Sullivan’s voters choose three new Council members
By Brian Sherman
For The Island Eye News
Sullivan’s Island residents elected three new Council members May 2, while a former Council member garnered a competitive number of votes as a write-in candidate.
Elected to four-year terms on the Town Council were Carl Hubbard, with 399 votes, followed by Jody Latham at 306 and Ned Higgins at 290. Summer Eudy fell short in her bid for a Council seat with 196 votes.
A total of 569 people cast their ballots either in person, during the early voting period or through the mail – 30.58% of the island’s 1,861 voters, according to Isaac Cramer, executive director of the Charleston County Board of Elections. The results
The Migration: A journey through the
life cycle of monarch butterflies
By Kitty Redmond Strawn
For The Island Eye News
The Migration, created by Avery McMurtry, was a highlight of Sullivan’s Island’s first annual Earth Day celebration April 22, mainly because visitors of all ages got an up-close look at the life cycle of a monarch butterfly.
Each year, 300 million monarch butterflies migrate through South Carolina as part of a 3,000mile journey from (Continued on page 8)
were certified by the Municipal Election Commission, chaired by Robie Scott, on May 4.
Chauncey Clark, who served on the Sullivan’s Island Council for eight years, until 2021, when incumbent Pat O’Neil defeated him in the mayor’s race, got 139 of 161 write-in votes. He said he was unaware of the write-in campaign “for the first several days.”
“It started four days before the election. Somebody asked me did I mind. I said that’s fine with me, but I don’t think it will do any good,” Clark com-
mented. “I’m honored by it all.”
“I’m as surprised as anybody,” he added. “I have no idea who started it or why. But there’s a lot of people on the island who would have preferred to go another way.”
According to Cramer, the remaining 22 write-in votes were “not assigned” and came from people who chose to cast their ballot for Mickey Mouse, Donald Trump and others.
Hubbard, Latham and Higgins will be sworn in at the Council’s regularly scheduled meeting June 20. Three current Council members, Bachman Smith, Kaye Smith and Greg Hammond, did not seek re-election.
STR opponents agree: home rule should rule
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
As evidenced by a 5-4 decision at their Feb. 28 meeting, members of the Isle of Palms Council have differing opinions on whether there should be a cap on the number of short-term rental licenses issued by the city. Council members on both sides of the question are in agreement, however, that the decision should be made in IOP and not in Columbia.
Neither Rusty Streetman, who voted against establishing a limit on the number of IOP’s shortterm rental licenses, nor Scott Pierce, who favored a cap, shed any tears over what turned out to be the short-lived demise of House Bill 3253 following a May 3 subcommittee hearing. The legislation, championed by State Rep. Lee Hewitt of Murrells Inlet, would have penalized cities, towns and counties that prohibited short-term rentals through laws, regulations or resolutions.
HB 3253 apparently died in a subcommittee chaired by State Rep. Joe Bustos on May 3, but it was resurrected by its supporters in the full House.
“When the budget came back from the Senate to the House with amendments, the pro-STR folks put a proviso in the budget to put short-term rental controls back on the table,” Bustos, chair of the House Municipal and Public Affairs Subcommittee, explained.
“I have spoken to several senators,” he added. “When it was in the Senate before, Sen. (Chip) Campsen got it removed. It may be going to a Conference Committee now. My hope is the same senators who ruled against it before are waiting for it.”
Bustos held hearings on the legislation April 26 and May 3. He said at the end of the second session, it appeared that three members opposed the measure and three supported it, which would mean it was doomed to fail.
“I asked if anyone had a motion, and no one spoke up, so I adjourned the meeting and that was that,” said Bustos, who represents the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and parts of Mount Pleasant in the State House.
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Latham
Higgins
Hubbard
Photo by Kitty Redmond Strawn.
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Reddy Or Not
Who should take the blame?
By Rom Reddy
Have you noticed how our country seems to have divided into two factions with names like left/right, Republican/Democrat, conservative/liberal and MAGA/ progressive. The result is a dysfunctional government at almost every level, crime, open borders, culture wars and a slow erosion of democracy. Government agencies are weaponized against those who stray from the narrative and racial and gender tensions that only divide us are being stoked. Where did this start? Perhaps it was the fault of our Founding Fathers? Actually, no.
In 1787, when delegates to the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia to hash out the foundations of a new Constitution, they omitted political parties altogether. George Washington ran unopposed to win our first presidential election. John Adams warned that a “division of the republic into two great parties – is to be dreaded as the great political evil.” Their theory was that if power were concentrated and a partisan majority took control of the government, it would use its power to oppress the minority. This was how previous republics had fallen into civil wars, and the framers wanted to learn from history.
Despite their concerns, the United States did split into parties or factions and appeared to function adequately for many years. The three branches of government appeared to provide the necessary checks and balances through the late 1990s. During this time, the American political system had evolved into a four-party system: liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans alongside liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats. This allowed for all kinds of deal making and a somewhat functional government.
Starting in the early 2000s, national politics started re-aligning into a two-party system. Liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats became extinct. We largely started voting for the party, not the candidate, and candidates had to get in line with the party brand. Today, we are a fully divided, two-party system with no overlap and no ability to see the smallest amount of good in the other party’s ideas – an outcome the framers feared the most.
The checks and balances provided by the separation of powers are eroding. Congress has no room to compromise, and its stonewalling leads to a president using executive authority to conduct policy, which strengthens the presidency. This hyperpartisanship also leads to the judicial branch resolving all disagreements. This makes Supreme Court and other judicial nominations political, further strengthening the presidency while weakening the judicial branch. The presidential election therefore becomes a partisan, nasty, winner-takes-all game that concentrates power in one branch of the government. America has become the dreaded, divided republic that is breaking the system of government the Founders worked so hard to put in place.
How does all this manifest itself? The party divisions, aided by social media, have percolated down to local government and communities. At the national level, we the people would like to see reasonable middle ground
on abortion, guns, crime, the border, inflation and the culture wars. Instead, we have extreme views embraced on both sides, and our leaders are unable to put the interests of the country, the state or our community ahead of party loyalty or self-interests. We have completely forgotten that we are a representative democracy, and, regardless of how we personally feel or the pressure from our party, we should be representing the majority view of our constituents.
In our IOP community of 4,000 dwellings, we look for reasons to divide – not unite. A consistent group of local leaders vote their self-interests as opposed to the majority view of their constituents. Witness the overwhelming citizen support for short-term rental limitations in the community and the two-lane exit on the Connector, and watch some of our leaders scorn their constituents and put their self-interests or personal beliefs ahead of the people they represent. On the other hand, visit preserveiop.org to see an example of we the people in action. What can we the people do? Look at a candidate’s record and vote for the candidate – not the party, faction or group. Vote for those who have the guts to propose an agenda they believe in that does not pander to the talking points of their party. Be skeptical about those standing for re-election. Many of our issues stem from our tendency to favor incumbents. Study their voting record and results achieved, not their campaign ads or social media posts. Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell and others at the national level and Lindsey Graham at the state level are examples of incumbency winning over competence. The IOP Council has several incumbents running in November, some with dismal voting records. Study them. The framers of our Constitution wanted we the people to be in charge. So let’s take charge of this hot mess and live up to the hopes they had for us.
Reddy or Not represents the opinion of Lucky Dog Publishing owner Rom Reddy but not necessarily that of the newspaper. In keeping with the paper’s philosophy of publishing all opinions, the publisher welcomes responses, which must be limited to 300 words and will be published on a space-available basis.
Thoughts about the economic reality on the Isle of Palms
By Randy Bell
Do you remember a time when you could find a home on the Isle of Palms for less than$1 million? Better yet, finding a vacant lot for less than $1 million? It wasn’t long ago that residents could trade up for an improvement in overall residential living conditions. Finding a single-family home –excluding townhouses and condos – today likely will cost close to $2 million. Here are the home prices on our island: Wild Dunes: average - $2,280,000 • median$2,025,000; IOP (outside Wild Dunes): average - $2,737,000 • median $2,427,000
For illustration purposes, I have assumed a less than average/median purchase price. Home purchase price - $1,750,000; 20% down payment$350,000; loan amount - $1,400,000.
If we include insurance, real estate tax, principal and interest at an approximate 6.5% mortgage rate for credit-worthy buyers, you’re looking at a payment of $10,350 per month. How many families do you know that can afford this residential entry-level cost? Any doubts as to why IOP’s residential population is on the decline?
A simple definition of inflation is “too much money chasing too little inventory.” Corporate real estate interests, hedge funds and REITs will be the least impacted. The only question will be return on investment. Is this a market that will attract young families and full-time residents? When markets are impacted by too little inventory, only the wealthiest of families or businesses can afford to participate. Isle of Palms is now one of two beachfront communities in Charleston County that has not limited the number of short-term rental licenses. Of note, the other is
Seabrook, a gated community. We are the dry sponge in a large puddle. Currently 39% of single-family dwellings hold a short-term rental license. The Chamber of Commerce represents that 400 licenses are inactive. Does anyone living on this island believe that activating an additional 400+ licenses will improve livability and quality of life? Active or not, Isle of Palms has granted over 1,750 short-term rental licenses, and one can reasonably expect a continuance over the near term.
The short-term rental market is characterized as “the goose that lays the golden egg.” For those unfamiliar with large populations of geese, it’s not just golden eggs that you will find left behind.
Randy Bell was a member of the Isle of Palms City Council from 2018 until 2022.
Residents must unite and make our voices heard
By Tony Santiago
It’s becoming clear that we, the registered voters of the Isle of Palms, must once again organize en masse to get the attention of our elected officials. As you’ll recall, despite meeting after meeting and workshop after workshop, the majority of our current City Council was seemingly unable to understand the will of the residents with respect to the Wild Dunes PRD rezoning request. Only after we overfilled City Hall, relocated hearings to the Rec Center and then turned up by the hundreds were we able to get them to listen to us and change their vote.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a bit of a short-term memory issue with the majority of our City Council, reminiscent of the movie “Groundhog Day.” After multiple meetings on the short-term rental issue, the will of the voting residents was clearly in favor of setting limits. However, our Council chose to ignore that and has now put the burden on us to create a petition so they will have no option but to address the issue directly.
Speaking with Live5 News1 last month about his decision to vote against the cap on short-term rentals and in favor of monitoring and enforcement, IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds said, “That’s the beauty of the democratic process. Quite honestly, you know, Council voted one way. If there are enough citizens that want to put a petition together and bring it back to Council, we will have – we’re obligated, obviously, to take a look at that.”
Historically, the majority of our current City Council has been deaf to our wishes until we raise the volume of our collective voices and become too loud to ignore. We must unify and speak up as a united front once again. We are the stewards of this unique and fragile island, and we need to protect it.
Enough is enough
Thankfully, Preserve IOP Now has already prepared a petition that is available island-wide, and I urge all registered IOP voters to sign it. This must be done in person, but each of your voices is so important that a volunteer will come to you if need be.
As the stewards of this community, we are called to raise awareness about the limits that must be placed on traffic, parking and commercial development in order to protect this place, Mother Isle of Palms. How do we defend her and this home we hold so dear? Proper limits start by considering the three types of nonresident visitors that will always be a welcome part of the IOP landscape:
Our neighbors and their guests - These are daily visitors coming from the surrounding areas who come to the island for the beach, the shopping and the restaurants.
Commercial resort guests - These individuals will arrive in increasing volumes as the summer season heats up.
Short-term rental property guests.
With a total area of just 5.4 square miles, this island can only support so many without notable negative effects on the environment, safety, quality of life and property values.
Environmental issues: Home to seven species of threatened or endangered sea turtles, Isle of Palms is a refuge for a number of other at-risk flora and fauna. Along with these overcrowding concerns, IOP requires further infrastructure, expanded sewage treatment facilities and enhanced drainage before it can handle increased occupancy.
Safety issues: With only two access points, anyone on or attempting to evacuate IOP during a natural or other disaster is at risk. Case in point: On April 7, 2023, the Connector was closed from approximately 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to a collision involving an ambulance.
Quality of life issues: As anyone living on IOP already knows, to avoid being caught in heavy traffic during the summer and holiday seasons, you have to finish shopping by 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. If you’re attending a Sunday morning church service on Sullivan’s Island, you have to leave at least an hour and 15 minutes early to arrive on time. Planning to dine in Charleston on Friday or Saturday night? Be sure to leave at least an hour-and-a-half early. And for residents of Mount Pleasant and surrounding communities wanting to have access to the beaches, additional traffic volume will likely make it virtually impossible for any of us to enjoy our shared natural resources.
Decreased property values: With the most stringent short-term rental restrictions in the area, Sullivan’s Island also has the highest property values, followed by the non-Wild Dunes parts of IOP. Simply put, the more STRs you have, the fewer people want to live there and the less they’re willing to pay for it.
These issues impact all of us – residents, businesses and guests – yet the responsibility falls ultimately on us, the voting residents. It is our duty to ensure that our elected officials, City Council, do what is necessary to protect this island. In the past, they have been unresponsive to our requests until we collectively make our voices heard.
Therefore, we must once again unite as a community. As the caretakers of this delicate ecosystem, it’s our responsibility to safeguard it. Fortunately, Preserve IOP Now has taken the initiative and launched a petition, which I encourage all registered IOP voters to sign.
There are two more scheduled dates for registered voters to sign in person: Sunday, May 21, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Wild Dunes Property Owners Beach House, 6600 Palmetto Drive – at the picnic shelter in the back. Wednesday, May 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - IOP Rec Center, 24 28th Ave.
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It’s all about quality of life
Like many of you, I have watched the slow erosion of my quality of life on the IOP over the past several decades. A huge increase in traffic, noise and beach trash, plus the inability to get into local restaurants without a long wait or reservation, reduced public safety, particularly in the residential areas. These are just a few of the major changes witnessed. Regrettably, the negative pace of change has increased of late. Certainly, the growth in the area is a big contributor, but the rise in short-term rentals is also an alarming factor. Therefore, I am a supporter of establishing a reasonable limit on STR licenses allowed by the city going forward.
I bought my first rental property on Palm Boulevard in 2004. The Realtor who sold me my home took the proceeds and built 3400 Palm Boulevard, an 11-bedroom, 11.5-bath rental that was marketed as “the wedding house.” It was common to see eight to 10 cars and as many trash cans and recycle cans out front, plus an occasional bus that carted in guests. Still today, we often see that many cars and trash cans out front. More large rentals like 3400 Palm were built thereafter, and the term “mini hotel” was used to describe them. The resources these large rentals consume – power, water, sewer – the excess trash they create and the impact on traffic is significant. The city and residents became alarmed, and the City Council created an ordinance to restrict the number of guests in rentals based on bedrooms.
The issue was that no one saw this trend coming, and the city was forced to react. The same cannot be said about the growth in STRs. We have been aware of this trend for some time but have not acted. In the last 20 years, the num-
ber of STRs has approximately doubled, while residential dwellings have decreased by 14%. More alarming is the fact that with home prices and interest rates as high as they are right now, young families are largely priced out of the market. That leaves mostly high-wealth individuals or institutional investors as the likely buyers for the foreseeable future. That could drive out more residents and increase the growth of rental properties. We have already seen AvantStay make a major investment in the IOP – they recently purchased Beachside Vacation Rentals and 59 Twin Oaks Lane for rental purposes. As one of the only two Charleston area municipalities without restrictive limits set on STR licenses, institutional investors will have incentives to continue buying homes on IOP to meet their investment goals and accelerate the erosion of residential quality of life. We have always been a residential island with some rentals. Now we are close to the tipping point of becoming a rental island with some residents. Are you happy with these trends?
I encourage everyone to become educated on this topic and make up their own mind. Statistics vetted by the city can be found on PreserveIOP. org. Please check out the website and consider signing the petition that will be submitted to the City Council to establish a referendum to allow residents to vote on whether a reasonable limit of STR licenses will be instituted. Thank you.
Jim Smitherman Isle of Palms
Dogs on the beach
Why are some laws enforced and others are not? I wanted to reach out to the Island Eye News about one of my concerns. My family and
Residents must unite and make our voices heard
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The petition is an important first step in protecting this place, but it is only one of the critical issues. We owe this island a strategic overall plan that addresses all the impacts, and it’s the residents’ responsibility to create this through our representative government, the City Council. The April 11, Live5 News1 story reported that “He (Pounds) says if a petition comes before the Council, he will gladly consider its contents.”
I live on Sullivan’s Island beside one of the busiest boardwalks on the entire island. We also have a dog named Boone who loves going on walks on the beach.
However, every year my family pays for an annual dog collar that allows him to go onto the beach as well as proves he is up to date on all required vaccinations. My family doesn’t have a problem with paying $25 every year; instead, we have a problem with all of the people who do not purchase one and provide the required vaccination paperwork. Approximately 80% of the dogs on the beach and island as a whole do not have these required collars.
I believe this ordinance should be observed and beach police should enforce it. Why have an ordinance that is not enforced by the town that created it? Many of our island neighbors have the same issue and say how it isn’t fair that many of us obey this ordinance while a large percentage of others choose to ignore it – and yet they don’t get a ticket or in any trouble. If the police enforced this law, the fines would be revenue-generating and a way for the town to offset costs for day trippers since they don’t have to pay for parking. Yes, some visitors may not pay the amount because they are only going to be on Sullivan’s for three days and don’t need to pay $50 for a yearly one, but Sullivan’s could make a collar that is only $5 for a week.
That is where I stand on this growing issue, and I hope the police enforce this more because Sullivan’s is only getting more and more popular, which means more and more people will be bringing their families and dogs to the beach.
Bennett Whaley
Sullivan’s Island
With that in mind, part II of this article will review the other challenges faced by Isle of Palms, but, more importantly, provide some suggested solutions. We all recognize that our community has some challenges to address, but I hope that you, my fellow residents, will chime in with your ideas and come together to brainstorm solutions to assist the current City Council.
1. live5news.com/2023/04/11/isle-palms-citizens-petition-limit-shortterm-rentals-gains-signatures/
The theme seems to be all about public safety
As you may have heard – and hopefully participated in – we had an election May 2 for three open seats on Council. We had four fine candidates in Summer Eudy, Ned Higgins, Carl Hubbard and Jody Latham, all motivated by their love of the island. Congratulations to Carl, Jody and Ned, who will be joining us on Council at our June 20 meeting. Please join me in thanking all four candidates for their willingness to stick their necks out and to serve. In other news, the theme seems to be public safety. …
Police Department promotions
Congratulations to two of our police officers who have recently received very well-deserved promotions.
Glenn Meadows has been appointed deputy chief of police for the Sullivan’s Island Police Department. Glenn is a law enforcement renaissance man, with over 40 years of experience. After 25 years with the Newport News, Virginia, Police Department, he served in law enforcement and advisory positions in Iraq and Afghanistan and as an instructor for the U.S. State Department’s International Global Anti-Terrorism Assistance program. But he’s not focused on SWAT Team work here: Since joining our department, he has worked vigorously for the greater community of which we are a part by organizing the Police Department’s annual Toys for Tots Christmas Bike Drives and the first department community blood drive.
Sydney De Nett has been promoted to training sergeant. In addition to her patrol and related functions, she oversees the scheduling, implementation and documentation of training and coordinates community events. Sydney got her start with the town in 2017 as a beach services officer, quickly moving on to graduation from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Her appointment as training sergeant is appropriate because she is a nonstop learning and training machine. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the Citadel and a certificate in corrections from Trident Technical College and is working toward her master’s in criminal justice at Charleston Southern University. Sydney also serves as a Narcan instructor, a specific skills instructor and an instructor in DUI-related matters such as standardized field sobriety tests.
Thanks to Chief of Police Chris Griffin for his success in recruiting and advancing such talented, smart and committed law enforcement officers for the safety of our island residents and visitors.
Beach community public safety
I am happy to report further progress in establishing regional collaborations for managing public safety issues related to the growing number of folks who come out to spend time with us, especially on good weather days. Traffic, of course, but as we learned recently, other more serious public safety problems can also visit our local beaches.
In recognition of the regional nature of that challenge, our Charleston County Council member, Sullivan’s Islander Larry Kobrovsky, recently instigated a very productive meeting involving him, his County Council colleagues Jenny Honeycutt and Joe Boykin and the mayors of the Isle of Palms, Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island. After that initial meeting, we had a very promising follow-up meeting including all of that group plus the administrators and police chiefs of the beach towns and Mount Pleasant. Importantly, Council member Honeycutt, as chair of the County Council Public Safety Committee, invited a number of key county-level emergency management and public safety leaders.
One outcome of this meeting was an agreement that the county emergency management folks would serve as the coordinating point for all interagency efforts dealing with beach-related safety and traffic, just as they do for hurricanes and other county-wide events affecting public safety. Another outcome was a serious commitment to establish county-wide interagency assistance agreements so that public safety officers from one local jurisdiction can quickly and legitimately assist other jurisdictions with safety and traffic management when needed.
There’s lots more to do to make it all work, but this represents a giant step forward in getting regional assistance for management of our beach-visitor-related public safety issues. That makes sense given that we host day – and evening – visitors from all over the Charleston area.
It is heartening to see a growing recognition of the fact that the frequent nice-weather doubling, tripling or quadrupling of our beach communities’ populations are predictable events with huge regional public safety implications.
Thanks, County Council members Kobrovsky, Honeycutt and Boykin.
Golf cart safety
Speaking of nice weather and safety, it’s time for the annual reminder about golf cart safety and laws. We have had a recent horrible example of the
vulnerability of people in golf carts that are hit by autos, but please remember that even at relatively slow speeds, a golf cart is no match for vehicles that are much heavier and better protected.
Please be aware of the state laws that govern golf carts and legally designated “low speed vehicles” on public roads and thereby our island roads – which are almost all owned by the state.The driver of a golf cart or LSV on a public road must have a valid driver’s license – sorry, kids – and vehicle registration for the cart. Open container laws regarding alcoholic beverages apply to golf carts and LSVs just as they do to cars and trucks –sorry, grownups. And unless it’s an LSV, it can’t be driven on public roads after dark.
Regarding seat belts, they may or may not be required by state law, but the laws of physics should be convincing: If your child is not safe unbelted inside an SUV, why would he or she be safe unbelted in an open, light-weight vehicle? The other vehicle, and the pavement, are just as hard in any case.
Please review some of the regs at bit.ly/SIGolfCarts or state statutes 56-2-105 (golf carts) and 56-2-100 (LSVs).
See you around the Island!
Pat O’Neil, Mayor 843-670 9266 • Twitter: @oneilpm1 oneilp@sullivansisland.sc.gov
Dreaming up the ideal retirement is your job. Helping you get there is ours.
We’re excited to hear from you.
5
One 5-bedroom short-term rental has similar impacts on city services and infrastructure as five full- time residential homes.
WHO ARE WE?
'Preserve IOP Now' represents full and part-time residents, former City Council members, former committee members and former Planning Commission members. We are dedicated to preserving the residential nature of the island through the limitation of short-term rental business licenses.
We are not against short-term rentals.
We are determined to maintain the equilibrium on the island so that the quality of life for residents does not diminish.
IT'S TIME TO ACT!
Due to City Council inaction on this matter, we are now compelled to present a petition for referendum in order to be heard.
To support this initiative, please visit our website to find out more and learn how to get involved:
Nearly 6,000 bedrooms are licensed for rent on the Isle of Palms. The rental occupancy capacity is more than triple Isle of Palms' residential population.
How do we limit the impact short-term rentals have on city services and infrastructure without penalizing existing short-term rental license holders, residents, or their families?
Check out our complete proposal at www.PreserveIOP.org.
preserveiopnow@gmail.com Donate to Help Preserve IOP Now:
In order to succeed, we need your help. Every donation will enable us to reach more residents and achieve our vision. Please consider supporting us today.
THE PETITION
Sign the petition to limit short-term rental licenses and reinforce the following:
Protect the balance of IOP residential neighborhoods, before it is too late.
Protect residents' ability to rent your home.
Protect current license holders.
Allow for license transfers to eligible family members.
Maintain current City revenues.
STR opponents agree that home rule should rule
Continued From Page 1
“There just doesn’t seem to be any compelling reason. There wasn’t a majority who wanted it in the subcommittee,” Bustos said. “The local people know the character of their municipalities and counties. What they do reflects what their communities want. With this issue, that’s exactly where it should stay.”
Both Pierce and Streetman agreed with Bustos that the status of short-term rentals should be determined by local governments.
“The bill and amendment would have resulted in a one-size-fits-all solution, with the state assuming nearly all governance responsibility from municipalities for short-term rental regulations and ordinances that impact the fabric and balance of residential neighborhoods. Each municipality is unique,” said Pierce, who attended the May 3 hearing in Columbia. “Sen. Campsen and Rep. Bustos clearly understand this and have
done an outstanding job to preserve local governance. As Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin stated clearly in his testimony, this bill goes way beyond the specific issue of short-term rentals and is about protecting the democratic process of each municipality.”
Streetman, who opposed placing a cap on the number of short-term rental licenses Feb. 28, along with Council Members Blair Hahn, Kevin Popson and Jimmy Ward and Mayor Phillip Pounds, called HB 3253 “a bad bill” and pointed out that cities and counties “need to be able to make their own decision on short-term rentals.”
“This was all about home rule,” Streetman added. “What the five of us stood for was we hire a short-term rental coordinator, study the issue, monitor licensing and reserve the right as a Council to make a change if it looks like we need to.”
“It’s absolutely a home rule issue, and I’m grateful to Joe Bustos for his continued support of home rule,” Sullivan’s Island Mayor Pat O’Neil
said. “The main issue is not whether you like or don’t like short-term rentals. It’s about a community regulating its own destiny, just like with any other type of business.”
Sullivan’s Island banned new short-term rentals more than two decades ago, though those that were rented in the 12 months prior to Nov. 21, 2000, were grandfathered in. According to Town Administrator Andy Benke, around “38 to 40” remain.
The Isle of Palms City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the implementation of HB 3253 at its April 25 meeting. At the end of the Council’s May 9 workshop, Pounds reported that the short-term rental bill was back in the House version of the budget. He said the city’s lobbyists are “confident that it will be pulled back out.”
“This was a last-minute end around that I don’t think many people in the House were happy with, but it is what it is,” he added.
Migration: A journey through the life cycle of monarch butterflies
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the Southern part of Mexico to central Canada. Sadly, since their population has decreased by 97% over the past 20 years, they are an endangered species.
In preparation for Earth Day, McMurtry decorated the exterior of the scientific project she designed and built with enlarged photographs, each depicting the four distinct stages of metamorphosis. She also prepared a variety of coloring sheets with topics ranging from monarch butterflies to scenes of the Maritime Forest. McMurtry strolled through the community garden with young visitors, pointing out the various fruit, vegetables and plants being grown in the beds. In an Earth Day anecdote, she shared that she was able to convince a young boy to try a piece of arugula, picked right from the garden.
Even though monarch butterflies were not in season, the crowds of visitors were actively engaged throughout their tour of The Migration. In the center of the Earth Day Village, McMurtry placed a poster for people to sign and, hence, pledge to help protect the local and global environment.
McMurtry’s project serves as a butterfly enclosure, specifically for monarch butterflies that migrate through Sullivan’s Island each fall. She collaborated with a local fabricator, Spencer Kerce of 4Cast Signs, for help designing and building the installation. In collaboration with the Sullivan’s Island Community Garden, McMurtry raised more than 80 milkweed plants in her garden plots to attract monarch butterflies. She carefully harvested monarch caterpillars and larvae from local gardens, separating them into multiple mesh enclosures in her garage. This increased their chance of survival to adulthood and reduced the risk of parasites and diseases. Once the monarchs reached the chrysalis phase, she moved them to The Migration.
In 2022, McMurtry met Adele Tobin, who has taken care of the Sullivan’s Island Community Garden for years, at a Town Council meeting. They connected over their shared interest in protecting and preserving the environment, so when McMurtry was approached by Sullivan’s Island for All to participate in the Earth Day Village, she enthusiastically accepted.
McMurtry’s love for local wildlife began at a young age. Growing up coming on Sullivan’s Island, she spent most of her free time playing in the Maritime Forest or swimming in the ocean. She has always been dedicated to learning about the island and its ecosystems, possibly because her mom, Deirdre McMurtry, is an active member of the Sullivan’s Island Turtle Patrol team and shares her daughter’s passion for the island’s ecosystems.
“The closer you pay attention to the little things in our ecosystem, the better we can understand our environment as a whole,” McMurtry commented. “I encourage people to zoom in and explore the smallest, most
minuscule forms of life.”
As a child, McMurtry developed a sense of wonder for even the smallest denizens of the planet. Playing in forests and creeks around her home, she recognized the importance and role of each species in the ecosystem, from roly-polies and American green tree frogs to monarch caterpillars and inchworms. She became intrigued by nature and the resources required to support even the most minuscule life forms.
McMurtry’s ultimate goal with The Migration is to inspire visitors of all ages to pay closer attention to the environment around us and to realize that each species of plant and animal relies on others to survive.
Longtime Mount Pleasant police chief to run for sheriff
Mount Pleasant Town Councilman and former Police Chief Carl Ritchie has announced that he is running to be the next Sheriff of Charleston County.
“Our neighbors in Charleston County deserve service and protection from a professional, ethical and transparent sheriff, and that is the leadership I will provide,” said Ritchie. “Public service and safety have always been my calling and purpose – from my time as an MP in the Air Force to working narcotics; from SWAT team to investigations; from school safety to leading a department.”
Ritchie, who has 33 years of law enforcement experience in Charleston County and holds a master of criminal justice degree from the Command College of South Carolina at Anderson University, highlighted his proven success in keeping families and communities safe.
Ritchie said he will use proactive and community policing, ensure that violent criminals remain in jail, prioritize mental health care and professionally address mental health crises, aggressively tackle the Fentanyl issue and operate a secure and safe jail.
A national record-holding powerlifter, Ritchie serves as a Special Olympics powerlifting coach and as a board member for Father to Father, an organization that offers educational and support services for fathers trying to rebuild their lives and their families. A Riley Fellow, Ritchie previously served as a board member for the South Carolina Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund and its Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.
Carl Ritchie
Police were ready, but gathering on IOP beach didn’t happen
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms Police Department and officers from several other law enforcement agencies were prepared for another large gathering on the IOP beach May 6, but criminal activities apparently were limited to an arrest in the municipal parking lot.
According to IOP Police spokesperson Sgt. Matt Storen, an event advertised in a flyer and on social media didn’t materialize. He said around 30 officers were on hand just in case, from the Department of Natural Resources; Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and the Mount Pleasant, North Charleston and IOP Police Departments. The event, “Suns Out, Buns Out,” had been planned from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Just days before, at a special meeting May 2, the IOP City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on second and final reading that will help the Police Department manage safety and security issues. On April 7, five people were injured by gunfire during a gathering of a large number of high school students on the IOP beach.
The ordinance, passed on first reading April 25, then approved again with changes on May 2, requires groups of more than 50 people to obtain a permit to gather on public property, including the beach and beach access paths. The Police Department will not be able to deny a permit
based on political, social or religious grounds, and applications for permits must be submitted at least 14 days before an event. If the permit is denied, the group may file an appeal with the city administrator.
People who gather in public places on IOP without a permit can be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to 30 days in jail and a fine, including court costs, of up to $1,087. Police Chief Kevin Cornett said members of groups without a permit that refused to disperse could be arrested, but he added that “we’re about compliance with the law. We’re not trying to keep anyone from coming to the beach.”
The ordinance does not apply to city-sponsored events approved by the Council and IOP Recreation Department programs.
Though “Suns Out, Buns Out” apparently didn’t happen, there was an arrest in the municipal parking lot on Front Beach at approximately 3:30 p.m. Phillip Jason Britt, 36, and Lashawn
Duberry, 34, were charged with open container of alcohol and simple possession of marijuana. Britt also was charged with unlawful carry of a pistol and was arrested and transported to the Charleston County Detention Centger. A black Ruger pistol and 5.4 grams of marijuana were confiscated.
At its April 25 meeting, the Council voted unanimously to allow Cornett to spend up to $150,000 on security-related equipment, including a prisoner transport vehicle. The 2013 Chevrolet Express van, which has been driven only about 30,000 miles by a federal law enforcement agency, according to Storen, was purchased fully-equipped as surplus for $38,000. The van will permit several prisoners to be transported to the Charleston County Detention Center in North Charleston at one time, rather than in separate vehicles.
Other items on a list of recommendations from the Council’s Public Safety Committee include adding six security cameras on beach access paths; purchasing a drone and helipad; and establishing a canine unit in the Police Department.
Sgt. Matt Storen with the 2013 Chevrolet Express van recently purchased for the Isle of Palms Police Department. The vehicle will be used to transport prisoners from the island to the Charleston County Detention Center in North Charleston.
Photo by Brian Sherman.
IOP Exchange Club celebrates 75th birthday
By Robbie Berg
For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms Exchange Club celebrated 75 years of service through its four programs: Americanism, Child Abuse Prevention, Youth and Scholarship, and Community Service on April 24, with more than 100 members and guests in attendance.
Some of the highlights of the club’s history were provided by Pamela Marsh, a past president of the Isle of Palms Exchange Club; Dolly Dangerfield Cannon, whose father served as an Exchange president in 1951 and 1952; Carol Truslow, who grew up on the Isle of Palms and participated in many Exchange-supported activities during her childhood; and Elizabeth Grantham, a past IOP Exchange Club president and past National Exchange president.
Another highlight of the evening was having President David Johnson present to Robbie Berg and the IOP Exchange Club the National Exchange Club’s Resolution “Expressing thanks and appreciation to the Exchange Club of Isle of Palms, South Carolina.” He announced that with 235 members, the local club is only eight members from being the largest Exchange Club in the nation.
The Exchange’s history is a history of the “who’s who” on the Isle of Palms. In 1948 and 1949, Frank J. Sottile was the first president of the
club, with Clyde M. Dangerfield serving in 1951 and 1952 and S. V. Sottile serving in 1953 and 1954 – to name just a few of the club’s 65-plus presidents. During those early years, the island’s first firetruck was purchased by the Isle of Palms Exchange Club, and, a few years later, the island’s mosquito fogging truck. The money raised at oyster roasts and dances helped pay for these needed island services. Few islanders are aware that water ski shows on Hamlin Creek also helped finance various club projects.
soldiers in the Iraq war after 9/11. While they were placing 1,800 flags on the square, some tourists asked if they could erect a flag for their fallen family member.
Dolly Dangerfield Cannon, daughter of Clyde M. Dangerfield, remembers being told by her father about the Exchange Club’s first building. It was moved from Sullivan’s island to a site opposite the current IOP Post Office on Hamlin Creek. Carol Truslow and Dolly both grew up playing on the baseball fields known then as “The Playground” and today as the IOP Rec Center. They played on the girls team named the Sharks. Elizabeth Grantham told about the moving experience she had as an Exchange member placing flags at Marion Square for the fallen
Elizabeth also helped organize what is now known as the IOP Connector Run, held the first Saturday in October every year for the past 30 years. As everyone knows, the Connector is named after Dolly’s father, Clyde M. Dangerfield.
How many current islanders know that Isle of Palms had an airstrip that paralleled the Intracoastal Waterway along the landward side of the Isle of Palms? The Exchange Club, the Aero Club and the Beach Company worked to get the 1,800-foot strip built. Dolly said her house was built on or near the airstrip.
Many more stories could have been told of service during those first decades, but those will be shared with members during the club’s anniversary year. The current members of the Isle of Palms Exchange Club know they have a rich legacy to keep alive and move forward through “unity in service” in the coming years.
Dolly Dangerfield Cannon, center, with Pamela Marsh and Carol Truslow.
Writing about ordinary people who do extraordinary things
Joseph Bauer writes fiction full-time from his homes in Charleston and Cleveland. His most recent published novel, “Too True to be Good,” was released in April. It is the third in a series – enjoyable in any order because each has an independent plot – featuring an older, lonely, overweight citizen from Pittsburgh – Stanley Bigelow – who is called into secret military projects because of his special engineering skills and obscurity.
In his debut novel, “The Accidental Patriot,” round-the-clock FBI protection and a specially trained German shepherd are deployed to keep him safe and improve his physical fitness as he designs an ingenious underground drone base and trains in Charleston the soldiers who will assemble the structure overseas. Readers acclaimed the book as a “not your typical thriller . . . a book you can’t put down . . . I thought I was reading Tom Clancy.”
Bauer’s second book, “The Patriot’s Angels,” takes the same and a few new characters in a story of domestic terrorism and election meddling. Once again, Bigelow is endangered and desperately needs the aid of his loyal canine. “Too True to be Good” takes their journey to the next level, as the CIA, FBI and Washington, D.C., detectives try to unfurl a foreign-born plot to kill the U.S. president.
Bauer said his novels put a premium on gentle humor and the average man and woman: “I write about ordinary people doing extraordinary things: Loyalty, love and service, and a dog to help with all three.”
Bauer recently contracted for four novels with Running Wild Press and the Seymour Agency, New York and Los Angeles, collaborators who publish fiction distributed to bookstores worldwide while presenting the work to film and streaming producers. Running Wild and Seymour will be publishing and promoting his next novel, “Sailing for Grace,” in 2024.
One Lucky Dog
I’m Cooper, and, thanks to Lakeside Animal Rescue in Holly Hill, I’m with my new family. My first foster family called me “Monkey,” but I prefer my new name – “Cooper.” Monkey was my name when I was sick, and Cooper is my fresh start in life. When I was a pup, I was left in the woods and bugs started to live on me. I itched all the time. My fur hurt and I tried to outrun the pain. One day, I found a road and decided to plop down and wait for something – anything. My fear took over. I didn’t know how to survive since I was only in this big world for a few weeks then, but a nice human saved me.
Now I have a big sister, Delila, who keeps me safe with her beagle bark and robust personality along with the queen bee of the house, Mattie, a kitty who swam to safety. She has no fear, unlike me.
But I do love to play ball outside. I dance in circles when I bring it back, but then my sister snatches it from my mouth and takes it back to Mom, who ends up throwing it again. And I don’t have to sleep in the woods anymore. I have a bed and I curl up in a little bun with my family.
Owner’s name: Scott and Annette Whitmer
Dog’s name: Cooper, AKA Coop
Age: 1(ish)
Breed: Labrador/border collie/foxhound
Favorite toy: Whatever my sister has
Unusual quirk: Love nibbles
Vet: Marsh Tide Vet
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.
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Least terns are back on Isle of Palms
By Mary Pringle
For The Island Eye News
Right on time, the least terns, small seabirds with a 9-inch wingspan, have come back once again to nest in colonies on our sandy beach. According to Mary-Catherine Martin, wildlife biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Coastal Bird Program, as of May 5, they had started with four nests with more likely to be nesting by now. They are in the same general area as last season, near 49th Avenue on the Isle of Palms.
Least Terns are listed as “threatened” in South Carolina. They lay one to two eggs and raise one brood of chicks a season. The nests and eggs are very well camouflaged, blending into the beach landscape. Courtship displays are interesting to watch from a distance with binoculars, with males impressing females by offering them a gift of a small fish from the ocean.
The main threat to least terns on our very developed beach, populated by people and dogs, is disturbance, which causes the parents to fly up in alarm, leaving the eggs or tiny chicks exposed to the hot summer sun, which can kill them. After they hatch, chicks run around on the beach, sometimes hiding along the line of sticks or wrack that washes up with the high tide. Beach-goers and officials who drive vehicles on the beach are asked to watch out for them and not to drive above the wrack line if possible.
In order to protect the colony and educate the public, the Charleston Audubon Society has created the Shorebird Stewards Program of volunteers, who are on the beach at all hours of the day. The site leader this season is Laura Lovins, a resident of Wild Dunes and an Island Turtle Team member.
For the protection of the growing colony, posts, signs and flagged string were put up in the dunes May 3, from 48th to 49th avenue to help
the public avoid disturbing the terns. Helping with this effort were Nora Futrell, Virginia McKinnon, Dorothy DiPasquale, Berta Leary, Barb Gobien, Linda Tucker, Mary Pringle and Laura Lovins. This is a temporary posting because the young birds normally learn to fly by sometime in early July. No beach access paths are blocked. We are hoping that as the colony grows, more returning nesters will choose a site within the marked off area, and more posting will not be necessary. Let’s hope they “get the memo” about where to nest.
Reminders:
• No unleashed pets near posted area at any time.
• No kites near the nesting area.
• No balls or frisbees nearby.
• Walk leashed pets near the waterline when passing this area.
• Don’t feed birds near the nesting area.
• And, of course, don’t enter the marked-off area at any time.
We hope the public will support the nesting least terns by promoting awareness among residents and visitors. Thank you for helping to protect these special birds.
Photo by Lisa Benish.
First loggerheads come ashore on IOP and Sullivan’s
By Mary Pringle
For The Island Eye News
The first loggerhead turtles of the season both came ashore during the night and left tracks that were found on the morning of May 12. On the Isle of Palms, nest No. 1 was discovered by a Turtle Team patrol comprised of five women: Sallie Campbell, Eileen Dulany, JoAnne Robinson, Jeannie Yzquierdo and Helen Sullivan. It was laid at the 7th Avenue beach access path and had to be relocated to a nearby dune for safe incubation. It contained 138 pingpong ball-sized eggs, which will incubate for eight to 10 weeks in the warm sand.
Another turtle crawled onto a dune near the Station 21 access path on Sullivan’s Island. These tracks were discovered by Molly Shea and were what is known as a “false crawl” because there were no eggs laid. We could see that the turtle disturbed the sand and then crawled higher onto the dune before turning around. Perhaps it was a practice run, and she will soon return with more success.
We are excited that the 2023 season has begun on both islands. Here are some reminders for a safe and productive nesting season that everyone should know about:
Lights out at dusk. Any lights that can be seen from the beach should be turned off from dusk to dawn between May 1 and Oct. 31. This is the law on both islands.
Fill in holes. Any hole on the beach can trap small hatchlings and large nesting females.
Turn off flashlights and don’t use flash photography. If you see a nesting turtle on the beach, stay back at least 50 feet and do not disturb her. Report any stranded turtles, dead or alive, to 843-697-8733 or 843886-6522. If it has orange paint on it, it has been documented and is awaiting burial.
Follow the season at bergwerfgraphics.com or join us on Facebook at Island Turtle Team IOP and SI South Carolina.
Turtle Team members at the first nest of the season on the Isle of Palms May 12. Left to right: Jeannie Yzquierdo, Eileen Dulany, Helen Sullivan, JoAnne Robinson and Sallie Campbell.
Photo by Barbara Bergwerf.
70 Years and Counting
Isle of Palms residents Joyce and Floyd Tyler recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The loving couple was married on May 2,1953, at Center Baptist Church in Hemingway, South Carolina, and honeymooned in Silver Springs, Florida. Floyd is a U.S. Army veteran and was stationed in Germany in 1955 and 1956. After completing his military duties, he worked in the administrative offices of the University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston. He retired from the College of Charleston, where he served as vice president of business affairs. Joyce is a retired real estate agent who worked at Read & Read Realtors. They have owned a home on the Isle of Palms since 1971 and have lived on the island full-time since Floyd retired in 1993. They have two sons – Brian (Jan) of the Isle of Palms and Tim (Kim) of Mount Pleasant – and three grandsons, Timothy (Alexis), Andrew (Gabby) and James. Floyd and Joyce celebrated their 70th anniversary with a family gathering in Garden City.
Crabpot Players to present ‘Savannah Sipping Society’
By Jimmy Ward For The Island Eye News
The Crabpot Players Theater Company will present the Southern comedy, “Savannah Sipping Society,” by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten May 25 through May 27. The performance is planned for 8 p.m. at Encore Music Hall, 757-D Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant.
In this delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by fate – and an impromptu happy hour – and decide it’s high time to reclaim their enthusiasm for life. Together, they discover lasting friendships and a renewed determination to live in the moment.
Most importantly, they realize it’s never too late to make new old friends. So raise your glass to these strong Southern women, and their fierce embrace of life and say “cheers” to this joyful and touching comedy.
The cast includes Jenni Brown, Melanie Cason, Shannon Lindsay and Krissy Mckown, and Jimmy Ward is the director. The set and costume design is by the cast, with light and sound design by Ward.
Tickets are now available online at Whollyticket.com and at The Dinghy on the Isle of Palms. Call 843 886-6218 for further information.
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by Brian Sherman.
Photos
SIPD announces two promotions
The Sullivan’s Island Police Department recently announced two promotions. Glenn Meadows is deputy chief of police, while Sgt. Sydney De Nett is the training sergeant.
Meadows, who has more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement, was promoted to deputy chief March 24. A state-certified instructor, he enjoys establishing police/community partnerships. Meadows organized the Police Department’s annual Toys for Tots Christmas Bike Drives and the first department community blood drive.
In 2005, he retired as a sergeant after a 25-year career with Newport News, Virginia, Police Department. After retirement, Meadows served three tours in Iraq and six tours in Afghanistan in a civilian advisory capacity. He also served as a SWAT instructor for the State Department’s International Global Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program.
De Nett got her start on the island doing beach patrol before graduating as a police officer from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. She serves as a Narcan, Specific Skills and a DUI/SFST instructor. Throughout her years with the department, she has attended various training courses such as Principles of Supervision, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and Field Training Office Manager.
De Nett schedules training, maintains training records for the department and coordinates community events. She holds a bachelor’s in criminal justice from the Citadel and a certificate in corrections from Trident Technical College. Currently, she is working toward her master’s in criminal justice at Charleston Southern University.
De Nett has a strong focus on community outreach and recently partnered with WakeUp Carolina to hold a free Narcan training event for the public. Following the course, participants received a free overdose prevention kit that contained two Narcan nasal sprays. The next community event that Sydney has scheduled is with the Blood Connection on June 2, at Sunrise Church. Donors will receive $60 in gift cards.
18 • May 19, 2023
Around the Islands
ONGOING
WHAT: Community meditation
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Thursdays at 9 a.m.
MORE INFO: Outdoors, under the oaks - weather permitting; indoors on colder or bad weather days. Free. To learn more: iop.net/recreation.
WHAT: Yin yoga
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
MORE INFO: Yin Yoga is a beginner-friendly yoga class targeting deep connective tissues and joints and focusing on fascial release and brain health. Beginner class but challenging with limitless benefits. $40/month; $12 per class. Instructor: Kathy Berry. To learn more: iop.net/recreation.
WHAT: Dog Obedience
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Mondays, June-December. Kinderpuppy, 5:30 p.m.; Puppy Junior High, 6:30 p.m.; Canine Good Citizenship, 6:30 p.m.; Tricks, 7:30 p.m. MORE INFO: iop.net.
WHAT: Isle of Palms Summer Camps
Girls Volleyball • June 26-June 30. Tennis • Green Ball-June 12-June 15, Red Ball-June 19-June 22, Orange Ball-July 10-July 13. Soccer Shots • July 31-Aug. 4. Get Your Spike-On Volleyball • Aug. 7-10. Gymnastics • Aug. 7-10.Cheernastics • Aug. 7-10.
WHAT: IOP Farmers Market
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Every third Thursday, 4-7 p.m., June through October
MORE INFO: Featuring over 60 vendors, music, local farm-fresh produce, family friendly themes and activities and food trucks. To learn more: iop.net.
WHAT: Adult programs
Barre - Transform your body through isolated movements and build long, lean muscles while improving posture and flexibility. Fridays 8:30-9:30 a.m., $32/month. To learn more: iop.net/recreation.
Morning yoga - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m., instructor: Pat Boyd.To learn more: iop.net/recreation.
SATURDAY, MAY 20
WHAT: IOP Rec Department Bike Rodeo
WHERE: IOP Rec Center WHEN: 10 a.m.
MORE INFO: Sponsored by the IOP LENS Program, the free event will focus on teaching participants proper bike safety. The IOP Police Department will be onsite to register participant’s bicycles. There will be giveaways for new bikes and helmets. To learn more: 843-886-8294.
WHAT: Beach Lovers Book Club
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10 a.m.
MORE INFO: Come for a lively discussion of “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” by Fiona Davis. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
SUNDAY, MAY 21
WHAT: Old Village Art Walk
WHERE: Old Village, Mount Pleasant WHEN: 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Old Village Art Walk will be an afternoon of touring several homes and businesses in the Old Village neighborhood. To learn more: oldvillageart.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 23
WHAT: Memoir Writing Circle
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: Join us to get your stories started. Write from a provided prompt for 20 minutes, then share for friendly feedback. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
WHAT: POE-etry critique group
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 1 p.m. (after hours)
MORE INFO: Gather with fellow poets to share and improve your work. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
THURSDAY, MAY 25 and JUNE 1
WHAT: American Mah Jongg
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 12-2 p.m. (all levels) and 4-6 p.m. (experienced players)
MORE INFO: Learn to play the fun and fast-paced game of American Mah Jongg. If you have a 2023 card, please bring it. To learn more: ccpl. org/branches/Sullivans-island.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
WHAT: Sand Sculpting Competition
WHERE: Front Beach, IOP WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Free event fun for the entire family. Prizes will be awarded to individuals and team entries. To learn more: iop.net.
