Seabrook Council Denies Support for the Avian Conservation Center
BY THERESA STRATFORD
For The Island Connection
Seabrook Island’s North Beach is recognized as a critical habitat for shorebirds. Among the species that live, nest and feed on Seabrook are the Red Knot, Piping Plover, Wilson’s Plover and the Least Tern.
For an island with a habitat so important to shorebirds, it may have come as a surprise to some that the Seabrook Island Town Council unanimously decided not to approve a $2,500 grant to the Avian Conservation Center at the regular Town Council meeting on November 19.
The Avian Conservation Center, which encompasses the Center for Birds of Prey, SC Oiled Bird Treatment Facility and the Avian Medical Clinic, is whom everyone calls when they encounter or need to report a sick or injured bird.
On their website, the mission is stated simply, “To identify and address vital environmental issues by providing medical care for injured
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Exchange Club donates $3 million to local community
BY LISA MCDONALD
For The Island Connection
Since the launch of the Exchange Club of KiawahSeabrook in 1982, members have been working quietly and steadily to raise funds and improve the lives of people on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands by supporting local child abuse prevention programs, youth/ education initiatives and community outreach services.
The club also honors America’s veterans and, specifically, South Carolina fallen heroes with flag displays around the community for national holidays. Through yearround educational dinners, community service projects, fundraising activities and social events, the Exchange Club has donated over $3 million to the community.
Included in that amount is $178,200 awarded on November 6 to 40 local service providers. This annual event is the culmination of work by committee members to analyze and vet dozens of requests for assistance.
Residents of Johns, Wadmalaw, Kiawah and Seabrook Islands are invited to help make a difference by joining. For more information visit ks-exchangeclub.com.
Fishing for Answers
GUIDELINES AND ORDINANCES CONFLICTED AT RECENT COUNCIL MEETING
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
There are rules, there are regulations, and then there are guidelines. Sometimes it’s a blurred line on what a town jurisdiction can enforce when it comes to guidelines.
Seabrook Island Town Council Member Gordon Weis, who is also the chair of the Town’s Environment and Wildlife Committee, recommended that the Town adopt the Seabrook Island Property Owner Association’s (SIPOA) fishing guidelines. He presented a short version of the guidelines and a long version at the November 19 Town Council meeting.
Basically, Weis explained that the guidelines would be for educational purposes for any member of the public wishing to fish on Seabrook Island.
Town Council Member Darryl May pointed out the guidelines are similar to a pamphlet with educational information, but not really something that a Town Council would adopt. He added that the guidelines do
not have legal recourse.
Seabrook Island Town Administrator Joe Cronin said that some of the information in the SIPOA fishing guidelines are already in the Town’s ordinance on fishing, like the DNR fishing rules. He went on to say that councils normally do not create guidelines, unless they are further enhancing or clarifying. He used the example of guidelines for approving grant applications.
“Those are tools so that each committee can use the guidelines to make recommendations, but they don’t have the force of law,” Cronin said.
The guidelines could be posted on the Town’s website, but Seabrook Island’s Mayor Bruce Kleinman noted that some of the information in the guidelines could conflict with their current ordinance, even though he said that normally posting something like this on their website would be fine.
“There is plenty of stuff on
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PHOTO: BY THERESA STRATFORD
Loretta Stanley of New Webster Food Pantry, left, with Thad Peterson, President of Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook.
Aviation Center (continued
from page 1)
birds of prey and shorebirds and through educational research, and conservation initiatives.”
The website goes on to state, “After more than 30 years and 15,000 medical cases, we can fully appreciate the invaluable insight that wild birds provide into a broad range of environmental threats.”
Headquartered in Awendaw, visitors can tour the site, view the birds that they care for, learn about the wild birds’ habitats and behaviors and hear about the birds’ chances of being reintroduced into the wild after rehabilitation. Probably the most popular reason to visit the Avian Conservation Center is to view a flight demonstration.
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Lisa McDonald Alan Armstrong
The Avian Conservation Center will assist with injured or sick wild birds and shorebirds all over the Charleston County area and currently admits between 800 and 1,000 patients with minor to critical conditions each year.
In fact, the Seabrook Island Birders, an organization of Seabrook Island residents who volunteer to educate the public on protecting the island’s shorebirds and wild birds, has a link on their website to the Avian Conservation Center for the public to call when they spot a sick or injured wild bird or shorebird.
However, Town Council Member Gordon Weis, who is also chair of the Environment and Wildlife Committee, commented that the Committee was split on recommending approval of the grant to Council by 2 to 2, which was why there was not a recommendation either way from the committee. He said that two of the members were unsure as to what exactly the Avian Conservation Center did for Seabrook Island directly, especially since they were not located anywhere near the island and were not on the island often to educate on their services.
“They put on some meetings for the Seabrook Island Birders, but if you weren’t a member of the Birders, you had to pay to go to the meeting,” he said. “Two of us just didn’t feel they offered much to the town of Seabrook and the residents here.”
Mayor Bruce Kleinman added that the public on Seabrook Island are instructed to call the Avian Conservation Center when they spot a sick or injured bird.
Council Member Dan Kortvelesy mentioned that it would be important to have the merit of the Seabrook Island Birders if this application comes through again.
Council Member Darryl May added that there are many organizations that benefit both Charleston County as a whole, as well as Seabrook specifically. He gave the example of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, which is located in Charleston, but has a more direct tie to Seabrook since they spend time on the island educating beachgoers about dolphin behaviors. “While I am sure this is a worthwhile organization, we can’t give to all organizations that do not have a direct tie to us other than that they are located in Charleston County.”
Weis noted that the Avian Conservation Center was invited several times to speak to the Town Council, but the Town was just directed to their website.
In the Avian Conservation Center’s application, they said they would use $2,250 of the money to fund a study on anticoagulant rodenticide with Texas
A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and $250 on testing supplies. They noted in the application that anticoagulant rodenticide is found in wild birds, like owls and hawks, when they consume rodents. The second-generation anticoagulants can cause death to the birds.
Animals, such as wild birds, bobcats and alligators, have tested positive on Johns Island, Kiawah and Seabrook Islands in recent years for the second-
generation anticoagulant.
In the end, Kleinman expressed his concern that there was no one there to represent the Avian Conservation Center and speak on their behalf. Seabrook Island Town Council therefore opposed approving the grant award to the Avian Conservation Center with Kleinman abstaining from the vote.
Representatives from the Avian Conservation Center did not respond when asked to comment.
Guidelines (continued from page 1)
our website that the Council would never vote on,” Kleinman said. “That is a staff issue. Now, if they posted something that is incorrect, we would have to get involved. The short version is fine, but the long version has some conflicting information. The subject itself needs to be examined because the danger of putting something on there that is inconsistent with our existing ordinance far outweighs the benefit to rushing it. In the long version, it says that people fishing and people swimming should work together and not conflict with each other, but the ordinance gives priority to the swimmers and not fishing. If we think the priority should not be given to swimmers and bystanders, then that is an ordinance question and not just a policy. There is a process here. I think staff should evaluate the short version to determine if it is appropriate for the website and table the long version until we all have the opportunity to go through it in the context of our ordinance.”
Weis commented that going to the Town’s website and SIPOA’s website should be consistent, and if these guidelines were posted in both locations, it should be consistent messaging. He added that the ordinance might need to be reassessed. “Why do the people fishing not have the same rights as the swimmers, especially if they get there first?” Weis asked.
May recommended a compromise of just linking to the SIPOA website. “Our beach is long enough to accommodate
both fishing and swimming. They don’t have to be in the same spot,” May suggested.
May went on to say, “I have never been thrilled with lines being thrown out where kids are swimming, so if you just walk 100 yards down from the boardwalk, it is fine. People swim near the boardwalks for the most part. Everyone can do what they want, just not in the exact same place.”
Weis contended that SIPOA and the Town should be on the same page. Kleinman said that he didn’t disagree with that. “I agree with the concept of supporting the same things as SIPOA when it comes to beach safety, but this isn’t the same thing,” he said.
The mayor noted that their current beach ordinance says that code enforcement would ask people who are fishing to stop fishing in the interest of public safety, and it goes on to say that in the event that code enforcement deems the fishing to be unsafe for other users of the beach, the people fishing would be asked to leave the beach. It does not specify priority on who gets there first for either people fishing or swimming.
May found another issue with the guidelines, stating that SIPOA officers would have jurisdiction on this issue, but he said that SIPOA does not have code enforcement jurisdiction when it comes to fishing and swimming.
All of the Town Council opposed adopting the guidelines, except for Weis. Kleinman said he would like to revisit this situation at a later date.
Seabrook Island
As the holiday season approaches, I’m especially grateful to call Seabrook Island and Charleston my home. It’s an honor to represent my clients' beautiful properties here, and through Sotheby’s International Realty’s global network, I’m thankful for the opportunity to share the unique charm and lifestyle of this special place with others. If you have friends and family visiting
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.
Christmas
Tues,
4
Christmas Day
Weds, December 25
10 am - St. John’s
around the islands...
ONGOING
WHAT: Holiday Festival of Lights
WHERE: James Island County Park
WHEN: Nightly from 5:30 – 10 p.m. through Dec. 31, 2024
MORE INFO: Join us to cruise along the three-mile display of multicolored lights throughout the park, featuring over 750 light displays or tour other areas of the park, family fun activities, holiday shopping, food and treats, and much more.
WHAT: Aquarium Aglow
WHERE: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston
WHEN: On select evenings this November and December
MORE INFO: Along with larger-than-life installations created from thousands of lights, Aquarium Aglow includes festive photo ops and the most unique Santa encounter in Charleston, Scuba Claus. Food and drinks, including a selection of alcoholic beverages, will be available for purchase. For more info visit scaquarium.org/aglow.
WHAT: Little Pine, A Holiday Pop-up
WHERE: Little Palm at The Ryder Hotel, 237 Meeting Street, Charleston
WHEN: Various times from Nov. 8 to Jan. 5
MORE INFO: Grab your ugly sweater and get ready for spiked eggnog because this winter, we transport you into a holiday state of mind. Sip seasonal beverages with festive fare inside our cozy gondolas, perfect for groups of up to four. Extend your holiday fun by hitting the synthetic ice rink in The Backyard. Ice skating is available for $15 per person, including skate rentals.
WHAT: Skate the Stadium
WHERE: Credit One Stadium
WHEN: Select nights through December 29
MORE INFO: From festive decorations and twinkling lights to cozy fire pits and a custom-built synthetic rink, it's the perfect setting to celebrate the magic of the season. After a fun skate, guests can enjoy classic winter treats like s’mores, cinnamon sugar pretzels and hot chocolate—and for 21+ guests there will be seasonal beers and specialty cocktails to warm up. New this year is the Outdoor Holiday Movie Series, taking place every Friday night in December, offering free holiday movie screenings on the stadium’s lawn.
WHAT: Sippin’ Santa Holiday Pop-up Bar
WHERE: Prohibition, 547 King Street, Charleston
WHEN: Daily from 11 am - 2 am through Jan. 1
MORE INFO: Floor-to-ceiling decoration, menus featuring festive original cocktails in signature Christmas mugs and glassware and food menus created for the holiday season. Christmas cocktails from years past, as well as some new.
WHAT: Cougar Night Lights
WHERE: Cistern Yard at the College of Charleston
WHEN: Nightly every half hour between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. through Jan. 2, 2025
MORE INFO: The 8th annual Cougar Night Lights will capture the magic of the holidays with dazzling light displays set to classic holiday tunes and popular contemporary songs. A total of 46,490 lights will illuminate Cistern Yard during this month-long program.
WHAT: Charleston’s Nutcracker
WHERE: Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street, Charleston WHEN: Multiple performances from Dec. 20 to Dec. 22
MORE INFO: Palmetto City Ballet presents this annual holiday classic. Join Clara, a young orphan girl, on a thrilling adventure filled with menacing shadows, dancing snowflakes, delicious gumdrops, and a bustling town marketplace.
WHAT: Holidays on Hutson
WHERE: Huston Alley, 39C-G, John St, Charleston
WHEN: 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights through Dec. 21
MORE INFO: Second annual celebration for families and friends alike. Hutson Alley is a charming cobblestone alley tucked between 39 Rue de Jean, Coast Bar & Grill, Charleston’s Smallest Bar, Victor’s Seafood & Steak, Vincent Chicco’s, and The Charleston Music Hall. Hutson Alley will deck the halls with lights, ornaments, trees, and more. Snow will fall from the sky twice a night as you sip hot chocolate among the lights. There will be s’mores kits available for purchase and festive cocktails served from Charleston’s Smallest Bar.
WHAT: The Charleston Christmas Special
WHERE: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St, Charleston
WHEN: Multiple performances through Dec. 22
MORE INFO: All new for 2024! Brad and Jennifer Moranz have delighted audiences of all ages with their holiday musical show featuring some of the country’s most talented singers, dancers and musicians – now in its 30th year!
WHAT: A Christmas Carol
WHERE: Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St, Charleston
WHEN: Multiple performances through December 22
MORE INFO: Experience the magic of the season with their beloved musical production of "A Christmas Carol," Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption and holiday spirit.
WHAT: Sea Island Farmers Market
WHERE: 2024 Academy Rd., Johns Island
WHEN: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: 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 farm-fresh goodies and unique finds.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
WHAT: 33rd Annual Reindeer Run
WHERE: Downtown Charleston
WHEN: 8 a.m.
MORE INFO: Half-Moon Outfitters Reindeer Run is a family-oriented, pet-friendly 5k run/walk located in downtown Charleston. The run benefits the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. The race starts and finishes on N Market Street beside The Charleston Place Hotel
WHAT: Wreath Making and Wine Tasting
WHERE: The Restaurant at Zero George, 0 George St., Charleston
WHEN: 12:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: A festive wreath-making workshop led by local Charleston florist Astilbe, paired with a guided wine tasting featuring three handpicked selections by a Zero George sommelier.
WHAT: Grand Illumination & Dinner
WHERE: Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Rd., Charleston WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: As you make your way through the torch-lit gardens, you’ll meet historical reenactors portraying free and enslaved men and women of Middleton Place as they experience the end of the Revolutionary War, the departure of the British from Charleston, and Arthur Middleton’s return to his family. After the theatrical presentation, enjoy a feast in the Pavilion. The chef and attendants will serve a buffet featuring favorite Lowcountry dishes.
WHAT: Holiday Movies on The Green: The Santa Clause WHERE: Freshfields Village WHEN: 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: Screening is free, with guests encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and a picnic for a relaxed evening outdoors.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
WHAT: Feast of the Seven Fishes WHERE: Sorelle
WHEN: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
MORE INFO: Chef Nick Dugan’s “Feast of the Seven Fishes” returns for the holiday season. Enjoy his multi-course menu inspired by the classic Italian celebration, highlighting seven different fish and shellfish freshly caught right here in the Lowcountry.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
WHAT: Cars & Coffee
WHERE: Freshfields Village
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: The monthly Cars & Coffee event happens on the third Saturday of every month, showcasing unique cars and offering the opportunity to purchase coffee from Java Java.
Golfing for the Greater Good
BY ALAN ARMSTRONG
For The Island Connection
On Monday, November 11, Lowcountry golfers teed up at the Seabrook Island Club in the 13th Annual Seabrook Island Veteran’s Day Charitable Golf Outing to recognize veterans and raise money to support the Charleston Fisher House and the Ralph Johnson Veterans Hospital in Charleston.
The event is sponsored by the Seabrook Island Club and the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club. During the opening ceremonies, the flag was presented by the St. Johns High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard. WWII veteran Ed Gillen, who played in the event, was recognized for his service.
The Seabrook Island Club hosted 200 golfers, including 16 Lowcountry Wounded Warriors who wanted to show their support for veterans of all eras. The event raised $42,000 for the Fisher House and Ralph Johnson Charleston Veterans Hospital.
The Ocean Winds flight winners were Ted Kravec, Bob Cherry, Tom Webster, and Ryan Webster. The Cooked Oaks flight winners were Bruce Ludwin, Rod MacDonald, Mark White and Wounded Warrior Bob Doran. The event in 2025 will be on Monday, November 10.
Event Co-Chairperson's Brian Thelan and Alan Armstrong presenting check to Dwight Kress representing the Charleston VA Hospital.
Watch Archaeologists at Work SURVEY AT HERITAGE PRESERVE OPEN TO
PUBLIC
BY SCDNR
For The Island Connection
The public is invited to view the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Heritage Trust archaeologists as they conduct an archaeological survey at Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve in Beaufort County. The archaeological survey will take place from Tuesday, Jan. 7 through Thursday, Jan. 16.
Free guided public tours of Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve will be offered daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Each tour is limited to 15 participants, and pre-registration is encouraged. The public can register for guided tours online.
Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve is located on the edge of a marsh beside Skull Creek on Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Heritage Trust Program, along with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreations and Tourism, acquired this 3-acre preserve in 1991 to protect and preserve a cultural site constructed of discarded shells and other material left by the Indigenous people who once lived here. The Town of Hilton Head and SCDNR maintain joint ownership of this preserve that is managed by Heritage Trust.
This small preserve features an embankment made of shells measuring a little more than 1 meter in height and about 10 meters across. Radiocarbon (carbon-14)
dating of charcoal from this site produced an approximate date of 1335 BCE, a period known as the Irene phase (1300 to 1450 BCE) of the Mississippian Period. This embankment is predominantly made up of discarded shells and also includes artifacts, such as pottery sherds, that bear unique decorations from the Irene phase. These pottery decorations include complicated paddle-stamped designs, incising, punctuations and appliques. Based on research from other Irene phase sites, the Green’s Shell Enclosure likely provided defensive protection for a village, with walls, palisades and ditches. This site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
From 2024 through 2026, the South Carolina Heritage Trust Program is celebrating its 50th anniversary. On Feb. 27, 1974, Gov. John C. West signed an executive order inaugurating the Heritage Trust Program and establishing the Heritage Trust Advisory Board. Following two years of lobbying, the South Carolina legislature passed the Heritage Trust Act, and the act was signed into law by Gov. James B. Edwards on May 25, 1976. This anniversary is a monumental milestone for a program that was the first of its kind in the entire nation to protect natural and cultural properties for current and future generations.
WWII veteran and Seabrook Island resident Ed Gillen greeting Wounded Warriors as part of opening ceremonies. Gillen is 99 years old and played in the event.
Tide Chart
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Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in tide time predictions and can be very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be wrong so use common sense. Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16
Source: saltwatertides.com 6:52am/7:14pm 7:44am/8:06pm 8:34am/8:56pm 9:23am/9:45pm 10:10am/10:34pm 10:56am/11:24pm 11:41am 12:15am/12:27pm 1:08am/1:14pm 2:01am/2:04pm 2:55am/2:55pm 3:47am/3:47pm 4:37am/4:38pm 5:26am/5:28pm 12:20am/1:13pm 1:11am/2:04pm 2:01am/2:53pm 2:50am/3:41pm 3:39am/4:27pm 4:27am/5:13pm 5:16am/5:59pm 6:07am/6:44pm 7:01am/7:30pm 7:59am/8:17pm 8:58am/9:04pm 9:54am/:52pm 10:47am/10:39pm 11:36am/11:25pm
January 30 | 8pm
