Lowcountry Forever

Lowcountry Forever: Charleston Memorial Stair Climb & Charleston Planetarium – May 18, 2025

In this May 18, 2025 episode, we talk with John Cole and Rachel Cole of Charleston Memorial Stair Climb and Paul Gangarosa and Thomas Martinez of the Charleston Planetarium. Photo: 92.5 Kickin' Country/Saga Communications

Lowcountry Forever: Charleston Memorial Stair Climb & Charleston Planetarium – May 18, 2025

SEGMENT #1: Charleston Memorial Stair Climb
GUEST: John Cole, Director and Rachel Cole, Coordinator
ISSUE: EMS/First Responders
Each June, an event takes place to both remember and make certain we never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. That event is the Charleston Memorial Stair Climb, being held this year on Saturday, June 21. The director of the Climb, John Cole is a former firefighter who talked about where he was on 9/11, his experiences as a fireman, and why he was inspired to create the event. Rachel Cole is the Climb coordinator and broken down the event, explaining the significance of starting at 8:46AM and why the climb is 110 flights of stairs. The event, at the North Charleston Coliseum, will include participants from the New York City Fire Department. The Climb is a benefit event and Cole explained how the money was being raised and who the funds would go to benefit.

________________________________________________

SEGMENT #2: Charleston Planetarium
GUEST: Paul Gangarosa, Founder, and Thomas Martinez, Director
ISSUE: Science and Technology
This month, the new Charleston Planetarium opens in North Charleston at the Citadel Mall. The Planetarium is a new nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to science education. Paul Gangarosa, the Charleston Planetarium founder, shared his reasons for bringing the Planetarium to the Lowcountry and why he feels this is an important addition to our community. Thomas Martinez, the Planetarium Director, explained how the facility would operate in terms of when there would be shows, and how people could purchase tickets. Both expressed excitement for their May opening and explained how the shows would be constantly freshened, so a visit the following month would be different from the current month. Plus, they discussed the partnerships they were hoping to create with area schools.

Recent Headlines

8 hours ago in National

Facing a ban on horse-drawn carriages, Central Park’s drivers fear for their future

The horse-drawn carriages that have cruised through Central Park for more than 150 years will soon be banished from New York City, ending an iconic tradition beloved by tourists but long opposed by animal welfare activists.

8 hours ago in Entertainment

Tom Cruise to receive life achievement award from the American Film Institute

Tom Cruise is being celebrated with a life achievement award from the American Film Institute, AFI's board of trustees said Wednesday The award will be handed out at a gala tribute in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre on April 24 next year.

8 hours ago in Sports, Trending

World Series preview: Surprising Rays-Brewers showdown to open with Jacob Misiorowski’s record heat

The Miz will try to whiz his famous fastball by batters on baseball's biggest stage, opening a new-look World Series between teams guaranteed to produce a first-time champion.

8 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Tom Skerritt, Emmy-winning actor with roles in ‘Picket Fences,’ ‘Alien’ and ‘Top Gun,’ dies at 93

Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning actor who embodied a solid, wry authority figure, whether as a flight instructor in "Top Gun," a tough-but-fair sheriff on TV's "Picket Fences" or the doomed captain of "Alien," has died. He was 93.

13 hours ago in Lifestyle

RSV vs. flu: How to tell the difference

Doctronic reports that RSV and flu, both contagious respiratory infections, have overlapping but distinct symptoms.

15 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 for a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals

Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are halfway toward their ultimate goal of winning the franchise's first WNBA championship.