Since May 2007

PRESORT STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON SC
PERMIT NO 437
POSTAL PATRON

Volume 8 Issue 23

February 27, 2015

FREE

Gourmet
and Grapes
bursts
$1 million
BY ALLISON R. LEGGETT
For The Island Connection

he Seventh Annual Gourmet

& Grapes at The Sanctuary on
Kiawah Island was a tremendous
success, exceeding its goal and raising over
$250,000 to support the MUSC Hollings
Cancer Center.
This years event was our most
successful yet, pushing the cumulative
total of funds raised over the $1 million
mark, said Debbie Bordeau, Director of
Development for MUSC Hollings Cancer
Center. Were so thankful for the support
from those who attended, the chefs and
wineries who participated, and to Kiawah
Island Golf Resort for their tremendous
support of this event through the years.
The three-day event included a variety
of food and wine events showcasing some
of the best chefs from throughout the
Southeast. A highlight of the weekend

PHOTO BY RALPH SECOY

Reliving the Battles

for Charleston
Scenes from another century took over the fields of Legare Farm
on Johns Island last month during the Battle of Charleston, on
Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. This years event, the 11th such, featured
reenactors from five different American wars including the

cat cares
Page 10

Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War II, and the wars in
Korea and Vietnam.

See more photos on page 6

a fresh affair
Page 11

Gourmet Grapes continues on page 4

african wonder
Page 12

February 27, 2015

civic

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
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
staff photographer
Staff Writer
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Allison R. Leggett
Stephanie Braswell
Michael S. Martin
Lisa Miller
Maria Gurovich
Roberta Boatti

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: March 4
for submissions for the
March 13 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The Island
Connection

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC

Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection,
The Folly Current

Land, weapons and committee

appointments on the agenda
for TOKIs February meeting
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

he Town of Kiawah Island Town

Council met a week later than
normal this month, on Feb. 10.
Kiawah resident Virginia Abbott had
some questions for the first installment of
Citizens Comments. She asked: What
would the purpose of [TOKI buying]
additional property be? In response to
the news the town had been approached
by residents along Betsy Kerrison seeking
buyers for their property. Mayor Lipuma
responded that the Town was not
presently interested, but needed to pursue
such items as a council and not as public
decisions. Abbott followed up by asking
if, There was any amount of money that
would warrant a public referendum [in
such cases]? The mayor responded No,
not unless we exceeded our ability to
borrow.
Resident Wendy Kulick asked the next
question: Section 4-412, Sole Source
Procurement, of the Towns Municipal
Code states, A contract may be awarded
for a supply, service or construction item
without competition when the mayor
determines in writing that there is only
one source for the required supply,
service, or construction item. What are
the dates of the written determinations
of the mayor that the appointments of
a real estate agent, an engineering firm,
an architectural firm, and a surveying
company needed to be sole sourced and
not put out for competitive bid regarding
their work relating to the new municipal
complex planned for 4475 Betsy Kerrison
Parkway? Please provide copies of these
to me and the public, Kulick said. She
then expressed her frustration about the
raft of previous questions she had posed
that had not been answered completely or

in public.
Old Business
Second reading of Ordinance 201501: The ordinance came about because
John L. Strauch, Chief Municipal Judge
dismissed a case involving $200 in fines,
saying he was not empowered to assess
fines in civil matters. The TOKI attorney
appealed the ruling, researched Town
statutes, drafted legislation, and prepared
arguments for Town Council. He claimed
confidence the case would be overturned
and that the proposed ordinance would
aid his case by establishing legislative
intent. After cursory changes, the second
reading passed unanimously.
First reading of Ordinance 2015-02:
After some amendments since last month,
this ordinance will allow councilmembers
to attend meetings by phone or other
electronic means when absolutely
necessary. It was read for the first time
and approved unanimously. The language
in this version had been softened,
eliminating objections to the ordinance,
which at the time, involved submitting
written questions to council in advance
of meetings. Both Marilyn Larach and
Wendy Kulick spoke in opposition to any
such a requirement with support from
councilmember Craig Weaver and others.
Committee Appointments
There were plenty of changes in
appointments for the coming year; Joan
Collar filled a vacancy on Arts and
Cultural Events, the Board of Zoning
Appeals added Ben Farabee, Randy
Gilmore and Michael Clawson to its
ranks, as well as other changes. Nine
standing committees/boards in all
were discussed, retiring members were

Civic Calendar
Monday, March 2
Kiawah Environmental
Commitee Meeting
CANCELLED
3 - 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Wednesday,
March 4

Kiawah Planning
Commission
3 - 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Thursday,
March 5
Kiawah Arts &
Cultural Events
3 - 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Tuesday,
March 10
Kiawah Town Council
2 - 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Wednesday,
March 11
Kiawah Public Safety
2 - 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Tuesday,
March 24
Seabrook Town
Council Meeting
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Wed, April 1
Seabrook Town
Planning Commission
Work Session
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Island

Thursday,
April 2
Kiawah Arts &
Cultural Events
3 - 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

appreciated, new members welcomed

and terms of service defined. However, it
was the Environmental Committee that
produced the most discussion.
Six new members were being proposed
as additions to the influential committee.
Kiawah residents John Leffler, Sandra
Williams, Joe Pezzullo, Jim Sullivan, Jane
Ellis and Lynette Schroeder were all slated
to join up, bringing total membership
to a charter-busting eighteen people.
The Town Administrator interjected,
saying a review of the charter would be
required because the proposed additions
exceeded the specified maximum of
fifteen members. The lengthy debate that
followed resulted in a change allowing
the participation of the engaged residents
[noted above].
The addition of a Municipal Center
Committee was the final item. This
ad-hoc group is to be chaired by
councilmember Labriola. He will be
joined by councilmember Johnson, Roger
Warren of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort
and Mark Permar, with the possibility of
a fifth appointee to be named later. The
pronouncement dovetailed nicely with
the first item of New Business; ratifying
the charter of the same ad-hoc committee.
New business
Changes to the dates of Town Council
meetings were pushed out a week for both
March (now planned for March 9) and
April (now scheduled for April 14). A first
reading of Ordinance 2015-03, a measure
to accommodate a carriage style design
for attached garages, allowing gas fire pits
and other exceptions passed unanimously.
Likewise with Ordinance 2015-04,
a measure to reconcile a discrepancy

K iawah Island Town H all

21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
Seabrook Island Town H all
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

Tuesday,
April 17

Charleston County Council

4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
958-4700t

Kiawah Town Council

Meeting
2 - 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745

February 27, 2015

civic

between the Architectural Review Board

and Municipal Code definitions of lot
coverage.
2015 charitable contributions were
ratified unanimously. Coastal Science and
Engineering was approved to address issues
with channel realignment [at the east end
of the island], while Jacobs Engineering
got the nod to address flooding around
Beachwalker. Each of these items garnered
its own discussion, but concealed weapons
signage was the most voluminous topic
from new business.
Requests for an island-wide solution
prohibiting concealed weapons had been
floated previously. The original idea was
something along the lines of the sign
prohibiting fireworks often seen before
the first gate around the Fourth of July
each year morphed into a discussion of
signs on the Town Hall building. Legal
council said concealed weapons were
already prohibited in municipal buildings,
while the Town Administrator talked of
newly available research. The conclusion
of many studying the topic indicated such
signs might actually serve as an invitation,
reassuring those with malicious intent
there would be no resistance. The decision
against signs prohibiting concealed
weapons was unanimous but not before
councilmember Wilson suggested having
deputies at large public meetings was
a good idea. Interestingly, an armed,
Charleston Country Sheriff was present
for all of this and previous Town Council
meetings.
Committee reports
Councilmember Wilson said the next
Ways and Means Committee would
produce a budget amendment to fund
beach re-nourishment and the new
Municipal Campus.
Rusty Lameo was commended in
the Town Administrators report for his
presentation to the Municipal Association.
TOKI staff had spent several days in
Columbia the previous week attending
the associations conference. My
experience in law enforcement was unique
to most people charged with public safety
in a municipal setting, Lameo said in an
interview after the meeting.
The Mayors report was a busy one. A
summary of announcements includes;
A strategic planning meeting is in
the works to apply needed portions
of a $2 million capital budget to
East Beach.
Work on the new municipal center
should begin in May of this year
and be completed in 2016.
The consensus on emergency
services is to work with what
we have and continue efforts to
improve it.
Completion of I526 is as ever
promised [at the county level] and
continues to be worked on and
discussed by Paul Roberts. Jimmy
Bailey, Charlie Lipuma and John
Wilson. The Greenway may be
something we have to pursue on
our own with or without the help
of Seabrook.
The Rhetts Bluff Amenity issue
is something KICA will have
to resolve with its membership.
Once a direction is established the
Planning Commission will review
it.
The tenant Sidi Limehouse has not
vacated the lot on Betsy Kerrison
despite an extension. So the town
has filed eviction proceedings.

When those come through, we

will act on that. Requests he be
allowed to stay have been received
but have been denied.
The company that bought
approximately 17 acres of land
stretching from Seabrook to
Freshfields (opposite the Marina)
including the portion previously
held by Kiawah Partners, is trying
to schedule time with TOKI to
describe their plans.
A 42 sailboat crashed on the east
end of the island and had to be
scrapped.
Citizens Comments (round two)
With no correspondence to attend to,
Jim Sullivan took to the floor during the
second installment of Citizens Comments
saying he never understood what the
urgency was for the Municipal Complex.
The Mayor responded saying, We went
over that at the public hearings, and
proceeded to point out some of factors
behind the need for a larger municipal
building.
Next Virginia Abbott asked Could a
property tax be imposed without being
voted on by the citizens of Kiawah? The
Towns legal council responded saying it
would have to be done like an ordinance
and involve hearings and public readings.
Diane Lehder asked, through a proxy,
why the Town was planning to discuss the
inquiries from owners of two properties
on Betsy Kerrison seeking to sell their
properties to the Town during Executive
Session.
My concern regarding these properties
is not that Council will be discussing
these inquiries, as a discussion is necessary
before the Town can properly respond to
them. My concern is that this discussion
will be conductedagainin secret, in
Executive Session.
If the Town has no interest in
purchasing
additional
properties
as it has publicly stated on numerous
occasions in the pastwhat is the possible
justification for taking this matter into
Executive Session?
If the Town is considering the
purchase of additional properties, the
community deserves to know now what
has changed, and for what purpose the
additional properties would be purchased.
And the citizens of the Town deserve to
have their comments considered publicly
before the Town Council makes a decision
and takes a vote, she concluded.
Next to speak was Sidi Limehouse,
the owner of the farm stand situated
on the property the Town has recently
purchased. He opened with the story of the
Emperors New Clothes, You people are
naked, he drawled. The purchase of the
Betsy Kerrison parcel was a deal between
the buyer and seller of the property. The
decision to proceed without demanding
the seller remove or provide for their
tenant (a risk acknowledged at the time)
was made for the sake of expediency,
now gone awry. Limehouse said he now
intended, and was legally entitled, to stay
through the end of the lease in March, but
was asking to stay until September. There
was a lot of back and forth but in the end,
a very emphatic the answer is NO was
reiterated.
Next, council went into Executive
Session. After over an hour of discussion
on the Kiawah Island Utility, the dock
lawsuit and the land offered to sale to the
town, Council returned and the meeting
adjourned.

civic

TOKI retreats to
establish priorities
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

reakfast is at eight, said Mayor

Lipuma. The announcement
came at the conclusion of the
Jan. 6, 2015 meeting of the Town of
Kiawah Island Town Council regarding
a planned retreat scheduled for the
26th of that month. Over half a dozen
Kiawah residents, well provisioned with
their own food, coffee, notepads, pencils
and recorders, lined the perimeter at the
Marriott on Lockwood. Attendees were
anxious to hear what the new council
would focus on as priorities for the
coming term.
Breakfast actually wrapped up at 8:06
and the meeting began. Mayor Lipuma
cited three primary strategic objectives
to be discussed; the purchase of the
Kiawah Island Utility, construction of
the new Municipal Campus, and beach
re-nourishment at the eastern end of the
island. Of those three, the new municipal
center and beach re-nourishment were
deemed the higher priorities, partially
because of concerns about funding, and
partially because of the volatile nature of
KIU.
The KIU situation has changed
substantially in the last few years. TOKI
made an offer to purchase the utility
that was rejected at the time by Kiawah
Development Partners. Since then, there
is a new developer on Kiawah, more
infrastructure, bigger plans and more
maintenance issues. Councilmembers
Labriola and Weaver were looking for ways
the Town could keep its options open,
which is where the lengthy discussion,
but not the issue, sputtered to a close.
It seems TOKI would still be interested
in purchasing KIU, wanting only the
opportunity.
Beach re-nourishment was designated
the biggest single issue as it affects most
everyone on Kiawah.
When we did this last time, six
years ago, it cost about $3.5 million. The
Community Association contributed
half a million, the resort contributed
$350,000, we even twisted Buddys arm
into contributing $100,000, but the
Town paid the rest, said the Mayor.
The flushing channel continues to
move landward toward the holes [Ocean
Course] in that area. We were originally
going to wait until October [2015] but
because of the erosion [were] going to
take it up in the spring. The five year
permits will allow us to twice re-nourish
the beach, concluded Lipuma, opening
the door to discuss the new town hall.
This is the capstone event of this
council, stated the Mayor about building
the new municipal complex. With that
said, the conversation turned to ways to
generate revenue. Staff had several ideas
for revenue generation including:
1. TOKI could add staff necessary
to take over the building permit
process. TOKI originally went
through the county for this
function and were on the short
end of a 90/10 split of resulting
revenues. The current contracted

arrangement puts TOKI again

on the short end of a 60/40 split.
Taking over this process could add
over $500,000 to revenues.
2. Zoning functions could be taken
over by TOKI in similar fashion to
the building permit process.
3. Savings might also be realized by
adding the towns own engineering
department.
4. TOKI could add and staff its own
visitors bureau by virtue of ATAX.
This would eliminate the need for
contributions to the Charleston
Visitors Bureau.
5. Sale of the existing town hall could
be used to offset some of the costs
associated with the new Municipal
Campus.
The discussion then gave way to
the design of the proposed Municipal
Campus itself with plenty of questions
from councilmembers Weaver and
Labriola. The need for professional help
in designing the building(s) segued to a
discussion of what would be required for
such a complex.
Staff contributed the most specific
requirements including:
1. An earthquake and hurricaneproof emergency operations center
that could double as meeting
rooms
2. Seating for 400
3. A lab so the town biologist doesnt
have to perform dissections etc. in
the garage or track mud [into the
building]
4. Secure storage (vault) for
dangerous items and controlled
substances
5. Secure, monitored cage for the
collection and storage of revenue.
(e. g. the robberies that have
occurred along Betsy Kerrison)
6. Space and shelving for records
7. A network and secure area for
equipment
8. Space for additional personnel
9. Improved office space for existing
personnel and councilmembers
General discussions for the afternoon
included more on the recent PSSi emergency
services report. Councilmember Weaver,
former Kiawah Fire Commissioner and
recently appointed chair of the Public
Safety Committee, reminded everyone of
the need to work with what we have. He
also urged cautious deliberation in light
of the St. Johns Fire District having just
completed their study of the same topic.
Discussion of the roads on Johns Island
and Kiawah Islands Comprehensive
Plan rounded out the afternoon session.
Although no decisions were made, the
table is set for the upcoming year.

February 27, 2015

arts & events

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

Gourmet Grapes continues from cover

was the reunion of the four chefs who formerly oversaw the kitchen
at The Woodlands Inn, representing a twenty year span at this fivestar property. The chefs had never worked together as a team, but the
camaraderie was evident and the food exquisitely prepared. Other new
events joining the lineup this year included a session with the PostCouriers food critic and a golf outing on The Ocean Course.
Plans are already underway for the 2016 Gourmet & Grapes. Stay
tuned at www.gourmetandgrapes.com.

February 27, 2015

civic

Kiawah Arts Councils March line-up

All events are sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island
Arts and Cultural Events Council. Complimentary tickets
are available at Kiawah Town Hall 843.768.9166 or
online at www.kiawahisland.org/specialevents.
Sophie Shao, Cellist
Sunday, March 1 4 p.m., Church of Our Saviour
Internationally acclaimed cellist, Sophie Shao, is
known for her brilliant, mature interpretations of
repertoire ranging from Bach and Beethoven to Crumb
and Wilson. She has a "superior sense of style," according
to Strad Magazine, and is praised by World News for her
"sensitive, stylistic playing, with great finesse, emotion,
and gorgeous tone." She has won many top prizes such
as at the 2001 Rostropovich Competition and the XII
Tchaikovsky Competition in 2002. When she was only
nineteen she received the prestigious Avery Fisher Career
Grant. Shao made her first appearance with the Houston
Symphony at the age of eleven. She has performed recitals
throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, and appeared in
performances in such venues as Carnegie, Avery Fisher,
Alice Tully, and Merkin Halls in New York, Suntory
Hall in Tokyo, Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, Ford Centre
in Toronto, and Rice University in Houston. In great
demand as a chamber musician, she has collaborated with
members of the Beaux Arts Trio, the Guarneri, Juilliard,
Orion, Cleveland, and Mendelssohn String Quartets, and
has performed with such distinguished artists as David
Shifrin, Jaime Laredo, Andre Previn, Ani Kavafian,
Andre Watts, and Christoph Eschenback. Her many
festival appearances include Marlboro, Bard, Caramoor,
Angel Fire, Vail, and Ravinia. She can be heard on EMI
Classics, playing Andre Previn's Reflections with the
Curtis Orchestra under the direction of the composer, as
well as other recordings.
A native of Houston, Ms. Shao began playing the

BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL
For The Island Connection

cello at the age of six. At age thirteen she enrolled at

the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. After
graduating, she continued her studies at the Yale School
of Music receiving an M.M. from there. She now resides
in Manhattan and teaches cello at the Bard College
Conservatory of Music, Vassar College, and Princeton
University. She will be accompanied at our concert by
renowned pianist, Milana Strezeva.
Judy Carmichaels Jazz Inspired from Kiawah's
River Course Clubhouse
Monday, March 2, broadcast with saxophonist Eric
Schneider, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, broadcast and mini
performance pianist Dick Hyman, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday,
March 4 performance by Judy Carmichael Trio, 6:45 p.m.
wine reception 7:30 p.m. showtime (sold out).
Each week on Judy Carmichaels Jazz Inspired,
Grammy nominated jazz pianist/vocalist/host Judy
Carmichael explores this notion with creative people who
love jazz.
March 2 saxophonist Eric Schneider will talk to Judy
about his years with Earl Hines, Count Basie and Mel
Torm, and March 3 pianist Dick Hyman will discuss
writing for NBC in the early years, and Woody Allen
more recently, and March 4 Judy Carmichael and her
trio will perform in concert with her unique blend of
swinging piano, sultry vocals and sassy humor. There
will be a wine reception at 6:45 p.m. prior to the March
4 performance. Grammy nominated pianist/vocalist
Judy Carmichael is one of the worlds leading interpreters
of stride piano and swing. Count Basie nicknamed her
Stride," acknowledging the command with which she
plays this technically and physically demanding jazz
piano style.
Jason D. Williams Trio
Saturday, March 7 - 7:30 p.m., Turtle Point Clubhouse,
ticket release: Kiawah 2/17, public 2/20.

There hasn't been raw, vintage boogie this solid since

Jerry Lee lost his steam in the Seventies, Rolling Stone
Magazine.
He takes the time machine back to when rock rolled
on piano power, New York Post.
Williams pounds the bejabbers out of the piano,
whether he's playing honky-tonk, a Yiddish instrumental
solo or Lewis' cover song, AP Associated Press.
Jason D. Williams has spent a lifetime behind the
piano connecting with country and rock 'n' roll greats
while creating a persona that's 100 percent original.
Around the World with Di Wu, Piano & Solomiya
Ivakhiv, Violin (playing a Stradivarius)
Sunday, March 15 4 p.m., Holy Spirit Catholic
Church, ticket release: Kiawah 2/24, public 2/27
Praised in the Wall Street Journal as "a most mature
and sensitive pianist" and named one of the "up-andcoming talents" in classical music by Musical America,
Chinese-American Di Wu continues to enhance her
reputation as an elegant and powerful musician. Her
concerts have taken her across the globe, charming
audiences from East to West with her "charisma, steely
technique, and keen musical intelligence" (Philadelphia
Inquirer) and her "fire and authority" (Washington Post).
The petite pianist describes herself as a "huge foodie" and
enjoys cooking and sampling New York City's wide array
of restaurants. Violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv has quickly
earned a reputation for performing with distinctive
charm and subtle profundity (Daily Freeman, New
York) and crystal clear and noble sound (Culture and
Life, Ukraine). Known for performing as both chamber
and solo violinist, many of her concerts are broadcasted
on National Public Radio, Voice of America Radio,
Ukrainian National Radio and Television, and Chinese
Hunan Television.

arts & events

February 27, 2015

Battle of Charleston continues from cover

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

February 27, 2015

daily

daily

Briars Creek files

to reorganize

Seabrook Island Club

announces 2015
membership promotions

BY MICHAEL S. MARTIN
For The Island Connection

he Golf Club at Briar's Creek

filed for Chapter 11 relief in the
United States Bankruptcy Court
for the District of South Carolina. The
Club believes that this is a positive move
to ensure its future success as it enters
bankruptcy with a purchase offer in hand.

Briars Creek has

always been a
Lowcountry Gem.
Michael S. Martin
The Chapter 11 filing includes a
motion for approval of an offer from an
investor group to purchase the Clubs
assets and create a new golf Club at
Briars Creek. Bob McNair, owner of the
NFL's Houston Texans and a founder of
the current Club, is leading the investor
group. The Bankruptcy Court is being
asked to approve the proposed sale to Mr.
McNairs investor group. The sale process
will be open to competitive bidders.

Briars Creek has always been a

Lowcountry gem said Mike Martin,
who is also one of the founders of the
current Club. The Club has weathered
the golf market downturn of the last
4-5 years, however the Club needed to
regroup in order to ensure its long-term
success. The details of the proposed plan
have been presented to Club founders and
members, and feedback is positive that
the restructuring will allow the Club to
flourish.
The McNair investor group intends
to maintain the traditions of the current
Clubno tee times and first class
facilities. Briars Creek expects a smooth
transition to the new Club as the proposed
purchaser will retain the current staff and
management. Additionally, the proposed
purchaser will provide for a seamless
membership transition by offering both
resigned members in good standing
and active members of the current Club
the opportunity to join the new Club
and remain a part of the Briars Creek
community.

BY LISA MILLER

For The Island Connection

ast year the Seabrook Island Club

ran a very successful membership
promotion that expired on October
31. A number of Seabrook property
owners, both Club members and
non-members, have since expressed regret
that they failed to take advantage of the
promotion and wished they had done so.
As an accommodation to those owners
and members, the Board of Governors has
agreed to reinstate the promotions for one
month only in March. During the month
of March: (1) present Club members can
upgrade their memberships at reduced
rates, (2) former members who have left
the Club can rejoin at a low reinstatement
cost, and (3) Island property owners who
have never been Club members can join
at a very attractive cost. These promotions
are being made available in time for
members and their families and guests to
enjoy all of the Clubs amenities during
the spring and summer, and they are not
likely to be offered again any time soon.
Details are as follows:
Upgrades for Current Members

Community
to
Social$4,000
(normally $8,000)
Community
to
Full$12,000
(normally $18,000)
Social to Full$5,000 (normally
$10,000)
Welcome Back for Former
Members*
$2,500 capital fee to rejoin as
Community, Social, or Full, whichever
is todays equivalent to the resigned
membership class
Promotion for Property Owners
Who Were Never Club Members*
Community$6,000
(normally
$12,000)
*Could then take advantage of new
member upgrade discounts - Community
to Social (additional $4,000) or
Community to Full (additional $12,000)
These promotions will only be available
between March 1 and March 31, 2015.
Please contact Lisa Miller at
843.768.7805 or lmiller@discoverseabrook.
com for more information.

Island Connection Calendar

10

February 27, 2015

February 27

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

POPS Bible Study

8:30 a.m. at the Sandcastle
Monday Bridge Group
The 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
The 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,
The 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 Thompson
at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.

Fridays

Preschool Zone
Fridays in April at 10:30 a.m., 351
Maybank Highway, Johns Island Regional
Library. 3-6 years old with adult. Call
843.559.1945 for more information.

Friday Indoor Pickleball

12:30-2:30 every Friday at St.
Christophers Camp. For further
information, please contact Mary Torello
at 843.768.0056

Saturdays

Homegrown
Johns Island Farmers Market. Every
Saturday at 3546 Maybank Highway
Johns Island 10 a.m. 2 p.m. www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.
2015 Sea Island Cars and Coffee
Third Saturday of every month from 8
to 10 a.m., Freshfields Village March 21,
April 18.

Ongoing

Opera Lite Series at the Lake House

Another season of Opera Lite kicks off
on Thursday, Jan. 8 and continues on
Thursday afternoons from 3:30 - 5 p.m.
for 10 weeks. Each week brings a different
performance featuring distinguished
current and vintage performers. English
subtitles permit understanding of dialogue
and solo numbers. For information, please
call: John Benzel at 843.768.1174 or
jdocbenz@gmail.com. All are welcome: 3/3
VerdiFalstaff, 3/12 Wine and wind-up
toys!
Community Recreation Fitness
Programs: Empowering Moves

Jan. 28-Mar. 18, Wednesdays 6-7 p.m. A

healthy body is a gift not only to yourself,
but also to those that love you. These
nutrition and exercise workshops equip
you with the tools you need to realize your
wellness goals. Pre-registration required.
Age: 16 & up. Meets at: St Johns High
School Course # 35603. Fee: $48/$40
CCR Discount.
Charleston Wine and Food Festival
March 4 - 8. 10th anniversary of
the Bb&T Wine And Food Festival,
charlestonwineandfood.com.
Kiawah Island Photography Club
Display
Throughout March. The Kiawah Island
Photography Club members will exhibit
some of their work at the Johns Island
Regional Library. The subject will be varied
with everything from native wildlife,
scenes of the Lowcountry to pictures taken
when traveling.
Camellia Walk at Middleton Place
Every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday,
February 7 - March 21 11 a.m. Special
guided tours focus on camellias
throughout the original gardens as well as
the new camellia garden of the 1950s.
Weeki Wachee Mermaids
March 27 - April 5. This spring break the
World Famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids
come to the South Carolina Aquarium.

The shows take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m.,

and 3 p.m. daily and are included with
general admission to the Aquarium.
Begin With Books Display
Throughout March. Begin With Books
is the Charleston County affiliate of
Dolly Partons Imagination Library, the
country music stars iconic free booksby-mail program for pre-school children.
Johns Island Regional Libarary. For more
information, visit sites.google.com/site/
beginwithbooks/
Seabrook Island Artist Guild Notices
March 1 31: Artist of the Month Bob
LeFevre will exhibit his work in the Lake
House Gallery.
March 5: Workshop with Gary
KunkelmanThis is the fourth in a series
of workshops for beginning oil or pastel
painters, to be held from 1-3 p.m. at the
Lake House Eagles Nest room. This is
a free workshop and paints and canvases
are required. To sign up contact Walter
Czander at 768.9086 or e-mail him at
ccczander@bellsouth.net
March 17: Monthly Seabrook Island
Artist Guild MeetingLake House Live
Oak Room 3 p.m. guest artist, oil painter,
Laurie Meyer.
March 2729: Art Guild Workshop three

day series with Master coastal landscape

painter Sergio Ruffo. Please bring your
oil painting materials. The workshop fee
will be $350 for guild members and $375
for non-members. To register contact
Bob Lefevre at 768.3284 or e-mail him at
rodory@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Wood, Metal and Canvas: Paintings by
the Gullah People
3 - 5:30 p.m. Join us as we celebrate the
artistry within Gullah culture. This exhibit
will showcase early forms of Gullah folkart paintings to contemporary expressions.
This is a special two-part program leading
up to the Johns Island Regional Librarys
De Gullah Roots Festival. The events will
take place at Johns Island Regional Library
Auditorium, light refreshments provided.
Requiem
6 p.m. The Charleston Symphony
Orchestra Spiritual Ensemble will perform
the complete Mozart Requiem at St.
Philips Episcopal Church, 142 Church St.,
Charleston. Celebrating African-American
History Month (February), this Requiem
performance honors Le Chevalier de
Saint-Georges, an early 18th century black
composer and contemporary of Mozart.
Tickets: $35 adults; $25 seniors; $10
students with ID. Go to www.csospiritual.
com or call 866.811.4111 for more
information.

A Snappy Event hosts the 2015 Shuckn

& Truckn Oyster Roast
12 - 5 p.m. The Shuckn and Truckn
Oyster Roast brings traditional
Lowcountry oysters and local Charleston
food trucks together for an afternoon
filled with good eats, family activities, and
rockin entertainment. Shuck a bucket of
oysters for only $15, and sample some grub
from our participating food trucks. At the
All Seasons Parking Lot on Johns Island
located at 1820 River Road.

MONDAY, MARCH 2
James Chad
American diplomat and energy expert will
speak at 6 p.m. on The World Politics
of a Changing Energy Landscape. Q. &
A. will follow. The venue is The Citadel
Alumni Center at 69 Hagood Ave, across
from the stadium, social hour starts at 5
p.m. Join at waccharleston.org or at the
meeting. Guests are welcome once per year
for $20.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Become a hero by giving blood during
Red Cross Month. Seabrook Island 10:30
a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Seabrook Island P.O.A.
Community Center, Oyster Catcher Drive.
Johns Island, March 10 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.,
Haut Gap Middle School, 1861 Bohicket
Road.

March 13
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
5th Annual Mullet Hall 5
& 10 Mile Train Run
The mullet hairstyle-themed 5- and 10mile run returns for its 5th year. The trail
run encourages runners to wear either
real or imitation mullets during their
participation in the race, held at the aptly
named Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on
Johns Island. For more information or to
register, visit www.charlestoncountyparks.
com/mullethaul or call 843.795.4386.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
The Charleston Mens Chorus
Spring Concert
4 p.m. From Europe to America: A
Journey in Song at the Sottile Theatre,
44 George Street. Tickets are $15
(nominal convenience fee will apply);
children 6 and under are admitted free.
Tickets are now available online at www.
charlestonmenschorus.org, by phone at
843.720.8505 and, starting February 1, at
Royall Ace Hardware (Mt. Pleasant).

TUESDAY, MARCH 10
Sea Island Habitat for Humanitys
Women Build
Join Sea Island Habitat for their 15th
Annual Women Build, April 11 18, 2015
at Laurel Oak Grove Neighborhood on
James Island. Registration is only $35 and
includes a Women Build t-shirt, snacks

and lunch. Groups are welcome. Half

day shifts are available. No experience
is necessary. Sign up online at www.
seaislandhabitat.org. Sponsorships are still
available. Call 843.768.0998 ext. 112 for
more information.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13
Art of Design Spring Luncheon
Featuring Hamish Bowles
11 a.m. As the International Editor at
Large for Vogue, Hamish Bowles is
recognized as one of the most respected
authorities on the worlds of fashion and
interior design. With one of the largest
private collections of vintage clothing in
the world, this dapper, globetrotting style
icon has made a name for himself as a
fashion historian. $125 Individual Tickets,
$500 Premium Ticket, $1,250 Tables
of Ten. Location: Charleston Marriott,
170 Lockwood Blvd. gibbesmuseum.org/
artofdesign.
The Seabrook Island
Garden Club meeting
9:30 a.m. at The Lakehouse. Speaker
this month will be Joan McDonald who
is the Gardening Editor for Charleston
Magazine. Her topic will be Containers
101- Cocktails, Mocktails and Tea. We
gather for coffee and conversation at with
our meeting to follow. All are invited.

10

February 27, 2015

volunteer spotlight

Cat Buggs:
Client becomes carer
BY MARIA GUROVICH
For The Island Connection

Editors Note: Volunteer Spotlight is a column in The Island Connection highlighting

members of the community who give their time to help others. If you know of a volunteer
who deserves the spotlight email jennifer@luckydognews.com.

y family moved from

Florida to Wadmalaw in
the early 1920s. The island
was a more rural palace in those times,
remembers Cat Buggs, Our Lady of
Mercy Community Outreach volunteer,
who initially came to the Outreach in
2003 to receive emergency dental care.
Thats when she first learned about other
programs the organization offered and
decided to get involved.
Throughout the years, Cat wore many
hats at the Outreach, from volunteering
in the food and clothing pantries, helping
out with childcare, fundraising events,
through serving meals in the downtown
soup kitchen, to managing the front desk
and assisting with the quilting group.
I love volunteering with the Outreach.
When Im here I feel needed, says Cat.
Cat also used to attend various life-skill
classes led by Deborah LaRoche, who was
the Outreachs social worker at the time,
but since then switched positions and is
now the Director of Development.
I learned a lot in those workshops,

OLMCO Open House Event

especially during sessions that covered

topics on health and diabetes, recalls Cat,
who was diagnosed with peripheral artery
disease in 2008. Through her involvement
with the Outreach, Cat made many
positive changes in her own life. She now
eats healthier, exercises regularly, and tries
to maintain her weight by monitoring it
closely. She is also involved in a variety of
wellness programs at the Outreach and
leads a walking group for seniors.
Im just so happy to give back to a
place that has done so much for me. Many
of the people who come to the Outreach
simply want reassurance that there is
a place and there are people who will
be there for them in their time of need.
Having been in the shoes of those seeking
assurance, I feel blessed to be in a position
to provide it.
For more information on how to
get involved with Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach contact Maria
Gurovich at 843.559.4109 or email maria.
gurovich@olmoutreach.org.

Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach will hold a series of Open Houses the week of
March 9 at two of its campuses: the Johns Island campus and at the Neighborhood House
downtown Charleston. At both service locations, the participants will be given a tour, learn about
outreach services and meet volunteers and staff. The Open Houses at both sites will include
refreshments. They are free and open to the public.
If youve ever wondered what you could do to help individuals and families move from poverty
into more stable circumstances, now is your chance to explore possibilities, ask questions, meet key
staff members, and share ideas, says Director of Development, Deborah LaRoche. OLMCO
offers a wide variety of ways for volunteers and donors to become involved in the vital programs we
offer, which in turn, have a positive impact on our community.
The Johns Island OLMCO, at 1684 Brownswood Road, Johns Island, hosts open houses
March 9 and March 12, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, with an evening session held on March 10,
from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Neighborhood House, located at 77 America Street, Charleston, will
be open March 13 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. To attend call LaRoche at 843.559.4109 or email
LaRoche@olmoutreach.org.

February 27, 2015

Freshfields 10th Art & Wine Walk a fine affair

11

PHOTOS BY NANCY SECOY

Freshfields Village 10th Annual Art & Wine

Walk took place Friday, Feb. 13. Guests
enjoyed live art demonstrations and unique
works from local and regional artists as
participating stores doubled as pop-up
galleries. Artists showcased their works,
including photography, pottery, hand-blown
glass, oil and jewelry design as guests enjoyed
complimentary fine wines and hors doeuvres,
while listening to the sounds of jazz music by
father-son act, the Williams Duo and violin
group, Heart Strings.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Feb 27
Feb 28
Mar 01
Mar 02
Mar 03
Mar 04
Mar 05
Mar 06
Mar 07
Mar 08
Mar 09
Mar 10
Mar 11
Mar 12

3:08am/3:37pm
4:08am/4:34pm
5:02am/5:26pm
5:50am/6:14pm
6:34am/6:58pm
7:14am/7:38pm
7:52am/8:16pm
8:27am/8:52pm
9:00am/9:25pm
10:32am/10:56pm
11:04am/11:28pm
11:39am
12:05am/12:19pm
12:49am/1:07pm

9:27am/9:35pm
10:24am/10:32pm
11:16am/11:23pm
12:02pm
12:11am/12:44pm
12:54am/1:22pm
1:35am/1:57pm
2:13am/2:30pm
2:50am/3:01pm
4:26am/4:33pm
5:03am/5:06pm
5:43am/5:43pm
6:27am/6:26pm
7:17am/7:17pm

Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.

Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
wrong so use common sense.
Source: saltwatertides.com

12

Arts & Events

February 27, 2015

Seabrook Guild announces

Artist, Photographer of the Month
STAFF REPORT

The Island Connection

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Bob LeFevre
Bob Lefevre, a resident of Seabrook
and Salem, South Carolina, retired from
a successful career in business at age 55
to pursue his passion, oil painting. Bob
started taking art lessons at the age of nine
and continued with drawing, painting
and sculpture lessons throughout his
school days, joining every art club and
organization he could find while winning
awards for his talents at this early stage.
At age eighteen he began taking lessons
from a retired sea captain in Cape Cod,
Mass., where he painted his first clipper
ship. It was at that moment that his
passion for painting scenes of the sea and
its surroundings was ignited.
Bob attended Colgate University where
he majored in businesstaking art as a
second major while earning extra money
doing caricatures of his classmates and
selling paintings to teachers. After 33 years
as an executive with major corporations
and as an owner of the United States
Playing Card Co., he retired to pursue his
dream of painting full time.
Bob, who is president of the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild, has been teaching

art to Seabrook and Kiawah residents for

over six years. Visit his website at www.
lefevrepaintings.com or the Spencer
Gallery on Broad Street in Charleston, to
see more of his work.
Find out whats new at the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild by visiting our website
at www.seabrookislandartistguild.com.

PHOTOGRAPHER
OF THE MONTH
Derek Fyfe
If you don't have a "bucket list" it's time
to make one. A trip to the conservation
areas of Tanzania should be item number
one.
My wife, Inger and I recently returned
from a Safari, touring the Tarangire
National Park, the Ngorogoro Crater, and
the Serengeti National Parks of Tanzania.
These areas encompass some the most
spectacular game reserves of the world and
host virtually every major wildlife species
in Africa. Touring in our Land Cruisers,
we were in almost touching distance
of entire families of elephants, giraffes,
buffaloes, hippos, wildebeests, leopards,

even a pride of 18 hunting lions. To our

amazement, a huge rhinoceros paraded
in front of us within 100 feet eventually
walking between the assembled flock of
cars.
Being an aspiring photographer, I
attempted to capture images of life and,
sadly, death in this pristine wilderness. I
am thrilled to share a few of my images
with you from hippos rolling upside
down in ponds, to baby elephants nursing
from their mothers. From one Hyena
gently carrying its baby cub, to another
hyena chasing down and devouring a

baby wildebeest. From one hour to the

next the flora and fauna changed, each
time revealing another animal species
going about its daily activities as if we
were almost invisible.
Hopefully these pictures will evoke
some of the wonder of this African
experience that we felt as my words may
fail to do so.
These inspiring photos will be on
display in the Lake House from March 1
through March 31st on the Photographer
of the Month Wall as you head toward the
library and meeting rooms.

February 27, 2015

arts & events

arts & events

Laurie Meyer to paint at

Artists Guild March meeting

Better late than never

FINAL CLASS IN ART
GUILD BEGINNERS SERIES
BY ROBERTA BOATTI
For The Island Connection

The Seabrook Artist Guild recently hosted its annual Arts & Crafts show.

13

BY ROBERTA BOATTI
For The Island Connection

he Seabrook Island Artist Guild

will welcome artist, Laurie Meyer,
at the groups monthly meeting on
Tuesday, March 17 at 3 p.m., in the Lake
House.
Meyer has lived and painted in
Charleston for over thirty years. A lover
of light and color effects in oil paint and
watercolor, Laurie challenges herself to
create magical elements in each painting
she completes. A primarily self-taught
artist, Meyer has also studied with many
local and nationally recognized master
artists who subscribe to the concept of
creating atmosphere and depth in an alla
prima method.
Meyer is represented in Charleston by
Hagan Fine Art, and in Beaufort, SC,
and New Bern, NC and Greenville, NC.

She teaches color theory and fundamental

workshops in her studio and also travels
internationally with painting students.
Meyer has won many awards for her
paintings, most recently First Place at
Piccolo Spoleto, Second Place for her
entire body of work and Third Place in
2014.
She lives on Daniel Island with her
incredibly supportive husband Steve and
studio dog, Tug. She is proud to have
raised three beautiful daughters, all artists
in their own way.
You can find her work on the gallery
websites above or at www.lauriemeyer.
com. To learn more about the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild events, workshops and
membership visit the website at www.
seabrookislandartistguild.com.

ary Kunkelman will teach the

final class in a series of four
workshops in the Eagles Nest
room of the Lake House from 1 3 p.m.
on Thursday, March 5. This is a free work
shop, open to all, and no experience is
required. You need not have attended the
prior workshops in order to sit in on this
final one. So, jump in, its better late than
never.
Oil painter and art teacher, Gary
Kunkelman will work with beginning
or wannabe oil or pastel painters to
simplify the process in an easy step by step
course. The workshop will be held at the
Lake House Eagles Nest room, depending
on participation. The class includes
demonstrations and discussions of
materials and painting surfaces, selecting
and mixing colors and mediums, the
steps to creating a finished painting, and
understanding the fundamental painting
concepts of composition, contrast and
color.
Most of the class session will be devoted
to students applying and practicing these
foundation concepts, working in a choice
of either oils or pastels. Using traditional
painting techniques and a limited color

palette, students will paint a new still

life set-up each week. This hands-on
experience zeroes in on foundation
concepts that can be applied to landscapes,
figures, or any other painting subject area.
Gary will provide ongoing individual
instruction as you paint, and you'll also
gain experience in critiquing your own
work. Details about supplies will be
provided upon registration.
Gary taught painting, including
beginning painting, at Penn State's Berks
College for 22 years following a career in
advertising and journalism. He studied at
the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
and, for a decade, with American master
Jack Coggins. Currently his painting
interest focuses on recreating the depth
and luminosity of the Old Masters using
modern methods and materials.
Seabrook Island Artist Guild workshops
strive to meet the needs of aspiring artists
of all levels. To register for this workshop
contact Walter Czander at 768-9086 or
e-mail him at ccczander@bellsouth.net. To
learn more about the artist guild, its events
and membership visit the website at www.
seabrookislandartistguild.com.

14

February 27, 2015