturing in 2001, and moved house to Beaufort in 2009. By that point, the music of kazoos had already helped Murray, a Beaufort native, to see the nation exterior of the tidal creeks and islands of his house, because of the pied pipes of musician and entertainer Rick Hubbard.
Whereas performing usually in neighboring Hilton Head, Hubbard employed Murray on as tour supervisor and assistant for his standard The Kazoobie Kazoo Present with Rick Hubbard (which invitations the entire household to get in on the kazoo motion), and the 2 set off on what they thought can be a easy musician’s tour of the US however as an alternative would tune their lives ceaselessly to the enjoyment of the standard kazoo.
They by no means actually got down to make kazoos, however as Hubbard’s present grew and advanced, he quickly turned one of many greatest clients of a US kazoo manufacturing unit, and when that manufacturing unit determined to cease manufacturing, Hubbard purchased all of its tools and determined to construct the very best kazoo he might, with Murray at his aspect. In spite of everything this time, they knew what made a top quality kazoo.
“We use a medical grade of polypropylene—you possibly can drive a Hummer on it and it gained’t crack—and our mould additionally creates a thicker, stronger plastic, which yields higher resonance,” says Hubbard. Then there are 14 completely different colours, mixing and matching for the caps and instrument our bodies, and a customized, “die minimize, polymer membrane for the resonator—that makes our kazoo resonate vibrantly.”
You’ll be taught this a lot and extra throughout a manufacturing unit tour, in addition to see the historical past of kazoos in a small museum redesigned throughout the peak of the pandemic by Kazoobie associates and artists Boaz Frankel, Melanie Von Trapp, Charlie Wagers, and Ed Kulisek. There, you possibly can see historic kazoos (the instrument was invented within the 1840’s), a timeline of the kazoo in popular culture (Jimi Hendrix, actually, has a kazoo connection), and different attention-grabbing tidbits in regards to the mini organ.
Sarah Barnwell, advertising director at Kazoobie, runs many of the excursions and is proficient not solely at serving to individuals discover their internal kazoo grasp, but additionally operating the Instagram account like a puppeteer and constructing artwork out of kazoos, together with the huge American flag featured on a wall of the museum.
“One of many questions we get quite a bit is “Does the noise get in your nerves?’,” she says. “We’ve got plenty of enjoyable but additionally work very onerous getting these kazoos shipped worldwide. Even when a nasty day occurs, as a result of typically they do, there’s something magical watching people play the kazoo; it washes away the remnants of a nasty day.”
And when that doesn’t fairly minimize it, there’s at all times “Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton, considered one of their favourite songs to play across the manufacturing unit, with kazoo accompaniment in fact.
“The kazoo is a foolish instrument, and dealing with Rick and seeing the enjoyment and enjoyable that kazoos can create, it spans generations,” says Murray. “I believe that at present we aren’t as intentional with pleasure as we ought to be. Kazoos are counter tradition, certain, however they’re woven into popular culture, from Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Fallon.”
And the tune performs on in Beaufort, certain, just a little off key, and quite a bit breathy, however with a hearty dose of foolish enjoyable—enjoyable you possibly can add your tune to, too.
A local North Carolinian, Stephanie grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, on good Southern cooking and many books. She obtained each her BA and MA in English from UNC Charlotte and was a former teacher of English and American Research there as nicely. Writing has led her to some attention-grabbing locations: haunted homes on lonely nation roads, white, sandy seashores on the West coast of Florida, and dinner at a lot of tables of Southern meals, however in case you get her began speaking about it, it’s onerous to get her to cease. Due to this fact, it’s finest to debate films or gardening along with her at a cocktail party. She doesn’t write a lot about these. Her work has appeared in quite a few publications, together with Paste Journal, The Native Palate, The Put up and Courier, and The Hollins Critic.
One person was killed Thursday in a car crash on a Midlands road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The collision happened at about 10 p.m. in Newberry County, said Lance Cpl. Brittany Glover.
A 2018 Chevrolet Impala was driving west on Bush River Road, and near the intersection with Kendall Road it hit a pedestrian who was walking west in the road, according to Glover.
The pedestrian died at the scene, Glover said.
The Newberry County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the pedestrian.
Glover said there were two people in the Chevy, but neither was hurt. No other injuries were reported.
There was no word if either the Chevy driver or passenger were wearing seat belts.
Glover did not say if the crash is being investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Through June 9, at least 399 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least eight people have died in Newberry County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were nine deaths in the county in 2023, DPS reported.
South-Carolina
'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles
“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was remembered by family and friends at his funeral service in his home state of South Carolina three weeks after he was killed in Los Angeles.
The actor died May 25 at the age of 37 after he was fatally shot when he approached three individuals who were attempting to steal his car’s catalytic converter in downtown Los Angeles.
On Saturday afternoon, mourners gathered for Wactor’s funeral at the Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, South Carolina. The service was held by Wactor’s family, including his mother, Scarlett, and brothers, Grant and Lance.
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“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was laid to rest on Saturday. (Getty/Fox News)
Among the attendees were Wactor’s friend Micah Parker and co-worker Anita Joy. Earlier this week, Parker and Grant organized a rally in Los Angeles seeking justice for the actor, whose killers remain at large. In the final moments of his life, Wactor defended Joy by stepping in front of her before he was shot.
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“Laid to Rest. But still so present with us,” Parker wrote on Instagram as he shared an image of a framed photo of Wactor.
Parker also uploaded an image of floral arrangements and framed portraits of Wactor that were displayed on the steps of the altar during the service. On the photo, he tagged the Instagram page @justiceforjohnnywactor, which provides updates from Wactor’s family and friends on the search for his murderers.
Family and friends attend a memorial service for the slain actor at Summerville Baptist Church, in Summerville, South Carolina. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
Wactor’s family held his funeral service in their home state. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
Wactor was shot and killed when he encountered a trio of alleged thieves who were in the process of stealing his catalytic converter. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
On her Instagram Story, Joy posted an image of the funeral program, which featured a photo of Wactor, writing, “Today was beautiful for you, Johnny. We love you.”
In another post, Joy wrote “Unbelievable. But you are so loved,” on a photo of one of Wactor’s funeral portraits.
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In an emotional post that Joy shared last month, she recalled how she and Wactor were walking to their cars after a bartending shift at the downtown L.A. bar Level 8 when they encountered the three individuals who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter.
“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him,” she wrote. “As I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms. As I grabbed for him, I shouted ‘Hunny you ok?!’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!’ We toppled onto the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me.”
“I’m so grateful to have been a part of his world and him, mine. My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there. I love you Johnny Wacky,” Joy concluded.
Wactor’s friend Micah Parker shared photos from inside the service. (Micah Parker Instagram)
Parker and Wactor’s brother, Grant, led a protest rally in LA seeking justice for the actor. (Micah Parker Instagram)
Scarlett had previously confirmed that Parker and Joy would be attending the service. She told Fox News Digital that she was looking forward to meeting Joy for the first time.
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“I told Anita that ‘God must have big plans for her,’ and then I said, ‘Johnny’s death has got to be bigger than all that,’” Scarlett said. “So, for it to make a change, like what we’re asking the city to do and change, that would at least be something.”
Wactor’s obituary, which was featured in the funeral program, noted that the actor had been murdered while “heroically shielding his co-worker.”
In the final moments of his life, Wactor protected his co-worker Anita Joy. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
Joy was also in attendance at the funeral. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
“Johnny stood up for what he believed in and remains an example of how to live life with non-negotiable integrity and grit,” read the obituary. “He found solace and serenity with his loving family, on the mountain, climbing, being a proud big brother to Lance and Grant, with the boys, just talking to his mother, in play, always outside, in nature.”
“A man brimming with magnetism and humility. A pure life force, passion Personified, awaking in the early mornings with purpose, ready to go. Johnny’s love will be remembered and felt by all. Forever leaving an everlasting mark on this world.”
The program also included Bible passages from the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of John and the Book of Job.
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Wactor’s mother Scarlett said that she hopes people “continue to pray” for justice. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
Scarlett said that she believes that “justice is coming.” (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)
While speaking with Fox News Digital earlier this week, Scarlett commended the efforts being made by Wactor’s friends in Los Angeles, who launched the #JusticeforJohnny movement to find his killers.
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As the investigation led by LAPD continues and the movement grows, Scarlett said she is asking “people to continue to pray.”
“I really do think justice is coming. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later. And I think God’s help is what they’re going to need. Because it sounds like there’s some really weak laws and help for the police department, unfortunately. I feel for them.”
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced they will be holding a memorial service to honor Coba, a K9 who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
Coba was a member of the team who responded to a home on Gravel Road in an attempt to serve a felony warrant to James Peterson, 37. When he was confronted by Coba, his handler and a deputy with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office inside the home’s hallway, Peterson shot the K9. Coba was rushed to an emergency veterinarian but died from his wounds later that day.
The ceremony will take place at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy at 5400 Broad River Road at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19.
Gov. Henry McMaster said he is planning to attend the memorial.
Officials ask that guests not bring pets but law enforcement K9s are welcome.
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