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Volume 9 Issue 13

October 9, 2015

FREE

Solving the
Main Road
problem
OFFICIALS,
RESIDENTS SEEK
SOLUTIONS TO
FLOODING ISSUES
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

P
PHOTOS BY JAKE LUCAS

Tornado sweeps
across Johns Island
ONE HOME DESTROYED, 80 HOUSES DAMAGED
BY JAKE LUCAS

The Island Connection Staff Writer

week after a tornado with up to 130 mile an hour winds

tore through a chunk of Johns Island, those areas still
look like a disaster zone.
The classification EF-2 tornado raged for nearly 17 minutes
from just off Cane Slash Road to right by US 17 in between
Main Road and Bees Ferry Road. In one stretch of River Road,
it reduced a crop of trees to jagged stubs, like a forest of broken
toothpicks.
While no one was injured, about 80 houses lost shingles,

Preserve Fire

Page 4

siding, or windows, a handful lost parts of their roof and one

house was completely destroyed. One of the worst hit roads was
Sonny Boy Lane, where bright blue tarps now cover roofs, trees
have been reduced to piles of fresh cut wood and John and Julie
Berciks house sits in ruin.
In a video from The Post and Courier newspaper, they describe
riding out the storm in their bedroom closet because their path

Tornado continues on page 5

Mary L. Hoffman

Page 7

rior to September 2015, there was

a solution in place for the frequent
congestion encountered at the
intersection of Highway 17 and Main
Road. County officials seemed to agree
the intersection should be converted into
a superstreet. Left turns would be replaced
with downstream U-turns followed by
a right-turn. The relatively affordable
solution seemed like an easy sell until water
was added to mix.
Officials have come to realize the
junction has the second problem of
flooding, one not addressed by the
superstreet plan. September King tides
[inordinately high] collided with heavy rain
falls and rendered Main Rd. impassable for
several days late last month. Main Road
is one of only two routes off Johns Island,
and is the primary hurricane evacuation
route for all Wadmalaw, Johns, Kiawah,
and Seabrook islands residents.
Glenda Miller, a resident of Seabrook,
summarized the issue in an Op-Ed for
The Island Connection Sept. 25 [www.
i sl a ndc on ne c t ion ne w s.c om /op - e df looding-spurs-action-on-roads-safetyand-access].
Flooding that caused the closing of
Main Road for three days earlier this
month resulted in County Council
Chairman Elliott Summey introducing
a proposal to County Councils Finance
Committee to reallocate the Countys
$1.5 million from the currently proposed
superstreet project to further assess a

Road Flooding continues on page 6

Pimento Pimento

Page 15

October 9, 2015

civic

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
jennifer@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Alejandro Ferreyros
graphic designer
alejandro@luckydognews.com
Ralph Secoy
contributing photographer
Staff Writers
Gregg Bragg
Jake Lucas
Contributors
Doug Reynolds
Joanne Threlfall
Roberta Boatti
Martha Zink
Geoff Bennett
Bob Hooper
Dimi Matouchev
Marilyn Markel

Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: October 14
for submissions for the
October 23 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.

The Island
Connection

Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC

Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection,
The Folly Current

Seabrook Island Town Council,

September 2015
BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

ets go ahead and get started,

Mayor Ahearn said in place of
a gavel as he opened Seabrooks
Sept. 22 town council meeting. Plenty of
residents, and all of council, were present
as recent trends of well attended meetings
continued. Everyone seemed ready for the
sense of direction while no one looked
surprised to hear clerk Allbritton say the
town had complied with the Freedom of
Information Act.
Financials for the month of August
were strong per expectations. Revenues
displayed an extra $3,000 while expenses
consumed $5,000 more than expected.
Though the mayor reported expenses were
still $10,000 under budget for the year,
and $24,000 less than last year at the same
time, reported the mayor. Once again,
credit for the abundance was awarded to
an increase in business license fees enacted
after the budget was finalized. The mayor
concluded by making the point Seabrook
has an extra $321,000 for this budget
year putting the town ahead of pace to
contribute to the emergency fund.
Deputy Sheriff Sheperd was the first
presentation of the day, reporting on
beach patrol activities for the summer.
He stressed the focus of his patrols was
safety but, also reported an average of
25-42 warnings, mostly for violations of
the leash law at the west end of Seabrook.
Sheperd had no trouble holding the
floor, spicing his speech with some of the
anecdotes accumulated in his six years on
the island;
1. Although no shark bites had been
reported this year, three bonnet
head bites had been in the past,
though no one sought medical
attention. Sheperd used the
opportunity to applaud Seabrooks
anti-chumming
ordinance.
He also cautioned council that

by-catch dumped by boats

en-route to Bohicket could draw
the wrong sort.
2. Some time ago, an 11 year old was
lost but then he was found.
3. An adult also went missing earlier
this very year. The first things
found were a pair of shoes and
foot prints which eventually lead
a search team to Kiawah and the
missing person.
4. A distraught newlywed asked for
help finding her ring. A search
produced the wrong ring (still in
custody, incidentally) and a sad
visitor who was grateful for the
assistance all the same.
Carl Simmons, Director of Charleston
County Building Services, was back this
month. The hoped for lightning strike
resolution to House located at 1126
Ocean Forrest lane, is still a month away
said Simmons. Progress in the form of
establishing clear title (after seven years,
as previously reported) and identifying
seven concerned parties has been made,
however. New information on the case
is still before the Master In Equity.
Simmons recommended doing nothing
until the MiE rules, citing several failed
attempts by others to argue with MiE
staff. Once a ruling is made, however, it
will be possible to send a letter , which
would require a response within ten days.
Simmons reiterated his promise to do so
while reassuring council, legal expenses
alone would force the issue closed but he
wasnt finished.
Simmons went on to congratulate
council for achieving a level 5 Community
Rating Service designation for flood
insurance. Seabrook previously held a level
6 designation and the difference means
approximately $40,000 in savings for

Civic Calendar
Thurs., Oct. 8
CERT Team Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 13
Communications
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
3 - 5 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 14
Public Safety
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
2 - 4 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 19
Board of Zoning and
Appeals

Kiawah Town Hall

4 - 5 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 27
Ways and Means
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
2 - 4 p.m.
Seabrook Town
Council Meeting
Seabrook Town Hall
2:30 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 29
Municipal Center
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
1 - 3 p.m.

Mon., Nov. 2
Environmental
Committee Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
3 - 5 p.m.

Tues., Nov. 3
Town Council
Meeting
Kiawah Town Hall
2 - 4 p.m.

residents of Seabrook. Although further

improvements will be next to impossible
for an Island community, councilmember
John Gregg, long a champion of the
cost saving efforts, suggested attempting
Storm Ready status might be worth the
effort. On the way out of the meeting,
Simmons would embellish his praise by
describing level 5 as rare air.
Councilmember Romano reported
meeting with the property owners
association again in September. The
Property and Landscape Improvement
Committee discussed ways to embellish
curb appeal. The discussions are aimed
at retaining coveted Audubon Society
awards and possibly securing a level 2
certification. SIPOA surveys conducted
to help with certification have garnered
25-30 percent response rates in the past.
However, a 100 percent response rate is
the goal. The SIPOA survey will consist
of 5-9 questions, Romano pitched while
assuring everyone responses would be
kept confidential. He concluded his report
by saying the gatehouse committee has a
design but now expects resolution in 2017.
Councilmember
Gregg
advised
attendees the clubs long range planning
committee met on Sept. 17. Results of
its survey are still being digested for
incorporation into the strategic plan due
in 2016. Gregg then reported on the topic
of the Public Safety Committee, which
had met on Sept. 14.
Gregg expressed hope there are still
opportunities to improve on flood
insurance rates for Seabrook residents.
Storm Ready certification might help,
he proffered, and would help from a
preparation standpoint. It could also
contribute to maintaining their shiny
new level 5 certification. County approval
of the towns hazard mitigation plan
is another piece of the same puzzle,

K iawah Island Town H all

21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
Seabrook Island Town H all
2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9121
Fax: 768-9830
Email: lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
Johns Island Council
Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric
Co-op located at 3351 Maybank Hwy, Johns
Island.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Charleston County Council
4045 Bridge View Dr, N. Charleston
958-4700t
City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745

October 9, 2015

civic

continued Gregg, though the specific

advantages are still being sussed out for
review and possible approval of town
council as early as next month.
Councilmember Turner said tests
of Seabrooks ham radio system had
been conducted and though adequate,
improvements are still being sought.
Better equipment, antennas and even
vehicles might be leveraged to facilitate
communications. He continued his report
saying a SIPOA study of the effects of sea
level rise recommended raising road beds
and planting trees. The full report will be
available on the towns website as soon as
possible.
Turners reported ended with the
mention of repairs on two local bridges.
The previously discussed replacement of
both the Burdens Creek and Hoopstick
bridges is currently scheduled for the
summer of 2016. This has reaped quite
a bit of attention coming slap in the
middle of hurricane season. Seabrook
Fire Commissioner Sue Holloman echoed
Turners concern saying, fire departments
all over [the Lowcountry] are sounding
alarms about this. Turner urged residents
to be on the lookout and participate in a
slate of upcoming meetings on the topic.
Councilmember Ron Ciancio said
Seabrook had suspended the Make it
Uniquely Yours campaign three months
ahead of schedule, citing Conde Nasts
excessive burn rate. Winners of both the
beach and tennis packages have already
been and gone. Golf package winners have
been identified and informed they have
until the end of the year to redeem their
prize. Don Romano, who took pains to be
a good host to beach package recipients,
offered to do the same for the golf package
winners if/when fall schedules get any
more complicated.
There will be no sweepstakes next
year, said Ciancio. The focus of future
efforts will be cost reduction and
leveraging Charlestons place as a favorite
tourist destination. The Accommodations
Tax, which provides the funding for such
endeavors, comes with strict mandates
on how it is applied. One of the ideas
under consideration was the annual
Billfish tournament hosted by Bohicket.
Councilmember Turner withheld support
because the tournament was not catch
and release." Councilmember Romano
insisted the tournament would not make a
dent in the species population, but Ciancio
tabled the matter, wondering aloud if the
event actually brought paying guests to
the island. Other, less contentious items
approved by the ATAX committee for

consideration included the Fourth of

July celebration, informational kiosks
at Bohicket, assistance from Obviouslee
Marketing and the Alan Fleming Senior
Tennis Tournament.
The mayors report began in a funny
you should mention it sort of way, with
thanks expressed by Susan Malloy for
Seabrooks Primary Sponsorship of the
Alan Fleming Senior Tennis Tournament.
The event begins on Oct. 8 with a party
in the evening, a full on banquet the next
and fierce, competitive tennis throughout.
Mayor Ahearn informed council everyone
is welcome to participate in the events as
time permitted. The tournament presently
boasts 244 registered participants, the
bulk of whom will be visiting from out of
state.
The mayor continued saying priority
one is still resolution of trash and recycling
contracts. Charleston County wants to
work with the town instead of SIPOA
and is requesting $52/ton to maintain the
current arrangement. Negotiations are
on-going.
Mayor Ahearn concluded his report
saying Sen. Chip Campsen had been in
touch offering assistance on issues related
to roads/bridges on Johns Island. Many,
including the mayor, question the timing
of repairs coming as it does during the
height of tourist and hurricane season. He
repeated the advice residents should be
on the lookout for and participate in the
many, soon to be scheduled meetings on
the topic.
The Seabrook Utility report included
mention of 2.2 inches of rain in August,
and financials for August were as strong
as usual.
The only item for legislative action
was a first reading of the new budget,
which passed unanimously as an item for
ongoing discussion.
Jerry Cummin, currently representing
the Charleston Visitors Bureau reminded
attendees how valuable relationships with
elected officials like Leon Stavrinakis
could be. Getting to know these folks
could help with the many road related
projects in the works, for example. He
also noted Seabrook was not advertising
on any of the CVBs many sites. He
inveighed on councilmember Ciancio to
ask Obviouslee Marketings opinion of
the matter. He concluded his remarks by
announcing the CVB would be hosting
two classes in Google Analytics (2-3 p.m.
and again from 4-5 p.m.) on Oct. 13 in its
boardroom located at 423 King St.

daily

October 9, 2015

Fire destroys home in Kiawah Preserve

BY GREGG BRAGG

The Island Connection Staff Writer

ednesday, Sept. 30. St.

Johns Fire Department was
dispatched to Kiawahs Preserve
at approximately 12:05 p.m.
We [received] a call from a resident
at 12:02 and were on the scene in five
minutes. Thats pretty good, Fire
Prevention Battalion Chief and forty year
SJFD veteran James Ghi, said. A resident
nearby had reported seeing smoke issuing
from 23 Blue Herron Pond Dr.
Were trying to get in touch with
the homeowners now, Deputy Fire
Chief Jackie Stanley, said on the scene,
confirming no one was inside. The elegant
homes narrow driveway bisects a pond in
the front which gives the appearance of
a moat, and is bounded by marsh in the
back. The hunter green home with brown
trim and a copper roof, blended perfectly
with its surroundings.The stately manor
looked well fortified but for billowing
plumes of white/grey smoke.
A firefighter squelches the burning embers of the house on Blue Herron Pond Dr.
Minutes after being dispatched, ten
fire engines, two Charleston County chain ending at the one, very large engine, just outside the battle was somewhat
EMS vehicles, and another dozen support which consumed all available space in the different. Here over a dozen firefighters
and command vehicles lined the street. driveway. The ladder on top of the engine methodically donned their personal
Half a dozen more vehicles and personnel deployed a master hose which Niagarad protective equipment, preparing to
from the Kiawah Island Community water from above, while as many as four replace colleagues, who were trickling out
Association established a perimeter smaller lines attacked remaining angles, of the fire in pairs, dragging axes, pikes
augmented by even more manned hoses. and pry bars. Two plus hours of internal
around the well-organized scene.
Although smoke and steam choked attack wasnt enough, however, as grey
Hoses from the two closest hydrants
routed water to fire engines in a daisy the immediate vicinity, the staging area smoke turned a dense, heavy brown and

suppression efforts shifted to containment.

When the roof began to collapse, I had
to pull my team out, for safety reasons.
SJFD Fire Chief Colleen Walz said.
Those metal roofs are a problem. You
cant get on them so you cant cut through
[to create access points and stem a fires
advance]," Chief Walz said after ordering
the building evacuated. She went on to
describe how the homes narrow driveway
had limited the amount of equipment
which could be brought to bear and how
the water boundary had made anchoring
equipment more difficult. Chief Ghi
concurred. Metal roofs can mask signs
of a fire, allowing it to gain momentum
before being noticed and also alter its
behavior, forcing flames to move laterally
instead of up.
The historic flooding rains, propelled
by Hurricane Joaquins presence in the
Atlantic about 400 miles east of the
Carolinas, arrived 24 hours later, but
still in time to help quash the remaining
smolder. As of this writing, Chief Ghi
suspects the fire started in the back wall
of the attached garage. Details will be
available on the SJFD website under
the Freedom of Information tab in
due course. Chiefs Walz and Ghi both
recommend sprinkler systems and third
party monitoring systems, especially for
unoccupied, second homes.

October 9, 2015

daily

daily

Pet rescues return to Kiawah

for 9th annual Dogtoberfest
BY DOUG REYNOLDS
For The Island Connection

ring your dog, sip some wine and

help out local pet rescues at the ninth
annual Dogtoberfest: Dogs, Dine
and Wine Pet Expo. The event, which
brings together pet rescue organizations
from around the Lowcountry, returns to
Freshfields Village on Saturday, Oct. 17
from 1-5 p.m.
In addition to meet-and-greets with
local rescue groups and the annual wine
tasting, this free event include:
Delicious food trucks
Live entertainment
On-site vendors
Pet costume contest
Blessing of the animals
Exciting prizes and giveaways, and
more!
New for this year, FortyEight Wine Bar
will be providing the wine for the event.
FortyEight is a new wine bar opening
at Freshfields Village that will offer 48
(hence the name) different wines by the
glass each day.
Proceeds from Dogtoberfest benefit
the participating pet rescue organizations,
including: Shih Tzus and Furbabies,
Grateful Goldens Rescue, Greyhound
Pets of America - Charleston, Carolina
Coonhound Rescue, Pet Helpers, Waters

Tornado continues from cover

Edge Animal Rescue, Lowcountry Lab

Rescue and King Charles Cavalier Spaniel
Rescue.
Dogtoberfest is hosted by the Kiawah
Island Community Association and
presented by the Charleston Animal
Society. Other event sponsors include:
Freshfields Village, Angel Oak Animal
Hospital, FortyEight Wine Bar and
Creekside Pet Retreat.
For more information or updates
on Dogtoberfest, visit
www.
kica.us
or like Dogtoberfest on Facebook. For
questions, contact dogtoberfest@kica.us or
843.768.3875.

to the bathtub was already destroyed.

When we came out, it was just
unbelievable, John Bercik said in the
video. When it started roaring it was
absolutely terrifying.
Since then, a group of the Berciks
friends and coworkers have started a
campaign on GoFundMe.com (https://
www.gofundme.com/ea4zbeqk) to help
the couple get back on their feet. The
campaigns description says the couple is
still in shock and disbelief, but that they
are amazingly calm, considering the
devastation.
Most residents made it through
the storm with minimal damage to
their houses. Mary Shepperd lives on
Brownswood Road and said her house
came out mostly unscathed, except for
a few lost shingles and a couple downed
trees. Still, she was sad to see the trees go.
I love them trees, she said. She had
been taking care of them for 25 years and
said she cherished the shade they offered
in the warm months.
Still, Fletcher Springer, her son-in-law

who lives next door, said, we were blessed

so far that it didnt do anything to us.
The cleanup for the storm is ongoing,
and Charleston County Public Works
Director Jim Neal said if residents have
trees and other debris from the storm that
they are clearing themselves, if we can
reach it from the road, well pick it up.
Most insurance policies will pay for
someone to remove downed trees and
other debris, but if not, Neal also said
people can contact the countys emergency
management department to be connected
with a volunteer group to help with the
cleanup.
The county public works department is
splitting the cleanup work with the state
department of transportation, and Neal
said between those two agencies, there
over a hundred people working to clear
the roads daily.
As of Oct. 1 they had removed over
500 truckloads of debris, which translates
to over 6000 cubic yards. By the time they
are done, Neal estimates they will have
removed over 20,000 cubic yards.
The roads were clear of debris that
was impeding traffic by the weekend,
but the historic rainfall and subsequent
flooding that engulfed the Lowcountry
the weekend of Oct. 3 and cut off access
to Kiawah and Seabrook for most of the
weekend, has substantially delayed the
process.
Shawn Smetana, a spokesman for
Charleston county, said the cleanup
would resume the week of Oct. 5.
For a report on the historic flooding that
hit the islands last weekend, see the next
issue of The Island Connection.

fundraising

SI Backpack Buddies takes

on two more schools
FRESHFIELDS FEEDS KIDS
FUNDRAISER A BIG SUCCESS
BY JOANNE THRELFALL
For The Island Connection

he inaugural Backpack Buddies of

Seabrook Island Freshfields Feeds
Kids event, which took place this
summer, was a resounding success. As a
result of the merchants generosity, and
everyone that shopped and supported the
Freshfields Feeds Kids event, Backpack
Buddies Seabrook Island has been
able to take on two additional schools,
Johns Island High School and Lambs
Elementary in North Charleston. Thanks
to Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island and
Kiawah Womens Group, all the students
in need on Johns Island are being taken
care of with food for the weekends.
Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island is
a non profit charity, whose mission it is
to feed local, hungry school children on
the weekends who might otherwise not
have enough to eat. These children are fed
breakfast and lunch in school, but on the
weekends they are very often left to fend
for themselves. There have been stories of
children saving half their lunch on Friday
afternoons so they would have something
to eat on the weekends.

The approximate cost to feed each

child, each week is $5, or $200 per year.
BPBSI is currently feeding close to 100
children.
The group is all volunteer, if you are
interested in volunteering or donating, please
contact Joanne Threlfall at 203.417.8518 or
Elaine Davis at 843.297.8788. Your tax
deductible donation can be sent to Backpack
Buddies Seabrook Island, 3016 Baywood
Drive Seabrook Island, SC 29455.

daily

October 9, 2015

visitors make use of those routes. Missing

bridges would place a greater burden to
grade-separated interchange and address the already vulnerable Main Rd. Should
drainage at the intersection of US 17 at bridge replacements be postponed pending
resolution of other, related issues?
Main Road, wrote Miller.
One example of the tidal nature of
Summeys measure, after weeks of
back and forth with the countys Finance the debate to replace the Burdens and
Committee, was included on the agenda Hoopstick bridges is illustrated in an article
by Edward C. Fennell
for consideration by
of The Post and Courier.
Charleston
County
The measure
Fennell quotes Highway
Council on Sept. 29.
Commissioner
Bob
Although no funds
to reconsider
Harrell saying All of
were being allocated,
options for Main this is necessary because
the attempt to move
these
bridges
are
Rd. eventually
the issue back to the
structurally
deficient.
drawing board for
passed by a 5-3-1 If they dont fix them,
a chance to assess
vote.
they will eventually
priorities produced a
fall into the river and
lengthy discussion.
someone will get hurt.
Johns
Island
representative Anna Johnson, a champion The article is dated March 3, 2005, written
of I526, wondered where funding for over ten years ago and the resurgence of the
a more comprehensive solution to the debate alone begs for consensus.
Consequently, a group calling themselves
Main Rd. problem would come from. She
expressed concern and worried it might the Concerned Citizens of the Sea Islands
dilute the countys ability to forge ahead has begun to organize and collaborate with
with I526. The measure to reconsider the unofficial Johns Island Council. Still in
options for Main Rd. eventually passed by the planning stages is a meeting tentatively
a 5-3-1 vote, despite Johnsons NAY vote scheduled for Oct. 9 with representatives
and one abstention. The question now is of the South Carolina Department of
Transportation. According to Johns Island
one of timing and circumstance.
Two bridges on Johns Island are resident Rich Thomas, representatives of
scheduled for replacement during the SCDOT are trying to get St. Johns High
summer of 2016. The bridges at both School as the venue for this consensus
Burdens and Hoopstick Creeks will be building meeting of the minds. However,
replaced after the school year is finished. as of this writing, plans have yet to solidify.
However, recent meetings of both Please look for further announcements in
Seabrook and Kiawah town councils have The Island Connection, on its Facebook
produced questions about the timing of page facebook.com/islandconnectionnews,
repairs. School may be out but summer and through other local media.

Road Flooding continues from cover

October 9, 2015

arts & events

Seabrook Island Artist Guild

hosts painter Mary L. Hoffman

eabrook Island Artist Guild will welcome

distinguished portrait and plein-air painter Mary L.
Hoffman as guest artist at their monthly meeting
on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Lake House.
Ms. Hoffman will display examples of her work and
demonstrate her creative processes.
As a 1989 graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art
in Cleveland Ohio, Mary L. Hoffman doesnt remember
a time when she wasnt drawing and painting. As her
artistic skills developed over the years, Mary realized the
joy of drawing and painting the figure and portrait.

BY ROBERTA BOATTI
For The Island Connection

Soon after graduating, Mary joined the Dayton

Society of Painters and Sculptors and entered several of
their juried Fine Art Shows and Exhibits; one of which
earned her the Best of Show title as well as many
Third Place and Honorable Mention ribbons. Her
final exhibit with The Dayton Society of Painters and
Sculptors was a large, week-long One-Woman Show
which launched her artistic journey to the Southeast.
For the past 20 years, CEOs, Universities and
collectors from all over the world have commissioned
Mary for her elegant portraits in various mediums. Some
of her well-known portrait clients include The University
of Dayton, Actress and Model Andie MacDowell, and
NHL Hockey Legend Mark Messier.
Hilton Head Island, SC is where Mary taught Life
Drawing, Portrait Painting and Basic Drawing classes
a few weeks of the year and continued her Portrait
business. In addition to teaching in Hilton Head Island,
Mary also taught Life Drawing, Portrait Painting and
Basic Drawing classes at The Gibbes Museum of Arts
Gibbes Studio in Downtown Charleston South Carolina.
In 2005, Mary realized a deeper dimension to her art
when she attended her first Plein Air Painting workshop.
Soon following, Mary was invited to join the intimate
Plein Air Painting group known as The Sullivans Island
Plein Air Painters with whom she paints each week.
Today, Mary enjoys combining her love of the
portrait and figure with painting En Plein Air. Her

work is documented on her Blogsite: Marys Paintings

maryspaintingaday.blogspot.com where one can view
and purchase original art.
Other Fine Art Galleries representing Marys work
are: Hagan Fine Art Gallery & Studio downtown
Charleston, SC, Mountain Mist Gallery in Cashiers,
NC. And Skyuka Fine Art in Tryon, NC

To learn more about the Seabrook Island Artist Guild

events, workshops and membership visit the website at www.
seabrookislandartistguild.com.

Island Connection Calendar

October 9
ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

Intermediate Oil Classes

At the Todd & Huff Art Center located
at Bohicket Marina, Wednesdays and
Fridays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Topics include
value work, applying composition elements
to your paintings, edge work, brush and
palette knife use. Painting from still life
and photos. Email toddhuffcenter@gmail.
com for information.
Monday Bridge Group
9 a.m. at the Lake House. The Monday
Bridge Group needs new players. For more
information, please contact Lori Muenow
at 843.768.2314 or Ilse Calcagno at
843.768.0317.

Tuesdays

Mah Jongg Practice

1 - 4 p.m. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesday
of the month. Located at The Lake
HouseOsprey 2. Open to all new
players, those returning to the game, and
anyone else who wants a chance to practice
with others who are learning the game.
If you have any questions, please contact
Helen Thompson at hmtsbsc@gmail.com.
Bookmobile
The Charleston County Bookmobile comes
to Freshfields Village on the first and third
Tuesday of every month from 10:00 am
11:30 am. The Bookmobile will be parked
in the lot behind Heges and Java Java.

LoKal Seabar Party On The Patio

Every Tuesday in September & October,
on the outside patio from 6 to 9 p.m. A fun
evening for the whole family. Come watch
the sunset over Bohicket Marina while
listening to DJ Jim Bowers Entertainment
and enjoying LoKals drink specials.

Saturdays

Wednesdays

2015 Sea Island Cars and Coffee

9 - 11 a.m. The third Saturday each month
at Freshfields Village.

Lake House Yoga

8:30 a.m. Join us for Rise and Shine Yoga
with Patti Romano, formerly known at
Gentle Flow Yoga. Rise and Shine Yoga
is an all-levels practice focused around
finding your days intention, set up yourself
for success and be ready to shine.
New Semi Private Yoga Class: Chair
Yoga at The Lake House
Wednesdays Oct. 7 to Nov. 11 from 2:30
to 3:30 p.m. Chair Yoga is a unique yoga
style that adapts yoga positions and poses
through the creative use of a chair. The
chair replaces the yoga mat and becomes
an extension of the body. Chair Yoga
is suitable for all ages, fitness levels and
physical conditions. This semi-private, 6
week yoga series begins on Wednesday,
Oct. 7. To register call 843.725.1580.

Fridays

Friday Indoor Pickleball

12:30 - 2:30 p.m. at St. Christophers
Camp. For further information, please
contact Mary Torello at 843.768.0056.

Homegrown
10 a.m. 2 p.m. Johns Island Farmers
Market. Every Third Saturday at 3546
Maybank Highway Johns Island.
For more information, visit www.
johnsislandfarmersmarket.com.

Legare Farm Pumpkin Patch and Maze

Open weekends Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday
10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.
For more information on the month long
festivities, or to book a fieldtrip please call
843.559.0788, email info@legarefarms.
com or visit www.legarefarms.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Seabrook Island Garden Club

2015-16 Season Kick Off, 9:30 a.m. at
the Seabrook Island Lake House. For
information on membership please
contact: Cheryl Schumann, cschumann@
seabrookislandrealestate.com
Fall Festival Kick Off
6-9 p.m. free, outdoor concert on the
Village Green featuring Travis Allison
Band. The bands soulful three-part vocal
harmonies, piano, organ, electric and
acoustic guitars, harmonica, drums and
bass fuse to create a live Americana rock n

roll show like no other. Dont forget your

blanket or beach chair. Picnics are welcome

will be available for purchase from a

variety of local vendors.

Email toddhuffcenter@gmail.com for more

information.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon & 5K

Races start at 8:30 a.m. Mullet Hall
Equestrian Center on Johns Island. Join us
on the scenic trails of Mullet Hall for the
Lowcountry Trail Half Marathon and 5K.
An award ceremony and a party with live
music and beverages will be held after the
races. Online registration will end Oct. 9
at 3 p.m. Race day registration will take
place on site from 7-8 a.m. Participants
ages 10-15 can register, but must be
accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Half Marathon race fees: $48/$40 CCR
Discount. 5K race fees: $34/$28 CCR
Discount. On-site registration will be $48
and $34 respectively.

Seabrook Island Photography Club

Portrait and Macro Photography
Workshop, 6:30 p.m. Bring your cameras
and learn how to effectively take portraits
or close up photos!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13

Rapture, Blister, Burn

PURE Theater presents this show at 7:30
p.m. at Turtle Point Clubhouse. See story
page 6 for more details. 7:30pm - Turtle
Point Clubhouse. This whip-crack theatre
comedy takes a look at Catherine and
Gwen, who, after grad school, chose polar
opposite paths and now, decades later, are
unfulfilled in polar opposite ways.

Sweetgrass Gullah Connection

11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Sweetgrass Gullah
Connection by Nakia M. Wigfall, a 5th
generational basketmaker will be held
at the Wadmalaw Island Community
Center. Wigfall will host a lecture and
demonstration. Items will be available for
purchase at a silent auction. $15 at the
door to include lunch consisting of gullah
cuisine. For more information contact
Bertha Smalls-Middleton on Facebook
or call 843.557-8408. 5606 Katy Hill Rd
Wadmalaw Island.
Seabrook Island Artist Guild Fall
Festival
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Freshfields Village.
Celebrate Fall with local artists and enjoy
the other festival attractions.
Fall Festival
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fall Festival Weekend
continues with a free, family-friendly event
featuring a variety of activities for each
generation. Enjoy live music as you browse
a fall Farmers Market featuring seasonal
goods and produce along with an art show
featuring the Kiawah & Seabrook Artist
Guilds. Kids will enjoy complimentary
face painting, inflatable games, mechanical
bull, and fall crafts. Food and beverages

Choosing Sides in Revolutionary South

Carolina
11:15 a.m. SC History Series at the Johns
Island Regional Library. Join CCPLs
historian, Dr. Nic Butler, for a look at the
options available to Lowcountry residents
during those years of crisis.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
Photo Reference Workshop
4:30 p.m. Mark Horton will give a photo
reference workshop on a boat trip on the
Edisto Creek. The trip is a sunset cruise
and will leave from Bohicket Marina.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Cars & Coffee
9 to 11 a.m. Calling all car enthusiasts!
Arrive in your favorite ride and join us for
Cars and Coffee at Freshfields Village. The
free event will feature antiques, classics,
exotics, concepts and any other cool cars.
Coffee and other refreshments available for
purchase by Java Java Coffee House.

Lets Talk About It

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Read the classic novel,
watch the film and enjoy a lively lecture
and discussion. This months book is
Persuasion by Jane Austen. The discussion
will be moderated by Dr. Celeste

October 23
McMaster. Details 843-559-1945.
Dogtoberfest
1 - 5 p.m. Kiawah Island Community
Association and Freshfields Village present
a free pet expo event.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
Artist Guild Lecture
Seabrook Island Artist Guild presents
distinguished portrait and plein air artist
Mary L. Hoffman as guest artist at the
monthly meeting at 3 p.m. Lake House.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
North Shore Acappella
7:30 p.m. at the Turtle Point Clubhouse.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
Painting Realistic Oceans and Waves
The Seabrook Island Artist Guild will offer
a free workshop taught by Bob LeFevre, 13 p.m. in the Eagles Nest room at the Lake
House. To register for the class, contact
Walter Czander at 768-9086 or e-mail him
at ccczander@bellsouth.net

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Legare Farms Haunted Maze and House
Friday Oct. 23 and Saturday Oct. 24. The
Haunted event will take place from 8 to 10
p.m. For more information on the month
long festivities, or to book a fieldtrip please

call 843.559.0788, email info@legarefarms.

com or visit us online at www.legarefarms.
com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

Fall Festival
Johns and Wadmalaw Island schools.
Rescheduled from Oct. 3

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinics
Lowcountry Wine & Beer Festival
3 to 6 p.m. Rescheduled from Oct. 4,
Freshfields Village. Under the tent on the
Village Green! Enjoy a glass of wine or
craft beer along with savor bits, bites and
small plates of Lowcountry cuisine. The
event includes a silent auction and live
music all the benefit the Barrier Island
Free Medical Clinic. Advance tickets may
be purchased for $40 at Indigo Books at
Freshfields Village. Event day tickets are
$45. Youth tickets are available for ages
8-21 for $20.
Bishop Gadsden Fall Festival
1-4:30 p.m., Bishop Gadsden, Camp
Road, James Island. Free.
Bohicket Merchants Oyster Roast
Noon to 4 p.m. (rain date November 1st).
Advance ticket cost is $30 and tickets at
the event are $35 each.

10

October 9, 2015

arts & events

arts & events

Nancy Nowak at Todd

& Huff Art Center

Learn to paint oceans and waves

BY ROBERTA BOATTI

Laura Todd and Nancy Nowak.

SI ARTISTS GUILD OFFERS WORKSHOP

STAFF REPORT

For The Island Connection

ancy Nowak, extraordinaire

pastelist, gave a wonderful
workshop at the Todd & Huff
Art Center located at Bohicket Marina on
September 16 and 17. Nancy is an award
winning artist from Suwanee, Georgia.
Her artistic style is calligraphic and
impressionistic. Her use of color balances
subtlety and brightness to highlight her
subjects.
Participants were instructed on
application of underpaintings in pastel
and oil with emphasis on planning the
painting and varying brushstroke work
with brush and pastel sticks. You can

view Nancys artwork at her website

nancynowakart.com.
Upcoming workshops at the Todd &
Huff Art Center include a Sunset Cruise
with Mark Horton on Oct. 15; Curt
Butler with an encaustic workshop on
Nov. 14 and 15; monthly draped model
classes, and ongoing oil instruction by Pat
Huff and Laura Todd.
For
more
information
email
toddhuffcenter@gmail.com or call Pat
Huff, 404.245.5766 or Laura Todd,
843.259.4180.

For The Island Connection

f you ever wanted to paint the beautiful

ocean views we enjoy along Seabrooks
beaches and didnt know how to begin,
register for this special workshop offered
by the Seabrook Island Artist Guild.
Maritime artist, Bob Lefevre will teach a
hands-on class, Learning How to Paint
Realistic Oceans and Waves on October
22nd from 1 3 p.m. in the Eagle's Nest
room at the Lake House. This is a free
workshop, open to all Seabrookers and
Artist Guild members.
Bob will take participants through the
process of understanding wave patterns,
various color choices, depicting foam
patterns, perspective and making the
water look wet. You should bring a small
canvas, e.g., 8x10", 9 x12" 6 x 12", (the
latter elongated size being a good choice
for an ocean), various brushes (flats,
filberts), and odorless thinner.
Bob, who is president of the Seabrook
Island Artist Guild, started taking art
lessons at the age of nine and continued

with drawing, painting and sculpture

lessons throughout his school days,
joining every art club and organization he
could find, while winning awards for his
talents at this early stage. At age eighteen
he began taking lessons from a retired
sea captain in Cape Cod, Mass., where
he painted his first clipper ship. It was at
that moment that his passion for painting
scenes of the sea and its surroundings was
ignited. Since that time, Bob has made it
his passion to learn how to realistically
and dramatically paint all types of water
formations, from oceans to creeks.
To register for the class, contact Walter
Czander at 768.9086 or e-mail him at
ccczander@bellsouth.net For a glimpse
of Bob LeFevres oil paintings, visit his
website at www.lefevrepaintings.com To
learn more about the artist guild, its events
and membership visit the website at www.
seabrookislandartistguild.com.

October 9, 2015

11

arts & events

on the water

Kiawah Island Garden Club: Get fishing this October

super plantings, super
BY GEOFF BENNETT
moon, super polo match
For The Island Connection

BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

n September the meeting of the

Kiawah Island Garden Club celebrated
the plants we are able to grow on
Kiawah, listening to a talk on the subject
by Leila Gable, Land Management
Supervisor for KICA. Kiawah is made up
of many different small ecosystems, and
plants which do well in one area dont
necessarily thrive in another, so planting
is often an experiment. Of course there
are some plants which can be put all over
the island, such as sweet grass, various
palmettos, and many ferns. Leila brought
along plants such as the ferns and various
members won them to take home and
plant in their own gardens. In all parts
of the island deer are a problem, and will
sometimes eat plants which they never
were attracted to before, adding even
more suspense to our gardening efforts.
Jacki Byer, a member of the steering
committee leading the club this year,
brought along a Plant of the Month,
Tropical Milkweed. The community
would like to plant Milkweed all over
the island to attract and sustain Monarch
butterflies as they migrate through our
area, but it does not thrive here. However,
Tropical Milkweed is a beautiful flowered
tropical plant which will live here and help

the butterflies, so should be encouraged in

our gardens.
On Sept. 27, a group of Garden Club
members gathered at the Sandcastle
to see the sunset and the Supermoon
rise. Unfortunately clouds intervened.
However an intrepid group gathered on
the boardwalk later and their patience
paid off when they were able to watch the
total eclipse of the moon that night.
Members of the Garden Club will meet
on Oct. 10 to create flower arrangements
for the parties before and after the Kiawah
Cup on Oct. 11. The polo match will
take place on the beach in front of the
Sandcastle that afternoon followed by a
party, with food and music, around the
pool.
On Oct. 19 the Garden Club will
meet at 10 a.m. (preceded by coffee
and refreshments at 9:30 a.m.) at the
Sandcastle to hear Billy McCord of the
Clemson Extension Agency talk about
Monarch butterflies. Leila had mentioned
how fortunate we all are to have Clemson
available to us for advice and expertise.
They are always available to answer
gardening and horticulture questions.

Tid e Char t
Date

High Tide

Low Tide

Oct 09
Oct 10
Oct 11
Oct 12
Oct 13
Oct 14
Oct 15
Oct 16
Oct 17
Oct 18
Oct 19
Oct 20
Oct 21
Oct 22

6:24am/6:38pm
7:08am/7:20pm
7:50am/7:59pm
8:30am/8:37pm
9:07am/9:13pm
9:43am/9:48pm
10:17am/10:22pm
10:51am/10:57pm
11:27am/11:36pm
12:10pm
12:23am/1:02pm
1:18am/2:02pm
2:21am/3:07pm
3:28am/4:12pm

12:08am/12:23pm
12:50am/1:08pm
1:29am/1:50pm
2:05am/2:31pm
2:40am/3:09pm
3:14am/3:47pm
3:47am/4:26pm
4:22am/5:05pm
5:00am/5:48pm
5:43am/6:36pm
6:32am/7:29pm
7:29am/8:27pm
8:34am/9:28pm
9:42am/10:29pm

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

Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
wrong so use common sense.
Source: saltwatertides.com

s inshore fishing goes its hard

to beat the month of October.
Redfish and trout become the
primary targets as the summer seasonal
species have departed. The falling water
temperature lets the fish know that
they better eat up now before Winter
arrives. What could be better than the
combination of hungry fish and beautiful
Fall days?
Redfish will begin to form schools that
will grow larger throughout the month.
Sight fishing has been quite a thrill as
these redfish attack schools of shrimp
and mullet. Artificials that look like
baitfish have been very productive. We are
throwing jerk shad artificial lures about
4"-5" in length in hues of blue and grey.
I rig these lures on size #3/0 flutter hooks
that provide great action and as an added
bonus land softly in the water.
Trout are responding well to artificial
lures too. Well use lures in the same hues
as for redfish but slightly smaller, 3-4,
and often with a paddle tail. Instead
of a flutter hook, try using a 1/8-1/4oz.
jighead. Its important to use a jighead
heavy enough to get down in the water
column and in front of fishes noses. The
goal is to bounce the lure off the bottom
and wait until you feel the resistance of a
striking fish. If you catch one trout, there

are likely many more in that area.

Large schools of redfish can be a fly
fishermans dream. The water becomes
clearer as all the algae leaves and sight
fishing is superb. Again, well try to
imitate the bait fish that are in the water.
Wobbler flies in black as well EP fiber
mullet flies are go to patterns. Redfish at
this time of year by nature are becoming
spookier. Take your time approaching the
schools and you will be well rewarded.
See you on the water!

Capt. Geoff Bennett operates Charleston

Charter Fishing providing light tackle and
fly fishing charters. For more information,
call Capt. Bennett at 843.324.3332, visit
his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.
com or email him at captain@
charlestoncharterfishing.com.

12

computer corner

October 9, 2015

Prices are falling, the

holidays must be near
BY BOB HOOPER

For The Island Connection

he season of the giving of gifts is

just around the corner, well, at
least the time to start looking is.
Amazon.com is a good place to get a good
starting point on electronics, and then
don't be ashamed to whip out an online
price in a local store, they may well match
it.
A good desktop computer that does
basic computing should run in the $300$500 range, some even with a monitor, all
come with mouse and keyboard. Laptops
are a bit more, in the range of $400-$600
but on sale can be had a bit less.
Locally, most will be Windows 10, but
if you can find Windows 8.1 I would buy
it and wait until later next year to upgrade
for free to 10. Online you can still find 7,
8 and 8.1 which can all be upgraded until
late next July.
Mac laptops start at $899 for the basic
Mac Air, and although more expensive
they do come with a lot of free software.
Additionally, the newest OS El Capitain
just came out, which is an upgrade of

Yosemite.
Don't forget to check out the Xbox
and competitors, these gaming consoles
vary in price but by Thanksgiving a
price war will break out I'm sure. Tablets
are another great gift option, coming in
various sizes and shapes with all kinds of
operating systems. iPads still are the top
sellers and will always bring the Ooohs
and Aaaahhs but at $399 for the Mini and
$499 for regular it can be a bit expensive
for wee ones. Amazon's Fire tablets are
less expensive (starting at $50) and can do
much of what the iPad offers.
Whatever you are looking for, start
early and you will have the shopping over
and done with!
As always if you have questions or need
help you can call or email me, Rent A Bob at
843.822.7794 or email at rentabob@live.
com.

Through The Lens: The Kiawah Island Triathlon

October 9, 2015
Images from this year's Kiawah Triathlon, which took place Sunday, Sept. 20, by
Seabrook Island photographer Ralph Secoy. Over 400 athletes participated in the
.7 mile ocean swim, 25.1 mile bike, and 6.1 mile run across Kiawah.

13
PHOTOS BY RALPH SECOY

14

October 9, 2015

financial focus

Avoid emotional
investment decisions
BY DIMI MATOUCHEV
For The Island Connection

hats the biggest obstacle to your ability to invest successfully? Is it the

ups and downs of the financial markets? Political events? The fact that
you werent born rich? Actually, the chief hurdle you face is something
over which you have control: your own emotions.
Your emotions can lead to a variety of ill-advised investment behaviors, such
as these:
Cutting losses Declines in the financial markets can lead some investors
to try to cut their losses by selling investments whose price has declined.
Yet, when prices have dropped, it may actually be a good time to buy
investments, not sell them, especially when the investments are still
fundamentally sound.
Chasing performance In the investment world, the flip side of fear is
greed. Just as some investors are propelled by fear of loss, others are
motivated by quick, big gains. They may pursue hot investments, only to
be disappointed when the sizzle quickly fizzles. Instead of trying to score
that one big winner, you may be better off spreading your investment dollars
among a range of vehicles stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates
of deposit (CDs) and so on. While diversification cant guarantee a profit or
protect against loss, it may help reduce the impact of market volatility on
your portfolio.
Focusing on the short term When the market is down, you might get
somewhat upset when you view your monthly investment statements. But
any individual statement is just a snapshot in time; if you were to chart
your investment results over a period of 10, 15 or 20 years, youd see the
true picture of how your portfolio is doing and, in all likelihood, that
picture would look better than a statement or two you received during a
down market. In any case, dont overreact to short-term downturns by
making hasty buy or sell decisions. Instead, stick with a long-term
strategy thats appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.
Heading to the investment sidelines Some people get so frustrated over
market volatility that they throw up their hands and head to the investment
sidelines until things calm down. And its certainly true that, when
owning stocks, there are no guarantees; you do risk losing some, or all,
of your investment. But if you jump in and out of the market to escape
volatility, you may take on an even bigger risk the risk of losing some of the
growth youll need to reach your goals. Consider this: If you had invested
$10,000 in a package of stocks mimicking the S&P 500 in December 1979,
your investment would have grown to more than $426,000 by December
2013. But if you had missed just the 10 best days of the market during
that time, your $10,000 would only have grown to less than $206,000 a
difference of about $220,000, according to Ned Davis Research, a leading
investment research organization. The bottom line? Staying invested over
the long term can pay off. (Keep in mind, though, that the S&P 500 is an
unmanaged index and isnt meant to depict an actual investment. Also,
as youve no doubt heard, past performance is not a guarantee of future
results.)
Our emotions are useful in guiding us through many aspects of our lives, but
when you invest, youre better off using your head and not your heart.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones
Financial Advisor.

October 9, 2015

Tastes of the south

Pimento Cheese
Biscuits with Pimento
Cheese Spread

BY MARILYN MARKEL
For The Island Connection

Ingredients

Pimento Cheese Spread

1 lb sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
4 oz pimentos, drained thoroughly and
diced
2 Tbsp sweet relish
1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper, to taste
Pimento Cheese Biscuits
2 cups all-purpose flour (Southern
Biscuit or similar)
2 tsp white sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2-tsp cream of tartar
1/2-cup shortening
2/3-cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4-cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp pimento peppers, chopped
2/3-cup milk

Directions

For Spread
1. Combine all ingredients and mix
well. Store in refrigerator, but
bring to room temperature to
serve.
For Biscuits
1. Pre-heat oven to 425F
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine
the flour, sugar, baking powder,
salt, and cream of tartar. Cut in the
shortening with a pastry blender.
Add the grated cheese, green bell
pepper, and pimento; mix with a
fork. Stir in milk and mix well.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured
surface and knead 5 times. Roll
out and cut with small biscuit
cutter.
4. Place onto a parchment lined
baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, or until
browned.

Locally Owned & Operated