PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON SC PERMIT NO 437
Volume 2 Issue 14
October 31, 2008
FREE
A true tale from Mullet Hall
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Sidi Limehouse, Rosebank Farms
he year was 1948 and I was ten years old. I called him Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown called me Mr. Sidi. Mr. Brown, somewhere in his 90s, was an old black man and I was a young white boy. We were friends. He was educated; Johns Island educated. Mr. Brown told me one day, “If you know, you know and if you don’t know, well, you just don’t know.” Mr. Brown felt it was his duty to teach me everything I should know and Mr. Brown said I should know about Brutus Garrett. It seems that Brutus, 100 years earlier, had panicked in a hurricane and that Brutus was now a haint: Brutus come bak each year in October when de full moon be high and you can see the marsh shines all de way to Kiwah. In them day, Mr. Legare had some kind o’ chine what him could look on and dis ting tell de pression. Was October de last. Mr. Legare ping de bell and say fo tell eby body must come to de big house. Him say de pression is low and we must take care of eby ting. Was maybe it was a gale comin. Eby animal, all de people must leave de creekside an go to Big Field (Big Field is where Mullet Hall Equestrian Center is now located). Big Field had a barn big enuf to hol eby body. People say Brutus musta been liquored up. Brutus laugh and Mr. Legare say de chine don know what him talkin bout. He take Gal; Gal been e mule an him ride Gal out to Jemmy Ilant (Jemmy Island is out in the marsh opposite Rhett’s Bluff). Say him fa pic last little bit o cotton. When Mr. Legare hear what Brutus done, he jump on he horse and take Laboard wit him to fetch Brutus. When dem get to de creek de tide been comin fas and de wind blow and dem turn back. When de people see em comin and ain’t got much as Gal wit dem, dey cuss Brutus a while but den pray fo em. He get real dark and de wind blow. De win blow so hard he ring de bell. Preacher Bishop say Brutus ring de bell. De people start fo wailin and nashin dey teet. Mr. Legare say fo eby body get in de loff of de barn and huddle up. Was a terruble night. In de mawnin was real quiet. Mr. Legare say fo feed de critter and take em back home. He send Laboard, the preacher and Boobie to look for Brutus. Dey ain’t find hide nor hair. I knows you gwynn ax bout Gal. Well a mule be smart, smartest animal dey is. Mr. Bryan say when de storm obor, Gal been stannin in he yard. De buzzart find Brutus. Laboard take a bateau and look on him and say he was too bad to bring to the hill so him bury him in de marsh. Mr. Legare say it wasn’t right to leave Brutus in the marsh but eby body he ax to fetch em come back say dey couldn’t fin him. He bin way in de middle of de marsh and dey loose de place where he been. Brutus he ain’t loose em. He know ain’t posed to be buried in de marsh. Every True Tale continued on page 14
I n s id e
page 5 SINHG
T he
Shooting the moon
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Eric Horan | November / 2008
bout this time last year, my wife, Jan and I headed down the Chechessee River in anticipation of this Harvest moonrise. It was nearing sunset and high tide when we anchored onto a small oyster bank. There was just enough high ground to bring out my tripod, chairs and a picnic basket with dinner. I mounted my camera with a 500mm lens onto the tripod. With all attention on the horizon, in this case Parris Island, we awaited the emerging light to the sounds of the tide washing against the oyster
I sl a nd
shells. Photographing the moon in the fall offers a distinct advantage. During autumn, the path of the moon is shorter than usual with a decreased period of darkness between sunset and moonrise. What this means to the photographer is that you have more to work with in creating an image. In this case I had the tree line of Parris Island, a twilight blue sky and the orange moon as it lifted The Moon continued on page 4
Connection. . .
page 9 GREEN BUILD
page 11 PET EXPO
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October 31, 2008
Sea Island Parkway resolution turned down
“In the spring of 1996, as many as 850 people, mostly Johns Islanders, packed St. John’s High School gymnasium to taunt, boo and interrupt state transportation department officials and representatives of a private corporation whose proposed toll road crossing Johns Island they had come to discuss. A highlight was reached when one of the critics, Ken Schneider, raised a fistful of hundred-dollar bills high in
The Island Connection Lynn Pierotti Publisher
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[email protected] Contributors Chris Brooks Sarah Ernst Lynda Fox Eric Johnson Chelsea Langan Mandi Sandstrom Elizabeth Stringfellow the 5th graders of Charleston Collegiate Published by Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina, LLC P.O. Box 837 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 843-886-NEWS Future deadlines: November 5 for submissions.
the air and brought the house down by ripping them apart, thus showing the Sea Island Parkway authority what it could do with its money. The issues which brought so many people, black and white, on a warm evening to the predominantly black high school on Johns Island included the constitutionality of the kind of joint public and private roadway which was proposed and whether the plan ought not be submitted to a county-wide popular referendum. But the primary issues where: whose interests should be served and how? And is “development” irresitable?” ~A Place Called St. Johns by Laylon Wayne Jordan and Elizabeth H. Stringfellow During the Charleston County Planning /Public Works Committee meeting on Thursday, October 16, a resolution for Charleston County to “request the South Carolina Deptartment of Transportation to to do all things necessary or helpful for the study, planning, development, construction
I only endorse the concept.” There were too many unanswered questions, he said, for him to be comfortable with the resolution. Though Inabinett did not go into the questions extensively, he cited several concerns about the locations of on/off ramps, the number of land owners who would be effected and the rates of traffic ingress/egress. “I can not, at this point, support the Cross Island Parkway unless my questions are answered,” he concluded. After Council voted not to endorse the resolution with a five to three vote, Councilman Inabinett proposed that a committee be formed consisting of representatives from Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Johns Island, the SCDOT and County Council to take a comprehensive look into transportation on Johns Island and present their results to Council. the motion was seconded by Condon and passed 6 to 2 with Councilman Darby abstaining.
Green Space Gala correction
Bev Hoover and Sue Holloman were the co-chairs of the Green Space Gala, not Barbara Measter, as was reprted in The Island Connection although she was assistant chair and a big hand in helping publicize the event. Thanks also go to Carol and Jim Gearhart, who arranged the layout for the silent auction, and Janet Gorski, who helped with computer input. Thanks as well to all of the board members of the Green Space Gala who helped make the event possible, including
Mac Stanton and Janice Franklin for helping with the silent auction, Ray Gorski for running the computerized checkout, Wayne Billian for handling the tickets, Jerry Cummin for taking care of name tags and registration, Jean Mitchell for helping Barbara Measter with publicity, Carl Voelker for setting up the tables and room layout, Don Smith for assisting in the event’s coordination and Sally Haas for donor coordination. We look forward to an even greener 2009!
Civic Calendar Monday, November 3 Kiawah Island Ways and Means Committee meeting 8:00am Kiawah Island Municipal Center
7:00pm – 8:00pm Berkeley Electric Co-Op, Maybank Rd.
Kiawah Island Arts Council 3:00pm - 5:00pm Town Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room
Tuesday, November 4 Kiawah Island Town Council Meeting 2:00pm - 4:00pm Town Hall Council Chambers City of Charleston Council meeting 5:00pm 80 Broad St., downtown Charleston Charleston County Council meeting 7:00pm Second floor – Lonnie Hamilton III Public Service Building, N. Charleston
Wednesday, November 5
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and operation of a limited-access crossisland toll road on Johns Island” was turned down in a five to three vote, with Councilman Darby abstaining. Councilman Thurmond presented the resolution to County Council and noted that both the Town of Seabrook Island and the Town of Kiawah Island had adopted resolutions in support of the construction of a limited-access cross-island toll road on Johns Island. “It was the best option in 2001 and it’s the best option in 2008,” said Thurmond on the proposed toll road. “Contrary to what the Coastal Conservation League says, I feel that this will actually limit development because it would be a limited access road.” Councilman Inabinett, however, felt that the proposed toll road was a good idea, but only in concept. “I thought I’d made up my mind [on the cross island toll road], but after countless numbers of emails and calls from Johns and Wadmalaw Island residents, I decided
Seabrook Island Planning Commission Work Session All Planning Commission meetings will be held at 2:30pm at the Town Hall unless noted otherwise on the Town bulletin board.
Thursday, November 6 John’s Island Council Meeting
Monday, November 10 St. John’s Fire District Commission meeting 7:00pm St. John’s Commission Building 3327 Maybank Highway, John’s Island
Tuesday, November 11 City of Charleston Council meeting 5:00pm 80 Broad St., downtown Charleston
Wednesday, November 12 Kiawah Island Planning Commission 3:00pm - 5:00pm Town Hall Council Chambers Seabrook Island Planning Commission All Planning Commission meetings will be held at 2:30pm at the Town Hall unless noted otherwise on the Town bulletin board.
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Monday, November 17 Kiawah Island Board of Zoning Appeals 4:00pm - 5:00pm Town Hall Council Chambers
Kiawah Island Town Hall 21 Beachwalker Drive Kiawah Island, SC 29455 Phone: 768-9166 Fax: 768-4764 Email:
[email protected] Seabrook Island Town Hall 2001 Seabrook Island Road Seabrook Island, SC 29455 Phone: 768-9121 Fax: 768-9830 Email:
[email protected] Johns Island Council Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, John’s Island. Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113 Charleston County Council 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston (843) 958-4700 City of Charleston 75 Calhoun St. (843) 724-3745
October 31, 2008
How smart is the SmartCode?
“I want this island to stay rural, but I understand that it’s going to be developed,” said Celia Fontenot, a resident of Johns Island. Fontenot has dropped by the Johns Island library to learn about the City’s newest plan for Johns Island, a zoning structure designed to “keep towns compact and rural lands open, while reforming the destructive sprawl-producing patterns of separated use zoning.” Fontenot’s concerns did not rest so much on the development of Maybank Highway, which she noted should be developed, but rather on the “grid system” approach that ties in with the new SmartCode. “I don’t have small children anymore, but I would fight this if I did,” she said, pointing out that the traffic could harm children riding bicycles and playing in the streets in residential areas. She also shunned the developers for building such expensive homes when it was obvious that affordable housing was needed for today’s young adults. “We shouldn’t be this kind of community, where families with two incomes can’t even afford a home.” The Portrait Homes development where she lives, has practically halted mid-construction, with weeds growing up between piles of lumber and over vacant lots; a constant eyesore that is visibly bringing down the value of her home. “These people shouldn’t start building other projects until they finish the ones they started,” said Fontenot. Other visitors were more favorable toward the SmartCode zoning, particularly larger land owners and property investors.
By Kristin Hackler
Tom Fox, who is handling the Harris Teeter development at the corner of River and Maybank, showed his support for the plan when he dropped by earlier in the day. Christopher Morgan, division director for the City of Charleston Planning Commission, noted that the pitchfork proposed for the top of Maybank would box off the Harris Teeter development nicely, making it easily accessible from almost every direction. City councilman Tim Mallard also made it a point to drop by, asking Morgan some specifics about the Maybank highway and the pitchfork proposal. Morgan demonstrated how the traffic would flow away from Maybank before reaching River and noted that the plan would likely include one to two new signals before
the Maybank/River intersection to help dispserse traffic. According to the TPUDC (Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative) out of Baltimore, Maryland, the company hired by the City of Charleston to study the zoning within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) on Johns Island, the SmartCode system will divide Johns Island into five distinct transect zones: Transect zone 1, T-1, is the most rural of the transect zones. White described these areas as the most natural, either completely forested or with a walking trail, similar to the Angel Oak historic site. T-2
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allows for human habitation with large lots, mainly agricultural or possibly rural commercial) and tucked into the woods. T-3 is defined as sub-urban with more traditional neighborhoods, ideally similar to James Island’s Riverland Terrace. T-4 is general urban with buildings closer to the road and featuring small, one story commercial buildings while T-5 is similar to downtown Charleston’s lower King Street. Other zoning codes would include Civic spaces similar to Waterfront Gardens, St. Michael’s Church and Whitepoint Gardens, and Gathering Places, which would be places where streets become walk able spaces with community gardens, parks and/or outdoor dining. Representatives from TPUDC were present to assist residents in explaining how the zoning worked, with Maybank as the central corridor with three distinct T-5 areas (the intersection of Maybank and River, the area around the Fat Hen restaurant and the Main and Maybank intersection) and the surrounding areas within the Urban Growth Boundary becoming increasingly more rural as they approached the County line. More information is available at the City of Charleston’s website under Johns Island Code. For more information on the SmartCode system in general, visit SmartCode Central.
Kiawah ranked second Provided by the Charleston Visitors Bureau
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or the sixteenth consecutive year, readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine honored Charleston as a Top 10 travel destination in the U.S. Charleston was honored with a number 2 slot - topped only by San Francisco. Last year, Charleston ranked number 3 in the poll behind San Francisco and New York City. This year, New York takes the number 3 slot, right behind the Holy City. Mary Thornley, Chairman of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, noted that the people of Charleston enjoy welcoming guests, and their hospitality shows, “Charleston is friendly indeed. There is a sense of pride in this place that isn’t found everywhere. Locals love the Charleston area with a passion, and visitors can sense this right from the start.” In other local rankings, Kiawah Island was lauded as the number 2 island in North America. Kiawah is in good company with Vancouver and Nantucket rounding out the top three choices. Additionally, the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island was ranked the number 3 resort in the mainland US. The top two spots went to Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma and the Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa in Jackson, NH. The full Reader’s Choice Awards will be published in the November 2008 issue of Condé Nast Traveler.
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October 31, 2008
Johns Island transportation committee
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ditor’s note: Following the motion approved by the Planning and Public Works Committee on October 16 to establish a committee to study transportation infrastructure issues on Johns Island, staff worked with Mr. Inabinett to establish some structure to the formation and membership of the committee. This structure was to be approved at the October 30 session of Charleston County Planning and Public Works, which fell past our publication date. For updates to this committee structure, please visit www.charlestoncounty.org.
Membership – 9 members A representative appointed from each municipality which is on or adjacent to Johns Island: 1 from Charleston 1 from Kiawah Island 1 from Seabrook Island 1 from Rockville Five representatives will be appointed by County Council. Eligible appointees
must reside in the unincorporated area either on Johns Island or Wadmalaw Island. Application period: Beginning Wednesday, October 22, ending Thursday, November 6. Applications will be considered at the November 13 committee meeting and approved by Council at the November 18 meeting. Municipalities would be requested to deliver to Council the names of their appointees before November 13. Staffing: Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax Program staff will provide support for the committee. TransSystems is still under contract to the County and can present the analysis of the 52 traffic improvements it reviewed in the 2001 and 2008 studies, and the ULI can also provide assistance as a Phase II Technical Assistance Panel project following its analysis of the Maybank Highway Project.
The Moon continued from front page
off the horizon. Preservation of the Chechessee River and rivers feeding into the Port Royal Sound are key to maintaining the health of this unique embayment system. To find
out more and for volunteer opportunities, contact the Lowcountry Institute at http:// www.lowcountryinstitute.org. To see more of Eric Horan’s work or to purchase his new 2009 calendar visit http://www. southernlight.biz/
Photo tip-exposure: The photographer’s tried and true ‘Sunny 16’ rule* is a standard guidepost for setting proper exposure – even when shooting the moon. This works because the light on the moon is actually reflected sunlight. With a digital camera, you can check your histogram for details on highlights. My settings of ISO 250 with f/5.6 and 1/2000th shutter speed is equivalent to the ‘Sunny 16’ rule, which would translate to f/16 and shutter speed of 1/250th second. * Sunny 16 Rule - If you choose an aperture of f/16 in full sunlight, then your shutter speed should be the same as your ISO setting. This will give you an excellent starting place for proper exposure.
Gymkhana date moved
For more information, please contact Charleston County Public Works at (843) 202-7600 or visit www.charlestoncounty. org.
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Due to excessive rains Friday, Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding Gymkhana at CATR Farms has been moved to Saturday, November 1. Gymkhana, a multi-game equestrian event performed to display the training and talents of horses and their riders, will feature 25 of the most exciting games played on horseback, a Giant Tack and Equine Accessory Sale and Exchange, Concession Stand and Bake Sale and an all day Halloween Trail Obstacle Course. Open to riders, horses and ponies of all ages and skill levels. Gymkhana will be held from 9:00am - 3:00pm. All proceeds directly benefit CATR and the Charleston Pony Club. CATR Farms is located at 2669 Hamilton Road, Johns Island. For more information, call CATR at 843-559-6040 or email catrfarms@ wildblue.net.
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October 31, 2008
The “Star” of a SINHG Trip by Lynda Fox
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embers of the Seabrook Island Natural History Group are out and about enjoying some exciting fall trips, and the trip committee has already developed terrific trips for the spring season, both old favorites and new, which run from January to May. These trip descriptions will be emailed to members and be posted on the SINHG website at the end of this month. “What’s on the Beach?” is a popular SINHG trip that took place Monday, September 29, and will be repeated this spring. The trip was led by retired marine biologist and Seabrook Island resident Tom Fox. He and the group of participants spent two hours walking along the water’s edge on North Beach at Seabrook Island. It was a picture perfect beach day with a warm sun and cool breeze. Tom identified the creatures found by the group and talked about their lives. His vivid and graphic descriptions allowed the participants to imagine what life was like for each marine inhabitant. One “star” of the trip was a live starfish walking along the bottom of a tidal pool. Another favorite was a horseshoe crab molt – a perfect replica of the horseshoe crab which had crawled out of its external skeleton in order to grow. Every walk on the beach is different. I wonder what the group will see on the
spring “What’s on the Beach?” trip? Visit us at www.sinhg.org for more information on the trips and how to become a member. If you are a SINHG member and your contact information has changed, please notify Paula Adamson, 2500 Cat Tail Pond Rd., to ensure that you continue to receive all communications in a timely fashion.
SINHG November Speaker: Roger Stroup Date: Thursday, November 13 Time: 7:00pm Location: Temple Conference Center at Camp St. Christopher Roger Stroup is the State Historic Preservation Officer for the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. He has a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina where his major fields of study were Southern and South Carolina History. He has also been a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps, the Director/ Curator of the Historic Columbia Foundation and the deputy director of the South Carolina State Museum. Roger serves on a variety of state and community boards, including the Heritage Trust Advisory Board of the Department of Natural Resources, the Old Exchange Commission, and the Drayton Hall Advisory Council. Refreshments start at 7:00pm followed by the lecture at 7:30pm. Please note: the location for this event is the Temple Conference Center at Camp St. Christopher. Please carpool if possible. There are some parking spaces close to the Conference Center and there is a large gravel parking lot behind the dining hall. As always, these presentations are free for SINHG members and $5 for nonmembers. If you are a Seabrook Island resident and not already a member of SINHG, now would be a good time to join!
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(top) Fox and the group examine a horseshoe crab molt. (bottom) The “star” of “What’s on the Beach?”
October 31, 2008
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Mullet Hall Harvest Fest
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ong ago, in agricultural communities of the Southeast, families would gather together in the fall to celebrate the onset of harvest season and give thanks for the plentiful growth of crops by enjoying a day of food, music, dancing, crafts, and games. The harvest season tradition continues this November right here in Charleston, but with a modern touch. In the spirit of the Southern colonial autumn celebrations of days past, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission hosts Harvest Festival on Saturday, November 1 at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center within Johns Island County Park. C’mon down from 11:00am to 5:00pm for the best down-home delights like hayrides, a crafters market (great for holiday shopping!), lots of delicious traditional country fare available for purchase, and much more. Dance the day away to live foot-stompin’ bluegrass by five local bluegrass bands. Keep the kids busy with a variety of fun country games and activities such as the stick pony corral, lassoing demonstrations, pumpkin decorating, and scarecrowmaking contest. And bring your carved pumpkin for a chance to win a Gold Pass. Old-fashioned down-home cuisine such
by Mandi Sandstrom as barbecue and kettle corn will also be available for purchase as well as icy-cold beverages. A special addition to this year’s event will be a weekend trail ride. Equestrians are invited to ride the 20-miles of Mullet Hall trails during the day, camp out with their horses at night, and participate in Harvest Festival activities on Saturday. Fees are $5 per person. Kids 12 and under and Annual Gold Pass holders are admitted free. For more information, please call 795-4FUN or visit www.ccprc. com. Brought to you by Piggly Wiggly and your Charleston County Parks. Harvest Fest music schedule 12pm 1pm Band 2pm 3pm 4pm
The Plantation Allstars Southern Flavor Bluegrass Hungry Monk Music Yee Haw Junction Bluestone Ramblers
(Upper left) A visitor tries his hand at lasso throwing, (upper right) kids test out the stick pony course and (right) attendees listen to bluegrass.
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October 31, 2008
Bring home the green
S Now that’s dedication
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he Sea Island Habitat for Humanity held their largest ever dedication of homes on Saturday, October 18, almost a month after the original date which was pushed back due to the threat of tropical storm Hanna. A total of 37 homes were dedicated from phases one and two of the Brownswood Place development, located just off of Brownswood Road on Johns Island. Andy Beck, executive director of the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, thanked the many volunteers who put so much time and effort into building the homes. “You’ll never know how much you are appreciated for what you’ve done for this community,” said Beck. “We built this to be a safe and secure place to call home,” he said, addressing the new residents, “Now it’s up to you to keep it that way.”
Reverend Capers of Bethel & Salem Presbyterian Churches followed Beck, reading from Micah 6:6-8. “Micah would call this [Brownswood Place] a divine intervention,” said Capers and encouraged its new inhabitants to make the Brownswood Community a community of faith. Before introducing Amy Sanchez, the Brownswood Home Owners Association Vice President who would be welcoming each family to their new home as Andy Beck gave them each a new Bible, Reverend Capers took a moment to pray over the 63 adults and 99 children who would be taking up residence in the new community, “May God bless this community,” he prayed, “and may God bless the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity.”
ea Island Habitat for Humanity kicked off the first of three “Green Build Blitzes” on October 21 at their McCloud Place development off Bears Bluff road on Wadmalaw island. Five homes are being built on the property’s seven acres, with two of the acres being set aside for conservation at the request of the land donors. All of the homes being built will be constructed using techniques outlined by EarthCraft, which covers site planning, energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and indoor air quality. Rather than clear-cut and cultivated lawns, a “plant save” on the property will be implemented along with the use of native plants and garden space. The Coastal Conservation League and their energy conservation partners joined this groundbreaking effort to bring sustainable, energy-efficient housing to the Lowcountry. Each week, a new house goes up, from floor system to roof, with lunch being provided by the day’s sponsors. This past week, the Lowcountry Housing Trust provided lunch from Sprout, the Lowcountry USGBC provided lunch from Daily Dose, the I’on Group had lunch from Five Loaves Café, Jenny Bloom prepared lunch provided by the
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Sustainability Institute and the Coastal Conservation League brought in food from Soul Vegetarian South. Each day, an “energy tool kit” was also raffled off to participants. The homes, when completed, will provide a 10% - 20% savings on the residents’ energy and water bills and in order for the new residents to become eligible for the home, they have to give 500 hours of “sweat equity” and go to 20 hours of home maintenance classes, with a focus on sustainable home practices. Phases two and three of the Green Build are coming up this November. Monday – Friday, November 3 – 7 and November 10 – 14, join the crew at McCloud Place and give back to the community while learning about all the little, and big, things you can do to have a more efficient, less expensive and sustainable home. Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (SIHH) is an ecumenical non-profit that exists to provide low-income housing to working families from James Island to Edisto Island, SC. For more information, please visit www. seaislandhabitat.org. For more information, please call Anne Russell at (843) 768.0998 x109 or email volunteer@seaislandhabitat. org.
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October 31, 2008
Species of the month: long-tailed skipper
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Provided by Sarah Ernst, Naturalist
ut of all the butterflies that visit our gardens in fall, the winner of the cute and cuddly award has to be the long-tailed skipper (Urbanus proteus). The long, iridescent scales of this butterfly give it a fluffy appearance and radiate colors of brilliant green and blue. While most skippers are small and nondescript, the long-tailed skipper reaches about two inches and has distinctive ‘tails’ on its hind wings. Skippers are named for their rapid but low flight, as if they are skipping from flower to flower. This makes the longtailed skipper an entertaining butterfly to watch.
on the leaves. These secretive habits make the caterpillar difficult to find in the wild, but a glimpse reveals it to be just as colorful as the adult; grenish-yellow with a yellow stripe, black spots, and a red-brown head. When it comes time to pupate, the caterpillar seals itself in a large, curled-up leaf lined with silk. One to three weeks later, it will emerge as a fresh adult butterfly. The long-tailed skipper is easy to attract to your garden with typical butterfly-friendly plants such as lantana or annuals. They are a common butterfly that specializes in disturbed areas such as fields, yards, and roadsides. While they can be found at Kiawah at any time during the warm months, their population tends to be particularly dense in late summer and early fall. For more information about activities Heron Park Nature Center at (843) 768-6001.
In the agricultural world, however, the longtailed skipper has an unsavory reputation as the dreaded bean leaf-roller. The caterpillars love legumes such as beans and peas; it will roll over leaves to create a little tent in which to rest during the day. At night they come out to munch
Spooky by nature Join the Heron Park naturalists for a Halloween Night Exploration (van tour) on October 31 from 6 pm – 8 pm. For more information, call the Heron Park Nature Center at 843-768-6001.
Sundays at Johns By Eric Johnson
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n Sunday, November 16, at 3pm Johns Island Presbyterian Church will feature visiting singer and pianist Kelvin Chan and Jennifer McGuire in concert. In a program entitled “American Portraits,” the duo will perform pieces by Barber, Copland, Ives, Hoiby, and more. Chan is already no stranger to the American stage with credits at the Cincinnati Opera, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Theatre de la Jeune Lune in Minneapolis, and the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA just to name a few. He has also served as Artistic Co-Director of the all-male vocal ensemble Cantus. McGuire is currently staff accompanist at Vanderbilt University and the Nashville Symphony Chorus, where she has worked with conductor Leonard Slatkin and composer John Corigliano. In addition to her American stage credits with the Cincinnati and Dayton Operas, she has performed in Austria and Italy. Please go online at www.jipc.org or call 559-9380 to reserve your free tickets, as space is limited. The concert is presented free of charge with donations accepted at the door.
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About the Venue Johns Island Presbyterian Church has had a long and fulfilling ministry to the Johns Island area. Organized in 1710 with the present sanctuary built in 1719, the church is, to the best of our knowledge, older than any to be found of any denomination in the five major cities of Colonial America, namely Charleston, Williamsburg, New York, Philadelphia, or Boston. Johns Island Presbyterian offers a variety of ensembles and musical activities open to all ages, with current opportunities including vocal and handbell ensembles. The Sundays at Johns concert series will feature guest artist concerts each year, as well as concerts and events featuring the church’s own ensembles. Eric Johnson, Director of Music Johns Island Presbyterian Church is located at 2550 Bohicket Road, Johns Island. For more information call (843) 559-9380 or visite www.jipc.org
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October 31, 2008
Freshfield’s Rescue Row
Sponsored by the Freshfield’s specialty pet supply store PAWS, this event featured dogs from several local rescues, including Lowcountry Lab, Greyhound Crossroads, Jack Russell Rescue and Lowcountry Lab Rescue.
Shirley Bissett and Ginny Foreman look forward to welcoming you to the Jane Austen Society.
A sensible society
“My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.” ~Jane Austen
A
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t Berkeley Electric Co-op, ankles were sprained and Victorian games of courtship were played out in the minds of 20+ readers, gathered for the monthly meeting of the South Carolina Jane Austen Society. Once a month, Austen-ites from Greenville to Rock Hill and even Savannah get together to discuss the latest theme chosen by the Jane Austen Society of North America. This year, the topic is “Siblings in Austen’s novels” and Ruth Anderson of North Charleston led the discussion, focusing particularly on this month’s book, Persuasion. Though the topic may not seem too engaging to the novice Austen reader, these bibliophiles do not disappoint with their lively discussions and contagious passion for the 19th century novelist. And if discovering the secret passages and cobwebbed cupboards of meaning within Austen’s novels is not enough to encourage a visit, the Society includes a high tea with each meeting. Shirley Bissett, a resident of Seabrook Island,
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is the Society’s hospitality director and the spread of cookies, sweets and savory treats she coordinated and provided was more than the group could have eaten in three meetings. Piping hot tea was available at all times, with cream and lemon options, and a bright display of flowers brightened up the typically dreary community room. “Come by just once and you’ll be hooked,” Ginny Foreman, the Society’s regional coordinator smiled. “Some of our members know everything there is to know about Austen, some are just Elizabeth Bennet girls and some are novices, but we always have a great time.” The Jane Austen Society meets on the third Saturday of every month at 1:30pm at Berkeley County Electric, located at 3351 Maybank Road on Johns Island. Once a year, the Society hosts what is considered to be the “best tea in Charleston” in January at Gage Hall in downtown Charleston. For more information, contact Ginny Foreman, Regional Coordinator, at 884-4398.
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October 31, 2008
Shades and spirits on Johns Island Excerpt from A Place Called St. Johns, from the diary of Elizabeth Stringfellow, 1920–1930 reprinted with permision of Elizabeth Stringfellow
O
n certain nights, we would hear drums start to beat loudly in one direction, and soon other drums would join in, until a symphony of percussion filled the night air. Unwilling to get up and find out, we would not know whether the instruments were an invitation to all black people within hearing to a “ring dance” or just resounding noise intended to frighten away “hags” – evil-doing spirits who, so we were told, pestered the living and could slip through a crack in a floor and snatch the unwary mortal away. (That was why you sometimes carried a broom and swept away your own footprints as you went, denying the canny spirits one means to find you out.) We learned from black people about “frizzled chickens”, domesticated birds born with feathers “growing backward” that you never let get near you. One wild bird lighting on your windowsill forecast impending death in the unfortunate household; two birds meant two deaths. At the burial of an aged woman, infant grandchildren were passed over the coffin at it slipped into the ground. The symbolic passage of the baby “over to the other side” would, it was devoutly believed, protect the child from an early death. Everybody knew who the “root
doctors” were. Most famous was Doctor Buzzard, who resided some miles away in Beaufort town. He was a power in the black communities, for a fee fixing little necklaces with bags of leaves, nail clippings, and nobody knew what all, to ward off all evil spirits or bad “spells” put on you by mortal foes. One summer night, three black men went to hunt raccoons in a wooded area next to the old graveyard at St. Johns AME Church on Johns Island. At length, following hours of fruitless endeavor after tomorrow’s dinner, they were resting, lounging among the old stones, when a raccoon, fresh frozen in mid summer, fell into their midst from an old oak tree. The men, said the whispers, might have been just a little in their cups. Needless to say, they were astonished. But they were able to assemble a context from their folk traditions to explain what had happened. Disembodied spirits, shades of dead friends and relatives who haunted the earth, doing evil or good according to their wont, knowing they were wanting, had chosen to help them find dinner. A Place Called St. Johns is available for purchase at Rosebank Farms, as well as Indigo Books in Freshfield’s Village.
Charleston Collegiate announces Open House
C
Provided by Charleston Collegiate
harleston Collegiate School will have an Open House for general admission (for grades preschool -12) on Saturday, November 8, at 10:00 am. Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the campus, meet the Head of School, and visit with teachers and parents. The Charleston Collegiate environment values creativity, compassion for others, a passion for learning, and vibrant diversity. Charleston Collegiate School is a nonsectarian, independent school organized as a Lower School (PS-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12). It offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum and seeks to develop students academically, athletically, and artistically. CCS is the only co-educational, non-sectarian, preschool through 12th grade, independent school in the metropolitan area. This distinction has
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allowed the school to be far more diverse, with a minority enrollment of almost 25%. CCS is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The school is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA), the Palmetto Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), the National Center for Independent School Renewal (NCISR), the Education Records Bureau, and the Coalition of Essential Schools. To schedule a visit on another date, please contact Hacker Burr at 843-5595506 ext. 224. For more information, visit www.charlestoncollegiate.org. Charleston Collegiate is located at 2024 Academy Drive on Johns Island.
October 31, 2008
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American Music Celebration Held at Freshfield’s Village Green on October 5, the Town of Kiawah sponsored this spectacular day of local music, which featured the sounds and songs of Joey Gilmore, the Wiyos, Studebaker John & the Hawks, the Nouveux Honkies and Roots Rock and Western Punk Swing. Photos by Christian Hartsel, Akers, Ellis and Truluck
Eagle Scout program helps migrant children By Chris Brooks Eagle Scout candidate Will Henry Lawrence from Troop 79 in Charleston has completed his project to paint, repair and upgrade the playground equipment at the Migrant Children Headstart Center at St. James United Methodist Church on Johns Island. Eagle Scout candidates must complete a project which they plan and direct as one of the major requirements for earning the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in scouting. Will Henry is not a newcomer to the Mission. He has served the Mission as a member of the youth program at St. Michaels Episcopal Church for a number of years. He selected the Mission to benefit from his efforts and his work team’s efforts because of a desire to contribute to the needs of migrant children and the Mission. This work will provide a brighter and more attractive place for the many migrant children who stay at the St. James Center for years to come. We are very appreciative to Will Henry for his hard work and desire to help the Mission. Congratu lations on completing this major step toward the Eagle Scout rank. Looks great…Thank you scouts!
Boy scout Will Henry and his work team paint the playground equipment they repaired at St. James United Methodist.
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October 31, 2008 th
True Tale continued from page 1
year on the full moon you can hear em. He call out to eby body, “Take me, O Jesus, to solid ground.” Moses last year he don’t believe bout Brutus be no haint. Well him coon dog tree a coon on Jemmy Islant. He ride him mule an Buster been wid him fo walk. It kinda been de first col and was de day ob the storm of 1848 by 100 years. Now a haint trap in de marsh for 100 years, he restless. Moses dem had to walk cross de big marsh for to get to Jemmy Islant and fetch de coon for Sunday dinner. Moses is a sensible man and he don’t believe in no haint. Well, he do now and Moses ain’t gyain back in dat marsh for efen 100 coon been tree on Jemmy Islant. Moses say de dog was to de tree and barkun eby breth. All of a sudden de mule put he head up high and strain he ears. Den de mule balk. Stop in he tracks. Den Moses see what de mule see. Dey was a little place in de marsh ups a little taller than all around. Den he hear say, “Here I is. Please for move me to de hill.” And dere was a man pointing to the ground and wailin “move me to de hill.” Moses den say to heself, “mule, move me to de hill.” Musta been a sight: de dog, de mule wit Moses, all been behind Buster. So Mr. Sidi, I knows you like de marsh for crab, hunt fish, and eby ting but please don’t go in the big marsh when the moon full in Oct. The haint what is Brutus, he still axin somebody for please take he body to the hill. Things that scare me By Kate Simmons Haunted houses scare me It’s not where I want to be. I tried to yell But instead I fell. Then I got a chill Lucky I saw my brother Will Then we saw a bat And a really fat black cat. Walking down the hall And tangled on a web on a wall. Was a creepy crawling spider That made us both turn whiter.
Following is a collection of spooky Halloween poems written by 5 graders at Charleston Collegiate, located on Academy Road on Johns Island. Happy Halloween! Tattoos By Sam Hutchisson Tattoos are frightening The people watch you cry while getting one They are very deadly Permanent for life They freak me out The needle is huge No! Never! Not at all! I will never get one
Dark By Sarah Cheatham
Snakes By Andrew Westmoreland
The dark is oh so scary You never know if someone Or something will come up and grab you!! You can also see little eyes peeking at you When you’re walking alone at night You can also hear footsteps behind you. And BANG it hits you It waits for you to come into your room It grabs you and you don’t want to know the rest
Snakes snakes They give me the shakes. I won’t even touch them With a rake. If you see one give it a double Take. Snakes snakes I’m starting to ake.
Haunted House By Mimi Bordeaux I am in a haunted house! It makes me Shiver down My back. I look up at the ceiling To see a vampire bat. I scream and run up The stairs I turn to see a monster With 1million Hairs Now I am tired of this house I jump and flee Like a mouse I will never ever go Back To That House NO!!!!!
The black widow is watching Snakes By Kyra Westerberg Vampire Bats By Derek By Matt Gomez Rodriguez It’s waiting In the corner Creepy Vampire bats, Scary spiders Slithery Of your room. They look like rats! By Robbie Slice Its watching With fangs and wings Hempton No not even You to come They’re SCARY things! Never Through the Your blood they suck, Will I mess I think spiders are Door. Then you run out of luck! With them!! creepy and scary. With its fuzzy One thing that creeps me out about spiders My brother’s dirty diaper Legs giant fangs That their fangs and their furry bodies are By Nathaniel Reyes There’s no way Scarier than throw up oh my. To escape. My brother’s stinky diaper It climbs up It smells like Your bed right My grandmother’s garbage Next to your Spiders Pillow. By Evan In the afternoon SMACK!! Leonard Sometimes my parents No more black widow. Ask if I can change Creepy crawly Math!!! That goblin from the abyss Eight legs By Olivia Pritchard First thing is shout is Here and there No! Giant hairy Math is scary Sometimes I have no choice Arachnids Math is spooky Everywhere But to change that All those I don’t like it Killer from the cave Creepy crawlies I don’t want it When I change that I hate How do people want to Monster from under the bed, Them so learn it I always pass out. I despise I wish I could quit it but Those spiders my mom does not Why won’t Math is like a curse that They go!! will not stop!
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October 31, 2008
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A hayride back in time By Chelsea Langan
I
f a day trip back in time to experience old fashioned fun sounds good to you, Legare Farms is the place to go. Only the slightest upgrades have been added to land that would otherwise only be grazed or plowed. Tractor-pulled hayrides and gum ball machines filled with fish food are about as mechanically advanced as it gets, but who needs mechanics when you’ve got a corn field maze, a pumpkin patch, a horse shaped tire swing, mountain of mulch, live farm animals, climbable oak trees, pony rides and boiled peanuts? Not to mention the scuppernong jelly and subsequent educational opportunities. Everyone in the family is covered. The entrance to the farm is an antique-like playground. The first thing you notice is a horse-shaped tire swing hanging in the middle of the picnic area. Beyond this lies a treasure trove of old fashioned good times. The tricycle dirt race track leads to an open play field surrounded by swings, low reaching oaks, painted tractor tire obstacles, and monkey bars. Atop a “mountain of mulch” sits a shovel and a bucket to ensure a fun mess is made. As you cross the back gates to the larger field, a sign warns that “manure happens”, and you’re on your way to see the live farm animals. In the back field, there are even more options to consider. You could wait in line for a hayride, but they’re
giving pony rides just a short walk away. The hayride then, the crops may have changed, but the traditions have and the impending line can wait, but not for long. After stayed almost the same. As one of the few fully functioning you’ve packed into the hay-filled trailer hitched to a family-owned farms left, Legare Farms combines the best tractor with approximately forty other farm goers, you’re of the old fashioned farming traditions with modern day taken on a pleasant, scenic ride to a herd of cattle. The marketing to keep its legacy alive. You can sponsor, rent, cows know what an approaching hayride means: treats! or adopt their animals, throw parties with hayride and The herd makes a hilariously slow dash to the trailer to bonfire themes, send your kids to their summer camp, claim their share of the goods. The treats are hand fed, participate in Civil War re-enactments, or go on bird and excitedly thrown at the cows by giggling children, and butterfly walks. Yes, farms are online these days, and for strategically placed on the rail of the trailer to watch their more information visit www.LegareFarms.com. surprisingly long tongues extend and curl to grab them. It’s a simple, spectacular sight to see. A walk past the gumball machines in front of a large lake full of jumping fish, wading turtles, and lurking alligators brings you to the corn maze. All of a sudden you swear you saw it in a movie. The paths are narrow, the corn is dying, and suddenly you are on your own wild adventure. Let the kids lead the way. Their inner Power Rangers emerge and they set the perfect tone throughout the maze. “We’re on a mission!” a 5 year old shouts with conviction. Aside from the dramatics of the maze, it’s a great way to test your inner GPS. The Legare family has been farming on John’s Island since the 18th century when an original Charleston Ayden Langan wonders how he’s going to escape from the settler by the name of Soloman Legare took hold. Since corn maze.
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