IC September 20, 2024 by mylonews

Warming to the Idea STRATEGIC

PLAN FOR ST. JOHN’S FIRE DISTRICT MARKS A NEW ERA

BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection

Aspecial guest gave an eye-opening presentation to the Public Safety Committee members with Seabrook Island on August 20. That special guest was Fire Chief for the St. John’s Fire District Ryan Kunitzer, and he was presenting the District’s recent strategic plan outlining the next five years through 2029.

The plan involved many community meetings, which gave the Fire District team the feedback they needed to highlight their priorities. The main goals for the plan include:

• Effectively recruit qualified candidates and retain skilled and committed personnel to meet the growing needs of the District.

• Establish metrics to determine reach, engagement and effectiveness.

• Design and maintain a professional career path that fosters an individual’s development.

• Effectively procure and maintain District capital resources.

(continued on page 2)

EDITORIAL

Road Project Woes LEAGUE SPEAKS OUT

AGAINST I-526 EXTENSION

BY LILY ABROMEIT

The Coastal Conservation League has launched a "Save Our Sea Islands" campaign to stop the I-526/ Mark Clark Expressway Extension project, set to be funded if the Charleston County Special Sales and Use Tax referendum passes this November.

This campaign initiative aims to protect Charleston’s most treasured resources—including our Sea Islands, our Stono River, our historic settlement communities, our access to public land, our viewsheds, and our Lowcountry way of life—from the devastating impacts of this proposed highway extension.

“The I-526 extension isn't just another road project; it’s a direct threat to our environment, our communities and the essence of Charleston’s Lowcountry,” said Faith Rivers James, Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League.

“We are committed to opposing this project because it puts too much at risk—our homes, our heritage and our future. Together, we must protect what makes this place truly special. We must fight to save

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DISCUSSIONS ON DRONE REGULATIONS CONTINUE

BY THERESA STRATFORD

For The Island Connection

It’s a bird! It's a plane! Wait a minute – no, it’s just a drone.

It used to be that unidentified flying objects might be aliens visiting us from another planet. It also used to be that annoying buzzing sounds were pretty much limited to a neighbor’s obnoxious leaf blower or lawnmowers in the distance. Nowadays, you can add drones to the list of nuisances, along with potential UFOs. Who knew that the Christmas gift you got your grandson last year was more than just a toy?

Although they may have some benefits, according to Jeff Davis, a licensed drone pilot and resident of Seabrook Island, drones have some drawbacks too, warranting, in his opinion, a few local regulations.

Davis gave a presentation to Seabrook Town Council on August 27 at the regular Town Council meeting. He is also a member of the Town’s photography club and operates a drone for both commercial and recreational use.

“Many people don’t know about drone regulation, even people who own them,” he said. Davis recognized that the benefits of drones are the positive impacts they could have on wildlife in studying animal behaviors, real estate marketing, mapping, taking pictures of community

events, conservation with monitoring erosion, environmental benefits and art sales.

The negatives of drone use are privacy issues, noise pollution and obstructing views.

Davis mentioned that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes certain guidelines related to drone usage. For example, for drones that weigh at least .55 pounds and are being used for recreational use, the FAA recommends that the pilot take the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Safety Test and that the pilot have a certificate in possession when flying. Pilots for commercial use drones weighing at least .55 pounds need to have an FAA license, be at least 16 years old, have a photo ID in possession and have a Seabrook Island business license.

Drones for recreational use that weigh 55 pounds or more require a sUAS Safety Test and the certificate in possession while flying. They also must be registered with the FAA and must have their ID clearly labeled on the exterior. These drones must broadcast their Remote ID, which is a system that allows drones to broadcast their location and identification information to other parties while in flight, as well.

Pilots for the 55-pound

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CONTRIBUTORS

Theresa Stratford John Nelson

Susan Coomer

Lily Abromeit

Susan Ferris

Susan

Norm Powers

Edward Brennan

Martha Zink

Fire District (continued from page 1)

• Enhance all aspects of emergency medical services to meet the growing needs of the stakeholders.

• Prepare for, pursue, achieve and maintain international accreditation to better serve the community and embrace excellence through continuous improvement management.

Addressing the goals, Kunitzer said, “I started in 2005, and I can remember at that time that there were 400 people testing for 20 positions. Now we have 20 testing for 20 positions. Obviously, retaining our employees is a big thing, too. It’s hard when homes on Johns Island start at $700,000 and our staff is starting at a salary of $50,000. So many of them have to commute. We need better pay and benefits.”

He commented on the capital resources. “Since 2019, costs have gone up 200%. We have to start planning for 15 years down the road. So, you’ll see a small increase in your tax bill for the fire service this year.”

Kunitzer also mentioned that the Fire District is going to operate at a higher level for emergency services.

“We had always been at a basic level, but we are going to have more advanced EMS services now.”

An issue he said they have dealt with many times is being called out for non-emergencies. “It might seem like an emergency to you, but it really isn’t. We are going to work with people on resources that will help them, so that they won’t feel the need to call for emergencies unless it truly is one.”

The goal of accreditation is something that Kunitzer said they are constantly striving for. “It is a three- to five-year process and it looks at how the standards cover emergencies.”

Kunitzer said that specifically with Seabrook Island, “it’s a growing area, and Freshfields Village is especially growing.”

He added there are plans for another fire station in the Kiawah River area which, he said, would benefit Seabrook Island residents since it is closer.

Chair of the Public Safety Committee and Seabrook Island Town Council Member Dan Kortvelesy asked about funding.

Kunitzer replied that they actively

apply for grants. “Some are very competitive, and some are specific to low-income areas or based on demographics.”

He mentioned that they don’t compete with other local fire departments for staff. “People don’t really leave to go to another local fire station. They may leave the state, but that is usually for reasons we can’t control.”

He concluded his presentation

Drones (continued from page 1)

and over drones for commercial use must have everything that the smaller drones must have, but they also must be registered with the FAA and show that ID on the exterior and they must also broadcast their Remote ID.

Some rules for recreational use are to keep the drone in a visual site, fly below 400 feet and avoid flying over large groups of people or moving vehicles. Commercial use rules are the same as recreational ones, but they require a $200 exam to take and more in-depth knowledge of aeronautics, weather dynamics and the FAA airspace system.

“The bottom line is that drones should not interfere with the peaceful beauty of a place. I think Seabrook could benefit from some drone regulation, but it should be practical and enforceable,” he said.

Davis also went through a few considerations with drones. He

saying that he looks forward to the plans for the new fire station in Kiawah River to better serve Seabrook.

“It’s a couple of years away, but we are looking out and planning for it now.”

Since 1959, the men and women of the St. Johns Fire District have protected 185 square miles of the barrier islands of Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook and Wadmalaw.

mentioned that “if you see the drone, you should be able to see the pilot.” He also noted that drone batteries last only about 25 to 30 minutes and that a pilot would not land remotely on purpose.

“The potential for drone issues happens in flight, not launch and landing, so regulation should be based on flight path. Most drones have a very sophisticated obstacle avoidance technology, and all have a ‘return to home’ button on the controller.”

Town Administrator Joe Cronin said that from what he read, the Town could only enforce launching and landing regulations, since, once airborne, the drone is in FAA territory.

The Town Council discussed whether the Town has the right to enforce Federal regulation on drones and will look into it further.

“The Charleston County Parks don’t allow drones, so somehow they got around the Federal law,” Davis added.

Residential Cleaning Services

Civic Calen dar

TOWN OF KIAWAH

Municipal Assoc of SC 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 Council

Tuesday, October 1, 1 p.m.

Kiawah Island Town Hall

Planning Commission

Wednesday, October 2, 2 p.m.

Kiawah Island Town Hall

TOWN OF SEABROOK Town Council

Tuesday, September 24, 2:30 p.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Planning Commission

Wednesday, October 9, 1:30 p.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Environment & Wildlife Committee

Thursday, October 10, 10 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Public Safety Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 15, 10 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Utility Commission

Wednesday, October 23, 8:30 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

our sea islands, save our Stono and save our communities.”

In November, Charleston County residents will vote on a new 25-year Special Sales and Use Tax that, if approved, would primarily fund the $2.3 billion extension. I-526 is named the only “priority” project for the county, draining funding from other more pressing priorities across the county.

The proposed I-526 Extension presents several significant concerns, including Displacement of Communities: The extension threatens to uproot families from their ancestral homes in historic settlement communities on James and Johns Islands, severing deeply rooted connections to the land.

Environmental Destruction: Over 40 acres of wetlands vital for flood control, water purification and wildlife habitat

would be lost, along with 30 acres of the beloved James Island County Park.

Increased Pollution and Flooding: Two additional roadways over the Stono River would lead to more pollutants, such as tire particles and oil runoff, further degrading water quality and exacerbating flood risks in low-lying areas.

Failure to Alleviate Traffic: The project is likely to cause additional traffic and congestion rather than providing a sustainable solution to existing traffic and safety concerns.

The “Save Our Sea Islands” campaign calls on all Charleston residents to protect the Lowcountry's unique character and natural beauty. With your help, the Coastal Conservation League protects South Carolina’s coastal communities and natural resources. For more information on how to get involved, visit saveourseaislands.com.

Fall Festivities

CHARLESTON COUNTY PARKS TO HOST NEW CELEBRATION IN HOLLYWOOD

Charleston County Parks is hosting its first ever Fall Family Festival in Hollywood. Join the fun at this free event held at the West County Aquatic Center and Hollywood Town Hall on Saturday, October 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The inaugural Fall Family Festival promises a fun-filled afternoon for all ages, featuring live music with Tommy & The Chucktown Players, jump castles, a climbing wall, face painting and more.

The event is free of charge. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, or guests may bring their own food. Food vendors on site will be Genesis Le Bleu

Waters and McCullum's Perfect Scoop Italian Ice.

Alcohol is prohibited, and pets are not permitted. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating. Accessible parking is available.

The West County Aquatic Center/ Hollywood Town Hall is located at 5156 SC-165, Hollywood, SC 29449. There is no registration for this event. The aquatic center pool is closed for the season and will not be open during the festival. For more information on accessibility at this event, visit the event’s webpage at ccprc.com/3758/FallFamily-Festival.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 35TH ANNUAL SWEEP ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA

BY SUSAN FERRIS HILL For The Island Connection

The 35th annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep litter cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, and volunteers are needed at nearly 100 locations in South Carolina.

Each year, thousands of people volunteer for the Sweep, South Carolina’s largest one-day litter cleanup of beaches, marshes and waterways. Last year, over 4,016 volunteers cleared nearly 22.5 tons of debris, covering 331 miles statewide. Groups spread out on foot or in boats from the various cleanup sites, and they returned with bags packed with plastic and glass bottles, cans, food containers, clothing, toys and cigarette butts. Larger items included household appliances, vehicle tires and building materials. As much of the debris as possible is recycled.

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium partners with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources to organize the statewide event, which is held in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Anyone can participate – individuals, families, schools, youth groups, civic and conservation clubs and businesses. Volunteers can sign up to assist at the cleanup sites listed on the websites below.

Sponsors for the statewide event are Nature Adventures, Ocean Conservancy, Safe Harbor Charleston City, Taco Boy-Folly Beach and Walmart Market #34.

To participate in coastal counties, visit scseagrant.org/bsrs-sites, or contact Susan Ferris Hill at 843-953-2092 or susan.ferris.hill@ scseagrant.org. To participate in inland counties, visit sweep-scdnr.hub.arcgis.com/pages/volunteer, or contact Bill Marshall at (803) 734-9096 or marshallb@dnr.sc.gov.

All About Mepkin

JOIN THE SEABROOK ISLAND NATURAL HISTORY GROUP FOR OCTOBER’S PROGRAM

BY NORM POWERS For The Island Connection

The fall series of Seabrook Island Natural History Group will continue on Thursday evening, October 10 with a presentation on Mepkin Abbey by the College of Charleston’s Joseph Kelly.

The Abbey in Moncks Corner is a Trappist monastery, established in 1960 on former rice plantation property along the Cooper River. It’s regionally famous for the agricultural products, particularly eggs and mushrooms, which are cultivated by the monks in residence.

Joseph Kelly is a professor of English at the College of Charleston and the director of the College’s Irish and Irish American studies curriculum. His interest in South Carolina history has produced several books, including The Longest Siege, about Charleston’s history in the years leading up to the Civil War.

SINHG Evening Programs will conclude in November with an examination of South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history. Evening Programs are offered free of charge to members, with a $5 charge for non-members. Pre-registration is available at sinhg.org/events-page.

Less Stress Now

NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY IS NOVEMBER 6

Cortisol levels seem to be the new gut health in terms of wellness crazes, taking over the internet with tons of information from countless sources. As with all health trends, it’s important to be your own advocate and seek out facts over fads. Dr. Greg Brannon, Amazon best-selling author and medical director of Optimal Bio, a leading Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) medical practice with a location in Mount Pleasant, offers his insights rooted in science about cortisol’s true role in the body and how to manage the stress that affects it.

Though the cortisol hormone is produced nightly and increases under stress, chronically depleting its reserve can lead to health issues. Various factors can cause this depletion, such

as unbalanced hormones and lack of sleep. Restorative sleep is imperative for the body to build its cortisol reserve effectively, but common factors like blue light or a poor diet prevent this. Keeping all hormones balanced and managing stress is key to maintaining healthy cortisol levels. Dr. Brannon’s tips below all contribute to supporting an appropriate cortisol reserve:

• Taking an organic, natural multivitamin (that includes vitamin D3).

• Taking a healthy dose of melatonin before sleep.

• Utilizing adaptogens and l-theanine to manage stress.

• Keeping a dark bedroom at night.

• Reading a book instead of watching a screen before bedtime.

BHRT helps support healthy cortisol levels by optimizing testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, amplifying the restorative properties of sleep and reducing anxiety. Dr. Brannon works with these circumstances daily and constantly considers how to build a healthy cortisol reserve.

(above) Mepkin Abbey. (inset) Joseph Kelly.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SINHG

36 Years of Growth

SEABROOK ISLAND GARDEN CLUB KICKS OFF NEW SEASON

BY SUSAN MCLAUGHLIN

For The Island Connection

President Sally Boudinot opened the September Seabrook Island Garden Club with a warm welcome to both new and returning members. Over the course of 2024-2025 year, the Garden Club will be celebrating its 36th year in operation, making it one of the oldest service organizations on the island. This year’s officers are Sally Boudinot, President; Melissa Andrews, Vice President; Robin Aaron, Treasurer; Anne Bavier and Laurel Healy, Recording Secretaries; and Blair Pugh, Corresponding Secretary.

Committee chairs for the year are Ann Zielinski, Membership and Directory; Karen Nuttall, Archives and Photography; Lynne Madison, Hospitality; Victoria Fehr, Annual Open House; Kathy Loy, Philanthropy and Outreach; Julie Minch and Debbie Daskaloff, Programs; and Beth Wright, Publicity.

Julie Minch updated the group on the Monarch Way Station that was established last spring near the island’s garden plots. Last year, the Garden Club received a grant from the Town of Seabrook Island to assist with the startup costs for this project. The Way Station is maintained by a group of volunteers who are still experimenting to find plants that are both deer resistant and attractive to monarchs. On October 11, the Garden Club meeting will feature an expert on monarch butterflies. The following week on October 18, the club will host a community-wide event to showcase the Monarch Way Station and

encourage residents to sign up for garden plots.

Over the summer, Beth Wright worked with a committee to design a new logo for the Garden Club. It was important to the committee for the redesign to reflect the values and priorities of the membership, with a modern emphasis on not only education and fellowship but also on service to the community. The new logo was unveiled at the meeting, and Beth thanked her fellow committee members for their efforts and thoughtfulness in coming up with a design that truly represents what the Garden Club has become since its inception 36 years ago. The committee members who helped with this project are Karen Babb, Sally Boudinot, Lee Johnson, Karen Nuttall, Carol Price, Blair Pugh and Dianne Thompson Cain.

The remainder of the program was devoted to outlining the programming and trips planned for the 2024-2025 year and encouraging all members to take an active role in volunteering to serve on the various committees.

There is still time to join the Seabrook Island Garden Club. Membership is $25, and membership will remain open through the end of October. Membership inquiries should be directed to seabrookislandgardenclub@gmail.com. Meetings are generally held on the second Friday of each month, with greetings and refreshments at 9:30 a.m. and speakers at 9:45 a.m. Guests are always welcome to attend meetings for a $5 donation.

Gray Matters

SEABROOK ISLAND VILLAGE CONTINUES BRAIN HEALTH SERIES

BY SUSAN COOMER

For The Island Connection

Seabrook Island Village (SIV) hosts its second educational seminar on promoting brain health on Saturday, November 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Live Oak Hall at the Lake House. This event was originally scheduled for March 2024 but was postponed due to bad weather.

The presenters are faculty members and geriatric psychiatrists at the Medical University of South Carolina. Mary Hart Bryan, MD, and Randi Curtiss, DO, both work in the MUSC Health Institute of Psychiatry as experienced clinicians.

This upcoming seminar is the second in a series of SIV seminars on brain health – incorporating additional topics that Drs. Travis Turner and Andrea Sartori of MUSC began in their presentation at SIV’s first brain health seminar in October 2023.

During their 45-minute presentation on November

2, Drs. Bryan and Curtiss will discuss the prevalence of mood alterations, including depression, depression versus normal grief, effective treatment therapies for mood alterations, healthy habits or routines and indicators for seeking professional help. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions, with significant time provided for discussion.

Seabrook Island Village board and volunteers look forward to seeing everyone at this informative and educational program. SIV invites local residents to attend free of charge. You can register for this event at the SIV website, seabrookIslandVillage.org.

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.

Lemoyne Lane

Falcon Point Road

around the islands...

ONGOING

WHAT: Booze and Boos Tours

WHERE: Henry’s on Market, 54 N Market St., Charleston

WHEN: Seven days a week through November 16

MORE INFO: This 2.5-hour tour will begin at Henry's on the Market where you will have the chance to purchase some spirits of your own to enjoy while your pirate guide shares stories. From there, you will go on a walking adventure to check out some haunted sites on the way to your next libation. The tour will end in Vendue Range.

WHAT: MOJA Arts Festival

WHERE: Various

WHEN: Various days from September 26 – October 6

MORE INFO: MOJA Arts Festival is an annual celebration of Black arts and culture and the community's artistic contributions to the world, especially through African American and Caribbean legacies. MOJA’s wide range of events include visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, storytelling, theatre and more. Visit mojafestival.com for more info.

WHAT: FOOD & WINE Classic

WHERE: Various

WHEN: September 27 - 29

MORE INFO: Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure host this culinary event series. The weekend will feature more than 40 celebrity chef cooking demonstrations and wine and cocktail seminars with world-class talent. Tickets are available for purchase now at foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.

WHAT: 2024 Alan Fleming Senior Open Clay Court Championship Tournament

WHERE: Seabrook Island Racquet Club, 3772 Seabrook Island Road

WHEN: Various times from October 2 - 6

MORE INFO: The annual tournament is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Participants, ranging in age from 30 to 80+, compete in various singles and doubles categories, as well as mixed doubles brackets, vying for the prestigious U.S. Tennis Association gold ball award and coveted tournament points.

WHAT: 2024 South Carolina Native Plant Week

WHERE: Various

WHEN: Various days from October 1 - 26

MORE INFO: The third week of October is South Carolina Native Plant Week. Celebrate by joining one of the many events planned across the state. Visit kiawahconservancy.org for more info.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

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., and from there you’ll travel to the home of Charleston’s only domestic winery and vineyard, Deep Water Vineyard. During a tasting of their wines, you’ll enjoy a fruit and cheese tray and be gifted with a souvenir stemless wine glass. 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. Your driver will make sure you’re back downtown by 4 p.m.

WHAT: 11th Anniversary Party

WHERE: E. Blackhurst, 145 King St., Suite 150, Charleston

WHEN: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: Clothing store E. Blackhurst is hosting an 11th anniversary party that is open to the public. The entire store will be 25% off. They will have drinks, gift card giveaways every 30 minutes, and a permanent jewelry company is coming too.

WHAT: Charleston Symphony Orchestra Opening Weekend

WHERE: Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St, Charleston

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: The stars of the Charleston Symphony will shine in the season’s

opening weekend. Concertmaster and Artistic Director Yuriy Bekker returns to the podium to conduct. Principal Oboe Kelly Mozeik will take center stage with Mozart’s Concerto for Oboe. The program, featuring works by Saint-Georges, Rossini, and Tchaikovsky, promises to delight audiences as the 2024-2025 season kicks off.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

WHAT: Cars & Coffee

WHERE: Freshfields Village

WHEN: 9 a.m.

MORE INFO: The monthly Cars & Coffee event happens on the third Saturday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. showcasing unique cars and offering the opportunity to purchase coffee from Java Java.

WHAT: Sea Island Farmers Market

WHERE: 2024 Academy Rd., Johns Island

WHEN: 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.

WHAT: Weekend Wine-Down

WHERE: Deep Water Vineyard, 6775 Bears Bluff Rd, Wadmalaw Island

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MORE INFO: Attendees can expect tastings ($15 gets you a tasting of 6 samples of the vineyard's wine and a souvenir glass), drinks, food trucks, live music, and more.

WHAT: Pickle Palooza

WHERE: Embassy Suites, 100 Ferry Wharf Rd., Mount Pleasant

WHEN: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

MORE INFO: A local celebration of all things pickle. The festival-style event will include live music featuring multiple bands/DJs, food trucks, beer tents, liquor vendors, pickeball, games, pickle tasting flights, pickle eating contest, food trucks, and more.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

WHAT: Tails & Toast: Dog Adoption Event

WHERE: Little Palm, 237 Meeting Street, Charleston

WHEN: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

MORE INFO: Bring your furry companions and sip on mimosas while you celebrate all things canine. Enjoy brunch treats and goodies for both you and your pup. Plus, meet adorable adoptable dogs from the Charleston Animal Society. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, but encouraged.

WHAT: Drink Pink: Rosé Festival

WHERE: Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, 360 Fishburne St., Charleston

WHEN: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

MORE INFO: An all-day festival featuring live music, rosé, themed and traditional cocktails, seltzers, beer and non-alcoholic offerings. All guests are invited to dress in their finest pink and white attire and accessories. A pink carpet will guide you to the field where you will be served rosé and traditional cocktails.

WHAT: An Afternoon with Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert

WHERE: Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St., Charleston WHEN: 2 p.m.

MORE INFO: Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert will appear at the Gaillard Center to share a glimpse of food and fun from their new cookbook, Does This Taste Funny?. The talk will be hosted by Busy Phillips. All tickets include a copy of the book.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

WHAT: Jazz Night

WHERE: Freshfields Village WHEN: 6 p.m.

MORE INFO: Jazz Night is held every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Porch Bar of the Andell Inn. Guests of the Andell Inn and others can enjoy live music performances from local Charleston groups in a cozy atmosphere.

Sometimes you go to a wedding reception under a tent, where you’ll find a couple of tables with a nice tablecloth and plenty of goodies piled up on top. You’ll need to use the server to transport these snacks onto your plate, and you’ll likely pluck the hors d'oeuvres off the surface of a shiny silver platter.

This silver plate is sometimes called a “salver,” and it’s often equipped with a pedestal at the base. The word salver is, essentially, a fancy word for what most people would call a tray, and the word comes to us from Latin. By now, you might be wondering why this Mystery Plant column is involved with the meaning of the word salver, so let me tell you.

The flowers of this plant are “salverform” – that’s the term that botanists like to use for it. More specifically, it is the corolla of the flower that is salverform, and it consists of a long, hollow tube made up of the five fused petals and a more or less flattened upper portion formed by the lobes of the petals. The corolla tube is sort of like a pedestal, and the flaring lobes up top are plate-shaped. Like a salver!

Our Mystery Plant is in the morning glory family. You might recall that most morning glories, especially the cultivated kind, usually have a more funnel-shaped

What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

BY JOHN NELSON For The Island Connection

corolla tube, and thus are not salverform. However, there must be nearly 2,000 species in this family, and, as native

plants, they are distributed pretty much all over the world in temperate and tropical regions. Many of these species are vine-y, either climbing or crawling (sometimes both), and the scientific name for this family is Convolvulaceae, which comes from Latin meaning to twine or bind.

Our morning glory is native to eastern North America, although there is some argument about this. It is found along railroad tracks and roadsides from New York to the Midwest and down to Texas. The leaves are heart-shaped, and those corollas offer an array of colors – very often bright red but sometimes orangish or even salmon-colored.

The ovary of each flower will form a small, papery capsule containing several seeds. The plants can form a tangle of vines and can be a bit annoying in great numbers. But the vines are handy for covering up an old trash pile – and butterflies love them.

John Nelson is a retired botanist from the herbarium at the University of South Carolina. As a public service, the herbarium offers free plant identifications. For more information, call 803-777-8175 or email johnbnelson@sc.rr.com.

[[Answer: “Scarlet creeper,” Ipomoea coccinea]

Start with a Song

COCKTAILS WITH CHARLESTON OPERA THEATER USHERS IN THE NEW SEASON

BY EDWARD BRENNAN For The Island Connection

Charleston Opera Theater has announced the Cocktails with Charleston Opera Theater season preview party, a spectacular evening of music, merriment and momentum to launch the 2024-2025 season. This evening event will feature a cocktail hour and performances by renowned soprano Shannon Jennings and tenor Ganson Salmon, both of whom are featured in the upcoming year’s programming.

Join COT on September, 28 at 5 p.m. in the historic College of Charleston Sottile Theatre for an unforgettable night of opera, wine and spirits and hors d'oeuvres, along with some exciting announcements. The evening's program will showcase the incredible talents of Jennings and Salmon, accompanied by COT’s own music director, Wojciech Milewski, on piano.

Milewski said “I’m excited to open another season of bringing our amazing art form to Charleston. There are so many exciting performances this year that I can’t wait to share with our community, and I can’t wait to invite so many new Charlestonians in to see what we do.”

“We are elated to be launching into our fifth season of producing opera in Charleston and our fourth year of productions in the historic College of Charleston Sottile Theatre," said Harold Meers, executive artistic director of COT. "Shannon and Ganson's voices are truly sublime, and we are excited to give our community a preview of what is to come this season from Charleston Opera Theater.”

The performance will include a selection of beloved songs, operatic arias and duets. Cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m. with performances to follow. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online through charlestonoperatheater.org or by visiting the George Street Box Office.

Tide Chart

11:24am/11:49pm 12:19pm 12:45am/1:18pm 1:44am/2:21pm 2:46am/3:25pm 3:49am/4:26pm 4:50am/5:22pm 5:45am/6:11pm 6:34am/6:54pm 7:19am/7:34pm 8:01am/8:11pm 8:40am/8:47pm 9:16am/9:21pm 9:51am/9:55pm 4:57am/5:40pm 5:47am/6:37pm 6:41am/7:37pm 7:39am/8:41pm 8:41am/9:44pm 9:44am/10:44pm 10:45am/11:37pm 11:41am 12:24am/12:31pm 1:06am/1:17pm 1:44am/2:00pm 2:18am/2:40pm 2:51am/3:18pm 3:22am/3:56pm

Source:

Shannon Jennings.

Welcome Back to a Year of Arts

KIAWAH ARTS, ETC HOSTS OPEN HOUSE

BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

Kiawah Arts, etc. launches a new year with a Welcome Back Open House on September 25. It will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at 574 Whimbrel Road, and anyone interested in learning more about Arts, etc. is welcome to stop by.

Holmes and the making of the movie Jaws.

Arts, etc. is open to all women who reside on Kiawah and Cassique, and the dues are still just $60. The mission is to support arts education in schools and provide cultural enrichment for members.

On October 2, the first luncheon will be held at the River Course Clubhouse, followed by a talk by Sharon Graci, co-founder and director of PURE Theater, one of the Arts, etc. program partners which give performances for the school children of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands during the school year. Besides the programs for children, PURE Theater mounts original plays for adults, which include modern interpretations of Shakespeare, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock

PURE is one of many program partners, and others include The Gibbes Museum, Arts NOW, City Stage, Chamber Music Charleston, Gaillard Center, Charleston Jazz, College of Charleston, Engaging Creative Minds and the Palmetto City Ballet. The programs for 2024-25 will begin this Fall in the Sea Island schools.

There will be four luncheons this year at the River Course Clubhouse and two at the Sandcastle. There will be an art show and auction in February, and the House Tour will be held on April 11, 2025.

More information about joining the organization and attending the luncheon can be found on kiawahartsetc. org. On the website, look for the “Become a Member” tab to receive all announcements, event notifications and to participate in the luncheons (which are only open to members and their guests).

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