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POSTAL PATRON
PERMIT NO 437
Volume 14 Issue 4 FREE May 22, 2020

Photo by Jim Jordan.

Bobcats and deer in a changing ecosystem

BY JIM JORDAN
For The Island Connection

K
iawah Island is an extraordinary
place, boasting world-class
amenities, a pristine beach
and a vibrant natural ecosystem. For
many years, the island’s ecosystem has
functioned just like Mother Nature
intended. Sea turtles nested on our
beaches, ospreys caught fish in our
creeks and bobcats controlled the
island’s deer population by preying on
fawns each spring. While the Kiawah
ecosystem is still healthy in many
regards, town biologists have seen some
disturbing trends in our bobcat and deer
populations over the last few years. In
this article, we will discuss these trends,
how residents can help, and why the
town has decided to move forward with a
deer harvest program this fall.
Population
Kiawah is world-renowned for its
bobcat population. Filmmakers from all
over the world have visited the island to
showcase our bobcats. Town biologists
have gathered incredible amounts of
data on bobcat behavior and movements
through the town’s Bobcat GPS Research
Project. Unfortunately, over the last three
years, biologists have noticed a decline
in bobcat numbers, likely due to two
main factors: habitat loss and rodenticide
poisoning.
Habitat Loss
While Kiawah still has plenty of
Changing Eco continues on page 4

Right on Cue Never Busier America Sings for You

Page 5 Page 6 Page 9
2 May 22, 2020
civic

Short-term rentals re-open on Kiawah Island

BY GREGG BRAGG description of the cleaning and Weaver questioned the advisability
The Island Connection Sr. Staff Writer sanitizing procedures being of endorsing a waiting period between
followed. If you’re using a rentals. The mayor then turned to

T
Lynn Pierotti
he May 14 Council meeting
publisher of the Town of Kiawah Island
lynn@luckydognews.com
opened with the now customary
look of the Hollywood Squares game
show. Although Council member Chris
Brian Sherman
managing editor
Widuch occupied the center square
historically occupied by Paul Lynde,
ICEditor@luckydognews.com there wasn’t much fooling about in
this, the age of COVID-19. Mayor
Jennifer Tuohy Craig Weaver – top-center square –
went straight to work on the glut of
contributing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com ramifications in a deceptively thin
agenda, starting with the issue of short-
term rentals.
Alejandro Ferreyros
Weaver noted that 1,350 property
art director owners who rent their homes combine
alejandro@luckydognews.com to be the single biggest business on the
island. The mayor labored through a
maze of corollaries that the Council
Lori McGee
considered before deciding between
sales manager
passing an official ordinance or only
lori@luckydognews.com a simple resolution ratifying a set of
guidelines proffered by the Medical
University of South Carolina. Council
spent time with local businesses,
Senior Staff Writer
including the larger rental agencies on
Gregg Bragg
the island, observed that Isle of Palms
has passed an ordinance that could be a
Contributors model for other coastal communities and
Jim Jordan reviewed the measures advanced by lessor
Erin Weeks known rental outlets like Airbnb and
VRBO.
Jeannie Colson
The guidelines advanced by MUSC,
Martha Zink
as well as the Centers for Disease Control
Gretchen Koss
and the South Carolina Department of
Theresa Widuch Health and Environmental Control, as
Terry Weaver described on the Town’s website are:
Pat Greubel
• Clean thoroughly between guests.
Carol Antman Ensure that the short-term rental
property is cleaned prior to every
Doug Reynolds
rental by following, at minimum,
recommended MUSC guidelines
for the cleaning and sanitation
of rental properties during this
pandemic.
• Use effective cleaning products
and procedures. Either post in the
property or provide to renters at
the time of check-in a summary
cleaning service, please confirm
that they’re using the suggested
methods and products.
• Allow sufficient time between
rentals. It is encouraged,
especially when it cannot reliably
be ensured that enhanced
cleaning protocols can be
followed, to allow 24 hours
between rental departures and
arrivals to reduce the potential for
the contamination of the property
by the active COVID-19 virus.
If a check-in occurs within 24
hours, inform the arriving guests
of the date and time of the last
rental.
• Properly train personnel or
contract workers. Ensure all
persons (direct employees and
contracted service providers)
directly associated with cleaning
or servicing of the short-term
rental property and/or providing
associated services (check-in, pool
maintenance, bike rental, etc.)
are adequately trained and follow
proper health checks.
• Social distancing. Short-term
rental property owners or their
authorized agents should notify
renters via email, rental website,
or posting inside the rental the
guidelines on social distancing
when on the beach, at retail stores
and Harris Teeter, and on the
shared use bike paths.
• Guests with COVID-19-like
symptoms. If they feel sick with
possible COVID-19 symptoms,
they should seek evaluation for
COVID-19 and be tested if testing
is recommended. If determined to
be positive, they should self-report
to the rental owner or manager
and follow the recommendation
of their physician, which could
include vacating the property or
self-quarantine.
Widuch, who took the lead on a more
detailed breakout of these discussions
with help from Town Administrator
Stephanie Tillerson.
Widuch indicated that a 24-hour
window between rentals is cumbersome
to the Saturday-Saturday rental pattern
and concluded it is prudent to promote
guidelines to responsible actors/owners.
He also noted that Airbnb is much
stricter about the 24 hour gap between
rentals than much of the online market.
Council members Dan Prickett, Klaus
Said and Maryanne Connelly all agreed a
resolution was the best way to go.
Coastal communities in the
Lowcountry have struggled to balance
protecting their residents and businesses
while complying with federal, state
and county recommendations. There
have been several instances when local
administrations have drawn fire for being
too hot or too cold in their interpretation
and implementation of regulations that
are “just right.”
Charleston County threatened to
sue Folly Beach for closing its island to
nonresidents. There was some waffling,
but ultimately the Folly Beach Council
decided to risk the suit. The logic seemed
to be that by the time the case comes to
court, the crises will have passed. IOP,
meanwhile, was threatened with a similar
suit by County Council Chairman
Elliott Summey. Consequently, there
was no surprise when Weaver asked for
legal advice from the Town’s attorney, Joe
Wilson.
A barely audible Wilson concurred
that while there was little difference
between the options, the resolution
was the better route. A smattering
of discussion followed Wilson’s
contribution, but the motion was
made and Resolution 2020-02 passed
unanimously.
The remainder of the meeting was
spent discussing whether to test residents
for the COVID-19 antibody with the

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 Events Town of Seabrook Fax: 768-4764
Council
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 June 4, 2 p.m. Seabrook Island Town H all
Ways and Means Town Council
843-886-NEWS Committee Kiawah Town Hall Meeting 2001 Seabrook Island Road
May 26, 2 p.m. May 26, 2:30 p.m. Seabrook Island, S.C. 29455
Future submission deadline: Kiawah Town Hall Public Works Seabrook Town Hall Phone: 768-9121
May 27 for the Committee Fax: 768-9830
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
June 5 Issue Town Council Meeting June 8, 10 a.m. Board of Zoning
June 2, 2 p.m. Kiawah Town Hall Appeals Johns Island Council
Op-ed articles and letters to the editor do not Kiawah Town Hall June 5, 2:30 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. Planning Commission Appeals Johns Island, S.C. 29455
Meeting June 15, 3 p.m. Ways and Means Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
June 3, 3 p.m. Kiawah Town Hall Committee
The Island Kiawah Town Hall June 9, 1 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Charleston County Council
4045 Bridge View Drive
N. Charleston, S.C. 29405
Connection News Updates
958-4700

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC City of Charleston

Publishers of Island Eye News, Online at 75 Calhoun St.
The Island Connection facebook.com/ Charleston, S.C. 29401
islandconnectionnews 724-3745
& SiP Magazine
May 22, 2020
civic
help of MUSC. The test, which “can
indicate whether an individual has
been exposed to COVID-19 and has
developed antibodies to the virus, will be
an important tool to help communities
and their citizens understand the
prevalence of the COVID-19 virus in
their community. The Town arranged
with MUSC to offer this test to
Kiawah Island residents. Testing will be
conducted at the Kiawah Island Golf
Resort’s new West Beach Conference
Center on Monday, May 18 through
Wednesday, May 20,” read part of an
announcement from the Town.
The mayor concluded the topic by
saying this was “not a one and done
visit,” by MUSC, and that if there was a
large unmet demand for the tests among
residents, another visit was possible.

letter to the editor

Grants are available

T
he Charleston Scientific and
Cultural Education Fund supports
and encourages scientific, cultural
and artistic pursuits in a wide variety
of fields of study and experience. Grant
awards ranging from $3,000 to $10,000
were made to a number of individuals
last year. Such annual awards are
offered to individuals throughout the
Lowcountry pursuing these chosen
fields. For the 2020 funding cycle, the
trustees now invite funding proposals.
An applicant must be a native-born
South Carolinian between the ages of 21
and 60. Grants are for one year only, but
previous grant recipients are eligible to
apply for additional funding.
Application forms may be obtained
from Tamme Suggs at Haynsworth
Sinkler Boyd, P.A., PO Box 340,
Charleston, S.C. 29402 or by e-mail at
tsuggs@hsblawfirm.com. Requests for
applications may be made until June
15, and applications must be submitted
by July 1. Awards are expected to be
announced by July 31.
Tamme Suggs
Charleston

About Letters to the

Editor / Opinon / Editorials
All letters and Opinions submitted to The Island Connection must bear a full name,
address and phone number for verification. Only the author’s name and city will be
printed. Submissions are accepted via email to
iceditor@luckydognews.com.
Submissions may be edited for length and readability. The Island Connection reserves
the right to reject submissions that are libelous, unseemly, not individually addressed
to The Island Connection or that have been previously published elsewhere. The Island
Connection will not publish letters endorsing political candidates. Op-Ed articles and
Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinion of Lucky Dog News or its writers.

Tid e Char t
Date High Tide Low Tide
May 22 8:50am/9:03pm 2:44am/2:36pm
May 23 9:29am/9:40pm 3:24am/3:14pm
May 24 10:07am/10:17pm 4:03am/3:54pm
May 25 10:46am/10:57pm 4:44am/4:36pm
May 26 11:28am/11:42pm 5:27am/5:22pm
May 27 12:16pm 6:14am/6:14pm
May 28 12:32am/1:12pm 7:05am/7:11pm
May 29 1:28am/2:14pm 7:59am/8:14pm
May 30 2:28am/3:18pm 8:56am/9:21pm
May 31 3:30am/4:21pm 9:54am/10:28pm
Jun 01 4:31am/5:22pm 10:51am/11:32pm
Jun 02 5:31am/6:20pm 11:47am
Jun 03 6:29am/7:16pm 12:32am/12:40pm
Jun 04 7:26am/8:09pm 1:29am/1:32pm

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 May 22, 2020
Changing Eco continues from page 1
excellent bobcat habitat, it has less than
it did 10 years ago. This means bobcats
have to travel further and expand their
home range size to meet their needs.
Because bobcats are territorial, larger
home range sizes mean fewer bobcats
on the island. Also, increased travel by
bobcats makes them more susceptible
to vehicle collisions and other mortality
events.
Rodenticide Poisoning
Secondary poisoning from second-
generation anticoagulant rodenticides
is a significant problem worldwide.
SGAs are many times more toxic than
alternative rodenticides, and, because
SGAs don’t kill immediately, the
rodent continues to consume the bait,
accumulating super-lethal concentrations
of the poison. Once a bobcat, hawk, owl
or other predator eats these poisoned
rodents, the SGAs begin to build up in
their body. Since SGAs can persist for up
to a year inside the body, predators can
quickly accumulate a lethal dose if they
continue to feed on poisoned rodents.
In August of 2019, an adult female
bobcat was found dead from rodenticide
poisoning near Seascape Villas. Tests
showed that she had lethal levels of four
different SGAs in her system. This was
the eighth known bobcat death in the last
two years. Although some of these deaths
were from other causes such as vehicle
collisions, the impacts of rodenticide
poisonings are likely very significant.
To try to quantify these impacts,
town biologists teamed up with local
researchers and a veterinarian to collect
blood samples from bobcats this winter
during our annual trapping efforts for
wildlife
the bobcat GPS study. Biologists were
able to capture only four bobcats this
winter in five weeks of trapping, which
is a substantially lower capture rate
than in prior years. Blood samples were
analyzed for a variety of parameters,
including exposure to SGAs. Results
showed that one out of the four bobcats
had recently consumed SGAs. Because
SGAs only persist in the blood for two
to three weeks, it doesn’t rule out prior
SGA exposure and impacts to the other
three bobcats that tested negative. SGAs
accumulate in the liver over time, and,
while this is not always fatal, it can cause
reproductive and immune problems.
The town developed an ordinance
to ban all SGAs but was informed by
state officials in early April that we
were prohibited by law from doing
so. Pesticides and their use are solely
regulated by the state of South Carolina
through the Clemson Department of
Pesticide Regulation. Our town attorney
has reviewed the pertinent state code
and affirmed this position. The town is
investigating other ways to restrict the use
of these pesticides but in the meantime is
asking for voluntary compliance.
White-tailed Deer
White-tailed deer are very adaptable
creatures and a common sight in
suburban communities all over the
country. Deer are a prey species, which
means their survival strategy is to
continually produce offspring since
predators will eat many of them. Deer
and other prey species cannot regulate
their numbers. Because of the lack of
natural predators in most suburban
communities, deer populations can
proliferate and become overabundant.
Kiawah has been the exception to
this rule for many years as our deer
population has been naturally controlled
and maintained by bobcats.
Kiawah’s declining bobcat numbers
have allowed the island’s deer population
to rise quickly. Town biologists monitor
Kiawah’s deer population by conducting
biannual spotlight surveys. These
surveys have shown an increase in fawn
survival and an overall increase in the
island’s deer population by 58% in the
last two years. This increasing trend
in deer numbers will likely continue
unless a deer management program is
initiated. For this reason, Town Council
discussed and approved the development
and implementation of a deer harvest
program at its April 7 meeting.
deer will be
harvested
throughout
the island,
with a focus on
areas with the
highest deer
concentrations
and the highest
incident of
deer-vehicle
collisions
Deer Harvest Program
The deer harvest program will be
conducted by town biologists and is
scheduled to begin this fall. Deer will
be harvested throughout the island,
with a focus on areas with the highest
deer concentrations and the highest
incidence of deer-vehicle collisions.
Work will be conducted under a state
permit during nighttime hours using
suppressed weapons. All harvested deer
will be processed, and the meat will be
donated to local food banks or shelters.
The goal of the program is to reduce the
deer population to a density of 80 deer
per square mile – the 2019 density was
111. To maintain reduced deer numbers,
it will likely be necessary to conduct a
deer harvest annually for the next few
years. Biologists are hopeful that bobcat
numbers will rebound quickly and will
once again be able to keep the island’s
deer herd stable, eliminating the need for
an annual deer harvest.
How you can help
• Create habitat for bobcats by
adding native plants to your
landscaping. Focus on understory
plants that provide dense cover.
Let buffer areas grow back
naturally. Support the town’s
Grow Native initiative.
• Rethink your rodent control
strategy. Rodents seen in yards
or on porches are likely native
species that do not cause damage
inside homes. These rodents are
vital food for bobcats and other
predators.
• Never use a second-generation
anticoagulant rodenticide.
These include: Brodifacoum,
Bromadiolone, Difenacoum and
Difethialone.
• Do not feed deer.
If you have questions, please email Jim
Jordan at jjordan@kiawahisland.org.
May 22, 2020 5
wildlife

Right on cue
T U R T L E N E S T I N G S E A S O N U N D E R WAY
BY ERIN WEEKS biologists counted 8,802 of them in
For The Island Connection South Carolina, a 37% increase over the
previous record set in 2016.

D
epartment of Natural Resources
biologists reported the start of
the turtle nesting season with
a nest laid the night of April 30 on
Lighthouse Island. Located within the
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge,
the site of South Carolina’s densest sea
turtle nesting area, the loggerhead nest
was discovered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife
sea turtle technician Billy Shaw.
South Carolina’s official sea turtle
nesting season runs from May 1 to Oct.
31 each year. Nesting in South Carolina
typically starts soon after Georgia’s first
nesting report, which occurred April 25.
“Staff and volunteers are very excited
to celebrate the official opening of
sea turtle season,” said Michelle Pate,
SCDNR sea turtle biologist. “This year
has been an especially difficult one for
all of us globally, and we welcome the
seasonal return of these ancient creatures
back to South Carolina’s nesting
beaches.”
Pate added that she expects a
productive season, though not reaching
the level of nesting seen in 2019. Last
year in the Palmetto State, sea turtles
laid the greatest number of nests ever
recorded in a season. Volunteers and
Last season followed an unusually low
year in 2018, in which only 2,767 nests
were counted. Because nesting exacts
a high energy toll on the large reptiles,
female sea turtles do not come ashore to
lay eggs every year. This pattern results
in nesting fluctuations from year to year,
but, as a whole, sea turtle nest numbers
across the Southeast have trended up over
the past decade.
The ongoing COVID-19 global health
crisis is expected to reshape sea turtle nest
protection efforts this year. Typically,
more than 1,300 volunteers from 30
different nest protection programs
spend the summer months patrolling
South Carolina’s beaches each morning
for crawls, the telltale tracks left by a Photo by Kelly Bragg. Sea turtle clutches average 120 eggs
female sea turtle as it trundles ashore. Four sea turtle species nest on and hatch after approximately 60 days.
Volunteers and biologists meticulously South Carolina beaches: loggerheads, Nesting females may remain in South
identify, count and protect these nests greens, Kemp’s ridleys and leatherbacks. Carolina waters and continue to nest
throughout the season until they hatch, Loggerhead nests comprise the vast every two weeks, laying up to six nests
after which time nests are inventoried to majority of the state’s total number per season. Throughout this stressful
collect additional data. Due to current each year, but 2019 saw 20 green sea time, the turtles abstain from eating.
guidelines meant to safeguard employee turtle nests and one Kemp’s ridley nest
and community safety, the volunteer South Carolina beach-goers can help
– only the fourth in the state’s history. the state’s sea turtles by keeping beaches
network has been restricted until beaches All four sea turtle species are classified
across the state fully reopen and state clean, turning beachfront lights out to
as endangered or threatened and are avoid disorienting turtles and giving all
employees are permitted to return to the protected under the Endangered Species
field. sea turtles and nests a wide and respectful
Act, in addition to local and state berth when encountered on the beach.
ordinances.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Reminders

• Report all sick/injured/dead sea turtles and nest disturbances to the SCDNR at
800-922-5431 so that staff or volunteers can respond as soon as possible.
• Respect boating laws and boat cautiously, especially in small tidal creeks where
sea turtles like to feed. Boat strikes are the leading cause of death for sea turtles
in South Carolina.
• Keep artificial lights off the beach at night during nesting season – this includes
beachfront property lights and flash photography, which can disorient nesting
mothers and hatchlings.
• Always respect sea turtles by observing them from a distance on the beach.
Individuals who violate federal law by harming or interfering with sea turtles or
their nests can be subject to civil penalties of up to $25,000 and up to a year in
prison.
• Keep our beaches and ocean clean by avoiding single-use plastics. Plastic bags
and balloons are among the most common trash items found on South Carolina
beaches and can cause injury or death when sea turtles mistake them for food.
• Promote and support our program for continued conservation of sea turtles in
South Carolina.
6 May 22, 2020
O U R L A D Y O F M E R C Y R E M A I N S S T R O N G D U R I N G PA N D E M I C
BY JEANNIE COLSON
For The Island Connection
T I
he coronavirus pandemic has
changed the way the Charleston
community lives, works and
plays. Families have been isolated, local
businesses have either closed or adjusted
to stay open and the usual hustle and
bustle of Lowcountry life has slowed
down. However, one local organization
has never been busier.
Although Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach has had to
suspend its education and health
programs for the safety of the public and
its staff and volunteers, emergency food,
financial assistance and employment
services have steadily increased.
Our Lady of Mercy Community
Outreach has been, and will continue to
be, committed to staying on the front
lines to serve those who have fallen
through the cracks of the coronavirus
pandemic. The organization has extended
its client base and is assisting anyone
who lives within the Sea Islands or in
downtown Charleston.
Since the beginning of March, the
organization has:
• delivered 200 senior food boxes;
• packed almost 18,000 pounds of
food at for families in need;
• handed out over 4,100 bag
daily
Never busier
lunches at the Neighborhood
House Soup Kitchen location;
• given close to $9,000 in financial
assistance.
Partnering with Pay it Forward and
Tricounty Ministries, the organization
is also giving fresh produce to food
and beverage workers affected by the
restaurant closures.
“We are seeing many people come
through our doors for the first time. On
the front lines, we are seeing many heart-
wrenching examples of hurt and hardship
– lost jobs, lost loved ones, individuals
needing our services who never needed
them before – but we are also seeing
many examples of hope and inspiration,”
said Ericka Plater, executive director
of Our Lady of Mercy Community
Outreach.
It takes a village to care for those who
have fallen through the cracks of our
society – our veterans, our children, our
neighbors, artists, restaurant workers and
more. Help us help those in downtown
Charleston and on the rural Sea Islands
gain access to the most basic need – food.
Be a part of our village.
There are many ways you can help
Our Lady of Mercy Community of
Outreach.
Donate food: Donations of shelf-
stable food will help families prepare
for longer-term impact. Donations can
be brought to the Johns Island location
at 1684 Brownswood Road or the
downtown location at Neighborhood
House, 77 and 79 America St., between
9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday through
Friday.
Financial contributions: As resources
are directed to focus on meeting the
unfolding needs and as the number
of people we serve may increase, your
support will help us remain responsive to
this crisis. An example of an immediate
financial burden we have is the need
to purchase additional food to provide
bag lunches in our soup kitchen or
meats for our food pantry. To make a
monetary donation, visit olmoutreach.
org/donatenow.
Amazon wishlist: Purchase items
from your home. Visit amazon.com/
hz/wishlist/ls/1CW80MHLSFKDY/
ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1?_
encoding=UTF8&type=wishlistto
browse and purchase items.
And if you or someone you know is in
need of assistance, call 843-559-4109.
May 22, 2020
arts & events
Tour rescheduled
SPONSORS ARE BACK FOR
THE 2021 EVENT
BY MARTHA ZINK
For The Island Connection
T
he Arts, etc. board and
committees worked hard in
preparation for the 2020 Art
and House Tour, and were saddened to
cancel it due to COVID-19 concerns and
precautions. There were so many youths
on the Sea Islands we were planning to
support with arts enrichment programs.
Therefore we have deep appreciation that
many of our sponsors maintained their
donations, and many of our advertisers
graciously agreed to transfer their
advertisements to next year’s Tour, which
is scheduled for April 9, 2021.
Since the businesses are also highly
recommended by Arts, etc. members, we
would urge everyone to use their services.
They include Island Architects, Coco
Builders, Seamar Construction, Sifly Fine
Custom Homes and Vintage Homes,
as well as Accurate Window Cleaning,
Frank Leigh Painting, Good Natured
Gardening, John Griffiths Hardwood
Flooring, Southern Exposure Painting,
the Island Company, Haute Design, Inc.
and Red Element Design Studio.
We also would like to thank
John L. Paul and Kristi M. Hutto
of Anderson Associates and Pure
Insurance, Robert Phelan of MDP
Insurance, NFP Private Client Group
and Taylor Agency Insurance, as well
as financial institutions: Wells Fargo
Private Mortgage Banker Dan Butts and
Quadrini Smith Crouse of Wells Fargo
Advisors. The law firms of Bradshaw &
Company and Buist Byars and Taylor,
LLC also were generous in their support.
Other sponsors include Meadows Pool
& Spa, Southeastern Systems, Akers Ellis
Real Estate and Rentals, Kiawah Island
Real Estate and Pam Harrington Real
Estate and Rentals, Indigo Books LLC,
J. McLaughlin, RTW Charleston, Tidal
Trails and Vincent Drug Store and Soda
Fountain.
Thank you to all of those who will
help us in funding summer programs for
the children of the Sea Islands. We look
forward to a healthy and safe tour next
year.
wildlife
Don’t adopt a fawn
M O M I S P R O B A B LY N E A R B Y
FROM SC DNR
For The Island Connection
f a deer fawn is found alone in the
woods, leave it there. Its mother has
not abandoned it; she is probably
nearby. Removing a fawn from the forest
is also illegal because the animal is being
taken outside the legal season for taking
deer, which is the hunting season.
Many people who come upon a
solitary spotted fawn in the woods or
along a roadway mistakenly assume the
animal has been deserted by its mother
and want to take the apparently helpless
creature home to care for it. Young fawns
like this have not been abandoned and
are still in the care of a doe.
The apparently “helpless” deer fawns
born during April, May and June
in South Carolina will begin daily
movements with their mothers in about
three or four weeks. Human handling
and disturbance of fawns can cause a doe
to shy away or even desert her offspring.
Also, a bleating response by the fawn can
summon nearby predators.
It’s part of nature’s plan for a doe to
leave her fawn or fawns alone for their
first few weeks of life. The reason for this
unusual maternal action is that the fawn
at this age is better protected away from
the doe. The presence of the doe nearby
would attract predators because the doe
7
lacks the protective coloration of the
fawn, and the older and larger doe has a
much stronger odor.
A fawn that appears abandoned is
merely awaiting a visit from its mother.
A doe, after brief periods of feeding
and grooming her fawn, will spend
much of her day feeding and resting
somewhat removed from her young. The
fawn ordinarily stays bedded down as if
sleeping but will occasionally move short
distances to new bedding sites.
Each spring and summer, SCDNR
gets many calls from people who have
discovered these “lost” deer. Young
fawns are without a doubt cute and
cuddly, but, if taken into captivity, they
grow into semi-tame adult deer that can
become quite dangerous. Adult buck
deer, no matter how they were raised, are
especially dangerous during the breeding
season. Even does raised by humans are
unpredictable. Occasionally, “tame”
deer seriously injure people and, in cases
where a deer is a threat to humans, it
sometimes has to be killed.
People often ask SCDNR if it needs
deer fawns for its research projects.
Although SCDNR is actively engaged
in deer research, current studies do not
involve captive animals.
8 May 22, 2020
daily
Mother-daughter teamwork Backpack Buddies receives
DOROTHEA BENTON FRANK’S
FINAL BOOK RELEASED
overwhelming support
BY GRETCHEN KOSS
For The Island Connection
S B
ullivan’s Island native Dorothea
Benton Frank passed away in 2019,
leaving behind literally millions
of fans and a long list of bestselling
novels. Now her legacy includes her
only children’s book, co-authored by her
daughter, a story about a standout kid
who learns to stick up for himself and the
things he loves.
“Teddy Spaghetti,” the creation of the
mother-daughter team of the bestselling
writer and Victoria Benton Frank, who
lives on Johns Island, and illustrator
Renée Andriani, was released May 12.
The book, for children ages 4 through 8,
is loosely based on the life of Victoria’s
son, Teddy.
Teddy really loves spaghetti, but
what he doesn’t love is getting teased at
school. When he takes his favorite food
for lunch, a bully calls him a not-so-nice
name: Teddy Spaghetti.
Will Teddy let his new, unwanted
nickname prevent him from enjoying
Victoria Benton Frank
what he loves most?
You’ll need to read the book to find
out, but one thing is certain: It will
encourage kids to be themselves and to
take a bite – or maybe a slurp – out of
life.
“Dottie” Frank produced 20 novels
and was described by the New York
Journal of Books as “an author who
never fails to entertain.” Among her
creations were “By Invitation Only,” “The
Last Original Wife,” “Porch Lights,”
“The Hurricane Sisters” and “Sullivan’s
Island.” Her final adult novel was “Queen
Bee,” which was released in 2019.
Dorothea Benton Frank is the
recipient of an honorary doctorate of
humane Letters from the College of
Charleston, a doctorate of fine arts from
Bloomfield College and an honorary
doctorate of humane letters from the
Charleston School of Law. In 2015, she
was inducted into the South Carolina
Academy of authors and has been
honored many times for her work raising
awareness about domestic violence and
for her community service.
daily
BY THERESA WIDUCH, TERRY WEAVER BILL
AND PAT GREUBEL
For The Island Connection
ackpack Buddies Seabrook
Island and Kiawah Women’s
Foundation Backpack Buddies
are overwhelmed with gratitude for the
results of the 2020 Gorski and Friends
Challenge!
For the fourth year in a row, Mike
Gorski of Island Transportation and his
sponsors have surpassed their fundraising
goal. Generous donations from residents
of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns Island
kept coming in right until the last day.
The total amount raised in the 2020
Gorski and Friends Challenge was
$80,425.
Words cannot express how grateful we
are for every donation, large and small.
Combined, our organizations provide
food to more than 540 children who are
food-insecure on the weekends. Given
the impact of the ongoing COVID-19
crisis, we anticipate the numbers of
children in need growing dramatically.
With the help of our volunteers, we
are continuing to get food to hungry
families, even though schools are closed.
To all our donors, we say thank you.
Rest assured that your donations will be
put to very good use.
To Mike Gorski, your dedication to
feeding hungry children is above and
beyond amazing. We sincerely thank
you.
Sponsors
• Anonymous - Kiawah Island
• Anonymous - Seabrook Island
• Anonymous - Seabrook Island
• A.O. Smith Foundation
• Carolina Girl Promotional
Products
• Coastal Getaways of SC
• Design Gaps, Inc.
• Dolphin Architects and Builders
• Dunes Properties
• Bob and Linda Fetch
• Fipps & Sons Garage
• Holy City Construction
• Island Transportation Services
• Jessica Jones Charitable Fund
• Kiawah Cares
• Kiawah Partners, Townsend and
Stephanie Clarkson
• Barbara and Vin Lewis
• Emery and Nick MacPherson of
Akers Ellis Real Estate
• Naples Wealth Management at
Morgan Stanley
• Pam Harrington Exclusives
• Pelican Development
• Pierce Distribution Services
Company
• S. Bogan Designs
• Seabrook Island Real Estate
• Will Shriver & The Island
Company
• Timbers Kiawah
• Vincent Drugstore
A Lucky Dog Favorite
May 22, 2020
America sings for you
H A M I LT O N I S N O T J U S T A N O T H E R S H O W
BY CAROL ANTMAN
For The Island Connection
I
love that transcendent moment when the curtain
goes up and the air is electric with anticipation.
But nothing was like the opening of “Hamilton.”
In-your-face lyrics asked who the “bastard, orphan, son
of a whore … dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot
in the Caribbean …” could “grow up to be a scholar?”
And, then, tauntingly: “What’s your name, man?”
A diminutive actor emerged from the ensemble
and meekly recited, “Alexander Hamilton. My name
is Alexander Hamilton.” That’s when the audience
went wild, especially the teenagers. A Beyonce concert,
screaming kind of wild. Why all of this excitement
for parts of U.S. history that bored us in high school?
Clearly this is not just another Broadway show. It’s a
cultural phenomenon.
Our mom took my two sisters and me to dozens of
Broadway shows growing up. We still burst into song
upon mention of “The Music Man” or “West Side
Story.” Family occasions often include parodies with
costumes and props – which scared off a few would-be
boyfriends back in the day. So traveling to Nashville to
see “Hamilton” was a good reason for a trip together.
But I wasn’t sure I’d like the show. I’d heard the
acclaim. But rap music? History? How good could it be?
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show’s originator, elicited
the same reaction when he previewed the work in
process at the White House in 2009. “I’m working on a
hip-hop album about the life of someone who embodies
hip-hop – Alexander Hamilton.” Curious chuckles
rippled through the audience. But he explained that
this “young, scrappy” man who codified so much of our
nation’s fundamental concepts “embodies the word’s
ability to make a difference.” A few years later, the show
was a blockbuster, and Michelle was one of its biggest
fans.
9
roadtrips charleston
“Hamilton, I’m pretty sure, is the only thing that
Dick Cheney and I agree on,” President Barack Obama
joked. “This show brings unlikely folks together. And,
Lin-Manuel, if you have any ideas about a show about
Congress, now is your chance. We can use the help.”
Over wine and cheese in our wonderful airbnb, we
listened to the show’s recording and studied up. Printed
lyrics prepared us for the rapid fire renditions from the
stage. We read interviews and debated themes. We were
especially intrigued by Miranda’s inspirations, which
included his father and Tupac Shakur. Luis Miranda
was an ambitious Puerto Rican who moved to New
York after graduating college at age 18. He went on to
serve as an advisor on Hispanic affairs to New York
Mayor Ed Koch before starting a political consulting
company. Tupac, the rapper who was shot to death
in 1996, reminded Miranda of Hamilton because
both were brilliant writers who incited animosity and
jealousy. Also, neither knew when enough was enough.
We debated whether the non-white cast constituted
cultural appropriation which led us to understand
Miranda’s intention to get the audience, and especially
the non-white youthful audience, to relate to the story.
Instead of harpsichords, there is hip-hop. Miranda
wants us to all to picture ourselves in America’s still-
evolving story.
As first and second generation Americans, we
identified with this “quintessentially American story,” as
Obama described it. “In the character of Hamilton – a
striving immigrant who escaped poverty, made his way
to the New World, climbed to the top by sheer force
of will and pluck and determination – Lin-Manuel pages of my book into a four-minute song.”
saw something of his own family and every immigrant The show is the colorful, exuberant, youthful, messy,
family.” ever-evolving, radiant history of America. As President
The glow of patriotic pride followed us from the Obama said, “We hear the debates that shaped our
theater as we imagined our nascent country floundering nation … with a cast as diverse as America itself … the
and fighting for freedom. It’s our grandparents’ story, show reminds us that this nation was built by more than
too. They risked everything to come here. The cast just a few great men – and that it is an inheritance that
sings, “When you’re living on your knees, you rise up. belongs to all of us.”
Tell your brother that he’s gotta rise up; tell your sister Roadtrips Charleston highlights interesting destinations
that she’s gotta rise up; when are these colonies gonna within a few hour’s drive of Charleston, as well as more
rise up?” far-flung locales. Carol Antman’s wanderlust is driven by a
The unconventional music also struck me as passion for outdoor adventure, artistic experiences, cultural
a moment of cultural transformation. Like other insights and challenging travel. For hot links, photographs
innovations, it raised alarms. Stravinsky’s “Rite of and previous columns or to make comments, please see
Spring” premier caused a riot. Gershwin was called peaksandpotholes.blogspot.com.
a poser and a Tin Pan Alley hack when he wrote
“Rhapsody in Blue.” Even Miranda’s mentor, Steven
Sondheim, cautioned him that an evening of relentless
rap might get monotonous. Only a few glimpsed the
potential. Rob Chernow, author of the biography that If You Go:
the play is based upon, heard a preview and said, “He hamiltonmusical.com/us-tour/tickets. Shows begin
sat on my living room couch, began to snap his fingers, in several U.S. cities this summer, including Atlanta
then sang the opening song of the show. When he in August and Charlotte in January 2021. Coming to
finished, he asked me what I thought. And I said, ‘I Charleston in 2021 – date to be announced.
think that’s the most astonishing thing I’ve ever heard
in my life.’ He had accurately condensed the first 40
10
daily
Phased re-opening
COUNTY LIBRARIES ARE UP
AND RUNNING
BY DOUG REYNOLDS
For The Island Connection
T
he Charleston County Public
Library is in the process of a
phased re-opening of its branches,
which were shut down March 16 due to
the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 18, book drops started
operating again at 16 of the library’s 17
locations – the Poe Library on Sullivan’s
Island was the exception – giving patrons
the opportunity to return books, DVDs
and Blu-Rays. All fines incurred while
the branches were closed have been
waived through the month of June. The
Library does not charge people who
return printed books past their due date.
Fines do apply to lost items and all other
materials returned past the due date.
CCPL highly encourages patrons
who still have materials to return to do
so between May 18 and June 8 to allow
the staff to quarantine the items. They
also are asked not to return interlibrary
loans, story time kits, telescopes, digital
magnifiers, museum passes and book
club kits to the book drops.
The Poe Library will be back in
business June 8, when all CCPL locations
are scheduled to start providing limited
in-person services, including picking up
books and other items placed on hold.
The limited re-opening may include
amended hours. In-person programs
and the use of meeting rooms will still
be suspended, but video programs will
continue online.
“CCPL is looking forward to a safe
reopening of our locations in June. I know
our physical buildings have been closed
to the public for several weeks, and we
have missed seeing our patrons in person,”
said CCPL Executive Director Angela
Craig. “Our phased reopening is to ensure
that our beloved public and staff are safe
as we re-acclimate to in-person services.
We thank the public in advance for their
patience and support while we offer
modified hours and services.”
All items returned to the library will
be quarantined for 72 hours.
During the closure, CCPL issued
more than 1,000 temporary e-cards
so patrons without library cards could
May 22, 2020
access all digital resources, including
e-books, audiobooks, movies and music,
and free access to all subscription-based
services. E-cards will be valid until June
30. More information will be released
soon on instructions to transfer e-cards
to permanent library cards.
During the closure, CCPL also
continued operating its Wi-Fi to allow
the public to access internet at 16 of its
17 branches – all but Folly Beach. Since
March 16, an average of 1,000 people per
week have connected to the Wi-Fi.
“This core service, which has helped
bridge the digital divide for so many
members of our community, will
continue to operate between 10 a.m. and
7 p.m. at all our locations,” said Craig.
CCPL has shifted many of its
resources to assisting the community in
workforce development. A special task
force is working to expand services and
programs to help local residents find jobs,
navigate the unemployment process,
create a resume and much more. These
efforts include a weekly workforce-related
blog, a special section on our website
featuring resources to workforce services,
assistance for small businesses, resources
for financial support, food resources,
internet access information and more.
While the libraries have been
closed, CCPL has continued serving
the public through virtual online
programs and presentations. Nearly
200 programs presented by staff have
been viewed more than 50,000 times.
These free programs, which are available
through the CCPL website and social
media, include children’s story times,
episodes of the award-winning podcast,
Charleston Time Machine, staff book
recommendations, Spanish language
lessons, opera performances, educational
resources, virtual field trips, art classes
and book lists. New programs will
continue to be available on our website
and social media.
If you have a question for the library,
you can connect with a librarian on
CCPL’s website by chat, text or email or
by leaving a phone message at 843-805-
6930 Monday through Friday from 10
a.m. to 7 p.m. Starting June 8, patrons
will be able to call and speak directly to a
staff member at their local library branch.
May 22, 2020
daily
Shell game
BY ERIN WEEKS
For The Island Connection
S
outh Carolina’s 2019-2020 season
for harvesting oysters, mussels,
clams and all other bivalves from
state and public shellfish grounds will
close May 31, a half hour after official
sunset, according to the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources.
Because higher bacterial levels occur
when water temperatures exceed 80
degrees F, shellfish harvesting during
the summer months is limited to
commercial harvesters who can meet
rigorous handling requirements. Coastal
waters will remain closed to recreational
shellfish harvesting until the fall, when
daily
Seabrook Birders plan
virtual meeting
BY JACKIE BROOKS
For The Island Connection
S
tay at home, but join the Seabrook
Island Birders on June 3 for a virtual
evening meeting presented by Matt
Johnson and Nolan Schillerstrom of
Audubon SC.
The topic of the meeting, scheduled
from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be
nesting birds. You can contribute to
11
water temperatures begin to cool and
ensure that shellfish are once again
safe for harvesting and consumption.
Shellfish harvesting is expected to reopen
Oct.1.
Although shellfish harvesting is closed
to the public during the summer, the
South Carolina Oyster Recycling and
Enhancement (SCORE) program accepts
recycled oyster shells year-round. Shell
recycling drop-off locations are located
throughout coastal counties and at a
few inland locations. Other types of
shell, such as clams and whelks, also are
accepted.
To learn more about harvesting
regulations and the location of collection
sites, call SCDNR at 843-953-9397 or
visit dnr.sc.gov.
the presentation by adding a specific
bird you would like included in the
presentation. Go to the SIB website,
seabrookislandbirders.org, to register.
The day before, June 2, you will receive
instructions on how to attend the
meeting.
To learn more, visit
seabrookislandbirders.org or email
seabrookislandbirders@gmail.com.