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Volume 10 Issue 1

April 22, 2016

FREE

Mary Alice
comes to
Kiawah
A LOWCOUNTRY
WEDDING AUTHOR
S T O P S I N AT T H E
SANDCASTLE
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

M
Seabrook Island Club
Celebrates 25th Anniversary
BY KELLY BUTORAC
For The Island Connection

his year marks the 25th Anniversary since the Seabrook

Island Clubs opening in 1991. Seabrook Island harbors
its own rich history, from the Colonial Era and pirate
tales, through Revolutionary skirmishes and the Civil War to
contemporary times. The island is named for the descendants
of Robert Seabrook, a successful businessman, landowner and
politician. The island changed hands several times before town
incorporation in 1987.

Affectionately known as On Board in April, a group
of property owners with a shared vision of the island unified and
chartered the Seabrook Island Club 25 years ago. In 2009, the
Club underwent a total rebuilding program and now has some of
the best, modern facilities on the East Coast.
Today, Seabrook Island is a private, oceanfront community
with two championship golf courses, a tournament grade tennis

San Luca Hits The Spot

Page 7

center, a full-service equestrian center, a fitness and aquatics

center and long, unspoiled beaches.
In 1996, Crooked Oaks and Ocean Winds golf courses
were the first in South Carolina to become certified members
of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf. The
Seabrook Island Racquet Club has 15 professionally maintained
Har-Tru courts and 2 pickle ball courts, hosts the Alan Fleming
Tournament each year and was recently named the 2016
Best Tennis Club in South Carolina by the Volvo Car Open.
Additionally, the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center is one of the
few on the East Coast to offer beach rides.
To celebrate its 25th Anniversary, the Seabrook Island Club is
hosting the 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee for members on April
30, a night of live music, dancing, cocktails and exciting cuisine.

Charitable Tennis

Page 9

ary Alice Monroe may live on

Isle of Palms, but she loves
Kiawah Island, too. She has been
a frequent guest author for the Kiawah
Reads program; Sweetgrass, Turtle
Summer: A Journal for my Daughter,
The Beach House and The Butterfly's
Daughter, just to name a few. Monroe
plans to visit Kiawahs Sandcastle again
at 3 p.m. May 3, 2016, reading from and
signing her latest book, A Lowcountry
Wedding.
The book is the fourth installment in
Monroes Lowcountry Summer Series
and has the twist of introducing a fourth
character.
A Lowcountry Wedding introduces
Atticus, a mysterious fourth sibling,
among the endearing half-sisters Carson,
Harper, and Dora who have formed
strong bonds, thanks to their devoted
grandmother, Mamaw, Susan Zurenda,
a marketing outreach coordinator
with Magic Time Literary Publicity in
Spartanburg, summarized. A minister,
Atticus brings comfort as a mentor and
confidante to Carson and Harper as they
anticipate their weddings and to Dora as
she struggles with the marriage proposal
of her devoted beau. Ironically, Atticus is
living a lie. His true identity [is] unknown
to his sisters, and this secret eventually
tests the strength of the family. The
author raises important questions about
acceptance, commitment, and the true
definition of family.
Monroes commitment to the

Book Tour continues on page 10

Gullah Festival

Page 11

April 22, 2016

civic

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
contributing photographer
Staff Writers
Gregg Bragg
Contributors
Kelly Butorac
Joe Stubel
Lorraine Leary
Donna Mundy
Maria Gurovich
Martha Zink

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: April 27
for submissions for the
May 6 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The Island
Connection

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC

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

Town of Kiawah Island April

council meeting report
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

he pledge began at 2:04p.m. on April

7 and the extra few minutes would
come in handy after what would
end up being a three hour meeting. Those
familiar with pop culture icon Gilligans
Island know tiny ships can get tossed in
the time it took for Kiawahs town council
to conduct its meeting. Minutes required
some tweaks before being approved. The
stormy metaphor proved apt since citizens
comments began under partly cloudy skies.
Kiawah resident Dennis McGill began
his contribution with some questions
about transparency and the minutes
TOKI had just finished approving. I
noticed the minutes from March 4 dont
include any of the comments or questions
asked [by residents]. It only includes the
mayors comments, not anything else,
said McGill.
The meeting had been the wrap-up
of another round of forensic audits.
The detailed review showed two former
employees were paid a revised total of
over $200,000 more than intended while
at least four current employees were paid
over $90,000 beyond approved levels.
Council was asked some very piercing
questions which were not reflected in the
minutes. McGill extended his observations
to include minutes of a meeting held on
March 8. There is no indication why
[TOKI] accepted a bid of $40,000 instead
of the low bid of $18,000 [to rework the
towns website]. We cant count on The
Island Connection to make it to every
meeting. This is not complete, it is not open
and it is not transparent, he concluded.
Town
administrator
Stephanie
Tillerson was first to respond for the town,
saying residents were welcome to come
and listen to the full tapes of the meeting.
Her response was quickly followed by the
mayor, who claimed the town had wide
latitude regarding what to include in the

minutes. Nothing suggests the minutes

have to be a verbatim account, he said.
Wendy Kulick was next in line
and addressed her comments to the
correspondence item on the agenda.
I recently learned that Kiawah Island
Utility was sold to South West Water
Company, an out of state utility operator
in early March. The 2005 Development
Agreement between KRA and the Town
states in Section 14(b)(2) that the Utility
must negotiate first with the Town and
allow the Town to make the first purchase
offer, before seeking purchase proposals
from other persons [along with the rest of
the ordinance] Kulick said.
On March 2, 2016, the State Public
Service Commission approved the Utilitys
application for expedited consideration
and approval to enter into an amended
and restated Utility Service Agreement and
waiver of hearing, both seemingly designed
to keep this transaction from the public eye.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but if
the Utility complied with the requirements
of the 2005 Development Agreement, the
Town was notified of its intent to sell well
in advance of the consummation of the
transaction and the current application to
the PSC. Assuming the Town knew of
the intent to sell and decided not to make
an offer, when was this issue discussed
and decided? This issue has not been
on the agenda for the public portions of
Town Council meetings at any time in
the last six months and there has been no
suggestion the matter was being discussed
in Executive Sessions. Why has this
matter not been made public before now,
and does the process by which the sale
was consummated violate the terms of the
Development Agreement? If the Utility
did not have written correspondence with
the Town Council and if the sale is in
violation of the Development Agreement,

is the transaction legal? asked Kulick.

Purchase of the utility had been on
the towns radar as recently as the 2015
retreat (see The Island Connection article
TOKI Retreats to Set Agenda). However
the mayor responded that several attempts
to purchase KIU in the past constituted
and exhausted TOKIs Right of First
Offer. Councilmember Labriola adding
that monthly meetings with [KP] hadnt
revealed any concrete plans and TOKI
had only been aware of the sale for a few
days. Further, he also felt TOKI had
previously exercised its rights but passed
more because of the convoluted details the
purchase would have represented than the
price of the asset.
Bruce Stemerman, chair of the
Kiawah Island Community Association,
was next with a pitch for the Kiawah
Island Motoring Retreat. He is also
co-chair of the Retreat, along with
TOKI councilmember Wilson and was
presenting council with a framed poster
of this years retreat to thank the town for
its $90,000 support of the event, which
will benefit several local charities.
Steven Traynum was the final
presentation before council business
began. Traynum works for Coastal
Science Engineering, the firm which has
presided over Kiawahs beach nourishment
program. He was in chambers to present
the complete annual beach report for
2015. The presentation is available at
town hall but the summarized good news
is were healthier than we were in 1999,
said Traynum. He emphasized the point
Kiawah continues to accrete sand, in
the aggregate, and CSE will continue to
monitor trouble spots.
Councilmember Weaver addressed
the first item of new business, saying the
Ways & Means committee had approved
$9,000 per year for a subscription to

K iawah Island Town H all

21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Planning Commission Fax: 768-4764
May 4, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Seabrook Island Town H all

Civic Calendar
Town of Kiawah
Ways and Means
Committee Meeting
Tues, April 26, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Town Council
Meeting
Tuesday, May 3, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Planning Commission
Meeting
Wed, May 4, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Arts and Cultural
Events Council
Meeting
Thurs, May 5, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Environmental
Committee Meeting
Tues, May 10, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Public Safety
Committee Meeting
Wed, May 11, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Board of Zoning and
Appeals
Monday, May 16 4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall

Town of Seabrook
Town Council
April 26, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Ways & Means

May 17, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Town Council
May 24, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

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
Planning Commission Island.
June 1, 2:30 p.m.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Seabrook Town Hall
Ways & Means
June 21, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Town Council
June 28, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall

Charleston County Council

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

April 22, 2016

the AirMedCare network. The helicopter

transportation service provider has agreed
to take Kiawah residents to medical
facilities when needed, and limit their
charges to whatever the passengers
insurance will pay. The service represents
efforts to mitigate delays encountered with
transportation provided by Charleston
County Emergency Medical Services. This
measure will work its way through TOKIs
normal process for full approval.
WK Dickson won unanimous approval
to continue its work improving drainage
along the parkway.
The next three items of new business dealt
with the new municipal complex and were
listed separately, but were actually a package
deal. Councilmember Labriola introduced
the topic by noting 2016 was an election
year for TOKI and the municipal complex
would still be in the process of construction.
Appointments to the committee, updating
the charter and selection of a project
manager are essential to continuity, said
Labriola. He was trying to anticipate every
contingency, including the possibility of
new players on town council, but didnt
count on the ensuing debate.
I dont understand the grand plan,
here. Do we mean for new people to
undo what has been decided? asked
councilmember Johnson, stating cosmetic
and landscaping concerns had yet to be
addressed.
Labriola reminded the room there
had been a public hearing and both the
Municipal Complex committee and the
county had approved the landscaping.
Councilmember Wilson chimed in to
say anything which deviated from the

civic
established $9.250 million ceiling would
constitute a change order and have to
go before council. Concerns faded after
a protracted debate and all items were
unanimously approved with Johnson
recusing herself from voting on committee
members. Cedrus Development will be
paid $18,900 to be the towns eyes and
ears on the endeavor.
Councilmember Wilson, reporting for
the budget committee, said a workshop has
been scheduled with an external auditor.
Councilmember Johnson reported
two new bob-kittens had been found and
reported by the environmental committee
and announced the groups next meeting
date. Arts Council is winding down for
the year with two Spoleto events, one in
each May and June. She had also attended
a Board of Governors meeting on behalf
of the town again this year.
Councilmember Weaver said the public
safety committee had formed an ad hoc
group to study fire prevention, including:
1. Assessing the implications of past
fires
2. Checking existing town ordinances
in search of opportunities for
improvement
3. Looking
for
high
impact
educational opportunities (e.g.
sprinklers and remote monitoring)
4. Determining if the town has the
right to regulate rental properties
The results will be known later this
year and will be used to update the
Comprehensive Emergency Plan.
The town administrator gave her report
through a number of staff surrogates

who attended the meeting. Damaged

boardwalks are still being addressed as are
trash receptacles on the beach. Revised
schedules for picking up the trash are
being floated. The boat abandoned on the
east end of the island has been removed.
The mayor reported a zoning change for
the existing municipal building he thinks will
provide the community association with some
latitude. The facility is currently designated
community support and will be changed to
commercial. The update will prevent the site
from being used as a sewage drying field, for
example, allowed by the current classification.
He continued his report saying he and Mayor
Ron Ciancio of Seabrook had collaborated
on a letter to Charleston County Council
Chairman Elliott Summey asking for help
with area roads. Weve waited long enough.
We need more than promises and a plan, said
the mayor, forcefully summarizing the intent
of the letter.
Dennis McGill was first in line for
the second round of citizens comments.
McGill filed a lawsuit against TOKI
alleging Freedom of Information Act
violations in June, 2015. He seemed
frustrated by the lack of a settlement
he expected the ratification of this very
meeting. He undertook the case at his
own expense, accepted TOKIs choice
of mediator. The mediator, in turn, had
recently negotiated a settlement and
McGill called on TOKI and their attorney
to make it official.
Wendy Kulick was next saying she
had noticed Paul Roberts transportation
report posted on the Towns website on
March 1, 2016. She wanted to know who

commissioned the report, when, and if it

was town council, why the report was not
discussed at the March 1 town council
meeting. Kulick was told no money had
exchanged hands for the report.
Kulick observed the mayor [at the
last town council meeting] had directed
the towns lawyer to follow up with the
U.S. Attorneys office regarding alleged
embezzlement. Why has it taken so long
for any action to be taken against the two
former employees? asked Kulick.
She then suggested a treasurers report
be added to town council meetings. The
report would compare expenses to the
annual budget, improve transparency
and make it far more difficult for
embezzlement to occur in the future.
Kulick closed out her comments by
raising the same question about the minutes
from the March 4 meeting mentioned
earlier. If a member of the public came to
Town Hall to read these minutes, he or she
would have no idea what questions were
asked and what responses were provided,
she said. The Towns code states responses
will be provided in two weeks, whenever
possible, and the mayor has stated
responses will be provided within 30 days.
Clearly neither of those time frames has
been honored, said Kulick.
Dave DeStefano thanked council for
his assignment to the Municipal Complex
committee. Art Morgenstern confirmed
the sale of the utility and asked what the
sale price was but details of the private
transaction were not available.
There was no executive session
scheduled and the meeting adjourned.

April 22, 2016

April 22, 2016

civic

Fire Commission stands behind

St. Johns Fire Chief
archs Fire Commission meeting
for the St. Johns Fire District
defied the conventional wisdom
that suggests meetings are boring.
Although fireworks and firefighters
seem an odd pairing, the meeting could
be described that way. The press had
been called and was present as Barbara
Robertson, mother of a former StJFD
employee and part of a group called
Concerned Citizens of Charleston, read
a statement to the commission. Her
comments were a laundry list of grievances
with Fire Chief Colleen Walz. According
to The Post & Courier newspaper, the
complaint/vote of no confidence had been
signed by 71 percent of firefighters in the
district. The timing of the public furor
was particularly interesting.
StJFD was scheduled to appear before
Charleston County Council for a third
and final hearing the week following its
March meeting. Final approval of bonds
in the amount of $9.9 million hung in
the balance as well as approval of the
2016-2017 budget. The funding had been
deemed essential by the Commission
to improving/upgrading both facilities

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

and equipment. It would also provide a

means to include additional personnel on
StJFD apparatus to the collective safety of
firefighters.
The Commission and its chairman,
John Connolly, responded to the
complaint with a letter to Charleston
County Council supporting Chief Walz
saying, in part:
While we encourage the entire
department and the public to express
any concerns with the District, we have
not found any reason to doubt Chief Walz
leadership, dedication and commitment
to her employees and the citizens of
[StJFD]
Since joining our district over two
years ago, Chief Walz has made tough
decisions, but we believe her decisions
were sound and also made with the best
intentions for the department and the
citizens we serve
We remain committed to our duty
and stand with our Chief
The County ultimately approved the
funding request and the Commission
embarked on a closer examination of the
grievances presented. The final response,

after two years of tough decisions by Walz

and the Commission involving personnel,
would take a twist because of Union
involvement.
Bruce Burding, who is forming a local
chapter of the International Association of
Firefighters--L3883 that currently claims
39 members, has stepped in as de facto
spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens
group. The unions involvement in this
was purely to give advice and send the
document to the International Association
of Firefighters legal department for
review, Burding said. Our job[s] as
union leaders and members are to ensure
the safety and legality of anything that
we may be asked of our members and
under our fair representation clause of our
by-laws.
Burding, who previously worked for
StJFD and North Charleston FD, now
works part time for the South Carolina
Fire Academy. He left North Charleston
Fire Department under a cloud. Asked
about the incident, Burding said I was
released due to the Sexual Harassment
charge that was not properly investigated.
The South Carolina Employment

Commission during appeal also found in

my favor to where unemployment benefits
were reinstated. The day I was terminated,
I was hired by St. Johns Fire District. My
accuser was terminated three weeks after
I was.
Asked how he had become involved
with the Concerned Citizens of Charleston
group, Burding said, The members of
the Executive Board, stated there
were personnel that were curious about
submitting a vote. I can honestly say that
I dont know what group started it , but
basically it went from station to station
showed them the vote of no confidence, if
they agreed [they were instructed] to sign;
if they did not agree with anything that
was stated not to sign.
Burding said he has not seen the
signature sheets, which he said were taken
to a notary along with the departments
personnel roster. The notary then wrote
the percentage and number of signatures
on the notarized sheet, Burding said.
This sheet, along with the roster, and a
copy of the VONC, were all notarized
and were turned into the Commission
by the resident that read the letter. The

civic

signatures were destroyed after exiting the

notary, due to the threat of repercussions.
According to Burding the department has
approximately 102 employees, of which 39
are current members of the union.
Burding said one of the issues raised
by the complaint involved deployment of
resources. Kiawah and Seabrook see a lot
of visitors at vacation time. The number
of vacationers increases population
density and is accompanied by a rising
risk of incident. Chief Walz responded
by sending additional personnel and
equipment to the area. Burding felt the
move was inappropriate, indicating he
should have been consulted before leaving
other regions to the mercy of chance.
However, as a right to work state, South
Carolina law renders such consultations
difficult, at best.
The fact that a Union is involved at
all in this issue has been questioned.
According to South Carolina case law,
(Branch vs City of Myrtle Beach, decided
by the South Carolina Supreme Court
May 15, 2000) Unlike private employees,
public employees in South Carolina do not
have the right to collective bargaining.
However, Burding responds to this by
saying, My hope one day is that the idea
of a union within an organization is not
a pain in the ___, but a better way to get
workers and bosses to be able to talk, even
when they really dont want to. I have been
involved in this since 1996. It has always
been the biggest uphill battle due to our
state laws with unions in government.
Firefighters are not alone, these laws affect
law enforcement, EMS, teachers, as well
as any other State, Municipality, County
governments.
The Commission however, was still
faced with making an official response,
which was completed in time for its April

civic

meeting. Interestingly, and in the normal

course of the agenda, the financial report
preceded the Commissions response. The
report included mention that employee
contributions to health insurance
premiums hadnt gone up in the last three
years. The contrary claim had been among
the list of grievances, so the fact drew the
Commissions attention and opened to the
door to a response. Chair John Connolly
delivered the response, which read in part;
It is disconcerting that Ms. Robertson
and her group chose not to approach
any member of the [Commission prior
to the March meeting] so that their
concerns could have been researched and
addressed constructively. Instead, they
chose to notify the media, [Charleston
County Council] and a variety of entities
throughout the county, state and across
the country ... just about everyone except
the [StJFD].
As Chair I have taken a close look at
the various issues raised. I can tell you
that many of the complaints are, at best,
exaggerated, taken out of context, and
some are just totally false. Therefore, those
accepting all to be true, as directed by the
no confidence letter itself, were misled
We do think it is important to note the
following: When Chief Walz was hired,
she was given a clear directive to identify
areas in which the level of professionalism
within the department could be
enhanced As is usually the case, some of
these changes have encountered resistance
and caused discomfort
That said, we will certainly continue
to strive to provide our employees and
the taxpayers of this community with
a department that promotes only the
highest standards while demanding
accountability from everyone.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Apr 22
Apr 23
Apr 24
Apr 25
Apr 26
Apr 27
Apr 28
Apr 29
Apr 30
May 01
May 02
May 03
May 04
May 05

9:06am/9:34pm
9:42am/10:08pm
10:17am/10:41pm
10:52am/11:14pm
11:28am/11:51pm
12:09pm
12:34am/12:57pm
1:26am/1:54pm
2:26am/2:56pm
3:31am/4:01pm
4:35am/5:04pm
5:37am/6:04pm
6:36am/7:02pm
7:33am/7:57pm

3:03am/3:03pm
3:41am/3:36pm
4:18am/4:10pm
4:56am/4:45pm
5:35am/5:24pm
6:17am/6:08pm
7:04am/6:59pm
7:57am/7:59pm
8:55am/9:06pm
9:54am/10:15pm
10:53am/11:22pm
11:49am
12:24am/12:43pm
1:22am/1:36pm

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

Judge halts decision

authorizing construction
at Captain Sams Spit

ccording to a press release from the

Coastal Conservation League and
the South Carolina Environmental
Law Project, last Friday, April 15,
Administrative Law Judge Ralph K.
Anderson, III issued an order staying the
construction of a 2,873 foot long vertical
bulkhead at Captain Sams Spit, which
he authorized in March. In his Amended
Order on Remand, dated March 22,
2016, Judge Anderson gave approval
to the structure after being directed by
the Supreme Court to consider their
December 2014 ruling. On March 23, the
day after the Judge issued his opinion, the
Coastal Conservation League, represented
by the South Carolina Environmental
Law Project, filed motion asking the Judge
to stay the effect of his decision. On April
15, after CCL and Kiawah Development
Partners, II submitted written arguments,
Judge Anderson issued an order preventing
the construction of the vertical bulkhead
he approved.
Judge Andersons Order on Remand
comes after the Supreme Courts 2014
ruling that the public benefits from
protecting the Kiawah River shoreline
in its natural condition and that coastal
resources such as the Spit must be used to

the maximum benefit of the public rather

than solely benefiting a private developer.
The Supreme Court has previously halted
construction on the spit at CCLs request,
and the Judges decision was based on
these prior rulings. Amy Armstrong, chief
counsel for SCELP said that the order
is necessary to prevent destruction and
degradation of a valuable public resource
and is consistent with the Supreme Courts
prior decisions.
We remain committed to protecting
this beautiful, fragile, and unstable dune
field from the damage this massive wall
would cause, Dana Beach, Executive
Director of the Coastal Conservation
League, said. Kiawah Island, and
South Carolina, cant afford to have
multi-million dollar houses built in this
dangerously erosional location, and we
cannot accept the loss of irreplaceable
wildlife habitat from this ill-conceived
project.
The press release also stated that CCL
and SCELP filed a notice of appeal of
Judge Andersons Order on Remand in the
Court of Appeals, while simultaneously
filing a motion to transfer the appeal to
the Supreme Court.

April 22, 2016

civic

signatures were destroyed after exiting the

notary, due to the threat of repercussions.
According to Burding the department has
approximately 102 employees, of which 39
are current members of the union.
Burding said one of the issues raised
by the complaint involved deployment of
resources. Kiawah and Seabrook see a lot
of visitors at vacation time. The number
of vacationers increases population
density and is accompanied by a rising
risk of incident. Chief Walz responded
by sending additional personnel and
equipment to the area. Burding felt the
move was inappropriate, indicating he
should have been consulted before leaving
other regions to the mercy of chance.
However, as a right to work state, South
Carolina law renders such consultations
difficult, at best.
The fact that a Union is involved at
all in this issue has been questioned.
According to South Carolina case law,
(Branch vs City of Myrtle Beach, decided
by the South Carolina Supreme Court
May 15, 2000) Unlike private employees,
public employees in South Carolina do not
have the right to collective bargaining.
However, Burding responds to this by
saying, My hope one day is that the idea
of a union within an organization is not
a pain in the ___, but a better way to get
workers and bosses to be able to talk, even
when they really dont want to. I have been
involved in this since 1996. It has always
been the biggest uphill battle due to our
state laws with unions in government.
Firefighters are not alone, these laws affect
law enforcement, EMS, teachers, as well
as any other State, Municipality, County
governments.
The Commission however, was still
faced with making an official response,
which was completed in time for its April

civic

meeting. Interestingly, and in the normal

course of the agenda, the financial report
preceded the Commissions response. The
report included mention that employee
contributions to health insurance
premiums hadnt gone up in the last three
years. The contrary claim had been among
the list of grievances, so the fact drew the
Commissions attention and opened to the
door to a response. Chair John Connolly
delivered the response, which read in part;
It is disconcerting that Ms. Robertson
and her group chose not to approach
any member of the [Commission prior
to the March meeting] so that their
concerns could have been researched and
addressed constructively. Instead, they
chose to notify the media, [Charleston
County Council] and a variety of entities
throughout the county, state and across
the country ... just about everyone except
the [StJFD].
As Chair I have taken a close look at
the various issues raised. I can tell you
that many of the complaints are, at best,
exaggerated, taken out of context, and
some are just totally false. Therefore, those
accepting all to be true, as directed by the
no confidence letter itself, were misled
We do think it is important to note the
following: When Chief Walz was hired,
she was given a clear directive to identify
areas in which the level of professionalism
within the department could be
enhanced As is usually the case, some of
these changes have encountered resistance
and caused discomfort
That said, we will certainly continue
to strive to provide our employees and
the taxpayers of this community with
a department that promotes only the
highest standards while demanding
accountability from everyone.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Apr 22
Apr 23
Apr 24
Apr 25
Apr 26
Apr 27
Apr 28
Apr 29
Apr 30
May 01
May 02
May 03
May 04
May 05

9:06am/9:34pm
9:42am/10:08pm
10:17am/10:41pm
10:52am/11:14pm
11:28am/11:51pm
12:09pm
12:34am/12:57pm
1:26am/1:54pm
2:26am/2:56pm
3:31am/4:01pm
4:35am/5:04pm
5:37am/6:04pm
6:36am/7:02pm
7:33am/7:57pm

3:03am/3:03pm
3:41am/3:36pm
4:18am/4:10pm
4:56am/4:45pm
5:35am/5:24pm
6:17am/6:08pm
7:04am/6:59pm
7:57am/7:59pm
8:55am/9:06pm
9:54am/10:15pm
10:53am/11:22pm
11:49am
12:24am/12:43pm
1:22am/1:36pm

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

Judge halts decision

authorizing construction
at Captain Sams Spit

ccording to a press release from the

Coastal Conservation League and
the South Carolina Environmental
Law Project, last Friday, April 15,
Administrative Law Judge Ralph K.
Anderson, III issued an order staying the
construction of a 2,873 foot long vertical
bulkhead at Captain Sams Spit, which
he authorized in March. In his Amended
Order on Remand, dated March 22,
2016, Judge Anderson gave approval
to the structure after being directed by
the Supreme Court to consider their
December 2014 ruling. On March 23, the
day after the Judge issued his opinion, the
Coastal Conservation League, represented
by the South Carolina Environmental
Law Project, filed motion asking the Judge
to stay the effect of his decision. On April
15, after CCL and Kiawah Development
Partners, II submitted written arguments,
Judge Anderson issued an order preventing
the construction of the vertical bulkhead
he approved.
Judge Andersons Order on Remand
comes after the Supreme Courts 2014
ruling that the public benefits from
protecting the Kiawah River shoreline
in its natural condition and that coastal
resources such as the Spit must be used to

the maximum benefit of the public rather

than solely benefiting a private developer.
The Supreme Court has previously halted
construction on the spit at CCLs request,
and the Judges decision was based on
these prior rulings. Amy Armstrong, chief
counsel for SCELP said that the order
is necessary to prevent destruction and
degradation of a valuable public resource
and is consistent with the Supreme Courts
prior decisions.
We remain committed to protecting
this beautiful, fragile, and unstable dune
field from the damage this massive wall
would cause, Dana Beach, Executive
Director of the Coastal Conservation
League, said. Kiawah Island, and
South Carolina, cant afford to have
multi-million dollar houses built in this
dangerously erosional location, and we
cannot accept the loss of irreplaceable
wildlife habitat from this ill-conceived
project.
The press release also stated that CCL
and SCELP filed a notice of appeal of
Judge Andersons Order on Remand in the
Court of Appeals, while simultaneously
filing a motion to transfer the appeal to
the Supreme Court.

April 22, 2016

daily

Charleston World Affairs Council brings

in depth understanding of world events

he world today is a different

place than what it was when we
were growing up. In fact, our
world has changed dramatically in just
the last few years given the escalating
instability in the Middle East, significant
disease and pestilence outbreaks, massive
immigration flows as a result of cultural/
religious divides and wide ranging acts
of terror. This has resulted in large-scale
loss of life, compromised personal liberty
and ongoing fear in our daily lives. These
threats to world stability present serious
challenges to leadership both in the US
and elsewhere and fully understanding
the larger picture remains challenging.
Last week, The World Affairs Council
of Charleston, a regional thought leader
in presenting and discussing events that
impact our world, hosted Mr. Andrew
Peek, a Fellow in Middle Eastern Affairs
at the American Foreign Policy Council
in Washington D.C., at The Citadel
Alumni Center in downtown Charleston.
Peek came highly qualified to present an
overview of the continuing volatility in
the Middle East and ISIS: The Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria. In addition to
his affiliation with the Middle Eastern
Affairs group, he teaches at American
University and at the school of Advanced
International Affairs at Johns Hopkins
University where he is a candidate for his
PhD. Peek also previously served as a
strategic adviser to the top US and NATO

BY JOE STUBEL

For The Island Connection

commanders in Afghanistan.
Peek asserted that there is no one
terrorist organization more feared or with
a greater global reach then ISIS, which
now controls a landmass roughly the size
of Massachusetts. ISISs primary objective
is to erase the existing borders in the
Middle East and create an independent
Sunni state that practices strict allegiance
to Islamic law. The complexity of the
various religious factions involved, new
and emerging alliances with Russia,
combined with a lack of a meaningful
presence of Western forces today, all
contribute to the ongoing challenges in
the region. Peek believes that this growing
conflict will not be resolved quickly
and certainly not without sustained
cooperation with a multitude of regional
and international partners. While the
presentation content was sobering, Peek
effectively supported WACs charter that
getting the best information out to the
widest group of people is a key starting
point toward effective resolution.
The World Affairs Council of
Charleston was founded in the early 1980s
and operated for many years under the
name Foreign Affairs Forum. When I sat
down with Chuck Bensonhaver, president
of WAC, he explained that the council is
a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization
serving as an informational/educational
resource for people interested in a broader
and more in depth understanding of world

events. Membership in the organization is

comprised of individuals from all walks
of life and typically includes people who
have worked or served abroad. There
are currently 286 active members in the
Charleston chapter with the majority
of members equally represented from
Mt. Pleasant/IOP/Sullivans Island,
the Charleston Peninsula and Johns
Island, Seabrook and Kiawah islands.
Bensonhaver proudly pointed to the
partnership with The Citadel and the
contribution made by Al Thibault, the
retired foreign services official who now
serves as head of Programs for WAC, for
ramping up the quality of subject matter
and speakers.
Memberships in the council run
from the fall to spring, with a total of
6 events in each season. Prospective
members are welcome and encouraged to
attend a meeting. Prospective members
may attend one meeting as a guest for a
nominal charge of $20 per person and
no preregistration is required. The $20
guest fee can be applied towards the
membership fee. In addition to the above,
WAC also offers a program to members
called Great Decisions. Several groups of
eight to 14 are organized in January of the
new year and starting soon thereafter, the
group meets twice a month through May.
Before the discussion series begins, GD
group members receive a current briefing
book published by The Foreign Policy

Association. The book highlights eight

of the most thought-provoking foreign
policy issues currently facing America.
It provides background information,
current data and policy options for each of
the eight issues. Led by one of the group's
members, each discussion focuses on one
of the eight topics.
Bensonhaver, Thibault, and other
members of the executive committee are
rightfully proud of the programs that
WAC offers and look forward to growing
their membership. Visit their website
at WACCharleston.org and learn more
about an interesting and timely program
right here in the Lowcountry.
The final speaker of the 2015/2016
season is Chris Day, Assistant Professor
in Department of Political Science at the
College of Charleston. His talk, scheduled
for May 2, will be on The Conflicts of
Africa: New Forms, New issues, New
Worries for the United States. It begins
at 6 p.m., at the Citadel Alumni Center,
69 Hagood Ave., Charleston. A reception
starts at 5:15 p.m.
Day spent many years in conflict
environments in South Sudan, Liberia,
Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone,
Uganda and other countries as an aid
worker, with the UN, Doctors Without
Borders and other humanitarian groups,
and also in India and Sri Lanka, before
pursuing an academic career which
brought him to the College of Charleston.

April 22, 2016

daily

San Luca hits the sweetspot on Seabrook

NEW MEXICAN GRILL RECEIVING POSITIVE
REVIEWS FROM COMMUNITY

eabrook resident Nancy Keeney,

owner/operator of San Lucas
Mexican Grill, is determined to
make a success of her new restaurant
at 1001 Landfall Way (just outside the
Seabrook gate). She moved here from
Rome, Georgia with her two daughters,
Rachael and Heather, and her son Ryan
for the express purpose of opening the
restaurant.
The chef at our favorite restaurant [in
Rome] came to me with the idea. I was
to provide financing and keep the books
while he did the cooking and managed
operations, Keeney said. Negotiations
were all but complete when, true to the
temperamental stereotype, the chef just
walked away from the deal a week before
opening.
Keeney, a huge fan of Seabrooks charm
and strong sense of community, inked
the lease agreement anyway. She was
confident about what she was doing if not,
necessarily, what she was walking into and
forged ahead. The entire family pitched in
to clean the building to Keeneys exacting
standards.
This included tackling a noise issue
in the dining area. The gorgeous looking
floor adds ambiance but the hardwoods
have been blamed for amplifying crowd
noise to raucous effect. Attempts to
rectify the issue most recently included
foam on the underside of the tables, but
partitions had never been tried, so Keeney
did. The barrier, combined with better
than required R-30 insulation, not only
prevent sound from ricocheting into
other conversations but also produce a
more intimate setting. The update even
provided an opportunity to address the
dark color of the walls.
Black paint on the walls covered heart
pine/heartwood Keeney estimated to
be 150 years old and is now very rare.
Internet sources say heartwood comes
from the non-living center of longleaf
pine trees which can grow to 120 feet
tall, take up to 150 years to mature and
can live 500 years. One inch of heart pine

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

represents 30 years growth. Deforestation

and overharvesting since colonial days has
left only 3 percent of the original Longleaf
pine forest (Virginia to Texas) intact.
Keeney took the coveted heartwood off
the walls, planed the wood bare and put
it back up. The entire room is brighter
and more authentic looking. Better still,
a valuable natural resource was saved in
the process.

The guacamole
was the best
I have eaten
anywhere, all
of our food was
fabulous

Once renovations were complete,

it was time to do some cooking. The
foundation of any Mexican restaurant is
based on chips, and those at San Lucas
are wafer thin, crunchy good and good
for you, too. Because they are only cooked
once, says Keeney (most refry pre-cooked
chips) they arent greasy. Despite their
delicacy, they are perfectly adequate to
convey fresh, homemade salsa, which
seems to dissolve on contact with a solid
but tasty kick to spice receptors. Youll
immediately worry about running out
unless you also happened to order queso
and/or guacamole. The two standard fare
items may seem hard to improve on but
Keeney has found a way. She even makes
her own flour tortillas which are so tasty
they may soon be Lowcountry legend.
Everything is fresh, in fact, and it has
made an impression.
Community associations on both
Kiawah and Seabrook each have blogs
and/or list-services where members can
publicly communicate and San Lucas has
been repeatedly mentioned on all three

with the mass majority of the comments

being positive. I was very pleasantly
surprised by San Luca's Mexican Grill,
read one. Beginning with an outstanding
extra-large margarita and delicious tortilla
chips. The people working there are very
pleasant, and the service was excellent.
Prices are reasonable.
I went to San Luca on Monday for
lunch--six of us and it was spectacular.
The guacamole was the best I have eaten
anywhere, all of our food was fabulous,
read another.
The chicken and beef tacos were very
good, the service was excellent and the
atmosphere was friendly and welcoming,
another satisfied customer wrote. The
owner is fantastic. I highly recommend
you visit our newest restaurant.
Alas, there have been intermittent
issues with slow service, as the shiny new
restaurant gets up and running along the
lines of good help is hard to find. There
are exactly as many Kiawah/Seabrook
residents interested in food service
positions as you might expect. Those who
are interested tend to live further out and
which means a long drive out here from
somewhere else and finding reliable servers

can be a chore. However, Kenney will

solve that problem, too, like she has all the
others. Tenacious and determined, shes
in this family business for the long haul
and has some good ideas for cultivating
customer loyalty;
1. Keep the price of margaritas low so
San Lucas becomes the preferred
local watering hole
2. Keep food prices reasonable
3. Discounts for employees of other
area businesses
4. Discounts for residents
5. Mirror the signage and other
architectural trends of local
entities
However, the grand plan is even better.
Keeney hopes to host a big Cinco De
Mayo party intended to mark the official
grand opening of San Lucas Mexican
Grill. Details are still being worked out,
so youll just have to stop by to see what
Kenney has in mind! Cya on the Cinco.
San Luca Mexican Grill, 1001 Landfall
Way, Seabrook Island, 854.999.1321.

April 22, 2016

tennis

Charitable forehands and backhands

on Seabrook play for BIFMC

Seabrook Island Tennis Players.

BY LORRAINE LEARY
For The Island Connection

n Wednesday, March 9, the Seabrook Island Tennis Players hosted their annual
fundraiser for the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic. Morning play for the
men started at 10 a.m. followed by noon time refreshments and a Meet and
Greet with BIFMC Co-Founder, Dr. Charlton Davis, BIFMC boardmember, Vasco
Pickett, Clinical Director, Brenda Falls, Nurse Manager, Wanda Weart and Susan
Mappus, BIFMC office volunteer.
The womens play commenced in the afternoon followed by a wine and cheese
reception at 4 p.m. for all tennis participants and guests on the Tennis Centers veranda.
Mr. Pickett and Ms. Weart spoke about the non-profit medical homes healthcare
services, the efforts of volunteer physicians, nurses and support staff and the patients
served. On behalf of the clinic, both expressed their gratitude to the Seabrook Island
Tennis Community for their continual support through the years and kind donations.
Over $4,500 was raised for the Miracle on Maybank.

10

April 22, 2016

arts & events

Book Tour continues from cover
environment is once again manifested
in A Lowcountry Wedding. Delphine
the bottlenose dolphin, saved from a
near death entanglement in fishing nets
earlier in the series, is back. Delphine gets
pregnant, but the joy of the event spirals
into a mirror for the evolving lives of the
half-sisters as the pregnancy introduces
the reader to the consequences of polluted
ocean waters.
Monroe always stays plenty busy with
what seems like a million irons in the
fire. She practices what she preaches as an
active conservationist in general, a turtle
patroller on the Isle of Palms, a board
member of the South Carolina Aquarium,
the board of The Leatherback Trust,
and Charleston Literacy Volunteers. She
is a frequent speaker at book festivals,
conferences, and private events, but always
has time for residents of the Lowcountry.
The Kiawah community are my kind
of people for so many reasons, Monroe
said in an email interview. First, they
appreciate the bountiful blessings of their
environment; the wetlands, salt marsh,
ocean and maritime forests [and celebrate
them] through educational programs and
support. The wildlife is plentiful, from song
and shorebirds to our reptiles--sea turtles and
alligators. Kiawah is also a community that
appreciates the Arts. Ive been the selected
author for a few of the Kiawah Reads
programs over the years and I am honored
to have A Lowcountry Wedding included
this year. I come to Kiawah as often as I can,
to speak, participate in programs and to visit
friends. Im especially happy that Kiawah is

one of my first events for the A Lowcountry

Wedding book tour!
Her novels have made some of the most
renowned literary lists including the New
York Times, USA Today and the Southern
Independent Booksellers Alliance. She
has received numerous awards, including
several Readers Choice Awards; the 2014
South Carolina Book Festival Award for
Excellence in Writing; the 2015 South
West Florida Book Festival Distinguished
Author Award; RT Lifetime Achievement
Award; and the 2008 South Carolina
Center for the Book Award for Writing.
Monroe was also featured at the National
Festival of the Book. Her novel The
Butterflys Daughter won the International
Book Award for Green Fiction In 2011.
The Butterflys Daughter was also
selected as a finalist for the 2012 Book of
the Year by the SIBA. Finally, Monroes
novel, The Beach House, will be adapted
into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie,
starring three-time Golden Globe nominee
Andie MacDowell. It will premiere
exclusively on the network in 2016.
If you would like to attend the book
launch of A Lowcountry Wedding at
Kiawahs Sandcastle on May 3, 2016,
contact the Sandcastle at email address
sandcastle@kica.us or call 843.768.3875.
For more information about Monroes work,
visit her website www.maryalicemonroe.
com or contact Angela May by emailing
angela@maryalicemonroe.com. Believe it or
not, the web site has a lot more information,
including a way to win your very own
Lowcountry Wedding maryalicemonroe.
com/news/.

tennis

Haygood/Grady
tournament set
for May13-15
BY STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

he 6th annual Haygood/Grady

Memorial Tennis Championship,
Dinner and Silent Auction takes
place May 13 through 15 at the Kiawah
Island Golf Resort. The tournament,
a USTA sanctioned and a SC Level 2
event, honors the memory of a woman
whose hope and smiles inspired everyone
who knew her and worked with her at
the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Prinella
Haygood. The weekend also honors
Linwood Grady who helped start the
tournament and tragically also lost his
battle with cancer in 2013. Proceeds
benefit Roper St. Francis Cancer Care,
as well as an education trust for Prinellas
two young sons.

The tournament begins 4 p.m., Friday,

May 13 at the Roy Barth Tennis Center
(see sidebar for divisions and registration
info), and the dinner and auction take
place Saturday, May 14 from 6 p.m.
at the East Beach Conference Center.
Silent auction highlights include artwork
and jewelry by Charleston artists, hotel
stays and spa packages, dining and golf
certificates, wine tasting for 20, boating
and fishing excursions, tennis lessons and
more. Tickets are $65 for dinner without
entry into the tournament, children under
5 are free, 6-12 yrs old $15, purchase
tickets at www.haygoodgrady.com.

Tournament Divisions

Ranked NTRP Mens & NTRP Womens Singles: Open,2.5-4.5 (SE)

Ranked NTRP Mens & NTRP Womens Doubles: Open,2.5-4.5
(FMLC)
Ranked NTRP Mixed Doubles: Open (FMLC)
Ranked NTRP Combined Mixed Doubles: 5.0,6.0,7.0,8.0,9.0
(FMLC)
Ranked Senior 50 NTRP Mens & Senior 50 NTRP Womens
Doubles: 3.0-4.5 (FMLC)
Ranked Senior 50 NTRP Combined Mixed Doubles: 6.0,7.0,8.0
(FMLC)
Play will not begin before 4:00PM on Friday, May 13th

Tournament ID: 700033116, $70 for the first event, $10 for each
additional event.
Register online at: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/
TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=176522
Contact Jonathan Barth for questions, 843.568.1468.

April 22, 2016

arts & events

11

Celebrate the Sea Islands Gullah Culture

TWO FUNDRAISERS FOR HUNGER AWARENESS
F O U N D AT I O N P L A N N E D
BY DONNA MUNDY

For The Island Connection

Captain Sams Creek, by Sergio Roffo.

oin the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation in celebrating the Sea Islands
Gullah Culture with two exciting events. The Gullah Gala, a Reception to Meet and
Greet Artist, Mary Whyte and her Johns Island models will be held on Friday, May
13, 6 to 8 p.m. at The Sandcastle, Kiawah Island. Heavy hors doeuvres prepared by the
chef from the River Course will be served. Tickets are $100.
On Saturday, May 14, 3 to 7 p.m. the Second Annual Gullah Celebration will be
held at Freshfields Village, Kiawah Island. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at
the door (12 and under are free) Featuring Lowcountry Voices (gospel choir), Gullah
Cuisine catered by the Stono Market & Tomato Shed Caf, Sweetgrass Baskets, wine
and beer and silent auction items featuring Jewelry, Fine Art, including a painting of
Captain Sams Creek, by Sergio Roffo.
Please consider purchasing tickets, buying a sponsorship, and/or donating an
auction item. For sponsorships or to donate auction items go to fightislandhunger.org
or contact Shirley Salvo at greenwave21@bellsouth.net or 843.709.1406 or Amy Myers
at tennisabm@comcast.net or 260.417.1022.
The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation is a non-profit organization working
year round to provide food to Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island residents of all
ages who have difficulty providing food for themselves. Volunteers assist in growing
nutritious produce, picking up donated food for distribution, preparing meals and
delivering food to families with children, the elderly, those with disabilities and veterans
in their homes. Currently, there are over 23,000 residents on Johns and Wadmalaw
Islands, of which 3,700 are at or below the poverty level. The most disturbing statistic
is that 90 percent of the children on these islands are living below the poverty level.
SIHAF organizations are:

Backpack Buddies of Seabrook

Hebron Zion Presbyterian Emergency Food Bank
Holy Spirit Catholic Church Food Pantry (fully funded by Holy Spirit Catholic
Church)
Meals on Wheels of Charleston (meals to the Sea Islands)
Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Food Pantry
Rockville Presbyterian Meals on Monday
Stono Baptist Blessing Basket
Sweetgrass Garden Co-op
In addition SIHAF has developed three new outreach programs:
Crock Pot Cooking Classes
Elementary school students on the Sea Islands are excited about learning to prepare
nutritious, tasty food in a crock pot. SIHAF volunteers meet with students for six weeks
after school. At the last class, each student receives a crock pot, measuring cups/spoons,
spices, a Crock Pot Recipe Booklet and a certificate.
Frierson Elementary Garden, Wadmalaw Island
All grade levels have their class plots planted with strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce,
peppers, spinach etc. Students are planting rows of corn, watermelons, beans, two plum
trees, a lime tree and a pear tree. Students have planted flower seeds inside to transplant
outside later.
Sea Islands Water Wellness Mission
Recently the organization learned there are families on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands
who do not have clean, safe drinking water. SIHAF will provide assistance with new
wells, repairs to existing wells and/or water filtration systems. For additional information,
please contact Bill Britton, Project Coordinator, bbritton@seabrookislandrealestate.
com or 843.421.6360.

Island Connection Calendar

April 22
Mondays

Intermediate Oil Classes

At the Todd & Huff Art Center located
at Bohicket Marina, Wednesdays and
Fridays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Topics include
value work, applying composition elements
to your paintings, edge work, brush and
palette knife use. Painting from still life
and photos. Email toddhuffcenter@gmail.
com for information.
Monday Bridge Group
9 a.m. at the Lake House. The Monday
Bridge Group needs new players. For more
information, please contact Ilse Calcagno
at 843.768.0317.

Tuesdays

Mah Jongg Practice

1 - 4 p.m. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday
of the month. Located at The Lake
HouseOsprey 2. Open to all new
players, those returning to the game, and
anyone else who wants a chance to practice
with others who are learning the game.
If you have any questions, please contact
Helen Thompson at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.
Bookmobile
The Charleston County Bookmobile comes
to Freshfields Village on the first Tuesday
of every month from 10 11:30 a.m.
The Bookmobile will be parked in the lot
behind Heges and Java Java.

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 yourself
for success and be ready to shine.

Fridays

Friday Indoor Pickleball

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

Saturdays

Homegrown
10 a.m. 2 p.m. Johns Island Farmers
Market. Every Third Saturday at 3546
Maybank Highway Johns Island.
For more information, visit www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.
2015 Sea Island Cars and Coffee
9 - 11 a.m. The third Saturday each month
at Freshfields Village.

Sundays

Sunday Afternoon Matinees

The Lake House hosts Sunday Matinees
at 1 p.m. in the Live Oak Hall. You are
welcome to bring your favorite snacks or
refreshments. Water and popcorn will be
provided.

Ongoing

Wine Tastings FortyEight - A Wine Bar

475 Freshfields Drive, 6 p.m.
complimentary
Wednesday, April 27 Hall Winery of Napa
Complimentary Wine Tasting
Thursday, April 28 Spindrift Winery of
Oregon Complimentary Wine Tasting

TUESDAY, APRIL 26

FRIDAY, APRIL 29

Lake House Lecture Series

7 p.m. Topics of interest to Seabrookers
of educational, cultural, or wellness value.
Happiness Advantage, by Lisa Burbage,
learn about making lasting lifestyle
changes. Free

Kiawah Island Landscape Symposium,

Plant Sale and Lunch
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. KICA Maintenance (22
Kestrel Ct.) This is truly a one-stop shop!
Listen to a series of informative speakers
offering expert advice for your home
landscaping and maintenance, or explore a
vast selection of annuals, perennials, native
plants and tropicals for sale. For more
information, contact sandcastle@kica.us or
843-768-3875.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Sunset 7:56 p.m., Moonrise 8:28

p.m. Come on down for a time of visiting
and enjoying the beauty of Seabrook
Island at night. Well gather just north
of Boardwalk 6. A great way to complete
your celebration of Earth Day. Put these
dates for the Full Moon Bonfires on your
calendar: Saturday, May 21, Monday, June
20, Tuesday, July 19

OLMC Golf Tournament

Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach
host its 23rd Annual Golf Tournament at
The Golf Club at Briars Creek on Johns
Island. The golf tournament begins with
registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m. and
a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Dinner and an
awards ceremony follows. To register or
learn more, visit olmoutreach.org or call
(843) 559-4109.

MONDAY, APRIL 25
BIFMC Golf Invitational Fundraiser
The Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic
hosts its ninth annual golf invitational
fundraiser. The tournament is the largest
fundraiser of the year.
SINHG Beekeeping Trip
Beekeeping at the Middleton Plantation.
Full details regarding each of these trips
are available on the SINHG web site,
sinhg.org. to sign up please contact Julia
Thogmartin juliathogmartin@gmail.com,
740-501-8154.

CERT 10th Anniversary Celebration

Oyster Catcher Community Center. All
Seabrook Island residents are welcome
to join us, this event will give residents
the opportunity to meet those of your
neighbors who have been trained to assist
our community in the event of natural
or man-made disasters. If you have
questions, please contact John Reynolds
JohnR99773@aol.com, if you plan to
attend the celebration RSVP to Cindy
Willis, cwillissc@yahoo.com. Those
attending are asked to bring a heavy hors
doeuvre to share.

Lowcountry Art and Artisans Showcase

Local artists, crafters and creators will
exhibit their wares on Kiawah Island this
spring at the semiannual event at the
Sandcastle Community Center on Friday,
April 29 from 4 - 7 p.m. and and Saturday
April 30 from 10 a.m. 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30
Celebrate Kiawah
4 - 7 p.m. Sandcastle Community
Center. All Kiawah property owners
are invited to KICAs annual poolside
party.Complimentary for all association
members. Invited guests are
welcome to attend at a cost of $25 per
person. Please RSVP to sandcastle@kica.us
or 843-768-3875.

Seabrook Island Club 25th Anniversary

Celebration
A night of live music, dancing, cocktails
and exciting cuisine for club members.
Bohicket Matinas 3rd Annual Dolphin
Slam
$200 entry fee per boat, up to 4 people per
entry fee. Cash awards! Enjoy free beer and
great Food by Nacha Mamas Taqueria.
Each additional person only $20. www.
bohicket.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 1
Piccolo Preview
4 p.m. The City of Charleston Office
of Cultural Affairs and the Town of
Kiawah Island Arts & Cultural Events
Council present a sampling of some
favorite musical elements as harbingers
of the 2016 Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The
program will include performances from
several of the events chosen for this years
festival. Admission-free and open to the
public. Holy Spirit Catholic Church,Ticket
Release: 4/15. Complimentary Tickets
Available at Kiawah Town Hall 843-7689166 or online at www.kiawahisland.org/
specialevents

TUESDAY, MAY 3
Artist of the Month
Pat Ryans paintings and driftwood
creation will be showcased at the Seabrook

May 14
Island Lake House gallery all month long;
opening reception on May 3, 5-7 p.m.
Book Launch
3 p.m. Launch and signing of A
Lowcountry Wedding by Mary Alice
Monroe, at Kiawahs Sandcastle, call
843.768.3875 for more information.

MONDAY, MAY 9
Kiawah Island Garden Club Garden
Party
10 a.m., at the home of Edna Roberds.
There will be a garden stroll with mimosas,
followed by a Tea with many delicious
treats.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
Mark Gingerich Workshop
At the Todd & Huff Art Center, May 11
and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.The class will
be held at the Bohicket Marina studio and
the cost is $290. For more information
email toddhuffcenter@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 13
The Gullah Gala
A Reception to Meet and Greet Artist,
Mary Whyte and her Johns Island models
will be held 6 to 8 p.m. at The Sandcastle,
Kiawah Island. Heavy hors doeuvres
prepared by the chef from the River
Course will be served. Tickets are $100.

Haygood/Grady Memorial Tennis

Championship
The tournament begins 4 p.m., Friday,
May 13 at the Roy Barth Tennis Center.
Register online at: http://tennislink.usta.
com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/
Tournament.aspx?T=176522
Contact Jonathan Barth for questions,
843.568.1468.

SATURDAY, MAY 14
Second Annual Gullah Celebration
3 to 7 p.m. at Freshfields Village, Kiawah
Island. Admission is $15 in advance and
$20 at the door (12 and under are free).
Featuring Lowcountry Voices (gospel
choir), Gullah Cuisine catered by the
Stono Market & Tomato Shed Caf,
Sweetgrass Baskets, Wine/Beer and Silent
Auction items featuring Jewelry, Fine Art to include a painting, Captain Sams Creek,
by Sergio Roffo - and much more!
Haygood/Grady Memorial Tennis
Championship Dinner and Silent Auction
6 p.m. at the East Beach Conference
Center. Silent auction highlights include
artwork and jewelry by Charleston artists,
hotel stays and spa packages, dining and
golf certificates, wine tasting for 20, boating
and fishing excursions, tennis lessons and
more. Tickets are $65 for dinner without
entry into the tournament, children under 5
are free, 6-12 yrs old $15, purchase tickets at
www.haygoodgrady.com.

13

April 22, 2016

arts & events

Celebrate the Sea Islands Gullah Culture

TWO FUNDRAISERS FOR HUNGER AWARENESS
F O U N D AT I O N P L A N N E D
BY DONNA MUNDY

For The Island Connection

Captain Sams Creek, by Sergio Roffo.

oin the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation in celebrating the Sea Islands
Gullah Culture with two exciting events. The Gullah Gala, a Reception to Meet and
Greet Artist, Mary Whyte and her Johns Island models will be held on Friday, May
13, 6 to 8 p.m. at The Sandcastle, Kiawah Island. Heavy hors doeuvres prepared by the
chef from the River Course will be served. Tickets are $100.
On Saturday, May 14, 3 to 7 p.m. the Second Annual Gullah Celebration will be
held at Freshfields Village, Kiawah Island. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at
the door (12 and under are free) Featuring Lowcountry Voices (gospel choir), Gullah
Cuisine catered by the Stono Market & Tomato Shed Caf, Sweetgrass Baskets, wine
and beer and silent auction items featuring Jewelry, Fine Art, including a painting of
Captain Sams Creek, by Sergio Roffo.
Please consider purchasing tickets, buying a sponsorship, and/or donating an
auction item. For sponsorships or to donate auction items go to fightislandhunger.org
or contact Shirley Salvo at greenwave21@bellsouth.net or 843.709.1406 or Amy Myers
at tennisabm@comcast.net or 260.417.1022.
The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation is a non-profit organization working
year round to provide food to Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island residents of all
ages who have difficulty providing food for themselves. Volunteers assist in growing
nutritious produce, picking up donated food for distribution, preparing meals and
delivering food to families with children, the elderly, those with disabilities and veterans
in their homes. Currently, there are over 23,000 residents on Johns and Wadmalaw
Islands, of which 3,700 are at or below the poverty level. The most disturbing statistic
is that 90 percent of the children on these islands are living below the poverty level.
SIHAF organizations are:

Backpack Buddies of Seabrook

Hebron Zion Presbyterian Emergency Food Bank
Holy Spirit Catholic Church Food Pantry (fully funded by Holy Spirit Catholic
Church)
Meals on Wheels of Charleston (meals to the Sea Islands)
Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Food Pantry
Rockville Presbyterian Meals on Monday
Stono Baptist Blessing Basket
Sweetgrass Garden Co-op
In addition SIHAF has developed three new outreach programs:
Crock Pot Cooking Classes
Elementary school students on the Sea Islands are excited about learning to prepare
nutritious, tasty food in a crock pot. SIHAF volunteers meet with students for six weeks
after school. At the last class, each student receives a crock pot, measuring cups/spoons,
spices, a Crock Pot Recipe Booklet and a certificate.
Frierson Elementary Garden, Wadmalaw Island
All grade levels have their class plots planted with strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce,
peppers, spinach etc. Students are planting rows of corn, watermelons, beans, two plum
trees, a lime tree and a pear tree. Students have planted flower seeds inside to transplant
outside later.
Sea Islands Water Wellness Mission
Recently the organization learned there are families on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands
who do not have clean, safe drinking water. SIHAF will provide assistance with new
wells, repairs to existing wells and/or water filtration systems. For additional information,
please contact Bill Britton, Project Coordinator, bbritton@seabrookislandrealestate.
com or 843.421.6360.

14

gardening

April 22, 2016

Kiawah Island Garden

Club meets at Church
Creek Nursery
BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

he Kiawah Island Garden Club

gathered at the beautiful Church
Creek Nursery on Johns Island to
learn about the extensive operation and
buy plants for their gardens. Nancy Hart,
the owner since incorporating in 1991, led
the group through the many greenhouses
and fields. She was a psychology major in
college. Before entering graduate school
she worked one summer in a plant nursery
and found her true calling. The nursery
encompasses 18 acres and grows and sells
thousands of plants each year.
Among the plants Nancy showed us
were many which require full sun,
which in our area means just 4 hours a day.
A popular garden color these days is lime
and a wonderful example of a plant that
color is carex evirello, an evergreen grass.
It also comes in a variegated variety, carex
everest. Another beautiful plant, which

deer dont eat, is Agastache, also known as

Butterfly Mint or Hyssop. Native yarrow
comes in various pinks and reds and other
successful native plants are wild ageratum
and Joe Pye Weed, eutrochium.
The Garden Club members were
soon filling carts and boxes with flats of
perennials and succulents in amazing
colors and textures, and enjoying the
opportunity to buy plants which are
usually only available on a wholesale basis.
Afterwards the Club met for lunch at the
Osprey Clubhouse.
The next Kiawah Island Garden Club
meeting will be a Garden Party, at the
home of Edna Roberds, on Monday,
May 9 at 10 a.m. There will be a garden
stroll with mimosas, followed by a Tea
with many delicious treats. It will be a
wonderful and fitting end to a great year
of Garden Club events.

15

April 22, 2016

volunteer spotlight

Barbara and
Edward Fitzpatrick

BY MARIA GUROVICH
For The Island Connection

ueens, New York natives,

Barbara and Edward Fitzpatrick
have been married for almost
60 years. Ed and Barbs sisters went
to school together. Ed worked at a deli
and one day, during a bread strike,
Barb came in to purchase some bread.
I had some bread stored under
the counter for my regular customers,
so I made sure to give her 2 loaves,
remembers Ed. However, it wasnt until
one of Eds sisters wedding when Ed
and Barb reconnected. They exchanged
many letters while Ed was in the Navy.
Ed went on to work for Goldman Sachs
for 31 years. Barbara was a stay-at-home
mom until her youngest child turned
10 years old and then she managed a
Catholic school cafeteria. Although,
they had a vacation house in Tampa,
FL and all of their 6 children and 21
grandchildren live up north, in 2007
they decided to retire in Charleston,
instead.

They were encouraged to volunteer

with the Neighborhood House soup
kitchen by Eds sister and brotherin-law, Ellen and Charles Sanaga.
We have been enjoying coming for
close to 9 years. We love helping--its
gratifying. Some of the clients have
been coming as long as they have been
volunteering. But they both hope that
one day people wont have to rely on
Neighborhood Houses help. Until that
moment comes, they will always be
there volunteering and serving meals.
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. If you d
like to get involved with Our Lady of
Mercy Community Outreach and make
a positive change in someones life contact
Maria Gurovich via phone 843.559.4109
or email mariad@olmoutreach.org.