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Volume 10 Issue 18

December 16, 2016

FREE

Weaver
elected
Kiawahs
new Mayor
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

Cars & Coffee

Every third Sunday of the month, cool cars take over Freshfields Village
as their owners enjoy coffee and conversation. The final Cars & Coffee
event of the year is on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Mingle with Kringle

Page 8

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

Kiawah Marathon

Page 10

he Town of Kiawah Island held its

mayoral and council election on
Dec. 6, 2016. Only the mayors
race was contested. Thirty percent of
residents turned out to cast their votes
(compared to fifty percent in Novembers
general election) with a total of 531 votes
cast in the mayoral push.
Incumbent councilmember Craig
Weaver garnered 343 of those votes
prevailing over long term councilmember
Mary Johnsons 175 votes to become
mayor-elect.
Fewer votes were cast for seats on
council, which were all uncontested races.
Diana L. Mezzanotte, who narrowly
missed a seat on the KICA board earlier
this year, led the pack with 432 votes.
She was followed by Chris Widuch with
407, and the back of the pack listed John
R. Wilson 397 and John H. Koach, 383.
The group will have its hands full
with little time to celebrate. The Kiawah
Island Utility has filed for a 25+ percent
rate increase, and the new council must
act before the end of the month if they
are to file as interveners in the process
before the Public Service Commission.
Craig Weaver and the new council
members were solemnly sworn into
office at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 by TOKI
Chief Municipal Judge John L. Strauch.
There was only standing room available.
Weaver told The Island Connection he
plans to make the town run better and
more effectively, improve its financial
strength, and focus more on benefitting
residents.
There were an additional 13 votes
cast in the mayoral race. The remaining
13 votes were divided amongst an
unorganized assortment of candidates,

Mayor continues on page 5

Marilyns Cornbread

Page 18

December 16, 2016

civic

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Amy Mercer
amy@luckydognews.com
managing editor
Jennifer Tuohy
jennifer@luckydognews.com
contributing editor
Alejandro Ferreyros
senior graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Carla Foxworth
sales executive
carla@luckydognews.com
Staff Writers
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Marilyn Ferrell
Jana Chanthabane
Carol Antman
Marilyn Markel

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: December 28
for submissions for the
January 6 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,

Mayor Lipuma looks back on

Town milestones
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

he Dec. 6, 2016 meeting for the

Town of Kiawah Island council
promised a short installment
to the final meeting of this iteration
of council. There was only a single set
of minutes to approve, with minor
corrections required. Council member
Labriola had not been present at the
last meeting, but the minutes reflected
otherwise. There were also some spelling
errors passed along to the clerk, but with
procedural items out of the way, the path
was clear to the first round of agenda
related citizens comments.
Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick was
first up. She said, Looking forward,
Kiawah Island Utility has applied to the
state Public Service Commission for a
25.57 percent increase in water and sewer
rates. The Town has until Dec. 28, 2016,
to file to intervene. I urge you, as I also
urge the new mayor and council, to step
up to this challenge.
It is my understanding [the
community association also] intends to. If
the Town and KICA were to partner in
an intervention and share the same legal
counsel, the cost to each would be cut in
half [or less if the resort joins].
Such an action does not commit
the town to spending time and money
objecting to the rate increase. It does,
however, ensure that should the Utility
not provide satisfactory justification for
such a large increase, the Town can act to
protect property owner interests, Kulick
concluded.
Kiawah resident, KICA board
member, and chair of the St. Johns
Fire District (SJFD) John Connolly
had an announcement which came as
something of a surprise. He reminded
council that John Olsons 4 year mission
on the SJFD board was expiring, and
Olson had decided against another term.

Connolly inveighed on council to fill the

vacancy with Bill Thomae, and requested
they hurry up about it. These positions
are made available through Charleston
County, which would not be able to post
its availability online until December 9 for
a vote to be held on the 15. Connolly urged
council to make their recommendation
prior to the countys vote.
There was no old business on the
agenda, so the meeting proceeded to new
business. The first two items were routine
scheduling functions. The meeting
schedule was approved with one exception
the Ways and Means committee meeting
fell December 26, which didnt set well
with council. The unanimous decision
was made to move the first iteration of the
Ways and Means committee to the 19 of
December. The holiday schedule for 2017
was approved as written, but the speedy
pace of the meeting ended there. The
next item of new business was Thomaes
appointment to the SJFD board.
Council member Weaver chairs the
Public Safety committee and was able to
speak to Thomaes qualifications. Thomae
is a member of the group, and has made
his fair share of contributions aided by
experience on fire departments and EMS
bodies in the past, said Weaver. Why
didnt we know about this [the available
position] sooner, asked council member
Johnson.
Weve [TOKI] known for four years
[when the term expired], countered
Weaver, while at the same time reiterating
responsibility for advertising the position
rested with the county. The protracted
discussion which followed focused on the
exigent circumstances around timing,
(e.g. the Countys late posting of the
board seat and eminent vote of county
council). Ultimately, TOKI voted in
favor of sending a letter to county council

Civic Calendar
Town of Kiawah
Ways and Means
Committee Meeting
Tue., Dec. 27, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

recommending Thomae for the spot on

the SJFD board.
TOKI then approved $58,000 for the
Kiawah Island Conservancy. The source of
the funds is the countys accommodation
tax and council member Wilson asked
if the conservancy was able to justify
their request based on its required value
to tourism. County funds have fewer
restrictions than the states counterpart
to the tax. Conservancy representatives
justified the request by saying their
garden and walking paths were available
to Kiawah visitors. The measure passed
unanimously.
The final item of new business was
consideration of intervening in Kiawah
Island Utilitys request for a 25.57 rate
increase on both water and sewer services.
Dates were again a consideration. TOKI
has until the end of December to act, and
with a new council about to be seated,
council sought the advice of Columbia
based
telecommunications/utility
attorney Frank Ellerbe.
Ellerbe was involved in Kiawahs 2012
rate debate, but this time estimated lower
costs of between $15,000-25,000 to
argue the case. He seemed confident the
fight could save money for rate payers.
He detailed the process during a long
tele-conference he provided pro-bono,
which was followed by a presentation by
KIU.
SouthWest
Water
Company
representative Craig Sorensen said the
increase was needed, in part, to offset
costs associated with installing a second
water line on Kiawah, which has been
underway since May of this year. He also
warned other increases were in the offing
as KIU transitions from the short term
debt incurred for the second waterline
to long term funding of the project.
He hoped the second waterline would

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

Town of Seabrook
Town Council
Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Johns Island Council

Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric
Co-op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, Johns
Island.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113

News Updates
Online at

facebook.com/
islandconnectionnews

Charleston County Council

4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
958-4700
City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745

December 16, 2016

civic

reduce enough pressure on the original,

40 year old line to coax a few more
years out of it, but warned rate increases
could result from its maintenance, as
well. Seabrook, by contrast, recently
announced a 6% increase for waste
water only, scheduled for effect with the
first 2017 billing. This is the first rate
increase since the neighboring island
took ownership of their utility on April
30, 1996.
TOKI, as well as incoming members of
TOKI town council, voted in favor of at
least preserving the option to intervene in
the rate case. A hearing will be scheduled
on Kiawah Island, and more information
will be reported as it becomes available.
Committee reports were a bit thin this
month. Some of the highlights include:
1. John Labriola said the new
municipal center was budgeted
for $9.25 million with $300,000
set aside for contingencies. He
seemed thrilled to report current
projections showed an expense of
$9.09 million, but cautioned the
room to avoid scope creep, which
might dilute any savings.
2. Mary Johnson reported on several
upcoming Arts Council events.
The complete listing of events is
available on the TOKI website.
3. Craig Weaver revised last months
report saying plans to rebuild
SJFD station 6 (Flyway) had been
put on hold. Bids for the project
were double anticipated costs, and
cause for reflection.
The town administrators report had
some good news for Kiawah residents.

The Federal Emergency Management

Agency has something to say about
flood insurance rates in the form of
its community rating. Kiawah had
previously held a rating of 7, but FEMA
has now reduced that number to 5. This
could mean reductions in insurance rates
for residents who contact their carrier, she
said.
The mayors report was compromised
of his farewell to TOKI:
Starting in 1993, I have served the
Town of Kiawah Island as a volunteer
for 23 years. Eleven on the Planning
Commission, and for most of that
time as chairman, eight years as Town
Councilman and the last four as Mayor.
As I look back, major Town milestones
include:
1. Building the Towns first
Municipal Center and after 17
years its sale to KICA
2. Constructing the roundabout
at Betsy Kerrison Parkway and
subsequently revamping Kiawah
Island Parkway including the
addition of a 2 mile bike path
3. Re-nourishing and restoring the
East End Beach at the Ocean Golf
Course;
4. Annexing Freshfields village into
the Town
5. Purchasing 28 acres on Betsy
Kerrison at the entrance to Kiawah
6. Building a new Kiawah Municipal
Center on that property
Administratively, there also have
been significant changes. Sadly, forensic
accountants uncovered mishandling of

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 26
Dec 27
Dec 28
Dec 29

9:45am/10:13pm
10:36am/11:08pm
11:27am
12:03am/12:18pm
12:59am/1:10pm
1:55am/2:02pm
2:50am/2:54pm
3:43am/3:46pm
4:34am/4:36pm
5:22am/5:24pm
6:07am/6:10pm
6:50am/6:53pm
7:30am/7:34pm
8:09am/8:12pm

3:16am/4:00pm
4:08am/4:51pm
5:01am/5:42pm
5:56am/6:34pm
6:52am/7:26pm
7:51am/8:19pm
8:50am/9:10pm
9:46am/9:59pm
10:39am/10:45pm
11:27am/11:29pm
12:12pm
12:11am/12:54pm
12:51am/1:35pm
1:30am/2:14pm

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

town funds by our former administrator

and Treasurer, both of whom are under
Federal and state investigation.
Fiscally, I leave with the Town in a
very strong financial position. We impose
no property tax, and yet even given our
growth expenditures, we have town
reserves of $15-16 million. Further, the
3-year outlook forecasts reserves to grow
to $19-20 million.
I cant conclude without words of
praise and thanks for members of Town
Council and all our volunteers.
Last year, John Wilson stepped up
to serve as the towns acting treasurer for
several months. John engaged a contract
accountant. More importantly, he
arranged for and oversaw forensic audits
of our former administrator and treasurer,
engaged new auditors, and established an
audit committee.
Craig Weaver put us on a solid footing
with our relations with SJFD, Charleston
County EMS and the deputy sheriffs
office. He also guided our Emergency
Preparedness Plan to completion.
Mary Johnson has never hesitated to
advise me of improvements that could
be made to Town governance and Town
systems.
I cant say enough about John Labriola.
As Mayor Pro Tem, he served as my chief
advisor and point man. John never said
no. Whether it was leading the search for
a new administrator, treasurer or attorney,
or effectively managing the towns Ways
and Means committee.
In parting, I thank all the many
volunteers who selflessly and effectively
serve the Town. Their contributions add

to our success as a unique, outstanding

and admired community.
I also thank staff and encourage them
to keep in mind the Town motto,servire
totus, total service.
I look forward to the next Mayor and
Town Council. May they keep our town
safe, secure, and fiscally sound. Thank
you all.
Wendy Kulick was back to the podium
for the last round of citizens comments
asking; What steps are you taking/have
you taken to ensure the former town
administrator and former town treasurer
are prosecuted to the full extent of the
law local, state and federal for the
laws which were violated by their alleged
embezzlement? What will you do to
encourage the new Mayor and Town
Council to do the same?
Time and again you have heard me
request town council demonstrate greater
openness and transparency. For more
than a year, I have asked when the town
will provide answers publicly to questions
and comments posed to it publicly at
town council meetings. No response
has been forthcoming. I therefore ask yet
again; when will council provide answers/
responses to these public queries?
During Council Member Comments
everyone had something good to say about
the others this month. John Wilson, most
notably, said he was looking forward to a
more boring couple of years, to laughs of
appreciation from the room.
There being no further business, the
meeting was adjourned.

civic

December 16, 2016

Quentin E. Baxter presents, on Kiawah

T H R E E C O N C E R T E X T R AVA G A N Z A P L A N N E D F O R E A R LY 2 0 1 7

he Town of Kiawah Island Arts and Cultural

Events Council is partnering with world-renowned
drummer and musician Quentin Baxter to bring
residents a three concert series. Tickets are $20 per
performance, and are available begining Dec. 5, 2016 at
www.baxtermusic.com or by calling 843-766-8814.
Quentin Baxter Presents... Houston Person,
Saxophonist
Sunday, January 8, 2017, 7:30 p.m. - Turtle Point
Clubhouse
Grammy-nominated musician/producer and worldrenowned drummer Quentin E. Baxter presents an
amazing three-concert series on Kiawah Island. The
first artist in the series is soulful American jazz tenor
saxophonist, Houston Person. This South Carolina
native is most well-known for recording, performing and
touring with vocalist Etta Jones. Person studied at South
Carolina State College, and was later inducted into their
Hall of Fame in 1999. After college, Person joined the
United States Air Force, and while stationed in Germany,
he joined a service band and his talent led him to play
with greats like Don Ellis, Eddie Harris, Cedar Walton
and more. Person is also a recipient of the Eubie Blake
Jazz Award. Dont miss this special night of collaboration
of Quentin Baxter and Houston Person.
Quentin
Baxter
Presents...Regina
Carter,
Violinist
Monday, February 20, 2017, 7:30 p.m. - Turtle Point
Clubhouse

BY MARILYN FERRELL
For The Island Connection

The second artist in the series is the ever-talented

Regina Carter. Hailing from Detroit, Regina Carter
is a jazz violinist who studied at the New England
Conservatory of Music in Boston for classical violin.
Carter found her love in jazz violin and decided to later
transfer to Oakland University to study jazz with Marcus
Belgrave. After graduation, she taught in Detroit public
schools, and later moved to Germany to nanny for a
German family while teaching violin on a U.S. military
base. After returning from Germany, Regina Carter
began her greatest successes and began accompanying
performers like Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Mary J.
Bilge, Billy Joel and more.
Quentin Baxter Presents...Annie Sellick, Vocalist
Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 7:30 p.m. - Turtle Point
Clubhouse, $20
The last artist in the series is jazz vocalist from Nashville,
Tennessee, Annie Sellick. Dont let her Southern drawl
or background fool you though as she takes control on
stage as a sound jazz musician. Sellick didnt plan on
pursuing a professional career as a performer, but one
night in a dive bar in Nashville she performed Fever
and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and the crowd
went, in her words, berserk. From that night forward,
she was in the spotlight performing around town and
apart of the jazz community. Today, Annie Sellick is
a full-time jazz singer performing at major jazz venues
in Nashville and is also a resident jazz singer for the
Nashville Jazz Orchestra. From the Nashville media,
Sellick has garnered the award for Best Jazz Artist for

five consecutive years while also being the #1 best-selling

local artist for two years at Tower Records Nashville.

December 16, 2016

daily

Historic Charleston
Foundation Docent
of the year
GAIL BANKS 2016 WINNER
STAFF REPORT

For Island Connection

ail Banks received The 2016

Docent of the Year award
from the Historic Charleston
Foundation. This award was presented to
her at the annual appreciation party held
at the Aiken-Rhett House. Gail has been
volunteering with HCF for 28 years for
The House and Garden Tours held each
spring. Gail says, Its great to share the
wonderful history of our beautiful and
historic city. Each year we have visitors
from across the country and around the
world. Every year HCF works with many
volunteers. This year alone there were
approximately 700 volunteers.
Gail, and her husband Roger have been
in the Charleston area for 39 years and
have made Seabrook Island their home
for the last 15 years. Roger, now retired,
was director of the US Fish and Wildlife
Services office in Charleston.

If you have questions about becoming

a volunteer, please contact, Liz Caldbeck,
Communications
and
Volunteer
Coordinator, 843-723-8292.

civic

Kiawahs First Couple - Craig and Terry

Weaver.

Mayor continues from cover

which included Mandy Sandcastle.

The Island Connection has confirmed
this was in reference to Kiawah Island
Community
Associations
Mandy
Danker.
Encouraged by her showing, Danker
confirmed she is exploring the possibility
of forming a Political Action Committee,
and improving her ground game for the
next election. I dont live here [Kiawah]
so theres another problem to solve, but
I hope to make a better showing [two
years from now], grinned Danker.
However and on a more serious note, she
echoed the best wishes for council and
community, before darting up the stairs.

Homegrown Holiday Bazaar

December 16, 2016

December 16, 2016

daily

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Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol

Volunteers Making a Difference

Juvenile loggerhead
Vader is Released

BY GREGG BRAGG

For The Island Connection

On Saturday, Dec. 3 the John's Island Farmer's Market and the Sea Island Chamber of Commerce presented the Homegrown
Holiday Bazaar, a free entry holiday market for the whole family. Food trucks, beer and wine were on site, as well as shopping
with local vendors and gift wrapping. Dickens Carolers added that extra holiday spirit, and kids enjoyed hay rides, bounce
houses, games, crafts and Santa Land. Guests enjoyed live music from the V-Tones and members of Sol Driven Train.

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

veryone loves a potluck dinner. Ten

times the variety is available with half
the work, and shared meals foster an
unrivaled sense of community. Kiawahs
annual Turtle Patrol potluck is a tradition
closing in on its second decade. This years
installment was held at the Sandcastle on
Monday November 7. True to form, it
was well attended by members of one of
the planets largest volunteer turtle patrol
organizations. Accolades like that are just the
beginning.
South Carolina beaches eclipsed the 2013
record of 5198 nests this year by 1246, for a
total of 6444 nests, said Charlotte Hope of
the SC Department of Natural Resources.
DNR numbers also indicate some changes
in conventional wisdom. The mantra
sung by volunteers to Kiawah visitors long
maintained the idea of a 60 day incubation
period, and an average of 120 eggs per nest.
Those numbers dropped this year to a 52 day
incubation period and an average of 111 eggs
per nest, said Hope.
Nest totals for the state, times the average
number of eggs per nest, times a 57.4 percent
hatch/success rate, divided by the [prevailing
conventional wisdom] 1/1000 survival rate,
lets see - carry the 1 - add the means
South Carolina added over 410 adults to
the sea turtle population in 2016. It will
take 25-30 years for those babies to reach
reproductive maturity, but a steady march
to improving the plight of the threatened
species is apparent. Applying DNRs math
to Kiawahs near record 393 nests means
25 adults were added to the population by
local turtle heroes/heroines. The question of
whether those 25 come back and contribute
to Kiawahs future success was addressed
by University of Georgia graduate and Sea
Turtle dot Org Assistant Research Scientist
Brian Shamblin.
Shamblin has been studying egg/DNA
samples collected by Kiawahs volunteers for
the past eight years. His area of responsibility
has expanded over the period, and the data he
collects is merged with other, ever expanding,
studies in the hope of providing a better
picture of nesting habits. For example, 112
different females nested on Kiawahs beach
this year, 25 of them for the first time. Site

fidelity, returning to the same beach time and

again, shows 30 percent of those moms have
not returned to Kiawah. Sounds bad, but it
actually compares well with other data, said
Shamblin. The preceding summary doesnt
do justice to the complexity of the information
provided. Visiting www.seaturtle.org is time
well spent, and if you stare at the data long
enough, you can convince yourself you
understand Loggerhead nesting habits.
More nests, however, means more turtle
strandings, (sick or injured sea turtles
washing up on the beach). Luckily, Kelly
Thorvalson of the South Carolina Aquarium
is always ready to help, and updated attendees
on recent activities there. Her many duties
include advocating for the Zucker Family
Sea Turtle Recovery Center being built at
the Aquarium. The addition will the existing
facility in the basement, into a state of the art
hospital. 26 rehabilitated Sea Turtles were
released this year, for a total of 205 since
the program started. Its a lot of success the
Aquarium hopes to augment with the new
facility, which still needs all the support it can
get http://www.scaquarium.org/.
Kiawah Turtle Patrol commandant
Lynne Sager orchestrated ceremonies for the
first time, and had a lot to cheer about. She
emphatically praised the contributions of
attendees/volunteers. Sager has also tried to
align Kiawah Turtle Patrol more closely with
the Aquarium than in the past. She allowed
volunteers from Kiawah to participate in the
tenth annual World Turtle Day hosted by the
Aquarium earlier this year. She was quick to
give credit to zone captains Carol Lou Yaeger,
Sandy Williams, Jim Poindexter, Dale and
Dottie Anderson, Allison Frey, and Kelly
Bragg. However, Sager cautioned there is
even more work to do next year than last.
Kiawahs beach is zoned in 1/10th
mile increments. Pairs of markers not only
denote areas of responsibility for hatching
captains, but also indicate the spring high
tide line. Nests laid below the line are moved
to safer areas above it. Hurricane Matthew
claimed all but two of the markers and they
will have to be replaced before next years
nesting season. Doing the math on 1/10th
increments over 9 miles of beach equals a lot
of markers to add.
Volunteering for Turtle Patrol is easy. Those
interested in becoming turtle champions should
contact Sandy Williams by sending an email to
sandrawilliams13@comcast.net.

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

he South Carolina Aquarium Sea

Turtle Care Center released a
juvenile loggerhead named Vader
(after Darth Vader) earlier this month.
Vader was found by Barrier Island Eco
Tours in capers Inlet in August. When
found, Vader was struggling at the surface
of the water, the animal was entangled
in a fishing net (which someone did not
properly dispose of). The entanglement
caused deep lacerations around Vaders
neck and both front flippers leading
biologists to believe that Vader had been
entangled for a long time. The lacerations
were reviewed, cleaned and treated.
Vader was named after Darth Vader
because upon admission, when the animal
would take a breath, s/he sounded raspy
like Darth Vader. Vader was taken to the
Charleston veterinary Referral Center for
a CT scan. The scan confirmed a case of
mild pneumonia (which was causing the
raspy breathing!) After five months of
treatment, including antibiotics for the
pneumonia, Vader received a clean bill
of health. Sea Turtle Care Center team
members transported Vader to Wadmalaw
island where a boat was waiting to take
the animal offshore to warmer water.

The animal was released in 70+ water

temperatures, 40 miles from Charleston.
The boat and trip were donated by an
Aquarium supporter. People can learn
more about the rescue, rehabilitation and
release of sea turtles when Zucker Family
Sea Turtle Recovery opens next May.
The new 5-million dollar exhibit will also
entail a working hospital.

PHOTO COURTESY SC AQUARIUM

For more information visit scaquarium.

org/recovery or call (843) 577-FISH (3474)

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December 16, 2016

Kiawah Partners Expands

Kids invited to Mingle
Employee Wellness Program
with Kringle at the
Holiday Festival of Lights! S P A D E A N D C L O V E R G A R D E N S
STAFF REPORT

BY SARAH REYNOLDS

For Island Connection

For The Island Connection

pending time with Santa just got easier.

This holiday season, the Charleston
County Park and Recreation
Commission (CCPRC) is offering a new
opportunity for those interested in visiting
with Santa during the Holiday Festival
of Lights at James Island County Park
in December. Throughout the years, the
Holiday Festival of Lights has grown in
popularity, which can mean longer lines
for meeting Santa on certain evenings. To
minimize wait time, CCPRC will offer
opportunities for daytime visitation with
Santa during December weekends before
Christmas, called Mingle with Kringle.
The Mingle with Kringle opportunity
features an extended visit with Santa during
the day at James Island County Park. It also
includes a photo package deal, USB thumb
drive with photos, and a courtesy pass to
return to the Holiday Festival of Lights for
a regular evening visit (one vehicle of up to
15 people), for a fee of $60. Mingle with
Kringle is available via pre-registration
only, and this opportunity is offered on
Dec. 17-18. Interested participants can
sign up for their visit timeframe between
the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays

and from noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

This opportunity to visit with Santa at
an alternative timeframe allows families to
save time waiting, so they can spend more
time enjoying the festival and its many
offerings, said James Island County Park
General Manager Randy Woodard. We
are very happy to offer this to the Charleston
community and our many visitors.
The 27th Annual Holiday Festival of
Lights runs from Nov. 11, 2016 Jan. 1,
2017. More than four million people have
toured the Holiday Festival of Lights, which
is hosted by the Charleston County Park
and Recreation Commission (CCPRC)
at the agencys James Island County Park.
The highlight of the event is a three-mile
driving tour through over 750 light displays
featuring an estimated two million lights.
In addition, event-goers can park the car
to experience other activities like visits with
Santa, unique gift shops, marshmallow
roasting, carousel rides and more.
To make your reservation for Mingle with
Kringle or to get more information about the
Holiday Festival of Lights, call 843-7954386 or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.

n the coming year, Kiawah Partners

will expand the benefits in its Employee
Wellness Program to include a produce
credit from local farm Spade and Clover
Gardens. This partnership will provide
every employee with $20 per week toward
the produce of their choice from the farm,
located at the Lowcountry Local First
incubator Dirt Works on Johns Island.
Each week for a period of 12 weeks,
employees will have the opportunity to
visit Spade and Clover Gardens to select
their produce.
Bob Tremayne, the training and
development chef for the Kiawah Island
Club, will provide recipes and assist
employees with cooking techniques to
help them take full advantage of their
weekly produce. Any leftover produce not
picked up by employees will be delivered
to Voyseys at the Cassique clubhouse for
executive chef Doug Blair to use in the
kitchen.
We are thrilled to introduce this
new addition to our Employee Wellness
Program, says Dixie Norris, director of
human resources for Kiawah Partners.

I think it really shows the companys

commitment to the health of its employees
and its willingness to implement creative
solutions when it comes to employee
benefits.
Adds John Warren, manager of Spade
and Clover Gardens, When we were
were approached by Kiawah Partners
with the idea to allow their employees
to harvest fresh produce from our farm,
we were excited, and we'd love to form
more partnerships like this with local
businesses."
The Spade and Clover Gardens
partnership marks a $6,000 investment
by Kiawah Partners in employee wellness
initiatives for 2017. This announcement
closely follows Norriss participation
on an employee healthcare panel at a
strategic planning retreat for Blue Cross
Blue Shields National Board of Directors
in September. Norris was invited to
represent Kiawah Partners on the highly
selective panel featuring professionals
from Ford Motor Company and IBM as
they discussed innovative approaches to
employer and health plan partnerships.

December 16, 2016

whats hot

Heating your home

for the holidays

ith some of the coldest days and

nights so far this winter hitting
the Lowcountry, the American
Red Cross wants families to be safe when
heating their homes. Heating equipment is
one of the leading causes of home fire deaths
and the Red Cross has home heating safety
tips for families to take as colder weather
moves in.
The risk of home fires increases as
temperatures decrease, said Louise Welch
Williams, CEO for the Palmetto SC region
of the Red Cross. In South Carolina the
Red Cross responds to a home fire six times
a day and by following a few easy steps, you
and your family can stay warm and safe this
winter.
Home Heating Safety
Have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces,
wood and coal stoves inspected and cleaned
before another winter of use. Test batteries
in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Other good steps to take to get ones home
ready for winter include:
Make sure flashlights are available
throughout the house and they have
fresh batteries. Winter storms can
lead to power outages.
Insulate the home by installing
storm windows or covering the
inside of windows with plastic to
keep cold air out.
Develop a fire escape plan and
practice it with everyone who lives
in the home.
Prepare a disaster supply kit to have
ready should winter storms hit.
The kit should include a three-day
supply of food and water per person,
flashlight, battery-powered or handcrank radio and extra batteries.
Other things to have on hand for
the winter include:
Sand, rock salt or kitty litter to make
walkways and steps less slippery
Warm coats, gloves or mittens,
hats, boots and warm clothing for
all household members, along with
extra blankets.
Consider buying emergency heating
equipment, such as a wood- or
coal-burning stove or an electric or
kerosene heater.
Space Heaters
Nearly half of the households in this
country use alternative heating sources
such as space heaters, fireplaces, or wood/
coal stoves to stay warm. Fixed and portable

space heaters, including wood stoves, are

involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths.
If someone is using a space heater,
the Red Cross recommends that
people look for a model that shuts
off automatically if the heater falls
over. Space heaters should be placed
on a level, hard and nonflammable
surface in the home. Other safety
tips include:
Keep all potential sources of fuel like
paper, clothing, bedding, curtains
or rugs at least three feet away from
space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
Electric space heaters use a lot
of electricity. Always plug them
directly into a wall outlet to avoid
overloading circuits, which can lead
to fire.
Portable heaters and fireplaces
should never be left unattended.
Turn off space heaters and make
sure any embers in the fireplace are
extinguished before going to bed or
leaving home.
Keep children and pets away from
space heaters.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency
App at redcross.org/apps for more heating
safety and winter storm tips.
Home Fire Campaign
The Red Cross and its partners have
undertaken an effort to reduce deaths and
injuries caused by home fires by 25 percent.
The Home Fire Campaign began in 2014
and is already responsible for saving more
than 110 lives, 11 of these were in South
Carolina.
Working with fire departments and
community groups across South Carolina,
the Red Cross is installing smoke alarms in
homes in neighborhoods at high risk for fires
and teaching residents about fire prevention
and preparedness. The Red Cross is calling
on everyone to take two simple steps that
can save lives: create and practice their home
fire escape plan and check their smoke
alarms.
Here in South Carolina, more than
38,000 smoke alarms have been installed
across the state by the Red Cross and its
partners and more than 5,000 children have
been reached through youth preparedness
education programs, such as The Pillowcase
Project.
To learn more about the campaign and
home fire safety, visit redcross.org/homefires.

10

3849 Runners at Kiawah Marathon

From top left: The start of the 39th Annual Kiawah Island Marathon. Jason
Altman of Knoxville, TN claimed the win of the Full Marathon with a time of
2 hours, 40 minutes, and 14 seconds. Female Half- Marathon winner, Paula
Pridgen, of Charlotte, NC crosses the finish line with a time if 1 hour, 19
minutes, and 30 seconds.

BY JANA CHANTHABANE
For The Island Connection

he 39 Annual Kiawah Island Marathon, held Dec. 10, boasted 3849

participants for the combined races, setting a record for the number of
Half-Marathoners running. This years races featured 2 new courses that
spanned the island, including an ocean view at mile 9 of the Half and 22 of the
full as participants ran around the Sanctuary Hotel and were flanked by the
Grand Lawn and the Atlantic Ocean. Next years running celebrates the 40th
anniversary of this race and will be held on Dec. 9, 2017.

December 16, 2016

Holiday Shopping Guide

12

daily

daily

December 16, 2016

Eat, Sleep, and Read

Gathering to
celebrate the life of this holiday season
Zachary Bannister
BY AMY MERCER

The Island Connection Editor

riends of Jim and Marlisa

Bannister gathered at the
roundabout on Kiawah
Island in remembrance of
the Bannister's grandson,
Zachary Bannister, who was
killed in the line of duty
on October 17, 2016. SFC
Bannister was a 14 year
military veteran, serving both
in the U.S. Army and the U.S.
Marine Corps. At the time of
his death SFC Bannister was
a member of the 3rd Special
Forces Group and was a
well decorated soldier with,
among many other medals, 3
Bronze Stars; one with valor.
SFC Bannister leaves behind
his wife, Lindsay, his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Scott A.
PHOTO BY RON CHAMBERLAIN
(Kimberly) Bannister, as well
as a number of loving family members. After a short remembrance, SFC Bannister's
grandparents, Jim and Marlisa Bannister, installed a new American flag with Zach's
story on an attached label.

BY AMY MERCER

The Island Connection Editor

ne of the few remaining

independent bookstores in the
state, Indigo Books offers a wide
selection of domestic and international
fiction, mysteries and classics. Biographies,
history and politics, sports, and science
and nature titles fill the nonfiction shelves.
Southern authors and local interest
books, children's and young adult books,
travel and cooking titles round out our
incredible selection. But it's not all about
the books. The shop offers greeting cards,
stationery, gift wrap, and paper tableware
from brands like Caspari and Crane.
Blank journals, office supplies, and jigsaw
and pencil puzzles complete the mix.
And it's all bound together with
conversation and a heaping portion of
customer service just minutes from John's,
Kiawah and Seabrook Island. Owners
Linda and Nat Malcolm, a former teacher,
librarian, and information services
consultant and a former Navy Supply
Corps officer respectively, are happy to
bring great books and gifts to their John's,
Kiawah and Seabrook Island neighbors.

Nat says he knew if he didn't buy Linda

a bookstore, she would bring one home
anyway, one book at a time.
Indigo has a great selection of books
for the holiday, either to buy for yourself
so you can curl up in front of the fire, or to
buy for that friend who has everything. For
those who need a suggestion, Indigo is run
by a well read staff who can recommend
a book in any genre. A few on their
must read list for adults are Moonglow
by Michael Chabon, The Underground
Railroad by Colson Whitehead, and
Swing Time by Zadie Smith.
Remember opening the twenty-four
flaps or pockets on an Advent calendar,
counting the days until Christmas?
Indigo Books will have its own Advent
countdown this year. Twenty- four gold
boxes will be displayed on a card spinner
near the front door. Beginning on
December 1, the first customer each day
will open that days box to reveal a special
discount available for all customers that
day. Come join the fun!

13

December 16, 2016

Freshfields Village Holiday Festival

Freshfields Village decked the halls on Saturday, Nov. 26 as this annual celebration returned to the
Village Green from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free childrens activities included face painting by Cupcake the
Clown, an inflatable obstacle course, jump castle, and rides on the Mechanical Reindeer. There was
also a variety of complimentary holiday craft and activity booths. Guests enjoyed live music from an
interactive kids band throughout the afternoon. Delicious treats were available for purchase from
local food vendors and of course a visit from Santa!

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

14

December 16, 2016

roadtrips charleston

A roadtrip home
M O U N T P L E A S A N T W O M A N T R AV E L S T O
THE HOME OF HER ANCESTORS

Nakia Wigfall, of Mount Pleasant, is a master sweetgrass

basketmaker.

BY CAROL ANTMAN

For The Island Connection

n a peaceful bike ride on Jekyll Island in Georgia

the other day, a plaque on a soaring beach
memorial intrigued me: Please help me. In
1859 I was brought to this country when I was a child
One year ago it was revealed to me to go home back to
AfricaAnd now I beg every one who will please help
meI am an Old African.
It was a plea written to neighbors in 1904 by Ward
Lee, known as Cilucangy in West Africa. Hed survived
the Middle Passage on The Wanderer, the last ship to
bring slaves to this country. Slave importing had been
outlawed for over 40 years by then but Charles Lamar
disguised his ship as a pleasure craft and brought about
500 captured Africans to the Georgia coast. Over a third
died along the way.
Cilucangy was bought by an Edgefield, S.C. landowner
where his ability to speak several dialects made him a
valuable interpreter. He was also a master sweetgrass
basket weaver. All of the plantations cotton was gathered
in his baskets. Throughout his life, he yearned to see his
homeland again.
it was revealed to me to go home back to Africa
and I have been praying to know if it was Gods will and
the more I pray the more it presses on me to go I am
trying to get ready if God be with me
The memorial is beautiful and the story is poignant
but what struck me the most was that it reminded me of

A Senegalese woman carries her wares in a sweetgrass

basket.

my friend Nakia Wigfalls story.

She too is a master sweetgrass basket weaver, the fifth
generation in her Mount Pleasant family, as well as a
tireless advocate for the history of her craft. Her ancestors
were also brought here as slaves from West Africa and,
like Cilucangy, she too had a compelling desire to go
there.
I began to think more about my ancestors and the
land in which they lived. In my early 30s I became more
and more obsessed and dreamed of what African would
be like, she remembers. Like Cilucangy, Nakia sought
support to realize her vision. But unlike Cilucangy, she
was able to use a Go Fund Me page. In short order she
raised over $3,000. Then during one of her frequent

December 16, 2016

roadtrips charleston

educational talks I shared that I longed

to go to West Africa to see the land and
descendants of my people. A woman was
there with her mother. The mother came
to me afterwards and told me about her
daughter who is an airline attendant. You
have a ticket! Nakia was told. She was
astonished.
In May, 2016 she joined a group of
professors and travelled to Senegal. It was a
revelation. The tour guide looked like one
of my nephews and his cousin looked like
another one. She saw living conditions
and culture very similar to mine as a
child and through my adulthood. Her
basket making wove cultural connections.
One day when her group went sightseeing
she stayed behind where some Senegalese
women were selling fruits and nuts in the
marketplace. The baskets they had were
used to display their merchandise. They
were not basket makers. Just like here, not
all African Americans from Charleston are
sweetgrass basket makers. So I got out my
materialsand started telling the women
about my baskets. She didnt speak English
but she was excited to see that my basket
looked similar to the ones the basket makers
make there. We now share a special bond
because I gave her a sweetgrass bracelet to
remember out time together.
After the Civil War Cilucangy became
a farmer, married and had four children.
He continued to weave his masterful
baskets and pass down the skill. Three
of his sons still own land in the area and
recently hosted their extended familys

ninth biannual reunion, which always

begin by reciting the names of those who
have passed and introducing the new
children and spouses whove joined the
family. We have a wonderful family,
said Mrs. Mitchell, who is one of Ward
Lees three surviving grandchildren. The
children are our tomorrow. We want them
to understand.
Cilucangys great-great grandson
Michael Higgins celebrated the family
legacy when he carried a photo of him
into the voting booth in 2008. I carried it
with me as I cast a vote for a son of Africa,
who will be this countrys first AfricanAmerican president. It was around the
time of Obamas first inauguration that
the family convened on Jekyll Island
to dedicate the memorial. Cilucangys
yearning for his homeland was never
realized. He died in 1914. But Darrel
Higgins added an uplifting addendum
to his great-great grandfathers life story:
Here we are, 150 years after Lee comes
ashore in cuffs and Obama is going to the
White House. It says so much about where
the nation is and was. Its profound.
Roadtrips
Charleston
highlights
interesting destinations within a few hours
drive of Charleston, S.C. as well as more far
flung locales. Carol Antmans wanderlust is
driven by a passion for outdoor adventure,
artistic experiences, cultural insights and
challenging travel. For hot links, photographs
and previous columns or to make comments
please see peaksandpotholes.blogspot.com.

December 16

Mondays

Intermediate Oil Classes

At the Todd & Huff Art Center located
at Bohicket Marina, Wednesdays, 1 - 4
p.m. Topics include value work, applying
composition elements to your paintings,
edge work, brush and palette knife use,
and painting from still life and photos.
Email toddhuffcenter@gmail.com for
information.
Monday Bridge Group
9 a.m. at the Lake House. The Monday
Bridge Group needs new players. For more
information, please contact Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.

Tuesdays

Mah Jongg Practice

1 - 4 p.m. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday
of the month. Located at The Lake
HouseOsprey 2. 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.
Bookmobile
Freshfields Village on the first Tuesday
of every month from 10 - 11:30 a.m. The
Charleston County Bookmobile will be
parked in the lot behind Heges and Java
Java.

Wednesdays

Lake House Yoga

8:30 a.m. Rise and Shine Yoga with Patti
Romano, formerly known at Gentle Flow
Yoga. Rise and Shine Yoga is an all-levels
practice focused around finding your days
intention, set up yourself for success and be
ready to shine.
Lake House Exercise Class
Join Kelly Gricunas as she returns to
Total Body Toning on Mondays and
Wednesdays at its new start time of 10:45
a.m. A new Zumba class starts at 9:30
a.m. on Wednesdays taught by Meagan
Bergeron. Get Pumped on Fridays will be
moving to 11 a.m.
Kids Art Classes
10-11 a.m. Acrylic on Canvas, ages 3-12,
$15, 3280 Loft at Bohicket Marina,
1897 Andell Bluff Way, Seabrook Island,
843.494.8784, 3280loft.com

Fridays

Adult art classes

10 a.m. - noon, multimedia, $40, 3280
Loft at Bohicket Marina, 1897 Andell
Bluff Way, Seabrook Island, 843.494.8784,
3280loft.com.
Friday Indoor Pickleball
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at St. Christophers
Camp. For further information, please
contact Mary Torello at 843.768.0056.

Saturdays

January 8

Island Connection Calendar

Homegrown
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Every Saturday at
3546 Maybank Highway Johns
Island. For more information, visit
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.
2016 Sea Island Cars and Coffee
9 - 11 a.m. The third Saturday each month
at Freshfields Village.

Sundays

Sunday Afternoon Matinees

The Lake House hosts Sunday Matinees
at 1 p.m. in the Live Oak Hall. You are
welcome to bring your favorite snacks or
refreshments. Water and popcorn will be
provided.
3rd Thursday of the month in December
4-7 p.m. Freshfields Village. Visit
participating stores for light snacks and
sips while enjoying special events, sales,
and promotions inside the shops. The event
will be held the 3rd Thursday of the month
in September, October, November &
December. Visit freshfieldsvillage.com for
more information.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
Tree Lighting Day (ages 12 and
younger)
Johns Island Regional Library, 3531
Maybank Highway. 4:30 p.m. Get into the
holiday spirit at our annual tree lighting!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

Holiday Show at the Galliard

7 p.m. Gaillard Center. Principal Pops
Conductor Yuriy Bekker will lead this
annual, family-friendly holiday tradition
featuring Believe, Sleigh Ride, 12
Days of Christmas, and many more
sing-along favorites with the Charleston
Childrens Chorus and CSO Chorus.
Surprise guests will add to the festive fun.
Purchase tickets at charlestonsymphony.
org, or call 843.723.7528, ext. 110.

Christmas in the French Quarter

7:30p.m. at St. Philips Church, 142 Church
St. The Charleston Music Club will present
Christmas in the French Quarter, a holiday
benefit. The program will feature chamber
music including solo harp by Debussy
and Ravel performed by members of the
Charleston Symphony Orchestra and a
special ensemble singing Yuletide Madrigal
Carols. Suggested donations of $20 for adults
will be appreciated to fund Charleston Music
Club Scholarships to students chosen by
audition. www.charlestonmusicclub.org

The Night Before Christmas

1 p.m., Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street.
Chamber Music Charlestons annual
holiday Classical Kids Concert The Night
Before Christmas. Tickets: $12 adults;
$6 children 4-16 and free for children
3 and under. Call 843.763,4941 or visit
ChamberMusicCharleston.org.
The Santaland Diaries
7:30 p.m. Woolfe Street Playhouse
34 Woolfe St. Based on David Sedaris
real life experience as Crumpet the
Elf in Macys Santaland display, the
Santaland Diaries feature Village
Rep associate artistic director Robbie
Thomas as Crumpet. $15-$25. This is
not a comedy for children, would be
Rated- R! Call 843.856.1579 or visit
woolfestreetplayhouse.com.

Sessions are offered daily from 9-12pm

(half day) or 9am-4pm (full day). Tuition
includes all supplies and Museum
admission. Full-day campers need to bring
a bagged lunch. To register, please visit
www.gibbesmuseum.org or call 843-7222706 x237.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19

Dylan Thomas Christmas in Wales

7:30 p.m. Circular Congregational
Church, 150 Meeting Street. Tuesday &
Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 21. Tickets: $25
general admission, $20 senior, $15 student.
Group rates available. Call 843.763.4941
or ChamberMusicCharleston.org.

Gibbes Museum Winter Camp

9:00 a.m. The Gibbes Museum of Art
is hosting a week-long winter camp for
children ages 4 - 12 from December
19 - 23. The camp offers children the
opportunity to work with museum teachers
to create their own imaginative artwork
exploring the Realm of the Spirit: Solomon
R. Guggenheim Collection and the Gibbes
Museum of Art, featuring works by Marc
Chagall, Vasily Kandinsky and Pablo
Picasso among many others as well as the
permanent collection.
Half Day (9-12): $40 Members | $45 NonMembers
Full Day (9-4): $60 Members | $70 NonMembers
Receive a 15% discount if you register for
the whole week

Christmas Through the Ages, Volume III!

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Grace Church
Cathedral. 98 Wentworth St
Take a journey across the centuries with The
Kings Counterpoint this season as we trace
the rich history and undeniable beauty of
Christmas music through the ages - from
the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and
through the ensuing centuries to modern
times! Christmas Through the Ages
features both a capella and accompanied
sacred and secular vocal music from across
the centuries, beautifully sung by some of
the regions most gifted voices. And because
Christmas is the season of giving, The Kings
Counterpoint is happy to offer these concerts
as FREE EVENTS - there is NO admission
charge, only a freewill offering. This is our
Christmas gift to you - our audience and

our community! Call 843.723.4575 or visit

gracechurchcharleston.org.
Sea Islands Book Club (adults)
Johns Island Regional Library, 3531
Maybank Highway
2 p.m. At the Waters Edge by Sara
Gruen. Set in Loch Ness, right in the
middle of WWII, a foolish group of rich
Americans arrive in search of the famous
monster. Narrator Maddie must make
sense of the circumstances that have
brought her to this wild locale. Only
then can she discover the strength she
needs to make her own decisions. Enjoy a
delightfully intriguing cast of characters
and the engaging style of storytelling that
has made Gruen so popular.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
Turtle Point Clubhouse
7:30 p.m. Quentin Baxter Presents...
Houston Person, Saxophonist
Grammy-nominated, musician/producer,
and world-renowned drummer Quentin E.
Baxter presents an amazing three-concert
series on Kiawah Island! The first artist in
the series is soulful American jazz tenor
saxophonist, Houston Person. This South
Carolina native is most well-known for
recording, performing and touring with
vocalist Etta Jones. After college, Person
joined the United States Air Force, and while
stationed in Germany, he joined a service
band and his talent led him to play with
greats like Don Ellis, Eddie Harris, Cedar

Walton and more. Dont miss this special

night of collaboration of Quentin Baxter
and Houston Person. In partnership with
the Kiawah Arts & Cultural Events Council,
tickets are $20 and available beginning Dec.
5, 2016 at www.baxtermusic.com or by
calling 843-766-8814.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Turtle Point Clubhouse
7:30 p.m. Quentin Baxter Presents...
Regina Carter, Violinist
Grammy-nominated musician/producer and
world-renowned drummer Quentin E. Baxter
presents an amazing three-concert series on
Kiawah Island! The second artist in the series is
the ever-talented Regina Carter. Hailing from
Detroit, Regina Carter is a jazz violinist who
studied at the New England Conservatory of
Music in Boston for classical violin. In 2006,
Carter received a MacArthur Fellows Program
grant and the committee stated, Regina
Carter is a master of improvisational jazz violin.
Though her work draws upon a wide range of
musical influences including Motown, AfroCuban, Swing, Bebop, Folk, and World she
has crafted a signature voice and style.... Carters
performances highlight the often-overlooked
potential of the jazz violin for its lyric, melodic,
and percussive potential. Regina Carter brings
her artistry through violin and jazz to Kiawah
presented by Quentin Baxter, in partnership
with the Kiawah Arts & Cultural Events
Council. Tickets are $20, and available Dec.
5, 2016 at www.baxtermusic.com or by calling
843-766-8814.

18

December 16, 2016

seasons of the south

Marilyns Cornbread, New

Years Day cornbread salad
BY MARILYN MARKEL
For The Island Connection

y grandfather used to love to

eat cornbread with a bowl of
buttermilk. I have not acquired
that taste, but he enjoyed it so much.

Cornbread

Ingredients
cup butter or bacon drippings
1 cups coarse yellow cornmeal
cup flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
tsp baking soda
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cups buttermilk
Serve with pinto beans and chow chow,
recipes follow
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Put fat in 9 inch skillet and melt
until fat is sizzling.
3. Whisk the cornmeal, flour, salt,
baking powder and baking soda in
a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk
together the egg and buttermilk,
pour it into the cornmeal mixture
and stir just until blended.
4. Remove the skillet from the oven
pour in the batter. Put the skillet
to the oven and bake until the
cornbread tests clean, about 25
minutes. Turn out onto a cutting
board or serving platter. Serve hot
with plenty of butter or pimento
cheese.

Southern Cornbread Panzanella

This is a terrific salad for New Years

Day. It has all of the famous traditional
ingredients a good southerner should eat
on New Years Day.
Ingredients
1 pint fresh black-eyed peas rinsed and
drained
cup minced country ham
1 small bag frozen corn
6 green onions, rinsed and chopped
2 cups julienned baby collard greens
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1 cup ranch dressing, recipe follows
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish
1 batch of Marilyns cornbread cut into
inch cubes
cooked crumbled bacon, for garnish
Instructions
1. Cover black-eyed peas with water
in a saucepan and cook until
tender.
2. Add the corn for a minute until
cooked through. Drain and allow
to cool.
3. In the bottom of a large glass
bowl, place cornbread cubes.
Combine the peas, corn, onion,
spinach, jalapeno, red bell pepper,
tomatoes, and cheese and layer on
top of cornbread. Spread ranch
dressing evenly over the top.
4. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 2
hours. Garnish with fresh parsley
and bacon, if desired.

Ranch Dressing

Ingredients
cup Buttermilk
cup mayonnaise
tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp onion flakes
1 Tbsp minced chives
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Whisk together ingredients. Taste
for seasoning.