THE SLAND EYE
SULLIVAN'S ISLAND ISLE OF PALMS GOAT ISLAND DEWEES ISLAND
LOCAL NEWS
Firefighter Appreciation Night at Islander 71: An Unforgettable Evening of Support and Community
Isle of Palms Sees ThirdHighest Loggerhead Nest Count in 2024
Runners Overcome Obstacles and Storms for Sold-Out IOP Connector Run
By Robbie Berg For Island Eye News
It has been an honor to serve on the board of the IOP Connector Run for the past three years and witness the extreme dedication of board members, Chair Michele Priest, and Exchange Program of Service Chair Deb Barr.
Novella Homes Breathes New Life into Sullivan’s Island’s Historic Movie Theater
This event is a collaboration between the cities of Isle of Palms and Mount Pleasant, their recreational departments, the IOP and Mount Pleasant police departments, and the IOP Fire Department It truly takes a village to make this well-organized, sanctioned 10K and 5K run a success!
In this article, I will focus on the race itself. In the next edition, I’ll highlight the funds raised and provided to child abuse prevention agencies, along with the sponsors and volunteers who make this event possible through their donations and support
This is truly an international and broad U S -based race, with 1,801 registered runners. Since this was double the participation from last year, the race sold out several weeks prior a first for the event but necessary to ensure all participants could be accommodated With the success of the 2024 race, the board is considering increasing the number of runners to 2,000 or more for next year. Stay tuned! Actual race planning starts almost immediately after the current year ' s event.
We first met a gentleman and his wife from Canada who registered for the race this spring at the Charleston Bridge Run He was excited to return to the area specifically for the IOP Connector Run on Oct. 5, 2024. Who wouldn’t want to return for such an important fundraiser in what we like to call “paradise” on our island? One story I wasn’t expecting came from the bib pickup on
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The Isle of Palms Connector Run, which raises funds for a variety of local charities, was held on Saturday, October 5. Here are some of the results:
CONNECTOR RUN RESULTS OVERALL 5K RESULTS Thomas Lantz, 45, Mt Pleasant, 17:22 1 Jacob Hamacher, 21, North Charleston, 17:42 2. Sam Basye, 31, Charleston, 18:46 3 Jack Desplaces, 23, 18:18 4 Isaac Rendon, 28, Goose Creek, 20:42 5.
OVERALL 10K RESULTS Jason McCormack, 36, Daniel Island, 37:09 1. Anthony Marino, 26, Clemson, 37:27 2 Nikolai Rhodes, 28, Grasonville, MD, 37:31 3
Leeds, 21, Charleston, 38:23 4 Connor Revord, 33, Tampa, FL, 38:25 5
Credit: Palm Social
Former Isle of Palms Councilmember Marty Bettelli competed in the race Credit: Lynn Pierotti
LUCKYDOG
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ieneditor@luckydognews.com
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Assistant Publisher: Christian Senger
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Consultant: Lynn Pierotti
CONTRIBUTORS:
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Mayor Pat O’Neil
Christian Senger
Robbie Berg
Carol Antman
Susan Courtney
Mike Walsh
Mary Pringle
Pamela Marsh
Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina 29482 843-886-NEWS
DEADLINE:
October 23 for our November 1 issue
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*Op-eds and Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mylo News, Lucky Dog Publishing or its staff.*
Message
from the Sullivan’s Island Mayor
By Mayor Pat O’Neil For Island Eye News
Dear Island Neighbors,
I hope you ’ re enjoying our version of fall, with the marsh Spartina grass turning golden, the goldenrod adding a yellow glow (and meals for our monarch butterflies), and the amazing technicolor sunsets (Reminder: It’s ragweed, not goldenrod, that may be triggering your allergies.)
Speaking of monarchs (butterflies, not Brits), here’s some helpful info to differentiate them from our similarly colored but more numerous fall butterflies, the Gulf fritillary: bit.ly/TOSIButterfly
HELENE RELIEF
A big thank you to our Fire and Rescue professionals and volunteers, who recently collected and transported 504 cases of water and three truckloads of supplies for Upstate residents devastated by Hurricane Helene. Thanks also to Simmons Seafood for helping with transportation
Monetary donations are still greatly needed in the affected areas of South Carolina and North Carolina One example: here’s a site for donations for the Hendersonville area: bit.ly/47KUBEF
OPEN HOUSES AT YOUR HOUSE...TOWN HALL
This fall, several open house sessions are scheduled, allowing residents to review plans for various island projects. All sessions are held at Town Hall at 5 p.m. before Council meetings. Topics include urgently needed stormwater infrastructure improvements, historic design guidelines, the Stith Park master plan, and the Resilience Plan, which is in its initial stages of data collection and stakeholder engagement
Tuesday, Oct. 15: Stormwater Master Plan & Imminent Drainage Improvements with Seamon Whiteside
OK, this one has already happened, but you can go to bit ly/SITCWStormwater and scroll to the 47-minute mark to view their presentation from the October workshop.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: Historical Design Guidelines with Thomason & Associates and Stith Park Master Plan with Thomas & Hutton
Monday, Dec 2: Resilience Plan with Weston & Sampson, McCormick Taylor, & Elko Coastal Consulting
OCTOBER IS FIRE SAFETY
MONTH!
Fire Chief Anthony Stith reminds us of the importance of Fire Safety Month in October Be sure to check your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers! Here are some other tips from SI Fire Department Training Officer Adam Ivan: bit.ly/SIFallFireSafety HALLOWEEN!
Don’t forget that on Thursday, Oct 31, lots of little ghosts and goblins will be out and about. Please exercise caution when driving, and make sure your candy extortionists are wearing reflective gear and are reminded that the streets are still streets
TRASHY REMINDERS
Please be aware that landscapers are responsible for removing all the yard waste they generate; they should not leave it by the street. Also, we are asked to leave beach path trash cans for beachgoers' use
BREACH INLET SAND PLACEMENT PROJECT
Work continues on the Army Corps of Engineers project to place nearly 700,000 cubic yards of sand and related material on Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms shores around Breach Inlet. For more information on this innovative effort, go to bit ly/TOSISandPlacement
STAY UP-TO-DATE ON TOWN MATTERS!
We encourage everyone to sign up for “TOSI Talks,” our public outreach platform for nonemergency messages Just text “Hello” to (855) 675-8674 Stay up-to-date on town news, meeting dates, and emergency preparedness tips
See you around the island!
Pat O’Neil
Mayor
843 670 9266
oneilp@sullivansisland sc gov
Firefighter Appreciation Night at Islander
71: An Unforgettable Evening of Support and Community
By Laura Anderson For Island Eye News
charity and even rolling up his sleeves to scoop ice into cups as the line of eager supporters stretched across the deck. With every glass he filled, proceeds from these specialty drinks flowed directly to the LENS Foundation IOP to support local first responders
Isle of Palms residents came together last Thursday evening for a festive affair that celebrated the island’s men and women in red during Firefighter Appreciation Night, hosted by Islander 71 The event, presented by the Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support (LENS) Foundation Isle of Palms, offered the perfect blend of family-friendly fun, community spirit, and a breathtaking autumn sunset painted in a glorious palette of deep orange and soft pinks a fitting tribute to those who so often brave the flames
With a crisp 70 degrees and not a cloud in sight, it’s safe to say Mother Nature had this one marked on her calendar, too As families mingled and music filled the air, kids delighted in face painting, and their smiles grew even bigger as they explored the firetruck parked front and center A sea of tiny fire hats and wide-eyed excitement surrounded Isle of Palms Fire Chief Sean Harshaw and his team, who graciously helped the little ones in and out of the big red truck, handed out stickers, and answered all the enthusiastic questions about what it’s like to be a hero in the community.
The Isle of Palms Fire and Rescue Department also expressed gratitude for the evening’s support In a statement from the department, they shared, "We are immensely thankful to the LENS Foundation for sponsoring this incredible fundraiser. Your dedication to our department and the community is truly inspiring, and we are grateful for your continued partnership "
They went on to acknowledge Islander 71, saying, "Your generosity in hosting the event provided not only a fantastic venue but a welcoming environment that made the night an exceptional experience " The department also extended thanks to all the sponsors and attendees who contributed to the event’s success "It’s moments like these that remind us how united and strong our community is Together, we are building a safer, stronger Isle of Palms."
Adding a touch of celebrity flair to the evening, Mayor Phillip Pounds traded his office chair for a bar stool, shaking up his signature “Mayor’s Margarita” with a smile that never wavered He was the star behind the bar, pouring select beer and wine for
“What a fantastic turnout! It’s great to see so many people from across the island showing up to support LENS and our Fire Department A big thank you to everyone helping make this happen,” Mayor Pounds quipped, charming the crowd as he worked his bartending magic.
It wasn’t just the perfect weather or live tunes lifting spirits that night; it was the collective sense of giving back to those who protect and serve the community Katrina Limbach, owner of IOP Beach Chair, added a personal touch to the evening by gifting each employee at the Isle of Palms Fire Station a voucher for beach chair and umbrella rentals
"It’s just my way of saying thank you for all they do," she said, reflecting the gratitude felt by so many.
Rod Turnage, president of the Isle of Palms Chamber of Commerce, raised a glass alongside his wife, Alice, celebrating Islander 71’s generosity.
"We love supporting local businesses, especially when it brings the community together for such an important cause, " Turnage shared
LENS Foundation Charleston Founder George Reeth, a dedicated supporter of the island's first responders, also attended, adding, "LENS events never cease to remind me how impactful we can be when we all come together as a community." Reeth, like so many others, was quick to support the cause with a Mayor’s Margarita in hand
It seemed like the whole island showed up, more than 200 strong, filling the space with laughter, dancing, and an outpouring of support Isle of Palms residents Claire and Mike Powers, known for their enthusiastic support of the LENS Foundation IOP, were moved by the generosity of their neighbors. “It was humbling and moving to see so many people opening their checkbooks and showing their appreciation,” Claire Powers said
Meanwhile, Jon Bushnell, the owner of Islander 71, stood beaming beside Event Coordinator Kasey Anders as they surveyed the lively scene of kids running across the turf and families soaking up the stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway. “It’s not every day you have the mayor making margaritas behind your own bar The crowd loved him tonight,” Bushnell laughed Anders agreed, adding, “We love hosting family-friendly events like this, and our space is perfect for it with so many levels, a stage for live music, and views you just can’t beat ”
Among the many volunteers who made the evening special was Rob Hauff, who co-led the event alongside LENS IOP Director Ted Kinghorn Hauff’s daughters even joined in, with his oldest spending hours face painting little ones, transforming them into butterflies, lions, pumpkins, and most fittingly firefighters. It was truly a family affair, with kids dancing on the turf and adults chatting over drinks as they overlooked the water
“The community took advantage of the beautiful fall evening to show their appreciation for the firefighters that serve us day in and day out here on the island We’d like to thank everyone who attended, the Islander 71 team for their (continued on page 4)
40th Anniversary Alan Fleming Tournament is Another Record Breaker
By Susan Courtney, Alan Fleming Tournament Committee
For Island Eye News
This year ’ s 40th annual Alan Fleming Open Clay Court Championship, held earlier this month, welcomed a recordbreaking 403 participants to Seabrook Island for an unforgettable weekend of high-level tennis competition. What began as a local senior tournament has evolved into a premier event with national and international significance, now recognized as both an International Tennis Federation (ITF) master point event and a USTA Level 1 and Level 3 sanctioned tournament Players traveled from 27 states, including Washington, D C , with five international competitors joining the ranks to compete in various singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories, with age brackets ranging from 30 to 80
On this special anniversary, Parker Fleming, son of the tournament’s namesake, shared well wishes on behalf of the Fleming family. "Our father Alan would be so thrilled at how the tournament at Seabrook has grown and flourished He loved the competition, but more importantly, he lived for the social side of tournaments and the opportunity to catch up with old friends. The tournament at Seabrook embodies Dad’s vision of having fun Our family is proud and happy to see Dad’s memory living on through the Alan Fleming tournament at Seabrook."
Laura Ferreira, director of racquet sports at Seabrook, expressed
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her delight with the event’s success and extended heartfelt thanks to the many stakeholders who contribute to its prominence
"The Seabrook community has been instrumental in elevating the tournament’s prestige. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, committee members, and the countless volunteers whose efforts ensure that players return year after year A special thank you to Kiawah for the use of their courts, which allowed us to accommodate this record number of participants."
A special congratulations to our Lowcountry neighbors who were victorious in their age divisions Mary Hagood and Matthew Hane won the coveted gold ball in the Level 1 40 mixed doubles, and Clay Claibourne and his partner took the bronze ball in the 70 mixed doubles Singles and doubles winners included Patrick Hieber (men’s 40 singles), Robert Adams (men’s 80 singles), Todd Hall (men’s 50 doubles), George Jarck (men’s 65 doubles), and Seabrook’s own Thomas Bunch, who partnered with Jeb Courtney from North Carolina to win the men ’ s 70 doubles title Charlotte Hartsock won the women ’ s 55 singles division Women’s doubles winners included Hannah Blatt and Ryan Reichel (women’s 30 doubles), and Suzie Peiffer with her partner from Georgia took the women ’ s 70-and-over title
The Alan Fleming tournament has long been associated with charitable efforts, and this year ’ s event was no exception Now organized under the newly formed SI Employee Assistance Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the tournament raised vital funds to support Seabrook Island employees, providing financial assistance to help them overcome barriers and achieve success The tournament owes its success to the generosity of its sponsors, with special thanks extended to this year ’ s top sponsors, the McDaniel Family Foundation (Legacy sponsor) and Seabrook Island Real Estate (Diamond sponsor)
Chaired by Mary Anne Rayfield and Debbie Pickens, the Alan Fleming Tournament committee takes pride in the tournament’s outstanding reputation among nationally ranked tennis players Participants continue to praise the beautiful Seabrook location and the gracious hospitality extended by the local community The Friday night poolside party, featuring great food and lively music, was once again a highlight of the event The tournament committee would like to extend a huge thank you to the more than 85 volunteers who provided support in the planning and execution of this year ’ s tournament
As the 40th-anniversary celebration concludes, plans are already underway for the 2025 Alan Fleming Tournament, set for next October. Stay tuned for more information.
continued support, and the firefighters who participated to make it a truly special evening,” Hauff said
When it was all said and done, the event raised much-needed funds for the LENS Foundation IOP and reinforced the power of community support In an era where good news sometimes feels hard to come by, it’s heartening to see such an outpouring of love and gratitude for those who run toward danger when the alarm bells ring.
All in all, it was an unforgettable night that left everyone looking forward to next year ’ s event Because if there’s one thing that will always shine bright in this community, it’s our unwavering appreciation for those who protect and serve Cheers to our Isle of Palms firefighters and police officers and to all who showed up to raise a glass and lift up our heroes
Left to right: Firefighter/backup driver Ty Glenn, firefighter/EMT Mike Miller, firefighter Braxton Comer
Women's 30 Doubles Winners - Hannah Blatt and Ryan Reichel and Finalists - Arden Reynolds and Laura Ferreira
Credit: Jeffrey J. Davis
Men's 70 Doubles Winners Thomas Bunch and Jeb Courtney Credit: Jeffrey J. Davis
HALO-WEEN Set to Dazzle Sullivan’s Island with Art, Music, and Halloween Spirit
By Carol Antman For Island Eye News
Back in the day, Sullivan’s Island Halloween parties were rather notorious People still talk about the memorable costumes, including a woman taking a shower (complete with running water!), two giant cockroaches, and, quite shockingly, Jesus on a giant cross On Oct 25, that creative energy will be rejuvenated at HALO-WEEN, an event by HALO (Holy City Arts and Lyric Opera) at Battery Gadsden. For the past few years, HALO has been featured at a neighborhood Halloween party hosted by Jane and Jeff Smith, but its popularity has outgrown their backyard HALO recently acquired its own space on the island through a new residency at Battery Gadsden HALO-WEEN is a way to showcase what they have in store for the venue
“It’s almost like an open house,” explains Leah Edwards, HALO’s general director and co-founder. Attendees can wander through the indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy vignettes, recitations, musical performances, and a short video showing the transformation of the battery for the memorable production of Into the Woods There will also be food and beverages, though people are welcome to bring their own
“This will be the real deal,” says Paul Horpedahl, HALO’s director of production. “The company is presenting professionalcaliber art on the island, and this is a chance to mingle with the artists ”
The event marks the beginning of a partnership between HALO and the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, with the vision of
using the arts to build community Ticket sales will benefit both organizations HALO is also raising donations and sponsorships to fund future productions at the venue. The idea has struck a chord with islanders, as evidenced by the number of people who recently volunteered to help clean up the space Many were impressed by HALO’s past performances in unconventional spaces, such as La Traviata at the Joe Baseball Stadium and Rigoletto on a basketball court, as well as over 100 concerts held in parking lots and backyards during the pandemic Another large-scale production, Sweeney Todd, will be presented at Battery Gadsden from March 12 to 15
The rich history of the island’s historic structures offers endless possibilities “Performing in the elements is so important for creativity, community, and inspiration. It’s the ultimate show of theatricality,” says Edwards As a nonprofit organization, HALO’s mission is to unite communities through innovative and inclusive artistic experiences. Fun is their strategy. Innovation is their strength Having them on the island is a cultural windfall The costumes, the music, the glamour this will be the party people keep talking about If You Go:
HALO-WEEN will be held on Oct. 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $50 each Advanced reservations and costumes are encouraged Location: Battery Gadsden, 1917 I’On Ave., Sullivan’s Island. Visit www.holycityarts.org for more information.
Battery Gadsden to Host 3rd Annual Members’ Dinner
By Mike Walsh with the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center
One of the most popular benefits of membership in Battery Gadsden Cultural Center (BGCC) has become the annual Lowcountry feast for its current members This year, on Saturday, Nov 2, BGCC members and their guests will gather on the grounds of Battery Gadsden to enjoy another evening of food and fellowship Once again, delicious fare will be provided by famed local caterer Jamie Westendorf. Pulled pork and Lowcountry boil are sure to be on the menu, along with other side dishes and desserts.
Last year, BGCC Vice President Adele Tobin noted, “It’s amazing You take a nice evening with good food and drink, then offer people the chance to get together with old friends and make new ones, and you have the perfect recipe for a good time. You don’t have to do anything fancy. This is what community is all about ”
“We continue to pursue our mission of preserving the island’s culture of both history and art in every way possible," said the group ’ s president, Mike Walsh “We plan to have another full schedule of
