Island Connection - August 9, 2013

P
R
E
S
O
R
T

S
T
A
N
D
A
R
D
U
S

P
O
S
T
A
G
E

P
A
I
D
C
H
A
R
L
E
S
T
O
N

S
C
P
E
R
M
I
T

N
O

4
3
7
P
O
S
T
A
L

P
A
T
R
O
N
Page 4
Our Lady of Mercy
Volume 7 Issue 8 August 9, 2013 FREE
Since May 2007
Page 6
Expedition Patagonia
Page 19 7th Annual
Wine & Beer Fest
Angel Oak continues on page 6
Kiawah Wins continues on page 14
G
rowing Support to Save
Angel Oak
The
PhOtOs By RALPh sEcOy Te Angel Oak, nestled on Johns Island, continues to draws thousands of tourists each year.
J ohns I sl and RotaRy Cl ub
donat es $ 1 , 0 0 0 to PRot eCt
angel oak t Ree
by betsey PooRe
T
he unpretentious Angel Oak tree, located down a subtle dirt road on Bohicket
Road, is anything but ordinary. Tis southern live oak, estimated to be anywhere
between 500 and 1,500 years old, is one of the oldest live oaks in the country.
Tough the Angel Oak is iconic to the lowcountry, it is at risk of being invaded by
hundreds of multi-family houses.
A 17-acre patch of land near the tree is zoned for multi-family housing development,
and many worry that this will ruin not only the beauty of the park, but also the
environment surrounding it.
On July 23, the Johns Island Rotary Club announced that it has donated $1,000 to
the Lowcountry Open Land Trust (LOLT) to support their efort to acquire the tract of
land and preserve the natural area. If LOLT raises the $3.56 million required to purchase
the land, a conservation easement will be placed on the 17-acres and development plans
will be stopped.
And so far, they’re on the right track;
Charleston County has already committed
Town of Kiawah Island
Brings Home Major Win
MunI CI Pal assoCI at I on of sout h
CaRol I na honoRs kI awah wI t h
aChI eveMent awaRd
PRovIded by the MunICIPal assoCIatIon of sC
T
he Town of Kiawah Island received a Municipal Achievement Award for
two waterfront recreational site improvements. Ofcials were presented
with the award during the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s 73rd
Annual Meeting on July 20. Te town won in the public works category. Tirty-
three cities and towns submitted their projects and initiatives.
Ofcials in Kiawah Island faced an uphill challenge when they decided to
improve two waterfront recreational sites in town. Land on the island is some
of the most expensive in the state, and
The Island
Connection
Lynn Pierotti
publisher
[email protected]
Hannah Dockery
managing editor
[email protected]

Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
[email protected]
Lori McGee
sales manager
[email protected]
Jerry Plumb
graphic designer
[email protected]
Ralph Secoy
Resident Photographer
Contributors
Lori Leary
Betsey Poore
SC Municipal Association
Jim McQueen
Mike Casella
Chad Hayes
Bob Hooper
Chad Kelly
Geoff Bennett
Kristin Welch
John Nelson
Sarah Diaz
Dave Williams
Jimmy Ghi
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: August 14
for submissions
for the August 23 Issue
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily refect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.
Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC
Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection
Civic Calendar
KIAWAH ISLAND TOWN HALL
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
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, 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
2 August 9, 2013
Civic
Mayor Holtz called the meeting to
order. Councilmember Cummin was
absent.
Financials
Mayor Holtz informed Council that
a $79,000 check recently came into the
Town but had not yet been incorporated
into the fnancials, creating a slight skew
in the budget for the month. Holtz added
that year to date fnancials are on target.
“We’re in good shape,” he said. “Our
fnancials are fne.”
Te Council continued to discuss
the Emergency Fund balance, noting
the need to continue building on the $1
million already allocated. “Kiawah has
$16 million in comparison,” Councilman
Ahearn said. “We’re still short and we
need to build that fund up over time.”
Citizens’ Comments
Larry Maddox, a representative from
VC3, addressed Council regarding
potential upcoming changes to the
technology the Town uses. Maddox
mentioned that Town Administrator
Pierce is interested in hiring VC3 to update
Town technologies, such as transitioning
the Town to cloud technology, which
would allow computers to be restored
from any location, even in the event of
a disaster or computer crash. Right now,
Pierce has to manually back up data and
tapes on a regular bases; VC3 would take
care of all such services by streamlining
the process and updating the technology.
“We’re about getting you out of the IT
business,” Maddox said.
Government Relations
Councilman Reed attended a Council
of Governments meeting and reported
that the main topic concerned the
cutting down of trees on I-26, between
Summerville and I-95. Reed reported
that no trees would be cut unless the
Council of Governments approves the
funds to do it. A representative from the
Department of Transportation addressed
the audience on why it is important that
the trees be removed, but Arthur Ravanel
and Congressman Mark Sanford spoke in
opposition to the removal. Several motions
were made, all of which were defeated, and
the Chairman then took it upon himself
to appoint and ad hoc committee to work
with the Department of Transportation
and come up with a solution.
Branding Initiative
Councilman Ahearn updated the
Council on the Branding Initiative, which
seeks to come up with a tagline and slogan
for Seabrook Island. A brand has been
decided and a public unveiling will be
coming soon in the Seabrook as well as the
Island Connection.
Debris Removal
Ciancio informed Council that three
bids for the debris removal contract were
received on time. Companies out of
Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama
sought after the bid. Te Public Safety
committee undertook an extensive review
and Phillips & Jordan out of Robbinsville,
NC, was the best bidder, earning 20
percent more total points on the Public
Safety committee review scorecard than
the nearest bidder. Ciancio made a motion
to designate Phillips & Jordan as the
winning bidder, and suggested meeting in
August to approve the contract. Council
unanimously approved. Te Town
received no bids for
debris monitoring, so
the Town will solicit
a single bid from a
debris monitoring service.
Memorandum of Understanding
Ciancio mentioned that he has been in
communication with the POA regarding
a memorandum of understanding. Te
Town’s emergency plan requires that
the Town enter into a memorandum
of understanding with the other island
entities, including the Club, POA, Camp,
and Marina. Te Town entered into a
MOU in 2009 when the emergency plan
was adopted, but after being reviewed by
the Public Safety committee, the Town
realized the MOU needed updating
and more specifcity. Te MOU will be
brought before Council for approval in
August, and will include such areas as
coordination of emergency procedures,
preparation of inventory, facility of assets,
etc.
Alan Fleming Tennis Tournament
Council unanimously approved a
temporary permit for the Alan Fleming
Tennis Tournament. Tis year’s
tournament will be held October 2 – 6 on
Seabrook Island.
Te next Seabrook Island Town
Council meeting will be Tuesday, August
27, at 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Council
July 23, 2013
August 14
Seabrook Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Kiawah Communications
Committee
10 a.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Kiawah Public Safety
Committee
3 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
August 19
Kiawah BZA
4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
August 27
Seabrook Town Council
2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Kiawah Ways and Means
Committee
2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
september 3
Kiawah Town Council
2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
Carolina Chickadee
By Sarah harper Diaz
T
he Carolina Chickadee is a very small passerine found throughout the southeast
year-round. It is easily identifable by its distinctive appearance and call, except
in the northernmost part of its range, which overlaps with the deceptively-similar
Black-capped Chickadee. Te Carolina Chickadee is in the same family as the Tufted
Titmouse, and they are commonly seen foraging together in small focks. Tis species of
Chickadee is completely non-migratory and is able to survive winters by caching seeds,
nuts, and small insects. Carolina Chickadees form pairs during the nonbreeding season
and begin building nests as early as February. Tey are cavity nesters and pairs will either
excavate their own cavities in snags or dead branches or they will readily use nest boxes.
Females alone build the nests and incubate the eggs. Tey lay about six eggs per clutch
and only breed once per year. Both adults feed and care for the young. Nestlings have
a relatively high survival rate, but there are many predators to contend with. Raccoons,
rat snakes, opossums, hawks, and domestic cats frequently eat nestlings and fedglings.
Even Red-bellied Woodpeckers have been seen snacking on nestlings. House Wrens
have been frequently witnessed stealing nest cavities from Carolina Chickadees and
destroying their eggs and/or young in the process.
photo by Sarah Diaz
Photo of Te Carolina Chickadee
August 9, 2013 3
Sarah’s Birds
4 August 9, 2013
F
or the second year in a row, Our
Lady of Mercy Community
Outreach gave the children of Johns
and Wadmalaw Islands the experience of
a lifetime at Beachwalker Park.
‘Yes I Can,’ an educational enrichment
program put on by the local nonproft, is
an afterschool care program that meets
Monday through Tursday during the
school year for an hour and a half. Kids
receive help with homework in a safe and
friendly environment. Each year, Yes I Can
kids are invited to participate in summer
enrichment programs, which combine
education and fun to create memorable
experiences for each individual child.
On Friday, July 26, Kiawah Cares
partnered with Our Lady of Mercy
Community Outreach to put on the
second annual “Beach Day” for kids
enrolled in the Yes I Can enrichment
program. Even with the coast only a few
miles away, some of these children had
never experienced the feel of sand, the
rush of an incoming wave, or the way a
sand crab scuttles across the terrain. But
on this special day, the beach became their
personal paradise.
KICA naturalists began the morning
with lessons on coastal wildlife. Te
eager kids learned all sorts of information
about turtles, gators, herons, and the
fragile coastal ecosystem. But it wasn’t all
learning; after the morning session, Yes I
Can kids took of into the waters for some
sand and surf, and even got to probe the
waters in search of sea turtles.
Tanks to all who made this special
event possible! Te kids will never forget it.
Fun in the Sun
OUT REACH HOST S 2 ND
ANNUAL BEACH DAY
STAFF REPORT
Photos by Kiawah island Community assoCiation
Daily
6 August 9, 2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
Outdoors
Braving the Wild Outdoors
Ki awah i sl and Resi dent
Compl et es 7 9 - day expedi t i on
By miKe Casella
T
he last two and a half months have
been quite the adventure for one island
resident.
William Lester, 22, of Kiawah Island, recently
completed a 79-day wilderness expedition in
Patagonia with the National Outdoor Leadership
School (NOLS).
In January, Lester and a group of fellow
NOLS students embarked on a semester-long
journey through Patagonia. Te 79-day Semester
in Patagonia traversed the mighty wilderness of
Patagonia, from the coastal fords to the majestic
granite spires of the Andes.
Lester and his course-mates started the course
with the mountaineering section, where they
traveled a total of 81 miles through a variety of
Patagonia mountainous terrain. From the Lenga
forests to the snowfelds and glaciers, the course
were able to practice technical wilderness travel
and leadership development while engaging
in environmental studies and ethics. Lester
and his course-mates learned to manage many
hazards such as river-crossings, steep snowfelds,
icefall, loose and steep rocky terrain, crevasses
and extreme Patagonian weather. Te course
eventually set up a base camp to learn technical
mountaineering skills, summit a peak, and be
immersed in the local ecology. Te instructors
deemed the students competent enough to travel
on their own and this section ended with a
two-day independent student group expedition,
and at the end students were treated to a
traditional Chilean Asado.
Te kayaking section that followed was a
sharp contrast to the technical mountaineering
in the ice felds. Exploring the rugged coastline,
traveling by paddle, students enjoyed an ample
amount of kayaking practice, environmental
studies, and continued leadership development.
Technical kayaking skills improved as the course
progressed. Students learned chart navigation,
reading the weather and the ocean, and how
to conduct a safe channel crossing. Lester and
his course-mates enjoyed sighting a plethora of
marine wildlife. Te coast of Patagonia provided
the course with the chance to see dolphins, sea
lions, orcas, as well as a variety of bird species.
Over 24 days, the course paddled some 226
nautical miles, experienced fve-foot swells and
paddled through strong currents. Te month on
the ocean in Patagonia was full of exploration,
cultural immersion and bonds that will last a
lifetime.
Lester graduated from his NOLS course
competent and responsible wilderness travelers
and leaders, with memories that will last a
lifetime.
About NOLS - Te National Outdoor
Leadership School
Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer
Paul Petzoldt, NOLS is the leader in
wilderness education, providing awe-inspiring,
transformative experiences
to 17,000 students each year.
Tese students, ages 14 to
over 80, learn in the wildest
and most remote classrooms
worldwide—from the Amazon
rain forest, to rugged peaks
in the Himalaya, to Alaskan
glaciers and Arctic tundra.
Graduates are active leaders
with lifelong environmental
ethics and outdoor skills.
NOLS also ofers customized
courses through NOLS
Professional Training, and the
NOLS Wilderness Medicine
Institute is the leading teacher of
wilderness medicine worldwide.
For more information, call
(800) 710-NOLS (6657) or
visit www.nols.edu.
civic
Angel Oak continued from cover
$2.4 million to the
project, with the City
contributing $250,000
as well. Te remaining $909,000 must be raised by next month.
Te LOLT is a local 501(c)3 land conservation organization
whose mission is to honor the relationship between people and
land by protecting irreplaceable lowcountry lands. A 500-year-old
tree certainly falls into the category of irreplaceable land for the
Johns Island community.
Te LOLT understands that if the community fails to protect
treasured lands, they cannot be reconstructed and something more
important than culture, economy, and environment will be lost.
“Tis is not just a conservation project; it’s a community project.
It’s equally about preserving the culture of this community,”
Executive Directory of LOLT Elizabeth Hagood said.
An unsightly housing development is not all that residents and
conservationists are worried about.
“I drive through the intersection of Maybank and Bohicket
Road at least twice per day,” Jimmy Bailey, Jr., President of the
Johns Island Rotary Club, said. “Based on my personal experience,
I can attest to the fact that another 500-600 car trips per day would
make the congestion even worse.”
Te Johns Island Rotary Club supports a variety of community
programs and felt that taking a leadership role in preserving the
Angel Oak and its surrounding land was necessary. “We can’t
allow this opportunity to pass us by, and my fellow Rotarians were
adamant that we take a leadership position,” Bailey said.
Charleston County has committed $2.4 million toward the
purchase and the city of Charleston is considering a $250,000
contribution. In order to be successful, the remaining of the funds
must be raised by September.
For more information about the John’s Island Rotary Club contact
President Jimmy Bailey, Jr. at [email protected]. To learn more
about the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, visit www.lolt.org.
August 9, 2013
7
www.islandconnectionnews.com
View From the water
W
e are wrapping up what has been one of the
coolest and wettest summers in years. Swamps
are holding water again and the mosquitoes
have to be some of the largest in the world!
Conditions in the rivers and inlets have been as
suspected and fshing has been spectacular. We have been
catching large numbers of large trout and couldn’t be
more excited about the upcoming conditions for fall. After
two consecutive cold winters, trout numbers plummeted.
Many anglers stopped fshing for this lowcountry favorite
altogether, as numbers were dangerously low.
Stocks have made a huge recovery after two consecutive
mild winters and we are ecstatic about catching Spotted
Seatrout once again in local waters. Catch and release
has been the standard as we want to be certain the trout
population is stable….before they end up on our dinner
table. For anglers interested in keeping a few here and
there, male fsh are the best for this purpose and will
grunt when caught. By keeping males, we insure those
precious egg laying females are allowed to spawn and
rebuild this valuable inshore resource.
Large trout are being caught using Menhaden, the
snack mix of the sea. Fish have preferred baits suspended
underneath popping corks and fshed on the early stages
of the outgoing tide. Submerged oyster beds and steep
mud banks have been holding fsh and giving anglers
much success over the summer months. We expect this
trend to continue as water temps cool and fsh begin to
school up in preparation for winter.
Tis summer has also provided some excellent fshing
for another inshore favorite – Redfsh. Guests have landed
some of the biggest inshore reds I have ever seen this
summer! Many of the fsh were in the 20-pound range,
and several nearly spooled anglers using lightweight
tackle. Te big reds have been eating Menhaden as
well, but we suspect artifcial lures to become more
successful as the abundance of inshore entrée items will
be diminishing with cooler temperatures.
Although fshing has been spectacular this summer,
Bottlenose Dolphin activity has been a shadow of its
former glory. Strand feeding numbers and sightings are
down from previous years. Biologists from the Lowcountry
Dolphin Alliance have been monitoring resident dolphin
behavior for over ten years. Strand feedings in the Kiawah
are at a fraction of what they should be compared to
data collected in prior years. Not only is feeding activity
decreased, dolphin sightings in general are down as well.
Te resident dolphins that normally use specifc areas for
feeding and socialization just aren’t there anymore.
We are trying to determine the reasons for the decrease
in activity, but one thing is obviously diferent than
previous years. More and
more people have discovered the areas dolphins frequent,
and have been fooding these areas in great numbers (In
just one day last week, I counted over 80 kayakers in the
river at once covering a distance of less than a quarter of
a mile).
Many local resorts and rental agencies are promoting
Kiawah and Seabrook Islands as a Dolphin watchers
paradise and routinely direct visitors to these areas.
Spectators walking the beaches of local inlets and hoards
of kayakers paddling to these areas are wreaking havoc
on local dolphins. Te result of too many people in
prime habitat seems to be fewer dolphins. Many of these
seasonal human visitors are unsupervised and unaware of
the ethical and legal restrictions protecting our resident
dolphins.
We will continue to monitor these trends through the
fall and winter months and hope to see an upswing in
activity, but currently, the outlook isn’t promising. For
any readers interested in learning more, please visit us on
facebook at Lowcountry Dolphin Alliance.com.
Until next time, we hope you all enjoy the rest of
summer and perhaps we will see you “On the Water.”
Captain Hayes, a South Carolina native, is a seasoned
naturalist and fshing guide. A graduate of Presbyterian
College with a degree in Biology, he is a former Fisheries
biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources
and host of the “South Carolina Wildlife” television show.
His knowledge of local history, ecology, dolphin behavior
and fshing techniques will provide hours of enjoyment for
you and your family or group. Captain Hayes is USCG
licensed and insured. For more information, call the Kiawah
Charter Company at 276-1832, visit their website at www.
kiawahchartercompany.com or email Captain Chad at
[email protected].
Greetings Kiawah, Seabrook, and Johns Islanders! After a long break, I am very excited to be bringing you the “View from the Water” once again!
Wrapping Up a Wet Summer
By Captain Chad hayes
Ti de Char t
Date High Tide Low Tide
Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.
Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
very diferent. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
wrong so use common sense.
Aug 9
Aug 10
Aug 11
Aug 12
Aug 13
Aug 14
Aug 15
Aug 16
Aug 17
Aug 18
Aug 19
Aug 20
Aug 21
Aug 22
Source: saltwatertides.com
10:34am/10:29pm
11:06am/11:11pm
11:47am/11:52pm
12:34pm
12:39am1:28pm
1:34am/2:30pm
2:35am/3:36pm
3:41am/4:43pm
4:49am/5:47pm
6:47am/5:54pm
6:57am/7:43pm
7:55am/8:36pm
8:50am/9:26pm
9:43am/10:14am
4:48am/4:11pm
4:26am/5:09pm
5:27am/5:56pm
6:10am/6:49pm
6:58am/7:46pm
7:53am/8:49pm
8:54am/9:55pm
10:00am/10:59pm
11:06pm
12:00am/12:08pm
12:57am/1:08pm
1:50am/2:04pm
2:40am/2:58pm
3:29am/3:49pm
www.islandconnectionnews.com
Daily
Nature & Wildlife
S
t. Louis-based design frm PGAV Destinations
has been chosen to design the South Carolina
Aquarium’s new Sea Turtle Rescue Center.
For years the South Carolina Aquarium has run one
of the country’s most successful and active sea turtle
rescue programs. In partnership with the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources, sick or injured sea
turtles are brought to the Aquarium where they are
rehabilitated for an average of eight months and then
returned to the wild.
Te new endeavor, being led by the Aquarium’s
president and CEO Kevin Mills and PGAV aquarium
strategists and designers Emily Howard and Tom Owen,
will work to bring the Aquarium’s recovering turtles
out into the public eye as a permanent addition to the
Aquarium.
Te team will kick of its frst ofcial meeting in
mid-August, where they will begin to outline the goals
of the project and the key messages the Aquarium
would like to convey with this Rescue Exhibit. Chief
among these messages will be educating the public
about the destination’s eforts in sea turtle conservation
and rehabilitation, while bringing guests face-to-face
with these amazing animals in unique and immersive
environments.
“Turtles and sea turtles have become really popular
animals at zoos and
aquariums even more than
in the past,” says PGAV
Destinations VP Emily
Howard. “Te species of
sea turtles found in the
US are either endangered
or threatened, so their
conservation message is
more important than ever.
Tese animals are also truly
charismatic; the public loves
to see and learn about them.”
Te Aquarium’s Sea
Turtle Hospital is currently
treating a variety of species
including loggerhead, green,
and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles,
the most endangered sea
turtle species in the world.
Many sea turtle species are endangered due to
widespread habitat loss. Te turtles nest on beaches, but
troublesomely these beaches are often popular tourist
destinations. Tis causes development that encroaches on
nesting grounds, tourists to inadvertently damage nests,
and the lights of buildings to confuse the sea turtles
(which navigate by the moon’s light when nesting at
night).
PGAV will spend the fall collaborating with the South
Carolina Aquarium on ideas, story-lines, and potential
lay-outs for the project, and is aiming to present its
“winning design” later this year.
O
n Friday, July 19, Lowcountry Tech Academy
and YEScarolina hosted a Business Plan
Competition to round out the weeklong business
camp comprised of mostly middle school students. Tis
business camp and subsequent competition was possibly
thanks to a $5,000 Bank of American grant.
During the course of the week, campers learned
various economic principles, what it means to make
a proft, and the importance of businesses to give back
to their community. Tis week-long course condensed
important information usually taught over a semester-
long entrepreneurship course.
But to the audience, these young entrepreneurs seemed
like professionals. All the competitors brought their best
ideas to the table.
Minutes before the competition began, eight hopefuls
practiced their sales pitch in front of YEScarolina
Development Directory Harriett Lee and their individual
mentors. Ten, the students listened to the feedback and
tweaked their pitch before the actual competition began.
Promptly at 2 p.m., in front of an audience of parents
and other campers, eight budding entrepreneurs delivered
their presentations and answered tough questions posed
by the judges.
Te students pitched hypothetical, yet innovate
business plans ranging from a solution that will fx
scratched DVDs and CDs to Jerry’s Car Cleaning
Company to a pillowcase that you can sleep on with wet
hair.
Participants presented a mission statement, their target
audience, their price and margin of income, and what
their business’ local philanthropy will be.
Te participants were judged based on nine criteria:
product, price, promotion, place, philanthropy, feasibility,
aesthetic appeal of display, creativity and uniqueness of
idea, and presentation.
At the end of the competition, the judges deliberated
and announced the winners.
Emma Grace Spach and Clara Pilley won the coveted
frst place prize of $250 for their business plan Keys For
Hope Fundraising Kits. Teir
business plan stemmed from
the existing business Keys for
Hope, which sells keys for a $5
donation to raise money for Crisis
Ministries, Charleston’s homeless
shelter. Teir fundraising kit
provides materials for those who
order the kit to decorate keys and
includes a contract so that others
may sell their keys and help raise
money for Crisis Ministries.
Second place and $150 was
awarded to Javier Abel of Javier’s
Generators. He plans to sell
generators to truck drivers so they
won’t have to idle their trucks
overnight. Tis will be more cost
efcient for the drivers and better
for the environment.
Finally, third place was
awarded to Isabella Schettini for
designing a Spanish immersion
summer camp.
All of the remaining participants received $50 to
invest in their business.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch sponsored this mini-
business competition along with YEScarolina. Two of
the Bank of America employees also sat on the panel of
judges.
For more information about YEScarolina, visit www.
yescarolina.com.
Brand New Sea Turtles Coming to Charleston
PGAV Dest i nAt i ons Chosen to Desi Gn new AquAri um exhi bi t
sPeCiAl to the islAnD ConneCtion
Young Students are Bringing on the Business
sPACh AnD Pi l l ey eArn toP honors At bAnk of Ameri CA
merri l l lynCh busi ness ComPet i t i on
by betsey Poore
Last week, the SC Aquarium released several sea turtles on the Isle of Palms that were rehabilitated at
the Turtle Hospital.
Photo by betsey Poore
Emma Grace Spach and Clara Pilley are awarded frst place by two Bank of America employees.
8 August 9, 2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
Daily
O
n July 31, the Fuquay family
and St. John’s Firefghters came
together to celebrate life and a
second chance. Tis reunion was the
result of an incident that happened nearly
six months ago.
On February 7, 2013 the Fuquay
family went through the unimaginable.
While preparing for a normal day, Mrs.
Judy Fuquay heard a loud noise coming
from the living room of her home. When
she checked on the cause of the noise she
found her husband Wayne lying face down
on the foor. As she rolled him over, “he
looked like he was trying to say something
to me then I saw him take his last breath,”
she stated during the reunion. “I called 911
then started chest compressions.” Initially,
St. John’s Fire District Engine 705 and
Charleston County EMS were dispatched
to the home on Johns Island for a fall.
While units responded to the incident,
information was updated by Charleston
County Dispatch that the person was
unconscious and possibly not breathing.
Engine 705 arrived on the scene fnding a
male lying on the foor of the home. Tey
quickly assessed the patient, determining
the patient did not have a pulse and was
not breathing. While two Engine 705 crew
members continued the CPR that Mrs.
Fuquay initiated, a third crew member set
up the Automatic External Defbrillator
(AED). Te AED pads were placed on the
patient, the AED advised to administer a
“shock”. Te crew administered the shock
then continued CPR. After one minute
of CPR the AED advised a second shock,
this shock converted the patient’s heart
to a survivable rhythm and the patient
regained a pulse. Charleston County
EMS arrived and took over patient care.
Engine 705’s crew then assisted EMS and
supplied a driver for the ambulance. Te
patient was transported to a local hospital.
Today Mr. Fuquay shows no signs of the
event that took place this past February.
Speaking with him at the reunion, he
stated that he did not remember the
incident and he has no recollection of the
frst two days he was in the hospital. Tis
week he is heading to Florida for a fshing
trip with family members. Although he
is looking forward to the fshing trip,
Mr. Fuquay can’t wait to start driving
again. Te American Heart Association
recommends cardiac arrest survivors
wait at least six months before driving,
according to my conversation with Mrs.
Fuquay.
An AED (Automatic External
Defbrillator) is a medical device that
analyzes the
heart’s rhythm.
If necessary the
AED provides
an electrical
shock, called
def ibril lation,
which helps
r e - e s t a bl i s h
an efective
heart rhythm.
For every
minute that
def ibri l l at ion
is delayed
the chance
of survival
decreases 10
percent. An
AED is the
only efective
treatment for
restoring a regular heart rhythm during
sudden cardiac arrest.
To learn more about CPR and Automatic
External Defbrillation contact the
American Red Cross at www.redcross.org,
or the American Heart Association at www.
heart.org.
Living Proof that Automated
External Defbrillators Work
AED SAvES L i f E of J ohnS i SL AnD RESi DEnt
By Jimmy Ghi
Tree generations of the Fuquay family
Left to Right: Firefghters Canady, Stanton, and Engineer Adams with Mr. Fuquay
August 9, 2013 9
10 August 9, 2013
Island Connection Calendar August 15
Friday, august 9
Back to School Supply Giveaway
Everyone welcome. Help support local
school systems. Children must be
accompanied by a parent or an adult. Stono
Baptist Church, 953 Main Road, Johns
Island. 7 p.m. For more info, contact Bertha
Middleton at 557-8408.
Music on the Green: Shrimp City Slim
Join us in 2013 all summer long for our
Music on the Green Concert Series!
Every Friday evening from 6 – 9 p.m., we
will host a variety of bands from across
the Southeast during a free outdoor
concert. Sponsored by Te Town of Kiawah.
Food and beverage will be available for
purchase. Don’t forget your beach chair or
blanket! Freshfelds Village.
LifePoint’s Second Annual Hooked on
Life Fishing Tournament 
Anglers can register to compete in the
inshore fshing tournament from Edisto
Island to Bulls Bay. Te tournament
benefts LifePoint, an organization that
provides organs to hospitals for transplants.
On Friday, there will be dinner, drinks,
music, and a silent auction. Saturday will be
the start of the tournament. 6 – 9 p.m. $35/
adult, $25/child 12 & under. 10 Wharfside
St. For more info, visit lifepoint-sc.org.
saturday, august 10
Summer Concert Series at the Sanctuary
Te Summer Concert Series is a family
friendly event of music held Friday or
Saturday evenings on Te Grand Lawn
of Te Sanctuary. Each concert will
host a diferent regional band for this
complimentary event sponsored by the Town
of Kiawah Island. Guests are welcome to
bring beach chairs or blankets (no outside
alcoholic beverages allowed). Cocktail service
available. Music – Te Sneakers. 5 p.m.
Seabrook Auction
Harper Auction & Realty, has announced
another coastal Resort Island Absolute Real
Estate Auction for two Seabrook Island.
Tis Auction comes on the heels of recent
successful Auctions by the same frm on
Kiawah and Dewees Islands. Te upcoming
Seabrook Island Auction features a lagoon-
front home and a lake-front building lot,
and both properties will be sold to the
highest bidder. Property: 2715 Old Forest
Dr., Seabrook Island. 11 a.m. For more info,
vist harperauctionandrealty.com.
Boating Safety Course
Te Charleston Sail and Power Squadron
will ofer a free basic boating course to
teenagers. Te course covers such topics as
rules of the road, required safety equipment,
communications afoat, and personal
watercraft safety. Participants will earn
the DNR card required for boat operators
under 16 years of age. For info or to register,
contact Dick Howells, rhowells125@
gmail.com or 843-437-6241.  Te course
is available to adults as well for a small fee.
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 1376 Orange Grove Rd,
Charleston.
Sippin’ Saturdays
Every Saturday the winery hosts a diferent
local food vendor and musical group. Enjoy
tastings in the Firefy Vodka distillery and
Irvin House Vineyard winery. Pets are
allowed, but must be leashed. No coolers.
1 – 5 p.m. Free admission. $6/frefy tasting,
$4/wine tasting. 677 Bears Bluf Road,
Wadmalaw Island.
sunday, august 11
Connecting Jewish Women Conference
Te only intergenerational and non-
denominational Jewish event for women in
the Southeast region! Tis year’s
theme is “Find Your Passion, Make A
Diference.” $36 per attendee and includes
a kosher breakfast, kosher lunch, and
all breakout sessions and networking. 9
a.m. – 2 p.m. Charleston Marriott, 170
Lockwood Blvd. To register, visit www.
ConnectingJewishWomen.org. For more
info, contact Sarah Roshfeld at SarahR@
jewishcharleston.org or 614-6487.
First Annual Charleston Pirate Festival 
Attendees will participate in the frst
annual pirate festival, which will include
the historical stories of famous pirates,
crafts, and a musket demo. Old Exchange
Building. 122 East Bay Street, downtown
Charleston. 12 – 4:30 p.m. For more info,
visit www.charlestonpiratefestival.com
Wednesday, august 14
Kids Fishing Tournament at Bohicket
Marina
Kids, do you have what it takes to become
the best fsherman around? Come out and
test your skills in this family fun event.
Sponsored by Te Bohicket Merchants
Association. Two sessions: 9 – 10 a.m. and
10 – 11 a.m. $5 includes pole and bait.
Bohicket Marina and Market.
Starlight Cinema: Here Comes the Boom
Join us every Wednesday this summer for a
movie under the stars during our Starlight
Cinema Series. Freshfelds Village Green.
Showtime is at 8:30 p.m., so bring a chair or
blanket and enjoy the free show!
thursday, august 15
Cool Ideas for Summer Energy Savings
Attendees will learn about low and no-cost
ways to save home energy as well as provide
valuable information on rebates, incentives,
and fnancing to make their home’s energy
improvements at a reasonable cost. James
Island County Park. 871 Riverland Drive.
$7/$5 Charleston County resident. 6 – 7:30
p.m. For more info, call 795-4386.
T
a
k
e

a

p
a
g
e
John’s Island Regional Library
3531 Maybank Highway, Johns Island
843-559-1945
Artist Display
August 1-31
Ursula Bugg is an artist/cartoonist/
illustrator and native New Yorker now
living in Charleston, SC. As a child,
she was fascinated by Hanna-Barbera
cartoons, Jim Henson’s Muppets and
Dr. Seuss books. As she got older, Bugg’s
passion for animation began to merge with
her love for hip-hop to shape her unique
design style that ranges from animation
to apparel. She uses shrink materials,
watercolors and other concepts to create
jewelry, apparel and cool home and ofce
products inspired by themes of nature, and
as she puts it, “my crazy last name.”
Busy Beaver Activity Club (age 6-11)
Saturdays, August 10, 17 and 31 at 11 a.m.
Join the Busy Beaver Club, and have fun
learning the basics of karate, basketball
and Tai-Chi. Each Saturday will be
dedicated to one of these fun activities.
Space is limited.
Zumba (adults)
Mondays, August 19 and 26 from 6-7 p.m.
Wednesdays, August 14, 21 and 28.
Enjoy a fun and energetic Zumba aerobics
class.
Saturday Movie (all ages)
Saturday August 10 at 2 p.m.
Despicable Me. Rated PG; 95 minutes.
Sponsored by Te UPS Store, 3575
Maybank Hwy, John’s Island.
Teen Movie Time (grades 6-12)
Tuesday, August 13 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
GI Joe Retaliation. Rated PG-13; 110
minutes.
PLAY: Shrinky Dink Art (all ages)
Tuesday August 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Draw on shrink flm, put it in the oven
and watch it shrink and harden into
jewelry or a toy.
Club Anime (grades 6-12)
Saturday, August 17 from 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Enjoy a fve-hour marathon of your
favorite Anime. Te library closes at 6
p.m., so please plan your transportation
accordingly.
Sea Islands Book Club (adults)
Tuesday, August 20 at 2 p.m.
Discuss Wild: From Lost to Found on the
Pacifc Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed.
Following the death of her mother, a
divorce, and a period of reckless behavior,
Strayed found herself alone near the foot
of the Pacifc Crest Trail, inexperienced,
over-equipped and desperate to reclaim
her life. Wild follows Strayed’s personal
journey hiking through California and
Oregon, as she comes to terms with her
unpredictable reactions to devastating loss.

PLAY: Julian’s Puppets (all ages)
Tuesday August 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Puppeteer and storyteller Julian Gooding
demonstrates and shares the history of
puppets and puppet making.
John’s Island Job Fair (adults/ young adults)
Wednesday, August 21 from11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Meet with companies from the tri-county
area, and receive assistance writing
resumes and cover letters and searching
for jobs online. Please come dressed for
an interview. Sponsored by the Palmetto
Goodwill Job Link Center.
Tween Program: Acrylic CD Art (ages
9-13)
Wednesday, August 21 at 4:30 p.m.
Recycle, re-use and create great art with
CDs.
Back To School Party (all ages)
Saturday, August 24 from 1-2 p.m.
Celebrate the beginning of a great school
year with games, crafts and more.
Teen Movie Time (grades 6-12)
Tuesday, August 27 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Te Host. Rated PG-13; 125 minutes.
PLAY: How to Make a Marshmallow
Launcher (all ages)
Tuesday August 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Learn how to make a marshmallow
launcher, and enter a drawing to win one
of fve handmade launchers.
Round Table Discussions with
Councilwoman Johnson (adults)
Wednesday, August 28 at 12:30 p.m.
Councilwoman Anna Johnson of
Charleston County District 8 meets
with residents of the district to hear their
concerns and issues.
August 9
H
e climbed cathedral mountains,
he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you
can see…John Denver, “Rocky Mountain
High”
How about a little trip to the Rocky
Mountains? Te Mystery Plant featured
in this column is almost always from here
in the Southeast, but this week I thought I
would mix things up a bit.
Some time ago I went on a trip to
Colorado…and was able for the frst
time ever to see, up close, the central
Rocky Mountains. Some friends and I
spent a whole day driving through Rocky
Mountain National Park, not too far
southwest of Ft. Collins, and we eventually
got up to an elevation of slightly over
12,000’ above sea-level. Tis was so high
up that there were no trees, as we were
well above the timberline. Te mountain
views were amazing, and there was a good
bit of wildlife: birds, elk, mountain sheep,
and little furry critters scurrying around.
Plenty of football-feld sized patches
of left-over snow and ice, too. To me,
though, the most interesting areas of the
whole Park were the windswept, tundra-
like meadows. You might think that places
like this should be barren and boring, but
they are actually flled with thousands of
fowers, all of which are short, and nearly
all of which are brightly colored, forming
acres of spectacular displays.
Yes, the air up there was a bit thin,
and yes, my ears were popping. Te
resident plants, too, must put up with
some challenging situations in order to
thrive and reproduce. High winds and
rough weather demand short or even
dwarf plants, and many of these grow
only in low, densely tufted, roundish
cushions. Plants in such places must have
physiologies that allow them to tolerate
relatively abrupt changes in temperature,
which may be extreme. Soils here are
typically rocky and very thin (almost like
pavement). And, intense solar radiation is
a constant problem, unless there is cloud
cover.
Our little yellow-fowered survivor is
a true succulent, whose leaves can store
water, and are designed to minimize water
loss into the atmosphere. It’s a member
of a genus with about 500 species, these
scattered over much of the northern
hemisphere, mostly in dry places. Many
of these species are popular in cultivation,
and rather easy to grow, including here
in the southern states. Te leaves of our
cushion-forming mystery plant are round
in cross-section, and pointy, commonly
greenish, but sometimes red. Te stems
only get to be a few inches high, and then
blooming occurs. Flowers consist of 5
greenish sepals and 5 bright gold-yellow
petals, 10 stamens, and 5 pointed pistils,
clustered together in the center of the
blossom. Tis species was described in
1828, based upon a specimen which had
been collected a few years earlier from
Pike’s Peak. (I didn’t get to go there.)
I’ve only been out there once, but I
can highly recommend a summer trip to
the alpine meadows of Colorado’s high
Rockies. You’ll never forget it.
John Nelson is the curator of the A. C.
Moore Herbarium at the University of South
Carolina, in the Department of Biological
Sciences, Columbia SC 29208. As a public
service, the Herbarium ofers free plant
identifcations. For more information, visit
www.herbarium.org or call 803-777-8196,
or email [email protected].
Rocky Mountain Mystery
By John nelson
A n s w e r : “ L a n c e - l e a f s t o n e c r o p , ” S e d u m l a n c e o l a t u m
Mystery Plant
12 August 9, 2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
Roadtrips Charleston
August Fishing Report
By Geoff Bennett
A
ugust has arrived bringing great fshing accompanied by some warm weather.
Anglers will want to fsh early and late in the day for the best action. Tere are
lots of diferent styles of fshing and if you choose the right ones you can stay
cool and beat the heat.
If you are starting early, topwater should be a go-to option. Try to get to your spot
just as it is becoming light. Fish will strike topwater lures based on the commotion they
make on the surface and aren’t able to see that the lure isn’t a real struggling baitfsh.
Tese lures work well for trout, ladyfsh, and redfsh. Heddon’s Super Spook Jr. lures in
chartreuse and black or red and white are the ticket.
Popping corks can be used throughout the day at all parts of the tide. Anglers enjoy
them because you can catch so many diferent types of fsh: redfsh, trout, founder,
ladyfsh, shark, etc. I use a weighted popping cork so I can increase the distance of my
cast. I run an 18”-24” fuorocarbon leader from the cork to a size 1 circle hook. When
your cork drops under water, reel until you feel the weight of the fsh and then lift the
rod tip. Mud minnows, shrimp, and artifcial shrimp all work well as baits.
For a species that fshes well irrespective of the temperature, sharks ft the bill. Even
in the middle of the afternoon, they will be cruising and eagerly eating. With so many
bait stealers around, we have been experimenting with fshing an entire live blue crab on
a 7/0 circle hook. You’ll fnd that sharks will drop such large bait more frequently than
smaller baits, but the sharks that hang on are the big ones!
Fly fshermen can time their fshing to evening high tides known as “tailing” tides.
Redfsh will get up onto grassy fats and you can see their tails in the air as they forage
for food with their nose to the ground. Spoon fies with a weed guard work great in this
situation. Te best set of these tides occurs mid-month.
See you on the water!
Capt. Geof Bennett operates Charleston Charter Fishing providing fy fshing and
light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of fy rods, artifcial and live bait
fshing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt.
Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels
and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 324-3332, visit his website at www.
charlestoncharterfshing.com or email him at [email protected].
August 9, 2013
13
(CAPTION) New Executive
Director Jill Ledford
www.islandconnectionnews.com
Daily
W
hen I was younger, I hated having my picture
taken. I would squirm and cry and cause such
a scene that my life from age four until eight is
largely undocumented, except for the occasional “sneak
attack” photo that was quickly snapped without my
knowledge.
It’s no question that parents’ love having their child
photographed regardless of whether or not the child
obliges, and the rise of digital photography has made
snapping pictures easier than ever. But one downtown
photographer is taking the art to the next level.
Eddie Toporek, photographer and owner of Signature
Photography, is using his skill to raise money for MUSC’s
Children Hospital Fund.
Known as the “Inspired
Program,” Toporek
creates a photo book each
year, full of photos of
children ages 1 to 15 who,
alongside their families,
support the hospital
through donations.
Te program began back in 2010. “I knew I wanted
to do something to give back to the community,”
Toporek says. “I couldn’t think of a better organization
than the Medical University.” After becoming familiar
with a similar photo book
fundraiser spearheaded
by a photographer in
Australia, Toporek
initiated the program in
his own company as a
way to give back to the
lowcountry.
Flip through the pages
of the Inspired book and
you will be captivated
by the smiles of the
Charlestonian children.
But the smiles carry a
bigger message. “Our
motto is ‘kids helping
kids.’ We want parents to
teach kids about giving,
through this program.
Tey are a part of the charity, and we want them to know
that they are helping kids in the community just like
them,” Toporek says.
Tough the program is only in its fourth year, it’s
growing at a steady rate and parents continue to bring
their children in to be a part of this encouraging story.
Since initiation, over 200 children have participated in
the Inspired program, and thousands of dollars have been
donated to the MUSC Children’s Hospital. “Te parents
love it, and the kids love it. We love it. We have no plans
to stop,” the photographer adds.
A $65 donation ensures a child’s inclusion in the photo
book fundraiser. For two or more kids, the price is only
$95. Tere is no selection process for the book; all children
photographed make it into the book. “Participating in the
Inspired program is a great way for parents and children
alike to give back,” Toporek says. “It lets them be a part
of something.”
For more information on the Inspired Program,
call Signature Photography at 300-3333 or visit www.
signaturephotography.biz. Te studio is located at 320
East Bay Street, downtown. Photographs for the 2013
Inspired book continue through September.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Si Gnat ure PhotoGraPhy rai SeS Money f or
MuSC Chi l dren’ S hoSPi tal
By hannah doCkery
14 August 9, 2013
Daily
Kiawah Wins continues from cover
E
arlier this year, April Gorski and Cecelia
Dawson enjoyed a Choraliers concert.
After the show fnished, wheels began
turning.
Both lovers of choral music and singing
in general, they put their heads together and
realized, “Hey – if the men can do it, we can
do it!”
Te two ladies teamed up and have decided
to form a women’s singing ensemble for the
island communities of Kiawah, Seabrook,
Johns, and James Island.
Both Gorski and Dawson sing in the
choir at Holy Spirit Catholic Church under
the direction of Laura Ball, who will serve as
the director of the new women’s group. “We
started talking and realized that there are a lot
of women interested in singing, outside of the
church,” Gorski explains. “Apart from choir,
there really aren’t any avenues for women who
like to sing.”
So the girls decided to take things into their
own hands, pinning down one of the areas
most popular musical directors. “Tere have
been rumblings about a ladies singing group
for quite some time,” Director Bell explains.
“It’s really exciting to see something happening.
Tere are so many passionate, powerful ladies
on the islands who can make this thing great.”
Tough the development of the group is
early in the works, excitement and ideas are
already churning. Ball explains that as director,
she plans to give the singers exactly what they
want. “I want this to be fun for the singers. I
want to do whatever kind of music motivates
them. Blues, oldies, classical, showtunes… I
really want it to be about the singer,” she says.
Apart from singing and performing, Ball hopes
that the women of the group will form bonds of
friendship in a unique social setting.
Dawson and Gorski explain that since the
idea developed, several ladies have already
expressed interest in joining. In order to garner
support and brainstorm tangible ideas, the
ladies are hosting an information session on
Tursday, August 15. Exact time and location
is to be determined. “If you’re an experienced
singer, or just love singing in the car or shower,
come give us a try,” Dawson says.
“We’re very excited about the idea. It’s
a chance for women to express themselves
musically,” Gorski adds.
For more information on the women’s singing
group, or to fnd out the time and location of the
interest meeting, contact April Gorski at april.
[email protected] or 789-3556.
Noteworthy Group Forms
on the Islands
L ADÌ ES SÌ NGÌ NG CHOÌ R
DEVEL OPMENT Ì N T HE WORKS
BY HANNAH DOCKERY
civic
envi ronmental
restrictions can
constrain certain
oceanside projects. Ofcials renovated the sites to ensure public access and
safety.
Te Kiawah bridge embankment had long been a popular kayaking and
fshing area but lacked a safe route to the shoreline. Beachwalker Pond had
been originally conceived as an engineering structure but had grown into a
popular fshing spot. However, there were no guardrails or boardwalks to
protect the public. Realizing the recreational beneft these sites could be for
the town, these two projects became a priority for local ofcials.
Te frst hurdle ofcials had to jump was funding. Because the town
could not aford to purchase the land outright, ofcials worked with
Charleston County to make the projects eligible for funding from the
Greenbelt Program, a land conservation program initiated within the
Charleston County Road Wise Program. After receiving the funds,
ofcials faced permitting challenges due to environmental restrictions
on coastal land. Te town had to receive approval through the county,
DHEC’s Ofce of Ocean and Coastal Management as well as the Kiawah
Island Architectural Review Board. When the approval process was fnally
complete, ofcials collaborated with a construction company to acquire
environmentally-sound materials for the projects.
Te bridge embankment now features an access plaza with ramp, stairs,
kayak-staging area, and guardrails. Beachwalker Pond is a fsherman’s
dream with a boardwalk, benches, and rod-holders.
“Tanks to the Town of Kiawah Island’s persistence, these two sites
are now safer and more accessible for island residents and visitors,” said
Miriam Hair, executive director for the Municipal Association.
Achievement Award winning entries represent innovative projects
undertaken by Municipal Association member cities and towns. More
information and a video about the project are available on the Association’s
website.
Te Municipal Association of South Carolina initiated the Achievement
Awards in 1987 to recognize and encourage innovations and excellence in
local government.
Congratulations Kiawah!
August 9, 2013
15
O
n July 30 at 10 a.m. the St. John’s
Fire District broke ground on a
new Headquarters building, and
a new building to replace Fire Station 3 on
Wadmalaw Island. Te new Headquarters
will be located next to St. John’s Fire
Station 7, 1142 Main Road. Te new Fire
Station 3 will be located at the current Fire
Station 3 site at 1932 Liberia Road. Tese
construction projects are the frst projects
since 2007 when Fire Station 7 was
constructed. Both projects, Headquarters
and Fire Station 3, are being funded with
tax-free obligation bonds.
Te current Headquarters building
has been utilized since 1961. Te original
purpose was housing for the career
frefghter who was the assigned driver.
Te assigned career frefghter was given
only one weekend of a month. At the
time, St. John’s Fire District was an
all-volunteer force with the exception of
the driver. Te new Headquarters building
will be just over 10,000 square feet,
replacing the current 1,500 square foot
building. Currently the fre prevention
division, operations, administration,
and the training division are located in
separate buildings. Te new Headquarters
building will allow all command and
administrative staf to be located in one
building to better serve the community.
Te new building replacing the
current Fire Station 3 will accommodate
9 frefghters and will have a larger
apparatus bay area that can accommodate
four pieces of fre apparatus allowing for
future growth. Te square footage will
increase from just over 1,100 square feet
to over 8,000 square feet.
Tese new construction projects will
allow for future growth of the St. John’s
Fire District and enhance service delivery
to the citizens and visitors to the area.
As always if you have any questions,
would like a fre and life safety program
or need a smoke alarm installed feel free to
contact the St. John’s Fire Department, Fire
Prevention Division. For more information,
contact Captain Chad Kelly at 864-4384.
Moving Into the Future
By Chad Kelly
St. Johns District Commissioners, along with new Fire Chief Colleen Walz, helped break ground for the
new headquarters.
Photos Provided by st. Johns Fire district
School is Coming!
By BoB hooper, aKa rent a BoB
S
ummer is trying to wrap up, even though it is just the beginning of August,
with students headed to all kinds of schools including local and faraway. Just
remember to accept what those schools require for computers and software. So
what am I talking about? Well, for example, several years ago I worked for the College
of Charleston helping incoming students to prepare their individual computers for the
required “virus” protection. Tey would show up with this wonderful “new” computer,
be it Windows or Apple based, and fnd out that the programs Mom and Dad purchased
were about to be deleted! Yikes, what is Dad going to say? So remember to check what
is required both in hardware and software.
So beware; use a reputable person when shopping and as always ask questions! I
think the best reason is that a computer – be it desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone –
can be daunting. A bit of research or using a professional to help can determine the best
choice (or choices) for your computer and software needs including using the “cloud.”
Speaking of the “cloud,” what exactly is that that “cloud” thing? It sits on what is
called a server somewhere, and when I mean somewhere, I mean anywhere in the world.
Te “cloud” is a piece of hardware, owned by some entity other than you, sitting in a
“server room” somewhere. So when you save something to the “cloud” it’s saved to a
hard drive and can be copied. Most back-up services nowadays do encrypt your data so
it is somewhat secure. Personally, I would suggest using an external hard drive that you
control and is in your home or ofce.
When buying or upgrading a device, make sure you understand what you are buying
and why. No need to buy a “wireless router” when the DSL or cable modem comes
with it bundled. If you are having problems with an older computer, make sure the
problem is not with your internet connection or
some simple fx. An hour’s time with a professional
can help determine what the problem actually is
and possibly solve it.
I’m looking forward to some good questions and
helping you out. If you need immediate assistance you
can always call Rent A Bob at 822-7794 or email at
[email protected].
Computer Corner What’s Hot
16 August 9, 2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
The Dangers of
the Sago Palm
By Kristin Welch, DVM, DAcVecc
Sago Palm toxicity is often a novel concept to many pet owners. In fact, Sago Palms
are almost ubiquitous in our landscape in South Carolina. After all, they are hardy
ornamental plants. Sago Palms are also very toxic to both dogs and cats. Patients
commonly are presented to Charleston Veterinary Referral Center in the spring,
summer, and fall with Sago Palm ingestion. Most of the cases are in dogs. Mortality
rates are up to 30%, therefore awareness of this toxicity is vitally important to pet
owners in our region.
Sago Palms belong to the Cycad family of plants. Te toxic principle is called cycasin.
Both immature and mature plants contain the toxin with the highest concentration in
the seeds. Mature plants can reach up to 30 feet in height and although the plant has
spiked leaves, it does not serve as a complete deterrent to curious dogs. Humans are
also at risk of toxicity, especially children who are more likely to put objects into their
mouths.
Nearly immediately after ingestion, vomiting ensues. Increased thirst, violent episodes
of vomiting and hemorrhagic diarrhea are noted. Liver values increase signifcantly and
acute liver failure can develop resulting in bleeding complications. Seizures and death
can occur.
Immediate veterinary treatment is absolutely vital to survival. Vomiting is induced
to remove as much of the stomach contents containing plant material. IV fuids are
necessary as are a number of liver and GI medications to both treat and prevent the
toxic efects of the cycasin. Medications are used to try to bind the toxin in the GI tract
preventing it from repeatedly circulating through the liver. Other medications are used
to help ensure adequate production of blood clotting factors from the damaged liver.
An IV infusion may be used to prevent additional liver damage. Hospitalization may
be required for fve days or longer in some cases. Even patients that leave the hospital
may develop chronic liver failure four to six weeks later. Close monitoring by your
veterinarian is necessary to lead to a successful outcome.
Preventing Sago Palm toxicity is made easier by following a few simple rules. First,
remove any Sago Palms from your yard if you dogs or have cats with outdoor access.
Alternately, a fence can be placed around the palms but remember that wind and
wildlife can circulate the seeds around the area. One seed can be enough to cause a
serious toxicity. When purchasing new plants at garden centers, it is always a good idea
to verify that you are not purchasing a Sago Palm. Many garden centers simply label the
plants as “palms”, which can be misleading.
As with any unintentional ingestion, your veterinarian is your best resource. Te
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) is available 24 hours a day and
once you have a line of communication with them, your veterinarian can utilize their
Toxicologists for treatment recommendations.
About Charleston Veterinary Referral Center:
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center is a specialty referral and 24-hour, 7-day-a-
week emergency and critical care veterinary hospital. Services ofered include Emergency
and Critical Care, Cardiology, Dentistry, Imaging, Internal Medicine, Neurology and
Neurosurgery, Oncology, Physical Rehabilitation and Surgery. Te Center ofers a cohesive
team of veterinary professionals and staf that are dedicated to practicing the highest caliber of
medicine and surgery available. CVRC believes that great care and service are intertwined.
More information may be found at www.CharlestonVRC.com or by calling 614-VETS.
weather
August 9, 2013 17
T
he John’s Island Regional Library
presents a Downton Abbey
marathon. In preparation for the
January 2014 premiere of the fourth season
of this popular and critically acclaimed
TV series, the library will present the
frst three seasons, on the big screen, on
Saturdays in September and October.
Te library staf will serve high tea, and
patrons are encouraged to dress in period
costumes to enjoy the show.
Downton Abbey is an international
sensation: a BBC drama enjoyed by young
and old, male and female, Yanks and Brits.
Set on a Yorkshire country estate in the
post-Edwardian era of British history, the
series portrays the lives of the aristocratic
Crawley family and their servants as
they are afected by changes in the
British social hierarchy and by historical
events including the Titanic disaster, the
outbreak of World War I, and the Spanish
fu pandemic.
Te New York Times described
Downton Abbey as “an instant classic,”
and the Wall Street Journal called it
“impossible to resist.” Te series won
both a Golden Globe Award for Best
Miniseries and a Primetime Emmy
Award for Outstanding Miniseries. After
only two seasons, it had earned a record
27 Primetime Emmy nominations: the
most in history for an international
series. Loved by critics and viewers alike,
Downton Abbey has become one of the
most-watched television shows in the
entire world.
Te series’ many fans are eagerly
anticipating the premiere of the fourth
season in January. For people who haven’t
seen the frst three seasons, the library’s
Downton Abbey marathon provides a
chance to fnd out what you’ve missed.
If you’re already a fan, come and enjoy
the show all over again, in the company
of others who share your passion. In
either case, the marathon represents an
opportunity to experience Downton
Abbey in a festive, social setting, complete
with high tea and period costumes—and
a chance to see it on the big screen, in a
theatre-like atmosphere.
Te Downton Abbey Marathon will
take place on Saturdays, September 7,
14, 21, 28, and October 5, 12, 19, and
26, from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at
the John’s Island Regional Library, 3531
Maybank Highway, John’s Island. Tree
episodes will be shown each Saturday,
beginning with season one, episode one
on September 7. Te program is free and
open to the public. Rafe prizes will be
ofered at the end of the flm marathon – a
3-season set of Downton Abbey!
For more information, call the library’s
reference department at 559-1945.
Downton Abbey Arrives on Johns Island
L i brary Host s seri es of
Downton- t HemeD event s
by Jim mcQueen
Enjoy high tea and Downton Abbey Marothon.
Roadtrips Charleston
www.islandconnectionnews.com
18 August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013 19
I
ndulge in sights, sounds, and tastes!
Fine wines, craft beers, Executive
Chef Richard Hege’s lowcountry
bufet, dessert pastries, soulful vocals of
Ann Caldwell and silent auction items.
Bid on a two bedroom villa in Tuscany,
Disney, Dollywood, and Jet Blue Tickets,
an African Safari, Brevard Music Center
experience, restaurant, spa, pet grooming
gift cards, tennis, golf packages, and many
more. Te possibilities are endless!
Mark your calendars for the 7th annual
Lowcountry Wine & Beer Festival on
September 1, on the Village Green in
Freshfelds Village from 4 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40
at the gate. To purchase tickets, visit
Indigo Books at Freshfelds Village,
Seabrook Island Real Estate, Te UPS
Store on Maybank Highway, Schoen Ace
Hardware and Sunrise Bistro on Johns
Island, Forsberg’s Wine and Spirits,
Hyams Garden & Accent Store and
Paul’s Hairstyling on James Island, Dr.
Marta Hampton’s Ofce in West Ashley
and Herold’s Pharmacy on Charlie Hall
Boulevard.
Joye Law Firm, our event Diamond
Sponsor, also has tickets available at their
5861 Rivers Avenue location.
Our 501(c)3medical facility provides
no cost medical care, diagnostic laboratory
testing, and specialty referrals when
needed, to uninsured/underinsured adults
living or working on Johns, Wadmalaw,
and James Island. Since opening its doors
in 2008, the clinic, stafed by volunteers,
has provided over 19,737 free doctor visits.
Our clinic gets no state or federal support.
Te clinic depends upon contributions
from organizations, fundraising,
individuals and churches.
For additional information about our
clinic or festival, contact Brenda Falls,
Clinical Operations Manager at 266-9800
or Lori Leary, Event Chairperson at
768-3151. Charitable sponsorships and
silent auction items are welcomed.
Raise Your Glass for
the 7th Annual
Wine & Beer Fest
AnnuAl EvEnt RAi sEs MonEy
f oR BARRi ER i sl And
f REE MEdi cAl cl i ni c
By loRi lEARy
Health
www.islandconnectionnews.com
20 August 9, 2013
photos provided by Charleston County park & reCreation Commission
T
he Charleston Sprint Triathlon
Series (CSTS) is wrapping up its
season! Now in its 23rd year, the
CSTS is the area’s premier swim, bike and
run event, taking place over a fve-race
series. Race 5, the Championship, will be
held on Sunday, Aug. 11 at James Island
County Park.
Athletes are encouraged to sign up
in advance, and spectators are welcome.
Winners will be awarded from the
individual race as well as the entire series.
Over 25,000 athletes have raced in
this swim-bike-run series since it began
in 1991. It has been honored as one of
the Top Ten Charleston Signature Sport
Events by the Charleston Metro Sports
Council, placing it in good company with
other Charleston favorites like the Family
Circle Tennis Cup and the Cooper River
Bridge Run.
Te race begins at 7:15 a.m. with a
600-yard freshwater swim in the lake at
James Island County Park, continues with
a 12-mile bike ride through the park and
out and back on Riverland Drive, and
fnishes with a fat 5K run.
Te race is limited to 400 participants,
and fees start at $55 per race. CSTS ofers
participation and awards throughout
a variety of divisions. Awards will be
presented to the top fve men and the top
three women fnishers in the Open/Elite
division. Awards will also be presented to
the top three age group winners in fve-
year increments, as well as to the top male
and female fnishers over the age of 40
(Masters division). New this year, awards
will also be presented to those with the
fastest times in the swim, bike and run
legs of the race. Participants may choose
to compete in the Clydesdale (men over
200 pounds), Athena (women over 150
pounds) or Masters Clydesdales (men over
age 40 and over 200 pounds) divisions.
Awards will be presented to the top three
competitors in each of those divisions.
For more information or to register
online for the CSTS at James Island County
Park, visit www.ccprc.com/csts. Tis event
is presented by Commonwealth/Brown &
Brown, Premier Physical Terapy, and
hosted by the Charleston County Park and
Recreation Commission
Charleston’s Premier Endurance
Competition:
The 23rd AnnuAl ChArlesTon sprinT TriAThlon series
ChAmpionship rACe AugusT 11
Health