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The Curiosity rover has made its most unusual find to date on Mars: rocks made of pure sulfur. And it all began when the 1-ton rover happened to drive over a rock and crack it open, revealing yellowish-green crystals never spotted before on the red planet.

“I think it’s the strangest find of the whole mission and the most unexpected,” said Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. “I have to say, there’s a lot of luck involved here. Not every rock has something interesting inside.”

The Curiosity team was eager for the rover to investigate the Gediz Vallis channel, a winding groove that appears to have been created 3 billion years ago by a mix of flowing water and debris. The channel is carved into part of the 3-mile-tall (5-kilometer-tall) Mount Sharp. The rover has been scaling the mountain since 2014.

White stones had been visible in the distance, and the mission scientists wanted a closer look. The rover drivers at JPL, who send instructions to Curiosity, did a 90-degree turn to put the robotic explorer in the right position for its cameras to capture a mosaic of the surrounding landscape.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

On the morning of May 30, Vasavada and his team looked at Curiosity’s mosaic and saw a crushed rock lying amid the rover’s wheel tracks. A closer picture of the rock made clear the “mind-blowing” find, he said.

Some of Curiosity’s discoveries, such as lakes that lasted millions of years and the presence of organic materials, have played into the rover’s ultimate mission goal: trying to determine whether Mars hosted habitable environments.

Now, scientists are on a mission to figure out what the presence of pure sulfur on Mars means and what it says about the red planet’s history.

Curiosity had already discovered sulfates on Mars, or salts that contain sulfur that are formed when water evaporates. The team has seen evidence of bright white calcium sulfate, also known as gypsum, within cracks on the Martian surface that are essentially hard-water deposits left behind by ancient groundwater flows.

“No one had pure sulfur on their bingo card,” Vasavada said.

Sulfur rocks typically have what Vasavada describes as a “beautiful, translucent and crystalline texture,” but weathering on Mars essentially sandblasted the outside of the rocks to blend in with the rest of the planet, which largely consists of shades of orange.

Curiosity has been exploring the channel since March. CNN/NASA SVS

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Members of the team were stunned twice — once when they saw the “gorgeous texture and color inside” the rock and then when they used Curiosity’s instruments to analyze the rock and received data indicating it was pure sulfur, Vasavada said.

Previously, while exploring Mars, NASA’s Spirit rover broke one of its wheels and had to drag it along while using the other five to drive backward. The drag of the wheel revealed bright white soil, which turned out to be nearly pure silica. The presence of silica suggests hot springs or steam vents may have once been on Mars, which could have created conditions favorable for microbial life if it ever existed on the planet.

The silica discovery is still one of the most important findings by the Spirit rover, which operated on Mars from 2004 to 2011. And Vasavada says it’s what inspired the team to “look behind” the Curiosity rover — otherwise they wouldn’t have seen the crushed sulfur.

“My jaw dropped when I saw the image of the sulfur,” said Briony Horgan, co-investigator on the Perseverance rover mission and professor of planetary science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. “Pure elemental sulfur is a very weird finding because on Earth we mostly find it in places like hydrothermal vents. Think Yellowstone! So it’s a big mystery to me as to how this rock formed in Mt. Sharp.”

While approaching Gediz Vallis channel, Curiosity sent back pictures of an unusual sight: a flat area, about half the size of a football field, scattered with bright white hand-size rocks.

At first, the team thought the “strange rocks” were part of the debris from the channel, perhaps a layer that water had transported from higher up the mountain, Vasavada said.

But upon closer inspection, including the fortuitous crushing of the sulfur rock, the team now thinks that the flat, uniform field of rocks formed where they were found, he said.

The team was eager to take a sample of the rocks to study, but Curiosity couldn’t drill into the rocks because they were too small and brittle. To determine what process formed the sulfur rocks, the team considered nearby bedrock instead.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Pure sulfur only forms under certain conditions on Earth, such as volcanic processes or in hot or cold springs. Depending on the process, different minerals are created at the same time as the sulfur.

On June 18, the team sampled a large rock from the channel nicknamed “Mammoth Lakes.” An analysis of the rock’s dust, carried out by instruments within the rover’s belly, revealed a larger variety of minerals than ever seen before during the mission, Vasavada said.

“The running joke for us was we almost saw every mineral we’ve ever seen in the whole mission but all in this rock,” he said. “It’s almost an abundance of riches.”

Since landing on Mars on August 5, 2012, the Curiosity rover has ascended 2,600 feet (800 meters) up the base of Mount Sharp from the floor of Gale Crater. The mountain is a central peak of the crater, which is a vast, dry ancient lake bed.

Each layer of Mount Sharp tells a different story about Mars’ history, including periods when the planet was wet and when it became drier.

Lately, Curiosity has been systematically investigating different features of the mountain, such as the Gediz Vallis channel. The channel was formed well after the mountain because it carves through different layers of Mount Sharp, Vasavada said.

After water and debris carved a trail, they left behind a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) ridge of boulders and sediment below the channel. Although Curiosity arrived at the channel in March and is likely to stay for another month or two, it has been steadily climbing next to the debris trail for a while.

Scientists have wondered whether floodwaters or landslides caused the debris, and Curiosity’s investigations have shown that both violent water flows and landslides likely played a part. Some of the rocks are rounded like river rocks, suggesting they were carried by water, but others are more angular, meaning they were likely delivered by dry avalanches.

Then, water soaked into the debris, and chemical reactions created “halo” shapes that can be seen on some of the rocks that Curiosity has studied.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

“This was not a quiet period on Mars,” said Becky Williams, a scientist with the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, and the deputy principal investigator of Curiosity’s Mast Camera, in a statement. “There was an exciting amount of activity here. We’re looking at multiple flows down the channel, including energetic floods and boulder-rich flows.”

Scientists are eager to uncover more details, including how much water was present to help carve the channel in the first place.

Gediz Vallis channel has long been of interest to scientists, including Vasavada, who recalls looking at orbital images of the feature well before Curiosity landed on Mars.

“It’s always been something that’s just been really intriguing,” he said. “I remember when the rover kind of rolled over the final hill before we got to the channel, and you could all of a sudden see the landscape and the curved channel. Now, we’re actually here, seeing it with our own eyes, so to speak.”

There’s no smoking gun pointing to how the sulfur was formed, but the team continues to analyze the data Curiosity collected to determine how and when each mineral formed.

“Maybe this rock slab has experienced multiple different kinds of environments,” Vasavada said, “and they’re sort of overprinting each other, and now we have to unravel that.”

Related article Mars gets hit by hundreds of basketball-size space rocks every year

Curiosity continues to explore the channel to look for more surprises, and after it moves on, the rover will head west to drive along the mountain, rather than straight up, to seek more intriguing geologic features.

Despite 12 years of wear and tear, including some “close calls” such as wheel issues and mechanical problems, Curiosity remains in great health, Vasavada said.

“I feel very lucky, but also we all feel cautious that the next one may not be only a close call, so we’re trying to make the most of it, and we have this landing site that’s been so wonderful,” he said. “I’m glad we chose something that was 12 years’ worth of science.”

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Team members from BASF’s sites in Mauldin, White Stone (Spartanburg), Seneca and Central (Clemson) Converse helped celebrate Ruthie Gregory’s fifth birthday at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, complete with balloons, birthday cake and a trip to Zoo Miami at the end of the month.

“We are deeply honored to help grant Ruthie her wish of going to Zoo Miami,” said Gerald Murphy, Site Manager for BASF in Mauldin and White Stone. “We know she is excited and so are we. All the teams in the Upstate couldn’t wait to be part of this event.”

The trip was funded by a $7,500 charitable contribution made by the BASF sites through Make-A-Wish’s Corporate Wish Sponsorship.

“The sponsorship was created to offer corporate and community supporters a first-hand giving experience to grant a life-changing wish for a child with a critical illness,” said Kea Wade, Corporate and Community Engagement Manager at Make-A-Wish. “We are grateful to have BASF sites as partners in wish-granting for the tremendous wish kids of South Carolina. Their combined generous charitable investment in our mission will provide encouragement and healing for many children facing critical illnesses. Their corporate impact will transform lives.”

The funding of Ruthie’s trip, including her parents, Martina and Dillon and sisters Maryleigh and Mattie, came about when staff from Make-A-Wish reached out to the BASF site in Converse. Jerome Kirkland, the site manager at Converse, realized this was the perfect way for the BASF sites in South Carolina to come together.

“Individually, each of the sites does a lot for the community and gives back in a lot of ways,” Kirkland said. “However, we have been looking for a project that could bring all of us in the Upstate together.”

Ruthie, who has Revesz syndrome, a rare bone marrow disorder, chose Zoo Miami to see the animals and hold a koala and a tiger.

“She’s excited to be going on this trip and really excited to be spending time with her sisters,” Martina Gregory said. “It really means a lot. It was very special to us to get this wish, and go with her, and live life to the fullest with her.”

BASF’s South Carolina sites employ approximately 750 people and invest nearly $85 million in the state through annual payroll, purchases, investments, taxes and charitable contributions.

The BASF sites in South Carolina produce materials that are vital to the sustainability of our economy and quality of life. Employees are committed to producing safe, clean and reliable products that are essential ingredients in many consumer items used in homes around the world every day.

For more information about BASF in South Carolina, visit www.basf.us/sc.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $20.5 billion in 2023. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

A backsplash makes big impact no matter the look, but these trends are making us swoon.

On a practical level, a backsplash is made to protect the wall behind a stove or counterpart. Essentially, it's the material that covers, or fills in, the area from the top of the countertop to the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. And while it's a standard element in every kitchen, backsplashes are having a serious moment of their own right now.

Why? Homeowners are seeking warmth and character in their stones and bringing their personalities out in their kitchens like never before. Adding backsplash tiles to your kitchen gives you an opportunity to have a focal point that's both functional and beautiful. The backsplash can blend into the background, letting other design elements shine, or it can make a strong design statement. We're seeing a lot less heavy, wall-to-wall cabinetry, so the backsplash is no longer confined to 18 inches between the cabinets and countertop—it can be the whole wall.

In our Southern Living home tours, we see couples make their backsplashes do double duty—with practicality and style— by hanging art at the center of the backsplash or making the whole wall a statement piece (no art or decor needed). And no material is a given here, as it may have been in the past. You can easily get creative with finishes and play with mixed materials, styles, colors, and textures. Today, homeowners can find a material that fits their style, home, and price point. Most popularly, we are seeing couples buying beautiful (and expensive) slabs of marble, choosing colorful tiles, and even adding patterns with painted tiles.

Bold design is making a comeback and the backsplash is an easy way to completely update the feel of your kitchen. If you need inspiration for a kitchen renovation or even a quick upgrade, you'll find the best kitchen backsplash ideas for 2024 below.

31 Kitchen Hood Ideas Designers Love

Quartz

In her North Carolina home, designer Liz Carroll kept the walls open and airy by installing floating natural wood shelves and glass sconces (from Visual Comfort) atop painted white shiplap. In this room, the lower cabinets, painted Benjamin Moore's Iron Mountain (2134-30), act as the space's focal point thanks to an otherwise neutral palette, which is solidified with quartz countertop that extends above the stove as a subtle backsplash.

Single Slab

Some argue that traditional tile is officially out. While we have a few still-on-trend options below, there's a certain truth to this statement. Many are forgoing an abundance of tiles and are instead opting for a single slab as a backsplash, as demonstrated in this minimalistic kitchen. Treating the backsplash as an extension of the countertops creates a high-end, polished feel.

Wood Paneling

When renovating this 1960s ranch-style home in Nashville, the owners left some of the property's original charm—but added a little paint. More specifically, they painted the original wood-paneled walls bright white (PPG's Delicate White, PPG1001-1). While there is no official backsplash, a glass-framed painting is hung intentionally above the stove. "You can use art to make a kitchen feel a bit more lived-in," says designer Meg Kelly, who oversaw this project.

Marble Tiles

See! We told you tiles can be done right. This recently renovated 1940 cottage in Birmingham, Alabama, is a great example. The couple had a vision for bright and vibrant decor in the rest of the house, but decided to keep things neutral in the kitchen to allow the green cabinets to pop. They used marble 3 x 6 tiles in a subtle grey tone—and, as shown, the material is successful in letting the rest of the room to shine.

Bold Hues

We also weren't kidding when we said that some homeowners are making a major statement with a unique backsplash choice. Designer KV Harper did just that while designing her New Orleans home. "My carpenter built the reclaimed-wood countertop which breaks up the green backsplash and dark blue cabinets (painted in Sherwin-Williams' Anchors Aweigh, SW 9179)," she adds. White will always have its place, but shades of green, moody blues, and even black are having a moment.

Mixed Materials

The kitchen is a great place to mix materials like wood flooring, brass hardware, and stainless steel appliances, and other various finishes from countertops to cabinetry. In the 2022 Idea House, designer Charlotte Lucas also chose to use a blend of materials when it came to the backsplash. Here, she used alilac marble countertop that extended up the wall to meet a glossy, terracotta tile completewith a shallow shelf.

White Cloe Tile

Driven by bloggers such as Emily Henderson and Studio McGee, Bedrosian's Cloe tile is having a moment in residential interiors, according to Campbell Minister, an interior designer and founder of Decorated Interiors. "From shower stalls to kitchen backsplashes, the white Cloe tile has an organic look and a fresh modern presence all at once," she says. "They come in a 5 x 5 square or a more standard 2.5 x 8 rectangle—similar tiles like this are available on Wayfair for a lower price, too." The key is to choose something with a subtle texture and color variation that still acts as a neutral.

Continuous Backsplash

Another trend that homeowners are catching onto are continuous slabs of marble, granite, and quartzite as a backsplash. It creates a timeless look whether shinny and polished or in a matte finish. "Choosing a continuous slab that matches your counters creates a cohesive feel that blends in with the kitchen's overall scheme," explains Minister. "You can go wild with a bold pattern or choose a more muted and quiet material as a backdrop for a bold cabinet color." Be sure to check with your fabricator on the suitability for any slab material you choose as a kitchen backsplash, as some quartz materials are not as resistant to heat.

Search any kitchen design by Jake Arnold and swoon. This designer is showing a ton of warm and textured material in his designs. One trend we see on the rise is again a continuous piece of stone slab that sits approximately 10" to 15" above the counter, and dead ends into a shelf. The beauty of this aesthetic is you then can use this perch for art, bowls, utensils, you name it. The shelf itself can be wood for some more visual interest, or the same material as the counter.

Interesting Texture

Natural ceramic or porcelain tiles are an intriguing way to change up your backsplash as well. "Adding a bit of texture to an otherwise basic shape provides dimension and interest in a backsplash," explains Minister. "You don't have to spend a million bucks for this to make a statement." Look for vintage or imperfectly cut tiles for added character.

Graphic Geometrics

"Geometric shapes and patterns hold a special place in my heart on kitchen backsplashes," says Minister. "Hexagons and herringbone's patterns don't seem to ever go out of style. A herringbone pattern with a Calacatta marble finish makes for a little subtle interest in an all-white kitchen." Angling your tiles is a great way to add interest without breaking the bank for special patterns or adding colored tile. Below, designer Meredith Beregovski created a unique look using handmade terracotta tile on the angled backsplash of a recently renovated A-frame home.

Statement Backsplash

There is more than one way to make a statement in your kitchen. While you might think of appliances or paint colors as typical statement-makers, your backsplash can create a wow-moment too. If you're looking to take a ho-hum kitchen up a notch, try a bold colored tile, mixed materials, mosaic tiles, or create your own pattern.

An Extended Backsplash

In lieu of a traditional backsplash, designer Nicola McLaughlin covered the walls of this kitchen from floor to ceiling in a simple, grid-like tile. "It's cost-effective and clean," she notes. "And, depending on how it's done, it can also be timeless." To add dimension, she used tiles that have uneven surfaces and look handmade. "It's not just a monotonous wall of white. The tiles each shine in a different way," says McLaughlin.

Subway Tile

This is one trend that's never going out of style. Subway tile might commonly be found in other areas of the house, but you can never go wrong with using as your backsplash too. You can go for the traditional 3 x 6 inch white tile or get creative and opt for larger tiles in 2 x 4 inches, 4 x 8 inches, 6 x 12 inches or try bold colors.

Colorful Tile in Cool, Calming Hues

Gone are the days of the standard 3 x 6 white tile—choosing a tile that is longer creates a calming visual effect, according to Minister. "Go for a 3 x 10, or a 2 x 8 to create a sleek look," she says. "Wood finishes, moody blues, and greens are having a moment with regards to kitchens and The Tile Shop has a line of subway tiles in light greens and blues that can complement this trend."

Glossy Finishes

Matte is out. From tile to slab backsplashes and even cabinetry paint—gloss is in. When using polished or high-gloss finishes, be sure to pair them with natural materials for balance.

All-Over Limestone

If your home has interesting interior surfaces like this farmhouse with native Texas limestone, use that to your advantage. Designer Leah Ashley Finn took the stone walls around her house and decided to forgo a true backsplash since there is so much visual interest and texture already.

Brad Johnson and Sherrod Greene were different types of linebackers.

Johnson “spoiled” South Carolina’s linebacker corps with his vocal leadership and commanding physical presence in-game, defensive coordinator Clayton White said. Green was a savvy veteran, a run-and-hit linebacker. Both were staples of the Gamecocks defense for several years.

Now, both are gone.

But USC’s current linebackers were born to play the position, White told The State, speaking last week at the annual Birdies With Beamer media golf event. They’re downhill and aggressive.

Debo Williams, Stone Blanton, Bam Martin-Scott, Mohamed Kaba and Grayson “Pup” Howard ought to surprise outsiders in the way they seize the upcoming season, said White, who directly coaches the inside linebackers.

Williams and Blanton have assumed Johnson’s leadership role, White said. Williams, a redshirt junior, played in all 13 games last season, starting in two of them. He had 43 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. Blanton played in 12 games as a true freshman, tallying seven tackles — five solo and 1.5 for loss — and a pass breakup.

Howard, a freshman out of Jacksonville, Florida, and redshirt freshman transfer Jaron Willis from Ole Miss are the new faces at the position. By virtue of their age and lack of experience, White described both players as “green.”

The transition from high school to college football is “the biggest jump in all of sports,” White said, “even a bigger jump from college to pros.”

“Instead of learning six defenses, you’ve got to learn 86 defenses,” he said. “It’s unlimited, and it’s infinity, and it can never stop because there are always pieces that can get added to it.”

Howard totaled 188 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, during his senior season of high school, according to News4Jax.com. He also recovered three fumbles, forced another one and had a rushing touchdown. He enrolled at USC for the spring, which gave him a head start on learning South Carolina’s system.

Shane Beamer has been vocal about true freshmen playing at every position this year. That includes Howard, White said. The number of snaps is still to be determined, but Howard is expected to play impactful downs.

Where the whole group can improve is in its ability to diagnose plays and take control of a defense — as Johnson did.

“Brad was a voice and he was the muscle of the defense,” White said. “Our names are better (this season). We have Stone, Debo, Pup and Bam. They sound like linebackers. But they’re natural-born linebackers.”

White described Kaba as a “work in progress.” He tore an ACL against Arkansas last season and missed the rest of the year. Beamer told reporters at SEC Media Days that Kaba would be somewhat limited at practice, but “everybody should be 100% by Game 1.”

The goal is to ease Kaba back into football, White said. This was Kaba’s second ACL injury — the first came during his senior season of high school.

“The worst thing that we want to do is rush Kaba back and miss him in the month of October, November,” White said.

The State

Payton Titus is The State’s South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball beat writer. She also covers USC football and produces real-time/trending content. Titus is an APSE award winner and graduated from the University of Florida in 2023.

For 15 years, the Melrose Resort has waited for a second chance. A once vibrant vacation spot sitting on the Atlantic Ocean, it is now a shell of its former self, 400 lonely acres on secluded Daufuskie Island in South Carolina.

No vacationers stay at the resort’s hotel or eat at its restaurants. No weddings are celebrated at its conference center, and no golfers putt around on its Jack Nicklaus-designed course. The sea may still lap against its beach, and some privately owned residences may still be available for rent, but this is, for the most part, a place neglected. Time, storms, and subpar management have taken a toll.

The closed luxury resort’s decay and disrepair didn’t sit well with Laura Scheeler Smith ’90, who has long vacationed on Daufuskie Island, a peaceful place that she finds comforting and inspiring. Melrose has undergone two bankruptcies, with one former owner going to jail for fraud, and Smith couldn’t stand to see the resort left in ruin. “It is a special place,” she says. “It’s a shame.”

Smith does not work in hospitality or tourism or real estate. She’s no expert on golf courses or restaurants either. In her career, she’s a director of tax operations at a consulting, tax, and audit firm, as well as the author of a new mystery novel. But, that didn’t stop her from rolling up her sleeves and trying to find a way to move the resort forward, to literally bring it back to life.

“I finally decided that no one is doing anything. It is an endless cycle of status quo,” she says. “Why don’t I see if I can get the right people in the room to make something happen?”

So, in the summer of 2020, with the Melrose Resort up for sale by its owner, Smith embarked on a mission to find the right people to revitalize and restore it. She wasn’t paid for her efforts, which took a tremendous amount of time, but every chance she had, she was making calls and connections.

“I talked to anyone who would talk to me. I have a notebook filled with contacts,” she says. “I talked to people managing golf courses. I talked to people in tourism. I talked to people in construction. I talked to people in hospitality.”

This quest would take more than two years of her life, but in the end, the fate of the resort still remains in limbo.

Feels Like Home

Smith and her family first came to Daufuskie Island in 2007 by chance, after their original plans for a spring break trip fell through. They were immediately smitten with the island, which rests between Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. They loved its beauty, its remoteness, its slower pace of life.

“It is untouched. There are dirt roads. There are huge old oaks with Spanish moss canopies,” says Smith, who resides in Atlanta. “This was the place I was searching for all my life. It was quiet. It was still. Even though I had never been there before, this was my home.”

On an impulse right after the trip, Smith and her husband, Jay Smith ’88, bought a parcel of land on the island, with the intention of building a house there. That plan never happened. That parcel was located on the Melrose Resort property, and the next year, it would file for bankruptcy and close. Building there no longer made sense.

“I finally decided that no one is doing anything. It is an endless cycle of status quo. Why don’t I see if I can get the right people in the room to make something happen?” Laura Scheeler Smith ’90

Through the years, though, the family kept visiting the island. It was a perfect place for Smith’s two children. “We had treasure hunts. We had picnics on the beach. We explored things off the beaten path,” Smith says. “We created a lifetime of family memories on this island.”

All that time, Smith watched the resort sit unused and unwanted. Ultimately in 2020, she was moved to act and began searching for potential buyers and operators. LinkedIn became an essential tool for researching and networking, and she took calls at lunchtime, in her car, and whenever she had a free moment. She estimates she spoke to hundreds of people from around the world. She even did site tours for potential investors.

Some were dubious of her, this woman with no official connections to the resort acting as its advocate and cheerleader, but they typically were won over by her passion. “It is about believing in something so strongly and being called to do it, simply because you believe it is the right thing to do,” she says.

Inspired to Write

Eventually, a buyer and an operator for the resort arose last year, but just three days before closing, a dispute broke out about the property’s dock, a critical connection to the mainland. The county condemned the dock, and since then, the sale has been on hold. News about progress is not forthcoming. “No one is really sure what is happening,” Smith says. “It’s incredibly disappointing.”

Meanwhile, Smith continues to visit Daufuskie regularly and has bought a second parcel of land in another part of the island, with hopes to finally build a house on it. The resort and island also inspired her to write a book, a mystery novel called All Is Now Lost, that is coming out in September. The book is set on Mongin Island, a fictionalized version of Danufuskie. “The island is almost a character in the story,” says Smith, who writes under the name Laura Elizabeth.

The Melrose Resort appears in the book, though in Smith’s fictional world, it is back in operation and restored to its former glory. “You put something out in the universe,” she says, “and hope it comes to fruition.”

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