IEN March 8 2024

Fun on Front Beach

Thousands of people showed up for the annual Isle of Palms Front Beach Fest March 2. They enjoyed live music, lots of kids’ games and food trucks and also had the opportunity to interact with a large number of vendors.

Police chief plans for Sullivan’s Island to be his final stop

By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News

Glenn Meadows has already completed one lengthy law enforcement career and spent a decade-and-a-half as an advisor to various entities in countries around the globe. Now, though he won’t put an expiration date on his current position, he apparently has found a place to complete his professional journey.

Meadows, who was officially appointed as chief of police by the Sullivan’s Island Town Council Feb. 20, is a native of Newport News, Virginia. He said he originally wanted to join the military and fly helicopters, (Continued on page 4)

Council temporarily lifts ban on erosion control structures

By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News

The Isle of Palms City Council has voted to at least temporarily lift a ban on seawalls and revetments, allowing residents in a nine-block area near Breach Inlet to protect their homes from the effects of the severe erosion that has plagued the southwest end of the island for almost a year.

In most cases, however, there’s still little they can do to protect their pools.

The Council voted 7-2 at a special meeting Feb. 20 to pass an emergency ordinance that for 60 days will permit homeowners between 100 and 914 Ocean Blvd. to ignore the city’s regulations prohibiting seawalls and revetments within approximately 250 feet landward of the tide’s high-water mark. Residents will be permitted erect erosion control structures up to 20 feet beyond the maximum building line, a boundary established by the developer and adopted by the city in 1988.

According to Deputy City Administrator Douglas Kerr, along the designated stretch of Ocean Boulevard, there are 55 pools beyond the maximum building line, only six of them (Continued on page 5)

Sullivan’s Island Police Chief Glenn Meadows, left, discusses business with Sgt. Chris Wallace.

Photo by Brian Sherman.

Photos by Brian Sherman.

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CONTRIBUTORS:

Katherine Berry

Cynthia Ewing

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Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina 29482 843-886-NEWS

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Dear Island Neighbors,

At our last Town Council meeting, Council voted unanimously to appoint Glenn Meadows as our new police chief. Glenn joined the town in 2021 and for the last year had served as deputy chief.

Chief Meadows has had an extensive career in law enforcement and security. He retired as a sergeant from the Newport News, Virginia, Police Department after 25 years of service. He then worked for about 15 years in the private sector for companies providing security and law enforcement training for the U.S. Defense and State departments in various overseas deployments in critical locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

we approved the following revised beach fire regulations recommended by staff:

• Beach fires only from Oct. 1 to April 30, to avoid the turtle nesting season;

• Fires only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and only two fires on any of those nights;

• Locations limited to Stations 22, 25 and 30;

• Permit fees: $150 for SI residents and $300 for nonresidents;

• Deposits, refundable based on a check of the fire site the next day: $250 for residents, $500 for nonresidents;

Since joining our department, Glenn has demonstrated his strong leadership skills in improving training and budgeting processes, strengthening departmental policies and ensuring compliance with them, encouraging community policing, organizing our first Toys for Tots bike drives and community blood drives and improving public outreach.To learn a little more about our new chief, see this recent media interview with him here: bit.ly/ChiefMeadows

Say hello to Chief Meadows when you see him around. In fact, say hi to all of our officers when you get a chance. It means more to them than you might think.

New beach fire regulations

Our beach is one of the very, very few on which you can have a fire. Nearly all other South Carolina beach towns have eliminated the practice over the years. As a result, lots of people apply for beach fire permits here.

In 2023, we issued 346 beach fire permits. This requires much more of town resources than you might assume. In addition to booking the fees and deposits –and returning the deposits after the fire, contingent on cleanup rules having been followed – our public safety folks have to check on the fires when they are happening and then evaluate the fire sites the next morning. Someone has to clean up after any people who have not done so. And, of course, when the state issues a red flag alert for outdoor fires in our area, people with permits have to be contacted before their fire date.

This matter has been studied and discussed by the Public Safety Committee and town staff, with input from a number of citizens. At our last Council meeting,

• Permits available only the week of the requested fire date, starting on Monday for fires the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

These regulations will not begin until the next beach fire season – Oct. 1 of this year. Once they take effect, we will monitor how the new program is working so that we can determine whether changes need to be made at some point.

Time to renew business licenses

Jessi Gress, our business licensing and permit technician, reminds us that business licenses are due by April 30, after which a 5% per month penalty fee is added. Don’t put it off.

Erin go bragh

On the Island named for O’Sullivan, you might expect a bit of celebration on St. Patrick’s Day – or this year, the day before St. Patrick’s Day. On Saturday, March 16, there’ll be the usual festivities in the commercial district. During the day, several restaurants will be offering food and beverages outside, and Station 221/2 between Middle and I’On will be closed to traffic so people can hang out there. Please exercise caution when driving through the commercial district.

And remember: A shamrock has three petals. The four-leaf clover – like on the cereal box – might bring you good luck, but it’s not an Irish thing.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day; see you around the island!

Pat O’Neil, Mayor 843-670-9266

Twitter: @oneilpm1 oneilp@sullivansisland.sc.gov

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REVIEW: WELTONS TINY BAKESHOP

Join one of our writers as they detail their experience dining at Welton’s Tiny Bake Shop.

CHAI-LESTON DELIGHTS: COFFEE IN CHARLESTON

Let's take a sip and explore the aromatic nooks and crannies that make Charleston a cove for coffee (and chai) lovers!

CITY OF CHARLESTON TO HOST FREE SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY EXPO

Hosted by the City of Charleston’s Business Services at the Gaillard Center on March 28th from 9 am to 4 pm.

STEPHEN COLBERT AND EVIE MCGEE COLBERT TO RELEASE COOKBOOK

In Does This Taste Funny, the couple invites you to pull up a chair as they share their favorite recipes from family and friends and offer a glimpse of food and fun in their South Carolina home.

WHO IS THE REZ REV AND HOW ARE THEY HELPING EMERGING WORKERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA?

RezRev provides tools, education, and services to help new workers make a unique first impression in the job market, going beyond traditional resumes.

"MIRACLE CAT" REUNITED WITH OWNER AFTER FIVE YEARS

A cat found rescued by Charleston Animal Society (CAS) was discovered to have been reported missing five years prior.

BREEZE ANNOUNCES NEW SEASONAL SERVICE TO MANCHESTER FROM CHARLESTON

New route: Airbus A220-300, flying twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays from June 14th, fares from $69* one way.

Police chief

Continued from page 1

but, when an Army recruiter suggested that he should instead go into the medical field, he chose to don a different uniform. He landed a job with the Sheriff’s Department, graduated from the police academy and was hired by the Newport News Police Department, retiring in 2005 as a sergeant.

“I thought it would be a good career. I believe in it. It was a time when you started a job, you started a career, and law enforcement was just that,” Meadows said. “I haven’t had a single regret.”

He spent the next 15 years in upper-level management with a government services company and as an independent contractor, training personnel and working as an advisor in countries including Paraguay, Jordan, Thailand, Indonesia and Mali. He was in Iraq for 33 months and in Afghanistan in 2014 and again from 2015 to 2020.

With the U.S. mission in Afghanistan winding down and civilian personnel and contractors coming back to the United States, he decided to return to his roots. His wife, Jennifer, wanted to relocate to the Lowcountry to be closer to her parents, so they moved to West Ashley. In January 2021, Meadows was hired by the Charleston Police Department. However, the certifications he earned in Newport News had expired, so he had to start all over again. He spent 11 weeks of pre-academy training, then eight weeks at the

Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, where he was the oldest recruit in his class. Not long after, he jumped at the opportunity to join the Sullivan’s Island Police Department as a patrol officer.

“I liked the idea of a smaller municipality. It gave me greater opportunity to do more than just be a patrol officer and just working from call to call to call,” he said. “There’s a big difference between Charleston and Sullivan’s Island. This is a unique, closeknit community.”

He added that he never thought he would be the Sullivan’s Island police chief but he was fairly certain that “this was the department I would stay with until my second retirement.” Meadows put in what he called “110% effort” and was rewarded when he was promoted to deputy chief in March 2023. He ran the department from Jan. 1 of this year until Feb. 20 while former Chief Chris Griffin was on paid leave and then unpaid leave.

bike drive for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program and has spearheaded that effort for the past three years. In cooperation with The Blood Connection, he also helped with two community blood drives, with another one possibly planned for this spring.

And he has already established a Sullivan’s Island Police Department mission statement, as well as core values based on professionalism,

As chief, Meadows intends to continue what he started when he was hired by the Sullivan’s Island Police Department: building relationships with residents, businesses, the rest of the town staff and nearby law enforcement agencies. He launched the department’s

respect, integrity, dedication and excellence.

Glenn Meadows’ professional life has taken him all over the world. He plans to spend the rest of his career on Sullivan’s Island.

“This is where I’ll retire,” he said.

Photo by Brian Sherman.

Erosion

Continued from page 1

within 20 feet of the line and 31 within 35 feet.

Council members considered two prospective emergency ordinances, one that would temporarily do away with the city’s ban on seawalls and revetments and another that would permit seawalls and revetments within 35 feet of the maximum building line. With strong support from Council Member Blair Hahn, they finally settled on setting that number at 20 feet, effectively prohibiting most property owners from protecting their pools.

The ordinance will have no effect on the areas of the beach that are under the control of the Ocean & Resource Management division of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Kerr pointed out that OCRM will not permit heavy equipment to access beachfront properties from the beach.

choices some people will have to make.” Hahn went on to say that removing all restrictions would create “a patchwork of seawalls.”

“If we have an erosion event, it will create hydraulic chaos as water moves between the seawalls between houses that don’t have a seawall,” he continued.

“The last thing we want to do is tee something up tonight and not have it pass.”

• IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds

Although she said the Council was looking at “two bad options” and “not great choices,” Council member Elizabeth Campsen joined her colleagues Katie Miars, Jan Anderson, Jimmy Ward, Ashley Carroll, Hahn and Mayor Phillip Pounds in voting both for Hahn’s amendment to reduce the distance from the maximum building line from 35 to 20 feet and for the amended ordinance. Both measures were opposed by Council members Scott Pierce and John Bogosian.

Pierce later released a statement outlining his opposition to passing the emergency ordinance: “Isle of Palms has lost 1 million cubic yards of beach in the past two years. The proposed ordinances for hard erosion structures are an unfortunate reaction to a failure to proactively implement IOP’s and the state’s published stance of preserving public beaches and dune systems. After talking to several constituents, I wasn’t comfortable with any of the presented options. The approved ordinance results in impractical new legislation, layered on top of IOP’s 50-yearold obsolete ordinance. There were simply too many unanswered basic questions on the overall impact to homeowners and the beach and how the ordinance would be implemented.”

“As we vote on the property rights of individuals versus everybody’s right to walk the beach, I’ve been reminded that the way one knows that a decision is a good decision or a bad decision is by looking at the consequences of that decision, both intended and unintended Do we remove all restrictions or do we say ‘no, you can only build, in my mind, 20 feet from the maximum setback?’” Hahn commented. He added that “some pools would be sacrificed. Those are the tough

“I think property owners should be responsible for protecting their own property,” Bogosian said later. “This restricts almost every homeowner from doing anything unless they tear up their pools. It’s unworkable and a senseless piece of legislation. After 60 days, we’ll look back and see that no one has done anything. Let the homeowners work with OCRM. They should be allowed to do what they want to do.”

“Eventually, it’s going to be fought in court. The city shouldn’t get in the middle of that,” he added.

Under the terms of the temporary ordinance, which expires 60 days after being passed but can be extended by the Council, seawalls or revetments must be approved by the city, designed by a registered, qualified engineer and be covered by beach-compatible sand that is not taken from the beach. In addition, adjacent property owners must be notified in writing and construction must be coordinated with OCRM.

“We’re dealing with an emergency ordinance tonight to give some relief. The last thing we want to do is tee something up tonight and not have it pass,” Pounds said prior to the vote. “That’s like the worst-case scenario. There may be nobody take advantage of this thing, but we need to give some type of relief to homeowners, whatever it may be.”

Four Lucky Dogs

By Katherine Berry

Owner: Jason and Mary Beth Daniels

Dog’s names: Simon, Daisy, Sophia and Olivia

(me)Age: 21/2, 21/2, 11/2, 5 months

Breed: Cavalier King Charles

Favorite toy: Empty Gatorade bottle and tennis balls – from our brother Gordy Vet: Tidewater Veterinarian

Food: Stella and Chewy Raw

Hi ya’ll! I’m Olivia and I’m 5 months new to the world and I wanted to tell you about our adventure last week – but also to brag about how lucky we all are to be safe.

When Simon, the older and cooler brother, was about my age, he told me of a time he ran free in the streets. He said it was one of the best days of his life, to feel the beach breezes, untethered and on his own terms. Ever since he told me that story, he promised me I’d have my day out in the “wild,” but it’s tricky due to Dad’s obsession with door latching. Well, the day finally came. The door sprung open, Simon gave me the paws up and I knew it was go time. We were off but then Ms. Perfect, Sophie, came after us, yelling and screaming to come home, and my other sister, Daisy, who’s also pregnant, came, too. Uh-oh – not what we planned.

From the looks on everyone’s faces, a mob of Cavalier King Charles spaniels charging down the street is not something you see every day because people were screaming at us, cheering us along – or at least, that’s what I thought. But nope, those weren’t cheerleaders. Those were screams of panic as we barreled toward the loud cars! Simon was in charge, so I assumed he knew where he was going, but I don’t think he thought the plan out because out of nowhere, a big truck hovered above us and humans charmed us with the magical words: cookies. Naturally, we were famished and stopped for a snack. There’s always time for a snack.

And just like that, as fast as it began, we were all swooped up and – the vet, Simon? I looked at him like, “What the ….” He shrugged and smiled while my sisters were traumatized.

No, No, Noooo ... This is not the right of passage promised by my big brother.

I gave Simon a real look of dissatisfaction and he just laughed and tossed his hair back. Gah, we’ll never do that again. We are for sure lucky dogs to be home safe and sound with Mom and Dad.

If you have a “Lucky Dog” with a story to share, email me at LuckydogsIOP@gmail. com to set up a quick visit with you and your pup. Thank you • Katherine.

Giving it a try

The Sullivan’s Island Fire Department was training the week of Feb.

26 when Charles Drayton, the town’s director of planning and zoning, decided to “give it a try,” according to Fire Chief Anthony Stith. One thing Drayton learned was how to go through walls with an air pack on.

Photo by Matthew Peacock.

Photo by Anthony Stith.

Coffee,

Grab n’ Go items for a

Isle of Palms honors former Council member

By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News

The Isle of Palms City Council paid tribute to one of its former members at its Feb. 27 meeting, unanimously passing a resolution celebrating the life and legacy of Elizabeth “Betsy” Russell Smiley.

Smiley, who served on the Council from 1978 to 1990, passed away Feb. 14 after a battle with Alzheimer’s dementia.

“Betsy was a tireless and outspoken advocate for the community, particularly during the recovery efforts following Hurricane Hugo,” the resolution said, adding that she “lived a life devoted to service as she volunteered with East Cooper Meals on Wheels for over 20 years, delivering meals to homebound Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island residents.”

The resolution also noted that her sense of humor, kindness, energy, compassion and graciousness “enriched those fortunate enough to know her.”

Council member Jimmy Ward, who served on the Council with Smiley, read a statement prior to the resolution being passed, pointing out that “she served our community with dignity and grace for 12 years.”

“No matter the subject at hand, Betsy was fair, honest and dignified. She was always eager to listen to other views.”

• IOP Council member Jimmy Ward

“She always came to every Council meeting well prepared and versed on each topic that came before Council,” Ward said. “She never missed a meeting during the time I served with her, even in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, when City Council met every single day for many weeks.”

“No matter the subject at hand, Betsy was fair, honest and dignified. She was always eager to listen to other views,” Ward added. “Betsy was a cham-

pion for ‘residents first’ long before it became merely a political buzzword. She worked tirelessly after Hurricane Hugo, helping island residents every day. IOP residents came first to Betsy, even before her family and herself, during the cleanup and rebuilding of the island.”

“I consider myself lucky to have served with and to have learned so much about public service from such an outstanding individual and true island heroine, Betsy Smiley,” Ward concluded.

In other action Feb. 27, the Council passed a resolution opposing legislation currently being considered by the state Legislature that would prohibit a city or county from enacting or enforcing regulations or ordinances that restrict short-term rentals. H3253 was filed in the House of Representatives by State Rep. Lee Hewitt in March 2023, while S953 was filed in the Senate in January of this year by State Sen. Brian Adams.

“Whereas short-term rentals are a part of a community’s tourism related economy, local governments must retain the ability to regulate them to protect the health, safety and interests of owners, neighbors and visitors,” the resolution stated. “The city of Isle of Palms finds it to be in the best interest of the residents of the city to oppose H3253 and S953 and urge the South Carolina Legislature and the governor to oppose H3253 and any legislation which infringes on local governments’ home rule authority or in any way restricts local governments’ ability to regulate short-term rental uses within their neighborhoods.”

CARE

DR.

Photo courtesy of Jim Smiley.

Kids compete in LENS program’s initial Wild Child Triathlon

The Isle of Palms Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support program held its first-ever Wild Child Triathlon in Wild Dunes Feb. 25. Nearly 100 kids in four age groups competed in the event, which included swimming, running and biking.

Sullivan’s Island police chief turns in his resignation

By Brian Sherman

For The Island Eye News

Glenn Meadows has been appointed to serve as the police chief of Sullivan’s Island, replacing Chris Griffin, who resigned following an investigation into what Mayor Pat O’Neil described as “the appropriateness of certain verbal behaviors.”

Following an executive session at a Feb. 20 meeting, the Sullivan’s Island Town Council voted unanimously to accept Griffin’s resignation. The Council agreed to pay Griffin $10,000 “in the interest of finality to avoid the incursion of unnecessary costs and expenses to the town and further disruption to the town operations,” according to a motion presented by Council Member Justin Novak.

O’Neil said town staff carried out the investigation into allegations made by more than one person. He said Human Resources Manager Pam Otto talked with Griffin and “various complainants” and that both he and Otto were present for one interview.

Meadows, who was hired as a police officer in August 2021 and appointed deputy chief in March 2023, has been running the Police Department since Jan. 1 of this year, when Griffin was placed on administrative leave. Griffin’s status was changed to unpaid leave on Jan. 17.

Griffin joined the Sullivan’s Island Police Department in 1997 and has served as chief since April 2017.

Meadows has been in law enforcement for more

than four decades. After a 25-year career with the Newport News, Virginia, Police Department, he retired as a sergeant. He then served three tours in Iraq and six in Afghanistan in a civilian rule of law advisory capacity. In addition, he was a SWAT instructor for the State Department’s International Global Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program.

Meadows established and has organized the Sullivan’s Island Police Department’s Toys for Tots Christmas Bike Drive for the past three years and also was the driving force behind the first Police Department community blood drive.

“He’s been a real positive influence in his role as deputy chief. I’m looking forward to seeing our fine Police Department develop under Glenn’s leadership,” O’Neil commented.

Photo by Brian Sherman.

IOP homeowner will face off in court against DHEC

By Lynn Pierotti For The Island Eye News

The question of whether a homeowner’s property rights should take precedence over regulations established by a state agency will be settled in court.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and its Office of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management have asked the state’s Administrative Law Court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction prohibiting Rom and Renee Reddy from continuing work on a structure located on their Isle of Palms oceanfront property. The Reddys responded by filing a countersuit against DHEC and the city of IOP.

Following an executive session at its regularly scheduled Feb. 27 meeting, the IOP City Council voted unanimously to authorize City Attorney Mac McQuillin “to respond and proceed accordingly.”

“We’ve got to defend ourselves,” IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds commented later.

The Reddys say the structure is landward of state jurisdictional lines and prior a Dec. 17 storm was located inside their fenced yard and is necessary to protect their property from the erosion that has plagued the southwest end of IOP for more than a year. OCRM claims in its motion that “if an injunction is not issued,

the public will suffer immediate and irreparable harm.”

DHEC issued two cease and desist directives to the property owners – on Jan. 25 and Feb. 2 – demanding that they discontinue work on the wall. Reddy’s lawyers responded, saying DHEC did not have the jurisdiction to issue these orders. In addition, according to the court filing, OCRM compliance and Enforcement Section Manager Morgan Flake spoke with IOP Deputy Administrator Douglas Kerr and informed him that the Reddys’ wall was “the subject of ongoing compliance efforts and therefore could not be covered by sand.” Flake told Kerr that the city, which was battling erosion by scraping sand on the island’s southwest end, to skip the Reddy property until the homeowners removed the structure. The Reddys’ permit to bring in new sand themselves to replace their eroded property seaward of the structure was also denied by the city at OCRM’s direction.

The Reddys issued the following statement: “The United States constitution frowns on government taking private property either physically or through regulation. The South Carolina General Assembly is very cautious about state jurisdiction

over private property and establishes jurisdictional lines voted on by the Legislature. We do not believe state agencies like OCRM can assert unlimited and variable jurisdiction based on the judgment of staff to assert government control over private property. We further do not believe a municipality can assert jurisdiction over private land that exceeds the state’s jurisdiction. Let us not forget the reason we are here is because the state and municipality failed to replenish and renourish the beach to maintain a dry sand beach at high tide and a viable dune system as called for under the law.”

Like the city of IOP, DHEC chose not to comment on pending litigation.

Sullivan’s Island is Interested in Your Input

On March 19, 2024, a public information open house and Town Council presentation is being held to introduce the Stormwater Master Planning process and receive input from citizens, neighborhood groups and other interested parties.

Town officials and the Town’s engineering consultants (Seamon Whiteside & Associates) will be on hand to answer your questions on stormwater issues across Sullivan’s Island and discuss the various elements of the Stormwater Master Plan.

Open House

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Council Presentation

6:10 p.m.

For more public outreach information please see the Town’s Stormwater Master Plan project page:

Stormwater Master Plan webpage: https://bit.ly/SICTP

Interactive Map: https://bit.ly/SWMPInteractive

Flood Area Map (printable): https://bit.ly/SWFM021524

Flood Survey: (QR code to the right)

Sullivan’s Island might move its elections to November

By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News

A bill currently being considered by the South Carolina Legislature might require Sullivan’s Island to abandon a decades-old tradition and move its municipal elections from May to November.

House Bill 3734, currently making its way through the State Senate, would force Sullivan’s Island to either pass an ordinance transferring the authority for town elections to the Charleston County Board of Elections or start handling all aspects of the voting process without help from the county. The town has been holding its municipal elections in odd years in May at least since 1979, according to Mayor Pat O’Neil.

“Our goal is to have the town transfer the authority of the elections to the county and to move to November of odd years,” Isaac Cramer, executive director of the County Board of Elections, told Council members at their Feb. 20 meeting. “We’re trying to streamline elections. This is a win for everybody.”

Cramer pointed out that the only visible change would be that elections for the Sullivan’s Island Town Council would be held in November rather than in May. He said Councils in Folly Beach and Kiawah Island recently prepared for the impending passage of the legislation by making that move.

House Bill 3734 was introduced in January

2023 by State Sens. Brandon Newton of Lancaster; Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg; and R. Raye Felder of Fort Mill. Cramer said the legislation would affect three other municipalities in Charleston County that currently have their own election commissions: Charleston, Meggett and Hollywood.

“We’re not looking to take power away from the town,” Cramer said. “We want to continue to give you professional service but also adhere to state law. If you want to keep your municipal election commission, you’re welcome to do that, but you’ll conduct your elections on your own.”

O’Neil said that if the town’s elections are moved from May to November, the terms of current Council members would probably have to be extended by six months, an option that apparently didn’t appeal to Council member Justin Novak.

“Running elections is not simple, and I don’t know if the town is prepared to do that on a practical level. But unilaterally extending our terms is not an attractive option for me –somebody who believes in elections and getting elected for a certain period. That’s going to be something to struggle with,” Novak said.

“O’Neil added that “In case you haven’t noticed, elections are becoming a little more contentious these days. If there’s a way to let somebody else manage that professionally for us, it sounds like we might want to consider that.”

In other action Feb. 20, the Council approved

the recommendations of town staff concerning fires on the beach. The new policy will permit fires only from Oct. 1 through April 30, only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and only in the areas of stations 22, 25 and 30. In addition, just two permits will be issued by the town each night. Residents will be charged $150 plus a $250 refundable deposit, while those who don’t live on the island will pay $300 plus a $500 deposit. The new guidelines won’t go into effect until October of this year.

Oath of office

David Wolf, right, took his oath of office as associate judge at the Feb. 20 meeting of the Sullivan’s Island Town Council. Swearing him in was Judge Frank Cornely, left.

Photos by Becky Williams.

A successful season

Baseball on deck at Battery Gadsden Cultural Center

By Cynthia Ewing For The Island Eye News

Battery Gadsden Cultural Center’s March talk – March 21 at 6 p.m. – is “Finding the Sweet Spot in the Palmetto State: Baseball in Charleston.” People have been playing baseball in Charleston since the game migrated south during the Civil War. The sport is something many people feel tied to in a personal way, but it also often supports and reflects cultural and social aspects of our nation’s history. Heather Rivet brings her experience from the National Baseball Hall of Fame nd Museum and explores the legacy of America’s pastime in the Lowcountry.

Heather Rivet

Rivet is a public historian with a background in program planning and management at several museums and cultural organizations. She holds a bachelor’s in history and historic preservation from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s in public history from the University of Western Ontario. One of her favorite experiences is the summer she interned at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. A lifelong baseball fan, Rivet enjoys learning about the cultural and social impacts of America’s pastime – and leaves the statistics to the mathematicians in her family.

Battery Gadsden Cultural Center is a nonprofit that supports and promotes the arts, culture, historic preservation, history and natural environment of Sullivan’s Island. The more we know about our community, the more we can enjoy its rich heritage. Our programs are made possible through annual membership contributions and dedicated volunteers.

BGCC’s talk will begin at 6 p.m. at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle St. on Sullivan’s Island. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public. For more information on what BGCC does, visit batterygadsden.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

The Sullivan’s Island Elementary School girls basketball team posted a winning season in the Trident Basketball League, winning seven of 10 games in league play. The team consisted of fourth and fifth grade girls from SIES, led by Head Coach Cole Thurmon and Assistant Coach Ben Walters. A squad of seasoned players and beginners managed to pull off wins against much larger elementary schools. Any current third or fourth grade girl at SIES who is interested in playing on the 2024-2025 team can email mswedloff@gmail.com for more information. Above, team members included, left to right: back row: Kendle Walters, Georgia Lyles, Ree Hardee, Lucy Head and Piper Vanderham. Front row: Maya Swedloff, Caroline Jordan, Charley Thurmon, Peyton Hudson and Georgia Barber. Left: Kendle Walters wins a jump ball as teammate Georgia Lyles stands ready.

This native perennial is named for a Greek god

By Mary Pringle

IOP Environmental Advisory Committee

For The Island Eye News

Asclepias tuberosa is the botanical name for butterfly milkweed. This native perennial is named for Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine. The species name tuberosa refers to the swollen roots. Native Americans chewed its tough root to treat lung

ailments including pleurisy, explaining another common name for it – pleurisy root. Until 1936, it was included as a medicine in the U.S. Pharmacopeia-National Formulary.

Butterfly milkweed is also called orange milkweed or butterfly weed. This plant likes full sun to part sun and well-drained soil, is tolerant of drought once established and does not like to be transplanted. Seeds can be sewn in the fall to sprout in spring, or a young milkweed plant can be put in the ground in early spring. This species grows to be 1 to 3 feet tall and has bright orange flowers in clusters that are 2 to 5 inches across. The seed pods are grayish green and crack open when dry to release silky-tailed, wind-dispersed seeds. Butterfly milkweed is resistant to deer, rabbits and salt but can be toxic to dogs, cats and horses if eaten in great quantities. Care should be taken not to purchase and plant tropical milkweed.

Tropical milkweed, or asclepias curassavica, has similar flowers but is taller and has a mix of red and yellow petals rather than butterfly milkweed’s solid orange petals.

Tropical milkweed is not native to our area and is even illegal to sell in California. The reason for this is that it is a robust plant that can be visited by many monarch butterflies over many months, leading to the buildup of high levels of a protozoan parasite that infects and harms adult monarchs. Tropical milkweed sometimes continues to grow all winter long, so the harmful parasite can survive to infect even more monarchs the next season.

Butterfly milkweed blooms from May to September and, true to its common name, its flowers attract and feed butterflies as well as hummingbirds and bees. It is a larval host plant for monarchs and queen butterflies and is widely distributed. Its nectar has great value to different species of native bees. It grows throughout the Eastern half of the

United States in meadows and open wooded areas, as well as in a few Southwestern states.

Butterfly milkweed is one of 23 species of native plants that will be planted this spring in the new native plant demonstration garden in the triangle of land on Palm Boulevard at 7th Avenue, a parcel owned by the Isle of Palms Water and Sewer Commission.

Photo by Sharleen Johnson.

Around the Islands

ONGOING

WHAT: GriefShare Recovery Seminar

WHERE: Church of the Holy Cross, 2520 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island.

WHEN: Every Tuesday, 2-4 p.m., through April 9.

MORE INFO: Sponsored by the Church of the Holy Cross, the seminar is free and all are welcome. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Is This Normal?” “The Challenges of Grief,” “Grief and Your Relationships,” “Why?” and “Guilt and Anger.” To learn more and to register, call 678-523-8783 or email caryn.woodison@gmail.com.

WHAT: Sullivan’s Island Story Share

WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island

MORE INFO: The Poe Branch Library is partnering with the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center in 2024 to collect stories of Sullivan’s Island life, and we need your help. Every month will feature a new writing prompt to guide your story. Stories can be as short as a paragraph or several pages. If your story features characters or memories of Sullivan’s Island, we invite you to share these at our Island Story Share sessions and add them to Battery Gadsden and the South Carolina History Room’s repository of island stories. To learn more and get this month’s prompt, stop by the library or email poe@ccpl.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

WHAT: So you want to be a carpenter?

WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island

WHEN: 4-5 p.m.

MORE INFO: Join David and Rachael from Habitat for Humanity as we explore careers in carpentry. Through books, activities, crafts, guest speakers, videos and more we’ll see where our current career interests can take us and try out new ones along the way. Ages 6-11. To learn more: ccpl.org/ branches/Sullivans-island.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

WHAT: Golf cart safety program

WHERE: IOP Recreation Center

WHEN: Noon-2 p.m.

MORE INFO: The expo, sponsored by the IOP LENS program, will offer instruction on golf cart safety, along with food trucks, various vendors and displays and more. Register at IOP.net.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

WHAT: Baseball in Charleston

WHERE: Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Sullivan’s Island

WHEN: 6 p.m.

MORE INFO: Heather Rivet, a historian with a background in program planning and management, will present “Finding the Sweet Spot in the Palmetto State: Baseball in Charleston.” The program is the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center’s March talk. To learn more: batterygadsden.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

WHAT: Easter Egg Hunt

WHERE: IOP Rec Center

WHEN: 4 p.m.

MORE INFO: Children ages 12 and under will begin a mad dash for eggs at the largest Easter Egg Hunt this side of the IOP Connector. Participants will be divided into four age groups: 3 and under, 4-6 years, 7-9 years and 10-12 years. To learn more: iop.net.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

WHAT: Suddenly in Command

WHERE: Isle of Palms Exchange Club

WHEN: 9-11 a.m.

MORE INFO: The Isle of Palms Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support program will sponsor a family-friendly boating safety class designed to teach people who aren’t normally at the helm of a boat how to deal with unforeseen circumstances. To learn more: lensiop.org.