Closer to a Resolution?
PURSUING THE PRESERVATION OF CAPTAIN SAMS SPIT
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
Captain Sams Spit was the reason for a Town of Kiawah Island special-called meeting and an ensuing executive session on January 24.
After sending a demand letter to the developer on January 3, the mayor and Town Council members are now faced with how to proceed.
They met for almost an hour and 45 minutes in executive session, all of which was closed to the public. Although no decisions were made, they emerged with a unanimous approval on the table.
It was to approve an action on the 2013 Amended and Restated Development Agreement (ARDA) with Captain Sams Spit.
They were not clear on what action exactly would be taken, but as Council Member Michael Heidingsfelder put it, “We received some very valuable advice from our legal counsel as it relates to Captain Sams Spit. We had a very
detailed and productive discussion. No decisions were made, but I would like to bring the following motion forward for discussion and approval as follows:
“The Town Council authorizes our legal counsel, Ross Appel, to pursue the Town’s rights with regards to Captain Sams Spit as outlined in the ARDA, especially with regards to pursuing all the obligations of the property owner for transferring all portions of Captain Sams Spit to our community association, including necessary deed restrictions to be able to put this precious land into conservation.”
Council Member Bradley Belt clarified, “This is in light of the advice we received from legal counsel in light of the demand letter that was previously submitted by KICA to the property owner with respect to these rights and obligations under that ARDA, including the
(continued on page 2)
Seabrook Island Gets a New Committee for Short-Term Rentals
BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
Seabrook Island’s new Town Council started their terms with a successful first Town Council meeting on January 23. A top priority was the establishment of the Town’s various committees, which were all signed in by resolution on January 4.
The Special Committee on Short-term Rentals has remained one of the most talked about committees. In the past, short-term rentals were being studied by an ad hoc committee, which consisted of only two town council members – former Town Council Members Jeri Finke and Pat Fox.
The new Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals will consist of eight members and one Town Council member as chair: Darryl May. On January 23, May announced the eight nominated members of the committee, whom he chose from about 20 applicants.
The members had to be drawn from a diverse group of interests including but
not limited to the following: owners and/ or managers of duly permitted shortterm rental units operating within the town; full-time residents and/or property owners of the town who do not own or manage a short-term rental unit within the town; licensed real estate agents and/or brokers
(continued on page 4)
CC and the Adelitas. PHOTO BY JOSEPH THOMPSON.
Darryl May.
MYLO N EWS
Sams Spit (continued
advice from legal counsel, the South Carolina Environmental Law Project, as well as a letter from the Kiawah Island Conservancy supporting the Town’s position. I think this is the appropriate path of action, and I support this motion.”
The demand letter sent to Kiawah Partners, the property owner of Captain Sams Spit, by the Town of Kiawah Island on January 8, indicated that Kiawah Partners had from October 12, 2005 to December 4, 2023 to develop the property as contemplated by several clauses in the ARDA, which expired in December of 2023.
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The ARDA goes on to state that if the property owner hadn’t started development by the time of termination of the ARDA, the entirety of the property would need to be deed restricted to Kiawah Island’s Community Association.
Lastly, it reads, “There can be no question that the Town has standing to enforce these terms of the ARDA.”
Despite the passing of the termination date, Kiawah Partners has yet to convey and deed restrict the Property as required by the ARDA.
It would be the intention of KICA to keep Captain Sams Spit undeveloped.
Kiawah Partners contends that due to the legal battle over the years, they were never able to start development of Captain Sams Spit.
Their original plan was to develop 50 homes on the 150-acre isthmus on Captain Sams Spit, which is located on the southern tip of Kiawah Island between the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean.
The future development of this small piece of property has been argued in and out of court since 2009 mostly due to its fragile ecosystem and vital importance for local wildlife like the dolphins who strand feed there.
The first ruling against the development of 50 homes on Captain Sams came in 2014 when the SC Supreme Court ruled against it because of “the complete loss of area held in trust for the benefit of the people.”
Then again in 2018, the Court ruled in favor of the public benefits for preserving the spit and at that time blocked the construction of a half-mile long bulkhead/revetment on the Kiawah River.
In June of 2021, the South Carolina
Supreme Court denied permits that Kiawah Partners needed from DHEC to construct a 2,380-foot steel wall along the neck portion that connects Kiawah to Captain Sams. These permits would have also allowed infrastructure like roadways, stormwater systems and utility lines.
Despite the rulings, in July of 2022, the Kiawah Island Planning Commission approved a preliminary subdivision plat extension for one year. However, Kiawah Partners still did not move forward with any sort of development at that time.
Currently, the space for a road to
Captain Sams Spit is underwater. The entirety of the property has also been completely underwater before – three times in recorded history in fact, and most recently in 1949.
Mayor John Labriola concluded, “Thanks to Ross Appel and Joe Wilson. This is a complicated issue. It was brought up how long this issue has been surrounding this property, and it has been about 15 years, so maybe we are getting closer to some kind of resolution.”
Civic Calen dar
TOWN OF KIAWAH
Environmental Committee
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
CERT Team
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Arts & Cultural Event Council
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Board of Zoning Appeals
Monday, Feb 26, 1 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
TOWN OF SEABROOK
Planning Commission
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Utility Commission Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 8:30 a.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Planning Commission
Wednesday, Mar. 13, 1:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Strand feeding.
PHOTO BY CHRIS ROXON
MUSIC BRINGS GOOD TIMES TO KIAWAH AND SEABROOK
BY KRISTIN B. THOMPSON
Two musical events in January brought lighthearted fun and dancing feet to the community.
The Arts Council of Kiawah Island curates, arranges and promotes diverse performances, such as the band Liquid Pleasure with Kenny Mann, which entertained over 400 people at the West Beach Conference Center on Kiawah on January 12.
Kenny’s wisecracks and comedy, along with mesmerizing choreography, synchronized with the band’s seamless blend of music from their impressive repertoire. In addition to past performances on Kiawah, Liquid Pleasure was chosen to perform for former President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Ball and that of North Carolina Governor, Mike Easley. The band had the crowd on their feet and dancing the night away.
On January 21, two-time Grammy winner and local favorite Quentin Baxter introduced a unique jazz ensemble to the local area. Baxter is a percussionist, composer, educator and prominent figure in the jazz community of his native city Charleston. For the past few years, he has been producing a winter series of musical events, presented in conjunction with the Arts Council. The Sunday afternoon performance on January 21 featured CC and the Adelitas. The all-women jazz troupe kept the crowd at Seabrook’s Island Clubhouse well entertained.
The Kiawah Island Arts Council presents three to five musical and cultural
events every month. Over the past several years, it has become increasingly difficult and expensive to schedule these events. Without access to a dedicated facility, an enormous amount of work goes into each performance. It is necessary to outsource lighting, sound, piano rental, backline and, when necessary, rigging and even stage and audience platforms. Essentially, we are constructing a temporary theater for every event — moving it in, setting it up and tearing it down — all on the same day.
In 2022, members of the Kiawah Arts Council asked the Town of Kiawah Island to fund a study that would explore the feasibility of constructing some sort of cultural arts facility to present events and provide space for artists, exhibits and education. Kiawah Town Council approved the funding, selected a consulting firm, and the study was completed in September 2023.
The project is now in the next phase: Chairman David Wohl has filed the paperwork for a nonprofit entity for the Lowcountry Arts Center. The name Lowcountry Arts Center was chosen by the new Board of Directors to look beyond Kiawah to Seabrook, Johns Island, Wadmalaw and throughout this beautiful section of South Carolina.
The directors welcome the questions, comments and support of the community as they continue to provide diverse and quality entertainment to the area. For more information about upcoming events, visit kiawahisland.org/events.
For The Island Connection
Liquid Pleasure. PROVIDED
Short-term Rentals
(continued from page 1)
licensed to operate within the town; and such other interests or professions deemed appropriate by Town Council.
May chose three non-short-term rental owners or managers. Those three are Debra Lehman, Ted Johnson and Tracey Kirchoff. As for short-term rental owners and/or managers, he chose Johanna Young, Nancy Buck, Oliver Sever, Starr Murphy and Susan Murphy. Five of the members are full-time residents of Seabrook. Specifically, those fulltime residents are Lehman, Johnson, Kirchoff, Buck and Sever.
Unless extended by a subsequent resolution, all members will serve on the committee until June 30, 2024. The committee is tasked with bringing together stakeholders from a variety of interests to study short-term rental activities and trends and to present their recommendations for a comprehensive set of policies and procedures by the June 30, 2024 term expiration.
Some of the issues they will address include: limiting the number of short-term rental units operating on Seabrook Island; limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rental units within town limits; the imposition of fair and reasonable fees and taxes related to short-term rentals; fair rules imposed to protect the safety of short-term rental occupants; fair rules imposed to protect the safety and quiet enjoyment of the community for the other property owners; and lastly, fair policies related to the operation of short-term rentals on Seabrook Island.
May said, “The subject matter for the shortterm rental committee has brought up a lot of concern on the island. We aren’t going to go into any preconceptions about what needs to
be done – that is the purpose of the advisory committee. We are to advise the Council on what, if anything, should be done.”
May added that he selected the members of the committee based on a fair balance. The committee will also work closely with the Club and SIPOA on policy issues, so that “everyone is working together,” as May put it.
“It’s extraordinary in the sense that the group will be very balanced in terms of short-term renter owners versus non. We will have someone from the business side too, but balanced also in the sense that each person doesn’t want to do anything to harm the other side. No one that I spoke to wants to harm the families who have short-term rentals. We know they love coming to Seabrook Island and renting their place when they aren’t here. At the same token, those who are short-term renters who I interviewed do see that there have been some problems raised, and they want to make sure that the sense of community is preserved and that for the residents who live here full time that there isn’t a disturbance of the lifestyle for those people.”
He also said that when they are finished with the process in late June, they hope to have an ordinance to present to Council.
The committee will conduct meetings and hold public hearings throughout the next six months. All the meetings will be open to the public as well. Nothing was scheduled by the time this article went to print.
“I told most of the people who were selected that there was good news and bad news. The good news is that they were selected for the committee, and bad news is that they were selected to the committee,” May quipped.
Local Author Pens Children’s Book
‘DANCING ANTS’ IS BOTH FUN AND EDUCATIONAL For
The Island Connection
Local author Elizabeth Lynn (Lizzie B. Lynn) has teamed up with local illustrator Craig Faust and Palmetto Publishing to create a new children's book called Dancing Ants & Other Silly Poems for Kids
This adorable book is a must-have collection of 15 different, whimsical rhyming poems. Lynn introduces amusing characters and situations accompanied by humorous watercolor illustrations which will bring laughter and joy to all who read it. From a group of ants dancing their way into a picnic or an ice-cream stealing horse to a gladiator who'd rather sleep than fight, children will giggle out loud with each preposterous scene.
Each poem is carefully crafted to tickle your child's funny bone, stimulate their imagination and expand their vocabulary. Written with literacy and education in mind, Dancing Ants also includes fun, educational facts and seven different writing prompts for kids to create their own poem or story. Lynn’s motto is to encourage kids to read, write and laugh more often through poetry.
The author has an extensive background working in higher education but has always dreamed of creating a book of poetry for children. Additionally, she is a mother of two daughters, teacher, musician and world traveler. Dancing Ants & Other Silly Poems for Kids is her second book. She and her family have lived all over the United States and now call Johns Island home. Dancing Ants can be purchased at Indigo Books at Fresh Fields shopping Center in Kiawah, on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com or directly from the author. Contact Eblcarolina@gmail.com for author programs, readings or school visits.
Update on The Cape Boardwalks
FROM THE TOWN OF KIAWAH ISLAND
For The Island Connection
The recently installed boardwalks at The Cape in West Beach have sparked many questions from the Kiawah community regarding their design, their location, their reach into the beach, the two boardwalks on one property and the proper approvals being given to developer East West beforehand.
To provide the necessary background information and additional transparency, the Town would like to share the following:
1. Prior to the development of “The Cape,” “Timbers Resorts,” and what is recently known as “Ocean Pines,” these properties have been registered as one parcel, referred to as Parcel 13. In 2016, this parcel was subdivided into these three lots as they started to be developed.
2. Parcel 13 was platted with the beachfront property line reaching further onto the beach. This is indeed unusual for most Kiawah beachfront properties, except for a few properties along Eugenia Avenue and Royal Beach (for other reasons), as beachfront properties end before the dunes, in the dunes or aligned with or shortly before the primary dune. This is how Parcel 13 was platted decades ago before the Town was incorporated. This is not desirable many years later, however, the location of the boardwalk is within plat limits.
3. The current developer – East West – of the Cape property applied for DHEC approvals for both boardwalks. In line with their guidelines, DHEC approved:
• The proposed design in terms of width
• The proposed design in terms of ADA Accessibility
• The proposed design in terms of length (still on the property of The Cape)
• The two boardwalks for one single property due to the length of the property along the beach shore
4. In addition to DHEC approvals, the Town and ARB assess the structures. After DHEC’s approval, the Kiawah ARB and the Town of Kiawah approved the structures as proposed, as they fulfilled all the requirements of the ARB and the Town of Kiawah Island at the time.
5. With the recent strong winter storms, especially the unusually strong Nor’easter storm on December 17, the shoreline changed significantly, altering the profile of the active beach, resulting in non-compliant boardwalks that reached further onto the active beach.
6. When this happened, it created a safety concern for both our Beach Patrol and for emergency vehicles. Therefore, the Town staff and the ARB started discussions with the property owner and the contractor to redesign and relocate the boardwalks. The Town is assessing to ensure that the boardwalks are compliant and responds to needs of accessibility for emergency and code enforcement vehicles. Further details will be provided when there are updates. Visit kiawahisland.org.
Spring Survey On the Way
BY BILL CONNOLLY For The Island Connection
Two of the Seabrook Island Property Association’s primary responsibilities are to monitor the current conditions of our facilities and to plan for the future of those facilities to ensure we provide what our property owners need and want.
We currently completed two commissioned external reports:
• A Business Case Review performed by Management Matters;
• A contractor evaluation of the condition of the Oyster Catcher Community Center.
These reports make apparent the need for us to take a hard look at current conditions and future needs for our facilities, fully informed and guided by what you want and what you are ultimately willing to invest in to meet your needs.
We will survey property owners this spring to understand your priorities for our facilities. The results of the survey will be the basis for a long-range plan for our facilities. We expect this process to take several months for it to be effective. As requested by the Seabrook Island community, the Board of Directors approved a program to:
• Validate the business case;
• Conduct an island-wide survey of property owners on their facility priorities and willingness to fund;
• Conduct focus groups on the island to better understand future facilities and amenities needs.
In summary, the Oyster Catcher Community Center is in fair to good condition for a 40-year-old facility. However, given current building regulations, there is very little maintenance that can be performed without triggering the county requirement to bring the entire facility into conformity with current building codes. Bringing the Community Center up to code will likely require a tear down and rebuild.
We, the Board, believe that the most impactful and meaningful aspect of this program is direct Island-wide input. Accordingly, we agree that it is important to move forward to survey all of our property owners about facilities requirements and funding tolerances. Therefore, we will not be conducting any focus groups until after the island-wide survey.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming survey this spring. We need and value your input as we determine the way forward to support our Island’s growth.
This exquisite, traditional brick home nestled on Bohicket Creek in Wadmalaw Island’s gated Anchorage Plantation was crafted in 2018. Featuring plenty of open living space, this home also includes a spacious finished room over the garage that could easily serve as the sixth bedroom, bunk room, media room, game room, or office. Everything about this meticulous, custom home says classic design. The dock features a covered pier head with water and electricity, a covered boat lift, and 2 floaters.
Backyard Birdwatching ORIOLE
WINTER SURVEY SET FOR FEBRUARY
BY GREG LUCAS, SCDNR For The Island Connection
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will conduct its annual Baltimore Oriole Winter Survey February 16-19 in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count. The state natural resources agency is interested in the status and distribution of these colorful songbirds wintering in the Palmetto State.
If you currently have Baltimore orioles coming to your feeders or have had them in past years, SCDNR encourages your participation. Survey participants count and record the largest number of Baltimore orioles they can see at one time during the survey period. Even if you cannot participate during the survey period, SCDNR would still like to record your oriole numbers seen during the winter months.
This year marks the ninth annual survey, and South Carolina continues to report large numbers of wintering Baltimore orioles. Historically, these birds have wintered in southern Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America. However, during the last several decades, they have been wintering along the East Coast in greater abundance.
South Carolina had 25 counties reporting orioles last year, up from 22 counties in 2022. The majority of reported birds wintered along the coastal
plain from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island. Charleston county was the 2023 hotspot, with Beaufort, Dorchester,
Horry and Florence counties also leading the pack. Good numbers continued to extend inland, with the Upstate reporting
Orioles as far west as Oconee County. Though SCDNR is not sure why orioles have begun overwintering in large numbers in the state, they notice the birds are responding well to backyard bird feeding. Orioles are best attracted to the activity of other birds at feeders. If conditions are right for them, they are likely to frequent the feeders where they can find food, water and shelter. They will eat a variety of foods and seeds, suet products, seed mixes, nuts and fruit mixes — but their favorite food by far is grape jelly. Since these birds have become more common at the winter feeders, you can find an assortment of feeders that cater to them and their foods, especially at bird-feeding specialty stores.
The survey will enable scientists to learn the distribution and abundance of Baltimore orioles wintering in South Carolina. Information from the survey and the Great Backyard Bird Count can provide a “big picture” about what is happening to oriole populations and other bird species. SCDNR appreciates the public’s support and efforts in helping collect the valuable information in this survey.
To participate, you can access the survey form and materials from arcgis.com. For more information on the Great Backyard Bird Count and counting all species of birds, visit gbbc.birdcount.org.
PHOTO BY DENNIS BALKHAM
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Spoleto Festival USA Announces 2024 Season
BY LAUREN VAN LIEW For The Island Connection
Spoleto Festival USA, the country’s premier performing arts festival, has announced a star-studded lineup for 2024, including more than 100 performances across the Holy City for 17 days and nights from May 22 through June 9. Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces will be enlivened by performances from celebrated artists at the forefront of their craft. Tickets are now available at spoletousa. org or by calling 843-579-3100.
Spoleto Festival USA’s ambitious 2024 program includes the world premiere of a commissioned original opera “Ruinous Gods,”; the return of cellist Yo-Yo Ma to the Festival in a new program conceived by the iconic musician; the world premiere of the original play “The Song of Rome” by Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson, co-authors of 2023’s “An Iliad”; Benjamin Millepied and L.A. Dance Project’s inventive multimedia interpretation of Prokofiev’s ballet “Romeo and Juliet,” performed for the first time with a live orchestra; and performances by nationally touring acts: Jason Isbell, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sasha Velour and more.
“Art is the connective tissue of our society,” said Spoleto Festival USA General Director and CEO Mena Mark Hanna. “By coming together to experience the 48th Spoleto, we have a rich opportunity to explore our shared humanity as we contemplate challenges to our very social framework, including immigration, democracy and basic human rights.”
The Festival will commence with the world premiere of full-length original chamber opera “Ruinous Gods.” Composed by Layale Chaker with a libretto by Lisa Schlesinger, “Ruinous Gods” examines the traumatic impact of displacement on refugees. The groundbreaking opera pushes the boundaries of form and structure with sung and spoken-word sections and a genre-defying score that weaves Arabic maqam and Western classical music traditions with diverse Middle Eastern influences, jazz and improvisation. Four performances, on May 24, May 27, May 29 and June 1, will take place in the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theatre.
The Festival’s opening weekend also features two performances by Old Crow Medicine Show on May 24 and 25. The Grammy award-winning six-piece American roots revival band celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023. This performance under the stars, in the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard, will kick off the Festival’s Front Row Series, which also includes multiinstrumentalist Trombone Shorty on May 27, gold-certified artist Amos Lee on May 28 and Billboard chart-topping duo Watchhouse on June 5. Also in the series: Aoife O’Donovan, a member of the folk-roots trio I’m With Her, performing a solo show of selections from her upcoming album “All My Friends” in the Sottile Theatre on June 7, accompanied by the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra; and fourtime Grammy award-winner and rock and roll icon Jason Isbell, who will wrap up the
Festival in two nights of intimate acoustic performances June 8 and June 9.
One of the best-known cellists of his generation, Yo-Yo Ma returns to Spoleto for his sixth Festival appearance and first since 1986. Performing works inspired by a five-year, six-continent journey, paired with stimulating conversation, Ma will take the stage at the Charleston Gaillard Center May 30 with a performance that asks audience members to consider the great questions of life and art: What has brought us here? And where will we choose to go next?
days, May 25 and May 26, at the Gaillard Center. Prokofiev’s score will be performed live by the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra under the direction of Timothy Myers. Australia-based contemporary circus company Casus Creations will perform the North American premiere of “Apricity,” a mesmerizing stage show with aerial apparatus, acrobatics, music and humor for five performances on June 6, June 7, June 8 and June 9 at Festival Hall. “Apricity” was inspired by the image of the winter sun breaking through the cold.
with the Seabrook Island Birders
The 2024 steward program needs volunteers two-hour shifts to help educate people about the importance of our tiny piece of the world to the shorebirds that visit.
WHY: Seabrook Island is a critical junction for shorebirds. Many species of shorebirds do a migratory stop over here to put on weight for migration.
PURPOSE: Our Stewards perform a significant service as many people don’t understand how important our sanctuary is. Volunteers educate people on the significance of our tiny piece of the world for shorebirds. It’s not about enforcement, but about education.
TRAINING: Our team, along with Audubon SC, will provide training to learn about the birds and positive ways to interact with beach walkers. You’ll have materials and equipment to use on the beach Training begins Feb 24. We’ll pair you with an experienced Steward to start. become
VOLUNTEER’S COMMITMENT: No special bird skills are needed. Just an interest to greet/interact with people on the beach discussing these shorebirds and how we can protect them. From March 1 through May volunteers do 2-hoiur beach shifts, convenient to their schedules.
The Festival will premiere two theater productions. The breakaway hit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe making its U.S debut, “Dark Noon” is an outsider’s perspective on American history performed by seven South African actors in a fictional film production. Four performances, on May 31, June 1 and June 2, will take place in Festival Hall. The world premiere of “The Song of Rome,” a new work co-written and co-directed by O’Hare and Peterson, explores the fall of the democratic republic in ancient Rome. A companion piece to the “An Iliad,” presented at last year’s Festival, “The Song of Rome” will be performed six times, on May 25, May 26, May 27, May 31, June 1 and June 2 in The Dock Street Theatre.
“Romeo and Juliet,” which combines cinema, dance and theater, will be presented at four performances over two
Music, song, dance and drama will collide at two separate performances during the Festival. SDasha Velour, winner of the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, will present “The Big Reveal Live Show!”, an immersive experience composed of classic drag, intimate storytelling, live art and video experimentation at the Gaillard Center on June 6.
Acclaimed composer and cellist Paul Wiancko will host 33 performances of the Bank of America Chamber Music series, consisting of music ranging from 12th-century composer Hildegard of Bingen and icon Franz Schubert to modern-day musical rebel Tomeka Reid and Grammy-nominated composer and steel drum player Andy Akiho, at the Dock Street Theatre.
To learn more and take a look at the entire Spoleto schedule, visit spoletousa.org.
Old Crow Medicine Show.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA
Credit One Charleston Open seeks volunteers
BY ARIELLE ALPINO For The Island Connection
The Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America, is accepting volunteer and ball crew applications for the upcoming event.
The WTA 500 tournament will return March 30 through April 7 in the Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island. The Charleston Open annually welcomes the world’s best women’s tennis players to the Lowcountry, along with more than 90,000 attendees. The 2024 player field already includes several top-ranked players, including Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari and 2023 champion Ons Jabeur.
The tournament is actively recruiting 350 volunteers as well as 100 ball crew members for the 2024 event. Volunteers can apply to assist in various areas of the tournament: court ushers, court maintenance, airport ambassadors, guest services, tournament ambassadors, horticulture, IT, media center, player services and the volunteer cafe. Ball crew members are part of the on-court action and help aid match play by retrieving wayward tennis balls and providing assistance to players on-court.
“Our volunteers play an integral role in the tournament’s success. Their invaluable contributions help
us transform the tournament into an engaging and welcoming atmosphere for players and spectators alike,” said Tournament Director Bob Moran.
“Participating as a tournament volunteer offers a unique lens into the behind-thescenes operations of large-scale events, and we are committed to providing an enriching and positive experience for the generous individuals in our community who donate their time.”
As part of an incentive to volunteer, participation includes tickets to watch world-class tennis, meal allowances and tournament apparel. Volunteers are required to work a minimum of six shifts. Training and orientation sessions are also required prior to the event.
A ball crew member must be at least 11 years old with tennis experience or 12 years old without experience. Training sessions are required to ensure that ball crew members are tournament ready.
To learn more and submit a volunteer application, visit creditonecharlestonopen. com/volunteer. To submit a ball crew application, visit creditonecharlestonopen. com/ball-crew For additional information, email Jo Cooper, Credit One Charleston Open volunteer manager, at volunteercoco@gmail.com.
Residential Cleaning Services
‘Paws’
and Reflect
CHARLESTON ANIMAL SOCIETY CELEBRATES 150 YEARS
BY DAN KROSSE For The Island Connection
The Charleston Animal Society, the first animal protection organization in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation, will celebrate its sesquicentennial year in 2024. For 150 years, the organization has been dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals and providing a legacy of care.
The Charleston Animal Society’s sesquicentennial celebration promises to be a year-long series of events and campaigns that will not only commemorate the organization’s historic legacy but also shed light on the continued importance of improving the plight of animals throughout the community and the state.
“Our sesquicentennial celebration will be guided by a special committee, led by Co-chairs Jane Graham and Patricia Henley, with the full support of our 24-member board of directors,” said Laurel Greer, who is serving in her fourth year as chair of the Charleston Animal Society’s board.
Founded on March 14, 1874, as the South Carolina Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with Nathaniel Russell Middleton serving as its first president, the organization’s immediate concerns were to combat the neglect of working animals and the inhumane shipping of cattle and to resolve the epidemic of stray dogs. As the needs of the community changed, so did the organization, expanding into teaching compassion to children and, in 1948, sheltering animals in response to the horrific conditions and mass killings by local government as a way of responding to stray dogs.
In honor of its second president, the Animal Society officially became known as the John Ancrum Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1940. It became the Charleston Animal Society when it moved to Remount Road in North Charleston in 2008.
“The 150 years of leadership, tradition and excellence in improving the plight of animals and children illustrates what can be accomplished by a group of dedicated individuals and a committed community of compassionate citizens from one generation to another,” said Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore, who has led the Society since 2012.
From achieving its first cruelty conviction of an animal abuser in 1947 to building its first animal shelter in 1948 – on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston – the Animal Society has realized a series of accomplishments, including:
• Sheltering the largest number of animals in South Carolina;
• Earning accolades as the top-rated nonprofit in South Carolina;
• Building the first no kill community in the Southeast;
• Launching the No Kill South Carolina project to establish the first no kill state in the South;
• Becoming a leading state and regional emergency response organization during disasters and large animal cruelty operations conducted by law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels;
• Becoming a leading provider of spay/neuter surgeries to combat the overpopulation of dogs and cats throughout the Lowcountry and the state;
• Training veterinary students from colleges across the country and overseas in innovative shelter health and spay/neuter procedures;
• Earning the first American Animal Hospital Association’s accreditation of a combined animal shelter/animal hospital in the South.
The sesquicentennial celebration started in January and will continue through December, weaving the theme through many of the organization’s events, including its 150th Annual Meeting and Celebration of Success, Applause for Paws Gala and Paws in the Park Festival.
“As we focus on the past, present and future during our sesquicentennial year, we will provide occasions to honor the past and to inspire a brighter future for the health and safety of both animals and people in the greater Charleston area and beyond,” said Graham.
Details can be found at CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/150.
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O u r c u s t o m “ B o h i c k e t B o a t C l u b A p p ” c o n v e n i e n t l y s c h e d u l e s
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t i o n f e e s O t h e r c l u b s a n d f r a n c h i s e s r e q u i r e e x p e n s i v e i n i t i a t i o n f e e s t o j o i n , o u r b o a t c l u b m e m b e r s h i p r e q u i r e s N O U P - F R O N T F E E S !
f i r s t - c l a s s a m e n i t i e s SINGLE INDIVIDUAL $550 PER MONTH
around the islands...
ONGOING
WHAT: Cool Cats
WHEN: Feb 2 - Mar 16
WHERE: Redux Contemporary Art Center
MORE INFO: Join us for the opening reception of a Redux Studio Artist collection featuring recent works on paper. The reception will take place on Friday, February 2nd from 5 to 8 PM. The exhibition will be on view from February 2 to March 16. Participating artists include Hale Horstman, Karen Vournakis, Kris Hanson, Daisy McClellan, Rebecca Hopkins, Susan Altman, Nancy Perry, Taylor Faulkner, Lauren Sloan, Carson Carroll, Jenifer Padilla, Jillian Thorvaldson, Kirsten Hoving, George Read, Shannon Mayo McBride, Nick Kawcynski, Susan Vitali, Liz Lantz, Rebecca Dew, Christine Patterson, and Kate Ritchie.
WHAT: Textile Gallery
WHEN: Jan 20 - Sep 15
WHERE: Charleston Museum
MORE INFO: Quilting, a timeless form of creative expression, melds colors and patterns into purposeful objects. Like paint on canvas, fabric pieces serve as artistic boundaries, challenging individual visual acuity and imagination. We're excited to announce a collaborative exhibition with the Gibbes Museum of Art, featuring abstract artwork alongside the Museum's quilts. This showcase highlights the artistic splendor of both mediums.
WHAT: Ming Smith: Feeling the Future
WHEN: Jan 31 - Apr 28
WHERE: International African American Museum
MORE INFO: The International African American Museum (IAAM) presents "Ming Smith: Feeling the Future" from January 31 to April 28. This special exhibition showcases the groundbreaking career of Ming Smith from the 1970s to the present, exploring her vibrant and multi-layered artistic practice. Featuring works from her five-decade career, the exhibition delves into themes of Afrofuturism, Black cultural expression, representation, and social examination, offering insight into the unseen moments of life captured by this profoundly gifted artist.
WHAT: Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature
WHEN: Jan 26 - Apr 28
WHERE: Gibbes Museum of Art
MORE INFO: In January, the Gibbes Museum of Art will host the inaugural United States showing of the international exhibition "Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature." Presented in partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London), and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, the exhibition and its accompanying programs will showcase the dynamic and diverse career of the acclaimed Scottish artist, Rory McEwen.
SATURDAY, FEB. 10
WHAT: 9th Annual Building Healthy Communities 5K Run/Walk and Wellness Expo
WHERE: Hampton Park
WHEN: 9 a.m.
MORE INFO: Join us for the 5K run/walk, raising funds for the MUSC Children's Health Wellness Works Program (previously Heart Health). Lace up your shoes and tackle a USATF-certified 5K course to support our efforts in promoting healthy
lifestyle habits for kids and families. Don't miss out on the chance to win exciting raffle prizes. Bring cash or a card for purchasing raffle tickets and join the drawing after the race (no checks accepted).
WHAT:Early Morning Bird Walk at Caw Caw
WHERE: Caw Caw Interpretive Center
WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: We invite you to join us for one or more of our regular bird walks, where we embark on a journey through a diverse range of habitats, providing ample opportunities to observe and learn about various bird species, butterflies, and other fascinating organisms. These walks offer a unique experience to immerse yourself in nature, engage in discussions about local wildlife, and deepen your understanding of the interconnected ecosystems that surround us. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting out, our guided walks promise an enriching and educational adventure for nature enthusiasts of all levels.
SUNDAY, FEB. 11
WHAT: Quentin E. Baxter Presents Dan Wilson Quartet
WHERE: Seabrook Island Club
WHEN: 4 p.m.
MORE INFO: Join us for the second concert of the "Quentin E. Baxter Presents" series, featuring Benedetto Guitarist Dan Wilson. Accompanied by pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Brandon Rose, and drummer Quentin E. Baxter, this performance promises an evening of exceptional musical synergy. Don't miss this unforgettable experience.
FRIDAY, FEB. 16
WHAT: First day of Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE)
WHERE: Downtown Charleston
WHEN: 9 a.m.
MORE INFO: SEWE is set to make a comeback in February, offering engaging attractions at five key exhibit locations in downtown Charleston: The Charleston Place, Brittlebank Park, Gaillard Center, Charleston Marriott, and Marion Square. The 2024 event will feature beloved highlights such as the SEWE Fine Art Gallery, DockDogs®, Center for Birds of Prey demonstrations, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary live shows, curated artisan goods, craftsmen exhibitors, canine demonstrations, chef demos, and much more. Don't miss out on the exciting return of these favorites.
SATURDAY, FEB. 17
WHAT: Magnolia Plantation Mini Portrait Sessions
WHERE: Magnolia Plantations and Gardens
WHEN: 10 a.m.
MORE INFO: Chucktown Art is teaming up with Magnolia Plantation & Gardens to offer portrait mini sessions. These sessions will be held at Magnolia Plantation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The package includes a 5-minute session, online viewing gallery, professional edits, and 3 digital images in high resolution and web size. The investment is $175, and participants need to purchase general admission to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. It's recommended to arrive 20-30 minutes early for parking and walking to the photo location.
Wine Tasting
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Please join us for wine and light hors d’oeuvres at Café Eugenia in Freshfields Village.
Guests will receive a 10% discount off select bottles of wine
Don’t Be Fooled - Real estate Truths
• When a real estate agent tells you they can sell your home without the inconvenience of potential buyers coming to view your property. This is not for your convenience; it’s actually so they can keep the sale in-house and get both sides of the commission. Which method do you think would garner the highest price for your property? Having it listed on MLS so 6,500 realtors see it or having a pocket listing where only 20 agents or less see it?
• When you list your property with a real estate company that doesn’t put their listings on MLS and doesn’t co-broke with other agents, you only have a few agents in that office trying to bring a buyer instead of having 6,500 agents trying to bring a buyer. This is good for that real estate company but not good for you.
• An agent comes to you about listing your property and tells you they have a buyer if you’ll give them the listing. You sign the agreement, and the buyer mysteriously disappears. This is the oldest trick in the book. Only sign the listing agreement if the agent has demonstrated they are the best person for the job.
• If five agents tell you your home is worth X and one agent tells you a much higher Y price, of course, we all want to get as much for our home as we can. However, if your property doesn’t sell at Y and the listing becomes stale, you may end up getting less than if you priced it correctly with X.
So, if you’re planning on listing your property, please call me for a no-nonsense meeting. I will work hard to get you the most for your property. Allow me to handle all the deatils and put my 32 years of experience to work for you.
Jack Wilson, Realtor® | 704.661.9843 | jwilson@dunesproperties.com
Wine Tasting Compliments of Joy Dellapina & Kathleen McCormack
Fruit of the Lowcountry
BY JOHN NELSON For The Island Connection
One of my favorite trees here at the University grows right behind the herbarium. It’s been there for years (the building was constructed about 1974) and is now about 25 feet tall. I’m terrible at estimating heights of trees… but let’s just say that it’s tall enough for you to cause serious damage if you fell out of it while climbing around. But why would you want to climb around in this tree?
It’s simple: This is an honestto-goodness fruit tree, producing prolifically. The fruits are amazingly tasty, and the funny thing is, not many people around here seem to know what they are missing when the ripe fruits are ready.
The tree itself is native to eastern Asia and is a good, solid member of the rose family. Its leaves are alternate and relatively large. The blades are thick and leathery, dark, shiny green above and prominently reddish-brown fuzzy all over the bottom. The margins are prominently and sharply serrated, with strong lateral veins visible branching from the midvein. The flowers are produced in clusters terminating branches, so we call them “terminal panicles.”
The branches of the panicles are thick and covered with that same reddishbrown fuzz that’s on the lower surface of
the leaf. Each flower will have five fuzzy sepals and five perfectly white (fuzz-free) petals. The petals themselves look a lot like what you might find in the flower of an apple tree. (Apple trees are also in the rose family, after all.)
There will be about 20 separate stamens in each flower. Now, the ovary of the flower is made up much like you find in an apple, with the ovules covered over by a thick hypanthium…which is the tasty part of a ripe apple that we eat. And, like an apple, our Mystery Plant’s ovary will be below all those other flower parts…an “inferior” ovary.
The funny thing about this plant is that it is blooming right now, and its fragrance is almost overwhelming – it’s delightfully sweet. So, this is one of those trees that blooms very late in the year. A blooming bough is great to bring in for a winter arrangement, as the flowers will fill up a room with fragrance. (Watch out for the fuzzy hairs, though.)
But the most interesting thing, perhaps, is the fruits that slowly develop for the rest of the winter and through the spring. Fruits begin to ripen in the early summer. When fully mature, each fruit will be smooth-skinned and bright yellow…and they are fragrant, too. The fruits are quite edible, and, as I was saying, most people don’t seem to
be clued into this fact. To me, the fruits have a sort of tart sweetness, something like a cross between apple and pineapple. If you are lucky enough to have one of these plants with ripe fruits, you don’t need clippers to remove them, and you probably won’t have to climb into the tree, either. The fruits can be eaten right off the branch, and bother peeling them. In the kitchen, there’s all sorts of
things you can do with them, too. Like their apple relatives, they’re full of fiber, vitamins and other wonderful things.
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, call 803-777-8175 or email johnbnelson@sc.rr.com.
“Loquat,”
We also offer FREE deconstruction services.
8:25am/8:35pm 9:13am/9:26pm 10:01am/10:18pm 10:49am/11:11pm 11:39am 12:06am/12:33pm 1:05am/1:31pm 2:07am/2:34pm 3:12am/3:37pm 4:16am/4:38pm 5:14am/5:34pm 6:05am/6:23pm 6:49am/7:07pm 7:29am/7:48pm 1:49am/2:30pm 2:42am/3:16pm 3:34am/4:03pm 4:28am/4:51pm 5:23am/5:40pm 6:22am/6:33pm 7:24am/7:30pm 8:30am/8:31pm 9:35am/9:34pm 10:36am/10:34pm 11:29am/11:28pm 12:17pm 12:17am/12:59pm 1:02am/1:37pm
Source:
[Answer:
“Japan plum,” Eriobotrya japonic a]
PHOTO BY JOHN NELSON.
Standing: Tom Peck, John Halter, Amanda Benepe, Ryan Straup, Patsy Zanetti, Ingrid Phillips, Mary Ann Lloyd, Stuart Spisak, Joy
Seated: Pat Polychron, Chip Olsen, Stuart Rumph, Kathleen McCormack, Marc Chafe