Coastal Observer Sept. 21, 2023

COASTAL OBSERVER

Vol. XLII No. 15

Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ September 21, 2023

$1.00

Utility weighs costs and claims in ‘forever chemical’ suit

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

It will cost at least $28 million to remove contaminants known as “forever chemicals” from the drinking water provided by the Georgetown County Water and Sewer District.

The utility must decide in the next few months whether to seek that money from chemical companies through settlement agreements pending in Federal District Court in Charleston.

“That’s an estimate,” said Ray Gagnon, the utility’s executive director. “Just the capital, not the operating cost. That would be putting in the fil-

ters and everything else needed, not operating the filters, not getting rid of the waste from the filters.”

The data and litigaRay Gagnon tion around the chemicals known as PFAS is constantly evolving, he said. The EPA has proposed standards to limit per- and polyfluroalkyl substances in drinking water. At the same time, hundreds of lawsuits filed against 3M and

DuPont and two spin-off companies were consolidated in federal court and proposed settlement agreements are now pending.

The DuPont companies have agreed to pay up to $1.185 billion to resolve claims. The 3M settlement is $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion.

The district’s board met this week with attorneys from the Columbia firm Richardson Thomas in an hour-long closed session to hear a presentation on the settlement agreements.

Although the firm does not represent the district, Amy Hill, one of the attorneys, said the executive session was appropri-

ate to protect “potential attorney-client privilege.”

Gagnon said the firm was one of several who had contacted the district since the 3M settlement was approved by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel last month.

The board agreed to let Gagnon obtain legal advice on the settlement, but didn’t specify a firm.

Hearings are scheduled for December for the DuPont settlement and February for the 3M settlement. If they receive final approval, they will bar future claims from public water systems for PFAS contamination.

The systems can opt out of the agreement by filing a notice with the court. That would allow them to make future claims. But Gagnon pointed out that if the systems don’t opt out and don’t file claims “they get nothing.”

Under the broad terms of the settlement, the district would be eligible to file a claim.

It currently tests for PFAS, which has been linked to a range of health problems, but its results can’t be certified because the EPA hasn’t approved the test method, Gagnon said.

The state Department of Health and Environmental See “PFAS,” Page 2

LAND USE

Judge says zoning code doesn’t require update with comprehensive plan

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

Georgetown County Emergency Management

THE FRONT STREET FIRE | Ten years later

Along the city’s waterfront, a block still awaits rebuilding

Georgetown County is not required to change its zoning ordinance to mirror its comprehensive plan, a Circuit Court judge said in a ruling this week.

Judge Kristi Curtis last month dismissed a suit by neighbors and citizens groups seeking to overturn County Council’s approval of a 12-unit development on Petigru Drive in Pawleys Island. It was the third suit over land use issues brought by Keep It Green Advocacy to be dismissed.

This week, Curtis filed her formal order. It is similar to an

order issued in July by Judge Ben Culbertson in a suit that also focused on site plan review for multi-family developments.

Both judges asked the assistant county attorney, Tommy Morgan, to draft proposed orders.

The suits argued in part, that the county was wrong to approve the “high density” projects on property that is shown on the future land use maps in the comprehensive plan as “medium density.” In dismissing the suits, both judges said the comprehensive plan is “a guide” not “a legally binding standard.”

Curtis said in her order “it See “Judge,” Page 4

Discussion of land plan revisions includes talk about incorporation

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

Ten years after fire destroyed eight buildings in downtown Georgetown and left many wondering if the city would ever recover, the empty space in the 700 block of Front Street is now a park that has hosted everything from weddings to ice skating.

The Maritime Park was the brainchild of the board of the S.C. MariInside time Museum, which The day suffered Georgetown some smoke burned. damage and Second charring in Front the fire, but escaped relatively unscathed.

The museum leases the six middle lots and subleases the site for events. The rent is based on property taxes and insurance.

“The taxes have been steadily going up,” said Johnny Weaver, president of the museum’s board.

The museum started with a five-year lease, thinking they would then go monthto-month. “We put the concrete down and fixed the deck,” Weaver said.

The museum doesn’t expect the park to be there for another 10 years.

Steve Timmons, a real estate investor from Greenville See “Front Street,” Page 12

Tanya Ackerman (above) and Chris Sokoloski (below)/Coastal Observer

The pre-dawn fire, top, burns along the 700 block of Front Street. Above, the block as it appeared before the fire. Below, the view from the Harborwalk across the still-vacant lots and the Maritime Park.

The citizen group Keep It Green is encouraging people to continue to submit comments to the consultants drafting an update to Georgetown County’s land use plan. But people who attended the group’s land use forum over the weekend aren’t convinced their ideas will make a difference even if the consultants adopt them.

County Council Member Bob Anderson said there will be a time line for each of the land plan’s goals and objectives.

“We have not followed the plans,” Anderson said. “That time line will force council to make a decision.”

But he admitted that he has

Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

Some found the input sessions too simplistic. been on the losing end of votes on land use issues taken by the seven-member council.

“There has to be a better way,” said Steve Magyera, a See “Judge,” Page 4

EDUCATION

Waccamaw Middle finds strategy to raise scores on reading tests

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

During the last school year, Waccamaw Middle School students were tested quarterly on their writing skills to prepare them for state testing.

That strategy worked as 90 percent of eighth-graders and 71 percent of seventh-graders met or exceeded expectations in the English/language arts (ELA) portion of the state’s standardized tests, known as

SC READY. “We are so, so proud. This is a testament to the high caliber teachers that we have and our faculty as a whole in supporting each other,” principal Ginny Haynes said. “Our entire school took on a plan and really worked collaboratively and it really did prove to be successful.”

In the Georgetown County School District, 43 percent of seventh- and eighth-graders See “Tests,” Page 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Education: Harriett Tubman sculpture is springboard for history lessons.

Page 8

Election 2023: Deadline nears to register for municipal voting.

Page 7

Obituaries .................................. 2 Crime........................................... 5 Opinion.......................................6 Crossword................................. 10 Classifieds..................................11 Sports........................................ 14 Online coastalobserver.com WHS football: Warriors end sixyear drought against Andrews.

Page 16

2

COASTAL OBSERVER

Thursday, September 21, 2023

OBITUARIES

Cindy K. Jolliff, 69, funeral home worker was active in church Robert W. Farmer, 96, Cindy Kay Jolliff, 69, of at Low for sharing God’s love, her rick A. Walker, died before held three patents for bearings Myrtle Beach died unexCountry bright smile and infec- her.

Robert W. Farmer of Pawleys Island died Sept.

14 at Waccamaw Community Hospital. He was 96.

He was born Feb. 14, 1927, in Newark, N.J., the son of J. Farmer and Hazel Taylor Farmer. He served in the Navy during World War II. He went on to become the chief engineer for the Orange Roller Bearing Co. and the Beriless Bearing Co. in New Jersey for 45 years. He held three patents in the bearing industry.

Mr. Farmer was a dance caller for over 50 years with the Farmer Boys Band.

After retirement, he became a volunteer for Patient Care Ambulance Service and for the DAV and VA, transporting cancer patients for treatment.

He also volunteered with Neighbor to Neighbor in Pawleys Island. He donated more than 16 gallons of blood in his lifetime.

He loved traveling with his wife throughout the U.S. and Europe and spending time with family

and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Farmer; his daughter, Diane Matthews (Jerry) of Murrells Inlet; his stepdaughter, Shelley Baughman (Dale) of Conway; three grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.

His first wife, Dorothy Cisko Farmer, died before him as did another daughter, Linda Farmer Johnson, and his brother, Jack Farmer.

Mr. Farmer was a member of Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church, where a celebration of his life will be held. Service times will be announced once arrangements are finalized.

Memorials may be made to Tidelands Community Hospice, 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440 or to the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.

pectedly on Sept. 11. She was 69.

She was born Nov. 12, 1953, in Huntington, W.Va., the daughter of William J. Walker and Janice Marie Crouch Walker.

Mrs. Jolliff was remembered for her passion for giving back to the community that was shown daily in her work. Over the last nine years, she called the Burroughs Funeral Home family her own. In her free time, she worked

Thomas Michael Molnar of Hopkinton, N.H., and Pawleys Plantation died Aug. 31. He was 81.

He was born Nov. 3, 1941, in Morristown, N.J., the son of Anne and Emil Molnar.

He graduated from Morristown High School and Fordham University. He then began a 40year career as a pharmacist at Molnar Pharmacy, which his father started in the 1940s. Tom became the proprietor in the 1970s and retired in 2004.

He was married to the former Mary Sue Howe. In 1971. they moved to Mor-

caring nature.

In addition to her husband, Richard Wayne Freed, she is survived by her son, Richard Allen Freed; her grandchildren, Christopher Richard Freed and Emily Clare Freed; and her daughter in-law, Clare Sullivan Freed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Amedisys Foundation, 3845 American Way, Suite D, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 or St. Peters Lutheran Church, 65 Crooked Oak Dr., Pawleys Island, SC 29585.

Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.

From Front Page Control has a test site on the Waccamaw River in Horry County. It shows levels of PFAS “well over the limit” proposed by the EPA, Gagnon said.

The district treats surface water from the river to supply over 18,000 customers on the Waccamaw Neck.

The chemicals are measured in parts per trillion, which is equal to one second in 31,000 years.

While the number is small, PFAS have been around since the 1940s and is used in a range of products such as non-stick cookware and fire-suppressing foam, which was the focus of the lawsuits. It doesn’t break down and it “bioaccumulates” in plants and animals.

There is currently one lab in Florida that can do the tests, but Gagnon said there are thousands of water systems.

“We can test, but we can’t certify the results.

It’s ridiculous because DHEC is saying we need you to put these results on our monthly operating report, but you have to certify your monthly operating report,” Gagnon said. “Our association attorneys say don’t do that.”

Gagnon, who plans to retire early next year, met with the attorneys from Richardson Thomas last week. He said the firm has

Germany.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons, Warren Henke and Cameron Henke of Denver, Colo.; her sister, Karen Hill (Barry) of Kaslo, B.C.; her grandsons, Alexander Kost of Denver and Matthew Kost of Atlanta; and numerous extended family members.

Her daughter, Linda Kost, died before her.

Funeral and memorial services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown County or a charity of your choice.

TIDES AT THE BEACH High a.m.

ht.

Sept. 21 Sept. 22 12:51 4.2 Sept. 23 1:56 4.3 Sept. 24 3:02 4.4 Sept. 25 4:09 4.8 Sept. 26 5:12 5.3 Sept. 27 6:09 5.8 Sept. 28 7:03 6.3

Low

p.m.

12:45 1:46 2:48 3:49 4:49 5:45 6:38 7:30

ht.

5.2 5.3 5.6 5.9 6.2 6.5 6.6 6.6

a.m.

6:01 6:54 7:57 9:10 10:24 11:28 12:11 12:59

p.m.

6:55 7:58 9:11 10:22 11:21 12:26 1:22

Tides at Pawleys Pier. Eastern Daylight Time. Heights in feet. For Murrells Inlet at Parsonage Creek: Add 2 min. to high, add 39 min. to low. For Waccamaw River at Hagley: Add 1:35 to high, add 1:31 to low.

COASTAL OBSERVER

Mailing Address PO Box 1170 Pawleys Island, SC 29585

A celebration of he life will be held Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. at Low Country Community Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Low Country Community Church/Kenya Kids, 4430 Murrells Inlet Rd., Murrells Inlet SC 29576.

Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.

ris Plains, where they raised their two sons and made many lifelong friends with whom they played tennis, ping pong, cards or just enjoyed talking on quiet summer evenings.

They moved to Morris Township in 1986 where Mr. Molnar had a chance to garden and developed a passion for growing roses.

Mr. Molnar took up golf after retiring to Pawleys Island. He received support from friends in the community and at

church during his eightyear struggle with pulmonary fibrosis and a lung transplant nearly six years ago.

He was happiest around people, his family said, and even when his health was failing his eyes would light up whenever he entered a room full of people.

He is survived by his children, Tim Molnar (Teri) of Mendham, N.J., and Dennis Molnar (Dr. Beth Mayland) of Hopkinton; seven grandchildren; his brothers, Joseph Molnar of Morristown and Richard Molnar of Santa

Fe; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Molnar died in 2021. His sister, Anne Marie Molnar, also died before him.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Abbey on the campus of Delbarton School in Morristown at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 30.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Slusser Center, 330 Main St., Hopkinton, NH 03229 or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/ PFFTribute/ThomasMolnar).

PFAS | Water district weighs settlement options

Marlene J. Henke, 81, avid curler became golf champ Marlene Joyce Henke of Heritage Plantation died Aug. 29 at MacLeod Loris Hospital with her husband by her side. She was 81.

She was born March 5, 1942 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of Robert and Ann Schneck. She received all her education in public schools in that city.

Marlene was married for 64 years to Irvine Henke, who was employed in the banking industry for 39 years. That career took them to 12 locations from Western Canada to Montreal, Toronto, New York and Chicago. Throughout these many moves she became an expert at managing the various issues involved in resettling to houses in unfamiliar locations, then furnishing and decorating those homes while getting the children through schools in two countries.

Mrs. Henke frequently said she always loved being a mom. She was a great cook and always cared about family and friends.

In her early years, she was involved in various music activities and became a good pianist. She enjoyed ice skating and in the middle years became an avid curler. Upon retirement to South Carolina she learned to play golf and became proficient enough to win her club championship several times. She made a holein-one three times.

She enjoyed many travels with her husband.

Her all-time favorite was probably Salzburg, Austria, a highlight of a trip to

tious laugh.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, David Jolliff of Myrtle Beach; her children, Kari Collins (Chris) of Murrells Inlet and Dave Jolliff (Jess) of Surfside Beach; her grandchildren, C.J. Collins, Stella Jolliff and Luke Jolliff and Mackenzie and Shayla Collins; her dog, Oreo; and a large extended family.

In addition to her parents, two brothers, William E. Walker and Fred-

Thomas M. Molnar, 81, pharmacist for four decades

Agnes J. Freed, 91, former federal employee Agnes Janette Freed of Heritage Plantation died Sept. 11. She was 91.

She was born May 27, 1932. She met her future husband, Dick Freed, on the sidewalk going to school in Washington, D.C. They were married for 72 years living in Springfield, Va., St. Petersburg, Fla., and Columbia and Rockville, Md., before retiring to Pawleys Island.

Mrs. Freed was a career civil servant who worked for the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Mrs. Freed was remembered for her smile, her perseverance and her

Community Church in many capacities.

Her love for helping and sharing the word of God led her on a journey to Kenya, where God decided to call her home.

Cindy was a one-of a kind person and will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing her. She will forever be remembered for her passion

Office Address 97 Commerce Drive Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Coastal Observer (ISSN 8750-3425) is published every Thursday by Southeastern Publishing Co. Inc. at PO Box 1170, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Periodical postage is paid at Pawleys Island, SC. Postmaster: Send Change of Address forms to Coastal Observer, PO Box 1170, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.

Subscription Rates: Annual mail subscriptions are $52. Foreign rates available on request.

Office hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For news and advertising, phone 843-237-8438. The e-mail address is editor@coastalobserver.com.

experience in utility litigation and will help develop better estimates of the costs that the district faces in treating PFAS. “I haven’t had a chance to get our engineers on this to find out what it’s

going to cost to put in four additional filters, plus redo our water plant,” Gagnon said.

Under the proposed agreement, water systems can’t claim that any future rate increases are due to

3M’s manufacture or handling of PFAS, but only the general need to treat for the chemicals. Gagnon said the original proposal said systems couldn’t raise rates. “I thought that was amazing,” he said.

The Difference is in the Details

FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES F Inflation Proof Preneed & Preneed Transfers • Guaranteed Affordable Pricing Inflation Pr Spacious Chapel • Onsite Crematory Direct Cremation • Full Traditional Services

Serving SC and NC

3558 Old Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet • 843.651.1440 • www.burroughsfh.com

PET CREMATION SERVICES OF THE GRAND STRAND Giving the Pets You Love the Aftercare They Deserve • Family owned and operated • We offer house, vet & office calls Memorials, keepsakes & jewelry available 843.357.8113 • www.grandstrandpetcremation.com

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

BUYING EVENT September 26th - September 28th

11096 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 | 10AM - 5PM Tuesday - Thursday For directions please call: 843.237.8080 Call buyer for item related questions: 888.787.1112 No appointment necessary.

Immediate Payment!

National Rarities will match any competitor’s offer*

Receive 20% Bonus when traded for store credit***

We Buy Gold, Silver, Diamonds & More!

Fine Jewelry

Coins & Currency

Scrap Gold & Silver

Diamonds

Watches**

Rarities

Fine Art & Luxury Goods

Sterling Silver

Sell Your Mementos. Keep the Memories! ☐ Any Age & Any Style ☐ Gold, Silver & Platinum Jewelry Fine Jewelry ☐ Broken or Damaged Jewelry ☐ Designer Jewelry

Diamonds

☐ Loose & Mounted ☐ Damaged ☐ Any Size, Color, Styles

Coins & Currency

☐ Gold & Silver Coins ☐ Bullion & Bars ☐ Old Paper Money ☐ Coin Collections

Scrap Gold & Silver

☐ Gold, Silver & Platinum ☐ Dental Gold ☐ Old Mountings ☐ Class Rings & Fraternal Pins

Fine Art & ☐ Original Art By Known Artists Luxury Goods ☐ Designer Handbags (Chanel, Fendi, We Do Not Buy Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, etc.)

China or Glassware. ☐ Pens (Montblanc, Montegrappa, etc.)

Sterling Silver No Need to Polish.

No Silver Plate.

☐ Flatware & Serving Pieces ☐ Jewelry (Turquoise, Southwestern, etc.) ☐ Candlesticks & Candelabras

☐ Military Memorabilia (Uniforms, Daggers, Rarities

Swords, etc.)

☐ Pre-1950 Advertising & Toys ☐ Pipes (Ashton, Dunhill, Savinelli, etc.) ☐ Old Photos & Autographs (Tintypes, etc.) ☐ Wrist Watches & Pocket Watches

Watches

(Rolex**, Breitling, Patek, Omega, Elgin, Waltham, Illinois, Hamilton, etc.) ☐ Any Condition

Call (888) 787-1112 for item related questions or visit NationalRarities.com for more information

With Over 300 5-Star Reviews - Gloria M. Both gentlemen were professional and friendly with great customer skills!

We were treated fairly and are very pleased with the results! Thank you!

*National Rarities will provide a free evaluation, but is not obligated to purchase your items. Offer must be in writing and current. **We are not an authorized Rolex dealer nor are we affiliated or endorsed by Rolex, Rolex USA, or any of its subsidiaries.***Exclusions apply. *

3

4

COASTAL OBSERVER

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Tests | School finds a winning strategy From Front Page met or exceeded expectations in ELA. At Waccamaw Middle, 50 percent of seventhand eighth-graders met or exceeded expectations in math, more than double the percentage of their peers in the district.

Haynes and her staff are now looking to translate the excellent ELA scores into better math scores.

“Word problems and computation go hand in hand,” she said. “They have to understand what the question is asking.

They have to understand what the math vocabulary is asking.” n ELA numbers at Waccamaw Middle have continued to climb since 2020. The math numbers have increased, but are still below their pre-pandemic levels.

“Reaching something is awesome but it’s also about staying there,” Haynes said. “We have to make sure that we’re maintaining the high expectations that we have all of our students but also addressing the rigor now.

We were able to identify the steps that we needed to address the gap, the deficit and that growth.”

The percentage of district students who at least met expectations on the math test declined by grade level, from 45 percent of third-graders to 20 percent of eighth-graders.

School Board Member Scott DuBose believes the district’s poor numbers in math are directly related to students’ struggles with reading at all levels.

“I still believe a lot of it is: the higher up they go, the more complicated a problem gets and the more you have to rely on critical thinking and read-

ing,” DuBose said. “These kids can’t read. They’re not skilled enough in reading to really understand the problem. Nothing else can explain these results.”

He called the Waccamaw Middle math numbers “shocking.”

Travis Klatka, principal at Waccamaw Intermediate, was also pleased with his students’ results.

In ELA, 77 percent of fourth-graders, 65 percent of fifth-graders and 70 percent of sixth-graders met or exceeded expectations.

In math, 87 percent of fourth-graders, 86 percent of fifth-graders and 60 percent of sixth-graders at least met expectations.

“Our students did an amazing job and of course our teachers did an amazing job preparing them,” Klatka said. “The teachers looked at the data from the previous year and they had goals in mind and they were doing whatever they could to help our students achieve academic success.”

The fourth-grade ELA scores were the highest since 2016 and the math scores were at or above pre-pandemic numbers.

“Everyone talks about how we kind of fell behind with COVID,” Klatka said.

“I think with the things we’ve got in place here, our students are doing the same, if not better, than they were pre-COVID.” Even with the high scores, Klatka said there is always work to do.

“We want to have a big focus on math this year because they weren’t as high as our ELA scores,” he said. “That’s the district and statewide. I think math is a challenge across the board anywhere you go.”

Land use | Talk turns to incorporation From Front Page Heritage Plantation resident. “Is there something more radical?”

What about forming a new local government, he asked.

Andy Hallock, a River Club resident, said he is part of a group looking at that option. “The problem has been too many 4-3 votes,” he said of County Council’s decisions.

Hallock has been following efforts to form a town in the Carolina Forest community in Horry County.

“We don’t know if anything’s going to happen here,” he said. “We’re just doing some research.”

The last time incorporation was tried on Waccamaw Neck was in 1999.

A vote was scheduled for the first week in October to form a town between North Litchfield and Hagley Estates. Two weeks before the 5,300 registered voters were due to go to the polls, a Federal District Court judge in Charleston ruled that the state’s incorporation statute was unconstitutional.

By the time the legislature amended the law the following spring, the group that led the incorporation drive, the Waccamaw Neck Civic Association, had moved on to other issues.

“Incorporation is something I’ve heard bantered about,” said Cindy Person, chief counsel of Keep It Green Advocacy, which represents the plaintiffs in four lawsuits over the county’s land use decisions. It isn’t something Keep It Green, which is among those plaintiffs, is pursuing.

Hallock said he isn’t part of Keep It Green.

The incorporation pro-

cess is based on a state law adopted in 2005. It begins with a petition to the S.C. secretary of state by 15 percent of the registered voters in the proposed municipality. It also requires a feasibility study that must be approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on Municipal Incorporation.

“That would take quite a bit of time and also some expertise,” Hallock said.

Doug Jambard-Sweet, a Hagley resident, questioned how land use decisions would be different in a municipality since it’s likely its council members would disagree on those issues just as they do now at the county level.

“I don’t see how incorporating would change that,” he said.

Jambard-Sweet suggested the group look for ways to build ties between the Waccamaw Neck and other parts of the county, noting that affordable housing is an issue countywide.

“We’re always interested in doing that,” said Duane Draper, who chairs Keep It Green. He added that the group has already started work on affordable housing.

Only about a dozen people raised their hands when Draper asked who had attended one of the input sessions held by consultants from the Boudreaux Group earlier this month.

“I wasn’t sure what the value of the Post-it stickers and the dots was,” said Ken Volk, a Pawleys Island resident, referring to exercises that collected information from participants.

“It was like a third-grade exercise.”

“The exercise seemed a little soft,” said Beverly

THE SALVATION ARMY Truck Pick-Up The Salvation Army will pick up furniture, appliances or any other items you wish to donate.

Call for free truck pick-up 843-546-4632

BILLB JAGGER A ROKER

SSOCIATE

Bill@JWSRE.com 843-240-1284

H&R Block tax pros do more than crunch numbers. They impact clients and communities.

Accredited Buyers Agent Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

See for yourself at

Representing area real estate buyers & sellers since 1998

13336 OCEAN HWY PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC 29585

hrblock.com/team Enroll using referral code 38900, Serving Horry and Georgetown Counties since 1969. | For more information call 843-360-4159

We’ve Got The Money, Honey If You’ve Got The Time...

In the Island Shops (843) 237-5193 10659 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island www.lowcountryjewelers.com

Local News. Served fresh. Never canned.

COASTAL OBSERVER

Sullivan, a member of the Keep It Green board. But she said that she also attended one of the six focus group sessions convened

by Boudreaux.

“I want to believe this consulting group is listen-

ing to us,” Sullivan said.

“I’m going to remain optimistic here.” n To comment on the land use plan update, send an email to landuse@gtcounty.org.

Ruling | Judge says issue is politics, not law From Front Page follows that there is no mandate or requirement for the County to amend its zoning ordinances and land use regulations so that they imitate the terms of the Comprehensive Plan.”

In a July hearing, Patrick Hubbard, a USC law professor who is working with Keep It Green Advocacy, argued that the zoning has to comply with the comprehensive plan,” but said it was too early in the proceedings to fully argue that point.

“Plaintiffs are asking this Court to strictly apply the terms of the Comprehensive Plan to the County’s land use decisions.

This is much too narrow a reading of the Planning Act,” Curtis said in her order.

The suit also challenged the process that the county followed, with a hearing and recommendation by the Planning Commission and final approval from County Council. It argued the decision should have rested with the commission, which voted to deny approval.

Curtis found the county’s procedure was valid, although the county last month turned over the site

plan review for multi-family projects to staff. Only projects where zoning changes are required will go to the commission and the council.

Like an order by Judge William Seals dismissing a challenge to the rezoning of a tech park for a townhouse development, also drafted by Morgan at the judge’s request, Curtis cited precedents that limit the ability of the courts to invalidate ordinances.

“Plaintiffs clearly disagree with the land use decisions made by County Council, but these disagreements are rooted in politics, not the law,” Curtis said in her order.

Keep It Green Advocacy has appealed Seals’ ruling. It asked Culbertson to amend his ruling, which is still pending.

“We haven’t lost those cases,” Cindy Person, chief counsel for Keep It Green Advocacy said at a forum over the weekend.

“We are not going to let this go.”

In addition to Hubbard, the group has help from Ross Appel, a lawyer who also serves on Charleston City Council.

Another attorney will be announced in the coming weeks, Person said.

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

Litter arrest follows when coupons hit patrol car A Murrells Inlet man was arrested for littering when he threw a bundle of coupon books that hit a patrol car, according to the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.

The man, 23, admitted that he threw the of Monster Coupon books through the sunroof of an SUV in which he was a passenger. They hit the hood and the windshield of the patrol car headed north on Old Kings Highway around 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 5.

After the SUV was stopped, the driver, 23, of Myrtle Beach, pointed at the inlet man. “It was him,” he said.

The inlet man said he was sorry.

Deputies found six coupon books. They arrested the inlet man for littering.

The driver was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

Other incidents reported to the sheriff’s office recently include: Sept. 17 8:51 p.m. | A Conway boy, 13, said a man in the stall next to him in the men’s bathroom at Wahoo’s Fish House reached over the dividing wall to photograph him with a phone. Security video showed a Georgetown man, 18, who works at the restaurant, leave the bathroom shortly after the boy entered.

The man said he put his hand on the divider to pull himself up.

He showed a deputy his phone to confirm that there were no images of anyone in the bathroom.

No charges were filed.

Sept. 16 8:20 a.m. | A Murrells Inlet man who said he was chased from Horry County by members of the Hell’s Angels lost his

9 mm pistol when he hid under the beach walkway at a Garden City house.

The man told a deputy that he reported the chase to Horry County Police and was told to hide.

The deputy went to the walkway with the man and found the gun, holster, ammunition and a ball cap. He held the items as evidence until the man could provide proof of ownership.

Sept. 15 3:34 a.m. | A clerk at the Circle K convenience store in Litchfield thinks a woman who attacked him and stole an alcohol drink earlier is responsible for the scratch marks he found on his car.

The man told a deputy that he called law enforcement, but didn’t press charges against the woman, who left in a vehicle with North Carolina tags.

1:43 p.m. | A Georgetown woman was cited for simple possession after 1.2 grams of marijuana was found in her purse during a traffic stop on Highway 17 near DeBordieu.

Her car, which was going 66 in the 60-mph zone, smelled of marijuana. She told a deputy there was none in the car, but the deputy saw flakes on the floorboard.

A search discovered the bag in her purse.

Sept. 12 12:58 p.m. | A Murrells Inlet woman returned home from a doctor’s appointment to find cash and prescription pain medicine missing.

She told a deputy that she suspects a neighbor is responsible.

She said she had caught the man looking through her windows in the past. Around 5:30 a.m. he asked her for a ride. A neighbor said the man was walking back and forth

in front of the woman’s house after she left.

The deputy said there was no sign of forced entry although the woman said she had locked the doors.

Sept. 14 9:21 a.m. | A Pawleys Island area man reported two 9 mm pistols and $500 worth of jewelry missing from his house. He told a deputy that there were four people staying with him, but none knew where the key to the locked dresser or the jewelry box were hidden.

Sept. 11 2:05 a.m. | The sound of an engine revving led a deputy to a black Jeep traveling north on Bypass 17 at 70 mph in the 45mph zone. When the Jeep got to the traffic light at Wachesaw Road, it slowed down and revved its engine again.

The deputy turned on his blue light. The Jeep continued north, cut over to Business 17 and headed north again. It turned onto Carson Avenue and hit a utility pole. The driver got out and ran into the woods.

A second deputy caught the man and handcuffed him. Deputies found open containers of

beer in the Jeep.

The man was checked by emergency medical workers and at the hospital on the way to jail. He was charged with failure to stop for a blue light and cited for speeding, traffic violations and an open container violation.

5:01 p.m. | Someone stole two hammers from a locked closet in a house under construction in Murrells Inlet and used them to break a mirror, the glass on an oven door and a kitchen faucet. The owner told a deputy that the house had not been locked.

6:18 p.m. | Two men in a Cadillac SUV that was towing a trailer full of trash emptied it into a dumpster behind the Litchfield Restaurant. The owner said he would give a deputy video of the incident to help identify the men.

Sept. 10 5 p.m. | A Murrells Inlet man and his girlfriend arrived home to find a man walking away from their house wearing two of the girlfriend’s bracelets.

The man, 37, also of Murrells Inlet, told the couple that he got the houses mixed up and went

inside to take a nap. The doors were unlocked.

The man was detained until a deputy arrived.

The deputy said the bed was unmade and there was dirt on the sheets.

There was also a cigarette on the living room floor.

The man was arrested for second degree burglary. He was later charged with possession of cocaine, according to the sheriff’s office.

5:43 p.m. | A BB gun was reported missing from a Murrells Inlet man’s pickup truck after he left it on the Bike the Neck path in Huntington Beach State Park.

The truck was found on the path the day before, about a quarter mile north of Trace Drive. The man, 39, was found walking on Business 17. He couldn’t explain why he drove on the path and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

He later said the BB gun was missing from the back seat. Deputies said they hadn’t seen the gun or anyone on the path near the truck.

Sept. 7 2:43 p.m. | A Murrells Inlet man said nearly $150,000 worth of jewelry that his wife was wearing when she was taken to the emergency room at Wac-

camaw Community Hospital in August was missing. The man said his wife had died in Horry County and was confirmed dead at the hospital.

A member of the hospital staff said the woman’s personal effects had been sent to the coroner’s office in Horry County.

Sept. 5 7:06 p.m. | A Pawleys Island woman received 35 phone calls from her exhusband in 90 minutes in addition to numerous text messages. One call came while the woman was speaking with a deputy about the harassment.

The woman said the man, who lives in the Pawleys area, is allowed to visit their daughter, but is first required to pass a blood-alcohol test, which he didn’t do before his last visit. She said a court order bars the man from contacting her after 7 p.m.

The deputy spoke with the man, who said he was just concerned about his daughter. The deputy told him he needed to go through Family Court if he had concerns and not contact the woman.

The woman later said the man continued to call and text her after the deputy left. She didn’t want to press charges, but wanted the incident documented.

Carolina Custom Firearms

(843) 237-8885 Email: info@hamiltonelectricplumbing.com

• Gun Range • Gun Sales • Concealed Carry Classes • Gun Safety Classes for Beginners

9881 Ocean Hwy - Pawleys Island

843-314-0155

21 Shops, 2 Restaurants and Unlimited Family Fun!

Family Day

Sunday, September 24th 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Farmer’s Market • Bouncy Castle Face Painters

10880 Ocean Hwy. • Pawleys Island, SC 29585 www.hammockshopsvillage.com Shop Hours Mon-Sat: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

5

Opinion

Thursday September 21, 2023

Pawleys Island South Carolina

A better solution Plan gives county the change to rebuild trust for storage facilities T Land use

he consistent public outcry over the boom in self-storage facilities along the Waccamaw Neck led the county’s planning staff to propose stricter controls over the appearance of these developments. Members of Georgetown County Council want to go a step further and ban self-storage from the Highway 17 corridor on the Waccamaw Neck.

That would be a mistake.

The proposed restrictions on size, layout and design will address most of the concerns.

Some people would prefer that commercial property have a more active use, but for those who prefer low intensity use, it’s hard to beat a storage unit. It doesn’t generate much traffic and it doesn’t place a demand on public service. It’s an ideal neighbor unless, of course, it looks like a storage unit.

If council members want to improve on the staff recommendation, they should add a provision that requires a decommissioning plan – along with financial guarantees – so that when the boom in self-storage becomes a glut on the market, the community isn’t left with empty boxes.

There is legitimate concern that a ban in the highway corridor will end up pushing storage facilities onto commercial tracts closer to residential neighborhoods where the restrictions won’t apply. The council should also make sure the proposed restrictions apply across all commercial property. That will have an impact outside the Waccamaw Neck, but what of it? Are the county’s gateway routes any less worthy of good aesthetics?

Congress

To the editor: It is no surprise recent community forums once again confirmed natural resources a top priority.

The unique ecosystems of the coastal zone support our local economy, our fishery and quality of life.

We must all be mindful of the wise use of and protection of the irreplaceable ecosystems within the coastal zone and their significance to the region.

The county must not continue to ignore its responsibility for wise planning.

The updated natural resource element of the comprehensive plan

aimed to do exactly that after months of community input. County Council stripping and deferring the natural resource element unanimously approved by the Planning Commission shows a failure in leadership to consider the voice of the people who appreciate the resources in our community.

The current land use element makes clear the desire to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods and natural resources, yet Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet has become a storage building

alley and newer buildings do not align with overlay zone guidelines.

Today, Pawleys Island has the same misplaced gateway and these missteps have forever changed the character of the Waccamaw Neck and diminished property values and our sense of place.

Except for councilors Anderson and Carolina, other members of council don’t seem to recognize citizens’ needs or the urgent need to use existing plans to guide development. This is a major shortcoming in Georgetown County.

Ignoring public input on the natural resource element and the outcry on the responsibilities to update zoning to align with the current plan needs immediate attention by the Planning Commission to rebuild the public trust in the planning process and give the public confidence in the commission, staff and County Council will act in accordance with state law, local ordinances and local needs and priorities.

Sandra Bundy Murrells Inlet The writer is a former Planning Commission member.

Growth or amenities? You can’t have both

To the editor: ing its very best to intro- ing something here?

You can keep the characSometimes I am struck duce high density housing As it stands right now ter of your neighborhood by the lack of understand- onto the Waccamaw Neck. Georgetown County can- minus sidewalks, minus ing surrounding high den- And they want to start by not even afford to take affordable housing, misity housing. We can all building on two lots – one care of the current needs nus bike lanes. Or you agree that it would be de- on Parkersville and one on of the community. High can change your neighlightful to live in a spa- Petigru Drive – which is interest rates, inflation, borhood so much so that cious community replete the heart of the Parkers- no jobs in the private sec- you won’t even be able with such amenities as ville community. The only tor, all have taken their to recognize it five years single-family housing, thing slowing their pro- toll. There is very little from now. But you’ll have sidewalks and “affordable gression is Keep It Green “disposable” income lying your sidewalks. And mayhousing.” While we’re at it keeping them in court for around just waiting to be be even one tiny, little one let’s add bike lanes to our the foreseeable future. put into use building side- bedroom apartment rentwish list too. Parkersville I attended a Keep It walks. Or bike lanes. Or af- ing out for $10 below marRoad, where I live, does Green public input meet- fordable housing. ket value. But you still not have sidewalks. There ing on Saturday. ResiSo where do the peo- won’t get your bike lane are no bike lanes. Well, ex- dents got an opportuni- ple suggesting these “im- fixed. Sorry. You can’t cept for one tiny stretch ty to voice their concerns provements” think the have it all. on Waverly Road from and ask questions. I don’t money will come from?

Some people do not St. Christopher’s Place to think it’s such a great Oh, I have an idea. How seem to understand this.

Highway 17. The last time stretch of the imagination about allowing in high Because if they did they I rode my bike on it there to say that most, if not density housing? That would stop asking for riwere pot holes galore. all, of the people in atten- way tax revenue can pay diculous amenities. They The Parkersville com- dance were likely opposed for some of it. would realize they’re betmunity, as most of you to high density housing on But wait a second. ter off not expecting anyreading this may already the Waccamaw Neck. And Didn’t you just tell me you thing from so-called electknow, is currently fight- yet there were a couple of don’t want high density ed officials. Be careful tion through the media, ing for its life to keep remarks about the need housing in your neighbor- what you wish for. social media and Con- its historic roots alive. for affordable housing and hood? Well which is it? BeAnne Zavacky gress by raising your voice Georgetown County is do- for sidewalks. Am I miss- cause you can’t have both.

Pawleys Island is just as powerful as any weapon you use against an enemy.

The working world I am simply asking for the retired military in our area to use their voice to rescue the American people who are being held By Tom Poland ing philosophy and art apprecia- 2005. “We both work on decoys,” hostage and whose lives tion only to find themselves help- said Roy. “I do the rough cut and are in danger.

Folks say the future belongs to less when their sink clogs.

Jerry does the art.”

I would also ask the ed- “Knowledge Workers.” A so-called Imagine a world without basket It took six months to make their itor of the Coastal Observ- knowledge worker is someone who weavers, potters, wrought iron gate first decoy. Tupelo gum is the preer to please print at least a manages information within a spe- makers, artists, photographers and ferred wood although Jerry said representation of the re- cific subject area. I suppose I’m people who build fine musical in- they’ve carved some from cedar. sponses and/or possibly a knowledge worker. I’m more at struments. People who make col- Roy passed I heard and that sadfollowing up with the re- home with a keyboard than I am lectible brooms, decoys and fused dened me. I sure hope Jerry is solspondents. a saw or drill, but I’m not unique. glass art. People who find joy and diering on.

Kathleen Cox Work, today, for many, comes down beauty in the work of hands, though I envy artisans, craftsmen, and Pawleys Plantation to pressing plastic keys. it can be mighty hard work. Their tradesmen. They do real work. I I never picked up too many day often runs from dawn to dusk. wish I could build furniture, repair handyman skills. And so I envy For some artisans, the tradition things and keep things shipshape. those who work with their hands. was passed down to them. Life be- I’m just not cut out for it, but thank More to the point, I admire people queathed them a calling. Not all goodness others are. who maintain our cars, repair leaks prosper, but one true joy in life is So here’s something to think and build cabinets. They hold the loving what you do. If you love your about. What if your son or daughter world together. work, it’s not work. announces that going to college and Office workers use tools like As a boy I used to cross the Au- sitting at a desk is not an option, that and he graciously accept- PowerPoint, Excel and Microsoft gusta Highway and go up to the they’d rather make fine furniture or ed the challenge of prop- Word. A landscaper can use those grove of oaks shading Cap Dunn’s landscape yards? All I can say is this: erly and respectfully retir- tools too and can even design a rock small blacksmith shop. Every day There’s much satisfaction in designing the flags. wall on a computer, but sooner or he’d be there hammering molten in- ing, building and finishing someWe cannot thank him later he has to work with the earth, gots of iron, cherry-red sparks fly- thing. It can be a beautiful desk or enough for his service to a level, stones, and saws. ing. As rivulets of sweat streamed yard or fence, most anything. our group and to our comThe stonemason’s tools are his down his dark face, I could tell he I like to think that at day’s end, munity. hands. The beautiful tiered walls, enjoyed the work. Yes, it was smoky, artisans, tradesmen and craftsmen Johnnie Cowan flagstone walkways and patios he grimy work, and he didn’t make feel better about their work than DeBordieu builds are functional art. His natu- a ton of money, but the man who the business analyst who runs figThe writer is the regent ral stones and their hues, lines and loves his work is rich in other ways. ures and sees a new BMW is within of the Winyah DAR. textures please the eye.

Five years ago I spent two after- reach.

I hope we never run out of peo- noons with the Caines Boys over You see, craftsmen leave us ple who work with their hands. We Georgetown way talking about the beauty and functional art, a leganeed talented hands – carpenters, path that led them to their grand- cy. And the legions tapping computplumbers, and electricians. We need father’s calling, duck decoy carv- ers? Well, they leave work, usually Where to write people who don’t mind rolling up ing. Before carving, Jerry and Roy around five o’clock.

Send letters online at their sleeves and getting dirty. And Caines worked the coastline as n coastalobserver.com or yet we convince too many young shrimpers.

Tom Poland, an award-winning by email to letters@coast- people that earning a living means “We were married to the sea,” Southern writer, can be reached at alobserver.com. going to college. Off they go study- said Jerry. They started carving in tompoland.net.

Military held hostage To the editor: Is anyone else having difficulty reconciling the hypocritical actions by the Republican Congress’ “strong” military hype and total silence regarding U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s holding of our country hostage?

I’m not appealing to Republicans in Congress. I refer to their actions as “silence at any price.”

I am appealing to our veterans who understand the extreme costs of losing lives for their country.

The military is known for order and deliberate action based on their assessments of a particular situation. Your interven-

Flag Day

Retired with respect To the editor: I would like to publically thank Patrick Ethridge of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home for helping to retire several hundred American flags.

The Winyah Chapter of DAR was overwhelmed when a truckload of 18 black garbage bags arrived after our annual Flag Day ceremony was completed.

At the time, all supporting groups had left except a few DAR members.

Several days followed as we tried to find help with this situation.

Upon suggestion, I contacted Mr. Ethridge

Looking up from the keyboard with envy

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

Photos by Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

Record turnout for island beach sweep

Susan and Frank Johnson, above from left, had 151 people show up for the beach sweep on Pawleys Island they have led for 15 years with their children. It was a record. At left, Walker Shealy and Maggie Bartashus clean up at the Pritchard Street landing, a litter hot spot. Their haul included a trash can lid and a pair of socks.

ELECTION 2023

Deadline to register near for municipal voters

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

Time is running out for people to register to vote in the Nov. 7 election.

The deadline to register is: in person, Oct. 6; online, Oct. 8; by mail, postmarked by Oct. 9.

This year there are elections for mayor and town councils in Pawleys Island and Andrews, and city council in Georgetown.

In Pawleys Island, there are five candidates for four seats on Town Council. Ashley Carter, Guerry Green, Rocky Hol-

liday and Sarah Zimmerman are all running for reelection. Eileen Boettcher Patterson is a first-time candidate.

Zimmerman is seeking a 14th two-year term. Holliday and Carter are seeking their fifth terms. Green is seeking a fourth term.

The four candidates with the most votes win.

It’s the first time since 2019 that it is a contested race.

Mayor Brian Henry is running for a third twoyear term.

Although there are 180 registered voters in the town, turnout is expect-

ed to be very low. During the last election in 2021, 28 ballots were cast out of 170 registered voters. Carter and Zimmerman received 24 votes each, while Holliday received 17 and Green 13.

Henry was re-elected with 15 votes.

There were also 10 write-in votes for council and three for mayor, although the county did not release those names of people who received votes since the votes did not change the outcome.

Go to scvotes.gov to register or to see a sample ballot.

Schedule Your Tour Today • (843) 353-6040

offering the area’s

BEST OCEANFRONT DINING Great Food & Bar • Spectacular Ocean View Perfect Weather • No Summer Crowds

Lots of Seating Options including Patio & Indoor

TUESDAY - SATURDAY LUNCH & DINNER: 11:30-AM-9 PM NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

WINE WEDNESDAYS 50% OFF ALL BOTTLES! DINNER TUESDAY-SATURDAY: 5-9 PM

Visit our website www.AustinsOceanOne.com for reservations Austin’s Ocean One & Cabana Cafe at the Litchfield Inn

One Norris Drive, Litchfield

843-235-8700

Harvest Restaurant Located just past

Keepsakes Gift Shop SERVING LUNCH 7 DAYS, 11 AM - 3 PM Now Accepting Dinner Reservations for Nights of Thousand Candles

Visit our website www.AustinsHarvestRestaurant.com At Beautiful Brookgreen Gardens

INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING • REHAB 120 Lakes at Litchfield Drive • Pawleys Island, SC 29585

(843) 353-6040 • Lakes-Litchfield.com

7

8

COASTAL OBSERVER

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Photos by Chris Sokoloski/Coastal Observer

Waccamaw Intermediate students, above, gather around the sculpture of Harriet Tubman in Rainey Park. At right, Natalie Daise performs “Becoming Harriet.”

EDUCATION | Harriet Tubman

Exhibit provides hands-on lesson for students

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

More than 600 fourthgraders from across Georgetown County got up close and personal with Harriet Tubman on Friday.

The students visited a sculpture of the abolitionist on display in Joseph Rainey Park in Georgetown and watched as Natalie Daise brought Tubman to life on stage at Georgetown High School.

“All of the day’s events were connected to fourthgrade social studies standards and it was so impactful to see what the students are learning in class come to life,” Superintendent Keith Price said. “I am so grateful that our students were able to experience this.”

Luna Isaiah, a student at Coastal Montessori Charter School said Tubman is important because she helped free slaves and learned to use a gun to do it.

“I was really excited to learn some more things about Harriet Tubman,” she added.

Luna’s classmate, J.J. Gonzales, said slavery was “terrible” because Black people couldn’t see their own families.

“Black people were slaves in Harriet Tubman’s world,” J.J. added. “One day she rescued all the Black people from slavery.”

Clyde Bellamy learned about Tubman last year at the charter school.

“I had heard about her in history in third grade,” Clyde said.

Marilyn Hemingway, president and CEO of the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce, was part of the planning committee that worked for years to bring the sculpture, “Journey to Freedom,” to Georgetown. She talked to the students about Tubman’s life and her connection to Georgetown through her great-nephew, James Bowley.

Hemingway also en-

couraged the students to touch the sculpture, because, she said, that’s what the artist, Wesley Wofford, wants.

Zyden James, a student at Waccamaw Intermediate School, said Tubman is important because she helped free slaves.

Zyden’s classmate, Capers Hill, knew who Tubman was, but not as much as she learned on Friday.

“I didn’t know she was so important and I learned that she educated one of her family members and then they went on to be somebody very important,” Capers said.

Tubman might be an encouragement to someone going through a hard time, Capers added.

“She did all those scary things and they can do the same,” she said.

A visit to Rainey Park

also gave the fourth-graders a chance to view the Charters of Freedom display, which features replicas of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Civil Rights amendments.

The program at the high school was adapted from “Becoming Harriet,” a one-woman show written by Daise in which she recreates events from Tubman’s life.

The characters Daise used to bring the stories to life included Harriet’s mother, her first mistress and a field hand. She also sang songs such as “Wade in the Water,” which were written to aid slaves in their escape.

At the end of the program, Daise asked the students: “If she could do what she did, what can you do?”

The sculptor, Wesley Wofford, hoped people would touch the sculpture, and Coastal Montessori students obliged.

A FULL HEAD OF HAIR IS WITHIN REACH

This revolutionary treatment helps with hair loss, receding hairlines, dry and itchy scalp, unhealthy and irregular hair growth cycle, damaged, brittle and lack of luster hair, hair shedding and some alopecia cases.

Call REVIV Skin Hair Body for a complimentary consultation

App will guide walking tours to historic sites Historic homes on Pawleys Island and in the city of Georgetown along with African-American heritage sites will be promoted in an app being developed by the Chamber of Commerce to promote the Hammock Coast.

The goal was to create a guide to walking tours that would promote the area history, said Mark Stevens, the chamber’s tourism development director.

He told the town’s Accommodations Tax Review Committee this week that Pawleys Island’s historic district will also be included for the eight houses with markers.

Those were erected 30 years ago this month.

The committee noted the island doesn’t have much space for people who want to park and walk and drivers need to pull over if they want to read the signs so they don’t block traffic.

– Charles Swenson

Facials | Skin Resurfacing | Hair Treatments | Laser Hair Removal | Tattoo Removal Women’s Health | Sculpture Body Contouring 115 Willbrook Blvd., Suite J • 843-904-6182 www.revivshb.com

COASTAL OBSERVER

Thursday Thursday September 21,21, 2023 September 2023

Pawleys Island Pawleys Island South Carolina South Carolina

Photos by Tanya Ackerman/Coastal Observer and Georgetown County Emergency Management (below)

The 700 block of Front Street smolders a day after the fire destroyed eight buildings. Below, the fire burns toward the S.C. Maritime Museum.

THE FRONT STREET FIRE | Ten years later

THE DAY Georgetown BURNED Business owner lost everything but her faith

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

P

aige Sawyer was taking his usual pre-dawn stroll along the Harborwalk in downtown Georgetown when he smelled smoke and saw flames.

What Sawyer discovered on Sept.

25, 2013, was the beginning of a fire that would destroy eight buildings, leave 10 people homeless and change the face of the city.

The fire started on the back deck of Limpin’ Jane’s Old South Eatery in the 700 block of Front Street.

“The fire at that time was going up the wall. It was as tall as I was,” Sawyer said. “I looked around to see if I could find anything to put it out with. There were no hoses, no fire extinguishers. No nothing.”

Sawyer called 911 and waited. When the firefighters didn’t arrive, he called again to tell them to hurry up.

The 911 operator told Sawyer, “they’ve got to put on their pants.”

When firefighters arrived around 5:30 a.m., Sawyer went with them behind Limpin’ Janes.

“I was amazed at how much more it See “Fire,” Page 12

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

Jeanette Ard talks with Gov. Nikki Haley the day after her business and her home were destroyed. Ard recalled that the governor cried as hard as she did. Below, hopes of preserving the facades of the buildings were quickly shattered.

Jeanette Ard is a woman of deep faith.

It’s that faith that got her through the worst time in her life.

Ten years ago Ard lost her home and her business when fire consumed a portion of Front Street in downtown Georgetown.

“It’s hard when you lose your business and your house and everything,” Ard said. “The only thing I didn’t lose was my faith. I knew that the Lord would take care of me.”

Ard is the owner of Colonial Floral Fascinations. On the evening of Sept.

24, 2013, the shop was located next to the S.C. Maritime Museum. Ard lived upstairs.

By the next morning, Ard’s home and business were gone.

Ard, who was a member of See “Survivor,” Page 13

10

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

DETOURS AHEAD | By Adam Wagner Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Chat chuckle 4 Less than one’s best, in sports lingo 9 ____ Stadium, venue with a cushioned acrylic surface that is the largest of its type in the world 13 Wholesale 17 Inits. associated with accessibility 18 Submitted after the deadline 20 Some ring finishes, for short 21 ____ research, source of ‘‘dirt’’ on a political rival 22 Dickens clerk DETOUR: Theatrical success 25 Formidable-but-awesome behavior 27 DETOUR No. 1 28 It comes out on top 30 Family name in folk music 31 Parts of some choral arrangements?

32 Boosler who was the first woman to have an hourlong comedy special on cable TV 34 Big name in health care 35 What a sleepy head might do 36 Stagger 37 Dentist’s command 39 ‘‘That sucks’’ 40 Composer Strauss, the brother of Johann 43 ‘‘Glass Onion’’ director Johnson 45 Homeland Security concerns DETOUR: Computer-port inserts 48 Cry stressed on its second syllable 49 Purpose 51 Bygone auto inits.

52 DETOUR No. 2 53 Present-day auto inits.

54 Pharaoh who founded Egypt’s 19th dynasty 56 ‘‘Get out!’’

58 Things settled over drinks 60 Shakespearean verb 62 A head 63 Mums’ mums 67 ____ cloth (sandpaper alternative)

68 They’re laid in Australia DETOUR: They feel your pain 70 Gas whose name comes from the Greek word for ‘‘foreigner’’ 71 Common first word for an infant 72 Taxpayer’s ID 74 DETOUR No. 3 75 Lose one’s balance?

77 Hebrew greeting 80 ‘‘It’s a thumbs down from me’’ 82 ‘‘O patria ____’’ (Verdi aria) 83 Metropolis with a Little Havana neighborhood 84 Major ref.

86 Mineral used in glass production 87 Texted shrug 88 Photographer’s setting DETOUR: Come in handy 90 Grps. that liaise with superintendents 91 Fermented drink from Russia 93 Embargo 94 DETOUR No. 4 95 Bird embodied by the Egyptian god Thoth 97 Cells are covered in it, in brief 98 Studio Ghibli genre 100 Trickster 102 What some emails, checks and balls do 105 Wholesale 107 Jane who says, ‘‘I need not sell my soul to buy bliss’’ 108 Golden 110 Classic game of bluffing 112 Feature of some sweatpants DETOUR: Well-known musical group with a place name 115 Then 116 Puts together 117 DETOUR No. 5 118 Brown, for one 119 N.A.A.C.P. and A.C.L.U., for two 120 Component of a beekeeper’s suit 121 Stuffs with bacon fat, say 122 Caustic cleaner DOWN 1 Titration station

2 Something typically found in a barnyard 3 Lead-in to delivery 4 Hunt-and-peck types?

5 Chewed (on) 6 Meeting spot for a union 7 Company that owns Bloomingdale’s 8 Neighbor of Djibouti: Abbr.

9 In check 10 Reggae forerunner 11 Jumble 12 Early victim of identity theft?

13 Israel’s Dayan 14 Photographer’s setting 15 Suddenly appears, with ‘‘up’’ 16 ‘‘And, uh, that’s what happened’’ 19 ‘‘Come On ____’’ (1982 hit) 23 Michael who was knighted in 2000 24 Related thing 26 Substitute 29 Face ____ 33 Noggin 36 Containing graphic content, say 38 Diamond imperfection?

40 Vaccinated, to Brits 41 ‘‘Wowza!’’

42 Seethed 43 Parts of drinking or reading glasses 44 Access points 46 Express some intense emotion 47 Goal that sends a game into overtime 50 Bit of cereal 51 CVS competitor 55 Make more powerful, with ‘‘up’’ 57 Series segments, informally 59 Five-time winner of the Copa do Mundo 61 ‘‘Love It or List It’’ airer 64 Inability to recall the names of everyday things 65 Restriction on some wedding invites 66 Running kicks?

68 William Phelps ____, inventor of the stop sign and the crosswalk 69 Henrik Ibsen play

70 Motion-sensing Microsoft gaming devices 72 Literary character who transforms into an insect 73 Backyard toy that attaches to a hose 75 Some hair products 76 Busy time at a cafeteria 78 Small towns 79 ‘‘Calvin and Hobbes’’ character based on ‘‘every jerk I’ve ever known,’’ per Bill Watterson 81 ____ Maria 83 Bite-size Tex-Mex snack 85 Enlighten 88 Elle or Dakota of Hollywood 89 Slippery sort 90 Resolution units 92 Flashcard words 93 Leave high and dry 96 Snoozefest 97 Not easily accessed 99 Conventions 101 ‘‘Ooh, that’s bad’’ 102 Iraqi city near the Tigris and Euphrates

103 Peripheral 104 Amazon’s domain 106 Lambert or Levine of pop 109 Sin that sounds like two letters

111 Many ’90s music purchases 113 Code of the world’s busiest airport 114 Stain, maybe

LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

The New York Times Sunday Crossword is a regular feature of the Coastal Observer

www.RealEstatePawleys.com VACATION RENTALS SALES LONG TERM RENTALS

REDUCED!

Direct Oceanfront - Top Floor - Litchfield Beach Hamilton 502 | 3BR/3BA | $1,025,000 | Call Sheri G! IN D N PE

330 Hagley Dr Hagley Estates 3BR/2BA $364,000 Call Laurel Muehlhausen

72D True Blue Golf & Racquet Club On the 8th Fairway 3BR/2BA $274,900 Call The Griggs Team

Salt Marsh Cove 29B Fully Furn, 1st Floor Condo 2BR/1.5BA $199,500 Call Sheri Nannarello

G! IN D N PE

CREATIVES

PHOTOS – VIDEOS – GRAPHIC DESIGN

DIGITAL MEDIA ADVERTISING SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

Salt Marsh Cove 22C End Unit & FURN 2BR/2BA $239,500 Call Sheri Nannarello

Crescent D5A Rare 4 BR- Top Floor 4BR/3BA $1,395,000 Call The Griggs Team

Salt Marsh Cove 9D Pool & Creek Dock 3BR/2.5BA $279,000 Call Sheri Nannarello

Barb Griggs Sheri Nannarello Carrie Akers Laurel Muehlhausen Jon Griggs 808-989-6667 843-241-7069 843-446-1238 843-222-7161 843-240-6779

Coastal Media SOLUTIONS

843-344-6464

coastalmediaservices1@gmail.com DIVISION OF THE COASTAL OBSERVER | LOCAL CONTENT MARKETING FIRM | CMEDIASERVICES.COM

Flavia Grainger 843-446-0030

Willy Grainger Phil Phillips 843-450-2134 843-687-1126

Will Dieter 843-237-9800

Locally Owned Since 1974 13253 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island 843-237-9800

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

Classified Ads Classified Ad Rates 1 week..................$30.00 2 weeks...............$20wk.

3 weeks...............$19wk.

4 weeks.........$18.00/wk.

Rates for up to six lines.

Extra lines: $2.00 each Add a box: $10/wk.

Payment is required for all ads when they are placed.

Visa/MC Accepted.

DEADLINE: Mondays at 5 p.m.

(843) 237-8438 PUBLIC NOTICES Notice of Public Sale: On Wednesday 10/4/23 at 10.00 am Extra Room Self Storage 320 Waverly Rd Pawleys Island SC 29585. (843-237-3900) will sell (landlord lien): the contents of space C41 (Monalisa Grant) all household items.

Notice of Public Sale: On Wednesday 9/25/23 at 10.00 am Extra Room Self Storage 320 Waverly Rd Pawleys Island SC 29585. (843-237-3900) will sell (landlord lien): the contents of space D41 (Aundray Myzick) all household items.

ESTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF GEORGETOWN NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES All persons having claims against the following estates MUST file their claims on FORM #371PC with the Probate Court of GEORGETOWN COUNTY, the address of which is PO BOX 421270 GEORGETOWN, SC 29442, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred as to their claims.

All claims are required to be presented in written statements on the prescribed form (FORM #371PC) indicating the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any security as to the claim.

Estate: MARY WYNN Personal Representatives: LORETTA MCKENZIE Attorney: ROBERT L. GAILLIARD 6650 RIVERS AVE NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406 Estate: DARREN CHASE LAMBERT Personal Representative: BRENDA LAMBERT Attorney: SAMUEL L. FLOYD 15 COURT HOUSE SQ KINGSTREE, SC 29556 Estate: FRED ASHMORE WALTERS Personal Representative: CONNIE BROWNLEE WALTERS Attorney: JESSE NEAR PO BOX 966 LEXINGTON, SC 29071 Estate: LEO REED Personal Representative: BERNADETTE REED 404 YADKIN RD GEORGETOWN, SC 29440 Estate: BRANDON CHASE MCELVEEN Personal Representative: WENDY MELISSA JORDAN Attorney: JAMES B. MOORE III 121 SCREVEN ST GEORGETOWN, SC 29440 Estate: NANCY ROBERTA COOK MCALISTER Personal Representative: GIGI RENEE AVANT Co-Personal Representative: JOHN DAVID MCALISTER Attorney: CARSON J. ASKINS

PO BOX 10 HEMINGWAY, SC 29554 Estate: DAVID HASTINGS BEARD Personal Representative: AMY BEARD MCNAUGHTON Attorney: SCOTT W. HUTTO PO BOX 556 GEORGETOWN, SC 29442 Estate: PATRICIA JEAN COOPER Personal Representative: WALTER D. LAYTON 29718 COLONY DR. DAGSBORO, DE 19939 Estate: HENRY LUTHER RIDGLE Personal Representative: DONNA S. RIDGLE 112 MIDDLETON RD ANDREWS, SC 29510 Estate: JOAN MCCOY Personal Representative: ANGELA M. FORD 1905 B BUTTS ST GEORGETOWN, SC 29440 Estate: QUEENIE MAE WHITE PRINGLE Personal Representative: DOROTHY PRINGLE Attorney: ROGER P. GIARDINO PO BOX 4413 PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC 29585 FOR RENT

HELP WANTED Help Wanted: NO NIGHT SHIFTS! Now Hiring COOKS, Kitchen Manager and Kitchen Staff to join our team.

Eggs Up Grill in Pawleys Island, SC is hiring for our team. We are looking to fill the following role(s): Cook(s): This person should have experience cooking in a fast-paced, flat top kitchen environment. A team-first, attention to detail approach is necessary. We would love to find someone who is a quick learner and capable of mastering all stations inside the kitchen. MUST be available on weekends and holidays. Please online at https:// eggsupgrill.com/careers and choose: (Pawleys Island) located at 115 Willbrook Boulevard, Suite K, Pawleys Island SC 29585. In person applications are also accepted daily during operating hours from 6am - 2pm.

115 Willbrook Boulevard Suite K near Ocean Highway Compensation: Hourly Depending on Experience Employment type: full-time Job title: Cook and Kitchen Staff Part-time / Full Time assistant for real estate office. Vacation rentals experience a plus. General office clerk duties and errands, updating paperwork, maintaining documents, word processing, internet research, filing, etc. Email resume: mpswenson@ coastalobserver.com

James W. Smith Real Estate looking Real Estate Agents who Specialize in Georgetown, Pawleys Island, Litchfield, Garden City & Murrells Inlet Markets. Please call Jimmy 843-241-8510. or email: jimmy@jwsre.com ITEMS FOR SALE

Search for Homes & Condos www.pawleysrentals.com

Condos Moss Creek #22 2BR/2.5BA/Furn $1700/mo River Club 51 Abelia Ct 3BR/2BA Furn $2900/mo House Allston Plantation 242 Barony Pl Spacious 3BR/2BA $2550/mo 13253 Ocean Hwy. Pawleys Island, SC 843-237-9800

info@DieterCompany. com

13336 Ocean Hwy Pawleys Island

WACHESAW PLACE Murrells Inlet

• 2 BR, 1.5 BA unfurn. townhouses. $1400/mo. Small dog may be allowed • 3 BR, 2.5 BA, unfurn. townhouses. $1700/mo. Small dog may be allowed

2019 Lifted Electric 6 Passenger Golf Cart For Sale Tempo Club Car Trolley 48-volt batteries (2023) with charger Black w 15” wheels. Previously a rental.

Was $11,900. Now $10,800.

864 921 2009

TV & INTERNET SERVICE DIRECTV OVER INTERNET – Get your favorite live TV, sports and local channels. 99% signal reliability! CHOICE Package, $84.99/mo for 12 months. HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-855237-9741 DIRECTV Sports Pack. 3 Months on Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more.

Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-844-624-1107 Dish Network: Only from Dish3 year TV Price Guarantee! 99% Signal Reliability, backed by guarantee. Includes Multi-Sport with NFL Redzone. Switch and Get a FREE $100 Gift Card. Call today!

1-877-542-0759 FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay.

Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-855851-8201

Applying for Social Security Disability or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc. Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-844-5281156 FREE Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.) Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 833-230-8692 DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company.

Coverage for 350 plus procedures.

Real dental insurance – NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-397-7030 www. dental50plus.com/60 #6258

and reach more than 2.1 million readers using our small space display ad network

ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT OR SALE to more than 2.1 million S.C. newspaper readers. Your 25-word classified ad will appear in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Call Randall Savely at the South Carolina Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

YARD SALES Shop Miles of Yard Sales! Bargain Hunters Paradise – Shop Dawn To Dusk Oct 13th & 14th at the 10th Annual i2i Yardsale.

Ride along SC Hwy 9 from Richburg into Chester, down SC Hwy 121 into the Town of Whitmire.

Ride SC Hwy 121 into the historical town of Newberry (Nance Street). Pick up Hwy 76 in Newberry towards Kinards, Joana and Clinton. For more details visit the i2i Yardsale Facebook page or call (839) 230-4439 or (803) 4630678. We look forward to meeting and greeting all the happy shoppers!!

2019 Lifted Electric 6 Passenger Golf Cart For Sale Tempo Club Car Trolley 48-volt batteries (2023) with charger Black w 15” wheels.

Previously a rental. $11,900. Now $10,800

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-638-3767

864 921 2009

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A SUPER MOM OR DAD TO BE A FOSTER PARENT. If you can love a child, you can make a difference in their life. Visit scyap.com or call the S.C. Youth Advocate Program at 800-882-5513 to learn more.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE 35-foot deeded boat slip in Marlin Quay for $97,000. Garden City/Murrells Inlet. (843) 4212934.

NEED NEW FLOORING? Call Empire Today to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring. Call Today! 844-2543873 Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote.

Call now before the next power outage: 1-844-775-0366 Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection.

Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-875-2449.

Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company – 855-8377719 or visit www.Life55plus.info/ scan Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on Vet Bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-877582-0348 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow.com/sc AUCTIONS

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s , too! Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – 24 Hour Response – Maximum Tax Donation – Call (888) 515-3810 Tuesday, September 26, 2023 is the last day to redeem winning tickets in the following South Carolina Education Lottery Instant Game: (1457) $1,000,000 BONUS MULTIPLIER

ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in 99 S.C. newspapers for only $375. Your 25-word classified

Rentals Available 843-237-4246 800-476-5651

PLACE YOUR AD IN 97 S.C. NEWSPAPERS

VACATION RENTALS

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-8520368

FALL CONSTRUCTION TRUCK AUCTION. Tue., Sept 26 at 8 AM. Lumberton, NC. 10% buyers premium, Pro xibid 2% additional.

Absolute Consignments accepted until Mon, Sept 18. Lloyd Meekins Auction Company, 4070 NC Hwy 211E, Lumberton, NC. See meekinsauction.com for updated list. Contact Avery Brewer 910-608-9457 or Joey Britt 910608-2658. NCLN 858; SCLN 272

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ad will reach more than 2.1 million readers. Call Randall Savely at the S.C. Newspaper Network, 1-888-727-7377.

11

RENTALS

We have multiple long term and monthly rentals available We Are Available To Schedule Showings Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Travis Small 10744 Ocean Highway, Unit C Pawleys Island 843-314-0376

Thank you for supporting the Waccamaw High School Athletic Booster Club

PLATINUM WARRIORS PI Woodworks Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church Tidelands Health Orthopedics (William J. Greer, MD and William K. Whiteside, MD) RH Moore Quigley's/Bisqit

Waccamaw Oral Surgery & Medical Spa Coastal Observer Coastal Endodontics/Dr. Scott Eddy Get Carried Away James W. Smith Real Estate Co. Prime Ticket

The Only Locally Owned & Operated Newspaper in Georgetown County

Statewide or regional buys available

Where do you get your local news?

Randall Savely 888.727.7377 scnewspapernetwork.com South Carolina

Satisfy your curiosity

Newspaper Network

SUBSCRIBE to the COASTAL OBSERVER Call Today (843) 237-8438 or clip & mail this form or visit www.coastalobserver.com

Name Address City

State

Phone New Subscription Renewal

$52 for 52 issues

COASTAL OBSERVER

P.O. BOX 1170 • PAWLEYS ISLAND S.C. 29585 843- 237-8438 • .coastalobserver.com

12

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

Fire | Flames rose ‘through the water’ From Second Front had burned since I first saw it,” Sawyer said. “It was amazing how fast it burned.”

Joey Tanner, chief of Horry County Fire Rescue, was chief of the city’s fire department in 2013.

While responding to Front Street from his home in Maryville, he saw a glow in the sky over downtown.

“I knew then it was a really bad situation,” Tanner said.

By the time he arrived the fire had spread to eight buildings and the wind was pushing flames from the wooden decks along the Harborwalk through the buildings and toward Front Street.

“It was a perfect storm for a fire,” Sawyer said.

“Those back decks, the tide was out so all that was exposed, you could see the pluff mud. The wind was coming out of the east.”

“If [a building] was two or three stories, you had two or three decks,” Tanner said. “There might have been brick walls and brick facades between them, but the whole back side was open with glass.”

A big concern for the chief was that the fire would jump across the street and ignite the buildings on the other side.

“This is the core of your business district,” Tanner said. “You’re sitting there with all these buildings and your goal is to save as much as you possibly can to prevent it from spreading. So you’re attacking the fire where it was at but also preventing the buildings adjacent and across the street from

burning as well.”

“It was frightening,” Sawyer said. “You just watched it go from building to building.”

Another concern of Tanner’s was stopping the fire from spreading to more buildings, including the Maritime Museum, which was the next structure in its path.

Johnny Weaver, president of the Maritime Museum board, arrived and watched the firefighters at work. He said the flames were “coming right up through the water” from the fire hoses.

Since the museum had automatic sprinklers, Tannder decided that’s where firefighters would make their stand.

“It never got through because that was one of the places we knew we could stop the fire,” he said.

Weaver said there was some smoke damage and charring on the second floor of the building, which at that time was used for storage, but the fire never breached the building enough to activate the sprinklers.

“We’ve got pretty thick walls. Nothing showed up on the inside,” Weaver added. “We were lucky they got it out when they did. They saved a lot of stuff from more smoke damage.”

More than 125 firefighters from the city, the county and Midway Fire and Rescue brought the fire under control at around 9 a.m.

On that day, the city used one million more gallons of water than on a

typical day.

The businesses that were destroyed were Limpin’ Jane’s, Buzz’s Roost, Zest, Doodlebugs, Goudelock and Co., Boardwalk Markette, Harborwalk Books and Colonial Floral Fascinations.

Buzz’s Roost and Colonial Floral Fascinations moved to the 900 block.

The flower shop eventually found a permanent home on King Street.

Harborwalk Books, which reopened as Waterfront Books, and Doodlebugs moved to the 800 block of Front Street.

Limpin’ Jane’s relocated to Beaufort. Zest reopened as the Seven Hundred Modern Grill. It has since closed.

Since the fire, the city installed a standpipe system on the Harborwalk for firefighters to connect hoses to. Tanner said it’s an upgrade that Charlie Cribb, who succeeded him as city fire chief, worked hard to bring to the city.

Cribb said city officias had been talking about a fire suppression system on the Harborwalk for years before the fire.

“It’s one of those bud-

From Front Page who owns the six lots, is in the process of purchasing a lot owned by Jeanette Ard next to the museum.

Ard owns Colonial Floral Fascinations. The business was consumed by the fire along with Ard’s apartment, which was on the top floor of the building.

After getting a lot of offers on the property over the years, Ard decided to sell to Timmons. She said she would never want to rebuild and live on the property again.

Ard reopened the flower shop on Front Street one week after the fire and has since relocated to King Street.

Weaver said the museum board considered buying the Ard property.

“We thought about it real hard, but we weren’t in that price range,” Weaver said. “It would have helped us, but not at that

Real Estate Agents who Specialize in Georgetown, Pawleys Island, Litchfield, Garden City & Murrells Inlet Markets or email: jimmy@jwsre.com

on the standpipe system once every quarter to make sure everyone knows how to use it.

“It’s turned into a welloiled machine,” Cribb said. “You’re not ever going to stop [fire], but we feel like we’ve done some steps to get more prepared.”

Tanner said his hometown has responded well.

“Georgetown survived the fire ... because Georgetown is a strong community,” Tanner said. “They all stood together; the business community ... [and] elected officials came together. It was, ‘this is not going to destroy us. We’re going to be stronger.’”

Front Street | Waterfront block awaits rebuilding price” Timmons could not be reached for comment.

Weaver doesn’t know what Timmons’ plans are, but said Timmons is “not quite there yet” for a return on his investment.

“He wants to put something in there that’s good for Georgetown, that’s in keeping with Georgetown,” Weaver said.

After the sale of the Ard plot, Tee Miller will be the only person to still own a property that was affected by the fire. n Because the 700 block on Front Street is in a flood zone, anyone who rebuilds will have to elevate the structure or flood proof every side of it.

Robert Cox, Georgetown’s interim planning director, thinks because of the new flood maps, flood proofing could be required on the entire first floor of

Now Hiring!

Call Jimmy: 843-241-8510

geted items that was going to be very expensive, going to be a lot of work,” he added.

In the end the system cost around $250,000.

Cribb designed it to have three pipes connected underneath the 1,470foot Harborwalk.

“If I put that piping all the way down the boardwalk in one continuous pipe and for some reason it got damaged by a boat or a hurricane, I didn’t want the whole project to be out,” Cribb said.

The water isn’t taken from the Sampit River. It comes from a water truck or a fire hydrant.

City firefighters train

Get great service & great rates.

Linda Edwards, Agent 903 N Fraser Street Georgetown, SC 29440 Bus: 843-546-9440 linda.edwards.c78w@statefarm.com

All Inquiries Confidential Voted #1 Readers Choice Award

You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor service.

But I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for everyone. Call me for a quote to see how much you can save. You might be surprised.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm underwriting requirements. ®

State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001875

any new building on Front Street.

“That means window openings, door openings, the walls themselves have to be sealed,” he said.

One option is gasketed panels, which Cox likens to hatches on a submarine.

Whatever is used can be temporary, installed when flooding is expected and removed after. But the hardware that secures it to the building must be permanent.

“A lot of stuff is not put on until you know the flood was coming,” Cox said.

The flood proofing method has to be included on the drawings for the

development and a certificate signed off by the architect who designed the project or an engineer.

Until then, the Maritime Park will once again be part of the annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show next month.

Less than a month after the fire, the show signaled a partial return to normalcy for the city.

The show went forward against the backdrop of the bricks and debris that remained after the destruction of the eight buildings.

“It was the biggest and best one we ever had,” Weaver recalled. “People came down to help support the community.”

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

13

At left, smoke rises from the debris of buildings destroyed by fire on Front Street in Georgetown in 2013.

After the fire, the city installed a fire supression system along the Harborwalk, right.

Photos by Tanya Ackerman (left) and Chris Sokoloski/Coastal Observer

Survivor | Faith saved lady who lost everything From Second Front City Council at the time, was on a business trip for the state’s Workforce Investment Board in Kentucky on the day of the fire.

Her friend, Peggy Wayne, called her at about 6 a.m. to tell her about the fire.

Ard called the Georgetown Police Chief Paul Gardner to tell him she was out of town. Gardner was relieved because firefighters had searched her apartment and considered her unaccounted for.

“He said it just gave him a big sense of relief to know that I was not there,” Ard said.

Ard flew home and ar-

rived on Front Street at around 3:30 p.m.

“The buildings were all on the ground,” she said. “It was just a hard thing to walk up to.”

The day after the fire, Gov. Nikki Haley visited Georgetown to see the devastation. Haley met with Ard, who said the governor “cried as hard as I cried.”

For months, Haley would call Ard occasionally to see how she was doing.

“What the government can’t do for you I will personally see that you have it if you need it,” Ard said Haley told her.

The governor also had a staff member call Ard ev-

ery day.

Ard also got a phone call from the owner of Callas Florist and Events in Murrells Inlet, who told her she could use the inventory in his shop to fill any orders she had.

“I did and I kept an accounting of it,” Ard said.

On Saturday, three days after the fire, Ard went to Murrells Inlet to create the floral arrangements needed for the next day’s church’s services.

Then she delivered them.

“It gave me some peace,” Ard said. “I couldn’t just sit there and cry and worry about what was going to be. I had to just totally stand on my faith and know that the

Lord was going to make a way for me. And he did.”

One week after the fire Ard reopened her shop in the 900 block of Front Street. The owner of the building said God told her to let Ard use the space.

“I was praying about whether to reopen my business or not,” Ard said.

“My children and some of my friends didn’t want me to. They said you’re going to have a hard enough time rebuilding your life let alone running a business.”

Ard stayed in that location for six years and then moved to King Street between Front and Prince streets.

Ard believes God also

had a hand in her living situation.

Two days after the fire a woman called Ard and said God told her to let her live in her house in DeBordieu.

Ard stayed there a couple of months before getting a phone call from another woman who said God told her to let Ard live in her house in the city’s historic district.

It has been years since Ard has walked on the Harborwalk.

“In one way [the fire] feels like a lifetime,” she said. “In another way it feels like it was yesterday.”

Seven years ago, Ard

was part of a group making plans to redevelop the site of the fire, which has been turned into Maritime Park. She even had conceptual plans drawn up for her property.

But then she adopted a toddler and he became the center of her life.

“I’m happy with my life now,” Ard said. “I’m happy with raising this child.”

After turning down several offers on her property, Ard is in the process of selling it to Steve Timmons, who already owns several of the other properties that have been empty since the fire.

general contractor residential-commercial remodel interior and exterior painting dock repair siding decking tile pressure washing bath re-model roofing licensed and insured since 1998 843-458-7977 • www.seasprayhomesllc.com

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The GeorGeTown CounTy ZoninG Board of appeals will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The hearing will be held in Council Chambers at 129 Screven Street in Georgetown. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public input on the following: a requesT from mike kinsey of Carolina home exTeriors, as agent for Richard and Karen Drouin for a variance to the rear setback requirement in the Heritage Plantation Planned Development.

This request involves the proposed addition of a sunroom. The property is zoned PD (Heritage Plantation Planned Development). The property is located at 1073 Doral Drive in Pawleys Island. Tax Map Number 04-0196c-025-00-00.

VAR2023-00039. a requesT from riChard duvall, as aGenT for douGlas ewell for a variance to the front setback requirements in Article VII: Area, Yard, and Height Requirements. This request involves a proposed accessory dwelling unit. The property is zoned R10 (10,000 Square Feet Residential). The parcel is located at 161 North Causeway Road in Pawleys Island. Tax Map Number 04-0162-08902-00. VAR-2023-00041. a requesT from Creola C. harrelson, for a variance to the side setback requirement in Article VII: Area, Yard, and Height Requirements.

This request involves a proposed addition to an existing single family dwelling. The property is zoned R1 (One Acre Residential). The parcel is located at 345 Frederick Drive in Georgetown.

Tax Map Numbers 03-0110-007-00-00 and 030110-013-06-00.

Comments or questions may be directed to: Georgetown County Zoning Board of Appeals (843) 545-3158 office, 129 Screven Street (843) 545-3299 fax Georgetown, SC 29440 zba@gtcounty.org

14

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

Photos by Chris Sokoloski/Coastal Observer

Boys high school cross country runners cross the Bill Shehan Bridge in Stables Park for the first time on Saturday.

WHS CROSS COUNTRY

Boys finish in top 10 at crowded invitational

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

Waccamaw High School’s boys cross country team finished eighth at the annual Warrior Invitational on Saturday.

Warriors coach John Jones thinks the season is going “pretty well” so far.

“We had some success up in Charlotte at that one meet,” Jones said. “It’s still early. We haven’t had enough meets to really tell.”

Jones is looking at another meet in Charlotte on Oct. 7 to see where his team stands.

“That’s running against a lot of good teams from a lot of states,” Jones said. “We really focus towards that one. That’s sort of our midway, testing how we’re doing.”

The four varsity and junior varsity races at the invitational featured 753 competitors.

Waccamaw’s Wade Leventis had to change his strategy to deal with the other 201 runners in the varsity race.

“Because there’s so many people, you kind of need to get out quicker than normal so you can get a spot up [front],” Leventis said. “You’re just trying to stay with the top group.”

Leventis finished in 16:32, the best time for Waccamaw. It was good enough for 19th place.

Lexington won the boys race with 73 points.

Fort Mill with 97 points and Philip Simmons was third with 110.

William Cronin (15:33) and Jesse Oates (15:46), both of Lexington, nabbed the top two spots. Isaac Campbell of Fort Mill (15:46) was third.

Jones was expecting good times.

“The weather’s pretty

Wade Leventis is the first Warrior across the finish line on Saturday. good. It’s starting to warm up,” Jones said. “So there should be some very fast times.”

Wilson Rutherford (16:46) had the second fastest time for Waccamaw. He is a newcomer to the Waccamaw Neck.

“I think it’s a great start” to the season, Rutherford said. “I just moved down here from New York and I feel like I’ve had a good time integrating with my new team. It’s been really fun.”

The invitational was the first time Rutherford ran the entire course at Stables Park, and he did it alongside hundreds of other competitors.

“I feel like the biggest issue is always the starting line for me and just getting out there,” he said.

“As long as you kind of settle in, it’s pretty easy.”

The event was the first time the runners traversed the newly-constructed Bill

Shehan Bridge. The bridge means the gate between the fields and the woods is no longer used as an entrance and an exit.

“It’s so much better,” Jones said. “It’s a world’s difference.”

“It makes it kind of not as repetitive because you’re going on the bridge instead of past [the gate] a couple of times,” Leventis said. “I like it.”

Other Waccamaw times: Charlie Withington 16:52, Hampton Eirvin 17:22, Corrin Green 18:35, Noah Hite 19:20, William Martin 22:04.

Lowcountry Prep School’s boys finished 27th with an average time of 23:48.

Cooper Tully (18:50) had the top time for the Marlins. He finished 98th.

Other Lowcountry Prep times: Michael Simmons 20:39, Ryan Corcoran 23:07, Reece Bayernic 26:41, Sam Jones 29:45, Theo Peterson 36:59. n Philip Simmons won the girls race with 60 points. Fort Mill was second with 62 and Bishop England was third with 95.

Siobhan Joyce of Oceanside Collegiate (17:47) was first out of 169 runners. Alivia Cleveland of Fort Mill (17:57) was second and Annie Miller of Metrolina Christian (18:03) was third.

Waccamaw’s girls finished 12th with 365 points.

Dawson Richardson (20:17) had the top time for the Warriors. She finished 25th.

Other Waccamaw times: Kayla Sheedy 22:16, Molly Stover 22:40, Lindsay Lattimer 23:27, Kendal Mason 23:46, Allison MacLeod 24:48, Addie Daub 25:35.

The Warriors will compete at the Pee Dee Classic in Florence on Saturday.

We add more than just numbers…

Relationship Efficiency Assurance Cost-savings

Value Insight Strategy Wisdom

Trusted By Sales and Rental Clients For More Than 60 Years

FEATURED PROPERTY 662 Springs Avenue MLS # 2317235 Breathtaking Views of the Ocean or Creek From Each Room

$4,000,000 ED

C DU

RE

MLS # 2225430 1398 Basin Terrace Unit 105 $570,000 Beautiful Garden City Marina Condo with a Private Garage

MLS # 2314024 4382 Daphne Lane Unit G $225,000 Updated Murrells Inlet Condo with Amenities

MLS # 2313037 1528 Winyah Street $499,000 Georgetown Ranch with Open Floor Plan

MLS # 2316191 613-424 5th Avenue South $105,000

FEATURED AGENT OF THE WEEK Tom Santopietro (843)-685-6278

We appreciate the effort that Tom Santopietro put into getting our home sold. He quickly sold my home for the price I wanted, when other realtors in the area said it could not be done. He was always available to answer questions and took the time to explain the process. Both my wife and I always felt like we understood what was happening and what to expect next from start to finish.

Tom is an exceptional agent!

Jim Edwards

Certified Public Accountants and Consultants Certified Public Accountants

ConsultantsIsland Myrtle Beach - Conwayand - Pawleys

Contact Georgetown County Representative: Contact Georgetown County Representative: MikeCPA Gamble, Contact County Mike Georgetown Gamble, 8 4 3CPA • 2 3Representative: 7•3453

Mike Gamble,- Pawleys CPA Island Myrtle Beach - Conway

245 Business Center Dr., Suite A • Pawleys Island • www.sccpa.com

Scan the QR code for our featured properties.

EXPERIENCE • KNOWLEDGE • RESULTS (843) 237-2431 Sales • (843) 237-2000 Rentals 88 North Causeway Rd. • Scott Ferguson - Sales Manager Betsy Altman - BIC, Sales

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

15

Celebrating 50 Years 1973-2023

Best Real Estate Company Best Vacation Rental Company

Best Real Estate Company Best Property Management Company

PROPERTiES fOR SaLE

Residential & Commercial Sales Interval Sales

Vacation & Long-Term Rentals

REDUCED - 15 Baruch Lane, Hagley Estates

FULLY FURNISHED

Nestled against the ICW creek in a historical area, this home was part of the original Heritage Plantation stagecoach entrance. 3BR with en-suites & 2 non-conforming BRs (one with kitchenette), designer kitchen with smart appliances, theater room with professional surround sound and smart projector, Isokern wood-burning brick F/P, clear pine ship-lap throughout, 400 amp electrical service. Whole house Generac backup generator with 400 amp automatic transfer switch. This low maintenance home would also make a great 2nd home or excellent short-term vacation rental. $1,250,000 / Jeff Minner

27 Victor Alley, North Litchfield Fully-furnished 6BR/3BA home on a large, private lot just minutes from the beach via a designated path. Interior living space is centered around a spiral staircase which leads to all 3 levels of the home. Expansive screened porch, open air deck/top level sun deck.

Large workshop/storage area on ground level. Currently operating as a great rental home, but could be easily converted to exclusive primary or secondary home. $850,000 / Neil Giesler

NEW

125 Winston Circle, Pawleys Gated community of Assembly Lakes at Reunion Hall. 4BR/3.5BA home offering a harmonious blend of spaciousness. Generous family room, stainless steel appliances, and upstairs den. Community offers amenities: a short golf cart ride and private beach access by way of LBTS. $759,000 / Neil Giesler

NEW

66 Weatherboard Court, Pawleys Newly-renovated 3BR/2BA raised beach cottage at Magnolia Beach West with loads of upgrades: quartz countertops, luxury vinyl tile flooring, new stove, new refrigerator, plantation shutters, & more! HUGE screened-in room downstairs prewired cable for your flat screen TV. $380,000 / Shawn Bilton

REDUCED

462 Lakeshore Drive, North Litchfield Just blocks from the ocean. Lots of space with several multi-use rooms.

Kitchen has custom wood cabinets & counters. Breakfast bar with lots of space for eating meals & features prep sink. Different areas of house enhance the feeling of privacy. $798,000 / Bill Jagger / Jimmy Smith

REDUCED

REDUCED

Redfin Loop, Georgetown Nestled amidst the majestic splendor of Maurecina Plantation’s historic grounds, this extraordinary property offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a private retreat on banks of the Sampit River. Over 9+ acres of pristine land and 240+ feet on the riverfront with private dock. $750,000 / Neil Giesler

607 Elmwood St., Andrews 3-BR / 2-BA gem in a great location just a short drive from the area’s schools. Fully fenced-in yard, carport, two detached storage buildings and an outdoor screened-in gazebo with cable, power and Bluetooth capability. $199,000 / Allyson Springs

CONDOS & TOWNHOMES

REDUCED

TRUE BLUE

225 Da Gullah Way, Pawleys 719 Blue Stem Drive, #68D, Pawleys 3BR/2.5BA property offers upgraded features: This three- bedroom furnished condo is located hardwoods, solid counters, solid wood doors, in the sought-after True Blue community. The wood interior shutters, upgraded trim, fireplace, open living area is highlighted by vaulted ceilings. lots of storage, and more. Boat/RV storage, & Complete with a screen porch bordering #9 fairguest house. Included with the monthly HOA are: way, the beautiful evening sunset awaits. water, sewer, trash, landscaping, exterior mainte$347,000 / Neil Giesler nance, pool maintenance, and common areas. $420,000 / Jeff Minner

PENDING

NEW

Sandpiper Run B3D, Litchfield By The Sea 3BR/2BA oceanfront condo with 2 private balconies. Open-concept living with high-end finishes. Amenities: private beach access, swimming pool, walking/biking paths, fishing and crabbing docks, tennis/ pickleball courts. $1,025,000 / Neil Giesler

LOTS

RESIDENTIAL

NEW! 422 Rossdhu Ave, Pawleys Nestled within the prestigious Rossdhu Plantation, this exceptional 1.3 acre homesite promises an unparalleled escape into nature’sembrace. For those who appreciate waterfront living, this homesite comes with the added perk of a deeded boat slip. $725,000 / Neil Giesler Lots 13-15 Comanche Drive, Georgetown, Black River Oversized 3-acre lot (can be subdivided) with private access to a boat landing accessing deep waters that will accommodate large boats. $159,000 / Melody Skipper LOT 3 LiTCHfiELD LaNDiNg - .3 acre residential or commercial lot located east of Hwy. 17 in North Litchfield.

Jimmy Smith / $199,500 REDUCED - Lot 4 LiTCHfiELD LaNDiNg - .4 acre residential or commercial lot located east of Hwy. 17 in North Litchfield. Jimmy Smith / $197,500

COMMERCIAL

780 Pickering Drive, Murrells Inlet Stunning 3BR/2.5BA home is nestled within the prestigious Fairways at International Club.

Open and airy with modern upgrades. New roof, granite countertops & stainless-steel appliances.

Captivating views of the golf course and the pond in the front. 4 separate porches and a 1.5 car garage for both parking and storage. $344,900 / Neil Giesler

12559 OCEaN HigHWay, PaWLEyS BACK ON THE MARKET Owners are open to developing and building for a prospect. 2.77 Acres of which 1.73 Acres is high developable land. Located on Hwy. 17 at intersection with Ford road. General Commercial, Residential or possible other uses. $795,000/ Rick Gilmer PENDiNg - 0 OCEaN HWy - N LiTCHfiELD PaWLEyS 6.72 Acres. Rick Gilmer / $2,795,000 LOT 3 LiTCHfiELD LaNDiNg - .3 acre residential or commercial lot located east of Hwy. 17 in North Litchfield.

Jimmy Smith / $199,500 REDUCED - Lot 4 LiTCHfiELD LaNDiNg - .4 acre residential or commercial lot located east of Hwy. 17 in North Litchfield.

Jimmy Smith / $197,500

PENDiNg OLD KiNgSTREE RD, HEMiNgWay 3.6 acre lot on Old Kingstree Road, Hemingway, close to downtown. $35,000 / Neil Giesler

iNTERVaLS

INLET POINT SOUTH 781 Norris Drive, Dolphin Watch I 6 BR/6.5 BA

$198,500

NORTH LITCHFIELD BEACH

Indigo Pelican III

Jimmy Smith

Ben Rozak

Rick Gilmer

Allyson Springs

Shelby Hough

Glenda Baker Taylor

N. Stone Miller

Bill Jagger

Sally Gee

Shawn Bilton

Roger Wyndham

Melody Skipper

Julie Swink

Jane Jasien

Christy Hipp

Neil Giesler

Shares starting at

Mike Andrews

Janie Yellitz

13336 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island (843) 237-4246 • Fax: (843) 235-3456

www.jwsre.com • www.pawleysvacationrentals.com

Holly Moore

Jimmy Cromartie

$175,000 per

Carole Graham

Dave Williams

Jeff Minner

16

COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, September 21, 2023

WACCAMAW HIGH FOOTBALL

WHS ATHLETICS

sweep past ‘Huge win’ snaps Andrews run Warriors Monarchs, Wildcats

By Chris Sokoloski

By Chris Sokoloski

COASTAL OBSERVER

COASTAL OBSERVER

Going into this season, Waccamaw High School’s football team had lost to Andrews six straight times by a combined score of 212-51. The Warriors ended that streak with a 23-18 victory in Andrews on Friday night.

Waccamaw coach Amondre Johnson called it a “huge” win.

“Andrews is a powerhouse team in [Class] 2A, traditionally ranked, alChris Sokoloski/Coastal Observer ways well-coached, always good players. They’re a Waccamaw’s A.J. Grate stretches for more yardage against Andrews. cross-county rival, and to beat them means a ton to run.

Great for the team.”

Hastings and Hall said our program and to our The Yellow Jackets re“It took all of us to have the defense’s confidence kids,” Johnson said. “It gained the lead on a 1-yard a lot of heart,” Behney grew as the game went on. says a ton about how to- touchdown run with 7:15 said. “Our offensive line “All 11 people on the gether this program is and left in the game. just pushed and got us field, all we have to do how much opportunity The Waccamaw of- holes and we scored and is do our jobs,” Hastings we can have when we play fense then drove down the won the game.” said. “They didn’t throw together.” field, draining more than 7 Andrews had 390 yards anything at us that we “Tough week of prac- minutes off the clock, be- of offense (294 rushing, 96 didn’t expect. They did tice and tough game,” said fore A.J. Grate scored the passing) on 60 plays. Wac- exactly what we thought A.J. Grate, a sophomore. game winner with 15.1 sec- camaw had 213 yards of they were going to do and “We got heart and no onds left in the game. offense (130 rushing, 83 we prepared for all week, quit. We did our thing and “We haven’t beaten passing) on 48 plays. battling in practice.” came out with the W.” them in a very long time.

Behney was 4-for-6 “It felt like once we Waccamaw’s last win To beat them in a physical passing for 50 yards. A.J. kept getting stop after over Andrews was 24-0 in battle that comes down to Grate was 1-for-3 passing stop it kept building,” Hall 2009. The Warriors also the wire says a ton,” John- for 33 yards. Andre Grate said. “We’ve just got to beat the Yellow Jackets son said. “We wanted it had 38 receiving yards and keep it up every week.”

23-12 in 2008. bad at the end and that Behney had 33. n Andrews got on the showed. Driving down the Zaireon Skinner led Waccamaw now has board first with a 54-yard field … that’s how we want the Warriors with 54 rush- a week off before begintouchdown run in the first our offense to look.” ing yards. A.J. Grate and ning its Region VII-AAA quarter last week.

“It took a lot of effort Holloway had 26 yards schedule hosting GeorgeAfter a long intercep- and heart to come out at each. town on Sept. 29. tion return by Blake Nash the end,” said Greg Hall, Holloway, A.J. Grate “We don’t have a game in the second quarter, a sophomore. “I’m really and Aiden Hastings com- next week so we’re going Colin Behney connected proud of the [offense] for bined for 31 tackles to lead to go into our Homecomwith Andre Grate on a kicking in right there in the Waccamaw defense. ing game against George30-yard touchdown. Jake the last 2 minutes.”

“This is a very big win. town with a lot of confiDiMaria’s extra point put A.J. Grate was injured Hopefully we can build off dence,” Behney said.

Waccamaw in front 7-6. in the preseason and this momentum,” Hast“Going into the bye Less than 2 minutes missed Waccamaw’s first ings said. “This was very week with a win, we’re later, a 64-yard touch- four games. important. We needed excited and we’re going down pass gave Andrews “It’s phenomenal. this.” to give a lot of people the a 12-7 lead at halftime.

First game back scoring R.J. Rogers had nine rest they need,” Johnson After a 29-yard field the game-winning touch- tackles; Hall had six tack- said. “Hopefully we can goal by DiMaria, Bryce down, not a better feel- les; Nash had five tackles continue this momentum Holloway extended the ing,” he said. “It’s a big and one interception; and to have two weeks of great Warriors’ lead to 16-12 deal, a big momentum Tyler Williams had five practices and then a great with a 2-yard touchdown boost. A big morale boost. tackles. game versus Georgetown.”

Waccamaw High School’s girls volleyball team continued it’s Region VII-AAA winng streak by beating Manning on Monday.

The Warriors won 25-5, 25-3 and 25-7.

Abby Cohen had eight aces; Kate Clark had eight aces and one kill; Molly Congdon had six aces and one kill; Breckin Lottchea had six kills and one ace; Sabrina Perez had five aces; Ariy Lawton had four kills; Diora Bender and Piper Radcliff had three kills each; Taryn Yonker had two kills and one ace; and Skylar Lombard had two kills.

Waccamaw also swept region rival Dillon on Sept. 14.

The Warriors won 2512, 25-15 and 25-18.

Clark had 32 assists and four aces; Congdon had 24 digs and three aces; Lottchea had 11 kills; Lawton had six kills, three aces and one block; Radcliff had six kills; Bender had five kills; Cohen had three aces; Abby Williams had two aces; Georgia Windam had two kills; Yonker and Lombard had one kill each; and Perez had one ace.

Waccamaw was coming off a 3-0 loss to Carolina Forest on Sept. 13.

The Panthers won 2523, 25-17, 25-15.

Clark had 22 assists, five kills and two digs; Congdon had 20 digs; Cohen had 10 digs and one ace; Lottchea had nine digs, six kills, two aces and one block; Williams had six digs; Lawton had five kills, four digs, one block and one ace; Bender had four kills and two blocks;

Lombard had one kill and one dig; and Radcliff had one kill.

Girls golf Waccamaw finished sixth at the Palmetto Tournament of Champions event at True Blue last weekend.

Durham Academy won the event with a two-day total of +51. Dorman was second at +56 and May River was third at +70.

Anna Brown finished at 153 to lead the Warriors.

Other Waccamaw scores: Kayla Holek 165, Victoria Gullo 172, Ella Bischof 173.

Waccamaw was coming off a 165-174 loss to Carolina Forest on Sept.

14.

Brown shot a 39, the low round for the Warriors.

Other Waccamaw scores: Holek 43, Bischof 46, Elizabeth Ashcraft 46, Gullo 47, Susie Fabbri 49, Ava Broach 57, Anna Kate Livingston 55, Darla Daigle 64, Charlotte Beard 64, Chloe O’Neal 66, McKenzie Sexton 55, Mary Miles Player 64, Anna Reese Gates 69.

Boys volleyball Waccamaw picked up its second win of the season by defeating North Myrtle Beach 3-1 on Monday.

The Warriors won 2515, 25-22, 12-25 and 25-14.

Waccamaw was coming off a 3-1 loss to Academic Magnet on Sept. 13.

The Raptors won 2522, 25-19, 21-25 and 26-24.

Subscribe today coastalobserver.com

GOLF | Local club results

By Carol Bulone FOR THE OBSERVER

Tradition Club The ladies competed in low putts.

First, Star Waworecki, 30; second, Janet Ransom, 31; third, Robyn Billie, 34, on a match of cards over Joyce Smith.

Birdie: Billie on 15.

Chip-in: Adrienne Molloy on 15.

The men competed in two nets “choker.”

First, Dick Pacella, Charlie Cocores, Steve Smith, Kie Westby, 130; second, Frank Haddy, Jack Graham, Pat Butler, Marion Culpepper, 133; third, Vinnie Esposito, Dan Goodell, Jeff Allbright, Bill DiGaudio, 134.

Low gross: DePazzo, 73. Closest to the pin: Pacella on two, Lou De-

Pazzo on five and 12, WarFirst, Anthony Little, ren Winterbottom on 15.

Dain Price, John Welsch, Sandy Burns (blind draw), Heritage Plantation 102; second, Cam Bosnic, Larry Judge, Bob BorgThe Weekend Warriors meier, Melvin Fogg (blind played at Pine Lakes. The draw), 103; third, Dennis format was team quota.

Wahl, Melvin Fogg, Sandy First, Matt Marro, Tim Burns, Don Durdan, 106.

McIntosh, Leo Dick, blind The ladies played indidraw, +5; second, Frank vidual Stableford points at Baker, Rick Koerwer, Kev- the River Club. in Blessing, Harry KoerFirst, Carleen Hobbs, ber, -7.

31; second, Sandra Hood, Low gross: first, Marro, 28, on a match of cards 72; second, Mark Quealy, over Patti Luckey.

83.

Chip-in: Jane Cragg Most over quota: first, on 12. Birdie: Luckey on Marro, +6; second, Bless- eight. ing, +4.

Closest to the pin: Mar- The Reserve ro on eight.

It was individual low Pawleys Plantation net for the ladies.

First, Sharon Kazee, The game for the men 61; second, Maureen Tornwas one low net on par 3’s cello, 63. and 4’s and three low nets Birdies: Sandie Wynn on par 5’s. on seven, Torncello on 12.

Thank you for supporting the Waccamaw High School Athletic Booster Club

BRONZE WARRIORS

Neill Law Firm, PA Downstream Recycling Grayman Climate Control Delta Timber Company Rental Guardian Robby and Helen Jones

Donna Maser CPA McNeal Veterinary Hospital The Quinn Family Sheila and Scott Ellison Weathers Law Firm

Creative Landscapes

11520 Hwy. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, SC www.creativelandscapesinc.net

843- 651- 3535

Landscape Design Plantings • Drainage Patio/Hardscapes • Lighting