Since May 2007
PRESORT STANDARD
Volume 13 Issue 21
A clean bill of health
K I AWA H C O N S E R VA N C Y C O M P L E T E S
REVIEW OF 52 PROPERTIES
BY M. LEE BUNDRICK
For The Island Connection
T
he stewardship team recently completed our review of all
52 properties – 2,273 acres – currently preserved by the
Kiawah Conservancy, and I am pleased to report a clean
bill of health for all of the Kiawah Conservancy’s properties in
2019.
As we move to the future, the Conservancy will continue
to focus on the preservation of critical habitat areas, as well as
understanding and preserving the ecological health of Kiawah
Island. New studies are being initiated to ensure the resilience
Charleston Boat Show
Page 2
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON SC
POSTAL PATRON
PERMIT NO 437
FREE January 17, 2020
Music to
their ears
BISHOP
GADSDEN
HOSTS
CONDUCTING
WORKSHOP
BY MAGGIE BROWN
For The Island Connection
M
any people understand the time
and patience it takes to learn to
play an instrument, but they
might not be aware of the work that goes
into perfecting the art of conducting.
Becoming a conductor takes time and
patience, and being the leader also requires
a concise skill set. Conductors must know
how to play an instrument, but they also
must have a trained ear, the ability to
interpret the music, as well as extensive
training and education in the art.
For the second year, Bishop
Gadsden had the opportunity to host
the Charleston Symphony Orchestra
Conducting Workshop, which provided
an opportunity for young conductors to
gain hands-on training and learn from
many of the finest conductors connected
with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
In early January, Bishop Gadsden was
delighted to welcome nine participants
from all over the world, eight auditors and
nine CSO staff members to lead the event.
The workshop is specifically set up
for the nine pre-professional conductors
and eight auditors in attendance looking
to improve their conducting skills
in a supportive yet intensive setting.
Each conductor had more than 120
minutes of podium time, as well as
of Kiawah's natural habitats to the ever-changing environment. group and individual coaching with
Starting in 2020, the Kiawah Conservancy, in partnership with faculty, Charleston Symphony Orchestra
the College of Charleston and the Town of Kiawah Island, will musicians and staff. The workshop
conduct groundwater table and marsh vulnerability studies. weekend ended with a concert led by all
The Conservancy is currently seeking volunteers for active participants.
participation in the groundwater study. If you are interested in “Music brings so much to our lives at
participating in this study by volunteering a portion of your land every age and is highly valued at Bishop
for temporary – one year – monitoring well placement, please
contact me at lee@kiawahconservancy.org or 843-998-0183. Bishop Gadsden continues on page 5
Wine, Women & Shoes Master Painter
Page 4 Page 10
2 January 17, 2020
arts & events

40 years and counting

B O AT S H O W S TA R T S J A N . 2 4
BY JACQUI MCGUINNESS
Lynn Pierotti For The Island Connection
publisher

T
lynn@luckydognews.com he annual Charleston Boat Show is
celebrating its 40th anniversary as
Brian Sherman the industry prepares for another
managing editor strong year. The show is scheduled for Jan.
ICEditor@luckydognews.com 24 through Jan. 26.
“Based on the current economic
indicators, 2020 could be the best year
Jennifer Tuohy
ever for the boating industry,” said
contributing editor Tri-county Marine Trade Association
jennifer@luckydognews.com President Chris Butler.
The Charleston Boat Show, presented
Alejandro Ferreyros by Rick Hendrick Chrysler, Dodge,
senior graphic designer Jeep, Ram, has an interesting history,
alejandro@luckydognews.com all starting in 1980 with a small group
of local boat dealers: Duncan’s Boats,
Summerville Marine, Dorchester Marine,
Lori McGee the Outboard Shop, Seel’s Outboard and
sales manager Marine Center, now Hanckel Marine.
lori@luckydognews.com This group knew the importance of
showcasing their products in a show
atmosphere. Starting with a small event in
a parking lot, they moved to a mall, the
Senior Staff Writer
Charleston Coliseum and eventually to
Gregg Bragg the Charleston Area Convention Center.
In 2001, JBM & Associates was hired
Contributors to bring the show to the next level.
M. Lee Bundrick “This is my baby. I still remember the
Maggie Brown day I signed my contract. It was 9/11/2001.
I sat in the GM’s office watching the TV
Jacqui McGuinness
while Jim Duncan, the president of the
Stephanie Braswell Edgerton
Tri-county Marine Trade Association,
Tonya Pilkenton sat next to me. We were both in a daze
Jeff Winget as we watched the news. I never expected
Kelsey Donnelly to have grown an entire business as boat
Pam Steele show producers from this. Now we are in
our 19th year producing this show and
Robert Smith
have four others. It has been an amazing
Kathy Kunkelman ride, and I’m so proud to be a part of it,”
Kathy Bates said JBM founder Jacqui McGuinness.
Sharon Peck The Charleston Area Convention
Jeannie Colson Center has become a stable home for
Dorree Lynn the Charleston Boat Show, but with the
John Nelson show’s continued growth, there was a need
for additional space. Half of the show has
now expanded into the parking lot.
“We just keep expanding and adding
The Charleston Boat Show in 2018. Photo by Jeff Nass.
more and more boats and vendors into the
parking lot. I’m just so appreciative that
this has worked so well over the years. The
show could use twice as much space on the
exhibit hall floor,” added McGuinness.
This year’s event has new features,
including Women on Water, boating
classes presented by MarineMax. Ladies
will take the helm and experience a
unique hands-on class designed to get
women behind the wheel and confident
on the water. In a relaxed classroom
setting, they will learn to tie proper lines,
boat operating and handling, rules of the
water and so much more. Space is limited,
so reservations are necessary.
The Coastal Fishing Expo, presented
by Coastal Carolina Fisherman and
sponsored by Field & Stream, has
expanded with more presenters. All
seminars are held on Saturday and Sunday
of the show.
Musicians Pernell McDaniel and
Waltzing Matilda will perform throughout
the show. There is always great family fun at
the boat show, and this year is no exception.
Features include pirates, Mermaid Oracle,
fairy hair, face painting, an SCDNR
boating simulator and much more.
The show is best known for having a
huge assortment of new boats from which
to choose, at spectacular boat show prices.
Manufacturer representatives and boat
dealers consider this show one of their most
successful each year. There will be more
than 85 boat brands and more than 100
vendors selling marine-related products
and services. Some of the new vendors
include Rheos Gear Floating Sunglasses,
Nauti Life, Coastal Touchless Boat Canvas,
Doggie Ladders, Foxy Fossils, Hull Shield,
Sea Real Art, Allegiance Flag Supply,
Castaway Customs and Harbor Solar.
Charleston Boat Show tickets range
from $5 to $20. The show will be
open from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Sunday. Parking is free. For
tickets and further information, visit
TheCharlestonBoatShow.com.
The show is sponsored by South
State Bank, Charleston Harbor Resort
& Marina, Maritime Insurance
International, Safe Harbor City Boatyard,
Safe Harbor Charleston City and Safe
Harbor Bristol. Partners include Dick’s
Sporting Goods, Field & Stream and
Coastal Carolina Fisherman.

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 Public Safety Ways & Means Fax: 768-4764
Committee Committee
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28, 2 p.m. Seabrook Island Town H all
Town Council
843-886-NEWS Meeting Kiawah Town Hall Kiawah Town Hall 2001 Seabrook Island Road
Jan. 7, 2 p.m. Seabrook Island, S.C. 29455
Future submission deadline: Kiawah Town Hall CERT Team Town Council Phone: 768-9121
Jan. 22 for the Jan. 22, 3 p.m. Meeting Fax: 768-9830
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Jan. 31 Issue Public Works Kiawah Town Hall Feb. 4, 2 p.m.
Committee Kiawah Town Hall Johns Island Council
Op-ed articles and letters to the editor do not Jan. 13, 10 a.m. Board of Zoning Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-
necessarily reflect the opinion of Kiawah Town Hall Appeals Town of Seabrook op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy.,
Lucky Dog News or its writers. Jan. 27, 3 p.m. No meeting dates Johns Island, S.C. 29455
Environmental Kiawah Town Hall available as of the time Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Committee Meeting of this publication
The Island Jan. 14, 2 p.m.
Kiawah 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
January 17, 2020 3
daily

Online filing
S C D O R A N D I R S W I L L S TA RT
A C C E P T I N G TA X R E T U R N S O N J A N . 2 7
FROM SCDOR
For The Island Connection

T
he South Carolina Department of
Revenue and the Internal Revenue
Service will begin accepting
Individual Income Tax returns on Jan. 27,
2020. To ensure faster and more accurate
processing of your return and refund,
the SCDOR encourages taxpayers to file
electronically and choose direct deposit.
Last year, 90% of individual income tax
returns were filed electronically.
“We are pleased that so many South
Carolinians have embraced online filing.
It's the safest, most accurate way to file,”
said SCDOR Director Hartley Powell.
"As we enter the 2020 filing season, we
are focused on helping all taxpayers file
electronically."
Visit dor.sc.gov/iit-filing to view all
of your filing options. Many South
Carolinians are eligible to file online
for free with easy-to-use tax preparation
software.
Five things to know for the 2020 filing
season:
1. Filing online with a reputable
provider is fast, accurate and
secure.
2. Make sure you have all W-2s, 1099s
and other necessary documents
before you file. Using year-end pay
stub information instead of official
documents could slow down
processing.
3. Choose direct deposit to avoid
waiting for paper check processing.
Be sure to double check your
banking information.
4. Processing your return and refund
is expected to take six to eight
weeks. Fighting fraud to protect
taxpayer dollars is our priority.
5. State and federal returns are due
April 15, 2020. If you file and
pay electronically, you have until
May 1, 2020, to submit your
return and full payment without
penalties or interest. This does not
apply to federal returns or returns
submitted on paper.
Use the SCDOR’s Where’s My Refund
tool at dor.sc.gov/refund to check your
most up-to-date refund status 24/7.
The SCDOR issued 1.6 million refunds
totaling almost $1.67 billion in 2019.

daily

Improvements coming Tid e Char t

for Kiawah Island
Parkway Date High Tide Low Tide
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL EDGERTON Jan 17 1:18am/1:30pm 7:21am/7:45pm
For The Island Connection
Jan 18 2:22am/2:31pm 8:27am/8:44pm

I
n December, the Town of Kiawah concept utilized more than 80% native Jan 19 3:26am/3:33pm 9:33am/9:44pm
Island announced plans for a project plants and incorporated strategies to reduce Jan 20 4:28am/4:33pm 10:35am/10:42pm
that would include improvements to and filter storm water runoff, minimize
the landscaping between the roundabout the use of pesticides and enhance wildlife Jan 21 5:25am/5:30pm 11:31am/11:36pm
and the main gate on Kiawah Island habitat. Through a consensus, Town
Parkway. Outdoor Spatial Design was Council directed OSD to put together Jan 22 6:18am/6:23pm 12:23pm
selected to design the landscaping an estimated cost to complete the project Jan 23 7:07am/7:11pm 12:27am/1:11pm
component, and initial conceptual and ongoing maintenance costs based
renderings were distributed to the on the selected conceptual rendering, Jan 24 7:52am/7:55pm 1:14am/1:56pm
community for feedback. which is available at kiawahisland.org/
At a Jan. 7 meeting, OSD presented wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200108_ Jan 25 8:33am/8:37pm 1:58am/2:37pm
Town Council with its site analysis and KIP_OSDLA_EBLAST-2.pdf. Jan 26 9:12am/9:17pm 2:39am/3:17pm
various concepts for consideration. Each
Jan 27 9:50am/9:55pm 3:19am/3:54pm
Jan 28 10:26am/10:34pm 3:57am/4:30pm
Jan 29 11:02am/11:13pm 4:35am/5:05pm
Jan 30 11:39am/11:55pm 5:15am/5:42pm

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 January 17, 2020
Wine, Women & Shoes
EVENT BENEFITS FLORENCE CRITTENTON PROGRAMS
Melissa Altmann, Karla Towe, Friend Gray, Emily Ayers and Vonda Freeman at last year’s Wine, Women & Shoes. Photo provided.
BY TONYA PILKENTON
For The Island Connection
F
lorence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina
invites you to kick up your heels and raise a glass
at the seventh annual Wine, Women & Shoes,
presented by The Woodhouse Day Spa & Boutique at
The Gaillard Center, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 12.
General admission tickets are $125 and VIP tickets
are $175, with all proceeds benefiting Florence Crittenton
Programs, which provides comprehensive services to
pregnant, parenting and at-risk young women and their
children. A limited number of VIP tables for eight and
VIP tickets are available. In February 2019, the event sold
out two weeks in advance.
Florence Crittenton has been in the Charleston
community since 1897 and provides hope, safety and
arts & events
opportunity for young women. Please join us as we put
on our heels for hope. An irresistible blend of fashion and
compassion, WW&S events are all about putting the
“fun” in fundraising. They give women the opportunity
to get glamorous with their friends while enjoying
incredible varietals from top winemakers – all for a good
cause. Basically, it’s the best excuse to play dress up – ever.
The seventh annual Wine, Women & Shoes will
feature the products of some of the country’s best
wineries, designer shopping and charming “shoe guys”
serving up this season’s must-haves on silver platters – all
signature attractions that make WW&S fundraisers such
a swirlin’-and-stylin’ success.
In addition to shopping peep-toes while sipping pinots,
guests will enjoy a fabulous fashion show, live and silent
auctions with incredible items and travel experiences
and a chance to win a closet full of designer clothes and
accessories.
For more information, contact Tonya Pilkenton at
843-324-6455 or at Events@FlorenceCrittentonSC.org.
To purchase tickets, visit winewomenandshoes.com/event/
flocrit/.
About Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina
Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina serves
at-risk, low-income pregnant girls and young women, one
of the most vulnerable populations in South Carolina.
Since 1897, we have provided a safe haven, medical care,
counseling, education and social support services to
pregnant girls and young women so that they may deliver
healthy babies and grow into independent, successful
young adults. With our help, each young mother gains a
sense of accomplishment and empowerment, and we all
benefit as she becomes a self-sufficient, responsible parent
and member of the community.
January 17, 2020
daily
Turning forests into
economic assets
F R E E S C R E E N I N G L O O K S AT
HEIRS PROPERTY
BY JEFF WINGET
For The Island Connection
T
he Center for Heirs’ Property
Preservation is partnering with
South Carolina ETV and the
ETV Endowment of South Carolina
to present a free screening of “America’s
Forests with Chuck Leavell,” which
acknowledges the accomplishments
of the Sustainable Forestry & African
American Land Retention program.
Shot in the Lowcountry, the program
made its national premiere in December
in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the
Smithsonian’s National African American
Museum in Washington D. C.
“We were privileged to accompany a
few of the folks that are featured in this
public television program to Washington
last month,” said Jeanne Stephens, chief
executive officer of the Center for Heirs’
Property Preservation. “This episode
features some of our local forestry
landowners who are successful in not
only retaining their family land but,
through the SFLR program, they are able
to increase the land’s economic benefits.
This allows them to keep their land in the
family for future generations.”
A free event that is open to the public,
episode 3 of “America’s Forests with
Chuck Leavell” will be shown Jan. 27 at
the Charleston Music Hall. Doors open
at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at
7 p.m. Following the premiere, a panel
discussion will feature those whose
stories were shared in the documentary.
Audience members will be able to ask
questions about the show or the SFLR
program. To reserve your free seat, visit
leavell-premiere.eventbrite.com.
The show’s host, Chuck Leavell, is one
of a kind. Often on tour with the Rolling
Stones, he’s acclaimed both as a rock-and-
roll piano player and as a conservationist
tree farmer. After studying forestry by
correspondence and doing much of his
homework while riding a tour bus with
the Fabulous Thunderbirds in the mid
’80s, Chuck and wife Rose Lane White
5
daily
Leavell turned her family’s plantation
near Macon, Georgia, into what has
become a textbook tree farm. Chuck
is also the co-founder of The Mother
Nature Network, the world’s leading
environmental website.
“We are thrilled to be partnering
with Heir’s Property Preservation on the
screening of this premiere,” said Rachel
Chesser, director of planned giving at
the ETV Endowment of South Carolina.
“We’ve had great success with these local
premiere screenings in the past. There’s
nothing like seeing it on the big screen,
and, with this one in particular, it’s an
added bonus when the show is about
provided an even more personalized
determined people in our own community Bishop Gadsden continues from cover experience for the conductors and the
and the success they are having right here
Gadsden,” said President/CEO Sarah Bishop Gadsden community by hosting
in the Lowcountry.”
Tipton. “We are proud to be able to provide the workshop participants in their homes.
“America’s Forests with Chuck
a superb venue for these young conductors Workshop sessions and events took
Leavell” can be seen on public television
to gain training and experience while they place in Bishop Gadsden’s award-winning
throughout the entire country. If you can’t
share their talents with our community. chapel, which has been recognized for
make the free premiere, the show will air
Bishop Gadsden is thrilled to be able to its superior acoustics and exceptional
locally throughout South Carolina on
host the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Steinway piano. The Bishop Gadsden
SCETV at 9 p.m. on Feb. 6 and on the
Conducting Workshop.” chapel will become an even greater musical
South Carolina Channel on Feb. 11 at
In addition to the unique one-on-one destination when its state-of-the-art
9:30 p.m.
time with CSO faculty and talented Schoenstein pipe organ is introduced in
The Sustainable Forestry & African
musicians, Bishop Gadsden residents the fall of 2020.
American Land Retention Program was
launched in 2013 as an effort to aid African
American landowners in turning their
forested properties into economic assets.
The program capitalizes on innovative
partnerships between local, state and
federal organizations. SFLR provides a
variety of support to these landowners,
including access to legal assistance and
opportunities for sustainable forestry.
The Center is a nonprofit organization
that protects heirs’ property and
promotes the sustainable use of land to
provide increased income to historically
underserved landowners. Its services
include: legal and forestry education; direct
legal services to resolve heirs’ property title
issues; forestry land management services;
technical assistance; and connection to
programs and financial assistance to make
the land more profitable.
For more information about the Center,
visit heirsproperty.org.
6 January 17, 2020
daily

A waterfront community
K I AWA H R I V E R A N N O U N C E S S E C O N D R E A L E S TAT E O F F E R I N G
BY KELSEY DONNELLY
For The Island Connection

K
iawah River, a new waterfront community near
Charleston, has announced its second real estate
offering, a collection of new waterfront homesites
and semi-custom homes, villas and cottages. This offering
follows the success of Kiawah River’s initial property
release in March 2019.
“As we expect to welcome Kiawah River’s first residents
in the coming weeks, our new waterfront homesites
signify a significant development milestone,” said Carter
Redd, managing director of Kiawah River. “We are
extremely pleased with the local, regional and national
interest in Kiawah River to date, and we look forward to
sharing the sea islands lifestyle with even more residents bathrooms. The home features more than 800 square feet unpretentious luxury.”
during this next chapter.” of porch space, ideal for hosting outdoor dinner parties. From completely custom home designs to turnkey
This unique offering includes an exclusive selection Meanwhile Structures Building Company’s Beacon floor plans, Kiawah River offers a diverse variety of
of waterfront, wooded and village homesites. Property offers 2,909 heated square feet and a total of 5,556 square homes ranging from $600,000 to more than $1.5 million
owners can choose from an innovative array of home feet including porches and outdoor living rooms, a first- and homesites starting at $200,000. The community has
design options from Kiawah River’s Architect Guild, a floor master suite and additional multifunction space on been carefully planned to embrace outdoor living, with
selected group of the top designers in the Southeastern the second floor. only half of the property’s 2,000 acres to be developed,
United States, or collaborate with the guild and the Kiawah River’s Waterman Villas were designed by and the other 1,000 acres to remain open green space for
Architectural Review Board for a completely custom Thomas & Denzinger Architects of Charleston, known the community. Kiawah River will feature an array of
home. best for their work at Palmetto Bluff and in private resort-style amenities and services, including a roadside
Included in the new collection are waterfront homesites residences throughout South Carolina. These spacious farm stand, a chapel and community hall, a swim and
on Jack Island, a neighborhood adjacent to Oak Park two-unit town homes offer water and marsh views, with fitness club and an outdoor learning center. Residents
and community amenities. Some lots are located along floor plans averaging 2,600 square feet. will also have access to several launch points for fishing
a Kiawah River inlet with northwest-facing water views, Kiawah River’s master plan and amenities are and exploring the pristine Kiawah River and inland
while others feature views of mature grand oak trees. designed by renowned experts who specialize in coastal waterways.
Builders that are part of Kiawah River’s Builder architecture to create what architect Julia Starr Sanford To learn more about life at Kiawah River, visit
Guild are now constructing additional turnkey homes. – the visionary behind Alys Beach and architect of kiawahriver.com/live-here or call 843-973-8600.
For example, Kittrell’s Channel floor plan spans 2,634 Kiawah River’s Butterfly Garden Cottages – calls
square feet, with four bedrooms and three-and-a-half “sensual sustainability,” where “elegant rusticity meets
January 17, 2020
daily
Thank you, island friends
BY PAM STEELE
For The Island Connection
T
hank you island friends. Once
again, with the generosity of your
donations to the Mt. Zion Holiday
Fund, we were able to bring Christmas
magic to 84 boys and girls from 38
families.
What a sight it would have been if only
we could have seen the excitement and joy
arts & events
Keystone connection
P E N N S Y LVA N I A PA R T Y P L A N N E D
ON SEABROOK
BY KATHY KUNKELMAN
For The Island Connection
S
eabrookers with a link to the Keystone
State will get together on Feb. 12
for the second annual Pennsylvania
Connection party.
The get-together starts at 6 p.m. at
the Oyster Catcher Community Center.
Please bring your beverage of choice and a
contribution for the food table.
This is an all-island event, open to
on their faces as they opened their presents
of new coats, clothes, shoes, books and
toys on Christmas morning and were able
to enjoy a special Christmas dinner – all
made possible because of you.
One of the simplest and oldest adages,
“sharing is caring,” rings so true, and we
are so fortunate and grateful to have such
caring island friends.
With sincere and heartfelt thanks,
The Mt. Zion Holiday Fund Committee
anyone who was born or raised in the
Keystone State; lived, worked or was
educated there; has Pennsylvania friends
or relatives; or who wants to fondly
reminisce about Penn State football, the
Commonwealth’s road system or the
incomparable Pennsylvania climate.
About 80 Seabrookers attended the
first Connection last year.
If you have questions, contact Kathy
Kunkelman at kkunkelman@comcast.net.
daily
Growing and evolving
PALMETTO GOODWILL SAYS THANK YOU
BY ROBERT SMITH
For The Island Connection
A
s we look forward to both a new
year and the start of a new decade,
I want to take a moment to thank
every person who has donated to Palmetto
Goodwill, shopped in our stores or
volunteered their time.
We are proud that 2019 marked our 40th
year of operation and that more than 90 cents
of every dollar we generate is used to provide
job training and employment services to those
in need. The community support we received
last year allowed Palmetto Goodwill to have
arts & events
Janie Schloss is Artist
of the Month
BY KATHY BATES
For The Island Connection
V
ersatile artist Janie Schloss is January
Artist of the Month at Perspective
Gallery in Mount Pleasant. The gallery
hosted a reception for Schloss on Jan. 11.
Her eclectic art includes portraits, animals,
beach scenes, still life and street scenes. Schloss
7
an immense impact, serving over 20,000
individuals – including 1,200 veterans – and
helping place more than 4,000 into new jobs.
As Palmetto Goodwill continues to
grow and evolve, we are humbled and
grateful to be able to serve a greater good,
and we remain committed to being a
valued provider of education, training and
employment services to those in need. On
behalf of our dedicated board of directors,
employees, partner agencies and, most
importantly, the people we serve, we thank
you. We are truly grateful for your support
and contributions, and we promise to make
2020 and beyond even more impactful.
has studied with some of the Lowcountry’s
finest oil and watercolor artists. She has
also studied the en plein air technique in
Burgundy, France, and ceramic sculpture at
Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Located at 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.,
Perspective Gallery is open Monday
through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
8 January 17, 2020
arts & events arts & events

Artist of the Month Featured guest

SI ARTIST GUILD CITES SI ARTIST GUILD MEETS JAN. 21
WA LT E R C Z A N D E R BY SHARON PECK
For The Island Connection
BY SHARON PECK

B
For The Island Connection rian Rego will be the featured
guest at the Jan. 21 meeting of the

I
n January, the Seabrook Island Artist Seabrook Island Artist Guild. The
Guild will showcase one of its long- meeting, open to all, will be held in the
time and most active members, Artist Lake House Live Oak room at 2 p.m.
of the Month Walter Czander. Born in Santa Clara, California,
Czander’s passion for art started in Rego received a BFA in painting at the
high school and was nurtured by Margaret University of South Carolina and was the
Sullivan, a renowned artist and instructor. recipient of the Ed Yaghjian Award for
After a career in engineering that focused distinguished undergraduate work. He
on the planning, concept and design of went on to earn an MFA in painting at the
buildings for the pharmaceutical and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
chemical industries, he retired to Seabrook Shortly afterward, he co-founded the can dramatically deepen and foster
and pursued his dream of becoming an painting collective known as Perceptual personal growth. His creative approach
artist. Painters as a way to establish and build is to combine imagination and memory
Czander paints a variety of subjects in a community of painters that could offer with the sense of sight and components
oils, acrylics and watercolors. His approach support to one another. from the observable world. Rego paints
is to study paintings by renowned artists He has taught art at the University of to establish a connection to things, events
such as Turner, Homer and Manet and South Carolina, University of Mississippi, and people. His desire is to express his
incorporate some of their styles in his Columbia College, Benedict College, experiences of these things through
paintings of the Lowcountry. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Mt. pictorial imagery.
As a member of the Artist Guild since Gretna School of Art, Art New England, Rego has exhibited at the Columbia
2007, Czander has organized and directed Beverly Street Studio School and the Museum of Fine Art in Columbia, South
the hanging of the art displays at the Lake Jerusalem Studio School. He co-founded Carolina, and at John Davis Gallery in
House and the classes taught by fellow the Midlands School of Art in Columbia Hudson, New York. He lives in Charleston
guild members. and ran it for three years. with his wife and four children.
To learn more about the Seabrook Rego has changed his focus to teaching
His paintings will be on display in the To learn more about the Seabrook Island
Island Artist Guild, events, workshops and online and believes that the practice of
front hall of the Lake House during the Artist Guild, which has 87 members, visit
membership, visit seabrookislandartistguild. cultivating artistic communities who
month of January. seabrookislandartistguild.com.
com. exchange information among one another
January 17, 2020
Love your neighbor
OLMCOS AUCTION SET
FOR JAN. 26
BY JEANNIE COLSON
For The Island Connection
O T
ur Lady of Mercy Community
Outreach will host the Love
Your Neighbor Auction Jan. 26,
offering a wide range of innovative and
unusual opportunities and presenting its
most prestigious award.
The auction is scheduled from 1 p.m. to
4 p.m. at the Charleston Marriott Hotel
on Lockwood Boulevard in Charleston.
The afternoon will begin with cocktails
and heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music and
unique and prestigious silent auction and
live auction selections. Guests can bid
on items such as a guided quail hunt for
two at Pinetop Plantation; a seven-night
Scottish getaway for four at Old Larder
Glen House; a four-night luxury stay in
Spain for two; VIP tickets to a taping
of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert;
a Lowcountry boil for 25; a clay course
round for four at Kiawah Sporting Club;
original art; and much more.
the love your
neighbor auction
is our largest
fundraising
event of the
year.
For the third year, OLMCOS is
presenting the Love Your Neighbor
Award to showcase the long-term impact
an individual, organization or company
makes in our community, bringing our
mission to help those in greatest need
reach self-sufficiency. This year’s award
will be presented to Frank and Kathy
Cassidy, donors and volunteers for
OLMCOS for more than 10 years, for
projects including the food pantry; Yes,
I Can summer camp; and the Auction,
Finance and Golf committees. Frank
was chairman of the board of directors
for three years and managed OLMCOS’
Neighborhood House renovation project.
“The Love Your Neighbor Auction is
our largest fundraising event of the year.
It is critical to continuing our mission,
and we are thankful to our generous
supporters who attend and selflessly give
to help those with emergency needs, to
strengthen and lift up communities and
to ultimately improve people’s lives,” said
Ericka Plater, executive director of Our
Lady of Mercy Community Outreach.
Tickets, which are selling quickly,
can be purchased online at olmoutreach.
org. For more information, contact
Development Manager Hannah Finley
at 843-559-4109, ext. 109, or hannah.
finley@olmoutreach.org.
100% of the proceeds from the event
will be used to support the mission of Our
Lady of Mercy Community Outreach,
which is to encourage and support self-
sufficiency and self-worth for people in
need through education, wellness and
outreach services.
Founded in 1989, Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach provides educational,
health and direct outreach services to
more than 5,000 people each year in the
Lowcountry. With the support of volunteers
and donations, community members receive
dental and prenatal care; emergency food,
clothing and financial assistance; lunch five
days a week at Neighborhood House; and
diverse educational and capacity-building
opportunities such as after-school programs,
money management, GED and ESL classes,
workforce development and more. Its two
locations are on Brownswood Road in Johns
Island, serving the needs of James, Johns
and Wadmalaw Island residents, and the
Neighborhood House in Charleston that
provides services for Eastside-area residents.
For more information, visit olmoutreach.org.
The year in review
A L O O K B A C K AT 2 0 1 9 O N
KIAWAH ISLAND
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL EDGERTON
For The Island Connection
he Town of Kiawah Island kicked
off 2019 with a formal flood
mitigation adaptation partnership
with the College of Charleston to support
the research of Lucas Hernandez on
coastal resiliency, with a focus on sea-level
rise.
Biologists and volunteers conducted the
eighth annual Sea Islands Christmas Bird
Count, which recorded 16,570 individual
birds and 155 different species, including
the first reddish egret documented on the
island.
With a growing population of full- and
part-time residents and plans for a new
five-star resort and conference center,
the Town contracted to increase the
island’s law enforcement coverage with
the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office,
which resulted in the assignment of four
full-time deputies.
As a part of the Town’s Grow Native
initiative, we released an online native
plant database to serve as a resource to
the community and encourage the use
of native plants in landscaping projects
across the island to improve wildlife
habitats, provide watershed protection
and preserve the island’s ecosystem.
Town Council made changes to
the existing beach lighting ordinance
to reduce negative impacts on nesting
loggerhead sea turtles and hatchlings.
The Town distributed charitable
grant funding totaling $150,000 to 20
worthy organizations and allocated state
accommodations tax funds to several
organizations and projects that help
maintain a healthy tourism market for the
island.
Sadly, the Town lost two of our former
mayors – William “Bill” G. Wert and
Edward “Bo” Turner. The Town will be
eternally grateful for their service to the
community.
To ease traffic congestion, the Town
initiated the Beachwalker Drive Road
Improvement Project, which added a right
turn lane to Beachwalker Drive where it
approaches Beachwalker County Park
and relocated the bike path.
Town Council passed an ordinance
restricting the distribution of certain
single-use items by businesses to
9
protect our waterways, marine life and
environment and promote positive
environmental change on our island for
generations to come.
The Town joined in partnership
with the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources, the Community
Association and the Conservancy to raise
funds to support the continuation of the
Northern Recovery Unit Loggerhead
DNA Project – which likely would have
shut down without generous help from
donors.
Biologists announced that Kiawah’s
historically healthy bobcat population had
been declining, due in part to a recent rise
in mortality rates. The discovery that one
bobcat died due to consuming rat poison
caused the community to re-examine the
way we use pest control. Consequently,
the decline in the island’s top predator
naturally revealed an increase in our deer
population, and the community chimed
in on this issue.
Hurricane season was relatively quiet
but didn’t pass us by entirely. Hurricane
Dorian brought 20,500 cubic yards of
oversized debris to the island, which cost
approximately $700,000 to remove.
A special edition of Town Notes
focused on island development and the
existing development agreements, what
they entail and how they have evolved.
Wrapping up the year, Town Council
hired new town attorney, Joseph Wilson,
as well as made revisions to the existing
short-term rental ordinance. The changes
incorporate a combination of measures to
better regulate the operation and impact
of short-term rentals on the community.
Newly added resources will provide
property owners detailed information
on the rental presence on the island,
including a rental location map, 24-hour
hotline and an online form to report
problems quickly. Furthermore, we
increased the number of code enforcement
officers to extend patrols into the evening
and respond to any complaints after
hours. Lastly, the Town contracted with
Outdoor Spatial Design to develop a plan
to refresh and improve the landscaping
along the parkway.
10 January 17, 2020
arts & events

Master Painter
SEABROOK ARTIST GUILD TO HOST DEMO AND WORKSHOP
BY SHARON PECK
For The Island Connection

T
he Seabrook Island Artist Guild will welcome one
of the country’s premier coastal landscape painters
to its Feb. 18 meeting. Sergio Roffo, an elected
fellow of both the American Society of Marine Artists
and the Guild of Boston Artists, will be the demo artist
at 2 p.m. at the Lake House and will also hold a two-day
workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 at
the Oyster Catcher Community Center.
Roffo, one of the youngest artists to be designated
a Copley Master by the Copley Society of Boston, has
been inspired by the work of traditional painters such as
George Inness and Albert Bierstadt. His representations
of coastal landscapes reveal a luminous, masterful feeling.
Upon viewing his art, you will discover a precise sense of
value and atmospheric perspective that conveys a relaxed
sense of calmness, a characteristic that defines his work.
Roffo continually strives to capture the elusive essence
that is nature. He described his mission as “trying to
convey to the viewer the spirituality and sacredness of my
work, indicating the harmony of nature through color
and light.” Roffo offered that “As artists, our creative been selected for inclusion in numerous publications then create art.
goals will never be accomplished. We will always be and featured several times in American Art Collector
students of nature, because nature does it so beautifully. The workshop fee is $195 for Art Guild members and
magazine. His work is included in many private and
We live each day passionately others only dream of.” $225 for non-members. The workshop series is open to artists
publicly owned collections.
Roffo’s captivating depictions of the New England of all levels, in oils only, and a material list will be available.
landscape have been included in a variety of museum Register by contacting Bob Lefevre at 843-768-3284 or by
exhibitions and have earned him many awards, including The Workshop email at rodory@gmail.com. The sign-up deadline is Feb. 4,
two prestigious Grumbacher Gold Medals and the Yankee This workshop is a rare opportunity to paint Seabrook’s and space is limited.
Sagendorph Award, presented by Yankee magazine. In stunning vistas with a fellow of the American Society of To learn more about the artist guild, its events and
1994, Roffo won the Massachusetts duck stamp in his Marine Artists. Roffo’s goal is to ensure that students are membership, visit seabrookislandartistguild.com.
first attempt – others spend years trying. He has also prepared ahead of time to properly observe, evaluate and
January 17, 2020
doctor dorree
Sexercise: better than
going to the gym
BY DR. DORREE LYNN
For The Island Connection
Y
ou don’t need a membership to
sexercise, and it can burn more
calories than going to the gym.
Common sense tells us that sex is
exercise. By the time you have finished,
you are hot, sweaty and exhausted or
yin-yoga calm and relaxed. Sometimes,
you get those day-after muscle pains that
make you wonder. Then, with a flirty
flush of awareness, you remember why
you are achy.
Researchers around the globe have
published numerous reports on the health
benefits of sex. The reports show that
sex decreases stress, boosts the immune
system, burns calories, produces good
endorphins and promotes better sleep.
How does sexercise work and how can
it benefit you?
1. Sexercise is physically good for
you. The act of increasing your
heart rate and exerting energy can
lower blood pressure and chances
of a heart attack. This can mean less
stress and a happier state of being.
Sex also releases happy hormones
called endorphins that stimulate
cells in the immune system, which
appear to help ward off cancer,
diminish wrinkles and increase
your ability to fight infections.
Recent evidence suggests that
men who ejaculate frequently
can experience a reduced risk
of prostate cancer. For women,
intercourse and vibrators can help
keep vaginal tissues moist, supple
and avoid atrophy. For both sexes,
the saying “use it or lose it” holds
true.
2. Sexercise can benefit your visual
appearance and your attitude.
Sexercising makes you healthier
and happier, while positively
affecting your attitude and looks.
11
Assuming you are also leading
an active lifestyle and consuming
a healthy diet, there is no reason
why you cannot expect to notice
your skin starting to look better,
your hair looking shinier or that
you carry an overall positive
outlook toward life. Being healthy
and active can make you a better
employee, a better friend and a
better partner because it makes
you a better person. Significant
studies show that people who are
in good long-term relationships,
including sexual ones, tend to live
longer and healthier lives. Good
sex is about more than penetration.
It involves touch, connection and
communication. Sex stimulates
the brain and raises self-esteem.
Simply sharing an intimate
moment with your partner can
have a calming effect on your
mind. You will also develop a
glow that makes those around you
smile. You secretly know why and
they may, too.
3. Sexercise is easy to fit into your
schedule. There are tons of ways
for you to bring sexercise into the
bedroom. Kissing and touching
are great ways to burn calories.
Sensual massages relax the body
and strengthen intimate bonds.
Switching positions allows you
to target multiple muscle groups.
Though you may no longer be
an acrobat in the bedroom, you
can still be creative, innovative
and think outside of the box. It
doesn’t matter how you do it, just
that you’re doing it. It is certainly
an easier commute than going to
the gym, and you don’t need a
membership.
Dr. Dorree will take questions addressed
to her at The Island Connection and select
some to answer – protecting your identity,
of course.
 January 17
ONGOING
WHAT: Beachfront Lights Out
WHERE: all seaward, beachfront
properties
WHEN: 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
MORE INFO: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service discourages the use of outdoor
lights when not required, in order to
protect nesting sea turtles. When on the
beach at dark, use red filters on flashlights.
Artificial light such as flashlights without
filters is prohibited on the beach at night.
This includes flashlights on phones as well.
Tuesdays
WHAT: Kick-it at Bohicket
WHERE: Bohicket Marina
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Face painting, a balloon
artist, DJ and sand art bracelets. Co-
sponsored by The Town of Seabrook Island
& Bohicket Merchants Association. For
questions, call Todd at 248.719.0076.
WHAT: Wine Tasting
WHERE: FortyEight Wine Bar and
Kitchen
WHEN: 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: The tastings usually feature
two to four bottles of wine and last until
those bottles run out. Donations are
accepted and all proceeds go to Lowcountry
Food Bank, a nonprofit that feeds families
in need with warm, healthy meals.
Wednesdays
WHAT: Kids Fish
WHERE: Bohicket Marina
WHEN: Check-in at 8:30 a.m., fishing
from 9 to 10 a.m. and 10 to 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: For ages 4-14. Cost is
$7- includes bait, tackle, rod and reel.
Check-in 8:30, fishing 9 to 10 a.m. and
10-11 a.m. Co-sponsored by The Town of
Seabrook Island & Bohicket Merchants
Association. For questions, call Todd at
248-719-0076.
SECOND AND FOURTH
WEDNESDAY
WHAT: D.I.R.T (Digging Into Roots
Together)
WHERE: Lake House • Seabrook Island
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: If you are interested in
genealogy and want to network with others
who share your interest, or you would like
some guidance in getting started on your
own family history journey, please join
us. For further information, check out the
blog at diggingtogether.blogspot.com or
email diggingtogether@gmail.com.
Thursdays
WHAT: Live Music at The Andell Inn
WHERE: The Andell Inn Hotel,
Freshfields Village
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Relax with cool jazz
every Thursday evening in the lounge of
the Andell Inn Hotel. Drinks and food
available. No cover charge. 843-793-6050.
AndellInn.com.
Thursdays & Sundays
WHAT: Live Music
Island Connection Calendar
WHERE: FortyEight Wine Bar and
Kitchen
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Featuring 48 wines by
the glass every day. For details, visit
FortyEightWineBar.com.
Third Saturday of the
Month
WHAT: Sea Islands Cars & Coffee
WHERE: Freshfields Village, Kiawah
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: This free event will feature
antiques, classics, exotics, concepts and any
other cool cars. Coffee and other refreshments
available for purchase by Java Java Coffee
House. If you have any specific questions
about the event, please contact Bruce
Stemerman at bstemerman@gmail.com.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
WHAT: Liquid Pleasure
WHERE: Grand Oaks Ballroom, The
Sanctuary
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Get down and boogie as
Liquid Pleasure ignites the night with a
variety of tunes from Aretha Franklin
and B.B. King to today’s most popular
hits. Liquid Pleasure has been delighting
audiences for more than two decades.
This multicultural icon has committed its
profession to bringing music to an array of
audiences with a Motown big band feeling.
Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island
Arts & Cultural Events Council.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
WHAT: Seabrook Island Birders -
Learning Together
WHERE: Maintenance Center
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: By now, the wintering
birds have found their way back to
Seabrook Island. We will tour around the
ponds at the water treatment area, the
gardens and possibly the horse pastures
in search of wintering waterfowl, birds of
prey and passerines. For more information
on this and other activities, visit
seabrookislandbirders.org.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
WHAT: Quentin E. Baxter Presents
Carmen Bradford
WHERE: Turtle Point Clubhouse, Kiawah
Island
WHEN: 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Multi Grammy-nominated
musician, producer and world-renowned
drummer Quentin E. Baxter presents
another fantastic three-concert series at
Turtle Point Clubhouse. The first concert
of the series will feature award-winning
vocalist Carmen Bradford. From swinging
on the 2019 Grammy-nominated “All
About That Basie” to producing a warm
and beautiful collection of vocal/piano
duets, Bradford’s body of work reflects
a vast depth of musical experience and
technical brilliance. $25, or $60 for the
series. Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah
Island Arts & Cultural Events Council.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
WHAT: Using the Mouse and Keyboard
WHERE: Johns Island Regional Library
WHEN: 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Practice clicking, double-
clicking, clicking and dragging, and
scrolling with the mouse. Then practice
typing and editing text, numbers and
symbols with the keyboard. No previous
computer experience is expected.
WHAT: Seabrook Island Artist Guild
Meeting
WHERE: The Lake House
WHEN: 2 p.m.
MORE INFO: Brian Rego will be the
featured guest. Born in Santa Clara,
California, Rego received a BFA in painting
at the University of South Carolina and
was the recipient of the Ed Yaghjian Award
for distinguished undergraduate work.
He went on to earn an MFA in painting
at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine
Arts. Shortly afterward, he co-founded the
painting collective known as Perceptual
Painters as a way to establish and build a
community of painters that could offer
support to one another.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
WHAT: Seabrook Island Birders -
Center for Birds of Prey
WHERE: Live Oak Hall, Lake House,
Seabrook Island
WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: Watch for more details at
seabrookislandbirders.org.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23
WHAT: Sweet Talk: A Discussion
About the Impact of Diabetes in Your
Community
WHERE: Johns Island Regional Library
WHEN: 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: Relevant information and
helpful resources will be share during this
program.
WHAT: Hands-on History Workshop
WHERE: The Charleston Museum
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Sign the pirate code
of conduct, join the crew and learn
swashbuckling skills. Hands-on History
Workshops are a series that features local
artisans and a specialized tour of museum
collections. The program is for children
ages 6 and up. Reservations required,
admission is included with registration.
$10/ museum members, $15/non-members.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24
WHAT: Travelin’ McCourys
WHERE: East Beach Conference Center,
Kiawah Island
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Fresh off a 2019 Grammy-
award win for Best Bluegrass album, the
Travelin’ McCourys will make their Kiawah
Island debut. Born into the bluegrass
tradition, McCoury brothers Ronnie
(mandolin) and Rob (banjo) spent years on
the road with their father, Del, who ranks
among the most influential and successful
musicians in the history of the genre. They
honed their skills in the legendary Del
McCoury Band before setting off on their
own. Together with fiddler Jason Carter,
bassist Alan Bartram and latest recruit
Cody Kilby on guitar, they assembled a
group that could take what they had in their
DNA, take what traditions they learned
and heard and push the music forward. $10.
Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island
Arts & Cultural Events Council.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 –
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26
WHAT: The Charleston Boat Show
WHERE: Charleston Area Convention
Center
WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday
MORE INFO: The Charleston Boat Show,
presented by Rick Hendrick Chrysler,
Dodge, Jeep, Ram, has an interesting
history, all starting in 1980 with a small
group of local boat dealers. For tickets
and further information, visit www.
TheCharlestonBoatShow.com.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25
WHAT: Volunteer training for
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding
WHERE: Brickhouse Equestrian Center,
Johns Island
WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon
MORE INFO: CATR serves more than
150 riders each year. Volunteers ensure that
students can safely achieve their riding goals
by working as side walkers and horse leaders
in support of the rider. The January training
will offer everything volunteers need to
know to start working with CATR students.
Previous experience working with horses is
not necessary, but registration is required to
participate in the training. To learn more
and to register, email volunteers@catr-
program.org or call Volunteer Coordinator
Kenna Brookshire at 843-559-6040.
WHAT: “Charlie’s Place” Film
Screening and Discussion
WHERE: Johns Island Regional Library
WHEN: 2 p.m.
MORE INFO: Betsy Newman, producer
of the film, hosts a screening and discussion
of the Emmy award-winning documentary
“Charlie’s Place.” During segregation, the
Myrtle Beach area was a popular destination
for Gullah Geechee people. Many famous
black musicians played the white clubs in
Myrtle Beach but couldn’t stay at the white
hotels. After hours, Charlie Fitzgerald
welcomed them to his club, Charlie’s Place,
and his motel, the Whispering Pines. He
also opened his doors to white patrons, and,
in 1950 Charlie’s Place was attacked by the
Ku Klux Klan. This screening is shown
through the courtesy of South Carolina
ETV. The program is sponsored by the
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
Commission.
WHAT: Sweetgrass Baskets
WHERE: The Charleston Museum
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Learn to make traditional
sweetgrass baskets with basket maker
Sarah Edwards-Hammond. Mrs. Edwards-
Hammond comes from a long line of basket
makers and has passed down the tradition
to her own children, grandchildren and
others in the community. The instructor will
share a brief history of the basket making art
form. Participants will then spend the rest
of the class making their own basket as Mrs.
Edwards-Hammond guides them. Space is
limited. Reservations are required.
MONDAY, JANUARY 27
WHAT: Learning Together at Crooked
Oaks
WHERE: Crooked Oaks Golf Course
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Join the Seabrook Island
Birders for a fun morning of birding as we
learn together on the closed golf course.
This is a great activity for everyone, but,
if you have any mobility issues, it is a
perfect chance for some fun birding. For
more information, check out our website:
seabrookislandbirders.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
WHAT: Art Film: Maria by Callas
WHERE: The Sandcastle
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Tom Volf’s “Maria by
Callas” is the first film to tell the life story
of the legendary Greek/American opera
singer, completely in her own words. Told
through performances, TV interviews,
home movies, family photographs, private
letters and unpublished memoirs – nearly
all of which have never been shown to
the public – the film reveals the essence
of an extraordinary woman who rose
from humble beginnings in New York
City to become a glamorous international
February 18
superstar and one of the greatest artists of
all time. No charge; no tickets required.
Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island
Arts & Cultural Events Council.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
WHAT: Pennsylvania Party
WHERE: Oyster Catcher Community
Center
WHEN: 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: This is an all-island event,
open to anyone who was born or raised
in the Keystone State; lived, worked or
was educated there; has Pennsylvania
friends or relatives; or who wants to fondly
reminisce about Penn State football, the
Commonwealth’s road system or the
incomparable Pennsylvania climate. If you
have questions, contact Kathy Kunkelman
at kkunkelman@comcast.net.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
WHAT: Seabrook Island Artist Guild
Meeting
WHERE: The Lake House
WHEN: 2 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Seabrook Island Artist
Guild will welcome one of the country’s
premier coastal landscape painters to its
meeting. Sergio Roffo, an elected fellow of
both the American Society of Marine Artists
and the Guild of Boston Artists, will be the
demo artist at the meeting and will also hold
a two-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 at the Oyster Catcher
Community Center.
14 January 17, 2020

Ask us about cash-flowing real estate investment

opportunities in the Charleston market.

Alejandro J. Ferreyros Chuck Mimms

(843) 202-9226 (843) 224-9507
alejandro@sanddollarsc.com mimms@sanddollarsc.com

Commercial Brokerage
Sanddollarsc.com • (843) 530-8100
2205 Middle Stree Suite 203 • Sullivan’s Island, SC • 29482
January 17, 2020
The best Christmas tree there is?
BY JOHN NELSON
For The Island Connection
I
probably should have posted this essay
a couple of weeks ago, as it is all about
my Christmas tree. In fact, though,
around here, and probably where you live,
too, it’s difficult to let go of the Christmas
season. This morning before dawn, when I
took the dogs out, my neighbor’s Christmas
lights were still merrily twinkling, a good
two weeks after the presents were opened.
I’ve heard that proper Southerners take
all their decorations down by Epiphany,
which, of course, is Jan. 6. But there
is something nice about having those
yuletide sentiments still projecting us
into the cold new year: a wistful time,
somehow foretelling the week when
campus will once again be crawling with
undergraduates, with no parking places to
be found on the street.
For most people in my neighborhood,
their once-proud Christmas tree has
been denuded of ornamentation and
unceremoniously flung onto the curb, a
few silvery icicles fluttering, along with
once delightful poinsettias.
But again I have digressed – rather
seriously, I fear.
This week’s mystery plant is a native
tree species, its native range entirely
confined to high elevations of the
Southern Appalachians, specifically
Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Mature plants can be up to 50 feet tall or
15
mystery plant
so, with a stout central trunk. The bark
contains plenty of resin. Its branches
tend to be stiffly projecting outward and
upward, and, of course, this is one of the
reasons it makes such a fine holiday tree:
It’s easy to hang those shiny ornaments
without fear of their falling – unless you
have a cat.
The needles are flat, about an inch
long and marked on the lower surface by
several whitish streaks: these are where
the tiny stomates, or breathing pores,
are located. Like all members of the pine
family, it bears both male and female
cones, and, of course, it’s only the scaly
female cones that produce seeds. The
female cones are quite impressive, and,
in this genus, sticking straight up on the
branch. The seed cones are often purplish,
sometimes yellow-brown, with sticky,
fragrant sap sometimes oozing from the
top. When the cone and its seeds are fully
mature, the numerous spiraled scales will
all fall away with the seeds, but the central
axis will remain on the branch, poking
upward and persisting for several years.
These cones are generally only produced
on mature individuals, so you don’t see
them on that tree in your living room. of opinion. Nevertheless, this species is A. C. Moore Herbarium at the University
A tremendous market has developed grown not only in the Southern states but of South Carolina in Columbia. As a public
involving the cultivation of these trees in many of the Northern states as well. service, the Herbarium offers free plant
for holiday sales, and a flatlander such as I guess I need to tell you what we do identifications. For more information, visit
myself need only drive into the mountains with our tree. It will end up next to the www.herbarium.org, call 803-777-8196 or
to see large plantings. In fact, this species fence in the backyard: The birds seem to email nelson@sc.edu.
is largely regarded as the best Christmas like to hide in it.
tree there is, which, of course, is a matter [Answer: “Fraser fir,” Abies fraseri]
John Nelson is the retired curator of the