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Volume 8 Issue 17

December 5, 2014

FREE

Christmas
party serves
soldiers for
7 years
BY MARYLYNN HASPELL
For The Island Connection

PHOTO BY JACK KOTZ

Kiawah celebrates 40 years

of Designing with Nature
OUR WORLD EVENT ADDRESSED
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ISLAND
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

n November 6 the Kiawah Conservancy and the Our

World seminar program marked the 40th anniversary of
modern Kiawah Island with a co-sponsored symposium
titled Celebrating Kiawah: 1974-2014. The purpose was to
inform residents about the state of the island in 1974 and how
the community has been developed to preserve and maintain its
legendary natural environment.
In 1974 the heirs of C. C. Royal sold Kiawah to the Kuwait
Investment Corporation, and that group commissioned an
extensive environmental inventory of the island as the basis for
a master plan for development. This inventory was published in

veterans day
Page 8

1975, and contains a wealth of information about the state of

Kiawah Island in the latter part of the 20th century.
Mark Permar, an environmental architect, recently said that
this report marked the beginning of the development of the
Island and observed that 2015 is the 40th anniversary of the
'modern' era for Kiawah Island.
The foundation of a way of thinking set forth in the
environmental assessment has always been a significant

Our World continues on page 5

shellabration
Page 19

Linda Carrington and a guest at her

annual gift wrapping party for deployed
service men and women.

n 2006 Linda Carringtons son

Christopher entered the 82nd
Airborne Infantry and was deployed
to Afghanistan along with his best friend.
Carrington was proud and, of course,
nervous.
But then it hit her. Her son and his
friend wouldnt be home for Christmas.
Nor would thousands of other deployed

Serving Mom continues on page 6

Roadtrips
Page 21

December 5, 2014

civic

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com

National Hurricane Center

releases Storm Surge Risk map
NOAA URGES THOSE IN STORM SURGE

Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com

A R E A T O B E AWA R E , P R E PA R E D
STAFF REPORT

Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com

For The Island Connection

Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Sandy England
ad sales
sandy@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
staff photographer
Staff Writer
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
MaryLynn Haspell
Stephanie Braswell
Sarah Reynolds
Colin Cuskley
Mary Torello
Maria Gurovich
Chuck Bosshart
Dimi Matouchev
Marilyn Markel
Carol Antman

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: December 10
for submissions for the
December 19 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

These screenshots of the new NOAAs storm surge maps show the islands potential inundation at Category 1 and at Category 5 levels.

hanks to a new education and

awareness tool, anyone living in
hurricane-prone coastal areas along
the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts can now
evaluate their own unique risk to storm
surge.
NOAAs National Hurricane Center

and Office for Coastal Management

now host new high-resolution interactive
national inundation risk maps and data
via an online web mapping service.
Approximately 22 million people in
the U.S. are vulnerable to storm surge. Its
responsible for about half the deaths in

Civic Calendar
Tue, December 9
Communications
Committee Meeting
3 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Town Council Meeting

2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Thu, December 25
Kiawah Town Hall

Wed, December 10 Closed for Christmas

Town Planning
Commission Meeting
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Mon, December 15
Board of Zoning and
Appeals
4 5 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Tue, December 23
Ways and Means
Committee Meeting
2 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Day

Thu, January 1
Kiawah Town Hall
Closed for New Years
Day

Wed, January 7
Town Planning
Commission Work
Session
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Wed, January 14
Town Planning

Commission Meeting
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

the United States due to tropical cyclones,

and many evacuation routes become
inundated in a variety of scenarios. This
map makes it clear that storm surge is not
just a beachfront problem, with the risk of
storm surge extending several miles from
the immediate coastline in some areas.

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
Tue, January 27
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Town Council Meeting Phone: 768-9121
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Fax: 768-9830
Seabrook Town Hall
Email:
lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org

Wed, February 4
Town Planning
Commission Work
Session
2:30 4:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Johns Island Council

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

Charleston County Council

4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
Wed, February 11 958-4700t
Town Planning
Commission Meeting
City of Charleston
2:30 4:30 p.m.
75 Calhoun St.
Seabrook Town Hall
724-3745

December 5, 2014

Florida has a particularly large vulnerable

population, with about 40 percent of its
residents at risk to storm surge flooding.
NHC utilizes the hydrodynamic
Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from
Hurricanes (SLOSH) model to simulate
storm surge in 27 basins along the U.S. East
and Gulf Coasts. Based on climatology,
tens of thousands of hypothetical
hurricanes are simulated in each basin and
the potential storm surges are calculated.
Composites of the resulting storm surges
are created to assess and visualize overall
storm surge risk based on a wide range of
possibilities.
Previous versions of this information
were created for geographically disparate
areas and did not provide a national
perspective. The fragmented data created
confusion and a technical barrier to
understanding and analyzing national
vulnerability. The new national map
provides a better way to view, analyze,

civic

and communicate national storm surge

flooding risk, and it greatly reduces
confusion.
You dont have to think very hard
about it, just look at your location on the
national map to find out if you are in an
area at risk for storm surge from a future
tropical storm or hurricane, Brian Zachry,
Ph.D., NHC storm surge specialist, said.
What should individuals do if they
discover that they live in an area vulnerable
to storm surge? You should find out
today if you live in a hurricane storm surge
evacuation zone as determined by your
local emergency management agency,
Dr. Rick Knabb, Director of the National
Hurricane Center, said. If you do live in
an evacuation zone, decide today where
you will go and how you will get there, if
and when youre instructed by emergency
managers to evacuate.
View the maps online at www.nhc.noaa.
gov/surge.

December 5, 2014

civic

civic

CORRECTION

Exchange Club presents

$11,000 in donations

n an article titled Kiawah Town

Council, November 4, 2014 in
the Nov. 21 edition of The Island
Connection an incorrect report was made
regarding which councilmembers voted
for and against two amendments to the
motion to purchase the Betsey Kerrison
Parkway Property. The Island Connection
regrets the error.
Below is a correct summary of the votes
cast on the amendments to the motion to
purchase the 21 acre piece of property
for $2,000,000, the actual vote for the
property passed 5-0.
Council discussed two amendments to
the vote: purchase the property but not
close until the existing lease agreement is
fulfilled; or purchase and close by Nov. 14
with the existing lease agreement in place
until Dec. 31, which would mean that the
current tenant, Sidi Limehouse owner of
the Rosebank Farms stand, could remain
until that date.
A motion was made by councilman
Murphy to approve the proposed
Agreement to Buy and Sell dated June
5, 2014 as it now exists for the property
located on Betsy Kerrison and consisting
of approximately 21 acres for a purchase
price of $2,000,000. The closing on
this property shall take place when all
encumbrances are removed as anticipated
in the Agreement. Councilman Patch
seconded the motion.

The votes were as follows: Richard E.

Murphyyes/in favor, John D. Labriola
no/opposed, Mary Q. Johnsonno/
opposed, Lauren D. Patchyes/in favor,
Charles R. Lipumano/opposed. The
motion failed by a 3 to 2 vote.
Mayor Lipuma then made a motion
to approve the proposed Agreement to
Buy and Sell dated June 5, 2014 with
the proposed Third amendment for the
property located on Betsy Kerrison. The
third amendment specified that Buyer
is willing to close on the property on or
about November 14, 2014 subject to
this lease agreement; provided, however,
Sellers agree that Sellers; will deposit at
closing $20,000.00 into a separate escrow
account. Buyer will accept the property
subject to the referenced lease agreement.
Sidi Limehouse shall have a ten day grace
period beyond December 31, 2014 to
vacate the Property. Should he not do so
by January 10, 2015, Sellers agree that the
$20,000.00 in escrow shall be forfeited
immediately to the Town. The closing on
the property shall take place on or before
Nov. 14, 2014. Labriola seconded the
motion.
The votes were as follows: Richard
E. Murphyno/opposed, John D.
Labriolayes/in favor, Mary Q.
Johnsonyes/in favor, Lauren D. Patch
no/opposed, Charles R. Lipumayes/in
favor. The motion passed by a 3 to 2 vote.

Charleston Symphony Orchestra Education Programs in the Schools receives a

donation from the Kiawah/Seabrook Exchange Club, pictured are Monica Jenks
(Director of Advancement), Janice Crews (Education Director) and Roger Steel, of the
Exchange Club.

Director Roger Steel presents a check from the Kiawah/Seabrook Exchange Club
to Sea Island Habitat for Humanitys representatives Elizabeth Paul (Development
Director) and John Rhoden (Executive Director).

December 5, 2014

Our World continued from cover

differentiator when compared to other
coastal new communities, Permar said.
The Environmental Science committee
of the Kiawah Conservancy recently
completed a review of much of the
1975 report. The committee focused on
determining the effects of development
on the environment and on identifying
topics that may need further study. The
summary report, which brings together
the Committees work with information
from many other environmental studies on
Kiawah, is available on the Conservancys
website (www.kiawahconservancy.org).
The speakers at the symposium
were Professor John Mark Dean of the
University of South Carolina, one of the
authors of the 1975 report, and Permar,
who played such a key role in planning
Kiawah around its beautiful natural
environment. The evening also included a
panel discussion involving representatives
of every aspect of life on Kiawah including
the Town of Kiawah Island, the Kiawah
Island Community Association, the
Kiawah Island Golf Resort and Kiawah
Partners.
The special event was part of the long
tradition of KICAs Our World events
at the Sandcastle. The complimentary
educational lecture series brings a
variety of experts to the island to make
presentations and share their knowledge.
Refreshments are always available,
attendance is excellent and the interaction
with speakers makes the experience very
personal. Few such events, however, have
been as stately and as personal as this
one. KICA and the Kiawah Conservancy

daily
outdid themselves with a next level
cornucopia of refreshments. Jack Kotz
managed the floor while paging through a
slide show of photographs that illustrated
the sections of the report.

PHOTO BY TINA SCHELL

Mark Permar

The well-executed idea was to pepper

in cameo appearances from people
like KICAs Jimmy Bailey.
Bailey mentioned his mother had visited
Kiawah some years ago. Her observation
of the present, said Bailey, was This place
is just so outstanding. Its the same as I
remember it from the time we visited it
when I was a child. It was the perfect
segue for a list of guest speakers to discuss
40 Years of Designing with Nature
starting with Professor John Mark Dean,
Emeritus Professor Biology, University of

South Carolina.
In 1974 there were no regulations and
it was typical to build as close to the ocean
as possible. But the Kuwaitis did more
than was demanded, Dean said. Together,
Dean and the Kuwaitis raised the bar for
coastal development, conducting the first
environmental inventories, and embracing
the philosophy that healthy dunes
result in a healthy beach, not groins or
revetments.
In fact, we have the Folly Beach groin
to thank for accreting nearly ten feet of
beach/year on Kiawah, Dean said. He
concluded by remarking The Kuwaitis
[including Dean, it should be noted] took
the time to see what they had and we are
the beneficiaries.
Frank Brumley, Chairman and CEO of
the Daniel Island Company, was involved
in every stage of Kiawahs development,
from the Kuwaitis to Kiawah Development
Partners. Brumley had several anecdotes to
share. For example, shortly after Kiawah
was purchased from the Kuwaitis for $105
million, his boss would goad he and Pat
McKinney to sell something. This place
is costing me $38,000 a day. Of course
taunting employees may not have been a
good idea since they carried rifles at the
time.
There were wild hogs on the island
back then and if we got the chance, we
would shoot them, and give them to people
on Johns Island, Brumley said. One day
I saw a good sized hog and shot it. I called
to have someone come pick it up and as
I described the location, I was informed
that I had shot the bait hog loaned to us by
a local farmer [to draw in the wild hogs].
We were explaining that for a while, he

said amidst laughter.

Mark Permar of Permar Associates, is a
venerated Kiawah icon. He began his part
of the presentation by saying 40 years
ago, I was six foot, two and had thick,
dark hair. Permar, it seems, had grown
accustomed to hearing you have to see
this site from the myriad developers
with whom he worked. When his wife,
Diana, said the same thing in reference
to Kiawah, it gave him pause. When he
finally saw Kiawah for the first time with
its collision of maritime forests, streams,
wetlands and beach fields I knew she
was right, he said, his voice breaking with
genuine emotion.
The prevailing notion at the time was
bigger beach set backs meant less revenue.
However, by recommending that builders
move further back from the ocean,
Permar Associates actually increased the
value of ocean front properties. They
also enhanced privacy and at the same
time, created a communal resource that
everyone could enjoy, without walking
through someones back yard to get there,
Permar said. Despite another change
in developer, that thinking has carried
forward to the present efforts at Ocean
Park. By building away from the ocean,
we have more green space and more of the
nature we all love, but not the itchy part,
concluded Permar.
Residents never seem to tire of hearing
historical accounts of Kiawah. 40 Years
of Designing with Nature steeped
listeners in the old tales of Jeep safaris and
wild horses, while showing a future full
of promise. It was definitely another Our
World success story.

daily

Serving Mom continues from cover

soldiers serving their country.
She determined to do something about it; she threw a
Christmas party.
This wasnt your typical Christmas party. She set up
in her garage in Pennsylvania, where she was living,
and invited people to come with shoeboxes. There were
thirty five in allthe number of men serving in her sons
platoon. Guests filled the shoe boxes with sundry items
that soldiers needed and would enjoy. Thus a tradition
was born.

Theres a lot of
patriotism, but
its more than
that. Its about
somebodys son
or daughter
being away for
Christmas.
Barbara Sandy
Every year since that first party in Pennsylvaniaand
there were three of them before Carrington moved to
Kiawah in 2009Carrington has continued the event.
Once it transferred to Kiawah the party started to grow
to such an extent that people ask about it all year long.
Participation too has grown and grown.
Upon moving to Kiawah, Carrington says, I knew I
needed to do itI treat it like Christmas, and I knew I
couldnt not do it.

Since then, her own son has been through three

deployments. And each year, several military companies
are identified and designatedthrough friends or
associates who know of someone serving a deployment
to be recipients of the packed-to-the-brim shoeboxes.
Held well in advance of Christmas to allow for mailing
timethis years party was on November 16shoeboxes
are donated by local businesses, individuals and this year
a local church. Invitees are asked to bring books, cds,
sewing kits, hand warmers, snacks, socksjust about
anything that can be packed easily and will not spoil or
crumble.
Once the guests arrive, they roll up their sleeves and go
to work. The screened-in porch of Carringtons gracious
and festively decorated home is jammed with long tables
where guests efficiently pack and gift wrap the boxes,
with a system that works with conveyor-belt precision.
The boxes are then neatly stacked inside the living room
to await transportation to the post office. Last year, two
hundred boxes were sent out. This year, there were well
over three hundred.
Its not just about the amount of boxes, says Carrington.
Its about the feeling that goes into packing those boxes
and getting them sent out.
Everybody wants to do something, she says. This
(the party) gives people a venue to do it in.
What I appreciate is that people are here and theyll
be here again and again, says Barbara Sandy, whose
son is a veteran of several deployments. Theres a lot of
patriotism, but its more than that. Its about somebodys
son or daughter being away for Christmas.
Pictures of the service personnel whose companies are
receiving the shoeboxes are displayed on a table in the
middle of Carringtons living room to make the efforts of
the busy guests feel even more real and personal.
You cant imagine how appreciated those shoeboxes
are, says First Lieutenant Charles Bausman, a marine
whose company was among the recipients of last years
shoeboxes.

December 5, 2014

Everybodys hands touch those boxes, says Carrington.

She modestly downplays her involvement saying, Im
just a mom who needed to do something.
How long will she continue to have these parties? As
long as she needs to, Carrington says. She adds, What I
pray is that one year I wont have to do it.

December 5, 2014

arts & events

arts & events

Light up the holiday with

Celebrate the season
The Little Match Girl
with the Holiday of Lights
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL

BY SARAH REYNOLDS

For The Island Connection

For The Island Connection

harleston Dance Institute presents The Little Match Girl

Sunday, December 7, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., East Beach
Conference Center
The story is a timeless tale of the resilience of the human spirit. A young
girl is selling matches, barefoot in the snow on the last day of the year.
Alone, freezing, and unable to sell a single match, the little match girl
huddles into a corner to stay warm. She lights a single match, holding its
tiny flame cupped in her palms, and there, in the flickering of the flame, she
is able to escape her reality for a fleeting moment, Charleston City Paper.
Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council. Complimentary
Tickets are available at the Visitors Center at Kiawah Island Town Hall.
For more information call 843.768.9166.

ake spirits bright this year at the

25th anniversary of the beloved
Holiday Festival of Lights! With
an estimated two million shimmering
lights, Charlestons most popular holiday
event runs through Jan. 1, 2015 at James
Island County Park.
More than four million people have
toured the Holiday Festival of Lights,
which is hosted by the Charleston County
Park and Recreation Commission at the
agencys James Island County Park. The
event has received many awards and
mentions in publications throughout the
country, and the three-mile driving tour
delivers more every year. Remember, the
Holiday Festival of Lights is much more
than just a driving tour! Park the car and
experience exciting attractions customdesigned for holiday cheer. There are many
celebrated attractions to see and activities
to do, including:
Marshmallow Roasting
Festival Train Rides
Lakeside Lights Interactive
Activity
The Amazing Dancing Light
Display
Enchanted Walking Trail

Old-Fashioned Carousel
Unique Gift Shops and the
Reindeer Workshop
Santas Sweet Shoppe
New family photo opp location
Special Family Events on select
evenings, including photos with
Santa, live music and more.
Whats NEW at this years Festival
Guests to this years festival may win
of one of our silver anniversary celebration
surprises! One lucky guest each evening of
the festival will receive a special gift valued
at $25 as they drive through the park gates.
Charleston County Parks will also give
away a 5-night cruise as part of this years
celebration. No purchase is necessary for
the cruise sweepstakes; all entrants can
enter to win at CharlestonCountyParks.
com/Sweepstakes between Nov. 1 and
Dec. 31.
There is so much to see at the festival
every night! See our nightly calendar of
events below for a list of special events
taking place on select nights, and join us
in 2014 as we celebrate 25 years of making
spirits bright. To view the Holiday Festival
of Lights Special Events Calendar visit
www.holidayfestivaloflights.com.

arts & events

December 5, 2014

2014 Charleston
Veterans Day Parade
BY RALPH SECOY

For The Island Connection

T
PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

he Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical

Center
Voluntary
Services
Department organized this years
Charleston Veterans Day Parade. The
Voluntary Services Department is headed
by Fred Lesinski with his staff of Vicki L.
Johnson and others.
The Parade was a tremendous success
with over 1,000 participating Vets and

numerous supporters lining the parade

route. This event included a Flyover, a very
large contingent of motorcycles, Color
Guards, ROTC Units, Bands, Floats, a
Bomb Disposal Robot, and supportive
family members.
Veterans from World War II,
Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan
appreciated the recognition and honor of

December 5, 2014

arts & events

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

their service and sacrifice.

The Charleston VA Hospital Voluntary
Services Office presented this event. They
organize volunteers and donations to fund
several programs that cannot be done with
tax dollars due to legal restrictions: bus
tickets home, newspapers for inpatients,
coffee in waiting rooms, meals for visiting

family, last wish vacations, transportation,

and more. In 2013 Volunteer hours were
63,700 and donations totaled $642,000.
Please visit the Johnson VA Medical
Center Voluntary Services at www.
charleston.va.gov/giving to volunteer or
donate.

10

daily

islands at war

December 5, 2014

Homegrown Holiday
The Battle of
Bazaar helps you
Burden's Causeway
shop local this season P A R T I I F I V E D A Y S O F B A T T L E
BY COLIN CUSKLEY

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

he Homegrown Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 from 2 to
6 p.m. at 3546 Maybank Highway
(site of the Johns Island Farmers Market
which will be running from 9 a.m. 1
p.m. that day). The event is brought to
you by Homegrown Johns Island Farmers
Market and Sea Islands Chamber of
Commerce.
There will be many local vendors on site
just in time to get your holiday shopping
done. Afterwards, visit the Gift Wrap
Station and the many Silent Auction items
up for bid. The Holiday Hayride features
seasonal displays created by local area
schools. Vote for your favorite display and
the winning class wins a special prize.
Local restaurants and food vendors will

be there along with warm drinks, beer and

wine. The V-Tones of Charleston will be
providing music during the afternoon.
Fun activities for kids will also be on
hand, including several seasonal-themed
games, crafts, cookie decorating, and
a bounce house. Get your photo taken
with Santa Claus or with holiday props.
The Homegrown Holiday Bazaar is your
one-stop shop for all things local and
festive.
Admission is free. To find out more about
the Homegrown Holiday Bazaar, call Karen
at 843.793.1234 or visit facebook.com/
homegrownholidaybazaar.

For The Island Connection

n early July,1864, 5,000 Union

troops landed on Seabrook Island and
marched up Johns Island in an effort to
flank Confederate forces on James Island
and help in the capture of Charleston. By
the evening of July 4th, after two days
of hard marching in the Lowcountrys
sweltering heat, they were camped around
Brickhouse Plantation at the intersection
of River Rd and Legareville Rd. (near
todays Bryans Dairy Rd.)
Opening Skirmish
On the morning of July 5, 1864, the
Union forces on Johns Island were in an
excellent position. They had established
a supply base and line of retreat at
Legareville on the Stono River. River
Rd was open for many miles east and
north where they could secure the west
bank of the Stono River and threaten
the Confederate forces across the river.
However, Confederate reinforcements had
begun to arrive on the north end of Johns
Island and, as importantly, Major John
Jenkins the commander of Confederate
forces on the Island had returned to his
post. A native of Edisto Island, Jenkins
had commanded the Confederate forces
during the vigorous defense at Haulover
Cut in February when, outnumbered,
they had repulsed a Union force of 4,000
troops during three days of battle.
On Tuesday morning the 5th, Major

Jenkins sent scouts down River Rd to

determine the disposition and intent of
the enemy. When he learned that the
Federals under the command Brigadier
General John P. Hatch were advancing
up River Rd. he sent part of his forces
to delay their advance. The much larger
Federal force consisted of two brigades,
one under the command Colonel William
Davis of the 104th Pennsylvania Regiment
and the other under Brigadier General
Rufus Saxton. At the same time Jenkins
took command of the recently arrived
1st Georgia regiment, including some
artillery, and marched down Bohicket Rd
from Maybank Highway, known then as
Fenwick Rd. The Confederates turned
left on Edenvale Rd. and came up on the
Federals flank and rear at the intersection
with River Rd, called Huntscums corner
at the time. There they surprised and
routed two companies of the 26th New
York Colored Infantry who retreated
back southwest to Brickhouse Plantation.
By this time the larger Union force of
two brigades had advanced up River
Rd almost to Plow Ground Rd. Jenkins
action had theoretically cut them off from
their supply line at Legareville.
Their rear under threat, the Union
troops halted at Burdens Creek just below
Plow Ground Rd and sent Saxtons Brigade
to repel Jenkins and relieve the 26th

December 5, 2014

islands at war

James Island and had full naval control

of the Stono River.
Day of Fighting
On Thursday, July 7, the Union
commander Saxton sent skirmishers
out to test the Rebel lines and brought
forward his artillery to begin shelling.
But after a few hours the Federal fire
slackened and the front was quite
except for occasionally exchanges of
gunfire. Major Jenkins was surprised
that his opponents were not attacking
more vigorously as he was outnumbered
more than 5 to 1. Finally about 5 p.m.
General Saxton ordered an advance.
He sent a group of sharpshooters to
engage and distract the enemy on his
right while the 26th New York Colored
Regiment was ordered forward on
the left. The 26th had battled Major
Jenkins at Hunstcums Corner two
days earlier and had spent most of the
next day marching up to the position
at Burdens Creek. They had been
PHOTO BY COLIN CUSKLEY
A Union battery in action at the annual Legare Farms reenactment.
resting
in the rear of the Federal lines on
regiment. Jenkins realized that his small Rebel batteries across the Stono River on
the
morning
of the 7th but were ordered
contingent could never prevail squeezed James Island. His intent was to establish
forward
through
the lines to reach their
against the large force to his north and the batteries on Johns Island to fire on
jumping
off
point.
remainder of the 26th New York to his them across the river. He also sent a few
The 26th attacked across the field that
south. He reversed his route and retreated companies of African American troops
is
now
in the north east corner of the
back up Edenvale and Bohicket. He had forward to test the Confederate defenses.
intersection
at River and Plow Ground
accomplished his purpose of diverting and They were driven back by the hot fire of
roads.
They
succeeded in turning the
delaying the main Union advance.
the Confederate batteries and troops.
Confederate
line, and if supported
The Battleground Set
The most notable event of the day
properly, would have been able to flank and
Meanwhile Confederate troops from was the wounding of Colonel Davis who surround the entire Confederate position.
the 2nd South Carolina and 32nd Georgia had been in tactical command of the General Saxton had several other fresh
regiments had arrived around Waterloo Union forces. He had gone forward to regiments readily available to support
Plantation north of Plow Ground Rd. view the Confederate defenses and while them but failed to send any forward.
Federal Brigadier Hatch, unsure of what looking through his telescope observed a The Commander of the 26th, Colonel
he faced on his front, entrenched in a Confederate artillery piece load, aim and William Stillman, was also wounded just
strong position at Burdens Causeway fire directly towards his party. Though as they reached the Confederate lines
with the creek and marsh on his front, the he ducked behind a small tree he was further demoralizing the troops.
Stono on his right and thick Lowcountry seriously wounded in his right hand
The Confederate troops put up a
jungle on his left. This is as far as the and arm requiring his evacuation to
vigorous
defense especially from the 2nd
Union forces would get. By nightfall on the medical facilities in the rear. The overall
South
Carolina
Cavalry Regiment. Troops
5th there were hundreds of Confederate commander, General Hatch also retired to
from
the
1st
Georgia
Regulars were pulled
troops and 4 pieces of artillery blocking a more central position of command from
from
the
center
of
the
Confederate line and
the
relative
safety
of
a
Federal
ship
in
the
their way.
moved
west
to
counterattack
the 26th. The
Wednesday morning, July 6th, found Stono River. This left Brigadier Saxton in fighting between the Rebel troops and the
the Confederates entrenched in the field command.
African-American regiment was especially
Nothing major had been accomplished
north of, and parallel to, Plow Ground Rd.
fierce because of the enmity between the
The Rebels were about a half mile from the for the day except the reinforcement and two. Yet the Federal command continued
Union lines along the woods just north of strengthening of the Confederate line. to fail to press the attack with additional
Burdens Creek along the road. General On James Island the opposing forces had troops despite the weakened Confederate
Saxtons brigade was still returning from continued shelling and firing at each other defenses. Finally the 157th New York was
their chase of Major Jenkins at Huntscums with casualties but likewise, no significant sent forward but only after the 26th had
Coner the previous day. By then Major change in their positions. The main lines begun to retreat. Union Colonel Davis,
Jenkins had circled around up Bohicket on James Island ran east from Battery who had been wounded and sent to the
Rd and down Maybank Highway to Pringle on the Stono River across from rear the previous day, noted there was a
take command on the front. He began where the Executive Airport is today. The lack of judgment in handling the troops,
actively shelling the Union forces with strong Union line on Johns Island was a a scathing observation by the overly polite
his few artillery pieces. Federal General bit north of this. The Federals had already standards of written commentary of the
Hatch had troops reconnoitering the flanked the Confederate positions on day.

11

An interesting side note for the 26th

Regiment is that the actor and singer
Vanessa Williams great-great-grandfather
served in the 26th and was very likely
a participant in the battle of Burdens
Causeway.
Retreat From Victory
Friday, July 8th saw no change in
the position of the opposing forces.
Confederate forces continued to be
reinforced and Brigadier General B.H.
Robertson arrived to take command. He
continued to rely on the expert advice of
Major Jenkins and Captain John Basnett
Legare Walpole of the Stono Scouts. The
Federals also received reinforcements and
General Hatch was ordered to return to
the Island and take direct command
of the troops. There were some active
artillery exchanges in the morning but no
significant fighting occurred that day as
each side consolidated their positions.
General Robertson was determined to
go on the offense on July 9th. He formed
all of his troops into two lines, the first
commanded by Colonel George Harrison
of the 32nd Georgia, the second by Major
Jenkins. At dawn, Colonel Harrisons
men advanced across the field to attack
the Union front line along Plow Ground.
Within a half hour he had driven back the
Federals, across the bridge over Burdens
Creek to their second line on the south
side of the creek and marsh. Though
Jenkins had been ordered to remain in
reserve in case Harrisons troops were
repulsed, he nevertheless advanced in
support. The full Confederate force
including all their artillery pressed hard on
the Union defenses across the creek. But
being heavily outnumbered and attacking
across the swampy ground against strong
entrenchments the Confederates were
unable to advance any further. General
Robertson ordered Harrison and Jenkins
to end the assault for the day and hold the
ground they had gained.
Despite the setback, the Federals were
in a good position. They defended a strong
line with a creek and marsh at their front,
river on one flank and impassable woods
and swamp on the other. They heavily
outnumbered the Confederates. They
could have safely built batteries on Johns
Island (near todays executive airport) and
shelled the Confederate defenses across
the Stono on James Island. However, the
Federals had had enough. On the night of
the 9th they retreated back down River
Rd. and out to Legareville were they
boarded transports and left Johns Island,
thereby snatching defeat from the jaws of
victory.

Island Connection Calendar

10

December 5, 2014

December 5

ONGOING EVENTS

contact Denise Doyon at dendoyon@gmail.

com.

POPS Bible Study

8:30 a.m. at the Sandcastle

Tuesdays

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.
Seabrook Stitchers
The Lake House, every Monday from 11
a.m. - 1 p.m. For more information, please

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.
Kick it at Bohicket

Free family fun at Bohickett Marina, 6 to 9

p.m. featuring music, face painting, balloon
artists and a jump castle.

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.

Saturdays
December 13 and 20 Bohicket Marina
presents Sunset & Santa from 2 5 p.m.
Santa and his helper will be greeting kids of
all ages. There will be a face painter and DJ
Jim Bowers playing all your favorite Holiday
Beach Music.
Homegrown
Johns Island Farmers Market. Every
Saturday at 3546 Maybank Highway
Johns Island 9 a.m. 1 p.m. www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com. Update
December 13 homegrown hours change to
winter hours, 10 a.m. 2 p.m.
Holiday Craft Classes for 5 12 year olds
10 a.m. 12 p.m.
Children will be able to choose from a
variety of projects (or choose them all!).
The class will work with natural elements
to celebrate the season! Taught by mother
daughter artist duo Sally Collins and
KC Collins. $35 Members, $45 NonMembers per one day class. Register for
both days and get $5 off total. Circular
Congregational Church Wingard Room,
150 Meeting St.

Ongoing

Holiday Festival of Lights, James Island

County Park
Ongoing Nightly through Jan. 1.
Special events are included with festival
admission fees. For festival hours and
fees, call 843.795.4386 or visit www.
HolidayFestivalofLights.com.
Dec. 5: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist, 6 p.m.
Dec. 6: Stiltwalker, 6 p.m.
Dec. 7: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 9: Storytelling, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11: Performance by Lowcountry Power
Brass, 6 8 p.m.
Dec. 12: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist, 6 p.m.
Dec. 13: Holiday Carolers, 6 8 p.m.
Dec. 14: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 16: Storytelling, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18: Performance by Lowcountry Power
Brass, 6 8 p.m.
Dec. 19: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Ask a Caw Caw Naturalist, 6 p.m.
Dec. 20: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Holiday Carolers, 6 8 p.m.
Dec. 21: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 23: Storytelling, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 31: Stiltwalker, 6 p.m. and Fireworks,
9 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Celebrate the Eastern Bluebird
10 a.m. We will create a take-home bluebird
plush toy, walk Sewees bluebird nature
trail and check out last years nesting
boxes. Free Program at the Sewee Visitor &
Environmental Education Center.
Homegrown Holiday Bazaar
2 6 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of
Holiday Shopping, Silent Auctions,
Hayrides, Games, Food Trucks, Beer &

Wine, and Live Music from The V-Tones

of Charleston! 3546 Maybank Hwy, Johns
Island. Brought to you by Johns Island
Farmers Market and Sea Islands Chamber
of Commerce.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Holiday Open House
4 6 p.m. The Seabrook Island Garden
Club invites ALL island residents to attend
our Holiday Open House. Please join us for
food, friendship, and fun.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
Kiawah Island Garden Club Workshops
9:30 and 11 a.m. Two workshops will be
offered to make Christmas decorations
for members mailboxes. Held at the Blue
Heron Pond Pavilion.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
Christmas Is Being With Your Friends
4 p.m. The Island Choraliers present
Christmas is being with your friends. 14th
annual Holiday Concert featuring the Sea
Island Lady Singers. Performances will be
December 10 at the Church of our Savior at
4 p.m. and December 11 t Bishop Gadsden
Community at 3 p.m.
Kiawah Island Garden Club Workshop
9:30 a.m. A workshop with the KICA
maintenance staff to make swags and
decorations for all the signs on Kiawah.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
Calling All Hoosiers

6 8 p.m. Seabrook Islanders with an

attachment to the State of Indiana are
preparing to celebrate the anniversary
of the states admittance into the Union
on December 11, 2014. See story page
9. Contact Max Willis at 768.8301 or
mwillissc@yahoo.com.
Toys for Tots Pickup Set
This years Holiday Toys for Tots pickup has
been set from 12 2 p.m. at the Seabrook
Townhall.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15
Kiawah Island Garden Club Tea
3 5 p.m. The Kiawah Island Club
Christmas Tea in the Morning room at the
Sanctuary.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Round Table Discussion with
Councilwoman Johnson
12:30 p.m. Discuss concerns and issues
with Councilwoman Anna Johnson of
Charleston County District 8 at the Johns
Island Regional Library.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
The Nutcracker comes to the Sottile
Theatre
10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. To help put us in the
holiday spirit, the Coastal Ballet Theatre
will be performing the Nutcracker on
December 19th at the Sottile Theatre. There
will be two performances: 10 a.m. and
7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at https://
adobeformscentral.com/?f=6n1FRT60fP0JHXPmB072w#.

January 25
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
Seabrook Island Natural History Groups
Annual Soup Supper
5:30 p.m. Bring your favorite soup, chili,
dessert or bread to share with the groupenough for 10 people, or enough for 20
people if you bring more than two guests.
The Soup Stallions will be available at both
the front entrance and the back parking lot
to assist you with your contribution for the
supper. The club will provide water, coffee
and tea as well as plates, utensils, ice wine,
beer, soda and mixed drinks by the glass (no

BYOB, please). This event will be held at the

Island House at the Club, members pay $13,
guests of members pay $17.

JANUARY 23-25, 2015

Kiawah Comedy Weekend
Join us for this inaugural comedy weekend
featuring two nights of nonstop laughter
with some of the nations most acclaimed
comedians. This event is located at the
Kiawah island Golf Resort.

14

December 5, 2014

daily

volunteer spotlight

Seabrook Island
welcomes Pickleball

Frank Cassidy

BY MARY TORELLO

For The Island Connection

INTERVIEW 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.

ever underestimate the power of fun! Come join in the newest

keep-fit sport to arrive on Seabrook. Pickleball is a racquet sport
that combines the elements of tennis, badminton and table
tennis. Using a hard paddle and a plastic, wiffle style ball, the play takes
place on a badminton sized court.
Players meet every Friday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Pickleball is a game
for everyone and all adults are invited! The USAPA currently estimates
there are more than 100,000 players actively playing pickleball. This is
not a SI club or SIPOA related activity. Interested parties should contact
mary.torello@yahoo.com for further details.
To view a video of pickleball in action visit www.youtube.com/
watch?v=8V9X9B2cL_Q.

Frank Cassidy

esidents of Kiawah Island, Frank

and Kathy Cassidy, have been
married for over 45 years. They are
originally from New Jersey, where Frank
had a long career with Public Service
Enterprise Group. They have two children
and one granddaughter. Frank currently
serves on the boards of Our Lady of
Mercy Community Outreach, the Storm
Eye Institute at MUSC, and Calpine
Corporation. He devotes his spare time to
his passions: golf and bicycling.
Frank has always been involved and
gave back to the community. In New
Jersey, he was always active in parish
work, including a tour as president of the
parish council.
I was introduced to OLM Outreach
by a friend, and after a tour we became

donors and volunteers, remembers Frank.

Since then, Frank has been involved with
Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
as a Board member, food room, front desk,
and auction volunteer. He points out that
he loves volunteering with the Outreach
because the staff is fun to work with and
the work is important to the lives of our
clients.
To those who are thinking of trying to
get involved, he would say: Your time,
talent, and treasure are needed, and its
hard to conceive of a more worthwhile
organization.
For more information on how to
get involved with Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach contact Maria
Gurovich via phone 843.559.4109 or email
maria.gurovich@olmoutreach.org.

December 5, 2014

15

arts & events

financial focus

SINHG Soup Supper

tickets now on sale

Check Out This Year-End

Financial Checklist
BY DIMI MATOUCHEV

CHUCK BOSSHART

For The Island Connection

For The Island Connection

he Seabrook Island Natural History Groups Annual Soup

Supper tickets are now on sale. The Soup Supper is scheduled
for 5:30 p.m. January 16, 2015 in the Atlantic Room at
the Seabrook Island Club. Cost for members is $13 and guests of
members $17.
Bring your favorite soup, chili, dessert or bread to share with the
group (enough for ten people). The Soup Stallions will be available
at both the front entrance and the back parking lot to assist you
with your contribution for the supper. We will provide water, coffee
and tea as well as plates, utensils and ice. Please label all pots, lids,
and ladles.
Again this year, Chef Randy has challenged SINHG to a Soup
Throwdown. If you would like to enter a soup, stew, or chowder in
the Throwdown, we would love to have you join the competition.
Wine, beer, soda and mixed drinks by the glass will be provided by
the Club (No BYOB, please.) You can use either your POA or Club
card. In addition, the Club will discount two wines by the bottle:
Foxbrook at $17 and Chateau St Jean at $21 per bottle.
Sign up on the SINHG web site, sinhg.org. If youre not a SINHG
member this is a great time to join. Membership information and
forms are available on the web site under Join Us.
For questions contact Chuck Bosshart at 768.2111 or htb1952@
gmail.com.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Dec 5
Dec 6
Dec 7
Dec 8
Dec 9
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18

6:54am/7:15pm
7:40am/8:01pm
8:23am/8:46pm
9:04am/9:28pm
9:45am/10:11pm
10:24am/10:54pm
11:05am/11:39pm
11:47am
12:27am/12:33pm
1:19am/1:22pm
2:13am/2:15pm
3:07am/3:09pm
4:00am/4:03pm
4:52am/4:55pm

12:24am/1:09pm
1:11am/1:56pm
1:57am/2:40pm
2:40am/3:23pm
3:22am/4:03pm
4:04am/4:43pm
4:46am/5:23pm
5:30am/6:04pm
6:18am/6:47pm
7:12am/7:35pm
8:09am/8:25pm
9:08am/9:18pm
10:06am/10:10pm
11:00am/11:01pm

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

s 2014 draws to a close, you may

want to look back on the progress
youve made this past year in
various areas of your lifeand that
certainly includes progress toward your
financial goals. At the same time, you may
want to make some end-of-year moves that
can close out 2014 on a positive note while
paving the way for a productive 2015.
Here are a few such moves to consider:
Boost your retirement plan
contributions. This actually isnt
an end-of-year move because
you have until April 15, 2015,
to contribute to your Roth or
Traditional IRA for the 2014 tax
year. Nonetheless, the sooner you
get extra dollars working for you
in your IRA, the better. You can
put in up to $5,500 to your IRA
(or $6,500 if youre 50 or older)
for 2014. If you are self-employed,
or run a small business, you also
have until April 15 to contribute
to a retirement account, such as
a SEP IRA or a SIMPLE plan.
In addition to helping you build
resources for retirement, these
types of plans can offer you some
tax advantagesso if you havent
established a retirement plan yet,
consult with your financial and tax
professionals
Sell your losers. If you own
investments that have lost value
since you purchased them, you can
sell them before 2014 ends and use
the tax loss to offset some capital
gains you may have earned in other
investments. If you dont have any
capital gains, you can use up to
$3,000 of your tax losses to offset
other ordinary income. And for a
loss greater than $3,000, you can
carry over the excess and deduct
it from your taxes in future years. If
you still liked the investment that
you sold at a loss, and you want
to keep it in your portfolio, you
could repurchase it, but youll have

to wait 31 days to avoid violating

the IRS wash sale rules. Keep
in mind that these suggestions
only apply to investments held
outside your employer-sponsored
retirement account; you cant take
a tax deduction on capital losses in
a 401(k) or similar plan.
Evaluate your 401(k) investment
mix. You may be able to adjust the
investment mix in your 401(k)
as often as you like. So when
evaluating your 401(k), make sure
your holdings arent concentrated
in just a few investments, and
try to determine if your portfolio
is still appropriate for your risk
tolerancenot too aggressive or
too conservative. Also, if your
plan offers a Roth option,
consider taking advantage of it
with a Roth, you wont be able to
deduct your 401(k) contributions
from your taxes, but once you
retire, you wont be taxed on your
withdrawals.
Review your insurance coverage.
If youve experienced any changes
in your life in 2014new spouse,
new child, divorce, new job, etc.
you may need to review your life
insurance coverage to make sure
that its still sufficient for your
needs and that you have the correct
beneficiaries in place.
By making these and other moves, you
can say a fond farewell to 2014, knowing
that youve done what you could to help
bolster your financial positionfor 2015
and beyond.
Edward Jones, its employees and
financial advisors are not estate planners
and cannot provide tax or legal advice.
You should consult your estate-planning
attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding
your situation. This article was written by
Edward Jones for use by your local Edward
Jones Financial Advisor.

Holiday
Shopping Guide

18

December 5, 2014

December 5, 2014

19

arts & events

Habitat has a successful

Shellabration

PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

BY RALPH SECOY

For The Island Connection

ea Island Habitat for Humanity

is the third oldest affiliate in the
world serving the Charleston area
community since 1978. With offices
located on Johns Island, they have
provided over 300 housing solutions to
local families. Thanks to supporters, they
are fulfilling their mission to build simple,
safe, and decent homes for families that
need a hand up, not a hand out.
This year's Shellabration Auction,
held at the Kiawah Island River Course
clubhouse, included liberally served
Cupcake and Chloe wines by The Wine
Group, with large silent and live bidding
on numerous and generously donated
high-end bottles of wine.
Many and various items were donated
for the silent auction, including children's
Christmas gifts, and Tom Crawford,
Auctioneer Extraordinaire, conducted the
live auction.
Live bidding included donations of a
hand-made wood kayak, Sanctuary Hotel
Golf and Room package, Taking Flight
painting by Mark Horton, a painting by

Char Duffy, and a Southwest Airlines

Round-Trip ticket. One fun auction item
was naming a neighborhood street after
the donor. Everyone was surprised and
pleased by an immediate bid of $2,000.
The most successful fundraiser was a
request for straight donations, which did
not include bidding on any items. An
extraordinary amount of over $60,000
was volunteered.
Things To Know about Your Sea
Island Habitat for Humanity Affiliate
100 percent of donations stay local.
Houses are not given away. New
owners must complete financial
education, homeowner courses,
and sweat equity.
Mortgage qualifications must be
met like any other lender.
Habitat neighborhoods increase
stability and property values.
Houses are fully equipped and
green LEED or EnergyStar.
Volunteers and donors are helping
rebuild the American Dream.

20

seasons of the south

Pimento Cheese Souffl

BY MARILYN MARKEL
For The Island Connection

ouffles are amazingly easy to make.

This one is delicious and just be ready
to eat as soon as it comes out of the
oven.
Serves 8
Ingredients
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 and 1/2 cups milk
2 piquillo peppers, minced and blotted
dry
5 egg yolks
6 egg whites
6 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, finely
grated
cup Parmesan cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste
You'll Need
1 x wire whisk
8 x 6-ounce ramekins
Oven pre-heated to 325
Directions
1. Melt butter in a 3-qt saucepan,
then stir in flour and mustard.
Cook 2 minutes, stirring. Using
a wire whisk, stir in the milk and
cook, whisking, until mixture

2.
3.
4.

5.
6.

7.
8.

comes to a boil. Reduce heat and

simmer, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Add the peppers.
One-by-one, beat in the egg yolks,
whisking well after each addition.
Turn off heat.
Stir the Cheddar cheese into the
mix. Taste and add salt and pepper
as needed.
Thoroughly coat ramekins with
butter. Sprinkle the inside of each
ramekin (bottom and sides) with
Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
Whip egg whites with a pinch of
salt until they form definite peaks.
Thoroughly stir of these whipped
egg whites into the cheese mixture.
Gently fold the remaining whites
in, but only until you can no longer
see white streaks in the mixture.
Spoon souffl evenly into the
prepared ramekins and bake at 325
degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove souffl from the oven and
serve immediately.

December 5, 2014

21

December 5, 2014

roadtrips charleston

Tom Yawkeys gift to us

YAW K E Y W I L D L I F E C E N T E R O F F E R S A
GLIMPSE OF A WILD SOUTH CAROLINA
BY CAROL ANTMAN

For The Island Connection

hat does a sixteen year old do when he inherits

$330 million dollars? Slide into a life of luxury?
Ruin it through self-indulgence? Not Tom
Yawkey. In 1919 he suddenly became heir to a fortune in
mining, timber, tin and oil and the owner of South Island
Plantation near Georgetown, S.C.
The Native Americans, whod given their names of
Pee Dee, Santees, Sampits, See Wees, Waccamaws and
Winyahs to the nearby waterways, were displaced by the
Spanish who came in the 1700s looking for gold and
slaves. Then the English, Scots and French started the
indigo trade there followed by the next great industry:
wealthy Northerners. William Yawkey bought it as a
hunting preserve. When he died at 43, Tom said of his
inherited plantation I hope Ill be able to do some good
with it; I hope Ill be as good a man as my dad.
Tom Yawkey is as captivating as the land he preserved.
He was a rich man who chose to live without grandeur.
Unlike aristocrats living majestically nearby, he replaced
his modest, burned down house in 1955 with a trailer and
lived there until he died in 1976. During his months up
North he stayed in a hotel.
He kept to himself. Unlike his father who had invited
President Grover Cleveland to come and hunt, Tom

Roadtrips continues on page 22

22

Roadtrips continues from page 21

scorned visitors. He didnt socialize with Bernard Baruch
or other wealthy neighbors, preferring to spend time with
the people who worked for him.
He had a tremendous work ethic. Days were spent
beside his employees on land management, surveying
and production. Three generations later, some of those
same families continue to follow his example of being
dedicated stewards of the land.
He was insatiably curious and inventive. Through
diversion of the Santee River, fresh water ponds were
created; he grew shrimp, became a self-taught ornithologist
and developed waterfowl management. He supervised
staff and wildlife biologists and provided funding that
will perpetually support their research. Our guide Jim
Lee spoke with reverence of Yawkeys vision, As the sea
levels rise, these managed wetlands will become more
and more important.
He was exceedingly generous but shunned acclaim.
Hospitals and scholarships benefitted from his largesse,
often anonymously. He built St. James AME Church for
the islanders in 1928 where if the spirit didnt move you,
you were already dead. Today the 80 island residents
continue to praise, stomp and clap in it.
His one extravagance was baseball. Like his father
who had owned the Detroit Tigers, Yawkey bought the
Red Sox when he was 30 years old. Theyd just completed
what is still a record for the franchises worst season
everan 111-game losing streakbut he optimistically
set his sights on winning the World Series. He poured
millions into talent, coaching and the renovation of
Fenway Park and brought the team down for drinking,
hunting and a little spring training. Photos of Ty Cobb
and Ted Williams hang in the hunt club today. Although
he saw the Red Sox win the American League pennant
four times, he was still hoping for a World Series win
on his death bed when he pressed his wife for two last
wishes: lead the team to victory and finish acquiring the
remaining parcels that now comprise the Yawkey Wildlife
Center. She bought the land but died herself before the

roadtrips charleston

December 5, 2014

Red Sox won the championship in 2004.

He gave people something to talk about. When
community leaders warned that the towns daughters
wouldnt be safe from the sailors returning to port in
Charleston, he invited the madam Hazel Weiss to open
the infamous Sunset Lodge. From 1936-66, it was the
most visited attraction in South Carolina second to Fort
Sumter and a boon to the local economy. Some called
him a racist. Jackie Robinson said he was one of the
most bigoted men in baseball because of his treatment
of African Americans players. Our guide called him a
misunderstood and private person.
The legacy of this independent, curious, hard-working,
generous and complex man is the Yawkey Wildlife Center.
The three islands sit like a string of pearls at the mouth
of Winyah Bay in Georgetown County. Yawkey deeded it
to the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes
of wildlife management, education and research. Not
recreation. No timbering. The only way to visit is by
taking a free tour with DNR on selected dates from Sept.
to May by reservation. After a very short boat ride across
the Intracoastal Waterway, time slows down. There are
pine trees over 100 years old; some are still leaning from
Hurricane Hugo; a huge insect population that reaches
a crescendo in June, ancient Indian shell mounds and
cemeteries hidden in the foliage. Its a wild, minimally
managed place and a magnificent gift to South Carolina
from an extraordinary man.

If You Go:
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/
mlands/managedland?p_id=64
Free tours are offered from Sept. to May by reservation:
843.546.6814