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E Folly Gras Page 9 Culinary Corner Page 12 HealtHy teetH Page 2
Fol l y Beac hs Newspaper
Vol . 4 I ssue 9 Febr uar y 17, 2012 w FREE
T
he sun sets over the Folly River, an
explosion of color streaking across the
sky. Jack Tomas looks out from the
deck of his apartment at the Sandbar, takes a
long pull from his can of beer, and sighs.
Tis place is so peaceful, he says, softly.
Its beautiful.
Tomas has rented an apartment at the
Sandbar for six years, scooting around on
his moped between home and his job at the
Grill on the Edge. Like many residents who
rent the 28 apartments at the Sandbar, he was
caught of guard by reports from the January
10 City Council meeting, when Charleston
County Parks and Recreation Executive
Director Tom ORourke approached council
Sandbar continues on page 4
Plans taking shaPe for new county Park Project
By stratton lawrence
A Sandbar Ec o-Lodge
Sandbar Resident Jack Thomas looks out across the marsh from his apartment
Lai ssez l es bon t emps r oul er
February 17, 2012
F
ebruary is National Pet Dental
Month, and the dental care of
dogs and cats is one of the most
commonly overlooked areas of pet health
care. In fact, the American Veterinary
Dental Society reports that 80% of dogs
and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease
by age three. Did you know that the
infammation and infection associated
with periodontal disease may damage
other organs such as the heart, liver, and
kidneys, or lead to other serious health
problems?
Brush regularly and start when they are
kittens and puppies, since brushing can be
challenging as they get older. Brush once a
day with special pet toothbrush with soft
bristles and pet-friendly toothpaste. Te
Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)
regulates and adds their seal to approved
veterinary dental products www.vohc.org.
Look for these as you shop for your pet
supplies.
Brush regularly and start when 1.
they are kittens and puppies, since
brushing can be challenging as they
get older. Brush once a day with
special pet toothbrush with soft
bristles and pet-friendly toothpaste.
Te Veterinary Oral Health Council
(VOHC) regulates and adds their seal
to approved veterinary dental products
(www.vohc.org). Look for these as
you shop for your pet supplies.
Make sure to use fuoride free 2.
toothpaste because fuoride is toxic to
pets.
Make the animal comfortable and 3.
approach from the side rather than in
front.
Start with just a few teeth and 4.
gradually increase the number of
teeth cleaned each time until the
whole mouth can be cleaned in a
single session.
Initially, the mouth does not need to 5.
be opened. It is mainly the surfaces
of the teeth that face the inside of the
cheek, along the gum line.
When the animal is comfortable 6.
with having the cheek facing surfaces
of all its teeth brushed, an attempt
should be made to open the mouth
and carefully brush the top and
other surfaces of the teeth. If this is
not accepted, there is every reason to
continue with daily brushing of the
outside surfaces. However, gingivitis
will occur on the palatal and lingual
surfaces if these are not brushed.
Ofer a reward at the end of the 7.
procedure (i.e. a game or a walk).
Include tooth brushing as part of the 8.
daily grooming routine.
Home care is more likely to be 9.
acceptable to an older pet if it is
introduced as an extension of a pre-
existing routine (i.e. evening meal,
walk, grooming). Te owner is also
more likely to remember a consistent
routine.
Owners can sit small dogs and cats 10.
on their lap while brushing, at the
same time cuddling them to reduce
their apprehension; alternatively one
person cuddles and restrains while
the other administers the brushing.
In cats, stomatitis is a common
condition. Stomatitis is an infammation
of the mucous lining of any of the
structures in the mouth, which may
involve the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips,
throat, and roof or foor of the mouth.
It is caused by bacteria found in the pets
mouth and is the bodys overreaction to
bacteria. Symptoms include increased
drooling, mouth odor, crying out when
yawning and tilting head while eating
to try to fnd a more comfortable side to
chew on. In advanced cases, the treatment
of choice is extraction of all the teeth.
Cats can continue a good quality of life
even after tooth removal.
In dogs, fractured teeth from chewing
on objects or cages make this a common
condition. CVRCs dentistry team
says many veterinarians opt to extract
a fractured tooth, but there are other
options. Root canals are efective in
treating a fractured tooth as well. Similar
to human patients, the installation of
a titanium crown to preserve the tooth
but prevent infection is appropriate.
Symptoms of a fractured tooth vary in
dogs depending on which tooth theyve
fractured. Overall, symptoms to look for
include bad mouth odor and chewing on
one side of the mouth.
Ten St eps t o Ensur e
Your Pet has Heal t hy Teet h
Provided by Charleston veterinary referral Center
Ot r ant o Book Sal e
February 17, 2012 3
Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC
Publishers of The Folly Current, The Island
Eye News and the Island Connection.
Lynn Pierotti
publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com

Stratton Lawrence
editor
stratton@luckydognews.com
Blake Bunch
associate editor
blake@luckydognews.com

Swan Richards
senior graphic designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Lori Dalton
sales manager
lori@luckydognews.com
Chris Wilkerson
advertising
843-469-8050
christine@luckydognews.com
Richard Brendel
advertising
843-478-0896
richard@luckydognews.comRichard
Melissa Caloca
graphic designer
melissa@luckydognews.com
Contributors
Vince Perna
David Crawford
Megan Carroll
Jacob Flannick
Justin Morris
Bonne Isenhour
Joel Flores
Anton Dumars
Jud Bushkar
Heather Johnson
Lindsey Graham
Brian Sanders
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
March 2 Paper Deadline is
February 22 for Submissions
The Folly Current, a wholly owned sub-
sidiary of Lucky Dog Publishing of South
Carolina LLC, is a free, independent news-
paper published every two weeks and is for
and about Folly Beach. Copies are mailed
free of charge to every active mailbox in
our coverage area and are also available at
area businesses and by subscription to non-
islanders. Subscriptions are $39 per year for
non-residents and are available by sending
a check to Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC, P.O.
Box 837, Sullivans Island, SC 29482. Our
editorial content is primarily dedicated to
the area of distribution; ad space is open to
all businesses who want to reach the Folly
Beach market. Complete ad creation is
$50, however, changes of up to 30% of the
original ad are included at no extra cost. All
advertising rates are listed at
www.islandeyenews.com
under advertising.
WWW.FOLLYCURRENT.COM
Dear Editor:
We are the two large neighborhoods (South of Broad and
Ansonborough)located at the center of the Charleston historic
district. Te State Ports Authority (SPA) has been publicly
campaigning for amerit-based federal study of all southeastern
ports (particularlyCharleston versus Savannah) to determine
the best site for deep water dredging to accommodate the
next generation of large cargo ships- aprudent, economically
conservative action before expending publicfunds. Yet, our
requests for such a merit-based study of all possible sites or the
new cruise terminal in Charleston have been ignored to date.
SPA without a merit study selected a site immediately adjacent to
our residential neighborhoods, thereby ignoring numerous other
potential sites away from residential areas.
SPA also has objected to the dredging of the Savannah River on
the grounds that fsh in the river will not be adequately protected
by a $50,000,000 aeration system promised by Georgia.
Yet, the SPA will not protect humans in Charleston from
the heavy sootproduced by docked cruise ships through proven
plug-in shore powercosting only a few million dollars.
Te cumulative harmful efects of trafc congestion, noise
and sootfrom recent Carnival cruise operations have resulted
in oppositionfrom local leaders in tourism, real estate, health
and preservation.Tese are the reasons why two national
organizations (National Trustfor Historic Preservation and
World Monuments Fund) have placedCharleston on a special
watch list of endangered historical sites.
Our State leaders should exercise oversight and immediately
conduct amerit-based study of cruise terminal sites to assure that
SPA, agovernment enterprise, does not unreasonably damage
private persons,properties and businesses. Tis is a prudent,
fscally conservativeplan for both dredging and cruising sites.
Randy Pelzer
Head, Charlestowne [South of Broad] Neighborhood Association
Cruise Ship Task Force
Steve Hanson
President, Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association
Letters to the Editor...
Dear Editor,
Im 52 years old and have traveled overseas
many, many times. In the past ten years
I have traveled in and out of the country
14 or 15 times on Holland America cruise
ships, a very nice cruise line with fabulous
service. I always have had a wonderful
time on these cruises and never any issue
leaving or entering the United States.
In January, at the end of my last
cruise, I stayed up late the night before
disembarkation only to be awakened early
the next morning by loud banging on my
cabin door. Ordinarily housekeeping or a
cabin steward would never knock so loud
as to wake me from a very sound sleep.
Once awakened I thought to myself
I didnt order any room service for this
morning.
When I opened the door there were fve US
Customs Agents and two Holland America
Security Guards. Te police ofcers asked
me to identify myself and for my SSN,
I did so. Tey searched me, arrested me,
hand cufed me and led me through the
ship past my friends, and folks Ive met
on the ship and others who recognized me
as one of their fellow cruisers. Incredibly
embarrassing but the most incredible part
of this story is about the fsh! Yes this is
all over a fsh!
Once of the ship I was handed over to
Broward County Sherifs Ofcers, only
to have them all begin laughing over my
charges: FTA, Fail to Appear. I was in
trouble for not showing up to court for
killing a fsh: a grouper to be exact. Te
reality is that 15 years ago, yes 15 years
ago, I was snorkeling with a buddy in the
Florida Keys, Key West, Monroe County.
He was doing a bit of spear fshing. While
aiming at one fsh, he missed and hit a
smaller grouper at just about the same
time a game warden happened by. We
were both given a ticket for killing the
same undersized grouper since the warden
didnt know who actually killed the fsh.
Later, however, my buddy admitted to
killing that fsh and paid the fne. One
shot, one kill, one fshone ticket.
What the heck is going on in our country!
I can be found sung as a bug in my
stateroom, but records for whom actually
killed that fsh cant!
I was cufed and led of a wonderful cruise
experience, thoroughly embarrassed in
front of everyone aboard, and then jailed.
All for something I didnt do! I have no
idea what the taxpayers were charged for
my fsh story but I am so angry over
the waste of taxpayer money and law
enforcements time as well as my own
complete embarrassment that I could
explode.
Dangerous drugs runners and terrorists
threaten our country every day, yet fve
customs agents, three ofcers and two
security guards are tied up in a completely
unreal 15-year-old fsh story.
Is this the same U.S. Federal Government
that wants to regulate the Internet,
demand that we buy health insurance,
and allow the banking industry to prey
on us fnancially? What has happened
to common sense, reasonable law
enforcement, and our society, when we
the people could allow this kind of fsh
story to actually happen?
God Speed to all.
Sincerely,
Joe Main
Grouper Joe, fsh fugitive at large
T
he Charleston Friends of the
Library are proud to present
their frst book sale of the year
at the Otranto Regional Branch of the
Charleston County Libraries. With great
bargains, good books and a chance to
support your library system, all are in
invited.
Te Charleston Friends of the Library,
a non-proft volunteer organization, raises
money through book sales to help fund
Library services, equipment, training,
materials and public programming. Te
Friends collect and sort donated books for
resale to raise money. Tis branch sale is
one of the four book sales held throughout
the year by the Friends.
Books, DVDs, and CDs, will be
available with prices starting at one dollar
for paperbacks and three dollars for
hardback books. Items include mysteries,
romances, classics, childrens books, local
histories, cookbooks and a variety of
non-fction topics. Childrens books start
at just ffty cents each.
A special event for Friends of the Library
members will be held at the branch,
Tursday evening, March 1 from 5:30 to
&:30 p.m. For this sale only, members are
encouraged to bring a friend to experience
the benefts of membership.
Held Friday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. and Saturday, March 3 from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at the Otranto Regional Branch
in Charleston. Admission is free both Friday
and Saturday. For more information on the
Otranto Regional Sale, please visit www.
CharlestonLibraryFreinds.com.
Ot r ant o Book Sal e
4 February 17, 2012
about a plan to buy the restaurant and apartments and
convert them into an eco-lodge and kayak outftter.
In his monthly letter to the community, Mayor Tim
Goodwin acknowledged that he only learned of the sale
at the council meeting, and clarifed that the city could
not intervene in a private sale.
First opened in 1958, the Sandbar restaurant was
purchased in 1969 by Darus and Muriel Weathers. Many
current Folly residents and longtime visitors have fond
memories of the establishment, enjoying seafood and
steaks beside the tranquil river. Mayor Goodwin recalls
having his end-of-year seventh grade banquet there in the
mid-1960s.
It was the place to go, he remembers.
Although operations of the restaurant changed hands
a few times over the years, the Weathers family have
maintained ownership of the land and building for 43
years. After extensive renovations, they reopened the
restaurant in 2009, just as the economy was tanking. It
remained open for only about a year, and currently sits
empty, apart from the numerous apartments and residents
who live on the second foor and in adjacent buildings.
Negotiations with the county parks have been
underway for nearly two years, since the restaurant closed,
says Darrell Weathers, Darius son. (Full disclosure:
Author Stratton Lawrence currently rents an apartment
from Mr. Weathers on Folly Beach).
(Darus) has been trying to pretty much give it to
them, as a donation to help them out, with something
on record where it wouldnt ever be developed, says
Weathers. (Te county parks) are the only people
interested that seem to want to try to preserve it.
Darrells sister, Andie, clarifes that no papers have been
signed yet, expressing frustration that the potential deal
was made public at a council meeting before the family
could notify tenants. She says that the two parties are still
working out details, and that if the deal goes through,
the tenants will be given ample time to relocate.
County Parks ORourke specifes that tenants will
be given at least 60 days. We really want to make sure
that everybody gets out according to their wishes, says
ORourke.
Plans for the sites future use wont be fnalized until
the County Parks have had the opportunity to fully
assess the buildings structure, but ORourke says they
anticipate opening an eco-lodge, where people will rent
apartments to stay for a week at a time, taking advantage
of the Parks oferings, primarily kayaking and fshing.
Te idea is focused on being out in
nature, says ORourke, clarifying that
they will not reopen the restaurant or
compete with the citys existing dining
establishments. On the contrary, he
suggests that the year-round attraction
will help send more business to Center Street during the
of-season. Tis is not something that brings people to
the beach for four hours in
the summer. Tis will bring
visitors for nearly a week.
Existing kayak outftters
worry that the ecolodge
could siphon of their
business, thanks in part
to the County Parks more
sizeable marketing budget.
Right now there are
several kayak companies,
and competition is healthy
and good for business,
says Richard Brendel, who
owns Flipper Finders boat
and kayak tour company
on Center Street. In this
situation, the County Park
is not just another business.
I worry that I cant fairly
compete with them and
that I could lose a majority
of my customers.
ORourke explains
that the ecolodge is more
of a hostel than a hotel,
attracting people to Folly
Beach who come and stay
specifcally for the Parks
programs, similar to
existing cottage facilities at
James Island County Park.
He says the Parks already
run tours in the Folly River
and plan to expand their
kayaking oferings with
or without the Sandbar
property.
According to ORourke,
the ecolodge will retain
the Sandbar name with buildings and the design of the
property remaining much like they are now, in accordance
with the Weathers familys wishes.
Some residents raise concerns that the County Parks
are encroaching too far on Folly Beach, including recent
purchases of the beachfront former Folly Beach Inn
(FBI) property and the lot across the street, in addition
to the parks at either ends of the island. ORourke
acknowledges that concern, explaining that a master plan
is currently underway to dictate future improvements to
each property over the next 25 years. In the case of the
Sandbar, the deal is just too good to pass up, he says.
According to ORourke, thanks to a donation written
into the pending sale, the County Parks would ultimately
pay about $1.5 million for a property with an estimated
value around $5 million, with strict agreements about the
propertys future use.
Unfortunately for the Sandbars current residents, that
wont include some of Folly Beachs most afordable long-
term housing. With single units averaging around $600/
month, the Sandbar ofers a feasible option for people
with low to moderate incomes to live and work on Folly
Beach.
Councilmember D.J. Rich addressed that point in the
January 10 meeting.
You are taking a residence away from a signifcant
number of people, said Rich. Youre kicking out people
who have lived here on this island for forty years. Its another
piece of Folly Beach gone. Tats going to be sad.
ORourke sympathizes with Sandbar residents, but
emphasizes that the property is for sale regardless, and
the Parks plan retains the landscape and architectural
character of the site.
Still, thats little solace to longtime residents like Sandy
Townsend, a local real estate agent and current employee
at Subway on Center Street.
My heart belongs to this part of the island, says
Townsend, pointing out the three homes shes lived in
over the years in eyesight of the Sandbar. I understand
and Im not mad. People have a right to do what they
want to with their property.
Townsends neighbor, BJ Oliver, says shell likely have
to move to Mount Pleasant with her family.
I cant aford a whole lot more than this, says Oliver,
who lives on a fxed income. Were all family back here
in the hood.
Resident Jack Tomas says hell probably be the last
one out the door, and he still harbors hope that the deal
might fall through. Reminiscing about the best seafood
in town when the restaurant was open, he literally says
the news is breaking his heart.
Te winds of change are nothing new on this barrier
island, whose very character is defned by the wind and
waves that generously give us sand and then unfinchingly
take it away. For many, the Sandbar is one of the few
iconic landmarks still standing on Folly Beach. It may
soon have new stories to tell.
Sandbar continues from cover
(Above) Sunsets at the Sandbar have
been enjoyed by generations of diners
and tenants. (Right) BJ Oliver and Sandy
Townsend currently call the Sandbar
home.
February 17, 2012 5
WWW.FOLLYCURRENT.COM
T
he South Carolina House of Representatives is
back in session! Before detailing the activities in
Columbia, I thank you again for granting me the
honor and privilege of serving the great people of District
115. If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Te past few weeks in Columbia have dealt primarily
with committee workmaking sure important legislation
for job creation, better education, safer neighborhoods,
smaller government, and tax reform gets to the House
foor.
As we did last year, my colleagues and I have set
major goals this session. Included in our agenda is my
co-sponsored Right to Work Act that will strengthen
our existing laws, protect our workers, and preserve
individual liberty. We need such legislation to ensure
the Obama Administration understands we fght for the
people of South Carolina, not special interests. We need
Washington to know that South Carolina will not back
down from a fght for our people, even with their recent
actions against Boeing and their threats to sue us for
protecting our workers right to a secret ballot.
Tis year, we also want to continue shrinking the size
and cost of government. We want to consolidate state
agencies that can be consolidated, pass a state spending
limit, and shorten the legislative session. We also want
to save taxpayers money spent on elections by voting for
the Governor and Lt. Governor on the same ballot and
making the Secretary of Education a cabinet position.
As most of you know, I am extremely disappointed
with DHECs approval of the Savannah River dredging
project. Tis disastrous decision will only not hurt
South Carolinas economy, our beautiful
waterways, and the ports of Charleston
and Georgetown it also jeopardizes
thousands of new jobs for the proposed
port in Jasper County. With one in fve
South Carolina jobs directly tied to our
ports, I know how vital our ports and her
workers are to the entire state. As an avid
outdoorsman, I know we need to preserve
the beauty of our waterways for future
generations.
Tat is why my colleagues and I passed
a bill this session that protects our states
economy, future business growth, and our
waterways. By a 111-0 vote, we reafrmed
an existing state law requiring DHEC to
gain approval from the Savannah River
Maritime Commission before taking
action on navigability, depth, dredging,
sludge disposal and other collateral issues
in the Savannah River.
Together, we can and will make South
Carolina a better place to create jobs,
improve education, and reform government.
If you ever have any questions, opinions or
ideas to move South Carolina forward, I am
available by phone (843-452-4722), email
(info@petermccoy.org), Facebook (www.
facebook.com/petermccoyforsc) and Twitter
(www.twitter.com/petermccoyforsc).
St at ehouse Repor t
F r o m r e p. p e t e r mc c o y ( r D i s t r i c t 1 1 5 )
6 February 17, 2012
T
he Charleston Pour House hosts a beneft for the Jef Jel Project in Senegal,
featuring Reckoning, the Key of Q, Josh Phillips, James Justin Burke, Old
You, and Wadata. 'Jef Jel' is an expression in the Wolof language of Senegalthat
comes from the words 'jef' meaning 'efort' and 'jel' meaning 'take.' Together, 'jef jel'
translates to 'give andtake' or that 'the nature of your reward equals the nature of your
efort.' Ndangane is a small, rural fshing and farming village within the region of
Kaolack in Senegal, West Africa. Our mission is to provide vital assistance to struggling
communities in Senegal so that they can fully participate in their local economies.
As a result of THE JEF JEL PROJECT eforts, people of the Ndangane, a small
rural village in Senegal, West Africa, will be able to participate in local trade markets
to the full potential of their natural and human resources. Te villagers will rely less on
migrating to larger towns and cities for unpredictable lengths of time and unpredictable
living conditions in pursuit of occasional money-making opportunities. Trough the
Jef Jel Project, the people of Ndangane will live and survive within a familial social
support system, establish entrepreneurial activities in the agricultural, fshery, and artist
industries, have timely access to quality health care, and have the means to pursue
education without jeopardizing the success of their income-generating activities or their
progress toward fnancial independence.
Doors open at 4 pm and 100% of the $10 cover goes to beneft Jef Jel's mission in
Senegal.
Jef Jel Project Beneft
Third AnnuAl rusTy Cole BirThdAy CeleBrATion
H
oly City Shakespeare Teatre Company will present its homegrown version
of the comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Te production will coincide with
South Carolinas largest annual event and the largest event of its kind in the
nation: the Southeastern Wildlife Festival (SEWE).
An estimated 40,000 residents and visitors are expected to attend the festival that
weekend, and HCS Artistic Director Laura Rose intends to show them how Shakespeare
can be just as much a part of Te Lowcountry as fy fshing and game retrieval. Our
goal is to bring Shakespeare home to Charleston and, at the same time, to help our
audience feel at home with him.
Rose says it really isnt difcult to make a 400-year-old play relevant and entertaining
when its a Shakespeare play: Im always amazed at how modern and familiar, his
plays can be. Much Ado About Nothing is about family, marriage, and small-town
life. But its also about fnding how we can ft in and be happy without losing our
individuality. Its about soldiers coming home and getting on with their lives. Its about
women balancing personal independence with expectations at home. You could fnd
any number of plays written today on similar subjects.
To emphasize the American experience of those themes, Rose has set Shakespeares
story in the 1940s, in a small, Southern town at the end of WWII.Beatrice, the sharp-
witted romantic lead, is a strong, independent woman who gleefully refuses to follow
social expectations. I see her as an incarnation of Rosie the Riveter: how many women
changed their goals and futures after working outside the home during the war?
Te play is also famous for its merry war between Beatrice and the soldier Benedick.
Te pair fght so much, its obvious to everyone around them that they are hopelessly in
love with each other. Tey fre of zingers at each other until the end of the play. Even
in truce, neither one compromises, and thats why we love them as a couple. Teyre
very modern that way!
While trickery threatens to bring lasting heartbreak to all the characters, happy
endings and witty jokes ensure the plays frm footing in comedy. Te same small-town
rumor mill that tears families and couples apart can also bring them together when
intentions are good.
Roses choice of setting also brings opportunity for fun the local way. Tanks to
Charleston music institution Roger Bellow and other area favorites, authentic live
Southern folk music and a barn dance help bring this Shakespeare play home.
While not organizationally connected, Rose says that HCS and SEWE share similar
aims and that their coming together in one weekend ofers a way to see how Shakespeare
can be as much a part of our culture as any product of local heritage. SEWE promotes
the preservation of our natural treasures through art and education; HCS promotes the
preservation of a cultural treasure in exactly the same ways. I hope to treat residents
and visitors to a surprising complement to their festival weekend, and to help make
Shakespeare a treasure we can call our own.
February 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sottile Teatre in downtown Charleston. Tickets
are $30 for adults, $20 for students (25 and under) and seniors (60+). Purchase tickets
online at www.holycityshakespeare.org or by phone at 866-811-4111. * A number of tickets
will be provided free of charge to community-based organizations; CBO directors contact
HCS at 754-7267 for details.
Shak espear e and SEWE Shar e t he St age
P r o v i d e d
February 17, 2012
7
FOLLY ANIMAL SERVICE:
Please report all Lost or
Found pets on Folly Beach
immediately. Call 588-2433
and ask for Folly Animal
Service or a police officer.
All resident animals must
be registered with the City
of Folly Beach annually and
tags must be attached to the
pets collar. Tag cost $3 and
may be purchased at Folly
Beach Public Safety, located
at City Hall.
H
ere's a cold winter moon, slowly rising and bathing the trees below with its pale
gold light. Winter is a good time to remember that in the world around us,
natural processes are still very much occurring, although often slowed down a
good bit. And it's time to remember that the days are starting to get longer now, and it
won't be long before more and more fowers will be popping out.
Te fowers of the small tree pictured here are associated with the large, globose
"foral" buds at the ends of the twigs. When these buds open, you will see a very
familiar sight indeed: four bright white bracts (sometimes pink) surrounding a cluster
of tiny yellowish-green fowers. Everybody has seen these opening in March. And most
people think that the fower bears four bright, white petals. (Nope.) Trees in full bloom
are without doubt one of the showiest and most characteristic displays in the forests
of eastern North America, and it is not really a surprise that this species is one of the
most popular fowering trees in cultivation, now widely grown around the world. Te
fowers in each cluster eventually form one-seeded fruits, which as they mature, go from
green to shiny, bright red in the fall. Tese fruits are nutritious and are enormously
popular with a great many birds and mammals, and thus the tree is commonly spread
by wildlife.
Te leaves start to expand after the blooming has begun, and each mature leaf is
egg-shaped, bright green, and about four inches long. In the autumn, the leaves turn a
sort of red or russet. Once they've fallen, the leaves rapidly decompose, returning their
nutrients to the ground more quickly than the leaves of most other trees. Te wood is
hard and dense, and has been used historically as the building material for shuttles and
looms in old-time mills. Its blossoms are the state fower of North Carolina, and it is
the state tree of Virginia (their state fower, too). Unfortunately, this species is rather
susceptible to various fungal diseases, and there is some threat now to natural and
cultivated populations from a disease called "anthracnose."
Tis plant is a common component of high-ground forests from southern New
England through the upper Midwest, and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida.
It is what we call an "understory" species, that is, usually not a part of the higher canopy.
Because of this, you would think that this species must be able to tolerate considerable
shadewhich is true. In cultivation, though, it is able to withstand open, sunny sites,
as well, but it seems to do the best with at least some shade. Everybody will instantly
recognize it when looking at its gorgeous spring fowers and brilliant autumn fruits, but
in the winter, the best way to identify it is by its bark.
John Nelson is the curator of the Herbarium at the University of South Carolina, in
the Department of Biological Sciences. As a public service, the Herbarium ofers free plant
identifcations. For more information, visit www.herbarium.org or call 803-777-8196.
Myst er y Pl ant
Photo by John nelson.
[ A n s w e r : D o g w o o d , " C o r n u s f o r i d a ]
February 17 - March 2
Folly Current Calendar
F
olly Beach will hold its 5th Annual Folly Gras on Saturday, February
18th, 2012. Center Street will be closed from 12 pm to 5pm with the
Event starting at 1 pm. We have asked our restaurants to prepare special
New Orleans food fare and Mardi Gras drinks beginning at 1 pm. We will
have fve live bands set up at diferent locations on Center Street. Parade begins
at 2 pm with lineup on West Arctic in front of the TIDES Hotel 45 minutes
earlier. Parade will march on the left side of the split only (Sand Dollar side
of the street) for the frst block, then continue down Center Street turning of
on East Hudson to disperse. Te event will continue until 5 pm within the
designated areas on Center Street with the music, dancing and food provided
by our own local businesses. Bands include Guilt Ridden Troubadour, Gaslight
Street, Soul Fish, and Te Brillers. Trophy winners will be announced at 4:30
pm in front of the Shakin Martinis Band.
Parade Rules:
You must be in Mardi Gras costume to participate! 1.
Decorated Floats, Golf Carts, Marching & Alternative transportation 2.
only!
CARS will be allowed if TOTALLY decorated in Mardi Gras. 3.
TRUCKS ONLY ALLOWED IF THEY ARE PULLING A FLOAT 4.
We Welcome decorated pets!
Must be on West Arctic by 1:30 pm for lineup
Trophies will be given for: Best All Around FollyGras Spirit, Best
Golf Cart, Best Float, Best Costume
Tere will also be 1ST 2ND & 3rd Place Trophies to the restaurant
with the Best New Orleans Food Fare
Masks will be sold at City Hall, 2nd Floor, at cost for $3.00 frst come
frst served. Free beads given with each mask. Ask for Mary
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Cunningham at City Hall;
513-1836 or 708-1113.
FOLLYGRAS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Friday, February 17
Movies at the Beach
Ice Princess (Rated G, 99 min)
Come to the Folly library and watch a movie
with your friends. Snacks provided!4 pm.
Out of School Fun Day
Since you are out of school, come out and play
at the park! We'll spend our day riding bikes,
climbing, learning about our local environment,
and Leave No Trace ethics. Pre-registration
required. James Island County Park. 8 am
5:30 p.m. Ages 6-9. $30.
Saturday, February 18
Folly Gras
1-5 pm. Center Street. Live music and parade.
tueSday, February 21
City Council Meeting, 7 pm
Coastal Navigation Clinics - Coastal
Navigation - Level 1
Tis is the frst of a two-part series introducing
all aspects of coastal navigation. Tis frst
session covers the basics of maps and charts,
compasses, declination/variation, aids to
navigation, and rules of the nautical road. Pre-
registration required. 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Meets at: CCPRC Headquarters (James Island)
Age: 16 & up Fee: $18/$15 CCR Discount
thurSday, February 23
Habitat For Humanity's 3
rd
Annual
Build it with Bushels Oyster Roast
Hosted by Habitat Young Professionals, and all
proceeds raised go directly to East Cooper and
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity afliates
6 to 9 pm at Rita's Seaside Grille
$12 in advance*, $15 at the door. Includes all you
can eat oysters and other food items. Live music
by the Rusty Hook Ramblers. Drink specials
are $2 domestics, $1 of well drinks, and $2.50
margaritas. Silent auction with prizes including
a 2-day/1-night canoe trip with overnight stay
in a treehouse, also one night stay at Water's
Edge Inn on Folly.
Friday, February 24
Movies at the Beach
Te Wiz (Rated G, 133 min) Come to the Folly
library and watch a movie with your friends.
Snacks provided! 4 pm.
Saturday, February 25
Josh Dybzinski Fund Basketball
Tournament
Begins at 8 a.m. 3 on 3. See info in this issue.
Lowcountry Boil
Folly Beach Exchange Club is sponsoring
a low country boil dinner. 4-7p.m. 206 W
Indian St. Tickets are $12 and include tea and
dessert. Eat in or take out.
Monday, February 27
Family Storytime with Miss Donna (all
ages) At the Folly Library, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, March 2
Read Across America!
Celebrate Dr. Seuss Birthday by reading Seuss
stories with a special guest reader! 4 pm.
Celebrate the approaching March Madness with an old school b-ball tourney on Folly Beach,
to beneft Folly Current graphic designer Josh Dybzinski, who is still in the hospital in a halo after
a car accident in December.
Rules: Every three person teammust have one Folly resident. Prizes will be awarded to winning
teams, and each player receives a t-shirt. Registration is $30 per team.
Winning teams go on to a Folly Beach vs. Te World tournament held on Center Street during
the Sea and Sand Festival.
Every team in the February 25 tournament must have at least one FB resident on its team.
Prizes and gift certifcates will be provided as well as medals and t-shirts for this tournament.
Registration is $30.
A second tournament will be held on March 10 featuring teams from outside of Folly
Beach. Registration for this tournament will be $60. Te top 1st and 2nd place fnishers
from this tournament will then play the top two fnishers from the FB tournament in a FOLLY
BEACH vs. THE WORLD!! double elimination continuation of both tournaments ON
CENTER STREET during the Sea and Sand Festival. Te top three placed teams will win cash
prizes and certifcates, recieve medals and t-shirts. All participants from both tournaments will
recieve FOLLY BEACH vs. THE WORLD!! t-shirts.
Register by contacting follybeachdude@gmail.com for up to date information on the tournament,
location, game times, and links to where you can donate to the Josh Dybzinski Fund.
Fol l y Beac h
Bask et bal l Tour nament
8 A.m., FEBRUARY 25
10 February 17, 2012
Solution on page 14 Level: Very Easy
Sudoku
Editors Note: Te Folly Current would like
to thank Folly Beach Public Safety and Chief
Dennis Brown for their quick attention to
the newspapers requests for police reports,
without requiring a tedious FOIA request.
We look forward to bringing you blotter
each issue, and remind you that while Mr.
Crawfords descriptions are derived from the
actual reports, the blotter is also meant to
be humorous (Unless youre the one getting
busted for a crime).
Run For Te Border
January 22, 2012. 12:03 AM. Center
Street. Reported hit and run on a parked
pick-up truck by way of a green Honda
Accord. Te culprits escape attempt is
detailed in the report: CHARLESTON
CLLD THEY HAVE THE VEHICLE
INVOLVED IN A MVC AT TACO
BELL// HIT A POLE/ POLE
DOWN
Tose Damn Hooligans
Per the Ofcers narrative: PSO observed
3 individuals drinking Budweiser beer
from glass bottles on the beach front.
Each individual was cited and released
Folly Police Dont Inhale
A man under suspicion for Driving
Under the Infuence gave up during his
SFST(Standardized Field Sobriety Test, for
short). Upon further search the reporting
ofcer discovered a small amount of a green
leafy substance consistent with marijuana.
Te man was charged with DUI and
simple possession of marijuana. Just in
case you were wondering: It should be
noted that the green leafy substance was
logged into evidence. Cue the last scene
from Raiders Of Te Lost Ark.
I Have A Bellybutton
An Ofcer responded to a call from a
man and his wife who, while checking on
their rental property, noticed a window
screen laying on the ground. Tey
further explained to the Ofcer that they
were unsure if a previous renter had left
it that way as well as stating the window
was closed and locked. And I have a
bellybutton.
Te Heist
Getaway car? Check. Explosives?
Check. Creepy, Unabomber-style
hooded sweatshirt designed to frighten
unsuspecting victims? Check. Two-
Liter bottles and aluminum foil to make
bombs? Check. Aforementioned getaway
car full of my buds to laugh with at the
thought of the cops being called at our
behest? Check. Alright, lets go!
Never A Stupid Question?
A man eventually booked with a DUI
for driving with a .23 blood alcohol
level threatened to have his arresting
Ofcer fred via Low Country political
connections. Upon being subjected to the
Standardized Field Sobriety Test(SFST, for
short), he informed the Ofcer he couldnt
recite the alphabet, was unable to keep
count of his fngers, and couldnt stand on
one leg. He then asked the Ofcer, Are
you going to arrest me now?

Whatever Happened To Tat Armed
Robber Guy With Te Afro?
Really though.
Just Another February On Folly
Ahh, the weathers getting betterthe
tourists are still gone. February on Folly
ushers in the season of appreciating the
privilege of being forced to fnd something
to do with spare time, as the following
implies: tires slashed on 6 cars and
a golf cart in the same blocka sister
accusing her 2 brothers of stealing their
mothers furniture3 reported stolen
bikesa pressure washer reported missing
was later found at the local Pawn shop
lots of people not smoking pot discreetly
enoughetc
What Did We Learn Today?
Judging by the DUI count this week,
the normally cop-less cop car in the boat
landing actually has a cop in it when you
cant see inside.
The Beac h Bl ot t er
B y D av i D C r a wf o r D
February 17, 2012 11
Music calendar is compiled by Vince Perna, a Folly Beach real estate expert who also loves a
good live show. For inclusion, or if you want knowledgeable answers about living on Folly, you
can fnd him at 31 Center Street or at 588-3800 and vperna@dunesproperties.com
Folly Music scene
F
riends of the late, much-loved Folly singer-songwriter Rick Huf will gather
on February 23 to celebrate their friends birthday. In celebration of the poet
laureate of Folly Beach, the Folly Current is honored to revisit the lyrics to Hufs
song, Folly Beach Weather Report.
Fol l y Beac h
Weat her Repor t
RemembeRing Rick Huff
Jimi Hendrix on the jukebox, Rush Limbaugh on TV
And everything thats in between is pretty much anarchy.
Its boozers and its users and a few religious rights.
Sometimes they all mix it up and sometimes theres a fght.
But mostly they all get along and try to live together,
And talk about local politics and bitch about the weather.
Cause shes wet, wild, warm and damp,
Hotter than a hooker in a Boy Scout camp.
Im glad I got a piece of her before she got out of reach,
Shes crazy, but I love her, FOLLY BEACH.
Its shark-infested waters, real estate agents on land.
For some of the old-timers, things aint going like they
planned.
Some of them got desperate and sold their sacred ground.
Money changes everything when money comes to town.
Still, they go to Council Meetings and vote the way they
feel,
But the roots theyve grown and the life theyve known,
Is just part of the deal.
Cause shes wet, wild, warm and damp,
Hotter than a hooker in a Boy Scout camp.
Im glad I got a piece of her before she got out of reach,
Shes crazy, but I love her, FOLLY BEACH.
Each time you pass by Crosbys, either way things change.
Comin home feels better; leavin feels so strange.
Teyre startin to build condos; theyre tearing houses
down.
And some, who like it as it was, feel more lost than found.
If a mans home is his castle, then the river is our moat.
Tis song could be our battle cry if we all hit the note.
You can see those storm clouds brewin like smoke along the
ridge,
And will the last one comin home tonight, please blow up
the bridge.
Cause shes wet, wild, warm and damp,
Hotter than a hooker in a Boy Scout camp.
Im glad I got a piece of her before she got out of reach,
Shes crazy but I love her, FOLLY BEACH.
R. P. Huf, Jr., 1997
Folly Beach Public Safety and SC
DHEC will host a Rabies Clinic on
March 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at 106
West Cooper Avenue.
Veterinarians across South Carolina are
joining forces with the state DHEC to help
residents protect their pets and themselves,
against rabies. Te vaccination fee will be
$5 per pet.
Rabies is a threat to domestic and wild
animals as well as to humans. For this
reason DHEC and Folly Beach animal
control encourage all pet owners to have
their dogs and cats vaccinated. Te
contribution of local veterinarians to this
annual efort provides a valuable public
service to our citizens. More than 300
pets were vaccinated against rabies at the
Folly Beach Rabies Clinic last year.
According to DHEC about 400 South
Carolinians a year undergo preventative
treatment after being bitten by a rabid or
suspected rabid animal.
Rabies is fatal once the virus reaches
the brain, but pets can be vaccinated
against the disease. Te most efective
way to protect pets and humans from the
threat of rabies is to have all dogs and cats
vaccinated against rabies.
DHEC statistics show that, in 2010,
there were 106 positive cases of rabies
confrmed in animals in the state,
including 53 raccoons, 22 foxes, 14
skunks, nine bats, four dogs, two cats and
one bobcat.
Current South Carolina law and Folly
Beach Ordinances requires every pet cat
and dog to be vaccinated against rabies by
a licensed veterinarian. Te owner of an
unvaccinated domestic pet may be found
guilty of a misdemeanor and fned.
During the Folly Beach Rabies Clinic,
anyone may also buy a Folly Beach Animal
Tag for $3. All Folly Beach residence are
required to have a tag for each pet. Non
residents may also buy a Folly Beach
Animal tag. It is encouraged that all pet
owners have information tags attached
to their pet. Tis tag is an information
tag that is used to help return lost pets 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
Rabi es Cl i ni c
Brick House kitcHen
Tursdays Open Mic Under
the Oaks, 7:30 p.m.

Drop in Deli
Mondays the Hawkes
Wednesdays - Trivia
2/17 - Fairy Godmuthars
2/18 - Eric Penrod
2/21 - Sweet T & Chuck
Wagon

Folly BeacH Brewing
company
2/17 - Jack Burg
2/24 - Doug Walters -
Nightbird
3/2 - Dallas Corbett
3/16 - Mark Jackson

Folly Beach Crab Shack
Sundays Te Bill Show
Mondays Open Mic w/ Dave
Grunstra
Tuesdays - Trivia
Tursdays Folly Beach
Bluegrass Society
Fridays Nathan Calhoun
2/18 - Howard Dlugasch
2/25 - Sara Smile

loggerHeaDs
2/17 - Treehouse
2/18 - Eric Penrod
2/18 - Te Dubplates
2/21 - Yellowknife
2/23 - Bringers of the Dawn
2/24 - Weigh Station
2/25 - Eddie & the Public
Speakers
2/28 - Old You acoustic
3/1 - Te Hawkes
3/2 - Gaslight Street

pourHouse - James islanD
2/18 - James Justin & Co.
Josh Roberts & the Hinges

planet FollywooD
Sundays - Reggae Sundays
Tuesdays - Open Mic night
2/17 - Dave Grunstra
2/18 - Shakin Martinis
2/23 - Karaoke
2/24 - Kevin Church
2/25 - Nathan Calhoun
3/2 - Dan Clamp
3/3 - Nathan Calhoun


Sand Dollar
2/17 & 18 - Te Cool

snapper Jacks
2/18 - Old You


surF Bar
Wednesdays - Guilt Ridden
Troubadour
2/18 - Cotton Blue
3/3 - David Earl & the
Plowshares
3/8 - Silas Get Right Band
WWW.FOLLYCURRENT.COM
12 February 17, 2012
I
t was recently suggested by a dear
friend that I should make my writing
more concise and not so rambling.
After much thoughtsorry friend. Im a
rambling man. So, here is more of my
inconscient rambling.
By the way, I found the word
inconscient in a 1972 edition of Websters
Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, given
to me by the aforementioned friend.
Spell-check would not accept. Oh, and
inconscient means: mindless. Onto that
vegetable soup before I mindlessly ramble
too much.
Lets make this rambling fresh
vegetable soup from scratch, not because
we cant get meat, fowl or seafood to
make some other soup or dish, but for the
sheer joy of a fresh vegetable soup! Tats
right, a tasty soup made of fresh, local-
grown vegetables, and loaded with all
the nutrients and protein you need for a
day at, on and of Folly. It is very much a
comfort food for this bitterly cold winter
on Folly Beach.
Okay, now I jest. Bitterly cold?
Really? It is noonish, February 2012 and
seventy-something degrees. I have doors
and windows open, wearing a t-shirt and
pajama pants. Barefoot and drinking a
Gatorade, Im standing on my sunny front
deck, enjoying the visual and auditory
crash of the Atlantic. Im thinking about
making some fresh vegetable soup tonight.
It may get down below 60. Hell, I may
even have to put on a sweatshirt and some
fip-fops. Some rambling fresh vegetable
soup would be nice.
Does this instant gratifcation
generation of microwaves, hot-pockets
and frozen what-evers even know what it
means to make anything from scratch?
Tis generation I just vilifed is the
product of us, believe it or not. So dont
knock them you, too, are the product
of the generation before you. Tis new
generation seems to have what it takes, but
they could probably use some guidance or
an example, maybe. You pierced what?
Got a tattoo of what? Occupied what?
Where? With whom?
Feed them and they will grow;
lead them and they will know. More
importantly, admonish in private, praise
in public. You want them to be your
friend, and you shouldnt embarrass your
friends; even if they are family. So ask
them about that hippy getaway, uncouth
tattoo or piercing in private. Just sayin
Be couth. Be cool.
I remember as a wee lad, coming home
from school and having a steaming bowl
of rich vegetable soup placed in front of
me, maybe with some crackers, a wedge
of cornbread, or if I was really lucky, a
grilled cheese sandwich! It never failed to
satisfy. When I eventually escaped (or was
chased) outside to play football, baseball,
to skateboard, bicycle or capture-the-
fag, I was defnitely fueled for adventure.
Tere was no X-box, Gameboy or what-
the-hell-every couch toy. I did have an
Atari thing, but it was lame compared to
being outside with my friends.
All we rambunctious, rambling kids
needed was some form of a ball, a BB gun,
bicycles, skateboards, a Frisbee, or the so
classic lawn darts. Oh, and a ramp! Bricks
and cinderblocks with an attached piece
of plywood the usual stage for injury. I
survived all of it, fueled by vegetable soup;
able to toss, catch, kick and hit a ball,
shoot a BB gun, clear the plywood ramp
andoutrun the lawn darts.
Eat up Brian, change out of your
school clothes and go outside and play,
were my instructions as the soup was
placed in front of me. I would dig in with
gusto. Tis would hold me till dinner, and
my grandparents ate a late dinner. Tis
late dinner usually consisted of some sort
of beef, seafood or chicken dish, a starch
and a side of vegetables, or perhaps more
of that fresh vegetable soup.
Tere would also be some fresh baked
bread, typically cornbread, because
my grandparents certainly loved some
cornbread. I love cornbread too. What did
cause me some angst, however, was having
to watch my grandpa eat cornbread in a
bowl of buttermilk with a spoon. Damn,
grandpa is slurping bread soaked in sour
milk! It must be an old person thing. At
least there were no sweetbreads involved
- a topic I promise to revisit, i.e. ramble
back to.
A fresh vegetable soup has a base which
not only carries the day, but provides a
medium for almost any soup or stew. If
you must add meat, use the best - the
tenderloin of beef, veal, venison, poultry
or any fresh mollusk, shellfsh or fsh. Or,
just make a dang Dagwood to go with
the vegetable soup! Either way, enjoy the
soup. It will warm you up, fuel you up,
and lift you up. Oh, and it helps you to
jump ramps, dodge those pesky lawn darts
and capture the fag.
To remove all doubt about where I
stand, I do love beef, pork, veal, venison,
chicken, all seafood and some reptile,
perhaps a rodent even squirrel that is. I
dont really care for organ meats, unless it
is a foie Gras or select pates. By the way,
and to ramble back to as I promised,
how did the thymus and pancreatic
glands of ANYTHING come to be called
sweetbreads? Te frst time I heard
the phrase, I was thinking a pastry, pie,
doughnut or some sticky, gooey monkey-
bread treat. What did you envision when
you frst heard of sweetbreads? Im
guessing it wasnt a gland. But back to
the vegetable soup, minus the glands of
course.
Tis hearty soup should be looked
upon with the fondness deserved of those
beautiful things of simplicity, such as the
wheel, a rock tied to a stick, a campfre,
or a vegetable grown from seed. Food is
the ultimate medium. You may not speak
anothers language, but you can eat, laugh
and even cry with everyone universal.
Food may be that universal language, but
so are the poignant languages of laughter
and crying. Lets converse over a bowl of
fresh vegetable soup.
Every culture has its version of this soup
of the earth, be it because of the disastrous
efects of war, an inquisition, jihad,
pogrom, crusade, ethnic cleansing, natural
disaster, the dark ages, slavery or simply
because a vegetable soup just tastes good.
Te variation of this staple usually comes
in the form of the vegetables indigenous
to the area of that culture, or what various
visitors may have bestowed.
Here in Charleston we have had our
share of visitors, desolation, war, famine
and foul weather bestowed upon us.
And yes, the horror of slavery. When
youve been around since the 1600s, stuf
kinda happens. So, we Charles Towne
inhabitants endure and have what it takes
to press on forward. Is that a double
positive? You know, we Southern folk
tend to do the double negative; i.e. I aint
got none! or No you dinnent! Im gonna
go for the double positive: I aint got no
dinnent! Dont three negatives create a
positive? Or is it that two negatives create
a positive? Lets ramble on.
Tanks to our semi-tropical climate
and the growing number of local farmers
- from the rural islands of James, Johns
and Wadmalaw, to the everyday backyard
gardener, we have an abundance and
wide variety of local, fresh vegetables. Of
course, the farmers have always been here
in some form or another, but not to the
bounty that we can now lay claim to. It
is time to lay claim to our bounty. So, try
to fnd vegetables grown locally, maybe at
a CSA or your local farmers market, or
even at one of those beat-up old pick-ups
on the side of the road, with a cornucopia
of home-grown vegetables spread out on
the tail-gate, perhaps also on a rickety
wooden side table beside the battered
pick-up. Or, one of those homely road-
side shacks where grass baskets are also
ofered. You can buy a local hand-made
basket and load it with fresh, local-grown
vegetables. You will no doubt meet an
old man and/or woman ready to shake
your hand and give you a big hug. Tey
may even tell you a story or a joke worthy
of a knee slap. Besides, by buying local
you are supporting local farmers and an
eco-friendly enterprise.
Tis is truly a feel-good meal, one that
is also good for you, so back again to the
soup. Put a gallon of water on the stove.
Turn heat to high and cover - so that it
comes to a boil quicker. You are now
going to make your stock, this being the
base for the soup. Te stuf you normally
Cul i nar y Cor ner
A RAmbling FResh VegetAble soup
by bRiAn sAndeRs
vi ew from t he edge
Culinary continued on page 13
throw away can be combined to make a
very rich stock, even if it is just vegetables.
Whatever the vegetables you decide upon,
take all of the trimmings and toss them
into that pot of boiling water as you prep
the vegetables. You want to extract every
sweet morsel of favor from the bounty.
Do not add any salt. But please, do open
a nice bottle of red wine; a cabernet, a
merlot, a malbec, pinot noir or even a
blend. Yes, this is a red wine night and it
is time to allow that red wine to breathe.
Onions, celery, carrots, potatoes,
tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, leeks,
asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, garlic,
mushrooms, beans, peas, turnips, okra,
jicama, radish or almost whatevertoss
the trimmings and peels of all into the
stockpot. But it is time to test that wine,
to make sure it is safe for consumption. It
has breathed long enough. Time now for
you to breathe it in.
Let your stock simmer down to half
its initial volume, with the lid now of.
Did you start with a gallon of water as
instructed? You want to eventually reduce
it to a half-gallon. Whatever you start with,
reduce to half. Tis may put a little steam
in your kitchen and fog the windows, but
it will also add a very pleasant aroma to
your home. If you also have some bread
in the oven, so much better the aroma.
Damn, this is making me hungry! Give
that stock a stir and inhale.
You may have to leave the house and
walk back in to fully appreciate this
olfactory. Youve been inside doing this
for what seems like hours, right? Cutting
vegetables, boiling water, drinking wine
So, this may be a good time to take a glass
of that rambling red for a walk-about.
Go look at your backyard and peruse the
potential for herbs and vegetables there.
Look at the sky, breathe deep of the ocean
airuse the outhouse. Are you done yet?
Ramble back inside, wash your hands and
get back to work.
Te dense and tough vegetables
will need more cooking time, such as
the potatoes, carrots, turnips, jicama,
radishes, beans and peas. Te less dense
vegetables will need less time, some of
them added just minutes prior to serving,
such as the asparagus and broccoli. After
your stock has reduced to half, strain and
return that fne liquid to the pot. You
can toss the trimmings - toss them into
your compost if you have one. If not, ask
your neighbors; they may have a compost
going. If neither, just toss them into the
creek or marsh. Te crabs will love you for
that. You can catch them later and make
crab cakes loaded with your vegetables.
Return your lovely stock to a simmer.
Add the dense vegetables to the stock.
Also, add the herbs youve selected.
Hopefully, while the stock was reducing,
you had cut the remaining vegetables into
bite-sized or smaller pieces. How and
what size should you cut them? Just think
of what you would like to see on your
spoon. Now, are your onions and celery
cut into bite-sized pieces? Test the wine
again. Is it good? Is it safe? Just how long
of a walk-about did you take? Its time
to cook, so set that wine aside and grab a
large saut pan by the horn.
Over high heat, add some extra virgin
olive oil to saut pan and cook the onions
and celery, leeks too if you have them. If
lucky enough to be using fresh tomatoes,
make a tomato concasse French for
peeled, seeded and diced. Tose damned
Frenchcant win a war but they certainly
can cook! Tis concasse technique is as
follows: with a knife, score an X on the
bottom of each tomato, blanch for 15 to
30 seconds in boiling water then transfer
tomatoes to ice water and peel away the
skins; the X you scored on the bottom
should open like a fower in the ice water,
making the peeling much easier. Te
riper the tomato, the less time it takes to
blanch. Slice tomatoes in half, squeeze
the seeds out and dice the tomato pulp.
Add this diced pulp (tomato concasse) to
the hot saut pan.
Stir and keep high heat on that saut
pan. Add bell peppers, that lovely garlic
and any additional herbs and spices you
may have considered, such as some toasted
fennel or caraway seed, a cardamom pod
perhaps. Allow this to cook for a few
minutes and when bursting for afection,
give it a full glass of that good, safe red wine
youve been testing. Add some tomato
paste, stir and assess your wine level.
Top-of your glass, goblet or Dixie-cup
with the red nectar. Say, Ahhh! Reduce
the heat to simmer down. Te pan should
sizzle and simmer, both descriptions
very onomatopoeic, no? Oh yeah, I am
rambling now!
When the nectar in the saut pan has
signifcantly reduced, add this lovely
onion, celery, tomato, garlic, pepper, wine
marriage to your reduced stock loaded with
potatoes, carrots, beans, peas, cabbage,
etc. Give it a good stir. Now taste for salt
level and that pepper kick. Add salt and
cracked pepper to taste. Add hot sauce if
you like. I normally add some. Cover and
let simmer for a while. Yes, you too can
now simmer down - with that wine and
relax. You are almost there.
When the potatoes are done, add
the delicate vegetables, the asparagus,
broccoli, caulifower, etc., and when they
are done (a mere minute or two), ladle into
bowls. I suggest a grilled cheese sandwich
on the side or some pita bread or crackers.
Cornbread is best, but no damned
buttermilk! Unless that is, you like sour
milk When buttermilk goes bad what
does it become? Cottage cheese? Yogurt?
Bad buttermilk? Doh! I ramble.
Tis soup holds very well. Kept
refrigerated, it will be okay for a week, but
I can assure you that your family, friends
and guests will make sure it doesnt go
to waste. If you are fortunate enough to
have some left, freeze it or make a hearty
stew. Or, cook a blend of rice or pasta
and add to soup to make a whole new
soup! Yes, you can also add some meat.
I recommend some seafood or chicken,
perhaps buttermilk fried sweetbreads on
the side. I jest again, and you guessed
it I rambled. It may be time for another
walk-about, walk of some of those
vegetables and wine, and later go back for
seconds of both. I hope the bottle of wine
you opened was a big one. Mine was of
the liter variety, a rich cabernet-syrah by
Rambling Red. Ramble on!
Brian Sanders
bp.sands1034@gmail.com
February 17, 2012 13
WWW.FOLLYCURRENT.COM
Culinary continued from page 12
Source: www.saltwatertides.com
Date High Tide Low Tide
Storms, hurricanes, etc., are NOT included in the predictions.
Tidal current direction changes and tide time predictions can
be very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they
can be wrong so use common sense.
Feb 17
Feb 18
Feb 19
Feb 20
Feb 21
Feb 22
Feb 23
Feb 24
Feb 25
Feb 26
Feb 27
Feb 28
Feb 29
Mar 1
Fol l y Beach Ti de Char t
4:26am/4:35pm
5:27am/5:35pm
6:21am/6:30pm
7:09am/7:18pm
7:53am/8:02pm
8:33am/8:43pm
9:11am/9:21pm
9:47am/9:58pm
10:23am/10:35pm
11:00am/11:12pm
11:38am/11:54pm
12:21pm
12:40am/1:11pm
1:35am/2:08pm
10:15am/10:28pm
11:13am/11:26pm
12:04pm
12:19am/12:51pm
1:08am/1:34pm
1:52am/2:15pm
2:35am/2:53pm
3:15am/3:29pm
3:54am/4:04pm
4:32am/4:39pm
5:11am/5:17pm
5:55am/5:59pm
6:44am/6:49pm
7:41am/7:47pm
14 February 17, 2012
Brought to you by Woodys Pizza and
Mary Ohl.
PHOTO BY MarY OHl
Do you recognize this image? It was taken somewhere on Folly Beach (and not
during the parade). If you know where it is, let us know at wtf@luckydognews.
com and you could win a free medium, one-topping pizza from Woodys! No on
guessed last issues What the Folly so we are going to give you another try.
Sudoku solution
from page 9
F
or those who think its too cold to
surf in February, the staf at Ocean
Surf Shop says, Cmon, Dude!
Ocean Surf Shop, in conjunction with the
Eastern Surfng Association, is announcing
a surf contest at the Folly Beach, Washout
during one of South Carolinas coldest
months - February.
Appropriately titled Te Icebox
Open, the surf shop hopes to make the
open contest an annual event. Te staf at
Ocean wanted to try a surf contest that
had never before been attempted in the
state of South Carolina: A very cold one.
Oh, and just to warm the blood during
a cold February surf, the contest will
ofer a grand prize of $1000. So, NOW
who says its too cold to surf?
If you want some general stats on
surfng in South Carolina in mid-February,
here they are: Te average daytime high
temperature is 60*F. Te average low
temperature is 46*F. Te average water
temperature hovers right around 50*F
. While that might not be cold in New
Jersey, its certainly cold to a Southerner.
Everyone in this part of the world
seems to associate surf contests with
warm, sunny days, bikinis and board-
shorts. We wanted to create a contest that
recognizes the hard-core South Carolina
surfng community. Te guys that charge
it all year round, says Ocean Surf Shop
owner Scott Quattlebaum. Its not easy or
appealing to put on a Hooded 4/3 wetsuit,
and 5 mm gloves and booties to surf in
the freezing cold water after a windy cold
front passage in February, but it sure can
be fun, if you have the right attitude.
It could be a beautiful, sunny, warm
day when the waves pick up during our
waiting period for the contest, says
Quattlebaum. But lets hope not, he
adds with a grin.
As is traditional with many surf contest
formats in Hawaii and on the West Coast,
the Ice Box Open will have a three weekend
waiting period. Tis way, the competition
can be held during the coldest day with the
biggest surf. Of course, big surf will be the
driving factor when the surf forecasters at
Ocean Surf Shop make a fnal call for the
contest day. Te contest will be announced
four days in advance.
We wanted a waiting period so we
could get the best, most ride-able surf,
says Quattlebaum. Most contests in our
area are held on a specifc day, and if you
get waves, you are lucky. We wanted to
give our contestants the best chance to
shine in big, and likely cold, conditions.
Hopefully, the swell will cooperate.
Open divisions will be held for men
and women. Tere will be four man heats
of 20 minutes , with top surfers advancing
to a fnal, cold, big-money showdown.
Surfers can fnd mail-in registration
forms at www.oceansurfshop.com, or can
register at Ocean Surf Shop, 31 Center. St.
Folly Beach, S.C. For more information on
the contest, go to www.oceansurfshop.com,
or call the shop at 588-9175.
New Sur f Cont est Announc ed
O c e a n S u r f S H O P I c e B O x O P e n
Where Te Washout, (1700 Block) Folly Beach, S.C.
When A waiting period will run for the weekends of Feb. 11 and 12, Feb.
17 and 18, Feb 24 and 25.
Ocean Surf Shops expert surf forecasters will announce the day of the
contest four days in advance of the competition on the shops Web site
(www.oceansurfshop.com), on the shops Facebook page, Te Eastern
Surfng Associations Web site, and on the shops daily phone surf report
(843)633-0268.
Heats should start around 8 a.m. on the morning of the day the contest is
to run.
Format Contest will run for one weekend day in mid-to-late February.
Waiting period will run for the weekends of Feb. 11 and 12, Feb. 17 and 18,
Feb 24 and 25.
Contest will have a mens open division and a womens open division. All
ages are welcomed to register. Let your surfng do the talking, not your age.
Competition will consist of four man heats 20 minute in length, Trough to
the fnal. Judges will be paid by Te Eastern Surfng Association, and will
not be afliated with Ocean Surf Shop.
Prizes: Cash prize for the mens open division is $1000 for frst place.
Second place is a $300 Ocean Surf Shop gift card, third place is a $200
Ocean Surf Shop gift card.
Prizes for the Women's division will be as follows: $400
for frst place, a $200 Ocean Surf Shop gift card for
second place, and a $100 Ocean Surf Shop gift card for
third place.
Registration Advance registration cost is $35 per surfer.
We discourage entering the contest on the day of the
competition.
Entry fee on the day of the event is $65.
Contestants can register at Ocean Surf Shops Folly Beach
location, or fnd a mail-in contest entry on-line at www.
oceansurfshop.com. Make checks payable to the Eastern
Surfng Association.
For more information go to www.oceansurfshop.com, or call
588-9175.
WWW.FOLLYCURRENT.COM
16 February 17, 2012
I
idled into the cove behind the southwestern Morris Island spit. Right away,
something wasnt right. Id spent a summer swimming, crabbing, and casting for
bait in this cove. Nearly every day, I negotiated the narrow channel and avoided
the shoals in this protected water body. Now, at dead high tide, my skeg bumped the
bottom where the day before I had plenty of water.
An old chart, dated 1900, features a prominent spit on the southwestern end of
Morris Island. In 1900, this spit existed 1600 yards seaward of its progeny. Te past
and present spit show uncanny resemblance in both size and orientation. After almost
100 years of retreat, Morris Islands southwestern sand volume once again made muster.
Natural wind and wave forces persisted, rendering a modern copy. Daily processes
usually trump episodic events.
As I nosed the bow onto the shoreward side of the spit, my passengers jumped out to
explore the island. Just down the beach, a lone fsherman sat in a lawn chair, watching
his surf rod. Before wed landed, I saw him release a big red drum back into the
September surf. I set the anchor, noting a continuous overwash from the new-moon
spring tide surf. Overwashing waves developed a channel, dividing the spit in two.
A steady sand slurry, directed through the channel, fowed hell-bent on flling the
cove. My guests returned and boarded the boat through ankle-deep water. I started the
motor, stowed the anchor, and began my retreat from what, only the day before, was a
predictable exit. Bumping and lurching my way out of the cove at dead high tide had
me wearing a nervous smile, the bottom now foreign like the dark side of the moon. I
returned the next day, fnding fve acres of sand occupying the former cove.
A coastline, like ones life, can experience months even years of relative
stability. Ten some random event takes the whole mess, shakes it up, and casts it back
out, rendering our world unrecognizable. But, nature fnds an average. Persistent daily
forces once again take charge, sculpting life into a semblance of its previous existence.
Sal t Mar sh Di ar i es
Shifting SandS
By anton dumarS
this image compares the shoreline of morris island in 2005, superimposed with
shoreline in 1900. from anton dumars: i did an erosion study for CCPRC in 2007,
involving determining erosion rates for South West (SW) Morris and NE Folly. I traced
shorelines back to 1858, overlayed them onto the 2005 shoreline. Next I calculated
rate of shoreline movement, then graphed it. I actually got to use calculus to fnd the
minima of the graph (1st derivative), which gave me the approximate year when erosion
stopped on SW Morris. What you see is a trace of the 1900 shoreline (flled in with
some transparency) overlying the 2005 shoreline. This way, you can see the similarity
between two natural spits on Morris 105 years apart. Both spits are in their original
location. Charleston Jetties were fnished in 1895 and Morris Island started retreating
soon afterwards. The 1900 spit is the last appearance until 2005. Once SW Morris
Island started building up again, natural processes (which remain constant) fnally had
enough material available to build a replica spit. The looming question today is, Wheres
the sand coming from?