Since May 2007
PRESORT STANDARD
Volume 13 Issue 22
Among the bird counters were, left to right, standing: John Horlbeck, Ed Konrad, David McLean, David Green, Aija Konrad, Ryan
Donnelly, Jake Zadik, William Oakley, Craig Watson, Pam Ford, Tom Austin, Dave Eslinger and Chris Snook. Kneeling: Bob Mercer,
Marilyn Blizard, Debbie Seabrook, Matt Johnson and Aaron Given. Photo by Marilyn Blizard.
For the birds
NINTH SEA ISLANDS COUNT IS A SUCCESS
BY AARON GIVEN
For The Island Connection
T
emperatures were mild, ranging from the upper 60s to the
lower 70s, for the ninth Sea Islands Christmas Bird Count
Jan. 3. Participants had to deal with south winds ranging
from 12 to 20 mph, which undoubtedly affected the birding. The
strong winds kept some songbirds hunkered down and made the
ocean rough, presenting a challenge to see seabirds. Along the
coast, a dense fog rolled in around noon, but, fortunately, it did
not last too long.
This year we had 17 participants in five parties on Kiawah
Island; 12 participants in six parties on Seabrook Island; nine
participants in four parties on Johns Island; seven participants
Stories of Love
Page 6
FREE
in three parties on Wadmalaw Island; and two participants in
one party on Deveaux Bank. In addition, there were 12 feeder
watchers at nine locations on Kiawah; seven at six locations on
Seabrook; and three at two locations on Johns Island.
The Sea Islands Christmas Bird Count team recorded 23,127
individual birds and 156 different species: 8,686 birds and 126
species on Kiawah; 4,636 birds and 115 species on Seabrook
Island, including Freshfields; 4,329 birds and 103 species on
Johns Island; 3,354 birds and 93 species on Wadmalaw Island;
and 1,902 birds of 29 species on Deveaux Bank.
Two new species were added for this year’s count: A dickcissel
was seen at Ambrose Farms on Wadmalaw Island by Dave
For The Birds continues on page 3
Charleston’s Rich History
Page 9
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON SC
POSTAL PATRON
PERMIT NO 437
January 31, 2020
They’re back
AND THEY
HOPE TO RAISE
$50,000 FOR
B A C K PA C K
BUDDIES
BY MIKE GORSKI
For The Island Connection
H
e’s back once again this year and
with him are most of his clients,
friends and fellow business
owners – and he’s added a few in an effort
to smash last year’s record of $40,000
raised for a worthy cause: helping children
in need. This year’s goal is a whopping
$50,000.
Mike Gorski, owner of Island
Transportation Services, launched this
project four years ago to help raise
additional funds at the Backpack Buddies
Chili Cook-off, scheduled for March 17 at
Bohicket Marina.
This year, Gorski has already received
commitments from 14 returning friends
and an equal number of new friends.
All of them have committed to donating
$1,000 each, which will be used to match
dollar-for-dollar donations made by the
residents of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns
islands.
The Chili Cook-off, along with The
Gorski and Friends Challenge, benefits
Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island and
the Backpack Buddies Group of Kiawah
Women’s Foundation. Both organizations
are 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose mission
is to feed local schoolchildren on the
weekend and during school holidays.
These children receive breakfast and
lunch from their schools but often are left
to fend for themselves on the weekends.
Currently, more than 530 local children
are benefiting from the program each
week.
Returning friends from last year
include: Island Transportation Services;
Carolina Girl Promotional Products;
Coastal Getaways of South Carolina;
Emery and Nick Macpherson - Akers Ellis
They’re Back continues on page 4
Mystery Plant
Page 13
2 January 31, 2020
civic

Town of Kiawah Island Council Meeting

T U E S D A Y, J A N . 7
BY GREGG BRAGG
Lynn Pierotti The Island Connection Sr. Staff Writer
publisher

P
lynn@luckydognews.com lenty of staff attended the Town of
Kiawah Island Jan. 7 meeting, a
Brian Sherman bevy of contractors and a handful
managing editor of diehard constituents. The packet
ICEditor@luckydognews.com
of materials was particularly thick for
the first meeting after the holidays,
despite a relatively thin agenda. Mayor
Jennifer Tuohy Craig Weaver addressed parliamentary
contributing editor obligations and set to framing discussion
jennifer@luckydognews.com items for the day’s meeting.
Weaver announced the town’s annual
retreat is scheduled for two half-day
Alejandro Ferreyros
sessions: the afternoon of the Jan. 29 and
senior graphic designer the morning of the Jan. 30. He then said
alejandro@luckydognews.com costs associated with Hurricane Dorian
came to $675,000, a figure which has
Lori McGee apparently given him pause. Weaver
sales manager recapped the areas of responsibility.
The town is responsible for everything
lori@luckydognews.com
outside the gate, and the Kiawah Island
Community Association has everything
inside.
Senior Staff Writer “No hard feelings,” Weaver said
Gregg Bragg as he highlighted the town’s intent to
revisit the cost-sharing memorandum of
understanding with KICA. He left the
Contributors
topic by saying most of the costs were to
Aaron Given deal with damage and debris inside the
Mike Gorski gate.
Danielle Bol-De Greve Weaver then turned to the single
Alberta Barron biggest topic of the day, which was also
the reason for the large meeting packet
Lynn F. Feldman
and heavy attendance by contractors and
Daniel J. McMahon
staff. TOKI intends to repave the road
Keely Laughlin
from the traffic circle to the first gate, and
Sharon Peck bids have already gone out. Although the
Arielle Alpino town does not intend to install curbing,
Jessie Bagley they will employ a new product designed
to prevent rutting along the road’s edge.
Reagan Kelley
Stephanie Cubias The project will start in the spring, take
about two weeks and should be finished
John Nelson prior to Memorial Day.
A question about repaving the roadbed
from the traffic circle to Town Hall
received a non-committal answer from
consultants/project managers of Outdoor
Spatial Design. The issue may be a larger
factor for Seabrook than for Kiawah; their
Council weighs the benefits of raising the
roadbed on their side of the traffic circle
(for example, why bother if you can’t get
past Haulover Creek on the other side?).
That’s about as exciting as a paving project
can get, smoothing the way for the first
item of new business.
Representatives of Outdoor Spatial
Design took the reins and spent the bulk
of their presentation time – approximately
an hour – on a series of 50 some odd
pictures illustrating three possible
solutions designed to improve the 2.4-mile
entrance to Kiawah. The full presentation
is available by visiting kiawahisland.org/
wp-content/uploads/2019/12/reduced-
20191212_presentation_boards_kiawah_
eblast.pdf.
Buzzwords like “wildlife corridor” and
“pollinator pathway” were thrown into
the presentation by the fistful, industry
terms for thinning and pruning areas like
Haulover Creek, located on the Parkway
between Freshfields and Town Hall. All
of the three solutions presented made
the same promise: eliminate shagginess
and fill bald spots while leveraging and
opening natural views. The solutions can
also be mixed and matched, for maximum
effect, to dovetail with the landscaping in
places TOKI doesn’t control. More lawn
type areas or less lawn – it’s all up to the
town, the consultants concluded.
Council had scheduled a vote
on the topic. However, the Council
couldn’t really decide on a direction
without an understanding of the costs,
and the consultants couldn’t provide
estimates without a sense of direction.
Gamesmanship consumed the next half
hour, as Council members attempted to
leave themselves an out if the proposal
blows their budget. Council remained
determined to move forward, however,
and unanimously approved an abstract of
the plan(s).
Town attorney Joe Wilson narrated the
second item of new business, explaining
that the town has reached a settlement in
the negligence suit against auditing firm
Webster Rogers. The firm had the tiller
when former Town Administrator Tumiko
Rucker and former Town Treasurer
Harrison Kenneth Gunnells collaborated
to steal nearly $250,000 from the town
and overpay four other employees by
nearly $100,000. It took a forensic audit
by a different firm to uncover the mess,
which included rampant credit card abuse
for a four-year period. Neither Rucker nor
Gunnells received jail time, and the four
other employees agreed to reimburse the
town. Between insurance and payback
agreements and court-ordered paybacks,
the $15,000 settlement from Webster
Rogers represents the bulk of TOKI’s
losses, Wilson explained. He concluded
by saying he felt comfortable sharing
the settlement amount designated in the
confidential report, because it was subject
to the Freedom of Information Act.
There was a sudden shock in the air as
Council seemed to realize how much time
had elapsed, and they hurried through
remaining new business: Membership
of the Arts Council, Public Safety
and Public Works will remain intact;
Alexander Fernandez and John Ross will
be added to the town’s Audit Committee;
Wendy Kulick and Frank Cassidy were
reappointed to the Board of Zoning
Appeals; Mo Mangan was appointed
to the Construction Board of Appeals;
John Leffler was reappointed to and
Doug Walter added to the roster of the
Environmental Committee; while John
Moffitt and Brit Stenson were reappointed
to the Planning Commission. All
appointments and reappointments won
the unanimous support of Town Council.

Civic Calendar
K iawah Island Town H all
Published by 21 Beachwalker Drive
Lucky Dog Publishing Kiawah Island, S.C. 29455
of South Carolina, LLC Phone: 768-9166
P.O. Box 837
Town of Kiawah Arts & Cultural Town of Seabrook Fax: 768-4764
Events Council
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 Feb. 13, 12 p.m. Seabrook Island Town H all
Town Council Meeting Ways and Means
843-886-NEWS Feb. 4, 2 p.m. Kiawah Town Hall Committee Meeting 2001 Seabrook Island Road
Kiawah Town Hall Feb. 11, 1 p.m. Seabrook Island, S.C. 29455
Future submission deadline: Board of Zoning Seabrook Town Hall Phone: 768-9121
Feb. 5 for the Appeals Fax: 768-9830
Planning Commission Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Feb. 14 Issue Meeting Feb. 24, 3 p.m. Planning Commission
Feb. 5, 3 p.m. Kiawah Town Hall Meeting Johns Island Council
Op-ed articles and letters to the editor do not Kiawah Town Hall Feb. 12, Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-
necessarily reflect the opinion of Ways & Means 1:30 p.m. op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy.,
Lucky Dog News or its writers. Public Safety Committee Meeting Seabrook Town Hall Johns Island, S.C. 29455
Committee Feb. 25, 2 p.m. Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Feb. 12, 11:30 a.m. Kiawah Town Hall Presidents Day
The Island Kiawah Town Hall Town Hall Closed
Feb. 17
Charleston County Council
4045 Bridge View Drive
N. Charleston, S.C. 29405
Connection 958-4700

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC News Updates City of Charleston

Publishers of Island Eye News, Online at 75 Calhoun St.
facebook.com/ Charleston, S.C. 29401
The Island Connection 724-3745
islandconnectionnews
& SiP Magazine
January 31, 2020
daily

Tid e Char t

Date High Tide Low Tide

Jan 31 12:20pm 6:00am/6:23pm
Feb 1 12:42am/1:07pm 6:51am/7:09pm
Feb 2 1:34am/2:00pm 7:50am/8:01pm
Feb 3 2:31am/2:59pm 8:54am/8:59pm
Feb 4 3:31am/3:59pm 9:57am/9:58pm
Feb 5 4:31am/4:57pm 10:56am/10:56pm
Feb 6 5:28am/5:52pm 11:50am/11:51pm
One of two new species added during this year’s Sea Islands Christmas Bird Count was Feb 7 6:22am/6:45pm 12:40pm
the dickcissel. Photo by Dave Eslinger.
For The Birds continues from cover
and Baltimore oriole. On Wadmalaw Feb 8 7:13am/7:35pm 12:44am/1:29pm
Island, green-winged teal, redheaded
Eslinger and Don Jones, and a pair of woodpecker, merlin, white-breasted Feb 9 8:03am/8:25pm 1:35am/2:16pm
mottled ducks were spotted at the new nuthatch and dickcissel were spotted. Feb 10 8:51am/9:16pm 2:26am/3:03pm
Kiawah River development on Johns Deveaux Bank recorded the only Wilson’s
Island by Jim Jordan, Chris Davies and plovers and American white pelicans. Feb 11 9:39am/10:07pm 3:18am/3:50pm
Matt Hill. Notable misses included dabbling Feb 12 10:28am/11:01pm 4:10am/4:38pm
Each island reported unique species ducks, green herons, peregrine falcons,
for this year’s count. Kiawah was the only golden-crowned kinglets and Nelson’s Feb 13 11:18am/11:57pm 5:05am/5:28pm
island with a surf scoter, white-winged sparrows.
scoter, sora, American coot, parasitic I want to thank all the participants and Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.
jaeger, great black-backed gull, northern volunteers for continuing to make this Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
gannet, American bittern, prairie event a success. Not only is the bird count very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
warbler, saltmarsh sparrow and seaside fun and educational for participants, but wrong so use common sense.
sparrow. Seabrook recorded a ruddy duck, it also contributes valuable scientific data
Eurasian collard-dove, ruby-throated to aid in bird conservation across the Source: saltwatertides.com
hummingbird, American woodcock, country. Looking ahead to next year, the
barred owl and rusty blackbird. Johns count will most likely occur on Jan. 4 and
Island had a mottled duck, cattle Jan. 5.
egret, roseate spoonbill, house sparrow
4 January 31, 2020
arts & events
Last year’s banner at the Backpack Buddies Chili Cook-off.
They’re Back continues on page 4
Real Estate; Fipps & Sons Garage; Holy
City Construction; Kiawah Cares; Kiawah
Partners - Townsend and Stephanie
Clarkson; Pam Harrington Exclusives;
Pelican Development; S. Bogan Designs;
Timbers Kiawah; Wells Fargo; and Will
Shiver & The Island Company.
The new friends who are contributing
to this year’s great and worthy cause are:
AO Smith; anonymous; anonymous-
Kiawah Island; anonymous-Seabrook
Island; Barbara and Vin Lewis; Bob
and Linda Fetch; Design Gaps, Inc.;
Dolphin Architects and Builders; Dunes
Properties; Jessica Jones Charitable Fund;
Pierce Distribution Services Company;
Seabrook Island Real Estate; The Naples
Wealth Management Group at Morgan
Stanley; and Vincent’s Drug Store.
A great big thank you goes out to these
friends for their generous contributions to
the cause.
Now for the residents of Kiawah,
Seabrook and Johns islands: Because
of this year’s lofty goal, we are starting
to take donations now. All donations
are tax-deductible as permitted by law,
and, since the friends are matching your
donations dollar-for-dollar, it’s a win-win
for the Backpack Buddies’ programs on
the islands.
Making a donation is easy. Simply call
or text Mike Gorski at 864-316-3894 and
tell him how much you would like to give.
He will provide all of the details.
Thank you in advance for your support.
daily
The write stuff
ANNUAL EVENT BRINGS
TOGETHER READERS AND WRITERS
L-r: Book club members Katie Kegel, Gretchen Zimmer, Lisa Pansing and Sue Sykes.
BY LORI MCGEE
For The Island Connection
M
ary Alice Monroe’s Wild Dunes
Resort Author Series, held Jan.
19, is designed to bring readers
and writers together in a memorable way.
This annual event is known for engaging
conversations with great authors but also
for serving up equally awesome food and
drinks.
This year’s featured authors were Signe
Pike, Kate Quinn and Elizabeth Berg.
Almost 400 people traveled from near and
far, from right here in Charleston to places
such as Charlotte; Pawleys Island; Boone,
North Carolina; and several other states,
including Ohio, Texas and California.
The appetizer menu was inspired
by recipes from Nathalie Dupree, the
queen of Southern cooking. Guests
were treated to a biscuit bar, pasta salad,
shrimp and grits, pecan tassies and lemon
tassies. Firefly Distillery served up a
great signature cocktail, the "BlackBerry
Smash," made with their famous whiskey
jam.
This year's charity was Reading
Partners South Carolina, a local literacy
group that partners with local community
members and leaders from local school
districts to give children the support they
need to become lifelong readers.
Attendees were treated to a big surprise
as Mary Alice unveiled the cover for her
new novel, “On Ocean Boulevard,” which
is being released May 19. It's a whole-
hearted return to her beloved sea turtles
in the Beach House series.
This opportunity to listen to these
powerful women tell their stories about
what inspires them, their books and life
was a rare treat. For more details, visit
maryalicemonroe.com.
January 31, 2020
arts & events
A fun-filled year ahead
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB PLANS
FOR 2020
BY DANIELLE BOL-DE GREVE
For The Island Connection
A D
Very Happy New Year to everyone.
The Seabrook Island
Photography Club Leadership
Team has put together an exciting,
fun-filled year, including field trips,
presentations from local professional
photographers, social activities and
a schedule designed to further our
photographic skills – to explore, learn,
excite and entertain. We traditionally
meet on the third Thursday of each
month but have set aside additional dates
for extra activities.
Our first meeting will be Feb. 20, when
Kevin Holliday will present a talk on
“Vision: A World Created, Not Captured.”
Kevin is an internationally acclaimed
black and white photographer from
Daniel Island who has an extraordinary
understanding of light, transforming
what his heart and soul see into stunning
works of art. Look for more on Kevin’s
work at kevinhollidayphoto.com.
Kevin’s presentation on the 20th is
open to island residents and visitors
without charge. Please join us at 6:30 p.m.
at the Lake House.
2020 Schedule
Feb. 20 Kevin Holliday presentation.
March Field trip - date and theme to
be determined.
March 19 Member presentations of
arts & events
The good, the bad
and the ugly
BY ALBERTA BARRON
For The Island Connection
T
he Seabrook Island Garden Club
welcomes our very own Karen
Babb Feb. 14, for a presentation
on “Feng Shui Basics: The Good, the Bad
and the Ugly.”
their lifetime favorite images by three
club members, with discussion on subject
selection and technical considerations.
April 16 Kenny McKeithen (local
professional photographer) on low light
and panoramic photography.
May Afternoon class on flash
photography by Bill Nelson - date to be
determined
May 21 Early evening photo shoot at
Magnolia Cemetery, followed by dinner
in Charleston.
June 18 Beach party/bonfire with chili
dogs and potluck dishes.
July and August No meetings.
September Field trip with specific
theme - date, time and subject to be
determined.
Sept. 17 Professional photographer
presentation – to be determined.
October Afternoon class on basic
imaging by Bill Nelson - date to be
determined.
Oct. 15 Evening photo shoot and
dinner.
Nov. 19 Kate Silvia, Kate Silvia
Photography - Post processing.
Dec. 17 Christmas Party with member
sharing of 2020 favorite images.
If you would like to learn more about
the Seabrook Island Photography Club,
contact Bill Nelson on 843-768-0201
or wnelson1942@gmail.com, or visit
seabrookislandphotoclub.com.
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. at
the Oyster Catcher Community Center.
With more than 35 years as a trained
and licensed interior designer, Karen
has significant experience in all aspects
of interior design. She looks forward to
sharing her expertise with our members
and guests.
daily
An exciting new year
CHANGES PLANNED FOR ROPER
S T. F R A N C I S P H Y S I C I A N PA R T N E R S
FROM ROPER ST. FRANCIS PHYSICIAN PARTNERS
For The Island Connection
ear patient,
We hope you’re doing well and
wish you a happy, healthy 2020.
This is an exciting year for Roper St.
Francis Physician Partners. Over the next
few months, we’ll be expanding services
in your area to ensure that you have the
health care you need.
We’re thankful for the years of quality
care provided by Dr. Feldman and Dr.
McMahon. Both doctors will be leaving
the Kiawah Island practice in February and
a new physician, Dr. Todd Davis, will join
the team. Dr. Davis is a Seabrook Island
resident, board-certified in family medicine
and has more than 25 years of experience as
a primary care doctor. We’re thrilled to have
him on our team. These changes require
no action on your part, and your records
will stay with the practice. In March, we’ll
daily
A heartfelt thanks
PHYSICIANS’ CONTRACTS
WEREN’T EXTENDED
BY LYNN F. FELDMAN AND DANIEL J. MCMAHON
For The Island Connection
T
o our patients at the Kiawah-
Seabrook Medical Center:
This letter is to notify you of
pending changes at the Kiawah-Seabrook
medical office. Roper St. Francis Physicians
Partners has decided not to extend our current
contracts. Therefore, our last day of providing
medical care at the center will be Jan. 31.
For the past 13 years, it has been our
privilege and honor to provide medical care
to the people of Kiawah, Seabrook, Johns
and Wadmalaw islands and beyond. We
extend our gratitude to all our patients for
placing your trust in us. The relationships
we have developed both professionally and
personally are deeply appreciated.
Also, a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated
5
expand the hours at Freshfields Village to
provide you with walk-in care Monday
through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For now, Dr. Bhattacharyya will continue
caring for patients at Freshfields Village. In
April, Roper St. Francis Physician Partners
will open a new location in the Live Oak
Shopping center on Johns Island. At that
time, Dr. Battacharyya will move her practice
to this brand-new location at 1807 Crowne
Commons Way, Ste. F1. We’re also excited to
announce that our new Johns Island location
will open with walk-in care hours, Monday
through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you have any questions, please don’t
hesitate to call us at 843-768-4800. We
look forward to caring for you!
Sincerely,
Roper St. Francis Physician Partners
and compassionate support staff of our office.
This includes current and former managers,
receptionists, lab and X-ray technicians, nurses
and medical assistants without whom we
could not have provided quality medical care.
As family physicians, we believe that
the personal attention provided by a
primary care office is instrumental for
truly coordinated medical care. Kiawah-
Seabrook Medical Center will continue to
provide primary care after our departure.
Your medical records will be available at
the office should you need access.
We wish you well and thank you.
Lynn F. Feldman D.O.
Daniel J. McMahon M.D.
6 January 31, 2020
arts & events
Stories of love
A G R E AT WAY T O C E L E B R AT E
VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY
BY KEELY LAUGHLIN
For The Island Connection
S
et the stage for Valentine’s Day
with two of the nation’s finest opera
performers: Saundra DeAthos
and Harold Meers. The married duo,
accompanied by pianist Andrea Molina,
will explore the many facets of love as
expressed in some of opera’s greatest
masterpieces at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at the
Turtle Point Clubhouse on Kiawah Island.
The concert will present smoldering
operatic duets, arias and a few classic music
theater selections depicting the varying
aspects of love, from the exhilarating to
the tragic, the pure to the forbidden and
even unrequited to seductive.
Prior to the show, attendees are invited
to enjoy a special Valentine’s Day dinner at
Tomasso’s in the Turtle Point Clubhouse.
The menu, available between 4 p.m. and
5:30 p.m., is $80++ per couple and will
include your choice of a bottle of red,
white or sparkling wine. Reservations for
dinner can be made by calling 843-266-
4070 and referencing the Arts Council
event.
Lyric soprano DeAthos has been
heralded for the remarkable quality of
both her vocal and dramatic presentations.
Excelling in a varied and broad repertoire
and flourishing in the spotlight, she
claimed principal assignments with the
San Francisco Opera and with Western
Opera Theater. In addition to regularly
performing, she serves as associate
professor of voice and head of opera for
the College of Charleston.
Having garnered critical and popular
praise for his passionate portrayal of Italian
and French romantic repertoire, tenor
Meers has established an international
career, spanning from North America to
Europe and Asia. He has appeared at such
venues as the Metropolitan Opera, San
Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San
Diego Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera
Company of Philadelphia, Opera Theater
of St. Louis, Boston Lyric Opera and
Glimmerglass Opera.
As a collaborative artist, conductor
and music director, Molina gives master
classes and recitals throughout Europe,
North America and Central America and
has recorded on the Centaur and New
World labels. She is the principal pianist
for the Heartland Festival Orchestra and
serves as guest principal for the Peoria
Symphony and the Champaign Urbana
Symphony Orchestras.
Tickets, at a cost of $10, are available at
kiawahisland.org/events/.
arts & events
A dynamic quartet
PERFORMANCE SET FOR FEB. 9
BY KEELY LAUGHLIN
For The Island Connection
T
he Georgia Guitar Quartet –
Kyle Dawkins, Brian Smith, Phil
Snyder and Jason Solomon – are
a pioneering ensemble on the American
chamber music and classical guitar
scenes. They will be performing Feb. 9
at 4 p.m. at the Church of Our Saviour
on Betsy Kerrison Parkway.
These four musicians from the
Southeastern United States deliver
a high-energy blend of breathtaking
virtuosity and imaginative
programming while taking an
adventurous approach to classical
music. Borrowing from both the
past and present, the Georgia Guitar
Quartet draws inspiration from the
ever-evolving palate of music that has
inf luenced them: classical masters such
as Bach and Brahms; experimentalists
in the vein of Cage and Stockhausen;
and contemporary rock icons like Led
Zeppelin and Radiohead.
Audiences at a Georgia Guitar
Quartet concert experience an exciting
musical journey through an expansive
array of genres, continents and time
periods. Accomplished composers
themselves, they frequently incorporate
their own unique works into their
dynamic concert programs.
Formed in 1996 and hailing from
Athens, Georgia, the Quartet performs
throughout the nation in venues
ranging from concert halls to popular
music clubs. Recent concert highlights
include performances in New York, Los
Angeles and with the Utah Symphony
Orchestra. The GGQ has been
featured on American Public Media’s
“Performance Today” on dozens of
occasions. Their five critically acclaimed
albums include their own arrangements
and compositions.
A review of their Piccolo Spoleto
Festival performance in Charleston
described the concert as “a dazzling
display of technical prowess, versatile
programming and audience rapport.”
The town of Athens, which boasts a
rich musical heritage, has honored
the ensemble by awarding them “Best
Classical Artist” five years in a row at
the Athens Flagpole Music Awards.
To learn more, visit Town of Kiawah
Arts & Cultural Events at kiawahisland.
org/events/.
January 31, 2020
arts & events
Artist of the month
SI ARTIST GUILD WILL SHOWCASE
THE WORK OF BRENDA TILSON
BY SHARON PECK
For The Island Connection
T
he Seabrook Island Artist Guild
will showcase one of its longtime
active members, Brenda Tilson, in
February.
Brenda’s paintings will be on display
in the front hall of the Lake House
throughout the month.
A longtime SIAG active member and
exhibitor, Brenda holds degrees from
the University of Cincinnati College of
Design, Architecture and Art. She also
has a bachelor’s in art education from
Fairmont State College. In addition to
having been selected as a juried member of
the Pastel Society of America in 2016, she
is also a member of the Piedmont Pastel
Society of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Her display will consist of architectural
drawings.
To learn more about the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild, events, workshops and
membership, visit seabrookislandartistguild.
com.
arts & events
Among the best
B O B M I L N E T O P E R F O R M AT
SEABROOK ISLAND CLUB
BY KEELY LAUGHLIN
For The Island Connection
B
ob Milne, considered to be the best
ragtime/boogie-woogie pianist in
the world, will perform Feb. 6 at the
Seabrook Island Club.
Milne was filmed and documented
for future generations in 2004 during
three days of interviews at the Library
of Congress and was declared a National
Treasure at the conclusion.
His natural ability to hear and play
music goes back to his early childhood.
A French horn player in high school, he
went to the prestigious Eastman School
of Music at the age of 17, then became
assistant first horn in the Rochester
Philharmonic at age 19. After symphony
concerts, the students hung out in local
saloons. When the piano player didn’t
show up at a sing-along one night, Milne
filled in and was hired on the spot. He
continued playing the horn until age 21,
then turned to the piano full-time in the
7
Detroit area, performing seven nights a
week for 25 years.
Playing in concert halls since 1991,
Milne performs worldwide every year. A
comment often heard following one of
his performances is “unbelievable.” The
list of music festivals he’s appeared at
is extensive, including the Scott Joplin
Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri;
the Montreal Jazz Festival; the Eau Claire
Ragtime Festival; and the Sacramento
Ragtime Festival.
Milne has been averaging around
250 performances per year. He is highly
sought after both for his incredible piano
playing and his easygoing presentations.
“If I have been given any ability at
all, it is my duty to honor it by trying to
improve that ability every time I perform,”
he has claimed.
Tickets for the 7:30 performance, $10,
are available at kiawahisland.org/events/.
8 January 31, 2020
V O LV O C A R O P E N P L A N S E V E N T S O N A N D O F F T H E C O U R T
T
he Volvo Car Open, the largest
women’s-only tennis tournament
in North America, will celebrate 20
years in Charleston in 2020 with elevated
experiences, exciting activities and new
initiatives. The highly anticipated event
will take place April 4 through April 12
on Daniel Island.
The 2020 tournament will feature
the best in women’s professional tennis,
bringing more than 100 of the top players
in the world to the Lowcountry. The
tournament is also celebrating its 20th
year in Charleston with special events on
and off the tennis court.
2020 Events:
• Jennifer Nettles Concert:
Grammy Award-winning artist
Jennifer Nettles will perform at
the Volvo Car Open on April 11.
The intimate concert will take
place on the Althea Gibson Club
Court. Tickets start at $50 and are
currently on sale.
• Tournament Ambassador Tracy
Austin: The Volvo Car Open has
named past champion, Grand
Slam winner, Tennis Hall of Fame
member and Tennis Channel
commentator Tracy Austin as its
arts & events
20 years in Charleston
BY ARIELLE ALPINO
For The Island Connection
very first tournament ambassador.
She will host “Tennis Talk with
Tracy” daily from the tournament
grounds, as well as several other
special events.
• Family Weekend: The Volvo Car
Open’s qualifying rounds will kick
off on April 4 and 5 with Family
Weekend, with an itinerary filled
with family fun, including rides
from the state fair, sand sculptures,
an art activation court and more.
Adults are $10 and kids are free.
• Easter Sunday Brunch: The
Volvo Car Open will host a special
Easter Sunday brunch prior to
its finals on April 12. A special
musical guest will be announced
soon. Tickets are $100 and include
food, drinks and a ticket to the
finals.
• Good Morning Charleston Yoga
Event: Fans looking to elevate
their finals weekend experience
are invited to join Sarah Frick of
The Works for Good Morning
Charleston on April 11. This
special yoga event is designed
to guide you through a soulful
fitness experience that is a blend of
powerful vinyasa yoga, meditation,
breath work, plyometrics, core Open has prioritized sustainability
and strength work. Tickets are $55
and include healthy refreshments
and a ticket to the semifinal
matches.
2020 Initiatives:
• Website: The Volvo Car Open
launched a new website in 2020 to
enhance fan engagement and help
bring the event to life. The new
and improved website will allow
attendees to receive real-time
updates from the court, search
event schedules and learn more
information about their favorite
players.
• Electronic Line Calling: In
partnership with FOXTENN and
the WTA, the 2020 Volvo Car
Open will be the first women’s
clay event to install electronic line
calling. The FOXTENN system
uses 40 high-speed cameras that
are capable of generating
more than 100,000 images per
second. Electronic Line Calling
will be available on both the Billie
Jean King Stadium Court and the
Althea Gibson Club Court.
• Sustainability: The Volvo Car
as part of its 2020 initiatives and
has adopted new processes for
waste, recycling, transportation,
food and more.
The nine-day Volvo Car Open attracts
an average of 90,000 attendees and more
than 100 of the top singles and doubles
tennis players to Charleston every year.
The tournament relocated to Charleston
from Hilton Head Island, where it was
held from 1973 to 2000.
Patrons have the option to choose from
individual tickets, ticket packages and
travel packages. Ticket prices range from
$25 for an individual session to $540
for an all-inclusive weeklong package
with complimentary access into a private
hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open
also offers packages that include premium
seats, ticket savings and membership into
the tournament’s Ace Club.
For more information on the tournament
and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or
call 843-856-7900.
January 31, 2020
Part of Charleston’s rich history
SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR SPOLETO 2020
Romantics Anonymous. Photo by Steve Tanner.
BY JESSIE BAGLEY
For The Island Connection
G
eneral Director Nigel Redden has announced
the details of the 44th season of Spoleto Festival
USA, scheduled for May 22 through June 7 in
various locations in Charleston. For 17 days and nights, a
variety of artists will fill the city’s theaters, churches and
outdoor spaces with a wide range of performances and
concerts.
“As Charleston celebrates the 350th anniversary of
its founding, the Festival looks to its own place in the
city’s rich history,” said Redden. “There’s no doubt that
Spoleto, founded in 1977, contributed to Charleston’s
flourishing into its current status as a top destination, by
bringing in world-class artists, sparking a thriving arts
and culture scene and helping to revitalize performance
spaces that can be used year-round.”
After undergoing significant renovations, the
College of Charleston Sottile Theatre will reopen with
Spoleto’s landmark world premiere, “Omar,” a distinctly
Charleston – and American – story.
Based on the 1831 autobiography of Omar Ibn Said,
an enslaved Muslim African who was sold in Charleston
in 1807, “Omar” is co-commissioned and co-produced
by Spoleto Festival USA and Carolina Performing Arts
at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The
opera’s narrative traces Omar Ibn Said’s spiritual journey
from his life in West Africa to his enslavement in the
Carolinas. Rhiannon Giddens, a Grammy winner and
MacArthur fellow known for exploring the legacy of
African American folk traditions, created the libretto and
score. American composer Michael Abels worked closely
with Giddens as co-composer, and Festival Director of
Orchestral Activities John Kennedy is conducting. The
opera, which will run for six performances beginning
May 22, is to be directed by Charlotte Brathwaite, while
tenor Jamez McCorkle will sing the title role.
“Ibn Said’s autobiography is an extraordinary work,
and his story is one that’s absolutely crucial to tell,”
Redden said. “According to some scholars, as many as
30% of the enslaved Africans who arrived in the colonies
and subsequently in the United States were Muslim,
which is a largely unexplored truth in modern discussions
of slavery. But Ibn Said is not a number – he’s a man
who had feelings, a history and a life that was taken from
him.”
Additional performances during Spoleto’s 2020 season
aim to illuminate stories from marginalized communities
in Charleston and beyond. Pianist Jason Moran and
mezzo-soprano Alicia Hall Moran’s “Two Wings: The
Story of Black America in Migration,” is being specifically
reconstructed for a Charleston premiere at the Gaillard
Center May 27. Weaving original compositions, jazz
standards and text, this multifaceted concert follows the
journey of 6 million African Americans from the rural
South to points north and west. Joining the program are
Imani Winds, Toshi Reagon and filmmaker/writer Julie
Dash. Ahead of the performance, Wall Street Journal
music critic and Spoleto’s Wells Fargo Jazz Advisor Larry
Blumenfeld sits down with the Morans on May 26 for
a Jazz Talk – one of Spoleto’s many free events aimed
at enhancing the audience’s experience. Blumenfeld
leads a second Jazz Talk on June 1 with pianist Abdullah
Ibrahim, a visionary during the anti-apartheid movement
and a 2019 NEA Jazz Master. Ibrahim and his band,
Ekaya, perform at the College of Charleston Sottile
Theatre on June 2.
A screening of Jordan Peele’s Academy Award-
winning film “Get Out” is scheduled for May 26,
with live accompaniment by the Spoleto Festival USA
Orchestra, led by the film’s composer, Michael Abels,
who also is the co-composer of “Omar.” In “Get Out,”
released by Universal Pictures in 2017, a young African
American man visits his white girlfriend’s family estate
and gradually becomes ensnared in a sinister plot. Sixteen
choristers from the Westminster Choir will accompany
the Festival orchestra at the Charleston Gaillard Center.
Created in the months following the shooting of black
teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, “Until
the Flood” is one of award-winning writer/performer
Dael Orlandersmith’s newest works. Based on dozens of
intimate conversations Orlandersmith conducted with
Ferguson residents, this New York Times Critic’s Pick
runs May 22 through May 26 in the Emmett Robinson
Theatre at the College of Charleston. The one-woman
play, The Chicago Tribune wrote, “achieves a great beauty
by bringing us together rather than driving us apart.”
Spoleto’s 2020 theater programming includes two
additional works of particular relevance: “The Believers
Are But Brothers,” is scheduled for June 2 through June
6 at the Emmett Robinson Theatre at the College of
Charleston. By Javaad Alipoor, it follows three men’s
journeys to online radicalization. Meanwhile, “Sea Sick,”
set for the Woolfe Street Playhouse May 27 through May
30, examines the effects of climate change on the oceans.
A one-woman play, written by Alanna Mitchell and
presented as part of the American Express Woolfe Street
Series, it is especially appropriate for Charleston as the
coastal city wrestles with flooding issues and the threat
of offshore drilling.
On May 29 and May 31, Spoleto is producing
a distinctive choral-and-visual-arts experience at
Memminger Auditorium. In “The Stations,” members
of the Westminster Choir – led by Festival Director of
Choral Activities Joe Miller – perform settings from
Carlo Gesualdo’s “Responsoria” while photographs
from artist Tom Kiefer’s “The American Dream” series
are illuminated throughout the space. The Westminster
9
Choir, celebrating its 100th anniversary, also performs
two solo repertory concerts at St. Matthew’s Lutheran
Church May 23 and 30, featuring music by Benjamin
Britten, Paweł Łukaszewski, Daniel Elder and Jake
Runestad.
As always, classical music at Spoleto spans centuries.
In various concerts, members of the Spoleto Festival USA
Orchestra, under Kennedy’s direction, play selections
from Vivaldi, Beethoven and Liszt, along with music
by contemporary artists Max Richter, Michael Abels,
inti figgis-vizueta and Derek Tywoniuk, among others.
In a concert highlighting Holst’s “The Planets,” at the
Gaillard May 30, the Festival Orchestra also plays
“Rhapsodic Overture” by Edmund Thornton Jenkins,
a Charlestonian born in 1894 who got his early start
in his father’s Jenkins Orphanage Band. Also featured
are Charleston natives Micah McLaurin, performing
Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and Jonathon Heyward,
conducting.
The Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, Westminster
Choir and Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus
join forces for a spectacular performance of Beethoven’s
Ninth Symphony, in celebration of the 250th anniversary
of his birth. The Bank of America Chamber Music series,
comprising 11 programs performed three times in the
Dock Street Theatre, also includes Beethoven’s “Septet
in E-flat Major.”
Acclaimed director Emma Rice’s “Romantics
Anonymous” will be running nearly every day of the
Festival in the Dock Street Theatre. This charming
musical, praised by The Guardian as “a multifaceted
gem, chock-full of love, generosity and joy,” was adapted
by Rice from the French-Belgian film “Les Émotifs
Anonymes” and features lyrics and music by Christopher
Dimond and Michael Kooman.
Over final weekend of Spoleto, Charleston sets the
stage for “Live from Here” with Chris Thile,” American
Public Radio’s popular variety show featuring music,
comedy and audience interaction. This special broadcast
is set for June 6 at the TD Arena at the College of
Charleston.
Popular music offerings presented as part of the
First Citizens Bank Front Row series include Rhiannon
Giddens with Francesco Turrisi May 24; The Wood
Brothers May 29; and Steep Canyon Rangers June 3; all
in the College of Charleston Cistern Yard. And on June 7,
The War and Treaty return to Spoleto for the Wells Fargo
Cistern Finale – a celebratory evening concert held for
the first time at the Cistern Yard and drawing Spoleto’s
44th season to a close.
The full 2020 program can be found at spoletousa.
org/current-season/shows/. Tickets are available by phone
at 843-579-3100 and online at spoletousa.org or at the
Spoleto Festival USA Box Office at the Charleston
Gaillard Center beginning May 1.
10
daily
No drilling zone
BILL WOULD PROHIBIT
OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE
BY REAGAN KELLEY
For The Island Connection
S
enate Bill 870 received key approval
from a five-member Senate
subcommittee Jan. 15. The vote four
to one vote signifies the first approval
of the Senate to permanently prohibit
infrastructure associated with offshore
drilling off the coast of South Carolina.
The bill, pre-filed by Sen. Chip
Campsen, a Republican who represents
Charleston, Beaufort and Colleton
counties, prohibits the issuance of state
and local permits for infrastructure and
other activities related to offshore drilling.
A maritime industry executive,
Campsen said, "I appreciate the
subcommittee’s swift and deliberate
vote in first approval of S.870. Offshore
drilling is incompatible with our beautiful,
historic coast.”
Thirty-one of 46 senators joined
Campsen as co-sponsors of his bill. Last
year, Campsen successfully authored
and passed the only state or federal law
protecting South Carolina’s coast from
offshore drilling as a proviso in the 2019-
2020 state budget. Senate Bill 870 would
make the ban permanent.
Elected to the South Carolina Senate in
2004, Campsen represents approximately
half of South Carolina’s coast. In addition
to serving as the chairman of the Senate
Fish, Game and Forestry Committee, he is
on the Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Judiciary, Legislative Oversight, Rules
and Transportation Committees.
Campsen has been a leading opponent
of drilling in the Atlantic since it was
proposed in 2015.
daily
Leading the way
PGA CITES LOCAL GOLF
PROFESSIONAL
BY STEPHANIE CUBIAS
For The Island Connection
T
he PGA of America has selected 15
members for its fifth PGA LEAD
class, including Kiawah Island
Club professional Brianna Sweeney.
PGA LEAD, the Association’s
leadership development program, was
created in 2016 to identify, mentor PGA
members from diverse backgrounds into
volunteer leadership positions.
“The PGA of America has made
meaningful advancements in embracing
and leveraging inclusion, and this
impressive new class of PGA LEAD
members represents a diverse group of
individuals who are on a pathway to serve
as future golf industry leaders,” said PGA
President Suzy Whaley.
PGA LEAD also aids in developing
January 31, 2020
PGA members who have a desire to serve
and make an impact on nonprofit boards
in the communities where they work and
live. Since the inception of PGA LEAD
four years ago, six PGA professionals in
the program have already ascended to
board leadership positions within their
PGA sections.
“Embracing an inclusive development
program that intentionally identifies
PGA professionals with strong leadership
qualities is helping position our
Association’s governance and membership
for future success,” said PGA of America
Chief People Officer Sandy Cross. “It’s
inspiring to see several PGA LEAD
alumni assume vital leadership roles
within our Association, and we’re excited
to watch this positive trend continue.”
The PGA of America is the world’s
largest working sports organization.
January 31, 2020 11
arts & events

Education through music

AWAKENING OF THE ANCESTORS
SET FOR FEB. 23
FROM THE JOHNS ISLAND REGIONAL LIBRARY
For The Island Connection

W
esley United Methodist
Church on Johns Island
will host a musical program
aimed at educating local residents about
Lowcountry spirituals and funeral songs
Feb. 23.
“Awakening of the Ancestors Through
Music” begins at 4 p.m., and the event is
open to the public. There is no admission
charge. The program will provide
opportunities to learn about ancestral
musical history, its styles, meaning
and purpose. Attendees will be able
to participate and engage in dialogue
throughout the program.
The program is sponsored by the
International African American Museum,
the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage
Corridor Commission, the Charleston
County Public Library, The Progressive
Club of Johns Island, Soulfully Creative
Kids and Wesley United Methodist
Church. The church is located at 2718
River Road.
For more information contact Rev.
DeMett Jenkins at 704-965-5545 or
djenkins@iaamuseum.org.

arts & events

Bring your appetite

ANNUAL OYSTER ROAST IS FEB. 22
FROM THE CHARLESTON MUSEUM
For The Island Connection

T
he Charleston Museum’s annual
oyster roast is set for Feb. 22
from noon to 3 p.m. at the Dill
Sanctuary.
You’ll be able to enjoy an incredible
view of the Stono River while you listen
to live music from the Paul Quattlebaum
Jazz Band, shuck oysters and eat delicious
barbecue and the perfect sides from
Sticky Fingers. The Holy City Cupcakes
will also be on-site with coffee, hot cocoa
and cupcakes. In addition, attendees are
invited to join museum archaeologists for
tours and discussions of archaeological
work that has taken place at Stono
Plantation, one of four plantation sites
within the Dill Sanctuary.
Bring your appetite, your cooler – this
event is BYOB – and your chairs and
blankets, and join us for a perfect day in
the Lowcountry. The Dill Sanctuary is
only open to the public for select programs
with The Charleston Museum.
Pets are not permitted. Tickets can be
purchased online at CharlestonMuseum.org
or by calling 843-722-2996.
 January 31
ONGOING
WHAT: Beachfront Lights Out
WHERE: all seaward, beachfront
properties
WHEN: 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
MORE INFO: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service discourages the use of outdoor
lights when not required, in order to
protect nesting sea turtles. When on the
beach at dark, use red filters on flashlights.
Artificial light such as flashlights without
filters is prohibited on the beach at night.
This includes flashlights on phones as well.
Tuesdays
WHAT: Kick-it at Bohicket
WHERE: Bohicket Marina
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Face painting, a balloon
artist, DJ and sand art bracelets. Co-
sponsored by The Town of Seabrook Island
& Bohicket Merchants Association. For
questions, call Todd at 248.719.0076.
WHAT: Wine Tasting
WHERE: FortyEight Wine Bar and
Kitchen
WHEN: 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: The tastings usually feature
two to four bottles of wine and last until
those bottles run out. Donations are
accepted and all proceeds go to Lowcountry
Food Bank, a nonprofit that feeds families
in need with warm, healthy meals.
Wednesdays
WHAT: Kids Fish
WHERE: Bohicket Marina
WHEN: Check-in at 8:30 a.m., fishing
from 9 to 10 a.m. and 10 to 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: For ages 4-14. Cost is
$7- includes bait, tackle, rod and reel.
Check-in 8:30, fishing 9 to 10 a.m. and
10-11 a.m. Co-sponsored by The Town of
Seabrook Island & Bohicket Merchants
Association. For questions, call Todd at
248-719-0076.
SECOND AND FOURTH
WEDNESDAY
WHAT: D.I.R.T (Digging Into Roots
Together)
WHERE: Lake House • Seabrook Island
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: If you are interested in
genealogy and want to network with others
who share your interest, or you would like
some guidance in getting started on your
own family history journey, please join
us. For further information, check out the
blog at diggingtogether.blogspot.com or
email diggingtogether@gmail.com.
Thursdays
WHAT: Live Music at The Andell Inn
WHERE: The Andell Inn Hotel,
Freshfields Village
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Relax with cool jazz
every Thursday evening in the lounge of
the Andell Inn Hotel. Drinks and food
available. No cover charge. 843-793-6050.
AndellInn.com.
Thursdays & Sundays
WHAT: Live Music
Island Connection Calendar
WHERE: FortyEight Wine Bar and
Kitchen
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Featuring 48 wines by
the glass every day. For details, visit
FortyEightWineBar.com.
Third Saturday of the
Month
WHAT: Sea Islands Cars & Coffee
WHERE: Freshfields Village, Kiawah
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: This free event will feature
antiques, classics, exotics, concepts and any
other cool cars. Coffee and other refreshments
available for purchase by Java Java Coffee
House. If you have any specific questions
about the event, please contact Bruce
Stemerman at bstemerman@gmail.com.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
WHAT: Art Film: Maria by Callas
WHERE: The Sandcastle
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Tom Volf’s “Maria by
Callas” is the first film to tell the life story
of the legendary Greek/American opera
singer, completely in her own words. Told
through performances, TV interviews,
home movies, family photographs, private
letters and unpublished memoirs – nearly
all of which have never been shown to
the public – the film reveals the essence
of an extraordinary woman who rose
from humble beginnings in New York
City to become a glamorous international
superstar and one of the greatest artists of
all time. No charge; no tickets required.
Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island
Arts & Cultural Events Council.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
WHAT: Beyond Our Backyard
WHERE: Santee Coastal Reserve
WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
MORE INFO: Join Seabrook Island
Birders for an outing at Santee Coastal
Reserve, located above McClellanville.
We will be joined by Felicia Sanders of
U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and she will show
us where the red-cockaded woodpeckers
are located and also give us a tour of the
facilities. Afterward, we will be able to do
independent birding on their property.
For more information on this and other
activities, visit seabrookislandbirders.org.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6
WHAT: Bob Milne Ragtime and Boogie
Woogie Piano
WHERE: Seabrook Island Club
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Bob Milne is considered
to be the best ragtime/boogie-woogie
pianist in the world. He was filmed and
documented for future generations in
2004 during three days of interviews at
the Library of Congress and was declared a
national treasure at the conclusion.
Tickets are $10. The program is presented
by the Town of Kiawah Arts & Cultural
Events.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
WHAT: Georgia Guitar Quartet
WHERE: Church of Our Saviour
WHEN: 4 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Georgia Guitar
Quartet (Kyle Dawkins, Brian Smith,
Phil Snyder and Jason Solomon) are a
pioneering ensemble on the American
chamber music and classical guitar
scenes. These four musicians from the
Southeastern United States deliver a high-
energy blend of breathtaking virtuosity and
imaginative programming while taking an
adventurous approach to classical music.
There is no charge for the performance,
presented by the Town of Kiawah Arts &
Cultural Events.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
WHAT: Pennsylvania Party
WHERE: Oyster Catcher Community
Center
WHEN: 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: This is an all-island event,
open to anyone who was born or raised
in the Keystone State; lived, worked or
was educated there; has Pennsylvania
friends or relatives; or who wants to fondly
reminisce about Penn State football, the
Commonwealth’s road system or the
incomparable Pennsylvania climate. If you
have questions, contact Kathy Kunkelman
at kkunkelman@comcast.net.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 -
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
WHAT: Southeastern Wildlife
Exposition
WHERE: Various locations in the
Charleston area.
WHEN: Various times.
MORE INFO: SEWE is a three-day
showcase of everything we love about
wildlife and nature. It brings together
people of all ages, men and women,
sportsmen and conservationists, artists and
artisans, fans and families. Through an
incredible lineup of events – from fine art
exhibits, conservation education, sporting
demonstrations and parties – SEWE
invites us all to explore our “wild” side
and pay tribute to our naturally beautiful
world. For more information, visit sewe.
com.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
WHAT: Feng Shui Basics: The Good the
Bad and the Ugly
WHERE: Oyster Catcher Community
Center, Seabrook Island
WHEN: 9:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Karen Babb, with over
35 years as a trained and licensed interior
designer, has significant experience in all
applications of interior design and looks
forward to sharing her expertise with
members and guests.
WHAT: Stories of Love
WHERE: Turtle Point Clubhouse
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Set the stage for Valentine’s
Day with two of our country’s finest opera
performers, Saundra DeAthos and Harold
Meers. The married duo, accompanied
by pianist Andrea Molina, will explore
the many facets of love as expressed in
some of opera’s greatest masterpieces. The
concert will present smoldering operatic
duets, arias and a few classic music theater
selections depicting the varying aspects
of love, from the exhilarating to the
tragic, the pure to the forbidden and even
unrequited to seductive. Tickets are $10.
Prior to the show, attendees are invited to
enjoy a special Valentine’s Day dinner at
Tomasso’s in the Turtle Point Clubhouse.
The menu, available between 4 p.m. and
5:30 p.m., is $80++ per couple and will
include your choice of a bottle of red, white
or sparkling wine. Reservations for dinner
can be made by calling 843-266-4070 and
referencing the Arts Council event.
WHAT: Valentine Backyard Birding
WHERE: Jerry and Diana Cohen’s
backyard
WHEN: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
February 27
MORE INFO: Join us in Jerry and Diana MORE INFO: Kevin Holliday will SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Cohen’s backyard on Valentine’s Day. We present a talk on “Vision: A World
won’t see lovebirds, but their yard faces Created, Not Captured.” Kevin is an WHAT: Awakening of the Ancestors
the marsh at Horseshoe Creek. They also internationally acclaimed black and white Through Music
have a dock for additional bird viewing. photographer from Daniel Island who WHERE: Wesley United Methodist
For more information on this and other has an extraordinary understanding of Church - 2718 River Road
activities, visit seabrookislandbirders.org. light, transforming what his heart and WHEN: 4 p.m.
soul sees into stunning works of art. The MORE INO: There is no admission
WHAT: Meet the Artists Reception, presentation is open to island residents charge. The program will provide
33rd Annual Seabrook Island Arts & and visitors at no charge. To learn more opportunities to learn about ancestral
Crafts Show about the Seabrook Island Photography musical history, its styles, meaning
WHERE: The Lake House Club, contact Bill Nelson at 843-768- and purpose. Attendees will be able
WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 0201 or wnelson1942@gmail.com, or visit to participate and engage in dialogue
MORE INFO: Refreshments will be seabrookislandphotoclub.com. throughout the program. For more
served. information, contact Rev. DeMett Jenkins
at 704-965-5545 or djenkins@iaamuseum.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
org.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14,
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
WHAT: Charleston Museum Annual
Oyster Roast THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
WHERE: The Dill Sanctuary
WHAT: 33rd Annual Seabrook Island
WHEN: Noon to 3 p.m. WHAT: Shorebirds, the World’s
Arts & Crafts Show
Greatest Travelers
WHERE: The Lake House MORE INFO: You’ll be able to enjoy an
incredible view of the Stono River while WHERE: The Sandcastle, Kiawah Island
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday - 10:30
you listen to live music from the Paul WHEN: 3 p.m.
a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Quattlebaum Jazz Band, shuck oysters and MORE INFO: Shorebirds participate
MORE INFO: Seabrook Island is lucky
in some of the world’s most incredible
to be home to many artists, craftsmen, eat delicious barbecue and the perfect sides
migrations, with nonstop flights that
photographers, hobbyists and more. If from Sticky Fingers. Holy City Cupcakes
will also be on-site with coffee, hot cocoa can last longer than a week and span
you have artwork to display, we want you
and cupcakes. In addition, attendees are continents. Many shorebird populations
to show it at the 33rd Annual Arts &
invited to join museum archaeologists for are rapidly declining. Learn how shorebirds
Crafts Show. Registration forms, available
tours and discussions of archaeological undertake their incredible migrations and
online at sipoaadmin.org/fillable-art-show-
work that has taken place at Stono how they are susceptible to the effects of
registration-form/ or at the Lake House
Plantation, one of four plantation sites environmental change. Nathan Senner
and the SIPOA administration office, must
within the Dill Sanctuary. Tickets can be will discuss shorebird migration along the
be completed and returned to the Lake
purchased online at CharlestonMuseum. coast of South Carolina and how local
House front desk or emailed to jmogus@
org or by calling 843-722-2996. conservation efforts can have big results.
sipoa.org by 4 p.m. Feb. 6.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
WHAT: Seabrook Island Artist Guild
Meeting
WHERE: The Lake House
WHEN: 2 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Seabrook Island Artist
Guild will welcome one of the country’s
premier coastal landscape painters to its
meeting. Sergio Roffo, an elected fellow of
both the American Society of Marine Artists
and the Guild of Boston Artists, will be the
demo artist at the meeting and will also hold
a two-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 at the Oyster Catcher
Community Center.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
WHAT: Seabrook Island Photography
Club
WHERE: The Lake House
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
14 January 31, 2020

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January 31, 2020
mystery plant
The berries taste awful, but the birds like them
BY JOHN NELSON
For The Island Connection
Y
ou go through life, and you become aware of
various truths. For instance: For me as a teacher
(maybe you?), it seems that the students are
getting steadily younger. What about this one: A lot of
books out there were apparently printed with shrinking
ink. And here’s another: Christmas seems to come
earlier and earlier every year. As far as Christmas and
this long string of holidays just a few short weeks ago,
here’s a botanical reminder of the rapidly changing
seasons.
This is a native woody vine, common in all of the
Southeast’s coastal plain counties. It may be found
from New Jersey well into Florida and then all the way
to Eastern Texas. It really likes its feet wet and is quite
at home in wetlands, especially swampy places. It likes
to grow in thickets, atop a variety of bushes such as
titi, pepperbush and red bay. During the summer, it
pretty much blends into all the other vegetation. The
leaves are basically football-shaped (a fat football) and
bright green. Not too much special there. The flowers
are pale yellow, produced in the late spring, and they
are arranged in small umbels. (An umbel is a cluster of
individual flowers, all of which are connected by their
stalks to a central point. Think of the way your chives
look in bloom.)
Our showy mystery plant has a number of similar
viny relatives (in the same genus), all of which are
evergreen and native to this area and which feature
sharp thorns. Unlike its relatives, though, our mystery
vine is completely deciduous, losing all it leaves by
winter. It also lacks thorns. Green, spherical berries
follow the blooms, and, as they ripen, the berries
become brilliant, glossy red. Each berry will have two
15
to three hard seeds within. When one of these vines
produces a big crop of fruit, it is quite a show. Because
the vines climb into adjacent shrubs and trees, the
berries are sometimes mistaken for those of a holly.
These berries taste pretty awful (at least to me), but
they are eaten by wildlife and waterfowl. By the way,
the other species that are related to our mystery plant
tend to have bluish or even black berries, not nearly as
conspicuous. I’m wondering why this vine isn’t featured
in gardens. Such beautiful berries in the winter!
This species was named for Thomas Walter, an
Englishman who immigrated to South Carolina before
the Revolutionary War. Walter lived in a plantation
along the mighty Santee River, not far from the old
canal that was designed to connect the Santee with
the Cooper River, easily allowing river commerce
to Charleston. Walter is of considerable importance
as a Southern botanist, for, in 1788, his epic “Flora
Caroliniana” was published, in which he described
all the known plants of South Carolina and which
represented the first major botanical treatment of
American plant species. It turns out that Walter would
have seen this plant, and indeed he refers to it in his
flora. But the species was formally named in Walter’s
honor by Frederick Pursh, 26 years later.
John Nelson is the retired curator of the A. C. Moore
Herbarium at the University of South Carolina in
Columbia. As a public service, the Herbarium offers free
plant identifications. For more information, visit www.
herbarium.org, call 803-777-8196 or email nelson@
sc.edu.
[Answer: “Coral catbrier,” Smilax walteri]