Since May 2007
PRESORT STANDARD
Volume 13 Issue 26
An SCDNR biologist measures a golden tilefish aboard a research vessel. Golden
tilefish are believed to reach 50 years of age. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources.
Safe to enjoy
MERCURY LEVELS IN
TILEFISH ARE OK
BY ERIN WEEKS
For The Island Connection
E
ating local, sustainably caught
fish is a priority for many South
Carolinians who want to be
healthy and support the coastal economy.
But eating fish is not without potential
risks – fish consumption represents the
greatest source of mercury exposure for
Americans, which can present serious
health risks at high concentrations.
After a recent study by the
South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources and the South
Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control, fans of at least
one type of fish familiar to local menus
can continue to enjoy it.
An analysis of mercury concentrations
in blueline and golden tilefish falls in a
safe range for weekly consumption.
“Lower mercury levels in tilefish from
the Carolinas is good news for consumers
as well as the fishermen harvesting
them,” said South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources biologist Byron
White, who led the study.
Tilefish are a group of colorful ocean-
dwellers whose sweet white meat makes
Art and House Tour Canceled
Page 5
FREE
them a popular commercial target.
Historically, tilefish have ranked among
the top five fish in high mercury levels,
a scientific mystery because the bottom-
dwelling tilefish has a dramatically
different life history and behavior than
the other high-ranking fish –swordfish,
sharks and mackerel.
The high mercury levels in tilefish led
U.S. health officials to repeatedly issue
advisories against eating them. Those
advisories, however, were based on a
limited sample: a small number of fish
taken in 1978 from the Gulf of Mexico,
which is known to have differing levels of
mercury in some species when compared
with the Atlantic Ocean.
“Part of my interest in doing this
study was that perhaps the mercury
concentrations in tilefish found off of
South Carolina don’t look like those in
the Gulf of Mexico,” White said.
For a long time, the Gulf samples
were the best available data. Commercial
fishermen in New England had their own
tilefish samples analyzed, which showed
mercury levels vastly lower than those
in the Gulf. Those findings prompted
the Environmental Protection Agency
Tilefish continues on page 3
Recognition Day
Page 6
March 27, 2020
Better to have it
KIAWAH COUNCIL RENEWS
HELICOPTER TRANSPORT CONTRACT
BY GREGG BRAGG
The Island Connection Sr. Staff Writer
M
ayor Craig Weaver opened the
March 3 Council meeting of
the Town of Kiawah Island
with a verbal ellipses, “The first subject
is one that you’re going to hear over and
over… over the next eight to 12 weeks.
… As you’ve seen, our parkway renewal/
repaving project is now starting. The
schedule has gone out, and I think what
you’ll see is … night work will give way
to several weeks of daytime work along
the fringes and turn lanes, followed by
more night work in April and May as a
final 3 inches of pavement is added to
the entire length of the area.” The mayor
concluded his remarks by celebrating the
official opening of the Kiawah Island
Golf Resort’s efforts to ring in the 2021
PGA event at the Ocean Course.
Kiawah resident Wendy Kulick
spawned a general discussion and
apparent agreement that the town
will list the states that do and don’t
participate in AirMedCare’s program.
AMC currently has an agreement
with Kiawah Island and other local
municipalities to provide helicopter
transport in the case of a life-threatening
emergency within Charleston County.
All residents are covered by the program
and for a small, additional premium
of $35 can extend the privilege to
approximately 31 states. The program
limits costs to either the amount covered
by insurance or the Medicare allowed
amount, so long as AMC provides the
transportation.
There was a good deal of discussion,
and Council member Chris Widuch
pointed out the service has never been
used by a Kiawah resident. It was an
interesting question, given that AMC has
closed its program to new organizations,
according to Council member Maryanne
Connelly. It was also noted the Medical
University of South Carolina has its
own plans for helicopter transportation,
which is still something of an abstract
for Kiawah. The Council was swayed,
World-Class Chamber Music
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON SC
POSTAL PATRON
PERMIT NO 437
however, by the “better to have it than
wish” argument and voted unanimously
in favor of renewal.
Discussion of the “noise ordinance”
was next on the hit parade. Both the
community association and the town have
such an ordinance on the books. However,
the mayor pointed to a problem with the
first paragraph of the town’s ordinance,
which restricts sound to a property’s
boundaries between the hours of 11 p.m.
and 7 a.m.
we have had a
real problem
arise with this
in the last year
in the duneside
and timbers area
“We have had a real problem arise with
this in the last year [in] the Duneside and
Timbers area,” said the mayor.
Pool equipment was running 24/7,
and, while efforts to mitigate the
problem have been attempted, the
ordinance makes no allowance for
that kind of noise. For example, every
HVAC system on the island makes noise
across property lines, said Weaver. The
question the mayor asked was: “Should
we move forward with changes [using 60
decibels as a strawman].” The Council’s
acclamation was to move forward with
a staff investigation of the issue and
potential solutions.
Town Administrator Stephanie
Tillerson then took the reins to brief
the Council on the contract with the
Dennis Corporation for improvements
Kiawah Council continues on page 2
Page 9
2 March 27, 2020
civic civic

A message from Kiawah Council continues from cover

and repaving of Kiawah Island Parkway.

the mayor Dennis is being considered as an

additional sanity/quality check on the
project and would be engaged for 30
Lynn Pierotti TOWN OF KIAWAH ISLAND hours at a cost of $28,400. They have
previously done work with the town and
publisher

A
lynn@luckydognews.com s we all know, life on Kiawah has
changed dramatically in recent
Brian Sherman
days. Major recommendations and
requirements of the governor and state
managing editor health officials have been implemented
ICEditor@luckydognews.com by the different civic and commercial
entities on Kiawah. This includes the
Jennifer Tuohy cancellation of public meetings and events
contributing editor and the closure of restaurants and bars,
except for takeout. Both the Town and
jennifer@luckydognews.com Community Association are maintaining
essential services but relying on reduced
Alejandro Ferreyros staff and online processes where possible.
art director We applaud the quick response of our
on-island establishments and the actions
alejandro@luckydognews.com
they are taking to put in place alternative
approaches to serve our residents.
Lori McGee
To reinforce these actions and the
sales manager recommendations of the governor, I will
lori@luckydognews.com be asking the Town Council to approve a
local Declaration of Emergency affecting
Kiawah Island. The declaration is
procedural and will speed up the processes
Senior Staff Writer
for the Town to rapidly deploy or seek the
Gregg Bragg necessary resources, actions or regulations
to respond to COVID-19.
Contributors
Kiawah is experiencing and will
Erin Weeks continue to experience the same challenge
Sharon Peck as other communities with the availability
Sheilagh Carlisle of food and supplies. Harris Teeter has
reduced its hours to provide more time for
Martha Zink
restocking and ensuring the cleanliness
Stephanie Braswell Edgerton of their facility. They are receiving
Zach Watson new shipments, and we are discussing
Debra Rowland with them several actions to respond
to these unique circumstances. “Over
Ericka Plater
Abigail Darlington purchasing” of food and supplies is a
serious concern, and we ask that everyone
Jeannie Colson
show consideration for your neighbors by
Natassia Donohue limiting your purchases.
Rick Burke There has been discussion in the
Sandra Nikolajevs community about further limiting activity
Mandie Ronick on the island. Based on current public
Sarah Reynolds health advice, we have no intention of
arbitrarily restricting access or visitation
Jason L. Rapp
to Kiawah Island. We fully expect to see
diminished activity over the coming days
resulting from the most recent restrictions
on public events, dining operations and
relaxation of cancellation penalties.
Among the considerations, a majority
of Kiawah homeowners live full-time
somewhere besides Kiawah, but they
or family members are here or likely to
be traveling to Kiawah. Those property
owners are an integral and welcomed part
of our community. A number of hotel and
rental occupants are also family members
of residents who have come here during
this time to be closer to family.
Nonetheless, we will work with the
Resort and rental owners and managers
to ensure that rental property managers
and owners are closely monitoring their
rentals, advising guests of appropriate
conduct to follow during this medical
emergency and ensuring that their guests
understand and respect the health, safety
and concerns of the broader community.
While recent actions may have lessened
the opportunities for the introduction
and transfer of this virus, the risk still
continues. As this event has unfolded,
the advice from health authorities has not
changed: The two most important actions
you can take to ensure your personal safety
and the well-being of the entire Kiawah
community are to practice social distancing
and proper personal hygiene. Please be
considerate and act responsibly toward
the rest of the community by avoiding all
unnecessary public contact and quickly
seeking evaluation if you believe that you
may have symptoms of COVID-19.
There are undoubtedly going to be new
information, new questions and further
actions over the coming days as this public
health event takes its course. We will
continue to seek out and follow the most
current medical advice and adjust our
guidance and public policy accordingly.
Sincerely,
Craig Weaver
Mayor, Town of Kiawah Island
added only 1% to the total cost of the
project. The request was approved.
The mayor prefaced the next item of
new business as a matter for the Ways
and Means Committee. The committee
didn’t meet in February, though there
was a “special” Ways and Means meeting
for items related to the parkway. A
summary of the 2020-2021 budget was
pushed to the regular meeting of the
Council.
Town Treasurer Dorota Szubert
opened with a history lesson dating back
to the recession of 2008. Revenue sources
are not as consistent as she would like,
mostly as a result of reporting going
to the county instead of the town. She
added that the town is in good financial
shape. She said, however, that the town
is trending toward a reduction in new
construction, which means lower than
anticipated revenue.
She also said the town would not
suffer adverse impacts from passage of SC
H4431, the business license tax reform
legislation currently making its way
through the state Legislature. Szubert said
Kiawah may have to adjust corresponding
ordinances but that amendments to
the legislation leave determining fees to
local governments. This keeps the town’s
revenue projections relatively flat. A review
of expenses by the Ways and Means
Committee is the next step in the budget
process.
Kulick asked if the town had
anything in place to address the looming
coronavirus. The mayor responded by
saying he had just finished discussing the
matter. Communication is the key, and
while Kiawah seems unlikely to be hard
hit, there is exposure given the amount
of tourism the island enjoys. The mayor
stressed that responding to something
like a pandemic is driven by state and
federal authorities but that infrastructure
is already in place, and the town will not
be starting from scratch.

Civic Calendar
K iawah Island Town H all
Published by 21 Beachwalker Drive
Lucky Dog Publishing Kiawah Island, S.C. 29455
of South Carolina, LLC Phone: 768-9166
P.O. Box 837
Town of Kiawah Planning Commission Board of Zoning Fax: 768-4764
Meeting Appeals
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 April 8, 3 p.m. April 20, 3 p.m. Seabrook Island Town H all
Arts & Cultural Events
843-886-NEWS Council Kiawah Town Hall Kiawah Town Hall 2001 Seabrook Island Road
April 2, 2 p.m. Seabrook Island, S.C. 29455
Future submission deadline: Kiawah Town Hall Public Works Phone: 768-9121
April 1 for the Committee Town of Seabrook Fax: 768-9830
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
April 10 Issue Arts Council Board April 13, 10 a.m.
Meeting Kiawah Town Hall The town of Seabrook Johns Island Council
Op-ed articles and letters to the editor do not April 6, 10 a.m. Island has canceled all Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-
necessarily reflect the opinion of Kiawah Town Hall Public Safety April meetings as of op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy.,
Lucky Dog News or its writers. Committee the time date of this Johns Island, S.C. 29455
Town Council Meeting April 15, 11:30 a.m. publication. Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
April 7, 2 p.m. Kiawah Town Hall
The Island Kiawah Town Hall Charleston County Council
4045 Bridge View Drive
N. Charleston, S.C. 29405
Connection News Updates
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March 27, 2020
daily
Tilefish continues on page 3
to specify Gulf of Mexico tilefish as a
“choice to avoid” and Atlantic tilefish as
a “good choice.”
SCDNR biologists, however, still
wondered about the mercury levels of fish
taken from local waters.
SCDNR’s long-running Reef Fish
Survey, which tracks the health and
habitat of offshore reef fish, routinely
catches tilefish on its research
expeditions. When the survey team
received a grant to learn more about
the life history of tilefish, White saw
an opportunity to study mercury
concentration in the South Carolina
fish as well. For two seasons, biologists
collected muscle samples from the tilefish
they caught.
The researchers also asked
McClellanville-based commercial
fisherman Steve Shelly if he’d be willing
to donate tilefish samples for mercury
concentration testing. Shelly, a longtime
SCDNR collaborator, was happy to
oblige.
For the mercury concentration
testing of the tilefish, SCDNR turned to
another state agency, SCDHEC, which
is responsible for setting guidelines
for safe fish consumption in South
Carolina. Their findings in 2012 led
the health agency to adjust its own fish
consumption advisories to recommend
one meal per week of tilefish – but it
would be years before the team was able
to publish their results in a peer-reviewed
scientific journal.
The data from this collaborative
effort fueled further research, prompting
SCDNR biologist Wiley Sinkus – then
a student in the College of Charleston’s
graduate program in marine biology
working with advisor Dr. Virginia
Shervette – to look at mercury in several
other commercially and recreationally
important offshore reef fish in the
Atlantic Ocean.
i think it’s
important for
consumers to
know that our
samples for
this part of
the world are
considered ‘good
choices’ under
current epa
guidelines
Of the 63 golden tilefish samples
collected, 95% fell within the EPA’s
“good choices” range, which allows for
at least one serving per week. 62% of
the samples fell within the range that is
considered safe for up to two servings per
week. For blueline tilefish, 68% of 62 fish
sampled tested within the EPA’s “good
choices” category.
“I think it’s important for consumers
to know that our samples for this part of
the world are considered ‘good choices’
under current EPA guidelines,” White
said.

Tid e Char t

Date High Tide Low Tide

Mar 27 11:58am 5:50am/6:03pm
Mar 28 12:36am/12:51pm 6:46am/6:55pm
Mar 29 1:34am/1:48pm 7:45am/7:52pm
Mar 30 2:36am/2:49pm 8:47am/8:55pm
Mar 31 3:40am/3:53pm 9:50am/10:00pm
Apr 01 4:44am/4:55pm 10:51am/11:03pm
Apr 02 5:42am/5:53pm 11:46am
Apr 03 6:34am/6:44pm 12:00am/12:35pm
Apr 04 7:21am/7:29pm 12:51am/1:19pm
Apr 05 8:02am/8:11pm 1:36am/2:00pm
Apr 06 8:41am/8:49pm 2:18am/2:37pm
Apr 07 9:17am/9:25pm 2:57am/3:11pm
Apr 08 9:52am/9:59pm 3:34am/3:44pm
Apr 09 10:25am/10:31pm 4:09am/4:16pm

Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.

Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
wrong so use common sense.
Source: saltwatertides.com
4 March 27, 2020
E X C AVAT I O N S O N P O C K O Y I S L A N D O P E N T O T H E P U B L I C
FROM SCDNR
For The Island Connection
T
he public is invited to join the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources archaeology
team as they conduct excavations at Pockoy
Island, located on Botany Bay Plantation Heritage
Preserve. Archaeological excavation will take place from
May 1 through May 23. The site will be open to the
public throughout the season from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
on Wednesday through Saturday each week. The site is
closed to the public on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Guided public tours of the site are offered at 10 a.m., 1
p.m. and 2 p.m.
“The Ring People,” a documentary produced in 2019,
takes viewers to remote archaeological sites, including
Pockoy Island, as scientists discover more about
monumental rings of shell constructed during the Late
Archaic period by American Indians. “The Ring People”
and other SCDNR archaeology documentaries can be
found at heritagetrust.dnr.sc.gov/films.html.
The Pockoy Island Shell Ring Complex is the latest
archaeological discovery on Botany Bay Plantation
Heritage Preserve, a SCDNR-managed area on Edisto
Island. The rings were found in 2017. Pockoy 1 is the
oldest known shell ring in South Carolina, dating to
the Late Archaic period, approximately 4,300 years ago
– the same time period as the construction of the first
Egyptian pyramids.
While the two shell rings are considered one
archaeological site, recent excavations have focused on
Pockoy 1 since it is experiencing a rapid rate of erosion –
about 9.5 meters per year.
The Pockoy Island Shell Ring Complex is among
thousands of coastal archaeological sites threatened by
the rising sea level. Because of this threat, Pockoy is
considered an example of heritage at risk – a global term
daily
Can you dig it?
used to define cultural resources impacted by natural
and human threats.
For nearly 70 years, Botany Bay Plantation has
experienced one of the highest rates of erosion in coastal
South Carolina. The shoreline has moved as much as
three quarters of a mile inland in some locations. Rapid
archaeological investigation of Pockoy 1 is critical because
the site will be gone by 2024. In fact, a 1-meter rise in sea
level will submerge 19,000 recorded archaeological sites in
the Southeastern United States by the end of the century.
Pockoy 1 is one of the most intensely investigated
shell rings in the world. Excavations there began in July
2017 with shovel testing and probing of the site. Shovel
test pits, each of them 30 centimeters in diameter and
1 meter deep, were excavated by hand every 10 meters
across the site. The STPs helped SCDNR archaeologists
determine where larger excavation units and trenches
should be located for future field seasons.
Probing through the shell used to construct Pockoy 1
more than 4,000 years ago helped SCDNR archaeologists
determine the thickness and diameter of the shell ring.
Pockoy 1 is the shape of a donut and measures about 60
meters across and 60 centimeters at its thickest point. The
center of this donut shape – the plaza – is void of shell.
Excavations in May 2018 focused on the west side of the
shell ring into the plaza, while excavations in December
2018 focused on the plaza itself.
During the May 2019 field season, while SCDNR
archaeologists expanded their excavations of the Pockoy
1 plaza, they were joined by more than 400 volunteers
and nearly 1,400 visitors. They were also joined by
other teams of archaeologists who assisted in laying the
groundwork for future archaeological investigations of the
island. Mississippi State University archaeology staff and
students conducted an STP survey of Pockoy Island to
determine artifact patterns across the island. Meanwhile,
archaeologists from the National Park Service
Southeastern Archaeological Center probed Pockoy 2 to
determine the shell ring’s diameter and thickness. Also in
the shape of a donut, Pockoy 2 measures approximately
80 meters across and 45 centimeters at its thickest point.
During the May 2020 field season, SCDNR
archaeologists will focus on expanding their
investigations of the Pockoy 1 plaza and northern
portions of the shell ring. They will be joined by Indiana
University of Pennsylvania staff and students who will
conduct an archaeological field school on Pockoy Island.
Information carefully collected from Pockoy 1
suggests that it was constructed and occupied over a
relatively short period of time, between 20 and 100
years. However, there are many questions still to answer:
Why were the Pockoy Island Shell Rings constructed?
Are they connected to a larger network of shell ring
communities across the Southeastern United States?
Were they created for a ceremonial purpose?
Time is running out to gather information to answer
these and many other questions.
Further information:
The public can pre-register for tours at:
eventbrite.com/e/guided-tours-of-the-pockoy-island-
archaeological-excavation-tickets-84750074755
People can volunteer to help at:
eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-at-the-pockoy-island-
archaeological-excavation-tickets-85202957339.
Groups of 10 or more who wish to visit the site may register
at: surveymonkey.com/r/TV68NHF.
For more information about the May 2020 field season:
scwildlife.com/articles/septoct2018/TheShellRingsofPockoy.
html.
For more information about the SCDNR Heritage Trust
Program: heritagetrust.dnr.sc.gov/.
Directions to the preserve: dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/
ManagedLand/ManagedLand/57.
March 27, 2020
fundraising
Artist Guild raises funds Art and House Tour canceled
for St. John’s High School
BY SHARON PECK
For The Island Connection
D
uring its November Art Show,
the Seabrook Island Artist Guild
raised $800 for the St. John’s
High School art program. The donation
was matched by an additional $120
from Artist & Craftsman Supply in
Charleston, for a total of $920.
The $920 was given in the form of a
store credit for art teacher Michael Arnett
to purchase art supplies to be used in his
classroom.
“We now have the means for acrylic
painting and colored pencil drawing –
Prisma, the good kind of pencils,” Arnett
said.
arts & events
Save the date
GOLF TOURNEY WILL
B E N E F I T H A B I TAT
BY SHEILAGH CARLISLE
For The Island Connection
S
ea Island Habitat for Humanity
has scheduled its fundraising
golf tournament for June 2 at the
The Guild also donates art supplies to
the high school throughout the year.
Studies show that the arts keep
children in school, strengthen ties to the
community, improve motor, spatial and
language skills, promote creativity, build
confidence, relieve stress and improve
problem-solving skills. However, the arts
are one of the first places schools look
to trim their budgets. St. John’s High
School has very little funding for its art
program, which is why the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild has for several years
continued to donate to this cause.
For more information on the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild, membership, events,
classes, workshops and shows, visit
seabrookislandartistguild.com.
Cassique Course on Kiawah Island.
All proceeds from the tournament
will benefit the Lowcountry community
through the mission of the Sea Island
Habitat for Humanity.
arts & events
BY MARTHA ZINK
For The Island Connection
I
n the interest of public safety in the
face of the coronavirus outbreak,
the Arts, etc. Art and House Tour,
scheduled to be held on Kiawah
Island April 3, has been canceled. The
daily
New Kiawah leash law
now in effect
BY STEPHANIE BRASWELL EDGERTON
For The Island Connection
A
s of March 16, dogs must be leashed
on the beach at Kiawah Island,
except in the designated area located
between the eastern boundary of the Beach
Club and the Ocean Course Clubhouse.
In the dog-use area, dogs can be
off-leash year-round from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Owners must remain with their pet, have
the pet under control and have a leash in
their possession. Electronic leashes are
prohibited. Dogs are never allowed in the
critical habitat area and should never be
allowed to flush nesting shorebirds.
5
committee appreciates all those who
have supported us this year and looks
forward to our tour in April 2021.
For more information, email events@
kiawahartsetc.org.
Beach Patrol and Code Enforcement
are authorized to ticket offenders. Problems
regarding noncompliance should be
reported to Beach Patrol at 843-518-2880.
A friendly reminder: Dogs must be
leashed at all times outside unless they are
in an enclosed area. The only exception to
this rule is on the beach in the designated
year-round off-leash area. Problems
regarding noncompliance off the beach
should be reported to 24-hour ordinance
violation hotline: 843-259-2137.
6 March 27, 2020
daily
Recognition Day
FRESHMEN BECOME CADETS
E A R LY D U E T O C O V I D - 1 9
BY ZACH WATSON
For The Island Connection
O
ne hour before sunrise on March
13, The Citadel class of 2023 was
officially recognized as members of
the South Carolina Corps of Cadets – two
weeks early because of the dynamic situation
involving COVID-19.
Recognition Day is one of the most
important events in the life of a cadet. It’s
when freshmen cadet recruits officially
become cadets after months of training.
It means the end of rigid formations,
walking in single file at breakneck speed
and the highly-regimented way of life that
is The Citadel’s fourth-class system. It’s the
beginning of a new chapter in The Citadel’s
leadership development process.
After hours of grueling physical work
followed by a spirit run, cadets were called
onto the checkered floor of their barracks
where, after more push-ups, they listened
in silent exhaustion to a message from
Regimental Commander Richard Snyder.
The decision to move Recognition Day
was made to ensure that the class of 2023
was properly recognized if the campus had
to be closed later in the semester.
“I think actually seeing it come to life – it
added a different flavor that none of us got
to experience,” said Snyder. “And the privacy
Photo courtesy of The Citadel.
of doing it with just the cadets, because there
are very few things on this campus that are
really just the cadets, made for a much more
family atmosphere – just getting to do it
with your peers and do it with the people
who trained you the entire year.”
“The world’s really in a crisis situation
right now,” Snyder added. “This event is
more important than our graduation, I
think, because this would affect the next
four years of the institution.”
Apart from the Gauntlet, all other
planned March activities were canceled
because of COVID-19. Since March 23, all
classes at the school have been held online.
“I think as leaders you have to take the
things you don’t necessarily like and make
the most of it,” said Snyder. “And I think
we did that as a class and did that as an
institution. I think it’s a good life lesson, that
you never know when things are going to
get cut short or you never know when you’re
not going to get the time you wanted.”
daily
Garden Club members
visit Cypress Gardens
BY MARTHA ZINK AND DEBRA ROWLAND
For The Island Connection
O O
n March 13, members of the
Kiawah Island Garden Club
and their guests gathered for a
delicious meal at the Monck’s Corner
Gilligan’s Restaurant and then went on a
45-minute guided boat tour through 20
acres of Cypress Garden’s 80-acre swamp.
During the ride through the black
swamp, the guide helped everyone
observe the natural habitat for turtles,
birds, snakes and alligators. Throughout
the journey, they were surrounded by
huge cypress trees with their distinctive
“knees,” which give the cypress trees
the stability essential to withstand high
winds as well as nourishment for their
submerged root system. Other features
of Cypress Gardens are the fish in the
swamparium and the butterfly house.
Cypress Gardens began in 1750 as
a rice plantation, drawing fresh water
Photo by Brenda Larsen.
from the Cooper River. Later it became
Cypress Gardens was destroyed by the
a duck hunting preserve. During the
disastrous floods of 2015, and, after four
Depression, paths were built around the
years and many millions of dollars, it was
preserve. It was opened to the public in
again opened to the public.
1932 and given to the city of Charleston
in 1963.
experience perfectly as “a new adventure
Currently, the entire preserve is 170
to remember.”
acres, of which 80 are swampland.
March 27, 2020
daily
The best in human nature Community benefits from
A N U P D AT E F R O M O L M C O S
OLMCOS golf tourney
BY ERICKA PLATER OF OLMCO
For The Island Connection
A
t the core of the mission of Our
Lady of Mercy Community
Outreach every day is the ability
to provide assistance, education and
wellness services to individuals and
families to support self-sufficiency in the
communities we serve. We understand
all too well that a strain such as this will
disproportionately affect low-income and
vulnerable populations. Those we serve
are already living paycheck to paycheck,
and even the slightest reduction in
income can create a financial crisis for
the entire household. In the event that
businesses may need to reduce staffing
or hours, or a parent needs to miss work
due to school closures, we are committed,
as always, to ensuring that the most
vulnerable among us receive the critical
support they need to not fall behind.
We know that an especially difficult
path may lay ahead for many. Our
priority during this time is to remain an
anchor in the community. In order to
safely support our community, staff and
volunteers, we are making the following
changes until further notice. We will
continue to provide updates periodically
The printed receipt sums up the
on our website and social media
platforms:
• Emergency services – food,
clothing, financial assistance
– continue to operate at both
locations;
• The soup kitchen has moved from
daily
Coastal Community
Foundation launches COVID-19
Relief & Recovery Fund
BY ABIGAIL DARLINGTON
For The Island Connection
C
oastal Community Foundation
of South Carolina, the largest
nonprofit community foundation
in the Palmetto State, has launched
the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery
Fund to receive charitable donations to
support communities disproportionately
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
and the economic consequences of the
outbreak.
The fund is seeded with $140,000,
with support from Coastal Community
Foundation, Waccamaw Community
Foundation and Frances P. Bunnelle
Foundation. Additional money will be
sought from individual donors, corporate
partners and foundations.
The fund will provide flexible
resources to organizations working
with priority groups, including senior
citizens, children, people who are
health-compromised and workers in
the hospitality and tourism industry in
Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton,
Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton and
7
arts & events
BY JEANNIE COLSON will go directly to Our Lady of Mercy
For The Island Connection Community Outreach’s mission to
hot lunches to pickup only bag encourage and support self-sufficiency
lunches; and self-worth for people in need
ur Lady of Mercy Community through education, wellness and outreach
• All adult and youth education Outreach, a nonprofit that has
services. The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek
programs are suspended; been helping those in need
was designed by Rees Jones, with
• OLMCO’ dental clinic closed on the Sea Islands and downtown picturesque views of the Kiawah River
March 17; Charleston for 30 years, will host its 27th
embracing the Lowcountry landscape.
annual golf tournament April 29 at the
• OLMCO’ women’s wellness “We are very grateful for the support
exclusive Golf Club at Briar’s Creek on
services closed March 17; of our sponsors, volunteers and players
Johns Island.
• All additional non-essential who make this event possible year after
activities have been suspended. Registration gets underway at 11 a.m., year. OLMCOS is truly transforming
with the shotgun start beginning at 1
We highly encourage clients, staff, lives, and this tournament is a way
volunteers, partners, donors and other p.m. An awards ceremony and dinner at for everyone to have a good time and
the clubhouse will follow.
community members to put their health raise money to sustain our programs
first, to take precautions as outlined by Early bird pricing is $450 per player and services so we can keep making a
the CDC and to follow the guidance of or $1,650 for a foursome through April sustainable impact in people’s lives,” said
local officials. 1. The price then will increase to $475 Ericka Plater, executive director of Our
As we prepare for a potential increase per player or $1,850 for a foursome until Lady of Mercy Community Outreach.
in the number of people we serve and registration closes April 22. Golfers will
enjoy a round of golf in a four-player To register your team, visit olmoutreach.
possible disruptions to our food supply, org/golf. For information on sponsorship
many of you have reached out to ask team format, lunch, refreshments, door
prizes and gift bags. opportunities, email Hannah.Finley@
how you can help. We are so appreciative
All proceeds from the tournament olmoutreach.org.
of your offers of financial or food
contributions and especially for your
genuine concern for the well-being of
those we serve. We need your support
now more than ever.
While times like this are trying,
they often bring out the best in human
nature, and we see inspiring examples
of neighbors helping neighbors and
individuals stepping up to support our
community.
If you have any questions, please call
843-559-4109.
Horry counties.
“The immediate threat to our
communities is the spread of this virus
and the pressures it could place on our
health care systems. In addition to that,
we anticipate short and long-term effects
on our workforce and local economies,”
said CCF President and Chief Executive
Officer Darrin Goss. “By pooling our
resources now to support those most
affected, our region will be better
equipped to respond quickly and sustain
that response over the duration of this
crisis."
Tax-deductible donations can be made
online at coastalcommunityfoundation.
org/special-initiatives/covid-19-relief-
recovery-fund/.
The fund is designed to make grants
to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and
groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3)
organization. The Foundation cannot
accept applications from individuals or
on behalf of individuals.
To learn more, visit
coastalcommunityfoundation.org or call
843-723-3635.
8 March 27, 2020
daily
Pet Helpers helps take the
bite out of the coronavirus
BY NATASSIA DONOHUE
For The Island Connection
P BY RICK BURKE
et Helpers has announced that it
will limit its public hours to help in
the fight against COVID-19 and
is urging the public to keep their pets
home while maintaining social distancing
protocols. Pet Helpers vaccine clinics have
been canceled through the end of March.
The shelter is seeking financial support
and in-kind donations of dry cat and dog
food for its pet food bank. At this time,
Pet Helpers is temporarily unable to take
any other type of in-kind donations.
The shelter cares for nearly 100 animals
and is doing so while keeping public health
a top priority. Pet Helpers uses hospital-
grade cleaners and follows strict daily
cleaning regimens, and additional sanitizing
measures are being taken. Essential staff
will provide animal care, and intakes have
been significantly reduced. Donations are
greatly needed for continued support as
many special and fundraising events are
being canceled, and animals are still in need.
Monetary donations can be made online by
visiting bit.ly/PHdonatenow.
Pet Helpers pet food bank is accepting
drop-off donations of cat and dog food
in designated bins outside the shelter.
Food bank services will be available by
appointment, offering curbside delivery.
Pet Helpers staff is anticipating an
elevated need in this service because the
statewide school and business closures
are forcing many people into difficult
financial situations.
Pet Helpers will be open to the public
from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through
Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. on
Saturday and Sunday. Adoptions can
also be handled by appointment, which
is encouraged. The spay/neuter clinic will
be open during regular hours but will
be operating on a system that requires
clients to check in, receive a number and
wait in their car until they are called.
For all adoption and food bank
inquiries, please contact the shelter at
843-795-1110. For clinic inquiries, please
call 843-302-0556.
Pet Helpers adoption center and spay/
neuter clinic is a 501(c)3 dedicated to
serving the animals and community across
the Lowcountry. Its mission is to end the
euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs
by keeping all animals until adopted,
providing low-cost spay/neuter surgeries,
offering humane education programs,
pursuing animal-cruelty prosecution and
initiating animal-welfare legislation.
daily
Johns Island native
participates in ship
selection draft
For The Island Connection
N
avy Midshipman Gordon Turley,
a native of of Johns Island,
participated in the 2020 spring
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
ship selection draft as a future member of
the Surface Warfare Officer community.
More than 270 midshipmen from
NROTC units around the country
chose to serve as surface warfare officers.
Midshipmen are ranked according to
their grade point average, aptitude scores
and physical fitness.
Gordon Turley.
According to their rankings, each
Turley is majoring in international
midshipman provided a preference of
relations and international security
ship or home port to the junior officer
studies at Duquesne University. Upon
detailer at the Navy Personnel Command
graduation, he will receive a commission
in Millington, Tennessee. If these
as a Navy ensign and report aboard the
preferences were available, they were
USS Shiloh as a surface warfare officer.
assigned as requested.
The Shiloh is a multifaceted warship that
“I am most excited to meet my can complete undersea, air and surface
division and the sailors that I will
warfare missions. The ship is currently
be working with,” said Turley. “The home ported in Yokosuka, Japan.
NROTC program has taught me time
“I am very excited to get out into the
management skills, as well as how to
fleet and eager to learn and achieve as
roll with the punches and keep moving
much as I can,” said Turley.
forward.”
March 27, 2020
Enjoy world-class chamber music
CMC ANNOUNCES 2020-21 SCHEDULE
BY SANDRA NIKOLAJEVS
For The Island Connection
C
hamber Music Charleston has announced
its schedule for the 2020-21 season, the
organization’s 14th year of bringing world-class
chamber music concerts to the Holy City.
Highlights of the 2020-21 season include the
Ovation Concert Series, which begins on Oct. 13 at the
newly renovated Sottile Theatre. Guest violinist Rachel
Barton Pine and harpsichordist Jory Vinikour will
join CMC musicians for a program of music including
Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 5” and Beethoven’s
“String Quartet Op. 95.” The performance draws upon
the rich history of chamber music in Charleston and
explores the connection to concerts of the St. Cecilia
Society in the early 1800s. This special series-opening
event has been selected as an official partnering event of
the Charleston 350 commemoration.
The Ovation Concert Series continues with three
performances at the Dock Street Theatre and features
CMC’s talented musicians performing alongside
incredible guest artists such as violinists Francisco
Fullana and Amy Schwartz Moretti and pianists Phillip
Bush and Andrew Armstrong.
The 2020-21 season will also feature four
performances of the Salon Series, taking place in
the historic setting of South Carolina Society Hall.
The Salon Series opens on Sept. 27 with a special
collaboration with the Actors Theatre of South Carolina
to present “Beethoven: His Women & Music” and
will continue with “A Classical Christmas” on Dec. 6,
“Music of Romance” on Feb. 14, 2021, and “Rock and
Rondo Redux” on April 11, 2021.
9
arts & events
A full season of House Concerts continues with
performances in the historic homes of downtown
Charleston and grand living spaces of Kiawah Island
and Bishop Gadsden. From string quartets to piano
trios, musicians of Chamber Music Charleston will
bring to life the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy
and Mozart within the intimate setting of a private
home.
Chamber Music Charleston’s educational and
outreach programs continue with in-school concerts and
large-scale public performances, including the return
of “The Night Before Christmas” at Sottile Theatre on
Dec. 19, 2020. In-school performances will take place
at elementary schools on Edisto, Wadmalaw and Johns
islands.
Tickets and more information about individual
concerts are available online at chambermusiccharleston.
org or by calling 843-763-4941.
Chamber Music Charleston was founded in 2006 to
enhance the quality of life in the greater Charleston area
through the performance, cultivation and promotion
of classical chamber music of high artistic quality by
Lowcountry musicians. CMC began with a five-member
advisory board and 13 core musicians who performed Violinist Rachel Barton Pine, above, and harpsichordist
Jory Vinikour will join CMC musicians for an Oct. 13
throughout the initial season, presenting 15 concerts.
The majority of the performances were “house concerts,” performance.
intimate evenings of chamber music in private homes in
Festival, Happy New Year Charleston, MOJA Festival
downtown Charleston and Kiawah Island. and North Charleston Arts Festival. In May 2013,
Over the years, CMC began presenting more CMC made its New York City debut performance at
concerts to meet the demand for its engaging Carnegie Hall, with a return performance in May 2017.
presentations. Over its 14 year-history, CMC has Internationally, CMC has twice participated in the
performed in theaters, churches, schools and art Musica en Segura Festival in Spain and as part of the
galleries throughout the greater Charleston area, in Forum Cultural Arts Series in St. Thomas in the U.S.
addition to special performances for the Piccolo Spoleto Virgin Islands.
10
arts & events
Happy birthday
Beethoven
CHARLESTON SYMPHONY WILL
MARK HIS 250TH
CSO Music Director Ken Lam.
BY MANDIE RONICK
For The Island Connection
T
he Charleston Symphony will join
orchestras around the world next
season in celebrating the works
of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, in
honor of the 250th anniversary of his
birth later this year.
The CSO’s 2020-2021 Masterworks
season, titled “An Ode to Joy,” will
feature one or more of Beethoven’s works
at each performance. Throughout the
season, the CSO will perform all nine
Beethoven symphonies – eight during the
Masterworks series and one on Kiawah
Island – as well as Beethoven’s “Emperor”
Piano Concerto and “Serioso” String
Quartet.
“To perform the complete cycle of
Beethoven symphonies in a single season
is a real musical journey,” according to
CSO Music Director Ken Lam, who is
also the conductor of the Masterworks
series. “I think the orchestra will be
significantly challenged. We’re looking
forward to it.”
Other season highlights will include
Brahms Symphony No. 4, Stravinsky’s
“Petrushka” and the music of five female
composers, chosen in honor of the 100th
anniversary of women’s suffrage in the
United States.
“We hear about composers like
Fanny Mendelssohn, Lili Boulanger
and Alma Mahler mainly through
their famous siblings or spouses, but
March 27, 2020
their compositions really merit more
attention,” Lam said.
Charleston Pops, which presents
the CSO’s Pops series, also announced
its lineup for the upcoming season.
Conducted by Maestro Yuriy Bekker, the
season’s performances will include “The
Roaring Twenties,” “Once Upon a Time
in the West,” “Music of the Movies:
In Space,” and the perennial audience
favorite, “Holiday Pops.” Due to heavy
demand, “Holiday Pops” will again
return for two performances.
Subscriptions for the upcoming
season are now on sale. The CSO offers
season passes to the Masterworks series
and the Pops series, in addition to “Pick
6” – an option that allows patrons
to mix and match between the two.
Masterworks subscriptions start at $184,
Pops at $92 and Pick 6 at $138. To
learn more about the CSO’s 2020-2021
season and how you can subscribe, visit
charlestonsymphony.org or call 843-723-
7528.
This year, the Charleston Symphony
Orchestra will enter its 84th season of
providing superior musical performances.
Founded in 1936, the CSO is the
cornerstone of Charleston’s arts scene,
performing its Masterworks and Pops
series at the Gaillard Center and
throughout the tri-county region.
Employing 24 full-time musicians and 13
full-time staff, the CSO also participates
in numerous community engagement
events, special concerts and school
programs throughout South Carolina.
March 27, 2020
daily
Virus shuts down county
parks and events
BY SARAH REYNOLDS
For The Island Connection
B
ased on guidance from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
and recommendation from the
governor’s office concerning the corona
virus, the Charleston County Park and
Recreation Commission’s parks were
closed until further notice on March 20.
In addition, all events have been canceled
through May 10, including the Pet Fest
and the Lowcountry Cajun Festival, due
to the threat of the coronavirus.
Some of these events may be
rescheduled in the coming months. This
precautionary action follows directives
from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to limit community events.
daily
Seeking input
S TAT E A R T S C O M M I S S I O N WA N T S
YOUR OPINION
BY JASON L. RAPP
For The Island Connection
T
he South Carolina Arts
Commission is gathering public
input to help it form the next
long-range plan for arts and culture in
South Carolina.
Every 10 years, dating back to 1980, the
South Carolina Arts Commission conducts
the Canvass of the People in public and
private forums and through an anonymous
online survey to gather South Carolinians’
impressions of the successes and challenges
for the arts and culture scene in the state.
They also are asked to look ahead and
weigh in on what the next steps should
be. Results culled from the Canvass of the
People help the SCAC form its Long Range
Plan for the Arts in South Carolina.
“Public input is the cornerstone of
this process. As we ask, ‘Where do we
go from here?’ we need for our reach
to be as far and wide as possible. There
are several Canvass forums scheduled
11
Money will be refunded to those who
registered for events or programs that
required a fee.
We will continue to follow
CDC guidelines for community
events. For the latest information on
Charleston County Parks closings,
scheduling and precautions, visit
CharlestonCountyParks.com.
The closed parks include: Caw Caw
Interpretive Center; Folly Beach County
Park; Folly Beach Pier; Isle of Palms
County Park; James Island County
Park; Johns Island County Park; Kiawah
Beachwalker Park; McLeod Plantation
Historic Site; Mount Pleasant Pier;
Palmetto Islands County Park; SK8
Charleston; and Wannamaker County
Park.
and more being planned, each chosen
strategically for geographic diversity
and, we hope, diversity of opinion
and experience. The goal is to generate
discussion about the arts to understand
what South Carolinians envision for their
communities,” SCAC Executive Director
David Platts said.
Updated listings of forum sites and the
link to take the anonymous survey can be
found at SouthCarolinaArts.com/Canvass/.
The SCAC is planning for the Canvass of
the People to finish in March so work on
the Long Range Plan for the Arts in South
Carolina may begin. The plan is expected
to be released in fall 2020.
Created by the South Carolina General
Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission
works to increase public participation in
the arts. Headquartered in Columbia,
the Commission is funded by the state of
South Carolina, the federal government
through the National Endowment for
the Arts and other sources. For more
information, visit SouthCarolinaArts.com
or call 803-734-8696.