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Volume 4 Issue 4 FREE June 11, 2010

Haunted Secrets
of John’s Island
by kristin hackler

B
uried along the back roads of
Johns Island, built more than 200
years ago, is a creaking old home
shrouded in mystery. Its grounds are
covered in live oaks draped in ghostly
Spanish moss and winds kick up at the
oddest times. On the hill to the back of
the property is a gigantic dogwood which
mysteriously opens into full bloom and
dies almost as quickly. But you won’t be
able to find Dogwood Plantation on any
map: it only exists in the mind of author
Sandra LaBruce.
“I’ve had people say they know exactly
where Dogwood Plantation is on Johns
Island,” Sandra laughed. “And I would say
‘Really? Because I just made it up.’”
The presence of Dogwood Plantation
on Johns Island, however, is hauntingly
real in Sandra’s inaugural novel, Haunted
Secrets.
As a native resident of Johns Island,
Sandra has spent a lifetime collecting stories
of the island from her grandmother. As her
knowledge and passion for the island grew, Photos of Memorial Day Weekend at
the Kiawah Sandcastle.
they developed into a story; a combination
of strange dreams and poignant facts that
caused Sandra to spring out of bed one
night and begin typing. Less than a year
later, Haunted Secrets was complete and
ready for publication.
“It took me 12 years to finally get
this book published,” said Sandra. A
combination of work and young children
prevented her from finally publishing her
novel, but now that she has it in print,
she’s dedicated to bringing this fascinating
story of fiction and Johns Island folklore
to the public.
“I promote the book wherever I can,”
said Sandra, recounting days of book
signings in places ranging from restaurants

Haunted Secrets continued on page 7

Photos provided by Jessica Richardson

I n s id e t h e I sl a nd Con nection. . .

page 13 Tennis Champions page 14 Cruise with the dolphins page 18 Fish fathers
2 June 11, 2010

Seabrook Town Council – May 25, 2010

Town Financials
Mayor Bill Holtz opened the meeting by
reading through the Town’s financials
to date. “We didn’t have a good revenue
month, but we’re ahead of budget and
only $13,216.38 behind last year, which
isn’t a disaster,” he said, noting that if the
town’s revenue continues to be low, they
might have to make some adjustments
on the expense side. However, expenses
came in at $36,334.04 under budget and
the excess of revenues over expenditures
was $72,152.49 compared to $108,854.76
last year.
Councilman Sam Reed asked a couple
pointed questions concerning the budget,
mainly concerning the low income from
Accomodations Tax and the increase in
spending under the “legal” category.
Town Clerk Faye Albritton replied that
Accomodations Tax was low because
they are just now getting into the tourist
season and the payments are usually a
month or so behind. As for the legal
category, Holtz stated that he’s been
utilizing the Town Attorney, Steve
Brown, when he has legal questions.
“When in doubt, I call Mr. Brown
because I don’t want to make a judgment
call without sound advice.”
he would be attending a meeting at
the Charleston County disaster office
on June 8, and that he received a letter
from Charleston County stating that the
County had partnered with the Seventh
Day Adventists in order to use their plan
for the distribution of supplies in case of
an emergency. “I’ll attend that meeting,
for one reason to find out how the
Seventh Day Adventists got involved in
the first place,” said Savin.
Savin also reminded everyone about the
Disaster Awareness Day at the Sandcastle
on Kiawah Island, Thursday, June 10,
from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and noted that the
town would be holding a disaster drill in
a disaster recovery mode,” said Mayor
Holtz.
Council later approved $1500 to go
toward Cave’s services, which not only
include his supervision during the drill,
but he will also be composing and staging
the entire drill for the town.
New Seabrook website progressing
“We’re working on it,” said Councilman
Jerry Cummin. “We have another
meeting this Thursday and we’re close to
making a recommendation, but we’re not
quite there yet.”
With the use of a laptop projector,
Cummin showed the Council an example

The Island Preparing for disaster

Councilman Rob Savin reported that
conjunction with Charleston County on
June 15.
of the old website versus the current
website, which features several visual and
“Seabrook will navigational alterations done by Shawna
Connection activate our disaster
plan and see how we
Jarrett of the POA. Cummin pointed
out the use of several beautiful pictures
Lynn Pierotti do,” said Savin, adding provided by Bob Hider, as well as the
publisher that there would be many links to activities and attractions
lynn@luckydognews.com no “disaster victims” around the islands.
for this drill, just a “We certainly owe Shawna a lot
Kristin Hackler tabletop disaster drill of thanks for what she’s done,” said
managing editor from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cummin. “When we finally select who
kristin@luckydognews.com The drill will include we’re going to use, the website might look
bringing together at different, but the idea is similar to this.”
Swan Richards least one representative Mayor Holtz complimented Shawna for
senior graphic designer from each island the great job on the site and Councilman
swan@luckydognews.com entity, and the testing Savin chimed in, stating that, even for an
of communications initial site, the photography was excellent
Lori Dalton equipment from and seemed to fit to a T.
sales manager different parts of the
lori@luckydognews.com island. Scott Cave Transfer fees, wind energy and
from Atlantic Business roads report
Continuity Services, Councilman Sam Reed brought up an
Contributors the author of the town’s email he received from John Thompson,
Farmer’s Almanac comprehensive disaster executive director of the POA, just before
William Duggan plan, is scheduled to be he arrived at the Council meeting. The
Rosebank Farms on hand for the entire email, said Reed, expressed concern
Jennifer Barbour
exercise. that the state legislature is making an
Glenda Miller
“The only thing I effort to repeal the right of community
Jessica Richardson
want to come out of associations to collect transfer fees at the
Sam Reed
Freshfields Village
this is that each of us
Town of Kiawah has a better idea of
what we have to do in SI Council continued on page 5
Chris Brooks

Civic Calendar
Linda Gadson
Respite Care Ministries
K iawah Island Town H all
21 Beachwalker Drive
Published by June 14, 2010 July 1, 2010 Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Lucky Dog Publishing
St. Johns Fire District Commission Kiawah Island Arts Council Phone: 768-9166
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837 7 p.m. 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Fax: 768-4764
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482 St. Johns Commission Building Town Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room Email: cwilson@kiawahisland.org
843-886-NEWS 3327 Maybank Highway, Johns Island
July 2, 2010 Seabrook Island Town H all
Future deadlines: June 21, 2010 2001 Seabrook Island Road
Independence Day Seabrook Island, SC 29455
June 16 for Kiawah Island Board of Zoning Appeals Kiawah and Seabrook Town Halls will Phone: 768-9121
submissions. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. be closed for the holiday. Fax: 768-9830
Town Hall Council Chambers Email:
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not July 5, 2010 lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org
necessarily reflect the opinion of June 22, 2010 Kiawah Island Environmental
Lucky Dog News or its writers. Seabrook Island Town Council Committee Johns Island Council
All Town Council meetings will be held 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Meetings are held at the Berkeley
at 2:30 p.m. at the Town Hall unless Town Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room Electric Co-op located at 3351
noted otherwise on the Town bulletin Maybank Hwy, John’s Island.
board. July 6, 2010 Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Kiawah Island Town Council Charleston County Council
June 29, 2010 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 4045 Bridge View Dr, N Charleston
Kiawah Island Ways and Means Town Hall Council Chambers (843) 958-4700
Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC Committee meeting
9am July 7, 2010 City of Charleston
Publishers of Island Eye News, Kiawah Island Municipal Center’s 2nd
The Island Connection and Kiawah Island Planning Commission 75 Calhoun St.
Floor Conference Room (843) 724-3745
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The Folly Current.
Town Hall Council Chambers
June 11, 2010
Kiawah Island Council – June 1, 2010
2010/2011 Budget passes second reading
Mayor William Wert stated that there
were no substantive changes made to the
budget since last reading. The Council
approved second reading unanimously.
GFOA – CAFR Financial Award
Mayor Wert was happy to announce
that the Town, under the guidance of
Treasurer Ken Gunnells, received the
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence
in Financial Reporting (CAFR) from
the Government Finance Officers
Association.
Ordinance 2010-04: AT&T
franchise agreement
Mayor Wert gave a brief summary of
AT&T’s request to bring their service to
the island, pointing out that in order to
get a franchise for cable (a service which
AT&T is now offering), the state must
be in agreement and all municipalities
which the cable company will serve
must approve of it. Wert noted that
municipalities are allowed to charge a
franchise fee for this service, however,
the town has not decided how much it
will be. The franchise fee number will be
available by second reading during the
July Town Council meeting. A public
hearing will be held on this ordinance
at 1:45 p.m. before the 2 p.m. July 6
Council meeting in Town Hall.
Councilman Orban did note that they
would not have to dig in order to install
the new cable. A representative of the
company stated that the cables in place
will suffice. Council approved the first
reading unanimously.
Fennel Container to serve island for
two more years
Mayor Wert read an amendment to
the agreement with Fennel Container
Company/Suburban Disposal Services,
extending the agreement for Residential
Solid Waste Collection until June 30,
2012. Council approved unanimously.
Parkway and Beachwalker
Road striping
Councilman Orban stated that
they are looking into repainting the
old road stripes along the Parkway
from the Freshfields entrance to the
roundabout and Beachwalker Road
with Thermoplastic, which lasts longer
than standard striping and shows up
more clearly than standard striping.
The total quote for the project from
Southeastern Thermoplastic came in at
$5800. However, since the project did
not include the option of rumble strips,
Council asked Town Administrator
Tumiko Rucker and Code Enforecement
Officer Rusty Lameo to get a new
quote with rumble strips included. The
expenditure is tabled until the new quote
is received.
Giving lead to the leash law
Mayor Wert reported that he met
with Joe Bunting and Joe Croughwell,
and after receiving input from the
newly formed dog committee, they are
recommending that the leash law still
apply to the entire island except between
the dates of November 1 – March 15,
during which dogs can run free except for
in the protected areas on each end of the
island.
The Council discussed the recommen-
dation and Wert asked that a caveat be
included that dog owners still carry a
leash with them at all times and leash
their dogs if there are other people in
the area who object. Councilman Orban
also asked that the ordinance change also
include that the off-leash dogs should be
under voice control.
“I must say that the group that banned
together [to change the ordianance]
has done a great job of lobbying,”
smiled Mayor Wert. “My email box
was inundated; I even got emails
from Belgium!” Council unanimously
approved the ordinance changes and first
reading will be held during the July 6
Council meeting.
Arts Council
It’s almost the end of the Arts season,
and Councilman Charles Lipuma stated
that the Piano Bar series went very well
and that they are hoping to include them
again next year. The last event for the
Arts season will be the Zydeco festival at
Night Heron Park on June 30. (See page
13 for more info)
Public Safety & Roads
Councilman Orban reported that
3
Berkeley Electric is finally making plans
to pull new wires on the substation at the
roundabout to the front gate. However,
Orban asked that they wait until after
Labor Day as it will take several trucks
and pickups to complete the project.
Berkeley Electric will also be running six
new conduits from the real estate office
to Sora Rail using a boring process as
opposed to digging. This project will also
be held off until Labor Day, if possible,
and will take approximately three
months.
“I’m convinced of three things in
perpetuity,” laughed Mayor Wert,” death,
taxes and boring.”
Mayor cautions awareness during
hurricane season
Mayor Wert reminded everyone that
meteorologists are predicting a very active
hurricane season this year. “Frankly, our
time is coming due,” said Wert. “We’ve
skated by these past ten years and the law
of averages says we’ll get hit.”
Wert also brought up the oil spill and the
predictions that the oil could possibly
come around the tip of Florida and effect
the east coast. “If this happens and the
oil ends up on Kiawah, we have a plan
similar to when we had the trawler spill
off the coast of Sullivan’s Island. The US
Coast Guard will take charge of cleanup
and will bill the perpetrator for the
cleanup. It should be federally funded
and at no cost to the town.”
4 June 11, 2010
Democrats vying for County Council
District 8 participated in a question
and answer session with Johns Island
residents following the formal Council
meeting. Participating candidates
included Richmond Truesdale, Eric
Mack, Anna Johnson, Parris Williams,
and Reverend Charles Glover.
Audio Warehouse looking to move to
Johns Island
Johns Island resident Andy Jackson
gave a brief presentation with business
owner Russ Pritchard concerning the
rezoning of 3030 Maybank Highway,
property which formerly belonged to
Jackson’s late grandfather. Jackson stated
his grandfather willed that the land be
sold and divided among his children
and grandchildren, and after the sales
signs went up, they were contacted
by Pritchard in regards to building a
business on the property. However, as the
property is currently zoned R-4, Jackson
and Pritchard are petitioning County
Council to have the land rezoned as
Commercial Transitional.
Pritchard’s business, The Audio
Warehouse, is currently located at the
corner of Orleans Road and Savage Road
in West Ashley. Pritchard described his
business as “low key,” with only one to
two customers per week by appointment.
The Audio Warehouse specializes in the
design, engineering and implementation
of residential technologies including
Johns Island Council – June 3, 2010
home theater systems, house audio,
energy control, home automation,
central vacuums and security systems.
The building would be a 60 x 90 foot
green-friendly building with a residential,
Lowcountry appearance. The home
currently on the property would remain
and be used as offices. The rest of the
land would be left intact with its existing
trees and driveway.
“We would love to be a part of the
community out here in a business sense,”
said Pritchard, “and we would like Johns
Island’s support as we go to County
Council.”
Council Chairman Chris Cannon
asked that Jackson and Pritchard
speak with the neighbors in the area
concerning the potential rezoning, even
though the property is currently located
within two lots of commercially zoned
property. He also noted that he would
personally speak with people in the
area and let them know if there is any
opposition.
Betsy Kerrison commercial
dock request
Council member Rich Thomas
stated that he would be attending the
Charleston County Board of Zoning
Appeals meeting on Monday, June 7,
in regards to a request to establish a
commercial dock in the Agricultural/
Residential (AGR) Zoning District
located at 4474 Betsy Kerrison Parkway,
www.islandconnectionnews.com
even though the item has been with little information on the project.
postponed. Thomas has heard from Cannon asked that they find out more
the neighbors next to the property, information on the issue and bring it to
who claim that the people renting the the next Council meeting.
current dock, which belongs to Betsy
Stringfellow’s niece, are not using the Expenditures
property solely for eco-friendly kayak Council approved the expenditure of $30
tours. In fact, Thomas said that the to purchase a new Land Use book from
neighbors have seen the tour company County Council.
hosting wedding parties on the dock The next Johns Island Council meeting
with music, alcohol and a party will be held on Thursday, July 1, at 7 p.m.
pontoon boat. in the Berkeley Electric Co-Op building,
“The basic issue is that they’re trying located at 3351 Maybank Highway. Council
to cast this business as agricultural/ meetings are held on the first Thursday of
residential because they’re doing eco- every month.
tours with kayaks,” said Thomas. “It sets
a bad precedence if this is allowed.”
Council voted to oppose the
establishment of the commercial dock
with one nay, on the grounds that it
does not set a good precedent for the
area, and that there has not been enough
information provided to the public.
Storm water pond may affect wells
During the same County BZA meeting,
Council will consider a Special
Exception request for the establishment
of a stormwater pond for the Briars
Creek Subdivision. Residents living
near the potential pond have expressed
their displeasure for the project, stating
that it would affect their wells. One
resident of Briar Creek stated that
the land has already been cleared and
that the developers sent out a letter

SI Council continued from page 2
time a property is sold. “This is the sole
means of financing for our loan,” said
Reed, in reference to the Horizon Plan
loan. “The movement is to attach an
amendment to House Bill 4174 which
would kill the right for community
associations to collect transfer fees at
the time the property is sold. You can
send your thought to the legislature
concerning this. We could be in trouble
in paying back our loan if this goes
through.”
Councilman Terry Ahearn elaborated,
stating that the current structure allows
for developers in the state to attach fees
to the transfer of properties that they
develop, so that every time the property
is sold, they collect money. The purpose
of the bill is to stop allowing developers
to collect those fees, but it’s worded so
that it catches community associations in
the same.
Reed then reminded Council that the
Municipal Association of South Carolina
will have their annual meeting in
downtown Charleston this July 15 – 18.
“I would encourage those with interest to
take a look at that,” he said.
Lastly, before going into roads, Reed
stated that he attended a wind energy
meeting held by Coastal Carolina
University, Clemson and Santee Cooper
in North Charleston recently and
discussed the possibility of wind farms
along the coast, though Reed quickly
pointed out that the discussion centered
mainly on the Georgetown/Myrtle Beach
area as opposed to the Charleston area.
“5% of the world’s population is in the
United States, but we use 25% of the
world’s energy, so we need to improve our
sources,” said Reed. “Atomic and wind
energy are infinite, unlimited.”
Finally, in terms of roads, Reed
reported that the staff at Charleston
County received a report from the LPA,
but he has not yet seen it. “It will be most
interesting to see what they come up
with,” said Reed. “I’m just hoping some
kind of plan will come out of this to
improve Johns Island roads,” said Mayor
Holtz.
Kiawah Days on Seabrook and
bringing visibility to Seabrook
Councilman Terry Ahearn reported
that he spoke with Pat Welsh, co-owner
of Bohicket Marina, about the new
Seabrook Island website and he sounded
very enthusiastic.
“I also want to talk about the Visibility
Committee set up between the Town,
POA and Club,” said Ahearn. “The
purpose is to brainstorm ideas on how
to make Seabrook more visible to the
general public and one thing we would
like to implement is Kiawah Days
on Seabrook.” The idea, said Ahearn,
would be to make Seabrook available
to property owners and rental guest
on Kiawah one day a week, possibly
Wednesdays, and allow them to sign up
for an amenity card so they could play
tennis, golf and/or visit the restaurants.
“The idea is, people come to Kiawah and
stay because it’s well known, but they
don’t know too much about Seabrook,”
said Ahearn. “The visits would have to be
set up in advance, but this is an attempt
to make Seabrook more visible. We’ll see
how it works.”
Councilman Reed interjected, stating
that he wanted to make sure that this
idea was accepted by Kiawah before
they went ahead with it. “I may be more
sensitive to this than most, but I don’t
want them to think that we’re targeting
them in some way,” said Reed. “I would
hate for them to take this the wrong
way.” Mayor Holtz agreed, stating that
they were always at peace with Kiawah
and didn’t want to upset anyone.
Ahearn also reported on a meeting at
the Citadel during which he heard a
marketing VP give a presentation on
how to make communities more visible.
The speaker’s personal experience was in
helping a small coastal town in the north
east, located off the beaten path, bring
in more tourism. Ahearn suggested that
the town speak with him about ways
in which they could improve their own
visibility.
Lastly, Ahearn stated that the committee
is working on putting together a brochure
about the island that they would leave
with concierges at some of the nicer
downtown hotels, as well as working on
creating a cadre of volunteers that would
be willing to take guests on tours around
the island.
AdHoc report
Councilman Ahearn also reported on
the Ad Hoc Committee meeting, stating
that the committee had recommended
that the town continue to support the
annual Fourth of July fireworks display
with ATAX funds, and what’s left from
that fund should go toward the website,
and then to the Symphony if anything
was left after that. Town Administrator
Randy Pierce noted that the fireworks
show will be held this year on July 3,
with a rain date of July 5.
“I think there will be an effort to get the
Symphony back up and running again,”
said Holtz, “but until we’re approached
about that, there are other things we
could use the money on.”
Kiawah/Seabrook Island Disaster
Awareness Day Funding
Council agreed to contribute $1800
toward the Kiawah-Seabrook Disaster
Awareness Day, the total cost of which
is around $5,000. Kiawah will pay the
balance.
The next Seabrook Council meeting will
be held on June 22 at 2:30 p.m.
June 11, 2010
Haunted Secrets continued from cover
to the Market in downtown Charleston.
While Haunted Secrets takes place
on Johns Island, the time of the story
ranges from present day to 1976 to the
early 1800s. The novel follows the life of
Vivian, who inherits the old plantation
home from her mother; a property that
she didn’t even know was in the family.
Vivian spends months cleaning, polishing
and renovating the old home, despite
frightening instances of harsh winds,
violent vines and the vague outline of
humans cast in shadowy definition by the
light of a full moon.
As she turns the house inside-out,
Vivian comes across an old journal,
recounting the story of the home’s original
owners and the lives of the slaves that
formerly inhabited the land.
Haunted Secrets is full of beautiful
imagery and revealing glimpses into the
history of a culture so embedded in the
life of the island that it’s almost impossible
to tear them apart.
Check out the second round
of the Billfishing Tournament
online at
IslandConnectionNews.com
Sandra LaBruce will be holding a book
Op-Ed:
Island Curmudgeon
signing at the Johns Island Library, 3531
The phoenix will rise
Maybank Highway, on Saturday, June
26, at 2 p.m. Sandra will give a reading
of her book and copies will be available
from the ashes
for sale. For more info, call 559-1945.
By William J. Duggan
A
few years ago I used a pen to paint a
portrait of political incompetence.
The Palmetto Connection was
kind enough to publish these articles.
The Clinton years provided much fodder
for political satire. Unfortunately, The
Palmetto Connection ceased to exist
and I hope there was no cause and effect
involved.
That was then and this is now. We
Americans are faced with a political
climate that is moving us closer to
Socialism. Whether that is good or
bad, we need to know the definition of
Socialism: it is a political and economic
system which advocates government
ownership and management of the means
of production and the distribution of
goods and services.
In the early development of Socialism,
the emphasis was on cooperation versus
competition. Sounds nice, but Karl
Marx took it a step or two further to
the left. His Socialism was an inevitable
revolutionary conflict between capital
and labor (Communism). Some socialists
rejected this extreme and moved to an
evolutionary Socialism called Democratic
Socialism. Most Socialist countries in
Europe and South America adopted this
democratic model.
Is the Obama team moving the United
States toward Democratic Socialism? Yes!
The government is striving to manage
the banks through the Pay Czar, the
Federal Reserve and the FDIC. Is the
Obama team moving toward ownership
and management of production and
distribution? Yes! The labor unions and the
government are the majority stock holders
of GM. The auto industry actually has an
Obama Czar. Is the Obama team moving
us toward socialized medicine? Yes! The
government-funded national health care
bill places the government in charge of a
very large health industry.
The key word is EVOLUTIONARY,
a slow transition to a socialistic form of
government within the United States.
The American people are becoming more
7
aware of the move toward Socialism. They
see that the Democratic Party has moved
to the far left. Think! Harry Reid, Nancy
Pelosi, Barney Frank, Charlie Rangel,
Chris Dodd and Barbara Boxer. Think
about the Obama team itself: David
Axelrod, Rahm Emanuel, Van Jones and
most of his Czars.
Like Fox News we should be fair and
balanced. The Republican Party has
also moved to the left. It now occupies
the vacuum previously occupied by
the Democrats. Think! Olympia Snow,
Susan Collins, Alan Specter and Lincoln
Chaffee. They have made the Republican
Party the Tax and Spend Party.
The Democrats have become the
National Socialist Party. The Republicans
have become the National Centrist Party.
Do we need a third party? No, because
third parties rarely win elections. We have
the rise of the Tea Parties which are in
reality a swing to the conservative center
by both Democratic and Republican
voters. If the Republicans would return to
the basic principles of Goldwater/Reagan,
namely, Limited Government, Reduction
of Taxes, Business Incentives, A Strong
Military, A Firm Foreign Policy, The
Rights of Unborn Children, International
Trade Agreements, and The Protection
of Individual Rights, they would win
the hearts and minds of the Tea Parties.
These principles have been abandoned
by the Democrats. There are some very
good Republicans who could lead the
party back to its roots. Think! Governors
Pawlenty, Palin, Jindahl and Barber or
Senators DeMint, McConnell, Graham
or Congressman Paul Ryan and Scott
Brown. With this kind of leadership, the
Republican Party could indeed be the
Phoenix that rose from the ashes. It will
also be known as the Party that restored
our Constitution.
William Duggan is a political columnist
and resident of Johns Island. To send
comments or replies, email them to
comments@luckydognews.com.
8 June 11, 2010
Seabrook survey dodges key issues
W
ith just days remaining for
Seabrook Island property
owners to return their proxies
in response to four referendum questions,
residents also are being asked to complete
the annual survey.
Conducted jointly by the Seabrook
Island Property Owners Association
(SIPOA) and the Seabrook Island Club
(SIC), the questionnaire is divided into
eleven sections, including sections on
individual and household demographics.
SIC members are requested to complete
all sections of the survey while property
owners who choose not to belong to the
SIC may complete only the first three
sections and the two demographic sections
of the questionnaire.
Designed and analyzed in-house at
a cost of approximately $3,000 to the
SIPOA and probably another $3,000
contributed by the SIC, the sponsors
urge every member of a household to
participate, stating, “Your opinion is
important to us!”
Although I completed the property
owners’ portion of the survey, I was
dismayed by what I consider to be a lack
of substance and attention to key issues.
If the feedback and opinions of property
owners are honestly being solicited,
perhaps some more appropriate questions
may include the following:
1. Do you support spending $1.5
million to re-cut Cap’n Sam’s Inlet every
10 to 15 years?
1a. Do you support researching
alternatives to re-cutting Cap’n Sam’s
Inlet?
1b. Do you think funds should be used
to limit natural changes caused by Mother
Nature?
2. Do you support secret meetings for
topics other than personnel or sensitive
legal matters?
3. Do you support allowing a Board-
appointed committee that meets secretly
having the authority to spend $25,000
without publishing minutes or reports?
4. Do you think the times and dates for
all committee meetings should be posted
on the SIPOA website and interested
property owners should be welcome to
attend?
5. Do you think the minutes of all
committee meetings should be posted on
Op-Ed:
By Glenda Miller
the website?
6. Do you support the Town of
Seabrook Island, on behalf of the SIPOA,
spending $6,000 for a consultant/lobbyist
to advocate new road construction and/
or improvements to existing roads when
there is no federal, state, or local funding
for these projects?
7. Do you support spending $6,900 to
study the feasibility of additional bicycle
paths?
8. Do you support spending $3,500
on additional signs warning people about
alligators because the current signs fail to
force compliance?
9. Do you support reducing the hours
of operation for the Lake House? If so,
please indicate the hours you recommend
(this would be followed by proposed
hours).
10. Do you think paying $25,000 is too
much to spend to cull the deer herd?
11. Do you support disclosure of
personal and professional affiliations
of SIPOA Board members, including
membership in the SIC, to avoid conflict
of interest questions that may arise as a
result of contracts and agreements?
12. Do you support the reduction or
freezing of salaries of SIPOA employees
to manage the budget during difficult
economic times?
13. Do you support opening Seabrook
Island and its amenities to property owners
and rental guests from Kiawah Island or
any other entity to market real estate?
14. How do you wish to use the Oyster
Catcher property? (Choices could include
closing the community center and the
pool; closing one, but not the other;
allowing the pool to remain open, but
unheated; heating the pool for a specified
period of time.)
15. Do you support having an impartial,
professional firm validate ballots and
count votes submitted during elections
and referendums?
Prior survey questionnaires should have
included the following questions:
1. Do you favor outsourcing security
services? This question could have included
information about an initial expenditure
of $37,302 with projected cost savings
over a specified period of time.
2. Do you support the SIPOA using
www.islandconnectionnews.com
a derivative swap to lock in an interest and was reduced to $367,000 in 2009. 
rate of 7 per cent on half of the amount It  would only become an actual liability
being financed for the Horizon Plan if it in the unlikely event that that the SIPOA
results in paying more in interest because prepays the hedged portion of the Horizon
the loan cannot be refinanced at a lower Plan loan.   
interest rate during the 10-year period of  Yes it is a derivative swap that allowed
the loan? us to fix 50% of the Horizon Plan
3. Do you favor allowing the SIPOA to financing at a little less than 7% 3-years
use interest rate swaps to fix a portion (in ago.  A good rate at that time!   The other
this case 50 per cent) of the Horizon Plan half is at a variable rate at 1.5 points over
financing? (This occurred about three the 30-day libor.  So presently with the
years ago, and resulted in an interest rate combination of the two loan portions we
of a little less than seven per cent and a are paying about 5% on the outstanding
“paper loss” of $599,000 in 2008, which balance.   
was reduced to $367,000 in 2009. The There is no “policy” that addresses
paper loss should not be realized as long as derivative contracts exactly, but if you are
the swap agreements are maintained and familiar with such financing animals you
the SIPOA does not pay off or refinance for understand that the loss is a paper loss
a lower interest rate the hedged portion of that is not realized so long as the swap
its loan for the term of the loan repayment agreements are kept in place for the term
schedule, in this case 10 years.) of the loan repayment schedule, in this
4. Do you think the SIPOA should case 10-years.  Through the years the swap
spend a maximum of $46,000 for valuation could go up or down, but in the
playground equipment? If so, should this end it will be zero, so long as we don’t try
be funded over a period of several years? to unwind the agreement early.
A survey can be a most useful tool in
obtaining opinions and feedback, however,
it loses its value if the difficult questions are
not asked, or if those questioned are not
asked to comment on issues of importance
and substance.
Consideration should be given to
discontinuing the time and expense of the
current survey unless it is redesigned with
a focus on obtaining thoughtful responses
to concerns that impact the community
and its resources.
Yes it is a derivative swap that allowed
us to fix 50% of the Horizon Plan
financing at a little less than 7% 3-years
ago.  A good rate at that time!   The other
half is at a variable rate at 1.5 points over
the 30-day libor.  So presently with the
combination of the two loan portions we
are paying about 5% on the outstanding
balance.   
This figure represents a contingent
liability that was set at $599,000 in 2008
June 11
Friday, June 11
Music on the Green:
Congdon & Company
From 6 – 9 p.m. on the Green at Freshfields
Village. Free family-friendly event. Don’t
forget your beach chairs and blankets!
Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah. For
more info , call Guest Services at 768-6491
or visit www.FreshfieldsVillage.com.
Sunset cruise at the Bohicket Marina
6:30-8:30 p.m. on the Island Breeze.
Tickets: Adults $25, 12 & under $15, 3 &
under free. For more info, call 768-1280 or
visit www.Bohicket.com.
Saturday, June 12
National Marina Day
Support your local marina!
Rosebank Farms’ 5th Annual
Hydrangea Festival
June 12 & 13. Hydrangea tours with plant
experts at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. BBQ lunch
with Rosebank’s fresh vegetables will be
served from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn all
of the info you need to successfully grow
hydrangeas. Established hydrangeas for
sale during the event. 4455 Betsy Kerrison
Parkway, Johns Island. For more info, visit
www.rosebankfarms.com or call 768-0508.
4th Annual Read-a-Palooza
Celebrate the beginning of summer! Join
the Johns Island Library for their 4th
Annual Read-a-Palooza Festival with a jump
castle, popcorn, crafts and summer reading
sign-up! From 1 - 3 p.m. at Johns Island
Library, located at 3531 Maybank Highway.
For more info, call 559-1945.
Island Connection Calendar
Legare Farms Summer Day Camp
For children ages 6-8 and 9-11. Each day is
a different learning experience. Learn about
animals, vegetables, horticulture, fiber, and
on the last day, enjoy a hayride, pony ride,
and picnic day. The children feed animals,
gather eggs, and pick vegetables. Dates are:
June 12-18 and July 12-16 for 6-8 year olds
and June 21-25 and July 19-23 for 9-11 year
olds. For more information, visit
www.legarefarms.org or call 559-0788.
Monday, June 14
Flag Day
Sunset cruise at the Bohicket Marina
6:30-8:30 p.m. on the Island Breeze.
Tickets: Adults $25, 12 & under $15, 3 &
under free. For more info, call 768-1280 or
visit www.Bohicket.com.
Tuesday, June 15
Charleston County Bookmobile
The Charleston County Bookmobile will be
at Freshfields Village the first and third
Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. -
11:30 a.m.  The Bookmobile will be parked
behind Hege’s and Java Java. For more info,
call Guest Services at 768-6491.
Wednesday, June 16
Starlight Cinema: Meet the Robinsons
Starting at 9 p.m. on the Green at
Freshfields Village. Free family-friendly
event. Don’t forget your beach chairs
and blankets! Sponsored by the Town
of Kiawah. For more information, call
Guest Services at 768-6491 or visit www.
FreshfieldsVillage.com.
under free. For more info, call 768-1280 or
visit www.Bohicket.com.
Thursday, June 17
Karaoke at Fischer’s Sports Pub
Every Thursday from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Fischer’s Sports Pub is located in the
Bohicket Marina off Seabrook Island Road.
For more info, call 243-0210.
Big Chef / Little Chef
Chefs from FIG, McCrady’s, Fat Hen and
other award-winning local restaurants
pair up with little chefs from Louie’s
Kids to prepare healthy dishes made with
local ingredients in an Iron Chef-style
competition at Lownde’s Grove Plantation,
266 Margaret Street in downtown
Charleston from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Tickets are
$45, $50 day of and include beer & wine.
more info, call Guest Services at 768-6491
or visit www.FreshfieldsVillage.com.
Sunset cruise at the Bohicket Marina
6:30-8:30 p.m. on the Island Breeze.
Tickets: Adults $25, 12 & under $15, 3 &
under free. For more info, call 768-1280 or
visit www.Bohicket.com.
Mullet Hall Open Trail Ride
Bring your horse, camping gear, and
supplies for two nights of camping and trail
riding on 20 miles of beautiful, wooded
trails.  June 18 - 20. Full restrooms and
shower facilities available. Stalls available
for horses. Meet at Mullet Hall Equestrian
Center at noon on Friday. To register or for
more info, call 795-4386 or visit our website
at www.ccprc.com. Fee: $35.
Charleston Harbor Fest
Saturday, June 19
Juneteenth
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration
commemorating the ending of slavery in the
United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was
on this day that the Union soldiers, led by
Major General Gordon Granger, landed at
Galveston, Texas, with news that the war
had ended and that the enslaved were now
free.
Bohicket Marina’s Tag & Brag
Dolphinfish Tournament
Open to fisherpersons of all ages. Weigh-in
will be held from 3 – 6 p.m. with an awards
ceremony at 7 p.m. Dinner will be served
from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. with live music from
8 – 11 p.m. Bohicket Marina is located at
1880 Andell Bluff Blvd. just before the gates
to Seabrook Island. For more info, visit
June 24
the Children’s Museum. For more info, call
Guest Services at 768-6491 or visit www.
FreshfieldsVillage.com.
Sunset cruise at the Bohicket Marina
6:30-8:30 p.m. on the Island Breeze.
Tickets: Adults $25, 12 & under $15, 3 &
under free. For more info, call 768-1280 or
visit www.Bohicket.com.
Wednesday, June 23
Kids Fishing Tournament at Bohicket
9 – 11 a.m. at the Bohicket Marina
boardwalk. Ages 5 – 13. $5 entry fee. Rods
and bait provided. For more info, call 768-
1280 or visit www.Bohicket.com.
Sunset cruise at the Bohicket Marina
6:30-8:30 p.m. on the Island Breeze.
Tickets: Adults $25, 12 & under $15, 3 &

Gardening by the Moon

Freshfields Farmers’ and Arts Market
From 4 - 8 p.m on the Green at Freshfields
Village. Peruse a variety of just-picked
From the Farmers’ Almanac local produce, flowers, and herbs as well as
unique handmade crafts and much more.  From 6 – 9 p.m. on the Green at Freshfields
June 2010
Live music by Brad Henty. For more info,
10th-11th Good Days For Planting Root Crops.
12th-13th Seeds Planted Now Tend To Rot In Ground. call Guest Services at 768-6491 or visit
www.FreshfieldsVillage.com.
14th-15th Plant Tomatoes, Beans, Peppers, Corn, Cotton, And Other Above
Ground Crops On These Most Fruitful Days. Plant Seedbeds And Flower Gardens
Johns Island Regional Library
16th-19th Poor Period For Planting. Kill Plant Pests, Clear Fence Rows, Clear Land. 3531 Maybank Highway
20th-21st Favorable For Planting Peas, Beans, Tomatoes, And Other Fall Crops 559-1945
Bearing Yield Above Ground. Sow Grains And Forage Crops. Plant Flowers.
Hours:
22nd-24th Extra Good For Planting Fall Lettuce, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Monday – Thursday: 10 – 8
And Other Leafy Vegetables. All Above Ground Crops Planted Now Will Do Well. Friday & Saturday: 10 – 6
Plant Seedbeds. Sunday: 2 – 5
page
Kids Fishing Tournament at Bohicket
9 – 11 a.m. at the Bohicket Marina
boardwalk. Ages 5 – 13. $5 entry fee. Rods
and bait provided. For more info, call 768-
1280 or visit www.Bohicket.com.
Sunset cruise at the Bohicket Marina
6:30-8:30 p.m. on the Island Breeze.
Tickets: Adults $25, 12 & under $15, 3 &
Free Computer Classes
Internet Basics (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, June 15 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. McCall. Copies of the book may be obtained
Keyboard Basics (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, June 8 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Digital Photos Basics (adults/young adults)
Tuesday, June 22 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Family Movie:  Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (all
For more info, visit www.louieskids.org.
Friday, June 18
Music on the Green: Plane Jane
Village. Free family-friendly event. Don’t
forget your beach chairs and blankets!
Sponsored by the Town of Kiawah. For
Tuesday, June 15 at 2 p.m.
We’ll be discussing Them by Nathan
from the Reference Desk for check out while
supplies last.
June 18-20, 2010. Celebrating Charleston’s
rich maritime history and culture, the
festival welcomes an impressive fleet of
international ships. more information, visit
www.charlestonharborfest.org.
spirit, a forbidden love, and dark family
secrets. Copies of the book will be available
for sale and signing by the author.
Joy the Clown: Magic & Stories (up to 11
years)
Monday, June 28 at 2 p.m.
www.Bohicket.com or call 768-1280.
Sunday, June 20
Father’s Day
Surfrider Foundation International Day
of Surfing
Monday, June 21
First day of summer
Freshfields Farmers’ and Arts Market
From 4 - 8 p.m on the Green at
Freshfields Village. Peruse a variety of
just-picked local produce, flowers, and
under free. For more info, call 768-1280 or
visit www.Bohicket.com.
Starlight Cinema: Night at the Museum:
Battle of the Smithsonian
Starting at 9 p.m. on the Green at
Freshfields Village. Free family-friendly
event. Don’t forget your beach chairs
and blankets! Sponsored by the Town of
Kiawah. For more information, call Guest
Services at 768-6491 or visit
www.FreshfieldsVillage.com.
Thursday, June 24
Karaoke at Fischer’s Sports Pub
Every Thursday from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

25th-26th Poor Planting Days. Cut Hay Or Do General Farm Work.
Copyright Farmers’ Almanac 2010, www.farmersalmanac.com
a
Summer Reading 2010
June 1- July 31
During June and July, the Charleston County
Public Library is rewarding everyone for simply
reading! Starting Tuesday, June 1, sign up at
any of our branch locations. Teens and adults
can even enter online ... find out more at www.
Digital Photos: Beyond the Basics (adults/ ages) Saturday, June 19 at 1:00 p.m. Laughs abound on this magical sea of fun herbs as well as unique handmade crafts Fischer’s Sports Pub is located in the
young adults) Rated G, 93 minutes.  Check out books to with lots of audience interaction! and much more.  Live music by Skip Bohicket Marina off Seabrook Island Road.
Tuesday, June 29 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. take home from our book display.  Sponsor:  Sullins and kids’ crafts and activities by For more info, call 243-0210.
*All computer classes are free. For more Johns Island Southern Methodist, 3209 Displays
information please call 559-1945 and ask Maybank Highway. Quilt:  The Beginning
for the Reference Department. Class space is June 1 – August 31
available for 8 participants per session. Club Anime! (ages 12-19) The very first quilt made by local quilter,
Saturday, June 19 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Earthalee McPherson, is aptly named The

ccpl.org or visit your local branch library for all Read-a-Palooza: A Community Carnival Beginning.   
the details. at the Library! (all ages) Temba Storytellers (up to 11 years)
Saturday, June 12 from 1 - 3 p.m. Monday, June 21 at 2 p.m. Commemorating the 98th Birthday of
Ta k e

Storytimes:
Wee Reads (under 24 months with adult)
Monday: June 14, 21 & 28 at 10:30 a.m.
Time for Twos (ages 24 - 36 mo w/ adult)
Tuesdays: June 15, 22 & 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Preschool (ages 3 - 6 years)
Wednesdays: June 16, 23 & 30 at
10:30 a.m.
 Family (all ages)
Saturdays: June 19 & 26 at 11 a.m.
Celebrate the beginning of summer! Join the
4th Annual Read-a-Palooza Festival with
a jump castle, popcorn, crafts and summer
reading sign-up!
Becky’s Box of Puppets: The Happy
Circus (up to 11 years)
Monday, June 14 at 2 p.m.
Get ready to be splashed with fun by this
colorful, lovable bunch of puppets.
Sea Islands Book Club (adults)
Grab onto your imagination and set sail with
stories by Catherine and Jesse.
Meet the Author and Book Signing:
Sandra LaBruce (adults)
Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon with SC author
Sandra LaBruce as she discusses and signs
her debut novel, Haunted Secrets. Set on a
plantation on John’s Island, Haunted Secrets
has it all: A family moving into an old,
mysterious ancestral home, a determined
Philip Simmons (1912 – 2009)
June 1 – 30
To honor the birthday of Charleston’s master
blacksmith, Philip Simmons the library
will be displaying prints of a selection of
Simmons’ ironwork by artists Jonathan
Green and John Jones.
 Jewelry from The Simmons Gift Shop is
also on display.  They are designs previously
created by Philip Simmons in wrought iron
for commissioned gates. 
12 June 11, 2010
Recipes of the month
provided by Rosebank Farms

Roasted new potatoes Zucchini and Lemon Salad 

with garlic & herbs
Note: There is no need to peel new potatoes; their skins are delicate and most of the
nutrients are in or near the potato skin.

2 lbs. new or fingerling potatoes, halved

1 head garlic, cloves separated but left unpeeled
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary or thyme leaves
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Coarse sea salt or kosher salt and black pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly oil a large, shallow roasting pan. In a large bowl,
combine the potatoes, garlic, and rosemary. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle lightly
with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Arrange in a single layer in the pan.
Roast for 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife,
turning occasionally for even cooking. Transfer the potatoes and garlic to a serving
bowl or platter. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper and serve hot, letting each 3-4 zucchini
diner squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins and over the potatoes while eating. Grated zest of one lemon and juice of ½ lemon
Grated zest of one lime and juice of ½ lime
Makes 4 servings 2 Tbsp. olive oil
 
Rosebank Farms is located at 4455 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island, just before the 2 Tbsp. chopped summer savory or tarragon
Kiawah/Seabrook roundabout. For more information, visit www.rosebankfarms.com or call 1 tsp. honey
Salt and pepper
768-9139.
 
Cut the zucchini very thinly lengthwise with a potato peeler and put the slices in a
shallow dish.  Grate over the zest of the lemon and lime.
Make a dressing with the olive oil, lime and lemon juices, together with the herbs,
honey, and salt and pepper.  Pour over the zucchini and toss gently.

Makes 6-8 servings

June 11, 2010 13

Exchange Club and Spice up your evening

Darkness to Light with Zydeco
Provided by the Town of Kiawah Island
By Sam Reed

O M
ne of the major beneficiaries of the financial gifts from the Kiawah-
ark your calendar for the night pronounced “lez-airy-co”.)  Young J.J.
Seabrook Exchange Club is the “Darkness to Light” program, which
of Wednesday, June 30. Starting Caillier, under his Dad’s tutelage, played
provides services to help combat child sexual abuse. Whether we like
at 6:30 p.m., Night Heron on some of the last recordings of the great
it or not, this is a serious problem in our society.
Park will host the nationally acclaimed Clifton Chenier and the rest, as they say,
Over a 12 year period, the local Exchange Club has contributed more than
zydeco group, J.J. Caillier and the Zydeco is history.
$287,000 to the Center for Child Abuse Prevention, $17,000 to Charleston
Knockouts, one of the genre’s foremost  J.J. Caillier and his hand-picked Zydeco
Dorchester Community Health services for child abuse prevention, and
current artists. Knockouts have released six hot CDs and
$105,000 to Darkness to Light, bringing the Club’s total donations to child
Accordionist/singer J.J. Caillier hails recently appeared at Universal Studios in
abuse prevention to an amazing $409,700.
from the heart of bayou country and is one Florida, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Club members Fred Ristow of Seabrook Island and Joe Klingensmith of
of the world’s top proponents of modern Festival and other high-profile venues.  J.J.
Kiawah River Estates have been instrumental in representing the Club in these
zydeco, the adrenalin-charged dance music Caillier, while home in Louisiana, stays
many efforts, helping with both operational and financial issues. Numerous
of the French-speaking Creole people of busy playing all the local festivals, casinos,
trips to the Center were made, which Fred calls “a labor of love.”
south Louisiana.  He and his band, which and zydeco events.  He is considered one
On June 2, the Club, along with Darkness to Light founder Anne Lee and is comprised of Caillier’s accordion and of the genre’s foremost current artists. J.J.’s
her assistant Elizabeth Boeschen, recognized Fred and Joe with appreciative lead vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and a June 30 performance at Night Heron Park
accolades and gifts. Darkness to Light is now partnering with YMCAs across rubboard, travel the world preaching the marks his first visit to the South Carolina
the country in order to expand their programs, which currently operate in 48 gospel of zydeco and igniting dance floors. Lowcountry.
states and 12 foreign countries. Caillier’s father was a legendary record J.J. Caillier and the Zydeco Knockouts
The entire Exchange Club and its committee chair Mike Todd salute Fred producer and promoter who worked with is presented by the Kiawah Island Arts
and Joe for their untiring efforts supporting this most worthwhile cause. “The King of Zydeco,” Clifton Chenier, Council is in conjunction with the
the musician who revolutionized zydeco Kiawah Island Sundown Festival.  The

Summer Farmers’ Market in the late 1950s. His ground breaking

song “Les Haricots Sont Pas Sale” (“The
Snap Beans Are Not Salty”), is a remake
festival will feature an Art Exhibit by
the Kiawah Island Art Guild, family fun
activities, jump castles, jousting, train

returns to Freshfields of an old “la la” or Creole folk song which

had been sung and played by generations
of Louisiana musicians.  Chenier’s version
Provided by Freshfields Village put a heavy bass and drum beat to the song
rides and traditional southern lawn games
throughout the evening. A picnic menu
will be available at the Night Heron Grille
for purchase. Bring your beach chairs and

F
resh fruits, vegetables, sweet grass baskets, wild flowers and the aroma of kettle and almost overnight, la la music became blankets!
corn will again fill the air as the Freshfields Village Farmers’ and Art Market “zydeco” (from the title of “Les Haricots”
season returns every Monday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Shop for Johns Island tomatoes, squash, corn, green beans and fresh herbs from local
farmers, and peruse works by local artisans such as sweet grass baskets, local honeys, and
WE NEED A TENOR
pottery. Gourmet treats like pickled cucumbers, crepes, and the most mouth-watering
BBQ to hit Johns Island will also be available, as well as live music: Our male acappella
• June 7 and 21: Skip Sullins brings his folksy-rock Americana vibe to the
village. quartet need a first
• June 14 and 28: Brad Henty is a local blues artist with a bit of Latin/ Western tenor for fun singing
influence.
• June 21: Enjoy a “Lowcountry Safari” with crafts and activities from the on the islands.
Children’s Museum. Pint-sized market goers can discover local animals and
create take-home rubbings. Please call 768-8982
Freshfields Village is located on Johns Island between Kiawah and Seabrook Island. Come
and enjoy all the locally owned shops and restaurants and take advantage of the many services
the Village has to offer. Visit www.FreshfieldsVillage.com or join the facebook page: facebook.
com/freshfieldsvillage.  Mt Zion tennis champions
Photo Taken by Jerry Cummin

For more pictures and information, visit IslandConnectionNews.com.

www.islandconnectionnews.com
14 June 11, 2010

Rural Mission welcomes Rural Mission struggles to

new board members meet basic needs
By Chris Brooks By Linda D. Gadson

R
ecently, Rural Mission’s Board
of Directors approved a plan to
expand the size of the Board to
welcome new members. With these
new members comes the hope that we
will be able to grow both financially
and in our breadth of service. The
continuing economic recession has
challenged all non-profits and charities
to carefully and strategically reexamine
their missions. For the Rural Mission
Albert “Chick” Morrison is leaving
the Board after more than 20 years
of service. Rev. Morrison is pastor of
New First Baptist Church of Edisto
Island and he has been a wonderful
supporter of the Rural Mission. He
will be missed.
Those continuing on the Board are
Mrs. Miriam Green, Chairperson;
Mr. Abraham “Bill” Jenkins, Vice-
Chairman; Ms. Joy Stoney; Mrs. Jean

Photo taken by Chris Brooks

Board and staff, survival is not simply
enough: the Mission must broaden its
reach throughout the impoverished
region it serves in lower Charleston
County.
During its May 27 meeting, the
Board of Directors said a grateful and
heartfelt goodbye to two longtime
members while at the same time
Doscher; and Mr. Mickey Seabrook.
New board members include: Mr.
Robert Vingi, Jr., Mrs. Tumiko Rucker,
Town Manager, Town of Kiawah
Island; Dr. David Rivers, Dir. for
Public Information and Community
Outreach, MUSC; Mr. Michael
Todd, retired nonprofit executive,
living on Johns Island; and Mr. Andy This house is located on the side of Betsy Kerrison Parkway

welcoming five new members. Mr.
James Moss has served faithfully on the
Board representing Charleston County
Council member Curtis Inabinett who
is retiring from County Council. Rev.
Retiring dedicated board member Rev. Albert Morrison (center) has served with the Rural
Mission for over 20 years. He is being congratulated by Vice-Chairman Bill Jenkins and Director
Linda D. Gadson.
D
Sarosy, Blackbaud Corporation. Thank espite some progress, many
you all for helping the Mission to grow families and elderly residents in
stronger! and around Charleston do not have
a decent home and many live in shocking
conditions. They can be found within a
stone’s throw of some of Charleston’s most
affluent areas, often living in homes that
one would expect to see in a third world
country. We see these neighbors each day
doing honest and hard work, from farming
to general labor to service work, but what
we don’t see is that their homes often lack
water, heat or even a proper roof. The floors
may be collapsing and the windows may
be broken, covered with patchwork bits of
cardboard or plastic. These are homes that
most of us can’t imagine, and it boggles the
mind to think that this is happening right
here in our wonderful city.
The Rural Mission trains and directs
volunteers to help repair as many of these
dilapidated homes as possible, making
them safe and livable once more. In a letter
to the Rural Mission last month, a young
volunteer wrote: “This woman lost her job
and was living in a half-burnt house with
no electricity or running water. She had
very little food and no money and used a
kerosene lamp to heat her room and cook
what little perishable food she was able
to keep without refrigeration. She was so
joyful even though she was in this horrible
situation - the worst of situations.” Many
pass this little half-burned house each day
on the Betsy Kerrison Parkway on the way
to Kiawah and Seabrook.
For over 40 years, the Rural Mission
on Johns Island has been at the forefront
of the effort to help those living in such
dire circumstances. The Mission has helped
thousands of families by repairing damaged
roofs, windows, plumbing and other
desperate, basic needs. But the problem
keeps growing. Since 2008 the requests
pouring in to Rural Mission have increased
by 215%. The Mission is drowning in need
and needs your help to survive. Because of
economic circumstances, the Rural Mission
has been forced to lay off several members
of its key staff, leaving the organization
unable to respond to all but the greatest
emergencies from among hundreds in need
of help.
Our community cannot allow those around
us to live in such squalor. Please contact the
Mission today at 768-1720 to donate or
volunteer. Learn more at www.ruralmission.
org and take this opportunity to donate online
through the security of Network for Good.
You can contact the Mission via mail at P.O.
Box 235, Johns Island, SC 29457. Thank
you in advance.

Cruise with the dolphins

provided by Respite Care Ministries

J oin Respite Care Ministries for their First Annual

Dolphin Cruise on the Island Breeze at 6:30 p.m.
on June 26, 2010. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, wine,
sodas and beer while traveling past historic plantation
homes and the town of Rockville before cruising through
the North Edisto River known for its playful dolphin
escorts. The cruise will catch the sunset on its return and
arrive back in dock at the Bohicket Marina at 8:30 p.m.
Funds raised during the event will be used to offset the
costs of providing care and support to families affected
by Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia.
Tickets are $40 per person and must be purchased in
advance of the cruise. Attire is casual and the ticket
price is 100% tax deductible. To purchase tickets or for
more information, email Laura
Stefanelli at laurastef@comcast.
net or call 478-8756.
Respite Care Ministries is
a non-profit organization that
offers programs to enhance the
quality of life for people suffering The Island Breeze
from memory-related diseases. The
daily programs benefit participants by working to improve events. Respite Care Ministries is a 501( c )3 organization
their lives through activities, music participation, and with program locations at St. Matthew’s Lutheran
social interaction. These vital programs give caregivers Church, Charleston; All Saints Lutheran Church, Mt.
a much-needed break and provide a support network Pleasant; Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island;
for families.   Respite Care Ministries is supported by and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, West Ashley.
donations, memorials, grants, volunteers, and fund raising
www.islandconnectionnews.com
June 11, 2010
10,000 shades of red & blue
Rosebank Farms 5th Annual Hydrangea Festival
provided by Rosebank Farms
J
une 12 and 13 celebrates one of the things we
love most about the Lowcountry; our annual
Hydrangea Festival at Rosebank Farms.
During the festival, owners Sidi Limehouse and
Louise Bennett invite everyone to drop by and
view these spectacular Southern favorites. Sidi
continues to add to his collection of
more than 3,000 hydrangea plants,
which means that the farm
grounds are literally aglow
with hues of pink, purple,
deep rose, light blue,
cobalt blue, lime green,
and white hydrangeas
at their peak.
From 10 a.m. – 4
p.m., visitors may take
a leisurely, self-guided
tour among the several
acres of hydrangea gardens.
Sidi and local horticulturists
will be available to answer
questions and provide advice about
care, variety and location. In other words, all
the correct information one needs to become a
successful hydrangea grower. Sidi is recognized
throughout the southeast region as an expert
grower and knowledgeable professional. He has
been growing and propagating hydrangeas since
his boyhood on Johns Island.
From Noon until 1:30 p.m., enjoy lunch at
tables set up next to the hydrangea and rose
fields. Sidi’s famous whole hog BBQ will be
served with all the trimmings. Dishes prepared
with Rosebank vegetables (grown for taste, not
shelf-life!), will also be served. The cost of the
lunch is $12, but the advice and tours are free.
Various cultivars of oakleaf, mophead,
lacecap and panniculata will be on
display. Over 500 established
hydrangeas, new and old
standby varieties, will be
for sale. In addition to
enjoying the culture
of hydrangeas, guests
will also be able to
enjoy the Rosebank
Farms rose gardens.
The gardens feature
more than 300 roses,
plus another 80 cutting
garden roses from Kordes,
all selected for adaptability in
the Lowcountry.
Last but not least, the Farm always
features artwork created by local artists, and
don’t forget the barnyard animals – they never
disappoint and are always entertaining!
Rosebank Farm is located at 4455 Betsy Kerrison
Parkway on Johns Island, just before the Kiawah/
Seabrook traffic circle. For further information,
call 768-0508 or email@RosebankFarms.com.
For directions, log onto www.rosebankfarms.com.
Japanese Privit
By Jennifer Barbour
A
pril’s showers have definitely
brought May flowers to the
Lowcountry. Among the
many native plants that are in bloom
this month, a certain Japanese shrub
is raising a bit of a “stink”. While
the Japanese Privit, or Ligustrum
japonicum, is an attractive, fast
growing hedge with tiny pale
blossoms throughout, it’s the smell
of these blooms that tends to pique
the interest of passers-by. To be
sure, the white, four-lobed flowers
clustered together are beautiful when
you stop to look at them up close,
but the pervasive, sweetly musky
scent of the plant can be smelled
for some distance; sometimes from
Japanese Privit.
17
so far away that often the sniffer
doesn’t even know from whence the
smell came. All this is to say that
people either like, or really dislike,
the smell of Ligustrum. 
Do you know if you like the smell
or not?  Look for this plant in areas
that have been landscaped.  It’s often
used as a natural fence or border. 
Landscapers like using this species
since it grows fast and features
handsome, shiny evergreen leaves. 
It’s a hardy plant and is tolerant of a
variety of soil conditions, requiring
very little care other than pruning to
produce a desired shape.  This shrub
or tree will typically grow 6-12 feet
in height, but is capable of reaching
heights of more than 20
feet.  Green berries that
ripen to a dull black
color in the winter will
follow the blossoms we
see now.
About the Author:
Jennifer is a Naturalist
with the Kiawah Island
Nature Program.
To contact her with
comments or personal
stories, email her at
Je n n i f e r _ B a r b o u r @
kiawahresort.com.
18
A phenomenal fish father
By Jennifer Barbour
Y C
ou’d be hard-pressed to find too many outstanding
dads among our native wildlife. Certain male birds
will contribute to nest building and chick feeding,
but most males of the species leave the child-rearing to
the ladies. One grand exception is our local seahorse that
shares the load of parenting in a way that neither birds nor
our own men could stomach; literally. After an elaborate
courtship, a female Lined Seahorse lays her eggs into the
male’s brood pouch where he fertilizes the eggs and cares
for them for two weeks. Okay, so it’s not nine months,
but imagine what two weeks would be like for our men!
After that comment, I may have lost all my male readers,
but the ladies may still be interested to know more about
this magnificent little animal.
Chances are you’ve seen a Lined Seahorse in an
aquarium. Lined Seahorses are among the most
commonly-traded seahorses in the world. They are sold
primarily for ornamental display and, while not common
along our coastline, are targeted in other regions where
they are also used as traditional medicines. Declines in
seahorse populations have raised concern for this species
and others. Currently, the Lined Seahorse is included
on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation
of Nature) List of Threatened Species as “Vulnerable”.
According to this status, a species is considered vulnerable
when it is not critically endangered, but is facing a
high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term
future.
Found from Nova Scotia along the western Atlantic
coast through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to
Venezuela, the Lined Seahorse inhabits shallow inshore
areas to depths of over 230 feet. They are commonly
found among oyster beds in our salt marshes or clinging
to aquatic vegetation using a prehensile tail. Near-shore
sargassum floating on the surface of the water as well as
sea whip on the ocean floor provide quality habitat for our
change
local species. According to South Carolina’s Department
of Natural Resources (SCDNR), proper estimates of
population size cannot be made. However, the SCDNR-
Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program
(SEAMAP) trawl survey has estimated that the live-bait
shrimp trawl fleet (31 boats) working out of a single Gulf
of Mexico port caught nearly 72,000 Lined Seahorse per
year. Undoubtedly, entire populations in this area will be
affected by the oil spill.
Seahorses are kin to pipefishes. Their scientific name,
Hippocampus, is Greek for “bent horse” or “horse sea
animal”. The common name refers to the pattern of
white lines following the contour of the neck. They feast
upon tiny crustaceans by sucking the animal through
their long, toothless tubular snouts, eating a lot of food
in order to make up for their poor digestive system (they
don’t have a stomach!). Since they are so cryptic, they use
an ambush style of hunting. The ability to change color
to blend in with their surroundings and having a tail to
wrap around objects to remain still makes them masters
of disguise. The body of the lined seahorse is encased in
bony armor and arranged in a series of rings. Colors vary
from ash grey, black, brown, and yellow, to red. Their
maximum length is only about eight inches and they will
live approximately four years.
Visit the Nature Center on Kiawah and see if the
Naturalists or Captains have brought in any seahorses for
temporary display in our saltwater aquarium.
About the Author: Jennifer is a Naturalist with the
Kiawah Island Nature Program. To contact her with
comments or personal stories, email her at Jennifer_
Barbour@kiawahresort.com.
* Educational information came from SCDNR & SC
Aquarium resources.
June 11, 2010
Sea Pork
by Jennifer Barbour
ontrary to what you might think when you
find sea pork washed ashore, it’s not a brain or
internal organ of a marine animal; it’s actually
a tunicate. The cartilage-like exoskeleton (tunic) is
composed primarily of cellulose, and houses a colony
of individual animals called zooids.  The zooid colony
derives food from seawater pumped through its system
by two external openings. When alive, reddish-colored
zooids are embedded in its pink (sometimes orange)
tunic.  After death, with zooids absent, the tunic
bleaches to a grayish color, resembling salt pork or
fatback, hence the common name. Sea pork is part of a
class of species called Adscidiacea (a leather bottle). All
species of ascidians concentrate heavy metals (mercury,
cadmium, iron, etc.) in specialized blood cells.  Studies
have led scientists to believe these heavy metals may
function as antibiotics for the tunicate.  Sea pork is a
sub-tidal species preyed upon by bottom-dwelling fish,
skates, and sharks. In the book Edge of the Sea by Rachel
Carson, it is noted that sea pork has a luminescent glow
in the dark.  Who knew those strange little pink and
gray blobs that wash ashore could be so interesting?
About the Author: Jennifer is a Naturalist with the
Kiawah Island Nature Program. To contact her with
comments or personal stories, email her at Jennifer_
Barbour@kiawahresort.com.
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