Riverbanks Zoo loses one of its own

Isabelle, one of the Riverbanks Zoo’s giraffes, passed this weekend following health challenges, according to an Instagram post from the zoo.

“In recent months, she faced health challenges, and while we navigate this difficult time, your support means the world to us,” the post read.

Isabelle was 14 years old and was born at Riverbanks in 2010. According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, giraffes can live longer than 25 years in captivity.

“Isabelle's legacy will continue to impact the lives of our animal family through the collection of blood samples, which provide life-saving plasma,” the post said. “Giraffe plasma contains essential antibodies and proteins that play a crucial role in fighting infections and maintaining health, which can help save the lives of other animals in need.”

7th annual Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival returns

The town of Irmo will be hosting its seventh annual Cherry Blossom Festival that is in honor of the flowering Japanese Yoshino cherry trees, a release states.

This year's festival will take place March 23 at the Irmo town park, located at 7330 Carlisle St. The release states that the event is family friendly and will feature “picnicking, blossom-viewing, food vendors, handcrafted artwork and more.”

The event will also feature vendors selling cherry blossom-inspired wares, traditional and pop-culture Japanese themed art, including kimekome fabric balls, kinchaku bags, amigurumi crochet creations and mokuhanga woodblock prints among others. 

Outside of vendors, the Irmo branch library will showcase items from their manga selection and talk about related programs. Ultimate Sport Martial Arts Academy will be giving martial arts demonstrations.

The release states that a 12-foot Pickachu, a popular Pokemon, a maid cafe experience, a kimono stroll and costume contest are among the other features of the festival.

Lexington Shamrock parade, kids zone rescheduled for Sunday

Shamrock parade and festivities are in full swing this weekend with a couple of changes due to weather. The parade on Main Street and free kids zone by the Icehouse Market has been rescheduled for March 17, according to the Town of Lexington. 

Despite the potential for bad weather, the March 9 concert featuring U2 tribute band Rattle and Hum still took place.

On Sunday, the parade starts at 3 p.m. with the kids zone happening prior to the parade from 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. 

O'Hara's Public House, one of the Shamrock Parade and festivities organizers alongside the Lexington Blowfish, still has a full day of festivities planned, according to their Facebook page. 

According to their schedule posted on their page, they have St. Patrick's Day themed food items at their bakery. O'Hara's Public House opens at 11 a.m. with a host of entertainers at their pub. 

Lexington-Richland District 5 educator receives statewide award

Mary Alice Laubach, placement chair at Dutch Fork Middle School, was named the Principal of the Year for South Carolina by the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children for 2024, according to a release.

The release adds that while Laubach is not a principal, any individual that serves as the special education lead for a school could also be nominated. 

 “I am thrilled and honored to be recognized by the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) as Principal of the Year for the state of South Carolina,” Laubach is quoted saying in the release. “It was very humbling to have been nominated by peers and colleagues and ultimately chosen for the top award.”

Laubach started her special education career as a special education paraprofessional in North Carolina. Her career in working with students with disabilities has spanned over 25 years, having worked with high school and middle school students with physical, emotional and learning disabilities. 

“Laubach spends time getting to know our students and their families to help better serve them,” Dutch Fork Middle School special education assistant Cindy Chapman is quoted saying. “She devotes two afternoons a week with students in general tutoring and mentoring them and gives them encouragement to excel in their classes on top of long days working with Individualized Educational Plans and one on one with students. 

“I’ve never worked with a Department Head that will go above and beyond to work with special needs students to help them transition into regular general education classes. She will support them and meet to make sure that the student is successful in the classroom.”

According to the release, the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children is a collaborative community of professionals serving as the voice and vision of special education in South Carolina. The mission is to improve the educational outcomes and quality of life of individuals with exceptionalities and their families through the actions of professionals, advocates and other agencies.