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Volume 13 Issue 24 FREE February 28, 2020

Food and fun for all

A N N U A L C A J U N F E S T I VA L S E T F O R A P R I L 5
BY SARAH REYNOLDS have the option to partake of Lowcountry favorites such
For The Island Connection as seafood and Southern barbecue and traditional festival
foods including hot dogs, snow cones and funnel cakes.
crawfish eating contest at 2:30 p.m. Spaces for the contest
are limited, so participants are encouraged to sign up
when they arrive at the event. Other festivities include
a crafters’ market, souvenirs for sale and a kids’ area

T
he 29th annual Cajun Festival will feature a full
day of Zydeco music, authentic Cajun and Creole
food, children’s activities and more April 5 at
James Island County Park.
Charleston’s best Cajun restaurants, caterers and food
trucks will cook up a variety of delicious foods from noon
to 6 p.m. Among the dishes attendees will be able to enjoy
are jambalaya, alligator, etouffee, andouille sausage and,
of course, crawfish. Those who prefer a tamer menu will
Festival-goers also will be able to dust off their dance
moves to nonstop Zydeco and Cajun music, performed
on stage throughout the day. Here’s the 2020 Lowcountry
Cajun Festival entertainment lineup: 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
- Battery Brass Band; 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Johnny Ace &
Sidewalk Zydeco; and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. - CJ Chenier
& the Red Hot Louisiana Band.
Other entertainment options will include “Who
Calls the Swamp Home?”, a reptile show presented by
Friends of Coastal SC at 1 p.m., as well as the annual
featuring mechanical and inflatable rides.
Admission to the Lowcountry Cajun Festival is $15,
but it’s free for Gold Pass holders and for those 12 and
under with a paying adult. Gold Passes will not be sold
on-site the day of the festival but may be obtained in
advance at CharlestonCountyParks.com. Attendees will
have to buy tickets to purchase food from the vendors.
Cajun Fest continues on page 5

Floral Arrangements Abstract Art Red Knots

Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
2 February 28, 2020
civic

Kiawah Council Sets Speed Record

BY GREGG BRAGG
The Island Connection Sr. Staff Writer

Lynn Pierotti

M
publisher ost records were made to be
broken, but this one maybe not
lynn@luckydognews.com so much. The Kiawah Island
Town Council broke the 30-minute
Brian Sherman meeting barrier on Feb. 4, sprinting
managing editor through a skinny agenda and effectively
ICEditor@luckydognews.com slamming the door on neighboring
Seabrook’s previous best of 41 minutes.
Mayor Craig Weaver opened his
Jennifer Tuohy
remarks by saying Council member
contributing editor Maryanne Connelly and Town
jennifer@luckydognews.com Administrator Stephanie Tillerson
were out of town for a meeting of the
Alejandro Ferreyros Municipal Association of South Carolina,
art director and Council member Klaus Said was on
his way to New Zealand. Three Council
alejandro@luckydognews.com members constitute a quorum.
Weaver went on to express some level
Lori McGee of disappointment. He said the town
sales manager received three bids in response to its plans
lori@luckydognews.com to repave and re-landscape Kiawah Island
Parkway. None of them were 100% in line
with the $2 million he had anticipated
for the project, and the Ways and Means
Senior Staff Writer Committee had yet to weigh in on the
Gregg Bragg matter. Consequently, announcement of
the winning bid would have to wait until
Contributors the following week after special meetings
Sarah Reynolds of both Ways and Means and the Town
Council on Feb. 11, Weaver said.
Candace Dwyer
There were no contributions to the first
Alberta Barron installment of citizens’ comments, so the
Sara Perry Council moved on to the consent portion
Norm Powers of the agenda, voting for five items with a
Martha Zink single unanimous vote:
Aaron Given • A $145,000 – $9,000 in travel
Stephanie Braswell Edgerton expenses to be billed separately
– contract with HR&A to
Sharon Peck
study the factors determining
Mike Gorski property values on the island –
Nandini McCauley $15,000 for kickoff; $22,000 for
Susan Sully stakeholder engagement; $46,500
Holly Fisher to do a market assessment and
Jeannie Colson study competitive positioning;
$18,500 to assess governance on
Geoff Bennett Kiawah; $23,500 for findings and
recommendations; and $19,500
to deliver and present their final
report.
• A renewal of the town’s contract
with Island Beach Services to
continue performing beach patrol,
with some minor updates to the
contract language – including a
separate housing allowance.
• Renewal of the town’s franchise
agreement with Tidal Trails.
• Renewal of the town’s agreement
with the Charleston County
Sheriff’s Office to provide police
protection, traffic control and
emergency response at $30/hour,
$45/hour on holidays and $35/
hour for county staff to coordinate
scheduling. There will be two
deputies on the second shift (4
p.m. to midnight), two on the
third shift (midnight to 8 a.m.)
and two additional deputies on
weekends (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). There
is an additional $10/deputy/shift
charge for vehicle and equipment
usage.
• Institution/installation of a tidal
measuring station at the bridge
over the Kiawah River. The town
will pay Xyzlem nearly $30,000
for the hardware, plus additional
recurring charges estimated at
between $50 and $70 per month.
New business consisted of some
housecleaning chores. Two additional
spots were added to Arts Council as
a way of preserving and transitioning
valuable skills and experience on the
storied committee. Patrick Kerin and
Richard Ames will be added to the team’s
roster. The changes to the group’s charter
and addition of members received the
unanimous support of the Council.
The last item of new business became
very convoluted. Roger Warren (Kiawah
Island Golf Resort), Pam Harrington
(Pam Harrington Exclusives) and Don
Semmler (Andell Inn) will remain on the
State Accommodations Tax Committee
(ATAX), along with property owner
representative Diana Mezzanotte. The
developer’s representative will be replaced
by Amy Anderson. The remaining two
positions/assignments seemed the result
of some serious card shuffling.
Longtime Arts Council icon Bill
Blizard is stepping down as the Arts
Council representative to ATAX. Long-
term chair of the committee Dan
Hubbard has decided against another
term. Weaver could not seem to thank
Blizard and Hubbard enough, celebrating
their contributions and lamenting the
loss of their insight. Gary Rice will take
over the spot dedicated to Arts Council
representation, and John Wilson (think
Kiawah Motoring Retreat) will fill the
remaining property owner seat. However,
chairing the committee will fall to
nonvoting committee and Town Council
member Chris Widuch. The changes
required some explaining but passed
unanimously.
Council member Dan Prickett shared
that the Arts Council distributed nearly
1,200 tickets to events, many of which
were free to Kiawah residents.
“Fourth quarter was a busy one with
seven programs, five of which were
without cost to residents and guests,” he
said.
Prickett went on to report that 500
residents are registered with the town and
able to go online to get tickets as soon as
they become available. He said finding
venues is the biggest hurdle for the Arts
Council, and he made a point of thanking
those who contribute their facilities,
including The Sanctuary.
“I saw the video of Liquid Pleasure,”
said the mayor as he addressed a comment
to Kiawah Island Golf Resort CEO Roger
Warren. “Do we have any charges coming
back for destruction?”
“We’re sending a bill,” replied Warren
in a deadpan voice.
Prickett concluded his remarks by
noting a number of requests to help with

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 Environmental Town of Seabrook Fax: 768-4764
Committee Meeting
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 March 10, 2 p.m. Seabrook Island Town H all
Town Council Meeting Ways & Means
843-886-NEWS March 3, 2 p.m. Kiawah Town Hall Committee 2001 Seabrook Island Road
Kiawah Town Hall March 10, 1 p.m. Seabrook Island, S.C. 29455
Future submission deadline: Public Safety Seabrook Town Hall Phone: 768-9121
Mar. 4 for the Committee Fax: 768-9830
Planning Commission Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Mar. 13 Issue Meeting March 11, 11:30 a.m. Planning Commission
March 4, 3 p.m. Kiawah Town Hall Meeting Johns Island Council
Op-ed articles and letters to the editor do not Kiawah Town Hall March 11, 1:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-
necessarily reflect the opinion of Board of Zoning Seabrook Town Hall op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy.,
Lucky Dog News or its writers. Public Works Appeals Johns Island, S.C. 29455
Committee March 16, 3 p.m. Town Council Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
March 9, 10 a.m. Kiawah Town Hall Meeting
The Island Kiawah Town Hall March 24, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
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
February 28, 2020
civic
marsh management through the Board
of Zoning Appeals. He said he needs to
coordinate with Public Works but thinks
the town needs a more comprehensive
marsh management plan, “so that we’re
not doing this lot by lot. So we’re going to
be looking at that.”
Kiawah Resident Wendy Kulick was
the sole contributor during the second
round of citizens’ comments. She heaped
praise on the town for the way it conducted
its annual retreat. She said education was
the key takeaway from the exercise and
that many residents still don’t have a good
handle on the division of responsibilities
on the island. She floated the idea of a
centralized clearing house/switchboard
for information.
There being no further business, the
meeting was adjourned, but with plenty
3
in store for meetings on Feb. 11.
Ways and Means was scheduled for 30
minutes on Feb. 11, starting at 3 p.m., but
ran over. TOKI representatives debated
less landscaping/phased landscaping/
omitted sections and every possible
permutation thereof to no avail. The
“cheaper by the dozen/this sale won’t last”
pitch prevailed.
Ways and Means was adjourned and
a meeting of the Town Council was
convened immediately. The Council voted
unanimously in favor of $2.548 million
to repave and re-landscape Kiawah Island
Parkway from the roundabout to the
gate, and the Council meeting was also
adjourned in a flash. The combined total
of both meetings was approximately 26
minutes.

arts & events

Charleston Coastal Choir

presents spring concert
BY CANDACE DWYER
For The Island Connection

T
he Charleston Coastal Choir will
present its spring concert at 5 p.m.
March 27 at the Church of Our
Saviour on Johns Island.
There is no admission charge for
the concert – “On the Lighter Side” –
which will feature a variety of fun songs.
The group is made up of local singers,
mostly Seabrook, Kiawah and Johns
island residents. Van McCollum is the
conductor, while Jessica Minahan White
serves as accompanist.

Tid e Char t

Date High Tide Low Tide

Feb 28 11:00am/11:11pm 4:45am/4:59pm
Feb 29 11:37am/11:53pm 5:26am/5:37pm
Mar 01 12:19pm 6:12am/6:22pm
Mar 02 12:42am/1:12pm 7:08am/7:16pm
Mar 03 1:40am/2:14pm 8:11am/8:18pm
Mar 04 2:46am/3:20pm 9:18am/9:24pm
Mar 05 3:53am/4:25pm 10:22am/10:28pm
Mar 06 4:57am/5:26pm 11:20am/11:28pm
Mar 07 5:56am/6:22pm 12:13pm
Mar 08 7:50am/8:15pm 12:25am/2:03pm
Mar 09 8:41am/9:07pm 2:19am/2:51pm
Mar 10 9:31am/9:58pm 3:12am/3:38pm
Mar 11 10:19am/10:49pm 4:04am/4:25pm
Mar 12 11:08am/11:42pm 4:56am/5:13pm

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
4 February 28, 2020
arts & events
Master Gardener
BURTT WILL SPEAK TO SI
GARDEN CLUB
BY ALBERTA BARRON
For The Island Connection
M R
aster Gardener Christopher
Burtt will speak to the Seabrook
Island Garden Club March 13.
The meeting gets underway at 9:30 a.m. at
the Oyster Catcher Community Center.
Burtt, who serves as the urban
horticulture extension agent and the
master gardener coordinator for Berkeley,
Charleston and Dorchester counties,
attended Clemson University and
graduated in 2015 with a bachelor of
science degree. He worked for the Clemson
University Research Farm for two years
before moving to Clemson Extension in
April 2019. He is an avid gardener with
extensive experience in both horticulture
and agriculture and looks forward to
sharing his talent and expertise through
his presentation on pruning, grafting and
propagation.
Thanks to SIGC membership and
guests for a great turnout at the February
meeting, which featured Karen Babb and
her fascinating presentation on feng shui.
It was witty, lively and thought-provoking.
This month we also want to continue
with a shout out to the Seabrook Island
Garden Club officers and committee
chairs for their focus, creativity and hard
work throughout the year. A special
thank you to Lynne Madison and Dianne
Thompson Cain, the ladies who have the
hard job of coordinating the hospitality
efforts at each meeting and ensuring
that all are welcomed. Needless to say,
the wonderful treats are provided by our
generous membership. In the words of
Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much.”
Soon it will be time to elect new officers
and chairs. Won’t you consider filling in
the blanks and sharing your talents as we
move forward?
As always, all members and guests are
welcome to attend our March 13 meeting.
The agenda includes light refreshments
at 9:30 a.m. and a brief business report
at 10, followed by the guest speaker. The
meetings usually conclude between 11
a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Unless otherwise
noted, the meetings take place on the
second Friday of each month at the Oyster
Catcher Community Center.
For membership information, contact
carollstclair@gmail.com. Attendance is free
for members. Guests are welcome, but a $5
donation is appreciated.
arts & events
Teeing it up
RESPITE CARE GOLF TOURNEY
IS APRIL 20
BY SARA PERRY
For The Island Connection
espite Care Charleston’s 16th
Annual MORE.GOOD.DAYS.
Golf Tournament will be held
April 20 on the Seabrook Island Club’s
Crooked Oaks course. Proceeds from
the event will help the 501(c)3 nonprofit
provide support and services to those
living with Alzheimer’s disease and other
forms of dementia.
it will be a
captain’s choice
format, with
fantastic prizes
for the top teams
Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with
a putting contest at noon and tee off at 1
p.m. It will be a captain’s choice format,
with fantastic prizes for the top teams. A
special women’s flight will be added on
demand.
The $175 per player cost includes cart
February 28, 2020 5
arts & events arts & events
The heart of Charleston’s
infrastructure
SINHG MEMBERS WILL LEARN
ABOUT ACBA
and greens fees, the bloody mary bar, BY NORM POWERS
player gifts, lunch, beverages and a post- For The Island Connection
tournament awards dinner. Non-golfer
T
guests are welcome to purchase awards
dinner tickets for $35. he American College Of The infrastructure. Handal joined ACBA
Building Arts will be the focus of in 2016 after a 30-year career in public
Space is limited, and the tournament
March’s Seabrook Island Natural relations and corporate development. An
will go on rain or shine. For more History Group evening program at the avid student of Lowcountry history, she is
information, including sponsorship
Lake House March 12. also a well-known licensed tour guide
opportunities and online registration,
visit RespiteCareCharleston.org. Founded 10 years after the devastation
wreaked on Charleston by Hurricane
To learn more about how Respite Hugo in 1989, the American College
Care Charleston can support someone by 2009, the Of The Building Arts was an integral
you know who is living with Alzheimer’s college had part of the Holy City’s efforts to begin
or another form of dementia, contact restoration of the historic iron, plaster and
awarded degrees
Sara Perry at 843-647-7405 or Sara@ fine woodwork that had been destroyed or
RespiteCareCharleston.org. to its first heavily damaged by the category 4 storm.
For more than 20 years, Respite Care graduating The lack of skilled craftsmen in those
Charleston has provided support and services arts soon became apparent and led to the
to those living with Alzheimer’s disease and
class of seven creation of ACBA as a degree-granting
dementia in Charleston County. A 501(c)3 Cajun Fest continues from cover
The Lowcountry Cajun Festival is students college integrating an American-style
presented by Heritage Trust Federal liberal arts degree with the centuries-old
nonprofit organization, RCC provides
Credit will be accepted at select locations, Credit Union and supported by Coca- artisan training traditions of Europe. By
support groups, half-day adult care for those
but, for convenience, festival-goers are Cola, the Charleston Animal Society 2009, the college had awarded degrees to
with dementia and community education
encouraged to bring cash. No coolers, and Charleston County Parks. For more Beginning at 7:30 p.m., Leigh Handal, its first graduating class of seven students.
and outreach. By supporting the needs of
outside alcohol or pets will be permitted, information, call 843-795-4386 or visit the school’s director of institutional All Seabrook Island residents and their
caregivers and the loved ones they care for,
and carpooling is highly encouraged. CharlestonCountyParks.com. development, will explore this nationally- guests are welcome to attend Handal’s
we provide MORE. GOOD. DAYS. and
improve the quality of life for those we serve. The dog park at James Island County James Island County Park is located at recognized liberal arts college dedicated presentation at the Lake House. There is
Park will be closed on April 5 for the 871 Riverland Drive. to restoring the skills and knowledge that a $5 charge for non-SINHG members.
festival. lie at the heart of Charleston’s historic Pre-registration is available at sinhg.org.
6 February 28, 2020
daily
Floral arrangements
from your yard
Members of the Kiawah Island Garden Club met for a demonstration of arrangements
that can be made with material gathered from a yard or the woods.
BY MARTHA ZINK
For The Island Connection
T
he Kiawah Island Garden Club
met at the Night Heron Park
Pavilion for a demonstration of
arrangements that can be made with
material gathered from a yard or the
woods.
Louise Bennett of Rosebank
Farms brought Yolanda, her talented
floral designer. The two of them used
branches, both flowering and bare, as
the line element for a design with other
material or simply alone for a dramatic
and towering statement. Louise had
gathered beautiful camellias, which she
arranged in a low vessel, and Yolanda
demonstrated using just native greenery,
balancing line, texture and various colors
of green for a low table design. Louise
brought an earthenware pitcher whose
color was enhanced and matched by a
tall arrangement of crabapple branches.
They used the ubiquitous “tractor seat”
(farfugium japonicum) leaves as a
statement arrangement alone, as well as a
base for other greenery.
Members of the club brought their
own vessels, greens and flowers, such
as poppies – which are blooming now
– palms and ferns, viburnum, pine and
magnolia as well as purchased flowers and
used the advice and guidance of the two
experienced designers to create their own
natural arrangements.
The next gathering of the Garden Club
will be an excursion to Cypress Gardens
on March 13. Members will meet at
Freshfields, near Bank of America, at 9:30
a.m. to carpool. Lunch will be at Gilligan’s
at the Dock near Cypress Gardens.
wildlife
Kickoff meeting
Y O U C A N H E L P S AV E T H E
SHOREBIRDS
BY AARON GIVEN
For The Island Connection
A
re you interested in helping to
protect Kiawah’s shorebirds? Join
the Kiawah Shorebird Stewardship
Program. Stewards serve as advocates to
protect our shorebirds and their critical
habitats by teaching residents and guests
about the birds that nest, rest and feed on
our beach.
The 2020 season kickoff meeting will
be on March 17 from 2 p.m to 4 p.m.
at the Municipal Center at 4475 Betsy
Kerrison Parkway. Everyone is invited,
including returning shorebird stewards,
and all other interested parties. Please
RSVP by emailing Bette Popillo at bette.
popillo@gmail.com.
There will be a field training session
on March 18 at 9 a.m. We will explore
the east beach area while looking for red
knots and talking about the protected
nesting area. Please RSVP by emailing
Bette Popillo at bette.popillo@gmail.com.
If you wish to participate but are unable
to attend a training program, please
let us know, and we will try to arrange
on-the-job training with an experienced
steward.
February 28, 2020
daily
Environmental issues
TOWN TEAMS UP WITH KIAWAH
C O N S E R VA N C Y
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL EDGERTON
For The Island Connection
T T
he Town of Kiawah will
support two significant Kiawah
Conservancy projects in 2020 that
were recommended by the Environmental
Committee. These two projects will be an
essential contribution to the community’s
joint effort to address the issue of flooding
and sea-level rise.
Groundwater Table Research ($50,000)
The ecological health of a barrier island
is directly tied to the availability of fresh
water in the soil. This groundwater takes
the form of a freshwater lens that “floats”
on deeper saltwater. Saltwater inundation
during storms, king-tide events and,
eventually, sea-level rise, can threaten the
quality of the groundwater by increasing
its salinity. This can lead to a die-off
of trees and other plants, negatively
impacting the entire island ecosystem.
This project will be the first phase
of a multiphase project to monitor
groundwater across Kiawah Island, with
a focus on salinity level and water table
height. This phase will provide baseline
information about groundwater on
Kiawah and assist in developing a long-
term monitoring program for the island’s
freshwater lens. Funds will be used to
install and monitor 30 to 40 wells across
the island and to support a graduate
student researcher to gather and analyze
the data. Dr. Tim Callahan, chair of
the Geology Department at the College
of Charleston, will serve as the faculty
advisor for the project.
Marsh Vulnerability Study ($19,000)
Salt marshes are one of the most
productive ecosystems in the world. They
provide essential food, refuge and nursery
habitats for more than 75% of fisheries
species. They also provide important
protection for shorelines from erosion
by buffering wave action and trapping
sediments. Salt marshes reduce flooding
by slowing and absorbing rainwater and
protect water quality by filtering runoff
and metabolizing excess nutrients.
Sea-level rise and storm water discharge
have the potential to significantly impact
the health of our salt marsh and produce
negative impacts on the community.
This project will be conducted by a
graduate student under the supervision
of Dr. Norm Levine at the College of
Charleston. The study will use GIS
software, LiDAR elevation data and aerial
photography to map the current extent of
our salt marsh, document changes over
the last several decades, identify human
influences on the marsh – drainage
outfalls, bulkheads, docks, bridges, and
homes – and help model future marsh
impacts from flooding and sea-level rise.
The project will also identify vulnerable
areas of the marsh and prioritize
restoration projects.
For more information regarding these
projects, contact Jim Jordan at jjordan@
kiawahisland.org.
7
arts & events
Abstract art
G R O V E S W I L L T E A C H PA I N T I N G
WORKSHOP
BY SHARON PECK
For The Island Connection
he March 2020 “Artists of the Month”
will feature various artwork created by
the participants of the Chris Groves
January workshop. The paintings were created
using the participants’ personal photos under
Groves’ guidance. They will be displayed in
Seabrook Island’s Lake House gallery.
Groves is returning March 24 and March
25 to teach an abstract painting workshop. exercises on reductive simplification;
He described the workshop as not for
beginner painters but for those artists who • Exercises in adjusting color, shape,
tone and edge to maintain the
are new to painting abstractly. His class will
cover the basics of abstract painting: initial intention of your painting;
• A lecture on past and present • Composition will be pushed as an
underlying theme of these more
abstract painters;
abstract pieces.
• Discussions on what works and
doesn’t work in abstract painting; The workshop will be held at the Oyster
Catcher Community Center, from 9 a.m.
• The basics of combining to 4 p.m. The cost will be $195 for members
composition, color, shapes, values
and $225 for non-members. Please register
and edges to obtain a solid structure with Bob Lefevre at rodory@gmail.com,
in your abstract paintings;
and send your check, made out to SIAG
• Starting and pushing pieces in and marked “Chris Groves Abstract
various directions;
Workshop,” to Ann Demitruk at 2460 The
• Various tools will be introduced as Haulover by March 1.
alternatives to the paintbrush;
For more information on the Seabrook
• Focus on using edges and lines Island Artist Guild, its membership,
correctly to create stronger paintings, classes, events and workshops, visit
along with demos and in-class seabrookislandartistguild.com.
8 February 28, 2020
wildlife daily

The red knots are coming! Morning Light

PLEASE DON’T DISTURB THEM I G N AT O V PA I N T I N G T O B E R A F F L E D

Morning Light

BY MARTHA ZINK Now an American citizen, he currently

For The Island Connection resides in Charleston. Ignatov’s works are
on display at LePrince Gallery.

T
he oil painting “Morning Light,”
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL EDGERTON by Ignat Ignatov, depicts a sunrise,
For The Island Connection incorporating the color, harmony
and mood of the morning light coming
Tickets for the raffle are $20 or six for
$100. They may be purchased in the days
leading up to the April 3 tour at the kiosk
in Freshfields Village, at member events,
at events@kiawahArtsetc.org or at one of

E
ach spring, from March through
May, the red knots make their way
to Kiawah Island.
Did you know?
• Red knots undertake an incredible
journey from South America to
the Arctic, traveling over 9,000
miles, sometimes flying for six to
eight days continuously over the
open ocean without stopping.
• They have chosen Kiawah as
their critical staging area during
migration to rest and feed before
continuing to their Arctic breeding
grounds.
Be on the lookout for them on the beach
beginning in March. Please remember
they have a nonstop flight to the Arctic
after leaving the island, so please do not
disturb them. Using binoculars to admire
them from afar is an excellent way to see
them up close while they are visiting.
through the cloudy sky. The 30 x 40-inch
painting was graciously donated by
the artist to Arts, etc. to be raffled in
conjunction with the Arts, etc. Art and
House Tour, scheduled for April 3 from 1
p.m. to 5 p.m.
A contemporary artist, Ignatov was
born in Bulgaria and began studying
painting, drawing and sculpture at the
age of 13. In 1997, he moved to the
United States, settling in Los Angeles and
studying at the California Art Institute.
the houses on the tour, where the painting
will be displayed.
Online orders must be received by
April 2, and the winning ticket will be
drawn the evening of April 3. The winner
does not have to be present at the drawing.
Proceeds from the raffle and the tour
will support the youth of Johns and
Wadmalaw islands through arts-related
programs in the visual, dance, music and
STEAM arenas.
February 28, 2020 9
daily arts & event

Backpack Buddies Journey is the theme of

A LOFTY GOAL FOR A
WORTHY CAUSE
C of C dance concert
BY NANDINI MCCAULEY
STAFF REPORT But he needs your help to achieve this For The Island Connection
The Island Connection lofty goal. Donations have been coming

T
in, and Gorski reports that “we are off
he College of Charleston’s and experiencing in their lives as young

H
e’s back again, but this year he is
28 friends strong. Mike Gorski
and his buddies have generously
secured $28,000 that will be used to
match donations made by the residents of
Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands.
That’s right: They are matching your
donations dollar-for-dollar, creating a
win-win both for Backpack Buddies
programs – Backpack Buddies Seabrook
Island and the Backpack Buddies Group of
the Kiawah Women’s Foundation. The two
organizations are both 501(c)(3) nonprofits
whose mission is to feed local schoolchildren
on the weekend and during school holidays.
These children are supplied breakfast and
lunch by the schools, but often were being
left to fend for themselves on the weekends.
The groups are currently feeding more than
530 local children each week.
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, which is held each year
at the Bohicket Marina. Todd Gerhart
has announced that this year’s Backpack
Buddies Chili Cook-off will be held on
March 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. At the
close of the event, Gorski hopes to hand
over a check for $56,000.
to an excellent start, but the momentum
needs to continue and the donations need
to keep coming in.” All of your donations
are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
Making a donation is easy. Call or
text Mike Gorski at 864-316-3894 and
tell him your donation amount – he
will provide all the details. Thank you
in advance for your support, and a great
big thank you to the 28 friends for their
generous contributions.
Returning friends from last year
include: Island Transportation Services;
Carolina Girl Promotional Products;
Coastal Getaways of South Carolina;
Emery and Nick Macpherson - Akers
Ellis 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.
And the new friends that are joining this
year: AO Smith; 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.
Department of Theatre and Dance
will present “Journey” March
5 through March 7, a spring concert
comprised of dances created entirely by
students. Renovations at the campus’
Calhoun Annex, including the Chapel
Theatre, required the annual concert to
relocate to the Simons Center Recital
Hall.
“We were very fortunate that our
Department of Music colleagues so
graciously offered us the use of the Recital
Hall,” said “Journey” Artistic Director
Gretchen McLaine. “Moving the concert
to a new venue also allowed for the natural
emergence of a concert theme. Since we
were journeying to a different space on
campus, it made sense to embrace this
idea. Students were able to interpret this
in a variety of ways, from exploring their
own transformations to the personal
discovery of one’s identity over time and
how these identities are shaped by those
around us.”
McLaine is impressed with the subject
matter that many of the choreographers
chose to tackle, including addiction,
mental health, abusive relationships and
the increasing complexity of relationships.
She recognizes that these themes are
reflective of what the students are seeing
adults and commends their bravery in
investigating issues that are meaningful
to them.
The choreographers range from
freshmen to seniors, all with strong
backgrounds in dance but varying
levels of choreographic experience. The
veteran choreographer of the group is
Julia Kabernagel, a junior double major
in arts management and dance who is
participating for the third consecutive
year. Claire Natiez, one of three freshmen
choreographers, was selected by the faculty
to present her dance titled “Senesce” at
the upcoming American College Dance
Association Southeastern Conference in
March.
“Journey” is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
March 5 and March 6 and at 2 p.m. March
7. The Simons Center Recital Hall is located
at 54 St. Philip St. Admission is $20 for
the general public; $15 for patrons under
18 and over 60; and $12 for College of
Charleston students and employees. Tickets
can be purchased online at theatre.cofc.edu,
by emailing cofcstages@cofc.edu or by calling
843-953-6306.
10
Happy 350th birthday, Charleston
BACH SOCIETY MARKS SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARY
T
he Bach Society of Charleston
will present its fifth annual Bach
Festival of Charleston March 5
through March 8, celebrating 350th
anniversary of Charles Towne Landing
with four programs featuring acclaimed
vocal performers, an orchestra of period
instruments, Celtic harps and organ
music at downtown Charleston churches.
Ricard Bordas, the Bach Society’s
artistic director, is a Mount Pleasant
resident.
The Festival opens March 5 with
a tribute to Charleston’s founding in
1670. Bordas came up with an ingenious
selection of musical offerings for the
first concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m.
at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church,
located at 53 Meeting St. After weeks
of research, Bordas discovered music
ranging from operas and to cantatas by
three noted composers who were born
in 1670: Giovanni Bononcini, Antonio
Caldara and Johann Caspar Ferdinand
Fischer. He also identified two singers
born in the same year: Julie d’Aubigny
(“La Maupin”) and Richard Leveridge. La
Maupin’s turbulent life story has inspired
numerous movies, documentaries and
arts & events
BY SUSAN SULLY
For The Island Connection
writings. The program will be performed
by Charleston favorites soprano Margaret
Kelly Cook, mezzo-soprano Jennifer
Luiken, baritone Nathaniel Olson and
Bordas, countertenor/conductor.
On March 6, the renowned Celtic
harp duo of Grainne Hambly and
William Jackson will perform the music
of Turlough O’Carolan, who is believed
to have been born in 1670 and who is
recognized as one of Ireland’s finest
composers. The program begins at 7:30
p.m. at Circular Congregational Church,
located at 150 Meeting St.
The third part of the festival is scheduled
for March 7 at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral
of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming St.
Acclaimed concert organist Paul Thomas
returns to Charleston to offer a program
of Bach and his contemporaries, among
them Fischer, born in 1670 and considered
to be one of the greatest Baroque-era
composers for the harpsichord.
The Bach Festival will conclude at 3
p.m. March 8 at First (Scots) Presbyterian
Church. “Happy 350th Birthday
Charleston,” the festival’s culminating
event, will offer a celebration with three
major festive works: “Welcome to All
the Pleasures,” by Henry Purcell; an
instrumental suite with dances from
the 1670 opera/ballet “Le Bourgeois
Gentilhomme,” by Jean-Baptiste Lully;
and J. S. Bach’s “Advent Cantata 36
Schwingt freudig euch empor,” which
was composed as a birthday cantata.
The concert will feature Margaret Kelly
Cook, soprano; Jennifer Luiken, mezzo-
soprano; Nathaniel Olson, baritone;
Daniel Shirley, tenor; and Ricard Bordas,
countertenor/conductor, who will lead the
Charleston Baroque Orchestra playing on
period instruments.
In keeping with the Bach Society’s
mission of fostering appreciation of
Baroque music among young performers
and audiences, the Festival includes the
Young Artists Concert at 4 p.m. March
7 at Bishop Gadsden. The concert will
include a group of middle school and high
school instrumentalists selected through
an audition process performing on flute,
piano, violin and viola.
For further information and to purchase
tickets, visit bachsocietyofcharleston.org or
call 843-906-3521.
Artistic Director Ricard Bordas was born
February 28, 2020
in Barcelona and graduated from the Royal
Academy of Music. He is also an assistant
professor at Charleston Southern University,
artistic director of the Charleston Men’s
Chorus and director of choral music at
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. He has
performed in operas and concerts in 14
countries, at prestigious venues such as La
Scala, the Netherlands Opera, Royal Opera
House, Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Hall
and the Spanish National Concert Hall. He
has also performed in international music
festivals in Boston, London, Edinburgh,
Amsterdam, Bonn and Stockholm. He lives
in Mount Pleasant with his wife, soprano
Margaret Kelly Cook.
The Mission of the Bach Society of
Charleston is to enrich the Charleston
community through presentation of
exceptionally high-quality, historically
informed performances of the finest classical
music, with special emphasis on oratorio and
choral works, world-class visiting artists, the
use of period instruments and the sacred and
secular music of Johann Sebastian Bach and
his contemporaries from the Baroque and
Early Classical periods.
February 28, 2020
arts & events
Where the wild things run
CAW CAW INTERPRETIVE CENTER
HOSTS 5K RACE
BY SARAH REYNOLDS
For The Island Connection
T
he Charleston County Park and
Recreation Commission will host
its popular annual Where the
Wild Things Run 5K run and walk on
March 7 at Caw Caw Interpretive Center
in Ravenel.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center features
an abundance of wildlife. Runners and
walkers will experience breathtaking views
as they run through Caw Caw’s scenic
trails. Participants may also encounter “a
wild thing or two” while running through
the nature and interpretive center.
The race begins at Caw Caw
Interpretive Center at 8:30 a.m. Adults
and kids alike are encouraged to take
advantage of family-friendly yoga and
readings from Maurice Sendak’s book,
“Where the Wild Things Are.” After the
race, an awards ceremony will take place,
including highly anticipated prizes from
race sponsors.
The 5K run and walk is for ages 10
and up; ages 10 to 15 will need to be
accompanied by an adult chaperone.
arts & events
Outside the box
I N T E R N AT I O N A L LY A C C L A I M E D
D U O T O P E R F O R M AT C O F C
BY NANDINI MCCAULEY
For The Island Connection
S
ince joining forces as a professional
duo in 2009, internationally
acclaimed solo pianists Eva-Maria
Zimmermann and Keisuke Nakagoshi
– ZOFO – have electrified audiences
from Carnegie Hall to Tokyo with their
dazzling artistry and outside-the-box
thematic programming for one piano,
four hands. They believe the piano duet is
the most intimate form of chamber music,
with two musicians playing individual
parts on one instrument in a complex
choreography of four hands.
ZOFO has earned praise from
composers and critics alike and will
perform the final concert of the 30th
anniversary season of the International
Piano Series at the College of Charleston
School of the Arts. The program,
scheduled for March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in
the Emmett Robinson Theatre/Simons
Center for the Arts at 54 Saint Philip
St., will include an impressive repertoire
featuring works by Stravinsky, Debussy
and Nakagoshi himself.
ZOFO, which is shorthand for
20-finger orchestra (ZO=20 and
FO=finger orchestra), made its Carnegie
Hall debut in 2010, the same year it won
the Bradshaw & Buono International
Piano Competition. ZOFO was the only
piano duo to be elevated to the final
round in the 2011 Osaka International
Chamber Music Competition. The duo
11
Chaperones do not require registration
or participation in the race. Dogs and
bicycles are not permitted.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center is a
654-acre site in Ravenel that is rich in
natural, cultural and historical resources.
It contains areas managed for wildlife
including waterfowl, songbirds, otters,
deer and more, as well as favored habitats
for rare wildlife such as American
alligators, swallow-tailed kites, bald eagles
and others. The scenic park features more
than seven miles of trails with trail-side
exhibits, elevated boardwalks through
wetlands, historic rice fields, remnants of
a former tea farm and wildlife habitats.
Online registration for Where the
Wild Things Run is open through March
5. Registration fees are $32. If spaces are
still available, late registration will be held
on March 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., with
an increased fee. Register for the Where
the Wild Things Run 5K Run and Walk
online at CharlestonCountyParks.com/
WTWTR or call 843-795-4386.
The race is made possible by Food
Lion, The Foot Store, Shine Water and
Charleston County Parks.
Keisuke Nakagoshi and Eva-Maria
Zimmermann. Photo by Jim Block.
has performed at a wide variety of concert
venues across North America, Europe,
Australia and Japan, including intimate,
informal spaces; colleges and universities;
and major concert venues such as the
Tokyo Opera Recital Hall, the Sydney
City Recital Hall and Tonhalle Zurich.
ZOFO has participated at numerous
festivals in Switzerland, the United States
and Japan.
ZOFO’s innovative and inspired
performances have garnered national
media attention, and ZOFO has been
featured on American Public Media’s
Performance Today, WFMT Chicago’s
Impromptu, KING-FM’s Second
Inversion and Australia’s ABC Radio
National’s The Art Show.
General admission is $20, but
admission is free for College of Charleston
students and employees. Tickets may be
purchased online at go.cofc.edu/ips, at the
door, by emailing concerts@cofc.edu or
by calling 843-953-6315.
ZOFO also will offer a master class,
free and open to the public, on March 4,
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in room 237 of the
Cato Center for the Arts.
 February 29
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.
Through May 18
WHAT: Learn to Code
WHERE: Johns Island Regional Library
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Learn to code in a fun,
friendly atmosphere, and join a sisterhood
of girls like you as you discover how to
use tech to solve real-life problems. This
free, weekly after-school program for girls
in third through eighth grade covers the
concepts of programming in a safe and
supportive environment. Weekly attendance
is important. The club meets every Monday.
This program is presented in partnership
with the YWCA of Greater Charleston.
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.
Island Connection Calendar
Thursdays & Sundays
WHAT: Live Music
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.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29
WHAT: Leap Year Storytime Celebration
WHERE: Johns Island Regional Library
WHEN: 3 p.m.
MORE INFO: Hop on over for a fun-filled
celebration that only happens every four
years. Celebrate with songs, stories and a
craft.
WHAT: Beyond Our Backyard
WHERE: Seabrook Island Birders’ trip to
Bear Island/Donnelly WMA
WHEN: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MORE INFO: If you have never been to
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area
or to Donnelly WMA, you won’t want to
miss this opportunity – it’s well worth the
60-mile one-way trip. We hope the winter
waterfowl will still be present, including
the tundra swan. For more information
on this and other activities, check out
seabrookislandbirders.org.
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
WHAT: ZOFO
WHERE: Emmett Robinson Theatre/
Simons Center for the Arts, College of
Charleston
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Since joining forces as a
professional duo in 2009, internationally
acclaimed solo pianists Eva-Maria
Zimmermann and Keisuke Nakagoshi –
ZOFO – have electrified audiences from
Carnegie Hall to Tokyo with their dazzling
artistry and outside-the-box thematic
programming for one piano, four hands.
General admission is $20, but admission is
free for College of Charleston students and
employees. Tickets may be purchased online
at go.cofc.edu/ips, at the door, by emailing
concerts@cofc.edu or by calling 843-953-6315.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5 – SUN-
DAY MARCH 8
WHAT: Bach Festival 2020
WHERE: Various Charleston churches
WHEN: Various times
MORE INFO: The Bach Society of
Charleston will present its fifth annual
Bach Festival of Charleston. Bach Festival
2020: Celebrating the 350th Anniversary
of Charles Towne Landing will include
four programs featuring acclaimed
vocal performers, an orchestra of period
instruments, Celtic harp and organ
music presented at downtown Charleston
churches with historic settings. For further
information and to purchase tickets, visit
bachsocietyofcharleston.org or call 843-
906-3521.
THURSDAY MARCH 5
WHAT: Seabrook Island Birders Movie
Double Feature: “Crash: A Tale of Two
Species” and “Birds of May.”
WHERE: Oyster Catcher Community
Center
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
MORE INFO: “Crash: A Tale of Two
Species” is the story of how the lives
of red knots and horseshoe crabs are
interconnected. “Birds of May” is by
filmmaker Jared Flesher and is an ode to the
annual visit of red knots to the beaches of
Delaware and the threats to this species. SIB
will provide popcorn and snacks. For more
information on this and other activities,
visit seabrookislandbirders.org.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5 –
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
WHAT: “Journey “ – College of
Charleston’s Department of Theatre and
Dance
WHERE: Simons Center Recital Hall
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 5 and 6; 2 p.m.
March 7
MORE INFO: “Journey” is a concert
comprised of dances created entirely by
College of Charleston students. Admission
is $20 for the general public; $15 for patrons
under 18 and over 60; and $12 for C of
C students and employees. Tickets can be
purchased online at theatre.cofc.edu, by
emailing cofcstages@cofc.edu or by calling
843-953-6306.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
WHAT: Seabrook Island Birders
WHERE: Walk on North Beach
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: Bob Mercer and Mark
Andrews will lead several Seabrook Island
Birders shorebird beach walks at North
Beach this spring. We’ll be looking for
shorebirds of all types but watching
especially for the special visitors: the piping
plovers and the red knots.
For more information on this and other
activities, visit seabrookislandbirders.org.
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
WHAT: The Reckoning
WHERE: James Island County Park
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Grateful Dead fans rejoice!
Popular local tribute band The Reckoning
is returning to James Island County Park
for a concert hosted by the Charleston
County Park & Recreation Commission.
The concert series, which debuted last
spring, will be held in the meadow and
is free with park admission. Food and
beverages, including beer, wine and Coke
products, will be available for purchase. For
more information, call 843-795-4386, visit
CharlestonCountyParks.com or download
the Commission’s mobile app.
WHAT: Spring Strings Fling with the
CSO
WHERE: Holy Spirit Catholic Church
WHEN: 4 p.m.
MORE INFO: Music Director Ken Lam
and 22 musicians from the Charleston
Symphony Orchestra will perform popular
works from composers Antonín Dvorak and
Tomaso Antonio Vitali. The program will
feature CSO violinist Asako Kremer and
CSO cellist Damian Kremer. The program
is sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island
Arts & Cultural Events Council. For
tickets, which are free, visit kiawahisland.
org/events/.
WHAT: Piano Bar: Blue Heron Pond
Boys
WHERE: The Sandcastle
WHEN: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
MORE INFO: Wednesday Piano Bars
are to enjoy with friends and offer an
opportunity to meet neighbors outside your
comfort circle for some Island socializing.
MONDAY, MARCH 9
WHAT: The College of Charleston
School of the Arts Faculty Jazz Ensemble
WHERE: The Recital Hall in the Simons
Center for the Arts, 54 Saint Philip St. in
Charleston
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: The group will perform jazz
standards, arrangements and originals. Each
member of the jazz faculty is a working
professional in the field, whether touring
the world with big name acts or leading
their own regional groups. This is the rare
opportunity to see them all on stage for one
fantastic concert. Admission is $15 general
and $10 for students. Tickets are available
at go.cofc.edu/secondmondaymusic and at
the door.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
WHAT: Seabrook Island Natural History
Group
WHERE: The Lake House
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Leigh Handal, director
of institutional development with the
American College Of The Building Arts,
will be the speaker at SINHG’s evening
program. An avid student of Lowcountry
history, she is a well-known licensed tour
guide. Founded 10 years after Hurricane
Hugo, the American College Of The
Building Arts played an integral role in the
Holy City’s efforts to restore the historic
iron, plaster and woodwork damaged by the
storm. You can pre-register for the meeting
at sinhg.org.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
WHAT: Seabrook Island Garden Club
WHERE: Oyster Catcher Community
Center
WHEN: 9:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Pruning, grafting and
propagation with Master Gardener
Christopher Burtt.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
WHAT: Charleston Men’s Chorus
WHERE: Church of Our Saviour
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Charleston Men’s Chorus,
founded in 1990, has approximately 65
members. The group is directed by Ricard
Bordas, and musician Pamela Nelson serves
as its piano accompanist. Many of CMC’s
offerings are by American composers, but
musical traditions from around the world
are also explored, from the madrigal and
motet to folk songs and anthems. The
program is sponsored by the Town of
Kiawah Island Arts & Cultural Events
Council. For tickets, which are free, visit
kiawahisland.org/events/.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
WHAT: Quentin E. Baxter presents
Chico Pinheiro
WHERE: Turtle Point Clubhouse
WHEN: 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Sponsored by the Kiawah
Island Arts & Cultural Events Council,
this is the final concert in Baxter’s series.
He and Pinheiro are excited to celebrate the
music of a true master composer/educator of
Brazilian music – Moacir Santos. Tickets,
$25, are available at kiawahisland.org/
events/.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
WHAT: Backpack Buddies Chili Cook-
off
WHERE: Bohicket Marina
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m
MORE INFO: Mike Gorski and Friends
are back again. Gorski and his buddies
have generously secured $28,000 that will
be used to match donations for Backpack
Buddies programs made by the residents of
March 27
Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands. The
programs feed children on the weekend
and during school holidays. To learn more,
contact Gorski at 864-316-3894.
MONDAY, MARCH 23
WHAT: The Scouted Studio at the Sea
WHERE: Timbers Kiawah
WHEN: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
MORE INFO: This “pop-up” art event will
feature pieces for sale by local and regional
artists such as Suzanne Leonard (Blue Moon
Art), Kate McClure and Jenan McClain,
showcasing a variety of styles and techniques
conveying South Carolina’s Lowcountry
lifestyle. Call 843-867-7100 to RSVP.
TUESDAY, MARCH 24 –
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
WHAT: Chris Groves – Abstract
Painting workshop
WHERE: Oyster Catcher Community
Center
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MORE INFO: The cost will be $195 for
members and $225 for non-members. Please
register with Bob Lefevre at rodory@gmail.
com, and send your check, made out to
Seabrook Island Artist Guild and marked
“Chris Groves Abstract Workshop,” to Ann
Demitruk at 2460 The Haulover by March 1.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
WHAT: Charleston Coastal Choir Spring
Concert – “On the Lighter Side”
WHERE: Church of Our Saviour • Johns
Island
WHEN: 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Admission is free, although
donations are gratefully accepted. Come
listen to your local friends and neighbors
sing and perform in our fun spring concert!
14 February 28, 2020
daily
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and identify new business opportunities.
Charleston Deal Alliance membership
is open to individuals and companies in
accounting, legal, banking, consulting,
recruiting, technology, valuation and
wealth management. With a robust
member database, discounts to exclusive
events and access to content and
information, members will be able to
grow their network and increase their
profitability.
charleston is
emerging as a
financial hub,
which means we
need to highlight
the incredible
deal talent that
resides here
Andy Brusman, chairman of
Charleston Deal Alliance and CEO of
investment bank Charles Towne Holdings
LLC, said he realized Charleston has
been experiencing tremendous growth
and has attracted a large number of deal
professionals. Yet, until now, there wasn’t
map src: scopportunityzone.com a single place where those in the deal-
making community could meet and share
resources and information.
“Charleston is emerging as a financial
hub, which means we need to highlight
the incredible deal talent that resides here
in the Charleston region,” Brusman said.
“We are excited to bring all of this under
Charleston Deal Alliance and host several
events in 2020.”
daily
In addition to Brusman, 11 others
have joined as founding members: Alex
Chalmers, Material Capital Partners;
Bobby Creech, WebsterRogers LLP;
Herbert Drayton, Vertical Holdings;
Mike Graney, Charleston Regional
Development Alliance; Bob Kosian,
Capital Solutions Group; Todd Kuhl,
Sherman Capital Markets; Mark
Lattanzio, Truist; Ron Owens, Evening
Post Industries; Stevan Rainero, Intermont
Group; Dave Slenzak, Broadtree Partners;
and Geiza Vargas, Nelson Mullins Riley
& Scarborough LLP.
Not only are members excited to make
connections locally, they are eager for
those outside the Charleston region to see
what a vibrant community this is.
“We want Charleston mentioned along
with cities like Charlotte, Nashville and
Richmond as places to do deals and find
investment opportunities,” Brusman
said. “We believe an organization like
Charleston Deal Alliance will bring
attention to our community and the
many business opportunities that exist in
our local market.”
Charleston Deal Alliance has worked
closely with the Charleston Regional
Development Alliance to establish this new
organization. CRDA signed as the initial
sponsor, providing the necessary seed money
to launch the organization and showcase the
deals being done in Charleston.
“The Charleston Regional Development
Alliance’s mission is to build long-
term economic prosperity by attracting
the world’s best companies, talent and
entrepreneurs. Providing connections to
financing opportunities and to service
providers with the expertise to put deals
together furthers that goal, which is why
CRDA supports the Charleston Deal
Alliance,” said Vice President of Global
Business Development Mike Graney. “The
amount and diversity of deal professionals
in Charleston may not be widely known
yet, but it’s about to be.”
To learn more about the Charleston Deal
Alliance, visit charlestondealalliance.com.

Alejandro J. Ferreyros
Best Local Cause
(843) 202-9226
OUR LADY OF MERCY IS A FINALIST
alejandro@sanddollarsc.com
BY JEANNIE COLSON
For The Island Connection

Commercial Brokerage
Sanddollarsc.com • (843) 530-8100
2205 Middle St Suite 203 • Sullivan’s Island, SC • 29482
O
ur Lady of Mercy Community
Outreach is a finalist for the
category of Best Local Cause for
the Best of Charleston 2020 awards.
For over 30 years, Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach has helped those
in need reach self-sufficiency on the Sea
Islands and in downtown Charleston.
The organization provides basic and
emergency resources, education and
specific health programs such as free
dental and prenatal care, food, clothing
and financial assistance, hot lunches five
days a week at Neighborhood House
in Downtown Charleston and diverse
educational opportunities such as its after-
school program, money management,
GED and ESL classes.
Support your neighbors and a local
nonprofit and help build a stronger
community by casting your vote at
bestofcharleston.net.
February 28, 2020 15
daily on the water

Kiawah to install new The trout and redfish are

tidal station waiting for you
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL EDGERTON BY CAPT. GEOFF BENNETT
For The Island Connection For The Island Connection

A W
t the February Town Council
meeting, Council approved the
purchase of a tidal station that
will be installed on the outside of the
pedestrian bridge on Kiawah Island
Parkway.
Currently, tidal data predictions for
the Kiawah River Bridge are extrapolated
from nearby stations in the Charleston
area. The new tidal station will provide
daily
a mechanism to begin collecting water
level data specific to Kiawah and allow
for monitoring the long-term effects of
sea-level rise. It will also provide real-time
data for storm-related water movement
that can help with emergency management
decision-making. Ultimately, this data
will allow for accurate tidal predictions
for storm-related water movement and
trends over time.
armer weather is arriving in the
Lowcountry, and we’ve already
seen a few days in the 70s. As the
water temperature rises, trout and redfish
will become more active. For all of you eager
to get out on the water, the time has come!
Though they are starting to break up, Brooke Baham of Houston shows off a
redfish will still be in huge wintertime 9-pound redfish.
schools, where you can easily find 50
to 100 fish in closely knit pods. To be This a prime time of the year for
successful, anglers will often have to fly-fishing. Sight fishing abounds and
be patient and fish bait on the bottom. stalking a school of a hundred plus fish
is so exciting it can be nerve-wracking!
Casting anything on these schools can
Smaller flies in darker colors are working

A proactive approach to
send them fleeing! I’ll alternate between
cracked blue crab, mud minnows and cut
mullet on a size #3/0 circle hook. Set the
drag lightly, leave your rod in the holder
best, and a black wiggler fly would be a
good bet. Remember: When the fish hits,
resist the temptation to lift your rod tip

flood mitigation and let the fish set themselves.

It depends on the year as to when trout
reappear. However, it has been so warm over
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL EDGERTON the last few months, the trout bite is already
For The Island Connection in full swing. Popping corks cast over oyster
beds and along grass banks will be a good
and strip strike instead.
See you on the water!
For over a decade, Capt. Geoff Bennett
has operated Charleston Charter Fishing,
providing light tackle charters. Clients

W
hile Kiawah has proven itself
to be resilient and adaptable
to ever-changing coastal
conditions, one cannot ignore the
significant role that the ocean and rivers
play in community planning.
The Town of Kiawah, alongside all
the island entities, is taking a proactive
approach to address the issue of flood
mitigation and sea-level rise. Look for the
resiliency icon in future communications
that highlight projects and information
on resiliency efforts.
bet when paired with mud minnows. I
usually use a 24-inch leader and a size #1
circle hook. When working the popping
cork, always try to keep slack out of your
line. When that cork drops, just reel tight to
set the hook. Again, the circle hook will do
most of the work for you.
choose from a full menu of artificial and
live bait fishing options. USCG-licensed
and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed
to providing a safe and enjoyable charter
to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For
more information, call 843-324-3332,
visit charlestoncharterfishing.com or email
captain@charlestoncharterfishing.com.