Isle of Palms Police Urge Safe Driving During Holiday Season
By Sgt. Matthew R. Storen
As the holiday season approaches, officers expect an increase in DUI-related crimes as people attend holiday parties and gatherings during Christmas and into the new year. Charges for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are serious and can have life-altering consequences. The average DUI charge can result in fines and fees exceeding $10,000. Offenders may spend the night in jail, receive a criminal record, and possibly lose their vehicle and driver’s license. The most severe consequence of a DUI is the risk of serious bodily injury or death to yourself, your passengers or others.
The men and women of the Isle of Palms Police Department want everyone to enjoy the holiday season safely. Never drive while intoxicated. If you have been drinking, it is best to assume you are over the legal limit of 0.08. If you
are concerned about the person driving you home, do not get in the vehicle. Try to talk to them about the dangers of impaired driving, but most importantly, protect yourself and do not get in the vehicle. Contact 911 if necessary.
Additional safety tips to help avoid a costly DUI charge include planning a ride home using a ride-share service or taxi, keeping a charged cell phone, and letting friends and family know where you will be and when you plan to leave. You can also check with your insurance company to see if it participates in a tow service program for intoxicated drivers, which allows your vehicle to be towed home without being driven.
Law enforcement agencies across the state will be enforcing DUI laws during the holiday period and have zero tolerance for these violations. Please be safe and have a plan.
Sullivan’s Island Police Deliver Bikes for Toys for Tots
By Christian Senger
The Town of Sullivan’s Island Police Department held its fifth annual Toys for Tots bike delivery event on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
Following brief remarks from Mayor Patrick O’Neil and Police Chief Glenn Meadows, volunteers loaded donated bicycles onto trucks provided by Timmy Hayes Moving for transport to the Toys for Tots warehouse in North Charleston.
The Sullivan’s Island Police Department said it expects to deliver nearly 300 bicycles this year.
Photos Provided by Sullivan’s Island Police Department
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In Memory of Swan Richards
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How South Carolina Tracks and Responds to Sea Turtle Strandings
By SCDNR
The Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) provides statewide information on sea turtle strandings and helps assess the effectiveness of Turtle Excluder Device (TED) regulations. The STSSN is part of a multiregional network coordinated by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
cies Identification Guide — a series of photographs with captions — helps identify sea turtle carcasses and outlines proper measurement methodology.
Aerial surveys augment the volunteer network, with members documenting strandings along beaches throughout the state. Network members include staff from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private citizens. Remote islands are surveyed by fixed-wing aircraft. Volunteers are trained to correctly identify species and properly collect data.
Reports of unusual specimens are verified by the principal investigator whenever possible. All carcasses are measured using standardized methods recommended by NMFS and marked with orange paint to avoid duplicate counts. Stranding reports are submitted weekly to the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami. Monthly reports are distributed to network members, federal agencies, conservation groups and other interested parties. These data are compared with stranding numbers from previous years to evaluate the effectiveness of TED implementation.
Online stranding data can be viewed at seaturtle.org/strand. Live sea turtles are taken to the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center.
A Stranding Network Spe-
Anyone who finds a dead, sick or injured sea turtle should call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431.
Callers should be prepared to provide the following information:
• The exact location of the animal
• Whether the turtle is alive or dead
• The approximate size of the turtle
• Whether the turtle is marked with spray paint, which may indicate it has already been documented
• The location of the closest access point
If the turtle is alive, callers should be prepared to stay with the animal until help arrives.
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Photo Credit: SCDNR
Isles of Moms: Spotlight on Younger You: Celebrating Entrepreneurs on Isle of Palms
By Jen Prod and Lisa Ernst
When we started Isle of Moms, our hope was simple: to create a place that lifts up the people and businesses that make the island feel like a true community.
And sometimes that means saying yes to things before we fully understand them — like being among the first to try Dr. Jaclyn Lanham’s new salmon sperm facial. Spoiler alert: we survived, our skin is thriving, and we will come back to that part.
Before we get there, we want to introduce the woman behind it all. Jaclyn, founder of Younger You Aesthetics and Wellness, is the kind of entrepreneur who reminds you why supporting local matters.
From the moment she began sharing her story, it was clear Younger You was never just a skin care idea. It was a calling. Jaclyn described the concept as something that lived quietly in the background for years — the kind of dream that gets tucked away because life is busy, but refuses to stay quiet.
“Younger You grew out of a long-standing passion for helping people feel genuinely confident in their own skin,” she said. “For years, I imagined it as something I would do one day, when the timing aligned.”
That moment finally arrived during a sunrise walk.
“Watching the sun rise over the water, I realized people come to the coast for renewal,” she said. “I wanted to create a space that carried that same feeling — peaceful, uplifting and deeply rejuvenating.”
Her medical background added another layer.
“People were not just seeking treatment. They were seeking refuge — a place where they could feel heard, cared for and understood.”
And while Younger You is not a day spa — no robes and no fluff — her intention is unmistakable the moment you walk in.
“My goal is for people to feel an immediate exhale,” she said. “To think, ‘I am in good hands.’”
Her services reflect the realities of coastal living. Sun exposure, salt air and outdoor lifestyles require real correction and prevention. She offers medical-grade facials, LED therapy, pigment correction, barrier repair and advanced laser treatments designed for lasting results.
And yes, the salmon sperm facial. Jaclyn walked us through the PDRN science, we offered up our faces, and now we are eagerly watching the collagen magic unfold. If this becomes a local obsession, we will take partial credit.
We are grateful to live in a community that shows up for its women. Jaclyn is precisely the kind of entrepreneur who deserves that support.
Dr. Jaclyn Lanham
Jen Prod and Lisa Ernst
A Quick Trip to Beaufort
By Carol Antman
I had a new bike and a lunch invitation in Beaufort, S.C., so it seemed like a great opportunity for my friend Mary and me to visit Hunting Island. Years ago, when my husband and I were looking for a place to relocate from the cold North, we rented a cabin on Hunting Island and felt the allure of South Carolina. That cabin — and all but one of the others — has been lost to the continuing erosion of the island’s shoreline. Nonetheless, Hunting Island State Park attracts more than 1 million visitors a year, making it the most visited park in the state.
The park has a lot to recommend it. The bike trails, however, maybe not.
There are 125 campsites, which fill as soon as the 13-month reservation period opens, along with a well-stocked camp store, picnic areas, a visitors center with exhibits, a boat landing and a fishing pier. Park manager Kirby Brady said, “My favorite spot at Hunting Island State Park is the fishing pier at sunrise. The experience is nothing short of breathtaking, and it leaves a permanent impression with its pristine landscape and abundance of wildlife.”
Most visitors make their way up the beach to the lighthouse, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972. It flanks the 4-mile shoreline. Bicyclists can ride the entire beach at low tide. Maybe I should have considered
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that instead of choosing to explore the park’s 10 miles of bike trails.
I used the official park website to plan my ride and saw that nearly all of the routes were rated “easy,” except for the Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail, rated “moderately strenuous” — as if the name were not off-putting enough. From the visitors center, I set out on the Maritime Forest Trailhead. My plan was to combine trails to make a loop, but it didn’t take long before I no longer knew which trail I was on because of a lack of signs or blazes. Had I wandered into rattlesnake country?
My wide-tire bike was often mired in sand and had to be pushed. Surprisingly, there were a few sandy hills. Although it was a cool October day, mosquitoes were swarming. Eventually, I made it to the Lagoon Trail and encountered a friendly park ranger who pointed me back to the trailhead.
Back in civilization at the lovely Beaufort Inn, Mary and I were greeted by a friendly receptionist named Pebbles, who checked us into our spacious room overlooking what she described as the “most photographed street in Beaufort.” From our veranda, we could hear neighbors’ friendly chatter and the commentary from tour guides in horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping below.
The inn includes several buildings, with courtyards between them bedecked with twinkle lights and filled with chaises and couches. It was a comfortable place to spend the afternoon before visiting our friend the next day.
The Beaufort Inn provides guests with a voucher for breakfast across the street at the Blackstone Café. When we arrived just before 8 a.m., the tables were filled with workmen and groups of older men who looked like regulars. Banners from sports teams and a large American flag hung on the walls, and the air smelled of freshly made biscuits.
We were distracted from our breakfast of fluffy pancakes by a loud bell ringing at 8 a.m. Suddenly, everyone in the restaurant stopped eating, stood up and put a hand over their heart. So we did, too, wondering what was happening. Everyone then turned solemnly toward the flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Maybe that’s a Beaufort thing. I don’t know.
I often advise my Charleston friends who are looking for a quick getaway to go to Beaufort. It’s an easy drive of less than two hours, and the downtown waterfront is wonderful. You can stroll along looking at the boats, sit in a porch swing, have a picnic or try one of the many restaurants with waterfront seating.
Once, we traveled there by boat with a friend. Hunting Island is just across the causeway. You can stay at one of the town’s charming inns or bed-and-breakfasts and wander the historic neighborhoods. Beaufort made a strong impression on its favorite son, Pat Conroy, who settled here. He wrote, “When I came to Beaufort I had struck upon a land so beautiful I had to hunt for other words.”
If You Go
Hunting Island State Park: southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island
The Beaufort Inn: beaufortinn.com
Luxury Vacation Home Management
Beaufort Inn (By Carol Antman)
Heavy’s Barburger Expanding to Isle of Palms in 2026
By Christian Senger
Heavy’s Barburger, a popular neighborhood burger joint with locations in downtown Charleston and on Daniel Island, announced on social media that it plans to open a third location on the Isle of Palms.
The restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026 at 1012 Ocean Blvd., the former site of Papi’s Taqueria.
The Isle of Palms location will offer the same menu as the restaurant’s other outposts, including smash-style burgers, chicken wings, salads, soups, chicken sandwiches and onion rings. Heavy’s will also serve cocktails, including nonalcoholic options.
More information is available at heavysbarburger.squarespace.com.
Photo credit: Heavy’s Barburger (Instagram)
Oysters on the Point Returns to Mt. Pleasant in 2026
By Christian Senger
The Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina’s popular Oysters on the Point series will return for several dates this winter. During each event, guests can enjoy buckets of steamed oysters, live music, bloody mary bar, beach games, cold beverages, and more.
Each event runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s schedule and performer lineup is as follows:
• Jan. 10 - Thomas Champagne with Friends
• Jan. 24 - B.I.L.L. Wilson Band
• Feb. 7 - Weigh Station & The Green Thieves
• Feb. 21 - Gritty Flyright
• March 7 - TBA
Tickets are $15 per person (Children 12 and under are free) and can be purchased on citypapertickets.com
Isle of Palms Exchange Club donates
On Sunday, Dec. 14, the Isle of Palms Exchange Club and Charleston-area Edward Jones offices teamed up to donate more than 160 bicycles to children in need through Charleston Toys for Tots and Windwood Farm Home for Boys.
Dimi Matouchev, Jayne Gillespie, Drew Ross, Andy Ross and Pat Gillespie deliver the 30 bikes to Windwood Farm Home for Boys
Bikes to be donated to the kids in need in Charleston through the joint effort of the Charleston Area Edward Jones Offices and Isle of Palms Exchange Club.
Drew Ross, Tom Casey, Veronica O’Sullivan, Jayne Gillespie, Pat Gillespie, Kitty Riley, Claire Powers, Mike Powers, Ted Kinghorn, Jeff Lillie, Dimi Matouchev, Brooke Casey and Kai Kanani pose with 160 donated bikes prior to loading them in the truck for Toys for Tots Charleston.
AROUND THE ISLANDS
ONGOING
WHAT: Oyster Roast
WHERE: Islander 71 Fish House and Raw Bar, 80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms
WHEN: Every Saturday through March
MORE INFO: All you can eat oysters for $30. Available at noon until they’re gone.
WHAT: Charleston City Market Night Market
WHERE: Charleston City Market
WHEN: Each Friday and Saturday night, 6:30 p.m.10:30 p.m., from March – Dec.
MORE INFO: The Night Market is located between Church Street and East Bay Street. It provides the opportunity to discover quality, unique, local and handcrafted items.
WHAT: Sullivan’s Island Run Club
WHERE: Mex 1 Sullivan’s Island, 2205 Middle St. WHEN: Every Monday at 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: Come out and join the SI Run Club every Monday! All paces are welcome as we enjoy 1-3 mile scenic historic routes along the beautiful shoreline. After the run, we’ll gather back at Mex 1 to celebrate with fun drink specials.
WHAT: 36th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights
WHERE: James Island County Park
WHEN: Through Dec. 31
MORE INFO: The 36th annual Holiday Festival of Lights returns to James Island County Park beginning Nov. 14, bringing one of the Lowcountry’s most beloved holiday traditions back for the season. The festival will be open nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31. The festival features more than 750 light displays along a three-mile driving route, plus attractions including the Festival Express train, a 50-ton sand sculpture, an old-fashioned carousel, a climbing wall, and marshmallow roasts. Visitors can also shop for gifts, enjoy snacks, and see live entertainment on select evenings.
WHAT: Miracle @ SWC
WHERE: Saltwater Cowboys, 130 Mill St., Mt. Pleasant WHEN: Through Dec. 31
MORE INFO: The waterfront favorite transforms into a winter wonderland as the Miracle Pop-Up Bar takes over Mount Pleasant. Expect twinkling lights, tinsel-trimmed décor, and festive cheer served by the sleigh-full.
WHAT: Aquarium Aglow
WHERE: South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston
WHEN: Select evenings in December
MORE INFO: This November and December, the South Carolina Aquarium opens on select nights
after dark for transformed by captivating colors and inspiring illuminations. The Aquarium Aglow holiday series features new immersive installations, photo ops, sweet treats and “Scuba Claus.”
SATURDAY, DEC. 20
WHAT: Vodkas & Latkes in the Barbara Pearlstine Social Hall
WHERE: Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, 90 Hasell St., Charleston
WHEN: 7 p.m.
MORE INFO: Celebrating the 7th night of Hanukkah in support of KKBE and We Are Family’s work in the LGBTQIA+ community. KKBE provides a range of social justice advocacy and direct support for LGBTQIA+ congregants and the wider community. Patti O’Furniture returns this year to lead attendees in BINGO, dreidel, and awareness. General Admission tickets include one BINGO card, open bar, and crispy latkes with your choice of a selection of gourmet toppings including beef short rib, sautéed garlic shiitake mushrooms, salmon roe and cream cheese, sour cream, and applesauce. VIP tickets include all of the above as well as a dedicated section with dedicated staff and Champagne and Caviar. This event is for people 21 years old and up.
WHAT: Midnight City Christmas Party
WHERE: Red’s Ice House, 98 Church St., Mt. Pleasant WHEN: 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: A festive night with local band, The Midnight City. Red’s will be transformed with over-the-top Christmas decor, creating a warm and immersive holiday atmosphere. Enjoy a special menu of Christmas cocktails along with rich, boozy hot chocolate crafted just for the occasion.
FRIDAY, DEC. 26
WHAT: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet WHERE: North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston
WHEN: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: A spectacular holiday experience featuring an international cast, whimsical puppetry and opulent costumes and sets, hand-crafted by the finest artisans of Europe. Go back to a simpler time and make memories your family will cherish forever. Tchaikovskys timeless score sets the stage for a Christmas your family will never forget.
WHAT: Sip & Celebrate: Pre–New Year’s Cellar Stock-Up Wine Tasting WHERE: Frederic Payet Gallery, 13 Broad St., Charleston
WHEN: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: The Frederic Payet Gallery and
Fermented Vines will host this intimate holiday wine tasting experience. Hosted by Sommelier Latasha Williams, founder of Fermented Vines, the event invites guests to immerse themselves in a curated exploration of distinguished Old World wines from France and Italy. Each wine will be paired with artisan French and Italian cheeses, assorted meats, and classic pâtés to elevate the tasting experience.
WHAT: DJ MEDIC on the inside stage
WHERE: The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms
WHEN: Doors at 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: 21-and-up event. $10 admission
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31
WHAT: New Years Eve Dinner for Two
WHERE: Five Loaves Cafe, 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 100, Mt. Pleasant WHEN: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: With this special menu for $80/couple, you choose one appetizer, two entrees and one dessert. Plus a glass of champagne each included in this special dinner offering to close out 2025.
WHAT: New Year’s Eve Rooftop Dinner WHERE: Indigo Rooftop at Wild Dunes Resort WHEN: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Ring in the New Year with a festive rooftop family dinner featuring a delicious Chinese menu, all under the stars.
WHAT: New Year’s Eve Celebration WHERE: Islander 71 Fish House and Raw Bar, 80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms WHEN: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: Food and Drink specials and a DJ upstairs
WHAT: New Year’s Eve Glow Party WHERE: Osprey Ballroom at the Sweetgrass Inn WHEN: 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: Ring in the New Year with a dazzling night of fun for the whole family. Join Wild Dunes for their vibrant Neon Glow Party where they’ll light up the evening with glowing decorations and lively DJ. Enjoy a delicious spread of desserts, an open bar (for the adults 21+), and more.
WHAT: New Year’s Eve with Weird Science WHERE: The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms
WHEN: Doors at 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with this local 80’s cover band
Post House Inn Maintains MICHELIN Key Distinction
By Christian Senger
Post House Inn, the seven-room getaway in the heart of Mount Pleasant’s Old Village, has once again earned the prestigious MICHELIN Key distinction, an honor reserved for hotels offering exceptional quality, character and service.
Originally built in the late 1800s, Post House was restored in 2020 and has since become a staple of the Old Village community. The property is operated by the award-winning Indigo Road Hospitality Group.
Introduced in 2024, the MICHELIN Key recognizes hotels and inns around the world that exemplify outstanding hospitality through design, service and a meaningful sense of place. Post House was named to the inaugural MICHELIN Key list in 2024 and is again recognized among the country’s top properties for 2025.
For more information or to book a stay, visit posthouseinn.com.
City of Isle of Palms Recreation Department to Host Piecin’ It Together Puzzle Competition
By Tammy Cox
The City of Isle of Palms Recreation Department will host the first annual Piecin’ It Together Group Puzzle Competition on Friday, Jan. 16, starting at 10 a.m.
A maximum of 20 teams of four will compete to complete a 500-piece puzzle, putting their collaboration, communication, problemsolving, critical-thinking, logic, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, patience and perseverance to the test in a fun, hands-on activity for all ages.
The cost to participate is $5 per team. The first three teams to finish will win prizes. No prior experience or special skills are required.
For the latest events and updates, visit IOP.net or follow the City of Isle of Palms on Facebook and Instagram.
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Photo Credit: @theposthouseinn on Facebook
Tickets on sale for Charleston Parks Conservancy’s Shucked & Sauced Celebration
By Melissa Nelson
The Charleston Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to the stewardship of Charleston’s public green spaces, announced that tickets are now available for Shucked & Sauced, a celebration of oysters, barbecue and parks.
Set for Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rose Pavilion in Hampton Park, the fundraiser invites guests to enjoy an afternoon of local flavors and community connection. All proceeds benefit the Conservancy’s work maintaining 26 parks, gardens and trails throughout Charleston, as well as supporting community-centered programs that bring people together in shared public spaces. Tickets are available until sold out at charlestonparksconservancy.org/shuckedandsauced-2.
“Shucked & Sauced brings together some of Charleston’s most celebrated chefs and pitmasters with the region’s world-class oysters, all in support of our city’s parks,” said Jessica Gibaldo, interim executive director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. “There’s no better place to savor the flavors that define Charleston than under the oaks at Hampton Park.”
Guests can expect a quintessential Lowcountry experience, with fresh oysters from local farmers served alongside expertly prepared seafood and barbecue by some of Charleston’s top chefs and pitmasters, including 167 Raw, Leon’s Oyster Shop, Obstinate Daughter, Merci and Martin’s Bar-BQue. Tickets are $185 and include unlimited tastings from more than 15 restaurants, access to a curated open bar featuring wine, local brews and craft cocktails, live music by Dallas Baker & Friends on the Palmetto Tractor Services Stage, and more.
To learn more about the Charleston Parks Conservancy and its work to revitalize and sustain the city’s parks, gardens and green spaces, visit charlestonparksconservancy.org.
Photos Credit: Charleston Parks Conservancy
