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.

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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.

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