Island Connection - October 2, 2009

PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON SC PERMIT NO 437

Volume 3 Issue 12

October 2, 2009

FREE

Sewing the seeds of celebration By Kristin Hackler

(above) Louetta Davis, Lorraine McDermott and Earthalee McPherson of the Quilting Lives group. Louetta is holding her quilt called “Sweet & Warm” and Earthalee is holding her quilt called “Heritage Star”. Both quilts will be for sale at the Our Lady of Mercy 20 year Anniversary Party on October 17. (left) An assortment of quilted items will also be for sale.

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here is something so special about a handmade quilt. The small imperfections in the stitch, the almost imperceptible size irregularity in the fabric squares; each unintentional difference is a small note from the quilter, a reminder that the warm tones of fabric were not chosen by a machine and whipped together in a factory. It is a work of art and it was made with love. Though the art of quilting is slowly fading into obscurity

I n s id e

page 7 pedaling the creek

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across most of the country, little pockets of dedicated quilters continue to meet here and there, sharing their ideas, experience and passion for patchwork with anyone who wants to learn. One of these groups meets nearby at the Our Lady of Mercy Outreach Center on Johns Island. Every Thursday from 9:30am to noon, women of all ages and race come together Quilters continued on page 10

Con nection. . .

page 12 Island House opening

page 15 beach sweep

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October 2, 2009

Seabrook Town Council – September 22, 2009

A public hearing was held at 2:25pm on Ordinance 2009-05 for the rezoning of two parcels in Jenkins Point Plantation. As there were no comments, the public hearing was closed. Financials Mayor McNulty noted before reading the financials that neither the $400,000 plus loan to the Utility Commission, nor the rebate that will be sent to residents will appear in this month’s financial statement, so the figures for this month do not reflect those amounts. Revenues for this year-to-date are $630,128.61, compared to last year-todate of $742,298.61, putting the Town

The Island Connection Lynn Pierotti Publisher [email protected] Kristin Hackler Managing Editor [email protected] Swan Richards Graphic Designer [email protected] Ali Akhyari Assistant Editor [email protected] Lori Dixon Account Executive [email protected] Chelsea Langan Advertising [email protected] Interns Dylan Sharek Paul Robinson Contributors Jennifer Barbour Lynda Fox Sue Holloman Dwight Ives Helen Legare Sam Reed Smoky Weiner Published by Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina, LLC P.O. Box 837 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 843-886-NEWS Future deadlines: October 7 for submissions.

Op-Ed articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Lucky Dog News or its writers.

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC Publishers of Island Eye News, The Island Connection and The Folly Current.

about $112,170 behind last year, which is a difference of 15%. Expenditures for this year-to-date are $330,184.15, compared to last year-todate of $343,296.94. “The whole story is the excess of revenues over expenditures,” said the Mayor. This year-to-date’s excess is $299,944.46, compared to $399,001.67 last year. “We’re almost exactly $100,000 behind last year because of building and licenses,” the Mayor noted. Public Safety Council Savin reported that the Town is continuing to update the Town’s Disaster Plan and ironing out the communications between the Town’s major entities. Savin stated that they were making good progress and everything should be done in two months. Mayor’s report Mayor McNulty reported that the Town has signed a loan agreement with the Utility Commission for a two year CD. “The only change that the Utility requested was one that we’re glad to make,” said the Mayor, noting that the Commission wanted the loan agreement to include that they could pay the loan off in less than two years, if possible. The loan was expected to transfer by Friday, September 25. As for the rebate on the Utility bill for Seabrook residents, the Mayor pointed out that in the end, he found that it would be too complicated to send separate rebate checks to all the residents, so the credit will appear on one, if not two, of Seabrook residents’ next water bills. Capital projects well underway Town Administrator Randy Pierce gave an update on the capital projects approved at last month’s meeting. All of the projects are moving along well, and Pierce reported that he met with the two companies that bid on replacing the Town’s generator. Both companies recommended that the Town go with a

Monday, October 5

47kw generator, as opposed to a 30kw which would be able to completely power the Town Hall, but that would be its limit. The next one up, a 47kw generator, would be able to power the Town Hall, as well as the exterior lighting or a possible hook up with a mobile unit. Both companies bid under the $40,000 allocated for the new generator and the Town agreed to purchase a 47kw generator for $31,000. It should be installed by the end of October. Councilman Savin later asked if there was a resell value for the old generator, to which Pierce replied that he had asked both companies, and they both said that it probably couldn’t be sold. Council briefly discussed donating it, but no official decision was made during the meeting. As for the other projects, Pierce reported that the coding of the Town Ordinances was going well. All of the Ordinances have been scanned and uploaded. The Municipal Code Corporation, which is doing the codification, is formatting the Ordinances in such a way so that they can be searched by word instead of by the full document, as it had previously been set up. The task of replacing the color copier was done with $1,300 to spare out of the $10,000 allocation, and Pierce noted that the cost of updating the men’s bathroom at Town Hall had come in at $7,600; $2,600 above what the Town had allocated. “$7,000 for the men’s room?” The Mayor asked incredulously. The Council later jokingly discussed that they “didn’t need marble in the men’s room”, and Councilman Holtz stated that they wouldn’t be “holding any meetings in the men’s room”. In the end, the Council determined that the bathroom project will be re-evaluated in order to lower the costs. Finally, Pierce reported that he will be collecting prices this month on re-tiling and re-carpeting the Town Hall, and noted that a piece of rotting wood above the stairs at the Town Hall entrance is in the process of being

repaired. What happened to the grass? Mayor McNulty noted that the lengths of dead grass along Seabrook Island Road on the approach to the front gate were intentionally killed as part of a project to correct the grade level for water drainage. It will be replaced by a type of grass which is resistant to salt water; however, the grass might not be planted until spring, in which case the area will be planted with rye for the winter. A word on the roads Councilman Holtz took a moment to discuss the roads issue on Johns Island. “The roads are getting commented on every day,” said Holtz, mainly referring to recent letters to the editor in local newspapers. “Some attack the gate at Kiawah, others attack safety laws. No one is looking at the issue of big landowners on the island and the eventual growth of Johns Island, which is projected to double the island’s population in 10 to 20 years. None of these letters look at tomorrow, at the future.” He pointed out that most of the comments were based on emotion, either about the land or about safety, not on facts, and that most of the people on Johns Island are actually for the Greenway. “I’m not writing any letters, but when people try to get you into a discussion [about the roads], you should know the facts.” Town Administrator Pierce noted that he attended the most recent CHATS meeting and delivered a copy of the proclamation made by the Town last year which supports improvements to the Johns Island roads as long as the plans include the Greenway or a similar road as part of the solution. Pierce remarked that the last thing the executive director mentioned before closing the meeting was that Charleston County has passed the request for a study of traffic from one end of Johns Island to the other to Council continued on page 3

Civic Calendar

Kiawah Island Environmental Committee 3pm - 5pm Town Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room

Tuesday, October 6 Kiawah Island Town Council 2pm - 4pm Town Hall Council Chambers Kiawah Island Ways and Means Committee meeting 8am Kiawah Island Municipal Center’s 2nd Floor Conference Room

Wednesday, October 7 Kiawah Island Planning Commission 3pm - 5pm Town Hall Council Chambers 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.

Monday, October 12 St. Johns Fire District Commission 7pm St. Johns Commission Building 3327 Maybank Highway, Johns Island

Wednesday, October 14 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.

Monday, October 19 Kiawah Island Board of Zoning Appeals 4pm - 5pm Town Hall Council Chambers

Tuesday, October 20 Kiawah Island Public Safety Committee Meeting 3pm – 5pm Town Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room

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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 2, 2009 Council continued from page 2 CHATS. “It’s in the system,” said Pierce. “It’s just way down on the list.” Water bill rewards Joe Hall of the Utility Commission announced that the rebate on water bills has been calculated and the day after the Town Council meeting, the tape would be sent to the printer to write the bills. A letter from the Mayor of Seabrook Island will be included with each bill, explaining the rebate. As for the loan from the Town to the Utility Commission, Hall stated that he had been in touch with U.S. Bank, which is the trustee of the loan, and they are in the process of completing the paperwork for the bonds. Lee Vancini, the current Utility Commissioner, will be handling most of the process. Mayor McNulty remarked that Vancini feels it will be possible for the Utility Commission to get their insurance again before the end of two years. Lastly, Hall reported that one of the members of the Utility Commission, Robert D. Stief, had given his

To the Editor,  

I’d like to thank Sam Reed for conceding he doesn’t speak for everyone on Seabrook Island concerning the oxymoronic “Greenway” highway construction project; a misnomer that  evokes images of  lipstick-wearing pigs. A correction is in order for his assertion that I favor a bridge from Kiawah to Folly Beach as the road problem solution. Actually, I’m a fan of River Road.  Two men and a chainsaw could make it perfectly safe with change left over if $200K is invested.  The bridge to Folly proposal was meant to divert the “new road is the only solution (as long as its not in my backyard)” crowd. Below was my statement to the County Council concerning the Greenway: I’ d like to advise County Council to shelve and think carefully about approving this measure.  A go-ahead vote will unalterably change the character of Johns Island.  And for what purpose The proposed road starts from Betsy Kerrison Parkway and ends in the vicinity of the junction of Maybank Hwy and

resignation, purely for health reasons. “He was extremely influential in attaining the $1.6 million grant from FEMA,” said Hall, and the companies he hired to handle each stage of the application process did such a good job with the application, that FEMA is using some of the Town of Seabrook’s application forms to teach people how to complete the application process. “Bob has done a great job and he’s a terrific asset,” said Mayor McNulty before announcing that Jeff Bostock has been appointed to take Stief’s place. “it’s the Council’s job to replace the members of the Utility Commission, and Jeff Bostock was recommended,” said the Mayor. “He worked for 40 years in weapons technology, so I don’t think he’s over his head on this one. I can’t think of a better replacement.” Bostock’s appointment was approved unanimously. Preparing for the elections Gene Corrigan of the Town’s election committee reported that everything is in good shape for the elections. There are six candidates for four Council seats, two for the Utility Commission and one for River Rd.  This is exactly what River Rd. does, a country road that is very lightly traveled.  Just yesterday morning I made this approximately 10  mile drive and counted a total of 37 vehicles going toward the islands. As I said, lightly traveled.  The safety argument I think is a red herring. What I think the developers and their friends are after are development opportunities and a golf tournament in 2012. Follow the money!  Why isn’t reducing the hazards of River Rd even on their table? It would certainly be more cost effective than carving Johns Island in half.  The proponents of the new road subvert their own safety argument by acknowledging that inattentive drivers cause most of the accidents on Johns Island. Do we need a new road for drivers to be inattentive on?  My skepticism would be allayed if the new road proponents were willing to spend $200K on the feasibility of opening the roads of Kiawah to the public and building a bridge to Folly Beach since they think River Rd. is so hopelessly dangerous.   Harry Polychron Seabrook Island

Mayor. There are 20 volunteers this year on the election committee and they will work in four hour shift cycles on election day, which is November 3. “Not a hitch to be seen,” said Corrigan, smiling. “I’m sure it will run smoothly,” said the Mayor. “You all do a great job.” Ordinance 2009-06: adopt the Town budget “This is the first reading and I know you just got this today,” the Mayor said to the Council. “If you have any questions, we can iron them out between now and the next reading.” He noted that the budget for 2010 is less than the budget for this year as the Horizon Plan won’t be included in next year’s budget. The first reading of the budget was approved unanimously. Ordinance 2009-07: emergency powers of the Mayor The Mayor gave the first reading for an amendment to Section 1.2.51 of the Town Code, which amends the emergency powers of the Mayor to include the line “The Mayor or in his absence, the person designated by the Town of Seabrook Island Ordinance 2009-03 (hereinafter ‘the Mayor’), may declare a state of emergency to exist within the corporate limits of the Town.” Other changes include the additions of sections (g) and (h) to Section 1.2.52,

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and a line addition to Section 1.2.54. The new sections state that in the state of an emergency, the Mayor shall become vested with the following extraordinary powers: (g) to request the assistance of the military and/or police forces of federal, state, and/or other local agencies; and (h) to take such action as appears necessary to protect life and property and maintain peace and good order. The addition to Section 1.2.54 reads that “The state of emergency shall legally end when the Mayor determines that the peace and good order of the Town are no longer threatened and declares this in a proclamation which shall be posted upon the Town’s official bulletin board(s) or upon a majority vote of Town Council, whichever occurs first.” The Ordinance was approved unanimously. Ordinance 2009-05: Rezoning of two parcels in Jenkins Point Plantation The second reading of Ordinance 200905 passed unanimously. The Ordinance allows for a .25 acre portion of TMS #149-00-00-059 to be rezoned in the Single Family Residential District. This rezoning is intended to ensure that the entirety of Lot 62 shown on said plat is zoned to be in the Single Family Residential District. The Town’s official Zoning Map shall be amended accordingly.

Kiawah River Plantation planning dates

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he developers of Kiawah River Plantation (also known as Mullet Hall Plantation), which is adjacent to the current Kiawah River Estates (formerly Hope Plantation), held a workshop on Monday, September 21, with the Charleston County Planning Commission to discuss the upcoming development. If you are interested in the planning of Kiawah River Plantation, the developers have released the following list of tentative dates for public hearings and County Council approvals: The Charleston County Planning Commission October 12 @ 4pm, County Public Services Building Public Hearing November 3 @ 6pm, County Public Services Building Planning / Public Works Committee November 12 @ 4:15pm, County Public Services Building First Reading at County Council November 17 @ 7pm, County Public Services Building Second Reading at County Council December 1 @ 7pm, County Public Services Building Third Reading at County Council December 15 @ 7pm, County Public Services Building

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Seabrook Council candidates, part two

n the last edition of The Island Connection, we spoke with several candidates for Town Council, as well as William Holtz, the sole candidate for Town Mayor, and Lee Vancini, the incumbent running against Charles Measter for Utility Commissioner. At the time, we were unable to reach two of the Town Council candidates and the second candidate for Utility Commissioner. In this follow-up, we wanted to give Council candidates Terrence Ahern and incumbent Dr. Robert Savin, as well as Utility Commissioner candidate Charles Measter, a chance to state their reasons for running and what goals they might have if elected. Terrence Ahern, Council candidate, noted that, with his past experience as a member of the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association and as a past vice president and president of SIPOA, as well as his service with another POA before moving to Seabrook, He has proven to be someone who will be actively involved in the community. “While working with the POA, I helped with the surveys and found that people really like living in a gated community because they feel safe and secure,” said Ahern. “So my primary objective is to continue to have our gate system and to not violate that position of keeping our island safe and secure.” Ahern also noted that there is a need to work on our safety outside of Seabrook; specifically the Johns Island roads. “Whether it’s with a better road system or expansion of existing roads,” said Ahern. “But it needs to be done with as little damage to the environment as possible.” Current Council member Dr. Robert Savin first ran for Seabrook Town Council four years ago and has found that he enjoys learning how small government works and how it interacts with the State government. “I also learned about other small town governments and how Seabrook Island works in particular,” said Savin. “It is unique, with a large POA that handles many of the larger problems that a Town would normally handle.” When

October 2, 2009

Staff report Savin first ran for Council, he had a lot of planks in his platform, “and I’ve found that I’ve accomplished most of those planks,” he smiled. Some, he noted, turned out to be impossible, such as having a public health office, as even the large Town of James Island doesn’t even have one, and to supply flu vaccines to residents; a problem which the federal government corrected. Savin was instrumental in starting the island’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) organization, which is the largest single CERT organization in the State. “In the long term, I would like to continue our good relations with the Club and the POA,” said Savin. “I feel that the new facilities are a great benefit to the island and I would like to continue promoting them.” While in office, Savin stated that the ecology and the use of the island in a responsible manner is important to him, as is the preservation of green space; and as for the safety of the island, Savin firmly stated that “the gate is inviolate.” Finally, the second candidate for Utility Commissioner, Charles Measter, explained that his main interest is to ensure that the island’s water needs are sufficient for the next generation. “I am also concerned about the cost of our water,” writes Measter. “I think we are paying higher water rates than people in other States with which I am familiar.” Measter believes that his knowledge and experience as an attorney and former manager of a shipping company give him the appropriate background for understanding the financing of large projects. His future goals include improving the infrastructure behind the gate, in particular the dredging of the lake on number four of Ocean Winds which is a holding a basin of effluent water for the spray fields. “I am aware that the commission is selling effluent water at times to the Oak Point Golf course and giving the Club water from a deep water well which is higher in salt content. This affects the live oaks on the golf courses which is a concern to all members of the

club and the non members alike.” Seabrook Island elections will be held on November 3.

Editor’s note: In the last issue of The Island Connection, we incorrectly stated that candidate Sam Reed was the president of the POA when it is in fact Scott Wallinger. We apologize for the mistake.

Senator McConnell at the Exchange Club

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By Sue Holloman

lenn McConnell, President Pro Tem of the South Carolina Senate, was the guest speaker at the Kiawah/Seabrook Exchange Club meeting held on Kiawah this past Wednesday, September 16. He was welcomed by a large audience and discussed what the legislature is doing to help bring new business to South Carolina. He told the group that several large companies were considering relocating to South Carolina, bringing many jobs with them. A topic of interest to the Club was his discussion of extending the Mark Clark Expressway. He indicated that it is going to happen and the road itself is needed

on the islands. He also stated that he was in favor of making Bohicket a four lane road, similar to what was done with the Betsy Kerrison. Senator McConnell also stated that he was in favor of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor running together as a slate. He felt that would help the state run in a more orderly manner. The meeting concluded with questions and answers. The Kiawah Seabrook Exchange Club meets twice a month and is always ready to welcome new members. Contact President Jim Tilson 243-8522 if you would like more information.

PHOTO BY Sue Suffel

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Exhange Club President, Jim Tilson, Senator Glenn McConnell and Program Director Mike Morris.

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October 2, 2009

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he Silver Haired Legislature, made up of 152 members each over 60 years of age and representing all 46 of South Carolina’s counties, met in session in Columbia on September 15, 16, and 17. Three resolutions were adopted to be presented to the coming session of the South Carolina General Assembly for consideration in 2010. They call for: (1) Adoption of licensing of non-medical in-home service providers, including criminal background checks; (2) Additional funding for in-home and community-based services; and (3) Mandatory minimum penalties for persons guilty of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults ( as already exists when the victim is a child ). Many other topics were advanced and will be suggested to the legislators, but these three will have the most emphasis. Two South Carolina legislators, the Lieutenant Governor, a D.C. lobbyist, and an AARP representative spoke during the sessions. Representative Bill Sandifer, chair of the House Labor and Economic Development committees, commended the Silver Hairs for being less rowdy than the actual House members. He discussed South Carolina’s need to move from commercial coal usage to nuclear, and possibly wind and/or solar. He pointed out that wind turbines in the ocean can

Legislature to hear seniors

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by Sam Reed only withstand a category two hurricane, and that solar does not provide a steady source of power. On the other hand, the average nuclear plant takes more than 10 years to build, and can cost roughly $15 billion. He stated that South Carolina must improve its economic climate, promote further development, and greatly improve its educational system. He said that the South Carolina House has passed: (1) Spending limits; (2) Preservation of the secret ballot; and (3) Increased cigarette tax; but then have become stalled in the South Carolina Senate. He believes that real estate reassessments should all occur at the same time on a regularly scheduled basis, rather than at the time of each sale. He further stated that there are few state funds for roads, unless some funds are moved from the General Fund (such as the sales tax on auto sales). State Representative Denny Neilson pointed out that she was the Representative who introduced the bill to create the Silver Haired Legislature about 12 years ago. It was patterned after such laws in California and North Carolina. She recognized the successes of the Silver Haired Legislature, and assured the body that their voices were important to South Carolina legislators. She also mentioned that it was this group that pushed for the elimination of the sales tax on food

in South Carolina until it finally became law. She listed: (1) Transportation; (2) Fraud; and (3) General Physical Care; as areas where she believes seniors need more attention. Teresa Arnold, an employee of AARP, discussed the various health care proposals being discussed at the federal level, and explained why AARP supports most of the aspects of the proposals. She pointed out that AARP’s efforts are aimed at; (1) Reducing costs; (2) Reducing waste; and (3) Eliminating medical mistakes. Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer talked about the importance of the Silver Haired Legislature to the South Carolina legislative process. He encouraged all senior citizens to stay involved, and to let their voices be heard. He discussed Medicare at some length, pointing out that annual Medicare expenditures in South Carolina were equal to the entire annual state budget. He also stated that 10% of those on Medicare make up 30% of Medicare expenditures in South Carolina. The average annual Medicare expenditure for that 10% group is $44,220. Laura Feldman is a representative of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a non-partisan group based in Washington, D.C. She defined the word “politics” as being derived from “poly”, meaning “many types” and “tics” which means “blood

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suckers”. Her comments were spiced with much good humor, but she also brought a great deal of information to the meeting. She stated that Social Security “would not go broke”, but that as things stand now, there would be a 20% shortfall by the year 2037. She also stated that Medicare is not sustainable as it now exists. She also pointed out that seniors are not high on the priority list in the U. S. Congress, so it is important to figure out a way to effectively advance senior issues. Her mantra was; (1) Educate yourself; (2) Motivate yourself and others; and (3) Activate the decision-makers. Finally, she said that improved health care will cost money ( lots of it ) - so, the $64 question is from whence it will come ? She believes it is premature to be overly critical of any health care bill at this time, since there really is none. There is only a mish-mash of early preliminary drafts (three from the U.S. House and two from the U.S. Senate). All in all, it was a good, productive, and informative session. There were numerous questions and ideas, but few sure-fire answers. The group will meet again this coming spring to work on other legislative proposals involving seniors. If you have thoughts or ideas, send them to your Silver Haired representative, Sam Reed, at [email protected] or 3114 Baywood Drive, Johns Island 29455-6157.

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The National Solar Tour comes to Charleston

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he non-profit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and the South Carolina Solar Council have announced that this year’s National Solar Tour will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2009. This annual event allows home owners, businesses and non-profits to showcase how they are using solar power to slash energy costs, improve property values and reap rich new government incentives, while also helping the environment. Last year, the National Solar Tour hosted 140,000 people in 49 states; Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico participated. This year, over 150,000 in all 50 states are anticipated to participate. “With a perfect storm of national leadership that recognizes the importance of renewable energy, a menu of enticing new government incentives, rising energy costs and a groundswell of public support for clean energy alternatives, interest in the benefits of solar is off the charts,” said ASES National Solar Tour Manager Richard Burns. While the tour traditionally

showcases residential solar projects, the explosive growth of solar incentives for energy-intensive businesses and schools helped drive the decision to expand the scope of the tour to include solar solutions implemented in these sectors as well. The U.S. Department of Energy provides funding for the tour to help extend its reach to people in all 50 states. This year, four solar powered structures will be on display in Charleston: 1316 Briiarfield Avenue, Charleston James Island; 738 Old Plantation Rd., Charleston, James Island; 611 North Shore Dr., Charleston, James Island and 3655 Rivers Ave., North Charleston. These houses and stores will be open between 1 and 5pm. You are welcome to visit and discuss the advantages, the costs and problems encountered with the hosts at each site.  Registration or advanced booking are not needed; just come, see and learn. For more information about the solar tour or solar workshops you are invited to visit www.scsolarcouncil.or or contact Erika Myers at (803) 737-7951.

Taste of Charleston expands its palette Get ready for the 29th annual Taste of Charleston scheduled October 9-11, 2009. The three-day celebration of Lowcountry cuisine is being hosted by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association and will feature some of Charleston’s finest nationally-renowned chefs. \ There are four special events this year, including: Iron Chef Competition will be held Friday, October 9, at the Culinary Institute of Charleston’s Palmer Campus in downtown Charleston and will showcase the Institute’s new $7-million facility, pitting some of the best local chefs in a heated head-to-head battle in their state-of-the-art amphitheater kitchen. This event will be held 6 – 9pm and is $20 per person. Taste of the Kitchen will be held Saturday, October 10, also at the Culinary Institute of Charleston’s Palmer Campus in downtown Charleston. There will be two sessions for the event: 10:30am – 12:30pm and 12:30 – 2:30pm. Cost is $45 per person. There will be fun by the forkful as celebrity chefs take the culinary stage to show how chefs do it and Culinary Institute chefs take participants into the kitchens to cook hands-on. Add the wine and beer classes and the buffet lunch, and you have a full plate. Taste of the Arts on Gallery Row will be held Saturday evening, October 10, 6 – 8pm, at various art galleries in downtown Charleston. The art walk combines Lowcountry art with the culinary arts and will showcase the talents of local artists while offering guests a sampling of appetizers from a variety of Charleston’s favorite restaurants. This event will be held 6-8pm and is $20 per person. Taste of Charleston (Main Event) will be held on Sunday, October 11, at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant. The event will showcase a sampling of the taste-tempting delights served at more than 40 of Charleston’s finest restaurants. Additional highlights include the legendary Waiter’s Wine Race, food and wine pairings, a selection of specialty and imported beers, cooking demonstrations, the Best of the Taste contest, live music with East Coast Party Band on the main stage and a Kids Corner (complete with a petting zoo). Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Tickets for all events may be purchased at local Kickin’ Chicken restaurants or online at www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

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October 2, 2009

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Trading a paddle for a pedal

ast week was a typical example of why so many people decide to settle in the Lowcountry. Perfect temperatures in the mid 70s, low humidity and skies so clear you could almost see Bermuda from our coastline. The beaches return to empty stretches of cool sand and softly tumbling surf and the waterways wave goodbye to yachts bound for the Virgin Islands. This is when locals hit the waters in every means of buoyant conveyance they can find; and recently, they’ve been finding some incredibly unique and entertaining ways of enjoying the thousands of miles of waterways in the Lowcountry. On a recent trip along Shem Creek, some exhausted novice kayakers were just making their way back from Crab Bay in the Charleston Harbor when another set of kayaks whipped by them, kicking up a small wake. Besides the speed and ease with which the new kayaks slipped through the water, what struck the struggling kayakers as odd was that the other kayakers weren’t using their arms to paddle; they were using their feet. Using a unique set of underwater flippers, the new Hobie Mirage kayak moves through the water by kicking a set of shallow fins from side to side. The kayaker simply places their feet on the pedals and “steps” in a motion similar to stair stepping while reclining. The movement of the fins from side to side allows the kayaker to convert the effort of the human body into forward thrust, and the movement creates less exertion on the body, so even someone who exercises on a minimal basis would be able to peddle for long distances. One of the pioneers of the Hobie Mirage movement is Half Moon Outfitters on Coleman Boulevard. In fact, if

Staff report

you see a set of army-green kayaks kicking down a nearby creek, it’s probably a pair of their demos. As more and more people learn about these low-impact, long distance kayaks, Half Moon has been making their store demos available for rent; and at $40 a day, the cost is well worth the experience. Having poor upper arm strength, I opted to take one of these kayaks out with a friend during the first few days of gloriously cool post-Labor Day weather. After being out on the water for four hours I was tired, but not overly so, and we had seen more of Charleston Harbor than either of us had seen by standard kayak. The trip around Crab Bay was extended to “Well, we can make it to the Mount Pleasant shoreline” and then, “But the Pitt Street Bridge isn’t that far away”. After beaching at the Pitt Street bridge, we stretched our legs and took a leisurely peddle back to Shem Creek, slipping under the docks of several beautiful waterfront homes along the way. Since

the Hobie Mirage comes with standard paddle options (just flip the rudder in and tuck the flippers so they’re flush with the underside of the kayak), we were able to shake up the routine a little by paddling with our arms. This option also makes it easy to cruise through shallow waterways in which the flipper system is a little too deep to handle. If you have racks, Half Moon Outfitters will let you take the Hobie Mirage demos wherever there’s water, as long as you have it back at the end of the rental period. The peddling system is fairly self-explanatory, but their staff is more than happy to walk through it with you. If you’re in Mount Pleasant, the Shem Creek Marina is a perfect launching point for either up-creek peddling or gliding out into Charleston Harbor. But longer trips are possible, with kayakers having taken the crafts as far as Morris Island (from Shem Creek) and Capers Island. An added bonus is that the kayaks are incredibly well balanced and come with plenty of storage room, which makes them ideal for fishing trips. For more information on the Hobie Mirage and other wild water sports and sports equipment, visit www. halfmoonoutfitters.com or drop by one of Half Moon Outfitters stores, located at 425 Coleman Boulevard (Mount Pleasant 881-9472) or 94 Folly Road Blvd. (West Ashley in the South Windermere Shopping Center - 556-6279).

(top) Reporter Kristin Hackler tries to decide how far she can paddle in the Hobie Mirage. (above) The pedal system is easy to use and the navigation, simple to maneuver.

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October 2, 2009

Friday, October 2 Seabrook brown and white pickup day Items should be placed curbside by 7:30am. Brown goods include mattresses, couches, chairs, box springs, tables, televisions, and miscellaneous non-metal items. Please contact John Wells at 768.0061 if you have any questions. Freshfields Fall Festival Oyster Roast & Music on the Green From 6 – 9pm at the Freshfields Village

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10 – 8 Friday & Saturday: 10 – 6 Sunday: 2 – 5 Wee Reads (under 24 months with adult) Mondays, October 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 10:30am Time for Twos (2–3 years old with adult) Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 10:30am Preschool Storytime (3–6 years) Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 10:30am Saturday Family Storytime (all ages) Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at 11:00am *Word Basics (adults/young adults) Monday, October 5 from 6 – 8pm *Computer Basics (adults/young adults) Tuesday, October 6 from 10am – 12 noon *Word: Beyond the Basics (adults/ young adults) Monday, October 12 from 6 – 8pm *Keyboard Basics (adults/young adults) Tuesday, October 13 from 10am – 12 noon *Excel Basics (adults/young adults) Monday, October 19 from 6 – 8pm *Files and Folders: File Organization and Management (adults/young adults) Tuesday, October 20 from 10am – 12 noon *Access Basics (adults/young adults) Monday, October 26 from 5:30 – 8pm *Internet Basics (adults/young adults) Tuesday, October 27 from 10am – 12 noon *All computer classes are free. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session. MOJA Festival (all ages) Thursday, October 1 - Sunday, October 4 Toddler Time Fall Session (0 – 3

October 2 -

Saturday, October 3 SCARE Hunter Pace & Trail Ride at Poplar Grove Saddle up to help horses in need! Poplar Grove and SCARE (South Carolina Awareness and Rescue for Equines) are hosting a trail ride at the Poplar Grove Seed

Ta k e a p a g e Johns Island Regional Library 3531 Maybank Highway 559-1945

Island Connec

Green. Join us for an Oyster Roast provided by Lowcountry Eats and music by The Coppertones. For more information call Guest Services at 768-6491.

years) Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 4pm Club Anime! (ages 12-19) Saturday, October 3 from 3 - 4:30pm and Tuesday, October 13 from 4 5:30pm Conversation with the Artist: Othell Brown (all ages) Saturday, October 3 from 4:30– 5:30pm Looney Toons Tuesday! (11 years and younger) Tuesday, October 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 2pm Never Too Cool for Jewels (grades 6-12) Wednesday, October 7 from 3:30– 4:30pm Saturday Movie: Monsters vs. Aliens (all ages) Saturday October 10 at 2pm Rated: PG: 94 minutes. Learn more about the actors and check out books to take home from our book display. Sponsor: The UPS Store, 3575 Maybank Highway, John’s Island. TLT: Teen Lab Time (grades 6-12) Wednesdays, October 14 and 28 from 4 - 6pm Read Beyond Reality @ Your Library to Celebrate Teen Read Week (grades 6-12) Sunday, October 18–Saturday, October 24 Sea Islands Book Club (adults) Tuesday, October 20 at 2pm Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations-One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson.

Orchard between 8am and 4pm. Cost is $40 for riders and $15 for non-riders and includes lunch. To register, call (803) 7207062 or e-mail sommerdressage1@yahoo. com. Moja Arts Festival presents: CSO Gospel Choir  African-American Sacred Songs III will highlight the evolution of gospel music. Saint Matthews Church, 405 King Street, downtown Charleston. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Gaillard Auditorium ticket office or at the church one hour before the performance. Duda Lucena Trio Starting at 7:30pm at the Turtle Point Clubhouse, enjoy Brazilian music by Duda Lucena. The trio will also feature Quentin Baxter on the drums, Kevin Hamilton on bass and Gerald Gregory on the keyboard.   This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at Town Hall starting September 24. For more info, call 7689166. Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council. Legare Farms Multi-Family Yard Sale The Yard Sale will correspond with the opening day of Legare Farms’ Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze and will run from 8 am - 12 noon. For more info, call Legare Farms at 559-0788 or e-mail legarefarms@ bellsouth.net. Dogtoberfest Join the Kiawah Island Community Association at Night Heron Park from 10am to 2pm for presentations on canine health and nutrition, a blessing of the animals, a pup costume contest, raffle prizes and more. For more info call Night Heron Park at 768-6001 or visit www.kica.us. Freshfields 4th Annual Fall Festival Market & Antique Car Show From 10am – 2pm at the Freshfields Village Green. The Village Green will host a Fall Farmer’s & Art Market with lots of fresh produce, flowers, and local crafts. A face

Teen Read Week Movie: Fast and Furious (grades 6-12) Wednesday, October 21 from 4 – 6pm PG-13, 99 minutes. Free Legal Clinic: Heirs’ Property (adults) Thursday, October 22 at 6pm Fifth Anniversary Celebration (all ages) Saturday, October 24 at 1pm Saturday Movie: Coraline (all ages) Saturday October 24 at 2pm Rated PG: 100 minutes. Halloween at the John’s Island Regional Library! (all ages) Saturday, October 31 at 11am

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painter and pumpkin painting will be available for children, and the Seabrook Art Guild will have paintings on display and for sale. Music by Yeehaw Junction from 11am – 2pm. Entry is free to the public. Please call Guest Services at 768-6491 for more info.

Sunday, October 4 Freshfields American Music Festival From 2-7pm at the Freshfields Village Green. The American Music Celebration is sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island and art displays by Kiawah and Seabrook Artist Guilds will be featured. Please call Guest Services at 768-6491 for more info.

Monday, October 5 Annual delinquent tax sale The Charleston County Delinquent Tax Division will hold the annual Delinquent Tax Sale for unpaid real estate and mobile home property taxes.  The sale will begin at 9:30am in the Charleston County Council Chambers on the second floor of the Lonnie Hamilton III, Public Services Building located at 4045 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston. For more info, contact the Delinquent Tax Division at 958-4570.

Tuesday, October 6 Seabrook Island Art Guild (SIAG) meeting The Seabrook Island Art Guild meets on the third Tuesday of every month at the new Lake House at 7pm. The Guild also meets each Tuesday and Thursday at 1pm. For more info, please contact Robert McBride at 768-3696 or visit www. seabrookislandartguild.com.

Wednesday, October 7 The League of Women Voters presents “Health Care Reform – What’s Next?” Starting at 6:30pm at the Charleston County School District Building Board Room at 75 Calhoun Street, downtown Charleston. The event is free and open to the public. Ask questions and get answers on the many facets of healthcare reform.

October 2, 2009

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ction Calendar October 17 For more info, go to the LWVCA web site http://charleston.sc.lwv.org. Piano Bar at the Sandcastle series For three Wednesdays in a row, relax outside on the Sandcastle patio with the beverage of your choice or inside closer to the music. The show starts at 5pm.  Bring the beverage of your choice and any snack to “tide” you over.  Tonight’s performance features Bill Howland on piano. This event is free and open to the public. For more info, call 768-9166. Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council. Flu shots available Flu season has arrived and KiawahSeabrook Medical & Urgent Care will be offering flu shots again this year beginning at 1pm in our Wednesday afternoon flu clinics.   As the CDC gives out information on a possible H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine, Kiawah-Seabrook Medical & Urgent Care will keep you informed.  Call 768-4800 for info. St. Johns Rotary Club The St Johns Rotary Club meets regularly at 7:30am each Wednesday morning in the multipurpose room at Berkeley Electric Cooperative located at 3351 Maybank Highway, Johns Island.  For more info, contact Martha Harris at 559-6955.

Thursday, October 8 Stone’s Throw Dinner Enjoy a dinner at the Sanctuary on Kiawah starting at 6:30pm, where all of the food has been grown or caught within 100 miles. Call 768-2121 for more information or to make reservations.

Friday, October 9 National Fire Prevention Week celebration To celebrate National Fire Prevention Week and the 50th Anniversary of the St. Johns Fire District, the Fire Department will have equipment and fire safety displays along with hot dogs and soda at the Piggly Wiggly

parking lot at the corner of Maybank Highway and Bohicket Road. From 6 – 9pm. Taste of Charleston October 9-11, 2009 this three-day celebration of Lowcountry cuisine will feature some of Charleston’s finest, nationally-renowned chefs. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www. charlestonrestaurantassociation.com or call 452-6088. THAT Big Book Sale The Friends of the Library will be holding their biggest annual book sale at the Gaillard Auditorium on Friday and Saturday from 9am - 7pm, and Sunday from 10am – 3pm, with items marked half price on Sunday. For more info, visit www. charlestonlibraryfriends.org or call 8056978.

Saturday, October 10 Greater Park Circle Indie Shorts Festival A new collection of indie short films will be shown at The Olde North Charleston Picture House, 1080 E. Montague in Park Circle. Films will be shown in blocks at 5pm and 7pm. Films include “Fiore” by Owen Hamilton and Corey Corbett, “Le Croisement” by Brad Jayne and “Vertigo” by Blake Williams. For more info, visit parkcirclefilms.org. Tickets are $5.

Wildlife Photography with Eric Horan A three day class from Monday Wednesday from 8:30am - 3pm in Beaufort, SC. Explore the South Carolina Lowcountry with Eric Horan. Designed for the serious amateur to professional photographer, Horan’s focus is taking small groups or individual photographers to outdoor destinations they can explore again on their own. Class cost is $350. Lodging packages available. For more info or to register, visit www.beaufortcountyarts.com or call (843) 379-ARTS.

Tuesday, October 13 Seabrook Island Art Guild (SIAG) meeting The Seabrook Island Art Guild meets on the third Tuesday of every month at the new Lake House at 7pm. The Guild also meets each Tuesday and Thursday at 1pm. For more information, please contact Robert McBride at 768-3696 or visit www. seabrookislandartguild.com.

Wednesday, October 14 Piano Bar at the Sandcastle series Tonight’s performance features Show & Stedman on piano. The show starts at 5pm.  Bring the beverage of your choice and any snack to “tide” you over. This event is free and open to the public. For more info, call 768-9166. Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council. St. Johns Rotary Club See Wednesday, October 7.

Sunday, October 11 Tour of Bulls Island with naturalist Rudy Mancke Proceeds will benefit the education programs at Sewee Center. Two hour tour/35 people each tour. Cost includes ferry ride, transportation on the island, lunch and a one year membership in the SEWEE Association. Cost: $75. Call 9283368 to register.

Monday, October 12 Columbus Day

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Thursday, October 15 Yappy Hour From 4 - 7pm at the James Island County Park Dog Park. Enjoy live music and beverages, available for purchase, while your canine companion enjoys the dog park and meets new friends.  This event is free with your park admission. Ages 3 and up. Call 795-4FUN (4386) for more information.

Friday, October 16 An Evening with the Stars! Goodwill’s 30th Anniversary Gala will be held at the Francis Marion Hotel, beginning with a Registration Cocktail Reception at 6:30pm. The gala will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, a silent auction and a Fashion Show. Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple. Francis Marion Hotel, 387 King Street, Downtown Charleston. Visit www.palmettogoodwill. org/gala or call 377-2845.

Saturday, October 17 Reggae Concert Series: Reggae Infinity  Bring your chair or blanket, kick back, and enjoy this outdoor reggae concert at James Island County Park.  gates opening at 7:30pm and music beginning at 8:30pm. $8 for adults (13 and up) or five Greenbax; children 12 and under are free.  Annual Gold Passes will be honored.  For more info, visit www.ccprc.com/reggae or call (843)-795-4FUN (4386). 

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October 2, 2009

Daily Discoveries: Hurricanes & Wildlife, part 2

How does a large storm affect our wildlife? If we were to measure the effect in terms of damage or loss of personal property, wild animals clearly weather storms well. However, high winds and water have the ability to affect our wildlife’s habitat more than we may realize. Below is a list provided by the National Wildlife Federation showing how wildlife and their habitat can be negatively affected by hurricanes. • Wildlife refuges - Buildings and habitat reconstruction efforts can take a beating from hurricanes. • Endangered species - Any animal that is on the brink of extinction due to human causes can go over the brink when a hurricane strikes their habitat. • Migrating birds - Birds are blown off course to new habitats. Sometimes younger or weaker birds are separated from their flock. Some take weeks to return, assuming they can find a food source in their new habitat. • Squirrels - After storms, animal rescuers get a big influx of baby squirrels tossed from their nests because squirrels are often at their most vulnerable during hurricane season. Also squirrels’ food source of nuts can be wiped out. • Sea turtles - Their nests can be washed out to sea from the dunes, and volunteers must scramble to save hatchlings before that happens. • Fish - Electrical lines falling into water can electrocute fish. Heavy rainfall can cause sudden drops of oxygen in water. Flooding can wash sediment or larger items into streams, destroying

By Jennifer Barbour

habitat. • Deer - At first the deer can find food that has been blown down by the winds, but this rots quickly and in some cases, there is not enough food left for later in the season. • Mussels and oysters - Because they are immobile, they cannot move away from a hurricane and are sometimes blown to habitats where they cannot survive. • Marine mammals - While many can seek shelter in open water or in near shore shelter, some dolphins and manatees have been blown ashore during hurricanes. What does wildlife do when a storm hits? Dr. Whit Gibbons tells a story about his experience on Kiawah many years ago when Hurricane David came ashore with category one winds. “We noticed that the underbrush of bushes were alive with shorebirds that hunkered down beneath them. Occasionally one would try to fly, reach

a height of four feet, and immediately disappear inland at 75 miles an hour. A few individual birds no doubt perished, but the long-term damage to native shorebird bird populations was minimal.” While there are certainly deaths or injuries to wildlife as a result of large storms, the majority of wildlife seek safety before a storm. Many species will move miles from our island habitats in search of safety, staying in their new area to restore food reserves before returning to their former habitat. Some wildlife may never return to their original habitat if it has changed radically. In this case, wildlife may continue to wander, looking for more optimal conditions. Some may die, while others may colonize new areas. This is one of the ways a species naturally expands its range. In the end, wildlife can adapt to catastrophic events extremely well. We can help increase their odds of survival by continuing to protect their natural habitat. With little large-scale green space remaining for wildlife to thrive on along our barrier islands, efforts to maintain an understory corridor will ensure a healthy wildlife population for years to come. To learn more about how your landscaping can provide habitat for native wildlife, view The Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy’s Landscaping for the Legacy at http:// www.kiawahconservancy.org/nature.html. About the Author: Jennifer is a Naturalist with the Kiawah Island Nature Program. To contact her with comments or personal stories, email her at Jennifer_ [email protected]. * Information from articles by Whit Gibbons, Craig Tufts, & The National Wildlife Federation

photo by Jamie Rood

Quilters from cover from across Charleston County to work on various quilts and crochet projects. They call themselves “Quilting Lives” and they have been meeting at the Outreach Center for more than 14 years. The brainchild of Seabrooker Lorraine McDermott, Quilting Lives gives local women a chance to learn to sew and an opportunity to socialize. “Sometimes we have as many as 20 people here,” said Lorraine, gesturing toward a dozen or more women bustling about the Outreach Center’s small cafeteria. Fabrics of all colors and textures were draped over every surface; from half finished sheets of pinned squares to simple nine by nine practice squares. A crochet group clicked away diligently in the corner and in the center of the room, a pile of completed projects was slowly building up. Although the purpose of Quilting Lives is to learn and practice the art of quilting, the group members have been working extra hard for the past several months to complete as many projects as they can for the upcoming 20 year anniversary celebration for Our Lady of Mercy. Founded less than a month after hurricane Hugo tore through the Lowcountry, Our Lady of Mercy has been instrumental in the lives of thousands of underprivileged local

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residents. Their new Wellness Center is a shining example of how far they’ve come in the past 20 years, and this anniversary party is a chance for the community to show how much they appreciate the tireless service, help and guidance of the staff and volunteers at the Outreach Center. On Saturday, October 17, from 11am to 4pm, crafters from across the islands will set up shop on the front lawn of the Center and sell their homemade goods; from jewelry to sweetgrass baskets to sculptures and paintings, all of the sales made that day will go directly to the Outreach Center. And that big pile of knitted wraps and shawls, patchwork handbags and quilts will be on sale, as well. Some of the quilters’ personal works will be on display in a quilt show, music and entertainment will be provided and lunch will be available from Durango’s of Hollywood and Jim & Nick’s of Charleston. Quilters, stitchers, and knitters of every experience level are welcome to join the Quilting Lives group on Thursdays. Lorraine and her group of regulars are always happy to welcome a new face and share some tricks of the trade. “After I retired, this [Quilting Lives] just filled my life,” said Lorraine. “It’s just been a wonderful experience.” For more information about Quilting Lives or the anniversary party, call the Outreach Center at 559-4109.

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A moon for all seasons by Lynda Fox

eople have always been fascinated by the night sky. Giving names to constellations, stars, moon phases, and even specific full moons helps bring these celestial observances into everyday life. Hundreds of years ago, Native Americans living in what is now the eastern US kept track of seasons by naming full moons. “Harvest moon” is the name they gave to the full moon occurring closest to the Autumnal Equinox that marks the beginning of autumn. All full moons rise about the time of sunset. But in autumn in the northern hemisphere, full moons rise earlier than in other months, usually even before sunset. This is due to the geometry of the Earth’s plane of orbit around the sun. During these months there is no period of darkness between the day’s sunlight and The Harvest moon is a time to gather crops. the night’s moonlight. (The opposite is true in Spring, when full moons rise about September. But in 2009 the full moon an hour after sunset.) closest to the Autumnal Equinox Harvest moon was named because it (September 22) occurs in October 4. The comes at the time when crops are ready next October harvest moon won’t occur to harvest and because the continuous until 2017. light allows people to work into the night. The harvest moon, like other autumn Native Americans gathered their corn, full moons, appears brighter because, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice rising before sunset, it gets more sunlight during the day and night of the harvest to reflect. Rising autumn moons also moon. appear redder because of the seasonal Most harvest moons occur in tilt of the Earth. All rising full moons appear somewhat red because atmospheric

photo by Lynda Fox

particles scatter the blue components of the reflected light. After gathering crops, Native Americans turned their attention to hunting. So the full moon after the harvest moon became the hunters’ moon. Native Americans tracked deer and fox and set traps for beavers. The last moon in December is the long night moon. The Winter Solstice, which marks the beginning of winter and comes on December 21 this year, is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The moon has its highest path across the sky and is above the horizon for the longest time. The wolf moon of January is named for the hungry wolf packs that howled outside villages during the long cold winter nights. After winter, spring is a time for planting. The March full moon is the worm moon because earthworms reappear as the ground softens. We know that “April showers bring May flowers.” The Native Americans knew it too, naming the May full moon flower moon. Buck moon is July’s full moon. It’s the time of year when male deer begin to grow

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their velvety new antlers. Blue moon is something entirely different. Because the time between full moons (the lunation) is 29.5305882 days, sometimes there is an “extra” moon. Some months have two full moons instead of the usual one, some seasons have 4 full moons instead of the usual three, and some years have 13 full moons instead of the usual 12. The “extra” moon is the Blue Moon. But there is confusion about how to define which moon is the “extra” one. In 1937 the Maine Farmer’s Almanac named the three full moons in a season the early, mid, and late moons. In a season with four full moons, it defined the 3rd full moon as a blue moon, so that the last (fourth) full moon could still be called the late moon. In 1946 a writer for Sky and Telescope magazine misinterpreted the almanac and wrote that the second full moon in a month was the blue moon. This definition was widely accepted until the error was discovered 53 years later by another writer for Sky and Telescope. So in 1999, the “official” definition of blue moon reverted to the original Maine Farmer’s Almanac definition. Seasons begin at Solstices and Equinoxes. Solstices mark the longest (Summer Solstice) and shortest (Winter Solstice) days of the year. Equinoxes (Autumnal and Vernal) mark the days midway between. In 2009-2010 in the northern hemisphere, the Autumnal Equinox is September 22; the Winter Solstice is December 21; the Vernal Equinox is March 20; and the Summer Solstice is June 21. The dates are opposite in the southern hemisphere. Happy Harvest moon to you! Lynda Fox was a physicist at the Naval Research Lab working on solar spectroscopy before becoming a veterinarian. She is now retired and lives on Seabrook Island. Her first book A Wood Stork Grows Up was recently published.

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October 2, 2009

Completing the Seabrook community

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Over the Edge

ontinuing to bring legitimate art to Folly Beach, At the Bridge Gallery owner Suzan McNeil will be hosting a new art exhibit called “Over the Edge” featuring two of Charleston’s most talented artists. The event kicks off with a free open house on October 17 from 5-10pm with heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks provided. The exhibit will display the art work of Tyler Blanton, whose art is intelligent, thought provoking, and created using a variety of mediums. Blanton has been featured in various downtown galleries and has received several awards at Spoleto. Shepherd will be returning to “the Bridge” for the second time. Last year he blessed Folly Beach with unique constructions of art that you rarely see in today’s watered down art culture. He has a very interesting way of showing the world the fantastic that we often overlook in everyday life. It is a refreshing view that reminds one of the wonder of life and reinvigorates the soul to seek it out. If you missed R.T. the first time around, do not punish yourself by missing it again. Over the Edge is a fantastic opportunity for Folly Beach to connect with worldclass art. Give yourself a treat and come to At the Bridge on October 17. The exhibits will be on display through November, but the opening party is a one time experience.

Though the Island House is an impressive size there is still comfortable places to sit, relax and socialize.

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hanks to the recently completed Island House, residents of Seabrook have the final piece of a $31 million puzzle, completing the island’s goal of becoming a truly residential community created by and for the island residents. The new Island House is a 34,000 square foot multi-use facility designed to accent the natural beauty of the Lowcountry barrier island while providing quality dining and space for entertaining. Its humble earth tones are juxtaposed against an elegance completely designed by the residents who have anticipated the Island House’s completion since its conception. The facility succeeds as an icon of the community not only because of its design but also because it is the manifestation of the community’s, not hired consultant’s or contractor’s, desire. This is a collective masterpiece in which every resident of Seabrook can take pride.

The inherent passion is evident throughout the structure. Between the three structures composing the Horizon Plan - The Island House, the Lake House and the Beach House - Seabrook Island now boasts two indoor/outdoor and heated/unheated pools, a 6,000 square foot ballroom, an impressive golf shop, two restaurants, an expanded exercise center and an inviting library that overlooks a thriving pond and sprawling live oaks. The Beach House highlights the ocean with an uninhibited 180 degree view of the salty Atlantic and a swimming pool for a peaceful break from the ocean water. The Island Clubhouse is, perhaps, the pinnacle of an amazing community achievement. This triumvirate promises to harness the spirit of the island’s inhabitants and irresistibly call on those fortunate enough to hear her voice.

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October 2, 2009

News from Legare Farms Provided by Helen Legare Fall Harvest Dinner Tickets are on sale now for our Fall Harvest Dinner on November 8, 2009. Tickets are $50 each. All food will be Legare Farms meat and vegetables and will be prepared by some of Charleston’s finest chefs. Call or e-mail if you want to get tickets. We can charge tickets over the phone. This was a great event last year, so I hope all of you will join us. Beefing up the Charleston Food Bank We have an opportunity I want to mention for any of you that might like to make a tax deductible contribution to the Food Bank. If you write a check to Legare Farms for whatever amount you want to donate, we will deliver that amount of beef to the Food Bank in your name. The Food Bank will send you a receipt so you get the tax deduction and all the credit, but you can also remain anonymous, if you would like. It’s a great opportunity to help a local charity with a great donation of healthy, local beef. You can contact our office by phone (5590788) or e-mail (legarefarms@bellsouth. net) if you want to get involved with this. Pumpkin Patch and Myrtle Maze The pumpkin patch and maze will open this Saturday, October 3. Our hours for October will be: Fridays from 3pm – 10pm, Saturdays 10am – 10pm, and Sundays from 1pm – 6pm. You may pick your own pumpkin in the patch

for $3 and up depending on the size, take a hayride out to feed the cows from the wagon for $2 each, shoot a floating pumpkin for a prize or build a scarecrow for $10. We provide all the materials, so you can build your scarecrow, then take it home for decoration. Pony rides are also available, and don’t forget to pet and feed the animals in the barnyard, or go to the pond to feed the fish and turtles. Shoot a water balloon at the floating pumpkin to win a free pumpkin. New this year will be a Fossil Mine. Pan for pre-historic shells and treasures in the fossil mine. We will have a wooden flume with water running down it so young prospectors can wash their tins of sludge and stone in search of treasures. Unfortunately, worms have made a corn maze impossible this year, so instead, we will have a myrtle maze. The myrtle maze will be cut in a field completely covered with wax myrtles. It will be the same as the corn maze with dead ends and short cuts. The maze will also have a game that requires you to get a card punched in seven locations. Each person that brings back a completed card will get a small prize and a chance to win a big prize at the end of the month. We will have different big prizes for adults and children. We are excited about the myrtle maze and everyone we have told about it has been excited so we hope it will be a great adventure for all of you. I know my

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Recipe of the Month Provided by Helen Legare of Legare Farms This is a recipe my mother-in-law Shirley Floyd gave me. I made it the other day and remembered how much I liked it. It’s so simple even I can make it. I know it doesn’t really require any fresh vegetables and I’m sure it’s not good for us, but I like it. Veg-All Casserole Ingrredients: 2 cans Veg-All, drained 2 tablespoons mayonnaise shredded sharp cheese (1 cup or more if desired) 1 onion, cut up 1 stick butter 1 package Ritz crackers, crushed Directions: Mix together the first 4 ingredients. Melt stick of butter and stir into the crushed Ritz crackers. Place crackers on top of other ingredients. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Daddy is up in heaven laughing because he spent his whole life fighting wax myrtles as weeds and now we’ve figured out a way to make those weeds work for us. October 23 and 24 will be our haunted weekend. The hayride and maze will

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be haunted from 8pm until midnight. Come ride if you dare. For more information, visit www. legarefarms.com or call 559-0788.

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October 2, 2009

An afternoon of ocean Polo

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By Paul Robinson

pectators and enthusiasts gathered for the 1st Annual Beach Polo Exhibition benefitting the Kiawah Conservancy on Sunday September 20, 2009. The 325 supporters in attendance enjoyed an afternoon of horses, sand, cocktails, and dancing; raising $3,750 for the Kiawah Conservancy. Buck Limehouse, father of the Kiawah team’s three players Chip, Brad and Brien, announced the match like it was second nature. Kiawah’s beaches were filled with the captivating athleticism of mallet swings, the defensive maneuvers of bumping and hooking and a definite sense of professional sportsmanship. The match was followed by a celebration at The Beach Club and with the help of The East Coast Party Band, supporters of the Conservancy mingled, danced and reminisced on the not forgotten tradition of horses on the beaches of Kiawah Island.

As IVes sees it

Cash in confinement (part III) by Dwight S. Ives, MA, MA, LUTCF

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n my past two articles, I described how I was arrested and sent to the Charleston County Jail for an expired driver’s license resulting from the Clerk of Court’s failure to properly process paperwork on my behalf.  The following is an amazing story of what I learned during my one day in jail: There I sat among those who had questionable legal and sometimes moral lifestyles. I moved to the other side of the room, away from those who were talking to themselves or drooling.  It was here on the other side that I met a man approximately 15 years younger than myself named Jim.  He was about six feet, medium build, clean cut, and dressed like he was ready to shop at the mall.  Despite the late hour, Jim assured me that  I would be out before midnight, but this still gave me enough time to hear his story.  He had been in prison for several years somewhere in SC.  By trade he is a painter and does fairly well, but during his years in confinement, he learned to provide for his family as well or even better than he did in the real world. I was intrigued with what he had to say. At home, he has a wife and several boys of varying ages. He loves them very much, but several years of confinement took him away from them. Whatever his crime, it was neither violent nor extremely serious, but serious enough to take him out of the main stream of society for a while. This posed a serious problem for Jim, especially since he seemed to be the primary bread winner in the family, so he became a merchandiser and started selling various items from behind bars. I’m sure more than one item in his inventory was probably contra-ban, but he never got

Kiawah Islander releases third CD

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Provided

ill Howland announces the release of his third solo piano CD Seascape (Graycat Productions). Seascape features a selection of classic jazz recordings including “All Blues” and “Nardis” (Miles Davis); “Lullaby of Birdland” (George Shearing); “Seascape” (Johnny Mandel); “On Green Dolphin Street” (Kaper, Washington); “My Favorite Things” (Rodgers, Hammerstein); “Speak Low” (Weill, Nash) and “Like Someone in Love” (Van Heusen, Burke). Two original compositions by Bill Howland, “Surfsong” and “Johari’s Window”, are also included on the CD. Bill has resided in Charleston, South Carolina, for the past four years. Prior to this, he lived in Brewster, Massachusetts, where he played regularly throughout Cape Cod. Bill Howland currently appears at the Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar in the Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6-9 pm. He will be performing for the Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council’s Piano Bar Series on October 7 and 21. Howland’s prior releases include On A Clear Day (2005) and Moon Rays (2008). All of Howland’s releases can be found via the internet on Bill’s website www.howlandonline.com as well as iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby.

into specifics.  According to Jim, he was so successful that he kept his mortgage payment current and paid off two vehicles while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle for his family. Jim was not bragging.  He only answered what I asked and never really volunteered information, but he seemed to trust me, so he gave me the basics.  He was also not proud of all that had happened, and he was fully aware that what he had done was totally his fault.  Still, he was a success in his own right.  I imagine that this seemingly average guy could, with the proper training, become an upper level manager since he clearly had powers of persuasion, innate management ability, and enough intelligence to run such a successful internal business. For guys like Jim, confinement is just another business venture.  So, why punish him this way? Community service might be a better venue. It is obvious that bars are a confinement for some, a filter for others, and a playground for many, yet for the determined, it is only another one of life’s hurdles to be easily passed over. Dwight graduated from the National College Republican Fieldman School to become a political instructor/consultant.  Returning from Washington, DC, he earned dual Masters in Business Administration and Management.  He has done PR work for Crystal Gayle, Frank Abagenal of the movie “Catch Me If You Can”, and the “Christmas Show” produced by Brad and Jenifer Moranz.  Dwight works Security at Kiawah Island for KICA.

All about Town

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By Smoky Weiner

he American Music Celebration will take place this Sunday, October 4, from 2-7pm on the Freshfields Village Green. This event will feature Hilton Valentine, formerly of the seminal 60s group The Animals, nationally known blues touring artist Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones, regional favorites Barbara Carr & Roy Roberts and local up and coming rockabilly and blues act, Skye Paige & the Original Recipe. It’s always a real nice day when Shrimp City Slim and the Kiawah ATAX Committee put together a show on the Green. I’ve seen soul singer Johnny Rawls, Zydeco, Cajun and Blues bands galore and even an Australian guy who doubles on the harmonica and didgeridoo. The food and drink vendors always seem to have things that interest kids and adults alike and they don’t gouge as one might have come to expect at an outdoor show. These shows are unique offerings in nice surroundings and you’d be hard pressed to find anything to compare, even if you drove 100 miles. Pianist Mark Rosenberg plays nightly in the Sanctuary’s Lobby Bar. With all the money and class of the Sanctuary, I would think they could come up with a better name for the bar though! Anyway, Mr. Rosenberg heads a rotation of talented pianists there and it’s a nice place to have a drink and let a little music massage your ears. Saturday, October 3, is Dogtoberfest at Night Heron Park. For more info on this call the Kiawah Island Community Association at 768-3875. The event involves dogs, a park and a chance for your dog to network with other dogs. Yes, all dogs are social, but Kiawah dogs “network”. Most of them have attended graduate obedience school. October 8 is the Stone’s Throw Dinner event at the Sanctuary, where all the grub will be grown, caught or hunted down like a dog within 100 miles. It’s part of the nationwide “eating locally” movement. The idea is that your food shouldn’t have to go through three time zones before you get it. I have a feeling that squash and pumpkin will be involved. Call 768-2121 and the concierge will tell you all about it. I wish I had my own concierge. I could keep one busy all week!

www.islandconnectionnews.com

October 2, 2009

Kiawah Beach&River Sweep 2009

On Saturday, September 19, volunteers from Kiawah hit the beach with bags and gloves as part ot the annual state wide Beach and River Sweep. Among the interesting items found this year were a plastic toy soldier, a plastic dinosaur and half of an umbrella stand. As usual, plenty of bottle caps and cigarette butts were found and disposed of. Thanks to the Night Heron Park for hosting this event.

www.islandconnectionnews.com

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