With another large gathering possible, IOP Council approves safety and security measures
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
As area law enforcement agencies prepared for what could be another large and potentially dangerous gathering on the Isle of Palms beach, the City Council took action to help the IOP Police Department deal with safety and security issues.
At their regularly scheduled meeting April 25, Council members voted unanimously to allow Police Chief Kevin Cornett to spend up to $150,000 on equipment that will enhance the department’s efforts to prevent and control criminal activity. In addition, they passed on first reading an ordinance that requires organizers of events or gatherings of 25 people or more on public property to obtain a permit from the city. A special meeting was scheduled for May 2 so the Council would be able to pass the measure on second and final reading before a large gathering scheduled for May 6.
According to IOP Police Department spokesman Sgt. Matt Storen, an event advertised in a flyer and (Continued on page 8)
Wildlife biologist talks coyotes with SI Council
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
Coyotes have taken up residence on the Charleston area’s barrier islands, though nobody knows for sure how many there are and exactly which method they used to get across the Intracoastal Waterway onto Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, according to Jay Butfiloski, a wildlife biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Butfiloski, who made a presentation on coyotes at the April 18 meeting of the Sullivan’s Island Town Council, said the animals were first documented in South Carolina in 1978. He pointed out that since they can swim, so they might have taken the water route to the islands, but he added that maybe they simply walked across the IOP Connector or the Ben Sawyer Bridge. He said the latest estimate was that there are in the neighborhood of 2,000 coyotes in the Charleston metropolitan area and that “they kind of show up wherever.”
And how have they survived on the islands and elsewhere?
“One reason they’re so successful is that they’ll eat anything – dead things, plants, vegetation,
insects. It really doesn’t matter,” he explained. He said later that their normal diet also consists of small mammals including rats, mice and rabbits. Butfiloski said coyotes will attack a fawn, though they rarely try to take on a healthy adult deer, but they have been known to feast on pets such as cats and small dogs. Cats, he said, are especially vulnerable because “they may be a little naïve around canines, especially if their owner
has a dog.”
“The cat might be thinking: ‘That’s just another dog. I’m not concerned,’” he said.
He added that when a coyote encounters a larger dog, the situation is more like a competition between the two animals.
“With another canine, there’s some curiosity, there’s some territoriality and some outright aggression,” he said. (Continued on page 6)
Council recommends one lane in, two lanes out for Connector
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms City Council has passed a resolution asking the South Carolina Department of Transportation to reconfigure the IOP Connector bridge to provide one lane of inbound traffic and two lanes leaving the island.
The Council chose Concept 5 from among five possibilities presented by SCDOT late last year. In a survey that was available online from mid-January to mid-February, local residents and others overwhelmingly chose Concept 5 as the best option, according to SCDOT state traffic management engineer Rob Perry. Forty-eight percent of the respondents live in ZIP code 29451.
“The biggest thing was that options 1 through 4 just did not rate well with the people who took the survey,” Perry said at the Council’s April 25 meeting. “Option 5 (Continued on page 4)
Arbor Day celebration
The town of Sullivan’s Island marked Arbor Day April 28 with a special celebration at Stith Park. Activities included distributing free saplings, advice on tree planting and guided tours of the Maritime Forest. The project was made possible with the assistance of the Sullivan’s Island Tree Fund.
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Reddy Or Not
Communities Under Attack
By Rom Reddy
I watched aghast as the escalating violence in the nation arrived at our doorstep. First, the shooting at the Isle of Palms beach on “senior skip day.” Anyone for abolishing this senseless, new tradition that has a history of trouble? A few days after that, there was a shooting at a sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, where we have a plant that is the largest employer in town. Several of the victims were related to employees of ours. Of course, there are all the usual accusations, many of them with some level of truth. First on the list is guns in general and assault weapons in particular that will be the topic of another column. Second is mental illness, although data shows that 3% to 5% of violent crime is committed by those with mental health issues. Third is weak government and policy from the federal to state to local government. Our elected officials are afraid to act and offend those breaking our laws.
Left out of this discussion is the impact of drugs and how the proliferation of drugs in general and the synthetic opioid Fentanyl in particular are not only fueling an escalation of crime but destroying multiple generations of Americans.
What is Fentanyl? It’s a synthetic opioid that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an analgesic for pain relief and as an anesthetic. It is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. This is exactly what makes it so popular as an illegal drug because small quantities can have big effects. Only 2 mgs of Fentanyl is considered to be a lethal dose. According to federal statistics, approximately 107,000 people in the United States died of a drug overdose in 2021, with a stunning 70% of them attributed to synthetic opioids, mainly Fentanyl.
According to a survey of 308 private and public schools done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 11% of 8th graders, 22% of 10th graders and 32% of 12th graders used illicit drugs in the past 12 months, with death from drug overdose among adolescents doubling from 2019 to 2020, primarily driven by Fentanyl. In addition to destroying our kids and young adults, drug use has a correlation to violence. Drug users often resort to violence to fuel their habit, and there is violence inherent in the drug distribution system. However, drugs can also cause aggression by altering the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Aggression can be impulsive or predatory aggression. What can we do as a community? Understand it better and be alert to signs with friends and family. Precursor chemicals for Fentanyl primarily come into Mexico from China, where they are converted into powdered Fenatnyl. This powder is smuggled across the Southern border and often used directly or combined with other drugs to make them more potent. Users are not always aware of this “Fentanyl lacing,” which can be deadly. Other times, they are pressed into brightly colored pills that resemble candy to appeal to children and
young adults. The DEA refers to them as “rainbow Fentanyl,” with street names like “sweet tarts” and “skittles.” It is also mixed into nasal sprays and eyedrops. In 2021, the DEA seized enough Fentanyl to kill every American – more than 50 million Fentanyl-laced pills and more than 10,000 pounds of Fentanyl-laced powder. Many of these seizures happened at official points of entry along the Southern border, with much more Fentanyl pouring in across the porous Southern border illegally. Even the DEA says “Fentanyl is everywhere from large metropolitan areas to rural America.” You can bet it is in our community. For the conspiracy theorists among us, I believe China is implicitly involved in this destruction. The United States now leads the death rates from illicit drugs at 21.28 per 100,000 population. China? 1.34 per 100,000. The U.S. government has done little to impact the flow of these precursor chemicals into Mexico and even less to secure the Southern border, while each side of the political spectrum blames the other for violence and the general destruction of our young people.
Please be aware of the symptoms of Fentanyl use and overdose: small, constricted pinpoint pupils, cold or clammy skin, discolored lips and nails, choking or gurgling sounds and, of course, the appearance of candy, brightly colored pills, mysterious pills that look like prescription meds and powder. If in doubt, purchase Fentanyl detection test strips, which will provide a result in five minutes.
Above all, be aware of the youngsters around you, don’t hesitate to act if in doubt and please always vote for strong leaders who commit to solve this scourge that can destroy our kids and change our society for ever.
God bless.
Reddy or Not is a periodic column representing the opinion of Lucky Dog Publishing owner Rom Reddy but not necessarily the opinion 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.
Expo will help area residents prepare for the hurricane season
By Chaundra Mikell-Yudchenko
For The Island Eye News
Isle of Palms residents and those who live in surrounding communities are encouraged to attend the city’s 2023 Hurricane Expo May 16 and learn more about how to prepare for violent weather.
The event, free and open to the public, is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Recreation Center. IOP city officials and various community partners will be available to educate attendees and provide resources for hurricane preparedness.
Youngsters are welcome as well, as there will be an inflatable slide, temporary tattoos and food available on-site. Attendees will also have the chance to win an exclusive emergency kit, stocked with the essentials they’ll need if the threat of a hurricane becomes reality.
With the arrival of the hurricane season on June 1, the city is taking proactive measures to keep island residents and visitors informed about the steps they need to take to prepare for a storm. According to the National Weather Service, an average of six out of 12 tropical storms that form in
the Atlantic, the Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico become hurricanes each year. Because complex patterns make the path these storms take difficult to predict, being prepared provides peace of mind for residents of coastal and inland communities.
Along with planning tips, Hurricane Expo attendees will receive guidance on what to do during and after a storm, ways to protect their home, local evacuation information and more.
“We strive to create awareness around hurricanes so that people can take steps to secure their property, keep their family safe and make the planning process as efficient as possible,” said IOP Fire Chief Craig Oliverius. “We want to showcase how we all work together to make our community safer. People will be able to speak directly with local, state and federal agencies to discuss hurricane safety and become well-versed for each phase of a storm. We all want to deliver elite customer service for everyone we serve and help put them at ease.”
For more information about the 2023 Isle of Palms Hurricane Expo, contact Chaundra Mikell-Yudchenko at 854-837-2330 or chaundram@ iop.net.
Mayors speak out against short-term rental legislation
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
So many people attended a South Carolina House subcommittee hearing April 26 and testified against legislation that would punish municipalities and counties for prohibiting short-term rentals that its chair scheduled another session for May 3.
“We ran out of time,” said State Rep. Joe Bustos, chair of the Municipal and Public Affairs Subcommittee. Bustos represents voters in Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms and Mount Pleasant.
Mayors who attended the meeting and spoke in opposition to House Bill 3253 included Phillip Pounds of Isle of Palms, Will Haynie of Mount Pleasant, Gregory Habib of Goose Creek, Rick Osbon of Aiken and Crawford Moore of Edisto Beach. Pat O’Neil of Sullivan’s Island
An STR cap would be best for IOP
joined the meeting online.
“It was a packed house, and probably all but one or two speakers spoke out very strongly against this bill,” Pounds noted. “It was interesting to see a bunch of mayors come together.”
The Isle of Palms City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing implementation of HB 3253 at its April 25 meeting.
Pounds said he would not be at the May 3 meeting but that other IOP Council members or residents might be in attendance.
“They don’t need to hear the same thing from me twice,” Pounds said, adding that the city’s lobbyists in Columbia “have been pretty adamant that they don’t think this bill will see the light of day.”
Bustos also opposes the legislation, which
Letter to the editor
As second-home owners on IOP for more than 24 years, my wife and I have seen firsthand the negative impact on the quality of life and the market value of our home caused by the huge increase in short-term renters. We agree with the many permanent residents who have spoken at City Council meetings that IOP needs to cap short-term rentals before it is too late. In 1998, we decided to purchase a second home on the beach and were immediately attracted to the peaceful calm of Isle of Palms. We purchased a lot in Wild Dunes and hired a local contractor to build our second home. Like many of our neighbors who are also second-home owners, we do not rent, nor do we have any intention of renting. Some Council members and other politicians seem to attempt to lump all nonresident owners into the “6% investment owner” category, as if we built our home for the purpose of renting it. Our house is a home where we live, and we have all the same quality of life concerns as have been expressed to the Council by the permanent residents.
In our 24-plus years as IOP owners and taxpayers, we have seen a huge increase in short-term renters. When we built in 1998, only one or two of the 71 homes in our HOA were rentals. Today we understand that as many as 26 are rentals. This same trend has occurred all over IOP, and the limitations on STRs on Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach will only accelerate the trend. We, like the permanent residents, have seen the negative impact of short-term rentals: huge increases in traffic, higher noise levels, trash on the beaches, crowded facilities and amenities, and parking issues. The livability factors that attracted us in 1998 have changed for the worse. The opponents of STR caps, without any citation to facts or evidence,
would permit cities, towns and counties to collect only the 4% property tax assessment, rather than 6%, on homes whose owners are prohibited from renting by local laws, regulations and resolutions. The bill also would put in jeopardy a government entity’s share of the Local Government Fund.
“I’ve been getting a lot of people calling who are opposed to towns losing the ability to manage short-term rentals in their communities,” Bustos said. “The most important thing is we have home rule in this state. If we’re trying to unwind home rule, that’s wrong.”
“This needs to have the involvement of the people, especially on the islands. The islands and Mount Pleasant are impacted by short-term rentals,” he concluded.
make the false argument that caps will have a negative effect on property values. The truth is the exact opposite. The facts show that property values on Sullivan’s Island, which has long had a complete ban on short-term rentals, are substantially higher than those on IOP. For example, the recent average square foot sales price for houses – not including town houses and condos –on Sullivan’s Island was $1,460 but only $770 for Wild Dunes and $968 for IOP outside the Wild Dunes gate. Livability translates into dollars.
We understand that some second-home owners may have purchased their property with the understanding that the rental income would support the purchase price. A cap with a “grandfather” provision for owners with a history of short-term rentals can easily accommodate those owners. Moreover, those owners will actually be the biggest beneficiaries of a cap because it will make their IOP properties more attractive to short-term renters and limit the supply of competing rental properties, thereby improving their rental income.
The livability trends are going the wrong way, and the only ones who benefit from the current lack of an STR cap are the commercial real estate interests who seem to have an out-sized influence on the IOP City Council. The large number of permanent residents/voters who took the time to attend and speak at City Council meetings should be heard. Likewise, a cap is in the best interest of second-home owner/taxpayers like us. We are all in this together. A cap is not punitive. A cap is a win for all resident voters and second home taxpayers.
Ed Fitzpatrick Isle of Palms
Council Makes Connector Recommendation
Continued From Page 1
was the one that clearly had the highest votes.”
The Council’s decision was not unanimous. Three members, Blair Hahn, Jimmy Ward and Kevin Popson, voted against the resolution, and Hahn sparred with Perry and later said other Council members had accused him of being less than honest in his support for a modified version of Concept 3.
At one point, Hahn asked Perry if he was familiar with South Carolina statute 57-5-820. When Perry answered that he didn’t know what that law entailed, Hahn informed him that “it says that all work performed by SCDOT on state highways within a municipality must be done with our consent and approval.”
“I know ya’ll ignored that when you re-striped the Connector. Do you plan to uphold that law and follow that law in this situation?” Hahn asked.
“I’m not here to answer that question,” Perry responded. “I’m not an attorney. I’m an engineer. I’ll answer engineering questions for you. I’m not getting into home rule.”
“I’m not talking to you about home rule. I’m talking about the law. All I’m doing is trying to get everybody to follow the law,” Hahn shot back.
Hahn pointed out that the Council’s Public Safety Committee voted to recommend Concept 3, which includes one travel lane in each direction, an emergency lane between them and pedestrian and bike paths on the west side of the bridge. Hahn said that would be his choice as well, but he also wants a hard barrier between traffic and the bike and pedestrian lanes. He said the basis for recommending Concept 3 with a barrier “comes from our first responders, all of which believe option 3 is the safest choice.”
“I know ya’ll ignored that when you re-striped the Connector. Do you plan to uphold that law and follow that law in this situation?”
- IOP Council Member Blair Hahn
“I’ve been accused of lying and misrepresenting the position of our first responders by members of this Council,” Hahn commented. “They simply don’t want to hear the truth. The truth is I sat down with both our police chief and our fire chief. I looked them in the eye and asked them, what would you do if this was your decision?”
“It doesn’t seem we’re interested in facts. Political expediency is what we all care about,” Hahn added. “Twenty plus years ago, Sullivan’s Island was faced with a similar choice. Do they block SCDOT from removing the drawbridge for a fixed-span bridge like our Connector? Sullivan’s Island blocked a fixed-span bridge because it would make it easier to access the island. The easier it is to access, the more people will come. More cars, more traffic, more people, more load on our first responders. More chaos on our beaches and in our public parking areas.”
Popson opined that two lanes leaving the island will not solve IOP’s traffic problems. He said he favored an emergency lane again “instead of tying up most of the lanes to help day-trippers get off the island.”
Perry said work on restructuring the bridge will not begin during the current beach season. He said SCDOT would come up with alternatives for work that will be done on the Mount Pleasant side of the bridge and on Palm Boulevard, from 21st to 41st, on IOP.
“This is where the traffic engineering really kicks in. We’ll do the counts and the modeling. That’s where you decide the turn lanes – where they need to go. Whether it needs to be a double left or a single left. To work out the dirty details,” Perry said.
Following the 6-3 vote to recommend Concept 5, supported by Mayor Phillip Pounds and Council Members Jan Anderson, Rusty Streetman, Scott Pierce, Katie Miars and John Bogosian and opposed by Ward, Hahn and Popson, Ward insisted that the Council vote on whether to ask SCDOT to consider Concept 3. That measure failed, not surprisingly, by a 6-3 margin, with Ward, Hahn and Popson voting for it and the other six members opposing it.
“This may be redundant, but I consider it important that we consider another motion. I would like for the Council to adopt option 3 and have it on the record,” Ward said.
THE ISLE OF PALMS IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.
TROUBLING TRENDS
Census records show that since 2000, the number of full-time residents on IOP has declined by 5% overall while similar barrier island communities, except Folly Beach, all grew significantly.
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
T h e C h a r l e s t o n r e g i o n i s g r o w i n g b y 4 0 p e o p l e p e r d a y ,
y e t I O P h a s l o s t r e s i d e n t s
I n 2 0 0 1 , r o u g h l y 8 3 6 o f I O P ’ s 3 , 8 8 1 d w e l l i n g u n i t s h a d a
s h o r t - t e r m r e n t a l l i c e n s e , a p e r c e n t a g e t o t a l i n g 2 2 % .
C u r r e n t l y , 1 , 7 8 6 o f I O P ' s 4 , 5
I n 2 0 0 0 , 5 0 % o f I O P d w e l l
e a s e d 1 7 % , t h e n u m b e r o c c u p i e d b y f u l l - t i m e
r e s i d e n t s d e c r e a s e d 1 4 %
How do we maintain IOP’s current balance without penalizing existing short-term rental license holders, residents or their families? Check out our complete proposal at www.PreserveIOP.org.
If you support this initiative, please visit our website to find out more and learn how to get involved:
THE PETITION
P r o t e c t t h e b a l a n c e o f I O P
Wildlife biologist talks coyotes with SI Council
Continued From Page 1
Butfiloski told Council members that coyotes were first documented in South Carolina in 1978 and that they migrated to the East Coast from the Western United States. He said they weigh in at 25 to 40 pounds and that in the Palmetto State, they range in color from light tan to black. They breed once a year, in the winter, and “they’re probably dropping pups right now.” He explained that only the dominant pair in a pack of coyotes breeds, “while the others kind of help out.”
“One reason they’re so successful is that they’ll eat anything – dead things, plants, vegetation, insects. It really doesn’t matter.”
- Wildlife biologist Jay Butfiloski
According to Butfiloski, a common myth is that the Department of Natural Resources introduced coyotes to South Carolina at the insistence of the state’s insurance agencies in an effort to control the deer population.
“The big problem with that is when they were first documented in the Western portion of the state – in Pickens County – we were still actively trying to re-introduce deer. And most biologists believed that coyotes would not control the deer herd anyway,” he said.
Coyotes, Butfiloski said, now live in every state except Hawaii.
The wildlife biologist pointed out that from 2005 to 2019, 521 people were killed by domestic dogs in the United States, while since the 1970s, there have been fewer than 10 instances per year of coyotes attacking people.
“In reality, attacks on people are pretty rate,” Butfiloski commented. He said coyote sightings are likely to increase in the spring because the animals need to find food for their pups.
“There’s more activity but not necessarily more animals,” he said.
According to Town Administrator Andy Benke, Sullivan’s Island will
hire a trapper – at a cost of around $1,000 a week – to deal with a coyote “when there is an encounter that we feel is aggressive.” He said the town also has set traps, catching two coyotes and a like number of dogs.
So what should you do if you are threatened by a coyote? Butfiloski said airhorns and other noise-makers are useful, as are objects you can throw at a coyote, paintball guns, bear spray and even fireworks. He said you also should keep your dog on a leash, and, if you encounter a coyote, don’t run – instead back away slowly.
To help keep coyotes away, you should clear out underbrush when feasible, make sure your trash is secured and install coyote rollers on the top of your fence. It’s also important not to allow coyotes to become comfortable around people “because that’s when you start having incidents.”
“The best thing we can do is control them. We’re not going to get rid of them,” Butfiloski concluded.
Unleashing the power of community Sullivan’s Island hosts first Earth Day
By Kitty Redmond Strawn For The Island Eye News
On April 22, the Lowcountry was hit by booming thunder and pouring rain that seemed to have been arranged by Mother Nature to kick off Earth Day with an early morning fireworks show. However, the weather turned fair and breezy, setting the stage for a successful event on Sullivan’s Island. As I arrived at the park in front of the Poe Library, I could see volunteers and event sponsors bustling around, eagerly preparing for the Earth Day festivities.
The landscape and coastline of these barrier islands such as Sullivan’s continuously change, as evidenced by the tiny grains of sand that blow across the coast on windy days. In fact, the landscape around us is constantly shifting with each wave and each gust of wind – and the residents of Sullivan’s Island take seriously their responsibility to protect and maintain the island’s ecosystems.
While Sullivan’s Island is primarily known for its breathtaking beaches, it is also is home to one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the Lowcountry. The island’s Earth Day celebration provided locals and visitors with the opportunity to learn about the environment through experiential activities. Children and adults participated in nature-themed activities such as Lowcountry trivia, face-painting, timed-puzzle competitions and art projects.
At the Poe Library, author Pamela Brownstein, who wrote “Low-Ku: Haikus of the Lowcountry,” shared her creative writing journey and her knowledge about Haikus and the Lowcountry environment. Children had the chance to write nature-inspired haikus and illustrate their work with thumbprint art.
and maintained by local resident Avery McMurtry. She collects caterpillars and relocates them to Migration, where they remain until they reach adulthood.
A short walk from the library, at Station 16, the Sullivan’s Island Bird Banding Station kicked off the first of several demonstrations. Biologist Sarah Harper led a group of enthusiastic participants through the woods to demonstrate the art and science of bird banding. Carrying two tall, slender black poles connected by a net, she care-
Outside the library was the monarch butterfly art exhibit. Nested on the tree line behind the Sullivan’s Island Community Garden, Migration is a butterfly habitat created
fully positioned them at the opening where the group was standing. The net was designed to gently stop a bird and hold it until a bander could place it in a small cloth bag.
At the bird banding demonstration table, a volunteer presented Harper with a tan, cotton bag containing a healthy gray catbird. These birds use the Sullivan’s Island ecosystem as a stopover during their migration north. Harper taught the audience how to determine the age of a bird using its features, showing them how the lining of the catbird’s beak and the bird’s eyes
darken as it ages and how it molts all its feathers as it matures into adulthood. Meanwhile, nearby, Sullivan’s Island for All was hosting its medicinal plant tour. April Punsalan, a botanist, biologist and herbalist, led the group through the Maritime Forest, stopping occasionally to educate people on native plants such as the Carolina willow. The leaves of this deciduous tree can be dried and used to make a pain-relieving tea. And for centuries, Native Americans traditionally placed Carolina willow leaves in the soles of their moccasins before embarking on long journeys. The plant contains salicylic acid, which is commonly used in popular skin or acne products.
Sullivan’s Island has established a community dedicated to ecological preservation and resilience, demonstrated by the numerous organizations, volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the town’s first annual Earth Day. The celebration was fun and educational, with people of all ages showing their support for Lowcountry Earth Week and learning more about the remarkable biodiversity of our local ecosystems.
Earth Day was presented by Sullivan’s Island for All in partnership with the Sullivan’s Island Bird Banding Station, the Poe Library, the Island Turtle Team and the Sullivan’s Island Community Garden. Lucky Dog Publishing, e.e. fava architects and First Capital Bank sponsored the family-friendly event.
Isle of Palms farmers market offers produce and much more
By Owen Bailey For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms Recreation Department will host its third annual farmers market on the third Thursday of the month from June through October.
Each month, the farmers market will feature locally grown produce; local artists, crafters and photographers; other vendors, booths and displays; music; family-friendly activities; a water
slide and other inflatables; a playground, recreation fields and courts; and a scavenger hunt. There also will be food trucks, free gifts – while supplies last – and more.
The theme on June 15 is Bluegrass & Butterflies with The Blue Plantation Band. On July 20, it’s IOP Rocks, and on Aug. 17, the theme is Next to the Sea, again with The Blue Plantation Band. On Sept. 21, it’s all about safety with the Isle of Palms Police and Fire departments. The
season closes out Oct. 19 with a Spooky,Kooky, Ghoulie Funfest.
The fun starts at 4 p.m. and runs through 7 p.m., at the IOP Recreation Center.
“Year over year, our farmers market just keeps growing. We encourage residents and visitors to join us, but they need to be ready for a toe-tapping fun time under the oaks. This is a family-friendly event with no admissions cost,” said Recreation Director Karrie Ferrell.
Photo by Rob Byko.
Photo by Rob Byko.
Photo by Kitty Redmond Strawn.
Safety and security measures
Continued From Page 1
elsewhere called “Suns Out, Buns Out” is slated to begin on the IOP beach at 2 p.m. May 6.
“It’s on social media, in barbershops and in schools. It’s making its rounds,” Storen said. “From the intelligence we’re seeing, it’s aimed at high schoolers.”
“We have no idea how many people are coming, but we’re preparing for a large gathering,” he added. “We have a lot more time to prepare. We’ll have lots of visible law enforcement on the beach and on the streets.”
Storen said various state and local law enforcement agencies would be on hand to held control the crowd. He said the group will be required to obtain a permit from the city.
“If they don’t have a permit, that will be violation of the ordinance and they will be dispersed. It will be an unlawful gathering. If they don’t have a permit, we’ll take enforcement action,” he said.
The investigation is continuing concerning an April 7 incident on the IOP beach, where five people were injured by gunfire during a gathering of a large number of high school students. Three people have been arrested: Shawn Alexander Martin-Goods, 18, was charged unlawfully carrying a weapon; Zyaire Malik Criswell, 18, was charged with unlawfully carrying of a pistol; and a 16-year-old was charged with possession of a stolen firearm.
At the April 25 meeting, Cornett explained to Council members how recommendations offered by the Council’s Public Safety Committee would enhance safety and security on the island. He said requiring a permit for large gatherings would be “low-hanging fruit” and would be easy to enforce. In addition to the ordinance, he said his three top priorities on the list are: adding six security cameras, on beach access paths at 14th and Ocean and elsewhere and possibly at the pier, at a cost of approximately $20,000; purchasing a prisoner transport van; and purchasing a drone and
helipad.
Cornett said the van would cost $80,000 new but added that the city would be able to buy a van that had been used by a federal law enforcement agency for $38,000. He pointed out that the purchase probably would have to be made within seven days.
“They have two now, but we don’t have a lot of time. They won’t hold it for us very long – maybe a week,” he told the Council.
The drone, which could be used to monitor beach activity, would cost $84,000. Cornett said the American-made drone would be able to cover the entire island, could be deployed from a desk by non-sworn personnel and could also be used by the fire department.
“We have a lot more time to prepare. We’ll have lots of visible law enforcement on the beach and on the streets.”
The Public Safety Committee also suggested that the police department assign an officer to join the FBI Joint Terrorism Taskforce, which would permit the IOP Police Department to share intelligence associated with terrorism. Cornett explained that this would not cost the city anything because overtime expenses related to task force investigations would be reimbursed by the FBI.
Other items on the list included establishing a canine unit, at an initial cost of $18,000 to $20,000 and $5,000 a year; and incentivizing police officers to obtain EMT certification. In addition, the committee suggested purchasing a personnel observation tower for $140,000. Cornett said the department might be able to obtain a grant to pay for that equipment.
Mayor Phillip Pounds suggested that the chief decide which items to purchase. After City Administrator Desiree Fragoso reminded Council members that all purchases must be made in accordance with the city’s procurement code, they voted unanimously authorize the chief to spend up to $150,000.
Hosted By:
- IOP Police Sgt. Matt Storen
Resolution honors artist Gordon Wheeler
By Brian Sherman
For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms City Council has passed a resolution recognizing artist Gordon Wheeler for his “efforts, generosity and commitment” to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The resolution received unanimous approval from the Council at its April 25 meeting.
The resolution points out that Wheeler has supported the Wild Dunes Men’s Golf Association’s annual golf tournament and auction “by making sizable contributions of original art custom-made for the event.” Wheeler also enlisted members of Bulls Bay Golf to participate in the tournament and help raise funds to fight prostate cancer.
More than 320 golfers are expected to play in the tournament, which is scheduled for May 13 on the Wild Dunes Links and Harbor courses. Mike Muzzy, chair of the Wild Dunes Men’s Golf Association’s Prostate Cancer Foundation Committee, had been hoping to raise as much as $400,00 during this year’s event. However, that figure could approach the $1 million mark because an anonymous donor who also serves on the national Prostate Cancer Foundation board has agreed to match whatever WDMGA raises this year.
Wheeler has combined his love of painting with his love of golf. He was chosen to paint the official prints and posters for the PGA when the 1991 Ryder Cup was played on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and he also has painted for several PGA golf tournaments across the country. His art is highly sought after and collected worldwide.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the leading philanthropic organization raising money for prostate cancer research. The Foundation has financially supported more than 2,200 programs at more than 245 research centers in 28 countries, including the Medical University of South Carolina.
One Lucky Dog
I’m Zuri and I was named after Ziggy Marley’s daughter. Waaaaay better than Britney, which was my name originally. That’s the moment I realized I had to get out of this shelter, so I put on my cutest face, underbite front and center, and posed for my nationally publicized photo shoot for “Petfinder.” Eight weeks later, my mom got a birthday present and it was me! I mean, I am pretty cute.
I have a big family now, but I also have a new annoying little sister, Molly, who is this young pretty fluff ball that misbehaves! I put her in her place, but then my big sister Ziggy steps in to break it up; she’s so protective – and so annoying. After my morning beach walk, followed by squirrel hunting, it’s time for my beauty sleep. I love to sleep, burrowing in solitude, under blankets where no one can find me. If we’re not going to the beach, I don’t bother to get out of bed.
One day, my family disappeared, so I set out to save them. I walked out the front door, knowing the only place they could be was my favorite place – the beach. But they weren’t there. They came back because they missed me but got mad at me for playing Frogger on Palm Boulevard. Thank goodness they didn’t leave me, and thank goodness I survived the journey. They are my pack and I will keep them forever. I am such a lucky dog.
Owner: Mark and Mamon Raber
Dog’s name: Zuri, AKA ZuZu, Rat and Zoom Zoom
Age: 6
Breed: Heinz 57 of love
Favorite toy: Mermaid bear
Unusual quirk: I like to be watched while I eat
Vet: Island Vet Care – Dr. Sharon Barrett
Wheeler
Nesting season is here and the Turtle Team is patrolling
By Mary Pringle
For The Island Eye News
Sea turtle nesting season is here at last. It officially goes from May 1 until Oct. 31 from the first nest laid until the last one hatches. Occasionally, there will be a nest laid in our state in the last week of April, but we usually don’t get our first one until mid-May. The Turtle Team begins patrolling the beach every season on May 1. When the May Turtle Team newsletter was sent to our volunteers just before the start of patrol, there were some notes that we wish everyone who gets this paper could know about – so we are sharing them below.
Least terns have arrived on the Isle of Palms. They have been seen in the same area as last year, near 49th to 52nd Avenues on the IOP beach, with courtship behavior taking place. The males offer a gift of fist to females to impress them before nesting in the sand. If you are on turtle patrol on either island, and small shorebirds become upset and start vocalizing when you walk there, please keep your distance and report it to us so we can let the Department of Natural Resources know about possible nest locations.
Horseshoe crabs are spawning. At full and new moon phases from early May until late July, they come ashore above the high tide line to lay their eggs, which are a valuable food source for migrating shorebirds. You might see some of them on your morning turtle patrol. What to do? If they are alive and far from the water and especially if they are flailing or upside down, carry them down to the edge of the water. But if they are dug in down in the damp sand, they will be all right. These crabs have been on Earth for over 445 million years, and all of their relatives are now extinct.
Diamond back terrapins are marsh turtles no larger than 6 to 8 inches in shell length or smaller as hatchlings. They sometimes wash up on the beach, usually close to inlets on our islands. They swim in salt water just like our sea turtles, but their habitat is the water in creeks and marshes. If we find them alive on the beach, we carry them to a sheltered place in the marsh grass for release. If they are dead, we take a keratin sample and collect data for a new genetics study that is not yet funded. If injured, they can go to the Sea Turtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium.
Report sightings of live sea turtles by using survey 123. We learned about this survey site from Meredith at SCDNR. You can access it at survey123.arcgis.com/share/a7c87e03d4b541c38667c0e80193f02c if you are out on the water and see something exciting like a huge loggerhead
Glass recycling and composting are taking place on the Isle of Palms at Carmen R. Bunch Park behind the wooden enclosure. The city of IOP is offering this since glass is being added to the landfill after being picked up by the county in the blue bins. Fisher Recycling uses the glass for countertops, roadbeds and in other ways. Now the city of Charleston has a container where kitchen food waste can be dropped off as well. To do this, you must go online at charleston-sc.gov/compost for more information. You sign up and get the combination for the locked receptacle. This step is necessary so that people know exactly what to include and how to do it correctly. You do not have to be an Isle of Palms resident to participate.
Many Turtle Team members pick up trash on the beach while on patrol. If you would like to start a “litter journal,” download the “SC Aquarium Citizen Science” app from the App Store or Google Play. Create a username and password and join the litter journal project within the app. Follow the directions and help the environment and our sea turtles. Injured seabirds and shorebirds are often found stranded on our beaches. If you want to report them to a rehabilitator for rescue, you can call the Avian Conservation Center, also known as the Center for Birds of Prey, in Awendaw at 843-971-7474. You can leave a detailed message there with your phone number, the exact location of the bird and species if you know it. They will return your call. Deep holes are already appearing on the beach. They are a danger to adult nesting loggerheads, tiny hatchlings later in the season and humans who may not see them when running or biking on the beach at night. You can report them to the Isle of Palms Police nonemergency number by calling 843-886-6522 and staying on the line. Many times our Beach Services heroes on the force can go and fill them in with a machine. Parking can be tricky if you are not familiar with your beach patrol area. Be sure to have all four tires completely off the pavement. You need to park in the direction of traffic flow in your lane. Look for “No parking here to corner” signs or any other signs that say this is not a legal parking spot. If you do not have a resident sticker, obey the “Resident parking only” signs.
Photo courtesy of the Turtle Team.
Flags for heroes:
You can do your part to honor a veteran
By Robbie Berg
For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms Exchange Club and its foundation, the Isle of Palms Community Corporation, are sponsoring a new fundraiser for their Americanism Committee. All community members are encouraged to participate in this national program –Flags for Heroes. The Americanism Committee provided more than $25,000 this year to veterans organizations including the Fisher House, Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, Tri-County Veterans Support Network, Vantage Point Foundation, Project Street Outreach and the VA Hospital, providing bus tickets for
employment training, and renovation materials for housing veterans – plus a fishing experience for Windwood Farm and the veteran dock experience at the IOP Exchange Club’s Oyster Roast.
In order for the committee to increase its support of Charleston and Berkeley County veterans and their families, the organization has taken on the Flags for Heroes fundraiser.
You can help by purchasing a flag, for $75, that will fly from May 26 to June 6 at the Exchange Club or Towne Centre’s circle, whichever one you choose, in honor of your hero or heroes. Verbiage that you provide will be place on a tag on the flag. This fundraiser will also be conducted in November for Veterans Day. Please help support the Americanism Committee and local veterans and their families.
IOP Townhome / Condo Stats Year To Date through March 2023
Name of my hero:
Branch of service (Optional):
Rank, time of service (Optional): (Additional Info)”
Sponsor name:
Total of number of flags:_______x $75 • Total $ I would like my flag displayed: Towne Centre _____Exchange Club_______
Sponsor contact information:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Make checks payable to: Isle of Palms Community Corporation (nonprofit • tax-exempt) • Mail checks to: Isle of Palms Exchange Club, P.O. Box 314, Isle of Palms S.C. 29451
Flags will be displayed at Towne Centre in Mount Pleasant and the Isle of Palms Exchange Club May 26 through June 6. An additional Flags for Heroes fundraiser will be conducted Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
Photo by Robbie Berg.
By Marianna Lunsford
For The Island Eye News
Islander 71, an Isle of Palms fish house and deck bar owned and operated by locals Dave and Chrissy Lorenz and Jon and Bridget Bushnell, is celebrating its one-year anniversary in May. The restaurant is nestled in the back beach of Isle of Palms and offers panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Morgan Creek and Goat Island.
The restaurant’s location, decor, atmosphere and wide variety of indoor and outdoor seating has offered guests an opportunity to slow down, step back in time and enjoy the easy life for the last 12 months.
“We wanted to bring this location and this restaurant back to simpler times,” said Dave Lorenz. “[Our inspiration] was the 1970s, which influenced our simple, fresh, sharable and approachable menu. We wanted this to be a place where friends and family could come together to enjoy good
food, cocktails and all of the things you want to have on the water.”
Islander 71’s menu features classic seafood options, including shrimp ’n grits, seafood pasta and the daily catch along with salads, sandwiches, burgers and more. Since opening, the restaurant has expanded its menu to include a raw bar featuring oysters, clams, lobster claws and a variety of other traditional favorites.
When it comes to the menu, Lorenz has a few recommendations. For a starter, he suggests the she crab fries, an accidental and highly original creation.
“[The she crab fries] kind of came about like the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup,” said Lorenz. “It was like who put their chocolate in my peanut butter? So we said ‘let’s put a little of the she crab soup on our fries’ and we decided that it was really good and then even more people tried it and were like ‘that’s pretty good,’ so the creation stuck and was added to the menu.”
Moving on to main dishes, he praised the crab cakes, a recipe close to home for him; the Burger 71, stacked with a double patty; or the seared salmon, served with rainbow carrots, pilaf and salsa verde. The restaurant also includes a multitude of full-service bars with specialty cocktails and boat drinks, wine, cold beer and mocktails upon request.
With a quality menu and incredible views, it is no surprise that the biggest challenge Islander 71 has faced in its first year is the influx of customers.
“Our first year in business has been really great,” said Lorenz. “The locals were super excited for us to open our doors. With COVID and supply chain issues, we faced some challenges, but, once we opened, everyone was very excited to have a nice, refreshing new menu as well as more options for outdoor seating and incredible views.”
“It is such a beautiful location, so we have a lot of people coming,” Lorenz added. “It’s a great problem to have, but we do not want to disappoint. We really want to do a good job, serve great food fast, have fun and provide people with an experience. We have a really great crew and have had time to rebound following last summer with more training, so we are really looking forward to this upcoming season.”
While the crowds have been the most challenging part of their first year in business, in true Charleston-hospitality form, Lorenz stated that his favorite aspect of the restaurant’s first year also has been the people.
“The most rewarding thing has been seeing our crew develop over the last year,” said Lorenz. “We hire many island kids and to watch them grow and take that experience with them is rewarding. Then, obviously, the customers and their feedback, as well as seeing and hearing from our regulars is gratifying.”
Lorenz, his partners and their waitstaff are eager for the summer season and excited to serve new and returning customers as the busy season on the island kicks off.
Arrive by boat, golf cart or vehicle for a night out alone, with a date or for a scheduled event to enjoy the unique Islander 71 experience. The bars are open Tuesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dine in the restaurant on Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Islander 71.
Photo courtesy of Islander 71.
Isle of Palms artist will host show in downtown Charleston
Tina Fields is a talented artist residing on Isle of Palms. Her artistic inspiration stems from the breathtaking natural beauty of the island, as well as from the diverse places she lived in and traveled to over the years. Growing up in San Diego instilled in her a deep appreciation for coastal beauty, while her love for art helped her adapt to the numerous places she has called home.
Having attended 15 different schools across nine states before pursuing her education at Fairfield University, Fields’ nomadic lifestyle has cultivated her admiration for the profound beauty present within and around us. However, it was the charm of Charleston and its gorgeous barrier islands that ultimately captured her heart.
When asked about her motivation for becoming an artist, Fields stated that she aims to use her paintings to “heal the emotional pandemic that plagues us all,” the one that makes us feel unworthy and that the world is collapsing around us. She believes that art has the power to soothe the soul and reassure us that “genuine goodness and beauty persist, even in trying times.”
The layers of contrast and depth that contribute to the beauty of both life and art, as well as their multidimensionality, are central themes in
her paintings, which reflect hope, healing, joy and light.
“Beautiful art, like life, has many layers. It’s the contrast both in life and in art that creates its beauty. It is the depth and richness that makes both a rich life and interesting art. None of us are one dimensional, and the artwork that we find most captivating is the same,” Fields said.
Her preferred mediums are oils and acrylics, with her latest collection, “Golden,” featuring 24-karat gold leaf that adds a stunning lifelike quality to her canvases. Her works are predominantly coastal abstract paintings, through which she endeavors to capture the magic of our beloved living spaces. The alluring Charleston beaches, water and sky continually inspire her and compel her to return to her easel day after day.
If you are a lover of art and beauty, be sure to attend Fields’ upcoming art show on June 2, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 169 King St. in downtown Charleston.
By Owen Bailey
For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms Recreation Department started hosting Serenity Sea Stroll & Stretch Classes May 4, and the classes are free for residents and visitors.
Serenity Sea Stroll & Stretch is set for every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. on the beach at 25th Avenue. Led by an IOP Recreation Department instructor/trainer, participants will gather on the beach and embark on a one-hour journey toward total body wellness. The class includes a 45-minute walk, followed by a 15-minute “Oh Happy Day” stretch. All fitness levels are welcome, and individuals will move at their own pace.
“Salt air, soothing waves, sunshine and friends. What a wonderful way to get moving in the morning and prepare for the day. The Recreation Department is so excited to offer this no-cost program. As we stroll along our beautiful Isle of Palms beach, the instructor will provide health and wellness guidance during each journey,” Recreation Director Karrie Ferrell mused. If there is inclement weather, follow Isle of Palms Recreation Department social media updates.Visit IOP.net to learn more and to register for Serenity Sea Stroll & Stretch.
Book aimed at spreading love and honoring nurses
By Deane V. Bowers and Campbell Bowers Jackson For The Island Eye News
In honor of Mother’s Day and National Nurse Appreciation Month in May, this is a story about how a mother and her two daughters are using their time and talent to make a difference. That mom is me and I am an artist. My oldest daughter, Campbell, lives in Mount Pleasant and is a teacher at Charleston Collegiate School, and my youngest daughter, Mary Grace, is a nurse who has been on the front lines since 2020. Together we are joining forces to spread love and honor nurses.
We are disheartened by the toxicity and divisiveness in our world. Our mission is to counteract the negativity and perpetuate positivity and love in our communities. Too many people feel unseen, unaccepted and forgotten. We are determined to promote kindness, compassion and understanding.
What began as a Valentine’s Day idea two years ago has evolved into a children’s book called, “Love is …” I was the illustrator and Campbell wrote the words to go along with my drawings. We have included other people’s reflections on love to make this an inspirational, fun, happy and uplifting book for all ages to enjoy. We are using this book to honor and thank Mary Grace and all her nurse colleagues across the country for their leadership and heroism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Love comes in many different forms; it is more than Valentine’s Day, hugs and kisses. It’s about the kind things we do for each other. Often these are simple, quiet, ordinary gestures woven into our daily lives. These everyday actions are what we celebrate in our book. We hope our readers find something relatable and continue the conversation about what love is
The proceeds from the book sales will help fund the “Together While Apart Thank You Nurses Campaign,” which we created in partnership with the American Nurses Association and its foundation. The money will help provide a variety of wellness programs for ANA members, including free mental and physical wellness care. These services include mental health screening, job enrichment and financial planning and are often the first crucial steps in restoring overall wellness. Unfortunately, too many nurses suffer in silence due to shame, limited time and too few resources. There is no telling what these brave and dedicated caregivers have endured since 2020 or the invisible and long-lasting scars they carry. They care for others, often neglecting their own self-care.
So far, over 1,000 nurses have received much-needed wellness care, thanks in part to this campaign. More than $28,000 has been raised through various grass-root events we have organized, including from the sales of our “Love Is …” book. This amount surpasses the original goal we set of $20,200, a play on the numbers 2020, the year nurses
Love is belonging to something bigger than ourselves; it’s about encouragement and honoring others as well as supporting and acknowledging the caregivers, the nurturers, the helpers and the healers. Love is the point and purpose of why we created these two projects. Our “Love Is …” book and our Thank You Nurses Campaign are tributes to Mary Grace and her fellow nurses across the country.
To purchase the book, visit deanevbowersart.com/products/love-isa-childrens-book-for-all-ages.
DFPro Productions Rick Link In Memory of Jack Sands Summer Realty Pat & Ruthie Votava
Photo courtesy of DeaneV. Bowers.
BY ISABELLE REDDY
Welcome to the Kids Corner. Here you will find fun, games and activities to complete based on the news from today’s issue. You will also get exclusive news like drawing competitions, lemonade stands and fun events. Enjoy the games. The answeres for this Kids Corner are coming out in the next newspaper, so make sure you keep your Kids Corner!
Last week’s answers:
May 17 6:48 a.m./7:15 p.m. 12:39 a.m./12:45 p.m.
May 18 7:37 a.m./8:01 p.m. 1:31 am./1:30 p.m.
May 19 8:23 a.m./8:44 p.m. 2:20 a.m./2:14 p.m.
Source: saltwatertides.com
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 -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: Wild Roll Wednesday
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: The Isle of Palms Recreation Department will team up with IOP Police and Fire Departments to host a fun, new group fitness training program. To learn more and register, visit 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 a.m.-9:30 a.m., $32/month To learn more: iop.net/recreation.
Morning yoga
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15-10:15 a.m. • Instructor: Pat Boyd To learn more: iop.net/recreation.
SATURDAY, MAY 6
WHAT: Music in the Park WHERE: Isle of Palms Rec Center WHEN: 3-7 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Carroll Brown Band and Green Levels will be performing in the Park. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy an afternoon of music in the park. Free event. To learn more: visit iop.net or call 843-886-8294.
WHAT: Poe’s Cultural Kitchen – James Hemings, Hercules and Mac ’n Cheese WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: From french fries to new forms of ice cream, join us as we discuss Black presidential chefs who helped shape American cuisine while preparing the first known American recipe for mac ’n cheese. To learn more: ccpl.org/ branches/sullivans-island.
TUESDAY, MAY 9 and MAY 16
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 10
WHAT: POE-etry critique group
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: Gather with fellow poets to share and improve your work. Bring six copies of one or two poems to share with fellow poets (limit 2-3 pages). To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/ Sullivans-island.
THURSDAY, MAY 11
WHAT: Art Journaling
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 3-5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Learn how to create art journal pages for your own personal journal. Meet monthly to explore new ways to express yourself that combine collage, watercolor, acrylics and more. Ages 8-11, registration required. Call 843-883-3914.
THURSDAY, MAY 11 and MAY 18
WHAT: American Mah Jongg
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: Noon-2 p.m. (all levels) and 4-6 p.m. (experienced players)
MORE INFO: Learn to play the fun and fastpaced game of American Mah Jongg. If you have a 2023 card, please bring it. To learn more: ccpl. org/branches/Sullivans-island.
FRIDAY, MAY 12
WHAT: After School Art Club for Tweens/ Teens WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 4-5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Come hang out after school and try our different arts and crafts. May 12 meeting features Mother’s Day card making with the Cricut. Ages 12-18 welcome. To learn more: ccpl. org/branches/Sullivans-island.
MONDAY, MAY 15
WHAT: LENS banquet
WHERE: Sweetgrass Inn, Wild Dunes WHEN: 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Law Enforcement Neighbor-
hood Support program hosts an annual banquet in recognition of National Police Week. To purchase tickets, visit lensiop.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 16
WHAT: Baby Playtime
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Boost baby’s learning through playtime. Stop in to play and bond with your little one, and meet other babies and their caregivers. Age: Babies 1 year old and younger with caregiver.
FRIDAY, MAY 19
WHAT: Microgreen Gardening
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: With a little effort and a sunny window, you can spice up your mealtimes. Join Noni Langford from the Medical University of South Carolina’s Urban Farm to learn simple ways to enrich your diet through microgreen farming. Registration requested but not required.
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 welcome all ages and focus on teaching participants proper bike safety. Giveaways for new bikes and helmets along with free snacks, snowcones and water. Register in-person or online by Friday, May 12, to secure your spot.
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.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
WHAT: Sand-sculpting contest
WHERE: Front Beach, Isle of Palms WHEN: 9 a.m.
MORE INFO: The 34th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition is free and open to all those who would like to show off their sand-sculpting abilities. Competitors can enter in the following divisions: child - ages 14 and under; young adult – 15 to 20; family - at least one adult and one child or young adult; and adult - 21 and older. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category, along with the additional judged categories of Most Creative, Best Architectural and Best in Show. To learn more, visit iop.net or call 843-886-8294.
