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Volume 9 Issue 1

April 24, 2015

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The battle
for the
baseline

Island Photo

HOW CAPTAIN
SAMS SPIT COULD
CHANGE SOUTH
CAROLINAS COAST
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

Larry Corio, a, part-time Kiawah Island resident from New York, captured this dramatic close-up of an osprey at
Shell Creek Landing. See more of Larrys work at www.larrycorio.com.

An Eye On An Osprey
Its time to celebrate mothers
(turtle mothers)
BY TERI HINKEBEIN
For The Island Connection

ay will arrive soon and it's time to celebrate our Moms.

Not only on Mother's Day, but the loggerhead turtle
mamas that will soon be making their way to the
Lowcountry. Turtle patrols on Kiawah and Seabrook begin
walking the beaches around mid-May to track nests where these
mothers deposit their eggs. Statistics vary, but estimates are that
only 1 in every 10,000 eggs actually reach adulthood. There are
several ways we can all help hatchlings survive:
DO stay away from nesting turtles and hatchlings
DO keep dogs on leash at all times from May to October
DO fill in all holes on the beach at the end of the day
DO turn off all lights visible from the beach; close all

Mayland at Art Walk

Page 7

blinds or drapes on windows visible from the beach by 10

PM from May-October
DO NOT use flashlights or camera flashes near turtles
or hatchlings
DO NOT leave trash on the beach; plastic can look like
food to sea turtles
The Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol will host New Member
Training Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.to 12 p.m. at the Oyster
Catcher Community Center. The Turtle Patrol T-Shirt Pickup
and Bloody Mary Party, will be Saturday May 2, 10 a.m. to 12
p.m. at the Oyster Catcher Community Center.

Interpreting The Forest

Page 13

ill S.139, a piece of legislation seven

years in the making, was introduced
in the South Carolina Legislature
in 2014. The primary intention of the
bill is to prevent development on accreted
land (landmass added to the shoreline
by shifting sands) beyond the current
baseline, the line seaward of which
you cannot build. If enacted, the law
would essentially freeze the baseline,
which has been designated by the South
Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control, at where it sits
now.
Although this legislation affects the
entire South Carolina coast and all its
island communities, currently only
three islands have substantially accreting
beaches; Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms
and a little slice of land that lies between
the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean
known as Captain Sams Spit.
The bill will amend section 48-39-280
of the 1976 code, specifically prohibit the
seaward movement of the baseline after
July 1, 2015, and to eliminate the right
of local governments and landowners
to petition the administrative law court
to move the baseline seaward upon
completion of a beach renourishment
project. While the legislation doesnt
impact any current projects on Sullivans
or IOP, it does create a problem for
Kiawah Partners, a developer from North
Carolina who wants to build 50 beach
homes on Captain Sams Spit.

Baseline Battle continues on page 5

Sallies Greatest Spreads

Page 19

April 24, 2015

civic

Town of Kiawah council meeting,

April 14, 2015

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
staff photographer
Staff Writer
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Teri Hinkebein
Richard Wildermann
Cassandra Harris
Stephanie Braswell
Martha Zink
Maria Gurovich
Marilyn Markel
Carol Antman
David Brown
Catherine Gilmore
Charlotte Meyer

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: April 29
for submissions for the
May 8 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The Island
Connection

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC

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

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

wo public hearings were scheduled

for April 14, 2015 so things got
started a little earlier than usual at
Kiawah Town Hall.
Ordinance 2015-05 was scheduled for
1:30 p.m., the measure amends the fiscal
year budget for 2014-2015 (highlights
include an additional $20,000 for legal
fees, $15,000 for assisting Sidi Limehouses
move, and $2.55 million for land and
buildings). Comments on the issue from
Kiawah resident Dennis McGill were
acknowledged.
Ordinance 2015-04 was scheduled for
1:45 p.m. This measure amends land use
and planning, increasing the maximum
allowable lot coverage. There were no
comments on the measure clearing the
way for a break before the start of the
Kiawah Town Council meeting. Despite
the marathon length of recent meetings,
plenty of undaunted attendees streamed
into chambers.
The meeting began on time. During
approval of the last meetings minutes,
councilmember
Labriola
clarified
comments he made. Mayor Lipuma then
announced a procedural change in public
comments.
Effective immediately, there would be a
three minute limit on each persons public
comments with an overall limit of thirty
minutes to be fair to everyone, said
Lipuma. Questions will now be logged
along with answers, when available, and
posted on the towns website, in response
to a suggestion made last month.
Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick was
first in line, making note of recent
coverage in all local media regarding
the specter of offshore drilling. Despite
the coverage and most other island
communities expressing open hostility
toward the threat, Kulick noted Kiawah
and Seabrook are conspicuously absent.

Given the ramifications of one accident,

Kulick wanted to know, Why havent
you discussed or taken a position on this?
The Mayor said the question would be
addressed during his comments, later in
the meeting.
Kiawah resident and Kiawah Planning
Commission Chair Fred Peterson
thanked council for last months vote
on a reduction in permit fees. Before the
vote, any repair over $200 required a
permit. The Planning Commission had
voted to change the amount to anything
over $1,500, in an effort to save residents
money and aggravation. The town settled
on $1,000 at the March council meeting.
Peterson finished his comments by
informing council Charleston County
had just made an identical change, and
added he was looking forward to another
vote to close out the matter.
Kiawah resident and Kiawah Planning
Commission member Andrew Capelli
made similar sounds of support for the
measure and councils previous vote to
reduce fees. He wanted to know who
on council would be responsible for the
corresponding ordinance, adding fees
are a burden to Kiawah residents
not designed to be a revenue generating
device.
Kiawah resident and retired judge
Dennis McGill followed up his comments
at the March meeting on the towns
compliance with FOIA in the matter
of the purchase of property for the new
town hall. He noted that the white paper
[requested by councilmember Labriola]
had come out before the minutes [of last
months meeting]. He wanted to know if
staff had used his timeline or made their
own. We agree the town can only enter
into a contract after a vote, he said. But
thats not what happened. It has to be
done in public.

Civic Calendar
Tuesday, April
28, 2015

Wednesday, May
6, 2015

Ways and Means

Committee Meeting
2 - 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

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

Monday, May 4,
2015

Thursday, May 7,
2015

Environmental
Committee Meeting
3 - 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Tuesday, May 5,
2015
Town Council
Meeting
2 - 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Arts & Cultural

Events Council
3 - 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Tuesday, May 12,

2015
Communications
Committee
3 - 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Tuesday, May 26
Seabrook Town
Council Meeting
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Wednesday, May
13
Seabrook Planning
Commission
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

In old business Ordinance 2015-04

passed its second reading unanimously.
Although there was quite a bit of
discussion on Ordinance 2015-05, it also
received the scheduled second reading
and passed unanimously.
The third item of old business was a
review of the Pending Building Permitting
Ordinance. This involved a great deal of
discussion which was difficult to unravel
in light of last months unanimous
vote on the first reading. Both Bruce
Spicher, Building Official, and Tumicko
Rucker, the town administrator, had
raised concerns regarding the measure
last month. This month, using a new
formula that included licenses and other
fees, they suggested a greater loss in
revenue ($142,000 versus $26,000) than
previously reported. There was quite a bit
of debate with the permits should not be
used as a source of revenue, argument
seeming to hold sway.
Councilmember Weaver summarized
the debate as the difference between the
two revenue numbers (noted above).
The debate seemed to be wrapping up
when Mayor Lipuma moved to rescind
the previous months unanimous vote.
Lacking a second, the motion was left to
die. Attention then turned to the Betsy
Kerrison property acquisition.
Prompted
by
last
months
discussions, the towns legal counsel had
produced a white paper requested by
councilmember Labriola. The idea was
to reduce the volume and duplication
of questions on recent land purchases.
Legal counsel introduced the topic saying
FOIA allowed us to act the way we did,
apparently referring to a non-disclosure
agreement signed with the seller of the
property. He went on to say TOKI had
attempted to comply with the spirit of
its own procurement regulations. If we

K iawah Island Town H all

21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
Seabrook Island Town H all
2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9121
Fax: 768-9830
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Johns Island Council
Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric
Co-op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, Johns
Island.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Charleston County Council
4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
958-4700t
City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745

April 24, 2015

civic

had gone to bid on all of this we might

as well have done [the land purchase] in
public, he said. Before moving on to New
Business, councilmember Labriola said
the town would refer all future questions
[on the land purchase] to this document.
New business began with unanimous
ratification of the Night Heron Franchise,
worth $7,500 per year, renewable for
up to three years. The contract with
Island Beach Services was also approved
unanimously without discussion. The
Greenery Landscape contract was
unanimously approved but with lots of
discussion.
The addition of tending to 4475 Betsy
Kerrison meant an 11 percent increase
in total cost for an approximate total of
$100,000. Should we got to bid on this?
asked Mayor Lipuma. Councilmember
Weaver wanted to know if the town had
monitored performance and was happy
with the service. The town administrator
replied the town did monitor the work
and were generally happy. Although
there were plenty of complaints about the
Kiawah Island Parkway this had more to
do with Architectural Review Board rules
that limited possible solutions, than with
the vendor.
A municipal center update rounded
out new business. Responses to the towns
recent request for proposals were due April
15 and would be reviewed by Council on
April 23. The list would be winnowed to
three and then to a single finalist by May.
Highlights of Committee Reports
started with councilmember Wilson
saying work on the Comprehensive Plan
was underway. Councilmember Labriola
said a budget would be available in a
couple weeks.
Councilmember Johnson said the
Environmental Committee would be
meeting on May 4, with the primary topic
of offshore drilling.
Weaver said the Communications
Committee had doubled the size of Town
Notes and increased the number and
frequency of E-blasts in the hope of doing
a better job at getting the word out.
The town administrators report had
three highlights;
1. The announcement of her plans for
a month long leave during May.
2. Nine bids have been received for
the sand re-nourishment of the
east end of the island.
3. Disaster Awareness day will be on
Seabrook this year and is scheduled
for June 11.

Highlights of the Mayors report

included;
1. Relayed
information
from
Seabrook that the Burdens Creek
Bridge would be out this summer
imposing a 6 mile detour for as
long as it takes to complete the
project. There is, however, some
debate still to be scheduled on the
topic.
2. On the subject of offshore drilling
the Mayor thinks it is important to
get some facts before commenting
on the prospect. There wont be
any platforms out there, at least
not in my lifetime, said Mayor
Lipuma. And the area is fifty
miles away. Its important to get
the facts. He then floated the idea
of scheduling a public forum to
include presentations by experts on
both sides, critical before a stand
can be made. Seabrook council
has already conducted a poll of
residents, 80 percent of whom are
encouraging their elected officials
to oppose drilling.
In the second round of citizens
comments Kiawah resident Virginia
Abbot, having been informed earlier this
year that the town was not interested in
buying more land, wanted to know why
buying land was still on the agenda,
what it might be used for and why it was
a matter for Executive Session? Kiawah
resident and retired attorney David
DeStefano had similar question. So did
Wendy Kulick.
Mayor Lipuma repeated that the town
had been approached, not the other way
around, and it only made sense for a full
council review. As for Executive Session,
Lipuma said If we werent interested, we
could do it in public. Property offers do
not need to be public.
Kiawah Resident Diane Lehder asked
what the offshore drilling process would
look like but the response was speculative
as this is still a work in progress.
Dave DeStefano suggested chatter
strips to resolve the issue of people
driving in the grass along the Kiawah
Island Parkway.
Kiawah resident Dennis McGill
wrapped up the second round of Citizens
Comments by asking how it the towns
treasurer is allowed to write checks before
the expenses associated with them have
been approved by council.
After Executive Session, council
returned and the meeting was adjourned.

opinion

Op-Ed
O F F S H O R E O I L E X P L O R AT I O N
AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
BY RICHARD WILDERMANN
For The Island Connection

Richard
Wildermann
was
an
environmental specialist and program
manager with the U.S. Department of the
Interiors Offshore Oil and Gas Program for
over 25 years.
An article in the April 10 Island
Connection summarized the issues
discussed at the March Seabrook Island
Town Council meeting. Some of the
points made at the meeting about the
proposed offshore oil drilling deserve
further discussion.
According to the article, the mayor
feels there is no rush for the town to
take a position on the proposal because
nothing would happen in our lifetimes. It
is true that, because of the complexity and
cost of offshore oil and gas development,
planning and investment could take a
decade before any drilling occurs offshore
our coast. I hope some of us are still
here then, but if not, we still have the
opportunity to make decisions now in
the best interests of future generations.
Besides, seismic surveys that have been
shown to be harmful to marine life would
begin in a matter of months if the area

off our coast remains in the proposed

program. If that area is taken off the table
now, those seismic surveys will not be
conducted. The longer an area remains
in the program, the more industry invests
in anticipation of drilling, and the more
difficult it becomes to remove that area.
Other councilmembers apparently
claimed that there is an infinitesimally
small probability of a spill, that past
clean-up efforts have been successful, and
that wildlife recovers within a couple of
years after an incident. These statements
could be misinterpreted. The government
periodically estimates the number and size
of oil spills that could occur based on actual
spill records over the past six decades from
drilling, production, and transportation
of offshore oil. Through 2010 about 2,800
spills occurred from offshore activities.
Most of those spills were less than 1,000
barrels (42,000 gallons) and happened in
the Gulf of Mexico where most offshore
oil development takes place. There have
been only 33 spills of over 1,000 barrels,

Op-Ed continues on page 4

civic

Op-Ed continues from page 3

so the likelihood of a catastrophic spill
such as the Deepwater Horizon event in
2010 (which released about five million
barrels of oil) is very low. But we must
consider the devastating consequences
of such an accident and ask whether it is
worth the risk. Keep in mind as well that
chronic, small spills can cause long-term
environmental impacts.

We must
consider the
devastating
consequences
of such an
accident and
ask whether
it is worth the
risk.
Richard Wildermann
Cleaning up oil in the marine
environment has had limited success, even
when conditions, including low sea state,
are favorable. In March 1989, the Exxon
Valdez tanker spilled over 250,000 barrels
of crude oil into Prince William Sound
in Alaska. Although clean-up efforts
continued for four years, more than 1,300
miles of coastline were oiled. Lessons learned
from that spill led to major improvements
in spill response techniques. Yet the more
recent Deepwater Horizon incident is

evidence that cleaning up spilled oil is

still marginally effective. The government
estimated that roughly 16 percent of the oil
spilled from the Deepwater Horizon event
was recovered on the surface and about
17 percent was captured through subsea
containment efforts. The remaining oil
severely impacted many natural resources,
and approximately 1,100 miles of shoreline
were oiled. About one million gallons of
dispersants were applied on the sea surface
and approximately 770,000 gallons were
applied below the surface to facilitate
biodegradation of the oil. Ironically, a
recent study concluded that dispersants are
more toxic to deep-water coral than the oil.
How quickly wildlife and other
resources recover from an oil spill varies
greatly depending on many environmental
variables. A 2010 study by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
showed that 20 years after the Exxon
Valdez incident, sediments in more than
half of the intertidal sites sampled in
Prince William Sound still contained oil
from the tanker. Some species of birds,
marine mammals, and fish have recovered
very well, while others, such as marbled
murrelets, Pacific herring, and certain
killer whale populations, are showing little
sign of recovery from the spill. More than
twenty five years after the spill, Exxon
Valdez oil persists in the environment and
in places is nearly as toxic as it was the first
few weeks after the spill. Reflecting on
over two decades of post-spill studies, the
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council
reached the sobering conclusion that the
remaining oil (in the marine environment)
will take decades and possibly centuries to
disappear entirely.

daily

April 24, 2015

DHEC opens new WIC

facility on Johns Island
BY CASSANDRA HARRIS
For The Island Connection

he South Carolina Department

of Health and Environmental
Control has opened a new Women,
Infant, and Children (WIC) clinic in the
Sea Island Comprehensive facility on
Johns Island.

Sea Island
Comprehensive
is pleased
and excited
about our
partnership
with WIC
Tumiko Rucker
Housed in an over 5,000 squarefoot facility, the clinic is co-located with
Charleston County First Steps, Fetter
Healthcare Network, and Dixie Barkand.
We are pleased to announce that we are
expanding our services to Johns Island,
said Nicholas Davidson, DHEC Public
Health Director for the Lowcountry
Public Health Region. The partnership

with Sea Island Comprehensive represents

our continued commitment to providing
members of our rural communities with
greater access to essential healthcare
services. Our new Johns Island location
will not only make it more convenient
for existing clients to receive key WIC
services, it will also allow us to reach out
to new clients who previously haven't
been able to take advantage of all that we
have to offer.
Sea Island Comprehensive is pleased
and excited about our partnership with
WIC; bringing this vital service back to
the sea island community satisfies a need
while making it convenient to gain access
to what WIC has to offer our residents,
said Tumiko Rucker, CEO of the Sea
Island Comprehensive. We look forward
to the growth and continued success of
this partnership and program.
The new clinic will offer a range of
WIC services, including food products,
infant formula support, and nutrition and
health classes. Other key WIC services
and resources will also be available.
To make an appointment call
800.868.0404. For more information
about WIC visit www.scdhec.gov/WIC.

April 24, 2015

Baseline Battle continues from cover

Captain Sams Spit, which lies just
across the Kiawah River from the
Cassique Golf community, was being
dealt with in a very different way in 1994.
The development agreement in force at
the time specified that the then property
owner, Kiawah Resort Associates (a.k.a.
Kiawah Development Partners) commit
to the permanent preservation of the tract.
Property owner agrees to convey
Captain Sams Spit to the Kiawah Island
Community Association by quit claim
deed by January 1, 2008, states the
agreement. Provided, however, that
Property Owner may convey the eastern
half of the spit [Beachwalker Park] to
Charleston Country Park & Recreation
Commission prior to January 1, 2008.
Although a small, undevelopable tract was
conveyed to KICA in 1994, the rest of the
agreement was changed in 2005.
The 2005 development agreement
negotiations changed the intended
disposition of Captain Sams Spit
dramatically. The new agreement
specified the Spit would not be preserved
or given to the community, but would be
developed with roads, docks, boardwalks
and up to fifty homes. (In March 2015,
representatives of new owners, Kiawah
Partners, told The Post & Courier
newspaper that building would take place
on 20 acres, with 85 percent of the total
150 acres put into conservation.)
However, the Spit has a particularly
high conservation value. A refuge for the
endangered diamondback terrapin, one of
the only places on Earth where dolphins
strand feed, and a critical way station
for migrating birds, the Spit is seen by
many as a rare gem in natures proverbial
crown. Consequently, conservationists
all along the South Carolina coast have
been up in arms about the development.

daily
They placed their hopes on two items; the
undevelopable tract (conveyed to KICA
in the first agreement and positioned in
the best place to build a road) and the
roads themselves. The new agreement
stipulated any roads be free from threat
of erosion on both the Kiawah River and
Atlantic Ocean sides as defined by the
Office of Coastal Resource Management.
OCRM, part of the DHEC, determined
that the prospective roads were threatened
by erosion and declined an application
to build a sea wall revetment intended
to mitigate the threat of erosion. Both
developers, in turn, fought court battles
to obtain permission for the revetment to
be built.
The first trip to court took the case
before the South Carolina Administrative
Law Court on August 24, 2009. The
resulting decision to allow the revetment
came on February 26, 2010. The case
was then appealed to the South Carolina
Supreme Court and heard on January
18, 2011. The decision, handed down on
November 21, 2011, reversed the lower
courts decision. However, the cheers of
conservationists were still ringing when the
Supreme Court reversed its own decision
on February 27, 2013. The Supreme
Court then agreed to a third hearing on
June 5, 2013. Later that month, Kiawah
Development Partners sold its interest in
the Spit. It would be December of 2014
before the States highest court decided
once and for all to decline permission to
build the revetment.
This left the new developer, Kiawah
Partners (a.k.a. Charlotte-based South
Street Partners) with land they had paid
handsomely for but on which they now
could not develop. After the permit
was rejected by the Supreme Court, the
developers began lobbying the state
legislature, attempting to amend Bill
S.139 (and House Bill H.3378) into

something that would allow what the

courts wouldnt.
Senator Paul Campbell from Berkeley
County wants the Kiawah amendment,
as it is known, added to the bill. The
amendment would delay the setting of
the baseline until 2017 (or as late as 2021)
and allow potential future accretions at
the Spit to be included in establishing
the baseline. Senator Campbell was
on the Blue Ribbon Committee which
recommended that action on Ocean
Retreat (establishing a baseline similar
to the pre-amended S.139) was not only
smart but was required immediately. Now
Campbell feels it should wait, despite
arguments from conservationists that
places like the Spit are typically unsuitable
for development.
Inlets are notoriously fragile places
one of the reasons why Captain Sams Spit
was designated a critical area and became
part of the Coastal Barrier Resources
System Act in 1982, states the www.
captainsamsspit.com a website run by
local conservationists.
COBRA specifically states, Areas
adjacent to inlets are often the most
profoundly affected. Some migrating
inlets are constantly moving in one
direction. Others may stay in the same

general location but expand and contract

constantly. These inlets are often called
breathing inlets. In recent years the Spit
has been eroding on the river side and
accreting on the ocean sidemoving
outwardbut at other times in history, it
has been an island of varying sizes.
Consequently waiting until 2017 or
as late as 2021 to set the baseline might
allow enough sand to accrete on the ocean
side to make a road seem viable. Once the
road is viable, the Spit is open to planned
development. There is still the sticking
point of the undevelopable tract
conveyed to KICA. Claiming mistakes
were made, Kiawah Partners is currently
fighting the decades-old conveyance in
court, in an attempt to force KICA into
giving it back.
Whatever happens in this ongoing
battle over Captain Sams Spit, if
S.139/H.3378 are amended and pass with
the amendment, it will set a precedent for
the entire South Carolina coast, leaving
every baseline in the state subject to
revision. The bill is scheduled for a hearing
and vote of the full Senate Agriculture
and Natural Resources Committee on
Thursday, April 23, 2015. Proceedings
start at 9:30 a.m. in Room 207 of the
Gressette Building in Columbia, SC.

April 24, 2015

daily

arts & events

Piccolo comes to Kiawah

Kiawah Garden Club

explores Hobcaw Barony

KIAWAH ART COUNCIL

P R E S E N T S TA S T E R S F R O M T H E
P I C C O L O S P O L E T O F E S T I VA L
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL
The Island Connection

Piccolo Preview

Sunday, May 3, 2015, Holy Spirit

Catholic
Church,
Complimentary
Tickets Available at Kiawah Town
Hall 843.768.9166 or online at www.
kiawahisland.org/specialevents
The City of Charleston Office of
Cultural Affairs and the Town of Kiawah
Island Cultural Events Fund presents
a sampling of some favorite musical
elements as harbingers of the 2015 Piccolo
Spoleto Festival. The program will include
performances from several of the events
chosen for this year's festival.

The Garden Club enjoyed a tour of the Barony.

BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

Piccolo Comes to Kiawah

Thursday, May 28, 2015 - 7:30 p.m.,

Turtle Point Clubhouse, Tickets $10
beginning May 4 via www.piccolospoleto.
com or Piccolo Spoleto Hotline
(866.811.4111) or at the Charleston Visitors
Center 375 Meeting Street
On Thursday, May 28, at 7:30 pm
the City of Charleston Office of Cultural
Affairs and Piccolo Spoleto Festival will
present Piccolo Comes to Kiawah at
the Turtle Point Clubhouse. This event
is funded by the Town of Kiawah Island
Cultural Events Fund. The program will
consist of two parts:
The In-Between, featuring Jill
Terhaar Lewis, soprano and
Robert Lewis, saxophone, with
Gerald Gregory, piano, Tyler Ross,
guitar, and Norbert Lewandowski,
cello
Daniel D, a contemporary violinist
The In-Between explores repertoire
that lies both in and in between classical
and jazz genres. The program highlights
the shared qualities of classical and jazz
music and explores the differences while
allowing the listener to enjoy these styles
together in the same concert and even
within the same piece.
The ensemble will be performing
premieres of new compositions and

arrangements by members of the group

as well as works by established composers.
Daniel D. crosses many genres from
Hip-hop, Jazz, RB, and Inspirational. He
discovered his gift early in life when he
began to play violin at age 12. He is a
2007 graduate of the Charleston School of
the Arts, and later was awarded a summer
scholarship at Julliard School of Music.
He is equally at home with chamber
music and contemporary music.
The Kiawah Island Golf Resort is
offering a 20 percent discount on villas
and houses in conjunction with this
event for the night of May 28. Please call
800.654.2924 or 843.768.2121, ask for
Villa Reservations, and reference Piccolo
Comes to Kiawah or booking number
#12826.

he Kiawah Island Garden Club

took a trip to Hobcaw Barony,
just north of Georgetown. It is
16,000 acres on a peninsula between the
Winyah Bay of the Waccamaw River and
the Atlantic, comprised of upland and
lowland forests, salt marshes and fresh
water ponds. Created by a Royal Grant
in 1718 to John, Lord Carteret, it was
eventually divided into 14 individual
plantations, growing rice until after the
Civil War.
Beginning in 1905 Bernard Baruch,
originally from Camden, SC and a Wall
Street financier, began buying the tract
for a winter home and hunting preserve.
After his original home burned in 1929,
he built the current brick home on the
Bay. Starting in 1935 his daughter Belle
began purchasing the Barony, buying the
last of it in 1956. At her death in 1964,
Belle left the land and a foundation
for education and research in marine
ecosystems and forests. Both USC and
Clemson have large facilities on the land,
one specializing in research in the lowland
forest and marshes and the other in upland
forest and fresh water systems.
After a box lunch in the Discovery
Center and a short video, the Club
members and guests were taken on a tour
of the whole area, in small buses driven
by volunteer docents. We saw the research

facilities, the marsh and forest studies,

including the study of various methods
of removing underbrush for forest health,
marsh grass growth, tree growth since
Hurricane Hugo (which totally flooded
the area with salt water up to eight feet),
longleaf pine plantations and bluebird and
other bird studies.
We were able to visit the former
slave village with its simple church and
houses. We toured the beautiful home
of Bernard Baruch, where he entertained
Winston Churchill and his daughter
Diane, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
and many statesmen and generals whom
he had met in his diplomatic duties
under various presidents starting with the
Wilson administration. We also saw the
home Belle built further up the peninsula,
with her stables and pond.
Throughout our tour we saw many
large traps set for the marauding wild pigs,
which are a constant problem, but we saw
none of the elusive pigs. There are of course
many deer, coyotes, raccoons, unusual
squirrels, pileated woodpeckers and other
wildlife in the 16,000 acres, but only the
pigs are removed. It was a wonderful tour
and gave us a true appreciation of the work
the Belle W. Baruch Foundation does in
preserving this beautiful track of land, as
well as promoting the many studies of the
natural world.

April 24, 2015

arts & events

fundraising

Haygood/Grady Memorial
Seabrook painter
Tennis Tournament
featured artist at French
set for May 15
Quarter Art Walk
STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

or the month of May, Tina Mayland

will be the Featured Artist at the
Lowcountry Artists Gallery at 148
East Bay Street in Downtown Charleston.
Her reception, which is open to the public,
will be Friday, May 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.
during the French Quarter Art Walk.

Board of Directors of Charleston Artist

Guild for four years. She is the author of
The Ten Commandments of Painting,
which describes the Shalt-nots that will
save your artwork. Mayland also teaches
plein-air painting for the Kiawah Island
Golf Resort. She gets great joy in helping
visitors enjoy our beautiful Lowcountry
and take home a memory of their vacation
that they themselves created, even those
who are first-time painters.
A native of Charleston, Mayland says
that the Lowcountry landscapes and
wildlife are her greatest inspiration. She
grew up riding horses through the fields
of her grandparents farm on Wadmalaw
Island and now resides on Seabrook
Island. She says the ability to capture a
moment-in-time in her art brings back
fond memories of her youth.

STAFF REPORT

Carpe Diem by Tina Mayland

After a successful career in the

corporate world, Mayland welcomed the
opportunity to finally use the right side
of her brain after her retirement. Says
Mayland, A childhood mentor once told
me that being an artist was 10 percent
talent and 90 percent hard work. After
a 30-year career in a high-tech, I was
ready to devote myself to hard work thats
enjoyable!
Initially giving herself three years to
see if she could be successful in the art
world, Maylands work is now on display
in galleries across the southeast, including
the Wells Gallery at The Sanctuary on
Kiawah Island and the Lowcountry
Artists Gallery in downtown Charleston.
Mayland is a member of the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild and served on the

For The Island Connection

T
Maylands work can be seen at www.
TinaMaylandArt.com and at www.
facebook.com/TinaMaylandArt.

he 5th Annual Haygood/Grady

Memorial Tennis Championships
takes place May 15 through 17.
The event honors the memory of a women
whose help and smiles inspired everyone
who knew her and worked with her at
the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Prinella
Haygoods two young sons, Tristan and
Grayson, benefit from the tournament
via an education trust. Proceeds also
benefit Roper St. Francis Cancer Care,
in memory of the tournaments founder
Linwood Grady who lost his battle with
cancer in 2013.
The tournament is a USTA sanctioned
SC Level 2 event and features mens and
womens singles and doubles, mixed

doubles, senior womens and mens

doubles and mixed doubles. Play begins 4
p.m. Friday, May 15. Entry fee is $70 per
player for one event $80 for two and $90
for three. Register at www.usta.com with
ID 70003315.
As well as the tournament there will
be dinner and an auction on May 16 at
the East Beach Conference Center from 6
p.m. Tickets are $65, with children under
5 being free and 6-12 $15. You dont have
to play in the tennis to attend the dinner.
For more information visit haygoodgrady.
com, email jonathan_barth@kiawahresort.
com or call 873.768.2838.

computer corner

April 24, 2015

Is Google Docs
really free?
BY BOB HOOPER

For The Island Connection

oogles word processing and

spreadsheet service Google Docs is
basically Microsfot Office for free,
right? Wrong.
As with anything that is free there
is always a catch, and with Google the
catch is information. When you type in
a document or create a spreadsheet using
Google's free products you have agreed to
allow Googles bots scan every word and
sentence you type. Its part and parcel
of the small print you agree to Googles
Terms and Services.
If you listen to Jamie Mellis's Tech
Talk on 1340 am (Saturdays 10 a.m. to
noon, another great tool to increase your
knowledge about your digital world and
computers) he did a bit about Google
Docs this past weekend that is right in line
with what I am saying. He talked about a
family going camping and how ads had
been targeted to them prior to their trip.
So thats how Google knows that I buy for
my office or that we have a pool!
The same can be said for Googles email
service Gmail. Googles bots scan all
emails sent and received using the service
so as to offer up relevant ads when you
are surfing the web. Just be aware that

Brother Google is watching whenever

you use its services. But don't think they
are the only ones, basically all services do
the same, just maybe not with as much
gusto as Google, but still it goes on.
I've said it before but I will say it again:
Treat all email as if it was a post card
in snail mail anyone can see it! Also
remember that anything you put on the
Internet is no longer private. Sadly, if you
post a wonderful picture of that great time
on vacation or the new grandchild it can
get pulled by some idiot and used in all
sorts of ways. There was a story recently
about childrens pictures being used by
people who had no children to show
relatives their new baby, very sad not to
mention disturbing.
Lastly, remember that convenience of
Google docs, that all your documents are
available wherever you go, is because they
are stored in the cloud and therefore quite
easily accessible by determined hackers.
As with all of my columns if you want
help or have questions don't hesitate to call
Rent A Bob at 843.822.7794 or email at
rentabob@live.com.

April 24, 2015

southern seasons

Spring Salad with Raspberry Dressing

Jazz up your spring greens with some bright raspberries

BY MARILYN MARKEL
For The Island Connection

Ingredients

6 oz mixed spring greens

2 avocados, halved, removed from peels and sliced
pint raspberries
cup goat cheese
cup smoked almonds, roughly chopped
Garnish with smoked sea salt, optional
Dressing
cup raspberry vinegar
cup honey
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Whisk together dressing ingredients.

2. Right before service toss the spinach with some
of the dressing. Compose four salads using all
the ingredients. Drizzle with a little remaining
dressing. Dressing will keep several days and is
delicious on roasted vegetables, chicken and many
other dishes.

Island Connection Calendar

April 24
ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

Monday Bridge Group

The Monday Bridge Group needs new
players. 9 a.m. at the Lake House. For
more information, please contact Lori
Muenow at 843.768.2314 or Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.
Storytimes at Johns Island Library
May 4 10:30 a.m. - Babygarten (birth to 18
months w/ caregiver)
May 4 and 11 10:30 a.m. Young and the
Restless (18 to 30 months with caregiver)
Seabrook Stitchers
The Lake House, every Monday from 11
a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information, please
contact Denise Doyon at dendoyon@gmail.
com.

Tuesdays

Mah Jongg Practice

2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday of the month,
The Lake HouseOsprey 2, 1 - 4 p.m.
Open to all new players, those returning
to the game, and anyone else who wants
a chance to practice with others who
are learning the game. If you have any
questions, please contact Helen Thompson
at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.
Storytimes at Johns Island Library
May 5 and 12 10:30 a.m. Time for Twos (2
3 years old with caregiver)

Wednesdays

Lake House Yoga

8:30 a.m. Join us for 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 your self for
success and be ready to shine.
Storytimes at Johns Island Library
May 6 and 13 at 10:30 a.m. Preschool
Storytime (3 5 years old with caregiver)
Middleton Place Wine Strolls
April 1 - May 27, Wine Strolls invite
patrons to drink in the natural beauty of
the 274 year old plantation Americas
Oldest Landscaped Gardens. Each
week, samples of specially selected wines
from around the world are chosen by the
Restaurants sommelier. Wine Strolls are
$20 per person purchased in advance online
and $25 per person at the gate. Members
of the Middleton Place Foundation receive
$5 off. For Restaurant reservations, call
843.266.7477. For more information on
the Weekly Wine Strolls, go to www.
middletonplace.org, or call 843.556.6020.

Thursdays

Visit the Andell Inn Porch Bar on

Thursdays during April for live music while
enjoying specialty cocktails. April 2 - 6-8
p.m. - The Joy Project, April 9 - 5-8 p.m. Kat Keturah Duo, April 16 - 6-8 p.m. - The
Joy Project, April 23 - 5-8 p.m. - The Port

Authority Band, April 30 - 5-8 p.m. - The

Sweetgrass Revival

Fridays

Preschool Zone
Fridays in April at 10:30 a.m., 351 Maybank
Highway, Johns Island Regional Library.
3-6 years old with adult. Call 843.559.1945
for more information.
Friday Indoor Pickleball
12:30-2:30 every Friday at St. Christophers
Camp. For further information, please
contact Mary Torello at 843.768.0056
Reggae Concerts at James Island County
Park
April 17: Black Lion, June 5: Coolie G
& Lion Soul Reggae Band, June 26:
ReggaeInfinity, July 10: Mystic Vibrations,
July 31: Inner Visions

Saturdays

Homegrown
Johns Island Farmers Market. Every Third
Saturday at 3546 Maybank Highway
Johns Island 10 a.m. 2 p.m. www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.
2015 Sea Island Cars and Coffee
Third Saturday of every month from 8 to 10
a.m., Freshfields Village.
Sippin Saturdays at Irvin House
Vineyards
Every Saturday from 12 4 p.m., the

winery and distillery will serve up a

different local food vendor and musical
group to entertain locals and visitors. Bring
lawn chairs and blankets to picnic under the
oaks and relish in the Lowcountry beauty.
www.charlestonwine.com

Road and Country Club Drive on James

Island. Historical demonstrations and
activities, interpretive tours, storytelling,
entertainment, and much more. Admission
is $10. For more information, visit
CharlestonCountyParks.com/McLeod.

Ongoing

SBI Turtle Patrol New Member Training

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Oyster Catcher
Community Center

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

The Footlight Players present The Mystery
of Edwin Drood, a wildly warm-hearted
musical rendition of an unfinished Dickens
novel. Adults $35, Seniors/Military $32,
Students $25. Call or go online for tickets
and info. April 24, 25, 30, May 1, 2, 7
through 9 at 8 p.m. April 26, May 3, 10, at
3 p.m. 843.722.4487.
Artfields, The Souths Biggest Art
Competition
April 24 runs through May 2 in Lake
City, SC. See whats on the minds of 400
Southern artists through their 2- and
3-dimensional pieces. Great event for all
ages. General admission is free; special event
tickets for sale separately. Full event info at
artfieldssc.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Grand Opening of McLeod Plantation
Historic Site
10 a.m. 2 p.m. McLeod Plantation
Historic Site. The public is invited to the
long-awaited opening day of McLeod
Plantation Historic Site. Located at Folly

SUNDAY, APRIL 26
In the Company of Horses
4 - 7 p.m. This charitable event will support
Charleston Area Therapeutic Ridings
Scholarship program, essential to providing
therapeutic riding to over 140 children,
adults, and veterans each year. Come
relax for a fun evening of music by The
Sweetgrass Revival, delicious dinner by
Tristan Events, and enjoy beer and wine
by southern Eagle and Extra Virgin Oven.
For more information call 843.559.6040
or visit catr.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/
IntheCompanyofHorses2015/tabid/672727/

TUESDAY, APRIL 28
Dig South
Through May 2. A digital conference, DIG
South features more than 200 presenters
from across the nation, 750 Conference
participants and 5,000 total Festival
attendees. Events range from panels to
workshops to interactive presentations by
industry experts. digsouth.com for more

information.

SATURDAY, MAY 2
Gullah Celebration to Fight Island Hunger
3 7 p.m. This outdoor concert at
Freshfields Village features Ann Caldwell
and the Magnolia Singers and the Sea
Islands Male Mass Choir and raises funds
for local organizations fighting hunger.
Tickets are $10 and are available online at
FightIslandHunger.org or Indigo Bookstore
and $15 at the door. Children under 12 are
free. There will be a silent auction with art,
baskets, jewelry, dinners, golf rounds and
much more.
SBI Turtle Patrol T-shirt Pickup and
Bloody Mary Party
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Oyster Catcher
Community Center
Night at the Races
4 - 9 p.m. Junior League of Charleston will
host Charlestons only derby gala at the
Daniel Island Club. The event includes live
Kentucky Derby coverage, silent and live
auction, live music, derby-inspired food, an
open bar, and of course, high fashion and
hats! Tickets prices are $100. VIP tickets are
available for $175. To purchase tickets please
visit www.jlcharleston.org.
Seabrook Island Adopt-a-Highway
9 a.m. If you enjoy driving the pristine
approach to our island, youre welcome to

May 07
join our dedicated group of litter-gitters
when we begin our spring cleaning of Betsy
Kerrison Parkway on May 2nd at 9AM.
For sign up or further information, please
contact Mary Torello at mary.torello@
yahoo.com.
Charleston County Waterparks Open
Splash Zone Waterpark at James Island
County Park, Splash Island at Mount
Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park, and
Whirlin Waters at Wannamaker County
Park are now open weekends only in May!
Visit SplashParks.com for hours, fees, and
other details.

SUNDAY, MAY 3
Big Red Barn Fundraising Festival
12 - 6 p.m. Legare Farms will host a
fundraiser for rescued and unwanted
horses. See story on page 17. Tickets are $5
for adults, children 12 and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at
http://legarefarms.com/pages/the-big-redbarn-festival or at the gate the day of the
event. For more information on the festival,
call 843.559.0788 or info@legaefarms.com.
Piccolo Preview

Samples of musical elements as harbingers

of the 2015 Piccolo Spoleto Festival.
Program includes performances from
several of the events chosen for this years
festival. Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Tickets available at Kiawah Town Hall or
online at www.kiawahisland.org

MONDAY, MAY 4
World Affairs Council of Charleston
5:15 p.m. William Jordan, expert
independent analyst and long time foreign
service officer to France and Arab countries
will speak at 6 p.m. (Social Hour starts
at 5:15 p.m.) on Frances Challenges
Following the Charlie Hebdo Attack. See
story page 16.

THURSDAY, MAY 7
Gibbes on the Street: La Belle poque
On May 7, the street in front of 135
Meeting Street will be transformed into a
turn-of-the-century Parisian fte! The Street
Party will look back to La Belle poque,
a golden age characterized by optimism
and prosperity, where the arts flourished
and many masterpieces of literature, music,
theater, and visual art gained recognition on
a grand scale. $150 Members, $175 NonMembers. gibbesstreetparty.wordpress.com
Shark Shallows Opening Events
Be one of the first to experience sharks at
your fingertips! Explore Shark Shallows,
the SC Aquariums new 20,000-gallon
touch tank for sharks, rays and skates
designed to enable you to reach out and
touch the animals. Daytime Preview: 10
a.m. - 2 p.m. Reservations are not required.
Opening Celebration: 6:30 - 8 p.m. Space is
limited, and reservations are required. Call
843.579.8518. Members only.

12

April 24, 2015

volunteer spotlight

Bert Hefke shares

his expertise
BY MARIA GUROVICH
For The Island Connection

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

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

ert Hefke, who was born and

raised in New York City and is
now a resident of Kiawah, has been
very involved with Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach for the last three
years. Happily married for nearly 47 years,
Bert is a proud father and grandfather of
two daughters and two grandchildren. He
has a strong belief in each person using
his or her skills to help give back to the
local community, which is what led him
to become a volunteer at OLMCOS.
For over 30 years, Bert worked for J.P
Morgan Banks HR department, most
recently as a member of the firms senior
most management committee.
The company encouraged the senior
management staff to give back to the
community, remembers Bert.
His extensive background as a Director
of Human Resources for J.P Morgan
worldwide as well as his early engagement
in volunteer work have enabled him to
share his expertise with many non-profit
organizations throughout the years. He
has served on boards of many charities:
The American Red Cross, Urban Banker
Coalition, and currently as Chairman of
Ronald McDonald Charities and as Vice
Chairman of the Board of OLMCOS.
Bert first joined the board of the
Outreach during the time of leadership
transition when Sister Mary Joseph was
appointed General Superior of the Mother
House. He then chaired the search
committee, which selected Jill Jackson
Ledford to become the Executive Director
of the organization.
During the development of the
Outreachs new strategic plan, I was
heavily involved in revising the Mission,
Vision and Values of the organization.
The process gave me a tremendous insight
into the legacy of the Our Lady of Mercy
Sisters. It reinforced my respect for the
Community Outreach, its purpose and
incredibly rich history, says Bert.

Bert, a native New Yorker, now lives on

Kiawah

Bert enjoys being involved in an

organization that operates locally.
The Outreach is a very special place.
Its a wonderful environment where
Board Members are able volunteer and
work so closely with clients and make a
real difference in their lives, whether its
through education, food, or clothing,
comments Bert. However, what really
makes an impact on someones life is
enabling people to help themselves, not
simply handing things out, continues
Bert. He believes that a true difference
is made only when clients are able to lift
themselves out of poverty through gaining
new skills and abilities. Each volunteer
comes with unique skills and using that
skill set locally can change someones life.
For more information on how to
get involved with Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach contact Maria
Gurovich at 843.559.4109 or email maria.
gurovich@olmoutreach.org.

13

April 24, 2015

roadtrips charleston

Interpreting the forest

in North Carolina
ake a guess. Whats that thing for? Joel asked
pointing to a telephone-pole sized, wooden
post shaped like a giant 7 stuck along the
gravel road in the Nantahala National Forest.
A nesting place? Maybe a roosting spot? I guessed.
No, the park service built if for flying squirrels to
cross the road.
From anyone else, this tidbit would have made us
skeptical. Wed have asked how the squirrels knew to
cross at that particular place. And why do they need it
since theres almost no traffic at all? Also, flying squirrels?
Really? But hiking with Kathy and Joel Zachry is like
having translators in a foreign country. They speak forest
fluently. You could attribute it to his 30-year career as
a college biology teacher or their 50 years of combined
experience hiking and leading trips. But its their passion
for the natural world that really distinguishes them.
When Joel retired in 1999 he anticipated missing the
field trips hed taken with his students. So he and Kathy,
a medical products company vice president, started their
company GOAT (Great Outdoor Adventure Travel). Its
name refers to the couples pet fainting goats.
They just pass out and fall down when theyre scared,
Kathy explained with obvious amusement. It also refers to
the animals sure-footedness. Each year the couple leads
hikes and workshops at a variety of venues including at
J.C. Campbell Folk School, The Swag Country Inn, the
Arrowmont School and even to Alaska where theyve

BY CAROL ANTMAN

For The Island Connection

been over 25 times. They also lead multi-day hikes on

the Appalachian Trail and are particularly proud of their
work with the Smoky Mountain Field School.
That 30-year old, award-winning program offers
one-day and longer programs on various aspects of nature
within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. As
the program directors, the Zachrys help arrange the 60
classroom and field offerings taught by a diversified host
of experts serving over 700 students a year.
Look at the hillside, Joel said gesturing across a
steep slope. Notice there are no tall trees. They were all
harvested 50 to 100 years ago.
He led us to imagine how that was accomplished
in those days. Miles of cables strung across the rocky
terrain, mammoth rolling logs careening to the river, the
impossibly strenuous work and the arduous lifestyle it
required. Another stop was along the gravel forest road
that had recently collapsed and been repaired. He wanted
us to admire the engineering work. They are thrilled with
the emerging trillium that are sprouting despite the recent
snowfall. They make us stop to examine droppings.
Notice the hair in it? Kathy says as she prodded the
poo with her walking stick. What animal was it and
what did it eat? They point out the symptoms of the
disease challenges facing the piney forest and the Joyce
Kilmer nearby.

Roadtrips Charleston continues on page 14

14

April 24, 2015

roadtrips charleston
Mountains, Black bear rarely attack humans with fewer
than 60 human fatalities within the last 100 years
Joel writes. When theyre startled, they chomp, huff and
snort which are merely anxious blusterings and not signs
of imminent attack. He advises to make yourself as large
as possible by spreading your arms, to back away slowly
and to not run which triggers a pursuit response.
They have very little interest in eating usof course
there are always exceptions to that.
Fortunately the only anxious blusterings I heard
were the hikers trudging uphill as we marveled at spring
emerging in one of the most beautiful parts of our
country.

Roadtrips Charleston continues from page 13

There is a greater diversity of plant life in North
Carolina than in all of Europe, Joel pointed out. They
seem to know the name and medicinal uses for most
every one of them.
I joined their entourage during my stay at Snowbird
Lodge in Robbinsville, N.C. Its one of several places
where the Zachrys offer daily hikes and evening naturalist
talks as an amenity. I was surprised to learn that many
of the Inns guests had come not knowing about the free
hikes. For me it was the selling point. Their promise of
safety, maximized enjoyment and minimized worry
had attracted me. Their familiarity with the dozens of
hiking trails eliminated my having to do any research
or to bumble around looking for trailheads. The March
weather varied like a light switch: spring to winter, warm
to cold. This early in the season, trails were obscured by
leaves and not recently used. I would have thought we
were lost without their confident strides ahead of us as we
walked across the frosty, rocky terrain one day and to the
sunny foot of a waterfall the next.
The Zachrys are also experts on bears. In fact theyve
written a book about it, Bears Weve Met. Although
there are about two bears per square mile in the Smoky

Roadtrips Charleston presents adventurous and interesting

destinations within a few hours drive of Charleston, S.C..
Carol Antmans passion for outdoor and artistic experiences
feeds her wanderlust for exotic and nearby adventures. For
hot links, photographs and previous columns or to make
comments please see www.peaksandpotholes.blogspot.com

If You Go

www.gowithgoat.com
www.snowbirdlodge.com

April 24, 2015

15

arts & events

arts & events

Seabrook Guild Artist of

the Month: Roberta Boatti

Seabrook Guild
Photographer of the
Month: Pat Schaefer

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

Roberta Boatti

oberta Boatti, long time Seabrook

resident and active member of the
Seabrook Island Artist Guild, will
be the Artist of the Month for May.

Roberta, a former media and public

relations professional in New York, began
coming to Seabrook part-time in 1991
and, with her husband Peter, settled in
permanently in 2000.
Fulfilling a desire to create art that was
nurtured as a young girl in her mothers
art studio, she began taking drawing
classes at James Island High School. She
pursued this goal for the next several
years, with other teachers, adding lessons
in pen and ink drawing, watercolor and
acrylic painting. Three years ago, Roberta
starting taking oil painting lessons
regularly with Bob LeFevre.
She loves to paint in bright vibrant
colors and is inspired by the lushness of
the south and its Gullah culture. Roberta
has been an active in many Seabrook
Island organizations and presently
serves as the Artist Guild Vice President
Publicity. Her art work can be seen on the
Seabrook Island Artist Guild web site at
www.seabrookislandartistguild.com
The opening reception for the artist
and photographer of the month will be
held on Monday, May 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.
at the Lake House gallery.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Apr 24
Apr 25
Apr 26
Apr 27
Apr 28
Apr 29
Apr 30
May 01
May 02
May 03
May 04
May 05
May 06
May 07

1:04am/1:43pm
1:57am/2:38pm
2:51am/3:34pm
3:45am/4:29pm
4:38am/5:21pm
5:29am/6:09pm
6:16am/6:55pm
7:01am/7:37pm
7:44am/8:17pm
8:24am/8:55pm
9:03am/9:32pm
9:40am/10:08pm
10:19am/10:45pm
11:00am/11:27pm

7:27am/7:32pm
8:20am/8:29pm
9:14am/9:28pm
10:07am/10:26pm
10:56am/11:20pm
11:42am
12:10am/12:24pm
12:57am/1:04pm
1:40am/1:43pm
2:22am/2:20pm
3:02am/2:58pm
3:43am/3:36pm
4:24am/4:17pm
5:07am/5:00pm

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

Pat Schaefer

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

at Schaefer grew up in a large family in

rural Minnesota. Upon graduation,
she traveled to Europe where she
met her husband Page, moved to South
Carolina and there married and raised
two children. Pats professional career was
spent as a pediatric occupational therapist
working in the public school system.
Photography became Pats passion
when she moved to Seabrook Island and
was inspired by its immense beauty. She
soon published two photography books,
Dolphin Strand Feeding and Dolphins
from A to Z. Those accomplishments led
to a featured article in the SC Wildlife
magazine and garnered her credits in a
2013 National Geographic documentary
film, Secret Life of Predators.
Her work was featured on the cover
of Neighbors magazine, in Charleston
Magazine, on educational signs both in
Georgia and South Carolina, and most
recently in a Japanese childrens book.
Pat has received numerous awards,

including those from First Federal

Peoples Choice, Piccolo Spoleto Juried
Art Exhibition, Charleston Artist Guild,
Wells Gallery, and the Charleston Center
for Photography.
Much of her photography is of nature
or wildlife; however, her recent work
has included street images, architecture,
un-posed scenes and portraits of her
grandson. Pats photographs can be
purchased at the Charleston Artists
Guild Gallery and Carolina Clay Gallery.
Her books can be purchased at Blurb.
com bookstore or her websites. www.
patriciapschaefer.com
and
www.1patricia-schaefer.artistswebsites.com.
The opening reception for the
photographer and artist of the month will
be held on Monday, May 4 from 5 to 7
p.m. at the Lake House gallery. Find out
whats new at the Seabrook Island Artist
Guild by visiting our website at www.
seabrookislandartistguild.com.

16

April 24, 2015

daily

farmer focus

Frances challenges
following the
Charlie Hebdo attack

The Unconventional
Farmer

BY DAVID BROWN

For The Island Connection

he World Affairs Council of

Charleston will present its last
speaker of the season on Monday,
May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Citadel Alumni
Center, a social reception begins at 5:15
p.m.
Retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer
and Independent Analyst William
Jordan will discuss Frances Challenges
Following the Charlie Hebdo Attack.
The World Affairs Council of
Charleston is an organization that
fosters a broad knowledge of world
affairs and international events. It hosts
six speaking events each year featuring
distinguished presenters from U.S.
and foreign governments, academic
organizations, and the business
community.
Membership is open to the general William Jordan
public. Those wishing to join or attend
as a first time guest may either pay for their membership or a guest fee at the door.
Information regarding dues, guest policy, season programming, and meeting location
can be found at www.waccharleston.org or by calling 843.729.6743.

BY CATHERINE GILMORE
For The Island Connection

arroll ONeal of Irish Farms is a

far cry from the every day South
Carolina farmer. The level of
success he has on his farm makes one
believe hes been doing this his whole life;
however, Carroll has only been farming
on his property for thirteen years. Though
his fruits and veggies are flourishing,
Carroll still finds time to dabble in other
hobbies such as hunting, pigeon racing,
and of course, running for the House of
Representatives.
In his younger years, ONeal never
imagined that he would end up becoming
a farmer; growing up in downtown
Charleston where the yard space was
scarce, farming was never in the picture.
Shortly after his family moved to Mount
Pleasant, ONeal went on to college in
Jacksonville where he obtained his degree
in electronics engineering, a field he had
been interested in since childhood. Even
before receiving his first car, ONeal had a
hankering for technology; he even set up
an electric sound system for his familys
piano, also sparking a bit of interest in
music that would grow throughout his
life. Though ONeal grew up a wellrounded man, still nothing pointed to the
direction of farming he would eventually
take.
After the medical device career, ONeal
took on general contracting work, which
took him around the world. Also, after
establishing himself as a prominent citizen
of Charleston he ran to be in the House
of Representatives, a feat that he intends
to try for again. Though he traveled for a
great span of his life, ONeal still had the
desire to settle in Charleston.
Shortly after purchasing a home
downtown, his wife and daughter noticed
a piece of property on Johns Island.
They both convinced him to put it into
consideration, with his wife emphasizing
the difference in mortgage payments.
Though hesitant, he finally decided to
give in and give that lifestyle a try. In an
interview, ONeal mused about the last
day he had to decide on the property,
saying he witnessed about fifty ducks
and realized at that moment it was the

Carrol ONeal grew up in downtown

Charleston and now farms 13 acres on
Johns Island.

right place for him. ONeal packed up

his family and moved to Johns Island
where he began planting his fruits and
vegetables. Now thirteen years later he has
over fifteen different crops, all non-GMO
and naturally grown.
ONeal has been attending the Johns
Island Farmers Market since its inception.
An avid participator, he makes sure that if
he cant attend personally he has a helper
that will sit in. He caters to customers
old and new; most of the connections
hes made have come from the market
by people who get their supply of fresh
veggies and green boiled peanuts every
week from him. ONeal is thankful for
the opportunity to become closer with
the community through the Homegrown
market and intends to keep room in his
busy schedule every Saturday morning to
attend.
To reach ONeal give him a call
at 843.224.9001. Check out www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com or www.
facebook.com/HomeGrownFarmersMarket
for more details about the year-round
market, held every Saturday 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. at 3546 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island.

April 24, 2015

17

fundraising

Fundraiser helps
rescued horses

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

n Sunday May 3, Legare

Farms hosts the Big Red Barn
Fundraising Festival, a fundraiser
for rescued and unwanted horses. The
festival will run from noon until 6
p.m.. There will be live music by Nick
Black, New Found Life, and Nick Coes.
Activities include a jump castle, dunking
booth and face painting as well as the
playground and animal barn yard for
children. Hayrides and horse rides will be
ongoing during the festival. Food trucks
will be available to purchase lunch.
Sarah Berry, a member of the Legare
Family has been taking in rescued
and unwanted horses for several years.
However there needs to be improved

facilities before the farm can accommodate

any more horses.
The Big Red Barn Fundraising Festival
will help raise funds for this project to
build bigger and better facilities. The
festival is being sponsored by Hokus Pokus
Costume Shop and 514-JUMP. Entrance
tickets are $5 for adults and children
12 and under are free. Tickets can be
purchased in advance at legarefarms.com/
pages/the-big-red-barn-festival or at the
gate the day of the event. Tickets for all
activities such as jump castle, pony rides
etc. will be for sale at the event the day of.
For more information on the festival, call
843.559.0788 or email info@legaefarms.
com.

18

April 24, 2015

April 24, 2015

19

Tastes of the south

Sallies Greatest Spreads

BY CHARLOTTE MEYER
For The Island Connection

Editors Note: Tastes of the South is a new column by

Charlotte Myer, Specialty Food Buyer at Southern Season,
highlighting South Carolina vendors and their delicious
local products.

ituated right at the point where the Lowcountry

starts to transition to upstate South Carolina, Sallie
Dent-Porth takes advantage of the lush local produce
in her native Calhoun County to produce her line of jams
and cocktail syrups, Sallie's Greatest.
Growing up in the rural farming community, Sallie
always loved the bountiful fruits of the area, but didn't
make a career out of preserving them until much later.
Between then and now, she spent 25 years working as
a pharmaceutical sales representative, where extensive
travel led to her increased interest in unusual foods and
unique flavor combinations. As daily life grew more
stressful, she found peace of mind in the satisfying cycle
of the growing season: planting and harvesting her own
fruit and herbs, and preserving them using methods she
learned from her mother-in-law.
She also found satisfaction in creating something
completely new, and developed her own method to
combine herbs and fruit in a way that preserves the
nuanced flavor of each ingredient. But it wasn't until she
noticed an advertisement for Garden & Gun's "Made in
the South" awards that she decided to turn her hobby
into a business. She submitted her products, and the
rest is history. She has been recognized by Garden &
Gun, and her jams were named among Oprah's Favorite
Things in 2012. Her latest project has been developing a

line of cocktail syrups to complement her jams and jellies,

drawing from the same principle of combining local fruit
and herbs to create a fresh take on your favorite cocktail
ingredient.

It doesn't end hereSallie's favorite thing about

her products is their versatility. The cocktail syrups in
particular can be used at any time of day: in smoothies,
sorbets, teas, or desserts.