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tractor show
Page 5
Volume 8 Issue 14 October 24, 2014 FREE
SINCE MAY 2007
fried pies
Page 16
artist guild
Page 19
Town Hall continues on page 8 New Principal continues on page 5
ST. J OHN S HI GH SCHOOL S NEW
PRI NCI PAL L AYS OUT HI S MI SSI ON
Teaching Scholars of the Island,
Producing Citizens of the World
Andre Dukes, former associate principle, returned to St Johns High as principal this year.
BY MARGARET PILARSKI
For The Island Connection
G
rowing up, Andre Dukes never expected to end up in
a classroom, let alone become the principal of a high
school. Life on a farm in rural Kingstree, South Carolina,
meant he was expected to follow in the footsteps of his family
before him: farming and entrepreneurship. And so he headed to
Charleston Southern University with the intention of following
through on his plans.
It was during his junior year that he was encouraged to observe
a classroom at an elementary school. Tough he still graduated
with a business degree and got his MBA, the experience led to a
change of course for Dukes, one that even then he didnt foresee.
Becoming an administrator was secondary to me, it was
never something I anticipated doing. I always thought I would go
into education for a few years and then go into business, he says.
Plans for
Kiawah
Town Hall
uncovered
DHEC DOCUMENT S
SHOW BUI L DI NG
SI T UAT ED BEHI ND
ROSEBANK
FARM S STAND
BY GREGG BRAGG
Staff Writer
A
sk anyone around the Kiawah
campfre for the last many months
and they would insist the Town
of Kiawah Islands plans to build a new
Town Hall were common knowledge. Ask
anyone in a position to actually confrm
that common knowledge and you may
as well be listening to a seashell. To fully
appreciate the current state of afairs,
however, you have to go back to the last
election.
About this time two years ago, the
campaign issues candidates for Town
Council ran on were the usual array of
leash laws, foundering road projects and
the omnipresent subject of purchasing the
Kiawah Island Utility. After the spectrum
of political discussion from apple pie
patriotism on one end, to name-calling on
the other had run its course, Kiawah had
an entirely new Town Council. Its frst big
accomplishment was the annexation of
Freshfelds Village.
Annexation had long been a favorite
objective of Kiawah Development Partners,
the previous developer on Kiawah Island.
But why did the new Council decide to
annex the village? Was it because Sales and
Accommodation tax money was left lying
on the table the Town might as well have?
PHOTO BY RALPH SECOY
The Island
Connection
Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com

Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Sandy England
ad sales
sandy@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
staff photographer
Staff Writers
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Margaret Pilarski
Hannah Danahey
Bob Hooper
Dimi Matouchev
Pam Steele
Marilyn Markel
Carol Antman
Dorothy Farfone
Roberta Boatti
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: October 29
for submissions for the
November 7 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily refect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.
Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC
Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection,
The Folly Current
Civic Calendar
KIAWAH ISLAND TOWN HALL
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
SEABROOK ISLAND TOWN HALL
2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9121
Fax: 768-9830
Email:
lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
JOHNS ISLAND COUNCIL
Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-op
located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
CHARLESTON COUNTY COUNCIL
4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
958-4700t
CITY OF CHARLESTON
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745
2 October 24, 2014
Kiawah TC continues on page 7
Tue, October 28
Town Council
Meeting
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Thu, October 30
Arts Council Meeting
3 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Mon, November 3
Environmental
Committee Meeting
3 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Tue, November 4
Town Council
Meeting
2 -4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Wed, November 5
Town Planning
Commission Work
Session
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Planning Commission
Meeting
3 -5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Tue, November 11
Kiawah Town Hall
closed for Veterans Day
Wed, November 12
Public Safety
Committee Meeting
2 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Town Planning
Commission Meeting
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Mon, November 17
Board of Zoning
Appeals
4 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Tue, November 18
Communications
Committee Meeting
3 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Tue, November 25
Ways and Means
Committee Meeting
2 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
civic
Race for Mayor announced,
Town Hall property purchase
questioned, Fire Study continues
REPORT F ROM OCTOBER KI AWAH
I SL AND TOWN COUNCI L MEET I NG
BY GREGG BRAGG
Staff Writer
T
he early October meeting of
Kiawah Island Town Council
would have to wait. Town staf was
still beside the printer collating a massive
document when the ofcial start time
arrived. Te resulting delay allowed the
room, nearly full of attendees, to fnish
in-fight conversations and circle for
better seats. When the gavel fell at 2:09
p.m., however, everyone moved to their
chairs as if the music had stopped. Te
full complement of Council members was
present and with seat backs and tray tables
now in full upright and locked positions,
the meeting lifted of with the Pledge and
FOIA announcement for a meeting that
would end with some turbulence.
Mayor Lipuma immediately moved to
add Public Safety Solutions Inc. to the
agenda. Te motion was seconded and
carried unanimously.
Citizens Comments
Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick stepped
up to the plate for Citizens Comments.
She made a strong case for a trend she has
noticed in Town Councils behavior over
the course of the last year.
Town Council has made clear, one
of its primary strategic objectives, Town
Property Needs, Kulick said. Yet
since the January 7, 2014 Town Council
meeting at which land acquisition was
initially discussed, although not on
the agenda, this Council has addressed
purchasing property at seven Council
meetings, including the Town retreat,
and seven Ways & Means Committee
meetings. ALL of these discussions have
been held in Executive Session. After each
of these sessions, the Town has stated no
decisions were made and no votes were
taken, and neither decisions nor votes have
been announced in open session.
Sometime within the last 10 days
or so, a sign has appeared on the land
identifed as tax map ID# 204-00-00-013
on which the Rosebank Farms farm stand
is currently located, indicating the Town
has applied for a permit from DHEC for a
septic system, Kulick continued.
If I have incorrectly stated any of the
above facts, I apologize. However, because
the Council has not been forthcoming
with any information, other than that
it is discussing the purchase of land, I
have had to draw my own conclusions.
Please provide me with corrections to any
misstatements I have made.
I urge the Council to make clear to
property owners its intention regarding
the construction of a new Town Hall. To
that end, I would ask Council to provide a
public response to the following questions:
1. When did the Town purchase
the property on which Rosebank
Farms farm stand currently sits?
2. How much did the Town pay for
it?
3. What does the Town intend to do
with the existing Town Hall?
4. Has the Town approached
Kiawah Partners about providing
additional land to the Town or
KICA?
5. Has the Town discussed the sale of
the existing Town Hall property
with the KICA Board of Directors
or its COO?
Te next presenter for Citizens
Comments was Amanda Mole attending
as a representative of the Architectural
Review Board and Kiawah Partners.
Mole wanted to know the ramifcations
to detached garages on elevated houses
resulting from TOKI Ordinance 2014-10,
section (5) Elevated buildings.
Old Business
Old business consisted solely of a frst
public reading of Ordinance 2014-10.
Tis Ordinance would amend article 14,
chapter 3, sections 14-11, 14-70(a) and
14-78 Subparagraphs (2) and (5) elevated
Buildings. It was widely agreed closer
scrutiny would be necessary before the
next public reading, especially in light
of Moles request for clarifcation. As it
stood, Dennis Rhoads felt the issue was
too technical to address on the spot.
Consequently, a motion was made for a
workshop, which was seconded and passed
without objection. Staf volunteered to
gather a list of questions and although the
meeting was not immediately scheduled,
a one month time frame was applauded.
New Business
civic
Ballot question on
Nov. 4 will help
Charlestons Schools
STAFF REPORT
For The Island Connection
T
he Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is hosting three public
forums in October, ofering voters a chance to learn more about
the Education Capital Improvement Referendum on the Nov. 4
Charleston County ballot. Attendees will hear from Yes4SchoolsCHS
campaign ofcials and be able to view specifc projects and schools
benefting from the extensions passage.
Te fnal public forum is on Oct. 30 at the Town of Mt. Pleasant, Town
Council Chambers, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mt. Pleasant 29464, from 6
to 7 p.m.
Passage of the referendum, which proposes an extension of a
one-penny sales tax originally approved in 2010, would allow for dozens
of school construction and renovation projects aimed at alleviating severe
overcrowding in facilities across the Charleston County School District.
An afrmative vote will also create thousands of jobs, while providing a
$736 million economic boost to the region between 2017 and 2022.
Additionally, the referendums passage would fund needed repairs,
facility maintenance upgrades such as HVAC systemsand technology
improvements in schools county-wide.
For more information on the Education Capital Improvement Referendum
visit Yes4SchoolsCHS.com
Library improvements
on Nov. 4 ballot
BY VOTEYESFORCHARLESTONLIBRARIES.COM
For The Island Connection
W
e asked and you told us
exactly what you want in our
libraries of the future:
More technology
Renovated & new facilities
More learning spaces for children
and teens
More Community Rooms and
Study Rooms
Broader access to books that
includes self check-out and more
online options
Faster internet connections
More instruction on computer
software
Better parking
On Nov. 4, you have the opportunity to
make all of this come true in Charleston
County. When you Vote Yes for Libraries,
you are confrming our communitys
commitment to one of our most valuable
assets. 260,139 people have library
cards in Charleston County. More than
3.3-million books, audio books, CDs,
DVDs and other articles were borrowed
by our patrons in 2013. 1.9-million people
visited our 16 branches and bookmobile,
including 166,000 people who attended
any one of almost 6,000 programs and
meetings held at our libraries.
We share these numbers to show you
the vast reach of our library system. Help
us go even further to serve you by Voting
Yes on Nov. 4.
Why Now?
Its been 28 years since the last bond
referendum in 1986, and we have made
every efort to be fscally responsible with
your tax dollars and will continue to do
so. Our libraries were built before anyone
even heard of the Internet and are in
great need of being updated to meet the
technological demands of the future.
How Much Will it Cost?
Te $108-million bond referendum
will cost taxpayers $11.20 on an owner-
occupied home assessed at $100,000.
Tat is less than $1.00 per month or
3-cents per day. North Charleston, Mt.
Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island and
Hollywood will see new facilities, while
13 other area libraries will see renovations
and improvements, including better
technology.
civic
October 24, 2014 3
4 October 24, 2014
Learn to compost
in your shoe
BY DOROTHY FARFONE
For The Island Connection
T
he Seabrook Island Garden Club began our new year by "Lighting Up Our Lives."
Interesting and lovely videos of beautiful gardens and homes were presented by
Moonlighting featuring diferent methods of landscape lighting. Some scenes
were local and some from faraway locations, but great ideas for all of us.
Our next meeting will be on Friday, Nov. 14 at our Lakehouse. We will have Jim
Martin of "Compostinginmyshoe" as our speaker. He has a twenty-fve year career
in horticulture and is dedicated to growing and developing high quality produce and
products while nurturing the land.
Cofee and conversation begin at 9:30a.m. Come and join us for friendship and fun.
No reservations are required. Hope to see you there!
gardening
October 24, 2014 5
daily
New Principal continues from cover
Antique Tractors
on Show
I wanted to own my own business, but
running a school is like having your own
business and I didnt realize that until I
got the position.
Initially Dukes taught at James Island
Charter High School, then moved to
Cane Bay High School as an instructional
coachworking with teachers to improve
their classroom practicesbefore he spent
three years at St. Johns High School as an
associate principal.
When I was here the frst time, we
came into a school that was at-risk, one
of the lowest performing schools in the
state, and within three years we were able
to take the school from at risk to good,
the highest rating it has ever had, he says.
Tat successful run of work led to
another assistant principal position at
West Ashley High School, a signifcantly
larger school with a more diverse selection
of course oferings for students.
Tat was good for me because it
gave me a diferent environment, a
diferent skill set that I didnt have as an
assistant principal which I needed to be a
principal, Dukes says. He never meant to
return to St. Johns in another role. My
plan was to become an administrator, but
I never thought it would be back here at
St. Johns. Its been a blessing, its been
awesome. I felt very comfortable walking
back through the doors, knowing the
students alreadyknowing them by
name, knowing a lot of their families. It
was like I never left.
Tree months into his position as
principal at St. Johns High School, Dukes
is prioritizing community relations and
student opportunity, and believes the two
go hand in hand.
One of the goals this year is to get
more people into the building: more
community members, establish more
networks, change the image of the school.
We want to let everyone know what
our vision is and how they can jump on
board and help us with it. Its important
that the community rally behind the
school, Dukes says. If were going to be
successful, its going to take more than me,
its going to take the wider community to
do that. Tere are a lot of challenges we
still face and we hope and expect to come
up with solutions as a team: community,
parents, everyone.
Te growth of their network of
supporters is key to providing more
opportunities to students as well. While
fundraisers like the recent golf outing
are essential for providing necessities to
students in need, Dukes sees a greater
good at work.
We want to continue with fundraisers,
but more so we want to continue with
the relationshipsputting us with the
right audience and the networks that
come along with it. Networks are more
important than any money that will ever
be given to St. Johns. If youre in the right
network, I think thats going to help us
more than anything, he says.
Existing partnerships on Kiawah and
Seabrook include support for the high
schools culinary arts and horticulture
programs, as well as internships, work-
based learning opportunities for students,
guest speakers, and even everyday
assistance in classrooms.
Another initiative at St. Johns High
School is Dukes new vision: Scholars of
the Island, Citizens of the World. Te
motto is posted around the school, and
students are expected to look and act like
scholars and citizens both on the schools
campus and in their lives outside of the
classroom. Te outlook also mirrors the
way Dukes wants to prepare the students
for life after graduation.
My goal is to make sure every student
has a college- or career-ready experience in
high school so that they can make a choice
in what they want to do post-secondary. I
encourage them to try any and everything
we ofer to see if youre college-ready or to
see if you just want to go right into the
workforce, he says.
Programs include certifcations that
allow students to work upon graduation,
and military opportunities through the
Junior Reserve Ofcer Training Corps.
Te school also expands upon their
Advanced Placement classes with the
introduction of an AP Academy next
school year.
Anyone interested in meeting Dukes or
learning more about the school can come
to Parent Chat, sessions open to the entire
community that include a hot breakfast,
school tour, a peek into classrooms and
even meeting student leaders. Te next
one is Nov. 5 at 8:30 a.m.
Im the principal, but Im not the
only one in the school making decisions,
Dukes says. We are a comprehensive,
community-based high school, so the
community needs to be involved in what
we do. I can go out in the community, but
whats even better is for them to come here.
Tats really what I want for St. Johns.
PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY
The Charleston Antique Tractor Society showcased a selection of tractors, grain mills,
power equipment and a variety of plows at Homegrown, the Johns Island Farmers
Market, on Saturday, Oct. 11. Members of the Society were at the market conduct
milling demonstrations as part of the markets educational programming.
6
October 24, 2014 7
Kiawah TC continues from page 2
civic
Tere was quite a bit of new business
starting with a presentation by PSSi.
Attendees, including St. Johns Fire
Department Chief Colleen Walz, were
treated to a PowerPoint presentation of
information gleaned from a combination
of public records and the Insurances
Services Ofce. Tis preview of what
should be a more robust report now due
in late November, used bar and line charts
to describe Kiawahs use of emergency
services for the past fve years.
With the presentation completed, the
way was clear for the agendas related
motion. A similar study is currently
being conducted by the St. Johns Fire
Department, which did not produce the
hoped for synergies. Consequently, PSSi
asked for a fee increase, more time to
complete the report and at least some if
not all of their fee paid in advance of the
new delivery date. A motion to accept the
updated contract was made, seconded and
approved without dissent.
A proclamation acknowledging
October as Breast Cancer Awareness
Month was read aloud with a motion for
approval. Such proclamations are valuable
and important gestures for something
no one wants to celebrate and this one
spoke of progress and determination. Te
exact contents are available at Town Hall.
While its difcult for such proclamations
to convey both the gravitas imbued by a
public body and also the gritty personal
reality, Council Member Mary Johnson
tried saying Tere are a lot of women on
Kiawah dealing with this. Te motion to
accept the ofcial version was seconded
and passed unanimously.
Te Betsy Kerrison Parkway
Connectivity Pathway was the next item
for consideration. Tis had been the topic
of several discussions in several recent
meetings and several motions were made,
withdrawn and reintroduced with an
unusual amount of debate.
Unnamed residents along the Betsy
Kerrison Parkway had solicited the
County for a bike path running from the
little pig to Freshfelds. Safety concerns
were raised about people crossing the
road near the trafc circle. To hear it told,
Charleston County ofcials then asked
TOKI to sponsor the project but said
they would build and fund it. So whats
the problem with a path someone else will
build and pay for that passes so close to
the suspected site of the new town hall?
Council Member Lauren Patch was
frst to point out some of the pitfalls
of the proposed design. For example,
the renderings supplied by the County
placed crosswalks where motorists would
naturally tend to accelerate out of curves.
With that said, the motion being
considered morphed into a matter of
accepting the idea with modifcations
including walkways over the street. Great
idea, but further discussion concluded
such changes would exceed the $250k
budget by so much, the County would be
forced to reject the counter-proposal. Tat
realization brought Council back to the
original motion to decline the ofer, which
was seconded and passed.
A motion to add an electrician and a
HVAC representative to the Construction
Board of Appeals, raising the number of
members from seven to nine was seconded
and passed without a fuss.
A motion to extend the contract with
Accurate Window Cleaning at existing
rates was made, seconded and passed.
A motion to approve a rate hike of $5/
hour for supervisors from the Sherifs
ofce patrolling Freshfelds was made,
seconded and approved.
A motion to approve the audit of
the fscal year 2014 budget was made,
seconded and approved.
Committee Reports
Committee reports opened with
Councilmember Murphys announcing
Public Safety would meet October 22.
Mary Johnson announced the American
Music Festival would be celebrated on
October 13. She also mentioned several
other upcoming events, please refer to the
now famous and snazzy new fyer from
Arts Council for details. Council Member
Labriola said the new Bobcat study
was available. Lauren Patch concluded
the committee reports section, saying
there would be a Planning Commission
meeting the very next day and that both
Lot Council and Council of Governments
would be meeting on the same day, later in
October, although a specifc day was not
mentioned.
Town Administrator Report
Te Town Administrator, seemingly
rested after assembling what anyone
would agree was a monstrously large
packet for the council meeting, reported
on several items:
1. Te Federal Emergency
Management Agency, hoping
to devise a method for reducing
food insurance rates, had updated
their food requirements. Tis had
the efect of forcing the Town to
demonstrate compliance and while
regulatory changes can result in a
tidal fow to our score, the Towns
Emergency Preparedness plan has
garnered some additional points.
2. As previously reported at
last months Town Council
meeting, TOKI received $90k
reimbursement for work on
the paths and bridges in their
jurisdiction, covering all related
expenses.
3. Phase II of the Tallow tree
eradication plan will be moving
forward with extreme prejudice
during the month of October.
Although the costs of the efort
arent that high, loathing of
the insidious Tallow trees is so
universal, the check will be split
three ways between the Town,
the Resort and the Kiawah Island
Community Association.
4. In close collaboration with
Stephanie Braswell, who worked
long and tirelessly, Town Notes
format has been revamped to look
more like the website.
Mayors Report
Mayor Lipuma began his report by
saying the fling period to run for Town
Council was closed. Four candidates had
fled to fll four seats on council so the new
Council, when seated will include:
Craig Weaver
John Wilson
Lauren Patch
Mary Johnson
Te race for mayor will be contested
between himself and Fran Wermuth.
Te mayor advised Kiawah property
owners who rent their property, which
relevant tax laws had changed.
It is now possible to rent your property
for up to 72 days/year and still qualify for
the 4 percent tax rate, said the Mayor.
He went on to say former Mayor Orban
would be coming to an island near you in
the not too distant future from that state
up north.
He also mourned the loss of Mike
Perkins, friend and Mayor of Sullivans
Island who recently passed away.
Citizens Comments
Rich Tomas kicked of the second
round of Citizens Comments. Rich lives
along Betsy Kerrison and has strong
feelings about continuing with Te Betsy
Kerrison Parkway Connectivity Pathway.
Tomas spoke to safety concerns along the
Betsy Kerrison with a frst-hand anecdote
having himself nearly been run over by a
Deputy Sherif. Although the Deputy was
released from duty soon after the incident,
his fring would have not have saved
Tomass life, was the apparent summary.
Tomas concluded this subject with two
questions;
1. Would TOKI please continue
negotiations on the bike path and
2. Could the County proceed on
the project without TOKI as a
sponsor?
But he was just getting warmed up.
His third question involved holding up
a picture of the sign Wendy Kulick had
alluded to earlier from the South Carolina
Department of Health and Environmental
Control. Te sign confrmed TOKI as the
requestor of a septic permit and related
tests. Te question Tomas posed was
Why would TOKI need a septic permit
on land it didnt own?
Kulick availed herself of the
opportunity to ask when she and Tomas
could expect answers to their questions.
Te mayor replied that the TOKI
would reply within 30 days.
Tomas respectfully interjected
with the reminder that the Freedom of
Information Act stipulates a response time
of 15 days.
Mayor Lipuma conceded the point
and said that if Tomas would fll out an
ofcial FOIA request, they would try to
respond in the revised time frame.
Tis left Executive Session as the only
remaining item on the agenda, in which
Council was to discuss the purchase of the
Kiawah Island Utility, the purchase of real
property for the eighth time this year, a
discussion of the development agreement
and a personnel matter but only their hair
dresser knows for sure.
After making no decisions and taking
no votes, Council returned from Executive
Session and adjourned the meeting.
Town Hall continued from cover
8 October 24, 2014
Was it because some other, less-friendly
public entity was eyeing-up Freshfelds?
Was it the only way to avoid an outlet
mall outside the gate? Did it just making
selling Freshfelds easier? Te pitch for
annexation seemed at odds with the logic
behind, and necessity of, annexation. It
might be diferent if annexation had come
up during the campaign, but it didnt. It
might be diferent if annexation had been
discussed more openly, but it wasnt.
Te topic of annexation was more
commonly relegated to Executive Session.
Several public meetings were ultimately
held, but were seemingly more to inform
residents of the decision than ask for input.
Not all property owners were satisfed
their concerns had been addressed.
Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick said. And,
as suddenly as it was deemed a priority,
annexation was a done deal.
Executive Sessions have a place. Tere
are personnel issues that cant be dealt with
in any other venue, and legal issues that
are precluded from public consumption
by law. But Executive Session is not
designed to be a shield for politicians to
hide behind as they make plans that will
afect the voters they represent.
Since the annexation of Freshfelds,
additional tax money has been fowing
into TOKI cofers. Kiawah is awash
in money, boasting a reserve fund of
$17 million dollars. Meetings of both
Town Council and the Ways & Means
Committee include a possibly justifed
amount of self-congratulations and high
fve-ing. Seventeen million dollars is a
lot of money that would burn a hole in
anybodys pocket. What to do with it, and
deciding on common priorities, came into
sharp relief after the Council retreat to the
Charleston Marriot on January 27, 2014.
Te 2014 Strategic Objectives section of
the summary from that meeting includes
this statement:
Purchase property that will meet
future Town needs, which may include
additional parking, existing building
expansion, Town Hall annex or a new
municipal center.
Tat seems pretty clear. But when
asked on the Towns forum why they
had money for a new Town Hall while
other priorities went begging, the reply
from Administrative Assistant Stephanie
Braswell, the unfortunate Town stafer who
it seems is always around and always the
one to draw the short straw of responding
for the Town, said on October 3, 2014:
With regard to the ability to fund a
new Town Hall, the Town of Kiawah does
not have before them any formal plans to
construct a new Town Hall at this time.
However, public records obtained
and available from the South Carolina
Department of Health and Environmental
Control tell a diferent story.
Sometime in late September or early
October a sign appeared in the middle
of the feld Sidi Limehouse uses to grow
wild fowers, just behind Rosebank Farms
produce stand on Betsy Kerrison Parkway.
Te sign suggested TOKI had made an
application to DHEC. When asked by Te
Island Connection, DHEC representative
Renea Dangerfeld confrmed the sign as
legitimate and the precursor to a Perk test.
Perk tests are performed to determine if
a given area can accommodate a septic
system. Te DHEC representative
supplied the full application, adding that
it was available as public information.
daily
A diagram from the package submitted to DHEC shows the Town of Kiawahs plan for
a municipal campus off Betsy Kerrison Parkway.
This sign was posted on a lot behind the Rosebank Farms produce
stand on Betsy Kerrison Parkway.
October 24, 2014 9
daily
In the applications cover letter to
DHEC dated October 2, 2014 Bill Young
of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., wrote:
Enclosed is an Application for Permit
to Construct an Individual Sewage
Treatment and Disposal System for the
Town of Kiawah Island at 4475 Betsy
Kerrison Parkway (State Road S-10-20),
Johns Island, South Carolina 29455.
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs)
is submitting this application on behalf of
the TOKI. Te TOKI plans to build a new
municipal campus on the site. Te site is
not located within the limits of an existing
wastewater service area. Te TOKI plans
to permit and construct a septic system
on the site to serve the planned municipal
campus, and requests your review of the
enclosed application.
Teres more to this application. A lot
more, including signatures of Town staf
who use the phrase municipal campus,
maps and 8x10 color glossy pictures with
the circles and arrows.
Ten or more months of the public
being told specifcally after each Executive
Session of Town Council that No votes
were taken and no decisions were made
appears to have been wholly inaccurate.
Perhaps the wrong questions were being
asked. To address this, several people,
including Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick
and Johns Island resident Rich Tomas
asked long lists of questions at the October
TOKI Town Council meeting including:
When did the Town purchase the
property on which Rosebank Farms farm
stand currently sits? How much did the
Town pay for it? What does the Town
intend to do with the existing Town
Hall? Has the Town approached Kiawah
Partners about providing additional land
to the Town or KICA? Has the Town
discussed the sale of the existing Town
Hall property with the KICA Board of
Directors or its COO?
Mayor Lipuma replied he would get
back to them in thirty days or ffteen,
if the appropriate forms were flled out.
With nearly a week left before those
requests were mature enough to harvest, it
was time to talk to the expert on all things
that ripen, Sidi Limehouse.
Limehouse, owner of Rosebank Farms,
has had a farm stand at the edge of Johns
Island for thirty years on this same stretch
of road. Te original location was down
by the Little Pig. He already knew some
of the outstanding questions and started
tossing out fgures without being asked.
He was just as quick to respond when
asked to confrm his information.
Oh, yeah, I know they paid $2 million
for the land and are going to spend
another million on the building. At least!
volunteered Limehouse without requiring
a completed FOIA request.
Many from other media outlets
are bafed by this afront to both the
spirit and the letter of the Freedom of
Information Act. If recent TOKI Town
Council meetings are any indicator,
everyone involved must realize questions
are going to be asked, its just a matter
of how angry people are when they pose
them. However, doing something about it
is another matter.
Filing a FOIA complaint is a big
proposition. Te fling fee is $1,500 and
you would also be required to pay for
depositions and transcription-ists and
elected ofcials on Kiawah are hiding
behind that, Rich Tomas, a resident of
Johns Island, said. Te only other option
is for the South Carolina Attorney General
to take an interest in the case.
Te concern expressed by those who
have been watching this process is the
disdain for residents being exhibited by
the public ofcials they voted for. TOKI
Council has recently responded to that
concern, issuing a statement on Oct. 15,
2014 to quiet the claxons being sounded.
Te Town of Kiawah Island has been
evaluating the purchase of property both
on and of Kiawah Island since January
2014. Property purchase would position
the Town to plan for the future and
address existing ofce and parking space
limitations. As specifcally permitted under
state law, the Town has been handling
all of the property purchase negotiations
in Executive Session. Te associated
documents are exempt from public
disclosure. All negotiations are bound by
a confdentiality agreement to protect the
integrity of the process.
Te statement also addresses concerns
about the visibility of the process:
With a sewer permit and completion
of the due diligence process, Town
Council will vote publically on the
acquisition of the property. In addition,
background leading to the purchase will
be fully reviewed with the public.
10 October 24, 2014
Island Connection Calendar October 25
ONGOING EVENTS
Mondays
POPS Bible Study
8:30 a.m. at the Sandcastle
Monday Bridge Group
Te Monday Bridge Group needs new
players. 9 a.m. at the Lake House. For
more information, please contact Lori
Muenow at 843.768.2314 or Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.
Seabrook Stitchers
Te Lake House, every Monday from 11
a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information, please
contact Denise Doyon at dendoyon@gmail.
com.
Tuesdays
Mah Jongg Practice
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday of the month,
Te Lake HouseOsprey 2, 1 - 4 p.m.
Open to all new players, those returning
to the game, and anyone else who wants
a chance to practice with others who
are learning the game. If you have any
questions, please contact Helen Tompson
at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.
Kick it at Bohicket
Free family fun at Bohickett Marina, 6 to 9
p.m. featuring music, face painting, balloon
artists and a jump castle.
Saturdays
Homegrown
Johns Island Farmers Market. Every
Saturday at 3546 Maybank Highway
Johns Island 9 a.m. 1 p.m. www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.
Ongoing
Giant Underwater Pumpkin Carving
Friday, October 24 and Friday, October 31
11 a.m. Watch trained divers decorate the
Great Ocean Tank at the S.C. Aquarium
for Halloween as they carve real giant
pumpkins underwater.
Te 25th Annual Holiday Festival of
Lights
Ongoing Nightly, Nov. 14 Jan. 1, James
Island County Park
Live Jazz at Te Andell Inn
Te Andell Inn Porch Bar on Tursday,
Oct. 23 and 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. for live jazz
and classic cocktails.
For additional information, contact Te
Andell Inn at 843.793.6050.
Legare Farm Pumpkin Patch and Maze
Open to the general public on weekends.
Hours are Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.
to 9 p.m., and Sunday 1 - 6 p.m. Field trips
for school groups are available weekdays
with reservations. For more information
on the month long festivities, or to book a
feldtrip please call 559.0788, email info@
legarefarms.com or visit us online at www.
legarefarms.com.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
Legare Farms Haunted Maze and House
Te Haunted event will take place from
8 until 10 p.m. For more information on
the month long festivities, or to book a
feldtrip please call 559.0788, email info@
legarefarms.com or visit us online at www.
legarefarms.com.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
Sea Island Cars and Cofee at Freshfelds
Village
8 10 a.m. A new monthly event for
all lovers of great cars, we welcome all
interesting cars, antiques, classics, muscle
cars, modifed cars and unique modern cars.
Tis is a great way to celebrate the beauty
of cools cars and to meet their interesting
owners.
3rd annual rUNdead Charleston 5K
2 p.m. rUNdead takes place on the
winding trails of Wannamaker just before
sunset.
Pride and Prejudice
1:30 4 p.m. Happiness in marriage is
entirely a matter of chance! Charlotte
Lucass view on love and marriage.
Presented by Vincent P. Lannie, Emeritus,
University of Notre Dame and College of
Charleston. Sponsored by the Jane Austin
Society of North America.
SCELPs annual fundraiser
5 - 8 p.m. SCELPs annual fundraiser takes
place at Hobcaw Plantation. Tickets include
dinner by Bistro 217, beer, wine, and a
silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more details or to purchase tickets visit
scelp.org/wildside.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
Time to Swing on King
5 p.m. A showcase of some of Charlestons
best jazz musicians will perform during the
Fifth Annual Charleston Jazz Jam Time
to Swing on King at Prohibition Charleston
at 547 King St. in the heart of the citys
entertainment district.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Raise the Roof
10 a.m. Charleston Area Teraputic Riding
has reached their 80 percent mark in
their Raise the Roof Campaign, a project
dedicated to building a covered arena at
CATR. Public is welcome to attend as
CATR celebrates their groundbreaking
ceremony, kicking of the frst phase of their
covered arena construction.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29
Southern Senior Closed Clay Court
Championship
At the Kiawah Island Golf Resort
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
High Heels and Hiking Boots
7 - 10 p.m. Te High Heels and Hiking
Boots dinner and silent auction hopes
to become an annual tradition that
celebrates and supports the work of the
many volunteers that donate their time
and talent to make Scouting programs
possible. Tickets include Hors Doeuvres,
Dinner, Beer, Wine, Cocktails, and a Silent
Auction at Marions in the French Quarter.
Cocktail Attire is encouraged (High Heels
or Boots Optional!) Tickets are $60 for a
single ticket and $100 for a couples ticket.
Tis event is open to anyone who would
like to support Scouting and we encourage
you to invite your friends and share it
on social media. Tickets available on
Eventbrite.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Harvest Festival
11 a.m. 5 p.m. Te 13th annual
harvest festival at Mullet Hall Equestrian
Center. Come on down and enjoy some
foot-stompin live music from fve local
bluegrass bands, hay rides, a stick pony
corral, pumpkin decorating, penny diving,
lasso demonstrations, crafts and more. $8
per person. Kids 12 and under and Gold
Pass Members are free.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Workshop with Mark Horton
November 3 and 4, two day workshop for
oil painters of all levels. See story on page
19.
1914-2014: Te Strong, Continuing
Relevance of World War I today.
6 p.m. Te World Afairs Council of
Charleston will present its second speaker
of the season on Monday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m.
at the Citadel Alumni Center. Te speaker
is Dr. Bryan Ganaway, Faculty Fellow
and Director of the International Scholars
Program at the College of Charleston. His
talk will be preceded by refreshments and
a social reception beginning at 5:15. www.
wacharleston.org or by calling 843 729 6743
October 10
Hitting for
Harbour House
The Second Annual Harbour House of Charleston Golf Tournament took place Sept. 14, 2014 at The
Ocean Course. The event raised funds for what will be The Fisher House in Charleston, providing
temporary accommodations to veterans and their families while the veteran is receiving medical attentions
at Charlestons Veterans Medical Center. For more information visit www.fsherhousecharleston.com.
fundraising
12 October 24, 2014
October 24, 2014 13
Ti de Char t
Date High Tide Low Tide
Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.
Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
very diferent. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
wrong so use common sense.
Oct 24
Oct 25
Oct 26
Oct 27
Oct 28
Oct 29
Oct 30
Oct 31
Nov 1
Nov 2
Nov 3
Nov 4
Nov 5
Nov 6
Source: saltwatertides.com
9:04am/9:10pm
9:41am/9:49pm
10:21am/10:29pm
11:04am/11:15pm
11:53am
12:07am/12:49pm
1:06am/1:52pm
2:12am/2:58pm
3:20am/4:02pm
3:27am/4:04pm
4:29am/5:01pm
5:26am/5:55pm
6:20am/6:47pm
7:10am/7:36pm
2:33am/3:11pm
3:12am/3:54pm
3:53am/4:38pm
4:36am/5:25pm
5:24am/6:16pm
6:17am/7:12pm
7:17am/8:11pm
8:23am/9:12pm
9:32am/10:13pm
9:40am/10:11pm
10:42am/11:05pm
11:40am/11:57pm
12:35pm
12:46am/1:26pm
fundraising
Kick up your heels
for a cause at the
Daniel Island Club
CHARL ESTON S SECOND ANNUAL
WI NE, WOMEN & SHOES EVENT TO
BENEF I T F L ORENCE CRI T T ENTON
BY HANNAH DANAHEY
For The Island Connection
N
ational charity, Wine, Women
& Shoes, is proud to bring their
signature fundraising event back
to the Lowcountry for an afternoon flled
with Manolos and Merlot. On Nov. 2,
an anticipated 350 well-heeled women
will put their best foot forward to beneft
local non-proft Florence Crittenton at the
Daniel Island Club.
Guests are invited to sip wine from some
of the countrys top winemakers while
shopping the marketplace flled with top
designer wares from local retailers such as
Bob Ellis & Rapport, try their hand at the
Keys to the Closet, rafe and partake
in the shoe competition. Te afternoon
will conclude with a live runway show
featuring local celebrities and auction
featuring unique international excursions
and more.
Great wines make every experience
better, especially shopping said
Florence Crittenton Board Director,
Philipa Ward, you get to try wines
that you have never heard of, from regions
that you didnt know anything about
it creates a bond between you and your
friends.
Over the past decade Wine Women
& Shoes has become a shoe sensation,
quickly taking a stance as the fastest-
growing luxury event series created for
women by women in the US. Now in its
tenth year, the organization has produced
events in over 50 cities boasting 25,000
attendees per year. WW&S has helped
net $20 million for various womens
and family-related causes that host this
annual fundraiser, which began in Napa
Valley. Te Nov. 2 event will beneft local
non-proft Florence Crittention, which
provides young, at-risk pregnant and
parenting women comprehensive services
to help them become self-sufcient and
responsible mothers.
Tickets to Charlestons Second Annual
Wine, Women, & Shoes event are $95, VIP
tables of 8 are available for $1,000 as well as
individual VIP tickets for $150.
computer corner
That app
does what?!
BY BOB HOOPER
For The Island Connection
Y
ou get your shiny new iPhone 6
or 5S and you decide to load some
cool apps on it, like a fashlight and
some great games. You also want Twitter
and Facebook along with Instagram. It all
downloads and you agree to the "terms
and conditions," which are about as long
as that lease for the home was, but you
either agree or can't use that app. So what
the heck, let's get it going and do some
pics, share things and join the crowd.
So what exactly did I just agree to?
Well, along with allowing that "fashlight"
to use the "fash" on your camera to help
you see in the dark you also accepted
that the same app could turn the camera
and microphone on, anytime it wants!
Yep you can be sitting around with your
"homies" just chillin telling stories and
your fashlight is recording you with video
and sound. It can upload that fle to a
server somewhere in the world and all of
the sudden that private conversation you
were having with friends shows up online.
A new app (well somewhat new)
from snoopwall.com called Privacy App
available in the Google Play store shows
you what apps can turn on the camera,
microphone, check your contacts, view
your text message and send one, etc. Tis
app gives you the opportunity to either
uninstall the ofending app or disable
it if it's part of the operating system.
Tis is specifcally for Android based
smartphones but the site does state that an
iPhone app is in the works.
iPhones (and iPads) do have a
wonderful option on them under settings.
Go to privacy settings and select camera
(then microphone) and you will see what
apps are requesting to turn on your
camera and/or microphone. You can turn
that request of and if the app needs it
such as an app that uses the microphone
to power it you can turn it back on when
using that. A good example would be
using "Square" to accept payments, which
uses the microphone socket to power it
and transmit data. After completing the
transaction you should consider disabling
(turning of) the apps permission to enable
the microphone.
Sadly the options for doing this
on Android based smartphones are
non-existent unless you "root" it and that
can void any guarantee. For now the best
is to use an app like Privacy App to see
what you have agreed to and whether to
completely uninstall the ofending app or
live with the consequences.
As with all of my columns, if you want
help or have questions don't hesitate to call
Rent A Bob at 843.822.7794 or email at
rentabob@live.com.
14 October 24, 2014
fundraising
Dont
overreact to
those scary
headlines, or
even to short-
term market
drops. Instead,
focus on the
fundamentals
driving your
investments
and maintain
a long-term
perspective.
financial focus
W
hether you have young children or not, youre probably well aware that
Halloween is almost here. However, despite the plethora of skeletons and
ghosts you might see foating around this week, you probably dont have
much to fear (except, possibly, running out of candy). But in real life, some things
genuinely are frightening such as scary investment moves.
Of course, investing, by its very nature, is not a risk-free endeavor. Ideally, though,
these risks are also accompanied by the possibility of reward. Nonetheless, some
investment moves carry very little in the way of upside potential and should be
avoided. Here are a few to consider:
Not investing Te scariest
investment move you can make is
to not invest at all because if you
dont invest, you are highly unlikely
to achieve a comfortable retirement
or meet any other important fnancial
goals. In a recent survey conducted by
the National Council on Aging and
other groups, 45% of the respondents
who were 60 or older said they wished
they had saved more money, and
almost one-third said they wished they
had made better investments. So make
investing a priority and choose some
investments that have the potential to
provide you with the growth youll
need to meet your objectives.
Overreacting to scary headlines
Te fnancial markets like stability, not
uncertainty. So the next time you see
some news about domestic political
squabbles or unsettling geopolitical events, such as conficts in foreign lands,
dont be surprised if you see a drop, perhaps a sizable one, in the Dow Jones
Industrial Average and other market indices. But these declines are usually
short-lived. Of course, the markets do not exist in isolation they can and
will be afected by whats happening in the world. Yet, over the longer term,
market movements are mostly governed by mundane, non-headline-grabbing
factors, such as corporate earnings, interest rate movements, personal income
levels, and so on. Heres the point: Dont overreact to those scary headlines, or
even to short-term market drops. Instead, focus on the fundamentals driving
your investments and maintain a long-term perspective.
Chasing hot investments You can receive tips on hot investments from
multiple sources: television, the Internet, your friends, your relatives the list
goes on and on. But by the time you get to these investments, they may already
have cooled of and, in any case, may not be appropriate for your needs.
Stick with investments that ofer good prospects and are suitable for your risk
tolerance.
Failing to diversify When it comes to investing, too much of a good thing is
a relevant term. If your portfolio is dominated by one type of asset class, such as
aggressive growth stocks, and we experience a downturn that is particularly hard
on those stocks, you could face sizable losses. But if you spread your investment
dollars among growth stocks, international stocks, bonds, government securities
and certifcates of deposit (CDs),
you can lessen the impact of
a market drop. Keep in mind,
though, that while diversifcation
can reduce the efects of volatility,
it cant guarantee a proft or prevent
losses.
Halloween is over quickly. But scary
investment moves can have a lasting efect
so stay away from them.
Tis article was written by Edward Jones
for use by your local Edward Jones Financial
Advisor.
Avoid These Scary
Investment Moves
BY DIMI MATOUCHEV
For The Island Connection
Help children smile
this Christmas
BY PAM STEELE
For The Island Connection
W
ith the holidays just around
the corner, this is the time of
year that our thoughts turn to
helping some of the most needy families
on Johns Island whose children attend
Mt. Zion Elementary School.
Trough the generosity of our island
communities and Toys for Tots, over the
past seven years we have provided clothing,
shoes, books, food gift certifcates and
toys to these families. Te teachers and
the school nurse at Mt. Zion play a critical
role by identifying the families with
the greatest needs. Te Holiday Fund
Committee is once again asking our island
friends to open your hearts and donate for
this holiday cause. Many times our gifts
are the only ones these children receive.
Your much needed and appreciated
donations may be dropped of at the
Seabrook Island Tennis Center or Golf
Shop or they may be mailed to Anne
Smith, 2849 Capn Sams Road, Seabrook
Island, SC, 29455. Checks should be
made out to the Seabrook Island-Mt. Zion
Holiday Fund. Tank you so very much
for your continued support.
October 24, 2014 15
fundraising
Seabrook Island
hosts Veterans
Day golf event
STAFF REPORT
For The Island Connection
T
he Seabrook Island Club will be holding a Veterans
Day charitable golf outing on November 10 to honor
veterans who have served the country and raise money
to support the Wounded Warrior Project and the Ralph
Johnson Veterans Hospital.
Te event will be a captains choice scramble format
beginning with a 9:30 A.M. shotgun start. Players may
register as teams or individually and the Golf Shop will form
teams for individual registrants. Prizes will be awarded based
on a net score considering handicaps. At the completion of
play, there will be soda, beer, pizza and an awards ceremony.
All are welcome. Te entry fee for all participants will be
$70. In addition, Seabrook Island Club members will pay cart
fees and non-members will pay a $50 guest fee. $50 of the
entry fee will be set aside as a charitable contribution to the
Wounded Warrior Project and the Ralph Johnson Veterans
Hospital.
Register for the event by calling the Golf Shop at
843.768.2529 or sending an email to golf@discoverseabrook.
com. If you cannot play but would like to make a donation,
you can call or email your request to the Golf Shop.
If you have any questions, call Alan Armstrong at 768.9252.
16 October 24, 2014
seasons of the south
Fried Pies
BY MARILYN MARKEL
For The Island Connection
Wine Pairings
La Spigliatta Malvasia dAsti is one of our favorite dessert wines. Te slight fzz and
initial sweetness that accompanies the frizzante style belies the complex and nuanced
layers of favour present in the wine. Look for the notes of pomegranate, raspberry, and
blood orange that make this an active participant in such a fruit-oriented dessert, or a
captivating experience on its own.
N
o tricks, just treats when you
make these pies for hungry
Halloweeners! Enjoy these
fried pies from the recipe archives of my
Grannie. I regularly burned my tongue
because I could not wait for these little
morsels to cool a little before eating!
Ingredients
Fried Pies
1 Grannies Pie Crust
1 1/4 cups of jam
1/2 cup bacon grease, lard, duck fat or oil
Confectioners sugar, for dusting
Egg wash
Grannies Pie Crust
1 cup four
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup Crisco
2-4 Tbsp ice water
You'll Need: Jam, rolling pin, bench
scraper, graduated cutters (round or
round futed), duck fat, four, salt, pastry
blender, bowl, cookie sheet/baking pan,
parchment, mesh top shakers, cast iron
skillet (or pan for frying) and canola/
peanut/grapeseed oil.
Directions
Fried Pies
1. Cut the dough into 6 pieces and
roll each piece into a ball. On a
foured surface, roll out each ball
to about 4 inches in diameter.
Tey do not have to be perfectly
round or an exact size.
2. Combine jam and miso.
3. Place 1-2 tablespoons flling in
the center and fold over. Crimp
the edges with a fork. Dip fork in
four, if necessary. Cut a couple of
small air holes with a knife.
4. Chill the pies until they are frm
(at least half an hour).
5. Heat the bacon grease in a skillet
on medium heat until very warm.
You dont want this too hot or it
will brown the pie before the dough
is cooked through and flling is
hot. Cook four of the pies about
5-7 minutes per side until done.
Repeat with remaining three pies.
Te pies can also be deep-fried all
at once turning occasionally for a
slightly shorter period of cooking
time. If the pies start getting
too dark, remove and bake in a
preheated 400-degree oven until
the crust is cooked through.
6. Dust liberally with confectioners
sugar.
Grannie's Pie Crust
1. Combine four and salt in a bowl.
2. Work in Crisco with a pastry
blender. It will be coarser than
cornmeal.
3. Add enough water to form a ball.
4. Press into a disk in plastic wrap
and refrigerate for an hour.
October 24, 2014 17
roadtrips charleston
In praise of sidetrips
BY CAROL ANTMAN
For The Island Connection
A
friend of ours used to take his wife and kids on long
road trips and, no matter the distance, insisted on
driving straight through without even stopping
for rest rooms. Dont ask. Im the opposite. Every road
trip I plan has side trips: take a hike, visit a sight, stop and
shop, scope out an artist or discover a local restaurant.
Often theyre the best part.
Bookmark the website Roadside America and meet
the countrys characters. Tousands of odd sights
include an alien welcome center, topiary sculptures and
a button museum just in South Carolina. Driving cross-
country to Michigan, the website led my niece and me to
the fascinating Temple of Tolerance in an unassuming
suburban neighborhood in Ohio. Jim Bowsher has turned
his oversized backyard into a retreat where people could
feel accepted, especially young people.
Beat greeted us and introduced his scrufly dressed
friends who were gathered in one of the massive rock
enclosures that Jim made from the hundreds of tons of
rocks and millstones, lintels, urns and foundation blocks
that he painstakingly hauled from farm felds. Massive
boulders became shrines and towers; some are buried
upright like tombstones or formed into steps. A suburban
Stonehenge. It inspires Beat to come at all hours to sit
quietly and write. We were lucky to meet Jim himself
who boasted that his house is the only one where Jehovah
Witnesses say, OK, weve got to go now.
He excitedly asked, What show would Shakespeare
watch if he were alive? Jerry Springer! Dysfunction is
where the drama is. Jim has dedicated years to helping
prisoners publish their stories. Te Temple is his vision of
a tolerant world. Hes particularly proud of a former Klu
Klux Klan step. I ask Black people to sit on the step so
they can liberate it.
Roadside America also led us to the A Wiggle In Its
Walk, a 14-foot high, 200-foot long series of serpentine
arches, alleys and tunnels constructed from four tractor
trailers of twigs and vines by artist Patrick Dougherty
and volunteers in Wegerzyn Gardens near Dayton, Ohio.
It was a wonderful place to playfully wander, to stretch
our legs and our imaginations.
Billboards for Berea, Kentucky attracted us of the
highway to its small downtown chock full of artists
studios. Ken Gastineau created a pewter julep cup on
his lathe while he told us instead of the idea that the
town should support the arts, the arts should support us.
Founded as an integrated community by an abolitionist
minister, the town has thrived by making the arts its
foundation.
On an Appalachian adventure we used the free
directory and travel planner from the Blue Ridge Parkway
Association. If youre driving near any of the Parkways 469
miles from North Carolina to West Virginia, you can get
milepost by milepost ideas for nearby fshing, bicycling,
camping, hiking, attractions and accommodations. In
Virginia, the guidebook led us to Peaceful Heart Alpaca
Farm near mile marker 204 where the feld was full of the
cavorting furry animals. In her workshop lined with blue
ribbons, Sharla Willis told us how she and her parents
had reinvented themselves from Ohioans to farmers by
following Sharlas love of knitting and the glimpse of
an alpacas sweet face on television. We also stopped at
Mabry Mill, one of the most picturesque spots on the
parkway to learn about Appalachian history and farm life
and to buy some souvenir grits. With a little Googleing
we discovered that Grayson Highlands was on our route.
A short hike led us to a beautiful herd of wild ponies that
grazed peacefully while we took photos.
My most go-to travel resource is Tripadvisor where
youll fnd reviews by real people about every destination.
Enliven a trip across the state by picking a small town on
your route and putting it into their search engine. Youll
get great advice on restaurants or attractions. Going west?
How about world-class BBQ at Sweatmans in Eutawville?
Or take a walk in the astonishing biodiversity of Congaree
National Park. Its only fve miles of the interstate. Or
tour the Newberry Opera House. Driving south? Share
our favorite picnic spot under the Spanish moss-draped
oaks at the Frampton Plantation House located right
where you need a break before getting onto I-95 from
Hwy. 17. Heading north? Take a breather at Brookgreen
Gardens where the gorgeous fowers and sculpture will
rejuvenate you. Surprise yourself with an exotic lunch at
Redi-et Ethiopian Restaurant in Myrtle Beach.
Te trip starts when you pull out of the driveway, not
at your destination. You know the adage the journey is
the destination? Tats about side trips.
Roadtrips Charleston! is a feature of Lucky Dog Publishing.
Each month the column presents adventurous, interesting
destinations within a few hours drive of Charleston. Carol
Antmans passion for outdoor and artistic experiences has
led her to exotic and nearby destinations far and wide. For
suggestions, comments and to view more images please see
www.peaksandpotholes.blogspot.com
18 October 24, 2014
arts & events
Oil painting workshop
with Mark Horton
T
he Seabrook Island Artist Guild
will ofer a two day oil painting
workshop with Mark Horton, well
known Charleston artist and co-owner of
Horton Hayes Fine Art gallery. Te class
will be held on Nov. 3 and 4 at the Oyster
Catcher community center.
Tis course is designed for oil painters
of all levels who want to take their work to
the next level. Horton will focus on ways
to improve as a painter by emphasizing
composition, design, value and color
temperature and learning how to utilize
these basic elements to best express and
complete a successful painting regardless
of its subject matter. Tere will be
explorations of techniques to improve
composition to best express what the artist
wants to communicate to the viewer.
Horton is particularly fascinated with
the efects of light and weather upon the
landscape. He paints beyond a literal
interpretation of a scene to portray nature
in a way that refects his own ideas and
sensibilities while capturing the spirit,
color and changing light of a place. Te
workshop will focus on how to better
see nature and subject matter and then
apply that knowledge using photographs
as reference to compose, understand, and
interpret the image. Te workshop will
address all aspects of painting including
materials, set-up, color mixing, various
paint application methods, surfaces and
techniques as well as the fundamentals of
design and composition. Emphasis will
be on helping students discover their own
personal style and process in creating their
work.
Over the two days specifc subject
matter within the landscape will include
skies and atmosphere, trees, and the
incorporation of fgures, animals and/or
structures into your paintings. Students
may bring their own photographic
reference material to work from or
use reference photos provided by the
instructor.
Te cost of the two day workshop will
be $150 for art guild members and $175
for non-members. To register contact
Bob LeFevre at (843) 768-3284 or by
e-mail at rodory@gmail.com Once you
have registered for the workshop, further
details regarding supplies and payment
will be made available to you.
To learn more about Mark Horton and is
work, visit his website at info@hortonhayes.
com . Go to the guilds website www.
seabrookislandartistguild.com to learn
more about the organization and upcoming
events. If you wish to join the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild, contact Susan Legett at
ssleggett@comcast.net.
October 24, 2014 19
arts & events arts & events
Contemporary impressionist
painter Rick Reinert to
speak at Art Guild
BY ROBERTA BOATTI
For The Island Connection
T
he Seabrook Island Artist Guild will
host contemporary impressionist
painter, Rick Reinert, at its
monthly meeting on Nov. 18. Reinert
is one of a number of professional, local
artists the guild invites to address and
paint for the membership, creating a
forum for Seabrook artists to experience
and learn from diferent artistic processes.
Reinerts formal art education took pace
in the early 1970s at Western Kentucky
University. His arts education continued
to evolve over the years, and he exhibited
large, expressionistic works in one-man
shows throughout Germany and Canada.
After his initial success, Reinert took
time of to establish two small businesses,
raise his family and become a vocal
proponent of campaign fnance reform.
During this time, his commitment to
painting was renewed, and he began
creating art again; painting through the
night and slowly establishing the unique
and passionate style that he is known for
today. Painting seven days a week, nine
hours a day Reinert continues to challenge
himself as one of Americas most prolifc
painters. Tis dedication and hard work
has paid of and his paintings have won
accolades across the country.
Troughout his career, Reinert has won
numerous Best of Show awards, as well as
the Peoples Choice Awards. In 2012 his
painting Dusk at King and Queen was
chosen Best of Show, Mayors Purchase
Award at the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor
Art Exhibition. Mr. Reinerts work can
be viewed at his studio and gallery at 179
King Street.
Te monthly meetings of the Seabrook Island
Artist Guild are held on the third Tuesday of
the month at 3 p.m. at the Lake House. To
learn more about the guild visit our web site at
www.seabrookislandartistguild.com
Head in the clouds?
Learn how to paint them
BY ROBERTA BOATTI
For The Island Connection
I
f youve ever tried to wrap your head
around painting skies and clouds, but
failed, the Art Guild has a solution
for you. On Nov. 11 the Seabrook Island
Artist Guild will ofer a free workshop on
how to create successful and believable
skyscapes. Skies may look deceptively
simple, but painting them on canvas
well, painters know it's seldom as easy
as it looks. Artist and teacher Gary
Kunkelman will demystify the process.
Te session will be held at the Lake House
Eagles Nest room from 1 to 3 p.m. and is
open to all.
Gary, who taught painting at Penn
State for more than two decades, will
cover such topics as harmonizing skies
with other elements in a painting, creating
skies that add drama and color to your
work, and of course, painting believable
clouds. He'll discuss traditional painting
approaches as well as using glazes. Tis is
a hands-on class so you will need to bring
your paints and canvasses.
Gary's artistic training began with
marine artist Jack Coggins, with whom
he studied for 10 years, and later at the
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. His
work has been infuenced by late 19th
and early 20th century American painters
such as Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Church,
John Singer Sargent and Robert Henri,
who were a focus of his graduate work at
the University of Pennsylvania. He has
worked extensively with various glazes
and mediums in recent years as he pursues
his current interest, recreating the depth
and luminosity of the Old Masters using
modern techniques and materials.
A part-time Seabrook resident since the
1990s, Gary and his wife Kathy recently
moved to the island, where he devotes full
time to painting in oils and pastels.
To sign up for this class, contact Walter
Czander at 768.9086 or e-mail him
at ccczander@bellsouth.net. To learn
more about the art guild, its events and
membership visit the website at www.
seabrookislandartistguild.com.