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

12 hours ago in Sports

Hurricanes thriving in high-pressure playoff settings as Stanley Cup Final shifts West for Game 3

The Carolina Hurricanes have spent months regrouping quickly after losses and they have proven unshaken by the challenge of playing in hostile arenas or in next-goal-wins extra time.

12 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Bears say they are moving forward with Northwest Indiana location for new stadium

The Chicago Bears are looking to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana after a proposal to provide financial incentives for the NFL team to build its new home in Illinois stalled in the state legislature.

19 hours ago in Lifestyle

Fishermen prepared for the longest red snapper season in recent memory. A court order stopped it

Recreational fishermen are pitched against commercial fishermen and environmentalists in a legal dispute that has halted what was expected to be the longest snapper season in years, reflecting broader tensions over the Trump administration's efforts to loosen fishing rules and deregulate the seas.

19 hours ago in National

Employers added 172,000 jobs last month as US job market shows resilience despite Iran war

The American job market continues to show surprising strength, shrugging off the high costs of the Iran war. Employers added 172,000 jobs in May – roughly double what forecasters had expected – and the unemployment rate remained at a low 4.3%.

2 days ago in National

Homicide convictions reversed for Colorado paramedics who injected ketamine into Elijah McClain

A Colorado court reversed homicide convictions against two paramedics on Thursday in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who was pinned down by police and injected with a fatal dose of ketamine.

2 days ago in Sports

NBA bans two fans for life after one runs onto court during Game 1, attempts selfie with Wemby

The NBA banned two people for life from its arenas on Thursday, after one of them was arrested shortly after running onto the court during Game 1 of the NBA Finals and appearing to take a selfie next to San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama.