A Healthy Relationship
KIAWAH CONTINUES TO SUPPORT FREE MEDICAL CLINIC
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
It was 2008 when the first fundraiser for the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic was held on Kiawah Island’s River Course, and it was 2011 that the Town started supporting the medical clinic through grant funding. The rest is history because the Town has supported this worthy cause wholeheartedly ever since.
At the November 5 Kiawah Island Town Council meeting, representatives from the Johns Island medical clinic came to speak on the organization’s behalf. This presentation came after the mayor, and a couple of the Council members had recently visited the clinic and were given a tour.
Anyone in the areas of
(continued on page 3)
Bishop Gadsden to open new Seafields community
Building on its long connection to the Sea Islands and a 174-year history of excellence in senior living, Bishop Gadsden is looking forward to expanding its mission and reach through Seafields by Bishop Gadsden.
With an anticipated opening in late 2025, Seafields by Bishop Gadsden will be a 62+ life plan community featuring 89 independent and 16 assisted living residences. Amenities of Seafields include an outdoor heated pool overlooking an expansive lake with Lowcountry wildlife; various culinary opportunities; an onsite salon; a yoga and fitness center; and various amenity spaces.
Seafields will feature an onsite clinic and physician services and will provide easy access to the muchanticipated MUSC Health Kiawah Partners Pavilion. All of these amenities and services are within walking distance of the 50 shops, restaurants, spa services and boutique hotel accommodations that make Freshfields an outstanding destination for island residents and their visitors.
Promoting Kiawah’s Natural Environment for Tourism
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
When promoting Kiawah Island as a tourist destination, one may think of strolling the shops of Freshfields Village, taking in a game of golf on one of their five public golf courses, relaxing on the beach or enjoying the view from the Sanctuary Hotel.
Meanwhile, Mayor Bradley Belt wanted to market Kiawah Island’s natural side with the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, highlighting the area’s unique ecosystem and the many species of wildlife that call the island home.
In a special video produced by the CVB with help from the mayor, Kiawah Island’s Communications Director Erin Pomrenke, and featuring the Kiawah Island Wildlife Biologist Jim Jordan, it isn’t the shops or the activities on Kiawah Island that draw a crowd. Instead, it’s the wildlife, including alligators, dolphins, shorebirds, bobcats and more, showcased along with breathtaking views across marshland, long beachfront dunes and the intricate intracoastal waterways.
of birds, some of which are year-round and others who are only passing through as they migrate to their final destinations. Jordan also discussed the island’s rare residents: the bobcats, who they fight to protect from certain rat poisonings, which has reduced their population over recent years.
Kiawah Island is also known for its loggerhead sea turtle population. The Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol is probably the most popular volunteer gig on the island, with over 300 members.
Jordan ends the video by inviting people to contribute to preserving Kiawah Island's natural environment by refraining from feeding the alligators and always keeping a safe distance from the island’s first residents – the wildlife.
The video will be highlighted on the CVB website and in the Charleston Visitor’s Center. The Town of Kiawah Island will stream the video in their visitor’s center too and will post it on their social media channels and website.
(continued on page 4)
Following the affiliation announcement, the Seafields by Bishop Gadsden Board of Directors named Kimberly Borts as its inaugural executive director. With a tenure of more than 17 years with Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community, Borts will leave her role as vice president of Mission and Communications and assume the
The voiceover is Kiawah Island’s own Jordan, who has been the island’s wildlife biologist for over 20 years.
In the video, Jordan noted the thriving ecosystem of Kiawah Island, which is a 5,000-acre barrier island. He addressed the unique behavior of strand feeding among dolphins, especially off Captain Sams Spit. He also mentioned that they see over 300 different species
Pomrenke said, “Conservation and wildlife are important to the Kiawah community and the Town, and it was exciting to work with the CVB on this project.”
Mayor Bradley Belt concluded, “Thank you to all involved in this. I am very pleased with the outcome. It’s a great video. Well done.”
A sea turtle moving toward the ocean.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KIAWAH ISLAND TURTLE PATROL
PUBLISHERS
OF
The Island Eye News, The Island Connection & SiP Magazine
The Art of Observation
JANUARY’S ARTIST OF THE MONTH PATRICIA MARTIN-NELSON
BY BONNIE YOUNGINER For The Island Connection
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Patricia Martin-Nelson grew up drawing. Her art projects included creating little booklets, posters and bulletin boards for school, church and hospitals.
Martin-Nelson attended nursing school and worked with adolescent patients for 15 years as a psychiatric nurse. This environment helped shape her interest in the observation of human behavior.
In Manhattan, she attended art classes at the Art Student’s League and the School of Visual Arts of New York. Several years later, she returned to Richmond and began art classes at the Virginia Commonwealth University. It was there that Martin-Nelson earned her BFA in Painting and printmaking and an MFA in clay. She and her family lived in Tokyo, Japan for nine years, allowing opportunities for behavior study and affording many opportunities to create and exhibit. The move also rekindled her interest in printmaking – not only the carving, but the linear quality of the Japanese woodblock print. After relocating to Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, the artist furthered her experiences of people and artistic observations.
Returning home to Richmond resulted in being able to reconnect with fellow artists, and she continues to make relief prints, drawings and clay sculptures. By utilizing observations of a figure’s body language, she uses color, line and form in an attempt to create a story.
Being relatively new to the Lowcountry, she is delighted with Seabrook Island and the beauty that surrounds her daily.
Please join the Seabrook Island Artist Guild for a reception to meet Patricia Martin-Nelson and view her beautiful, unique artwork on Tuesday, January 7, 4:30-6 p.m. at the Lake House.
Civic Calen dar
TOWN OF KIAWAH
Arts Council Board
Monday, January 6, 10 a.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Ways & Means Committee
Tuesday, January 7, 10 a.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Town Council
Tuesday, January 7, 1 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Planning Commission
Wednesday, January 8, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Arts & Cultural Event Council
Thursday, January 9, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
TOWN OF SEABROOK
Patricia Martin-Nelson
Festive events conclude year at the Kiawah Island Garden Club
BY KRISTIN B. THOMPSON For The Island Connection
The Kiawah Island Garden Club prepared for the holiday season starting on November 20, when 35 members met at Night Heron Pavilion to construct magnolia wreaths for their holiday doors.
Debora Morton gave lessons in how to make perfect bows using 25 feet of ribbon, and the members used an easy method of constructing the wreaths on a wire form. The magnolia leaves came from pruning two large Kiawah trees and from Mayesh, a new distributor in North Charleston.
On December 10, club members rested from their labors to enjoy a holiday luncheon at Jasmine Porch in the Sanctuary. The hotel was beautifully decorated for the holidays, and it’s always a treat to enjoy good food and conversation with friends on the Island.
Medical
On January 14, club members will meet for an educational opportunity. Dr. George Taylor is one of the founding members of the Sweetgrass Garden Co-op, a nonprofit community garden on Johns Island. He has participated in several trials and grants, testing organic fertilizer. This background led him to develop an interest in live algae as a biofertilizer.
After an introduction to his research, Dr. Taylor will lead the group to his laboratory for further discussion and a tour.
The Garden Club welcomes new members. Kiawah Island residents may send $15 for dues to Lisa Milo, Treasurer, at 70 LeMoyne Lane, Kiawah Island, SC 29455. Please include your name and an email address for future correspondence.
Clinic (continued from page 1)
Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley Counties can qualify for service from the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic if they are at or below the poverty limit and without insurance.
Executive Director Melissa Frank said that anyone without health insurance and with an income of $45,000 for a single-family home can receive care. A family of four without insurance can receive care from the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic if they make $94,000 or less.
Dr. David Peterseim, medical director for the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, added that in their 16 years since opening, they have had 67,000 visits free of cost.
The Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, founded in 2006 by two retired physicians, is funded completely by donations, grants and internal fundraisers. Frank said that all of their fundraisers have taken place on Kiawah Island so far. The Kiawah Island Town Administrator Stephanie Tillerson is the board chair.
There are 120 volunteers and just 10 employees. Many of the volunteers live on Kiawah Island, and many of the patients share Kiawah Island’s zip code. Peterseim said that they need help with getting the word out to more people in the Tri-county area. He also said that
they need help with vocalizing the need for a bus stop on the same side of the street near the clinic.
He said that they are also always looking for more provider volunteers to see more patients. And that they need more staff members to communicate with patients in Spanish. He added that they currently have a waitlist for optometry and ophthalmologist services, so any volunteers to assist in that area are needed.
The clinic currently sees patients for free in the areas of dermatology, gynecology, urology, psychiatry, and in chronic disease management and nutrition. They also offer free prescriptions.
Peterseim said that the future of the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is that they will expand on the 16 specialties they currently offer and hope to utilize their building space for more specialties as well. He added that they hope to have better systems in place to recognize certain diseases earlier, like diabetes and certain retinal diseases, which will all require incorporating new technology.
At the end of the presentation, Council Member Russell Berner said, “Job well-done. I loved the tour. Your place is awesome.”
For more information, visit bifmc.org.
PHOTO BY JOSEPH M. THOMPSON
executive director responsibility.
“Bishop Gadsden is a nationally respected leader in senior living. The desire of their board to expand their mission with our strong brand is completing our objective of ensuring Seafields at Kiawah Island is a success.
KLPV is incredibly proud of the visionary plan developed and executed by our outstanding partners, including developer Big Rock Partners and sales and marketing advisors Kiawah
Partners. Our goal from the outset was to enhance Kiawah and Seabrook Islands and the surrounding area by offering an exceptional senior living experience, and this affiliation is achieving our intended goal,” said Todd Lillibridge, Board Chair of Kiawah Life Plan Village.
Sarah Tipton, President/CEO of Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community, said, “Bishop Gadsden has identified various strategic
Christmas EvE
Tues, December 24
4 pm - Grace Chapel, Rockville
6 pm - St. John’s
Christmas Day
Weds, December 25
10 am - St. John’s
expansion scenarios that align with our mission. Over the past several years, we have deepened a collaborative relationship with the Seafields board and have been inspired by their dedication of bringing unparalleled senior living to the sea islands, an area that has long been part of our community’s success. Bishop Gadsden looks forward to successfully opening and operating Seafields by Bishop Gadsden.”
Kimberly Borts, the new director. PHOTOS PROVIDED
SIAG PRESENTS ARTIST GREG BARNES
BY BONNIE YOUNGINER For The Island Connection
reg Barnes got his formal training at Wake Forest University, receiving a BFA in 1985.
Following college, his career path included technical illustration, computer graphics, computer-based training and multimedia programming. Throughout those years, he always kept his art supplies close at hand.
In 2002, after the 9/11 attacks, Barnes took a leap of faith with his family by pursuing a full-time fine art career. Among his first commissions were portraits, in which pastels became his medium of choice. He enjoys painting on location, and as a result of working quickly, leans toward impressionism. Strong design and a bold use of color
round out Barnes’ style.
Maintaining a studio in Charlotte, he travels the country, participating in art festivals and plein air events, while also teaching workshops. His work is represented by Grove Gallery and Interiors in Miami; City Art Gallery in Greenville, North Carolina; O Be Joyful in Colorado; and others. He is also a member of Plein Air Painters of the Southeast.
Barnes will give a demonstration on Monday, January 6, at Oyster Catcher, and he will offer a workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 7-8, at Oyster Catcher.
To sign up, contact Tina Mayland, at tinamayland@mindspting.com.
Top-ranked Charleston tennis player Emma Navarro wins WTA Award
BY CHRISTIAN SENGER For The Island Connection
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, the WTA celebrated the year’s standout performers earlier this month during WTA Awards Week, which began with the announcement of the Player Award winners.
One of the athletes earning new accolades was Charleston’s Emma Navarro, named the Most Improved Player of the Year.
This year, Navarro won the first title of her career at the WTA 250 Hobart International and reached six additional semifinals at the WTA 250, 500, 1000, and Grand Slam levels. The 23-year-old also claimed three wins over top-five players, including then-World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA 1000 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Her consistent results led to her Top 10 debut in September. The other WTA award winners are as follows:
• Player of the Year: Aryna Sabalenka
• Doubles Team of the Year: Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini
• Newcomer of the Year: Lulu Sun
• Comeback Player of the Year: Paula Badosa
Welcome home to this charming retreat with a rocking chair front porch, new oak hardwoods, high ceilings, and a gas fireplace in a spacious 45+ ft living/dining area. The chef’s kitchen features custom cabinets, granite counters, and stainless appliances, with a screened porch overlooking serene woods. Bonus features include fresh paint, a gym/workshop, whole home generator, tankless water heater, and some furnishings to convey.
Aryna Sabalenka. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.
Lulu Sun.
Paula Badosa.
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: 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.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
WHAT: Feast of the Seven Fishes
WHERE: Sorelle, Downtown Charleston
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. The menu, set at $145, is served tasting menu style and available in addition to Sorelle’s standard a la carte menu.
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.
WHAT: December Litter Sweep
WHERE: Mingo Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, 876 Kiawah Island Parkway
WHEN: 9 a.m.- 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: Join the Kiawah Conservancy and the South Carolina Aquarium for the final Island Litter Sweep of 2024. All participating volunteers will receive a coupon from Indigo Books. This is a free event and no registration is necessary. All litter sweep materials will be provided. Bug spray and sunscreen are always recommended. Don’t forget your water bottle to stay hydrated.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
WHAT: BSBI's Chanukah Bash
WHERE: Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue, 182 Rutledge Ave, Charleston WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Join BSBI for a Chinese Dinner with activities for all to enjoy.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
WHAT: Outdoor Holiday Movie Series: The Santa Clause WHERE: Credit One Stadium, Daniel Island WHEN: 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Every Friday in December, enjoy a classic holiday movie on the lawn at Credit One Stadium. Admission is free and no ticket required. Bring your own beach chairs and blankets; seating is first-come, first-served. Popcorn, candy, hot chocolate and a fullservice bar will be available for purchase (outside food and beverages are not permitted.)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
WHAT: Chanukah in the Square WHERE: Marion Square, Charleston WHEN: 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: An initiative of the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston and Chabad of Charleston and the Lowcountry, Chanukah in the Square is a festive celebration featuring live music, arts and crafts and traditional seasonal food, culminating with the lighting of a menorah at dusk.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker No Longer Endangered
BY SCDNR For The Island Connection
After decades of conservation efforts in South Carolina and elsewhere in the Southeast, the red-cockaded woodpecker is no longer listed as federally endangered.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the down-listing of the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act ; the changes took place late November. This recovery milestone reflects the decades-long conservation work of countless cooperators from both public and private sectors. Recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker has been dependent on many people who have devoted their time, resources and even their careers to reestablishing robust populations throughout the Southeast.
“We are celebrating a remarkable conservation milestone,” said Emily Cope, deputy director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. “While this is a moment of progress, it also serves as a reminder that nature’s recovery is a shared responsibility – one that requires persistence, collaboration and a deep commitment to the landscapes we all rely on. The future of the red-cockaded woodpecker—and the ecosystem it represents—is brighter today thanks to the efforts of those who never gave up.”
There are few species so intricately tied to mature southeastern pine forests as the red-cockaded woodpecker. Unlike other woodpecker species, the red-cockaded woodpecker excavates cavities into living pine trees. The process can take years, but the resulting cavities can provide shelter for the woodpeckers and numerous other animal species for decades. Red-cockaded woodpeckers each sleep in their own cavity every night and nest in the best available cavity annually. The birds are cooperative breeders, meaning
they live and spend their time in family groups. Many young birds remain at their natal territory, where they help raise successive generations while waiting to fill a breeding role.
When European settlers first arrived in what is now the southeastern United States, they encountered huge expanses of open, park-like pine forest. The mature pines towered over diverse forest floors of grasses, shrubs and wildflowers. Regular low-intensity wildfires that kept the hardwoods and shrubs at bay maintained this open forest structure. Habitat like this once covered an estimated 90 million acres of the Southeast and provided immense stretches of habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. Settlement created a huge demand for both pine timber and the products produced from pine pitch, including turpentine, rosin and tar. In the centuries following settlement, these pine forests were whittled down to a tiny fraction of their original range. The red-cockaded woodpecker’s decline followed.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers were recognized as
endangered in 1970 and were given protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The population estimate at the passing of the bill was fewer than 10,000 birds. Though the red-cockaded woodpecker will continue to receive a similar level of protection, the downlisting and new rule under Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act aims to remove barriers to certain land management practices that help restore and maintain red-cockaded woodpecker habitat.
The hard work and persistence of many individuals and agencies over the past 50 years has allowed red-cockaded woodpeckers to reoccupy habitat throughout their range. Many programs have contributed to this success.
In 1998, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources initiated its hugely successful RCW Safe Harbor Program. The Safe Harbor program encourages private landowners to enter voluntary agreements under which the landowners provide and improve habitat for red-cockaded woodpeckers without incurring land-use restrictions if the management activities attract more of the birds.
The downlisting will not change the RCW Safe Harbor Program or any benefits to enrollment. The program currently has roughly 200 enrolled landowners whose properties comprise over 360,000 acres and nearly 500 red-cockaded woodpecker family groups. In addition to the Safe Harbor program, SCDNR has 118 active red-cockaded woodpecker clusters on 12 properties, with staff regularly working to expand these populations.
Though the story of red-cockaded woodpecker conservation is not yet over, the recent down-listing marks a substantial progress towards the species’ recovery. Continued land management that supports the species and mature pine ecosystems will allow for the birds to persist into the future.
Lots of people in the Southeast and beyond grow this plant as a shrub or hedge without really knowing its identity. It is a native evergreen, and it is widely cultivated as a popular yard plant, especially in the South. There are several popular horticultural forms, various of which are excellent for use in topiary. Here in town, I’ve seen a tall variety with weeping branches. Some of these forms resemble the common boxwood, with its slow growth and tiny leaves, but boxwood is completely unrelated to our mystery plant. All boxwood leaves occur in pairs. Our plant has leaves alternating singly on the stems.
It grows naturally from Virginia to Eastern Texas. In the Carolinas, it is a coastal plain plant, commonly seen in maritime forests and extending into counties of the inner coastal plain. In its natural habitat, it can be a small tree or perhaps more commonly either a slender or broadly-branched shrub. On larger plants, the bark is attractive, smooth and gray. The plants are evergreen, bearing small, leathery leaves that snap if bent end to end. The margins of the leaves are shallowly scalloped; this sort of leaf margin is said to be “crenate.”
The flowers are small and white and not particularly showy, but they are fragrant and bees love them. The female plants produce beautifully conspicuous
Evergreen Forever
BY JOHN NELSON For The Island Connection
red berries, which are quite lustrous as well. Some varieties have yellow fruit. I hope that you will remember from botany class that when you have a tree species that has separate “male” and “female” individuals, the term for such a species is dioecious. The term monoecious, which you also hear sometimes, is used for a species whose separate male and female flowers are found on the same individual, such as
leaves. In fact, there is a notion that the American colonists developed a taste for this tea, which would have been a good backdoor way of avoiding the British tax on “real” tea.
Native Americans apparently brewed the leaves to make a beverage. Traditional and perhaps somewhat speculative histories indicate, as well, that very strong versions – or perhaps very large doses – of these brews were sometimes used in ceremonial events as a way of purging the system through vomiting. The scientific name alludes to this tradition.
corn. But back to our mysterious shrub. In addition to being an important component of our maritime forests and other coastal ecosystems, as well as a very pleasing landscape plant, this native has had an additional interesting association with humans: A considerable amount of caffeine is available from the dried
Otherwise, the plant actually became rather important through much of the South, at least into the early 1800s, and then again during the Civil War, as an acceptable tea – properly diluted, of course. It is sometimes still served today, but I’ll probably stick with Earl Grey. You might want to read more about it in “Black Drink: A Native American Tea,” by Charles Hudson.
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, visit www.herbarium.org or email johnbnelson@sc.rr.com.
Chart
6:12am/6:15pm 6:56am/6:59pm 7:39am/7:42pm 8:21am/8:24pm 9:00am/9:03pm 9:41am/9:48pm 10:24am/10:36pm 11:10am/12:27pm 12:01pm 12:28am/12:56pm 1:30am/1:57pm 2:36am/3:01pm 3:42am/4:06pm 4:46am/5:09pm 12:22pm 12:10am/1:06pm 12:54am/1:49pm 1:38am/2:31pm 2:20am/3:11pm 3:05am/3:54pm 3:53am/4:39pm 4:44am/5:26pm 5:40am/6:16pm 6:42am/7:09pm 7:49am/8:07pm 8:59am/9:08pm 10:07am/10:09pm 11:09am/11:08pm
Source:
[Answer: Yaupon, Yaupon holly, Ilex vomitoria]
PHOTO BY LINDA LEE.
How an Estate Sale Helps You Manage Life’s Stressful Changes
The holiday season represents joy and family gatherings for many, and a time for New Year’s resolutions. Sometimes those resolutions are made in the wake of life’s transitions, a death in the family, aging parents, health changes, divorce, becoming empty nesters, retirement or income changes. Invariably these changes require moving or downsizing, and the disposition of valuable home furnishings.
While sellers regret the thought of throwing out or donating valuable items, buyers feel “stuck” with furnishings that don’t meet their needs or tastes. In many cases, Realtors find themselves in the middle-facing the awkward task of “shoehorning” a large furniture transaction into the addendum of a property sale.
Luckily, there’s a better solution. An estate sale removes much of the anxiety for home buyers and sellers who are at a loss to deal with a home’s contents.
If you or a family member owns property in Kiawah, Seabrook or Johns Island, Blue Moon Estate Sales has the expertise to help you sell the entire range of home furnishings, from furniture sets to antiques,
family heirlooms or one-of-a-kind treasures. Blue Moon’s unique online sales platform showcases your estate’s inventory to the public, without having to worry about parking in front of your home or disrupting your home’s privacy.
Blue Moon Estate Sales is accredited, licensed and insured, specializing in large and small clean outs, inventory assessments, free “soft appraisals”, and online estate sales. The firm also offers traditional on-site, in-home estate sales in neighborhoods without gate restrictions.
Blue Moon also has its own warehouse for smaller consignment sales, allowing home designers, antique dealers and the public to shop for individual items and pickup within 48 hours of purchase.
The holidays should be a time for joy, as well as a time for reflection and resolution. Blue Moon Estate Sales can be your partner in the process.
Contact Nancy Schwartz, Owner | Operator, Blue Moon Estate Sales of Charleston p: (843) 801-6777 w: bluemoonestatesales.com/Charleston e: nancy@bluemoonestatesales.com.
Spoleto Announces Chamber Music Subscriptions
BY LAUREN VAN LIEW
For The Island Connection
Spoleto Festival USA announced that subscriptions to the 2025 Spoleto Chamber Music series are on sale. The cornerstone Festival series, to be held at the historic Dock Street Theatre from May 23 to June 8, promises a captivating journey through the world of classical music in one of its most intimate and accessible forms. Attendees can look forward to new and returning renowned musicians, an appearance by the acclaimed quartet Owls, three world premiere pieces by series composer-in-residence Mahsa Vahdat and, for the first time in the Festival’s history, two evening performances.
Subscription packages include five, six, or 11 program options, at discounted pricing up to 30% off.
Curated by Charles E. and Andrea L. Volpe Director of Chamber Music Paul Wiancko, the series features a repertoire that consistently reflects vibrant and wideranging perspectives, compositional styles and historical periods. From classical to contemporary, the upcoming program will feature original adaptations of music by Ludwig van Beethoven, François Couperin, Johannes Brahms, Samuel Barber, Franghiz Ali-Zadeh, Antonio Vivaldi, Paul Wiancko and many more.
Wiancko says, “The artists we have lined up for our 49th season are astounding, as are the programs—which run the gamut
from timeless classics to modern-day gems. Whether written centuries ago or months ago, this music will move you. A chamber music series subscription guarantees you won’t miss a moment of it.”
Internationally acclaimed Iranian singer and women’s rights advocate Mahsa Vahdat is the 2025 Chamber Music series composer-in-residence. Vahdat’s voice is deeply rooted in the heritage of her beloved country Iran, and her innovative musical expression and wide-ranging repertoire has fearlessly defied the bans on music and solo women singers imposed by Iranian authorities after the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979. The series will feature the world premiere of three new works by Vahdat for voice, piano and cello.
Innovative quartet Owls – with members violinist Alexi Kenney, violist Ayane Kozasa, cellist Gabriel Cabezas and cellist-composer Paul Wiancko – will be the resident ensemble for the first three programs. Joined by other artists, Owls will perform original adaptations of classical works and one of former Director of Chamber Music Geoff Nuttall’s personal favorites, “When The Night” by Wiancko. The full artist roster and repertoire will be announced in early 2025. Individual performance tickets will be available. For more info visit spoletousa.org.
