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Since May 2005 • Volume 19 • Issue 5 • IslandEyeNews.com
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June 16, 2023
Honoring an animal lover Donation from local couple helps IOP canine unit
Photo by Brian Sherman.
Gayle and Eddie Brown with Bella, the 70-pound boxer mix that once belonged to their daughter, Ansley.
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News It’s impossible to completely soothe the excruciating heartbreak of outliving your only child, but an Isle of Palms couple has taken a huge step toward easing that searing pain and at the same time donating to a cause that in some ways defined their daughter’s life. Ansley Hurst passed away at the age of 49 in June 2020, succumbing to complications following ovarian cancer surgery. Not long after, her parents, Gayle and Eddie Brown, went to work establishing a foundation in her honor. Ansley’s Angels, mostly self-funded by the Browns, didn’t make its first donation until last month when it contributed $2,500 that will help train and take care of a German shepherd that will soon become the centerpiece of the IOP Police Department’s first-ever canine unit. It’s fitting that the foundation’s reason for being is “to support animals helping people,” Eddie pointed out. His daughter was a modern-day Elly May Clampett, who, in a 1960s-era sitcom tended to a menagerie of animals in and around the mansion inhabited by “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Ansley’s home was a 69-acre farm in Marion, South Carolina, where she took care of dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. “She was an animal lover. She couldn’t stand to see an animal without a home,” Eddie said. One of her favorites was Bella, who at one time (Continued on page 9)
Sullivan’s set to celebrate Carolina Day By Mike Walsh For The Island Eye News Imagine this: It’s the 28th of June, and you are witnessing the “celebratory firing of cannon, parades of proud soldiers, flags and banners waving, reverent prayers of thanksgiving and copious feasting and drinking.” “But what?” you say. This can’t be the right date. This must be the 4th of July, Independence Day, the day our republic began its noble experiment. But no. I have the date right. It is indeed the Photo by Rob Byko. 28th of June – and the year is 1777. Thus starts the description of what we now call Carolina Day, as told by one of our favorite historians, Dr. Nic Butler, in one of his excellent
INSIDE THE EYE
episodes of the Charleston Time Machine – ccpl. org/Charleston-time-machine. Butler goes on to say, “Throughout the town and country, citizens raised their glasses in honor of the brave men who lost their lives on the 28th of June, to the gallant Sgt. William Jasper, and, of course, to Col. William Moultrie. It was likely the most ostentatious public celebration in the century-long history of South Carolina, and it set the bar for similar observances of the anniversary for all future generations. I highly recommend the rest of this CTM episode, as Butler traces the fascinating history of the name change for (Continued on page 6)
Grab your running shoes Page 9
Mary Alice Monroe marks her birthday with another successful literary event By Laura Anderson For The Island Eye News Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe had a double reason to celebrate May 25. Not only was it her birthday, but she also had the honor of hosting her spring literary series event at the picturesque Indigo Room the Sweetgrass Inn in Wild Dunes. Monroe extended a warm welcome to all those gathered and commenced the event by shining a spotlight on the esteemed authors present, including Signe Pike, Brittany Butler, Gervais Hagerty and Kristen Ness. She then turned her attention to bestselling author Elizabeth Berg, expressing her deep admiration for Berg’s writing talent, emphasizing that what captivates her most about Berg’s work is the undeniable presence (Continued on page 7)
Turtles: the same process every time Page 11
Exploring IOP: for residents only Page 13