Seabrook Island Veterans Club Enriches the Lives of Ex-Military
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
For many veterans – such as Andrew Grimalda, who founded the Seabrook Island Veterans Club – it is the bonds and kinship formed in the military that they miss the most after their time in the service concludes.
Grimalda started the Seabrook Island Veterans Club in the spring of 2023 for the purpose of promoting “camaraderie and good times” among the veterans and their spouses living on Seabrook Island.
“Despite the hardships, so many of us veterans remember the friendships we developed and the bond we felt during and after our time in service with fondness. Our club is simply an extension of that camaraderie,” he explained.
The club is open to any veteran of a military branch of service, the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corp., plus spouses.
The Seabrook Island Veterans Club has 130 members to date.
The plan for this relatively new club is to have eight to 12 events
(continued on page 3)
Now Instead of Later
ALLIGATOR STUDIES ON KIAWAH WILL PROVIDE IMPORTANT DATA
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
Late in the evening hours on July 29 and 30, you might have noticed trucks driving around with spotlights surveying the ponds. You might have wondered what they could have been looking for in the dark near ponds along roadways, leisure trails and golf cart paths.
In a joint effort between the biologists for the Town of Kiawah Island and the Kiawah Island Community Association (KICA), these trucks were surveying the Island’s alligator population. Included in the survey were 48 ponds, which cover a majority of the Island. They were looking for dense areas of the alligator population, and they were estimating the size of the alligators, as well.
This survey, which has been conducted annually since 2003, is done at night because that’s when alligators are most active, hunting at dusk or during the night. Shining a light along the pond water will help to illuminate their eyes as they sit still in the water waiting for prey.
Although most alligators on
(continued on page 2)
New Public Park on Horizon
CHARLESTON COUNTY PARKS ACQUIRES PROPERTY ON WALLACE CREEK
BY SARAH REYNOLDS For The Island Connection
The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission recently acquired the Sea Island Small Farmers Cooperative property, a 19-acre property in Hollywood on Wallace Creek. Because of its association with the 1739 Stono Rebellion and a 20th century African American farmers’ cooperative, this property will now be planned as a public park able to highlight its historical and cultural significance. An event was held on August 27 to honor the transfer of the land to CCPRC.
The property on Wallace Creek was originally acquired in 2022 by the Lacuna Corporation, which partnered with Lowcountry Land Trust to obtain funding from the Charleston County Greenbelt Program and place a conservation easement on the property. The Lacuna Corporation then donated the property to CCPRC. The conservation easement in place ensures that CCPRC can make improvements for future public access while respecting the site’s cultural and natural resources.
A recent archaeological study was conducted, which indicated additional archaeological work should be done to ensure culturally significant areas are protected and preserved prior to the site being open to the public. In the future, the site will go through a master planning
process that will include community engagement opportunities via surveys and public meetings to learn what residents want for the site. Possibilities include historical interpretation, water access for paddle sports, fishing, water views and access to the East Coast Greenway. As Wallace Creek is a tributary of the Stono River, the site could also be connected to other CCPRC facilities via a water trail for paddlers. CCPRC encourages community members who have information about the history of the site to contact the agency at 843-795-4386 or customerservice@ccprc.com.
“Charleston County Parks is grateful to have received this site, which, in addition to being naturally beautiful, has national historical significance. We know there is still so much more to learn about it, and we look forward to working with the archeologists and our community members on that process,” said CCPRC executive director Kevin Bowie. “In the near future, this will be a place where our neighbors and visitors will be able to enjoy wonderful water access while learning more about our shared history.”
“Lowcountry Land Trust is honored to partner with Lacuna Corporation and CCPRC on the permanent protection of ground that witnessed such important moments in
(continued on page 3)
Wallace Creek.
PUBLISHERS OF
The Island Eye News, The Island Connection & SiP Magazine
Christian Senger AssistAnt Publisher
Denise K. James editor ICeditor@luckydognews.com
Swan
Hearty Snacks from the Heart BACKPACK BUDDIES
SEASON IS BACK ON KIAWAH
BY TERRI SMITH BURKE For The Island Connection
The Kiawah Women’s Foundation works with local schools -- Angel Oak Elementary and Haut Gap Middle on Johns Island, Frierson Elementary on Wadmalaw Island and a new school partner, Minnie Hughes Elementary—to provide food to benefit children living below the poverty level on our neighboring islands.
These schools provide weekday breakfasts and lunches to children from families with incomes below the poverty level, but Kiawah Women’s Foundation Backpack Buddies program extends that support through the weekend. Each week, KWF volunteers pack and deliver over 300 bags containing 12 hearty snacks for children to take home on Fridays. Our dedicated volunteers start packing on September 11.
If you’d like to donate or learn more about the ways KWF supports the community, please visit kiawahwomensfoundation.org.
Alligators (continued from page 1)
Kiawah are between 3 and 8 feet in length, The Kiawah Conservancy biologists have recorded alligators on the Island measuring 11 feet in length. Female alligators rarely reach 9 feet in length, and almost all alligators greater than 9 feet are males.
The results of the survey were released on August 9. Per the Town of Kiawah Island’s website, “Surveys are conducted by truck with a fourperson crew and take approximately three hours to complete. Alligators are observed using spotlights and placed into categories based on their estimated length. A series of formulas are then used to generate an estimated density of alligators on the island. The graph shows the estimated density of alligators per 100 acres on Kiawah Island beginning in 2003. Despite some minor fluctuations, Kiawah’s alligator population has remained stable over the last 15 years.”
Along with surveying the ponds at night, the Town and KICA also developed a tagging program to better understand the behavior and movements of the Island’s alligators. They tag a certain number of alligators every year and ask that people who see a tagged alligator report it to the Town’s biologists. They will ask for the date, time, location, behavior, tag number and color of the tag.
Tagging began in 2015 in conjunction with the Town, the Community Association, MUSC
and Clemson University. To date, 39 alligators have been tagged.
The Town of Kiawah Island’s website states: “All captured alligators are fitted with visible, numbered tags so that they can be easily identified in the field by biologists, residents and visitors. Two visual tags (blue for males, yellow for females) are placed on each alligator, one behind the head and one on the tail. Capture efforts focus on areas where nuisance alligators are the most prevalent, typically near popular fishing and crabbing locations. Several recent studies have suggested that capturing and handling alligators increases their fear of people, thereby reducing human/alligator conflicts. Observations of tagged animals will allow biologists to document changes in alligator behavior after capture. In addition to visual tags, a subset of 12 alligators were fitted with VHF transmitters in 2016. Five alligators were fitted with GPS tags in 2017. Location data will help biologists begin to understand movement patterns, home range size and the post-capture response of alligators on the island.”
Although rare, Jim Jordan, Kiawah’s town biologist, said that with more than 20,000 visitors per year and over 1,500 residents, interactions between people and alligators are inevitable. For information, visit kiawahisland. org/wildlife/wildlife/reptiles/american_ alligators/alligators_behavior___safety. php.
Civic Calen dar
TOWN OF KIAWAH
Town Council
Monday, September 10, 1 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Public Safety Committee
Thursday, September 19, 11 a.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Municipal Association of South Carolina Town Council Training
Friday, September 20, 9 a.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Environmental Committee
Tuesday, September 24, 1 p.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
Ways & Means Committee
Tuesday, October 1, 10 a.m.
Kiawah Island Town Hall
TOWN OF SEABROOK Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, September 11, 1:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Environment and Wildlife Committee Meeting
Thursday, September 12, 10 a.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 17, 10 a.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Community Promotion & Engagement
Thursday, September 19, 1 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Town Council
Tuesday, September 24, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Wallace Creek (continued from page 1)
South Carolina's history,” said Ashley Demosthenes, president and CEO of Lowcountry Land Trust. “The future park will serve as a shining example of how public-private partnerships can achieve meaningful community outcomes where everyone benefits.”
For updates on the Sea Island Small Farmers Cooperative property as it undergoes additional studies and future planning processes – and more background on the Wallace property – please visit ccprc.com/wallacecreek.
The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by
offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six regional parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, a historic plantation site, a skate park, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. CCPRC also offers a wide variety of recreational services –festivals, camps, classes, programs and much more. For more information, call 843-7954386 or visit charlestoncountyparks.com.
Veterans Club (continued from page 1)
each season lasting from September to April. Grimalda said that he plans to hold get-togethers at local restaurants, golf courses and other venues.
“We are also planning potluck dinners, golf outings, happy hours at the Seabrook Island Club and local venues, museum trips, and various tours. This year, we plan to start a lecture series that will be open to anyone living in Seabrook.”
The first lecture will cover how new technologies are changing the tactics of war, and Grimalda is hoping to secure the speakers from The Citadel.
Because it is mostly a social club, the Seabrook Island Veterans Club doesn’t hold official meetings, and they do not charge membership dues.
At the August 15 Seabrook Island Community Promotions and Engagement Committee meeting, Grimalda spoke about the Veterans
Club to the committee members in the hopes of securing public funding. He is seeking $1,960 for the purpose of securing speakers for future lecture series events and to improve the website for the club. The current website was created by Grimalda, but he said, “the intent is to improve the communication aspect between the members.”
The Committee voted unanimously to support recommending the grant money to the Seabrook Island Veterans Club. The recommendation was presented at the Seabrook Island Town Council meeting on August 27, and the funds were approved at this meeting, as well.
Seabrook Island resident Bruce Kleinman said, “I think this is a very nice organization, and we are glad to help out.”
For more information on the Seabrook Island Veterans or to view registration details and a list of upcoming events, visit sivclub.org/home.
Aflash of brilliant red-purple is one way that nature tells us to say good-bye to summer…and this summer’s on its way out.
The plant’s leaves are dark green, long and pointed, with saw-tooth margins and a bit hairy. As with all the members of the aster family, this plant has its small flowers congested into heads. A broad, extensively branched panicle of heads arises at the top of the leafy stem, which can sometimes get to be 8 or 9 feet tall. The stems often lean over. The individual heads are surrounded by a series of small bracts, and each bract has a sharp, needle-like point.
The flowers themselves, which may number 40 or more per head, are all tubular: There are no flat "ray" flowers that you see in the heads of sunflowers, goldenrods, daisies or asters (which are also "composites,” a shorthand way of referring to members of this very large, fascinating family.) At the base of each flower is an ovary, which will eventually form a one-seeded achene, a variation of a sunflower seed. Atop the achene is a double ring of short, tawny, pinkish bristles (this is the "pappus") – the inner bristles long and slender
A Plant for Parting with Summer
BY JOHN NELSON For The Island Connection
and the outer ones even shorter and stumpier.
What a marvelous display this plant makes while in full bloom –surely one of the most intense shades
of red-purple we can see in nature. The species is common and easily seen growing in damp woods and
meadows and especially along stream edges, from New England down to the Florida panhandle. Sometimes it occurs in really big patches. No problem recognizing this one from your car as you drive along – it ranges clear through the Appalachians, and as far west as Wisconsin.
There has been plenty of interest in growing this species as an ornamental and with good reason, especially for native plant fanciers. Butterflies go crazy for it: imagine monarchs and clouded sulphurs busying around on the blossoms. And bees, too! Now I'm no gardener, but if you want to grow some, I would recommend plenty of room for it in a damp, sunny corner of your yard. Perhaps alongside a patch of native black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) and Wingstems (Verbesina). Next to a pond or creek, if you have one handy.
John Nelson is the retired curator of 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.
[Answer: “New York ironweed,” Vernonia noveboracensis]
Observing and Interpreting Beauty
OCTOBER ARTIST OF THE MONTH SANDY SCOTT
BY BONNIE YOUNGINER
For The Island Connection
Sandy Scott is a celebrated fine art painter living on Seabrook Island among the bird sanctuaries, wildlife and historic culture the island and Charleston offer. She primarily works in oil on canvas and acrylic on glass. For more than 10 years, her work has been featured in two of Charleston’s fine art galleries. Currently, her emphasis is placed at Studio 151 Fine Arts Gallery at 175 Church Street.
Recently, Scott has been concentrating on her commission work— observing and interpreting the beauty of downtown Charleston’s architectural and cultural scenes, marsh landscapes and native wildlife.
In addition to being an artist, Scott is a retired business executive, registered nurse and recent great-grandmother. She is a long-standing member of the Seabrook Island and Charleston Artists’
Guilds. Her desire through her paintings is to document the unique features of our remarkable location and culture and share her talents and resources for the enjoyment and benefit of others.
Please come to Sandy Scott’s reception
on Tuesday, October 1 from 4:30-6 p.m. at The Lake House to discover her beautiful art. You can also contact the artist directly at sandyscott0720@ comcast.net or view her work online at sandyscottart.com.
This
Brain on Seabrook
BY SUSAN COOMER
For The Island Connection
Seabrook Island Village will host an interactive workshop entitled “You and Your Brain” as a follow-up to the well-attended previous brain health seminar. The workshop will be held on Saturday, October 19 from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in Live Oak Hall at the Lake House.
The program is free of charge and open to the community. Advance registration is required because the program uses a workshop format. Space is limited to 40 participants. Register at the SIV website: SeabrookIslandVillage.org.
Assistant Professor Andrea C. Sartori, Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist and Neurology Department faculty member at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) will conduct the workshop. Dr. Sartori lectured at the Village’s first brain health seminar last October 2023. Evaluations from that seminar provided clear direction to use an interactive approach.
Briefly, Dr. Sartori will highlight four topics and then address audience questions. The topics are: (1) brain aging (physical changes in the brain with age); (2) what is normal and not normal brain aging; (3) common causes of cognitive impairment; and (4) specific lifestyle strategies to promote healthy brain aging.
Finally, participants can ask related questions that may not have been addressed during the prior discussion. Seabrook Island Village looks forward to seeing you at what will be an informative educational workshop.
Seabrook Island Village: Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting residents to stay in their homes, maintain their independence and remain active in the community as long as it is safe to do so. See our website for details or to volunteer. All are welcome. This program is supported by a grant from the Town of Seabrook Island.
HIn the Right Key PIANIST TOM HICKS LEADS SERIES AT COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
BY NANDINI MCCAULEY For The Island Connection
ailed as an artist of “magnificent pianism” with an “‘engaging personality,” Guernsey-born pianist Tom Hicks joins the College of Charleston as the newly appointed Artistic Director of the College of Charleston International Piano Series and Director of Piano Studies at the College’s Department of Music.
”I am so excited to be directing the International Piano Series,” he said. “I’m grateful to be inheriting such a thriving and culturally significant series, thanks to the work of Paul Sánchez and Tiffany Gammell. Ours is a series for everyone in Charleston, whether you are already passionate about piano music, a student, a patron or a first-time concertgoer. It is also a series that is hugely beneficial to students at the College. I am grateful to all our supporters for making it possible.”
Hicks will perform the opening concert for the 34th season of the International Piano Series with a program of music inspired by the night. Though much of this music is dreamy and atmospheric, there also will be nightmares and fantasies. The evening begins with several of Chopin’s most celebrated nocturnes before exploring other gems of the genre by Scriabin, Debussy, Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann. Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata concludes what promises to be a
The concert will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m., in the Sottile Theatre at 44 George Street and is sponsored by the Remington Master
Artist Series. Season subscriptions for all four IPS concerts are available at a discounted rate of $100 through September 12. Individual tickets are $30 and can be purchased through the George Street Box Office online, at the door, by emailing gsbo@cofc.edu or by calling 843-953-4726.
The concert is $10 admission for College of Charleston students and free for college employees, as well as youth 18 and under. Free tickets must be secured before the concert by emailing or visiting the box office. Patrons can find info and ticket links at go.charleston.edu/ pianoconcert.
The rest of the IPS season features a stellar roster of performers: Daria Rabotkina, David Gross and Douglas Humpherys. For more information about the artists, visit go.charleston.edu/ pianoconcert.
Andrea C. Sartori.
Tom Hicks.
An Autumn of Arts
KIAWAH’S ARTS COUNCIL KICKS OFF SEASON, ADDS SOCIAL MEDIA
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
Stay tuned for lights, camera and action as a new season for the Town of Kiawah Arts and Cultural Events Council kicks off on September 15.
First up are the Bluestone Ramblers at the Kiawah Island Municipal Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on opening day. This free event will feature an outdoor bluegrass concert, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for seating. A cash bar and the Crystal Coast food truck will be on site with food and drinks available for purchase.
Following that will be the Piano Bar on both September 18 and October 9, The Gatsby Orchestra on October 29, and then a heavy schedule with five events in November and one in December. The 2025 schedule will run from January to May.
The Arts Council holds events in venues throughout Kiawah and Seabrook Island, including West Beach Conference Center, The Sandcastle, The Seabrook Island Club, Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Johns Island and Church of Our Saviour on Johns Island.
The Arts Council is a working committee that collaborates with the Town’s Arts and Cultural Event Coordinator Ruthie Foster to plan events, provide feedback on performances and the season, review policies and offer day-of event setup and direction. There are 10 Kiawah Island residents who make up the
Council, volunteering their time to propose artists and groups reflective of the community's interests.
Each year, in December and January, the Arts Council members gather a list of proposed artists and events for the next season and then begin to narrow the list down through February.
Foster said, “We are excited to launch a new Kiawah Island Arts Council social media page to further engage with current and future patrons. These pages will keep our audiences updated on upcoming events and
LOWCOUNTRY ARTS CENTER UPDATE
On September 5, 2023, Webb Management consultants provided Kiawah Island Town Council with the final feasibility study presentation regarding the potential addition of an art and cultural center, which would provide a home for events going forward. Following the conclusion of the feasibility study, a new group was formed to determine the next steps with a potential center. This group, the Lowcountry Arts Center (LAC), distinguished itself from the Town and was established as a nonprofit in January 2024.
The Board of Directors includes residents of Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Johns Island, and Charleston. The newly formed organization is in the very early stages of gauging community support for the project, reviewing the feasibility study, exploring funding possibilities, and examining site potentials. For further information, contact LAC president David Wohl at dwohl23@gmail.com.
showcase the amazing performances held in the past. We're happy to announce that both pages are steadily growing while offering ways for the community to engage.”
The exciting lineup for the 20242025 season can be found on the Town’s website, at kiawahisland.org/events.
“The upcoming season offers a
diverse range of world-class artistic performances to enrich the entire Sea Islands community,” said Mayor Bradley D. Belt. "The Kiawah Island Arts and Cultural Events program continues to be successful due to the collaborative efforts of Arts Council volunteers and Town staff. We are grateful for our volunteers’ dedication and passion for enhancing the program each year and the diligent work of our Arts and Cultural Events Coordinator Ruthie Foster.”
The community is encouraged to sign up for the Arts and Cultural Events e-newsletter and follow the Arts Council’s social media pages: Facebook: rb.gy/gqsnxo or Instagram: instagram.com/ kiawahislandartscouncil/
The Town of Kiawah Island’s Arts and Cultural Events Council works to enhance community appreciation and involvement in the performing arts within the Town of Kiawah Island and its environs by providing a diversity of planned programs. All events are open to the public, tickets for events are available online on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket release dates differ. The Arts Council meets on the first Thursday of every month at 2 p.m.
The arts lineup includes a piano bar in September and October.
around the islands...
ONGOING
WHAT: “Americans and the Holocaust” Traveling Exhibition
WHERE: Charleston County Public Library - Main Library, 68 Calhoun St
WHEN: Various
MORE INFO: CCPL is one of 50 U.S. libraries newly selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association. It will be on display at the Main Library, along with a series of related special events, from Monday, Sept. 9 through Tuesday, Oct. 15. For a full list of related programs, visit ccpl.org/news/aath.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
WHAT: Sunrise Yoga
WHERE: Kiawah Beachwalker Park
WHEN: 7 a.m.
MORE INFO: Charleston County Parks’ Sunrise Yoga program is back at select park sites late this summer. Participants will stretch their bodies, awaken their minds, and fuel their spirits in this uplifting, intention-setting yoga class sure to enhance the day ahead. Sunrise Yoga is inclusive and open to all abilities and fitness levels.
WHAT: lululemon Walk Club
WHERE: Freshfields Village WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: The Lululemon Walking Club meets at the store located within The Village every first and third Saturday of the month at 8:30 am for a scenic journey along Kiawah Island trails. Locals and visitors alike can start their morning with exercise and community for a complete wellness activity.
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, Wadmalaw Island WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Attendees can expect tastings ($15 for a tasting of 6 samples of the vineyard's wine and a souvenir stemless glass), drinks, food trucks, live music, and more.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
WHAT: Second Sunday on King Street WHERE: King Street, Charleston WHEN: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Every month on the second Sunday, the City of Charleston shuts down King Street from Queen to Calhoun to through traffic and without parked cars. Strolling guests see businesses, artists, unique food vendors, and more.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
WHAT: Hank’s x Holy City Swing (Swing Dancing Event)
WHERE: Hank’s Social Hall, Charleston WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Hank’s Social Hall is partnering with Holy City Swing, a local swing dance group, to host a dance class including an assortment of bites and an open bar. Holy City Swing instructors will be guiding attendees through the steps of two dance styles, The Lindy Hop and The Charleston. Join for a night of great music and dancing.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
WHAT: Cocktails for a Cause Benefiting the South Carolina Aquarium
WHERE: Harbour Club at WestEdge, 22 Westedge St., Suite 700
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Join the South Carolina Aquarium Ocean Alliance as they host Cocktails for a Cause at the Harbour Club at WestEdge. Gather your friends and enjoy a night out benefiting the Angelfish Program at the South Carolina Aquarium, which removes barriers to access and provides complimentary opportunities for the community to visit the Aquarium. Select vendors will also be onsite to sell their goods, with a portion of sales going back to the Angelfish Program.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
WHAT: 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance
WHERE: Johns Island
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MORE INFO: Sea Island Habitat for Humanity invites you to join them for a special 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance. This volunteer opportunity is a chance to honor the memory of the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001, while giving back to your local community in a meaningful way. The event will focus on building a home for a future homeowner. No prior construction experience is necessary. Volunteers must sign up in advance at seaislandhabitat.org/veterans-build.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
WHAT: Jazz Night
WHERE: Freshfields Village WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: Stop by the Porch Bar at the Andell Inn every second and fourth Thursday of the month for a Jazz Night featuring a local group.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
WHAT: Tipsy Tour
WHERE: Various WHEN: 11:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: You’ll be picked up at the visitor’s center downtown on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. From there you’ll travel to the home of Charleston’s only domestic winery and vineyard, Deep Water Vineyard. Next, you’ll travel over to Park Circle in North Charleston to enjoy a sampling of beer at Holy City Brewing before taking a short trip across the street to enjoy a tasting at Firefly Distillery, creators of Sweet Tea Vodka and 30 other spirits. Your driver will make sure you’re back downtown by 4 p.m,
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
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, 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.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
WHAT: Piano Bar with Hunter Feick WHERE: The Sandcastle, Kiawah Island WHEN: 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Not meant to be concerts, Piano Bars are to enjoy with friends and offer an opportunity to meet neighbors outside your circle for some island socializing. Bring your beverage of choice and a snack.
Save Some Time for Casting a Line
BY CAPT. GEOFF BENNETT For The Island Connection
With an ideal set of conditions in place, anglers can be sure that inshore fishing will really pick up in September. The combination of lots of bait, cooler water temperatures and less traffic on the water should make for awesome fishing. While a lot of people will turn their focus to hunting and football, fishermen who save some time for casting a line will be well rewarded.
During this time of year, redfish will begin to increasingly take artificial baits. Plastic lures that mimic the bait fish in our waters are very effective. Zman’s 3 ¾” Streakz in smokey shad is a great choice. I pair this lure with a ⅛ ounce jighead, but conditions may call for a heavier weight. Make sure to change your rate of retrieval as you fish a spot. Sometimes just slowing down or speeding up the pace of the lure can make the bite come to life.
Even with artificials becoming more effective, keep throwing those popping corks. Mud minnows, live shrimp and artificial shrimp have been working well when suspended between 18 and 24 inches below the cork. Trout and redfish alike will eat these baits as they pass by suspended in the water column. Corks have been working best fished over shell
rake and along grassy banks at mid and high tide.
It’s not uncommon to catch bull redfish (36 inches plus) during the summer time at the jetties or at nearshore reefs. During the fall, these big fish come into the harbor and inlets as they track down large mullet and menhaden. Rods rigged for these fish will have a heavy test braided line connected to a 50-60-pound leader and 7/0 circle hooks. Fresh chunks of mullet, menhaden or smaller fish are effective baits. Target spots where there are marked changes in depth and wait for your rod to rip over.
See you on the water!
Since 2009, Capt. Geoff Bennett has operated Charleston Charter Fishing providing light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at captain@charlestoncharterfishing.com.
Tide Chart
11:33am/11:35pm 12:10pm 12:12am/12:52pm 12:56am/1:43pm 1:48am/2:43pm 2:49am/3:49pm 3:54am/4:53pm 4:59am/5:53pm 6:00am/6:48pm 6:58am/7:40pm 7:53am/8:29pm 8:46am/9:18pm 9:38am/10:07pm 10:30am/10:57pm 5:02am/5:40pm 5:36am/6:22pm 6:13am/7:11pm 6:59am/8:06pm 7:53am/9:07pm 8:55am/10:11pm 10:03am/11:11pm 11:09am 12:06am/12:10pm 12:58am/1:08pm 1:47am/2:04pm 2:35am/2:58pm 3:22am/3:51pm 4:09am/4:45pm
Source:
Bud Endean from Charlotte.
Don’t Be Crabby NEW PROTECTION LAWS COMING NEXT YEAR
BY SCDNR For The Island Connection
If you enjoy tossing a line or pot out for blue crabs, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) wants you to be aware of a few changes coming to the fishery in 2025.
The South Carolina Legislature recently passed a suite of changes to blue crab laws to help ensure the sustainability of the fishery. Most of the changes pertain to the commercial blue crab fishery and address ways to prevent overexploitation of the fishery, which remained largely unregulated in South Carolina over recent decades. The modifications will bring South Carolina’s laws on par with neighboring states, and commercial crabbers have been notified of the impending changes. The following changes will impact recreational crabbers:
1. Recreational crabbers may harvest a limit of one bushel of crabs per person per day or two bushels per boat. Previously, South Carolina had no harvest limit. Research suggests that most recreational crabbers harvest well under a bushel of crabs daily.
2. All crab pots must have escape rings for undersized crabs; single-chambered crab pots must have at least one escape ring, while two-chambered pots must have two rings, at least one of which must be in the upper chamber. These vents/rings provide a means of escape for undersized crabs and other small marine animals. They were already required in commercial traps, and many recreational traps are already sold with escape rings standard. If you need to retrofit an older crab pot, plastic
escape rings are available for less than $1 at many tackle shops and are easy to install.
3. Recreational crabbers may purchase an annual enhanced recreational crab trap endorsement ($5) to fish up to five crab pots. A recreational saltwater fishing license currently allows holders to fish up to two crab pots. For those individuals who like to crab for family and friends but do not intend to sell them commercially, this new endorsement will allow up to five crab pots per person.
These changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Crabbing Best Practices
• Follow all existing laws, including observing the size limit for blue crabs (do not take crabs smaller than 5 inches wide from point to point) and returning all females with eggs to the water.
• Regularly check your crab pots. Unattended or abandoned pots continue to catch and kill marine animals.
• Consider buying a recreational saltwater fishing license, even if you don't fish or crab; license fees provide important funding for coastal research, education and enforcement.
For more information, email Marine@dnr.sc.gov.
