IC may 31 2024

No Beach? No Worries

RESEARCH SUGGESTS HORSESHOE CRABS REGULARLY NEST IN SALT MARSHES

by SCDNR For The Island Connection

If you’ve ever encountered the domed shell of a horseshoe crab, chances are it was on a sandy beach. Until recently, beaches were believed to be the only places where horseshoe crab eggs would hatch and grow. But three years ago, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) biologists discovered that salt marshes might have an unexpected importance to these ancient invertebrates, offering alternate habitat where eggs and hatchlings can thrive.

Now, the same research team, in collaboration with researchers at Sacred Heart University and Plymouth State University, has shared new findings confirming that American horseshoe crabs regularly spawn in salt marshes – not just in South Carolina, but across the Atlantic coastline. The research was published recently in the peer-reviewed journal “Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.”

“While horseshoe crabs would occasionally be observed spawning in marsh

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Kiawah Partners Submit Response to Lawsuit

BY THERESA STRATFORD

For The Island Connection

On May 13, three days after the Town of Kiawah Island, the Kiawah Island Community Association and the Kiawah Conservancy filed a lawsuit against Kiawah Partners, a response letter was sent to property owners. That letter was from the one served: Kiawah Partners.

Sent out to Kiawah residents, the response noted that “the suit is entirely unnecessary.”

In the response, Kiawah Partners, aka Kiawah Development Partners, denied breaching the now-expired development agreement with the Town.

“KDP told the parties all along that it would meet with all three entities to work out a mutually agreeable resolution to assure the protection of Captain Sams in perpetuity if the State agrees to settle

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For the Flutterbys

SEABROOK ISLAND GARDEN CLUB CREATES MONARCH WAYSTATION

BY BETH WRIGHT For The Island Connection

Millions of monarch butterflies migrate every fall from the United States and Canada to the mountains in central Mexico, where they stay throughout the winter until the conditions are favorable for a return flight in the spring. This migration of monarchs is one of the world's greatest natural wonders, but it is threatened by habitat loss at overwintering grounds in Mexico and throughout breeding areas in the United States and Canada.

Monarch waystations are gardens designed to specifically provide the resources for these butterflies to reproduce and continue their migrations. Without milkweeds and nectar from flowers, they are not able to populate and make their annual migration journey. With all of this in mind, the Seabrook Island Garden Club put plans in place to create a monarch waystation just outside the gate of the Community Garden on the island. Lead by Programs Chairperson Julie Minch, a proposal to create a waystation on Seabrook was designed and

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PHOTOS: JULIE MINCH, SEABROOK ISLAND GARDEN CLUB PROGRAMS

Sally Boudinot & Julie Minch.

Horseshoe Crabs (continued from page 1)

areas, that behavior was always thought to be rare,” said lead author and SCDNR scientist Dr. Daniel Sasson. “This study shows that spawning in marshes is more common than we ever thought and seems to happen across much of their range."

Denise K. James editor ICeditor@luckydognews.com

Swan Richards graphic design

Ada Jenkins web editor

Jeff Lovins sales manager JLovins@mylonews.com 843-885-8662

Lynn Pierotti consultant lynn@luckydognews.com

Christian LeBlanc social media christian@luckydognews.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Theresa Stratford

Beth Wright

Lauren Van Liew

Bonnie Younginer

Martha Zink

Eric Grow Cei

John Nelson

Horseshoe crabs are marine arthropods that have inhabited the planet for millions of years. Despite the name, they are more closely related to scorpions than crabs. Horseshoe crabs play a critical role in the coastal ecosystem and human health. By digging up sediment during spawning, they add nutrients to the water column; Their eggs are an important food source for tens of thousands of shorebirds making long migrations; and a compound in their blood is collected and used to detect contamination in vaccines and medical devices.

Horseshoe crabs spend most of their lives at sea. But every spring, adult horseshoe crabs from Maine to the Yucatan Peninsula scuttle ashore under new and full moons to spawn or lay eggs. Across their large range, the crabs belong to several different populations that are genetically distinct from one another. South Carolina is home to one population (which extends across the Southeast), while two other populations can be found in New Hampshire and Connecticut (among other states).

It was in the South Carolina population that researchers first found healthy horseshoe crab eggs, embryos and hatchlings in salt marshes, complicating the long-held assumption that the vast majority of crabs spawn on beaches.

“While we had found eggs in the marsh in South Carolina, we didn’t know the degree to which horseshoe crabs used the marsh for spawning here or if it occurred at all in other states,” said Sasson. “So we worked with partners at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut and Plymouth State University in New Hampshire to compare horseshoe crab spawning activity in the beaches and marshes in all three states.”

The team collected temperature data, surveyed spawning adults and collected egg samples at three beach locations and three salt marsh locations each in South Carolina, Connecticut and New Hampshire. They then compared the sites using statistical analysis. The results were surprising. In all three states, the team found that beach and salt marsh locations

shared similar spawning and egg densities – but eggs were significantly more likely to be found at salt marsh sites.

“Eggs were often found far from any beach habitat—in South Carolina, occasionally several miles up creeks and rivers—suggesting that horseshoe crabs are seeking out marsh habitats and not simply using habitat adjacent to beaches for spawning,” the study said.

These results, the team concluded, suggest that protecting salt marshes may

be critical to the survival of horseshoe crabs. The team is continuing to investigate what these findings mean for horseshoe crab populations, Sasson said.

In the meantime, SCDNR biologists are calling on members of the community to help grow their understanding of this fascinating animal. It’s horseshoe crab season right now, and if you see horseshoe crabs spawning on the South Carolina coast, please report your sightings with SCDNR.

Kiawah Town Hall

Town Council

June 4, 1 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Fiscal Budget Public Hearing Tuesday, June 4, 1 p.m.

Charleston City Hall

Planning Commission

Wednesday, June 5, 2 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

TOWN OF SEABROOK

Planning Commission

Wednesday, June 12, 1:30 p.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Environment and Wildlife Committee

Thursday, June 13, 10 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Disaster Recovery Council Training

Tuesday, June 18, 9 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Utility Commission Wednesday, June 19, 8:30 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

A horseshoe crab.

approved by the Garden Club and SIPOA. Julie and Garden Club board members sought funding and plans were set in motion.

The cost of the waystation was covered by a grant from the Town of Seabrook Island and a donation from the Garden Club. All of the necessary milkweeds and flowers were purchased and planted. This unique garden was certified and registered by Monarch Watch as an official monarch waystation, and a sign was hung above the area designating its significance to the ongoing protection of the beautiful monarch butterfly. A special acknowledgment and appreciation goes out to Garden Club members:

Carol Price and Anne Bavier for the grant writing; Lynn Kennedy for the edging and providing of products; Carol Marnell and Patricia Schaefer for starting several types of milkweed from seed; and Karen Babb, Mary Beth Halligan, Carol Price and Margaret Ewald for being instrumental in getting the project off the ground….or actually, IN the ground. Carol and Julie were also responsible for establishing the very important, ongoing watering and maintenance schedule.

All Garden Club members are encouraged to consider volunteering a bit of time to help the new waystation flourish and attract monarchs for years to come.

Swallowtail caterpillar.

Sam's

KDP’s takings litigation and acquire Captain Sams. KDP has not pursued any development of Captain Sams since the denial of our final permit request three years ago… .”

It went on to say that “KDP entered into an agreement with KICA to convey the Captain Sams beachfront. Yet, now finds its good faith rewarded with a lawsuit.”

Michael Heidingsfelder, Town Council Member, disagreed with that assessment.

“Actually, it was KICA that was promised a clean deed for the transfer of beach, dunes and marshland and received a deed full of special rights for the current property owner related to the transferred lands. Therefore, I would state that the good faith was breached by the Partners and not the three entities.”

The letter also addressed KDP’s offer to the state of South Carolina to buy Captain Sams Spit. “The acquisition will result in the permanent conservation of the land, which we understood was also the stated goal of the three parties that filed the litigation,” the letter read.

However, Heidingsfelder said that the state has given no assurance that they would conserve the property after purchase.

“It has been quite the contrary, actually,” he said. “We have heard several statements from leaders in Columbia saying that when they buy the property they can and will do with it what they want.”

As for the amount of time that KDP requested from the three entities to give them so that they could work with the state on the purchase, Heidingsfelder said, “But that was back in December, which was five months ago. How much more patience should we have?”

Heidingsfelder mentioned that there has been no communication from KDP to the three Kiawah entities and they have not discussed a desire to meet or collaborate on a solution, as they noted in the letter.

The letter stated further that, “This litigious action is a concerted effort by your elected officials to cloud and derail an otherwise straightforward transfer to the state with a simultaneous conservation easement.”

“There is nothing to derail when nothing is in the making with the state,” Heidingsfelder retorted. “We have no assurance from the state that would bring Captain Sams into conservation.”

KDP ended the letter by stating that the lawsuit lacks merit and will “initiate a long legal process that will cost our taxpayers dearly.”

Mayor of Kiawah Island Bradley Belt concluded, “The breach of contract claim filed by the Town, the Community Association and the Kiawah Conservancy speaks for itself. The only thing I would add is that the door is open for all parties to sit down together to reach a mutually agreeable solution to preserve Captain Sams Spit in perpetuity."

Captain Sams Spit.

A Season of Success

SEABROOK ISLAND GARDEN CLUB CONCLUDES 35TH YEAR

BY SUSAN MCLAUGHLIN

For The Island Connection

The Seabrook Island Garden Club ended its 35th anniversary year with a May luncheon at the Seabrook Island Club. From its humble beginnings in 1988 as the Marsh Hen Garden Club, whose 44 members took on the responsibility of landscaping all over the island, the Garden Club has grown to be one of the most popular activities on Seabrook. At the luncheon, members were treated to a visual presentation of the many enjoyable programs and well-loved traditions the club has hosted over the years. A special thanks goes out to Karen Nuttall and her committee for searching the archives for a history of the club and nostalgic pictures of past activities and old friends.

The presentation was also intended to recognize and thank the 2023-2024 officers for their efforts in helping make this past year a successful one. One of this year’s major accomplishments was a record fundraising to support the club’s philanthropic efforts. Through the generosity of members and guests who attended various events, the club was able to lend support to several community initiatives.

Since 1995, the Garden Club has sponsored a scholarship for a student majoring in Horticulture at Trident Technical Community College. This year, in addition to the scholarship, the club

was able to provide funding for equipment needed in the newly built greenhouse on campus. For the past several years, the Garden Club has partnered with the Fields to Families Program on Johns Island to support a garden at Haut Gap Middle School. The garden is connected to the sixth grade curriculum and teaches students the science behind growing plants. In addition to learning about sustainable gardening practices, students take the produce they grow at school back home to their families. The club was able to provide new outdoor benches, a well house and a shaded class area for students.

Additionally, the club was able to sponsor two new projects this year. In partnership with the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association, club members constructed a monarch butterfly waystation near the community garden plots along Seabrook Island Road. Each year, millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to the mountains in central Mexico, where they winter until conditions are favorable for a return flight in the spring.

Thousands of communities across the country have established monarch

waystations to provide breeding areas and nectar sources from plants to enable the butterflies to continue their migration. Thanks to the efforts of Julie Minch and her volunteers, Seabrook now joins these communities in this endeavor to protect the monarchs.

The other new initiative the club was able to support is a teacher training scholarship for Earth Heart Growers on Johns Island. The Earth Heart Growers program connects young students to community programs in gardening, cooking and farm-to-table field trips. Their goal is to introduce students to “hands-in-dirt” experiences in the community to hopefully foster a lifelong love of gardening and healthy food. Thanks to the many volunteers who contributed to this year’s philanthropic efforts, and a special thanks to Dianne Thompson Cain who spearheaded this year’s successful fundraising efforts.

Finally, the Garden Club’s new officers for 2024-2025 were installed at the meeting. They are: President Sally Boudinot, Vice President Melissa Andrews, Treasurer Robin Aaron, Corresponding Secretary Blair Pugh and Recording Secretaries Anne Bavier and Laurel Healy.

Membership information for the upcoming season will be available in the fall.

From Scraps to Sculpture

MEET JUNE’S ARTIST OF THE MONTH

BY BONNIE YOUNGINER For The Island Connection

Rod Morris is a fine craft artist, blending woodworking and metal to create unique and beautiful 3-D art. He was born in Redding, California and moved often throughout his childhood, precipitated by his father’s career with the United States Bureau of Mines.

Rod graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1972 with a degree in elementary education and taught in puablic schools for three years. Having a strong Christian faith and putting his faith in action, he and his family moved to Dallas, where he accepted a fourth grade teaching position with a small Christian school. There, he would build small wooden trophies for the students who achieved certain academic goals.

The birth of his daughter inspired him to build her a dollhouse and, as Rod states, “every conceivable toy imaginable.” To supplement his teacher’s salary, he and his wife, Elaine, began participating in craft fairs around the Dallas area. He also attended the University of North Texas, receiving a master’s degree in school administration, and in 1981 began his career as the elementary principal of Trinity Christian Academy. He continued in that role until

his retirement in 2015 and moved to Seabrook Island in 2022.

Rod’s artistic focus changed after he and his family visited New Concepts Galley in Santa Fe, where he was immediately taken with the art and sculpture of Richard Swenson. The use of scrap metal transformed into sculpture captivated Rod. Once retired, he was ready to start a new artistic chapter. He pondered how to integrate metal and wood, and he reached out to an old friend who rebuilt automobile engines. Rod was allowed to take the metal pieces that were destined to be sold as scrap. With the process of uniting and integrating metal and wood, his new form of 3-D art was born.

Today, Rod’s work has been featured in the Alumni and Faculty Art Show, sponsored by Trinity Christian Academy. His work was selected into the juried Piccolo Spoleto art shows in 2023 and 2024 and is displayed in the City Gallery of Charleston.

Rod’s Artist of the Month reception will be held Tuesday, June 4 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Lake House. He will unveil his new artwork created especially for the reception. Please come meet him and view his wonderful work.

House Wins 2024 ART AND HOUSE TOUR SUCCESSFULLY RAISES FUNDS FOR SEA

ISLAND STUDENTS

BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

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The Kiawah Arts, etc. Art and House Tour was a resounding success, enjoying perfect weather, a sell-out crowd and five beautiful homes. With the participation of the presenting sponsor First National Bank at Freshfields and the great number of sponsors and volunteers, almost $200K was raised to support many arts-related programs for students on the neighboring Sea Islands. The final Arts, etc. sponsored school events this year included Charleston Jazz Orchestra’s Quiana Parler and band at Haut Gap Middle and Alva Anderson and band at St. John’s High. Charleston Stage presented “Last Stop on Market Street,” a musical adaptation of Matt de la Pena’s acclaimed children’s book, at both Mt. Zion and Angel Oak Elementary. They were all enthusiastically welcomed.

Earlier in the spring, Palmetto City Ballet performed “The Wizard of Oz” at Angel Oak and Mt. Zion Elementary Schools. The College of Charleston’s Children’s Opera staged “Jack and the Beanstalk” at those two schools as well. Students at Haut Gap Middle performed “The Trial of Goldilocks” on the St.

John’s High stage, and Mt. Zion students gave an exciting performance of “Of Mice and Mozart.” There were ongoing classes and performances by Chamber Music Charleston, Pure Theatre and the Charleston Jazz Orchestra as well.

In February, there will be an art auction to raise further funds. The schedule for 2024-25 will include Teacher Development Training at Angel Oak Elementary by Artsnow, along with the many other organizations with which Arts, etc. partners.

The final Arts, etc. luncheon was held at the Kiawah Island River Club on May 15. The speakers included Executive Director of Charleston Jazz Orchestra Tatjana Beylotte and CJO Board President Alva Anderson. They informed the members about the history of Jazz in Charleston and the educational programs supported by the CJO.

Sign up today to receive the MyLo Insider Newsletter straight to your inbox for free. Stay in the loop, share the joy, and spread the word about the island's hidden treasures. Join a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, all passionate about celebrating the beauty and essence of our micro local island paradise. Go to www.mylolowcountry.com/subscribe

The next Kiawah Arts, etc. Art and House Tour will be held on April 11, 2025. For more information about Arts, etc. and an opportunity to join the volunteer organization and take part in the many luncheons with great speakers, as well as the House Tour, go to kiawahartsetc.org.

and Holy

Oyster Reefs Need Your Recycled Shells

BY SCDNR For The Island Connection

The 2023-2024 season for harvest of oysters, mussels, clams and all other bivalves from South Carolina's State Shellfish Grounds and Public Shellfish Grounds closed Monday, May 27 at one half hour after official sunset, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources officials.

Because higher bacterial levels occur when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, shellfish harvesting during the summer months is limited to certain oyster farms who meet rigorous handling and operations requirements. Coastal waters will remain closed to recreational shellfish harvesting until the fall, when water temperatures begin to cool and ensure that shellfish are once again safe for harvesting and consumption. Shellfish harvesting is expected to reopen October 1.

Although shellfish harvesting is closed to the public during the summer, the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) program accepts recycled oyster shells year-round. Shell recycling drop-off locations are located throughout coastal counties and at a few inland locations. Collection sites can be found online or by calling SCDNR at 843-953-9397. Other types of shell, such as clams and whelks, are also accepted.

During the summer months, SCDNR biologists return the recycled shell to shorelines, where it provides an ideal base for juvenile oysters to attach and grow, thereby replenishing harvested beds. When the quantity of shell needed to replant shellfish grounds exceeds that which is recycled, SCDNR must purchase shell at increasing cost. Even a modest increase in recycled shells can save a significant amount of money. SCDNR’s shellfish recycling, restoration and enhancement efforts are funded in part by saltwater recreational fishing

license sales.

Although oyster harvesting slows down in the summer, oyster reef construction heats up. Late spring and early summer are busy months for SCORE’s community-based oyster restoration work, in which the public is invited to work with SCDNR staff and other

volunteers to create oyster habitat using recycled shells. The resulting oyster reefs provide a host of ecological services, including water filtration, nutrient cycling and habitat for fish and invertebrates.

Check the SCORE webpage for a calendar of events, or email the community restoration staff at score@dnr.sc.gov.

During summer months, SCDNR biologists return recycled shells to shorelines.

PHOTO PROVIDED: SCDNR

voting has begun!

MyLo Lowcountry and Holy City Sinner proudly launched a photo contest, inviting photographers of all skill levels to capture the essence and unique beauty of Charleston, SC through their lenses.

All entries are featured on our website at: MYLOPHOTOCONTEST.COM. We invite you to browse through the gallery of stunning submissions and vote on your favorite photos! The voting process consists of two rounds. Contestants receiving the highest number of votes on their photos will be crowned the winners. Check out our site for details on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes!

First Round 4/30 - 5/21

Second Round 5/22 - 6/5

During the initial three-week voting round, voters have the opportunity to assess the entries and choose their favorites, narrowing down the field to the top 10 contestants.

The top ten finalists then advance to the final two-week voting round, where the community's votes will determine the ultimate winners of the MyLo Photo Contest.

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 6, 2024 VIA EMAIL AND ON THE WEBSITE. PRIZES:

HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE STUNNING ENTRIES:

Prize packages consist of cash and giveaways.

First Place Prize: Valued at $5,000

Second Place Prize: Valued at $2,500

Third Place Prize: Valued at $1,000

PROUD THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

around the islands...

ONGOING

WHAT: Charleston Farmers Market

WHEN: Every Saturday from April to December

WHERE: Marion Square, Downtown

MORE INFO: Nestled in the heart of Downtown Charleston at scenic Marion Square, we offer a delightful market experience every Saturday from April through November, with an added treat of our special Holiday Market on select weekends in December. Indulge in a wealth of fresh local produce and homegrown creativity while enjoying live music, community gatherings, activities, and more in a welcoming environment suitable for families and pets alike.

WHAT: Textile Gallery

WHEN: January 20 - September 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. We're excited to announce a collaborative exhibition with the Gibbes Museum of Art, featuring abstract artwork alongside the Museum's quilts.

WHAT: Elisa Harkins “Teach Me A Song” Exhibition

WHEN: April 5 - July 20

WHERE: Halsey Institute

MORE INFO: Elisa Harkins’s ongoing project explores themes of translation, language preservation, and Indigenous musicology. The project involves a series of exchanges where collaborators teach her a song, resulting in recordings ranging from ceremonial to rock n roll. By sharing and trading music between nations, Harkins aims to decolonize traditions of Indigenous musicology. This exhibition marks the first time the complete project has been showcased.

WHAT: Spandita Malik “Meshes of Resistance” Exhibition

WHEN: April 5 - July 20

WHERE: Halsey Institute

MORE INFO: Malik’s showcase at the Halsey Institute, titled “Meshes of Resistance,” presents pieces from her ongoing series. Within this collection, Malik captures portraits of women in India she’s met through self-help centers addressing domestic and gender-based violence.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

WHAT: Artist Talk

WHERE: Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art WHEN: 2 p.m.

MORE INFO: The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art welcomes both residents and visitors to explore the creative process behind the ongoing exhibition “Teach Me a Song” with acclaimed artist Elisa Harkins. This event is free for everyone.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

WHAT: Christopher Laughlin, Classical and Flamenco Guitar WHERE: Circular Congressional Church WHEN: 5 p.m.

MORE INFO: Guitar virtuoso Christopher Laughlin showcases a diverse repertoire, blending classical, flamenco, and fingerstyle genres. His performance features timeless compositions by Albeniz and Tarrega, passionate flamenco pieces by Paco de Lucia and Paco Pena, and innovative renditions of popular tunes by Guns 'N Roses, U2, Billie Eilish, The Beatles, and others, enhanced with special effects.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

WHAT: Riverdogs Pickleball Night WHERE: Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park WHEN: 7:05 p.m.

MORE INFO: Join us for Pickleball Night at The Joe with Short Court, where you can support the Riverdogs and enjoy some pickleball fun, Throughout the stadium, we'll have pickleball activities set up for fans of every skill level, ranging from target games to a full-size pop-up court for friendly competition.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

WHAT: G&G Reads: Percival Everett WHERE: Garden & Gun Headquarters: The Cigar Factory WHEN: 6 p.m.

MORE INFO: Join G&G contributing editor Jonathan Miles and author Percival Everett at the magazine’s Cigar Factory headquarters. They will delve into Everett's newly released book “James,” a reinterpretation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim, showcasing his journey to freedom through agency and intelligence. Enjoy drinks as you listen to this exclusive conversation that celebrates Everett's imaginative work.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

WHAT: The Ultimate ’90s Country Experience

WHERE: Music Farm WHEN: 8 p.m.

MORE INFO: The Nashville Nights Band, renowned for delivering an authentic ’90s country music experience, is back. Relive the glory days of country music as we guide you through the iconic hits of Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Tim McGraw, and other legendary artists. Our skilled musicians and vocalists will whisk you away to the vibrant honky-tonks and dance floors of Nashville.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

WHAT: Floppin’ Flounder 5K

WHERE: Fish Fry Shack WHEN: 8 a.m.

MORE INFO: This 5K stands as one of Charleston's cherished races, brought to you by the Charleston Running Club (CRC) in collaboration with the Sullivan's Island Fire & Rescue Department. Participants can choose between the 5K run, walk, or opt for the virtual option if unable to join in person. Rain or shine, the event will proceed, so be sure to stay hydrated as the day promises to be warm.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

WHAT: 2nd Sunday on King Street

WHERE: King Street, Downtown Charleston WHEN: Noon

MORE INFO: Every month, on the second Sunday, Charleston blocks off King Street, from Queen to Calhoun, for five hours. This pedestrianfriendly event allows people to stroll, meet friends, discover new businesses, shop, enjoy art displays, and sample delicious food from local vendors. The street closes to traffic at noon and reopens at 5 p.m.

Arts for All

SPOLETO

INTRODUCES A “PAY WHAT YOU WILL” PROGRAM

BY LAUREN VAN LIEW For The Island Connection

Spoleto Festival USA, the country’s premiere performing arts Festival, has announced the “Pay What You Will” ticket pricing program for the 2024 Festival. Designed to welcome new audiences and make live performances more accessible, the program will give audiences the opportunity to set their own price (at a minimum of $7 to cover processing fees) for tickets to select dance, music, opera, and theater offerings taking place until June 9.

“We want to ensure that the arts remain a unifying force within our community,” says Mena Mark Hanna, general director and CEO of Spoleto Festival USA. “By lowering the cost of entry, we hope to foster a sense of belonging and encourage curious new audience members to explore the world-class performances offered at Spoleto.”

The “Pay What You Will ” pricing extends to more than 25 Festival programs at a value above $25,000 and is made possible by the generous support of an anonymous donor. Ticket buyers are welcome to choose from the pricing options which include $7 (minimum necessary to cover processing fees), $15, $20, $25 and $30.

To access “Pay What You Will” tickets, visit spoletousa.org/ pwyw. To ensure broad access, there is a limit of two tickets per person per performance. Tickets are limited, subject to availability and will be released in batches throughout the Festival.

Tickets must be purchased no less than 24 hours in advance and can be redeemed at Will Call (guest must bring ID to pick up). Seating is at the discretion of the box office. Tickets are available online or at the Spoleto Ticket Kiosk at the Charleston Visitor Center.

Shared Humanity

THIS YEAR’S SPOLETO USA POSTER BY LEBANESE ARTIST SARA CHAAR

BY LAUREN VAN LIEW For The Island Connection

Spoleto Festival USA’s 2024 season poster features an abstract composition of mixed media on paper by visual artist Sara Chaar. The artwork, “Yellow Plastic,” is from the artist’s Imagined Certainty series, which reflects her native Lebanon's turbulent history, including the recent economic collapse, the infamous explosion and the impact of the pandemic. The poster, unveiled at the “Spoleto Piazza” at The Charleston Place, is now available for purchase for $35 at spoletousa.org, at Spoleto’s ticket kiosk at the Charleston Visitors Center or by calling 843-579-3100.

Chaar’s series Imagined Certainty uses vibrant colors and floating fantasy forms to explore how collective memory navigates paths to certainty amidst the challenges of adapting to new realities. This artistic journey contemplates the solace found in an envisioned certainty within the turbulent currents of change. Through this series, the artist invites the viewer to contemplate these imaginary forms and lines and perhaps locate their personal emotional place of comfort and certainty.

“Sara’s work beautifully resonates with the themes we are exploring this year at Spoleto,”

says Spoleto General Director & CEO Mena Mark Hanna. “Shared humanity amidst political strife features in both our world premiere works of “Ruinous Gods and The Song of Rome.” We are thrilled that Sara’s work is a visual cue for these crucial conversations.”

In discussing “Yellow Plastic,” Chaar explained, “I am intrigued by reshaping and abstracting hidden layers, revealing my emotions through collective and personal stories intertwined within the depths of history and identity.”

Chaar, born in 1986, is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, installation and interactive projects. The work emerges from her personal experiences that often explore themes of collective identity, memory and the human experience within challenging socio-political contexts. Chaar has exhibited in Beirut, London, New York, Copenhagen and Paris. Her work has also been acquired by Public Collections such as the Museum of the Institut du monde arabe in Paris.

The Spoleto Festival USA Poster program is generously made possible in part by The Wayne and Alicia Gregory Family Foundation.

NOAA Predicts Above-Normal 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season

BY ERIC GROW CEI For The Island Connection

National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to Nov. 30, predicts an 85% chance of an abovenormal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season.

NOAA is forecasting a range of 17 to 25 total named storms – winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, eight to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes – winds of 74 mph or higher – including four to seven major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher. Forecasters have a 70% confidence in these ranges.

The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to factors including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation.

“With another active hurricane season approaching, NOAA’s commitment to keeping every American informed with lifesaving information is unwavering,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “AI-enabled language translations and a new depiction of inland wind threats in the forecast cone are just two examples of the proactive steps our agency is taking to meet our mission of saving lives and protecting property.”

“Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks. “Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail. Taking a proactive approach to our increasingly challenging climate landscape today can make a difference in how people can recover tomorrow.”

NOAA scientists predict a quick transition to La Nina conditions, which are conducive to Atlantic hurricane activity because La Nina tends to lessen wind

shear in the tropics. At the same time, abundant oceanic heat content in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea creates more energy to fuel storm development.

This hurricane season also features the potential for an above-normal West African monsoon, which can produce African easterly waves that seed some of the strongest Atlantic storms. Finally, light trade winds allow hurricanes to grow in strength without the disruption of strong wind shear and also minimize ocean cooling. Humancaused climate change is warming our ocean globally and in the Atlantic basin, and

melting ice on land, leading to sea level rise, which increases the risk of storm surge. Enhanced communications in store for 2024 season

NOAA will implement improvements to its forecast communications, decision support and storm recovery efforts this season. These include:

• The National Hurricane Center will expand its offering of Spanish language text products to include all public advisories, the tropical cyclone discussion, the tropical cyclone update and key messages in the Atlantic basin.

• Beginning around Aug.15, NHC will start to issue an experimental version of the forecast cone graphic that includes a depiction of inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings in effect for the continental United States.

• This season, the NHC will be able to issue U.S. tropical cyclone watches and warnings with regular or intermediate public advisories. This means that if updates to watches and warnings for storm surge or winds are needed, the NHC will be able to notify the public in an intermediate advisory instead of waiting for the next full advisory issued every six hours.

10:13am/10:52pm 11:07am/11:55m 12:01pm 12:53am/12:53pm 1:48am/1:44pm 2:40am/2:33pm 3:30am/3:22pm 4:18am/4:10pm 5:05am/4:57pm 5:51am/5:45pm 6:36am/6:34pm 7:20am/7:25pm 8:04am/8:19pm 8:47am/9:16pm

Curious Conifer

BY JOHN NELSON For The Island Connection

We’ve had a number of mysterious pine tree species in this column, and here is yet another. There’s always a new pine species to learn about; after all, as about 100 species grow worldwide.

This particular one is growing in a small park not far from my house, in the Shandon area of Columbia, which is my old neighborhood. Around here, it is a common native species and can be seen just about all over town — and for that matter, just about anywhere else in South Carolina (mostly in the piedmont counties).

Now, you probably have this very handsome tree growing not far from where you live, as it is widespread in the Southeast, extending from eastern Texas and Arkansas and Missouri to the Florida panhandle, then north. It is frequently found in the New Jersey pine barrens and may reach its northern limit on Staten Island (so said the excellent Harvard dendrologist Charles S. Sprague in 1933, in his famous “Manual of the Trees of North America”).

It is a pine, rather obviously. In the genus Pinus, so there's not much mystery there. But which one? There are about 10 different pines that are native down here in the South. This one is potentially a large, stately tree, to 100 feet tall (the national champion is apparently in Mississippi and is 138 feet tall), and is valued as an excellent source of lumber, plywood and pulp, although it is not grown in extensive plantations like its cousins, loblolly and slash pine.

The needles are straight (not twisted) and fairly short (4 inches or so) when compared to most of its relatives. Like all pines, it will produce male and female cones on the same branch. The male cones produce pollen. The female cones are the source

of the winged seeds…and they are sometimes called "seed" cones. The seed cones of this pine are rather small, again compared to other pine species. Each of the woody scales on the seed cone comes with a sharp point, so the whole cone is quite prickly. (In fact, the scientific name of this species can be translated as "prickly pine.”)

This pine doesn’t like wet feet. You will find it on high-ground sites, away from any standing water. This species is a rapid colonizer of old fields throughout its range. When such fields are colonized, additional pine species, as well as hardwoods, will invariably show up, too, resulting eventually in what ecologists sometimes call a “mixed pine-hardwood” stand.

Another mystery presents itself here: Way up in the top of the tree on the left, you can clearly see a portion of growth which is especially compact and dense, with unusually crowded, stunted needles. This is a "witch's broom," an unusual and bristly growth form which may be the result of an injury to the tree, or possibly from the infestation of a parasite. Witch's brooms occur in many conifers, as well as in various broad-leaved trees. They are sometimes prized in horticulture as curiosities.

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: “Shortleaf pine,” “Short-needle pine,” Pinus echinata]