Since May 2007

PRESORT STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON SC
PERMIT NO 437
Volume 4 Issue 17 FREE December 10, 2010

Santa swings by
the sea islands
PROVIDED BY SEA ISLAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

S
anta Claus is coming to town early this year for the boys and girls
living in Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (SIHH) homes.
On December 16, 2010, SIHH staff and volunteers
will welcome Santa and Habitat children to the SIHH
office as part of their second annual Christmas party.
“We are so excited to spread the Christmas spirit
to our partner families again this year,” said Molly
Coffey, Advancement and Communications
Manager for SIHH. “We want to make
this holiday season a joyful time for
our families and are so thankful for
the generous community support in
helping us put on this event.”
One of the groups helping
with the party is the students
of the Porter-Gaud School, who
will once again be helping Santa
by providing Christmas gifts for the
Habitat children. Last year the students
of Porter-Gaud made sure every child
received a gift by conducting a toy drive at
the school and plans for the same toy drive are
underway this year.
“The children were so grateful and excited to
receive their gifts last year,” said Anne Randall, Volunteer
Coordinator for SIHH. “I am thankful to have been able
to experience the true spirit of the holidays with our Habitat
families and look forward to celebrating with them again this
year.”
The Johns Island Library and a few extraordinary volunteers
also have something special up their sleeves and will help spread
the Christmas cheer during the party.
For more information on Sea Island Habitat for Humanity or
to get involved with the event, visit www.seaislandhabitat.org or
call Rhea Miller at 768-0998.

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

page 2 Turkey giveaway page 8 Lawn Tennis page 12 Fall Festival

2 December 10, 2010

Giving out Thanksgiving

by Kristin Hackler

W
hen Hurricane Hugo having a roof over their heads. Then,
blasted its way through the two days before Thanksgiving Day, a
Lowcountry in September heavily-laden beer truck pulled up on
of 1989, it left thousands of residents the dirt road in front of Rural Mission
displaced and many of them homeless. on Johns Island and employees of
As the holidays arrived, families were Pearlstine Distributors began handing
less concerned about a Thanksgiving out box after box filled with all of
dinner than they were about simply the fixings for a proper Thanksgiving
meal.
The Thanksgiving meal giveaway is
The Island now an annual tradition for Pearlstine
Distributors, with family members as
Connection well as employee volunteers pitching
in with sorting, boxing and handing
out more than 270 boxes of holiday
Lynn Pierotti dinners. Some family members,
publisher such as Win Lipov, son of Pearlstine
lynn@luckydognews.com Distributors President Larry Lipov
and Jan Pearlstine Lipov, have been
Kristin Hackler participating since they were old
managing editor enough to pick up a box. In fact,
kristin@luckydognews.com three generations of the Pearlstine
family were recently recognized by
Swan Richards Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim with the
senior graphic designer prestigious Francis Salvador Award,
swan@luckydognews.com which is bestowed  every two years
to a prominent citizen or citizens  in
recognition of  demonstrated vision
and leadership.
“We all love to give and we all love
to be a part of this event,” said Susan
Pearlstine. “We’re so proud to have
shared this quality through all of our
generations.”
While the Pearlstine family and
volunteers sorted out the boxes so
that some could be taken to shut-ins
and local churches, Rural Missions
Executive Director Linda Gadson held
a meeting of thanks with more than a
hundred of the dinner recipients in the
mission’s community room.
“People are not given this
opportunity often in America,” said
Gadson with a contagious smile. “We
are grateful that, one time a year, Mr.
Pearlstine and his family are here with
us. We didn’t know until last Tuesday
that they were coming out again
this year and we are so thankful for
them.”
Each of the Pearlstine family
members, including Edwin Pearlstine,
and Jan and Susan Pearlstine, said a
word of thanks, and Gadson asked
Win if he would read Psalm 129 to the
crowd.
“That’s the word we live by here,”
said Gadson when Win finished the
psalm. “It’s because of faith that we
continue to f lourish.”
“What a great opportunity,” said
Edwin Pearlstine. “With God’s will,
we’ll be doing this for a lot longer.”

Lori Dalton
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com

Meredith Powell
reporter
meredith@luckydognews.com

Blake Bunch
reporter
blake@luckydognews.com

Contributors
Michael Allen
Jennifer Barbour
Dona Dowling
William J. Duggan
Sarah Ernst
Pearlstine Distributors founder Edwin Pearlstine smiles as Linda Gadson and Susan Pearlstine (right)
Farmer’s Almanac celebrate the Pearlistine’s donation of 275 turkey dinners.
Warren Kimball
Sam Reed
Rural Mission K iawah Island Town H all

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines:
December 1 for
submissions
Op-Ed articles and letters to the editor do not
necessarily reflect the opinion of
Lucky Dog News or its writers.
Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC
Publishers of Island Eye News,
The Island Connection and
The Folly Current.
Civic Calendar
December 13, 2010
St. Johns Fire District Commission
7pm
St. Johns Commission Building
3327 Maybank Highway, Johns Island
December 14, 2010
NOTE DATE CHANGE
Seabrook Island Town Council
All Town Council meetings will be
held at 2:30pm at the Town Hall unless
noted otherwise on the Town bulletin
board.
December 20, 2010
Kiawah Island Board of Zoning
Appeals
4pm - 5pm
Town Hall Council Chambers
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: 768-9166
Fax: 768-4764
December 23 & 24, 2010
Christmas Seabrook Island Town H all
The Town Hall offices of Kiawah and 2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Islands will be closed in Seabrook Island, SC 29455
honor of the holiday. 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, John’s Island.
Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113
Charleston County Council
4045 Bridge View Dr, N Charleston
958-4700
City of Charleston
75 Calhoun St.
724-3745
December 10, 2010
A touch of the poet
S
eabrook Island resident Paul Covert is a man of
many, many talents. Possibly most known for his
strong participation in all dog-related events on
the island - including he and his wife, Cindy’s, excellent
supervision of this year’s Seabrook Halloween Paw-rade -
Covert has plied his creative mind with everything from
innovative woodworking to patented beach carts to new
ways to play old games.
Now he’s working another part of his innovative mind
by flexing his creative writing skills, and as always, he’s
diving in head first.
Inspired by a limerick contest held recently by
The Seabrooker, Covert began scribbling down some
ideas for poems after completing two limericks for the
competition. Before he knew it, he had more than thirty
poems completed and within three weeks he had 96
poems written about the arduous and often hilarious life
of a dog owner.
The collection of poems, playfully titled, Gotta Love
‘Em, tells in simple AA/BB stanzas about every aspect of
being a pet owner; from the first day home to chewing,
walking, rescuing and even the last days with one’s four-
legged friend.
“What I’d really like to do is speak with people about
their pets and put those stories into poems for them,” said
Covert. “Not only would it give me new stories to write
about, but the poems would be meaningful to them and
they could give them as gifts.”
Covert’s collection includes both fun and heartfelt
poems. While most of the poems are light and occasionally
goofy, Covert also writes about his own pets and moments
with them that touched his heart.
This poem, called Lulu, is dedicated to his old Great
Dane who died from cancer in her leg.
By Kristin Hackler
Lulu
 
Lulu came into my life
Six years ago when I met my wife
She loved us, I believe that
But the truth is, her best friend was a cat!
Nose on my hand, I was to pet her ears
This went on for about three years
Always ready to work without fail
Never minded when kids pulled her tail
She loved to play, just call out her name
Even long after the cancer came
On the way to the Vet, emotions we could not hide
Lulu just thought she was going for a ride
Doggy heaven, I’m sure there’s one
Lulu’s there now having some fun
Spending her time with elderly women and men
Working as a Therapy dog again!
 
“Responsibility was both easy and hard to write,” said
Covert. “Easy because I experienced it many times, and hard
because it brought back those memories.”
R esponsibility
 
I’ve written poems, tried to be funny
Poems about pets and spending money
Not about playing and having fun
This is about something that must be done
I know it’s just an awful task
You’ll know when it’s time, they won’t have to ask
The last thing for them you must do
Do it for them and not for you
www.islandconnectionnews.com
3
Think of all the good times you both had
Those happy memories and not the sad
The thing about pets that’s always tough
Sometimes they don’t live long enough
There’s no pain but still we weep
They just close their eyes and go to sleep
 
This next poem Covert wrote about his wife, Cindy, and an
event that happened with their new Great Dane, Lexie.  
 
High Heels 
                   
My wife never listens, I’m always wrong!
Instead of a poem, I should make this a song
I told her “honey, you’ve had some wine”
She shrugged and said “I’ll be just fine!”
Walking a Dane in high heels isn’t to bright!
What happened next was quite a sight
Without the least bit of fear
Lexie took off chasing a dear
Oh what an awful sound
When my wife hit the ground
Lexie dragged her along for a while
Guilty as charged, I had to smile
I made sure she was OK and only after
That’s when my smile turned to laughter
She laughed too, there were no tears
As she dug the mulch out of her ears
Her hair was all filled with dirt
Grass stains covered her blouse and skirt
As I said before, it was quite a sight
Maybe just this once, I was right!
Covert continued on page 4
4 December 10, 2010
Covert continued from page 3
This last poem was written about an incident
when Covert was first dating his wife, Cindy. “ I
took off my shoes and went inside,” smiled Covert.
“It was dark and all I know is that I was in my socks
and standing in the middle of what I called ‘Lake
Lulu,’ except it wasn’t fresh water.”
Darn!
Middle of the night got up to go potty
Realized then a pet had been naughty
Almost afraid to turn the lights on
Wish it weren’t there, wish it were gone!
I’ll never know who made the mess
None of them would ever confess
Just standing there alone in the dark.
Wondering which one left their mark
Hope it was the kitten and not the Dane!
I think the reason is pretty plain.
Can’t see a thing don’t even know
What it is that’s down below
Many thoughts running through my head
Most not clean and shouldn’t be said!
Moments like this when I’m totally numb
I think a pet rock isn’t so dumb
Can’t stand her all night and mentally sin
Time to find out what I just stepped in!
 
If you’re interested in having a poem written
about your dog, or sharing your story with Paul
Covert, you can reach him at 696-8623 or email
paul.imagination@yahoo.com. For more info about
pet activities around Seabrook Island and how you
can become involved, visit www.sidogs.org
Are you preserving history?
SCAAHC seeking nominations for
“Preserving Our Places in History” awards
Provided by Michael Allen
The South Carolina African American Heritage
Commission is seeking nominations for its “Preserving Our
Places in History” awards. The mission of the SCAAHC
is to identify and promote the preservation of historic sites,
structures, buildings and culture of the African American
experience n South Carolina, and to assist and enhance the
efforts of the South Carolina Department of Archives and
History.
In order to encourage the preservation of the African
American experience in South Carolina, the SCAAHC has
established the following annual recognition:
• Individual Award - This award recognizes a person
who has demonstrated or made an outstanding
accomplishment in preserving and interpreting African
American history and culture in South Carolina during
the past year.
• Group or Organization Award - This award recognizes
a group or organization that has demonstrated or made
an outstanding accomplishment in preserving and
interpreting African American history and culture in
South Carolina during the past year.
• Project Award - This award recognizes a project that
has significantly and dramatically influenced, in a
permanent way, the preservation and interpretation of
www.islandconnectionnews.com
African American history and culture in South Carolina
during the past year.
• Lifetime Achievement Award - This award recognizes
a person, group or organization that has made a notable,
successful, sustained and lasting contribution to the
preservation of African American history and culture
in South Carolina.
Individuals, groups and organizations can nominate
themselves for the awards or be nominated by others who
are aware of their work, contributions and achievements in
the field. The SCAAHC requires that nominators submit
a nomination form and documentation that explains
and provides evidence to support the nomination. The
documentation should include a one-page statement
justifying the nomination, along with letters of support and
other attachments that verify and support it.
For information or to obtain a nomination form, call Jannie
Harriot at 332-3589, Michael Allen at 881-5516 or visit
www.scaaheritagefound.org/awards.html. Nominations must
be received by Friday, December 17, 2010.
The awards will be presented at the “Preserving Our Places
in History” Awards Luncheon on Friday, January 28, 2011, at
the South Carolina Archives & History Center, 8301 Parklane
Road, in Columbia, South Carolina.
December 10, 2010
November spills over with artistic talent
St. Johns HS students place in numerous art competitions
T
he month of November was very
rewarding for the St. Johns High School
Art Department. St. Johns was recently
awarded First Place in the James Island County
Park Holiday Festival of Lights Giant Greeting
Card Project, and the school has also placed in
several regional art competitions.
Students participating in the Greeting
Card Project will have a field trip to the Light
Show in celebration of their prize winning
efforts, and their work will be on display at the
Festival through January 2. Special thanks go
to Samantha Frierson, a senior at St. Johns, for
coming in on a teacher workday to put the final
touches on the award-winning piece.
Earlier this month, 15 students’ works of
art were chosen for display at the Youth Art
Competition at the Coastal Carolina Fair,
which ran from October 28 to November 6.
Artists with pieces on display included Quintella
Brishborn, Dequan Buncomb, Samqinta Capers,
Victoria Clow, Randy Davis, Samantha Frierson,
Mary Hensley, Kenia Hernandez, Leroy Jenkins,
Jozeph Lemon, Akeem Pinckney, Cordell Reese,
Gabrielle Roper, Jessica Slavett and Clayton
Smalls.
Of those, three students won regional awards:
Jessica Slavett, Third Place; Josh Lemon, First
Place and Victoria Clow, Judges Choice Award.
Their artworks will be on display in the school’s
front office through December.
5
By Dona Dowling
Also during November, two advanced
art students, Lauren Harrison and Akeem
Pinckney, had artwork chosen by their peers
to represent St. Johns High School at The
Charleston Fine Arts Dealers’ Association’s
Annual “Painting in the Park” on Saturday,
November 6, in downtown Charleston’s
Washington Park. During this event, the
public watched professional painters in
action and viewed student paintings from
local high schools. Akeem Pinckney won
third place in the show and was awarded
a $50 gift certificate.
Lastly, two St. Johns students placed
in Charleston County Environmental
Management’s 14th Annual Recycled
Art contest. Taking home first
place was Akeem Pinckney, and art
student Leroy Jenkins received an
honorable mention. Works from
seven other students were chosen
to represent St. Johns High
School in the competition: Maria
Arriaga, Tyrell Beaton, Quintella
Brishbon, Randy Davis, Parris
Dawson, Cristal Quiones and
Lauren Harrison. Their art
pieces will be on display at the main Akeem Pinckney
library in downtown Charleston (right), a junior at St. Johns
until December 11. High School and varsity football player, won
$350 in art awards in less than 48 hours this month!
www.islandconnectionnews.com
6 December 10, 2010
Honoring the Mother Theresa of the Sea Islands
Gov. Sanford presents Linda Gasdon with Order of the Palmetto
O
n Thursday, November 11, the
prestigious Order of the Palmetto
was presented to longtime Rural
Mission Executive Director Linda Dingle
Gadson by Governor Mark Sanford. The
Order of the Palmetto is the highest honor
given for humanitarian service by the State
of South Carolina and the Governor.
Linda D. Gadson, a native and
lifelong resident of the coastal sea islands
of Charleston County, has served as
executive director of the Rural Mission for
38 years. She has given her life to helping
impoverished residents, the elderly and
migrant families on the sea islands achieve
a better life, as well as ministering to their
spiritual needs. This amazing dedication
and life of selflessness has earned Gadson
the title of “Mother Teresa of the Sea
Islands”.
Thousands have been helped by her
dedication and persistence in encouraging
others to reach out to those in need.
Governor Sanford especially recognized
her service to missions and faith, indicating
how her leadership has brought thousands
of volunteers to the impoverished sea
islands to help others in dire need and
hardship. Now in its 41st year, the
Provided by Rural Mission
Rural Mission has been gracefully and
powerfully guided by Gadson. Under her
supervision, the lines of difference and
separation have been overcome in making
a true difference in the lives of both
recipients and volunteers to the program.
The Order of the Palmetto award
was presented in a ceremony and special
gathering at the Rural Mission with many
friends, supporters and appreciative island
residents in attendance. Rev. McKinley
Washington, a lifelong friend of Gadson’s
and former State Senator, gave the award
to Linda Gadson in a joyous and emotional
presentation. Rev. Washington had
served on the original Board of Directors
of the Rural Mission and he has shared
the vision for its success and growth. He
joined with Senator Chip Campsen in
nominating Gadson for this well-deserved
and prestigious recognition by the State of
South Carolina.
A little about Linda
Linda Gadson grew up wanting to be
an attorney and had planned to go to law
The Order of the Palmetto was presented to Mrs. Linda D. Gadson by former State Senator, Rev. McKinley
Award continued on page 7 Washington.  (l to r) Rev. Washington, granddaughter Quati Woodberry Gadson, Linda Dingle Gadson
and granddaughter Q ynn Woodberry Gadson (front).
www.islandconnectionnews.com
December 10, 2010
Award continued from page 6
school at the University of South Carolina in the fall
of 1972. However, after working a part-time summer
job at Rural Mission, Gadson decided to plant her feet
in the island soil and never left the organization.
Affectionately known as “Ms. G.,” “Mother
Gadson,” “Big Mama,” and “Mama Gadson,” to know
Linda Dingle Gadson is to know a humanitarian. She
has labored in the vineyard of servant-hood, abiding
by the creed that her grandmother placed in her heart:
“Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, reach out to help
people, [and] God will always give you a road map for
direction.”
Her life experiences, none of which have been
perfect, have taught her a myriad of lessons. In 1986,
she experienced what she describes as “the best gift
and ultimate peace” when she found Jesus Christ.
The essence of this experience has certainly spoken
volumes to her work and in her mission. Because of
this, Gadson began “The Sunshine of Prayers Group,”
an elderly group of mostly women who meet each
Tuesday at their headquarters on Johns Island to
pray for several hours about the needs and destitute
conditions of many of the island people. This prayer
group has touched many lives and encouraged many
hearts on the journey of life, especially the lives of
women who have faced so many hardships due to the
lack of resources in their areas.
As Linda Gadson has continued her spiritual
journey, God has gifted her with an even deeper
sense of prayer. In 1989, she became the first African
American “First Lady of the Town of Hollywood,”
with her former husband’s election to the mayor-post.
As such, she organized the first Prayer Vigil for the
7
town, fostering such great support that it became an
annual event. In addition to this prayer vigil, her
prayer life has commissioned her to develop a tool
called “Hallelujah Anointing Oil.” Based on the
biblical teachings of the anointing of oil, Gadson has
bottled her formula and shared it with people across A pril is a one-and-a-
the world. For many women, it has become a part half-year-old shorthaired
of their daily devotion to anoint themselves with oil black and apricot Tortie. 
before, during, and after prayer. She was found on Folly
Beach back in April, and
Linda Dingle Gadson is an inspiration to all people.
wouldn’t it be great for her
Her mantra, “From the White House to the Out
to find a home on Folly! 
House,” is the prescription by which she lives to be an She is well socialized
instrument of God’s peace. There are some who can with other cats, but it
tell a story that Gadson encouraged them to stay in might take her a little bit
of time to adjust to her
school and even helped them to buy books for a couple
new surroundings when
semesters. Others may testify that they were living
in a cold house in the middle of winter because they adopted.  But never fear,
she is as sweet as can
couldn’t pay a utility bill and Gadson made a phone
be.  She’d make a lovely
call to their rescue. Children will tell you that Gadson addition to your family!
is the “prayer lady.” The elderly will say that when
their roofs were caving in or their floors were becoming Miles is a four-year-old
nothing but dirt, it was Linda Dingle Gadson who led shepherd mix. He came to
them to better living conditions. Pet Helpers via a shelter
transfer, which only means
For her three biological children, numerous
we believe in his ability to
surrogate offspring, and other family members, be the perfect pet for the
Gadson is a loving nurturer and wellspring of wisdom. right family!  He is a bigger
To her church family, she is the epitome of a Christian dog, coming in at over 50
lbs.  He’d be perfect for a
woman. To her community, she is a missionary
family with a back yard and
who has not had to leave Charleston County to see
would do well with children
real third-world conditions. To her staff, she is the
of all ages great with other
administrator with a big heart. For her God, she daily
dogs, as well.  He is ready
seeks to be one who has heard the cry of the hungry for a new home!
and provided food, felt the spirit of the downtrodden
and provided a kind word, embraced the lonely with Call Pet Helpers at 795-1110. Adoption fees: $125 cats & dogs
unconditional love, and served humanity from the (6 mo. or younger), $100 for 6 mo. or older. $55 for rabbits. Includes
spaying/neutering, shots, heartworm check, leukemia check,
depths of her soul.
deworming, microchip, collar and tag. Pet Helpers Spay Neuter
Clinic - 843 302 0556. Visit www.pethelpers.org.
www.islandconnectionnews.com
8 December 10, 2010
A “Moxie” Report: The “first” lawn tennis game in the U.S. of A.
T
he first set of rules for “lawn”
tennis were patented in 1874 in
England by one Major Walter
Clopton Wingfield. Not long ago, Billie
Jean King gave credit to a woman – Mary
Outerbridge – for having played, in
1874, the first lawn tennis match in the
United States. At least, that’s the claim
her brother made some fifty-five years
later. That Outerbridge claim was later
challenged by an incredibly persistent
reporter-sportswriter, Frank Phelps, who
checked hundreds of passenger ship lists
and concluded that Mary Outerbridge
did not bring the game in 1874 to the
U.S. from Bermuda, as claimed, but the
title for the first recorded match still
belongs to a woman.
Unlike most rigorous sports, lawn
tennis attracted women from the outset
– and their menfolk allowed them to
play, despite the warnings about how it
might “affect the ladies.”
The most engaging and persuasive
story of the “first” lawn tennis game
in America is that of one Martha
Summerhayes. An army officer’s young
wife, she mentions tennis being played in
Camp Apache in the Arizona Territory
in early October 1874.   Her memoir,
constructed from old letters and papers,
is clear, if lacking in detail:
By Warren Kimball
The question of getting settled
comfortably still worried me, and after a
day or two, I went over to see what Mrs.
Bailey had done. To my surprise, I found
her out playing tennis, her little boy asleep
in the baby carriage, which they had
brought all the way from San Francisco,
near the court. I joined the group and
afterwards asked her advice about the
matter. She laughed kindly and said: “Oh!
you’ ll get used to it, and things will settle
themselves. Of course it is troublesome,
but you can have shelves and such things-
-you’ ll soon learn,” and still smiling, she
gave her ball a neat left-hander.
Ella Bailey may well have been the
game’s first possessor of “a neat left-
hander,” but Martha Summerhayes
reinforced two facts: first, that the game
was already popular in the autumn of
1874, and second, that women played
from the outset.  But where did it come
from, and why the lawn?   Lawn tennis
did not require a lawn. (It is hard to
imagine a finely groomed, green lawn
at Camp Apache, located in the high
plains of east central Arizona, despite its
location on the White River).  Like the
“foot” in American football, lawns were
part of the game’s name, not integral
to the sport.  Even Major Wingfield
had referred to setting up a court “on
www.islandconnectionnews.com
a lawn, on ice, or in any suitable-sized
space either in or out of doors.”  More about Martha
“The ground need not even be turf,”
he wrote, “the only condition is, it must
be level.”  Ice may not have been used for
tennis (though it was used in 2008 when
some Russian polar experts slid around
in a doubles match on snow-covered ice),
but the Wedgemere Club in Winchester,
Massachusetts, which existed only from
1886 to the early 1890s, “had two cinder
and four grass courts . . . .” Californians
were playing lawn tennis on dirt courts
by 1881, and on cement and probably
asphalt (“asphaltum”) by 1887. As tennis
grew in popularity, cold weather clubs
laid boards over their dirt (clay) courts
to allow winter play.  deserves a reading today. She wrote
So even though lawns were not a
requirement, how did the game get to
that isolated army camp on the high
plains of east central Arizona?
The answer would seem to come from
England via San Francisco, brought
either by someone in the British consulate
or a London merchant.  The game had
achieved speedy popularity in England
earlier that year and could well have
arrived in San Francisco by August 1874,
when the Summerhayes and the Baileys
were presumably at Camp Reynolds on
Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. The
camp, which served “as a staging area
for troops serving in campaigns against
the Apache, Sioux, Modoc, and other
Indian tribes, was quite busy by 1876
with over 200 soldiers and a complete
village including a church, bakery,
blacksmith, shoemaker, laundry, barber,
trading store and photographer.”   with the painter/sculptor Frederick
So let me offer a new entry into the
list of contenders for “first” lawn tennis
player in the United States: either Ella
Bailey and her partners on the court,
or the English diplomat/trader who
brought the game to San Francisco
before it arrived in New England and
New York.
Whatever the truth of the Major,
Martha and Mary, the reality is that
lawn tennis arrived in the United
States in the mid-1870s separately and
independently in at least six different
places.  The first formal lawn tennis
club in the Americas seems to have
been formed in 1876 in New Orleans,
after English merchants in the city on
business brought the game over with
them. But whether the first lawn tennis
court in the Americas was set up in San
Francisco (my best guess); in Nahant,
Massachusetts; Staten Island, New York;
in Canada, or even at Camp Apache in
the Arizona Territory, the game quickly
became popular with the leisure class,
on Army posts, and everywhere British
merchants and diplomats traveled in the
19th century. English sports followed
the Union Jack throughout the world.
Although Martha Summerhayes
never mentions herself playing tennis,
it is clear that she was a dedicated
player. The quotations and dating
are from Martha Summerhayes,
Vanished Arizona: Recollections of
the Army Life by a New England
Woman (Teddington, Middlesex,
UK: The Echo Library, 2006;
originally published 1908/1911).
Her book is also available at: www.
gutenberg.org/dirs/etext97/variz10.
txt, Project Gutenberg Etext #1049,
September 1997.
Her’s is a lovely book that still
of “simply the impressions made upon
the mind of a young New England
woman who left her comfortable
home in the early seventies, to follow
a second lieutenant into the wildest
encampments of the American
army.” Imagine the culture shock
for a young New England woman,
well-enough off to have spent a
year in Hanover, Germany, as the
guest of a German general and his
family, traveling overland across the
United States to San Francisco and
then, in 1874, sailing south and then
north into the Gulf of California
so they could reach the mouth of
the Colorado River and from there
on an over-the-mountains trek to
Camp Apache. Sixteen years later,
in 1890, the Summerhayes ended up
at Fort Slocum in Long Island Sound
and lived in New Rochelle, NY.
There they met and became friendly
Remington, who played tennis with
Teddy Roosevelt and Remington’s
wife. The most delightful story is her
description of meeting then President
Grover Cleveland, presumably in
the summer of 1888. The President
seemed taken with her account of
frontier life, but when she spoke of
“the unjust way” promotions in her
husband’s regiment had been handled
(her husband, Jack, was still a 1st
Lieutenant after twenty-two years
in the Army preceded by four years
in a volunteer Civil War regiment),
Cleveland commented that “women’s
opinions are influenced by their
feelings.” She retorted, “Mine are
based upon what I know, and I am
prepared to stand by my convictions.”
In her sparse, minimalist way, one
paragraph later she wrote that a
vacancy occurred about that time
and “President Cleveland saw fit to
give the appointment to Lieutenant
Summerhayes, making him a Captain
and Quartermaster . . . .”
I have told my granddaughters
to read this book. It is not at all a
woman’s tale of submission, but
a person’s tale of courage and
commitment.
December 10, 2010 9

Recognizing outstanding youth

Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club “Youth of the Month”
By Sam Reed

A
rea high school students continue to excel, and the Kiawah-Seabrook
Exchange Club is making every effort to recognize their achievements
through the Club’s Youth of the Month Award. This month’s “Youth of
the Month” students are Sydney Bertsch of Charleston Collegiate, and Jakeem
McNeil of St. Johns High School.
McNeil hopes to attend either Coastal Carolina University or Lander
University, and is planning to major in Graphic Design or Business Management.
He is an Honors student with a 3.46 grade point average, and is the only male
student at his school who is currently on this year’s Principal’s Honor List.
He is also vice president of the Student Council and Co-Editor of his school’s
yearbook.
Miss Bertsch hopes to choose between High Point University, Vassar
College, College of Charleston, Winthrop University, William and Mary, and
Manhattanville College. She carries a 3.95 grade point average and is a member
of the National Honor Society and her school’s Honor Council. She is also a
yearbook Co-Editor and a cheerleading Captain.
In addition to recognizing these outstanding young people, the Club has
approved some $35,000 in special grants to youth and education programs,
as well as $41,000 for health and welfare organizations. The Club’s primary
beneficiary, Darkness to Light (which aims to prevent child sexual abuse) is
expected to receive more than $30,000 this year from the Club.
For membership information concerning this civic-minded Club, contact
Membership Chair Frank Carrese at 768-9472 or e-mail fcarrese@comcast.net.

Youth of the Month Sydney Bertsch and Jakeem McNeil with Exchange Club president Mike Morris (center).

www.islandconnectionnews.com
December 10
Friday, December 10
Choraliers Christmas performance
The Island Choraliers, a men’s chorus made
up of residents of Kiawah and Seabrook
Islands, will present its annual vocal
Christmas concert at 7 p.m. at the Church
of Our Savior. Songs include Handel’s Joy
to the World, Silent Night, and much more!
Tickets are not required, but come early for
good seating.
Seabrook Island Garden Club
In Live Oak Hall at The Lake House on
Seabrook Island. The business meeting
will start at 9:30 a.m. with snacks and
refreshments served at 9 a.m. The Seabrook
Garden Club meets the second Friday of
each month at 9 a.m.
Saturday, December 11
Intro to Kayaking
Learn the basics: gracefully getting in
and out of the kayak, kayak, paddle and
lifejacket fit, basic strokes and maneuvers.
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Kayak and equipment
provided.  Call Sea Kayak Carolina at 225-
7969 to register. $45.
Beginners kayak trip on the Folly River
With the Charleston Sea Kayaking Meetup
Island Connection Calendar
Group.  Free to paddle with your own
kayak, or only $30 to rent. 10:30 a.m. - 1
p.m. www.SeaKayakCarolina.com or 225-
7969 for more information.
Charleston Sea Kayaking Meetup Group
Holiday Party
Hosted by Sea Kayak Carolina at 1731
Signal Point Road on James Island.  Free
for kayakers, family, friends and neighbors.  Join Quiana Parler and Friends in the Great
Food, drink, music and friendship!  2 p.m.
- 6 p.m. www.SeaKayakCarolina.com or
225-7969 for more info.
Sunday, December 12
Gift of the Magi by Chamber Music
Orchestra, Shrimp City Slim, Palmetto Soul
and Ricky & The Rattlers at Bowens Island.
Oysters, hot dogs, chili, drinks, desserts and
excellent marsh views. 2 to 7 p.m. $25 with
all-you-can-eat oysters, $15 without oysters
and $10 for students. Tickets available at
SOA or www.SOAstrings.org.
Tuesday, December 14
Paddling Clinic: waves and beaches for
boats and boaters
Come to this two-part class series to
learn why waves form and how coastal
topography and features influence those
patterns. This class will present essential
knowledge regardless of your preferred
Friday, December 17
Wright Brothers Day
eBirding at Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Master Naturalist instructor Keith
McCullough will lead a bird walk at the
Caw Caw Interpretive Center, where you
will sharpen your ID skills and learn how
to report your bird sightings on the website
www.ebird.org. 9:30 a.m.to 12 p.m. Course
# 24046. Fee: $6. For more info, call 795-
4386 or visit www.ccprc.com.
Sunday, December 19
Fifth Annual Festival of Wreaths for
Tuesday, December 21
First day of winter
Charleston County Bookmobile
The Charleston County Bookmobile will be
at Freshfields Village the first and third
Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. to
11:30 a.m.  The Bookmobile will be parked
behind Hege’s and Java Java. For more info,
call Guest Services at 768-6491.
Thursday, December 23
Happy Festivus!
Saturday, December 25
Sunday, December 26
Happy Kwanzaa!
Friday, December 31
New Year’s Eve
Snyder Grand Ball at the SC Aquarium
Hall, and DJ Natty Heavy spinning tunes
in the Great Ocean Room. Enjoy heavy hors
d’oeuvres and an open bar while celebrating
the New Year. The Francis Marion Hotel
will be offering packages for those who stay
December 31
downtown. Tickets: $125/pp. Check out
www.snydergrandball.com for more
information.
Family Celebration
Ring in 2011 with friends and family,
featuring live entertainment and fireworks
at Night Heron Park, and a full a la carte
menu served until 9:30 p.m. Live music
from the VIPs, laser tag, train rides,
jump castle, full dome immersive cinema
experience and party favors for all. The
fireworks begin at 10pm from the Night
Heron Park Soccer Field! 5:30 p.m. – 10
p.m. for more information, call 768-6001.

Gardening by the Moon Charleston

Presented by Actors’ Theatre of South
Carolina and Chamber Music Charleston,
water craft. Pre-registration required.
December 14 & 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Course # 23914. Fee: $36.
MUSC Children’s Hospital
Enjoy savory hors-d’oeuvres, bubbly
champagne and festive live music amidst
Merry Christmas!

From the Farmers’ Almanac famous storyteller O. Henry weaves a holiday designer wreaths available for
auction. Palmetto Café at Charleston Place
December 2010 Christmas tale of love and sacrifice as actors Thursday, December 16
10th Plant Sweet Corn, Beans, Peppers, And Other Above Ground Crops Where and musicians present the story. Free and from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance
Climate Is Suitable. open to the public. Tickets available at Seabrook Holiday Party and $20 at the door, at the Orient-Express
11th-12th Good Days For Killing Weeds, Briars And Other Plant Pests, Poor Kiawah Town Hall, 21 Beachwalker Dr. For Come celebrate the season with your fellow Boutique in Charleston Place Hotel or by
For Planting. more info, call 768-9166. Seabrookers at Seabrook Town Hall from 12 calling 937-9142. Complimentary parking
13th-15th Plant Peppers, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, And Other Above Ground to 2 p.m. Complimentary beverages and a available. For more details, visit www.
Crops In Southern Florida, California, And Texas. Extra Good For Cucumbers, full spread of food from Hamby’s Catering. CharlestonPlaceShops.com/FOW.
Peas, Cantaloupes, And Other Vine Crops. 8th Annual Oyster Roast for School
of the Arts Please bring a new, unwrapped present for
16th-17th A Poor Time To Plant. Toys for Tots. For more info, call Town
18th-19th Fine For Planting Beans, Peppers, Cucumbers, Melons, And Other Performances by the School of the Arts
Hall at 768-9121.
Above Ground Crops Where Climate Is Suitable.
20th-21st Seeds Planted Now Tend To Rot In Ground.
Johns Island R egional Library *Internet Basics (adults/young adults) Store, 3575 Maybank Highway, unique reindeer life by starting with the
22nd-23rd Most Favorable Days For Planting Beets, Onions, Turnips, And
3531 Maybank Highway, 559-1945 Tuesday, December 21, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Johns Island. branch of a palm frond and then choosing
Other Root Crops Where Climate Allows. Plant Seedbeds And Flower Gardens.
Hours: a color scheme, a pair of eyes, a nose, a
24th-27th A Most Barren Period. Kill Plant Pests And Do General Farm Work.
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. *Keyboard Basics (adults/young adults) Club Anime! (ages 12-19) little paint, and other items of fancy and
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, December 18, from 3 to 4:30 imagination. You can contact him at
page

Copyright Farmers’ Almanac 2010, www.farmersalmanac.com

Wee Reads (under 24 months with adult)
Mondays, December 13 & 20 at 10:30 a.m.
 
Time for Twos (2 – 3 years old with adult)
Tuesdays, December 14, 21 and 28, at
10:30 a.m.
a
*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.
Early Literacy Station (up to 11 years
p.m. Let’s celebrate the end of 2010 with
Japanese snacks! Gummies, Wasabi Peas,
and random Otaku goodies will be served.
Sea Islands Book Club (adults)
Tuesday, December 21, at 2 p.m.
Join the discussion of Black Wind by Clive
CWAROB@aol.com.
Quilt Display
November 1 – December 31
Louetta Davis will display her quilt,
Louetta’s Heritage. She has taken her
family tree, the Bennett Family Tree, and

old) December 1 - 31. Fun activities based and Dirk Cussler. designed a beautifully personalized quilt.
Preschool Storytime (3 – 6 years) on the South Carolina Day by Day Family Davis is a member of Our Lady of Mercy
Wednesdays, December 15, 22 and 29, at Literacy Activity Calendar. Book Explorers: Preschool Book Club Community Outreach’s “Quilting Lives”
Ta k e

10:30 a.m. (ages 3 to 6 years old) Friday, December group.

PLAY with Dad: Family Storytime (all
ages) Saturdays, December 11 & 18, at
11 a.m. Hey Dad, bring the kids in for
Buggy stories and crafts each Saturday in
December.
Pajama Storytime (all ages) 31, at 10:30 a.m.
Thursdays, December 16 & 30, at 6:30 p.m.   Jewelry Display
  Displays November 1 - December 31
Saturday Movie Matinee:  A Carolina Reindeer Craft Display John’s Island resident Margaret Covington
Christmas Carol (all ages) Saturday, December 1 - 31 will display her bead jewelry designs
December 11, at 2 p.m. Rated PG, James Island craftsman Robert Noe through December. 
96 minutes.  Sponsored by The UPS comes from an artistic family. He gives his
12 December 10, 2010

Celebrating the season

Habitat provides fall fun for local families

S
ea Island Habitat for Humanity celebrated the fall season this year by hosting a Fall Festival for
Habitat for Humanity (SIHH) families and local communities. The festival was held at the Sea
Island Habitat for Humanity office Saturday, November 20, and featured several fun family
activities including a potato sack relay race, cupcake walk, corn hole, ladder toss, tug-of-war, Frisbee golf,
face painting, bubble stations, jump castles and snacks. The Fall Festival was an extremely low cost event
for Habitat thanks to generous donations from Charleston Jump Castle, Piggly Wiggly, Johns Island
Baptist Youth Group, volunteers, and homeowners. Thanks to these extraordinary donors and volunteers,
the Fall Festival was free for all attendees.
More than 70 homeowners from Habitat Boulevard, Taylor Place, Island Estates, and Brownswood
Place came to the Habitat headquarters to celebrate fall and participate in the many games and activities.
A big “Thank you!” goes out to all of the volunteers who helped with the Fall Festival and made the event
such a success.
For more information on Sea Island Habitat for Humanity or to get
involved with future events, please visit www.seaislandhabitat.org or
call Rhea Miller at 768-0998.

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• Increase your understanding of your overall financial position
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Dennis V. Coleman Thomas D. Dunleavy, CRPS ®

First Vice President-Investments Account Vice President
Wealth Advisor Advisory and Brokerage Services
dennis.coleman@ubs.com thomas.dunleavy@ubs.com

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Registered Client Service Associate
lisa.layne@ubs.com

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Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-9700 colemandunleavygroup@ubs.com

www.islandconnectionnews.com
December 10, 2010
KIAWAH ISLAND RECREATION: december 10 - december 26
For more details and reservations for the following activities, including times for Nature Tours, please visit www.kiawahrecreation.com or call the Heron
Park Nature Center at 768-6001. All activities are open to the public. Please remember that Night Heron Pool is for Resort Guests and Governors’ Club
Members only. Thank you for your cooperation. *Nature Tours available daily. Times are tide dependant.
Friday, December 10
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Volleyball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 11
We are proud to announce that Kiawah
Island will be holding its 33rd Annual
Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon
today! Please be advised that there
may be some road closures and traffic
delays during this event. Come cheer
on our runners! The race starts at 8
a.m. For more information, please go
to www.kiawahmarathon.com
Sunday, December 12
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Basketball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, December 13
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Volleyball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday, December 14
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Basketball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Police Blotter
BY MEREDITH POWELL
November 4: (Kiawah) A deputy
conducted a normal traffic stop for
speeding and requested a driver’s
license, registration and proof of
insurance. The subject admitted that
his license was under suspension and
was unable to locate his registration or
proof of insurance. When the officer
checked the driver’s license, he found
that it was indeed under suspension but
also found two bench warrants so the
subject was asked to exit the vehicle.
The subject was handcuffed, searched
for contraband, placed into the patrol
vehicle and later transported to the
Charleston County Detention Center.
November 5: (Bohicket Marina) The
owner of a business building on Andell
Bluff Boulevard called officers after
one of his renters failed to pay their
rent for several months and caused
damage to the property before vacating,
cutting away part of the countertop and
removing the sink, cabinet and freezer
chest. The owner stated that the items
that were taken out and the countertop
were part of the physical building and
should not have been removed from the
property. The renters stated that they
installed the items and were just taking
their belongings out. The officer advised
them to only remove their personal
belongings from the business and that
all parties should speak with a judge as
it is a civil matter.
13
Tuesday, December 21
The Heron Park Nature Center is an official Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Basketball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Toys for Tots drop-off site!
Drop off your new gifts to donate to this wonderful program Wednesday, December 22
during our daily hours of 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Soccer: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, December 23
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Basketball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 18 Friday, December 24
Wednesday, December 15 Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pickup Games: Soccer: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Pickup Games: Volleyball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Pickup Games: Soccer: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday, December 19 Saturday, December 25
Thursday, December 16 Happy Holidays!!!
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pickup Games: Basketball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Heron Park Nature Center is closed for
Pickup Games: Basketball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. the holiday.
Monday, December 20
Friday, December 17 Sunday, December 26
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pickup Games: Volleyball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Turtle Tracks: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Pickup Games: Volleyball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Pickup Games: Basketball: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
November 8: (Kiawah) The
complainant parked her vehicle at
her vacation rental on Green Dolphin
Way and sometime between 12:30
p.m. on November 7 and 12:40 p.m.
on November 8, the rear window of
her Sienna minivan was broken. Even
though it is unclear exactly how the
window was broken, the officer thought
that maybe a rock was thrown in the air
by a lawn maintenance crew working
nearby.
November 15: (Kiawah) A complainant
reported an open front door at a
residence on Bulrush Lane around 4:30
p.m. and then again at about 7:30 p.m.
with the lights on. Even though the
property is undergoing renovations,
there were no workers present. Nothing
appeared to be tampered with or
missing so the officer made certain the
doors were locked and returned the key
card to the property manager.
November 21: (Kiawah) An officer
observed a Jeep Grand Cherokee
improperly parked on Beachwalker
Drive, not only in front of the County
Park’s closed gate but also next to a
sign stating “No parking allowed – tow
away zone.” The towing company
was called but later canceled when the
owner of the vehicle arrived. She was
ticketed and given a court date.
www.islandconnectionnews.com
14
Plant an oyster garden, restore fish habitat
“O Oysters, come and walk with us! … A pleasant
walk, a pleasant talk, / Along the briny beach.” ~
The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll
I
t’s a fact that more and more of
the public oyster beds around the
Lowcountry are closing every year
due to contamination. In fact, most of
the river-side of the Isle of Palms has been
shut down due to higher-than-acceptable
levels of fecal coliform in the water. This
could be caused by anything from leaking
sewage pipes to waterfront property
owners not picking up after their dogs,
but the end result is the same: there is too
much pollution in a large portion of our
waters and not enough oysters to filter
it all. That’s where Stephen Czwartacki
comes in.
A shellfish biologist with the
Department of Natural Resources,
Stephen has been pulling out all the stops
to get a shellfish recycling and restoration
project going along our coastal waters,
and as of last year he launched the first of
what will hopefully be an annual seasonal
project geared toward restoring and
maintaining our precious oyster beds.
The concept is actually quite simple.
With the help of local homeowners with
docks on their property, Stephen asks
volunteers to spend a couple hours once a
month putting together oyster collection
bags. The bags - basically large mesh sacks
filled with oysters shells which have cured
in the sun for six months so as to kill any
potentially harmful bacteria - are then
suspended from homeowners’ docks for
one month where they collect thousands
of little oyster larvae called “spats”. The
seeded bags are then collected by DNR
staff and distributed in areas where they
can help build new beds. The process is
repeated three times during the warm
summer months, and each bag creates
about three-fourths of a square meter
of new oyster bed. Last year’s program
launch resulted in the creation of 900
seeded oyster bags which helped to build
almost an acre of new oyster bed: that’s
quite a lot when you think about the fact
that a single oyster filters up to 50 gallons
of water a day.
“Oysters are a keystone species in our
habitats,” Stephen explained. “They suck
in water and filter it, and what they excrete
is eaten by crabs and shrimp, which come
out and populate the area. Then fish come
to eat the crabs and shrimp. They really
do keep a habitat up and running.”
With the successful launch of the
program last year, Stephen hopes to
bring on even more dock owners and
volunteers this year, and especially hopes
that local restaurants and caterers will
also participate by donating their used
oyster shells to help with seeding. Even
December 10, 2010
By Kristin Hackler
the oyster shells left over from a private
oyster party will help.
“We had a community participate
last year and they basically threw a big
picnic, during which everyone took a
turn bagging oyster shells,” said Stephen.
“We wound up with more than 200
oyster bags ready to go after only a couple
hours. We’re hoping we can do more
community events like that next year.”
While South Carolina imports more
than half of its annual consumption of
oysters, Stephen is adamant that our local
oysters are some of the best in the world.
“We have a phenomenal growth rate
with our oysters,” said Stephen, pointing
out that if someone were to take one of
the program’s oyster bags and hang it
properly (where the oysters are exposed
during low tide) for a year as opposed to
the one month seeding time, a half pound
of oyster shells would yield 25 pounds of
good-sized oysters.
Stephen Czwartacki, shellfish biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, holds up a completed
“There’s a program very similar to
this in Chesapeake where people pay oyster bag, ready for seeding.
$70 to participate,” said Stephen, noting
that their program is learning from the
mistakes of Chesapeake, where the oyster
beds have been seriously depleted.
The main goal of the oyster re-seeding
project is to restore oyster beds and create Tide C h a r t
fish habitat, thereby restoring the marsh
dynamics in suffering areas. Because De c e m be r 10 - De c e m be r 23
the goal is to create oysters rather than
eat them, oyster shells can be used from Date High Tide Low Tide
polluted areas. However, part of the long
range goal is that these new oysters in Dec 10
11:14am/11:26pm 4:40pm/5:23pm
polluted areas will help the beds already
in place by filtering even more water and Dec 11 11:58am 5:25am/6:06pm
restoring the beds so that they can once Dec 12 12:14am/12:44pm 6:14am/6:50pm
again be harvested by the public.
Dec 13 1:06am/1:32pm 7:08am/7:36pm
Stephen and his team will be focusing
Dec 14
on areas within the North Edisto/ 1:59am/2:23pm 8:07am/8:24pm
Wadmalaw River watersheds this Dec 15 2:53am/3:16pm 9:07am/9:13pm
coming year, and hope that residents of
Dec 16 3:46am/4:09pm 10:04am/10:03pm
Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook and Wadmalaw
Dec 17
Islands – as well as other coastal barrier 4:37am/5:00pm 10:57am/10:53pm
islands - will help with the re-seeding Dec 18
5:26am/5:49pm 11:46am/11:41pm
project either by helping with bagging
or allowing the use of their docks for Dec 19 6:14am/6:36pm 12:33pm
bag seeding. Specific areas on the list Dec 20 7:00am/7:21pm 12:28am/1:19pm
for restoration this coming year include Dec 21
Leadenwah Creek, Toogoodoo, and
7:45am/8:06pm 1:15am/2:04pm
Dec 22 8:30pm/8:52pm 2:02am/2:49pm
Bear’s Bluff.
For more information on the program Dec 23 9:16am/9:41pm 2:50am/3:34pm
or how you can participate, contact
Stephen Czwartacki at 953-9063, or Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.
email czwartacki@dnr.gov. To learn more Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can be
about the South Carolina Oyster Recycling very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be
Effort (SCORE) and oyster shell recycling
wrong so use common sense. Source: saltwatertides.com
locations, visit http://score.dnr.sc.gov or
http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/oyster.html.
www.islandconnectionnews.com
December 10, 2010
Yaupon Holly
(Ilex vomitoria)
By Jennifer Barbour
W
hat a perfect plant to highlight
for the holidays. Yaupon Holly
is found throughout the island,
both as a maritime forest native and among
landscaped gardens. The bright red berries
provide a pleasing contrast to the small
evergreen leaves. Birds and mammals rely
on these berries for nourishment during
the winter months. Deer also graze on the
foliage and slender twigs, perhaps feeling a
bit revived due to the berries’ high caffeine
content.
With a scientific name like vomitoria,
one doesn’t have to know much Latin
to figure out the potential side affects of
ingesting this plant. I’ve been told several
stories regarding the origin of its name.
My favorite involves the first British
settlers witnessing Native Americans using
Yaupon Holly to purge their systems. The
natives would brew the leaves for a long
period of time, making a ‘black drink’
as it was called, during ceremonies. I
suppose the British thought this would be
a good idea to try on their own; however,
they apparently treated the leaves more
like their black tea back home and only
steeped them a short time. The result was
quite profound. They did not experience
15
any purging effects, and the drink tasted
wonderfully familiar. Soon, these early
settlers had a plan to stamp out the need
to import the Queen’s black tea. Yaupon
Holly was planted for tea production
just north of Charleston. Interestingly
enough, not too much time passed before
Patriots, who did not always follow the
rules, replaced true-blooded Brits and the
leaves were left to steep longer, producing
those unfortunate side effects.
Today, North America’s only tea
plantation, located right down the road on
Wadmalaw Island, has done an excellent
job producing the best-tasting tea around.
This enables us to sit back and enjoy the
red and green beauty of the Yaupon Holly,
remember it’s former uses, and to be
thankful for the Camellia sinensis leaves in
our cups of tea.
Author’s Note: It should be noted that
we now know these berries are primarily
responsible for upsetting the stomach of
humans. Birds do not experience this
same adverse affect.
Jennifer is a Naturalist with the Kiawah
Island Nature Program. To contact her
with comments or personal stories, email her
A Yaupon Holly. Photo by Jamie Rood
at Jennifer_Barbour@kiawahresort.com.
www.islandconnectionnews.com
16
Art to go! December 10, 2010

Gibbes Art works with Mt. Zion Elementary

T
he Gibbes Art Museum provides in-school art education through a program
called Art to Go. Artist Julie Weinberger works with K – 5th grade students to
create hands-on art projects inspired by the Gibbes Collection.
This is the second year the Gibbes has brought Art to Go to Mt. Zion Elementary.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Ms. Weinberger works with the students in order to
enrich their art education experience. Students take additional time to increase literacy
through reading and writing about the artists who they study.
In addition to viewing images from the collection in their classroom, the Art to Go
program at Mt. Zion Elementary will bring the students to the museum to see the works
by these artists (and more) in person! Students also have the opportunity to display their
own work at the museum for one weekend at the end of the school year.
For more information regarding this event, please contact Principal Deborah Fordham
or Karla Swain at 559-3841.

www.islandconnectionnews.com
December 10, 2010
Obama vs. the U.S. Constitution
T
he most controlling document
of the United States of America
is the Constitution. Within
this framework the three branches of
government function: the Executive,
the Legislative and the Judicial, each
with their own proper authority.
When one part of government imposes
itself upon any of the other two, an
imbalance ensues. The Constitution
has been violated.
When an elected president takes the
oath of office, he swears to preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution
and carry out the law in accordance
with the Declaration of Independence.
In an article written by Mike Pence
(rep. Indiana)* the characteristics of
a president are put forth. At home
in the U.S., the president must be
firm, loyal and committed to the
best interests of the United States.
President Obama seems to have this
backward. At home he is arrogant,
didactic and imperial. Abroad he
bows to kings, criticizes America and
Op-Ed:
Island Curmudgeon
By William J. Duggan
apologizes to our enemies.
The Constitution has not always
been so honored by American
presidents. FDR overstepped
his executive authority when he
established the National Recovery
Administration and the Agricultural
Adjustment Administration. The
Supreme Court struck these down
as unconstitutional. FDR then tried
to pack the Supreme Court only to
be rebuked by the Senate. History
records the efforts of other presidents
to circumvent the Constitution.
At the present time we are
confronted by a president and
his administration who have
circumvented the Constitution time
and time again. One of the more
blatant examples is end-running the
Legislative by creating czars without
Senate confirmation. Creating
czars is not unconstitutional, but to
by-pass Senate confirmation disrupts
the working relationship between
Congress and the president. In his
www.islandconnectionnews.com
State of the Union address, Obama
ridiculed erroneously the Supreme
Court for a recent ruling on the First
Amendment. Justice Alito could
be seen shaking his head saying,
sub-voice, “That’s not true.”
Obama has made personal attacks
on Chief Justice Roberts. Even the
swing vote judge, Justice Kennedy,
says, “I will not retire until Obama is
gone.” The Supreme Court is quietly
looking at several constitutional
issues. ObamaCare violates the
Constitution by forcing citizens
to purchase a specific product
(health insurance). Obama has his
Department of Justice suing the
state of Arizona over its immigration
law which the electorate of Arizona
approved. This is an attack on state
rights. Then there is the notorious
stonewalling by Obama-Holder who
refuse to prosecute the New Black
Panther Party for documented voter
intimidation, a federal offense. This
is the same Black Panther group who
17
recently called for the murder of
Caucasians, their mothers and their
babies.
Will these serious issues ever be
resolved? I do not know the answer!
But, given the awakening of Congress
to its identity as an equal part of
government, Obama’s honeymoon
could be headed for divorce. But,
perhaps more significantly, the
resolution of many of these issues
lies with the Supreme Court. If the
Supreme Court does its job in the
months ahead, we are in for some
very interesting times!
*Imprimis, October 2010.
William Duggan is a political opinion
columnist and resident of Johns Island.
To send comments or replies, email them
to comments@luckydognews.com.
18
Wild harvest
Kiawah’s edible plants
by Sarah Ernst, Naturalist
T
he celebration of Thanksgiving
has become deeply  associated
with specific culinary traditions.  The wild grapevines that wind around
In my house, our annual Thanksgiving
meals were faithful to that tradition:
mashed potatoes, green bean casserole,
cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes crowned
with marshmallows, and, of course,
roasted turkey.  With all the yearly panic
experienced by hesitant cooks nationwide,
it’s easy to forget that the early roots of
Thanksgiving were based on celebrating
the harvest and preparing what food you
could grow and what was available nearby.
In coastal South Carolina we are lucky to
have a bounty of fresh seafood to harvest
ourselves, but did you know that Kiawah
is also home to many edible plants?
Following are highlights of some
of our native edible plants, along with
suggestions for making the most of their
unique flavors.  Wash your harvest before
eating it, especially if you gathered it
along a roadside.  Make sure you are well
armed with a plant guidebook as some of
our island’s plants, such as the beautiful
native Coral Bean and Yellow Jessamine,
are quite poisonous.  For this same reason,
it is best to avoid mushrooms altogether
December 10, 2010
unless you go with an experienced
mushroom harvester. 
much of Kiawah’s maritime forest produce
a bountiful harvest in late summer or early
fall. The grapes - called muscadines when
red, scuppernogs when green - are eaten
raw as well as made into wines and jellies,
and are high in antioxidants.  Another
forest plant, sassafras, is the original
source of root beer.  While it has fallen
in to disfavor after being found to have Wild muscadines grow all around our barrier islands.
carcinogenic properties in rats, recent
research reveals it’s far less harmful to Passionvine, or Maypop, can be found in like asparagus.  Dunes are very  sensitive
humans.  Simmer young roots in water gardens as well as wild areas, and produce to disturbance, however, so please don’t
for 20 minutes and add a bit of honey and edible fruit as exotic as their flower.  Cut forage around - their resident plants should
sparkling water for homemade root beer. them in half and use the pulp, crunchy be left untouched.  Sea oats in particular
A search of disturbed areas - fields, seeds and all, in a fruit salad. are protected by federal law thanks to
roadsides, and pond edges - will reveal Edible plants can even be found in a the vital importance of their root system,
more edible plants.  Winged Sumac, harsh ecosystem like the dunes.  Prickly which hold the dunes in place. 
better known for its vibrant red fall pear is an incongruous sight in South This article is reprinted with permission
foliage, also produces large clumps of Carolina, but they are indeed native.  The from Kiawah’s Nature Notes. If you’re
tangy red berries.  Steep them for a few leaf pads can be grilled or boiled, and interested in learning more about wildlife
hours in the sun, filter, and add sweetener taste like green beans.  The fruit, called and nature on our unique barrier islands,
to make “Sumac-Ade”, a more delicate “tunas”, can be simmered down for use sign up for Kiawah Resort’s monthly Nature
take on lemonade.  Mark the simple white in exotic  tropical  margaritas.  The seeds Notes e-newsletter at www.tinyurl.com/
flowers of Dewberry in spring to find their of sea oats can be roasted and used in NNsignup
raspberry-like berries in early summer.  baking, and the shoots and young leaves
of the tough Smilax vines can be steamed
www.islandconnectionnews.com