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Page 5
Island Eats
Volume 6 Issue 25 April 5, 2013 FREE
Since May 2007
Page 14
Running This Way
Page 12
A Walk on the Wild Side
T
he weekend of March 20
22, instead of spending
time relaxing with a book
or enjoying a walk on the beach,
several volunteers from Charleston
based non-proft Wounded Nature
Working Veterans packed up and
headed north. Tough the media left
the topic months ago, the aftermath of
Superstorm Sandy is still ever-present
on some of the most beloved coastlines
of the Northeast. Volunteers spent the
weekend removing trash and coastal
litter from Gateway National Park,
a 26,607 acre park that stretches the
along the coasts of New York and New
Jersey.
Rudy Socha, CEO of Wounded
Nature, reported that hundreds of miles
of coastline look just like the pictures
seen here; trash, household items, plastic,
and even furniture pieces cover the once
pristine shoreline.
As spring rolls in and visitors start
popping up and enjoying our luscious
islands, its easy to forget that some vacation
homes, and thousands of permanent
homes, are still in ruin from the efects
of Sandy. Volunteers, fundraising, and
donations are still in need.
To fnd out how you can help, visit
www.woundednature.org.
I
n a historic vote on Sunday, February
24, Old. St. Andrews Parish Church
elected to part ways with the
Episcopal Church and formerly amend
their church constitution to align with
the Diocese of South Carolina.
St. Andrews was frst established
in 1706, making it the oldest church
south of Virginia. In the early days,
the church operated as a parish of the
Church of England. In the wake of the
American Revolution, the Diocese of
South Carolina formed in 1785. In 1789,
the Diocese participated in forming
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States, operating as one facet of
the American branch of Anglicanism.
Tough the history between the
Episcopal Church and the Diocese of
South Carolina dates back hundreds of
years, the two entities have been on a
rocky road for quite some time.
Te heart of the issue boils down to
the decision of the Episcopal Church
to ordain homosexual clergy and bless
same-sex marriages.
In 2003, controversy ignited within
the Episcopal Church upon the General
Convention election of Gene Robinson,
an openly gay priest, as bishop by the
New Hampshire Diocese. For those with
traditional views of the Scripture, this
was extremely upsetting and shocking,
explains Father Marshall Huey, of Old
St. Andrews. At the next gathering of
the General Convention three years
later, Katharine Schori was elected to
serve as Presiding Bishop. Known for
her progressive and liberal views towards
issues of homosexuality, the Episcopalian
community erupted on a national scale
due to Schoris controversial statements
about Jesus in TIME Magazine. When
asked, Is belief in Jesus the only way
to get to heaven? the new Presiding
Bishop responded, We who practice
the Christian tradition understand him
as our vehicle to the divine. But for us
to assume that God could not act in
other ways is, I think, to put God in an
awfully small box. Huey explains that
the statement limited Jesus role as God,
and also undermined the importance of
scriptural teaching.
Despite the uproar, Schori received no
repercussions from the Church on behalf
of her statements. Te aftermath created
a ferce tension between traditionalists,
A Light Unto a New Path
OL D S T. ANDR E W S P AR I S H C HUR C H L E AVE S E P I S C OP AL C HUR C H
BY HANNAH DOCKERY
New Path continues on page 16
The Island
Connection
Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Hannah Dockery
managing editor
hannah@luckydognews.com

Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori McGee
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
J erry Plumb
graphic designer
jerry@luckydognews.com
Contributors
Bob Hooper
Sam Reed
Sarah Diaz
Katherine Saenger
Tim Erwin
Ralph Secoy
Chad Kelly
SC Aquarium
J ohn Nelson
Martha Zink
Tom Burgess
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines: April 10
for submissions
for the April 19 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:
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
2 April 5, 2013
Mayor Holtz called the meeting to
order. Councilman Ciancio made a few
minor changes to the minutes from last
months meeting, and then all approved.
Financials
Mayor Holtz said that the Town
fnancials continue to come somewhat
unpredictably during the frst few months
of the year. Year-to-date, the Town is
$16,562.67 ahead of budget for revenues.
We are running okay as a Town, and the
budget is settling in, he said.
Roads
Councilman Reed attended a Council
of Governments (COGS) meeting and
reported that at the meeting, roads were
a side issue. Ofcials at the meeting
presented a detailed plan for the tri-county
region over the next three years, diving
into such issues as growth, development,
preservation, infrastructure, mobility,
economy, and transportation. Reed
reported that the meeting focused largely
on roads in the middle part of the region,
and less time on the southwestern area of
the counties.
Te Super Street intersection at
Highway 17 and Main Road continues to
be a topic of concern for many residents,
especially considering it is the main
evacuation route for islanders in case
of an emergency. Reed added that he is
working with Town Administrator Randy
Pierce to get ofcials from SCDOT to
make a presentation to Council and the
community about the efect of the new
road project.
Fire Commission
Reed reported that the Commission
has received a great number of applicants
for the new chief. Commissioner Sue
Holloman added that things are moving
forward in the search for a new chief, and
interviewing should begin by mid-April.
We have been very fortunate to have
Chief Stanley who has stepped in and
done a wonderful job, she said.
Property Insurance
Councilman Reed also reported that
there is a general consensus that island
homeowners are paying too much for
property insurance, and is working on
getting more information on the issue.
Marketing and Advertising
Councilman Ahearn reported that
the frst Southern Living ad came out in
the magazines latest issue. Te half-page
ad ran adjacent to an ad for Charleston,
which Ahearn felt was an extra-beneft.
Bohicket Request for Funds
Ahearn added that the Bohicket Marina
Merchants Association has requested the
Town sponsor a Bohicket summer event
entitled Kick It At Bohicket featuring
music, games, and jumping castles for
kids. Te BMA is working on proposing
a draft to Council, which will then be
reviewed and discussed in further detail.

HAM Radio License
Councilman Cummin reported that
a familiarization class would be held on
Tursday, March 28, 2013 for the 13
individuals that received their HAM radio
licenses through the Town sponsored
class in February. 11 of the 13 individuals
received radios by their respective entities,
such as the Club, Camp St. Christophers,
and so on. Two participants, Ian Millar
and Jim Shaw were not afliated with an
entity and therefore did not receive radios;
Cummin made a motion to approve
spending $315.16 to purchase two HAM
radios for Millar and Shaw. All approved.
Website Update
Cummin commented that the Mayor
has been looking for a way to solve a
video streaming problem on the Towns
website. Te problem occurs on Apple
products and mobile phones that are
not compatible with Flash software.
Obviouslee Marketing reported that last
year, 9 percent of website viewers were
coming from mobile devices; that number
is currently up to 31 percent, necessitating
the need to fx the problem. Te cost to
make the website mobile friendly is $450.
Council approved the expenditure.

Turtles on Seabrook
Te US Fish & Wildlife Service posted
an 84-page request in the federal register
last week to cover 800
miles of coastline from
North Charleston
down to Alabama
and Mississippi, to
designate specifed
areas as critical habitats for loggerhead
turtles. 80 miles of the proposition are
in South Carolina and include Seabrook
Island. Comments on the proposal are due
by May 24, and Council plans to discuss
the request at the next Ways & Means
Committee meeting.

Public Safety Committee
Councilman Ciancio reported that the
Public Safety Committee met on March
13 and had two guest speakers from the
POA and COVAR. Ciancio expressed
desire to improve communications
between the various entities to increase
responsiveness and efectiveness in the
event of an emergency. At the meeting,
the committee discussed various disaster
scenarios and who would be responsible for
responding in such events. Te committee
considered Town goal objectives in the
event of a disaster and concluded that
the Mayor, who can exercise emergency
powers in the event of an emergency,
would be responsible for
Communication between various
island entities, included the Marina,
Camp, Club, and SIPOA
Pursuit of FEMA reimbursement
Coordination with the County and
State regarding access to the community
following an evacuation
Coordinate permits with the County
Confict resolution with stakeholders
including Marina, Camp, Club, and
SIPOA
Ciancio added that these objectives do
not bind future Councils, but are to serve
as preparedness in case of a disaster.
Disaster Preparedness
Te summer meeting of the Disaster
Recovery Council will be on June 26. Te
Kiawah-Seabrook Disaster Preparedness
Day will be held on Tursday, June
13. Ciancio and Council encouraged
members of the community to attend and
Seabrook Town Council March 26, 2013
Seabrook Council continues on page 3
Civic
April 10
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
April 15
Kiawah BZA
4 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
April 23
Seabrook Town Council
2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Kiawah Ways and Means
Committee
2 p.m.
Kiawah Town Hall
participate in this very important event.
Historically, Seabrooks participation
has been low, and the Council hopes to
stress the importance and signifcance of
attending the Disaster Preparedness Day.
Council approved spending $1,500 to
help cover expenses at the event.
Future Welcome Center Will Wait
Councilman Ahearn added that in the
past, there has been talk about a welcome
center coming to the location near the
real estate ofce. Tis is a Club concern,
and ofcials have decided not to pursue
a welcome center further at this time.
Contrary to rumors, it isnt because a
lack of money, he said. Tey are trying
to do what we are trying to do build up
reserves.
Utility Commission
Jef Bostock reported that fnances
for the month of February were within
budget. For the second month in a row,
water usage was higher than normal, but
Bostock added that this was nothing
unusual. Operations are normal.
Citizens Comments
A resident informed Council that he
has been doing a lot of interior work on his
house, and was informed that the Town of
Seabrook charged a $25 permit to install
carpet. Administrator Pierce said that the
Towns building code requires a permit for
installing carpet to ensure that contractors
are licensed. Te man questioned whether
or not Seabrook actually checked to see if
contractors and installers were licensed,
and Pierce reported that the Town does
not check each contractor, but that it is
a way of regulating what goes on. Te
man said, I think this is part of a bigger
problem on Seabrook.You dont do
any inspections, you dont catch bad
contractors. Councilman Cummin spoke
up and said that the statement wasnt
true, because the Town code inspector
found that people working in Cummins
home were not licensed, and the work was
stopped. Its an efort to make sure that
we dont have gypsy work, he said.
He also asked with the Town is
spending $100,000 on marketing
initiatives. Mayor Holtz said that it is a
way to promote Seabrook, since the island
is relatively unknown, and will beneft
homeowners when the time comes to sell
a home or estate.
Ordinance 2013 1
Council approved a frst reading of
Ordinance 2013 1, which authorizes
the issuance and sale of general obligation
bonds, or bond anticipation notes, in
an amount not to exceed $4,000,000.
Councilman Ciancio thoroughly
explained the ordinance, stating that the
ordinance will help the Town receive
necessary funds in the case of a major
natural disaster. Te Town currently has
a little over $1 million in an emergency
account, but if a disaster occurs and more
money is needed, the notice can be drawn.
Since 1913, Charleston has had four
events categorized as tropical storms or
higher, Ciancio said. Tis is an average
of once every 25 years. Te last one was
in 1989, do the math, were due. We
are breaking new ground here, he said.
Te ordinance will not obligate future
Councils. Te upfront cost of the bond is
$4,500 with no annual costs.
Te next Seabrook Town Council meeting
will be on Tuesday, April 30, at 2:30 p.m.
Seabrook Council continues from page 2
April 5, 2013 3
civic
4 April 5, 2013
Dear Editor,
Te current popular trend is in favor of gay marriage. During a speech last year,
Hillary Clinton said, human rights and gay rightsare one in the same. If so,
then why are Mormons denied the right to marry multiple partners based on their
religious beliefs. After all, polygamy hasBiblical precedents dating all the way back to
King David who was anointed by God, whereas same sex marriage is not. Will there be
others able to claim, marriage rights violations also?
Dwight Ives
Summerville
Te Island Connection apologizes for incorrectly reporting Kiawah Councilwoman
Mary Johnsons Communication Committee report at the March 5 Town Council
Meeting. Johnson did not say that several people wish the Town Notes were still
in hardcopy print, and no one has requested hardcopy forms. We apologize for any
confusion.
Oops
Letter to the Editor
Spring cleaning:
Our new Dot Com
Check out The fresh new
look on our website. WWW.
islandconnectionnews.com
civic
www.islandconnectionnews.com
April 5, 2013 5
Barrier Island Bites is a new Island Connection column featuring fresh, local recipes from
the Southern General executive chef Tim Erwin. Happy cooking!
T
he arrival of spring in New England was always a special time for me as a kid.
Te ground starts to thaw and I could fnally begin putting into play all of my
out-doorsy Christmas gifts. A new baseball glove, well-oiled and ready for a
catch, baseball cards in my bike spokes, ready to ride and make new friends. Te only
thing left to tie everything together was the arrival of the annual spring clam bake.
Te tail end of local clam season typically runs about a week behind oyster season
depending on availability; October through mid to late May. So we have some time for
those larger size mid-neck or top-neck clams perfect for this baked stufed clam recipe.
Keep in mind farm raised whole clams are available year round.
Tis recipe will serve 4 to 8 people
Heres what well do
1. Rinse whole clams well and place in a pot of boiling water until they open up
for you.
2. Strain/let cool/remove meat from shells and reserve/break shells into halves/
rinse and reserve.
3. Sautee pancetta/bacon, celery, onion, garlic and sage in butter until soft. Set aside.
4. Break down pretzels in a blender or food processor. Leave em a bit chuncky.
5. Combine sauted mix with pretzels, reserved shucked clams, and chopped
canned clams with reserved liquid, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix well.
6. Stuf shells. Bake on 350 for 15-20 minutes uncovered.
As a nice topper simply mix your favorite fruit preserves with some plain yogurt and
a squeeze of fresh lemon for a cool refreshing accompaniment.
Tim Erwin is the owner and chef of Te Southern General Sandwich Shop and Bar in
Johns Island, SC at 3157 Maybank Highway Unit E. For more information call 604-3778
or visit thesoutherngeneral.com
Bringing in the Spring:
Sourdough Baked
Stufed Clams
BY TIM ERWIN
Barrier Island Bites
Heres what youll need.
2 dozen Mid Neck or Top Neck clams (2-3 inches in size)
1/12 oz. can chopped ocean clams (reserve liquid)
pound pancetta or quality bacon (uncooked, 1/8 inch dice)
2 stalks celery (1/8 inch dice)
1 small yellow onion (1/8 inch dice)
1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
1 spring fresh sage, fnely chopped
box, or 15, hard sourdough pretzels (preferably Snyders)
stick butter
2 eggs
sea salt to taste
black pepper to taste
Sourdough baked stufed clams
6 April 5, 2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
G
et ready for some ragin Cajun fun in Charleston!
Te 22nd Annual Lowcountry Cajun Festival heats
up James Island County Park on Sunday, April 7,
2013 from 12 6 p.m. Bringing Louisiana living to the
Lowcountry, Cajun Fest is a full-day of Zydeco music,
Cajun and Creole foods, childrens activities and lots of
entertainment straight from the bayou!
Full-bellied fun is what this festival is all about as local
and regional chefs cook up a variety of mouth-watering
foods. Savor the tastes of a variety of Cajun and Creole
dishes like jambalaya, alligator, etoufe, andouille sausage
and of course, crawfsh, crawfsh, and more crawfsh! Also
enjoy Lowcountry favorites like seafood and Southern
barbecue. Tose who prefer a tamer menu will fnd up
ample portions of festival foods like hot dogs, sno cones,
funnel cakes and more.
People who love crawfsh will discover paradise at
the Lowcountry Cajun Festival! Visitors travel from near
and far for huge servings of fresh, steaming crawfsh,
undoubtedly the festivals most popular food item. And
crawfsh-eating connoisseurs will have the chance to show
of their talent at the popular annual crawfsh eating
contest, which begins at 2:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged
to sign up for the contest when they arrive at the festival.
Non-stop Zydeco music performed live throughout the
day will keep your toes tappin.
Featured performers will
be Swamp Pop Princess
Shelly Waters, who will
take the stage at 1 p.m.;
Unknown Tongues, who
will perform at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m.; and Sidewalk Zydeco,
who will appear on stage at 3:30 p.m. Other festivities
include a crafts market, mechanical rides, infatables and
games for kids. Check www.ccprc.com/cajun for a current
entertainment schedule.
Te Charleston County Park and Recreation
Commission continues to work with the South Carolina
Green Fair in support of conservation eforts to provide
recycling and composting stations on site for all waste.
In 2012, 95% of the waste produced at the Lowcountry
Cajun Festival was diverted from landflls.
Admission to the Lowcountry Cajun Festival is $10.
Te event is free for ages 12 and under with paying adult.
Current Gold Pass holders are also admitted free. Gold
Passes will not be sold on site the day of the festival. Food
vendors operate on a ticket basis. No coolers or outside
alcohol permitted. Pets are not permitted to this event.
James Island County Park is located at 871 Riverland
Drive. Tis event is brought to you by Piggly Wiggly,
Southern Eagle Distributing, and your Charleston County
Parks. For more information, call 795-4386 or visit www.
ccprc.com/cajun.
Spicing Things Up at the
22
nd
Annual Cajun Festival
SPECIAL TO THE ISLAND CONNECTION
Island
Photography
Last week,
Seabrook
photographer
Ralph Secoy
captured these
fascinating
up-close images
of an alligator
in his backyard.
Parks
April 5, 2013
7
www.islandconnectionnews.com
H
ere in the St. Johns Fire District we all take
fre safety in our homes very seriously. Tere
are many ways we do this such as checking
our smoke alarms monthly, changing the smoke alarm
battery twice a year, and practicing with our family how
to escape from our home during a fre and where to go
once outside. Tere is one thing that is often overlooked
and that is our fre extinguishers. Many people go buy
a fre extinguisher when we frst move into our house
then kind of forget about it till it is needed. Just like your
car, if you dont maintain it the fre extinguisher will not
work when you need it. Tis month we will discuss the
maintenance and proper use of a fre extinguisher.
In a business it is required that the owner/occupant
have their extinguisher serviced annually by a licensed
person and that the owner/occupant check their
extinguisher monthly. Te annual service is not always
fnancially feasible for a residence so we recommend
changing your fre extinguisher annually if you do not
choose to have it serviced. Ten for the monthly checks
you need to do the following:
1. Check the seal to make sure the pin is held
securely in place
2. Check the gauge to ensure it is in the green
3. Check the hose for any signs of damage
4. Check the nozzle for any signs of leakage
5. Flip the extinguisher upside down several times to
ensure that the dry chemical does not settle and
harden in the bottom of the extinguisher
Another important requirement is that the fre
extinguisher be mounted and accessible. Tis will help
to ensure that the extinguisher is in the proper location
when you need to use it.
Te most important thing when using an extinguisher
is to know the proper way to operate the extinguisher.
For this we use the acronym P.A.S.S.
P = Pull the pin
A = Aim the nozzle at the base of the fre
S = Squeeze the trigger (we recommend holding your
breath while squeezing to prevent inhaling the chemical)
S = Sweep the nozzle side to side while still aiming at
the base of the fre
If you follow these recommendations for your fre
extinguisher it should be ready if you need it.
As always if you have any questions, would like a
fre and life safety program or need a smoke detector
installed feel free to contact the St. Johns Fire/Rescue,
Fire Prevention Division.
For more information, contact Captain Chad A.
Kelly, Fire Prevention Specialist, at 864-4384. St. Johns
Fire Department is located at 3327 Maybank Highway,
Johns Island.
Fire Extinguish Safety
BY CHAD KELLY
Whats Hot
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.
Apr 5
Apr 6
Apr 7
Apr 8
Apr 9
Apr 10
Apr 11
Apr 12
Apr 13
Apr 14
Apr 15
Apr 16
Apr 17
Apr 18
Source: saltwatertides.com
4:51am/5:12pm
5:50am/6:11pm
6:44am/7:03pm
7:33am/7:51pm
8:18am/8:35pm
9:00am/9:15pm
9:41am/9:54pm
10:20am/10:31pm
10:59am/11:09pm
11:39am/11:47pm
12:20pm
12:29am/1:06pm
1:15am/1:57pm
2:06am/2:52pm
10:56am/11:21pm
11:51am
12:20am/12:42pm
1:13am/1:29pm
2:03am/2:13pm
2:48am/2:54pm
3:31am/3:34pm
4:12am/4:12pm
4:52am/4:49pm
5:31am/5:27pm
6:10am/6:07pm
6:52am/6:52pm
7:38am/7:44pm
8:29am/8:42pm
www.islandconnectionnews.com
Protect Your Pets from Poison
BY CHARLESTON VETERINARY REFERRAL CENTER
Skeletalmusclerelaxants
Topicalchemotherapycream
Psoriasiscream
Bloodpressuremedications
Sleepaids
SSRIs
Albuterol
Stimulants(includingADHDmedications
andOTCnasaldecongestant)
Nonsteroidalanti-infammatory
medications(Ibuprofen,Naproxen,etc.)
Tylenol
Remembertoalwayskeepsuchproducts
outofreachforyourpet!
AboutCharlestonVeterinaryReferral
Center:
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC)
is a specialty referral, emergency and critical care
veterinaryhospitalwhichopenedinMarch,2011.Te
Centerofersacohesiveteamofveterinaryprofessionals
and staf that are dedicated to practicing the highest
caliber of medicine and surgery available. CVRC
believes that great care and service are intertwined.
With a commitment to respect the integrity of the
referral relationship with primary care veterinarians,
doctorsandstafatCVRCworktirelesslytowardthe
goalofgreatcommunication.Ourfacilityisopen24
hoursaday,7daysaweekandcanbereachedat(843)
614-VETS(8387).Formoreinformation,pleasevisit
usonlineathttp://www.CharlestonVRC.com orfnd
usonFacebookatFacebook.com/CharlestonVRC.
T
hisweekisPetPoisonPreventionWeek,which
aims to raise awareness of household dangers
to pets.While most peoplehave heardabout
antifreeze, chocolate, ice melt, household cleaners,
lawn and garden materials and other common
hazards, many pet owners are unaware that some of
themosthazardousitemsintheirhomemaybesitting
on their nightstands. For the fourth year in a row,
human medications have topped the ASPCAs list of
top10toxinsforpets.
So what medicines are most toxic to your pets?
Kristin Welch, DVM, DACVECC of Charleston
Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC), says the
following medications are the most common human
prescriptions they treat pets for in their emergency
department. Dr. Welch is available to discuss more
about how each of these medications can harm your
petandwhattodoifyourpetingeststhem:
J
ointheSouthCarolinaAquariumandconservation-
focusedresidentsofSouthCarolinafortheAquariums
largest annual fund-raiser, the Oceans Gala. Tis
black-tie event, taking place April 27, 2013, recognizes
individuals and organizations that have worked to
protect the environment and our oceans. Tis year the
SouthCarolinaAquariumwillpresentitsEnvironmental
Stewardship Award to Robert Ted Turner III. Te
theme, Oceans, will celebrate the preservation and
protection of the beauty of the underwater world. Te
evening will include cocktails, seated dinner, award
presentation, performances and a 9 oclock after-
afairinsidetheAquarium.Techaritableeveningwill
raise funds for Te South Carolina Aquariums diverse
environmental,education,andconservationprograms.
More about this years Environmental Stewardship
Awardsrecipient:
Ted Turner: Media mogul and philanthropist,
Ted Turner is best known as the founder of the cable
news network CNN. In addition, he founded Turner
BroadcastingSystem,Inc.andWTBS,whichpioneered
the superstation concept in cable television. As a
philanthropist, he is well known for his $1 billion gift
tocreatetheUnitedNationsFoundation,whosepurpose
is to support the goals and objectives of the United
Nations in promoting a more peaceful, prosperous and
just world. In 1990, he created the Turner Foundation,
whichfocusesonphilanthropicgrantsintheareasofthe
environment and population, and the Captain Planet
Foundation,basedontheenvironmentalanimatedseries
CaptainPlanetandthePlaneteers,whicheducatesand
empowerschildrenonhowtomakeapositiveimpactin
theircommunities.Turnerspassionfortheenvironment
hasearnedhimthedistinctionofbeingoneof12Ocean
Elders worldwide, acknowledged for their impact in
conservationoftheoceananditswildlife.
Iamdeeplyhonoredtoreceivethe2013Environmental
StewardshipAwardfromtheSouthCarolinaAquarium.
South Carolina is a very special place for my family,
and we strive to be good stewards of the land locally
and globally, commented Turner. Its crucial that we
work to save everything, from our oceans and wildlife
to our rainforests and marshlands. A healthy planet is
themostimportantgiftwecangivetoourchildrenand
grandchildren.
TegalatakesplaceApril27,2013from6:30p.m.to
11:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $300 per person; ten
persontablereservationsarealsoavailable.ContactTanya
Fitzgeraldattftzgerald@scaquarium.orgor579-8540for
moreinformationaboutthisevent,includingticketsand
sponsorshipopportunities.
Media Mogul Recognized at Aquarium Gala
T E D T UR NE R R E C E I VE S 2013 S C AQUAR I UM
E NVI R ONME NTAL S T E WAR DS HI P AWAR D
PROVIDED BY THE SC AQUARIUM
Daily
Pets
Celebrity Golf
Invitational
Swings in to
Kiawah
bY lORI lEARY
Golf
Tournament
Benefits
Barrier Island
Free Medical
Clinic
TeSixthAnnualCelebrityGolfInvitational
benefting the patients of the Barrier Island
Free Medical Clinic will be held at Cassique
KiawahIslandClubonTuesday,May7.Tis
event flls out every year and there are just a
few sponsorship packages remaining. Over
one hundred volunteer doctors, nurses and
other non-clinical volunteers work with staf
to provide free health care to qualifed local
residents. Te clinic receives no government
funding. Join other residents, professionals
and business leaders for a great day of golf,
dinnerandnetworking-allforaworthycause!
Calltodayat266-9800orvisitonlineatwww.
bifmc.org/.
8 April5,2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
A n s w e r : W a x - m y r t l e , B a y b e r r y , M o r e l l a c e r i f e r a
O
n Monday, April 8 the Kiawah Island Garden Club will present a program
teaching us all about herbs. Pat Harpell, founder and chief executive weeder
at the South Carolina Herbal Society, is happiest when there is dirt under her
fngernails.
In addition to being the fuel
behind the SCHS, Pat teaches an
Herbal Apprenticeship program in
Charleston, is guest teacher at the
Boston School of Herbal Studies,
conducts Yoga Teacher Training
certifcation programs throughout
the country, and leads Yoga and
Gardening vacations in the US
and Europe.
Pat has had the honor of taking
herbal and medicinal studies with
Sarita Shrestha, MD, Rosemary
Gladstar, Matthew Wood,
Madelon Hope, Tommy Priester,
Phyllis Light, Margi Flint, Anne
McIntyre, David Dalton, Dr.
Ming Wu and many other sages,
and her greatest teacher, Mother
Nature.
Pat is a member of the
Charleston Horticulture Society
and the Mediterranean Gardening
Society, keeping her busy on both
sides of the ocean. She maintains a
sustainable, organic garden in her
hometown of Charleston where perennials, vegetables
and herbs teach her how to grow.
Te 10:00 a.m. program, at the Sandcastle, at will be preceded by cofee and
refreshments at 9:30 a.m.
Designing an Out-of-
the-Box Herb Garden
BY MARTHA ZINK
Shakespeares Sweet Mystery
BY J OHN NELSON
All our yesterdays have lighted fools. Te way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! --Shakespeare, Macbeth V.5.
PHOTOBYLINDALEE
nATURE
K
eep the study-hall candle on
for a few minutes here while we
investigate this mysterious bush.
Vigorous specimens can be small
trees, but most of the time youll see
this as a shorter rounded or irregularly-
shaped shrub. Its common and just about
everywhere on the coastal plain, from
New Jersey to Florida and Texas. Te
plants like damp soil, very commonly
occurring on sand, or otherwise on
more humus-rich, peaty sites. Youll fnd
it, often in dense groves, in swales and
depressions behind the sand dunes at the
beach, and in swamp forests and pocosins,
and of course it is planted widely in yards
as a shrub. Tis is an evergreen plant. Te
leaves are usually slender and pliable, and
somewhat toothy on the edges, at least
toward the tips. Te upper leaf surface
is generally dark green and smooth, in
a rather standard sort of waybut it is
the lower surface that is remarkable. Get
out your hand lens and take a look at the
lower side, which will feature thousands
of tiny, rounded, golden glands, each one
flled with very fragrant, clear oil. To get
the full efect of the marvelous fragrance
of these leaves, crunch up a small handful,
and then breathe in the aroma, slowly,
from your cupped hands. Youll detect
a strong, sweet fragrance, and it will
probably remind you of the last time you
walked into one of those holiday candle
shops at the mall. Or, perhaps youve been
surrounded by these plants in a natural
setting on a warm, still day, when the
sweet perfume wafting up can be quite
strong. Te plant produces dense clusters
of tiny fowers up and down its gray
stems. Following the fowers, abundant
bluish-gray berries form, which hang on
until the end of winter. Te hard, rounded
berries owe their color to a relatively dense
layer of naturally-produced wax, which is
bumpy and rough on the surface of the
mature berry. (Interestingly, the berries,
which would seem to be too dry and
scratchy to make good wildlife food, are
eaten eagerly by at least one bird species,
the myrtle warbler.) Te wax, like the
foliage oil, is quite fragrant, containing
many of the same aromatic compounds
found in the yellow glands of the leaves.
Early American settlers discovered that
boiling these berries would remove the
wax, which could then be variously
strained and further refned, and used
to make candles. Te process is
somewhat painstaking, if done in
the traditional, old-time way, but
yields an evenly-burning candle
with plenty of fragrance.
Now Shakespeare wouldnt
have known this plant at all, as it
is American. However, this species
has gained popularity in Britain
and other parts of Europe as an
adaptable shrub for garden accents
and for hedges, and of course, the
fragrance cant be beat. (Macbeths
candle would probably have been
one of those standard ones, made
from beeswax or animal tallow.)
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
nelson@sc.edu.
PHOTOBYRALPHJSECOY
April 5, 2013 9
10 April 5, 2013
Island Connection Calendar April 14
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Spring Concert Series at Freshfelds
Celebrate the arrival of springwith the
spring kickof of Music on the Village
Green at Freshfelds. Music featuring Chris
Crosby Band, playing timeless classics, jazz,
rock, and more. Food and beverage will be
available for purchase. Dont forget your
beach chair or blanket. Free and open to the
public. 6 9 p.m.
KiawahIsland Arts Showcase Reception
Get ready for tomorrows Art Showcase
(see below) with a special reception and
preview. If you would like to attend this
complimentary sneak preview, please RSVP
by April 1 by calling Sandcastle Member
Services at 768-3875 or email sandcstle@
kica.us. 4 8 p.m. Sandcastle Community
Center.
Kiawah Island Art and House Tour
Annual tour features fve stunning
Kiawah Island homes in the private gated
community will be opened for public
viewing. Proceeds beneft education,
exhibition, and outreach programs at the
Gibbes Museum of Art. $55/person and
includes tour, light refreshments throughout
the afternoon at one of the homes, and an
admission pass to the Gibbes Museum of
Art valid through December 30, 2013. 1 5
p.m. Purchase tickets at Gibbes Museum
Store at 135 Meeting Street, online at the
Gibbes Museum, Kiawah Island Real Estate
locations at the Main Sales Ofce, Te
Sanctuary, Freshfelds Village, or by calling
722-2706 (x21).
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
Kiawah Island Arts Showcase
A Lowcountry spring wouldnt be complete
without KiawahsArts Showcase. Tis
event provides the perfect opportunity
to purchase locally-made items: pottery,
handmade jewelry, childrens clothing,
and home-enhancing items such as framed
photography, beaded serving utensils, and
more. Kiawahs talented fneartistswill
also display their gallery-quality work for
viewing and purchase.No matter what
medium or style you prefer, you will likely
fnd it at this event! Open to the public.
Free admission. 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Sandcastle
Community Center.
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Gala
Join the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
for the Biannual Live, Silent and Wine
Auction Event at the newly reopened River
Course, Kiawah Island. Tickets $100/person
and beneft SIHH. Exclusive wine auction,
golf packages, dinner and dancing. To
purchase tickets, visit www.seaislandhabitat.
org/index.php/newsevents/auction. For more
information on Sea Island Habitat for
Humanity or to get involved with the
2013 auction, contact Julia Hammer at
768-0998 ext 112.
Sippin Saturdays Kicks Of at Irvin
House Vineyards
Join us every Saturday until November
2 for Sippin Saturday. Each Saturday,
the winery will serve up a diferent
local food vendor and musical group
to entertain locals and visitors.Te
famous Irvin House Vineyards Wine-
a-Ritas will be served on the patio and
Irvin House.Tastings in the Firefy Vodka
distillery and Irvin House Vineyard winery
are only $6 to taste 6 of 15 favors of Firefy
Vodka and Sea Island Rums and $4 to taste
5 wines. Patrons will receive complimentary
glasses during both tastings. Bring lawn
chairs & blankets. 1 5 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity Auction
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Live,
Silent, and Wine Auction. A celebration
of 35 years and 300 homes. Seated dinner,
live band, and an evening of fun. 5 9
p.m. at the River Course on Kiawah Island.
For tickets call Julia Hammer at 768-
0998 ext 112 or email communications@
seaislandhabitat.org. Cost per ticket is $100
and includes: open bar, full dinner, and
a guaranteed good time. Attire: Country
Club Casual.
Flowertown Festival
Every spring, the Town of Summerville is
awash in color- from the hot pink azaleas,
to the purple wisteria, to the delicate white
dogwood. On one 3-day weekend during
this season, thousands of festival-goers
transcend this gracious Southern town
to take in the fowers and hospitality and
attend one of the largest arts and crafts
festivals in the Southeast- Te YMCA
Flowertown Festival. Free admission and
parking. 9 a.m. 6 p.m. 208 WDoty Ave,
Summerville.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Lowcountry Cajun Festival
Bringing Louisiana to the lowcountry, this
festival is a day full of Cajun and Creole
foods, Zydeco music, childrens activities,
and much more. Local and regional chefs
will feature mouth watering foods and
nonstop music will keep your hips swinging.
12 p.m. 6 p.m. James Island County Park.
871 Riverland Drive, Charleston. For more
info, call 795-4386.
Te Charleston Symphony Orchestra
Spring Concert
Join us for a concert featuring world-class
cellist Natalia Khoma performing the
Haydn Cello Concerto #1 in C Major.
Kicking of the program designed by Yuriy
Bekker, CSO Concertmaster and Acting
Artistic Director, will be the Overture
to Mozarts Magic Flute. Concert will
conclude with the Schubert Symphony
#5 in B-fat major. Sponsored by the
Town of Kiawah Island Arts Council.
Complimentary Tickets available at the
Visitors Center at Kiawah Island Town
Hall.4 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church
on Betsy Kerrison. For more information
call 768-9166.
Chamber Music Charleston
Edisto Island Concert
Chamber Music Charleston brings
chamber music to Edisto Island in a
program of music for piano trio. Tickets
$20 and available online at www.
chambermusiccharleston.org. 3 p.m. Trinity
Episcopal Church, 1589 Hwy 174, Edisto
Island.
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
Our World Presents: Te Terrorist Treat
and Homeland Security
Presented by Mike Wermuth. Our World
is a complimentary educational lecture
series with presentation by local experts on
a wide variety of subjects. A light selection
of wine and cheese is provided. RSVP by
April 8 to Member Services at 768-3875 or
sandcastle@kica.us. Sandcastle Community
Center. 3 p.m.
Te Spring Dine-Around
New Executive Chef at the Sanctuary,
Brendon Bashford is welcoming locals
and islanders to come out and meet Te
Sanctuary Culinary Team as they highlight
their seasonal creations inspired by bright
colors, crisp favors and crunchy texture. 5
7 p.m. Complimentary, so please feel free to
bring friends and/or family members.
SINGH Evening Program: Captain Chad
Hayes Strand Feeding
Te Seabrook Island Natural History Group
is pleased to announce that Captain Chad
Hayes will be the guest lecturer.Captain
Chad is a well-known and respected
naturalist, from our area, who has been
studying the dolphins of the Kiawah River
for years. He will explain exactly what
strand feeding is, and help us understand
the behavior of the dolphin pods. Please
join us to learn more about our local sea
neighbors. Refreshments: 7 p.m., program:
7:30 p.m. Te Lake House. Seabrook
residents and guests are welcome ($5
donation for non-SINHG members).
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
Seabrook Island Garden Club
Te Seabrook Island Garden Club will
host seasoned foral designer Terry
Richen. Ms Richen, President of Te
Garden Club of Charleston and Co-chair
of the Flower Guild of Grace Episcopal
Church of Charleston, will present
Reaching for Glory . Ms Richen has
30 years of experience as a foral
designer, and infuses her designs
with both traditional and creative
elements.Program begins at 10:20,
following a brief business meeting.Te
Garden Club meets the second Friday
of every month beginning at 9:30 a.m.
and focuses on supporting the natural
beauty of our community while helping
members to create and enjoy lasting
friendships.
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
Spring Cleaning
SIHHs ReStore will hold a Spring
Cleaning Drive on Johns Island.
Neighbors are encouraged to drop
of gently used household items
ranging from furniture to kitchen
utensils, or come to sign up for a free
pickup.Donations will be sold at
reasonable prices at the ReStore to
raise funds to build Habitat homes in
our local area and to help eliminate
poverty housing. Two locations: April
12 from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. at Rosebank
Farms, 4475 Betsy Kerrison Hwy. April
13 from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. at Bohicket
Marina, 1800 Andell Bluf Blvd. Rain
date set for April 19 and 20.
Tomas Mayhem Pinckney
Alliance Reception
Te Tomas Mayhem Pinckney Alliance is
an advocacy committee of the Preservation
Society of Charleston. Named after the
African American craftsman credited by
Society founder Susan Pringle Frost for
much of her preservation work, the Alliance
will host a reception in honor of Mr.
Pinckney. Please RSVP by Tursday, April
4 to Aurora Harris, Community Outreach
Manager (aharris@preservationsociety.
org, 722-4630). 7 p.m. 91 Spring Street,
Charleston.
CSO Special Event: Verdis Requiem
Te Sottile Teatre will be flled with the
passionate and soaring sounds of Verdis
Requiem Mass, featuring CSO Chorus and
the College of Charleston Concert Choir,
as the 2012-13 season comes to a majestic
close. Seats still available from $25. 7:30
p.m. 44 George Street, Charleston.
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
First Annual Roots of Jazz Music Festival
Tis inaugural celebration will raise
funds for Jenkins Orphanage in North
Charleston. Te fun will feature several
local jazz artists and other musicians from
across South Carolina. Bring your chair or
blanket and enjoy jazz on the water. Tere
will also be a battle of the bands featuring
area middle and high school jazz bands.
Jenkins Institute, 3923 Azalea Drive, N
Charleston. $10/door, $8/advance. 10 a.m.
7 p.m.
Sippin Saturdays Kicks Of at Irvin
House Vineyards
See event on Saturday, April 6.
SUNDAY, APRIL 14
Blues by the Sea
Visit Freshfelds Village for the 9th Annual
Blues by the Sea! Tis free outdoor event
will feature live performances by blues acts
from across the country. Be sure to bring
a beach chair or blanket, and food and
beverage will be available for purchase.
Sponsored by Te Town of Kiawah, Bill &
Marilyn Blizard (Kiawahs Friends of the
Blues), and the Lowcountry Blues Bash. 2
7 p.m.
T
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Branch: Johns Island Regional Library
Babygarten (birth to 18 months with
adult)
Mondays, April 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Registration required for Babygarten.
Please call the Childrens Department at
559-1945.
Time for Twos (2-3 years oldwithadult)
Tuesdays, April 9, 16, and 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime (3-6 years with adult)
Wednesdays, April 10, 17, and 24 at 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Zone (3-6 years with an adult)
Fridays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 10:30
Computer Basics (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, April 2 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tis class provides a basic introduction to
the personal computer and its parts. Learn
how to use the mouse and navigate the
computer screen. Tere is time for hands-
on practice. No computer experience is
necessary.
Email Basics (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, April 30 from10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Registration starts 4/16
Te library does not provide individual
email accounts. However, there are many
Internet sites that provide free email. Tis
class presents the basics of registering for a
free email account, composing messages,
sending and opening email. Prerequisite:
Some experience using a mouse and the
Internet will be helpful. Please note longer
class time.
Files and Folders (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, April 16 from10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Learn how to organize your computer
fles more efectively. Basic concepts
include: creating a fle or document,
creating folders, naming folders and saving
document in a folder and deleting fles.
Prerequisite: Computer Basics will be
helpful.
Internet Basics (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, April 23from10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Registration starts 4/9
An introduction to the Internet, focusing
on the World Wide Web, using Internet
Explorer. Provides an overview of how
the Internet is structured and introduces
searching on the World Wide Web.
Prerequisite: Some experience using a
mouse will be helpful.
Keyboard Basics (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, April 9 from10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Basic orientation to using the computer
keyboard. Learn to be a more efcient
keyboarder. General instruction and
hands-on practice. No computer
experience is necessary.
Publisher 2007: Create a Flyer (adults/
young adults)
Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m.-
12 p.m.
Registration starts 4/13
Learn the basics of this desktop publishing
program. MS Publisher is designed for
creating greeting cards, fyers, signs,
brochures, calendars, and much more.
Prerequisite: Word Basics or some
experience using MS Word will be helpful.
Word 2007 Basics (adults/young adults)
Saturday, April 13 from10a.m.-12p.m.
Introduction to the basic tools of
Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter
and format text, change margins and line
spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving
and printing tips will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: Some experience using a
mouse will be helpful.
All computer classes are free. For more
information please call 559-1945 and ask
for the Reference Department. Class
space is available for 8 participants per
session.
Passive Program: Poe-Tree: Te Road to
Adventure (ages 5-11)
April 1-30
Come make poetry of all diferent sorts
during the month of April. You may
write haikus, word block poems, concrete
poems, and many more! Get caught
creating and be part of our Poe-Tree
Display!
Zumba (adults)
Mondays, April 15, 22 and 29 from 6-7
p.m.
Wednesdays, April 10, 17, and 24 from 6-7
p.m.
April 5
Wildlife
PHOTOBYRALPHJSECOY
12 April 5, 2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
D
uring the spring, young wildlife is abundant.
Everyday someone brings a baby bird, raccoon,
squirrel, or opossum into our hospital for help.
Tey are indeed adorable, but most of these babies would
have been better of left alone. Remember these tips as
you try to discern whether or not a baby animal is in need
of rescue.
As young birds are learning to fy, they will be on the
ground and easily approachable by humans. Just because
a baby is on the ground, it does not mean you should
help it. Remember the following before you scoop it up:
Older babies (feathered with short tails) are supposed
to be hopping around on the ground. Leave these alone. If
you have concerns about the whereabouts of the parents,
watch from a distance for 30 minutes. Parent birds will
visit their young frequently to feed them and encourage
fight.
If you dont see adults coming around, do everything
you can to try to return young babies to the nest. Get a
ladder, climb a tree, make a new nest (shallow boxes with
small towels work OK) and place it as close as you can to
the real nest. Young birds rarely survive rehabilitation, so
be creative and try to fgure out how to get the baby of
the ground and into its nest or makeshift nest.
Mother birds will not reject their young after a human
has touched the baby.
Injured babies or babies that
have been brought inside by the
household cat should be taken to
a local veterinarian who admits
wildlife. Te same is true for
young babies that are repeatedly
pushed out of the nest because this
usually means that the parent bird
detects a defect in that particular
baby.
Healthy babies that are at risk
from neighborhood pets can go
directly to a rehabilitator. But, it
is preferable to confne dogs and
cats until baby season is over and
leave the birds where they are.
Frightened or injured water
birds like herons and egrets attack
humans by pecking at their eyes.
Terefore it is better not to handle
these large birds unless you know
what you are doing. Immediately
contact a rehabilitator or your
local animal control agency to
help rescue these animals.
A call to Keepers of the Wild at 636-1659 can help you
determine what to do.
Baby raccoons and foxes are also abundant in our
neighborhoods this time of year. DO NOT TOUCH
THESE ANIMALS. I know they are cute, but they can
and do carry rabies. If you fnd an injured or abandoned
baby mammal, call Keeper of the Wild. Tey will tell you
what to do.
Adult fox and raccoons are especially dangerous.
Healthy adults that you may consider a nuisance can be
handled by a wildlife removal service such as Wildlife
Solutions. Injured animals should be handled by your
local animal control or by Keeper of the Wild.
Baby squirrels and opossums are less dangerous to
handle since they rarely carry rabies. However, adults bite,
and they bite hard, so DONT HANDLE ADULTS.
If you fnd injured or abandoned squirrel or opossum
babies, you can box them and bring them to a veterinary
hospital that admits wildlife or call Keeper of the Wild
for someone to pick them up. Pedialyte is a good solution
to dropper feed these babies until a professional can take
over. DO NOT use cow milk, soy milk, goat milk etc.
Baby deer and rabbits do not carry rabies. You can
handle these if they are injured or abandoned, but watch
for ticks! As soon as a baby
bunny is fully furred and has
his eyes open, he is on his own.
He doesnt need your help
unless he is injured. Tey seem
too small to be independent,
but they are. Fawns are often
left alone for long periods of
time. Watch for the parents for
up to 3 hours before you deem
a fawn abandoned.
All raptors (hawks, owls,
and vultures) are handled by
the South Carolina Center for
Birds of Prey. If you spot an
injured raptor, Call 971-7474 to
arrange for pick up. Tese birds
of prey can be very dangerous,
even if they are injured, so dont
handle them. You can carefully
cover them with a blanket or
towel while you wait for help
from a professional.
Charleston has a good
network of veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators. Many
veterinary clinics have volunteered to take in wildlife,
treat injuries and illness, and then pass the animals to
Keeper of the Wild. Tis organization, which works solely
on donations, is in desperate need of funding if they are to
continue their mission. Tey treat and re-locate animals
as needed. Tey also have a center where amputees and
disabled wildlife are housed and used for education.
Never feed wild mammals. Tis encourages them to
live too close to humans. Tis endangers us by bringing
rabies into our yards and neighborhoods and it endangers
the animals by making them less afraid of human
contact. Tese animals are more likely to be injured
by humans, household pets and automobiles. Instead
of feeding wild mammals consider making donations
to the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey (www.
thecenterforbirdsofprey.org) or to Keeper of the Wild
(keeperofthewild.org). Your contributions will help to
keep our wildlife safe and healthy.
Dr. Saenger started a vet spay-neuter clinic while living
in Mbabne, Swaziland and has also lived in Cairo, Egypt
and Maribor, Slovenia. As a member of the American
Association of Feline Practitioners, she strives to keep
Bees Ferry on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine and
is one of the ultrasonographers at Bees Ferry. For more
Born to be Wild
BY KATHERINE SAENGER
Te Double-Crested Cormorant is
a bulky, aquatic bird that can be found
along the South Carolina coast only
during the non-breeding season. Adults
are black and, during the breeding season,
have small crests on the side of their
heads. Juveniles are a lighter brown color
with a paler chest. Cormorants have fully-
webbed feet which aid in underwater
propulsion and a sharply-hooked beak for
grasping fsh. Teir diet consists almost
entirely of fsh and they are considered a
pest around catfsh farms and areas where
fsh are periodically stocked. Te Fish
and Wildlife service issues a controlled
number of hunting permits to aquaculture
farmers. Population numbers of this
species rose sharply in the latter half of
the 20th Century and control programs
were implemented in the Great Lakes
region up until the early 90s, including
egg-spraying and controlled hunting
in breeding colonies. Double-crested
Cormorants breed in parts of the northern
US and Canada. Tey nest in large
colonies located on the ground, on clifs,
or in trees, depending of the perceived
risk of predation. Common predators
include raccoons, foxes, Bald Eagles, and
Great Black-backed Gulls. Double-crested
Cormorants usually lay 3 or 4 eggs and
incubate for about 4 weeks. Te young
are cared for by both parents for about 10
weeks.
Double-crested Cormorant
BY SARAH HARPER DIAZ
E
xperience the rhythm and rhymes
of the Deep South at Freshfelds
Village at the 9
th
annual Blues by
the Sea. Tis free, outdoor music event
will be held on Sunday, April 14 from 2
to 7 p.m. on the Village Green. Te event
is part of the Lowcountry Blues Bash, and
will feature live performances from U.S.
and European acts.
Scheduled performances include:
Billy Boy Arnold with special guest
Billy Flynn (Chicago)
Billy Arnold is one of the last of the
Windy Citys blues harmonica legends.
Tutored by the original Sonny Boy
Williamson, Arnold picked up his unique
sound on Chicagos streets. Tis is Billy
Boy Arnolds frst-ever appearance in the
Charleston area.
Professor Bottleneck & Harmonica
Frank (Germany)
Blues truly is a world music, and
Professor Bottleneck & Harmonica Frank
are one of Europes hottest acoustic blues
duos. Teir sound includes sets of Delta
blues, ragtime, swing and jazz-favored
numbers.
Shelly Waters (Louisiana) Born and
raised in the heart of Cajun Country,
singer/guitarist Shelly Waters and her
band play passionate swamp music and
Gulf Coast rockin blues. Her debut
album Swamp Pop Princess, is currently
captivating listeners as she city hops on
her national tour.
Te event is sponsored by Te Town
of Kiawah, Bill and Marilyn Blizard
(Kiawahs Friends of the Blues) and
the Lowcountry Blues Bash. Food and
beverages will be available for purchase.
Guests are encouraged to bring a beach
chair or blanket.
Freshfelds Village is at the crossroads
of Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands.
With more than 55 locally owned
shops, galleries, restaurants, services
and businesses, Freshfelds is an upscale
lifestyle destination that also hosts
cultural events, art exhibits and seasonal
festivals throughout the year.
Visit FreshfeldsVillage.com or
www.facebook.com/Freshf iel dsVil l age
information on new stores, events and other
announcements.
Boogie to Blues Tunes During Blues by the Sea
I NT E R NAT I ONAL BL UE S AC T S TO P E R F OR M
F R E E C ONC E R T AT F R E S HF I E L DS
D
ecember on Kiawah brings
cooler temperatures, sunny days,
and of course the Kiawah Island
Golf Resort Marathon. For 35 years,
this prestigious Full and Half Marathon
winds through the maritime forests and
vast salt marshes with spectacular views
and a fast, fat course. Te Kiawah Island
Golf Resort staf has helped to ensure that
this race runs smoothly year after year,
and now they are taking on a brand new
challenge- the Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Triathlon. Teir goal is to bring the same
high quality racing experience, fne-tuned
with gracious Southern Hospitality and
support for all athletes, in the frst ever
Kiawah Island Golf Resort Triathlon.
September is the perfect month with
ideal ocean and air temperatures to swim,
bike, and run. Registration is now open at
KiawahTriathlon.com. For the best rates,
race ofcials encourage athletes and teams
to register before April 15. Te event takes
place on Sunday, September 15.
Te Course:
Swim, Bike, Run on Kiawah Island
R E GI S T E R NOW F OR T HE I NAUGUR AL
K I AWAH I S L AND GOL F R E S OR T T R I AT HL ON
BY TOM BURGESS
Swim
Te .7-mile point to point swim takes place in the Atlantic
Ocean in front of Te Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah Island.
Athletes will be swimming with the current, in comfortable
ocean temperatures near 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Following the
swim event, athletes will travel 200 yards over a boardwalk and
asphalt bike path to the transition zone at Night Heron Park.
Bike
Te 24-mile bike course is a well-marked course that stretches
the entire length of Kiawah Island. Winds are expected to be
moderate to light as athletes bike through Kiawahs maritime
forest, with winds increasing in strength through the vast and
open salt marsh habitat.
Run
Te race ends with a 6-mile run that loops through well-shaded
neighborhoods and onto Kiawahs front beach. Participants can
expect an elevation change of less than 18 feet throughout the
entire course. Transitioning from pavement and boardwalks to
wide beach with hard packed sand provides an unequalled racing
experience.
For more information, facebook us: Kiawah Island
Triathlon, call 768-2780, or email Kiawah_triathlon@
kiawahresort.com.
eVENTS
April 5, 2013
13
(CAPTION) New Executive
Director Jill Ledford
www.islandconnectionnews.com
14 April 5, 2013
T
he Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club recently
honored two St. Johns High School students
as Youths of the Month. Laura Stanley, with a
grade point average of 3.635 and an $80,000 four year
art scholarship to Albright College, plans to become
an art educator. Athlete/student Brandon Dickerson,
an applicant to Te Citadel, Coastal Carolina, and
Winthrop, was the other distinguished honoree.
Club telephone directory sales are wrapping up,
and the $150,000 goal is within sight. Te Board also
recognized a business membership category, and noted
that one such applicant is in the wings. Memberships for
persons located outside Kiawah or Seabrook Islands were
also encouraged, particularly since the Club supports
many activities on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.
Te Board also recognized the need for a funding
source for these grants other than the sale of telephone
directory ads, and an ad hoc committee will be formed to
study this issue.
Seabrook resident and Club member Lynn
Kennedy made a presentation to the Club on
computer security issues and possible solutions.
Ms. Kennedy, who has a local computer consulting
business, is a University of Hawaii computer
science alum with a PhD in the information
protection feld from Rutgers University.
Exchange Club Honors Outstanding Students
BY SAM REED
Exchange Club
Te following chart shows Club grants made last year:
Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic $12,500
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity $12,500
Our Lady of Mercy Outreach $10,000
ConKerr Cancer $1,000
Respite Care $2,000
Rockville Presbyterian Meals on Mondays
$3,000
Charleston Symphony Youth Programs $2,500
Wadmalaw Island Community Center $1,000
Noahs Ark $500
Boys to Men $1,000
Florence Crittenton Center $2,000
Dee Norton Childrens Center $7,500
Darkness to Light Child Abuse Prevention
$24,500
Local Schools $19,200
Student Scholarships $12,500
Angel Oak Outstanding Volunteer Award
$5,000
April 5, 2013
15
T
he security of our phones can
be expressed in the terms of the
contract you buy for the physical
phone and how you accept the terms and
agreements that pop up.
A phone always comes with the terms
and agreements contract, as does the
MicroSoft and the Apple Operating
Software. Te insidious aspect of
Smartphones is that the apps are all
diferent and each free app has little apps
inside what you get. Tey are not a virus
or malware because you have agreed to
it.
An app can literally follow you with
GPS, video and audio. An app that you
install can turn on your microphone and
listen at any time it wants. Te same app
can turn the camera on, record (copy) what
you say and do almost all you agreed to
do with other apps. One app I considered
putting on my phone had a statement that
it could turn on my microphone anytime
it wanted. I decided I did not need that
app.
Be very wary of the agreements you
accept. Depositing a check via the internet
is very easy and the banks may want
that. I personally would either have the
check electronically deposited or take it
physically into the bank.
So remember to always be suspect (If
Rent a Bob has never called on you and
someone says they are me you better tell
me to get lost!) of something that seems
too good to be true. Your Mom was right,
if it seems wrong, most likely it is.
Now what is a i7/i5/i3 and does Apple
have them? Yes both Windows and Apple
computers use the processors. Oh hey,
what is a processor?
Good question. How does any
computing thing work? Well in theory
all data processing is basically 1 or zero.
Or more correctly its either a switch is on
or of which can be expressed as the 1 or
zero. So a processor is a stupid machine
that knows only 2 things: one or zero. And
when it goes crazy, it might be ezro and
thats when you call me (or someone like
me).
A processor that does millions or
billions of 1s/0s a second is where we are
at and will be faster soon, but remember
the keyboard is only as fast as you are. I
would consider carefully upgrading when
your system is doing fne but if doing so
call a professional. Remember upgrading
entails moving data and installing 3rd
party software (like Ofce).
Look 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 rentabob@live.com.
Smartphones and
Processors
BY BOB HOOPER AKA RENT A BOB
COmputer Corner
I
f you fnd yourself looking for
something to do this weekend as
the weather warms up and outdoors
become increasingly alluring, take a trip
down to Forrest Park. Youll fnd one
of the areas most popular charities, the
Charleston Miracle League, batting away
in full force. A community supported
baseball league, the CML provides
life-changing experiences for children
and adults with physical and mental
challenges. With no formal practices and
no cost to participate, these champions
build confdence, self-esteem, and social
skills all through Americas favorite
pastime.
A former Citadel baseball star himself,
founder Channing Proctor became
introduced to the Miracle League while
living in Atlanta. After moving to the
lowcountry, Proctor decided to start the
Charleston branch of the Miracle League
and raised the $250,000 needed to develop
a feld. Te frst pitch was thrown in 2004.
Te development of the Charleston
Miracle League was a home run. Te
community, city, and county became
involved and have continually provided
support, funding, and encouragement. A
few years later, after recognizing a growing
need to serve adults with disabilities,
Proctor and his board launched an adult
league. Its been extremely popular,
Proctor says. You know, we have some
players in their sixtiesthey certainly
wouldnt have been able to participate in
things like this when they were younger.
Now they have that opportunity. Its nice
to see the way our culture is changing.
A price tag comes with change, and as a
5013 nonproft, the Charleston Miracle
League relies on generous donations from
benefactors, businesses, and organizations
to help continue their work. Te league
provides all teams and participants with
uniforms, provides the league director
salary, maintains the felds, and sends
a few lucky team award winners to a
professional baseball game. Tis once in
a lifetime trip costs around $10,000, but
Proctor says that the expense is worth it.
Its an all expenses paid trip to see the
Braves or the Oriels, and they absolutely
love it. Its all about making positive
memories, he says. As the league grows
and increases the number of participants,
operational expenses increase as well.
Te benefts of the league go way
beyond the players themselves, he says.
Te families, the fans, the siblingsits
such a networking tool that helps them
deal with everything from insurance
coverage issues to therapy.
Along with weekly baseball games,
Proctor and the board of the league
currently have another large project on the
table a Terapy Play Module. Developed
by Proctors additional nonproft, the
PlayToday Foundation, and in partnership
with MUSC, the Terapy Play Module
will be a large, open but shaded structure
that allows therapists to work with kids
in an outdoor setting. Study after study
has shone that kids are more engaged
Bridging the Gap
for Children with
Special Needs
C HAR L E S TON MI R AC L E L E AGUE
P R E P S F OR BR I DGE
R UN F UNDR AI S E R
BY HANNAH DOCKERY
Daily
Miracle League continues on page 17
16 April 5, 2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
Daily
T
he HGTV Dream Home 2013 Tours
have ended, but its impact is just
beginning. Located on beautiful
Kiawah Island, the home brought in over
6,200 visitors and more than $125,000, all
benefting Communities in Schools (CIS) of
the Charleston Area.
We are so amazed with the results and I
am still at a loss for words, said CIS Executive
Director Jane Riley-Gambrell. We are very
grateful for this opportunity provided by
Dyal Compass and HGTV. Tese funds
will help us continue our mission of helping
students remain in school.
Te tours brought guests from all over the
country, from California, Texas ,and Ohio.
Canadians even made their way to Charleston
just to visit the HGTV Dream Home.
Many of the guests were hopeful that they
were walking through their new home, as the
sweepstakes winner was not announced until
March 15. Te HGTV Dream Home 2013
grand prize package, including the fully-
furnished Low Country Zen coastal home, a
2013 GMC Acadia Denali and $500,000, is
valued at over $2.2 million. Tours ran every
weekend from February 14 through March
10 and tickets were $20 each.
Communities In Schools of the Charleston
Area provides support to more than 10,700
students in 23 schools in Charleston and
Berkeley Counties. During the 2011-12
school year, CIS provided intense services to
almost 1,100 children. Of those students, 93
percent of seniors graduated and 96 percent of
students were promoted to the next grade. To
learn more about Communities in Schools
dropout prevention program, visit www.
cischarleston.org
About Communities in Schools
Communities In Schools (CIS) is a
national dropout prevention organization
that surrounds students with a community of
support, empowering them to stay in school
and achieve in life. By providing students
with a one-on-one relationship with a caring
adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy
start and future, a marketable skill to use
upon graduation, and a chance to give back
to peers and the community, CIS has become
the nations leading dropout prevention
organization and the only one proven to
both decrease dropout rates and increase
graduation rates.
A Home Run for HGTV Tours
C OMMUNI T I E S I N S C HOOL S R AI S E S $125, 000 F R OM DR E AM HOME
SPECIAL TO THE ISLAND CONNECTION
April 5, 2013 17
and successful in therapy in an outdoor environment,
Proctor says. We have been looking at ways to move
the Miracle League above and beyond to enhance lives
beyond just baseball. Te proposed module will cost an
estimated $65,000 $75,000. Te CML board is in the
process of deciding whether or not additional storage and
ofce space should accompany the structure; if approved,
the estimated cost would rise to around $100,000.
Fortunately for the league, and the hundreds of
families and athletes that beneft from the baseball
programs, runners and walkers participating in the 2013
Cooper River Bridge Run can support the Charleston
Miracle League and help raise money for the Terapy Play
Module. As an ofcial charity of the Cooper River Bridge
Run, participants can choose CML as their charity of
choice by visiting www.charlestonmiracleleague.org and
clicking on the Bridging the Gap Trough Baseball
link. Runners and walkers will be encouraged to
raise at least $25 to support the CLM, and those
who do so will receive an ofcial 2013 Bridging
the Gap through Baseball t-shirt.
Last year, the league raised over $22,000 in
through the bridge run; this year, Proctor hopes
the total number of funds will be even more.
Tough the support and fundraising is crucial
to keep the league running at its best, the stories
and memories lie at the heart of the CML. We
have a 12 year old, who has been playing in the
league since she was fve. His mom told me, its so
nice to know that he will be able to participate in
this as long as he lives.
For more information on the Charleston Miracle
League, and to learn how you can support the league,
visit www.charlestonmiracleleague.org. Forrest Park
is located at 780 West Oak Forest Drive in West
Ashley.
Daily
Miracle League continues from page 3
Support your favorite CML team by visiting one of the links below and donating to help send the
players to a Braves game:
GO CARDINALS!
www.frstgiving.com/fundraiser/kissy-gillam/bridging-the-gap-through-baseball-2013
GO GIANTS!
www.frstgiving.com/fundraiser/dj-jim2013cmlgiants/bridging-the-gap-through-baseball-2013
GO YANKEES!
www.frstgiving.com/fundraiser/megan-verner/bridging-the-gap-through-baseball-2013
GO BRAVES!
www.frstgiving.com/fundraiser/shawn-massago/bridging-the-gap-through-baseball-2013
GO ASTROS!
www.frstgiving.com/fundraiser/Astros/bridging-the-gap-through-baseball-2013
GO RED SOX!
www.frstgiving.com/fundraiser/reginajamie-redsox/bridging-the-gap-through-baseball-2013
www.islandconnectionnews.com
18 April 5, 2013
Landscaping
W
eve all heard the saying, Te grass is always
greener on the other side . . . Tis saying
stems from the idea of looking at a neighbors
lawn and seeing it as better looking, healthier and
overall greener then your own. Not always an accurate
evaluation, but rather may sometimes characterize how
we feel about the faws we see in our own property and
possibly overlooking the faws of another.
However, if the grass really is greener on the other side
(of your fence) the good news is that your grass can be
greener and healthier looking too! Improve your lawn by
following these few suggestions.
Aeration - Aerating your lawn
keeps your lawn healthy. Aeration
allows air to be funneled to the
root zone of the lawn. Roots need
oxygen in order to survive and
take up the necessary nutrients
and water. Lawn aeration will
also relieve compaction in soils
and helps reduce thatch in lawns
improving how water and nutrients
move throughout the root
zone. Aerating will help relieve
compaction caused by heavy foot
trafc and loosens the soil providing an ideal seed bed
for overseeding. Please Note: Aeration techniques can be
dangerous, so ultimate care needs to be taken if not done
by a professional.
Cutting - One cause of weed invasion and insect
damage is improper mowing. Short or tall mowing
heights, depending on your type of turf, can result
in weaker grass and weed invasion, also making it
more vulnerable to disease and drought damage. Most
Southern turfs need to be mowed at a height of 3-3.5
inches during the hot summer. Proper mowing shades the
lawn, retains moisture, and encourages deep root growth.
Your yard will need less watering and will stop weeds
from germinating. Keep your mower
blades sharp and alternate your mowing
pattern each week. Mowing the same
direction causes the grass to bend
in the direction you mow and can
even create wheel ruts. Use a diferent
direction each time you mow and avoid
mowing your
grass when its
wet.
Fertilize
Te decision to
fertilize should
be based upon the health of the
lawn, the desired rate of growth,
and a soil analysis. A soil analysis
will tell you the soil pH and the
amounts of nutrients in the soil
that are available for growth.
Soil pH afects the availability
of nutrients in the soil. When you choose the fertilizer
to use, it should have an analysis which provides the
nutrients that are lacking in the soil.
Watering Timing, frequency and the amount of
water our lawns receive are important measurements.
Frequent light watering is not good as it encourages
shallow rooting and weak turf in grass plants and
encourages weeds. Te temperatures do not dictate daily
watering yet, so between 1-3 days per week should be
sufcient depending on your soil type. Heavy clay soils
require less water & sandier soils requiring more. If it
rains heavily, that counts as a watering. Be sure not to
overwater during frequent period of rain. Installing a rain
sensor to your irrigation system
can not only save you $money$
on unnecessary water, but can
save your turf as well. Water at
sunrise and dont water during
the night. Turf sitting in water
or staying wet all night can
promote fungus, mold and
mushrooms.
Urine Spots - For
homeowners who are also
pet lovers, this can present
a dilemma. Pet urine and
feces are both high in nitrogen. Small amounts may
produce a fertilizer efect while larger amounts often
result in lawn burn or dead patches. Te size of the pet
can dictate the extent of damage that is possible, however,
fushing the area with water immediately, with 3 times the
water as the dog released, will cause more of a fertilizer
efect. Ideally, feces should be picked up immediately to
reduce the negative efects. Te use of gypsum or lime
on burned grass has been advocated, but results are not
always evident. Lawn burn, when mild, will often repair
itself over time.
Pleasant Landscapes expert lawn care will show you
how attractive your landscape can be and that Te Grass
Isnt Always Greener On Te Other Side. For more
information, visit www.pleasantlandscapes.com or call
886-9314.
Is the Grass Always Greener?
BY J AMES PARKER
April 5, 2013 19
O
n Saturday, March 16, islanders
joined together for the Wadmalaw
Island Community Day of
Caring. Te day began at 9 a.m. and
men, women, and children worked for
three hours preparing the grounds for
the frst phase of the new park plans. Te
following week, students from Phillips
Academy raked and hauled away over
10,000 pounds of leaves from the area.
Bertha Smalls-Middleton added that the
project is receiving strong support from
Brother Larry Smith and the members of
Zion Temple 449 on Johns Island. Tey
have been a great support, and are doing
an awesome job, she said.
Day of Caring
VOL UNT E E R S P R E P WADMAL AW I S L AND
C OMMUNI T Y C E NT E R F OR NE W P AR K
I
f you have a little extra time this spring , you can earn
an annual pass that grants access to Charleston County
Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) facilities!
CCPRC is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to work at park
special events. Tose who complete 30 hours this year
will get an ofcial volunteer ID with park and attractions
admission privileges.
Volunteers are being recruited for a variety of events,
including:
Lowcountry Cajun Festival at James Island County
Park
Pet Fest at Palmetto Islands County Park
East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival at
James Island County Park
Volunteer duties range based on needs, but can
include:
Festival setup
Assistance with event activities
Beverage sales
Recycling eforts
Volunteers with CCPRC are not required to fulfll a
minimum number of hours. All hours supporting the
agency are greatly appreciated. Tose individuals serving
over 30 hours by the end of June 2013 or December 2013
will receive a PRC Volunteer ID, which is good for one
calendar year.
Te Volunteer ID has reciprocal pass privileges
that allow the recipient and one other person general
admission into all of CCPRC parks. Plus, the pass allows
the owner and a guest free admission into other select
Charleston attractions.
Interested in fnding out more about CCPRCs volunteer
program? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Erin Guerrero
at eguerrero@ccprc.com for details. To submit a volunteer
application for consideration, visit the following link on our
website: http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?NID=1655

Spring into Volunteering

at Your Favorite County Park
Community
20 April 5, 2013
Spring is
here!
After a mild winter, the sun is shining
and it is fnally springtime on Seabrook and
Kiawah. Enjoy these photos of our beautiful
islands captured by Ralph Secoy.
T
otal return for a stock consists of two components:
income paid (dividends) and capital appreciation
(stock price increase). Studies show that dividends
have comprised over 50% of the total return of the stock
market over the past 70+ years. High dividend yielding
stocks have experienced strong price appreciation over the
last four years but recently they have lagged.
Recent Weakness in Dividend Paying Stocks
Up until August of 2012, high dividend paying stocks
in the U.S. had experienced strong outperformance as
well as unprecedented infows into active equity income
funds. Te recent weakness in high dividend paying
stocks is a result of the shift from a risk of to a risk
on environment. When investors begin to feel more
confdent in the economy and the prospects for future
stock performance, they will often sell stocks that are
considered to be defensive, like dividend paying stocks,
and move these funds into riskier stocks in hope of
outsized returns. We feel that despite any short-term
weakness, the long term investor should maintain
exposure to dividends and always keep a strong focus on
total return instead of just stock price appreciation. Total
Return = Return from Capital Appreciation (increase in
the stock price) plus the return from Income Generation
(dividends paid).
Below we highlight three key reasons for our
continued focus on dividend paying stocks:
1. Dividends have historically comprised a large
percentage of total return.
2. Economic policies by the Fed should continue to
make these stocks attractive.
3. Company fundamentals, such as increased
margins and free cash fows on balance sheets, could also
inspire continued dividend growth.
Dividend Contribution to Total Return
Several studies have shown that more than half of
the total return from equities since the 1930s has come
from dividend contribution. However, simply paying a
dividend is not enough to warrant an investment in a
company. Here are a few of the criteria that you should
analyze before selecting a dividend paying stock:
Consistent Dividend History: Seek
fundamentally sound companies that have
consistently paid dividends through an entire
business cycle (expansions, recessions, etc.).
Strong Free Cash Flow: Companies
that produce steady cash fows increase their
chances for dividend growth while reducing the
risk of a dividend cut in slower periods.
ReturnonInvestedCapital:Oneofthe
best measures of quality is a companys ability to
deliver a return on an investment in itself.
HighYieldbutnotTooHigh:Lookfor
companies with an attractive yield but not one
that is so high that the dividend could risk being
cut if the company were to come under any form
of business or fnancial pressure.
Te Fed
A key reason for the outperformance of high
yielding stocks over the past four years is a direct
result of the Federal Reserve Banks (the Feds)
actions to drive down short-term interest rates
to near 0%. Te Fed has kept rates low in an
attempt to incentivize banks to ofer inexpensive
loans to businesses to grow and hire new workers
ultimately driving down the unemployment
rate. Tis low interest rate environment has
driven money market and corporate bond yields
down to extremely low levels and as a result
investors have moved into other investments,
like dividend paying stocks, to capture a higher
yield. .
Fundamentals are Ripe for Returns to Shareholders
Companies are deemed shareholder friendly when
they pay a dividend and/or buy back shares. Te goal of
a company buying back shares is to reduce their shares
outstanding, which is the total number of shares available
for investors to own. If the company buys back their
shares, their earnings-per-share will increase, assuming
a consistent level of earnings, because the amount of
earnings allocated to each share is now higher due to the
lower number of shares available. Since 2008, companies
have trimmed costs, lowered debt, and restructured
operations to run more efciently. Te net result for
many companies has been higher margins and healthier
balance sheets. We feel that this environment bodes well
for shareholder returns going forward.
Tis commentary is not intended as investment advice or
an investment recommendation. It is solely the opinion of
our investment team at the time of writing. Fusion Capital is
a Registered Investment Advisor frm. If you have comments
or questions, please contact Jason Mengel at jmengel@
fusioncapital.net or call 972-0065.
Focus on Total Return
BY J ASON M. MENGEL, CFP
Daily