Since May 2005
PRESORT STANDARD
Volume 6 Issue 18
Sullivan’s Island
Looking back
on a fitful year
BY KRISTIN HACKLER
A
volcano in Iceland erupted, delaying
international flights for weeks, a 6.9
magnitude earthquake shook China
causing thousands of deaths and injuries,
and the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon
drilling rig explosion spilled 205.8 million
gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico
… and that was just April of last year.
2010, the first year of the 2010s decade,
began in the shadow of one of the worst
Saylor stars in Oklahoma PAGE 17
FREE
• Isle of Palms • Goat Island • Dewees Island
Lucky Dog News mascot, Brooklyn, poses
economies since 1929 and ended with
hopeful yet wary eyes turning toward
the new year. Despite wild politics, crazy
weather and more natural disasters than
anyone can remember in recent years, 2010
did give us the glimmer of an economic turn
around with solid sales reported during the
holiday season, and weekly unemployment
claims dropping steadily as of October from
459,000 weekly claims to just 388,000 at
the end of December.
Here in South Carolina, our otherwise
quiet little state has been popping up more
and more in the news; and not always for
the best reasons. From Alvin Greene, an
unemployed Army veteran, being elected as
the Democratic nominee for the Senate, to
Inside Island Eye
Polar Bear Plunge 2011 PAGE 19
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON, SC
PERMIT NO 437
January 7, 2011
2010 Year in Review, page 5
in front of her New Year's greetings.
Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer’s faux pas
when he compared free lunches at schools
to feeding stray animals, South Carolina
has been on the receiving end of quite a few
national jokes. On the positive side, however,
we did elect our very first female governor
into office, and Charleston was named not
only the most friendly, but most attractive
city in the United States by Travel + Leisure
magazine.
It’s been quite a ride this year, and while
many are happy to see this awkward era
finally slip behind us, it’s important to
remember that 2010 also rent a small tear
in the curtain of the recession, and allowed
in the first rays of hope for better years to
come. Happy 2011!
The Big One's coming! PAGE 21
2 January 7, 2011

Sullivan’s Island earns discount on flood insurance

provided by the Town of Sullivan’s Island

F
ollowing a recent assessment by FEMA
(Federal Emergency Management
Agency), the Town of Sullivan’s
Island has been awarded with a Class 6
designation in the FEMA Community Rating
System (CRS). This places the Town in an
elite category with the top ten percent of all
CRS communities in the nation and makes
the island one of only ten South Carolina
municipalities with a Class 6 or better rating.
What does this mean for the Town and
residents?
• Island-wide savings of $327,427/year
• An average savings of $374/year per
National Flood Insurance Policy
What does a resident need to do to get
savings?
Flood Insurance policy renew after
October 1, 2010?
• 20% Community Discount should
automatically appear on renewal policy
Flood Insurance policy renew before
October 1, 2010?
• 20% Community Discount should
appear on policy renewal next year.
Call your flood insurance agent if
“Community Discount” does not appear on
your policy.
How did the Town earn this rating?
Several Town initiatives over recent years
have lead to this improved rating:
• Implementation of a storm water
authority.
• Participation in the Charleston
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and
Committees.
• Digitization of records and retention in
off-site storage.
• Open space protection, such as exists
in the RC1 and RC2 (ocean- and
marsh- side) districts.
• Use of Geographic Information System
(GIS) technology to better inventory
and document marsh as open space
increasing it from 85 acres to 215
acres.
• Enforcement and increased information
outreach to citizens through Town’s
enhanced multiple media outlets (new
Town website and E-Newsletter along
with traditional mail-outs, flyers, etc)
Town Council and Staff note the real
success story lies with Island residents.
While the two-person Building Department
(Randy Robinson and Kat Kenyon) work
hard to manage the program, Floodplain
Manager Robinson notes, “We earned this
achievement thanks to the support of the
residents and their diligence in following the
rules to make Sullivan’s Island a Flood Safe
Community.”
The Sullivan’s Island Building Department
may be reached at 883-5727 or by email at
rrobinson@sullivansisland-sc.com or kat@
sullivansisland-sc.com.

What’s this little box thingy?

Y
ou’ve probably seen these little boxes
popping up all over the place. Not
only on posters or tickets which you
Island Eye News Website
purchased over the internet, but next to there. For more information about mobile
nutrition labels and on the backs of just barcodes, go to mobile-barcodes.com or
about every popular product on the market. scan the following barcode:
It’s a mobile barcode, or QR Code, and
its purpose is to integrate tangible items
with the internet. By using your smart
phone, you can take a picture - or scan
- the barcode and your phone will take
your straight to the website which the
barcode represents. For example, if you
go to Bing or Google on your iPhone and
tap “camera”, you can take a picture of the
barcode pictured below and your browser
will take you immediately to the Island Eye
News website. Check it out!
We’ll be integrating these barcodes into our
future publications on a more regular basis,
so if there is a program, event, company or
website in which you’re interested, all you
need to do is snap a picture and you’re
Mobile Barcode

www.islandeyenews.com
January 7, 2011
McGee’s new role
A
long with her position as
a Sullivan’s Island council
member, Madeleine
McGee is very well recognized
for her work with non - profit
organizations across the state of
South Carolina. She has served
as President of the Coastal
Community Foundation, and
continues to work with the
Center for Birds of Prey, and
as a mentor and volunteer with
the program Big Brothers Big
Sisters. Because of both her
sharp business sense and her
open heart toward charitable
organizations, it did not come
as much of a surprise when
Isle of Palms featured in
Parenting: Early Years Magazine
I
n its December 2010/January
2011 issue, Parenting
Magazine describes what they
consider to be the top six family
beaches in the article “Winter
break! Great family beaches”
and our own Isle of Palms Beach
made the list.
The magazine highlights our
seven-mile barrier island off the
coast of Charleston as a perfect
place to spot wildlife like sea
turtles, white ibises, falcons
and wood storks. Dolphins,
skimmers and pelicans are also
known to frequent the waters.
 
Recycle - Wednesday, January 12 - Recycle
Isle of Palms
886-6428
www.iop.net
Tuesday, January 11
Board of Zoning Appeals
Meeting
5:30 p.m.
1301 Palm Boulevard
Public Safety Committee
Meeting
5:45 p.m.
Public Safety Building
Wednesday, January 12
Municipal Court
10 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Planning Commission Meeting
4:30 p.m.
1301 Palm Boulevard
By Blake Bunch
McGee was recently selected to
serve as President for the South
Carolina Association of Non-
Profit Organizations (SCANPO)
starting this January 10.
SCANPO is a 501 (c)3 non-profit
and a membership organization.
Their stated mission is to “Serve,
support, and strengthen non -
profit organizations in the state
of South Carolina.”
“Think of the organization
as the ‘chamber of commerce’
for non-profit organizations
throughout the state,” said
McGee, pointing out that
SCANPO provide the tools for
“start-ups,” or newly forming
BY MEREDITH POWELL
The article suggests that
visitors relax at the Wild Dunes
Resort as it offers all types of
room options from standard
hotel rooms to stand-alone
homes, as well as fun activities
for the children such as
complimentary admission to the
Island Adventure kid programs
and swimming pools.
And while the kids are away,
the parents can play at the
expansive golf course. If hunger
strikes, the article also suggests
the Sea Biscuit Café as an
excellent place to eat, and it’s
Civic Calendar
Monday, January 17
City offices closed for holiday
No garbage collection
Tuesday, January 18
Ways and Means Committee
Meeting
5:45 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
City Council Special Meeting
7 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Wednesday, January 19
Municipal Court
10 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
www.islandeyenews.com
3
Lucky Dog Publishing
o f SC , LL C
Publisher of the Island Eye News, The
Island Connection and The Folly Current.
Lynn Pierotti
publisher
non-profits, which typically lynn@luckydognews.com
includes training, finding grants,
and helping to organize the Kristin Hackler
many non-profits throughout managing editor
kristin@luckydognews.com
our state.
McGee began her long service Swan Richards
of working with non-profits senior graphic designer
when she began working with swan@luckydognews.com
a local group on the downtown
re-development of Georgetown Lori Dalton
sales manager
in the 1980s. She then became 614-0901
CEO of the Coastal Community lori@luckydognews.com
Foundation, during which time
she expanded the organization to Ellie Smith
serve not only Georgetown, but graphic designer
Beaufort, Hampton, Jasper, and
Daniel Bein
graphic designer
McGee continued on page 4 bein.daniel@gmail.com
Blake Bunch
reporter
blake@luckydognews.com
Meredith Powell
reporter
meredith@luckydognews.com
•
Contributors
merely a stroll away. Parenting Connie Darling
Magazine painted the Sea Biscuit Town of Sullivan's Island
Carlin Timmons
as “a quaint breakfast bungalow”
Paul Hedden
that offers portions large enough Mary Pringle
to skip lunch. Susan Shinn
Locals are aware of Isle of Palm’s Katha McGregor Ouzts
prime location, but now parents Coastal Safe Home Inspections
across the country know that it David Farrow
Dr. John Nelson
is a great place for a genuinely
family-friendly vacation.
For more information, pick Published by
up a December 2010/January Lucky Dog Publishing
2011 issue of Parenting: Early
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Years Magazine. Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Submit your letters to the editor to:
info@luckydognews.com
Future deadlines:
January 12 for all submissions
Sullivan's Island
883-3198
www.sullivansisland-sc.com
The Island Eye News, a wholly owned subsid-
Tuesday, January 11 iary of Lucky Dog Publishing of SC LLC, is a
Municipal Court free, independent newspaper published every
two weeks and is for and about the Isle of
10 a.m.
Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Goat Island and De-
1610 Middle Street
wees Island. Copies are mailed free of charge
to every active mailbox in our coverage area
and are also available at area businesses and
Thursday, January 13 by subscription to non-islanders. Subscriptions
Board of Zoning Appeals are $39/year for non-residents.. Contributions
7 p.m. of information, pictures and articles are wel-
1610 Middle Street comed and are used according to space limita-
tions and news value and cannot be returned
except by special request. Op-ed articles and
Wednesday, January 19
letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect
DRB Meeting the opinion of Lucky Dog News, or its writers.
6 p.m.
1610 Middle Street All advertising rates are listed at:
www.islandeyenews.com
under “advertising”.
4
Evening candlelight tour
through Fort Moultrie
By Carlin Timmons
O
n Friday evening,
January 7, the National
Park Service will offer
free candlelight tours through
Fort Moultrie. Tours will leave
from the Fort Moultrie Visitor
Center every 20 minutes
beginning at 5:30 p.m. until 7:10
p.m. Each tour will be limited
to 20 individuals. Visitors may
make reservations by calling
883-3123 x 20, or in person at
the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center
on Sullivan’s Island. Admission
is free.
The tours will be led by the
Tramp Brigade Organization of
Historical Interpreters, and will
reenact the conversations and
events that occurred leading
up to the evacuation. Each 30
minute tour will recreate the
events of the evening of December
26, 1860, when Major Robert
Anderson transferred his entire
Federal force from Fort Moultrie
to the unfinished Fort Sumter in
the middle of Charleston Harbor.
This movement infuriated the
newly-established Republic
of South Carolina and led to
the seizing of all other Federal
installations in Charleston by
South Carolina forces. It also
began the countdown to the first
shots of the Civil War on April
12, 1861.
Additionally, on Saturday,
January 8, re-enactors portraying
both Federal and South Carolina
forces will give presentations at
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
throughout the day.
Fort Moultrie is a unit of Fort
Sumter National Monument and
is located at 1214 Middle Street,
Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.
The fort and visitor center are open
daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except
for New Year’s, Thanksgiving,
and Christmas Day. For more
information, call 883-3123 or
visit the park website at www.
nps.gov/fosu.
www.islandeyenews.com
Another plan for school land
By Kristin Hackler
“G
ood stewardship of
public assets involves
thinking about
opportunity costs as it relates
to potential alternatives,” states
Sullivan’s Island resident Vince
Graham in a video commentary
concerning the rebuilding of
Sullivan’s Island Elementary,
which he posted on YouTube.com
this past November 24.
Graham, owner of The I’on Group
and developer of several local
communities including Morris
Square in downtown Charleston,
Mixon in North Charleston and
I’on in Mount Pleasant, suggests
that the current site of Sullivan’s
Island Elementary could be moved
to a more community-integrated
location, and the size reduced
from 500 students to 200, as
only about 20% of the school’s
attendees currently come from
Sullivan’s. This reduction would
allow the town to sell the current
school property not only to pay for
the building of the school, but also
to pay for needed improvements
McGee continued from page 3
Colleton counties, as well. She
held this position from 1997-
2006, and grew the foundation’s
budget from $11 million to $124
million.
A long-time volunteer with Big
Brother Big Sister, Madeleine
McGee was selected as “Big of
the Year” in 2008.
“It is by far the most rewarding
experience you could imagine,”
said McGee on her work with
Big Brother Big Sister. “There
are tons of boys and girls out
there who don’t have a brother
or sister, and just want someone
to do kid things with. It’s really
a great time.”
Since McGee’s new position
is headquarted in Columbia,
she will be doing a great deal
around the island.
“At The I’on Group, we place
emphasis on the public realm,”
says Graham in his commentary,
noting that walk-able streets,
community buildings and parks
have always been a priority in
their developments. Sullivan’s
Island Elementary, he notes,
is a very important community
asset which makes the Town of
Sullivan’s Island more complete.
Using the 200-student East
Cooper Charter Montessori School
in I’on as an example, Graham
states that the school was
developed on a third of an acre of
land donated by The I’on Group
and was built with funds from
the local community. The 200
student Charleston Day School
in downtown Charleston rests on
a full acre, but that area includes
both playgrounds and fields. If
Sullivan’s Island Elementary were
moved to the land next to the
Sulllivan’s Island Fire Station,
school continued on page 18
of traveling from her home on
Sullivan’s Island to the state’s
capitol, but the traveling, she
believes, will be extremely
helpful to her role - mostly
due to the fact that she is now
covering a lot of ground, literally
and figuratively, in actively
pursuing the better interests for
non-profits around the state.
McGee has spent most of her
natural born life on Sullivan’s
Island, and notes that she “can’t
think of calling any other place
home.” Well, residents are glad
that she continues to serve the
community daily, and the state
of South Carolina is very lucky
to have her in her new position.
In leading through example, she
is proof that non-profit work
pays the most redeeming wage
of all.
January 7, 2011 5

2010 Year in Review January 18, 2010

Joanna Harper is
February 5, 2010

PCL Civil
elected as president Constructors,
of the Isle of Palms Inc.  and the
Neighborhood South Carolina
Association, Department of
and The Nancy Transportation
Stogner Award (SCDOT) announce
is presented to that they plan
Catherine Malloy, to close the Ben
January 1, 2010 Sawyer bridge for
who led the IOPNA
for the past two renovations.
First annual IOP Polar Plop - Isle of
Palms residents Angela Klick, Viki Fox, and a half years.
Kitty Riley, Ann Cook, Karen Ward-
Linker, Paul Linker, Dena Garner,
and Karen’s dog, Nell, hit the water on January 5, 2010
January 1, 2010, for the first annual
IOP Polar Plop Mayor Dick Cronin and City Council
at 34th members Barbara Bergwerf, J. Martin
Avenue Bettelli, Alexander D. Stone,
on the III and Douglas A. Thomas
Isle of are sworn into office,
Palms. with their respective
spouses holding the
Bible as they recite
the oath.

January 9, 2010 January 29, 2010

January 2, 2010 Isle of Palms resident Beau Sullivan’s Island
Hollingsworth rescues an injured Elementary presents the
Discussions pelican. play, “Annie, Jr.”.
begin on possibly
rebuilding Sullivan’s
Island Elementary
because of new
seismic codes. February 11, 2010

Volunteers from the business district on

Sullivan’s Island help build a fence behind
their property to
lower the noise
and foot traffic
for nearby
residents.

Timeline continued on page 6

6 January 7, 2011
Timeline from page 5 March 6, 2010

Residents of Goat Island hold an oyster

February 11, 2010 roast fundraiser to raise money for the March 23, 2010
victims of the Haiti earthquake.
IOPNA President Joanna Isle of Palms
Harper responds to the Council passed
concerns of residents by first reading of
checking out ordinance 2010-
the drainage 08, an ordinance
problem on which restricts
the finger the number of
February 19, 2010 people who can
streets at
the north stay overnight
At 1:50 a.m., PCL in rentals with
end of Civil Constructors,
the Isle of rental licenses
Inc. notified the South purchased after
Palms. Carolina Department of a tentative April
Transportation that the 27, 2010, date.
Ben Sawyer Bridge was
open for traffic.

February 27, March 23, 2010 April 10, 2010

2010
19th Annual Tea Room is The first annual 5K Run
February 12, 2010 for Adela, held in honor of
Sullivan’s held at First United Methodist
Island Fire Church on the Isle of Palms. Bishop England student
Snow falls for Adela Holmes Cook
the first time in Department
holds their who passed away
decades on the the year before
islands. annual Oyster
Roast under in the Bahamas,
the Big Tin. took place near
the beach access
on Station 16
with more than 600
runners participating.

Timeline continued on page 7

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January 7, 2011
Timeline from page 5
April 17, 2010
Mama Pritchard, a
330-pound mature
female loggerhead sea
turtle, was the first
turtle to be released
by the South Carolina
Aquarium during the
2010 Sea Turtle season.
April 24, 2010
Acme Cantina hosts a
Lowcounty BBQ along
with all the fixings to
support Dan Mills, an
Isle of Palms Firefighter
was involved in a near
fatal motor vehicle
accident on the evening
of January 29, 2010.
7
May 27, 2010
May 1, 2010
Crabpot Players presents
Seven patients of the South Charlotte’s Web at the Isle of Palms
Carolina Aquarium Sea Recreation Center.
Turtle Rescue Program
were cleared for release and
returned to the Atlantic
Ocean at the Isle of Palms
County Park.

April 30, 2010
The Sullivan’s Island Garden School
holds their annual Bike-A-Thon at
Stith Park to raise money for Kelvin,
a student of Daystar Academy in
Kenya.
June 3, 2010
May 6, 2010
Sullivan’s Island Elementary
28 Law Enforcement Officers took off last day of school at the
running from Station 22 ½ on Sullivan’s old school. Photo by Red
Island, kicking off a 125 mile run to Zepplin.
the State House in Columbia, South
Carolina, to raise funds for the 2010
Special Olympics.

Timeline continued on page 8

April 23, 2010

Thanks to the diligence and

care of Sullivan’s Island resident
David D’Antonio, the first Black-
eyed Susan flower of the year
blossomed along Station 22 ½, to
be followed by a long season
of blooming brethren.
8 January 7, 2011
Timeline from page 7
June 5, 2010
63 sculptors compete in the annual
Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting
competition on the
front beach, Isle
of Palms.
June 6, 2010
First United Methodist on
Isle of Palms turns 60.
June 13, 2010
June 9, 2010
The Isle of Palms Neighborhood
Wild Dunes Swim Team Association hosts their annual Pig
holds their first meet of Pickin’ at the home
the year. of Jim and Rene
Mueller.
June 12, 2010 July 1, 2010
IOP residents Bob and Lynn Menches joined PrimeTime Fitness on Sullivan’s
a team of six Lowcountry master swimmers in Island celebrates their 10 year
the FKCC Swim Around Key West, a 12 mile anniversary.
open water swim, as a fundraiser for Water
Missions International.
Timeline continued on page 9
www.islandeyenews.sc
January 7, 2011 9

Timeline from page 8

July 29, 2010

July 15, 2010
The Island Turtle Patrol
reports that 20 sea
turtle nests have been
located: eighteen on the
Isle of Palms and two on
Sullivan’s Island.
Charleston County
representatives, along August 21, 2010
with a few members of
the Sullivan’s Island Old School, winners of the 2009
Town Council, dropped Half Rubber Championships
by the Edgar Allan Poe at Isle of Palms Recreation
Library to take a look at Center, retained their title this
several improvements year in a closely fought battle
that were made to the at the Isle of Palms Recreation
old Civil War fort-turned- Department.
book repository.

August 19, 2010

Lauren Medich, a seventh

grade student at Moultrie
Middle School, wins the
Young Adult Summer Reading
Program at the Poe Library.

photo by Barbara Bergwerf

July 17, 2010

The 2010 Isle of Palms Beach

Run takes place on Front Beach. August 18, 2010

The Town of Sullivan’s

August 1, 2010 Island files their response
July 9, 2010 to a lawsuit concerning the
Sullivan’s Island right of property owners on
The Sullivan’s Island Saltwater Classic, held by Elementary moves the island to trim and prune
Blue Water Promotions on the weekend of July into the old Whitesides the accreted land area in
9 - 10, raises $3000 for the Sullivan’s Island Elementary building on front of their homes.
Volunteer Fire Department. Rifle Range Road.

August 29, 2010

Isle of Palms Council

member Ralph
Piening competes
in the Louisville
Ironman Triathalon.

Timeline continued on page 10

www.islandeyenews.sc
10 January 7, 2011

Timeline from page 9 October 24, 2010

Roy Williams, a long-time

island resident and author
of the book Images of
America: Sullivan’s
September 2, 2010 Island, led a reprise of
his popular Sullivan’s
Islanders enjoy Island historic tour of
the surf kicked homes and buildings
up by passing with a trolley tour
hurricane around the island.
Earl.

photo by
Bambi Werner.

October 6, 2010

The Isle of Palms and

Sullivan’s Island Fire
Departments hold a parade
and festival between both
islands in recognition of
Fire Prevention Awareness
Week.

September 16, 2010

The Isle of Palms

Recreation Department
hosts their Annual
Community Wellness
Fair at the Isle of Palms
Recreation Department.

October 13, 2010

October 2, 2010 The Town of Sullivan’s October 30, 2010

Island considers overlay
The Isle of Palms Neighborhood districts in planning The Isle of Palms
Association celebrates their third the commercial district Recreation Department
annual Oktoberfest. during a public hearing hosts their Annual
at Town Hall. Halloween Carnival.

October 2, 2010

18th annual Isle of Palms

Connector Run and Walk
for the Child.

Timeline continued on page 11

January 7, 2011
Timeline from page 10
November 20,2010
The Sullivan’s Island
Police Department
holds a police-citizen
meet and greet on the
corner of Station 26 and
Goldbug Avenue.
November 12, 2010
Café Medley on Sullivan’s
Island celebrates their two
year anniversary.
November 7, 2010
Creative Spark
holds their
annual Art on the
Beach & Chefs
in the Kitchen on
Sullivan’s Island.
11
December 7, 2010
Island resident  Ginny
Deerin is honored
with the Order of
the Palmetto during
a special luncheon
in her honor.
November 21,2010
Seel’s on Sullivan’s closes their
doors after two years of serving
great seafood to the islands.
December 8, 2010
December 4, 2010 Crabpot Players on Isle
of Palms presents a
The first annual sold-out performance of
Action Art event Miracle on 34th Street.
is held at The
Island Gallery on
Sullivan’s Island.
2010
Year in Review
www.islandeyenews.com
12
Friday, January 7
Candlelight Tours through Fort
Moultrie
Tours will leave from the Fort
Moultrie Visitor Center every 20
minutes beginning at 5:30 p.m.
until 7:10 p.m. Each tour will be
limited to 20 individuals. Visitors
may make reservations by calling
883-3123 x 20 or in person at
the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center
on Sullivan’s Island. Admission
is free. 1214 Middle Street,
Sullivan’s Island.
Climbing: Team Charleston
Training & Competition Season
Spend four hours a week at James
Island County Park honing your
skills to become a better, stronger
climber. Team Charleston spends
its spring competing in the USA
Climbing Sport Climbing Series.
For more info, email Robert
Lavarnway at rlavarnway@
ccprc.com. Pre-registration
required. Ages 10+, Tuesdays
and Saturdays, January 8-May
28.Course # 24093. 795-4386.
Saturday, January 8
Living history at Fort Moultrie
Re-enactors portraying both
Federal and South Carolina
forces will give presentations at
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
throughout the day. 1214 Middle
Street, Sullivan’s Island.
Bull Island Exploration, Cape
Romain National Wildlife Refuge
Join Coastal Expeditions for a
Naturalist- guided walk on Bull
Island in Cape Romain National
Wildlife Refuge.  We will meet at
Garris Landing in Awendaw at
9:30 a.m. to depart by ferry at 10.
Bull Island is part of the largest
stretch of protected shoreline on
the eastern seaboard.  $35 per
adult, $15 per child. To register,
call 928-3368.
Monday, January 10
IOPNA General Membership
meeting
6:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Retreat
Center on Palm Blvd.
Tuesday, January 11
Pleasant Speakers Toastmasters
Club
Toastmasters is dedicated to
helping people achieve goals
and become better speakers
and leaders. The club will meet
at Wando High School Media
Center at 6:30 p.m. For more
info, visit pleasantspeakers.
freetaosthost.org or contact: Carol
Ann Embler at 884-6449 or email
pleasantspeakers@bellsouth.net.
Thursday, January 13
Out of School Adventures
Spend the day at James Island
County Park riding bikes,
www.islandeyenews.com
climbing the wall, learning
about our local environment,
and Leave No Trace ethics.
Pre-registration required. 8
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Course #
24101. Age: 6-9. Fee: $30. To
register, call 795-4386 or visit
ccprc.org.
Saturday, January 15
Total Health Fair
Learn about all aspects of
better health with information
from organic food companies,
to massage therapists, organic
salons, chiropractors, gyms,
doctors and much more! Omar
Shrine Convention Center, 176
Patriots Point Road, Mount
Pleasant. Ample free parking.
First 250 attendees will receive
free goodie bags at the door. 10
a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday, and
12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Free event! For more info,
call 402-0310 or visit www.
CharlestonHealthFair.com.
Local Sea Kayak Trips: Crab
Bank Crawl
Launch from the Shem Creek
Boat Landing and paddle out the
creek, around the Crab Bank
bird sanctuary and back. Pre-
registration required. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Course # 23924. Age: 16 & up. Fee:
$48. For more info, call 795-4386 or
visit ccprc.org.
Bird Hike & El Dorado Ruins at
Santee Coastal Reserve
Join Nature Adventures
Naturalists John Dupre and
Elizabeth Anderegg on an
exploration of Santee Coastal
Reserve and hidden El Dorado
Ruins. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $25/
adults and $10 for kids (ages 12
and under).   For more info, visit
www.NatureAdventuresOutfitters.
com or www.KayakCharlestonSC.
com.  Call or email to make a
reservation and get directions:
568-3222 or nao@att.net
Is l a nd E y e C a l e nda r
January 7 - February 19
Monday, January 17
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 19
College Day at the Climbing Wall
Come check out the climbing
wall every Wednesday and enjoy
a special student discount
with a valid college ID. No Pre-
registration required. 12 p.m.- 5
p.m. at James Island County
Park. Fee: $10. Call 795-4386 or
visit www.ccprc.org for more info.
Moonlight wall climb
Enjoy an evening under the moon
at James Island County Park’s
Climbing Wall! Try your favorite
route from a different perspective.
Equipment not included
in climbing fee; bring your
headlamp/flashlight. Registration
is not necessary. Fee: $12. Ages
16+. 5 – 9 p.m. Call 795-4386 or
visit www.ccprc.org for more info.
Thursday, January 20
Charleston Metro Chamber
of Commerce Legislative
Reception
A unique opportunity for informal
networking with your town
council, mayor, state legislators
and federal legislators at one of
the Chamber’s biggest events
of the year. The event includes
a special presentation to
Congressman Henry Brown for
his years of service to our region,
state and nation. For more info,
visit www.charlestonchamber.net.
6 – 8 p.m. at the South Carolina
Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf.
$45 for members, $65 for non-
members
Friday, January 21
31st Annual Charleston Boat Show
January 21 – 23 at the North
Charleston Convention Center.
With a longstanding tradition as
the Lowcountry’s largest boat
show and sale, The Charleston
Boat Show has also become
synonymous with delivering great
entertainment and enjoyment
for the whole family.  Tickets:
$8/adults, $5/family, $3/kids
(4 – 12). For more info, visit
TheCharlestonBoatShow.com.
Saturday, January 22
Music and Oysters
for Wildlife ’11
The Sixth Annual fund-raising
event for the SEWEE Association,
the Friends Group for the National
Wildlife Refuges and National
Forest of Coastal SC, will be held
at the Sewee Outpost on Hwy.
17 in Awendaw. Music by Hank
Futch and the Blue Dogs, Danielle
Howle, Doug Jones with Craven
Melon, Occasional Milkshake,
with opening by Lincoln High
Steel Band. Tickets: $35/person
and $40 day of the event. All-
you-can-eat oysters. For more
info and tickets, visit www.
seweeassociation.org
Tuesday, January 25
Pleasant Speakers
Toastmasters Club
Toastmasters is dedicated to
helping people achieve goals
and become better speakers
and leaders. The club will meet
at Wando High School Media
Center at 6:30 p.m. For more
info, visit pleasantspeakers.
freetaosthost.org or contact:Carol
Ann Embler at 884-6449 or email
pleasantspeakers@bellsouth.net.
Saturday, January 30
Boone Hall Oyster Roast
Highlights include the legendary
“Oyster Shucking” and “Oyster
13
Eating” contests, a
selection of domestic and
Sullivan’s island Fire and
Rescue Oyster Roast
Saturday, February 19
imported beers, live music 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fish Fry Shack, Gullah Heritage celebration:
on the main stage and a
Children’s Area from 10:30
14 ½ Middle Street, Sullivan's
Island. All-you-can-eat oysters,
Rice, indigo and sweetgrass
This week’s features: Sharon &
a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $12 fish stew, hot dogs, beer and Frank Murray, rice production;
in advance and $15 the soda, as well as live music and a Paul & Loretta Hromoga,
indigo dyeing; and Elijah Ford,
day of the event. 2 to 6 p.m. For kid's jump castle. Come join in an
more info or tickets, visit www. island tradition! Tickets available sweetgrass baskets. Charles
charlestonrestaurantassociation. at the Sullivan's Island Fire Pinckney National Historic Site
com, www.etix.com or visit Department and Town Hall. (1254 Long Point Road) every
Saturday at 2 p.m. through March,
any of the 10 area Southcoast
2011. For more info, call 881-5516
Community Banks. Monday, February 14 or visit www.nps.gov/chpi.
Saturday, February 5 Valentine’s Day ♥♥♥♥
Gullah Heritage celebration:
Sweetgrass and storytelling
This week’s features: Carolyn
“Jabulile” White, Sea Island
storyteller; and Vera Manigault,
sweetgrass baskets. Charles
Pinckney National Historic Site
(1254 Long Point Road) every
Saturday at 2 p.m. through March,
2011. For more info, call 881-5516
or visit www.nps.gov/chpi.
Francis Marion National Forest
Palmetto Pride Cleanup
Join us this year for a fun-filled
morning in the forest tackling one
of nature’s biggest concerns…
LITTER! Meet at 8 a.m. at Sewee
Visitor and Environmental
Education Center, 5821 Hwy 17
North, Awendaw. Registration and
Safety Instruction: 8 a.m. Clean-
up: 9 a.m. Lunch: 12 a.m. To
volunteer or learn more about this
program, please call 877-725-7733
Saturday, February 12
Gullah Heritage celebration:
Sweetgrass and storytelling
This week’s features: Anita
Singleton-Prather, “Aunt Pearlie
Sue”, with Gullah Tales; and Vera
Manigault, sweetgrass baskets.
Charles Pinckney National
Historic Site (1254 Long Point
Road) every Saturday at 2 p.m.
through March, 2011. For more
info, call 881-5516 or visit www.
nps.gov/chpi.
www.islandeyenews.com
14
Getting down with the mystery plant
Q: How do you get down from an elephant?
A: You don’t get down from an elephant. You get down from a goose.
P
eople still like vests and comforters
filled with down, although feather-filled
pillows don’t seem to be as common
these days as most pillows are now filled with
something artificial, soft and hypo-allergenic.
Whatever works for that long winter’s nap.
“Down” is the inner layer of feathers on a
bird which is particularly useful for warmth
and insulation. The word, though, has been
used variously for anything that is soft, fluffy
and likely to fly around quickly in the air.
The fluffy things you see in this week’s
mystery plant photograph are associated with
various members of the sunflower family.
The soft, parachute-like structure is what we
call a “pappus,” and it is only found in the
plant kingdom within the sunflower family
members. In general, a pappus is a modified
sort of calyx which is seated at the top of the
ovary in each individual flower. Depending
on the species involved, the pappus comes
in a wide variety of forms and can be very
important for dispersing the ripened ovary
(or achene), which contains a single seed.
In this plant’s case, the pappus is modified
as a nearly perfect botanical parachute,
allowing effective dispersal through the
air. What’s important to remember here is
that the ripened achene is a fruit; not just
January 7, 2011
BY DR. JOHN NELSON
a seed. Some confusion arises over a similar Birders will know this species and its relatives
system involving the milkweeds, in which the as a popular food source for goldfinches.
elongated fruit splits open and releases lots Of course, during the winter holidays you
of little seeds, each of which is equipped with won’t see this species growing outside, but
a silky parachute. In the milkweed’s case, the it will be reappearing in the spring. You also
silky parachute is made up of special hairs on won’t see its downy parachutes; they blew
the seed wall. In the sunflower family, though, away in the breeze a long time ago.
it is the one-seeded fruits themselves that are John Nelson is the curator of the A. C. Moore
aerodynamically equipped with a pappus and Herbarium at the University of South Carolina,
which do the dispersing. The function of the in the Department of Biological Sciences. As a
milkweed’s seed hairs and the pappus in the public service, the Herbarium offers free plant
sunflower family are very similar, but their identifications. For more information on this
origins are quite different. service, visit www.herbarium.org or call 803-
Our mystery plant, which is a native species, 777-8196.
grows commonly in a variety of habitats from
Maine to Texas and is particularly common
along the coastal plain. Residents of the
eastern USA will know it as a biennial in that
it spends its first year as a rosette of very
prickly leaves, then sends up a tall flowering
stalk almost four feet high in the second year.
Most commonly, the plants feature wine-red
flowers in their massive heads. Otherwise,
yellow-flowered heads may be observed and
sometimes the two color forms are intermixed
within a single population. Once the summer
arrives, the colorful heads begin to produce
their achenes and the pappus occurs as a
snowy mass of silky, plume-like bristles. “Bull thistle,” Cirsium horridulum
www.islandeyenews.com
January 7, 2011
150 Years Ago: Recalling Charleston’s Civil War past
T
he sesquicentennial of the
Civil War is now underway,
with Dec. 20, 2010,
marking 150 years since South
Carolina signed the Ordinance
of Secession. Folly Beach played
a critical role throughout a war
whose first shots rang out only
a mile away. Historian Paul
Hedden leads tours of war sites
around James Island, and offers
us this ongoing look at the events
occurring 150 years ago. These
correspondences are taken from
official transcripts and telegrams
during the conflict:
December 20, 1860. Ordinance
of secession adopted by the
South Carolina Convention.
December 26, 1860. United
States troops, under command
of Maj. R. Anderson, transferred
from Fort Moultrie to Fort
Sumter.
I have the honor to report that I have
just completed, by the blessing of
God, the removal to this fort of all
of my garrison, except the surgeon,
four non-commissioned officers,
and seven men. We have one
year’s supply of hospital stores
and about four months supply
of provisions for my command.
BY PAUL HEDDEN
I left orders to have all the guns
at Fort Moultrie spiked, and the
carriages of the 32-pounders,
which are old, destroyed. I have
sent orders to Captain Foster,
who remains at Fort Moultrie, to
destroy all the ammunition which
he cannot send over. The step
which I have taken was, in my
opinion, necessary to prevent the
effusion of blood. Respectfully,
your obedient servant, ROBERT
ANDERSON, Major, First Artillery,
Commanding.
December 27, 1860. Castle
Pinckney and Fort Moultrie
seized by the State troops.
TELEGRAM: To Major
ANDERSON, Fort Moultrie:
Intelligence has reached here
this morning that you have
abandoned Fort Moultrie, spiked
your guns, burned the carriages,
and gone to Fort Sumter. It is not
believed, because there is no order
for any such movement. Explain
the meaning of this report. J. B.
FLOYD, Secretary of War.
TELEGRAM: To the Hon. J. B.
FLOYD, Secretary of War: The
telegram is correct. I abandoned
Fort Moultrie because I was
certain that if attacked my men
must have been sacrificed, and
the command of the harbor lost.
I spiked the guns and destroyed
the carriages to keep the guns
from being used against us. If
attacked, the garrison would never
have surrendered without a fight.
ROBERT ANDERSON, Major,
First Artillery, Commanding.
TELEGRAM: To Col. S. Cooper,
Adjutant-General, from Fort
Sumter: … I could not hesitate
that it was my solemn duty to
move my command from a fort
which we could not probably have
held longer than forty-eight or
sixty hours, to this one, where my
power of resistance is increased
to a very great degree … This
afternoon an armed steamer, one
of two which have been watching
these two forts, between which
they have been passing to and fro
or anchored for the last ten nights,
took possession by escalade of
Castle Pinckney ... They also
took possession tonight of Fort
Moultrie, from which I withdrew
the remainder of my men this
afternoon… We are engaged here
today in mounting guns and in
closing up some of the openings
for the embrasures temporarily
closed by light boards, but which
would offer but slight resistance
to persons seeking entrance.
ROBERT ANDERSON, Major,
First Artillery, Commanding.
December 28-30, 1860.
Seizure of the Charleston
Arsenal by S.C. militia.
I am constrained to comply with
your demand for the surrender
of this arsenal, from the fact that
I have no force for its defense.
I do so, however, solemnly
protesting against the illegality of
this measure in the name of my
Government. I also demand, as a
right, that I be allowed to salute
my flag, before lowering it, with
one gun for each State now in the
Union (32), and that my command
be allowed to occupy the quarters
assigned them until instructions
can be obtained from the War
Department. Very respectfully,
15
F. C. HUMPHREYS, Military
Storekeeper Ordnance.
January 9, 1861. Citadel
Cadets Prevent Resupply of
Fort Sumter
A report from Union commanding
officer Charles Woods: The Star
of the West. embarked on the
evening of Saturday, Jan. 5 … the
command consisted of 200 men…..
On Jan. 8 arms and ammunition
were issued to all the men. The
same evening we arrived off
Charleston Harbor…. As soon as
we had light enough we crossed
the bar, and steamed up the main
ship channel. We were opened
on by a masked battery near
the north end of Morris Island.
Before we were fired upon we had
discovered a red palmetto flag
flying, but could see nothing to
indicate that there was a battery
there. We kept on, still under the
fire of the battery, most of the
balls passing over us, one just
missing the machinery, another
striking but a few feet from the
rudder …. The American flag was
flying at Fort Sumter …. Finding
it impossible to take my command
to Fort Sumter, I was obliged most
reluctantly to turn about, and try
to make my way out of the harbor
before my retreat should be cut
off …. A brisk fire was kept up
on us by the battery as long as
we remained within range, but
fortunately, we succeeded in
recrossing the bar in safety….
During the whole trip downward
the troops were kept out of sight
whenever a vessel came near
enough to us to distinguish them,
and the morning we entered
the harbor of Charleston they
were sent down before daylight,
and kept there until after we got
out of the harbor again. From
the preparations that had been
made for us I have every reason
to believe the Charlestonians
were perfectly aware of our
coming. CHAS. R. WOODS, First
Lieutenant, Commanding.
16 January 7, 2011

Eyes open for

cold-stunned turtles
by Mary Pringle

S
ome of you may be hardy enough to still be
out on the beach this very cold time of the
year, and you may have seen articles recently
about sea turtles in New England and North Carolina
becoming “cold stunned” because of the unusually
cold weather. Long-term exposure to very cold
water causes sea turtles to suffer decreased heart
rates, decreased circulation and lethargy. Shock,
pneumonia and death can follow.
Fourteen cold-stunned sea turtles arrived from up
north at the Aquarium’s hospital recently with five
of these going down to another facility in Georgia.
On December 15, another one was admitted that
had washed up cold-stunned on Hilton Head Island,
which is unusual.
If you’re brave enough to be out on the beach,
either walking your dogs or enjoying the peacefully
empty landscape, please be on the lookout for sea
turtles and call me (697-8733) or the Isle of Palms/
Sullivan’s police dispatcher at 886-6522 if you find
one dead or alive.

Photo by Barbara Bergwerf

January 7, 2011
IOP resident to play
Curly in National Tour
of “Oklahoma”
By Susan Shinn, Catawba College News Service
I
magine playing the role
you were born to play.
That’s exactly what 2009
Catawba College alumnus and
Isle of Palms resident Paul Saylor
is doing with the role of Curly in
the national tour of the beloved
musical, “Oklahoma!”
“My dad and his family are
generations deep in Oklahoma,”
Saylor explains. “They love the
show.”
Saylor saw the movie as a
kid. The role of Curly is what he
terms a “classic musical theater
leading man.” Those types of
roles have become Saylor’s bread
and butter
Having moved to New York
late this summer, Saylor saw a
call for a six-foot-tall actor who
could “sing a certain way and
look a certain way.” Just the way
Saylor sang and looked.
“I thought, well, sign me up,”
he says. “They’re looking for a
specific thing, and that specific
Saylor in the production of “Urinetown” at Catawba. thing is you.” But the audition,
he admits, was “pretty intense.”
There were actors there who
looked and sang just like him.
“Fortunately, I happened to be
selling what they were looking
for,” Saylor says.
Rehearsals began in
September, with the tour
commencing three weeks later.
Ever since then, Saylor has
been crisscrossing America,
playing many small towns. He’s
seen much of Middle America,
though there’s not a lot of time
for sightseeing.
“It’s pretty much one night,
one town,” Saylor says. “That
is very tiring.” Still, he says,
“I’m doing a show that I love for
people who might not otherwise
get to see it.”
His company has performed
for audiences from fewer than
100 to 3,000, in some “very cool
theatres.” His favorite has been
the Shubert Theater in New
Haven, Connecticut, the very
theater where “Oklahoma!” was
Saylor sings in the role of Hercules in the Catawba production of “An Evening of
Magical Song.”
www.islandeyenews.com
17
first performed. Over the years,
performers have signed the walls
there, and it was exciting for
Saylor to find names of movie
stars and Broadway stars, back
when they were “Chorus Girl No.
6,” for example. It made Saylor
realize that he’s part of a greater
thing.
A favorite city along the way
has been Asheville, where he saw
many friends. The company also
spent several days in Seattle.
The son of psychologists Bart
and Conway Saylor of Isle of
Palms, Saylor grew up on the
island, and in high school he
auditioned at the Southeastern
Theatre Conference where he
was approached by officials from
Catawba College. “They found
me,” Saylor says. “I really liked
the people I talked to, and we
just hit it off.”
At Catawba, his favorite
production was “Urinetown”.
“I was with friends I had grown
close with over four years,” Saylor
says. “It was a show I loved with
people I loved.”
“He picked Catawba because
he knew he could get training
in acting, singing and dance,”
his mom says. “He didn’t want
to specialize. It’s given him
the versatility to do a lot of
different things professionally.”
The Saylors saw their son in
“Oklahoma!” at UNC-Pembroke.
“Honestly,” Conway Saylor
says, “it was beyond my wildest
dreams. He was born to play this
part.”
Saylor is due back in New York
by the end of January, where
he wants to put down roots. He
has an agent and he doesn’t yet
know what his next role will be.
“Hopefully,” Saylor says, “it’ll be
onward and upward. I’m open to
any and all possibilities at this
point.”
Freelance writer Susan Shinn
is a full-time student at Catawba
College.
Photos by Sean Meyers
18
school continued from page 4
where the Stith Park exists today, the school
could utilize the existing adjacent fields.
To pay for this move, Graham suggests
extending Pettigrew Street and Station 21,
and creating and selling eight - possibly
10 - oceanfront lots out of the school’s
15 acres of land, as well as creating and
selling an additional 15 interior lots and
building a modest multi-family structure
“which could … provide affordable housing
for teachers, police or firemen.”
In all, says Graham, the sales of the land
could generate up to $24 million in sales
for the town, $5 million of which could be
used to create a state-of-the-art school and
the rest of which could be used to make
much-needed improvements to the town,
including the burying of all power and
phone lines, building a new Town Hall and
Clubhouse, upgrading the tennis courts,
planting live oaks along Middle Street and
creating traffic calming features, and even
building a town amphitheatre and small
town museum.
Rick Reed, a Sullivan’s Island resident
who lives near the old school grounds,
feels that Graham’s reasoning is sound,
but points out that, "The weak link in
his school location is losing Sullivan's
Island park space, which must be
preserved for citizens and for the school.”
He notes that there are other options
for the school footprint besides the two
in the video which could compliment the
town’s desire to have new Municipal space
within the Business District, specifically
the sparsely used baseball field accessible
by current connecting streets.
In terms of selling the current school
land to pay for the new build and other
January 7, 2011
town costs, Reed argues that, "The idea
of mowing  down the forest to get a front
row of houses is not only environmentally 
unsound  but loses the 'laboratory' that  has
been available to students  since  paths were 
opened and  [naturalist] Billy McCord made
recommendations. Mr. Graham’s second
row, however, could consist of already
cleared land and attract people wanting
ocean property while preserving everything
natural."
“There are an infinite number of
alternatives that could be implemented, but
to get the ball rolling requires a willingness
on the part of leaders to pursue excellence,”
says Graham. “Even if you kept the school
the same size (500 students), I think it
would still make more sense to move the
location to Middle Street.”
For the full commentary, visit www.youtube.
com/watch?v=MeUsOuBOJj0

Snow on Sullivan's
I
t was one of the best Christmas presents that Charleston County
had received in a long time. On December 26 first a cold rain,
then full, fat flakes of snow began falling across the county and
even on the barrier islands. Even though most of it didn't stick
to the ground, it was still fun to run around, bundled up in our

photo by Leo Fetter

warmest winter coats and galoshes, and catch a flake or two on
our tongues. Even though the lowcountry rarely sees snow, this is
the second year in a row that it has fallen on our islands. Pictured
right is an image of soft snow falling at a beach access point on
Sullivan's Island.

www.islandeyenews.com
Polar Bear Plunge 2011
20 January 7, 2011

Santa swings by 100 books and counting

the Poe
provided by Katha McGregor Ouzts

On December 15, 2010, the Children's Garden School at The Church of the Holy
Cross celebrated the reading of their 100th book as part of a Scholastic Books
program to send one million books to less fortunate children by Christmas. Their
final guest book reader was Kristin Hackler, managing editor for Lucky Dog News.

T
he children at
the Poe Library
were enchanted
by their visit with Santa
Claus on the morning of
Saturday, December 18.
Along with saying “hi” to
Santa, the children made
gingerbread men and
snow mittens.

Do you know what this is?

Eye Spy
Congratulations to Juliet Johnson for guessing last week's Eye
Spy! It was the warning sign at Breach Inlet. The first person to
send in the correct answer for the Eye Spy will receive a coupon
for a free ice cream at Café Medley on Sullivan's Island.

Kids, send your guess for this week’s Eye

Spy to: info@luckydognews.com
or call 886-NEWS. Please include your
mailing address with your submission.
January 7, 2011 21

The Big One is coming

By Blake Bunch

A
s many oyster-loving
residents of Sullivan’s
Island and Isle of Palms
were sad to hear, the effects of
the recent BP oil spill in the Gulf
of Mexico made it economically
unfeasible for the Sullivan’s
Island Fire Department to hold
their first traditional oyster roast
of the year. Not only were the
few available Gulf oysters way
overpriced, Fire Chief Anthony
Stith felt as if the spill had ruined
the shellfish beds, and the results
of the cleanup efforts looked grim.
Earlier this year, Chief Stith
noted that the people are
constantly telling him to support
our local fisherman by buying
McClellanville clusters or Folly
River selects, but the beds, he
said, simply cannot support the
demand of the Department’s
annual oyster roast. Typically,
a semi-truck full of bushels is
brought in, and a large crew
of firemen, volunteers, family
members, and friends all help to
clean and steam them during the
roast.
However, island residents
certainly can’t go through
the winter without a proper
community oyster roast, so Chief
Stith has announced that the
Fire Department will be holding
their February oyster roast on
schedule. On February 12, from
5 to 8 p.m., everyone is invited to
the Fish Fry Shack at Station 14
½ for fish stew, hot dogs, beer,
soft drinks and of course, all-you-
can-eat oysters.
“We’re probably going to have
Gulf as well as local oysters at the
event,” said Chief Stith. “We’re
not sure exactly where we’re going
to get them from, but the oyster
roast will go on as scheduled.”
Hopefully the attendance will
be as abundant as in years
past, as the oyster roasts act as
fundraisers for the Sullivan’s
Island Fire Department. The
event will also be a great change
of pace from the holiday season
that has nearly come to a close.
Music this year will be provided
by the Shem Creek Boogie Band,
who play everything from 60s
soul to classic rock and beach
music, and a jump castle will be
provided for the little ones. Chief
Stith made sure to point out that
the “Big One’s coming- under the
Big Tin.” As anticipation levels are
already high for this year’s oyster
roast, the result will hopefully be
a record-breaking attendance at
one of Sullivan’s Island’s most
beloved events.

Bushels of oysters piled high at the 2009 Fire Department Oyster Roast.

Breac h Inlet Tide Char t

Date High Tide Low Tide
Jan. 7 9:44am/9:52pm 3:12am/3:46pm
Jan. 8 10:21am/10:33pm 3:52am/4:23pm
Jan. 9 10:58am/11:14pm 4:32am/5:00pm
Jan. 1 11:38am/11:59pm 5:15am/5:38pm
Jan. 11 12:21pm 6:02am/6:21pm
Jan. 12 12:48am/1:10pm 6:55am/7:09pm
Jan. 13 1:41am/2:05pm 7:55am/8:02pm
Jan. 14 2:38am/3:03pm 8:58am/8:59pm
Jan. 15 3:37am/4:01pm 9:57am/9:56pm
Jan. 16 4:33am/4:56pm 10:53am/10:51pm
Jan. 17 5:27am/5:49pm 11:44am/11:44pm
Jan. 18 6:18am/6:39pm 12:33pm
Jan. 19 7:06am/7:28pm 12:35am/1:19pm
Jan. 20 7:54am/8:17pm 1:26am/2:05pm

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: www.saltwatertides.com
22
Homeowners save on insurance
through state law
I
n 2007, a law was passed by
the South Carolina legislature
that was created to help
South Carolina homeowners
protect their homes from wind
and hurricane damage. Three
years later, many South Carolina
homeowners still are not aware of
the possible savings they could
receive with a simple, specialized
home inspection. Sizable rebates
and discounts are being given to
thousands of families in the area,
largely in part to a Lowcountry-
based home inspection company,
Coastal Safe Home Inspectors.
This local wind mitigation
inspection company is armed
with a team of state-certified
inspectors helping homeowners
benefit from the Omnibus Coastal
Property Insurance Reform Act
of 2007. The act requires that
insurance companies provide
discounts to homeowners whose
homes are protected against
damage during a hurricane or
windstorm. The use of storm
shutters, roof tie-downs, better
roof coverings, impact-resistant
windows and doors, and other
Advertorial
provided by Coastal Safe Home Inspectors
actions taken to reduce losses
are some examples of qualified
improvements.
Wind mitigation discounts may
apply to existing older homes, as
well as newer constructions, and
are justified because stronger,
more wind-resistant houses
have lower windstorm losses.
Lower windstorm losses result
in reduced costs to insurance
companies that are then passed
on to the consumer. Inspectors
typically charge $150 per
inspection. By law, they are not
allowed to charge any more. Many
inspectors also offer discounts to
the elderly and military personnel.
 “Our goal is to educate and guide
our clients through the process
of protecting their property,”
explains Coastal Safe Home
Inspectors owner, Jeff Conklin.
“There are so many Lowcountry
homeowners who simply aren’t
aware of the insurance discounts
that are available. Everything
we do is geared toward keeping
families safe and helping them
so that they receive the discounts
they deserve.”
Inspections are performed
and reviewed by state-licensed
inspectors, who work closely
with the homeowner’s insurance
agent. Inspectors look for features
that minimize wind damage
during a hurricane or strong
wind storm. Some of the features
that qualify for wind mitigation
certification include the type of
roof, the presence of roof straps
and secondary water resistance
barriers. Inspectors then work
with the insurance agent to ensure
that the homeowner obtains the
appropriate discounts.
“When I first heard about this
program, I thought it must be too
good to be true,” says homeowner
Jamie Holcombe. “But after going
through the inspection, we ended
up qualifying for a discount on
our homeowners insurance and
received an $800 refund check.
Since we had our inspection,
two of our neighbors have gone
through the inspection process,
as well.”
 In addition to the windstorm
insurance mitigation inspections,
Coastal Safe Home Inspectors
January 7, 2011
also provides assistance in
obtaining grant funds for South
Carolinians to fortify their homes
against the damaging effects
of hurricanes and severe wind
storms. The SC Safe Home Grant
Program, operated within the
South Carolina Department of
Insurance, the same department
that oversees the wind mitigation
program, provides grant dollars to
individual homeowners to make
their properties more resistant to
hurricane and wind damage. This
program has helped more than
1,000 homeowners with grants
totaling more than $4,568,000.
State-certified inspectors, like
those with Coastal Safe Home
Inspectors, can help homeowners
work through the grant process
and ensure that their homes are
retrofitted or fortified properly
with money provided by the state.
To learn more about Coastal
Safe Home Inspectors or to
schedule and inspection, visit
www.coastalsafehomeinspectors.
com or call 606-0578.
January 7, 2011 23
Dargan's Birds

Book Club shares American Kestrel

holiday traditions By Sarah Dargan Diaz

T
Provided by Connie Darling he American Kestrel is the this species have risen with
smallest falcon in North progressive deforestation

T
he Book Club at the
Poe Library discussed
Christmas Classic stories
and traditions during their
December 18 meeting. Attendees
included: Linda Neyle, Elaine
Lavender, Louise Rossell, Joan
Whitbeck, Betty Driemeyer, Lisa
Bistis, Elizabeth Quinn, Terri
Thomas, Glorida McDonald and
Nancy Cook.  For upcoming
books and meeting dates,
contact Connie Darling at the
Poe Library, 883-3914. The Poe
Library is located at 1921 I’on
Avenue, Sullivan’s Island.
America, with a length
of only seven to eight inches.
Unlike most raptors, this species
has sexually dimorphic plumage.
Females have a buff-colored
chest with dark brown streaks,
while males have a rust-colored
chest with small black spots.
Males are slightly smaller than
females. The American Kestrel is
the only kestrel in the Americas
and its range spreads from mid-
Canada to the southernmost
tip of South America. It is a
short distance migrant which
winters in Canada and summers
in Central America, but can
be found year-round in most
of the rest of its range. It is
estimated that populations of
during the last century, since
these kestrels hunt and nest in
mostly open areas. Their diet
consists mainly of insects, but
they will occasionally feed on
small mammals, amphibians,
and reptiles. They have a sit-
and-wait hunting method, and
will often perch on telephone
poles and wires waiting for prey
to pass. They will infrequently
hover and then pounce on prey.
This species is a cavity nester,
which has been known to nest in
a variety of locations, including
crop fields, deserts, parks, and
heavily populated urban areas. I
photographed this adult male on
Ben Sawyer Boulevard, close to
Sullivan’s Island.

Book Club participants discuss their favorite Christmas books.

Photo by Sarah Diaz.

American Kestrel.

www.islandeyenews.com
24
Do You Know Your Charleston
Columnist David Farrow sets sail for greater things
W
e have had quite a trek,
you and I. It is rare
that one gets to write a
farewell column, although it is the
second time for me back-to-back.
I want to thank Lynn, Kristin and
the rest of the guys at Lucky Dog
for letting me last this long.
The column I had before this, I
managed to bring down the long-
serving mayor of Georgetown for
a blinding conflict-of-interest
that the community was going
to ignore. Those were different
times. I was miserable on every
level of my life. Still, the image,
tarnished, shone.
After my separation, I lived the
life of the divorced man under
the interstate for a few months
– all the time writing, refusing to
take “no” for an answer. A lot of
doors slammed. Kristin was kind
enough to give me editorial refuge
from the storm.
As regular readers know, I
have been in Maine much of
the time. I am producing a film
about old Charleston which I
have had to put on hold because
of cost. Instead, Hidden Music
Productions, LLC is producing an
e-book of my short stories. Called
Op-Ed
by David Farrow
“A Dense Quiet,” I would say it is
a cross between Pat Conroy and
Stephen King.
I was home in the middle of
editing and arranging the stories.
I got up at o’dark hundred – some
sort of age thing -- when I saw
the headline. I sat there sipping
my first coffee agog. Joe Riley
is running for a tenth term. A
thought popped into my head,
“You won’t get this one for free.”            The die has been cast – the
I sat there in the dark, lit by the
lamp, Tara and Brad’s cheerful
banter white noise. Suddenly
the thought popped into my
head from nowhere. The guy on
one shoulder insisted, “I’m going
to run for mayor. If I am going
to complain, it’s time for me to
stand up.”
The other side asked, “Are you
insane?  What about Maine?
What about the books?”
After talking to Maine for
six hours, I announced my
candidacy the next morning on
Richard Todd’s show on WTMA.
He dismissed me.
I wrote a press release and sent
it out the Monday night before
Christmas. I thought if I were
mentioned at all, it would be on
page 3-B along the left column
with shot crack dealers on Line
Street and blood drives in Ladson.
I had no idea I would be on the
front page of the Post and Courier
that Wednesday morning. Up
until that time, I was vacillating.
When your picture’s on the front
page calling out the mayor, well
that changes things a bit, doesn’t
it?
glove has slapped.
I am writing this the Monday
after Christmas; the love of my life
is coming from ice hell tomorrow
and will be back this time next
week … which is when I begin
meetings with the fundraisers,
potential campaign managers
and consultants. I am going to
speak at a Kiwana’s luncheon the
day before this appears. A column
endorsing me will appear that
same day. Heady stuff. Truly, the
gauntlet has been thrown.
Here’s the thing, I’m not sure if
I am violating equal time, ethical
standards and what-have-you
by writing this column. Despite
the fact I could just not appear
in the Daniel Island edition and
probably skate ethically, as Lucky
January 7, 2011
Dog papers are a niche market
outside the city of Charleston
proper, I’ve decided better safe
than sorry. This has been so
much fun. I hope I have given you
some measure of enjoyment.      
After meetings and
conversations last week, I am
humbled and honored by the
support I have so far. I covered
politicians for years, and I thought
these were platitudes. They are
not. When lots of people put their
hope and trust in you, you better
be ready to put on your big boy
pants.  
Will I win? This time last week I
would have said, “Not a chance.”
After some pretty high levels of
conversations and support, I’m in
the game. The Post and Courier
gave me no choice.  If I’m in the
game, I’m in to win. Whether I
do or not will be decided in nine
months. Either way, I suspect
there will be words.
Before you write me off
completely, just remember this:
I’ve taken down one long-standing
South Carolina statist mayor. My
philosophy? If I can do it once...  
Thanks for reading.