IC Apr 5, 2024

A Greener Island for All KIAWAH GOES GREEN CONTINUES TO TACKLE WASTE ISSUES

BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection

In an ongoing effort to go green, the Kiawah Goes Green initiative has recently tackled one of the most important issues facing the community: composting and recycling.

More specifically, the Kiawah Goes Green volunteers have made a push for a compost drop-off site, more hazardous waste events and increased education with contaminating recycling bins. They have also made an attempt to eliminate single-use plastics throughout the island.

Town Council Member Michael Heidingsfelder, who heads up the Kiawah Goes Green initiative, said that education is the most important aspect of their mission.

“It’s really about teaching people how to do all this correctly,” he said.

The Town recently conducted a survey about composting efforts on the

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Renters and Rules KIAWAH PROVIDES COMMUNICATION WITH SHORT-TERM RENTALS

BY THE TOWN OF KIAWAH ISLAND

For The Island Connection

Earlier this month, the community raised a concern about how the island’s rules and regulations were communicated to the public, specifically short-term rentals. Here is an overview of what is currently being done to communicate island rules and what improvements are planned.

Current Island Rules Communications:

SHOREBIRD STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM TAKES ON ANOTHER YEAR

BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection

As Kiawah Island’s Shorebird Stewardship Program kicks off for the 2024 season, a new shorebird educational campaign is wrapping up. The educational campaign featured a different shorebird in the Town of Kiawah Island’s weekly newsletter for 12 weeks.

“Education is such a big part of what we do,” said Kiawah Island Shorebird Steward Coordinator Bette Popillo. “There is a huge reach with the Town’s newsletter to residents and tourists.”

disturbances, like beachgoers and dogs.

The purpose of the Kiawah Island Shorebird Stewardship Program, which is in its seventh year, is to protect and conserve the island’s shorebirds through outreach and education.

The current focal species of shorebirds are Least Terns, Wilson’s Plover, American Oystercatcher, Piping Plover and the Red Knot.

Most recently, the Shorebird Stewardship Program created detour signs that they hold up around flocks of shorebirds on the beach.

Before renters arrive, all of Kiawah’s large property management companies provide rules as a part of their agreement and welcome process. Most rental agencies communicate the rules several times before arrival, and the majority require renters to sign and agree to Kiawah’s rules before setting foot on

For example, many people don’t know that since 1970, 2.9 billion birds have vanished. According to the Shorebird Stewardship Program, 68% of shorebird species are declining. The Red Knots have declined 70% to 80% from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and the Ruddy Turnstone has decreased 80% since 1974.

(continued on page 3)

For these reasons, the Shorebird Stewardship Program on Kiawah Island is always looking for new members, and they recently kicked off the 2024 season. They currently have 57 members who help protect the shorebirds from

“We found that having a simple sign that says ‘detour’ is a gentle way of asking people to go around,” Popillo explained. “It is pretty effective, and many people don’t even ask why; they just go around naturally.”

The Shorebird Stewardship Program is broken up into different times of the year. The red knot season is from March through May. The general nesting season is from April through July, and the fall/winter migration season is September through February.

Stewards are on the beach

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PHOTO BY JOHN KOTZ

PHOTO BY PAMELA COHEN

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Waste Issues (continued from page 1)

island, and he said that it was very clear that the residents wanted a drop-off location, not a pickup service at their homes.

The composting effort would be for food waste. He said the Town has decided to enter into a six-month contract with a composting pickup service. The drop-off locations will be at Crystal Court and the municipal center on Betsy Kerrison Drive.

The compost will be picked up regularly and processed at Charleston County’s compost facility. They also plan to have compost events where people will be able to purchase bags of dirt from the compost facility, which will be processing the island’s food waste.

“We’ll see how this goes for the six months that we have contracted at this time,” Heidingsfelder said. “We want to make sure this is something that our community will indeed utilize.”

As for the hazardous waste events, Heidingsfelder said that it has been reported to them by the city of Charleston that some hazardous waste has been improperly disposed of in the regular trash. “I think it is about people just not knowing what to do,” he admitted. “I don’t think people are doing it wrong on purpose by any means.”

To avoid contaminating both household trash and recycling, the Town of Kiawah Island will organize hazardous waste events with Trident Waste on a quarterly basis. He said they had one in January and plan to hold their next one in May.

“They were overwhelmed in January with people dropping off paint, batteries, electronics, fertilizer and things like that,” he explained. “There was so much dropped off that they had to get two additional trucks, and they had to come back the next day to get it all!”

Heidingsfelder and the other volunteers on the Kiawah Goes Green team hope to see less hazardous waste in the trash and recycling as they have more hazardous waste drop-off events in the future.

But it isn’t just hazardous waste that has contaminated the loads. Heidingsfelder said that there have been some singlefamily homes and condo communities on Kiawah Island that have repeatedly contaminated recycling bins with trash waste.

“When that happens, the recycling trucks do not pick it up,” he said. “It will have to be left out for the trash pickup because it cannot be recycled when it is contaminated like that. Plus, it is upsetting for the people who try so hard to recycle right, just to see their efforts going to the landfill.”

The Kiawah Goes Green volunteers plan to do a major educational campaign around the issue of contaminated recycling bins. Since the trash bins on Kiawah are green and the recycling bins are gray, Heidingsfelder said that he can see why some people might mix them up, especially visitors to the island.

The Kiawah Goes Green team purchased large stickers to put on the trash and recycling bins that indicate what should go inside each one.

“They are large stickers that are very good quality to weather rain, heat, cold and sunlight,” he explained. “So, they were expensive stickers. Our plan is to put 1,000 stickers on bins right now and see how that helps the issue. If we see major improvement, we will purchase more.”

He added, “We know it might not totally fix the problem, but we are hoping that it will help educate the community, and, at the very least, they will be more thoughtful about what they are throwing away.”

The issue that Heidingsfelder relayed was about the dumpsters in some of the condo communities. He said they plan to improve signage at two condo communities right now to see how that might help the contamination issue.

“Again, we will see how it goes with the two communities in the pilot program,” he said. “If it goes well, we’ll add signs at the dumpsters of other condo communities accordingly.”

Lastly, the other initiative that the Kiawah Goes Green group would like to improve upon is the issue of reducing single-use plastics at various locations on the island. “Three or four years ago, we passed an ordinance to discontinue the use of plastic bags by various entities on the island, like the grocery store,” Heidingsfelder explained. “That has gone very well.”

He said they are now talking to restaurants on the island, the resort and some of the club facilities about eliminating or reducing their use of single-use plastics or foam, like plastic utensils, cups and plastic water bottles.

He mentioned that there are compostable utensils that can be used instead of plastic and that they want to encourage people to bring their own bottles to refill.

The Kiawah Goes Green volunteers are working on a status report for single-use plastics by entities on the island. They plan to share those results with the various managers. “We hope that the status report will make these entities want to take action themselves,” he said. “We are hoping to have a response from management once they see the results.” Heidingsefelder also mentioned that they have litter cleanups planned, as well.

“Although we do not see the level of litter that some beaches see, we still have quite a bit of litter that washes up on the beach,” he said.

Heidingsfelder noted that the Kiawah Conservancy hosts monthly litter sweeps on the island, including the beach, streets and marsh areas. He also noted that (continued on page 4)

TOWN OF KIAWAH

Environmental Committee

Wednesday, Apr. 10, 1 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Arts Council Board

Thursday, May 2, 2 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Arts and Cultural Event Council

Thursday, Apr. 4, 2 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Ways and Means Committee

Tuesday, May 7, 10 a.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

TOWN OF SEABROOK Planning Commission

Wednesday, Apr. 10, 1:30 p.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Environmental and Wildlife Committee

Thursday, Apr. 11, 10 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Public Safety Committee

Tuesday, Apr. 16, 10 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Utility Commission Meeting

Thursday, Apr. 18, 8:30 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

The Kiawah Goes Green initiative consists of separating trash and recycling, plus other measures to reduce island waste.

Renters Rules (continued from page 1)

the island. The Town’s short-term rental ordinance requires the rules to be posted in every rental unit on the island. Many agencies provide the Town’s Good Neighbor Brochure, which provides concise education on the most commonly violated rules.

For villa rentals, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort sends a reservation confirmation email that includes the Town’s ordinances, provides an arrival text message with Town ordinances, requires them to sign a form to comply with Town ordinances at the check-in office, has installed a sign with ordinances at the villas and emails gate passes with this information.

Regarding corrective measures, the Resort will deliver warning door hangers to rentals with any issues that are flagged, and the property manager for the property in violation will then contact the guest by phone to discuss the issue and what steps must be taken to prevent a further violation.

There Are Other Resources That Communicate Island Rules:

• Refrigerator Magnet. The town provides an “Important Contacts” magnet for renters to place on their fridge. This features contact information for island entities, as well as a QR code that links to the Good Neighbor Brochure, CodeRed sign up and the Town’s website.

• Kiawah Island Map and Guest Guide. The community association’s island map, which includes an overview of island rules, is handed out at the main gate and offered at the visitor’s center.

• Renter Gate Passes. Gate passes for renters feature island rules on the back of the pass.

• Video. The Kiawah Conservancy’s video encourages visitors to Respect, Support, Volunteer, and Protect Kiawah.

Rental agencies have been very receptive to providing the island rules to their renters, as it is also in their best interest that renters follow these rules.

Future Rules Communication Efforts:

In the next month, the Town is hiring a video specialist to enhance visual content for both residents and visitors. One project for this individual will include a welcome video to island guests and visitors, which would highlight the island’s rules and regulations in a meaningful and engaging way.

This video would be highlighted on the visitor section of the Town’s website, posted onto social media, shown on the television at the visitors center and provided on the QR code listed on the Good Neighbor Brochure, but could also expand to other public outlets as well.

Typically, the Town hosts an annual meeting with rental agencies to discuss a variety of topics to include island rules and regulations. The Town is hosting this year’s rental agency meeting next month. For updates, visit the website.

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Shorebirds (continued from page 1)

during these times of year to alert beachgoers of the birds, protect them from dogs and to mitigate disturbances that will encourage the birds to fly off.

“Our main job is to educate and create awareness about the challenges the birds face and why it is so very important to not disturb them when they are eating or resting. Our hope through all of this is that beach-goers will naturally want to respectfully share the beach with them,” Popillo said.

Stewards do not have to clock in hours, but they are asked to report their hours to the program coordinators when they do get out to the beach to volunteer.

Popillo noted that the Audubon Society did a study showing that active stewardship programs have a positive impact on shorebirds in general.

“The program is very important on Kiawah Island because current research has shown that Kiawah and Seabrook are

critically important to the survival of the Red Knot species. We have been named a critical area for the survival of Red Knots,” Popillo said.

This year, Mayor John Labriola named the week of March 24 to 30 Celebrate Kiawah Shorebirds Week.

“It’s quite fitting since currently we have about 3,500 Red Knots on the island,” Popillo mentioned. “And more are arriving every day.”

She also explained that since Red Knots stick together in a flock, when one is disturbed, all are disturbed.

“We are often the Red Knots' last stop as they travel all the way to the Arctic,” Popillo said. “Many of them started their journey in the southernmost tip of South America. They have come such a long way and they have so much further to go. The least we can do, as a community, is try to help protect these amazing shorebirds – all of them, for that matter.”

Waste Issues (continued from page 2)

there will be a litter pickup event on the Town’s Earth Day, which is on April 22.

Kiawah Goes Green volunteers are concerned that litter may increase this season due to the fact that every trash bin on the beach was destroyed during the December 17, 2023 storm. Slowly, the Town has been reintroducing the trash bins, most to their original locations, however, since the trash bins were destroyed, the Town took the opportunity to conduct a survey with residents.

The Town’s website says:

“Due to the severe storms on the island this winter, almost all trash bins along the beach were washed away and unrecoverable. This provided a unique opportunity for the Town to gauge the community’s preference on beach trash management moving forward. To gain this feedback, the Town provided a community survey for several weeks in February. More than 1,140 community members and visitors responded. Highlights from the results include:

• More than 92% of respondents selected that they preferred trash bins to be returned to the beach.

• About 7% selected that they preferred all trash bins to be removed from the beach.

• More than 62% selected that they preferred trash bins on the beach side of the boardwalks, and almost 30% selected that they preferred trash bins on the landside.

The Town has started to reintroduce trash bins at high-traffic boardwalks, which include boardwalks 1, 5, 8, 12, 18, 22, 28, 32, 40 and 42. The dog waste bag stations will be available at these locations as well, and the daily trash pick-up along these stations has started. The Town’s Public Works Department will be conducting weekly monitoring of these stations throughout the peak season (Easter through Labor Day) to ensure that the regular trash pick-up is sufficient and that all bins are working properly. Please email Public Works Manager Brian Gottshalk at bgottshalk@kiawahisland.org with any questions or concerns.

At the upcoming Town Council retreat in May, members will be discussing potential measures to enhance the town's trash management system. Among the measures under consideration are the installation of additional trash locations, sturdier enclosures and more frequent trash pick-ups. However, it's worth noting that these measures would have budget implications. Therefore, no decision has been made yet. The Council will discuss these proposals thoroughly and decide on the best course of action during the retreat in May.”

The Kiawah Goes Green initiative focuses on 10 different sub-projects to achieve the objectives of the initiative:

1. Establish a neutral EV Charging Station Network.

2. Convert some beach vehicles to EV.

3. Convert some fleet vehicles to EV.

4. Test battery-operated landscaping equipment.

5. Eliminate single-use plastic materials.

6. Allow solar panel design concepts.

7. Avoid contamination of trash and recycling bins.

8. Establish hazardous waste collection events.

9. Implement composting capabilities.

10. Establish a detailed communication plan. Check the Town of Kiawah Island’s weekly newsletter for more updates on Kiawah Goes Green.

PHOTO BY PAMELA COHEN

Preserving What Matters

ANGEL OAK PRESERVE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

BY VICTORIA BOCK For The Island Connection

Lowcountry Land Trust recently announced that the Angel Oak Preserve has been honored with the prestigious 2024 South Carolina American Society of Landscape Architects (SCASLA) Award.

This year’s peer jury selected the Angel Oak Preserve and its landscape architecture firm, Nelson Byrd Woltz, as the recipient of the Award of Excellence in Analysis & Planning. The SCASLA peer jury meticulously evaluated numerous criteria, including design quality, environmental sensitivity, hazard mitigation strategies and design value to the community.

Among stiff competition, the Angel Oak Preserve stood out for its innovative solutions and profound significance to the local area and community.

“We are incredibly honored that the Angel Oak Preserve received this recognition from SCASLA,” said Samantha Siegel, Lowcountry Land Trust’s Angel Oak Preserve Director. “This award is a testament to the dedication and vision of everyone involved in this project, from our partners at the City of Charleston to the talented landscape architects at Nelson Byrd Woltz.”

The Angel Oak Preserve project, a collaboration between Lowcountry Land Trust, the City of Charleston and local stakeholders, is expected to break ground in 2025 and will create a sustainable, accessible space that celebrates the rich history and natural beauty of Johns Island.

The near-final designs were unveiled in early 2023, marking a significant milestone in the comprehensive planning process led by Lowcountry Land Trust and Nelson Byrd Woltz. From wetlands to elevated areas and a mix of hardwood and pine trees, the 44-acre Angel Oak Preserve will offer visitors a glimpse into the richness and complexity of the region’s natural landscape.

Additionally, archaeological discoveries made during the design process—including indigenous stone and quartz tools, cabins belonging to enslaved workers, a plantation house, and oak alleé—underscore the Preserve’s role as a repository of layered history. Miles of meticulously planned boardwalks and trails will provide universal access, while safeguarding the delicate ecologies and archaeological sites surrounding the iconic Angel Oak tree.

Throughout the Preserve, interpretive elements will allow visitors to learn about the historic and ecological significance that has shaped Johns Island for centuries, ensuring engagement with and reflection upon the diverse cultural and environmental narratives.

“Lowcountry Land Trust believes that the Angel Oak Preserve will not only serve as a recreational space but more importantly as a place of learning and reflection,” added Siegel.

“Through interpretive elements and interactive experiences, visitors will gain a deep understanding of the land’s history and its importance to the community. These meaningful design elements would not have come to fruition without Nelson Byrd Woltz’s award-winning analysis and planning.”

For more information about Lowcountry Land Trust and the Angel Oak Preserve, please visit lowcountrylandtrust.org/home/creating-community-centered-places/angel-oak-preserve.

A Rainbow of Possibilities BETSY JONES MCDONALD DEMONSTRATION AND WORKSHOP

BY BONNIE YOUNGINER

For

The Island Connection

Artist Betsy Jones McDonald will give an oil painting demonstration following the Seabrook Island Artist Guild meeting on Monday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., McDonald will teach a two-day workshop in oil painting, emphasizing color theory. Both the demo and the workshop will be held in the Oyster Catcher Community Center.

McDonald paints using only the three primary colors of red, yellow and blue. From the primaries, she custom-mixes all the beautiful hues for her paintings, only using white to lighten. From four colors she creates infinite variety.

“I love the colors of the marsh and the way they change with the seasons, light and tides,” McDonald said. “Every time you look at the marsh, you see something different, and I am fascinated by that.”

McDonald’s work is represented by Perspective Art Gallery in Mount Pleasant and inside Keepsakes at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. You can find more information about Betsy Jones McDonald by visiting betsyjonesmcdonald. com. To register for the workshop, please email Tina Mayland at tinamayland@ mindspring.com. The workshop fee is $200 for Seabrook Island Artist Guild members. Non-members are welcomed at $250.

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Take Better Phone Photos

SEABROOK ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB EXPERT WILL SHOW YOU HOW

BY JEFFREY J. DAVIS For The Island Connection

Many of us own expensive digital cameras. A lot of this gear is big, heavy, expensive and fragile, so we don’t always take it with us when we are out and about. But one of the perks of living on Seabrook is that even though you might not know exactly what you are going to see when you leave the house, you know that you are likely to see something cool during your journey. In those cases, the very best camera in the world is the one you have with you –which is often your phone.

talk to the Seabrook Island Photography Club. Now, the club is excited to bring Belber back to share his knowledge. Please join the Seabrook Island Photography Club at the Lake House on April 18 as Belber walks attendees through a follow-up to last November’s presentation. This talk is entitled “6.1 Tricks to Improve Your Cell Phone Photographs.” The only way to find out about that additional 0.1 trick is by attending!

Multiplying Good on the Sea Islands

Tim Belber is an avid photographer who has developed an impressive ability to generate amazing images from that handy piece of telecommunications hardware in your pocket. His portfolio will convince you of his ability to tell a compelling story with his photography, whether via a full frame, mirrorless camera or by using a cell phone. He has been sharing his expertise with others through workshops for over six years and, last November, gave an excellent

Belber also has some ideas about finding inspiration for photography and will also share some thoughts to get creative ideas flowing.

The event is from 6:30 until 8 p.m. and is free for Photography Club members and just a $10 donation for guests. Refreshments start at 6:30 and the presentation begins at 7. Please email seabrookislandphotographyclub22@ gmail.com to attend as a guest and obtain a gate pass.

SHIRLEY SALVO RECEIVES AWARD FOR SEA ISLAND HUNGER AWARENESS FOUNDATION

BY MARLISA K. BANNISTER For The Island Connection

Shirley Salvo has received the coveted Jefferson Award for her work with the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation, which she founded in 2014 and serves currently as the president.

On February 28, Channel 4 News sponsored an awards banquet where Shirley and 10 other charity leaders and founders were recognized for their efforts to help Lowcountry residents in need and “multiplying good.” The Jefferson Awards Foundation was created in 1972 by the American Institute for Public Services, and the awards are given at both local and national levels.

In her interview with Channel 4 News’ Tessa Spencer, Salvo shared how her dream about Hunger Awareness, only two months prior to Hunger Awareness Month, has been blessed with divine intervention ever since. When she needs something or someone, they appear. She started contacting food pantries and learned they needed funding. Salvo immediately set a goal of $10,000 and started thinking about a fundraiser called “Men Can Cook,” which, when pitched to her collection of volunteers, transformed to “Let’s have a Gullah Celebration!”

The Gullah Celebration was the culmination of The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation and is now 11 partners and three programs. The mission is fighting island hunger with healthy food and clean water, one meal at a time. In 2020, the foundation focused on a new fundraising effort, the Hunger Awareness Challenge, to support its partners and programs.

Salvo’s coordination of the partners and programs is a stellar example of Multiplying Good, as they work together and support each other. The partners are food pantries and programs who prepare, serve and provide food to families, school children and the elderly, as well as special meals, prepared by teen chefs in training, for those undergoing cancer treatment and other illnesses.

While Salvo most deservedly received the honor of the Jefferson Award, she knows it takes a community to accomplish so much. She happily shares the honor with her dedicated board of directors, the awesome volunteers and the greater community – and she thanks them all for helping her Multiply Good on the Sea Islands.

Shirley Salvo, left, and Tessa Spencer.

Belber with camera .

B e t t e r A c c e s s O u r b r a n d n e w f l e e t i s c u s t o m r i g g e d f o r a l l y o u r L o w c o u n t r y b o a t i n g n e e d s !

i c e

L o w e s t “ M e m b e r - T o - B o a t R a t i o ” i n t o w n = t h e b e s t o p p o r t u n i t y f o r f u n o n t h e w a t e r ! C l u b M e m b e r s h i p g e t s y o u a n d y o u r c r e w a c c e s s t o A L L S I X L o w c o u n t r y B o a t C l u b l o c a t i o n s !

J o i n t h e b o a t c l u b t o d a y !

Cheers to a Flavorful Spring

WINE TASTINGS AND DINNERS TO ATTEND THIS SEASON

BY FORTYEIGHT WINE BAR & KITCHEN For The Island Connection

Certified sommelier Matt Williams has been with FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen since it opened in November 2015, making him a wine visionary for the esteemed restaurant for the last eight years.

“He has introduced us to some phenomenal wines that people may not have heard of – names such as Hamilton Russell, Antica Terra Lillian, Copain and Patient Cottat,” says Joy Harrity, Events Specialist for the restaurant.

your glass,” Harrity notes.

In addition to the Wine Tastings, Williams has designed the popular Wine & Food Pairing Dinners. But act quickly – most of these dinners sell out because of the exceptional wine served alongside a uniquely designed menu from Chef de Cuisine Mikey Pascual. The next wine dinner is April 18, featuring wines from Freemark Abbey Winery.

Women Building for Women

SEA ISLAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOLDS ANNUAL WOMEN BUILD WEEK

BY EMILY SPECK For The Island Connection

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity will celebrate its annual Women Build week, taking place from April 6 to April 13. This empowering initiative brings together women from all walks of life to contribute their skills, time and resources to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. In addition to volunteers giving their time and talent, they support our fundraising goal of $100,000 through peer-to-peer and individual donations. This goal will fund the materials used to build the house they are working on this week.

This year, the Women Build home is being built for a female homeowner. The significance of a woman becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner is profound. It represents empowerment, security and independence. Through homeownership, a woman breaks barriers, gains financial stability and builds a foundation for herself and her family.

Wines hand-selected by Williams are not only available for purchase at Kiawah Wines but are also often showcased at FortyEight’s Wine Dinners and Tastings. The Tastings, which occur in the intimate space of the Estate Room, are a great way for guests to learn about and to taste something new and different. Lasting about one hour, each tasting is accompanied by a wine representative who talks to guests about the wines and answers any questions they may have.

“Recently, Sean Minor of Sean Minor Wines was at a tasting to tell us about his wine. It’s always a fun and relaxing evening to learn more about what’s in

Those interested in either the Wine Tastings and the Wine & Food Pairing Dinners can visit the restaurant’s website to learn about events, says Harrity.

“There are many Wine Dinners scheduled in 2024, and more Wine Tastings are being scheduled as well,” she says. “Details about the Wine Tastings and Dinners are published when they become available, usually a few weeks before the event.”

Williams has also said that any special wine Kiawah Wines does not have on the shelf can be especially ordered for guests.

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll introduce him to a new wine he hasn’t had yet!” Harrity says with a smile.

The Women Build week is a testament to the power of women uniting to make a positive impact in their community. Participants will roll up their sleeves alongside future homeowners to construct safe and affordable housing, fostering a sense of camaraderie, empowerment and achievement.

“Women Build is not just about constructing houses; it's about building hope, confidence and resilience,” said John Rhoden, executive director of Sea Island Habitat for Humanity. “This event provides a platform for women to showcase their talents, learn new skills and make a tangible difference in the lives of families in need.”

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build week promises not only to build houses but also to strengthen bonds, foster empowerment and inspire positive change. Together, women will break barriers and build communities where everyone has a decent place to call home.

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building strength, stability and selfreliance through shelter. Since 1978, the nonprofit has been working to provide affordable housing solutions for families in need across James, Johns, Wadmalaw Islands and the surrounding areas. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, they empower families to achieve the dream of homeownership and create a lasting impact in our community.

ONGOING

WHAT: Dining For A Cause

WHEN: Tuesday evenings, Jan. 30 - Apr. 30

WHERE: FortyEight - Wine Bar & Kitchen, Freshfields Village

MORE INFO: Guests can make a reservation on Resy anytime between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., and 50% of the revenues from their dinner(s) will be donated to the charity. More details at fortyeightwinebar.com.

WHAT: Textile Gallery

WHEN: Jan. 20 - Sep. 15

WHERE: Charleston Museum

MORE INFO: Quilting, a timeless form of creative expression, melds colors and patterns into purposeful objects. Like paint on canvas, fabric pieces serve as artistic boundaries, challenging individual visual acuity and imagination.

WHAT: Ming Smith: Feeling the Future

WHEN: Jan. 31 - Apr. 28

WHERE: International African American Museum

MORE INFO: The International African American Museum (IAAM) presents “Ming Smith: Feeling the Future.” This exhibition showcases the groundbreaking career of Ming Smith from the 1970s to the present, exploring her vibrant and multi-layered artistic practice.

WHAT: Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature

WHEN: Jan 26 - Apr 28

WHERE: Gibbes Museum of Art

MORE INFO: The Gibbes Museum of Art will host the showing of the international exhibition "Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature." Presented in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London), and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, the exhibition and its accompanying programs will showcase the dynamic and diverse career of the acclaimed Scottish artist, Rory McEwen.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

WHAT: College of Charleston Young Artists: Clara Camacho, Pianist

WHERE: Church of Our Savior

WHEN: 4 p.m.

MORE INFO: The Kiawah Island Arts Council and the College of Charleston Department of Music are thrilled to introduce Clara Camacho, a talented pianist with Franco-Venezuelan roots, hailing from a family of musicians. Clara's musical journey began at the age of three at the Mozarteum School in Caracas under the tutelage of Carlos Urbaneja. By the age of ten, her exceptional talent led her to be admitted to the CRR of Paris.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

WHAT: 18th Annual Blues by the Sea

WHERE: Freshfields Village

WHEN: 3 p.m.

MORE INFO: The much-anticipated event, Blues by the Sea, is making its triumphant return. Gather your friends and family, grab your favorite chair, spread out a picnic blanket, and pack a cooler filled with delicious treats. Settle in for a delightful evening by the sea as you immerse yourself in the soulful melodies and electrifying rhythms of live blues music. The impressive line up will be released soon so stay tuned.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

WHAT: Wine and Food Pairing Dinner

WHERE: FortyEight - Wine Bar & Kitchen

MORE INFO: Enjoy delicious cuisine paired with wine from Freemark Abbey Winery in California. Tickets sell fast. Find out more and reserve your spot at fortyeightwinebar.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

WHAT: Piano Bar with Chris Dodson

WHERE: The Sandcastle

WHEN: 5 p.m.

MORE INFO: Join talented veteran singer/songwriter/teacher Chris Dodson for some good music and good times down at The Sandcastle. Dodson covers an array of genres ranging from Jazz and R&B to acoustic, improvisational music. This event is not meant to be a concert; piano bars are to enjoy with friends and offer an opportunity to meet neighbors outside your circle for some island socializing. Bring your beverage of choice and a snack to tide you over.

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

WHAT: Conrad Tao and Caleb Teicher: "Counterpoint"

WHERE: The Seabrook Island Club

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: Counterpoint is a collaboration between Conrad Tao and Caleb Teicher, combining their unique perspectives in music and dance. Their performance encompasses a diverse range of music, including pieces by Bach, Tatum, Schoenberg, and Gershwin, weaving together various traditions and styles.

SUNDAY, MAY 5

WHAT: Piccolo Spoleto Preview

WHERE: Holy Spirit Catholic Church

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: Join us for a truly remarkable event where we'll showcase a curated selection of performances from the renowned Piccolo Spoleto Festival, condensed into a captivating 90-minute spectacle. This exclusive presentation promises to capture the vibrancy of one of Charleston's most beloved cultural celebrations. Tickets for this extraordinary evening will be made available to the public on March 22nd, with admission completely free of charge. Don't let this opportunity pass you by – immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of music, dance, and art that defines Piccolo Spoleto.

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SINGLE IN THE HOLY CITY POV: A FIRST DATE

POV: you go on a first date for the first time. Not ever. Just in a while, but it feels like it's been long enough that you almost forget what to do.

MYLO LOWCOUNTRY AND HOLY CITY SINNER

ANNOUNCE PHOTO CONTEST WITH INCREDIBLE PRIZES

Photographers of any skill level are invited to capture Charleston's beauty and uniqueness, showcasing what makes the Holy City special.

2024 LENS BANQUET: TASTE OF THE ISLAND TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

Isle of Palms is getting ready for the Annual Fundraising Banquet hosted by LENS Foundation IOP, themed "Taste of the Island." Join us on May 15, 2024, at the Citadel Beach Club for a culinary delight.

NEW COASTAL-INSPIRED JEWELRY STORE, LITTLE BIRD, OPENING IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON

After a decade in accounting, Charleston's Laura Cohen found a need for affordable, top-tier jewelry. So, she left spreadsheets behind to create unique pieces that bring joy.

4 TIPS FOR MAXIMIZING YOUR MORNING

We offer several simple hacks to enhance the productivity and enjoyment of your morning routine, whether you have just a few minutes or several hours to spare.

GORJANA TO HOST EVENT

UNVEILING JESSICA PEGULA COLLAB AHEAD OF CHARLESTON OPEN

Join gorjana, a Southern Californiabased jewelry brand on King Street, for an exclusive collection unveiling event with brand ambassador and top tennis player Jessica Pegula.

MEETING GREEN ANNOUNCES

CULTIVATED CONTAINERS, A GARDENING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

Introducing: Cultivated Containers, a seasonal subscription service for container gardening, delivering the pleasure of gardening directly to your doorstep.

Weed . . . or Flower?

BY JOHN NELSON For The Island Connection

Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; Suffer them now, and they'll o'er grow the garden And choke the herbs for want of husbandry.

~Shakespeare, Henry VI (part 2)

Watch out for the weeds, both the annuals and the perennials. Even in Shakespeare's time, gardeners had to be vigilant, getting rid of the interlopers as soon as they appeared. Of course, they didn’t have fancy, expensive herbicides to spray all over the place. (Maybe that’s the way it should be now.)

Now here is a spring weed, a perennial, that is popping up, and it’s a wonderful little thing. It’s an old-timey bulb plant for the garden, but is not often cultivated these days. When they suddenly appear in lawns, most people want to get rid of them. They do tend to spread themselves around, especially by divisions of their little bulbs. The plants don't get but about a foot tall with a shock of narrow, deep green, odorless leaves. The stem will bear up to a dozen or more milk-white flowers, each one on a long stalk and very star-like.

These flowers don’t open until about noon, and then they tend to get “sleepy” at dusk and will be closed all night long, opening up again the next day. There will be three sepals and three petals, each of them with a prominent green stripe on the back. Six stamens are inside, their filaments broad and flattened at the base and tipped at the end with a yellow anther. The ovary down below is bright green, eventually forming an angled seed pod. The flowers look like they would be fragrant . . . but, no.

This plant is distantly related to lilies and is probably more closely related to what we know as hyacinths. It is native to southern Europe and northern Africa and has been grown for a long time in Europe and America in gardens. It is commonly naturalized east of the Mississippi River and scattered elsewhere in North America, often showing up in vacant lots and meadows. As charming as this plant is in the garden, it does have a rather poisonous side. All the parts are a bit toxic, especially the bulbs, and it should never be eaten.

The scientific name alludes to the flowers, and the genus name, taken from Greek, actually translates as “bird's milk” . . . a name you won't see in the garden centers. This curious name comes from an ancient notion that white doves were able to

produce milk and therefore feed their young ones. The flowers of our Mystery Plant are as white as doves, so there we are; it's a bit of a stretch.

(If you do know this plant, you may have heard it called “Star of Bethlehem,” a name that has also been used for a completely different spring-bloomer, Tristagma uniflora, which is also blooming now, but which has bluish-purple flowers and very oniony-smelling leaves.)

John Nelson is the retired curator of the Herbarium at the University of South Carolina, in the Department of Biological Sciences. As a public service, the Herbarium offers free plant identifications. For more information, call 803-777-8175 or email johnbnelson@sc.rr.com.

[Answer: “Milk-star,” Ornithogalum umbellatum]

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