Battery Gadsden’s February Program The Fate of the H.L. Hunley’s Crew
By Mike Walsh
Feb. 17 marks the 162nd anniversary of the first successful combat mission by a submarine. That submarine was the H.L. Hunley, and its victim was the USS Housatonic, one of the ships forming the Union blockade of Charleston. Despite the successful sinking of the Union vessel, the Hunley was lost and unheard from until it was located in 1995 and raised from the seafloor in 2000. Why was the Hunley lost? What was the fate of the eight brave men who made up her crew?
Many of those questions will be addressed on Feb. 19, when the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center welcomes Warren Lasch as its February speaker. Anyone who has visited the Hunley Confederate submarine in its current home on the former Navy base in North Charleston is familiar with the Lasch name. The first submarine to sink an enemy ship during combat now rests in a conservation tank at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, an honor bestowed in recognition of Lasch’s extensive efforts in raising and preserving this unique vessel.
Titled The Final Silence: A Forensic Reconstruction of the H.L. Hunley’s Loss, the presentation will go beyond the well-known story of the submarine’s history, discovery, and salvage. Instead, Lasch offers this insight into the talk: “Every Hunley talk you’ve ever heard ends with the torpedo blast. Tonight, that’s where we start.”
The program will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, located at 3222 Middle St. on Sullivan’s Island. Artifacts from the Hunley will be on display, and attendees will have the opportunity to purchase The Sea of Darkness, a book by Brian Hicks.
Lasch, a nationally recognized leader and innovator in the field of logistics, spearheaded the Hunley project, providing critical leadership in securing funding, overseeing recovery operations, and implementing conservation efforts for the historic maritime artifact. Under his guidance, the organization successfully recovered and restored the H.L. Hunley. During his nine-year tenure, the project earned recognition as a world-class maritime recovery effort. Lasch has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
As always, the Battery Gadsden Speaker Series is free and open to the public.
A note from the speaker: The conclusions presented are entirely Lasch’s own and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or sanctioned by Clemson University, the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, the Friends of the Hunley, the Naval Base Museum Authority, or the South Carolina Hunley Commission.
PUBLISHERS OF:
The Island Eye News
The Island Connection SiP Magazine
In Memory of Swan Richards
EDITOR
ieneditor@luckydognews.com
ADVERTISING advertising@mylonews.com
ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
Christian Senger
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Stacey Nichols
CONSULTANT
Lynn Pierotti
CONTRIBUTORS
Geoff Bennett • Katherine Berry
Amber Doskos • Pamela Marsh
Mary Pringle • Aaron Sweet
Joshua Uys • Chris Zoeller
Campbell Sullivan
PUBLISHED BY
Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina, LLC P.O. Box 837
Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina 29482 843-886-NEWS
Submit your letters to the editor to: ieneditor@luckydognews.com
DEADLINE
February 25 for our March 6 issue
For more information and for digital flip-throughs of current and past issues, please visit LuckyDogNews.com
Op-eds and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lucky Dog Publishing or its staff.
City of Isle of Palms to Host Hurricane & Resilience Expo
By Tammy Cox
The City of Isle of Palms Recreation Department, Isle of Palms Fire Department and the LENS Foundation will team up to host a Hurricane & Resilience Expo on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The event will be held outdoors under the oaks at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center and will feature:
• Hurricane preparedness tips and evacuation route updates
• City services displays and information
• Safety vehicle displays
• Environmental and sustainability education booths
• Specialty vendors
• Food trucks
• Live music
• Family-friendly activities
• And more
In addition, the Isle of Palms Police Department will give away a hurricane kit to one lucky winner during the event. Registration is free and available onsite only.
For the latest events and updates, visit IOP.net or follow the City of Isle of Palms on Facebook and Instagram.
Isle of Palms to Host Town Hall March 26
Staff Report
The City of Isle of Palms will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 26, at 5 p.m. at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center.
The town hall will provide residents and members of the public an opportunity to ask questions, share
ideas and raise concerns directly with members of the Isle of Palms City Council. The event was identified as a priority during the City Council’s January strategic planning session as a way to encourage open, interactive dialogue between the community and council members.
ISLE OF PALMS RECREATION DEPARTMENT
YOUTH
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
SCORING RECAP
The IOP Youth Basketball League continued to provide excitement and competition for boys and girls this winter, culminating in tournament play for the older groups last week. The 5- to 6-year-olds learned very basic dribbling, passing and shooting skills along with teamwork and good sportsmanship. The 7–8-year-olds learned to improve upon those skills using larger sized basketballs, playing by the rules with officiating.
The 9-10- and 11–14-year-olds played full court with regulation size basketballs, two certified referees, two- and three-point shooting and free throws following fouls… just like high school, college and the pros. Those kids meant business!
HERE’S THE SEASON RECAP:
9-10 YEAR OLDS BOX SCORES JAN 8TH – FEB 5TH
Carroll Realty coached by Tony Romeo had the most wins during the regular season, while Just One More Chapter Publishing coached by Norm Brahen won the tournament. Billy Vickers of Carroll Realty led all scoring for this age group.
11-14 YEAR OLDS BOX SCORES JAN 8 TH– FEB 5TH
IOP Pizza coached by Guy Barnocky won the regular season as well as the tournament. Ryder Sloan of IOP Pizza led all scoring for this age group.
As the weather turns warmer, Youth Baseball takes to the outdoor fields for kids as young as 3-4 years old (Fast Start), and 5-12 years old. Please go to iop.net/Recreation for more details.
Windjammer vs. IOP Chamber (5-6 yr olds)
Just One More vs. D3 Investments (9-10 yr olds)
Deep Water Church vs. Just One More Chapter Publishing (7-8 yr olds)
Culp Realty vs Church of Holy Cross (11-14 yr olds)
IOP Pizza, winner of 11-14 Year Old tournament. Coached by Guy Barnocky.
The Community Came Together for the Sweetheart Dance
By Elizabeth Jones and Jen Prod
On a magical evening at Sullivan’s Island Elementary School, the Sweetheart Dance bloomed into an enchanted garden where twinkling lights shimmered, music floated through the air, and the night swirled with joy. Special adults and daughters stepped onto the dance floor hand in hand as dresses twirled, smiles stretched wide, and memories were made that will last a lifetime.
Behind the scenes, parent volunteers spent the Friday before the dance creating arches, blowing up balloons, and transforming the school into a magical space. Adding another layer of wonder, McCall Rupp handcrafted 10 human-size flowers that served as stunning decor throughout the venue. At the end of the night, the girls brought the flowers home, extending the magic well beyond the dance.
Twenty students from Lucy Beckham High School volunteered their time to do fairy hair, glitter tattoos, and gems, turning the younger girls into true princesses for the evening.
This special night was made possible by a generous community. Pop + Palette brought the room to life with florals and balloons, while Melissa Florkowski donated additional decor. Lisa and Mark Mitchell provided pizza for the entire event. Katrina and Burke Limbach of IOP Beach Chair delighted guests with unlimited pink and blue cotton candy. Wheely Good Ice Cream served 500 sundaes and homemade chocolate caramel cupcakes. Grove + Co. Events captured the fun with a 360 photo booth.
DJ James Hickey kept the dance floor hopping, and HGK Photography captured the love shared between dads and daughters.
The Sweetheart Dance was more than an event. It was proof that when a community comes together, magic truly happens.
Brent Jones and Ricky Holley with their daughters
Jon Prod with his daughter
Randy Lowell with his daughters
By Chris Frick
Two Artists, Two Paths, One Coast
The South Carolina coast is not just scenery. It is a force that shapes how artists see, work, and build a painting. For Chris Frick and Nadine O. Vogel, that force enters abstraction in distinct ways.
Chris Frick is a full-time abstract artist who moved to the South Carolina coast from Germany, a change in geography that shaped her work in lasting ways. Working primarily in acrylic, she does not push a painting toward resolution, allowing openness and structure to exist at the same time. The raw coastal environment of the American South influences how she experiences orientation and distance, and that awareness shapes how space develops on the canvas. Her paintings are not about describing the landscape. Instead, they reflect the experience of living between places, languages, and ways of belonging, where more than one sense of identity and place can exist at once. She works daily in her studio on Broad Street. Her work is currently on view at Simpatico Gallery in Charleston.
Nadine O. Vogel, an abstract art-
ist working between South Carolina and Florida, creates dynamic compositions using acrylics and mixed media, often applying unique tools to canvas, wood, and recycled surfboards. Her creative process is inspired by the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the ocean, as well as her life experiences as a published author, speaker, TV host, interior designer, global disability consultant, and a wife and mother of two women, one of whom is disabled. Her work is often characterized by textured surfaces and a bold visual language, creating compositions with depth, variation, and visual strength that convey resilience and forward momentum. Vogel’s art is featured at Hagan Fine Art in Charleston and at galleries across Florida.
Together, their work shows how one coastline can be understood through different lives, with each artist bringing her own way of seeing to the same place.
Frick and Vogel’s work will be on display at the Isle of Palms Exchange Club on April 25, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Frick (Provided)
Vogel (Provided)
Pacific Legal Foundation Joins Legal Challenge to Defend Property Rights in South Carolina
By DOGESC
Rom Reddy is continuing a legal fight to protect private property rights as government power increasingly encroaches on landowners across South Carolina.
The Pacific Legal Foundation has formally joined the ongoing legal challenge involving South Carolina property owner Rom Reddy, bringing national constitutional expertise to a case that could have far-reaching implications for property rights across the state.
The case centers on whether the state of South Carolina can regulate, restrict or effectively take control of privately owned property while continuing to tax that land as private property. At issue is a system in which property owners are required to pay taxes on land they legally own, yet are denied meaningful rights to protect it.
“This case is about a simple constitutional principle,” Reddy said. “If the state claims the power to control private land, it must also respect the rights that come with ownership. You cannot tax citizens as owners and then treat them as if they have no rights at all.”
Reddy also cited the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: “Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Pacific Legal Foundation is nationally recognized for defending property rights, constitutional limits on government authority, and the rights of citizens against regulatory overreach. Its involvement signals the broader constitutional importance of the case beyond a single dispute.
Reddy emphasized that the case is not about rejecting public interests or legitimate regulation, but about restoring clarity, fairness and transparency in how government exercises power.
“This is about the rule of law,” Reddy said. “Property boundaries are established, recorded and taxed by the state. When government moves regulatory lines at will and strips owners of basic rights, it undermines trust and violates constitutional protections.”
The case challenges a regulatory framework that allows the state to assert control over private property while prohibiting owners from taking reasonable steps to protect or manage their land.
“This kind of unchecked authority should concern every South Carolinian,” Reddy said. “If government can do this to one property owner, it can happen to anyone. Constitutional limits exist for a reason.”
With Pacific Legal Foundation now involved, the case will move forward with increased legal resources and national attention. The outcome could help define the future of property rights, regulatory authority and constitutional accountability in South Carolina.
“This fight isn’t just about one property,” Reddy said. “It’s about whether citizens still have meaningful property rights in this state. I’m grateful to Pacific Legal Foundation for standing with us in defense of the Constitution.”
Reddy also referenced a quote often attributed to George Washington: “Freedom and property rights go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.”
INTERPRETED BY: Katherine Berry
OWNER NAME: Scott & Jeanie Tucker
…and Jack
NAME: Blue’
My Boy Blue’
AGE: 7
BREED: Sheep-a-doodle
FAVORITE : Da Pig
VET : Port City Vet
FOOD: Farmers Dog or crispy bacon
Blue
DOGLUCKY
Yes, it’s your boy Blue here. Double the size of my littermates and made of nothing but love, intelligence and excellent hair. I was built to make a big impression — soft as a teddy bear, calm as a monk and rocking a hairstyle that’s been compared (accurately) to Don King on a really good day.
My life motto? Don’t worry, be happy. Because when you’ve got family, friends and bacontopped pup cups, what’s there to stress about … unless there’s a suitcase on the floor. More on that later.
I started life as “Kaki,” but the moment Dad met me, it changed to Blue. He looked into my eyes and just knew — I was forever his Boy Blue. We’re buddies. Co-pilots. I own the shotgun seat, and I defend it with strategic stillness and increasing weight. I love Mom too — very much — but Dad and I have a routine, and routines keep me emotionally regulated and deeply satisfied. When Mom tries to reclaim shotgun, I mysteriously become impossible to move. Eventually, she surrenders. I stay.
If I were human, I’d be a Walmart greeter. Love is my full-time job. After our morning beach walk, Dad takes me to The Refuge for coffee, conversation and the holy grail of pup
cups — topped with crispy bacon. While we’re there, tourists ask to take photos with me. Dad chuckles. I pose. It’s the hair. People remember the hair … and the handsome mug … and the cloudlike softness.
We’re out and about a lot. Dad plays guitar; I work the crowd like his agent, offering hugs, photo ops and general emotional support. Sometimes people ask, “Are you Blue’s dog?” My tail responds before Dad does.
What I don’t love is separation. I’m a wolfpack kind of guy. When someone’s gone, I carry a blankie to my bed and quietly selfsoothe. If both Mom and Dad leave? Devastation. Absolute heartbreak. Suitcases signal the end of civilization — Armageddon. Lucky for Mom, I’ve matured past her shoes, but her side of the bed may suffer.
So here I am — Blue. Famous, fluffy, loyal and deeply devoted. Bacon is sacred. Routines are law. But family is everything. I’m not just lucky because of where I live or how good my hair is. I’m lucky because I belong. And as long as my pack is together, I’ll keep riding shotgun, posing for photos and holding us all together — one soft, soulful day at a time.
Heart of Palms: Two Cars for Two Good Causes
By Jen Prod and Lisa Ernst
Sometimes the most meaningful moments in a community arrive in unexpected ways. This winter, they happened to arrive on four wheels.
Recently, we were fortunate to borrow not one but two very special cars, each generously shared by its owner for two very different — and very meaningful — causes. What stood out most was not the cars themselves, memorable as they were, but the people behind them and the joy they helped create.
The first was a classic 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III, owned by Kevin Merrill. Merrill graciously allowed his car to be featured in a video supporting Mom Prom, a local charity event benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The elegance and nostalgia of the Healey brought a timeless feel to the video, helping elevate the storytelling around an event rooted in hope, resilience, and community support for families affected by cystic fibrosis. It was a reminder that sometimes lending something you love can help shine a brighter light on a cause that matters.
The second experience could not have been more different — and was somehow just as special.
Enter the Pink Figgy, a limited-edition 1991 Nissan Figaro owned by Meredith. For Valentine’s Day, the Pink Figgy became a rolling delivery of happiness as it pulled up to Somerby Assisted Living, filled with cookies, cupcakes, and Valentine’s treats for residents. The excitement was immediate. Smiles, laughter, and a whole lot of pink filled the space as residents gathered to see the car and enjoy the treats. It was simple, joyful, and deeply human.
What connected these two moments was generosity. Merrill and Meredith both said yes without hesitation. They trusted us with something personal and meaningful to them and, in doing so, helped create experiences that lifted others up. One car helped tell the story of a fundraiser supporting medical research. The other delivered sugar cookies and smiles to neighbors who deserved a little extra love.
In a world that often feels fast and disconnected, these moments served as a reminder that community is built through small acts of kindness. Sometimes it looks like opening your garage. Sometimes it looks like filling a pink car with cupcakes. And sometimes it looks like saying yes, simply because you can.
Two cars. Two good causes. And countless reminders that generosity, in any form, always goes a long way.
City of Isle of Palms Recreation Department to Host Cars in the Park
By Tammy Cox
The City of Isle of Palms Recreation Department will host the second annual Cars in the Park event Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center.
Hot rods, muscle cars, antiques, collectibles and specialty vehicles will fill the recreation center parking lot for a morning of live music, food trucks, specialty food vendors and local arts and crafts vendors.
Vehicle registration is now open. There is no fee to display a vehicle, but all participants must register in advance. To register, contact Tammy Cox at tcox@ iop.net or 843-886-8294. The deadline to register is noon Friday, April 17.
For the latest events and updates, visit iop.net or follow the City of Isle of Palms on Facebook and Instagram.
A NEIGHBORHOOD SEAFOOD JOINT
Lisa Ernst, Meredith Collins, and Jen Prod
Jen Prod, Kevin Merrill, and Lisa Ernst
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: 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: Yoga on the Lawn
WHERE: Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant, 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount. Pleasant
WHEN: Every Sunday at 2 p.m.
MORE INFO: Join Charleston Power Yoga at Hotel Indigo for a refreshing way to reset for the week ahead. Surrounded by the breeze and Lowcountry sunshine, you’ll flow through an energizing, all-levels class led by an expert instructor. Bring your mat, breathe deeply, and make this weekly getaway part of your Sunday ritual.
WHAT: Camp Dunes & Dinks Pickleball Weekend Package
WHERE: Wild Dunes Resort
WHEN: February 27 - March 1
MORE INFO: Three days of play, instruction, and relaxation by the sea. The weekend is currently limited to overnight guests only. The twonight package is built for 2 people per room.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
WHAT: Can Tab Crafts (grades 6-12)
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Craft a kitty keychain (2/20) or chainmail-inspired earrings (3/6) using can tabs, cord, and jewelry hardware.
WHAT: What’s Up Chuck
WHERE: The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms
WHEN: Doors at 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: Taking Chucktown by storm with a unique blend of reggae, ska, funk-rock, hip-hop, 80’s and more.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
WHAT: “So you want to be a weather forecaster?” WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. (drop in)
MORE INFO: Learn about weather, make a cardboard Cloud ID, and try some raincloud experiments. Ages 5+.
WHAT: Oyster on the Point: Gritty Flyright
WHERE: Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, 20 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant WHEN: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: 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, beach games, cold beverages, and more.
WHAT: Rock the Block
Our community calendar keeps you updated on local events. From festivals to workshops to family-friendly gatherings. Stay connected and never miss out on the excitement.
WHERE: Home Team BBQ, 126 Williman St., Charleston
WHEN: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Home Team BBQ’s Rock the Block will return for its 8th year, transforming the restaurant’s downtown location into a neighborhood street party featuring a full afternoon of live music, guest-chef bites, and beer, wine, and signature cocktails. The event benefits Hogs for the Cause and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, both of which provide direct support to local families facing pediatric cancer.
WHAT: The Yacht Club
WHERE: The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms
WHEN: Doors at 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: Local yacht rock band performs at The Windjammer
MONDAY, FEB. 23
WHAT: Ben Franklin Circle: the Virtue of Silence
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Ben Franklin Circles are faceto-face salons driven by two goals: to help us improve ourselves and to help us improve our world. We will use Ben Franklin’s personal self-improvement plan to spark discussion and support participants’ goals and aspirations. Visit benfranklincircles.org to learn more.
TUESDAY, FEB. 24
WHAT: Dine and Discover
WHERE: Restore at Carolina Park, 1588 Bloom St., Mt. Pleasant
WHEN: 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
MORE INFO: Restore at Carolina Park will host a Dine and Discover event welcoming members of the public who are interested in learning more about the community. Enjoy a complimentary Italian meal while exploring what it’s like to call Restore home.
WHAT: Lip Sync For Lungs Live Battle
WHERE: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., Charleston
WHEN: 7 p.m.
MORE INFO: The American Lung Association in South Carolina will host the annual Lip Sync For Lungs Live Battle. Marking its milestone 10th anniversary, this year’s event carries the theme Greatest Hits Vol. X, featuring encore-worthy performances from past battle champions alongside rising stars in what organizers describe as an energetic and crowd-pleasing showcase. Lip Sync For Lungs is a high-energy fundraising event that supports the American Lung Association’s mission to improve lung health and prevent lung disease. Proceeds from the event benefit lung disease research, public health programs and advocacy efforts throughout South Carolina, including initiatives focused on lung cancer education and clean air.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25
WHAT: Watercolor Painting Class
WHERE: Isle of Palms Recreation Center, 24 28th Ave.
WHEN: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: Watercolor Painting for Beginners and Intermediate Watercolor Painting. Get more info at giselleharrington.com/art-classes.
WHAT: IOP Free Speaker Series - SC Birds with Charles Donnelly, Holy City Birding WHERE: Isle of Palms Recreation Center, 24 28th Ave.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: The City of Isle of Palms Recreation Department’s 2026 Free Speaker Series offers residents and visitors a robust lineup of educational, health, nature and community programs throughout the year.
WHAT: POE-etry Critique Group
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: Craft a kitty keychain (2/20) or chainmail-inspired earrings (3/6) using can tabs, cord, and jewelry hardware.
WHAT: Hiring Event
WHERE: Sweetgrass Inn, Osprey Ballroom –Wild Dunes Resort
WHEN: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
MORE INFO: Wild Dunes Resort is hiring and ready to meet passionate, team oriented candidates.
THURSDAY, FEB. 26
WHAT: American Mah Jongg
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 12-2 p.m. (slow play) and 4-6 p.m. (all levels)
MORE INFO: If you have a 2025 NMJL card, please bring it. NOTE: Beginners are welcome to come, observe, and jump in when they are ready. These are not Mah Jongg classes.
Friday, Feb. 27
WHAT: Motown Throwdown on the inside stage WHERE: The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms WHEN: Doors at 9 p.m.
MORE INFO: Motown Throwdown is a powerhouse soul band steeped in the traditions of funk, soul, pop, rock, R&B, and jazz.
SATURDAY, FEB. 28
WHAT: 6th Annual Sweetgrass Half Marathon & 10k
WHERE: Park West Recreation Complex, 1251 Park W Blvd., Mt. Pleasant WHEN: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Runners start at the Mount Pleasant Recreation Complex and run through the picturesque Carolina Park neighborhood. This is a flat and fast course. Runners enjoy marsh views along Darrell Creek on the way to completing the race.
WHAT: Musical Storytime with Julia and Johnny
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10 a.m.
MORE INFO: Join us for a Musical Storytime! We will be reading and singing together with live musical accompaniment from former Poe staff member Julia and one of CCPL’s talented VolunTeens! All ages welcome with an adult.
The Isle of Palms Exchange “Needs Your Help”
By Robbie Berg
The Isle of Palms Exchange Club Youth and Scholarship Program of Service will host its annual Oyster Roast on March 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Exchange Club.
Organizers say community support is especially important this year. After moving scholarship applications online, the club received more applications than ever before. With the rising cost of higher education, pursuing a degree can feel out of reach for many deserving students. Each year, the Exchange Club works to help make that goal attainable for seniors who meet its Youth of the Year, A.C.E., and IT scholarship standards.
“We cannot do this without your help,” organizers said.
Community members are encouraged to purchase a ticket or become a sponsor and enjoy an afternoon on the patio overlooking Hamlin Creek while eating single-select oysters, chili and hot dogs. All proceeds benefit the club’s scholarships and youth educational programs serving the Tri-
$ 2,775,000
County area.
One recent scholarship recipient shared her story:
“I am a Deafblind scholar in mathematics who received an Isle of Palms Exchange Youth of the Year scholarship. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics at RIT. Along the way, I faced challenges in STEM as a Deafblind student, but I learned to overcome them through determination, perseverance, community support and accessible learning strategies. I am now conducting research while pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematical modeling at RIT. Today, I continue to advocate for accessibility and inclusion in math for future generations.”
Organizers invite the community to “join us March 7 for an afternoon of fun for a purpose.”
Scholarship applications are available at www.iopexchange.org under “Get Involved” in the scholarships section. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketstripe.com/iopoysterroast.
FVR Partners With IOPPD Animal Control, Donates Blankets and Towels for Pets
By Mel Miles
The Family Vacation Rental Group donated numerous towels and blankets to the Isle of Palms Police Department Animal Control Division to help care for pets during cold weather.
Officer Sean Kittrell, animal control director, said the department and the Family Vacation Rental Group work together each year to support residents’ pets in need of a safe, warm place to stay until they are reunited with their owners.
The Animal Control Division provides a safe haven for pets that become separated from their homes. The Family Vacation Rental Group (FVR) is comprised of 25 locally and professionally managed vacation rental companies that work together to address community needs.
The Animal Control Division of the Isle of Palms Police Department enforces animal-related laws and ordinances while protecting and assisting both wildlife and domestic pets. The division responds to reports of injured or diseased wildlife and transports animals to appropriate facilities. One of the most common issues on the island involves off-leash or runaway dogs.
“I would like to remind the community to make sure their dogs wear collars and tags so we can quickly identify the owner and verify the dog’s vaccination status,” Kittrell said.
“We are committed to being a responsible and caring member of the Isle of Palms community,” FVR co-chair Mel Miles said. “We believe that by working together, we can create a harmonious environment that benefits all, ensuring that our island remains a wonderful place to live, work and visit.”
Photo - Left to right
Lillian Frampton, Joseph Addison, Jace Kowsky, Mel Miles, Sean Kittrell, Rory O’Toole, Win Walker, Shelley Miles, Mary Kathryn Miles, “Buster”, “Tilly”, and “ Roscoe”
