The Take on Giving
KIAWAH ISLAND TOWN COUNCIL ADDRESSES ETHICS OF GIFTS
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
Perhaps you have been wanting to thank a Kiawah Island Town Council Member with tickets to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra after a vote went your way in a recent meeting. Or perhaps there is a Town employee who has gone above and beyond in helping you in a challenging municipal matter, and you want to show your appreciation with a gift card to a local restaurant.
But while giving gifts is a natural way to express appreciation and gratitude, you’ll have to save those gifts for friends and family and send your Kiawah Island Town representatives and employees a thank-you note instead.
The issue of Town employees and representatives receiving gifts, no matter how large or small, came up at the recent Kiawah Island Town Council meeting on September 10. The general consensus was that Town employees and representatives should not accept gifts from constituents, whether the gift comes in the form of money or as a physical gift, such as tickets or gift cards.
However, that consensus didn’t come without a robust discussion
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Kiawah Seeks to Bring Equity to Beach Operations
BY THERESA STRATFORD
For The Island Connection
The Town of Kiawah Island took the opportunity to bring some equity into how beach operations function at the Town Council meeting on September 10. But for now, they are going to table the discussion for another time.
The beach operation in question was East Beach Club, which, as Mayor Bradley Belt put it, has been engaging in certain activities for a “long time” without formal permission from the Town.
Council Member Michael Heidingsfelder, whose last meeting was on September 10 before he resigned, brought the issue to Council intentionally to bring some equality among the Island’s various beach operations. Right now, the Town gives permission for beach operations to:
• Drive vehicles on the beach;
• Store beach equipment overnight on the beach;
• Perform commercial activities on the beach with a license from the Town.
Belt said, “Town permission is required to engage in any of those activities. The purpose of this agreement is to bring these issues into alignment
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JOHNS ISLAND RESTAURANT LANDS ON NEW YORK TIMES ‘50
FAVORITE PLACES IN AMERICA’
BY JENNY PETERSON For The Island Connection
It’s no surprise that with a world-class culinary scene, a Charleston-area restaurant would land on a prestigious national list of places to eat. However, it was a surprise that some of the highest props from the New York Times went to a local, outdoor-only rustic restaurant on Johns Island, not even one year old.
Lost Isle, situated in a backyard oasis behind a little white house on Maybank Highway, just earned elite status landing on “The Restaurant List 2024” as one of “50 favorite places in America right now.”
“There’s a party going on behind a tattered ranch house outside Charleston: a cluster of tables under swoops of sailcloth and some improbablelooking outdoor chandeliers, where the entire menu is cooked just a few feet away over open fires of white oak,” says writer Patrick Farrell.
Chef Josh Taylor said that while the Lost Isle team knew that the national publication’s writers
had dined at the restaurant, the reveal that they were among the top 50 favorite places was a surprise.
“They did reach out for pictures and to ask a few questions, but no, we did not know we were going to be on that list,” Taylor said. The restaurant declared the accolade “a marvel to be celebrated.”
Billing itself as “Johns Island’s newest and first fire-to-table restaurant and bar,” the menu features a grilled item in every order, from a charred eggplant dip to fire-roasted olives served with grilled bread to fire-roasted clams from Georgia, Taylor’s home state. The menu is broken up into small plates, mains and shareable sides.
“We do change some things up on the menu seasonally, [but] the grilled chicken and ribeye are consistently the most ordered items,” Taylor said.
In addition to the unique dining environment—all
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(left) Whipped ricotta is served with charred tomato, herb oil, chili honey and focaccia bread. (right) Oysters are topped with smoked breadcrumbs.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Theresa Stratford
John Nelson
Jenny Peterson
Alan Armstrong
Kristin B. Thompson
Heather Howard-Haffey SCDNR
Arielle Alpino
Gift Giving
on exceptions. Since exceptions are a possibility, the Town Council decided that it was best to work on the resolution for clarification and come back for another reading at a future meeting.
For example, the resolution defined Town representatives as “municipal officers” but didn’t define what a municipal officer was, exactly. Council Member Michael Heidingsfelder asked if that also referred to Arts Council members or the Turtle Parol.
He suggested that there be a document explaining the gift policy and that applicable Town representatives and employees sign it regularly to remind themselves of violations.
Mayor Bradley Belt asked if a dollar amount should be specified in the resolution. “Is the dollar amount zero, or do we just eliminate the dollar amount altogether? Do we limit the amount?”
Heidingsfelder also questioned the wording of the resolution. He suggested that there be more information about conflict of interest included. He also noted that the resolution doesn’t define who should be consulted for advice, whether that be the Town attorney or someone else. For example, the employees have an employee handbook that they can refer to, but the municipal officers do not.
Belt added, “It is an ethical conflict of interest in the Town employee handbook. You just simply can’t accept gifts.”
Other issues with the resolution were regarding gifts being given for marriage, retirement or for bereavement purposes. Council Member Luke Farrell suggested that there be more clear language in the business license agreement for people to understand when desiring to give gifts to Town employees or municipal officers.
Kiawah Island Town Administrator Stephanie Monroe Tillerson gave the example of when contractors will bring a tray of cookies at Christmastime for all employees to enjoy in the breakroom.
Belt said, “My concern is that we will make this so erroneous that people will be afraid to serve because they are afraid of violating this.”
The Town Council decided to table the discussion, make changes to the resolution and revisit the issue in October. “This is a broader ethics issue that will need to encompass all officers and members that represent the Town,” Belt concluded.
Beach Club (continued from page 1)
with the Town.”
Council Member Luke Ferrell brought up some of the issues that would need to be addressed before the Town enforces the permissions on East Beach Club. For example, he noted the boundary on the western side that actually infringes on some private property.
“The boundaries may need to be pulled back,” he said. “You can’t put chairs on private property.”
Heidingsfelder brought up that if this was enforced, the East Beach Club would almost have to cease operations, but Belt commented that they would actually just be in violation – like they have been for many years.
Due to the inconsistencies with the boundaries around the East Beach Club, the Town decided to table the agreement
Lost Isle (continued from page 1)
outdoors eating under a sprawling pecan tree, no reservations—Lost Isle offers standout vegetarian items, which also get the fire-grilled treatment.
Crowd favorites include the sweet roasted carrots with chiles and brown butter and curry braised collards topped with smoked breadcrumbs.
The extensive and unique cocktail program includes cocktails on tap such as the “Gintonica” with “all the garnishes” and the “Sheeney Neeney” featuring rum, smoked pineapple, lime and apricot.
“I think it’s just the overall vibe of the restaurant and how it makes people feel when they come in. We
Civic Calen dar
TOWN OF KIAWAH
Arts Council Board
Monday, October 7, 10 a.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Environmental Committee
Wednesday, October 9 1 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Community Drop-In
Wednesday, October 16, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
CERT Team
Wednesday, October 23, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Town Council
Tuesday, November 5, 1 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
TOWN OF SEABROOK
Planning Commission
Wednesday, October 9, 1:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Environment & Wildlife Committee
Thursday, October 10, 10 a.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 15, 10 a.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Utility Commission
Wednesday, October 23, 8:30 a.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Town Council
Tuesday, October 22, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
until they can negotiate with the leadership of East Beach Club.
Heidingsfelder noted that he himself is a member of the Club. He mentioned that with a reduction in the boundaries, only one row of chairs would fit, which he described as “unreasonable.” He also mentioned that he didn’t think there was a need for storage boxes on the beach and would argue that they should be eliminated. He also asked why there were more chairs than tables and umbrellas. “It seems inconsistent to me.”
Belt concluded that the Town will sit down with the East Beach Club to ensure they comply with the three permissions.
“We’ll bring this back up to the Town Council next month,” Belt said. “We’ll table it for now. We want to fix the issues.”
wanted to create a space that people could feel very comfortable in and also get really great food and drinks,” Taylor said. “We are really just looking forward to continuing to being part of the Johns Island and Charleston community and pushing ourselves to be better at what we do every day.”
Lost Isle is located at 3338 Maybank Highway. Operating hours are from 5-11 p.m. A tip from the restaurant: “We are first come, first serve, so we recommend that everyone just roll on in! To avoid possible lengthy wait times, we suggest arriving early or late, as everyone seems to show up between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.”
An aerial view of East Beach Club.
WLocals Meeting Locals
BY KRISTIN B. THOMPSON For The Island Connection
hile the national news headlines have been dominated by the race for the presidency, local residents have been enjoying the opportunity to meet candidates for local offices through a series of meet-and-greets and forums. A group of residents from James Island and Kiawah Island had the chance to meet and learn more about the candidacy of Michael B. Moore, who is running for the United States Congress.
Moore is a family man and businessman with a rich family history in South Carolina rooted in activism and public service. He is running for Congress in SC-01 this November for the same seat once held by his great-great grandfather, Civil War and Reconstruction hero Robert Smalls. His family has a history of public service, with members of the past four out of five generations serving in public office – the exception being Moore’s parents, both of whom are school teachers.
Among the issues that Moore highlighted during the meet-and-greet event was one that is near and dear to the island residents: the impact of rising waters in the Lowcountry.
“The Lowcountry’s coastline provides its residents with jobs, natural beauty and a sense of pride. To ensure that our coastal
every day to combat climate change and secure clean jobs that will empower our communities. We here in the Lowcountry know better than most that the threat posed by climate change is real, and we must take decisive action to protect our flourishing coastal communities from environmental disasters, ” he said.
With another meet-and-greet scheduled for Seabrook Island and two televised debates scheduled for October, voters will have the opportunity to learn more about the issues and the two candidates for the
Michael B. Moore.
Discover a rare opportunity to own in the soughtafter enclave of Haulover Pointe Circle on Seabrook Island. This charming elevated home offers relaxed, easy living with an open floor plan that captures stunning 220+ degree views of the golf course, lagoon, and marsh, along the 4th fairway of the Crooked Oaks Golf Course. Enjoy a private retreat, just a 3-4 minute drive to the beach.
Family-owned and veteran-operated, our small business is fueled by a deep passion for creating and restoring exceptional jewelry. With two stores, our skilled bench jewelers—true perfectionists—craft unique, ready-to-wear pieces, redesign heirlooms, and handle expert repairs. We also offer locally made jewelry, professional watch services, and personalized custom designs.
A Harvest of Books
VISIT THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FALL BOOK SALE
It’s Fall, time to curl up with a book or two or 10. Shop for great books with bargain prices and support your library by coming to Charleston Friends of the Library’s Fall Book Sale at Baxter-Patrick James Island Library (1858 South Grimball Road 29412) presented by Crews Subaru of Charleston.
Thursday October 10 | Member’s Night - 4-7 p.m.
Friday October 11 | Book Sale - 9.30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Saturday October 12 | Book Sale - 9.30 a.m. until 3.30 p.m.
Browse through hundreds of gently used titles in children's, YA, non-Fiction, fiction, history, mystery/Thrillers, biographies, non-fiction, art, cookbooks and more.
“Proceeds from our book sales empower learning and literacy by providing funding to the variety of programs offered across the 18 branches of the library. We are proud to support the many after-school programs offered to students throughout Charleston county. We are truly grateful to all our friends for supporting our book sales and our library,” said Leah Donaldson, executive director of Friends of the Library.
Becoming a Friend of the Library is a great way to show your support for all 18 branches of Charleston County Public Library, fund library programs, and encourage reading throughout our community.
Please follow the Friends of the Library on social media for updates at @chslibfriends, and directly support us by being a member or making a donation on our website, charlestonlibraryfriends.org.
Play Golf, Give Back
BY ALAN ARMSTRONG
For The Island Connection
The Seabrook Island Club and the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club will be sponsoring its 13th Annual Seabrook Island Veteran’s Day Charitable Golf Event on Monday, November 11 to honor veterans who have served the country and raise money to support the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and the Friends of Fisher House.
The Seabrook Island Real Estate Company and Hobson Builders will be major contributors. The United States Flag will be presented by St. Johns High School Jr. ROTC Cadets. Wounded Warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan will be participating as honored guests.
trimmings in the Atlantic Ballroom following play. Team and individual registrations are welcomed.
The entry fee for Seabrook Island Club members is $100 plus applicable golf fees. For non-club members, the fee is $200. $75 of the entry fee will be set aside as a charitable contribution to the VA Medical Center and Fisher House. If you cannot play in the event but would like to make a contribution, send a check to Alan Armstrong, 2427 Golf Oak Park, Seabrook Island, South Carolina, 29455. Checks should be made payable to the Friends of Fisher House or the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.
The event will be a captain’s choice scramble format, beginning with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start. Teams will be flighted for awards based on total team handicap. The Club will be serving a Captain Sam’s buffet with grilled burgers, chicken sandwiches and all the
You may register for the event by calling the Seabrook Island Golf Shop at 843-768-2529, or sending an email to golf@seabrookisland.com. If you have any questions, please call Alan Armstrong at 410-274-7545 or email him at alan9631@ comcast.net.
Lemoyne Lane
Ahoy, Oyster Season
THE TIME FOR SHELLFISH IS HERE
BY SCDNR
For The Island Connection
Oyster lovers, get ready – the 20242025 season for recreational harvest of shellfish (clams and oysters) in South Carolina's coastal waters opened one-half hour before official sunrise on Tuesday, October 1. The recreational shellfish season will remain open through May 15, 2025, unless conditions warrant extending or shortening the season.
In the event of another hurricane, major rain event or pollution spill, shellfish beds may be temporarily closed by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. It is important for harvesters to check with SCDES to verify whether any closures are in effect. This information is available at 1-800-285-1618 and can be viewed on an interactive map at the SCDES website. SCDES will use these resources and your local newspaper throughout the year to announce temporary closures due to unusual rain events or spills.
Recreational harvesting is permitted on all Public Shellfish Grounds and State Shellfish Grounds within areas of open/ approved water quality as noted on shellfish maps. Twenty Public and seven State Shellfish Grounds are managed exclusively for recreational gathering. An additional 58 State Shellfish Grounds are managed for both recreational and commercial harvest.
Recreational harvesters should obtain updated Public or State Shellfish Ground maps at the beginning of each season, as areas open to harvest change from year to year. Maps of designated harvest areas may be downloaded from the SCDNR website or accessed online through the Recreational Map Web Application. Printed maps may also be obtained by calling 843-953-9854 or writing the Shellfish Management
Section, Attn: Ben Dyar, SCDNR, P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, SC, 29422-2559. When requesting maps, please specify the general area where you wish to harvest.
Recreational harvesters must have a Saltwater Recreational Fishing License, available from SCDNR, at many fishing supply stores and online. The recreational limit is two U.S. bushels of oysters and one-half bushel of clams in any one day, limited to two calendar days per seven-day period. One U.S. bushel is equal to 8 gallons. There is a maximum possession of three personal limits per boat or vehicle. Clams must be at least 1 inch thick.
Commercial harvest of shellfish requires a commercial saltwater license, mandatory harvester training and other licenses and permits depending on where the harvest will occur. Call the Marine Permitting Office at 843-953-0453 for additional information on commercial harvesting requirements.
All harvesters are encouraged to “cull in place,” breaking off and leaving dead shells and smaller oysters on the shorelineand only taking clusters or singles of larger oysters – where they will continue to grow and provide habitat for future generations of oysters.
Please note that recycled shells in any SCDNR receptacle is South Carolina state property and is illegal to take. All shells collected by the SCDNR are used to restore shellfish grounds in coastal South Carolina.
If you enjoy eating oysters, remember to recycle your shells. Check online or call 843-953-9397 to find locations near you where shells can be dropped off for recycling.
It’s Tour of Homes Time
27TH ANNUAL SUPPORTS THE CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE
BY HEATHER HOWARD-HAFFEY
For The Island Connection
Mark your calendar for the 27th annual Charleston Symphony Tour of Homes on Kiawah Island, on Saturday, November 2 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. As the longest-running island house tour in the Lowcountry, the Symphony Tour has become an annual fall destination for Charleston and Barrier Island locals.
The tour showcases and celebrates five of Kiawah’s finest residences, which this year includes the winner of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Robert Mills Residential Merit Award; a beachfront home; and a new construction masterpiece designed in the barrier island vernacular.
Music is always a feature of the tours, and scholarship recipients of the League, along with CSO musicians, will be featured playing throughout the homes. Following the tour, the Charleston Symphony will perform a concert at the West Beach Conference Center, courtesy of the Town of Kiawah Island Arts and Cultural Events Council. A separate ticket for the concert is required.
All proceeds benefit the Charleston Symphony and CSOL music scholarship.
New this year is the VIP/Friends of the Tour launch party, hosted Saturday October 19 at a Kiawah private residence. Guests will meet the tour homeowners while enjoying curated food, cocktails and a wine tasting. Your $200 Friend of the Tour price includes two tickets to the launch party and a ticket to the tour. All VIP/Friends of the Tour will be recognized in the tour program.
Become a card-carrying member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, Charleston’s most beloved fine arts organization, prior to purchase to
gain access to member VIP pre-ticketing and pricing.
Member tickets are $65, while non-member tickets are $75 and “week of” (if available) tickets are $80.
Symphony Tour of Kiawah Homes Event Schedule
• Saturday, October 19, 6:30-9 p.m. VIP/Friends of the Tour launch party in honor of VIP/Friends, sponsors, and homeowners.
• November 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Homes are open to guests to visit at their leisure.
• November 2, 5 p.m.
Charleston Symphony Orchestra concert at the West Beach Conference Center, sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts & Cultural Events Council.
An example of the beautiful properties displayed on the Tour of Homes.
around the islands...
ONGOING
WHAT: Booze and Boos Tours
WHERE: Henry’s on Market, 54 N Market St., Charleston
WHEN: Seven days a week through November 16
MORE INFO: This 2.5-hour tour will begin at Henry's on the Market where you will have the chance to purchase some spirits of your own to enjoy while your pirate guide shares stories. From there, you will go on a walking adventure to check out some haunted sites on the way to your next libation. The tour will end in Vendue Range.
WHAT: MOJA Arts Festival
WHERE: Various
WHEN: Various days from September 26 – October 6
MORE INFO: An annual celebration of Black arts and culture and the community's artistic contributions to the world, especially through African American and Caribbean legacies. Visit mojafestival.com for more info.
WHAT: Pumpkin Patch
WHERE: Various
WHEN: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Sept. 27 - Oct. 27
MORE INFO: Pumpkins for sale by the pound, food vendors, corn maze, family friendly Halloween tractor tour, petting zoo, pig races, pony rides, rubber duck races, face painting, and more.
WHAT: 2024 Alan Fleming Senior Open Clay Court Championship Tournament
WHERE: Seabrook Island Racquet Club, 3772 Seabrook Island Road
WHEN: Various times, October 2 - 6
MORE INFO: The annual tournament is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Participants, ranging in age from 30 to 80+, compete in various singles and doubles categories, as well as mixed doubles brackets.
WHAT: Holy City Halloween
WHERE: 34 Woolfe Street, Charleston
WHEN: Various days through November 2
MORE INFO: Holy City Halloween, downtown Charleston’s only Haunted House attraction, will make its debut in the old Meddin Meats Slaughterhouse and Woolfe Street Playhouse building. The attraction will offer both family-friendly and adult versions of the experience.
WHAT: Lexus Charleston Fashion Week: The Events WHERE: Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St, Charleston WHEN: Various times on both October 11 and 12
MORE INFO: A two-night celebration at Festival Hall in downtown Charleston. The night will include curated pop-ups shops with the hottest in accessories and fashion, as well as a 3-D photo-booth, libations, live interviews, runway shows featuring the latest in fashion and much more. For more information, visit charlestonfashionweek.com.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
WHAT: Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Pickleball Tournament
WHERE: Kiawah River, 3883 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy, Johns Island WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MORE INFO: Watch or play as 32 teams compete in a single-elimination doubles tournament. Guests can enjoy a catered lunch, craft beer from Low Tide Brewing, and wine. With music and fun activities throughout the day, this event promises a fantastic experience for all.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
WHAT: Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon and 5K
WHERE: Johns Island County Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Rd, Johns Island WHEN: 8 a.m.
MORE INFO: Charleston County Parks welcomes runners and walkers to Johns Island County Park for the annual Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon and 5K race on Saturday, October 5. This year’s race will also feature a new Kids Dash for ages 3-7. The course features forest trails filled to the brim with plants and wildlife. Participants will enjoy spotting wildflowers, plenty of critters, and of course the
spectacular moss-draped oak trees along the park’s trails. To register online, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.
WHAT: Sea Island Farmers Market
WHERE: 2024 Academy Rd., Johns Island
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Sea Island Farmers Market is a year-round delight for locals and visitors alike. This market offers a wide variety of fresh produce, artisanal foods and handmade crafts. It's the perfect spot to start your weekend with a basket full of farmfresh goodies and unique finds.
WHAT: Weekend Wine-Down
WHERE: Deep Water Vineyard, 6775 Bears Bluff Rd, Wadmalaw Island
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Attendees can expect tastings ($15 gets you a tasting of 6 samples of the vineyard's wine and a souvenir stemless glass), drinks, food trucks, live music, and more.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
WHAT: 7th annual Lewis Hatch Chile Roast
WHERE: Pacific Box & Crate, 505 King St, Charleston
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Pitmaster John Lewis hosts his annual Lewis Hatch Chile Roast, taking place at Rancho Lewis (1503 King St.) and the nearby Pacific Box & Crate courtyard. Returning for its seventh year, the Lewis Chile Roast celebrates acclaimed pitmaster John Lewis's favorite ingredient, the Hatch green chile, while honoring the annual chile harvest in New Mexico's Hatch Valley. The festival features a wide range of activities, including tasting tents with the area’s top chefs, live music from honkytonk band Solid Country Gold, a chile-eating contest, a kiddie corral with children’s activities, and multiple bars offering plenty of cold beverages.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10
WHAT: An Evening with Renowned Winemaker Marco Caprai
WHERE: Hotel Bennett, 404 King Street, Charleston
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Renowned winemaker Marco Caprai is partnering with Chef Edgar Kano for a special wine-paired dinner featuring homemade pastas, porchetta, and other Umbrian delicacies at Gabrielle in Hotel Bennett. Arnaldo Caprai Winery in Umbria, Italy is renowned as the leading producer of Sagrantino di Montefalco, a wine crafted exclusively from this native grape variety. Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
WHAT: Discovering Pinot Noir - A Six Course Wine Dinner
WHERE: The Establishment, 28 Broad Street, Charleston WHEN: 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Establishment is hosting a six-course wine dinner and will feature Executive Chef Elliott Howells' cuisine paired with pinot noir from around the world. You may book through OpenTable, The Establishment website, or calling the restaurant at 843-789-4028. Tickets are $150 per person.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
WHAT: Darius Rucker's Riverfront Revival
WHERE: Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave, North Charleston WHEN: Oct. 11 and 12. Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, noon on Saturday.
MORE INFO: Two-day music festival curated by Country music star Darius Rucker. Performers include Hootie & the Blowfish, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sister Hazel, Arrested Development, Jamey Johnson, Collective Soul, and more.
WHAT: Fall Movie on The Green: “Remember the Titans”
WHERE: Freshfields Village WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Village welcomes back one of its beloved events, Movie on The Green. Free to attend, the event takes place on the Village Green, a central open space surrounded by shops and restaurants. Guests are welcome to bring blankets and chairs to watch one of the most iconic football movies of all time, “Remember the Titans.”
You have probably seen this one’s bright butter-yellow flowers; the plants are commonly very abundant in old agricultural fields and roadsides. They are sometimes present in the thousands, and they can produce a brilliant floral display in the fall, sometimes even through a light frost. This species occurs nearly throughout the Southern states and well into the Mississippi River valley. It is most commonly seen at lower elevations and is especially common on the coastal plain and piedmont, not too often seen in the mountains. It can make quite an autumnal display at the edge of an old field, along with sunflowers, morning glories, asters and ragweed.
This plant is a member of the bean family, the family name being Fabaceae (or Leguminosae if you prefer). The flowers are characteristic, with five unequal petals exhibiting a bilateral symmetry. This architecture is repeated again and again in different members of the bean family: The largest petal, at the back, is called the “banner” or “standard.” Two narrower petals on each side are “wing” petals, and two even narrower “keel” petals at the bottom embrace and protect the stamens and pistil.
If you find this plant in bloom, you can easily take a flower apart with your fingers, and you will see this five-petaled architecture. Some rather romantic botanists likened the flowers in shape to butterflies (and the flowers can thus be described as papilionaceus). After blooming, the ovary of each flower expands into an inflated pod (or legume) at first green, but eventually becoming nearly black. When the pods are ripe and dried out, the shiny black seeds become detached within, and readily
A Complex Fall Floral
BY JOHN NELSON For The Island Connection
rattle around inside, like miniature maracas. In fact, the genus name of our plant is derived from the rattlesnake genus, Crotalus, in allusion to the rattling seeds.
The foliage of the plant is somewhat unusual for a member of the bean family. Most herbaceous members of the family have their leaf blades divided pinnately (along either side of the midrib) into a number of discrete leaflets – consider kudzu, clover and lespedezas, which have three leaflets, but also wisteria, which has between seven and nine or so. Our Mystery Plant is an oddball, in that its leaves are simple, somewhat rounded at the tip and tapering down to the base, not at all divided into leaflets.
In addition to being beautiful, these plants, which are native to southern Asia, are useful in controlling erosion and building up the soil by the complicated biochemical process of nitrogen fixation. The species was introduced into the Southeast for these reasons, and, being rather weedy, has spread. There is a dark side though: All parts of the plant turn out to be somewhat poisonous to poultry and livestock, so it is now something of an agricultural liability. It’s great, though, for teaching in the classroom, and I’ll soon need to go out and harvest a bucketful for my Botany Boot Camp class.
John Nelson is a retired botanist from the herbarium at the University of South Carolina. As a public service, the herbarium offers free plant identifications For more information, call 803-777-8175 or email johnbnelson@sc.rr.com.
10:24am/10:27pm 10:56am/11:01pm 11:32am/11:39pm 12:15pm 12:24am/1:08pm 1:19am/2:11pm 2:23am/3:19pm 3:31am/4:24pm 4:38am/5:24pm 5:40am/6:20pm 6:38am/7:12pm 7:33am/8:03pm 8:25am/8:53pm 9:17am/9:43pm
3:53am/4:34pm 4:25am/5:13pm 5:00am/5:55pm 5:40am/6:43pm 6:28am/7:38pm 7:25am/8:39pm 8:31am/9:41pm 9:42am/10:41pm 10:50am/11:36pm 11:53am 12:28am/12:52pm 1:18am/1:48pm 2:06am/2:42pm 2:54am/3:35pm
Source:
[[Answer: “Scarlet creeper,” Ipomoea coccinea]
PHOTO BY LINDA LEE
Top-ranked Jessica Pegula to play in 2025 Charleston Open TICKETS GO
ON SALE MID-OCTOBER
BY ARIELLE ALPINO For The Island Connection
The 2024 US Open finalist, Olympian and top-ranked American Jessica Pegula has entered the 2025 Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America. Pegula will compete in the Charleston main draw for the seventh time when the tournament returns March 29 - April 6, 2025, to Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island.
The Credit One Charleston Open was recognized as the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year in 2022 and 2023. Originally held on Hilton Head Island and now in its 53rd year, the tournament will celebrate 25 years in Charleston in 2025. Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages Credit One Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, renovated and modernized the 20-year-old facility in 2022. The city-owned venue underwent upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.
Pegula is currently the number one ranked American. She has captured six WTA singles titles and seven WTA doubles titles. She recently had a career breakthrough, reaching her first Grand Slam final at the 2024 US Open, her best Major result to date. Before the
US Open, Pegula had reached the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, making her a six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist.
“We are excited to welcome Jessie Pegula back to Charleston for the Credit One Charleston Open. She has a great history with our tournament, and her remarkable performances on the court have always been a highlight with tennis fans,” said Bob Moran, president of Beemok Sports & Entertainment.
“She is ending her 2024 season
with amazing momentum, winning in Canada and making the finals in both Cincinnati and the US Open.
As we celebrate 25 incredible years of tennis in this great city, we’re looking forward to hosting an exceptional player field and event, with more exciting announcements coming your way.”
In addition to her result at the US Open, Pegula reached three more finals this year – in Berlin, Toronto, and Cincinnati – securing titles in Berlin and Toronto. She also advanced
to the semifinals in Adelaide, San Diego and Charleston, and reached the quarterfinals in Miami. This summer, Pegula qualified and competed in the 2024 Olympic Games, representing Team USA for a second time.
The 2025 Credit One Charleston Open will be Pegula’s 11th appearance in the Charleston player field and seventh in the main draw. She holds an 11-6 win/loss main draw record and was a semifinalist in 2023 and 2024.
“I’m always excited to return to Charleston for the Credit One Charleston Open. This tournament holds a special place in my heart, with wonderful memories from my two semifinal appearances and time spent in the Lowcountry over the past decade. I can't wait to kick off my clay season in Charleston next year and play in front of a home crowd at Credit One Stadium,” said Pegula.
The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players. The event traditionally hosts more than 90,000 attendees on Daniel Island.
Ticket packages will be available for purchase at creditonecharlestonopen.com or by calling 843-856-7900 on October 15. For additional information, please email tickets@charlestontennisllc.com, or visit creditonecharlestonopen.com.
Jessica Pegula
COURTESY OF BEMOK SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
