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There%u2019s something about January that feels like a deep breath and a fresh page all at once. The calendar flips, the pace resets, and suddenly we%u2019re full of plans, possibilities, and just enough optimism. Here in the Lowcountry, the new year arrives wrapped in crisp mornings, golden marsh light, and that familiar sense of community that makes Beaufort such a special place to call home. Gracing our cover this month is one of Beaufort%u2019s greatest treasures, the Spanish Moss Trail. What began more than 15 years ago with Dean Moss%u2019 vision to repurpose an old rail line has grown into one of the region%u2019s most beloved recreational spaces. With the leadership of Dean, the tireless work of Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail Director of Advancement Sissy Perryman, and Board Chair Joe DeVito, the Trail continues to expand in both miles and impact. New connection points opening early this year will link the Trail more directly to downtown Beaufort and Port Royal, inviting walkers, cyclists, families, and visitors straight into the heart of our community. This issue also celebrates an extraordinary career and a remarkable woman. Karen Carroll, Beaufort Memorial%u2019s Chief Nursing Officer, reflects on a 46-year journey shaped by compassion, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to patient care. From her earliest days as a young nurse to guiding generations of caregivers, Karen%u2019s legacy is woven into the fabric of Beaufort Memorial and the community it serves. The Pat Conroy Literary Center launches the year with compelling programming, beginning with bestselling author Jennifer Moorman on January 10. We also revisit a memorable October evening at the Rhett House Inn, where author Valerie Bauerlein and historian Dr. Larry Rowland gathered beneath the live oaks to discuss Bauerlein%u2019s New York Times bestseller, The Devil at His Elbo Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty. Later this month, Tim Conroy will engage DAYLO students in Habersham on January 25 and 26, exploring Pat Conroy as a nature writer%u2014a fun and meaningful event for young readers. We open our Lowcountry Homes Guide with Lise Sundrla, the new executive director of the Historic Beaufort Foundation. With a deep background in preservation and community revitalization, Lise is energized by her new role and focused on safeguarding Beaufort%u2019s historic character while thoughtfully guiding its future. We wrap up this issue with Beaufort Snapshots from the 2025 holiday season %u2014 festive moments and smiling faces, reminding us just how much joy this community knows how to create. As we look ahead to another year of storytelling, connection, and celebration, thank you for being part of our Beaufort Lifestyle family. Here%u2019s to a new year filled with meaningful moments, great stories, and plenty of reasons to fall in love with Beaufort all over again.08 January 2026 | BeaufortLifestyle.comPUBLISHER%u2019S ThoughtsABOUT THE COVERYou might catch glimpses of the Spanish Moss Trail as you drive through Beaufort, but much of its 10-mile path winds quietly along marshes, creeks, and through peaceful neighborhoods in northern Beaufort County. More than 100,000 residents and visitors walk and bike the 12-foot-wide concrete trail each year, making it one of the area%u2019s most popular recreational experiences. Early this year, two long-awaited connection points will open, extending the Trail into Port Royal and formally linking it to downtown Beaufort. The expansion marks another major step toward the Trail%u2019s full 16-mile vision, stretching from Sands Beach to the Whale Branch River.Cover photo by RICHARD STEINBERGER Lise Sundrla Preserving the History and Identity of Beaufort and Its ResidentsBeaufort Snapshots2025 Beaufort HolidaysJanuary 2026ALL ABOUT BEAUFORT, PORT ROYAL AND THE SEA ISLANDSFREEWhere Past Is PresentA Lowcountry Conversation Beneath the Live OaksSPANISH MOSS TRAILKaren CarrollNurse, Leader, LegacyThe Growing Journey- NaomiNaomi BenshoffEditor/Publisher 843-441-7318Naomi@BeaufortLifestyle.comJennifer ChastainProofreaderPO Box 2553Beaufort, SC 29901(843) 441-7318Beaufort Lifestyle is Proudly produced by:CIRCULATION: Beaufort Lifestyle is published monthly and distributed to over 200 locations.Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.LETTERS TO THE EDITORWrite to us and tell us what you think. Beaufort Lifestyle welcomes all letters to the editor. Please send all letters via email to Naomi Benshoff at naomi@beaufortlifestyle.comFor letters to the editor, please include a name, email and phone number. Email and Phone numbers will not be published.ARTICLE SUBMISSIONSBeaufort Lifestyle welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Naomi Benshoff at naomi@beaufortlifestyle.comStories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Beaufort, Port Royal or the Sea Islands will be considered.BeaufortLifestyle.comNaomi Benshoff, Owner/Editorphoto by PAUL NURNBERG